bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Masking of Mourning: Social Disconnection After Bereavement and Its Role in Psychological Distress
Authors: Smith Kirsten V. , Wild Jennifer , Ehlers Anke
Published: May 2020

Social support has been shown to facilitate adaptation after bereavement in some studies but not others. A felt sense of social disconnection may act as a barrier to the utilization of social support, perhaps explaining these discrepancies. Factorial and psychometric validity of the Oxford Grief-Social Disconnection Scale (OG-SD) was tested in a bereaved sample ( N = 676). A three-factor solution (negative interpretation of others’ reactions to grief expression, altered social self, and safety in solitude) fit the data best and demonstrated excellent psychometric validity. A second three-wave longitudinal sample ( N = 275) recruited 0 to 6 months following loss and followed up 6 and 12 months later completed measures of prolonged grief disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, and the OG-SD at each time point. High levels of baseline social disconnection were associated with concurrently high psychological distress. The extent to which social disconnection declined over time predicted resolution of psychological distress.
Influences of high-heeled shoe parameters on gait cycle, center of pressure trajectory, and plantar pressure in young females during treadmill walking
Authors: Shang Jiangyinzi , Geng Xiang , Wang Chen , Chen Li , Zhang Chao , Huang Jiazhang , Wang Xu , Yan Alan , Ma Xin
Published: May 2020

Purpose:

This study aimed to investigate the influences of high-heeled shoe (HHS) parameters on gait cycle, center of pressure (COP) trajectory, and plantar pressure in young females.

Methods:

Twenty healthy adult females were recruited to participate in this study. Subjects walked on a treadmill at a fixed speed (1 m/s). Overall, six pairs of HHSs were evaluated, presenting two heel types (thin and thick) and three different heel heights (low: 3 cm, medium: 6 cm, and high: 8.2 cm). Subjects also wore flat shoes (heel height: 0.2 cm) as the control group.

Results:

The gait cycle, COP parameters, peak pressure (PP), maximum force, contact area (CA), and force–time integral (impulse) were measured. The comparison between these parameters when the volunteers wore thick heel and flat shoes at different walking conditions indicated that thin heels caused a significant increase in the pre-swing parameter, CA, and PP of the first toe and first metatarsus. Increased heel heights yielded smaller gait line lengths, single support lines, and smaller hindfoot areas. By contrast, increased anterior–posterior positions and plantar pressure parameter values were noted for the forefoot.

Conclusions:

Data analyses showed significant differences in the plantar pressure distribution associated with heel height and heel type at increased pressure in the first metatarsal and central forefoot region and decreased pressure in the midfoot and heel sections, thus increasing anterior shift. The results presented herein may allow for the design of HHSs with reduced adverse health effects on the wearer.
Soft Side of Digital Transformation: The Connected Employee
Authors: Sivaraman Anand
Published: May 2020

The levels of business disruption and technology innovation in the past decade are unparalleled in human history. The Digital Age is fully and truly upon us and organisations are in a race to redefine and recast themselves. This practitioner-oriented paper discusses how organisations can reposition themselves for the digital future. By outlining the strategic pillars of digital transformation, including people, process, technology and culture, the paper demonstrates how firms and individuals can become digital ready and future ready.
Healing Status of Meniscal Ramp Lesion Affects Anterior Knee Stability After ACL Reconstruction
Authors: Hatayama Kazuhisa , Terauchi Masanori , Saito Kenichi , Takase Ryota , Higuchi Hiroshi
Published: May 2020

Background:

Although the biomechanical importance of the ramp lesion in the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)–deficient knee has been demonstrated, there is no clear consensus on the appropriate treatment for ramp lesions during ACL reconstruction.

Purpose:

To compare the postoperative outcomes for ramp lesions between patients treated with all-inside repair through the posteromedial portal and those whose ramp lesions were left in situ without repair during ACL reconstruction. We also determined whether ramp lesion healing status affected postoperative knee stability.

Study Design:

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

A total of 57 patients who underwent anatomic double-bundle ACL reconstruction between August 2011 and December 2017 had attendant ramp lesions. Of these, 25 ramp lesions that were considered stable were left in situ without repair (Nonrepaired group), and 25 ramp lesions, including 21 stable and 4 unstable lesions, were treated using all-inside repair through the posteromedial portal (Repaired group). We evaluated the side-to-side difference (SSD) in anterior tibial translation on stress radiographs and rotational stability by using the pivot-shift test 2 years after surgery, and healing status of the ramp lesions was evaluated on 3.0-T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans 1 year after surgery.

Results:

The mean SSDs in anterior translation were 2.4 ± 1.6 mm for the Nonrepaired group and 1.9 ± 1.6 mm for the Repaired group, with no significant differences. The positive ratios on the pivot-shift test were not significantly different between groups. Healing rates of ramp lesions on MRI scans showed a significant difference between the Nonrepaired group (60%) and the Repaired group (100%) ( P = .001). The mean SSDs for knees in which the ramp lesion had healed as shown on MRI scans and those in which it had not healed were 1.9 ± 1.6 mm and 3.2 ± 1.1 mm, respectively, which was a significant difference ( P = .02).

Conclusion:

Healing rates of ramp lesions were significantly better in the Repaired group than in the Nonrepaired group, although postoperative knee stability was not significantly different between groups. Anterior laxity in the knees in which the ramp lesion was unhealed was significantly greater compared with the knees in which the ramp lesion healed. All-inside repair through the posteromedial portal was a reliable surgical procedure to heal ramp lesions.
Brutal International Law: A walk through Marcel Breuer’s former American Embassy in The Hague
Authors: Stolk Sofia , Vos Renske
Published: May 2020

In April 2019, an unusual group of artists and international legal academics gathered on an elegant square in The Hague to visit the former American Embassy. This brutalist icon, designed in the 1950s by Marcel Breuer, was recently abandoned by its original inhabitants. The ongoing transition of the building from highly secured embassy to public cultural centre makes for a moment to reflect on the meanings this space inspires. In this special section, we posit the building as a prism through which we probe the connections between art, architecture and international law. In line with the tradition of (re)invention embodied by Breuer’s design, the section breathes experimentation. The contributions are eclectic, unconventional and rough round the edges. The section is structured as a route through the building with no particular order or hierarchy. The ‘façade’ functions as a somewhat natural starting point, thereafter, the reader is invited to choose her own route. All spaces that can be visited are actual spaces in the building and echo the source of inspiration of the contributor. We invite you to join us on our journey and to explore the special issue as you would explore and make sense of an abandoned building where traces of international law abound.
Egyptian Orthodox Church Among Inconsistent Political and Social Contexts
Authors: Amin Ahmed M.
Published: May 2020

Beginning with the uprising in 2011 and until the reelection of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi in 2018 for a second term, the Egyptian Orthodox Church has been an important player as the representative of the Coptic Christians in the country. This article examines the role of the Egyptian Orthodox Church since the establishment of the republic in 1952 and explores the historical events that sought to redefine the role of the Church in the political sphere. Unlike the previous studies focusing on Coptic Christians and their position in the sociopolitical contexts, this study tackles the political role of the Orthodox Church in its institutional capacity. The study concludes that the Egyptian Orthodox Church has turned into an important political player in the political sphere, and its political role increased substantially with the uprising. Its power is manifested in its support for the political transformations in 2013 and the backing the regime until today.
Impact of Economic Factors on Egyptian Foreign Policy between 1978 and 2010
Authors: Tuwayjiri Mohammad A. Al
Published: May 2020

This article attempts to further theoretical and empirical understanding of the extent to which the economic factor had been critical in determining the Egyptian foreign policy between 1978 and 2010. While the following 32 years recorded major shifts in Egypt’s domestic, regional and international affairs, the larger parameters of its foreign policy were forged in the 1970s when specific economic pressures largely determined in which direction Cairo would move. Thus, this analysis seeks to substantiate the argument that the primacy of the domestic sphere has remained recurrent. It also is contended that while economy may have been the catalyst of major foreign policy shifts in Egypt, it was indeed regime security that was—and remains—the primary determinant of the Egyptian foreign policy. The article, hence, concludes that Egypt’s foreign policy was thus determined by economic factors only to the extent that it did not endanger the security of the regime.
The COVID-19 Crisis: A Mental Health Perspective and Response Using Telemedicine
Authors: Sullivan Amy B , Kane Alexa , Roth Alicia J , Davis Bryan E , Drerup Michelle L , Heinberg Leslie J
Published: May 2020

With the outbreak of COVID-19, patients and providers were forced to isolate and become innovative in ways to continue exceptional patient care. The Cleveland Clinic went from mostly in-person medical appointments to all virtual/telemedicine care in about 2 weeks’ time. In this piece, we show specifically the thought process and our conversion of the Mellen Center for Multiple Sclerosis Behavioral Medicine to ensure that our patients still receive exceptional care and patient experience. Additionally, we discuss the importance of innovating the training and supervision of postdoctoral trainees using telepsychology and virtual options.
The Pain of Invisibility: A Perspective on the Treatment of Pediatric Chronic Pain
Authors: Kao Grace S
Published: May 2020

Although chronic pain can be debilitating and severely impacting, it can also be an affliction many take on privately. For many chronic pain patients and their families, the toll of symptom invisibility is often a prominent concern. The article expounds upon the theme of “symptom invisibility” and the need for and practice of developing a validating provider–family relationship in the treatment of children and adolescents with chronic pain. Suggestions for therapeutic pathways to building adaptive validation are provided.
Homeomorphic architecture: Radial prisons and contracted graphs
Authors: Gökmen Sabri
Published: May 2020

This paper introduces a type of graph called ‘homeomorphically irreducible tree’ (HIT) and explores its analytical and computational aspects in the architecture of radial prison plans. As a theoretical introduction, HITs are first diagrammatically presented using a taxonomy of 20 different radial prisons. Using this analysis, a generative algorithm that transforms plan connectivity to a simple sequential numeric representation is developed. This method is applied as an architectural plan generator that is parametrically explored using graphs as building skeletons with configurable wing typologies. The aim of the paper is to lay the foundation of a new graph-based approach for the morphogenetic study of symmetry in architectural plans.
Immunohistochemical and Molecular Characterization of Endometrial Stromal Sarcomas
Authors: Subbaraya Sneha , Murthy Sudha S , Devi G Sandhya
Published: May 2020

Introduction:

Endometrial stromal sarcomas (ESSs) are rare and characterized by translocations t(7;17)(p15;q11.2) and t(10;17)(q22;p13), resulting in JAZF1-SUZ12 and YWHAE-FAM22 gene fusions used for defining low-grade (LG-ESS) and high-grade (HG-ESS) tumours.

Aim:

The objective of the study was to characterize ESSs using immunohistochemical and molecular markers.

Material and Methods:

Patients diagnosed as having ESSs between January 2014 and December 2018 were included in the study. The slides were reviewed along with a panel of immunohistochemical markers, CD10, cyclin D1, oestrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR), Ki67, and vimentin and classified according to World Health Organization (2014) criteria into LG-ESS, HG-ESS, and undifferentiated uterine sarcoma (UUS). Molecular characterization was performed by fluorescence in situ hybridization using relevant probes.

Results:

Over a 4-year period, 552 cases of endometrial malignancies were reported, 10 of which were ESS (1.8%). Of these, 5 were LG-ESS, 3 HG-ESS, and 2 UUS. CD10 was 100% sensitive and 75% specific for LG-ESS. Oestrogen receptor and PR were 100% specific but less sensitive (80%) for LG-ESS. Forty per cent (2/5) of LG-ESS demonstrated JAZF1-SUZ12 gene rearrangement. All 3 cases of HG-ESS showed diffuse strong cyclin D1 (>70% nuclei) positivity and were negative for cluster differentiation 10, ER, and PR and demonstrated YWHAE gene rearrangement. None of the UUS cases demonstrated this gene rearrangement.

Conclusion:

Endometrial stromal sarcomas are rare tumours (1.8% in this study). JAZF1-SUZ12 and YWHAE-FAM22 gene rearrangement helps in accurate characterization of ESS and can be used as diagnostic tools especially when the diagnosis is unclear or difficult. Cyclin D1 can be used as an adjuvant immunomarker for YWHAE gene–rearranged HG-ESS.
Tool reliability of sintered diamond drill bit for processing silicon carbide ceramics based on Bayesian theory
Authors: Guo Wensen , Shi Weiwei , Hu Shanshan , Tang Hongqun
Published: May 2020

Silicon carbide (SiC) ceramics, as a superhard nonmetallic material, would induce severe tool wear during drilling. To ensure the quality of processing, the drill bits must be replaced in advance before failure, which leads to serious waste without effective usage. Aiming at the tool reliability problem determined by the tool wear during drilling of the high hardness nonmetallic materials, this article proposed a reliability analysis method of sintered diamond drill bit for machining SiC ceramics based on the distribution of tool degradation increment and the modeling of gamma process, and a tool reliability model of degradation increment was established based on the Bayesian theory. The drilling experiment of sintered SiC ceramics was carried out by sintering diamond drill bit to obtain the degradation increment data. The accuracy of the model was tested by the reliability model deviation rate, which indicated that the reliability model with considering individual differences was more accurate. This research can provide a theoretical model and analytical method for improving the reliability of the nonmetallic brittle material processing tools.
Effect of ventilation therapy on mortality rate among obesity hypoventilation syndrome and obstructive sleep apnoea patients
Authors: Kreivi Hanna-Riikka , Itäluoma Tuomas , Bachour Adel
Published: May 2020

Introduction

The prevalence of obesity is continually increasing worldwide, which increases the incidence of obesity hypoventilation syndrome (OHS) and its consequent mortality.

Methods

We reviewed the therapy mode, comorbidity and mortality of all OHS patients treated at our hospital between 2005 and 2016. The control group consisted of randomly selected patients with obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) treated during the same period.

Results

We studied 206 OHS patients and 236 OSA patients. The OHS patients were older (56.3versus52.3 years, p<0.001) and heavier (body mass index 46.1versus32.2 kg·m−2, p<0.001), and the percentage of women was higher (41.2%versus24.2%, p<0.001), respectively. The OHS patients had more hypertension (83%versus61%, p<0.001) and diabetes (62%versus31%, p<0.001) than the OSA patients, but no higher stroke (4%versus8%, p=0.058) or ischaemic heart disease (14%versus15%, p=0.437) incidence. The 5- and 10-year, unadjusted survival rates were lower among the OHS patients than among the OSA patients (83%versus96% and 74%versus91%, respectively; p<0.001). Differences in mortality rates were not related to age, sex or body mass index; covariates such as Charlson Comorbidity Index and ventilation therapy predicted survival. The mortality rate decreased significantly (p<0.001) both in OHS and OSA patients even after adjusting for covariates.

Conclusions

The mortality rate in OHS was significantly higher than that in OSA patients even after adjusting for covariates. Ventilation therapy by continuous positive airway pressure or noninvasive ventilation have reduced mortality significantly in all patients.
Relationship between dietary patterns and COPD: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Parvizian Michael K. , Dhaliwal Manreet , Li Jeremy , Satia Imran , Kurmi Om P.
Published: May 2020

Background

Findings from previous studies reporting on the associations between chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and various dietary patterns have been inconsistent. This review aims to summarise the evidence on the strength of the association between dietary patterns and the prevalence and incidence of COPD.

Methods

We conducted a comprehensive search of seven databases between 1 January 1980 and 30 November 2019. Two reviewers independently reviewed each manuscript through the screening, selection, data extraction and quality assessment stages. Data from eight observational studies that met the inclusion criteria were extracted and random-effects meta-analysis was subsequently conducted.

Results

Eight observational studies (all eight reporting on healthy dietary patterns and three on unhealthy dietary patterns) met the inclusion criteria and data were extracted to include in the meta-analysis. Consumption of a healthy dietary pattern was associated with a lower risk of COPD (pooled OR 0.88, 95% CI 0.82–0.94). Consumption of unhealthy dietary patterns was associated with a higher risk of COPD (OR 1.22, 95% CI 0.84–1.76); however, the results were not statistically significant and had high heterogeneity (I2=91%).

Conclusion

Our results suggests that healthy dietary patterns are associated with a lower prevalence of COPD, while unhealthy dietary patterns are not. More studies, particularly adequately powered longitudinal studies, are needed to further elucidate the effects of healthy and unhealthy dietary patterns on risk of COPD.
Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension in Saudi Arabia: preliminary results from the SAUDIPH registry
Authors: Aldalaan Abdullah M. , Saleemi Sarfraz A. , Weheba Ihab , Abdelsayed Abeer , Hämmäinen Pekka , Aleid Maha M. , Alzubi Fatima , Zaytoun Hamdeia , Alharbi Nadeen
Published: May 2020

Background

Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) is a rare, progressive vascular disease with poor prognosis if left untreated. This study aims to assess the patient characteristics, treatment approach and clinical and survival outcomes for CTEPH patients enrolled in the Systematic Prospective Follow Up for Better Understanding of Clinical Characteristics of Patients with Pulmonary Hypertension Disease (SAUDIPH) registry.

Methods

This study presents a subanalysis of CTEPH patients enrolled in the SAUDIPH registry. This registry enrolled patients with pulmonary hypertension, established through right heart catheterisation, under clinical management at a specialised tertiary care centre. Patients received standard care during the period of the registry.

Results

At the time of this analysis, 64 CTEPH patients were enrolled in the registry. Mean age at diagnosis was 39.7 years and there was a female predominance (67.6%). At baseline, most patients were in World Health Organization functional classes III or IV (70.1%). At the last follow-up visit, most patients (63.2%) had undergone endarterectomy, showing significant improvement in disease severity from baseline. Patients who underwent endarterectomy showed numerically higher (p=0.126) probability of survival at 1 year (97.5%)versusthose who did not undergo endarterectomy (94.4%).

Conclusion

Patients were diagnosed at relatively young age, but still showed high disease severity, suggesting delay in diagnosis. Patients who underwent surgical treatment showed substantial improvements in clinical and haemodynamic parameters, while the remaining patients tended to show disease progression. The 96.6% 1-year cumulative probability of survival was high compared to previous studies.
ERS International Congress, Madrid, 2019: highlights from the Respiratory Infections Assembly
Authors: Calarasu Cristina , Chichirelo-Konstantynovych Kiarina D. , Frent Stefan
Published: May 2020

The European Respiratory Society (ERS) International Congress organised in Madrid, Spain, in 2019 welcomed >22 000 participants from 134 countries. For each ERS assembly, an impressive number of abstracts were submitted. The topics covered by Assembly 10 (Respiratory Infections and Tuberculosis) were included this year in the top five research areas with the most submitted abstracts, with a total of 424 abstracts accepted for presentation. As it would be difficult for any delegate to stay up to date with all the scientific advances in the field, we wanted to highlight three of the Congress sessions that included presentations on respiratory infections and tuberculosis that we deemed as important and we hope the readers will consider this material of great interest.
Residual Stress Relaxation of Thin-walled Long Stringer Made of Aluminum Alloy 7050-T7451 under Transportation Vibration
Authors: Yang Yinfei , Jin Lu , Du Jixing , Li Liang , Yang Wei
Published: May 2020

Thin-walled long stringer made of aluminum alloy 7050-T7451 is prone to deformation during transportation, so a research of residual stress relaxation was launched in this paper. The transport resonance stress of long stringer was analyzed based on the power spectral density of road transport acceleration. The residual stress relaxation experiment of aluminum alloy 7050-T7451 under different equivalent stress levels was designed and carried out. According to the amount of residual stress relaxation in the experiment, an analytical model was established with the equivalent stress level coefficient. The deflection range of long stringer was evaluated under different damping ratios. The results show that when the equivalent stress exceeds 0.8σ0.2, the residual stress relaxation of the thin-walled samples occurs. The residual stress relaxation increases linearly with the equivalent stress, which is logarithmically related to the loading cycle. The deformation caused by residual stress relaxation of the long stringer is proportional to the square of the length and the bending moment caused by stress rebalance, and inversely proportional to the moment of inertia of the structure. As the damping ratio decreases from 0.03 to 0.01, the total deflection of the long stringer increases from 0 to above 1.55 mm.
Lost productivity associated with headache and depression: a quality improvement project identifying a patient population at risk
Authors: Baker Virginia B. , Sowers Christopher B. , Hack Nawaz K.
Published: May 2020

Objective

This quality improvement project was implemented in order to highlight the association between headache, mTBI and depression on lost productivity and resource utilization.

Background

Mood disorders, environment and traumatic brain injury are common in patients with headache, and have been shown to influence clinical course, treatment response and outcome. Although widely recognized, the association of these factors on clinical outcomes, resource utilization and productivity is not well understood.

Methods

All patients presenting to a military referral center for migraines are assessed for presence of traumatic brain injury, Headache Impact Score (HIT-6) and Patient Depression Questionnaire (PHQ-9). Based on screening, patients are offered referral to mental health and a multidisciplinary headache education course.

Results

237 patients were seen for headache or migraine. 180 patients had severely disabling headaches. These patients accounted for 146 emergency room visits over the course of one year. Of headache patients, 65% met criteria for depression and 15% of patients had severe depression. Only 37% of these patients carried a formal diagnosis of depression and 38% had been seen by mental health. Lost productivity and duty limitations were significantly associated with severity of depression. In service members screening positively for mild, moderate or severe depression, duty restrictions had been placed on 8.3%, 32.5% and 53.8%, respectively. Only 3.8% of patients who did not screen for depression had similar duty limitations. A history of mTBI strongly correlated with comorbid depression. Lost productivity and duty limitations were not impacted by other headache characteristics or HIT-6 scores.

Conclusions

This quality improvement project identified a practice gap for treatment of comorbid depression in patients presenting to Neurology for headache. Depression strongly correlated with productivity loss, highlighting a possible target for the economic burden of headache.
Jealousy in women with migraine: a cross-sectional case-control study
Authors: van Casteren Daphne S. , van Willigenburg Florine A. C. , MaassenVanDenBrink Antoinette , Terwindt Gisela M.
Published: May 2020

Background

Estrogen influences susceptibility to migraine attacks and it has been suggested to affect jealousy in romantic relationships in women. Therefore, we hypothesized that migraine women may be more jealous.

Methods

Jealousy levels and hormonal status were determined based on a cross-sectional, web-based, questionnaire study among female migraine patients and controls. A random sample of participants was selected from a validated migraine database. Participants with a serious and intimate monogamous relationship were included (n = 498) and divided into the following subgroups: menstrual migraine (n = 167), non-menstrual migraine (n = 103), postmenopausal migraine (n = 117), and premenopausal (n = 57) and postmenopausal (n = 54) controls. The primary outcome was the difference in mean jealousy levels between patients with menstrual migraine, non-menstrual migraine and premenopausal controls. Results were analyzed with a generalized linear model adjusting for age, relationship duration and hormonal status (including oral contraceptive use). Additionally, the difference in jealousy levels between postmenopausal migraine patients and controls was assessed. Previous research was replicated by evaluating the effect of combined oral contraceptives on jealousy.

Results

Jealousy levels were higher in menstrual migraine patients compared to controls (mean difference ± SE: 3.87 ± 1.09, p = 0.001), and non-menstrual migraine patients compared to controls (4.98 ± 1.18, p < 0.001). No difference in jealousy was found between postmenopausal migraine patients and controls (− 0.32 ± 1.24, p = 0.798). Women using combined oral contraceptives were more jealous compared to non-users with a regular menstrual cycle (2.32 ± 1.03, p = 0.025).

Conclusion

Young women with migraine are more jealous within a romantic partnership.
GC × GC–HRMS nontarget fingerprinting of organic micropollutants in urban freshwater sediments
Authors: Lübeck Josephine S. , Alexandrino Guilherme L. , Christensen Jan H.
Published: May 2020

Background

Sediments are sinks for organic micropollutants, which are traditionally analysed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Although GC–MS and GC–tandem MS (MS/MS) are preferred for target screening, they provide only limited chromatographic resolution for nontarget screening. In this study, a comprehensive two-dimensional GC–high-resolution MS method (GC × GC–HRMS) was developed for nontarget screening and source identification of organic micropollutants in sediments from an urban channel and adjacent lake in Copenhagen, Denmark. The GC × GC–HRMS data were processed by pixel-based chemometric analysis using baseline subtraction, alignment, normalisation, and scaling before principal component analysis (PCA) of the pre-processed GC × GC–HRMS base peak ion chromatograms (BPCs). The analysis was performed to identify organic micropollutants of high abundance and relevance in the urban sediments and to identify pollution sources. Tentative identifications were based on match factors and retention indices and tagged according to the level of identification confidence.

Results

The channel contained both a significantly higher abundance of micropollutants and a higher diversity of compounds compared to the lake. The PCA models were able to isolate distinct sources of chemicals such as a natural input (viz., a high relative abundance of mono-, di- and sesquiterpenes) and a weathered oil fingerprint (viz., alkanes, naphthenes and alkylated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons). A dilution effect of the weathered oil fingerprint was observed in lake samples that were close to the channel. Several benzothiazole-like structures were identified in lake samples close to a high-traffic road which could indicate a significant input from asphalt or tire wear particles. In total, 104 compounds and compound groups were identified.

Conclusions

Several chemical fingerprints of different sources were described in urban freshwater sediments in Copenhagen using a pixel-based chemometric approach of GC × GC–HRMS BPCs. Various micropollutants of anthropogenic origin were identified. Tailored pre-processing and careful interpretation of the identification results is inevitable and still requires further research for an automated workflow.
Welfare consequences of request stops at transport services with low demand
Authors: Jørgensen Finn , Solvoll Gisle
Published: May 2020

Background

Demand-responsive transport is an alternative to fixed-route, fixed-scheduled transport services in low-demand areas.

Objective

This paper discusses the welfare and distributional consequences of the implementation of request stops (RSs) on a scheduled fixed-stop transport service.

Method

The discussion is based on a general welfare model. The focus is on discussing how the magnitudes of the welfare effects on different groups of travellers are influenced by travel patterns and the characteristics of the travellers involved.

Results

The effects of implementing RSs are critically dependent on the booking procedure, the variation in demand throughout the day, and the travellers’ time values per hour when on the mode and when arriving at the destinations before having any appointments. Moreover, the benefits for the operators and the authorities depend strongly on the risk profile in the tendering contract.
Transcriptome profiling of human thymic CD4+ and CD8+ T cells compared to primary peripheral T cells
Authors: Helgeland Hanna , Gabrielsen Ingvild , Akselsen Helle , Sundaram Arvind Y. M. , Flåm Siri Tennebø , Lie Benedicte Alexandra
Published: May 2020

Background

The thymus is a highly specialized organ of the immune system where T cell precursors develop and differentiate into self-tolerant CD4+ or CD8+ T cells. No studies to date have investigated how the human transcriptome profiles differ, between T cells still residing in the thymus and T cells in the periphery.

Results

We have performed high-throughput RNA sequencing to characterize the transcriptomes of primary single positive (SP) CD4+ and CD8+ T cells from infant thymic tissue, as well as primary CD4+ and CD8+ T cells from infant and adult peripheral blood, to enable the comparisons across tissues and ages. In addition, we have assessed the expression of candidate genes related to autoimmune diseases in thymic CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. The thymic T cells showed the largest number of uniquely expressed genes, suggesting a more diverse transcription in thymic T cells. Comparing T cells of thymic and blood origin, revealed more differentially expressed genes, than between infant and adult blood. Functional enrichment analysis revealed an over-representation of genes involved in cell cycle and replication in thymic T cells, whereas infant blood T cells were dominated by immune related terms. Comparing adult and infant blood T cells, the former was enriched for inflammatory response, cytokine production and biological adhesion, while upregulated genes in infant blood T cells were associated with cell cycle, cell death and gene expression.

Conclusion

This study provides valuable insight into the transcriptomes of the human primary SP T cells still residing within the thymus, and offers a unique comparison to primary blood derived T cells. Interestingly, the majority of autoimmune disease associated genes were expressed in one or more T cell subset, however ~ 11% of these were not expressed in frequently studied adult peripheral blood.
Genome-wide association study of Striga resistance in early maturing white tropical maize inbred lines
Authors: Adewale Samuel Adeyemi , Badu-Apraku Baffour , Akinwale Richard Olutayo , Paterne Agre Angelot , Gedil Melaku , Garcia-Oliveira Ana Luísa
Published: May 2020

Background

Striga hermonthica (Benth.) parasitism militates against increased maize production and productivity in savannas of sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Identification of Striga resistance genes is important in developing genotypes with durable resistance. So far, there is only one report on the existence of QTL for Striga resistance on chromosome 6 of maize. The objective of this study was to identify genomic regions significantly associated with grain yield and other agronomic traits under artificial Striga field infestation. A panel of 132 early-maturing maize inbreds were phenotyped for key agronomic traits under Striga-infested and Striga-free conditions. The inbred lines were also genotyped using 47,440 DArTseq markers from which 7224 markers were retained for population structure analysis and genome-wide association study (GWAS).

Results

The inbred lines were grouped into two major clusters based on structure analysis as well as the neighbor-joining hierarchical clustering. A total of 24 SNPs significantly associated with grain yield, Striga damage at 8 and 10 weeks after planting (WAP), ears per plant and ear aspect under Striga infestation were detected. Under Striga-free conditions, 11 SNPs significantly associated with grain yield, number of ears per plant and ear aspect were identified. Three markers physically located close to the putative genes GRMZM2G164743 (bin 10.05), GRMZM2G060216 (bin 3.06) and GRMZM2G103085 (bin 5.07) were detected, linked to grain yield, Striga damage at 8 and 10 WAP and number of ears per plant under Striga infestation, explaining 9 to 42% of the phenotypic variance. Furthermore, the S9_154,978,426 locus on chromosome 9 was found at 2.61 Mb close to the ZmCCD1 gene known to be associated with the reduction of strigolactone production in the maize roots.

Conclusions

Presented in this study is the first report of the identification of significant loci on chromosomes 9 and 10 of maize that are closely linked to ZmCCD1 and amt5 genes, respectively and may be related to plant defense mechanisms against Striga parasitism. After validation, the identified loci could be targets for breeders for marker-assisted selection (MAS) to accelerate genetic enhancement of maize for Striga resistance in the tropics, particularly in SSA, where the parasitic weed is endemic.
Insulin resistance and reduced cardiac autonomic function in older adults: the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities study
Authors: Poon Anna K. , Whitsel Eric A. , Heiss Gerardo , Soliman Elsayed Z. , Wagenknecht Lynne E. , Suzuki Takeki , Loehr Laura
Published: May 2020

Background

Prior studies have shown insulin resistance is associated with reduced cardiac autonomic function measured at rest, but few studies have determined whether insulin resistance is associated with reduced cardiac autonomic function measured during daily activities.

Methods

We examined older adults without diabetes with 48-h ambulatory electrocardiography (n = 759) in an ancillary study of the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study. Insulin resistance, the exposure, was defined by quartiles for three indexes: 1) the homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), 2) the triglyceride and glucose index (TyG), and 3) the triglyceride to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (TG/HDL-C). Low heart rate variability, the outcome, was defined by <25th percentile for four measures: 1) standard deviation of normal-to-normal R-R intervals (SDNN), a measure of total variability; 2) root mean square of successive differences in normal-to-normal R-R intervals (RMSSD), a measure of vagal activity; 3) low frequency spectral component (LF), a measure of sympathetic and vagal activity; and 4) high frequency spectral component (HF), a measure of vagal activity. Logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals weighted for sampling/non-response, adjusted for age at ancillary visit, sex, and race/study-site. Insulin resistance quartiles 4, 3, and 2 were compared to quartile 1; high indexes refer to quartile 4 versus quartile 1.

Results

The average age was 78 years, 66% (n = 497) were women, and 58% (n = 438) were African American. Estimates of association were not robust at all levels of HOMA-IR, TyG, and TG/HDL-C, but suggest that high indexes were associated consistently with indicators of vagal activity. High HOMA-IR, high TyG, and high TG/HDL-C were consistently associated with low RMSSD (OR: 1.68 (1.00, 2.81), OR: 2.03 (1.21, 3.39), and OR: 1.73 (1.01, 2.91), respectively). High HOMA-IR, high TyG, and high TG/HDL-C were consistently associated with low HF (OR: 1.90 (1.14, 3.18), OR: 1.98 (1.21, 3.25), and OR: 1.76 (1.07, 2.90), respectively).

Conclusions

In older adults without diabetes, insulin resistance was associated with reduced cardiac autonomic function – specifically and consistently for indicators of vagal activity – measured during daily activities. Primary prevention of insulin resistance may reduce the related risk of cardiac autonomic dysfunction.
The social and economic burden on family caregivers for older adults in the Czech Republic
Authors: Maresova Petra , Lee Sunwoo , Fadeyi Oluwaseun Omolaja , Kuca Kamil
Published: May 2020

Background

In this paper, we analyse the economic burden of elder care in the Czech Republic by assessing how family members of senior citizens engage in caregiving. To do this, we examined the time and cost associated with caregiving as a function of age, gender, and income of the caregiver.

Methods

A questionnaire comprising 17 items was used to gather data from 155 informal caregivers whose seniors are affiliated with 200 registered home care agencies. Spearman rank correlation was adopted to analyse how caregivers’ income, age and gender influences the costs accrued and time spent in caring for elders. The expenses are divided into direct and indirect. Publicly available sources are used to establish expenses on treatment and medication, which cannot be determined by the questionnaire survey.

Results

Results show that around-the-clock care is the most common. Spouses of care recipients make up the highest number of caregivers, and women represent the largest portion of this group. Additionally, the more the time spent caring for an elder, the higher the cost associated with such care. The total annual burden of informal caregivers is determined by the sum of annual average indirect costs, amounting to € 36,888, and annual direct costs, amounting to € 2775, resulting in a total of € 39,663 per year.

Conclusion

Czech social policymakers should begin to consider better packages for caregivers in the form of incentives and other monetary benefits to improve living standards and care for ageing seniors.
Prevalence of Zika virus neutralizing antibodies in healthy adults in Vietnam during and after the Zika virus epidemic season: a longitudinal population-based survey
Authors: Nguyen Co Thach , Moi Meng Ling , Le Thi Quynh Mai , Nguyen Thi Thu Thuy , Vu Thi Bich Hau , Nguyen Hai Tuan , Pham Thi Thu Hang , Le Thi Hien Thu , Nguyen Le Manh Hung , Phu Ly Minh Huong , Ng Chris Fook Sheng , Takemura Taichiro , Morita Kouichi , Hasebe Futoshi
Published: May 2020

Background

Between 2016 and 2019, 265 cases of Zika virus (ZIKV) infection were reported in Vietnam, predominantly in southern Vietnam. In 2016, a case of ZIKV-associated microcephaly was confirmed in the Central Highlands, and several members of the infant’s family were confirmed to be infected with ZIKV. The study aims to determine the level of immunity to ZIKV in the general population of the ZIKV epidemic region.

Methods

A total of 879 serum samples were collected from 801 participants between January 2017 and July 2018, during and after the ZIKV epidemic in Vietnam. The samples were tested for anti-ZIKV immunoglobulin M (IgM) and immunoglobulin G (IgG), and anti-dengue virus (DENV) IgG antibodies using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). Plaque-reduction neutralization test (PRNT) for ZIKV was performed on all samples, and for DENV on the samples that ZIKV neutralizing antibody positive.

Results

A total of 83 (10.3%) participants had anti-ZIKV IgM. Of the 83, 6 were confirmed to be ZIKV antibodies positive using PRNT and anti-ZIKV IgG ELISA. Of the 718 participants who were anti-ZIKV IgM negative, a further 3 cases were confirmed as positive for antibodies against ZIKV. Of the 9 participants with ZIKV infection, 5 lived in the same village as the infant with ZIKV-associated microcephaly and the other 4 lived in 2 neighboring communes. Repeat samples were collected from the 83 ZIKV IgM positive participants 1.5 years after the first collection. No new cases of ZIKV infection were detected. In addition, 2 of 3 participants with anti-ZIKV NS1 IgG demonstrated a 4- to 8-fold increase in ZIKV neutralizing antibody titer.

Conclusions

ZIKV was present in the area around Krong Buk, with the rate of ZIKV-specific antibodies was 1.1% in the community since at least 2016. While the low levels of circulation together with low seroprevalence suggests a limited outbreak in the region, the results also reflect on low levels of protective immunity to Zika within the population. These results provide a better understanding of the current ZIKV epidemic status in the region and demonstrate a need for implementation of more effective ZIKV infection control measures.
Effects of exercise training on proteinuria in adult patients with chronic kidney disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Yang Lei , Wu Xiaoxia , Wang Ying , Wang Chunfeng , Hu Rong , Wu Yong
Published: May 2020

Background

Rehabilitation effects of exercise training on adults with chronic kidney disease (CKD) have been generally recognised; however, the effects of exercise training on proteinuria have been underexplored. Our aim was to explore the effects of exercise training on proteinuria in adult CKD patients without renal replacement therapy.

Methods

Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-experimental studies examining the effects of exercise training on proteinuria in adults CKD patients without renal replacement therapy were searched in 10 electronic databases (MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Allied and Complementary Medicine Database, SPORTDiscus with full text, Web of Science, China Wan Fang Database, China National Knowledge Internet, China Science and Technology Journal Database) until June 2019. The quality of quasi-experimental studies was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute Checklist for non-randomised experimental studies. The Cochrane risk of bias tool was used to evaluate the RCT quality.

Results

We analysed 11 studies (623 participants). The 24-h urinary protein (24 h UP) level significantly decreased after exercise training in the within-group analysis (standard mean difference [SMD], 0.48; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.08 to 0.88). There was a slight decrease in 24 h UP levels in the between-group analysis (SMD, 0.91; 95% CI, 0.00 to 1.82); however, the subgroup analysis showed that the change was insignificant (RCT: SMD, 0.24; 95% CI, − 0.44 to 0.92; quasi-experimental studies: SMD, 2.50; 95% CI, − 1.22 to 6.23). Exercise resulted in no significant differences in the urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio in the between-group analysis (SMD, 0.06; 95% CI, − 0.54 to 0.67), but a significant decrease was found in the within-group analysis (SMD, 0.21; 95% CI, 0.04 to 0.38). No evidence of a decreased urinary protein-to-creatinine ratio was found after exercise (between-group analysis: SMD, 0.08 and 95% CI, − 0.33 to 0.48; within-group analysis: SMD, 0.04; 95% CI, − 0.25 to 0.32).

Conclusion

Exercise training does not aggravate proteinuria in adult CKD patients without renal replacement therapy. Further research is warranted in the future to determine the effectiveness of exercise training on proteinuria and to explore the mechanisms by which exercise training influences proteinuria.
Mean platelet volume levels in children with sleep-disordered breathing: a meta-analysis
Authors: Chang Wen-Dien , Tseng Chih-Hao , Tsou Yung-An
Published: May 2020

Background

Pediatric sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) correlated with respiratory conditions of snoring and hypopnea. Mean platelet volume (MPV) was an inflammatory marker, related to increased inflammatory condition of pediatric patients. Increase of MPV level may cause failure to thrive or increased upper airway infection rate. The aim of this study was to perform systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the difference on MPV values for pediatric SDB, and compare the change on MPV after surgery in patients with pediatric SDB.

Methods

A systemic review of the studies from PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases was conducted in March 2020, supported by reviewing of published articles for studies comparing MPV in pediatric SDB. Meta-analysis was used to compare the change of MPV in pediatric SDB, and sub-group analysis was also used to compare the MPV decrease after surgeries of adenoidectomy or adenotonsillectomy.

Results

There were seven studies included in the review. Six of them including 963 subjects showed that a significant increase of MPV was noted in pediatric SDB compared to those in pediatric non-SDB (P < 0.05). Total standardized mean difference (SMD) in MPV between pediatric SDB and non-SDB was 0.51 (95% CI =0.30–0.72, P < 0.05). A significant decrease of MPV was found in pediatric SDB patients who underwent surgery (total SMD = − 0.36; 95% CI = − 0.70– -0.02, P < 0.05). Decreases of MPV after adenoidectomy and adenotonsillectomy were observed, but only the effect of adenotonsillectomy had a statistical significance (total SMD = − 0.72; 95% CI = − 1.18 – -0.26, P < 0.05).

Conclusion

The MPV was significantly higher in patients with pediatric SDB, indicating the presence of increased platelet activity in pediatric SDB patients. The level of MPV could be reduced by the two surgeries, especially adenotonsillectomy.