bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Patterns and predictors of mortality and disease progression among patients with non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Canbay Ali , Kachru Nandita , Haas Jennifer Scarlet , Sowa Jan‐Peter , Meise Dominic , Ozbay Ahmet Burak
Published: December 2020

Background

Factors associated with mortality and disease progression in non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) are poorly understood.

Aims

To assess the impact of liver disease severity, demographics and comorbidities on all‐cause mortality and liver disease progression in a large, real‐world cohort of NAFLD patients.

Methods

Claims data from the German Institut für angewandte Gesundheitsforschung database between 2011 and 2016 were analyzed retrospectively. Adult patients diagnosed with NAFLD and/or NASH were categorised as NAFLD, NAFLD non‐progressors, compensated cirrhosis, decompensated cirrhosis, liver transplant or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The longitudinal probability of mortality and incidence of progression were calculated for disease severity cohorts and multivariable analyses performed for adjusted mortality.

Results

Among 4 580 434 patients in the database, prevalence of NAFLD was 4.7% (n = 215 655). Of those, 36.8% were non‐progressors, 0.2% compensated cirrhosis, 9.6% decompensated cirrhosis, 0.0005% liver transplant and 0.2% HCC. Comorbidity rates were significantly higher in compensated cirrhosis, decompensated cirrhosis and HCC compared with non‐progressors. The longitudinal probability of mortality for non‐progressors, compensated cirrhosis, decompensated cirrhosis and HCC was 3.6%, 18.7%, 28.8% and 68%, respectively. Independent predictors of mortality included cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, obesity and renal impairment. The cumulative incidence of progression in NAFLD and compensated cirrhosis patients was 10.7% and 16.7%, respectively, over 5 years of follow‐up.

Conclusion

NAFLD patients were severely under‐diagnosed and had a high probability of mortality that increased with disease progression. Early identification and effective management to halt or reverse fibrosis are essential to prevent progression.
Questionnaire‐based vs universal PCR testing for SARS‐CoV‐2 in women admitted for delivery
Authors: Mei‐Dan Elad , Satkunaratnam Abheha , Cahan Tal , Leung Marian , Katz Kevin , Aviram Amir
Published: December 2020

Background

It has been suggested that women admitted for delivery should have universal PCR testing for SARS‐CoV‐2. Yet, the considerable difference in the incidence of COVID‐19 between different geographic regions may affect screening strategies. Therefore, we aimed to compare questionnaire‐based testing versus universal PCR testing for SARS‐CoV‐2 in women admitted for delivery.

Methods

A prospective cohort study of women admitted for delivery at a single center during a four‐week period (April 22‐May 25, 2020). All women completed a questionnaire about COVID‐19 signs, symptoms, or risk factors, and a nasopharyngeal swab for PCR for SARS‐CoV‐2. Women who were flagged as suspected COVID‐19 by the questionnaire (questionnaire‐positive) were compared with women who were not flagged by the questionnaire (questionnaire‐negative).

Results

Overall, 446 women were eligible for analysis, of which 54 (12.1%) were questionnaire‐positive. PCR swab detected SARS‐CoV‐2 in four (0.9%) women: 3 of 392 (0.8%) in the questionnaire‐negative group, and 1 of 54 (1.9%) in the questionnaire‐positive group (P = .43), yielding a number needed to screen of 92 (95% CI 62‐177). In 96% of the cases, the PCR results were obtained only in the postpartum period. No positive PCR results were obtained from neonatal testing for SARS‐CoV‐2. The sensitivity of the questionnaire was 75.0%, and the negative predictive value was 99.7%.

Conclusions

Although the rate of positive PCR results was not significantly different between the groups, the number needed to screen is considerably high. The use of questionnaire‐based PCR testing in areas with low incidence of COVID‐19 allows for a reasonable allocation of resources and is easy to implement.
Characteristics of interpersonal conflicts preceding youth suicide: analysis of data from the 2017 National Violent Death Reporting System
Authors: Orlins Erin , DeBois Kristen , Chatfield Sheryl L.
Published: December 2020

Background

Deaths by suicide among US adolescents aged 10 to 19 increased by more than 85% between 2007 and 2017. Interpersonal conflicts with peers or family members, in combination with biological, psychological, and cognitive attributes of adolescents, are among risk factors. More insight about contextual factors, including timing of conflicts relative to suicide, would be useful for professionals and programmers.

Method

We used data from the 2017 National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS) reflecting most cases in 37 US states to explore contextual circumstances in adolescent death by suicide preceded by interpersonal conflicts. We calculated descriptive statistics and conducted content analysis of narratives to identify attributes of 197 cases.

Results

Most deaths by suicide (n = 155) occurred within 24 hr of the conflict; most conflicts involved the adolescent and family members (n = 138). When subject matter was described, most conflicts (n = 27) focused on concerns with an adolescent’s behavior. Nearly a quarter of cases (n = 49) involved technology, including technology restrictions as punishment, as either a primary or additional aspect of the conflict.

Conclusions

Our findings provide support for prior research suggesting links between technology and mental health concerns, including suicidality, among adolescents. While previous works have identified both positive and negative aspects of the use of technology by adolescents, our findings suggest that restriction of technology as a punishment may be an additional contextual factor of interest in a proportion of youth suicides preceded by an argument. Given ongoing regular use of technology, practitioners should address these potential risk factors regardless of risk status.
Establishment and implementation of Cancer Genomic Medicine in Japan
Authors: Mukai Yosuke , Ueno Hideki
Published: December 2020

Approximately 1 in 2 Japanese people are estimated to be diagnosed with cancer during their lifetime. Cancer still remains the leading cause of death in Japan, therefore the government of Japan has decided to develop a better cancer control policy and launched the Cancer Genomic Medicine (CGM) program. The Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare (MHLW) held a consortium at their headquarters with leading academic authorities and the representatives of related organizations to discuss ways to advance CGM in Japan. Based on the report of the consortium, the CGM system under the national health insurance system has gradually been realized. Eleven hospitals were designated in February 2018 as core hospitals for CGM; subsequently, the MHLW built the Center for Cancer Genomics and Advanced Therapeutics (C‐CAT) as an institution to aggregate and manage genomic and clinical information on cancer patients, and support appropriate secondary use of the aggregated information to develop research aimed at medical innovation. As the first step in Japan's CGM in routine practice, in June 2019 the MHLW started reimbursement of 2 types of tumor profiling tests for advanced solid cancer patients using the national insurance system. Japan's CGM has swiftly been spreading nationwide with the collaboration of 167 hospitals and patients. The health and research authorities are expected to embody personalized cancer medicine and promote CGM utilizing state‐of‐the‐art technologies.
Hybrid closed‐loop therapy: Where are we in 2021?
Authors: Leelarathna Lalantha , Choudhary Pratik , Wilmot Emma G. , Lumb Alistair , Street Tim , Kar Partha , Ng Sze M.
Published: December 2020

Hybrid closed‐loop systems are characterized by the coexistence of algorithm‐driven automated insulin delivery combined with manual mealtime boluses. Used correctly, these insulin delivery systems offer better glucose control and reduced risk of hypoglycaemia and represent the most advanced form of insulin delivery available for people with type 1 diabetes. The aim of this paper was to compare the currently available commercial hybrid closed‐loop systems in the UK: the Medtronic 670G/780G, Tandem t:slim X2 Control IQ and CamAPS FX systems. The Medtronic 670G/780G systems use Guardian 3 sensor (7‐day use, two to four calibrations per day), while Tandem and CamAPS systems use the calibration‐free Dexcom G6 sensor (10 days). The CamAPS system is available as an android app, whereas the other two systems have the algorithm embedded in the insulin pump. During pivotal studies, depending on the study population and baseline glycated haemoglobin level, these systems achieve a time spent in the target range 3.9 to 10 mmol/L (70 to 180 mg/dL) of 65% to 76% with low burden of hypoglycaemia. All three systems allow a higher glucose target for announced exercise, while the Tandem system offers an additional night‐time tighter target. The CamAPS system offers fully customizable glucose targets and is the only system licensed for use during pregnancy. Additional education is required for both users and healthcare professionals to harness the best performance from these systems as well as to troubleshoot when “automode exits” occur. We provide consensus recommendations to develop pragmatic pathways to guide patients, clinicians and commissioners in making informed decisions on the appropriate use of the diabetes technology.
Improving estimates of species distribution change by incorporating local trends
Authors: Barnett Lewis A. K. , Ward Eric J. , Anderson Sean C.
Published: December 2020

A common goal in ecology and its applications is to better understand how species' distributions change over space and time, yet many conventional summary metrics (e.g. center of gravity) of distribution shifts may offer limited inference because such changes may not be spatially homogenous. We develop a modeling approach to estimate a spatially explicit temporal trend (i.e. local trend), alongside spatial (temporally constant) and spatiotemporal (time‐varying) components, to compare inferred spatial shifts to those indicated by conventional metrics. This method is generalizable to many data types including presence–absence data, count data and continuous data types such as density. To demonstrate the utility of this new approach, we focus on the application of this model to a community of well‐studied marine fish species on the US west coast (19 species, representing a wide range of presence–absence and densities). Results from conventional model selection indicate that the use of the model accounting for local trends is clearly justified for over 89% of these species. In addition to making more parsimonious and accurate predictions, we illustrate how estimated spatial fields from the local trend model can be used to classify regions within the species range where change is relatively homogenous. Conventional summary metrics, such as center of gravity, can then be calculated on each such region or within previously defined biogeographic boundaries. We use this approach to illustrate that change is more nuanced than what is expressed via global metrics. Using arrowtooth flounderAtheresthes stomiasas an example, the observed southward shift over time in the center of gravity is not reflective of a uniform shift in densities but local trends of decreasing density in the northern region and rapidly increasing density at the southern edge of the species' range. Thus, estimating local trends with spatiotemporal models improves interpretation of species distribution change.
Protonation status and control mechanism of flavin–oxygen intermediates in the reaction of bacterial luciferase
Authors: Tinikul Ruchanok , Lawan Narin , Akeratchatapan Nattanon , Pimviriyakul Panu , Chinantuya Wachirawit , Suadee Chutintorn , Sucharitakul Jeerus , Chenprakhon Pirom , Ballou David P. , Entsch Barrie , Chaiyen Pimchai
Published: December 2020

Bacterial luciferase catalyzes a bioluminescent reaction by oxidizing long‐chain aldehydes to acids using reduced FMN and oxygen as co‐substrates. Although a flavin C4a‐peroxide anion is postulated to be the intermediate reacting with aldehyde prior to light liberation, no clear identification of the protonation status of this intermediate has been reported. Here, transient kinetics, pH variation, and site‐directed mutagenesis were employed to probe the protonation state of the flavin C4a‐hydroperoxide in bacterial luciferase. The first observed intermediate, with a λmax of 385 nm, transformed to an intermediate with a λmax of 375 nm. Spectra of the first observed intermediate were pH‐dependent, with a λmax of 385 nm at pH < 8.5 and 375 at pH > 9, correlating with a pKa of 7.7–8.1. These data are consistent with the first observed flavin C4a intermediate at pH < 8.5 being the protonated flavin C4a‐hydroperoxide, which loses a proton to become an active flavin C4a‐peroxide. Stopped‐flow studies of His44Ala, His44Asp, and His44Asn variants showed only a single intermediate with a λmax of 385 nm at all pH values, and none of these variants generate light. These data indicate that His44 variants only form a flavin C4a‐hydroperoxide, but not an active flavin C4a‐peroxide, indicating an essential role for His44 in deprotonating the flavin C4a‐hydroperoxide and initiating chemical catalysis. We also investigated the function of the adjacent His45; stopped‐flow data and molecular dynamics simulations identify the role of this residue in binding reduced FMN.
Socio‐ecological drivers of vertebrate biodiversity and human‐animal interfaces across an urban landscape
Authors: Hassell James M. , Bettridge Judy M. , Ward Melissa J. , Ogendo Allan , Imboma Titus , Muloi Dishon , Fava Francesco , Robinson Timothy P. , Begon Michael , Fèvre Eric M.
Published: December 2020

Urbanization can have profound impacts on the distributional ecology of wildlife and livestock, with implications for biodiversity conservation, ecosystem services and human health. A wealth of studies have assessed biotic responses to urbanization in North America and Europe, but there is little empirical evidence that directly links human activities to urban biodiversity in the tropics. Results from a large‐scale field study conducted in Nairobi, Kenya, are used to explore the impact of human activities on the biodiversity of wildlife and livestock with which humans co‐exist across the city. The structure of sympatric wildlife, livestock and human populations are characterized using unsupervised machine learning, and statistical modelling is used to relate compositional variation in these communities to socio‐ecological drivers occurring across the city. By characterizing landscape‐scale drivers acting on these interfaces, we demonstrate that socioeconomics, elevation and subsequent changes in habitat have measurable impacts upon the diversity, density and species assemblage of wildlife, livestock and humans. Restructuring of wildlife and livestock assemblages (both in terms of species diversity and composition) has important implications for the emergence of novel diseases at urban interfaces, and we therefore use our results to generate a set of testable hypotheses that explore the influence of urban change on microbial communities. These results provide novel insight into the impact of urbanization on biodiversity in the tropics. An understanding of associations between urban processes and the structure of human and animal populations is required to link urban development to conservation efforts and risks posed by disease emergence to human health, ultimately informing sustainable urban development policy.
Management guideline for Werner syndrome 2020 8. Calcification in tendons associated with Werner syndrome
Authors: Taniguchi Akira , Tanaka Yasuhito , Takemoto Minoru , Kubota Yoshitaka , Taniguchi Toshibumi , Motegi Sei‐ichiro , Nakagami Hironori , Maezawa Yoshiro , Koshizaka Masaya , Kato Hisaya , Tsukamoto Kazuhisa , Mori Seijiro , Kuzuya Masafumi , Yokote Koutaro
Published: December 2020

Aim

To clarify the diagnostic value of the calcification in the Achilles tendon for Werner syndrome.

Methods

Calcification of the Achilles tendon in the plain radiograph was investigated in 92 patients with Werner syndrome provided from the nationwide secondary survey in 2010. And the same investigation was performed for 2151 feet in 1853 patients without Werner syndrome, who underwent foot and ankle surgeries at the department of orthopaedic surgery in Nara Medical University from 2004 to 2015.

Result and Conclusion

Achilles tendon calcification was observed in 70 (76.1%) out of 92 patients with Werner syndrome, whereas that was observed only in 19 feet (0.88%) without Werner syndrome, accompanied by 1 to 4 calcified masses with a maximum diameter ranging from 9.7mm to 63.2mm. The frequency of Achilles tendon calcification in patients with Werner syndrome is far higher than that of patients without Werner syndrome. Achilles tendon calcification could be included in the diagnostic criteria for Werner syndrome. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2021; 21: 163–165.
The experience of financial burden for people with multimorbidity: A systematic review of qualitative research
Authors: Larkin James , Foley Louise , Smith Susan M. , Harrington Patricia , Clyne Barbara
Published: December 2020

Background

Multimorbidity prevalence is increasing globally. People with multimorbidity have higher health care costs, which can create a financial burden.

Objective

To synthesize qualitative research exploring experience of financial burden for people with multimorbidity.

Search strategy

Six databases were searched in May 2019. A grey literature search and backward and forward citation checking were also conducted.

Inclusion criteria

Studies were included if they used a qualitative design, conducted primary data collection, included references to financial burden and had at least one community‐dwelling adult participant with two or more chronic conditions.

Data extraction and synthesis

Screening and critical appraisal were conducted by two reviewers independently. One reviewer extracted data from the results section; this was checked by a second reviewer. GRADE‐CERQual was used to summarize the certainty of the evidence. Data were analysed using thematic synthesis.

Main results

Forty‐six studies from six continents were included. Four themes were generated: the high costs people with multimorbidity experience, the coping strategies they use to manage these costs, and the negative effect of both these on their well‐being. Health insurance and government supports determine the manageability and level of costs experienced.

Discussion

Financial burden has a negative effect on people with multimorbidity. Continuity of care and an awareness of the impact of financial burden of multimorbidity amongst policymakers and health care providers may partially address the issue.

Patient or public contribution

Results were presented to a panel of people with multimorbidity to check whether the language and themes ‘resonated’ with their experiences.
Preparation of aluminum oxide coating on carbon/carbon composites using a new detonation sprayer
Authors: Sirota Viacheslav , Pavlenko Viacheslav , Cherkashina Natalia , Kovaleva Marina , Tyurin Yurii , Kolisnichenko Oleg
Published: December 2020

A new multi‐chamber cumulative detonation sprayer (MCDS) was applied to fabricate an aluminum oxide coating on carbon/carbon composites. MCDS provides heating and acceleration of ceramic micropowders by means of combustible gas mixture detonation products with a frequency of 20 Hz and above. The ceramic aluminum oxide particle kinetic energy ensures the destruction of the weakened areas on the carbon‐carbon composite material surface and the incorporation of these particles into the surface layer. The following powder particles decelerate on the already fixed particles and form a ceramic coating. The formed aluminum oxide coating is characterized by high hardness and low porosity (<1%). MCDS provides the formation of a high‐quality ceramic layer, which can also serve as the basis for the formation of protective heat‐resistant coatings.
Selenium doping induced two antiferromagnetic transitions in thiospinel compounds CuCo2S4‐xSex (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.8)
Authors: Feng Zhenjie , Hou Qiang , Li Tao , Wang Ke , Wu Hao , Si Jingying , Lv Wenlai , Ge Jun‐Yi , Cao Shixun , Zhang Jincang , Yeh Nai‐Chang
Published: December 2020

A series of copper thiospinel compounds, CuCo2S4‐xSex (x = 0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8), have been successfully synthesized by solid‐state reaction and their structure and magnetic properties have been studied. The Rietveld refinements of X‐ray diffractions indicate that both the lattice constants and the nearest‐neighbor Cu‐Cu distances increase with increasing selenium doping. A weakly antiferromagnetic transition occurring at about 4 K is observed in CuCo2S4. Two antiferromagnetic transitions at about 3.5 K and 6 K are observed in selenium‐doped samples, which suggest that the exchange couplings associated with Cu‐S(Se)‐Cu and Cu‐Se(S)‐Cu, respectively, are responsible for the two antiferromagnetic transitions. Detailed analysis of the experimental results further indicates that the nearest‐neighbor molecular field coefficient is comparable to the next‐neighbor molecular field coefficient. We propose a reasonable model to explain this phenomenon.
A Call for Complex Care Curricula: Geriatric Providers Should Not Only Heed but Lead the Call
Authors: Salzman Brooke E. , Hersh Lauren R.
Published: December 2020

This editorial comments on the article by Hart et al. in this issue.
STATISTICAL EQUILIBRIUM METHODS IN ANALYTICAL POLITICAL ECONOMY
Authors: Scharfenaker Ellis
Published: December 2020

Economic systems produce robust statistical patterns in key sate variables including prices and incomes. Statistical equilibrium methods explain the distributional properties of state variables as arising from specific institutional, environmental, and behavioral postulates. Two broad traditions have developed in political economy with the complementary aim of conceptualizing economic processes as irreducibly statistical phenomena but differ in their methodologies and interpretations of statistical explanation. These conceptual differences broadly mirror the methodological divisions in statistical mechanics, but also emerge in distinct ways when considered in the context of social sciences. This paper surveys the use of statistical equilibrium methods in analytical political economy and identifies the leading methodological and philosophical questions in this growing field of research.
The Effect of Rural Residence on Cancer‐Related Self‐Efficacy With UK Cancer Survivors Following Treatment
Authors: Nelson David , Law Graham R. , McGonagle Ian , Turner Paul , Jackson Christine , Kane Ros
Published: December 2020

Purpose

To examine rural and urban differences in cancer‐related self‐efficacy with UK cancer survivors following treatment.

Methods

A cross‐sectional postal survey with posttreatment cancer survivors in the East Midlands of England. The survey collected data on demographics and cancer‐related self‐efficacy using the Cancer Survivors Self‐Efficacy Scale. Rural‐urban residence was determined using Office for National Statistics classifications. Linear Regression models were developed using a Directed Acyclic Graph that determined confounding variables. When the model deviated from normal the outcome variable was transformed using the Box‐Cox transformation.

Findings

Of those surveyed, 227 responded, of whom 58% were female and 45% lived in a rural area. A linear regression model showed a significant increase in cancer‐related self‐efficacy in cancer survivors living in rural areas compared to urban residents (0.76, 95% CI: 0.25‐1.27), although the residual plot deviated from a normal distribution. A model of the effect of rural living on a Box‐Cox transformed outcome variable confirmed an increased cancer‐related self‐efficacy score in rural regions (9.06, 95% CI: 2.97‐15.14). Rural living remained significant (7.98, 95% CI: 1.78‐14.19) after adjustment for the respondents’ income. Similarly adjusting for deprivation led to a significant increase in cancer‐related self‐efficacy in rural regions (8.64, 95% CI: 2.48‐14.79).

Conclusion

This study has important implications when considering the impact of location of residence on cancer‐related self‐efficacy in cancer survivorship. The role of deprivation had some impact for sample respondents in both the urban and rural environment and merits further analysis.
Diagnostic accuracy of computer aided electrocardiogram analysis in dogs
Authors: Estrada A. H. , Spake A. , Kleman M. E. , Leeder D. , Blischok‐Lapekas D. , Margiocco M. , Gentile‐Solomon J. , Piscitelli N. , Szlosek D.
Published: December 2020

Objectives

Evaluation of a computerised electrocardiogram algorithm compared to the interpretation of a team of board‐certified veterinary cardiologists.

Materials and Methods

This was a cross‐sectional retrospective cohort study. A total of 399 electronic canine electrocardiogram recordings screened from 1391 electrocardiograms were enrolled in the study. A panel of seven cardiologists, masked to patient information, evaluated electrocardiograms for the following: P‐wave amplitude and duration; PR‐interval; R‐wave amplitude; QRS duration; heart rate; mean electrical axis; and final overall diagnosis for the detection of arrhythmia and any abnormal electrocardiogram anomaly.

Results

The sensitivity of the electrocardiogram algorithm for detecting arrhythmias was 99.7% (95% confidence intervals, CI: 98.5 to 99.9) and the specificity was 99.5% (95% CI: 98.0 to 99.9) compared to the consensus result created by panel of cardiologists. The sensitivity of the algorithm for the detection of any electrocardiogram anomaly, including abnormal measurements, was 71.3% (95% CI: 65.5 to 76.7) and the specificity was 35.1% (95% CI: 27.0 to 43.8) compared to the panel of cardiologists.

Clinical Significance

The electrocardiogram algorithm was shown to have high sensitivity for the detection of arrhythmias, but not all electrocardiogram anomalies. The results support the use of this algorithm as a tool to aid in the triage of the electrocardiogram workflow.
Joint laxity in canine hip dysplasia assessed using the hip flexed not distracted ventrodorsal view
Authors: Meomartino L. , Greco A. , Mennonna G. , Auletta L. , Pasolini M. P. , Fatone G. , Costanza D. , Lamagna B. , Valle G. D. , Lamagna F.
Published: December 2020

Objectives

The ventrodorsal hip extended standard view is conventionally used for radiographic screening of canine hip dysplasia. However, because the ventrodorsal hip extended standard view minimises hip joint laxity, several alternative views have been proposed. Our aim was to evaluate a new ventrodorsal hip flexed and not distracted view to assess joint laxity, by comparing it with the ventrodorsal hip extended standard and ventrodorsal hip flexed and distracted views.

Materials and Methods

Between April 2013 and March 2017, all dogs referred to the University of Naples “Federico II” for the diagnosis of canine hip dysplasia were studied using the ventrodorsal hip extended standard, ventrodorsal hip flexed and not distracted and ventrodorsal hip flexed and distracted views. The Norberg angle and the laxity index were measured for each view.

Results

Overall, 102 dogs, 67 males and 35 females, mean age 15 months, were included. The mean (±standard deviation) Norberg angles were 99.77° (±10.42°), 89.29° (±14.32°) and 91.80° (±13.50°) for the ventrodorsal hip extended standard, ventrodorsal hip flexed and not distracted and ventrodorsal hip flexed and distracted views, respectively. The mean (± standard deviation) laxity indices were 0.19 (± 0.14), 0.39 (± 0.25) and 0.36 (± 0.21), respectively. The ventrodorsal hip flexed and distracted and ventrodorsal hip flexed and not distracted views had lower Norberg angle and higher laxity index values compared with the ventrodorsal hip extended standard view. The ventrodorsal hip flexed and distracted and ventrodorsal hip extended standard views are in strong agreement for the measurement of both Norberg angle and laxity index, as confirmed by Bland‐Altman analysis and the intraclass correlation coefficient.

Clinical Significance

The ventrodorsal hip flexed and distracted and ventrodorsal hip flexed and not distracted views obtained with the hip in a neutral position reveal joint laxity better than the ventrodorsal hip extended standard view. Unlike the ventrodorsal hip flexed and distracted view, the ventrodorsal hip flexed and not distracted view does not require human operators or special devices for positioning the dog. The wide age range of the dogs enrolled might have influenced the laxity index measurements, since capsular fibrosis in older dogs reduces laxity.
Effects of commercial metronidazole and metronidazole benzoate suspensions on food intake in chinchillas
Authors: Mans C. , Fink D.
Published: December 2020

Objectives

To evaluate if commercially available metronidazole and metronidazole benzoate suspensions cause a reduction in food intake in healthy chinchillas and if the reduction in food intake is dose‐dependent.

Materials and Methods

Twelve chinchillas were used in a randomised, controlled, blinded, complete‐crossover study. All treatments were administered orally every 12 hours for 3 days. Metronidazole (125 mg/mL) was administered at 20 mg/kg and metronidazole benzoate (25 mg/mL) was administered at 20 and 10 mg/kg. Food intake was recorded daily. The washout period between treatments was at least 14 days.

Results

At 20 mg/kg PO q12h administration of both commercial suspensions resulted in a significant reduction of food intake. The greatest mean reduction in food intake occurred after 2 to 3 days of drug administration (metronidazole: −54 ± 25%; metronidazole benzoate: −44 ± 36%). After administration of metronidazole benzoate at 10 mg/kg PO q12h, the reduction in food intake was significantly less pronounced (−24 ± 36%), suggesting that negative effect of metronidazole on food intake in chinchillas is dose‐dependent. Variation in metronidazole‐induced food intake reduction differed widely between individual chinchillas.

Clinical Significance

The oral administration of commercial metronidazole and metronidazole benzoate suspensions results in a dose‐dependent clinically relevant reduction in food intake in chinchillas. Metronidazole should be used cautiously in this species and food intake should be monitored during treatment. Future studies are needed in order to determine if metronidazole at 10 mg/kg q12h is an effective therapeutic dosage in chinchillas.
The Artists’ Resale Right Directive 2001/84/EC: A means of targeted intervention for visual artists
Authors: O'Dwyer Anthony
Published: December 2020

The antecedents of the artists’ resale right (ARR) can be traced back to late 19th century France, the droit de suite, as it then was, was as much a welfare right as it was a response to the failures of the French droit d'Auteur system to adequately reward visual artist for their creative endeavours. Today, the success of the ARR may be attested to by its prominence in international law, however, this internationalisation has not brought with it uniformity. The European experience speaks to this; under the harmonisation framework of the Artists’ Resale Right Directive 2001/84, Member States are granted significant scope in its implementation and accordingly ARR models have come to pass which encompass a social security function reflective of the original French formulation. This article, by drawing on the social history of visual artists, and by considering the nature of the ARR and its predecessor the droit de suite, argues that socially orientated ARR models, which exist in Germany and Norway, represents a modern formulation of the droit de suite which more fully responds to the needs of visual artists today.
Building respect for intellectual property—The journey toward balanced intellectual property enforcement
Authors: van Greunen Louise , Gobac Iva
Published: December 2020

This paper provides a succinct history of how multilateral dialogue on intellectual property (IP) enforcement developed since the Agreement on Trade‐related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS Agreement) came into effect in 1995. The early years of multilateral IP enforcement dialogue were politically volatile and turbulent; while some states strove for a further increased level of international IP enforcement, others requested to extend the transitional period to implement the minimum standards under the TRIPS Agreement. With the adoption of the WIPO Development Agenda in 2007, however, this situation started to change, and international dialogue shifted from a merely punitive conception of IP enforcement to the more holistic concept of building respect for IP. To understand the trajectory of this evolution, this article describes several IP enforcement initiatives that were undertaken somewhat contemporaneously at different international organizations, but which ultimately did not secure consensus. From this point, this paper elaborates on the concept of building respect for IP, examining its origins, its development at WIPO and the profound impact it has had on multilateral dialogue on IP enforcement, demonstrating how a development‐oriented shift in international IP policy has triggered a multilateral transformation in a more balanced, inclusive light.
Inpatient and outpatient nephrology management of critically ill patients with acute kidney injury
Authors: Ransley David G. , See Emily J. , Mizrahi Alice , Robbins Ray , Bellomo Rinaldo
Published: December 2020

Introduction

Acute kidney injury (AKI) during critical illness increases the risk of subsequent chronic kidney disease. Guidelines recommend inpatient nephrology assessment and review at 3 months.

Objectives

To quantify the prevalence and predictors of inpatient and outpatient nephrology follow‐up of AKI patients admitted to critical care areas within a tertiary hospital.

Methods

Retrospective study of all critically ill adults with AKI between January 1, 2012 and December 31, 2016 with a baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) >30 mL/min/1.73 m2 and alive and independent of renal replacement therapy for 30 days after hospital discharge. We used logistic regression models to examine the primary outcome of nephrology review at 3 months. Secondary outcomes included inpatient nephrology review, renal recovery at discharge and the development of a major adverse kidney event (MAKE) at 1 year.

Results

Of 702 critically ill patients with AKI (mean age 66 years, 64% male, baseline eGFR 78 mL/min/1.73 m2), 43 patients (6%) received nephrology follow‐up at 3 months and 63 patients (9%) at 1 year. Nephrology follow‐up occurred more frequently in patients with a higher baseline creatinine, a higher discharge creatinine and greater severity of AKI. Seventy patients (10%) underwent inpatient nephrology review. Overall, 414 (59%) had recovery of renal function by the time of discharge and 239 (34%) developed a MAKE at 12 months.

Conclusion

Inpatient and outpatient nephrology follow‐up of AKI patients after admission to a critical care area was uncommon although one‐third developed a MAKE. These findings provide the rationale for controlled studies of nephrology follow‐up.
Chronic constipation in adults: Contemporary perspectives and clinical challenges. 1: Epidemiology, diagnosis, clinical associations, pathophysiology and investigation
Authors: Scott S. Mark , Simrén Magnus , Farmer Adam D. , Dinning Philip G. , Carrington Emma V. , Benninga Marc A. , Burgell Rebecca E. , Dimidi Eirini , Fikree Asma , Ford Alexander C. , Fox Mark , Hoad Caroline L. , Knowles Charles H. , Krogh Klaus , Nugent Karen , Remes‐Troche Jose Maria , Whelan Kevin , Corsetti Maura
Published: December 2020

BACKGROUND

Chronic constipation is a prevalent disorder that affects patients' quality of life and consumes resources in healthcare systems worldwide. In clinical practice, it is still considered a challenge as clinicians frequently are unsure as to which treatments to use and when. Over a decade ago, a Neurogastroenterology & Motility journal supplement devoted to the investigation and management of constipation was published (2009; 21 (Suppl.2)). This included seven articles, disseminating all themes covered during a preceding 2‐day meeting held in London, entitled “Current perspectives in chronic constipation: a scientific and clinical symposium.” In October 2018, the 3rd London Masterclass, entitled “Contemporary management of constipation” was held, again over 2 days. All faculty members were invited to author two new review articles, which represent a collective synthesis of talks presented and discussions held during this meeting.

PURPOSE

This article represents the first of these reviews, addressing epidemiology, diagnosis, clinical associations, pathophysiology, and investigation. Clearly, not all aspects of the condition can be covered in adequate detail; hence, there is a focus on particular “hot topics” and themes that are of contemporary interest. The second review addresses management of chronic constipation, covering behavioral, conservative, medical, and surgical therapies.
Mycorrhizal suppression and phosphorus addition influence the stability of plant community composition and function in a temperate steppe
Authors: Yang Gaowen , Zhang Yingjun , Yang Xin , Liu Nan , Rillig Matthias C. , Veresoglou Stavros D. , Wagg Cameron
Published: December 2020

Nutrient enrichment can reduce ecosystem stability, typically measured as temporal stability of a single function, e.g. plant productivity. Moreover, nutrient enrichment can alter plant–soil interactions (e.g. mycorrhizal symbiosis) that determine plant community composition and productivity. Thus, it is likely that nutrient enrichment and interactions between plants and their soil communities co‐determine the stability in plant community composition and productivity. Yet our understanding as to how nutrient enrichment affects multiple facets of ecosystem stability, such as functional and compositional stability, and the role of above–belowground interactions are still lacking.

We tested how mycorrhizal suppression and phosphorus (P) addition influenced multiple facets of ecosystem stability in a three‐year field study in a temperate steppe. Here we focused on the functional and compositional stability of plant community; functional stability is the temporal community variance in primary productivity; compositional stability is represented by compositional resistance, turnover, species extinction and invasion. Community variance was partitioned into population variance defined as community productivity weighted average of the species temporal variance in performance, and species synchrony defined as the degree of temporal positive covariation among species.

Compared to treatments with mycorrhizal suppression, the intact AM fungal communities reduced community variance in primary productivity by reducing species synchrony at high levels of P addition. Species synchrony and population variance were linearly associated with community variance with the intact AM fungal communities, while these relationships were decoupled or weakened by mycorrhizal suppression. The intact AM fungal communities promoted the compositional resistance of plant communities by reducing compositional turnover, but this effect was suppressed by P addition. P addition increased the number of species extinctions and thus promoted compositional turnover.

Our study shows P addition and AM fungal communities can jointly and independently modify the various components of ecosystem stability in terms of plant community productivity and composition.
Unifying ecosystem responses to disturbance into a single statistical framework
Authors: Lemoine Nathan P.
Published: December 2020

Natural ecosystems are currently experiencing unprecedented rates of anthropogenic disturbance. Given the potential ramifications of more frequent disturbances, it is imperative that we accurately quantify ecosystem responses to severe disturbance. Specifically, ecologists and managers need estimates of resistance and recovery from disturbance that are free of observation error, not biased by temporal stochasticity and that standardize disturbance magnitude among many disparate ecosystems relative to normal interannual variability. Here, I propose a statistical framework that estimates all four components of ecosystem responses to disturbance (resistance, recovery, elasticity and return time), while resolving all of the issues described above. Coupling autoregressive time series with exogenous predictors (ARX) models with impulse response functions (IRFs) allows researchers to statistically subject all ecosystems to similar levels of disturbance, estimate lag effects and obtain standardized estimates of resistance to and recovery from disturbance that are free from observation error and stochastic processes inherent in raw data.
Host spatial structure and disperser activity determine mistletoe infection patterns
Authors: Sasal Yamila , Amico Guillermo C. , Morales Juan M.
Published: December 2020

What processes and factors are responsible for species distribution are long‐standing questions in ecology and a key element for conservation and management. Mistletoes provide the opportunity to study a forest species whose occurrence is expected to be constrained by multiple factors as a consequence of their life form. We studied the mistletoe Tristerix corymbosus (Loranthaceae) on its most common hosts species in northwest Patagonia. The seeds of this mistletoe are almost exclusively dispersed by the small arboreal and endemic marsupial Dromiciops gliroides (Microbiotheridae). We assessed the underlying causes of plant spatial patterns through point pattern analysis and we used different variables that characterize the neighborhood around each host to analyze the relative effect of host availability, potential for disperser movement and canopy light conditions. We found that potential hosts were strongly aggregated and that the three most common host species were distributed independent of each other. Considering all host species together, infected and non‐infected host were individually aggregated but segregated from each other. The aggregated pattern of infected hosts could be explained in part by the template of potential hosts distribution, but was subsequently modulated by the activity of the mistletoe disperser. Potential for disperser movement, the proximity to reproductive mistletoes and habitat complexity, increased mistletoe infection probability. However, neighboring host availability decreased mistletoe infection probability, and tree DBH (used as surrogate for light conditions) had no detectable effect. Our results suggested that the distribution of mistletoe infection was determined by the structure of potential host populations and by the marsupial disperser activity. Compared to bird dispersed mistletoes, the scale of the infection was smaller and the proximity to reproductive mistletoes and habitat complexity were important for seed arrival and infection. The interplay between landscape structure and disperser activity determine the spatial structure of mistletoe future generations.
Do pastoralist cattle fear African lions?
Authors: Beck Jacalyn M. , Moll Remington J. , Kissui Bernard M. , Montgomery Robert A.
Published: December 2020

Fear of predators fundamentally shapes the ecology of prey species and drives both inter‐ and intra‐specific interactions. Extensive research has examined the consequences of predation risk from large carnivores on the behavior of wild ungulate prey species. However, many large carnivores not only hunt wild prey but also depredate domestic livestock, especially in pastoralist systems where livestock share land and resources with large carnivores. Northern Tanzania is a hotspot for human–carnivore conflict driven by livestock depredation and interactions are particularly severe between African lions Panthera leo and pastoralist cattle Bos taurus. In this ecosystem, we explored the degree to which pastoralist cattle exhibited anti‐predator behaviors during their daily grazing routines. Using focal animal sampling, we compared two typical anti‐predator behaviors, vigilance and grouping, among cattle in village rangelands with high and low background depredation rates. We found that cattle in high risk village rangelands formed 21.2% larger groups than cattle in low risk village rangelands. Interestingly, cattle in low risk village rangelands spent 68.4% more time vigilant than cattle in high risk village rangelands. These patterns were influenced significantly by the time of day: as sunset approached, cattle in low risk village rangelands spent more time vigilant and cattle in high risk village rangelands formed larger groups. These results suggest that pastoralist cattle exhibit anti‐predator strategies that vary both spatially and temporally, and that such strategies might help livestock optimally tradeoff the costs and benefits of anti‐predator behavior across timescales (i.e. the risk allocation hypothesis). We discuss the implications of our results for husbandry techniques that might reduce behavioral costs associated with cattle anti‐predator behaviors and help increase tolerance for lions and other large carnivores. These improvements are critical to human–carnivore coexistence given the prevalence of pastoralism globally and the rising potential for conflict with large carnivores such as lions.
The Effect of Offspring Sex on Parents’ Migration Probabilities and Outcomes—A Natural Experiment
Authors: Bialas Ulrike
Published: December 2020

Scholars can rarely make causal claims about migration probabilities and outcomes. Leveraging a natural experiment based on the randomness of offspring sex, this paper uses the German SOEP Migration Sample to examine the effect of having a first‐born son or daughter on parents’ likelihood to migrate and integrate. It shows that (non‐Christian) parents of sons are more likely to migrate to Germany, but parents of daughters fare better after migration in terms of language acquisition, feeling at home and overall satisfied with their lives. The first finding is explained through gendered differences in parental investment, risk aversion, and household decision‐making. The second finding is explained through girls’ greater ability to act as brokers between their parents and the host society. For migration scholarship, the study provides a rare causal argument about family migration. For research on offspring sex effects, it provides further evidence of a socialization from child to parent, expands the possibility of offspring sex effects from parental attitudes to behaviors, and cautions against assuming that offspring sex is random in all populations.
Crítica al paradigma tecnocrático desde la perspectiva cultural : pensamientos a propósito del capítulo III de la Encíclica Laudato si’
Authors:   Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Remolina Vargas Gerardo
Published: December 2020

"Según la encíclica Laudato si’ del papa Francisco, la humanidad ha entrado recientemente en una nueva era cultural: “La de la revolución digital, la robótica, la biotecnología y las nanotecnologías”. En este escenario, y para comenzar, me parece importante partir de la concepción de cultura y de paradigma. Hay muchas formas de definir, o mejor de describir, lo que es la cultura. La antropología, la sociología y la psicología, entre otras ciencias sociales y humanas, conciben de manera diversa la cultura, poniendo el énfasis en alguno o algunos de sus aspectos; al fin y al cabo, esas formas diferentes de comprenderla son complementarias unas de otras." Gerardo Remolina