bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Delayed Ejaculation After Lumbar Spine Surgery: A Claims Database Analysis
Authors: Bhambhvani Hriday P. , Kasman Alex M. , Zhang Chiyuan A. , Hu Serena S. , Eisenberg Michael L.
Published: October 2020

Study Design:

Retrospective cohort.

Objectives:

Delayed ejaculation (DE) is a distressing condition characterized by a notable delay in ejaculation or complete inability to achieve ejaculation, and there are no existing reports of DE following lumbar spine surgery. Inspired by our institutional experience, we sought to assess national rates of DE following surgery of the lumbar spine.

Methods:

We queried the Optum De-identified Clinformatics Database for adult men undergoing surgery of the lumbar spine between 2003 and 2017. The primary outcome was the development of DE within 2 years of surgery. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to identify factors associated with the development of DE.

Results:

We identified 117 918 men who underwent 162 646 lumbar spine surgeries, including anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF), posterior lumbar fusion (PLF), and more. The overall incidence of DE was 0.09%, with the highest rate among ALIF surgeries at 0.13%. In multivariable analysis, the odds of developing DE did not vary between anterior/lateral lumbar interbody fusion, PLF, and other spine surgeries. A history of tobacco smoking (OR = 1.47, 95% CI 1.00-2.16, P = .05) and obesity (OR = 1.56, 95% CI 1.00-2.44, P = .05) were associated with development of DE.

Conclusions:

DE is a rare but distressing complication of thoracolumbar spine surgery, and patients should be queried for relevant symptoms at postoperative visits when indicated.
Diagnosis and treatment of mixed phenotype (T-myeloid/lymphoid) acute leukemia with novel ETV6-FGFR2 rearrangement
Authors: Carll Timothy , Patel Anand , Derman Benjamin , Hyjek Elizabeth , Lager Angela , Wanjari Pankhuri , Segal Jeremy , Odenike Olatoyosi , Fidai Shiraz , Arber Daniel
Published: October 2020

Key Points

Myeloid/lymphoid neoplasms with eosinophilia are driven by aberrant tyrosine kinases in pluripotent cells and display variable phenotypes. FGFR-driven hematolymphoid neoplasms are targetable by TKI inhibitors such as ponatinib; studies of specific FGFR inhibitors are ongoing.
Allergic disease and risk of stress in pregnant women: a PreventADALL study
Authors: Olsson Mägi Caroline-Aleksi , Bjerg Bäcklund Anders , Lødrup Carlsen Karin , Almqvist Catarina , Carlsen Kai-Håkon , Granum Berit , Haugen Guttorm , Hilde Katarina , Lødrup Carlsen Oda C. , Jonassen Christine Monceyron , Rehbinder Eva Maria , Sjøborg Katrine D. , Skjerven Håvard , Staff Anne Cathrine , Vettukattil Riyas , Söderhäll Cilla , Nordlund Björn
Published: October 2020

Background

Maternal stress during pregnancy may negatively affect the health of mother and child. We therefore aimed to identify the proportion of women reporting high maternal stress in mid and late pregnancy and explore whether symptoms of maternal allergic disease are associated with perceived maternal stress in late pregnancy.

Method

The population-based Preventing Atopic Dermatitis and Allergy in Children (PreventADALL) study enrolled 2697 pregnant women at their 18-week routine ultrasound examination in Norway and Sweden. Information about sociodemographic factors, symptoms and doctor-diagnosed asthma, allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, food allergy, and anaphylaxis and stress using the 14-item perceived stress scale (PSS) was collected at 18 weeks (mid) and 34 weeks (late) pregnancy. High stress was defined as a PSS score ≥29. Scores were analysed using multivariate logistic and linear regression.

Results

Among the 2164 women with complete PSS data, 17% reported asthma, 20% atopic dermatitis, 23% allergic rhinitis, 12% food allergy and 2% anaphylaxis. The proportion of women reporting high stress decreased from 15% at mid to 13% at late pregnancy (p<0.01). The adjusted odds ratio for high stress in late pregnancy was 2.25 (95% CI 1.41–3.58) for self-reported symptoms of asthma, 1.46 (95% CI 1.02–2.10) for allergic rhinitis and 2.25 (95% CI 1.32–3.82) for food allergy. A multivariate linear regression model confirmed that symptoms of asthma (β coefficient 2.11; 0.71–3.51), atopic dermatitis (β coefficient 1.76; 0.62–2.89) and food allergy (β coefficient 2.24; 0.63–3.84) were independently associated with increased PSS score.

Conclusion

Allergic disease symptoms in pregnancy were associated with increased stress, highlighting the importance of optimal disease control in pregnancy.
The IAB Job Vacancy Survey: design and research potential
Authors: Bossler Mario , Gürtzgen Nicole , Kubis Alexander , Küfner Benjamin , Lochner Benjamin
Published: October 2020

This article provides an overview of the IAB Job Vacancy Survey and its research potential. The IAB Job Vacancy Survey is a quarterly establishment survey covering the (un-)satisfied labor demand in Germany. This survey identifies the entire number of vacancies on the German labor market, including those vacancies that are not reported to the Federal Employment Agency. The main questionnaire obtains information about the number and structure of vacancies, future labor demand, the current economic situation and the expected development of participating establishments. In addition, the questionnaire collects information about the last new hiring and the last case of a failed recruitment process. Finally, the questionnaire enquires about employer attitudes and firms’ use of current labor market instruments. The Research Data Centre of the German Federal Employment Agency offers access to the data starting from the survey waves 2000 onwards.
Protein–protein and protein-nucleic acid binding residues important for common and rare sequence variants in human
Authors: Qiu Jiajun , Nechaev Dmitrii , Rost Burkhard
Published: October 2020

Background

Any two unrelated people differ by about 20,000 missense mutations (also referred to as SAVs: Single Amino acid Variants or missense SNV). Many SAVs have been predicted to strongly affect molecular protein function. Common SAVs (> 5% of population) were predicted to have, on average, more effect on molecular protein function than rare SAVs (< 1% of population). We hypothesized that the prevalence of effect in common over rare SAVs might partially be caused by common SAVs more often occurring at interfaces of proteins with other proteins, DNA, or RNA, thereby creating subgroup-specific phenotypes. We analyzed SAVs from 60,706 people through the lens of two prediction methods, one (SNAP2) predicting the effects of SAVs on molecular protein function, the other (ProNA2020) predicting residues in DNA-, RNA- and protein-binding interfaces.

Results

Three results stood out. Firstly, SAVs predicted to occur at binding interfaces were predicted to more likely affect molecular function than those predicted as not binding (p value < 2.2 × 10–16). Secondly, for SAVs predicted to occur at binding interfaces, common SAVs were predicted more strongly with effect on protein function than rare SAVs (p value < 2.2 × 10–16). Restriction to SAVs with experimental annotations confirmed all results, although the resulting subsets were too small to establish statistical significance for any result. Thirdly, the fraction of SAVs predicted at binding interfaces differed significantly between tissues, e.g. urinary bladder tissue was found abundant in SAVs predicted at protein-binding interfaces, and reproductive tissues (ovary, testis, vagina, seminal vesicle and endometrium) in SAVs predicted at DNA-binding interfaces.

Conclusions

Overall, the results suggested that residues at protein-, DNA-, and RNA-binding interfaces contributed toward predicting that common SAVs more likely affect molecular function than rare SAVs.
Combined primary carnitine deficiency with neonatal intrahepatic cholestasis caused by citrin deficiency in a Chinese newborn
Authors: Lin Yiming , Lin Weihua , Chen Yanru , Lin Chunmei , Zheng Zhenzhu , Zhuang Jianlong , Fu Qingliu
Published: October 2020

Background

Primary carnitine deficiency (PCD) is an autosomal recessive disorder affecting the carnitine cycle and resulting in defective fatty acid oxidation. Neonatal intrahepatic cholestasis caused by citrin deficiency (NICCD) is an autosomal recessive disorder and one of the main causes of inherited neonatal cholestasis. Both PCD and NICCD are included in the current expanded newborn screening (NBS) targets.

Case presentation

Targeted exome sequencing was performed on a Chinese proband, and Sanger sequencing was utilised to validate the detected mutations. The patient who was initially suspected to have PCD based on the NBS results presented with neonatal intrahepatic cholestasis and ventricular septal defect. Further investigations not only confirmed PCD but also revealed the presence of NICCD. Four distinct mutations were detected, including c.51C > G (p.F17L) and c.760C > T (p.R254X) in SLC22A5 as well as c.615 + 5G > A and IVS16ins3kb in SLC25A13.

Conclusions

This is the first reported case of PCD and NICCD occurring in the same patient. The dual disorders in a newborn broaden our understanding of inherited metabolic diseases. Thus, this study highlighted the importance of further genetic testing in patients presenting with unusual metabolic screening findings.
Designing and evaluating an interprofessional education conference approach to antimicrobial education
Authors: Guilding Clare , Hardisty Jessica , Randles Elsa , Statham Louise , Green Alan , Bhudia Roshni , Thandi Charan Singh , Teodorczuk Andrew , Scott Lesley , Matthan Joanna
Published: October 2020

Background

Arguably, Medical School curricula are deficient in learning opportunities related to the safe and effective use of medicines, in particular antimicrobials. Infection management is complex and multidisciplinary, and learning opportunities should reflect these principles. Aligned to the complexity of the subject matter, simulation and interprofessional based teaching are methods that can foster the collaborative skills required of future healthcare professionals. There have been calls to develop these methods in the teaching of safe prescribing and the management of infections; however, reports of such studies are limited.

Methods

We developed an interprofessional education (IPE) conference for second year undergraduate medical and pharmacy students based in the North East of England. We considered contact theory in the design of three small group interprofessional workshops, on the broad themes of antimicrobial stewardship, infection management and patient safety. A mixed methods approach assessed students’ attitudes towards IPE, barriers and facilitators of learning, and perceived learning gains. Qualitative data from workshop evaluation forms were analysed thematically, while quantitative data were analysed descriptively and differences between medical and pharmacy cohorts analysed using unpaired two-tailed t-tests.

Results

226/352 students returned the workshop evaluation forms (66% of pharmacy students, 62% of medical students). 281/352 students responded to a series of Likert scale questions on the value of interprofessional education (88% of pharmacy students, 70% of medical students). Students reported acquisition of knowledge and skills, including concepts and procedures related to infection management and antimicrobial prescribing, and the development of problem-solving and critical evaluation skills. Students reflected on their attitude towards interprofessional collaboration. They reported a greater understanding of the roles of other healthcare professionals, reflected on the importance of effective communication in ensuring patient safety, and were more confident to work in interprofessional teams after the conference.

Conclusions

A robust IPE event, theoretically underpinned by contact theory and developed collaboratively, achieved interprofessional learning at scale and helped develop healthcare professionals willing to collaborate across disciplines. The resources, and evaluation insights based on the 3P (presage, process, and product) model of learning and teaching, will be of value to other educators who seek to develop theoretically-sound IPE interventions.
Importance of scientific collaboration in contemporary drug discovery and development: a detailed network analysis
Authors: Cheng Feixiong , Ma Yifang , Uzzi Brian , Loscalzo Joseph
Published: October 2020

Background

Growing evidence shows that scientific collaboration plays a crucial role in transformative innovation in the life sciences. For example, contemporary drug discovery and development reflects the work of teams of individuals from academic centers, the pharmaceutical industry, the regulatory science community, health care providers, and patients. However, public understanding of how collaborations between academia and industry catalyze novel target identification and first-in-class drug discovery is limited.

Results

We perform a comprehensive network analysis on a large scientific corpus of collaboration and citations (97,688 papers with 1,862,500 citations from 170 million scientific records) to quantify the success trajectory of innovative drug development. By focusing on four types of cardiovascular drugs, we demonstrate how knowledge flows between institutions to highlight the underlying contributions of many different institutions in the development of a new drug. We highlight how such network analysis could help to increase industrial and governmental support, and improve the efficiency or accelerate decision-making in drug discovery and development.

Conclusion

We demonstrate that network analysis of large public databases can identify and quantify investigator and institutional relationships in drug discovery and development. If broadly applied, this type of network analysis may help to enhance public understanding of and support for biomedical research, and could identify factors that facilitate decision-making in first-in-class drug discovery among academia, the pharmaceutical industry, and healthcare systems.
SOURCE: a phase 3, multicentre, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel group trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of tezepelumab in reducing oral corticosteroid use in adults with oral corticosteroid dependent asthma
Authors: Wechsler Michael E. , Colice Gene , Griffiths Janet M. , Almqvist Gun , Skärby Tor , Piechowiak Teresa , Kaur Primal , Bowen Karin , Hellqvist Åsa , Mo May , Garcia Gil Esther
Published: October 2020

Background

Many patients with severe asthma continue to experience asthma symptoms and exacerbations despite standard-of-care treatment. A substantial proportion of these patients require long-term treatment with oral corticosteroids (OCS), often at high doses, which are associated with considerable multiorgan adverse effects, including metabolic disorders, osteoporosis and adrenal insufficiency. Tezepelumab is a human monoclonal antibody that blocks the activity of the epithelial cytokine thymic stromal lymphopoietin. In the PATHWAY phase 2b study (NCT02054130), tezepelumab significantly reduced exacerbations by up to 71% in adults with severe, uncontrolled asthma. Several ongoing phase 3 trials (SOURCE, NCT03406078; NAVIGATOR, NCT03347279; DESTINATION, NCT03706079) are assessing the efficacy and safety of tezepelumab in patients with severe, uncontrolled asthma. Here, we describe the design and objectives of SOURCE, a phase 3 OCS-sparing study.

Methods

SOURCE is an ongoing phase 3, multicentre, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to evaluate the effect of tezepelumab 210 mg administered subcutaneously every 4 weeks on OCS dose reduction in adults with OCS-dependent asthma. The study comprises a 2-week screening and enrolment period, followed by an OCS optimization phase of up to 8 weeks and a 48-week treatment period, which consists of a 4-week induction phase, followed by a 36-week OCS reduction phase and an 8-week maintenance phase. The primary objective is to assess the effect of tezepelumab compared with placebo in reducing the prescribed OCS maintenance dose. The key secondary objective is to assess the effect of tezepelumab on asthma exacerbation rates. Other secondary objectives include the proportion of patients with a reduction in OCS dose (100% or 50% reduction or those receiving < 5 mg) and the effect of tezepelumab on lung function and patient-reported outcomes.

Conclusions

SOURCE is evaluating the OCS-sparing potential of tezepelumab in patients with OCS-dependent asthma. SOURCE also aims to demonstrate that treatment with tezepelumab in patients with severe asthma is associated with reductions in exacerbation rates and improvements in lung function, asthma control and health-related quality of life, while reducing OCS dose.

Trial registration

NCT03406078 (ClinicalTrials.gov). Registered 23 January 2018. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03406078
Health of refugees and migrants from former Soviet Union countries in the Russian Federation: a narrative review
Authors: Bakunina Nataliia , Gil Artyom , Polushkin Vitaly , Sergeev Boris , Flores Margarita , Toskin Igor , Madyanova Viktoriya , Khalfin Ruslan
Published: October 2020

This narrative review was conducted to synthesize and summarize available up-to-date evidence on current health status, including both non-communicable diseases and infectious diseases, of migrants and refugees from the former Soviet Union countries in the Russian Federation. Epidemiological and sociological studies with one or more determinants of the health, as well as relevant qualitative studies characterizing risk factors, well-being indicators, and lifestyles of migrants and refugees from the former Soviet Union countries in Russia published from 2004 to 2019 in Russian and English languages were included in the review. Despite significant limitations of the available research literature in the field, some patterns in migrants’ health in Russia and issues that need to be addressed were identified. In particular, the syndemic epidemics of communicable and non-communicable diseases, additively increasing negative health consequences, including cardiovascular diseases and chronic digestive system diseases, high rates of sexually transmitted infections and HIV, respiratory diseases and a growing percentage of new tuberculosis cases among migrants from the former Soviet Union countries are all of great concern. Possibly, the burden of these co-occurring morbidities is linked to commonly reported issues among this population group, such as poor nutrition and living conditions, high prevalence of unskilled manual labour, non-compliance with sanitary norms, lack of basic vaccinations, lack of basic knowledge about safe sexual practices and risky sexual behaviour, low healthcare seeking behaviour and limited access to health care. Importantly, these findings may urge the government to increase efforts and promote international collaboration in combating the threat of infectious diseases. Additionally, it was found that migrants had higher levels of anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder, and those who stayed in the receiving country 5 years or more had a higher level of somatic pathology than those whose stay was less than 5 years. In order to ensure an adequate health system response and fulfil the main Universal Health Coverage principle of “leaving no one behind”, a robust monitoring system of the health status of refugees and migrants and an integrated legal framework for the standardized and more inclusive routine care for this population in Russia is urgently needed.
Review of psychological stress on oocyte and early embryonic development in female mice
Authors: Zhai Qiu-Yue , Wang Jun-Jie , Tian Yu , Liu Xiaofang , Song Zhenhua
Published: October 2020

Psychological stress can cause adverse health effects in animals and humans. Accumulating evidence suggests that psychological stress in female mice is associated with ovarian developmental abnormalities accompanied by follicle and oocyte defects. Oocyte and early embryonic development are impaired in mice facing psychological stress, likely resulting from hormone signalling disorders, reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation and alterations in epigenetic modifications, which are primarily mediated by the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) and hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian (HPO) axes. The present evidence suggests that psychological stress is increasingly becoming the most common causative factor for female subfertility. Here, we review recent progress on the impact of psychological stress on female reproduction, particularly for oocyte and early embryonic development in female mice. This review highlights the connection between psychological stress and reproductive health and provides novel insight on human subfertility.
Acute toxicity of normofractionated intensity modulated radiotherapy with simultaneous integrated boost compared to three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy with sequential boost in the adjuvant treatment of breast cancer
Authors: Krug David , Köder Christine , Häfner Matthias F. , Arians Nathalie , Harrabi Semi B. , Koerber Stefan A. , Forster Tobias , Schlampp Ingmar , Sohn Christof , Heil Joerg , Hof Holger , Hörner-Rieber Juliane , Debus Jürgen
Published: October 2020

Background

Intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) improves dose homogeneity and late toxicity compared to simple tangential techniques in adjuvant whole-breast radiotherapy for patients with breast cancer. Simultaneous-integrated boost (SIB) radiotherapy shortens the overall treatment time and improves dose homogeneity. However, prospective randomized trials regarding IMRT with SIB for adjuvant radiotherapy in breast cancer are lacking.

Methods

The IMRT-MC2 (MINT) trial is a phase III prospective randomized controlled trial comparing IMRT with SIB (Arm A: whole breast 28 × 1.8 Gy, Boost 28 × 2.3 Gy) to 3D-conformal radiotherapy with a sequential boost (Arm B: whole breast 28 × 1.8 Gy, boost 8 × 2 Gy) in patients with breast cancer after BCS. Indication for boost radiotherapy was defined as age < 70 years or age > 70 years with presence of additional risk factors. This is a retrospective analysis of acute toxicity at one of two trial sites.

Results

Five hundred two patients were randomized, of which 446 patients were eligible for this analysis. There was no statistically significant difference in terms of any grade radiation dermatitis between the two treatment arms at the end of treatment (p = 0.26). However, radiation dermatitis grade 2/3 (29.1% vs. 20.1 and 3.5% vs. 2.3%) occurred significantly more often in Arm A (p = 0.02). Breast/chest wall pain at the first follow-up visit was significantly more common in patients treated on Arm B (p = 0.02).

Conclusions

Treatment on both arms was well tolerated, however there were some differences regarding radiodermatitis and breast pain. Further analyses are ongoing.

Trial registration

clinicaltrials.gov, NCT01322854, registered 24th March 2011.
Clinicopathologic significance of protein lysine methyltransferases in cancer
Authors: Vougiouklakis Theodore , Bernard Benjamin J. , Nigam Nupur , Burkitt Kyunghee , Nakamura Yusuke , Saloura Vassiliki
Published: October 2020

Protein lysine methyltransferases (PKMTs) constitute a large family of approximately 50 chromatin modifiers that mono-, di- and/or tri-methylate lysine residues on histone and non-histone substrates. With the advent of The Cancer Genome Atlas, it became apparent that this family of chromatin modifiers harbors frequent genetic and expression alterations in multiple types of cancer. In this regard, past and ongoing preclinical studies have provided insight into the mechanisms of action of some of these enzymes, laying the ground for the ongoing development of PKMT inhibitors as novel anticancer therapeutics. The purpose of this review is to summarize existing data obtained by different research groups through immunohistochemical analysis of the protein expression levels of PKMTs, and their respective clinicopathologic associations. We focused on studies that used immunohistochemistry to associate protein expression levels of specific PKMTs, as well as several established histone methylation marks, with clinicopathologic features and survival outcomes in various cancer types. We also review ongoing clinical trials of PKMT inhibitors in cancer treatment. This review underscores the clinical relevance and potential of targeting the family of PKMT enzymes as the next generation of cancer therapy.
Ascites management by cell-free concentrated ascites reinfusion therapy during recovery from drug-induced acute liver injury: a case report
Authors: Yasuda Koya , Asou Mea , Asakawa Tomohiko , Araki Makoto
Published: October 2020

Background

The symptoms of drug-induced hepatic injury are manifold; however, the presence of ascites indicates a severe disease condition. The rapid accumulation of ascites is distressing and requires palliative treatment. Because many cases are addressed by repeated large-volume paracentesis, often resulting in impairment due to protein and electrolyte loss, a different approach is required.

Case presentation

A 61-year-old Japanese man on maintenance dialysis was admitted to our hospital with acute liver injury. Our patient was diagnosed as having drug-induced liver injury due to warfarin or diltiazem, which started immediately after coronary artery bypass grafting 7 months previously. One month after admission, our patient’s hepatic encephalopathy remained grade 1 and his prothrombin time international normalized ratio was maintained at < 1.5. However, the liver was markedly atrophied with massive ascites. Although liver transplantation was desired, he was considered unfit for transplantation because of his renal and cardiac complications. Therefore, we devised a strategy to manage the massive ascites with cell-free concentrated ascites reinfusion therapy while awaiting liver regeneration. At first, cell-free concentrated ascites reinfusion therapy was required frequently because ascites accumulated rapidly. But the fluid retention interval was gradually extended as intended, and cell-free concentrated ascites reinfusion therapy was withdrawn after 8 months. During that time, the size of his liver increased from 1419 cm3 to 1587 cm3 on computed tomography.

Conclusions

Cell-free concentrated ascites reinfusion therapy is an apheresis therapy in which ascites are collected aseptically by paracentesis, concentrated, and then reinfused intravenously. This treatment has the advantage of preserving nutrition by reusing the fluid. Previously, cell-free concentrated ascites reinfusion therapy was used only for the management of ascites in patients with cirrhosis or carcinomatous peritonitis. This case suggests that palliation and maintenance of nutritional status with cell-free concentrated ascites reinfusion therapy may be useful as an adjunct to liver regeneration in drug-induced hepatic injury.
Case study: evaluation of the automation of material handling with mobile robots
Authors: Melo Adriana F. , Corneal Lindsay M.
Published: October 2020

The automation of material handling is one of the solutions that many companies are relying on to reach their goals related to productivity increment, floor space optimization, higher standards for factory’s safety, and allocation of workers to value-added activities. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the current state of the material flow of finished goods for an automotive parts supplier plant and the technology available on the market to verify if it was worthwhile to invest in material handling automation. The analysis included the use of discrete event simulation to evaluate the different layout approaches combined with the mobile robots’ performance. It was proven that the tandem layout was the most beneficial approach to the analyzed plant’s reality with a minimal of three robots. Improvements to the material flow and automation of the labeling process were also proposed based on the study.
Spousal violence and its determinants among married adolescent girls in Upper Egypt
Authors: El-Gazzar Amira F. , Aziz Mirette M. , Mohammed Heba M. , Elgibaly Omaima , Darwish Manal M.
Published: October 2020

Introduction

In Egypt, many girls are still married before the age of 18, which is a fundamental violation of the girls’ human rights. Early marriage is associated with an alarmingly elevated risk of all types of intimate partner violence that have various negative consequences. The purpose of this study was to identify the predictors of exposure to spousal violence among the early married girls in rural Upper Egypt.

Methods

A household survey was carried out and covered 23 villages in Assiut and Sohag governorates reaching to a sample of 729 married girls before the age of 20. Listing and enumeration of 4 districts was done to identify the study participants. Data was collected by personal interviews using a structured questionnaire. Bivariate and stepwise regression analyses were performed to identify the predictors of exposure to spousal violence.

Results

It was found that 15.2% of the study participants were exposed to physical violence while 17.8% were exposed to sexual violence and 7.3% were exposed to both types. Girls married before the age of 18 were more exposed to spousal violence. Stepwise regression analysis found that girls’ acceptance to get married was a protective factor against exposure to physical (β= − 1.07, OR 0.34) and sexual (β= − 0.68, OR 0.51) violence. The perceived attitude of husbands and mothers-in-law about considering wife beating “a husband's right” was found to be a risk factor of exposure to physical and sexual violence. Longer duration till the first pregnancy was also associated with more exposure to sexual violence (β= 0.04, OR 1.04).

Conclusion

Married adolescent girls (MAGs) are highly exposed to physical and sexual violence. This is mainly due to ignoring girls’ preference to postpone their marriage, cultural concepts of accepting violence against women, and low sexual satisfaction. This study shows that most determinants of spousal violence were related to culture issues. Identifying these determinants is required to combat such a crucial public health problem that has serious consequences on adolescent health.
Lesion load assessment among multiple sclerosis patient using DIR, FLAIR, and T2WI sequences
Authors: Almutairi Abdullah Dhaifallah , Hassan Hasyma Abu , Suppiah Subapriya , Alomair Othman I. , Alshoaibi Abdulbaset , Almutairi Hajab , Mahmud Rozi
Published: October 2020

Background

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is one of the diagnostic imaging modalities employing in lesion detection in neurological disorders such as multiple sclerosis (MS). Advances in MRI techniques such as double inversion recovery (DIR) made it more sensitive to distinguish lesions in the brain. To investigate the lesion load on different anatomical regions of the brain with MS using DIR, fluid attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) and T2-weighted imaging (T2WI) sequences. A total of 97 MS patients were included in our retrospective study, confirmed by neurologist. The patients were randomly selected from the major hospital in Saudi Arabia. All images were obtained using 3T Scanner (Siemens Skyra). The images from the DIR, FLAIR, and T2WI sequence were compared on axial planes with identical anatomic position and the number of lesions was assigned to their anatomical region.

Results

Comparing the lesion load measurement at various brain anatomical regions showed a significant difference among those three methods (p< 0.05).

Conclusion

DIR is a valuable MRI sequence for better delineation, greater contrast measurements and the increasing total number of MS lesions in MRI, compared with FLAIR, and T2WI and DIR revealed more intracortical lesions as well; therefore, in MS patients, it is recommended to add DIR sequence in daily routine imaging sequences.
In Vivo Predictive Dissolution Testing of Montelukast Sodium Formulations Administered with Drinks and Soft Foods to Infants
Authors: Martir J. , Flanagan T. , Mann J. , Fotaki N.
Published: October 2020

In vitro dissolution testing conditions that reflect and predict in vivo drug product performance are advantageous, especially for the development of paediatric medicines, as clinical testing in this population is hindered by ethical and technical considerations. The aim of this study was to develop an in vivo predictive dissolution test in order to investigate the impact of medicine co-administration with soft food and drinks on the dissolution performance of a poorly soluble compound. Relevant in vitro dissolution conditions simulating the in vivo gastrointestinal environment of infants were used to establish in vitro-in vivo relationships with corresponding in vivo data. Dissolution studies of montelukast formulations were conducted with mini-paddle apparatus on a two-stage approach: infant fasted-state simulated gastric fluid (Pi-FaSSGF; for 1 h) followed by either infant fasted-state or infant fed-state simulated intestinal fluid (FaSSIF-V2 or Pi-FeSSIF, respectively; for 3 h). The dosing scenarios tested reflected in vivo paediatric administration practices: (i.) direct administration of formulation; (ii.) formulation co-administered with vehicles (formula, milk or applesauce). Drug dissolution was significantly affected by co-administration of the formulation with vehicles compared with after direct administration of the formulation. Montelukast dissolution from the granules was significantly higher under fed-state simulated intestinal conditions in comparison with the fasted state and was predictive of the in vivo performance when the granules are co-administered with milk. This study supports the potential utility of the in vitro biorelevant dissolution approach proposed to predict in vivo formulation performance after co-administration with vehicles, in the paediatric population.
Protestant Rites and the Problem of Religious Difference in Colonial Korea
Authors: Jun Hajin
Published: October 2020

Colonial Korean society was a crucible of ritual conflict and innovation. The confluence of Protestant expansion, Japanese colonization, and cultural nationalism during the early twentieth century brought sweeping changes to Korean ritual life, especially to the all-important Confucian rites of passage. This article examines print media discussions of Protestant rites from the late 1910s to the early 1930s to trace how religious difference emerged as a political problem for Korean cultural nationalists. Early on, Protestant missionaries had banned ancestral veneration and other folk customs while spreading liturgical (marriage and funerary) ceremonies, in an effort to inculcate orthodox doctrines among new believers. Converts’ rejection of indigenous Confucian rites in favor of their own practices, however, soon became the focal point of heated public debates. When Protestants condemned ancestral rites as idolatry, they maligned fellow Koreans as primitive. Meanwhile, the rapid proliferation of Western-style church weddings excessively disseminated religious practices. Above all, cultural nationalists grew alarmed at how faith communities threatened to splinter society, diverting Koreans away from national concerns toward sectarian interests. I argue that Protestant rites prompted nationalist intellectuals to grapple with the sacred and secular, ultimately producing a narrow vision of religion subsumed under the aegis of the nation.
Additions to the checklist of lichenicolous fungi of Mongolia
Authors: Zhurbenko Mikhail , Enkhtuya Ochirbat , Javkhlan Samiya
Published: October 2020

Seventy-four species of lichenicolous fungi, including two species of lichenicolous lichens, are reported from Mongolia. Arthonia xanthoparmeliarum, Katherinomyces cetrariae s. lat. and Lichenochora arctica are newly reported for Asia. Arthonia epiphyscia, A. excentrica, A. molendoi, Carbonea vitellinaria, Cercidospora xanthoriae, Didymocyrtis rhizoplacae, Endococcus propinquus, Intralichen christiansenii, Lichenochora caloplacae, L. rinodinae, Lichenodiplis lecanorae, Lichenostigma dimelaenae, L. triseptatum, Niesslia peltigericola, Polycoccum trypethelioides, Rhymbocarpus neglectus, Sphaerellothecium phaeorrhizae, S. propinquellum, Stigmidium xanthoparmeliarum, Taeniolella pertusariicola and Tetramelas phaeophysciae are reported new to Mongolia. The occurrence of Stigmidium psorae in Mongolia is confirmed. Flavocetraria and Rhizoplaca are reported as new host genera for Katherinomyces cetrariae s. lat.
Lichens and allied fungi of old parks of three museum-reserves in Moscow Region (Russia)
Authors: Muchnik Evgeniya , Cherepenina Diana
Published: October 2020

We present the results of lichenological research in the parks of the museum-reserve Abramtsevo, the museum-reserve of A. S. Pushkin and the museum-estate Ostafyevo – Russian Parnassus, for which no previous data were available. The checklist of lichen biota contains 103 species including 98 lichens, a lichenicolous fungus and 4 non-lichenized fungi. 55 species were found in the park of the museum-reserve Abramtsevo, 58 species in the museum-reserve of A. S. Pushkin (estates Vyazemy – 51 and Zakharovo – 29) and 69 species in the museum-estate Ostafyevo – Russian Parnassus. Lichenochora obscuroides (Ostafyevo) is new for Central Russia. Cladonia macilenta, Evernia prunastri and Usnea hirta (Ostafyevo) are listed in the Red Data Book of Moscow. Parmelina tiliacea (Abramtsevo, Vyazemy), Ramalina farinacea, Usnea dasopoga and U. subfloridana (Abramtsevo) are listed in the Red Data Book of the Moscow Oblast. Chaenotheca chrysocephala, Melanelixia subargentifera, Parmelina tiliacea, Physconia perisidiosa and Ramalina europaea (Ostafyevo) are proposed for inclusion in the next edition of the Red Data Book of Moscow.
New and rare lichens and allied fungi from Arkhangelsk region, North-West Russia
Authors: Tarasova Viktoria , Konoreva Liudmila , Zhurbenko Mikhail , Pystina Tatiana , Chesnokov Sergei , Androsova Vera , Sonina Angella , Semenova Natalia , Valekzhanin Andrei
Published: October 2020

Thirty-one lichen-forming fungi, 12 lichenicolous fungi, and 5 non-lichenized fungi are reported as new for Arkhangelsk Region; 7 species are new for its mainland area. Micarea fallax is reported for the first time for Russia; M. laeta and M. pusilla are new for the European part of Russia. The second finding of Nicropuncta rugulosa for Russia is recorded; microconidia are first observed in this species. The records of ten species which have been included in the new edition of the Red Data Book of the Arkhangelsk Region (2020) are presented. Nephromopsis laureri from the Red Data Book of the Russian Federation (2008) and Leptogium rivulare from the IUCN Red List are reported for the first time for Arkhangelsk Region.
Multicomponent Maintenance Optimization: A Stochastic Programming Approach
Authors: Zhu Zhicheng , Xiang Yisha , Zeng Bo
Published: October 2020

Maintenance optimization has been extensively studied in the past decades. However, most of the existing maintenance models focus on single-component systems and are not applicable to complex systems consisting of multiple components, due to various interactions among the components. The multicomponent maintenance optimization problem, which joins the stochastic processes regarding the failures of components with the combinatorial problems regarding the grouping of maintenance activities, is challenging in both modeling and solution techniques, and has remained an open issue in the literature. In this paper, we study the multicomponent maintenance problem over a finite planning horizon and formulate the problem as a multistage stochastic integer program with decision-dependent uncertainty. There is a lack of general efficient methods to solve this type of problem. To address this challenge, we use an alternative approach to model the underlying failure process and develop a novel two-stage model without decision-dependent uncertainty. Structural properties of the two-stage problem are investigated, and a progressive-hedging-based heuristic is developed based on the structural properties. Our heuristic algorithm demonstrates a significantly improved capacity to handle large-size two-stage problems comparing to three conventional methods for stochastic integer programming, and solving the two-stage model by our heuristic in a rolling horizon provides a good approximation of the multistage problem. The heuristic is further benchmarked with a dynamic programming approach and a structural policy, which are two commonly adopted approaches in the literature. Numerical results show that our heuristic can lead to significant cost savings compared with the benchmark approaches.
Efficient Online Linear Optimization with Approximation Algorithms
Authors: Garber Dan
Published: October 2020

We revisit the problem of online linear optimization in the case where the set of feasible actions is accessible through an approximated linear optimization oracle with a factor α multiplicative approximation guarantee. This setting in particular is interesting because it captures natural online extensions of well-studied offline linear optimization problems that are NP-hard yet admit efficient approximation algorithms. The goal here is to minimize the α-regret, which is the natural extension to this setting of the standard regret in online learning. We present new algorithms with significantly improved oracle complexity for both the full-information and bandit variants of the problem. Mainly, for both variants, we present α-regret bounds of [Formula: see text], were T is the number of prediction rounds, using only [Formula: see text] calls to the approximation oracle per iteration, on average. These are the first results to obtain both the average oracle complexity of [Formula: see text] (or even polylogarithmic in T) and α -regret bound [Formula: see text] for a constant c > 0 for both variants.
Social Media and Orthodontics
Authors: Frawley Tom , Scott Paul , Shelton Andrew , Smith Alastair
Published: October 2020

Social media has become increasingly relevant to Orthodontics in several ways. This article highlights how both current and prospective patients may utilize social media to access information about, and voice their experiences of, orthodontic treatment. The applications of this to orthodontic research will also be discussed. Orthodontists should be aware of the role of social media in both education and marketing, as well as the current guidance and best practice in these areas. This knowledge should enable clinicians to maximize the advantages and avoid the pitfalls of social media in day-to-day life.

CPD/Clinical Relevance: Clinicians should be aware of the potential impact of social media on education, research, marketing and patients' experiences of treatment.
Simple and effective coupling technique for polarization maintaining fibers
Authors: Jiang Xunda , Guo Yuanyuan , Han Chengyin , Fang Ruihuan , Zhao Minhua , Lu Bo , Lee Chaohong
Published: October 2020

We present a simple and effective technique for coupling free-space laser beams into polarization maintaining fibers (PMFs) with high coupling efficiency. We measure both input and output laser beam sizes near the PMF by using the knife-edge method and build a suitable two-lens system for beam shaping according to the difference between those two beam sizes. For tapered amplifiers, we achieve high coupling efficiency above 70% with the help of the seeding mirrors. For external cavity diode lasers, we obtain high coupling efficiency above 80%. In addition, we demonstrate that theoretical maximum coupling efficiency can be approached by using a mode-filtered beam. Our technique is easy to implement and suitable for many applications such as coherent optical communication, atomic physics experiments, and precision measurements.
Dynamical characteristics of Laguerre–Gaussian vortex beams upon reflection and refraction
Authors: Cui Zhiwei , Hui Yuanfei , Ma Wanqi , Zhao Wenjuan , Han Yiping
Published: October 2020

Laguerre–Gaussian beams with vortex structure, as a special type of electromagnetic wave, can carry energy, momentum, and angular momentum, which is crucial for understanding of dynamical processes concerning light–matter interaction phenomena. In this paper, we theoretically investigate the local dynamical characteristics of Laguerre–Gaussian vortex beams upon reflection and refraction. Using a hybrid method based on the angular spectrum representation and vector potential in the Lorenz gauge, the explicit analytical expressions for the electric and magnetic field components of reflected and refracted Laguerre–Gaussian beams are derived in the form of a Hermite polynomial. A canonical approach is utilized to examine the energy, momentum, and spin and orbital angular momentum of the Laguerre–Gaussian vortex beams’ reflection and refraction at a plane interface between air and BK7 glass. The effects of the incidence angle, topological charge, and polarization state on these dynamical quantities are simulated and discussed in detail. This study may provide useful insights into the interactions of vortex beams with matter and their further applications.
Snapshot broadband polarization imaging based on Mach-Zehnder-grating interferometer
Authors: Zhang Ning , Zhu Jingping , Zhang Yunyao , Zong Kang
Published: October 2020

Full polarization imaging plays an important role in remote sensing to distinguish artificial objects from the natural environment, recognizing objects in shadows and sun glint suppression. In this paper, we propose a broadband full Stokes channeled modulated polarization imaging system based on a Mach-Zehnder-grating interferometer (MZGI) with advantages such as compact size, low cost, snapshot ability, and high optical efficiency. It uses gratings to compensate for the dispersion of the carried frequency when inputting broadband light to generate interference fringes. Two detectors are assembled to the output plane to acquire the interference fringes. Each image obtained by the detectors can be individually demodulated into different Stokes parameters individually. When the two groups are combined together, the full Stokes parameters are obtained. The simulation and optical efficiency analysis demonstrate that the interference fringes can obtain the full polarization information simultaneously with high optical efficiency in broadband wavelengths.
Coherent few mode demultiplexer realized as a 2D grating coupler array in silicon
Authors: Watanabe Tatsuhiko , Bitachon Bertold Ian , Fedoryshyn Yuriy , Baeuerle Benedikt , Ma Ping , Leuthold Juerg
Published: October 2020

We demonstrate an on-chip coherent mode scrambling demultiplexer for polarization multiplexed few mode signals. The device has been fabricated in the standard silicon-on-insulator platform. The mode demultiplexer consists of an array of 2D grating couplers for dual polarization few mode fiber-to-chip coupling and optical hybrids realized by 4×4 MMIs. The array of perfect vertical 2D grating couplers allows us an efficient fiber-to-chip coupling with experimental peak coupling efficiencies of -5.2 dB and -9.0 dB at 1570 nm for LP01 and LP11 modes, respectively, while simulated coupling efficiencies at 1550 nm are -3.6 dB and -3.3 dB for LP01 and LP11, respectively. We successfully performed a back-to-back three LP modes division multiplexing transmission experiment with single polarization 32 Gbaud QPSK signals using the fabricated mode demultiplexer relying on offline MIMO DSP techniques.