bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Safety and efficacy of endovascular thrombectomy in patients with severe cerebral venous thrombosis: A meta-analysis
Authors: Nepal Gaurav , Kharel Sanjeev , Bhagat Riwaj , Coghlan Megan A , Yadav Jayant K , Goeschl Stella , Lamichhane Rajan , Phuyal Subash , Ojha Rajeev , Shrestha Gentle S
Published: October 2022

Background

Cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) is a rare thrombotic condition which is traditionally treated with anti-coagulation therapy. Subsets of patients with severe CVT have been treated with endovascular thrombectomy (EVT). Despite the high estimated mortality associated with severe CVT, there has been only one randomized control trial done regarding safety and efficacy of EVT in severe CVT compared to standard medical management. Evidence in this area is lacking.

Objective

The aim of this systematic review is to analyze all existing literature and generate robust information regarding the role of EVT in the management of patients with severe CVT.

Methods

This systematic review and meta-analysis followed PRISMA guideline. PubMed, Embase, Google Scholar, and CNKI were searched for eligible studies from 2007 to 2021. Safety and efficacy of EVT were evaluated by meta-analyzing recanalization status, the good functional outcome at follow-up, recurrent CVT, new hematoma. A pooled proportion with a 95% confidence interval was derived from a meta-analysis of various outcomes (CI).

Results

A total of 33 studies comprising 610 patients treated with EVT were included for analysis which comprised one randomized control trial, one prospective study and 31 retrospective studies. Based on pooled data, 85% of patients had good functional outcome, 62% had complete recanalization, 5% had all-cause mortality, and 3% had catheter related complications. The efficacy outcomes in this analysis had a significant heterogeneity and a subgroup analysis was also done to explain these findings. The minimum time of follow up was 3 months and varied EVT techniques were used across the studies.

Conclusion

This meta-analysis suggests EVT may be safe and efficacious in treating patients with severe CVT.

Registration

Our protocol was registered with PROSPERO: International prospective register of systematic reviews with the registration number CRD42021254760.
Family learning and working in lockdown: Navigating crippling fear and euphoric joy to support children’s literacy
Authors: Arnott Lorna , Teichert Laura
Published: October 2022

This paper offers a nuanced perspective of two families’ lockdown literacy journeys with their young children during the COVID 19 pandemic. We present informal home learning examples stimulated by play and by school-sanctioned synchronous and asynchronous activities from homes geographically miles apart yet close in terms of shared experience. In response to the catch-up and learning loss narrative which threatens to overshadow some of the positive learning experiences taking place at home, we redirect the ‘catch-up’ narrative towards a nuanced understanding of family learning at home by articulating the complexity of circumstance. Methodologically, drawing on Autoethnography, we present vignettes of lockdown life from Scotland and Michigan, USA. Throughout this paper we articulate challenges with the catch-up narrative and root our conclusions in the early childhood philosophy that learning extends beyond the mind to a whole body, holistic experience.
A geography beyond the Anthropocene: Ursula Le Guin’s Always Coming Home as topophilia for survival
Authors: Garlick Ben , King Liesl
Published: October 2022

The science fiction of Ursula Le Guin deftly uses prose to conjure alternative worlds, societies and cultures of nature amidst times of profound upheaval. Equally, her writing is suffused with quiet hope: the sense that we already possess the tools required to craft better futures, if only we paid better attention to the here and now. Across her work, Le Guin poses political and ethical questions about the value of, and our relationship to, the wider environment; and the consequences that (may) lie in wait along our contemporary lines of flight. In Always Coming Home (1985), she excavates a possible future: a speculative cultural geography of life on earth that is both careful in its placing and caring of place. In this paper, we consider the space-times of this experimental ‘archaeology of the future’ and its imagined post-Anthropocene landscape. We explore how Le Guin’s non-linear, digressive, fragmentary writing mobilises the love of place (topophilia) to manifest an awareness of there being multiple, potential, situated articulations of life after the Anthropocene in tension with profound uncertainty over the earthly legacies of our current modes of existence.
Theorizing Human Resource Development Practices in Extended Contexts
Authors: Wang Greg G. , Doty D. Harold
Published: October 2022

Mainstream human resource development (HRD) views are based on assumptions derived from organizations and societies in the western open contexts. They are inadequate and misleading in explaining the causality and regularities of HRD practices in non-mainstream closed contexts, which account for majority countries according to the 2022 World Press Freedom Index. As the fourth study in a progressive multi-stage theorizing program, we theorize HRD as multi-level and multi-context practices to decode the causality and regularities from open to closed sociopolitical contexts. We adopt an emancipatory theoretical stance to derive law-like axioms and theorems of HRD with its corresponding host system (HIS) contexts. We do so through formal and theoretical language and abstraction. We provide illustrative cases at the organizational and national levels to demonstrate the applicability of our theorizing. We further discuss implications for HRD theory, research, and practice, as well as limitations and future research directions for continued theorizing.
Endovascular Treatment of Tandem Atherosclerotic Cervical Internal Carotid Artery Occlusion in the Setting of Acute Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Yamashita Shunsuke , Imahori Taichiro , Koyama Junji , Tanaka Kazuhiro , Okamura Yusuke , Arai Atsushi , Iwahashi Hirofumi , Mori Tatsuya , Onobuchi Kana , Sasayama Takashi
Published: October 2022

Background

Among tandem occlusions, atherosclerotic cervical internal carotid artery occlusion (ACICAO) can be technically challenging and associated with its unique complications. We evaluated our experience with endovascular treatment (EVT) of ACICAO in the setting of acute ischemic stroke.

Methods

In total, 154 consecutive patients who underwent EVT for acute anterior circulation stroke at our institute were retrospectively reviewed. Patients with tandem ACICAO were analyzed in this study. Procedures, recanalization rates, complications, and prognoses were evaluated.

Results

Ten patients (6%) of all 154 patients had ACICAO. In nine (90%) of the 10 patients, cervical lesions were successfully crossed and intervened upon. Four patients underwent stenting and five underwent angioplasty alone, followed by intracranial procedure. Eight patients (80%) achieved successful recanalization following mechanical thrombectomy for intracranial occlusion. However, one patient had massive subarachnoid hemorrhage during the procedure and another patient developed massive intracranial hemorrhage after EVT, both after stenting. Four of the five patients who initially underwent angioplasty alone subsequently underwent staged endarterectomy or stenting for residual stenosis on or after the next day. The single patient in whom the cervical lesion could not be crossed and another with reocclusion after EVT underwent a rescue bypass procedure due to persistent ischemic symptoms. After 90 days, four patients (40%) were functionally independent (modified Rankin scale score 0-2).

Conclusions

Our experience suggests that EVT for ACICAO is technically feasible; however, it involves the potential risk of several significant complications. To avoid serious hemorrhagic complications, cervical lesions may be better treated with angioplasty alone first.
A Single-Centre Retrospective Analysis of Radial Versus Femoral Prostate Artery Embolization
Authors: Zakeri Simon Arian , Mohammad Fahad , Nowakowska Magdalena , Kakani EBIR Nirmal , Ananthakrishnan Ganapathy
Published: October 2022

Purpose: To determine whether route of access, transradial or transfemoral, leads to any discernible differences in patient radiation or contrast medium exposure as well as procedure time in elective prostate artery embolization (PAE).

Methods: This retrospective study included sixty patients in total: n = 30 in the radial PAE group, and n = 30 in the femoral PAE group. All procedures were performed in a single angiography suite between May 2018 and January 2021, using a standard kit for each type of vascular access, the same microcatheter/wire combination and embolic agent to super-selectively target and embolize one or both prostate arteries. Outcome measures included dose area product (DAP, µGym 2 ), air kerma (mGy), fluoroscopy time (mins), procedure time (mins) and volume of contrast medium used (mL). Adverse events were also recorded.

Results: The radial and femoral groups were matched for age (73.2 ± 7.5 vs 71.3 ± 10.14, P = .41) and body mass index (27.53 ± 5.08 vs 26.41 ± 3.93, P = .38).

No significant difference in dose area product, air kerma, fluoroscopy time, procedure time or volume of contrast medium used was found between radial and femoral PAE. No adverse events occurred in either group.

Conclusion: Radial PAE is safe and comparable to femoral PAE with respect to patient radiation exposure, contrast medium usage, and procedure duration. Radial access is a useful skill to add to the armament of the interventional radiologist in elective PAE.
Lower Limb Weakness due to Spinal Venous Congestion in Chronic Inferior Vena Cava Occlusion: A Case Report
Authors: Lui Dennis H , Williamson Hannah M , Hamilton George , Drebes Anja , Davies Neil , Lim Chung S
Published: October 2022

The presentation of symptomatic inferior vena cava (IVC) occlusion is variable, and no clear guidance exists on indications for invasive treatment. We describe the first documented case in the literature of IVC occlusion and venous congestion of the spine with associated neurological symptoms, successfully treated with endovascular IVC reconstruction.

Case report

A 31 year-old male presented with a long history of reduced sensation and motor function in his lower limbs upon waking every morning, lasting 30-50 minutes during which he was unable to ambulate. He was involved in a severe road traffic accident as a child, and was born prematurely requiring prolonged neonatal hospitalisation. Both duplex ultrasonography and magnetic resonance venography identified an occlusion of the IVC, with patent common femoral and iliac veins draining into large spinal collaterals. No other cause was identified for his symptoms. After appropriate multidisciplinary team discussion and patient counselling, the patient proceeded to have endovenous recanalization of his IVC and common iliac veins with dedicated venous stents. Post-operatively, the patient reported an immediate resolution of neurological symptoms, with an improvement in quality of life questionnaire scores and with stent patency at 9-month follow up.

Conclusion

IVC occlusion with symptomatic spinal venous congestion is a rare condition which may be successfully treated with endovascular iliocaval recanalization, although long-term outcomes of this treatment are still unknown.
Nutritional Status and Nutrients Related to Pre-Eclampsia Risk
Authors: Esquivel Monica Kazlausky
Published: October 2022

Elevated blood pressure during pregnancy, pre-eclampsia, is in part a result of inflammatory processes related to pregnancy. Reducing risk for pre-eclampsia is important to improve birth outcomes and reduce morbidity and mortality. Nutritional status and dietary intake of key foods and nutrients can aid in the reduction of pre-eclampsia risk. Excessive gestational weight gain is associated with pre-eclampsia risk, however, fluid retention, may be the driver of this relationship. While diets rich in fruits, vegetables, and dietary fiber can reduce pre-eclampsia risk and adherence to a western diet pattern can increase risk. Other nutrients, which may improve hypertension, such as sodium or salt, have little to no effect on pre-eclampsia risk. Key nutrients impacting pre-eclampsia risk are described in this article.
Assessing Nurses’ Workplace Social Capital: A Study Protocol for Culturally Appropriate Instrument Development
Authors: Xu Jia-Min , Stark Azadeh , He Yi-Zhu , Ying Bi-He , Chen Min-Hua , Lian Zheng-Mei , Huang Yang-Sheng , Chen Rui-Ming , Chen Yuan-Yuan , Shang Xu-Li , Li Chun-Ying , Yang Dong-Liang , Lyu Xiao-Chen , Oksanen Tuula , Kouvonen Anne
Published: October 2022

Workplace social capital positively influences the quality but reduces the cost of healthcare services. Academic research suffers from limited and inadequate culturally sensitive nurses’ workplace social capital instruments. Here we report on the design and protocol of a culturally focused instrument development study in China. The overarching objective of our dual phase study is to develop and validate a questionnaire measuring nurses’ workplace social capital tailored toward Chinese cultural values and norms. In the first phase of INSTRUMENT DEVELOPMENT, the qualitative phase, we will conduct interviews with purposefully sampled nurses from five geographically diverse regions capturing 16 provinces in China to formulate the initial version of the Nurses’ Workplace Social Capital Questionnaire (NWSCQ). Data collection will be stopped at the saturation point and content analysis will be performed for interview data in parallel. The initial version of the NWSCQ will be evaluated and confirmed by two-rounds of expert consultation (target N = 20) and pre-tested among 70 nurses. During the second phase of INSTRUMENT VALIDATION or the quantitative phase, we will validate the psychometric properties of the NWSCQ. The validity and reliability of the questionnaire will be examined and validated through three cross-sectional surveys among nurses (target N = 1154) randomly selected from 12 tertiary hospitals. We have reported our study protocol with the intention of sharing our experience with researchers in other countries who are striving to advance the phenomenon of culturally sensitive and social normatively appropriate nurses’ workplace social capital. Findings from our study should advance the development of culturally appropriate and valid instrument of nurses’ workplace social capital, another important step toward recognition and incorporation of cultural diversity in the daily operation of healthcare industry.
Perspectives of play and play-based learning: What do adults think play is?
Authors: McLean Karen , Lake Gillian , Wild Mary , Licandro Ulla , Evangelou Maria
Published: October 2022

Adults, including early childhood teachers and caregivers (i.e., parents, carers, kinship members), have an important role in supporting young children’s learning through play in early childhood. However, little consideration has been given to the relationship between these significant adults’ perspectives of play and the play experiences of young children. Various conceptualisations of play and play-based learning influence the decisions adults make about the provision of play in early childhood. This can make it difficult to support adults in their understandings of the need for play in young children’s lives. We propose that more needs to be known about what significant adults think play is. This new knowledge would enhance professional learning and parent education programs in the early childhood education and care sector for increasing children’s opportunities to learn through play.
Family socioeconomic status and young children’s learning behaviors: The mediational role of parental expectation, home environment, and parental involvement
Authors: Mao Wei
Published: October 2022

Utilizing a national longitudinal sample from China Family Panel Studies (2018), this study examined how family socioeconomic status (SES) is related to young children’s learning behaviors through parental expectation, parental involvement and home learning environment. A total of 1348 children aged 3–5 years were included. Mediation analysis was conducted to test the hypotheses. The results identified a significant relationship between family SES and home learning environment and parental involvement, whereas family SES was only partially related to parental academic expectations. There were no statistically significant relationships between SES and children’s learning behaviors. Moreover, no indirect effects were found between parental expectation, home learning environment, and children’s learning behaviors. However, parental involvement had an indirect effect on children’s learning behaviors. The present study highlights the need to consider the role of parental involvement in supporting the development of young children’s learning behaviors. The findings and discussions raise implications for researchers and practitioners to provide parental involvement support programs for Chinese families from diverse SES backgrounds.
Analysing Individual Entrepreneurial Orientation and Entrepreneurial Intention: The Moderating Effect of Educational Support
Authors: Aggarwal Aashu , Chauhan Kavita
Published: October 2022

Extant literature highlights entrepreneurship not just as a tool to boost economic growth but as a prolific career opportunity too. Though studies highlight entrepreneurship as a phenomenon affected by multiple factors, a conclusion is yet to be achieved about their role and significance in influencing entrepreneurial intentions. This study fills the gap and examines the role of individual entrepreneurial orientation (IEO) in explaining entrepreneurial intention (EI). Further, the study investigates the moderating effect of educational support (ES) on the relationship between IEO and EI. Data was collected from 388 undergraduate students in the Delhi–National Capital Region (NCR). Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was performed to check the reliability and validity, and structural equation modelling (SEM) was used to test the hypotheses. The results confirm the statistically significant role of IEO in influencing students’ EI. Moreover, the value of adjusted R-square obtained through multiple regression analysis confirm that the impact of IEO is higher on EI when supported by ES. The results conclude the need to strengthen the IEO and provide students with adequate educational support to create an environment conducive to entrepreneurial actions.
Modelling the Impact of Emotional Intelligence, Career Success and Happiness on Turnover Intention Among Managerial-level Employees in the Information Technology Industry
Authors: Sharma Shubham , Tiwari Vivek
Published: October 2022

Turnover is a major concern in the information technology (IT) industry. Using affective event theory (AET) and conservation of resources (COR) theory, this study investigates how employees’ emotional intelligence indirectly affects their turnover intention in India’s IT industry, specifically in northern part of India, through objective career success (salary) and subjective career success (career satisfaction). Furthermore, the underlying role of employee’s happiness at work between overall career success and turnover intention is investigated. Results suggest emotional intelligence to be negatively related to turnover intention via overall career success. In addition, happiness was found to be an underlying factor in the relationship between career satisfaction and turnover intention. Furthermore, perceived career opportunities within the organization is explored as an essential boundary condition in employees’ decision to stay with their current employer. Finally, unique theoretical and practical contributions are offered for employers in the IT industry.
Back from the Future: Mediation and Prediction of Events Uncertainty through Event-Driven Models (EDMs)
Authors: Ogbeibu Samuel , Gaskin James
Published: October 2022

The event-driven model (EDM) is an emerging concept in human behavioural research, and understanding how EDMs can promote theory development remains a fundamental quest of predictive science. Traditionally, researchers have heavily depended upon theory confirmation and the inclusion of mediating constructs to clarify uncertainty associated with plausible events (e.g. political, socio-economic, technological, environmental). Though this approach has pushed the field forward, it has also steered mediation research towards largely ignoring the fundamental role of prediction as a key for better understanding future events represented by EDMs. Additionally, emerging research using partial least squares structural equation modelling to execute prediction-oriented analysis continues to overlook problematic endogeneity bias and plausible type IV errors due to omitted paths and neglect of indirect effect size estimation in mediation models that embrace the transmittal or segmentation mediation approaches. We aim to introduce prediction as a fundamental option for estimating EDMs and recommend that researchers employ the segmentation mediation approach when estimating EDMs. We further emphasize a novel direct and indirect ( v) effect size measure, types of prediction and cases when they are useful. Best practices and practical implications are provided to foster a more useful interpretation of findings.
Empowering Heritage Entrepreneurs: An Experience in Strategic Marketing
Authors: Bhattacharya Ananya , Dutta Madhura
Published: October 2022

This article describes an Indian experience in building rural, community-based enterprises that respond to heritage marketing challenges and opportunities in a huge creative economy. In an era often dominated by market-driven approaches, the NGO ‘banglanatak dot com’ has innovated its art for life (AFL) approach, offering a robust model for empowering rural communities through entrepreneurship and community-led micro-enterprises. Sensitive to issues of cultural integrity and ownership, the AFL model includes a strong rights-based commitment along with continuous innovation, branding and the use of marketing tools. These include building digital capacities, use of social media and partnership with the tourism industry. The banglanatak experience responds to the fast-changing consumer trends of a globalized and digital world, thus often characterized by a lack of connect between traditional artists and evolving markets, inadequate market awareness on the intrinsic and outstanding value of a particular craft or art form, lack of cultural sensitivity among stakeholders working with traditional artists and frequent violation of the creative rights of makers. This article shares learning from interventions in West Bengal, in eastern India, which aim at empowering tradition bearers as key protagonists of heritage businesses. Their experience, severely tested through the global pandemic, offers hope and direction.
Brugada Phenocopy That Lurks After Hemodialysis: A Case Report
Authors: Hendsun Hendsun , Firmansyah Yohanes , Setiawan Irene
Published: October 2022

Brugada phenocopies (BrP) are clinical commodities that are etiologically distinguishable from genuine congenital Brugada syndrome. BrP is marked by type-1 or type-2 Brugada electrocardiogram (ECG) patterns in precordial V1 to V3, which is provoked by various underlying clinical disorders. Hemodialysis may improve the BrP ECG image. This case report describes the occurrence of a transient Brugada pattern that was seen on the ECG of an asymptomatic 64-years-old woman after administering hemodialysis due to renal failure. Diagnosis of Brugada phenocopy and BrS is necessary to achieve appropriate further treatment. Hemodialysis may improve the BrP ECG image.
Detection of Salmonella Typhi nucleic acid by RT-PCR and anti-HlyE, -CdtB, -PilL, and -Vi IgM by ELISA at sites in Ghana, Madagascar and Ethiopia
Authors: Panzner Ursula , Mogeni Ondari Daniel , Adu-Sarkodie Yaw , Toy Trevor , Jeon Hyon Jin , Pak Gi Deok , Park Se Eun , Enuameh Yeetey , Owusu-Dabo Ellis , Van Tan Trinh , Aseffa Abraham , Teferi Mekonnen , Yeshitela Biruk , Baker Stephen , Rakotozandrindrainy Raphael , Marks Florian
Published: October 2022

Background

We aimed to assess the prevalence of Salmonella Typhi through DNA and IgM-antibody detection methods as a prelude to extended surveillance activities at sites in Ghana, Madagascar, and Ethiopia.

Methods

We performed species-specific real-time polymerase reaction (RT-PCR) to identify bacterial nucleic acid, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for detecting HlyE/STY1498-, CdtB/STY1886-, pilL/STY4539- and Vi-antigens in blood and biopsy specimens of febrile and non-febrile subjects. We generated antigen-specific ELISA proxy cut-offs by change-point analyses, and utilized cumulative sum as detection method coupled with 1000 repetitive bootstrap analyses. We computed prevalence rates in addition to odds ratios to assess correlations between ELISA outcomes and participant characteristics.

Results

Definitive positive RT-PCR results were obtained from samples of febrile subjects originating from Adama Zuria/Ethiopia (1.9%, 2/104), Wolayita Sodo/Ethiopia (1.0%, 1/100), Diego/Madagascar (1.0%, 1/100), and Kintampo/Ghana (1.0%, 1/100), and from samples of non-febrile subjects from Wolayita Sodo/Ethiopia (1%, 2/201). While IgM antibodies against all antigens were identified across all sites, prevalence rates were highest at all Ethiopian sites, albeit in non-febrile populations. Significant correlations in febrile subjects aged < 15 years versus ≥ 15 years were detected for Vi (Odds Ratio (OR): 8.00, p = 0.034) in Adama Zuria/Ethiopia, STY1498 (OR: 3.21, p = 0.008), STY1886 (OR: 2.31, p = 0.054) and STY4539 (OR: 2.82, p = 0.022) in Diego/Madagascar, and STY1498 (OR: 2.45, p = 0.034) in Kintampo/Ghana. We found statistical significance in non-febrile male versus female subjects for STY1498 (OR: 1.96, p = 0.020) in Adama Zuria/Ethiopia, Vi (OR: 2.84, p = 0.048) in Diego/Madagascar, and STY4539 (OR: 0.46, p = 0.009) in Kintampo/Ghana.

Conclusions

Findings indicate non-discriminatory stages of acute infections, though with site-specific differences. Immune responses among non-febrile, presumably healthy participants may mask recall and/or reporting bias leading to misclassification, or asymptomatic, subclinical infection signs induced by suppression of inflammatory responses. As most Ethiopian participants were ≥ 15 years of age and not at high-risk, the true S. Typhi burden was likely missed. Change-point analyses for generating ELISA proxy cut-offs appeared robust, though misclassification is possible. Our findings provided important information that may be useful to assess sites prior to implementing surveillance for febrile illness including Salmonella disease.
Estimating vaccine effectiveness against SARS-CoV-2 infection, hospitalization and death from ecologic data in Costa Rica
Authors: Fantin Romain , Herrero Rolando , Hildesheim Allan , Barboza-Solís Cristina , Aparicio Amada , Prevots D. Rebecca , Pfeiffer Ruth M. , Gail Mitchell H. ,   the RESPIRA Study Group
Published: October 2022

Background

Clinical trials and individual-level observational data in Israel demonstrated approximately 95% effectiveness of mRNA-based vaccines against symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection. Individual-level data are not available in many countries, particularly low- and middle- income countries. Using a novel Poisson regression model, we analyzed ecologic data in Costa Rica to estimate vaccine effectiveness and assess the usefulness of this approach.

Methods

We used national data from December 1, 2020 to May 13, 2021 to ascertain incidence, hospitalizations and deaths within ecologic units defined by 14 age groups, gender, 105 geographic areas, and day of the epidemic. Within each unit we used the proportions of the population with one and with two vaccinations, primarily tozinameran. Using a non-standard Poisson regression model that included an ecologic-unit-specific rate factor to describe rates without vaccination and a factor that depended on vaccine effectiveness parameters and proportions vaccinated, we estimated vaccine effectiveness.

Results

In 3.621 million persons aged 20 or older, there were 125,031 incident cases, 7716 hospitalizations, and 1929 deaths following SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis; 73% of those aged ≥ 75 years received two doses. For one dose, estimated effectiveness was 59% (95% confidence interval 53% to 64%) for SARS-CoV-2 incidence, 76% (68% to 85%) for hospitalizations, and 63% (47% to 80%) for deaths. For two doses, the respective estimates of effectiveness were 93% (90% to 96%), 100% (97% to 100%), and 100% (97% to 100%).

Conclusions

These effectiveness estimates agree well with findings from clinical trials and individual-level observational studies and indicate high effectiveness in the general population of Costa Rica. This novel statistical approach is promising for countries where ecologic, but not individual-level, data are available. The method could also be adapted to monitor vaccine effectiveness over calendar time.
Conventional versus modified application of COOK Cervical Ripening Balloon for induction of labor at term: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Wen Chaoyue , Liu Xuemin , Wang Ying , Wang Jun
Published: October 2022

Background

This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the modified application of COOK Cervical Ripening Balloon (CCRB) for induction of labor (IOL) at term in primipara.

Methods

A total of 227 singleton full-term pregnancies with indications of IOL were enrolled and randomly divided into the control and study groups in our hospital from January 2021 to December 2021. In the control group, a conventional method was used. Both the uterine and vaginal balloons were filled to 80 mL and removed after 12 h. In the study group, a modified method was used. The uterine and vaginal balloons were filled to 120 mL and 40 mL respectively. Light traction was given to help CCRB to be discharged after 12 h placement. Oxytocin was administered in both groups after CCRB was discharged before labor starting. The improved Bishop scores, duration of labor, and spontaneous delivery rate were evaluated in the two groups.

Results

The improved Bishop scores in the study group were 3.06 ± 0.97 at 12 h placement of CCRB and 4.37 ± 0.87 when CCRB was discharged, which were significantly higher compared to the control group (2.52 ± 0.79, p < 0.05). Duration of the first stage of labor and the full labor in the study group were significantly shorter than those in the control group ((6.17 ± 2.85) h vs. (7.27 ± 2.90) h, p = 0.010; (7.07 ± 3.18) h vs. (8.09 ± 3.11) h, p = 0.028). No difference in spontaneous delivery rate between the two groups was observed. But the delivery rate within 24 h between the two groups was significantly different (79.79% vs. 55.91%, p < 0.05). For the cases with initial Bishop scores ≤ 3, the improved score was significantly increased, the first stage of labor and the full labor were significantly shorter in the study group than those in the control group (p < 0.05). Those results were not observed in cases with initial Bishop scores of 4–6.

Conclusions

The modified application of CCRB could benefit cervical ripening, shorten the duration of labor, especially for cases with poor cervical maturity, and improve the delivery rate within 24 h.

Trial registration

Retrospectively registered: ChiCTR2200058270. Registered 04/04/2022.
Psychometric properties of the Postpartum Depression Literacy Scale (PoDLiS) among Chinese perinatal women: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Huang Weijian , Li Xiaohan , Wu Zijing , Jiang Nan , Zhang Xu
Published: October 2022

Background

The aim of the present work was to cross-culturally adapt the Postpartum Depression Literacy Scale (PoDLiS) and use a descriptive cross-sectional design to evaluate its psychometric properties in Chinese perinatal women.

Methods

Brislin’s translation theory was applied to translate the PoDLiS, with subsequent cultural adaptation. The reliability and validity of the PoDLiS were determined using a questionnaire in 635 Chinese perinatal women.

Results

Good internal consistency was found (omega coefficient, 0.894) for the Chinese version of the Postpartum Depression Literacy Scale (PoDLiS-C), with omega coefficients of the six dimensions of 0.865, 0.870, 0.838, 0.777, 0.837 and 0.794, and a test–retest reliability coefficient of 0.874. The item-level content validity index (CVI) ranged from 0.8 to 1 while the scale-level CVI was 0.968. Moreover, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) determined satisfactory construct validity of the PoDLiS-C, with the six-factor model explaining 60.76% of the total variance, demonstrating good model fit (likelihood ratio χ2/df, 1.003; goodness-of-fit index, 0.916; adjusted goodness-of-fit index, 0.901; comparative fit index, 0.999; incremental fit index, 0.999; root mean square error of approximation, 0.003; and standardized root mean square error of approximation, 0.0478).

Conclusions

The PoDLiS-C has adequate psychometric properties. This tool could be used to assess the postpartum depression literacy of perinatal women in Chinese-speaking populations.
Feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of a single-arm, remotely-delivered health coaching intervention to increase physical activity and reduce sedentary behavior during pregnancy
Authors: Whitaker Kara M. , Jones Melissa A. , Dziewior Jaclyn , Anderson Megan , Anderson Chelsie , Gibbs Bethany Barone , Carr Lucas J.
Published: October 2022

Background

Interventions targeting physical activity and sedentary behavior concurrently in pregnancy may be an ideal strategy to reduce the risk of pregnancy complications. We assessed the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of a single-arm, remotely-delivered health coaching intervention to promote physical activity and reduce sedentary behavior in pregnancy.

Methods

Women (n = 34) between 8 and 12 weeks gestation were recruited to take part in the INcreasing Steps in PREgnancy (INSPiRE) study. Participants were given an activity tracker (Fitbit Inspire) and met virtually with their health coach throughout the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. Feasibility was based on enrollment, retention, and adherence rates. Acceptance was assessed using a process evaluation survey. Intervention efficacy was based on activPAL data obtained at baseline and the end of the second trimester.

Results

Feasibility objectives were met, with greater than 70% enrollment, 97% retention, and 99% adherence. All participants reported high levels of satisfaction with the program. ActivPAL data indicated statistically significant increases in daily steps (+ 1715.8 steps/day, Cohen’s d = 0.97), stepping time (+ 1.9%, d = 0.75), standing time (+ 2.3%, d = 0.29), and decreases in total sedentary time (− 4.2%, d = 0.43) and sedentary bouts of 30 minutes (− 4.1%, d = 0.36) from baseline to the end of the second trimester, all p < 0.05. Decreases were also observed in sedentary bouts of 60 minutes (− 3.9%, d = 0.40), but this was not statistically significant.

Conclusions

The INSPiRE study demonstrated feasibility, high acceptability, and preliminary efficacy for improving movement behaviors in women during pregnancy, supporting future testing in a randomized controlled trial.
Mental health and visual acuity in patients with age-related macular degeneration
Authors: Fonteh Cheryl N. , Mathias Marc T. , Mandava Naresh , Manoharan Niranjan , Lynch Anne M. , Navo Roxanne , Patnaik Jennifer L. ,   The University of Colorado Retina Research Group, Akau Melanie , Christopher Karen L. , Davidson Richard , Eshete Ruth T. , Graef C. Rob , Hauswirth Scott , Lynch Anne M. , Oliver Scott N. , Olson Jeffery L. , Palestine Alan G. , Smith Jesse M. , Wagner Brandie D.
Published: October 2022

Background

Visual acuity (VA) loss has been associated with depression in patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD). However, previous studies did not incorporate subgroups of AMD when correlating VA and mental health. The goal of this study was to describe the relationship between VA and mental health questions in patients with different classifications of AMD, and to identify associations of mental health subscale scores.

Methods

AMD patients classified by multi-modal imaging were recruited into an AMD registry. Habitual VA was obtained by ophthalmic technicians using the Snellen VA at distance. At enrollment, patients completed the NEI-VFQ-25, which includes 25 questions regarding the patient’s visual functionality. Median with interquartile-range (IQR) scores on the mental health subscale of the VFQ were calculated by AMD classification and VA groups. Univariate and multivariable general linear models were used to estimate associations between mental health scores and variables of interest.

Results

Eight hundred seventy-five patients were included in the study. Patients with bilateral geographic atrophy (GA) or bilateral GA and neovascular (NV) AMD scored lowest on the mental health subscales with a median (IQR) of 58.2 (38–88) and 59.3 (38–88). When stratified by VA, patients with a habitual VA of 20/200 or worse scored the lowest on mental health subscales scores: median of 43.8 (IQR: 31–62). Patients with a VA of 20/20 scored the highest: 87.5 (IQR: 81–94). Habitual VA of the better- and worse-seeing eye and AMD classification were significantly associated with mental health subscale scores (all p < 0.0001 in both the univariate and multivariable analysis, except the VA of the worse-seeing eye in multivariable model p = 0.027). Patients enrolled during the COVID pandemic had mental health scores that were 2.7 points lower than prior to the pandemic, but this difference was not significant in univariate (p = 0.300) or multivariable analysis (p = 0.202).

Conclusion

There is a significant association between mental health questionnaire scores and AMD classification, as well as VA in both the better and worse-seeing eyes in patients with AMD. It is important for clinicians to recognize feelings of worry/ frustration in these patients, so they can be appropriately referred, screened, and treated for mental health problems.
A systematic review of cost-utility analyses of screening methods in latent tuberculosis infection in high-risk populations
Authors: Mahon James , Beale Sophie , Holmes Hayden , Arber Mick , Nikolayevskyy Vladyslav , Alagna Riccardo , Manissero Davide , Dowdy David , Migliori Giovanni Battista , Sotgiu Giovanni , Duarte Raquel
Published: October 2022

Background

The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends that testing and treatment for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) should be undertaken in high-risk groups using either interferon gamma release assays (IGRAs) or a tuberculin skin test (TST). As IGRAs are more expensive than TST, an assessment of the cost-effectiveness of IGRAs can guide decision makers on the most appropriate choice of test for different high-risk populations. This current review aimed to provide the most up to date evidence on the cost-effectiveness evidence on LTBI testing in high-risk groups—specifically evidence reporting the costs per QALY of different testing strategies.

Methods

A comprehensive search of databases including MEDLINE, EMBASE and NHS-EED was undertaken from 2011 up to March 2021. Studies were screened and extracted by two independent reviewers. The study quality was assessed using the Bias in Economic Evaluation Checklist (ECOBIAS). A narrative synthesis of the included studies was undertaken.

Results

Thirty-two studies reported in thirty-three documents were included in this review. Quality of included studies was generally high, although there was a weakness across all studies referencing sources correctly and/or justifying choices of parameter values chosen or assumptions where parameter values were not available. Inclusions of IGRAs in testing strategies was consistently found across studies to be cost-effective but this result was sensitive to underlying LTBI prevalence rates.

Conclusion

While some concerns remain about uncertainty in parameter values used across included studies, the evidence base since 2010 has grown with modelling approaches addressing the weakness pointed out in previous reviews but still reaching the same conclusion that IGRAs are likely to be cost-effective in high-income countries for high-risk populations. Evidence is also required on the cost-effectiveness of different strategies in low to middle income countries and countries with high TB burden.
The use of autogenous tooth bone graft powder in the treatment of osseous defects after impacted mandibular third molar extraction: a prospective split-mouth clinical pilot study
Authors: Wushou Alimujiang , Zheng Yan , Han Yu , Yang Zhi-cheng , Han Fang-kai
Published: October 2022

Background

Impaction of mandibular third molars (M3) is one of the most common diseases. Extraction of M3 usually exacerbates osseous defects at the distal aspect of the adjacent second molar (M2). BonMaker® ATB has been cited as a novel autogenous bone grafting material. The aim of this pilot study was to introduce a novel method for repairing the distal osseous defects of M2 after the surgical removal of M3 with autogenous tooth graft powder (ATGP).

Method

A total of five patients were enrolled in this prospective split-mouth clinical pilot study. Four impacted wisdom teeth were extracted bilaterally from each patient with proximal alveolar bone loss ≥ 5 mm of M3. The ATGP was prepared chairside from two extracted one side third molars and randomly implanted in one of the M3 extraction sockets, and the other side was treated with a blank and considered the control site. Patients were followed up at 6 months.

Results

The five patients included three males and two females. Their ages ranged from 25 to 30 years, with a median of 27 years. Primary wound healing without complications was achieved in all the patients. There was a greater tendency for swelling of the cheeks and trismus to occur at the experimental site on the third postoperative day. Compared with the control site, the experimental site exhibited progressive bone filling and ossification in the sixth postoperative month. Moreover, the probing pocket depth of the experimental site was lower than that of the control site.

Conclusion

The results of this study demonstrate that ATGP effectively and economically repairs distal osseous defects of M2. Further study is required to validate the effectiveness with a larger study population.
A survey of hospice day services in the United Kingdom & Republic of Ireland : how did hospices offer social support to palliative care patients, pre-pandemic?
Authors: Bradley NM , Dowrick CF , Lloyd-Williams M
Published: October 2022

Introduction

Social support is described by patients and other stakeholders to be a valuable component of palliative day care. Less is known about the range of hospice services that have been used in practice that facilitate social support. An online survey aimed to gain an overview of all hospice day services that facilitated social support for adults outside of their own homes.

Methods

An online survey was distributed via email to people involved in managing hospice day services. Questions were asked on hospice characteristics, including staff and volunteer roles. Respondents were asked to identify services they felt offered social support to patients. Data collection took place between August 2017 and May 2018.

Results

Responses were received from 103 hospices in the UK and ROI (response rate 49.5%). Results provide an overview of hospice day and outpatient services that offer social support to patients. These are: multi-component interventions, activity groups, formal support groups, befriending, and informal social activities. Multi-component interventions, such as palliative day care, were the most commonly reported. Their stated aims tend to focus on clinical aspects, but many survey respondents considered these multicomponent interventions to be the ‘most social’ service at their hospice. The survey also identified a huge variety of activity groups, as well as formal therapeutic support groups. Informal ‘social-only’ activities were present, but less common. Over a third of all the services were described as ‘drop in’. Most responding hospices did not routinely use patient reported outcome measures in their ‘most social’ services.

Conclusions

The survey documents hospice activity in facilitating social support to be diverse and evolving. At the time of data collection, many hospices offered multiple different services by which a patient might obtain social support outside of their own home and in the presence of other patients.
Effect and mechanisms of kaempferol against endometriosis based on network pharmacology and in vitro experiments
Authors: Zhao Junde , Wang Juntao , Liu Jinxing , Li Shuling , Liu Pengfei , Zhang Xiaodan
Published: October 2022

Endometriosis is a common gynecological disease, and its underlying mechanisms remain elusive. Patients are at a higher risk of recurrence after surgery or drug withdrawal. In this study, to identify a potentially effective and safe therapy for endometriosis, we screened potential target genes of kaempferol on endometriosis using network pharmacology and further validation. Network pharmacology showed kaempferol may suppress migratory and invasive properties by modulating the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) pathway and its downstream target matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)9. Furthermore, in vitro experiments showed that kaempferol repressed the migration and invasion of endometrial cells, and this effect may be involved in mediating the PI3K-related genes, phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) and MMP9. Network pharmacology and in vitro experiments showed that kaempferol, repressed the implantation of endometrial cells and formation of ectopic lesions by inhibiting migration and invasion and regulating PTEN and MMP9, which may be associated with the PI3K pathway.