bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Placebo effects in children with autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Curie Aurore , Oberlander Tim F. , Jensen Karin B.
Published: March 2023

Placebo responses are frequently observed in research studies and clinical contexts, yet there is limited knowledge about the placebo effect among children with neurodevelopmental disorders. Here, we review the placebo effect in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Placebo responses are widely evident in ASD clinical trials and could partly operate via so‐called placebo‐by‐proxy, whereby caregivers or clinicians indirectly shape patient outcomes. Understanding the role of placebo effects in ASD may help discern genuine treatment effects from contextual factors in clinical trials. The much less studied nocebo effect, or negative placebo, might contribute to the experience of side effects in ASD treatments but empirical data is missing. Better knowledge about placebo and nocebo mechanisms may contribute to the development of more effective research designs, such as three‐armed designs that account for natural history, and improved treatments for ASD symptoms. At a clinical level, deeper knowledge about placebo and nocebo effects may optimize the delivery of care for individuals with ASD in the future.

What this paper adds

Placebo responses are evident in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) clinical trials.

Placebo responses in ASD are likely dependent on a placebo‐by‐proxy mechanism.
The monetary policy strategy of the Bank of England in 2020–21: An assessment
Authors: Greenwood John
Published: March 2023

Excessive money creation during the Covid pandemic has resulted in Britain's worst episode of inflation since 1990–91. The backdrop to this failure of monetary policy is the Bank of England's aggregate demand/aggregate supply framework together with the Monetary Policy Committee's neglect of broad money. An alternative way to operate monetary policy is urgently needed. A significantly improved monetary policy outcome could be achieved by shifting from trying to steer the economy using interest rates and quantitative easing or quantitative tightening to reliance on the relative stability of income velocity (the ratio of nominal GDP to broad money) as a means of managing aggregate demand.
Delayed embryonic development or a long sperm survival in two mares—A registration conundrum
Authors: McCue Patrick M. , Matthews Philip M. , Prell Melissa J. , Bellone Rebecca R. , Allen Heather
Published: March 2023

Background

Genetic testing is required for the registration of foals of most equine breeds.

Objectives

To describe two clinical cases of marked delayed embryonic development or delayed fertilisation in pregnancies generated by embryo transfer.

Study design

Case report.

Methods

Donor mares were inseminated with semen from one stallion during one oestrous cycle and semen from a different stallion on the subsequent oestrous cycle. Embryo(s) were collected 8 days after ovulation during the second oestrous cycle and transferred into synchronised recipient mares. Genetic testing was performed to determine parentage of the two foals.

Results

For both foals, DNA parentage testing excluded the second stallion as the genetic sire and confirmed that the first stallion, whose semen was inseminated on the previous oestrous cycle, was the actual genetic sire.

Main limitations

Rare event in horses; two clinical cases are described.

Conclusions

It is hypothesised that either marked delayed embryonic development or extended sperm survival occurred in the donor mares. Without genetic testing, parentage assignment based solely on breeding records would have been incorrect.
An update on long‐term outcomes of pediatric follicular mucinosis over a 20‐year period: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Jin Mauricio F. , Ali Nora S. , Davis Dawn M. R. , Johnson Emma F. , Gibson Lawrence E.
Published: March 2023

Background

Follicular mucinosis (FM) is a rare disease characterized by mucin accumulation in the follicular unit. FM's etiology is still widely debated since its first description in 1957. Follicular mucinosis is usually reported to be benign in children, although reports of malignant transformation, most commonly mycosis fungoides, exist. The present project aims to demonstrate that children with a diagnosis of follicular mucinosis have positive long‐term outcomes and do not develop mycosis fungoides.

Materials and methods

This is a retrospective cohort study where patients with a diagnosis of follicular mucinosis ages 22 years and below were identified. Data surrounding the patient's diagnosis of FM, differential diagnosis, treatments, and long‐term outcomes were collected. Patients who were lost to follow‐up were contacted by phone for an update on the status of their skin and overall health.

Results

Out of 14 patients with follow‐up information, none developed subsequent mycosis fungoides or other hematologic malignancies.

Conclusion

Pediatric patients with follicular mucinosis will likely present with limited disease and not experience malignant transformation.
Have changing practices in salvage medical options affected colectomy rates in acute severe ulcerative colitis?
Authors: Clark Nicholas , MacIsaac Michael , Little Robert , Vogrin Sara , Harrison Maria , Tiang Thomas , Keck James , Johnston Michael , Cunningham Georgina , Wright Emily , Connell William
Published: March 2023

Background

In 2014, infliximab (IFX) was listed on the Australian Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme for acute severe ulcerative colitis (ASUC) and is now the preferred option for medical salvage, superseding cyclosporin A (CsA). Optimal dosing schedules for IFX remain unknown.

Aim

The authors aim to evaluate the effect of changing from predominantly CsA to almost exclusively IFX for the treatment of steroid‐refractory ASUC on colectomy rates.

Methods

A retrospective review was performed of patients admitted with ASUC between 2012 and 2020. Patients were categorised into two groups according to year of presentation – either ‘historical treatment’ cohort (2012–2014), when CsA was primarily used, or ‘contemporary treatment’ cohort (2014–2020), when IFX was mostly prescribed, in either standard or intensive doses.

Results

One hundred thirty‐nine patients were included; 37 in the historical treatment cohort and 102 in the contemporary treatment cohort. In the historical treatment cohort, 12 of 37 received salvage therapy and eight (67%) received CsA. In the contemporary treatment cohort, 49 of 102 patients received salvage therapy, 40 (82%) with IFX, of whom 22 (53%) received intensified doses. Colectomy rates were similar at 30 days, 6 months and 12 months between historical and contemporary treatment cohorts (14% vs 12% [P = 0.77], 19% vs 18% [P > 0.99],and 22% vs 18% [P = 0.63], respectively). Difference in 12‐month colectomy rates between standard versus intensive IFX did not meet statistical significance (three of 21 [14%] vs nine of 22 [41%]. respectively; P = 0.09).

Conclusion

There was no difference in 30‐day, 6‐month or 12‐month colectomy rates between the historical treatment and contemporary treatment cohorts. The use of IFX, rather than CsA, even at intensified dosing, does not appear to reduce the colectomy rate observed in our patients.
A prospective study on the wound healing and quality of life outcomes of patients with venous leg ulcers in Singapore—Interim analysis at 6 month follow up
Authors: Chan Kai Siang , Lo Zhiwen Joseph , Wang Zifei , Bishnoi Priya , Ng Yi Zhen , Chew Stacy , Chong Tze Tec , Carmody David , Ang Shin Yuh , Yong Enming , Chan Yam Meng , Ho Jackie , Graves Nicholas , Harding Keith
Published: March 2023

Venous leg ulceration results in significant morbidity. However, the majority of studies conducted are on Western populations. This study aims to evaluate the wound healing and quality of life for patients with venous leg ulcers (VLUs) in a Southeast Asian population. This is a multi‐centre prospective cohort study from Nov 2019 to Nov 2021. All patients were started on 2‐ or 4‐layer compression bandage and were reviewed weekly or fortnightly. Our outcomes were wound healing, factors predictive of wound healing and the EuroQol 5‐dimensional 5‐level (EQ‐5D‐5L) health states. Within our cohort, there were 255 patients with VLU. Mean age was 65.2 ± 11.6 years. Incidence of diabetes mellitus was 42.0%. Median duration of ulcer at baseline was 0.30 years (interquartile range 0.136–0.834). Overall, the median time to wound healing was 4.5 months (95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.77–5.43). The incidence of complete wound healing at 3‐ and 6‐month was 47.0% and 60.9%, respectively. The duration of the wound at baseline was independently associated with worse wound healing (Hazard ratio 0.94, 95% CI: 0.89–0.99, P = .014). Patients with healed VLU had a significantly higher incidence of perfect EQ‐5D‐5L health states at 6 months (57.8% vs 13.8%, P < .001). We intend to present longer term results in subsequent publications.
Reliable assessment of pain behaviour in adults with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities: The development of an instruction protocol
Authors: Enninga Annemieke , Waninge Aly , Post Wendy J. , van der Putten Annette A. J.
Published: March 2023

Background

Persons with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities (PIMD) are vulnerable when it comes to experiencing pain. Reliable assessment of pain‐related behaviour in these persons is difficult. Aim To determine how pain items can be reliably scored in adults with PIMD.

Methods

We developed an instruction protocol for the assessment of pain‐related behaviour in four phases. We used videos of 57 adults with PIMD during potentially painful situations. The items were assessed for inter‐rater reliability (Cohen's kappa or percentage of agreement).

Results

The developed instruction protocol appeared to be adequate. Twelve items had satisfactory inter‐rater reliability (n = 9: .30–1.00; n = 3: 85%–100%).

Discussion

Calibrating and adjustments to the instructions and item set appeared to be crucial to reliably score 12 items in adults with PIMD. Further research should focus on creating an assessment instrument based on these reliably scored items.
Rates and predictors of 30‐day hospital readmissions in adults for drug‐induced acute pancreatitis: A retrospective study from the United States National Readmission Database
Authors: Ebhohon Ebehiwele , Khoshbin Katayoun , Shaka Hafeez
Published: March 2023

Background and Aim

Drug‐induced acute pancreatitis (DIAP) linked to several medications is a diagnosis of exclusion and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality, contributing to the US healthcare cost burden. Existing studies on DIAP focus on the drug classes that can cause acute pancreatitis. Hence, our retrospective study aims to determine the rates and predictors for 30‐day readmissions (30‐DR) in patients with index hospitalization for DIAP.

Methods

From the Nationwide Readmissions Database, we followed adults admitted for DIAP who were discharged alive for 30 days. During 30‐DR, we evaluated the rates, predictors, and outcomes of DIAP.

Results

Of the 4457 DIAP patients surviving at discharge, 12.5% were readmitted at 30 days. During readmissions, the predictors of 30‐DR for DIAP were young age, the Charlson–Deyo Comorbidity Index of 2 and 3, protein‐energy malnutrition, and dyslipidemia. During 30‐DR, DIAP had a higher mortality rate (2.4% vs. 0.7%; P < 0.020), extended hospital stays (5.6 days vs. 4 days, 0.000), and higher hospital charges ($12 983.6 vs. $8 255.6; P 0.000).

Conclusions

DIAP has high 30‐DR rates and poorer outcomes.
The Ethics and Politics of Religious Ethics, 1973–2023
Authors: Miller Richard B.
Published: March 2023

This essay addresses the questions, “what good is religious ethics for?” and “what justification exists for the field?” in three steps. First, it canvases how religious ethicists have offered reasons for carrying out work in the field to identify anAnti‐Reductive Paradigmthat is guided by anEgalitarian Imperative. That imperative functions as a thin, minimal morality of inclusivity and equal respect that guides work in the field. Second, the essay considers the field's ends. Here the focus shifts from values that shape the field'smethodsto values that can describe the field'spurposes. That shift requires us to think in terms of a thick rather than a thin morality, one with substantive rather than procedural virtues in mind. The essay offers a constructive, substantive proposal under the rubric ofCritical Humanism. Critical Humanism justifies the study of religious ethics as an enterprise that can expand the moral imagination through its encounter with difference. It is shaped by four values: post‐critical reasoning, social criticism, cross‐cultural fluency, and environmental responsibility. Third, the essay brings the two parts of the argument together by explaining how to connect such purposes to the thin morality of inclusivity and equal respect. One upshot of the essay is to have us think not only about values, but also about power as it pertains to scholarship in the guild; hence the attention to the ethics and politics of religious ethics.
The association between adverse childhood experiences and oral health: A systematic review
Authors: Bahanan Lina , Ayoub Solafa
Published: March 2023

Objective

It is well established that adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) negatively affect health and are associated with health‐risk behaviors. This study aimed to provide a systematic review of the studies that examine the relationship between ACE exposure and oral health among adults aged 18 years and older.

Methods

The following electronic databases were searched in January 2022: MEDLINE, Cochrane, Web of Science, CINAHL via EBSCOhost, ProQuest, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar. Data were extracted independently by two reviewers. The quality of the studies was assessed using the Newcastle‐Ottawa Scale.

Results

Among the 292 articles identified, four met the eligibility criteria. All included studies were cross‐sectional and of satisfactory quality. The dental outcomes included: last dental visit, last dental cleaning, number of filled teeth, number of extracted teeth, and number of remaining teeth. The studies showed that exposure to ACE was negatively associated with oral health. The relationship between ACE score and oral health outcome measures was found to be directly proportional.

Conclusion

There is an association between ACE and poor oral health. Moreover, the association was proven to have a dose–response relationship. Given that the studies in the literature were cross‐sectional, causality cannot be determined with certainty, therefore interpretation of the results should be cautious. Longitudinal follow‐up studies are needed to understand how ACEs contribute to oral diseases later in life.
A comparison of critical access hospitals and other rural acute care hospitals in Pennsylvania
Authors: Pai Dinesh R. , Dissanayake Chamila K. , Anna Anna M.
Published: March 2023

Purpose

As the Flex Program celebrates its 25th anniversary, we examined changes in critical access hospital (CAH) financial performance, investigated whether CAH status has reduced hospitals’ financial vulnerability, and identified factors influencing financial performance.

Methods

We collected data on acute care hospitals in Pennsylvania's rural counties for 2000‐20. Our sample contained 1,444 hospital‐year observations. We used trend analysis to compare the financial performance of CAHs and rural prospective payment system (PPS) hospitals (non‐CAHs). We investigated the effect of CAH status on financial performance and identified the time‐variant factors impacting financial performance using fixed‐effects regression analysis.

Results

The median total margin of CAHs lagged behind that of non‐CAHs. When compared to non‐CAH costs over the same period, the median cost per patient day incurred by CAHs has increased, with the rate of increase being significantly higher in the most recent decade. Our findings show that while CAH status does not appear to have a direct impact on the total margin, it is significantly associated with a higher cost per patient day.

Conclusions

CAHs in Pennsylvania appear to be facing a double whammy of declining margins and rising costs compared to non‐CAHs. Our findings demonstrate how crucial the Flex program has been in sustaining CAHs in Pennsylvania ever since its inception. Our findings have implications for rural health care delivery as well. While providing financial support and operational flexibility to CAHs should be a continuing policy priority, a long‐term policy goal should be to envision an economic development strategy that capitalizes on the unique strengths of each of the rural archetypes.
Empowering preservice English teachers with language assessment literacy concepts and practices: Application of Vygotskian concept‐based language instruction
Authors: Kao Yu–Ting
Published: March 2023

Language teachers are expected to engage in classroom assessment practices and report on learners’ progress aligned with proficiency standards, as well as prepare learners for external examinations. The term “language assessment literacy” (LAL) describes what the constituency of language instructors needs to know about assessment matters. Traditionally, a top‐down perspective has been provided for language teachers, such as through textbooks and testing courses. However, the result of this top‐down, decontextualized approach is that teachers often seem unable to influence and change the policy. Accordingly, this article reports on a study framed within sociocultural theory, in which a group of preservice English teachers applied Gal'perin's model of systemic theoretical instruction, brought into second language education as concept‐based language instruction (C‐BLI), to internalize and apply LAL concepts in instructional contexts. Results of the study suggest that C‐BLI was more effective than a top‐down, textbook‐based teaching approach in facilitating preservice teachers’ understanding of LAL concepts. It also helped them become active agents of their own language‐testing practice. Implications of the study are trifold. First, the C‐BLI intervention empowered preservice teachers on the design of classroom‐based assessments. Second, it brought positive washback to the instructional plan and English curricula. Third, the intervention helped form the dialectical unity of theory and practice, which contributed to the teachers’ professional development in English‐as‐a‐foreign‐language contexts.
A multicenter, prospective, observational study to assess the satisfaction of an integrated digital platform of online medical care and remote patient monitoring in Parkinson's disease
Authors: Shiraishi Makoto , Kamo Tsutomu , Kumazawa Ryuya , Sasaki Naoshi , Isahaya Kenji , Akiyama Hisanao , Furusawa Yoshihiko , Onodera Reiko , Fernandez Jovelle , Otsuka Masaru , Yamano Yoshihisa
Published: March 2023

Background

As motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD) progress, visits to medical clinics for patients and caregivers become burdensome.

Aim

The aim of this study is to examine satisfaction with an integrated digital platform (online medical examination, online medication instruction, drug delivery, and remote patient monitoring) in PD.

Methods

This multicenter, prospective, observational pilot study (July 2020–March 2021), comprising face‐to‐face (weeks 0–4) and online (weeks 5–16) periods, included patients with PD aged ≥20 years capable of visiting a clinic. PD symptoms were collected via a smartwatch and mobile phone. Patient‐assessed (primary objective) and caregiver‐ and physician‐assessed (secondary objectives) satisfaction was evaluated using the Client Satisfaction Questionnaire‐8 (CSQ‐8) and a self‐completed questionnaire, respectively. Changes in patient and caregiver burden were also assessed (exploratory objective).

Results

Thirty patients, 15 caregivers, and six physicians participated. The mean (SD) age of patients was 66.7 (8.5) years, 63.3% were male, mean (SD) duration of disease was 8.04 (5.4) years. CSQ‐8 total mean (SD) score was 25.6 (3.06), 25.7 (3.05), and 23.2 (3.96) at week 0 (n = 30), week 4 (n = 30), and week 16 (n = 29), respectively. Assessment of the individual components of the digital platform indicated a degree of satisfaction with online medical examination and online medication instruction and drug delivery; satisfaction with remote patient monitoring was moderate. During the online period, patient and caregiver burdens were reduced.

Conclusion

Patients, caregivers, and physicians were satisfied with the integrated digital platform. Future research to prove the medical usefulness of this platform is required.
Preoperative clear fluid fasting and endoscopy‐measured gastric fluid volume in children
Authors: Aschkenasy Gabriella , Leder Oren , Pardes Rivka , Nir Eshel A. , Shteyer Eyal , Orlanski‐Meyer Esther , Turner Dan , Gozal Yaacov
Published: March 2023

Background

In light of new recommendations to shorten clear fluid fasting time before anesthesia, our study aimed at exploring residual fluid volume in the stomach after different fasting times. We intended to perform direct endoscopic aspiration of stomach contents under vision, as part of routine gastroscopy assessment. Hereby we would be able to quantify true residual gastric fluid volume and acidity in children and measure their correlation with fasting times.

Methods

The study was performed as a single‐center, prospective study in pediatric perioperative day care at a university‐affiliated tertiary care center. Aspiration of gastric fluid contents was performed in anesthetized children aged 1–18 years undergoing an elective gastroscopy. Recorded data included patient fast time, last meal content, last clear fluid content, and aspirated gastric volume and pH, as well as patient characteristics.

Results

We included 253 gastroscopies, performed in 245 children. Mean fasting time for clear fluids was 6.9 h (range 1 h 40 min – 18 h 35 min) (SD 4.5). Mean age was 9.8 years (SD 5.1) and mean body weight was 33.2 kg (SD 18.7). Mean residual gastric volume was 12 mL (0–90) (SD 13.5) or 0.34 mL/kg (SD 0.37) and mean pH was 1.5 (SD 0.9). No significant correlation was observed between clear fluid fasting time and the child's residual gastric fluid volume per kg body weight (r = −.103, p = .1), nor between clear fluid fasting time and the pH of the residual gastric fluid (r = −.07, p = .3). In more than half of the patients the residual gastric volume was less than 10 mL, unrelated to fasting time.

Conclusions

In children undergoing gastroscopy, we could not demonstrate any association between clear fluid fasting time and the child's residual gastric fluid volume per kg body weight. Since we did not see a clinically relevant association between clear fluids fasting time and gastric residual volume, this study may support the recommendation to shorten clear fluids fasting time.
Brain tuberculoma in pediatric heart transplant recipient
Authors: de Oliveira Pedro Carpini , Braz Corbi Maria Julia de Aro , Siqueira Adailson Wagner da Silva , Navajasegaran Joshua , Mesquita Ana Sofia Silva , Frassetto Fernando Pereira , Jatene Marcelo Bisceglli , Ikari Nana Miura , Azeka Estela
Published: March 2023

Introduction

Heart transplantation is the standard treatment for end‐stage heart disease. Despite advances in the field, patients remain under risk of developing complications, including opportunistic infections, such as tuberculosis. We present the unprecedented case of cerebral tuberculoma in a 9‐year‐old heart transplant recipient.

Case Scenario

A 9‐year‐old female child, who underwent heart transplantation in December 2020, was admitted to the emergency department in September 2021 due to headache and vomiting. She had normal vital signs and a mild left hemiparesis. Laboratory findings included lymphopenia and a low C Reactive Protein and brain images showed expansive lesions. A biopsy of the intracranial lesion was performed and anatomopathological analysis was compatible with tuberculoma. After the diagnosis was established, treatment protocol for neurotuberculosis was initiated, the patient had a satisfactory clinical evolution and was discharged 22 days after admission.

Discussion

Clinical manifestation of tuberculosis usually occurs up to 6 months after transplantation, the findings are commonly atypical and symptoms may be mild. We could not find in medical literature any description of the disease in a heart transplant recipient as young as the one presented in this case report. We documented great response to treatment, even though conventional antituberculosis therapy may interfere with immunosuppression.

Conclusion

Patients in the postoperative period following heart transplantation are at high risk for developing opportunistic infections such as tuberculosis, which may present with atypical symptoms. Therefore the clinician must have a high index of suspicion in order to make the correct diagnosis and promptly start treatment.
Tandem high‐dose chemotherapy followed by autologous stem cell transplantation: An infant with trilateral retinoblastoma
Authors: Toret Ersin , Ozdemir Zeynep Canan , Zengin Ersoy Gizem , Oztunali Cigdem , Bozkurt Ceyhun , Kebudi Rejin
Published: March 2023

Background

Retinoblastoma (RB) is the most common intraocular malignancy in childhood. Advanced RB, associated with exceedingly poor prognosis, requires more intensive multiagent chemotherapy than conventional regimens. Rescue of the bone marrow after intensive chemotherapy is achieved with stem cell transplantation. The sequential courses (tandem transplantation) of high‐dose chemotherapy followed by autologous stem cell transplantation allow for even greater dose intensity in consolidation with the potential to use different active chemotherapeutics at each transplant and have proven feasible and successful in treating children with recurrent/refractory solid tumors.

Case Description

We report an infant with trilateral high‐risk RB who received tandem high‐dose chemotherapy (HDC) followed by autologous stem cell transplantation after the conventional chemotherapy. A 5‐month‐old female patient presented with strabismus, and the ophthalmoscopic examination showed intraocular tumoral lesions in both eyes. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) concluded the trilateral retinoblastoma diagnosis due to a tumoral mass in the optic chiasm. The follow‐up ophthalmologic examinations and the MRI detected stable disease after six cycles of multiagent chemotherapy.

Conclusions

Rescue with autologous stem cell transplantation after HDC allows for an increase in chemotherapy intensity. Tandem transplantation provides the chance to perform different chemotherapeutics at each transplant and enables an increase in the chemotherapy intensity, thus providing a positive effect on disease‐free survival.
Time from kidney failure onset to transplantation and its impact on growth in pediatric patients
Authors: Rheda Regina Gabriela Garcia , Pereira Aline Maria Luiz , Pestana José Medina , Koch Nogueira Paulo Cesar
Published: March 2023

Background

In children with kidney failure, the longer the duration of dialysis the greater the impact on growth deficit, quality of life, and life expectancy. The aim of this research is to test whether there was a shortening of treatment time from kidney failure to transplantation in pediatric patients and whether this time interval impacted height.

Methods

Observational retrospective cohort study from 2005 to 2018. The first outcome variable was time to transplantation in years, while the second was height/age standard deviation score (SDS) at transplantation. Cox regression models were used to analyze time from disease to transplantation and linear regression was employed to test the association of the year of kidney failure onset with height.

Results

A total of 780 children were evaluated and 517 underwent kidney transplantation after a median time of 1.9 years (IQR = 1.0–4.0). The variables significantly associated with time to transplant were: year of kidney failure onset (HR = 1.07; 95% CI: 1.05–1.10; p < .001), age at kidney failure onset <12 years (HR = 0.59; 95% CI: 0.49–0.71; p < .001), living in different state as transplant center (HR = 0.63; 95% CI: 0.53–0.77; p < .001), and undergoing blood transfusion before transplantation (HR = 0.63; 95% CI: 0.53–0.75; p < .001). Regarding growth, for each 1‐year increase in the epoch of kidney failure onset, a 0.05 SDS raise in height/age is expected (p < .001).

Conclusion

Children with recent kidney failure onset had significantly lower time to the outcome and this reduction was associated with a less severe growth deficit.
Attention, institutional friction, and punctuated equilibrium in China's budget: Changes in social security and employment expenditure
Authors: Peng Peiwen , Cao Tangzhe
Published: March 2023

Based on the literature on punctuated equilibrium theory (PET), we conducted an empirical analysis on the changes in China's social security and employment budget expenditure at the subnational level from 2009 to 2020. We calculated the kurtosis value for 31 provinces to check whether they conform to PET. We used the number of policy documents and resource congestion as indicators of attention allocation and decision cost, respectively, to determine the impacts they have on budget changes. We then performed regression with a fixed effect model. The results show that the budgetary changes of only 20 provinces obey a leptokurtic distribution. Moreover, the allocation of attention by decision makers and institutional friction can explain this pattern of change. This article enriches the empirical study and extends its applicability to PET at the subnational level, especially in authoritarian regimes such as China, and provides some evidence for subsequent research on selecting indicators.

Related Articles

Kwon, Sung‐Wook, and Sylvia Gonzalez‐Gorman. 2019. “Influence of Local Political Institutions on Policy Punctuation in Three Policy Areas.” Politics & Policy 47(2): 300–25. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12295.

Modlin, Steve. 2008. “Defining Involvement of County Commissioners in the Budget Formulation Process.” Politics & Policy 36(6): 1044–65. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1747‐1346.2008.00149.x.

Moreno‐Enguix, María Del Rocío, and Laura Vanesa Lorente Bayona. 2017. “Factors Affecting Public Expenditure Efficiency in Developed Countries.” Politics & Policy 45(1): 105–43. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12194.
Physiological and biochemical regulation of tobacco by oxathiapiprolin under Phytophthora nicotianae infection
Authors: Jiao Qin , Deng Jiahui , Zhao Xiaoyan , Yao Xiangfeng , Li Min , Pei Zhouyang , Li Xiangdong , Jiang Xingyin , Zhang Fengwen
Published: March 2023

As a fungicide, oxathiapiprolin has excellent effects on diseases caused by oomycetes. Fungicides generally protect crops by inhibiting pathogens, but little research has addressed the effects of fungicides on crops. This study combined transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses to systematically analyze the physiological regulatory mechanisms of oxathiapiprolin on tobacco under Phytophthora nicotianae infection. The results showed that under P. nicotianae infection, tobacco's photosynthetic rate and antioxidant enzyme activity increased after the application of oxathiapiprolin. Omics results showed that the genes related to carbon metabolism, disease‐resistant proteins, and amino acid synthesis were highly expressed, and the amino acid content increased in tobacco leaves. This study is the first comprehensive investigation of the physiological regulatory effects of oxathiapiprolin on tobacco in response to P. nicotianae infection. These findings provide a basis for the balance between regulating tobacco growth and development and enhancing disease resistance under the stimulation of oxathiapiprolin and provide new research and development opportunities for identifying new disease‐resistance genes and the development of high‐yielding disease‐resistant crop varieties.
High intensity and sprint interval training, and work‐related cognitive function in adults: A systematic review
Authors: Gilson Nicholas D. , Andersson Dan , Papinczak Zoe E. , Rutherford Zoe , John Julie , Coombes Jeff S. , Brown Wendy J.
Published: March 2023

Objectives

To assess evidence on the impact of acute and chronic high intensity interval training (HIIT) and sprint interval training (SIT) on work‐related performance tests of cognitive function in adults.

Methods

The databases PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, PsycINFO, Embase, and the Cochrane Library were searched for relevant articles up to August 2022. Eligible studies assessed the effects of HIIT (70%–100% VO2max) and/or SIT (≥100% VO2max) on cognitive function test scores in cognitively healthy adults, relative to a control or comparative exercise group/condition. Data on participant characteristics, exercise protocol, key outcomes, and intervention setting were extracted. Study quality was assessed using a 9 (single session HIIT/SIT) and 14 (multiple session HIIT/SIT) item checklist.

Results

Thirty‐six studies (15 countries; n = 11–945 participants) met inclusion criteria. Mean quality scores were “fair‐to‐good” for acute (single session; mean = 6.9 [SD 1.0]) and chronic (multiple session; mean = 9.8 [SD 1.6]) training studies. Eighteen from 36 studies (12/20 [55%] acute and 6/16 [38%] chronic training studies) evidenced significant improvements in aspects of cognitive function related to work performance (i.e., attention, inhibition, memory, information processing speed, cognitive flexibility, intelligence, reaction time, and learning). Only four studies tested the impact of HIIT/SIT on cognitive function in a work‐based setting (e.g., the office or home).

Conclusions

While there is promising evidence, particularly from acute training studies, to indicate that high intensity, short duration exercise benefits cognitive function in adults, there is very limited evidence of application in workplace contexts. To better understand the potential benefits to employee performance and safety, HIIT/SIT and cognitive function research needs to transition from laboratory to “in‐situ” occupational settings.
Tough Ties and Rough Networks: Inequality and Exploitation in African Slums
Authors: Shrum Wesley , Walker Mark , Fan Jiabin , Mbatia Paul N. , Miller Paige , Harsh Matthew , Yevuyibor Jonathan Teye , Schafer Mark
Published: March 2023

Reciprocity and negativity in social relationships are fundamental topics of social research rarely examined in sub‐Saharan Africa. Since the number and quality of relationships is associated with individual outcomes, these ties are particularly important in impoverished areas. We conducted a multi‐method study of the conditions associated with problematic networks and difficult people, including face‐to‐face surveys in Agbogbloshie (Accra, Ghana) and Kangemi (Nairobi, Kenya). While one quarter of all relationships were perceived to be difficult, results reveal significant differences between the two communities in terms of the composition of personal networks and the factors associated with difficulty at both relational and network levels of analysis. Kenyan networks are more difficult when there is an imbalance of assistance provided by the respondent (exploitation), while any imbalance (inequality) is problematic in Ghanaian networks. These findings underscore the importance of independent analyses of negative ties and difficult networks, contributing to a community‐based understanding of poverty in urban slums.
Research note: Rise in violence against U.S. mayors: 2017 to 2021
Authors: Herrick Rebekah , Thomas Sue
Published: March 2023

Background

Although there is an emerging literature in the United States about violence against officeholders, to date there is no research examining trends in violence against U.S. politicians.

Objectives

To examine whether volence against US mayors increased from 2017 to 2021 and whether social and political factors help account for the rise.

Methods

we report the results of two surveys of mayors in the United States: one in 2017 and the other in 2021. We compare the results of the two surveys and report on mayors' perceptions of changes in the rates of violence.

Results

We find that psychological and physical violence against mayors have risen between 2017 and 2021 and that several momentous political events of those years are associated with mayors’ perceptions of increases in violence. In specific, levels of partisanship, the rise and conduct of the Trump presidency and its aftermath, and public reactions to the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic were significantly associated with mayoral perceptions of rises in violence.

Conclusion

That violence against US mayors is high and increasing raises concerns about the health of our democracy as it may limit the pool of Americans willing to run for office.
Restoration of the original depth distribution from experimental SIMS profile using the depth resolution function in framework of RMR model
Authors: Kudriavtsev Yu. , Asomoza R. , Moiseev K. D.
Published: March 2023

In this paper, the problem of depth profiling analysis of nanoscale heterostructures containing doped delta layers and quantum wells using the SIMS method is considered. Based on computer simulation data and previously obtained experimental data, we demonstrated that the RMR model most accurately and completely describes the redistribution of the analyzed element in ultrathin layers that occurs during ion sputtering. A comparative analysis of the surface roughness–ion mixing–recoil implantation (RMR) model with MRI (mixing-roughness-information depth) and UDS (up-and-down slope) models proposed by Hoffman and Dowsett, respectively, was performed. It was shown that the introduction into the MRI model of a parameter describing some layer of constant thickness, in which the components of the analyzed layer and matrix elements are uniformly mixed, is not quite justified. It is concluded that during depth profiling of a monoatomic layer, the center of mass of this layer shifts away from the surface, as predicted by the RMR model, rather than toward the surface, as predicted by the MRI model. It is found that preferential sputtering does not affect the experimental depth distribution of elements obtained by the SIMS method.
Efavirenz-Based Antiretroviral Therapy but Not Pregnancy Increased Unbound Piperaquine Exposure in Women during Malaria Chemoprevention
Authors: Hong Howard , Aslam-Mir Usman , Kajubi Richard , Wallender Erika , Mwebaza Norah , Dorsey Grant , Rosenthal Philip J. , Aweeka Francesca T. , Huang Liusheng
Published: March 2023

Dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine (DP) is highly effective for malaria chemoprevention during pregnancy, but the standard dosing of DP that is used for nonpregnant adults may not be optimal for pregnant women. We previously reported that the pharmacokinetic exposure of total piperaquine (PQ; both bound and unbound to plasma proteins) is reduced significantly in the context of pregnancy or efavirenz (EFV)-based antiretroviral therapy (ART).
Withaferin A Protects against Primary and Recurrent Tuberculosis by Modulating Mycobacterium-Specific Host Immune Responses
Authors: Kumari Anjna , Pahuja Isha , Negi Kriti , Ghoshal Antara , Mukopadhyay Suparba , Agarwal Meetu , Mathew Babu , Maras Jaswinder Singh , Chaturvedi Shivam , Bhaskar Ashima , Dwivedi Ved Prakash
Published: March 2023

Despite being extensive, conventional antituberculosis therapy (ATT) is barely proficient in providing sterile immunity to tuberculosis (TB). Failure to constrain the escalating global TB burden due to the emergence of drug-resistant bacterial strains and immune dampening effects of ATT necessitates adjunct immunotherapeutics for better clinical outcomes.
Impaired Humoral Immunity Identified in Inactivated SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine Recipients without Anti-Spike RBD Antibodies
Authors: Sun Ting , Wang Yuchen , Song Xiaoyu , Li Ruili , Mei Fanghua , Yang Mengliu , Huang Xiaojie , Li Yan , Zhou Xuwei , Wang Haoyu , Li Wendong , Li Jing , Wang Lu , Shi Wei , Cai Kun , Li Hongjun , Zhang Jing
Published: March 2023

Our study illustrates the immune responses engaged by encountering antigen, highlighting the critical roles of B-cell activating humoral immunity in the body’s antibody production.
Urease of Aspergillus fumigatus Is Required for Survival in Macrophages and Virulence
Authors: Xiong Zhenzhen , Zhang Nan , Xu Liru , Deng Zhiduo , Limwachiranon Jarukitt , Guo Yaojie , Han Yi , Yang Wei , Scharf Daniel H.
Published: March 2023

The development of antifungal drugs is an urgent task, but it has proven to be difficult due to many similarities between fungal and animal cells. Here, we characterized the urease system in
A. fumigatus
, which depends on nickel for activity.
Metabolite-Mediated Responses of Phyllosphere Microbiota to Rust Infection in Two
Malus
Species
Authors: Zhang Yunxia , Cao Bin , Pan Yumei , Tao Siqi , Zhang Naili
Published: March 2023

Our findings demonstrate the response patterns of bacterial and fungal communities in the
Malus
phyllosphere to rust fungus
G. yamadae
infection, and they also reveal how the phyllosphere microbiome changes with the expansion of lesions. We identified several metabolites whose relative abundance varied significantly with lesion expansion.
Supplemental Material: Rapid active thrust faulting at the northern Alaska Range front
Authors: Bender Adrian , al. et
Published: March 2023

 Methods and data. 
Sirenomelia (mermaid syndrome): a rare congenital disorder
Authors: Riazat Muhammad Imran , Kewlani Bharti , Abujennah Jamaleddin , Sharif Farhana
Published: March 2023

Sirenomelia, also known as mermaid syndrome, is an extremely rare congenital disorder involving the lower spine and lower limbs. We present a case of a grand multiparous with poorly controlled gestational diabetes who delivered a live baby weighing 2.43 kg at 38 weeks’ gestation. The baby was noted to have significant respiratory distress, and resuscitation was promptly commenced. Severe congenital abnormalities indicative of sirenomelia were obvious and after availability of antenatal records which indicated an extremely poor prognosis, resuscitative efforts were aborted. The baby was handed over to the mother for comfort care and died 18 min postdelivery.
Huge chronic subdural haematoma formation in an encephalomalacia stroke cavity
Authors: Monserrate Andres , De Jesus Orlando
Published: March 2023

A patient suffering from a cerebrovascular ischaemic stroke may present similar symptoms to a patient with a chronic subdural haematoma (CSDH). Head CT imaging of an old extensive hemispheric infarction may appear hypodense in a similar fashion as CSDH. We described a 46-year-old man with a 2-week history of mild headache and worsening right lower extremity hemiparesis. Eight years prior, he suffered a left middle cerebral artery territory infarct. The head CT scan showed a huge, slightly hypodense area on the left brain, causing a significant mass effect. A new stroke was of concern versus a chronic subdural haematoma inside the old encephalomalacia stroke cavity. Only three previously reported cases of CSDH occupying an encephalomalacic cavity had been reported. This rare presentation should be considered in the differential diagnosis in patients with a history of cerebrovascular stroke. MRI is useful in making a correct diagnosis.
Legislation on marketing of breast-milk substitutes in digital and social media: a scoping review
Authors: Franco-Lares Bianca , Lara-Mejía Vania , Lozada-Tequeanes Ana Lilia , Villanueva-Vázquez Cassandra , Hernandez-Cordero Sonia
Published: March 2023

Innovative and continuously changing methods of digital marketing are routinely used to reach young women and their families with advertisements that normalise infant artificial feeding and undermine breastfeeding. Legislation and provisions regulating digital and social media marketing are limited across countries. The aim of this scoping review was to systematically identify and summarise worldwide legislation implemented to regulate breast-milk substitutes (BMS) marketing on digital and social media, as well as identifying areas of opportunity to strengthen and improve it. Documents published from January 2012 to April 2022 were examined using search strategies including multiple databases and citation tracking. A total of 127 sources were evaluated, and only 28 documents from 24 countries meeting the inclusion criteria were retained. Most of the reviewed documents explicitly stated that digital marketing was prohibited (n=23), as opposed to being regulated only, with prior approval from the relevant authorities in each country. Regarding monitoring, from the countries included in this scoping review, only 14 of 24 (58.3%) stipulate a monitoring process for compliance with legal measures and have designated an actor responsible for monitoring. In addition, 22 of 24 (91.6%) countries included have defined sanctions, but only 17 (70%) countries specify the entity responsible for enforcement. The results highlight the urgent call for the explicit regulation of BMS marketing in digital and social media worldwide, as well as the public documentation of such legal measures. Likewise, it is important that there are effective, transparent and free of commercial influence national monitoring systems used to ensure compliance with legal measures.
Lessons learnt from the applying the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) evaluation framework to the measles incident management system response, USA, 2020–2021
Authors: Jacenko Sara , Blough Sara , Grant Gavin , Tohme Rania , McFarland Jeff , Hatcher Cynthia , Goodson James L , Papania Mark , Pella Danielle Gilliard , Li Xi , Yee Sue Lin
Published: March 2023

The functionality and performance of public health programmes at all levels of government play a critical role in preventing, detecting, mitigating and responding to public health threats, including infectious disease outbreaks. Multiple and concurrent outbreaks in recent years, such as COVID-19, Ebola and Zika, have highlighted the importance of documenting lessons learnt from public health responses of national and global agencies. In February 2020, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Center for Global Health (CGH) activated the Measles Incident Management System (MIMS) to accelerate the ability to detect, mitigate and respond to measles outbreaks globally and advance progress towards regional measles elimination goals. The activation was triggered by a global resurgence in reported measles cases during 2018–2019 and supported emergency response activities conducted by partner organisations and countries. MIMS leadership decided early in the response to form an evaluation team to design and implement an evaluation approach for producing real-time data to document progress of response activities and inform timely decision-making. In this manuscript, we describe how establishing an evaluation unit within MIMS, and engaging MIMS leadership and subject matter experts in the evaluation activities, was critical to monitor progress and document lessons learnt to inform decision making. We also explain the CDC’s Framework for Evaluation in Public Health Practice applied to evaluate the dynamic events throughout the MIMS response. Evaluators supporting emergency response should use a flexible framework that can be adaptable in dynamic contexts and document response activities in real-time.