bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Career Break, Not a Brake on Career: A Study of the Reasons and Enablers of Women’s Re-entry to Technology Careers in India
Authors: Singh Swati , Vanka Sita
Published: November 2020

Career re-entry of women in the technology sector remains an unexplored area. With the increasing focus of information technology (IT) organisations to attract, retain and promote women at the workplace, career re-entry among women professionals’ merits attention. The purpose of this study is to investigate the reasons and enablers of career re-entry among women who plan a re-entry in the IT sector in India. This study employed a qualitative research method and used interviews as a tool for data collection. Data collected through the interviews of re-entry women ( n = 28) was analysed with the help of qualitative analysis software ATLAS.ti. Further, text analysis was also performed through Voyant tools. Findings suggest that a strong career identity, a high level of work centrality and an urge to regain financial independence motivated women to return to IT careers. Findings revealed seven distinct enablers of career re-entry. Based on this finding, a model of the support ecosystem is discussed that presents an intricate relationship between the enablers of career re-entry, support ecosystem and career resumption. Moreover, findings indicate that an active agency of women, a support ecosystem and favourable life events lead to career re-entry. Managerial and theoretical implications of findings are discussed. The article concludes with limitations and future research agenda.
Qualitative Content Analysis of Type 1 Diabetes Caregiver Blogs and Correlations With Caregiver Challenges and Successes
Authors: Oser Sean M , Oser Tamara K
Published: November 2020

Social media increasingly reflects patient experience, especially for self-managed conditions. We examined family experience with type 1 diabetes (T1D) through qualitative analysis of blogs written by caregivers of children with T1D, survey derived from that analysis, and survey administration among T1D caregivers. Analysis of 140 blog posts and 663 associated comments identified 77 topics, which were categorized into self-management, emotional, challenges, and successes. By subcategory analysis, self-management challenges were strongly correlated between blog content and survey responses ( R = .838, P = .005), and emotional challenges were moderately correlated ( R = .415, P = .02). Emotional successes were not significantly correlated ( R = .161, P = .511), and self-management successes were too few to analyze. The range of topics and the correlations between blog expressions and survey responses highlight the potential of blog analysis to gain insight into the challenges facing families living with T1D.
Decentralized vs. Distributed Organization: Blockchain, Machine Learning and the Future of the Digital Platform
Authors: Vergne JP
Published: November 2020

The terms decentralized organization and distributed organization are often used interchangeably, despite describing two distinct phenomena. I propose distinguishing decentralization, as the dispersion of organizational communications, from distribution, as the dispersion of organizational decision-making. Organizations can be distributed without being decentralized (and vice versa), and having multiple management layers directly affects only distribution – not decentralization. This proposed distinction has implications for understanding the growth of digital platforms (e.g. amazon.com ), which dominate the global economy in the 21st century. While prominent platforms typically use machine learning as their core technology to transform inputs (e.g. data) into outputs (e.g. matchmaking services), blockchain has emerged as an alternative technological blueprint. I argue that blockchain enables platforms that are both decentralized and distributed (e.g. Bitcoin), whereas machine learning fosters centralized communications and the concentration of decision-making (e.g. Facebook Inc.). This distinction has crucial implications for antitrust policy, which, I contend, should shift both its analysis and its target of action away from the corporate level and focus instead on the data level. Based on this essay’s framework, I make several predictions regarding the future of competition between centralized and decentralized platforms, the evolution of government regulation, and broader implications for managers in the digital economy and for the business schools charged with their education. I conclude with reflections on the opportunity to revive cybernetic thinking for preventing a dystopian future dominated by a handful of platform behemoths.
The Association Between Influenza Infection Rates and the Incidence of Orofacial Clefts in the United States
Authors: Dymanus Kyle , Chishom Taylor , Moraczewski Jason , Carroll William , Lima Maria , Yu Jack C. , Linder Daniel
Published: November 2020

Objective: To investigate seasonal variation of orofacial clefts (OC) and measure association between United States (U.S.) influenza incidences and OC development for the purpose of identifying a potential modifiable risk factor for pregnant women. Design: Retrospective population-based observational study from 2004 to 2013. Setting: National Inpatient Sample Database (NIS), Wide-ranging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research (WONDER) Database, and National Respiratory and Enteric Virus Surveillance System’s (NRVESS) FluView database. Patients: U.S.-born infants with OC from 2004 to 2013 and monthly influenza incidence from 2003 to 2013. Main outcome measures: Using logistic regression, monthly odds ratios (OR) of OC were derived using January as baseline. Mixed-effects logistic regression was utilized to test association between national influenza and OC incidences. Results: There were 58 270 U.S. babies born with OC from 2004 to 2013. September births had the highest OC association (OR = 1.094, 95% CI = 1.051-1.138, E-value = 1.41), followed by June. For each additional influenza case per 1000 people, odds of OC event occurring during the 2nd month of pregnancy, or 7 months before delivery, was increased by 2.7 (OR = 2.659, CI = 1.456-4.856, E-value = 4.76). Odds of OC event occurring was decreased at the 3rd month of pregnancy, or 6 months before delivery by 7.8 (OR = 0.129, 95% CI = 0.068-0.246, E-value = 14.99). Conclusion: September and June births have the highest OC association. There is increased risk for OC with influenza occurring at the 2nd pregnancy month. Conversely, there are protective effects against OC with influenza occurring at the 3rd pregnancy month. These findings demonstrate an association between influenza rate and OC, suggesting a connection between maternal immune activation (mIA) and OC. Although further research is needed to determine the definitive link between the use of flu vaccines and OC occurrence, as well as the mechanism behind mIA secondary to influenza infection impacting OC incidence, this study presents a modifiable risk factor that could decrease the potential for mIA causing OC.
Genetic analysis of obstructive sleep apnoea discovers a strong association with cardiometabolic health
Authors: Strausz Satu , Ruotsalainen Sanni , Ollila Hanna M. , Karjalainen Juha , Kiiskinen Tuomo , Reeve Mary , Kurki Mitja , Mars Nina , Havulinna Aki S. , Luonsi Elina , Mansour Aly Dina , Ahlqvist Emma , Teder-Laving Maris , Palta Priit , Groop Leif , Mägi Reedik , Mäkitie Antti , Salomaa Veikko , Bachour Adel , Tuomi Tiinamaija ,   FinnGen, Palotie Aarno , Palotie Tuula , Ripatti Samuli
Published: November 2020

There is currently limited understanding of the genetic aetiology of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). We aimed to identify genetic loci associated with OSA risk, and to test if OSA and its comorbidities share a common genetic background.

We conducted the first large-scale genome-wide association study of OSA using the FinnGen study (217 955 individuals) with 16 761 OSA patients identified using nationwide health registries.

We estimated 0.08 (95% CI 0.06–0.11) heritability and identified five loci associated with OSA (p<5.0×10−8): rs4837016 nearGAPVD1(GTPase activating protein and VPS9 domains 1), rs10928560 nearCXCR4(C-X-C motif chemokine receptor type 4), rs185932673 nearCAMK1D(calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase ID) and rs9937053 nearFTO(fat mass and obesity-associated protein; a variant previously associated with body mass index (BMI)). In a BMI-adjusted analysis, an association was observed for rs10507084 nearRMST/NEDD1(rhabdomyosarcoma 2 associated transcript/NEDD1 γ-tubulin ring complex targeting factor). We found high genetic correlations between OSA and BMI (rg=0.72 (95% CI 0.62–0.83)), and with comorbidities including hypertension, type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, stroke, depression, hypothyroidism, asthma and inflammatory rheumatic disease (rg>0.30). The polygenic risk score for BMI showed 1.98-fold increased OSA risk between the highest and the lowest quintile, and Mendelian randomisation supported a causal relationship between BMI and OSA.

Our findings support the causal link between obesity and OSA, and the joint genetic basis between OSA and comorbidities.
The recent trend in mycobacterial strain diversity among extra pulmonary lymph node tuberculosis and their association with drug resistance and the host immunological response in South India
Authors: Sivakumar Shanmugam , Chandramohan Yuvaraj , Kathamuthu Gokul Raj , Sekar Gomathi , Kandhasamy Devika , Padmanaban Venkatesan , Hissar Syed , Tripathy Srikanth P. , Bethunaickan Ramalingam , Dhanaraj Baskaran , Babu Subash , Ranganathan Uma Devi
Published: November 2020

Background

Tuberculosis (TB) though primarily affects the lungs it may also affect the other parts of the body and referred as extra pulmonary (EPTB). This study is focused on understanding the genetic diversity and molecular epidemiology of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb) among tuberculous lymphadenitis (TBL), a form of EPTB patients identified in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

Methods

The genetic diversity was identified by performing spoligotyping on the M.tb clinical isolates that were recovered from lymph node samples. A total of 71 M.tb isolates were recovered from extra pulmonary lymph node samples and subjected to Drug susceptibility testing and spoligotyping was carried out. In addition, immunological characterization from blood of same individuals from whom M.tb was isolated was carried out between the two major lineages groups East African Indian 3 (EAI3) and non-EAI3 strains by ELISA. The results of spoligotyping patterns were compared with the world Spoligotyping Database of Institute Pasteur de Guadeloupe (SpolDB4).

Results

We found 41 spoligotype patterns and their associated lineages. Out of 41 spoligotype pattern, only 22 patterns are available in the spoldB4 database with Spoligotype international Type (SIT) number and remaining patterns were orphan strains without SIT number. The most predominant spoligotype lineage that was found in lymph node sample in this region of India was EAI (36), followed by central Asian strain (CAS) (6), T1 (5), Beijing (3), Latin American & Mediterranean (LAM) (2), U (1), X2 (1) and orphan (22). In addition to EAI, CAS and Beijing, our study identified the presence of orphan and unique spoligotyping patterns in Chennai region. We observed six drug resistant isolates. Out of six drug resistant isolates, four were resistant to isoniazid drug and associated with EAI family. Moreover, we observed increased levels of type 2 and type 17 cytokine profiles between EAI3 and non-EAI family, infected individuals.

Conclusions

The study confirms that EAI lineage to be the most predominant lineages in EPTB patients with lymphadenitis and were found to have increased type 1 and type 17 proinflammatory cytokine profiles.
Nomogram prediction of surgical site infection of HIV-infected patients following orthopedic surgery: a retrospective study
Authors: Ma Rui , He Jie , Xu Biao , Zhao Changsong , Zhang Yao , Li Xin , Sun Sheng , Zhang Qiang
Published: November 2020

Background

Surgical site infection (SSI) is a devastating complication of orthopedic surgery, related with increased morbidity and mortality. This study was performed with the aim to compare the SSI rate in human immunodeficiency virus HIV-positive patients, to identify other risk factors for SSI and to establish a nomogram model to predict the risk of SSI.

Methods

A total of 101 HIV-positive individuals following orthopedic surgery patients admitted to Beijing Ditan Hospital. Their characteristics were gathered. The univariate and multiple logistic regression analysis were performed to explore the risk factors of SSI. And the Nomogram prediction model was constructed and verified.

Results

The independent predictive factors of SSI included CD4 (Odds ratio [OR], 0.041;P = 0.040), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) (OR, 89.773;P = 0.030), and procalcitonin (PCT) (OR, 220.746;P = 0.006). The scoring nomogram model was as follows: Logit (SSI) = − 2.63589–0.00314*CD4 < 430.75 = 1) + 0.04695*(ESR < 17.46 = 1) + 2.93694*(PCT < 0.22 = 1). The area under the Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve was 0.946. The cutoff score was − 2.1026 with a sensitivity of 93.33% and a specificity of 84.88%.

Conclusions

CD4, ESR, PCT might affect the occurrence of SSI after orthopedic surgery. The nomogram model constructed in this study is helpful for predicting the probability of SSI.
Impact of superselective intra-arterial and systemic chemoradiotherapy for gingival carcinoma; analysis of treatment outcomes and prognostic factors
Authors: Mukai Yuki , Hayashi Yuichiro , Koike Izumi , Koizumi Toshiyuki , Sugiura Madoka , Oguri Senri , Takano Shoko , Kioi Mitomu , Sato Mizuki , Mitsudo Kenji , Hata Masaharu
Published: November 2020

Background

We compared outcomes and toxicities between concurrent retrograde super-selective intra-arterial chemoradiotherapy (IACRT) and concurrent systemic chemoradiotherapy (SCRT) for gingival carcinoma (GC).

Methods

We included 84 consecutive patients who were treated for non-metastatic GC ≥ stage III, from 2006 to 2018, in this retrospective analysis (IACRT group: n = 66; SCRT group: n = 18).

Results

The median follow-up time was 24 (range: 1–124) months. The median prescribed dose was 60 (6–70.2) Gy (IACRT: 60 Gy; SCRT: 69 Gy). There were significant differences between the two groups in terms of 3-year overall survival (OS; IACRT: 78.8, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 66.0–87.6; SCRT: 50.4, 95% CI: 27.6–73.0; P = 0.039), progression-free survival (PFS; IACRT: 75.6, 95% CI: 62.7–85.2; SCRT: 42.0, 95% CI: 17.7–70.9; P = 0.028) and local control rates (LC; IACRT: 77.2, 95% CI: 64.2–86.4; SCRT: 42.0, 95% CI: 17.7–70.9; P = 0.015). In univariate analysis, age ≥ 65 years, decreased performance status (PS) and SCRT were significantly associated with worse outcomes (P < 0.05). In multivariate analysis, age ≥ 65 years, clinical stage IV, and SCRT were significantly correlated with a poor OS rate (P < 0.05). Patients with poorer PS had a significantly worse PFS rate. Regarding acute toxicity, 22 IACRT patients had grade 4 lymphopenia, and osteoradionecrosis was the most common late toxicity in both groups.

Conclusions

This is the first report to compare outcomes from IACRT and SCRT among patients with GC. ALL therapy related toxicities were manageable. IACRT is an effective and safe treatment for GC.
Education of pharmacists in Ghana: evolving curriculum, context and practice in the journey from dispensing certificate to doctor of pharmacy certificate
Authors: Koduah Augustina , Kretchy Irene , Sekyi-Brown Reginald , Asiedu-Danso Michelle , Ohene-Agyei Thelma , Duwiejua Mahama
Published: November 2020

Background

Understanding the origin and evolution of education of pharmacists is important for practice and health system reforms. In Ghana, education of pharmacists started in the 1880s with the training of dispensers in a government hospital. Over the years, the curriculum and institutional arrangements changed and currently pharmacists are trained in universities. In this study we explored how and why education of pharmacists evolved in Ghana.

Methods

We used a case study design to systematically describe education of pharmacists reforms. Data was collected from October 2018 and December 2019 through document review and in-depth interviews. The data was analysed based on institutional arrangements and contextual factors influencing reforms from the 1880s through 2012, when the Doctor of pharmacy programme was initiated in Ghana.

Results

Reforms occurred around four main periods when institutional arrangements including the certificate awarded and expected roles were modified by educators and government. These are: (1) the Certificate of dispensing with dispenser-in-training and nurse-dispenser schemes (1880s to 1942), when dispensers were trained to assist doctors in dispensing or directly diagnosing and treating specific disease conditions. (2) the Diploma and Certificate of competency with the dispenser-in-training and pupil pharmacist schemes (1943 to 1960), where in addition to existing roles, pharmacists operated village dispensers. (3) the Bachelor of pharmacy degree (1961 to 2017), when pharmacists were trained mainly as medicines experts with a strong science base on all aspects of medicines from production, distribution and use; and over time with a gradual move to patient-oriented practice. (4) the Doctor of pharmacy degree (2012 to date), where in addition to existing roles, trainees are exposed to advance professional practice experiences. Important factors influencing the reforms included, health systems demands for village dispensaries and clinically oriented pharmacists, and harmonization with regional and international training and practice.

Conclusion

Reasons influencing education of pharmacists reforms are context specific and are driven by historical experiences, national and international expectations as well as educators and regulators abilities to influence change. These reforms call for direct corresponding change in professional practice laws and regulation to enable pharmacists contribute fully to health care delivery in Ghana.
An assessment of hospital maternal health services in northern Ghana: a cross-sectional survey
Authors: Ameyaw Edward Kwabena , Amoah Roberta Mensima , Njue Carolyne , Tran Nguyen Toan , Dawson Angela
Published: November 2020

Background

Access to and delivery of comprehensive emergency obstetric and neonatal care (CEmONC) services are often weak in low and middle-income countries affecting maternal and infant health outcomes. There are no studies on resources for maternal healthcare in the Northern region of Ghana. This knowledge is vital for health service planning and mobilising funding to address identified gaps. We investigated the available resources for managing CEmONC and referral services in the region.

Methods

This study involved a cross-sectional survey of maternity facilities in ten hospitals in the Northern region of Ghana, serving a population of 2,479,461, including 582,897 women aged 15–49. Public and faith-based hospitals were included in the study. We used the Service Provision Assessment tool to gather data for this study between October and December 2019. Given the small sample size, we used descriptive statistics to summarise the data using SPSS version 25 and Excel 2016.

Results

A total of 22,271 ANC visits from women to these hospitals occurred in the past 3 months preceding the study; however, 6072 birth events (cases) occurred within the same period. All the hospitals had less than one general medical doctor per 10,000 population (range 0.02–0.30). The number of midwives per 10,000 population ranged from 0.00 (facility H and J) to 1.87 (facility E), and none of the hospitals had a university-trained nurse designated for maternity care. Only one hospital had complete equipment for emergency obstetric and newborn care, while four others had adequate emergency obstetric care equipment. The number of maternity and delivery beds per 10,000 population was low, ranging from 0.40 to 2.13.

Conclusions

The management of emergency obstetric care and referrals are likely to be affected by the limited human resources and equipment in hospitals in Northern Ghana. Financial and non-financial incentives to entice midwives, obstetricians and medical officers to the Northern region should be implemented. Resources should be mobilised to improve the availability of essential equipment such as vacuum extractors and reliable ambulances to enhance referral services. Considerable health system strengthening efforts are required to achieve the required standards.
Molecular portrait of squamous cell carcinoma of the bovine horn evaluated by high-throughput targeted exome sequencing: a preliminary report
Authors: Bhatia Dhruv , Hinsu Ankit , Panchal Ketankumar , Sabara Pritesh , Jakhesara Subhash , Koringa Prakash
Published: November 2020

Background

Squamous Cell Carcinoma of horn, also known as horn cancer, is a prevailing type of cancer in cattles especially Bos indicus. It is one of the most prevalent disease in Indian bullocks often resulting in death and huge economic losses to farmers. Here, we have reported the use of targeted exome sequencing to identify variants present in horn cancer affected horn mucosa tissue and blood of the same animal to identify some of the prevalent markers of horn cancer.

Results

We have observed higher number of variants present in tissue as compared to blood as well as among cancer samples compared to samples from normal animals. Eighty six and 1437 cancer-specific variants were identified among the predicted variants in blood and tissue samples, respectively. Total 25 missense variants were observed distributed over 18 genes. KRT8 gene coding for Keratin8, one of the key constituents of horn, displayed 5 missense variants. Additionally, three other genes involved in apoptosis pathway and two genes involved in antigen presentation and processing also contained variants.

Conclusions

Several genes involved in various apoptotic pathways were found to contain non-synonymous mutations. Keratin8 coding for Keratin, a chief constituent of horn was observed to have the highest number of mutations. In all, we present a preliminary report of mutations observed in horn cancer.
Hypervirulent Streptococcus agalactiae septicemia in twin ex-premature infants transmitted by breast milk: report of source detection and isolate characterization using commonly available molecular diagnostic methods
Authors: Ager Edward P. C. , Steele Eric D. , Nielsen Lindsey E. , Nestander Matthew A. , Mende Katrin , Spencer Steven E.
Published: November 2020

Background

Group BStreptococcus(GBS) infections caused byStreptococcus agalactiaeis a leading cause of meningitis and sepsis in neonates, with early-onset GBS symptoms emerging during the first week of life and late-onset occurring thereafter. Perinatal transmission of GBS to the neonate through the birth canal is the main factor associated with early-onset neonate infections, while less is understood about the source of late-onset infections.

Methods

In this report we describe a case of twin ex-premature infants who presented one month after birth with GBS septicemia. The mother had been appropriately screened at gestational age 35–37 weeks and laboratory methods failed to detect GBS colonization by culture or clinical molecular methods. In attempts to identify and isolate the source of GBS infection, additional surveillance swabs were collected from the mother at the time of neonate admission. Culture and a commercially available, FDA-cleared molecular PCR assay were performed.

Results

No GBS was detected from swabs collected from the perianal, thigh/groin or axillary areas. However, expressed breast milk and swabs from the breastmilk pump were positive by both methods. Since simultaneous culture and molecular methods which used breastmilk as a source were performed, investigators ascertained the limit of detection for GBS in breastmilk. The limit of detection was determined to be tenfold lower than that of LIM-broth enriched cultures—the FDA-approved source. Subsequent whole genome sequencing (WGS) analysis of isolates recovered from breastmilk and blood cultures from the infants demonstrated all strains were related and characterized as ST-452. Both infants responded very well to treatment and continued to have no related events or concerns at the two-year follow up appointment.

Conclusions

Strain type 452 (capsular type IV) has recently emerged as a hypervirulent strain and has previously been documented as causing GBS infections in elderly populations. Antibiotic therapy resolved both mother and infant infections. Subsequent testing for the presence of GBS in breastmilk samples also showed an absence of bacteria. This is the first report of infant twins late-onset GBS infections caused by the hypervirulentS. agalactiaeST-452 with breastmilk as the source.
Postoperative C-reactive protein kinetics predict postoperative complications in patients treated with cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy for peritoneal carcinomatosis
Authors: Asmar Antoine El , Bendavides Melissa , Moreau Michel , Hendlisz Alain , Deleporte Amélie , Khalife Maher , Donckier Vincent , Liberale Gabriel
Published: November 2020

Background

Relatively high morbidity rates are reported after cytoreductive surgery (CRS) with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC). However, early predictors of complications after CRS plus HIPEC have not been identified. The aim of this study was to evaluate the predictive role of early postoperative serum C-reactive protein (CRP) level (Day 2–4) for the detection of post-operative complications.

Patients and methods

We performed a retrospective study including 94 patients treated with complete CRS (R1) and HIPEC for PC from various primary origins (2011–2016). Post-operative complications were recorded. The values for postoperative inflammatory markers (white blood cells [WBC] and platelet counts, CRP) were compared between the different groups.

Results

CRP on post-operative days 2–4 was significantly higher in patients with than without complications (124 mg/L vs 46 mg/L; p < 0.0001) and higher in those with more major complications (162 mg/L vs 80 mg/L; p < 0.0012). WBC and platelet counts showed no difference within 5 days postoperatively.

Conclusion

CRP levels, and kinetics mainly, between post-operative day 2 and 4, are decisive predictive markers of early and late post-operative complications after CRS plus HIPEC. The presence of post-operative complications should be suspected in patients with a high CRP mean, and a plateau level (days 2–4).
Evidence on physical activity and falls prevention for people aged 65+ years: systematic review to inform the WHO guidelines on physical activity and sedentary behaviour
Authors: Sherrington Catherine , Fairhall Nicola , Kwok Wing , Wallbank Geraldine , Tiedemann Anne , Michaleff Zoe A. , Ng Christopher A. C. M. , Bauman Adrian
Published: November 2020

Background

Exercise prevents falls in older adults. Regular updates of estimated effects of exercise on falls are warranted given the number of new trials, the increasing number of older people globally and the major consequences of falls and fall-related injuries.

Methods

This update of a 2019 Cochrane Review was undertaken to inform the World Health Organization guidelines on physical activity and sedentary behaviour. Searches were conducted in six databases. We included randomised controlled trials evaluating effects of any form of physical activity as a single intervention on falls in people aged 60+ years living in the community. Analyses explored dose-response relationships. The certainty of the evidence was assessed using Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE).

Results

This review included 116 studies, involving 25,160 participants; nine new studies since the 2019 Cochrane Review. Exercise reduces the rate of falls by 23% (pooled rate ratio (RaR) 0.77, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.71 to 0.83, 64 studies, high certainty evidence). Subgroup analysis showed variation in effects of different types of exercise (p < 0.01). Rate of falls compared with control is reduced by 24% from balance and functional exercises (RaR 0.76, 95% CI 0.70 to 0.82, 39 studies, high certainty evidence), 28% from programs involving multiple types of exercise (commonly balance and functional exercises plus resistance exercises, RaR 0.72, 95% CI 0.56 to 0.93, 15 studies, moderate certainty evidence) and 23% from Tai Chi (RaR 0.77, 95% CI 0.61 to 0.97, 9 studies, moderate certainty evidence). The effects of programs that primarily involve resistance training, dance or walking remain uncertain. Interventions with a total weekly dose of 3+ h that included balance and functional exercises were particularly effective with a 42% reduction in rate of falls compared to control (Incidence Rate Ratio (IRR) 0.58, 95% CI 0.45 to 0.76). Subgroup analyses showed no evidence of a difference in the effect on falls on the basis of participant age over 75 years, risk of falls as a trial inclusion criterion, individual versus group exercise, or whether a health professional delivered the intervention.

Conclusions

Given the strength of this evidence, effective exercise programs should now be implemented at scale.
Invest in physical activity to protect and promote health: the 2020 WHO guidelines on physical activity and sedentary behaviour
Authors: van der Ploeg Hidde P. , Bull Fiona C.
Published: November 2020

In this editorial we discuss the new 2020 World Health Organization guidelines on physical activity and sedentary behaviour and a series of related papers that are published simultaneously in IJBNPA. The new guidelines reaffirm that physical activity is a ‘best buy’ for public health and should be used to support governments to increase investment in policy and research to promote and ensure physical activity opportunities are available for everyone. New recommendations on sedentary behaviour and inclusion of specific guidelines for people living with disability and/or chronic disease and pregnant and postpartum women are major developments since 2010. We discuss research priorities, as well as policy implementation and the contribution to the sustainable development agenda. The new guidelines can catalyse the paradigm shifts needed to enable equitable opportunities to be physically active for everyone, everywhere, every day.
Transferrin and antioxidants partly prevented mouse oocyte oxidative damage induced by exposure of cumulus-oocyte complexes to endometrioma fluid
Authors: Ren Zi , Huang Jiana , Zhou Chuanchuan , Jia Lei , Li Manchao , Liang Xiaoyan , Zeng Haitao
Published: November 2020

Background

Exposure of oocytes to the endometrioma fluid has an adverse effect on embryonic quality. To determine whether adding transferrin and antioxidants to culture medium could counteract detrimental effects on mouse cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) induced by exposure to endometrioma fluid or not, we conducted an in vitro cross-sectional study using human and mouse COCs.

Methods

Eighteen women who had their oocytes exposed to endometrioma fluid during oocyte retrieval were enrolled. COCs from superovulated ICR female mice were collected. They were first exposed to human endometrioma fluid and then treated by transferrin and/or antioxidants (cysteamine + cystine). Subsequently, COCs function was assessed by molecular methods.

Results

This study observed that human COCs inadvertently exposed to endometrioma fluid in the in vitro fertilization (IVF) group led to a lower good quality embryo rate compared to intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) group. Exposure of mouse COCs to endometrioma fluid accelerated oocyte oxidative damage, evidenced by significantly reduced CCs viability, defective mitochondrial function, decreased GSH content and increased ROS level, associated with the significantly higher pro-portion of abnormal spindles and lower blastocyst formation (p < 0.05, respectively). This damage could be recovered partly by treating COCs with transferrin and antioxidants (cysteamine + cystine).

Conclusions

Transferrin and antioxidants could reduce the oxidative damage caused by COCs exposure to endometrioma fluid. This finding provides a promising new possibility for intervention in the human oocyte oxidative damage process induced by endometrioma fluid during oocyte pick-up.
68Ga, 44Sc and 177Lu-labeled AAZTA5-PSMA-617: synthesis, radiolabeling, stability and cell binding compared to DOTA-PSMA-617 analogues
Authors: Sinnes Jean-Philippe , Bauder-Wüst Ulrike , Schäfer Martin , Moon Euy Sung , Kopka Klaus , Rösch Frank
Published: November 2020

Background

The AAZTA chelator and in particular its bifunctional derivative AAZTA5 was recently investigated to demonstrate unique capabilities to complex diagnostic and therapeutic trivalent radiometals under mild conditions. This study presents a comparison of 68Ga, 44Sc and 177Lu-labeled AAZTA5-PSMA-617 with DOTA-PSMA-617 analogues. We evaluated the radiolabeling characteristics, in vitro stability of the radiolabeled compounds and evaluated their binding affinity and internalization behavior on LNCaP tumor cells in direct comparison to the radiolabeled DOTA-conjugated PSMA-617 analogs.

Results

AAZTA5 was synthesized in a five-step synthesis and coupled to the PSMA-617 backbone on solid phase. Radiochemical evaluation of AAZTA5-PSMA-617 with 68Ga, 44Sc and 177Lu achieved quantitative radiolabeling of > 99% after less than 5 min at room temperature. Stabilities against human serum, PBS buffer and EDTA and DTPA solutions were analyzed. While there was a small degradation of the 68Ga complex over 2 h in human serum, PBS and EDTA/DTPA, the 44Sc and 177Lu complexes were stable at 2 h and remained stable over 8 h and 1 day. For all three compounds, i.e. [natGa]Ga-AAZTA5-PSMA-617, [natSc]Sc-AAZTA5-PSMA-617 and [natLu]Lu-AAZTA5-PSMA-617, in vitro studies on PSMA-positive LNCaP cells were performed in direct comparison to radiolabeled DOTA-PSMA-617 yielding the corresponding inhibition constants (Ki). Ki values were in the range of 8–31 nM values which correspond with those of [natGa]Ga-DOTA-PSMA-617, [natSc]Sc-DOTA-PSMA-617 and [natLu]Lu-DOTA-PSMA-617, i.e. 5–7 nM, respectively. Internalization studies demonstrated cellular membrane to internalization ratios for the radiolabeled 68Ga, 44Sc and 177Lu-AAZTA5-PSMA-617 tracers (13–20%IA/106 cells) in the same range as the ones of the three radiolabeled DOTA-PSMA-617 tracers (17–20%IA/106 cells) in the same assay.

Conclusions

The AAZTA5-PSMA-617 structure proved fast and quantitative radiolabeling with all three radiometal complexes at room temperature, excellent stability with 44Sc, very high stability with 177Lu and medium stability with 68Ga in human serum, PBS and EDTA/DTPA solutions. All three AAZTA5-PSMA-617 tracers showed binding affinities and internalization ratios in LNCaP cells comparable with that of radiolabeled DOTA-PSMA-617 analogues. Therefore, the exchange of the chelator DOTA with AAZTA5 within the PSMA-617 binding motif has no negative influence on in vitro LNCaP cell binding characteristics. In combination with the faster and milder radiolabeling features, AAZTA5-PSMA-617 thus demonstrates promising potential for in vivo application for theranostics of prostate cancer.
Correction to: Thickening-upward cycles in deep-marine and deep-lacustrine turbidite lobes: examples from the Clare Basin and the Ordos Basin
Authors: Zhang Lei-Fu , Dong Da-Zhong
Published: November 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.
Application of ion pair complexes to design novel potentiometric membrane sensors for direct determination of frusemide in pharmaceuticals
Authors: Rajendraprasad Nagaraju , Basavaiah Kanakapura
Published: November 2020

Background

Fabrication of two membrane sensors using two acidic indicators among sulphonthalein dyes, namely bromophenol blue (BPB) and bromocresol green (BCG), and their use as indicative electrodes for the quantification of frusemide (FUR) is presented. The ion pair complexes of FUR with BPB or BCG are used to prepare the membranes in THF solvent, PVC matrix and dibutyl phthalate (DBP) as plasticizer and subsequently to fabricate FUR-BPB (Sensor I) and FUR-BCG (Sensor II) sensors.

Results

Sensors I and II are employable to determine 2.4 × 10-5–2.4 × 10-3mol/L FUR at operative pH of 3.71. The calibration curve between the potentials against the concentration of FUR yielded the slopes of 58.73 ± 1 and 57.66 ± 1 mV/decade, respectively, using Sensors I and II, and this confirmed the Nernstian behaviour. Satisfactory correlation was obtained between the measured potentials and FUR concentration with the proposed sensors, and this was revealed by regression coefficient values of 0.9987 and 0.9980 for Sensors I and II, respectively. The LOD (limit of detection) values were calculated and reported for both the sensors. The experimental parameters were optimised to yield acceptable characteristics of both the sensors in the context of performance. The role of excipients of tablets and interferences were assessed by standard addition protocol. The obtained results confirmed the ineffective role of excipients of tablets and foreign species used as interferents.

Conclusion

The designed sensors were validated to confirm the accurate, precise, robust and rugged functioning in determining FUR. The mean of recovered FUR, close to 100%, revealed the acceptable and effective functioning of the proposed sensors. Excellent results were obtained by FUR tablets’ analysis using both the sensors.
Immunological analysis of vitamin D receptor gene expression in Egyptian patients with rheumatoid arthritis: relation to disease activity and functional disability
Authors: Mohannad Nevine , Nassar Eman Saad , Moaaz Mai , Elnemr Rehab , Sultan Eman Anwar
Published: November 2020

Background

Vitamin D (vit D) deficiency has recently been associated with risk of development of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The aim of this research was to assess vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene expression in Egyptian patients with RA and its relation with the inflammatory state, disease activity, and functional disability.

Results

RA patients had significantly lower vit D level and VDR gene expression compared to controls (mean ± 17.0 ± 6.65, 20.73 ± 8.42 ng/ml, p < 0.05 and 3.29 ± 5.47, 14.22 ± 12.60, p < 0.001 respectively). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis for VDR gene expression in RA patients revealed (area under the curve 0.826, cutoff value for low VDR expression 1.05 ng/ml). Patients with low VDR expression had significantly higher ESR, CRP, double positive RF+ anti-CCP+, DAS28, and MHAQ (p < 0.001, p = 0.001, p < 0.05, p < 0.001, p < 0.001) respectively.

Conclusion

Vitamin D and VDR expression are significantly lower in RA patients than controls. Patients with low VDR gene expression had significantly higher disease activity and disability. This may suggest that apart from low vit D levels, low VDR expression is associated with inflammatory process and it has a potential role in RA pathogenesis and prognosis. Further multicenter studies are needed to confirm these findings.
Tempo Effects in Different Calculation Types of Period Death Rates
Authors: Wegner Christian
Published: November 2020

The question as to whether or not tempo effects distort the measurement of period mortality is controversial in recent demographic research. Only few publications, however, illustrate the underlying phenomenon of tempo effects, namely that the period death rate may increase although the mortality of all cohorts living during the analyzed period has fallen. Moreover, related literature only focuses on one of three methods to derive the age-specific death rate. This article primarily deals with the questions whether other methods of age-specific death rate are also affected by tempo effects in the logic of Bongaarts and Feeney and whether the tempo effect can be minimised solely by applying a specific method. The results demonstrate that all types of death rates are influenced by tempo effects and that different methods do not eliminate the influence of tempo effects. Nevertheless, it is necessary to distinguish between two types of tempo effects, which can be revealed in theoretical as well as empirical perspective.
Spatial Variation of Sub-national Fertility Trends in Austria, Germany and Switzerland
Authors: Basten Stuart , Huinink Johannes , Klüsener Sebastian
Published: November 2020

Sub-national trends in fertility are of great importance for policy makers and regional planners. This paper aims to provide a theoretical and empirical framework for policy makers, taking into account past and present trends in fertility, as well as their theoretical underpinnings. These will, we argue, be crucial in determining future trajectories and potential political responses to them.The theoretical part of the paper deals with the factors that may influence fertility differences at the sub-national level, including decisions and life course trajectories at the individual level, as well as contextual socio-economic phenomena operating at different geographical levels (local, regional, national, global). This is followed by an empirical section, which takes the Eurostat publications on spatial fertility differences inEuropeas a starting point. In an attempt to overcome the limitations of these reports – both in terms of the lack of geographic detail and the short time span covered – we provide more thorough overviews for Austria, Germany and Switzerland. Using historical data from the Princeton European Fertility Project and other sources, we have been able to reconstruct comparative regional fertility time series for the past 150 years. Finally, we present a case study on local fertility development in the municipalities and unified rural communities of the German state ofLower Saxonyand the districts of the German city ofBremen.Based on the results of this analysis, we conclude that the recent degree of fertility convergence between regions within countries – particularly at the macro-regional level – is, indeed, striking. However, taking a long-term perspective, we are able to identify some substantial time periods over the last 150 years in which regional fertility levels diverged. This implies that the current picture must not necessarily constitute Fukuyama’s “end of history” over the coming decades. Moreover, the study of local-level data reveals that, in contrast to the overall macro-regional fertility convergence process in all three countries, a trend towards divergence can be observed within the city of Bremen. This demonstrates that local divergence can run parallel to overall regional convergence.
Postponement and Recuperation in Cohort Fertility:
Austria, Germany and Switzerland in a European Context

Authors: Sobotka Tomáš , Zeman Kryštof , Lesthaeghe Ron , Frejka Tomas , Neels Karel
Published: November 2020

Across developed countries, cohorts of women born after World War II have seen a shift of childbearing towards later ages and a concomitant decline in fertility level. We study this shift using the notions of fertility postponement (fertility decline at younger ages) and subsequent recuperation (a compensatory fertility increase at higher reproductive ages). We apply order-specific data and extend and elaborate on two broad approaches to this process: 1) a basic benchmark model extensively used by Tomas Frejka and his colleagues and 2) a relational model proposed by Ron Lesthaeghe (2001). Our work focuses especially on three predominantly German-speaking countries, Austria, Germany and Switzerland, and compares them with selected European countries and the United States. We illustrate the usefulness of these two approaches for constructing projection scenarios of completed cohort fertility among women of reproductive age. Using three key indicators of the postponement transition – initial fertility level, absolute fertility decline at younger ages, and the relative degree of fertility “recuperation” at older ages – we demonstrate that each of these components is salient for explaining contemporary cross-country differences in cohort fertility. Recuperation is especially important, but is also clearly patterned by birth order: whereas all the countries analysed have experienced a vigorous recovery of delayed first births, pronounced differentials are observed with regard to the recuperation of second and particularly of third and later births. In line with the differentials observed, projected values of completed fertility in five European countries vary widely for the cohorts born in the early 1980s, ranging from 1.3 in the lowest scenario for Spain to over 1.8 in the highest scenario for the Czech Republic.
Nowhere Better Than Here?
The Subjective Well-Being of German Emigrants and Remigrants

Authors: Erlinghagen Marcel
Published: November 2020

The paper investigates in the question if and how the subjective well-being (SWB) of German emigrants, German non-migrants, and German remigrants differ. Based on regression analyses of data from the European Social Survey (ESS) the analyses focus on life satisfaction and happiness as main indicators of SWB. It turns out that German emigrants show increased SWB compared to German non-migrants or remigrants. However, these findings cannot be explained by differences in the socio-economic or socio-demographic group structure. In fact, the increased SWB of emigrants is much more an effect of psychosocial differences and differences in the individual evaluation of household income.
The Influence of Relationship Quality on the Participation of Secondary Respondents: Results from the German Family Panel
Authors: Schröder Jette , Castiglioni Laura , Brüderl Josef , Krieger Ulrich
Published: November 2020

The pairfam study offers the rare opportunity of conducting dyadic analyses of partner and of parent-child relationships. Not only the randomly drawn anchor respondents are surveyed in the study, but also – with the consent of the anchors – their partners, parents and children. However, we must ask whether or in how far the participation of the secondary respondents is selective, thus introducing a nonresponse bias in the dyadic data. This article analyses what factors influence the participation of partners and parents of the anchors on the German Family Panel pairfam. We focus on the question of whether the quality of the relationship between the anchor and partner or anchor and parent influences participation. Among parents there is both an influence of the relationship quality in the narrower sense and an influence of the closeness of the relationship with regard to contact and mutual support. By contrast, relationship quality appears to have a lesser significance for the participation of partners, whereas the degree of institutionalisation in the relationship has a major influence.The article aims to sensitise pairfam users to the possibility of a nonresponse bias in dyadic analyses and provides information on suitable handling of the data.
Shifting Geographical Configurations in Migrant Families: Narratives of Children Reunited with their Mothers in Italy
Authors: Bonizzoni Paola , Leonini Luisa
Published: November 2020

The article explores the experiences of separation and reunification by children of migrant mothers in Italy by analysing 32 qualitative interviews conducted with adolescents who had rejoined their mothers at different points in their lives. We show that international migration causes children to face multiple shifts in the configuration of their family ties due to the geographical dislocations and re-locations to which these ties are subject. The way in which children interpret and adjust to these changes depends on factors such as the timing of the family migration process and the frequency of transnational family practices, which are affected by more or less abrupt discontinuities in family life after their mothers’ and their own departure.