bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tongzhi Sovereignty: Taiwan’s lgbt Rights Movement and the Misplaced Critique of Homonationalism
Authors: Chen-Dedman Adam
Published: August 2022

This essay reviews the influential work of a group of Leftist ‘sex liberation’ scholars who pioneered queer sexuality studies in Taiwan in the 1990s. In doing so, it focuses on their post-2000 political rift with the mainstream Taiwanese lgbt (tongzhi) rights movement. What ostensibly began as a split over views of same-sex marriage has developed into a contentious politics of Chinese versus Taiwanese national identity and what I call ‘tongzhi sovereignty’. In bringing together both national identity and sexual politics in Taiwan as increasingly intertwined sites of contestation, I argue that the two must be theorised in tandem. As a fertile site for unpacking this contentious divergence, I examine and problematise the way that cultural theorist Jasbir Puar’s popular concept of homonationalism has circulated in scholarship of cultural/sexuality studies about Taiwan as a slanted and largely unchecked analytic to criticise lgbt sociolegal progress and, for some scholars, obscures a pro-unification agenda.
Event-triggered control of positive switched systems with randomly occurring state saturation
Authors: Jiao Chenxu , Zhang Junfeng , Jia Xianglei , Zhang Suhuan
Published: August 2022

This paper is concerned with the event-triggered control of positive switched systems with randomly occurring state saturation. First, a vector-based event-triggering condition is established. Thus, interval and polytope approaches are used to deal with the positivity and stability of the systems and the saturation, respectively. An event-triggered controller and the corresponding domain of attraction are designed by decomposing gain matrix into the sum of non-negative and non-positive components. The proposed design approach is developed for the systems with input saturation. Finally, two examples are given to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed design.
Numerical investigation of bending–torsion coupling effect on aeroacoustic noise of a flexible unmanned aerial vehicle propeller
Authors: Choi Yo-Seb , Hong Suk-Yoon , Song Jee-Hun
Published: August 2022

The recent explosion in interest into the use of UAVs for a wide range of commercial applications has also raised awareness of the issue of noise coming from UAVs. This paper introduces a method for predicting the aeroacoustic noise of a flexible UAV propeller while considering bending–torsion coupling. Numerical simulations of a flexible UAV propeller are conducted under hovering conditions to investigate the coupling effect on noise prediction using a fluid–structure interaction and acoustic model based on Formulation 1A of Farassat. The bending–torsion coupling leads to additional bending-induced torsional deformation along with considerable increases in noise and the overall sound pressure level. The results indicate that the noise evaluated without the coupling was underestimated compared to that evaluated with the coupling. Finally, the bending–torsion coupling is shown to be essential for precisely predicting the noise of a rotating flexible UAV propeller to respond to strengthening noise regulations.
Determinants of NPLs of Self-Help Group-Bank Linkage Program in India: Empirical Evidences and Policy Implications
Authors: Srikanth M. , M. A. Lagesh , C Mohammed Kasim
Published: August 2022

This article examines the major factors influencing the non-performing loans (NPLs) of the Self-Help Group-Bank Linkage Program (SHG-BLP) in India at both macro- and micro-levels. A panel regression analysis of the state-level data shows that the total outstanding loan amount, average loan size per SHG and poverty rate exert positive impacts, whereas gross state domestic product has a negative effect on gross non-performing loans (GNPLs). Analysis of primary data indicated a higher incidence of loan default by SHG members. Logit regression analysis employed on primary data suggests that the loan default by SHG members is positively associated with age and experience because of higher family responsibility and lesser incentive to repay the loan. On the other hand, self-employment, levels of income and savings show negative relations with loan default. Self-employed SHG members and those who make some savings are less likely to default on loans. Similarly, higher-income groups show less chance to default on loans. An analysis of the perceptions of the SHG members reveals that poor economic conditions, non-cooperation among members, social and medical expenses, and expectations of loan waiver from the government are the main reasons for loan defaults.
Catalytic reduction of 4-nitrophenol and methylene blue by biogenic gold nanoparticles synthesized using Carpobrotus edulis fruit (sour fig) extract
Authors: Madiehe Abram M , Moabelo Koena L , Modise Keletso , Sibuyi Nicole RS , Meyer Samantha , Dube Admire , Onani Martin O , Meyer Mervin
Published: August 2022

Along with the increasing requirement for efficient organic conversions using green chemistry, there is a need to develop highly efficient and eco-friendly catalytic reaction systems. Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs)-based nanocatalysts are promising candidates for the reduction of environmental pollutants, such as nitroaromatics and dyes. This study reports on the green synthesis of AuNPs using Carpobrotus edulis (C. edulis) fruit aqueous extract (CeFE) and their catalytic activities. The CeFE induced rapid reduction of gold (III) salt to form monodispersed and spherical AuNPs, with a core and hydrodynamic sizes of 40 and 108.7 nm, respectively. CeFE alone had no effect on 4-nitrophenol, whereas incubation with methylene blue (MB) caused reduction of the peak at 665 nm. Addition of CeFE-AuNPs in the presence of NaBH4, caused the reduction of 4-nitrophenol to 4-AP, and MB to leucoMB within 10 min. These reactions followed the pseudo first-order kinetics. Therefore, biogenic CeFE-AuNPs could be used for the elimination of noxious environmental pollutants.
Prognostic impact of NPM1 and FLT3 mutations in patients with AML in first remission treated with oral azacitidine
Authors: Döhner Hartmut , Wei Andrew H. , Roboz Gail J. , Montesinos Pau , Thol Felicitas R. , Ravandi Farhad , Dombret Hervé , Porkka Kimmo , Sandhu Irwindeep , Skikne Barry , See Wendy L. , Ugidos Manuel , Risueño Alberto , Chan Esther T. , Thakurta Anjan , Beach C.L. , Lopes de Menezes Daniel
Published: August 2022

The randomized, placebo-controlled, phase 3 QUAZAR AML-001 trial (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01757535) evaluated oral azacitidine (Oral-AZA) in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in first remission after intensive chemotherapy (IC) who were not candidates for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Eligible patients were randomized 1:1 to Oral-AZA 300 mg or placebo for 14 days per 28-day cycle. We evaluated relapse-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) in patient subgroups defined by NPM1 and FLT3 mutational status at AML diagnosis and whether survival outcomes in these subgroups were influenced by presence of post-IC measurable residual disease (MRD). Gene mutations at diagnosis were collected from patient case report forms; MRD was determined centrally by multiparameter flow cytometry. Overall, 469 of 472 randomized patients (99.4%) had available mutational data; 137 patients (29.2%) had NPM1 mutations (NPM1mut), 66 patients (14.1%) had FLT3 mutations (FLT3mut; with internal tandem duplications [ITD], tyrosine kinase domain mutations [TKDmut], or both), and 30 patients (6.4%) had NPM1mut and FLT3-ITD at diagnosis. Among patients with NPM1mut, OS and RFS were improved with Oral-AZA by 37% (hazard ratio [HR], 0.63; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.41-0.98) and 45% (HR, 0.55; 95% CI, 0.35-0.84), respectively, vs placebo. Median OS was improved numerically with Oral-AZA among patients with NPM1mut whether without MRD (48.6 months vs 31.4 months with placebo) or with MRD (46.1 months vs 10.0 months with placebo) post-IC. Among patients with FLT3mut, Oral-AZA improved OS and RFS by 37% (HR, 0.63; 95% CI, 0.35-1.12) and 49% (HR, 0.51; 95% CI, 0.27-0.95), respectively, vs placebo. Median OS with Oral-AZA vs placebo was 28.2 months vs 16.2 months, respectively, for patients with FLT3mut and without MRD and 24.0 months vs 8.0 months for patients with FLT3mut and MRD. In multivariate analyses, Oral-AZA significantly improved survival independent of NPM1 or FLT3 mutational status, cytogenetic risk, or post-IC MRD status.
Performance comparison of Agilent new SureSelect All Exon v8 probes with v7 probes for exome sequencing
Authors: Belova Vera , Shmitko Anna , Pavlova Anna , Afasizhev Robert , Cheranev Valery , Tabanakova Anastasia , Ponikarovskaya Natalya , Rebrikov Denis , Korostin Dmitriy
Published: August 2022

Exome sequencing is becoming a routine in health care, because it increases the chance of pinpointing the genetic cause of an individual patient's condition and thus making an accurate diagnosis. It is important for facilities providing genetic services to keep track of changes in the technology of exome capture in order to maximize throughput while reducing cost per sample. In this study, we focused on comparing the newly released exome probe set Agilent SureSelect Human All Exon v8 and the previous probe set v7. In preparation for higher throughput of exome sequencing using the DNBSEQ-G400, we evaluated target design, coverage statistics, and variants across these two different exome capture products. Although the target size of the v8 design has not changed much compared to the v7 design (35.24 Mb vs 35.8 Mb), the v8 probe design allows you to call more of SNVs (+ 3.06%) and indels (+ 8.49%) with the same number of raw reads per sample on the common target regions (34.84 Mb). Our results suggest that the new Agilent v8 probe set for exome sequencing yields better data quality than the current Agilent v7 set.
Predicting the presence of depressive symptoms in the HIV-HCV co-infected population in Canada using supervised machine learning
Authors: Marathe Gayatri , Moodie Erica E. M. , Brouillette Marie-Josée , Cox Joseph , Cooper Curtis , Delaunay Charlotte Lanièce , Conway Brian , Hull Mark , Martel-Laferrière Valérie , Vachon Marie-Louise , Walmsley Sharon , Wong Alexander , Klein Marina B. ,   Canadian Co-Infection Cohort, Barrett Lisa , Cohen Jeff , Côté Pierre , Gill John , Haider Shariq , Pick Neora , Rouleau Danielle , Sanche Steve , Sandre Roger
Published: August 2022

Background

Depression is common in the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-hepatitis C virus (HCV) co-infected population. Demographic, behavioural, and clinical data collected in research settings may be of help in identifying those at risk for clinical depression. We aimed to predict the presence of depressive symptoms indicative of a risk of depression and identify important classification predictors using supervised machine learning.

Methods

We used data from the Canadian Co-infection Cohort, a multicentre prospective cohort, and its associated sub-study on Food Security (FS). The Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale-10 (CES-D-10) was administered in the FS sub-study; participants were classified as being at risk for clinical depression if scores ≥ 10. We developed two random forest algorithms using the training data (80%) and tenfold cross validation to predict the CES-D-10 classes—1. Full algorithm with all candidate predictors (137 predictors) and 2. Reduced algorithm using a subset of predictors based on expert opinion (46 predictors). We evaluated the algorithm performances in the testing data using area under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUC) and generated predictor importance plots.

Results

We included 1,934 FS sub-study visits from 717 participants who were predominantly male (73%), white (76%), unemployed (73%), and high school educated (52%). At the first visit, median age was 49 years (IQR:43–54) and 53% reported presence of depressive symptoms with CES-D-10 scores ≥ 10. The full algorithm had an AUC of 0.82 (95% CI:0.78–0.86) and the reduced algorithm of 0.76 (95% CI:0.71–0.81). Employment, HIV clinical stage, revenue source, body mass index, and education were the five most important predictors.

Conclusion

We developed a prediction algorithm that could be instrumental in identifying individuals at risk for depression in the HIV-HCV co-infected population in research settings. Development of such machine learning algorithms using research data with rich predictor information can be useful for retrospective analyses of unanswered questions regarding impact of depressive symptoms on clinical and patient-centred outcomes among vulnerable populations.
Associations of multiple chronic disease and depressive symptoms with incident stroke among Chinese middle-aged and elderly adults: a nationwide population-based cohort study
Authors: Hu Jingyang , Zheng Xinyu , Shi Guangduoji , Guo Lan
Published: August 2022

Background

With the population aging, multiple chronic diseases, depressive symptoms, and stroke are increasingly common among middle-aged and elderly adults worldwide. This study aimed to explore the independent associations of multiple chronic diseases and depressive symptoms as well as their combination with incident stroke in a prospective cohort of Chinese middle-aged and elderly adults, and to sensitively estimate the association between each type of chronic disease and incident stroke.

Methods

This study used data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS). A total of 8389 participants meeting the inclusion criteria at baseline (between 2011 and 2012) survey were included, and 7108 eligible participants completed the follow-up survey over 8 years (Wave 4, in 2018). Questionnaire information, physical examination, and clinical and biochemical measurements were collected.

Results

The mean (SD) age at baseline was 58.5 (± 9.1) years. Multiple chronic disease and depressive symptoms were independently associated with incident stroke. After adjusting for control variables, patients having 1 type of chronic disease and depressive symptoms were at 1.943 (95% CI = 1.166–3.238) times higher risk of incident stroke than those without chronic disease and depressive symptoms, and patients having at least 2 types of chronic diseases and depressive symptoms were at 3.000 (95% CI = 1.846–4.877) times higher risk of incident stroke; the magnitudes of the associations increased by the numbers of having chronic diseases and depressive symptoms. Sensitivity analyses incorporating all five types of chronic disease (i.e., hypertension, dyslipidemia, heart disease, diabetes, and chronic kidney disease) showed that the magnitude of the associations between hypertension and incident stroke was most significant.

Conclusions

We identified significant independent and combined longitudinal associations of multiple chronic diseases and depressive symptoms with incident stroke, and the combined associations reflected a dose–response relationship. The association between hypertension and incident stroke was strongest among the five chronic diseases.
Cost effectiveness of sodium zirconium cyclosilicate for the treatment of hyperkalaemia in patients with CKD in Norway and Sweden
Authors: Kim Kun , Fagerström Josefine , Chen Gengshi , Lagunova Zoya , Furuland Hans , McEwan Phil
Published: August 2022

Background

Hyperkalaemia is common in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and is associated with a range of adverse outcomes. Historically, options for management of chronic hyperkalaemia in the outpatient setting have been limited. Novel oral potassium binders provide a safe, effective therapy for maintenance of normokalaemia in patients with CKD, but despite being approved for reimbursement in many countries, prescription data indicate uptake has been slower than anticipated. This analysis aimed to demonstrate the value to patients and the healthcare system of the potassium binder sodium zirconium cyclosilicate (SZC) for treatment of hyperkalaemia in patients with CKD in Norway and Sweden.

Methods

A published simulation model reflecting the natural history of CKD was adapted to the Norwegian and Swedish settings and used to predict long-term health economic outcomes of treating hyperkalaemia with SZC versus usual care.

Results

SZC was highly cost effective compared to usual care in Norway and Sweden, with incremental cost-effectiveness ratios of €14,838/QALY in Norway and €14,352/QALY in Sweden, over a lifetime horizon. The acquisition cost of SZC was largely offset by cost savings associated with reductions in hyperkalaemia events and hospitalisations; a modest overall increase in costs was predominantly attributable to costs associated with gains in life years compared with usual care. SZC remained cost effective in all scenarios examined.

Conclusions

SZC was estimated to be cost effective for treating hyperkalaemia. Consequently, improving access to a clinically effective, safe and cost-effective therapy, such as SZC, may result in considerable benefits for CKD patients with hyperkalaemia.
Betamethasone use and risk factors for pulmonary edema during the perinatal period: a single-center retrospective cohort study in Japan
Authors: Nishikawa Takashi , Fukuhara Ken
Published: August 2022

Background

A few studies have reported that maternal administration of antenatal corticosteroids increased the risk of pulmonary edema (PE). However, despite the increasing usage rate of betamethasone as antenatal corticosteroid, maternal administration of betamethasone as a risk factor for PE has not been well studied. This study aimed to evaluate how maternal backgrounds and complications, tocolytic agents, and betamethasone affect the incidence of PE during the perinatal period and determine the risk factor for PE.

Methods

This was a single-center retrospective cohort study in Kurashiki, Japan. The study subjects were patients who had been admitted to our hospital for perinatal management including pregnancy, delivery and puerperium between 2017 and 2020. The primary outcome measure was defined as the incidence of PE during hospitalization. First, in all study subjects, Cox proportional hazards model was used to determine the risk factor for PE during the perinatal period. Next, using propensity score matching, we divided the patients into the betamethasone and betamethasone-free groups and examined the association between betamethasone use and the incidence of PE with Cox proportional hazards model.

Results

During the study period, 4919 cases were hospitalized, and there were 16 PE cases (0.3%). In all analyzed subjects, the occurrence of PE was significantly associated with preeclampsia (hazard ratio 16.8, 95% confidence intervals (CI) 5.39–52.7, P < 0.001) and the combined use of the tocolytic agents such as ritodrine hydrochloride and magnesium sulfate, and betamethasone (hazard ratio 11.3, 95% CI 2.66–48.1, P = 0.001). In contrast, after propensity score matching, no statistically significant difference was found between the betamethasone and betamethasone-free groups in the incidence of PE (hazard ratio 3.19, 95% CI 0.67–15.3, P = 0.145).

Conclusions

A combined use of tocolytic agents and antenatal corticosteroids such as betamethasone may be an independent risk factor for PE during the perinatal period. On the other hand, betamethasone use alone may not be associated with the incidence of PE. When tocolytic agents and betamethasone are administrated to pregnant women, it is important to pay attention to the appearance of maternal respiratory symptoms.
Validation of brief screening instruments for internalizing and externalizing disorders in Mozambican adolescents
Authors: Lovero Kathryn L. , Adam Salma Ebrahim , Bila Carolina Ezequias , Canda Elda D. , Fernandes Maria Eduarda , Rodrigues Teresa I. Baltazar , Sander Mariel C. Tai , Mellins Claude A. , Duarte Cristiane S. , dos Santos Palmira Fortunato , Wainberg Milton L.
Published: August 2022

Background

Mental disorders are the leading cause of disability for youth worldwide. However, there is a dearth of validated, brief instruments to assess mental health in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). We aimed to facilitate identification of mental disorders in LMIC contexts by adapting and validating measures of internalizing and externalizing disorders for adolescents in Mozambique, an LMIC in southeastern Africa.

Methods

We selected instruments with good support for validity in high-income and other LMIC settings: the Patient Health Questionnaire Adolescent (PHQ-A), Generalized Anxiety Disorders 7 (GAD-7), and Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Instruments were adapted by local and international mental health specialists followed by cognitive interviews (n = 48) with Mozambican adolescents. We administered the instruments along with the Miniature International Neuropsychiatric Interview for Children and Adolescents (MINI-KID)to 485 adolescents aged 12–19 years attending two secondary schools in Maputo City, Mozambique. One week later, we re-administered instruments to a randomly selected sample of 49 adolescents.

Results

Participants were 66.2% (n = 321) female and the average age was 15.9 (S.D = 1.7).Internal consistency (alpha = 0.80, PHQ-A; 0.84, GAD-7; 0.80, SDQ) and test–retest reliabilty (ICC = 0.74, PHQ-A; 0.70, GAD-7; 0.77, SDQ) were acceptabe for the PHQ-A, GAD-7, and the full SDQ. The SDQ internalizing subscale showed poor test–retest reliability (ICC = 0.63) and the SDQ externalizing subscale showed poor internal consistency (alpha = 0.65). All instruments demonstrated good sensitivity and specificity (> 0.70). Youden’s index identified optimal cutoff scores of 8 for the PHQ-A, 5 for the GAD-7, 10 for the SDQ internalizing and 9 for the SDQ externalizing subscales, though a range of scores provided acceptable sensitivity and specificity.

Conclusions

Our data supports reliability and validity of the PHQ-A, GAD-7, and SDQ instruments for rapidly assessing mental health problems in Mozambican adolescents. Use of these tools in other contexts with limited specialists may asist with expanding mental health assessment. Specific instrument and cutoff selection should be based on screening goals, treatment resources, and program objectives.
Cost and effectiveness of one session treatment (OST) for children and young people with specific phobias compared to multi-session cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT): results from a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Wang Han-I. , Wright Barry , Tindall Lucy , Cooper Cindy , Biggs Katie , Lee Ellen , Teare M. Dawn , Gega Lina , Scott Alexander J. , Hayward Emily , Solaiman Kiera , Davis Thompson , McMillan Dean , Gilbody Simon , Parrott Steve
Published: August 2022

Background

In the UK, around 93,000 (0.8%) children and young people (CYP) are experiencing specific phobias that have a substantial impact on daily life. The current gold-standard treatment—multi-session cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) – is effective at reducing specific phobia severity; however, CBT is time consuming, requires specialist CBT therapists, and is often at great cost and limited availability. A briefer variant of CBT called one session treatment (OST) has been found to offer similar clinical effectiveness for specific phobia as multi-session CBT. The aim of this study was to assess the cost-effectiveness of OST compared to multi-session CBT for CYP with specific phobias through the Alleviating Specific Phobias Experienced by Children Trial (ASPECT), a two-arm, pragmatic, multi-centre, non-inferiority randomised controlled trial.

Methods

CYP aged seven to 16 years with specific phobias were recruited nationally via Health and Social Care pathways, remotely randomised to the intervention group (OST) or the control group (CBT-based therapies) and analysed (n = 267). Resource use based on NHS and personal social services perspective and quality adjusted life years (QALYs) measured by EQ-5D-Y were collected at baseline and at six-month follow-up. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) was calculated, and non-parametric bootstrapping was conducted to capture the uncertainty around the ICER estimates. The results were presented on a cost-effectiveness acceptability curve (CEAC). A set of sensitivity analyses (including taking a societal perspective) were conducted to assess the robustness of the primary findings.

Results

After adjustment and bootstrapping, on average CYP in the OST group incurred less costs (incremental cost was -£302.96 (95% CI -£598.86 to -£28.61)) and maintained similar improvement in QALYs (QALYs gained 0.002 (95% CI − 0.004 to 0.008)). The CEAC shows that the probability of OST being cost-effective was over 95% across all the WTP thresholds. Results of a set of sensitivity analyses were consistent with the primary outcomes.

Conclusion

Compared to CBT, OST produced a reduction in costs and maintained similar improvement in QALYs. Results from both primary and sensitivity analyses suggested that OST was highly likely to be cost saving.

Trial registration

ISRCTN19883421 (30/11/2016).
Herbal Medicine (HM) among pharmacy professionals working in drug retail outlets in Asmara, Eritrea: knowledge, attitude and prevalence of use
Authors: Goitom Alemseghed , Yemane Feruz , Tsegay Mussie , Kifleyesus Amanuel , Siele Senai Mihreteab , Tesfamariam Eyasu H. , Abdu Nuru
Published: August 2022

Background

Globally, the usage of herbal medicines (HMs) is increasingly growing in treating and preventing various ailments. Although, HMs play a vital role in healthcare, concerns have been raised over their safety. Since pharmacy professionals are at the right position to provide patients with evidence-based information on herbals, they should be knowledgeable enough on the subject matter. Thus, the aim of the study was to assess the knowledge, attitude and prevalence of HMs use and its associated factors among pharmacy professionals.

Method

An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted among pharmacy professionals working in drug retail outlets in Asmara (the capital city of Eritrea). A census design was employed and data were collected through face-to-face interview. Data were entered and analyzed using Census and Survey Processing System (version-7.2) and IBM Statistical Package for Social Sciences (version 26), respectively. Descriptive and analytical statistics including Mann-Whitney U test/Kruskal-Wallis test and logistic regression were employed. P-values less than 0.05 were considered as significant.

Results

A total of 50 pharmacy professionals (90.9% response rate) were enrolled in the study. Majority of them (62%) were males and two-thirds had a bachelor’s degree. The overall median (Interquartile range, IQR) knowledge score was found to be 24 (12.16) out of 100 with a minimum score of 8 and maximum score of 53. Generally, the median (IQR) attitude score was 70.4 (4.2) out of 100. Majority (78%) of them had used HM for self-treatment. Only religion was found to be a significant determinant of knowledge on indication of HMs (p = 0.015), while attitude score was independent of the potential determining factors. Moreover, prevalence of use was significantly associated with pharmacy ownership (Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) =14.44, 95%Confidence Interval (CI): 1.67, 124.52) as well as with the percentage attitude score (AOR = 0.632, 95%CI: 0.41, 0.96) at multivariable level.

Conclusion

Generally, the overall knowledge score of pharmacy professionals was low. However, they possessed positive attitude towards herbal medicines. Besides, there was prevalent usage of herbal medicine for self-treatment. This outcome triggers the need for educational courses and workshops centered on herbal medicine.
High triglyceride-glucose index in young adulthood is associated with incident cardiovascular disease and mortality in later life: insight from the CARDIA study
Authors: Xu Xinghao , Huang Rihua , Lin Yifen , Guo Yue , Xiong Zhenyu , Zhong Xiangbin , Ye Xiaomin , Li Miaohong , Zhuang Xiaodong , Liao Xinxue
Published: August 2022

Background

This study aimed to investigate the associations between the triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index in young adulthood with incident cardiovascular disease (CVD) and mortality.

Methods

We included 4,754 participants from the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults study at baseline. The TyG index was calculated as ln (fasting TG [mg/dl] × fasting glucose [mg/dl]/2), and the TyG index trajectories were identified by using the latent class growth mixture model. We evaluated the association between the baseline and trajectories of the TyG index with incident CVD events and all-cause mortality using Cox proportional hazards regression analysis. The added value of the TyG index included in pooled cohort equations for CVD prediction was also analyzed.

Results

Among 4754 participants (mean age 24.72 years, 45.8% male, 51.2% black), there were 158 incident CVD events and 246 all-cause mortality during a median 25 years follow-up. After adjusting for multiple confounding variables, each one-unit increase in the TyG index was associated with a 96% higher CVD risk (hazard ratio [HR] 1.96, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.44–2.66) and a 85% higher all-cause mortality risk (HR 1.85, 95% CI 1.45–2.36). Three distinct trajectories of the TyG index along the follow-up duration were identified: low (44.0%), moderate (45.5%), and high (10.5%). Compared with those participants in the low TyG index trajectory group, those in the high TyG index trajectory group had a greater risk of CVD events (HR 2.35, 95% CI 1.34–4.12) and all-cause mortality (HR 3.04, 95% CI 1.83–5.07). The addition of baseline TyG index to pooled cohort equations for CVD improved the C-statistics (P < 0.001), integrated discrimination improvement value (P < 0.001), and category-free net reclassification improvement value (P = 0.003).

Conclusions

Higher baseline TyG index levels and higher long-term trajectory of TyG index during young adulthood were significantly associated with an increased risk of incident CVD events and all-cause mortality in later life.
Posterior-only debridement, bone fusion, single-segment versus short-segment instrumentation for mono-segmental lumbar or lumbosacral pyogenic vertebral osteomyelitis: minimum five year follow-up outcomes
Authors: Zhang Hong-Qi , Wang Yu-Xiang , Guo Chao-feng , Tang Ming-xing , Liu Shao-hua , Deng Ang , Gao Qile
Published: August 2022

Background

Pyogenic vertebral osteomyelitis (PVO), which is a potentially life-threatening condition and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality, is a cause of back pain that can lead to neurologic deficits if not diagnosed in time and effectively treated. The objective of this study is to compare the efficacy of posterior single-segment and short-segment fixation combined with one-stage posterior debridement and fusion for the treatment of mono-segmental lumbar or lumbosacral PVO.

Methods

Charts of all patients with mono-segmental lumbar or lumbosacral PVO were treated by single-stage posterior debridement, bone graft fusion, and pedicle screw fixation from April 2012 to January 2016. All patients were divided into two groups: sinlge-segment fixation (Group A, n = 31) and short-segment fixation (Group B, n = 36). These patients were followed up for a minimum of five years. The clinical efficacy was evaluated and compared on average operation time, blood loss, visual analog scale (VAS), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-Reactive protein (CRP), neurological function recovery and local lordotic angle.

Results

All 67 patients were completely cured during the follow-up. All patients had significant improvement of neurological condition and pain relief at the final follow-up. The VAS was 7.1 ± 0.7 in group A and 7.2 ± 0.6 in group B pre-operatively, which decreased to 2.1 ± 0.6 and 2.0 ± 0.7, respectively, at three months after surgery, then reduced to 0.4 ± 0.5 and 0.5 ± 0.5, respectively, at the final follow-up. ESR, CRP returned to normal limits in all patients 3 months after surgery. The mean blood loss and operation time in group A were less than that in group B (P < 0.05). The local lordotic angle in group A was increased from preoperative − 1.7 ± 7.9° to postoperative 5.8 ± 7.1°, with angle loss of 1.5 ± 0.8° at the final follow-up, respectively (P < 0.05). The local lordotic angle in group B was increased from preoperative − 1.6 ± 7.8° to postoperative 13.5 ± 6.2°, with angle loss of 1.3 ± 0.8° at the final follow-up, respectively (P < 0.05). In the mean postoperative local lordotic angle, there was significant difference between the two groups at the time of immediate postoperative period or the final follow-up (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Posterior-only debridement, interbody graft using titanium mesh cage, posterior single-segment instrumentation and fusion represent a safe and effective treatment option for selected patients with mono-segmental lumbar and lumbosacral PVO. This approach may preserve more lumbar normal motor units with less blood loss and operation time when compared with that of short-segment fixation. But short-segment fixation was superior to the single-segment fixation in the correction of kyphosis.
Letter to the editor regarding “Epidemiologic analysis of 8000 acute vertebral fractures: evolution of treatment and complications at 10-year follow-up”
Authors: Doll Dietrich , Luedi Markus M.
Published: August 2022

In this letter to the editor, we discuss the article by Bigdon et al., published recently in the Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research, about their accurate single-centre cohort study of 8000 vertebral fractures in 4772 patients. As the complication rate of this cohort is low, it seems that severe trauma patients needing damage control resuscitation/procedures may have undergone damage control in the first treating hospital before being transferred to the trauma centre. It will be interesting to see how both activity and health trends within the ageing population will change osteoporotic occurrence of fractures and enable more conservative trends versus operative stabilization to continue an active life even in the seventh or eighth decade.
Validation of the Behavioral Anger Response Questionnaire for Children (BARQ-C) in a large community sample of Vietnamese middle adolescents in Hanoi
Authors: Shochet Ian , Orr Jayne , Cockshaw Wendell , Tran Thach , La Nga , Nguyen Huong , Nguyen Nga , Wurfl Astrid , Nguyen Hau , Stocker Ruby , Fisher Jane
Published: August 2022

Background

Depression and other forms of psychological distress are common among Vietnamese adolescents and increase the risk of mental health problems in adulthood. As anger coping is a robust predictor of adolescent mental health difficulties, and there appear to be cultural variations in anger coping, a measure of adolescent anger coping styles that has been validated using a non-Western adolescent sample is required to inform and support early intervention to prevent or treat mental health difficulties in Vietnamese adolescents. This study examined the construct validity (structural and external) of the Behavioral Anger Response Questionnaire for Children in Vietnam (BARQC-V).

Methods

Baseline data sourced from a recent randomised control trial conducted with Grade 10 Vietnamese adolescents aged 14 to 16 (N = 1084) were used to examine multiple aspects of construct validity: factorial structure (evaluated using factor analysis); internal consistency (tested using Cronbach’s alpha coefficient); and external aspect (assessed using Pearson’s correlation coefficients between the BARQC-V and Vietnamese translations of the Coping Self-Efficacy Scale, Centre for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale Revised, Mental Health Continuum Short Form, and the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale).

Results

Evaluating factorial structure using confirmatory factor analysis failed to converge on a solution. Exploratory factor analysis yielded a 5-factor structure model that explained 49.32% of the BARQC-V’s total variance and was deemed to be a good fit by the final confirmatory factor analysis. Cronbach’s alpha coefficients of the 5 factors demonstrated acceptable internal reliability for the BARQC-V’s sub-scales. Concerning concurrent validity, three sub-scales predicted well-being and mental health difficulties: the maladaptive anger coping styles Rumination and Direct Anger-out were positively associated with depression and distress, and negatively associated with coping self-efficacy and mental well-being; and the adaptive anger coping style Assertion was positively associated with coping self-efficacy and mental well-being, and negatively associated with depression.

Conclusions

The BARQC-V provides a validated measure of three anger coping strategies used by adolescents in Vietnam (Rumination, Direct Anger-out, and Assertion) that can be used to improve detection and treatment of mental health difficulties in this population, and as a starting point by future research to develop a much-needed gold standard measure of anger coping for adults, adolescents and children world-wide.
Global Myeloma Trial Participation and Drug Access in the Era of Novel Therapies
Authors: Fatoki Raleigh Ayoolu , Koehn Kelly , Kelkar Amar , Al Hadidi Samer , Mehra Nikita , Mian Hira , Landgren Ola , Kazandjian Dickran , Hoffman James , Sborov Douglas W. , Mohyuddin Ghulam Rehman
Published: August 2022

PURPOSE

The globalization of clinical trials has accelerated recent advances in multiple myeloma (MM). However, it is unclear whether trial enrollment locations are reflective of the global burden of MM and whether access to novel therapies is timely and equitable for countries that participate in those trials.

METHODS

To assess this, we characterized where MM trials that led to US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approvals were conducted and determined how often and quickly these drug regimens received approval in their participating trial countries on the basis of country income level and geographic region.

RESULTS

A systematic review was conducted to identify all MM clinical trials that met their primary endpoint, enrolled patients outside the United States, and resulted in FDA approval from 2005 to 2019. A total of 18 pivotal MM clinical trials were identified. High-income countries enrolled patients in 100% (18/18) of the trials identified, whereas upper-middle and lower-middle-income countries were represented in 61% (11/18) and 28% (5/18) of trials, respectively. No patients from low-income countries were enrolled. One trial enrolled patients in sub-Saharan Africa, and no trials enrolled patients in South Asia/Caribbean. For drugs/regimens that were approved in their participating countries, the median time from FDA approval to approval was 10.9 months. There were no drugs approved in lower-middle-income trial countries. MM trials leading to FDA approval are generally run in high-income, European, and Central Asian countries.

CONCLUSION

There are substantial disparities in where novel therapies are evaluated and where they are ultimately approved for use on the basis of income level and geography.
Palestinian American Women’s Marriages within and beyond Borders
Authors: Othman Enaya Hammad
Published: August 2022

This article explores American Palestinian women’s discursive strategies and identity politics by which they take control of their marital choices. Through the analysis of sixteen in-depth interviews with second-generation Palestinian women and personal observations within the community, the article shows that nationalist and religious discourses produced by the historical contexts respectively stimulated (semi)arranged in-group marriages in the 1990s and self-initiated exogamous marriages as of the early 2000s. Among the group, Islam has become the primary form of identification, and religious discourse has been circulating within Islamic institutions post-1980s. Based on this transformation, the study draws on the strategic use of religious sentiments and Islamic discourse and argues that women’s prioritization of Islamic identity has increased their agency in spouse selection and marriage process. Women’s negotiations within an Islamic framework also expose the ways Muslim women counter and redefine gender roles by fortifying their religious beliefs and reinterpreting Islamic doctrine.
Reasons for the Weakening of the Scientific Component of Accounting Knowledge
Authors: Mislavskaya N.
Published: August 2022

The article examines the current stage of development of the accounting system and accounting (financial) reporting. The author, based on the analysis of the logical and methodological principles of cognition, comes to the conclusion that the classical, fundamental criteria accompanying the receipt of scientific results have been violated. The symbiosis of logic and imitative logic, against the background of the corresponding scientific justification, leads to the receipt of pseudo-results of research. However, the presence of priority groups of users of accounting (financial) statements allows for a further process of "modernization" of accounting knowledge.
Las novelas de Ángel García Ronda sobre el terrorismo de ETA
Authors: Rodríguez Jiménez José Luis
Published: August 2022

El artículo analiza las cuatro novelas que Ángel García Ronda, político y escritor, ha dedicado a ETA y a la situación vivida en el País Vasco como consecuencia del terrorismo. Es un autor importante para el conocimiento del terrorismo en la literatura, por los siguientes motivos: su condición de nacido en San Sebastián en 1939, donde ha vivido toda su vida, el desempeño de cargos significativos en el Partido Socialista Obrero Español y en el Partido Socialista de Euskadi, haber llevado escolta durante dos décadas, haber sufrido el asesinato de amigos y conocidos y, en consecuencia, tener amplia experiencia, pública y privada, de lo acontecido en el País Vasco durante varias décadas de actividad terrorista. Atendemos a la génesis, contenidos, intencionalidad e historicidad de la tetralogía que el autor ha bautizado como Áspera memoria.
“No Time for Love”: Radical Basque Nationalist-Irish Republican Relations and the Emergence of a Shared Political Culture (1981–98)
Authors: Cullen Niall
Published: August 2022

Following the deaths of ten Irish republican hunger strikers in 1981, radical Basque nationalists and Irish republicans of the Basque izquierda abertzale (‘patriotic left’) and Irish republican movement respectively, began to develop ever closer ties of transnational “solidarity”. In addition to the relationship between Herri Batasuna and Sinn Féin, more ad hoc organisational links in areas such as youth, prisoner, and language advocacy, fostered a shared political culture at the intersection of both movements, which was periodically reflected through the prism of cultural expression (e.g., music, political art [murals], literature, audiovisual media). Utilising a wide array of primary sources, this article explores and analyses the emergence and development of this transnational nexus, from the hunger strikes of 1981 to the signing of the Good Friday Agreement in 1998.
Tengo derecho a no perdonar. Testimonios italianos de víctimas del terrorismo. Testemunhos italianos de vítimas de terrorismo
Authors: Avilés Farré Juan
Published: August 2022

En los últimos años se ha comenzado a otorgar a las víctimas, tradicionalmente olvidadas, un papel destacado en la historia y la memoria de los fenómenos terroristas. La voz de las víctimas se ha comenzado a escuchar. Este artículo analiza la aportación que suponen los nueve libros publicados en Italia por víctimas directas o familiares de víctimas del terrorismo, que abordan sus experiencias personales desde ángulos muy diversos y en conjunto presentan un testimonio del mayor interés.
La suerte de los voluntarios yihadistas del Estado Islámico en la serie The State (TV, 2017)
Authors: Barrenechea Marañón Igor
Published: August 2022

La constitución del Estado Islámico (Dáesh o ISIS) se erigió como una realidad muy peligrosa, que iba a aprovecharse de la debilidad de Siria e Irak para convertirse en una seria amenaza para el equilibrio en Oriente Medio (entre 20142019). Su llamada a la yihad seduciría a miles de musulmanes de todo el mundo que acudieron a luchar por su consolidación y expansión, y ello preocuparía a los países occidentales que vieron como también acudían sus propios ciudadanos. La preocupación por este fenómeno dio lugar a la realización de la miniserie británica The State (TV, 2017), donde se trata y describe la vida y suerte de varios voluntarios europeos en los territorios bajo el dominio del Estado Islámico. Este artículo aborda, desde la perspectiva de la historia visual, las claves ideológicas y discursivas que plantea esta ficción televisiva.
El activismo anticolonial francés y América Latina: La organización Solidarité y su relación con las guerrillas latinoamericanas (1962-1970)
Authors: Martín Álvarez Alberto
Published: August 2022

Este trabajo constituye un primer acercamiento al papel que la izquierda anticolonial francesa tuvo en la solidaridad activa con grupos guerrilleros y movimientos de liberación de América Latina. Para ello, el texto reconstruye el proceso de surgimiento y desarrollo de la organización Solidarité, fundada por veteranos de las redes francesas de apoyo al FLN argelino y analiza las relaciones establecidas con organizaciones revolucionarias latinoamericanas, particularmente en la República Dominicana desde mediados de los años sesenta. La evidencia empírica fundamental de este trabajo la constituye el archivo de Solidarité depositado en los fondos del International Institute of Social History (IISH) de Amsterdam. Junto a ello, se ha hecho uso de diversas fuentes secundarias, incluyendo biografías de activistas clave de Solidarité, entre otras.
Los códigos geopolíticos estadounidenses ante los destellos de la Revolución Cubana
Authors: García de las Heras González Mariano
Published: August 2022

La guerrilla liderada por Fidel Castro y las implicaciones políticas de su triunfo en el año 1959 constituyen un objeto de estudio ampliamente investigado. El presente texto busca ofrecer una lectura de las respuestas estadounidenses a través de la construcción de un código geopolítico, que pretende neutralizar la inspiración revolucionaria producida por el ejemplo cubano en América Latina. El análisis recurre a una serie de fuentes primarias para subrayar las vertientes políticas, económicas y diplomáticas que configuran la política exterior de la Casa Blanca no sólo hacia Cuba, sino también hacia el resto de la región.
Conflictos ambientales en ecosistemas de alta montaña. Estudio de caso del páramo de Ocetá
Authors: Rueda Ardila Carlos Alfonso
Published: August 2022

El modelo de desarrollo altamente dependiente de recursos naturales tanto renovablescomo no renovables ha devenido en conflictos ambientales antes, durante y después dela obtención y el aprovechamiento de estos. Igualmente, las alarmas generadas por lacomunidad científica, académica y civil sobre el agotamiento en cantidad y calidad delambiente por culpa de actividades antrópicas y su impacto en los distintos ecosistemas,la fauna, la flora y en la supervivencia misma de los seres humanos llevaron a generarun andamiaje normativo que blindara ecosistemas de especial importancia ecológicapor medio de usos del suelo que permitan garantizar la funcionalidad de los serviciosecosistémicos prestados por estos. De ahí que se crearan áreas protegidas con usos delsuelo determinados en algunos casos obviando que en estas áreas existen asentamientoshumanos de comunidades étnicas, campesinas y rurales, cuyas costumbres y usos delsuelo pueden ir en contravía de los usos permitidos. Bajo esa tesitura, este libro abordaparte de las tensiones existentes entre el estilo de vida de las comunidades asentadasen el páramo de Ocetá y los usos del suelo permitidos en este imponente lugar pormedio de la caracterización de los conflictos ambientales existentes, y a partir de elloesbozar una propuesta para atender tales conflictos desde la administración, gestióny justicia ambiental.