bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Meningoencephalomyelitis associated with foreign plant material in a dog: case report and brief literature review
Authors: Corbett Megan P. , Rissi Daniel R.
Published: June 2023

Neurologic disease associated with migration of plant material is reported infrequently in dogs. Here we describe meningoencephalomyelitis associated with foreign plant material in a 2-y-old castrated male West Highland White Terrier dog with acute neck pain. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed spinal meningeal contrast enhancement. Although clinical signs improved after treatment with steroids, the dog was readmitted for further evaluation 3-mo later and was euthanized after generalized epileptic seizures. Autopsy findings consisted of coalescing, pus-filled, neuroparenchymal cavitations surrounded by hemorrhage in the left caudal colliculus and rostral left cerebellar hemisphere. Histologically, lesions consisted of necrosis and suppuration, which surrounded a 1 × 2-mm foreign body morphologically consistent with plant material and clusters of gram-positive bacterial cocci. Affected areas were surrounded by reactive astrocytes, fibrous connective tissue, and mixed inflammatory infiltrates. Areas of hemorrhage and infiltration by neutrophils and foamy macrophages with fibrinoid change of small capillaries were observed in the adjacent neuroparenchyma. The inflammation extended to the perivascular spaces in the leptomeninges (mesencephalon, cerebellum, and brainstem, and spinal cord) and spinal central canal. Anaerobic bacterial culture of frozen samples of cerebellum yielded heavy growth of Bacteroides pyogenes.
Social Health and Its Influence on Metabolic Health Among a Rural Population: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Delolmo-Romero Sara , Correa-Rodríguez María , Sánchez-Martínez M-Cristina , Gil-Gutiérrez Rocío , Ortego-Centeno Norberto , Rueda-Medina Blanca
Published: June 2023

The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in a Spanish rural population and assess differences in prevalence according to loneliness level, social isolation, and social support. This is a cross-sectional study of 310 patients. MetS was defined by National Cholesterol Education Program–Third Adult Treatment Panel. The UCLA (University of California, Los Angeles) Loneliness Scale, Multidimensional Scale of Social Support, and Lubben Social Network Scale were used to assess loneliness, perceived social support, and social isolation. Almost half of the participants fulfilled MetS diagnosis criteria. Subjects with MetS showed significantly higher levels of loneliness, less social support, and greater social isolation. Systolic blood pressure was significantly higher in socially isolated rural adults. Environmental factors may play a key role in the prevalence of MetS, so specific screening and prevention programs could help health professionals prevent the increasing rates of MetS in rural populations under these socially specific conditions of vulnerability.
A nonlinear rheological shear constitutive model of bolted joints considering initial damage and damage evolution
Authors: Zhang Xing , Lin Hang , Hu Huihua , Cheng Yanhui , Zhang Wanyi
Published: June 2023

Understanding the shear mechanics mechanism of bolted joints is of great significance for predicting and preventing geological disasters. Most current studies seldom consider the rheological effects of bolted joints. In this paper, a comprehensive rheological constitutive model is proposed, accounting for initial damage and damage evolution across different rheological stages and bolt characteristics. The model incorporates an elastoplastic Hooke body for instantaneous deformation, parametric nonlinear Kelvin and viscous models for attenuation and steady creep stages, and a visco-plastic model based on time-dependent shear strength for accelerated creep stage. Additionally, a bolt-rock cooperative deformation model is introduced, considering the evolution of the bolt's elastic modulus. The resulting elasto-viscoplastic constitutive model effectively describes the shear rheological behavior of bolted joints, with its validity and superiority demonstrated through comparisons with shear creep tests and the Maxwell model. This research aims to provide valuable theoretical guidance for the construction and reinforcement of rock mass engineering projects.
The Effect of the Political Environment on White Women’s Political Ambition
Authors: DeMora Stephanie L. , Lindke Christian , Long Sean , Merolla Jennifer L. , Osorio Maricruz A.
Published: June 2023

The year 2018 has been dubbed the Year of the Woman because of the increased number of women who ran for office. What helps explain the dramatic increase in the number of women running for office? This paper examines how the political environment shapes white women’s emotional reactions to politics and in turn their political ambition. We focus on major aspects of the 2016 election: Trump’s treatment of women, Clinton’s historic run for office, the Women’s March, and the #MeToo movement. We argue that each of these factors leads to distinct emotional reactions, and that some of these reactions can increase political ambition. We explore support for these arguments with an experiment conducted with a sample of highly educated white women, an experiment fielded on the 2019 CCES, and with in-depth interviews conducted with first-time women candidates in 2018. We find that Trump’s treatment of women and Clinton’s historic run for office inspired political ambition, but through different emotional pathways. Trump’s treatment of women increased anger and in turn political ambition, while Clinton’s historic run increased ambition through enthusiasm. We find more muted effects for the Women’s Marches and the #MeToo movement.
Online Prosocial Behaviour Predicts Well-Being in Different Cultures: A Daily Diary Study of Facebook Users
Authors: Marshall Tara C. , Chavanovanich Jennifer , Huang Lu , Deng Jie
Published: June 2023

Almost two billion people use Facebook every day, but relatively few studies have examined the ways that culture shapes its use, and in turn, its associations with well-being. Our 1-week daily diary study sought to extend this literature by comparing prosocial uses of Facebook in a collectivist culture, Thailand ( N = 169), and in an individualist culture, Canada ( N = 131). We found that, relative to Thais, Canadians more frequently engaged in knowledge-sharing prosocial Facebook behaviour (i.e., providing useful information to Facebook friends), which was mediated by their more independent self-construal, stronger motivation to use Facebook for spreading information, and weaker motivation to use it for belongingness. Only Canadians reported higher life satisfaction on days they engaged in more prosocial knowledge-sharing. However, Thais and Canadians were equally likely to engage in emotionally-supportive prosocial Facebook behavior, which was associated with higher positive affect and life satisfaction in both groups.
Updates to American Psychiatric Nurses Association: Seclusion and Restraint Position Statement and Standards of Practice
Authors: Perkins Evelyn , Blair Ellen W. , Allen Diane E. , Teal Lincoln Akre , Marcus Pamela E. , Fordmeir Jennifer L.
Published: June 2023

Objective:

The purpose of this discussion paper is to summarize the 2022 updates to the American Psychiatric Nurses Association’s (APNA) Seclusion and Restraint Position Statement and Seclusion and Restraint Standards of Practice.

Method:

Both documents were the work of the APNA 2022 Seclusion and Restraint Task Force that consisted of APNA nurses with expertise in the use of Seclusion and Restraint, who practice across a wide range of clinical settings.

Results:

The 2022 Updates to the APNA Position Statement and Standards were guided by evidence-based information found in the review of seclusion and restraint literature and clinical expertise from the 2022 Seclusion and Restraint Task Force.

Conclusions:

Updates were evidence-based and in line with APNA’s core values and initiatives in diversity, equity, and inclusion.
From roots to reefs: metaphors for relational praxis from the diasporas of Abya Yala and Moana Nui
Authors: Diaz Agustin Tino , Folau Kehau , Ojeda Rosie , ‘Ulu‘ave Lavinia
Published: June 2023

Contending against colonial and liberal explanations of racialized identity, the authors offer new articulations of race and Indigeneity as a journey from roots to reefs. This work is inspired by the author’s relationships as communities born from Moana Nui (the Pacific Ocean) and Abya Yala (Latin America). The article begins with the theoretical genealogies of trans-Indigeneity as conceptualized by Chadwick Allen and the Tongan (Indigenous people of Tonga) Tā-Vā (time–space) theory of reality. Drawing and applying trans-Indigenous scholarship allows them to use art or poetry to demonstrate pathways of inter-connections among both communities with tā-vā as a conceptual lens to identify relational moments in time and space. Their work is informed by a K’iche’ Maya (the largest group of Mayan peoples currently living in Central America) scholar with Pacific Islander relationships as a relational praxis that is possible among both communities.
Decolonizing the pocket monster: Smartphones, Pokémon Go and generational conflict in Malaysian Borneo
Authors: Rungby Asmus , Bala Poline
Published: June 2023

This article analyzes the generational politics of smartphones in the Malaysian state of Sarawak in the context of Bornean history and contemporary Sarawakian political economy. We respond to a global north bias in the standing literature on smartphone media and suggest approaches to improve representation of global south perspectives. Concretely, we propose three programmatic maxims as a methodological guide to incorporate perspectives and concerns from the global south more fully. Drawing on long-term ethnographic research in Sarawak, we demonstrate the value of these suggestions by framing smartphones in the perspective of Bornean history as tools for maintaining instrumental social networks more than exchanging information across spatial disjunction. These tools are used differently by young urbanites and older rural populations. This leads us to show how Pokémon Go refracts generational conflicts by becoming the cultural touchstone of the changing political economic conditions of Malaysian urbanization.
Monitoring Elementary Students’ Progress Using Word Dictation: Technical Features of Slope and Growth Analysis
Authors: Choi Seohyeon , Shanahan Emma , An Jechun , McMaster Kristen
Published: June 2023

The purpose of this study was to examine the technical features of slopes produced from the curriculum-based measurement in writing (CBM-W) word dictation task. Seventy-nine elementary students in the U.S. Midwest with intensive learning needs responded to weekly word dictation probes across 20 weeks; responses were scored for correct letter sequences (CLS). Scores showed evidence of high reliability and sensitivity to growth in a short period. Linear mixed modeling revealed that students gained an average of 0.91 CLS for each additional week of instruction. Initial writing levels and growth rates did not significantly differ depending on students’ demographic characteristics. Based on these findings, we illustrate how word dictation slopes can be used as indicators of writing growth for students with intensive learning needs.
The Effect of Low-Frequency Electrical Stimulation Combined With Anus Lifting Training on Urinary Incontinence After Radical Prostatectomy in a Chinese Cohort
Authors: Zhu Jingyu , Gao Feng , He Huadong , Li Shaojiang , Zhang Shigeng , Jiang Yingjun , Yang Mei , Huang Yasheng
Published: June 2023

To evaluate the clinical efficacy of pelvic floor low-frequency electrical stimulation combined with anus lifting training in the treatment of urinary incontinence after radical prostatectomy in a Chinese cohort. Fifty-five patients with urinary incontinence after radical prostatectomy were randomly divided into treatment group and control group. Patients in control group received only anus lifting training therapy, while treatment group combined with pelvic floor low-frequency electrical stimulation. The urinary control including urinary incontinence questionnaire (ICI-Q-SF), urinary incontinence quality of life (I-QOL), visual analogue scale (VAS), and pelvic floor muscle strength assessment (Glazer) of the two groups of patients before treatment and every week was recorded for statistical analysis. There was a statistically significant difference between treatment group and control group in the urinary control curve. The scores of ICI-Q-SF, I-QOL, VAS, and Glazer in the treatment group after 2 weeks were statistically different from those before treatment, and effects were accumulating with the extension of treatment time. Compared with the control group, the scores of treatment group in the 2 to 10 weeks improved more significantly. Especially, in the sixth week, total effective rate of treatment group was significantly better than that of control group (74.07% [20/27], 35.71% [10/28], p < .05). The difference between two groups gradually narrowed after 10 weeks and no significant difference after 10 weeks of treatment between two groups. Pelvic floor low-frequency electrical stimulation combined with anus lifting training after radical prostatectomy can significantly shorten the recovery time of urinary incontinence in patients after radical prostatectomy.
The Impact of Ex-Post Legislative Evaluations in Healthcare: A Mixed Methods Realist Evaluation Study Protocol for Conducting Case Studies
Authors: Knap Linda J. , Legemaate Johan , Friele Roland D.
Published: June 2023

Background: Recent studies on the impact of ex-post legislative evaluations show that there are different types of impact and different factors that can influence it. These include the context of a legislative evaluation, research quality, and interactions between researchers and other actors within the evaluation process. However, thorough empirical research in this area is lacking. This warrants empirical research into the factors that influence the impact of ex-post legislative evaluations, so these insights can be used to increase the likelihood of ex-post legislative evaluations having an impact. Methods and analysis: In this protocol, we report on the realist evaluation methodology that will be used to evaluate the impact of three ex-post legislative evaluations in the Dutch healthcare sector. The mixed methods realist evaluation approach will facilitate this theory-driven, qualitative research. The study will consist of the following three steps: (1) Initial programme theory development, (2) theory validation, and (3) theory refinement. Knowledge from two scoping reviews conducted previously, and two subsequent expert meetings will form the basis for developing the initial programme theory. During this study, three case studies will be conducted, in which three individual ex-post legislative evaluations will be examined. Specific methods for data collection will include: documentary review, observation, structured questionnaires and focus group discussions with purposefully identified key stakeholders. Using the framework approach, the data will be analysed thematically in a within-case analysis followed by a cross-case analysis. Discussion: This protocol provides insight into how the study will be conducted. As this study uses multiple qualitative research methods to answer one question, this protocol supports refining data collection procedures. Careful consideration of the approach beforehand can minimise pitfalls, reduce publication bias and improve reproducibility. The protocol therefore specifies how the research question will be answered in detail, and this provides solid guidance for the research process.
Analysis and experimental study on vibration characteristics of the RV reducer
Authors: Wang Huiliang , Fang Kai , Li Jie , Xi Chaofei
Published: June 2023

RV reducers are commonly employed in precision transmissions, such as robot joints, owing to their multi-tooth contact characteristics, strong impact resistance, and low backlash. A finite element modal analysis of the RV reducer was conducted in this study to reduce the influence of RV vibration on the transmission performance and improve its transmission characteristics. The transmission characteristics are analyzed according to the transmission characteristics and principles. Combined with the theoretical basis of modal analysis, the finite element analysis method was used to analyze the main transmission components, and the natural frequencies and vibration modes of each main component were obtained. A modal analysis of the input shaft and cycloidal gear was performed, and the natural frequencies and vibration modes were obtained. The vibration patterns of the RV reducer, as well as the input shaft and cycloidal gear, were analyzed comprehensively. The distribution of each order frequency and deformation of the components can be determined by analyzing the frequency and array distribution of the components. An RV reducer transmission performance test platform was established to verify the accuracy of the simulation. Vibration signals under three different working conditions were collected, and the accuracy of the simulation was verified by analyzing the frequency signal, which provided important guidance for the design and optimization of the subsequent RV reducer.
Are lexical representations graded or discrete?
Authors: Li Leon , Buxó-Lugo Andrés , Jacobs Cassandra L , Slevc L Robert
Published: June 2023

Most research on mental lexical representations (lemmas) assumes they are discrete and correspond in number to a word’s number of distinct meanings. Thus, homophones ( bat), whose meanings are unrelated, have separate lemmas for each meaning (one for baseball bat, another for flying bat), whereas polysemes ( paper), whose senses are related, have shared lemmas (the same lemma for printer paper and term paper). However, most aspects of cognition are thought to be graded, not discrete; could lemmas be graded too? We conducted a preregistered picture-word interference study with pictures of words whose meanings ranged from unrelated (homophones) to very related (regular polysemes). Whereas semantic competitors to picture names slow picture naming, semantic competitors to non-depicted meanings of homophones facilitate naming, suggesting distinct lemmas for homophones’ meanings. We predicted that competitors to non-depicted senses of polysemes would slow naming, as polysemes’ depicted and non-depicted senses presumably share a lemma. Crucially, we aimed to examine the transition from facilitation to inhibition: two groupings (where competitors to non-depicted senses led to facilitation for words with two lemmas but inhibition for words with one lemma) would imply that lemmas are indeed discrete. But a transition that varies continuously by sense relatedness would imply that lemmas are graded. Unexpectedly, competitors to non-depicted senses of both homophones and polysemes facilitated naming. Although these results do not indicate whether lemmas are graded or discrete, they do inform a long-standing question on the nature of polysemes, supporting a multiple-lemma (vs. core-lemma) account.
The tannic acid–based iron nanoparticle: A capable nanocatalyst for the green synthesis of polyhydroquinolines
Authors: Yousefzadeh Noorkhoda , Habibi Davood , Meshkatalsadat Mohammad Hadi , Mahmoudiani Gilan Maryam
Published: June 2023

The tannic acid–based iron nanoparticle (TAN-Fe-NP) was prepared by a redox reaction between tannic acid and FeCl3 in water and characterized by the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy, energy dispersive X-ray analysis, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy techniques. Then, a TAN-Fe-NP nanocatalyst was used as an efficient catalyst for the synthesis of polyhydroquinolines from the reaction of ethyl acetoacetate, benzaldehydes, dimedone, and ammonium acetate in ethanol at 60 °C in high yields and low reaction times. Since this catalyst is made of natural materials, it has a great advantage compared with the other catalysts and is cheap, available, natural, safe, nontoxic, and eco-friendly as well.
Theatre practitioners and organisational adaptive capacity in disaster response
Authors: Klunder-Rosser Jennifer
Published: June 2023

Disasters are increasing globally, requiring flexible strategic approaches from healthcare organisations to manage the resultant influx of patients requiring care while also maintaining normal operational services. Theatre practitioners play a key role in disaster response and recovery; however, a lack of appropriate skill utilisation may be reducing overall organisational adaptive capacity and leading to poorer outcomes for organisations, staff and patients. Understanding what skills individual practitioners have, and how they can be deployed to the greatest effect, is a concern for managers to ensure optimal use of resources and to reduce negative impacts of disaster response upon healthcare personnel. This is especially pertinent in the post-COVID healthcare climate where a paucity of operating theatre practitioners and poor workforce planning has led to a lack of surgical capacity at a time when it is most needed.
The use of neurone specific enolase to prognosticate neurological recovery and long term neurological outcomes in OOHCA patients
Authors: Maher Caitlyn , Cadd Matthew , Nunn Maya , Worthy Jennifer , Gray Rebecca , Boyd Owen
Published: June 2023

Introduction:

Hypoxic-ischaemic brain injury (HIBI), is a common sequalae following out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OOHCA), it is reported as the cause of death in 68% of patients who survive to ICU admission, while other patients can be left with permanent neurological disability. Prediction of neurological outcome follows a multimodal approach, including use of the biomarker, neurone specific enolase (NSE). There is however no definitive cut-off value for poor neurological outcome, and little research has analysed NSE and long-term outcomes in survivors. We investigated an NSE threshold for poor short-term neurological outcome and the relationship between NSE and poor neurological outcome in survivors.

Methods:

A retrospective study was conducted of all adult OOHCA patients admitted to the Royal County Sussex Hospital ICU between April 2017 and November 2018. NSE levels, Targeted Temperature Management (TTM), cross-sectional imaging, mortality and GCS on ICU discharge were recorded. Assessment of neurological function after a median of 19 months (range 14–32 months) post ICU discharge was undertaken following ICU discharge and related to NSE.

Results:

NSE levels were measured in 59 patients; of these 36 (61%) had a poor neurological outcome due to hypoxic ischaemic brain injury. Youden’s index and ROC analysis established an NSE cut-off value of 64.5 μg/L, with AUC of 0.901, sensitivity of 77.8% and specificity of 100%. Follow-up of 26 survivors after 19 months did not show a significant relationship between NSE after OOHCA and long-term neurological outcome.

Conclusion:

Our results show that NSE >64.5 µg/L has a poor short-term neurological outcome with 100% specificity. Whilst limited by a low sample size, NSE in survivors showed no relationship with neurological outcome post OOHCA in the long term.
A systematic review of the effectiveness of community-based interventions aimed at improving health literacy of parents/carers of children
Authors: Belfrage SL , Husted M , Fraser SDS , Patel S , Faulkner JA
Published: June 2023

Aim:

The aim of this systematic review was to examine the effectiveness of community-based health literacy interventions in improving the health literacy of parents.

Methods:

A systematic review of six databases – MEDLINE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, Embase, and Education Source – was conducted to identify relevant articles. Risk of bias was assessed using version two of the Cochrane risk of bias tool for randomised controlled trials or the Cochrane collaboration risk of bias in non-randomised studies of interventions. The study findings were grouped and synthesised following the synthesis without meta-analysis framework.

Results:

Eleven community-based health literacy interventions for parents were identified. Study design included randomised controlled trials ( n = 4), non-randomised studies with comparison group ( n = 4), and non-randomised studies without a comparison group ( n = 3). Interventions were delivered digitally, in person or a combination of the two. The risk of bias was high in over half the studies ( n = 7). The main findings of the studies showed some potential for both in person and digital interventions to increase parental health literacy. Studies were heterogeneous preventing a meta-analysis.

Conclusion:

Community-based, health literacy interventions have been identified as potential methods for enhancing parental health literacy. Due to the small number of included studies and their potential for bias, these results must be interpreted with caution. This study emphasises the need for additional theory and evidence-based research on the long-term effects of community interventions.
Development and Validation of an Electronic Health Record–Based Risk Assessment Tool for Hypoglycemia in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Ma Sisi , Alvear Alison , Schreiner Pamela J. , Seaquist Elizabeth R. , Kirsh Thomas , Chow Lisa S.
Published: June 2023

Background:

The recent availability of high-quality data from clinical trials, together with machine learning (ML) techniques, presents exciting opportunities for developing prediction models for clinical outcomes.

Methods:

As a proof-of-concept, we translated a hypoglycemia risk model derived from the Action to Control Cardiovascular Risk in Diabetes (ACCORD) study into the HypoHazardScore, a risk assessment tool applicable to electronic health record (EHR) data. To assess its performance, we conducted a 16-week clinical study at the University of Minnesota where participants (N = 40) with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) had hypoglycemia assessed prospectively by continuous glucose monitoring (CGM).

Results:

The HypoHazardScore combines 16 risk factors commonly found within the EHR. The HypoHazardScore successfully predicted (area under the curve [AUC] = 0.723) whether participants experienced least one CGM-assessed hypoglycemic event (glucose <54 mg/dL for ≥15 minutes from two CGMs) while significantly correlating with frequency of CGM-assessed hypoglycemic events (r = 0.38) and percent time experiencing CGM-assessed hypoglycemia (r = 0.39). Compared to participants with a low HypoHazardScore (N = 19, score <4, median score of 4), participants with a high HypoHazardScore (N = 21, score ≥4) had more frequent CGM-assessed hypoglycemic events (high: 1.6 ± 2.2 events/week; low: 0.3 ± 0.5 events/week) and experienced more CGM-assessed hypoglycemia (high: 1.4% ± 2.0%; low: 0.2% ± 0.4% time) during the 16-week follow-up.

Conclusions:

We demonstrated that a hypoglycemia risk model can be successfully adapted from the ACCORD data to the EHR, with validation by a prospective study using CGM-assessed hypoglycemia. The HypoHazardScore represents a significant advancement toward implementing an EHR-based decision support system that can help reduce hypoglycemia in patients with T2DM.
Development of a high-performance blast energy-absorbing system for building structures
Authors: Gomes Gabriel de Jesus , Lúcio Valter José da Guia , Cismasiu Corneliu
Published: June 2023

Shock absorbers have been widely used in the automotive and aeronautical industries for many years. Inspired on these devices, the paper presents an analytical and numerical assessment of a high performance protective system for building structures against blast loads, which is composed of a shielding element connected to the main structure, at the floor levels, through ductile Energy Absorbing Connectors (EACs). The EACs exploit the external tube inversion mechanism to absorb a significant part of the imparted kinetic energy from the blast wave. While the system prototype has been developed in laboratory, it was characterized and tested in a full-scale blast testing campaign. A validated finite element model was used next to analyze its performance in a more demanding design scenario. The introduction of EACs notably reduces the peak horizontal loads and the kinetic energy transferred to the protected structure, being expected a significant reduction of the stresses in the supporting vertical elements, in addition to the protection of structural and non-structural members. These results encourage further studies of the presented protective system that can be potentially employed for a large variety of blast threat scenarios, especially when increasing the stand-off is not a possible/viable option and sensitive facilities have to be protected.
Transgender and Gender Diverse Youth’s Perspectives of Affirming Healthcare: Findings From a Community-Based Study in Kansas
Authors: McGeough Briana L. , Paceley Megan S. , Greenwood Emera (M) , Diaz April L. , Riquino Michael R. , Gleason Tori , Pearson Jennifer , Raehpour Dawna , LaFountain Olivia
Published: June 2023

Transgender and gender diverse (TGD) youth experience disproportionate rates of stigma and discrimination, contributing to health concerns. TGD people also report limited access to affirming healthcare, yet little is known about TGD youth and affirming healthcare in the Midwestern U.S. We utilized a community-based, mixed methods survey to explore the health and healthcare experiences of TGD youth in Kansas. Participants ( n = 89) were predominantly non-binary (49.4%) and transgender boys/transmasculine (28.1%). Approximately 20% reported discrimination by a healthcare provider and half reported at least one affirming experience (58.5%). Affirming practices included providers using correct names and pronouns (43.1%), asking about gender (38.4%), facilitating access to gender-affirmative healthcare services (20.0%), and connecting to TGD resources (18.5%). Thematic analysis of open-ended responses revealed contextual details about TGD youth’s experiences. These findings are relevant to medical and mental health providers, as well as advocates training providers to offer more accessible and affirming care for TGD youth.
Feasibility of Diagnosing Dead Regions Using Auditory Steady-State Responses to an Exponentially Amplitude Modulated Tone in Threshold Equalizing Notched Noise, Assessed Using Normal-Hearing Participants
Authors: Perugia Emanuele , Marmel Frederic , Kluk Karolina
Published: June 2023

The aim of this study was to assess feasibility of using electrophysiological auditory steady-state response (ASSR) masking for detecting dead regions (DRs). Fifteen normally hearing adults were tested using behavioral and electrophysiological tasks. In the electrophysiological task, ASSRs were recorded to a 2 kHz exponentially amplitude-modulated tone (AM2) presented within a notched threshold equalizing noise (TEN) whose center frequency (CFNOTCH) varied. We hypothesized that, in the absence of DRs, ASSR amplitudes would be largest for CFNOTCH at/or near the signal frequency. In the presence of a DR at the signal frequency, the largest ASSR amplitude would occur at a frequency ( fmax) far away from the signal frequency. The AM2 and the TEN were presented at 60 and 75 dB SPL, respectively. In the behavioral task, for the same maskers as above, the masker level at which an AM and a pure tone could just be distinguished, denoted AM2ML, was determined, for low (10 dB above absolute AM2 threshold) and high (60 dB SPL) signal levels. We also hypothesized that the value of fmax would be similar for both techniques. The ASSR fmax values obtained from grand average ASSR amplitudes, but not from individual amplitudes, were consistent with our hypotheses. The agreement between the behavioral fmax and ASSR fmax was poor. The within-session ASSR-amplitude repeatability was good for AM2 alone, but poor for AM2 in notched TEN. The ASSR-amplitude variability between and within participants seems to be a major roadblock to developing our approach into an effective DR detection method.
Kinetic Impact Projectiles and Craniofacial Trauma: A Case Series and Literature Review
Authors: Ravi Sanjana , Leathers Kaylee O. , Weinfeld Adam Bryce , Harshbarger Raymond
Published: June 2023

Kinetic impact projectiles (KIPs), also known as non-lethal projectiles, are crowd-control methods considered to be less harmful than traditional ammunition. KIPs have been used worldwide by law enforcement in crowd-control settings, and most recently used during the social justice protests that ensued following the death of George Floyd during the summer of 2020. Possible injuries from KIPs are broad, ranging from minor to severe and life-threatening injuries, and include both blunt and penetrative trauma throughout the body. Past reports on KIP trauma have not included detailed references to the craniofacial region. We present 4 patients who suffered craniofacial trauma secondary to KIP injury with both acute and chronic sequelae. While KIPs are considered non-lethal weapons, this limited series demonstrates the range of severe, and even life-threatening, injuries due to KIPs that craniofacial surgeons may encounter.
Part 1: Learning Korean (Samulnori) Percussion: Pathway Through World Music Pedagogy
Authors: Lim Namhee , Shehan Campbell Patricia
Published: June 2023

Energetic and electric, samulnori is a contemporary formalization of traditional Korean percussion music known as p’ungmul. A description will be offered of the music, and of key musician, Master Kim Duk Soo who has dedicated himself to the design and dissemination of this highly regarded genre. A learning pathway on Korean traditional samulnori, developed to encompass the five dimensions of World Music Pedagogy, is detailed, and resources and classroom adaptations of instruments are provided.
Effects of inspiratory muscle training on exertional breathlessness in patients with unilateral diaphragm dysfunction: a randomised trial
Authors: Schaeffer Michele R. , Louvaris Zafeiris , Rodrigues Antenor , Poddighe Diego , Gayan-Ramirez Ghislaine , Gojevic Tin , Geerts Linde , Heyndrickx Elise , Van Hollebeke Marine , Janssens Luc , Gosselink Rik , Testelmans Dries , Langer Daniel
Published: June 2023

Background

Unilateral diaphragm dysfunction (UDD) is an underdiagnosed cause of dyspnoea. Inspiratory muscle training (IMT) is the only conservative treatment for UDD, but the mechanisms of improvement are unknown. We characterised the effects of IMT on dyspnoea, exercise tolerance and respiratory muscle function in people with UDD.

Methods

15 people with UDD (73% male, 61±8 years) were randomised to 6 months of IMT (50% maximal inspiratory mouth pressure (PI,max), n=10) or sham training (10%PI,max, n=5) (30 breaths twice per day). UDD was confirmed by phrenic nerve stimulation and persisted throughout the training period. Symptoms were assessed by the transitional dyspnoea index (TDI) and exercise tolerance by constant-load cycle tests performed pre- and post-training. Oesophageal (Pes) and gastric (Pga) pressures were measured with a dual-balloon catheter. Electromyography (EMG) and oxygenation (near-infrared spectroscopy) of respiratory muscles were assessed continuously during exercise.

Results

The IMT group (from 45±6 to 62±23%PI,max) and sham group (no progression) completed 92 and 86% of prescribed sessions, respectively.PI,max, TDI scores and cycle endurance time improved significantly more after IMTversussham (mean between-group differences: 28 (95% CI 13–28) cmH2O, 3.0 (95% CI 0.9–5.1) points and 6.0 (95% CI 0.4–11.5) min, respectively). During exercise at iso-time,Pes,Pgaand EMG of the scalene muscles were reduced and the oxygen saturation indices of the scalene and abdominal muscles were higher post-versuspre-training only in the IMT group (all p<0.05).

Conclusion

The effects of IMT on dyspnoea and exercise tolerance in UDD were not mediated by an improvement in isolated diaphragm function, but may reflect improvements in strength, coordination and/or oxygenation of the extra-diaphragmatic respiratory muscles.
Calcium/calmodulin dependent protein kinase IV in trophoblast cells under insulin resistance: functional and metabolomic analyses
Authors: Li Ling , Li Li , Shao Ying , Du Runyu , Li Ling , Shi Xiaoguang , Bai Yu
Published: June 2023

Background

Insulin resistance (IR) is an important determinant of glucose metabolic disturbance and placental dysplasia in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Calcium/calmodulin dependent protein kinase IV (CAMK4) improves insulin IR induced by a high-fat diet (HFD). The current study sought to elucidate the role and potential mechanism of CAMK4 in GDM.

Methods

A GDM model was established in female C57BL/6J mice via HFD feeding for one week before mating and throughout gestation. The IR was elicited by 10–6 M insulin treatment for 48 h in HTR-8/SVneo cells and mouse primary trophoblast cells. The function of CAMK4 was investigated by transfection of overexpression plasmid in HTR-8/SVneo cells and infection of lentivirus loaded with CAMK4 encoding sequence in primary trophoblast cells. Real-time PCR, western blot, cell counting kit-8, transwell, wound healing, dual-luciferase reporter assay, and liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry-based untargeted metabolomics were performed to confirm the effects of CAMK4 on trophoblast cells.

Results

Decreased CAMK4 expression was found in the placenta of GDM mice. CAMK4 overexpression ameliorated IR-induced viability impairment, migratory and invasive capacity inhibition, autophagy blocking, insulin signaling inactivation and glucose uptake disorder in trophoblast cells. CAMK4 also transcriptionally activated orphan nuclear receptor NUR77, and the effects of CAMK4 were abrogated by silencing of NUR77. Metabolomics analysis revealed that CAMK4 overexpression caused alterations of amino acid, lipid and carbohydrate metabolism, which were important in GDM.

Conclusion

Our results indicated that CAMK4/NUR77 axis may provide novel potential targets in GDM treatment.
Potential of Exogenous Treatment with Dehydroascorbate to Control Root-knot Nematode Infection in Rice
Authors: Chavan Satish Namdeo , Tumpa Farzana Haque , Khokon Md. Atiqur Rahman , Kyndt Tina
Published: June 2023

Induced resistance (IR) is a unique physiological state characterized by reduced plant susceptibility to (a)biotic stress. Our previous studies showed that exogenous foliar application of dehydroascorbate (DHA), the oxidized form of ascorbic acid, induces systemic resistance against root-knot nematode Meloidogyne graminicola in rice. In the present study, the potential of DHA in protecting rice plants against M. graminicola was evaluated in lab, pot, and field studies. In an experiment where the interval between foliar treatment and inoculation was varied, 20 mM DHA was found to protect rice plants from M. graminicola for at least 14 days. Pot and field studies confirmed that 10 or 20 mM DHA are highly effective in reducing gall formation and led to a significant increase in rice seed yield. A half dose of DHA (10 mM) combined with another IR-stimulus - piperonylic acid (PA) 300 µM - was at par with DHA 20 mM, leading to reductions in gall formation of more than 80%. In in vitro bioassays, DHA was found to be highly nematicidal to the second-stage juveniles of M. graminicola, with more than 90% mortality within 3 h of exposure to 10 or 20 mM concentrations. While seed treatment had no effect, root drenching or root dipping was also effective in reducing rice susceptibility to M. graminicola, next to foliar treatment. As a dual-action compound with extended protection and ease of application, DHA has great potential for effective nematode management in rice.
Acute macular neuroretinopathy following Moderna COVID-19 vaccination
Authors: Protsyk Olena , Gallego-Pinazo Roberto , Dolz-Marco Rosa
Published: June 2023

Purpose

To describe the occurrence of an acute macular neuroretinopathy (AMN) after administration of a Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine.

Methods

Case report.

Results

A 23-year-old female presented bilateral visual loss one week after the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine. Fundus examination revealed the classic wedge-shaped lesions with petaloid configuration around both foveas. Hypo-reflective macular lesions are evident in the near-infrared reflectance image. The spectral-domain optical coherence tomography reveled hyperreflectivity of the outer nuclear and plexiform layers, attenuation of the ellipsoid zone and disruption of interdigitation zone corresponding to the lesions.

Conclusions

Despite the large number of doses of COVID-19 vaccines administered worldwide, there are not many reported cases of AMN. Most of them occurred after viral vector vaccines. Described here is one of the few cases that observed a time period of several days after receiving the Moderna messenger RNA vaccine. It is not possible to establish causality although this suggests an inflammatory or autoimmune response to the vaccine.
Genetic markers associated with bone composition in Rhode Island Red laying hens
Authors: Sallam Moh , Wilson Peter W. , Andersson Björn , Schmutz Matthias , Benavides Cristina , Dominguez‑Gasca Nazaret , Sanchez‑Rodriguez Estefania , Rodriguez‑Navarro Alejandro B. , Dunn Ian C. , De Koning Dirk‑Jan , Johnsson Martin
Published: June 2023

Background

Bone damage has welfare and economic impacts on modern commercial poultry and is known as one of the major challenges in the poultry industry. Bone damage is particularly common in laying hens and is probably due to the physiological link between bone and the egg laying process. Previous studies identified and validated quantitative trait loci (QTL) for bone strength in White Leghorn laying hens based on several measurements, including bone composition measurements on the cortex and medulla of the tibia bone. In a previous pedigree-based analysis, bone composition measurements showed heritabilities ranging from 0.18 to 0.41 and moderate to strong genetic correlations with tibia strength and density. Bone composition was measured using infrared spectroscopy and thermogravimetry. The aim of this study was to combine these bone composition measurements with genotyping data via a genome-wide association study (GWAS) to investigate genetic markers that contribute to genetic variance in bone composition in Rhode Island Red laying hens. In addition, we investigated the genetic correlations between bone composition and bone strength.

Results

We found novel genetic markers that are significantly associated with cortical lipid, cortical mineral scattering, medullary organic matter, and medullary mineralization. Composition of the bone organic matter showed more significant associations than bone mineral composition. We also found interesting overlaps between the GWAS results for tibia composition traits, particularly for cortical lipid and tibia strength. Bone composition measurements by infrared spectroscopy showed more significant associations than thermogravimetry measurements. Based on the results of infrared spectroscopy, cortical lipid showed the highest genetic correlations with tibia density, which was negative (− 0.20 ± 0.04), followed by cortical CO3/PO4 (0.18 ± 0.04). Based on the results of thermogravimetry, medullary organic matter% and mineral% showed the highest genetic correlations with tibia density (− 0.25 ± 0.04 and 0.25 ± 0.04, respectively).

Conclusions

This study detected novel genetic associations for bone composition traits, particularly those involving organic matter, that could be used as a basis for further molecular genetic investigations. Tibia cortical lipids displayed the strongest genetic associations of all the composition measurements, including a significantly high genetic correlation with tibia density and strength. Our results also highlighted that cortical lipid may be a key measurement for further avian bone studies.
Pairwise comparative analysis of six haplotype assembly methods based on users’ experience
Authors: Sun Shuying , Cheng Flora , Han Daphne , Wei Sarah , Zhong Alice , Massoudian Sherwin , Johnson Alison B.
Published: June 2023

Background

A haplotype is a set of DNA variants inherited together from one parent or chromosome. Haplotype information is useful for studying genetic variation and disease association. Haplotype assembly (HA) is a process of obtaining haplotypes using DNA sequencing data. Currently, there are many HA methods with their own strengths and weaknesses. This study focused on comparing six HA methods or algorithms: HapCUT2, MixSIH, PEATH, WhatsHap, SDhaP, and MAtCHap using two NA12878 datasets named hg19 and hg38. The 6 HA algorithms were run on chromosome 10 of these two datasets, each with 3 filtering levels based on sequencing depth (DP1, DP15, and DP30). Their outputs were then compared.

Result

Run time (CPU time) was compared to assess the efficiency of 6 HA methods. HapCUT2 was the fastest HA for 6 datasets, with run time consistently under 2 min. In addition, WhatsHap was relatively fast, and its run time was 21 min or less for all 6 datasets. The other 4 HA algorithms’ run time varied across different datasets and coverage levels. To assess their accuracy, pairwise comparisons were conducted for each pair of the six packages by generating their disagreement rates for both haplotype blocks and Single Nucleotide Variants (SNVs). The authors also compared them using switch distance (error), i.e., the number of positions where two chromosomes of a certain phase must be switched to match with the known haplotype. HapCUT2, PEATH, MixSIH, and MAtCHap generated output files with similar numbers of blocks and SNVs, and they had relatively similar performance. WhatsHap generated a much larger number of SNVs in the hg19 DP1 output, which caused it to have high disagreement percentages with other methods. However, for the hg38 data, WhatsHap had similar performance as the other 4 algorithms, except SDhaP. The comparison analysis showed that SDhaP had a much larger disagreement rate when it was compared with the other algorithms in all 6 datasets.

Conclusion

The comparative analysis is important because each algorithm is different. The findings of this study provide a deeper understanding of the performance of currently available HA algorithms and useful input for other users.