bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Systematic Literature Review and Bibliometric Analysis on Mobile Payments
Authors: Kumar Nisha K. , Yadav Anitha S.
Published: June 2022

Mobile payments (m-payments) have become a way of life as it enables transactions without the need for physical cash. Systematic literature review (SLR) and bibliometric analysis are rare contributions in the field of m-payment research. The basis of this work is to explore and analyze the existing literature on m-payments. This article attempts to provide a holistic view on m-payment research. The current research article analyzes both peer reviewed and open access papers. The papers are selected from ScienceDirect, EBSCO and ProQuest databases for the time period 2007–2021. A total of 250 papers were chosen as a part of this study to conduct SLR and bibliometric analysis, out of which 62 relevant papers, published in 48 peer reviewed and open access journals, were taken for the final analysis. VOSviewer is used to carry out the bibliometric analysis. The bibliometric coupling helped in identifying three clusters: factors influencing m-payment adoption, consumer’s attitude towards m-payments and the effect of technological and behavioural factors on the adoption of m-payments. This study would help future researchers in gaining significant insights on the current status of the existing literature and assist in conducting a qualitative literature review.
Explaining Customs Tax Evasion in Ethiopia: The Effect of Trade Tax, Law Enforcement, and Product Characteristics
Authors: Tadesse Tasew
Published: June 2022

Low-income African countries face significant customs tax evasion due to undervaluation and smuggling of imports by registered traders. This study uses trade policy, law enforcement, product misclassification, and product differentiation to examine customs tax evasion in Ethiopian imports from Kenya. Using “missing imports” data disaggregated at the harmonized system 6-digit level, the econometric model employs the trade gap as a measure of evasion. This study seeks to explain two types of evasion: undervaluation-based evasion, and smuggling- and product misclassification–based evasion. According to the econometric estimates, 1% increase in the taxes imposed on imports increases evasion by 1.12% for undervaluation-based evasion and 2% for entirely “missing imports”. Based on a quantitative measure of law enforcement, the findings show that expecting higher fee as a penalty for tax evasion is negatively associated with both forms of evasions. Regarding the extent of evasion, customs tax evasion is significantly higher for differentiated items than for homogeneous goods. Furthermore, mislabeling products from higher to lower tariff categories explains a large portion of evasion in goods that are either entirely smuggled or misclassified. The findings validate the importance of reducing evasion by judiciously lowering tariffs and enforcing the law at the border.
Look at Our Journey: Prompting the Marginalism of Superior Utility with a Higher Subjective Value to Motivate Management Student Meta-Learning Processes
Authors: Cook Paul
Published: June 2022

Improving perceptions of graduate utility is fundamental to Higher Education’s employability and skills agenda. However, utility enhancement is a ubiquitous consequence of all learning. Therefore, motivating students to engage in deep learning to improve their utility is problematic. Using the student voice, in this article, I explain how prompts endorsing marginalism as a benefit of attaining superior utility with higher subjective value informed and motivated meta-learning approaches. Drawing on data from an ethnography and interpretive phenomenology situated in the unique learning environment of the COVID-19 pandemic, findings reveal students were motivated to seek utility attainment opportunities that marginally enhanced self-perceptions, transferability of learning, and employability. This article is among the first to explain why the attainment of knowledge and can-do competencies associated with marginalism, superior utility, and higher subjective value, motivates learners’ present and future time perspectives.
Chinese Women's Financial Independence and Their Intimate Partner Violence Victimization Experiences
Authors: Li Carrie K. W. , Liu Jianhong , Chen Xuan
Published: June 2022

China, as a traditional patriarchal society, provides an excellent context to examine whether and how increased financial independence of women may influence intimate partner violence. This study examines how financial independence influences Chinese women's victimization experiences of physical violence, psychological violence, controlling behavior, and sexual abuse. Data were collected from 600 married or divorced women aged between 20 and 60, who resided in a large metropolitan area in Southern China. Results indicated that while physical violence is reduced by women's financial independence, other forms of connective IPV against women are suggested as expressions of men's desire to keep financially independent women in place.
Determinants of paying attention to the logos of online travel agencies
Authors: Godlewski Grzegorz , Zalech Mirosław
Published: June 2022

A logo is an important part of brand image and a key visual element that has an impact on cognitive, emotional and behavioural reactions. This article examines how often tourists consciously pay attention to the logos of online travel agencies and brand name types in the context of their demographic characteristics and tourism behaviour. There were a total of 170 participants in the study. Empirical data was collected using two research techniques: a survey questionnaire and click tracking. Data analysis was carried out in two stages. In the first stage, it was assessed whether there is a relationship between the demographic characteristics and tourism behaviour of the respondents and their perception of the logos of online travel agencies. In the second stage, correspondence analysis (CA) was performed to obtain information on the relationship between the frequency with which the respondents pay attention to logos and their preferred type of logo. The study showed that the frequency with which the respondents pay attention to the logos of online travel agencies varies with their education, tourism expenditure, and the number of tourism trips they make in a year. The perception of logos as regards the type of brand name they include varies depending on the frequency of tourism trips and the preferred type of travel arrangements. This study provides important guidance on the design of logos and visual communication strategies, thus helping to facilitate the brand value creation process.
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in social media: Content analysis of YouTube videos
Authors: Oh Juyeon , Moon SeolHwa , Park Kyongok
Published: June 2022

The purpose of this study is to analyze the characteristics, content, and quality of information available on YouTube regarding amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and explore the search results and number of views and quality of the videos. A search was performed on YouTube on 10 June 2020, using the search term ‘‘Lou Gehrig’s disease” in the Korean language, and the first 100 videos were targeted for analysis. General characteristics (e.g., number of views, video length, etc.) were collected, and upload source, target audience, subject of the video, and quality of the videos using a global quality score (GQS) were assessed. About two-thirds of the videos were for the general public (62.0%), while the other third were made for patients and their families with ALS (38.0%). The mean GQS was 3.70 ± 1.42, and 60 videos were classified as high-quality videos. ALS-related videos on YouTube play a role in raising awareness among the general public of this devastating disease, however, practical information regarding disease management for patients and family is relatively insufficient. The quality and characteristics of the videos varied greatly and sometimes the lowest quality videos were shown in the top pages of search results.
The diffusion of police innovation: A case study of problem-oriented policing in England and Wales
Authors: Bullock Karen , Sidebottom Aiden , Laycock Gloria , Tilley Nick
Published: June 2022

There is significant evidence demonstrating that when done well, problem-oriented policing is associated with meaningful reductions in crime and public safety concerns. And yet, history shows that the implementation and delivery of problem-oriented policing is challenging, and that police organisations have generally not adopted it and even when they try to it is often rejected over time. This article draws on the concept of ‘diffusion of innovation’ (Rogers, E. (2003) Diffusion of Innovations, 5th edn. New York: Free Press) to unpick aspects of the processes through which problem-oriented policing has been adopted or otherwise among police forces in England and Wales. This article shows how factors related to the nature of problem-oriented policing – notably its incompatibility with prevailing norms and values of the police service, its complexity and unobservability – have influenced its adoption. Implications are also discussed.
Reckoning with Christopher Columbus
Authors: Delsesto Matthew
Published: June 2022

While there has recently been increasing attention to public memorials of Christopher Columbus and the national Columbus Day holiday, this article argues for a deeper, sociologically-informed reckoning with the implications of Columbus for racial, cultural, and national identity in the United States. It uses the Italian-American experience as an example that provides insights into immigrant arrival, assimilation, and identity in contexts of racialization and criminalization. Overall, the symbol of Columbus in the Italian American experience is particularly relevant to group identity and collective memory in the U.S., in a moment where many are reconsidering country’s historical narratives.
Visualizing the Anthropocene from Above
Authors: Schrank Zach
Published: June 2022

We created the Indiana Anthropocene project not only because we reside in this state, but also in order to demonstrate the scope and process of the new epoch in a familiar and defined location. This aerial photography project captures features of the Anthropocene within a regional bounded space, thus collapsing the global into the local. In other words, it provides a visual conceptualization of the geography we live in as a microcosm of the global stage. Furthermore, aerial drone photographs provide vantage points and perspectives of our world that can enhance our perception of society. It allows us to see and connect large-scale processes that otherwise remain hidden from the ground. Images from the sky piece together a complex visual socio-ecological story of how we interact with the environment on immense landscapes.
Atlanta’s Carnival as Cultural and Spatial Practice
Authors: Jackson Regine O.
Published: June 2022

This essay focuses on the socio-spatial significance of Atlanta’s Caribbean Carnival. I describe how members of the Caribbean diaspora use the annual parade as an assertion of belonging that expands the boundaries for black community life. Based on participant observation and analysis of parade routes over the last decade, I argue that Carnival is an example of creative place-making that reveals how Caribbean residents lay claim to places. In the context of the ongoing displacement of blacks from the City of Atlanta and the spatial re-ordering of the population in the metro area, Carnival affirms new sites of black joy.
A Caregiving Journey Without a Map
Authors: Patterson Sarah E.
Published: June 2022

This review is a discussion of Deborah J. Cohan’s book, Welcome to Wherever We Are. The stories presented within may be unforunately familiar to some readers, making this book tough to wade through—not because of the writing, but because of the topic and the precision with which Cohan crafts the lived experiences of abuse throughout her life. She is upfront about this reality, noting that this book is about what it means to caregive for an abuser over the course of her life and most intensely for the eight years at the end of her father’s life. Rightfully, and true to ambiguity, she elaborates throughout the book on the delicate balance of trying to love her father at the same time she is trying to process the abuse and her feelings toward him.
Abortion Restrictions are Harmful to Everyone
Authors: Bessett Danielle
Published: June 2022

I know that the recently leaked draft from the U.S. Supreme Court portends a decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health that will harm pregnant people and our society. From my expertise as a medical sociologist who studies abortion care, I know that allowing the restriction of abortion will result in more maternal deaths, more health disparities by race and class, more harm to families. I know abortion restrictions damage relationships between pregnant people and their health care providers and limit class mobility.
Nociceptive signaling through transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 is regulated by Cyclin Dependent Kinase 5-mediated phosphorylation of T407 in vivo
Authors: Cho Andrew , Hall Bradford E , Limaye Advait S , Wang Sheng , Chung Man-Kyo , Kulkarni Ashok B
Published: June 2022

Cyclin dependent kinase 5 (Cdk5) is a key neuronal kinase whose activity can modulate thermo-, mechano-, and chemo-nociception. Cdk5 can modulate nociceptor firing by phosphorylating pain transducing ion channels like the transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1), a thermoreceptor that is activated by noxious heat, acidity, and capsaicin. TRPV1 is phosphorylated by Cdk5 at threonine-407 (T407), which then inhibits Ca2+ dependent desensitization. To explore the in vivo implications of Cdk5-mediated TRPV1 phosphorylation on pain perception, we engineered a phospho-null mouse where we replaced T407 with alanine (T407A). The T407A point mutation did not affect the expression of TRPV1 in nociceptors of the dorsal root ganglia and trigeminal ganglia (TG). However, behavioral tests showed that the TRPV1T407A knock-in mice have reduced aversion to oral capsaicin along with a trend towards decreased facial displays of pain after a subcutaneous injection of capsaicin into the vibrissal pad. In addition, the TRPV1T407A mice display basal thermal hypoalgesia with increased paw withdrawal latency while tested on a hot plate. These results indicate that phosphorylation of TRPV1 by Cdk5 can have important consequences on pain perception, as loss of the Cdk5 phosphorylation site reduced capsaicin- and heat-evoked pain behaviors in mice.
Long-term learning and forgetting of feature binding in verbal free recall
Authors: Sacripante Riccardo , Della Sala Sergio , Logie Robert H
Published: June 2022

Temporary feature bindings can be learned under specific experimental conditions. However, how this learning occurs and how it is forgotten over long intervals is unclear. We addressed this question with repeated presentation of an array of coloured shapes followed by verbal free recall after delays of 1 day, 1 week, and 1 month. A total of 120 participants viewed 24 repetitions of the same study array of six objects each with two features (shape and colour). After 24 trials, 61 participants reported becoming aware of the repetition while 59 reported being unaware. Memory performance improved across trials, with aware participants showing faster learning than unaware participants whose performance appeared to reflect the capacity of short-term visual memory across all repetitions. Both aware and unaware participants recalled some of the array after their allocated delay, showing that learning had occurred during repetition trials, even for unaware participants who showed little or no improvement across 24 repetition trials. Memory for binding showed no change after 1 day compared with performance on the 24th repetition trial, was significantly lower for participants tested after 1 week, and was lower still for those tested after 1 month. Findings are interpreted as consistent with both a short-term, limited capacity visual cache that supports performance during early repetition trials, before learning can have occurred, and gradual strengthening across trials of an episodic long-term memory trace that supports learning. If the episodic trace exceeds the threshold of awareness, this accelerates learning.
An external focusing strategy was beneficial in experienced children but not in novices: The effect of external focus, internal focus, and holistic attention strategies
Authors: Saemi Esmaeel , Amo-Aghaei Elham , Moteshareie Ebrahim , Yamada Masahiro
Published: June 2022

External focus (attention directed to an intended effect) has been shown to improve motor performance compared to internal focus (attention directed to body movements). Recently, holistic attention (attention directed to the overall feeling) has been discussed as an effective alternative. We hypothesized that a less specific cue (e.g. holistic attention) may be more effective than an external focus in experienced individuals. Therefore, the present study examined the effect of external focus, internal focus, and holistic attention on 14 experienced children-athletes ( Mage, 14.35 ± 1.98 years; Mheight, 171.28 ± 9.53 cm; Mweight, 58.28 ± 10.28 kg) and 14 novice children ( Mage, 14.21 ± 1.92 years; Mheight, 170.92 ± 12.40 cm; Mweight, 62.14 ± 15.62 kg). Participants completed a 16-meter front crawl swimming task with assigned instructions for three trials per condition. The results showed main effects of skill level ( p < 0.001), condition ( p = 0.006), and the skill level/condition interaction ( p = 0.003). Post hoc tests revealed that external focus was superior to internal focus ( p < 0.001), with no difference between holistic attention and internal focus ( p = 0.158) or holistic attention and external focus ( p = 0.05) in the experienced athletes, while none of the conditions were different in novices. The benefits of attentional focus may be influenced by the level of experience.
CSF TNF and osteopontin levels correlate with the response to dimethyl fumarate in early multiple sclerosis
Authors: Marastoni Damiano , Pisani Anna I. , Schiavi Gianmarco , Mazziotti Valentina , Castellaro Marco , Tamanti Agnese , Bosello Francesca , Crescenzo Francesco , Ricciardi Giuseppe K. , Montemezzi Stefania , Pizzini Francesca B. , Calabrese Massimiliano
Published: June 2022

Background:

Disease activity in the first years after a diagnosis of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) is a negative prognostic factor for long-term disability. Markers of both clinical and radiological responses to disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) are advocated.

Objective:

The objective of this study is to estimate the value of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) inflammatory markers at the time of diagnosis in predicting the disease activity in treatment-naïve multiple sclerosis (MS) patients exposed to dimethyl fumarate (DMF).

Methods:

In total, 48 RRMS patients (31 females/17 males) treated with DMF after the diagnosis were included in this 2-year longitudinal study. All patients underwent a CSF examination, regular clinical and 3T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans that included the assessment of white matter (WM) lesions, cortical lesions (CLs) and global cortical thickness. CSF levels of 10 pro-inflammatory markers – CXCL13 [chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 13 or B lymphocyte chemoattractant], CXCL12 (stromal cell-derived factor or C-X-C motif chemokine 12), tumour necrosis factor (TNF), APRIL (a proliferation-inducing ligand, or tumour necrosis factor ligand superfamily member 13), LIGHT (tumour necrosis factor ligand superfamily member 14 or tumour necrosis factor superfamily member 14), interferon (IFN) gamma, interleukin 12 (IL-12), osteopontin, sCD163 [soluble-CD163 (cluster of differentiation 163)] and Chitinase3-like1 – were assessed using immune-assay multiplex techniques. The combined three-domain status of ‘no evidence of disease activity’ (NEDA-3) was defined by no relapses, no disability worsening and no MRI activity, including CLs.

Results:

Twenty patients (42%) reached the NEDA-3 status; patients with disease activity showed higher CSF TNF ( p = 0.009), osteopontin ( p = 0.005), CXCL12 ( p = 0.037), CXCL13 ( p = 0.040) and IFN gamma levels ( p = 0.019) compared with NEDA-3 patients. After applying a random forest approach, TNF and osteopontin revealed the most important variables associated with the NEDA-3 status. Six molecules that emerged at the random forest approach were added in a multivariate regression model with demographic, clinical and MRI measures of WM and grey matter damage as independent variables. TNF levels confirmed to be associated with the absence of disease activity: odds ratio (OR) = 0.25, CI% = 0.04–0.77.

Conclusion:

CSF inflammatory markers may provide prognostic information in predicting disease activity in the first years after DMF initiation. CSF TNF levels are a possible candidate in predicting treatment response, in addition to clinical, demographic and MRI variables.
Experiences of a psychosocial intervention for patients with heart failure at one year after completion: A reflexive thematic analysis
Authors: Bose Catarina Nahlén , L. Elfström Magnus
Published: June 2022

Chronic heart failure is a common and a serious condition. Research has shown that chronic heart failure has been associated with detrimental effects on wellbeing. Coping effectiveness training (CET) has been applied for patients with heart failure to improve stress appraisal and stress management skills. The aim of this study was to explore the experience of participating in CET for patients with heart failure one year after completion. Eleven patients were interviewed. The study adheres to the SRQR guidelines. A thematic analysis generated three themes: rewarding but challenging to meet other people with heart failure; improved conditions to cope with stress; and not relevant to me. Implications for further development of the intervention were to include existential aspects, recognize comorbidities, test follow-up sessions and apply a codesign.
War Psychiatry: Identifying and Managing the Neuropsychiatric Consequences of Armed Conflicts
Authors: Jain Nityanand , Prasad Sakshi , Czárth Zsófia Csenge , Chodnekar Swarali Yatin , Mohan Srinithi , Savchenko Elena , Panag Deepkanwar Singh , Tanasov Andrei , Betka Marta Maria , Platos Emilia , Świątek Dorota , Krygowska Aleksandra Małgorzata , Rozani Sofia , Srivastava Mahek , Evangelou Kyriacos , Gristina Kitija Lucija , Bordeniuc Alina , Akbari Amir Reza , Jain Shivani , Kostiks Andrejs , Reinis Aigars
Published: June 2022

War refugees and veterans have been known to frequently develop neuropsychiatric conditions including depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and anxiety disorders that tend to leave a long-lasting scar and impact their emotional response system. The shear stress, trauma, and mental breakdown from overnight displacement, family separation, and killing of friends and families cannot be described enough. Victims often require years of mental health support as they struggle with sleep difficulties, recurring memories, anxiety, grief, and anger. Everyone develops their coping mechanism which can involve dependence and long-term addiction to alcohol, drugs, violence, or gambling. The high prevalence of mental health disorders during and after the war indicates an undeniable necessity for screening those in need of treatment. For medical health professionals, it is crucial to identify such vulnerable groups who are prone to developing neuropsychiatric morbidities and associated risk factors. It is pivotal to develop and deploy effective and affordable multi-sectoral collaborative care models and therapy, which primarily depends upon family and primary care physicians in the conflict zones. Herein, we provide a brief overview regarding the identification and management of vulnerable populations, alongside discussing the challenges and possible solutions to the same.
The Influence of the Environment on Cross-Border E-Commerce Adoption Levels Among SMEs in China: The Mediating Role of Organizational Context
Authors: Abdulkarem Anaf , Hou Wenhua
Published: June 2022

Utilizing the Technology, Environment, and Organization (TOE) framework, the purpose of this study was to look into the influence of the environment on the adoption of the four levels of cross-border e-commerce (CBEC) on SMEs in China. The data was acquired using an online survey form, with a sample size of N = 208. Data were analyzed via Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) by using Smart PLS 3 software. The results indicate that except level 1, the environmental context has a positive impact on all levels of CBEC adoption and organizational context. It was further found that organizational context positively influences all four levels of CBEC adoption. Furthermore, the mediating role of organizational context was also tested between environmental context and the four levels of CBEC adoption. These data supported our hypotheses for level 2 and 3 whereas, for level 1 and 4, we did not find any support. Several theoretical and practical implications are discussed in the concluding part of this paper.
Accuracy of the Axillary Temperature Screening Compared to Core Rectal Temperature in Infants
Authors: Alayed Yazeed , Kilani Mohammed A. , Hommadi Abdullah , Alkhalifah Mohammed , Alhaffar Dalal , Bashir Muhammad
Published: June 2022

Purpose. To compare the sensitivity of axillary and rectal temperature in infants who presents to the emergency department with a recent history of fever. Methods. A single-center cross-sectional comparative study of 201 patients who presents with a recent history of fever. Infants Up to 12 months of age were included. Demographic characteristics such as age and gender, weight, mean axillary and rectal temperatures were documented. Fever is defined as rectal temperature >38°C as opposed to >37.4 in the axillary method. Results. The mean age was 6.1 ± 3.5 months. The mean (SD) rectal-axillary temperature difference was 0.8°C ± 0.7°C which was statistically significant ( P < .001). The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive and negative predictive values of the axillary method for fever >37.4 were 79.34% (95% CI [73-84.9]), 14.3% (95% CI [0.36-57.9]), 96.2% (95% CI [95-97.2]), and 2.4% (95% CI [0.4-13.5]), respectively. Conclusion. The rectal method remains highly important for accurate and prompt diagnosis in infants.
Conversion of Elbow Arthrodesis to Total Elbow Arthroplasty: A Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Cutler Holt S , Heineman Nathan , Hurd Aaron , Koehler Daniel , Bass Robert , Schacherer Timothy
Published: June 2022

Elbow arthrodesis is a salvage operation designed to relieve pain and enable weight bearing in young patients with painful arthritic joints who have failed all other treatment modalities. Unfortunately, elbow arthrodesis is poorly tolerated by many patients because there is no fusion position that accommodates all activities of daily living. As indications for elbow arthroplasty expand and implant design improves, patients living with elbow arthrodesis may seek conversion to arthroplasty to regain a functional range of motion. Only one case of elbow arthrodesis to elbow arthroplasty conversion has been reported in the English literature to date. We present the case of a 58 year old male, five years status post elbow arthrodesis, unable to perform his ADLs adequately, who was successfully converted to a total elbow arthroplasty. Indications, contraindications, and technical pearls are discussed.
Fluoroscopic and Endoscopic Calcaneal Spur Resection Without Plantar Fascial Release for Recalcitrant Plantar Fasciitis
Authors: Nakajima Kenichiro
Published: June 2022

Background:

Studies on endoscopic calcaneal spur resection (CSR) without plantar fascial release (PFR) are limited. This study aimed to review the data of patients who underwent fluoroscopic and endoscopic CSR without PFR for plantar fasciitis with a calcaneal spur to assess the effectiveness of CSR.

Methods:

Medical records of consecutive patients with plantar fasciitis with ≥2 mm calcaneal spur who underwent endoscopic CSR without PFR from November 2017 to December 2019 were reviewed. Patients with ≥2 years of follow-up were included, whereas those who underwent another surgery on the operated foot were excluded. Age, body mass index (BMI), follow-up duration, calcaneal spur length, duration to full weightbearing postoperatively, Japanese Society for Surgery of the Foot (JSSF) score, visual analog scale (VAS) score for pain, and complications were assessed.

Results:

The mean follow-up duration was 2.7 years. A total of 47 patients (31 female, 16 male; mean age, 56.4 years; mean BMI, 25.5) were included. The mean calcaneal spur length was 5.7 mm. The VAS score improved from 79.6 ± 12.9 mm preoperatively to 5.3 ± 7.3 mm postoperatively. The JSSF score improved from 54.0 ± 19.1 points preoperatively to 97.5 ± 5.7 points postoperatively (Wilcoxon signed-rank test, P < .001, respectively). The mean duration to full weightbearing postoperatively was 4.4 ± 4.2 days. Two patients presented with tenderness, and one presented with hypesthesia at the portal site.

Conclusion:

Endoscopic CSR without PFR resulted in good outcomes, early return to full weightbearing, and few complications in patients with plantar fasciitis with ≥2 mm calcaneal spur. The results suggested that CSR was sufficient to relieve symtoms and improve function. PFR may not be necessary for treating plantar fasciitis with calcaneal spur.

Level of Evidence:

Level IV, retrospective case series.
Effects of habitat gradient and agro-climatic variation on selected soil physical and chemical properties in the Bale Mountains national park, south-eastern Ethiopia
Authors: Ahmedin Annissa Muhammed , Elias Eyasu
Published: June 2022

Background

Increasing evidence suggests that anthropogenic effects are responsible for drastic changes in landscape patterns and ecosystem services. This study aims to assess the effects of landscape change and agro-climatic variation on selected soil physical and chemical properties in the Bale Mountains national park. A combination of stratified and systematic sampling techniques was employed to draw representative soil samples. A total of 72 soil samples (3 agro-climatic zones × 3 land cover types × 2 habitat gradients × 4 replications = 72) at a depth of 0–20 cm were collected for the soil physical and chemical property analysis. A two-way analysis of variance was conducted to determine the level of variation in soil parameters. Tukey’s honest significance difference (HSD) test was used to compare treatment means at a 0.05 level of significance.

Results

The results suggest that soil parameters differed significantly (p < 0.05) among agro-climatic zones, land cover, and habitat gradients. The soil pH, SOC, TN, AP, CEC and clay content were significantly higher in the lower altitude, natural vegetation and interior habitat, whereas the soil sand and silt content as well as the soil bulk density were significantly higher in the farmland and edge habitat.

Conclusions

Conservation and restoration priority should be given to those vegetation types and ecosystems that are highly affected by human interferences such as the grassland in the middle altitude, ericaceous land in the higher altitude, and moist forest in the lower altitudes.
Comparative genomic analysis reveals contraction of gene families with putative roles in pathogenesis in the fungal boxwood pathogens Calonectria henricotiae and C. pseudonaviculata
Authors: Rogers Layne W. , Koehler Alyssa M. , Crouch Jo Anne , Cubeta Marc A. , LeBlanc Nicholas R.
Published: June 2022

Background

Boxwood blight disease caused byCalonectria henricotiaeandC. pseudonaviculatais of ecological and economic significance in cultivated and native ecosystems worldwide. Prior research has focused on understanding the population genetic and genomic diversity ofC. henricotiaeandC. pseudonaviculata, but gene family evolution in the context of host adaptation, plant pathogenesis, and trophic lifestyle is poorly understood. This study applied bioinformatic and phylogenetic methods to examine gene family evolution inC. henricotiae,C. pseudonaviculataand 22 related fungi in the Nectriaceae that vary in pathogenic and saprobic (apathogenic) lifestyles.

Results

A total of 19,750 gene families were identified in the 24 genomes, of which 422 were rapidly evolving. Among the sixCalonectriaspecies,C. henricotiaeandC. pseudonaviculatawere the only species to experience high levels of rapid contraction of pathogenesis-related gene families (89% and 78%, respectively). In contrast, saprobic speciesCalonectria multiphialidicaandC. naviculata, two of the closest known relatives ofC. henricotiaeandC. pseudonaviculata, showed rapid expansion of pathogenesis-related gene families.

Conclusions

Our results provide novel insight into gene family evolution withinC. henricotiaeandC. pseudonaviculataand suggest gene family contraction may have contributed to limited host-range expansion of these pathogens within the plant family Buxaceae.
Mitochondrial DNA sequences and transcriptomic profiles for elucidating the genetic underpinnings of cisplatin responsiveness in oral squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Aminuddin Amnani , Ng Pei Yuen , Chua Eng Wee
Published: June 2022

Objectives

Functional genetic variation plays an important role in predicting patients’ response to chemotherapeutic agents. A growing catalogue of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) alterations in various cancers point to their important roles in altering the drug responsiveness and survival of cancer cells. In this work, we report the mtDNA sequences, obtained using a nanopore sequencer that can directly sequence unamplified DNA, and the transcriptomes of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cell lines with differing responses to cisplatin, to explore the interplay between mtDNA alterations, epigenetic regulation of gene expression, and cisplatin response in OSCC.

Data description

Two human OSCC cell lines, namely H103 and SAS, and drug-resistant stem-like cells derived from SAS were used in this work. To validate our hypothesis that cisplatin sensitivity is linked to mtDNA changes, we sequenced their mtDNA using a nanopore sequencer, MinION. We also obtained the whole transcriptomic profiles of the cells from a microarray analysis. The mtDNA mutational and whole transcriptomic profiles that we provide can be used alongside other similar datasets to facilitate the identification of new markers of cisplatin sensitivity, and therefore the development of effective therapies for OSCC.
Virtual Reality for Pain Relief in the Emergency Room (VIPER) – a prospective, interventional feasibility study
Authors: Birrenbach T. , Bühlmann F. , Exadaktylos A. K. , Hautz W. E. , Müller M. , Sauter T. C.
Published: June 2022

Background

Pain is one of the most common, yet challenging problems leading to emergency department (ED) presentation, despite the availability of a wide range of pharmacological therapies. Virtual reality (VR) simulations are well studied in a wide variety of clinical settings, including acute and chronic pain management, as well as anxiety disorders. However, studies in the busy environment of an adult ED are scarce.

The aim of this study is to explore the feasibility and effectiveness of a VR simulation for pain and anxiety control in a convenience sample of adult ED patients presenting with traumatic and non-traumatic pain triaged 2–5 (i.e., urgent to non-urgent) with a pain rating of ≥ 3 on a numeric rating scale (NRS 0–10).

Methods

Prospective within-subject, repeated measures interventional feasibility pilot study at a Swiss University ED. The intervention consisted of a virtual reality simulation in addition to usual care. Pain and anxiety levels were measured using a verbally administered numeric rating scale (NRS) before and after the intervention. Information on patient experience was collected using established rating scales.

Results

Fifty-two patients were enrolled. The most common pain localisations were extremities (n = 15, 28.8%) and abdomen (n = 12, 23.1%). About one third of patients presented with trauma-associated pain (n = 16, 30.8%). Duration of pain was mainly acute (< 24 h) (n = 16, 30.8%) or subacute (> 24 h) (n = 32, 61.5%). The majority of patients were triage category 3, i.e. semi-urgent (n = 48, 92.3%). Significant reduction in pain (NRS median pre-VR simulation 4.5 (IQR 3–7) vs. median post-VR simulation 3 (IQR 2–5),p < 0.001), and anxiety levels (NRS median pre-VR simulation 4 (IQR 2–5) vs. median post-VR simulation 2 (IQR 0–3),p < 0.001) was achieved, yielding moderate to large effect sizes (Cohen’s d estimate for pain reduction = 0.59 (95% CI 0.19—0.98), for anxiety level on NRS = 0.75 (95% CI 0.34—1.15). With medium immersion and good tolerability of the VR simulation, user satisfaction was high.

Conclusions

Virtual reality analgesia for pain and anxiety reduction in the busy setting of an ED is feasible, effective, with high user satisfaction. Further randomized controlled studies are needed to better characterize its impact on pain perception and resource utilization.
Utilisation of government-subsidised chronic disease management plans and cardiovascular care in Australian general practices
Authors: Coorey Genevieve , Campain Anna , Mulley John , Usherwood Tim , Redfern Julie , Harris Mark , Zwar Nicholas , Parker Sharon , Coiera Enrico , Peiris David
Published: June 2022

Background

Government-subsidised general practice management plans (GPMPs) facilitate chronic disease management; however, impact on cardiovascular disease (CVD) is unknown. We aimed to determine utilisation and impact of GPMPs for people with or at elevated risk of CVD.

Methods

Secondary analysis of baseline data from the CONNECT randomised controlled trial linked to Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) and Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) claims. Multivariate regression examining the association of GPMP receipt and review with: (1) ≥ 1 MBS-subsidised allied health visit in the previous 24 months; (2) adherence to dual cardioprotective medication (≥ 80% of days covered with a dispensed PBS prescription); and (3) meeting recommended LDL-cholesterol and blood pressure (BP) targets concurrently.

Results

Overall, 905 trial participants from 24 primary health care services consented to data linkage. Participants with a GPMP (46.6%, 422/905) were older (69.4 vs 66.0 years), had lower education (32.3% vs 24.7% high school or lower), lower household income (27.5% vs 17.0% in lowest bracket), and more comorbidities, particularly diabetes (42.2% vs 17.6%) compared to those without a GPMP. After adjustment, a GPMP was strongly associated with allied health visits (odds ratio (OR) 14.80, 95% CI: 9.08–24.11) but not higher medication adherence rates (OR 0.82, 95% CI: 0.52–1.29) nor meeting combined LDL and BP targets (OR 1.31, 95% CI: 0.72–2.38). Minor differences in significant covariates were noted in models using GPMP review versus GPMP initiation.

Conclusions

In people with or at elevated risk of CVD, GPMPs are under-utilised overall. They are targeting high-needs populations and facilitate allied health access, but are not associated with improved CVD risk management, which represents an opportunity for enhancing their value in supporting guideline-recommended care.
Identification of Helicobacter pylori-related gastric cancer risk using serological gastritis markers and endoscopic findings: a large-scale retrospective cohort study
Authors: Nagasaki Naoko , Ito Masanori , Boda Tomoyuki , Kotachi Takahiro , Takigawa Hidehiko , Oka Shiro , Tanaka Shinji
Published: June 2022

Background

Gastric cancer remains a severe public health problem worldwide, particularly in Japan. Recent studies have demonstrated that serum markers are beneficial for risk stratification in gastric cancer development. We aimed to evaluate the usefulness of serum markers either alone or in combination (serum markers plus endoscopy) for effective risk stratification of gastric cancer development.

Methods

We enrolled 22,736 patients aged 20–95 years who underwent blood sampling and endoscopic examination at Hiroshima University Hospital in Japan between 1990 and 2014. The serum pepsinogen (PG) levels and anti-Helicobacter pylori antibody (Hp-Ab) titers were evaluated in each patient. The enrolled patients were matched with the database of the Hiroshima Prefecture Regional Cancer Registry. We processed the medical records and excluded patients with possible confounding factors for PG levels, such as proton pump inhibitor use, prior successful eradication therapy, post-gastrectomy, severe hepatorenal dysfunction, Zollinger–Ellison syndrome, and autoimmune gastritis. Among the remaining 5131 patients, we reviewed records of endoscopic examinations and selected 1507 patients (mean age, 62.5 years; 985 men and 522 women) who underwent endoscopic examination more than three months after blood sampling.

First, based on the ABC method, patients were classified as follows: High PG levels and negative Hp-Ab, group A, high PG levels and positive Hp-Ab, group B, low PG levels and positive Hp-Ab, group C, and low PG levels and negative Hp-Ab, group D. Group A was further classified into two subgroups using endoscopic findings: true A without atrophic gastritis and pseudo A with atrophic gastritis. All patients underwent annual endoscopy follow-up.

Results

Among the 1,507 patients (mean age, 62.5 years; 985 men), 24 were diagnosed with newly developed gastric cancer. No significant difference in cancer development was found between group A (PG negative and Hp-Ab negative) and the other groups. Remarkably, no true A group subjects developed gastric cancer.

Conclusions

The combination of serum markers and endoscopic findings is essential for the risk evaluation of gastric cancer.
Predicting mortality in The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA): development of a four-year index and comparison with international measures
Authors: Matthews Soraya , Ward Mark , Nolan Anne , Normand Charles , Kenny Rose Anne , May Peter
Published: June 2022

Objectives

We aimed to replicate existing international (US and UK) mortality indices using Irish data. We developed and validated a four-year mortality index for adults aged 50 + in Ireland and compared performance with these international indices. We then extended this model by including additional predictors (self-report and healthcare utilization) and compared its performance to our replication model.

Methods

Eight thousand one hundred seventy-four participants in The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing were split for development (n = 4,121) and validation (n = 4,053). Six baseline predictor categories were examined (67 variables total): demographics; cardiovascular-related illness; non-cardiovascular illness; health and lifestyle variables; functional variables; self-report (wellbeing and social connectedness) and healthcare utilization. We identified variables independently associated with four-year mortality in the development cohort and attached these variables a weight according to strength of association. We summed the weights to calculate a single index score for each participant and evaluated predicted accuracy in the validation cohort.

Results

Our final 14-predictor (extended) model assigned risk points for: male (1pt); age (65–69: 2pts; 70–74: 4 pts; 75–79: 4pts; 80–84: 6pts; 85 + : 7pts); heart attack (1pt); cancer (3pts); smoked past age 30 (2pts); difficulty walking 100 m (2pts); difficulty using the toilet (3pts); difficulty lifting 10lbs (1pts); poor self-reported health (1pt); and hospital admission in previous year (1pt). Index discrimination was strong (ROC area = 0.78).

Discussion

Our index is predictive of four-year mortality in community-dwelling older Irish adults. Comparisons with the international indices show that our 12-predictor (replication) model performed well and suggests that generalisability is high. Our 14-predictor (extended) model showed modest improvements compared to the 12-predictor model.
Frequency and mortality of sepsis and septic shock in China: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Liu Yan-Cun , Yao Ying , Yu Mu-Ming , Gao Yu-Lei , Qi An-Long , Jiang Tian-Yu , Chen Zhen-Sen , Shou Song-Tao , Chai Yan-Fen
Published: June 2022

Background

Sepsis, a life-threatening organ dysfunction induced by infection, is a major public health problem. This study aimed to evaluate the frequency and mortality of sepsis, severe sepsis, and septic shock in China.

Methods

We Searched MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Cochrane Library from 1 January 1992 to 1 June 2020 for studies that reported on the frequency and mortality of sepsis, severe sepsis, and septic shock conducted in China. Random effects models were performed to estimate the pooled frequency and mortality of sepsis, severe sepsis, and septic shock.

Results

Our search yielded 846 results, of which 29 studies were included in this review. The pooled frequency of sepsis was estimated at 33.6% (95% CI 25.9% to 41.3%, I2 = 99.2%; p < 0.001), and the pooled mortality of sepsis, severe sepsis and septic shock were 29.0% (95% CI 25.3%–32.8%, I2 = 92.1%; p = 0), 31.1% (95% CI 25.3% to 36.9%, I2 = 85.8%; p < 0.001) and 37.3% (95% CI 28.6%–46.0%, I2 = 93.5%; p < 0.001). There was significant heterogeneity between studies. With a small number of included studies and the changing definition of sepsis, trends in sepsis frequency and mortality were not sufficient for analysis. Epidemiological data on sepsis in the emergency department (ED) are severely lacking, and more research is urgently needed in this area is urgently needed.

Conclusions

Our findings indicated that the frequency and mortality of sepsis and septic shock in China were much higher than North America and Europe countries. Based on our results, an extremely high incidence and mortality of sepsis and septic shock in China's mainland requires more healthcare budget support. Epidemiological data on sepsis and septic shock in ED are severely lacking, and more research is urgently needed in this area.

Trial registrationThis systematic review was conducted according to the statement of the preferred reporting items for systematic review (PROSPERO CRD42021243325) and the meta-analysis protocols (PRISMA-P).