bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lab hands and knowing toxic substances in Uganda
Authors: CALKINS SANDRA
Published: December 2020

How does one know a toxic substance? Perhaps paradoxically, through contact with it, as I show ethnographically from a molecular biology laboratory in Uganda, a site where people routinely handle a range of chemicals, including potentially hazardous toxicants. I analyse an everyday situation in which researchers worked with ethidium bromide, a substance regularly used to stain DNA bands in gels at this Ugandan lab but also in many comparable labs elsewhere. Ethidium bromide is one of the most fear‐inspiring chemicals at this lab; it is considered a potent mutagen and thus counts as highly carcinogenic. While the lab has clear safety procedures concerning how to handle this substance correctly, these are often not implemented in a hard‐to‐control lab setting marked by both material deprivation and a steady flow of unremunerated volunteers who seek to gain practical experience. I show how experienced Ugandan scientists have learned to mitigate their own risk of exposure to ethidium bromide by developing choreographed routines that prevent them from inadvertently touching it. I examine this as a way of ‘handling’ a dangerous substance, developing and habituating skilled movements of hands and bodies that then are passed on to other researchers. It is not an abstract knowledge of a substance's chemical properties that counts here; instead, knowing a toxic substance implies practical routines of handling.
A Career Told in Newsprint: James Woodhouse in the Press, 1763‐7
Authors: Van‐Hagen Steve
Published: December 2020

This article argues that insufficient attention has been paid within existing accounts of the career of the ‘Poetical Shoemaker’, James Woodhouse (1735‐1820), to items in the newspaper and periodical press about and by him, with specific reference to the years of his greatest fame, c.1763‐7. To remedy this, the article focuses most, within a wider account, on the publication of ‘The Advertisement’ to Woodhouse’s first volume in 1764, on an anonymous letter two days later, probably by Woodhouse himself, and on two poems addressed to Woodhouse by labouring‐class admirers which provide insight into his reception by the labouring classes.
Generalized hidden Markov models for phylogenetic comparative datasets
Authors: Boyko James D. , Beaulieu Jeremy M.
Published: December 2020

Hidden Markov models (HMMs) have emerged as an important tool for understanding the evolution of characters that take on discrete states. Their flexibility and biological sensibility make them appealing for many phylogenetic comparative applications.

Previously available packages placed unnecessary limits on the number of observed and hidden states that can be considered when estimating transition rates and inferring ancestral states on a phylogeny.

To address these issues, we expanded the capabilities of the R package corHMM to handle n‐state and n‐character problems and provide users with a streamlined set of functions to create custom HMMs for any biological question of arbitrary complexity.

We show that increasing the number of observed states increases the accuracy of ancestral state reconstruction. We also explore the conditions for when an HMM is most effective, finding that an HMM is an appropriate model when the degree of rate heterogeneity is moderate to high.

Finally, we demonstrate the importance of these generalizations by reconstructing the phyllotaxy of the ancestral angiosperm flower. Partially contradicting previous results, we find the most likely state to be a whorled perianth, whorled androecium, whorled gynoecium. The difference between our analysis and previous studies was that our modelling explicitly allowed for the correlated evolution of several flower characters.
A nationwide population‐based longitudinal study mapping psychiatric disorders during lifetime in siblings to patients with bipolar disorder
Authors: Vedel Kessing Lars , Ziersen Simon Christoffer , Andersen Per Kragh , Vinberg Maj
Published: December 2020

Objective

The aim was to map rates and cumulative incidences of psychiatric disorders during lifetime for siblings to patients with a diagnosis of bipolar disorder compared with the general population.

Methods

Danish nationwide population‐based longitudinal register linkage study including 13,923 unaffected siblings to 19,955 patients with bipolar disorder and 278,460 unaffected control individuals from the general population matched according to year of birth and sex. Follow‐up covered 22 years from 1995 to 2017.

Results

Rates of ‘any psychiatric disorder’ among siblings compared with control individuals were constantly around twofold increased throughout lifespan whereas there was a bimodal age distribution of hazard ratios of bipolar disorder, unipolar disorder and use of alcohol or psychoactive drugs with the highest hazard ratios up to age 20 and above 60 years of age. Cumulative incidences from age 15 years of any psychiatric disorder were 44.2% at age 80 years for siblings versus 27.6% for control individuals and the corresponding numbers for bipolar disorder was 8.7% for siblings compared with 1.6% for control individuals.

Conclusion

Strategies to prevent onset of psychiatric illness in individuals with a first‐generation family history of bipolar disorder should not be limited to adolescence and early adulthood but should be lifetime, likely with differentiated age‐specific strategies.
Impact of lanadelumab on health‐related quality of life in patients with hereditary angioedema in the HELP study
Authors: Lumry William R. , Weller Karsten , Magerl Markus , Banerji Aleena , Longhurst Hilary J. , Riedl Marc A. , Lewis Hannah B. , Lu Peng , Devercelli Giovanna , Jain Gagan , Maurer Marcus ,   the HELP Study Investigators
Published: December 2020

Background

An objective of the phase 3 HELP Study was to investigate the effect of lanadelumab on health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with hereditary angioedema (HAE).

Methods

Patients with HAE‐1/2 received either lanadelumab 150 mg every 4 weeks (q4wks; n = 28), 300 mg q4wks (n = 29), 300 mg every 2 weeks (q2wks; n = 27), or placebo (n = 41) for 26 weeks (days 0–182). The Angioedema Quality of Life Questionnaire (AE‐QoL) was administered monthly, consisting of four domain (functioning, fatigue/mood, fears/shame, nutrition) and total scores. The generic EQ‐5D‐5L questionnaire was administered on days 0, 98, and 182. Comparisons were made between placebo and (a) all lanadelumab‐treated patients and (b) individual lanadelumab groups for changes in scores (day 0–182) and proportions achieving the minimal clinically important difference (MCID, −6) in AE‐QoL total score.

Results

Compared with the placebo group, the lanadelumab total group demonstrated significantly greater improvements in AE‐QoL total and domain scores (mean change, −13.0 to −29.3; p < 0.05 for all); the largest improvement was in functioning. A significantly greater proportion of the lanadelumab total group achieved the MCID (70% vs 37%; p = 0.001). The lanadelumab 300 mg q2wks group had the highest proportion (81%; p = 0.001) and was 7.2 times more likely to achieve the MCID than the placebo group. Mean EQ‐5D‐5L scores at day 0 were high in all groups, indicating low impairment, with no significant changes at day 182.

Conclusion

Patients with HAE‐1/2 experienced significant and clinically meaningful improvements in HRQoL measured by AE‐QoL following lanadelumab treatment in the HELP Study.
Placental transverse relaxation time (T2) estimated by MRI: Normal values and the correlation with birthweight
Authors: Anderson Kristi B. , Andersen Anna S. , Hansen Ditte N. , Sinding Marianne , Peters David A. , Frøkjær Jens B. , Sørensen Anne
Published: December 2020

Introduction

Placental transverse relaxation time (T2) assessed by MRI may have the potential to improve the antenatal identification of small for gestational age. The aims of this study were to provide normal values of placental T2 in relation to gestational age at the time of MRI and to explore the correlation between placental T2 and birthweight.

Material and methods

A mixed cohort of 112 singleton pregnancies was retrieved from our placental MRI research database. MRI was performed at 23.6‐41.3 weeks of gestation in a 1.5T system (TE (8): 50‐440 ms, TR: 4000 ms). Normal pregnancies were defined by uncomplicated pregnancies with normal obstetric outcome and birthweight deviation within ±1 SD of the expected for gestational age. The correlation between placental T2 and birthweight was investigated using the following outcomes; small for gestational age (birthweight ≤−2 SD of the expected for gestational age) and birthweight deviation (birthweight Z‐scores).

Results

In normal pregnancies (n = 27), placenta T2 showed a significant negative linear correlation with gestational age (r = −.91, P = .0001) being 184 ms ± 15.94 ms (mean ± SD) at 20 weeks of gestation and 89 ms ± 15.94 ms at 40 weeks of gestation. Placental T2 was significantly reduced among small‐for‐gestational‐age pregnancies (mean Z‐score −1.95, P < .001). Moreover, we found a significant positive correlation between placenta T2 deviation (Z‐score) and birthweight deviation (Z‐score) (R2 = .26, P = .0001).

Conclusions

This study provides normal values of placental T2 to be used in future studies on placental MRI. Placental T2 is closely related to birthweight and may improve the antenatal identification of small‐for‐gestational‐age pregnancies.
Standardization of laparoscopic reversal of the Hartmann procedure: A single‐center report
Authors: Yamamoto Daisuke , Sakimura Yusuke , Kitamura Hirotaka , Tsuji Toshikatsu , Kadoya Shinichi , Bando Hiroyuki
Published: December 2020

Introduction

Reestablishing continuity after the Hartmann procedure, the Hartmann reversal has been recognized as a complex procedure with a high morbidity rate. Laparoscopic reversal of the Hartmann procedure (LHR) is technically challenging, although good short‐term results have been reported. We formulated this technique in 2013 and have been gradually devising and standardizing it.

Material and Surgical Technique

Ten patients who had undergone the Hartmann procedure from January 2013 to December 2019 and subsequently LHR were retrospectively examined. During the procedure, a circular incision was made at the original site of the colostomy to safely reach the abdominal cavity, and pneumoperitoneum was performed using the glove technique. Next, pelvic adhesions and the descending colon were dissected. If the rectal stump was difficult to identify, an intraoperative endoscope was used. Finally, either a Gambee or stapled anastomosis without tension was performed. The median surgical time was 265 minutes (range, 160‐435 minutes), and the median blood loss was 100 mL (range, 10‐700 mL). The median postoperative hospital stay was 11 days (range, 8‐14 days). In one case, laparotomy was performed because of severe intra‐abdominal adhesion.

Discussion

No major complication was observed during or after surgery. Therefore, LHR can be performed safely. Standardizing this procedure could render it minimally invasive, although a high level of evidence is needed.
5‐year randomized multicenter clinical trial on single dental implants placed in the midline of the edentulous mandible
Authors: Kern Matthias , Behrendt Christoph , Fritzer Elfriede , Kohal Ralf J. , Luthardt Ralph G. , Maltzahn Nadine Frfr. v. , Rädel Michael , Reissmann Daniel R. , Schwindling Franz Sebastian , Wolfart Stefan , Passia Nicole
Published: December 2020

Objectives

This multicenter randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted to investigate whether the loading protocol of single dental implants placed in the midline of edentulous mandibles will influence the implant survival or prosthetic maintenance.

Materials and Methods

In total, 158 patients were randomly assigned either to the immediate loading group (n = 81) or to the delayed loading group (n = 77). All implants were loaded with an overdenture retained by a ball attachment.

Results

After 5 years, 102 patients attended the follow‐up investigation. Immediately loaded single implants in the midline of the edentulous mandible revealed a statistically significant lower survival rate than implants loaded conventionally over an observation period of 5 years. In the immediate loading group, 9 implants failed within the first three months of implant loading. No further implant loss was recorded for this group. Two implants failed in the delayed loading group, whereas one implant had to be removed during second‐stage surgery and the second five years after implant loading. Non‐inferiority of the survival rate of the midline implant of the immediate loading group, compared with the delayed loading group, could not be shown (p = .79, CI immediate loading: 74.9%; 100.0%, CI delayed loading: 73.0%; 100.0%). The observed difference in implant survival between the two treatment groups over time was statistically significant.

Conclusions

The results of the present study indicate that immediate loading of a single mandibular implant in the edentulous mandible should be considered only in exceptional cases.
Long‐term outcomes in kidney transplant recipients with end‐stage kidney disease due to anti‐glomerular basement membrane disease
Authors: Singh Tripti , Kharadjian Talar B. , Astor Brad C. , Panzer Sarah E.
Published: December 2020

Anti‐glomerular basement membrane (GBM) disease causes rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis and end‐stage kidney disease (ESKD). Studies of post‐transplant outcomes in patients with ESKD due to anti‐GBM disease in the United States are lacking. To better characterize outcomes of transplant recipients with a history of anti‐GBM disease, we examined patient survival and graft survival among recipients with anti‐GBM disease compared with IgA nephropathy at a single center in the United States. We analyzed patient survival, graft survival, disease recurrence, and malignancy rates for kidney transplant recipients with ESKD due to biopsy‐proven anti‐GBM disease who underwent kidney transplantation at our center between 1994 and 2015. 26 patients with biopsy‐proven anti‐GBM disease and 314 patients with IgAN underwent kidney transplantation from 1994 to 2015. The incidence of graft loss was 6.2 per 100 person‐years for anti‐GBM disease, which was similar to IgAN (4.08 per 100 person‐years, p = .09). Patient mortality for anti‐GBM was 0.03 per 100 person‐years, similar to IgAN (0.02 per 100 person‐years, p = .12). Disease recurrence occurred in one of the 26 anti‐GBM patients. Four out of 26 patients (15%) developed malignancy, most commonly skin cancer. Long‐term graft and patient survival for patients with ESKD due to anti‐GBM was similar to IgAN after kidney transplantation.
To play or not to play? The relationship between active video game play and electrophysiological indices of food‐related inhibitory control in adolescents
Authors: Smith Joshua L. , Carbine Kaylie A. , Larson Michael J. , Tucker Larry A. , Christensen William F. , LeCheminant James D. , Bailey Bruce W.
Published: December 2020

Sedentary behaviors, such as computer use and sedentary video games, are barriers to physical activity, contribute to overweight and obesity among adolescents, and can adversely affect eating behaviors. Active video games may increase daily physical activity levels among adolescents and improve food‐related inhibitory control. We compared the effects of acute bouts of active and sedentary video gaming on event‐related potential (ERP) indices of food‐related inhibitory control, energy expenditure, and ad libitum eating. In a within‐subjects design, 59 adolescent participants (49% female, Mage = 13.29 ± 1.15) completed two separate counterbalanced, 60‐min long video gaming sessions separated by seven days. Immediately after, participants completed two go/no‐go tasks with high‐ and low‐calorie images and N2 and P3 ERP amplitudes were measured. Participants also completed a Stroop task and were given high‐ and low‐calorie snacks to consume ad libitum. Results indicated that active relative to sedentary video games significantly increased energy expenditure on multiple measures (e.g., METs, heart rate, kcals burned) and participants consumed more calories after the active compared to the sedentary video game session. N2 amplitudes were larger when participants inhibited to high‐ compared to low‐calorie foods, suggesting that high‐calorie foods necessitate increased the recruitment of inhibitory control resources; however, there were non‐significant differences for the N2 or P3 amplitudes, accuracy or response times, and Stroop performance between active versus sedentary video game sessions. Overall, sixty minutes of active video gaming increased energy expenditure and food consumption but did not significantly alter neural or behavioral measures of inhibitory control to food stimuli.
Phenobarbital and midazolam suppress neonatal seizures in a noninvasive rat model of birth asphyxia, whereas bumetanide is ineffective
Authors: Johne Marie , Römermann Kerstin , Hampel Philip , Gailus Björn , Theilmann Wiebke , Ala‐Kurikka Tommi , Kaila Kai , Löscher Wolfgang
Published: December 2020

Objective

Neonatal seizures are the most frequent type of neurological emergency in newborn infants, often being a consequence of prolonged perinatal asphyxia. Phenobarbital is currently the most widely used antiseizure drug for treatment of neonatal seizures, but fails to stop them in ~50% of cases. In a neonatal hypoxia‐only model based on 11‐day‐old (P11) rats, the NKCC1 inhibitor bumetanide was reported to potentiate the antiseizure activity of phenobarbital, whereas it was ineffective in a human trial in neonates. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of clinically relevant doses of bumetanide as add‐on to phenobarbital on neonatal seizures in a noninvasive model of birth asphyxia in P11 rats, designed for better translation to the human term neonate.

Methods

Intermittent asphyxia was induced for 30 minutes by exposing the rat pups to three 7 + 3–minute cycles of 9% and 5% O2 at constant 20% CO2. Drug treatments were administered intraperitoneally either before or immediately after asphyxia.

Results

All untreated rat pups had seizures within 10 minutes after termination of asphyxia. Phenobarbital significantly blocked seizures when applied before asphyxia at 30 mg/kg but not 15 mg/kg. Administration of phenobarbital after asphyxia was ineffective, whereas midazolam (0.3 or 1 mg/kg) exerted significant antiseizure effects when administered before or after asphyxia. In general, focal seizures were more resistant to treatment than generalized convulsive seizures. Bumetanide (0.3 mg/kg) alone or in combination with phenobarbital (15 or 30 mg/kg) exerted no significant effect on seizure occurrence.

Significance

The data demonstrate that bumetanide does not increase the efficacy of phenobarbital in a model of birth asphyxia, which is consistent with the negative data of the recent human trial. The translational data obtained with the novel rat model of birth asphyxia indicate that it is a useful tool to evaluate novel treatments for neonatal seizures.
What is equine hoarding and can ‘motivational interviewing’ training be implemented to help enable behavioural change in animal owners?
Authors: Williams B. , Harris P. , Gordon C.
Published: December 2020

Animal hoarding is one of the most complex, costly and difficult to manage animal welfare issues, but it is poorly understood and little researched. In addition to the considerable welfare issues and animal suffering, animal hoarding has a significant impact on the humans involved, as well as their communities and the environment. The hoarding of equines is not uncommon, but it is not specifically recognised or addressed in the published literature. There is also very little information published about any interventions that can be successful with those who are, or are at risk of, animal hoarding. One intervention that has been briefly mentioned is Motivational Interviewing, a well‐researched and evidenced intervention used across a range of difficult to change human health behaviours, including substance misuse and other addictions. This paper describes the evaluation of motivational interview training which was delivered after a preliminary exploration of equine welfare officers’ experiences of complex multi‐horse cases which confirmed that equine hoarding occurs. The training taught motivational interviewing skills and theory to equine welfare officers, in order for them to be able to use this approach during their general duties as well as more specifically in equine hoarding cases. The findings indicate that, for many equine welfare workers these skills can be beneficially applied to their caseload and can have good outcomes in the most difficult of areas, that of equine hoarding.
Fatigue performance of laser shock peened Ti6Al4V and Al6061‐T6 alloys
Authors: Maharjan N. , Chan S.Y. , Ramesh T. , Nai P.G. , Ardi D.T.
Published: December 2020

Propagation of fatigue crack in laser shock peened metallic component is retarded by introduction of deep compressive residual stresses during the process. Apart from large compressive residual stress build‐up near the surface, surface topography is also significantly altered during laser shock peening. However, a systematic evaluation of the individual effects of residual stresses and surface topography as well as their interaction effects on fatigue crack initiation and growth is still lacking. This study investigates the effect of laser shock peening on near‐surface properties of Ti6Al4V and Al6061‐T6 alloys and how these changes dictate their overall fatigue performance. Microstructure, surface topography, hardness and residual stress state of the alloys are investigated before and after peening, and four‐point bending fatigue tests are performed to obtain Wöhler curves (S‐N curves) for each case. The results show that both surface residual stresses and surface topography influence the fatigue life of a component. Compressive residual stresses were induced to a depth beyond 1 mm for both alloys. Fatigue life of Ti6Al4V alloy increased by at least 1.28 times after laser shock peening due to the introduction of deep compressive residual stresses with minimal change in surface topography. By contrast, the improvement is nominal for Al6061‐T6 alloy due to the surface roughening effect introduced by laser peening, which results in early crack initiation and negates the beneficial effect of compressive residual stresses.
Oral health is essential for quality of life in older adults: A Swedish National Quality Register Study
Authors: Lindmark Ulrika , Ernsth Bravell Marie , Johansson Linda , Finkel Deborah
Published: December 2020

Objective

To examine the relationship between QoL and oral health from two Swedish national quality registries (NQRs). Background: Oral health plays an important part in general health, which might also affect QoL. No studies have examined the relationships between QoL and oral health in late adulthood based on aggregated data from Swedish NQRs.

Material and methods

Four NQRs incorporated the EQ‐5D, which assesses 5 aspects of QoL: mobility, self‐care, usual activities, pain/discomfort and anxiety/depression. Items from the Revised Oral Assessment Guide, obtained from the NQR Senior Alert, were used to identify older adults at risk for oral health issues.

Results

A total of 510 individuals had data on all relevant variables. Analyses indicated significantly higher QoL for individuals without risk of oral health problems (M = −0.15 (SD = 1.01)), compared to those with risk (M = −0.75 (SD = 1.52)). Logistic regression analysis showed that lower QoL (OR = 0.69 (0.49, 0.97)), mental status (OR = 0.37 (0.19, 0.71)), lower self‐rated health (OR = 0.59 (0.42, 0.85)) and higher age (OR = 1.07 (1.01, 1.13)) were significantly related to risk of oral health problems. Higher BMI (OR = 1.13 (0.99, 1.30)), living alone (OR = 2.37 (0.93, 6.06)) and more years of education (OR = 1.15 (1.01, 1.31)) were associated with higher risk of oral health problems.

Conclusions

Oral health is a significant component of quality of life in late adulthood. NQRs are of value for healthy ageing research in populations that may be underrepresented in research studies.
KNOWLEDGE IN MEDIAS RES: TOWARD A MEDIA HISTORY OF SCIENCE, MEDICINE, AND TECHNOLOGY
Authors: GREENE JEREMY A.
Published: December 2020

Media history offers an essential but easily overlooked set of tools for understanding scientific facts as historical processes. This essay argues that the “when” of the specific media through which scientific knowledge is created, disseminated, and taken up as authoritative has played a central part in the “how,” “what,” and “why” of scientific fact‐making as well as our iterative attempts to historicize science, medicine, and technology. Attending explicitly to how new (and old) media engage in the production, circulation, and consumption of knowledge can further help the historian understand dilations and contractions in the threshold of participation in scientific fact‐making itself. Manuscripts, printing presses, cheap newsprint, and open‐source digital publications open up and shut down possibilities of who gets to learn about science as news, who gets to act as a nodal point in the circulation of scientific knowledge, and who is able to make and share an observation about the natural world in the first place. Centering the media of scientific knowledge‐in‐the‐making offers a means of relating the history of science to the broader history of knowledge not in terms of absolute difference but in terms of the specificity of mediation.
Adrenalectomy in Japanese patients with subclinical Cushing syndrome: 1‐mg dexamethasone suppression test to predict the surgical benefit
Authors: Sato Hiroaki , Imamura Yusuke , Sakamoto Shinichi , Sugiura Masahiro , Arai Takayuki , Yamamoto Satoshi , Takeuchi Nobuyoshi , Sazuka Tomokazu , Nakamura Kazuyoshi , Nagano Hidekazu , Koide Hisashi , Tanaka Tomoaki , Komiya Akira , Ichikawa Tomohiko
Published: December 2020

Objectives

To investigate whether the result of the 1‐mg dexamethasone suppression test can predict the improvement of comorbidities after adrenalectomy in patients with subclinical Cushing syndrome.

Methods

This retrospective study included 117 subclinical Cushing syndrome patients who underwent adrenalectomy. The numbers of prescribed drugs for metabolic comorbidities and the clinical variables at diagnosis were compared with those at the follow up. Patients were classified into subgroups according to the result of the 1‐mg dexamethasone suppression test.

Results

Significant improvements in blood pressure, serum cholesterol and body mass index were observed. Furthermore, a significant improvement in glycated hemoglobin was observed in patients with diabetes mellitus. These improvements led to a discontinuation or reduction of prescribed drugs after surgery. In addition, the greatest reduction of prescribed drugs was observed in patients whose serum cortisol levels were between 1.8 and 3.0 µg/dL after the 1‐mg dexamethasone suppression test.

Conclusions

The result of the 1‐mg dexamethasone suppression test can be a useful factor predicting the improvement of comorbidities after adrenalectomy. Current data might give us a new insight into the decision‐making for the treatment of subclinical Cushing syndrome.
Prognostic and predictive value of a mRNA signature in peripheral T‐cell lymphomas: A mRNA expression analysis
Authors: Tu Jiannan , Kuang Zhixing , Xie Xiaoliang , Wu Shizhen , Wu Ting , Chen Shengchi
Published: December 2020

Current international prognostic index is widely questioned on the risk stratification of peripheral T‐cell lymphoma and does not accurately predict the outcome for patients. We postulated that multiple mRNAs could combine into a model to improve risk stratification and helping clinicians make treatment decisions. In this study, the gene expression profiles were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Weighted gene co‐expression network analysis (WGCNA) was used to screening genes in selected module which most closely related to PTCLs, and then built a mRNA signature using a LASSO Cox regression model and validated the prognostic accuracy of it. Finally, a nomogram was constructed and the performance was assessed. A total of 799 WGCNA‐selected mRNAs in black module were identified, and a mRNA signature which based on DOCK2, GSTM1, H2AFY, KCNAB2, LAPTM5 and SYK for PTCLs was developed. Significantly statistical difference can be seen in overall survival of PTCLs between low‐risk group and high‐risk group (training set:hazard ratio [HR] 4.3, 95% CI 2.4‐7.4, P < .0001; internal testing set:hazard ratio [HR] 2.4, 95% CI 1.2‐4.8, P < .01; external testing set:hazard ratio [HR] 2.3, 95% CI 1.10‐4.7, P = .02). Furthermore, multivariate regression demonstrated that the signature was an independently prognostic factor. Moreover, the nomogram which combined the mRNA signature and multiple clinical factors suggesting that predicted survival probability agreed well with the actual survival probability. The signature is a reliable prognostic tool for patients with PTCLs, and it has the potential for clinicians to implement personalized therapeutic regimen for patients with PTCLs.
Effect of pollen provision on life‐history parameters of phytoseiid predators under hot and dry environmental conditions
Authors: Urbaneja‐Bernat Pablo , Jaques Josep A.
Published: December 2020

Biological control can be severely disrupted under climate change conditions. This is the case of the spider mite Tetranychus urticae in Spanish citrus orchards, where the omnivorous phytoseiid Euseius stipulatus, the most abundant predator in the system, was highly impacted by hot and dry conditions mimicking future warmer summers. Such a situation can often be compensated by the provision of alternative food to support generalist predators. As a first step to studying whether such a technique could be applied in this case, we studied at laboratory conditions whether pollen could mitigate the negative effects of hotter and drier conditions derived of climate change on three phytoseiids with different diet specializations. In addition to E. stipulatus, these predators, which all together, are considered key for the biological control of T. urticae in citrus, are Neoseiulus californicus and Phytoseiulus persimilis. Our results confirm the extremely fine‐tuning of T. urticae to hot–dry conditions. They also provide evidence of the poor performance of E. stipulatus, especially in terms of reproduction, compared to the other two phytoseiids at these conditions, even when high‐quality pollen was available. Moreover, access to pollen in combination with T. urticae eggs enhanced survival but reduced predation and oviposition relative to a T. urticae‐only diet for N. californicus and P. persimilis. Therefore, whether the overall effect of pollen would justify its use in citrus to counteract the deleterious effects of a hotter and drier climate on the natural regulation of T. urticae is still controversial.
Genetic diversity and life‐history traits of bonefish Albula spp. from the Red Sea
Authors: Williams Collin T. , McIvor Ashlie J. , Wallace Elizabeth M. , Lin Yu‐Jia , Berumen Michael L.
Published: December 2020

The management of bonefishes Albula spp. has been hindered by unresolved species distributions and a general lack of life‐history information. This study provides the first genetic species identifications of Albula spp. from the northern Indian Ocean. The roundjaw bonefish Albula glossodonta was documented in the Red Sea, and the smallscale bonefish A. oligolepis was identified in the Gulf of Aden with no evidence supporting sympatry. Estimates of genetic differentiation indicate three closely related lineages of A. glossodonta in the Red Sea, Indian Ocean and Pacific Ocean (Red Sea‐Pacific Ocean, Fst = 0.295; Red Sea‐Seychelles, Fst = 0.193; Pacific Ocean‐Seychelles, Fst = 0.141). In addition, the authors provide the first life‐history information of Albula spp. in the Indian Ocean. Age‐based growth models of A. glossodonta from the Red Sea demonstrated statistically significant differences compared to previously published data from the Pacific Ocean. Spawning activity during winter months was derived from gonado‐somatic index values of A. glossodonta from the Red Sea and corresponded with spawning seasonality previously documented for the species in the Pacific Ocean. The results of this study aid in refining biogeographical uncertainties of Albula spp. and illustrate the importance of collecting regional growth information for subsequent management of A. glossodonta.
Nursing Students’ Knowledge, Competence and Attitudes towards Vital Signs Monitoring during Clinical Practice
Authors: Alshehry Abdualrahman Saeed , Cruz Jonas Preposi , Bashtawi Meshrif Ahmad , Almutairi Khalid Obaid , Tumala Regie B.
Published: December 2020

Aim and Objective

This study assessed the perceived knowledge and competence, and the attitude of Saudi nursing students towards vital signs monitoring for detecting patient deterioration during clinical rotation. It also examined the predictors of students’ attitudes.

Background

One of the most important uses of vital signs monitoring is the early detection of deterioration. Vital signs monitoring is one of the most frequently assigned tasks to students during clinical rotation. However, the attitudes of nursing students towards vital signs monitoring for detecting clinical deterioration remain unexplored.

Design

Quantitative, cross‐sectional design.

Method

A convenience sample of 529 baccalaureate nursing students in two universities in Saudi Arabia was surveyed using the V‐scale from October 2019–December 2019. A multivariate multiple regression was implemented to examine the multivariate effect of the predictor variables on the five subscales of the V‐scale. This study adhered to the STROBE checklist.

Results

The overall attitudes of the students towards VS monitoring can be interpreted as poor to modest. The highest mean was reported in the subscale ‘communication’. The subscales ‘workload’, ‘key indicators’ and ‘technology’ received low mean scores. The university, age, gender, academic year level and perceived knowledge had significant multivariate effects on the five subscales of the V‐scale.

Conclusions

The Saudi nursing students had poor attitudes towards vital signs monitoring, specifically towards the use of technology in vital signs monitoring, the workload associated with vital signs monitoring and vital signs as key indicators of patient deterioration.

Relevance to Clinical Practice

The findings reveal the need to improve the curricular content and training of nursing students regarding vital signs and the physiological indicators of clinical deterioration. This study also identified areas that require improvement to ensure positive attitudes among students.
Objective adherence to dental device versus positive airway pressure treatment in adults with obstructive sleep apnea
Authors: Xu Liyue , Xie Dawei , Griffin Kara S. , Staley Bethany , Wang Ying , Nichols Deborah A. , Benca Ruth M. , Pack Allan I. , Redline Susan , Walsh James K. , Kushida Clete A. , Kuna Samuel T.
Published: December 2020

Although mandibular advancement device (MAD) treatment of adults with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is generally less efficacious than positive airway pressure (PAP), the two treatments are associated, with similar clinical outcomes. As a sub‐analysis of a randomized trial comparing the effect of MAD versus PAP on blood pressure, this study compared objectively measured adherence to MAD versus PAP treatment in adults with OSA. Adults with OSA (age 54.1 ± 11.2 [standard deviation] years, 71.1% male, apnea–hypopnea index 31.6 ± 22.7 events/h) were randomized to MAD (n = 89) or PAP (n = 91) treatment for 3–6 months. Objective adherence was assessed with a thermal sensor embedded in the MAD and a pressure sensor in the PAP unit. In a per protocol analysis, no difference was observed in average daily hours of use over all days in participants on MAD (n = 35, 4.4 ± 2.9 h) versus PAP (n = 51, 4.7 ± 1.6 h, p = .597) treatment when days with missing adherence data were included as no use. MAD was used on a lower percentage of days (62.5 ± 36.4% versus 79.9 ± 19.8%, p = .047), but with greater average daily hours of use on days used (6.4 ± 1.9 h versus 5.7 ± 1.2 h, p = .013). Average daily hours of use in the first week were associated with long‐term adherence to MAD (p < .0001) and PAP (p = .0009) treatment. Similar results were obtained when excluding days with missing adherence data. In conclusion, no significant difference was observed in objectively measured average daily hours of MAD and PAP adherence in adults with OSA, despite differences in the patterns of use. MAD adherence in the first week predicted long‐term use.
Effects of bright light and an afternoon nap on task performance depend on the cognitive domain
Authors: Qian Liu , Ru Taotao , Chen Qingwei , Li Yun , Zhou Ying , Zhou Guofu
Published: December 2020

Previous research revealed inconsistent effects of bright light or a short nap at noon on alertness and performance across different tasks. The current study aimed to explore whether the effects of bright light and a short nap at noon on task performance depended on the cognitive domain. Bright light (1,200 lx, 4,000 K at eye level), nap (near darkness) and control (200 lx, 4,000 K at eye level) conditions were performed from 1:00 to 1:40 PM on three non‐consecutive days with a counterbalanced order across participants. After being assigned to one of three conditions, participants underwent two repeated test sessions, each including a psychomotor vigilance task, a go/no‐go task, and a paced visual serial addition task, with an interval of more than 1 h, to assess the persistent effects of napping and bright light. Subjective sleepiness, vitality, self‐control and mood were also measured. Results showed that accuracy on the go/no‐go task and the paced visual serial addition task improved significantly throughout the entire experiment session after napping, whereas reaction speed on the paced visual serial addition task improved time‐dependently in the bright light intervention, with a higher reaction speed in only the first test session. Nearly all subjective states benefited from napping but not from bright light. These findings suggested that the effects of bright light and an afternoon nap on task performance would depend on the cognitive domain. An afternoon nap may elicit more effective and persistent benefits on task performance and subjective states.
Structural diversity of olfactory organs in Osteoglossiformes
Authors: Dymek J. , Kuciel M. , Żuwała K.
Published: December 2020

Osteoglossomorpha, an ancient Teleostei group, exhibits many ancestral structural features. Herein, we describe the diversity in morphology of olfactory organs of air‐breathing Pantodon buchholzi, Arapaima gigas, and Gymnarchus niloticus in terms of adaptations to short ventures out of water and compare the results with the water‐breathing Osteoglossum bicirrhosum. We demonstrate the presence of olfactory rosettes within the olfactory chamber in all studied species and additionally a peculiar cudgel‐shaped structure in P. buchholzi. The typical olfactory rosette with centrally located elongate median raphe and two rows of olfactory lamellae was found only in P. buchholzi. In A. gigas, the olfactory lamellae arranged in semicircular manner were merged to small median raphe. Osteoglossum bicirrhosum and G. niloticus lacked median raphe, while the olfactory lamellae were ordered nearly parallel or circular, respectively. Olfactory epithelium lining the olfactory lamellae was unfolded only in P. buchholzi and G. niloticus. In contrast, in O. bicirrhosum and A. gigas convexities formed by nonsensory cells and concavities made by the sensory component were observed. Among the olfactory sensory neurons, ciliated and microvillus neurons were found in all studied species. Crypt‐like cells were noted only in P. buchholzi, whereas rod‐like cells were unique for A. gigas. The substantial morphological variation of the olfactory organ structure and ultrastructure in the studied osteoglossiforms may be explained by the early division of Osteoglossomorpha within Teleostei and long‐term, independent evolution within the families.
Intraspecific genomic variation and local adaptation in a young hybrid species
Authors: Cuevas Angélica , Ravinet Mark , Sætre Glenn‐Peter , Eroukhmanoff Fabrice
Published: December 2020

Hybridization increases genetic variation, hence hybrid species may have greater evolutionary potential once their admixed genomes have stabilized and incompatibilities have been purged. Yet, little is known about how such hybrid lineages evolve at the genomic level following their formation, in particular their adaptive potential. Here we investigate how the Italian sparrow (Passer italiae), a homoploid hybrid species, has evolved and locally adapted to its variable environment. Using restriction site‐associated DNA sequencing (RAD‐seq) on several populations across the Italian peninsula, we evaluate how genomic constraints and novel genetic variation have influenced population divergence and adaptation. We show that population divergence within this hybrid species has evolved in response to climatic variation, suggesting ongoing local adaptation. As found previously in other nonhybrid species, climatic differences appear to increase population differentiation. We also report strong population divergence in a gene known to affect beak morphology. Most of the strongly divergent loci among Italian sparrow populations do not seem to be differentiated between its parent species, the house and Spanish sparrows. Unlike in the hybrid, population divergence within each of the parental taxa has occurred mostly at loci with high allele frequency difference between the parental species, suggesting that novel combinations of parental alleles in the hybrid have not necessarily enhanced its evolutionary potential. Rather, our study suggests that constraints linked to incompatibilities may have restricted the evolution of this admixed genome, both during and after hybrid species formation.
Herbal medicines in functional dyspepsia—Untapped opportunities not without risks
Authors: Gwee Kok‐Ann , Holtmann Gerald , Tack Jan , Suzuki Hidekazu , Liu Jinsong , Xiao Yinglian , Chen Min‐Hu , Hou Xiaohua , Wu Deng‐Chyang , Toh Clarissa , Lu Fang , Tang Xu‐Dong
Published: December 2020

Background

Contemporary treatments for functional dyspepsia have limitations. Herbal medicine has been suggested as adjunctive treatment. With growing scientific recognition and public interests, an in‐depth review of this is timely.

Aims/Purpose

To evaluate the therapeutic potential and problems that may be associated with the adoption of herbal medicines in functional dyspepsia.

Methods

We reviewed the treatment landscape of functional dyspepsia and assessed the scientific community's interest in herbal medicine. Preclinical pharmacological and clinical trial data were reviewed for several herbal medicines available in the market. Challenges associated with adoption of herbal medicine in mainstream medicine were critically evaluated.

Results

We found that herbal medicines frequently comprise a combination of herbs with multiple reported pharmacological effects on gastrointestinal motility and secretory functions, as well as cytoprotective and psychotropic properties. We identified a number of commercially available herbal products that have undergone rigorous clinical trials, involving large numbers of well‐defined subjects, reporting both efficacy and safety for functional dyspepsia. Persisting concerns include lack of rigorous assessments for majority of products, toxicity, consistency of ingredients, dose standardizations, and quality control. We provide a quality framework for its evaluation.

Conclusions

We commend herbal medicine as a viable future option in managing functional dyspepsia. An attractive appeal of herbal medicine is the prospect to simultaneously target multiple pathophysiological mechanisms. Wider adoption and acceptance of herbal medicines in treatment algorithms of functional dyspepsia will require the application of the scientific rigor expected of chemical therapies, to all stages of their development and evaluation.
Gastrointestinal tract metastasis of lung cancer: The PD‐L1 expression and correlated clinicopathological variables
Authors: Ishikawa Eri , Nakaguro Masato , Nakamura Masanao , Yamamura Takeshi , Sawada Tsunaki , Mizutani Yasuyuki , Maeda Keiko , Furukawa Kazuhiro , Shimoyama Yoshie , Kawashima Hiroki , Fujishiro Mitsuhiro
Published: December 2020

The gastrointestinal tract is a rare site for metastatic lung cancer. Programmed cell death‐ligand 1 (PD‐L1) expression in lung cancer is a biomarker for the response to anti‐PD‐1/PD‐L1 therapy. We investigated clinicopathological features and PD‐L1 expression in 25 gastrointestinal metastatic tumors from the lung and primary adenocarcinoma of the small bowel. The small bowel was the most common site (16/25; 64%) of gastrointestinal tract lung cancer metastasis. A total of 19 (76%) of the gastrointestinal metastasis showed PD‐L1 expression in ≥5% of tumor cells, with 14 (56%) showing high expression levels (≥50%). In contrast, 21 (84%) expressed PD‐L1 in ≥5% immune cells, including 4 (16%) showing a high expression levels (≥50%). The PD‐L1 expression on tumor cells and immune cells in primary lung cancer and corresponding gastrointestinal metastasis was concordant in 13 (68%) and 11 (58%) of the 19 paired cases, respectively. Small‐bowel metastasis of lung cancer was characterized by a higher incidence of perforation (31% vs. 0%), ulcerated mass (83% vs. 60%), and neoplastic PD‐L1 expression (75% vs. 0%) compared to primary small‐bowel adenocarcinoma. Gastrointestinal metastasis from lung cancer might be a potential target for immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy, given its high expression of PD‐L1.
Fusarium rot of melon is caused by severalFusariumspecies
Authors: Medeiros Araújo Maria B. , Moreira Gláucia M. , Nascimento Luan Vítor , Nogueira Geovane de Almeida , Nascimento Selma Rogéria de C. , Pfenning Ludwig H. , Ambrósio Márcia Michelle de Q.
Published: December 2020

Fusarium rot of melon, caused by species of the genusFusarium, has become an important postharvest disease for many Brazilian producers. Due to the delayed onset of symptoms, this disease is often only detected when fruits arrive at the importing country, thus generating economic loss for the exportation of the fruit. This study was developed with the aim of investigating whichFusariumspecies cause fruit rot in melon and to evaluate any differences in aggressiveness and development of symptoms. Species were identified through phylogenetic analysis of two loci and morphological markers. The 28 isolates obtained from diseased melon fruits of different commercial cultivars were identified asFusarium falciforme(FSSC),F.sulawesiense,F. pernambucanum(FIESC), andF. kalimantanense(FOSC). Three isolates belong to a new phylogenetic lineage within theF. fujikuroispecies complex (FFSC). All isolates were tested for pathogenicity, and first symptoms of rot in Canary melon were observed 2 days after inoculation. Isolates ofF. falciformeandF. sulawesiensewere shown to be more aggressive. Our results extend information onFusariumspecies that cause fruit rot in melon and support the development of management strategies, as there is currently no efficient control for this disease. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the occurrence of species of the FSSC, FOSC, and FFSC from muskmelon fruits in Brazil.