bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Omunanamwengu (The Mad One): A Multiple Case Study of Individual and Familial Experiences of Madness Among the Northern Namibian Aawambo
Authors: Bartholomew Theodore T.
Published: June 2020

To understand mental illness in cultural contexts, research should focus on locally informed concepts of illness and the lived experiences of such conditions. Understanding mental illness, its prevalence, and its influence on people’s lives in Namibia represents one such context where attention to the lived experience of mental illness remains understudied. The purpose of the current study was to build upon ethnographic findings about mental illness as madness ( eemwengu) among the Namibian Aawambo. To that end, a multiple case study design was used to explore the lived experience of being omunanamwengu (the mad one). Data were collected from four cases that were bound by the experience of mental illness. Within each case, the individual experiencing illness ( omunanamwengu), family members, and both omunanamwengu and family members were interviewed formally (via a semi-structured interview protocol) or informally due to participants’ preferences for not being recorded. Using Stake’s suggested approach to multiple-case study cross-case analysis, each individual case is described and cross-case themes (Development and Symptoms of Mental Illness; Marginalization and Omunanamwengu; Family Roles in the Lives of the Distressed and Eemwengu; Belief in Treatment) were identified. Findings are discussed in light of the role of beliefs in treatment as well as family involvement, the potential influence of discrimination on mental illness, and implications for practice and cross-cultural psychology.
The association between residential housing prices, bicycle infrastructure and ridership volumes
Authors: Conrow Lindsey , Mooney Siân , Wentz Elizabeth A
Published: June 2020

City officials and planners have shown increased interest in pedestrian- and bicycle-friendly designs aimed at addressing urban problems such as traffic congestion, pollution, sprawl and housing availability. An important planning consideration is the economic impact associated with existing or planned infrastructure, especially in relation to home property values. In this study, we use measures of infrastructure and ridership to evaluate the relationship between bicycling infrastructure and activity and single-family home values in Tempe, Arizona. We apply a hedonic modelling approach and find that bicycle infrastructure density is positively associated with home sale price, while ridership density around home locations has no significant relationship with sale price. Our results inform discourse related to the potential economic values of residential bicycle infrastructure, especially in areas where property tax is a source of local public finance revenue. We show that the characteristics of bicycle-friendly design may be the same characteristics valued by homebuyers and the resulting increased home sale values may lead to increased property tax revenue in Tempe, Arizona.
‘Dark’ cities: The role of interdisciplinary work in learning and supporting marginal city spaces
Authors: Halligey Alexandra
Published: June 2020

This article considers Harold Johnson’s (Hariwe) 2014–2016 research project on ‘Dark City’, an informal vertical settlement in inner-city Johannesburg, as offering a productive arts-orientated, interdisciplinary study of and proposal for planning and design interventions in informally occupied urban spaces. Hariwe used his architectural skills to ‘reverse design’ the building according to its daily use by residents. Collaborators Jono Wood and Dirk Chalmers followed a similar research process with ‘Dark City’, using their own modalities of photography and film. The three exhibited at the Circa Gallery in Rosebank, Johannesburg in 2016, constructing an immersive simulation of the ‘Dark City’ environment to set their drawings, photographs and films within. This article uses the lenses of performance and performativity to argue for the research and creative processes of The ‘Dark City’ project as slowing down time, layering spaces across time and location and creating a sensual, immersive experience. These three effects serve to bring into view and experience the circumstances of ‘Dark City’, the kinds of inequalities at work in Johannesburg that produce such spaces and to propose design responses for spatial justice.
Follicular dendritic cell sarcoma presenting as a thyroid mass: an unusual case report and literature review
Authors: Zhang Ting , He Liang , Wang Zhihong , Dong Wenwu , Sun Wei , Zhang Ping , Zhang Hao
Published: June 2020

Thyroid follicular dendritic cell sarcoma (FDCS) is an extremely rare malignancy that originates from follicular dendritic cells of the germinal centers and is characterized by the neoplastic proliferation of spindled to ovoid cells. As there have been only five cases reported in the literature until now, the diagnostic and therapeutic information available to clinicians regarding thyroid FDCS is fairly limited. To our knowledge, this is the first case report of thyroid FDCS without a history of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. A 48-year-old woman was found to have a slow-growing mass in the left thyroid. After total thyroidectomy and left modified radical neck dissection, the specimen demonstrated morphologic and immunohistochemical features of FDCS. The patient had a favorable prognosis with no evidence of disease 11 months after tumor excision.
Relationship between interleukin-13 rs20541 single nucleotide polymorphisms and therapeutic efficacy in children with asthma
Authors: Liu Lixiao , Yue Dongmei , Hu Lan , Wang Fei , Huang Ying , Liao Yang
Published: June 2020

Objective

To investigate the relationship between therapeutic efficacy in children with asthma and interleukin-13 (IL-13) rs20541 polymorphisms.

Methods

Fifty children with moderate-to-severe asthma were assigned to the GG, GA, and AA groups according to the IL-13 gene locus rs20541 polymorphism. The patients received budesonide inhalation suspension 1 mg twice daily combined with fluticasone propionate 80 µg/inhalation. The improvement of clinical symptoms (gasping, coughing, and wheezing), improvement of lung function, and adverse reactions were observed.

Results

Lung function did not significantly differ among three groups before treatment. After treatment, the time to symptom relief was significantly shorter in the GG group than that in the other two groups. The forced expiratory volume in one second and percent predicted peak expiratory flow were also significantly better in the GG group than in the other two groups.

Conclusion

Budesonide inhalation suspension combined with fluticasone propionate is an effective treatment regimen for moderate-to-severe asthma. Polymorphism of the IL-13 rs20541 locus may be correlated with therapeutic efficacy. Patients carrying the GG allele were more responsive than their counterparts with the GA or AA allele.
Sarcomatoid carcinoma of the gallbladder: a case report
Authors: Shi Yunfu , Chen Jiabin , Chen Hua , Hong Xiufang
Published: June 2020

Sarcomatoid carcinoma is a rare type of gallbladder cancer with no specific clinical manifestation. The final diagnosis depends on pathological and immunohistochemical examination. Sarcomatoid carcinoma is characterized by early lymphatic metastasis, rapid progression, a high short-term recurrence rate, and a worse prognosis than adenocarcinoma. This report describes a 60-year-old woman with poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma of the gallbladder. She underwent treatment with chemotherapy and surgery. Palliative surgery was performed for treatment of tumor recurrence in April 2018. Postoperative pathology showed infiltration of poorly differentiated carcinomas, most of which were sarcomatoid. After four cycles of chemotherapy, the disease continued to progress. Anlotinib tablets were given from August 2018 to November 2018 but were then stopped because of gastrointestinal bleeding. The patient died in April 2019. This paper reports the whole process of diagnosis and treatment in this case of gallbladder sarcomatoid carcinoma, thus providing a reference for treatment.
Decreased expression of autophagy markers in culture-positive patients with chronic otitis media
Authors: Jung Junyang , Park Dong Choon , Kim Young Il , Lee Eun Hye , Park Myung Jin , Kim Sang Hoon , Yeo Seung Geun
Published: June 2020

Objective

Abnormal autophagy plays a role in the pathogenesis of various diseases. This study aimed to evaluate associations between the clinical manifestations of chronic otitis media (COM) and expression of autophagy markers.

Methods

Associations between presence of bacteria, otorrhea, and conductive and sensorineural hearing loss and levels of autophagy-related mRNAs were investigated in 47 patients with COM.

Results

Autophagy-related mRNAs were detected in all inflammatory tissues of COM patients. LC3-II showed the highest level of expression, followed by Beclin-1, P13KC3, Rubicon, and mTOR. Beclin-1 mRNA levels were significantly lower in culture-positive than in culture-negative patients.

Conclusion

Autophagy is involved in the pathogenesis of COM. The finding that expression of autophagy markers, especially Beclin-1, was lower in culture-positive than in culture-negative patients suggested that these markers are closely associated with the clinical features of COM.
Music-induced analgesia: An adjunct to pain management
Authors: Lu Xuejing , Yi Fei , Hu Li
Published: June 2020

Increasing evidence shows that music can regulate emotional states and lead to pain reduction, a phenomenon called music-induced analgesia. However, knowledge about which neural circuitry is involved in this effect is still limited. To better understand the efficacy and neural mechanisms of music-induced analgesia, this review highlighted the growing body of literature suggesting music can be considered as an adjunct to pain management. We first conducted a meta-analysis of studies investigating the analgesic effect of music on experimentally induced pain among healthy participants. The meta-analysis result suggests a medium analgesic effect of music on experimentally induced pain, g = 0.52, 95% confidence interval [0.41, 0.63], p < .0001. We then reviewed neuropsychological and neurochemical substrates associated with music-induced analgesia with an emphasis on experimental studies with healthy individuals. We argue that music can modulate pain as a distractor, a mood regulator, a stress reliever, and a reward by briefly summarizing evidence revealing the power of music on pain suppression in a variety of pain conditions. In conclusion, music can be considered as an adjunct to pain management. Pitfalls and promise of music intervention in pain management are discussed in view of current understandings of music-induced analgesia.
Vehicle Trajectory Specification in Presence of Traffic Lights with Known or Uncertain Switching Times
Authors: Typaldos Panagiotis , Kalogianni Ioanna , Mountakis Kyriakos Simon , Papamichail Ioannis , Papageorgiou Markos
Published: June 2020

The main purpose of this work is to generate optimal trajectories for vehicles crossing a signalized junction, with traffic signals operated in either fixed-time or real-time (adaptive) mode. In the latter case, the next switching time is decided in real time based on the prevailing traffic conditions and is therefore uncertain in advance. The GLOSA (Green Light Optimal Speed Advisory) problem is addressed by using traffic lights information and calculating a trajectory and velocity profile for the vehicle based on the vehicle’s initial state (position and speed) and a fixed final destination state. At first, an appropriate optimal control problem is formulated and solved analytically via Pontryagin’s minimum principle (PMP) for the case of known switching times. Subsequently, for the case of real-time signals, availability of a time-window of possible signal switching times, along with the corresponding probability distribution, is assumed, and the problem is cast in the format of a stochastic optimal control problem and is solved numerically using stochastic dynamic programming (SDP) techniques. Application results, for various driving scenarios, of the deterministic approach, which considers the case of known switching times, and a comprehensive comparison of the stochastic GLOSA approach with a sub-optimal approach are presented. In particular, it is demonstrated that the proposed SDP approach achieves better average performance compared with the sub-optimal approach because of the better (probabilistic) information on the traffic light switching time.
Can we define reliable risk factors for anastomotic strictures following radical prostatectomy?
Authors: Spek Annabel , Buchner Alexander , Khury Farouk , Khoder Wael , Tritschler Stefan , Stief Christian
Published: June 2020

Background:

To identify risk factors for anastomotic strictures in patients after radical prostatectomy.

Methods:

In all, 140 prostate cancer patients with one or more postoperative anastomotic strictures after radical prostatectomy were included. All patients underwent transurethral anastomotic resection at the University Hospital of Munich between January 2009 and May 2016. Clinical data and follow-up information were retrieved from patients’ records. Statistical analysis was done using Kaplan-Meier curves and log rank-test with time to first transurethral anastomotic resection as endpoint, Chi-square-test, and Mann–Whitney-U test.

Results:

In all, 140 patients with a median age of 67 years (IQR: 61–71 years) underwent radical prostatectomy. Median age at time of transurethral anastomotic resection was 68 years (IQR: 62–72). Patients needed 2 surgical interventions in median (range: 1–15). Median time from radical prostatectomy to transurethral anastomotic resection was 6 months (IQR: 3.9–17.4). Median duration of catheterization after radical prostatectomy was 10 days (IQR: 8–13). In all, 26% (36/140) received additional radiotherapy. Regarding time to first transurethral anastomotic resection, age and longer duration of catheterization after radical prostatectomy with a cutoff of 7 days showed no statistically significant differences (p = 0.392 and p = 0.141, respectively). Tumor stage was no predictor for development of anastomotic strictures (p = 0.892), and neither was prior adjuvant radiation (p = 0.162). Potential risk factors were compared between patients with up to 2 strictures (low-risk) and patients developing > 2 strictures (high-risk): high-risk patients had more often injection of cortisone during surgery (14% vs 0%, p < 0.001) and more frequently advanced tumor stage pT > 2 (54% vs 38%, p = 0.055), respectively. Other risk factors did not show any significant difference compared to number of prior transurethral anastomotic strictures.

Conclusions:

We could not identify a reliable risk factor to predict development of anastomotic strictures following radical prostatectomy.
Professional Development to Support Teachers’ Implementation of Intensive Reading Intervention: A Systematic Review
Authors: McMaster Kristen L. , Baker Kristi , Donegan Rachel , Hugh Maria , Sargent Katherine
Published: June 2020

Many educators are unprepared to meet the needs of students with the most intensive reading intervention needs. The purpose of this review was to identify how researchers have provided professional development (PD) to support educators’ implementation of intensive reading interventions, the extent to which these approaches included essential PD elements, and how researchers have measured implementer outcomes. In the 26 studies reviewed, implementers received initial training, and most received some form of ongoing support. Most studies appeared to incorporate one or more essential PD elements, though many lacked sufficient detail regarding the presence of these elements. Researchers used a variety of fidelity measures and other methods to assess implementer outcomes, which were typically positive. Results of this review indicate the need for researchers to report more detailed descriptions of PD activities, as well as the need for continued research on how best to support teachers’ implementation of intensive reading interventions.
Arteriovenous fistula maturation and the influence of fluid dynamics
Authors: Colley Eamonn , Simmons Anne , Varcoe Ramon , Thomas Shannon , Barber Tracie
Published: June 2020

Arteriovenous fistula creation is the preferred vascular access for haemodialysis therapy, but has a large failure rate in the maturation period. This period generally lasts 6 to 8 weeks after surgical creation, in which the vein and artery undergo extensive vascular remodelling. In this review, we outline proposed mechanisms for both arteriovenous fistula maturation and arteriovenous fistula failure. Clinical, animal and computational studies have not yet shown a definitive link between any metric and disease development, although a number of theories based on wall shear stress metrics have been suggested. Recent work allowing patient-based longitudinal studies may hold the key to understanding arteriovenous fistula maturation processes.
Energy-saving strategies on power hydraulic system: An overview
Authors: Mahato Anil C , Ghoshal Sanjoy K
Published: June 2020

Different strategies for improving the energy efficiency of a power hydraulic system have been reviewed in this article. The energy-saving scheme is classified into three categories: S ystem design, Improving components or product functions and Loss reduction. The sub-categories of energy-saving strategies are discussed briefly. Also, different energy-saving potentials of power hydraulic system are presented in tabular form for clear understanding on the chronological development toward energy-efficient fluid power system.
#JunkScience: Investigating pseudoscience disinformation in the Russian Internet Research Agency tweets
Authors: Strudwicke Indigo J. , Grant Will J.
Published: June 2020

Recent research has identified anti-vaccination propaganda in the so-called Russian Troll Tweets strongly associated with the 2016 US Presidential election. This study builds on this: hypothesising that if vaccination content was found in the sample, the Russia Tweets would be likely to contain other science content, and perhaps, similar pseudo or anti-science messages. As well as vaccination, climate change, genetically modified organisms, Ebola, flat Earth beliefs (flat Earthism) and Zika were found in the Russia tweets. Genetically modified organisms and flat Earthism appear to have been camouflage content – tweeted at similar rates to other Twitter users – while climate change, Ebola, Zika and vaccination appear to have been emphasised beyond the background rate for strategic disinformation purposes.
Lumateperone: A Novel Antipsychotic for Schizophrenia
Authors: Greenwood Jessica , Acharya Rucha B. , Marcellus Valerie , Rey Jose A.
Published: June 2020

Objective:

To provide a concise review of the new Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved antipsychotic, lumateperone, for use in schizophrenia.

Data Sources:

A literature search of PubMed was performed (January 2000 to May 2020) using the following key terms: lumateperone, Caplyta, and ITI-007. Abstracts from conferences, review articles, clinical trials, and drug monographs were reviewed.

Study Selection and Data Extraction:

Relevant English-language monographs and studies conducted in humans were considered.

Data Synthesis:

Lumateperone was FDA approved for the treatment of schizophrenia in December 2019 based on 2 published randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials. Lumateperone’s pharmacology is consistent with that of other second-generation antipsychotics in that it has a higher affinity for the serotonin (5-HT2A) receptors compared with dopamine (D2) receptors but with lower affinities for α-1 and histaminergic receptors. In addition, it serves as a presynaptic dopamine partial agonist, serotonin reuptake inhibitor, and an indirect modulator of glutamatergic systems. Based on the 4-week clinical trials, lumateperone was well tolerated. Most common treatment-emergent adverse events were headache, somnolence, and dizziness.

Relevance to Patient Care and Clinical Practice:

At this time, lumateperone had a statistically significant reduction in Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale when compared with placebo and was not significantly associated with the extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS) and metabolic adverse effects commonly seen with other antipsychotics.

Conclusions:

Lumateperone has the potential to benefit individuals with schizophrenia who are intolerant to the EPSs or metabolic adverse effects of other antipsychotics. However, further head-to-head trials with commercially available antipsychotics are still required to assist in establishing its role in treatment.
The Usual Suspects: Prior Criminal Record and the Probability of Arrest
Authors: Stolzenberg Lisa , D’Alessio Stewart J. , Flexon Jamie L.
Published: June 2020

A unique dataset is analyzed to investigate the effect of a criminal suspect’s prior criminal record on the probability of arrest. Multivariate logistic regression results show that a criminal suspect with a prior criminal record is approximately 29 times more likely than a suspect without a criminal record to be arrested by police. While findings also reveal that Black suspects and Black suspects with a prior criminal record do not have an enhanced proclivity of arrest, Black suspects with a prior criminal record who target White victims are almost three times more apt to be arrested. When juxtaposed with the finding in the baseline model of a substantive relationship between a suspect’s race and the likelihood of arrest absent the control for prior criminal record, our results suggest that any correlation evinced between a criminal suspect’s race and the likelihood of arrest without controlling for the suspect’s prior criminal history may be spurious due to omitted variable bias.
In defense of the use of peripherally inserted central catheters in pediatric patients
Authors: Crocoli Alessandro , Cesaro Simone , Cellini Monica , Rossetti Francesca , Sidro Luca , Pinelli Fulvio , Pittiruti Mauro
Published: June 2020

Central venous access devices have revolutioned the care of children affected by malignancies, facilitating management of complex and prolonged infusive therapies, reducing pain and discomfort related to repeated blood samples and indiscriminate venipunctures, thus reducing also psychological stress of both patients and families. In this respect, peripherally inserted central catheters have been disseminated for use, even in pediatric oncology patients, for their many advantages: easy and non-invasive placement with no risk of insertion-related complications, as well as easy removal; reduced need for general anesthesia both for insertion and removal; adequate prolonged performance also for challenging therapies (e.g. stem cell transplantation); and low rate of late complications. Nonetheless, concerns have been recently raised about use of such devices in children with cancer, especially regarding a presumed (but not demonstrated) high risk of catheter-related venous thrombosis. Are we facing a new witch (or peripherally inserted central catheter) hunt? The choice of the central venous access device—particularly in oncologic children—should be based on an evaluation of clinical advantages and risks, as provided by appropriate and scientifically accurate clinical studies.
Percutaneous creation of proximal radio-radial arteriovenous hemodialysis fistula before secondary brachial vein elevation
Authors: Mallios Alexandros , Bourquelot Pierre , Harika Ghazi , Boura Benoit , Jennings William C
Published: June 2020

Objective:

We evaluate the creation of a percutaneous proximal radial artery–radial vein arteriovenous fistula with Ellipsys® instead of the usual first-stage brachial artery fistula prior to a second-stage brachial vein elevation, in patients with inadequate cephalic and basilic veins.

Methods:

Single center study of eight patients (six males, mean = 54 years) who underwent a two-stage brachial vein elevation procedure between May 2017 and October 2019. Inclusion criteria were life expectancy > 6 months, patent brachial and proximal radial artery (>2 mm in diameter) absent/inadequate cephalic and basilic veins, existence of a brachial vein >3 mm in diameter, and in continuity with a proximal radial vein > 2 mm in diameter.

Results:

Technical success was 100%. Four patients required angioplasty of a juxta-anastomotic stenosis, accounting for a 6-month primary and secondary patency rates were 68% and 100%, respectively. Access flow averaged 982 mL/min (range 768–1586) at final follow-up evaluation. There were no significant adverse events related to the procedures. All fistulae were elevated at 4–12 (mean: 8) weeks post creation and were successfully cannulated with two needles after healing was completed (2–4 weeks after elevation). No patients developed hand ischemia or arm edema.

Conclusions:

Percutaneous creation of a proximal radial artery–radial vein fistula followed by brachial vein elevation is a safe and reliable option for autogenous access creation in patients with inadequate cephalic or basilic veins. Minimally invasive radial artery inflow and longer available length of the targeted brachial vein available for elevation are the main advantages in skilled hands.
Do ‘Videos’ sections of Internet search engines provide accurate and adequate information about totally implantable venous access ports?
Authors: Depboylu Burak Can , Yazman Serkan
Published: June 2020

Objective:

After cancer diagnosis, patients often look to Internet to learn more about totally implantable venous access ports which improve compliance with systemic anticancer therapy, as they do not get enough information from healthcare professionals. The aim of this study was to evaluate the video quality on Internet about totally implantable venous access ports using the most used three Internet search engines worldwide.

Methods:

‘Videos’ sections of the most used three Internet search engines were queried using ‘Chemotherapy Port’, ‘Port Catheter’ and ‘Totally Implantable Venous Access Ports’ keywords. First, 50 results of each keyword in each search engine were analysed and evaluated according to a novel scoring system created by authors (totally implantable venous access port video evaluation score), Journal of the American Medical Association score and modified DISCERN score by independent reviewers. Obtained data were analysed by descriptive statistics, Kruskal–Wallis and chi-square tests.

Results:

Of the 450 videos, 229 were evaluated. The total video length was 1394.38 min. The mean video length was 6.08 ± 5.39 min, and the mean video view count was 32,553.71 ± 83,524.23. Mean Journal of the American Medical Association score, modified DISCERN score and totally implantable venous access port video evaluation score were 2.33 ± 0.90, 2.43 ± 1.59 and 3.54 ± 3.47, respectively. According to totally implantable venous access port video evaluation score, of the videos, 1.3% were remarkable, 5.2% were useful, 25.8% were poor and 67.7% were useless. Of the videos, 36.7% have been presented by healthcare professionals. Mean Journal of the American Medical Association score, modified DISCERN score and totally implantable venous access port video evaluation score of these videos were 3.11 ± 0.68, 3.97 ± 0.93 and 4.69 ± 4.25, respectively (p = 0.000, p = 0.000 and p = 0.003, respectively).

Conclusion:

Internet search engines’ ‘Videos’ sections have the potential of providing information about totally implantable venous access ports. However, they are vulnerable to providing unreliable information. This study has showed that videos about totally implantable venous access ports are insufficient in terms of reliability and integrity and may mislead patients.
The Role of Hyponatraemia Before Surgery in Patients With Radical Resected Pancreatic Cancer
Authors: Berardi Rossana , Rinaldi Silvia , Belfiori Giulio , Partelli Stefano , Crippa Stefano , Torniai Mariangela , Falconi Massimo
Published: June 2020

Objectives:

Hyponatraemia represents a negative prognostic factor in patients with cancer. The aim of this study was to assess, for the first time, the role of hyponatraemia in patients undergoing radical surgery for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

Methods:

A total of 89 patients with stage I-III pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma underwent radical surgery between November 2012 and October 2014. Relapse-free survival (RFS) and disease-specific survival (DSS) were estimated using Kaplan-Meier method. A Cox regression model was carried out for univariate and multivariate analyses. Fisher exact test was used to estimate correlation between variables.

Results:

In total, 12 patients (14%) presented with hyponatraemia at diagnosis. The median DSS was 20 months in patients with hyponatraemia and not reached in patients with eunatraemia ( P < .1073), while a statistical significant difference was observed in terms of median RFS (10 months vs 17 months, respectively; P = .0233). Considering clinical features (hyponatraemia, smoke and alcoholic habit, diabetes, pain, and jaundice), patients with 4 or more of these factors had a worse prognosis (mDSS: 30 months vs not reached; hazard ratio [HR]: 0.40, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.16-0.80; P = .0120).

Conclusions:

The presence of hyponatraemia and its prompt correction at the diagnosis time should be considered for the correct management of patients with pancreatic carcinoma.
Household paired design reduces variance and increases power in multi-city gut microbiome study in multiple sclerosis
Authors:   The iMSMS Consortium, Zhou Xiaoyuan , Singh Sneha , Baumann Ryan , Barba Patrick , Landefeld James , Casaccia Patrizia , Sand Ilana Katz , Xia Zongqi , Weiner Howard , Chitnis Tanuja , Chandran Siddharthan , Connick Peter , Otaegui David , Castillo-Triviño Tamara , Caillier Stacy J. , Santaniello Adam , Ackermann Gail , Humphrey Greg , Negrotto Laura , Farez Mauricio , Hohlfeld Reinhard , Pröbstel Anne-Katrin , Jia Xiaoming , Graves Jennifer , Bar-or Amit , Oksenberg Jorge R. , Gelfand Jeffery , Wilson Michael R. , Crabtree Elizabeth , Zamvil Scott S , Correale Jorge , Cree Bruce A.C. , Hauser Stephen L. , Knight Rob , Baranzini Sergio E.
Published: June 2020

Background:

Evidence for a role of human gut microbiota in multiple sclerosis (MS) risk is mounting, yet large variability is seen across studies. This is, in part, due to the lack of standardization of study protocols, sample collection methods, and sequencing approaches.

Objective:

This study aims to address the effect of a household experimental design, sample collection, and sequencing approaches in a gut microbiome study in MS subjects from a multi-city study population.

Methods:

We analyzed 128 MS patient and cohabiting healthy control pairs from the International MS Microbiome Study (iMSMS). A total of 1005 snap-frozen or desiccated Q-tip stool samples were collected and evaluated using 16S and shallow whole-metagenome shotgun sequencing.

Results:

The intra-individual variance observed by different collection strategies was dramatically lower than inter-individual variance. Shallow shotgun highly correlated with 16S sequencing. Participant house and recruitment site accounted for the two largest sources of microbial variance, while higher microbial similarity was seen in household-matched participants as hypothesized. A significant proportion of the variance in dietary intake was also dominated by geographic distance.

Conclusion:

A household pair study largely overcomes common inherent limitations and increases statistical power in population-based microbiome studies.
Business as usual? Psychological support at a distance
Authors: Payne Lara , Flannery Halina , Kambakara Gedara Chandrika , Daniilidi Xeni , Hitchcock Megan , Lambert Danielle , Taylor Charlotte , Christie Deborah
Published: June 2020

The impact of COVID-19 has challenged the long accepted ‘norm’ in delivery of psychological therapy. Public policies designed to reduce transmission have made it extremely difficult to meet with service-users safely in the traditional face-to-face context. E-therapies have existed in theory and practice since technological progress has made them possible. They can offer a host of advantages over face-to-face equivalents, including improved access, greater flexibility for service-users and professionals, and cost savings. However, despite the emerging evidence and anticipated positive value, implementation has been slower than anticipated. Concerns have been raised by service-users, clinicians, and public health organisations, identifying significant barriers to the wide spread use of e-therapies. In the current climate, many clinicians are offering e-therapies for the first time, without prior arrangement or training, as the only viable option to continue to support their clients. This paper offers a clinically relevant review of the e-therapies literature, including effectiveness and acceptability dilemmas and challenges that need to be addressed to support the safe use and growth of e-therapies in psychology services. Further research is needed to better understand what might be lost and what gained in comparison to face-to-face therapy, and for which client groups and settings it might be most effective.
The impact of preoperative pain-related psychological factors on pain intensity post-surgery in Jordan
Authors: Khalil Heba , Shajrawi Abedalmajeed , Dweik Ghadeer , Zaghmouri Abeer , Henker Richard
Published: June 2020

This study aimed to investigate the impact of preoperative psychological factors on postoperative pain. We included 300 postoperative patients who underwent open reduction and internal fixation surgery. Pain Scale, Pain Catastrophizing Scale, and Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale were completed by patients preoperatively and at 24 hours after surgery. Clinical characteristics were obtained from medical records. Data were analyzed using multiple linear regression. Postoperative pain was predicted by pain catastrophizing and anxiety symptoms. High preoperative catastrophizing and anxiety levels were associated with increased pain postoperatively. However, the relationships between preoperative depressive and stress symptoms and postoperative pain were not significant.
From parasocial to parakin: Co-creating idols on social media
Authors: Yan Qing , Yang Fan
Published: June 2020

Star worship is an ever-growing phenomenon around the globe. Across various social media platforms in China, a new idol–fan relationship model has emerged, such that the fans have stepped up from merely worshipping the idols to being able to co-cultivate their idols, including their public images, the scope of their work, and even their personal lives. Based on a grounded theory approach, this study utilized text analysis and in-depth interviews to explore parakin relationships between fans and idols and proposed a dual motivation model to explain the motivations of fans for forming such a relationship. The findings extend current fandom literature by exploring a new front of fan–idol interactions in the context of social media. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.
Evaluation of the Efficacy and Safety of the Herbal Formula PM014 in a Cisplatin- and Paclitaxel-Treated Tumor-Bearing Mouse Model
Authors: Lee Chanju , Jeong Hyunju , Lee Kwang Hyung , Park Sehyun , Gang Mi Jung , Bae Soo Kyung , Bae Hyunsu
Published: June 2020

PM014 (HL301) is a standardized herbal mixture derived from a traditional Korean medicine, Chung-Sang-Bo-Ha-Tang. Previously, we reported that PM014 treatment significantly suppressed pulmonary fibrosis, one of the frequent adverse effects of anticancer therapy in lung cancer. Before the clinical application of PM014 in anticancer therapy, the safety and efficacy of PM014 in combination with conventional anticancer drugs should be addressed to determine whether PM014 can be used in lung cancer. Lewis lung cancer–bearing mice were injected with 10 mg/kg of cisplatin or paclitaxel on day 5. Starting on day 7, the mice were administered 200 mg/kg PM014 every 2 days. On day 15, all mice were assessed by biochemical and histological analyses. PM014 did not block the antitumor activity of cisplatin and paclitaxel. Coadministration of PM014 and antitumor agents did not elevate the aspartate transaminase/alanine transaminase ratio or the blood urea nitrogen/creatinine ratio. Histopathological analysis also showed that PM014 did not induce hepatic or renal injury. Moreover, PM014 had no apparent inhibitory effects on drug metabolizing enzymes, indicating that PM014 did not alter the pharmacokinetics of chemotherapeutic drugs. Overall, these data show the safety and compatibility of combination therapy of PM014 and chemotherapies for the treatment of lung cancer.
An Internet of Things sensor–based construction workload measurement system for construction process management
Authors: Moon JunYoung , Lee Ahyoung , Min Se Dong , Hong Min
Published: June 2020

In this article, we adapted a sensor-based smart insole to monitor the workload of the construction material carrying work frequently occurring at the construction site. Generally, the tasks of the construction material carrying work by the construction site workers proceed through walk. Therefore, we designed and implemented an application and server to receive and calculate data from the Internet of Things sensors to automatically estimate the weight of the construction material being carried and time of these works based on the characteristic of walking. As a result of the experimental tests with 15 people using the proposed method, it was confirmed that there was a correlation between the signal change at the foot plantar pressure during walking and the weight change of the construction material carried by the workers. It was confirmed that the foot pressure value during walking can be used to estimate the weight of the construction material that the worker currently possesses. Based on this, we were able to estimate the actual weight of the object with an accuracy of 91% from the 20 new test workers, and we were able to measure the work time with an accuracy of 97%.
Optimal energy management of microgrid based on multi-parameter dynamic programming
Authors: Wang Xuejie , Ji Yanchao , Wang Jianze , Wang Yuanjun , Qi Lei
Published: June 2020

With the wide application of microgrid system, fluctuation and randomness are the characteristics of distributed generation output. The traditional energy management system can’t meet the requirements to ensure the security and stability of the grid. The microgrid energy management is of great significance to the stable operation of power grid. In order to obtain higher economic benefits and pay less environmental costs, reasonable scheduling of various distributed power sources is able to achieve this goal. In this article, microgrid energy management including distributed generation is studied. The objective function includes the economic objective and the environmental objective. The model of energy management is considered as a multi-objectives and multi-parametric optimization problem. The multi-parameter dynamic programming is used to optimize the energy management of microgrid. Finally, the efficiency of the proposed method is examined by the simulation studies.
A measurement method of fifth-generation multiple-input multiple-output antenna based on microwave imaging
Authors: Chen Hangyu , Zhao Jingcheng , Hong Tao , Zheng Shuli , Hong Haohui , Cheriet Mohamed
Published: June 2020

An increase in the quantity and density of antenna elements increases the mismatched failure rate and measurement difficulty of the multiple-input multiple-output. To simplify the measurement method of the S11 parameter utilizing the traditional vector network analyzer, this article proposes a multiple-input multiple-output measurement method based on microwave imaging. The multiple-input multiple-output element was designed, and then the existence of mismatched scattering of the mismatched state through microwave one-dimensional and two-dimensional imaging simulations was verified. A wideband Vivaldi antenna was designed for measurement imaging verification. The research results show that the proposed method is capable of detecting the mismatched scattering of mismatched elements as well as accurately locating the mismatched elements and mismatched position of circuits behind the element, which improves the measurement efficiency.
Simulations of unsteady flows with adsorption equilibrium in dynamic axial compression column
Authors: Chen Jiann Lin , Tsai Chieh Ju , Hsu Hsiang-Chen
Published: June 2020

Simulated moving bed chromatography process, which is a multicolumn chromatography process, has been used in various industrial applications. Dynamic axial compression columns are key elements in simulated moving beds, and their flow characteristics are worth exploring using state-of-the-art numerical methodologies. In this study, new fluid distributors for the dynamic axial compression column were designed and fabricated based on mass conservation in fluid mechanics and the computer-aided design in the preliminary stage. Computational fluid dynamics was employed to resolve the flow field, and the numerical chromatograms were validated by laboratory experiments. For the computational fluid dynamics–based simulation of flow in the dynamic axial compression, the transient laminar flow fields were described by the momentum and species transport equations with Darcy’s law to model the porous zone in the packed bed. In addition, reverse engineering processes were applied to obtain the unknown physical parameters, such as viscous resistance and adsorption equilibrium coefficients. Moreover, including the adsorption equilibrium equation in the fundamental governing equations made the simulated results agree with the experimental data in chromatograms, providing a more feasible result for practical applications.
Mindfulness, Education, and Exercise for age-related cognitive decline: Study protocol, pilot study results, and description of the baseline sample
Authors: Wetherell Julie Loebach , Ripperger Hayley S , Voegtle Michelle , Ances Beau M , Balota David , Bower Emily S , Depp Colin , Eyler Lisa , Foster Erin R , Head Denise , Hershey Tamara , Hickman Steven , Kamantigue Noralinda , Klein Samuel , Miller J Philip , Yingling Michael D , Nichols Jeanne , Nicol Ginger E , Patterson Bruce W , Rodebaugh Thomas L , Shimony Joshua S , Snyder Abraham , Stephens Mary , Tate Susan , Uhrich Mary L , Wing David , Wu Gregory F , Lenze Eric J ,   On Behalf of the MEDEX Research Group
Published: June 2020

Background/Aims

Age-related cognitive decline is a pervasive problem in our aging population. To date, no pharmacological treatments to halt or reverse cognitive decline are available. Behavioral interventions, such as physical exercise and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, may reduce or reverse cognitive decline, but rigorously designed randomized controlled trials are needed to test the efficacy of such interventions.

Methods

Here, we describe the design of the Mindfulness, Education, and Exercise study, an 18-month randomized controlled trial that will assess the effect of two interventions—mindfulness training plus moderate-to-vigorous intensity exercise or moderate-to-vigorous intensity exercise alone—compared with a health education control group on cognitive function in older adults. An extensive battery of biobehavioral assessments will be used to understand the mechanisms of cognitive remediation, by using structural and resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging, insulin sensitivity, inflammation, and metabolic and behavioral assessments.

Results

We provide the results from a preliminary study (n = 29) of non-randomized pilot participants who received both the exercise and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction interventions. We also provide details on the recruitment and baseline characteristics of the randomized controlled trial sample (n = 585).

Conclusion

When complete, the Mindfulness, Education, and Exercise study will inform the research community on the efficacy of these widely available interventions improve cognitive functioning in older adults.
Evaluation of Opportunities and Limitations of Mid-Infrared Skin Spectroscopy for Noninvasive Blood Glucose Monitoring
Authors: Delbeck Sven , Heise H. Michael
Published: June 2020

Background:

A wide range of optical techniques has recently been presented for the development of noninvasive methods for blood glucose sensing based on multivariate skin spectrum analysis, and most recent studies are reviewed in short by us. The vibrational spectral fingerprints of glucose, as especially found in the mid-infrared or Raman spectrum, have been suggested for achieving largest selectivity for the development of noninvasive blood glucose methods.

Methods:

Here, the different aspects on integral skin measurements are presented, which are much dependent on the absorption characteristics of water as the main skin constituent. In particular, different mid-infrared measurement techniques as realized recently are discussed. The limitations of the use of the attenuated total reflection technique in particular are elaborated, and confounding skin or saliva spectral features are illustrated and discussed in the light of recently published works, claiming that the attenuated total reflection technique can be utilized for noninvasive measurements.

Results:

It will be shown that the penetration depth of the infrared radiation with wavelengths around 10 µm is the essential parameter, which can be modulated by different measurement techniques as with photothermal or diffuse reflection. However, the law of physics is limiting the option of using the attenuated total reflection technique with waveguides from diamond or similar optical materials.

Conclusions:

There are confounding features from mucosa, stratum corneum, or saliva, which have been misinterpreted for glucose measurements. Results of an earlier study with multivariate evaluation based on glucose fingerprint features are again referred to as a negative experimental proof.
(Inter)Active Learning Tools and Pedagogical Strategies in Educational Leadership Preparation
Authors: Dexter Sara , Clement Davis , Moraguez Daniel , Watson Ginger S.
Published: June 2020

This article presents three types of (inter)active learning pedagogical tools to better prepare future administrators for complex, real-world tasks. We propose a framework of narrative linearity and responsiveness to examine digital cases, digital simulations, and clinical simulations as bridging pedagogies from abstract class-based methods to fully immersive internships. We illustrate how these characteristics influence learner interaction with the rich, hypothetical contexts these tools offer. A specific example is presented for each tool, and their cognitive demands on the learner are discussed. We raise implications for their use at the course and program levels.