bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Maternal Exposure to Intimate Partner Violence and Child Immunisation: Insights from a Population-based Study in India
Authors: Paul Pintu , Mondal Dinabandhu
Published: October 2021

Child immunisation is regarded as one of the most essential public health interventions for reducing morbidity and mortality among children. Despite several public healthcare initiatives, a considerable proportion of children are yet to be covered under vaccination service in India. This study attempts to examine the association between maternal exposure to intimate partner violence (IPV) and childhood immunisation in India. Data were drawn from the fourth round of the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-4), conducted in 2015–16. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression models were employed to assess the associations. About 65% of sample children aged 11–23 months were fully vaccinated. After adjusting for socio-demographic factors, women’s exposure to emotional IPV was significantly associated with a lower likelihood of full immunisation (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 0.74, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.61–0.90) among children. However, physical and sexual IPV had no significant association with childhood immunisation status in the adjusted analysis. The findings suggest preventive measures against domestic violence to reduce the risk of poor child healthcare services. Furthermore, efforts should be taken for effective reproductive and child healthcare programmes, especially among socio-economically vulnerable women and children, to improve child vaccination coverage.
Popularity Brings Better Sales or Vice Versa: Evidence from Instagram and OpenTable
Authors: Lasmi Hanane , Lee Chul Ho , Ceran Yasin
Published: October 2021

With the popularity of user-generated content (UGC), an increasing number of studies have investigated its impact on business performance. However, prior studies were limited to a single platform and showed the effects of UGC of a platform, for example, customer textual comments or customer numeral ratings, on sales/reservation of the same platform. In practice, users often refer to a UGC, for example, Instagram, and purchase it on other platforms. To incorporate the spillover effect, we considered the restaurant industry because it has active participation across various channels. Using topic modelling, we first identified from Instagram four topics of users’ interest regarding a restaurant, such as location, nightlife, food and celebration. From fixed effects models’ estimation, we found that (a) recommendation and mention of Instagram have positive effects, and (b) comments of location and food also have positive significant fixed effects, but (c) the impact of Instagram volume is curvilinear and positive significant effect the sales. Since the curvilinear effects may come from reverse causality, that is, higher reservation, might bring more customers and comments on social networking service (SNS) (echo verse effect in our paper). Therefore, we further analysed two-way Granger causality and panel vector autoregression to identify the endogeneity, and the results showed the existing Granger causality loop between OpenTable review and Instagram post volumes.
The Determinants of Four or More Antenatal Care Visits Among Working Women in Indonesia
Authors: Denny Hanifa M. , Laksono Agung D. , Matahari Ratu , Kurniawan Bina
Published: October 2021

This study aimed to analyze the determinants of four or more antenatal care (ANC) visits among working women in Indonesia. The researchers extracted data from the Indonesian Demographic and Health Survey 2017 and obtained a sample size of 8239 working women aged between 15 and 49 years. Women’s residence, age, marital status, education level, parity, economic status, and health insurance were selected as the independent variables. Binary logistic regression was used for the analysis. Older working women, married working women, educated working women, those in higher economic status, and those with health insurance were more likely to complete four or more of their ANC visits. The more children the working women had, the less likely they would complete their ANC visits. In conclusion, age, marital status, education, parity, economic status, and health insurance are the determinants for completing ANC visits among working women in Indonesia. At the same time, place of residence does not affect the frequency of ANC visits.
Bhutan’s COVID-19 Vaccination Efforts and the Evolution of COVID-19 Cases in the Aftermath
Authors: Gyeltshen Dawa , Dema Tashi , Ahmadi Attaullah , Lucero-Prisno Don Eliseo
Published: October 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic is continuing to ravage countries across the world. It has displaced families and impacted economies around the world. Our fight against the pandemic is never ending, but COVID-19 vaccines offer unique promises and opportunities to win this war. As more and more vaccines are approved for use, many countries including Bhutan have started vaccinating their population against the SARS-CoV2 disease. Bhutan has fully vaccinated 61.5% of its people and 11.2% partially including children aged between 12 and 17 years. The country used many strategies to increase vaccine accessibility and availability such as government’s exhaustive efforts to secure enough vaccine doses, careful preparations, use of international partners, and integration of its tradition and culture for wider vaccine acceptance. The protection from vaccines coupled with other public health measures has helped keep the number of COVID-19 cases to a manageable number without straining its health system too much. The success story is a “beacon of hope for the region” as the world looks to rebuild itself from this long exhausting fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Silicon Valley Syndrome
Authors: Kwon Doris , Sorenson Olav
Published: October 2021

How does expansion in the high-tech sector influence the broader economy of a region? We demonstrate that an infusion of venture capital in a region leads to: (i) declines in the number of establishments and in employment in non–high-tech industries in the tradable sector; (ii) increases in entry and in employment in the non-tradable sector; and (iii) a rise in income inequality in the non-tradable sector. Expansion in the high-tech sector therefore leads to a less diverse tradable sector and to increasing inequality in the region.
They Affect the Person, but for Better or Worse? Perceptions of Electroceutical Interventions for Depression Among Psychiatrists, Patients, and the Public
Authors: Bluhm Robyn , Castillo Emily , Achtyes Eric D. , McCright Aaron M. , Cabrera Laura Y.
Published: October 2021

Responding to reports of cases of personality change following deep brain stimulation, neuroethicists have debated the nature and ethical implications of these changes. Recently, this literature has been challenged as being overblown and therefore potentially an impediment to patients accessing needed treatment. We interviewed 16 psychiatrists, 16 patients with depression, and 16 members of the public without depression, all from the Midwestern United States, about their views on how three electroceutical interventions (deep brain stimulation, electroconvulsive therapy, and transcranial magnetic stimulation) used to treat depression might affect the self. Participants were also asked to compare the electroceuticals’ effects on the self with the effects of commonly used depression treatments (psychotherapy and pharmaceuticals). Using qualitative content analysis, we found that participants’ views on electroceuticals’ potential effects on the self mainly focused on treatment effectiveness and side effects. Our results have implications for both theoretical discussions in neuroethics and clinical practice in psychiatry.
Effect of axial force on the stability of milling: Local bifurcations around stable islands
Authors: Beri Bence , Stepan Gabor
Published: October 2021

In this paper, the stability properties of milling processes are presented when the axial component of the cutting force is also taken into account as a compressive force acting on the cutting tool. The mechanism of the material removal operation is described by a one degree-of-freedom oscillator subjected to the so-called surface regeneration effect. This can be represented mathematically by a nonlinear, time-periodic, delay differential equation. The regenerative compression affects the natural frequency of the system, which is modelled through the lateral stiffness variation of the bearing support of the main spindle. This extension of the general milling model leads to the birth of stable islands within the originally unstable parameter domain. Since the exploitation of these regions may open new ways in practice for increasing the efficiency of machining, the domain of attraction is investigated qualitatively near the stability boundaries of the stable island by means of a semi-analytical method.
Disrupted Delivery: Demythifying Remote and Online Instruction in Times of Crisis and Emergency
Authors: Brunner Brigitta R. , Mutsvairo Bruce
Published: October 2021

This is the guest editors’ essay for the Special Issue: Disrupted Delivery: Remote and Online Instruction in Times of Crisis and Emergency, Guest Editors: Brigitta R. Brunner & Bruce Mutsvairo.
Improving Our Risk Communication: Standardized Risk Levels for Brief Assessment of Recidivism Risk-2002R
Authors: Blais Julie , Babchishin Kelly M. , Hanson R. Karl
Published: October 2021

A Five-Level Risk and Needs system has been proposed as a common language for standardizing the meaning of risk levels across risk/need tools used in corrections. Study 1 examined whether the Five-Levels could be applied to BARR-2002R ( N = 2,390), an actuarial tool for general recidivism. Study 2 examined the construct validity of BARR-2002R risk levels in two samples of individuals with a history of sexual offending ( N = 1,081). Study 1 found reasonable correspondence between BARR-2002R scores and four of the five standardized risk levels (no Level V). Study 2 found that the profiles of individuals in Levels II, III, and IV were mostly consistent with expectations; however, individuals in the lowest risk level (Level I) had more criminogenic needs than expected based on the original descriptions of the Five-Levels. The Five-Level system was mostly successful when applied to BARR-2002R. Revisions to this system, or the inclusion of putatively dynamic risk factors and protective factors, may be required to improve alignment with the information provided by certain risk tools.
Evaluating Experiences of Stress and Coping Among African American Women During the COVID-19 Pandemic to Inform Future Interventions
Authors: Sweeney Allison M. , Wilson Dawn K. , Zarrett Nicole , Brown Asia , Quattlebaum Mary , Gorman Brianna , Loncar Haylee
Published: October 2021

Background

African American (AA) women experience disproportionate levels of chronic disease, which is theorized to be driven by greater exposure to acute and chronic stress. The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has further exacerbated existing health disparities among AA communities. Understanding how AA women have experienced and responded to stress during the pandemic may help to inform how future interventions can better address physical and mental well-being in AA communities.

Aims

Drawing from stress and coping models and an ecological framework, the present study conducted a theory-based qualitative assessment of stress-related experiences during the pandemic among a cohort of AA women, including (1) sources of stress, (2) coping strategies, (3) perceptions of health-related behaviors, (4) the role of community, and (5) recommendations for future interventions.

Method

After completing a group-based physical activity intervention program during the COVID-19 pandemic, a cohort of AA women ( N =17, Mage= 49.3 ± 11.24) completed individual interviews. Sessions were conducted by phone, audiotaped, transcribed, and coded by independent raters ( rs = .71–.73). Themes were identified using deductive and inductive approaches.

Results

Among sources of stress directly related to the pandemic, being at home, getting sick, and homeschooling/parenting were the most frequently discussed themes. Participants engaged in active coping (problem and emotion-focused), with health behaviors, social support, and religion/spirituality, emerging as frequently discussed themes. Although some participants reported passive coping strategies (e.g., avoidance), this approach was less pronounced.

Conclusions

These qualitative results are used to guide suggestions for future interventions that jointly address stress and health-related behaviors in order to improve translation of research into practice and policy for future pandemics and disasters.
Different Methods, Different Standards? A Comparison of Two Finnish Reference Budgets
Authors: Mäkinen Lauri
Published: October 2021

According to Principle 14 of the European Pillar of Social Rights, everyone should have the right to adequate minimum income benefits that ensure a life in dignity. Reference budgets have been proposed to monitor this principle. Reference budgets are priced baskets of goods and services that represent a given living standard. At the moment, no common methodology for constructing reference budgets exists; instead, different methods are used to construct them. This study sought to compare the approaches and results of two Finnish reference budgets: one created by the Centre for Consumer Society Research (CCSR), and the second by the ImPRovE project. The purpose of the article is to respond to a gap in existing literature around how different methods for constructing reference budgets impact their outcomes. The two reference budgets offer a strong basis for comparison because they both sought to capture the same living standard in the same context for similar household types (single woman, single man, heterosexual couple, and heterosexual couple with two children), while using different approaches. The results suggest that the two reference budgets arrive at different estimates of what is needed for social participation. Ultimately, we found that the most significant differences between the budgets were housing and mobility costs for the couple with two children due to differences in information bases, selection criteria, evaluators, and pricing. The study makes a significant contribution to the literature because it is one of the first to explore how different approaches to constructing reference budgets affect their outcomes. The results suggest that clear criteria for constructing reference budgets are needed to monitor Principle 14 of the European Pillar of Social Rights.
A fast estimation of the frequency property of the microelectromechanical system oscillator
Authors: Zhang Yanni , Tian Dan , Pang Jing
Published: October 2021

A nonlinear oscillator with zero initial conditions is considered, which makes some effective methods, for example, the variational iteration method and the homotopy perturbation method, invalid. To solve the bottleneck, this paper suggests a simple transform to convert the problem into a traditional case so that He’s frequency formulation can be effectively used to solve its approximate solution. An microelectromechanical system (MEMS) oscillator is used as example to show the solution process, and a good result is obtained.
COVID-19 Conversations Within Black/Brown Minority Communities: A Stakeholder and Psychoeducation Approach Using Zoom/Facebook Live
Authors: Williams Myia S. , Myers Alyson K. , Patel Vidhi H. , Marrast Lyndonna , Maria Naomi I. , Marino Jose , Pekmezaris Renee
Published: October 2021

As communities of color are disproportionately affected by COVID-19, there is an urgent need for dissemination of timely and accurate information to community members. In this article, we describe a stakeholder approach for the implementation, evaluation, and lessons learned from COVID-19 Conversations, a program developed and delivered virtually by researchers and academics at Northwell Health. The goal of the program was to address the mental, physical, and psychosocial needs of community members. The program used Zoom/Facebook Live to deliver interactive discussions on topics ranging from health education on COVID-19 and mental health to resources for unmet social needs. This interprofessional, cross-sector collaboration highlights the importance of public health interventions aimed at reducing the spread of COVID-19 through easy online access and culturally relevant community education and outreach.
The Polypharma Study: Association Between Diet and Amount of Prescription Drugs Among Seniors
Authors: Dos Santos Hildemar , Gaio Josileide , Durisic Aleksandra , Beeson W. Lawrence , Alabadi Alaa
Published: October 2021

Polypharmacy, commonly described as the use of five or more prescribed medications, is a prevalent health issue among seniors because of the potential adverse side effects due to medication interactions. The main purpose of this study was to investigate the association between dietary patterns and number of medications used. We hypothesized that a plant-based diet and healthy lifestyle choices decreases morbidities and number of medications taken. Data on 328 participants, aged 60 years or older, were collected through questionnaires and measurements at the Loma Linda University Drayson Center in Loma Linda, CA, between 2015 and 2016. The dependent variable was the number of pills taken, used as counts, and the main exposure was the type of diet adopted. Negative binomial regression was used for analysis. Results suggest that a vegan diet reduces the number of pills by 58% compared to non-vegetarian (IRR=.42 [95% CI: .25-.70]), even after adjusting for covariates. Increases in age, body mass index (BMI), and presence of disease suggest an increased number of pills taken. A vegan diet showed the lowest amount of pills in this sample. Body mass index also had a significant positive association with the number of pills.
Cross-Cultural Researchers’ Positionality in Immigrant Health Research: Reflections on Conducting Research on Chinese Immigrants’ Experiences in the United States
Authors: Chen Lei , Tse Hin Wing , Wu Deborah , Young Maria-Elena De Trinidad
Published: October 2021

While a growing body of research has examined immigrants’ health generally, less is known specifically about the impact of immigration policy on the health of Chinese immigrants, the second-largest foreign-born population in the United States. This is due, in part, to the lack of methodologically well-trained, cross-cultural researchers who have both the cultural and linguistic expertise and health knowledge to engage with Chinese immigrant populations. This paper addresses this gap by examining Chinese cross-cultural researchers’ roles in the qualitative phase of the Research on ImmiGrant HealTh and State policy (RIGHTS) project, which sought to assess how immigration policies shaped Chinese and other immigrants’ experiences in healthcare and other related sectors in California. We used reflexivity to assess Chinese cross-cultural researchers’ positionality of insiderness and outsiderness and its influence on the process of data collection (i.e., recruitment, conducting interviews, transcription, and translation). Our reflexivity guides the assessment of the opportunities (e.g., expanding the recruitment pool, engaging participants more effectively in interviews, ensuring data integrity, and discussing heterogeneity within the Chinese immigrant community) and challenges (e.g., the difficulty of recruiting low-income and undocumented immigrants, addressing participants’ in-depth thoughts, the time-consuming nature of transcription and translation, and the assessment of power dynamics) in conducting immigrant health research with the Chinese community. These results highlight the need for cross-cultural researchers to help build trusting relationships with ethnic-minority communities, thus gaining new insights and advancing knowledge within the field of ethnic minority health research. These insights can guide future investigations of Chinese and other immigrant communities as research on immigration policy and health expands.
Zoom Interviews: Benefits and Concessions
Authors: Oliffe John L. , Kelly Mary T. , Gonzalez Montaner Gabriela , Yu Ko Wellam F.
Published: October 2021

COVID-19 restrictions have transitioned in-person qualitative research interviews to virtual platforms. The purpose of the current article is to detail some benefits and concessions derived from our experiences of using Zoom to interview men about their intimate partner relationship breakdowns and service providers who work with men to build better relationships. Three benefits; 1) Rich therapeutic value, 2) There’s no place like home, and 3) Reduced costs to extend recruitment reach and inclusivity, highlighted Zoom’s salutary value, the data richness afforded by being interviewed from home, and the potential for cost-effectively progressing qualitative study designs. In particular, reduced labour and travel costs made viable wider reaching participant recruitment and multi-site data collection. The concessions; 1) Being there differently, 2) Choppy purviews and 3) Preparing and pacing, and adjusting to the self-stream revealed the need for interviewers to nimbly adjust to circumstances outside their direct control. Included were inherent challenges for adapting to diverse interviewee locations, technology limits and discordant audio-visual feeds. Amongst these concessions there was resignation that many in-person interview nuances were lost amid the virtual platform demanding unique interviewer skills to compensate some of those changes. Zoom interviews will undoubtedly continue post COVID-19 and attention should be paid to emergent ethical and operational issues.
Soft and tissue repair of the hand and digital reconstruction
Authors: Adani Roberto , Tang Jin Bo , Elliot David
Published: October 2021

This article summarizes the current views and proposed approaches to treating soft tissue defects of the hand. The article also outlines some key considerations of digital reconstruction. There are many options in treating soft tissue defects. For defects of the hand, local flaps are primarily considered if the defects are small or moderate in size. A vascularized free flap is only considered for a defect of large size (3 cm long or larger). Thumb reconstruction is of primary importance, while reconstruction of two fingers is necessary when all fingers are lost. Reconstructions of a missing distal part of a finger or reconstruction of an entire finger if only one finger is lost are cosmetic restorations; functionally these defects do not need reconstruction. Sensation is of great importance in repair or reconstruction of the tip of the thumb or finger. Therefore, sensory evaluation is a key factor in assessing and selecting the best options of surgery.
Reflecting on Violent Ruptures and Loss in Qualitative Research: A Poetic Inquiry
Authors: Burkhard Tanja , Deiri Youmna
Published: October 2021

Presenting poetic approaches to qualitative inquiry, two immigrant educational researchers from different minoritized communities explore their loss of research participants due to increased state-enforced violence in the context of recent immigration policies (e.g., increased presence of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in immigrant communities and anti-Muslim rhetoric) through poetic inquiry. Presenting the processes and products of engaging with participant loss through poetry, the authors highlight a theoretical and methodological approach to qualitative inquiry, which works toward building intimacies among women of color feminist educational researchers. On the one hand, this work aims to develop qualitative methodologies that seek to reduce harm and violence and foster understanding among different communities of researchers and their participants. On the other hand, it seeks to illustrate how poetic approaches to qualitative research can be used as a reflexive tool to explore the hidden socio-emotional components of the educational research process.
Vitamin C supplementation for the treatment of osteoarthritis: perspectives on the past, present, and future
Authors: Dunlap Burton , Patterson G. Taylor , Kumar Sandeep , Vyavahare Sagar , Mishra Samarth , Isales Carlos , Fulzele Sadanand
Published: October 2021

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an estimated 14% of adults in the United States have either been diagnosed with osteoarthritis (OA) or have symptoms suggestive of the disease. The CDC also points out that the incidence of OA has been gradually increasing over the past 30 years. What is more worrisome is that this trend is going to accelerate due to the aging demographics of the United States and the increasing prevalence of obesity seen in the country. The need for better preventive treatments and efficacious therapeutics are direly needed to combat this public health crisis. Among the possible treatments being hypothesized, antioxidant supplementation has become one of the most widely studied over the past decade due to its ability to attenuate reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation within chondrocytes, a critical step in the pathogenesis of this disease. Vitamin C has emerged as among the most promising of the antioxidant group, with many animal and human studies having been conducted in recent years. Although many of the studies have shown encouraging results in terms of preventing OA, others have reached opposite conclusions, thus making the data controversial. However, after reviewing several of these studies, we hypothesize that certain parameters may not have been properly considered during data collection. In the end, more randomized placebo-controlled trials in humans are desperately needed in order to fully understand whether vitamin C therapy is efficacious in treating and/or preventing OA.
Evolving Medical Imaging Techniques for the Assessment of Delayed Graft Function: A Narrative Review
Authors: Hysi Eno , Kaur Harmandeep , Young Ann
Published: October 2021

Purpose of review:

Delayed graft function (DGF) is a significant complication that contributes to poorer graft function and shortened graft survival. In this review, we sought to evaluate the current and emerging role of medical imaging modalities in the assessment of DGF and how it may guide clinical management.

Sources of information:

PubMed, Google Scholar, and ClinicalTrial.gov up until February 2021.

Methods:

This narrative review first examined the pathophysiology of DGF and current clinical management. We then summarized relevant studies that utilized medical imaging to assess posttransplant renal complications, namely, DGF. We focused our attention on noninvasive, evolving imaging modalities with the greatest potential for clinical translation, including contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) and multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Key findings:

A kidney biopsy in the setting of DGF can be used to assess the degree of ischemic renal injury and to rule out acute rejection. Biopsies are accompanied by complications and may be limited by sampling bias. Early studies on CEUS and MRI have shown their potential to distinguish between the 2 most common causes of DGF (acute tubular necrosis and acute rejection), but they have generally included only small numbers of patients and have not kept pace with more recent technical advances of these imaging modalities. There remains unharnessed potential with CEUS and MRI, and more robust clinical studies are needed to better evaluate their role in the current era.

Limitations:

The adaptation of emerging approaches for imaging DGF will depend on additional clinical trials to study the feasibility and diagnostic test characteristics of a given modality. This is limited by access to devices, technical competence, and the need for interdisciplinary collaborations to ensure that such studies are well designed to appropriately inform clinical decision-making.
Toward a Relevant De-colonized Curriculum in South Africa: Suggestions for a Way Forward
Authors: Masenya Malesela J.
Published: October 2021

The debate on the de-colonization of universities in South African gained momentum after protests by students through the #FeesMustFall (FMF) and #RhodesMustFall (RMF) movements. At the center of these protests were issues like free access to education, accommodation, removal of apartheid and colonial statues, and the Africanization of the curriculum. Thus, revisiting and reimagining curricula offerings is an important aspect of the current debate on the de-colonization of education at South Africa’s educational sites. To add to the de-colonization debate, this article discusses the concept of relevance in (re)curriculation. The article will discuss the concepts of de-colonization and relevance, readiness in the implementation of new curricula offerings, challenges, and hurdles in curriculum change and important points of reference in achieving a de-colonized curriculum. Literature review and document analysis will be used to shed more light on this topic.
“When I think of me as a parent”: Procreative options and young adults’ identity motives
Authors: Canzi Elena , Parise Miriam , Rosnati Rosa , Scabini Eugenia , Manzi Claudia
Published: October 2021

The current study explored whether and to what extent different procreative options (natural conception, adoption, homologous techniques, and heterologous techniques) were perceived as enriching or threatening to young adults’ expectation of identity motives fulfillment. Our sample consisted of 1380 Italian young adults (62.9% women) aged between 18 and 33 years who participated in a national online survey on young adulthood. Results showed that participants expect natural conception to be more enriching to their identity, whereas they expected heterologous techniques to be more threatening to their identity compared to all other procreative options. Moreover, participants perceived adoption in the event of one’s partner’s sterility to be more enriching to their identity compared to both homologous and heterologous assisted reproductive techniques. Data were also analyzed taking into account the participants’ sex, age, and religious beliefs.
The Upcoming Pass/Fail USMLE Step 1 Score Reporting: An Impact Assessment From Medical School Deans
Authors: Manstein Samuel M. , Laikhter Elizabeth , Kazei Darya D. , Comer Carly D. , Shiah Eric , Lin Samuel J.
Published: October 2021

Background: The US Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step 1 change to pass/fail has been met with mixed reviews, and the impact on medical student education and residency match is unknown. We surveyed medical school student affairs deans regarding their thoughts on the upcoming transition of Step 1 to pass/fail. Methods: A questionnaire was emailed to medical school deans. Deans were asked to rank the importance of the following after the Step 1 reporting change: Step 2 Clinical Knowledge (Step 2 CK), clerkship grades, letters of recommendation, personal statement, medical school reputation, class rank, Medical Student Performance Evaluation, and research. They were asked how the score change will affect curriculum, learning, diversity, and student mental health. Deans were asked to select 5 specialties they thought would be most affected. Results: Regarding perceived importance of residency applications following the scoring change, the most frequent number 1 choice was Step 2 CK. The majority of deans (93.5%, n = 43) felt that the change to pass/fail would benefit medical student education/learning environment; however, most (68.2%, n = 30) did not believe their school curriculum would change. Students applying to dermatology, neurosurgery, orthopedic surgery, ENT, and plastic surgery were felt to be most affected by the scoring change; 58.7% (n = 27) felt it would not adequately address future diversity. Conclusion: The majority of deans feel the USMLE Step 1 change to pass/fail would benefit medical student education. Deans feel that students applying to traditionally more competitive specialties (ie, programs with fewer overall residency positions available) will be most affected.
Putting On and Taking Off the Capulana: A Grounded Theory of How Mozambican Women Manage Gender Oppression
Authors: Tomm-Bonde Laura Nicole , Schreiber Rita , MacDonald Marjorie
Published: October 2021

Gender-based oppression is a pervasive global challenge, but has taken a back seat to other issues in Mozambique. The purpose of this grounded theory study was to explore how Mozambican women manage multiple oppressions in their lives in the context of the AIDS epidemic. Using interviews, documents, and constant comparison, we constructed a theory, Putting on and Taking Off the Capulana, to explain how women are socialized into and push back against the prevailing societal misogyny. The theory comprises four categories: Putting on the Capulana, Turning a Blind Eye, Playing the Game, and Taking Off the Capulana. Women adopt sex-role expectations, becoming socialized into patriarchal society. They are silent about their oppression, and society colludes in this. They use a strategic process to gain a sense of control over their situations. Finally, some women develop a critical consciousness and are able to resist their oppression in emancipatory ways.
Medicine quality in high-income countries: The obstacles to comparative prevalence studies
Authors: Naughton Bernard David , Akgul Ebru
Published: October 2021

The entry of falsified and substandard medicines into the legitimate pharmaceutical supply chain has negative impacts on healthcare systems, patient safety, and patient access to medicine. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of access to safe medicine through legitimate pharmaceutical supply chains and the willingness of criminals to target medical products such as PPE (personal protective equipment) and COVID-19 treatments. In this article, we analyse data from the United Kingdom (UK) national medicine alert and recall database to identify and understand recent cases of substandard and falsified medicine in the UK’s healthcare systems. Using the UK as a case study, we describe that national drug alert and recall data are useful in their current form to record and understand cases of substandard and falsified medicines in the supply chain. However, if regulatory agencies published further data, these drug recall databases may be useful to support longitudinal and international comparative medicine quality studies. We suggest that regulatory agencies publish the number of affected medicine packs in each recalled batch, as part of the recall process. This will help policy makers, practitioners, and researchers to better understand, monitor and compare the quality of medicines within legitimate supply chains.
Effects of Aspiration Prevention Surgery on the Dynamics of the Pharynx and Upper Esophageal Sphincter
Authors: Ueha Rumi , Sato Taku , Goto Takao , Koyama Misaki , Yamauchi Akihito , Mizukami Aiko , Yamasoba Tatsuya
Published: October 2021

Objective

Oral intake after aspiration prevention surgery (APS) is influenced by postoperative pharyngeal pressure and the dynamics of the upper esophageal sphincter (UES). We examined the effects of less invasive APS combined with UES relaxation techniques (laryngeal closure with cricopharyngeal myotomy [LC‐CPM] and central‐part laryngectomy [CPL]) on pharyngeal pressure and UES dynamics.

Study Design

Retrospective, observational study.

Setting

Single center.

Methods

We assessed the high‐resolution pharyngeal manometric parameters of patients who underwent APS from 2018 to 2020. Then, we compared the effects of bilateral cricopharyngeal myotomy (combined with LC: LC‐CPM group) and total cricoidectomy (CPL group) on both pharyngeal pressure and UES dynamics pre‐ and postoperatively.

Results

Eighteen patients (median age, 68 years; 17 men [94%]) were enrolled. Primary diseases associated with severe aspiration were neuromuscular disorders in 13, stroke in 3, and others in 2 patients. Pharyngeal swallowing pressure did not significantly change before and after APS. UES resting pressure and UES relaxation duration were significantly reduced (P <. 001) and prolonged (P <. 001), respectively, after APS. Only the CPL group (8 patients: median 62 years, all men) showed an increase in the velopharyngeal closure integral after APS (P <. 05). More prolonged UES relaxation duration was recognized postoperatively in the CPL group (P <. 01) than in the LC‐CPM group.

Conclusion

Less invasive APS minimally affects pharyngeal swallowing pressure, decreases UES resting pressure, and prolongs UES relaxation duration. CPL may be more effective for postoperative UES relaxation in patients with a short UES relaxation time.
Minimal important change and responsiveness of the Migraine Disability Assessment Score (MIDAS) questionnaire
Authors: Carvalho Gabriela F. , Luedtke Kerstin , Braun Tobias
Published: October 2021

Background

The MIDAS is the most used questionnaire to evaluate migraine-related disability, but its utility to assess treatment response remains unclear. Our aim was to estimate the MIDAS’ minimal important change (MIC) value and its responsiveness.

Methods

A total of 103 patients were enrolled in a non-pharmacological, preference-based clinical trial. MIDAS and global rating of self-perceived change (GRoC) scores were collected at baseline, after 5 weeks of treatment, 4-weeks and 3-months follow-up after treatment. Anchor-based approaches were used to establish MIC values and responsiveness.

Findings

In all 3 timepoint comparisons, MIDAS presented a MIC of 4.5 points. A moderate positive correlation was identified between the MIDAS change and GRoC scores. The area under the curve ranged from 0.63 to 0.68.

Conclusions

This study showed that MIDAS has a limited responsiveness to change. A change of 4.5 points or more represents a clinically important change for patients with high frequent migraine and chronic migraine receiving non-pharmacological treatment.
Rice miR1432 Fine-Tunes the Balance of Yield and Blast Disease Resistance via Different Modules
Authors: Li Yan , Zheng Ya-Ping , Zhou Xin-Hui , Yang Xue-Mei , He Xiao-Rong , Feng Qin , Zhu Yong , Li Guo-Bang , Wang He , Zhao Jing-Hao , Hu Xiao-Hong , Pu Mei , Zhou Shi-Xin , Ji Yun-Peng , Zhao Zhi-Xue , Zhang Ji-Wei , Huang Yan-Yan , Fan Jing , Zhang Ling-Li , Wang Wen-Ming
Published: October 2021

microRNAs act as fine-tuners in the regulation of plant growth and resistance against biotic and abiotic stress. Here we demonstrate that rice miR1432 fine-tunes yield and blast disease resistance via different modules. Overexpression of miR1432 leads to compromised resistance and decreased yield, whereas blocking miR1432 using a target mimic of miR1432 results in enhanced resistance and yield. miR1432 suppresses the expression ofLOC_Os03g59790, which encodes an EF-hand family protein 1 (OsEFH1). Overexpression ofOsEFH1leads to enhanced rice resistance but decreased grain yield. Further study revealed that miR1432 andOsEFH1are differentially responsive to chitin, a fungus-derived pathogen/microbe-associated molecular pattern (PAMP/MAMP). Consistently, blocking miR1432 or overexpression ofOsEFH1improves chitin-triggered immunity responses. In contrast, overexpression ofACOT, another target gene regulating rice yield traits, has no significant effects on rice blast disease resistance. Altogether, these results indicate that miR1432 balances yield and resistance via different target genes, and blocking miR1432 can simultaneously improve yield and resistance.
Using neural networks to support high-quality evidence mapping
Authors: Røst Thomas B. , Slaughter Laura , Nytrø Øystein , Muller Ashley E. , Vist Gunn E.
Published: October 2021

Background

The Living Evidence Map Project at the Norwegian Institute of Public Health (NIPH) gives an updated overview of research results and publications. As part of NIPH’s mandate to inform evidence-based infection prevention, control and treatment, a large group of experts are continously monitoring, assessing, coding and summarising new COVID-19 publications. Screening tools, coding practice and workflow are incrementally improved, but remain largely manual.

Results

This paper describes how deep learning methods have been employed to learn classification and coding from the steadily growing NIPH COVID-19 dashboard data, so as to aid manual classification, screening and preprocessing of the rapidly growing influx of new papers on the subject. Our main objective is to make manual screening scalable through semi-automation, while ensuring high-quality Evidence Map content.

Conclusions

We report early results on classifying publication topic and type from titles and abstracts, showing that even simple neural network architectures and text representations can yield acceptable performance.
Epigenetic interplay between methylation and miRNA in bladder cancer: focus on isoform expression
Authors: Shivakumar Manu , Han Seonggyun , Lee Younghee , Kim Dokyoon
Published: October 2021

Background

Various epigenetic factors are responsible for the non-genetic regulation on gene expression. The epigenetically dysregulated oncogenes or tumor suppressors by miRNA and/or DNA methylation are often observed in cancer cells. Each of these epigenetic regulators has been studied well in cancer progressions; however, their mutual regulatory relationship in cancer still remains unclear. In this study, we propose an integrative framework to systematically investigate epigenetic interactions between miRNA and methylation at the alternatively spliced mRNA level in bladder cancer. Each of these epigenetic regulators has been studied well in cancer progressions; however, their mutual regulatory relationship in cancer still remains unclear.

Results

The integrative analyses yielded 136 significant combinations (methylation, miRNA and isoform). Further, overall survival analysis on the 136 combinations based on methylation and miRNA, high and low expression groups resulted in 13 combinations associated with survival. Additionally, different interaction patterns were examined.

Conclusions

Our study provides a higher resolution of molecular insight into the crosstalk between two epigenetic factors, DNA methylation and miRNA. Given the importance of epigenetic interactions and alternative splicing in cancer, it is timely to identify and understand the underlying mechanisms based on epigenetic markers and their interactions in cancer, leading to alternative splicing with primary functional impact.
Complete genomes of the eukaryotic poultry parasite Histomonas meleagridis: linking sequence analysis with virulence / attenuation
Authors: Palmieri Nicola , de Jesus Ramires Marcelo , Hess Michael , Bilic Ivana
Published: October 2021

Background

Histomonas meleagridis is a protozoan parasite and the causative agent of histomonosis, an important poultry disease whose significance is underlined by the absence of any treatment and prophylaxis. The recent successful in vitro attenuation of the parasite urges questions about the underlying mechanisms.

Results

Whole genome sequence data from a virulent and an attenuated strain originating from the same parental lineage of H. meleagridis were recruited using Oxford Nanopore Technology (ONT) and Illumina platforms, which were combined to generate megabase-sized contigs with high base-level accuracy. Inspecting the genomes for differences identified two substantial deletions within a coding sequence of the attenuated strain. Additionally, one single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and indel targeting coding sequences caused the formation of premature stop codons, which resulted in the truncation of two genes in the attenuated strain. Furthermore, the genome of H. meleagridis was used for characterizing protein classes of clinical relevance for parasitic protists. The comparative analysis with the genomes of Trichomonas vaginalis, Tritrichomonas foetus and Entamoeba histolytica identified ~ 2700 lineage-specific gene losses and 9 gene family expansions in the H. meleagridis lineage.

Conclusions

Taken as a whole, the obtained data provide the first hints to understand the molecular basis of attenuation in H. meleagridis and constitute a genomics platform for future research on this important poultry pathogen.
Clinical features and risk factors analysis of bronchitis obliterans due to refractory Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia in children: a nomogram prediction model
Authors: Cheng Qi , Zhang Han , Shang Yunxiao , Zhao Yuetong , Zhang Ye , Zhuang Donglin , Cai Xuxu , Chen Ning
Published: October 2021

Background

Early prediction of bronchitis obliterans (BO) is of great significance to the improvement of the long-term prognosis of children caused by refractoryMycoplasma pneumoniaepneumonia (RMPP). This study aimed to establish a nomogram model to predict the risk of BO in children due to RMPP.

Methods

A retrospective observation was conducted to study the clinical data of children with RMPP (1–14 years old) during acute infection. According to whether there is BO observed in the bronchoscope, children were divided into BO and the non-BO groups. The multivariate logistic regression model was used to construct the nomogram model.

Results

One hundred and forty-one children with RMPP were finally included, of which 65 (46.0%) children with RMPP were complicated by BO. According to the multivariate logistic regression analysis, WBC count, ALB level, consolidation range exceeding 2/3 of lung lobes, timing of macrolides, glucocorticoids or fiber bronchoscopy and plastic bronchitis were independent influencing factors for the occurrence of BO and were incorporated into the nomogram. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC-ROC) value of nomogram was 0.899 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.848–0.950). The Hosmer–Lemeshow test showed good calibration of the nomogram (p = 0.692).

Conclusion

A nomogram model found by seven risk factor was successfully constructed and can use to early prediction of children with BO due to RMPP.
GACDN: generative adversarial feature completion and diagnosis network for COVID-19
Authors: Zhu Qi , Ye Haizhou , Sun Liang , Li Zhongnian , Wang Ran , Shi Feng , Shen Dinggang , Zhang Daoqiang
Published: October 2021

Background

The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) causes tens of million infection world-wide. Many machine learning methods have been proposed for the computer-aided diagnosis between COVID-19 and community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) from chest computed tomography (CT) images. Most of these methods utilized the location-specific handcrafted features based on the segmentation results to improve the diagnose performance. However, the prerequisite segmentation step is time-consuming and needs the intervention by lots of expert radiologists, which cannot be achieved in the areas with limited medical resources.

Methods

We propose a generative adversarial feature completion and diagnosis network (GACDN) that simultaneously generates handcrafted features by radiomic counterparts and makes accurate diagnoses based on both original and generated features. Specifically, we first calculate the radiomic features from the CT images. Then, in order to fast obtain the location-specific handcrafted features, we use the proposed GACDN to generate them by its corresponding radiomic features. Finally, we use both radiomic features and location-specific handcrafted features for COVID-19 diagnosis.

Results

For the performance of our generated location-specific handcrafted features, the results of four basic classifiers show that it has an average of 3.21% increase in diagnoses accuracy. Besides, the experimental results on COVID-19 dataset show that our proposed method achieved superior performance in COVID-19 vs. community acquired pneumonia (CAP) classification compared with the state-of-the-art methods.

Conclusions

The proposed method significantly improves the diagnoses accuracy of COVID-19 vs. CAP in the condition of incomplete location-specific handcrafted features. Besides, it is also applicable in some regions lacking of expert radiologists and high-performance computing resources.