bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Abstract IA04: Regulation of the Hippo pathway in cancer
Authors: Guan Kun-Liang
Published: September 2020

The Hippo pathway is crucial in organ size control and its dysregulation contributes to tumorigenesis. Core components of the Hippo pathway include the protein kinases of MST1/2, MAP4Ks, LATS1/2, the transcription co-activators YAP/TAZ, and their DNA binding partners TEADs. LATS phosphorylates YAP/TAZ to promote cytoplasmic localization and degradation, thereby inhibiting YAP/TAZ and cell growth. The Hippo pathway is regulated by a wide range of signals, including cell density, GPCR, cellular energy levels, and mechanical cues. We will present our recent progresses on Hippo pathway regulation and its role in cancer. The emerging role of the Hippo pathway in tumorigenesis suggests the potential therapeutic value of targeting this pathway for cancer treatment.

Citation Format: Kun-Liang Guan. Regulation of the Hippo pathway in cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on the Hippo Pathway: Signaling, Cancer, and Beyond; 2019 May 8-11; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Res 2020;18(8_Suppl):Abstract nr IA04.
Abstract IA07: Hippo signaling in liver regeneration and liver tumors
Authors: Halder Georg
Published: September 2020

The Hippo pathway is required for normal tissue growth during development, and it is also involved in regeneration in flies and mammals. Hyperactivation of the Hippo pathway effector YAP drives cell proliferation and malignancy of tumor cells, and YAP is frequently hyperactivated in a broad range of different human carcinomas. Thus, targeting the activity of YAP may inhibit cancer cells. However, how the Hippo pathway is regulated during development and what role it plays during normal growth, regeneration, and in cancer cells is poorly understood. My group uses genetic approaches in Drosophila and mice to unravel the function of the Hippo pathway in the growth and regeneration of imaginal discs and liver and in liver cancer. I will present our recent efforts towards these aims and discuss our findings in light of different growth control models.

Citation Format: Georg Halder. Hippo signaling in liver regeneration and liver tumors [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on the Hippo Pathway: Signaling, Cancer, and Beyond; 2019 May 8-11; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Res 2020;18(8_Suppl):Abstract nr IA07.
Abstract IA23: The role of hepatocyte TAZ in NASH and NASH-HCC
Authors: Wang Xiaobo , Schwabe Robert , Tabas Ira
Published: September 2020

NASH has emerged as the leading cause of chronic liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) worldwide. However, there is a dearth of treatment options, which is due in large part to a poor understanding of NASH pathophysiology, particularly in the conversion of the relatively benign steatosis to clinically important fibrosis and HCC. We hypothesized that the transcription factor TAZ (WWTR1) in hepatocytes (HCs) promotes the progression of steatosis to fibrotic NASH and HCC. We studied liver tissue from humans with NASH and NASH-HCC and used several mouse models, including a dietary model of obesity, insulin resistance, NASH fibrosis, and HCC. NASH mice were treated with various AAV8-H1-shRNAs to silence genes specifically in HCs. The data show that TAZ is markedly increased in HCs in both human and murine NASH liver compared with normal or steatotic liver. In murine models of NASH, silencing of HC TAZ prevents or reverses hepatic inflammation, HC death, and fibrosis. Moreover, HC-targeted expression of TAZ in a mouse model of steatosis promoted NASH features, including fibrosis. Mechanistic studies using cultured cells and molecular-genetic causation studies in mice revealed that a key mechanism linking is TAZ-mediated induction of Indian hedgehog (Ihh), an HC secretory factor that activates fibrogenic genes in hepatic stellate cells (Wang et al., Cell Metabolism). The mechanism of TAZ upregulation in NASH involves a pathway in which excess cholesterol in HCs disrupts the normal proteasomal degradation of TAZ. Prolonged feeding of mice with the NASH diet leads to HCC, with both the tumors and surrounding tissues expressing high levels of TAZ. Silencing TAZ in HCs after advanced NASH has developed eliminates the progression to HCC, and silencing HC TAZ in mice with NASH-HCC shrinks the tumors. The mechanisms of linking TAZ to NASH-HCC likely both niche (surrounding tissue) and oncogenic effects. In conclusion, HC TAZ, whose levels markedly increase during NASH progression via a pathway involving cholesterol enrichment of HCs, plays an essential role in the progression of steatosis to fibrotic NASH and in the progression of NASH to HCC. As such, silencing TAZ in hepatocytes in the setting of early NASH is a potentially powerful new strategy to prevent the progression of NASH to cirrhosis and HCC.

Citation Format: Xiaobo Wang, Robert Schwabe, Ira Tabas. The role of hepatocyte TAZ in NASH and NASH-HCC [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on the Hippo Pathway: Signaling, Cancer, and Beyond; 2019 May 8-11; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Res 2020;18(8_Suppl):Abstract nr IA23.
Loss of RNA-Binding Protein RBMS1 Promotes a Metastatic Transcriptional Program in Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Carter Hannah
Published: September 2020

Yu and colleagues combined computational and experimental techniques to identify a new post-transcriptional regulator of metastatic potential in colon cancer. This study reveals that the RNA-binding protein RBMS1 is a positive regulator of mRNA stability for multiple genes, including the tumor suppressor AKAP12 and a WNT pathway interacting protein, SDCBP, and its loss is a common event associated with poor prognosis.

See related article by Yu et al., p. 1410.
Lactic Acidosis and Hypoglycemia in a Patient with Gastric Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma due to the Warburg Effect
Authors: Hamada Takafumi , Kaku Toshinari , Mitsu Sumitaka , Morita Yoshinori , Ohno Nobuhito , Yamaguchi Hironori
Published: September 2020

Lactic acidosis is pathophysiologically classified into type A and type B. The latter is a rare but potentially life-threatening emergency, mainly described in hematological malignancies. The association between Type B lactic acidosis and malignancy is known as the Warburg effect. Patients with the Warburg effect have a very poor prognosis. Herein, we report a case of gastric diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) with severe lactic acidosis and hypoglycemia owing to the Warburg effect that were effectively treated by prompt introduction of chemotherapy. A 73-year-old woman with a 2-month history of abdominal distension was referred to us for suspected peritoneal cancer. Pathological examination revealed gastric DLBCL with peritoneal dissemination. After hospitalization, blood test results revealed prolonged hypoglycemia, with a blood sugar level of 50–70 mg/dL; severe lactic acidosis with pH 7.166; lactate level 12.7 mmol/L; and base excess −21.0 mEq/L, despite continuous administration of glucose and sodium bicarbonate. The cause of lactic acidosis and/or hypoglycemia was considered to be the Warburg effect. We initiated a 50% reduced-dose CHOP (cyclophosphamide, vincristine, doxorubicin, prednisolone) chemotherapy regimen without rituximab until information on the CD20-positive status was available. During chemotherapy, acidosis, hypoglycemia, and impaired consciousness promptly improved. If lactic acidosis or hypoglycemia is present in patients with malignant tumors, it is important to suspect the possibility of the Warburg effect and to introduce cancer treatment as soon as possible.
Is It Safe to Offer Radical Cystectomy to Patients above 85 Years of Age? A Long-Term Follow-Up in a Single-Center Institution
Authors: Tamalunas Alexander , Volz Yannic , Schlenker Boris Alexander , Buchner Alexander , Kretschmer Alexander , Jokisch Friedrich , Rodler Severin , Schulz Gerald , Eismann Lennert , Pfitzinger Paulo , Stief Christian G. , Grimm Tobias
Published: September 2020

Purpose: With a median age at diagnosis of 73 years, bladder cancer has the highest median age of all cancers. Age alone seems to be an independent risk factor for developing the disease with peak age advancing into the range of 85 years. As demographic changes will lead to an ever more aging population in western countries, incidence of advanced age malignancies will rise. We, therefore, analyzed a contemporary radical cystectomy (RC) series at a single high-volume center on patients undergoing RC for urothelial carcinoma of the bladder (UCB). We aim to evaluate the feasibility of RC in the oldest-old patient cohort by assessing perioperative complications and long-term outcome. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed data of 1,278 consecutive patients who underwent RC for UCB at our tertiary referral center between 2004 and 2019. A total of 408 patients were aged 75–97 years at the time of RC and were further divided into 2 groups: 75–84 years of age (group 1) and ≥85 years of age (group 2). Median follow-up was 23 months. Outcome was analyzed using the χ2 test, Mann-Whitney U test, Kaplan-Meier method, and log-rank test. Results: Perioperative Clavien-Dindo grade ≥III complications were seen in 25.1% (92/366) of group 1 patients and 35.7% (15/42) of group 2 patients (p = 0.073). Thirty- and 90-day mortality was 3.3 and 8.7% in group 1 and 4.8 and 14.3% in group 2 (p = 0.617 and p = 0.242, respectively). Three-year overall survival was 54.6% in group 1 and 31.3% in group 2 (p = 0.03). Three-year cancer-specific survival was 64.8% in group 1 and 38.8% in group 2 (p = 0.037). Recurrence-free survival was 105 months in group 1 and 12 months in group 2 (p = 0.039). Conclusion:In light of increasing life expectancy in western nations, we sought to evaluate the impact of age in a large series of elderly patients undergoing RC for UCB. We found that RC offers acceptable perioperative complication rates in the oldest-old patient cohort (≥85 years). Therefore, RC for UCB can be offered as a viable treatment option even in the oldest patients.
Survival Following Implantable Cardioverter‐Defibrillator Implantation in Patients With Amyloid Cardiomyopathy
Authors: Higgins Angela Y. , Annapureddy Amarnath R. , Wang Yongfei , Minges Karl E. , Lampert Rachel , Rosenfeld Lynda E. , Jacoby Daniel L. , Curtis Jeptha P. , Miller Edward J. , Freeman James V.
Published: September 2020

Background

Outcomes data in patients with cardiac amyloidosis after implantable cardioverter‐defibrillator (ICD) implantation are limited. We compared outcomes of patients with ICDs implanted for cardiac amyloidosis versus nonischemic cardiomyopathies (NICMs) and evaluated factors associated with mortality among patients with cardiac amyloidosis.

Methods and Results

Using National Cardiovascular Data Registry’s ICD Registry data between April 1, 2010 and December 31, 2015, we created a 1:5 propensity‐matched cohort of patients implanted with ICDs with cardiac amyloidosis and NICM. We compared mortality between those with cardiac amyloidosis and matched patients with NICM using Kaplan‐Meier survival curves and Cox proportional hazards models. We also evaluated risk factors associated with 1‐year mortality in patients with cardiac amyloidosis using multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression models. Among 472 patients with cardiac amyloidosis and 2360 patients with propensity‐matched NICMs, 1‐year mortality was significantly higher in patients with cardiac amyloidosis compared with patients with NICMs (26.9% versus 11.3%,
P
<0.001). After adjustment for covariates, cardiac amyloidosis was associated with a significantly higher risk of all‐cause mortality (hazard ratio [HR], 1.80; 95% CI, 1.56–2.08). In a multivariable analysis of patients with cardiac amyloidosis, several factors were significantly associated with mortality: syncope (HR, 1.78; 95% CI, 1.22–2.59), ventricular tachycardia (HR, 1.65; 95% CI, 1.15–2.38), cerebrovascular disease (HR, 2.03; 95% CI, 1.28–3.23), diabetes mellitus (HR, 1.55; 95% CI, 1.05–2.27), creatinine = 1.6 to 2.5 g/dL (HR, 1.99; 95% CI, 1.32–3.02), and creatinine >2.5 (HR, 4.34; 95% CI, 2.72–6.93).

Conclusions

Mortality after ICD implantation is significantly higher in patients with cardiac amyloidosis than in patients with propensity‐matched NICMs. Factors associated with death among patients with cardiac amyloidosis include prior syncope, ventricular tachycardia, cerebrovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, and impaired renal function.
Delayed Cerebral Ischemia After Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage in Patients With a History of Migraine
Authors: van Os Hendrikus J.A. , Ruigrok Ynte M. , Verbaan Dagmar , Dennesen Paul , Müller Marcella C.A. , Coert Bert A. , Algra Ale , Vergouwen Mervyn D.I. , Wermer Marieke J.H.
Published: September 2020

Background and Purpose:

Delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI) is a major contributor to the high morbidity in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH). Spreading depolarizations may play a role in DCI pathophysiology. Because patients with migraine are probably more susceptible to spreading depolarizations, we investigated whether patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage with migraine are at increased risk for DCI.

Methods:

We included patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage from 3 hospitals in the Netherlands. We assessed lifetime migraine history with a short screener. DCI was defined as neurological deterioration lasting >1 hour not attributable to other causes by diagnostic work-up. Adjustments were made for possible confounders in multivariable Cox regression analyses and adjusted hazard ratios (aHR) were calculated. We assessed the interaction effects of age and sex.

Results:

We included 582 patients (mean age 57 years, 71% women) mostly with mild to moderate aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage of whom 108 (19%) had a history of migraine (57 with aura). Patients with migraine were not at increased risk of developing DCI compared with patients without migraine (22% versus 24%, aHR, 0.89 [95% CI, 0.56–1.43]). Additionally, no increased risk was found in patients with migraine with possible aura (aHR, 0.74 [95% CI, 0.39–1.43]), in women (aHR, 0.88 [95% CI, 0.53–1.45],
P
interaction
=0.859), or in young patients aged <50 years (aHR, 1.59 [95% CI, 0.72–3.49]), although numbers in these subgroups were limited. We found an interaction between migraine and age with an increased risk of DCI among young patients with migraine (
P
interaction
=0.075).

Conclusions:

Patients with migraine are in general not at increased risk of DCI. Future studies should focus in particular on young SAH patients, in whom there might be an association between migraine history and development of DCI.
Two new species of Phyllanthus (Phyllanthaceae) endemic to the Brazilian Atlantic Rainforest

Authors: TORRES ALICIA MARQUES , SILVA MARCOS JOSÉ DA , DE SÁ CORDEIRO WESLEY PATRÍCIO FREIRE , ATHIÊ-SOUZA SARAH MARIA , SALES MARGARETH FERREIRA DE
Published: September 2020

Two new species, Phyllanthus itamarajuensis and P. tuberculatus (Phyllanthaceae), currently restricted to the Atlantic Forest of Bahia State, Brazil, are described and illustrated. Phyllanthus itamarajuensis is distinguished by having long styles (2–2.2 mm long) associated with subshrubby habit, discretely asymmetrical basal leaves, and anthers with vertical dehiscence. Phyllanthus tuberculatus is characterized by glabrous leaves, a long pistillate pedicel (18–20 mm long), flowers of both sexes 5-merous, disk of the staminate flowers with five obtriangular segments with tuberculated surfaces, each being separated by a deep recess, and each with a central pore, anthers with non-divergent thecae, and a patelliform pistillate disk. The systematic position of both new species is discussed, and comments are provided on their morphological relationships, geographic distribution, conservation status, environmental preferences, and phenology.
Vila-Viçosa, C & Almeida, R. (2020) Lectotypification of names of Quercus spp. (Fagaceae) described by Lamarck from the Iberian Peninsula. Phytotaxa 455 (3): 205–213
Authors: VILA-VIÇOSA CARLOS , ALMEIDA RUBIM
Published: September 2020

N/A
On generic placement of Odynerus dictatorius Giordani Soika and its mimicry ring (Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Eumeninae)
Authors: SELIS MARCO
Published: September 2020

The generic placement of Odynerus dictatorius Giordani Soika, 1935 is discussed (Antodynerus dictatorius comb. nov.) and three new species belonging to its mimicry ring are described: Antodynerus breviclypeus sp. nov., Antodynerus imitator sp. nov. and Antepipona dictatoria sp. nov.
Multi-objective optimization of drilling parameters for orthopaedic implants
Authors: Antil Parvesh , Kumar Antil Sundeep , Prakash Chander , Królczyk Grzegorz , Pruncu Catalin
Published: September 2020

Titanium (Ti) and its alloys have gained immense popularity as biomaterials in recent years. Their excellent specific strength makes them outstanding materials for orthopaedic applications. However, in the orthopaedic application, precise micro-drilling (i.e. implants inserts) is required, which is very challenging for these materials. To overcome this issue, the present research proposes an experimental study corroborated with a multi-objective optimization by simulating the drilling under electric discharge machining of Ti-6Al-4V. Taguchi’s methodology–based L9 orthogonal array was used for the experimental study. Voltage, current, pulse on and pulse off were used as the input parameters for the experimental investigation. In order to achieve suitable precise drilling, the material removal rate and surface finish were used as response parameters. Here, by optimizing parameters of the precise drilling, it is possible to obtain high material removal rate and better surface finish simultaneously. The Grey relational analysis was adopted to analyse the output quality characteristics. The optimized results generated through the Grey relational analysis are highly accurate with respect to the experimental outcomes.
Preparation, characterization and performance evaluation of wood flour/HDPE foamed composites reinforced with graphene nanoplatelets
Authors: Dahmardeh Ghalehno Mohammad , Kord Behzad
Published: September 2020

This research explores the effects of nanographene on the cell morphology, mechanical strength, and water uptake behavior in the extrusion foaming of wood polymer composites. Composite materials containing high-density polyethylene, wood flour, coupling agent, graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs), and azodicarbonamide as a foaming agent were melt compounded using a twin-screw extruder. Finally, the samples were foamed via a batch process using a compression molding machine. Thereafter, the morphological aspects of the specimens including cell size and cell density were characterized using a scanning electron microscope. Further, the density, flexural strength, tensile strength, water absorption, and thickness swelling of the specimens were evaluated. Results indicated that the cell size of the specimens was found to decrease with the incorporation of GNPs while the cell density increased, owing to the reinforcing effect of the GNPs in the composites. The cell nucleation efficiency of the samples using GNPs was significantly enhanced when compared to that without nanoparticles. The density of composite foams decreased with the addition of GNPs due to more bubble nucleation originating from nanoparticles. Mechanical properties of the specimens improved when using GNPs in comparison to those of foams without GNPs as a result of better interaction with the polymeric matrix. The highest flexural and tensile values were observed for the composite foams containing 1 phr GNPs. Furthermore, the water absorption and thickness swelling of the samples were remarkably reduced with the addition of GNPs. The specimen foams produced with 4 phr GNPs exhibited superior water resistance and dimensional stability.
An overview of literature on COVID-19, MERS and SARS: Using text mining and latent Dirichlet allocation
Authors: Cheng Xian , Cao Qiang , Liao Stephen Shaoyi
Published: September 2020

The unprecedented outbreak of COVID-19 is one of the most serious global threats to public health in this century. During this crisis, specialists in information science could play key roles to support the efforts of scientists in the health and medical community for combatting COVID-19. In this article, we demonstrate that information specialists can support health and medical community by applying text mining technique with latent Dirichlet allocation procedure to perform an overview of a mass of coronavirus literature. This overview presents the generic research themes of the coronavirus diseases: COVID-19, MERS and SARS, reveals the representative literature per main research theme and displays a network visualisation to explore the overlapping, similarity and difference among these themes. The overview can help the health and medical communities to extract useful information and interrelationships from coronavirus-related studies.
Establishing an Office‐Based Framework for Resuming Otolaryngology Care in Academic Practice During the COVID‐19 Pandemic
Authors: Pearlman Aaron N. , Tabaee Abtin , Sclafani Anthony P. , Sulica Lucian , Selesnick Samuel H. , Kutler David I. , Montano Joseph J. , Levinger Joshua I. , Suurna Maria V. , Modi Vikash K. , Stewart Michael G.
Published: September 2020

Objective

The COVID‐19 health crisis abruptly disrupted the practice of otolaryngology. This article aims to define the changes needed to operate an academic otolaryngology practice safely and efficiently from within the epicenter of the pandemic. We define the areas of normal patient workflow that have been affected by COVID‐19, and we offer mitigation strategies with attention paid to the specific needs of subspecialties.

Data Sources

The article includes data specific to the office practice metrics of the Weill Cornell Medicine Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, as well as publically available data from New York Presbyterian Hospital system and the New York Times.

Review Methods

Expert opinion.

Conclusions

Through careful planning and execution, it is possible to reestablish safe otolaryngologic patient care during the COVID‐19 pandemic. It will require a significant change from prior practice models for successful implementation. Additionally, telemedicine can be positively integrated into the treatment of otolaryngology diseases for new and established patients.

Implications for Practice

The information conveyed in this review can be used as a guide by large and small otolaryngology groups to identify aspects of the patient visit that are “at risk” due to COVID‐19, and it suggests sensible responses that can be made without a significant disruption to normal practice. The methods used to identify vulnerabilities with the patient visit process can be applied to future unforeseen crises, such as a resurgence of COVID‐19 or a novel pandemic.
Major dietary patterns and predicted cardiovascular disease risk in an Iranian adult population
Authors: Shahavandi Mahshid , Amini Mohammad Reza , Shahinfar Hossein , Shab-Bidar Sakineh
Published: September 2020

Background:

Limited data are available on the association of major dietary patterns and predicted risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) using the Framingham Risk Score (FRS).

Aim:

To investigate the association between major dietary patterns and the predicted 10-year CVD risk in an Iranian population

Methods:

This cross-sectional study was conducted on 522 apparently healthy adults referred to health centers in Tehran. Usual dietary intake was assessed using a validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. The association between dietary patterns and the predicted risk of development of CVD was evaluated using linear multiple regression. Principal component analysis was used to identify major dietary patterns.

Results:

In total, 41% of the men ( n = 95) and 46% of women ( n = 134) were in the low risk (<10%) and 6% of men ( n = 14) and 1% of women ( n = 3) were in the high risk (> 20%) category of the FRS. A significant decrease was found for body mass index ( p < 0.001), systolic blood pressure (SBP) ( p = 0.003), diastolic blood pressure ( p = 0.005), and triglyceride ( p = 0.02) in the higher tertile of healthy dietary pattern. Adherence to an unhealthy dietary pattern was associated with a significant increase in body weight ( p = 0.03) and a significant decrease in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ( p < 0.001). The healthy dietary pattern score was negatively associated with SBP ( p = 0.04) and FRS ( p < 0.001).

Conclusion:

Although we observed improvements in CVD risk factors with greater adherence to healthy dietary patterns, there was no association between identified dietary patterns and the predicted risk of 10-year CVD.
Plague Mortality and Control Policies in Colonial South India, 1900–47
Authors: Mahammadh Vempalli Raj
Published: September 2020

Focused on colonial South India, this article presents and assesses detailed archival records of public health measures in response to plague outbreaks between 1900 and 1947. Starting in 1897 in the Madras Presidency, the colonial government strictly implemented anti-plague measures and introduced various health schemes and medical policies for plague prevention. However, despite partly vigorous government efforts, plague outbreaks could not be fully controlled. In the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, the plague remains among South Asia’s most feared epidemics, with an outbreak in Surat in 1994 causing major havoc. Neither indigenous knowledge nor Western medical systems provided fully effective remedies regarding causation, cure and prevention of plague epidemics. Since the article gained new relevance in light of current struggles faced by India’s public health system in handling the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, some lessons from history emerge in the concluding discussion.
Macro Marketing Comes of Age
Authors: Lehamnn Donald R.
Published: September 2020

Marketing scholars have increasingly recognized the impact marketing has, and can have (both good and bad), on society as a whole. This commentary gives examples of this and raises some questions about its applications. It also suggests directions for future research in the area of macromarketing.
Predicting the outcome of the greater occipital nerve block – an observational study on migraine patients with and without musculoskeletal cervical impairment
Authors: Schwarz Annika , Ziegeler Christian , Daneshkhah Sima , May Arne , Luedtke Kerstin
Published: September 2020

Background and objective

The importance of neck pain and the trigeminocervical complex in migraine is of high pathophysiological interest since a block to the greater occipital nerve is more effective for some primary headaches than others. This observational study hypothesised that the response to manual palpation of the upper cervical spine predicts the efficacy of the greater occipital nerve-block.

Methods

We divided patients, scheduled by a neurologist to receive a greater occipital nerve-block to reduce their migraine symptoms, into three groups: Patients with no pain response to manual palpation of the neck, patients with local pain, and those with referred pain to the head. Primary outcome was the percentage change in headache frequency. Additionally, items from the quantitative sensory testing protocol were included.

Results

Eighty-seven chronic migraine patients were recruited consecutively from a specialised outpatient clinic and 71 were included for analyses and stratified into the three groups: No pain (n = 11), local pain (n = 28), and referred pain to the head (n = 32). Overall, patients experienced a reduction of 1.9 headache days per month (SD 3.4, p < 0,0001). The groups differed significantly in the percentage change of headache frequency ( p = 0.041) with the “no pain” group showing the largest reduction. The pressure-pain-threshold over C2 and headache on the day of the intervention influenced the outcome significantly (R2 0,27, p = 0,00078). No serious adverse events occurred. Sixty-five percent of the patients had headaches during the examination. The groups did not differ regarding the distribution of patients with neck-pain in absence of migraine at baseline ( p = 0.618).

Conclusion

Patients that were less sensitive to palpation in the cervical region and headache-free on the day of the intervention improved more after the greater occipital nerve-block. Registration: Registered a priori at the German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS00015995).
Erenumab does not alter cerebral hemodynamics and endothelial function in migraine without aura
Authors: Altamura Claudia , Viticchi Giovanna , Fallacara Adriana , Costa Carmelina Maria , Brunelli Nicoletta , Fiori Chiara , Silvestrini Mauro , Vernieri Fabrizio
Published: September 2020

Objective

To assess whether erenumab influences cerebral vasomotor reactivity and flow-mediated dilation in migraine patients.

Methods

Consecutive migraineurs prescribed erenumab at our Headache Centre and age and sex-matching controls were invited to participate in this observational longitudinal study. Patients were evaluated for cerebral vasomotor reactivity to hypercapnia (breath-holding index) in middle and posterior cerebral arteries and for brachial corrected flow mediated dilation at baseline (T0), after 2 weeks from the first erenumab injection (T2) and after 2 weeks from the fourth Erenumab injection (T18). Patients displaying a reduction of at least 50% in monthly migraine days after completing the fourth month of therapy were classified as responders.

Results

Sixty patients and 25 controls agreed to participate. Middle and posterior cerebral artery mean flow velocities, breath-holding index and flow-mediated dilation did not differ at T0 and from T0 to T2 in patients and controls. In patients, we neither observed a variation of the explored variables from T0 to T18 nor an interaction between evaluation times (T0–T2 or T0–T18) and chronic condition at T0, responder state or erenumab fourth dose.

Conclusions

Our findings demonstrate that erenumab preserves cerebral vasomotor reactivity and flow-mediated dilation in migraineurs without aura.
The significance of age structure, education, and youth unemployment for explaining subnational variation in violent youth crime in Mexico
Authors: Juárez Nicolás Corona , Urdal Henrik , Vadlamannati Krishna Chaitanya
Published: September 2020

Violent crime in Mexico occurs at a rate that dwarfs the human costs of most contemporary civil wars, and the drug cartels responsible for the violence exercise de facto control over significant geographical territories. In this respect, the Mexican “drug wars” resemble conflicts over the control of rich natural resources in Sub-Saharan Africa and elsewhere, blurring the distinction between “political” and “social” or “criminal” violence. In the civil war literature, a young age structure has been argued to provide inexpensive rebel labor and thus increase opportunities for a rebel group to wage war against a government. Similarly, relatively large groups of “idle” young men could arguably be a factor that reduces recruitment costs for criminal enterprises through the abundant supply of youth with low opportunity cost. Acknowledging organized crime around drug trafficking as a major cause of crime and violence in Mexico, we ask whether the availability of large young male cohorts, or male “youth bulges”, low education and high youth unemployment ease the recruitment to these organizations and may contribute to explain variance in violent crime rates across Mexican states over time. Using panel data covering 32 states in Mexico during the 1997–2010 period, we find that, while a coarse measure of regional youth bulges is not associated with patterns of violent youth crime, high youth unemployment in low-education strata is, in particular in the context of large male youth bulges. These results remain robust against alternative data, sample size, estimation techniques and controls for potential endogeneity concerns.
Virtual care and the pursuit of the quadruple aim: A case example
Authors: Bearnes Reece D. , Feenstra Bryan , Malcolm Janine , Nelson Shannon , Garon-Mailer Annie , Forster Alan , Clark Heather
Published: September 2020

Many healthcare organizations have adopted the quadruple aim to create system-level improvements for delivering enhanced experience and outcomes to patients, healthier populations, reduced per-capita costs, and better provider experiences. With a maturing health technology sector, virtual care is gradually being adopted in Canada and proving to be a viable tactic for achieving the quadruple aim. Despite increased acceptance of virtual innovations and their related benefits to patients and providers, implementation of virtual care can be challenging in a Canadian healthcare system. The Ottawa Hospital developed an innovation strategy to guide the adoption and maturity of virtual care as a means of supporting the pursuit of the quadruple aim and achievement of the organization’s mission and vision. A case example presenting the strategy and recommendations for health leaders and providers considering implementation of virtual care is discussed.
The strategic leadership of nursing directorates in the context of healthcare system reform
Authors: Ferrada-Videla Marcela , Dubois Sylvie , Pepin Jacinthe
Published: September 2020

In Quebec, the strategic leadership of nursing directorates remains poorly documented despite its importance for the performance of their organizations. Using three focus groups and 31 individual semistructured interviews, a qualitative descriptive study was conducted, including 35 participants from 18 of the Quebec 34 health institutions created in 2015 by the last reform. Seven themes emerged: (1) taking ownership of the strategic positioning, (2) developing and communicating a vision, (3) making strategic, systematic, and measured choices, (4) reframing roles, (5) getting involved in the strategic decision-making processes, (6) developing the political capacity, and (7) building alliances. Four professional and organizational components influenced the nursing directorates’ leadership capacity: clinical credibility, a sufficient number of people educated at the graduate level, organizational culture, and size of the institution. It is expected that these results regarding nursing directorates’ exercise of strategic leadership will lead to better governance and quality of nursing care.
Career Mentoring and Job Content Plateaus: The Roles of Perceived Organizational Support and Emotional Exhaustion
Authors: Kao Kuo-Yang , Hsu Hao-Hsin , Lee Hui-Ting , Cheng Yen-Chuan , Dax Ines , Hsieh Meng-Wen
Published: September 2020

The study aims to shed light on whether mentoring may help protégés decrease their perception of job content plateaus. Based on the conservation of resources theory, career mentoring could be an effective resource in decreasing job content plateaus and alleviating the resulting emotional exhaustion. The study also proposes that perceived organizational support (POS) can be an organizational resource for protégés, strengthening the effects of career mentoring in addressing the problem of job content plateaus and ensuing emotional exhaustion (via job content plateaus). Two-wave data were collected from a sample of 353 protégés in Germany. Results showed that career mentoring was negatively related to emotional exhaustion through job content plateaus. Moreover, high POS strengthened the effects of career mentoring, directly in dealing with the issue of job content plateaus and indirectly for emotional exhaustion. Important theoretical and practical implications for mentoring and career plateau research are discussed.
Absence of SARS-CoV-2 in the effluent of peritoneal dialysis patients
Authors: Candellier Alexandre , Scohy Anaïs , Gillet Nicolas , Muylkens Benoit , Morelle Johann , Belkhir Leïla , Coupeau Damien , Jadoul Michel , Goffin Éric
Published: September 2020

The pandemic of respiratory disease (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is life-threatening in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. In PD patients with systemic viral infections, peritoneal effluent may be theoretically contaminated. We searched for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 genetic material by real-time reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction assays in serial PD effluents of three PD infected patients. Nasopharyngeal swabs obtained at admission showed high viral load in all three patients, whereas none of the PD effluent specimen tested positive, even after dialysate concentration. Those results support at most a very low SARS-CoV-2 dissemination risk by the peritoneal effluent of PD patients. Imposing special disposal procedures, such as the instillation of hypochlorite in the drainage bags to prevent viral spread to health-care workers, are probably not required.
Computational evaluation of electro-magnetic circuits’ effect on the coupled response of multifunctional magneto-electro-elastic composites plates exposed to hygrothermal fields
Authors: Vinyas M , Harursampath D
Published: September 2020

This work presents a higher order finite element (FE) model to gauge the static behaviour of hygrothermo-magneto-electro-elastic (HTMEE) plates with different electro-magnetic circuits. The FE model is composed of eight-noded isoparametric elements. The displacement equations are presumed to obey the higher order shear deformation theory (HSDT) and the governing equations of motion are obtained with the support of the virtual energy principle. The correctness of the FE model is verified against previously published results. The influence of electro-magnetic boundary conditions associated with hygrothermal loads, stacking sequences, empirical constants and different loading profiles have been studied in detail. The results of this article are the first of its kind in literature. Hence, it is believed to set benchmark for future investigations on multifunctional structures.
Effects of Selective Attention on Mean-Size Computation: Weighted Averaging and Perceptual Enlargement
Authors: Choi Yong Min , Chong Sang Chul
Published: September 2020

For efficient use of limited capacity, the visual system summarizes redundant information and prioritizes relevant information, strategies known respectively as ensemble perception and selective attention. Although previous studies showed a close relationship between these strategies, the specific mechanisms underlying the relationship have not been determined. We investigated how attention modulated mean-size computation. Fourteen people participated in this study. We hypothesized that attention biases mean-size computation by increasing the contribution (weighted averaging) and the apparent size (perceptual enlargement) of an attended item. Consistent with this hypothesis, our results showed that estimated mean sizes were biased toward the attended size and overestimated regardless of the attended size, supporting weighted averaging and perceptual enlargement, respectively. Taken together, the observed effects of selective attention on mean-size computation signify a close relationship between the two optimization mechanisms to achieve efficient management of the visual system’s limited capacity.
Earthquake-triggered landslides and mudflows: Was this the wave that engulfed Ancient Helike?
Authors: Koukouvelas Ioannis K , Piper David JW , Katsonopoulou Dora , Kontopoulos Nikolaos , Verroios Sotirios , Nikolakopoulos Konstantinos , Zygouri Vasiliki
Published: September 2020

The destruction of Ancient Helike in 373 BC as reported by ancient Greek and Roman writers is inconsistent with modern evidence on the geological context. The classical view of a strong earthquake, similar to the 1817 M = 6.6 earthquake and followed by a giant tsunami wave that permanently inundated the ruined city does not stand up to modern scrutiny. Evidence for co-seismic slip on the Helike Fault at that time and for a corresponding tsunami have already been shown to be lacking, and the archaeological evidence shows that part of the site was reoccupied within 40 years. New observations on outcrops, excavated sites, and boreholes show that at least two mudflow deposits several metres thick of slightly gravelly mud overlie 4th c. BC archaeological remains on the Katourlas fan. Upstream, landslides are common in the 4 km2 river basin and could have dammed the ephemeral Katourlas River. Relics of this dam are still recognised in the riverbed as a knickpoint. Temporary damming of rivers by earthquake-triggered landslides is a common phenomenon in northern Peloponnese. The destruction of Ancient Helike appears to have been a localised non-linear cascading series of disasters, with a strong earthquake followed by a destructive mudflow generated by breaching of a landslide-dammed lake in the Katourlas basin. Historical records of flooding from the west may record another landslide dam followed by a more watery flood in the Selinous River. We propose that it was mudflows and floods from inland rather than a tsunami from the sea that contributed to the final destruction of Helike.
Interleukin-17 and Interleukin-10 Association with Disease Progression in Schizophrenia
Authors: Chenniappan Raghavi , Nandeesha Hanumanthappa , Kattimani Shivanand , Nanjaiah Nandakumar Dalavaikodihalli
Published: September 2020

Background: Alteration in cytokine levels are known to be involved in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia.

Objectives: To estimate the serum levels of interleukin-17 (IL-17) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) and their association with disease progression in schizophrenia.

Methods: A total of 67 schizophrenia cases were enrolled in the present study. IL-17 and IL-10 were estimated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) was used to evaluate disease severity.

Results: IL-17 was positively correlated with positive symptom score ( r = 0.256, p = .036), general psychopathology score ( r = 0.255, p = .038) and total score ( r = 0.273, p = .025) in schizophrenia. IL-17 and IL-10 were significantly increased in schizophrenia cases with PANSS more than 85 compared to those with 71–85.

Conclusion: IL-17 and IL-10 are associated with disease severity in schizophrenia but are not good markers for predicting the disease progression.
Lamb wave imaging with actuator network for damage quantification in aluminum plate structures
Authors: Ma Zhaoyun , Yu Lingyu
Published: September 2020

Lamb waves have been widely used for damage detection on plate-like structures. However, there are still considerable interests on quantifying damage with complex profile. In this article, quantification of complex damage in plate-like structures using a network of actuators and time-space Lamb wavefield is investigated. The actuator network inspection system is implemented with multiple PZT transducers for Lamb wave actuation in round robin pattern and scanning laser Doppler vibrometer for wavefield sensing. The PZT network is arranged in a way that the target area is fully enclosed and Lamb waves come to the damage from all directions. Waves induced by the damage are subsequently obtained through frequency-wavenumber filtering, using the experimentally acquired dispersion curves presented in the paper. The filtered waves from all wave actuators are then used to generate a synthetic image of the damage being inspected. Two cases of complex damage are evaluated on aluminum plates, mass loss with triangular profile and mass addition with a three-letter cluster profile. Our results show that the damages are not only detected but also their profiles are clearly outlined in the images. We believe the subject methods provide improved evaluation of damage profile for Lamb wavefield based damage quantification.
A Survey-Based Study of Patient-Centered Costs Associated With Indwelling Pleural Catheters
Authors: Aboudara Matthew , Roller Lance , Lentz Rob , Rickman Otis B. , Gillaspie Erin A. , Maldonado Fabien
Published: September 2020

Introduction:

Indwelling pleural catheters (IPC) are effective at palliating benign and malignant pleural effusions (MPE). They have also been found to be cost effective from a third-party payor perspective. Little is known of the impact IPCs have on patient-centered quality of life outcomes such as financial burden and patient and caregiver burden. We performed a cross-sectional survey study evaluating the impact of IPCs on multiple patient and caregiver quality of life metrics.

Methods:

Patients ≥ 18 years old with an IPC in place for 2 months were eligible. Twenty patients were recruited over a 10-month period. Patients completed the CDC-Health Related Quality of Life (HRQOL)-4 and a HRQOL-financial questionnaire. The primary objective was to describe the socio-economic impact of IPCs. Demographic and IPC specific data were collected. Descriptive statistics were used.

Results:

The mean (SD) age was 64.3 (0.70). The indication was MPE in 19/20. All patients had medical insurance. Medicare or Medicaid (CMS) comprised 10/20 of payors. The median (IQR) copay for private insurers was $238.45 (72-875); 11/20 had additional costs related to the IPC; 4/20 had significant life changes after the IPC; 17/20 received assistance from a non-paid caregiver; 6/20 patients could not do activities because of the IPC and this negatively impacted QOL in 3/6 of those patients.

Conclusion:

Patients with IPCs may experience negative life consequences, incur additional medical expenses, and require assistance from a non-paid caregiver. Activities may be negatively impacted by IPC. Discussion of alternative means of symptom palliation and pleurodesis would be beneficial.
Social Capital and Delinquency in Bagcilar, Turkey
Authors: Williams James L. , Cubukcu Suat , Sadri Mahmoud , Rodeheaver Daniel G. , Akhter Morsheda
Published: September 2020

There is a growing literature on social capital and delinquency. Most research has been done in Western industrial countries, has used limited measures of delinquency, and has employed surveys developed locally as opposed to using internationally validated instruments. Using data from the European Youth Survey, this study addresses these limitations by examining the relationship between social capital and self-reported delinquency among Turkish juveniles. The data were collected from a sample of tenth graders in 2007 in Bagcilar neighborhood of Istanbul. Self-reported delinquency was divided into two categories, major and minor, based on the Turkish Penal Code. Social capital was measured by assessing adolescents’ reports of their direct interactions with parents, peers and community. To predict the likelihood of major and minor delinquency independently, two different subsets ( n = 1,879 and n = 1,837) of the data were used. Findings indicate that the presence of family social capital and community social capital had significant negative relationships with both major and minor delinquency. The presence of delinquent peers was significantly associated with both increases in major and minor delinquency. Overall, our findings suggest that social capital was negatively related to Turkish juveniles’ self-reported involvement in major and minor delinquent activities.
Titrating the Amount of Bony Correction in Progressive Collapsing Foot Deformity
Authors: Ellis Scott J. , Johnson Jeffrey E. , Day Jonathan , de Cesar Netto Cesar , Deland Jonathan T. , Hintermann Beat , Myerson Mark S. , Schon Lew C. , Thordarson David B. , Sangeorzan Bruce J.
Published: September 2020

Recommendation:

There is evidence indicating that the amount of bony correction performed in the setting of progressive collapsing foot deformity reconstructive surgery can be titrated within a recommended range for a variety of procedures. The typical range when performing a medial displacement calcaneal osteotomy should be 7 to 15 mm of medialization of the tuberosity. The typical range when performing an Evans lateral column lengthening should be 5 to 10 mm of a laterally based wedge in the anterior calcaneus. The typical range when performing a plantarflexion opening wedge osteotomy of the medial cuneiform (Cotton) osteotomy should be 5 to 10 mm of a dorsal wedge.

Level of Evidence:

Level V, consensus, expert opinion.