bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Joining Forces: The Addition of a Palliative Care Practitioner to a Resident Teaching Service During COVID-19 Pandemic as a Tool to Improve Patient Care and Provider Communication
Authors: Pfeifer Lucas , Lwin Thuthiri , Fitzgibbons Lynn , Gillette Sheila , Melton Eleanor
Published: August 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic has presented an array of novel issues for hospitals and their staff, 1 of the most noted being increased patient isolation due to visitation restrictions. This has created new challenges for health care systems and their workers. To leverage the expertise of Palliative Care Practitioners (PCP) as described here to improve patient/provider communication, patient experience, and quality of care during the COVID-19 pandemic. To address these new obstacles to patient care presented by the pandemic, a PCP was incorporated into the physician team caring for COVID-19 patients at the time of admission. Members of the care team were surveyed and interviewed regarding their experiences with this added support. During a period of peak hospital strain from COVID-19, team members consistently reported that daily PCP involvement led to improvement in communication with patients and families, greater provider awareness of psychosocial stressors, and decreased physician burnout. Integration of a PCP into a clinical care team during the COVID-19 pandemic was perceived as a valuable asset to patients, families, and clinicians.
Uncovering Missing Voices: Invisible Aspects of Idiosyncratic Deals (I-Deals)
Authors: Simosi Maria , Aldossari Maryam , Chaudhry Sara , Rousseau Denise M.
Published: August 2022

To provide context for this special issue’s eight articles, we review the lenses adopted in i-deals research and its findings and then address under-studied aspects of i-deals. Part of the societal trend toward customization of employment arrangements, the i-deals workers negotiate for themselves are the subject of a growing body of research. We observe that i-deals research investigates both antecedents and consequences of i-deals at levels from the individual and dyad to team and organization. Numerous theories have been applied to explain i-deal phenomena beginning with social exchange theory in its initial research to social comparison and diverse theories regarding human needs and values. Employers are known to use i-deals to attract, motivate, and retain workers, while employees pursue i-deals to better their work lives and career opportunities. Although the positive effects of i-deals for organizations and i-dealers alike are well-documented, potential negative effects are under-studied. Moreover, white collar workers in developed countries are the recurrent focus in i-deals research to the neglect of other occupations and societies. In this article and special issue, we seek insights regarding understudied aspects of i-deals to deepen investigation into their myriad manifestations and effects.
What Drives Royalty Rates in International Franchising?
Authors: Zeißler Jennifer , Mandler Timo , Kim Jeeyeon
Published: August 2022

Royalty rates are an essential contractual provision to reduce the risk of opportunism in franchising partnerships, many of which are international. However, extant research provides limited insights into the factors that determine the level of royalty rates in international franchise agreements. To address this gap, the authors conceptualize and empirically test a model that treats country characteristics (economic potential, legal rights protection, and cultural distance) and contract characteristics (territorial exclusivity and contract duration) as drivers of royalty rates, accounting for product-market profile and service type as potential contextual factors. Using a unique data set comprising 125 international franchising contracts between franchisors and franchisees from 19 countries, the authors find that economic potential (but not territorial exclusivity) is associated with higher royalty rates, whereas legal rights protection, cultural distance, and contract duration are associated with lower royalty rates. Although these relationships are robust across business-to-consumer and business-to-business markets, the impact on royalty rates of economic potential is more pronounced, and that of legal rights protection is less pronounced, for services targeting people (e.g., hospitality) than for services targeting their possessions (e.g., financial services). This work extends the literature exploring the contracting stage of international franchising and provides insights that inform franchisors’ and franchisees’ decisions related to the design of such contracts.
Resistance levels to non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors among pregnant women with recent HIV infection in Malawi
Authors: Bello George , Kagoli Matthew , Chipeta Sikhona , Auld Andrew , Chang Joy C-W , DeVos Joshua R , Kim Evelyn , Mkungudza Jonathan , Payne Danielle , Eliya Michael , Nyirenda Rose , Jahn Andreas , Mzumara Taziona , Mvula Bernard , Dadabhai Sufia , Namakhoma Ireen , Babaye Yusuf , Giron Amalia , Jordan Michael R , Bertagnolio Silvia , O’Malley Gabrielle , Wadonda-Kabondo Nellie
Published: August 2022

Background

Information on HIV drug resistance (HIVDR) prevalence in people newly diagnosed with HIV is limited. We implemented a cross-sectional study to estimate HIVDR prevalence among pregnant women recently infected with HIV in Malawi.

Methods

The HIVDR study was nested within a routine antenatal clinic (ANC) sentinel surveillance survey. Dried blood spot samples were tested for recent infection using a limiting antigen antibody assay together with HIV viral load testing. HIV-1 protease and reverse transcriptase were sequenced using Sanger sequencing. Drug susceptibility was predicted using Stanford HIVdb algorithm (version 8.9). Weighted analysis was performed in Stata 15.1.

Results

Of the 21,642 pregnant women enrolled in the ANC survey, 8.4% (1826/21,642) tested HIV positive. Of these, 5.0% (92/1826) had recent HIV infection, and 90.2% (83/92) were tested by PCR. The amplification and sequencing success rate was 57.8% (48/83). The prevalence of any HIVDR was 14.6% (5/45) (95% CI: 4.7–36.8%), all of which indicated HIVDR to nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs). HIVDR to nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors was 7.9% (2/45) (95% CI: 1.4–34.6%). Resistance to protease inhibitors currently in use in Malawi was not observed.

Conclusions

Despite the low number of cases with presumed TDR, our study hints that resistance to NNRTIs was high, above the 10% target for regimen change. Further investigation is needed to establish the exact magnitude of presumed TDR among women recently infected with HIV. These findings support the transition to an integrase inhibitor-based first-line regimen for patients initiating or on ART.
A high-precision numerical method to simulating the fractional-order EI Niño chaotic systems with Riemann–Liouville fractional derivative
Authors: Zhang Ke-Qiang , Cao Xue-Jun , Wang Yu-Lan
Published: August 2022

Chaotic systems arise everywhere in control theory and nonlinear vibration. This paper uses a high-precision numerical approach for capturing chaotic attractors of the fractional EI Ni ño chaotic systems. The numerical results indicate that some of the chaotic attractors of fractional-order systems are topologically equivalent to those discovered in the integer-order systems, and some unusual attractors of fractional EI Ni ño chaotic systems are found by using the present method.
@Home collective(ly): Opening doors and doing books with literacy-cast
Authors: Wessel‐Powell Christy , Buchholz Beth A , DeHart Jason , Frye Elizabeth M , Ward Devery , Vander Zanden Sarah , Campbell Elizabeth
Published: August 2022

Although isolating, lockdown also created unexpected opportunities for connection and inspiration. This article describes the lockdown literacies of a sibling pair, Marco and Mara, as they wrote digital texts/books for Literacy-Cast, a virtual, interactive literacy space offered by Appalachian State University from March 2020-present. Since lockdown began, this virtual space has been enacted 4-5 days weekly with 70-250 participants logging in from “home” to co-construct a multigenerational, multilingual, geographically-dispersed community engaged in reading, writing/composing, making, speaking, and listening. Literacy-Cast was imagined, built, and enacted collaboratively among faculty, laboratory school teachers, graduate-level teacher candidates, and children (and families) in grades K-5. We hear a lot about the limitations of virtual classrooms/learning (e.g., COVID “learning loss,” lack of engagement, unequal access), particularly in relation to historically marginalized communities, but rarely are we offered counter-narratives: examples where young children who live and go to school in these communities shaped the creation of new virtual spaces/places by making visible meaningful “at home” literacy/language practices, cultural artifacts, and people. Through invitations embedded in the multimodal texts/books shared on Literacy-Cast’s digital bookshelf, children brought the community into their homes–bedrooms, kitchens, backyards, back porches, and backseats, reframing “home visits'' as sites/events for new kinds of community knowledge production. Research about home visits, educators visiting students’ homes to learn about children’s lives, has documented the impact of home environment awareness on school interactions, improved relationships between caregivers and teachers, typically focused on intervention supporting school-based achievement and school practices, often with unidirectional flow from school-to-home; however we conceptualize Literacy-Cast’s daily activity as multidirectional “home visits,” where invitations to come over and play, read, and write together brokered relationships and strengthened a gamut of literacy practices for all participants. Through collaborative ethnography, we explore ways “home” (e.g., objects/people/practices/languages/events) became tools/co-authors for children’s digital composing/making and, ultimately, home/community-making.
Impact of grooved cylinder on heat transfer by natural convection in cylindrical geometry
Authors: Ben Abdelmlek Khaoula , Ben Nejma Fayçal
Published: August 2022

The current study reports a numerical analysis of a two-dimensional steady-state natural convection heat transfer from grooved heated cylinder for laminar flow regime. Two groove shapes are investigated in this work: circular and triangular groove. Simulations were carried out by varying the groove location, radius ratio f from 0.1 to 1, and the Rayleigh number over the range [103–106]. The thermal and dynamic behaviors are carefully analyzed and compared to the case of non-grooved cylinder (model 0). It is found that the heat transfer rate rises up with the increase of Rayleigh number. In addition, the groove locations φ = −90, and 80° provide the lowest heat transfer rate. A decrease of 9.4% in the heat transfer rate is detected for the case of triangular groove with f = 0.7 and Ra = 105. On the other hand, the highest heat transfer rate is provided at a position φ = −45° and 45° for f > 0.65. For these last groove locations, lower f present optimal configurations to accumulate heat on the cylinder. In fact, circular grooved cylinder with f = 0.1 decreases the heat loss by 9.3% and 12.4% for the locations φ = −45° and 45°, respectively compared to model 0. These results would be useful for engineering applications that are interested in the accumulation or transfer of heat through cylindrical ducts.
Predictors of outcomes of proximal humerus fractures in children and adolescents: A systematic review
Authors: Abbot Samuel , Proudman Susanna , Ravichandran Bhuvanesh , Williams Nicole
Published: August 2022

Purpose:

Minimally displaced pediatric proximal humerus fractures can be reliably managed non-operatively; however, there is considerable debate regarding the appropriate management of severely displaced proximal humerus fractures, particularly in older children and adolescents with limited remodeling potential. The purpose of this study was to perform a systematic review to answer the questions: “What are the functional and quality-of-life outcomes of pediatric proximal humerus fractures?” and “What factors have been associated with a poorer outcome?”

Methods:

A review of Medline and Embase was performed on 4 July 2021 using search terms relevant to proximal humerus fractures, surgery, non-operative management, pediatrics, and outcomes. Studies including ≥10 pediatric patients with proximal humerus fractures, which assessed clinical outcomes by use of an established outcome measure, were selected. The following clinical information was collected: participant characteristics, treatment, complications, and outcomes.

Results:

Twelve articles were selected, including four prospective cohort studies and eight retrospective cohort studies. Favorable outcome scores were found for patients with minimally displaced fractures, and for children aged less than 10 years, irrespective of treatment methodology or grade of fracture displacement. Older age at injury and higher grade of fracture displacement were reported as risk factors for a poorer patient-reported outcome score.

Conclusion:

An excellent functional outcome can be expected following non-operative management for minimally displaced pediatric proximal humerus fractures. Prospective trials are required to establish a guideline for the management of severely displaced proximal humerus fractures in children and adolescents according to fracture displacement and the degree of skeletal maturity.

Level of evidence:

level V.
The Role of Healthcare Facility Design on the Mental Health of Healthcare Professionals: A Literature Review
Authors: Jin Hyun-Young , Gold Chas , Cho Junhee , Marzban Fatemeh , Lim Lisa
Published: August 2022

Objective:

This study aims to review and synthesize the empirical evidence about the connection between healthcare facility design and the mental health of healthcare professionals by reviewing the relevant literature.

Background:

Mental exhaustion of healthcare professionals is becoming a critical issue in healthcare, especially during the pandemic. The physical design of healthcare facilities has significant potential to reduce and prevent the mental exhaustion of healthcare professionals by removing environmental stressors and providing restorative experiences. However, the built environment is not fully utilized as an intervention to support healthcare professionals.

Methods:

Relevant articles were identified from the Medline, PsycINFO, PubMed, and Web of Science databases using a combination of search terms representing environmental design factors and health outcomes. Identified articles were reviewed by their titles, abstracts, and full texts using the inclusion and exclusion criteria.

Results:

The search yielded 27 empirical articles investigating the relationships between environmental design factors and staff mental health outcomes, including stress, fatigue, job satisfaction, burnout, and well-being. Healthcare design aspects that were investigated in the identified articles include overall facility and perception (e.g., aesthetic appeal and impression, belonging to the surroundings, safety), specific spaces (e.g., patient area, staff workspace), intangible elements (e.g., exterior view, light, sound), and interior space and ergonomics (e.g., material finishes, furniture).

Conclusions:

Through the synthesis of the current literature regarding the relationships between healthcare facility design and the mental health of healthcare professionals, this study provides implications for supporting healthcare professionals through the design of the healthcare facility.
Belief in School Meritocracy and the Legitimization of Social and Income Inequality
Authors: Batruch Anatolia , Jetten Jolanda , Van de Werfhorst Herman , Darnon Céline , Butera Fabrizio
Published: August 2022

Educational institutions are imbued with an institutional meritocratic discourse: only merit counts for academic success. In this article, we study whether this institutional belief has an impact beyond its primary function of encouraging students to study. We propose that belief in school meritocracy has broader societal impact by legitimizing the social class hierarchy it produces and encouraging the maintenance of inequalities. The results of four studies (one correlational study, Ntotal = 198; one experiment, Ntotal = 198; and two international data surveys, Ntotal = 88,421 in 40+countries) indicate that belief in school meritocracy reduces the perceived unfairness of social class inequality in society, support for affirmative action policies at university and support for policies aimed at reducing income inequality. Together, these studies show that the belief that schools are meritocratic carries consequences beyond the school context as it is associated with attitudes that maintain social class and economic inequality.
Theory toolbox for historical explanation: An essay in analytic sociology
Authors: Willer David , Emanuelson Pamela
Published: August 2022

Merton proposed middle range theories, not as ends in themselves, but as bases for a consolidation to explain broader phenomenon. More than a half century has passed since Merton’s consolidation proposal and in that time a number of experimentally tested middle range theories have been developed. Certainly, the next step should be a consolidation. Yet, to our knowledge, no one has previously offered a consolidation of experimentally tested theories and applied it for explanation. This paper offers a consolidation of middle range theories formulated to explain the rise of the pristine state. Two theories of this consolidation, Status Characteristics Theory and Elementary Theory, form the core of what Analytic Sociologists have called a toolbox of theories. Our toolbox forms an integrated consolidation in two ways. First, the social structures modeled by the theories form a path-dependent process of increasing benefits gained by the elites of the structures. Second, the end conditions of each step of the process are the initial conditions of the next. Whereas the theories in our toolbox have previously been seen as applying exclusively to microstructures, we have encountered no difficulties in scaling them up to apply to macrostructures. While we hope the consolidation has validity in explaining the occurrence of pristine states, this paper’s significance lies in its demonstration that today social theories can be consolidated and applied for explanation.
The Influence of Internet Penetration on Poverty and Income Inequality
Authors: Afzal Ayesha , Firdousi Saba Fazal , Waqar Ayma , Awais Minahil
Published: August 2022

Increased usage of technology is linked with poverty reduction, in existing literature but also rising income inequality due to microeconomic factors. This paper attempts to investigate how the technological penetration has impacted poverty levels and income inequality, at the global level and across different levels of income. Using data for 86 countries between 2005 and 2020, the paper employs a robust two step Systematic Generalized Moment Method (Sys-GMM) to assess the linear effect, non-linear effect, and synergy effect models. The results indicate that technological penetration has a different impact across countries, depending on the income levels. The positive association between technology and income inequality has repercussions for low-income countries, in particular. From a policy perspective, it is essential to consider macro- and micro-economic factors that affect the impact of technology penetration in low-income countries.
Extreme Weather Influence on Carbon Emissions in Chinese Urban Traffic Environments
Authors: Wang Chao , Gu Yongheng , Ma Fei , Li Yongping
Published: August 2022

As concerns around climate change and global warming intensify, extreme weather events such as heavy rain, blizzards, and smog-induced haze have greatly impacted the commuting travel mode selection of urban residents. Such behavioral shifts have in turn led to changes of the carbon emissions generated from these residents. This paper constructs a “extreme weather ( W)–travel behavior ( B)–carbon emissions ( C)” research framework. Using a multiple logistic regression model, the transportation mode shift model, and the econometric model of urban resident’s travel behavior under the influence of extreme weather conditions were constructed. The marginal effects of weather on residents’ commuter behavior, through the use of transportation type and distance of travel were also obtained. The study found that the overall carbon dioxide emission levels of daily commuting has gradually decreased due to the influence of extreme weather. However, as some travelers still adopted high-emission commuting modes through the use of taxis or ride-sharing services, there was still a slight increase in CCDE levels in certain extreme weather contexts. In particular, when haze was prevalent, vehicle restriction policies only reduced CCDE by 2.18%, while the remaining 77.83% of total CCDE remaining unchanged. This research provides a key reference point for governmental departments in urban transportation management and environmental protection to formulate policies.
Cutoff Value for the Patient Acceptable Symptom State of the Thai IKDC Subjective Knee Form in Patients After Primary ACL Reconstruction
Authors: Piamthipmanas Tananthorn , Lertwanich Pisit , Ganokroj Phob , Vanadurongwan Bavornrat , Keyurapan Ekavit , Lamsam Chanin
Published: August 2022

Background:

The Patient Acceptable Symptom State (PASS) cutoff is the value on a patient-reported outcome measure beyond which patients consider themselves to be “feeling well.” There are limited data regarding the PASS threshold for non-English versions of the International Knee Documentation Committee–Subjective Knee Form (IKDC-SKF).

Purpose:

To establish the PASS cutoff for the Thai version of the IKDC-SKF for patients undergoing primary anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) and to identify factors to achieve PASS after surgery.

Study Design:

Cohort study (diagnosis); Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

Included in this study were patients aged 18 to 50 years who had undergone primary unilateral ACLR between January 2016 and February 2020. After enrollment, patients completed the Thai IKDC-SKF and answered the anchor question for determining the PASS.

Results:

Questionnaires were sent to 321 patients, of whom 173 (53.9%) responded. The vast majority (156 patients; 90.2%) considered themselves to have achieved the PASS. This group of patients had significantly higher IKDC scores than did those who did not have an acceptable symptom state (79.6 ± 14.2 vs 60.7 ± 16.5; P < .001). The receiver operating characteristic curve of the IKDC score for predicting the PASS had an area under the curve of 0.82 (95% CI, 0.72-0.91). The optimum PASS cutoff of the Thai IKDC-SKF was a score of 74.2 (sensitivity, 0.72; specificity, 0.82). Factors that provided favorable odds for achieving the PASS were the use of a hamstring tendon autograft (odds ratio, 4.1; 95% CI, 1.5-20.6) and the absence of a patellofemoral chondral lesion (odds ratio, 3.8; 95% CI, 1.03-14.1).

Conclusion:

For patients undergoing ACLR, the cutoff for the PASS of the Thai version of the IKDC-SKF was a score of 74.2. Two surgery-related factors provided favorable odds for achieving the PASS: the use of a hamstring tendon autograft and the absence of a patellofemoral chondral lesion.
Hybrid broadband ground-motion simulation validation of small magnitude active shallow crustal earthquakes in New Zealand
Authors: Lee Robin L , Bradley Brendon A , Stafford Peter J , Graves Robert W , Rodriguez-Marek Adrian
Published: August 2022

This article presents a comprehensive validation of the hybrid broadband ground-motion simulation approach (via the commonly used Graves and Pitarka method) in a New Zealand context with small magnitude point source ruptures using an extensive set of 5218 ground motions recorded at 212 sites from 479 active shallow crustal earthquakes across the country. Modifications to the simulation method inferred from a previous New Zealand validation are implemented, and the improvements are explicitly quantified. Empirical ground-motion models are also considered to provide a benchmark for simulation prediction accuracy and precision. Examination of intensity measure residuals identifies that the simulation method modifications lead to reduced model prediction bias and within-event variability and provides evidence toward the use of spatially varying coefficient models for simulation parameters, such as the high-frequency Brune stress parameter. Additional biases identified include, among others, underprediction of significant durations at soft soil sites and overprediction of short-period pseudo-spectral accelerations at stiff alluvial gravel and rock sites due to low-estimated 30 m time-averaged shear-wave velocity values.
Discovery of novel predisposing coding and noncoding variants in familial Hodgkin lymphoma
Authors: Flerlage Jamie E. , Myers Jason R. , Maciaszek Jamie L. , Oak Ninad , Rashkin Sara R. , Hui Yawei , Wang Yong-Dong , Chen Wenan , Wu Gang , Chang Ti-Cheng , Hamilton Kayla , Tithi Saima S. , Goldin Lynn R. , Rotunno Melissa , Caporaso Neil , Vogt Aurélie , Flamish Deborah , Wyatt Kathleen , Liu Jia , Tucker Margaret , Hahn Christopher N. , Brown Anna L. , Scott Hamish S. , Mullighan Charles , Nichols Kim E. , Metzger Monika L. , McMaster Mary L. , Yang Jun J. , Rampersaud Evadnie
Published: August 2022

Familial aggregation of Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) has been demonstrated in large population studies, pointing to genetic predisposition to this hematological malignancy. To understand the genetic variants associated with the development of HL, we performed whole genome sequencing on 234 individuals with and without HL from 36 pedigrees that had 2 or more first-degree relatives with HL. Our pedigree selection criteria also required at least 1 affected individual aged <21 years, with the median age at diagnosis of 21.98 years (3-55 years). Family-based segregation analysis was performed for the identification of coding and noncoding variants using linkage and filtering approaches. Using our tiered variant prioritization algorithm, we identified 44 HL-risk variants in 28 pedigrees, of which 33 are coding and 11 are noncoding. The top 4 recurrent risk variants are a coding variant in KDR (rs56302315), a 5′ untranslated region variant in KLHDC8B (rs387906223), a noncoding variant in an intron of PAX5 (rs147081110), and another noncoding variant in an intron of GATA3 (rs3824666). A newly identified splice variant in KDR (c.3849-2A>C) was observed for 1 pedigree, and high-confidence stop-gain variants affecting IRF7 (p.W238∗) and EEF2KMT (p.K116∗) were also observed. Multiple truncating variants in POLR1E were found in 3 independent pedigrees as well. Whereas KDR and KLHDC8B have previously been reported, PAX5, GATA3, IRF7, EEF2KMT, and POLR1E represent novel observations. Although there may be environmental factors influencing lymphomagenesis, we observed segregation of candidate germline variants likely to predispose HL in most of the pedigrees studied.
Dynamic EASIX scores closely predict nonrelapse mortality after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation
Authors: Nawas Mariam T. , Sanchez-Escamilla Miriam , Devlin Sean M. , Maloy Molly A. , Ruiz Josel D. , Sauter Craig S. , Giralt Sergio A. , Perales Miguel-Angel , Scordo Michael
Published: August 2022

Endothelial activation and stress index (EASIX) predicts nonrelapse mortality (NRM) when assessed before hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). We sought to determine whether changes in EASIX after HCT may be an informative marker of NRM. We evaluated 509 adults who underwent reduced intensity, unmodified (N = 149, 29%), or myeloablative ex vivo CD34+-selected allogeneic HCT (allo-HCT) (N = 306, 71%) between 2008 and 2016. Patients who underwent unmodified allo-HCT received tacrolimus-based graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis, whereas CD34+-selected patients received no planned immunosuppression. EASIX (lactate dehydrogenase × creatinine/platelet count) was calculated continuously until 1-year after HCT. Log transformation using base 2 (log2) was applied to all EASIX variables to reduce skew. In total, 360 patients (71%) received CD34+-selected and 149 (29%) unmodified allo-HCT. Among all patients, EASIX scores increased rapidly, peaked at day +8, then declined rapidly until day +33. Thereafter, scores declined gradually but remained above the pre-HCT baseline. In unmodified HCT, scores appeared higher over time than in CD34+-selected patients. EASIX discrimination of NRM was highest around day +180 (concordance index = 0.85) in both platforms, but the prognostic impact of EASIX across time points differed between the 2 platforms. Mean EASIX scores were higher in men (mean log2 +0.52) and in patients who developed grade 2 to 4 GVHD (+0.81) and lower in patients who received matched vs mismatched donors (−0.81, all P < .01). EASIX scores are dynamic and variably concordant with NRM when analyzed longitudinally, and patterns differ between HCT platforms. Compared to pre-HCT evaluation, post-HCT EASIX scores may better predict risk of NRM as patients acquire additional endothelial injury and toxicities.
Persistent headache after first-ever ischemic stroke: clinical characteristics and factors associated with its development
Authors: Lebedeva Elena R. , Ushenin Anton V. , Gurary Natalia M. , Gilev Denis V. , Kislyak Nadezda V. , Olesen Jes
Published: August 2022

Background

It is poorly described how often headache attributed to stroke continues for more than 3 months, i.e. fulfils the criteria for persistent headache attributed to ischemic stroke. Our aims were: 1) to determine the incidence of persistent headache attributed to past first-ever ischemic stroke (International headache society categories 6.1.1.2); 2) to describe their characteristics and acute treatment; 3) to analyse the prevalence of medication overuse headache in patients with persistent headache after stroke; 4) to evaluate factors associated with the development of persistent headache after stroke.

Methods

The study population consisted of 550 patients (mean age 63.1, 54% males) with first-ever ischemic stroke, among them 529 patients were followed up at least three months after stroke. Standardized semi-structured interview forms were used to evaluate these headaches during professional face-to-face interviews at stroke onset and telephone interviews at 3 months.

Results

At three months, 61 patients (30 women and 31 men, the mean age 60.0) of 529 (11.5%) follow-up patients had a headache after stroke: 34 had a new type of headache, 21 had a headache with altered characteristics and 6 patients had a headache without any changes. Therefore 55 (10.4%) patients had a persistent headache attributed to ischemic stroke. Their clinical features included: less severity of accompanying symptoms, slowly decreasing frequency and development of medication overuse headache in one-third of the patients. The following factors were associated with these headaches: lack of sleep (29.1%, p = 0.009; OR 2.3; 95% CI 1.2–4.3), infarct in cerebellum (18.2%, p = 0.003; OR 3.0; 95% CI 1.4–6.6), stroke of undetermined etiology (50.9%, p = 0.003; OR 2.3; 95% CI 1.3–4.1), less than 8 points by NIHSS score (90.9%, p = 0.007; OR 3.4; 95% CI 1.4–8.6) and low prevalence of large-artery atherosclerosis (12.7%, p = 0.006; OR 0.3; 95% CI 0.2–0.80).

Conclusion

Persistent headache attributed to ischemic stroke is not rare and frequently leads to medication overuse. The problem is often neglected because of other serious consequences of stroke but actually, it has a considerable impact on quality of life. It should be a focus of interest in the follow-up of stroke patients.
Structural, Optical and Photocatalytic Activity of Multi-heterojunction Bi2O3/Bi2O2CO3/(BiO)4CO3(OH)2 Nanoflakes Synthesized via Submerged DC Electrical Discharge in Urea Solution
Authors: Hashemi E. , Poursalehi R. , Delavari H.
Published: August 2022

In this research, a novel ternary multi-heterojunction Bi2O3/Bi2O2CO3/(BiO)4CO3(OH)2 photocatalyst is fabricated via submerged DC electrical arc discharge in urea solution. FT-IR, XRD, EDS and PL results confirm the formation of Bi2O3/Bi2O2CO3/(BiO)4CO3(OH)2 multi-heterojunction. Formation of nanoflake morphology is revealed by FE-SEM and TEM images. The optical properties and intense absorption edge of Bi2O3/Bi2O2CO3/(BiO)4CO3(OH)2 reveal the proper visible light absorbing ability. The photocatalytic performance of the sample is investigated via the degradation of methylene orange (MeO) and rhodamine B (RB) under visible light irradiation. The photocatalytic activity of Bi2O3/Bi2O2CO3/(BiO)4CO3(OH)2 is compared with the synthesized sample in water, Bi2O3/Bi/Bi(OH)3, which exhibits much higher photocatalytic activity. Also, the stable photodegradation efficiency of Bi2O3/Bi2O2CO3/(BiO)4CO3(OH)2 after four cycles reveals the long-term stability and reusability of the synthesized photocatalyst. The PL intensity of Bi2O3/Bi2O2CO3/(BiO)4CO3(OH)2 shows an improved separation rate of electron–hole pairs and so enhanced photocatalytic performance. The improved photocatalytic activity can be ascribed to the formation of multi-heterojunctions, flake morphology and intrinsic internal electric field (IEF). Multi-heterojunction nanoflakes enhance the absorbance of visible light and facilitate the separation and transport of photogenerated electron holes through large IEF. Our work offers an effective method for the production of innovative bismuth-based photocatalyst with excellent prospects for the degradation of environmental pollutants and light harvesting for renewable energy generation under visible light.
Diversity, distribution, and function of bacteria in the supraglacial region hit by glacial lake outburst flood in northern Pakistan
Authors: Ilahi Nikhat , Bahadur Ali , Wang Wenyin , Degen A. Allan , Kang Shichang , Sajjad Wasim , Shang Zhanhuan
Published: August 2022

Background

Glaciers of the Hindu Kush region are highly susceptible to climate change. Recently, a severe glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) hit the supraglacial region at the frontier of Dook Pal Glacier. Information on the bacterial community in a freshly appeared supraglacial lake after GLOF is essential to probe the bacterial distribution pattern after immediate unlocking from the supraglacial region. After GLOF, geochemistry and bacterial diversity, distribution, community structure, and function were examined in the lake-debris and melt-water.

Results

In general, concentrations of dissolved free amino acids were similar between lake-debris and melt-water, potentially toxic elements and cations were greater in lake-debris, and anions concentrations were greater in melt-water. In addition, there was comparable diversity in the glacial melt-water and lake-debris; Proteobacteria dominated in lake-debris (33.1–94.5%), while Proteobacteria (36.7–50.5%) and Firmicutes (44–62%) dominated in melt-water. It is more likely that Proteobacteria and Firmicutes shifted towards melt-water after GLOF, creating an uneven distribution of communities in the lake-debris; however, a relatively even distribution was maintained in melt-water. Genes responsible for metabolism and energy production were higher in lake-debris than in melt-water bacteria; whereas, genes for other cellular mechanisms were higher in melt-water than in lake-debris bacteria.

Conclusions

This study offers valuable datasets in understanding the bacterial diversity, distribution and function as a consequence of GLOF at the glacial frontier.
Glucoraphanin and sulforaphane biosynthesis by melatonin mediating nitric oxide in hairy roots of broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. var. italica Planch): insights from transcriptome data
Authors: Ma Shaoying , Bao Jinyu , Lu Yaqi , Lu Xu , Tian Peng , Zhang Xiaoling , Yang Jie , Shi Xiaotong , Pu Zhihui , Li Sheng
Published: August 2022

Glucoraphanin (GRA) is present in the seeds and nutrient organs of broccoli and is the precursor of the anti-cancer compound sulforaphane (SF). The hairy roots obtained by infecting broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. var. Italic Planch) leaves with Agrobacterium rhizogenes (ATCC15834) are phytohormonally autonomous, genetically stable, and can produce large amounts of the anti-cancer substance SF. Melatonin (MT) is a natural hormone widely found in plants. Studies have shown that melatonin can regulate the synthesis of secondary metabolites of downstream targets by mediating the synthesis of signal molecules. However, whether MT regulates the synthesis of NO and H2O2 and mediates the synthesis mechanism of secondary metabolites, GRA and SF, is not yet clear. In this study, the hairy roots of broccoli were treated with 500 μmol/L MT, and the genome of broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. var. botrytis L) was used as the reference genome for transcriptome analysis. By this approach, we found that MT regulates the synthesis of NO and H2O2 and mediates the synthesis of secondary metabolites GRA and SF. GO annotations indicated that DEGs involved in the MT treatment of broccoli hairy roots were mainly related to catalytic activity, cells, and metabolic processes; the KEGG pathway analysis indicated that MT treatment likely affects the hormone signal transduction process in broccoli hairy roots; broccoli hairy roots were treated with 500 μmol/L MT for 0, 6, 12, 20, and 32 h, respectively; compared with 0 h, the yield of GRA and SF increased under the other treatments. The highest yields of GRA and SF occurred at 12 h. The NO content was the highest at 12 h, and the H2O2 content was positively correlated with MT concentration. The content of NO and H2O2 were regulated, and the content of GRA and SF was increased under MT treatment. NO synthase inhibitor (L-NAME and TUN) could effectively inhibit the content of NO in broccoli hairy roots and reduce GRA and SF yield; MT could regulate NO levels by regulating NO synthesis-related enzymes and could alleviate the reduction of NO content in tissue cells caused by NO synthase inhibitor and promote NO synthesis. These results have important theoretical implications for understanding the regulation of GRA and SF synthesis events by NO and H2O2.
Prevalence and associated factors of cognitive frailty in older patients with chronic kidney disease: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Chang Jing , Hou Wenwen , Li Yanchun , Li Shujuan , Zhao Kai , Wang Yanfei , Hou Yuanping , Sun Qianmei
Published: August 2022

Background

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is prevalent in older adults. In the aging CKD population, cognitive frailty is more common, but its prevalence and associated risk factors need to be further investigated.

Methods

This is a cross-sectional study that enrolled patients aged ≥ 60 years with a diagnosis of CKD from January 2018 to February 2021. Patients were assessed for frailty and cognition with the FRAIL and the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scales and were divided into the cognitive frailty and non-cognitive frailty groups. Risk factors for cognitive frailty were identified by univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. A prediction model for cognitive frailty was built and a nomogram was plotted. The performance of the nomogram was evaluated by using a concordance index (C-index) and calibration plots.

Results

A total of 1015 older patients with CKD were enrolled, among whom 607 (59.8%) were males and 408 (40.2%) were females, with an age ranging from 60 to 98 years, and an cognitive frailty prevalence of 15.2%. The prevalence of cognitive frailty varied among the CKD stages 1–5, with rates of 4.7%, 7.5%, 13.8%, 18.5%, and 21.4%, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that age (OR = 1.11, 95%CI 1.08–1.14, p < 0.001), depression (OR = 2.52, 95%CI 1.54–4.11, p < 0.001), low social support (OR = 2.08, 95%CI 1.28–3.39, p = 0.003), Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) (OR = 1.92, 95%CI 1.70–2.18, p < 0.001), eGFR (OR = 0.98, 95%CI 0.96–0.99, p < 0.001) and albuminuria (OR = 5.93, 95%CI 3.28–10.74, p < 0.001) were independent risk factors affecting the association with cognitive frailty in older patients with CKD. A nomogram for assessing cognitive frailty was established and well-calibrated with a C-index of 0.91 (95%CI 0.89–0.94).

Conclusions

The prevalence of cognitive frailty was higher in older patients having CKD. Advanced age, comorbidity, depression, low social support, eGFR and albuminuria were independent risk factors for CKD accompanied with cognitive frailty.
A frailty index based on routine laboratory data predicts increased risk of mortality in Chinese community-dwelling adults aged over 55 years: a five-year prospective study
Authors: Wang Chunxiu , Fang Xianghua , Tang Zhe , Hua Yang , Zhang Zhongying , Gu Xiang , Liu Beibei , Ji Xunming
Published: August 2022

Background

Frailty can be operationalized based on the accumulation of deficits using a frailty index (FI) and is associated with an increased risk of adverse health outcomes. Here, we aim to compare validity of a FI from laboratory data with that of the common clinical FI for prediction of mortality in adults aged 55 + years, also examine whether combined FI could improve identification of adults aged 55 + years at increased risk of death.

Methods

Data for this analysis were obtained from the Beijing Longitudinal Study of Aging that involved 1,257 community-dwelling Chinese people, aged 55 + years at baseline. The main outcome measure was 5-year mortality. An FI-self-report based on 30 self-reported health-related data was constructed. An FI-lab was developed using laboratory data, in addition to pulse, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, pulse pressure, body mass index (BMI) and waist. A combined FI comprised all items from each FI. Kaplan–Meier survival curve and Cox proportional hazards models were performed to evaluate the risk of each FI on death. The area under receiver operating characteristic(ROC) curves were used to compare the discriminative performance of each FI.

Results

Of 1257 participants, 155 died and 156 lost at the end of the 5-year follow-up. The mean FI-self-report score was 0.11 ± 0.10, the FI-lab score was 0.33 ± 0.14 and FI-combined score was 0.19 ± 0.09. Higher frailty level defined by each FI was associated with higher risk of death. After adjustment for age and sex, Cox proportional hazards models showed that the higher scores of frailty were associated with a higher risk of mortality for each FI, the hazard ratios for the FI-self-report and FI-lab and FI-combined were 1.04 (1.03 to 1.05) and 1.02 (1.01 to 1.03) and 1.05 (1.04 to 1.07), respectively. The areas under the ROC curve were 0.79 (0.77–0.82) for the FI-self-report, 0.77(0.75–0.80) for the FI-lab and 0.81(0.78–0.82) for FI-combined.

Conclusions

A FI from laboratory data can stratify older adults at increased risk of death alone and in combination with FI based on self-report data. Assessment in clinical settings of creating an FI using routine collected laboratory data needs to be further developed.
Challenges and lessons learned from four years of planning and implementing pharmacovigilance enhancement in sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Stegmann Jens-Ulrich , Jusot Viviane , Menang Olga , Gardiner Gregory , Vesce Sabino , Volpe Stephanie , Ndalama Anderson , Adou Felix , Ofori-Anyinam Opokua , Oladehin Olakunle , Mendoza Yolanda Guerra
Published: August 2022

Pharmacovigilance (PV) systems in many countries in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) are not fully functional. The spontaneous adverse events (AE) reporting rate in SSA is lower than in any other region of the world, and healthcare professionals (HCPs) in SSA countries have limited awareness of AE surveillance and reporting procedures. The GSK PV enhancement pilot initiative, in collaboration with PATH and national PV stakeholders, aimed to strengthen passive safety surveillance through a training and mentoring program of HCPs in healthcare facilities in three SSA countries: Malawi, Côte d’Ivoire, and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Project implementation was country-driven, led by the Ministry of Health via the national PV center or department, and was adapted to each country’s needs. The implementation phase for each country was scheduled to last 18 months. At project start, low AE reporting rates reflected that awareness of PV practices was very low among HCPs in all three countries, even if a national PV center already existed. Malawi did not have a functional PV system nor a national PV center prior to the start of the initiative. After 18 months of PV training and mentoring of HCPs, passive safety surveillance was enhanced significantly as shown by the increased number of AE reports: from 22 during 2000–2016 to 228 in 18 months to 511 in 30 months in Malawi, and ~ 80% of AE reports from trained healthcare facilities in Côte d’Ivoire. In DRC, project implementation ended after 7 months because of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Main challenges encountered were delayed AE report transmission (1–2 months, due mainly to remoteness of healthcare facilities and complex procedures for transmitting reports to the national PV center), delayed or no causality assessment due to lack of expertise and/or funding, negative perceptions among HCPs toward AE reporting, and difficulties in engaging public health programs with the centralized AE reporting processes. This pilot project has enabled the countries to train more HCPs, increased reporting of AEs and identified KPIs that could be flexibly replicated in each country. Country ownership and empowerment is essential to sustain these improvements and build a stronger AE reporting culture.
A hook wire dislodged into the subglottic area as a rare complication following computed tomography-guided hook wire localization: a case report
Authors: Fan Haiyin , Guo Changying , Zou Bin
Published: August 2022

Background

Computed tomography-guided hook wire localization (CT-GHWL) was used to localize the small pulmonary nodules before video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS). Its associated complications included hook wire dislodgement, pulmonary hemorrhage, and pneumothorax. This is the first report of a patient with a hook wire sliding into the subglottic area after CT-GHWL.

Case presentation

A 27-year-old female had productive cough for 8 days. A high-resolution CT scan showed a 12 mm part-solid nodule in the number 8 segment of the left lung. Prior to VATS, she received CT-GHWL to localize the nodule. During VATS, the hook wire unexpectedly slid away. A chest computed tomography was immediately performed and the sagittal reconstructed images showed the needle at the subglottic area. Finally, the needle was extracted by biopsy forceps under bronchoscope evaluation. The patient was eventually recovered and discharged.

Conclusions

Dislodge of the hook wire into the subglottic area is an extremely rare but serious complication following CT-GHWL. Attention should be paid to securing the needle on the lung surface during VATS.