bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparison of Endovascular Therapy for Ruptured Cerebral Aneurysm during Spasm and Nonspasm Period
Authors: Kamide Tomoya , Misaki Kouichi , Tsutsui Taishi , Nambu Iku , Yoshikawa Akifumi , Nakada Mitsutoshi
Published: October 2022

Objective Cerebral vasospasm complicates the treatment of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage, and the optimal timing of surgery for ruptured intracranial aneurysm diagnosed during the cerebral vasospasm period has been a matter of debate. This study aimed to clarify the differences in endovascular treatment outcomes between the timing of intervention during spasm and nonspasm.

Methods and Materials We retrospectively reviewed 68 consecutive patients with ruptured cerebral aneurysms who underwent coil embolization between January 2016 and March 2021. Clinical presentations, radiographic findings, and outcomes were retrospectively reviewed and compared between patients who were treated at the time of spasm and nonspasm. Information regarding the following clinical characteristics was collected: age, sex, World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies (WFNS) grade on admission, aneurysm morphology, treatment result, and outcome. We defined from day 4 to day 14 as the timing of spasm, and vasospasm as more than 30% narrowing of the proximal anterior cerebral artery, middle cerebral artery, and internal carotid artery segment during the second examination compared with the first. The chi-squared test or Fisher's exact test were performed to evaluate the covariates for binary categorical dependent variables as appropriate, and nonnormal variables were compared using the Mann–Whitney U test.

Results Ten patients (14.7%) underwent coil embolization at the time of vasospasm. Age, sex, WFNS grade, and aneurysm morphology were not different between the spasm and nonspasm groups. Additionally, there were no significant between-group differences in volume embolization ratio, procedure-related complications, occurrence of delayed cerebral ischemia, and outcome at discharge.

Conclusion There were no significant between-group differences in treatment results and outcomes between the spasm and nonspasm groups. Endovascular treatment at the time of vasospasm could be the optimal treatment method for ruptured cerebral aneurysms.
Preoperative Transarterial Embolization of a Large Petrotentorial Angiomatous Meningioma Using Combination of Liquid Embolic Materials: A Case Report
Authors: Iampreechakul Prasert , Yuthagovit Sarunya , Wangtanaphat Korrapakc , Hangsapruek Sunisa , Lertbutsayanukul Punjama , Thammachantha Samasuk , Siriwimonmas Somkiet
Published: October 2022

Intracranial angiomatous meningiomas are a rare WHO grade I histological variant of meningioma whose vascular component exceeds 50% of the total tumor area. Preoperative embolization of angiomatous meningiomas has rarely been reported previously. A 58-year-old woman was referred to our institute for a large petrotentorial hypervascular tumor presented with progressively worsening right facial paralysis and hearing loss for 6 months. Cranial computed tomography scan and magnetic resonance imaging revealed a large homogenously enhancing multilobulated mass involving middle and posterior cranial fossae with marked brainstem compression. The tumor extended into a right internal auditory canal and labyrinthine structures with destructive changes of bony structures. Magnetic resonance angiography showed hypervascularity in the tumor. Preoperative transarterial embolization using liquid embolic materials was successfully performed with resulting in almost complete devascularization of the tumor. Adequate hemostasis was achieved following gross total resection of the tumor (Simpson grade II). A histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of an angiomatous meningioma. Preoperative transarterial embolization of angiomatous meningioma with liquid embolic material was safe and effective in reducing perioperative blood loss and facilitating total tumor resection.
Decompressive Craniectomy for the Treatment of Severe Diffuse Traumatic Brain Injury: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Hashmi Syed Muhammad Maroof , Nazir Sadaf , Colombo Francesca , Jamil Akmal , Ahmed Shahid
Published: October 2022

Background Severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) is one of the leading public health problems across the world. TBI is associated with high economic costs to the healthcare system specially in developing countries. Decompressive craniectomy is a procedure in which an area of the skull is removed to increase the volume of intracranial compartment. There are various techniques of decompressive craniectomy used that include subtemporal and circular decompression, and unilateral or bilateral frontotemporoparietal decompression.

Objective The aim of this study was to compare the outcome of decompressive craniectomy for the management of severe TBI versus conservative management alone at the Department of Neurosurgery, Abbasi Shaheed Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan.

Methods The study (randomized controlled trial) was conducted from February 1, 2014, till June 30, 2017.

Results A total of 136 patients were included after following the inclusion criteria. They were randomly assigned to two groups, making it 68 patients in each study group. There were 89 males and 47 females. All the patients received standard care recommended by the Brain Trauma Foundation. The mortality rate observed at 6 months in decompressive craniectomy was 22.05%, while among conservative management group, it was 45.58%. Difference in mortality of both groups at 6 months was significant. Total 61.76% (42) of patients from decompressive craniectomy group had a favorable outcome (Glasgow outcome scale: 4–5) at 6 months. While among conservative management group, total 35.29% (24) had a favorable outcome (Glasgow outcome scale: 4–5). Difference in Glasgow outcome scale at 6 months of both groups was significant.

Conclusion In conclusion, decompressive craniectomy is simple, safe, and better than conservative management alone.
Cerebral Infarction Due to Occlusion of Main Trunk of Middle Cerebral Artery in Patient with Accessory Middle Cerebral Artery
Authors: Tsuchiya Atsushi , Tsukiyama Atsushi , Matsumoto Shutaro , Uekusa Toshimasa , Abe Hiroyuki , Fukui Issei , Iida Yu , Mori Kentaro , Kawahara Yosuke , Tamase Akira , Abe Katsuya , Yamashita Ryotaro , Takeda Mutsuki , Nakano Tatsu , Nomura Motohiro
Published: October 2022

The existence of an accessory middle cerebral artery (AMCA) usually has no pathological significance. Three patients developed cerebral infarction due to thromboembolic occlusion of the main trunk of the middle cerebral artery (MCA). In these patients, AMCA originating from the anterior cerebral artery was intact, and ran to the lateral side along the main MCA. Emergency endovascular treatment to remove the thrombus in the main MCA was performed, and MCA was recanalized. In one patient, the main MCA re-occluded and cerebral infarction developed on the next day. The diameter of AMCA is commonly smaller than that of the main MCA. Therefore, volume of ischemic region depends on the collateral blood flow to the left MCA territory by AMCA. Once an anomalous MCA is detected in a patient with cerebral infarction involving the MCA territory, close examinations to assess the anatomy of both the main and anomalous MCA are mandatory.
A Comparative Study of Intravenous Dexmedetomidine with Local Infiltration of Ropivacaine in Attenuation of Stress Response to Skull Pin Insertion in Craniotomies
Authors: Bala Renu , Arora Vandna , Anshul Anshul , Arora Rashmi , Kamal Kirti , Malhan Srishti
Published: October 2022

Objective Skull pin insertion in patients undergoing craniotomies elicits hemodynamic and neuroendocrine stress response that may be deleterious to the patient. Various drugs and techniques have been documented in literature to abate this stress response. Against this background, we aimed to compare the efficacy of intravenous dexmedetomidine and local infiltration of ropivacaine for attenuation of stress response to pin insertion in craniotomies.

Methods Eighty-eight adult patients undergoing craniotomy under general anesthesia from March 2019 to April 2020 requiring application of head holder were randomized into two equal groups. After intubation, 0.75 µg kg−1 of dexmedetomidine over 10 minutes through infusion was given in group D, while local infiltration at pin sites was done with 0.5% ropivacaine, 2 mL at each site in group R. Hemodynamic parameters and levels of serum cortisol, prolactin, and blood glucose were measured before and after pin insertion. Unpaired t-test for continuous variables and Mann–Whitney U test was used for nonnormally distributed variables.

Results Heart rate was statistically similar between the two groups at all the observed time points. The difference in mean arterial pressure values between the two groups was found to be statistically significant only from 10 to 20 minutes after pin insertion being statistically similar at rest of the time points. Levels of serum glucose, cortisol, and prolactin values 30 minutes after pin insertion were statistically similar between both groups.

Conclusion We concluded that both interventions are equally efficacious in attenuation of hemodynamic and stress response to head holder application in patients undergoing craniotomies.
Outcome of Long-Segment Fixation versus Inclusion of the Fractured Level in Short-Segment Fixation for Thoracolumbar Junction Fractures
Authors: El Khateeb Eslam El Sayed , Tammam Ahmed G. , Hamdan Ali R.
Published: October 2022

Objective The aim of this study was to compare the radiological outcomes of long-segment fixation and short-segment fixation, including the fracture level in patients treated for thoracolumbar junction fractures.

Methods Data collected from records of patients with thoracolumbar junction fractures who were operated at our department. Neurological evaluation was done using American Spinal Injury Association classification score. Radiological parameters used were the Cobb's angle, vertebral body compression ratio, the anteroposterior spinal canal diameter, and the anterior and the posterior vertebral body heights. Patients were divided into two groups: group A included patients who underwent long-segment fixation and group B included patients who underwent short-segment fixation with inclusion of the fracture level.

Results The mean preoperative Cobb angle was 22.51 degrees in group A and 19.37 degrees in group B. Both groups showed improvement in the postoperative Cobb angle as the mean in group A was 14.17 degrees and in group B was 11.77 degrees. The mean preoperative compression ratio in group A was 82.8%, while in group B it was 76%. The postoperative mean in group A was 89.2%, while in group B, it was 84%. The mean preoperative anterior vertebral body height of the fractured vertebra in group A was 16.7 mm, while in group B, it was 15.18 mm. The mean preoperative posterior vertebral body height in group A was 16.33 mm and that of group B was 19.41 mm. The mean postoperative anterior vertebral body height in group A was 17.66 mm and that of group B was 17.10 mm. The mean postoperative posterior vertebral body height in group A was 17.11 mm and that of group B was 20.79 mm.

Conclusion Posterior short-segment fixation with additional screws at the fracture level provides similar—if not better—clinical and radiological outcomes to long-segment fixation in the treatment of thoracolumbar junction fractures.
QCD sum rule study for hidden-strange pentaquarks*
Authors: Yang Pengfei , Chen Wei
Published: October 2022

Inspired by the LHCb observations of hidden-charm

states, we study their hidden-strange analog

states in both the

and

configurations. We investigate

pentaquark states in the

,

,

,

, and

structures with

and

and

with

and calculate their masses in the framework of QCD sum rules. Our numerical results show that the extracted hadron masses for all the

,

,

,

, and

structures are significantly higher than the

mass threshold, and the masses for

and

are also higher than the threshold of the corresponding hadron; hence, no bound state exists in such channels, which is consistent with the current experimental status.
Strangeness S = −2 baryon-baryon interactions and femtoscopic correlation functions in covariant chiral effective field theory*
Authors: Liu Zhi-Wei , Li Kai-Wen , Geng Li-Sheng
Published: October 2022

We study the baryon-baryon interactions with strangeness

and corresponding momentum correlation functions in leading order covariant chiral effective field theory. The relevant low energy constants are determined by fitting to the latest HAL QCD simulations, taking into account all the coupled channels. Extrapolating the so-obtained strong interactions to the physical point and considering both quantum statistical effects and the Coulomb interaction, we calculate the

and

correlation functions with a spherical Gaussian source and compare them with recent experimental data. We find a good agreement between our predictions and the experimental measurements by using the source radius determined in proton-proton correlations, which demonstrates the consistency between theory, experiment, and lattice QCD simulations. Moreover, we predict the

,

, and

interactions and corresponding momentum correlation functions. We further investigate the influence of the source shape and size of the hadron pair on the correlation functions studied and show that the current data are not very sensitive to the source shape. Future experimental measurements of the predicted momentum correlation functions will provide a non-trivial test of not only SU(3) flavor symmetry and its breaking but also the baryon-baryon interactions derived in covariant chiral effective field theory.
Polyvinyl alcohol–potassium iodide gel probe to monitor the distribution of reactive species generation around atmospheric-pressure plasma jet
Authors: TRAN Trung Nguyen , HU Min , OGASAWARA Tomohiro , IWATA Yuki , SUZUKI Haruka , SAKAMOTO Jin , AKIYOSHI Masafumi , TOYODA Hirotaka , MATSUURA Hiroto
Published: October 2022

This study proposes polyvinyl alcohol–potassium iodide (PVA–KI) as a novel gel chemical probe. The probe uses the reactions among PVA, KI, water, borax, and oxidative species to visualize the distribution of reactive species. This method provides information regarding the distribution of reactive species by coloration on the gel surface. The effects of the surrounding gas phase on the distribution and diffusion of the reactive species are also investigated using the PVA–KI gel probe. Further, the relationship between the irradiation distance and reactive species diffusion is determined on the surface of the PVA–KI probe with and without plastic shielding. Adjusting the irradiation distance appropriately leads to an increase in the modified area as detected by the PVA–KI gel probe analysis. The relative concentration distributions of the reactive species are also obtained from visualized color distributions measured using a colorimeter. Furthermore, reactive species generation by long-scale line plasma is confirmed by the color reaction on the PVA–KI gel surface, with a greater area being covered by an atmospheric-pressure pulsed microwave line plasma source.
Expression of Programmed Cell Death 1 Ligand 2 in Patients With Thymoma and Thymomatous Myasthenia Gravis
Authors: Zhu Haoshuai , Zou Jianyong , Zeng Bo , Yang Lei , Xiao Jiefei , Zhang Xin , Feng Yanfen , Su Chunhua
Published: October 2022

Objectives

This study aimed to examine the expression of programmed cell death 1 ligand 2 (PD-L2) in thymoma and thymomatous myasthenia gravis (MG).

Methods

The records of 70 patients with thymoma receiving surgical resection between January 2017 and December 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. Thymoma PD-L2 expression was evaluated by immunohistochemistry staining. Associations between PD-L2 expression and clinicopathologic features were examined.

Results

PD-L2 expression was positive in 41 patients (58.6%) and negative in 29 patients (41.4%). Of them, 33 had thymomatous MG. Patients with MG were more likely to be 50 years of age or younger (69.70% vs 35.14%); have more World Health Organization (WHO) type B thymomas (84.85% vs 64.86%); have tumors of smaller size (4.09 ± 2.33 cm vs 6.47 ± 2.42 cm); have positive PD-L2 expression (78.79% vs 40.54%); and have a higher percentage of PD-L2–positive cells, higher PD-L2 expression intensity, and score (all P < .05). Positive PD-L2 expression was associated with more type B thymomas, higher Masaoka-Koga stage, smaller tumor size, ectopic thymus, and MG (all P < .05). Factors significantly associated with MG were age under 50 years, tumor size less than 5 cm, and positive PD-L2 expression (all P < .05).

Conclusions

Thymoma PD-L2 expression is significantly associated with thymomatous MG and WHO histologic types B2 and B3.
Whose Voice Matters? Chronotopic Position(ing)s and the Dialogic Inclusion of Marginalized Stakeholders in Critical Applied Linguistics
Authors: Catedral Lydia , Djuraeva Madina
Published: October 2022

In this paper, we argue that critical applied linguists must work towards the materially transformative, dialogic inclusion of marginalized voices in order to create more just social relations. We show how a spatiotemporal theorization of voice as materially situated and discursively imaginative can enable a more holistic approach to including such voices. Illustrative data come from the experiences of migrant domestic workers in Hong Kong and includes their discourses, those of their employers, and those of domestic worker-led grassroots organizations. We use these data to demonstrate how different stakeholders have unequal abilities to materialize the spatiotemporal imaginaries they voice out, how academic (re)theorizations of language may not always bring about changes to the material spatiotemporal conditions of marginalized stakeholders, and why the collective voices of marginalized groups should be taken into account alongside individual voices. Implications are discussed in terms of action-oriented work that critical applied linguists can engage in to support the inclusion of migrant domestic workers’ voices in particular, and the voices of marginalized stakeholders in our field more generally.
MuSiC2: cell-type deconvolution for multi-condition bulk RNA-seq data
Authors: Fan Jiaxin , Lyu Yafei , Zhang Qihuang , Wang Xuran , Li Mingyao , Xiao Rui
Published: October 2022

Cell-type composition of intact bulk tissues can vary across samples. Deciphering cell-type composition and its changes during disease progression is an important step toward understanding disease pathogenesis. To infer cell-type composition, existing cell-type deconvolution methods for bulk RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) data often require matched single-cell RNA-seq (scRNA-seq) data, generated from samples with similar clinical conditions, as reference. However, due to the difficulty of obtaining scRNA-seq data in diseased samples, only limited scRNA-seq data in matched disease conditions are available. Using scRNA-seq reference to deconvolve bulk RNA-seq data from samples with different disease conditions may lead to a biased estimation of cell-type proportions. To overcome this limitation, we propose an iterative estimation procedure, MuSiC2, which is an extension of MuSiC, to perform deconvolution analysis of bulk RNA-seq data generated from samples with multiple clinical conditions where at least one condition is different from that of the scRNA-seq reference. Extensive benchmark evaluations indicated that MuSiC2 improved the accuracy of cell-type proportion estimates of bulk RNA-seq samples under different conditions as compared with the traditional MuSiC deconvolution. MuSiC2 was applied to two bulk RNA-seq datasets for deconvolution analysis, including one from human pancreatic islets and the other from human retina. We show that MuSiC2 improves current deconvolution methods and provides more accurate cell-type proportion estimates when the bulk and single-cell reference differ in clinical conditions. We believe the condition-specific cell-type composition estimates from MuSiC2 will facilitate the downstream analysis and help identify cellular targets of human diseases.
Computational methods to explore chromatin state dynamics
Authors: Orouji Elias , Raman Ayush T
Published: October 2022

The human genome is marked by several singular and combinatorial histone modifications that shape the different states of chromatin and its three-dimensional organization. Genome-wide mapping of these marks as well as histone variants and open chromatin regions is commonly carried out via profiling DNA–protein binding or via chromatin accessibility methods. After the generation of epigenomic datasets in a cell type, statistical models can be used to annotate the noncoding regions of DNA and infer the combinatorial histone marks or chromatin states (CS). These methods involve partitioning the genome and labeling individual segments based on their CS patterns. Chromatin labels enable the systematic discovery of genomic function and activity and can label the gene body, promoters or enhancers without using other genomic maps. CSs are dynamic and change under different cell conditions, such as in normal, preneoplastic or tumor cells. This review aims to explore the available computational tools that have been developed to capture CS alterations under two or more cellular conditions.
A Dueling DQN-Based Computational Offloading Method in MEC-Enabled IIoT Network
Authors: Hsu Ching-Kuo
Published: October 2022

Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) is a promising mechanism of Industry 4.0. Mobile edge computing (MEC) is an emerging mechanism that is an enabler for IoT applications, which applies computation offloading mechanism to offload workload from IoT devices to MEC servers to enhance computing quality. This paper addresses the computation offloading problem under a heterogeneously loaded MEC-enabled IIoT network, which specifically applies one-hop offloading for devices and task queue for devices and servers. We first formulate our computation offloading problem as a Markov Decision Process, then design a dueling deep Q-network-based computation offloading method for better optimizing the value function for specific state and advantage function for specific action. Experimental results verify that our scheme reduces more energy consumption (30%), latency (50%) and task dropped rate (50%) of IIoT devices, compared with other popular methods.
An open-access data set of pig skin anatomy and physiology for modelling purposes
Authors: Krumpholz Laura , Clarke James F , Polak Sebastian , Wiśniowska Barbara
Published: October 2022

The use of animal as opposed to human skin for in vitro permeation testing (IVPT) is an alternative, which can reduce logistical and economic issues. However, this surrogate also has ethical considerations and may not provide an accurate estimation of dermal absorption in humans due to physiological differences. The current project aimed to provide a detailed repository for the anatomical and physiological parameters of porcine skin, with the aim of parametrizing the Multi-phase Multi-layer Mechanistic Dermal Absorption (MPML MechDermA) Model in the Simcyp Simulator. The MPML MechDermA Model is a physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model that accounts for the physiology and geometry of skin in a mechanistic mathematical modelling framework. The database provided herein contains information on 14 parameters related to porcine skin anatomy and physiology, namely, skin surface pH, number of stratum corneum (SC) layers, SC thickness, corneocyte thickness, corneocyte dimensions (length and width), volume fraction of water in corneocyte (where SC is divided into four parts with different water contents), intercellular lipid thickness, viable epidermis thickness, dermis thickness, hair follicle and hair shaft diameter, hair follicle depth and hair follicle density. The collected parameters can be used to parameterize PBPK models, which could be further utilized to bridge the gap between animal and human studies with interspecies extrapolation or to predict dermatokinetic properties typically assessed in IVPT experiments.

Database URL: https://data.mendeley.com/datasets/mwz9xv4cpd/1
Surgical Intervention is Effective for the Treatment of Crohn’s-related Rectovaginal Fistulas: Experience From a Tertiary Inflammatory Bowel Disease Practice
Authors: Otero-Piñeiro Ana M , Jia Xue , Pedersen Karina E , Hull Tracy , Lipman Jeremy , Holubar Stefan , Steele Scott R , Lightner Amy L
Published: October 2022

Background and Aims

Rectovaginal fistula occurs in up to 10–20% of women with Crohn’s disease, significantly affecting their quality of life. We sought to determine outcomes of single and repeat operative interventions.

Methods

A retrospective review of all adult patients with a Crohn’s-related rectovaginal fistula, who underwent an operation between 1995 and 2021, was performed. Data collected included patient demographics, Crohn’s-related medical treatment, surgical intervention, postoperative outcomes, and fistula outcomes.

Results

A total of 166 patients underwent 360 operations; mean age was 42.8 [+/-13.2] years; 34 [20.7%] patients were current and 58 [35.4%] former smokers. The most commonly performed procedure was: a local approach [n = 160, 44.5%] using fibrin glue, fistulotomy/fistulectomy, or seton placement; followed by a transvaginal/transanal approach [n = 113, 31.4%] with an advancement flap repair [including Martius advancement flap] and episoproctotomy; a transabdominal approach [n = 98, 27.2%] including proctectomy or re-do anastomosis; and finally gracilis muscle interposition [n = 8, 2.2%]. The median number of operative interventions per patient was 2 [1.0–3.0] procedures. The overall fistula healing rate per patient was 71.7% [n = 119] at a median follow-up of 5.5 [1.2–9.8] years. Factors that impaired healing included former smoking (odds ratio [OR] 0.52, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.31–0.87, p = 0.014) and seton insertion [OR 0.42, 95% CI 0.21–0.83, p = 0.012].

Conclusion

Over two-thirds of Crohn’s-related rectovaginal fistulas can achieve closure with multiple surgical interventions. Smoking and seton usage negatively affect healing rates and should be avoided.
May Measurement Month 2017: an analysis of blood pressure screening results from Mauritius
Authors: Kowlessur Sudhirsen , Ori Bhoosun , Heecharan Jaysing , Poulter Neil R , Wang Wei , Beaney Thomas
Published: October 2022

Hypertension is a growing burden worldwide. According to the World Health Organization, ∼1.13 billion people worldwide suffer from hypertension. May Measurement Month (MMM) is a global initiative of the International Society of Hypertension aimed at raising awareness of high blood pressure (BP) and to act as a temporary solution to the lack of screening programmes worldwide. We provide the results of the 2017 MMM (MMM17) edition in Mauritius. This cross-sectional survey of participants aged 18 years and over was carried out in May 2017. Hypertension was defined as systolic BP of at least 140 mmHg or diastolic BP of at least 90mmHg or in those on antihypertensive medication. Blood pressure measurement and statistical analysis followed the standard MMM protocol. The screening was conducted by the Non-Communicable Diseases and Health Promotion Unit, which is under the aegis of the Ministry of Health and Wellness, mainly in workplaces and community centres, in both rural and urban areas across Mauritius. Of the 2302 individuals screened, after multiple imputations, 375 (16.3%) had untreated hypertension. May Measurement Month 2017 was the very first BP screening campaign initiated in Mauritius. These results suggest that MMM17 was useful in the identification of potential patients with raised BP.
May Measurement Month 2018–2019: an analysis of blood pressure screening results from Austria
Authors: Glantschnig Theresa , Koppelstätter Christian , Zweiker David , Kolesnik Ewald , Niederl Ella , Kraler Elisabeth , Stoff Ingrid , Zweiker Robert , Weber Thomas , Horn Sabine , Weiss Thomas , Wang Wei , Beaney Thomas , Poulter Neil R , Perl Sabine
Published: October 2022

Arterial hypertension is a global burden leading to over 10.8 million deaths per year worldwide. May Measurement Month (MMM) is a global project initiated by the International Society of Hypertension to raise the awareness of high blood pressure (BP) in the population. Following the MMM protocol 2508 participants ≥18 years had their BP measured in Austria in MMM18 and MMM19. Of those screened, 54.6% were found to be hypertensive, defined as a BP ≥140/90 mmHg and/or being on treatment for hypertension. Among those individuals with hypertension, 56.1% were on medication but only 42.0% of those treated had controlled BP (<140/90 mmHg). Lower BPs were found in those with previous myocardial infarction (MI), probably explained by a medical monitoring system of patients with MI in Austria. Those with hypertension were referred for further medical investigations and were provided lifestyle advice. Among a high number of individuals receiving antihypertensive treatment, BP is still not controlled. Further screening and monitoring of therapeutic effects is urgently required.
May Measurement Month 2017–2019: an analysis of blood pressure screening results from Lithuania
Authors: Miglinas Marius , Ševčenko Violeta , Račaitė Aistė , Žakauskienė Urtė , Vickienė Alvita , Miglinė Vilma , Wang Wei , Beaney Thomas , Poulter Neil R , Macioniene Ernesta
Published: October 2022

In 2017, Lithuania joined the global May Measurement Month (MMM) campaign which aims at raising awareness of raised blood pressure worldwide. Presented here are the data arising from the 2017, 2018, and 2019 campaigns. An opportunistic cross-sectional survey of individuals aged ≥18 years was carried out in Lithuania in 2017, 2018, and 2019. Two thousand nine hundred and nineteen participants were recruited in the MMM campaigns in response to the media engagement and interactions with the study team. The mean age of participants was 46.1 years (SD 16.3) years, 58.9% were females. Blood pressures were measured using electronic devices provided by Omron according to the MMM protocol. Of the 2919 screened participants, 1308 (44.8%) had hypertension. Of all hypertensive participants, the awareness rate, the treatment rate, and the control rates (<140/90 mmHg) were 79.5%, 41.0%, and 14.2%, respectively. Of those on antihypertensive medication, the control rate was 34.8%. The high percentage of participants with hypertension was either untreated (59.0%) or treated but uncontrolled (65.2%) suggests the usefulness of such screening programmes to improve awareness of hypertension control in Lithuania.
May Measurement Month 2017–2019: results from Switzerland
Authors: Damianaki Aikaterini , Wang Wei , Beaney Thomas , Burkard Thilo , Sudano Isabella , Burnier Michel , Wuerzner Gregoire
Published: October 2022

May Measurement Month (MMM) is an international screening campaign for arterial hypertension initiated by the International Society of Hypertension and endorsed by the World Hypertension League. Its aim is to raise the awareness of elevated blood pressure (BP) in the population worldwide. The goal of the present analyses is to assess the results obtained during three years of this campaign in Switzerland. Swiss data from MMM17 to MMM19 campaigns were used. BP and a questionnaire for basic demographic and clinical information were recorded for each participant. BP measurements and definition of arterial hypertension followed the standard MMM protocol. To assess BP control, European Society of Hypertension 2018 thresholds of <140/90 mmHg were used. Overall, 3635 participants had their BP measured, including 2423 women (66.7%) and 1212 (33.3%) men. More than half of the data came from pharmacies during MMM18 and MMM 19 campaigns. The difference in BP between pharmacies and other screenings sites was small. Overall, prevalence and awareness rates were 32.7% and 72.3%, respectively. Of those on medication, 60.9% were controlled, and of all hypertensive patients, 39.4% had controlled BP. In Switzerland, the prevalence of hypertension based on a 3-year awareness campaign was similar to previous epidemiological data within the country. One third of the population screened had hypertension, two thirds were aware of it, and less than half had controlled BP.
May Measurement Month 2017–19: an analysis of blood pressure screening results from Niger
Authors: Touré Ali I , Ismael Oumarou Y , souley Kimba , Bonkano Ali S , Boubacar Dodo , Ousseini Moustapha , Mossi Dari , Issoufou Garba I , Souna Moussa , Bonkano Ousseina , Majid Abdoul , Douma Halima , Wang Wei , Beaney Thomas , Poulter Neil R
Published: October 2022

The aim of this study was to screen for cardiovascular risk factors with particular focus on high blood pressure (BP) in Niger and thereby to raise awareness among the population of Niger about raised BP and the associated risk to health. The city of Niamey served as our study location during the month of May in 2017, 2018, and 2019. We screened volunteer adults aged ≥18 years, who completed a pre-established questionnaire and had three sitting BP measurements taken. Hypertension was defined as a systolic BP ≥140 mmHg or diastolic BP ≥90 mmHg (based on the mean of the second and third BP readings) or being on antihypertensive medication. We screened 2297 adults of which 42.9% were women and 57.1% men. Of the 2297 screened, 33.2% were found to be hypertensive of whom only 26 (3.4%) were recorded as being on treatment. Approximately 30% of those screened were found to be obese or overweight. High BP is a real public health danger, and this study finds alarming figures that highlight the need for improved policies for screening and management of hypertension. Raising awareness and improving detection of hypertension remain essential to reduce the burden of cardiovascular disease.
Weak Social Networks in Late Life Predict Incident Alzheimer’s Disease: The Kuakini Honolulu-Asia Aging Study
Authors: Kallianpur Kalpana J , Masaki Kamal H , Chen Randi , Willcox Bradley J , Allsopp Richard C , Davy Philip , Dodge Hiroko H
Published: October 2022

Background

We assessed 10-year longitudinal associations between late-life social networks and incidence of all-cause dementia (ACD), Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and vascular dementia (VaD) in Japanese-American men.

Methods

We prospectively analyzed, from baseline (1991–1993) through 1999–2000, 2636 initially nondemented Kuakini Honolulu-Asia Aging Study participants who remained dementia-free during the first 3 years of follow-up. Global cognition was evaluated by the Cognitive Abilities Screening Instrument (CASI); depressive symptoms by the 11-item Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CES-D) Scale; and social networks by the Lubben Social Network Scale (LSNS). Median split of LSNS scores defined weak/strong social network groups. A panel of neurologists and geriatricians diagnosed and classified dementia; AD and VaD diagnoses comprised cases in which AD or VaD, respectively, were considered the primary cause of dementia.

Results

Median (range) baseline age was 77 (71–93) years. Participants with weak (LSNS score ≤29) versus strong (>29) social networks had higher age-adjusted incidence (in person-years) of ACD (12.6 vs. 8.7; p = .014) and AD (6.7 vs. 4.0; p = .007) but not VaD (2.4 vs. 1.4; p = .15). Kaplan–Meier curves showed a lower likelihood of survival free of ACD (log-rank p < .0001) and AD (p = .0006) for men with weak networks. In Cox proportional hazards models adjusting for age, education, APOE ɛ4, prevalent stroke, depressive symptoms, and CASI score (all at baseline), weak networks predicted increased incidence of ACD (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.52, p = .009) and AD (HR = 1.67, p = .014) but not VaD (p > .2).

Conclusion

Weak social networks may heighten the risk of dementia and AD, underscoring the need to promote social connectedness in older adults.
Evaluation of the Homeless Management Information System for COVID-19 Surveillance Among People Experiencing Homelessness
Authors: Jones Padma S , Yeh Karen W , Brosnan Hannah K , Regos-Stewart Dalia , Ngo Cathy , Kwon Jennifer , Chang Alicia H
Published: October 2022

Background

Variable and incomplete reporting of housing status creates challenges in the surveillance of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) among the homeless population in Los Angeles County (LA County) and nationwide.

Methods

We developed standard investigation procedures to assess the housing status of LA County COVID-19 patients. Using data sharing procedures, we matched COVID-19 patients to Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) client profiles and supplemented with additional data sources for contributory data points and to further housing status ascertainment.

Results

We identified 10 586 COVID-19 patients among people experiencing homelessness (PEH) between 30 March 2020 and 30 December 2021; 2801 (26.5%) patients were first identified from HMIS profile matches, 1877 (17.7%) from quarantine/isolation housing intake rosters, 573 (5.4%) from hospital records, 749 (7.1%) from case and contact interviews, 3659 (34.6%) directly from PEH medical and service providers, and 927 (8.8%) had unknown sources. Among COVID-19 patients matched to HMIS profiles, 5351 (42.5%) were confirmed to be PEH at the time of COVID-19 diagnosis.

Conclusions

Interoperability between public health data, HMIS, and external partners have been critical components in evaluating the impact of COVID-19 among the LA County homeless population. No one data source was complete for COVID-19 surveillance in this population.
Comparative and Phylogenetic Analysis of Chloroplast Genomes of Two Medicinal Species of Spatholobus
Authors: Xiong Yao , Zhang Ling , Du XiaoLang , Wang XiaoYun , Cao Lan , Shen ChengYing , Jin Chen
Published: October 2022

Background

The vine stem of Spatholobus suberectus Dunn (S. suberectus), called “JiXueTeng”, has been used as a significant medicine for thousands of years in China. However, reliable field identification of this medicinal plant remains problematic, inaccurate identification may cause serious adverse effects in the functions of the drug and may affect the clinical medication reviews.

Objective

To ensure use of the exact medicine and implement protective legislation, it is imperative to obtain the chloroplast (cp) genome of S. suberectus, which can be used as a valuable resource for species identification and phylogenetic analysis.

Methods

In this study, the complete cp genomes of S. suberectus (152 173 bp (base pair)) and S. pulcher (151 099 bp) were assembled for the first time by using next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology to gain abundant information on the genus of Spatholobus. And some bioinformatics softwares were used for data filtering, assembling and analyzing.

Results

We found the G and C contents of S. suberectus and S. pulcher were close, 35.19% and 35.37%, respectively. The noncoding regions were more divergent than coding ones. Moreover, we revealed eight divergence hotspots (trnH, trnK-rbcL, trnL-rbcT, psbD-trnT, trnC-rpoB, atpI-atpH, ycf4, and trnL-rpl32) which might be used as candidate molecular markers for Spatholobus identification. The analysis of the phylogenetic relationship indicated that two Spatholobus species were clustered together and two Spatholobus species was sister to the Cajanus.

Conclusion

The findings of this study were conducive to species identification and phylogenetic research of Spatholobus and provided valuable resources for finding the substitution of S. suberectus.

Highlights

We assembled the complete cp genomes of S. suberectus and S. pulcher for the first by using next-generation sequencing.
Do Institutions Matter? The Impact of Budget Expertise on State Fiscal Responsibility
Authors: Emrich Colin
Published: October 2022

Do governmental institutions constrain state actors? I investigate this question by examining the relationship between the design of state legislative fiscal offices and the health of state budgets. These budgetary bodies serve a supporting role for legislatures, designed to advance sound fiscal policy and sustainable public finance. With an original data set encompassing all state legislative budgetary bodies from 1963 to 2014, I estimate the causal effects of nonpartisan fiscal offices on budget surpluses with a generalized difference-in-differences estimator. My results show that the presence of these fiscal offices within legislatures does not affect a state’s fiscal well-being. This result holds even when legislative fiscal offices are relatively empowered in the budget process, raising doubts about how state lawmakers use nonpartisan budgetary information in funding the government.
Post-pandemic cannabis and gambling policy changes to attract tourists may lead to future health problems and costs
Authors: Bonny-Noach Hagit , Horsky Sharon
Published: October 2022

Aiming to lure back post-pandemic travellers, some tourism-dependent countries are considering and implementing rapid changes in cannabis and gambling policies. On the one hand, this may reverse the downturn in tourism, but on the other hand, it is likely to lead to future health problems and addictive behaviours.
The Association of Skin Cancer Prevention Knowledge, Sun-Protective Attitudes, and Sun-Protective Behaviors in a Navy Population
Authors: Newnam Rachel , Le-Jenkins Uyen , Rutledge Carolyn , Cunningham Craig
Published: October 2022

Introduction

U.S. Navy service members are primarily between the ages of 18 and 30 years and often required to be outside for extended periods of time in geographical locations with increased and often unfamiliar ultraviolet indexes that collectively increase their risk for skin cancer. Skin cancer is the country’s most common form of cancer, yet there is a paucity of skin cancer prevention literature, especially within the U.S. Navy. The purpose of this study was to describe skin cancer risk and skin cancer prevention “cues-to-action” and to determine if skin cancer prevention knowledge was associated with sun-protective attitudes (e.g., prevention perceptions, benefits, threats, barriers, and sun-protective behavior self-efficacy) and sun-protective behaviors (e.g., wearing long sleeve shirts and using sunscreen and not deliberately exposing skin for a tan) in a Navy population.

Materials and Methods

A cross-sectional, descriptive, correlational design was utilized, and the study approval was obtained by the Naval Medical Center Portsmouth Institutional Review Board. Two-hundred twenty-nine active duty Navy service members aged 18-30 years who presented to primary care for their periodic health assessment completed the Brief Skin Cancer Risk Assessment and the Skin Cancer Survey. Descriptive statistics were utilized to assess service members’ perceptions and knowledge regarding skin cancer prevention along with sociodemographic characteristics. The Spearman rank-order correlation and the Mann–Whitney U test were used to assess associations. P-values <.05 were used to determine statistical significance.

Results

Skin cancer prevention knowledge was significantly related to sun-protective behavior self-efficacy (r = 0.218, P = .001), benefits (r = 0.271, P ≤ .001), sun protection behaviors (r = 0.152, P = .024), skin cancer risk (r = 0.256, P = .001), current frequency of high-risk sun behavior (r = 0.183, P = .006), past frequency of high-risk sun behavior (r = 0.219, P = .001), sun exposure (U = 4,813.50, P = .005), tanning bed use (U = 3,154.50, P = .031), and training (U = 4,099.50, P = .005).

Conclusions

Integrating skin cancer education into primary care visits (i.e., periodic health assessments) may improve Navy service members’ modifiable sun-protective attitudes and behaviors and may contribute to lowering future skin cancer rates.
Forage and You Shall Find: Cardiac Glycoside Poisoning and the Danger of Foraging
Authors: Shanahan Kevin M , Thomas Mary A , Walker Erika N , Downs John W
Published: October 2022

Amateur foraging, which can be described as the gathering of uncultivated plants for sustenance or recreation, supports many benefits for the forager and the environment; however, it can also present the hazard of unintentional poisoning. Asclepias syriaca, or common milkweed, is a potentially edible plant that also contains cardioactive steroids akin to digoxin. A 38-year-old female amateur forager boiled and sautéed 8-10 milkweed pods before ingesting them. She developed vomiting and heart palpitations within 1 hour and presented to an emergency department 3 hours after ingestion. Her exam was within normal limits with exception of heart rate in the 40-50s without hypotension. ECG was notable for sinus bradycardia. Laboratory analysis was notable for a detectable serum digoxin concentration. Life-threatening toxicity did not occur. Recently, some military services have advocated for foraging as a means to sustain far-forward troops. However, misidentification of plants by inexperienced foragers can result in severe toxicity or death. If mass foraging becomes part of expeditionary operations, military clinicians must be trained and prepared for the potentially severe plant-related poisonings.
Effects of rotation on the spectra of brown dwarfs
Authors: Lipatov Mikhail , Brandt Timothy D , Batalha Natasha E
Published: October 2022

Measured rotational speeds of giant planets and brown dwarfs frequently constitute appreciable fractions of the breakup limit, resulting in centrifugal expansion of these objects at the equator. According to models of internal energy transport, this expansion ought to make the poles of a rotator significantly hotter than the equator, so that inclination of the rotational axis greatly affects both spectral shape and total flux. In this paper, we explore the dependence of a substellar object’s observables on its rotational speed and axis inclination. To do so, we combine picaso (Planetary Intensity Code for Atmospheric Spectroscopy Observations) with software pars (Paint the Atmospheres of Rotating Stars). The former computer program models radiative transfer within plane-parallel planetary atmospheres, while the latter computes disc-integrated spectra of centrifugally deformed gaseous masses. We find that the specific flux of a typical fast-rotating brown dwarf can increase by as much as a factor of 1.5 with movement from an equator-on to a pole-on view. On the other hand, the distinctive effect of rotation on spectral shape increases toward the equator-on view. The latter effect also increases with lower effective temperature. The bolometric luminosity estimate for a typical fast rotator at extreme inclinations has to be adjusted by as much as ${\sim} 20{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ due to the anisotropy of the object’s observed flux. We provide a general formula for the calculation of the corresponding adjustment factor in terms of rotational speed and inclination.