bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Klotho deficiency‐induced arterial calcification involves osteoblastic transition of VSMCs and activation of BMP signaling
Authors: Lin Yi , Sun Zhongjie
Published: August 2021

Klotho is an aging‐suppressor gene. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether Klotho deficiency affects arterial structure. We found that Klotho‐deficient (kl/kl) mice developed severe arterial calcification and elastin fragmentation. Klotho‐deficient mice demonstrated higher levels of bone morphogenetic proteins (BMP2, BMP4) and runt‐related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2) in aortas, indicating that Klotho deficiency upregulates expression of BMP2 and RUNX2 (a key transcription factor in osteoblasts). To exclude the potential involvement of hyperphosphatemia in arterial calcification, Klotho‐deficient mice were given a low phosphate diet (0.2%). The low phosphate diet normalized blood phosphate levels and abolished calcification in the lungs and kidneys, but it did not prevent calcification in the aortas in Klotho‐deficient mice. Thus, Klotho deficiency per se might play a causal role in the pathogenesis of arterial calcification, which is independent of hyperphosphatemia. In cultured mouse aortic smooth muscle cells (ASMCs), Klotho‐deficient serum‐induced transition of ASMCs to osteoblasts. Klotho‐deficient serum promoted BMP2/vitamin D3‐induced protein expression of PIT2 and RUNX2, phosphorylation of SMAD1/5/8 and SMAD2/3, and extracellular matrix calcification. Interestingly, treatments with recombinant Klotho protein abolished BMP2/vitamin D3‐induced osteoblastic transition and morphogenesis and calcification. Therefore, Klotho is a critical regulator in the maintenance of normal arterial homeostasis. Klotho deficiency‐induced arterial calcification is an active process that involves the osteoblastic transition of SMCs and activation of the BMP2‐RUNX2 signaling.
The association of COVID‐19 antibody with in‐hospital outcomes in COVID‐19 infected patients
Authors: Kuno Toshiki , So Matsuo , Miyamoto Yoshihisa , Iwagami Masao , Takahashi Mai , Egorova Natalia N.
Published: August 2021

We aimed to investigate whether hospitalizations of patients who tested positive for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) antibodies are associated with reduced in‐hospital mortality. Of the 2459 patients admitted due to COVID‐19 and tested for antibodies, 937 (38.1%) had positive tests. After adjustment for patient characteristics and treatments, patients with positive COVID‐19 antibody test had lower in‐hospital mortality compared with those with negative test results (odds ratio [OR]: 0.62; 95% confidential interval [95% CI] 0.46–0.83, p = 0.001). In conclusion, positive COVID‐19 antibody test results were associated with the reduced risk of in‐hospital mortality for COVID‐19 patients.
Fish feed mycobiota and aflatoxins in round fish tissues
Authors: Gomes Amanda L , de Godoy Silvia HS , de Castro Burbarelli Maria F , Chaguri Milena P , de Sousa Ricardo LM , Fernandes Andrezza M
Published: August 2021

BACKGROUND

Round fish is one of the most consumed fish in Brazil. Farmed fish feed is based mainly on grains, which are susceptible to contamination by mold and mycotoxins. Aspergillus spp., Penicillium spp. and Fusarium spp. are the major mycotoxins producers. The presence of potentially toxigenic fungi in the diet is a concern due to the possibility of cumulative toxins in fish tissues, becoming a risk to food safety. This study aims to assess the mycobiota of fish feed and the occurrence of aflatoxin residues in round fish tissues. Feed and fish samples were collected from fish farming and fish pay properties. Feed was submitted to mold counting and mold identification. The round fish liver and muscle were submitted to the detection and quantification of aflatoxins B1, B2, G1 and G2 by high‐performance liquid chromatography.

RESULTS

In evaluated feed, mold counts in the samples ranged from 2.0 to 4.7 log colony forming units g−1 and the major genera found were Penicillium (61.5%) and Aspergillus (34.6). Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) was detected in 70% liver samples and 43.3% muscle samples, at levels up to 5.70 and 1.13 μg kg−1, respectively.

CONCLUSION

It is concluded that, although the levels were lower than those recommended by Brazilian legislation, round fish are being exposed to diets naturally contaminated by aflatoxins and are susceptible to toxins accumulation in tissues. Therefore, regulations regarding feed should consider limits for mold and aflatoxin contamination in fish edible tissues should be monitored in order to ensure consumers' safety. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.
Developing the discretization method for fractal‐fractional two‐dimensional Fredholm–Volterra integro‐differential equations
Authors: Dehestani Haniye , Ordokhani Yadollah
Published: August 2021

This paper contains the computational approach based on Mott polynomials together with the two‐dimensional Legendre–Gauss (LG) quadrature rule for fractal‐fractional two‐dimensional Fredholm–Volterra (FF‐2D‐FV) integro‐differential equations. Furthermore, we applied the modified operational matrices of integration and fractional derivative in the process of the numerical algorithm to get the approximate solution with high accuracy. The fractal‐fractional derivative is defined in the Atangana–Riemann–Liouville sense. Besides, we estimate the error of the method in Sobolev space. Ultimately, to prove the theoretical claim, we represent the numerical results in the form of tables and diagrams.
Physician‐hastened death in California for patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: Part of a bigger picture
Authors: Grogan James , Simmons Zachary
Published: August 2021

See article on pages 428–434 in this issue
Assessing combining abilities, genomic data, and genotype × environment interactions to predict hybrid grain sorghum performance
Authors: Fonseca Jales M. O. , Klein Patricia E. , Crossa Jose , Pacheco Angela , Perez‐Rodriguez Paulino , Ramasamy Perumal , Klein Robert , Rooney William L
Published: August 2021

Genomic selection in maize (Zea mays L.) has been one factor that has increased the rate of genetic gain when compared with other cereals. However, the technological foundations in maize also exist in other cereal crops that would allow prediction of hybrid performance based on general (GCA) and specific (SCA) combining abilities applied through genomic‐enabled prediction models. Further, the incorporation of genotype × environment (G × E) interaction effects present an opportunity to deploy hybrids to targeted environments. To test these concepts, a factorial mating design of elite yet divergent grain sorghum lines generated hybrids for evaluation. Inbred parents were genotyped, and markers were used to assess population structure and develop the genomic relationship matrix (GRM). Grain yield, height, and days to anthesis were collected for hybrids in replicated trials, and best linear unbiased estimates were used to train classical GCA‐SCA–based and genomic (GB) models under a hierarchical Bayesian framework. To incorporate population structure, GB was fitted using the GRM of both parents and hybrids. For GB models, G × E interaction effects were included by the Hadamard product between GRM and environments. A leave‐one‐out cross‐validation scheme was used to study the prediction capacity of models. Classical and genomic models effectively predicted hybrid performance and prediction accuracy increased by including genomic data. Genomic models effectively partitioned the variation due to GCA, SCA, and their interaction with the environment. A strategy to implement genomic selection for hybrid sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] breeding is presented herein.
Nanoparticle mediated RNA delivery for wound healing
Authors: Kolanthai Elayaraja , Fu Yifei , Kumar Udit , Babu Balaashwin , Venkatesan Architha Krishnammal , Liechty Kenneth W. , Seal Sudipta
Published: August 2021

Wound healing is a complicated physiological process that comprises various steps, including hemostasis, inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling. The wound healing process is significantly affected by coexisting disease states such as diabetes, immunosuppression, or vascular disease. It can also be impacted by age, repeated injury, or hypertrophic scarring. These comorbidities can affect the rate of wound closure, the quality of wound closure, and tissues' function at the affected sites. There are limited options to improve the rate or quality of wound healing, creating a significant unmet need. Advances in nucleic acid research and the human genome project have developed potential novel approaches to address these outstanding requirements. In particular, the use of microRNA, short hairpin RNA, and silencing RNA is unique in their abilities as key regulators within the physiologic machinery of the cell. Although this innovative therapeutic approach using ribonucleic acid (RNA) is an attractive approach, the application as a therapeutic remains a challenge due to site‐specific delivery, off‐target effects, and RNA degradation obstacles. An ideal delivery system is essential for successful gene delivery. An ideal delivery system should result in high bioactivity, inhibit rapid dilution, controlled release, allow specific activation timings facilitating physiological stability, and minimize multiple dosages. Currently, these goals can be achieved by inorganic nanoparticle (NP) (e.g., cerium oxide, gold, silica, etc.) based delivery systems. This review focuses on providing insight into the preeminent research carried out on various RNAs and their delivery through NPs for effective wound healing.

This article is categorized under:

Nanotechnology Approaches to Biology > Nanoscale Systems in Biology

Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Emerging Technologies

Biology‐Inspired Nanomaterials > Nucleic Acid‐Based Structures
Fragmentation and defragmentation of strings in type IIA and their holographic duals
Authors: Roychowdhury Dibakar
Published: August 2021

Abstract

We probe type IIA geometries with folded semiclassical strings those encode the strong coupling dynamics associated with long operators in a class of SCFTs pertaining to spacetimes whose dimension vary from 6d down to 2d. We particularly focus on folded string configurations those are extended through stack of flavor Dp (p = 6, 8) branes localized along the internal manifold. Considering some specific examples within the realm of $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 2 linear quivers, we show that the associated string spectrum exhibits a pole as the string approaches flavor D6 branes. We identify this as a fragmentation of long operators in the dual $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 2 SCFTs. On the other hand, a similar analysis for $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= (1, 0) SCFTs in 6d as well as $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= (0, 4) SCFTs in 4d reveals a set of new dispersion relations at strong coupling. Based on semiclassical calculations, we set an argument that explains either of these cases.
Dissociated face- and word-selective intracerebral responses in the human ventral occipito-temporal cortex
Authors: Hagen Simen , Lochy Aliette , Jacques Corentin , Maillard Louis , Colnat-Coulbois Sophie , Jonas Jacques , Rossion Bruno
Published: August 2021

The extent to which faces and written words share neural circuitry in the human brain is actively debated. Here, we compare face-selective and word-selective responses in a large group of patients (N = 37) implanted with intracerebral electrodes in the ventral occipito-temporal cortex (VOTC). Both face-selective (i.e., significantly different responses to faces vs. non-face visual objects) and word-selective (i.e., significantly different responses to words vs. pseudofonts) neural activity is isolated with frequency-tagging. Critically, this sensitive approach allows to objectively quantify category-selective neural responses and disentangle them from general visual responses. About 70% of significant electrode contacts show either face-selectivity or word-selectivity only, with the expected right and left hemispheric dominance, respectively. Spatial dissociations are also found within core regions of face and word processing, with a medio-lateral dissociation in the fusiform gyrus (FG) and surrounding sulci, respectively. In the 30% of overlapping face- and word-selective contacts across the VOTC or in the FG and surrounding sulci, between-category-selective amplitudes (faces vs. words) show no-to-weak correlations, despite strong correlations in both the within-category-selective amplitudes (face–face, word–word) and the general visual responses to words and faces. Overall, these observations support the view that category-selective circuitry for faces and written words is largely dissociated in the human adult VOTC.
The VC Dimension of Metric Balls under Fréchet and Hausdorff Distances
Authors: Driemel Anne , Nusser André , Phillips Jeff M. , Psarros Ioannis
Published: August 2021

The Vapnik–Chervonenkis dimension provides a notion of complexity for systems of sets. If the VC dimension is small, then knowing this can drastically simplify fundamental computational tasks such as classification, range counting, and density estimation through the use of sampling bounds. We analyze set systems where the ground set X is a set of polygonal curves in $$\mathbb {R}^d$$

R

d

and the sets $$\mathcal {R}$$
R
are metric balls defined by curve similarity metrics, such as the Fréchet distance and the Hausdorff distance, as well as their discrete counterparts. We derive upper and lower bounds on the VC dimension that imply useful sampling bounds in the setting that the number of curves is large, but the complexity of the individual curves is small. Our upper and lower bounds are either near-quadratic or near-linear in the complexity of the curves that define the ranges and they are logarithmic in the complexity of the curves that define the ground set.
Advanced backward planning with custom-milled individual allogeneic block augmentation for maxillary full-arch osteoplasty and dental implantation:a 3-year follow-up
Authors: Nilius Manfred , Mueller Charlotte , Nilius Minou Helene , Haim Dominik , Weiland Bernhard , Lauer Guenter
Published: August 2021

In the case of maxillary involution, augmentation is necessary for implant-supported prosthetics. The use of bone grafts is standard; customized allogeneic bone blocks may be a predictable alternative before dental implantation. For maxillary full-arch reconstruction, this case shows a horse-shoe augmentation by four allogeneic blocks, followed by guided dental implantation and fixed prosthetics after 6 months of healing. Using allogeneic blocks is an option for full-arch maxillary augmentation and comparable with autologous bone grafts. There is no donor site comorbidity. Bone height is stable for a minimum of 3 years after loading with resorption less than 10% in vertical, buccolingual, and mesiodistal directions. Short-implants allow for the long-term stability of prosthetic fixtures. Prefabricated customized allogeneic blocks for augmentation may increase the fitting accuracy of the graft, decrease morbidity, and lower operation time in maxillary full-arch reconstruction. The percentage of resorption after 3 years is comparable to the commonly used iliac crest.
“They say this is a home”: the challenge of “home” in residential care settings for old and young
Authors: Börjesson Ulrika , Torgé Cristina Joy
Published: August 2021

In this article, we want to bolster a critical discussion of how the “home” is used in research on residential care, and additionally make sense of young and old residents’ feelings of resistance, through the lens of a critical geography of home. We illustrate how the home ideal might be provocative and frustrating for the residents, although previous studies point out that the ideal is used by staff and in policy to reassure residents of a sense of belonging and mastery. Examples from interviews with young unaccompanied boys as well as older residents living in residential care have been used and the analysis resulted in two themes: “Residents’ conflicting experiences of space” (shared space, restricted space and regulated space, and “Residents’ feelings of homelessness” (transitional space and encroached space). How the residents themselves understand the space that is called their home and why their home can stir ambivalent or negative feelings of isolation, exclusion, and homelessness, is relevant in order to avoid romanticizing home. Residents’ understanding of home can be different from the staff, a reminder that home is a much more complex notion than the rosy ideal.
Pots as alternative and sustainable fishing gears in the Mediterranean Sea: an overview
Authors: Petetta Andrea , Virgili Massimo , Guicciardi Stefano , Lucchetti Alessandro
Published: August 2021

Stock overexploitation, bycatch, discards and gear impacts on the environment are outstanding issues for Mediterranean fisheries. The adoption of alternative fishing gears is an appealing solution to ensure a more sustainable exploitation of resources. We discuss the pros and cons of pots as alternative gears by reviewing their main designs, spatial distribution and target species in the Mediterranean basin. We assessed the technical factors affecting the catch efficiency of the different pot designs for four target species: spiny lobster, Palinurus elephas; Norway lobster, Nephrops norvegicus; common octopus, Octopus vulgaris and pandalid shrimps, Plesionika spp. We found that pot volume is important to catch Octopus; mesh size to catch Nephrops and Plesionika; entrance surface to catch Octopus, Nephrops and Plesionika; pot shape/colour and entrance shape/position to catch Octopus and Plesionika; and bait type to catch Octopus and Nephrops. The literature review shows that pot fisheries have several considerable advantages over conventional gears, especially in terms of discards, bycatch, seabed impacts (particularly compared with bottom trawls and passive set nets), size and species selectivity, gear depredation, catch quality and gear cost, besides saving time and labour. Disadvantages hampering their wider diffusion include ghost fishing, a low catch of finfish species, the narrow range of species targeted by each pot design and the current early stage of research. These data make a clear case for using pots as alternative gears to traditional ones in the Mediterranean Sea in some areas and seasons to catch certain target species.
Translational Development of a Zr-89-Labeled Inhibitor of Prostate-specific Membrane Antigen for PET Imaging in Prostate Cancer
Authors: Vázquez Sergio Muñoz , Endepols Heike , Fischer Thomas , Tawadros Samir-Ghali , Hohberg Melanie , Zimmermanns Beate , Dietlein Felix , Neumaier Bernd , Drzezga Alexander , Dietlein Markus , Schomäcker Klaus
Published: August 2021

Purpose

We present here a Zr-89-labeled inhibitor of prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) as a complement to the already established F-18- or Ga-68-ligands.

Procedures

The precursor PSMA-DFO (ABX) was used for Zr-89-labeling. This is not an antibody, but a peptide analogue of the precursor for the production of [177Lu]Lu-PSMA-617. The ligand [89Zr]Zr-PSMA-DFO was compared with [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 and [18F]F-JK-PSMA-7in vitroby determination of theKdvalue, cellular uptake, internalization in LNCaP cells, biodistribution studies with LNCaP prostate tumor xenografts in mice, andin vivoby small-animal PET imaging in LNCaP tumor mouse models. A first-in-human PET was performed with [89Zr]Zr-PSMA-DFO on a patient presenting with a biochemical recurrence after brachytherapy and an ambiguous intraprostatic finding with [18F]F-JK-PSMA-7 but histologically benign cells in a prostate biopsy 7 months previously.

Results

[89Zr]Zr-PSMA-DFO was prepared with a radiochemical purity ≥ 99.9% and a very highin vitrostability for up to 7 days at 37 °C. All radiotracers showed similar specific cellular binding and internalization,in vitroand comparable tumor uptake in biodistribution experiments during the first 5 h. The [89Zr]Zr-PSMA-DFO achieved significantly higher tumor/background ratios in LNCaP tumor xenografts (tumor/blood: 309 ± 89, tumor/muscle: 450 ± 38) after 24 h than [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 (tumor/blood: 112 ± 57, tumor/muscle: 58 ± 36) or [18F]F-JK-PSMA-7 (tumor/blood: 175 ± 30, tumor/muscle: 114 ± 14) after 4 h (p < 0.01). Small-animal PET imaging demonstratedin vivothat tumor visualization with [89Zr]Zr-PSMA-DFO is comparable to [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 or [18F]F-JK-PSMA-7 at early time points (1 h p.i.) and that PET scans up to 48 h p.i. clearly visualized the tumor at late time points. A late [89Zr]Zr-PSMA-DFO PET scan on a patient with biochemical recurrence (BCR) had demonstrated intensive tracer accumulation in the right (SUVmax13.25, 48 h p.i.) and in the left prostate lobe (SUV max 9.47), a repeat biopsy revealed cancer cells on both sides.

Conclusion

[89Zr]Zr-PSMA-DFO is a promising PSMA PET tracer for detection of tumor areas with lower PSMA expression and thus warrants further clinical evaluation.
Theoretical solution for drained cylindrical cavity expansion in clays with fabric anisotropy and structure
Authors: Castro Jorge , Sivasithamparam Nallathamby
Published: August 2021

This paper presents a novel, exact, semi-analytical solution for the quasi-static drained expansion of a cylindrical cavity in soft soils with fabric anisotropy and structure. The assumed constitutive model is the S-CLAY1S model, which is a Cam clay-type model that considers fabric anisotropy that evolves with plastic strains, structure and gradual degradation of bonding (destructuration) due to plastic straining. The solution involves the numerical integration of a system of eight first-order ordinary differential equations, three of them corresponding to the effective stresses in cylindrical coordinates, other three corresponding to the components of the fabric tensor and one corresponding to the amount of bonding and another corresponding to the specific volume. The solution is validated against finite element analyses. When destructuration is considered, the solution provides slightly lower values of the effective radial and mean stresses near the cavity wall. Besides, the specific volume is further reduced due to loss of bonding. Parametric analyses and discussion of the influence of soil overconsolidation, expansion of the cavity and initial amount of bonding are presented.
Coffee and Arterial Hypertension
Authors: Surma Stanisław , Oparil Suzanne
Published: August 2021

Purpose of Review

Coffee is a very popular drink and an estimated 2.25 billion cups worldwide are consumed daily. Such popularity of coffee makes it the most consumed drink next to water. Numerous studies have shown a beneficial effect of habitual and moderate coffee consumption on the functioning of the nervous, digestive, and cardiovascular systems, as well as on kidney function. Taking into account the very high prevalence of arterial hypertension in the world (31.1% of adults), much controversy has been raised about the influence of coffee consumption on blood pressure and the risk of arterial hypertension. Moreover, there have been extensive discussions about the safety of coffee consumption for hypertensive persons.

Recent Findings

There are over 1000 chemical compounds in coffee. The best characterized of these are caffeine, chlorogenic acid, trigonelline, kahweol, cafestol, ferulic acid, and melanoidins. These compounds have bidirectional influences on blood pressure regulation. The results of numerous studies and meta-analyses indicate that moderate and habitual coffee consumption does not increase and may even reduce the risk of developing arterial hypertension. Conversely, occasional coffee consumption has hypertensinogenic effects. Moderate habitual coffee consumption in hypertensive persons does not appear to increase the risk of uncontrolled blood pressure and may even reduce the risk of death from any cause.

Moderate and habitual consumption of coffee (1-–3 cups / day) does not adversely affect blood pressure in most people, including those with arterial hypertension.
Cryptocurrencies activity as a complex network: Analysis of transactions graphs
Authors: Serena Luca , Ferretti Stefano , D’Angelo Gabriele
Published: August 2021

The number of users approaching the world of cryptocurrencies exploded in the last years, and consequently the daily interactions on their underlying distributed ledgers have intensified. In this paper, we analyze the flow of these digital transactions in a certain period of time, trying to discover important insights on the typical use of these technologies by studying, through complex network theory, the patterns of interactions in four prominent and different Distributed Ledger Technologies (DLTs), namely Bitcoin, DogeCoin, Ethereum, Ripple. In particular, we describe the Distributed Ledger Network Analyzer (DiLeNA), a software tool for the investigation of the transactions network recorded in DLTs. We show that studying the network characteristics and peculiarities is of paramount importance, in order to understand how users interact in the DLT. For instance, our analyses reveal that all transaction graphs exhibit small world properties.
When your favorites disappoint: Self-construal influences response to disappointing brand experiences
Authors: Zafrani Oded , White Tiffany B. , Riemer Hila
Published: August 2021

This research examined the effect of self-construal (independent vs. interdependent) on people’s responses to disappointing brand experiences. We propose that following a disappointing brand experience, independents are more likely than interdependents to express intentions for negative behavior. This effect is due to differences in the importance ascribed to various goals: independents are focused on their own personal goals and expectations, whereas interdependents are focused on maintaining pleasant and harmonious relationships. Consequently, when independents experience disappointment (i.e., their expectations are not met), they appraise the situation as less pleasant than do interdependents. Independents are thus more likely to experience negative emotions, which in turn lead to negative behavioral intentions. Three studies, in which self-construal was primed, supported this prediction. In experiment 1 participants imagined a sports event where their favorite team played carelessly and lost. Participants in the independent (vs. interdependent) prime condition were more likely to express intentions of negative behavior toward the sports team; negative emotions partially mediated this effect. Experiment 2 provides evidence for the mediating role of emotional appraisal in the extent to which the disappointing experience (sports event) is perceived as unpleasant. Experiment 3 replicates these findings in the context of service failure at a restaurant. It also provides evidence for the role of prior expectations in this effect, demonstrating that the effect occurs only when participants have prior expectations, and does not occur in their absence. This research sheds light on the effects of self-construal on emotional and behavioral responses to negative brand experiences, and highlights the processes underlying these effects.
Stressincontinentie bij mannen: prospectieve dataregistratie en studies dringend nodig
Authors: Martens Frank M. J. , Cornel Erik B.
Published: August 2021

Samenvatting

In dit opiniestuk proberen de auteurs de volgende vraag te beantwoorden: ‘stressincontinentie bij mannen: waarom we prospectieve studies nodig hebben’. We leggen uit dat een jarenlang bestaande gouden standaard als operatieve oplossing, namelijk de sfincterprothese, en overhaaste introductie van allerlei andere chirurgische oplossingen zoals de verschillende male slings en de verschillende indicaties voor deze ingrepen, randomized controlled trials bemoeilijken. We benadrukken dat naar onze mening anamnese en resultaten op een gestandaardiseerde manier moeten plaatsvinden. Alleen op die manier zal het in de toekomst mogelijk worden onderzoeksresultaten te vergelijken en een uitspraak te doen over wanneer welke incontinentieoperatie geïndiceerd is en wellicht ook nog door wie in welk centrum. Het is niet de bedoeling een klinkklare oplossing voor de toekomst te geven, maar wel om de discussie te verlevendigen.
Imposter Syndrome in Surgical Trainees: Clance Imposter Phenomenon Scale Assessment in General Surgery Residents
Authors: Bhama Anuradha R. , Ritz Ethan M. , Anand Rahul J. , Auyang Edward D. , Lipman Jeremy , Greenberg Jacob A. , Kapadia Muneera R.
Published: August 2021

BACKGROUND:

Imposter syndrome occurs when high-achieving individuals have a pervasive sense of self-doubt combined with fear of being exposed as a fraud, despite objective measures of success. This threatens mental health and well-being. The prevalence and severity of imposter syndrome has not been studied among general surgery residents on a large scale. The primary outcomes of this study were the prevalence and severity of imposter syndrome.

STUDY DESIGN:

The Clance Impostor Phenomenon Scale was administered to residents at 6 academic general surgery residency programs. Multivariable analysis was performed to identify significant differences among groups and predictive characteristics of imposter syndrome.

RESULTS:

One hundred and forty-four residents completed the assessment (response rate 46.6%; 47.2% were male). Only 22.9% had “none to mild” or “moderate” imposter syndrome. A majority (76%) had “significant” or “severe” imposter syndrome. There were no significant differences in mean scores among male and female residents (p = 0.69). White residents had a mean score of 71.3 and non-White residents had a mean score of 68.3 (p = 0.24). There was no significant difference between PGY1 to PGY5 or research residents (p = 0.72). There were no significant differences based on US Medical Licensing Examination or American Board of Surgery In-Service Training Examination scores (p = 0.18 and p = 0.37, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS:

Imposter syndrome is prevalent among general surgery residents, with 76% of residents reporting either significant or severe imposter syndrome. There were no predictive characteristics based on demographics or academic achievement, suggesting that there is something either inherent to those choosing general surgery training or the general surgery training culture that leads to such substantive levels of imposter syndrome.
Relationships between vaccinations, herd introductions, and livestock losses in Northern Tanzania
Authors: Ahmed Haseeb , Yoder Jonathan , de Glanville William , Davis Alicia , Kibona Tito J. , Cleaveland Sarah
Published: August 2021

This article examines the relationships between livestock vaccinations, herd introduction decisions, and livestock disease–related outcomes. We develop a theoretical model and derive testable hypotheses about the relationships between these outcomes and practices and test them using two-stage least squares regression analysis. We find that vaccinations reduce disease-related livestock deaths, implying that vaccine availability and use may improve herd and household welfare. We do not find robust evidence of increase in disease-related illness due to herd introductions. Our results highlight the role of livestock vaccinations in safeguarding herd value, which is connected to broader household welfare for livestock keepers of Eastern Africa.
Determinants and constraints to household-level animal source food consumption in rural communities of Ethiopia
Authors: Daba Alemneh Kabeta , Murimi Mary , Abegaz Kebede , Hailu Dejene
Published: August 2021

Animal source foods (ASF) contain quality nutrients important for growth, development, immunity and behavioural outcomes. Plant-based foods also provide the nutrients, but with lower bioavailability than ASF. Evidence on household-level ASF consumption frequency, constraints and determinants are limited for Ethiopia. Therefore, the present study aimed to assess the consumption frequency of ASF and to identify determinants and constraints among rural households in Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 422 households. The consumption frequency of ASF was assessed using a food frequency screener over 30 days. Twelve statements with Likert scale responses were used to identify constraints to ASF consumption. Ordinal logistic regression was used to identify determinants of ASF consumption. About a quarter (26 %) of the households consumed milk one to two times per week. One out of five households consumed eggs one to two times per week (20 %) or one to two times per month (19 %). Poultry and meat were never consumed by 92 and 60 % of the households, respectively. Unavailability, unaffordability, consumption tradition and income generation priority were constraints identified. Food insecurity, livestock ownership, income, family size and women's education were associated (P< 0⋅05) with selected ASF consumption. Rural households in Ethiopia did not consume ASF on regular basis. Poor socio-demographic and economic conditions as determined by food insecurity, property ownership, income, educational achievement, family size and ASF unavailability and unaffordability contributed to the lower consumption frequency of ASF by households in rural Ethiopia. Nutrition policies and programmes should focus on nutrition-sensitive agricultural extension, livelihood improvement and women empowerment interventions integrated with nutrition education to improve ASF consumption in rural settings.
Inferred basal friction and mass flux affected by crystal-orientation fabrics
Authors: Rathmann Nicholas M. , Lilien David A.
Published: August 2021

We investigate the errors caused by neglecting the crystal-orientation fabric when inferring the basal friction coefficient field, and whether such errors can be alleviated by inferring an isotropic enhancement factor field to compensate for missing fabric information. We calculate the steady states that arise from ice flowing over a sticky spot and a bedrock bump using a vertical-slab numerical ice-flow model, consisting of a Weertman sliding law and the anisotropic Johnson flow law, coupled to a spectral fabric model of lattice rotation and dynamic recrystallisation. Given the steady or transient states as input for a canonical adjoint-based inversion, we find that Glen's isotropic flow law cannot necessarily be used to infer the true basal drag or friction coefficient field, which are obscured by the orientation fabric, thus potentially affecting vertically integrated mass fluxes. By inverting for an equivalent isotropic enhancement factor, a more accurate mass flux can be recovered, suggesting that joint inversions for basal friction and the isotropic flow-rate factor may be able to compensate for mechanical anisotropies caused by the fabric. Thus, in addition to other sources of rheological uncertainty, fabric might complicate attempts to relate subglacial conditions to basal properties inferred from an inversion relying on Glen's law.
Vitamin D and acute and severe illness – a mechanistic and pharmacokinetic perspective
Authors: Schoenmakers Inez , Fraser William D. , Forbes Alastair
Published: August 2021

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has generated high interest in factors modulating risk of infection, disease severity and recovery. Vitamin D has garnered interest since it is known to modulate immune function and vitamin D deficiency is associated with increased risk of respiratory infections and adverse health outcomes in severely ill patients. There are no population representative data on the direct relationship between vitamin D status and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection risk and severity of COVID-19. Data from intervention studies are limited to four studies. Here we summarise findings regarding vitamin D status and metabolism and their alterations during severe illness, relevant to COVID-19 patients. Further, we summarise vitamin D intervention studies with respiratory disease outcomes and in critically ill patients and provide an overview of relevant patient and population guidelines. Vitamin D deficiency is highly prevalent in hospitalised patients, particularly when critically ill, including those with COVID-19. Acute and critical illness leads to pronounced changes in vitamin D metabolism and status, suggestive of increased requirements. This needs to be considered in the interpretation of potential links between vitamin D status and disease risk and severity and for patient management. There is some evidence that vitamin D supplementation decreases the risk of respiratory tract infections, while supplementation of intensive care unit patients has shown little effect on disease severity or length of treatment. Considering the high prevalence of deficiency and low risks associated with supplementation, pro-actively applying current population and patient management guidelines to prevent, monitor and correct vitamin D deficiency is appropriate.
Chronic foetal hypoxaemia does not cause elevation of serum markers of brain injury
Authors: Omann Camilla , Lawrence Kendall M. , Hunt Mallory L. , Moon James K. , Buchanan Jamuna , Licht Daniel J. , Ittenbach Richard F. , McGovern Patrick , Chen Jonathan M. , Davey Marcus , Hjortdal Vibeke E. , Flake Alan W. , Gaynor J. William
Published: August 2021

Objectives:

The objective of this study was to investigate changes in serum biomarkers of acute brain injury, including white matter and astrocyte injury during chronic foetal hypoxaemia. We have previously shown histopathological changes in myelination and neuronal density in fetuses with chronic foetal hypoxaemia at a level consistent with CHD.

Methods:

Mid-gestation foetal sheep (110 ± 3 days gestation) were cannulated and attached to a pumpless, low-resistance oxygenator circuit, and incubated in a sterile fluid environment mimicking the intrauterine environment. Fetuses were maintained with an oxygen delivery of 20–25 ml/kg/min (normoxemia) or 14–16 ml/kg/min (hypoxaemia). Myelin Basic Protein and Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein serum levels in the two groups were assessed by ELISA at baseline and at 7, 14, and 21 days of support.

Results:

Based on overlapping 95% confidence intervals, there were no statistically significant differences in either Myelin Basic Protein or Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein serum levels between the normoxemic and hypoxemic groups, at any time point. No statistically significant correlations were observed between oxygen delivery and levels of Myelin Basic Protein and Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein.

Conclusion:

Chronic foetal hypoxaemia during mid-gestation is not associated with elevated serum levels of acute white matter (Myelin Basic Protein) or astrocyte injury (Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein), in this model. In conjunction with our previously reported findings, our data support the hypothesis that the brain dysmaturity with impaired myelination found in fetuses with chronic hypoxaemia is caused by disruption of normal developmental pathways rather than by direct cellular injury.
50 Years of Mass-Fatality Terrorist Attacks: A Retrospective Study of Target Demographics, Modalities, and Injury Patterns to Better Inform Future Counter-Terrorism Medicine Preparedness and Response
Authors: Tin Derrick , Hertelendy Attila J. , Hart Alexander , Ciottone Gregory R.
Published: August 2021

Background:

Terrorism-related deaths have fallen year after year since peaking in 2014, and whilst the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has disrupted terrorist organizations capacity to conduct attacks and limited their potential targets, counter-terrorism experts believe this is a short-term phenomenon with serious concerns of an escalation of violence and events in the near future. This study aims to provide an epidemiological analysis of all terrorism-related mass-fatality events (>100 fatalities) sustained between 1970-2019, including historical attack strategies, modalities used, and target selection, to better inform health care responders on the injury types they are likely to encounter.

Methods:

The Global Terrorism Database (GTD) was searched for all attacks between the years 1970-2019. Attacks met inclusion criteria if they fulfilled the three terrorism-related criteria as set by the GTD codebook. Ambiguous events were excluded. State-sponsored terrorist events do not meet the codebook’s definition, and as such, are excluded from the study. Data analysis and subsequent discussions were focused on events causing 100+ fatal injuries (FI).

Results:

In total, 168,003 events were recorded between the years 1970-2019. Of these, 85,225 (50.73%) events recorded no FI; 67,356 (40.10%) events recorded 1-10 FI; 5,791 (3.45%) events recorded 11-50 FI; 405 (0.24%) events recorded 51-100 FI; 149 (0.09%) events recorded over 100 FI; and 9,077 (5.40%) events recorded unknown number of FI.

Also, 96,905 events recorded no non-fatal injuries (NFI); 47,425 events recorded 1-10 NFI; 8,313 events recorded 11-50 NFI; 867 events recorded 51-100 NFI; 360 events recorded over 100 NFI; and 14,130 events recorded unknown number of NFI. Private citizens and property were the primary targets in 67 of the 149 high-FI events (100+ FI). Of the 149 events recording 100+ FI, 46 (30.87%) were attributed to bombings/explosions as the primary attack modality, 43 (28.86%) were armed assaults, 23 (15.44%) hostage incidents, two (1.34%) were facility/infrastructure attacks (incendiary), one (0.67%) was an unarmed assault, seven (4.70%) had unknown modalities, and 27 (18.12%) were mixed modality attacks.

Conclusions:

The most common attack modality causing 100+ FI was the use of bombs and explosions (30.87%), followed by armed assaults (28.86%). Private citizens and properties (44.97%) were most commonly targeted, followed by government (6.04%), businesses (5.37%), police (4.70%), and airports and aircrafts (4.70%). These data will be useful for the development of training programs in Counter-Terrorism Medicine (CTM), a rapidly emerging Disaster Medicine sub-specialty.
Assessment of Neurocognitive Functions, Olfaction, Taste, Mental, and Psychosocial Health in COVID-19 in Adults: Recommendations for Harmonization of Research and Implications for Clinical Practice
Authors: Cysique Lucette A. , Łojek Emilia , Cheung Theodore Ching-Kong , Cullen Breda , Egbert Anna Rita , Evans Jonathan , Garolera Maite , Gawron Natalia , Gouse Hetta , Hansen Karolina , Holas Paweł , Hyniewska Sylwia , Malinowska Ewa , Marcopulos Bernice A. , Merkley Tricia L. , Muñoz-Moreno Jose A. , Ramsden Clare , Salas Christian , Sikkes Sietske A.M. , Silva Ana Rita , Zouhar Imane ,   the NeuroCOVID International Neuropsychology Taskforce
Published: August 2021

Objective:

To propose a set of internationally harmonized procedures and methods for assessing neurocognitive functions, smell, taste, mental, and psychosocial health, and other factors in adults formally diagnosed with COVID-19 (confirmed as SARS-CoV-2 + WHO definition).

Methods:

We formed an international and cross-disciplinary NeuroCOVID Neuropsychology Taskforce in April 2020. Seven criteria were used to guide the selection of the recommendations’ methods and procedures: (i) Relevance to all COVID-19 illness stages and longitudinal study design; (ii) Standard, cross-culturally valid or widely available instruments; (iii) Coverage of both direct and indirect causes of COVID-19-associated neurological and psychiatric symptoms; (iv) Control of factors specifically pertinent to COVID-19 that may affect neuropsychological performance; (v) Flexibility of administration (telehealth, computerized, remote/online, face to face); (vi) Harmonization for facilitating international research; (vii) Ease of translation to clinical practice.

Results:

The three proposed levels of harmonization include a screening strategy with telehealth option, a medium-size computerized assessment with an online/remote option, and a comprehensive evaluation with flexible administration. The context in which each harmonization level might be used is described. Issues of assessment timelines, guidance for home/remote assessment to support data fidelity and telehealth considerations, cross-cultural adequacy, norms, and impairment definitions are also described.

Conclusions:

The proposed recommendations provide rationale and methodological guidance for neuropsychological research studies and clinical assessment in adults with COVID-19. We expect that the use of the recommendations will facilitate data harmonization and global research. Research implementing the recommendations will be crucial to determine their acceptability, usability, and validity.
Availability, variety and distribution of healthy and unhealthy foods and beverages sold at street food stands in Mexico City
Authors: Rosales Chavez Jose B , Bruening Meg , Royer Michael F , Ohri-Vachaspati Punam , Lee Rebecca E , Jehn Megan
Published: August 2021

Objective:

To examine differences in the availability, variety and distribution of foods and beverages sold at street food stands (SFS) across neighbourhood income levels in Mexico City.

Design:

Cross-sectional.

Setting:

Twenty neighbourhoods representing low-, middle- and high-income levels in Mexico City.

Participants:

Direct observations of SFS (n 391).

Results:

The availability of healthy foods such as fruits/vegetables was high in middle- and high-income neighbourhoods, whereas the availability of unhealthy foods such as processed snacks was higher in low-income neighbourhoods. However, statistically significant differences in food availability across neighbourhoods were only observed for dairy and processed snack items (P < 0·05). Similarly, differences in variety were only observed for cereal and processed snacks (P < 0·05). No statistically significant differences were seen for variety of fruits/vegetable across neighbourhood income levels (P > 0·05). No statistically significant differences across neighbourhood income levels were observed for beverage availability and variety (P > 0·05). Although street foods and beverages were often distributed near homes, public transportation centres and worksites, no differences were observed across neighbourhood income levels (P > 0·05).

Conclusions:

Findings suggest that SFS can be a source of both unhealthy foods and healthy foods for communities across neighbourhoods in Mexico City. Additional studies are needed to assess the relationship between street food and beverage availability, and consumption.
Is It Us? Is It Them? Or Is It This Place? Predicting Civility in State Legislatures
Authors: Kettler Jaclyn J. , Fowler Luke , Witt Stephanie L.
Published: August 2021

While many scholars and analysts have observed a decline in civility in recent years, there have been few examinations of how political, economic, and institutional structures may partially explain inter-state differences in these trends. We suggest three potential explanations: (1) institutional structures, such as legislative professionalism and gubernatorial power, have created different contexts in which legislators build and maintain inter-personal relationships; (2) partisan competition has led to less bipartisan cooperation and contributed to strained relationships between members of different parties; and, (3) economic inequity and change has contributed to economic anxiety among citizens, contributing to conflict in legislative bodies as elected officials attempt to navigate emerging policy challenges. To test these explanations, we develop an innovative measure of civility using a national survey of lobbyists and a partial Multilevel Regression and Poststratification (MRP) design. Findings suggest that there is some validity to all three explanations, and signifying that civility is at least partially a result of structural issues.