bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Artificial neural networks in neurorehabilitation: A scoping review
Authors: Moon Sanghee , Ahmadnezhad Pedram , Song Hyun-Je , Thompson Jeffrey , Kipp Kristof , Akinwuntan Abiodun E , Devos Hannes
Published: February 2020

BACKGROUND

Advances in medical technology produce highly complex datasets in neurorehabilitation clinics and research laboratories. Artificial neural networks (ANNs) have been utilized to analyze big and complex datasets in various fields, but the use of ANNs in neurorehabilitation is limited. OBJECTIVE: To explore the current use of ANNs in neurorehabilitation. METHODS: PubMed, CINAHL, and Web of Science were used for literature search. Studies in the scoping review (1) utilized ANNs, (2) examined populations with neurological conditions, and (3) focused rehabilitation outcomes. The initial search identified 1,136 articles. A total of 19 articles were included. RESULTS: ANNs were used for prediction of functional outcomes and mortality (n = 11) and classification of motor symptoms and cognitive status (n = 8). Most ANN-based models outperformed regression or other machine learning models (n = 11) and showed accurate performance (n = 6; no comparison with other models) in predicting clinical outcomes and accurately classifying different neurological impairments.

CONCLUSIONS

This scoping review provides encouraging evidence to use ANNs for clinical decision-making of complex datasets in neurorehabilitation. However, more research is needed to establish the clinical utility of ANNs in diagnosing, monitoring, and rehabilitation of individuals with neurological conditions.
Estimating the Asymptomatic Proportion of 2019 Novel Coronavirus onboard the Princess Cruises Ship, 2020
Authors: Mizumoto Kenji , Kagaya Katsushi , Zarebski Alexander , Chowell Gerardo
Published: February 2020

The potential infectiousness of asymptomatic COVID-19 cases together with a substantial fraction of asymptomatic infections among all infections, have been highlighted in clinical studies. We conducted statistical modeling analysis to derive the delay-adjusted asymptomatic proportion of the positive COVID-19 infections onboard the Princess Cruises ship along with the timeline of infections. We estimated the asymptomatic proportion at 17.9% (95% CrI: 15.5%–20.2%), with most of the infections occurring before the start of the 2-week quarantine.
From Isolation to Coordination: How Can Telemedicine Help Combat the COVID-19 Outbreak?
Authors: Zhai Yunkai , Wang Yichuan , Zhang Minhao , Gittell Jody Hoffer , Jiang Shuai , Chen Baozhan , Cui Fangfang , He Xianying , Zhao Jie , Wang Xiaojun
Published: February 2020

The rapid spread of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) presents China with a critical challenge. As normal capacity of the Chinese hospitals is exceeded, healthcare professionals struggling to manage this unprecedented crisis face the difficult question of how best to coordinate the medical resources used in highly separated locations. Responding rapidly to this crisis, the National Telemedicine Center of China (NTCC), located in Zhengzhou, Henan Province, has established the Emergency Telemedicine Consultation System (ETCS), a telemedicine-enabled outbreak alert and response network. ETCS is built upon a doctor-to-doctor (D2D) approach, in which health services can be accessed remotely through terminals across hospitals. The system architecture of ETCS comprises three major architectural layers: (1) telemedicine service platform layer, (2) telemedicine cloud layer, and (3) telemedicine service application layer. Our ETCS has demonstrated substantial benefits in terms of the effectiveness of consultations and remote patient monitoring, multidisciplinary care, and prevention education and training.
Assessing the impact of a symptom-based mass screening and testing intervention during a novel infectious disease outbreak: The case of COVID-19
Authors: Ge Yang , McKay Brian Kenneth , Sun Shengzhi , Zhang Feng , Handel Andreas
Published: February 2020

A symptom-based mass screening and testing intervention (MSTI) can identify a large fraction of infected individuals during an infectious disease outbreak. China is currently using this strategy for the COVID-19 outbreak. However, MSTI might lead to increased transmission if not properly implemented. We investigate under which conditions MSTI is beneficial.
Association between proteomic blood biomarkers and DTI/NODDI metrics in adolescent football players
Authors: Kawata Keisuke , Steinfeldt Jesse A. , Huibregtse Megan E. , Nowak Madeleine K. , Macy Jonathan T. , Shin Andrea , Chen Zhongxue , Ejima Keisuke , Kercher Kyle , Newman Sharlene D. , Cheng Hu
Published: February 2020

The objective of the study was to examine the association between diffusion MRI techniques [diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and neurite orientation/dispersion density imaging (NODDI)] and brain-injury blood biomarker levels [Tau, neurofilament-light (NfL), glial-fibrillary-acidic-protein (GFAP)] in high-school football and cross-country runners at their baseline, aiming to detect cumulative neuronal damage from prior seasons. Twenty-five football players and 8 cross-country runners underwent MRI and blood biomarker measures during preseason data collection. The whole-brain, tract-based spatial statistics was conducted for six diffusion metrics: fractional anisotropy (FA), mean diffusivity (MD), axial/radial diffusivity (AD, RD), neurite density index (NDI), and orientation dispersion index (ODI). Diffusion metrics and blood biomarker levels were compared between groups and associated within each group. The football group showed lower AD and MD than the cross-country group in various axonal tracts of the right hemisphere. Elevated ODI was observed in the football group in the right hemisphere of the corticospinal tract. Blood biomarker levels were consistent between groups except for elevated Tau levels in the cross-country group. Tau level was positively associated with MD and negatively associated with NDI in the corpus callosum of football players, but not in cross-country runners. Our data suggest that football players may develop axonal microstructural abnormality. Levels of MD and NDI in the corpus callosum were associated with serum Tau levels, highlighting the vulnerability of the corpus callosum against cumulative head impacts. Despite observing multimodal associations in some brain areas, neuroimaging and blood biomarkers may not strongly correlate to reflect the severity of brain damage.
Research on the relationship between postoperative D-dimer clearance and trauma infection complications in patients with different degrees of fracture
Authors: Ma Hai-Mei , Pan Yong-wei , Chen Lianxu
Published: February 2020

Background

Occurrence of thrombotic disease after orthopedic surgery has always been an important issue affecting the prognosis of patients. In this paper, retrospective analysis was used to analyze the D-dimer clearance rate after different degrees of fractures, suggesting that the D-dimer clearance rate can be used as an index to evaluate thrombotic diseases after orthopedic surgery.

Material/Methods

Seventy-five patients with orthopedic surgery were randomly selected from March to June 2017. According to the degrees of fractures and complications, they were divided into SF(single fracture), MF(multiple fracture), FCI(Fracture combined with infection)three groups, 25 in each group.D-dimer results of each case on 1 day, 2 days, 3 days, 4 days, 5 days, and 7 days after orthopedic surgery were recorded and counted.The slope of correlation equation of D-dimer value according to time is the D-dimer clearance rate.

Results

The D-dimer clearance rate in the SF□JMF □FCI group was −0.0490, −0.0502 and −0.0692□The P value is respectively 0.0049, 0.0061 and 0.0163, the difference is significant.

Conclusions

After traumatic fracture surgery, whether D-dimer clears at a normal rate is closely related to its outcome. Decreasing D-dimer clearance is related to postoperative infections and thrombotic diseases. D-dimer clearance can be used as an important parameter and observation index for judging the clinical outcome of patients with complications such as severe trauma and infection. At the same time, we can further study the cut-off value of D-dimer clearance.
Dose-response relationship between protein intake and muscle mass increase: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Tagawa Ryoichi , Watanabe Daiki , Ito Kyoko , Ueda Keisuke , Nakayama Kyosuke , Sanbongi Chiaki , Miyachi Motohiko
Published: February 2020

Background

Lean body mass (LBM) is essential for health; however, consensus regarding the effectiveness of protein interventions in increasing LBM is lacking.

Objective

Evaluate the dose-response relationship of the effects of protein on LBM.

Data Sources

PubMed and Ichushi-Web databases were searched. A manual search of the references of the literature included here and in other meta-analyses was conducted.

Study Selection

Randomized controlled trials evaluating the effect of protein intake on LBM were included.

Data Extraction

Two researchers independently screened the abstracts; five reviewed the full-texts.

Results

5402 subjects from 105 articles were included. In the multivariate-spline model, the mean and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for LBM increase for 0.1 g/kg body weight (BW)/day increment was 0.39 [95% CI, 0.36–0.41] kg and 0.12 [0.11–0.14] kg below and above total protein intake 1.3 g/kg BW/day, respectively.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that slightly increasing current protein intake for several months by 0.1 g/kg BW/day may increase or maintain LBM in a dose-response manner from 0.5 to 3.5 g/kg BW/day.
Genetic association of FMRP targets with psychiatric disorders
Authors: Clifton Nicholas E , Rees Elliott , Holmans Peter A , Pardiñas Antonio F. , Harwood Janet C , Di Florio Arianna , Kirov George , Walters James TR , O’Donovan Michael C , Owen Michael J , Hall Jeremy , Pocklington Andrew J
Published: February 2020

Abstract

Genes encoding the mRNA targets of Fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP) are enriched for genetic association with psychiatric disorders. However, many FMRP targets possess functions that are themselves genetically associated with psychiatric disorders, including synaptic transmission and plasticity, making it unclear whether the genetic risk is truly related to binding by FMRP or is alternatively mediated by the sampling of genes better characterised by another trait or functional annotation. Using published common variant, rare coding variant and copy number variant data, we examined the relationship between FMRP binding and genetic association with schizophrenia, major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder. We then explored the partitioning of genetic association between overrepresented functional categories. High-confidence targets of FMRP were enriched for common schizophrenia risk alleles, as well as rare loss-of-function andde novononsynonymous variants in cases. Similarly, through common variation, FMRP targets were associated with major depressive disorder, and we present novel evidence of association with bipolar disorder. These relationships could not be explained by membership of other functional annotations known to be associated with psychiatric disorders, including those related to synaptic structure and function. This study reinforces the evidence that targeting by FMRP captures a subpopulation of genes enriched for genetic association with a range of psychiatric disorders, across traditional diagnostic boundaries.
Combining rational design and continuous evolution on minimalist proteins that target DNA
Authors: Inamoto Ichiro , Sheoran Inder , Popa Serban C. , Hussain Montdher , Shin Jumi A.
Published: February 2020

We designedMEFto mimic the basic region/helix-loop-helix/leucine zipper (bHLHZ) domain of transcription factors Max and Myc, which bind with high DNA sequence specificity and affinity to the E-box motif (enhancer box, CACGTG). To makeMEF, we started with our rationally designed ME47, a hybrid of the Max basic region and E47 HLH, that effectively inhibited tumor growth in a mouse model of breast cancer. ME47, however, displays propensity for instability and misfolding. We therefore sought to improve ME47’s structural and functional features. We used phage-assisted continuous evolution (PACE) to uncover “nonrational” changes to complement our rational design. PACE mutated Arg12 that contacts the DNA phosphodiester backbone. We would not have rationally made such a change, but this mutation improved ME47’s stability with little change in DNA-binding function. We mutated Cys29 to Ser and Ala in ME47’s HLH to eliminate undesired disulfide formation; these mutations reduced E-box binding activity. To compensate, we fused the designed FosW leucine zipper to ME47 to increase the dimerization interface and improve protein stability and E-box targeting activity. This “franken-protein”MEFcomprises the Max basic region, E47 HLH, and FosW leucine zipper—plus mutations that arose during PACE and rational design—and is a tractable, reliable proteinin vivoandin vitro.Compared with ME47,MEFgives three-fold stronger binding to E-box with four-fold increased specificity for E-box over nonspecific DNA. Generation ofMEFdemonstrates that combining rational design and continuous evolution can be a powerful tool for designing proteins with robust structure and strong DNA-binding function.
Networks of HIV-1 envelope glycans maintain antibody epitopes in the face of glycan additions and deletions
Authors: Seabright Gemma E. , Cottrell Christopher A. , van Gils Marit J. , D’addabbo Alessio , Harvey David J. , Behrens Anna-Janina , Allen Joel D. , Watanabe Yasunori , Maker Allison , Vasiljevic Snezana , de Val Natalia , Sanders Rogier W. , Ward Andrew B. , Crispin Max
Published: February 2020

Numerous broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs) have been identified that target the glycans of the HIV-1 envelope spike. Neutralization breadth is notable given that glycan processing can be substantially influenced by the presence or absence of neighboring glycans. Here, using a stabilized recombinant envelope trimer, we investigate the degree to which mutations in the glycan network surrounding an epitope impact the fine glycan processing of antibody targets. Using cryo-electron microscopy and site-specific glycan analysis, we reveal the hierarchy of importance of glycans in the formation of the 2G12 bnAb epitope, and show that the epitope is only subtly impacted by variations in the glycan network. In contrast, we show that the PG9 and PG16 glycan-based epitopes at the trimer apex are dependent on the presence of the highly conserved surrounding glycans. Glycan networks underpin the conservation of bnAb epitopes and are an important parameter in immunogen design.
Structural and functional characterization of the Spo11 core complex
Authors: Bouuaert Corentin Claeys , Tischfield Sam E. , Pu Stephen , Mimitou Eleni P. , Arias-Palomo Ernesto , Berger James M. , Keeney Scott
Published: February 2020

Spo11, which makes DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) essential for meiotic recombination, is poorly understood mechanistically because it has been recalcitrant to biochemical study. Here, we provide a molecular analysis ofS. cerevisiaeSpo11 purified with partners Rec102, Rec104 and Ski8. Rec102 and Rec104 jointly resemble the B subunit of archaeal Topoisomerase VI, with Rec104 similar to a GHKL domain but without conserved ATPase motifs. Unexpectedly, the Spo11 complex is monomeric (1:1:1:1 stoichiometry), indicating that dimerization may control DSB formation. Reconstitution of DNA binding reveals topoisomerase-like preferences for duplex-duplex junctions and bent DNA. Spo11 also binds noncovalently but with high affinity to DNA ends mimicking cleavage products, suggesting a mechanism to cap DSB ends. Mutations that reduce DNA bindingin vitroattenuate DSB formation, alter DSB processing, and reshape the DSB landscapein vivo. Our data reveal structural and functional similarities between the Spo11 core complex and Topo VI, but also highlight differences reflecting their distinct biological roles.
Probing SWATH-MS as a tool for proteome level quantification in a non-model fish
Authors: Monroe Alison A. , Zhang Huoming , Schunter Celia , Ravasi Timothy
Published: February 2020

Quantitative proteomics via mass spectrometry can provide valuable insight into molecular and phenotypic characteristics of a living system. Recent mass spectrometry developments include data-independent acquisition (SWATH/DIA-MS), an accurate, sensitive, and reproducible method for analyzing the whole proteome. The main requirement for this method is the creation of a comprehensive spectral library. New technologies have emerged producing larger and more accurate species-specific libraries leading to a progressive collection of proteome references for multiple molecular model species. Here, for the first time, we set out to compare different spectral library constructions using multiple tissues from a coral reef fish to demonstrate its value and feasibility for non-model organisms. We created a large spectral library composed of 12,553 protein groups from liver and brain tissues. Via identification of differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) under fish exposure to environmental stressors we validated the application and usefulness of these different spectral libraries. Successful identification of significant DEPs from different environmental exposures occurred using the library with a combination of DIA+DDA data as well as both tissue types. Further analysis revealed expected patterns of significantly upregulated heat shock proteins in a dual condition of ocean warming and acidification indicating the biological accuracy and relevance of the method. This study provides the first reference spectral library for a coral reef fish and for a non-model organism. It represents a useful guide for the future building of accurate spectral library references in non-model organisms allowing the discovery of ecologically relevant changes in the proteome.
Improved Parameterization of Protein–DNA Interactions for Molecular Dynamics Simulations of PCNA Diffusion on DNA
Authors: You Sunjoo , Lee Hongeun , Kim Kimoon , Yoo Jejoong
Published: February 2020

Here, we quantitatively evaluate the accuracy of the protein–DNA interactions in AMBER and CHARMM force fields by comparing experimental and simulated diffusion coefficients of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). We find that both force fields underestimate diffusion coefficients by at least an order of magnitude because the interactions between basic amino acids and DNA phosphate groups are too attractive. Then, we propose Lennard-Jones parameters optimized using the experimental osmotic pressure data of model chemicals, by using which one can reproduce the experimental diffusion coefficients. Newly optimized parameters will have a broad impact on general protein–DNA interactions.
Identification of a Nonsense-Mediated Decay pathway at the Endoplasmic Reticulum
Authors: Longman Dasa , Jackson-Jones Kathryn A. , Maslon Magdalena M. , Murphy Laura C. , Young Robert S. , Stoddart Jack J. , Taylor Martin S. , Papadopoulos Dimitrios K. , Cáceres Javier F.
Published: February 2020

Nonsense-mediated decay (NMD) is a translation-dependent RNA quality control mechanism that occurs in the cytoplasm. However, it is unknown how NMD regulates the stability of RNAs translated at the Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER). Here, we identify a localized NMD pathway dedicated to ER-translated mRNAs. We previously identified NBAS, a component of the Syntaxin 18 complex involved in Golgi-to-ER trafficking, as a novel NMD factor. Here, we show that NBAS fulfils an independent function in NMD. This ER-NMD pathway requires the interaction of NBAS with the core NMD factor UPF1, which is partially localized at the ER in the proximity of the translocon. NBAS and UPF1 co-regulate the stability of ER-associated transcripts, in particular those associated with the cellular stress response. We propose a model where NBAS recruits UPF1 to the membrane of the ER and activates an ER-dedicated NMD pathway, thus providing an ER protective function by ensuring quality control of ER-translated mRNAs.

Graphical Abstract

HIGHLIGHTS

NBAS is an NMD factor that localizes to the membrane of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER)

NBAS has dual, independent, roles in Golgi-to-ER retrograde transport and in ER-NMD

NBAS recruits the core NMD factor UPF1 to the membrane of the ER

The ER-NMD pathway targets for degradation mRNAs that are translated at the ER
Serum alpha-mannosidase as an additional barrier to eliciting oligomannose-specific HIV-1-neutralizing antibodies
Authors: Bruxelle Jean-François , Kirilenko Tess , Qureshi Quratulain , Lu Naiomi , Trattnig Nino , Kosma Paul , Pantophlet Ralph
Published: February 2020

Oligomannose-type glycans on HIV-1 gp120 form a patch that is targeted by several broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs) and that therefore is of interest to vaccine design. However, attempts to elicit similar oligomannose-specific bnAbs by immunizing with oligomannosidic glycoconjugates have only been modestly successful so far. A common assumption is that eliciting oligomannose-specific bnAbs is hindered by B cell tolerance, resulting from the presented oligomannosides being sensed as self molecules. Here, we present data, along with existing scientific evidence, supporting an additional, or perhaps alternate, explanation: serum mannosidase trimming of the presented oligomannosidesin vivo. Mannosidase trimming lessens the likelihood of eliciting antibodies with capacity to bind full-sized oligomannose, which typifies the binding mode of existing bnAbs to the oligomannose patch. The rapidity of the observed trimming suggests the need for immunization strategies and/or synthetic glycosides that readily avoid or resist mannosidase trimming upon immunization and can overcome possible tolerance restrictions.
Beyond copper: China and Chile relations
Authors: Serrano Moreno Juan Enrique , Pérez Ceballos Alejandra , De Abreu Negrón María Gabriela
Published: February 2020

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the Chile–China diplomatic and economic relations in the light of the extension of the bilateral free trade agreement (FTA) and the Chile's accession to the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in 2019.

Design/methodology/approach

This study takes Chile as a case of study to identify the main upcoming challenges and opportunities for relations between China and Latin American and the Caribbean (LAC) countries. The study examines news and official data on trade, investment and foreign policy.

Findings

The findings are twofold. First, the increasing and diversification of exports from Chile to China. Second, the participation of Chinese companies in public tendering procedures, which is increasing Chinese foreign direct investment (FDI) in the country. The growing volume of trade does not make Chile's economy more dependent on copper exports, and Chinese investment may help solve the structural deficit in infrastructures of the Andean country.

Originality/value

This study presents an overview of Chile as a partner for China and evaluates the relationship's impact on the development of the former. Recently collected data on bilateral trade and investments are analyzed to contribute to the emerging literature on Chinese and Chile relations.
Corporate environmental communication: a closer look at the initiatives from leading manufacturing and IT organizations in India
Authors: Ramya S.M. , Shereen Aysha , Baral Rupashree
Published: February 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the level of environmental communication and the predominant themes of environmental initiatives and technologies used in India.

Design/methodology/approach

In this exploratory study, a manual content analysis was conducted using print and website data related to corporate environmental communication of 60 Indian companies listed in the Bombay Stock Exchange, representing the top thirty from manufacturing and information technology (IT) sector each.

Findings

The authors classified the level of importance based on seven attributes, distinguished between hard and soft disclosure and identified the prevalent environmental practices and technologies in each sector. The authors found that the environmental communication of the IT sector is technology-based than the manufacturing sector, but both are weak in acknowledging climate change.

Practical implications

Managers, across the two sectors, can make their organizations environmentally responsible by learning and applying the current practices/technologies and reap benefits by mimetic isomorphism or create competitive advantage.

Originality/value

Building on the theoretical and practical works in corporate sustainability and corporate social responsibility communication literature, the authors contribute to the stakeholder theory and voluntary disclosure theory. The findings of the study provide the much-needed base for future research that links the engineering and management community to take the scholarship further to prevent the climate crisis.
Fungal endophytes promote the accumulation of Amaryllidaceae alkaloids in Lycoris radiata
Authors: Zhou Jiayu , Liu Zhilin , Wang Songfeng , Li Jie , Li Yikui , Chen Wei‐Kang , Wang Ren
Published: February 2020

Lycoris radiata is a main source of Amaryllidaceae alkaloids; however, the low content of these alkaloids in planta remains a limit to their pharmaceutical development and utilization. The accumulation of secondary metabolites can be enhanced in plants inoculated with fungal endophytes. In this study, we analysed the diversity of culturable fungal endophytes in different organs of L. radiata. Then, by analysing the correlation between the detectable rate of each fungal species and the content of each tested alkaloid, we proposed several fungal candidates implicated in the increase of alkaloid accumulation. This was verified by inoculating these candidates to L. radiata plants. Based on the results of two independent experiments conducted in May 2018 and October 2019, the individual inoculation of nine fungal endophytes significantly increased the total content of the tested alkaloids in the entire L. radiata plants. This is the first study in L. radiata to show that fungal endophytes are able to improve the accumulation of various alkaloids. Therefore, our results provide insights into a better understanding of interactions between plants and fungal endophytes and suggest an effective strategy for enhancing the alkaloid content in the cultivation of L. radiata.
Effects and molecular mechanisms of Ninghong black tea extract in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease of rats
Authors: Shen Yu , Xiao Xiaojuan , Wu Kunlu , Wang Yanpeng , Yuan Yijun , Liu Jianwei , Sun Shuming , Liu Jing
Published: February 2020

The aim of this study is to observe the effects of Ninghong black tea extract on fat deposition and high‐fat diet‐induced nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and to explore the potential mechanisms of these effect. Under 2% Ninghong black tea extract diet feeding in rat model, the results showed that Ninghong black tea extract decreased the body fat ratio and the number of lipid droplets in the liver and significantly alleviated NAFLD in the rat model. The real‐time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction results showed that Ninghong black tea extract significantly upregulated the expression of peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor α (PPARα), which is important in fatty acid β‐oxidation, and microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTP), which plays an important role in the synthesis of very low density lipoprotein (VLDL). By promoting the expression of PPARα and MTP in liver tissue and thereby promoting fatty acid β‐oxidation and VLDL synthesis, Ninghong black tea extract relieves high‐fat diet‐induced NAFLD.
Validity of the personality disorder diagnosis in the Swedish National Patient Register
Authors: Kouppis E. , Ekselius L.
Published: February 2020

Aims

The Swedish National Patient Register (NPR) is an exceptional source of information in clinical epidemiological research. The register is, however, not validated for the diagnosis of personality disorder (PD). We therefore assessed its validity in this patient group, and the group with emotionally unstable PD (EUPD)/borderline personality disorder (BPD).

Methods

Records from 100 random adult patients (aged 15–65 years) diagnosed with any PD in the NPR between 1987 and 2015 were analysed using a protocol based on general diagnostic criteria for PD, as well as specific criteria for EUPD/BPD in both ICD and DSM classification systems.

Results

Of the 100 patients, 27 had been given a diagnosis of EUPD, 23 another specific PD and 50 an unspecified PD. Using ICD criteria, 88 of 95 evaluable patients could be confirmed to have a PD, that is an agreement rate of 93%. Using DSM criteria, the agreement was lower (77 patients or 81%). Of 26 evaluable patients with a diagnosis of EUPD/BPD, the diagnosis was confirmed in all cases when using the ICD criteria, but in only 20 when using the DSM criteria.

Conclusions

The NPR is a valid source of data for the diagnosis of PD per se and also of EUPD in women.
Low signal intensities of MRI T1 mapping predict refractory diplopia in Graves’ ophthalmopathy
Authors: Matsuzawa Kazuhiko , Izawa Shoichiro , Kato Ayumi , Fukaya Kenji , Matsumoto Kazuhisa , Okura Tsuyoshi , Miyazaki Dai , Kurosaki Masamichi , Fujii Shinya , Taniguchi Shin‐ichi , Kato Masahiko , Yamamoto Kazuhiro
Published: February 2020

Objective

In Graves’ ophthalmopathy (GO), fibrosis in extraocular muscles (EOMs) may be related to intravenous glucocorticoid (ivGC)‐resistant diplopia. Signal intensity (SI) of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) T1 mapping can quantify properties of EOM components, including fibrosis. We investigated EOM features of GO patients with diplopia using T1 mapping SI and the predictive value of T1 mapping SI in the response of diplopia to ivGCs.

Design

We performed a cross‐sectional study that included 13 active GO patients, 34 inactive GO patients with history of diplopia, including 20 with a history of diplopia disappearance, 14 GO patients with refractory diplopia and 35 control subjects. In nine active GO patients, the relationship between T1 mapping SI at pretreatment and at diplopia outcome after ivGC treatment was prospectively investigated.

Methods

T1 mapping SI of left and right inferior rectus and medial rectus muscles was measured in all participants.

Results

T1 mapping SI in inactive GO patients with refractory diplopia was significantly lower than that of other groups in all evaluated EOMs. Diagnostic accuracy for refractory diplopia by T1 mapping SI in GO patients with a history of diplopia disappearance was excellent (AUC 0.89) compared with other assessments. Furthermore, among nine active GO patients, pretreatment T1 mapping SI in four patients with ivGC‐resistant diplopia tended to be low compared with the other five patients with improved diplopia.

Conclusions

Low intensity T1 mapping in EOMs is likely to be associated with refractory diplopia and may be useful in predicting the response of diplopia to ivGCs.
Of Kids and Unicorns: How Rational Is Children's Trust in Testimonial Knowledge?
Authors: Lascaux Alexander
Published: February 2020

When young children confront a vast array of adults' testimonial claims, they should decide which testimony to endorse. If they are unable to immediately verify the content of testimonial assertions, children adopt or reject their informants' statements on the basis of forming trust in the sources of testimony. This kind of trust needs to be based on some underlying reasons. The rational choice theory, which currently dominates the social, cognitive, and psychological sciences, posits that trust should be formed on a rational basis, as a result of probabilistic assessments and utility‐maximizing calculations. In this paper, the predictions stemming from the rational choice approach to trust are systematically compared with the empirical evidence from the field of developmental psychology on how children establish their trust in testimonial statements. The results of this comparison demonstrate an obvious inadequacy of the rational choice explanation of the emergence and development of children's testimonial trust, regardless of which form of trust rationality—weighting, threshold, or ordering—is examined. As none of the three forms of rationality of children's trust in testimony squares with the empirical data, this paper introduces a new version of trust rationality, adaptively rational trust. It explores the compatibility of the concept of adaptively rational trust with the recent empirical findings in the area of developmental psychology and addresses some avenues for future research on the rationality of testimonial trust.
Does It Matter How and How Much Politicians are Paid?
Authors: Altindag Duha T. , Filiz Elif S. , Tekin Erdal
Published: February 2020

An important question in representative democracies is how to ensure that politicians behave in the best interests of citizens rather than in their own private interests. One institutional device available to regulate the actions of politicians is their pay structure. This paper provides fresh insights into the impact of income on the performance of politicians using a unique law change implemented in Turkey in 2012. Members of parliament (MPs) in Turkey, who are retired from their pre‐political career jobs, earn a retirement pension on top of their MP salaries. A 2012 law significantly increased MPs’ pension earnings by pegging it to 18% of the President's salary, while keeping the earnings of non‐retired MPs unchanged. Using a difference‐in‐differences strategy, we find that the increase in earnings due to the 2012 law reduced the overall performance of retired MPs, as measured by legislative activities, by 12.3% of a standard deviation. We find that the law change also reduced MPs’ attendance at parliamentary sessions. Given the design features of the Turkish reform, we believe that it is the increase in demand for leisure, not selection and re‐election incentives, that serves as the main explanation for our finding.
Commitment and transformative choice
Authors: Duncan Samuel
Published: February 2020

This paper presents a new solution to the problem of transformative choice raised by L.A. Paul's recent work. Paul thinks that transformative choices pose a problem because we cannot assess how much we would value the results of such choices due to the fact that we are unfamiliar with what the experiences that result will be like. I draw on Amartya Sen's notion of commitments and their place in our decision‐making for resources to address this problem. I argue that in many cases, such commitments give us all the grounds we need to assess the subjective value of a choice. This means that by drawing on commitments, we can rationally make transformative choices even if we do not know what the experience that results will be like. Moreover, unlike some proposed solutions to the problem posed by transformative choice, I think that my suggestion is compatible with the way Paul sets up the problem and does not rest on any sort of claim that her way of describing it is in mistaken in some way. In fact, I believe that in many ways, my proposal here builds on and takes further her own suggestion about how to solve the problem of transformative choice.
Motoric Cognitive Risk Syndrome in Polypharmacy
Authors: George Claudene J. , Verghese Joe
Published: February 2020

OBJECTIVES

Risk factors for motoric cognitive risk syndrome (MCR), a predementia syndrome characterized by slow gait and cognitive complaints, have been identified, but few are reversible. Polypharmacy is a potentially reversible risk factor for cognitive decline, but the relationship between MCR and polypharmacy has not been examined. Our aim was to compare the epidemiology of MCR and polypharmacy.

DESIGN

Cross‐sectional.

SETTING

Community‐based Health and Retirement Study cohort.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 1119 adults 65 years and older (mean age = 74.7 ± 7.0 y; 59% female).

MEASUREMENTS

Polypharmacy is defined as the use of five or more regularly scheduled medications. MCR is defined as cognitive complaints and slow gait in an individual without dementia.

RESULTS

The prevalence of MCR among 417 participants with polypharmacy was 10%; it was 6% among 702 participants without polypharmacy. The odds of meeting MCR criteria in those with polypharmacy was 1.8 (confidence interval = 1.0‐3.0; P = .035) compared with those without polypharmacy, even after adjusting for high‐risk medication use.

CONCLUSION

Our results show the coexistence of MCR and polypharmacy in older adults, suggesting a potentially modifiable risk factor for dementia. J Am Geriatr Soc 68:1072–1077, 2020
Healthcare practitioners’ experiences of postoperative pain management in lumbar spine surgery care—A qualitative study
Authors: Angelini Eva , Baranto Adad , Brisby Helena , Wijk Helle
Published: February 2020

Aims and objective

To explore and describe healthcare practitioners’ experiences of postoperative pain management to patients undergoing planned lumbar spine surgery by identifying the healthcare practitioners’ behaviours, attitudes and strategies.

Background

Poorly managed postoperative pain continues to cause suffering and prolong hospital care and may affect individual and team practitioners’ strategies and attitudes. The impact of these strategies and attitudes needs greater understanding.

Design

Descriptive qualitative study.

Methods

In‐depth interviews were conducted at a university hospital in Sweden during January–March 2016 with 9 healthcare practitioners (ages: 29–61 years; gender: male 3 and female 6; professions: medical doctor 3, registered nurse 3 and physiotherapist 3; professional experience: 1.5 months to 25 years). The interviews were analysed using Braun and Clarke's thematic analysis. The study adhered to the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research COREQ.

Results

The interviews revealed healthcare practitioners’ attitudes and strategies. Three themes were identified: (a) Connecting with the person was recognised as the key component in postoperative pain management; (b) Professionalism: a balancing act, accentuated health care practitioners’ duality in being both vulnerable and strong in delicate care situations; and (c) Collaboration: being constantly responsive, the necessity for healthcare practitioners to be constantly responsive to their environment.

Conclusions

The findings pinpoint the need for healthcare organisations to build structures enabling practitioners to deliver adequate pain management in acknowledging the practitioners’ delicate situation when facing patients in pain.

Relevance to clinical practice

Given the global need for postoperative pain management, our findings have international relevance. Preconceived expectations on specific pain need to be depicted and postoperative pain taken seriously to protect the patient as well as the healthcare practitioners.
Benefits of ensemble models in road pavement cracking classification
Authors: Rodriguez‐Lozano Francisco J. , León‐García Fernando , Gámez‐Granados Juan C. , Palomares Jose M. , Olivares J.
Published: February 2020

The maintenance of road pavements is an essential task to prevent major deterioration and to reduce accident rates. In this task, the detection and classification of different types of cracks on the roads is usually considered. However, in most cases, these tasks are not fully automated and they need to be supervised by an expert to make repair decisions. This work focuses on the automatic classification of the most common types of cracks: longitudinal cracks, transverse cracks, and alligator cracks. Our proposal combines, first, computer vision techniques for crack segmentation and second, an ensemble model (composed of different rule‐based algorithms) for the classification. This approach achieves an average precision and recall values greater than 94% for three analyzed data sets improving the results in comparison to other approaches.
Iron deficiency leads to repression of a non‐canonical methionine salvage pathway in Schizosaccharomyces pombe
Authors: Brault Ariane , Labbé Simon
Published: February 2020

The methionine salvage pathway (MSP) regenerates methionine from 5′‐methylthioadenosine (MTA). Aerobic MSP consists of six enzymatic steps. The mug14+ and adi1+ genes that are involved in the third and fifth steps of the pathway are repressed when Schizosaccharomyces pombe undergoes a transition from high‐ to low‐iron conditions. Results consistently show that methionine auxotrophic cells (met6Δ) require iron for growth in the presence of MTA as the sole source of methionine. Inactivation of the iron‐using protein Adi1 leads to defects in the utilization of MTA. In the case of the third step of the pathway, co‐expression of two distinct proteins, Mta3 and Mde1, is required. These proteins are interdependent to rescue MTA‐dependent growth deficit of met6Δ cells. Coimmunoprecipitation experiments showed that Mta3 is a binding partner of Mde1. Meiotic met6Δ cells co‐expressing mta3+ and mde1+ or mta3+ and mug14+ produce comparable levels of spores in the presence of MTA, revealing that Mde1 and Mug14 share a common function when co‐expressed with Mta3 in sporulating cells. In sum, our findings unveil several novel features of MSP, especially with respect to its regulation by iron and the discovery of a non‐canonical third enzymatic step in the fission yeast.
Life has given me suffering and desire – A study of older men’s lives after the loss of their life partners
Authors: Koskinen Camilla , Nyman Gun‐Britt , Nyholm Linda
Published: February 2020

Background and aim

All human beings have the need to feel connected with others. However, researchers have found that for those aged 80+, loneliness markedly increases and that such loneliness is often linked to life changes or the loss of a close relative. The loss of a life partner is considered to have a greater impact on men’s identify, social engagement and management of life. The aim of this study was to deepen understanding of older (80+) men’s life after the loss of their life partners.

Theoretical framework

Caring science and Eriksson’s theory of caritative caring form the theoretical base for the study and its interpretative framework. The central concepts are suffering of life and desire of life.

Informants, methodology and methods

A total of five men aged 81–91 gave thereby consent for participation in the study. Emanating from hermeneutical methodology, qualitative deep interviews with a narrative approach were used to collect data. Thereafter, a six‐step qualitative thematic analysis in accordance with Braun and Clarke was used to analyse the text.

Interpretation and conclusion

Four themes emerged: reconciliation with one’s lived life, living in the present with uncertainty about the future, a reorientation in life including new living conditions and living with the hope of finding a new life partner and feeling loved. We found that loss can lead to suffering in life. The life can be filled with loneliness, emptiness, life weariness and an absence of desire, hope and longing. Yet there is a vitality in suffering that enables to find new meaning contexts and desire for life. Here, the fundamental choice underpinning the movement between life suffering and desire for life is comprised of reconciliation with one’s lived life, living in the present, daily habits and routines, being seen, participation, love and thoughtfulness.
Retrospective evaluation of urinary indwelling catheter type in cats with urethral obstruction (January 2014 to December 2014): 91 cases
Authors: Davidow Elizabeth B.
Published: February 2020

Objective

To investigate the influence of urinary catheter type on recurrence rate (rUO) in cats with urethral obstruction.

Design

Retrospective study.

Setting

Two private referral hospitals.

Animals

Ninety‐one cats diagnosed with urethral obstruction treated with a 3.5‐Fr Argyle (AR) or 3.5‐Fr red rubber (RR) indwelling catheter presenting in 2014.

Measurements and Main Results

One hundred sixty‐six cats were identified using diagnostic code search with 91 cats meeting inclusion criteria. All were treated with IV fluids, buprenorphine, prazosin, and an indwelling urethral catheter with a closed collection system. Catheter groups did not differ statistically in baseline characteristics, medication treatment, or catheterization time. Follow‐up was available for 91 cats at 24 hours, 86 cats at 7 days, and 84 cats at 30 days. There was no statistical difference in rUO between cats with different catheter types at any time in this retrospective study.

Conclusions

No difference in rUO was found in cats treated for urethral obstruction with a 3.5‐Fr AR or RR catheter, however, due to the retrospective nature of this study the inability to detect a difference may be due to the small sample size of this study. Recurrent urethral obstruction in this study at 30 days was 11%.
The Priority of Exploiting Fiscal Revenue or Lessening Public Expenditure: Evidence from China
Authors: Wang Yu kun , Zhang Li , Ho We-me
Published: February 2020

In the past 28 years, we find that except for the fiscal revenue of 5,132.1 billion yuan in 2007, which is greater than the fiscal expenditure of 4,978.1 billion yuan, presenting a fiscal surplus, the fiscal expenditure of the rest years is greater than the fiscal revenue, showing the situation of public sector net cash requirement (psncr), especially in 2011, the deficit( the gap between fiscal expenditure and fiscal revenue) is 537.3 billion yuan. Since then, the gap between expenditure and revenue has been increasing with each passing year. In 2015, the fiscal deficit is 2,368 billion yuan. In 2018, the fiscal deficit has been expanded to 3,754.4 billion yuan. In order to avoid the continuous increment of the deficit. This paper discusses the causal relationship between China's fiscal revenue and public expenditure from 1990 to 2018. If fiscal revenue has a positive impact on public expenditure, showing that the government shall reduce fiscal deficit through tax increment. On the contrary, it makes public expenditure continue to expand, leading to the continuous deterioration of fiscal deficit, so as to further decide whether China's future fiscal policy should adopt increasing fiscal revenue or deducting public expenditure policy to reduce the deficit.
Firm Performance, Corporate Governance Mechanisms and CEO Turnover: Evidence from Nigeria
Authors: Abdullahi Yahya Uthman , Tanko Magajiya
Published: February 2020

This paper examines the influence of firm performance and internal governance mechanisms on CEO turnover decision. The sample of the study is all Nigerian non-financial firms listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) from year 2011 to 2015 consisting of 72 cases of CEO turnover. Using logistic regression analysis, this study provides evidences that poor accounting-based performance (ROA) and low engagement of female directors in corporate boards do increase the probability of CEO turnover. Furthermore, firms dominated with foreign ownership and those with independent board nominating committee are swifter in removing their CEOs. However, this study fails to support the argument that firms with large board size and those that are dominated by managerial ownership, help to enhance the monitoring practices, which ought to sanction underperformed CEOs with dismissal. Consequently, this study recommends that the Nigerian government should enact a legislation on gender quota to ensure that more female directors are appointed to the boards and as well encourage more foreign ownership in the Nigerian corporate landscape by attracting foreign investment into the economy via favourable policies. This paper contributes to the literature concerning CEO succession in developing markets with poor corporate governance structure such as Nigeria.