bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Outcomes of a Pharmacist-Led Hepatitis C Virus Treatment Program in an Urban Safety-Net Health System, Chicago, 2017-2019
Authors: Hunt Bijou R. , Cetrone Hollyn , Sam Sharon , Glick Nancy R.
Published: May 2021

Objective

A recommendation in March 2020 to expand hepatitis C virus (HCV) screening to all adults in the United States will likely increase the need for HCV treatment programs and guidance on how to provide this service for diverse populations. We evaluated a pharmacist-led HCV treatment program within a routine screening program in an urban safety-net health system in Chicago, Illinois.

Methods

We collected data on all patient treatment applications submitted from January 1, 2017, through June 30, 2019, and assessed outcomes of and patient retention in the treatment cascade.

Results

During the study period, 203 HCV treatment applications were submitted for 187 patients (>1 application could be submitted per patient): 49% (n = 91) were aged 55-64, 62% (n = 116) were male, 67% (n = 125) were Black, and 15% (n = 28) were Hispanic. Of the 203 HCV treatment applications, 87% (n = 176) of patients were approved for treatment, 91% (n = 161) of whom completed treatment. Of the 161 patients who completed treatment, 81% (n = 131) attended their sustained virologic response (SVR) follow-up visit, 98% (n = 129) of whom reached SVR. The largest drop in the treatment cascade was the 19% decline from receipt of treatment to SVR follow-up visit.

Conclusion

The pharmacist-led model for HCV treatment was effective in navigating patients through the treatment cascade and achieving SVR. Widespread implementation of pharmacist-led HCV treatment models may help to hasten progress toward 2030 HCV elimination goals.
My Kind of Guy: Social Dominance Orientation, Hierarchy-Relevance, and Tolerance of Racist Job Candidates
Authors: Gutierrez Lyangela J. , Unzueta Miguel M.
Published: May 2021

Social psychology suggests that racism, as captured by explicit prejudice and racial discrimination, is perceived negatively in the United States. However, considering the hierarchy-enhancing nature of racism, it may be that negative perceptions of racism are attenuated among perceivers high in anti-egalitarian sentiment. The reported studies support this, suggesting that racist candidates were tolerated more and had relatively greater hireability ratings as a function of perceivers’ social dominance orientation (SDO; Studies 1–4). Candidate race did not impact these evaluations—only the hierarchy relevance of their actions did (i.e., whether the candidate’s behavior was hierarchy enhancing or had no clear implication for the hierarchy; Study 2). Furthermore, anti-racist candidates (e.g., those displaying hierarchy-attenuating behavior) were tolerated less and had lower hireability ratings as a function of perceivers’ SDO (Study 3). Finally, the perceived intentionality of the candidate’s actions affected tolerance toward them as a function of SDO. This suggests hierarchy relevance impacts evaluative outcomes.
Clinical Nurses Research Priorities in Hospital Settings: A Delphi Survey
Authors: Fossum Mariann , Cohen Marlene Z. , Tønnessen Vivi Haavik , Hamre Mette Dobler , Ødegaard Agno Lisbeth Vabo , Lind Ingjerd , Olsen Håheim Kari , Opsal Anne
Published: May 2021

This study aimed to identify the research priorities of clinical nurses to develop a research program at a health care services system that includes three hospitals. A Delphi survey was emailed to all clinical nurses in two rounds. The Delphi method was used to collect data from the nurses in regards to their priority research themes, and the data were analyzed using descriptive and comparative statistics. A total of 933 clinical nurses returned the first round of the Delphi survey and 543 nurses answered the second round. Clinical nurses identified 89 potential research themes. Patient safety and ethical challenges were the two highest ranked research priorities. The 40 highest ranked priority research themes were closely associated with issues concerning patient care and ethics. However, the nurses also gave high ratings to issues relating to the work environment, questions about technology implementation, and patient involvement in clinical care decisions.
Diet diversity of urban households in India during the COVID-19 lockdown
Authors: Aneesh Mitravinda , Patil Rita S
Published: May 2021

Background: The nature of the COVID-19 pandemic forced several nations to impose country-wide lockdowns. The lockdown impacted several aspects of life including the economy. Food security became a growing concern for many households. Aim: The aim of the study was to explore the diet diversity of urban households in India during the nationwide COVID-19 lockdown. Methods: Information regarding socioeconomic status (SES), family size and information regarding availability and access to food were gathered from 450 households. Diet diversity was assessed using a 69-item food frequency questionnaire. Food variety scores (FVS) were computed for individual food groups and overall. Results: The majority of the households (86.4%) belonged to the upper-middle or upper SES. Households did not experience any constraints in accessibility and availability of food except the meat group. Overall, 84% of the households had low FVS for most of the food groups except for sugar and milk and milk products. The household SES score was positively associated with the milk FVS (B = 0.039, p = 0.020) and negatively with the fat FVS (B = −0.062, p < 0.001). The number of adults (B = 6.773, p < 0.001) in the household positively predicted the FVS of cereal, vegetable, fruit, fat and total FVS. Conclusions: The higher SES households in urban India did not experience food insecurity. Despite this, their poor diet diversity is a serious cause for concern, especially in the wake of the evolving pandemic. This highlights the need to promote consumption of a diverse variety of foods.
A Hybrid Filler: Combining Calcium Hydroxylapatite and Hyaluronic Acid Fillers for Aesthetic Indications
Authors: Kadouch Jonathan , Fakih-Gomez Nabil
Published: May 2021

Limited data are available describing the use of calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA) and hyaluronic acid (HA) in combination. The aim of this study is to investigate the safety of premixing CaHA and HA fillers before injection. The authors performed a retrospective chart review of patients injected with a premixed combination of CaHA and a cohesive polydensified matrix (CPM®) HA in the authors’ aesthetic practices. Patients records were evaluated for adverse events at 1-3 month, 5-7 month and >12-month posttreatment follow-up visits. The retrospective chart review identified 134 patients who had been treated with premixed CaHA: HA, most of whom were female (95%). Most patients were treated for multiple facial areas. Injections were subcutaneous and performed with 25G 38- or 50-mm cannulas, using a fanning injection technique. Injection volumes and product ratios depended on the number of areas being treated and severity of the aesthetic defect. Only 2 adverse events were reported which comprised slight cases of overcorrection at 1-3 months, both of which resolved with hyaluronidase. No other adverse events were reported. This combined evaluation of the published literature and retrospective examination of case reports raised no concerns about the use of premixed CaHA and CPM-HA (Hybrid) fillers for the treatment of a range of facial aesthetic indications.
Playing Locally but Commuting to a Better School: Urban Planning and Education Policies in Parental Involvement Practices and Local Community Formation
Authors: Smagacz-Poziemska Marta , Bierwiaczonek Krzysztof
Published: May 2021

In this article, we analyse the formation of local communities from the perspective of the practices of parental involvement. Adopting a practice-based approach to empirical research on six estates in three Polish cities, we reconstruct the connections between the spatial logics of the housing areas, national education, and housing polices, and their impact on the everyday life practices inside and outside the estate. Using the category of practice of parental involvement, we show the complex, long-term impact of state and local education policies on everyday life and, as a result, on the processes of structuring or fragmentation of territorial communities. The results of our qualitative studies not only develop knowledge about the connections between national polices and everyday life practices but also, we hope, could help to design effective public policies.
Research on vehicle critical condition prediction and optimal yaw moment intervention based on nonlinear dynamics and Monte Carlo simulation
Authors: Yufang Li , Baichuan Lou , Ming Ni
Published: May 2021

Timely and effective yaw moment intervention is required to suppress the instability tendency of vehicle under critical conditions, which is mainly caused by the overshoot of state parameters. As the development of vehicle nonlinear dynamics, the prediction of vehicle critical condition enables the vehicle to stabilize in this condition by timely yaw moment intervention. The yaw moment intervention law based on the prediction of critical conditions cannot be solely investigated by the initial motion states, since the online iterative optimization is an indispensable part in the predictive control. In this paper, the combination of threshold model, quadratic optimal yaw moment prediction method and Monte Carlo simulation provides a new approach to investigate the optimal open loop yaw moment intervention law based on initial motion states, which can be used to maintain the stability of vehicle plane motion in critical situations and optimize the predictive control method. Specifically, a total of 480,000 samples of quadratic yaw moment intervention parameters and corresponding system responses are obtained and analysed. It is certified that the optimized quadratic yaw moment can effectively suppress the overshoot of system responses. Specifically, statistics indicate that the initial value of yaw moment intervention plays an important role in preventing instability, but with the increase of speed and steering angle, the final yaw moment will be the decisive factor to maintain the lateral stability.
Evaluation of control-oriented flame propagation models for production control of a spark-assisted compression ignition engine
Authors: Robertson Dennis , Prucka Robert
Published: May 2021

The drive to improve internal combustion engines has led to efficiency objectives that exceed the capability of conventional combustion strategies. As a result, advanced combustion modes are more attractive for production. These advanced combustion strategies typically add sensors, actuators, and degrees of freedom to the combustion process. Spark-assisted compression ignition (SACI) is an efficient production-viable advanced combustion strategy characterized by spark-ignited flame propagation that triggers autoignition in the remaining unburned gas. Modeling this complex combustion process for control demands a careful selection of model structure to maximize predictive accuracy within computational constraints. This work comprehensively evaluates a physics-based and a data-driven model. The physics-based model produces a burn duration by computing laminar flame speed as a function of test point conditions. The crank-angle domain is intentionally excluded to reduce computational expense. The data-driven model is an artificial neural network (ANN). The candidate models are compared to a one-dimensional engine model validated to experimental SACI engine data. Though both models capture the trends in burn rates, the ANN model has a root-mean square error (RMSE) of 1.4 CAD, significantly lower than the 10.4 CAD RMSE of the physics-based model. The exclusion of the crank-angle domain results in insufficient detail for the physics-based model, while the ANN can tolerate this exclusion.
Characteristics of a separated flow past a semicircular leading-edge airfoil model under different imposed pressure gradient
Authors: Anand K , Ganesh KT
Published: May 2021

The effect of pressure gradient on a separated boundary layer past the leading edge of an airfoil model is studied experimentally using electronically scanned pressure (ESP) and particle image velocimetry (PIV) for a Reynolds number ( Re) of 25,000, based on leading-edge diameter ( D). The features of the boundary layer in the region of separation and its development past the reattachment location are examined for three cases of β (−30°, 0°, and +30°). The bubble parameters such as the onset of separation and transition and the reattachment location are identified from the averaged data obtained from pressure and velocity measurements. Surface pressure measurements obtained from ESP show a surge in wall static pressure for β = −30° (flap deflected up), while it goes down for β = +30° (flap deflected down) compared to the fundamental case, β = 0°. Particle image velocimetry results show that the roll up of the shear layer past the onset of separation is early for β = +30°, owing to higher amplification of background disturbances compared to β = 0° and −30°. Downstream to transition location, the instantaneous field measurements reveal a stretched, disoriented, and at instances bigger vortices for β = +30°, whereas a regular, periodically shed vortices, keeping their identity past the reattachment location, is observed for β = 0° and −30°. Above all, this study presents a new insight on the features of a separation bubble receiving a disturbance from the downstream end of the model, and these results may serve as a bench mark for future studies over an airfoil under similar environment.
Is Traditional Masculinity Still Valued? Men’s Perceptions of How Different Reference Groups Value Traditional Masculinity Norms
Authors: Iacoviello Vincenzo , Valsecchi Giulia , Berent Jacques , Borinca Islam , Falomir-Pichastor Juan M.
Published: May 2021

Traditional masculinity norms are generally defined as hegemonic because they contribute to maintaining men’s favorable position in the gender hierarchy. Nevertheless, many observers argue that traditional masculinity norms are fading away under the pressure of feminist movements and are being replaced by more progressive, non-hegemonic masculinity norms. The present research examines men’s perceptions of how traditional masculinity norms are viewed by three reference groups: society as a whole, other men, and women. We assessed these perceptions via two experiments based on the self-presentation paradigm and involving American ( N = 161) or British ( N = 160) men. Participants in both experiments perceived traditional masculinity as being valued by other men but not by society as a whole or by women. We discuss the implications of these findings in the light of current changes in masculinity norms.
Achieving Noise Reduction With a Novel Lower Limb External Mechanical Compression System
Authors: Giuliano Karen , Pozzar Rachel
Published: May 2021

Hospitals are one of the noisiest public environments in the United States, and hospital noise is associated with disrupted sleep. This study provides insights into the noise levels produced by three commonly used medical devices for mechanical deep vein thrombosis prophylaxis: the VenaFlow Elite System, the Kendall SCD Compression System, and the ArjoHuntleigh Flowtron. Noise levels produced were compared with a novel device, the RF Health MAC™ system, which was designed to provide improved comfort and noise reduction. Results suggest that future innovation in mechanical deep vein thrombosis prophylaxis should include efforts to reduce noise during operation.
Validity Evidence of the Spanish Version of the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale Using the Rasch Measurement Model
Authors: Buz José , Á. Gómez-Martínez María , Crego Antonio , Yela José R. , Sánchez-Zaballos Elena
Published: May 2021

The Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS) is the most cited instrument to measure dispositional mindfulness. However, some aspects of its validity are still under debate. We aimed to assess different sources of validity evidence (i.e., response processes, content, internal structure, reliability, and relations with external variables) of the MAAS scores in a sample of Spanish-speaking participants ( N = 812) applying Rasch modeling. The items formed an essentially unidimensional structure, the item hierarchy was similar to that of previous comparable studies, the items were well targeted, and the ordering of persons along the construct was adequate. Moreover, measures were invariant across four age groups and three groups based on meditation practice, and correlated as expected with a variety of well-being variables. In sum, our findings supported the interpretation of MAAS scores as a measure of mindfulness in our sample of Spanish-speaking participants. Any other specific inference should be tested.
Capturing the emotional experiences of English as a foreign language university teachers: A critical perspective
Authors: Alzaanin Eman I.
Published: May 2021

Although emotions constitute an integral aspect of teachers’ lives, emotions experienced by teachers of English as a foreign language (EFL) in higher education, settings are relatively under-researched. Through in-depth interviews, this study aims to capture a small cohort of nine EFL female teachers’ emotional experiences when teaching English-major students in a large public university in Saudi Arabia. Methods of inductive thematic analysis helped capture the participants’ emotional experiences during teaching. The analysis of their emotional experiences is informed by Benesch’s (2017) critical approach to teachers’ emotions. The study revealed that relationships in the classroom and the institutional system greatly influence how teachers construct, express, and communicate their emotions. Teachers’ passion for teaching, students’ classroom engagement, and students’ appreciation of teachers’ efforts triggered the teachers’ sense of happiness and pride and contributed to their occasional positive valence. However, teachers often experienced anger, frustration, demoralization, anxiety, and sadness as a result of feeling disempowered when dealing with students’ disruptive behaviours and constraining institutional policies. The study suggests that teachers’ emotions influenced their pedagogical practices and physical and psychological wellbeing. Therefore, to support teachers’ emotional competence, mitigate teachers’ emotional difficulties experienced during teaching, and enhance classroom teaching and learning, educational institutions, program leaders, and policymakers need to acknowledge the centrality of teachers’ emotions in the EFL classroom.
Experiencing COVID-19 symptoms without the disease: The role of nocebo in reporting of symptoms
Authors: Daniali Hojjat , Flaten Magne Arve
Published: May 2021

Background:

A nocebo effect occurs when inactive factors lead to worsening of symptoms or reduce treatment outcomes. Believing that one is or has been infected with COVID-19 may act as a nocebo. However, not much is known about potential nocebo effects associated with the reporting of COVID-19 symptoms.

Aim:

An online survey investigated whether certainty of being infected with COVID-19, age, sex, cognitive, emotional and personality factors were associated with perceived severity of COVID-19 symptoms.

Methods:

Participants ( N=375) filled out an online survey containing 57 questions asking about symptoms resembling COVID-19, certainty of being infected with COVID-19, anxiety, stress and personality dimensions.

Results:

Certainty of being infected with COVID-19 and anxiety predicted 27% of the variance in reporting of COVID-like symptoms. The mediation analysis showed that both higher certainty of being infected and anxiety independently predicted increased reports of COVID-like symptom. Females had higher anxiety and stress levels, and reported more COVID-like symptoms than males did. Older age was not associated with reporting COVID-like symptoms.

Conclusions:

Believing to be infected with COVID-19, along with anxiety, can enhance the severity of COVID-like symptoms. Thus, the nocebo effect was due to both cognitive and emotional factors and was higher in females.
Rural use of health service and telemedicine during COVID-19: The role of access and eHealth literacy
Authors: Rush Kathy L , Seaton Cherisse , Li Eric , Oelke Nelly D , Pesut Barbara
Published: May 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic has driven a greater reliance on telemedicine, yet rural access, use, and satisfaction with telemedicine and the role of eHealth literacy are unknown. Using a cross-sectional design, 279 (70.6% female) western rural Canadians completed an online survey. The majority of participants reported access to telemedicine, but nearly 1/5 lacked access to online or virtual mental health services. The majority of participants had used health care services following the declared COVID-19 pandemic in North America, and just under half had used telemedicine. Telemedicine satisfaction scores were higher among participants who had used video ( M = 4.18) compared to those who used phone alone ( M = 3.79) ( p = 0.031). Telemedicine satisfaction and eHealth literacy were correlated ( r = 0.26, p = 0.005). Participants did not want telemedicine to replace in-person consultations. Telemedicine practice requires that rural residents have the resources, ability and willingness to engage with remote care.
Interactively visualizing distributional regression models with distreg.vis
Authors: Stadlmann Stanislaus , Kneib Thomas
Published: May 2021

A newly emerging field in statistics is distributional regression, where not only the mean but each parameter of a parametric response distribution can be modelled using a set of predictors. As an extension of generalized additive models, distributional regression utilizes the known link functions (log, logit, etc.), model terms (fixed, random, spatial, smooth, etc.) and available types of distributions but allows us to go well beyond the exponential family and to model potentially all distributional parameters. Due to this increase in model flexibility, the interpretation of covariate effects on the shape of the conditional response distribution, its moments and other features derived from this distribution is more challenging than with traditional mean-based methods. In particular, such quantities of interest often do not directly equate the modelled parameters but are rather a (potentially complex) combination of them. To ease the post-estimation model analysis, we propose a framework and subsequently feature an implementation in R for the visualization of Bayesian and frequentist distributional regression models fitted using the bamlss, gamlss and betareg R packages.
Community-Led Health Promotion Groups in a Bhutanese–Nepali Refugee Community
Authors: Asdigian Nancy L. , Kramer Brandy , Shrestha Manisha , Dhungel Rohit K. , Rizal Hari , Kulung Deepak , Sharma Arun , Dhaurali Gagan , Sharma Bhawani , Rosa Galter Maria , Ratcliff Dustin
Published: May 2021

This practice note reports on the work of the Namaste Community Health Partnership, an academic-community partnership established to address health disparities in a metro-area Bhutanese–Nepali refugee community in the western United States. Partners worked together to develop, implement, and evaluate a culturally-tailored health promotion program where Bhutanese–Nepali individuals led weekly walking groups and shared health promotion information and behavior change tools with community participants. The program was implemented with approximately 70 community members across two metro-area neighborhoods and two adult day care centers serving elders. Evaluation strategies included documenting walk attendance, tracking engagement with health promotion goals, and focus group discussions with program participants. Once enrolled, most participants consistently attended walks and achieved weekly goals—some even increased walking frequency beyond program requirements. Participants provided positive feedback about having a community leader and reported learning new information and enjoying participating with other community members. Challenges and lessons learned included difficulties engaging younger adults from the community, concerns about signing research consent forms, cultural norms discouraging the distribution of individual research participation incentives, variability across groups in preferences for program activities, and barriers to administering survey-based evaluation instruments. This academic–community partnership built capacity in the local Bhutanese–Nepali community, produced culturally relevant health programming, and trained and employed community members as health educators and physical activity leaders. The program resulting from this work has the potential to improve health knowledge and chronic disease prevention practices and ultimately reduce health disparities in an underserved refugee community.
Longitudinal Imaging of Liver Cancer Using MicroCT and Nanoparticle Contrast Agents in CRISPR/Cas9-Induced Liver Cancer Mouse Model
Authors: An Sang Bu , Yang Kwangmo , Kim Chang Won , Choi Si Ho , Kim Eunji , Kim Sung Dae , Koh Jae Soo
Published: May 2021

Introduction:

Micro-computed tomography with nanoparticle contrast agents may be a suitable tool for monitoring the time course of the development and progression of tumors. Here, we suggest a practical and convenient experimental method for generating and longitudinally imaging murine liver cancer models.

Methods:

Liver cancer was induced in 6 experimental mice by injecting clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats-associated protein 9 plasmids causing mutations in genes expressed by hepatocytes. Nanoparticle agents are captured by Kupffer cells and detected by micro-computed tomography, thereby enabling longitudinal imaging. A total of 9 mice were used for the experiment. Six mice were injected with both plasmids and contrast, 2 injected with contrast alone, and one not injected with either agent. Micro-computed tomography images were acquired every 2- up to 14-weeks after cancer induction.

Results:

Liver cancer was first detected by micro-computed tomography at 8 weeks. The mean value of hepatic parenchymal attenuation remained almost unchanged over time, although the standard deviation of attenuation, reflecting heterogeneous contrast enhancement of the hepatic parenchyma, increased slowly over time in all mice. Histopathologically, heterogeneous distribution and aggregation of Kupffer cells was more prominent in the experimental group than in the control group. Heterogeneous enhancement of hepatic parenchyma, which could cause image quality deterioration and image misinterpretation, was observed and could be due to variation in Kupffer cells distribution.

Conclusion:

Micro-computed tomography with nanoparticle contrast is useful in evaluating the induction and characteristics of liver cancer, determining appropriate size of liver cancer for testing, and confirming therapeutic response.
Exploring the Experiences of Gay Men with Regards to Eating, Exercise, and Mindfulness-Based Concepts
Authors: Regan Harvey , Jama Adrian , Mantzios Michael , Keyte Rebecca , Egan Helen
Published: May 2021

Existing research investigating gay men’s eating behavior has focused on stereotypes and body image, rather than to understand why disordered eating is prevalent in gay men. The current study adopted a qualitative approach and employed interview methodology to explore gay men’s attitudes, feelings and experiences of their eating behavior, and the potential link to mindfulness and self-compassion. Twenty gay men aged from 21 to 51 years were interviewed using an interview schedule with open-ended questions. Three main themes emerged from the transcript data sets: “Lean to be Seen,” “Sod it ‘I’ll Have a Pizza,” and “You Can’t Sit with Us.” The first theme was developed following responses that participant’s eating behavior and exercise engagement were influenced by their perceived attractiveness by the gay community. All participants spoke of achieving or maintaining a slim or muscular body type and adopted their eating behavior or exercise regime to reach corresponding goals. The second theme relates to the lack of acceptance felt from the gay community upon not conforming to the bodily expectations set out by the community. The third theme relates to the conflicts in participants’ attitudes around how exercising and eating healthily would improve their mental well-being; but that they also would give preference to calorie dense foods to reduce stress. These reflections are observed through a context of self-kindness and self-compassion and are seen to be related to increased feelings of self-criticism and body dissatisfaction. The limitations and implication for this research and suggestions for future research are discussed.
The Frequency of Intermittently Scanned Glucose and Diurnal Variation of Glycemic Metrics
Authors: Hansen Klavs W. , Bibby Bo M.
Published: May 2021

Background:

The relation between the frequency of intermittently scanned continuous glucose monitoring (isCGM) and diurnal variation of time in range (TIR) and time below range (TBR) is unknown.

Method:

A total of 163 persons with type 1 diabetes who used isCGM had glucose data for 60 days downloaded. Mean TIR and median TBR were calculated for 15-minute periods and presented for daytime and nighttime. The values for tertiles of scanning frequency were compared.

Results:

The 1st tertile ( n = 53) of the population scanned <10 times; the 2nd tertile ( n = 56) 10-13 times, and the 3rd tertile ( n = 54) >13 per 24 hours. TIR (%, mean ± (SD)) increased significantly from the 1st to the 3rd scan tertile both during the day (43.8 ± 14.8, 52.0 ± 12.3, 62.1 ± 12.8) and the night (44.5 ± 17.3, 52.3 ± 18.5, 64.0 ± 13.9; P < .0001). In contrast, TBR (median, (IQR)) was not significantly associated with scan tertiles during daytime (3.5% (1.1-7.8), 4.4% (1.8-6.1), 3.5% (2.1-6.1); P = .85) or nighttime (3.8% (1.4-13.7), 5.0% (1.6-9.6), 5.7% (3.6-10.9); P = .24). In a multiple regression model, a 50% increase in 24-hour scanning frequency was associated with a 7.8 percentage point increase in TIR (95% CI, 5.6-10.0).

Conclusions:

Increased scanning frequency was associated with a higher TIR both during daytime and nighttime with no change in TBR.
High Incidence of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries Within the First 2 Months of the Season in Amateur Team Ball Sports
Authors: Mouton Caroline , Gokeler Alli , Urhausen Anouk , Nührenbörger Christian , Seil Romain
Published: May 2021

Background:

The incidence of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries is commonly reported as an annual incidence rate. There is relatively little information about the seasonal aspects of these injuries. The aim of the current study was to analyze the distribution of ACL injuries during the season in nonprofessional soccer, handball, and basketball based on a retrospective analysis of a hospital-based registry.

Hypothesis:

ACL injuries in soccer, handball, and basketball were more common within the first 2 months of the season in comparison with the rest of the year.

Study Design:

Case series.

Level of Evidence:

Level 4.

Methods:

Injury occurrence during the calendar year was divided into 6 periods of 2 months, with segment 1 (S1) representing the first 2 months of the season. For soccer, S1 corresponded to September and October. The season started 1 month later for handball and basketball, so S1 represented October and November. Chi-square tests were used to analyze the distribution of ACL injuries among segments according to gender, age, sports, and injury mechanism (contact/noncontact).

Results:

A total of 371 ACL injuries were included (soccer, 258, handball, 56, basketball, 57). Overall, the distribution of ACL injuries was not uniform across the segments ( P < 0.01). Almost one-third of the ACL injuries occurred in S1 (n = 104; 28%). Significant differences could be observed according to sports ( P < 0.01). There were fewer ACL injuries in S2 for soccer compared with basketball ( P < 0.05). In S5, there were significantly more ACL injuries in soccer compared with handball and basketball ( P < 0.05).

Conclusion:

A high occurrence of ACL injuries was reported immediately within the first 2 months of the season in nonprofessional soccer, handball, and basketball sports.

Clinical Relevance:

These findings indicate that ACL injury prevention programs should be started in the preseason period to allow for gradual increases of load.
Imaging features of internal maxillary artery and extracranial middle meningeal artery and their relationships on head CTA
Authors: Ji Tiefeng , Hou Kun , Li Chao , Yu Jinlu
Published: May 2021

Background

The internal maxillary artery and extracranial middle meningeal artery are vitally important. Anatomical studies of the relationship of between them using computed tomography angiography are rare.

Material and methods

This study assessed 75 cases involving 150 sides. And the vascular diameters and lengths of the internal maxillary artery and middle meningeal artery were measured using a GE workstation. The distance between the zygomatic arch midpoint and the internal maxillary artery, the angle between the internal maxillary artery and middle meningeal artery were measured, and the middle meningeal artery branch and internal maxillary artery aneurysm were recorded. The internal maxillary artery course classifications were recorded. All of these parameters were statistically analysed.

Results

Ages ranged from 18 to 72 (average 40.2) years, and there were 30 women (40%, 30/75) and 45 men (60%, 45/75). Internal maxillary artery length from its origin to middle meningeal artery origin was 1.37 ± 0.59 cm. The extracranial middle meningeal artery length was 1.79 ± 0.48 cm. The vessel diameters of internal maxillary artery origin, middle meningeal artery origin, and middle meningeal artery at the skull base were 2.93 ± 0.52 mm, 1.58 ± 0.43 mm, and 1.33 ± 0.43 mm, respectively. Among the 150 sides of internal maxillary artery course type, there were 138 superficial (92%, 138/150) and 12 (8%, 12/150) deep course cases. The angle between the internal maxillary artery and middle meningeal artery was 116.2 ± 35.76°.

Conclusions

The findings of this study elucidate the imaging features of the internal maxillary artery and extracranial middle meningeal artery and their relationships, which are helpful for the extracranial–intracranial bypass and endovascular treatment via the internal maxillary artery and middle meningeal artery.
Giant Right Ventricular Fibroma: Prenatal Diagnosis and Partial Resection in Early Infancy
Authors: Juaneda Ignacio , Bueno Nora , Ochoa Jose , Díaz Juan , Peirone Alejandro
Published: May 2021

Congenital cardiac fibromas are very rare and prenatal diagnosis has been reported in just a few cases. We describe a four-month-old infant presenting a symptomatic giant right ventricular fibroma discovered during prenatal scanning at 33 weeks of gestation, which was confirmed after delivery on echocardiogram and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. Due to progressive hemodynamic deterioration, partial surgical resection was performed and the patient recovered uneventfully. We report the successful management during early infancy of a giant cardiac fibroma prenatally diagnosed.
A Baseline for Multiple-Choice Testing in the University Classroom
Authors: Slepkov A. D. , Van Bussel M. L. , Fitze K. M. , Burr W. S.
Published: May 2021

There is a broad literature in multiple-choice test development, both in terms of item-writing guidelines, and psychometric functionality as a measurement tool. However, most of the published literature concerns multiple-choice testing in the context of expert-designed high-stakes standardized assessments, with little attention being paid to the use of the technique within non-expert instructor-created classroom examinations. In this work, we present a quantitative analysis of a large corpus of multiple-choice tests deployed in the classrooms of a primarily undergraduate university in Canada. Our report aims to establish three related things. First, reporting on the functional and psychometric operation of 182 multiple-choice tests deployed in a variety of courses at all undergraduate levels of education establishes a much-needed baseline for actual as-deployed classroom tests. Second, we motivate and present modified statistical measures—such as item-excluded correlation measures of discrimination and length-normalized measures of reliability—that should serve as useful parameters for future comparisons of classroom test psychometrics. Finally, we use the broad empirical data from our survey of tests to update widely used item-quality guidelines.
Survivors’ Dilemma: Young Adult Cancer Survivors’ Perspectives of Work-Related Goals
Authors: Ghazal Lauren Victoria , Merriman John , Santacroce Sheila Judge , Dickson Victoria Vaughan
Published: May 2021

Background:

Young adult cancer survivors have significant work-related challenges, including interruptions to education and employment milestones, which may affect work-related goals (WRGs). The study purpose was to explore posttreatment perspectives of WRGs in a sample of young adult hematologic cancer survivors.

Methods:

This qualitative descriptive study used social media to recruit eligible cancer survivors (young adults working or in school at the time of cancer diagnosis). Data were collected through telephone semi-structured interviews and analyzed using directed content analysis, followed by thematic content analysis to identify themes.

Findings:

The sample ( N = 40) were mostly female (63.5%), White (75%), and diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma (57.5%); most worked in professional (40%) or health care (23%) roles. The overarching theme, “Survivors’ Dilemma,” highlights a changed perspective on work-related fulfillment and financial obligations, capturing survivors’ decision-making process regarding work. Three subthemes illustrated questions that participants contemplated as they examined how their WRGs had changed: (a) Self-identity: Do I want to do this work? (b) Perceived health and work ability: Can I do this work? and (c) Financial toxicity: Can I afford to/not to do this work?

Conclusions/Application to Practice:

Participants experienced a state of dilemma around their WRGs, weighing areas around self-identity, perceived health and work ability, and financial toxicity. Findings suggest occupational health nurses should be aware of challenges surrounding WRGs, including how goals may change following a cancer diagnosis and treatment, and the potential stressors involved in the Survivors’ Dilemma. Occupational health nurses should assess for these issues and refer young survivors to employee and financial assistance programs, as necessary.
Intussusception and COVID19, Successful Mechanic Reduction, Case Report
Authors: Guerrón Nicolás , Figueroa Luis Mauricio
Published: May 2021

The COVID 19 pandemic has greatly affected the world population. SARS CoV2 infection in pediatric patients is related to the development of mild symptoms and in some cases gastrointestinal manifestations. We present the case of a patient with intussusception as a manifestation associated with SARS CoV2 infection, treated by ultrasound-guided hydrostatic reduction with successful results.
The Prevalence of Necrotizing Enterocolitis and Associated Factors Among Enteral Fed Preterm and Low Birth Weight Neonates Admitted in Selected Public Hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: A Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Mekonnen Sitotaw Molla , Bekele Daniel Mengistu , Fenta Fikrtemariam Abebe , Wake Addisu Dabi
Published: May 2021

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) remains to be the most critical and frequent gastrointestinal disorder understood in neonatal intensive care units (NICU). The presented study was intended to assess the prevalence of NEC and associated factors among enteral Fed preterm and low birth weight neonates. Institution based retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted on 350 enteral Fed preterm and low birth weight neonates who were admitted at selected public hospitals of Addis Ababa from March 25/2020 to May 10/2020. The data were collected through neonates’ medical record chart review. A total of 350 participants were enrolled in to the study with the response rate of 99.43%. One hundred eighty-four (52.6%) of them were male. The majority 123 (35.1%) of them were (32 + 1 to 34) weeks gestational age. The prevalence of NEC was (25.4%) (n = 89, [95% CI; 21.1, 30.0]). Being ≤28 weeks gestational age (AOR = 3.94, 95% CI [2.67, 9.97]), being (28 + 1 to 32 weeks) gestational age (AOR = 3.65, 95% CI [2.21, 8.31]), birth weight of 1000 to 1499 g (AOR = 2.29, 95% CI [1.22, 4.33]), APGAR score ≤3 (AOR = 2.34, 95% CI [1.32, 4.16]), prolonged labor (AOR = 2.21, 95% CI [1.35, 6.38]), maternal chronic disease particularly hypertension (AOR = 3.2, 95% CI [1.70, 5.90]), chorioamnionitis (AOR = 4.8, 95% CI [3.9, 13]), failure to breath/resuscitated (AOR = 2.1, 95% CI [1.7, 4.4]), CPAP ventilation (AOR = 3.7, 95% CI [1.50, 12.70]), mixed milk (AOR = 3.58, 95% CI [2.16, 9.32]) were factors significantly associated with NEC. Finally, the prevalence of NEC in the study area was high. So that, initiating the programs that could minimize this problem is required to avoid the substantial morbidity and mortality associated with NEC.
Efficacy and safety of single-inhaler triple therapy of glycopyrronium, formoterol and fluticasone in patients with COPD: a double-blind, randomised controlled trial
Authors: Salvi Sundeep , Balki Akash , Krishnamurthy Srikanth , Panchal Sagar , Patil Saiprasad , Kodgule Rahul , Khandagale Hitesh , Pendse Amol , Wu Wen , Rangwala Shabbir , Tandon Monika , Barkate Hanmant
Published: May 2021

Background

The aim of this work was to investigate the safety and efficacy of single-inhaler triple therapy with 12.5 μg glycopyrronium (GB)/12 μg formoterol fumarate (FF)/250 μg fluticasone propionate (FP), compared to 50 μg GB co-administered with a fixed dose of 12 μg FF/250 μg FP in subjects with COPD.

Methods

This was a phase 3, randomised, double-blind, active-control, parallel-group, noninferiority study conducted at 20 sites across India. COPD patients aged ≥40 to ≤75 years, with forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1)/forced vital capacity (FVC) <0.70, using mono/dual therapy with inhaled corticosteroids (ICSs), long-acting muscarinic antagonists (LAMAs), or long-acting β-agonists (LABAs) for ≥1 month, were included. Subjects were randomised 1:1 to GB/FF/FP or GB+FF/FP for 12 weeks. The primary efficacy end-point was the change from baseline in trough FEV1at the end of 12 weeks. The study is registered with the Clinical Trials Registry of India (identifier number: CTRI/2019/01/017156).

Results

Between 23 March 2019 and 14 February 2020, 396 subjects were enrolled, with 198 patients each in the fixed-triple (GB/FF/FP) and open-triple (GB+FF/FP) groups. The difference in least-square mean (LSM) changes in pre-dose FEV1from baseline at 12 weeks was noninferior between the groups (p<0.05). The LSM change from baseline in post-dose FEV1was comparable (p=0.38). A superiority test showed comparable efficacy (p=0.12) for the difference in mean change from baseline in trough FEV1between the groups. Adverse events (mild or moderate) were recorded in 25.3% and 24.9% of subjects in the GB/FF/FP and GB+FF/FP groups.

Conclusions

Fixed triple therapy with GB/FF/FP provides comparable bronchodilation and lung function improvement as open-triple therapy. It is safe and well tolerated in symptomatic COPD patients with a history of exacerbations.
Toxicant-induced loss of tolerance for chemicals, foods, and drugs: assessing patterns of exposure behind a global phenomenon
Authors: Masri Shahir , Miller Claudia S. , Palmer Raymond F. , Ashford Nicholas
Published: May 2021

Background

Despite 15–36% of the U.S. population reporting Chemical Intolerances (CI) or sensitivity, the condition has been overlooked in medicine and public health. CI is characterized by multisystem symptoms and new-onset intolerances that develop in a subset of individuals following a major chemical exposure event or repeated low-level exposures. While Toxicant-Induced Loss of Tolerance (TILT) is a two-stage disease mechanism proposed to explain CI, less is known about the exposures that initiate the disease, than about the intolerances that have been documented.

Methods

We reviewed eight major exposure events that preceded onset of chemical intolerance in groups of individuals sharing the same exposure. Our goal was to identify the chemicals and/or groups of chemicals that were most pervasive during each exposure event as well as identify the concentrations of key chemicals involved in each exposure event and the proportions of exposed individuals who ultimately developed TILT following exposure. Case studies we selected for review included (1) workers at U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) headquarters during renovations; (2) Gulf War veterans; (3) pesticide exposure among casino workers; (4) exposure to aircraft oil fumes; (5) the World Trade Center tragedy; (6) surgical implants; (7) moldy environments; and (8) tunnel workers exposed to solvents.

Results

Mixed volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds (VOCs and SVOCs), followed by pesticides and combustion products were most prevalent across TILT initiation events. As a broader category, synthetic organic chemicals and their combustion products were the primary exposures associated with chemical intolerance. Such chemicals included pesticides, peroxides, nerve agents, anti-nerve agent drugs, lubricants and additives, xylene, benzene, and acetone.

Conclusion

A select group of exposures were predominant in several major initiating events, suggesting their potential role in TILT initiation. Such insights are useful to public health scientists, physicians, and policymakers seeking to minimize harmful exposures and prevent future disease.