bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identification of occult metastatic disease via lymphoscintigraphy‐guided neck dissection in N0 oral squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Earnest‐Noble Lisa B. , Lipsky Rachel S. , Kuhel William I. , Kutler David I.
Published: April 2022

Background

The purpose of this study is to assess the efficacy of lymphoscintigraphy‐guided neck dissection (LSG‐ND) in the treatment of N0 oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study of patients with N0 oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) who had either LSG‐ND or neck dissection (ND) at our institution between 2008 and 2020.

Results

Eighty‐seven patients met criteria with N0 oral squamous cell carcinoma with no previous treatment or neck surgery (27 LSG‐ND, 60 ND). Sentinel lymph nodes were identified on the contralateral side in 14.8% of patients with unilateral tumors in the LSG‐ND group, with 22.2% of cases with unexpected lymphatic drainage outside ipsilateral levels I‐III. No recurrences to date have occurred in the LSG‐ND cohort, while 13.3% of patients with ND had regional recurrence (p = 0.04).

Conclusions

LSG‐ND provides a greater ability to identify occult metastatic disease with a significant reduction in regional recurrence in N0 oral SCC.
Tripartite motif‐containing protein 31 confers protection against nonalcoholic steatohepatitis by deactivating mitogen‐activated protein kinase kinase kinase 7
Authors: Xu Min‐Xuan , Tan Jun , Ge Chen‐Xu , Dong Wei , Zhang Li‐Ting , Zhu Lian‐Cai , Zhao Jun‐Jie , Wang Long‐Yan , Liu Jin , Wei Hao , Sun Yan , Dai Xian‐Ling , Kuang Qin , Li Yan‐Liang , Li Han , Liu Jun‐Yan , Zou Lei , Liang Ran‐Ran , Zhang Chu‐Feng , Xu Juan , Wang Bo‐Chu
Published: April 2022

Background & Aims:

As a global health threat, NASH has been confirmed to be a chronic progressive liver disease that is strongly associated with obesity. However, no approved drugs or efficient therapeutic strategies are valid, mainly because its complicated pathological processes is underestimated.

Approach & Results:

We identified the RING‐type E3 ubiquitin transferase‐tripartite motif‐containing protein 31 (TRIM31), a member of the E3 ubiquitin ligases family, as an efficient endogenous inhibitor of transforming growth factor‐beta‐activated kinase 1 (mitogen‐activated protein kinase kinase kinase 7; MAP3K7), and we further confirmed that TRIM31 is an MAP3K7‐interacting protein and promotes MAP3K7 degradation by enhancing ubiquitination of K48 linkage in hepatocytes. Hepatocyte‐specific Trim31 deletion blocks hepatic metabolism homeostasis, concomitant with glucose metabolic syndrome, lipid accumulation, up‐regulated inflammation, and dramatically facilitates NASH progression. Inversely, transgenic overexpression, lentivirus, or adeno‐associated virus‐mediated Trim31 gene therapy restrain NASH in three dietary mice models. Mechanistically, in response to metabolic insults, TRIM31 interacts with MAP3K7 and conjugates K48‐linked ubiquitination chains to promote MAP3K7 degradation, thus blocking MAP3K7 abundance and its downstream signaling cascade activation in hepatocytes.

Conclusions:

TRIM31 may serve as a promising therapeutic target for NASH treatment and associated metabolic disorders.
Distinct responsiveness to rifaximin in patients with hepatic encephalopathy depends on functional gut microbial species
Authors: Yukawa‐Muto Yoshimi , Kamiya Tomonori , Fujii Hideki , Mori Hiroshi , Toyoda Atsushi , Sato Ikuya , Konishi Yusuke , Hirayama Akiyoshi , Hara Eiji , Fukuda Shinji , Kawada Norifumi , Ohtani Naoko
Published: April 2022

Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is the neuropsychiatric complication of liver cirrhosis (LC). The influence of gut microbiota on HE pathogenesis has been suggested but not precisely elucidated. Here, we investigate how the gut microbial profile changed in patients with HE to clarify the functional gut microbial species associated with HE. We focused on their responses to rifaximin (RFX), a nonabsorbable antibiotic used in HE therapy. Feces samples were collected from patients with decompensated LC (all HE), patients with compensated LC, and healthy controls, and fecal gut microbial profiles were compared using 16S ribosomal RNA gene amplicon and metagenomic sequencing. The linear discriminant analysis effect size was used to identify specific species. Urease‐positive Streptococcus salivarius, which can produce ammonia, was identified as the most significantly abundant gut microbiota in the HE group, and its ability to elevate the levels of blood ammonia as well as brain glutamine was experimentally verified in mice. Urease‐negative Ruminococcus gnavus was also identified as a significantly abundant species in patients with RFX‐nonresponsive HE after RFX administration. Interestingly, R. gnavus enhanced urease activity of recombinant urease itself, implying that R. gnavus could amplify ammonia production of surrounding urease‐positive microbiota. Furthermore, the sensitivity of S. salivarius and R. gnavus to RFX depended on conjugated secondary bile acid levels, suggesting a therapeutic potential of the combined use of secondary bile acid levels with RFX for enhancing the efficacy of RFX. This study identified specific gut bacterial species abundant in patients with HE and verified their functions linked to HE pathophysiology. Targeting these bacteria could be a potentially effective strategy to treat HE.
Disentangling prescribing behaviour of Cypriot physicians, within a complex framework of interacting
Authors: Theodorou Mamas , Kontemeniotis Antonis , Kantaris Marios , Farmakas Antonis
Published: April 2022

The purpose of the study is to investigate how physicians' prescribing behaviour in Cyprus adopts to the fragmented healthcare system and to the inadequacies of pharmaceutical market in times of economic crisis. A survey was carried out in using a postal questionnaire administered to a stratified sample of 320 physicians. The questionnaire used was the same with the one used in 2007 survey carried out in Greece and Cyprus, along with complementary questions for prescribing within economic crisis. The comparative analysis and assessment of the findings from the two surveys revealed that the current system and the inadequacies of pharmaceutical market in Cyprus expose physicians to a contrasting environment of public and private sector in terms of incentives, governance principles, financing and market structure. In contrast to public sector prescribers who have behaved in accordance with the governance principles, there is a strong motivation for private sector physicians to favour new branded products, and generally rejecting any ideas that could limit their clinical autonomy. Economic crisis seems to be unilaterally influential, as public sector physicians became more cost conscious while private sector prescribing is still resisting due to strong financial incentives.
Long‐term incidence in hepatocellular carcinoma and intrahepatic bile duct cancer in Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden, role of Thorotrast?
Authors: Hemminki Kari , Tichanek Filip , Försti Asta , Hemminki Otto , Liska Vaclav , Hemminki Akseli
Published: April 2022

We analyzed long‐term incidence trends in liver cancer (including hepatocellular carcinoma and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma) with an aim to interpret the changes in terms of known risk factors and hypothesize that historical exposure to Thorotrast, a radiographic contrast medium emitting alpha particles, has changed population rates. The NORDCAN database was used to collect cancer registry data from Denmark (DK), Finland (FI), Norway (NO) and Sweden (SE), which we used from 1953 (DK, FI and NO) and 1960 (SE) through 2019. Thorotrast, which caused a 100‐fold risk of liver cancer was used in DK and SE, and probably also in FI between 1930 and 1950, but not in NO. The incidence trend for liver cancer showed a broad maximum at around 1980, most prominent and statistically significant in SE and DK men and women, and in all countries, a steadily increasing trend towards the end of follow‐up. Incidence for NO was lower than for the other countries and the rates showed no peaking at around 1980. Birth cohort analysis identified a transient risk which could be dated to a period between 1930 and 1950 in countries other than NO. Considering a lag time between Thorotrast use and liver cancer appearance, the large incidence peak around 1980 in DK and DE was probably contributed by Thorotrast but considering the ecological nature of the findings, the association should be considered cautiously as hypothesis generating. The late increase in liver cancer risk is most likely lifestyle related and largely preventable.
Effect of delayed versus immediate umbilical cord clamping in vaginal delivery at term: A randomized clinical trial
Authors: De Angelis Carlo , Saccone Gabriele , Sorichetti Elisa , Alagna Maurizio , Zizolfi Brunella , Gragnano Elisabetta , Legnante Antonietta , Sardo Attilio Di Spiezio
Published: April 2022

Objective

To compare maternal blood loss with immediate cord clamping versus delayed cord clamping in women undergoing spontaneous vaginal delivery at term.

Methods

Parallel group non‐blinded randomized trial conducted at a single center in Italy. Women with singleton gestations who underwent spontaneous vaginal delivery at term were eligible and were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to either immediate or delayed cord clamping. In the immediate cord clamping group, cord clamping was within 15 s after birth. In the delayed cord clamping group, cord clamping was after more than 60 s, or when the cord had stopped pulsing. The primary outcome was change in maternal hemoglobin level from the day of delivery to day one after delivery.

Results

A total of 122 participants were enrolled in the trial. There were no significant differences in maternal blood loss as assessed by comparing the decrease in maternal hemoglobin level (mean difference − 0.10 g/dl, 95% confidence interval − 0.28 to 0.08) between the two groups. The mean hemoglobin level at postdelivery day 1 was 11.0 ± 1.5 g/dl in the delayed group and 11.3 ± 1.6 g/dl in the immediate group.

Conclusions

Delayed umbilical cord clamping, compared with immediate umbilical cord clamping, resulted in no significant change in maternal hemoglobin level 1 day after delivery.

Trial Registration

Clinicaltrials.gov NCT04353544.
Interventions to improve access to care for abnormal uterine bleeding: A systematic scoping review
Authors: Kanagasabai Parimala Suganthini , Filoche Sara , Grainger Rebecca , Henry Claire , Hay‐Smith Jean
Published: April 2022

Background

Women with abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) experience barriers to accessing healthcare services.

Objectives

To identify and describe the evidence on interventions to improve healthcare access of women with AUB.

Search strategy

A systematic search of databases including Medline, CINAHL, EMBASE, Scopus, and Cochrane register for clinical trials on February 26, 2021.

Selection criteria

Studies including women with AUB and investigating an intervention to improve access at the levels of individual patient, community, organization, health system, or medical education.

Data collection and analysis

Data extraction and descriptive analysis of the country, study design, settings, participant characteristics, intervention, outcome measures, and key findings.

Main results

We identified 20 studies and most interventions (13 studies) targeted organizational changes. Creating a multidisciplinary team, bringing services together and developing a care pathway improved the availability of services. Management of AUB in an outpatient setting improved the affordability. The use of decision aids improved patient engagement in consultations. There is a lack of interventions at an individual or community level targeting health literacy, health beliefs, social acceptability, and opportunity to reach and pay for services.

Conclusions

Community‐based culturally‐adapted interventions focusing on access to women with different socio‐economic and cultural backgrounds should be investigated.
Effect of implementation of a colorimetric quantitative blood loss system for postpartum hemorrhage
Authors: Wolfe Maryalice , Kazma Jamil M. , Burke Ann B. , Ahmadzia Homa K.
Published: April 2022

Objective

To evaluate if the implementation of a colorimetric quantitative blood loss (QBL) system during cesarean delivery improves clinical outcomes.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort analysis after cesarean section before and after implementation of the Triton based colorimetric QBL system. Prevalence of postpartum hemorrhage, amount of blood products transfused, length of hospitalization, and rates of intensive care unit (ICU) admission were compared.

Results

A total of 2221 patients were included. There were 1192 patients in the pre‐intervention group and 1029 patients in the post‐intervention group. There was no significant difference between groups in the prevalence of postpartum hemorrhage (8.6% vs 9.3%, P = 0.57), amount of packed red blood cells (pRBCs) transfused (45 vs 30, P = 0.41) or average length of hospital stay in days (3.0 vs 3.0, P = 0.37). There was a statistically significant decrease in ICU admissions between the pre‐ and post‐intervention groups (2.2% vs 1.0%, P = 0.02).

Conclusion

There was no effect of implementation of the colorimetric QBL application system on diagnosis of postpartum hemorrhage, amount of blood products transfused, or length of hospital stay. Although a significant decrease in ICU admissions was observed, we could not determine if these transfers were hemorrhage related.
In silico prediction of potential drug‐induced nephrotoxicity with machine learning methods
Authors: Gong Yuning , Teng Dan , Wang Yimeng , Gu Yaxin , Wu Zengrui , Li Weihua , Tang Yun , Liu Guixia
Published: April 2022

In recent years, drug‐induced nephrotoxicity has been one of the main reasons for the failure of drug development. Early prediction of the nephrotoxicity for drug candidates is critical to the success of clinical trials. Therefore, it is very important to construct an effective model that can predict the potential nephrotoxicity of compounds. Machine learning methods have been widely used to predict the physicochemical properties, biological activities, and safety assessment of compounds. In this study, we manually collected 777 valid drug data and constructed a total of 72 classification models using nine types of molecular fingerprints combined with different machine learning algorithms. From experimental literature and the US FDA Drugs Database, some marketed drugs were screened for external validation of the models. Finally, three models exhibited good performance in the prediction of nephrotoxicity of both chemical drugs and Chinese herbal medicines. The best model was the support vector machine algorithm combined with CDK graph only fingerprint. Furthermore, the applicability domain of the models was analyzed according to the OECD principles, and we also used the SARpy and information gain methods to find eight substructures that might cause nephrotoxicity, so as to attract attention in the future drug discovery.
Symptom distress and disability: Different sides of the same coin? An investigation of the relationship between symptom distress and disability over time in patients receiving treatment for internalizing disorders
Authors: de Groot Marlies , Laceulle Odilia M. , Cissen Helma , Tiemens Bea , van der Heijden Paul T.
Published: April 2022

Background

Most psychotherapy outcome research focuses on symptom reduction as a primary outcome. However, most patients do not seek psychological treatment exclusively for symptom relief, but mainly because they can no longer do what they want to do or used to do. Therefore, besides symptom reduction, also disability in daily functioning should be a focus of psychotherapy outcome research. Yet, until now there is a paucity in research pertaining to the relation between symptom reduction and reduction of disability during psychological treatment.

Aims

For this reason, the aim of the current study was to examine the relationship between changes in symptom reduction (reduction in general symptom distress) and changes in self‐reported disability over a period of two years in patients that receive psychotherapy for mood and anxiety disorders (N = 1182).

Results

We found strong correlations between both outcome measures at all measurement points. Furthermore, results demonstrated a decrease in both outcome measures from start to end of treatment with a moderate effect for symptom distress and a small effect for experienced disability. Cross‐lagged panel analysis demonstrated that a decrease in symptom distress predicted a subsequent decrease in self‐reported disability, and a decrease in self‐reported disability equally predicted a subsequent decrease in experienced symptom distress.

Conclusion

Our results seem to indicate that both outcome measures are interchangeable in psychotherapy outcome studies for internalizing disorders.
The impact of living in an un‐ or under‐furnished house on individuals who transitioned from homelessness
Authors: Nubani Linda , De Biasi Alaina , Ruemenapp Marie A. , Tams Lisa D. , Boyle Robert
Published: April 2022

Very few empirical evaluations have been conducted on the impact of furniture on the lives of those who have transitioned from homelessness into permanent housing, especially within the United States. Our study contributes to this limited body of research by exploring the impact of furniture on the lives of 20 recently housed individuals residing in the Detroit Metropolitan Area. In partnership with the Furniture Bank of Southeast Michigan, we conducted semi‐structured interviews with recently housed individuals that lived for a period of time in an un‐ or under‐furnished house before receiving furniture support. Given the study's exploratory nature, interview questions were purposefully broad to allow themes to naturally emerge and were analyzed using a qualitative data analysis software package, NVivo (release 1.0). We present a conceptual model that outlines our findings and conclude with a discussion of the limitations of our approach, avenues for future research, and policy implications.
Muscle density is an independent risk factor of second hip fracture: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Wang Ling , Yin Lu , Yang Minghui , Ge Yufeng , Liu Yandong , Su Yongbin , Guo Zhe , Yan Dong , Xu Zhengyang , Huang Pengju , Geng Jian , Liu Xingli , Wang Gang , Blake Glen M. , Cao Weiming , He Bo , Lyu Liang , Cheng Xiaoguang , Wu Xinbao , Jiang Lihong , Vlug Annegreet , Engelke Klaus
Published: April 2022

Background

Patients with a first hip fracture are at high risk of fracturing their other hip. Despite this, preventive therapy is often not given. Because little is known about specific risk factors of a second hip fracture, we investigated the association with areal bone mineral density (aBMD), muscle size, and density. We also investigated whether muscle parameters predict the risk of a contralateral fracture independently of aBMD.

Methods

Three groups were included, one without hip fracture (a subcohort of the China Action on Spine and Hip Status study), one with a first, and one with a second hip fracture. Subjects with fractures were recruited from the longitudinal Chinese Second Hip Fracture Evaluation (CSHFE). Computed tomography scans of CSHFE patients, which were obtained immediately following their first fracture, were used to measure cross‐sectional area and density of the gluteus maximus (G.MaxM) and gluteus medius and minimus (G.Med/MinM) muscles. Computed tomography X‐ray absorptiometry was used to measure aBMD of the contralateral femur. Median follow‐up time to second fracture was 4.5 years. Cox proportional hazards models were used to compute hazard ratios (HR) of second hip fracture risk in subjects with a first hip fracture. Multivariate logistic regressions were used to compare odds ratios (OR) for the risk of a first and second hip fracture.

Results

Three hundred and one participants (68.4 ± 6.1 years, 64% female) without and 302 participants (74.6 ± 9.9 years, 71% female) with a first hip fracture were included in the analysis. Among the latter, 45 (79.2 ± 7.1 years) sustained a second hip fracture. ORs for first hip fracture were significant for aBMD and muscle size and density. ORs for a second fracture were smaller by a factor of 3 to 4 and no longer significant for femoral neck (FN) aBMD. HRs for predicting second hip fracture confirmed the results. G.Med/MinM density (HR, 1.68; CI, 1.20–2.35) and intertrochanter aBMD (HR, 1.62; CI, 1.13–2.31) were the most significant. FN aBMD was not significant. G.Med/MinM density remained significant for predicting second hip fracture after adjustment for FN (HR, 1.66; Cl, 1.18–2.30) or total hip aBMD (HR, 1.50; 95% Cl, 1.04–2.15).

Conclusions

Density of the G.Med/MinM muscle is an aBMD independent predictor of the risk of second hip fracture. Intertrochanteric aBMD is a better predictor of second hip fracture than FN and total hip aBMD. These results may trigger a paradigm shift in the assessment of second hip fracture risk and prevention strategies.
Green synthesis and characterization of zinc oxide nanoparticles using leaf extract of Thryallis glauca (Cav.) Kuntze and their role as antioxidant and antibacterial
Authors: Dey Arpita , Somaiah Sundarapandian
Published: April 2022

The present work has reported a green chemistry‐based approach for the synthesis of crystalline metal oxide nanoparticle using plant extract to reduce metal ions. It demonstrated the efficient synthesis of Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) using aqueous leaf extract of Thryallis glauca (Cav.) Kuntze with a focus on minimizing toxic reactants and byproducts. The physicochemical characterizations by standard methods and the mechanism of action were presented. The UV–Vis absorption peak of the annealed ZnO NPs appeared at a 359 nm wavelength. The calculated direct band‐gap energy was 3.6 eV. The peak at 567 nm in the visible region in the photoluminescence spectra indicated surface defects from oxygen vacancy, and the vibrational peak also indicated it at 582 cm−1 in Raman spectra. FTIR spectroscopy showed the possible involvement of proteins, aromatic compounds, and alcohols as reducing agents in the reaction. X‐ray diffraction analysis revealed that pure crystalline ZnO NPs have structural properties as hexagonal wurtzite below 50 nm size. Antioxidant analysis by DPPH assay illustrated an excellent free radical scavenging activity. The prepared ZnO NPs tested against pathogenic Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Bacillus subtilis did not show any antibacterial activity.

Highlights

Renewable, eco‐friendly plant material was used to synthesize Zinc Oxide nanoparticles (NPs).

Synthesis of thermally stable, pure crystalline NPs with good optical properties.

The synthesized NPs showed excellent free radical scavenging activity.

ZnO NPs exhibited antibacterial resistance at the test concentrations.
Self‐expandable metal stents have longer patency and less cholangitis than inside stents in malignant perihilar biliary obstruction
Authors: Koiwai Akinobu , Hirota Morihisa , Katayama Tomofumi , Kin Ryo , Kawamura Keita , Endo Katsuya , Kogure Takayuki , Takasu Atsuko , Meguro Takayoshi , Satoh Kennichi
Published: April 2022

Background and Aim

Outcomes of an inside stent (IS, a plastic stent placed above the sphincter of Oddi) versusa self‐expandable metal stent (SEMS) for the drainage of malignant perihilar biliary obstruction has not been fully studied. The drainage strategy for perihilar biliary obstruction is difficult and should be clarified.

Methods

Clinical data of patients who underwent biliary drainage for malignant perihilar biliary obstruction with IS or SEMS between April 2016 and September 2021 at our institution were retrospectively examined. Outcomes, including the time to recurrent biliary obstruction (TRBO), survival, and incidence of recurrent biliary obstruction with concomitant cholangitis (RBOC), were retrospectively evaluated.

Results

Median TRBO was 280 (95% confidence interval [CI], 110–not available) days in the SEMS group (n = 24) and 113 (95% CI, 74–192) days in the IS group (n = 25) (P = 0.043). Among the patients with perihilar cholangiocarcinoma, the median survival of the two groups was comparable, namely 330 days in the SEMS group and 359 days in the IS group (P = 0.46). The incidence of RBOC at re‐intervention was significantly higher in patients with ISs (83.9%) than in those with SEMSs (0%) (P = 0.00004).

Conclusions

TRBO was significantly longer in the SEMS group. Regardless of whether SEMSs or ISs were placed during the first intervention, patient survival was similar. Using easily removable ISs first might be a reasonable option because TRBO with SEMSs was shorter than patient survival. Cholangitis is a problem associated with the placement of IS.
Australian perspectives on artificial intelligence in medical imaging
Authors: Currie Geoffrey , Nelson Tarni , Hewis Johnathan , Chandler Amanda , Spuur Kelly , Nabasenja Caroline , Thomas Cate , Wheat Janelle
Published: April 2022

Introduction

While artificial intelligence (AI) and recent developments in deep learning (DL) have sparked interest in medical imaging, there has been little commentary on the impact of AI on imaging technologists. The aim of this survey was to understand the attitudes, applications and concerns among nuclear medicine and radiography professionals in Australia with regard to the rapidly emerging applications of AI.

Methods

An anonymous online survey with invitation to participate was circulated to nuclear medicine and radiography members of the Rural Alliance in Nuclear Scintigraphy and the Australian Society of Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy. The survey invitations were sent to members via email and as a push via social media with the survey open for 10 weeks. All information collected was anonymised and there is no disclosure of personal information as it was de‐identified from commencement.

Results

Among the 102 respondents, there was a high level of acceptance of lower order tasks (e.g. patient registration, triaging and dispensing) and less acceptance of high order task automation (e.g. surgery and interpretation). There was a low priority perception for the role of AI in higher order tasks (e.g. diagnosis, interpretation and decision making) and high priority for those applications that automate complex tasks (e.g. quantitation, segmentation, reconstruction) or improve image quality (e.g. dose / noise reduction and pseudo CT for attenuation correction). Medico‐legal, ethical, diversity and privacy issues posed moderate or high concern while there appeared to be no concern regarding AI being clinically useful and improving efficiency. Mild concerns included redundancy, training bias, transparency and validity.

Conclusion

Australian nuclear medicine technologists and radiographers recognise important applications of AI for assisting with repetitive tasks, performing less complex tasks and enhancing the quality of outputs in medical imaging. There are concerns relating to ethical aspects of algorithm development and implementation.
Alternative positioning method for the superior–inferior axial shoulder projection – the Lewis modification
Authors: Lewis Kim
Published: April 2022

The superior–inferior (SI) axial shoulder view is an important part of shoulder imaging. It provides a true orthogonal view to the anterior–posterior (AP) shoulder projection and is a supplementary view to the lateral scapula view. When positioned correctly, the glenohumeral joint is visualised with the superior and inferior aspects of the glenoid superimposed to demonstrate the true relationship between the glenoid and humerus. Positioning for the SI axial view is challenging. Often the glenoid is not superimposed on resulting images, and the glenohumeral relationship cannot be assessed accurately. Some positioning texts do not demonstrate the SI axial view, opting instead for the inferior–superior (IS) view. When the SI axial view is included, bony landmarks are not provided to assist medical imaging technologists (MITs) with accurate positioning. This paper outlines a proposed modification using bony landmarks that can assist MITs in positioning their patients for this important view and obtain diagnostic images that demonstrate the glenoid in true profile.
A characterization of clouds over the Great Barrier Reef and the role of local forcing
Authors: Zhao Wenhui , Huang Yi , Siems Steven , Manton Michael
Published: April 2022

A characterization of cloud properties associated with precipitation in the region around the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) is constructed using decade‐long (2007–2017) satellite observations from Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) and Cloud‐Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observations (CALIPSO) combined with CloudSat. The spatial and vertical distributions of low‐level cloud properties over the region are also investigated and discussed. In general, different cloud types are observed over different regions and vary by season: high clouds are dominant over the low latitudes in summer, altocumulus are mainly observed over northeast Queensland and low‐level clouds are dominant over the ocean and coast during the winter months at higher latitudes under a trade wind regime. A strong latitudinal dependence of total precipitation across the Greater GBR region is identified with a significant orographic enhancement near Cairns in the wet tropics. MODIS and CloudSat‐CALIPSO cloud observations show good agreement on significant differences in low‐level cloud microphysical properties between the land and the ocean. The largest land–ocean differences in warm cloud microphysical properties are found over the mid‐latitudes near 18°S, which is strongly associated with orographic forcing, with these enhancements extending further east to the coral reef area. However, the frequency of warm cloud is not enhanced upwind of the mountains in the wet tropics. In addition, no significant differences in warm cloud properties between the actual GBR and the open ocean are identified. These results suggest that low‐level clouds over the GBR do not show any significant response to the reef‐related microphysical perturbations.
Trends and space–time patterns of near‐surface temperatures on Maxwell Bay, King George Island, Antarctica
Authors: Bello Cinthya , Suarez Wilson , Lavado‐Casimiro Waldo
Published: April 2022

There is growing interest in the international scientific community in characterizing climate variability in Antarctica because of the continent's fundamental role in regulating the world's climate. Researchers have intensively studied the Antarctic Peninsula since the warming that began in the mid‐1950s. This was followed by a subsequent cooling period over the last decades. For this paper, using the available data, we analysed the variability in surface air temperatures at five meteorological stations located on King George Island (KGI) (a subantarctic island that is part of the South Shetland Islands); we also investigated the relationships between the air temperatures and large‐scale atmospheric patterns from 1968 to 2019. In this study we found that summer temperatures are above 0°C from December to March and close to melting temperatures (extreme values) in spring and autumn; consequently, a small increase in temperature can have a significant impact on the cryosphere. The statistical analysis of the mean temperatures confirmed a trend toward cooling during the summer and in the mean monthly maximum temperatures over the 1990s at most of the weather stations whose data we analysed. Analysing the teleconnection patterns showed that the Southern Annular Mode (SAM) had strong, direct, and positive correlations during the autumn and less strong connections in spring, winter, and on an annual scale. Furthermore, we observed a lesser influence of El Niño‐Southern Oscillation (ENSO).
Safety and effectiveness of radiologic and endoscopic percutaneous gastrostomy placement: A randomized study
Authors: Mohamed Elfadil Osman , Linch Forrest B. , Seegmiller Sara L. , Hurt Ryan T. , Mundi Manpreet S. , Neisen Melissa J.
Published: April 2022

Background

Gastrostomy tubes placed radiologically, endoscopically or surgically facilitate long‐term home enteral nutrition (HEN). Patient‐specific clinical factors may affect placement techniques, confounding direct comparisons between radiologically inserted gastrostomy (RIG) and percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) outcomes. This study sought to evaluate the differences in clinical outcomes in patients undergoing gastrostomy tube placement by interventional radiologists or gastroenterologists.

Methods

A single‐center prospective trial randomizing patients initiating HEN to RIG or PEG was conducted between March 2018 and June 2021. Patients were followed until the time of gastrostomy removal or until 9 months after tube placement. Tracked complications included peritonitis, abscess, bleeding, bowel perforation, and tube occlusion, malposition, or damage. Periprocedural pain rating and quality of life (QoL) surveys were collected.

Results

Forty‐two patients were randomized to RIG or PEG. Twenty patients underwent RIG (mean age, 63.0 ± 11.7 years; 85% male; 95% with head and neck cancer) and 22 patients underwent PEG (mean age, 66.3 ± 10.9 years; 81.8% male; 90.9% with head and neck cancer). RIG and PEG groups had 4.18 ± 5.49 and 2.80 ± 5.82 complications per 1000 HEN days, respectively (P = 0.357). The most frequent complications were tube malposition and abscess formation for the RIG and PEG groups, respectively. No major complications occurred in either group. There was no difference in the average of pain ratings in all pain inventory components across both groups. Both groups reported improvement in overall QoL after gastrostomy tube placement (P = 0.532).

Conclusion

RIG is noninferior to PEG regarding complication rates, pain, and QoL when compared in a prospective randomized fashion.
Social representations of tourists' deviant behaviours: An analysis of Reddit comments
Authors: Shaheer Ismail , Carr Neil
Published: April 2022

Tensions between tourists and residents due to the formers' behaviour are frequently observed in destinations. In such a milieu, understanding residents' perception of tourist behaviour is important to help draft policies designed to engender a peaceful co‐existence. Using social representation theory as a lens, this study thematically analysed 2088 comments from 10 subreddits to explore how residents socially define tourists' deviant behaviour. The analysis revealed 13 behaviours that have direct or indirect social, economic and/or environmental impacts from the perspective of residents. The findings have valuable and practical implications for stakeholders in tourism destinations.
Occupational posttraumatic stress disorder and workplace violence in workers’ compensation claims
Authors: Wizner Kerri , Cunningham Katherine , Gaspar Fraser W. , Dewa Carolyn S. , Grunert Brad
Published: April 2022

Acts of violence are the fifth leading cause of nonfatal occupational injuries in the United States. Experiencing a traumatic event at work can have serious mental health consequences, including the development of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This study aimed to quantify the prevalence of PTSD caused by workplace violence (WPV) in a statewide workers’ compensation system and compare the outcomes and treatment of WPV cases versus those caused by other traumatic events. Using a retrospective cohort study design, workers who reported PTSD as the primary reason for a workers’ compensation claim and had no coexisting physical injuries were found in California during 2009–2018. A total of 3,772 PTSD cases were identified, 48.9% of which were attributed to WPV. Demographic risk factors associated with WPV PTSD included lower income, younger age, female gender, and employment in retail or finance, p < .001–p = .007. For individuals who returned to work, claims due to WPV resulted in longer medically approved time away from work than non‐WPV causes (Mdn = 132.5 days vs. Mdn = 91 days, respectively), p < .001. Three of the top 10 most frequently prescribed medications were administered against evidence‐based guidelines. This study found that many treatments prescribed to PTSD patients are based on insufficient evidence, and the provision of existing empirically supported treatments is needed, particularly in generalized populations. The findings support the need for additional recognition of the cause of workplace PTSD to facilitate appropriate referrals to WPV or PTSD specialists to support return‐to‐work efforts.
Evolution of Lung Abnormalities on Lung Ultrasound in Recovery From COVID‐19 Disease—A Prospective, Longitudinal Observational Cohort Study
Authors: Burkert Julia , Jarman Robert , Deol Paramjeet
Published: April 2022

Objectives

SARS‐CoV‐2 can cause respiratory diseases with various manifestations. However, little is known about its potential for lung recovery. Lung ultrasound has shown characteristic changes during COVID‐19 and has proven to be useful for triage, diagnosis, and therapy. This study investigated how the recovery process from COVID‐19 respiratory disease can be monitored using 12‐zone lung ultrasound.

Methods

This prospective observational cohort study was conducted in a busy urban emergency department in London, United Kingdom, over a 20‐week period between April and October 2020. We followed 24 patients recovering from COVID‐19 with varying disease severity using 12‐zone lung ultrasound at 2‐week intervals and monitored the changes in the prevalence of lung abnormalities previously described in COVID‐19 infection (irregular pleura, subpleural consolidation, B‐lines, and small localized effusions).

Results

Lung ultrasound showed that the lung recovers significantly over 20 weeks postdisease. Individual lung abnormalities also resolved at different rates. The entire rib space occupied by confluent B‐lines wane after the acute phase, whereas irregular pleura and subpleural consolidations resolved more gradually. Separate wide B‐lines moving with the pleura during respiration may represent more stable features, indicating residual fibrotic changes. Small, localized effusions appear transiently after the initial acute phase of the disease, peaking at approximately 10 weeks after infection. The measured lung abnormalities were strong predictors of perceived shortness of breath during ambulation.

Conclusion

Lung ultrasound can be a useful tool for long‐term monitoring of COVID‐19 lung disease, avoiding repeated exposure to ionizing radiation, and may distinguish between acute and past infections.
Artificial Intelligence‐Augmented Pediatric Lung POCUS: A Pilot Study of Novice Learners
Authors: Nti Benjamin , Lehmann Amalia S. , Haddad Aida , Kennedy Sarah K. , Russell Frances M.
Published: April 2022

Objective

Respiratory symptoms are among the most common chief complaints of pediatric patients in the emergency department (ED). Point‐of‐care ultrasound (POCUS) outperforms conventional chest X‐ray and is user‐dependent, which can be challenging to novice ultrasound (US) users. We introduce a novel concept using artificial intelligence (AI)‐enhanced pleural sweep to generate complete panoramic views of the lungs, and then assess its accuracy among novice learners (NLs) to identify pneumonia.

Methods

Previously healthy 0‐ to 17‐year‐old patients presenting to a pediatric ED with cardiopulmonary chief complaint were recruited. NLs received a 1‐hour training on traditional lung POCUS and the AI‐assisted software. Two POCUS‐trained experts interpreted the images, which served as the criterion standard. Both expert and learner groups were blinded to each other's interpretation, patient data, and outcomes. Kappa was used to determine agreement between POCUS expert interpretations.

Results

Seven NLs, with limited to no prior POCUS experience, completed examinations on 32 patients. The average patient age was 5.53 years (±1.07). The median scan time of 7 minutes (minimum–maximum 3–43; interquartile 8). Three (8.8%) patients were diagnosed with pneumonia by criterion standard. Sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for NLs AI‐augmented interpretation were 66.7% (confidence interval [CI] 9.4–99.1%), 96.5% (CI 82.2–99.9%), and 93.7% (CI 79.1–99.2%). The average image quality rating was 2.94 (±0.16) out of 5 across all lung fields. Interrater reliability between expert sonographers was high with a kappa coefficient of 0.8.

Conclusion

This study shows that AI‐augmented lung US for diagnosing pneumonia has the potential to increase accuracy and efficiency.
Viscoelasticity, Tensile Properties, and Microstructure Development in Cyclic Olefin Copolymer/Polyolefin Elastomer Blends
Authors: Pei Xiaoshan , Li Yanxiao , Zhao Shicheng , He Xuelian
Published: April 2022

The new ethylene/cyclic olefin copolymers (COCs) are a major breakthrough in traditional polyolefins made available by metallocenes, but its high brittleness restricts the applications. Ethylene/1‐octene copolymer (POE) with similar backbones is blended with COCs to compensate the rigidity of cyclic segments. Field emission scanning electron microscope photos and Raman spectra demonstrate the existence of abundant phase interfaces between POE and COC, and the phase structure changes from spherical droplets, of partial continuity to cocontinuity with rising POE components. The phase changes are considered as corresponding to the formation, expansion, and coalescence of droplets at melting state according to Van Gurp curves, Han plot, and Cole–Cole plot. Viscoelastic data show that the storage modulus, loss modulus, and complex viscosity reach a high value at medium POE contents. Furthermore, the tensile strength and fracture energy increases and then decreases, the elongation at break increases and Young's modulus reduces with the increment of POE percentage. Because of the large spherical and ellipsoidal structures and abundant interfaces, the synchronous reinforcement and toughness come true at a medium ratio of POEs. Dynamic mechanical analysis confirms the existence of the interfacial layer, and the interfacial layer becomes more pronounced with the rising POE contents exactly as the morphology and rheological findings.
Semi‐Crystalline Polypyrrole with Enhanced Electrochemical Properties Enabled by Air–Water Interface Confined Polymerization
Authors: Chen Zhuang , Tao Qianyi , Zhao Xijun , Tu Yingfeng , Yang Xiaoming
Published: April 2022

Polypyrrole (PPy) represents an intriguing class of materials for high‐performance pseudocapacitor electrode due to their fast and reversible Faradaic redox reaction. However, these pseudocapacitors suffer from several disadvantages such as low capacitance and charge/discharge cycling instability, which can be attributed to the poor charge‐transfer capability and stability of PPy. Previously, it is found that charge hopping is more efficient in the crystalline domain of PPy, and thus higher charge‐transfer capability can be achieved from PPy with higher crystallinity. However, the polymerization of pyrrole monomers usually forms randomly entangled chains, which results in PPy with a high fraction of amorphous domains. Therefore, synthesis of PPy with higher crystallinity remains challenging. Here, air–water interface‐confined polymerization (ICP) strategy is introduced to synthesize PPy with enhanced crystallinity. Three kinds of crystalline PPy with different dopants (chlorion ion, 4‐[[4‐(dimethylamino)phenyl]diazenyl]benzenesulfonate anion, and β‐naphthalene sulfonate anion) are synthesized via ICP. The PPy synthesized from ICP is demonstrated to have an improved electrochemical performance. This work will shed light on the synthesis methods and mechanisms to form PPy with improved crystallinity and electrochemical performances.
pH‐Sensitive Polymethacrylates as Potential Contrast Agents in 19F MRI
Authors: Zalewski Mariusz , Janasik Dawid , Kapała Anna , Minoshima Masafumi , Sugihara Fuminori , Raj Wojciech , Pietrasik Joanna , Kikuchi Kazuya , Krawczyk Tomasz
Published: April 2022

19F MRI is a promising method of diagnosis that can complement the commonly used 1H MRI with gadolinium contrast agents. Copolymers containing fluoroorganic groups demonstrate many advantages as potential 19F MRI contrast agents. In this work, a series of copolymers based on 2,2,2‐trifluoroethyl methacrylate (TFEMA), 1,1,1,3,3,3‐hexafluoroisopropyl methacrylate (HFiPMA), 2‐(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA), or 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) units are prepared using atom transfer radical polymerization. The highest S/N values in a 19F NMR spectra is achieved with a copolymer containing 15–25 wt% TFEMA or 18–22 wt% HFiPMA. Copolymers of HFiPMA show a strong effect of pH on T1 and T2 relaxation times while only T2 is significantly affected for the TFEMA copolymers. DFT calculations reveal that the phenomenon is most likely caused by the pH‐induced changes in the distance of fluoroorganic groups within a polymer chain.
Feeling judged? How the presence of outgroup members promotes healthier food choices
Authors: Touré‐Tillery Maferima , Steinmetz Janina , DiCosola Blake
Published: April 2022

The present article examines how the presence of others from a different social group (i.e., outgroup audience) influences consumers' food choices relative to the presence of others from their own social group (i.e., ingroup audience). In four studies, using various types of group memberships (race, university affiliation, and work affiliation), we first find that consumers are more likely to make healthy food choices in the presence of racial (Study 1) and university (Study 2) outgroup (vs. ingroup) audiences. Then, using an experimental causal‐chain mediation approach, we show this effect occurs because consumers anticipate more negative judgment from outgroup (vs. ingroup) audiences (Studies 3a and 3b). We discuss the possible role of outgroup contact and diversity in promoting healthy eating.
Helix‐Sense‐Selective Polymerization of Achiral Monomers for the Preparation of Chiral Helical Polyacetylenes Showing Intense CPL in Solid Film State
Authors: Yang Kai , Ma Shuo , Zhang Yingjie , Zhao Biao , Deng Jianping
Published: April 2022

Polymer‐based circularly polarized luminescent (CPL) materials have attracted ever‐increasing interest. However, to construct CPL materials from achiral monomers is still a big challenge. Here, a series of chiral helical substituted polyacetylenes are prepared by helix‐sense‐selective polymerization (HSSP) of achiral acetylenic monomers (achiral monomer + fluorescent monomer). HSSPs are accomplished in a bi‐solvent mixture consisting of chloroform and chiralα‐pinene (chiral component). Chirality transfers from the chiral component to the helical copolymers during polymerization, thereby endowing the copolymers with helical chirality. The resulting copolymers are then fabricated into blend films which exhibit intense optical activity and CPL. The monomer ratio and the physical state of the copolymers have significant impacts on their chiroptical and CPL properties. The maximum luminescence dissymmetry factor of the blend films can be up to 1.3 × 10−2. The universality of the established strategy for exploring polymer‐based CPL materials is demonstrated by using different achiral fluorescent monomers. The present work opens a novel alternative for developing CPL‐active polymeric materials starting from achiral monomers.