bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Homeless Veterans in Nursing Homes: Care for Complex Medical, Substance Use, and Social Needs
Authors: Jutkowitz Eric , Halladay Christopher , McGeary John , O'Toole Thomas , Rudolph James L.
Published: June 2019

OBJECTIVES

The homeless population is aging, and their use of nursing homes is not well understood. We compared comorbidities (substance use, mental health conditions, and physical illness) and nursing home measures (source of admission, length of stay, and mortality in the facility) of veterans who were homeless, at risk for being homeless, or stably housed in the year prior to admission.

DESIGN

Cross‐sectional analysis.

SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS

All veterans admitted to a nursing home between January 2010 and December 2016 and their housing status in the year prior to their nursing home admission.

MEASUREMENTS

Adjusted relative risks (ARRs) for the association between housing status, comorbidities, and nursing home measures.

RESULTS

Veterans who were homeless in the year prior to their community nursing home admission were younger (n = 3355; 62.5 years [SD = 10.3 years]) at admission compared to stably housed veterans (n = 64 884; 75.3 years [SD = 11.9 years]). After adjustment for demographic characteristics, homeless veterans were more likely to have diagnoses for alcohol abuse (ARR = 2.18; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.05‐2.31), drug abuse (ARR = 3.03; 95% CI = 2.74‐3.33), mental health condition (ARR = 1.49; 95% CI = 1.45‐1.54), dementia (ARR = 1.14; 95% CI = 1.04‐1.25), liver disease (ARR = 1.32; 95% CI = 1.23‐1.41), lung disease (ARR = 1.08; 95% CI = 1.04‐1.13), and trimorbidity (co‐occurring substance abuse, mental illness, and physical illness) (ARR = 2.57; 95% CI = 2.40‐2.74) compared to stably housed veteran nursing home users. Homeless veterans were more likely to be admitted to a nursing home from a hospital (ARR = 1.13; 95% CI = 1.08‐1.17) and remain in the nursing home 90 days after admission (ARR = 1.10; 95% CI = 1.04‐1.16), but were less likely to die in the facility (ARR = 0.72; 95% CI = 0.67‐0.78) compared to stably housed veterans.

CONCLUSIONS

Homeless veteran nursing home users have different characteristics than stably housed veteran nursing home users. These differences may challenge nursing home staff caring for homeless patients. Nursing homes should assess resident housing status to help provide linkages with existing social services. J Am Geriatr Soc 67:1707–1712, 2019
The rice PLATZ protein SHORT GRAIN6 determines grain size by regulating spikelet hull cell division
Authors: Zhou Shi‐Rong , Xue Hong‐Wei
Published: June 2019

Grain size is a major determinant of cereal grain yields; however, the relevant regulatory mechanisms controlling this trait have not been fully elucidated. The rice (Oryza sativa) mutant short grain6 (sg6) was identified based on its reduced grain length and weight. Here, we functionally characterized the role of SG6 in determining grain size through the regulation of spikelet hull cell division. SG6 encodes a previously uncharacterized plant AT‐rich sequence and zinc‐binding (PLATZ) protein that is ubiquitously localized throughout the cell and is preferentially expressed in the early developing panicles but not in the endosperm. The overexpression of SG6 resulted in significantly larger and heavier grains, as well as increased plant heights, which is consistent with its elevated spikelet hull cell division rate. Yeast two‐hybrid analyses revealed that SG6 interacts with the core cell cycle machinery DP protein and several other putative cell division regulators, consistent with our transcriptomic analysis, which showed that SG6 activates the expression of many DNA replication and cell‐cycle‐related genes. These results confirm the crucial role of SG6 in determining grain size by regulating spikelet hull cell division and provide clues for understanding the functions of PLATZ family proteins and the network regulating cereal grain size.
Associations Among Intrapartum Interventions and Cesarean Birth in Low‐Risk Nulliparous Women with Spontaneous Onset of Labor
Authors: Iobst Stacey E. , Bingham Debra , Storr Carla L. , Zhu Shijun , Johantgen Meg
Published: June 2019

Introduction

Cesarean birth rates vary widely across hospitals in the United States, even among women who are considered low‐risk for the procedure. This variation has been attributed to differences in health care provider practice, but few studies have explored patterns of labor management in relation to cesarean birth.

Methods

This was a retrospective observational study of 26,259 nulliparous, term, singleton gestation, vertex presentation births following spontaneous onset of labor. Births occurred from 2002 to 2007 in 11 hospitals in the Consortium on Safe Labor. Generalized linear mixed modeling was used to examine the relationship between intrapartum interventions (amniotomy, epidural analgesia, oxytocin augmentation) used individually and in combination and the outcome of cesarean birth.

Results

More than 90% of the women in this low‐risk sample received at least one intervention regardless of mode of birth. Epidural analgesia was the most frequently applied intervention, both when used as a single intervention (18.7%) and in combination with other interventions (79.9%). The strongest associations between these interventions and cesarean birth were observed when 2 or 3 interventions were applied during labor. Compared with women who received no interventions, the strongest association was observed among women who received amniotomy‐oxytocin augmentation (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.89; 95% CI, 1.36‐2.62). The use of all 3 interventions (amniotomy‐epidural analgesia‐oxytocin augmentation) showed a similar positive association with cesarean birth (aOR 1.83; 95% CI, 1.50‐2.21).

Discussion

Findings show that the combined use of amniotomy, epidural analgesia, and oxytocin augmentation is positively associated with cesarean birth. Additional research is needed to examine the timing and sequence of interventions as well as whether a causal relationship exists between combinations of interventions and cesarean birth in low‐risk nulliparous women.
Implications from early life stress on the development of mouse ovarian follicles: Focus on oxidative stress
Authors: Ghatebi Mina , Zavareh Saeed , Lashkarbolouki Taghi , Elahdadi Salmani Mahmoud
Published: June 2019

Aim

The early life stress has significant long‐term effects on the development of the offspring. This study was undertaken to verify if maternal separation as a stressor agent affects the oxidative status and developmental competence of mouse pre‐antral follicles (PF) during in vitro culture period.

Methods

Female litters of National Medical Research Institute mice were divided into two groups: maternally separated group (MS), separated from the mothers for 6 h per day from postnatal days 2–16; and the rest considered as the control group, which left undisturbed over the 14 days. The litters were sacrificed and the ovarian tissue was harvested to isolate the PF. The PF were in vitro cultured up to 12th day when ovulation was induced. The developmental parameters and oxidative status (i.e., total antioxidant capacity and Malondialdehyde levels, as well as the activities of superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and catalase) were assessed.

Results

The rates of survival, antrum formation, ovulation and oocyte maturation of PF derived from the MS group were significantly lower compared with those of the control group. Furthermore, the Malondialdehyde level of the MS group was significantly higher than that of the control group. By contrast, the total antioxidant capacity level was lower in the MS group with respect to the control group. Also, the activity of superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and catalase of PF, derived from the MS group, was significantly lower compared with those of the control group.

Conclusion

Early life stress damages the developmental competence of mouse PF through induction of oxidative stress.
The Annotated Donald Trump: Signs of Circulation in a Time of Bubbles
Authors: Slotta James
Published: June 2019

“Bubbles,” “silos,” “cocoons,” “echo chambers” are labels now commonly used by media commentators and citizens alike to lament the divided communicative condition of the US electorate. Taken as an indicator of the state of liberal democracy in the United States, anxieties about bubbles bespeak the continued potency of the intertwined social and communicative imaginaries of an “American public” forged through common participation in a public sphere of discourse. The sorts of media technologies that make such a common space of discourse imaginable have been the topic of much discussion among communications scholars and linguistic anthropologists. But how does a communicative imaginary of bubbles—as a kind of less‐than‐public sphere—take shape? A significant catalyst, I argue, is the speech of Donald Trump. Here I focus particularly on the incoherent remarks and incredible claims that are a hallmark of Trump's oratory, as well as the media's annotations and fact checks that report and comment on them. Together, Trump's rhetoric and these genres of reporting serve as “signs of circulation” that delineate the communicative bubbles in which mainstream media audiences have discovered themselves to be enclosed. As an increasingly compelling communicative imaginary of the polity, these less‐than‐public spheres now serve as a framework through which people are reorienting themselves to their fellow citizens and their future together.
Ultrasound Predicts White Matter Integrity after Hypothermia Therapy in Neonatal Hypoxic‐Ischemic Injury
Authors: Salas Jacqueline , Reddy Nihaal , Carson Kathryn A. , Northington Frances J. , Huisman Thierry A.G.M.
Published: June 2019

BACKGROUND

Hypoxic‐ischemic injury (HII) is a major cause of neonatal death and neurodevelopmental disability. Head ultrasounds (HUS) in neonates with HII often show enhanced gray/white matter differentiation. We assessed the significance of this finding in predicting white matter structural integrity measured by diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) in neonates with HII.

METHODS

We performed a quantitative region of interest‐based analysis of white and gray matter echogenicity within the cingulate gyrus on pre‐ and posthypothermia HUS. We also completed a quantitative analysis of fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean (MD), axial (AD), and radial (RD) diffusivity within the bilateral anterior and posterior centrum semiovale (CSO) on posthypothermia brain magnetic resonance imaging. For HUS studies, we calculated a white‐to‐gray matter echogenicity ratio (WGR) and subsequently correlated it to DTI measurements.

RESULTS

Forty‐two term neonates with HII who underwent hypothermia therapy were included. Significant correlation was found between prehypothermia WGR and MD, AD, and RD values in the left anterior CSO (r = .38‐.40, P = .02). Prehypothermia WGR also correlated with the following: MD and RD in the right anterior CSO (r = .35‐.36, P = .04), MD and AD in the right posterior CSO (r = .32‐.45, P = .008‐.03), and AD in the left posterior CSO (r = .47, P = .005). No significant correlation was found either between prehypothermia WGR and FA values in the bilateral anterior and posterior CSO or between posthypothermia WGR and all DTI scalars in the bilateral anterior and posterior CSO.

CONCLUSIONS

Prehypothermia HUS WGR may predict posthypothermia white matter structural integrity and is potentially an early and easily obtainable biomarker of severity in neonatal HII.
Associations between tooth loss, prostheses and self‐reported oral health, general health, socioeconomic position and satisfaction with life
Authors: Rosing Kasper , Christensen Lisa Bøge , Øzhayat Esben Boeskov
Published: June 2019

Objectives

To investigate whether the location of tooth loss and prosthesis are associated with self‐reported oral health, general health, socioeconomic position and satisfaction with life.

Methods

From the Copenhagen Aging and Midlife Biobank (CAMB) investigation, 1517 persons had their oral status ranked (full dentition, fixed prosthesis in the masticatory zone, tooth loss in the masticatory zone, fixed prosthesis in the aesthetic zone, removable prosthesis, tooth loss in the aesthetic zone). Self‐reported oral health, general health, socioeconomic position and satisfaction with life were obtained. Information on gender, normative socioeconomic position, frequency of seeing a dentist, acute dental treatment within the last 5 years and general diseases was also recorded.

Results

Patients with tooth loss in the aesthetic zone and removable prosthesis showed high odds ratios for reporting poor rather than good oral health compared to patients having a full dentition. Having a removable prosthesis was further associated with rating socioeconomic position as low rather than high (odds ratio = 27.7 [95% CI: 5.07; 151.6]) compared to a full dentition after controlling for normative socioeconomic position and gender. In the bivariate analyses, a tendency towards poorer general health and poorer satisfaction with life was found with worse oral status, meanwhile the multiple regression analyses did not show significant associations between oral status and general health and satisfaction with life.

Conclusions

Missing teeth and having prostheses are associated with worse self‐reported oral health compared to having a full dentition. Removable dental prosthesis may be associated with a worse self‐perception of socioeconomic status.
Multidimensional Profiles of Religiosity Among Adolescents: Associations With Sexual Behaviors and Romantic Relationships
Authors: Vasilenko Sara A. , Espinosa‐Hernández Graciela
Published: June 2019

Religiosity is associated with sexual behavior in adolescence; however, religiosity is a multidimensional construct, and it is not clear how different patterns of religiosity may differentially predict sexual behaviors and romantic relationships. We apply latent class analysis to nationally representative data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health; N = 10,149) to examine (1) what religiosity profiles exist among adolescents and (2) how they predict sexual behavior and romantic relationship status in adolescence and young adulthood. Religiosity in multiple domains was associated with lesser odds of sexual behavior compared to profiles marked by only affiliation, private, or public religiosity. Findings suggest that examining multiple facets of religiosity together is important for understanding how religiosity is associated with sexual behavior.
The Pervasive Orienting Power of Religiousness and Spirituality: Reflections on the Special Section
Authors: Miller Lisa
Published: June 2019

This article serves as a brief commentary as part of the Special Section on Processes of Religious and Spiritual Influence in Adolescence, published in the Journal of Research on Adolescence. The commentary summarizes each of the focal pieces in the special section, and highlights overarching themes. One particular theme is that the Special Section as a whole demonstrates the broad and pervasive presence of religiosity and spirituality at all ecological levels of life. Further, while religiosity and spirituality are broad constructs that exist at multiple ecological levels, they consistently relate to targeted outcomes via specific mediating and moderating processes. Thus, religiosity and spirituality are germane to a broad range of psychological research questions. In terms of adolescence, religiosity and spirituality can have a permeating and reorienting influence on many aspects of development and functioning, thus warranting further study.
More than an X‐ray: Experiences and perspectives of parents of children with cerebral palsy when engaging in hip surveillance
Authors: Toovey Rachel , Willoughby Kate L , Hodgson Jan M , Graham H Kerr , Reddihough Dinah S
Published: June 2019

Aim

We explored the experiences of parents of children with cerebral palsy (CP) when engaging in hip surveillance for their child and aimed to identify the barriers and facilitators they encounter.

Methods

We conducted a pragmatic qualitative study through five focus groups conducted with 23 parents and primary care givers of young people with cerebral palsy. A semi‐structured topic guide was used to facilitate discussion. Recordings were transcribed verbatim and transcripts analysed using content analysis.

Results

Six major categories emerged: (i) hip surveillance is a shared responsibility; (ii) knowledge is empowering; (iii) hip surveillance should be proactive rather than reactive; (iv) consistency and support from health professionals is valuable; (v) good communication is crucial; and (vi) challenges associated with having an X‐ray may not be appreciated. Participants made recommendations related to: service model enhancements, information provision and improving both communication and the experience of having an X‐ray.

Conclusion

Despite having a good understanding of the need and importance of hip surveillance for their child, several barriers to parent engagement exist. Findings will inform the implementation of a family‐centred model for hip surveillance and may be relevant to those undertaking or planning the implementation of hip surveillance in other areas.
Glutamine Synthetase (GS): A Key Enzyme for Nitrogen Assimilation in The Macroalga Gracilariopsis lemaneiformis (Rhodophyta)
Authors: Liu Xiaojuan , Huan Zhongyan , Zhang Qingfang , Zhong Mingqi , Chen Weizhou , Aslam Muhammad , Du Hong
Published: June 2019

This study aimed to address the importance of glutamine synthetase II (GSII) during nitrogen assimilation in macroalga Gracilariopsis lemaneiformis. The cDNA full‐length sequence of the three glGSII genes was revealed to have the 5′ m7G cap, 5′‐untranslated region, open reading frame (ORF), 3′‐untranslated region, and a 3′ poly (A) tail. The three glGSIIs were classified into plastid glGS2 and cytosolic glGS1‐1 and glGS1‐2, having conserved GSII domains but different cDNA sequences. The complicated 5′ end flanking region indicates complex function of glGS genes. glGS1 genes were significantly up‐regulated under the different NH4+: NO3− ratio (i.e., 40:10, 25:25, 10:40, and 0:50) except glGS2 which dramatically up‐regulated under the low NH4+: NO3− ratio (i.e., 10:40 and 0:50) during different cultivation times. These different expression patterns perhaps are due to the different biological roles of GS1 and GS2 in the gene family. Furthermore, hypothetical working model of nitrogen assimilation pathway exhibiting the role of glGS1 and glGS2 is proposed. Finally, glGS2 was expressed in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3), and the optimal conditions for culture (15°C, overnight), purification (500 mM imidazole washing), and activity (pH 7.4, 37°C) were established. This study lays a very important foundation for exploring the role of GS in nitrogen assimilation in algae and plants.
Efficacy of toothbrushing procedures performed in intensive care units in reducing the risk of ventilator‐associated pneumonia: A systematic review
Authors: de Camargo Luiz , da Silva Silvana Nunes , Chambrone Leandro
Published: June 2019

The aim of this systematic review (SR) was to assess whether toothbrushing‐based oral heath measure (OHM), performed in intensive care units, can reduce the risk of ventilator‐associated pneumonia (VAP). Dental biofilm removal has been considered important to prevent VAP. PUBMED, SCOPUS, WEB OF SCIENCE and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) databases were searched up to and including December 2018 to identify randomized clinical trials (RCT) on the use of toothbrushing procedures in the prevention of VAP. Search was conducted by two independent reviewers. The risk of bias of each included study was assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration's domain‐based, two‐part tool. Random effects meta‐analyses were conducted thoroughly. Search strategy identified 215 potentially eligible articles, of which 12 RCT were included. All studies evidenced the importance of OHM in mechanically ventilated patients in order to prevent VAP. Seven RCT (58.3%) found some degree of positive association between toothbrushing, alone or associated to oral topical chlorhexidine (CHX), and a potential reduction of mechanical ventilation‐related outcomes and dental biofilm/oral bacteria. However, pooled estimates did not identify an additional decrease of VAP incidence for any of the tested procedures (ie, toothbrushing + CHX versus swab/gauze cleaning + CHX or toothbrushing + CHX versus toothbrushing alone or + placebo). Toothbrushing does not seem to promote a reduction of VAP‐outcomes compared to swab/gauze cleaning, when topic CHX is applied for oral hygiene of patients submitted to mechanical ventilation.
Understanding and predicting sensory crispness of deep‐fried battered and breaded coatings
Authors: Voong Kha Yiu , Norton‐Welch Abigail , Mills Thomas B. , Norton Ian T.
Published: June 2019

Crusted crispness refers to coatings with a dry and brittle surface contrasting a high‐moisture core; it is desirable for the enjoyment and quality of deep‐fried goods. This study aims to investigate instrumental measurements and sensory measurements of crispness. Deep‐fried breadcrumb coatings of eight sizes were investigated: 4.0 mm, 2.8 mm, 2.0 mm, 1.4 mm, 1.0 mm, 710 μm, 500 μm, and 355 μm. Sensory profiling was carried out to develop a tailored lexicon for deep‐fried battered and breaded shrimp. Principal component analysis highlights that large breadcrumb sizes correlate with crispness, hardness, particle size, surface color, color uniformity, surface irregularity, total porosity, maximum force, area, drop in force, number of sound peaks, and sound pressure level. Agglomerative hierarchical clustering was used to confirm clustering of samples according to breadcrumb size. Multiple factor analysis confirmed overall correlation between sensory measurements and instrumental measurements (RV = 0.810). Partial least squares regression was used to develop a predictive model for crispness from instrumental measurements (R2 = .854). The use of texture analysis and Acoustics provide information of the structures strength and deformation behavior, while X‐ray microCT provides a high resolution and noninvasive method that acquires information on the internal morphology. These instrumental methods collectively demonstrate the relationship between microstructure to sensory. This study investigates how a change in the microstructure of deep‐fried battered and breaded coatings affect crispness perception. These changes were investigated analytically and by using a sensory panel, this is important from a manufacturing perspective in order to understand what the major contributors are to a crisp texture. The key highlights of this study include both instrumental measurements and sensory measurements can be used to measure crispness as both types of testing are correlated. Changes in the size of breadcrumbs affect both instrumental measurements and sensory measurements. A predictive model can be re‐simulated to allow prediction of crispness in deep‐fried battered and breaded coatings.
Structural changes and stress relaxation behavior of κ‐carrageenan cold‐processed gels: Effects of ultrasonication time and power
Authors: Zendeboodi Fetemeh , Farahnaky Asgar , Gholian Mohammad Mahdi
Published: June 2019

Ultrasound has been used for cold gelation of κ‐carrageenan hydrocolloid. In this work, the effect of ultrasound conditions such as power (50–150 W) and time (20–240 s) of sonication has been investigated. The application of ultrasound to hydrocolloid dispersion caused an increase in water solubility. The texture profile analysis test was used in order to evaluate the mechanical properties of gels. Textural parameters of κ‐carrageenan gels, enhanced with increasing sonication time and power up to a certain level (usually 2.5 min) and longer sonication times had negative effects. In addition, intrinsic viscosities of sonicated specimens were measured to investigate the molecular characteristics of all samples. An increase in the process time and power reduced the intrinsic viscosity. The microstructural observation by scanning electron microscope determined that applying power ultrasound on κ‐carrageenan dispersions influenced the formation of gel networks significantly.
Plausible lies and implausible truths: Police investigators’ preferences while portraying the role of innocent suspects
Authors: Elaad Eitan
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The present study was designed to examine differences between the preferences of police investigators and laypeople for lies over implausible truths, when assigned to the role of innocent suspects in simulated police investigation scenarios, in order to convince the interrogator of their innocence.

Methods

Thirty police investigators and thirty laypeople were asked to report how they would behave in four imaginary implausible crime scenarios, given their role as innocent suspects. Participants responded by selecting one of the following four alternative behaviours for each scenario: implausible truth, concealment, partial lie, and utter lie.

Results

Results showed that police investigators tended to select plausible lies rather than less plausible truths. Laypeople adhered to less plausible truths. Results were explained by investigators’ biased self‐assessed lie‐detection and truth‐telling abilities, which correlated positively with lying preferences.

Conclusions

It was suggested that innocent suspects should abandon the unrealistic belief that truth will prevail and be ultimately validated. They are advised instead to prepare a convincing story prior to the criminal interrogation and, if necessary, to conceal unexplained implausible statements from interrogators.
Comparative effectiveness of common therapies for Wilson disease: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of controlled studies
Authors: Appenzeller‐Herzog Christian , Mathes Tim , Heeres Marlies L.S. , Weiss Karl Heinz , Houwen Roderick H.J. , Ewald Hannah
Published: June 2019

Background & aims

Wilson disease (WD) is a rare disorder of copper metabolism. The objective of this systematic review was to determine the comparative effectiveness and safety of common treatments of WD.

Methods

We included WD patients of any age or stage and the study drugs D‐penicillamine, zinc salts, trientine and tetrathiomolybdate. The control could be placebo, no treatment or any other treatment. We included prospective, retrospective, randomized and non‐randomized studies. We searched Medline and Embase via Ovid, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and screened reference lists of included articles. Where possible, we applied random‐effects meta‐analyses.

Results

The 23 included studies reported on 2055 patients and mostly compared D‐penicillamine to no treatment, zinc, trientine or succimer. One study compared tetrathiomolybdate and trientine. Post‐decoppering maintenance therapy was addressed in one study only. Eleven of 23 studies were of low quality. When compared to no treatment, D‐penicillamine was associated with a lower mortality (odds ratio 0.013; 95% CI 0.0010 to 0.17). When compared to zinc, there was no association with mortality (odds ratio 0.73; 95% CI 0.16 to 3.40) and prevention or amelioration of clinical symptoms (odds ratio 0.84; 95% CI 0.48 to 1.48). Conversely, D‐penicillamine may have a greater impact on side effects and treatment discontinuations than zinc.

Conclusions

There are some indications that zinc is safer than D‐penicillamine therapy while being similarly effective in preventing or reducing hepatic or neurological WD symptoms. Study quality was low warranting cautious interpretation of our findings.
Tadalafil, a phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor, restores urethra and detrusor function in the initial phase of diabetes in rats
Authors: Gotoh Daisuke , Torimoto Kazumasa , Iwasaki Hirotaka , Iwamoto Takashi , Morizawa Yosuke , Hori Shunta , Miyake Makito , Tanaka Nobumichi , Hirayama Akihide , Nishi Eiichiro , Fujimoto Kiyohide
Published: June 2019

Objective

This study investigated the effects of tadalafil on the urethra and detrusor in the initial phase of diabetes in rats.

Methods

Thirty‐six female Sprague‐Dawley rats were assigned to a non‐diabetes (ND), diabetes (D), or tadalafil‐treated diabetes (DT) group (n = 12 per group), with the DT group receiving oral tadalafil (2 mg/kg/d) for 7 days before the experiments. Seven weeks after diabetes induction (by a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin), urethral and intravesical pressure were simultaneously recorded in vivo, whereas responses of detrusor strips to potassium chloride (30 mM), electrical field stimulation (EFS) and carbachol were measured in vitro.

Results

The intravesical pressure at which the urethra started to relax was significantly lower in the DT than D group (mean [± s.d.] 18.9 ± 2.9 vs 29.1 ± 6.6 cm H2O; P < .05). In addition, the reduction in urethral pressure was significantly larger in the DT than D group (−10.9 ± 4.0 vs −4.0 ± 2.9 cm H2O; P < .05). Detrusor stimulation revealed that the mean contractile responses to EFS and carbachol were significantly lower in the ND and DT groups than in the D group (120.7 ± 26.5% and 130.8 ± 15.8% vs 200.1 ± 47.9% of the 30 mM KCl‐induced contraction, respectively, in response to 50 Hz EFS [P < .05]; 211.1 ± 35.4% and 208.4 ± 25.3% vs 425.7 ± 125.0% of the 30 mM KCl‐induced contraction, respectively, in response to 10−3 M carbachol [P < .05]).

Conclusions

Tadalafil restored urethral relaxation function and detrusor responses to EFS and carbachol during the initial phase of diabetes.
Diversity of extracytoplasmic function sigma (σECF) factor‐dependent signaling in Pseudomonas
Authors: Otero‐Asman Joaquín R. , Wettstadt Sarah , Bernal Patricia , Llamas María A.
Published: June 2019

Pseudomonas bacteria are widespread and are found in soil and water, as well as pathogens of both plants and animals. The ability of Pseudomonas to colonize many different environments is facilitated by the multiple signaling systems these bacteria contain that allow Pseudomonas to adapt to changing circumstances by generating specific responses. Among others, signaling through extracytoplasmic function σ (σECF) factors is extensively present in Pseudomonas. σECF factors trigger expression of functions required under particular conditions in response to specific signals. This manuscript reviews the phylogeny and biological roles of σECF factors in Pseudomonas, and highlights the diversity of σECF‐signaling pathways of this genus in terms of function and activation. We show that Pseudomonas σECF factors belong to 16 different phylogenetic groups. Most of them are included within the iron starvation group and are mainly involved in iron acquisition. The second most abundant group is formed by RpoE‐like σECF factors, which regulate the responses to cell envelope stress. Other groups controlling solvent tolerance, biofilm formation and the response to oxidative stress, among other functions, are present in lower frequency. The role of σECF factors in the virulence of Pseudomonas pathogenic species is described.
Cytokines in gingivocrevicular fluid of rheumatoid arthritis patients: A review of the literature
Authors: Rahajoe Poerwati S. , Smit Menke J. , Kertia Nyoman , Westra Johanna , Vissink Arjan
Published: June 2019

Objective

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and periodontitis share several pathological features including bone and soft tissue destruction and high levels of circulating inflammatory proteins. Studies related to cytokines in the periodontal inflammatory exudate (gingivocrevicular fluid, GCF) of RA patients might provide insight into the association between periodontitis and RA. The aim of our study was to review the literature on cytokines in GCF of RA patients including the effect of anti‐rheumatic treatment with biological disease‐modifying anti‐rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and periodontal treatment on these cytokines.

Materials and methods

MedLine/PubMed searches with different combinations of keywords “rheumatoid arthritis or RA” and “crevicular fluid or GCF” until June 2019 revealed 64 articles. Ten cross‐sectional observational studies and nine treatment studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria.

Results

Rheumatoid arthritis patients have increased circulating and GCF levels of pro‐inflammatory cytokines and proteins, despite anti‐rheumatic treatment with biological DMARDs. Presence of periodontitis was accompanied by higher cytokine and protein levels. Treatment of periodontitis resulted in a decrease of these levels.

Conclusion

Analysis of GCF of RA patients reveals that the relationship between periodontitis and RA is bidirectional, probably caused by a non‐specific inflammatory burden. Data for a specific relationship are barely present in GCF.
Distant metastases in newly diagnosed tongue squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Cai Xinjia , Huang Junhui
Published: June 2019

Objective

To characterize the incidence and survivals of patients with distant metastases in newly diagnosed tongue squamous cell carcinoma.

Materials and methods

Patients with distant metastases in newly diagnosed tongue squamous cell carcinoma were collected from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database. Data were classified by sex, age, race, insurance status, T stage, N stage and grade. Multivariable logistic and Cox regression were used to demonstrate risk factors of the presence of distant metastases and hazards related to mortality, respectively.

Results

We found 92 patients with distant metastases in newly diagnosed tongue squamous cell carcinoma, including lung, bone, liver, and brain, representing 1.08% of the entire cohort. 69 were male and 23 were female. Median survival among patients with distant metastases was 4.0 months.

Conclusion

The study describes the incidence and prognosis of patients with distant metastases in newly diagnosed tongue squamous cell carcinoma based on population estimates. The findings lend support to closely monitor the development of distant metastases among patients with predictors at the time of diagnosis of tongue squamous cell carcinoma.
Use of partially hydrolysed formula in infancy and incidence of eczema, respiratory symptoms or food allergies in toddlers from the ELFE cohort
Authors: Davisse‐Paturet Camille , Raherison Chantal , Adel‐Patient Karine , Divaret‐Chauveau Amandine , Bois Corinne , Dufourg Marie‐Noëlle , Lioret Sandrine , Charles Marie‐Aline , de Lauzon‐Guillain Blandine
Published: June 2019

Background and objectives

Partially hydrolyzed formulas (pHF) are recommended in non‐breastfed infants with familial history of allergy to prevent allergy development. However, recent meta‐analysis does not provide strong support for their protective effect. The present work assesses the links between 2‐month infant formula use and the incidence of eczema, respiratory symptoms, or food allergies (FA) up to 2 years of age.

Methods

The nationwide ELFE birth cohort is a population‐based study from mainland France. Infant feeding (breast milk only, partially hydrolyzed formula with [pHF‐HA] or without a hypoallergenic label [pHF‐non‐HA], and non‐hydrolyzed formula [Nhf]) was reported at 2 months. Eczema, FA, and respiratory symptoms such as wheezing and asthma were reported at 2 months, 1 year, and 2 years. Infants with prior FA at 2 months were excluded from analyses.

Results

Among 11 720 infants, those who received only breast milk at 2 months were at lower risk of eczema at 1 year than those who received nHF (OR[95% CI] = 0.78[0.65‐0.94] in non‐at‐risk infants; 0.86[0.75‐0.98] in at‐risk infants). The use of pHF‐HA, compared with nHF, at 2 months was related to higher risk of wheezing at 1 year in at‐risk infants (1.68[1.24‐2.28]) and higher risk of FA at 2 years both in non‐at‐risk infants (3.78[1.52‐9.41]) and in at‐risk infants (2.31[1.36‐3.94]).

Conclusions

In this nationwide study, pHF‐HA use was not associated with a lower risk of any of the studied outcomes. Quite the reverse, it was associated with a higher risk of wheezing and FA. This should be confirmed in further studies.
In vitro and in vivo efficacy of anti‐chikungunya virus monoclonal antibodies produced in wild‐type and glycoengineered Nicotiana benthamiana plants
Authors: Hurtado Jonathan , Acharya Dhiraj , Lai Huafang , Sun Haiyan , Kallolimath Somanath , Steinkellner Herta , Bai Fengwei , Chen Qiang
Published: June 2019

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is a mosquito‐transmitted alphavirus, and its infection can cause long‐term debilitating arthritis in humans. Currently, there are no licensed vaccines or therapeutics for human use to combat CHIKV infections. In this study, we explored the feasibility of using an anti‐CHIKV monoclonal antibody (mAb) produced in wild‐type (WT) and glycoengineered (∆XFT) Nicotiana benthamiana plants in treating CHIKV infection in a mouse model. CHIKV mAb was efficiently expressed and assembled in plant leaves and enriched to homogeneity by a simple purification scheme. While mAb produced in ∆XFT carried a single N‐glycan species at the Fc domain, namely GnGn structures, WT produced mAb exhibited a mixture of N‐glycans including the typical plant GnGnXF3 glycans, accompanied by incompletely processed and oligomannosidic structures. Both WT and ∆XFT plant‐produced mAbs demonstrated potent in vitro neutralization activity against CHIKV. Notably, both mAb glycoforms showed in vivo efficacy in a mouse model, with a slight increased efficacy by the ∆XFT‐produced mAbs. This is the first report of the efficacy of plant‐produced mAbs against CHIKV, which demonstrates the ability of using plants as an effective platform for production of functionally active CHIKV mAbs and implies optimization of in vivo activity by controlling Fc glycosylation.
Urinary tract infection caused by extended‐spectrum β‐lactamase‐producing bacteria: Risk factors and antibiotic resistance
Authors: Albaramki Jumana H , Abdelghani Tariq , Dalaeen Alaa , Khdair Ahmad Fareed , Alassaf Abeer , Odeh Rasha , Akl Kamal
Published: June 2019

Background

The aim of this study was to investigate the risk factors for acquisition of extended spectrum β‐lactamase (ESBL)‐producing bacteria in community‐acquired urinary tract infection (UTI) and to evaluate their antimicrobial resistance.

Methods

The medical records of hospitalized children were retrospectively evaluated. Children with ESBL‐producing bacteria UTI were matched with controls with non‐ESBL‐producing bacteria UTI of the same age and gender.

Results

A total of 243 patients with community‐acquired UTI in a 5 year period were evaluated, of whom 46% had UTI caused by ESBL bacteria. Seventy‐seven cases were matched with 77 controls. There were no significant differences in the clinical presentation between the two groups apart from a longer hospital stay in the ESBL group (9.1 ± 5.5 days vs 8.0 ± 4.4 days, P = 0.013). Significant potential risk factors for ESBL‐UTI were previous use of antibiotics in the last 3 months, previous hospitalization in the last 3 months, history of recurrent UTI, and presence of renal anomalies. On logistic regression analysis, history of previous hospitalization in the last 3 months (OR, 3.83; 95%CI: 1.49–9.84) was identified as an independent significant risk factor for ESBL‐UTI. There was a significantly higher resistance to amoxicillin‐clavulanate, amikacin, gentamycin and quinolones in the ESBL group compared with the control group.

Conclusion

Recognizing the risk factors for ESBL‐UTI helps to identify the high‐risk cases and enables proper management.
Adult gastroenterologists’ views on transitional care: Results from a survey
Authors: Kumagai Hideki , Kudo Takahiro , Uchida Keiichi , Kunisaki Reiko , Sugita Akira , Ohtsuka Yoshikazu , Arai Katsuhiro , Kubota Mitsuru , Tajiri Hitoshi , Suzuki Yasuo , Shimizu Toshiaki
Published: June 2019

Background

In 2018, Japanese guidelines for autonomy support of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in the transitional period were published. These guidelines, however, were prepared mainly by pediatric gastroenterologists. In order to improve such supportive guidelines, it is necessary for pediatric gastroenterologists to be aware of the attitudes and expectations of adult gastroenterologists. Accordingly, the first Japanese national survey designed to explore the views of adult gastroenterologists regarding successful transitional care was conducted.

Methods

The survey involved institutions at which adult gastroenterologists in the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare of Japan's Inflammatory Bowel Diseases Study Group, were working. Physicians were contacted by conventional mail, and their answers were not anonymized. A total of 100 eligible adult institutions were identified. Further specific subgroup analysis was conducted.

Results

A response rate of 34% was achieved. Seventy‐six percent of the respondents had experienced some degree of difficulty when accepting patients with childhood‐onset IBD referred from pediatric gastroenterologists. With regard to the ideal form of medical care for adolescent patients with IBD, transfer to adult care was supported by 94% of the respondents. Only 27% of respondents, however, stated they would have no hesitation in accepting patients referred from pediatric care centers. Two crucial areas requiring improvement were identified: inadequate clinical summaries and lack of patient independence from their parents/caregivers.

Conclusions

The present survey results reinforce the importance of a transitional program of education for childhood‐onset IBD patients and the need to improve communication between adult and pediatric gastroenterologists.
Assessment of Biologically Effective Solar Ultraviolet Exposures for Court Staff and Competitors During a Major Australian Tennis Tournament
Authors: Igoe Damien P. , Amar Abdurazaq , Schouten Peter , Parisi Alfio V. , Turner Joanna
Published: June 2019

Sport is an integral and enduring part of many societies, such as Australia. Participation in outdoor sports, such as tennis, comes with a very real risk of dangerous solar ultraviolet exposure which can result in erythema (sunburn), serious conditions such as skin cancer, including melanoma, and eye conditions such as cataracts and pterygium. This study remotely assesses the effective ultraviolet exposures in response to the increased sun safety awareness at a major summertime tennis tournament in Australia. The assessment only uses publicly accessible data and information. It was found that tournament organizers have effectively adopted sun‐safe protocols into the uniform policy that the court officials (judges and ball kids) are mandated to follow. The combination of sun‐participant geometry and the photoprotection provided by uniforms significantly reduced the ambient ultraviolet exposure, which was recorded to be as high as 9.9 SED h−1, to just 1.0 and 0.5 SED h−1 for ball kids and judges, respectively, compared to up to 2.0 SED h−1 for players. Even though caution is needed against complacency with sun safety, with the need for the court officials and the players to still apply sunscreen, the court officials provided persistent visual role modeling of sun‐safe behaviors.
Multiple‐Winner Award Rules in Online Procurement Auctions
Authors: Wang Qi , Feng Juan , Jiang Xuping , Xie Jinhong
Published: June 2019

This study investigates a novel mechanism—multiple‐winner award rules—that are widely used in e‐procurement auctions and crowdsourcing sites. In many e‐procurement auctions, the auctioneer (i.e., the buyer) specifies three rules before the auction starts: (i) the size of the finalist set (from which the winner[s] will be chosen); (ii) the number of winners; and (iii) the allocation of the contract among the winners. We examine how these three rules affect auction performance using a dataset of online procurement auctions across a variety of product categories. We find that the multiple‐winner award rules significantly impact the suppliers’ participation decisions, which is an important factor in determining the economic performance of the auction (i.e., buyer's savings). Most interestingly, these three rules systematically induce opposite effects on auction participation for two types of suppliers: experienced and inexperienced bidders. For example, increasing the number of winners encourages experienced suppliers, but discourages inexperienced suppliers from participating in the auction. On the other hand, raising the disparity in the contract allocation among winning bidders (e.g., from 50/50 to 90/10 split) deters experienced suppliers, but motivates inexperienced suppliers to participate. These findings provide guidelines for industrial buyers and crowdsourcing hosts on how to effectively make use of multiple‐winner design levers to promote suppliers’ participation when designing procurement auctions and crowdsourcing contests.
Product Sourcing and Distribution Strategies under Supply Disruption and Recall Risks
Authors: He Long , Rong Ying , Shen Zuo‐Jun Max
Published: June 2019

When product recalls happen, firms not only have to incur additional logistics costs but also suffer from a damaged reputation. Besides, they may also supply disruption risk, under which a supplier could fail to deliver the quantity ordered at all. In this study, we discuss how to mitigate supply disruption and recall risks in the perspective of ( outbound) product distribution strategy in joint with ( inbound) sourcing decision. Specifically, we compare the dedicated and uniform distribution strategies as follows: in the dedicated strategy, the firm divides its market into several regions, and ships products from different suppliers based on the regions; whereas, in the uniform strategy, the firm serves the entire market by randomly shipping the products from several suppliers without distinguishing their sources. Through the comparison of both strategies, we show that the role of recall risk is different from that of supply disruption on the sourcing and distribution decision. In particular, single sourcing is optimal when both recall risk and disruption probability are low; dual sourcing with the dedicated strategy is optimal when the disruption probability is moderate and the recall risk is high; dual sourcing with the uniform strategy is optimal when the disruption probability is high. We also find that the positive correlation in recalls improves (undermines) the performance of the uniform (dedicated) strategy. In contrast, the positive correlation in supply disruptions only undermines the performance of the uniform strategy.
The pupil response as an indicator of user experience in a digital exercise game
Authors: Gutjahr Michael O. , Ellermeier Wolfgang , Hardy Sandro , Göbel Stefan , Wiemeyer Josef
Published: June 2019

To study whether psychophysiological indicators are suitable measures of user experience in a digital exercise game (exergame), a laboratory study employing both psychophysiological and self‐report measures was conducted. Sixty‐six participants cycled for 10 min on an ergometer while pupil diameter, skin conductance, and heart rate were measured; afterward, they completed a user experience questionnaire. The participants performed under three experimental conditions varying between subjects: active gaming (participants controlled the altitude of a digital bird by varying their pedal rate in order to catch letters flying across the screen), observing a game (they observed a replay of another participant’s game), and no‐game (blank screen). Only the gaming condition showed evidence for statistically significant pupil dilations—indicating emotional arousal—in response to game events (catching a letter) or corresponding points in time. The observational condition did not differ statistically from the no‐game control condition. Self‐reports also indicated that the gaming condition was rated most fun and least demanding. Other psychophysiological indicators (heart rate, skin conductance) showed no systematic effects in response to game events, rather they steadily increased during training. Thus, pupil responses were shown to be suitable indicators of positive emotional reactions to game events and user experience in a (training) game.