bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Challenges of Military Veterans in Their Transition to the Workplace: A Call for Integrating Basic and Applied Psychological Science
Authors: Shepherd Steven , Sherman David K. , MacLean Alair , Kay Aaron C.
Published: December 2020

Long-standing structural features of the military have created a culture and society that is dramatically different and disconnected from civilian society. Thus, veterans transitioning to civilian society face a number of challenges related to fulfilling basic psychological needs (e.g., need for structure and order, belonging) and civilians’ reliance on stereotypes to understand military veterans. In an attempt to enrich the understanding of these challenges, we integrate social psychological theories and insights with research from sociology, clinical psychology, military psychology, and organizational behavior. Theories of compensatory control, stereotype threat, and stereotyping are drawn on to help explain the psychological challenges that veterans may encounter during their transition to civilian society. We present recent research that leverages these theories to understand issues veterans face. This theoretical integration illustrates the opportunity and potential for psychological researchers to conduct basic and applied research in the context of veterans and for clinicians and managers to draw on basic theory to inform programs and interventions.
Liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis of dyes formed by in situ oxidative methods then purified by absorption and extraction from hair wefts
Authors: Plater M John , Raab Andrea
Published: December 2020

The dye mixtures formed from three commercial hair colour formers were purified by absorption onto human hair wefts, washed and dried, extracted with dichloromethane:trifluoroacetic acid (75:25) and then analysed by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry. Only 1–2 dyes were identified from each complex mixture of commercial aromatic amines along with a broad UV absorption mainly consisting of mixtures of quaternary ammonium salts from shampoos and some surfactants. Mecetronium ethyl sulfate and didecyldimethylammonium chloride were the main ammonium salts.
Macro and micro network metrics as indicators of training tasks adjustment to players’ tactical level
Authors: Machado João Cláudio , Aquino Rodrigo , Góes Júnior Alberto , Júnior João Bosco , Barreira Daniel , Travassos Bruno , Ibáñez Sérgio José , Scaglia Alcides José
Published: December 2020

We aimed to investigate if social networks measures can be used as indicators of training tasks' adjustment level to soccer players’ tactical skills. Twenty-four U17 male soccer players (16.89 ± 0.11 years) participated in this study. The System of Tactical Assessment in Football (FUT-SAT) was used to identify players’ tactical level and to organize them into three groups: Higher tactical level (Group 01), Intermediate tactical level (Group 02) and Lower tactical level (Group 03). Then, the players performed three High difficulty Small-Sided and Conditioned Games (HD-SSCG) and three Low difficulty Small-Sided and Conditioned Games (LD-SSCG). Teams’ interaction patterns and players’ prominence were analysed based on macro (Density – D and Clustering coefficient – CC) and micro networks (Indegree, Outdegree, Total links and Eigenvector) measures. We found that Group 01 presented higher D (p = .004 and ES = 1.189) and CC (p =.004 and ES = .785) at HD-SSCG than Group 03, whereas Group 03 presented higher values of D (p = .003 and ES = 1.200) and CC (p = .037 and ES = 1.180) at LD-SSCG than Group 01. When training tasks difficulty were adjusted to players’ tactical level, teams played more collectively and players were more actively engaged in ball circulation. We concluded that macro and micro networks measures can be applied in training context as indicators of training tasks adjustment to players' tactical level.
Is thoracoscopy superior to thoracotomy in the treatment of congenital lung malformations? An updated meta-analysis
Authors: Xie Junhua , Wu Yuhao , Wu Chun
Published: December 2020

Background:

A meta-analysis was performed for a comparison of outcomes between video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) and thoracotomy for congenital lung malformations (CLM).

Methods:

Electronic databases, including PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and the Cochrane Library were searched systematically for literature aimed mainly at reporting the therapeutic effects for CLM administrated by VATS and thoracotomy.

Results:

A total of 40 studies meeting the inclusion criteria were included, involving 2896 subjects. VATS was associated with fewer complications [odds ratio (OR) 0.54; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.42–0.69], less use of epidural anesthesia (OR, 0.08; 95% CI, 0.03–0.23), shorter length of hospital stay [standard mean difference (SMD) −0.98; 95% CI, −1.4 to −0.55] and chest drainage (SMD, −0.43; 95% CI, −0.7 to −0.17), as compared with thoracotomy. However, thoracotomy showed superiority in reduced operative time (SMD, 0.44; 95% CI, 0.04–0.84). Pearson analysis (Pearson r = 0.85, 95% CI, 0.28 to 0.98, p = 0.01) and linear regression ( R square 0.73) confirmed a positive correlation between percentage of symptomatic cases and conversion in patients using VATS.

Conclusion:

VATS is associated with fewer complications, less use of epidural anesthesia, shorter length of stay and length of chest drainage, but longer operative time, as compared with thoracotomy. Symptomatic patients with CLM using VATS may be prone to conversion to thoracotomy. The reviews of this paper are available via the supplemental material section.
Investigations, actions and learning from an outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 infection among healthcare workers in the United Kingdom
Authors: Saeed Kordo , Pelosi Emanuela , Mahobia Nitin , White Nicola , Labdon Christopher , Ahmad-Saeed Nusreen , Grieves Ashley , Johnstone Penelope , Higgs David , Jeramiah Sarah , Dailly Sue , Henderson Thelma , Stringfellow Mary , Wilson-Davies Eleri , Grundy Paul
Published: December 2020

Background:

We report an outbreak of SARS coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection among healthcare workers (HCW) in an NHS elective healthcare facility.

Methodology:

A narrative chronological account of events after declaring an outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 among HCWs. As part of the investigations, HCWs were offered testing during the outbreak. These were: (1) screening by real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT- PCR) to detect a current infection; and (2) serum samples to determine seroprevalence.

Results:

Over 180 HCWs were tested by real-time RT-PCR for SARS-CoV-2 infection. The rate of infection was 15.2% (23.7% for clinical or directly patient-facing HCWs vs. 4.8% in non-clinical non-patient-facing HCWs). Of the infected HCWs, 57% were asymptomatic. Seroprevalence (SARS-CoV-2 IgG) among HCWs was 13%. It was challenging to establish an exact source for the outbreak. The importance of education, training, social distancing and infection prevention practices were emphasised. Additionally, avoidance of unnecessary transfer of patients and minimising cross-site working for staff and early escalation were highlighted. Establishing mass and regular screening for HCWs are also crucial to enabling the best care for patients while maintaining the wellbeing of staff.

Conclusion:

To our knowledge, this is the first UK outbreak report among HCWs and we hope to have highlighted some key issues and learnings that can be considered by other NHS staff and HCWs globally when dealing with such a task in future.
A deep-learning-based prognostic nomogram integrating microscopic digital pathology and macroscopic magnetic resonance images in nasopharyngeal carcinoma: a multi-cohort study
Authors: Zhang Fan , Zhong Lian-Zhen , Zhao Xun , Dong Di , Yao Ji-Jin , Wang Si-Yang , Liu Ye , Zhu Ding , Wang Yin , Wang Guo-Jie , Wang Yi-Ming , Li Dan , Wei Jiang , Tian Jie , Shan Hong
Published: December 2020

Background:

To explore the prognostic value of radiomics-based and digital pathology-based imaging biomarkers from macroscopic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and microscopic whole-slide images for patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).

Methods:

We recruited 220 NPC patients and divided them into training ( n = 132), internal test ( n = 44), and external test ( n = 44) cohorts. The primary endpoint was failure-free survival (FFS). Radiomic features were extracted from pretreatment MRI and selected and integrated into a radiomic signature. The histopathological signature was extracted from whole-slide images of biopsy specimens using an end-to-end deep-learning method. Incorporating two signatures and independent clinical factors, a multi-scale nomogram was constructed. We also tested the correlation between the key imaging features and genetic alternations in an independent cohort of 16 patients (biological test cohort).

Results:

Both radiomic and histopathologic signatures presented significant associations with treatment failure in the three cohorts (C-index: 0.689–0.779, all p < 0.050). The multi-scale nomogram showed a consistent significant improvement for predicting treatment failure compared with the clinical model in the training (C-index: 0.817 versus 0.730, p < 0.050), internal test (C-index: 0.828 versus 0.602, p < 0.050) and external test (C-index: 0.834 versus 0.679, p < 0.050) cohorts. Furthermore, patients were stratified successfully into two groups with distinguishable prognosis (log-rank p < 0.0010) using our nomogram. We also found that two texture features were related to the genetic alternations of chromatin remodeling pathways in another independent cohort.

Conclusion:

The multi-scale imaging features showed a complementary value in prognostic prediction and may improve individualized treatment in NPC.
Built Environment Airborne Infection Control Strategies in Pandemic Alternative Care Sites
Authors: Gordon David , Ward Jane , Yao Christopher J. , Lee Joyce
Published: December 2020

Objectives, Purposes, or Aim:

To identify design strategies utilized in airborne infection isolation and biocontainment patient rooms that improve infection control potential in an alternative care environment.

Background:

As SARS-CoV-2 spreads and health care facilities near or exceed capacity, facilities may implement alternative care sites (ACSs). With COVID-19 surges predicted, developing additional capacity in alternative facilities, including hotels and convention centers, into patient care environments requires early careful consideration of the existing space constraints, infrastructure, and modifications needed for patient care and infection control. Design-based strategies utilizing engineering solutions have the greatest impact, followed by medical and operational strategies.

Methods:

This article evaluates infection control and environmental strategies in inpatient units and proposes system modifications to ACS surge facilities to reduce infection risk and improve care environments.

Results:

Although adequate for an acute infectious disease outbreak, existing capacity in U.S. biocontainment units and airborne infection isolation rooms is not sufficient for widespread infection control and isolation during a pandemic. To improve patients’ outcomes and decrease infection transmission risk in the alternative care facility, hospital planners, administrators, and clinicians can take cues from evidence-based strategies implemented in biocontainment units and standard inpatient rooms.

Conclusions:

Innovative technologies, including optimized air-handling systems with ultraviolet and particle filters, can be an essential part of an infection control strategy. For flexible surge capacity in future ACS and hospital projects, interdisciplinary design and management teams should apply strategies optimizing the treatment of both infectious patients and minimizing the risk to health care workers.
The Development and Reliability of the Singaporean Environmental Assessment Tool (SEAT) for Facilities Providing High Levels of Care for People Living With Dementia
Authors: Sun Joanna , Fleming Richard
Published: December 2020

Background:

This article describes the development of the Singapore Environmental Assessment Tool (SEAT), a culturally appropriate, usable, reliable, and valid assessment tool designed to evaluate the extent to which the built environment in Singaporean aged care facilities is able to support the provision of high levels of care to people living with dementia.

Methods:

A multistage sequential mixed methods approach was carried out involving 16 raters in Stage 1 and six raters in Stage 2 using a culturally adapted English version of the Environmental Audit Tool–High Care (EAT-HC) in eight nursing homes. The first stage captured qualitative data on cultural sensitivities and usability of the tool. The SEAT was improved based on the findings, and in the second stage, the usability and psychometric properties of the modified tool were again assessed. Usability was determined by data collected via the System Usability Scale and the Questions to Assess Barriers and Facilitators survey. Psychometric properties were examined by the calculation of percentage agreement, item-level interrater agreement was measured using Fleiss’s κ, and Cronbach’s α was used to measure the internal consistency of the subscale scores.

Results:

The culturally adapted SEAT was found to have an acceptable level of usability and moderate level of reliability among subscales.

Conclusion:

The study indicated that the tool is reliable and valid when completed by users with knowledge of dementia-enabling environments. For the tool to be used with confidence education in the application of principles of design to the design of environments for people living with dementia is recommended prior to its use.
Opioid Use, Perioperative Risks, and Associated Postoperative Complications in Foot and Ankle Surgery
Authors: Ridenour Ryan , Kowalski Christopher , Ba Djibril , Liu Guodong , Bible Jesse , Garner Matthew , Leslie Douglas , Aynardi Michael , Dhawan Aman
Published: December 2020

Introduction

Opioid abuse has become a national crisis. Published data demonstrate that patients undergoing foot and ankle surgery are left with excess narcotic medications postoperatively. The purpose of our study was to evaluate factors associated with prolonged postoperative opioid use following foot and ankle surgery and identify associations between preoperative opioid use and postoperative complications.

Methods

MarketScan commercial claims and encounters database was searched to identify foot and ankle patients. Preoperative comorbidities were queried and documented. Patients utilizing opioids 1 to 3 months prior to surgery were identified. Adjusted odds ratios and 95% CIs were calculated using multivariable logistic regression to determine associations between opioid use (preoperatively and postoperatively), readmission, and complications.

Results

A total of 112 893 patients were included in the study. Preoperative use had a statistically significant association with postoperative use out to 1 year. Tobacco use, chronic pain, mental health diagnosis, and nonopioid medications had a statistically significant association with postoperative use. Preoperative opioid use had a statistically significant association with readmission and postoperative complications.

Conclusion

Our study found a number of factors associated with prolonged postoperative opioid use (preoperative use, tobacco use, chronic pain, mental health disorders, and certain nonopioid medications). We identified an association between preoperative opioid use and postoperative complications and readmission.

Levels of Evidence

Prognostic Level IV Evidence
Developing Wine Appreciation for New Generations of Consumers
Authors: LaTour Kathryn A. , Joy Annamma , Noujeim Roger
Published: December 2020

Wine education poses a paradox to the industry: consumers both say they desire to know more about wine, yet they also report being overwhelmed and confused. In addition, the traditional analytic approach to wine education has involved teaching consumers a “grid” with rules for analysis that rely heavily on language which younger consumers in particular report disliking. A holistic approach to learning about wine was shown to be effective for more expert consumers, but those researchers did not consider how the learning approach affected their overall liking of the wine. Our first study considers teaching young consumers (Gen Z and millennials) through a holistic technique (involving drawing the wine’s taste) to a more verbal analytic approach (writing decompositional tasting notes) with consumers having some prior wine education and those without any. We find that the holistic approach led to greater liking for the wine, particularly with consumers having no prior wine education. We also found that consumers with prior wine education desired a more eudaimonic approach to their learning than new wine consumers. Both levels of prior experience desired a hedonic learning experience. Although we and other research groups have found younger consumers receptive to wine education, some have suggested that the wine industry is losing touch with younger consumers. We partnered with a digitized wine tasting platform, QUINI, to determine generational differences in their consumers’ engagement. In preparation for Study 2 we mined 3 years of data, and then conducted an online survey of three generations of their wine consumers in terms of their interest and education in wine. We discuss our results and implications for how managers might seek to engage new wine consumers, particularly in the virtual world.
Community Health Workers: Connecting Communities and Supporting School Nurses
Authors: Boldt Ashley , Nguyen Milu , King Samantha , Breitenstein Susan M.
Published: December 2020

For over a century, community health workers (CHWs) have acted as agents of social justice, health care promotion, and change for the underresourced communities they serve and come from. Over 50,000 CHWs are employed in the United States, and this number is growing with the need for CHWs to help fight both the COVID-19 pandemic and social injustice plaguing our nation. Even with many students learning from home, it is crucial that healthcare be integrated into the school system since a child’s health greatly affects their ability to learn. CHWs in schools can help overcome community and cultural barriers to connect families to various community resources and provide important health screenings and education. On return to the traditional classroom, the myriad of tasks such as infection prevention, contact tracing, and temperature screening are not feasible for a school nurse to do alone. CHWs may be just the leaders we need to help schools address the challenges faced in 2020.
Socioeconomic Status and Dehumanization in India: Elaboration of the Stereotype Content Model in a Non-WEIRD Sample
Authors: Khatry Priyanka , Manokara Kunalan , Harris Lasana T.
Published: December 2020

A perceiver’s socioeconomic status (SES) should influence social perceptions toward others. However, there is little evidence for this effect within and beyond Western samples. We hence evaluate the relationship between perceiver SES and dehumanized perception in a society where status is historically defined: India. Across two studies, we hypothesized that perceiver SES would predict dehumanization toward societal outcasts—beggars—and norm violators. Replicating previous work, in Study 1, upper SES perceivers dehumanized beggars more than lower SES perceivers; accounted for by low self-reported contact likelihood. In Study 2, norm violators were perceived as less human but more so by lower rather than upper SES perceivers. This novel finding was partially explained by perceivers viewing female violators as less prototypical, aligned with theorizing in gender research. Our results indicate that SES influences dehumanization via contact likelihood as well as the perceived normativity of a targets’ behavior.
The Shape of Belief: Developing a Mousetracking-Based Relational Implicit Measure
Authors: Cummins Jamie , De Houwer Jan
Published: December 2020

The Propositional Evaluation Paradigm (PEP) has recently shown promise as a relational implicit measure (i.e., an implicit measure which can specify how stimuli are related). Whereas the standard PEP measures response times, mousetracking is becoming increasingly popular for quantifying response competition, with distinct advantages beyond response times. Across four preregistered experiments ( N = 737), we interface the utility of the PEP method with the unique benefits of mousetracking by developing a mousetracking PEP (MT-PEP). The MT-PEP very effectively captured group-level beliefs across domains (Experiments 1–4). It produced larger effects (Experiment 3), exhibited superior predictive validity (Experiment 3), and better split-half reliability (Experiments 3–4) than the standard PEP. Both PEPs appear to be intentionally controllable, particularly the MT-PEP (Experiments 3–4). Nevertheless, the MT-PEP shows strong potential in capturing relational information and may be considered implicit in the sense of capturing fast and unaware (but not unintentional) responding.
Giant torus mandibularis causing submandibular duct obstruction and sialadenitis
Authors: Madhavan Ajay A , McDonald Robert J , Diehn Felix E , Carr Carrie M , Verdoorn Jared T
Published: December 2020

Torus mandibularis is a benign osseous overgrowth arising from the lingual surface of the mandible. It is a common, incidental finding on imaging due to its relatively high prevalence. In the majority of cases, mandibular tori are asymptomatic. We report a novel presentation of a giant torus mandibularis causing bilateral obstruction of the submandibular ducts and consequent sialadenitis. Our patient presented with progressive pain centered in the floor of his mouth and had bilateral submandibular glandular enlargement on exam. Computed tomography showed a giant right torus mandibularis, which was causing obstruction and dilation of the bilateral submandibular ducts. Although conservative management was attempted, he ultimately underwent surgical resection of his torus with symptomatic improvement. This patient highlights a novel complication of torus mandibularis and illustrates successful treatment. Though not previously described, this complication may be underreported and should be considered in the appropriate clinical setting.
Diagnostic role of apparent diffusion coefficient combined with intratumoral susceptibility signals in differentiating high-grade gliomas from brain metastases
Authors: Bozdağ Mustafa , Er Ali , Çinkooğlu Akın , Ekmekçi Sümeyye
Published: December 2020

Objective

The aim of this study was to assess whether tumoral and peritumoral apparent diffusion coefficient values and intratumoral susceptibility signals on susceptibility-weighted imaging could distinguish between high-grade gliomas and brain metastases, and to investigate their associations with the Ki-67 proliferation index.

Materials and methods

Fifty-seven patients with pathologically confirmed diagnoses of either high-grade glioma or brain metastasis were enrolled in this study (23 with high-grade gliomas and 34 with brain metastases). The minimum and mean apparent diffusion coefficients in the enhancing tumoral region (ADCmin and ADCmean) and the minimum apparent diffusion coefficient in the peritumoral region (ADCedema) were measured from apparent diffusion coefficient maps, and intratumoral susceptibility signal grades acquired by susceptibility-weighted imaging were calculated. Ki-67 proliferation index values were obtained from the hospital database. These parameters were evaluated using the Mann-Whitney U test, independent-sample t-test, Spearman correlation analysis, receiver operating characteristic curve, and logistic regression analyses.

Results

ADCmean, ADCmin values, and intratumoral susceptibility signal grades in brain metastases were significantly lower than those in high-grade gliomas (all p < 0.05). Ki-67 proliferation index values showed significant correlations with ADCmean, ADCmin, and intratumoral susceptibility signal grade in brain metastases (all p < 0.05), but no correlation was found in high-grade gliomas (all p > 0.05). According to receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, ADCmean achieved the highest diagnostic performance for discriminating high-grade gliomas from brain metastases. Furthermore, the combination of tumoral apparent diffusion coefficient parameters with intratumoral susceptibility signal grade provided a higher area under the curve than univariate parameters.

Conclusion

The combination of tumoral apparent diffusion coefficient with intratumoral susceptibility signal grade can offer better diagnostic performances for differential diagnosis. Apparent diffusion coefficient and intratumoral susceptibility signal may reflect cellular proliferative activity in brain metastases, but not in high-grade gliomas.
A rare cause of acute hypernatraemia: Diabetes insipidus secondary to suprasellar tuberculoma
Authors: Raja Shariff Raja Ezman , Wan Muhamad Hatta Sharifah Faradila , Kasim Sazzli
Published: December 2020

Suprasellar tuberculomas are uncommon causes of intracranial tumours worldwide, even in areas endemic for tuberculosis. Often, they present with combinations of pituitary hormone involvement, which can lead to various complications due to hypopituitarism. We present a rare case of suprasellar tuberculoma leading to diabetes inspidus.
Immunomodulatory effects of flavonoids: An experimental study on natural-killer-cell-mediated cytotoxicity against lung cancer and cytotoxic granule secretion profile
Authors: Oo Aung Myo , Mohd Adnan Liyana Hazwani , Nor Nasir Mat , Simbak Nordin , Ahmad Nor Zidah , Lwin Ohn Mar
Published: December 2020

Background:

A new approach involving immune-cell-mediated cancer therapy has been adopted extensively for the sake of lung cancer treatments by utilizing natural killer (NK) cells. NK cell activity can be enhanced with certain agents, and among them are flavonoids. Thus, this study was conducted to investigate the immunomodulatory roles of apigenin, luteolin and quercetin on NK cell activity against lung cancer cells and on the secretions of perforin and granulysin profile.

Methods:

The NK-92 cells were grown in complete α-Minimum Essential Medium (MEM). NCI-H460 lung cancer cells were cultured in Roswell Park Memorial Institute 1640 media. NK cell activity against lung cancer cells were done using MTT(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. The secretions of perforin and granulysin profiles were then analysed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Results:

Apigenin, luteolin and quercetin significantly increased the NK-cell-mediated cytotoxic activity against lung cancer cells at concentrations 12.5 µg/ml and 25µg/ml ( P < 0.001). The secretion levels of perforin and granulysin from NK cells were also significantly enhanced with apigenin and luteolin treatment but not with quercetin.

Conclusions:

All three flavonoid compounds possessed some significant immunomodulatory actions on NK cell cytotoxic activity and granule secretion profiles towards lung cancer therapy.
Angiosarcoma: A population-based cancer registry descriptive study of 45 consecutive cases diagnosed between 1979 and 2016
Authors: Colas Morgane , Gérazime Aurélie , Popescu Dragos , Puzenat Eve , Chaigneau Loic , Woronoff Anne Sophie , Dupond Anne Sophie , Nardin Charlée , Aubin François
Published: December 2020

Angiosarcoma (AS) is a rare aggressive sarcoma with differentiation toward blood or lymphatic endothelium. There are few epidemiological data available on AS. To address this limitation, we investigated the epidemiological and clinical features of angiosarcoma diagnosed in a French administrative area (the Doubs department) from 1979 to 2016. A retrospective cohort study was conducted using the Doubs cancer registry database. A total of 45 patients with invasive AS were diagnosed between 1979 and 2016 in the Doubs department. Among the 45 AS, 51% were either cutaneous AS (27%), including head and neck and extremities, or breast AS (24%) as compared to visceral AS (42%). Eleven patients had metastasis at diagnosis (26%). Age-standardized incidence rate was 0.15 per 100,000 persons-years (95%CI, 0.10–0.20) for the entire study period (1979–2016) and 0.26 (95%CI, 0.15–0.42) for the last decade (2007–2016). Crude survival at 1, 3, 5 years after diagnosis was 44%, 21%, and 12%, respectively. Our population-based study provides updated data on the incidence and overall survival of AS in a French population-based cancer registry.
The role of belantamab mafodotin for patients with relapsed and/or refractory multiple myeloma
Authors: Becnel Melody R. , Lee Hans C.
Published: December 2020

Belantamab mafodotin (belamaf) is a first-in-class anti-B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA) antibody–drug conjugate (ADC) that recently gained regulatory approval for the treatment of relapsed and/or refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) patients who have received at least four prior therapies including an anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody (mAb), a proteasome inhibitor (PI), and an immunomodulatory drug (IMiD). As the first BCMA-targeted therapy to be approved in multiple myeloma along with its “off-the-shelf” outpatient administration, belamaf addresses a significant unmet need in RRMM that is refractory to IMiD, PI, and anti-CD38 mAb therapy, otherwise known as triple-class refractory myeloma. Belamaf is also associated with frequent corneal ocular adverse events, which represents a unique toxicity in multiple myeloma therapeutics, and its administration requires a multidisciplinary approach with oncologists and eye care specialists to safely and effectively manage patients on belamaf therapy. In this review, we discuss the preclinical and clinical data leading to the regulatory approval of belamaf, the monitoring and mitigation strategies of corneal ocular adverse events, and its current and future role in the RRMM treatment landscape.
Stimulus Specific to Age-Related Audio-Visual Integration in Discrimination Tasks
Authors: Ren Yanna , Xu Zhihan , Lu Sa , Wang Tao , Yang Weiping
Published: December 2020

Age-related audio-visual integration (AVI) has been investigated extensively; however, AVI ability is either enhanced or reduced with ageing, and this matter is still controversial because of the lack of systematic investigations. To remove possible variates, 26 older adults and 26 younger adults were recruited to conduct meaningless and semantic audio-visual discrimination tasks to assess the ageing effect of AVI systematically. The results for the mean response times showed a significantly faster response to the audio-visual (AV) target than that to the auditory (A) or visual (V) target and a significantly faster response to all targets by the younger adults than that by the older adults (A, V, and AV) in all conditions. In addition, a further comparison of the differences between the probability of audio-visual cumulative distributive functions (CDFs) and race model CDFs showed delayed AVI effects and a longer time window for AVI in older adults than that in younger adults in all conditions. The AVI effect was lower in older adults than that in younger adults during simple meaningless image discrimination (63.0 ms vs. 108.8 ms), but the findings were inverse during semantic image discrimination (310.3 ms vs. 127.2 ms). In addition, there was no significant difference between older and younger adults during semantic character discrimination (98.1 ms vs. 117.2 ms). These results suggested that AVI ability was impaired in older adults, but a compensatory mechanism was established for processing sematic audio-visual stimuli.
Are they playing? Analysing “play” in playful learning in occupational therapy education
Authors: Marchetti Emanuela
Published: December 2020

Playful learning has become a common practice in Denmark, across primary and secondary education, however, the phrase playful learning might sound like a paradox, because learning and play suggest opposite values. In playful learning, play is approached as a learning resource, able to foster understanding and critical thinking. In the Occupational Therapy (OT) education, there has been a rich exploration of different forms of digitally mediated role-play, to enable students to prepare beforehand to engage with patients, enacting clinical scenarios with each other. Current studies in OT education focus on the learning impact of digital media and role-play, not investigating how students experience their play, which is an essential pre-condition to learning. Starting from these premises, I conducted a design-oriented research study, involving students and teachers in OT in Denmark, to investigate how students experience their play during mediated role-play activities. Results show that playful learning is a complex sociomaterial practice, framed by power relationships embodied by the provided digital media, the relationships among the participants, and the institutional context. Within this framing, play is continually negotiated among the teachers and the students, who manage to gain room for self-expression through observable changes in play moods and practices.
Immediate effect of neuromuscular electrical stimulation on swallowing function in individuals after oral and oropharyngeal cancer therapy
Authors: Costa Danila Rodrigues , Santos Paulo Sérgio da Silva , Fischer Rubira Cássia Maria , Berretin-Felix Giédre
Published: December 2020

Objective:

To analyze the immediate effect of sensory and motor neuromuscular electrical stimulation, in oral and pharyngeal stages of swallowing, in individuals after oral and oropharyngeal cancer therapy.

Methods:

The study was conducted on 10 individuals (mean age of 58 years) submitted to oral and oropharyngeal cancer therapy. The individuals were submitted to videofluoroscopy, during which they were randomly asked to swallow 5 mL of liquid, honey, and pudding, in three conditions: without stimulation, with sensory neuromuscular electrical stimulation, and with motor neuromuscular electrical stimulation. The degree of swallowing dysfunction was scored (Dysphagia Outcome and Severity Scale), as well as the presence of food stasis (Eisenhuber scale), and measurement of the oral and pharyngeal transit time. The results were statistically analyzed by the Friedman test or analysis of variance for repeated measures.

Results:

The Dysphagia Outcome and Severity Scale revealed improvement for one individual with both sensory and motor stimuli, and worsening in two individuals, being one with motor and one with sensory stimulus. In the Eisenhuber scale, the neuromuscular electrical stimulation changed the presence of residues to variable extents. Concerning the oral and pharyngeal transit time, no difference was observed between the different stimulation levels for the consistencies tested (p > 0.05).

Conclusion:

Both sensory and motor neuromuscular electrical stimulations presented a varied immediate impact on the oral and pharyngeal stages of swallowing in individuals after oral and oropharyngeal cancer therapy. Thus, the results of the immediate effect suggest that the technique is not indicated, evidencing the need of caution in the use of neuromuscular electrical stimulation for the rehabilitation of dysphagia, after HNC treatment.
Elusive diagnosis of Behcet’s disease in setting of painless vision loss
Authors: Patel Arti A , Stutman Amelia , Patel Prarak , Capoccia Madhavi
Published: December 2020

Behcet’s disease is a chronic, idiopathic vasculitis with multisystem involvement commonly characterized by the classic triad of oral lesions, genital ulcerations, and uveitis. We discuss the case of a 22-year-old woman with a long-standing history of oral ulcers and vulvovaginal burning who presented with acute painless uveitis. With this presentation, there was an initial concern for infectious retinitis for which she was started on systemic antiviral therapy. Subsequent infectious disease workup was ultimately negative. Given her medical history and current presentation, she was diagnosed and treated for an acute inflammatory episode of ocular Behcet’s disease. The patient’s vision returned to baseline prior to discharge after treatment with systemic glucocorticoids. The diagnosis of Behcet’s disease in the setting of painless vision loss can oftentimes be elusive. However, it is important for clinicians to keep this condition as a differential diagnosis in patients presenting with acute onset uveitis as the progression of Behcet’s disease can lead to severe vision loss and blindness without prompt and adequate treatment.
A Case Report of Intravascular Hemolysis and Heme Pigment–Induced Nephropathy Following AngioJet Thrombectomy for Thrombosed DIPS Shunt
Authors: Tian Si , Sinclair Nicolette , Shah Sachin
Published: December 2020

Rationale:

The AngioJet system is a combined mechanical and pharmacological device used for thrombectomy. As a result of the mechanical disruption of clot, intravascular hemolysis is noted to occur. Rarely, intravascular hemolysis can be severe enough to cause heme pigment–induced acute kidney injury (AKI).

Presenting concerns of the patient:

We describe a case of a 45-year-old man with Child-Pugh class B cirrhosis, Budd-Chiari syndrome, and antiphospholipid antibody syndrome who required thrombectomy following a thrombosed direct intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (DIPS). He developed evidence of worsening anemia, dark urine, direct antiglobulin test–negative intravascular hemolysis, and severe AKI within 24 hours of the procedure.

Diagnosis:

Based on his severe AKI in association with elevated hemolytic markers, and the temporal association with the AngioJet procedure, the patient was diagnosed with heme pigment–induced AKI secondary to intravascular hemolysis.

Interventions:

The patient remained anuric and became volume-overloaded after fluid resuscitation. He was started on dialysis 72 hours after the procedure. Five days after thrombectomy, hemolytic markers returned to normal.

Outcome:

The patient received hemodialysis for approximately 3 weeks, followed by renal recovery and cessation of dialysis treatments. Five weeks after the AngioJet procedure, his renal function returned to normal.

Teaching points:

We present a case of heme pigment–induced AKI following an AngioJet procedure that required initiation of dialysis. Although this rare complication has been reported in the literature, it typically occurs when the procedure is used for larger clot burden (ie, venous thromboembolism). To our knowledge, this is the first case of severe hemolysis with associated AKI following the use of the AngioJet for a thrombosed DIPS. Due to the patient’s comorbid conditions, overlapping clinical features, and lack of appreciation of the hemolysis associated with the AngioJet system, the differential diagnosis of the patient’s AKI was quite broad. Nephrologists should be aware of this complication when managing patients with AKI to direct therapy early and avoid unnecessary diagnostic and therapeutic interventions.
An open source graphical user interface for wireless communication and operation of wearable robotic technology
Authors: Tucker Luke A , Chen Ji , Hammel Lauren , Damiano Diane L , Bulea Thomas C
Published: December 2020

Introduction

Wearable robotic exoskeletons offer the potential to move gait training from the clinic to the community thereby providing greater therapy dosage in more naturalistic settings. To capitalize on this potential, intuitive and robust interfaces are necessary between robotic devices and end users. Such interfaces hold great promise for research if they are also designed to record data from the robot during its use.

Methods

We present the design and validation of an open source graphical user interface (GUI) for wireless operation of and real-time data logging from a pediatric robotic exoskeleton. The GUI was designed for trained users such as an engineer or clinician. A simplified mobile application is also provided to enable exoskeleton operation by an end-user or their caretaker. GUI function was validated during simulated walking with the exoskeleton using a motion capture system.

Results

Our results demonstrate the ability of the GUI to wirelessly operate and save data from exoskeleton sensors with high fidelity comparable to motion capture.

Conclusion

The GUI code, available in a public repository with a detailed description and step-by-step tutorial, is configurable to interact with any robotic device operated by a microcontroller and therefore represents a potentially powerful tool for deployment and evaluation of community based robotics.
Managing Diverse Online Networks in the Context of Polarization: Understanding How We Grow Apart on and through Social Media
Authors: Bozdag Cigdem
Published: December 2020

Social media enable their users to be connected with a diverse group of people increasing their chances of coming across divergent viewpoints. Thus, network diversity is a key issue for understanding the potentials of social media for creating a cross-cutting communication space that is one of the premises of a functioning democracy. This article analyzes the strategies social media users adopt to manage their network diversity in the context of increasing polarization. The study is based on 29 semi-structured interviews with diverse social media users from Turkey and qualitative network maps. Furthermore, the study adopts a cross-platform approach comparing Facebook, Twitter, and WhatsApp in relation to the diversity of their users’ networks. The study shows that social media users adopt different strategies interchangeably in specific contexts. These strategies include visible (unfriending, blocking) and invisible (muting, unfollowing, and ignoring) forms of disconnection, debating, observing divergent opinions, and self-censorship. Political interest of social media users, political climate, issue sensitivity, and “imagined affordances” of social media platforms play a role in users’ choices about which strategy to choose when they are confronted with divergent viewpoints through their diverse online networks. Building on the unfriending literature that points out to rather partisan users, who unfriend, unfollow or block others, this article demonstrates that in peak moments of polarization, also the politically disengaged or moderate users disconnect from diverse others.
MRI findings of spring ligament injury: association with surgical findings and flatfoot deformity
Authors: Kimura Yusuke , Yamashiro Tsuneo , Saito Yuki , Kitsukawa Kaoru , Niki Hisateru , Mimura Hidefumi
Published: December 2020

Background

Spring ligament injury is an important cause for flatfoot deformity; however, reliability of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of spring ligament injury is still ambiguous.

Purpose

To investigate the reliability of MRI findings for the diagnosis of spring ligament injury.

Material and methods

Forty-three cases with spring ligament injury proven by surgery and 29 control cases were enrolled. The spring ligament complex was demonstrated on proton density-weighted images reconstructed from 3D-isotropic MRI data. The presence of waviness, discontinuity, and abnormally high signal intensity of the spring ligament complex was evaluated by two radiologists in cooperation. Also, injury of the posterior tibial tendon (PTT) on MRI and the lateral talo-1st metatarsal angles on weight-bearing X-rays were evaluated.

Results

Discontinuity and abnormally high signal intensity of the superomedial calcaneonavicular ligament (SmCNL) on MRI were more frequently observed in patients with spring ligament injury than in controls ( p < 0.001). Discontinuity and abnormally high signal intensity of the SmCNL were found more often in the PTT injury group than in those without ( p < 0.001). The talo-1st metatarsal angle was greater in patients with discontinuity and abnormally high signal intensity of the SmCNL on MRI than in patients without these findings ( p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Discontinuity and abnormally high signal intensity are reliable MRI findings for spring ligament injury and related disorders, such as flatfoot deformity and PTT injury.
Feasibility of gathering momentary and daily assessments of fear of crime using a smartphone application (STUNDA): Methodological considerations and findings from a study among Swedish university students
Authors: Kronkvist Karl , Engström Alexander
Published: December 2020

The introduction of experience research using smartphone applications has enabled researchers to explore previously uncharted territories within the social science landscape. The use of experience research methodologies may both avoid some of the biases associated with conventional survey methods and enable researchers to gather information on situational dimensions of different outcomes. While existing smartphone-based experience research is found in several scientific disciplines, one outcome that has rarely been studied using this approach is fear of crime. Although fear of crime here only serves as an example of an outcome that may benefit from being examined in situ, the main focus of this article is directed at assessing the feasibility of gathering momentary and daily assessments on fear of crime using an experience sampling research design. A sample of 191 university students participated in a non-incentivized research study by downloading the smartphone application STUNDA, completing a baseline survey and repeatedly answering signal-contingent surveys, event-contingent surveys, and daily assessments across a self-defined study period. The results indicate that it is feasible to conduct research on fear of crime using a smartphone application. However, variations in participation across groups indicate that the methodology is perhaps best suited to dedicated groups of participants with a special interest in the studied outcome. Methodological considerations and implications for future research are discussed.