bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Extended postpartum intimate partner violence and its associated factors: community-based cross-sectional study design
Authors: Wedajo Lema Fikadu , Mamo Abera Mersha , Alemu Solomon Seyife , Mesfin Bezawit Afework
Published: September 2023

Background

Intimate partner violence is a global problem that threatens mothers. It has multidimensional consequences but has not gained attention from scholars after childbirth.

Objective

To assess the prevalence of extended postpartum intimate partner violence and its associated factors.

Method

A community-based cross-sectional study design was employed among 570 postpartum mothers in Arba Minch Town, Southern Ethiopia, from May 21st to June 21st, 2022. A pretested, face-to-face interviewer-administered structured questionnaire was used. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used. The level of statistical significance was declared at P < 0.05 with a 95% CI.

Results

Overall, the prevalence of extended postpartum intimate partner violence was 45% (95% CI: 40.89, 49.20). Participants whose husband has no formal education (AOR = 3.62; 95%CI: 1.32, 9.90) and only secondary education (AOR = 2.96; 95%CI: 1.56, 5.48), husband alcohol consumption (AOR = 1.73; 95%CI: 1.06, 2.80), husband dominance in decision-making (AOR = 1.94; 95%CI: 1.13, 3.33), husband disappointment in the gender of the baby (AOR = 2.13; 95%CI: 1.28, 3.56), previous history of intimate partner violence (AOR = 5.71; 95%CI: 3.59, 9.07), and low social support (AOR = 4.37; 95%CI: 2.53, 7.55) were significantly associated factors.

Conclusions and recommendations

The prevalence of extended postpartum intimate partner violence was found to be high. Thus, increasing awareness of husbands with no formal education and having lower academic achievement, incorporating maternal social support assessment into maternity and child health care; teaching on alcohol reduction behavior and gender roles; and screening of mothers during the prenatal period should be given.
Biostimulation effect of platelet-rich fibrin augmented with decellularized bovine pericardium on full-thickness cutaneous wound healing in Donkeys (Equus asinus)
Authors: Albahrawy Mohammed , Abouelnasr Khaled , Mosbah Esam , Zaghloul Adel , Abass Marwa
Published: September 2023

Aim

The current research aimed to evaluate the potential effect of adding platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) to the decellularized bovine pericardium (DBP) on the distal limb of donkeys’ full-thickness cutaneous wounds healing (Equus asinus).

Materials and Methods

Healthy male donkeys (n = 12) were used in this study. Under general anesthesia, 6 cm2 full-thickness incisions were made on the middle dorsolateral surface of both forelimbs’ metacarpi. The left forelimbs were control wounds, while the right wounds were treated with PRF/DBP. Control wounds were bandaged with a standard dressing after saline irrigation and were evaluated at days 4, 7, 10, 13, 16, 19, 22, 25, and 28 post-wounding. PRF/DBP-treated wounds were dressed with a combination of PRF/DBP at the first, second, and third weeks post-wounding. Clinical and histopathological examinations of the wounds were performed to assess the healing process. Additionally, the immunohistochemical evaluation and gene expression profiles of myofibroblastic and angiogenic genes (transforming growth factor-β1, vascular endothelial growth factor-A, fibroblast growth factor 7 (FGF-7), and collagen type 3α1) were analyzed.

Results

PRF/DBP wounds had a significantly faster healing process (61.3 ± 2.6 days) than control wounds (90.3 ± 1.4 days) (p < 0.05). The immunohistochemical examination and gene expression profile revealed significant enrichment in PRF/DBP wounds compared to control wounds.

Conclusion

PRF/DBP dressing can be considered a natural and cost-effective biomaterial for enhancing the recovery of donkeys’ distal limb injuries.
Prospective associations of neighborhood healthy food access and walkability with weight status in a regional pediatric health system
Authors: Jiang Qianxia , Forseth Bethany , Fitzpatrick Lauren , Laroche Helena H. , Hampl Sarah , Davis Ann M. , Steel Chelsea , Carlson Jordan
Published: September 2023

Background

Most neighborhood food and activity related environment research in children has been cross-sectional. A better understanding of prospective associations between these neighborhood environment factors and children’s weight status can provide stronger evidence for informing interventions and policy. This study examined associations of baseline and changes in neighborhood healthy food access and walkability with changes in children’s weight status over 5 years.

Methods

Height, weight, and home address were obtained for 4,493 children (> 75% were Black or Latinx) from primary care visits within a large pediatric health system. Eligible participants were those who had measures collected during two time periods (2012–2014 [Time 1] and 2017–2019 [Time 2]). Data were integrated with census tract-level healthy food access and walkability data. Children who moved residences between the time periods were considered ‘movers’ (N = 1052; 23.4%). Mixed-effects models, accounting for nesting of children within census tracts, were conducted to model associations of baseline and changes in the neighborhood environment variables with Time 2 weight status (BMIz and overweight or obese vs. healthy weight). Models adjusted for weight status and child and neighborhood sociodemographics at baseline.

Results

Children living in a neighborhood with [ample] healthy food access at Time 1 had a lower BMIz at Time 2, regardless of mover status. A decrease in healthy food access was not significantly associated with children’s weight status at Time 2. Baseline walkability and improvements in walkability were associated with a lower BMIz at Time 2, regardless of mover status.

Conclusions

Findings provide evidence that residing in a neighborhood with healthy food access and walkability may support a healthy weight trajectory in children. Findings on changes in the neighborhood environment suggested that improved walkability in the neighborhood may support children’s healthy weight. The greater and more consistent findings among movers may be due to movers experiencing greater changes in neighborhood features than the changes that typically occur within a neighborhood over a short period of time. Future research is needed to investigate more robust environmental changes to neighborhoods.
A guide to evaluating systematic reviews for the busy clinicians or reluctant readers
Authors: Innes Stanley , Leboeuf-Yde Charlotte
Published: September 2023

Systematic reviews (SRs) provide a solution to handle information overload for busy clinicians by summarising and synthesizing studies on a specific issue. However, because SRs are complicated and often boring to read, the busy or reluctant reader may make do with the abstract. When, as it has been shown, many authors overstate efficacy or understate harm in their abstracts, not consulting the underlying article could be misleading. This means that the prudent reader must have the ability to identify the ‘tender points’ of SRs to avoid falling for ‘spin’. To this end we briefly review the method of SRs and ways to relatively quickly determine trustworthiness.
Spinal cord perfusion pressure correlates with breathing function in patients with acute, cervical traumatic spinal cord injuries: an observational study
Authors: Visagan Ravindran , Boseta Ellaine , Zoumprouli Argyro , Papadopoulos Marios C. , Saadoun Samira
Published: September 2023

Objective

This study aims to determine the relationship between spinal cord perfusion pressure (SCPP) and breathing function in patients with acute cervical traumatic spinal cord injuries.

Methods

We included 8 participants without cervical TSCI plus 13 patients with cervical traumatic spinal cord injuries, American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale grades A–C. In the TSCI patients, we monitored intraspinal pressure from the injury site for up to a week and computed the SCPP as mean arterial pressure minus intraspinal pressure. Breathing function was quantified by diaphragmatic electromyography using an EDI (electrical activity of the diaphragm) nasogastric tube as well as by ultrasound of the diaphragm and the intercostal muscles performed when sitting at 20°–30°.

Results

We analysed 106 ultrasound examinations (total 1370 images/videos) and 198 EDI recordings in the patients with cervical traumatic spinal cord injuries. During quiet breathing, low SCPP (< 60 mmHg) was associated with reduced EDI-peak (measure of inspiratory effort) and EDI-min (measure of the tonic activity of the diaphragm), which increased and then plateaued at SCPP 60–100 mmHg. During quiet and deep breathing, the diaphragmatic thickening fraction (force of diaphragmatic contraction) plotted versus SCPP had an inverted-U relationship, with a peak at SCPP 80–90 mmHg. Diaphragmatic excursion (up and down movement of the diaphragm) during quiet breathing did not correlate with SCPP, but diaphragmatic excursion during deep breathing plotted versus SCPP had an inverse-U relationship with a peak at SCPP 80–90 mmHg. The thickening fraction of the intercostal muscles plotted versus SCPP also had inverted-U relationship, with normal intercostal function at SCPP 80–100 mmHg, but failure of the upper and middle intercostals to contract during inspiration (i.e. abdominal breathing) at SCPP < 80 or > 100 mmHg.

Conclusions

After acute, cervical traumatic spinal cord injuries, breathing function depends on the SCPP. SCPP 80–90 mmHg correlates with optimum diaphragmatic and intercostal muscle function. Our findings raise the possibility that intervention to maintain SCPP in this range may accelerate ventilator liberation which may reduce stay in the neuro-intensive care unit.
Central retinal vein and artery occlusion associated with sildenafil: a case report and review of the literature
Authors: Torkashvand Ali , Anvari Pasha , Ketabi Siavash , Asadi Khameneh Esmaeil
Published: September 2023

Background

Sildenafil is a selective phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor used for the treatment of erectile dysfunction and pulmonary hypertension. It is available over the counter in many countries. While there have been a few reports of retinal vascular occlusion following sildenafil consumption, most cases have other comorbidities as risk factors for the disease, and the exact causal role of this drug in these conditions remains unclear.

Case presentation

We present the case of a healthy 32-year-old Iranian man who developed combined central retinal vein occlusion and retinal artery occlusion following sildenafil exposure. The patient underwent a hypercoagulative state workup for possible underlying risk factors. Additionally, we conducted a literature search on PubMed using the keywords: retinal vein occlusion AND Sildenafil OR Viagra, retinal artery occlusion AND Sildenafil OR Viagra, retinal vascular occlusion AND Sildenafil OR Viagra. To obtain more objective results in the reviews, we employed an adverse drug reaction possibility algorithm. The patient was found to be otherwise healthy, and ancillary tests were unremarkable. A literature review identified seven reports of retinal vascular occlusion following sildenafil use. In most of these cases, the role of sildenafil was not clearly established. To the best of our knowledge, our case achieved the highest score based on the algorithm compared with previous reports.

Conclusion

Sildenafil may be associated with severe retinal vascular accidents in otherwise healthy young individuals.
Threshold for defining PSMA-positivity prior to 177Lu-PSMA therapy: a comparison of [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 and [18F]F-DCFPyL in metastatic prostate cancer
Authors: Heilinger Jan , Weindler Jasmin , Roth Katrin Sabine , Krapf Philipp , Schomäcker Klaus , Dietlein Markus , Drzezga Alexander , Kobe Carsten
Published: September 2023

Background

In 2022, the American Food and Drug Administration and the European Medicines Agency approved [177Lu]Lu-PSMA-617 (PLUVICTO™, Novartis AG, Basel, Switzerland) for radionuclide therapy with prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) ligands in metastatic prostate cancer. Theranostics require appropriate patients to be identified by positron emission tomography (PET) prior to radionuclide therapy, usually employing [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11. Alternatively, several 18F-labelled PSMA-PET tracers are available and may increasingly replace 68Ga-labelled compounds, with respect to their image quality, availability and other practical advantages. However, alternative tracers may differ in uptake behaviour, and their comparability with regard to patient selection for [177Lu]Lu-PSMA therapy has not yet been established. Here, we analysed whether tumour-to-background ratios determined by PET using the 18F-labelled PSMA-specific radiopharmaceutical [18F]F-DCFPyL were comparable to those determined by PET using [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11.

Results

No differences could be observed between [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11-PET and [18F]F-DCFPyL-PET regarding tumour-to-liver ratios or tumour-to-mediastinum ratios (e. g. tumour-to-liver ratios using maximum SUV of the tumour lesion for ultra-high definition reconstructed PET images with a median of 2.5 (0.6–9.0) on [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11-PET vs. 2,0 (0.6–11.4) on [18F]F-DCFPyL-PET). However, significant differences were observed in terms of contrast-to-noise ratios, thereby demonstrating the better image quality obtained with [18F]F-DCFPyL-PET.

Conclusions

Our data showed that [18F]F-DCFPyl-PET and [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11-PET provide comparable tumour-to-liver and tumour-to-mediastinum ratios. Therefore, a tumour uptake of [18F]F-DCFPyL above the liver background, like using [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11, can be considered as equally suitable for defining PSMA-positivity by a semiquantitative assessment based on the liver background, e. g. prior to radioligand therapy with 177Lu-labelled PSMA ligands. In addition, our data suggest a tending advantage of [18F]F-DCFPyL in terms of lesion detectability.
Participatory rangeland management: A vehicle for pastoralist women’s empowerment in Ethiopia
Authors: Flintan Fiona , Eba Bedasa
Published: September 2023

Pastoralist tenure systems are highly complex. Where customary institutions are functioning well, pastoralist women access and use resources as a member of a pastoralist group. Although policy and legislation call for more equity across societies, providing individual titles to women is not necessarily the answer. Strengthening women’s rights within the collective society while also supporting women’s capacities and abilities to participate meaningfully in decision-making processes and hold leadership positions will support more sustainable gender equality outcomes. Participatory rangeland management (PRM) is an approach developed in Ethiopia in 2010 that was then piloted by non-governmental organisations in several parts of the country in a bid to improve the security of tenure and good governance of rangelands, more inclusive participation of pastoralists in decisions pertaining to their lands and improve rangeland productivity. While not an explicit aim, it also sought women’s empowerment as part of the participatory process. A review of PRM implementation in Oromia and Afar regions, Ethiopia, showed that in the majority of cases, women participated equally with men in the PRM process. Women’s and men’s opinions on the involvement and satisfaction of PRM implementation activities were compared favourably. Overall, community members believed that PRM has improved women’s roles in rangeland management leadership and decision-making processes and their access to rangeland resources, thereby encouraging a transformative process of improving gender equality and women’s empowerment in pastoralist societies. This article considers the implications of these results for pastoral women and to what degree they have contributed to their empowerment. A conceptualised women’s empowerment framework is used for the analysis.
Dietary fatty acid patterns and risk of metabolic syndrome: Tehran lipid and glucose study
Authors: Mirmiran Parvin , Gaeini Zahra , Feizy Zahra , Azizi Fereidoun
Published: September 2023

Background

The association between individual dietary fatty acids (FAs) and risk of metabolic syndrome (MetS) has been investigated in previous studies. However, synergistic or additive effects of multiple FA have received less attention. Hence, we aimed to determine the major dietary FA patterns and evaluate the association between FA patterns and risk of MetS.

Methods

Dietary intakes of 1713 MetS-free adults who participated in the third phase of the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study (TLGS) were assessed using a validated 168-items food frequency questionnaire. FA patterns were obtained by principal component analysis (PCA). Adjusted Hazard Ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated for the association of MetS incident with the extracted FA patterns.

Results

Four major FA patterns were identified through PCA of the 24 FAs consumed: “short- and medium-chain saturated fatty acid (SFA) pattern”, “long-chain FA pattern”, “omega-3 PUFA pattern”, and “long-chain SFA pattern”. There was no significant association between dietary FA patterns and risk of MetS incidence.

Conclusions

We found no significant association between FA patterns and risk of MetS. More prospective cohort studies and clinical trials are needed to clarify the issue.
Pathological insights from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis animal models: comparisons, limitations, and challenges
Authors: Zhu Longhong , Li Shihua , Li Xiao-Jiang , Yin Peng
Published: September 2023

In order to dissect amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a multigenic, multifactorial, and progressive neurodegenerative disease with heterogeneous clinical presentations, researchers have generated numerous animal models to mimic the genetic defects. Concurrent and comparative analysis of these various models allows identification of the causes and mechanisms of ALS in order to finally obtain effective therapeutics. However, most genetically modified rodent models lack overt pathological features, imposing challenges and limitations in utilizing them to rigorously test the potential mechanisms. Recent studies using large animals, including pigs and non-human primates, have uncovered important events that resemble neurodegeneration in patients’ brains but could not be produced in small animals. Here we describe common features as well as discrepancies among these models, highlighting new insights from these models. Furthermore, we will discuss how to make rodent models more capable of recapitulating important pathological features based on the important pathogenic insights from large animal models.
The effects of resuscitation with different plasma products on endothelial permeability and organ injury in a rat pneumosepsis model
Authors: van den Brink Daan P. , Kleinveld Derek J. B. , Bongers Annabel , Vos Jaël , Roelofs Joris J. T. H. , Weber Nina C. , van Buul Jaap D. , Juffermans Nicole P.
Published: September 2023

Background

Endothelial injury and permeability are a hallmark of sepsis. Initial resuscitation of septic patients with crystalloids is associated with aggravation of endothelial permeability, which may be related either to low protein content or to volume. We investigated whether initial resuscitation with different types of plasma or albumin decreases endothelial dysfunction and organ injury in a pneumosepsis rat model compared to the same volume of crystalloids.

Study design and methods

Sprague–Dawley rats were intratracheally inoculated with Streptococcus pneumoniae. Twenty-four hours after inoculation, animals were randomized to 2 control groups and 5 intervention groups (n = 11 per group) to receive resuscitation with a fixed volume (8 mL/kg for 1 h) of either Ringer’s Lactate, 5% human albumin, fresh frozen plasma derived from syngeneic donor rats (rFFP), human-derived plasma (hFFP) or human-derived solvent detergent plasma (SDP). Controls were non-resuscitated (n = 11) and healthy animals. Animals were sacrificed 5 h after start of resuscitation (T = 5). Pulmonary FITC-dextran leakage as a reflection of endothelial permeability was used as the primary outcome.

Results

Inoculation with S. Pneumoniae resulted in sepsis, increased median lactate levels (1.6–2.8 mM, p < 0.01), pulmonary FITC-dextran leakage (52–134 µg mL−1, p < 0.05) and lung injury scores (0.7–6.9, p < 0.001) compared to healthy controls. Compared to animals receiving no resuscitation, animals resuscitated with rFFP had reduced pulmonary FITC leakage (134 vs 58 µg/mL, p = 0.011). However, there were no differences in any other markers of organ or endothelial injury. Resuscitation using different human plasma products or 5% albumin showed no differences in any outcome.

Conclusions

Resuscitation with plasma did not reduce endothelial and organ injury when compared to an equal resuscitation volume of crystalloids. Rat-derived FFP may decrease pulmonary leakage induced by shock.
Carbon source priority and availability limit bidirectional electron transfer in freshwater mixed culture electrochemically active bacterial biofilms
Authors: Michalska Karina , Brown Robert Keith , Schröder Uwe
Published: September 2023

This study investigated, if a mixed electroactive bacterial (EAB) culture cultivated heterotrophically at a positive applied potential could be adapted from oxidative to reductive or bidirectional extracellular electron transfer (EET). To this end, a periodic potential reversal regime between − 0.5 and 0.2 V vs. Ag/AgCl was applied. This yielded biofilm detachment and mediated electroautotrophic EET in combination with carbonate, i.e., dissolved CO2, as the sole carbon source, whereby the emerged mixed culture (S1) contained previously unknown EAB. Using acetate (S2) as well as a mixture of acetate and carbonate (S3) as the main carbon sources yielded primarily alternating electrogenic organoheterotropic metabolism with the higher maximum oxidation current densities recorded for mixed carbon media, exceeding on average 1 mA cm−2. More frequent periodic polarization reversal resulted in the increase of maximum oxidative current densities by about 50% for S2-BES and 80% for S3-BES, in comparison to half-batch polarization. The EAB mixed cultures developed accordingly, with S1 represented by mostly aerobes (84.8%) and being very different in composition to S2 and S3, dominated by anaerobes (96.9 and 96.5%, respectively). S2 and S3 biofilms remained attached to the electrodes. There was only minor evidence of fully reversible bidirectional EET. In conclusion the three triplicates fed with organic and/or inorganic carbon sources demonstrated two forms of diauxie: Firstly, S1-BES showed a preference for the electrode as the electron donor via mediated EET. Secondly, S2-BES and S3-BES showed a preference for acetate as electron donor and c-source, as long as this was available, switching to CO2 reduction, when acetate was depleted.

Graphical Abstract
Fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma: a case report and gene analysis
Authors: Watanabe Akira , Harimoto Norifumi , Saito Hideyuki , Kawabata-Iwakawa Reika , Seki Takaomi , Muranushi Ryo , Hoshino Kouki , Hagiwara Kei , Ishii Norihiro , Tsukagoshi Mariko , Igarashi Takamichi , Araki Kenichiro , Ikota Hayato , Ishige Takashi , Mimori Koshi , Shirabe Ken
Published: September 2023

Background

Fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) (FL-HCC) is rare in Japan. FL-HCC develops in young patients with no history of cirrhosis and tends to manifest lymphatic metastasis with clinical features similar to those of HCC. We present a case of FL-HCC in a young male patient.

Case presentation

A 14-year-old male patient underwent abdominal computed tomography (CT) to diagnose appendicitis, wherein a hepatic tumor was detected. Dynamic enhanced CT revealed a 35-mm solid tumor, which contrasted at the early phase of dynamic enhanced study of the right hepatic segments, with occlusion of the right portal vein. We performed right hepatectomy for these lesions. The patient experienced a single lymphatic recurrence on the hepatoduodenal ligament 12 months after the initial surgery. We performed lymphadenectomy for the recurrent tumor. We performed RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) and targeted DNA sequencing of the resected specimens (primary tumor, lymphatic metastasis, and normal liver). RNA-seq detected DNAJB1-PRKACA in both primary and metastatic lesions as previously reported. Furthermore, The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database was used to compare other gene expressions in this case with those of previously reported cases of FL-HCC and HCC in young patients. Principal component analysis of differentially expressed genes in the top 10% revealed that the gene expression in our case was similar to that of previous FL-HCC cases but was a different cluster from that in HCC cases in young patients. Mutational analysis did not detect any somatic mutations associated with carcinogenesis, including previously reported mutations (Kastenhuber et al. in Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 114: 13076–84, 2017).

Conclusion

We encountered a case of FL-HCC, a rare hepatic tumor in an adolescent patient, and evaluated the genetic background. Our findings could contribute to the elucidation of the mechanisms underlying carcinogenesis and progression in patients with FL-HCC and thereby contribute to the development of new therapeutic strategies in the future that may improve patient prognosis.
Complete heart block is a significant predictor of mortality in immune checkpoint inhibitor myocarditis
Authors: O’Shea Michael P. , Karikalan Suganya Arunachalam , Yusuf Ali , Barry Timothy , Habib Eiad , O’Shea John , Killian Michael , Baqal Eman , Nayak Srishti , Masson Rajeev , Hermann Joerg , Shah Shimoli , Ayoub Chadi , Masry Hicham El
Published: September 2023

Background

Immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) myocarditis is associated with significant mortality risk. Electrocardiogram (ECG) changes in ICI myocarditis have strong prognostic value. However the impact of complete heart block (CHB) is not well defined. This study sought to evaluate the impact of CHB on mortality in ICI myocarditis, and to identify clinical predictors of mortality and CHB incidence.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients with ICI myocarditis at three Mayo Clinic sites from 1st January 2010 to 31st September 2022 to evaluate mortality rates at 180 days. Clinical, laboratory, ECG, echocardiographic, and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) characteristics were assessed. Cox and logistic regression were performed for associations with mortality and CHB respectively.

Results

Of 34 identified cases of ICI myocarditis, 7 (20.6%) had CHB. CHB was associated with higher mortality (HR 7.41, p = 0.03, attributable fraction 86.5%). Among those with CHB, troponin T (TnT) < 1000 ng/dL, low white blood cell count and high ventricular rate at admission were protective. There was trend towards increased survival among patients who underwent permanent pacemaker insertion (p = 0.051), although most experienced device lead complications. Factors associated with development of CHB included prolonged PR and QRS intervals and low Sokolow Lyon Index. Where these were normal and TnT was < 1000 ng/dL, no deaths occurred. Impaired myocardial longitudinal strain was sensitive for ICI myocarditis but was not prognostically significant.

Conclusion

There is a strong temporal association between CHB and early mortality in people with ICI myocarditis. Focusing on arrhythmogenic complications can be helpful in predicting outcomes for this group of critically ill individuals.
Head lice as vectors of pathogenic microorganisms
Authors: Feldmeier Hermann
Published: September 2023

Body lice and head lice are the most common ectoparasites of humans. Head lice (Pediculus humanus capitis) occur worldwide in children and their caretakers, irrespective of their social status. In contrast, body lice (Pediculus humanus corporis) are confined to marginalized population groups in countries of the Global South, homeless people, and refugees. Body lice are known to transmit an array of bacterial pathogens, such as R. prowazekii, R. rickettsii, C. burneti, B. quintana, B. recurrentis, and Y. pestis. The vector capacity of head lice is still a matter of debate. The objective of the review was to scrutinize the existing evidence on the vector capacity of head lice for the transmission of bacterial pathogens. The PUBMED database was searched using a combination of the terms “pediculus humanus” OR “body lice” OR “head lice” AND “pathogen” OR “Rickettsia prowazekii” OR “Bartonella quintana” OR “Borrelia recurrentis” OR “Coxiella burneti” without a time limit. Data from epidemiological studies as well as historical observations demonstrate that body lice and head lice can carry the same array of pathogens. Since the presence of a bacterial pathogen in an arthropod is not sufficient to state that it can be transmitted to humans, and since experimental models are lacking, as yet one cannot conclude with certainty that head lice serve as vectors, although this review presents circumstantial evidence that they do. Adequately designed experimental and epidemiological studies are needed to ascertain the exact transmission potential of head lice.
Effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a multimodal, physiotherapist-led, vocational intervention in people with inflammatory arthritis: study protocol of the Physiotherapy WORKs trial
Authors: Bakker N. F. , van Weely S. F. E. , Hutting N. , Heerkens Y. F. , Engels J. A. , Staal J. B. , van der Leeden M. , Boonen A. , van den Hout W. B. , Vliet Vlieland T. P. M. , Knoop J.
Published: September 2023

Background

Although reduced work ability is a substantial problem among people with inflammatory arthritis (IA), work ability is an underexposed area in clinical practice. Evidence on vocational interventions in IA is limited, but favourable results of delivery by a physiotherapist (PT) warrant the need for further research. Therefore, we aim to evaluate the (cost-)effectiveness of a multimodal, PT-led, vocational intervention in (self-)employed people with IA compared to usual care.

Methods

This randomized controlled trial will include 140 people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) who are (self-)employed and have reduced work ability (Work Ability Index – Single Item Scale (WAS) ≤ 7/10) and/or RA/axSpA related sick leave (≤ 6 months). Participants will be randomized 1:1 to the intervention or control condition (usual care). The intervention, delivered by primary care PTs, will be personalized to each patient, consisting of 10 to 21 sessions over 12 months. The intervention will be multimodal, comprising of 1) exercise therapy and a physical activity plan, 2) education/self-management support, 3) work-roadmap to guide participants in finding relevant other care, with optionally 4) online self-management course and 5) workplace examination. Assessments will be performed at baseline and after 3, 6, and 12 months. The primary outcome measure of effectiveness is work ability, as measured with the WAS at 12 months. For the cost-effectiveness analysis, the EuroQol (EQ-5D-5L), self-reported healthcare use, sick leave and productivity while at work will be used to estimate the trial based cost-utility from a societal perspective. A process evaluation, including assessments of adherence and treatment fidelity, will be undertaken using the registrations of the PTs and semi-structured interviews at 12 months follow-up in a random sample of the intervention group.

Discussion

The results of this study will provide insights in the (cost-)effectiveness of a multimodal, PT-led, vocational intervention in people with IA and a reduced work ability.

Trial registration

This study is registered in the International Clinical Trial Registry Platform (ICTRP) under number NL9343.
Achievement of pathological complete response with osimertinib for EGFR-mutated lung adenocarcinoma
Authors: Fujita Yasuhiro , Take Nobuyuki , Shinohara Shinji , Mori Masataka , Kanayama Masatoshi , Takenaka Masaru , Kuroda Koji , Shimajiri Shohei , Tanaka Fumihiro
Published: September 2023

Background

Tyrosine-kinase inhibitors (TKIs) of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) usually provide a potent anti-tumor efficacy with robust radiographic response for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) harboring activating mutations in the EGFR gene. However, first-generation EGFR-TKIs may provide only modest pathological response in the majority of EGFR-mutated NSCLC. Here, we present a case of EGFR-mutated adenocarcinoma in which a pathological complete response was revealed in histological specimens obtained during conversion surgery following systemic treatment using a third-generation EGFR-TKI.

Case presentation

A 61-year-old Japanese man was admitted to our hospital for salvage surgery. Four months prior to the admission, he had been diagnosed with unresectable adenocarcinoma (clinical stage IIIA/T4N1MO) originating from the right lower lobe. Chest computed tomography had revealed a 3.4-cm tumor and enlarged hilar nodes that invaded into the left atrium through the lower pulmonary vein. An activating EGFR-mutation (L858R) had been detected in the tumor specimen. Osimertinib monotherapy had provided a dramatic radiographic response. The patient was diagnosed with potentially resectable disease after 4 months’ osimertinib treatment and was referred to our hospital. Complete resection with right lower lobectomy and combined resection of the left atrium was achieved. Pathological examination showed no viable tumor cells in the resected specimens. Postoperative course was uneventful. The patient is alive without tumor recurrence at 2 years after surgery.

Conclusions

Pathological complete response was achieved with systemic treatment with osimertinib prior to surgery. Conversion surgery after osimertinib treatment may be safe and effective for NSCLC harboring activating EGFR-mutations.
Clinical judgement of general practitioners: an effective tool in the diagnosis of dementia?
Authors: Rajgopal Aditi , Singh Gracy
Published: September 2023

The diagnosis of dementia poses several challenges, as a consequence of which the condition has been widely reported to be underdiagnosed in the general population. Currently, there is no single diagnostic test for dementia and the clinical judgement of primary care physicians is therefore a key determinant in identifying which patients are referred to specialist services for further assessment. This month's Cochrane Corner review found that the clinical judgement of general practitioners is more specific (58–99%) than sensitive (34–91%) in diagnosing dementia, although the data were limited by small sample size and significant heterogeneity. This commentary provides a critical appraisal of this systematic review and attempts to extrapolate conclusions relevant to current clinical practice, including potential areas of further research, to facilitate appropriate and timely referral of patients with suspected dementia to specialist services.
Sexuality and Demographic Change: Documenting Family Formation Trajectories and Cohort Change in the LGB Population
Authors: Ophir Ariane , Boertien Diederik , Vidal Sergi
Published: September 2023

Narratives of demographic shifts overlook how societal changes shape the family trajectories of sexual minorities. Using sequence analysis, we describe how partnering and parenthood evolve over the life course of lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) women and men in the United Kingdom (N = 455) and how the types of these family trajectories changed across two birth cohorts (born before 1965 and in 1965–1979). We find five distinct trajectories between ages 18 and 40, wherein two thirds of the sample belonged to a family trajectory that did not involve living with children. Partnership-centered trajectories became more common across cohorts, and this increase came at the expense of trajectories characterized by singlehood among gay men and lesbian women. However, parenthood trajectories became less common among all LGB groups. Furthermore, family trajectories became more complex across cohorts, including more transitions, which coincides with trends in the general population. Yet we also find that family trajectories became less diverse among lesbian women and bisexual men, in contrast to the trend among gay men and the general population. The results demonstrate the dynamic, complex, and diverse nature of LGB individuals' family lives and why existing narratives of family-related demographic change should explicitly consider sexual minorities in demographic narratives.
The Author's Three Bodies: Codicological Intentionalism and the Medieval Text
Authors: Sobecki Sebastian
Published: September 2023

This article takes issue with medievalists’ curated textual practices that coalesce on codicological intentionalism, that is, the implied position of (re)constructing authorial intention through the study of manuscripts and handwriting. Rather than criticize this practice, the article challenges medievalists to come clean about what they are doing, to acknowledge their methodological vantage point and, thus, to admit to investments in the project of intentionalism. Authorial intention is discussed as a function of the text/context debate; the tripartite division of authorship is analyzed in premodern settings; how codicological intentionalism operates is explained; and, finally, this phenomenon is shown to have parallels in a cognate discourse that has been ignored by literary medievalists, namely, the study of the Synoptic Gospels. Codicological intentionalism balances materialist with historicist certainties and probabilities; it offers a viable methodology for reconciling textual with authorial objectives.
Contesting Chinese Contract Labor: Yung Wing's Reports and the Qing Mission to Peru
Authors: Tinsman Heidi
Published: September 2023

In 1874, government officials in Qing China sent a Yale-educated special envoy named Yung Wing to Peru to survey the conditions of Chinese contract workers on plantations. A parallel mission to the better-known Qing survey of Chinese in Cuba, Yung Wing's trip to Peru has received almost no scholarly attention. Drawing on new archival evidence, this essay provides a historical analysis of the Qing mission to Peru and its official findings, as rendered in the original, 1874 English-language translation, “Yung Wing's Reports.” I argue that Yung Wing elaborated a multivocal, cross-cultural, and transimperial condemnation of Chinese indenture in Peru. Yung Wing served as a crucial broker across political and cultural systems. He strategically mobilized testimonies from American, Chilean, and Chinese informants and deployed abolitionist discourse to equate Chinese contract labor with African slavery. Denouncing Western failures to guarantee liberal principles for Chinese people, he pressured Qing authorities to protect Chinese subjects by opening formal legations in Latin America. Chinese workers in Peru had a different perspective, and their testimonies often diverged from Yung Wing's core argument. Chinese informants never equated contract labor with chattel slavery. Instead, they denounced employer failure to fulfill existing contract terms. Moreover, they provided evidence of successful collective efforts and alliances between Chinese and non-Chinese people that pressured Peruvian authorities to defend Chinese workers. Taken as a whole, “Yung Wing Reports” both elaborates a powerful Chinese denunciation of contract labor and demonstrates Chinese ability to negotiate its terms.
Thromboembolic Events With the Woven Endobridge Device: Incidence, Predictive Factors, and Management
Authors: Rodriguez-Erazú Fernanda , Cortese Jonathan , Mihalea Cristian , Popica Adrian , Chalumeau Vanessa , Vasconcellos Natalia , Gallas Sophie , Ikka Leon , Grimaldi Lamiae , Caroff Jildaz , Spelle Laurent
Published: September 2023

BACKGROUND and OBJECTIVES:

The Woven EndoBridge (WEB) device has been increasingly used to treat wide-neck aneurysms showing a safe and effective profile, but a relatively high number of thromboembolic events (TEEs) have been reported with such treatment. We aimed to evaluate the incidence and management of TEEs and possible predictive factors related to WEB embolization of ruptured and unruptured intracranial aneurysms.

METHODS:

A single-center database with consecutive aneurysms treated with a WEB device between July 2012 and May 2022 was reviewed for intraoperative and delayed TEEs. Univariate and multivariable analyses were used to determine factors associated with TEEs.

RESULTS:

A total of 266 independent aneurysms were treated with WEB devices in 245 patients (mean age 55.78 ± 11.64 years, 169 (63.5%) females, 80 (30%) ruptured). The overall rate of TEEs is 13% (35/266), including 8.7% intraoperative. Symptomatic TEEs with clinical sequelae at a 3-month follow-up are reported to be 2.6% (7/266) with no TEE-related mortality. Both the replacement of a WEB device during the procedure (adjusted odds ratio = 2.61, 95% CI 1.24-5.49; P = .01) and ruptured aneurysms (adjusted odds ratio = 2.74, 95% CI 1.31-5.7; P = .007) were independent predictors of TEEs. A case-by-case management of intraprocedural TEE is also presented; tirofiban was successfully used in most cases of this cohort.

CONCLUSION:

In this study, we demonstrated that ruptured aneurysms and WEB device replacement during the procedure were independent predictive factors for TEEs. As a result, making the correct choice of WEB is crucial for improving treatment outcomes. Moreover, with proper medical management of TEEs, minimal morbidity and no mortality could be achieved, which reinforces the safety of the technique.
Μετοικεσίες Ηπειρωτών στην περιοχή της Θράκης κατά τη νεότερη και σύγχρονη περίοδο
Authors: Ευσταθίου Σπυρίδων
Published: September 2023

Είναι ιστορικά επιβεβαιωμένο ότι με την έλευση των Οθωμανών στην Ευρωπαϊκή Ήπειρο και την χρήση της Αδριανούπολης ως πρώτης πρωτεύουσάς τους στον ευρωπαϊκό χώρο, σημειώνονται οι πρώτες μετοικεσίες Hπειρωτών στην περιοχή της ιστορικής Θράκης. Μετοικεσίες που οφείλονταν κυρίως στα εποικιστικά προγράμματα των Σουλεϊμαν Α΄ (1520 – 1566) και Σελίμ Β΄ (1566 – 1574), στις διώξεις που επακολούθησαν τον θάνατο του Ιωάννη Καστριώτη στο βόρειο μέρος της Ηπείρου, στις κατά καιρούς αποτυχημένες επαναστάσεις, (¨Μητροπολίτη Τρίκκης Διονυσίου του Φιλοσόφου¨ το 1600-1611 με την αφαίρεση πολλών προνομίων, ¨Ορλωφικά¨ με την καταστροφή της Μοσχόπολης το 1769, τους επικούς αγώνες των Σουλιωτών εναντίον του περίφημου Αλή Πασά οι οποίοι οδήγησαν σε νέες διώξεις, ερημώσεις ολόκληρων περιοχών και μεταναστεύσεις, κ.α). Αλλά και μετοικεσίες που οφείλονταν σε εμπορικούς λόγους και κυρίως στους περίφημους χτιστάδες, τεχνίτες της πέτρας, από τα μαστοροχώρια της Κόνιτσας, της Κορυτσάς και των Τζουμέρκων που όργωναν όλη τη βαλκανική χερσόνησο για την ανοικοδόμηση εκκλησιών, τζαμιών, γεφυριών κτλ. Αποτέλεσμα όλων αυτών, και μέσα από την παρούσα μελέτη, να παρατηρείτε σήμερα ένας μεγάλος αριθμός χωριών και πόλεων με ενδείξεις είτε για την εξ ολοκλήρου ίδρυση τους, είτε για την πληθυσμιακή ενίσχυση ήδη υπαρχόντων οικισμών από Ηπειρώτες. Σήμερα στις πόλεις και τα χωριά αυτά, όπως το Σουφλί, οι Μεταξάδες, οι Πετράδες και τα Πετρωτά, η Μανδρίτσα, το Καβακλί, η Κομοτηνή, η Ξάνθη, το Ζαλούφι και η Κεσάνη αλλά και πολλά άλλα, εκτός των αρχειακών πηγών, να διατηρείται η προφορική παράδοση της εξ Ηπείρου καταγωγής των κατοίκων, κοινά έθιμα, τραγούδια και χορευτικά μοτίβα, όμοια - κοινά με αντίστοιχα της Ηπείρου επίθετα, οικογενειακά κειμήλια και τοπικά μνημεία κτλ. Αλλά και στις μέρες μας οι μετοικεσίες συνεχίζονται με Ηπειρώτες που ζουν και εργάζονται στην περιοχή, όπως φανερώνουν οι αντίστοιχοι πολιτιστικοί σύλλογοι (Σύλλογος Ηπειρωτών Ν. Έβρου, Σύλλογος Ηπειρωτών Βορείου Έβρου και Φίλων ¨ΑΠΕΙΡΩΤΑΝ¨, Σύλλογος Ηπειρωτών Ν. Ροδόπης κ.α) που έχουν ως σκοπό τη διατήρηση αλλά και προβολή της ιδιαίτερης ταυτότητάς των μελών τους, μέσα από δράσεις που αποσκοπούν κατά βάθος στην (ανα)κατασκευή της ταυτότητάς τους.
Development and validation of sonological classification and scoring system for uterine adenomyosis: A pilot study
Authors: Sinha Sudwita , Agarwal Mukta , Bhadani Punam Prasad , Roy Ria , Sinha Upasna
Published: September 2023

Background: Adenomyosis is a common disorder in women of reproductive age. The gold standard for diagnosis is histopathological examination of hysterectomy specimen. However, only a small percentage of women undergo surgery as treatment is primarily hormonal. Non-invasive methods of diagnosis include transvaginal sonography and magnetic resonance imaging. Patient management in adenomyosis is often based on ultrasonographic diagnosis alone, highlighting the importance of a uniform, reproducible, clinically relevant and validated sonological classification and scoring system. Although a few investigators have proposed classification and scoring system for diagnosis of adenomyosis, none of those have been validated yet. This study aimed to propose and validate a new sonological classification and scoring system for adenomyosis.

Methods: This was a prospective observational pilot study. A new sonological classification and scoring system of adenomyosis was proposed based on topography, type, size and extent, which was validated by comparing the sonological reporting with histopathological reporting. The main outcome measures that were measured were rate of agreement (Cohen’s kappa) between the findings of sonologist and pathologist; and diagnostic accuracy of the sonological classification of adenomyosis.

Results: This pilot study included 30 women who underwent hysterectomy over a time period of one year with ultrasonographic diagnosis of adenomyosis. The rate of agreement (Cohen’s kappa) between the findings of sonologist and pathologist showed substantial agreement (0.703) for topography and almost perfect agreement for type (0.896), extent (0.892) and size (0.898).

Conclusions: Our newly proposed sonological classification and scoring system for adenomyosis is valid and can be used for clinical application in interpersonal communication between clinicians, to prognosticate patients about the disease severity, to assess the candidates for surgical management and in further studies to correlate with symptoms severity and effectiveness of medical therapies.
Integrated Hand Weeding and Herbicide Application for Corn Marigold (Glebionis segetum) in Tef Fields across Western and Southwestern Shewa Zones in Ethiopia
Authors: Hundessa Niguse , Dechassa Nagassa , Bedada Shashitu , Bekele Getachew , Duguma Mosisa
Published: September 2023

Background: Corn marigold (Glebionis segetum (L.) Frourr.) is a serious weed species of agricultural crops in many parts of Ethiopia. However, there is a lack of information on its management in tef fields in the country. Therefore, the current work was designed with the objectives of evaluating integrated management of the weed and determining the most economical integrated weed management options in tef fields.

Methods: The field experiments were conducted in naturally corn marigold infested fields of Cheliya and Woliso districts of West and Southwest Shewa Zones in Ethiopia, respectively, during 2020 to 2021 cropping seasons.

Results: Different corn marigold management practices exhibited different responses to different parameters of the target weed and the test crop differently. Application of Pyroxsulam 45g L-1 at a rate of 0.40 l ha -1 supplemented with once-hand weeding and Halauxifen-methyl 100g kg-1 + Florasulam 100g kg-1 sprayed at a rate of 50 g ha -1 supplemented with once-hand weeding increased grain yield by about 70 and 50%, respectively, over the weedy check. The marginal revenue and benefit-cost ratio obtained from the marketing of goods for the application of Pyroxsulam 45g L-1 with one supplementary hand weeding of corn marigold increased by110 89%, respectively, as compared to the weedy check.

Conclusions: The present study revealed the role of integrated management of corn marigold in improving tef production and productivity by combating the weed. Future research should be directed towards scaling up and popularizing these technologies among the growers.