Joint action as a practice of memory transmission in a poor urban neighborhood of Santiago,Chile

In Latin America, one of the key tasks of Community and Liberation Psychology has been to recover the memories of marginalized and excluded communities that have experienced multiple pasts marked by political violence. In Chile, researchers have focused on poor urban neighborhoods, where the question of how memories are transmitted in areas where conflicts and violence are still present has been overlooked. In this context, the following article aims to analyze the ways in which memories are transmitted in a neighborhood that has a long organizational history in the struggle against social inequalities; while at the same time being classified as a critical area by the state due to its current levels of violence and social conflict. The researchers led a 3‐year case study from an ethnographic perspective, and applied a collaborative methodology that brought together the research team and the members of a territorial organization. The analysis is based on 72 interviews, 5 conversation groups and ethnographic observation. The data was analyzed using discourse analysis. The results revealed that the main form of memory transmission is not based on intergenerational narratives of the past, but rather on joint action; namely, dialogical practices among neighborhood residents that generate an ethos; a common way of life.     

Massive Plasmodium falciparum visceral sequestration: a cause of maternal death in Africa

Sequestration of Plasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocytes (PfIE) in the capillaries of the central nervous system (CNS) is the pathognomonic feature of cerebral malaria, a condition frequently leading to death. Sequestration of PfIE in the placental intervillous spaces is the characteristic feature of malaria in pregnancy and is associated with low birthweight and prematurity. Although both patterns of sequestration are thought to result from the expression of different parasite proteins involved in cytoadhesion to human receptors, scant information exists on whether both conditions can coexist and whether this can lead to death. We conducted a prospective autopsy study including all consecutive pregnancy-related deaths in a tertiary-level referral hospital in Maputo, Mozambique, between October 2002 and December 2006. Extensive sampling of all major viscera was performed. All cases showing parasites in any of the viscera were included in the analysis. From 317 complete autopsies PfIEs were identified in ten women (3.2%). All cases showed massive accumulation of PfIE in small capillaries of the CNS but also in most visceral capillaries (heart, lung, kidney, uterus). Placental tissue, available in four cases, showed a massive accumulation of maternal PfIE in the intervillous space. Coma (six women) and dyspnoea (five women) were the most frequent presenting clinical symptoms. In conclusion, massive visceral sequestration of PfIE with significant involvement of the CNS is an infrequent but definite direct cause of maternal death in endemic areas of Africa. The PfIE sequestered in cerebral capillaries and the placenta coexist in these fatal cases.     

Subspecialty Virtual Impact Factors within a Dedicated Neuroimaging Journal

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE:The growing number of subspecialties within neuroradiology compete for pages in neuroradiology journals. We performed a bibliometric analysis of the American Journal of Neuroradiology to identify the virtual Impact Factor of different journal subsections and article topics.MATERIALS AND METHODS:Original Research and Review Articles published in American Journal of Neuroradiology during 2010–2012 were evaluated. The journal section for each article was recorded, and the number of citations was evaluated by using the Web of Science database. Numbers of citations within the first 2 years after publication were evaluated, normalized to the 2013 journal Impact Factor (for American Journal of Neuroradiology, 3.675), and used to calculate a virtual Impact Factor for different journal subsections.RESULTS:One thousand forty-nine Original Research and Review Articles were published during this time, which obtained an average of 6.59 citations each within their first 2 years after publication; 91.8% of articles obtained at least 1 citation. Expedited Publications had the greatest number of citations, averaging 43.7 citations each (virtual Impact Factor, 24.39), followed by Review Articles averaging 9.39 citations each (virtual Impact Factor 5.23). Virtual Impact Factors for other sections were the following: Interventional, 4.54; Brain, 3.70; Pediatrics, 2.91; Functional, 2.74; Head & Neck, 2.24; and Spine, 1.86. Virtual Impact Factors for article topics were the following: interventional, 4.75; functional/advanced, 3.79; brain, 3.66; pediatrics, 2.99; head and neck, 2.46; and spine, 2.32.CONCLUSIONS:Citation patterns of Original Research and Review Articles in American Journal of Neuroradiology varied widely on the basis of subsections. Understanding the citation patterns of specific topics and subsections of a journal may aid authors and editors in evaluating the appropriate balance among various topics and allow authors to determine whether their articles are being cited at a level expected for similar ones in a journal.

Citation analysis is an important means of evaluating the performance of journals and of authors, with implications regarding promotions, grant funding, advertising sales, and library selections.^1–3 The growing number of subspecialties within neuroradiology compete for journal pages, and citation profiles of these different subsections have not been evaluated. We performed a bibliometric analysis of American Journal of Neuroradiology (AJNR) to identify citation patterns based on subsections and article topics.Neuroradiology encompasses evaluation of the brain, head and neck, spine, and peripheral nervous system, including minimally invasive diagnostic and therapeutic techniques in these areas. Several journals dedicated to neuroradiology exist; however, neuroradiologic articles are also included in general radiology journals and in radiology subspecialty journals such as those dedicated to pediatric radiology. While there is a growing body of bibliometric analyses in the radiology literature,^4–7 few studies have focused on neuroradiology topics to date.^8–10We hypothesized that the citation characteristics of a journal are heterogeneous among journal subsections and varying topics. We undertook a bibliometric analysis to evaluate the citation characteristics of neuroradiology articles within a neuroradiology journal. We additionally sought to determine the citation characteristics of neuroradiology articles pertaining to specific subtopics.     

The effect of antecolic versus retrocolic reconstruction on delayed gastric emptying after classic non–pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy

Background

Delayed gastric emptying (DGE) after pancreaticoduodenectomy increases length of hospital stay and costs, and may be influenced by surgical techniques.

Methods

We retrospectively compared 400 patients with antecolic gastrojejunostomy with 400 patients with retrocolic gastrojejunostomy for the occurrence of DGE.

Results

The prevalence of DGE was 15% in the antecolic group and 21% in the retrocolic group (P = .021), and median length of stay was shorter for the former (8 vs 10 days, P = .001). The difference was statistically significant with grade A DGE (9% vs 14%, P = .038), but not B or C. In a multivariate analysis, DGE was influenced by retrocolic reconstruction, as well as older age, chronic pancreatitis, preoperative bilirubin level, a history of previous upper abdominal surgery, and postoperative pancreatic fistula.

Conclusions

An antecolic gastrojejunostomy for classic non–pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy is associated with a lower incidence of mild DGE (grade A) and a shorter length of stay.