bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Kyoto Protocol and Paris Agreement: Transition from Bindings to Pledges – A Review
Authors: Mor Surender , Aneja Ranjan , Madan Sonu , Ghimire Mahesh
Published: February 2023

The present thematic review assessed 47 articles on the world’s global climate management policy. It reviews the Kyoto Protocol and Paris Agreement aiming to mitigate climate change with the mechanisms of bindings and pledges, respectively. The research on Kyoto Protocol suggests that most Annex I parties have met their targets through its embedded mechanisms. However, global emissions continued to increase even in the protocol period owing to many defects in its inherent mechanism. Further, the review of the Paris Agreement reveals that most of its signatories are striving hard to achieve the targets. Despite that, the global emissions trends have been very alarming and predicted emissions could be far above the Paris Agreement’s limit. The review reveals that the Kyoto Protocol successfully paved the way for a new climate management order. At the same time, the success of the Paris Agreement relies mainly on communication and compliance of respective Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) by signatories, alignments of NDCs and Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs), and transparency in their emission mitigation targets. The study opined that the developed nations should help developing nations meet their pledges, transfer first-hand technology and provide adequate innovative technological solutions with financial provisions for making a carbon-neutral sustainable planet.
From the via Crucis to paradise. The experiences of women football players in Spain surrounding gender and homosexuality
Authors: Martos-Garcia Daniel , Garcia-Puchades Wenceslao , Soler Susanna , Vilanova Anna
Published: February 2023

The number of women in football has considerably grown in Spain, which in addition to increasing its media and social visibility is also attracting academic interest. In this regard, the objective of this article is to understand and interpret the experiences of 15 elite female football players regarding their gender and sexual orientation. The semi-structured interviews followed a pattern already used in other related research and dealt with topics such as the stereotypes that accompany women who play football, family reluctance, coexistence in locker rooms, lesbians coming out of the closet, or the need for more and better reference models. The data point to a clear homosociability within the teams and the benefits of supporting one and other when coming out of the closet, offering a counterpoint to family attitudes mostly characterized by rejection or stigmas that mark women as ‘tomboys.’ The conclusions highlight, on the one hand, the discrimination that the female players experience for being women who practice a traditionally masculine sport, and how homonegativity contributes to the control of women and the gendered nature of sport, and on the other hand, the open and inclusive climate that lesbian players have found in the football environment.
A prison mental health network in the RANZCP
Authors: Scott Russ , Aboud Andrew , Das Mrigendra , Nambiar Narain
Published: February 2023

Objective

Consider the unique features and challenges of prison psychiatry.

Conclusions

A Prison Mental Health Network within the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists would serve many useful functions including improving the quality of mental health services by promoting high clinical standards and ethical practice by psychiatrists working in prisons.
Women have leadership advantages – on why that matters and how it may help us
Authors: Adams Sophia JL
Published: February 2023

Objective

Diversity in the workforce is a recognised component of highly functioning teams but remains aspirational in the Australian mental health context. There continue to be significant obstacles to true workforce diversity. The objective of this paper is to outline some of the skills and advantages women in established leadership roles have by dint of their lived workforce experience and how these skills may inform leadership approaches and capacity building potential for the benefit of the system.

Conclusions

Leaders must synthesise, capacity build, maintain a systems and future focus and hold a vision to harness the skills of others. This paper outlines why women may have some unique capabilities as a consequence of a gender socialised world and describes approaches that contribute to cohesive, diverse and engaged teams.
Comparison of Alveolar Bone Grafting Outcomes using CBCT in Individuals with UCLP Based on the Presurgical Orthodontic Treatment Methods
Authors: Ko Jaemin , Rustia Samantha , Alkharafi Lateefa , Ganguly Rumpa , Yen Stephen L-K , Oberoi Snehlata
Published: February 2023

Objective

The purpose is to evaluate outcomes of alveolar bone grafting based on the pre-grafting orthodontic preparation methods.

Design

Retrospective analysis of individuals with unilateral cleft lip and palate.

Subjects and Settings

28 individuals with non-syndromic UCLP from two craniofacial centers, 14 individuals each from XXXX and XXXX.

Interventions

The alignment group underwent maxillary expansion with incisors alignment while the non-alignment group underwent only maxillary expansion for presurgical orthodontic preparation.

Methods

Initial and post-surgical CBCT scans were compared to observe changes in angulation of the incisor adjacent to the cleft site, alveolar bony root coverage, and bone graft outcomes.

Results

In the alignment group, the buccolingual rotation decreased by 32.35 degrees ( p = .0002), the anteroposterior inclination increased by 14.01 degrees ( p = .0004), and the mesiodistal angulation decreased by 17.88 degrees ( p = .0001). Alveolar bony coverage did not change after bone graft in both groups, and no difference was observed between the groups. Chelsea scale showed satisfactory bone graft outcome (category A, C) in 12 cases (85.71%) in the alignment group and 11 cases (78.51%) in the non-alignment group. The volumetric measurement showed the alignment group had better bone fill of 69.85% versus 51.45% in the non-alignment group ( p = .0495).

Conclusions

Alveolar bony coverage on the tooth adjacent to cleft sites did not change with alveolar bone grafting surgery in either of the alignment and non-alignment group. Presurgical orthodontic alignment does not induce root exposure nor poorer bone grafting outcome.
Characteristics and 6-Month Mortality of Medical Oncology Patients With Incidental and Symptomatic Pulmonary Embolism: A Single-Institutional Retrospective Longitudinal Analysis
Authors: Luo Zhuanbo , Ma Guofeng , Lu Yangfei , Yao Jianchang , Xu Ning , Cao Chao , Ying Kejing
Published: February 2023

This study aimed to identify clinical characteristics of cancer patients with incidental pulmonary embolism (IPE) and assess the variables associated with 30-day mortality in cancer patients with PE including symptomatic pulmonary embolism (SPE) and IPE. 6-Month mortality rate in cancer patients with SPE and IPE were also compared. We retrospectively analyzed electronic medical records of cancer patients with newly diagnosed PE between January 2016 and June 2021. We compared clinical and radiological characteristics in cancer patients with IPE and SPE and identified variables associated with the overall 30-day mortality on multivariate analysis. All patients were followed up for 6 months and survival analysis was performed by use of Kaplan–Meier. Five hundred and nine eligible cancer patients with pulmonary embolism were identified during the study period. IPE is associated with lower BMI, colorectal and pancreas cancers, stage III/IV of cancer, recent antiangiogenic therapy, central venous catheter (CVC) and chronic cardiac or respiratory disease compared to SPE. The factors associated with 30-day mortality included poor performance status, lung/pleura or upper gastrointestinal cancers, stage III/IV of cancer, previous VTE, oxygen saturation < 95%, lactic acid > 2 mmol/l and bilateral PE. The overall survival in patients with IPE at 6-month follow-up was similar to those diagnosed with SPE. The present study has allowed the identification of factors associated with 30-day mortality in cancer patients with IPE and SPE. We also found similar mortality rate in cancer patients with IPE compared with patients with SPE at 6-month follow-up.
Affective boundaries: The power effects of objects of emotion in collaborative encounters
Authors: Dahlman Sara
Published: February 2023

Organization studies has (re)turned to affect, a development that has brought affective tensions—build-ups of energy, or vitalities—to the fore of research. Previous studies on affect in organizations underline the organizational and transformational effects of affective milieus or atmospheres. I contribute to this research with a micro perspective on how affect shapes intersubjective relationships. I do so through an ethnographically inspired study of SusPens, a fin-tech start-up that uses algorithmic tools to screen sustainable investments. In the course of my empirical engagement, I identified recurring tensions in the collaboration between tech professionals and business professionals. I unpack these tensions in three collaborative encounters, focusing on how the algorithm functioned as a common reference point as well as a barrier for the collaboration. To conceptualize the observed tensions, the article builds on Sara Ahmed’s concept of objects of emotion and introduces affective boundaries as a theoretical construct for understanding the power effects of affective circulation. The article details how affective boundaries are installed through the affective misalignments that arise as the algorithm circulates as an object of emotion among the team members. The article concludes that the installment of affective boundaries delineates who is included in and who is excluded from the collaboration, pointing to how power works affectively in intersubjective relations, empowering some and disqualifying others.
Supporting families during pediatric critical illness: Opportunities identified in a multicenter, qualitative study
Authors: Jarvis Jessica M , Huntington Taylor , Perry Grace , Zickmund Susan , Yang Serena , Galyean Patrick , Pinto Neethi , Watson R. Scott , Olson Lenora M , Fink Ericka L , Maddux Aline B
Published: February 2023

Critical illness resulting in a pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) admission is a profoundly stressful experience for a child and their family. Increasing evidence for emotional and behavioral sequelae post-PICU emphasizes a need to provide better support for families throughout this period of care and recovery. The aim of this qualitative investigation was to identify salient and modifiable aspects of a critical care experience that can be addressed to better support families of critically ill children. Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted with 26 caregivers of children who survived a PICU admission. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim; themes were identified via thematic analysis. Caregivers were enrolled using convenience sampling from seven tertiary care PICUs in the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Collaborative Pediatric Critical Care Research Network. Themes from caregiver interviews were identified within two overarching categories containing three themes each. Advice for future PICU families: (1) Be intentional about caring for your own well-being, (2) speak up, ask questions, and challenge decisions you’re not comfortable with, and (3) continue to engage with your child. Characteristics of a satisfactory PICU experience: (1) A caregiver–provider relationship of mutual trust established through clear communication and respectful collaboration, (2) hospital environments that provide physical and social supports to maintain humanity in healthcare, and (3) preparing families for care transitions. Targeted, interdisciplinary approaches to partner with families during critical care may improve their PICU experience and contribute to improved long-term outcomes for PICU survivors.
Freely-chosen positive intergroup imagery causes improved outgroup emotions and encourages increased contact seeking immediately and at follow-up
Authors: Husnu Shenel , Paolini Stefania , Berrigan Alyse
Published: February 2023

In two ethnic contexts, we focus on volitional imagined contact as a potential method to increase individuals’ readiness to voluntarily initiate intergroup contact and engage in responses with implications for reconciliation. In Study 1, we used a quasi-experimental design to determine the causal role of volitional (vs. non-volitional) valenced imagined contact with a refugee on downstream processes. Irrespective of volition, positive visualizations led to more positive outgroup emotions, action tendencies, and contact seeking; however, manipulated volition amplified the differential impact of valenced contact on outgroup emotions: negative contact was more detrimental when freely chosen, than forced, whereas positive contact was equally beneficial irrespective of volition. Study 2 investigated factors driving individuals’ choices for positive (vs. negative) imagined contact in conflict-laden Cyprus and assessed immediate and longer-term consequences of such choices for interethnic contact seeking. In both studies, participants chose to engage in imagined contact of a valence that aligned with their prior contact histories consistent with an evaluative fit mechanism. Volitional valenced imagery predicted participants’ active and self-initiated contact seeking immediately and after a 2-week period. Hence, volitional intergroup imagery as a “mental contact script” prepares individuals for actual intergroup contact and behaviors with implications for intergroup reconciliation and cohesion.
Social Capital for Vertical Transfers: The Multidimensional Predictor of Post-Transfer Adjustment and Academic Performance
Authors: Chen Yu April
Published: February 2023

Vertical transfers, those who transferred from a 2-year institution to a 4-year institution, often face multifaceted challenges and lower success rates upon arriving at the receiving 4-year institutions. This quantitative study focused on three forms of social capital related to post-transfer adjustment, retention, and success for vertical transfers. The author administered an online survey to vertical transfers who successfully transferred from a 2-year college to a research-intensive, public, 4-year university located in a Southern state in the United States and matched the survey data with students' transcript data. A factor analysis discovered three distinct social capital constructs: transfer capital, 4-year faculty social capital, and 4-year staff social capital. Subsequent regression analyses revealed that 4-year faculty social capital positively predicted the post-transfer grade point average (GPA), while the transfer capital and 4-year staff social capital had a positive association with post-transfer social adjustment. Implications for policy, practice, and future research are discussed.
Health Professionals: Identifying and Reporting Child Physical Abuse—a Scoping Review
Authors: Bragança-Souza Kátia Kely , Lopes de Lisboa Jonathan , Silva-Oliveira Fernando , Soares Nunes Laís , Ferreira e Ferreira Efigênia , Gomes Viviane Elisângela , Zarzar Patricia Maria Pereira de Araújo
Published: February 2023

Health professionals play a significant role in identifying and reporting child physical abuse (CPA). However, several studies have pointed out non-reporting behavior among these professionals, evidencing difficulties identifying and reporting suspected cases. This review aimed to explore the frequency and possible barriers in identifying and reporting CPA by health professionals worldwide and to identify associated factors. This scoping review was conducted in the Pubmed, Web Of Science, Scopus, and SciELO databases between July 2019 and December 2020. Analytical and qualitative observational epidemiological studies were selected and published in English, Portuguese, and Spanish, with data on the identification and/or reporting of CPA by health professionals. Twenty studies fulfilled the criteria of this review. The studies were conducted with dentists, nurses, pediatricians, and general practitioners. The frequency of identification of CPA ranged from 50% to 89%, while the frequency of reporting ranged from 8% to 47%. This review revealed that health professionals had a low frequency of reporting of CPA, especially for dentists. In addition, several associated factors and barriers in the identification and reporting of CPA were identified in the studies. These were discussed in five main themes: training and continuing education in CPA, impact on professional practice, experiences and perceptions about child protection services, the threshold for suspicion of the professional, and the professional category.
Persistent Sciatic Veins
Authors: Victor Mathias Dias Silfayner , Flumignan Ronald Luiz Gomes , Iared Wagner , Silva Teixeira Letícia , Albanês Pires Rafael , de Almeida Marcelo José , Hafner Ludvig
Published: February 2023

Persistence of the sciatic vein is a venous anomaly located in the lower limbs. Accounts in the literature rarely include patients who do not have the Klippel-Trenaunay-Weber syndrome. We present a case of a woman with bilateral persistent sciatic veins and no Klippel-Trenaunay-Weber syndrome, first suspected on a duplex ultrasound examination and then confirmed by computed tomography angiography. Persistent sciatic vein is a rare venous anomaly. Although the prevalence of persistent sciatic veins is possibly underestimated, we should be aware of its presence, considering its relevance in contributing to venous disease.
“Protecting our female gaze rights”: Chinese Female Gamers’ and Game Producers’ Negotiations with Government Restrictions on Erotic Material
Authors: Lai Zishan , Liu Tingting
Published: February 2023

This article applies the Foucauldian concept of practiced freedom to examine how Chinese female gamers work hand in hand with game developers to negotiate government restrictions on in-game erotic material. Game developers have redesigned certain visual and textual game elements and used sexy dubbed voices to comply with state censorship while maintaining a game's appeal. Female gamers have meanwhile aligned themselves with the game developers by spending significant money on games and creating fan fiction, demonstrating their financial and sexual agency. This article explores how the practice of sexual freedom can serve as a useful lens for understanding the alliance between game developers and players, providing a glimpse into the everyday, conditioned, leisure-driven micro-resistance by engaging with existing scholarship that criticizes the commercial nature of digital games. Instead of overthrowing the conservative political framework, the goal of such gaming micro-resistance is to increase the profits of game developers and the sexual, consumptive rights of women gamers.
Professional Gaming and Pro-Gamers: What Do We Know So Far? A Systematic Review
Authors: Bihari Isha , Pattanaik Debashis
Published: February 2023

Professional gaming is organized competitive digital gameplay supported by advertisers and businesses. With its rising popularity and spectatorship, virtual gaming as a profession is now a reality. The aim of this paper is to evaluate peer-reviewed articles from the past two decades that empirically examine gaming as a profession or the myriad facets of being a professional gamer published in scholarly journals. The themes that emerge from the results of the included studies ( n = 32) are (a) the socio-cultural appeal of gaming as a profession, (b) socio-psychological elements of pro-gamers’ everyday lives, and (c) the health and physiology of pro-gamers. It is found that the literature on health and physiology ( n = 14) overshadows other dimensions of pro-gaming in academic research. In conclusion, studies must reflect on gamers’ legal status as working professionals, their organizational contracts, and the legality of the industry country by country to fill the research gap.
Combined bimodal and dense-sparse structures to optimize the performance of fibrous media for submicron particle capture
Authors: Chu Minghao , Diao Yongfa , Zhang Li’an , Jiang Jie , Mu Tianwei
Published: February 2023

Fibrous media are widely used in particle filtration. However, few studies have investigated the performance of fibrous media with bimodal and dense-sparse structures. In this study, computational fluid dynamics technology was adopted to simulate the filtration performance of fibrous media. A two-dimensional random multifiber distribution model was proposed based on VC++ and ICEM. Reliability was verified by comparing the model with the empirical formula. The filtration efficiencies and quality factors of submicron particle capture within different fiber arrangements, inlet velocities, and particle diameters were determined. Finally, the mechanism for improving the filtration efficiency of multi-fiber for submicron particles was analyzed. The results showed that, as the particle diameter and inlet velocity increased, the filtration efficiency and quality factor of the different fibrous media decreased, and tended to be similar. The fibrous media combined with bimodal and dense-sparse structures had the highest quality factor owing to the placement of the bimodal structure on the windward side and ratio of coarse to fine fibers.
Prevalence and characteristics of giant cell arteritis in patients with newly diagnosed polymyalgia rheumatica – a prospective cohort study
Authors: Burg Lara C. , Karakostas Pantelis , Behning Charlotte , Brossart Peter , Kermani Tanaz A. , Schäfer Valentin S.
Published: February 2023

Background:

It is known that giant cell arteritis (GCA) and polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) often occur together. So far, the prevalence of GCA in newly diagnosed PMR patients has not been evaluated in a prospective ultrasound study.

Objective:

The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of GCA using vascular ultrasound in patients with newly diagnosed PMR.

Design:

A consecutive cohort of newly diagnosed PMR patients was prospectively evaluated for the presence of GCA with the use of systematic musculoskeletal and vascular ultrasound examination.

Methods:

Overall, 60 patients with newly diagnosed PMR were prospectively enrolled. Symptoms and laboratory findings were collected. All patients underwent ultrasound of shoulder and hip joints, and vascular ultrasound evaluating the facial, temporal, carotid, vertebral and axillary arteries. Patients were diagnosed with GCA if they had ultrasound imaging findings of GCA. Patients with PMR (PMR-group) and patients with PMR and GCA (PMR–GCA-group) were compared, and a C-reactive protein (CRP) cut-off value was evaluated.

Results:

GCA was diagnosed in 28 of 60 PMR patients (46%). The PMR-group consisted of 20 (62.5%) females with a mean age of 69 (±9.9) years, while the PMR–GCA-group consisted of 11 (39.3%) females with a mean age of 74 (±8.4) years. In 13 of 28 patients (46%) in the PMR–GCA-group, GCA was subclinical and only diagnosed by ultrasound. The PMR–GCA-group showed higher values of joint effusion and significantly higher CRP values. A CRP cut-off value of 26.5 mg/litre (reference range 0–5 mg/litre) yielded a sensitivity of 66% with a specificity of 73% for GCA.

Conclusion:

GCA was found in 46% of newly diagnosed PMR patients; 22% of the patients with PMR had asymptomatic GCA. Joint effusions were higher in the PMR–GCA-group, with significant results for the hip joint. A CRP cut-off value of ⩾26.5 mg/litre in PMR can help in the identification of subclinical GCA.
Ketamine and esketamine in suicidal thoughts and behaviors: a systematic review
Authors: Jollant Fabrice , Colle Romain , Nguyen Thi Mai Loan , Corruble Emmanuelle , Gardier Alain M. , Walter Martin , Abbar Mocrane , Wagner Gerd
Published: February 2023

Background:

More than 2% of the general population experience suicidal ideas each year and a large number of them will attempt suicide. Evidence-based therapeutic options to manage suicidal crisis are currently limited.

Objectives:

The aim of this study was to overview the findings on the use of ketamine and esketamine for the treatment of suicidal ideas and acts.

Design:

Systematic review.

Data Sources and methods:

PubMed, article references, and Clinicaltrials.gov up to June 30, 2022. Meta-analyses published within the last 2 years were also reviewed.

Results:

We identified 12 randomized controlled trials with reduction of suicidal ideation as the primary objective and 14 trials as secondary objectives. Intravenous racemic ketamine was superior to control drugs (placebo or midazolam) within the first 72 h, in spite of large placebo effects. Adverse events were minor and transient. In contrast, intranasal esketamine did not differ from placebo in large-scale studies. Limitations, clinical considerations, and opportunities for future research include the following points: large placebo effects when studying suicidal ideation reduction; small concerns about blinding quality due to dissociative effects; no studies on the risk/prevention of suicidal acts and mortality; lack of studies beyond affective disorders; no studies in adolescents and older people; lack of knowledge of long-term side effects, notably liability for abuse; no robust predictive markers; limited understanding of the mechanisms of ketamine on suicidal ideas; need for improved assessment of suicidal ideation in clinical trials; need for studies in outpatient settings, emergency room, and liaison consultation; need for research on ketamine administration; limited knowledge on the positive and negative effects of concomitant treatments.

Conclusion:

Overall, there is compelling evidence for a favorable short-term benefit-risk balance with intravenous racemic ketamine but not intranasal esketamine. The place of ketamine will have to be defined within a multimodal care strategy for suicidal patients. Caution remains necessary for clinical use, and pharmacovigilance will be essential.
An unusual case of mechanical bowel obstruction due to cholecysto-intestinal fistula and impacted gallstone: A case report and literature review
Authors: Gkionis Ioannis G , Kokkinakis Theofanis G , Strehle Andreas F , Flamourakis Mathaios E , Giakoumakis Michail I , Mannaris Marios A , Kaloeidi Eleni I , Apostolaki Eirini S , Christodoulakis Manousos S , Laliotis Aggelos
Published: February 2023

Gallstone ileus is a rare entity and constitutes an uncommon complication of gallstone disease. It is caused by the impaction of a gallstone in the gastrointestinal tract and may cause serious symptoms or even life-threatening complications. It should be part of the differential diagnosis of acute abdomen especially in patients presenting with signs and symptoms of bowel obstruction and known gallstone disease. An early diagnosis is essential, and surgical treatment is the gold standard in order to relieve the obstruction. We present the case of an 84-year-old male patient with gallstone ileus due to cholecysto-intestinal fistula and impacted gallstone at jejunum. He was treated via urgent enterolithotomy, and his post-operative period was uneventful. This report aims to further educate clinical doctors on this rare medical condition which may pose a potentially serious health risk.
Lipid emulsion–induced recovery from unconsciousness caused by lidocaine toxicity: A case report
Authors: Park Miyeong , Yu Ho Kyung , Lee Soo Hee , Ok Seong-Ho , Yoon Sangcheol , Sohn Ju-Tae
Published: February 2023

Lipid emulsion is used to treat systemic toxicity caused by local anesthetics. In addition, lipid emulsion was reported to be effective in ameliorating cardiovascular depression evoked by non-local anesthetic drug toxicity with high lipid solubility. A 47-year-old woman underwent local anesthetic infiltration with 40 mL of 2% lidocaine (20 and 20 mL) to remove a mass in the upper back. After operation, she experienced convulsions and loss of consciousness due to lidocaine toxicity. Midazolam followed by lipid emulsion was administered to treat central nervous system symptoms including unconsciousness and decreased Glasgow Coma Scale. The patient recovered from unconsciousness and presented improved Glasgow Coma Scale after lipid emulsion administration, and then fully recovered from local anesthetic systemic toxicity. This case suggests that early lipid emulsion treatment, before further progression of local anesthetic systemic toxicity, provides an enhanced recovery from unconsciousness and decreased Glasgow Coma Scale due to lidocaine toxicity.
Erythema nodosum in Behçet’s disease in remission: Think COVID-19?
Authors: El Hasbani Georges , Jawad Ali SM , Uthman Imad
Published: February 2023

The coronavirus disease has several manifestations related to the activation of the immune system. Because of such activation, autoimmune diseases, including vasculitis, have been reported to occur. Behçet’s disease, a variable vessel vasculitis, has been discussed in the context of coronavirus disease. Rarely, the induction of Behçet’s disease flare or exacerbation has been reported necessitating aggressive treatment. The presentation of Behçet’s disease flares secondary to coronavirus disease is variable, including mucocutaneous lesions and eye or joint involvement. We highlight the case of a 35-year-old woman with pre-existing Behçet’s disease in remission on colchicine presenting with new onset erythema nodosum-like lesions on her right shin being diagnosed with coronavirus disease infection a few days after. Despite treatment with systemic corticosteroid, the lesions did not resolve, necessitating the initiation of anti-interleukin-6 therapy.
An individualized mobile health intervention to promote physical activity in adults with obstructive sleep apnea: An intervention mapping approach
Authors: Latrille Christophe , Chapel Blandine , Héraud Nelly , Bughin François , Hayot Maurice , Boiché Julie
Published: February 2023

Objective

Combining continuous positive airway pressure with physical activity (PA) might be a promising strategy to treat obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). This article describes how intervention mapping (IM) can guide the development, content, and mechanisms of action of a mobile application to promote PA in adults with OSA.

Methods

To develop the program, the IM approach was followed. This article presents the first three steps of IM to develop a mixed intervention (with interventionists and a digital application) aiming to: (1) assess patients’ health problems and needs in a literature review to determine their expectations and perceived facilitators and barriers to PA behavior change and thus select the determinants of behavior; (2) formulate the expected intervention outcomes and objectives to be met to achieve the overall program goals; and (3) select and implement the behavior change techniques (BCTs) to achieve the change objectives.

Results

The literature review identified the relevant determinants (e.g., self-efficacy, coping, planning, and habit) of PA behavior using the health action process approach and multiprocess action control. These results were used to specify the program outcomes for PA adapted to physical, psychological, and social parameters. Overall, 11 performance objectives and 30 change objectives were defined. Lastly, BCTs and practical applications were identified.

Conclusions

The study provides a theoretical and methodological basis for researchers and practitioners given the current paucity of evidence-based PA interventions for adults with OSA. It addresses the lack of BCTs (framing and prompts/cue techniques) and meaningful behavioral determinants (identity and habit) in most interventions.
Benefits and Challenges of Transnational Education: Reflections From a Sino-British Joint Venture University
Authors: Che Afa’anwi Ma’abo
Published: February 2023

Since the turn of the 21st Century, the higher education sector has witnessed a proliferation of transnational education arrangements, including joint venture universities. Concurrently, there has been a surge in published literature on transnational higher education. While the current literature on transnational education explores various issues including with respect to regulation, management, quality assurance, and impact, there is a deficit of lived accounts of the benefits and challenges of transnational education from teacher perspectives and pedagogic tools used to deal with language and learning culture differences in transnational education settings. Based on the author’s own experience in a Sino-British joint venture university in China, this paper draws on in-class observations, reviews of seminar recordings, informal conversations with students, and anecdotal reflections to highlight the potential of using student audio podcasts to mitigate oral reticence and increase interactions in lectures and seminars.
Big Fishes in a Big Pond: A Comparison Between Foreign and Chinese Academics’ Research Influence in Mainland China
Authors: Marini Giulio , Xu Xin
Published: February 2023

This article investigates the research influence (as indicated by citations and the SCImago quartile classification of target journal of publication) as per Global Western standards of foreign and Chinese academics in mainland China. The focus on research influence echoes the policy shifts in Chinese research from quantity to quality. This study analyses Scopus publications by foreign academics working in 15 research-intensive Chinese universities, comparing them with publications by Chinese colleagues in the same meso-institutional level (departments, schools, institutes) with same sex and academic rank, but with a doctoral degree attained in China. Findings show that foreign academics’ publications attract more citations, and, once checking by covariates, they are also more likely to publish in first quartile Scimago journals. Chinese academics’ publications, in comparison, tend to be in journals with higher Scimago quartile ranks on average. The study also reveals that foreign academics have more international co-authorships than their Chinese counterparts, despite this latter point being not necessarily conducive of more influent research.
Temporal Sequencing of Multimodal Treatment in Immediate Breast Reconstruction and Implications for Wait Times: A Regional Canadian Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Raman Karanvir S. , Ninomiya Maya Morton , Bovill Esta S. , Doherty Christopher , Macadam Sheina A. , Laeken Nancy Van , Isaac Kathryn V.
Published: February 2023

Introduction: Treatment of breast cancer requires a multimodal approach with numerous independent specialists. Immediate breast reconstruction (IBR) adds another layer of coordination to comprehensive breast cancer care. To optimize health outcomes for patients seeking IBR, it is essential to efficiently coordinate the temporal sequence of care modalities inclusive of reconstruction. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, patients undergoing IBR following complete or partial mastectomy at one health centre from 2015 to 2021 were included. Patients were categorized into two main groups defined by the first treatment modality received, namely surgery first and Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy. Primary outcome measures were wait times for diagnostic investigations, initiation of treatment, and transitions between therapeutic modalities. Results: Of 195 patients, 158 underwent surgery first, and 37 underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Median wait time from first consultation to first treatment initiated in the neoadjuvant cohort was shorter by 11.5 days as compared to the Surgery First cohort (21.5 +/− 19 vs 33.0 +/− 28 days; P = 0.001). Twenty-three (82%) of the surgery first and 11 (38%) of the neoadjuvant cohort patients waited longer than 8 weeks for initiation of radiotherapy ( P = 0.001). Following surgical intervention, the majority of patients failed to meet target benchmarks for transition to chemotherapy ( n = 25, 53%) and transition to radiotherapy ( n = 26, 93%; P < 0.001). Conclusion: Patients undergoing IBR may incur delays in the setting of upfront surgery and in transitioning to adjuvant therapies. In the setting of breast reconstruction, further efforts are required to achieve target wait-times in multimodal breast cancer care.
Urbanization and the Paradox of Rural Population Decline: Racial and Regional Variation
Authors: Lichter Daniel T. , Johnson Kenneth M.
Published: February 2023

The authors redress the commonplace narrative of rural decline. Data from the decennial censuses since 1980 reveal that rural growth is often counted as metro growth; that is, it is added to the expanding universe of metro counties. First, nonmetro counties (defined in 1980) grew from 55 million people in 1980 to roughly 70 million in 2020. Yet, because of nonmetro-to-metro reclassification, the 2020 census reports a nonmetro population of only 46 million. Second, nonmetro growth has been due almost entirely to endogenous growth of minority populations. Reclassification transferred disproportionate shares of America’s rural White population to the metro side of the demographic ledger, leaving behind rural minorities. Third, these racial differences in growth–both endogenous population growth and growth due to reclassification–are most apparent in the South, where most rural minorities live. Our goal is to provide both substantive and didactic lessons for studying population growth and decline.
Geographical and Socioeconomic Inequalities in Maternal Mortality in Ethiopia
Authors: Borde Moges Tadesse
Published: February 2023

In Ethiopia, social inequalities are common among women residing in deprived communities and between the poor and the rich. This study aimed to assess geographical and socioeconomic inequalities in maternal mortality using nationally representative data from Ethiopian Demographic and Health Surveys conducted from 2000 to 2019 (inclusive). Four health-related geographical and socioeconomic factors were assessed. Four relative and absolute health-related inequality measures were also used: rate difference, rate ratio, population attributable risk, and population attributable fraction. A total of 61,610 sister siblings were included. The highest reported inequalities in maternal mortality were residence-related (46% in 2005 among rural women), region-related (66% in 2005 among women in Beshangul–Gumuz regional state), education-related (83% in 2011 among women with primary education), and wealth-related (47% in 2000 among poorer women). So, if education-related inequalities in maternal mortality alone had been averted, the national maternal mortality could have been reduced by 52% in 2000, 51% in 2005, 83% in 2011, and 76% in 2016. In conclusion, inequalities in maternal mortality were high and concentrated among poorer women, women with lower educational status, and rural areas. Therefore, reducing the effects of poverty including social determinants of maternal mortality is recommended.
Complete mitochondrial genome of Thuja sutchuenensis and its implications on evolutionary analysis of complex mitogenome architecture in Cupressaceae
Authors: Xia Changying , Li Jingling , Zuo Youwei , He Ping , Zhang Huan , Zhang Xiaoxia , Wang Binru , Zhang Jiabin , Yu Jie , Deng Hongping
Published: February 2023

Background

The complex physical structure and abundant repeat sequences make it difficult to assemble the mitogenomes of seed plants, especially gymnosperms. Only approximately 33 mitogenomes of gymnosperms have been reported. However, as the most widely distributed and the second largest family among gymnosperms, Cupressaceae has only six assembled mitogenomes, including five draft mitogenomes and one complete mitogenome, which has greatly hindered the understanding of mitogenome evolution within this large family, even gymnosperms.

Results

In this study, we assembled and validated the complete mitogenome of Thuja sutchuenensis, with a size of 2.4 Mb. Multiple sequence units constituted its complex structure, which can be reduced to three linear contigs and one small circular contig. The analysis of repeat sequences indicated that the numbers of simple sequence repeats increased during the evolutionary history of gymnosperms, and the mitogenome of Thuja sutchuenensis harboured abundant extra-long repeats (more than 5 kb). Additionally, the longest repeat sequence identified in these seven gymnosperms also came from the mitogenome of Thuja sutchuenensis, with a length of up to 47 kb. The analysis of colinear blocks and gene clusters both revealed that the orders of mitochondrial genes within gymnosperms was not conserved. The comparative analysis showed that only four tRNAs were shared by seven gymnosperms, namely, trnD-GUC, trnE-UUC, trnI-CAU and trnY-GUA. Furthermore, four genes have undergone potential positive selection in most gymnosperm species, namely, atp8, ccmB, mttB and sdh4.

Conclusion

We successfully assembled the second complete mitogenome within Cupressaceae and verified that it consisted of multiple sequence units. Our study also indicated that abundant long repeats may contribute to the generation of the complex conformation of the mitogenome of Thuja sutchuenensis. The investigation of Thuja sutchuenensis’s mitogenome in our study provides new insight into further understanding the complex mitogenome architecture within gymnosperms.
Ketone supplementation abolished isoflurane anesthesia-induced elevation in blood glucose level and increased recovery time from anesthesia in Wistar Albino Glaxo Rijswijk rats
Authors: Kovács Zsolt , D’Agostino Dominic P. , Ari Csilla
Published: February 2023

Background

It has been suggested that administration of exogenous ketone supplements (EKSs) not only increases blood ketone body levels but also decreases blood glucose level and modulates isoflurane-induced anesthesia in different rodents, such as Wistar Albino Glaxo Rijswijk (WAG/Rij) rats. Thus, we investigated whether administration of EKSs can modulate the isoflurane anesthesia-generated increase in blood glucose level and the time required to recover from isoflurane-induced anesthesia.

Methods

To investigate the effect of EKSs on isoflurane anesthesia-induced changes in blood glucose and R-β-hydroxybutyrate (R-βHB) level as well as recovery time from anesthesia, we used KEMCT (mix of ketone ester/KE and medium chain triglyceride/MCT oil in a 1:1 ratio) in WAG/Rij rats. First, to accustom the animals to the method, water gavage was carried out for 5 days (adaptation period). After adaptation period, rats of first group (group 1) were gavaged by water (3 g/kg), whereas, in the case of second group (group 2), the diet of animals was supplemented by KEMCT (3 g/kg, gavage) once per day for 7 days. One hour after the last gavage, isoflurane (3%) anesthesia was induced for 20 min (group 1 and group 2) and the time required for recovery from anesthesia was measured by using righting reflex. Subsequently, blood levels of both R-βHB and glucose were also evaluated. Changes in blood glucose and R-βHB levels were compared to control, which control glucose and R-βHB levels were measured on the last day of the adaptation period (group 1 and group 2). Time required for recovery from isoflurane anesthesia, which was detected after 7th KEMCT gavage (group 2), was compared to recovery time measured after 7th water gavage (group 1).

Results

The KEMCT maintained the normal glucose level under isoflurane anesthesia-evoked circumstances preventing the glucose level elevating effect of isoflurane. Thus, we demonstrated that administration of KEMCT not only increased blood level of R-βHB but also abolished the isoflurane anesthesia-generated increase in blood glucose level. Moreover, the time required for recovery from isoflurane-evoked anesthesia increased significantly in KEMCT treated animals.

Conclusions

Putative influence of elevated blood ketone body level on isoflurane-evoked effects, such as modulation of blood glucose level and recovery time from anesthesia, should be considered by anesthesiologists.
EIF5A2 specifically regulates the transcription of aging-related genes in human neuroblastoma cells
Authors: Liu Yuwei , Peng Li , Chen Jing , Chen Ling , Wu Ying , Cheng Mengxin , Chen Min , Ye Xujun , Jin Yalei
Published: February 2023

Background

Post-transcriptional regulation plays a critical role in controlling biological processes such as aging. Previous studies have shown that eukaryotic initiation factor 5A (EIF5A) might play a crucial role in aging. It is unknown whether EIF5A2, a second isoform of EIF5A, could impact aging through post-transcriptional regulation.

Methods

In the present study, EIF5A2 overexpression (EIF5A2-OE) was induced in SH-SY5Y cells. RNA-seq, bioinformatics analysis and RT-qPCR validation experiments were then performed to explore the molecular mechanism of EIF5A2-mediated transcriptional regulation. Cell viability, proportion of senescent cells and the cell cycle were respectively determined by Cell Counting Kit-8, SA-β‑galactosidase and flow cytometry to evaluate the cell senescence.

Results

A total of 190 downregulated and 126 upregulated genes related to EIF5A2-OE were identified. Genes closely related to cellular aging processes such as unfolded protein response (UPR), cell adhesion and calcium signaling pathway were under global transcriptional regulation. Moreover, EIF5A2-OE promoted the viability of SH-SY5Y cells and reduced cell senescence in vitro. Among 30 genes with the most significant expression differences in EIF5A2-OE cells, we identified eight genes, including ASNS, ATF3, ATF4, CEBPB, DDIT3, HERPUD1, HSPA5 and XBP1, enriched in the UPR. Through EIF5A2-tanscription factors (TFs)-targets regulation network in EIF5A2-OE cells, we found three TFs, BHLHE40, RHOXF1 and TBX20, that targeted at these eight UPR-related genes. Verification test via the published database of human glial cell tissue showed only BHLHE40 and RHOXF1 were significantly associated with EIF5A2.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that EIF5A2 may alleviate cell senescence in vitro and mediate UPR-related genes via specific TFs. Thus, EIF5A2 could function as a regulator of aging via the regulation of transcription, which greatly expands the current understanding of the mechanisms of EIF5A2-mediated gene regulation.
Design, methodology, and preliminary results of the non-human primates eye study
Authors: Wu Jian , Liu Wei , Zhu Sirui , Liu Hongyi , Chen Kezhe , Zhu Yingting , Li Zhidong , Yang Chenlong , Pan Lijie , Li Ruyue , Lin Caixia , Tian Jiaxin , Ren Jiaoyan , Xu Liangzhi , Yu Hanxiang , Luo Fagao , Huang Zhiwei , Su Wenru , Wang Ningli , Zhuo Yehong
Published: February 2023

Purpose

To describe the normative profile of ophthalmic parameters in a healthy cynomolgus monkey colony, and to identify the characteristic of the spontaneous ocular disease non-human primates (NHP) models.

Methods

The NHP eye study was a cross-sectional on-site ocular examination with about 1,000 macaques held in Guangdong Province, southeastern China. The NHPs (Macaca fascicularis, cynomolgus) in this study included middle-aged individuals with a high prevalence of the ocular disease. The NHP eye study (NHPES) performed the information including systematic data and ocular data. Ocular examination included measurement of intraocular pressure (IOP), anterior segment- optical coherence tomography (OCT), slit-lamp examination, fundus photography, autorefraction, electroretinography, etc. Ocular diseases included measurement of refractive error, anisometropia, cataract, pterygium, etc.

Results

A total of 1148 subjects were included and completed the ocular examination. The average age was 16.4 ± 4.93 years. Compared to the male participants, the females in the NHPES had shorter axial length and the mean Average retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness (except for the nasal quadrants). The mean IOP, anterior chamber depth, lens thickness, axial length, central corneal thickness, choroid thickness and other parameters were similar in each group.

Conclusion

The NHPES is a unique and high-quality study, this is the first large macaque monkey cohort study focusing on ocular assessment along with comprehensive evaluation. Results from the NHPES will provide important information about the normal range of ophthalmic measurements in NHP.