bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fulminant myocarditis and pulmonary cavity lesion induced by disseminated mucormycosis in a chronic hemodialysis patient: Report of an autopsied case
Authors: Fujisawa Yuhei , Hara Satoshi , Zoshima Takeshi , Maekawa Naoto , Inoue Dai , Sasaki Motoko , Gamou Tadatsugu , Nagata Yoji , Hayashi Kenshi , Takeji Akari , Ito Kiyoaki , Mizushima Ichiro , Fujii Hiroshi , Kawano Mitsuhiro
Published: April 2020

Mucormycosis is a rare fungal infection occurring in the immunocompromised host. It is difficult to diagnose, and its cardiac involvement is extremely rare. Here, we report a 64‐year‐old Japanese man with a 5‐year history of hemodialysis with disseminated mucormycosis causing fulminant myocarditis and pulmonary necrosis under glucocorticoid use. Two months before, he had received an implantable cardioverter defibrillator and started to take amiodarone for recurrent ventricular arrhythmias due to hypertensive cardiomyopathy. He developed amiodarone‐induced interstitial pneumonia and then received glucocorticoid therapy. Although the interstitial pneumonia partially improved, a lung cavitary lesion developed in the upper right lobe. Antibiotics had no effect, and serologic tests, blood and sputum cultures and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were all negative for infectious pathogens. Eventually, he died of fulminant myocarditis. Autopsy revealed disseminated mucormycosis with vascular invasion and fungal thrombi, hemorrhage and infarction in lung (cavity lesion), heart (severe myocarditis), brain, thyroid and subcutaneous tissue around the implantable cardioverter defibrillator. The lung cavitary lesion was the only clinical finding suggestive of mucormycosis before autopsy. When an immunocompromised patient shows a progressive lung cavity lesion, the possibility of mucormycosis should be considered so that a broad‐spectrum antifungal agent can be empirically administered in a timely fashion.
The fitness versus body fat hypothesis in relation to hippocampal structure
Authors: Aghjayan Sarah L. , Jakicic John M. , Rogers Renee J. , Esteban‐Cornejo Irene , Peven Jamie C. , Stillman Chelsea M. , Watt Jennifer C. , Erickson Kirk I.
Published: April 2020

The Fitness Versus Body Fat Hypothesis argues that cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) plays a more important role in cardiovascular health than adiposity. It remains poorly understood whether CRF or adiposity accounts for a greater amount of variation in measures of brain health. We examined the contribution of CRF, adiposity, and their interaction with hippocampal structure. This study included 124 sedentary adults (M = 44.34) with overweight/obesity (Body Mass Index mean = 32.43). FMRIB’s Integrated Registration and Segmentation Tool was used to segment the hippocampus. Using hierarchical regression, we examined whether CRF, assessed via a submaximal graded exercise test, or adiposity, assessed as percent body fat using dual‐energy x‐ray absorptiometry (DXA) was associated with left and right hippocampal volume. Vertex‐wise shape analysis was performed to examine regional shape differences associated with CRF and adiposity. Higher CRF was significantly associated with greater left hippocampal volume (p = .031), with outward shape differences along the surface of the subiculum and CA1 regions. Adiposity was not associated with left or right hippocampal volume or shape. The interaction between adiposity and CRF was not significant. Neither CRF nor adiposity were associated with thalamus or caudate nucleus volumes or shapes, two control regions. Higher CRF, but not adiposity, was related to greater left hippocampal volume, with outward shape differences along the surface of the subiculum and CA1 regions in a midlife sample with overweight/obesity. These findings indicate that, within the context of obesity, CRF is an important contributor to hippocampal structure, highlighting the importance of interventions targeting CRF.
The Harmonic Meanχ2-Test to Substantiate Scientific Findings
Authors: Held Leonhard
Published: April 2020

Statistical methodology plays a crucial role in drug regulation. Decisions by the US Food and Drug Administration or European Medicines Agency are typically made based on multiple primary studies testing the same medical product, where the two-trials rule is the standard requirement, despite shortcomings. A new approach is proposed for this task based on the harmonic mean of the squared study-specific test statistics. Appropriate scaling ensures that, for any number of independent studies, the null distribution is a χ2-distribution with 1 degree of freedom. This gives rise to a new method for combining one-sided p-values and calculating confidence intervals for the overall treatment effect. Further properties are discussed and a comparison with the two-trials rule is made, as well as with alternative research synthesis methods. An attractive feature of the new approach is that a claim of success requires each study to be convincing on its own to a certain degree depending on the overall level of significance and the number of studies. The new approach is motivated by and applied to data from five clinical trials investigating the effect of carvedilol for the treatment of patients with moderate to severe heart failure.
The “11 for Health in Denmark” intervention in 10‐ to 12‐year‐old Danish girls and boys and its effects on well‐being—A large‐scale cluster RCT
Authors: Madsen Mads , Elbe Anne‐Marie , Madsen Esben Elholm , Ermidis Georgios , Ryom Knud , Wikman Johan Michael , Rasmussen Lind Rune , Larsen Malte Nejst , Krustrup Peter
Published: April 2020

Background

The present study investigates the well‐being effects for 10‐ to 12‐year‐old children  who participated in the school‐based intervention “11 for Health in Denmark,” which comprises physical activity (PA) and health education. Subgroup analyses were carried out for boys and girls.

Method

Three thousand sixty‐one children were randomly assigned to an intervention group (IG) or a control group (CG) by 5:1 cluster randomization by school. 2533 children (mean age 11.5 ± 0.4; 49.7% boys) were assigned to IG and 528 children (mean age 11.4 ± 0.5; 50.8% boys) were assigned to CG. IG participated in the “11 for Health in Denmark” 11‐week program, consisting of 2 × 45 min per week of football drills, small‐sided games, and health education. CG did not participate in any intervention and continued with their regular education. Before and after the intervention period, both groups answered a shortened version of the multidimensional well‐being questionnaire KIDSCREEN‐27.

Results

The “11 for Health in Denmark” intervention program had a positive effect on physical well‐being in girls (IG: 48.6 ± 8.5 to 50.2 ± 9.3), whereas the improvement was not significant in boys. The program also had a positive impact on well‐being scores for peers and social support (IG: 50.2 ± 10.2 to 50.8 ± 10.1), though when analyzed separately in the subgroups of boys and girls the changes were not significant. No between‐group differences were found for psychological well‐being or school environment.

Conclusion

The intervention program had a positive between‐group effect on physical well‐being in girls, whereas the change was not significant in boys. The overall scores for peers and social support improved during the intervention period, but no subgroup differences were found.
Invitro phagocytosis of liquid‐stored red blood cells requires serum and can be inhibited with fucoidan and dextran sulphate
Authors: Hult Andreas , Toss Fredrik , Malm Christer , Oldenborg Per‐Arne
Published: April 2020

Background and Objectives

Red‐blood‐cells (RBCs) undergo structural and metabolic changes with prolonged storage, which ultimately may decrease their survival after transfusion. Although the storage‐induced damage to RBCs has been rather well described biochemically, little is known about the mechanisms underlying the recognition and rapid clearance of the damaged cells by macrophages.

Materials and Methods

We, here, used a murine model for cold (+4°C) RBC storage and transfusion. Phagocytosis of human or murine RBCs, liquid stored for 6‐8 weeks or 10–14 days, respectively, was investigated in murine peritoneal macrophages.

Results

The effects of storage on murine RBCs resembled that described for stored human RBCs with regard to decreased adenosine triphosphate (ATP) levels, accumulation of microparticles (MPs) during storage, and RBC recovery kinetics after transfusion. Under serum‐free conditions, phagocytosis of stored human or murine RBCs in vitro was reduced by 70–75%, as compared with that in the presence of heat‐inactivated fetal calf serum (FCS). Human serum promoted phagocytosis of stored human RBCs similar to that seen with FCS. By adding fucoidan or dextran sulphate (blockers of scavenger receptors class A (SR‐A)), phagocytosis of human or murine RBCs was reduced by more than 90%. Phagocytosis of stored human RBCs was also sensitive to inhibition by the phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase‐inhibitor LY294002, the ERK1/2‐inhibitor PD98059, or the p38 MAPK‐inhibitor SB203580.

Conclusion

RBCs damaged during liquid storage may be recognized by macrophage SR‐A and serum‐dependent mechanisms. This species‐independent recognition mechanism may help to further understand the rapid clearance of stored RBCs shortly after transfusion.
Dynamic Analysis of a Stochastic Predator–Prey Model With Crowley–Martin Functional Response, Disease in Predator, and Saturation Incidence
Authors: Xu Conghui , Yu Yongguang , Ren Guojian
Published: April 2020

This work aims to study some dynamical properties of a stochastic predator–prey model, which is considered under the combination of Crowley–Martin functional response, disease in predator, and saturation incidence. First, we discuss the existence and uniqueness of positive solution of the concerned stochastic model. Second, we prove that the solution is stochastically ultimate bounded. Then, we investigate the extinction and the long-time behavior of the solution. Furthermore, we establish some conditions for the global attractivity of the model. Finally, we propose some numerical simulations to illustrate our main results.
Five new species of Pavania (Acari: Heterostigmata: Dolichocybidae) phoretic on scarab beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) from French Guiana and Malaysia

Authors: Khaustov Alexander A. , Frolov Andrey V.
Published: April 2020

Five new species of Pavania Lombardini (Acari: Heterostigmata: Dolichocybidae) associated with scarabaeine beetles are described: P. brevicaudata sp. nov., on Canthon vulcanoae in French Guiana; P. semireducta sp. nov., on Canthon quadriguttatus in French Guiana; P. pusilla sp. nov., on Canthon bicolor in French Guiana; P. hansreiaphila sp. nov., on Hansreia affinis in French Guiana; and P. copridis sp. nov., on Copris agnus in Borneo, Malaysia. A key to world species of Pavania is provided. The family Dolichocybidae is reported from French Guiana and Malaysia for the first time.
Cross-mating between Chinese population of Neoseiulus californicus (Acari: Phytoseiidae) and that from the commercial one from USA

Authors: Ji Jie , Song Zi-wei , Xie Shi-yong , Zhang Zhi-qiang
Published: April 2020

Based on morphological and molecular characters, a Neoseiulus species collected from southern China was identified as Neoseiulus californicus (McGregor), which was not recorded in China before 2012. However, the Chinese population of N. californicus has some unique biological features and its morphology is also somewhat different from those populations from outside China. In order to clarify if there was reproductive isolation or reduction in the reproductive rates between Chinese population and the commercial population of N. californicus (originated from California, USA), reproductive compatibility between the specimens of two different populations was evaluated under laboratory conditions to ascertain their conspecificity. Inter-population crosses showed there was no reproductive isolation between the Chinese population and the commercial population. The results confirmed that these two belong to the same species, in agreement with the results based on morphological and molecular identifications of the Chinese N. californicus.
Reassignment of Rhyncaphytoptus longipalpis Xue et Hong, 2005 (Diptilomiopidae) to Bambusacarus n. gen. (Eriophyidae) and remarks on shape of oral stylet and orientation of pharynx in Eriophyoidea (Acari: Acariformes)

Authors: Chetverikov Philipp E. , Amrine Jr. James W. , Kiss Enikő , Kontschán Jenő , Ripka Géza
Published: April 2020

It is widely accepted in literature that members of Diptilomiopidae possess a “long-form” oral stylet which is usually nearly as long as the cheliceral stylets. However, it is not only the length of the oral stylet itself that is the character to discriminate diptilomiopids, but also its shape and the orientation of the pharynx. We reinvestigated the gnathosoma of Rhyncaphytoptus longipalpis Xue et Hong, 2005, a “diptilomiopid” species from China, and demonstrated that this mite has an angled short-form oral stylet and an almost horizontally oriented pharynx, which is not typical for Diptilomiopidae. We reassign “longipalpis” to a new genus Bambusacarus n. gen. in a different family-group (Eriophyidae, Phyllocoptinae, Anthocoptini) and provide a supplementary description of this species based on the material from Hungary where it was found on six introduced bamboo species of the genus Phyllostachys (Poaceae). Similar to members of endoparasitic genus Novophytoptus (Phytoptidae), B. longipalpis n. comb. has elongate, forceps-shaped gnathosomal structures and it lacks setae d and v on palps. We conclude that in some “non-diptlilomiopid” lineages of Eriophyoidea (1) the elongation of palps and changing of the length and curvature of the gnathosomal stylets may not be correlated with transformation of the shape of the oral stylet and reorientation of pharynx, and (2) when this happens, the mite homoplastically acquires the well-recognized “diptilomiopid-like” phenotype as seen in B. longipalpis n. comb. In future, careful reinvestigation of the shape of the oral stylet in Diptilomiopidae may reveal new examples of similar phenotypic convergency in Eriophyoidea.
Analysis of useful ion yield for the Mg dopant in GaN by quadrupole—SIMS
Authors: Senevirathna M. K. Indika , Williams Michael D. , Cooke Graham A. , Kozhanov Alexander , Vernon Mark , Cross Garnett B.
Published: April 2020

The authors present a quantitative secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) analysis of the useful ion yield of magnesium dopant in a gallium nitride matrix. A quadrupole SIMS instrument was used to analyze an Mg-doped GaN sample grown by metal organic chemical vapor deposition. Oxygen (O2+) was used as the primary ion beam and its energy was varied in the range from 0.5 to 5 kV with and without oxygen flooding near the sample. The results of the analysis can be used to determine the primary beam energies for optimal magnesium sensitivity.
Wet Bulb Globe Temperature Use in National Collegiate Athletic Association Football Bowl Subdivision Athletic Training Staffs
Authors: Chan Garrison A. , Wagner Dale R.
Published: April 2020

Heat illnesses present a risk for athletes, especially football players. The National Athletic Trainers’ Association established recommendations to prevent heat illnesses, which include measuring wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT). This study aimed to determine the prevalence of WBGT use among the 130 National Collegiate Athletic Association Football Bowl Subdivision athletic training staffs. Of 82 respondents, 59 use WBGT to assess heat stress. The majority of Football Bowl Subdivision training programs (72% of respondents) use the WBGT, but adherence to this National Athletic Trainers’ Association recommendation varies throughout the season (practice versus games) and is likely influenced by the geographical location of the university.
Step-Counting Validity of Wrist-Worn Activity Monitors During Activities With Fixed Upper Extremities
Authors: Lynn Rebekah , Pfitzer Rebekah , Rogers Rebecca R. , Ballmann Christopher G. , Williams Tyler D. , Marshall Mallory R.
Published: April 2020

Little is known about validity of wrist-worn physical activity monitors during activities when an arm-swing is not present. The purpose of this study was to compare the step-counting validity of wrist-worn activity monitors (Fitbit Charge HR Series 2, ActiGraph GT9X Link, Apple Watch Series 4) during functional physical activities with fixed upper extremities. Tasks included treadmill walking at 3 mph and five free-living tasks (walking with a baby doll on the left hip and the right hip, holding groceries, and pushing a stroller while walking and while jogging). Device step counts were compared to hand-counted steps from GoPro video footage. Fitbit Charge had less error when compared to the left ActiGraph in both stroller walking and jogging, treadmill walking, and grocery walking tasks (p < .001 to .020). For grocery walking, walking with a baby on the right, and walking with a baby on the left, device percentage errors ranged from 0 (0.5%) to −7.6 (15.8%). For stroller jogging, stroller walking, and treadmill walking, device percentage errors ranged from −8.3 (7.3%) to −94.3 (17.9%). Tasks with the hands fixed to an item that also had contact with the floor (stroller and treadmill) had more error than when participants held an item that was not in contact with the floor (doll and groceries). Though wrist-worn, consumer-grade step-counting devices typically undercount steps in general, consumers should be aware that their devices may particularly undercount steps during activities with the hands fixed. This may be especially true with items in contact with the floor.
Enhancing Fundamental Movement Skills: Understanding Student Voices
Authors: O’Sullivan Cathal Óg , Parker Melissa , Comyns Tom , Ralph Annmarie
Published: April 2020

Purpose: Framed in self-determination theory, the aim of this study was to explore students’ perceptions of learning in a fundamental movement skills (FMS)-focused physical education program that incorporated student voice.Methods: Participants included 13 females attending a designated disadvantaged post primary school (13–14 years old). Qualitative data consisted of pre- and postfocus group interviews, participant drawings, and researcher reflections. Quantitative data included a pre- and postanalysis of five FMS (running, catching, throwing, kicking, and vertical jump).Results: Analysis of the qualitative data resulted in four overarching themes: learning new skills, presumptions, importance of peer learning, and FMS proficiency leading to improved participation. Analysis of quantitative data illustrated statistically significant improvement in mean score for kicking, running (p ≤ .001), throwing, vertical jump, and catch (p ≤ .05).Discussion/Conclusion: This study advocates for the incorporation of student voice to enhance autonomy, relatedness, and competence when creating a program aimed at developing adolescents’ FMS.
The coronavirus czar
Authors: Kupferschmidt Kai
Published: April 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has made German virologist Christian Drosten an unlikely cult figure.
Giant thermopower of ionic gelatin near room temperature
Authors: Han Cheng-Gong , Qian Xin , Li Qikai , Deng Biao , Zhu Yongbin , Han Zhijia , Zhang Wenqing , Wang Weichao , Feng Shien-Ping , Chen Gang , Liu Weishu
Published: April 2020

Improving ionic thermoelectrics

Using ions as charge carriers in thermoelectric devices usually requires using either thermal diffusion or redox reactions at two electrodes with different temperatures. Han
et al.
leveraged both of these strategies to develop a gelatin-based ionic thermoelectric device that uses alkali salts and an iron-based redox couple to generate a large thermopower. This device is capable of generating useful amounts of energy from body heat.

Science
, this issue p.
1091
Profiling prostate biology
Authors: Kelly Kathleen
Published: April 2020

Prostate luminal secretory cells can function as facultative stem cells
What future awaits the Sun?
Authors: Santos Ângela R. G. , Mathur Savita
Published: April 2020

Stellar data question the notion that the Sun is stemming its magnetic activity cycle
Philip W. Anderson (1923–2020)
Authors: Lee Patrick A. , Ong N. Phuan
Published: April 2020

Intellectual giant of condensed matter physics
Tinctures of time and Schrödinger's virus
Authors: Campos Luis
Published: April 2020

Literature and science converge in a pandemic
Achromobacter xylosoxidans Cellular Pathology Is Correlated with Activation of a Type III Secretion System
Authors: Pickrum Adam M. , DeLeon Orlando , Dirck Aaron , Tessmer Maxx H. , Riegert Molly O. , Biller Julie A. , Ledeboer Nathan A. , Kirby John R. , Frank Dara W.
Published: April 2020

Achromobacter xylosoxidans
is increasingly recognized as a colonizer of cystic fibrosis (CF) patients, but the role that
A. xylosoxidans
plays in pathology remains unknown. This knowledge gap is largely due to the lack of model systems available to study the toxic potential of this bacterium. Recently, a phospholipase A
2
(PLA
2
) encoded by a majority of
A. xylosoxidans
genomes, termed AxoU, was identified.
Comparison of Commercially Available and Laboratory-Developed Assays for
In Vitro
Detection of SARS-CoV-2 in Clinical Laboratories
Authors: Lieberman Joshua A. , Pepper Gregory , Naccache Samia N. , Huang Meei-Li , Jerome Keith R. , Greninger Alexander L.
Published: April 2020

Multiple laboratory-developed tests (LDTs) and commercially available assays have emerged to meet diagnostic needs related to the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic. To date, there is limited comparison data for these different testing platforms. We compared the analytical performance of a LDT developed in our clinical laboratory based on CDC primer sets and four commercially available, FDA emergency use authorized assays for SARS-CoV-2 (Cepheid, DiaSorin, Hologic Panther, and Roche Cobas) on a total of 169 nasopharyngeal swabs.
Supplemental Material: Late Ordovician mass extinction caused by volcanism, warming, and anoxia, not cooling and glaciation
Authors: Bond David , Grasby Stephen
Published: April 2020

Geochemical data from the Dob's Linn section (Scotland, UK).
Supplemental Material: Onset of permanent Taklimakan Desert linked to the mid-Pleistocene transition
Authors: Liu Weiguo , Liu Zhonghui
Published: April 2020

Materials, methods, and interpretations, Figure S1 (stratigraphic columns and age assignments), Figure S2 (δ13C correlated with rainfall and temperature), Figure S3 (detailed view of the onset of desertification), Figure S4 (representative core photos), Figure S5 (Lop Nur and Mazartag δ13C), Figure S6 (spectral results), Figure S7 (close-up views of records), and Table S1 (δ18O, δ13C, and grain-size data).
Laparoscopic treatment of small bowel strangulation caused by an intramesosigmoid hernia and review of literature
Authors: Junttila Anna , Virtanen Juha , Mrena Johanna , Mattila Anne K
Published: April 2020

An internal hernia is defined as a protrusion of an abdominal viscera through the defects of the gastrointestinal mesentery or peritoneum-lined fossa. Sigmoid mesocolic hernias are an uncommon type of internal hernias, accounting for only 6% of all internal hernias. Furthermore, intramesosigmoid hernia is one of the three subtypes of the sigmoid mesocolic hernias. Internal hernias are potentially fatal conditions with diagnostic challenges. Patients presenting with acute obstruction, no surgical history and no external hernia should receive an urgent CT scan to facilitate early surgery and to minimise the risk of strangulation and bowel resection. Here, we report a case of strangulated small bowel obstruction secondary to an intramesosigmoid hernia with a successful laparoscopic repair. We also present a literature review of all reported cases so far and give an up-to-date perspective on intramesosigmoid hernia.
Opportunistic coinfection withPneumocystis jiroveciiandCoccidioides immitisassociated with idelalisib treatment in a patient with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia
Authors: Ward Lindsey M , Peluso Michael J , Budak Jehan Z , Elicker Brett M , Chin-Hong Peter V , Lampiris Harry , Mulliken Jennifer S
Published: April 2020

We describe a case of opportunistic coinfections withCoccidioides immitisandPneumocystis jiroveciifollowing treatment with idelalisib, a phosphoinositide 3-kinase inhibitor, for chronic lymphocytic leukaemia. This is the first case of pulmonary coccidioidomycosis reported in association with idelalisib. We review challenges related to diagnosis of opportunistic infections in this context. This report illustrates (1) the uncommon occurrence of two opportunistic infections concurrently or in rapid succession, (2) the importance of maintaining a broad differential diagnosis in the setting of an atypical imaging finding, slow clinical response or when immunomodulatory drugs are used, and (3) the challenges associated with non-invasive serological testing in individuals with haematological malignancy on immunomodulatory therapy.
Term complications and subsequent risk of preterm birth: registry based study
Authors: Kvalvik Liv G , Wilcox Allen J , Skjærven Rolv , Østbye Truls , Harmon Quaker E
Published: April 2020

Objective

To explore conditions and outcomes of a first delivery at term that might predict later preterm birth.

Design

Population based, prospective register based study.

Setting

Medical Birth Registry of Norway, 1999-2015.

Participants

302 192 women giving birth (live or stillbirth) to a second singleton child between 1999 and 2015.

Main outcome measures

Main outcome was the relative risk of preterm delivery (<37 gestational weeks) in the birth after a term first birth with pregnancy complications: pre-eclampsia, placental abruption, stillbirth, neonatal death, and small for gestational age.

Results

Women with any of the five complications at term showed a substantially increased risk of preterm delivery in the next pregnancy. The absolute risks for preterm delivery in a second pregnancy were 3.1% with none of the five term complications (8202/265 043), 6.1% after term pre-eclampsia (688/11 225), 7.3% after term placental abruption (41/562), 13.1% after term stillbirth (72/551), 10.0% after term neonatal death (22/219), and 6.7% after term small for gestational age (463/6939). The unadjusted relative risk for preterm birth after term pre-eclampsia was 2.0 (95% confidence interval 1.8 to 2.1), after term placental abruption was 2.3 (1.7 to 3.1), after term stillbirth was 4.2 (3.4 to 5.2), after term neonatal death was 3.2 (2.2 to 4.8), and after term small for gestational age was 2.2 (2.0 to 2.4). On average, the risk of preterm birth was increased 2.0-fold (1.9-fold to 2.1-fold) with one term complication in the first pregnancy, and 3.5-fold (2.9-fold to 4.2-fold) with two or more complications. The associations persisted after excluding recurrence of the specific complication in the second pregnancy. These links between term complications and preterm delivery were also seen in the reverse direction: preterm birth in the first pregnancy predicted complications in second pregnancies delivered at term.

Conclusions

Pre-eclampsia, placental abruption, stillbirth, neonatal death, or small for gestational age experienced in a first term pregnancy are associated with a substantially increased risk of subsequent preterm delivery. Term complications seem to share important underlying causes with preterm delivery that persist from pregnancy to pregnancy, perhaps related to a mother’s predisposition to disorders of placental function.
The potential health and revenue effects of a tax on sugar sweetened beverages in Zambia
Authors: Hangoma Peter , Bulawayo Maio , Chewe Mwimba , Stacey Nicholas , Downey Laura , Chalkidou Kalipso , Hofman Karen , Kamanga Mpuma , Kaluba Anita , Surgey Gavin
Published: April 2020

The global burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) has been rising. A key risk factor for NCDs is obesity, which has been partly linked to consumption of sugar sweetened beverages (SSBs). A tax on SSBs is an attractive control measure to curb the rising trend in NCDs, as it has the potential to reduce consumption of SSBs. However, studies on the potential effects of SSB taxes have been concentrated in high-income countries with limited studies in low-income and middle-income countries. Using data from the 2015 Zambia Living Conditions Monitoring Survey (LCMS) data, the 2017 Zambia NCD STEPS Survey, and key parameters from the literature, we simulated the effect of a 25% SSB tax in Zambia on energy intake and the corresponding change in body mass index (BMI), obesity prevalence, deaths averted, life years gained and revenues generated using a mathematical model developed using Microsoft Excel. We conducted Monte Carlo simulations to construct 95% confidence bands and sensitivity analyses to account for uncertainties in key parameters. We found that a 25% SSB would avert 2526 deaths, though these results were not statistically significant overall. However, when broken down by gender, the tax was found to significantly avert 1133 deaths in women (95% CI 353 to 1970). The tax was found to potentially generate an additional US$5.46 million (95% CI 4.66 to 6.14) in revenue annually. We conclude that an SSB tax in Zambia has the potential to significantly decrease the amount of disability-adjusted life years lost to lifestyle-related diseases in women, highlighting important health equity outcomes. Women have higher baseline BMI and therefore are at higher risk for NCDs. In addition, an SSB tax will provide government with additional revenue which if earmarked for health could contribute to healthcare financing in Zambia.
Cardiovascular manifestations and treatment considerations in COVID-19
Authors: Kang Yu , Chen Tiffany , Mui David , Ferrari Victor , Jagasia Dinesh , Scherrer-Crosbie Marielle , Chen Yucheng , Han Yuchi
Published: April 2020

Since its recognition in December 2019, covid-19 has rapidly spread globally causing a pandemic. Pre-existing comorbidities such as hypertension, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease are associated with a greater severity and higher fatality rate of covid-19. Furthermore, COVID-19 contributes to cardiovascular complications, including acute myocardial injury as a result of acute coronary syndrome, myocarditis, stress-cardiomyopathy, arrhythmias, cardiogenic shock, and cardiac arrest. The cardiovascular interactions of COVID-19 have similarities to that of severe acute respiratory syndrome, Middle East respiratory syndrome and influenza. Specific cardiovascular considerations are also necessary in supportive treatment with anticoagulation, the continued use of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors, arrhythmia monitoring, immunosuppression or modulation, and mechanical circulatory support.
Association between industry payments for opioid products and physicians’ prescription of opioids: observational study with propensity-score matching
Authors: Inoue Kosuke , Figueroa Jose F , Orav E John , Tsugawa Yusuke
Published: April 2020

Background

Industry marketing to physicians for opioids has received substantial attention as it can potentially influence physicians’ prescription of opioids. However, robust evidence demonstrating a causal link between industry payments for opioids and physicians’ prescription practice for opioids is lacking.

Methods

Using the national databases of physicians treating Medicare beneficiaries, we examined the association between physicians’ receipt of opioid-related industry payments in 2016 and (1) the number of opioids prescribed and (2) the annual expenditures for the opioid products by those physicians in 2017, using propensity-score matching in a 1:1 ratio adjusting for the physician characteristics (sex, years in practice, medical school attended, specialty), the number of opioid prescriptions in 2016, and physicians’ financial relationships with industry in 2015. We compared matched pairs of physicians using the estimated effect and paired t-test.

Results

Among 43 778 physicians included after propensity-score matching, physicians who received opioid-related industry payments in 2016 prescribed more opioids (153.8 vs 129.7; adjusted difference (95% CI), 24.1 (19.1 to 29.1)) and accounted for more spending due to opioids ($10 476 vs $6983; adjusted difference (95% CI), $3493 (2854 to 4134)) in 2017, compared with physicians who did not receive payments. The association was larger among primary care physicians than surgeons or specialists. The dose–response analysis revealed that even a small amount of industry payments was sufficient to effectively affect physicians’ prescription practice of opioids.

Conclusions

Opioid-related industry payments to physicians in the prior year were associated with a higher number of opioid prescriptions and expenditures for opioid products in the subsequent year.
Spectrum of impulse control behaviours in Parkinson’s disease: pathophysiology and management
Authors: Kelly Mark John , Baig Fahd , Hu Michele Tao-Ming , Okai David
Published: April 2020

Impulse control behaviours (ICBs) are a range of behaviours linked by their reward-based, repetitive natures. They can be precipitated in Parkinson’s disease (PD) by dopamine replacement therapy, often with detrimental consequences for patients and caregivers. While now a well-recognised non-motor feature of treated PD, much remains unknown about the influence of risk factors, pathophysiological mechanisms, vulnerability factors for specific types of behaviour and the optimal management strategies. Imaging studies have identified structural and functional changes in striatal and prefrontal brain regions, among others. Gene association studies indicate a role for genetic predisposition to PD-ICB. Clinical observational studies have identified potential modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors. Psychological studies shed light on the neurocognitive domains implicated in PD-ICBs and identify psychosocial determinants that may perpetuate the cycle of impulsive and harm-avoidance behaviours. Based on these results, a range of pharmacological and non-pharmacological management strategies have been trialled in PD-ICBs with varying success. The purpose of this review is to update clinicians on the evidence around the pathophysiology of PD-ICB. We aim to translate our findings into an interpretable biopsychosocial model that can be applied to the clinical assessment and management of individual cases of PD-ICB.
Transoral vertebroplasty for the C1 lateral mass
Authors: Clarençon Frédéric , Shotar Eimad , Cormier Evelyne , Premat Kevin , Drir Mehdi , Lahlou Ghizlene , Morel Veronique , Spano Jean-Philippe , Bonaccorsi Raphaël , Di Maria Federico , Hervochon Rémi , Pascal-Mousselard Hugues , Chiras Jacques
Published: April 2020

Background

Osteolytic lesions of the atlas (C1) are challenging to treat by vertebroplasty due to the vicinity of the vertebral artery and the spinal cord.

Objective

To present our experience with transoral vertebroplasty (TOV) for osteolytic lesions of the lateral mass of the atlas.

Methods

Retrospective case series involving 15 consecutive patients (nine male, six female, mean age 63 years) who underwent TOV for the treatment of an osteolytic lesion of the lateral mass of the atlas. Among the osteolytic lesions, 10/15 (67%) were bone metastases from various cancers; 4/15 (27%) were lesions related to multiple myeloma; and one lesion (7%) was an aggressive hemangioma. All the TOVs were performed under general anesthesia and in most cases (10/15; 67%) in a hybrid angiosuite combining a C-arm flat panel and a CT scan. The remaining five patients were treated under biplane fluoroscopic guidance.

Results

Vertebroplasty of the lateral mass of C1 through a transoral route was feasible in all cases. Significant pain relief was obtained in most cases (1 month average decrease in Numeric Rating Scale: 4.9±4.1). No major complication was recorded. In 7/15 cases (47%), cement leakage surrounding the C1 lateral mass was seen; none of these leakages had a significant clinical consequence. No additional spine surgery was required in any of the patients.

Conclusion

TOV of osteolytic lesions of the lateral mass of the atlas is feasible and seems safe and effective, providing pain relief and bone stabilization.
Time trends in the risk of atrial fibrillation and ischaemic stroke in patients with peripheral artery disease between 1997 and 2015
Authors: Kamil Sadaf , Sehested Thomas , Houlind Kim , Lassen Jens , Gislason Gunnar , Dominguez Helena
Published: April 2020

Objective

The risk of atrial fibrillation (AF) and stroke in patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD) is an important issue that has not been investigated adequately. Our aim with the present study was to explore trends in the incidence of AF and stroke in patients with PAD.

Methods

We employed Danish nationwide registers to identify all patients with first-time diagnosis of PAD (aged ≥18 years) between 1997 and 2015. Age-standardised incidence rates per 1 000 person-years were calculated to estimate trends of AF and stroke. Risk of AF and stroke was estimated by 1 year cumulative incidence.

Results

A total of 121.241 patients with first-time diagnosis of PAD were identified. The 1-year cumulative incidence of AF in patients with PAD were 1.97% for year 1997–2000, 2.63% for year 2001–2005, 2.66% for year 2006–2010 and 2.78% for year 2011–2015, respectively. The 1-year cumulative incidence of stroke in patients with PAD were 2.71%, 2.71%, 1.95% and 1.81%, for the 1997–2000, 2001–2005, 2006–2010 and 2011–2015 year groups, respectively. Likewise, the age-standardised incidence rates showed increasing trends of AF during the study period, whereas trends of stroke demonstrated a decline. During study, the initiation of cholesterol-lowering agents and clopidogrel increased markedly from 7.0% to 51.3% and 0.1% to 5.9%, whereas use of warfarin slightly dropped from 4.29% to 3.21%.

Conclusions

The incidence of AF in patients with PAD has significantly increased over time, whereas a marked decline has occurred in the incidence of stroke. This may suggest that the secondary prevention strategies aimed at reducing risk of stroke are broadly effective.
Survey research in anesthesiology: a field guide to interpretation
Authors: Schroeck Hedwig , Wiredu Kwame , Ko Tae Wuk , Record David , Sirovich Brenda
Published: April 2020

Background

Survey research, indispensable for assessing subjective outcomes in anesthesiology, can nonetheless be challenging to undertake and interpret.

Objective

To present a user-friendly guide for the appraisal of survey-derived evidence, and to apply it to published survey research in the anesthesia literature.

Methods

Synthesizing published expert guidance regarding methodology and reporting, we discuss five essential criteria (with subcomponents) for evaluating survey research: (1) relevance of survey outcome to research objective, (2) trustworthiness of the instrument (testing/validation, availability), (3) collecting information well (sampling, administration), (4) representativeness (response rate), and (5) guidance towards interpretation of survey findings (generalizability, interpretation of numerical outcomes). These criteria were subsequently applied by two independent assessors to original research articles reporting survey findings, published in the five highest impact general anesthesia journals (‘Anaesthesia’, ‘Anesthesia & Analgesia’, ‘Anesthesiology’, ‘British Journal of Anaesthesia’ and ‘European Journal of Anaesthesiology’) between July 01, 2016, and December 31, 2017, which were identified using a prespecified PubMed search strategy.

Results

Among 1107 original articles published, we identified 97 reporting survey research either employing novel survey instruments (58%), established surveys (30%), or sets of single-item scores (12%). The extent to which reader-oriented benchmarks were achieved varied by component and between survey types. Results were particularly mixed for validation (mentioned for 41% of novel and 86% of established surveys) and discussion of generalizability (59% of novel survey reports, 45% of established surveys, and 17% of sets of single-item scores).

Conclusion

Survey research is not uncommon in anesthesiology, frequently employs novel survey instruments, and demonstrates mixed results in terms of transparency and interpretability. We provide readers with a practical framework for critical interpretation of survey-derived outcomes.
Reforestation policy has constrained options for managing risks on public forests
Authors: Lieffers Victor J. , Pinno Bradley D. , Beverly Jennifer L. , Thomas Barb R. , Nock Charles
Published: April 2020

Strict forest renewal policies in western Canada focus on replicating the stand type that was cut and projecting the growth of young stands forward using simple models based upon past growing conditions. These policies arose from European principles of sustained yield and now limit options for adaptive management at the time of investment in forest renewal of public lands. We assert that such simple and restrictive policies, combined with long-term yield predictions, give a false sense of sustainability in times of increased drought, fires, and insect and disease attacks that accompany climate change. We must undertake comprehensive changes in forest policy that incorporate disturbance in our forest management planning. This is a large task! Options include (i) zoning public forests to vary intensities of management and minimize risk; (ii) changing stand- and forest-level models to increase the diversity of forests regenerated; (iii) widening the sphere of scientific experts that can influence forest policy and risk management; and (iv) reallocating expenditures on forest renewal, protection, and management to minimize negative impacts of disturbance. Such a comprehensive overhaul of forest management will be necessary as the current assumptions of forest sustainability come under further scrutiny by the public and investors.
Chiral condensate of cold dense quark matter with external magnetic field
Authors: Shi Song , Liu Juan
Published: April 2020

At zero temperature and finite chemical potential, the gap equation of cold dense quark matter under external magnetic field is studied with NJL model in the mean-field approximation. By introducing new methods, it is found that the Nambu phase has sophisticated structures which have not been studied before. As a consequence, the phase diagram is expanded and divided into five areas, in each area the condensate has unique behaviors with chemical potential varying. Furthermore, the expanded phase diagram is used to predict the order of phase transition between the Nambu phase and the Wigner phase, it can also be used to explain the relations of dynamical mass and chemical potential. Meanwhile, the metastable states and cascade effect of dynamical mass are studied in this paper.
Eigensolutions and theoretic quantities under the nonrelativistic wave equation
Authors: Onate C. A. , Adebiyi L. S. , Bankole D. T.
Published: April 2020

The radial Schrödinger equation was solved with the combination of three important potentials with [Formula: see text] as deformed parameter via the parametric Nikiforov–Uvarov method and the energy equation as well as the corresponding normalized radial wave function were obtained in close and compact form. The energy equation obtained was used to study eight molecules. The effect of the deformed parameter on energy eigenvalues was also studied numerically. The subset of the combined potential was also studied numerically and the results were found to be in agreement with the previous results. To extend the application of our work, the wave function obtained was used to calculate some theoretic quantities such as the Tsallis entropy, Rényi entropy and information energy. By putting the Tsallis index to 2, we deduced the information energy from Tsallis entropy. Finally, the effect of the deformed parameter and screening parameter, respectively, on the theoretic quantities were also studied.
The Relationships Between Intelligence and Consciousness in Natural and Artificial Systems
Authors: Gamez David
Published: April 2020

This paper explores some of the potential connections between natural and artificial intelligence and natural and artificial consciousness. In humans we use batteries of tests to indirectly measure intelligence. This approach breaks down when we try to apply it to radically different animals and to the many varieties of artificial intelligence. To address this issue people are starting to develop algorithms that can measure intelligence in any type of system. Progress is also being made in the scientific study of consciousness: we can neutralize the philosophical problems, we have data about the neural correlates and we have some idea about how we can develop mathematical theories that can map between physical and conscious states. While intelligence is a purely functional property of a system, there are good reasons for thinking that consciousness is linked to particular spatiotemporal patterns in specific physical materials. This paper outlines some of the weak inferences that can be made about the relationships between intelligence and consciousness in natural and artificial systems. To make real scientific progress we need to develop practical universal measures of intelligence and mathematical theories of consciousness that can reliably map between physical and conscious states.
Strong Artificial Intelligence and Consciousness
Authors: Ng Gee Wah , Leung Wang Chi
Published: April 2020

In the last 10 years, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has seen successes in fields such as natural language processing, computer vision, speech recognition, robotics and autonomous systems. However, these advances are still considered as Narrow AI, i.e. AI built for very specific or constrained applications. These applications have its usefulness in improving the quality of human life; but it is not good enough to do highly general tasks like what the human can do. The holy grail of AI research is to develop Strong AI or Artificial General Intelligence (AGI), which produces human-level intelligence, i.e. the ability to sense, understand, reason, learn and act in dynamic environments. Strong AI is more than just a composition of Narrow AI technologies. We proposed that it has to be a holistic approach towards understanding and reacting to the operating environment and decision-making process. The Strong AI must be able to demonstrate sentience, emotional intelligence, imagination, effective command of other machines or robots, and self-referring and self-reflecting qualities. This paper will give an overview of current Narrow AI capabilities, present the technical gaps, and highlight future research directions for Strong AI. Could Strong AI become conscious? We provide some discussion pointers.
Artificial Conscious Intelligence
Authors: Reggia James A. , Katz Garrett E. , Davis Gregory P.
Published: April 2020

The field of artificial consciousness (AC) has largely developed outside of mainstream artificial intelligence (AI), with separate goals and criteria for success and with only a minimal exchange of ideas. This is unfortunate as the two fields appear to be synergistic. For example, here we consider the question of how concepts developed in AC research might contribute to more effective future AI systems. We first briefly discuss several past hypotheses about the function(s) of human consciousness, and present our own hypothesis that short-term working memory and very rapid learning should be a central concern in such matters. In this context, we then present ideas about how integrating concepts from AC into AI systems to develop an artificial conscious intelligence (ACI) could both produce more effective AI technology and contribute to a deeper scientific understanding of the fundamental nature of consciousness and intelligence.