bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Neutrophil extracellular traps induce MCP-1 release from endothelial cells at the plaque rupture site in acute myocardial infarction
Authors: Ondracek A , Hofbauer T.M , Mangold A , Scherz T , Seidl V , Lang I.M
Published: November 2020

Introduction

Leukocyte-mediated inflammation is crucial in acute myocardial infarction (AMI). We recently observed that neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) are increased at the culprit site, promoting activation and differentiation of fibrocytes, cells with mesenchymal and leukocytic properties. Fibrocyte migration is mediated by monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1 and C-C chemokine receptor type 2 (CCR2). We investigated the interplay between NETs, fibrocyte function, and MCP-1 in AMI.

Methods

Culprit site and femoral blood of AMI patients was drawn during percutaneous coronary intervention. We characterized CCR2 expression of fibrocytes by flow cytometry. MCP-1 and the NET marker citrullinated histone H3 (citH3) were measured by ELISA. Fibrocytes were treated in vitro with MCP-1. Human coronary arterial endothelial cells (hCAECs) were stimulated with isolated NETs, and MCP-1 was measured by ELISA and qPCR. The influence of MCP-1 on NET formation in vitro was assessed using isolated neutrophils.

Results

We have included 50 consecutive AMI patients into the study. NETs and concentrations of MCP-1 were increased at the CLS. NET stimulation of hCAECs induced MCP-1 on mRNA and protein level. Increasing MCP-1 gradient was associated with fibrocyte accumulation at the site of occlusion. In the presence of higher MCP-1 these fibrocytes expressed proportionally less CCR2 than peripheral fibrocytes. In vitro, MCP-1 dose-dependently decreased fibrocyte CCR2 and reduced ex vivo NET release of healthy donor neutrophils.

Conclusions

NETs induce endothelial MCP-1 release, presumably promoting a chemotactic gradient for leukocyte and fibrocyte migration. MCP-1 mediated inhibition of NET formation could point to a negative feedback loop. These data will shed light on vascular healing.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): Austrian Science Fund
‘You cannot touch taxes easily’: making the case for tobacco taxation in India
Authors: Rao Seshadri Shreelata , Kaulgud Radhika , Jha Prabhat
Published: November 2020

India represents over 1.3 billion people with >100 million adult smokers. The catastrophic health costs of smoking are staggering; and estimates show that even modest increases in taxes on cigarettes and bidis would both raise substantial revenues for the government and save ∼69 million years of healthy life over the next four decades. Karnataka represents a good example of tobacco control efforts and their impact. This case study examines the factors that have contributed to tobacco control policy in Karnataka based on 23 semi-structured interviews with key informants engaged in tobacco policymaking and decision-making, tobacco control/taxation research and advocacy. Their narratives indicate that: (i) Domestic taxation policy is complicated by the complex tax structure and centralized control over taxation with the introduction of Goods and Services Tax; (ii) Implementation of legal frameworks is a challenge, due to conflicts with powerful industry and farmer lobbies. A vigorous civil society backed by the Courts is necessary to garner political support; (iii) Action on taxation is hampered by weak leadership and mixed messaging; and (iv) There is a need for innovative policy solutions to promote both demand- and supply-side measures for tobacco control. Tobacco control advocates need to recognize the political economy of tobacco control and generate strong, reliable and scientifically sound evidence to support their arguments. Working for incremental ‘wins’ in terms of more stringent application of existing legal frameworks can make a substantial difference even in contexts where enhancing tobacco taxes is a challenge. Promoting multisectoral action is critical, at both policy and the ground levels, by expanding ownership and responsibility for tobacco control to sectors beyond health. Finally, the health sector needs to recommit to its role as a champion for tobacco control. Failure to do so would amount to a failure on multiple fronts—public health, economic, fiscal and ethical.
Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex and human coadaptation: a two-way street complicating host susceptibility to TB
Authors: Uren Caitlin , Hoal Eileen G , Möller Marlo
Published: November 2020

For centuries, the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) has infected numerous populations, both human and non-human, causing symptomatic tuberculosis (TB) in some hosts. Research investigating the MTBC and how it has evolved with its host over time is sparse and has not resulted in many significant findings. There are even fewer studies investigating adaptation of the human host susceptibility to TB and these have largely focused on genome-wide association and candidate gene association studies. However, results emanating from these association studies are rarely replicated and appear to be population specific. It is, therefore, necessary to relook at the approach taken to investigate the relationship between the MTBC and the human host. Understanding that the evolution of the pathogen is coupled to the evolution of the host might be the missing link needed to effectively investigate their relationship. We hypothesize that this knowledge will bolster future efforts in combating the disease.
Lq-error estimates for approximation of irregular functionals of random vectors
Authors: Taguchi Dai , Tanaka Akihiro , Yuasa Tomooki
Published: November 2020

In Avikainen (2009, On irregular functionals of SDEs and the Euler scheme. Finance Stoch., 13, 381–401) the author showed that, for any $p,q \in [1,\infty )$, and any function $f$ of bounded variation in $\mathbb{R}$, it holds that $ \mathbb{E}[|f(X)-f(\widehat{X})|^{q}] \leq C(p,q) \mathbb{E}[|X-\widehat{X}|^{p}]^{\frac{1}{p+1}} $, where $X$ is a one-dimensional random variable with a bounded density, and $\widehat{X}$ is an arbitrary random variable. In this article we will provide multi-dimensional versions of this estimate for functions of bounded variation in $\mathbb{R}^{d}$, Orlicz–Sobolev spaces, Sobolev spaces with variable exponents and fractional Sobolev spaces. The main idea of our arguments is to use the Hardy–Littlewood maximal estimates and pointwise characterizations of these function spaces. We apply our main results to analyze the numerical approximation for some irregular functionals of the solution of stochastic differential equations.
Fano Varieties of K3-Type and IHS Manifolds
Authors: Fatighenti Enrico , Mongardi Giovanni
Published: November 2020

We construct several new families of Fano varieties of K3 type. We give a geometrical explanation of the K3 structure, and we link some of them to the projective families of irreducible holomorphic symplectic manifolds.
In vitrosusceptibility ofMycobacterium abscessuscomplex and feasibility of standardizing treatment regimens
Authors: Chew Ka Lip , Octavia Sophie , Go Joelle , Ng Sally , Tang Yit Er , Soh Patsy , Yong Joy , Jureen Roland , Lin Raymond Tzer Pin , Yeoh Siang Fei , Teo Jeanette
Published: November 2020

Objectives

To determine the in vitro susceptibility of members of the Mycobacterium abscessus complex to routinely tested antibiotics and to an extended antibiotic panel.

Methods

Non-duplicate isolates for which susceptibility testing results were available were included in this study. Retrospective laboratory records were reviewed, including tigecycline susceptibility results, and testing was performed with additional drugs, including vancomycin, dalbavancin, telavancin, oritavancin, rifabutin, delafloxacin, eravacycline, clofazimine and bedaquiline using broth microdilution (Sensititre, Thermo Fisher).

Results

A total of 218 M. abscessus complex isolates were included for retrospective review, of which 151 were respiratory isolates. Of these 218 isolates, 211 were available for additional testing with the extended antibiotic panel. Of these, 146 were respiratory isolates. One isolate had a vancomycin MIC of 2 mg/L and MICs of all other isolates were >8 mg/L. All isolates had MICs of >8 mg/L for oritavancin, dalbavancin and telavancin. One isolate had a delafloxacin MIC of 4 mg/L and MICs of all other isolates were >8 mg/L. The MIC50/MIC90s of rifabutin, tigecycline, eravacycline, clofazimine and bedaquiline were 16/32, 0.5/1, 0.12/0.25, 0.12/0.25 and 0.06/0.12 mg/L, respectively.

Conclusions

In vitro activity was demonstrated for clofazimine, bedaquiline and eravacycline, indicating potential for inclusion as standardized therapy for M. abscessus complex infections.
Central line catheterisation as a cause of vocal cord palsy
Authors: Richards Emma , Suman Ravinder , Skalidi Nikoleta , Jennings Christopher
Published: November 2020

We report an unusual case of vocal cord palsy secondary which developed following insertion of a central line. A 46-year-old gentleman was admitted with seizure activity and reduced GCS. Following failed attempts at establishing intravenous or intraosseous access, a central line was placed into the right internal jugular vein. After extubation, the patient was found to have a right vocal cord palsy. Contemporaneous computed tomography (CT) imaging of the neck and thorax was performed to determine the cause of the palsy. Although this CT was clear, review of the original trauma CT showed a haematoma within the right carotid sheath. This led to a diagnosis of neuropraxia secondary to haematoma from central venous catheterisation. The patient went on to make a full recovery. We discuss our case with review of previous literature and discussion of management in such situations.
Implementing Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports
Authors: Kincaid Donald , Romer Natalie
Published: November 2020

This chapter provides an overview of positive behavior interventions and supports (PBIS) and how mental health interventions can be embedded into this framework. The authors describe the history and key features of PBIS, which is increasingly being adopted and scaled up in schools across the United States. The chapter focuses on specific strategies for embedding mental health supports into a multitiered system such as PBIS. This approach emphasizing one cohesive service delivery system is referred to as an interconnected systems framework (ISF). Examples and illustrations of an ISF approach are organized by critical features of a multitiered system of support including multitiered instruction and intervention, leadership, data evaluation systems, problem-solving processes, capacity building and infrastructure, and communication and collaboration.
Preventing School Violence and Advancing School Safety
Authors: Cornell Dewey , Crowley Brittany
Published: November 2020

Schools are one of the safest places for young people, but high-profile cases of school shootings have driven schools to engage in reactive practices such as expensive security measures and zero tolerance discipline that have had unintended negative effects. More proactive practices are needed to prevent violence, with particular attention to the commonplace types of aggression such as bullying and harassment that have serious consequences for students and can be the seedbeds for more severe violence. Overall, schools should place greater emphasis on multitiered prevention strategies that build a school climate characterized by high academic and behavioral expectations for students in the context of supportive relationships. Schools should also adopt threat assessment as a systematic approach to evaluating and helping troubled students. The overarching idea is that making schools safe and supportive environments that foster student well-being and achievement is vital for the prevention of violence.
Preventing Bullying in Schools
Authors: Nickerson Amanda B. , Parks Timothy
Published: November 2020

Bullying is a problem that can impact perpetrators, victims, and bystanders in terms of their mental illness and mental wellness. In this chapter, the authors first define bullying and summarize its impact. The emphasis of the chapter is on universal and targeted prevention of bullying in schools following a public health framework. The authors provide evidence for the effectiveness of bullying prevention programs and policies, as well as universal and targeted prevention approaches to teach and reinforce positive behavior and social-emotional skills. Targeted approaches for perpetrators and victims of bullying are described. These concepts are illustrated in a case study of a school district’s comprehensive approach to bullying prevention and intervention. The chapter concludes with a table of recommendations for practice.
Preventing School Failure and School Dropout
Authors: Hess Robyn S. , Hazel Cynthia E.
Published: November 2020

This chapter focuses on strengths-based approaches to preventing school failure and dropout. The underlying assumption is that the most effective way to prevent school failure is to simultaneously enhance school completion by building social and emotional skills and enhancing both academic and vocational development. A tiered model is used to introduce prevention strategies for all students, remediation for students who are at risk, and recovery of those who have dropped out. The first tier encompasses schoolwide interventions that increase student engagement and promote student aspirations. The second tier involves targeted prevention programs for students who are at increased risk of school failure. The final tier is designed to provide high-risk students and those who have dropped out the support they need to transition back into school or alternative programs. School failure is a complex problem that requires tiered models of services to effectively deliver comprehensive programming options.
Providing Evidence-Based Supports to Students in the Aftermath of a Crisis
Authors: Lazarus Philip J. , Crepeau-Hobson Franci , Sievering Kathy , Kennedy-Paine Cathy
Published: November 2020

This chapter focuses on strategies that can be implemented in the aftermath of a school or community crisis to help restore the exposed students’ basic problem-solving abilities and help them return to precrisis levels of functioning or, depending on the impact and severity of the incidents, to adjust to a new normal. The authors first focus on empirically supported elements of crisis intervention that can be implemented within a multitiered model of service delivery. These include promoting a sense of safety, calming and supporting fearful individuals, engendering a sense of self and collective efficacy, increasing feelings of connectedness with others, and instilling hope in victims. Practical intervention strategies are provided regarding responding to mass shooting incidents, deaths of students and faculty, student suicide, and natural disasters. The chapter includes an illustrative case study and concludes with lessons learned from the authors’ experiences as school- and university-based crisis responders.
Raising the Emotional Well-Being of Students With Anxiety and Depression
Authors: Joyce-Beaulieu Diana , Zaboski Brian
Published: November 2020

Thousands of students in the United States suffer from anxiety and depressive disorders, many of which may be ameliorated with early intervention and evidenced-based treatment. At the same time, complete student wellness requires a consideration of both pathology and well-being. Using a dual-factor model, this chapter reviews the symptoms, resilience factors, and functional impairments associated with anxiety and depression. Recommendations for early identification, assessment, and treatment—including psychoeducation, mindfulness, and behavioral techniques—are discussed within a multitiered system of supports. Special consideration is provided to address suicide prevention and intervention. Practical recommendations and techniques for school-based practitioners are offered, in addition to assessment measures and technology resources.
Module 1—Family Collectivism (Sessions 1–3)
Authors: Mamani Amy Weisman de , McLaughlin Merranda , Altamirano Olivia , Lopez Daisy , Ahmad Salman Shaheen
Published: November 2020

The focus on the individual, typical of mainstream U.S. therapies, is alien to other cultures and can cause discomfort that leads to ineffective treatment and early termination. The aim of this chapter is to describe minorities collectivistic beliefs and introduce a rationale for incorporating them into family therapy in a way that creates a cohesive family environment. Skills from this chapter will aid families in emphasizing commonalities while de-emphasizing differences between family members. Therapists are provided suggestions for how to approach any differences that arise in how family members contribute to the family unit. The chapter provides notes on how to encourage family members to practice cultural traditions and destigmatize views of their ill family member. Examples of relevant homework exercises are provided. A case study of a Korean American family is used to illustrate the process.
Out of ORBIT
Authors: Alison Laurence J. , Alison Emily K.
Published: November 2020

This chapter focuses on the complex history that psychologists have had with involvement in interrogations and the how psychologists might continue to work in this field. It discusses the Central Intelligence Agency’s (CIA’s) controversial MKUltra program, which was designed to explore brainwashing techniques and the various influential people associated with it. The chapter then outlines the potential ethical issues surrounding psychologists’ involvement in interrogations and the principles within which ORBIT must be used. The chapter concludes with a discussion of where research on interrogation might head next.
Three-dimensional simulations of accretion flow in the progenitor of Tycho’s supernova
Authors: Xue Li , Jiao Cheng-Liang , Li Yuan
Published: November 2020

We run 3D numerical simulations for the accretion flow around the white dwarf (WD) in the progenitor system of Tycho’s supernova (SN). The mass of the WD, mass of the companion star, and the orbital period are set to be 1M⊙, 1.6M⊙, and 0.794 d, respectively, based on theoretical and observational researches of Tycho’s SN remnant (SNR). We find that when the magnetic field in the accreted material is negligible, outflowing wind is concentrated near the equatorial plane. When the magnetic field has energy equipartition with internal energy, polar wind is comparable with the equatorial wind. A carefully chosen magnetic field between the above two cases ($B=5.44\times 10^3 \rm {G}$) can roughly reproduce the latitude-dependent wind required to form the peculiar periphery of Tycho’s SNR. Including a reasonable amount of viscosity in the calculation does not change our conclusion.
An off-centred bulge or a satellite? Hydrodynamical N-body simulations of the disc galaxy NGC 5474
Authors: Pascale R , Bellazzini M , Tosi M , Annibali F , Marinacci F , Nipoti C
Published: November 2020

We present dynamical models of the star-forming galaxy NGC 5474 based on N-body hydrodynamical numerical simulations. We investigate the possible origin of the compact round stellar structure, generally interpreted as the bulge of the galaxy, but unusually off-set by ${\simeq} 1\, {\rm kpc}$ in projection from the visual and the kinematic centres of both the star and the gas discs. We argue that it is very unlikely that the putative bulge is in a coplanar orbit in the disc plane, showing that such a configuration would be hardly compatible with its smooth and regular spatial distribution, and, in case its mass is above $10^8\, \mathrm{ M}_{\odot }$, also with the regular ${\rm H\,{\small I}}$ velocity field of NGC 5474. Instead, if the putative bulge is in fact an early-type satellite galaxy orbiting around NGC 5474, not only the off-set can be easily produced by projection effects, but our simulations suggest that the gravitational interaction between the two systems can explain also the warped ${\rm H\,{\small I}}$ distribution of NGC 5474 and the formation of its loose spiral arms. As a by-product of the simulations, we find that the peculiar overdensity of old stars detected in the south-west region of NGC 5474 may be explained with the interaction between NGC 5474 and a smaller stellar system, unrelated to the putative bulge, accreted in the disc plane.
MEGARA-GTC stellar spectral library – II. MEGASTAR first release
Authors: Carrasco E , Mollá M , García-Vargas M L , Gil de Paz A , Cardiel N , Gómez-Alvarez P , Berlanas S R
Published: November 2020

MEGARA is an optical integral field and multi-object fibre-based spectrograph for the 10.4 m Gran Telescopio CANARIAS that offers medium-to-high spectral resolutions (FWHM) of R ≃ 6000, 12 000, 20 000. Commissioned at the telescope in 2017, it started operation as a common-user instrument in 2018. We are creating an instrument-oriented empirical spectral library from MEGARA-GTC stars observations, MEGASTAR, crucial for the correct interpretation of MEGARA data. This piece of work describes the content of the first release of MEGASTAR, formed by the spectra of 414 stars observed with R ≃ 20 000 in the spectral intervals 6420–6790 Å and 8370–8885 Å, and obtained with a continuum average signal-to-noise ratio around 260. We describe the release sample, the observations, the data reduction procedure and the MEGASTAR data base. Additionally, we include in Appendix A an atlas with the complete set of 838 spectra of this first release of the MEGASTAR catalogue.
The geometry and dynamical role of stellar wind bubbles in photoionized H ii regions
Authors: Geen Sam , Bieri Rebekka , Rosdahl Joakim , de Koter Alex
Published: November 2020

Winds from young massive stars contribute a large amount of energy to their host molecular clouds. This has consequences for the dynamics and observable structure of star-forming clouds. In this paper, we present radiative magnetohydrodynamic simulations of turbulent molecular clouds that form individual stars of 30, 60, and 120 solar masses emitting winds and ultraviolet radiation following realistic stellar evolution tracks. We find that winds contribute to the total radial momentum carried by the expanding nebula around the star at 10 per cent of the level of photoionization feedback, and have only a small effect on the radial expansion of the nebula. Radiation pressure is largely negligible in the systems studied here. The 3D geometry and evolution of wind bubbles is highly aspherical and chaotic, characterized by fast-moving ‘chimneys’ and thermally driven ‘plumes’. These plumes can sometimes become disconnected from the stellar source due to dense gas flows in the cloud. Our results compare favourably with the findings of relevant simulations, analytic models and observations in the literature while demonstrating the need for full 3D simulations including stellar winds. However, more targeted simulations are needed to better understand results from observational studies.
Optimizing tomography for weak gravitational lensing surveys
Authors: Sipp Marvin , Schäfer Björn Malte , Reischke Robert
Published: November 2020

The subject of this paper is optimization of weak lensing tomography: we carry out numerical minimization of a measure of total statistical error as a function of the redshifts of the tomographic bin edges by means of a Nelder–Mead algorithm in order to optimize the sensitivity of weak lensing with respect to different optimization targets. Working under the assumption of a Gaussian likelihood for the parameters of a w0wa CDM (cold dark matter) model and using euclid’s conservative survey specifications, we compare an equipopulated, equidistant, and optimized bin setting and find that in general the equipopulated setting is very close to the optimal one, while an equidistant setting is far from optimal and also suffers from the ad hoc choice of a maximum redshift. More importantly, we find that nearly saturated information content can be gained using already few tomographic bins. This is crucial for photometric redshift surveys with large redshift errors. We consider a large range of targets for the optimization process that can be computed from the parameter covariance (or equivalently, from the Fisher matrix), extend these studies to information entropy measures such as the Kullback–Leibler divergence and conclude that in many cases equipopulated binning yields results close to the optimum, which we support by analytical arguments.
CoolMPS for robust sequencing of single-nuclear RNAs captured by droplet-based method
Authors: Hahn Oliver , Fehlmann Tobias , Zhang Hui , Munson Christy N , Vest Ryan T , Borcherding Adam , Liu Sophie , Villarosa Christian , Drmanac Snezana , Drmanac Rade , Keller Andreas , Wyss-Coray Tony
Published: November 2020

Massively-parallel single-cell and single-nucleus RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq, snRNA-seq) requires extensive sequencing to achieve proper per-cell coverage, making sequencing resources and availability of sequencers critical factors for conducting deep transcriptional profiling. CoolMPS is a novel sequencing-by-synthesis approach that relies on nucleotide labeling by re-usable antibodies, but whether it is applicable to snRNA-seq has not been tested. Here, we use a low-cost and off-the-shelf protocol to chemically convert libraries generated with the widely-used Chromium 10X technology to be sequenceable with CoolMPS technology. To assess the quality and performance of converted libraries sequenced with CoolMPS, we generated a snRNA-seq dataset from the hippocampus of young and old mice. Native libraries were sequenced on an Illumina Novaseq and libraries that were converted to be compatible with CoolMPS were sequenced on a DNBSEQ-400RS. CoolMPS-derived data faithfully replicated key characteristics of the native library dataset, including correct estimation of ambient RNA-contamination, detection of captured cells, cell clustering results, spatial marker gene expression, inter- and intra-replicate differences and gene expression changes during aging. In conclusion, our results show that CoolMPS provides a viable alternative to standard sequencing of RNA from droplet-based libraries.
A comprehensive epigenome atlas reveals DNA methylation regulating skeletal muscle development
Authors: Yang Yalan , Fan Xinhao , Yan Junyu , Chen Muya , Zhu Min , Tang Yijie , Liu Siyuan , Tang Zhonglin
Published: November 2020

DNA methylation is important for the epigenetic regulation of gene expression and plays a critical role in mammalian development. However, the dynamic regulation of genome-wide DNA methylation in skeletal muscle development remains largely unknown. Here, we generated the first single-base resolution DNA methylome and transcriptome maps of porcine skeletal muscle across 27 developmental stages. The overall methylation level decreased from the embryo to the adult, which was highly correlated with the downregulated expression of DNMT1 and an increase in partially methylated domains. Notably, we identified over 40 000 developmentally differentially methylated CpGs (dDMCs) that reconstitute the developmental trajectory of skeletal muscle and associate with muscle developmental genes and transcription factors (TFs). The dDMCs were significantly under-represented in promoter regulatory regions but strongly enriched as enhancer histone markers and in chromatin-accessible regions. Integrative analysis revealed the negative regulation of both promoter and gene body methylation in genes associated with muscle contraction and insulin signaling during skeletal muscle development. Mechanistically, DNA methylation affected the expression of muscle-related genes by modulating the accessibly of upstream myogenesis TF binding, indicating the involvement of the DNA methylation/SP1/IGF2BP3 axis in skeletal myogenesis. Our results highlight the function and regulation of dynamic DNA methylation in skeletal muscle development.
Availability, coverage, and scope of health information systems for kidney care across world countries and regions
Authors: See Emily J , Bello Aminu K , Levin Adeera , Lunney Meaghan , Osman Mohamed A , Ye Feng , Ashuntantang Gloria E , Bellorin-Font Ezequiel , Benghanem Gharbi Mohammed , Davison Sara , Ghnaimat Mohammad , Harden Paul , Htay Htay , Jha Vivekanand , Kalantar-Zadeh Kamyar , Kerr Peter G , Klarenbach Scott , Kovesdy Csaba P , Luyckx Valerie , Neuen Brendon , O’Donoghue Donal , Ossareh Shahrzad , Perl Jeffrey , Rashid Harun Ur , Rondeau Eric , Syed Saad , Sola Laura , Tchokhonelidze Irma , Tesar Vladimir , Tungsanga Kriang , Kazancioglu Rumeyza Turan , Wang Angela Yee-Moon , Yang Chih-Wei , Zemchenkov Alexander , Zhao Ming-Hui , Jager Kitty J , Caskey Fergus , Perkovic Vlado , Jindal Kailash K , Okpechi Ikechi G , Tonelli Marcello , Feehally John , Harris David C , Johnson David W
Published: November 2020

Background

Health information systems (HIS) are fundamental tools for the surveillance of health services, estimation of disease burden and prioritization of health resources. Several gaps in the availability of HIS for kidney disease were highlighted by the first iteration of the Global Kidney Health Atlas.

Methods

As part of its second iteration, the International Society of Nephrology conducted a cross-sectional global survey between July and October 2018 to explore the coverage and scope of HIS for kidney disease, with a focus on kidney replacement therapy (KRT).

Results

Out of a total of 182 invited countries, 154 countries responded to questions on HIS (85% response rate). KRT registries were available in almost all high-income countries, but few low-income countries, while registries for non-dialysis chronic kidney disease (CKD) or acute kidney injury (AKI) were rare. Registries in high-income countries tended to be national, in contrast to registries in low-income countries, which often operated at local or regional levels. Although cause of end-stage kidney disease, modality of KRT and source of kidney transplant donors were frequently reported, few countries collected data on patient-reported outcome measures and only half of low-income countries recorded process-based measures. Almost no countries had programs to detect AKI and practices to identify CKD-targeted individuals with diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular disease, rather than members of high-risk ethnic groups.

Conclusions

These findings confirm significant heterogeneity in the global availability of HIS for kidney disease and highlight important gaps in their coverage and scope, especially in low-income countries and across the domains of AKI, non-dialysis CKD, patient-reported outcomes, process-based measures and quality indicators for KRT service delivery.
Resting Heart Rate predicts all-cause mortality in sub-Saharan African Patients with Heart Failure: Insight from the Douala Heart failure registry (Do-HF)
Authors: Dzudie Anastase , Barche Blaise , Mouliom Sidick , Nouko Ariane , Raissa Fogue , Njebet Jules , Sarah Abang , Abah Joseph , Djomou Armel , Nzali Archange , Nkoke Clovis , Kamdem Felicite , Kingue Samuel , Sliwa Karen , Kengne Andre Pascal
Published: November 2020

Background

Higher resting heart rate (HR) is associated with mortality amongst Caucasians with heart failure (HF), but its significance has yet to be established in sub-Saharan Africans in whom HF differs in terms of characteristics and etiologies.

Objectives

We assessed the association of HR with all-cause mortality in patients with HF in sub-Saharan Africa.

Methods

The Douala HF registry (Do–HF) is an ongoing prospective data collection on patients with HF receiving care at four cardiac referral services in Douala, Cameroon. Patients included in this report were followed-up for 12 months from their index admission, for all-cause mortality. We used Cox-regression analysis to study the association of HR with all-cause mortality during follow-up.

Results

Of 347 patients included, 343 (98.8%) completed follow-up. The mean age was 64±14 years, 176 (50.7%) were female, and median admission HR was 85 bpm. During a median follow-up of 12 months, 78 (22.7%) patients died. Mortality increased steadily with HR increase and ranged from 12.2% in the lower quartile of HR (≤69 bpm) to 34.1% in the upper quartile of HR (>100 bpm). Hazard ratio of 12-month death per 10 bpm higher heart rate was 1.16 (1.04–1.29), with consistent effects across most subgroups, but a higher effect in participants with hypertension vs those without (interaction p=0.044).

Conclusion

Heart rate was independently associated with increased risk of all-cause mortality in this study, particularly among participants with hypertension. The implication of this finding for risk prediction or reduction should be actively investigated.
Childhood Inflammatory Markers and Risks for Psychosis and Depression at Age 24: examination of temporality and specificity of association in a population-based prospective birth cohort
Authors: Perry Benjamin I. , Zammit Stanley , Jones Peter B. , Khandaker Golam M.
Published: November 2020

Background

Cross-sectional studies have reported elevated concentrations of inflammatory markers in psychosis and depression. However, questions regarding temporality and specificity of association, crucial for understanding the potential role of inflammation, remain.

Methods

Based on 2,224 ALSPAC birth cohort participants, we used regression analyses to test associations of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels at age 9 with risks for psychosis (psychotic experiences; negative symptoms; psychotic disorder), and depression (depressive episode; symptom score) at age 24. Regression models were adjusted for sex, ethnicity, social class and body mass index. We tested for linearity (using quadratic terms) and specificity (using bivariate probit regression) of association, and used multiple imputation to explore the impact of missing data.

Results

After adjustments, higher IL-6 levels at age 9 were associated with increased risk of psychotic disorder (OR=1.56; 95% C.I., 1.10-2.21 per SD increase in IL-6; OR=1.49; 95% C.I., 1.02-2.18 for the top compared with bottom third of IL-6) and depressive episode (OR=1.14; 95% C.I., 0.99-1.32 per SD increase in IL-6; OR=1.49; 95% C.I., 1.02-2.18 for the top compared with bottom third of IL-6). IL-6 was associated with negative symptoms after adjusting for depression (β=0.09; 95% C.I., 0.01-0.22). There was no evidence for outcome-specific associations of IL-6. Childhood CRP was not associated with adult psychosis or depression.

Conclusions

Evidence for similar, longitudinal, dose-response associations suggest that elevated childhood IL-6 could be a shared risk factor for psychosis and depression. The IL-6 pathway may represent a novel target for treatment and prevention of these disorders.
Effects of buoyancy ratio on diffusion of solid particles inside a pipe during double diffusive flow of a nanofluid
Authors: Aly Abdelraheem M. , Mohamed Ehab Mahmoud
Published: November 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to use an incompressible smoothed particle hydrodynamics (ISPH) method for simulating buoyancy ratio and magnetic field effects on double diffusive natural convection of a cooper-water nanofluid in a cavity. An open pipe is embedded inside the center of a cavity, and it is occupied by solid particles.

Design/methodology/approach

The dimensionless governing equations in Lagrangian form were solved by ISPH method. Two different thermal conditions were considered for the solid particles. The actions of the solid particles were tracked inside a cavity. The effects of Hartman parameter, Rayleigh number, nanoparticles volume fraction and Lewis number on features of heat and mass transfer and flow field were tested.

Findings

The results showed that the buoyancy ratio changes the directions of the solid particles diffusion in a cavity. The hot solid particles were raised upwards at aiding mode (N > 0) and downwards at an opposing mode (N < 0). A comparison is made with experimental and numerical simulation results, and it showed a well agreement.

Originality/value

Novel studies for the impacts of buoyancy ratio on the diffusion of solid particles embedded in an open pipe during double-diffusive flow were conducted.
Challenging behaviour, inpatient services and governance in England
Authors: Joyce Theresa
Published: November 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe the current situation in relation to restrictive interventions, and some actions that could be taken to reduce them. The quality of care provided by inpatient services for people with intellectual disabilities has come under increasing scrutiny in recent years – from Winterbourne View in 2011 to Whorlton Hall in 2019, there has been increasing concern that admission to hospital does not always result in a good outcome for the patients. For some people, it has resulted in further deterioration in their physical and mental health, separation from families and supports and reduced probability of living as part of their community. This is in spite of knowledge and evidence of what good practice looks like.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper examines the extent to which inpatient services deliver good practice in treatment and care and, where this is not happening, the extent to which they are subject to effective governance.

Findings

People admitted to inpatient services can be at risk of poor-quality care and the overuse of restrictive interventions. There is guidance available that addresses what should be in place for them to receive high-quality care and treatment, and this clearly is available to many people. However, others can find themselves placed in increasingly restrictive environments and in circumstances where their human rights are at risk of being breached. There is increasing evidence that these services do not follow good practice guidance in terms of staff skills, development and implementation of effective care plans and governance arrangements that address these issues. Regulators, commissioners and managers could, and should, focus on these issues to ensure that the most vulnerable receive the care and treatment they need while in hospital.

Originality/value

Service providers are aware of the difficulties in developing alternative community services. This places even more importance on the need to ensure that care and treatment in hospital is of a good standard, and that the use of restrictive interventions is minimised. McGillet al.(this issue) describe the features of a capable environment and it may be that hospitals consider that the requirements are unlikely to be implemented effectively in a ward/unit setting. However, a shift of focus in doing this could result in a reduction in restrictive interventions and a better experience – potentially for both the staff and the patients. And families could have some reassurance that their relative was receiving the best quality care and treatment, and that their human rights were being upheld.
Constrained listening, audience alignment, and expert communication
Authors: Fischer Paul E. , Heinle Mirko S. , Smith Kevin C.
Published: November 2020

We consider a cheap‐talk setting with two senders and a continuum of receivers with heterogenous preferences. Each receiver is constrained to listen to one of the senders but can choose which sender to listen to. The introduction of a second sender facilitates more informative communication and even enables full communication for a large set of sender preference pairs. We use the model to assess the size and characteristics of sender audiences, the amount of information communicated, and the impact of the senders' biases on the receivers' actions.
Novel reusable canopy trap for sampling arboreal populations of electric ant, Wasmannia auropunctata (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)
Authors: Cox Nastassja A , Morton Gary J , McNaught Melinda K , Wylie Ross
Published: November 2020

Here we describe and test a novel canopy trap design for catching the little fire ant, Wasmannia auropunctata, known as the electric ant in Australia, as part of the National Electric Ant Eradication Program (the program) in North Queensland. As W. auropunctata is known to nest and forage both on the ground and in tree canopies, an effective arboreal trap to monitor their presence is a critical management tool. Our trap design addresses known issues with arboreal sampling such as sample retention, weather and debris proofing, robustness and canopy access. The trap is cost effective and friendlier to the environment compared with single‐use traps, due to its reusability and recyclable or biodegradable components. Field testing carried out in the Cairns region demonstrated that the canopy trap successfully collected ants with minimal non‐ant bycatch. In a known W. auropunctata‐infested area, the canopy trap recorded an 88% sensitivity rate and continues to be used as a surveillance tool within the program. Additional research is required to further evaluate the sensitivity of the canopy trap for monitoring W. auropunctata populations. We believe that the trap has potentially wider applications for arboreal arthropod sampling and can be modified to suit.
Rights, Duties and Aboriginal People
Authors: Attwood Bain
Published: November 2020

In this paper I reconsider debates in the Australian colonies in the 1830s and 1840s about Aboriginal people and rights in land. I contend that Aboriginal rights of property in land were seldom the matter at stake in these debates. Further, I argue that a notion of duties rather than rights was invoked by Christian humanitarians as they pleaded that Aboriginal people should be provided with protection as well as compensation for the loss of their lands. I suggest that the position that they adopted was determined not so much by the moral, political or legal principles they sought to uphold but by their acknowledgement of material forces at work in the colonies. I also point out that the debate that occurred about rights in land was an intra‐British one that concerned the rights of settlers vis‐à‐vis the Crown. Finally, I suggest that the principal ways in which pastoral leaseholders tried to legitimise their claims to land were rather different to that suggested by historians in recent decades.
Net Worth Poverty in Child Households by Race and Ethnicity, 1989–2019
Authors: Gibson‐Davis Christina , Keister Lisa A. , Gennetian Lisa A.
Published: November 2020

Objective

This study is the first to examine net worth poverty, and its intersection with income poverty, by race and ethnicity among child households in the United States.

Background

Scholarship on economic scarcity for children has largely concentrated on income deficits and thus leaves open important questions about wealth deficits.

Method

Data come from the 1989–2019 waves of the Survey of Consumer Finances, on households with at least one resident child under the age of 18. Net worth poverty is measured as household net worth, defined as total assets minus total debts, that is less than one‐fourth of the federal poverty line.

Results

In 2019, 57% of Black and 50% of Latino child households were net worth poor. The majority of these households were not income poor. Racial and ethnic differences in net worth poverty (unlike those for income poverty) persist even when sociodemographic variation predicting income poverty is controlled for.

Conclusion

Net worth poverty is so prevalent in the lives of non‐White children that, after sociodemographic characteristics are controlled for, Black and Latino child households have about the same probability of not being poor as they do of being net worth poor.

Implications

A focus on income deprivation alone will overlook the precarious economic conditions related to family net worth and ignore growing disparities by race and ethnicity.
Fibre supplementation to pre‐weaning piglet diets did not improve the resilience towards a post‐weaning enterotoxigenic E. coli challenge
Authors: van Hees Hubèrt , Maes Dominiek , Millet Sam , den Hartog Leo , van Kempen Theo , Janssens Geert
Published: November 2020

Dietary fibre (DF) is implicated in gastrointestinal health of weaned piglets, either through its physiochemical properties, through modulation of gut microbiota and (or) improved gut integrity. We aimed to study the effect of DF enriched supplemental diets fed to suckling piglets (‘creep feed’) on health and performance after weaning when challenged with an enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC). Seventy‐two piglets originating from 28 litters had been fed four creep diets, that is a low‐fibre control (CON); a diet containing 2% long‐chain arabinoxylans from wheat (lc‐AXOS) or 5% purified cellulose (CELL) or a diet containing the high fermentable and the low‐fermentable fibre source (i.e. 2% lc‐AXOS and 5% CELL). Upon weaning, piglets were individually housed and all fed the same diet. On days 7, 8 and 9, animals received an oral dose of ETEC (5 ml containing 107 to 108 CFU/ml). Besides growth performance, faecal and skin scores were recorded daily. Gut permeability was assessed by urinary excretion of Co‐EDTA prior and post‐ETEC challenge. Repeated measures in time were statistically evaluated with generalized linear mixed models. We used a binominal distribution for evaluating the faecal and skin scores. Feed intake and body weight gain did not differ between treatments (p > .05). Piglets on CELL decreased gain:feed ratio in week 2 + 3 week compared to CON (p = .035). Prior to ETEC challenge, gut permeability tended to increase for lc‐AXOS (p = .092). Moreover, lc‐AXOS as main effect increased intestinal permeability before ETEC challenge (p = .013), whereas the low‐fermentable fibre lead to elevated intestinal permeability after ETEC challenge (p = .014). The incidence of diarrhoea was higher for lc‐AXOS + CELL compared with lc‐AXOS (p = .036), while skin condition was unaffected. In conclusion, neither the high fermentable nor the low‐fermentable fibre source improved post‐weaning growth or gastrointestinal health of the piglets.
Two novel HLA‐B variants identified in Russian individuals, HLA‐B*56:74 and ‐B*58:124
Authors: Ananeva Anastasiia , Leksina Yana , Andryushkina Anna , Shagimardanova Elena
Published: November 2020

HLA‐B*56:74 and ‐B*58:124, two novel alleles detected in Russian individuals by next‐generation sequencing.
HLA‐A*02:934, identified in National bone marrow donor registry named after Vasya Perevoshchikov, Russian Federation
Authors: Ananeva Anastasiia , Shaihutdinova Alina , Andryushkina Anna , Shagimardanova Elena
Published: November 2020

HLA‐A*02:934 has one nucleotide change from HLA‐A*02:01:01:01 at nucleotide 308.
Saliva Is a Promising Alternative Specimen for the Detection of SARS-CoV-2 in Children and Adults
Authors: Yee Rebecca , Truong Thao T. , Pannaraj Pia S. , Eubanks Natalie , Gai Emily , Jumarang Jaycee , Turner Lauren , Peralta Ariana , Lee Yesun , Dien Bard Jennifer
Published: November 2020

Testing efforts for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) have been burdened by the scarcity of testing materials and personal protective equipment for health care workers. The simple and painless process of saliva collection allows for widespread testing, but enthusiasm is hampered by variable performance compared to that of nasopharyngeal swab (NPS) samples.