bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Incidence and Impact of Acute Pericarditis in Hospitalized Patients With COVID‐19
Authors: Li Pengyang , Shi Ao , Lu Xiaojia , Li Chenlin , Cai Peng , Teng Catherine , Liu Bolun , Wu Lingling , Liu Qi , Wang Bin
Published: October 2023

Background

Acute pericarditis (AP) is considered a cardiovascular complication in patients with COVID‐19. We aimed to ass‐ess the incidence, associated complications, and clinical impact of AP on hospitalized patients with COVID‐19.

Methods and Results

In this retrospective cohort study,
International Classification of Diseases, Tenthth Revision, Clinical Modification
(
ICD‐10
) codes were used to identify patients with COVID‐19 with or without AP in the National Inpatient Sample 2020 database. We compared outcomes between AP and non‐AP groups before and after propensity‐score matching for patient and hospital demographics and relevant comorbidities. A total of 211 619 patients with a primary diagnosis of COVID‐19 were identified, including 983 (0.46%) patients who had a secondary diagnosis of AP. Before matching, patients with COVID‐19 with AP were younger (59.93±19.24 years old versus 64.29±16.82 years old) and more likely to have anemia (40.5% versus 19.9%), cancer (6.7% versus 3.6%), and chronic kidney disease (29.3% versus 19.6%) (all
P
<0.05). After matching, patients with COVID‐19 with AP (n=980), when compared with the matched non‐AP group (n=2936), had higher rates of mortality (21.3% versus 11.1%,
P
<0.001), cardiac arrest (5.0% versus 2.6%,
P
<0.001), cardiogenic shock (4.2% versus 0.5%,
P
<0.001), ventricular arrhythmia (4.7% versus 1.9%,
P
<0.001), acute kidney injury (38.3% versus 28.9%,
P
<0.001), acute congestive heart failure (14.3% versus 4.8%,
P
<0.001), and longer length of stay (7.00±10.00 days versus 5.00±7.00 days,
P
<0.001) and higher total charges ($75066.5±$130831.3 versus $44824.0±$63660.5,
P
<0.001).

Conclusions

In hospitalized patients with COVID‐19, AP is a rare but severe in‐hospital complication and is associated with worse in‐hospital outcomes.
Dialysis Modality and Incident Stroke Among Patients With End-Stage Kidney Disease: A Registry-Based Cohort Study
Authors: Peng Ching-Hsiu , Hsieh Tsung-Han , Chu Ting-Wen , Lin Ting-Yun , Hung Szu-Chun
Published: October 2023

BACKGROUND:

Patients with end-stage kidney disease undergoing dialysis are at significant risk of stroke. Whether dialysis modality is associated with cerebrovascular disease is unclear. This study compared the risk of incident stroke in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis or hemodialysis.

METHODS:

Thirty-nine thousand five hundred forty-two patients without a history of stroke who initiated dialysis between January 1, 2010, and December 31, 2014 were retrospectively studied using Taiwan’s National Health Insurance Research Database. We matched 3809 patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis (mean age 59±13 years; 46.5% women) and 11 427 patients undergoing hemodialysis (mean age 59±13 years; 47.3% women) by propensity score in a 1:3 ratio with follow-up through December 31, 2015. The primary outcome was incident acute ischemic stroke. Secondary outcomes included hemorrhagic stroke, acute coronary syndrome, and all-cause mortality. Cox proportional hazard models were conducted to determine hazard ratios of clinical outcomes according to the dialysis modality.

RESULTS:

During a median follow-up of 2.59 (interquartile range 1.50–3.93) years, acute ischemic stroke, hemorrhagic stroke, and acute coronary syndrome occurred in 783 (5.1%), 376 (2.5%), and 1350 (8.9%) patients, respectively. In a multivariable Cox model that accounted for the competing risk of death, acute ischemic stroke occurred more frequently in the peritoneal dialysis group than in the hemodialysis group (subdistribution hazard ratio, 1.32 [95% CI, 1.13–1.54];
P
=0.0005). There were no significant treatment-related differences in the risk of hemorrhagic stroke (subdistribution hazard ratio, 0.89 [95% CI, 0.70–1.14];
P
=0.3571) and acute coronary syndrome (subdistribution hazard ratio, 0.99 [95% CI, 0.88–1.12];
P
=0.9080). Patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis were more likely to die from any cause than patients undergoing hemodialysis (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.24 [95% CI, 1.15–1.33];
P
<0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS:

Peritoneal dialysis was associated with a significantly increased risk of acute ischemic stroke compared with hemodialysis. Further studies are needed to clarify whether more aggressive cerebrovascular preventive strategies might mitigate the excess risk for ischemic stroke among patients receiving peritoneal dialysis.
IMPROVING TURKEY'S NATURAL GAS DEMAND FORECASTS: A DATA ANALYTICS APPROACH
Authors: AVCI Ezgi
Published: October 2023

As the world population and consequently energy demand is rapidly increasing, primary energy sources are needed for sustainable development. One fifth of the world's energy needs are provided by natural gas, due to it being the cleanest burning fossil fuel. However, as a fossil fuel, natural gas is a limited resource and requires efficient use. Therefore, planning for natural gas consumption is of great importance. The most critical input for this planning is natural gas demand forecasts. Due to the increasing importance of the subject, numerous studies on natural gas demand forecasting have been conducted in the literature. However, the scientific studies carried out in Turkey are quite limited. In this article, the current demand forecast situation in Turkey is revealed, and a data analytics approach based on big data is developed and proposed.
A nomenclatural correction in Leobordea (Crotalarieae, Fabaceae)
Authors: BOATWRIGHT J. STEPHEN
Published: October 2023

N/A
A new species and new records of Sericini chafers from the Lower Gangetic Plains in India (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Sericinae)
Authors: BHUNIA DEBIKA , GUPTA DEVANSHU , SARKAR SUBHANKAR KUMAR , AHRENS DIRK
Published: October 2023

Here, we investigated the diversity of Sericini in the faunistically rather unknown Lower Gangetic plains in North India, based on material from the collection of the Zoological Survey of India. We discovered one new species from West Bengal, Maladera kolkataensis Bhunia, Gupta, Sarkar & Ahrens, and provide further records of an additional 23 species belonging to five genera from the lowlands of the states Bihar and West Bengal. Out of these, 21 species represent new state records: 12 for Bihar and nine for West Bengal. All recorded species are briefly documented by diagnostic illustrations.
Networking With Industry Partners, Experiential Learning, and Teamwork: Engaging and Preparing Students Across Modalities
Authors: Portway Sarah
Published: October 2023

This case study assesses a course re-designed to scaffold a semester-long networking opportunity and experiential learning project. The course occurred online twice using Microsoft Teams in the spring and fall of 2021 and later in person once in the spring of 2023. I present quantitative student course evaluation data from all three semesters and compare them to the department, school, and university. I also address open comments from students, pedagogy, media coverage, and our fashion industry partner's perspective. Findings suggest that the course design was successful across modalities. Students rated the course highly compared to others on campus, even while online, and ratings improved over time. Student comments praised the course for offering valuable career preparation. Our industry partner also derived professional and personal value by interacting with and mentoring students. The case study concludes by encouraging educators to implement experiential learning in any modality, offering guidance, and addressing obstacles.
Public Support for Migrant Entrepreneurship: The Case of North Koreans in the Republic of Korea
Authors: Denney Steven , Ward Peter , Green Christopher
Published: October 2023

Migrant entrepreneurship is viewed as a pathway to substantive social integration, one that makes host countries more prosperous in the process. Accordingly, scholars have studied the social context in which migrant entrepreneurs operate, and considered at length the range of policy options that governments can use to support their activities. Conversely, the issue of public attitudes to policies that support migrant entrepreneurship has been largely neglected. Leveraging the case of North Korean migrant entrepreneurs in South Korea, this article fills this gap in the literature by examining how the structure of government support within a broader “policy mix” for migrant entrepreneurship policies acts on public attitudes. Overall, it finds South Koreans are most supportive of migrant entrepreneurship policies endorsed and paid for by large companies through corporate taxation or loans to the individual, rather than the state, and which have a target goal of employment support for profitable migrant-run firms or joint ventures run by teams of natives and migrants. Notably, policies explicitly justified as tools to address discrimination actively discourage support. The specifics of the Korean case show that determinants of native hostility toward migrants apply to migrant entrepreneurship even when ethnic differences and many of the institutional barriers that apply in other cases do not exist, suggesting that ethnicity is not a major motivating factor; economic rationality and what is “good for South Korea” are.
How Much Do “Local Policies” Matter for Refugee Integration? An Analytical Model and Evidence from a Highly Decentralized Country
Authors: Tjaden Jasper , Spörlein Christoph
Published: October 2023

A growing number of studies have recently postulated a so-called local turn in the study of immigrant and refugee integration policy. A fundamental, yet untested, assumption of this body of research is that local (sub-national) policies and administrations shape how migrants and refugees integrate into society. We develop and apply an analytical model using multilevel modeling techniques based on large-N, longitudinal survey data ( N > 9000) with refugees (2012–2018) in a highly decentralized country (Germany) to estimate the scope for local policy effects net of individual-level and state- and district-level characteristics. We show that region and district-level variation in integration outcomes across multiple dimensions (employment, education, language, housing, social) is limited (∼5%) within 4–8 years after immigration. We find modest variation in policy indicators (∼10%), which do not appear to directly translate into outcomes. We discuss implications for the study of local policies and the potential for greater convergence between administrative and political science, interested in governance structures and policy variation, and sociology and economics, interested primarily in integration outcomes.
Challenges with International Migration Data: An Analysis of the Experience of National Statistical Institutions
Authors: Ahmad Yar Ahmad Wali , Bircan Tuba
Published: October 2023

To gain a better understanding of migration patterns and trends, policymakers, researchers, and analysts require high-quality data on migration, including the number of migrants, their characteristics, and the reasons for migration. This information is crucial for developing effective migration policies and programs, and for monitoring and evaluating their impact. However, there have been significant gaps in international migration data for several decades. National statistical institutions (NSIs) have a crucial role to play in collecting and reporting data on international migration. They are responsible for ensuring the quality and completeness of migration data, which is essential for policymakers. Understanding the challenges faced by NSIs in collecting and reporting migration data can help improve the quality of data and inform policy decisions. However, the NSIs’ perspective is often overlooked in academic research. By introducing the “problem-centered institution questionnaire methodology”, this paper provides a cross-country analysis of the challenges that NSIs face in collecting and reporting international migration data. Drawing insights from 30 countries, the study finds that there are significant gaps in the quality and completeness of migration data, particularly in countries without legal responsibility for data collection. NSIs play a crucial role in improving the quality of migration data, but this requires time and political attention. The study suggests that shifting to administrative sources can help gather better data in a timely fashion. Experience sharing and cooperation across NSIs can also help address gaps in the data. In many countries, stock data are derived from censuses and large-scale surveys.
Impact of online vision intervention on functional vision in children with multiple disabilities
Authors: Flora Jeyaseeli , Bhaskaran Sahithya , Perumalsamy Vijayalakshmi , Abinethri L M Varuna
Published: October 2023

Disruption of vision intervention (VI) worsens global development of children with multiple disability (MD). Digital platforms help parents to continue vision intervention in pandemics. To the best of our knowledge, no studies have been done to assess the impact of online VI, therefore this is first. The aim is to study the impact of online VI on functional vision of children with MD during COVID-19. Fifteen children with MD recruited for in-office VI had abandoned it during the first pandemic, but had been able to continue through online during second pandemic and were recruited. Impact of online VI was retrospectively examined, by comparing functional vision (grating acuity [GA] and contrast sensitivity [CS]) at the time of discontinuance and period with online sessions. Parents received questionnaire to assess their perceptions about online VI. Discontinuity of in-office sessions during the first wave resulted in deterioration of functional vision. GA decreased from 1.5 to 0.9 cycles per degree (CPD; p = .012) and CS decreased from baseline in eight children. Upon lockdown relaxation, resumption of in-office VI showed improvement. GA improved from 0.9 to 1.7 CPD ( p = .009) and CS improved in 10 children. However, during the second wave, with institution of online sessions, GA and CS were either maintained or improved. Results from questionnaire showed high satisfaction level of online VI among parents. Although advantages of in-office VI are undeniable, functional vision outcomes and parental satisfaction encourages to combine online and in-office VI whenever necessary.
Getting a Grant is Just the First Step: Administrative Capacity and Successful Grant Implementation
Authors: Shybalkina Iuliia
Published: October 2023

This study examines the link between the pace of utilizing the awarded intergovernmental grants and the administrative capacity of recipient government organizations. Past research focused on the relationship between higher administrative capacity and obtaining grants. However, there is a lack of attention to how capacity affects grant funds utilization, which is critical for achieving societal impact. To address this issue, the study analyzes the Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) established by the CARES Act to aid state and local governments with COVID-19-related expenses. The study justifies and performs multiple regression analyses using data from various sources, including the U.S. Department of the Treasury, the U.S. Census Annual Survey of Public Employment and Payroll, and the Government Finance Officers Association. The study discovered that financial administrative capacity was positively linked to the proportion of funds spent early in the CRF program rollout, a finding that withstood scrutiny when employing various measures of administrative capacity. However, the connection between capacity and spending tapered off toward the end of the program rollout, potentially due to workload stabilization, increased program clarity from the federal government, capacity-building by recipients, and the use of external experts. The findings of this study carry significant implications for both research and practice, underlining the necessity of studying the implementation stage of government grant programs and investing in building administrative capacity within recipient organizations.
An exploratory analysis of clinical and sociodemographic factors in CGRP-induced migraine attacks: A REFORM study
Authors: Al-Khazali Haidar M. , Ashina Håkan , Christensen Rune Häckert , Wiggers Astrid , Rose Kathrine , Iljazi Afrim , Schytz Henrik W. , Amin Faisal Mohammad , Ashina Messoud
Published: October 2023

Objective

To investigate whether clinical and sociodemographic factors are associated with calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) induced migraine attacks.

Methods

A total of 139 participants with migraine received a 20-minute intravenous infusion of CGRP (1.5 µg/min) on a single experiment day. The incidence of CGRP-induced migraine attacks was recorded using a headache diary during the 12-hour observational period post-infusion. Univariable and multivariable regression analyses were conducted to examine potential predictors' relationship with CGRP-induced migraine attacks.

Results

CGRP-induced migraine attacks were reported in 110 (79%) of 139 participants. Univariable analysis revealed that participants with cutaneous allodynia had higher odds of developing CGRP-induced migraine attacks, compared with those without allodynia (OR, 2.97, 95% CI, 1.28 to 7.43). The subsequent multivariable analysis confirmed this association (OR, 3.26, 95% CI, 1.32 to 8.69) and also found that participants with migraine with aura had lower odds of developing CGRP-induced migraine attacks (OR, 0.32, 95% CI, 0.12 to 0.84).

Conclusion

Our results suggest that cutaneous allodynia and aura play a role in CGRP-induced migraine attacks, while other clinical and sociodemographic factors do not seem to have any noticeable impact. This indicates that the CGRP provocation model is robust, as the CGRP hypersensitivity remained unaffected despite differences among a heterogeneous migraine population. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04592952
Holocene estuary infill leads to coastal barrier initiation from fluvial sand supply in southeastern Australia
Authors: Oliver Thomas SN , Owers Christopher J , Tamura Toru , van Bracht Derek
Published: October 2023

A morphodynamic approach to coastal evolution involves recognition of internal thresholds, feedbacks and boundary conditions and should underpin coastal management. The Holocene evolution of the Bega River estuary and Tathra Beach coastal barrier was examined integrating existing sediment cores and radiocarbon dating, airborne terrestrial and marine Lidar and OSL dating. Sediment coring reveals the Bega River estuary began infilling with fluvial sand once sea levels stabilised at or near their present elevation. Radiocarbon dating suggests a prograding fluvial delta reached the coast approximately 4000–2250 years BP. Barrier deposition commenced ~3200 years ago coinciding with the arrival of fluvial sand at the coast. Shoreline progradation of the Tathra barrier occurred at 0.15 m/year from ~3200 years to present forming a sequence of ~17 foredune ridges which were each active for an average of ~190 years. In the past ~500 years, a sand spit has restricted the entrance of the Bega River estuary to the northern end of the embayment. The infill of the Bega River estuary over the Holocene represents an internal morphodynamic threshold or tipping point, which then enabled coastal barrier deposition as fluvial sand reached the coast. The coastal system approaches another threshold as the Tathra embayment infills, and sediment may be transported northward out of the embayment. At Tathra Beach, the positive sediment budget which resulted in barrier progradation is approximately 0.55 m3/m/year. This signal is masked on the yearly to decadal scale by fluctuations in beach volume an order of magnitude greater (5–20 m3/m/year depending on the timeframe examined). Thus longer-term datasets of beach change or reconstructions from the geological record are needed to underpin management decisions which will impact shorelines decades or centuries into the future.
Herding Behaviour in ESG Stock Index: Evidence from Emerging Markets
Authors: Danila Nevi
Published: October 2023

This article studies the herding behaviour of environmental, social and governance stock indices in the emerging market based on International Monetary Fund emerging market criteria. We use the daily data as a sample. Cross-sectional absolute deviation is employed to identify the herding behaviour of the investors. The findings report that all the indices do not exhibit herding behaviour, even under the upwards and downwards episodes of the market. When oil price and implied volatility are included in the model, the herding only existed in some samples, such as Egypt and India, during upwards oil price fluctuation and implied volatility, respectively. Meanwhile, Brazil, China and Taiwan also show evidence of herding behaviour during downwards oil price fluctuation. It is due to the large size of the companies with solid governance norm included in the indices, and the information on the companies are widely available. It gives the implication that the investors do not rely on others in the investment decision.
Effects of Plyometric Training versus Traditional Weight Training on Strength, Power, and Aesthetic Jumping Ability in Female Collegiate Dancers
Authors: Brown Andrea C. , Wells Tobin J. , Schade Margaret L. , Smith Denise L. , Fehling Patricia C.
Published: October 2023

While the benefits of traditional strength training for dancers has been examined, no such investigation has been performed for plyometric training. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to compare the effects of plyometric training and traditional weight training on aesthetic jumping ability, lower-body strength, and power in col-legiate dancers. Eighteen female dancers who were enrolled in a minimum of one intermediate or advanced ballet or modern class at Skidmore College volunteered to participate in the study. Twelve subjects were randomly assigned to a plyometric (n = 6) or traditional weight training (n = 6) group. The remaining six subjects served as a self-selected control group. The plyometric group performed 3 sets of 8 repetitions of 4 different lower-body plyometric exercises twice a week. The weight training group performed 3 sets of 6 to 8 repetitions of 4 lower-body isotonic exercises twice a week. The control group refrained from all forms of strength training. Each subject maintained her normal dance classes throughout the six week intervention. All subjects were tested prior to and following the six-week training period. Testing consisted of assessments of jumping skill and lower-body strength and power. Strength was assessed via 3 one-repetition maximum tests: leg press, leg curl, and leg extension. Power was assessed with a Wingate anaerobic power test and vertical jump height tests. Aesthetic jumping ability was assessed via an evaluation by dance faculty at Skidmore College on ballon, jump height, ability to point the feet in the air, and overall jumping ability. There were no differences in the descriptive measures of jumping ability, strength or power among the groups at the start of the study. The plyometric group significantly increased leg press strength (37%), standing vertical jump height (8.3%), and aesthetic jump height (14%). The weight training group significantly increased leg press strength (32%), leg curl strength (23%), mean anaerobic power (6%), aesthetic jump height (22%), and aesthetic ability to point the feet in the air (20%). No significant changes were seen in the control group. The results of this study indicate that either plyometric training or traditional lower-body weight training can be useful in improving variables applicable to dance. This study also supports the notion that short-term dance training alone may not be sufficient to elicit improvements in these variables.
Genitourinary Conditions in Young Dancers: Relationship between Urinary Incontinence and Foot Flexibility
Authors: Pozo-Municio Concepción
Published: October 2023

Research into dance pathology usually focuses on musculoskeletal and endo-crine-nutritional conditions. However, when practiced full time other systems can also be affected. The aim of this work was to determine the prevalence of genitourinary conditions in dance and to establish whether any correlation exists between stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and the cushioning capacity of the foot. A total of 32 pre-professional dancers (27 females and 5 males; 19 ± 2.2 years old) who practiced several types of dance in the Madrid Professional Conservatoire of Dance were studied. The data were obtained using a questionnaire, personal interviews, and physical examination. The height of the internal plantar arch of both feet was measured before and after training, estimating the flexibility of the plantar arch (percentage change in height of arch between both situations). Multiple regression analysis was used to analyze the existence of a possible relationship between SUI and plantar flexibility.

A total of 68.7% of dancers had suf-fered a genitourinary condition at some time during their lives, and 48.1% of the female dancers and 20% of the males had suffered SUI. SUI was triggered by dance in 69.2% of the females with urinary incontinence, and was considered as problematic by 30.7%. SUI occurs during the classes in 55% of cases, mainly during ballet activities, followed by flamenco tap dancing. SUI associated with dance is more closely related to the flexibility of the plantar arch in basal conditions (r2 = 0.64, p < 0.05, t-stat = 3.57) and after training (r2 = 0.76, p < 0.05, t-stat = 3.52), than that presenting in diverse situations (r2 = 2.07, p < 0.05, t-stat = 3.1), for which other causal factors must be sought. Lower genitourinary tract disorders are more prevalent in pre-professional dancers than in the general population; and dance itself is the main triggering factor of SUI. We, therefore, recommend that more attention be paid to the genitourinary system in dance medicine and propose a series of preventive measures.
Selective mutism in immigrant families: An ecocultural perspective
Authors: Slobodin Ortal , Shorer Maayan , Friedman-Zeltzer Gilor , Fennig Silvana
Published: October 2023

Although the diagnosis of selective mutism (SM) is more prevalent among immigrant children, the link between the disorder and an immigration background has been elusive. Guided by ecocultural models of development, the current study aimed to construct a theory-based description of SM while considering individual, family, and contextual risk factors. Participants were 78 children with SM (38.4% with an immigration background), and 247 typically developed children (18.2% with an immigration background). Consistent with previous studies, our results suggest that anxiety was the most important predictor of SM symptoms, above and beyond immigration background. Immigration, especially if coupled with bilingual status and low family income, predicted increased levels of SM symptoms. Identifying multi-level predictors of SM may help researchers and clinicians to improve early identification and treatment of SM in culturally and linguistically diverse children.
Walking, storytelling and melancholy survivals: memorialization of the ‘Troubles’ in Belfast’s City Centre
Authors: Mathuria Sunjay
Published: October 2023

This article explores the role of walking and storytelling as a mode of memory-making in Belfast’s City Centre, a ‘shared space’ that has largely been emptied of reminders of the 30-year conflict in Northern Ireland known as the ‘Troubles’. Memorialization remains a divisive and contentious process in Northern Ireland with two opposing narrative traditions and a lack of shared collective memory. In the absence of state-led and officialized memorials to the ‘Troubles’, I explore how urban heritage can be expressed in motion, through spatial stories told by place-based professionals (urban planners, architects, heritage practitioners, arts and community groups) in the City Centre. In particular, I employ David Lloyd’s idea of ‘melancholy survivals’ to describe the ways in which memories of conflict persist in the narratives we tell and in the small physical residues scattered throughout the City Centre, which we encounter through walking and spatial stories. I argue that walking go-along interviews with place-based professionals elicits storytelling that evokes a mobile mode of memorialization. I begin by discussing the context of memorialization in Belfast’s City Centre, its role during the ‘Troubles’, and its subsequent urban redevelopment as a ‘shared space’. I then map out critical discussions around my methodological framework, which considers spatial storytelling, geographies of affect and walking methods as ways to engage urban heritage in cities that have experienced conflict. This is followed by observations from the walking go-along interviews, which include stories of physical residues, the psychosomatic legacies of conflict and ways the difficult memories factor into narratives in Belfast’s City Centre.
The unmet surgical needs of global refugee populations: A perspective review
Authors: Awuah Wireko Andrew , Adebusoye Favour Tope , Ferreira Tomas , Azeem Saleha , Bharadwaj Hareesha Rishab , Akpan Aniekeme Amos , Wellington Jack , Zia Muhammad Robass , Kumar Harendra , Khalid Amna , Abdul-Rahman Toufik , Isik Arda
Published: October 2023

The global refugee community, including those forced to flee due to persecution, conflict, or violence, faces significant challenges in accessing healthcare, resulting in a higher prevalence of surgical disease. These challenges have a profound impact on morbidity and mortality rates, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where many immigrants seek refuge. Limited availability of medical facilities, an inadequate surgical workforce, financial constraints and linguistic and cultural barriers all contribute to reduced access to healthcare. Limited access to competent healthcare leads to poor health outcomes, increased morbidity and mortality rates and suboptimal surgical results for refugees. To address these challenges, a multifaceted approach is necessary. This includes increased funding for healthcare initiatives, workforce recruitment and training and improved coordination between aid organisations and local healthcare systems. Strategies for managing surgical conditions in the global refugee community encompass the development of targeted public health programmes, removing legal barriers, establishing healthcare facilities to enhance surgical access and prioritising disease prevention among refugees.
A case of ventricular triple rupture after an acute myocardial infarction
Authors: Kaneko Shotaro , Suzuki Shinichi , Goda Motohiko , Machida Daisuke , Masuda Munetaka
Published: October 2023

Cardiac rupture, such as ventricular free-wall rupture, ventricular septal perforation, and papillary muscle rupture, is a life-threatening complication of acute myocardial infarction. Herein, we report a very rare case of combining these three types of ventricular rupture. A 71-year-old woman underwent mitral valve replacement and left ventricular free-wall rupture repair after an acute myocardial infarction. She was transferred to our hospital under mechanical support by venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and intra-aortic balloon pump due to circulatory collapse. Transthoracic echocardiography revealed a left-to-right shunt caused by ventricular septal perforation. The patient underwent endoventricular patch plasty for septal defect closure. Unfortunately, a prolonged postoperative course led to the development of multi-organ failure followed by fatal outcome on day 32 postoperatively. To our best knowledge, this is the first reported case of ventricular triple rupture associated with acute myocardial infarction.
Empatía y liderazgo del director musical, competencias clave en la motivación de coros juveniles
Authors: Oriola Salvador , Calderón-Garrido Diego , Gustems-Carnicer Josep
Published: October 2023

Las corales juveniles son agrupaciones musicales integradas por adolescentes y encabezadas por un director o directora. Este último, además de ocuparse del trabajo específicamente musical, también debe encargarse de gestionar el grupo: creando un buen clima de trabajo, resolviendo conflictos, etc. La empatía y el liderazgo son capacidades esenciales para alcanzar el éxito de dicha gestión. El presente estudio es de carácter transversal exploratorio no experimental, descriptivo ex post facto retrospectivo y tiene como principal objetivo conocer la empatía y la capacidad de liderazgo en directores/as de corales juveniles catalanas y si existe alguna relación con la motivación de sus cantantes. La muestra está formada por 10 directores/as y 293 adolescentes integrantes de dichas corales juveniles. Los instrumentos para la recogida de datos han sido los cuestionarios validados: MOT (sobre motivación), TECA (test de empatía cognitiva y afectiva) y LID (sobre capacidades de liderazgo). En el análisis se realizaron, además de los descriptivos, análisis de la varianza y correlación de Pearson. De acuerdo con los resultados obtenidos, la mayoría de directores/as muestran tener una empatía moderada y unas altas capacidades de liderazgo. características que correlacionan con la motivación de su alumnado. Estos resultados son un punto de partida para pensar sobre la importancia que ocupa la formación socioemocional de directores/as en el devenir de las agrupaciones musicales.
Profit-Generating Entities or Cash-Management Vehicles? Unpacking the Financial Performance of Savings Groups Worldwide
Authors: Bossuyt Emma , D’Espallier Bert , Mersland Roy
Published: October 2023

Savings Groups (SGs) are informal community-based entities that act as grassroots financial cooperatives. They provide financial services to their members over an agreed-upon time period, commonly referred to as a ‘cycle’. During this cycle, saving and borrowing transactions take place during regular member meetings. Using new data on SGs worldwide, we conceptualize and quantify SG performance at the group level. Starting from the financial economics of the SG model, we introduce the savings capacity, profit-generating capacity, and borrowing conditions as complementary performance dimensions. We study these dimensions both across and within cycles to capture the financial efficiency of SGs. Our findings suggest that while SGs strengthen savings capacity over time, they primarily act as short-term cash-management vehicles. Groups prefer easy and affordable loans for emergencies over profit generation via micro-lending. The profit-generating capacity is curtailed by two major implementation restrictions, namely, loan-tying and unproductive periods at the beginning and end of the cycle. Based on our statistics, we formulate recommendations related to the cycle setup and lending policies.
Treatment-shortening regimens for tuberculosis: updates and future priorities
Authors: Saluzzo Francesca , Adepoju Victor Abiola , Duarte Raquel , Lange Christoph , Phillips Patrick P.J.
Published: October 2023

In the past 2 years, remarkable advances have been made in shortening tuberculosis (TB) treatment. In particular, four clinical trials (Study 31/A5349, Nix-TB, ZeNix and TB-PRACTECAL) have provided evidence of the efficacy of regimens based on new and repurposed drugs: the 4-month regimen for drug-susceptible TB, and the 6-month bedaquiline–pretomanid–linezolid regimen with or without moxifloxacin for multidrug-resistant/rifampicin-resistant TB. Even if the evidence at the basis of these new regimens is compelling, several questions remain open, particularly concerning linezolid dose finding, the upsurging threat of bedaquiline-resistantMycobacterium tuberculosisand the feasibility of applying these results to the paediatric population. Several ongoing trials may fill the remaining gaps and produce further reliable evidence to address the outstanding questions in TB treatment shortening.
Sensory properties of menthol and smoking topography
Authors: Lawrence Deirdre , Cadman Brie , Hoffman Allison C
Published: October 2023

Although there is a great deal known about menthol as a flavoring agent in foods and confections, less is known about the particular sensory properties of menthol cigarette smoke. Similarly, although smoking topography (the unique way an individual smokes a cigarette) has been well studied using non-menthol cigarettes, there is relatively less known about how menthol affects smoking behavior. The objective of this review is to assess the sensory properties of menthol tobacco smoke, and smoking topography associated with menthol cigarettes. The cooling, analgesic, taste, and respiratory effects of menthol are well established, and studies have indicated that menthol’s sensory attributes can have an influence on the positive, or rewarding, properties associated smoking, including ratings of satisfaction, taste, perceived smoothness, and perceived irritation. Despite these sensory properties, the data regarding menthol’s effect on smoking topography are inconsistent. Many of the topography studies have limitations due to various methodological issues.
Preventive therapy with galcanezumab for two consecutive cluster bouts in patients with episodic cluster headache: an observational multicenter study
Authors: Hong Yooha , Kang Mi-Kyoung , Moon Heui-Soo , Kim Byung-Kun , Cho Soo-Jin
Published: October 2023

Background

Cluster headache is a severe and disabling primary headache disorder. Galcanezumab is a monoclonal antibody against calcitonin gene-related peptide and a preventive therapy for episodic cluster headache. However, the approval and insurance coverage for episodic cluster headache differ in each country. Additionally, the consistency of efficacy of galcanezumab therapy has not yet been evaluated. This study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of 240 mg of galcanezumab therapy for consecutive cluster bouts in patients with episodic cluster headache.

Methods

The study enrolled patients with episodic cluster headache who received two courses of galcanezumab therapy at three university hospitals in Republic of Korea between February 2020 and April 2022. The efficacy and safety of galcanezumab were analyzed by comparing daily headache frequency, the number of headache days, and headache intensity and adverse effects during the one-week period before and the third week after galcanezumab injection for each episode of cluster bouts. Paired t-test was used for comparing repeated data from different episodes of cluster bout.

Results

Sixteen patients were enrolled in this study. Fourteen patients received galcanezumab therapy for two consecutive cluster bouts. Galcanezumab was administered 24 days and 11 days after the first and second cluster bouts, respectively. The proportion of patients with 50% or more reduction in frequency of daily headache at week 3 from baseline was 86% and 64% during the first and second episodes, respectively. The proportion of patients who received transitional therapy before galcanezumab therapy was higher in the first episode of cluster bout than that in the second episode of cluster bout. No serious adverse reactions or significant differences in adverse effects between cluster bouts were noticed. Two patients received a second galcanezumab therapy during the pre-cluster period, and their cluster periods ended without typical cluster headache attacks 10–60 days after galcanezumab therapy.

Conclusions

This exploratory analysis suggests that galcanezumab may be effective as a preventive therapy in subsequent cluster bouts. Patients with episodic cluster headaches who underwent galcanezumab therapy tended to receive a second round of treatment in the early stages of their next cluster bout without transitional therapy.
Correct positioning of the calcar screw leads to superior results in proximal humerus fractures treated with carbon-fibre-reinforced polyetheretherketone plate osteosynthesis with polyaxial locking screws
Authors: Kimmeyer Michael , Schmalzl Jonas , Rentschler Verena , Schieffer Christian , Macken Arno , Gerhardt Christian , Lehmann Lars-Johannes
Published: October 2023

Background

Plate osteosynthesis with implants made of carbon-fibre-reinforced polyetheretherketone (CFR-PEEK) has recently been introduced for the treatment of fractures of the proximal humerus (PHFs). The advantages of the CFR-PEEK plate are considered to be its radiolucency, its favourable modulus of elasticity, and the polyaxial placement of the screws with high variability of the angle. The primary aim of this study is to investigate the influence of calcar screw positioning on the complication and revision rates after CFR-PEEK plating of PHFs. The secondary aim is to assess its influence on functional outcome.

Material and methods

Patients were identified retrospectively. Minimum follow-up was 12 months. The cohort was divided into two groups depending on the distance of the calcar screw to the calcar (group I: < 12 mm, group II: ≥ 12 mm). The range of motion (ROM), Subjective Shoulder Value Score (SSV) and Constant–Murley Score (CS) were analysed at follow-up examination. Subjective complaints, complications (e.g. humeral head necrosis, varus dislocation) and the revision rate were evaluated.

Results

51 patients (33 female, 18 male) with an average age of 68.6 years were included after a period of 26.6 months (group I: 32 patients, group II: 19 patients). Apart from the gender distribution, no significant differences were seen in the patient characteristics. The outcome scores showed significantly better clinical results in group I: SSV 83.4 vs 71.2, p = 0.007; CS 79.1 vs 67.8, p = 0.013. Complications were seen less frequently in group I (18.8 % vs 47.4 %, p = 0.030).

Conclusion

This study shows that the positioning of the calcar screw is relevant for CFR-PEEK plate osteosynthesis in PHFs with a good reduction of the fracture. Optimal positioning of the calcar screw close to the calcar (< 12 mm) is associated with a lower rate of complications, resulting in significantly superior functional outcomes.

Level of evidence: III, retrospective cohort study
Clinical profile and outcome of emphysematous pyelonephritis presenting to a tertiary care hospital
Authors: Joshi Harshal K. , Shah Vidhi R. , Parikh Mital D.
Published: October 2023

Background

Emphysematous pyelonephritis is a necrotizing infection of the renal parenchyma by gas-forming organisms. The diagnosis of emphysematous pyelonephritis is made by clinical features and the detection of air in the renal parenchyma. In the past, nephrectomy was considered the only treatment option with a high mortality rate, but with advances in minimally invasive conservative techniques and better antibiotic treatment, the rate of kidney salvage has increased.

Case presentation

From January 2019 to December 2022, eight cases of emphysematous pyelonephritis were diagnosed based on clinical features and documentation of gas in the renal parenchyma by a Computed tomography scan. The mean age was 61.75 ± 4.3 years. 62.5% were female and 75% were diabetics. E. coli was the most common pathogen (87.5%). All 8 patients underwent early interventions in the form of DJ stenting or percutaneous nephrostomy tube insertion with only one patient requiring nephrectomy without any immediate mortality.

Conclusion

Emphysematous pyelonephritis is more common in women and the elderly. Diabetes mellitus and nephrolithiasis are major risk factors. E. coli was the most frequently isolated pathogen. Early diagnosis and early minimally invasive intervention in the form of a DJ stenting or percutaneous nephrostomy reduced the rate of nephrectomy and mortality.
New statistical selection method for pleiotropic variants associated with both quantitative and qualitative traits
Authors: Kim Kipoong , Jun Tae-Hwan , Ha Bo-Keun , Wang Shuang , Sun Hokeun
Published: October 2023

Background

Identification of pleiotropic variants associated with multiple phenotypic traits has received increasing attention in genetic association studies. Overlapping genetic associations from multiple traits help to detect weak genetic associations missed by single-trait analyses. Many statistical methods were developed to identify pleiotropic variants with most of them being limited to quantitative traits when pleiotropic effects on both quantitative and qualitative traits have been observed. This is a statistically challenging problem because there does not exist an appropriate multivariate distribution to model both quantitative and qualitative data together. Alternatively, meta-analysis methods can be applied, which basically integrate summary statistics of individual variants associated with either a quantitative or a qualitative trait without accounting for correlations among genetic variants.

Results

We propose a new statistical selection method based on a unified selection score quantifying how a genetic variant, i.e., a pleiotropic variant associates with both quantitative and qualitative traits. In our extensive simulation studies where various types of pleiotropic effects on both quantitative and qualitative traits were considered, we demonstrated that the proposed method outperforms the existing meta-analysis methods in terms of true positive selection. We also applied the proposed method to a peanut dataset with 6 quantitative and 2 qualitative traits, and a cowpea dataset with 2 quantitative and 6 qualitative traits. We were able to detect some potentially pleiotropic variants missed by the existing methods in both analyses.

Conclusions

The proposed method is able to locate pleiotropic variants associated with both quantitative and qualitative traits. It has been implemented into an R package ‘UNISS’, which can be downloaded from http://github.com/statpng/uniss.
Genome-wide identification and expression analysis of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) family in rapeseed (Brassica napus L.)
Authors: Zhang Haiyan , Zhang Xiaohui , Zhao Huixia , Hu Jin , Wang Zhaoyang , Yang Guangsheng , Zhou Xianming , Wan Heping
Published: October 2023

Background

Phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), as a key enzyme in the phenylalanine metabolism pathway in plants, plays an important role in the response to environmental stress. However, the PAL family responding to abiotic stress has not been fully characterized in rapeseed.

Results

In this study, we conducted a genome-wide study of PAL family, and analyzed their gene structure, gene duplication, conserved motifs, cis-acting elements and response to stress treatment. A total of 17 PALs were identified in the rapeseed genome. Based on phylogenetic analysis, the BnPALs were divided into four clades (I, II, IV, and V). The prediction of protein structure domain presented that all BnPAL members contained a conservative PAL domain. Promoter sequence analysis showed that the BnPALs contain many cis-acting elements related to hormone and stress responses, indicating that BnPALs are widely involved in various biological regulatory processes. The expression profile showed that the BnPALs were significantly induced under different stress treatments (NaCl, Na2CO3, AlCl3, and PEG), suggesting that BnPAL family played an important role in response to abiotic stress.

Conclusions

Taken together, our research results comprehensively characterized the BnPAL family, and provided a valuable reference for revealing the role of BnPALs in the regulation of abiotic stress responses in rapeseed.