bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Is perception inadequate? Husserl's case for non‐sensory objectual phenomenology in perception
Authors: Bower Matt E. M.
Published: August 2021

One key difference between perceptual experience and thought is the distinctly sensory way perception presents things to us. Some philosophers nevertheless suggest this sensory phenomenal character does not exhaust the way things are made manifest to us in perceptual experience. Edmund Husserl maintains that there is also a significant non‐sensory side to perception's phenomenal character. We may experience, for instance, an object's facing surface in a sensory mode and, as part of the same perceptual experience, also that object's out‐of‐view surface in a non‐sensory mode. To the extent that perceptual experience makes things available to us in a non‐sensory mode, Husserl calls it inadequate. Here, I reconstruct four arguments for the conclusion that perceptual experience is inadequately found in various of Husserl's writings and critically evaluated them. My aim is both to showcase the variety and sophistication of Husserl's reasons for thinking perceptual experience is inadequate and to problematize that idea.
miRNA expression analysis in the human heart: Undifferentiated progenitors vs. bioptic tissues—Implications for proliferation and ageing
Authors: Iannolo Gioacchin , Sciuto Maria Rita , Cuscino Nicola , Carcione Claudia , Coronnello Claudia , Chinnici Cinzia Maria , Raffa Giuseppe Maria , Pilato Michele , Conaldi Pier Giulio
Published: August 2021

In developed countries, cardiovascular diseases are currently the first cause of death. Cardiospheres (CSs) and cardiosphere‐derived cells (CDCs) have been found to have the ability to regenerate the myocardium after myocardial infarction (MI). In recent years, much effort has been made to gain insight into the human heart repair mechanisms, in which miRNAs have been shown to play an important role. In this regard, to elucidate the involvement of miRNAs, we evaluated the miRNA expression profile across human heart biopsy, CSs and CDCs using microarray and next‐generation sequencing (NGS) technologies. We identified several miRNAs more represented in the progenitors, where some of them can be responsible for the proliferation or the maintenance of an undifferentiated state, while others have been found to be downregulated in the undifferentiated progenitors compared with the biopsies. Moreover, we also found a correlation between downregulated miRNAs in CSs/CDCs and patient age (eg miR‐490) and an inverse correlation among miRNAs upregulated in CSs/CDCs (eg miR‐31).
Effects of fasting on collective movement and fission–fusion dynamics in both homogeneous and heterogeneous shoals of a group‐living cyprinid fish species
Authors: Zheng Yu‐Hui , Fu Shi‐Jian
Published: August 2021

The present study aimed to reveal the effect of fasting (21 days) on collective movement and interaction dynamics in both homogeneous (eight members fed a commercial diet or deprived of food) and heterogeneous (four fed + four starved members) shoals of juvenile qingbo (Spinibarbus sinensis). The authors of this study measured the shoaling behaviour in both a commonly used rectangular open arena with no spatial complexity and a radial arm maze. When measured in the open arena, the starved shoals had a faster swimming speed and acceleration rate and a longer interindividual distance than the fed shoals, possibly because of the elevated foraging motivation. Nonetheless, the values of the heterogeneous groups were similar to those of the fed groups. Furthermore, in contrast to the fish in homogeneous shoals, the starved fish in heterogeneous shoals showed a slower acceleration rate and speed than fed members in heterogeneous shoals. These results, combined with the relationships of variables at the among‐ and within‐shoal levels, suggested that starved fish limited their motion in heterogeneous shoals to maintain group cohesion but that the fed fish contributed more to maintaining shoal structure, possibly because of the higher energy expenditure required for movement changes. When monitored in a radial arm maze, starved shoals showed more fission–fusion episodes without sacrificing group cohesion, as they adaptively adjusted the frequency and duration of each majority choice. The among‐shoal variation revealed that the heterogeneous groups showed less variation in the open arena but more variation in the radius maze than did the homogeneous groups. This difference might arise because dominant members have opposite effects on shoal behaviour and consensus decisions. In conclusion, the present study showed opposite effects of feeding states on collective behaviour between homogeneous and heterogeneous shoals, possibly because of the complicated interactions among members with different energy storage levels and foraging motivations. Furthermore, the heterogeneous groups showed a difference between shoal behaviour in the open area and exploration in the radial arm maze. Future studies manipulating the personality composition of starved and fed members of heterogeneous groups might yield interesting results.
Retracted: Different effects of continuous and intermittent alternative magnetic field on inhibiting chilling injury of bananas
Authors: Zhao Songsong , Han Xinyi , Liu Bin , Guan Wenqiang , Dai Quanyu
Published: August 2021

Chilling injury (CI) is one of the important factors to reduce tropical fruit preservation quality. A low‐temperature electromagnetic preservation system is developed by combining the refrigerated storage technology and electromagnetic biological effect to decrease the CI damage. Based on this system, the experimental study and mechanism analysis of alternating magnetic field inhibiting the CI of bananas are carried out. Experimental results show that compared with the control group (CK), the alternative magnetic field continuous treatment (AMCT, B = 20 Gs, f = 60 Hz) group and the alternative magnetic field intermittent treatment (B = 20 Gs, f = 60 Hz, t = 12 h) group both obviously have a lower respiration rate, polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity, and degree of CI in the refrigerated storage condition of T = 6°C and RH = 85%. Compared with the CK group, the color difference in the AMCT group is reduced by 19.1% and the malondialdehyde content is only 81.9%, which shows the best chilling injury inhibition effect.

Practical Applications

The main purpose of this study was to compare the effects of AMCT and AMIT treatment on the CI of bananas. The results demonstrated that magnetic field technology could inhibit the CI of fruits and vegetables effectively, and AMCT treatment was more helpful to the preservation of bananas. This study will further improve the magnetic field treatment technology and provide a safe physical technology for fruit and vegetable freshness preservation. The parameters studied in this article can provide a reference for the development of commercial equipment.
Intra‐arterial injection of lidocaine into middle meningeal artery to treat intractable headaches and severe migraine
Authors: Qureshi Adnan I. , Pfeiffer Kimberley , Babar Sehar , Huang Wei , Lobanova Iryna , Ishfaq Muhammad F. , French Brandi R. , Siddiq Farhan , Gomez Camilo R.
Published: August 2021

Background and Purpose

We report the results of intra‐arterial injection of lidocaine in the middle meningeal artery in patients with intractable headache or status migrainosus.

Methods

We treated four patients with intra‐arterial lidocaine (2 mg/ml) in doses up to 50 mg in each middle meningeal artery via a microcatheter bilaterally (except in one patient). In two patients with intractable headache, the daily maximum intensity of headache (graded by 11‐point numeric rating scale) was recorded for 7 days postprocedure. In two patients with status migrainosus, migraine‐related disability 3 months prior and after treatment using MIDAS (Migraine Disability Assessment) questionnaire was recorded.

Results

Intra‐arterial lidocaine reduced the headache intensity from 8/10 and 10/10 to 0/10 in the two patients with intractable headaches for 2 days (day 0 and day 1) postprocedure. Despite recurrence of headache on day 2, the intensity was less than preprocedure intensity up to the last day recorded (by 3 and 2 points on day 7). In the two patients with status migrainosus, there was immediate reduction in headache intensity following intra‐arterial lidocaine. The post treatment 3‐month MIDAS score was lower in both patients compared with pretreatment 3‐month score; 3 versus 30 and 55 versus 90. Severe disability preprocedure by MIDAS was reduced to little or no disability postprocedure in one patient.

Conclusions

Intra‐arterial lidocaine resulted in amelioration of headache in patients with intractable headache and those with status migrainosus with improvement lasting longer than the short half‐life of lidocaine possibly related to central desensitization.
Comprehensive, School‐Based Preventive Dentistry: Program Details and Students' Unmet Dental Needs
Authors: Aldosari Muath A. , Bukhari Omair M. , Ruff Ryan Richard , Palmisano Joseph N. , Nguyen Helen , Douglass Chester W. , Niederman Richard , Starr Jacqueline R.
Published: August 2021

BACKGROUND

In this paper, we describe the design, program details, and baseline demographics and oral health of participants in ForsythKids, a regional, comprehensive, school‐based mobile caries prevention program.

METHODS

We solicited all Massachusetts elementary schools with greater than 50% of students receiving free or reduced‐price meals. Six schools initially elected to participate, ultimately followed by over 50 schools. Interventions were based on systematic reviews and randomized controlled caries prevention trials. Participating students received semiannual dental examinations, followed by comprehensive preventive care. Summary statistics regarding oral health indicators were derived from individual tooth‐ and surface‐level data.

RESULTS

Over a 6‐year period, data were collected on 6927 children. The number of students per school ranged from 58 to 681. The overall participation rate was 15%, ranging from 10% to 29%. Overall, 57% of the children were younger than 8 years at baseline. Approximately, 54% of children experienced dental decay on any tooth at baseline; 32% had untreated decay on any tooth, 29% had untreated decay on primary teeth, and 10% untreated decay on permanent teeth.

CONCLUSIONS

Untreated dental decay was double the national average, even in schools within several blocks of community dental clinics. These data demonstrate the need for caries prevention beyond the traditional dental practice.
Decoupling of microbial community dynamics and functions in Arctic peat soil exposed to short term warming
Authors: Yang Sizhong , Liebner Susanne , Svenning Mette Marianne , Tveit Alexander Tøsdal
Published: August 2021

Temperature is an important factor governing microbe‐mediated carbon feedback from permafrost soils. The link between taxonomic and functional microbial responses to temperature change remains elusive due to the lack of studies assessing both aspects of microbial ecology. Our previous study reported microbial metabolic and trophic shifts in response to short‐term temperature increases in Arctic peat soil, and linked these shifts to higher CH4 and CO2 production rates (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 112, E2507–E2516). Here, we studied the taxonomic composition and functional potential of samples from the same experiment. We see that along a high‐resolution temperature gradient (1–30°C), microbial communities change discretely, but not continuously or stochastically, in response to rising temperatures. The taxonomic variability may thus in part reflect the varied temperature responses of individual taxa and the competition between these taxa for resources. These taxonomic responses contrast the stable functional potential (metagenomic‐based) across all temperatures or the previously observed metabolic or trophic shifts at key temperatures. Furthermore, with rising temperatures we observed a progressive decrease in species diversity (Shannon Index) and increased dispersion of greenhouse gas (GHG) production rates. We conclude that the taxonomic variation is decoupled from both the functional potential of the community and the previously observed temperature‐dependent changes in microbial function. However, the reduced diversity at higher temperatures might help explain the higher variability in GHG production at higher temperatures.
Development of the support needs after ICU (SNAC) questionnaire
Authors: O'Neill Brenda , Linden Mark , Ramsay Pam , Darweish Medniuk Alia , Outtrim Joanne , King Judy , Blackwood Bronagh
Published: August 2021

Aims

To develop a questionnaire to identify Intensive Care survivor needs at key transitions during the recovery process, and assess its validity and reliability in a group of ICU survivors.

Methods

Development of the Support Needs After ICU (SNAC) questionnaire was based on a systematic scoping review, and analysis of patient interviews (n = 22). Face and content validity were assessed by service users (n = 12) and an expert panel of healthcare professionals (n = 6). A pilot survey among 200 ICU survivors assessed recruitment at one of five different stages after ICU discharge [(1) in hospital, (2) < 6 weeks, (3) 7 weeks to 6 months, (4) 7 to 12 months, or (5) 12 to 24 months post‐hospital discharge]; to assess reliability of the SNAC questionnaire; and to conduct exploratory data analysis. Reliability was determined using Cronbach's alpha for internal consistency; intraclass correlation coefficients for test–retest reliability. We explored correlations with sociodemographic variables using Pearson's correlation coefficient; differences between questionnaire scores and patient demographics using one‐way ANOVA.

Results

The SNAC questionnaire consisted of 32 items that assessed five categories of support needs (informational, emotional, instrumental [e.g. practical physical help, provision of equipment or training], appraisal [e.g. clinician feedback on recovery] and spiritual needs). ICU survivors were recruited from Northern Ireland, England and Scotland. From a total of 375 questionnaires distributed, 202 (54%) were returned. The questionnaire had high internal consistency (0.97) and high test–retest reliability (r = 0.8) with subcategories ranging from 0.3 to 0.9.

Conclusions

The SNAC questionnaire appears to be a comprehensive, valid, and reliable questionnaire. Further research will enable more robust examination of its properties e.g. factor analysis, and establish its utility in identifying whether patients' support needs evolve over time.

Relevance to clinical practice

The SNAC questionnaire has the potential to be used to identify ICU survivors' needs and inform post‐hospital support services.
Induction of oestrus by administering Inhibin antiserum along with equine chorionic gonadotropin in anoestrous bitches
Authors: Tsuchida Mei , Sakurai Daichi , Komura Nako , Nakagata Naomi , Suzuki Hiroshi
Published: August 2021

As dogs experience oestrus only once or twice a year, it is necessary to establish an effective method of oestrous induction for efficient breeding. In the present study, we evaluated inhibin antiserum (IAS) on oestrous induction in anoestrous females. Bitches were administered 0.5 ml/kg IAS or a mixture of 50 IU/kg equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) and 0.5 ml/kg IAS and 500 IU human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) administered 7 days after the mixture injection. As a control, bitches received 50 IU/kg eCG, with 500 IU hCG administered 7 days after eCG injection. Blood‐tinged vaginal discharge, vulvar swelling, plasma progesterone concentrations and ovarian follicular development were assessed from day 0 to day 14. IAS alone injection did not induce oestrus in bitches at the anoestrous stage. Conversely, vulvar swelling, blood‐tinged vaginal discharge and an estimated luteinizing hormone (LH) surge appeared on days 3–7, days 3–6 and days 7–9 after the IAS+eCG mixture injection, respectively, in all five bitches at the anoestrous stage. The average number of developing and ovulated follicles in bitches administered IAS+eCG was 8.8 and 9.6 respectively. A single eCG injection followed by hCG induced oestrous signs, with an average of 8.3 developing follicles and 4.5 ovulated follicles. This study revealed that IAS alone did not induce oestrus, but when IAS was used in combination with eCG, it induced oestrus and promoted a considerable number of ovulations in anoestrous dogs.
Timing of international market openings and shrinking middle‐income class
Authors: Asami Tatsuya
Published: August 2021

This study analyzes the dynamic effects of international market openings on income distribution in a simple one‐period model with bequest motive individuals. Existing related studies have discussed this issue in closed or small open economies by assuming initial differences in wealth distribution. This study departs from previous studies by assuming heterogeneity in ability in terms of skilled labor and focusing on the bequest (wealth) distribution at the time of market openings. We show that the impact of market openings depends on the level of economic development. If the markets open after the economy is well developed, individuals with middle abilities will get education and work as skilled labor in the long run. If the market opens beforehand, however, the individuals will not get education and their incomes will be equal to the incomes of individuals with low abilities. This study illustrates that early market opening may lead to a shrinking of the middle‐income class.
Combined fluoroscopic‐ and sonographic‐assisted Tenckhoff catheter insertion for patients with previous intraperitoneal surgery
Authors: Athmalingam Vinoth Kasi Rajan , Wong Koh Wei
Published: August 2021

Background

Tenckhoff catheter (TC) insertion for patients with previous intraperitoneal surgery (IPS) is challenging.

Methods

This is a case series of 11 patients with history of previous IPS who underwent TC insertion under combined fluoroscopic and sonographic (CFS) guidance with preperitoneal tunneling at our center.

Results

This is an interim result of our study. The mean age of the patients was 49.1 (±12.7). Seven were females, and four were males. Only two patients underwent more than one IPS prior to this procedure. The mean body mass index (BMI) of patients was 29.2 kg/m2 (±6.2). All patients underwent the procedure successfully. One patient developed post‐procedure exit site bleeding which resolved spontaneously. One patient had urgent‐start peritoneal dialysis (PD) (less than 72 h), and two patients had early‐start PD (less than 2 weeks). Median catheter survival is 8 months at the time of writing.

Conclusion

CFS‐assisted TC insertion with preperitoneal tunneling for patients with previous IPS is a safe and effective technique.
The Done‐State Derived Stative: A Case Study in Building Complex Eventualities in Syntax
Authors: Biggs Alison
Published: August 2021

A basic question for theories of the syntax–semantics interface is whether the relationship between the form and meaning of complex aspectual expressions is mediated by the pieces that make up hierarchical syntax or whether complex forms and their meanings can pair directly, in templatic or constructional representations, for example. This paper examines the string I’m done writing chapter 3 with this issue in mind. The (be) done V‐ing structure does not seem to have been analyzed before, and I refer to it as the done state. The done state expresses a complex stative eventuality. Notably, the transitive object of the done state can hold a target state, an unexpected interpretation given the ‐ing verb (contrast I’ve been writing chapter 3). Apparent form–meaning mismatches of this type are regularly taken as evidence for listed, constructional mappings. I show, however, that the done state has the syntactic pieces of a stative passive of a present participle, and I argue that the done state is a previously unnoticed type of derived stative. The analysis provides a compositional account of the structure’s semantics and morphology. I further argue that the syntactic items that make up the done state have the same properties that they have elsewhere in the grammar; there is no need to postulate new grammatical objects. The predictable properties of the done state find explanation in models in which complex eventualities are built up out of the minimal units that make up complex phrases.
Apresentação
Authors: Amador Elmo Da Silva
Published: August 2021

Apresentação
An Optimized Efficient Galerkin Averaging-Incremental Harmonic Balance Method for High-Dimensional Spatially Discretized Models of Continuous Systems Based on Parallel Computing
Authors: Ju R. , Zhu W. D.
Published: August 2021

Modern computers are generally equipped with multicore central processing units (CPUs). There has been a great interest to introduce a parallelized harmonic balance method to make full use of computing resources and improve the efficiency in dealing with nonlinear dynamic analysis of high-dimensional spatially discretized models of continuous systems. In this work, an optimized efficient Galerkin averaging-incremental harmonic balance (EGA-IHB) method for solving high-dimensional spatially discretized models of continuous systems based on parallel computing is introduced. Independent sampling and EGA procedures are introduced to achieve generality. Optimized parallel implementation based on tensor contraction is introduced in time-domain series calculations and the quasi-Newton method is used in the iteration procedure, which greatly accelerates computational speeds of both serial and parallel implementations. Especially, the parallel implementation achieves high parallel efficiency when multiple CPU cores are used. Due to its high computational efficiency and good robustness, the proposed method has the potential to be used as a powerful universal solver and analyzer for general types of continuous systems.
Sex-Specific Associations Between Bone-Loading Score and Adiposity Markers in Middle-Aged and Older Adults
Authors: Singh Harshvardhan , Moore Bethany A. , Rathore Roshita , Bemben Michael G. , Bemben Debra A.
Published: August 2021

The authors examined sex-specific relationships between fat mass index (FMI), android/gynoid (A/G) fat ratio, relative skeletal muscle mass index, and Bone-Specific Physical Activity Questionnaire derived bone-loading scores (BLSs) in middle-aged and older adults (men, n = 27; women, n = 33; age = 55–75 years). The FMI, A/G fat ratio, and relative skeletal muscle mass index were estimated by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. The Bone-Specific Physical Activity Questionnaire was used to assess: (a) BLSpast (age 1 until 12 months before the study visit), (b) BLScurrent (last 12 months), and (c) BLStotal (average of [a] and [b]) scores. Separate multiple linear regression analysis of (a) age, FMI, and relative skeletal muscle mass index and (b) age, height, and A/G fat ratio versus BLS revealed that FMI and A/G fat ratio were negatively associated with BLSpast and BLStotal (p < .05) in women only. Adiposity and, specifically, central adiposity is negatively related to bone-loading physical activity in middle-aged and older women.
How social learning amplifies moral outrage expression in online social networks
Authors: Brady William J. , McLoughlin Killian , Doan Tuan N. , Crockett Molly J.
Published: August 2021

Social reinforcement and norm learning interact with social media design to amplify moral outrage in online social networks.
Clonally expanded, GPR15-expressing pathogenic effector T
H
2 cells are associated with eosinophilic esophagitis
Authors: Morgan Duncan M. , Ruiter Bert , Smith Neal P. , Tu Ang A. , Monian Brinda , Stone Brandon E. , Virk-Hundal Navneet , Yuan Qian , Shreffler Wayne G. , Love J. Christopher
Published: August 2021

T
H
2 cells in eosinophilic esophagitis exhibit clonotypic features of an antigen-specific response and enhanced esophagus-homing ability.
Von Willebrand Factor in Health and Disease
Authors: Avdonin P. P. , Tsvetaeva N. V. , Goncharov N. V. , Rybakova E. Yu. , Trufanov S. K. , Tsitrina A. A. , Avdonin P. V.
Published: August 2021

Abstract—

Von Willebrand factor (vWF), the key component of hemostasis, is synthesized in endothelial cells and megakaryocytes and released into the blood as high molecular weight multimeric glycoproteins weighing up to 20 million Daltons. Blood plasma metalloprotease ADAMTS13 cleaves ultra-large vWF multimers to smaller multimeric and oligomeric molecules. The vWF molecules attach to the sites of damage at the surface of arterioles and capillaries and unfold under conditions of shear stress. On the unfolded vWF molecule, the regions interacting with receptors on the platelet membrane are exposed. After binding to the vWF filaments, platelets are activated; platelets circulating in the vessels are additionally attached to them, leading to thrombus formation, blocking of microvessels, and cessation of bleeding. This review describes the history of the discovery of vWF, presents data on the mechanisms of vWF secretion and its structure, and characterizes the processes of vWF metabolism in the body under normal and pathological conditions.
Bilateral renal artery stenosis in a young man
Authors: Primus Carina , Auer Johann
Published: August 2021

A 34-year-old patient with a short history of severe hypertension was admitted to our hospital. Considering the young age and the severity of hypertension, we investigated the most common causes of secondary hypertension. Exposure to a single dose of an ACE inhibitor resulted in a rapid decline of the renal function. Further MRIrevealed a tight stenosis of both renal arteries closely to the ostium. In young patients, the most common cause of bilateral renal artery stenosis might be expected to be fibromuscular dysplasia. After recovery of renal function, invasive angiography, however, confirmed severe atherosclerotic lesion of both renal arteries. Therefore, angioplasty of both renal arteries was performed as a staged procedure. Hence, renal function showed rapid improvement and the patient had to be treated with a combination of a low-dose calcium antagonist and valsartan and especially a high-intensity statin.
Atypical case of mild encephalopathy/encephalitis with reversible splenial lesion of the corpus callosum (MERS) associated withMycoplasma pneumoniaeinfection in a paediatric patient
Authors: Akbar Asra , Ahmad Sharjeel
Published: August 2021

Mild encephalopathy with reversible splenial lesion (MERS) is a disorder characterised by prodromal symptoms such as fever, cough, vomiting or diarrhoea, followed by mild encephalopathy 1–7 days later with a documented reversible corpus callosum splenial lesion. MERS is mostly reported in children in the region of East Asia. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of MERS associated with mycoplasma infection in a child in North America. A brief review of literature is also a part of this report.
Hand dexterity rehabilitation using selective functional electrical stimulation in a person with stroke
Authors: Martín-Odriozola Aitor , Rodríguez-de-Pablo Cristina , Zabaleta-Rekondo Haritz
Published: August 2021

We report a 69 year old who suffered a cardioembolic ischaemic stroke on 23 September 2019, which resulted in a left hemiplegia with motor impairment in upper and lower extremities that made impossible for her to use the affected arm in daily living activities. The person commenced her comprehensive physiotherapy programme based on functional electrical stimulation (FES) in Fesia Clinic rehabilitation centre in October 2020. A multifield technology-based FES device was used, which allowed to train different selective movements in isolation and combined with mirror therapy, achieving excellent functional outcomes.
Mean arterial pressure for predicting preeclampsia in Asian women: a longitudinal cohort study
Authors: Zhu Jing , Zhang Jun , Syaza Razali Nurul , Chern Bernard , Tan Kok Hian
Published: August 2021

Objective

Previous studies suggested mean arterial pressure (MAP) had moderate predictive values in the first and second trimesters for the prediction of preeclampsia. However, the performance of MAP in Asian women is still unclear. The objective of this study was to examine the predictive values of MAP in Asian population throughout gestation, and to compare the performance of MAP, angiogenic factors and uterine artery Doppler in the prediction of preeclampsia.

Design

A prospective cohort study.

Setting

KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Singapore.

Participants

A total of 926 women with singleton pregnancy less than 14 weeks of gestation were included in the prospective Neonatal and Obstetrics Risks Assessment cohort between September 2010 and October 2014. Maternal blood pressure levels, uterine artery pulsatility index (UtA-PI), serum soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 (sFlt-1), placental growth factor (PlGF) and sFlt-1/PlGF ratio were measured at 11–14, 18–22, 28–32 and 34 weeks onward, respectively.

Primary and secondary outcomes

Preeclampsia was the main pregnancy outcome.

Results

A total of 20 women developed preeclampsia, who had significantly lower levels of PlGF, higher levels of sFlt-1/PlGF ratio and MAP throughout pregnancy than women without preeclampsia. Compared with angiogenic factors and UtA-PI, MAP had significantly higher area under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUCs) for predicting preeclampsia and term preeclampsia throughout gestation. For predicting preeclampsia, MAP had AUCs of 0.86 (95% CI 0.78 to 0.95), 0.87 (95% CI 0.80 to 0.95) and 0.91 (95% CI 0.85 to 0.98) at 11–14, 18–22 and 28–32 weeks, respectively. For predicting term preeclampsia, MAP yielded AUCs of 0.87 (95% CI 0.75 to 0.99), 0.87 (95% CI 0.76 to 0.98) and 0.90 (95% CI 0.80 to 0.99) at 11–14, 18–22 and 28–32 weeks, respectively. For predicting preterm preeclampsia, the performance of MAP and PlGF was similar.

Conclusion

MAP is a good predictor for preeclampsia, especially term preeclampsia, in Asian women.
Study protocol: a prospective controlled clinical trial to assess surgical or medical treatment for paediatric type 2 diabetes (ST2OMP)
Authors: Shah Amy S , Helmrath Michael A , Inge Thomas H , Xanthakos Stavra A , Kelsey Megan M , Jenkins Todd , Trout Andrew T , Browne Lorna , Nadeau Kristen J
Published: August 2021

Introduction

The pathophysiology of type 2 diabetes (T2D) in youth differs from adults and conventional medical treatment approaches with lifestyle change, metformin, thiazolidinediones or insulin are inadequate. Metabolic bariatric surgery (MBS) improves multiple health outcomes in adults with T2D. Initial small, uncontrolled studies of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass have also suggested beneficial effects in adolescents. Definitive studies in youth with T2D are lacking, especially with the now more common form of MBS, vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG). The surgical or medical treatment for paediatric type 2 diabetes (ST2OMP) clinical trial was designed to test the hypothesis that VSG will more effectively reduce hyperglycaemic and diabetes comorbidities than the best currently available medical treatment incorporating state of the art pharmacotherapies. ST2OMP is also designed to better understand the pancreatic and enterohepatic mechanisms by which MBS improves diabetes and its associated comorbidities.

Methods and analysis

ST2OMP is a prospective, open-label, controlled clinical trial that will recruit 90 postpubertal participants, age range 13–19.9 years, with body mass index ≥35 kg/m2or >120% of 95th percentile and youth-onset T2D. The primary outcome is the per cent of youth achieving haemoglobin A1c <6.0% at 12 months postgroup allocation (post-VSG vs postmedical group allocation). Secondary outcomes include remission of comorbidities and measures of β-cell and incretin responses at 12 and 24 months post VSG versus AMT.

Ethics and dissemination

The ST2OMP protocol was approved by the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center and the University of Colorado Institutional Review Boards. Written informed consent is obtained prior to study enrolment. Study findings will be widely disseminated through peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations.

Trial registration number

Clinical Trials.GovNCT04128995.
Are communities of practice a way to support health literacy: a study protocol for a realist review
Authors: Elbrink Sanne H , Elmer Shandell L , Osborne Richard H
Published: August 2021

Introduction

Communities of practice are used for knowledge sharing and learning in health settings. However, more needs to be known to understand how they work, if they work different in different settings and what outcomes they might generate. Of particular interest is their potential role in health literacy development.

Methods and analysis

This realist review will be undertaken in seven stages, aiming to develop a framework to show how the various contexts of communities of practice in health settings trigger mechanisms that lead to improved health literacy outcomes. The first stage of a realist review is considered important as it clarifies the scope of the review, yet it is rarely elaborated in detail. This paper describes this first stage in detail and shows how scoping techniques can support drafting an initial framework which can guide the rest of the review. After the initial scoping review, the subsequent stages follow an iterative and recurring process (until saturation is reached) that includes searching and appraising evidence, extracting and organising results, and analysing and summarising. The review will then generate conclusions and recommendations for stakeholders seeking to use communities of practice for their health literacy challenges. Findings of the scoping review are presented in this paper as part of the methods description to show the relevance of conducting a scoping review prior to a realist review.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical review is not required for this review. Experts and stakeholders will be involved in the process after the first stage to increase the quality of the process and to ensure practical relevance and uptake. This review focuses on communities of practice and health literacy, yet findings will likely be relevant for other health settings. Findings will be disseminated through stakeholders, publications, presentations and formal and informal reports.
Association between contact with a general practitioner and depressive symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown: a large community-based study in Hangzhou, China
Authors: Yang Fei , Lin Wenhui , Frost Eleanor , Min Yan , Xu Xiaochen , Wang Xiaoyan , Li Wei , Leng Yue , Zhao Xueyin , He Wei , Hsing Ann W , Zhu Shankuan
Published: August 2021

Objectives

To determine the association of general practitioner (GP) contact with depressive symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown in China.

Design

In April 2020, a follow-up survey was conducted on the basis of a baseline survey conducted between October 2018 and May 2019.

Setting

The survey was embedded in the Stanford Wellness Living Laboratory-China (WELL China) study, an ongoing prospective community-based cohort study during 2018–2019.

Participants

The survey was conducted by telephone interview among 4144 adult urban residents participating in the WELL China study at baseline. We collected information on sociodemographic characteristics, depressive symptoms and GP contact during the lockdown period (February to March 2020).

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Depressive symptoms were measured using the WHO-Five Well-being Index, comprising five questionnaire items that briefly indicate psychological well-being. Logistic regression models were applied to assess the association between GP contact and depressive symptoms.

Results

In total, 3356 participants responded to the survey; 203 were excluded owing to missing data on depressive symptoms, leaving 3153 participants in the present study. During lockdown, 449 participants had GP contact. GP contact was significantly negatively associated with prevalent depressive symptoms (OR, 0.67; 95% CI 0.51 to 0.89; p<0.01) and incident depressive symptoms (OR 0.68; 95% CI 0.51 to 0.93; p<0.05). Stratified analysis showed a significant negative association between depressive symptoms and GP contact in individuals who were 45–64 years old (p<0.01), had a middle or high education (p<0.01) and had self-reported non-communicable diseases (p<0.05).

Conclusions

Contact with GPs during the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdowns may have a negative association with depressive symptoms in community-dwelling populations. Given the possibility of further surges in COVID-19 infections, GPs’ contact in the community should be enhanced.
Pilot evaluation of risk assessment and enhanced protocols regarding contacts at an international professional golf event
Authors: Robinson Patrick G , Murray Andrew , Sheer Volker , Close Graeme , Kinane Denis F
Published: August 2021

Objectives

The aim of this study was to assess whether a risk assessment and managed risk approach to contact tracing was practical and feasible at the Gran Canaria Lopesan Open 2021 and could inform further pilot work regarding disease transmission during elite sporting events.

Methods

This prospective cohort study included all international attendees. All participants required a minimum of one negative reverse transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR) test prior to travelling to each tournament. High-risk contacts were isolated for 10 days. Moderate-risk contacts received education regarding enhanced medical surveillance, had daily rapid antigen testing for 5 days, with RT-PCR day 5, mandated mask use and access to outside space for work purposes only. Low-risk contacts received rapid antigen testing every 48 hours and PCR testing on day 5.

Results

A total of 550 persons were accredited and were required to undergo RT-PCR testing before the event. Two of these tests were positive (0.36%). Of these, case 1 had 1 high, 23 moderate and 48 low-risk contacts. Case 2 did not have any significant travel history within 2 days of positive test and had one high-risk contact. There were no further positive tests on site in the wider cohort of attendees, from a total of 872 RT-PCR and 198 rapid antigen tests.

Conclusions

This pilot study showed it is practical, feasible and well accepted to provide enhanced (daily) virus testing and risk-mitigating measures at a professional golf event. Further study is required to assess the efficacy of these interventions; however, no transmission was found in this pilot study.
Gastrointestinal bleeding risk following concomitant treatment with oral glucocorticoids in patients on non-vitamin K oral anticoagulants
Authors: Holt Anders , Blanche Paul , Zareini Bochra , Rasmussen Peter Vibe , Strange Jarl Emanuel , Rajan Deepthi , Jensen Mads Hashiba , El-Sheikh Mohammed , Schjerning Anne-Marie , Schou Morten , Gislason Gunnar , Torp-Pedersen Christian , McGettigan Patricia , Lamberts Morten
Published: August 2021

Objective

Gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) risk in relation to concomitant treatment with non-vitamin K oral anticoagulants (NOAC) and oral glucocorticoids is insufficiently explored. We aimed to investigate the short-term risk following coexposure.

Methods

This is a register-based, nationwide Danish study including patients with atrial fibrillation on NOACs during 2012–2018. Patients were defined as exposed to oral glucocorticoids if they claimed a prescription within 60 days prior to GIB. We investigated the associations between GIB and oral glucocorticoid exposure, reporting HRs via a nested case–control design and absolute risk via a cohort design. Matching terms were age, sex, calendar year, follow-up time and NOAC agent.

Results

98 376 patients on NOACs (median age: 75 years (IQR: 68–82), 44% female) were included, and 16% redeemed at least one oral glucocorticoid prescription within 3 years. HRs of GIB were increased comparing exposed with non-exposed patients (<20 mg daily dose, HR 1.54 (95% CI 1.29 to 1.84); ≥20 mg daily dose, HR 2.19 (95% CI 1.81 to 2.65)). 60-day standardised absolute risk of GIB following first claimed oral glucocorticoid prescription increased compared with non-exposed: 60-day absolute risk: 0.71% (95% CI 0.58% to 0.85%) vs 0.38% (95% CI 0.32% to 0.43%). The relative risk was elevated as well: risk ratio of 1.89 (95% CI 1.43 to 2.36).

Conclusions

Concomitant treatment with NOACs and oral glucocorticoids was associated with a short-term rate and risk increase of GIB compared with patients only on NOACs. This could have implications for clinical management, necessitating closer monitoring or other risk mitigation strategies during episodes of cotreatment with oral glucocorticoids.
Prospective association between receipt of the economic impact payment and mental health outcomes
Authors: Tsai Jack , Huang Minda , Rajan Suja S , Elbogen Eric B
Published: August 2021

Background

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act of 2020 provided ‘economic impact payments’ (EIPs) of $1200 to US adults with annual personal income of $75 000 or less. This study examined the prospective association between EIP receipt and mental health outcomes.

Methods

A nationally representative sample of 3169 middle-income and low-income US adults completed a baseline assessment of their health and well-being in May–June 2020 and a 3-month follow-up assessment during the period of the COVID-19 pandemic when EIPs were distributed.

Results

Controlling for sociodemographic characteristics, EIP recipients had higher odds of reporting a positive COVID-19 test, endorsing a history of post-traumatic stress disorder and reporting any illicit drug use in the past month than participants who did not receive EIP. Participants who did not receive EIP were more likely to report a history of anxiety disorder or alcohol use disorder and recent suicidal ideation than EIP recipients. There was no association between EIP receipt and financial distress, although over one-third to over half of EIP recipients were not employed at baseline. Between baseline and 3-month follow-up, receipt of EIP was significantly associated with reduced medical conditions and alcohol use problems, but increased depression, suicidal ideation and COVID-19 era-related stress.

Conclusion

The EIP provided a brief income stimulus to many adults in need but was not associated with improvements in financial distress or mental health among middle-income and low-income recipients. Long-term income security and employment may be more important to improving and sustaining positive mental health outcomes.
Different responses of the oral, nasal and lung microbiomes to cigarette smoke
Authors: Pfeiffer Stefan , Herzmann Christian , Gaede Karoline I , Kovacevic Draginja , Krauss-Etschmann Susanne , Schloter Michael
Published: August 2021

To examine the role of smoking on the bacterial community composition of the upper and the lower respiratory tract, a monocentric, controlled prospective study was performed, including healthy smokers, ex-smokers and never-smokers. Smokers were further grouped according to their smoking history. Bacterial diversity was analysed using a molecular barcoding approach based on directly extracted DNA. Our study shows for the first time distinct bacterial response patterns in the upper and lower respiratory tract to cigarette smoking leading to a higher abundance of opportunistic pathogens. The clinical significance of these dysbioses for health needs to be further explored.
Electronic nicotine delivery systems: the need for continued regulatory innovation
Authors: Miller Brian J , Meshnick Andrew B , Lushniak Boris D
Published: August 2021

The recent surge in electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) or electronic cigarette use among both adolescents and adults challenged tobacco regulatory frameworks worldwide. In this article, we review recent US Food and Drug Administration regulatory approaches to tobacco products, including attempts to regulate nicotine concentration and address youth use. We examine recent drives to promote a harm reduction approach in other product markets such as opioids, where the use of methadone and related therapies promote the public health. We describe the potential of a harm reduction framework for ENDS regulation based on tiered nicotine exposure standards coupled with risk-based product distribution controls that would enable ENDS products to meet the ‘Appropriate for the Protection of the Public Health’ standard required for tobacco product market entry. A harm reduction approach to ENDS regulation could help countries achieve the laudable public health goals of transitioning existing combustion cigarette users to ENDS products while preventing adolescent ENDS use and subsequent nicotine addiction.
Neidium petersiveri sp. nov. (Bacillariophyceae) — description of a new diatom species with emphasis on variability of frustule morphology in a population from Lake Superior
Authors: Nicholls Kenneth H.
Published: August 2021

Light and scanning electron microscopy were used to describe Neidium petersiveri sp. nov., a previously unnamed diatom found in the Canadian waters of Lake Superior. It had been reported previously as single cells of an unidentified Neidium species from four widely separated regions in North America: Michipicoten Island (Lake Superior, Ontario, Canada), Cape Cod (Massachusetts, United States), a Quebec river (Quebec, Canada), and the Back River (Nunavut, Canada). There are superficial resemblances to Neidium mirum Krasske and Neidium calvum Østrup, but there are significant differences in frustule size and shape as well as the pattern of striae on the valve face that render N. petersiveri unique. There was not a significant correlation between frustule lengths and widths in N. petersiveri, owing to a relatively small range within the width data that resulted in much higher width-to-length ratios among shorter cells than for longer cells (74 cells measured). Other significant aspects of morphologic variation include various shapes and configurations of the lacinial fissures and of the proximal raphe fissures, and the sporadic occurrence of pit-like depressions in the axial and central regions of the valves, which suggest that variations in these characters likely have limited value as discriminating characters at the species or subspecies levels.
Stability of remnants of Bardeen regular black holes in presence of thermal fluctuations
Authors: Khan Yawar H. , Upadhyay Sudhaker , Ganai Prince A.
Published: August 2021

In this paper, we discuss remnants of the Bardeen regular black hole motivated by using the concept of thermal fluctuations. First, we derive the equilibrium values of various thermodynamic quantities like entropy, Hawking temperature, pressure, internal energy, Helmholtz free energy and Gibbs free energy in the non-extended phase space. We then discuss geometrothermodynamics (GTD) of Bardeen black hole to study its stability. Next, we estimate the size of black hole remnant in terms of some known parameters of the black hole solution. Motivated by the fact that estimation of size, characteristics and stability of remnants of black holes could further increase our understanding of binary collisions, information loss paradox and dark energy, the black hole remnant, which gives an idea about stable mass left over after evaporation of black hole, is seen to owe its presence due to thermal fluctuations. We see that the thermal fluctuations bring an overall increase in entropy curve. However, in presence of thermal fluctuations, a positive kink, which signifies a maximum increase in the value of entropy, occurs at a certain value of horizon, which is exactly equal to the remnant radius. We observe that the thermal fluctuations, which are characteristics of quantum gravity, lead to stable values of thermodynamic quantities near the remnant radius. In presence of thermal fluctuations, we then derive various corrected thermodynamic potentials and also discuss the validity of first law of black hole thermodynamics for Bardeen black hole.