bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Climb up! Head up! Climbing improves posture in Parkinson's disease. A secondary analysis from a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Langer Agnes , Roth Dominik , Santer Agnes , Flotz Anna , Gruber Jakob , Wizany Laurenz , Hasenauer Sebastian , Pokan Rochus , Dabnichki Peter , Treven Marco , Zimmel Sarah , Schmoeger Michaela , Willinger Ulrike , Gassner Lucia , Maetzler Walter , Zach Heidemarie
Published: May 2023

Objective

To investigate the effect of sport climbing on a biomechanical marker of axial posture in patients with Parkinson's disease, as well as its association with age, body mass index and health-related quality-of-life outcome measures.

Design

Pre-planned secondary analysis of our randomized controlled, semi-blind trial (unblinded patients, blinded assessors) comparing sport climbing to unsupervised exercise.

Setting

Single-centre study conducted at the Department of Neurology of the Medical University of Vienna, Austria.

Participants

Forty-eight Parkinson's disease patients (aged 64 ± 8 years, Hoehn & Yahr stage 2–3) were included.

Intervention

Sport climbers ( n = 24) followed a 12-week, 90 min/week supervised top-rope sport climbing course in an indoor climbing gym. The unsupervised training group ( n = 24) independently followed the ‘European Physiotherapy Guidelines for Parkinson's Disease’ and World Health Organization recommendations for an active lifestyle for 12 weeks.

Main measures

Posture was assessed with the horizontal distance of the seventh cervical vertebra to the wall at baseline and after the intervention.

Results

Participating in the sport climbing group significantly predicted the biomechanical marker of axial posture ( P = 0.044). The improvement in the biomechanical marker did not affect the quality of life, depression, fatigue, physical activity or fear of falling. Participants in the sport climbing group showed a significantly decreased horizontal distance of the seventh cervical vertebra to the wall after the intervention (−1.7 cm (95%CI [−2.6, −0.8]). In the unsupervised training group, no difference was found (−0.5 cm; 95%CI −1.3, 0.2]).

Conclusions

We conclude that sport climbing improves a biomechanical marker of axial posture in Parkinson's disease.
Dual-energy CT iodine overlay improves efficiency of oral contrast leak assessment
Authors: Hinen Shaun P , Griffith Joseph P , Chamberlin Jordan , Waltz Jeffrey , Kocher Madison , Krull Veronica , Young Tristan , Litvin Cara B , Varga-Szemes Akos , Hardie Andrew D
Published: May 2023

Background

Evaluation for gastrointestinal leak is a frequent imaging indication, and dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) with oral or rectally administered contrast can be used to improve efficiency and diagnostic confidence.

Purpose

To assess the value of the DECT iodine overlay (IO) reconstruction as a stand-alone image set compared to routine CT in assessing oral or rectal contrast leak from the gastrointestinal system.

Material and Methods

A blinded, retrospective audit study was performed by three readers who each interpreted 50 studies performed for assessment of oral or rectal contrast leak that were acquired using DECT. Each reader independently assessed both the routine CT images and the images of the reconstructed IO for contrast leak in random order with a six-week “wash-out period” between readings. Clinical follow-up provided the reference standard. Readers recorded the presence/absence of a leak, diagnostic confidence, image quality score, and interpretation time for each image set.

Results

Pooled data for overall accuracy in identification of a leak increased from 0.81 (95% confidence interval [CI]=0.74–0.87) for routine CT to 0.91 (95% CI=0.85–0.95) with IO, and the area under the curve (AUC) was significantly higher for IO than routine CT ( P = 0.015). Readers required significantly less time to interpret IO than routine CT (median improvement of 12.5 s per image using pooled data; P < 0.001) while maintaining diagnostic confidence and perceived image quality.

Conclusion

Use of DECT IO reconstructions for identification of oral or rectal contrast leak requires less time to interpret than routine CT with improved accuracy and maintained diagnostic confidence and perceived image quality.
Outcome Evaluation of a Treatment Program for Men with Paraphilic Disorders Convicted of Sexual Offenses: 10-Year Community Follow-up
Authors: Páv Marek , Sebalo Ivan , Brichcín Slavoj , Perkins Derek
Published: May 2023

Evidence concerning specific paraphilia treatment effectiveness is limited. We present observation data of 127 men convicted of paraphilic sexual offenses who attended inpatient and outpatient follow-up treatment in Czechia. We collected participants’ sociodemographic and treatment-related information, including STATIC-99R scores, and used proportional hazards models to analyze variables’ effect on recidivism risk. Within the observation period, the general recidivism and sexual recidivism rates were 33.1% and 16.5%, respectively, and the sexual contact recidivism rate was 4.7%. The total STATIC-99 score for those who re-offended was 5.65 ( SD = 2.11) and for those who did not was 3.98 ( SD = 2.02). Recidivism risk was 7.52 times higher for those diagnosed with exhibitionism than with pedophilia, sadomasochism, or antisocial personality disorder. General recidivism is comparable to others’ findings. We attribute the lower sexual contact recidivism rate to the combined effects of psychological and pharmacological treatment, and higher numbers of non-contact offenses to limited antidepressant use.
Terror and Crime: Anatomy of an Austrian Jihadist Prison Cohort
Authors: Peschak Jörg
Published: May 2023

Between 2014 and 2018 there was an unprecedented wave of jihadist terrorist activity in Austria that was mostly related to the “Islamic state.” Meanwhile, many individuals have been or are gradually being released from prison. While many were able to disengage, two prevented and sentenced foreign fighters planned attacks in Vienna, one of them succeeded. In order to better understand this type of perpetrator, files of a cohort of 56 convicted jihadist terrorist offenders were analyzed. Half of this cohort were foreign fighters or attempted to become foreign fighters, while others contributed for instance by spreading propaganda, recruiting and assuming leadership. Additionally, a focus group with probation officers and an interview were conducted. The results shed light on various sociodemographic variables showing that there was not one specific profile. Rather, the cohort appeared to be very diverse, being comprised of all genders, age groups and socioeconomic backgrounds. Furthermore, a considerable crime-terror nexus was found. Thirty percent of the cohort had had a criminal past before their engagement in violent extremism. A fifth of the cohort had a prison experience before the arrest for the terrorist offense. The criminal offenses of the cohort were typical for the general population of probation clients which backs the notion that many terrorist offenders belonged to the same population and had switched from “traditional” crime to terrorism.
Silent victims: Negative effects of observing workplace deviance on employees’ emotional exhaustion and workplace thriving
Authors: Arshad Mamoona , Malik Muhammad Abdur Rahman , Hussain Shoaib Amjad
Published: May 2023

Building on previous studies on third-party observations (TPOs) of mistreatments, in this study, we investigate the effects of TPO of workplace deviance (TPO-WD). Drawing on conservation of resource theory, we explore the intermediary process through which TPO-WD, influences employees’ workplace thriving. Using multi-wave data from 346 employees, our results suggest that those who observe, or hear about, incidents of workplace deviance experience a heightened level of emotional exhaustion, which has a detrimental impact on workplace thriving. Furthermore, we also test how these relationships are impacted by the extent of employees’ organizational identification and a cooperative psychological climate. These findings not only provide a resource-based view on how TPO-WD affects workplace thriving but also highlight the critical importance of cooperative psychological climate as a resource passageway to prevent damaging employees’ workplace thriving.

JEL Classification: L2 Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behaviour
Impact of Fines on Various Base Material Properties
Authors: Morales Sebastian , Zuniga Isaac E.
Published: May 2023

The performance of the unbound aggregate base is affected by moisture content and fines (materials finer than No. 200 sieve) content. Proper moisture content and the proper amount of fines in a base material contribute to long-lasting pavements. This study evaluated an unbound aggregate base under different moisture contents and fines contents. The evaluation included the measurements of the electrical and electromagnetic properties with moisture content and fines content. The dielectric constants were measured with a percometer, and the resistivity values were measured using a Wenner probe. These measurements were correlated with the moisture content for all fines contents used in the study. Strength and modulus tests were also performed on the specimens using the unconfined compressive strength (UCS) tests and a lightweight deflectometer (LWD). The variations in these parameters with moisture content are also presented here for all fines content. A normalization scheme was used to allow for the data to be compiled and analyzed more easily. The dielectric constant increased as moisture was added with some dispersion, but no clear trend was seen among different fines contents. The resistivity decreased consistently as the moisture content increased. The peak UCS normally occurred at moisture contents of about 1% dry of optimum moisture content (OMC); specimens prepared with 1% less than optimum had higher UCS. LWD modulus tended to peak when prepared drier than OMC. The optimum strength and modulus were obtained with 5% and 10% fines contents for the unbound granular base used.
“ActuaYa”: A Preliminary Efficacy Study of a Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion Intervention for Older Hispanic Women
Authors: Cianelli Rosina , De Oliveira Giovanna , Villegas Natalia , Toledo Christine , De Santis Joseph , Iriarte Evelyn , Baeza Maria Jose , Thomas Sophia , Montano Nilda Peragallo
Published: May 2023

Chronic diseases (CDs) are increasingly common among the aging population. Some evidence suggests that older Hispanic women ages 50 years and older (OHW) are at an increased risk for CDs and poorer outcomes than other groups. This study investigated the preliminary efficacy of ActuaYa, a culturally tailored CD prevention and health promotion intervention for OHW. A prospective, single-group, repeated measures study ( n = 50) was conducted in Florida. Clinical measures and surveys were collected at baseline and post-intervention at 3- and 6-month follow-up. Descriptive statistics, paired-sample t-tests, and McNemar tests were used for analysis. At baseline, more than half of the participants had a CD. Post-intervention results showed a significant decrease in participants’ MAP, BMI, and A1C, and a significant increase in self-efficacy for exercise and HIV knowledge compared to baseline measures. The results of this study support the preliminary efficacy of ActuaYa in preventing CDs and increasing health promotion among OHW.
Histopathological and Immunohistochemical Effects of Tarantula cubensis Extract on Mucosal Healing in Rats
Authors: Simsek Ali , Ozmen Ozlem
Published: May 2023

Oral mucosal lesions are a common pathology that impact the quality of life due to pain, inappetence, weight loss, and low productivity. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of Tarantula cubensis extract on wound healing in rats with buccal mucosal lesions. A total of 40 male Wistar albino rats weighing 250–300 g were used in the study. The rats were divided into four equal groups. A 3 mm diameter mucosal defect was created in the buccal mucosa of each rat. Groups one and three (controls) assessed spontaneous healing at 3 and 6 days post trauma, respectively. Groups two and four (treatment) received 0.2 ml T. cubensis extract subcutaneously. Group two was treated for 2 days and assessed at 3 days and group four was treated for 5 days and assessed at 6 days. All rats were euthanatized prior to tissue sample collection. Tissue samples were compared between control and treatment groups using histopathology and immunohistochemistry. Tissue samples taken from the defect areas were immunohistochemically evaluated for cytokeratin and collagen expressions. In both the 3 and 6 day treatment groups, the improvements were statistically different compared to the control groups. T. cubensis extract was found to increase cytokeratin and collagen in both epithelial and connective tissue and to have a significant healing effect on mucosa on both gross and microscopic findings.
Coordinated control algorithm of lateral stability of hybrid electric commercial vehicle
Authors: Zeng Xiaohua , Gao Haoming , Song Dafeng , Li Liangyu
Published: May 2023

Focusing on the problem of mutual interference between the vehicle controller and the lateral stability control system in the stability control of hybrid electric vehicles (HEV), this study proposes a coordinated control algorithm for hybrid power systems and lateral stability, which can meet the real-time control requirements of the vehicle stability. First, the overall architecture of coordinated control between the hybrid power system and the vehicle lateral stability control system is designed. The judgment logic of lateral stability control system intervention and exit is determined on this basis. Second, in the upper layer of the control algorithm, the model predictive control algorithm is used to calculate the additional yaw moment required to maintain stability control under lateral instability of the vehicle with the vehicle two-degrees-of-freedom model as a reference. The motor output torque control and braking force distribution are then carried out in the lower layer of the control algorithm. The target braking wheel is determined according to the oversteering and understeering state of the hybrid vehicle. The additional yaw torque distribution control is formulated based on the quadratic programing algorithm. The strategy is to perform dynamic compensation for unstable or critically unstable vehicles to solve the optimal control problem under multiple constraints. Finally, through Matlab/Simulink and Trucksim co-simulation and hardware-in-the-loop test, the validity and real-time performance of the control algorithm proposed are verified to solve the interference problem in the lateral stability control process of HEVs and further improve the stability of vehicle rideability and active safety.
Study on modeling test method and the critical Reynolds number of a micro centrifugal pump
Authors: Bao Ning , Zhao Zihan , Shao Chunlei
Published: May 2023

In order to test the performance of the micro centrifugal pump and carry out performance analysis by using water instead of blood as the test medium, a modeling test method of the micro centrifugal pump was proposed in this paper. Dimensional analysis method was applied to study the dimensionless characteristic number of the micro centrifugal pump. The SST (Shear Stress Transport) k-ω model was used to simulate the flow in the prototype pump and model pump. The correctness of the similarity theory and modeling schemes was verified. The performance of the micro centrifugal pump for transporting water and blood was studied under the same working conditions, and the effect of Reynolds number on the performance of the micro centrifugal pump was discussed. The external characteristics of similar pumps can be converted to each other. For similar pumps under different modeling schemes, the pressure and velocity at the corresponding position is proportional. When the micro centrifugal pump that transports blood operates at low rotational speed and low flow rate, the performance of the micro centrifugal pump will change dramatically. The critical Reynolds number of the micro centrifugal pump is determined to be 1200. The similarity criterion between the prototype pump and model pump was established. The modeling schemes of the micro centrifugal pump were formulated. The critical Reynolds number of the micro centrifugal pump was determined. The research results provide a new method for the performance test of the micro centrifugal pump transporting blood.
Effects of COVID-19 on School Nurse Mental Health Intervention Practices
Authors: Hoskote Ashwini R. , Rolin Donna , Rew Lynn , Johnson Karen E.
Published: May 2023

Mental health issues have been exacerbated by COVID-19; therefore we examined how the school nurses’ role in addressing mental health changed during the pandemic. We administered a nationwide survey in 2021, guided by the Framework for the 21st Century School Nurse, and analyzed self-reported changes in mental health interventions by school nurses. Most mental health practice changes after the start of the pandemic occurred in the care coordination (52.8%) and community/public health (45.8%) principles. An overall decrease in students visiting the school nurse’s office (39.4%) was seen, yet the frequency of students visiting with mental health concerns had increased (49.7%). Open-ended responses indicated that school nurse roles changed due to COVID-19 protocols, including decreased access to students and changes in mental health resources. These insights into the role of school nurses in addressing student mental health during public health disasters have important implications for future disaster preparedness efforts.
EBV-Positive Inflammatory Follicular Dendritic Cell Sarcoma of the Spleen: Report of an Aggressive Form With Molecular Characterization
Authors: Baber Alistair , Legendre Paul , Palmic Patricia , Lupo-Mansuet Audrey , Burroni Barbara , Azoulay Célia , Szwebel Tali-Anne , Costedoat-Chalumeau Nathalie , Leroy Karen , Blons Hélène , Blay Jean-Yves , Boudou-Rouquette Pascaline , Terrier Benjamin
Published: May 2023

EBV-positive inflammatory follicular dendritic cell sarcoma (EBV+ inflammatory FDCS) is a rare neoplasm almost exclusively located in the spleen or liver. It is characterized by a proliferation of EBV-positive spindle-shaped cells bearing follicular dendritic cell markers, associated with an abundant lymphoplasmacytic infiltrate. EBV+ inflammatory FDCS is often asymptomatic or responsible for mild symptoms. It usually displays an indolent course and its prognosis is excellent after tumor removal, although relapsing and metastatic forms exist. Herein, we describe an aggressive form of splenic EBV+ inflammatory FDCS in a 79-year-old woman presenting with abdominal pain, deterioration of general health status, major inflammatory syndrome, and symptomatic hypercalcemia. A splenectomy was performed leading to a rapid improvement in her clinical condition and normalization of laboratory abnormalities. Unfortunately, her symptoms and laboratory abnormalities reappeared 4 months later. Computed tomography showed a mass in the splenectomy site and multiple liver and peritoneal nodules. Further analyses were performed on tumor tissue and showed positive phospho-ERK staining of tumoral cells indicating activation of MAPK pathway. Inactivating mutations were found on CDKN2A and NF1 genes. Subsequently, the patient's condition deteriorated rapidly. Since interleukin-6 levels were dramatically increased, tocilizumab was used but only had a transient effect on the patient's symptoms and inflammatory syndrome. Antitumor agent gemcitabine was initiated but her clinical condition continued to deteriorate and the patient died 2 weeks later. The management of aggressive forms of EBV+ inflammatory FDCS remains challenging. However, since these tumors seem to display genetic alterations, better characterization could lead to molecular targeted therapies.
Extemporaneous compounding of dabrafenib and trametinib for cancer patients with feeding tubes
Authors: Bui Trinh , Vu Van , Luon Darren
Published: May 2023

Introduction

Dabrafenib and trametinib are oral targeted agents indicated for BRAF mutated non-small cell lung cancer and melanoma. There is little data to support the administration of these two agents via enteral feeding tube. This case series describes three patients who received compounded dabrafenib and trametinib suspensions through enteral feeding tubes.

Case report

We present three patients who required dabrafenib and trametinib to be prepared as a non-standard compound for the medications to be administered via feeding tube. The patients were diagnosed with with BRAF mutated cancers including melanoma, non-small-cell lung carcinoma, and anaplastic thyroid cancer. In all three cases, there was evidence of initial disease response on imaging, and there were no unexpected toxicities secondary to dabrafenib and trametinib.

Discussion

There are patients that are unable to tolerate medications by mouth due to dysphagia, anatomical malfunctions, or other digestive disorders. There is limited literature that describes preparation of trametinib and dabrafenib into an enteral suspension. Identifying a safe and efficacious method of administering these two medications via feeding tube ensures that these patients continue to be able to receive them as part of their anti-cancer therapy.

Conclusion

Despite the lack of available data, compounding of dabrafenib and trametinib may be clinically appropriate when benefits outweigh the risk of unconventional administration. Further studies are warranted to assess for the pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, stability, and storage for these liquid medications.
Assessing Common-Metric Effect Sizes to Refine Mediation Models
Authors: Sanchez Juan I. , Wang Chen , Ponnapalli Ajay R. , Sin Hock-Peng , Xu Le , Lapeira Maria , Song Mohan
Published: May 2023

Mediation analysis tests X → M → Y processes in which an independent variable ( X) exerts an indirect effect on a dependent variable ( Y) through its influence on an intervening or mediator variable ( M). A preponderance of mediation studies, however, focuses on determining solely whether mediation effects are statistically significant, instead of focusing on what the results tell us about potential theoretical refinements in the mediation model. We argue in favor of employing a set of three standardized effect sizes based on variance proportions that allow researchers to compare their results with those of other mediation studies employing similar combinations of X, M, and Y variables. These standardized effect sizes constitute a set of common metrics signaling potential gaps in a mediation model, and as such provide useful insights for the theoretical refinement of mediation models in organizational research. We illustrate the utility of comparing these common-metric effect sizes using the examples of abusive and transformational leadership effects on employee outcomes as transmitted by social exchange quality.
Reversible control of reproduction in tom cats: medical options for manipulating libido and fertility
Authors: Ferré-Dolcet Lluis , Romagnoli Stefano
Published: May 2023

Background:

There has been a growing interest in alternatives to surgery for controlling reproduction in tom cats, and the resultant medical options add to a practitioner’s toolbox when handling these cases in clinical practice. It is important, however, that when suggesting these drugs, veterinarians have a good understanding of their mode of action, and their correct use and dosage.

Clinical relevance:

Breeders increasingly wish to be able to switch on/off the reproductive ability of their tom cats in a controlled manner. In addition, in small animal medicine, there has been concern from some academics, and a growing number of pet cat owners, about potential long-term effects of surgical sterilisation. Further, for some cats surgical castration may not be possible due to health conditions that mean anaesthesia is unsafe. In all of these scenarios, medical alternatives to surgery can prove useful.

Equipment and technical skills:

No special equipment or technical skills are required. A good knowledge of the medical alternatives to surgical sterilisation for controlling reproduction in a tom, and making sure the patient is a suitable candidate, are, however, important for ensuring the cat’s health during and after treatment and the owner’s satisfaction.

Audience:

This review is aimed principally (but not exclusively) at veterinary practitioners working with cat breeders who seek a temporary arrest in their tom cat’s reproduction. It may also help practitioners with clients who would like an alternative to surgery or with cats where anaesthesia for surgical castration is not possible.

Evidence base:

Advances in reproductive feline medicine have resulted in improved knowledge of medical contraception. This review draws on scientific evidence-based papers that report on the mode of action, length of efficacy and potential side effects of different methods of medical contraception, as well as the authors’ own clinical experience.
How to do research with Native communities: lessons from students’ experiences and Elders’ wisdom
Authors: Fatiha Nusroon , Mendenhall Tai , Berge Jerica M
Published: May 2023

Native scholars are advocating for decolonized research that integrates western methods with Indigenous worldviews and epistemologies. The study presented here was conducted in the Midwestern USA with six graduate students, four recent alumni, and three community Elders with experience in health research. Our goal was to learn from their experiences in scholarship so as to inform future teachers and trainees. An iterative thematic analysis revealed participants’ unanimous emphasis on processes in trust-building. Said processes include gaining insights about personal biases, seeking preparatory and ongoing guidance from Elders and other experienced personnel, educating oneself about Native histories, and functioning as a humble learner. Learning about and enacting these behaviors and strategies can facilitate authentic collaborations. Lessons, suggestions, and resources shared by participants are informative toward creating guidelines for current and future educators in research methods, alongside the new students and professionals that they engage in instruction for such scholarship.
The Simple View of borrowing and code-switching
Authors: Treffers-Daller Jeanine
Published: May 2023

Aims and Objectives:

In this paper, a novel approach to the distinction between borrowing and code-switching is proposed, called the Simple View of borrowing and code-switching. Under this view, listedness is seen as the key condition for classifying words or multiword units (MWUs) as borrowings. For MWUs, listedness is operationalized with mutual information (MI) scores: the higher the MI score of a given set of words, the higher the likelihood it is listed in the lexicon. Under the Simple View, the distinction between borrowing and code-switching is seen as a specific instantiation of the distinction between what belongs in the lexicon (fixed, arbitrary patterns) and what is computed online (productive rules), and should therefore be considered as part of the grammar.

Methodology:

Assumptions from the Simple View were tested on a corpus of switches of single words and MWUs from a Turkish-German code-switching corpus (87,000 words), which was transcribed in CHAT format.

Data and analysis:

The frequency of switches in either direction, and their morphosyntactic integration patterns were analysed with CLAN. The formulaicity of the MWUs was analysed with MI scores through Sketchengine.

Findings:

The MI scores of the donor language MWUs were found to be above 3, which is the cut-off point for formulaicity in Corpus Linguistics. Thus, the MWUs were found to be borrowings. In addition, MWUs were found to be more likely to be borrowed than single words.

Originality:

Insights about formulaic language from Corpus Linguistics and Second Language Acquisition were used to inform analyses of language contact phenomena, and new ways to test the model are proposed.

Significance:

The Simple View offers a unified approach to borrowing of lexical items and function words and opens a new avenue for research using neuroscientific methods to test whether items are listed in speakers’ mental lexicons.
Encountering bodies and identity dynamics of social worker: A case of a cleft lip and palate surgeries department
Authors: Liu Dan , Cui Ke
Published: May 2023

This article highlights social work practices for children with cleft lip and palate (CLP) and their families in a hospital. Embodiment is the main theoretical perspective used to analyse complex encounters between clients (children with CLP and their parents) and social workers in concrete interactive situations. It allows us to symmetrically reflect on how encounters between the bodies of clients, the social worker and medical professionals co-construct and redefine the social worker’s identities. Three body-related identities emerge and coexist as the practice proceeds: a normal person with a normal life, a learner without embodied knowledge of a particular illness and a professional with both medical and social work authorities. These three dimensions show how mutual embodiment in contextualised interactions affects the social worker-client relationship. About implications for social work practice, we draw attention to the situated identities of social worker in a specific context, and explain how embodiment serves as a critical tool to improve our understanding of practitioners’ dynamic identities through embodied reflexivity.
Cultivating a Sense of Belonging in Allied Health Education: An Approach Based on Mindfulness Anti-Oppression Pedagogy
Authors: Knox-Kazimierczuk Francoise A. , Tosolt Brandelyn , Lotz Kevin V.
Published: May 2023

To address accreditation standards and to meet a need due to a disparity in health care providers engaged in direct patient care, many institutions of higher education have focused on initiatives to increase the numbers of ethnic and racial minority populations. Despite these efforts, there remains a dearth of diversity in health care. For many underrepresented minority populations (URM), numerous barriers exist to becoming a health professional. Greater levels of discrimination and bias reduce belonging and agency in URM students impacting recruitment and retention. Research has shown that discrimination and bias are antithetical to feeling a sense of belonging on college campuses for URM students. The sense of belonging for URM students has been positively linked to retention and other academic outcomes. Faculty interaction and campus environment have been correlated to sense of belonging. Thus, faculty members as mentors, advisors, and shapers of campus climate have an important role to play in supporting URM students. However, due to socialization in an oppressive society, narratives about race and racism can become entrenched. The entrenchment of racial ideologies, without tools to examine, deconstruct, and reflect, leads to little forward progress. Incorporation of mindfulness anti-oppression pedagogy provides a needed paradigm shift for allied health educators to act with intentionality as they cultivate spaces of belonging for URM students.
Patients with Lower Positive Lymph Nodes Ratio May Benefit from Preoperative Radiotherapy in Stage III Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Wang Ruiyang , Shang Shijie , Huang Xinyi , Nie Yu , Wang Fei , Yu Jinming , Chen Dawei
Published: May 2023

Background

Although preoperative radiotherapy (PORT) is a promising therapeutic option for stage III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), the efficacy of this treatment remains controversial. The positive lymph node ratio (PLNR) is recognized as an independent prognostic factor for survival. However, no previous studies have focused on the association between PLNR and PORT in stage III NSCLC.

Methods

Data were collected from the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database, and all patients enrolled in this analysis were diagnosed during 2010–2015. The primary endpoint was overall survival (OS). Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with survival before and after case-control matching. PLNR was defined as the ratio of the number of positive lymph nodes to the total number of retrieved or examined lymph nodes. A cutoff value for PLNR was calculated using an X-tile model.

Results

Overall, 391 patients with PORT and 2814 patients without PORT were enrolled in this study. The cohort after 1:1 case-control matching included 322 patients who received PORT and 322 patients without PORT. PORT was not associated with a significant effect on OS (HR  =  1.14; 95% CI: 0.91–1.43; P  =  0.825). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that PLNR ( P < 0.001) was independently associated with OS in patients with stage III NSCLC. An X-tile model was used to identify a cutoff value for PLNR: the risk of death was significantly lower in patients with PLNR ≤0.41 who received PORT than in those with PLNR >0.41 who received PORT (HR  =  0.59; 95% CI: 0.38–0.91; P  =  0.015).

Conclusion

PLNR may be a prognostic factor for survival in patients with stage III NSCLC who undergo PORT. Lower PLNR is a predictor of better OS and thus warrants further study.
The Impact of Implementing a Diabetic Limb-Preservation Program on Amputation Outcomes at an Academic Institution in a Majority-Minority State
Authors: Lew Eric , Collins Nathaniel Perryman , Marek John , Schenck Robert C , Richter Dustin , Gallegos Regina , Dunlap Leslie , Murdock Richard
Published: May 2023

Background. Diabetic foot osteomyelitis may precede major limb amputations and lengthy hospital admission. These complications impact patients’ morbidity and mortality. Healthcare institutions with dedicated limb-preservation teams realize reduced amputation rates and improved quality of care. This study evaluates the outcomes following the implementation of a rigorous diabetic limb-preservation program at an academic institution. Methods. Patients with diabetes admitted for osteomyelitis occurring below the knee were identified by ICD-10 codes and included for retrospective review. The number and type of amputations, bone biopsies, revascularizations, and hospital length of stay (LOS) were evaluated. Outcomes were compared using the high-low (Hi-Lo) amputation ratio for the 24 months preceding and the 24 months after the integration of a diabetic limb-preservation service. Results. The authors identified and included 337 patients admitted for diabetic foot osteomyelitis. In the 24-month period prior to program implementation, 140 patients were evaluated. In the 24-month period after program implementation, 197 patients were evaluated. The overall amputation rate decreased from 67.1% (n = 94) to 59.9% (n = 118) ( P = .214). Major limb amputation rates significantly decreased from 32.9% (n = 46) to 12.7% (n = 25) ( P = .001). Minor amputation rates significantly increased from 34.2% (n = 48) to 47.2% (n = 93) ( P = .024). The Hi-Lo amputation ratio decreased from 0.96 to 0.27 ( P < .001). The rate of obtaining bone biopsies increased from 32.1% (n = 45) to 72.1% ( P < .001). The rate of revascularization increased from 10.7% (n = 15) to 15.2% (n = 30) ( P = .299). Average hospital LOS decreased significantly from 11.6 days to 9.8 days ( P = .044). Conclusion. After the implementation of a limb-preservation team, there was a precipitous drop in major limb amputations in favor of minor amputations. The average hospital LOS decreased. These findings demonstrated improved clinical care and outcomes in patients with lower extremity osteomyelitis and reinforce the importance of a diabetic foot-preservation service within healthcare institutions.
6-Shogaol Inhibits the Cell Migration of Colon Cancer by Suppressing the EMT Process Through the IKKβ/NF-κB/Snail Pathway
Authors: Chen Min , Tong Chiin , Wu Qibiao , Zhong Zhenghong , He Qida , Zeng Li , Xiao Lu
Published: May 2023

6-Shogaol from ginger has anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidation and anti-cancer effects. Aim of the Study: To study the effects and possible mechanisms of 6-Shogaol on inhibiting the migration of colon cancer cells Caco2 and HCT116 and prove the effects on proliferation and apoptosis. Materials and methods: The cells were treated with 6-Shogaol at the concentrations of 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100 µM, the cytotoxicity was tested by Colony formation assays and 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT), and the Western blot was used to evaluate IKKβ/NF-κB/Snail pathway and EMT-related proteins. In addition, in order to eliminate the interference of proliferation inhibition on the experiment, Caco2 cells were treated with 6-Shogaol at the concentrations of 0, 40, and 80 µM, HCT116 cells were treated with 6-Shogaol at the concentrations of 0, 20, and 40 µM, apoptosis was measured by Annex V/PI staining, and migration was measured by Wound healing assays and Transwell test. Results: 6-Shogaol significantly inhibited the growth of cells. The maximum inhibitory concentration of half of them was 86.63 µM in Caco2 cells and 45.25 µM in HCT116 cells. At 80 µM and 40 µM concentrations, 6-Shogaol significantly promoted apoptosis of colon cancer Caco2 cells and HCT116 cells, and also significantly inhibited cell migration ( P < .05). In addition, Western blot analysis showed that at 80 µM dose of 6-Shogaol significantly reduced MMP-2, N-cadherin, IKKβ, P-NF-κB and Snail expression in Caco2 cells ( P < .05). 40 µM dose of 6-Shogaol significantly reduced VEGF, IKKβ, and P-NF-κB expression, and MMP-2, N-cadherin and Snail was significantly decreased at 60 µM of 6-Shogaol in HCT116 cells( P < .05). However, there was no significant change in E-cadherin in Caco2 cells, and the expression of E-cadherin protein in HCT116 cells decreased. Conclusion: This study proposes and confirms that 6-Shogaol can significantly inhibit the migration of colon cancer cells Caco2 and HCT116, and its mechanism may be produced by inhibiting EMT through IKKβ/NF-κB/Snail signaling pathway. It was also confirmed that 6-Shogaol inhibited the proliferation and promoted apoptosis of Caco2 and HCT116 cells.
The role of ketamine in major depressive disorders: Effects on parvalbumin-positive interneurons in hippocampus
Authors: Barrutieta-Arberas I , Ortuzar N , Vaquero-Rodríguez A , Picó-Gallardo M , Bengoetxea H , Guevara MA , Gargiulo PA , Lafuente JV
Published: May 2023

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a complex illness that is arising as a growing public health concern. Although several brain areas are related to this type of disorders, at the cellular level, the parvalbumin-positive cells of the hippocampus interplay a very relevant role. They control pyramidal cell bursts, neuronal networks, basic microcircuit functions, and other complex neuronal tasks involved in mood disorders. In resistant depressions, the efficacy of current antidepressant treatments drops dramatically, so the new rapid-acting antidepressants (RAADs) are being postulated as novel treatments. Ketamine at subanesthetic doses and its derivative metabolites have been proposed as RAADs due to their rapid and sustained action by blocking N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptors, which in turn lead to the release of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). This mechanism produces a rapid plasticity activation mediated by neurotransmitter homeostasis, synapse recovery, and increased dendritic spines and therefore, it is a promising therapeutic approach to improve cognitive symptoms in MDD.
Supports and constraints to middle leadership development in higher education: A Q-methodology study
Authors: Chaaban Youmen , Qadhi Saba , Al-Thani Hessa , Floyd Alan , Du Xiangyun
Published: May 2023

Middle leadership development in a Higher Education context can be understood as a complex endeavor, influenced by interactions and interrelations within multiple systems. We explored the perspectives of thirty-five male and female middle leaders on the conditions influencing their leadership development at one university in Qatar. Q methodology was applied to collect and analyze data quantitatively and qualitatively. A 40-statement Q-sample was developed based on a proposed conceptual framework inspired by complexity thinking, and consisting of three dimensions; intrapersonal, relational, and institutional. Q factor analysis revealed four significantly different viewpoints regarding the conditions that participants perceived were most influential for their leadership development, namely (1) institutional goals, (2) a culture of trust, (3) senior leadership support, and (4) personal ambitions. Despite the differences in viewpoints, three common constraints to leadership development were also identified. The study has implications for middle leadership development, with its distinctive methodological, theoretical, and contextual contributions.
From disenchantment to glory: Fluctuations in the memory of World War II in Japanese Cinema (1980–2020)
Authors: Córdoba-Arroyo Esteban
Published: May 2023

In recent decades, the field of memory studies has shown increasing interest in the reconstruction of the past through the lens of cinema. The ongoing “war for memory” or “history problem,” as it is otherwise known, in East Asia vis-à-vis the memory of World War II provides plentiful opportunities for exploration of the role films play in shaping collective remembering. This study was designed to answer the question of how World War II has been remembered in Japanese cinema by detecting patterns and fluctuations of memory in a sample of 59 movies released between 1980 and 2020. The results suggest that World War II has most frequently been depicted as a natural disaster (beginning in 1942) that evolved into a conflict between Japan and the United States alone—other Asian countries having been cast as mere spectators. Finally, after a heroic fight to the death in which only the Japanese suffered, the disaster ended in 1945 as mysteriously as it began.
COVID-19 complicating pregnancy: A retrospective study of nine intensive care unit patients
Authors: Sivalingam Deepak , Ajith Kumar AK , Shashank MR , Murthy Pooja R , Venkatesha Gupta KV
Published: May 2023

Background

With the emergence of the coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, it was essential to determine the impact of this disease on pregnant women and neonatal outcomes. In this study, we present a series of nine cases of pregnant women with COVID-19 disease requiring intensive care unit (ICU) admission.

Methods

We retrospectively collected clinical data of pregnant women with COVID-19 disease admitted to ICU between September 2020 and September 2021.

Results

Most common presenting symptom was cough. Two patients had no respiratory symptoms at presentation. Five of the nine patients required invasive mechanical ventilation. Seven patients required caesarean section, four of whom delivered preterm. There were no maternal or neonatal deaths.

Conclusions

Although maternal and neonatal outcomes reported in our study are encouraging, it is imperative to emphasize the importance of an individualized, multidisciplinary approach, and good healthcare infrastructure for optimal management of this group of patients.
Pregnancy-onset inflammatory bowel disease: A case report
Authors: Deeb Maya , Tandon Parul , Huang Vivian , Gallinger Zane R.
Published: May 2023

Pregnancy-onset inflammatory bowel disease (POIBD) is a rare diagnosis that has been associated with diagnostic delay and increased risk of hospitalization compared with inflammatory bowel disease diagnosed outside of pregnancy. There is a paucity of data on the clinical presentation and risk factors associated with maternal and fetal outcomes of POIBD. We present a 29-year-old patient who presented with acute severe ulcerative colitis at 24 weeks gestational age whose course was complicated by delayed diagnosis and therapy, colonic perforation, colectomy, prolonged hospitalization, and neonatal prematurity. The case illustrates the high index for suspicion required for making this diagnosis and the prevention of maternal and neonatal morbidity, together with a growing need to advocate for timely investigations and in-patient management in unwell pregnant patients.
Designing for Family Engagement in Neonatal ICUs: How Is the Interior Design of Single-Family Rooms Supporting Family Behaviors, From Passive to Active?
Authors: Machry Herminia , Joseph Anjali , White Robert , Allison David
Published: May 2023

Purpose:

Understand how the interior design of single-family rooms (SFRs) in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) can support family engagement behaviors.

Background:

Family members are integral contributors to infant care in NICUs, impacting infant development. While at the NICU, parents are encouraged to participate in a process called family engagement, where they are expected to move from passive to active caregivers, in preparation for their role after discharge. While family engagement is affected by the built environment, no studies have investigated this relationship in any depth. NICU settings morphed to involve families through the SFR design model, but the interior environment of SFRs have not been sufficiently explored as a resource to support specific family engagement behaviors.

Methods:

We interviewed family and staff and observed family engagement behaviors in SFRs at two NICUs. Behaviors were observed and described in terms of their location, number of people, and design elements involved. Built environment characteristics were collected through physical assessments, and interviews elicited participants’ perceptions about design factors impacting family behaviors inside SFRs. Data analysis followed grounded theory segments and pattern matching.

Results:

Three behavioral patterns and five themes were identified showing how SFRs’ private bathrooms, family storage, family zone partitions, positive distractions, and information boards can support families’ home-like, educational, collaborative, and infant care behaviors.

Conclusions:

The interior design of SFRs can be a resource to family engagement in the NICU. Future research should operationalize SFR features found in our study to measure and validate their impact on family engagement outcomes.
The Relationship Between Informal and Incidental Learning of Volunteers in Adult ESL and Their Intercultural Maturity
Authors: Li Beixi
Published: May 2023

Adult ESL is a high-turnover field, and volunteers are a critical component of the adult ESL workforce. Existing research focuses on learners’ experience in the classroom. There is limited attention to how teachers might change as a result of encountering immigrant learners in adult ESL. The purpose of this study was to understand the informal and incidental learning activities experienced by teachers in adult ESL settings and the impact of the learning on their intercultural maturity development. This study is based on survey data from 212 adult ESL teachers. The results demonstrated that adult ESL presented opportunities for informal and incidental learning for teachers. Both volunteers and paid instructors identified learning from teaching as the most important source of learning. Participation in informal and incidental learning activities was positively correlated with intercultural maturity. Further, organizational support promoted informal and incidental learning.