bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Protecting Victims or Protecting the Brand? Secondary Victimization and Cruise Ship Crime
Authors: Wilson Morgan , Hanley Natalia
Published: August 2021

It is now widely recognized that victims of crime in general, and victims of sexual offences in particular, commonly experience secondary victimization resulting from dismissive, poor, and sometimes retraumatizing treatment when they encounter the formal criminal justice system. However, little is known about victims’ experiences when initially reporting crime outside of the formal justice system, for example crime that occurs during cruise ship holidays. The cruise industry is the fastest growing tourism sector. The total number of passengers onboard cruise ships internationally was expected to reach 30 million in 2019. There is limited reliable data about how many people experience crime onboard cruise ships, though crime victimization does occur. While victimization onboard cruise ships has received some attention, there is a dearth of evidence about when and how victims report crime, how victims are treated when they report their experience of crime to cruise ship companies, or the justice outcomes. Nor does the available data address whether victims of crime from diverse social groups are treated differently by cruise companies. Drawing on qualitative accounts produced by primary and secondary victims of crime onboard cruise ships, it is argued that as well as the known challenges that victims face, the addition of brand protection can compound cruise ship victims’ experiences of secondary victimization. Secondary victimization refers to additional, or compounded harms experienced because of social or systemic responses to their experience of crime. There are three key implications of these findings: greater understanding of crime victims’ experiences should be developed via refined, mandatory reporting of crime onboard cruise ships, and robust qualitative research; cruise ship staff need improved specialized training in responding to victims of crime, and legislation should be considered mandating an independent authority onboard cruise ships to receive, investigate and monitor victimization reports and responses.
Book review: Daniel Susskind. 2020. A World Without Work: Technology, Automation and How We Should Respond
Authors: Srivastava Samir K
Published: August 2021

Daniel Susskind. 2020. A World Without Work: Technology, Automation and How We Should Respond. Penguin Books Limited, pp. 326, $49.50. ISBN: 9780241321096.
Monetary Policy in a Developing Country: A Case of Pakistan
Authors: Mazhar Ummad , Rehman Fahd
Published: August 2021

The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has to fulfil multiple objectives in Pakistan’s monetary policy. The choice of policy objectives is an old theme that acquired a renewed importance after the financial crisis of 2007–2009. Most of the textbooks do not discuss the debate around objectives, rather they discuss monetary policy objectives from the lens of a developing country. The choice of objectives should be seen in the context of the country’s overall level of economic development. With historical illustration of Pakistan during the 1970s and 1980s, the case has shown how the credit-starved sectors were helped through government-directed credit. With the opening of the trade and financial sector, the economic liberalization reforms increased the private sector’s role, and authorities adopted a more market-based approach towards monetary management. Various small businesses and entrepreneurs are faced with credit constraints. Private sector financial institutions cannot relax these credit constraints given their concern with creditworthiness, a condition that small businesses and entrepreneurs cannot satisfy. The SBP Act states that it has to pursue potentially conflicting goals of economic development and stable prices. The conflicting goals create tension in the case of whether SBP should control credit supply to various sectors of the economy or determine the cost of credit through interest rate targeting. It compares the two intermediate targets: monetary and interest rate. Finally, it also highlights the difficult trade-offs faced by policymakers in developing countries.
Longitudinal Measurement Invariance of the PHQ-9 and GAD-7
Authors: Ong Clarissa W. , Pierce Benjamin G. , Klein Keith P. , Hudson Chloe C. , Beard Courtney , Björgvinsson Thröstur
Published: August 2021

Intraindividual change over time is commonly used to estimate treatment effectiveness. However, patients may not respond similarly to a scale after treatment, rendering pre–post change an unreliable metric. The current objective was to investigate longitudinal measurement invariance of the Patient Health Questionnaire–9 and Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale–7 among 4,323 patients completing a partial hospital program. We used confirmatory factor analysis to determine (1) factor structure at pretreatment and posttreatment and (2) longitudinal invariance, accounting for dependent observations, using both classical and approximate measurement invariance approaches. Results indicated a two-factor solution for both scales. Longitudinal invariance was not established for either scale, thus, using raw score differences from the Patient Health Questionnaire–9 and Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale–7 for measuring symptom change over time may be problematic. The most longitudinally consistent items captured somatic as opposed to affective/cognitive symptoms. We discuss the potential use of these measures for diagnostic screening and between-group comparisons and suggest alternative ways to monitor client progress over time. Limitations included a majority White sample and uniqueness of a partial hospital setting.
On a consistent rod theory for a linearized anisotropic elastic material II. Verification and parametric study
Authors: Chen Xiaoyi , Dai Hui-Hui , Pruchnicki Erick
Published: August 2021

We have derived a rod theory by an asymptotic reduction method for a straight and circular rod composed of linearized anisotropic material in part I of this series. In the current work, we first verify the derived rod theory through five benchmark Saint-Venant’s problems. Then, under a specific loading condition (line force at the lateral surface with two clamped ends), we apply the rod theory to conduct a parametric study of the effects of elastic moduli on the deformation of a rod composed of four types of anisotropic materials including cubic, transversely isotropic, orthotropic, and monoclinic materials. Analytical solutions for the displacement, axial twist angle, stress, and principal stress have been obtained and a systematic investigation of the effects of elastic moduli on these quantities is conducted, which is the main feature of this paper. It is found that these elastic moduli arise in a certain form and in a certain order in the solutions, which gives information about how to appropriately choose moduli to adjust the deformation. Among the four anisotropic materials, it turns out that the monoclinic material presents the most remarkable mechanical behavior owing to the existence of a coupling coefficient: it yields coupled leading-order rod equations, non-trivial axial twist angle, non-negligible transverse shear deformation, and a more adjustable principal stress along the axis.
Association between poor sleep for infants to two years and subsequent mental health symptoms: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Mah Beth L , Larkings Kate
Published: August 2021

Sleep plays a complex bidirectional role in the life span of most mental health illness. How soon poor sleep becomes an indicator of future mental illness is unknown. Infant sleep is a complex concept which can impact greatly on both baby and family well-being. Thus, a systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to investigate whether poor infant sleep to age two is associated with future mental health symptoms. A systematic search of Medline, Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Web of Science and Cochrane was conducted, using PRISMA guidelines. The search resulted in 17 articles to include in this review. A combined adjusted odds ratios of 1.65 (95% CI = 1.34, 2.05) for infant sleep problems leading to subsequent mental health symptoms resulted. A variety of outcome measures for both poor infant sleep and mental health symptoms/diagnosis were used, limiting the generalisability of results. Poor sleep in infancy should be considered one of many risk factors for future mental health disorder signifying the importance of early intervention.
A Preliminary Study on the Diagnostic Efficacy of Proton Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy at 3.0T in Rabbit With VX2 Liver Tumor
Authors: Liao Ruikun , Zhang Dan , Li Xiaojiao , Ma Jiang , Yu Jiayi , Yang Chao , Xiong Hua , Zhou Bi , Huang Xianlong , Tang Zhuoyue
Published: August 2021

Background:

To investigate the diagnostic efficacy of choline (Cho) value of magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) in rabbit with VX2 liver tumor via comparative and quantitative analysis with the choline compounds concentration measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Methods:

MRS was performed on normal liver and VX2 tumor. The Cho value of VX2 tumor was compared with that of normal liver. Tissues were harvested for ELISA to detect the concentrations of acetylcholine (ACh), glycophorophosphygholine (GPC) and phosphochorine (PC). The diagnostic performance of Cho value and concentrations of choline compounds were assessed by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and area under ROC curve (AUC). The specificity and sensitivity were discussed by the maximum Youden’s index.

Results:

The concentration of ACh was obviously higher than that of GPC and PC both in VX2 tumor and normal liver ( P < 0.01). Furthermore, the concentration differences among ACh, GPC and PG were the third power of 10. Both the ACh concentration and Cho value of MRS in VX2 tumor were significantly higher than those in normal liver ( P < 0.01). The AUC of ACh in VX2 tumor was 0.883, when the cutoff value was 7259000, the sensitivity and specificity of the diagnosis of liver cancer were 94.4% and 77.8%, respectively. The AUC of Cho in VX2 tumor was 0.807, when the cutoff value was 28.35, the sensitivity and specificity of the diagnosis of liver cancer were 83.3% and 77.8%, respectively.

Conclusion:

The change of Cho value in MRS between liver cancer and normal liver was consistent with the changes of concentrations of choline compounds measured by ELISA, especially the change of ACh concentration. The diagnostic efficiency of Cho value and that of choline compounds concentration in liver cancer were extremely similar, with the AUC more than 0.8. We conclude that MRS may be applied as an important, non-invasive biomarker for the diagnosis of liver cancer.
Inferior Vena Cava Reconstruction Using a Ringed Polytetrafluoroethylene Interposition Graft and Inferior Vena Cava Filter Placement Following Resection of Renal Cell Carcinoma With a Tumor Thrombus Directly Infiltrating the Inferior Vena Cava
Authors: Ciancio Gaetano
Published: August 2021

Background

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) with tumor thrombus (TT) may extend into and, in rare cases, actually invade the inferior vena cava (IVC). Techniques of IVC reconstruction after removal of the RCC, TT, and infiltrated portion of the IVC have not been well documented. Methods A ringed polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) interposition graft along with an IVC filter placed within the graft (to prevent the development of pulmonary emboli) was used for patients who underwent surgical resection of RCC with TT extending into and directly invading the wall of the IVC. Demographic information about these patients along with their pathology reports, surgical procedures, and patency of the PTFE graft was obtained and described. Results Four male patients were identified as having RCC and TT with histologic invasion of the IVC requiring IVC dissection and replacement with a PTFE graft (as described above); their TT levels were II, IIIa, IIIc, and IV, respectively. Patient ages were 58, 65, 58, and 51 years and tumor sizes were 7.5, 7.5, 15.0, and 6.5 cm, respectively. These patients were followed for 36, 24, 32, and 48 months, respectively. At last follow-up, each patient had a patent IVC graft, and none of them developed any pulmonary emboli post-operatively. Conclusions Ringed PTFE interposition graft along with an IVC filter deployed inside the graft appears to be a safe vascular conduit for IVC reconstruction after surgical resection of RCC with TT directly invading the IVC.
Examination of the fifth-generation vehicular simultaneous wireless information and power transfer cooperative non-orthogonal multiple access network in military scenarios considering time-varying and imperfect channel state information conditions
Authors: Pandya Sharnil , Krishna Patteti , Shankar Ravi , Singh Bist Ankur
Published: August 2021

In a defense scenario, the communicating nodes are mobile and, due to this, the fading channel links become time selective in nature. Non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) is a promising technique in modern wireless communication systems, and it is employed in a variety of defense ad hoc wireless communication scenarios where nodes are mobile and it is difficult to estimate the channel coefficients perfectly. NOMA contributes to increased spectral efficiency (SE), firstly by enabling fifth-generation new radio deployment in the 3.5 GHz frequency range, and secondly by employing a simultaneous wireless information and power transfer (SWIPT) time switching and power splitting-based cooperative NOMA (C-NOMA) network where simple radio frequency circuitry is used for energy harvesting. NOMA together with the selective decode-and-forward (S-DF) protocol will increase the SE and energy efficiency simultaneously. The outage probability performance is evaluated for various values of the fading severity parameter and node velocity forming the channel error. It is significant to note that digital S-DF-based SWIPT C-NOMA performs much better than an analog amplify-and-forward-based C-NOMA SWIPT system.
Restraining the fox: Minimalism in the ethics of war and peace
Authors: Peperkamp Lonneke
Published: August 2021

Peace plays a central role in the ethics of war and peace, but this proves to be an enormous challenge. In a recent article, Elisabeth Forster and Isaac Taylor grapple with this important topic. They argue that certain concepts in just war theory—aggression, legitimacy, and peace—are essentially contested and susceptible to manipulation. Because the rules are interpreted and applied by the very states that wage war, it is as if the fox is asked to guard the chicken coop—a recipe for disaster. To avoid manipulation of the theory and make the goal of peace attainable, they defend “minimalism” in the ethics of war and peace. This paper responds to and builds on their article. After nuancing the analysis, I will argue (a) that their minimalism does not solve the problem since the proposed alternative concept is equally prone to misuse, and (b) that their minimalism is mistargeted. What I propose is to specify and ground the rules of war without raising the standard too high, to disentangle jus ad bellum and jus post bellum and see peace as guiding principle for jus post bellum, and to interpret that in a minimalist way.
The dawn phenomenon in type 2 diabetes: its association with glucose excursions and changes after oral glucose-lowering drugs
Authors: Wang Jun-Sing , Lee I-Te , Lee Wen-Jane , Lin Shi-Dou , Su Shih-Li , Tu Shih-Te , Lin Shih-Yi , Sheu Wayne Huey-Herng
Published: August 2021

Background:

We investigated the association between glucose excursions and the dawn phenomenon, and the effects of oral-glucose lowering drugs on the dawn phenomenon in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D).

Methods:

We conducted a post hoc analysis using data from a previous randomized trial. Patients with T2D on metformin monotherapy were randomized to receive add-on acarbose or glibenclamide for 16 weeks. Ambulatory continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) was conducted before randomization and at the end of the study. Using the CGM data, we assessed glucose excursions as indicated by mean amplitude of glycemic excursions (MAGE). The magnitude of the dawn phenomenon was calculated as the difference between the nocturnal nadir (0:00 to 6:00 a.m.) and prebreakfast glucose level.

Results:

A total of 50 patients with T2D [mean age 53.5 ± 8.2 years, mean glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) 8.4 ± 1.2%] were analyzed. There was an independent association between MAGE and the dawn phenomenon [β coefficient 0.199, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.074–0.325, p = 0.003]. HbA1c improved significantly after treatment with acarbose or glibenclamide. However, only treatment with acarbose significantly improved glucose excursions. The dawn phenomenon decreased significantly only in patients treated with acarbose (from 35.9 ± 15.7–28.3 ± 16.5 mg/dl, p = 0.037), but not in those treated with glibenclamide (from 35.9 ± 20.6–34.6 ± 17.0 mg/dl, p = 0.776).

Conclusion:

Glucose excursions were independently associated with the dawn phenomenon in patients with T2D on metformin monotherapy. Both glucose excursions and the dawn phenomenon improved after treatment with acarbose, but not after treatment with glibenclamide.
Prophylactic effects or withdrawal reactions? An analysis of time-to-event data from antidepressant relapse prevention trials submitted to the FDA
Authors: Hengartner Michael P. , Plöderl Martin
Published: August 2021

Background:

Relapse prevention trials build the scientific foundation for recommendation of antidepressant continuation and maintenance therapy. However, the validity of the evidence is disputed and may be biased due to withdrawal confounding.

Methods:

We analysed survival curves from all antidepressant relapse prevention trials submitted to the United States (US) Food and Drug Administration (FDA) between 1987 and 2012 for 13 approved drugs. The main outcome was the percent of the drug effect (placebo-antidepressant difference in relapse events) at any week of the maintenance phase in relation to the total drug effect at the endpoint of the randomised maintenance phase.

Results:

Altogether, 14 studies with a mean observation period of 38.9 weeks (Kaplan–Meier estimators) were analysed. At week 3, a mean of 20.6% [95% confidence interval (CI) = 10.9–30.3%] of the total drug effect was achieved. At weeks 6 and 12, the corresponding figures were 50.3% (37.3–63.3%) and 69.0% (55.1–82.8%). No further antidepressant–placebo separation was observed as of week 24 [101.0% of total drug effect (94.6–107.3%)]. This means that censoring relapse events that occurred in the first 3, 6, 12 and 24 weeks would reduce the total drug effect at study endpoint by 20.6%, 50.3%, 69.0% and 101.0%, respectively. Assuming antidepressants had a constant prophylactic effect over 38.9 weeks, we further showed that, around week 6, the antidepressant–placebo separation was about three times larger than expected.

Conclusion:

The placebo–antidepressant separation was disproportionally large between weeks 3 and 6 of the randomised maintenance phase. The benefits of continuing antidepressants relative to abrupt/rapid discontinuation declined sharply after week 6. This indicates an excess of relapse events in the placebo arms during the early maintenance phase that may be due to withdrawal reactions caused by abrupt/rapid discontinuation of active treatment. If these early relapse events are due to a direct pharmacological effect, then antidepressants’ true prophylactic long-term effects are substantially overestimated.
Geographical Locations of Occupations and Information and Communication Technology: Do Online Tools Impact Where People in the United States Live and Work?
Authors: Kim Lanu
Published: August 2021

This article investigates whether the development of information and communication technology (ICT) contributes to the dispersion of wealthy and talented people and helps prevent the concentration of wealth in only a few cities. In between some authors’ positive speculation on the role of ICT in reducing the necessity of physical distance and others’ emphasis on the vital role of offline interaction, the current research takes a broader view and investigates whether the technology impacts the concentration of jobs across the U.S. cities in the years 2006 and 2016. Using data from Occupational Employment Statistics surveys and the Occupational Information Network, I measure the significance of location for occupations by exploring geographical concentration and the interdependence of occupation dyads. The results show there is no evidence to support the assertion that ICT skills required for occupation were negatively associated with the geographical dispersion of the occupation in the study period. Instead, the research indicates that occupational ICT strengthened the geographical interdependence of occupations. The finds show that, in particular, jobs requiring higher ICT skills continued to be bounded to locations between 2006 and 2016. Overall, the results show there is no evidence for the claim that ICT is associated with the dispersion of geographical locations of occupations. The results suggest that rising communication technology will not necessarily diminish the concentration of good jobs or wealth inequality between cities.
Wearable Fitness Devices: An Investigation into Co-constructed Meaning of Use
Authors: Blaszka Matthew , Rascon Natasha A.
Published: August 2021

This article investigates practical uses of Wear Fitness Devices (WFDs) and extends literature to include a co-constructed process. Previous research has looked at various aspects of the devices. Yet, this article explores WFD at the crossroads of communication and sport. Researchers conducted 43 in-depth interviews about their WFD usage patterns. The researchers utilize the Coordinated Management of Meaning to understand the themes that emerged. Researchers also discuss the co-construction of understanding that occurred during interviews that revealed the concept of mindless usage. Researchers also demonstrate the relevance of Uses and Gratifications in uncovering five key themes: “features and benefits,” “health and fitness,” “motivation,” “communication,” and “life changes.” The interview process reveals a shift in understanding the meaning of WFD use and reveals themes that demonstrate practical usage. Suggestions for future research on WFD are also provided.
Merkel Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck
Authors: Eichorn Frances-Claire , Dubey Arbind , Pathak Kumar Alok
Published: August 2021

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) of the head and neck is a rare and aggressive non-melanoma skin cancer. The objective of this study was to assess the oncological outcome of MCC by retrospective review of electronic and paper records of a population-based cohort of 17 consecutive cases of the head and neck MCC without distant metastasis, diagnosed in Manitoba between 2004 and 2016. The average age of the patients at initial presentation was 74.1 ± 14.4 years with 6 patients presenting with stage I, 4 with stage II, and 7 with stage III disease. Both surgery or radiotherapy alone were the primary treatment modalities in 4 patients each and the remaining 9 patients had a combination of surgery with adjuvant radiotherapy. During the median follow-up of 52 months, 8 patients had recurrent/residual disease and 7 eventually died of it ( P = .001). Metastatic spread of disease to the regional lymph nodes was observed in 11 patients either at presentation or during the follow-up and to the distant sites in 3 patients. At the time of the last contact on November 30, 2020, 4 patients were alive and disease-free, 7 had died of disease, and 6 had died of other causes. The case fatality rate was 41.2%. Five-year disease-free and disease-specific survivals were 51.8% and 59.7%, respectively. The 5-year disease-specific survival was 75% for early stage MCC (stage I and II) and 35.7% for stage III MCC. Early diagnosis and intervention are crucial for disease control and improving survival.
Patients’ Satisfaction With Pharmaceutical Care Services in Asthma: An Intervention Study in 2 Nigerian Hospitals
Authors: Amorha Kosisochi Chinwendu , Okonta Mathew Jegbefume , Ukwe Chinwe Victoria
Published: August 2021

Quality in health care is commonly measured by patient satisfaction. This study assessed asthmatic patients’ satisfaction with the pharmaceutical care services rendered in 2 Nigerian tertiary hospitals. This 3-arm intervention study was single-blinded, prospective, and randomized. The 3 arms were Usual Care, Individual Intervention, and Caregiver-assisted Intervention. Intervention arms received education for 6 months, whereas the Usual Care arm received no education. The Patient Satisfaction with Pharmaceutical Services questionnaire was utilized. Data were analyzed using the IBM SPSS Version 25.0 with statistical significance set as P < .05. Seventy-eight asthma patients participated in the 3-arm study. The majority of the patients (82.1%) were happy with the services provided by the pharmacists. More of the patients who received Individualized Intervention were highly satisfied, compared to those in the Caregiver-assisted Intervention arm and Usual Care arm (52.6% vs 44.7% vs 2.6%, χ2 = 32.124, P < .001). The Individualized Intervention satisfied patients better than the Caregiver-assisted Intervention. Pharmacists should strive to have direct communication with their patients despite the involvement of caregivers.
Why Does Patient–Physician Communication Matter? More Active Patients, Decreased Healthcare Use and Costs
Authors: Yağar Fedayi
Published: August 2021

Today, the increase in the use of emergency health services is one of the most discussed issues. Solutions are sought to reduce the use of unnecessary resources. One of these solutions can be patient–physician communication. Along with this approach, the relationships between patient–physician communication, use of emergency health services, and length of hospital stay was evaluated in this study. In addition, the effect of communication with the physician on the patient activity level was also examined. A total of 724 patients (F/M 397/327, mean age 33.36 ± 15.22 years) were included in this cross-sectional study. “Pearson Correlation Test” and “Simple Linear Regression Test” were used to analyze the data. High communication between physician and patient were associated with higher levels of patient activation ( r = 0.632; P < .01). Likewise, a negative correlation was found between patient–physician communication and emergency healthcare use ( r = −0.712, P < .01) and length of hospital stay ( r = −0.317, P < .01). We think that the positive development of patient–physician communication may be an important way to reduce the use of emergency health services. The findings obtained regarding the length of hospital stay support this result. In addition, it was concluded that good communication with the physician may be an important factor in patients taking a more active role in healthcare. Further research is suggested to examine whether the observed associations are causal.
Flashmob: A Heutagogical Tool for Social Learning in Entrepreneurship Education
Authors: Tunstall Richard , Neergaard Helle
Published: August 2021

The development of entrepreneurial mindsets and competencies is a key differentiator of entrepreneurship education, yet traditional, individualist, functional approaches to entrepreneurship education do not adequately support this and appropriate tools and techniques remain unclear. This learning innovation is an approach to directly support the development of entrepreneurial mindsets and competencies in entrepreneurship education through socially-situated experiential learning in a structured way. It uses flashmobs as a heutagogical entrepreneurship education technique, which engages students in self-directed learning through real social action. By careful framing around appropriate entrepreneurship theory, combined with coaching and facilitation, we show how it is possible for entrepreneurship educators to support students in developing a critical reflective appraisal of their own ways of thinking and latent entrepreneurial competencies when facing challenges that require an entrepreneurial response while simultaneously providing the platform for students to embark on their journey of entrepreneurial self-discovery through both experiential and existential learning. We contribute by providing a heutagogical tool to be used either iteratively as the launch-pad into traditional andragogical methods in new venture creation or as the embarkation into new heutagogical programs, which emphasize self-directed entrepreneurial learning.
Regulating the Wild West: Symbolic Security Bubbles and White Collar Crime in the Art Market
Authors: Oosterman Naomi , Mackenzie Simon , Yates Donna
Published: August 2021

The study of crime and criminality in the art market has received increasing attention within criminology, however little has been written on the criminogenic values built into the structure of the art market. Despite increasing legislation to counteract instances of money laundering and fraud, the legal governance of the art market brings such ambiguity that actors in the market have formed their own responses to managing risk. In this article, we discuss how these actors rely on security bubbles and self-regulation and how this can have the unfortunate effect of adding to a criminogenic art market where white-collar crime is sustained. The dependence on self-policing created a field where powerful elites run things, and traditional policing agents have little purchase.
Serum exosomal pregnancy zone protein as a promising biomarker in inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: Shao Jing , Jin Yan , Shao Chunhong , Fan Hui , Wang Xiaorui , Yang Guang
Published: August 2021

Background

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a kind of intestinal immune dysfunction disease, and its occurrence and prevalence are on the rise worldwide. As a chronic gastrointestinal disease, its pathogenesis is still unknown. Exosomes are vesicles in various body fluids that carry a variety of substances. They can mediate intercellular communication and long-distance transport of multiple media. In this study, we investigated the protein profile of serum exosomes from healthy people and IBD patients to explore a new serological biomarker for IBD.

Methods

Initially, exosomes were extracted from serum samples, and the proteins within the exosomes were identified by label-free liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Western blot and ELISA were used to assess the identified protein. To further analyze the target protein, an acute colitis mouse model was established, and exosomes in colonic tissue and serum were extracted to investigate the protein in them.

Results

Firstly, serum exosomes were extracted from samples, and proteins in exosomes were identified by LC-MS/MS. Through statistical analysis, we identified 633 proteins. Among these proteins, pregnancy zone protein (PZP) showed a marked difference between patients with IBD and healthy people, in that its expression level was much higher in the IBD patients This exosomal protein was associated with immunosuppressive effects. Also, the level of PZP in colon tissue exosomes and serum exosomes of acute colitis mice was significantly higher than that of the control group.

Conclusions

Our findings indicated that serum exosome PZP was present at a high level in the IBD patients. Hence it might be a promising biomarker and enhance auxiliary diagnosis of IBD.
Identification of candidate genomic regions for chicken egg number traits based on genome-wide association study
Authors: Zhao Xiurong , Nie Changsheng , Zhang Jinxin , Li Xinghua , Zhu Tao , Guan Zi , Chen Yu , Wang Liang , Lv Xue Ze , Yang Weifang , Jia Yaxiong , Ning Zhonghua , Li Haiying , Qu Changqing , Wang Huie , Qu Lujiang
Published: August 2021

Background

Since the domestication of chicken, various breeds have been developed for food production, entertainment, and so on. Compared to indigenous chicken breeds which generally do not show elite production performance, commercial breeds or lines are selected intensely for meat or egg production. In the present study, in order to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying the dramatic differences of egg number between commercial egg-type chickens and indigenous chickens, we performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) in a mixed linear model.

Results

We obtained 148 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with egg number traits (57 significantly, 91 suggestively). Among them, 4 SNPs overlapped with previously reported quantitative trait loci (QTL), including 2 for egg production and 2 for reproductive traits. Furthermore, we identified 32 candidate genes based on the function of the screened genes. These genes were found to be mainly involved in regulating hormones, playing a role in the formation, growth, and development of follicles, and in the development of the reproductive system. Some genes such as NELL2 (neural EGFL like 2), KITLG (KIT ligand), GHRHR (Growth hormone releasing hormone receptor), NCOA1 (Nuclear receptor coactivator 1), ITPR1 (inositol 1, 4, 5-trisphosphate receptor type 1), GAMT (guanidinoacetate N-methyltransferase), and CAMK4 (calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase IV) deserve our attention and further study since they have been reported to be closely related to egg production, egg number and reproductive traits. In addition, the most significant genomic region obtained in this study was located at 48.61–48.84 Mb on GGA5. In this region, we have repeatedly identified four genes, in which YY1 (YY1 transcription factor) and WDR25 (WD repeat domain 25) have been shown to be related to oocytes and reproductive tissues, respectively, which implies that this region may be a candidate region underlying egg number traits.

Conclusion

Our study utilized the genomic information from various chicken breeds or populations differed in the average annual egg number to understand the molecular genetic mechanisms involved in egg number traits. We identified a series of SNPs, candidate genes, or genomic regions that associated with egg number, which could help us in developing the egg production trait in chickens.
Construction of an index system of core competence assessment for infectious disease specialist nurse in China: a Delphi study
Authors: Wu Chao , Wu Ping , Li Pei , Cheng Feixia , Du Yanling , He Shizhe , Lang Hongjuan
Published: August 2021

Aim and objective

This study was to establish an index system for the evaluation of Chinese infectious disease specialist nurses’ core competence.

Background

The index system for the evaluation of infectious disease specialist nurses’ core competence has not been established.

Design

A two-round Delphi survey was conducted to seek opinions from experts about the index system for the evaluation of infectious disease specialist nurses’ core competence.

Methods

The study adopted several research methods, including literature retrieval, theoretical analysis and qualitative research. Based on the above method, the draft of core competence evaluation index system of infectious disease specialist nurses was constructed. A Delphi survey was used for the study of 30 infectious disease experts from 8 provinces and cities around China. A modified recommendation for the Conducting and Reporting of Delphi studies (CREDES) was also used to guide this study. A STROBE checklist was used.

Results

The Core Competence Evaluation Index System of Infectious Disease Nurses is composed of 6 primary indicators, namely, Nursing Abilities for Infectious Diseases, Infection Prevention and Control Abilities, Responsiveness to Infectious Diseases, Professional Development Abilities, Communication and Management Abilities, and Professionalism and Humanistic Accomplishment, 16 secondary indicators and 47 tertiary indicators. The authority coefficient, judgment coefficient and familiarity degree of Delphi experts were 0.923, 0.933 and 0.913 respectively.

Conclusions

The evaluation index system of core competence of diseases specialist nurses is scientific and reliable. It can be reference for future training and assessment of Chinese infectious disease specialist nurses.

Relevance to clinical practice

Infectious disease specialist nurses are the main force for infectious disease nursing. Their core competence is related to the quality of infectious disease nursing and treatment. The core competence of the nurses is important for identification of training strategies and can be regarded as reference for nurse assessment and promotion. The construction of the index system is based on the consensus of infectious disease experts, which is not only helpful to standardize the training strategies and selection standards of infectious disease specialist nurses in the future, but also meet the society’s needs in clinical infectious disease nursing.
Transmission dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 in a mid-size city of China
Authors: Zhao Hongjun , Lu Xiaoxiao , Lun Wenhui , Li Tiegang , Rao Boqi , Wang Dedong , Wu Di , Qiu Fuman , Yang Zhicong , Lu Jiachun
Published: August 2021

Background

An outbreak of pneumonia, COVID-19 associated with the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) emerged in Wuhan city and then rapidly spread to other cities. Wenzhou is located approximately 900 km from Wuhan, which was experiencing an outbreak that was severe at the time but is considered modest as the epidemic became a pandemic. We described the epidemiological characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 outside of the epicenter to help understand the transmission pattern in a mid-sized Chinese city.

Methods

To investigate the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of the COVID-19, we described case series of 473 patients with confirmed COVID-19 in Wenzhou, China from January 27 to March 16, 2020. We described the public health interventions of COVID-19 and evaluated the effect of interventions by the effective reproduction number (Rt).

Results

The median age of all patients was 47.6 years, 48.4% of whom were female. 33.8% of the patients had a history of residence in Wuhan. Fever (71.7%) and cough (43.1%) were the most common symptoms. In addition, three kinds of unconventional cases were observed, namely 4.9% asymptomatic patients, 7.6% confirmed patients who had no link to Wuhan city but contact with individuals from Wuhan without any symptoms at the time of contact, and 12.9% confirmed patients who had an unknown source of transmission. We estimated that the basic reproductive number (R0) was 2.75 (95% CI: 2.37–3.23). The Rt fluctuated within the range of 2.50 to 3.74 from January 11 to January 16 while gradually reached a peak of 3.74 on January 16. Rt gradually decreased after January 16 and decreased to 1.00 on January 30. Rt continually decreased and reached the lowest point (0.03) on February 21, 2020.

Conclusion

Our study presented the possibility of asymptomatic carriers affected with SARS-CoV-2, and transmission by these three kinds of unconventional patients in Wenzhou may be an important characteristic of SARS-CoV-2 transmission. The evaluation showed that a series of multifaceted interventions proved effective in controlling the epidemic of COVID-19. These findings might provide valuable examples of control policies for countries or areas in combatting the global pandemic of COVID-19.
Performance of antigen testing for diagnosis of COVID-19: a direct comparison of a lateral flow device to nucleic acid amplification based tests
Authors: Kahn Maria , Schuierer Lukas , Bartenschlager Christina , Zellmer Stephan , Frey Ramona , Freitag Marie , Dhillon Christine , Heier Margit , Ebigbo Alanna , Denzel Christian , Temizel Selin , Messmann Helmut , Wehler Markus , Hoffmann Reinhard , Kling Elisabeth , Römmele Christoph
Published: August 2021

Objectives

The gold standard for diagnosing an infection with SARS-CoV-2 is detection of viral RNA by nucleic acid amplification techniques. Test capacities, however, are limited. Therefore, numerous easy-to-use rapid antigen tests based on lateral flow technology have been developed. Manufacturer-reported performance data seem convincing, but real-world data are missing.

Methods

We retrospectively analysed all prospectively collected antigen tests results performed between 23.06.2020 and 26.11.2020, generated by non-laboratory personnel at the point-of-care from oro- or nasopharyngeal swab samples at the University Hospital Augsburg and compared them to concomitantly (within 24 h.) generated results from molecular tests.

Results

For a total of 3630 antigen tests, 3110 NAAT results were available. Overall, sensitivity, specificity, NPV and PPV of antigen testing were 59.4%, 99.0%, 98.7% and 64.8%, respectively. Sensitivity and PPV were lower in asymptomatic patients (47.6% and 44.4%, respectively) and only slightly higher in patients with clinical symptoms (66.7% and 85.0%, respectively). Some samples with very low Ct-values (minimum Ct 13) were not detected by antigen testing. 31 false positive results occurred. ROC curve analysis showed that reducing the COI cut-off from 1, as suggested by the manufacturer, to 0.9 is optimal, albeit with an AUC of only 0.66.

Conclusion

In real life, performance of lateral-flow-based antigen tests are well below the manufacturer's specifications, irrespective of patient’s symptoms. Their use for detection of individual patients infected with SARS-CoV2 should be discouraged. This does not preclude their usefulness in large-scale screening programs to reduce transmission events on a population-wide scale.
Analyses of the effects of persistent subretinal fluid on visual/anatomic outcomes according to the type of macular neovascularization during the relaxed treat-and-extend protocol in age-related macular degeneration patients
Authors: Kim Kyung Tae , Chae Ju Byung , Lee Seungheon , Seo Eoi Jong , Kim Dong Yoon
Published: August 2021

Background

To analyze the long-term effects of persistent subretinal fluid (SRF) on visual/anatomic outcomes according to the type of macular neovascularization (MNV) during relaxed treat-and-extend regimen with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) agents in age-related macular degeneration (AMD) patients.

Methods

Patients with fovea-involving type 1 or type 2 MNV, treated with a relaxed treat-and-extend regimen for 2 years were retrospectively reviewed. Eyes with SRF observed more than three times per year were defined as the ‘persistent SRF (+) group’. To exclude the effects of IRF as much as possible, the eyes with persistent IRF were excluded. The effects of persistent SRF on the best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central subfield retinal thickness (CST), and changes in the photoreceptor layer (PRL) thickness and outer retinal bands (external limiting membrane, ellipsoid zone, and cone outer segment tip line) after anti-VEGF injection were analyzed for each MNV type.

Results

Seventy-seven eyes with type 1 MNV (44 eyes with persistent SRF) and 53 eyes with type 2 MNV (18 eyes with persistent SRF) were enrolled. Following a relaxed treat-and-extend regimen with anti-VEGF agents, BCVA and CST improved for each MNV type. In comparison between persistent SRF (+) and persistent SRF (−) group, there were no differences in the amount of change in BCVA and CST between the two groups for each MNV type during 2-year follow-up periods. In addition, there were no differences in the amount of reduction in PRL thickness and state of the outer retinal bands between the two groups for each MNV type.

Conclusions

Using a relaxed treat-and-extend regimen with anti-VEGF agents, persistent SRF did not have additional effects on visual and anatomic outcomes by 2 years, regardless of the MNV type.
A study of self-precaution against the background of the COVID-19 pandemic from the perspective of risk perception attitude theory and social support
Authors: Wang Ruo-Nan , Zhang Yue-Chi , Wu Rang-Ke , Li Bei , Li Chuang-Wei , Yu Bo-Tao , Zhang Yi-Li
Published: August 2021

Background

In this research, the factors that influence the self-precautionary behavior during the pandemic are explored with the combination of social support and a risk perception attitude framework.

Methods

An online survey was conducted among 429 members to collect information on demographic data, social support, perceptions of outbreak risk, health self-efficacy, and self-precautionary behaviors with the guide of the Social Support Scale, the COVID-19 Risk Perception Scale, the Health Self-Efficacy Scale and the Self-precautionary Behavior Scale.

Results

The research shows that among the three dimensions of social support, both objective support and support utilization negatively predict risk perception, while subjective support positively predicts health self-efficacy; health self-efficacy and risk perception significantly predict self-precautionary behavior; the relationship between risk perception and self-precautionary behavior is significantly moderated by health self-efficacy.

Conclusions

The combined influence of social capital and risk perception attitudinal frameworks on self-precautionary behavior is highlighted in this study, with the relationship between the public’s risk perception, health self-efficacy, and self-precautionary behavior intentions examined against the background of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). These findings contribute to understanding the impact of social capital factors on risk perception and health self-efficacy, which provides insight into the current status and influencing factors of the public’s precautionary behavior and facilitates early intervention during a pandemic.
Retrospective analysis of traumatic triradiate cartilage injury in children
Authors: Dong Yao , Wang Jinkui , Qin Jiaqiang , Nan Guoxin , Su Yuxi , He Bo , Cai Wenquan , Chen Kai , Gu Kai , Liang Xun , Yan Ge , Wang Zhongliang
Published: August 2021

Background

To summarize and analyze the epidemiological characteristics, treatment and corresponding curative effect of triradiate cartilage injury(TCI) in children after trauma, to provide a theoretical basis for early diagnosis and improvement of treatment.

Methods

The TCI was classified according to Bucholz classification, and the final curative effect was evaluated with Harris Hip Score and imaging examination during follow-up. Finally, a comprehensive analysis was made by reviewing the cases in the literature combined with the patients in our hospital.

Results

A total of 15 cases (18 hips) of triradiate cartilage injuries were collected in our hospital. There was 1 hip with type I injury, nine hips with type II injury, two hips with type IV injury, one hip with type V injury and five hips with type VI injury. Among the 12 cases with complete follow-up, the bone bridge was found in or around the triradiate cartilage in 8 cases, early fusion of triradiate cartilage occurred in 5 patients, 3 cases had hip dysplasia, 4 cases had a subluxation of the femoral head, and HHS was excellent in 8 cases and good in 4 cases.

Conclusion

The early diagnosis of TCI is still a difficult problem. Conservative treatment is often the first choice. The overall prognosis of acetabular fractures involving triradiate cartilage is poor. The formation of the bone bridge in triradiate cartilage usually indicates the possibility of premature closure, which may lead to severe complications of post-traumatic acetabular dysplasia and subluxation of the femoral head.