bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Clinical Nurse Specialist Practice Strategies for Children With Medical Complexity
Authors: Murphy Stephanie , Ehritz Carly
Published: December 2020

Purpose

Clinical nurse specialists are advanced practice nurses that influence patient care and nursing clinical practice through expert consultation and ongoing support. They play a vital role in caring for children with medical complexity. The purpose of this project is to highlight the practice of the clinical nurse specialist in identifying complex patient care needs and describe the resources needed to successfully transition a patient through the continuum of care by using a case example of a neonate with epidermolysis bullosa.

Description of the Project

Caring for children with medical complexity can be challenging for healthcare providers and overwhelming for families once they are ready for discharge. Patient outcomes rely heavily on a specific and detailed plan of care, multidisciplinary collaboration, provider education, and safe transitions. The clinical nurse specialist can greatly influence these 4 components and positively impact outcomes for this patient population.

Outcome

A patient with complex medical needs was successfully transferred from the intensive care unit to a medical floor and eventually discharged home.

Conclusion

This framework can be used for any child with medical complexity as they transition across care settings to ensure safe and effective care is consistently provided.
Comparative characterization of the reassortant Orthobunyavirus Ngari with putative parental viruses, Bunyamwera and Batai: in vitro characterization and ex vivo stability
Authors: Dutuze M. Fausta , Mayton E. Handly , Macaluso Joshua D. , Christofferson Rebecca C.
Published: December 2020

Bunyamwera (BUNV), Batai (BATV) and Ngari (NRIV) are mosquito-borne viruses that are members of the genus Orthobunyavirus in the order Bunyavirales. These three viruses are enveloped with single-stranded, negative-sense RNA genomes consiting of three segments, denoted as Small (S), Medium (M) and Large (L). Ngari is thought to be the natural reassortant progeny of Bunyamwera and Batai viruses. The relationship between these ‘parental’ viruses and the ‘progeny’ poses an interesting question, especially given that there is overlap in their respective transmission ecologies, but differences in their infection host ranges and pathogenesis. We compared the in vivo kinetics of these three viruses in a common laboratory system and found no significant difference in growth kinetics. There was, however, a tendency of BATV to have smaller plaques than either BUNV or NRIV. Furthermore, we determined that all three viruses are stable in extracellular conditions and retain infectivity for a week in non-cellular media, which has public health and biosafety implications. The study of this understudied group of viruses addresses a need for basic characterization of viruses that have not yet reached epidemic transmission intensity, but that have the potential due to their infectivity to both human and animal hosts. These results lay the groundwork for future studies of these neglected viruses of potential public and One Health importance.
ICTV Virus Taxonomy Profile: Redondoviridae
Authors: Abbas Arwa , Taylor Louis J. , Collman Ronald G. , Bushman Frederic D. ,   ICTV Report Consortium
Published: December 2020

Viruses in the family Redondoviridae have a circular genome of 3.0 kb with three open reading frames. The packaged genome is inferred to be single-stranded DNA by analogy to related viruses. Redondoviruses were discovered through metagenomic sequencing methods in samples from human subjects and are inferred to replicate in humans. Evidence of redondovirus infection is associated with periodontitis and critical illness, but redondoviruses have not been shown to be the causative agent of any diseases. This is a summary of the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV) Report on the family Redondoviridae, which is available at ictv.global/report/redondoviridae.
Sirt5 deficiency causes post-translational protein malonylation and dysregulated cellular metabolism in chondrocytes under obesity conditions
Authors: Zhu Shouan , Batushansky Albert , Jopkiewicz Anita , Makosa Dawid , Humphries Kenneth M. , Van Remmen Holly , Griffin Timothy M.
Published: December 2020

Objective

Obesity accelerates the development of osteoarthritis (OA) during aging and is associated with altered chondrocyte cellular metabolism. The objective of this study was to investigate the role of sirtuin 5 (SIRT5) in regulating chondrocyte protein lysine malonylation (MaK) and cellular metabolism under obesity-related conditions.

Methods

MaK and SIRT5 were immunostained in knee articular cartilage of obesedb/dbmice and different aged C57BL6 mice with or without destabilization of the medial meniscus (DMM) surgery to induce OA. Primary chondrocytes were isolated from 7-day-old WT andSirt5−/−mice and treated with varying concentrations of glucose and insulin to mimic obesity. Sirt5-dependent effects on MaK and metabolism were evaluated by Western blot, Seahorse Respirometry, and gas/chromatography-mass/spectrometry (GC-MS) metabolic profiling.

Results

MaK was significantly increased in cartilage ofdb/dbmice and in chondrocytes treated with high concentrations of glucose and insulin (GluhiInshi). Sirt5 protein was increased in an age-dependent manner following joint injury, and Sirt5 deficient primary chondrocytes had increased MaK, decreased glycolysis rate, and reduced basal mitochondrial respiration. GC-MS identified 41 metabolites. Sirt5 deficiency altered 13 distinct metabolites under basal conditions and 18 metabolites under GluhiInshitreatment. Pathway analysis identified a wide range of Sirt5-dependent altered metabolic pathways that include amino acid metabolism, TCA cycle, and glycolysis.

Conclusion

This study provides the first evidence that Sirt5 broadly regulates chondrocyte metabolism. We observed changes in Sirt5 and MaK levels in cartilage with obesity and joint injury, suggesting that the Sirt5-MaK pathway may contribute to altered chondrocyte metabolism that occurs during OA development.
Whole-Brain Calcium Imaging in Larval Xenopus
Authors: Offner Thomas , Daume Daniela , Weiss Lukas , Hassenklöver Thomas , Manzini Ivan
Published: December 2020

Sensory systems detect environmental stimuli and transform them into electrical activity patterns interpretable by the central nervous system. En route to higher brain centers, the initial sensory input is successively transformed by interposed secondary processing centers. Mapping the neuronal activity patterns at all of those stages is essential to understand sensory information processing. Larval Xenopus laevis is very well-suited for whole-brain imaging of neuronal activity. This is mainly due to its small size, transparency, and the accessibility of both peripheral and central parts of sensory systems. Here we describe a protocol for calcium imaging at several levels of the olfactory system using focal injection of chemical calcium indicator dyes or a Xenopus transgenic line with neuronal GCaMP6s expression. In combination with fast volumetric multiphoton microscopy, the calcium imaging methods described can provide detailed insight into spatiotemporal activity of entire brain regions at different stages of sensory information processing. Although the methods are broadly applicable to the central nervous system, in this work we focus on protocols for calcium imaging of glomeruli in the olfactory bulb and odor-responsive neurons in the olfactory amygdala.
Invisible women: correctional facilities for women across Canada and proximity to maternity services
Authors: Paynter Martha Jane , Bagg M. Leslie , Heggie Clare
Published: December 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to describe the process to create an inventory of the facilities in Canada designated to incarcerate women and girls, health service responsibility by facility, facility proximity to hospitals with maternity services and residential programmes for mothers and children to stay together. This paper creates the inventory to support health researchers, prison rights advocates and policymakers to identify, analyse and respond to sex and gender differences in health and access to health services in prisons.

Design/methodology/approach

In spring 2019, this study conducted an environmental scan to create an inventory of every facility in Canada designated for the incarceration of girls and women, including remand/pretrial custody, immigration detention, youth facilities and for provincial and federal sentences.

Findings

There are 72 facilities in the inventory. In most, women are co-located with men. Responsibility for health varies by jurisdiction. Few sites have mother-child programmes. Distance to maternity services varies from 1 to 132 km.

Research limitations/implications

This paper did not include police lock-up, courthouse cells or involuntary psychiatric units in the inventory. Information is unavailable regarding trans and non-binary persons, a priority for future work. Access to maternity hospital services is but one critical question regarding reproductive care. Maintenance of the database is challenging.

Originality/value

Incarcerated women are an invisible population. The inventory is the first of its kind and is a useful tool to support sex and gender and health research across jurisdictions.
“What about users?”: Development and validation of the mobile information security awareness scale (MISAS)
Authors: Erdoğdu Fatih , Gökoğlu Seyfullah , Kara Mehmet
Published: December 2020

Purpose

The current study aimed to develop and validate Mobile Information Security Awareness Scale (MISAS) based on the prototype model for measuring information security awareness and the relevant literature.

Design/methodology/approach

The scale was developed and validated with the participation of 562 students from four universities. The construct validity of the scale was tested through exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis.

Findings

The reliability of the scale was tested through corrected item-total correlations and Cronbach alpha. The MISAS includes six factors and 17 items. The identified factors were labeled as backup, instant messaging and navigation, password protection, update, access permission and using others' devices.

Research limitations/implications

The scale included only the human aspects of mobile information security. The technical aspects are not within the scope of this study. For this reason, future studies might develop and validate a different scale focusing on the technical aspects of mobile information security.

Originality/value

The developed scale contributes to the literature on the human aspects of mobile information security.
Wealth creation challenges – M/s. A. N. Gandhi
Authors: Gandhi Pervin , Thomas Sujo
Published: December 2020

Research methodology

The case was created through personal interviews of the proprietor, Arzan Gandhi. The authors also researched data for investment advisory business along with current events relating to Indian stock market and its performance.

Case overview/synopsis

The case explores the fascinating entrepreneurial journey of Arzan Gandhi, 62 years old, from a cotton mill worker to an owner of a reputed investment advisory firm, “M/s A. N. Gandhi” in Ahmedabad, India. Reflecting upon the experiences that empowered Gandhi’s success in investment advisory business, students acquire an insight of real wealth creation challenges in business. Gandhi had to set the right priorities to take his business to the next level with intensified competition in the financial advisory field.

Complexity academic level

The case is best suited for graduate and post-graduate level courses on personal finance, financial planning elective or entrepreneurship. It is useful for teaching lessons on how financial planning and strategic decisions taken, through entrepreneurial traits and opportunity recognition helps in wealth creation and taking a venture to new heights.
Contrasting responses of nitrogen: Phosphorus stoichiometry in plants and soils under grazing: A global meta‐analysis
Authors: Yu Rui‐Peng , Zhang Wei‐Ping , Fornara Dario A. , Li Long
Published: December 2020

Grazing by ungulate herbivores can greatly alter nitrogen ([N]) and phosphorus ([P]) concentrations in plants and soils. It is not clear, however, how grazing might affect N:P co‐limitation in grasslands depending on soil N and P availability.

Here we selected 173 peer‐reviewed studies, which measured 12 key variables associated with changes in [N], [P] and N:P ratios (i.e. N:P stoichiometry) in soils and plants in the presence or absence of herbivore grazing. Subsequently, we addressed the magnitude and direction of grazing effects on these variables using a meta‐analysis approach.

Grazing increased leaf [N] and [P] but decreased total and available soil [N] and [P]. Grazing also increased leaf N:P ratios while decreasing root and total soil N:P ratios.

The response ratio (RR) of leaf N:P was negatively correlated with RR of plant‐available soil [P] and positively correlated with RR of available soil N:P ratio (rather than with RR of total soil N:P).

Intensive grazing (e.g. heavy grazing or long‐term grazing) had in general more positive effects on plant N:P stoichiometry and negative effects on soil N:P stoichiometry than light grazing. Responses of plant‐soil N:P stoichiometry to grazing greatly varied depending on plant functional group identity, plant organizational level (i.e. species and community) and grassland type.

Synthesis and applications. Our study suggests that understanding changes in available soil N:P stoichiometry (rather than total soil N:P) in response to grazing is crucial to predict nutrient co‐limitation in grassland biomes. Our findings show that P is more important for plant growth than generally thought due to greater reduction of plant‐available soil [P] under grazing. A better mechanistic understanding of the relationships between plant and available soil N:P stoichiometry under grazing will greatly help improve the sustainability of natural and semi‐natural grassland ecosystems.
The effects of household and firm credit on growth: New evidence from a panel of developed and developing countries
Authors: Goaied Mohamed , Gasmi Amira
Published: December 2020

We use two panel data techniques in a novel large dataset to assess the dynamic interactions of household and enterprise credit with growth in developed and developing countries. Panel vector autoregressive (VAR) results reject the hypothesis that finance only follows economic growth. Instead, both panel techniques provide strong evidence that higher allocations of household credit are an impediment to economic growth regardless of a country's level of development. Otherwise, empirical results confirm that firm credit expansions are conducive to economic growth; however, this effect is not immediate in developing countries but it appears with a 1‐year delay. Our results provide evidence that the credit‐growth nexus changes over time and during the development process. These findings may explain the ambiguous and vanishing effect of finance on growth in recent literature.
Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose or soy protein isolate‐based edible, water‐soluble, and antioxidant films for safflower oil packaging
Authors: Rosenbloom Rachel A. , Zhao Yanyun
Published: December 2020

Edible, water‐soluble, heat‐sealable, and antioxidant films were developed from hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) or soy protein isolate (SPI) and applied as safflower oil packaging. A 0.1 or 0.2% DL‐α‐tocopherol acetate (VE) and 0 or 0.25% oleic acid were added into film formulations to provide antioxidant and hydrophobic properties, respectively, using a 23 factorial design. Films were analyzed for appearance, microstructure, water and oil sensitivity, mechanical properties, and antioxidant functionality. Subsequently, a completely randomized design was implemented for incorporating 2, 4, or 6% cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs, w/w dry weight polymer) for improving film mechanical and barrier properties. HPMC‐based films achieved full dissolution in water at <55 °C under 5 min, while SPI‐based films disintegrated in water up to 90 °C. Oleic acid significantly increased (P < 0.05) heat sealability of SPI film from 78 to 143 N/m and elongation at break from 36% to 88%, but decreased tensile strength and heat sealability of HPMC films by 55% and 41%, respectively. As safflower oil packaging, after 60 days of storage at 35 °C, oil contained in SPI‐based pouch had the lowest peroxide values, 8.1 ± 0.9 mEq/kg. Based on barrier, mechanical, and antioxidant capacity evaluations, HPMC film with 0.1% VE and SPI film with 0.25% oleic acid and 0.1% VE were incorporated with CNC. SPI/CNC films did not show observable trends, but HPMC/2% CNC film exhibited significantly improved mechanical and barrier properties, with oxygen permeability of 5.0 mL mm/m2 day kPa. The developed films are a promising packaging alternative to decrease plastic waste, extend shelf life of lipid‐based foods, and increase consumer convenience.

Practical Application

Individually packaged, single‐use pouches of sauce or oil are common for seasoning instant and frozen foods, creating unnecessary plastic waste. Edible, water‐soluble packaging with antioxidant functionality would reduce plastic waste, extend shelf life by preventing oxidation, and increase consumer convenience. The biopolymeric films and pouches developed in this study have unique properties from water solubility across a wide range of temperatures, resistance to oil, high oxygen barrier, and good heat sealability, providing a variety of potential applications for promoting sustainable food packaging.
Patenting activity or innovative originality?
Authors: Bedford Anna , Ma Le , Ma Nelson , Vojvoda Kristina
Published: December 2020

We re‐examine the cross‐sectional stock return predictability of innovative originality documented in the 2018 paper by Hirshleifer et al. and introduce two measures of patenting activity: patent existence and patent counts. As firms with zero patents have zero innovative originality, we conjecture and find a high correlation between patenting activity measures and innovative originality. The findings of Hirshleifer et al. do not hold when we control for patenting activity. Our results highlight that simple patenting activity measures capture a significant portion of innovative originality, and hence need to be adequately controlled for in future innovation studies.
New severity grading system for Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy using anterior segment optical coherence tomography
Authors: Yasukura Yuichi , Oie Yoshinori , Kawasaki Ryo , Maeda Naoyuki , Jhanji Vishal , Nishida Kohji
Published: December 2020

Purpose

To report a new severity grading system for Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) using anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS‐OCT).

Methods

This observational case series included 75 eyes of 43 patients with FECD and 33 eyes of 33 healthy subjects. Pachymetry and posterior elevation maps were used to determine the AS‐OCT‐based grading scores. FECD severity was graded from 0–3 as follows: 0, normal; 1, guttae only; 2, stromal oedema; and 3, epithelial and stromal oedema. We further investigated the central corneal thickness (CCT), thinnest corneal thickness (TCT), anterior and posterior best‐fit spheres (BFS), and the distance between the central cornea and the thinnest point.

Results

Thirty‐three eyes were graded as 0, four as 1, thirteen as 2, fourteen as 3, twenty‐nine as 4, eleven as 5 and four as 6 by the modified Krachmer grade. Thirty‐three, 41, 30 and 4 eyes were graded as 0, 1, 2 and 3, respectively, by the AS‐OCT‐based grading system. The inter‐observer agreement was 100% for the AS‐OCT‐based grading system. The CCT, TCT, posterior BFS, and distance between the central cornea and thinnest point were significantly different between AS‐OCT‐based grades (p = 0.0001, 0.0001, 0.0036 and 0.0001, respectively). Anterior BFS was not significantly different with the AS‐OCT‐based grades (p = 0.1184).

Conclusion

We devised a new severity grading using only objective evaluation and quantitatively demonstrated corneal thickening, predominant flattening of the posterior corneal surface compared with the anterior surface, and displacement of the thinnest point away from the central cornea with FECD progression.
Tangible co‐production? Engaging and creating with fathers
Authors: Culpin Iryna , Dermott Esther , Ives Jonathan , MacLeavy Julie
Published: December 2020

This paper adds to an increasing body of social science literature, which engages with the research practice of “co‐production.” It aims to make a distinctive contribution by suggesting that what is produced under this process should be given greater attention. Previous literature has focused on the “co” (cooperative) element: debating whether and under what conditions wider participation between academic and non‐academic actors can be genuinely emancipatory, and the degree to which more radical research approaches centred on empowering marginalised groups have been usurped through management discourses of participatory governance. Drawing on a case study of a pilot project that developed support resources for new fathers under the auspices of a co‐production research design, the paper highlights the dynamics and limitations of the process, but additionally and distinctively suggests an important way in which the success of co‐production can be judged that includes practical and tangible outputs beyond academic knowledge and takes objects and materiality seriously as a dimension of co‐production in an academic setting.
Evidence for BMP‐mediated specification of primordial germ cells in an indirect‐developing hemichordate
Authors: Lin Ching‐Yi , Yu Jr‐Kai , Su Yi‐Hsien
Published: December 2020

Primordial germ cells (PGCs) are specified during development by either one of two major mechanisms, the preformation mode or the inductive mode. Because the inductive mode is widely employed by many bilaterians and early branching metazoan lineages, it has been postulated as an ancestral mechanism. However, among the deuterostome species that have been studied, invertebrate chordates use the preformation mode, while many vertebrate and echinoderm species are known to utilize an inductive mechanism, thus leaving the evolutionary history of PGC specification in the deuterostome lineage unclear. Hemichordates are the sister phylum of echinoderms, and together they form a clade called Ambulacraria that represents the closest group to the chordates. Thus, research in hemichordates is highly informative for resolving this issue. In this study, we investigate the developmental process of PGCs in an indirect‐developing hemichordate, Ptychodera flava. We show that maternal transcripts of the conserved germline markers vasa, nanos, and piwi1 are ubiquitously distributed in early P. flava embryos, and these genes are coexpressed specifically in the dorsal hindgut starting from the gastrula stage. Immunostaining revealed that Vasa protein is concentrated toward the vegetal pole in early P. flava embryos, and it is restricted to cells in the dorsal hindgut of gastrulae and newly hatched larvae. The Vasa‐positive cells later contribute to the developing trunk coeloms of the larvae and eventually reside in the adult gonads. We further show that bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling is required to activate expression of the germline determinants in the gastrula hindgut, suggesting that PGC specification is induced by BMP signaling in P. flava. Our data support the hypothesis that the inductive mode is a conserved mechanism in Ambulacraria, which might even trace back to the common ancestor of Deuterostomes.
Reconsidering the fate of fertilizer N: A response to Quan et al.
Authors: Conant Richard T. , Lavallee Jocelyn M. , Yan Ming , Pan Genxing
Published: December 2020

This article is a Response to the Letter to the Editor by Quan et al., 27, 467–468. See Commentary on: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/gcb.14908
Experimental evaluation of cooling characteristic, airflow distribution and mass transfer in a cold store
Authors: Bishnoi Rajkumar , Aharwal Kashi Ram
Published: December 2020

The cooling characteristics and safety of food products inside the cold room depend on the temperature field and govern by the airflow distribution. The nonuniform air distribution creates variability in the cooling rate and transpiration rate. The volume of products in cold‐store influences the airflow pattern and, therefore, experimental study performed on loaded cold‐room. The experiment includes measuring and estimating temperature, convective heat transfer coefficient, and weight loss to evaluate the heat and mass transfer. The airflow behavior inside the cold room is observed highly nonuniform. In the product‐zone, cooling‐air flow with higher velocities near the floor and flow uniformity decrease with the height of the cold store. The product cooling variability observed along the path of the flow as the product in front zone cooled at a rapid rate compared to that placed in the rear zone. The estimated average transpiration rate ranged from 0.033 to 0.16 gkg−1 h−1 in front zone and in rear zone; it is ranged from 0.038 to 0.2 gkg−1 h−1. The experimental study of loaded cold store presents the factual nature of cooling and storage condition, and the zone‐wise examination of operating variable beneficial for understanding the cooling characteristics included heat and mass transfer.

Practical Applications

The room air cooling method is the most accepted method to preserve food products, and the preservation (operating) condition of the cold room influences the heat and mass (product weight) transfer phenomenon. The experimental observation of operating conditions (airflow field, temperature change, air relative humidity, convective heat transfer coefficient) is performed at multiple locations and explained. The nonuniformity in operating conditions is observed, which leads the variability in heat and mass transfer process. The theoretical estimation of mass transfer is evaluated and validated with the experimental data. This work is used to provide better insight into the zone‐wise distribution of preservation conditions and its influences on the food product.
Prevalence and factors associated with depression and anxiety in patients with psoriasis
Authors: Pollo Camila Fernandes , Miot Hélio Amante , Matos Ticiane Dionízio de Sousa , de Souza Jennifer Mellissa , Jorge Marília Formentini Scotton , Miot Luciane Donida Bartoli , Meneguin Silmara
Published: December 2020

Objective

To identify the prevalence and factors associated with depression and anxiety in patients with psoriasis.

Background

Psoriasis is a chronic, non‐contagious, autoimmune inflammatory skin disease associated with psychological comorbidities.

Design

A cross‐sectional study conducted between March 2017–December 2018 in a dermatology infirmary and outpatient clinic of a public hospital in the inner State of São Paulo (Brazil).

Methods

We used questionnaires with sociodemographic data and clinical history, the HADS (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale), DLQI‐BRA (Dermatology Life Quality Index) and PASI (Psoriasis Area Severity Index). The correlations between variables were explored using multivariate techniques. STROBE checklist was applied as the reporting guideline for this study (File S1).

Results

A total of 281 participants were included, of which the majority were female 146 (52%), with a mean age of 52.1 years (SD: 13.8), elementary school 154 (55%), married/cohabiting 209 (74%) and with low income 201 (72%). The median (p25–p75) time with the disease was 14 years (7–23). Regarding the quality of life, 31% of respondents reported being little affected by the disease. The prevalence of depression was 19% and that of anxiety was 36%. The multivariate analysis showed that the variables that influenced the anxiety and depression scores were as follows: DLQI‐BRA, income, female sex, illness length and age. For the multiple correspondence analysis, the highest levels of anxiety and depression referred to women, middle age, lower income and low PASI.

Conclusion

The prevalence of anxiety and depression symptoms was low. Female sex, income, age, illness length and quality of life were associated with anxiety and depression scores in patients with psoriasis.

Relevance to clinical practice

Due to the scarcity of studies in the field of nursing with psoriasis patients, we believe these findings contribute to the reorganisation of the care provided, allowing nurses to timely identify mood disorders such as anxiety and depression and adopt the necessary measures to a service and/or specialised referral.
Lactobacillus brevisCD2 attenuates traumatic oral lesions induced by fixed orthodontic appliance: A randomized phase 2 trial
Authors: Silva Nathália Louize Nunes Vieira , Della Bona Alvaro , Cardoso Moisés , Callegari‐Jacques Sidia Maria , Fornari Fernando
Published: December 2020

Objective

To evaluate the effect of the probioticLactobacillus brevisCD2 on the prevention of early traumatic oral lesions induced by a fixed orthodontic appliance.

Settings and Sample Population

Twenty orthodontic patients (14‐57 yo) were recruited from a private clinic.

Subjects and Methods

In a phase 2, double‐blind clinical trial, all patients were randomly allocated (1:1 ratio) to a 21‐day course of soluble tablets containingL brevisCD2 (4 billion colony‐forming units after breakfast, lunch and dinner) or placebo, starting at the day of orthodontic appliance placement. The primary outcomes were days with oral lesions and lesion‐related pain [ranging between 0 (no pain) and 10 (maximum pain)]. Oral health‐related quality of life was measured using OHIP‐14 before and after treatments.

Results

All patients completed the study. Ten were treated withL brevis(28.1 ± 13.3 yo, 70% women), and 10 received placebo (27.5 ± 9.1 yo, 60% women). The oral lesions lasted significantly less time (P = .018) in patients treated withL brevis(2.5 ± 1.0 days) than with placebo (4.9 ± 3.0 days). Pain score was significantly lower (P = .039) whenL breviswas used [median (min‐max): 0 (0‐4) vs. 3 (0‐5)]. OHIP‐14 scores were not significantly different between treatments.

Conclusions

Lactobacillus brevisCD2 reduced almost 50% the persistence of traumatic oral lesions in patients with fixed orthodontics. Yet, there was no improvement in quality of life compared to placebo, suggesting that such differences in persistency and pain related to oral lesions may be considered clinically irrelevant.
Prognosis of medication‐related osteonecrosis of the jaws in metastatic prostate cancer patients
Authors: Wei Ling‐Ying , Kok Sang‐Heng , Lee Yen‐Ching , Chiu Wei‐Yih , Wang Jai‐Jen , Cheng Shih‐Jung , Chang Hao‐Hueng , Lee Jang‐Jaer
Published: December 2020

Objectives

The aim of this study was to find out the prognosis of medication‐related osteonecrosis of the jaws (MRONJ) in prostate cancer patients who received two different types of antiresorptive agents for bone metastasis.

Materials and Methods

We retrospectively surveyed a cohort of 95 metastatic prostate cancer patients with 122 MRONJ lesions treated in a single medical center. Treatment outcomes and prognostic factors were investigated. The cumulative complete response rate was calculated with the Kaplan–Meier method, and significance was examined with the log‐rank and Breslow tests. Cox regression was used for the univariate and multivariate analyses of prognostic factors.

Results

The cumulative complete response rate of all patients at 12 months was 37.8%, and that of patients treated with zoledronic acid and denosumab was 22.9% and 70.5%, respectively. Denosumab, pretreatment C‐terminal telopeptide of collagen I (CTX) level > 150 pg/ml, and anemia were identified as independent prognostic factors in a multivariate analysis with adjusted hazard ratios of 3.18 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.24–8.11), 3.24 (95% CI, 1.39–7.53), and 0.42 (95% CI, 0.19–0.93), respectively.

Conclusion

A higher pretreatment level of CTX, using denosumab as the antiresorptive agent and without anemia, indicates a better treatment outcome of MRONJ in prostate cancer patients.
Reduced overwinter survival of unharvested corn in fields with cover crops
Authors: Kosins Alexis L. , Prieur Abby‐Gayle A. , Swihart Robert K.
Published: December 2020

Volunteer corn arising from unharvested kernels in fields is a common problem that reduces yield of crops like soybean in intensive rotational agricultural systems. Over the last decade, farmers in the Midwestern United States have increased use of cover crops to improve soil health and suppress weeds in corn‐soybean rotational agriculture. We assessed whether the fate of unharvested corn kernels in cover‐cropped fields differed from fields without cover crops. After the 2018 harvest season, we recorded overwinter removal and spring 2019 germination of corn kernels from plots in six fields in Tippecanoe county, west‐central Indiana, United States. We used mixed effects logistic regression to model the role of a cereal rye cover crop, bare ground, soil drainage class, distance from field edge, and average height of vegetation on mortality of kernels. Probability of kernel absence from a plot was greater in fields planted to cover crops (0.93–0.98) than in no‐till fields without cover crops (0.53–0.85). Distance from field edge was positively related to kernel loss in cover‐cropped fields, but negatively related to loss in fields without cover crops. Within cover‐cropped fields, kernel removal near field edges increased to levels comparable to field interiors only for plots with >15% bare ground. Cover crops substantially reduced survival of corn kernels that serve as prospective volunteer corn, consistent with increased foraging activity and use of cover‐cropped fields by vertebrate seed predators.
Evaluation of Linezolid Pharmacokinetics in Critically Ill Obese Patients with Severe Skin and Soft Tissue Infections
Authors: Blackman Alison L. , Jarugula Praneeth , Nicolau David P. , Chui Sai Ho , Joshi Manjari , Heil Emily L. , Gopalakrishnan Mathangi
Published: December 2020

Linezolid standard dosing is fixed at 600 mg every 12 h (q12h) for adults. Literature suggests critically ill, obese patients require higher doses.
Enrichment of Hydrogen-Oxidizing Bacteria from High-Temperature and High-Salinity Environments
Authors: Barbosa Raquel G. , van Veelen H. Pieter J. , Pinheiro Vanessa , Sleutels Tom , Verstraete Willy , Boon Nico
Published: December 2020

Alternative feed and food supply chains are required to decrease water and land use. HOB offer a promising substitute for traditional agricultural practice to produce microbial protein (MP) from residual materials and renewable energy.
The Yersinia pestis GTPase BipA Promotes Pathogenesis of Primary Pneumonic Plague
Authors: Crane Samantha D. , Banerjee Srijon K. , Eichelberger Kara R. , Kurten Richard C. , Goldman William E. , Pechous Roger D.
Published: December 2020

Yersinia pestis
is a highly virulent pathogen and the causative agent of bubonic, septicemic, and pneumonic plague. Primary pneumonic plague caused by inhalation of respiratory droplets contaminated with
Y. pestis
is nearly 100% lethal within 4 to 7 days without antibiotic intervention.
A Versatile Reporter System To Monitor Virus-Infected Cells and Its Application to Dengue Virus and SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Pahmeier Felix , Neufeldt Christopher J. , Cerikan Berati , Prasad Vibhu , Pape Costantin , Laketa Vibor , Ruggieri Alessia , Bartenschlager Ralf , Cortese Mirko
Published: December 2020

Reporter systems are useful tools for fast and quantitative visualization of virus-infected cells within a host cell population. Here, we describe a reporter system that takes advantage of virus-encoded proteases expressed in infected cells to cleave an ER-anchored fluorescent protein fused to a nuclear localization sequence.
Pseudomonas
Quinolone Signal-Induced Outer Membrane Vesicles Enhance Biofilm Dispersion in Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Cooke Adam C. , Florez Catalina , Dunshee Elise B. , Lieber Avery D. , Terry Michelle L. , Light Caitlin J. , Schertzer Jeffrey W.
Published: December 2020

Treatments that manipulate biofilm dispersion hold the potential to convert chronic drug-tolerant biofilm infections from protected sessile communities into released populations that are orders-of-magnitude more susceptible to antimicrobial treatment. However, dispersed cells often exhibit increased acute virulence and dissemination phenotypes.
Simvastatin add-on to escitalopram in patients with comorbid obesity and major depression (SIMCODE): study protocol of a multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
Authors: Otte Christian , Chae Woo Ri , Nowacki Jan , Kaczmarczyk Michael , Piber Dominique , Roepke Stefan , Märschenz Stefanie , Lischewski Sandra , Schmidt Sein , Ettrich Barbara , Grabe Hans Joergen , Hegerl Ulrich , Hinkelmann Kim , Hofmann Tobias , Janowitz Deborah , Junghanns Klaus , Kahl Kai G. , Klein Jan Philipp , Krueger Tillmann H. C. , Leicht Gregor , Prvulovic David , Reif Andreas , Schoettle Daniel , Strauss Maria , Westermair Anna , Friede Tim , Gold Stefan M
Published: December 2020

Introduction

Major depressive disorder (MDD) and obesity are both common disorders associated with significant burden of disease worldwide. Importantly, MDD and obesity often co-occur, with each disorder increasing the risk for developing the other by about 50%–60%. Statins are among the most prescribed medications with well-established safety and efficacy. Statins are recommended in primary prevention of cardiovascular disease, which has been linked to both MDD and obesity. Moreover, statins are promising candidates to treat MDD because a meta-analysis of pilot randomised controlled trials has found antidepressive effects of statins as adjunct therapy to antidepressants. However, no study so far has tested the antidepressive potential of statins in patients with MDD and comorbid obesity. Importantly, this is a difficult-to-treat population that often exhibits a chronic course of MDD and is more likely to be treatment resistant. Thus, in this confirmatory randomised controlled trial, we will determine whether add-on simvastatin to standard antidepressant medication with escitalopram is more efficacious than add-on placebo over 12 weeks in 160 patients with MDD and comorbid obesity.

Methods and analysis

This is a protocol for a randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind multicentre trial with parallel-group design (phase II). One hundred and sixty patients with MDD and comorbid obesity will be randomised 1:1 to simvastatin or placebo as add-on to standard antidepressant medication with escitalopram. The primary outcome is change in the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) score from baseline to week 12. Secondary outcomes include MADRS response (defined as 50% MADRS score reduction from baseline), MADRS remission (defined as MADRS score <10), mean change in patients’ self-reported Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II) and mean change in high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein and total cholesterol from baseline to week 12.

Ethics and dissemination

This protocol has been approved by the ethics committee of the federal state of Berlin (Ethik-Kommission des Landes Berlin, reference: 19/0226—EK 11) and by the relevant federal authority (Bundesinstitut für Arzneimittel und Medizinprodukte (BfArM), reference: 4043387). Study findings will be published in peer-reviewed journals and will be presented at (inter)national conferences.

Trial registration numbers

NCT04301271, DRKS00021119, EudraCT 2018-002947-27.
Impact of a rural drowning reduction programme in Bangladesh on gender equity, norms and behaviour: a mixed-method analysis
Authors: Gupta Medhavi , Rahman Aminur , Dutta Notan Chandra , Hossain Md Shafkat , Nambiar Devaki , Parveen Samina , Ivers Rebecca , Jagnoor Jagnoor
Published: December 2020

Objectives

Community-based health programmes implemented in low-income and middle-income countries impact community gender norms and roles and relationships, which in turn affect individuals’ health outcomes. Programmes should measure their effects on gender norms, roles and relationships in the communities in which they operate to respond to unexpected health consequences. We conducted a gender analysis on a drowning reduction programme in rural Bangladesh to identify its impacts on gendered roles and behaviours in the community.

Design

A mixed-method approach was used. Quantitative programme monitoring data were analysed to assess gender differences in participation and engagement. A qualitative approach using interviews, focus group discussions and observations with purposively selected programme implementing staff and participants aimed at finding explanations for quantitative findings and additional impacts of the programme on gender in the community. The analysis was conducted using Family Health International 360’s Gender Integration Framework, which identifies both internal (norms) and external (behaviours) effects.

Results

Fewer girls (n=5030) participated in swimming classes than boys (n=6425) due to cultural restrictions and involvement in domestic work. Women were not hired in leadership roles in the implementing organisation due to lower transportation access and their perceived ability to conduct labour-intensive activities. However, communities become more accepting of local women’s mobility and employment due to their engagement as swim instructors. Women swim instructors were more satisfied with the pay and part-time nature of the work as men were able to earn more elsewhere. Menstruation management was ignored as all supervisory staff were men.

Conclusions

Systematised strategies are required to ensure equal participation of girls and enable equitable prevention outcomes. Within the implementing organisation, programmatic changes will support gender transformation, such as ensuring women’s mobility and engagement in leadership roles. Strategies to combat perceptions that lower paying part time work is more suitable for women than men may be considered.
Is education or income associated with insufficient fruit and vegetable intake among cancer survivors? A cross-sectional analysis of 2017 BRFSS data
Authors: Zhu Zhikai , Zhang Dongyu , Wang Judy Huei-yu , Qiao Youlin , Liu Yuanli , Braithwaite Dejana
Published: December 2020

Objectives

Previous studies found that low education or income level was associated with insufficient fruit and vegetable consumption (IFVC) among the general population. However, cancer survivors can be heterogeneous from the general population in many aspects. Our objective was to disentangle their association among cancer survivors.

Design

Nationwide cross-sectional survey in the USA.

Setting

2017 Behaviour Risk Factor Surveillance System.

Participants

5409 cancer survivors.

Exposure and outcome

Educational level (graduated from college/technical school, attended college/technical school and high school or less) and annual household income (≥US$75 000, US$35 000 to <US$75 000 and <US$35 000) were exposures of interest. IFVC, which was defined as <5 servings/day according to the American Cancer Society recommendation, was treated as the outcome.

Data analysis

Multivariable logistic regression corrected for sampling weight was performed to estimate the association. Subgroup analyses and interaction tests were performed by age, gender, obesity and physical activity.

Results

Overall, 4750 survivors (weighted percentage: 88.5%) had IFVC. Participants with lower education had a significantly higher rate of IFVC (high school or less vs college graduates: adjusted OR=2.17, 95% CI 1.45 to 3.25, p trend <0.01). The association between income and IFVC was almost null. Associations did not differ in most subgroups; however, the association of lower education appeared to be more substantial among physically inactive survivors (p interaction <0.01).

Conclusion

Low educational background, not low income, was associated with IFVC among cancer survivors. Prospective cohort studies are needed to verify the conclusion.
Interventions to standardise hospital care at presentation, admission or discharge or to reduce unnecessary admissions or readmissions for patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a scoping review
Authors: MacDonell Rachel , Woods Orla , Whelan Stephanie , Cushen Breda , Carroll Aine , Brennan John , Kelly Emer , Bolger Kenneth , McNamara Nora , Lanigan Anne , McDonnell Timothy , Prihodova Lucia
Published: December 2020

Introduction

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic respiratory disease that may be punctuated by episodes of worsening symptoms, called exacerbations. Acute exacerbations of COPD (AECOPD) are detrimental to clinical outcomes, reduce patient quality of life and often result in hospitalisation and cost for the health system. Improved diagnosis and management of COPD may reduce the incidence of hospitalisation and death among this population. This scoping review aims to identify improvement interventions designed to standardise the hospital care of patients with AECOPD at presentation, admission and discharge, and/or aim to reduce unnecessary admissions/readmissions.

Methods

The review followed a published protocol based on methodology set out by Arksey and O’Malley and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Electronic database searches for peer-reviewed primary evidence were conducted in Web of Science, EMBASE (Elsevier) and PubMed. Abstract, full-text screening and data extraction were completed independently by a panel of expert reviewers. Data on type of intervention, implementation supports and clinical outcomes were extracted. Findings were grouped by theme and are presented descriptively.

Results

21 articles met the inclusion criteria. Eight implemented a clinical intervention bundle at admission and/or discharge; six used a multidisciplinary care pathway; five used coordinated case management and two ran a health coaching intervention with patients.

Conclusion

The findings indicate that when executed reliably, improvement initiatives are associated with positive outcomes, such as reduction in length of stay, readmissions or use of health resources. Most of the studies reported an improvement in staff compliance with the initiatives and in the patient’s understanding of their disease. Implementation supports varied and included quality improvement methodology, multidisciplinary team engagement, staff education and development of written or in-person delivery of patient information. Consideration of the implementation strategy and methods of support will be necessary to enhance the likelihood of success in any future intervention.
Non-local curvature and Gauss–Bonnet cosmologies by Noether symmetries
Authors: Bajardi Francesco , Capozziello Salvatore , Vernieri Daniele
Published: December 2020

Non-local gravity cosmologies are considered under the standard of Noether symmetry approach. In particular, we focus on non-local theories whose gravitational actions depend on curvature and Gauss–Bonnet scalar invariants. Specific functional forms of the related point-like Lagrangians are selected by Noether symmetries, and we solve the corresponding field equations finding out exact cosmological solutions.