bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fisheries management influences phytoplankton biomass of Amazonian floodplain lakes
Authors: Campos‐Silva João Vitor , Peres Carlos A. , Amaral João Henrique Fernandes , Sarmento Hugo , Forsberg Bruce , Fonseca Carlos Roberto
Published: October 2020

Tropical floodplains secure the protein supply of millions of people, but only sound management can ensure the long‐term continuity of such ecosystem services. Overfishing is a widespread threat to multitrophic systems, but how it affects ecosystem functioning is poorly understood, particularly in tropical freshwater food webs. Models based on temperate lakes frequently assume that primary producers are mostly bottom‐up controlled by nutrient and light limitations, with negligible effects of top‐down forces. Yet this assumption remains untested in complex tropical freshwater systems experiencing marked spatiotemporal variation.

We use consolidated community‐based fisheries management practices and spatial zoning to test the relative importance of bottom‐up versus top‐down drivers of phytoplankton biomass, controlling for the influence of local to landscape heterogeneity. Our study focuses on 58 large Amazonian floodplain lakes under different management regimes that resulted in a gradient of apex‐predator abundance. These lakes, distributed along ~600 km of a major tributary of the Amazon River, varied widely in size, structure, landscape context, and hydrological seasonality.

Using generalised linear models, we show that community‐based fisheries management, which controls the density of apex predators, is the strongest predictor of phytoplankton biomass during the dry season, when lakes become discrete landscape units. Water transparency also emerges as an important bottom‐up factor, but phosphorus, nitrogen and several lake and landscape metrics had minor or no effects on phytoplankton biomass. During the wet‐season food pulse, when lakes become connected to adjacent water bodies and homogenise the landscape, only lake depth explained phytoplankton biomass.

Synthesis and applications. Tropical freshwaters fisheries typically assume that fish biomass is controlled by bottom‐up mechanisms, so that overexploitation of large predators would not affect overall ecosystem productivity. Our results, however, show that top‐down forces are important drivers of primary productivity in tropical lakes, above and beyond the effects of bottom‐up factors. This helps us to understand the enormous success of community‐based ‘fishing agreements’ in the Amazon. Multiple stakeholders should embrace socio‐ecological management practices that shape both bottom‐up and top‐down forces to ensure biodiversity protection, sustainable fisheries yields and food security for local communities and regional economies.
Metagenome association study of the gut microbiome revealed biomarkers linked to chemotherapy outcomes in locally advanced and advanced lung cancer
Authors: Zhao Zhe , Fei Kailun , Bai Hua , Wang Zhijie , Duan Jianchun , Wang Jie
Published: October 2020

Background

The gut microbiome is important in the development and immunotherapy efficacy of lung cancer. However, the relationship between the intestinal flora and chemotherapy outcomes remains unclear and was investigated in this study.

Methods

We analyzed baseline stool samples from patients with locally advanced and advanced lung cancer before chemotherapy treatment, through metagenomics of the gut microbiota. The composition, diversity, function, and metabolic pathway analysis were compared among patients with different clinical outcomes.

Results

From 64 patients, 33 responded to treatment (responders) and 31 did not (nonresponders). Streptococcus mutans and Enterococcus casseliflavus were enriched in responders (P < 0.05), while 11 bacteria including Leuconostoc lactis and Eubacterium siraeum were enriched in nonresponders (P < 0.05) by variance analysis. Responders were associated with significantly higher Acidobacteria and Granulicella, while Streptococcus oligofermentans, Megasphaera micronuciformis, and Eubacterium siraeum were more abundant in nonresponders by Lefse analysis. Streptococcus mutans and Enterococcus casseliflavus were further identified as bacterial markers relevant to responders using unsupervised clustering, and Leuconostoc lactis and Eubacterium siraeum were related to nonresponders. The L‐glutamate degradation VIII pathway was enriched in responders (P = 0.014), and the C4 photosynthetic carbon assimilation cycle, reductive TCA cycle I, and hexitol fermentation to lactate, formate, ethanol, and acetate were enriched in nonresponders (P < 0.05). Additionally, significant associations of bacterial species with clinical phenotypes were observed by Spearman correlation analysis.

Conclusions

The specific gut microbiome of patients with lung cancer might be connected to the clinical outcomes of chemotherapy.

Key points

Significant findings of the study

Lung cancer patients with different gut microbiome compositions and microbiome metabolic pathways have different responses to chemotherapy. Microbiome species are also associated with different lung cancer clinical phenotypes.

What this study adds

We have identified specific gut microbiome species that can be used as relevant biomarkers for chemotherapy outcomes. This can potentially be used to guide clinical treatment decisions.
Association between serum level soluble programmed cell death ligand 1 and prognosis in patients with non‐small cell lung cancer treated with anti‐PD‐1 antibody
Authors: Murakami Shuji , Shibaki Ryota , Matsumoto Yuji , Yoshida Tatsuya , Goto Yasushi , Kanda Shintaro , Horinouchi Hidehito , Fujiwara Yutaka , Yamamoto Noboru , Ohe Yuichiro
Published: October 2020

Background

Programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD‐L1) is known to have soluble forms aside from its membrane‐bound forms. The aim of this study was to evaluate the predictive and prognostic values of serum soluble PD‐L1 (sPD‐L1) in patients with non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who were treated with anti‐PD‐1 antibody.

Methods

A total of 233 patients were enrolled in this study. We assessed the level of serum sPD‐L1 before anti‐PD‐1 antibody treatment (pembrolizumab or nivolumab) and evaluated the correlation with PD‐L1 expression on tumor cells, the response to anti‐PD‐1 antibody treatment, and patient outcome.

Results

The median serum sPD‐L1 concentration was 67.7 (range, 25 to 223) pg/mL. A weak correlation between serum sPD‐L1 and tumor PD‐L1 expression was observed. The disease control rate in the high sPD‐L1 group (≥90 pg/mL) was significantly lower than that in the low sPD‐L1 group (<90 pg/mL) (37% vs. 57%, P = 0.0158). The progression‐free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in the high sPD‐L1 group were significantly shorter than those in the low sPD‐L1 group (median PFS, 57 days vs. 177 days, P = 0.011; median OS, 182 days vs. not reached, P < 0.001). The high level of serum sPD‐L1 was independently associated with a shorter PFS (hazard ratio [HR], 1.910; P = 0.061) and OS (HR, 2.073; P = 0.034) in multivariate analysis.

Conclusions

The serum sPD‐L1 level, which was only weakly correlated with the tumor PD‐L1 expression level, was an independent predictive and prognostic biomarker for NSCLC patients receiving anti‐PD‐1 antibody.

Key points

Significant findings of the study

The disease control rate in the high sPD‐L1 group was significantly lower than that in the low sPD‐L1 group. The progression‐free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in the high sPD‐L1 group were significantly shorter than those in the low sPD‐L1 group. The high level of serum sPD‐L1 was independently associated with a shorter PFS and OS in multivariate analysis.

What this study adds

This study demonstrated that serum sPD‐L1 level was an independent predictive and prognostic biomarker for NSCLC patients receiving anti‐PD‐1 antibody.
Cumulative incidences of hospital‐treated psychiatric disorders are increasing in five Finnish birth cohorts
Authors: Kerkelä Martta , Gyllenberg David , Gissler Mika , Sillanmäki Lauri , Keski-Säntti Markus , Hinkka-Yli-Salomäki Susanna , Filatova Svetlana , Hurtig Tuula , Miettunen Jouko , Sourander Andre , Veijola Juha
Published: October 2020

Objective

The aim of this study was to explore changes in the incidences of childhood and early adulthood hospital‐treated psychiatric disorders in five large Finnish birth cohorts of individuals born between 1966 and 1997.

Methods

The five birth cohorts were as follows: Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966 (NFBC 1966) and 1986 (NFBC 1986), 1987 Finnish Birth Cohort (FBC 1987) and 1997 (FBC 1997), and Finnish 1981 Birth Cohort Study (FBCS 1981). Incidences of hospital‐treated psychiatric disorders in each cohort were calculated separately for males (N = 71,209) and females (N = 65,190). Poisson regression was used to test difference in proportions of psychiatric disorders in wide range of diagnosis classes separately in childhood and adolescence, and early adulthood.

Results

The total incidences of psychiatric disorders in childhood and adolescence among males has increased in the birth cohorts over decades (Incidence Rate Ratio, IRR = 1.04 (1.04–1.05); p < 0.001). Similar result was seen among females (IRR = 1.04 (1.03–1.04); p < 0.001). In early adulthood, there was significant increase among females (IRR = 1.04 (1.03–1.05); p < 0.001), but among males, the change was not significant (IRR = 0.99 (0.99–1.00), p = 0.051).

Conclusions

The main finding was that the cumulative incidence of hospital‐treated psychiatric disorders increased over the decades in Finland. The increasing trend in hospital‐treated psychiatric disorders in early adulthood was detected in females but not in males. In the youngest cohorts, the cumulative incidence of hospital‐treated psychiatric disorders was at the same level in males and females, whereas in oldest cohort, males had higher incidence than females.
Stopping them Using Our Boats
Authors: Williams Michael
Published: October 2020

Controlling entry to an island continent proved more complex than the Immigration Restriction Act, 1901 framers imagined. Chinese people had been coming to Australia in numbers since the 1850s and by 1901 had substantial community, family, and economic links with their Pearl River Delta villages, around the colonies and with Hong Kong and Shanghai. Resistance was fought out on the boats themselves; musters were held, documents examined, searches made, and dictation tests administered. Secrecy, fraud, informers, and harassment reduced but did not eliminate communities while also causing governments much embarrassment before this first attempt at halting boat people was abandoned.
The tension‐free vaginal tape operation: Is the inexperienced surgeon a risk factor? Learning curve and Swedish quality reference
Authors: Nüssler Emil K. , Löfgren Mats , Lindkvist Håkan , Idahl Annika
Published: October 2020

Introduction

To reduce the risk of avoidable damage to the patient when training surgeons, one must predefine what standards to achieve, as well as supervise and monitor trainees' performance. The aim of this study is to establish a quality reference, to devise comprehensive tension‐free vaginal tape (TVT) learning curves and to compare trainees' results to our quality reference.

Material and methods

Using the Swedish National Quality Register for Gynecologic Surgery, we devised TVT learning curves for all Swedish TVT trainees from 2009 to 2017, covering their first 50 operations. These outcomes were compared with the results of Sweden's most experienced TVT surgeons for 14 quality variables.

Results

In all, 163 trainees performed 2804 operations and 40 experienced surgeons performed 3482 operations. For our primary outcomes – perioperative bladder perforations and urinary continence after 1 year – as well as re‐admission, re‐operation and days to all daily living activities, there was no statistically significant difference between trainees and experienced surgeons at any time. For the first 10 trainee operations only, there were small differences in favor of the experienced surgeons: patient‐reported minor complications after discharge (14% vs 18.4%, P = .002), 1‐year patient‐reported improvement (95.9% vs 91.8%, P < .000), and patient satisfaction (90.9% vs 86.2%, P = .002). For both trainee operations 1‐10 and 11‐50, compared with experienced surgeons, operation time (33.8 vs 22.2 min, P < .000; 28.3 vs 22.2 min, P < .000) and hospital stay time (0.16 vs 0.06 days, P < .001; 0.1 vs 0.06 days, P < .001) were longer, perioperative blood loss was higher (27.7 vs 24.4 mL, P = .001; 26.5 vs 24.4 mL, P = .004), and patient‐reported catheterization within 8 weeks was higher (3.9% vs 1.8%, P < .000; 2.5% vs 1.8%, P = .001). One‐year voiding difficulties for trainee patients (operations 1‐10:14.2%, P = .260; operations 11‐50:14.5%, P = .126) were comparable to the experienced surgeons (12.4%).

Conclusions

There is a learning curve for several secondary outcomes but the small effect size makes it improbable that the difference has clinical significance. Our national Swedish results show that it is possible to train new TVT surgeons without exposing patients to noteworthy extra risk and achieve results which are equivalent to the most experienced Swedish surgeons.
ORPHANS BY DESIGN: THE FUTURE OF GENETIC PARENTHOOD
Authors: Bowman‐Smart Hilary
Published: October 2020

Establishing the nature of genetic parenthood is an important task. This is, firstly, because many people desire that relationship and it is in their interest to know what that is, and secondly, because there is a view that it may incur certain moral obligations between the genetic parent and their child. Many theorists have made attempts to define exactly what genetic parenthood is. I show that these definitions are deficient if they wish to fully capture all reproductive scenarios in ways that are intuitive and/or meaningful. Through a series of cases involving technologies such as cloning and genome editing, we see that in lieu of the traditional two parents, there are possible beings who have no genetic parents, one genetic parent, or many genetic parents. Establishing these cases complicates our understanding of genetic parenthood. From this, we must reconsider current definitions, as well as the usefulness of defining genetic parenthood in these complex cases. Here I do not aim to establish a new definition, but rather to suggest that this complexity makes it necessary to re‐assess the importance of the connection between genetic parenthood and parental obligations and authorities.
Optimizing LBVH‐Construction and Hierarchy‐Traversal to accelerate kNN Queries on Point Clouds using the GPU
Authors: Jakob J. , Guthe M.
Published: October 2020

Processing point clouds often requires information about the point neighbourhood in order to extract, calculate and determine characteristics. We continue the tradition of developing increasingly faster neighbourhood query algorithms and present a highly efficient algorithm for solving the exact neighbourhood problem in point clouds using the GPU. Both, the required data structures and the kNN query, are calculated entirely on the GPU. This enables real‐time performance for large queries in extremely large point clouds. Our experiments show a more than threefold acceleration, compared to state‐of‐the‐art GPU based methods including all memory transfers. In terms of pure query performance, we achieve over answered neighbourhood queries per millisecond for 16 nearest neighbours on common graphics hardware.
Comparative accuracy of cone‐beam CT and conventional multislice computed tomography for real‐time navigation in zygomatic implant surgery
Authors: Tao Baoxin , Shen Yihan , Sun Yuanyuan , Huang Wei , Wang Feng , Wu Yiqun
Published: October 2020

Background

Cone‐beam computed tomography (CBCT) and conventional multislice CT (MSCT) are both used in zygomatic implant navigation surgery but the superiority of one technique versus the other remains unclear.

Purpose

This study compared the accuracy of CBCT and MSCT in zygomatic implant navigation surgery by calculating the deviations of implants.

Material and methods

Patients with severely atrophic maxillae were classified into two groups according to the use of CBCT‐ or MSCT‐guided navigation system. The entry and apical distance deviation, and the angle deviation of zygomatic implants were measured on fused operation images. A linear effect model was used for analysis, with statistical significance set at P < .05.

Results

A total of 72 zygomatic implants were inserted as planned in 23 patients. The comparison of deviations in CBCT and MSCT groups showed a mean (± SD) entry deviation of 1.69 ± 0.59 mm vs 2.04 ± 0.78 mm (P = .146), apical deviation of 2 ± 0.68 mm vs 2.55 ± 0.85 (P < .001), and angle deviation of 2.32 ± 1.02° vs 3.23 ± 1.21° (P = .038).

Conclusion

Real‐time zygomatic implant navigation surgery with CBCT may result in higher values for accuracy than MSCT.
Mapping shifts in spatial synchrony in grassland birds to inform conservation planning
Authors: Allen Michael C. , Lockwood Julie L.
Published: October 2020

La sincronía espacial, definida como las fluctuaciones correlacionadas de la abundancia de poblaciones separadas espacialmente, puede deberse a las fluctuaciones regionales de los conductores ambientales naturales y antropogénicos de las poblaciones. Los análisis de la geografía de las sincronías pueden proporcionar conocimiento útil para guiar los esfuerzos de planeación de la conservación al revelar regiones de conductores comunes de población y la vulnerabilidad de extinción de las metapoblaciones. Examinamos la geografía de la sincronía espacial y los cambios por década en estos patrones para las aves de pastizal en los Estados Unidos y Canadá, las cuales están experimentando declinaciones poblacionales extensas y persistentes. Usamos modelos bayesianos jerárquicos y más de 50 años de datos de abundancia tomados del Censo Norteamericano de Aves Reproductoras para generar índices poblacionales dentro una cuadrícula de 2° de latitud por 2° de longitud. Calculamos y mapeamos la sincronía espacial local media para cada celda (la correlación con deducción de tendencia de la media del índice entre las celdas vecinas), además de la incertidumbre asociada, para 19 especies en dos períodos de 26 años: 1968 ‐ 1993 y 1994 ‐ 2019. Se predijo que las aves de pastizal aumentarían su sincronía espacial en donde aumentarán la intensificación agrícola, el cambio climático o las interacciones entre ambos. No encontramos evidencia de un aumento generalizado de la sincronía entre las especies de aves de pastizal. Sin embargo, con base en la geografía de estos cambios, hubo una heterogeneidad espacial considerable entre las especies. Como promedio entre las especies, identificamos módulos de sincronía espacial en aumento en las regiones de Prairie Pothole y Shortgrass Prairie así como una región de sincronía espacial en declive al este de los Estados Unidos. Nuestra estrategia tiene el potencial para guiar a la planeación de la conservación a escala continental al añadir una capa adicional de información relevante a los análisis del estado de las especies y a la priorización espacial de las acciones de manejo y de políticas. Nuestro trabajo contribuye a una creciente literatura que sugiere que el cambio mundial podría derivar en patrones cambiantes de sincronía espacial en las dinámicas poblacionales de muchos taxones con implicaciones amplias para la conservación de la biodiversidad.

Mapeo de los Cambios en la Sincronía Espacial de las Aves de Pastizal para Guiar la Planeación de la Conservación
Referrals for surgical removal of polyps since the introduction of a colorectal cancer screening programme
Authors: Bosch Dianne , Leicher Laura W. , Vermeer Nina C.A. , C.M.J. Peeters Koen , de Vos tot Nederveen Cappel Wouter H. , van Westreenen Henderik L.
Published: October 2020

Aim

Implementation of the Dutch national bowel screening programme in 2014 led to an increased rate of detection of polyps. In general, polyps should be removed endoscopically. However, if the size and location of the polyp make endoscopic removal technically difficult, or if there is a suspicion for early (T1) cancer, surgery is the preferred method for removal. An increasing number of these patients are being treated with minimally invasive surgical procedures instead of segmental resection. The aim of this study was to assess the number of referrals for surgery and the type of surgery for polyps since the introduction of the Dutch national bowel screening programme.

Method

A retrospective cohort study was performed. Patients who underwent surgery for colorectal polyps between January 2012 and December 2017 were included. Patients with histologically proven carcinoma prior to surgery were excluded. Primary outcomes were the number and type of surgical procedures for polyps.

Results

A total of 164 patients were included. An annual increase in procedures for colorectal polyps was observed, from 18 patients in 2012 to 36 patients in 2017. All the procedures before implementation of the screening programme were segmental resections, and 58.8% of the patients underwent organ‐preserving surgery after implementation of the screening. The overall complication rate of organ‐preserving surgery was 16.3%, compared with 44.3% for segmental resections (P = 0.001). Overall, invasive colorectal cancer was encountered in 23.8% of cases.

Conclusion

The number of referrals for surgical resection of colorectal polyps has doubled since the introduction of the Dutch national bowel screening programme with a substantial shift towards organ‐preserving techniques.
Continuous function of 80 primary renal allografts for 30–47 years with maintenance prednisone and azathioprine/mycophenolate mofetil therapy: A clinical mosaic of long‐term successes
Authors: Braun William E. , Herlitz Leal , Li Jianbo , Schold Jesse , Poggio Emilio , Stephany Brian , Fatica Richard , Nally Joseph , Brown Kathleen , Fairchild Robert , Baldwin William , Goldfarb David , Kiser William , Augustine Joshua , Avery Robin , Tomford J. Walton , Nakamoto Satoru
Published: October 2020

Eighty primary renal allograft recipients, 61 living‐related and 19 deceased donor, transplanted from 1963 through 1984 had continuous graft function for 30–47 years. They were treated with three different early immunosuppression programs (1963–1970: thymectomy, splenectomy, high oral prednisone; 1971–1979: divided‐dose intravenous methylprednisolone; and 1980–1984: antilymphocyte globulin) each with maintenance prednisone and azathioprine, and no calcineurin inhibitor. Long‐term treatment often included the anti‐platelet medication, dipyridamole. Although both recipient and donor ages were young (27.2 ± 9.5 and 33.1 ± 12.0 years, respectively), six recipients with a parent donor had >40‐year success. At 35 years, death‐censored graft survival was 85.3% and death with a functioning graft 84.2%; overall graft survival was 69.5% (Kaplan–Meier estimate). Biopsy‐documented early acute cellular and highly probable antibody‐mediated rejections were reversed with divided‐dose intravenous methylprednisolone. Complications are detailed in an integrated timeline. Hypogammaglobulinemia identified after 20 years doubled the infection rate. An association between a monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance and non‐plasma‐cell malignancies was identified. Twenty‐seven azathioprine‐treated patients tested after 37 years had extremely low levels of T1/T2 B lymphocytes representing a “low immunosuppression state of allograft acceptance (LISAA)”. The lifetime achievements of these patients following a single renal allograft and low‐dose maintenance immunosuppression are remarkable. Their success evolved as a clinical mosaic.
Attitudes of Dilated Cardiomyopathy Patients and Investigators Toward Genomic Study Enrollment, Consent Process, and Return of Genetic Results
Authors: Blazek Alisa D. , Kinnamon Daniel D. , Jordan Elizabeth , Ni Hanyu , Hershberger Ray E.
Published: October 2020

Precision medicine genetics study design requires large, diverse cohorts and thoughtful use of electronic technologies. Involving patients in research design may increase enrollment and engagement, thereby enabling a means to relevant patient outcomes in clinical practice. Few data, however, illustrate attitudes of patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and their family members toward genetic study design. This study assessed attitudes of 16 enrolled patients and their family members (P/FM), and 18 investigators or researchers (I/R) of the ongoing DCM Precision Medicine Study during a conjoint patient and investigator meeting using structured, self‐administered surveys examining direct‐to‐participant enrollment and web‐based consent, return of genetic results, and other aspects of genetic study design. Survey respondents were half women and largely identified as white. Web‐based consent was supported by 93% of P/FM and 88% of I/R. Most respondents believed that return of genetic results would motivate study enrollment, but also indicated a desire to opt out. Ideal study design preferences included a 1‐hour visit per year, along with the ability to complete study aspects by telephone or web and possibility of prophylactic medication. This study supports partnership of patients and clinical researchers to inform research priorities and study design to attain the promise of precision medicine for DCM.
Infectious exanthemas in childhood
Authors: Fölster‐Holst Regina
Published: October 2020

Most childhood exanthemas are harmless. However, recognizing serious diseases with life‐threatening complications at an early stage is important for the timely initiation of adequate therapy. This requires knowledge of the specific patterns of the exanthema, obtained from the medical history and the clinic, including the patient’s general condition and physical examination. In unclear cases, additional diagnostic measures are undertaken, such as blood tests and smears (cutaneous, mucocutaneous).

Viruses are the most common cause of childhood exanthemas. New variants of infectious agents, improved diagnostics and stays in tropical and subtropical countries have expanded the spectrum of infectious exanthemas.
Infektiöse Exantheme im Kindesalter
Authors: Fölster‐Holst Regina
Published: October 2020

Die meisten Exanthemerkrankungen im Kindesalter sind harmlos. Es ist jedoch wichtig, schwerwiegende Erkrankungen mit lebensbedrohlichen Komplikationen frühzeitig zu erkennen, um rechtzeitig eine adäquate Therapie einzuleiten. Hierfür ist die Kenntnis der spezifischen Muster (Pattern) der Exantheme Voraussetzung, die sich aus der Anamnese sowie der Klinik einschließlich des Allgemeinbefindens und der körperlichen Untersuchung ergeben. In unklaren Fällen werden zusätzliche diagnostische Maßnahmen veranlasst wie Blutuntersuchungen und Abstriche (kutan, mukokutan).

Am häufigsten sind Viren Auslöser von Exanthemen im Kindesalter. Neue Varianten von Infektionserregern, verbesserte Diagnostik, Aufenthalte in tropischen oder subtropischen Ländern haben das Spektrum infektiöser Exantheme erweitert.
Vascular ring and sling in a fetus who developed esophageal and airway compression after birth
Authors: Yang Shui‐hua , He Gui‐dan , Liang Meng‐feng , Qin Gui‐chan , Pang Yu‐lan , Li Xue‐qin , Li Xin‐yan , Wei Hong‐wei , Wang Ying‐fei
Published: October 2020

Vascular ring and sling are congenital anomalies of the vascular structure in the thorax with a prevalence of 2.4/10,000 live births. Double aortic arch (DAA), right aortic arch with left ductus arteriosus and aberrant left subclavian artery (RAA‐ALSA), and pulmonary artery sling (PAS) are the three common types of vascular ring and sling. These anomalies can be isolated or accompanied by intracardiac malformation. The presence of both vascular ring and PAS is extremely rare. Here, we report a fetus who was prenatally diagnosed with PAS and RAA‐ALS, and developed symptoms due to esophageal and airway compression after birth.
Characterization of circular RNA transcriptomes in psoriasis and atopic dermatitis reveals disease‐specific expression profiles
Authors: Moldovan Liviu I. , Tsoi Lam C. , Ranjitha Uppala , Hager Henrik , Weidinger Stephen , Gudjonsson Johann E. , Kjems Jørgen , Kristensen Lasse S.
Published: October 2020

Atopic dermatitis (AD) and psoriasis are two common chronic inflammatory skin diseases that are associated with various comorbidities. Circular RNA (circRNA) constitutes a major class of non‐coding RNAs that have been implicated in many human diseases, although their potential involvement in inflammatory skin diseases remains elusive. Here, we compare and contrast the circRNA expression landscapes in paired lesional and non‐lesional skin from psoriasis and AD patients relative to skin from unaffected individuals using high‐depth RNA‐seq data. CircRNAs and their cognate linear transcripts were quantified using the circRNA detection algorithm, CIRI2, and in situ hybridization and Sanger sequencing was used for validation purposes. We identified 39,286 circRNAs among all samples and found that psoriasis and AD lesional skin could be distinguished from non‐lesional and healthy skin based on circRNA expression landscapes. In general, circRNAs were less abundant in lesional relative to non‐lesional and healthy skin. Differential expression analyses revealed many significantly downregulated circRNAs, mainly in psoriasis lesional skin, and a strong correlation between psoriasis and AD‐related circRNA expression changes was observed. Two individual circRNAs, ciRS‐7 (also known as CDR1as) and circZRANB1, were specifically dysregulated in psoriasis and show promise as biomarkers for discriminating AD from psoriasis. In conclusion, the circRNA transcriptomes of psoriasis and AD share expression features, including a global downregulation relative to healthy skin, but this is most pronounced in psoriasis, and only psoriasis is characterized by several circRNAs being dysregulated independently of their cognate linear transcripts. Finally, specific circRNAs could potentially be used to distinguish AD from psoriasis.
Overview of global status of plastic presence in marine vertebrates
Authors: López‐Martínez Sergio , Morales‐Caselles Carmen , Kadar Julianna , Rivas Marga L.
Published: October 2020

The presence of plastic in the environment is generating impacts on all habitats and has become a major global problem in marine megafauna. Macroplastics can cause entanglement, ingestion and loss of suitable habitats. In addition to entanglement problems, there is evidence that plastics are entering the food web through ingestion by marine organisms, which could ultimately be affecting humans. Much of the available information on the impact of plastic in biota is scattered and disconnected due to the use of different methodologies. Here, we review the variety of approaches and protocols followed to assess macro‐ and microplastic ingestion in marine vertebrates such as sea turtles, cetaceans and fishes in order to offer a global overview of their current status. The analysis of 112 studies indicates the highest plastic ingestion in organisms collected in the Mediterranean and Northeast Indian Ocean with significant differences among plastic types ingested by different groups of animals, including differences in colour and the type of prevalent polymers. In sea turtles, the most prevalent types of plastics are white plastics (66.60%), fibres (54.54%) and LDPE polymer (39.09%); in cetaceans, white macro‐ and microplastics (38.31%), fibres (79.95%) and PA polymer (49.60%); and in fishes, transparent plastics (45.97%), fibres (66.71%) and polyester polymer (36.20%). Overall, clear fibre microplastics are likely the most predominant types ingested by marine megafauna around the globe.
Cascade of care of people diagnosed with HIV in New Zealand between 2006 and 2017
Authors: McAllister S , van Asten H , Anglemyer A , Crengle S , Zeng J , Raymond N , Handy R , Giola M , Dickson N , Priest P
Published: October 2020

Objectives

We estimated the proportion of people reported with HIV in New Zealand between 2006 and 2017, and alive in 2017–2019, who were on antiretroviral therapy (ART) and had a suppressed viral load (VL), and explored their associated characteristics.

Methods

Data were anonymously linked to information on ART and VL within the data collection period (January 2017 to August 2019) using the National Health Index (NHI), Ministry of Health and laboratory datasets, as well as information from clinical specialists. Logistic regression was used to test for associations. Sensitivity analyses were undertaken to estimate the range for the key proportions.

Results

Overall, 2355 people were reported with HIV, of whom 116 (5%) had died, 337 (14%) were overseas, and 1701 (72%) were alive in New Zealand; for the remaining 201 (9%) the outcome was unknown. Clinical data were available for 1490 people (87.6%): 1408 (94.5%) were on ART, 11 (< 1%) were not on ART, and for 71 (4.8%) this was unknown. Of those on ART, 1156 (82.1%) had a suppressed VL (< 200 copies/mL), 34 (2.4%) were unsuppressed, and for 218 (15.5%) this was unknown. The estimate of the proportion on ART ranged from 99% to 78%, and those with a suppressed VL ranged from 98% to 78%.

Conclusions

Among people with HIV in New Zealand who are under care, a high proportion were on ART and had suppressed VL. Increasing collection of NHIs and better linkage with laboratory information will reduce the number with unknown information and provide more complete VL results in the future.
Home collection of nasal swabs for detection of influenza in the Household Influenza Vaccine Evaluation Study
Authors: Malosh Ryan E. , Petrie Joshua G. , Callear Amy P. , Monto Arnold S. , Martin Emily T.
Published: October 2020

Background

Community‐based studies of influenza and other respiratory viruses (eg, SARS‐CoV‐2) require laboratory confirmation of infection. During the current COVID‐19 pandemic, social distancing guidelines require alternative data collection in order to protect both research staff and participants. Home‐collected respiratory specimens are less resource‐intensive, can be collected earlier after symptom onset, and provide a low‐contact means of data collection. A prospective, multi‐year, community‐based cohort study is an ideal setting to examine the utility of home‐collected specimens for identification of influenza.

Methods

We describe the feasibility and reliability of home‐collected specimens for the detection of influenza. We collected data and specimens between October 2014 and June 2017 from the Household Influenza Vaccine Evaluation (HIVE) Study. Cohort participants were asked to collect a nasal swab at home upon onset of acute respiratory illness. Research staff also collected nose and throat swab specimens in the study clinic within 7 days of onset. We estimated agreement using Cohen's kappa and calculated sensitivity and specificity of home‐collected compared to staff‐collected specimens.

Results

We tested 336 paired staff‐ and home‐collected respiratory specimens for influenza by RT‐PCR; 150 staff‐collected specimens were positive for influenza A/H3N2, 23 for influenza A/H1N1, 14 for influenza B/Victoria, and 31 for influenza B/Yamagata. We found moderate agreement between collection methods for influenza A/H3N2 (0.70) and B/Yamagata (0.69) and high agreement for influenza A/H1N1 (0.87) and B/Victoria (0.86). Sensitivity ranged from 78% to 86% for all influenza types and subtypes. Specificity was high for influenza A/H1N1 and both influenza B lineages with a range from 96% to 100%, and slightly lower for A/H3N2 infections (88%).

Conclusions

Collection of nasal swab specimens at home is both feasible and reliable for identification of influenza virus infections.
Structure and disorder in Pb‐Na metasilicate (PbO:Na2O:2SiO2) glasses: A view from high‐resolution 17O solid‐state NMR
Authors: Kim Hyo‐Im , Lee Seoyoung , Kim Eun Jeong , Lee Sung Keun
Published: October 2020

Knowledge of the structure of lead (Pb)‐bearing silicate glasses, such as degree of polymerization and arrangement among cations, provides improved prospects for understanding their macroscopic properties. Despite the importance, the detailed disorder in Pb‐bearing silicate glasses with varying composition (i.e., Pb/alkali content) has not been systematically explored. Here, we reveal the first unambiguous structural information of PbO‐Na2O‐SiO2 glasses with varying PbO content [i.e., XPbO = PbO/(Na2O + PbO)], which are the fundamental model system for multicomponent Pb‐bearing glasses, using high‐resolution 17O solid‐state NMR. 17O NMR spectra clearly show the resolved multiple oxygen sites, such as Na‐O‐Si, Si‐O‐Si, and [Na,Pb]‐O‐Si. As XPbO increases, the fraction of [Na,Pb]‐O‐Si peak increases markedly at the expanse of substantial reduction in the fraction of Na‐O‐Si/total NBO. This trend indicates the relative predominance of the dissimilar pairs around non‐bridging oxygen (NBO) and, therefore, can be explained well with the pronounced chemical ordering among Na+ and Pb2+. These results confirm that Pb is primarily a network‐modifier in the glasses studied here. Atomic environments around both NBO and BO are affected by the change in Na/Pb ratio, while topological disorder due to cation mixing around NBO is much more prominent in Pb endmember. The structural details of short‐range configurations around oxygen in alkali Pb‐silicate glasses provide atomistic insights for understanding the properties of Pb‐bearing multicomponent silicate glasses.
Development and psychometric testing of the Gerontological Nursing Competence (GeroNursingCom) instrument
Authors: Tohmola Anniina , Saarnio Reetta , Mikkonen Kristina , Kyngäs Helvi , Elo Satu
Published: October 2020

Aim

To develop and psychometrically test an instrument – GeroNursingCom – that measures gerontological nursing competence of nursing students.

Design

An instrument development guided by COSMIN guidelines.

Method

The development and testing of the GeroNursingCom instrument proceeded according to four distinct phases: (a) establishing a theoretical background; (b) testing face and content validity; (c) examining structural validity; and (d) testing internal consistency. The items of instrument were based on a theoretical framework developed from a comprehensive literature review and focus group interviews with experts (N = 27) in spring 2018. Content validity was assessed by nine experts in gerontological nursing, while face validity was tested in a pilot study including 36 nursing students. Structural validity was examined with exploratory factor analysis with 267 nursing students from nine universities of applied sciences. The internal consistency was established with Cronbach's alpha. The data were collected in spring and autumn 2019. The data analysis was conducted with multivariate statistical methods.

Results

The GeroNursingCom development and testing process yielded an instrument that includes 53 items across 11 factors: (a) appreciative encounters and interactions with older people; (b) medication for older people; (c) nutrition for older people; (d) safe living environment for older people; (e) supporting the functioning of older people; (f) end‐of‐life care; (g) developing one's competencies; (h) supporting an older person's mental well‐being; (i) supporting an older person's sexuality; (j) guiding self‐care among older people; and (k) responding to challenging situations. The instrument was able to explain 66.15% of the total observed variance, while Cronbach's alpha values for individual items varied from 0.75–0.89.

Conclusion

TheGeroNursingCom instrument can be used to measure gerontological nursing competence among nursing students to improve gerontological nursing education and/or geriatric care.

Impact

Graduating nursing students must develop versatile competencies to face the multiple needs of older patients and curriculums need to be further developed to ensure students are prepared for gerontological nursing.
Phenotypic and genetic correlations of beef replacement heifer feeding behaviour, feed intake and feed efficiency with cow performance and lifetime productivity
Authors: Olson Cameron A. , Li Changxi , Block Hushton , McKeown Lisa , Basarab John A.
Published: October 2020

Objectives were to quantify the phenotypic (rp) and genetic (rg) correlations between early‐life feeding behaviours, dry matter intake, and feed efficiency and measures of cow performance and lifetime productivity traits. Traits were measured on 1,145 crossbred replacement beef heifers and then on cows over parities one to four. Feeding event duration (FD) was phenotypically correlated with cow prebreeding body weight (PBWT; rp 0.29–0.45), cow prebreeding back fat thickness (PBBF; rp 0.35–0.49), progeny weaning weight (WW; rp 0.09–0.31) and progeny birthweight (BW; rp −0.06 to 0.17). Feeding event frequency (FF) was phenotypically correlated with PBBF (rp 0.16–0.30). Dry matter intake (DMI) was phenotypically correlated with PBWT (rp 0.16–0.20) and PBBF (rp −0.22 to −0.05). Feeding event duration was genetically correlated with PBWT (rg 0.38–0.41). Feeding event frequency was genetically correlated with PBWT (rg −0.43 to −0.39). Dry matter intake was genetically correlated with PBWT (rg −0.27 to 0.14). Days in herd (DIH) was phenotypically correlated with FD and DMI (rp = 0.12, 0.20, respectively). Lifetime productivity was phenotypically correlated with FD and FF (rg = 0.25, 0.22, respectively). Calving interval was phenotypically correlated with FD and FF (rp = −0.12, −0.14, respectively) and genetically correlated with FF (rg = −0.41). Due to moderate positive correlations with cow weight, caution would be required in selection to prevent an increase in mature cow size. Use of FF, FD, DMI and a measure of feed efficiency such as residual feed intake adjusted for back fat (RFIFAT) in a balanced selection index is recommended.
Why Collaborate in a Physical Internet Network?—Motives and Success Factors
Authors: Plasch Michael , Pfoser Sarah , Gerschberger Markus , Gattringer Regina , Schauer Oliver
Published: October 2020

The vision of the Physical Internet (PI) involves both sharing logistics resources and information exchange within an open network. The implementation of PI is seen as a promising contribution toward sustainable logistics. This paper investigates motives for and success factors in collaborating in a PI network. We apply an interpretive case‐based research approach involving four shippers and three logistics service providers (LSPs) that operate in a PI network. Motives are defined as the reasons that encourage an organization to enter the PI network. Success factors are conditions required for organizations to continue collaborating in a PI network. This is the first PI study conducted in a multi‐industry context. The findings demonstrate the central and neutral orchestration of resources (i.e., physical, digital/intangible, and relational resources) as a substantial and multi‐faceted issue in PI and continuous PI collaboration. A well‐accepted theory (Resource‐Based View) and its most recent extension (Resource Orchestration Theory—ROT) frame and guide our research. ROT informs the deployment of physical, digital/intangible, and relational resources by a neutral orchestrator in a PI network. The knowledge of motives and success factors allows the development of future user‐oriented PI services that are likely to be accepted by shippers and LSPs.
Applying learning analytics dashboards based on process‐oriented feedback to improve students' learning effectiveness
Authors: Wang Dongqing , Han Hou
Published: October 2020

With the development of a technology‐supported environment, it is plausible to provide rich process‐oriented feedback in a timely manner. In this paper, we developed a learning analytics dashboard (LAD) based on process‐oriented feedback in iTutor to offer learners their final scores, sub‐scale reports, and corresponding suggestions on further learning content. We adopted a quasi‐experimental design to investigate the effectiveness of the report on students' learning. Ninety‐four freshman from two classes participated in this research. The two classes were divided into the LAD group and the original analytics report (OAR) based on a product‐oriented feedback group. Before the experiment, all the students took the prior knowledge assessment. After a semester's instruction, all the students took the post‐test of the summative assessment. Results indicated that students in the LAD group experienced better learning effectiveness than students in the OAR group. LAD based on process‐oriented feedback was also effective in improving the skill learning effectiveness of the students with low‐level prior knowledge.
Reproductive ecology of a critically endangered alpine galaxiid
Authors: Allan Hugh , Duncan Richard P. , Unmack Peter , White Duanne , Lintermans Mark
Published: October 2020

Stocky galaxias Galaxias tantangara is a newly described freshwater fish restricted to a single population, occupying a 3 km reach of a small headwater stream in the upper Murrumbidgee River catchment of south‐eastern Australia. This species is listed as critically endangered under IUCN Red List criteria, and knowledge of the species’ ecology is critical for future conservation efforts to establish additional populations by translocation and captive breeding. This study details the first account of spawning and reproductive ecology of G. tantangara, including reproductive development, timing of spawning and a description of one spawning site. Peak gonadosomatic index was observed in March/April in males and in October in females. Absolute fecundity ranged from 211 oocytes for a 76 mm length to caudal fork (LCF) fish to 810 oocytes for a 100 mm LCF fish. The observation of spent females in mid‐November 2017 and discovery of an egg mass 8 days later suggest that spawning had occurred, and over a relatively short period. Larvae were subsequently detected in monthly electrofishing surveys in December 2017. Findings from this study provide new understanding of existing and future threats to G. tantangara and have important implications for conservation management of not only this species but also other closely related threatened Galaxias species.
A preliminary investigation of the effects of short‐duration, vigorous exercise following sleep restriction, fragmentation and extension on appetite and mood in inactive, middle‐aged men
Authors: Larsen Penelope , Marino Frank E. , Guelfi Kym , Duffield Rob , Skein Melissa
Published: October 2020

This preliminary study aimed to investigate the effect of exercise on appetite and mood following multiple days of sleep disruption (restriction [RES], fragmentation [FRAG]) or sleep extension (EXT), compared to normal sleep (CONT) in inactive, middle‐aged men. Nine men completed four randomised trials initiated by 3 nights (day 1–3) of CONT (6.5–8 hr), RES (4 hr), FRAG (6.5–8 hr, interrupted at 2‐hr intervals) or EXT (10 hr). On day 4 between 08:30 and 11:00 hours, perceived appetite, food cravings, appetite‐related hormones (acylated ghrelin, leptin, peptide tyrosine–tyrosine [PYY]total), glucose, mood states and wellness (stress, fatigue, soreness, and mood) were assessed before (post‐sleep manipulation [SM]) and after (post‐exercise [EX]) a 20‐min vigorous cycling bout (rating of perceived exertion: 15). There was no effect of sleep manipulation or exercise on perceived appetite (p = .34–.62). Some aspects of food craving were altered after RES and EXT, with vigorous exercise attenuating the desire for sweet foods in RES (p = .12). PYYtotal was lower after RES compared to EXT and FRAG (p = .03), but was unaltered by exercise (p = .03). Ghrelin was higher for RES and EXT compared to CONT and FRAG after exercise (p = .001–.03). Total wellness was reduced and total mood disturbance (TMD) was higher after RES and FRAG compared to CONT and EXT (p ≤ .05). However, vigorous exercise countered these changes, with wellness and TMD remaining significantly impaired for FRAG compared to EXT only at this time (p = .02–.03). Vigorous exercise mitigates some aspects of food cravings and counters the impaired mood states that exist after multiple days of restricted and fragmented sleep.