bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
State Practice
Authors: Shelton Dinah
Published: September 2021

This chapter focuses on state practice. The recent International Law Commission (ILC) work on jus cogens, especially in response to comments and critiques from States, paid great attention to state practice supporting the draft conclusions of the Special Rapporteur. Indeed, as much as possible, the SR and the ILC as a whole rooted his findings and recommendations in extensive citation of precedents. The invocation of practice was broadly inclusive, ranging from votes and official statements in international organizations, through treaty practice (including general comments and conclusions of treaty bodies), to international and national jurisprudence. This approach lends strength to the ILC work.
A catalogue of white dwarfs in Gaia EDR3
Authors: Gentile Fusillo N P , Tremblay P-E , Cukanovaite E , Vorontseva A , Lallement R , Hollands M , Gänsicke B T , Burdge K B , McCleery J , Jordan S
Published: September 2021

We present a catalogue of white dwarf candidates selected from Gaia Early Data Release 3 (EDR3). We applied several selection criteria in absolute magnitude, colour, and Gaia quality flags to remove objects with unreliable measurements while preserving most stars compatible with the white dwarf locus in the Hertzsprung–Russell diagram. We then used a sample of over 30 000 spectroscopically confirmed white dwarfs and contaminants from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) to map the distribution of these objects in the Gaia absolute magnitude–colour space. Finally, we adopt the same method presented in our previous work on Gaia Data Release 2 (DR2) to calculate a probability of being a white dwarf (PWD) for ≃1.3 million sources that passed our quality selection. The PWD values can be used to select a sample of ${\simeq} 359\,000$ high-confidence white dwarf candidates. We calculated stellar parameters (effective temperature, surface gravity, and mass) for all these stars by fitting Gaia astrometry and photometry with synthetic pure-H, pure-He, and mixed H–He atmospheric models. We estimate an upper limit of 93 per cent for the overall completeness of our catalogue for white dwarfs with G ≤ 20 mag and effective temperature (Teff) > 7000 K, at high Galactic latitudes (|b| > 20°). Alongside the main catalogue we include a reduced proper motion extension containing ${\simeq} 10\,200$ white dwarf candidates with unreliable parallax measurements that could, however, be identified on the basis of their proper motion. We also performed a cross-match of our catalogues with SDSS Data Release 16 (DR16) spectroscopy and provide spectral classification based on visual inspection for all resulting matches.
TACOS: TESS AM CVn Outbursts Survey
Authors: Pichardo Marcano Manuel , Rivera Sandoval Liliana E , Maccarone Thomas J , Scaringi Simone
Published: September 2021

Using Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS), we are doing a systematic study of outbursting AM CVn systems to place some limits on the current outbursts models. We present the TESS light curve (LC) for 9 AM CVns showing both superoutbursts (SOs) and normal outbursts (NOs). The continuous coverage of the outbursts with TESS allows us to place stringent limits on the duration and structures of the SOs and the NOs. We present evidence that in at least some of the systems enhanced mass transfer (EMT) has to be taken into account to explain the observed LC of the SOs and rebrighthening phase after the SOs. For others, the colour evolution from simultaneous observations in g and r with ZTF differs from previously reported colour evolution of longer period AM CVns where EMT is responsible for the SO. We also find that due to the lack of sufficiently high cadence coverage the duration of many systems might have been overestimated in previous ground-based surveys. We report the SO duration for 6 AM CVns. We also found that precursors are a common feature of SOs in AM CVns and are seen in the LC of 5 of the 6 reported SOs. Finally, the 10-min and 2-min cadence LCs from TESS also allowed us to find two new candidate orbital periods of AM CVns, both of which are in reasonably good agreement with the predictions for their periods based on their past outburst histories.
Time-dependent lepto-hadronic modelling of the emission from blazar jets with SOPRANO: the case of TXS 0506 + 056, 3HSP J095507.9 + 355101, and 3C 279
Authors: Gasparyan S , Bégué D , Sahakyan N
Published: September 2021

The observation of a very high-energy neutrino by IceCube (IceCube-170922A) and its association with the flaring blazar TXS 0506 + 056 provided the first multimessenger observations of blazar jets, demonstrating the important role of protons in their dynamics and emission. In this paper, we present SOPRANO (https://www.amsdc.am/soprano), a new conservative implicit kinetic code that follows the time evolution of the isotropic distribution functions of protons, neutrons, and the secondaries produced in photo-pion and photo-pair interactions, alongside with the evolution of photon and electron/positron distribution functions. SOPRANO is designed to study leptonic and hadronic processes in relativistic sources such as blazars and gamma-ray bursts. Here, we use SOPRANO to model the broadband spectrum of TXS 0506 + 056 and 3HSP J095507.9 + 355101, which are associated with neutrino events, and of the extreme flaring blazar 3C 279. The SEDs are interpreted within the guise of both a hadronic and a hybrid model. We discuss the implications of our assumptions in terms of jet power and neutrino flux.
Star formation in the nearby dwarf galaxy DDO 53: interplay between gas accretion and stellar feedback
Authors: Egorov Oleg V , Lozinskaya Tatiana A , Vasiliev Konstantin I , Yarovova Anastasiya D , Gerasimov Ivan S , Kreckel Kathryn , Moiseev Alexei V
Published: September 2021

We present the results of a multiwavelength study of the nearby dwarf galaxy DDO 53 – a relatively isolated member of the M 81 group. We analyse the atomic and ionized gas kinematics (based on the observations with Fabry–Perot interferometer in H α line and archival data in H i 21 cm line), distribution, excitation, and oxygen abundance of the ionized gas (based on the long-slit and integral-field spectroscopy and on imaging with narrow-band filters), and their relation with the young massive stars (based on archival HST data). We detect a faint 2-kpc sized supershell of ionized gas surrounding the galaxy. Most probably, this structure represents a large-scale gas outflow, however, it could be also created by the ionizing quanta leaking from star-forming regions to the marginally detected atomic hydrogen surrounding the galactic disc. We analyse the properties of the anomalous H i in the north part of the galaxy and find that its peculiar kinematics is also traced by ionized gas. We argue that this H i feature is related to the accreting gas cloud captured from the intergalactic medium or remaining after the merger event occurred >1 Gyr ago. The infalling gas produces shocks in the interstellar medium and could support the star formation activity in the brightest region in DDO 53.
Non-linear resonant torus oscillations as a model of Keplerian disc warp dynamics
Authors: Fairbairn Callum W , Ogilvie Gordon I
Published: September 2021

Observations of distorted discs have highlighted the ubiquity of warps in a variety of astrophysical contexts. This has been complemented by theoretical efforts to understand the dynamics of warp evolution. Despite significant efforts to understand the dynamics of warped discs, previous work fails to address arguably the most prevalent regime – non-linear warps in Keplerian discs for which there is a resonance between the orbital, epicyclic and vertical oscillation frequencies. In this work, we implement a novel non-linear ring model, developed recently by Fairbairn and Ogilvie, as a framework for understanding such resonant warp dynamics. Here, we uncover two distinct non-linear regimes as the warp amplitude is increased. Initially, we find a smooth modulation theory that describes warp evolution in terms of the averaged Lagrangian of the oscillatory vertical motions of the disc. This hints towards the possibility of connecting previous warp theory under a generalized secular framework. Upon the warp amplitude exceeding a critical value, which scales as the square root of the aspect-ratio of our ring, the disc enters into a bouncing regime with extreme vertical compressions twice per orbit. We develop an impulsive theory that predicts special retrograde and prograde precessing warped solutions, which are identified numerically using our full equation set. Such solutions emphasize the essential activation of non-linear vertical oscillations within the disc and may have important implications for energy and warp dissipation. Future work should search for this behaviour in detailed numerical studies of the internal flow structure of warped discs.
The Ensembl COVID-19 resource: ongoing integration of public SARS-CoV-2 data
Authors: De Silva Nishadi H , Bhai Jyothish , Chakiachvili Marc , Contreras-Moreira Bruno , Cummins Carla , Frankish Adam , Gall Astrid , Genez Thiago , Howe Kevin L , Hunt Sarah E , Martin Fergal J , Moore Benjamin , Ogeh Denye , Parker Anne , Parton Andrew , Ruffier Magali , Sakthivel Manoj Pandian , Sheppard Dan , Tate John , Thormann Anja , Thybert David , Trevanion Stephen J , Winterbottom Andrea , Zerbino Daniel R , Finn Robert D , Flicek Paul , Yates Andrew D
Published: September 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic has seen unprecedented use of SARS-CoV-2 genome sequencing for epidemiological tracking and identification of emerging variants. Understanding the potential impact of these variants on the infectivity of the virus and the efficacy of emerging therapeutics and vaccines has become a cornerstone of the fight against the disease. To support the maximal use of genomic information for SARS-CoV-2 research, we launched the Ensembl COVID-19 browser; the first virus to be encompassed within the Ensembl platform. This resource incorporates a new Ensembl gene set, multiple variant sets, and annotation from several relevant resources aligned to the reference SARS-CoV-2 assembly. Since the first release in May 2020, the content has been regularly updated using our new rapid release workflow, and tools such as the Ensembl Variant Effect Predictor have been integrated. The Ensembl COVID-19 browser is freely available at https://covid-19.ensembl.org.
Risk of work-related violence in England and Wales
Authors: Edwards J A , Buckley P
Published: September 2021

Background

There is an urgent need to address high levels of work-related violence (WRV) in Britain to improve the workplace experience of both employers and employees.

Aims

This study specifically explores prevalence rates of work-related violence assaults (WRVAs) for staff at high risk that have supervisor responsibilities and work full-time.

Methods

Five years of data were used for analysis from the Crime Survey of England and Wales (CSEW). Data were filtered for victims of crime from a working population in Britain.

Results

Forty-four per cent of respondents who are supervisors and have full-time jobs report that they had been victims of WRVAs. This figure is higher than other previous studies of WRV.

Conclusions

The current study provides further alternative evidence to support high prevalence rates of WRV by selecting for analysis specific work characteristics data that are strongly associated with WRV (supervisor responsibilities and full-time work). It is therefore recommended that future work explores different means of intervention for organizations to implement within the workplace to reduce WRV and protect workers from harm.
COVID-19 Delta variants—Current status and implications as of August 2021
Authors: Yu Flora , Lau Lok-Ting , Fok Manson , Lau Johnson Yiu-Nam , Zhang Kang
Published: September 2021

The SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant has evolved as the dominant strain of the current pandemic. Studies have shown that this variant has increased infectivity/viral load, and reduced neutralization by the host antibodies from convalescent patients/vaccinees. Clinically, Delta variant infection has been observed/documented in convalescent patients/vaccinees, although with less incidence of severe diseases, but can serve as reservoir to spread the infection to the unvaccinated. The current understanding (as of 18 August 2021) on the virologic aspect (including the amino acid substitutions), clinical implications, and public health implications will be discussed in this mini review, and recommendations to health authorities will be provided.
Fragile Self-Esteem
Authors: Kőszegi Botond , Loewenstein George , Murooka Takeshi
Published: September 2021

We develop a model of fragile self-esteem—self-esteem that is vulnerable to objectively unjustified swings—and study its implications for choices that depend on, or are aimed at enhancing or protecting, one’s self-view. In our framework, a person’s self-esteem is determined by sampling his memories of ego-relevant outcomes in a fashion that in turn depends on how he feels about himself, potentially creating multiple fragile “self-esteem personal equilibria.” Self-esteem is especially likely to be fragile, as well as unrealistic in either the positive or the negative direction, if being successful is important to the agent. A person with a low self-view might exert less effort when success is more important. An individual with a high self-view, in contrast, might distort his choices to prevent a collapse in self-esteem, with the distortion being greater if his true ability is lower. We discuss the implications of our results for mental well-being, education, job search, workaholism, and aggression.
Does Career Risk Deter Potential Entrepreneurs?
Authors: Gottlieb Joshua D , Townsend Richard R , Xu Ting
Published: September 2021

Do potential entrepreneurs remain in wage employment because of concerns that they will face worse job opportunities should their entrepreneurial ventures fail? Using a Canadian reform that extends job-protected leave to one year for women giving birth after a cutoff date, we study whether the option to return to a previous job increases entrepreneurship. A regression discontinuity design reveals that a longer job-protected leave increases entrepreneurship by 1.9 percentage points. These entrepreneurs start incorporated businesses that hire employees, in industries in which experimentation before entry has low costs and high benefits.

Authors have furnished an Internet Appendix, which is available on the Oxford University Press Web site next to the link to the final published paper online.
SIMPLE METHOD OF MEASURING SSDE FOR HEAD CT: FACILITATING PRE-CT SCAN DOSE CALCULATION USING SPECIALIZED HEAD SCAN BAND
Authors: Shohji Tomokazu , Kuriyama Kazuki , Yanano Nobutaka , Maeda Eriko , Katoh Yo
Published: September 2021

In this study, scaled scan band was developed to provide size-specific dose estimation (SSDE) values based on head circumference of patients undergoing computed tomography (CT) scans. The scan band was tested in 40 consecutive head CT examinations. The accuracy of the specialized scan band method was determined by comparing SSDEband with SSDE293,forehead, SSDEmean and SSDEcenter. SSDE293,forehead was used as the control value. The results of the linear fit of SSDEband, SSDEmean and SSDEcenter against SSDE293, forehead, were R2 = 0.958, R2 = 0.984 and R2 = 0.936, respectively. There was no significant difference between SSDEband, SSDEmean and SSDEcenter for SSDE293,forehead. Use of the proposed scan band method makes it possible to accurately determine the required radiation dose before a CT examination is performed.
Hepatocyte-Specific Deletion of Yes-Associated Protein Improves Recovery From Acetaminophen-Induced Acute Liver Injury
Authors: Poudel Samikshya , Cabrera Diego Paine , Bhushan Bharat , Manley Michael W , Gunewardena Sumedha , Jaeschke Hartmut , Apte Udayan
Published: September 2021

Overdose of acetaminophen (APAP) is the major cause of acute liver failure (ALF) in the Western world with very limited treatment options. Previous studies from our groups and others have shown that timely activation of liver regeneration is a critical determinant of transplant-free survival of APAP-induced ALF patients. Here, we report that hepatocyte-specific deletion of Yes-associated protein (Yap), the downstream mediator of the Hippo Kinase signaling pathway results in faster recovery from APAP-induced acute liver injury. Initial studies performed with male C57BL/6J mice showed a rapid activation of Yap and its target genes within first 24 h after APAP administration. Treatment of hepatocyte-specific Yap knockout (Yap-KO) mice with 300 mg/kg APAP resulted in equal initial liver injury but a significantly accelerated recovery in Yap-KO mice. The recovery was accompanied by significantly rapid hepatocyte proliferation supported by faster activation of Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Furthermore, Yap-KO mice had significantly earlier and higher pro-regenerative inflammatory response following APAP overdose. Global gene expression analysis indicated that Yap-KO mice had a robust activation of transcription factors involved in response to endoplasmic reticulum stress (XBP1) and maintaining hepatocyte differentiation (HNF4α). In conclusion, these data indicate that inhibition of Yap in hepatocytes results in rapid recovery from APAP overdose due to an earlier activation of liver regeneration.
4Poetics
Authors: Dowling Sarah
Published: September 2021

This review examines three books published in the field of poetics in 2020: Candice Amich’s Precarious Forms: Performing Utopia in the Neoliberal Americas; Ren Ellis Neyra’s The Cry of the Senses: Listening to Latinx and Caribbean Poetics; and Anthony Reed’s Soundworks: Race, Sound, and Poetry in Production. I show that these three books, which discuss poetry in connection with other art forms, each call for a reordering of the senses through which we perceive and analyze poetry (and other texts). While Ellis Neyra advocates multisensorial listening and Reed calls for a mode of listening attentive to what remains unnamed within current perceptual and political schema, Amich shows the importance of paying attention to the embodied rhythms and tactility of poetry and performance texts. For all three authors, these alternatives to individualized, detached, and indeed deadened linguistic contemplation proffer strategies for remaking not only common sense, but the common itself. The chapter is structured under the following headings: 1. Introduction; 2. Poetics; 3. Sensoria; 4. Politics.
Molecular phylogeny, systematics and generic classification of the butterfly subfamily Trapezitinae (Lepidoptera: Papilionoidea: Hesperiidae)
Authors: Toussaint Fls Emmanuel F A , Braby Michael F , Müller Chris J , Petrie Edward A , Kawahara Akito Y
Published: September 2021

Trapezitinae skippers are restricted to Australia and New Guinea. Despite decades of taxonomic work, their systematics and phylogeny remain little understood. To resolve the composition of genera and determine their evolutionary relationships, we inferred a comprehensive multilocus molecular phylogeny of Trapezitinae. Our results recover a monophyletic Trapezitinae as sister to Barcinae, with a poorly resolved backbone possibly indicating an early rapid radiation. We recover two main clades comprising all currently described genera, including the previously contentious Prada Evans, 1949 but excluding Tiacellia Evans, 1949. Several genera are recovered as paraphyletic or polyphyletic, rendering the classification of Trapezitinae incompatible with the new phylogeny. Therefore, we synonymize Motasingha Watson, 1893 syn. nov. and Oreisplanus Waterhouse & Lyell, 1914 syn. nov. with Hesperilla Hewitson, 1868 and Neohesperilla Waterhouse & Lyell, 1914 syn. nov. with Toxidia Mabille, 1891. To reflect the placement of Anisynta dominula outside of Anisynta, we describe the new genus Atkinsia Braby & Toussaint gen. nov., which includes the sole species Atkinsia dominula (Plötz, 1884) comb. nov. Two species of Toxidia and two species of Signeta Waterhouse & Lyell, 1914 are placed into Timoconia Strand, 1909, yielding four new combinations: Timoconia melania (Waterhouse, 1903) comb. nov., Timoconia peron (Latreille, 1824) comb. nov., Timoconia flammeata (Butler, 1882) comb. nov. and Timoconia tymbophora (Meyrick & Lower, 1902) comb. nov. Thus, SignetaWaterhouse & Lyell, 1914 syn. nov. is now regarded as a junior synonym of Timoconia. Overall, our phylogeny has provided the basis for 20 nomenclatural changes at the species and subspecies level, including 14 new combinations.
Caution the arrhythmia association with antibody-drug conjugates: a pharmacovigilance study
Authors: Li Xiaolin , Chen Gang , Hu Yang , Zhao Bin , Jiang Jiandong
Published: September 2021

Arrhythmias associated with antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) are rare but potentially life-threatening adverse events (AEs). No study has systemically compared arrhythmias associations for various marketed ADCs. This needs to be clarified to guide antitumor therapies. We extracted data of patients treated with ADCs registered between 2004 q1 and 2020 q3 from the US Food and Drug Administration adverse event reporting system (FAERS). The medical dictionary for regulatory activities was used to identify arrhythmias cases. Disproportionality analysis was performed by calculating the reporting odds ratios (ROR) with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). Clinical characteristics of patients with ADCs-associated arrhythmias and the time to onset of arrhythmias following different ADCs were collected. A total of 140 reports were considered after inclusion criteria were used. Exposure to gemtuzumab ozogamicin (2.23, 1.67–2.97; 48 cases) and brentuximab vedotin (1.27, 1.00–1.61; 67 cases) were associated with a positive signal of arrhythmia. The highest number of arrhythmia reports was for brentuximab vedotin (n = 67). Also 88.00% of arrhythmia occurred within 60 days for all these ADCs. Arrhythmia was commonly reported in patients with hematologic tumors and breast cancer. In the time to onset of adverse events after administration, brentuximab vedotin was significantly earlier than gemtuzumab ozogamicin (38.21 vs. 40.50 days; P = 0.0093), and gemtuzumab ozogamicin was significantly earlier than trastuzumab emtansine (40.50 vs. 147.50 days; P = 0.0035). We reviewed arrhythmia adverse drug reactions associated with ADCs from the FAERS database. This study is practical for clinicians to enhance the management of arrhythmia associated with ADCs and improve ADCs treatment safety.
Warburg and pasteur phenotypes modulate cancer behavior and therapy
Authors: Karaca Caner , Tokatli Atilla , Tokatli Anja , Karadag Aslihan , Calibasi-Kocal Gizem
Published: September 2021

Energetic pathways combine in the heart of metabolism. These essential routes supply energy for biochemical processes through glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation. Moreover, they support the synthesis of various biomolecules employed in growth and survival over branching pathways. Yet, cellular energetics are often misguided in cancers as a result of the mutations and altered signaling. As nontransformed and Pasteur-like cells metabolize glucose through oxidative respiration when only oxygen is sufficient, some cancer cells bypass this metabolic switch and run glycolysis at higher rates even in the presence of oxygen. The phenomenon is called aerobic glycolysis or the Warburg effect. An increasing number of studies indicate that both Warburg and Pasteur phenotypes are recognized in the cancer microenvironment and take vital roles in the regulation of drug resistance mechanisms such as redox homeostasis, apoptosis and autophagy. Therefore, the different phenotypes call for different therapeutic approaches. Combined therapies targeting energy metabolism grant new opportunities to overcome the challenges. Nevertheless, new biomarkers emerge to classify the energetic subtypes, thereby the cancer therapy, as our knowledge in coupling energy metabolism with cancer behavior grows.
Bevacizumab and anexelekto inhibitor, TP-0903 inhibits TGF-β1-induced epithelial–mesenchymal transition of colon cancer cells
Authors: Kim Se-Hee , Choi Sangtae , Lee Won-Suk
Published: September 2021

The incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) is reported to be increasing nowadays, with a large proportion of newly diagnosed CRC patients being affected by metastasis. Epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) is an important event in the development of metastasis of CRC. In this study, we investigated whether the anticancer drug bevacizumab and anexelekto inhibitor, TP-0903, regulate EMT of colon cancer cells induced by transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1). Using quantitative real-time PCR and western blot analysis, we found that bevacizumab and TP-0903 decreased the expression levels of fibronectin, alpha-smooth muscle actin, and vimentin, whereas they restored E-cadherin expression in TGF-β1-exposed SW480 and HCT116 cells. In addition, we elucidated that bevacizumab and TP-0903 inhibited the migration and invasion of TGF-β1-exposed colon cancer cells using scratched wound healing, transwell migration, and Matrigel-coated invasion assays. Finally, we discovered that bevacizumab and TP-0903 inactivated the Smad 2/3 signaling pathway in TGF-β1-exposed SW480 and HCT116 cells. Therefore, we suggest that treatment of bevacizumab and TP-0903 inhibits TGF-β1-induced EMT of colon cancer cells through inactivation of the Smad 2/3 signaling pathway.
Perforated appendicitis induced by pembrolizumab: a case report and review of the literature
Authors: Papageorgiou Georgios I. , Fergadis Evangelos , Skouteris Nikos , Christakos Evridiki , Tsakatikas Sergios A. , Filippakou Aikaterini , Papantoni Evangelia , Stanc Gabriela , Souka Efthymia , Valavanis Christos , Kosmas Christos
Published: September 2021

Monoclonal antibodies against programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) and PD-1 ligand 1 (PD-L1) are the main representatives in the field of immunotherapy and their indications are constantly increasing in medical oncology and hematology during the last decade. They are associated with long-lasting responses and an acceptable toxicity profile, although they may infrequently cause life-threatening complications requiring prolonged hospitalization or urgent interventions. With the current report, we present the case of a 75-year-old woman diagnosed with stage IV lung adenocarcinoma, who developed acute abdominal pain without preceding symptomatology while on pembrolizumab-pemetrexed maintenance treatment. A contained rupture of the appendix was found, for which she was managed conservatively. Subsequent endoscopic as well as histopathological findings from biopsies obtained via colonoscopy associated the clinical and imaging findings with grade 4 immune-mediated colitis. Interestingly, high-grade colitis is more frequent with anti-CTLA-4 agents in comparison to anti-PD-1 agents; moreover, most cases of anti-PD-1-mediated colitis present with preceding symptomatology (like diarrhea or vomiting), while cases or colonic perforation are extremely rare if ever described.
Trimester-based changes in urogenital symptoms and their impact on the quality of life in pregnant women: A preliminary report
Authors: Uzelpasaci Esra , Çinar Gamze Nalan , Baran Emine , Gürşen Ceren , Nakip Gülbala , Ozgul Serap , Beksac Kemal , Unal Canan , Orgul Gokcen , Beksac Alp Tuna , Akbayrak Turkan , Beksac Mehmet Sinan
Published: September 2021

Background:

This study is aimed to determine the trimester-based changes in urogenital symptoms and their impact on the quality of life in pregnant women.

Materials and methods:

Fifty-one pregnant women participated in this study. Self-reported symptom-based questionnaires, Urogenital Distress Inventory-Short Form (UDI-6), Incontinence Severity Index (ISI), and Incontinence Impact Questionnaire (IIQ-7) were administered to determine urogenital symptoms, incontinence severity, and the quality of life in all participants in the first, second, and third trimesters. The findings obtained were analyzed with the Friedman and Spearman tests.

Results:

Irritative (urgency and frequency) and stress incontinence symptoms showed statistically significant changes (p < 0.05), whereas obstructive and genital pain/discomfort symptoms did not significantly change (p > 0.05) according to the scores of UDI-6 subscales over the trimesters. There were negative, weak-moderate correlations between stress incontinence symptoms and IIQ-7 in the first, second, and third trimester. There was a negative, moderate correlation between irritative symptoms and IIQ-7 only in the third trimester, but there were not any correlations between the other urogenital symptoms and IIQ-7 (p > 0.05). In the prepregnancy period, stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and urge urinary incontinence (UUI) occurred in 9.8% and 7.8% of the patients, respectively, whereas there were no women with mixed urinary incontinence (MUI) preconceptionally. The presence of SUI, UUI, and MUI were 13.7%, 7.8%, and 0% in the first, 26%, 9.8%, and 3.9% in the second, and 41.2%, 27.5%, and 13.7% in the third trimester, respectively. ISI scores showed statistically significant changes in the first, second, and third trimesters of women with SUI, UUI, and MUI (p < 0.05). Statistically significant differences were also found in UDI-6 and IIQ-7 scores obtained from all three trimester evaluations of pregnant women with SUI, UUI, and MUI (p < 0.05).

Conclusions:

Urogenital symptoms associated with urinary incontinence such as frequency, urgency, and stress incontinence were found to be increased over the course of the three trimesters of the pregnancy and the quality of life was negatively affected. Special care is essential for urinary incontinence during antenatal care.
Early Intervention Referral Information, Transmission, and Sources—A Survey of State Part C Coordinators and Analysis of Referral Forms
Authors: Sanders Benjamin W. , Zuckerman Katharine E. , Ash Joan S. , Kopstick Avi J. , Rivas Vazquez Luis , Gorman Paul N.
Published: September 2021

Objective:

Early Intervention (EI) referral is a key connector between health care and early childhood systems serving children with developmental risks. This study aimed to describe the US network of EI referrals by answering the following: “What information is sent to EI?”, “Who sends it?”, and “How is it sent?”

Method:

This study combined an analysis of national document-based and website-based referral forms with a survey of state Part C Coordinators (PCCs). Data on referral forms were systematically collected from state agency websites. PCCs from 52 jurisdictions were surveyed to assess current EI referral practices. Descriptive statistics were used for responses to multiple-choice items; free-text answers were condensed into key study themes.

Results:

EI referral forms came as e-documents (81%) or websites (35%), and 72% were in English alone. They emphasized family and referral source contact information and reason for the referral. The survey results indicated that health care (45%) sends the most referrals, followed by families (30%). EI agencies received referrals by phone (38%), electronically (23%), e-mail (17%), and fax (17%), and PCCs valued this diversity of methods. Few states received referral data directly from electronic health records (EHRs); however, PCCs hope to eventually receive referrals through websites, mobile devices, and EHRs.

Conclusion:

EI referral data flow is complex, with opportunities for loss of children to follow-up. This study describes how EI referrals occur and provides examples of how communication and access to information may be improved.
Impact of Post–Refractive Surgeries on Corneal Biomechanics—A Review
Authors: Ahmed Hassan M. , Salem Nancy M. , Al-Atabany Walid
Published: September 2021

A stable shape for the human cornea prevents complications of post–refractive surgeries. Variation in corneal lamellae and collagen fibers is induced by recent laser refractive surgical procedures utilizing laser ablation and disruption techniques. Noninvasive prediction of corneal biomechanics and structural strength is not quite accurate pre– and post–refractive surgery despite the great advance in assessment methods. This is due to the alteration happening to the corneal structure post–refractive surgery. Many different methods have been developed to measure corneal and subcorneal biomechanics. In this article, an overview of the impact of post–refractive surgeries on corneal biomechanics is presented. The corneal anatomy and physiology are reviewed. Refractive disorders, their corresponding surgeries, and their relation to corneal biomechanics are discussed as well. Ultrasonic estimation of corneal biomechanics and their limitations are stated in this overview.
COVID-19 Vaccination and Asymptomatic Infection
Authors: Prato’ Simone , Paladino Maria Emilia , Riva Michele Augusto , Belingheri Michael
Published: September 2021

Objective:

To determine the incidence of COVID-19 and the duration of sick leave among asymptomatic healthcare workers (HCWs) after vaccination with BNT162b2.

Methods:

From October 2020 to March 2021, we determined the incidence of COVID-19 in a cohort of 671 asymptomatic HCWs before and after the vaccination. We also analyzed the days required to obtain a negative RT-PCR result after infection.

Results:

Prior to vaccination 105 (15.6%) HCWs were positive. Positive cases were reduced to 42 (7.5%) after the vaccination period (P < 0.0001). A negative RT-PCR was observed at the first control in 80% of vaccinated HCWs and only in 37% before vaccination.

Conclusions:

Even in case of asymptomatic infection, vaccinated HCWs have a reduced incidence and a shorter period of sick leave than before vaccination, suggesting vaccination impacts on the sustainability of the health system and labor costs.
Adapting clinical experiences during a pandemic: One college of nursing's approach
Authors: Makowski Andrew , Hampton Debra , Hardin-Pierce Melanie , Scott Leslie , Garritano Nicole , Tovar Elizabeth , Melander Sheila
Published: September 2021

Graduate level nursing programs are having increasing difficulty obtaining clinical sites for their students. Nurse practitioner (NP) students need a minimum of 500 direct care hours in addition to indirect hours. Simulation experiences may not be used as direct patient care hours for NP students, but telehealth experiences may be used if the focus is on obtaining similar competencies to what would be acquired with face-to-face patient experiences. One college of nursing adapted several opportunities for NP students to acquire indirect clinical experiences and specific NP competencies during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Several different clinically focused teaching methodologies were planned and implemented. These varied by NP specialty track and included complex case analyses, virtual (Zoom) rounds, well-child cases, and objective structured clinical examinations. These adapted clinical experiences are effective methods of helping students acquire clinical competencies and skills; however, they bring their own challenges. Post-COVID may be a time of new beginnings, moving nursing education forward on finding new and better ways to ensure that students acquire clinical competencies. What the new normal will be for nursing education is yet to be determined, but nursing education will likely never return to where we were before the pandemic.
Characterizing Differences in Thymic Function in Women With and Without Vulvodynia: A Community-Based Study
Authors: Willis Sydney K. , Aiello Allison E. , Chatterjea Devavani , Nelson Julie A. , Hibberd Patricia L. , Harlow Bernard L.
Published: September 2021

Objective

The aim of the study was to evaluate the association between vulvodynia and thymic function.

Materials and Methods

In this case-control study of 200 clinically confirmed cases of vulvodynia and 205 general population controls residing in the Minneapolis/Saint Paul metropolitan area, we used DNA extracted from whole blood to measure levels of signal joint T-cell receptor excision circles (sjTRECs), a measure of thymic output. We used logistic regression to evaluate the association between vulvodynia and thymic function.

Results

In 405 participants (aged 18–40 years), we observed an association between decreasing thymic function and increasing age. Women with vulvodynia had a steeper decline in sjTREC values across age categories compared with women without vulvodynia. In addition, at younger ages, women with vulvodynia had higher sjTREC values compared with women without vulvodynia. In older women, those with vulvodynia had lower sjTREC than those without vulvodynia. When accounting for recency of vulvar pain onset, women with a shorter time since pain onset had higher thymic function compared with women with a longer time since vulvar pain onset.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that at younger ages, women with vulvodynia have higher thymic output and a more precipitous decline of thymic function than those without vulvodynia. It also seems that a strong immune inflammatory response is present proximate to the onset of vulvar pain and may wane subsequently over time.
Stigma Determines Antiretroviral Adherence in Adults With HIV in Myanmar
Authors: Aung Su , Hardy Nicole , Chrysanthopoulou Stavroula A. , Kyaw Aung , San Tun Min , Aung Khaymar Win , Rana Aadia , Kantor Rami
Published: September 2021

Introduction:

Understanding social and structural barriers that determine antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence can improve care. Assessment of such factors is limited in Myanmar, a country with high HIV prevalence and increasing number of people living with HIV initiating ART.

Methods:

Questionnaires were administered to adults with HIV across 4 Myanmar cities to estimate adherence and its potential determinants, including HIV knowledge, social support, barriers to care, enacted and internalized stigma, and engagement in peer-to-peer HIV counseling (PC). Associations were determined using logistic mixed-effects modeling.

Results:

Among 956 participants, the mean age was 39 years, 52% were female, 36% had CD4 <350 cells/mm3, and 50% received pre-ART PC. Good adherence was reported by 74% of participants who had better HIV knowledge than those reporting nonadherence. Among nonadherent, 44% were forgetful and 81% were careless about taking ART. Among all participants, most (53%) were very satisfied with their social support and 79% reported lack of financial resources as barriers to care. Participants most frequently reported being viewed differently by others (30%) and feeling as if they were paying for past karma or sins because of their HIV diagnosis (66%). Enacted stigma (odds ratio 0.86; 95% confidence interval 0.79 to 0.92, P < 0.01) and internalized stigma (odds ratio 0.73; 95% confidence interval: 0.56 to 0.95, P = 0.023) were associated with worse adherence.

Conclusions:

Increased self-reported ART adherence in Myanmar is associated with less enacted and internalized stigma. These findings suggest the benefit of developing and promoting adherence interventions, which are focused on mitigating HIV-related stigma in the county.
Diagnostic Performance of Lower Extremity Venous Wall Thickness and Laboratory Findings in the Diagnosis of the Behçet Disease
Authors: Tezcan Dilek , Özer Halil , Gülcemal Semral , Hakbilen Selda , Durmaz Mehmet Sedat , Batur Abdussamed , Yilmaz Sema
Published: September 2021

Background/Objective

Behçet disease (BD) is not a single unique entity but a syndrome with different clinical phenotypes that can involve arterial and venous vessels of all sizes. To date, there has been no specific test or serum marker to measure and determine the severity of BD, and diagnosis remains based on clinical findings. This study aimed to assess lower extremity venous wall thickness (VWT) measured by ultrasound and laboratory findings and diagnostic performance in patients with BD.

Methods

A total of 106 participants were recruited from the rheumatology department in this single-center, case-control study. Participants meeting the eligibility criteria were divided into healthy controls (n = 52) and BD (n = 54). The VWT values of the common femoral vein, great saphenous vein, and popliteal vein were measured using ultrasonography. Laboratory data were obtained from the electronic registration database. Venous wall thicknesses and laboratory findings in patients with BD and healthy subjects were compared.

Results

Venous wall thickness of the lower extremity veins was higher in the BD group and higher in those with a history of deep vein thrombosis than in those without. The mean leukocyte, monocyte, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein, plateletcrit (PCT), red cell distribution width (RDW), mean platelet volume (MPV) values, and monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR) were higher in BD patients than in the control group. There was a correlation among increased VWT, ESR, PCT, MPV, RDW, and MLR.

Conclusions

C-reactive protein, ESR, MPV, PCT, MLR, RDW, and VWT can be used to assist in the diagnosis of BD.
A Good Aesthetic Outcome After Gross Total Tumor Resection in Combination With the Skull Reconstruction on Giant Epidermal Cyst Involving Both Intracranial and Extracranial Tissues
Authors: Shi Yifeng , Zhang Chenyang , Huang Hua , Hu Xin , Liu Yanhui
Published: September 2021

Epidermal or epidermoid cysts are 1 of the most frequent benign masses, they rarely grow to a huge size, and only a few cases have been reported. We report a rare case of a 52-year-old man with giant neoplasm growing invasively in the frontal region, including both intracranial and extracranial extensions, and caused extensive brain deformation and skull lesions. It is worth noting that the patient did not present any significant neurological symptoms and deficits for more than 40 years on admission. A combination of gross total tumor resection and cranioplasty was performed. The patient was satisfied with the results of the surgery, and no evidence of recurrence or complications were found in the 2 years follow-up. The authors reported the case not only to propose the first-stage aesthetic treatment option for this unusual mass on the scalp but also hinted at the vigilance and importance of systematic monitoring of the small skull mass for avoiding the potential risk of tumor progression, malignant transformation, operative trauma, and financial burden.
Clinical Value of Bilateral Balanced Frontotemporoparietal Decompressive Craniectomy in Severe Diffuse Traumatic Brain Injury
Authors: Wei ShengCheng
Published: September 2021

Objective:

To explore the clinical value of bilateral balanced frontotemporoparietal decompressive craniectomy (bbDC) in severe diffuse traumatic brain injury by comparison to the unilateral frontotemporoparietal decompressive craniectomy (uDC).

Materials and Methods:

Twenty three patients with severe diffuse traumatic brain injury from April 2015 to December 2019 were selected, including 10 cases underwent bbDC (bilateral group) and 13 cases underwent uDC (unilateral group). Compared with the postsurgical intracranial pressure (ICP), cerebral perfusion pressure, cerebral blood flow volume, postsurgical imaging score, the occurrence of complications as well as the 6 month outcome (Glasgow Outcome Scale, GOS) of two groups.

Results:

1. The postsurgical ICP was lower in the bbDC group than in the uDC group, while the postsurgical CCP and cerebral blood flow volume were higher in the bbDC group than in the uDC group. 2. Postsurgical imaging scores of the bbDC group were lower, indicating that the decompression effect of bbDC was more exhaustive than that of the uDC group. 3. The incidence of intraoperative acute cerebral bulging was lower in bbDC group than in uDC group. 4. The bbDC could effectively reduce the proportion of patients with the worst prognosis (dead+vegetative state).

Conclusion:

For patients with severe, diffuse traumatic brain injury combined with bilateral or unilateral pupil dilation, bilateral balanced decompression craniotomy is an effective method, which should be performed as soon as possible. As compared to unilateral decompression, the decompression effect on the brainstem is more thorough; the incidence of acute cerebral bulging, postoperative incisional hernia, and postoperative cerebral infarction involving a large area are reduced. ICP can be better controlled, cerebral perfusion pressure and cerebral blood flow increases, improving the patient's survival rate, quality of life, and prognosis.
Mandibular Stability After Sagittal Split Ramus Osteotomy With Hybrid Technique in Asymmetric Patients
Authors: Lee Dong-Hun , Cho Sang-Ah , Jeon Ju-Hong
Published: September 2021

The hybrid technique after bilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomy is an internal fixation method using monocortical mini-plates and additional bicortical positional screws. In this study, we analyzed the postoperative stability of 23 patients with mandibular asymmetry who underwent bilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomy and hybrid fixation with or without LeFort I osteotomy. Anatomical landmarks of the deviated and non-deviated sides of the jaw were established to measure the angle and distance to the reference plane in three-dimensional cone beam computed tomography images. We analyzed the positional changes and correlations of the reference points at preoperative (T1), postoperative 2 weeks (T2), and postoperative 1 year (T3). There were significant differences in preoperative position of the upper and lower molar cervix alveolar crest to the reference plane (U6-X and L6-X) and the condylion angles between deviated and non-deviated sides. Postoperatively (T2–T3), each reference point had no statistically significant positional change. Pearson correlation coefficient between the amount of menton deviation (ME-X at T1) and positional change of menton after surgery (T2–T3) was 0.30, and P value was 0.168. The hybrid fixation technique is an effective fixation method for achieving postoperative stability for mandibular asymmetry.
Surgical Fixation With Only Fibrin Glue in the Isolated Anterior Wall of the Maxillary Sinus Fracture
Authors: Um Jung Hwan , Kim Soon Heum , Jo Dong In
Published: September 2021

When isolated anterior wall fractures of the maxilla occur, there is a high possibility that a comminuted fracture also exists. Because of thin and small fracture fragments and the associated damage to the mucosa, treating these fractures using conventional methods is difficult. The authors considered a surgical method that utilizes only fibrin glue after reduction. This method was also compared with the use of absorbable mesh. in total, 30 patients were diagnosed with an isolated anterior wall fracture of the maxilla between January 2013 and December 2018 in a single hospital. From these, 19 patients underwent fractured fragment reconstruction using only fibrin glue after reduction. The remaining patients underwent reconstruction using an absorbable mesh. Patient demographics, trauma vector, length of hospital stay, follow–up period, and acute/chronic complication rates of the two groups were investigated and statistically analyzed. The group using only fibrin glue showed better results with regard to the length of hospital stay and acute complication rates. Therefore, the surgical method using only fibrin glue after reduction can be recommended as a viable treatment method for these fractures.