bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Implementation of a Sleep Hygiene Program in 4 - 6 Year Old Portuguese Children: the “It is Time to Sleep” Project First Results
Authors: Fonseca G , Marques AC , Vidal DG , Pontes M , Martins MA
Published: June 2020

Introduction Sleep, as one of the most determining and present factors in our life, is fundamental for humans, and especially during childhood: it is indispensable for good cognitive, physical and emotional development.

Objectives Designed in the scope of the Portuguese National School Health Program, the objectives of this project were to promote adequate sleep routines, raise awareness of children’s sleep deprivation and to the consequences of an abusive contact with technologies. At the end of this activity, children should be able to recognize the importance of these dimensions.

Methodology The formative activity, performed by 2 school nurses, was applied to 104 children (from 3 different schools from a northern city of Portugal), with 4 (41.3 %), 5 (44.2 %) and 6 years old (14.4 %), and lasted 45 minutes. The project comprises 4 stages: the first one relates to nurses and project theme presentation; the second one is the implementation of a theatre where major issues of the project are presented, namely the importance of sleep and nap, sleep hygiene rules, consequences of sleep deprivation and the influence of technologies on sleep; the third one is the discussion of the main ideas using the song "Sleep Hour"; at the end, a questionnaire was applied to assess children knowledge about sleep hygiene habits divided into six questions with two images each, in which one corresponds to a healthy practice and the other does not.

Results The percentage of correct answers ranged between 96.6 to 98.3 %, suggesting that the formative activity had a positive impact on children’s knowledge about healthy sleep hygiene habits. The 2 questions on which the rate of incorrect answers was higher relate to the fact that sleeping with parents is better than sleeping alone (6.3 %) and that watching TV before going to sleep is a better option than reading a story (4.4 %).

Conclusion This intervention has given children important knowledge about healthy sleep hygiene habits, resulting in its understanding through an approach tailored to their age.
Left ventricular false tendons and early repolarization: Preliminary study
Authors: Pereira A , Castanheira J
Published: June 2020

Introduction The early repolarization (ER) is an electrocardiographic (ECG) pattern that includes J wave slurring or notching, ST segment elevation and symmetrical high-voltage T waves in more than one lead. Frequently it appears in the left lateral leads and less commonly in inferior leads. It was first described as benign and it affects 10% of the global population. False tendons (FT) are fibromuscular structures variable in length, thickness and insertion. Normally, they have conductive tissue as a His bundle extension. It’s more frequent in males and young athletes, and some diseases have been associated to them like ventricular arrhythmias and repolarization changes. Generally, there are two groups, longitudinal and transverse. The ECG in the first one shows more frequently ER with notching in the inferior leads and in the second one, slurring in infero-lateral leads.

Objectives This study aims to investigate the association between the type of FT and ER.

Methodology A total of 24 patients with FT and with no significant cardiac disease were included in an observational and descriptive cross-sectional study. All participants performed an ECG and cardiac ultrasonography in a single centre. Patients with abnormal ECGs were excluded

Results Mean participant’s age was 55 years old (range: 18-73), and 67% were males. ER was identified in 53%, and 56% of the participants with transverse tendons presented slurring in the inferior (33%) and in the lateral leads (33%). Longitudinal tendons were associated with ECG notching in 25% or slurring in 26.5%, mainly in the inferior leads (33%).

Conclusion In this study, ER pattern in the inferior leads was a common finding in participants with longitudinal FT. No association between ER and type of FT was observed. An association between the transverse FT and the type of wall and slurring was observed.
Body composition and eating habits of workers with normal day and shift work
Authors: Martins A , Lima J
Published: June 2020

Introduction Recently, shift work and it consequences have been studied due to the strong relationship between shift work, sleep disorders and unhealthy eating habits, which could influence body composition and related health problems.

Objectives To analyse the influence of shift work on body composition and eating habits of workers.

Methodology Data collection was carried out through an interview with employees from a company in which data were collected such as sex, age, average number of hours of sleep and work schedule. An anthropometric evaluation was performed and weight, body fat mass percentage and waist circumference were measured. The height was self-reported. Individuals were also asked to answer to a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Data analysis was performed with descriptive and statistical analysis using U-Mann-Whitney test, in the IBM SPSS Statistics 25 program.

Results The final sample consisted of 20 shift workers and 20 normal day workers. The mean BMI of normal day workers was 23.54 ± 3.19 kg/m2, and the average of the shift workers was 27.97 ± 5.48 kg/m2 (p = 0,001). Regarding the percentage of fat mass, the mean of the normal day sample was 28.53 ± 6.30% and the shift work sample showed an average of 29.85 ± 8.54% (p = 0,841). The shift sample reported a higher average daily intake of processed foods, high energy density food products with high fat and sugar content.

Conclusion The higher BMI and fat percentage observed in shift workers comparing to normal day works are a topic of concern and could contribute to the assumption that the dynamics required by shift work can lead to changes in circadian rhythm, leading to metabolic alterations that could influence body composition and dietary choices.
Respiratory infections caused by Haemophilus influenzae β-lactamase positive carrying blaTEM gene
Authors: Valério J , Ferreira H , Chaves C , Rodrigues F , Osório N
Published: June 2020

Introduction One of the main etiological agents of respiratory infections is H. Influenzae. The group of antibiotics most used to the treatment of H. influenzae infections is β-lactams. The most common β-lactam resistance is to ampicillin, characterized by the production of TEM (95%) and ROB (5%) β-lactamases, designated enzymatic resistance.

Objectives Characterize the susceptibility profile of H. influenzae to β-lactam antibiotics, to evaluate the enzymatic resistance by the β-lactamase production and to correlate the phenotypic profile with the presence of the blaTEM.

Methodology Total of 152 isolates of H. influenzae from respiratory infections were evaluated: 88 from expectorations, 56 from bronchial aspirates and 8 from bronchoalveolar lavage, collected in Clinical Pathology Service of Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra. The results of the antimicrobial susceptibility profile and the β-lactamase screening were also provided. In order to investigate the blaTEM, DNA was extracted from the isolates and the detection was performed using the PCR technique.

Results The prevalence of the blaTEM in the isolates was 31.6%, of these 33.3% showed resistance to ampicillin and 57.9% were positive in β-lactamase activity screening and blaTEM carriers. There was a statistically significance between the presence of the gene with ampicillin resistance and β-lactamase activity screening.

Conclusion β-lactamase TEM production was the main mechanism of enzymatic resistance which demonstrates the high spread of the blaTEM among isolates of H. influenzae. The results found suggest that the negative strains for this β-lactamase but that presented β-lactamases with activity and resistance to β-lactams should have other β-lactamases as ROB or others. However strains with β-lactamase negative should have other mechanisms promoting the resistance as PBP3. This study provides important data on the antibiotic therapy, to minimize the expression of resistance mechanisms and problems associated with treatment.
Patient Safety in Primary Care
Authors: Pedrosa V
Published: June 2020

Introduction Patient safety and the development of quality safety processes have been gaining prominence in business management in the public and political sector, particularly in Europe, after the Quality and Safety in European Hospitals project was driven by the support of the Lisbon strategy agenda. Scientific research has also followed this trend. However, the study of patient safety management and methods is still scarce.

Objectives Resorting to Cartaxo Health Centre, the research contributes to the analysis of the proposition that there is not only a lack of knowledge of the professionals who directly contact the patient about the patients safety in primary health care, but also that the methods used in practice are very intuitive and individualised by the absence of formal and institutional coordinated orientation.

Methodology Using a qualitative methodology and the case study method, a semi-structured interview was conducted with 40 health professionals—among doctors, nurses, and technicians—who contacted patients, in order to identify what they know and consequently incorporate about patient safety. The interviews were conducted between February and June 2015

Results We confirmed several discrepancies between functional units. It was clarified that in the domicile the knowledge is scarcer.

Conclusion We have delimited factors that do not ensure a reliable environment and culture, to improve with a training plan and institutional coordination that supports notification. The complexity of the context impacts on the nature and dimension of adverse events due to stress, workload and organization. A Taxonomy of Adverse Events was constructed and its path from the source to the solution was mapped. It's our intention to share this Taxonomy with the professionals, with a strong expectation that will improve Quality and Safety in Portuguese Primary Care.
Effects of sleep deprivation on arterial vasculature in university students
Authors: Freitas Raquel , Santos Helder , Rocha Clara , Pereira Telmo , Conde Jorge
Published: June 2020

Introduction Sleep plays an essential role in the mental, emotional, physical and psychological well-being of an individual and a poor quality of this leads to psychological changes, also affecting the cardiovascular system. The current society demands more and more hours of work, which leads to a decrease in the quantity and quality of sleep, and this has already been associated in several studies with risk factors for cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension, obesity, diabetes, among others, but was never considered a risk factor by its own.

Objectives Understand if partial sleep deprivation for 4 nights causes vascular changes in healthy university students.

Methodology The sample consisted of 20 healthy university students, who underwent 3 nights in which they slept the ideal for their age group, being evaluated at the end of those nights. At the next night they were subjected to partial sleep deprivation and were evaluated the next day. The third evaluation occurred after 4 nights of partial sleep deprivation. Evaluations consisted in carotid evaluation, flow-mediated dilation (FMD), blood pressure (BP) and temperature monitoring. From the first night, the participants used an actigraphy during the daily routine for 7 nights. An initial questionnaire was completed and also the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESE) and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI).

Results Partial sleep deprivation causes a decrease in the diameter of the right brachial artery and the common carotid artery (CCA). There was also an increase in the SBP of CCA, in pulsatility and endurance indexes and on β-stiffness. With sleep deprivation, sleep efficiency also decreased.

Conclusion Sleep deprivation leads to an increase in inflammatory markers that act on the endothelium and end up promoting the existence of cardiovascular events.
Ultrasound analyses of hamstrings muscle morphology changes whit sport
Authors: Santos R , Tavares A
Published: June 2020

Introduction Physical activities and sports can change muscle morphology. Changes caused by regular physical exercise can be assessed by ultrasound parameters such as the pennation angle, cross-sectional area, echo-intensity and muscle thickness.

Objectives This study aims to characterise and evaluate the morphological changes of the hamstring muscles through ultrasound parameters such as the pennation angle, fascicle length, cross-sectional area, echo-intensity and muscle thickness, and verify the existence of morphological changes between the dominant and non-dominant limb.

Methodology Twenty-two young female divided in two groups (control group=11; athletes group=11) were submitted to an ultrasound examination at 50% of the posterior region of the thigh, for the semimembranosus and long portion of the femoral biceps muscles in the longitudinal and in a panoramic view.

Results 22 athletes with a mean age of 22.25 years were evaluated. There were significant differences between the two groups in muscle morphology. The athletes group showed a higher value for muscle thickness, cross-sectional area, pennation angle and fascicle length and a lower value for muscle echo-intensity. This group also showed higher values for these parameters when dominant limb is compared with non-dominant.

Conclusion Physical exercise causes changes in muscle morphology and ultrasound is a good method for the musculoskeletal assessment of athlete’s performance, since it is an imaging modality that allows to carry out comparative bilateral studies for athletes performance follow up and for preventive strategies against the sedentarism.
Correlation between sarcopenia and atherosclerosis/cardiovascular risk factors in the elderly
Authors: Sousa-Coelho A , Botelho M , Guerreiro C , Pais S
Published: June 2020

Introduction Sarcopenia is the age-related loss of skeletal muscle mass, strength and function. Uncontrolled diabetes, obesity, chronic inflammation and lipid abnormalities, cause decreases in muscle strength, which contributes to disease-related morbidity.

Objectives The main goal of this study was to correlate the prevalence of sarcopenia with atherosclerosis and cardiovascular risk factors, mainly estimated by cholesterol, triglycerides, C-reactive protein (CRP) and HbA1c levels, in the elderly.

Methodology A quantitative observational cross-sectional study was performed in a convenience sample of individuals aged over 60 years old recruited non-randomly. Main study variables were body composition (seca® mBCA515), muscle strength (peak torque, Humac NORM isokinetic dynamometer), risk of falls (TUG test), muscle function (LEFS) and lipids, inflammation and glycaemic profile (cobas b101-Roche®).

Results Total cholesterol levels fully correlated with LDL and non-HDL cholesterol, and partially with triglycerides, but not with HDL-cholesterol levels, HbA1c, or BMI. LDL-cholesterol levels did not correlate with muscle mass (free-fat mass (%)), strength, function, or risk of falls. Similarly, HDL-cholesterol levels did not correlate with muscle function or falls risk. Cholesterol ratio, obtained by dividing total cholesterol by HDL-cholesterol levels, was significantly higher in individuals with CRP levels above 3 mg/L. Interestingly, when compared to normal values, individuals with triglycerides above 150 mg/dL showed a statistically significant decrease in muscle strength.

Conclusion From the biochemical measured parameters, our data showed that only high triglycerides levels positively correlated with sarcopenia risk, demonstrated by reduced muscle strength. While cholesterol ratio positively correlated with increased inflammation, blood cholesterol levels seem to be independent factors regarding sarcopenia prevalence.
Carriage of antibiotic resistant bacteria flora and its role in the guidance of clinical decision making
Authors: Wong Darren W
Published: June 2020

There is considerable literature on the threat of antibiotic resistance and its impact on morbidity. However, an under-studied consideration is how carriage of these antibiotic resistant bacteria persist in an individual. The duration that a person harbors a resistant organism is critical in guiding future antimicrobial therapy. Key unexplored questions are the rate of clearance of these organisms and what drives their persistence. This paper attempts to examine these questions and offers some initial answers as well as avenues for further study.
Optimal X-ray micro-CT image based methods for porosity and permeability quantification in heterogeneous sandstones
Authors: Callow Ben , Falcon-Suarez Ismael , Marin-Moreno Hector , Bull Jonathan M , Ahmed Sharif
Published: June 2020

3-D X-ray micro-CT (XCT) is a non-destructive 3-D imaging method, increasingly used for a wide range of applications in Earth Science. An optimal XCT image-processing workflow is derived here for accurate quantification of porosity and absolute permeability of heterogeneous sandstone samples using an assessment of key image acquisition and processing parameters: image resolution, segmentation method, representative elementary volume (REV) size and fluid-simulation method. XCT image-based calculations obtained for heterogeneous sandstones are compared to two homogeneous standards (Berea sandstone and a sphere pack), as well as to the results from physical laboratory measurements. An optimal XCT methodology obtains porosity and permeability results within ±2 per cent and vary by one order of magnitude around the direct physical measurements, respectively, achieved by incorporating the clay fraction and cement matrix (porous, impermeable components) to the pore-phase for porosity calculations and into the solid-phase for permeability calculations. Two stokes-flow finite element modelling (FEM) simulation methods, using a voxelized grid (Avizo) and tetrahedral mesh (Comsol) produce comparable results, and similarly show that a lower resolution scan (∼5 µm) is unable to resolve the smallest intergranular pores, causing an underestimation of porosity by ∼3.5 per cent. Downsampling the image-resolution post-segmentation (numerical coarsening) and pore network modelling both allow achieving of a REV size, whilst significantly reducing fluid simulation memory requirements. For the heterogeneous sandstones, REV size for permeability (≥1 mm3) is larger than for porosity (≥0.5 mm3) due to tortuosity of the fluid paths. This highlights that porosity should not be used as a reference REV for permeability calculations. The findings suggest that distinct image processing workflows for porosity and permeability would significantly enhance the accurate quantification of the two properties from XCT.
Pharmacogenomics meets precision cardio-oncology: is there synergistic potential?
Authors: Hockings Jennifer K , Castrillon Jessica A , Cheng Feixiong
Published: June 2020

An individual’s inherited genetic makeup and acquired genomic variants may account for a significant portion of observable variability in therapy efficacy and toxicity. Pharmacogenomics (PGx) is the concept that treatments can be modified to account for these differences to increase chances of therapeutic efficacy while minimizing risk of adverse effects. This is particularly applicable to oncology in which treatment may be multimodal. Each tumor type has a unique genomic signature that lends to inclusion of targeted therapy but may be associated with cumulative toxicity, such as cardiotoxicity, and can impact quality of life. A greater understanding of therapeutic agents impacted by PGx and subsequent implementation has the potential to improve outcomes and reduce risk of drug-induced adverse effects.
What Does it Mean to be a Woman in Sports? An Analysis of the Jurisprudence of the Court of Arbitration for Sport
Authors: Holzer Lena
Published: June 2020

This article explores the definition of ‘sportswoman’ as put forward in the Caster Semenya case (2019) and the Dutee Chand case (2015) before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). It analyses the structural and discursive factors that made it possible for the CAS to endorse a definition that reduces sex and gender to a matter concerning testosterone. By relying on the concept of intersectionality and analytical sensibilities from Critical Legal Studies, the article shows that framing the cases as a matter of scientific dispute, instead of as concerning human rights, significantly influenced the CAS decisions. Moreover, structural elements of international sports law, such as the lack of knowledge of human rights among CAS arbitrators and a history of institutionalising gendered and racialised body norms through sporting regulations, further aided the affirmation of the ‘testosterone rules’.
IL-37d Negatively Regulates NLRP3 Transcription via Receptor-mediated Pathway and Alleviates DSS-induced Colitis
Authors: Li Yuan , Chu Hongxia , Zhao Mingsheng , Li Chaoze , Guan Yetong , Guo Chun , Li Yan , Wang Qun , Shi Yongyu , Zhu Faliang , Zhang Lining
Published: June 2020

Background

Interleukin-37 (IL-37) is a new negative immune regulator. It has 5 splicing forms, IL-37a–e, and most research mainly focuses on IL-37b functions in diverse diseases. Our previous research found that IL-37d inhibits lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation in endotoxemia through a mechanism different from that of IL-37b. However, whether IL-37d plays a role in colitis and the underlying mechanisms is still obscure. Herein, we identified whether IL-37d regulates NLRP3 inflammasome activity and determined its effect on colitis.

Methods

NLRP3 inflammasome in macrophages from IL-37d transgenic (IL-37dtg) and control wild type (WT) mice were activated by lipopolysaccharide and adenosine 5′-triphosphate. The expression of NLRP3 inflammasome components and its downstream effector, IL-1β, were detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction, western blot, and ELISA. The models of alum-induced peritonitis and dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis were used to investigate the function of IL-37d on regulating the activity of NLRP3 inflammasome in vivo.

Results

Our results showed that the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome in macrophage and alum-induced peritonitis was inhibited by IL-37d. Strikingly, IL-37d suppressed NLRP3 expression at the priming step via inhibiting NF-κB activation by transcriptional profiling. Moreover, the recombinant protein IL-37d attenuated NLRP3 inflammasome activation and the production of IL-1β, which could be reversed by IL-1R8 knockdown. Finally, IL-37d transgenic mice resisted DSS-induced acute colitis and NLRP3 inflammasome activation.

Conclusion

Interleukin-37d inhibits overactivation of the NLRP3 inflammasome through regulating NLRP3 transcription in an IL-1R8 receptor-mediated signaling pathway.
Port-Hamiltonian model of two-dimensional shallow water equations in moving containers
Authors: Cardoso-Ribeiro Flávio Luiz , Matignon Denis , Pommier-Budinger Valérie
Published: June 2020

The free surface motion in moving containers is an important physical phenomenon for many engineering applications. One way to model the free surface motion is by employing shallow water equations (SWEs). The port-Hamiltonian systems formulation is a powerful tool that can be used for modeling complex systems in a modular way. In this work, we extend previous work on SWEs using the port-Hamiltonian formulation, by considering the two-dimensional equations under rigid body motions. The resulting equations consist of a mixed-port-Hamiltonian system, with finite and infinite-dimensional energy variables and ports. 2000 Math Subject Classification: 34K30, 35K57, 35Q80, 92D25
Isogenies Between K3 Surfaces Over
Authors: Yang Ziquan
Published: June 2020

We generalize Mukai and Shafarevich’s definitions of isogenies between K3 surfaces over ${\mathbb{C}}$ to an arbitrary perfect field and describe how to construct isogenous K3 surfaces over $\bar{{\mathbb{F}}}_p$ by prescribing linear algebraic data when $p$ is large. The main step is to show that isogenies between Kuga–Satake abelian varieties induce isogenies between K3 surfaces, in the context of integral models of Shimura varieties. As a byproduct, we show that every K3 surface of finite height admits a CM lifting under a mild assumption on $p$.
Utility of MALDI-TOF MS for differentiation of Neisseria gonorrhoeae isolates with dissimilar azithromycin susceptibility profiles
Authors: Pham Cau D , Pettus Kevin , Nash Evelyn E , Liu Hsi , St. Cyr Sancta B , Schlanger Karen , Papp John , Gartin Jarrett , Dorji Tandin , Akullo Kaidee , Kersh Ellen N ,   the AR Lab Network Working Group for GC, Soge Olusegun O , Hardin Henrietta , Baldwin Tamara , Soge Olusegun O , Hardin Henrietta , Baldwin Tamara
Published: June 2020

Background

Antibiotic-resistant gonorrhoea has been a chronic public health burden since the mid-1930s. Recent emergence of isolates resistant to the current recommended antibiotics for gonorrhoea further magnifies the threat of untreatable gonorrhoea. The lack of new, effective antibiotics highlights the need for better understanding of the population structure of Neisseria gonorrhoeae in order to provide greater insight on how to curtail the spread of antimicrobial-resistant N. gonorrhoeae.

Objectives

To explore a potential application of MALDI-TOF MS to differentiate N. gonorrhoeae displaying different levels of susceptibility to the antibiotic azithromycin.

Methods

We conducted MALDI-TOF MS using the Bruker Biotyper on 392 N. gonorrhoeae isolates collected through the Gonococcal Isolate Surveillance Project (GISP) and/or the Strengthening the United States Response to Resistant Gonorrhea (SURRG) project. The MALDI-TOF MS spectra were visually analysed to assess the presence of distinctive peak(s). Statistical analysis was performed to assess the relationship between gonococcal isolates with the distinct protein peak and antibiotic susceptibility.

Results

In this study, we were able to differentiate N. gonorrhoeae isolates into two distinct subpopulations using MALDI-TOF MS. Isolates were distinguished by the presence or absence of a spectral peak at 11 300 Da. Notably, these two groups exhibited different levels of susceptibility to azithromycin.

Conclusions

We have shown that in addition to its ability to identify N. gonorrhoeae, MALDI-TOF MS could also be used to differentiate gonococcal isolates with different levels of susceptibility to azithromycin.
Dose recommendations for gentamicin in the real-world obese population with varying body weight and renal (dys)function
Authors: Smit Cornelis , van Schip Anne M , van Dongen Eric P A , Brüggemann Roger J M , Becker Matthijs L , Knibbe Catherijne A J
Published: June 2020

Background

The impact of weight on pharmacokinetics of gentamicin was recently elucidated for (morbidly) obese individuals with normal renal function.

Objectives

To characterize the pharmacokinetics of gentamicin in real-world obese patients, ultimately to develop dose recommendations applicable across the entire obese population.

Methods

In two large Dutch hospitals, all admitted patients with BMI ≥25 kg/m2 with at least one gentamicin administration, at least one gentamicin and at least one creatinine serum concentration measurement were included. Data from one hospital, obtained from electronic health records, combined with prospective data of non-obese and morbidly obese people with normal renal function, served as the training dataset, and data from the second hospital served as the external validation dataset.

Results

In the training dataset [1187 observations from 542 individuals, total body weight (TBW) 52–221 kg and renal function (CKD-EPI) 5.1–141.7 mL/min/1.73 m2], TBW was identified as a covariate on distribution volume, and de-indexed CKD-EPI and ICU stay on clearance (all P < 0.001). Clearance was 3.53 L/h and decreased by 0.48 L/h with each 10 mL/min reduction in de-indexed CKD-EPI. The results were confirmed in the external validation (321 observations from 208 individuals, TBW 69–180 kg, CKD-EPI 5.3–130.0 mL/min/1.73 m2).

Conclusions

Based on the study, we propose specific mg/kg dose reductions with decreasing CKD-EPI values for the obese population, and extension of the dosing interval beyond 24 h when CKD-EPI drops below 50 mL/min/1.73 m2. In ICU patients, a 25% dose reduction could be considered. These guidelines can be used to guide safe and effective dosing of gentamicin across the real-world obese population.
Characterizing the non-linear pharmacokinetics of miltefosine in paediatric visceral leishmaniasis patients from Eastern Africa
Authors: Palić Semra , Kip Anke E , Beijnen Jos H , Mbui Jane , Musa Ahmed , Solomos Alexandra , Wasunna Monique , Olobo Joseph , Alves Fabiana , Dorlo Thomas P C
Published: June 2020

Background

Conventional miltefosine dosing (2.5 mg/kg/day) for treatment of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is less effective in children than in adults. A higher allometric dose (median 3.2 mg/kg/day) was therefore investigated in paediatric VL patients in Eastern Africa. Results of this trial showed an unforeseen, lower than dose-proportional increase in exposure. Therefore, we performed a pooled model-based analysis of the paediatric data available from both dosing regimens to characterize observed non-linearities in miltefosine pharmacokinetics (PK).

Methods

Fifty-one children with VL were included in this analysis, treated with either a conventional (n = 21) or allometric (n = 30) miltefosine dosing regimen. PK data were analysed using non-linear mixed-effects modelling.

Results

A two-compartment model following first-order absorption and linear elimination, with two separate effects on relative oral bioavailability, was found to fit these data best. A 69% lower bioavailability at treatment start was estimated, presumably due to initial malnourishment and malabsorption. Stagnation in miltefosine accumulation in plasma, hampering increased drug exposure, was related to the increase in cumulative dose (mg/kg/day). However, the allometric regimen increased exposure 1.7-fold in the first treatment week and reduced the time to reach the PK target by 17.4%.

Conclusions

Miltefosine PK in children suffering from VL are characterized by dose-dependent non-linearities that obstruct the initially expected exposure levels. Bioavailability appeared to be affected by the cumulative dose, possibly as a consequence of impaired absorption. Despite this, allometric dosing led to a faster target achievement and increased exposure compared with conventional dosing.
Demography of Cacopsylla chinensis (Hemiptera: Psyllidae) Reared on Four Cultivars of Pyrus bretschneideri (Rosales: Rosaceae) and P. communis Pears With Estimations of Confidence Intervals of Specific Life Table Statistics
Authors: Wei Mingfeng , Chi Hsin , Guo Yongfu , Li Xianwei , Zhao Longlong , Ma Ruiyan
Published: June 2020

The psyllid Cacopsylla chinensis (Yang & Li) (Hemiptera: Psyllidae) is a serious pest of pears in China. To determine and contrast the fitness of the psyllid on two endemic cultivars of Pyrus bretschneideri (i.e., BHXS and BSL) and two introduced cultivars of Pyrus communis (i.e., CB and CRB), we analyzed data on the development, survival, and fecundity from C. chinensis individuals reared on the four cultivars. The age-stage, two-sex life table theory was used in order to enable the inclusion of males in the analysis as well as a means of identifying the variation in developmental durations among individuals. Results indicated that C. chinensis can successfully develop and reproduce on all four pear cultivars. However, based on the lower preadult survival rate, longer preadult duration, longer total preoviposition period (TPOP), and lower fecundity that occurred on both cultivars of P. communis, these two cultivars are less favorable hosts for C. chinensis than the P. bretschneideri cultivars. The lower intrinsic rate of increase (r), finite rate of increase (λ), and net reproduction rate (R0) on CB and CRB pears showed these two introduced cultivars are more resistant to C. chinensis than the endemic BHXS and BSL pears. These resistant cultivars would be appropriate candidates for managing C. chinensis. We used the bootstrap technique to estimate the uncertainty of the population parameters (r, λ, R0, etc.), while also demonstrating that it can be used for estimating the 0.025 and 0.975 percentile confidence intervals of the age of survival rate.
Cost of Living Inequality During the Great Recession
Authors: Argente David , Lee Munseob
Published: June 2020

We construct income-specific price indexes for the period from 2004 to 2016. We find substantial differences across income groups that arise during the Great Recession. The difference in annual inflation between the lowest quartile of the income distribution and the highest quartile was 0.22 percentage points for 2004–2007, 0.85 percentage points for 2008–2013, and 0.02 percentage points for 2014–2016. We find that product quality substitution and changes in the shopping behavior, margins mostly available to richer households, explain around 40% of the gap. Our evidence shows that not accounting for these differences in price indexes could lead to significant biases in the calculation of consumption and income inequality.
Quantifying range decline and remaining populations of the large marsupial carnivore of Australia’s tropical rainforest
Authors: Uzqueda Adriana , Burnett Scott , Bertola Lorenzo V , Hoskin Conrad J
Published: June 2020

Large predators are particularly susceptible to population declines due to large area requirements, low population density, and conflict with humans. Their low density and secretive habits also make it difficult to know the spatial extent, size, and connectivity of populations; declines hence can go unnoticed. Here, we quantified decline in a large marsupial carnivore, the spotted-tailed quoll (Dasyurus maculatus gracilis), endemic to the Wet Tropics rainforest of northeast Australia. We compiled a large database of occurrence records and used species distributional modeling to estimate the distribution in four time periods (Pre-1956, 1956–1975, 1976–1995, 1996–2016) using climate layers and three human-use variables. The most supported variables in the distribution models were climatic, with highly suitable quoll habitat having relatively high precipitation, low temperatures, and a narrow annual range in temperature. Land-use type and road density also influenced quoll distribution in some time periods. The modeling revealed a significant decline in the distribution of D. m. gracilis over the last century, with contraction away from peripheral areas and from large areas of the Atherton Tablelands in the center of the distribution. Tests of the change in patch availability for populations of 20, 50, and 100 individuals revealed a substantial (17–32%) decline in available habitat for all population sizes, with a particular decline (31–40%) in core habitat (i.e., excluding edges). Six remaining populations were defined. Extrapolating capture–recapture density estimates derived from two populations in 2017 suggests these populations are small and range from about 10 to 160 individuals. Our total population estimate sums to 424 individuals, but we outline why this estimate is positively skewed and that the actual population size may be < 300 individuals. Continued decline and apparent absence in areas of highly suitable habitat suggests some threats are not being captured in our models. From our results, we provide management and research recommendations for this enigmatic predator.
The Utility of Elevated Serum Lactate Dehydrogenase in Current Clinical Practice
Authors: Krishnamurthy Kritika , Medina Ana Maria , Howard Lydia
Published: June 2020

Objective

Because of its wide tissue distribution, elevation of serum lactate dehydrogenase (LD) is a nonspecific finding. Although serum LD is still included in the prognosis and staging of metastatic melanoma and germ cell tumors, its nonspecificity has led to decreased usefulness.

Methods

In this study, we analyzed the serum LD assays performed in a 726-bed hospital during a 1-year period and reviewed charts of patients with serum LD of >3 standard deviations (SD).

Results

Of 312 patients with elevated serum LD, only 9 were patients with melanoma and germ cell tumors. The other 303 patients had other malignancies, chronic conditions, and sepsis.

Conclusion

Elevated serum LD (even >3 SD) is an extremely nonspecific finding that does not contribute to clinical management in a majority of patients. As such, serum LD testing should be retired from routine clinical order sets and restricted in use.
Risk of Secondary Traumatic Stress in Treating Traumatized Military Populations: Results from the PTSD Clinicians Exchange
Authors: Penix Elizabeth A , Clarke-Walper Kristina M , Trachtenberg Felicia L , Magnavita Ashley M , Simon Erica , Ortigo Kile , Coleman Julia , Marceau Lisa , Ruzek Josef I , Rosen Raymond C , Wilk Joshua E
Published: June 2020

Introduction

This study examined risk factors for secondary traumatic stress (STS) in behavioral health clinicians and whether access to the Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Clinicians Exchange website mitigated STS risk.

Methods

A diverse sample of clinicians (N = 605) treating traumatized military populations in Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Department of Defense, and community practice settings were randomized to a newsletter-only control group or the exchange group. The exchange website included resources for treating PTSD and promoting clinician well-being. Online surveys were administered at 0-, 6-, and 12-months postrandomization. Regression analyses were used to examine the link among risk factors, exchange access, and STS.

Results

Baseline clinician demographics, experience, total caseload, appeal of evidence-based practices (EBPs), and likelihood of adopting EBPs if required were not linked with STS at the 12-month assessment period. Providing care at the VA, more burnout, less compassion satisfaction, greater trauma caseload, less openness to new EBPs, and greater divergence from EBP procedures were linked with greater STS. Only burnout and divergence were associated with STS after accounting for other significant STS risk factors. Exchange and control group clinicians reported similar STS levels after accounting for burnout and divergence.

Conclusions

Given that burnout was linked with STS, future intervention may use techniques targeting burnout and STS (eg, emotion regulation strategies). Research exploring the link between divergence from EBPs and STS may inform EBP dissemination efforts and STS interventions. Finally, results highlight the need for research optimizing STS intervention efficacy among clinicians treating military populations.
Abnormal scattering event in the direction to the pulsar B0834+06
Authors: Smirnova T V , Shishov V I , Andrianov A S , Burgin M S , Fadeev E N , Popov M V , Rudnitskii A G , Soglasnov V A , Zuga V A
Published: June 2020

Analysis of Space-VLBI observations of the pulsar B0834+06 conducted with RadioAstron at 324 MHz shows that in some cases one of the scattering screens could be located very close to the pulsar (about 10 pc from the pulsar), and it has a strong influence on the secondary spectra. For this case, the vertices of inverted arcs are aligned along the main parabolic arc and their width is inversely proportional to the scattering time. The shape of the main arc is determined by another scattering screen that is located at a distance of about 210 pc from the pulsar. The position of this screen is observed to be stable during 19 yr and its spatial scale is larger than 5.6 × 1015 cm. We found that the scattering disc may be approximated by an ellipse with a 2.5 axial ratio and with the position angle of the major axis of about −8○. A small-scale structure with a size of 0.1 au located at the close to observer screen and very high electron density of tens to a few thousand cm−3 for different models can be responsible for arclets in a secondary spectra. Additionally, angular refraction exists in the direction towards the pulsar. That suggests the presence of the cosmic prism. We have estimated the angle of refraction to be θref > 2 mas and the distance from prism to the observer D < 160 pc.
Dust settling instability in protoplanetary discs
Authors: Krapp Leonardo , Youdin Andrew N , Kratter Kaitlin M , Benítez-Llambay Pablo
Published: June 2020

The streaming instability (SI) has been extensively studied in the linear and non-linear regimes as a mechanism to concentrate solids and trigger planetesimal formation in the mid-plane of protoplanetary discs. A related dust settling instability (DSI) applies to particles while settling towards the mid-plane. The DSI has previously been studied in the linear regime, with predictions that it could trigger particle clumping away from the mid-plane. This work presents a range of linear calculations and non-linear simulations, performed with fargo3d, to assess conditions for DSI growth. We expand on previous linear analyses by including particle size distributions and performing a detailed study of the amount of background turbulence needed to stabilize the DSI. When including binned size distributions, the DSI often produces converged growth rates with fewer bins than the standard SI. With background turbulence, we find that the most favourable conditions for DSI growth are weak turbulence, characterized by α ≲ 10−6 with intermediate-sized grains that settle from one gas scale height. These conditions could arise during a sudden decrease in disc turbulence following an accretion outburst. Ignoring background turbulence, we performed a parameter survey of local 2D DSI simulations. Particle clumping was either weak or occurred slower than particles settle. Clumping was reduced by a factor of 2 in a comparison 3D simulation. Overall, our results strongly disfavour the hypothesis that the DSI significantly promotes planetesimal formation. Non-linear simulations of the DSI with different numerical methods could support or challenge these findings.
What binary systems are the most likely sources for periodically repeating FRBs?
Authors: Zhang Xianfei , Gao He
Published: June 2020

The newly discovered 16.35-d period for repeating FRB 180916.J0158+65 provides an essential clue for understanding the sources and emission mechanism of repeating fast radio bursts (FRBs). Many models propose that the periodically repeating FRBs might be related to binary star systems that contain at least one neutron star (NSC-FRB system). It has been suggested that the neutron star ‘combed’ by the strong wind from a companion star might provide a solution. Following the binary comb model, we use the population synthesis method to study in detail the properties of the companion stars and the nature of NSC-FRB systems. Our main findings are as follows: (1) the companion star is most likely to be a B-type star; (2) the period of 16 d of FRB 180916 happens to fall in the most probable period range, which may explain why FRB 180916 was the first detected periodically repeating FRB, and we expect to observe more periodically repeating FRBs with periods around 10–30 d; and (3) the birth rate for the NSC-FRB system is large enough to fulfill the event rate requirement set by the observation of FRB 180916, which supports the proposal that the NSC-FRB can provide one significant channel for producing periodically repeating FRBs.
Analysis of methanol maser flares in G107.298+5.63 and S255-NIRS3
Authors: Gray M D , Etoka S , Pimpanuwat B
Published: June 2020

A 3D maser model has been used to perform an inverse problem on the light curves from three high-amplitude maser flares, selected on the basis of contemporaneous infrared observations. Plots derived from the model recover the size of the maser cloud, and two parameters linked to saturation, from three observational properties of the light curve. Recovered sizes are consistent with independent interferometric measurements. Maser objects transition between weak and moderate saturation during a flare.
Electric field manipulation enhanced by strong spin-orbit coupling: promoting rare-earth ions as qubits
Authors: Liu Zheng , Wang Ye-Xin , Fang Yu-Hui , Qin Si-Xue , Wang Zhe-Ming , Jiang Shang-Da , Gao Song
Published: June 2020

Quantum information processing based on magnetic ions has potential for applications as the ions can be modified in their electronic properties and assembled by a variety of chemical methods. For these systems to achieve individual spin addressability and high energy efficiency, we exploited the electric field as a tool to manipulate the quantum behaviours of the rare-earth ion which has strong spin-orbit coupling. A Ce:YAG single crystal was employed with considerations to the dynamics and the symmetry requirements. The Stark effect of the Ce3+ ion was observed and measured. When demonstrated as a quantum phase gate, the electric field manipulation exhibited high efficiency which allowed up to 57 π/2 operations before decoherence with optimized field direction. It was also utilized to carry out quantum bang-bang control, as a method of dynamic decoupling, and the refined Deutsch-Jozsa algorithm. Our experiments highlighted rare-earth ions as potentially applicable qubits because they offer enhanced spin-electric coupling which enables high-efficiency quantum manipulation.
Law’s Image of the Human
Authors: Radbruch Gustav
Published: June 2020

This is a translation of ‘Der Mensch im Recht’, Gustav Radbruch's inaugural lecture at the University of Heidelberg in November 1926, translated with an Introduction by Valentin Jeutner. Radbruch addresses the way in which law's image of the human informs the operation and content of law.
A Methionine Sulfoxide Reductase B Is Required for the Establishment of Astragalus sinicus–Mesorhizobium Symbiosis
Authors: Si Zaiyong , Guan Ning , Zhou Yuan , Mei Lingli , Li Yixing , Li Youguo
Published: June 2020

Methionine sulfoxide reductase B (MsrB) is involved in oxidative stress or defense responses in plants. However, little is known about its role in legume–rhizobium symbiosis. In this study, an MsrB gene was identified from Astragalus sinicus and its function in symbiosis was characterized. AsMsrB was induced under phosphorus starvation and displayed different expression patterns under symbiotic and nonsymbiotic conditions. Hydrogen peroxide or methyl viologen treatment enhanced the transcript level of AsMsrB in roots and nodules. Subcellular localization showed that AsMsrB was localized in the cytoplasm of onion epidermal cells and co-localized with rhizobia in nodules. Plants with AsMsrB-RNAi hairy roots exhibited significant decreases in nodule number, nodule nitrogenase activity and fresh weight of the aerial part, as well as an abnormal nodule and symbiosome development. Statistical analysis of infection events showed that plants with AsMsrB-RNAi hairy roots had significant decreases in the number of root hair curling events, infection threads and nodule primordia compared with the control. The content of hydrogen peroxide increased in AsMsrB-RNAi roots but decreased in AsMsrB overexpression roots at the early stage of infection. The transcriptome analysis showed synergistic modulations of the expression of genes involved in reactive oxygen species generation and scavenging, defense and pathogenesis and early nodulation. In addition, a candidate protein interacting with AsMsrB was identified and confirmed by bimolecular fluorescence complementation. Taken together, our results indicate that AsMsrB plays an essential role in nodule development and symbiotic nitrogen fixation by affecting the redox homeostasis in roots and nodules.
New Boxed Warning for Singulair
Authors: Aschenbrenner Diane S.
Published: June 2020

The labeling of the asthma drug montelukast (Singulair) now includes a boxed warning regarding the risk of serious behavior and mood changes, as well as suicide, associated with its use.

NPs should avoid prescribing montelukast as a first-line drug for asthma and allergic rhinitis. Nurses and NPs should provide education on potential mental health adverse effects to patients and their families.