bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Public health reporting and outbreak response: synergies with evolving clinical standards for interoperability
Authors: Mishra Ninad K , Duke Jon , Lenert Leslie , Karki Saugat
Published: April 2020

Public health needs up-to-date information for surveillance and response. As healthcare application programming interfaces become widely available, a novel data gathering mechanism could provide public health with critical information in a timely fashion to respond to a fast-moving epidemic. In this article, we extrapolate from our experiences using a Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resource-based architecture for infectious disease surveillance for sexually transmitted diseases to its application to gather case information for an outbreak. One of the challenges with a fast-moving outbreak is to accurately assess its demand on healthcare resources, since information specific to comorbidities is often not available. These comorbidities are often associated with poor prognosis and higher resource utilization. If the comorbidity data and other clinical information were readily available to public health workers, they could better address community disruption and manage healthcare resources. The use of FHIR resources available through application programming and filtered through tools such as described herein will give public health the flexibility needed to investigate rapidly emerging disease while protecting patient privacy.
Development of the Gender, Sex, and Sexual Orientation ontology: Evaluation and workflow
Authors: Kronk Clair A , Dexheimer Judith W
Published: April 2020

Objective

The study sought to create an integrated vocabulary system that addresses the lack of standardized health terminology in gender and sexual orientation.

Materials and Methods

We evaluated computational efficiency, coverage, query-based term tagging, randomly selected term tagging, and mappings to existing terminology systems (including ICD (International Classification of Diseases), DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders ), SNOMED (Systematized Nomenclature of Medicine), MeSH (Medical Subject Headings), and National Cancer Institute Thesaurus).

Results

We published version 2 of the Gender, Sex, and Sexual Orientation (GSSO) ontology with over 10 000 entries with definitions, a readable hierarchy system, and over 14 000 database mappings. Over 70% of terms had no mapping in any other available ontology.

Discussion

We created the GSSO and made it publicly available on the National Center for Biomedical Ontology BioPortal and on GitHub. It includes clarifications on over 200 slang terms, 190 pronouns with linked example usages, and over 200 nonbinary and culturally specific gender identities.

Conclusions

Gender and sexual orientation continue to represent crucial areas of medical practice and research with evolving terminology. The GSSO helps address this gap by providing a centralized data resource.
Nutritional evaluation of different varieties of sorghum and the effects on nursery pig growth performance
Authors: Thomas Lori L , Espinosa Charmaine D , Goodband Robert D , Stein Hans H , Tokach Mike D , Dritz Steve S , Woodworth Jason C , DeRouchey Joel M
Published: April 2020

Five experiments were conducted to determine the standardized total tract digestibility (STTD) of P, digestible energy (DE), metabolizable energy (ME), and standardized ileal digestibility (SID) of amino acids (AA) in three sorghum varieties compared with corn and to determine the effects of sorghum varieties on nursery pig growth. In exp. 1, 48 barrows (initially 18.6 kg) were housed individually in metabolism crates. Treatments were arranged in a 2 × 4 factorial evaluating two levels of microbial phytase (0 or 500 units/kg) and four grain sources (corn, high-lysine, red, or white sorghum). Added phytase improved (P < 0.05) STTD of P in all ingredients, but was not different among the grains. In exp. 2, the DE and ME in the three sorghum varieties were not different from corn. In exp. 3, 10 growing barrows (initially 25.9 kg) with a T-cannula in the terminal ileum were used. Standardized ileal digestible Lys, Met, Thr, and Val were greater (P < 0.05) in corn than in the sorghum-based diets with no differences among the sorghum varieties. In exp. 4, 160 pigs (initially 6.3 kg) were randomly allotted to one of four dietary treatments with five pigs per pen and eight replicate pens per treatment in a 20-d experiment. Dietary treatments included corn or the three sorghum varieties, where the varieties of sorghum replaced corn on an SID Lys basis. No differences among treatments were observed in any growth performance parameters. In exp. 5, treatments consisted of a corn-based diet, a diet based on conventional sorghum (a mixture of red and white sorghum), and four diets with high-lysine sorghum containing increasing amounts of feed-grade AA, replacing soybean meal. Overall, pigs fed the high-lysine sorghum diet with the greatest amount of added feed-grade AA had the poorest gain:feed ratio (G:F; P < 0.05) compared with pigs fed all the other experimental diets. Within those fed the high-lysine sorghum and feed-grade AA, average daily gain, final body weight (linear, P < 0.10), and G:F (linear, P < 0.01) decreased as feed-grade AA increased. In summary, no differences in STTD of P or in DE and ME were observed among the grain sources. The SID AA values for the three sorghum varieties were not different; however, they were all lower than for corn. These results indicate that these varieties of sorghum can successfully replace corn in nursery pig diets if diets are formulated to account for differences in AA digestibility.
The Predictive Capacity of American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status (ASA PS) Score in Burn Patients
Authors: Choi Katherine J , Pham Christopher H , Collier Zachary J , Mert Melissa , Ota Ryan K , Li Ruibei , Yenikomshian Haig A , Singh Mandeep , Gillenwater T Justin , Kuza Catherine M
Published: April 2020

Advances in burn care continues to improve survival rates and patient outcomes. There are several burn prognostic tools used to predict mortality and outcomes; however, none include patient comorbidities. We used the American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status score as a surrogate measure for comorbidities, and evaluated its role in predicting mortality and outcomes in adult burn patients undergoing surgery. A retrospective analysis was performed on data collected from a single burn center in the United States, which was comprised of 183 patients. We evaluated the American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status score as an independent predictor of mortality and outcomes, including intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay (LOS), hospital LOS, mechanical ventilator (MV) days, and complications. We compared the American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status score to other prognostic models which included the revised Baux score, Belgian Outcome in Burn Injury, and the Abbreviated Burn Severity Index. Our results demonstrated that the revised Baux and American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status scores could be used to determine the mortality risk in adult burn patients. The revised Baux was the best predictor of mortality, ICU LOS, and MV days, while the Abbreviated Burn Severity Index was the best predictor of total LOS.
Does failure to meet threshold scores for mHHS and iHOT-12 correlate to secondary operations following hip arthroscopy?
Authors: Rosinsky Philip J , Chen Jeffery W , Yelton Mitchell J , Lall Ajay C , Maldonado David R , Meghpara Mitchell B , Shapira Jacob , Domb Benjamin G
Published: April 2020

The purpose of this study was to determine (i) if failing to achieve a patient-reported outcome (PRO) threshold at 1 year was associated with secondary operations at minimum 2-year follow-up and (ii)what outcome measure and threshold has the highest association with future surgeries. Inclusion criteria for this study were cases of primary hip arthroscopy between July 2014 and April 2017. Included patients had recorded pre-operative and 1-year post-operative modified Harris Hip Score (mHHS) and 12-item international Hip Outcome Tool (iHOT-12) scores. Patients were classified based on their ability to achieve minimal clinical important difference (MCID), substantial clinical benefit (SCB) and patient acceptable symptom state (PASS) for each PRO and the status of secondary operations at minimum 2-year follow-up. The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive likelihood ratio and negative likelihood ratio for these thresholds were calculated. Of 425 eligible cases, 369 (86.8%) had minimum 2-year follow-up. Of the included patients, 28 underwent secondary operations (7.59%), with 14 undergoing secondary arthroscopies (3.79%) and 14 converting to total hip arthroplasty (3.79%). For mHHS, 267 (72.4%), 173 (46.9%) and 277 (75.1%) hips met MCID, SCB and PASS, respectively. For iHOT-12, 234 (63.4%), 218 (59.1%) and 280 (75.9%) hips met the respective thresholds. The highest specificity, sensitivity and accuracy were identified as for iHOT-12 MCID (0.79), iHOT-12 PASS (0.79) and iHOT-12 MCID (0.77), respectively. Patients not attaining MCID and PASS for mHHS and iHOT-12 at 1-year post-operatively are at increased risk of secondary operation. The most accurate threshold associated with secondary operation (0.77) is not achieving iHOT-12 MCID. Level of evidence: retrospective case series: level IV.
Psychosocial Burden of Childhood Sickle Cell Disease on Caregivers in Kenya
Authors: Kuerten Bethany G , Brotkin Samuel , Bonner Melanie J , Ayuku David O , Njuguna Festus , Taylor Steve M , Puffer Eve S
Published: April 2020

Objectives

To characterize the types and magnitude of psychosocial burden present in caregivers who have a child with sickle cell disease (SCD) in Kenya and to identify predictors of caregiver psychosocial burden, including disease severity and financial hardship.

Methods

Primary caregivers (N = 103) of children aged 1–10 years diagnosed with SCD completed surveys assessing multiple domains of caregiver quality of life (QOL), adjustment to child illness, mental health, and financial hardship. Descriptive statistics characterize psychosocial burden, and linear models assess associations.

Results

On indicators of QOL, caregivers report multiple difficulties across most domains, including daily activities and physical, social, cognitive, and emotional well-being. Daily activities emerged as most burdensome. On indicators of parental adjustment to chronic illness, guilt and worry emerged as the greatest concern, followed by long-term uncertainty and unresolved sorrow and anger; relative to these, they reported higher levels of emotional resources. Financial hardship was high, as caregivers reported moderate to major financial losses due to the time spent caring for their child. General linear model analyses revealed that level of financial hardship was a significant predictor of all negative psychosocial outcomes.

Conclusions

Results document that Kenyan caregivers of children with SCD experience difficulties across multiple domains of functioning and that financial difficulties are likely associated with psychosocial burden. Results can guide intervention development for caregivers of children with SCD in low-resource, global contexts.
A Systematic Review of Medication Adherence Interventions in Pediatric Sickle Cell Disease
Authors: Shih Sharon , Cohen Lindsey L
Published: April 2020

Objective

Adherence to medication regimens is of critical importance in sickle cell disease (SCD). Most notably, data indicate that hydroxyurea, penicillin, and iron chelators increase life expectancy and decrease comorbid medical problems (e.g., strokes). However, average pediatric SCD adherence rates are only 55–74%. Studies have introduced interventions for pediatric SCD adherence, but no review has synthesized these data.

Methods

We conducted a systematic review of interventions for enhancing medication adherence in pediatric SCD. There were 9 studies that met inclusion and exclusion criteria. The Pediatric Self-Management Model provided a framework for organizing the modifiable factors targeted by existing interventions.

Results

The 9 studies had high risk of bias levels and most targeted hydroxyurea. All studies used multiple measures of adherence, the interventions were multicomponent, and most included behavioral or technological interventions. There was variability in terms of whether the intervention targeted the individual, family, community, or healthcare system.

Conclusions

Consistent with the broader adherence literature, targeting knowledge alone was insufficient in increasing adherence. Findings suggest that reminders and targeting self-efficacy were key to success. In addition, addressing multiple domains in an intervention yielded larger effects on adherence. Although these results are promising, this review highlights several limitations of the extant literature, including a paucity of intervention studies and several methodological weaknesses, such as small sample sizes, few randomized controlled trials, and variable measures of adherence. Recommendations for advancing scientific understanding of adherence promoting interventions in pediatric SCD are provided.
Torture, Psychological Inflexibility, and Mental Health Outcomes among Resettled Refugees in the United States
Authors: Gray Brandon L. , Dewey Lauren M. , Fondacaro Karen M.
Published: April 2020

Refugees endure incredible adversity, including torture. Although many refugees report traumatic stress reactions, they also demonstrate considerable resilience. Among refugees, torture survivors have demonstrated greater symptom severity as well as greater resilience than those who have not reported torture. The contrast of these results suggests potential mediators. Psychological inflexibility is one process predictive of posttraumatic stress symptoms. However, this process has rarely been studied among refugees or survivors of torture. Thus, we examined psychological inflexibility as a mediator between torture and traumatic stress symptoms among resettled refugees (n = 71; 55% female; mean age = 41.48; 63% reported torture). Psychological inflexibility fully mediated the relationship between torture status and traumatic stress symptoms in two simple mediation models. Results demonstrate the impact of psychological inflexibility on refugee mental health and have implications for clinical care.
Antigen-based diagnosis of Schistosoma infection in travellers: a prospective study
Authors: Casacuberta-Partal Miriam , Janse Jacqueline J , van Schuijlenburg Roos , de Vries Jutte J C , Erkens Marianne A A , Suijk Kitty , van Aalst Mariëlle , Maas Jaap J , Grobusch Martin P , van Genderen Perry J J , de Dood Claudia , Corstjens Paul L A M , van Dam Govert J , van Lieshout Lisette , Roestenberg Meta
Published: April 2020

Background

Travellers infected with Schistosoma spp. might be pauci- or even asymptomatic on first presentation. Therefore, schistosomiasis may remain undiagnosed in this population. Active infection, as evidenced by the presence of the tissue-dwelling worm, can be demonstrated via the detection of adult worm-derived circulating anodic antigen (CAA) utilising a robust well-described lateral flow-(LF) based test applying background-free up-converting reporter particles (UCP). In this prospective study, we assessed the diagnostic value of serum and urine UCP-LF CAA test in comparison with two Schistosoma-specific serological assays detecting antibodies against adult worm antigen-immuno fluorescence assay (AWA-IFA) and against soluble egg antigen–enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (SEA-ELISA) antigens in travellers.

Methods

Samples were collected from 106 Dutch travellers who reported freshwater contact in sub-Saharan Africa and who were recruited up to 2 years after return. Subjects were asked to complete a detailed questionnaire on travel history, water contact, signs and symptoms compatible with schistosomiasis.

Results

Two travellers were positive by serum CAA and an additional one by urine CAA. A total of 22/106 (21%) samples were antibody positive by AWA-IFA and 9/106 (9%) by SEA-ELISA. At follow-up 6 weeks and 6 months after praziquantel treatment, all seropositives remained antibody positive whereas CAA was cleared. Seropositivity could not be predicted by the type of fresh water-related activity, country visited or symptoms reported.

Conclusion

The low number of UCP-LF CAA positives suggests that in travellers, active infections often do not establish or have very low worm burden. Based on our high seroconversion rates, we conclude that the AWA-IFA assay is the most sensitive test to detect schistosome exposure. Given the lack of predictive symptoms or risk factors, we recommend schistosomiasis screening at least by serology in all travellers with reported freshwater contact in high-endemic areas.
Fast ejecta resulted from jet–wind interaction in the Great Eruption of Eta Carinae
Authors: Akashi Muhammad , Kashi Amit
Published: April 2020

The accretion model for the 19th century Great Eruption (GE) of η Carinae suggests that mass outflowing from the primary was accreted on to the secondary, and the gravitational energy of that mass accounts for the increase in luminosity and most of the kinetic energy of the ejecta. It further argues that the accretion was accompanied by the ejection of two jets that shaped the bipolar Homunculus nebula. Observations of echos from the GE found emission lines with broad wings suggesting some of the mass in equatorial directions reached more than $10\, 000 \, \rm {km\, s^{-1}}$. We run hydrodynamic simulations following periastron passage during the GE, launching jets from the secondary as it accreted gas erupted from the primary. We then follow the interaction of the polar jets with the surrounding primary wind, as they accelerate part of the flow to velocities ${\gt}10\, 000 \, \rm {km\, s^{-1}}$ and deflect it towards lower latitudes. We find that the amount of mass that reached these high velocities during the GE is $M_h \approx 0.02 \, \rm {M_{\odot }}$. This value reaches maximum and then decreases with time. Our simulations agree with previous results of the accretion model from which we estimate Mh taking into account the energy budget of the GE. The accretion model can explain the observations of high velocity gas in light echos with the known two stars, and a triple star system is not required.
ProteinsPlus: interactive analysis of protein–ligand binding interfaces
Authors: Schöning-Stierand Katrin , Diedrich Konrad , Fährrolfes Rainer , Flachsenberg Florian , Meyder Agnes , Nittinger Eva , Steinegger Ruben , Rarey Matthias
Published: April 2020

Due to the increasing amount of publicly available protein structures searching, enriching and investigating these data still poses a challenging task. The ProteinsPlus web service (https://proteins.plus) offers a broad range of tools addressing these challenges. The web interface to the tool collection focusing on protein–ligand interactions has been geared towards easy and intuitive access to a large variety of functionality for life scientists. Since our last publication, the ProteinsPlus web service has been extended by additional services as well as it has undergone substantial infrastructural improvements. A keyword search functionality was added on the start page of ProteinsPlus enabling users to work on structures without knowing their PDB code. The tool collection has been augmented by three tools: StructureProfiler validates ligands and active sites using selection criteria of well-established protein–ligand benchmark data sets, WarPP places water molecules in the ligand binding sites of a protein, and METALizer calculates, predicts and scores coordination geometries of metal ions based on surrounding complex atoms. Additionally, all tools provided by ProteinsPlus are available through a REST service enabling the automated integration in structure processing and modeling pipelines.
The internal region of CtIP negatively regulates DNA end resection
Authors: Howard Sean Michael , Ceppi Ilaria , Anand Roopesh , Geiger Roger , Cejka Petr
Published: April 2020

DNA double-strand breaks are repaired by end-joining or homologous recombination. A key-committing step of recombination is DNA end resection. In resection, phosphorylated CtIP first promotes the endonuclease of MRE11–RAD50–NBS1 (MRN). Subsequently, CtIP also stimulates the WRN/BLM–DNA2 pathway, coordinating thus both short and long-range resection. The structure of CtIP differs from its orthologues in yeast, as it contains a large internal unstructured region. Here, we conducted a domain analysis of CtIP to define the function of the internal region in DNA end resection. We found that residues 350–600 were entirely dispensable for resection in vitro. A mutant lacking these residues was unexpectedly more efficient than full-length CtIP in DNA end resection and homologous recombination in vivo, and consequently conferred resistance to lesions induced by the topoisomerase poison camptothecin, which require high MRN–CtIP-dependent resection activity for repair. This suggested that the internal CtIP region, further mapped to residues 550–600, may mediate a negative regulatory function to prevent over resection in vivo. The CtIP internal deletion mutant exhibited sensitivity to other DNA-damaging drugs, showing that upregulated resection may be instead toxic under different conditions. These experiments together identify a region within the central CtIP domain that negatively regulates DNA end resection.
Transposon-mediated telomere destabilization: a driver of genome evolution in the blast fungus
Authors: Rahnama Mostafa , Novikova Olga , Starnes John H , Zhang Shouan , Chen Li , Farman Mark L
Published: April 2020

The fungus Magnaporthe oryzae causes devastating diseases of crops, including rice and wheat, and in various grasses. Strains from ryegrasses have highly unstable chromosome ends that undergo frequent rearrangements, and this has been associated with the presence of retrotransposons (Magnaporthe oryzae Telomeric Retrotransposons—MoTeRs) inserted in the telomeres. The objective of the present study was to determine the mechanisms by which MoTeRs promote telomere instability. Targeted cloning, mapping, and sequencing of parental and novel telomeric restriction fragments (TRFs), along with MinION sequencing of genomic DNA allowed us to document the precise molecular alterations underlying 109 newly-formed TRFs. These included truncations of subterminal rDNA sequences; acquisition of MoTeR insertions by ‘plain’ telomeres; insertion of the MAGGY retrotransposons into MoTeR arrays; MoTeR-independent expansion and contraction of subtelomeric tandem repeats; and a variety of rearrangements initiated through breaks in interstitial telomere tracts that are generated during MoTeR integration. Overall, we estimate that alterations occurred in approximately sixty percent of chromosomes (one in three telomeres) analyzed. Most importantly, we describe an entirely new mechanism by which transposons can promote genomic alterations at exceptionally high frequencies, and in a manner that can promote genome evolution while minimizing collateral damage to overall chromosome architecture and function.
Antibody-mediated rejection with and without donor-specific anti-human leucocyte antigen antibodies: performance of the peripheral blood 8-gene expression assay
Authors: Van Loon Elisabet , Lerut Evelyne , de Loor Henriette , Kuypers Dirk , Emonds Marie-Paule , Anglicheau Dany , Gwinner Wilfried , Essig Marie , Marquet Pierre , Naesens Maarten
Published: April 2020

Background

Recently a peripheral blood 8-gene expression assay was developed for non-invasive detection of antibody-mediated rejection (ABMR) after kidney transplantation. Its value has not yet been evaluated in detail in clinical scenarios with different baseline disease probability [human leucocyte antigen donor-specific antibodies (HLA-DSA)-positive versus HLA-DSA-negative cases at the time of stable graft function versus graft dysfunction].

Methods

Here we investigated the diagnostic accuracy of the 8-gene expression assay for histology of ABMR (ABMRh) with or without HLA-DSA in a cross-sectional cohort study of 387 blood samples with a concomitant graft biopsy.

Results

In patients with HLA-DSA (n = 64), the 8-gene expression assay discriminated DSA-positive ABMRh (DSAposABMRh) cases (n = 16) with good diagnostic performance {area under the receiver operating characteristic curve [AUROC] 83.1% [95% confidence interval (CI) 70.8–95.3]}. Also, in HLA-DSA-negative samples (n = 323), a clinically relevant diagnostic performance for DSAnegABMRh cases was found (n = 30) with an AUROC of 75.8% (95% CI 67.4–84.4). The 8-gene assay did not discriminate DSAposABMRh cases from DSAnegABMRh cases. There was a net benefit for clinical decision-making when adding the 8-gene expression assay to a clinical model consisting of estimated glomerular filtration rate, proteinuria, HLA-DSA and age.

Conclusion

The 8-gene expression assay shows great potential for implementation in the clinical follow-up of high-risk HLA-DSA-positive patients and clinical relevance in HLA-DSA-negative cases.
Physical training in the fire station and firefighters’ cardiovascular health
Authors: Gendron P , Lajoie C , Laurencelle L , Lemoyne J , Trudeau F
Published: April 2020

Background

Few fire departments in Québec have a diversified health promotion programme. Yet, many allow firefighters to physically train during working hours.

Aims

To compare the weekly physical activity (PA) level and cardiovascular health indicators of firefighters who physically train on duty to those who do not.

Methods

Participants underwent a cardiovascular health assessment and completed an online questionnaire.

Results

One hundred and five full-time male firefighters participated in the study. Two groups were formed: firefighters who physically train while on duty (E, n = 64) and firefighters who do not (NoE, n = 41). Following statistical adjustments, off-duty weekly PA was not different between the two groups (E: 239 ± 224 versus NoE: 269 ± 249 min, P = 0.496); however, total weekly PA was higher (P = 0.035) in E (381 ± 288 min) than in NoE (274 ± 200 min). A difference was also observed in obesity prevalence measured with waist circumference (E: 9% versus NoE: 27%, P = 0.026) and in physical inactivity prevalence (E: 0% versus NoE: 27%, P < 0.001). After statistical adjustments, E firefighters have a significantly lower waist-to-height ratio than NoE firefighters (E: 0.51 ± 0.05 versus NoE: 0.54 ± 0.05, P = 0.017).

Conclusions

Results show that firefighters who physically train while on duty have a higher total PA level on a weekly basis and have better cardiovascular health indicators. Our findings suggest that fire services should promote physical training while on duty to improve firefighters’ cardiovascular health.
The Seimei telescope project and technical developments
Authors: Kurita Mikio , Kino Masaru , Iwamuro Fumihide , Ohta Kouji , Nogami Daisaku , Izumiura Hideyuki , Yoshida Michitoshi , Matsubayashi Kazuya , Kuroda Daisuke , Nakatani Yoshikazu , Yamamoto Kodai , Tsutsui Hironori , Iribe Masatsugu , Jikuya Ichiro , Ohtani Hiroshi , Shibata Kazunari , Takahashi Keisuke , Tokoro Hitoshi , Maihara Toshinori , Nagata Tetsuya
Published: April 2020

An overview of the Seimei telescope, a 3.8 m optical infrared telescope located on Mt. Chikurinji in the Okayama prefecture of Japan, is presented. Seimei is a segmented-mirror telescope whose primary mirror consists of 18 petal-shaped segments. The telescope tube supporting the thin segmented mirrors is structurally incorporated within large arc-rails providing the elevation axis. The tube has a light-weight homologous structure designed with a genetic algorithm. The total weight of the telescope tube, including 1.4-ton optics, is only 8 tons. By virtue of its light weight, the telescope is able to point at an object anywhere in the observable sky within one minute. The telescope is operated by Kyoto University in collaboration with the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan (NAOJ). Half of the telescope time is used by Kyoto University. The remaining time is open to the Japanese astronomical community. NAOJ is responsible for the management of the open-use time, including handling of the observation proposals. The telescope is now regularly performing scientific observations on the basis of a variety of proposals.
Efficacy and Safety of Pulsed Radiofrequency as a Method of Dorsal Root Ganglia Stimulation in Patients with Neuropathic Pain: A Systematic Review
Authors: Vuka Ivana , Marciuš Tihana , Došenović Svjetlana , Ferhatović Hamzić Lejla , Vučić Katarina , Sapunar Damir , Puljak Livia
Published: April 2020

Objective

Pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) is a nonablative pain treatment that uses radiofrequency current in short high-voltage bursts, resulting in interruption of nociceptive afferent pathways. We conducted a systematic review with the aim to create a synthesis of evidence about the efficacy and safety of PRF applied to the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) for the treatment of neuropathic pain.

Methods

We searched MEDLINE, CINAHL, Embase, and PsycINFO through January 8, 2019, as well as ClinicalTrials.gov and the clinical trial register of the World Health Organization. All study designs were eligible. We assessed risk of bias using the Cochrane tool for randomized controlled trials and the Risk Of Bias In Non-Randomized Studies of Interventions (ROBINS-I). We assessed level of evidence using the Oxford tool and quality of evidence with GRADE.

Results

We included 28 studies with participants suffering from lumbosacral, cervical, or thoracic radicular pain, post-herpetic neuralgia, neuropathicbone pain in cancer patients, or carpal tunnel syndrome. Only five studies were randomized controlled trials (RCTs), while others were of nonrandomized designs, predominantly before and after comparisons. A total of 991 participants were included, with a median number (range) of 31 (1–101) participants. Only 204 participants were included in the RCTs, with a median number (range) of 38 (23–62) participants. The overall quality of evidence was low, as the majority of the included studies were rated as evidence level 4 or 5. The quality of evidence was very low.

Conclusions

Evidence about the efficacy and safety of PRF of the DRG for the treatment of neuropathic pain is based mainly on results from very small studies with low evidence quality. Current research results about the benefits of PRF of the DRG for the treatment of neuropathic pain should be considered preliminary and confirmed in high-quality RCTs with sufficient numbers of participants.
Measurement theory in classical mechanics
Authors: Katagiri So
Published: April 2020

We investigate measurement theory in classical mechanics in the formulation of classical mechanics by Koopman and von Neumann (KvN), which uses Hilbert space. We show a difference between classical and quantum mechanics in the “relative interpretation” of the state of the target of measurement and the state of the measurement device. We also derive the uncertainty relation in classical mechanics.
Non-compact superconformal field theory and mock modular forms
Authors: Sugawara Yuji
Published: April 2020

One of interesting issues in two-dimensional superconformal field theories is the existence of anomalous modular transformation properties appearing in some non-compact superconformal models, corresponding to the “mock modularity” in mathematical literature. I review a series of my studies on this issue in collaboration with T. Eguchi, mainly focusing on T. Eguchi and Y. Sugawara, J. High Energy Phys. 1103, 107 (2011); J. High Energy Phys. 1411, 156 (2014); and Prog. Theor. Exp. Phys. 2016, 063B02 (2016).
Workplace Knowledge Flows*
Authors: Sandvik Jason J , Saouma Richard E , Seegert Nathan T , Stanton Christopher T
Published: April 2020

We conducted a field experiment in a sales firm to test whether improving knowledge flows between coworkers affects productivity. Our design allows us to compare different management practices and isolate whether frictions to knowledge transmission primarily reside with knowledge seekers, knowledge providers, or both. We find large productivity gains from treatments that reduced frictions for knowledge seekers. Workers who were encouraged to seek advice from a randomly chosen partner during structured meetings had average sales gains exceeding 15%. These effects lasted at least 20 weeks after the experiment ended. Treatments intended to change knowledge providers’ willingness to share information, in the form of incentives tied to partners’ joint output, led to positive—but transitory—sales gains. Directing coworkers to share knowledge raised average productivity and reduced output dispersion between workers, highlighting the role that management practices play in generating spillovers inside the firm.
On the Structure of Graphs of Markoff Triples
Authors: Konyagin Sergei V , Makarychev Sergey V , Shparlinski Igor E , Vyugin Ilya V
Published: April 2020

We sharpen the bounds of J. Bourgain, A. Gamburd and P. Sarnak (2016) on the possible number of nodes outside the ‘giant component’ and on the size of individual connected components in the suitably defined functional graph of Markoff triples modulo $p$. This is a step towards the conjecture that there are no such nodes at all.
Hierarchically electrospraying a PLGA@chitosan sphere-in-sphere composite microsphere for multi-drug-controlled release
Authors: Liu Zhu , Ye Weilong , Zheng Jingchuan , Wang Qindong , Ma Guowu , Liu Huiying , Wang Xiumei
Published: April 2020

Sequential administration and controlled release of different drugs are of vital importance for regulating cellular behaviors and tissue regeneration, which usually demands appropriate carriers like microspheres (MS) to control drugs releases. Electrospray has been proven an effective technique to prepare MS with uniform particle size and high drug-loading rate. In this study, we applied electrospray to simply and hierarchically fabricate sphere-in-sphere composite microspheres, with smaller poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) MS (∼8–10 μm in diameter) embedded in a larger chitosan MS (∼250–300 μm in diameter). The scanning electron microscopy images revealed highly uniform MS that can be accurately controlled by adjusting the nozzle diameter or voltage. Two kinds of model drugs, bovine serum albumin and chlorhexidine acetate, were encapsulated in the microspheres. The fluorescence-labeled rhodamine-fluoresceine isothiocyanate (Rho-FITC) and ultraviolet (UV) spectrophotometry results suggested that loaded drugs got excellent distribution in microspheres, as well as sustained, slow release in vitro. In addition, far-UV circular dichroism and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) results indicated original secondary structure and molecular weight of drugs after electrospraying. Generally speaking, our research proposed a modified hierarchically electrospraying technique to prepare sphere-in-sphere composite MS with two different drugs loaded, which could be applied in sequential, multi-modality therapy.
In vitro immunomodulation of magnesium on monocytic cell toward anti-inflammatory macrophages
Authors: Sun Lei , Li Xiaoyu , Xu Menghan , Yang Fenghe , Wang Wei , Niu Xufeng
Published: April 2020

Biodegradable magnesium (Mg) has shown great potential advantages over current bone fixation devices and vascular scaffold technologies; however, there are few reports on the immunomodulation of corrosive Mg products, the micron-sized Mg particles (MgMPs). Human monocytic leukemia cell line THP-1 was set as the in vitro cell model to estimate the immunomodulation of MgMPs on cell proliferation, apoptosis, polarization and inflammatory reaction. Our results indicated high-concentration of Mg2+ demoted the proliferation of the THP-1 cells and, especially, THP-1-derived macrophages, which was a potential factor that could affect cell function, but meanwhile, cell apoptosis was almost not affected by Mg2+. In particular, the inflammation regulatory effects of MgMPs were investigated. Macrophages exposed to Mg2+ exhibited down-regulated expressions of M1 subtype markers and secretions of pro-inflammatory cytokines, up-regulated expression of M2 subtype marker and secretion of anti-inflammatory cytokine. These results indicated Mg2+ could convert macrophages from M0 to M2 phenotype, and the bioeffects of MgMPs on human inflammatory cells were most likely due to the Mg2+-induced NF-κB activation reduction. Together, our results proved Mg2+ could be used as a new anti-inflammatory agent to suppress inflammation in clinical applications, which may provide new ideas for studying the immunomodulation of Mg-based implants on human immune system.
ESTIMATION OF OCCUPATIONAL RADIATION EXPOSURE FOR MEDICAL WORKERS IN RADIOLOGY AND CARDIOLOGY IN THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES: NINE HOSPITALS EXPERIENCE
Authors: Elshami Wiam , Abuzaid Mohamed , Pekkarinen Antti , Kortesniemi Mika
Published: April 2020

Purpose

Occupational radiation exposure for medical workers in radiology and cardiology was analyzed in nine hospitals in the UAE between 2002 and 2016. The purpose of the study was to determine the time trend and the differences in occupational radiation exposure among worker groups and hospitals in the country.

Methods

Readings of 5700 thermoluminescence dosimeters (TLDs) were obtained from 1011 medical workers and grouped into 5 worker groups (radiographers, diagnostic radiologists, nurses, cardiologists and physicians).

Results

The mean annual effective dose was from 0.38 to 0.62 mSv per worker. Even though an increase in the collective effective dose has been noticed during the study period, no significant time trend was observed in the mean effective dose. Furthermore, cardiologists received higher mean and maximum effective doses than the other worker groups.

Conclusion

The annual effective doses were below the limits set by national legislation and international standards, and for the average worker, the likelihood of high exposure is small. However, improvements in radiation protection practices could be implemented to reduce occupational radiation dose to cardiologists, who were the most exposed worker group in this study.
A Psychotherapy Private Practice Social Work Practicum: Expanding Our Boundaries of Field Education Placement
Authors: Turner George W , Derusha Killian , Meyers Lisa , Snyder Ben , Gray Amy , Asby Michelle , Durham Joy
Published: April 2020

Many social workers go into private practice, providing crucial mental health services; however, there is a dearth in the scholarship outlining the social work student training for these career options. It may be argued that social work students receive little or no clinical training on how to run a private practice providing psychotherapy services. To mend this pedagogical shortcoming, a private practice field education placement is a legitimate teaching opportunity to prepare social work students to meet the mental health needs of individuals, families, and the public. Authors drew on borderlands theory described by Gloria Anzaldua as a contested space that focuses on “both and” thinking, which resonated with a sense of navigating a border filled with cultural tension between private practice and social work. Five social workers explore their unique experiences of a private practice field education placement using borderlands theory as a lens. Qualitative analysis of autoethnography narratives resulted in six themes: (1) benefits to private practice site, (2) preparation for social work, (3) private practice is social work, (4) balanced picture, (5) practicum landscape, and (6) learning opportunities. The article concludes with recommendations for social work education and research.
The Perils of Privatization: Bringing the Business Model into Human Services
Authors: Zelnick Jennifer R , Abramovitz Mimi
Published: April 2020

During the last three decades in both the United States and Europe, neoliberal policies, especially privatization, have restructured services in ways that dramatically affect the capacity of human services workers and agencies to serve all clients. Privatization means not only transforming public programs such as Social Security, but also managerialism—the incorporation of business principles, methods, and goals into public and nonprofit human services organizations. Few researchers have looked at the impact of market-based managerialism (focused on productivity, accountability, efficiency, and standardization) on social work’s mission and the effectiveness of human services workers and organizations. Using an anonymous survey of 3,000 New York City human services workers, authors examined the impact of managerialist practices including performance measures, quantifiable short-term outcomes, and routinized practices on frontline workers and service provision. A troubling trend emerged. Workers in agencies with a high commitment to managerialism found it considerably more difficult to adhere to social work’s mission and fundamental values. This conflict between the “logic of the market” and the “logic of social work” subsided dramatically in agencies with a low commitment to managerialism, indicating that even in today’s competitive environment, agencies can protect the social work mission.
Adherence to Masculine Norms and Depressive Symptoms in Young Black Men
Authors: Goodwill Janelle R , Johnson Natasha C , Watkins Daphne C
Published: April 2020

Recent reports have highlighted disparities in representation of Black men within research, calling for more work to be done with this group. The authors take up this call by exploring whether adherence to masculine norms influences mental health outcomes among young Black men. The sample included survey responses from 18- to 30-year-old Black men (N = 273) enrolled at five colleges and universities in the midwestern United States. Two theoretically relevant subscales from the Conformity to Masculine Norms Inventory (that is, self-reliance and emotional control) were used to measure adherence to masculine norms, and depressive symptoms were measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire. Confirmatory factor analysis results indicate that the model fit the data well. Furthermore, self-reliance was associated with higher rates of depressive symptoms (β = .358, p < .001), but emotional control was not (β = .137, p = .099). Study findings suggest that depression treatment interventions should be tailored to incorporate aspects of masculinity that are most salient to young Black men. In addition, social work researchers, clinicians, and service providers are uniquely positioned to contribute to the promotion of mental wellness among this underserved population and should be prepared to attend to young Black men’s mental health needs.
Eco-friendly Management of Bacterial Wilt in Tomato Using Dried Powder of the Wild Arid-Land Medicinal Shrub Rhazya stricta
Authors: Khan Raja Asad Ali , Alam Syed Sartaj , Hayat Sania , Ahmad Musharaf , Ali Asad , Naz Ishrat , Li Yan
Published: April 2020

Bacterial wilt (BW) disease caused by Ralstonia solanacearum species complex is a devastating plant disease that inflicts heavy losses to the large number of economic host plants it infects. In this study, the potential of dried powder of the arid-land medicinal shrub Rhazya stricta to control BW of tomato was explored. Both, in vitro and in planta studies were conducted, using different concentrations of dried powder of plant parts, and applied (surface mulched or mixed) to infested soil at 0, 10, and 20 days before transplanting (DBT). Aqueous extract of leaves (16% w/v) was found to be as effective as streptomycin (100 ppm) in inhibiting the in vitro growth of R. solanacearum. As evident from the scanning electron micrograph, 16% aqueous extract of leaves produced severe morphological changes, such as rupture of the bacterial cell walls. Results from the greenhouse experiments demonstrated that the higher powder dose (succulent shoot), namely, 30 g/kg of soil mixed with infested soil 20 DBT, was found to be the most effective in controlling BW. It increased root length (cm), shoot length (cm), and plant fresh biomass (g) by 55, 42, and 40%, respectively, over control plants. Mixing of plant powder with the artificially infested (35 ml of 108 CFU/ml per kilogram of soil) pot soil was better than surface mulching. The 30 g/kg of soil dose mixed with soil increased root length (cm), shoot length (cm), and plant fresh biomass (g) of treated plants by 67, 36, and 46%, respectively, over control plants. A 37% decrease in disease severity over the control was observed with drench application of 30 g of powder per kilogram of soil applied once at 20 DBT. Our results indicated that the dried powder (30 g/kg of soil) of leaves or succulent shoots of R. stricta, thoroughly mixed with soil, 20 DBT, could act as an effective control method against BW.
Phytopythiumlitorale: A Novel Killer Pathogen of Plane (Platanus orientalis) Causing Canker Stain and Root and Collar Rot
Authors: Derviş Sibel , Türkölmez Şahimerdan , Çiftçi Osman , Özer Göksel , Ulubaş Serçe Çiğdem , Dikilitas Murat
Published: April 2020

Decline symptoms associated with lethal stem and branch canker stain along with root and collar rots were observed on 5- to 7-year-old roadside oriental plane trees (Platanus orientalis) in Diyarbakır, Turkey. Above-ground symptoms included leaf necrosis, leaf curling, extensive bluish or blackish staining of shoots, branches, stem bark, and wood surfaces, as well as stem cankers and exfoliation of branch bark scales. A general decline of the trees was distinctly visible from a distance. A Phytophthora/Pythium-like oomycete species with globose to ovoid, often papillate and internally proliferating sporangia was consistently isolated from the fine and coarse roots and stained branch parts and shoots. The pathogen was identified as Phytopythium litorale based on several morphological features. Partial DNA sequences of three loci, including nuclear rDNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and the large ribosomal subunit (LSU), and mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit II (coxII) confirmed the morphological identification. All P. litorale isolates were homothallic, developing gametangia, ornamented oogonia with elongate to lobate antheridia. Pathogenicity of P. litorale was tested by inoculation on excised shoots and by root inoculation on seedlings. P. litorale produced large lesions and blights on shoots in just 5 days and killed 100% of the seedlings in a month. This paper presents the first confirmed report of P. litorale as an important pathogen on a plant species causing branch and stem cankers, and root and collar rot, in and on P. orientalis, resulting in a rapid decline of trees and suggesting a threat to plane.