European Society of Biomechanics S.M. Perren Award 2018: Altered biomechanical stimulation of the developing hip joint in presence of hip dysplasia risk factors

Fetal kicking and movements generate biomechanical stimulation in the fetal skeleton, which is important for prenatal musculoskeletal development, particularly joint shape. Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) is the most common joint shape abnormality at birth, with many risk factors for the condition being associated with restricted fetal movement. In this study, we investigate the biomechanics of fetal movements in such situations, namely fetal breech position, oligohydramnios and primiparity (firstborn pregnancy). We also investigate twin pregnancies, which are not at greater risk of DDH incidence, despite the more restricted intra-uterine environment. We track fetal movements for each of these situations using cine-MRI technology, quantify the kick and muscle forces, and characterise the resulting stress and strain in the hip joint, testing the hypothesis that altered biomechanical stimuli may explain the link between certain intra-uterine conditions and risk of DDH. Kick force, stress and strain were found to be significantly lower in cases of breech position and oligohydramnios. Similarly, firstborn fetuses were found to generate significantly lower kick forces than non-firstborns. Interestingly, no significant difference was observed in twins compared to singletons. This research represents the first evidence of a link between the biomechanics of fetal movements and the risk of DDH, potentially informing the development of future preventative measures and enhanced diagnosis. Our results emphasise the importance of ultrasound screening for breech position and oligohydramnios, particularly later in pregnancy, and suggest that earlier intervention to correct breech position through external cephalic version could reduce the risk of hip dysplasia

A multi-country test of brief reappraisal interventions on emotions during the COVID-19 pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has increased negative emotions and decreased positive emotions globally. Left unchecked, these emotional changes might have a wide array of adverse impacts. To reduce negative emotions and increase positive emotions, we tested the effectiveness of reappraisal, an emotion-regulation strategy that modifies how one thinks about a situation. Participants from 87 countries and regions (n = 21,644) were randomly assigned to one of two brief reappraisal interventions (reconstrual or repurposing) or one of two control conditions (active or passive). Results revealed that both reappraisal interventions (vesus both control conditions) consistently reduced negative emotions and increased positive emotions across different measures. Reconstrual and repurposing interventions had similar effects. Importantly, planned exploratory analyses indicated that reappraisal interventions did not reduce intentions to practice preventive health behaviours. The findings demonstrate the viability of creating scalable, low-cost interventions for use around the world

The Psychological Science Accelerator’s COVID-19 rapid-response dataset

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Psychological Science Accelerator coordinated three large-scale psychological studies to examine the effects of loss-gain framing, cognitive reappraisals, and autonomy framing manipulations on behavioral intentions and affective measures. The data collected (April to October 2020) included specific measures for each experimental study, a general questionnaire examining health prevention behaviors and COVID-19 experience, geographical and cultural context characterization, and demographic information for each participant. Each participant started the study with the same general questions and then was randomized to complete either one longer experiment or two shorter experiments. Data were provided by 73,223 participants with varying completion rates. Participants completed the survey from 111 geopolitical regions in 44 unique languages/dialects. The anonymized dataset described here is provided in both raw and processed formats to facilitate re-use and further analyses. The dataset offers secondary analytic opportunities to explore coping, framing, and self-determination across a diverse, global sample obtained at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, which can be merged with other time-sampled or geographic data

The Psychological Science Accelerator’s COVID-19 rapid-response dataset

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Psychological Science Accelerator coordinated three large-scale psychological studies to examine the effects of loss-gain framing, cognitive reappraisals, and autonomy framing manipulations on behavioral intentions and affective measures. The data collected (April to October 2020) included specific measures for each experimental study, a general questionnaire examining health prevention behaviors and COVID-19 experience, geographical and cultural context characterization, and demographic information for each participant. Each participant started the study with the same general questions and then was randomized to complete either one longer experiment or two shorter experiments. Data were provided by 73,223 participants with varying completion rates. Participants completed the survey from 111 geopolitical regions in 44 unique languages/dialects. The anonymized dataset described here is provided in both raw and processed formats to facilitate re-use and further analyses. The dataset offers secondary analytic opportunities to explore coping, framing, and self-determination across a diverse, global sample obtained at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, which can be merged with other time-sampled or geographic data

Megacystis-microcolon-intestinal hypoperistalsis syndrome: a case report.

Item does not contain fulltextMegacystis-microcolon-intestinal hypoperistalsis syndrome (MMIHS) is a rare congenital disorder characterized by a dilated, non-obstructive urinary bladder and hypoperistalsis of the gastrointestinal tract, which is considered lethal. About 90 patients have been reported, predominantly female. We present the case of a female newborn with MMIHS in whom antenatal ultrasound was suggestive for the diagnosis, which was confirmed after delivery. Diagnostic features by antenatal ultrasound are described

Neurocognitive functioning and health-related quality of life of children after pediatric intensive care admission: a systematic review

OBJECTIVE: This study systematically reviewed recent findings on neurocognitive functioning and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of children after pediatric intensive care unit admission (PICU). DATA SOURCES: Electronic databases searched included Embase, Medline Ovid, Web of Science, Cochrane CENTRAL, and Google Scholar. The search was limited to studies published in the last five years (2015-2019). STUDY SELECTION: Original studies assessing neurocognitive functioning or HRQoL in children who were previously admitted to the PICU were included in this systematic review. DATA EXTRACTION: Of the 3649 identified studies, 299 met the inclusion criteria based on title abstract screening. After full-text screening, 75 articles were included in the qualitative data reviewing: 38 on neurocognitive functioning, 33 on HRQoL, and 4 on both outcomes. DATA SYNTHESIS: Studies examining neurocognitive functioning found overall worse scores for general intellectual functioning, attention, processing speed, memory, and executive functioning. Studies investigating HRQoL found overall worse scores for both physical and psychosocial HRQoL. On the short term (≤ 12 months), most studies reported HRQoL impairments, whereas in some long-term studies HRQoL normalized. The effectiveness of the few intervention studies during and after PICU admission on long-term outcomes varied. CONCLUSIONS: PICU survivors have lower scores for neurocognitive functioning and HRQoL than children from the general population. A structured follow-up program after a PICU admission is needed to identify those children and parents who are at risk. However, more research is needed into testing interventions in randomized controlled trials aiming on preventing or improving impairments in critically ill children during and after PICU admission

Neurocognitive functioning and health-related quality of life of children after pediatric intensive care admission: a systematic review

OBJECTIVE: This study systematically reviewed recent findings on neurocognitive functioning and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of children after pediatric intensive care unit admission (PICU). DATA SOURCES: Electronic databases searched included Embase, Medline Ovid, Web of Science, Cochrane CENTRAL, and Google Scholar. The search was limited to studies published in the last five years (2015-2019). STUDY SELECTION: Original studies assessing neurocognitive functioning or HRQoL in children who were previously admitted to the PICU were included in this systematic review. DATA EXTRACTION: Of the 3649 identified studies, 299 met the inclusion criteria based on title abstract screening. After full-text screening, 75 articles were included in the qualitative data reviewing: 38 on neurocognitive functioning, 33 on HRQoL, and 4 on both outcomes. DATA SYNTHESIS: Studies examining neurocognitive functioning found overall worse scores for general intellectual functioning, attention, processing speed, memory, and executive functioning. Studies investigating HRQoL found overall worse scores for both physical and psychosocial HRQoL. On the short term (≤ 12 months), most studies reported HRQoL impairments, whereas in some long-term studies HRQoL normalized. The effectiveness of the few intervention studies during and after PICU admission on long-term outcomes varied. CONCLUSIONS: PICU survivors have lower scores for neurocognitive functioning and HRQoL than children from the general population. A structured follow-up program after a PICU admission is needed to identify those children and parents who are at risk. However, more research is needed into testing interventions in randomized controlled trials aiming on preventing or improving impairments in critically ill children during and after PICU admission

Albumin synthesis rates in post-surgical infants and septic adolescents; influence of amino acids, energy, and insulin

SummaryBackground & aimsTo investigate the effects of glucose, parenteral amino acids, and intravenous insulin on albumin synthesis rates in critically ill children.MethodsTwo studies were performed in 8 post-surgical infants (age 9.8 ± 1.9 months; weight 9.5 ± 1.1 kg) and 9 septic adolescents (age 15 ± 1 yr; BMI 23 ± 4 kg m−2), respectively. All received a primed, constant, tracer infusion with [1-13C]Leucine. The infants in study 1 were randomized to receive low (2.5 mg kg−1 min−1) and standard (5.0 mg kg−1 min−1) glucose intake in a cross-over setting of two periods of 4 h each. The adolescents in study 2 were randomized to receive total parenteral nutrition with standard (1.5 g kg−1 day−1) and high (3.0 g kg−1 day−1) amino acid intake in a two day cross-over setting. On both study days, during the last 3 h of the tracer study, they received insulin infused at 80 mU m−2 min−1.ResultsThe post-surgical infants and the septic adolescents were mildly hypoalbuminemic (∼2.5 g dL−1) with high synthesis rates, which were not affected by different intakes of glucose, amino acids, or insulin infusion.ConclusionsAlbumin synthesis rates in hypoalbuminemic critically ill children are high but were not upregulated through nutrient supply, and in septic adolescents are unaffected by insulin

Benchmarking port asset performance

Over the past decade, the complexity of operations in maritime port areas has increased significantly. Considering the challenges ports are facing with the maintenance of aging infrastructures, the need for asset management efficiency within the port industry is imperative. The willingness to ensure continuous improvement has contributed to a growing interest in the measurement and benchmarking of port infrastructure performance. The paper describes the development of an international benchmarking model to measure and compare port asset performance. The model is illustrated by comparing the maintenance of quay walls and roads for three different European ports. The presented benchmark results, and the process itself, have provided asset managers with valuable insights into their maintenance performance.Transport and LogisticsTransport and PlanningIntegral Design and Managemen