bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Investigating women’s health issues and help-seeking intentions in primary care in Japan: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Narumoto Keiichiro , Miyazaki Kei , Inoue Machiko , Kaneko Makoto , Okada Tadao , Sugimura Motoi
Published: September 2022

Background

Many women face a variety of barriers to seeing obstetricians and gynecologists (OB/GYNs). Primary care physicians (PCPs) in Japan are not well equipped to address and adequately handle women’s health issues. Hence, opportunities for women to consult PCPs about women’s health issues are often limited during busy outpatient encounters. It is essential to explore PCP’s roles in women’s health care by examining women’s health needs in a primary care setting. The aim of the study is to describe the prevalence and distribution of women’s health issues and help-seeking intentions among women visiting a primary care clinic.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional study using a questionnaire. We included women aged 20–60 years who visited a primary care clinic for any reason. The questionnaire comprised a list of women’s health issues, the General Help Seeking Questionnaire to assess help-seeking intentions, and participants’ demographics including their reasons for visiting and regularity of OB/GYN visits.

Results

We distributed the questionnaire to 294 women and analyzed 260 valid responses. The average age of the respondents was 40.5 years old, and they had an average of 5.2 clinic visits a year. Approximately half of them (50.4%) visited for their own care. One hundred thirty-nine (53.9%) reported at least one women’s health issue, and 73.9% of them had no regular visit to an OB/GYN. The major concerns of women’s health issues included gynecological cancer screenings and menstrual problems. The distribution of help-seeking intentions for each source of care appeared to be classified into three patterns. One fifth of the women indicated high help-seeking intentions for PCPs, and a greater number of women expressed higher help-seeking intentions for PCPs when they did not regularly see an OB/GYN.

Conclusions

A significant number of women who visited a primary care clinic had a specific concern about women’s health issues, and a majority of them had not regularly visited their OB/GYN. PCPs may have an important role in providing an opportunity for women to discuss their concerns about women’s health issues as part of comprehensive care during a daily clinical encounter.
Modeling the potential impact of pre-exposure prophylaxis for HIV among men who have sex with men in Cameroon
Authors: Lyons Carrie E. , Stokes-Cawley Owen J. , Simkin Anna , Bowring Anna L. , Mfochive Njindam Iliassou , Njoya Oudou , Bissek Anne Zoung-Kanyi , Tamoufe Ubald , Georges Sandra , Kakanou Florence Zeh , Turpin Gnilane , Levitt Daniel , Billong Serge Clotaire , Mishra Sharmistha , Baral Stefan
Published: September 2022

Background

Men who have sex with men (MSM) are consistently burdened by HIV at higher levels than other adults. While HIV prevention programs for MSM are growing in coverage and quality, HIV incidence remains high. In response, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) was introduced in 2019 to support HIV risk reduction among MSM in Cameroon. Understanding how PrEP initiation programs will change the HIV prevalence among MSM in Cameroon is important to developing effective programs.

Methods

This study uses a mathematical model to simulate population-level HIV transmission among MSM in the cities of Yaoundé and Douala, Cameroon. PrEP is incorporated into the model at rates that equal 25%, 50%, or 75% coverage after twenty years to assess the potential effects on HIV prevalence among MSM, requiring annual initiation rates of 2.5%, 6.8%, and 17.2% for Yaoundé and 2.2%, 5.6%, and 13.4% for Douala, respectively. The data utilized for this model are from a cross sectional study which recruited MSM through respondent-driven sampling of MSM in two major cities in Cameroon: Yaoundé and Douala.

Results

The model estimated an HIV prevalence of 43.2% among MSM, annual HIV diagnoses of 300 per 10,000 MSM and antiretroviral therapy (ART) coverage of 53.9% in Yaoundé. In Douala, estimated prevalence is 26.5% among MSM, 167 per 10,000 MSM annual diagnoses and ART coverage of 72.0%. Standalone PrEP interventions aimed at 50% coverage at the end of a 20-year program would reduce the prevalence from 43.2% to 35.4% in Yaoundé and from 26.5 to 20.1% in Douala. Combining PrEP with a 10% increase in HIV testing would decrease the number of MSM living with HIV and unaware of their status from 9.8 to 6.0% in Yaoundé and from 8.7 to 4.6% in Douala.

Conclusions

PrEP would be beneficial in reducing prevalence even at varying initiation and coverage levels. Combination of PrEP and increased HIV testing further decreased the number of undiagnosed MSM. This study supports the utility of implementing PrEP as part of comprehensive HIV prevention programming among MSM in Cameroon.
A case report of unilateral cervical lymphadenopathy and multiple cranial neuropathies following mRNA-COVID-19 vaccination
Authors: Shalabi Fatma , Lossos Alexander , Karussis Dimitrios
Published: September 2022

Background

We report a rare case of ipsilateral multiple cranial neuropathy and ipsilateral lymphadenopathy following mRNA-COVID-19 vaccination.

Case Presentation

A 41-year-old male visited our emergency room complaining of dysphagia and hoarseness that started a week after receiving COVID19 mRNA vaccination (in his right arm). During his hospitalization, he also complained of right side hearing loss and diplopia. Neurological examination depicted a right IV nerve palsy, ipsilateral facial paresthesia and peripheral facial paresis. Otorinolaryngological examination revealed right vocal cord paralysis. A brain magnetic resonance imaging showed enhancement of the right VII and VIII cranial nerves in the auditory canal. The lumbar puncture revealed increased protein concentration and lymphocytic pleocytosis in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Additionally, a neck computed tomography (CT) scan showed a swollen right supraclavicular lymph node. We hypothesize that the ipsilateral cranial neuropathies of IV, VI, VII, VIII and X, associated with cervical lymphadenopathy, was possible caused by a post-vaccination immune-mediated reaction. The patient was treated with a 5-day course of intravenous methylprednisolone (1000 mg/day), and a gradual improvement was observed.

Conclusions

Similarly, to other vaccines, it is possibly that also mRNA vaccines may act as triggers of non-specific autoimmune neurological syndromes.
Internet addiction and relationships with depression, anxiety, stress and academic performance among Egypt pharmacy students: a cross-sectional designed study
Authors: Sayed Moustafa , Naiim Christina Medhat , Aboelsaad Marina , Ibrahim Michael Kamal
Published: September 2022

Background and Aims

Pharmacy students represent the future of healthcare professionals and with daily use of the internet for different activities has made internet addiction (IA) of a growing concern. The main objectives of this study were to 1) assess internet addiction among pharmacy undergraduate students as well as factors associated with it; 2) assess the relationships between internet addiction and common mental disorders (depression, anxiety, and stress), in addition to academic performance and body mass index factors.

Methods

We utilized a cross-sectional questionnaire that was conducted among 808 students of Egypt university pharmacy students across the country. The surveys used included: Young Internet Addiction Test (YIAT) and the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS 21).

Results

YIAT average score was 44.75 (19.72%); prevalence rate of potential IA was 311 (38.5%) with no gender significant difference. We couldn’t detect any type of correlation between potential IA and GPA. However, a robust correlation was found between internet addiction vs depression, anxiety and stress collectively.

Conclusions

Internet addiction is usually associated with mental related disorders thus it is of paramount important to identify it among students. Different therapeutic interventions could include management to IA and common psychological disorders such as depression, anxiety, and stress.
Exploring changes in temporary abstinence in increasing and higher risk drinkers in England and Dry January participation in users of the Try Dry app in the UK between 2020 and 2021
Authors: Oldham Melissa , Kersbergen Inge , Cox Sharon , Brown Jamie , Piper Richard , Garnett Claire
Published: September 2022

Background

We looked at changes in the prevalence of increasing and higher risk drinkers reporting a reduction attempt motivated by temporary abstinence and changes in prevalence of use of the official app accompanying Dry January between 2020 vs 2021, following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. We also explored potential shifts in the sociodemographic composition of both groups.

Methods

We analysed data from: i) 1863 increasing and higher risk drinkers (defined as ≥ 8 on the AUDIT) responding to a nationally representative survey of adults in England in January and February 2020 and 2021, and ii) 104,598 users of the ‘Try Dry’ app, the official aid to those participating in Dry January 2020 and 2021 in the UK. We used logistic regression to examine shifts in the prevalence of increasing and higher risk drinkers reporting a reduction attempt motivated by temporary abstinence and explored whether there were shifts in the characteristics of this group in terms of AUDIT score, number of last year reduction attempts, smoking status, living alone, living with children, reducing alcohol consumption due to future health motives, age, sex, and occupational social grade between 2020 and 2021. We used t-tests and chi-squared tests to compare the prevalence of users of the ‘Try Dry’ app in 2020 and 2021 and examine whether the two groups differed in terms of age and sex.

Results

The proportion of increasing and higher risk drinkers reporting a reduction attempt motivated by temporary abstinence increased from 4% in 2020 to 8% in 2021 (OR = 2.07, 95% CI = 1.38–3.11, p < .001) with no changes detected in sociodemographic composition. The number of Try Dry app users in 2021 increased by 34.8% relative to 2020. App users in 2021 were two years older on average [p < .001, d = .02], with a 2% increase in the proportion of female app users [p < .001, vs. < .01].

Conclusions

Higher participation in Dry January 2021 relative to 2020 indicates increased engagement with a period of temporary abstinence following the COVID-19 related lockdowns in England and the UK, which is positive in the wider context of increasing alcohol consumption throughout the pandemic.
Young people’s health and well-being during the school-to-work transition: a prospective cohort study comparing post-secondary pathways
Authors: Reuter Marvin , Herke Max , Richter Matthias , Diehl Katharina , Hoffmann Stephanie , Pischke Claudia R. , Dragano Nico
Published: September 2022

Background

At the end of secondary education, young people can either start vocational training, enter university, directly transition to employment or become unemployed. Research assumes that post-secondary pathways have immediate and/or long-term impacts on health and well-being, but empirical investigations on this are scarce and restricted to few countries. Therefore, this study traced the development of health and well-being throughout the highly institutionalised school-to-work transition (STWT) in Germany.

Methods

We used longitudinal data of the National Educational Panel Study (NEPS), a representative sample of 11,098 school-leavers (50.5% girls) repeatedly interviewed between 2011 and 2020. We estimated the effect of post-secondary transitions on self-rated health and subjective well-being by applying fixed-effects (FE) regression, eliminating bias resulting from time-constant confounding and self-selection into different pathways. A multiple-sample strategy was used to account for the increasing diversity of STWTs patterns. Models were controlled for age, as well as household and residential changes to minimise temporal heterogeneity.

Results

Findings indicate that leaving school was good for health and well-being. Compared with participants who did not find a training position after school, direct transitions to vocational training or university were linked to higher absolute levels of health and well-being, but also to a lower relative decline over time. Furthermore, upward transitions (e.g. to programs leading to better education or from unemployment to employment) were associated with improvements in health and well-being, while downward transitions were followed by deteriorations.

Conclusion

Findings suggest that school-leave is a sensitive period and that post-secondary pathways provide young people with different abilities to maintain health and well-being. Youth health interventions might benefit when setting a stronger focus on unsuccessful school-leavers.
A cost-effectiveness analysis of capecitabine maintenance therapy versus routine follow-up for early-stage triple-negative breast cancer patients after standard treatment from a perspective of Chinese society
Authors: Li Ji-Bin , Lin Zhuo-Chen , Wong Martin C. S. , Wang Harry H. X. , Li Mengmeng , Li Su
Published: September 2022

Background

Capecitabine maintenance therapy is safe and efficacious for early-stage triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) patients, but the cost-effectiveness of its long-term use has not been investigated. Here, we evaluated the cost-effectiveness of capecitabine maintenance therapy, compared with routine follow-up, in early-stage TNBC patients after standard treatment from a perspective of Chinese society.

Methods

A three-state Markov model based on the data from the SYSUCC-001 trial was constructed to estimate the cost-effectiveness of capecitabine maintenance therapy in a month cycle over a period of 30-year time horizon. A 5% annual discount rate was set for all costs and benefits. One-way and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were performed to explore the model uncertainties. The main outcomes include quality-adjusted life years (QALYs), incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER), and the number needed to treat (NNT) to prevent one additional event.

Results

Compared with routine follow-up, 1-year capecitabine maintenance therapy yielded an additional 1.29 quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) at an additional cost of $3391.70, with an ICER of $2630.53 (95% CI: $1159.81–$5090.12) per QALY gained. The ICER was considerably lower than the recommended willingness-to-pay (WTP) threshold (i.e., $28,130.00 per QALY). The results were sensitive to the discount rate, drug cost, and treatment cost after relapse. Further, the NNT to prevent one additional relapse case was 29.2 (95% CI: 13.2–196.6), 16.7 (95% CI: 8.4–111.6), and 12.0 (95% CI: 5.7–82.6) at 1, 2, and 5 years, respectively.

Conclusions

One-year capecitabine maintenance therapy for early-stage TNBC after standard treatment, compared with routine follow-up, was found to be highly cost-effective with promising clinical benefits and acceptable increased costs. Real-world studies are warranted to validate our findings in the future.
The potential impact of Covid-19 on the capacity of routine laboratory tests to detect heparin-induced thrombocytopenia
Authors: Draxler Dominik F. , Brodard Justine , Zante Björn , Jakob Stephan M. , Wiegand Jan , Kremer Hovinga Johanna A. , Angelillo-Scherrer Anne , Rovo Alicia
Published: September 2022

In Covid-19, anticoagulation with heparin is often administered to prevent or treat thromboembolic events. Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is a severe complication of heparin treatment, caused by heparin-dependent, platelet activating anti-platelet factor 4 (PF4)/heparin antibodies. Diagnosis of HIT is based on the combination of clinical parameters, allowing to determine the pretest probability, and laboratory testing for anti-PF4/heparin antibodies and confirmatory functional assays, such as the heparin-induced platelet activation (HIPA) test.

We report the case of a patient with severe Covid-19 pneumonia requiring ECMO treatment, who developed recurrent clotting of the ECMO filter and a drop in platelet count under heparin treatment. He was therefore suspected to have HIT and the anticoagulation was switched to argatroban. Despite high clinical probability and high titres of anti-PF4/heparin antibodies, the functional HIPA test was negative. Nevertheless, argatroban was continued rather than to reinstate anticoagulation with heparin. Reevaluation 7 days later then demonstrated a strongly positive functional HIPA test and confirmed the diagnosis of HIT. Under anticoagulation with argatroban the patient gradually improved and was finally weaned off the ECMO.

In conclusion, this case highlights the critical importance of clinical judgement, exploiting the 4 T score, given that Covid-19 patients may present a different pattern of routine laboratory test results in HIT diagnostics. The possibility of a false negative HIPA test has to be considered, particularly in early phases of presentation. In cases of a discrepancy with high clinical probability of HIT and/or high titre anti-PF4/heparin antibodies despite a negative HIPA test, a reevaluation within 3 to 5 days after the initial test should be considered in order to avoid precipitant reestablishment of unfractionated heparin, with potentially fatal consequences.
Efficacy of a culturally tailored cognitive-behavioural intervention for Ethiopian children with haematological malignancies: study protocol for randomised controlled trial
Authors: Melesse Tenaw Gualu , Chau Janita Pak Chun , Li William Ho Cheung
Published: September 2022

Background

Paediatric cancer patients often experience anxiety and depression. Evidence suggests that cognitive-behavioural interventions may help reduce anxiety and depression in children undergoing cancer treatment. However, only a few studies evaluated its impact on the psychological well-being and quality of life of paediatric cancer patients globally. In Ethiopia, there has been no published study to date. Thus, this trial aims to evaluate the efficacy of a culturally tailored cognitive-behavioural intervention for Ethiopian children with haematological malignancies receiving chemotherapy.

Methods

A single-blinded, parallel-group, two-arm, repeated measure randomised controlled trial will be conducted. Eighty children aged 8 − 18 years with haematological malignancy receiving chemotherapy will be recruited and randomly assigned to experimental or control groups. The experimental group will receive five sessions of introducing cognitive-behavioural intervention, identifying and modifying maladaptive thoughts and behaviour, behavioural activation, practising deep breathing exercises, reassessing goals or treatment plans, and encouraging participants to maintain changes. Each session will be conducted face-to-face for 30–35 min a week. The control group will receive usual care. The outcomes will be measured at baseline, post-intervention, and one month after the intervention using the Revised Child Anxiety and Depression Scale and Paediatric Quality of Life Inventory Generic Core Score 4.0.

Discussion

The findings of this study will provide evidence to support the integration of culturally effective cognitive-behavioural intervention strategies into paediatric oncology practice and thus, add new knowledge to the literature and help improve the care of children with haematological malignancies receiving chemotherapy. If the cognitive-behavioural intervention is shown to be effective and culturally acceptable, it will provide evidence to include the intervention as a standard of care in paediatric haematology/oncology.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05270655. Registered on March 8, 2022.
Comparison of the predictive value of four insulin resistance surrogates for the prevalence of hypertension: a population-based study
Authors: Cheng Wenke , Kong Fanliang , Chen Siwei
Published: September 2022

Background

Several studies have investigated the association of insulin resistance (IR) surrogates and the risk of hypertension. However, it is unclear whether there exist differences between different IR surrogates and hypertension risk. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the association of four IR surrogates (triglyceride-glucose index (TyG index), triglyceride-glucose index with body mass index (TyG-BMI), triglycerides/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (TG/HDL-c), and metabolic score for IR (METS-IR)) with the prevalence of hypertension.

Methods

This is a cross-sectional study with a total of 117,056 participants. Data were extracted from a computerized database established by Rich Healthcare Group in China, which included all medical records of participants who received a health check-up from 2010 to 2016. IR surrogates were grouped into quartiles as continuous variables, and multivariate logistic regression was performed to estimate the association between different IR surrogate levels and the prevalence of hypertension. Results were expressed as odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Missing data were accounted by multiple imputation. These analyses were considered as the sensitivity analysis. Meanwhile, the Bayesian network (BN) model was constructed to further evaluate the relationship between baseline characteristics and the four IR surrogates and the prevalence of hypertension, as well as the importance of every single variable for the prevalence of hypertension.

Results

Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that TyG-BMI and METS-IR were independent risk factors for the prevalence of hypertension that increased significantly with increasing TyG-BMI and METS-IR (p for trend < 0.001). The area under the TyG-BMI curve (AUC) was 0.681 [95% CI: 0.677–0.685], and the cut-off value was 199.5, with a sensitivity and specificity of 65.57% and 61.18%, respectively. While the area under the METS-IR curve (AUC) was 0.679 [95% CI: 0.674–0.683], and the cut-off value was 33.61, with a sensitivity and specificity of 69.67% and 56.67%, respectively. The BN model presented that among these four IR surrogates and related variables, TyG-BMI was the most important predictor of hypertension prevalence, with a significance of 34%. The results before and after multiple imputation were similar.

Conclusion

TyG-BMI and METS-IR were independent risk factors for the prevalence of hypertension. TyG-BMI and METS-IR had good predictive value for the prevalence of hypertension, and TyG-BMI was superior to METS-IR.
The relationship between high physical activity and premenstrual syndrome in Japanese female college students
Authors: Kawabe Rika , Chen Chang Yu , Morino Saori , Mukaiyama Kohei , Shinohara Yuki , Kato Masaya , Shimizu Hiroki , Shimoura Kanako , Nagai-Tanima Momoko , Aoyama Tomoki
Published: September 2022

Background

In recent years, moderate physical activity has attracted the attention of experts and women as a way to cope with premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Studies investigated the effects of exercise on PMS, but only a few reports focused on the relationship between physical activity, which included not only exercise but also routine bodily movements, and PMS. Therefore, the present study investigated the relationship between the amount of physical activity and PMS symptoms among sexually mature female students.

Methods

A total of 381 female university students in Japan were surveyed using a paper or web-based questionnaire with the same content. The questionnaire consisted of basic information, PMS symptoms, and physical activity based on the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Participants were divided into two groups (≥ 3000 The Metabolic Equivalent of Task (MET)-minutes/week and < 3000 MET-minutes/week) based on their total physical activity as calculated using the IPAQ guidelines. The two groups were then compared in terms of the severity of their PMS physical and psychological symptoms as calculated based on the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists’ PMS diagnostic criteria. The Wilcoxon's rank-sum test was used for statistical analyses. We then divided the participants based on the presence or absence of each symptom and used the chi-square test to compare the intergroup differences in ratios. The statistical significance level was set at p < 0.05.

Results

Those with total physical activity of ≥ 3000 MET-minutes/week had lower total PMS symptom scores (p < 0.01), physical symptom scores (p = 0.01), and psychological symptom scores (p = 0.01) compared with those with total physical activity of < 3000 MET-minutes/week.

Conclusion

These results suggest that young women with high physical activity (≥ 3000 MET-minutes/week) have milder symptoms of PMS.
The impact of a specialist home-visiting intervention on the language outcomes of young mothers and their children: a pragmatic randomised controlled trial
Authors: Waters Cerith S. , Cannings-John Rebecca , Channon Susan , Lugg-Widger Fiona , Robling Mike , Paine Amy L.
Published: September 2022

Background

Young mothers are more likely to provide a suboptimal early language environment for their children who in turn show impairments in their language development, yet few studies have used observational methods to assess the effectiveness of home-visiting programmes in improving the language outcomes of young mothers and their children. The Family Nurse Partnership (FNP) is a licensed home-visiting intervention developed in the USA and introduced into practice in England. The intervention involves up to 64 structured home visits from early pregnancy until the child's second birthday by specially recruited and trained Family Nurses. We assessed the effectiveness of FNP in improving the language outcomes of first-time teenage mothers and their infants.

Method

We conducted a pragmatic, non-blinded, randomised controlled trial to test whether the FNP programme improved mothers’ and children’s language production at 24 months postpartum. Eligible participants were nulliparous, aged 19 years or younger, and were recruited at less than 25 weeks’ gestation from community midwifery settings (Country). Pregnant young mothers were randomly assigned to FNP plus usual care (n = 243) or usual care alone (n = 233). At 24 months postpartum, mother–child dyads were observed during a standardised free-play task with their first-born child and features of their language production was coded. Data was analysed using multi-level modelling; linear or poisson/negative binomial regression models were used as appropriate.

Results

A small effect of FNP on mothers’ productive language was detected, where mothers in the FNP group demonstrated higher mean length of utterances than mothers who received usual care alone, mean difference (adjusted by minimisation variables and by site, linear regression) = 0.10, p < .05, 95% CI (0.004–0.20), d = .18. No differences were detected between groups regarding other characteristics of maternal language or children’s language outcomes.

Conclusion

This observational study conducted within the context of a randomised-controlled trial suggests that the FNP home-visiting programme may have a small, but potentially important impact on young mothers’ speech to their toddlers. Exploratory analyses identified family environment, maternal, and child related predictors of the language outcomes of young mothers and their offspring.

Trial registrationThis trial is registered with ISRCTN, number ISRCTN23019866, 20/04/2009.
Investigating the factor structure of the Test of English for Academic Purposes (TEAP) and its relation to test takers’ perceived test task value
Authors: Nakamura Keita
Published: September 2022

Background

This study investigated the scoring and criterion-related validity of the TEAP, a newly developed Test of English for Academic Purposes. In this study, scoring validity was examined by investigating the factor structure, while criterion-related validity was examined by first investigating the longitudinal change of test takers’ perceived test task value toward the measured construct and then investigating the relationship of test takers’ perceived value to the factor structure of the TEAP.

Methods

Confirmatory item-level factor analysis was conducted using the data obtained from 2217 first-year university students comparing four models (unitary, correlated, receptive-productive, higher order). Additional confirmatory factor analyses were conducted to first investigate the longitudinal change of perceived value toward the measured construct and then to investigate the relationship of test takers’ perceived value of the construct measured by the test to the factor structure of the TEAP.

Results

The results show that the higher-order model was the best-fitting model. This confirmed a previous small-scale study suggesting the generalizability of the test’s factor structure. Furthermore, it was found that test takers’ perceived values measured at the start of university positively affected the values measured about 6 months later.

In addition, perceived values measured both at the start of university study and about 6 months later positively correlated with the higher-order factor of the test.

Conclusions

The results provide further support of the scoring validity of the test. In addition, a positive relationship between the higher-order factor of TEAP and the factors of perceived values provide evidence of the usefulness of test takers’ perception to further support the criterion-related validity of the test.
Integrated genomic analysis reveals actionable targets in pediatric spinal cord low-grade gliomas
Authors: Misove Adela , Vicha Ales , Broz Petr , Vanova Katerina , Sumerauer David , Stolova Lucie , Sramkova Lucie , Koblizek Miroslav , Zamecnik Josef , Kyncl Martin , Holubova Zuzana , Liby Petr , Taborsky Jakub , Benes Vladimir , Pernikova Ivana , Jones David T. W. , Sill Martin , Stancokova Terezia , Krskova Lenka , Zapotocky Michal
Published: September 2022

Gliomas are the most common central nervous tumors in children and adolescents. However, spinal cord low-grade gliomas (sLGGs) are rare, with scarce information on tumor genomics and epigenomics. To define the molecular landscape of sLGGs, we integrated clinical data, histology, and multi-level genetic and epigenetic analyses on a consecutive cohort of 26 pediatric patients. Driver molecular alteration was found in 92% of patients (24/26). A novel variant ofKIAA1549:BRAFfusion (ex10:ex9) was identified using RNA-seq in four cases. Importantly, only one-third of oncogenic drivers could be revealed using standard diagnostic methods, and two-thirds of pediatric patients with sLGGs required extensive molecular examination. The majority (23/24) of detected alterations were potentially druggable targets. Four patients in our cohort received targeted therapy with MEK or NTRK inhibitors. Three of those exhibited clinical improvement (two with trametinib, one with larotrectinib), and two patients achieved partial response. Methylation profiling was implemented to further refine the diagnosis and revealed intertumoral heterogeneity in sLGGs. Although 55% of tumors clustered with pilocytic astrocytoma, other rare entities were identified in this patient population. In particular, diffuse leptomeningeal glioneuronal tumors (n = 3) and high-grade astrocytoma with piloid features (n = 1) and pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma (n = 1) were present. A proportion of tumors (14%) had no match with the current version of the classifier. Complex molecular genetic sLGGs characterization was invaluable to refine diagnosis, which has proven to be essential in such a rare tumor entity. Moreover, identifying a high proportion of drugable targets in sLGGs opened an opportunity for new treatment modalities.
Totally laparoscopic resection using delta-shaped anastomosis of jejunal leiomyosarcoma with intussusception at the angle of Treitz: a case report
Authors: Nakamura Kenichi , Shibasaki Susumu , Yamada Seiji , Suzuki Kazumitsu , Serizawa Akiko , Akimoto Shingo , Nakauchi Masaya , Tanaka Tsuyoshi , Inaba Kazuki , Uyama Ichiro , Suda Koichi
Published: September 2022

Background

A leiomyosarcoma of the gastrointestinal tract is extremely rare. We report a case of jejunal leiomyosarcoma with intestinal intussusception at the angle of Treitz that was successfully treated with laparoscopic resection followed by intracorporeal reconstruction using a delta-shaped anastomosis.

Case presentation

A 54-year-old man was referred to our hospital due to fatigue and loss of appetite. Blood tests showed anemia. Enteroscopy and subsequent enterography using meglumine sodium amidotrizoate showed easily hemorrhagic tumor (10 cm in diameter) in the jejunum just beyond the angle of Treitz. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography revealed jejunojejunal intussusception. Histopathological examination of a biopsy specimen revealed a leiomyosarcoma. Laparoscopic resection of the tumor without reduction of the intussusception was performed. The resected line of the proximal intestine was very close to the ligament of Treitz in the present case. Intracorporeal jejunojejunostomy was completed using a delta-shaped anastomosis, wherein anastomosis was performed between the posterior walls of the proximal and distal jejunums after minimal mobilization around the ligament of Treitz. The patient’s postoperative course was uneventful, and he was discharged at 10 days postoperatively. No recurrence has been observed within 2 years after surgery.

Conclusions

We present a case in which a totally laparoscopic surgery for leiomyosarcoma located at the angle of Treitz with jejunojejunal intussusception was performed successfully.
A feasibility randomised controlled trial with an embedded qualitative evaluation of perinatal emotional skills groups for women with borderline personality disorder: protocol for the EASE study
Authors: Moran Paul , Bick Debra , Biddle Lucy , Borries Belinda , Kandiyali Rebecca , Rigby Janice , Seume Penny , Sadhnani Vaneeta , Smith Nadine , Swales Michaela , Turner Nicholas
Published: September 2022

Background

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a severe mental disorder characterised by emotional instability, impaired interpersonal functioning and an increased risk of suicide. There is no clear evidence about how best to help women with BPD during the perinatal period. Perinatal Emotional Skills Groups (ESGs) consist of 12 group sessions, focussing on core skills in emotion regulation, interpersonal effectiveness, distress tolerance and mindfulness and how these skills can best be utilised during the perinatal period. Prior observational research has shown that perinatal ESGs may help women with BPD. We set out to test the feasibility of conducting a randomised controlled trial to investigate the clinical effectiveness of perinatal ESGs.

Methods

A two-arm, parallel-group, feasibility randomised controlled trial of Perinatal ESGs in addition to Treatment as Usual (TAU) versus TAU for women aged over 18 years, who are likely to have a diagnosis of BPD and are either pregnant or are within 12 months of having a live birth. We will exclude women who have a co-existing organic, psychotic mental disorder or substance use dependence syndrome; those with cognitive or language difficulties that would preclude them from consenting or participating in study procedures; those judged to pose an acute risk to their baby and those requiring admission to a mother and baby unit. After consenting to participation and completing screening assessments, eligible individuals will be randomly allocated, on a 1:1 ratio, to either ESGs + TAU or to TAU. Randomisation will be stratified according to recruitment centre.

Feasibility outcomes will be the proportion of participants: (1) consenting; (2) completing baseline measures and randomised; (3) completing the intervention and (4) completing follow-up assessments. All study participants will complete a battery of self-report measures at 2 and 4 months post-randomisation. A nested qualitative study will examine participants’ and therapists’ experiences of the trial and the intervention.

Discussion

Evidence is lacking about how to help women with BPD during the perinatal period. Perinatal ESGs are a promising intervention and if they prove to be an effective adjunct to usual care, a large population of vulnerable women and their children could experience substantial health gains.

Trial registration

ISRCTN80470632.
Increased Pass Rates in Introductory Biology: Benefits and Potential Costs of Implementing a Mathematics Prerequisite in a Community College Setting
Authors: Kiser Stacey L. , Andrews Christine M. , Seidel Shannon B. , Fisher Matthew R. , Wright Natalie A. , Theobald Elli J.
Published: September 2022

An 11 year retrospective assessment of pass rates, course grades, and student demographics before and after implementing a math prerequisite for an introductory biology course. Probability of passing increased with prereq. Enrollment proportion of persons excluded due to ethnicity or race (PEERs)increased more than comparison groups.
Nonstationary seismic reflectivity inversion based on prior-engaged semisupervised deep learning method
Authors: Chen Hongling , Sacchi Mauricio D. , Haghshenas Lari Hojjat , Gao Jinghuai , Jiang Xiudi
Published: September 2022

Reflectivity inversion methods based on a stationary convolution model are essential for seismic data processing. They compress the seismic wavelet, and by broadening the bandwidth of seismic data, they assist the interpretation of seismic sections. Unfortunately, they do not apply to realistic nonstationary deconvolution cases in which the seismic wavelet varies as it propagates in the subsurface. Deep learning techniques have been proposed to solve inverse problems in which networks can behave as the regularizer of the inverse problem. Our goal is to adopt a semisupervised deep learning approach to invert reflectivity when the propagating wavelet is considered unknown and time-variant. To this end, we have designed a prior-engaged neural network by unrolling an alternating iterative optimization algorithm, in which convolutional neural networks are used to solve two subproblems. One is to invert the reflectivity, and the other is to estimate the time-varying wavelets. In general, it is well known that, when working with geophysical inverse problems such as ours, one has limited access to labeled data for training the network. We circumvent the problem by training the network via a data-consistency cost function in which seismic traces are honored. Reflectivity estimates also are honored at spatial coordinates in which true reflectivity series derived from borehole data are available. The cost function also penalizes time-varying wavelets from varying abruptly along the spatial direction. Experiments are conducted to find the effectiveness of our method. We also compare our approach to a nonstationary blind deconvolution algorithm based on regularized inversion. Our findings reveal that the developed method improves the vertical resolution of seismic sections with noticeable correlation coefficient improvements over the nonstationary blind deconvolution. In addition, our method is less sensitive to initial estimates of nonstationary wavelets. Moreover, it needs less human intervention when setting parameters than regularized inversion.
Integral equation study of effective attraction between like-charged particles mediated by cations: Comparison between IPY2 and HNC closures
Authors: Takeda M. , Maruyama K. , Akiyama R. , Miyata T.
Published: September 2022

Effective interactions between like-charged particles immersed in an electrolyte solution were calculated using two integral equation theories, hypernetted-chain (HNC)-Ornstein-Zernike (OZ) and ionic Percus-Yevick 2 (IPY2)-OZ. When the HNC-OZ theory was adopted, the electrolyte concentration dependence of the effective interaction showed a reentrant behavior. By contrast, the IPY2-OZ theory did not indicate the behavior. Monte Carlo simulations were performed for one of the model systems, and the results agreed qualitatively with those calculated using the HNC-OZ theory.
Stent Retriever or Aspiration Catheter Alone vs Their Combination as the First-Line Thrombectomy in Acute Stroke
Authors: Ohta Tsuyoshi , Tanaka Kanta , Koge Junpei , Yoshimoto Takeshi , Kushi Yuji , Shiozawa Masayuki , Inoue Manabu , Satow Tetsu , Iihara Koji , Ihara Masafumi , Koga Masatoshi , Toyoda Kazunori , Kataoka Hiroharu
Published: September 2022

BACKGROUND:

The single-device simplicity for mechanical thrombectomy (MT) is now challenged by the complementary efficacy of dual-device first-line with a stent retriever and an aspiration catheter.

OBJECTIVE:

To compare the outcomes after MT initiated with a single device vs dual devices in acute anterior circulation large vessel occlusion.

METHODS:

Patients who underwent MT for acute internal carotid artery (ICA) or M1 occlusion between 2015 and 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. We divided patients into 2 groups: single-device first-line, defined as patients who underwent first-device pass with either a stent retriever or aspiration catheter, and dual-device first-line, defined as first-device pass with both devices.

RESULTS:

One hundred forty-one patients were in the single-device group, and 119 were in the dual-device group. In the dual-device group, coiling or kinking of the extracranial ICA was more frequent (P = .07) and the guide catheters were less frequently navigated to the ICA (P < .001). 37% of the single-device group was converted to dual-device use. The proportions of mTICI ≥ 2c after the first pass were similar (33% vs 32%. adjusted odds ratio 0.91, 95% CI 0.51-1.62). An mRS score of 0 to 2 at 3 months was achieved similarly (53% vs 48%, P = .46). The total cost for thrombectomy devices was lower in the single-device group (P < .001).

CONCLUSION:

The proportions of first-pass mTICI ≥ 2c were not different between the 2 groups with similar functional outcomes, although the dual-device group more likely to have unfavorable vascular conditions.
Teachers’ beliefs, interests and instructional practices in education for sustainable development
Authors: Σινάκου Ελένη
Published: September 2022

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COST-EFFECTIVENESS OF USING THE LOCAL SEARCH METHOD FOR THE TASK OF OPERATIONAL PLANNING
Authors: Kozlovskaya Elena B. , Patsuk Olga V.
Published: September 2022

A modification of the local search algorithm is considered using tournament selection for the task of operational planning in the production of plastic products. A comparative analysis of the results of the algorithm showed a direct dependence of the results on the presence of tournament selection and population size.

The program is designed for operational planning in the production of plastic products, where it is necessary to take into account the volume and period of production of each type of product with the minimum number of changes in equipment settings. The objective of optimization is to minimize the number of product shifts in the production plan. It is proposed to modify the genetic algorithm using tournament selection for the task of planning types of products at production facilities. This algorithm is a local search method that allows you to gradually improve a certain result in some vicinity of the known solution.

Purpose. The goal is to minimize the number of product shifts in the production plan.

Methodology of work: the article used methods of system analysis, operations research, optimization theories, economic and mathematical methods and statistical methods of analysis.

Results: on average, the solution is most quickly found with an initial population size of 100 individuals, and this time is less than the largest average values by 2 times. Tournament selection, reducing time costs, reduces the likelihood of finding an optimal solution.

Practical implications. Results are useful on production lines to distribute capacity loads.
Implementation of Culturally Oriented Projects as an Actual Educational Activity at the University
Authors: Pryahina A. , Bagdasaryan D.
Published: September 2022

The modern labor market is interested in specialists who, in the process of studying at a university, have formed not only highly professional, but also the so-called interdisciplinary (interdisciplinary) competencies and skills. One of the relevant competencies for most professions is the so-called general cultural competencies. In the article, on the example of the implementation of two culturally oriented projects "Cool Epics" and "International Scientific Conference", the implementation of the educational process was demonstrated using project activities that form general cultural competencies among university students.
The Communicative Aspect of the Formation of the Image of the Territory: Environmental Issues in the Internet Media of Industrial Regions
Authors: Perevozova O. , Cherednyakova A.
Published: September 2022

The article presents new results of the research on the problem of communicative formation of the image of environmentally disadvantaged territories. The relevance of the issue is supplemented by new factors in the context of environmental discourse and language images of the territory in the regional media. The ecological image of the territory acquires relevance in the concept of sustainable development. The aim of the study is to try to identify the features of environmental news coverage in the regional media of environmentally disadvantaged territories, linguistic patterns of image creation in the news content. The key toolkit was the method of content analysis and survey, contributing to the understanding of the problem. The methodology and methods of research are built on the scientific approaches of domestic and foreign scientists, who raise the problem at the methodological level. A special place in the methodology of analysis is taken by the linguistic analysis of texts. The angle of presentation and consideration of the problem is important. Informational environmental agenda of Internet media of industrial regions becomes a conditional mirror, which reflects the current reality. The results of the study showed that there is a direct link between the image of the territory and its information promotion in the information agenda of the region, which forms the communicative image of the territory in the media space. The assumption that language images influence the attractiveness of the region is confirmed. The scientific novelty of the research consists in the attempt to integrate the methods of classical content analysis of the environmental agenda of the regional media and methods of linguistic analysis in environmental communications. The practical significance of the study lies in the possibility to use the materials to translate the experience of the regional media in the practice of environmental journalism, forming the impression and representation of the attractiveness of the risk territories.