bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Investigating the most important aspect of elite grass court tennis: Short points
Authors: Fitzpatrick Anna , Stone Joseph A , Choppin Simon , Kelley John
Published: March 2021

Research has shown that short points (points of 0–4 shots) are crucial in determining the outcome of elite men’s and women’s grass court tennis matches. However, research has not explored the importance of short points in more detail to inform practice design. This study aimed to establish the prevalence and importance of individual rally lengths within short points (i.e. points of 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4 shots) in terms of winning elite grass court tennis matches. Using the recently-validated PWOL ( Percentage of matches in which the Winner Outscored the Loser) method, point-level data from 211 men’s and 209 women’s Wimbledon singles matches between 2015 and 2017 were analysed, with short points stratified into individual rally lengths. Results revealed that 1 shot (aces and missed serve-returns) was the most common rally length, with 0 shots (double faults) the least common. Points won of 1 shot, 2 shots and 4 shots were associated with winning matches and can therefore be considered important, but points won of 0 shots and 3 shots were not associated with match outcome. These results highlight the importance of serving and returning strategies at Wimbledon, and indicate that serves and serve-returns should be afforded focus during grass court training. However, the findings appear to contravene anecdotal assertions that ‘serve plus one’ strategies ( points won of 3 shots) are crucial in elite tennis, as they did not differentiate winning and losing players; so coaches should consider the associated practice designs and amount of time afforded to such strategies.
“I’m valuing the journey as much as the destination”: Exploring shared reflection to support novice coach learning
Authors: O’Dwyer Anne , Bowles Richard
Published: March 2021

This paper provides an insight into the trajectory of coach learning over two seasons through a shared reflective process. It describes how a collaborative process in a volunteer, amateur coach setting was supported and sustained. The coach-researchers had coached a university sports team together for two years prior to formalising the collaborative process. They adopted a collaborative self-study methodology to support and structure their reflective practice and learning throughout the study. Weekly individual and collaborative reflections were written by both coaches. They engaged with a critical friend to offer alternative perspectives on their reflections, and they planned their coaching strategies together. This paper illustrates the collaborative reflective process that supported the trajectory of the novice coach learning. This journey is represented using Fuller’s concern based model to map concern for self, concern for the task and concern for the learners. The reflective process and learning trajectory are outlined to exemplify the value of informal collaborative reflection to support coach learning. Implications are outlined for shared reflective practice to enhance learning opportunities for other coaching partners and small groups or in other educational domains.
Perceived Threat of COVID-19 Influences Product Preferences: The Moderating Role of Consumers’ Mindset
Authors: Septianto Felix , Chiew Tung Moi
Published: March 2021

Recent research has suggested conflicting evidence on how consumers respond to threat (from diseases) concerning their product preferences. Specifically, consumers might exhibit higher versus lower preferences for typical (vs. atypical) products. Drawing upon the literature on consumption-based affect regulation and consumers’ mindset, this research seeks to reconcile these seemingly conflicting findings by establishing the moderating role of consumers’ mindset. In three experimental studies, we show that among consumers with a fixed (vs. growth) mindset, perceived threat of COVID-19 would lead to higher (vs. lower) preferences for typical products. Furthermore, these divergent effects are explained by two distinct affect regulation strategies. The effect of threat among consumers with a growth (vs. fixed) mindset will be mediated by regaining a sense of control (vs. self-protection). These findings contribute the literature on disease cues, affect regulation, and consumers’ mindset, and offer practical implications for marketers during COVID-19 pandemic.
Feasibility of Real-Time Continuous Glucose Monitoring Telemetry System in an Inpatient Diabetes Unit: A Pilot Study
Authors: Dillmann Clémentine , Amoura Lamia , Fall Mostaine Fatéma , Coste Adrien , Bounyar Leila , Kessler Laurence
Published: March 2021

Background:

Hospitalization of persons with diabetes in an inpatient diabetes unit is challenging, notably for patients having different profiles. We aimed to evaluate the feasibility and the benefit of a continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) telemetry system to control glucose excursions in hospitalized patients with diabetes, according to their diabetes type and the reasons for their hospitalization.

Method:

A prospective pilot study was conducted in 53 insulin-requiring diabetes patients hospitalized in the general ward. Glucose was monitored using Guardian Connect (GC, Medtronic) to adopt insulin therapy. The time in range (TIR, target 70-180 mg/dL), the time below range (TBR), and the time above range (TAR) were recorded by GC between the start of hospitalization (SH) and end of hospitalization (EH), and analyzed according to the diabetes type (type 1 diabetes n = 28, type 2 diabetes n = 25) and the reasons for hospitalization (acute complications n = 35, therapeutic education n = 18). Patient and caregiver satisfaction was also assessed.

Results:

In patients with type 2 diabetes and those hospitalized for acute complications, TIR significantly increased between the SH and EH, from 75.7% (95%CI 48.5-84.6) to 82.2% (95%CI 63.2-91.8) P = 0.043 and from 58.3% (95%CI 46.3-69.7) to 66.4% (95%CI 55.6-75.5) P = 0.031, respectively, and TAR significantly decreased, with no change in TBR. In patients with diabetes hospitalized for therapeutic education, TBR significantly decreased from 3.4% (95%CI 0-9.4) to 0% (95%CI 0-3.8) P = 0.037. Finally, 94% of patients and caregivers deemed the GC system useful.

Conclusions:

CGM telemetry system use is feasible and well accepted in patients hospitalized in diabetes care unit and could be useful to improve therapeutic education and metabolic control, especially for specific homogenous populations with diabetes.
Glioblastoma and primary central nervous system lymphoma: differentiation using MRI derived first-order texture analysis – a machine learning study
Authors: Priya Sarv , Ward Caitlin , Locke Thomas , Soni Neetu , Maheshwarappa Ravishankar Pillenahalli , Monga Varun , Agarwal Amit , Bathla Girish
Published: March 2021

Objectives

To evaluate the diagnostic performance of multiple machine learning classifier models derived from first-order histogram texture parameters extracted from T1-weighted contrast-enhanced images in differentiating glioblastoma and primary central nervous system lymphoma.

Methods

Retrospective study with 97 glioblastoma and 46 primary central nervous system lymphoma patients. Thirty-six different combinations of classifier models and feature selection techniques were evaluated. Five-fold nested cross-validation was performed. Model performance was assessed for whole tumour and largest single slice using receiver operating characteristic curve.

Results

The cross-validated model performance was relatively similar for the top performing models for both whole tumour and largest single slice (area under the curve 0.909–0.924). However, there was a considerable difference between the worst performing model (logistic regression with full feature set, area under the curve 0.737) and the highest performing model for whole tumour (least absolute shrinkage and selection operator model with correlation filter, area under the curve 0.924). For single slice, the multilayer perceptron model with correlation filter had the highest performance (area under the curve 0.914). No significant difference was seen between the diagnostic performance of the top performing model for both whole tumour and largest single slice.

Conclusions

T1 contrast-enhanced derived first-order texture analysis can differentiate between glioblastoma and primary central nervous system lymphoma with good diagnostic performance. The machine learning performance can vary significantly depending on the model and feature selection methods. Largest single slice and whole tumour analysis show comparable diagnostic performance.
Minute changes of cerebral parenchymal non-contrast computed tomography attenuation reflect cerebral volume alterations of blood
Authors: Uchizawa Takamitsu
Published: March 2021

Aims

Non-infarcted acute cerebral ischaemic areas appear hypo-attenuated on non-contrast narrow-window computed tomography images. We aimed to determine the mechanism underlying minute computed tomography hypo-attenuation and visualise these attenuation changes on non-contrast computed tomography images.

Methods

The cerebral parenchyma was defined by pixels with attenuation of 20–50 Hounsfield units. We calculated the mean cerebral parenchymal attenuation in non-contrast computed tomography images. We analysed the correlation of complete blood counts with corresponding mean cerebral parenchymal attenuation values using linear regression analysis. Moreover, we developed an image processing method that involved pixel colorisation based on the noise-reduced attenuation value for minute cerebral parenchymal attenuation visualisation.

Results

Haemoglobin, haematocrit and red blood cell counts positively correlated with mean cerebral parenchymal attenuation values. The cerebral haematocrit is correlated with the blood haematocrit; therefore, cerebral parenchymal attenuation correlated linearly with cerebral haemoglobin concentration. Haemoglobin contents in a pixel partially determine the X-ray absorption dose and attenuation value. Pixel haemoglobin contents are determined by the cerebral volume of blood in a pixel. Image processed computed tomography images reflected cerebral volume of blood and showed the same alterations with regional cerebral blood volume maps of perfusion computed tomography.

Conclusions

Cerebral parenchymal attenuation correlated with cerebral haemoglobin concentration and cerebral volume of blood. Infarcted cerebral parenchyma shows about 5 Hounsfield units gray matter attenuation decrease. Attenuation decrease by less than 5 Hounsfield units means decreased cerebral volume of blood, indicating a reversible functional change. One cannot recognise minute hypo-attenuation (<5 Hounsfield units) in routine computed tomography images. However, it can be visualised through an image processing method on non-contrast computed tomography images. It may detect pre-infarction cerebral volume of blood and regional cerebral blood volume alterations.
Injection drug use, depression, and HIV screening in rural primary care settings: A retrospective cross-sectional study
Authors: Cody Shameka , Albright David L , McDaniel Justin , McIntosh Shanna
Published: March 2021

Introduction

Antiretroviral therapy (ART) has reduced HIV viral replication and transmission of disease. However, continuing incidence of new HIV infections has been attributed to undiagnosed HIV infections among injection drug users. This purpose of this retrospective cross-sectional study was to determine whether depression moderates the relationship between injection drug use and HIV screening among people with substance use in the screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment in Alabama (AL-SBIRT) program.

Methods

Electronic health record data were obtained from three consenting medical facilities (n = 103). Multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted to determine the moderating effect of depression on the relationship between injection drug use and HIV screening.

Results

Bivariate analyses revealed that HIV screening was more common among individuals not engaged in injection drug use, 75% and 57% respectively. Participants who had never been screened had worse depressive symptoms on the PHQ-2 (M = 3.00, SE = 0.42) than individuals who had been screened for HIV (M = 1.45, SE = 0.17). After controlling for demographic variables, tobacco use, alcohol consumption, and drug abuse, results indicated a moderating effect of depression on the relationship between injection drug use and receipt of HIV screening (aOR = 0.85 [95% CI = 0.84, 0.86).

Discussion

Findings suggest that high risk subgroups such as injection drug users with severe depression may not be using HIV prevention services, leading to possible delays in HIV diagnosis. Integration of behavioral interventions and HIV prevention services may reduce risk factors among depressed injection drug users. Such interventions may improve retention for injection drug users who experience worse depressive symptoms post HIV diagnosis.
The care of the concussed pediatric patient prior to presentation to primary care pediatrician versus concussion specialists: Implications for management
Authors: Taubman Bruce , Michael Luciani A , Gealt David B , Drake Thomas P , Cochetti Philip , Farrar John T
Published: March 2021

Objective

Absent adequate randomized control trials to inform appropriate treatment for concussion in pediatric patients, guidelines have been developed based on expert opinion and observational data that may not apply to all groups. This study examines differences in the previous clinical care between concussed patients who present in pediatric practice and specialty clinics. Differences found might influence treatment recommendations for each setting.

Study design

Prospective data collected from a pediatric practice in 2011 to 2013 were compared to chart review data from two specialty clinics between 2015 and 2017. In all three groups patients 11–19 years of age with an ICD9 billing code for concussion were included if they met the 4th International Consensus definition of concussion. Patients were excluded if hospitalized or had abnormal CNS imaging.

Results

The time between injury and presentation was substantially longer in specialty clinic patients versus those seen in the primary pediatric care office. (median 10 vs. 2 days-p < 0.001) Primary care patients presenting had higher rates of immediate rest after injury, 61.4% vs 27.9% (p < 0.001). More specialty clinic patients had been seen in the emergency departments prior to presentation (47.5% vs. 18.8% p < 0.001) regardless of rest status at presentation to the office.

Conclusion

Several differences in previous clinical care between the groups were found. These included the time of presentation from injury, rates of cognitive rest both immediate and non-immediate, and emergency department visits. These differences may have implications for management recommendations. Accordingly, the appropriate treatment for patients seen by the primary pediatric care physicians may be different from those referred to specialty care. Given these findings randomized controlled trails should be conducted independently in both groups of patients.
Sports News, Commentary and Interviews, From the Other Side: Journalists Seen Through the Eyes of Athletes
Authors: Trunečka Ondřej
Published: March 2021

This study explores how professional athletes perceive sports journalists and the role of the media. They acknowledge that communication with journalists is an essential part of their profession and appreciate the verified information, knowledge, and dutiful preparation. They consider the main role of media as monitorial. In some cases, they cast doubt on journalists’ ability to evaluate athletic performance accurately, and they are also critical of errors in interviews, however they acknowledgethat there are good, and possibly excellent journalists as well.
Spine Treatment Appraisal Report (STAR): Does Riluzole Improve Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Decompression Surgery for Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy?
Authors: Dettori Joseph R.
Published: March 2021

Fehlings MG, Badhiwala JH, Ahn H, et al. Safety and efficacy of riluzole in patients undergoing decompressive surgery for degenerative cervical myelopathy (CSM-Protect): a multicentre, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomised, phase 3 trial. Lancet Neurol. 2020.
The Optimal Distribution Rule of Federal Funds to States in India: A Suggested Methodology
Authors: Raychaudhuri Ajitava , Roy Poulomi
Published: March 2021

A federal country like India distributes centrally collected funds through certain distribution rules, framed by the finance commission every five years, which primarily aims at horizontal equity among the states, although the goal of vertical equity has also been accommodated lately. The distribution rules do change, but they are largely governed by population and taxable capacity in a static sense. As a result, this brings some horizontal equity in the stated time frame but misses the root cause of inequity among states. This highlights the importance of the dynamics of growth of per capita income of the states which depends on public capital formation since private investment is complementary to public investment. This also raises the issue of time preference along with the attitude towards inequality aversion on the part of individuals in different states in India, which determines the savings that set the limits to private capital formation. This helps one to estimate the optimal value of public capital in a state which would ensure certain predetermined growth target along with inclusivity. If the finance commission could accommodate in its distribution rule the development gap of each state in terms of actual and optimal public capital as mentioned, the horizontal as well as vertical equity can be pursued in a sustainable manner since this addresses both inequity among and within states over time.
Risk Factors Related to the Presence of Meniscal Injury and Irreparable Meniscal Tear at Primary Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction
Authors: Tomihara Tomohiro , Hashimoto Yusuke , Takahashi Shinji , Taniuchi Masatoshi , Takigami Junsei , Okazaki Shiro , Shimada Nagakazu
Published: March 2021

Background:

Few studies have attempted to identify risk factors associated with irreparable meniscal tears at anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) and to describe follow-up data, such as the failure rate, after meniscal repair.

Purpose:

To investigate the associations of age, sex, body mass index (BMI), time to surgery (TTS), and preinjury Tegner score with the presence of meniscal injuries and irreparable meniscal tears at primary ACLR.

Study Design:

Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

A retrospective review was performed on 784 patients who underwent primary ACLR by a single surgeon between 2005 and 2017 (406 men and 378 women; mean age, 25.8 years; mean BMI, 23.1; median TTS, 3 months; median preinjury Tegner score, 7). All patients had a minimum follow-up of 12 months (mean postoperative follow-up, 33.0 months). Multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to determine the association of patient variables with the presence of meniscal injuries and irreparable meniscal tears during primary ACLR.

Results:

The risk factor for medial meniscal injuries was TTS ≥3 months (odds ratio [OR], 4.213; 95% CI, 3.104-5.719; P < .001). The presence of irreparable medial meniscal tears increased with older age (OR, 1.053; 95% CI, 1.024-1.084; P < .001), higher BMI (OR, 1.077; 95% CI, 1.003-1.156; P = .042), and TTS ≥3 months (OR, 1.794; 95% CI, 1.046-3.078; P = .034). On multivariate analysis, none of the variables were significantly associated with lateral meniscal injuries and irreparable meniscal tears. The failure rate, defined as patients who needed additional medial meniscal surgery after medial meniscal repair, was 4.6%.

Conclusion:

Time from ACL injury to reconstruction of ≥3 months was strongly associated with medial meniscal injuries and irreparable medial meniscal tears at primary ACLR. Older age and increased BMI were also risk factors for the presence of irreparable medial meniscal tears at ACLR.
Arthroscopic Correction of Sports-Related Femoroacetabular Impingement in Competitive Athletes: 2-Year Clinical Outcome and Predictors for Achieving Minimal Clinically Important Difference
Authors: Mullins Karen , Filan David , Carton Patrick
Published: March 2021

Background:

A growing body of literature supports surgical intervention for femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) in young, active athletes. However, factors likely to influence results in this cohort are less clearly defined.

Purpose:

To quantify changes in validated patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) and determine whether differences in baseline athlete demographic characteristics, intraoperative findings, and surgical techniques are associated with achieving improved outcomes and minimal clinically important difference (MCID) after arthroscopic management of sports-related FAI.

Study Design:

Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

Methods:

Data were prospectively collected from competitive athletes who underwent hip arthroscopy between January 2009 and February 2017. Athletes who underwent primary arthroscopic correction of sports-related FAI with labral repair were included providing they had a Tönnis grade ≤1 and a lateral center-edge angle ≥20°, excluding significant articular cartilage injury and lateral rim dysplasia. The modified Harris Hip Score, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index, University of California Los Angeles activity scale, and 36-Item Short Form Health Survey were used to measure outcomes at the 2-year follow-up. MCID was measured using 3 methods: a mean change method, a distribution-based method, and the percentage of possible improvement (POPI) method. Multivariate regression models were used to assess a number of diagnostic and surgical variables associated with good outcome and achieving MCID at follow-up.

Results:

At 2-year follow-up, statistically significant improvements were observed for all PROMs ( P < .001 for all), and 84% of athletes continued to play sport. Higher preoperative PROM scores reduced the likelihood of achieving MCID; however, returning to play was the strongest predictor of reaching MCID in this athletic cohort. Using absolute score change (mean change or distribution method) to calculate MCID was less accurate owing to ceiling effects and dependence on preoperative PROM scores.

Conclusion:

Athletes undergoing arthroscopy for sports-related FAI can expect a successful outcome and continued sports participation at 2 years postoperatively. The majority of athletes will achieve MCID. The POPI method of MCID calculation was more applicable to higher functioning athletic cohorts. Reduced preoperative PROM scores and the ability to return to sport increased the likelihood of achieving MCID in this population.
The Value of Brand Fans during a Crisis: Exploring the Roles of Response Strategy, Source, and Brand Identification
Authors: Lim Hayoung Sally , Brown-Devlin Natalie
Published: March 2021

Using a two (crisis response strategy: diminish vs. rebuild) × three (source: brand organization vs. brand executive vs. brand fan) experimental design, this study examines how brand fans (i.e., consumers who identify with a brand) can be prompted to protect a brand’s reputation during crises and how the selection of a crisis spokesperson can influence consumers’ evaluations of the crisis communication. Being buffers for their preferred brands, brand fans are more likely to accept their brand’s crisis response and engage in positive electronic word-of-mouth on social media. Brand fans are more likely to evaluate other brand fan’s social media accounts as a credible crisis communication source, whereas those who are not brand fans are more likely to evaluate brand and/or brand executives as credible. Findings provide theoretical applications in paracrisis literature pertaining to social media but also practical implications for brand managers to strategically utilize brand fans in crisis communication.
Comparison of 2 Oblique Fifth Metatarsal Osteotomies for the Management of a Bunionette
Authors: Paterson Richard , Saragas Nikiforos Pandelis , Ferrao Paulo Norberto Faria
Published: March 2021

Background:

A bunionette is a painful prominence of the fifth metatarsal head. This study aimed to compare the clinical outcome of 2 corrective osteotomies, namely, the Mau-type and Ludloff-type osteotomies. We report results with regard to correction, healing, complications, and patient-reported outcomes.

Methods:

Thirty-two patients who underwent bunionette corrective surgery from March 2011 to May 2017 were included in the study. All patients had pre- and postoperative radiographs. The pre- and postoperative fourth-fifth intermetatarsal angles (IMAs) and postoperative fifth metatarsal bowing angle were measured. Radiographic union was assessed at 12 weeks. All patients completed the Self-Reported Foot and Ankle Score (SEFAS) questionnaire to assess clinical outcome. Thirty-two patients (43 feet) were available for follow-up and completed the SEFAS score. Twenty-two Mau-type and 21 Ludloff-type osteotomies were performed.

Results:

The mean pre- and postoperative IMA for Mau was 10.5 and 4.3 degrees, respectively, and for the Ludloff was 10.2 and 4 degrees, respectively, with no statistically significant difference between the 2 groups. The Mau caused more bowing with a mean of 9.8 degrees as compared to a mean of 3.5 degrees with the Ludloff. No patients in the Mau group reported clinical problems related to the increased bowing. All osteotomies united. The Mau cohort had a mean SEFAS score of 45 and the Ludloff cohort a mean of 46. No feet had fair or poor outcome scores.

Conclusion:

Patient satisfaction after bunionette correction with an oblique shaft rotational osteotomy was good. Orientation of the osteotomy did not affect outcomes. Postoperative bowing of the fifth metatarsal was greater with the Mau-type osteotomy. Postoperative fifth metatarsal bowing had no negative clinical effects. The trend in our unit has been a preference toward the Mau-type osteotomy as it is perceived to be more stable.

Level of Evidence:

Level III, retrospective comparative series.
Getting in Touch Is an Important Step: Control of Metabolism at Organelle Contact Sites
Authors: Klemm Robin W.
Published: March 2021

Metabolic pathways are often spread over several organelles and need to be functionally integrated by controlled organelle communication. Physical organelle contact-sites have emerged as critical hubs in the regulation of cellular metabolism, but the molecular understanding of mechanisms that mediate formation or regulation of organelle interfaces was until recently relatively limited. Mitochondria are central organelles in anabolic and catabolic pathways and therefore interact with a number of other cellular compartments including the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and lipid droplets (LDs). An interesting set of recent work has shed new light on the molecular basis forming these contact sites. This brief overview describes the discovery of unanticipated functions of contact sites between the ER, mitochondria and LDs in de novo synthesis of storage lipids of brown and white adipocytes. Interestingly, the factors involved in mediating the interaction between these organelles are subject to unexpected modes of regulation through newly uncovered Phospho-FFAT motifs. These results suggest dynamic regulation of contact sites between organelles and indicate that spatial organization of organelles within the cell contributes to the control of metabolism.
Cybersecurity in health is an urgent patient safety concern: We can learn from existing patient safety improvement strategies to address it
Authors: O’Brien Niki , Ghafur Saira , Durkin Mike
Published: March 2021

Introduction

Cybersecurity is a patient safety concern. Recent cyberattacks on healthcare institutions around the world have shown the risks to patients: from delayed treatment as hospitals and clinics are shutdown, to the threat of harm from the theft of personal data, to patient death. The recent Covid-19 pandemic has further increased cyber-attacks on health organisations. In low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) digital health, including the use of health informatics systems and electronic health records, is an increasing part of the health agenda as national governments move to scale up healthcare on the path to achieving Universal Health Coverage. Frontline healthcare workers are often warned of the dangers of data mismanagement and are advised to take precautions to ensure data is safe. However, as many workers are already overstretched with conflicting administrative priorities, cybersecurity risks are going unnoticed.

Discussion

In this commentary we argue that future education and training interventions for frontline healthcare workers on cybersecurity in LMICs can benefit from lessons learned from other areas of patient safety. Validated interventions, including education and awareness programmes and other simple tools, exist which can offer guidance on how cybersecurity awareness and education may be scaled up in frontline healthcare facilities, without adding an unacceptable burden to staff.

Conclusions

Efforts to develop frontline interventions on cybersecurity that can be easily implemented and sustained are essential to ensure patient safety is a top priority in a digitally reliant health system.
A thematic analysis of the prevention of future deaths reports in healthcare from HM coroners in England and Wales 2016–2019
Authors: Leary Alison , Bushe David , Oldman Crystal , Lawler Jessica , Punshon Geoffrey
Published: March 2021

Background

The Coroners and Justice Act allows coroners in England or Wales to issue reports after inquest, if they believe that action should be taken to prevent a future death. Coroners are under a statutory duty to issue a Prevention of Future Death (PFD) report to persons or organisations that they believe have the power to act. Cumulatively, these reports may contain useful intelligence for patient safety. The aim of this study was to examine the feasibility of extracting data from these reports and to evaluate if learning was possible from any common themes.

Methods

Reports were extracted from 2016 to 2019 for deaths in hospitals, care homes and the community in England and Wales. These were subjected to descriptive statistics and thematic analysis of coroner’s concerns. Application of data mining techniques was not possible due to data quality.

Results

710 reports were examined, with 3469 concerns being raised (mean 4.88, range 1–33). 36 reports expressed concern about having to issue repeat PFDs to the same organisation for the same or similar concerns. Thematic analysis reliability was high ( κ 0.89 unweighted) with five emerging primary themes: deficit in skill or knowledge, missed, delayed or uncoordinated care, communication and cultural issues, systems issues and lack of resources. A codebook of 53 subthemes were identified.

Conclusions

PFD reports offer valuable insight. Aggregation and continued analysis of these reports could offer more informed patient safety, workforce development and organisational policy. Improved data quality would allow for possible automation of analysis and faster feedback into practice.
Machining precision controlling method for plane surface assisted by SPDT
Authors: Li Jingjin , Ji Shijun , Zhao Ji , Yuan Fei , Dai Handa
Published: March 2021

In traditional processing mode, a given lathe and a set of fixed processing system can only produce a predetermined precision part. This article proposes a machining method that can control the surface precision of machining plane parts, and four gaskets with different accuracy requirements are processed on the same slow tool servo single-point diamond lathe for experimental verification. Then, the Peak Village (PV) value and surface topography of the processed parts were measured using the surface profiler Taylor Hobson PGI 1240 and Keyence VR-3200, respectively. Through the processing and analysis of the measured data, the maximum deviation between the PV value and the given PV value is 2.4 µm, the minimum deviation is 0.4 µm. And the PV value obtained by calculating the helical spacing measured by surface topography according to the method in this article is approximately equal to the measured PV value, so the correctness of the machining method is verified. Therefore, the machining method can control the surface accuracy of machining parts accurately according to the required accuracy.
Easy Surgical Approach of the Posterolateral Corner of the Knee
Authors: Guy Sylvain , Rezende Fernando Cury , Ferreira Alexandre , Chadli Lamine , Carrozzo Alessandro , Vieira Thais Dutra , Sonnery-Cottet Bertrand
Published: March 2021

Background:

The anatomy of the posterolateral corner (PLC) of the knee is complex. The approach of the PLC can be a challenging and stressful surgical time.

Indications:

The indications are posterolateral meniscal repair, open lateral meniscus allograft transplantation, posterolateral tibial plateau fracture, and PLC reconstruction for grade III sprains.

Technique Description:

The skin incision is straight, realized with the knee positioned at 90° of flexion, passing slightly posterior to the lateral epicondyle, anterior to the fibular head (FH), and ending on Gerdy’s tubercle. The subcutaneous tissues are dissected posteriorly so as to expose the FH and the biceps femoris (BF) tendon. The aponeurosis of the peroneus muscles is incised vertically opposite to the anterior side of the FH. The common fibular nerve is exposed at the neck of the fibula. Metzenbaum scissors are then inserted subaponeurotically, posteriorly, and parallel to the BF tendon, superficially to the nerve. An incision is made opposite the scissor’s blades, freeing the common fibular nerve. The BF tendon is spread forward and the lateral gastrocnemius is pulled posteriorly. Metzenbaum scissors are inserted in a closed position between the lateral gastrocnemius and the posterolateral joint capsule, and then spread to create a triangular door with a proximal base. The base consists of the BF tendon, the posterior side of the lateral gastrocnemius, and the anterior side of the posterolateral joint capsule. A counter-angled Hohmann retractor can now be applied against the posterior tibial plateau to retract the lateral gastrocnemius posteriorly and medially, exposing the PLC of the knee.

Results:

Noble structures are easily exposed and protected. The common fibular nerve is dissected and reclined posteriorly, and the popliteus vessels are reclined posteriorly and medially, protected by the lateral gastrocnemius. Passing under the BF tendon allows a better vision of the PLC along with less constraint than passing above, as the working window is further away from the femoral insertion of the lateral gastrocnemius.

Discussion/Conclusion:

The present surgical approach allows a simple, safe, and reproducible exposure of the PLC of the knee.
Anti-inflammatory activity of CD44 antibodies in murine immune thrombocytopenia is mediated by Fcγ receptor inhibition
Authors: Norris Peter A. A. , Kaur Gurleen , Khan Ramsha , Zhu Guangheng , Ni Heyu , Lazarus Alan H.
Published: March 2021

Monoclonal immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies to CD44 (anti-CD44) are anti-inflammatory in numerous murine autoimmune models, but the mechanisms are poorly understood. Anti-CD44 anti-inflammatory activity shows complete therapeutic concordance with IV immunoglobulin (IVIg) in treating autoimmune disease models, making anti-CD44 a potential IVIg alternative. In murine immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), there is no mechanistic explanation for anti-CD44 activity, although anti-CD44 ameliorates disease similarly to IVIg. Here, we demonstrate a novel anti-inflammatory mechanism of anti-CD44 that explains disease amelioration by anti-CD44 in murine ITP. Macrophages treated with anti-CD44 in vitro had dramatically suppressed phagocytosis through FcγRs in 2 separate systems of IgG-opsonized platelets and erythrocytes. Phagocytosis inhibition by anti-CD44 was mediated by blockade of the FcγR IgG binding site without changing surface FcγR expression. Anti-CD44 of different subclasses revealed that FcγR blockade was specific to receptors that could be engaged by the respective anti-CD44 subclass, and Fc-deactivated anti-CD44 variants lost all FcγR-inhibiting activity. In vivo, anti-CD44 functioned analogously in the murine passive ITP model and protected mice from ITP when thrombocytopenia was induced through an FcγR that could be engaged by the CD44 antibody’s subclass. Consistent with FcγR blockade, Fc-deactivated variants of anti-CD44 were completely unable to ameliorate ITP. Together, anti-CD44 inhibits macrophage FcγR function and ameliorates ITP consistent with an FcγR blockade mechanism. Anti-CD44 is a potential IVIg alternative and may be of particular benefit in ITP because of the significant role that FcγRs play in human ITP pathophysiology.
Research Progress of Thermosensitive Hydrogel in Tumor Therapeutic
Authors: Ma Nian , Yan Zhihui
Published: March 2021

Compared with traditional tumor therapy strategies, hydrogel as a drug reservoir system can realize on-demand drug release and deep tissue penetration ability. It also exhibits great tumor-site retention to enhance the permeability and retention effect of tumor treatment. This can significantly overcome the drug's resistance and severe side effects. Inorganic/organic composite hydrogel has attracted wide attention due to its combined effects, enhancing therapeutic effects against various kinds of tumors. In situ injectable hydrogel can securely restrict the drugs in the lesion sites without leakage and guarantee better biosafety. Moreover, hydrogel possesses interconnected macropores which can provide enough space for nutrient transport, cellular activity, and cell–cell interactions. Thermal therapy is an effective strategy for tumor therapy due to its minimal invasiveness and high selectivity. Because the location temperature can be precisely controlled and helps avoid the risks of destroying the body's immune system and ablate normal cells, thermal therapy exhibits significant treatment outcomes. Nonetheless, when the cellular temperature reaches approximately 43 °C, it causes long-term cell inactivation. Based on these merits, thermosensitive hydrogel formulation with adaptive functions shows excellent efficacy, unlimited tissue penetration capacity, and few deleterious side effects. Furthermore, the thermosensitive hydrogel has unique physical properties under the external stimuli, which is the ideal drug delivery system for on-demand release in tumor treatment. This article will review the state of the thermosensitive hydrogel in clinic application for cancer therapy.
OmicLoupe: facilitating biological discovery by interactive exploration of multiple omic datasets and statistical comparisons
Authors: Willforss Jakob , Siino Valentina , Levander Fredrik
Published: March 2021

Background

Visual exploration of gene product behavior across multiple omic datasets can pinpoint technical limitations in data and reveal biological trends. Still, such exploration is challenging as there is a need for visualizations that are tailored for the purpose.

Results

The OmicLoupe software was developed to facilitate visual data exploration and provides more than 15 interactive cross-dataset visualizations for omics data. It expands visualizations to multiple datasets for quality control, statistical comparisons and overlap and correlation analyses, while allowing for rapid inspection and downloading of selected features. The usage of OmicLoupe is demonstrated in three different studies, where it allowed for detection of both technical data limitations and biological trends across different omic layers. An example is an analysis of SARS-CoV-2 infection based on two previously published studies, where OmicLoupe facilitated the identification of gene products with consistent expression changes across datasets at both the transcript and protein levels.

Conclusions

OmicLoupe provides fast exploration of omics data with tailored visualizations for comparisons within and across data layers. The interactive visualizations are highly informative and are expected to be useful in various analyses of both newly generated and previously published data. OmicLoupe is available at quantitativeproteomics.org/omicloupe
DeltaNeTS+: elucidating the mechanism of drugs and diseases using gene expression and transcriptional regulatory networks
Authors: Noh Heeju , Hua Ziyi , Chrysinas Panagiotis , Shoemaker Jason E. , Gunawan Rudiyanto
Published: March 2021

Background

Knowledge on the molecular targets of diseases and drugs is crucial for elucidating disease pathogenesis and mechanism of action of drugs, and for driving drug discovery and treatment formulation. In this regard, high-throughput gene transcriptional profiling has become a leading technology, generating whole-genome data on the transcriptional alterations caused by diseases or drug compounds. However, identifying direct gene targets, especially in the background of indirect (downstream) effects, based on differential gene expressions is difficult due to the complexity of gene regulatory network governing the gene transcriptional processes.

Results

In this work, we developed a network analysis method, called DeltaNeTS+, for inferring direct gene targets of drugs and diseases from gene transcriptional profiles. DeltaNeTS+ uses a gene regulatory network model to identify direct perturbations to the transcription of genes using gene expression data. Importantly, DeltaNeTS+ is able to combine both steady-state and time-course expression profiles, as well as leverage information on the gene network structure. We demonstrated the power of DeltaNeTS+ in predicting gene targets using gene expression data in complex organisms, includingCaenorhabditis elegansand human cell lines (T-cell and Calu-3). More specifically, in an application to time-course gene expression profiles of influenza A H1N1 (swine flu) and H5N1 (avian flu) infection, DeltaNeTS+ shed light on the key differences of dynamic cellular perturbations caused by the two influenza strains.

Conclusion

DeltaNeTS+ is a powerful network analysis tool for inferring gene targets from gene expression profiles. As demonstrated in the case studies, by incorporating available information on gene network structure, DeltaNeTS+ produces accurate predictions of direct gene targets from a small sample size (~ 10 s). Integrating static and dynamic expression data with transcriptional network structure extracted from genomic information, as enabled by DeltaNeTS+, is crucial toward personalized medicine, where treatments can be tailored to individual patients. DeltaNeTS+ can be freely downloaded fromhttp://www.github.com/cabsel/deltanetsplus.
Comparative analysis of drought-responsive and -adaptive genes in Chinese wingnut (Pterocarya stenoptera C. DC)
Authors: Li Yong , Si Yu-Tao , He Yan-Xia , Li Jia-Xin
Published: March 2021

Background

Drought is the main stress factor for the cultivation ofPterocarya stenopterain urban areas, and this factor will cause its dehydration and affect its growth. Identifying drought-related genes will be useful for understanding the drought adaptation mechanism ofP. stenoptera.

Results

We used physiological indicator detection, comparative transcriptome sequencing, and reanalysis on the results of previous landscape genomics studies to investigate the drought adaptation mechanism inP. stenoptera. The changes in malondialdehyde content showed thatP. stenopterawas remarkably affected by drought stress, and the increase in soluble sugar content suggested its important role in response to drought stress. Results of comparative transcriptome sequencing showed thatP. stenopterainitiated a series of programs, such as increasing the gene expression of unsaturated fatty acids, tyrosine, and plant pathogen resistance, to deal with the transient drought stress. According to the annotated results in a previous study,P. stenopteraadapts to the long-term differential drought stress by regulating the thickness of cell walls and expressing upper or lower limits of the downstream genes in the hormone signaling pathway. Through the comparative analysis of drought-responsive and -adaptive genes inP. stenoptera, this study supports the hypothesis that the environment-responsive genes (ERGs) introduced by the transient environmental stresses will be substantially more than the environment-adaptive genes (EAGs) in response to long-term differential environmental stresses, and the EAGs are not necessarily ERGs.

Conclusions

Our study identified drought-responsive and -adaptive genes inP. stenopteraand revealed thatP. stenopteraincreased the gene expression of unsaturated fatty acids, tyrosine, and plant pathogen resistance in response to transient drought stress. This study reveals the different adaptation mechanism ofP. stenopteraunder the transient and long-term differential drought stresses.
Outcomes and survival of infants with congenital duodenal obstruction following Kimura procedure with post-anastomosis jejunostomy feeding tube
Authors: Makkadafi Munawir , Fauzi Aditya Rifqi , Wandita Setya , Makhmudi Akhmad , Gunadi
Published: March 2021

Background

Several modifications of the Kimura procedure for congenital duodenal obstruction (CDO) have been reported, however, their effects on the outcomes show conflicting results.

Methods

We compared the CDO outcomes following the Kimura procedure with and without post-anastomosis jejunostomy feeding tube (JFT).

Results

A total of 52 CDO neonates were involved (JFT: 13 males and 2 females vs. non-JFT: 14 males and 23 females, p = 0.0019). Time to full oral feeding was significantly earlier in the JFT than non-JFT group (14 [interquartile range (IQR), 12–15] vs. 17 [IQR, 14–22.5] days; p = 0.04). Duration of parenteral nutrition given to infants with CDO after surgery was significantly shorter in the JFT than non-JFT group (12 [IQR, 10–15] vs. 17 [IQR, 13–23] days; p = 0.031). Moreover, enteral feeding was significantly earlier in the JFT than non-JFT group (2 [IQR, 1–3.5] vs. 5 [IQR, 4–6] days; p = < 0.0001). However, the length of stay following surgery was not significantly different between groups (16 [IQR, 14–22] vs. 20 [IQR, 17–28] days; p = 0.22). Also, overall patient survival did not significantly differ between JFT (66.7%) and non-JFT patients (59.5%) (p = 0.61).

Conclusion

Jejunostomy feeding tube shows a beneficial effect on the time to full oral feeding, duration of parenteral nutrition and early enteral feeding in neonates with congenital duodenal obstruction after Kimura procedure.