bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Introducing “Precision Health Promotion”: The Convergence of Genomics, Health Education, and Lived Experience
Authors: Terry Paul E.
Published: January 2020

The prospect that modifying just one mutated letter in a genomic sequence could save millions of lives has spawned a growing discipline called personalized medicine (PM). Where PM focuses on bringing greater precision to individual treatments, the genetics revolution also invites questions about how genetics testing and genetics reference panels can be applied in a public health context. Some voice concerns that the growth of PM will shift us back to an emphasis on the medical model for health advancement with undue focus and investment on individual rather than societal solutions. This editorial introduces precision health promotion and defines it as “the personalized design of lived experiences that foster improved health and well-being for individuals within the context of their families, organizations and communities.”
Central Nervous System Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (CNS-SLE) Vasculitis Mimicking Lewy Body Dementia: A Case Report Emphasizing the Role of Imaging With an Analysis of 33 Comparable Cases From the Scientific Literature
Authors: Abraham Peter , Neel Ian , Bishay Steven , Sewell Daniel D.
Published: January 2020

Introduction:

Neuropsychiatric symptoms occur in 30% to 40% of patients living with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Brain imaging may play a pivotal role in determining the etiology as it did for the case presented here.

Methods:

A new case of central nervous system (CNS) SLE is presented along with an analysis of 33 comparable cases from the scientific literature.

Results:

A 70-year-old female with subacute cutaneous lupus presented to a university-based geropsychiatry program after 1 year of benign visual hallucinations and several months of shuffling gait, recurrent falls, and forgetfulness. These symptoms were highly suggestive of Lewy body dementia; however, the patient’s history of basal ganglia infarct, cognitive testing demonstrating inattention and executive dysfunction, and follow-up brain imaging, which did not reveal acute findings, aligned with cerebral pathology previously attributed to vasculitis and supported the diagnosis of subcortical dementia due to SLE-CNS vasculitis. Oral prednisone 20 mg daily resolved her symptoms. Over the next 19 months, her prednisone was tapered completely and her symptoms did not return. A systematic literature search identified 33 comparable cases.

Conclusion:

An analysis of previously published cases suggests that extending the duration of the prednisone taper beyond 1 year may decrease the risk of later occurring neuropsychiatric symptoms in this patient population.
Community Schools as an Urban School Reform Strategy: Examining Partnerships, Governance, and Sustainability Through the Lens of the Full-Service Community Schools Grant Program
Authors: Holme Jennifer Jellison , Castro Andrene J. , Germain Emily , Haynes Madeline , Sikes Chloe Latham , Barnes Michael
Published: January 2020

The community school concept has become a popular school reform model that has gained traction in urban school systems. To date, however, few studies have looked across contexts to see how various communities are conceptualizing the reform: the aims that are articulated, the partnerships that are being created, or sustainability plans. In this study, we explore these questions through an analysis of 32 funded proposals from the federal Full-Service Community Schools grant program. We examine the goals, aims, and plans of reformers and ask questions about governance, inclusion, and sustainability, situating our analysis in the policy implementation literature.
Overlooked Exclusionary Discipline: Examining Placement in Alternative Schools, Expulsions, and Referrals to Hearing in an Urban District
Authors: Welsh Richard O.
Published: January 2020

School discipline is a salient challenge in K–12 districts nationwide. The majority of prior studies have focused on suspensions with relatively little attention paid to other forms of exclusionary discipline. This mixed-methods study provides a descriptive analysis of overlooked disciplinary consequences, namely, assignment to alternative schools, expulsions, and referrals to hearing. The findings from the quantitative analysis indicate that possession of drugs, student and staff assault, and weapons-related incidents account for the majority of infractions leading to the most severe forms of exclusionary discipline. Black male students account for the largest proportion of students receiving the harshest exclusionary disciplinary consequences. The findings from the qualitative analysis reveal several challenges that policymakers in urban districts navigate regarding alternative schools, including (a) staffing and the development of professional capacity, (b) the length of the school day, (c) transportation, and (d) the choice between in-district versus third-party operation of alternative schools.
Going the Extra Mile: The Liability of Foreignness in U.S. Foundation International Grantmaking to Local NGOs
Authors: Oelberger Carrie R. , Lecy Jesse , Shachter Simon Y.
Published: January 2020

Local nongovernmental organizations (local NGOs) based in less economically advanced countries suffer from a “liability of foreignness” in attracting international funding: They are geographically, linguistically, and culturally distant from funders in more economically advanced countries. As a result, although U.S. foundations gave 27,572 grants to support programming occurring within less economically advanced countries between 2000 and 2012, only 10.4% went to local NGOs within those areas. We argue that while favoring NGOs in more economically advanced countries minimizes funder-NGO foreignness, or the distance between the foundation and the grantee NGO, it increases NGO-programming foreignness, or the distance between the grantee NGO and the site of their programming, creating crucial trade-offs. We draw upon organizational theory to predict under what conditions U.S. foundations would fund local NGOs, finding that local NGOs receive more support from older foundations and those with greater geographic and program area experience. Furthermore, local NGOs receive larger, longer grants but with lower probabilities of being renewed. These results identify the conditions under which foundations “go the extra mile” and fund local NGOs.
Study of the effect of surface laser texture on tribological properties of cemented carbide materials
Authors: Zhang Na , Yang Fazhan , Jiang Fulin , Liu Guohua
Published: January 2020

Surface texturing has become a potential method to obtain a low friction coefficient under dry/lubricated conditions for different mechanical product surfaces. The mechanism of friction and wear reduction from a micro-texture on the surface of cemented carbide cutting tools was investigated by dry cutting a titanium alloy. Three kinds of micro-textures, namely, line, sinusoidal and rhombic grooves, with different area occupancy rates were produced by a laser on the cemented carbide surface. Experiments and finite element simulation of ABAQUS were used to investigate the tribological characteristics of micro-textured cemented carbide. The results indicated that the line-textured cemented carbide with an area occupancy rate of 10% showed a low friction coefficient of 0.076, which is approximately 34% of the non-textured sample. Few adhesives appeared on the textured surface, while a large number of adhesives were attached to the smooth surface after 30 min of dry friction between the cemented carbide and the titanium alloy balls. Moreover, among the three textures, the line-groove texture has the smallest friction coefficient and a good anti-wear effect. The results show that the existence of a groove texture can effectively reserve the wear debris, reduce the bond wear and weaken the furrow effect.
A multibelief analytic hierarchy process and nonlinear programming approach for diversifying product designs: Smart backpack design as an example
Authors: Lin Yu-Cheng , Chen Toly
Published: January 2020

Owing to the cost constraint, it is difficult to incorporate all critical features into a single product design. To deal with this issue, analytic hierarchy process is a well-known method that compares the relative priorities of critical features. This study aims to illustrate that the judgment of a designer can be used to generate multiple diversified product designs. To this end, this study proposed a multibelief analytic hierarchy process and nonlinear programming approach. In the proposed methodology, a decision maker’s judgment matrix is decomposed into several single-belief judgment matrices that are more consistent than the original judgment matrix and represent diversified points of view regarding the relative priorities of factors. To this end, a nonlinear programming model is established and optimized. The proposed methodology was applied to a smart backpack design problem. It was concluded that a designer’s judgment was often inconsistent, which was ignored in the conventional analytic hierarchy process method but could be employed to diversify product designs.
Prenatal chlamydial, gonococcal, and trichomonal screening in the Democratic Republic of Congo for case detection and management
Authors: Gadoth Adva , Shannon Chelsea L , Hoff Nicole A , Mvumbi Gisèle , Musene Kamy , Okitolonda-Wemakoy Emile , Hoffman Risa M , Rimoin Anne W , Klausner Jeffrey D
Published: January 2020

Prenatal Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG), and Trichomonas vaginalis (TV) infections are associated with adverse birth outcomes. As rapid diagnostic tests become available, it is important to evaluate prenatal sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevalence, as well as the acceptability and feasibility of prenatal screening programs. We recruited 371 pregnant women from four clinics in Kisantu Health Zone, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) from October 2016 to March 2017. Trained clinicians collected cervical swabs, and samples were tested by nucleic acid amplification for CT, NG, and TV using a GeneXpert® system. Those testing positive for an STI were treated and asked to return after 4–8 weeks for tests-of-cure. Screening for STIs was widely accepted (99%). STI prevalence at baseline was CT, 3.2%; NG, 1.5%; and TV, 14%; treatment completion was 97%. Symptoms were reported among 34% of STI-positive women at baseline, compared with 37% of STI-negative women. Upon first test-of-cure, 100% of returning women were cured of CT ( n = 10) and NG ( n = 5), but only 47% were cured of TV. This study demonstrates the feasibility of implementing diagnostic STI testing for case detection and treatment among expectant mothers in DRC, with implications for maternal and birth outcomes.
Estimating the sample mean and standard deviation from commonly reported quantiles in meta-analysis
Authors: McGrath Sean , Zhao XiaoFei , Steele Russell , Thombs Brett D. , Benedetti Andrea ,   the DEPRESsion Screening Data (DEPRESSD) Collaboration, Levis Brooke , Riehm Kira E. , Saadat Nazanin , Levis Alexander W. , Azar Marleine , Rice Danielle B. , Sun Ying , Krishnan Ankur , He Chen , Wu Yin , Bhandari Parash Mani , Neupane Dipika , Imran Mahrukh , Boruff Jill , Cuijpers Pim , Gilbody Simon , Ioannidis John P.A. , Kloda Lorie A. , McMillan Dean , Patten Scott B. , Shrier Ian , Ziegelstein Roy C. , Akena Dickens H. , Arroll Bruce , Ayalon Liat , Baradaran Hamid R. , Baron Murray , Beraldi Anna , Bombardier Charles H. , Butterworth Peter , Carter Gregory , Chagas Marcos H. , Chan Juliana C. N. , Cholera Rushina , Chowdhary Neerja , Clover Kerrie , Conwell Yeates , de Man-van Ginkel Janneke M. , Delgadillo Jaime , Fann Jesse R. , Fischer Felix H. , Fischler Benjamin , Fung Daniel , Gelaye Bizu , Goodyear-Smith Felicity , Greeno Catherine G. , Hall Brian J. , Harrison Patricia A. , Harter Martin , Hegerl Ulrich , Hides Leanne , Hobfoll Stevan E. , Hudson Marie , Hyphantis Thomas , Inagaki Masatoshi , Ismail Khalida , Jetté Nathalie , Khamseh Mohammad E. , Kiely Kim M. , Kwan Yunxin , Lamers Femke , Liu Shen-Ing , Lotrakul Manote , Loureiro Sonia R. , Löwe Bernd , Marsh Laura , McGuire Anthony , Sidik Sherina Mohd , Munhoz Tiago N. , Muramatsu Kumiko , Osório Flávia L. , Patel Vikram , Pence Brian W. , Persoons Philippe , Picardi Angelo , Reuter Katrin , Rooney Alasdair G. , Santos Iná S. , Shaaban Juwita , Sidebottom Abbey , Simning Adam , Stafford Lesley , Sung Sharon C. , Lynnette Tan Pei Lin , Turner Alyna , van der Feltz-Cornelis Christina M. , van Weert Henk C. , Vöhringer Paul A. , White Jennifer , Whooley Mary A. , Winkley Kirsty , Yamada Mitsuhiko , Zhang Yuying
Published: January 2020

Researchers increasingly use meta-analysis to synthesize the results of several studies in order to estimate a common effect. When the outcome variable is continuous, standard meta-analytic approaches assume that the primary studies report the sample mean and standard deviation of the outcome. However, when the outcome is skewed, authors sometimes summarize the data by reporting the sample median and one or both of (i) the minimum and maximum values and (ii) the first and third quartiles, but do not report the mean or standard deviation. To include these studies in meta-analysis, several methods have been developed to estimate the sample mean and standard deviation from the reported summary data. A major limitation of these widely used methods is that they assume that the outcome distribution is normal, which is unlikely to be tenable for studies reporting medians. We propose two novel approaches to estimate the sample mean and standard deviation when data are suspected to be non-normal. Our simulation results and empirical assessments show that the proposed methods often perform better than the existing methods when applied to non-normal data.
Prediction error and implicit learning in L1 and L2 syntactic priming
Authors: Jackson Carrie N. , Hopp Holger
Published: January 2020

Aims and Objectives:

This study examines the syntactic priming of adverb-first word order among 27 first language (L1) English, 33 L1 German, and 32 L1 German-second language (L2) English speakers to investigate the relationship between short-term priming and longer-term learning across different speaker groups.

Design/Methodology:

Participants completed a syntactic priming task in either English or German, in which they heard sentences containing fronted (i.e. adverb-first) or non-fronted adverbial phrases and described pictures containing similar adverbial phrases. Immediately before and after the priming task, participants completed picture description tasks containing similar sentence types to measure their baseline production of fronted adverbials, and whether subsequent production of fronted adverbials was modulated by the priming task.

Data Analysis:

We used mixed-effects logistic regression to compare participants’ production of fronted sentences during the priming task according to prime type (fronted vs. non-fronted) and their production of fronted sentences before versus after the priming task, including the additional factors of adverbial phrase (temporal phrase vs. locative phrase) and speaker group (L1 English vs. L1 German vs. L2 English).

Findings/Conclusion:

Participants exhibited greater short-term priming during the priming task for temporal versus locative phrases, with the L2 English speakers exhibiting the greatest short-term priming. There was a significant increase in the production of fronted sentences from baseline to post-test, with the L1 English speakers exhibiting the greatest gains.

Originality:

This study uses systematic between- and within-language comparisons to examine: (a) whether the extent of syntactic priming depends on the frequency of a construction in a speaker’s L1 or L2 (i.e. prediction error); and (b) whether prediction error and short-term priming lead to longer-term learning.

Significance:

Our findings show that the magnitude of prediction error influences both short-term adaptation and longer-term priming. However, the ability to harness prediction error for longer-term learning versus short-term adaptation may vary between L1 and L2 speakers.
Healthcare professionals’ knowledge on cardiopulmonary resuscitation correlated with return of spontaneous circulation rates after in-hospital cardiac arrests: A multicentric study between university hospitals in 12 European countries
Authors: Kourek Christos , Greif Robert , Georgiopoulos Georgios , Castrén Maaret , Böttiger Bernd , Mongardon Nicolas , Hinkelbein Jochen , Carmona-Jiménez Francesc , Scapigliati Andrea , Marchel Michal , Bárczy György , Van de Velde Marc , Koutun Juraj , Corrada Elena , Scheffer Gert Jan , Dougenis Dimitrios , Xanthos Theodoros
Published: January 2020

Background:

In-hospital cardiac arrest is a major cause of death in European countries, and survival of patients remains low ranging from 20% to 25%.

Aims:

The purpose of this study was to assess healthcare professionals’ knowledge on cardiopulmonary resuscitation among university hospitals in 12 European countries and correlate it with the return of spontaneous circulation rates of their patients after in-hospital cardiac arrest.

Methods and results:

A total of 570 healthcare professionals from cardiology, anaesthesiology and intensive care medicine departments of European university hospitals in Italy, Poland, Hungary, Belgium, Spain, Slovakia, Germany, Finland, The Netherlands, Switzerland, France and Greece completed a questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted of 12 questions based on epidemiology data and cardiopulmonary resuscitation training and 26 multiple choice questions on cardiopulmonary resuscitation knowledge. Hospitals in Switzerland scored highest on basic life support ( P=0.005) while Belgium hospitals scored highest on advanced life support ( P<0.001) and total score in cardiopulmonary resuscitation knowledge ( P=0.01). The Swiss hospitals scored highest in cardiopulmonary resuscitation training ( P<0.001). Correlation between cardiopulmonary resuscitation knowledge and return of spontaneous circulation rates of patients with in-hospital cardiac arrest demonstrated that each additional correct answer on the advanced life support score results in a further increase in return of spontaneous circulation rates (odds ratio 3.94; 95% confidence interval 2.78 to 5.57; P<0.001).

Conclusion:

Differences in knowledge about resuscitation and course attendance were found between university hospitals in 12 European countries. Education in cardiopulmonary resuscitation is considered to be vital for patients’ return of spontaneous circulation rates after in-hospital cardiac arrest. A higher level of knowledge in advanced life support results in higher return of spontaneous circulation rates.
Properties and application of multi-functional and structurally colored textile prepared by magnetron sputtering
Authors: Yuan Xiaohong , Yin Wei , Ke Huizhen , Wei Qufu , Huang Zujian , Chen Dongsheng
Published: January 2020

Adopting magnetron sputtering continuous automatic production line equipment for industrial production, polyester fabrics as the substrates were coated with nano-Ag/TiO2 composite films prepared by direct current sputtering method and direct current/radio frequency reactive sputtering method, respectively. The microstructure of Ag/TiO2 composite films deposited on the surface of the fabrics was dense and uniform. Structural colors were generated on the surface of the fabrics coated with the composite films and the coloring mechanism was consistent with the single-layer film interference principle. The color fastness, mechanical properties, comfortable properties were not significantly changed and had better antistatic property, anti-ultraviolet property, and antibacterial property compared with the original polyester fabrics. Therefore, the multi-functional and structurally colored fabrics can be prepared by magnetron sputtering technology, and can achieve industrial production, and have wide application prospects in apparel, home textile, and so on.
Facilitators and Barriers to Access to Pediatric Medical Services in a Community Hospital
Authors: Shi Qiyun , Castillo Fiorella , Viswanathan Kusum , Kupferman Fernanda , MacDermid Joy C.
Published: January 2020

Background: Missed medical appointments decrease continuity of medical care, waste resources, and may affect health outcomes. We examined the factors associated with missed children’s supervision visits in Eastern Brooklyn, NY, USA. Methods: We surveyed guardians whose children received routine medical care at four pediatric clinics. Participants filled out a questionnaire that queried: demographics, food security, recent relocation, parental support of healthy behaviors, and length of knowing provider. Preexisting disease(s) and missed visits were retrieved from medical records. Regression analyses were used to determine factors that were associated with missing medical appointments. Results: Among 213 families, 33% faced food insecurity and 16.4% reported moving within the past 12 months. Forty percent of children missed at least 1 visit. Food insecurity (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.3, 95% confidence interval [CI 1.0% to 5.2%) and recent relocation (aOR 1.8, 95% CI 1.1-3.4 were associated with missed health supervision visits, whereas greater parental healthy behaviors (aOR 0.5, 95% CI 0.3-0.9) and longer length of knowing provider (aOR 0.8, 95% CI 0.7-1.0) were associated with fewer missed appointments. Conclusion: This study indicates that social inequity may contribute to poor adherence to medical appointments through multiple mechanisms, including food insecurity, lack of social stability, and parental health behaviors. Multidimensional proactive prevention, and reactive tolerance should be considered as opportunities to mitigate the impact of social inequity on health outcomes.
Goal-Setting on a Geriatric Medicine Rotation: A Pilot Study
Authors: Alston Jillian , Cheung Evelyn , Gandell Dov
Published: January 2020

Background:

Formal goal-setting has been shown to enhance performance and improve educational experiences. We initiated a standardized goal-setting intervention for all residents rotating through a Geriatric Medicine rotation.

Objectives:

This study aims to describe the feasibility of a goal-setting intervention on a geriatric medicine rotation, the resources required, and the barriers to implementation. As well, this study aims to describe the learning goals residents created regarding content and quality.

Methods:

A pilot goal-setting intervention was initiated. A goal-setting form was provided at the beginning of their rotation and reviewed at the end of the rotation. Residents were invited to complete an anonymous online survey to gather feedback on the initiative. Goals were analysed for content and quality. Feedback from the survey results was incorporated into the goal-setting process.

Results:

Between March and December 2018, 26 of 44 residents completed the goal-setting initiative. Explanations for the poor adherence included limited protected time for faculty and residents to engage in coaching, its voluntary nature, and trainee absence during orientation. Reasons for difficulty in achieving goals included lack of faculty and trainee time and difficulty assisting residents in achieving goals when no clinical opportunities arose. Although only 59% of residents completed the intervention, if goal-setting took place, most of the goals were specific (71 of 77; 92%) and 35 of 77 (45.5%) goals were not related to medical knowledge.

Conclusions:

This pilot study outlines the successes and barriers of a brief goal-setting intervention during a Geriatric Medicine rotation. Adherence was limited; however, of those who did complete the intervention, the creation of specific goals with a short, structured goal-setting form was possible. To enhance the intervention, goal-setting form completion should be enforced and efforts should be made to engage in mid-rotation check-ins and coaching.
Influence of time to admission to a comprehensive stroke centre on the outcome of patients with intracerebral haemorrhage
Authors: Prats-Sánchez Luis , Guasch-Jiménez Marina , Gich Ignasi , Pascual-Goñi Elba , Flores Noelia , Camps-Renom Pol , Guisado-Alonso Daniel , Martínez-Domeño Alejandro , Delgado-Mederos Raquel , Rodríguez-Campello Ana , Ois Angel , Gómez-Gonzalez Alejandra , Cuadrado-Godia Elisa , Roquer Jaume , Martí-Fàbregas Joan
Published: January 2020

Introduction

In patients with spontaneous intracerebral haemorrhage, it is uncertain if diagnostic and therapeutic measures are time-sensitive on their impact on the outcome. We sought to determine the influence of the time to admission to a comprehensive stroke centre on the outcome of patients with acute intracerebral haemorrhage.

Patients and methods

We studied a prospective database of consecutive patients with intracerebral haemorrhage attended at two comprehensive stroke centres (2005–2017). We excluded patients with an unwitnessed time of onset of the intracerebral haemorrhage, or previous modified Rankin Scale >3 or in those in whom withdrawal of life-sustaining interventions were decided <24 h from admission. We recorded the time from the intracerebral haemorrhage onset to admission, demographic, clinical, radiological data, the functional outcome (favourable when modified Rankin Scale ≤3) and mortality at 90 days. We conducted a propensity score-matching analysis to evaluate functional outcome and mortality.

Results

We included 487 patients (mean age 72.3 ± 13.9 years), and 53.2% were men. Compared to patients with an admission >110 min, patients who were admitted ≤110 min were significantly younger, and had higher National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale scores. Moreover, patients admitted ≤110 min were more likely to have basal ganglia intracerebral haemorrhage, and to show neurological deterioration. The propensity score groups were well matched. We did not find an association between time to admission and the favourable outcome (OR: 1.42 (95% CI: 0.93–2.16)) or mortality (OR: 0.64 (0.41–0.99)) at 90 days.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that in patients with intracerebral haemorrhage and known symptom onset who are admitted to a comprehensive stroke centre, an early admission (≤110 min) does not influence the outcome at 90 days.
Sulfur-Doped Alkylated Graphene Oxide as High-Performance Lubricant Additive
Authors: Ma Jun , Xiao Yunpeng , Sun Yuanbao , Hu Jianqiang , Wang Yuelun
Published: January 2020

Sulfur-doped graphene oxide (SA-GO) prepared by sulfuration and alkylation of graphene oxide is applied as an efficient green anti-wear additive for harsh operation conditions of engines. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis reveals the sulfur content of octadecylamine-modified SA-GO (sulfuration follows alkylation) is increased by 79 times compared with the reverse process that alkylation follows sulfuration, suggesting the preparation route is a key factor of the sulfuration process. The higher sulfur content and –C–S–C– sulfur bonding constitution result better lubrication effect, while the investigation of chain length of alkylation modification and concentration of the alkylated sulfur-doped graphene oxide indicates the octylamine-modified SA-GO shows smaller diameter of wear scar within the concentration range between 1 × 10−4 and 2.5 × 10−4 wt%. The decrement percent of wear scar diameter is 43.2% in 928 lubrication oil and 17.2% in PAO4 oil while the SA-GO modified by octylamine is applied with the concentrations 2.5 × 10−4 wt% in PAO4 and 1 × 10−4 wt% in 928 oil, respectively. The sulfur content in oil samples is only 0.006~0.001 wt%, which is much lower than the sulfur content standard recommended by ILSAC that is 0.5 wt%. The research work indicates the SA-GO additive is more feasible for the pollution treatment which focuses the substantial reduction of sulfur content in lubrication oil on the premise of improving lubrication capability.
High-Speed and Direction-Controlled Formation of Silicon Nanowire Arrays Assisted by Electric Field
Authors: Chien Pin-Ju , Wei Ta-Cheng , Chen Chia-Yun
Published: January 2020

Metal-assisted chemical etching (MaCE), a low-cost and versatile method was considered a promising technique for preparing silicon nanowires (SiNWs), yet the lack of well controlling the injected holes within Si might reduce the etching rate, create the unwanted sidewall etching, and degrade the structural uniformity. Herein, in this study, the bias-modulated MaCE process was performed, showing the etching rates more than four times of magnitude than that of typical bias-free MaCE with large-area uniformity. It was found that the field-mediated hole rectification overwhelmed the effect of retarded diffusivity from reactive ions, and thus the dynamics of distributed etching were therefore transferred to the directional etching behaviors. In addition, the etching orientation could be also manipulated with the external bias. The results demonstrated that the etching direction was switched toward the slanted features by varying the electric polarization, creating the special slanted/vertical NW arrays, which possessed the superior antireflection characteristics than the conventional vertically aligned features.
Advanced maternal age pregnancy and its adverse obstetrical and perinatal outcomes in Ayder comprehensive specialized hospital, Northern Ethiopia, 2017: a comparative cross-sectional study
Authors: Mehari Mihret-ab , Maeruf Hayat , Robles Carmen C. , Woldemariam Solomon , Adhena Tesfay , Mulugeta Mussie , Haftu Abera , Hagose Hadgay , Kumsa Henok
Published: January 2020

Background

Advanced maternal age generally denotes age after 35 years during the time of delivery. Despite the fact that being pregnant at any reproductive age is not risk-free, older gravidity usually culminates with adverse outcomes both to the mother and fetus or neonate. This study aimed to determine the association of adverse obstetrical and perinatal outcomes with advanced maternal age pregnancy. The study was conducted in Ayder comprehensive specialized hospital, north Ethiopia, from 2015 to 2017.

Methods

chart review comparative cross-sectional study was employed. Data were retrieved from medical charts of 752 pregnant mothers (376 each for both the study;> 35-year-old and reference group;20-34 year old). Data was collected using a pretested and structured checklist using systematic sampling and data was entered & analyzed using SPSS version 20. Binary and multivariable logistic regression was run to determine the association of independent variables with dependent variables.

Results

This study revealed that advanced maternal age pregnancy was significantly associated with pregnancy induced hypertension [AOR 4.15, 95% CI (2.272–7.575), p <  0.001], ante partum hemorrhage [AOR 2.54, 95% CI (1.32–4.91), P = 0.005] & cesarean delivery [AOR 2.722, 95% CI (1.777–4.170), p <  0.001]. Furthermore, advanced maternal age pregnancy was also increasingly associated with adverse perinatal outcomes like preterm delivery [AOR 3.622, 95% CI (1.469–8.930), p = 0.005], low birth weight [AOR 3.137, 95% CI (1.324–7.433), p = 0.009], perinatal death [AOR 2.54, 95% CI (1.141–5.635), p = 0.022] and low fifth minute APGAR score [AOR 7.507, 95% CI (3.134–17.98), p <  0.001]. Notwithstanding this, maternal age was not found to be associated with amniotic fluid disturbances, premature rupture of membranes and post-term pregnancy.

Conclusions

Advanced maternal age is markedly linked with adverse obstetrical and perinatal outcomes. Therefore, it is better for health care providers to counsel couples, who seek to have a child in their later ages, about the risks of advanced maternal age pregnancy. In addition, health care workers need to emphasize on how to improve advanced age mothers’ health through the utilization of contraception to reduce pregnancy in this age group.
Lipid profiling in maternal and fetal circulations in preeclampsia and fetal growth restriction-a prospective case control observational study
Authors: Alahakoon Thushari I. , Medbury Heather J. , Williams Helen , Lee Vincent W.
Published: January 2020

Background

While many risk factors for preeclampsia, such as increased body mass index, advanced maternal age, chronic hypertension, diabetes, are now established in clinical practice, maternal lipid profile has not been included in the risk assessment for preeclampsia. We aim to characterize the serum levels of Total Cholesterol (TC), High density lipoprotein (HDL), Low density lipoprotein (LDL), Triglycerides (TG), Apolipoprotein A1, Apolipoprotein B and their ratios TC/HDL and ApoB/ApoA1 in the maternal and fetal circulations of normal pregnancy, preeclampsia (PE), fetal growth restriction (FGR) and PE + FGR.

Methods

A prospective cross-sectional case control study was conducted measuring maternal and fetal lipid levels by enzymatic analysis and immune-turbidimetric enzymatic assays. FGR was defined by elevated umbilical artery Doppler resistance in association with estimated fetal weight < 10%. Kruskal Wallis non-parametric analysis of variance was used to test for homogeneity across the clinical groups for each of the variables, Mann-Whitney tests for pairwise comparisons and Spearman rank correlation were used to quantify gestational age-related changes.

Results

(1) TG levels were elevated in maternal PE and cord blood PE + FGR groups compared to normal pregnancies. (2) A statistically significant elevation of fetal ApoB levels was observed in PE, FGR and PE + FGR compared to normal pregnancies. Apolipoprotein levels A1 and B were not different between maternal groups. (3) TC, HDL, LDL and TC/HDL levels did not show any significant gestational variation or between clinical groups in the maternal or fetal circulation.

Conclusions

Elevation in maternal TG levels may have a role in the pathogenesis of PE. The implications of elevated maternal and fetal TG levels and elevated fetal Apolipoprotein B levels deserves further exploration of their role in long term cardiovascular risk in the mother as well as the offspring.
Analytical characterization of trace elements (zinc, copper, cadmium, lead and selenium) in saliva of pigs under common pathological conditions in the field: a pilot study
Authors: Sánchez Jorge , Montilla Miguel , Gutiérrez-Panizo Cándido , Sotillo Juan , Fuentes Pablo , Montes Ana , Gutiérrez Ana María
Published: January 2020

Background

This study is focused on the measurement of trace elements (zinc, copper, cadmium, lead and selenium) in the saliva of pigs in order to study their levels on different porcine pathological conditions in the field. The experiment involved 15 pigs without clinical signs of disease and 42 diseased pigs (suffering from lameness, rectal prolapse, fatigue or growth rate retardation). Individual saliva samples were collected, allowing the pigs to chew a sponge each for trace element quantifications through atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). Since this is the first report on the measurements of trace elements in porcine saliva, a routine analytical validation study was performed for the quantification of all the studied elements. Moreover, the acute phase proteins C-reactive protein (CRP) and haptoblobin (Hp), the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and adenosine deaminase (ADA) were quantified in the saliva samples for the animal’s health status assessment.

Results

Modifications in the levels of acute phase proteins or ADA were only recorded in animals with lameness and rectal prolapse and those with fatigue respectively. Moreover, TAC level changes were observed in pigs with growth-rate retardation. However, alterations in the levels of two or more trace elements were reported for all the different groups of diseased pigs with evident variations within pathologies.

Conclusions

The salivary quantification of trace elements could be considered as a complementary tool to acute phase proteins, TAC and ADA determinations for disease detection and differentiation in the pig and should be explored in greater depth.
Quality control in veterinary blood banks: evaluation of canine platelet concentrates stored for five days
Authors: Lasta Camila Serina , Hlavac Nicole , Marcondes Natália Aydos , Dalmolin Magnus Larruscaim , Terra Silvia Resende , de Almeida Lacerda Luciana , Faulhaber Gustavo Adolpho Moreira , González Félix Hilário Díaz
Published: January 2020

Background

Platelets undergo structural, biochemical and functional alterations when stored, and platelet storage lesions reduce platelet function and half-life after transfusion. The objective of this study was to evaluate stored canine platelet concentrates with platelet aggregation, flow cytometry and biochemistry assays. Twenty-two bags of canine platelet concentrates were obtained by the platelet-rich plasma method and were assessed on days 1, 3 and 5 after collection. Parameters such as platelet counts, residual leukocytes, platelet swirling, glucose, lactate, pH, CD62P expression (platelet activation), JC-1 (mitochondrial function) and annexin V (apoptosis and cell death) were assessed.

Results

Over the five days of storage there was a significant decrease in glucose, HCO3, pCO2, ATP, pH, swirling and mitochondrial function, associated with a significant increase in lactate levels and pO2. At the end of storage pH was 5.9 ± 0.6 and lactate levels were 2.8 ± 1.2 mmol/L. Results of the quality parameters evaluated were similar to those reported in human platelets studies. The deleterious effects of storage were more pronounced in bags with higher platelet counts (> 7.49 × 1010/unit), suggesting that canine platelet concentrates should not contain an excessive number of platelets.

Conclusions

Quality parameters of canine platelets under standard storage conditions were similar to those observed in human platelets. Our results have potential to be used for the routine evaluation and quality control in veterinary blood banks.
Lung function and systemic inflammation associated with short-term air pollution exposure in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients in Beijing, China
Authors: Gao Nannan , Xu Wenshuai , Ji Jiadong , Yang Yanli , Wang Shao-Ting , Wang Jun , Chen Xiang , Meng Shuzhen , Tian Xinlun , Xu Kai-Feng
Published: January 2020

Background

Exposure to air pollution is associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, findings on the effects of air pollution on lung function and systemic inflammation in Chinese COPD patients are inconsistent and scarce. This study aims to evaluate the effects of ambient air pollution on lung function parameters and serum cytokine levels in a COPD cohort in Beijing, China.

Methods

We enrolled COPD participants on a rolling basis from December 2015 to September 2017 in Beijing, China. Follow-ups were performed every 3 months for each participant. Serum levels of 20 cytokines were detected every 6 months. Hourly ambient pollutant levels over the same periods were obtained from 35 monitoring stations across Beijing. Geocoded residential addresses of the participants were used to estimate daily mean pollution exposures. A linear mixed-effect model was applied to explore the effects of air pollutants on health in the first-year of follow-up.

Results

A total of 84 COPD patients were enrolled at baseline. Of those, 75 COPD patients completed the first-year of follow-up. We found adverse cumulative effects of particulate matter less than 2.5 μm in aerodynamic diameter (PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2) and carbon monoxide (CO) on the forced vital capacity % predicted (FVC % pred) in patients with COPD. Further analyses illustrated that among COPD patients, air pollution exposure was associated with reduced levels of serum eotaxin, interleukin 4 (IL-4) and IL-13 and was correlated with increased serum IL-2, IL-12, IL-17A, interferon γ (IFNγ), monocyte displacing protein 1 (MCP-1) and soluble CD40 ligand (sCD40L).

Conclusion

Acute exposures to PM2.5, NO2, SO2 and CO were associated with a reduction in FVC % pred in COPD patients. Furthermore, short-term exposure to air pollutants increased systemic inflammation in COPD patients; this may be attributed to increased Th1 and Th17 cytokines and decreased Th2 cytokines.
Targeted literature review on use of tumor mutational burden status and programmed cell death ligand 1 expression to predict outcomes of checkpoint inhibitor treatment
Authors: Krieger Tina , Pearson Isobel , Bell Judith , Doherty Jim , Robbins Paul
Published: January 2020

Background

To achieve optimal outcomes, an individual approach is needed in the treatment and care of patients. The potential value of tumor mutational burden (TMB) status and/or programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression as biomarkers to predict which patients are most likely to respond to checkpoint inhibitors has been explored in many studies. The goal of this targeted literature review is to identify data available for TMB status and/or PD-L1 expression that predict response to checkpoint inhibitors and/or anti–cytotoxic T-lymphocyte–associated protein 4 (CTLA-4) antibodies.

Methods

Targeted literature searches were performed using electronic medical databases (MEDLINE, Embase, and BIOSIS) and internet searches of specified sites. Bibliographies of key systematic literature reviews and meta-analyses also were reviewed for studies of interest.

Results

The review identified 27 studies of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), 40 studies of melanoma, 10 studies of urothelial cancer, and 5 studies of renal cell cancer indications. Studies also were identified in other cancer types, e.g., colorectal, breast, gastric, and Merkel cell cancer and squamous-cell carcinoma of the head and neck.

Twelve trials, including six in NSCLC and four in melanoma, evaluated TMB as a predictor of outcomes. A TMB of ≥10 mutations per megabase was shown to be an effective biomarker in the CheckMate 227 study. PD-L1 expression was included in the majority of identified studies and was found to predict response in in melanoma and in all types of NSCLC. Prediction of response was not a prespecified analysis in some studies; others had small sample sizes and wide confidence intervals. A clear predictive trend for PD-L1 expression was not identified in renal, breast, gastric, or Merkel cell cancer.

Conclusion

Based on data contained in this review, assessment of TMB status and PD-L1 expression may help enhance the prediction of response to checkpoint inhibition in some tumors, such as NSCLC and melanoma. In this rapidly growing area of research, further exploratory biomarkers are being investigated including tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, immune profiling (e.g., effector T cells or regulatory T cells), epigenetic signatures, T-cell receptor repertoire, proteomics, microbiome, and metabolomics.
Fundoscopy-directed genetic testing to re-evaluate negative whole exome sequencing results
Authors: Cho Ahra , Lima de Carvalho Jose Ronaldo , Tanaka Akemi J. , Jauregui Ruben , Levi Sarah R. , Bassuk Alexander G. , Mahajan Vinit B. , Tsang Stephen H.
Published: January 2020

Background

Whole exome sequencing (WES) allows for an unbiased search of the genetic cause of a disease. Employing it as a first-tier genetic testing can be favored due to the associated lower incremental cost per diagnosis compared to when using it later in the diagnostic pathway. However, there are technical limitations of WES that can lead to inaccurate negative variant callings. Our study presents these limitations through a re-evaluation of negative WES results using subsequent tests primarily driven by fundoscopic findings. These tests included targeted gene testing, inherited retinal gene panels, whole genome sequencing (WGS), and array comparative genomic hybridization.

Results

Subsequent genetic testing guided by fundoscopy findings identified the following variant types causing retinitis pigmentosa that were not detected by WES: frameshift deletion and nonsense variants in the RPGR gene, 353-bp Alu repeat insertions in the MAK gene, and large exonic deletion variants in the EYS and PRPF31 genes. Deep intronic variants in the ABCA4 gene causing Stargardt disease and the GUCY2D gene causing Leber congenital amaurosis were also identified.

Conclusions

Negative WES analyses inconsistent with the phenotype should raise clinical suspicion. Subsequent genetic testing may detect genetic variants missed by WES and can make patients eligible for gene replacement therapy and upcoming clinical trials. When phenotypic findings support a genetic etiology, negative WES results should be followed by targeted gene sequencing, array based approach or whole genome sequencing.
HPV-mediated down-regulation of NOD1 inhibits apoptosis in cervical cancer
Authors: Liu Xubin , Ma Hanyu , Fei Lingyan , Jiang Mengjie , Xia Meng , Bai Lihong , Pi Xufang , Chen Shangwu , Yu Li
Published: January 2020

Cervical cancer is the fourth most common malignant tumor in women worldwide. The persistent infection of high-risk Human Papillomavirus (hrHPV) is considered to be the primary cause of this disease. As an innate immune receptor, the nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain protein-1 (NOD1) recognizes the pathogen-associated molecular pattern (PAMP), subsequently initiating immune responses. NOD1 is also involved in the apoptotic signaling pathway and mutates in many cancer cells. In the study, we revealed that NOD1 expression decreased during the progression of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia to cervical cancer and that HPV16 E6/E7 oncoproteins induced down-regulation of NOD1. Moreover, the activation of NOD1 promoted the apoptosis of HPV16-positive cervical cancer cells. The data indicated that the dysregulation of NOD1-mediated inflammation and apoptosis may contribute to cervical intraepithelial neoplasia progression and cervical cancer.
Acute myeloid leukemia with inv(16)(p13.1q22) and deletion of the 5’MYH11/3’CBFB gene fusion: a report of two cases and literature review
Authors: Lv Lili , Yu Jingwei , Qi Zhongxia
Published: January 2020

Background

Abnormalities of chromosome 16 are found in about 5–8% of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The AML with inv(16)(p13.1q22) or t (16;16)(p13.1;q22) is associated with a high rate of complete remission (CR) and favorable overall survival (OS) when treated with high-dose Cytarabine. At the inversion breakpoints, deletion of 3’CBFB has been reported, but most of them were studied by chromosome and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analyses. The genomic characteristics of such deletions remain largely undefined, hindering further understanding of the clinical significance of the deletions.

Case presentation

We report here two AML cases with inv(16) and deletion of the 5’MYH11/3’CBFB gene fusion, which were characterized by chromosome, FISH, and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) microarray analyses. Both cases have achieved CR for more than three years.

Conclusions

Deletion of 3’CBFB in AML with inv(16) is also accompanied with deletion of 5’MYH11 in all the cases studied by SNP microarray, suggesting that 3’CBFB and 5’MYH11 were most likely deleted together as a fusion product of inv(16) instead of occurring separately. In concert with the findings of other published studies of similar patients, our study suggests that deletion of 5’MYH11/3’CBFB in AML with inv(16) may not have negative impact on the prognosis of the disease.