bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Descriptive record of the activity of military critical care transfer teams deployed to London in April 2020 to undertake transfer of patients with COVID-19
Authors: James Robert Hywel , Doyle C P , Cooper D J
Published: December 2020

In the face of the COVID-19 outbreak, military healthcare teams were deployed to London to assist the London Ambulance Service t transfer ventilated patients between medical facilities. This paper describes the preparation and activity of these military teams, records the lessons identified (LI) and reviews the complications encountered’. The teams each had two members. A consultant or registrar in emergency medicine (EM) and pre-hospitalemergency medicine (PHEM)E or anaesthesia and an emergency nurse or paramedic. Following a period of training, the teams undertook 52 transfers over a 14-day period. LI centred around minimising both interruption to ventilation and risk of aerosolisation of infectious particles and thus the risk of transmission of COVID-19 to the treating clinicians. Three patient-related complications (6% of all transfers) were identified. This was the first occasion on which the Defence Medical Services (DMS) were the main focus of a large-scale clinical military aid to the civil authorities. It demonstrated that DMS personnel have the flexibility to deliver a novel effect and the ability to seamlessly and rapidly integrate with a civilian organisation. It highlighted some clinical lessons that may be useful for future prehospital emergency care taskings where patients may have a transmissible respiratory pathogen. It also showed that clinicians from different backgrounds are able to safely undertake secondary transfer of ventilated patients. This approacmay enhance flexibility in future operational patient care pathways.
Parents and carers’ experiences of seeking health information and support online for long-term physical childhood conditions: a systematic review and thematic synthesis of qualitative research
Authors: Treadgold Bethan Mair , Teasdale Emma , Muller Ingrid , Roberts Amanda , Coulson Neil , Santer Miriam
Published: December 2020

Objective

To systematically review and synthesise qualitative research exploring parents/carers’ experiences of seeking online information and support for long-term physical childhood conditions.

Design

Systematic review and thematic synthesis of qualitative research.

Data sources

Medline, CINAHL, Embase, PsycINFO and the International Bibliography of the Social Sciences were searched from inception to September 2019. We used thematic synthesis to analyse findings.

Eligibility criteria

Primary research papers presenting qualitative data collection and analysis, focusing on parents/carers’ experiences of seeking health information and support from online resources for long-term physical childhood health conditions. No language restrictions were placed.

Results

23 studies from seven countries met inclusion criteria and were included in the synthesis. Included studies presented data collected through interviews/focus groups with 559 parents/carers; free-text surveys and essays with 26 parents/carers and 2407 messages from online support groups. Parents/carers developed a variety of strategies to obtain information and support online, based on personal preferences, appraisal of trustworthiness, perceived needs and previous experiences online. Many parents sought the benefits of online information and support, which included reassurance and validation from online communities, and feeling they had greater knowledge about their children’s conditions. Some concerns and perceived risks were discussed, which often stemmed from prior unsatisfactory experiences of seeking information and support online, consultations with health professionals and seeing distressing stories online.

Conclusion

Most parents/carers were successful in obtaining information and support online. Many continued to share experiences with other parents/carers online. The need for information was particularly apparent early after diagnosis of the condition, whereas the need for peer support continued. The potential concerns and perceived risks with information and support online were especially apparent among parents/carers of children with life-limiting long-term conditions. Findings may be useful for health professionals to facilitate discussions regarding use of online resources, and researchers designing online health resources for parents/carers.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42018096009.
Reducing cardiovascular disease risk among families with familial hypercholesterolaemia by improving diet and physical activity: a randomised controlled feasibility trial
Authors: Kinnear Fiona Jane , Lithander Fiona E , Searle Aidan , Bayly Graham , Wei Christina , Stensel David J , Thackray Alice E , Hunt Linda , Shield Julian P H
Published: December 2020

Objective

Familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) elevates low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and increases cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. This study aimed to provide evidence for the feasibility of conducting a randomised controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy of an intervention designed to improve diet and physical activity in families with FH.

Design

A parallel, randomised, waitlist-controlled, feasibility pilot trial.

Setting

Three outpatient lipid clinics in the UK.

Participants

Families that comprised children (aged 10–18 years) and their parent with genetically diagnosed FH.

Intervention

Families were randomised to either 12-week usual care or intervention. The behavioural change intervention aimed to improve dietary, physical activity and sedentary behaviours. It was delivered to families by dietitians initially via a single face-to-face session and then by four telephone or email follow-up sessions.

Outcome measures

Feasibility was assessed via measures related to recruitment, retention and intervention fidelity. Postintervention qualitative interviews were conducted to explore intervention acceptability. Behavioural (dietary intake, physical activity and sedentary time) and clinical (blood pressure, body composition and blood lipids) outcomes were collected at baseline and endpoint assessments to evaluate the intervention’s potential benefit.

Results

Twenty-one families (38% of those approached) were recruited which comprised 22 children and 17 adults with FH, and 97% of families completed the study. The intervention was implemented with high fidelity and the qualitative data revealed it was well accepted. Between-group differences at the endpoint assessment were indicative of the intervention’s potential for improving diet in children and adults. Evidence for potential benefits on physical activity and sedentary behaviours was less apparent. However, the intervention was associated with improvements in several CVD risk factors including LDL-C, with a within-group mean decrease of 8% (children) and 10% (adults).

Conclusions

The study’s recruitment, retention, acceptability and potential efficacy support the development of a definitive trial, subject to identified refinements.

Trial registration number

ISRCTN24880714.
Optimised architecture-based grading system as an independent prognostic factor in resected lung adenocarcinoma
Authors: Qiu Jin huan , Hu Gui ming , Zhang Rui zhen , Hu Menglong , Li Zongkuo , Zhang Yan , Wu Hui fang , Fu Wen jing , Zhang Min , Feng Yi kun , Niu Lihua , Ren Jing li
Published: December 2020

Aims

Considering morphological heterogeneity of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) and no objective prognostic grading system existing currently, we aim to establish an ‘optimised architecture-based grading system’ (OAGS) to predict prognosis for resected LUAD.

Methods

A multicentral study involving three independent cohorts of LUAD was conducted. Predictive ability of the OAGS for recurrence-free probability (RFP) and overall survival (OS) was assessed in training cohort (n=228) by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), Harrell’s concordance index (C-index) and Kaplan-Meier survival analyses, which was validated in testing (n=135) and validation (n=226) cohorts.

Results

The OAGS consists of: grade 1 for lepidic, papillary or acinar predominant tumour with no or less than 5% of high-grade patterns (cribriform, solid and or micropapillary), grade 2 for lepidic, papillary or acinar predominant tumour with 5% or more of high-grade patterns, and grade 3 for cribriform, solid or micropapillary predominant tumour. In all stages, the OAGS outperformed the pattern-dominant grading system and IASLC grading system for predicting RFP (C-index, 0.649; AUC, 0.742) and OS (C-index, 0.685; AUC, 0.754). Multivariate analysis identified it as an independent predictor of both (RFP, p<0.001; OS, p<0.001). Furthermore, in pT1-2aN0M0 subgroup, the OAGS maintained its ability to predict recurrence (C-index, 0.699; AUC, 0.769) and stratified patients into different risk groups of RFP (p<0.001). These results were confirmed in testing and validation cohorts.

Conclusions

The OAGS is an independent prognostic factor and shows a robust ability to predict prognosis for resected LUAD.
Analytic baby skyrmions at finite density
Authors: Barsanti Marco , Bolognesi Stefano , Canfora Fabrizio , Tallarita Gianni
Published: December 2020

We study the baby Skyrme model in (2+1)-dimensions built on a finite cylinder. To this end, we introduce a consistent ansatz which is able to reduce the complete set of field equations to just one equation for the profile function for arbitrary baryon charge. Many analytic solutions both with and without the inclusion of the effects of the minimal coupling with the Maxwell field are constructed. The baby skyrmions appear as a sequence of rings along the cylinder, leading to a periodic shape in the baryon density. Linear stability and other physical properties are discussed. These analytic gauged baby Skyrmions generate a persistentU(1) current which cannot be turned off continuously as it is tied to the topological charge of the baby Skyrmions themselves. In the simplest non-trivial case of a gauged baby Skyrmion, a very important role is played by the Mathieu equation with an effective coupling constant which can be computed explicitly. These configurations are a very suitable arena to test resurgence in a non-integrable context.
On the Open Dicke-Type Model Generated by an Infinite-Component Vector Spin
Authors: Kyokawa Ryota , Moriya Hajime , Tamura Hiroshi
Published: December 2020

We consider an open Dicke model comprising a single infinite-component vector spin and a single-mode harmonic oscillator which are connected by Jaynes–Cummings-type interaction between them. This open quantum model is referred to as the OISD (Open Infinite-component Spin Dicke) model. The algebraic structure of the OISD Liouvillian is studied in terms of superoperators acting on the space of density matrices. An explicit invertible superoperator (precisely, a completely positive trace-preserving map) is obtained that transforms the OISD Liouvillian into a sum of two independent Liouvillians, one generated by a dressed spin only, the other generated by a dressed harmonic oscillator only. The time evolution generated by the OISD Liouvillian is shown to be asymptotically equivalent to that generated by an adjusted decoupled Liouvillian with some synchronized frequencies of the spin and the harmonic oscillator. This asymptotic equivalence implies that the time evolution of the OISD model dissipates completely in the presence of any (tiny) dissipation.
Numerical Analysis of Slope Stability under Reservoir Water Level Fluctuations Using a FEM-LEM-Combined Method
Authors: Meng Qingxiang , Qian Kun , Zhong Lin , Gu Jinjian , Li Yue , Fan Kaifeng , Yan Long
Published: December 2020

Large-scale slopes at the banks of reservoirs pose a serious threat to the safety of hydropower stations. The fluctuation of the reservoir water level is a key factor in the slope stability. However, the parameters to describe the relationship among water content, matric suction, and soil strength are difficult to measure using unsaturated soil strength theory. To solve this problem, a simple FEM-LEM-combined scheme considering pore pressure, seepage force, and strength weakening is presented to calculate the safety factor. A numerical study on the impact of reservoir water level fluctuations on stability of a glaciofluvial deposit slope is implemented. Two typical profiles are used to estimate the stability of the glaciofluvial deposit slope in response to rising and lowering water levels. The results indicate that this method proposed a simple and efficient tool for water level-induced slope stability analysis.
Management of Nonpuerperal Uterine Inversion Using a Combined Vaginal and Abdominal Approach
Authors: Abubeker Ferid A. , Misgina Mulugeta , Ebabu Ahmed , Fekade Eyerusalem , Gashawbeza Biruck
Published: December 2020

Introduction. Nonpuerperal uterine inversion is an extremely rare clinical condition. As such, some cases will have to be managed without prior experience. Clinicians must have a high index of suspicion to make the diagnosis and a clear understanding of the principles of recommended surgical techniques. Here, we report a case of nonpuerperal uterine inversion managed using a combined vaginal and abdominal approach. Case Presentation. A 70-year-old postmenopausal woman presented with profuse vaginal bleeding and protruding mass per vagina. Examination showed a solitary globular mass attached to an inverted uterus. A clinical diagnosis of nonpuerperal uterine inversion was made. A vaginal approach was used to first remove the mass followed by an abdominal approach to reposition the uterus using the Haultain procedure. Subsequently, total abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy was done without complication. Histologic examination showed myoma with adenomyosis. Conclusion. Advanced imaging techniques such as 3D power Doppler and MRI have signature signs to confirm the clinical diagnosis of uterine inversion. Short of these diagnostic modalities, however, carefully conducted clinical examination including examination under anesthesia, and pelvic ultrasonography can be valuable tools to reach at a diagnosis. A combined vaginal and abdominal surgical approach can facilitate repositioning and/or hysterectomy when there is a large protruding vaginal mass.
A new species of the genus Opius Wesmael, 1835 (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Opiinae) from Kashmir Himalaya, India
Authors: Ahmed Zaheer , Samiuddin Ahmad , Mir Altaf Hussain , Shamim Mohammad
Published: December 2020

A new braconid, Opius (Utetes) hazratbalensis sp. nov., is described and illustrated from Kashmir Himalaya, India.  Specimens were collected from the grass (Cynodon sp.).  Including this new species, 52 species of Opius are known from India.
A review about fish walking on land
Authors: Kumaraguru Arumugam , Mary Rosette Celsiya , Saisaraswathi Vijayaraghavalu
Published: December 2020

Mudskippers are amphibious species inhabiting semi-terrestrial ecosystems like mudflats, mangroves, marshy swamps, intertidal regions, and estuaries.  Around 34 diversified species are found across the globe.  Mudskipper belongs to the Oxudercidae family and the subfamily is Oxudercinae.  The occurrence of species is vastly found across the Indo-West Pacific region, the tropical western coast of Africa and in the Indian Ocean.  Mudskippers are known for being the biological indicator and also an indicator of estuarine safety monitoring.  They are used by people for prey-catching baits.  This review paper explains the ecological indicators, taxonomy, species diversity, habitat, behavioural pattern, respiration & kinematics, feeding ecology, reproduction, nutrition content & its medicinal value, and threats to mudskippers.
Genetic and reproductive characterization of distylous Primula reinii in the Hakone volcano, Japan: implications for conservation of the rare and endangered plant
Authors: Yamamoto Masaya , Sugawara Honami , Fukushima Kazuhiro , Setoguchi Hiroaki , Kurata Kaoruko
Published: December 2020

Genetic and ecological evaluation are crucial in effective management of rare and endangered species, including those exhibiting complex breeding systems such as distyly.  We studied a threatened distylous herb Primula reinii in the Hakone volcano, central Japan, to obtain baseline information of reproductive and genetic status towards conservation.  In two representative populations inhabiting a central cone and somma of the volcano, population size, floral morph ratio, stigmatic pollen deposition, and fruit-set were measured.  Using microsatellite markers, we evaluated genetic diversity, structure and differentiation of populations.  Population bottlenecks and historical changes in population size were also estimated from genotype data.  We found significant deviation from equal morph ratios in the central cone population, which also exhibited skewed mating success together with a high frequency of pollination within the same morph.  These trends were not detected in the somma population.  From genetic insights, the central cone population showed slightly lower genetic diversity, whereas no significant deviation from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium was found in either population.  The estimated moderate genetic differentiation and admixed genetic structure suggest recent lineage divergence and/or gene flow between populations.  While robust evidence for a recent bottleneck was not obtained in our analyses, a clear signature of historical population contraction was detected in the central cone population. Our findings suggest that the skewed morph ratio strongly influenced the reproduction of small and isolated populations in the short-term, highlighting the vulnerability of distylous plant populations under ongoing anthropogenic pressure.
Mechanisms of SGLT2 (Sodium-Glucose Transporter Type 2) Inhibition-Induced Relaxation in Arteries From Human Visceral Adipose Tissue
Authors: De Stefano Alessandro , Tesauro Manfredi , Di Daniele Nicola , Vizioli Giuseppina , Schinzari Francesca , Cardillo Carmine
Published: December 2020

As novel drug treatments for diabetes have shown favorable cardiovascular effects, interest has mounted with regard to their possible vascular actions, particularly in relation to visceral adipose tissue perfusion and remodeling in obesity. The present study tested the vasorelaxing effect of the SGLT2 (sodium-glucose transporter type 2) inhibitor canagliflozin in arteries from visceral adipose tissue of either nonobese or obese humans and investigated the underlying mechanisms. Also, the vasorelaxing effect of canagliflozin and the GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide 1) agonist liraglutide were compared in arteries from obese patients. To these purposes, small arteries (116–734 μm) isolated from visceral adipose tissue were studied ex vivo in a wire myograph. Canagliflozin elicited a higher concentration-dependent vasorelaxation in arterioles from obese than nonobese individuals (
P
=0.02). The vasorelaxing response to canagliflozin was not modified (
P
=0.93) by inhibition of nitric oxide synthase (L-NAME) or prostacyclin (indomethacin), or by H
2
O
2
scavenging (catalase); also, canagliflozin-induced relaxation was similar (
P
=0.23) in endothelium-intact or -denuded arteries precontracted with high potassium concentration, thereby excluding an involvement of endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factors. The vasorelaxing response to canagliflozin was similar to that elicited by the Na
+
/H
+
exchanger 1 inhibitor BIX (
P
=0.67), but greater than that to the Na
+
/Ca
++
exchanger inhibitor SEA 0400 (
P
=0.001), hinting a role of Na
+
/H
+
exchanger inhibition in canagliflozin-induced relaxation. In arterioles from obese patients, the vasorelaxing response to canagliflozin was greater than that to liraglutide (
P
=0.004). These findings demonstrate that canagliflozin induces endothelium-independent vasorelaxation in arterioles from human visceral adipose tissue, thereby suggesting that SGLT2 inhibition might favorably impact the processes linking visceral adipose burden to vascular disease in obesity.
Entre liberté et contrôle, les privat-docents et l'enseignement de la médecine à Genève entre 1876 et 1917
Authors: Rieder Philip
Published: December 2020

The University of Geneva was founded in 1876 with two sets of teachers established as competitive entities: the salaried professors and the nonsalaried privat-docents. The ease with which physicians obtained the title of privat-docent, a series of abuses of that status and the professors' desire to manage teaching at all levels, resulted in a conflictual situation. The subsequent drive of professors to gain control over all teaching reveals tensions between the medical faculty and the political authorities, but also strains within the medical community itself. Ultimately, the result was the professors' leadership over the rest of the medical community.
13th International Polychaete Conference (IPC13) (Table of Contents)
Authors: ROUSE GREG W. , LINDSAY SARA , PERNET BRUNO
Published: December 2020

Table of Contents
13th International Polychaete Conference (IPC13) Editorial

Authors: PERNET BRUNO , HARRIS LESLIE , FITZHUGH KIRK , LOVELL LARRY , WHITCRAFT CHRISTINE
Published: December 2020

In 1989, Donald Reish hosted the 3rd International Polychaete Conference (IPC3) in Long Beach, on the campus of California State University Long Beach. In 2015 he asked one of us (Bruno Pernet) if it might be possible to bring IPC13 back to Long Beach, thirty years later. Bruno assembled a planning committee consisting of himself and Christine Whitcraft (CSU Long Beach), Kirk Fitzhugh and Leslie Harris (Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County), and Larry Lovell (Dancing Coyote Environmental). The committee’s proposal was accepted at the International Polychaetology Association (IPA) general meeting in Wales in 2016, and the planning committee morphed into an organizational committee!
Community structure and seasonal changes in population structure of pelagic polychaetes collected by sediment traps moored in the subarctic and subtropical western North Pacific Ocean

Authors: AMEI KANAKO , JIMI NAOTO , KITAMURA MINORU , YOKOI NAOYA , YAMAGUCHI ATSUSHI
Published: December 2020

Community structure and seasonal changes in the population structure of pelagic polychaetes were studied based on zooplankton samples collected by sediment traps moored at 200 m depth in the subarctic and subtropical western North Pacific throughout the year. Eight species belonging to seven genera and seven families occurred at the subarctic station, while twelve species belonging to ten genera and seven families were identified at the subtropical station. Polychaete abundance was 5.37 ± 0.44 ind. m-2 day-1 (annual mean ± standard error) at the subarctic station, and 1.36 ± 0.15 ind. m-2 day-1 at the subtropical station. Polychaete abundance at the subarctic station was high from May to August, but no seasonal patterns were observed at the subtropical station. The dominant species in the subarctic was Tomopteris septentrionalis, which accounted for 62.9% of annual mean abundance; at the subtropical station, the dominant species was Pelagobia sp. (22.8%). In the subarctic, small specimens of T. septentrionalis (<3 mm in body length) occurred only in winter (December-March). No clear seasonal changes in population structure of the subtropical Pelagobia sp. were detected. The latitudinal patterns we observed in the polychaete communities of the western North Pacific were similar to those previously observed in the eastern North Pacific. Changes in the population structure of T. septentrionalis suggest that the life cycle of this species is seasonal in the subarctic region.
A Physically Based Stochastic Boundary Layer Perturbation Scheme. Part II: Perturbation Growth within a Superensemble Framework
Authors: Flack D. L. A. , Clark P. A. , Halliwell C. E. , Roberts N. M. , Gray S. L. , Plant R. S. , Lean H. W.
Published: December 2020

Convection-permitting forecasts have improved the forecasts of flooding from intense rainfall. However, probabilistic forecasts, generally based upon ensemble methods, are essential to quantify forecast uncertainty. This leads to a need to understand how different aspects of the model system affect forecast behavior. We compare the uncertainty due to initial and boundary condition (IBC) perturbations and boundary layer turbulence using a superensemble (SE) created to determine the influence of 12 IBC perturbations versus 12 stochastic boundary layer (SBL) perturbations constructed using a physically based SBL scheme. We consider two mesoscale extreme precipitation events. For each, we run a 144-member SE. The SEs are analyzed to consider the growth of differences between the simulations, and the spatial structure and scales of those differences. The SBL perturbations rapidly spin up, typically within 12 h of precipitation commencing. The SBL perturbations eventually produce spread that is not statistically different from the spread produced by the IBC perturbations, though in one case there is initially increased spread from the IBC perturbations. Spatially, the growth from IBC occurs on larger scales than that produced by the SBL perturbations (typically by an order of magnitude). However, analysis across multiple scales shows that the SBL scheme produces a random relocation of precipitation up to the scale at which the ensemble members agree with each other. This implies that statistical postprocessing can be used instead of running larger ensembles. Use of these statistical postprocessing techniques could lead to more reliable probabilistic forecasts of convective events and their associated hazards.
Comparison of Convective Parameters Derived from ERA5 and MERRA-2 with Rawinsonde Data over Europe and North America
Authors: Taszarek Mateusz , Pilguj Natalia , Allen John T. , Gensini Victor , Brooks Harold E. , Szuster Piotr
Published: December 2020

In this study we compared 3.7 million rawinsonde observations from 232 stations over Europe and North America with proximal vertical profiles from ERA5 and MERRA-2 to examine how well reanalysis depicts observed convective parameters. Larger differences between soundings and reanalysis are found for thermodynamic theoretical parcel parameters, low-level lapse rates, and low-level wind shear. In contrast, reanalysis best represents temperature and moisture variables, midtropospheric lapse rates, and mean wind. Both reanalyses underestimate CAPE, low-level moisture, and wind shear, particularly when considering extreme values. Overestimation is observed for low-level lapse rates, midtropospheric moisture, and the level of free convection. Mixed-layer parcels have overall better accuracy when compared to most-unstable parcels, especially considering convective inhibition and lifted condensation level. Mean absolute error for both reanalyses has been steadily decreasing over the last 39 years for almost every analyzed variable. Compared to MERRA-2, ERA5 has higher correlations and lower mean absolute errors. MERRA-2 is typically drier and less unstable over central Europe and the Balkans, with the opposite pattern over western Russia. Both reanalyses underestimate CAPE and CIN over the Great Plains. Reanalyses are more reliable for lower elevation stations and struggle along boundaries such as coastal zones and mountains. Based on the results from this and prior studies we suggest that ERA5 is likely one of the most reliable available reanalyses for exploration of convective environments, mainly due to its improved resolution. For future studies we also recommend that computation of convective variables should use model levels that provide more accurate sampling of the boundary layer conditions compared to less numerous pressure levels.
Adapting to Climate Change in the Upper Mississippi River Basin: Exploring Stakeholder Perspectives on River System Management and Flood Risk Reduction
Authors: Reed Tamsen , Mason Lisa Reyes , Ekenga Christine C.
Published: December 2020

In the Midwestern United States (US), river flooding is a climate change-related hazard that poses a significant threat to health, well-being and economic stability. The 2019 Midwest floods led to major flooding at every monitoring site along the Mississippi River, set record water levels at 42 sites, and resulted in an estimated $6.2 billion in infrastructure damage and recovery costs. Although the risks associated with increasing flooding in the Midwestern US have been well recognized, less is known about the adaptation challenges and opportunities in the region, particularly in the Upper Mississippi River Basin. This exploratory study examined stakeholder perspectives on river system management, flood risk reduction, and adaptation planning in the Upper Mississippi River Basin. We conducted in-depth interviews with flood management stakeholders between August and October 2019. Interview data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Five themes emerged from the interviews: (1) River flooding in the Midwestern US is a different experience than US coastal flooding; (2) River flooding in the Midwestern US is a regional experience that requires a regional response; (3) Local actors face constrained resources for flood risk protection and recovery; (4) Differentiated responsibility across levels of governments makes recovery and response difficult to navigate; and (5) Competing stakeholder goals challenge cooperative flood hazard management. Overall, these results suggest that locally focused adaptation efforts, while perhaps appropriate for coastal communities or more urban contexts, are suboptimal strategies for communities in the flood-prone river basins of the Midwestern US. Instead, structures and support for regional collaboration should be considered and pursued.
Effects of the Duration of a Resting-State EEG Recording in Healthy Aging and Mild Cognitive Impairment
Authors: Kamal Farooq , Campbell Kenneth , Taler Vanessa
Published: December 2020

Introduction

The recording of resting-state EEG may provide a means to predict early cognitive decline associated with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Previous studies have typically used very short recording times to avoid a confound with drowsiness that may occur in longer recordings. The effects of a longer recording have not however been systematically examined.

Methods

Eyes-closed resting-state EEG activity was recorded in 40 older adult participants (20 healthy older adults and 20 people with MCI). The recording period was a relatively long 6 minutes, divided into two equal 3-minute halves to determine if drowsiness will be more apparent as the recording progresses. The participants also completed standardized neuropsychological tasks that assessed global cognition (Montreal Cognitive Assessment) and memory (California Verbal Learning Test, Second Edition). A spectral analysis was performed on both short (2 seconds) and long (8 seconds) segments in both 3-minute halves.

Results

No differences in power density for any of the EEG frequency bands were found between the 2 halves of the study for either group. There was little evidence of increased drowsiness in the second half of the study even when frequency resolution was increased with the 8-second segmentation. Theta power density was overall larger for people with MCI compared to healthy older adults. A negative correlation was also observed between theta power and global cognition in healthy older adults.

Conclusions

The present results indicate that longer resting-state EEG recording can be reliably employed without increased risk of drowsiness.
Caching deployment based on energy efficiency in device-to-device cooperative networks
Authors: Wang Weiguang , Li Hui , Liu Yang , Cheng Wei , Qin Haoyang
Published: December 2020

The rapid growth of mobile data traffic demand will cause congestion to the future communication network. The cache-enabled device-to-device communication has been proven to effectively enhance the performance of wireless communication networks. This article investigates the caching deployment problem from the energy efficiency in the cache-enabled device-to-device networks. According to the random geometry theory modeling, the closed form expression of energy efficiency is derived, which measures the average number of successful transmitted file bits per unit time and per unit power consumption. And then we establish an optimization problem to maximize energy efficiency. As the formulated optimization problem is a multiple-ratio fractional programming problem that cannot be solved conveniently, we propose a quadratic transformation method to nest in the energy efficiency maximization problem. To tackle this problem, an iterative optimization algorithm is proposed to optimize the caching policy and network energy efficiency. The simulation results demonstrate that the proposed policy can achieve higher energy efficiency and hit probability in the cache-enabled device-to-device network.
Excess Opioid Disposal Following Orthopaedic Surgery: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Keyser Cornelia , Bhashyam Abhiram , Abdurrob Abdurrahman , Smith Jeremy T. , Bluman Eric , Chiodo Christopher
Published: December 2020

Background

Previous research indicates low disposal rates of excess postoperative narcotics, leaving them available for diversion or abuse. This study examined the effect of introducing a portable disposal device on excess opiate opioid disposal rates after lower extremity orthopaedic surgery.

Methods

This was a single site randomized control trial within an outpatient orthopaedic clinic. All patients 18 years or older, undergoing outpatient foot and ankle surgery between December 1, 2017 and August 1, 2018 were eligible. Patients were prospectively enrolled and randomized to receive standard opioid disposal instructions or a drug deactivation device at 2-week postoperative appointments. Participants completed an anonymous survey at 6-week postoperative appointments.

Results

Of the 75 patients surveyed, 68% (n = 26) of the experimental group and 56% (n = 21) of the control group had unused opioid medication. Of these, 84.6% of patients who were given Deterra Drug Deactivation System deactivation pouches safely disposed of excess medication, compared with 38% of controls (P = .003). When asked if they would use a disposal device for excess medication in the future, 97.4% (n = 37) of the experimental and 83.8% (n = 31) of the control group reported that they would.

Conclusions

Providing a portable disposal device with postoperative narcotic prescriptions may increase safe disposal rates of excess opioid medication following lower extremity orthopaedic surgery.

Levels of Evidence

Level I
Radical orchidectomy for suspected testicular cancer: Is preoperative staging computed tomography justified?
Authors: Berridge Christopher T , Stanley Sophie , Rajesh Arumugam , Griffiths TR Leyshon
Published: December 2020

The standard of care for men with a suspected malignant testicular tumour and normal contralateral testis is radical orchidectomy, testicular tumour markers and computed tomography scan staging. If the definitive orchidectomy histopathology is benign, young men are potentially exposed to unnecessary radiation. We sought to establish the rate of benign pathology returned from radical orchidectomy at our local urology multidisciplinary team (MDT) and if there were any preoperative factors suggestive of benign lesions. We included patients discussed at our local MDT meeting regarding testicular tumours with histology following radical orchidectomy between 1 January 2016 and 31 December 2018. A total of 113 patients were included, with benign histology following radical orchidectomy in seven (6.2%) patients. The benign histology included one adenomatoid tumour, and the remainder showed features of either infarction or inflammation. Metastases were detected on staging imaging in 21% of patients. Of these, 64% had normal preoperative tumour markers. Neither tumour size nor number of preoperative ultrasounds correlated with a risk of benign histology. One patient had chemotherapy prior to orchidectomy. It was reassuring that just 6.2% of patients had benign histology with no significant factors predictive of benign histology. This supports pre-orchidectomy staging imaging and the current MDT pathway for suspected testicular cancers.

Level of evidence:

Level 2C.
The Predictive Value of Full-length Practice Exams for the New MCAT Exam for Premedical Students
Authors: Chen Wei , Corridon Peter R.
Published: December 2020

Objective:

To investigate whether full-length practice exams could predict performance in the new MCAT exam in a pilot group.

Methods:

A dataset of the first group of students who enrolled in the premedical post-baccalaureate program, established at Khalifa University of Science and Technology in the 2018-2019 academic year, were used. Nineteen students from the group were subsequently admitted to the newly launched Doctor of Medicine Program at KU in the 2019 fall semester.

Results:

Performance in the full-length practice exams may significantly predict the MCAT score (β = 0.74, t = 6.50, P = 0.000), independent of English proficiency.

Conclusion:

These results are the first to provide direct empirical evidence supporting that doing full-length practice exams before the MCAT test day is a good strategy for preparation. Given the size of the cohort and the amount of time the program has been in existence, further studies are thus required to support this initial result.
Genome-wide detection of short tandem repeat expansions by long-read sequencing
Authors: Liu Qian , Tong Yao , Wang Kai
Published: December 2020

Background

Short tandem repeat (STR), or “microsatellite”, is a tract of DNA in which a specific motif (typically < 10 base pairs) is repeated multiple times. STRs are abundant throughout the human genome, and specific repeat expansions may be associated with human diseases. Long-read sequencing coupled with bioinformatics tools enables the estimation of repeat counts for STRs. However, with the exception of a few well-known disease-relevant STRs, normal ranges of repeat counts for most STRs in human populations are not well known, preventing the prioritization of STRs that may be associated with human diseases.

Results

In this study, we extend a computational tool RepeatHMM to infer normal ranges of 432,604 STRs using 21 long-read sequencing datasets on human genomes, and build a genomic-scale database called RepeatHMM-DB with normal repeat ranges for these STRs. Evaluation on 13 well-known repeats show that the inferred repeat ranges provide good estimation to repeat ranges reported in literature from population-scale studies. This database, together with a repeat expansion estimation tool such as RepeatHMM, enables genomic-scale scanning of repeat regions in newly sequenced genomes to identify disease-relevant repeat expansions. As a case study of using RepeatHMM-DB, we evaluate the CAG repeats of ATXN3 for 20 patients with spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3) and 5 unaffected individuals, and correctly classify each individual.

Conclusions

In summary, RepeatHMM-DB can facilitate prioritization and identification of disease-relevant STRs from whole-genome long-read sequencing data on patients with undiagnosed diseases. RepeatHMM-DB is incorporated into RepeatHMM and is available at https://github.com/WGLab/RepeatHMM.
Correction to: A network approach to investigating the key microbes and stability of gut microbial communities in a mouse neuropathic pain model
Authors: Brandon-Mong Guo-Jie , Shaw Grace Tzun-Wen , Chen Wei-Hsin , Chen Chien-Chang , Wang Daryi
Published: December 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.
Correction to: The prevalence of hypertension and its distribution by sociodemographic factors in Central Mozambique: a cross sectional study
Authors:   the InCoMaS Study Team, Matsuzaki Mika , Sherr Kenneth , Augusto Orvalho , Kawakatsu Yoshito , Ásbjörnsdóttir Kristjana , Chale Falume , Covele Alfredo , Manaca Nelia , Muanido Alberto , Wagenaar Bradley H. , Mocumbi Ana O. , Gimbel Sarah
Published: December 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.
Integrative analysis of histopathological images and chromatin accessibility data for estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer
Authors: Xu Siwen , Lu Zixiao , Shao Wei , Yu Christina Y. , Reiter Jill L. , Feng Qianjin , Feng Weixing , Huang Kun , Liu Yunlong
Published: December 2020

Background

Existing studies have demonstrated that the integrative analysis of histopathological images and genomic data can be used to better understand the onset and progression of many diseases, as well as identify new diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers. However, since the development of pathological phenotypes are influenced by a variety of complex biological processes, complete understanding of the underlying gene regulatory mechanisms for the cell and tissue morphology is still a challenge. In this study, we explored the relationship between the chromatin accessibility changes and the epithelial tissue proportion in histopathological images of estrogen receptor (ER) positive breast cancer.

Methods

An established whole slide image processing pipeline based on deep learning was used to perform global segmentation of epithelial and stromal tissues. We then used canonical correlation analysis to detect the epithelial tissue proportion-associated regulatory regions. By integrating ATAC-seq data with matched RNA-seq data, we found the potential target genes that associated with these regulatory regions. Then we used these genes to perform the following pathway and survival analysis.

Results

Using canonical correlation analysis, we detected 436 potential regulatory regions that exhibited significant correlation between quantitative chromatin accessibility changes and the epithelial tissue proportion in tumors from 54 patients (FDR < 0.05). We then found that these 436 regulatory regions were associated with 74 potential target genes. After functional enrichment analysis, we observed that these potential target genes were enriched in cancer-associated pathways. We further demonstrated that using the gene expression signals and the epithelial tissue proportion extracted from this integration framework could stratify patient prognoses more accurately, outperforming predictions based on only omics or image features.

Conclusion

This integrative analysis is a useful strategy for identifying potential regulatory regions in the human genome that are associated with tumor tissue quantification. This study will enable efficient prioritization of genomic regulatory regions identified by ATAC-seq data for further studies to validate their causal regulatory function. Ultimately, identifying epithelial tissue proportion-associated regulatory regions will further our understanding of the underlying molecular mechanisms of disease and inform the development of potential therapeutic targets.
Network-based drug sensitivity prediction
Authors: Ahmed Khandakar Tanvir , Park Sunho , Jiang Qibing , Yeu Yunku , Hwang TaeHyun , Zhang Wei
Published: December 2020

Background

Drug sensitivity prediction and drug responsive biomarker selection on high-throughput genomic data is a critical step in drug discovery. Many computational methods have been developed to serve this purpose including several deep neural network models. However, the modular relations among genomic features have been largely ignored in these methods. To overcome this limitation, the role of the gene co-expression network on drug sensitivity prediction is investigated in this study.

Methods

In this paper, we first introduce a network-based method to identify representative features for drug response prediction by using the gene co-expression network. Then, two graph-based neural network models are proposed and both models integrate gene network information directly into neural network for outcome prediction. Next, we present a large-scale comparative study among the proposed network-based methods, canonical prediction algorithms (i.e., Elastic Net, Random Forest, Partial Least Squares Regression, and Support Vector Regression), and deep neural network models for drug sensitivity prediction. All the source code and processed datasets in this study are available athttps://github.com/compbiolabucf/drug-sensitivity-prediction.

Results

In the comparison of different feature selection methods and prediction methods on a non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell line RNA-seq gene expression dataset with 50 different drug treatments, we found that (1) the network-based feature selection method improves the prediction performance compared to Pearson correlation coefficients; (2) Random Forest outperforms all the other canonical prediction algorithms and deep neural network models; (3) the proposed graph-based neural network models show better prediction performance compared to deep neural network model; (4) the prediction performance is drug dependent and it may relate to the drug’s mechanism of action.

Conclusions

Network-based feature selection method and prediction models improve the performance of the drug response prediction. The relations between the genomic features are more robust and stable compared to the correlation between each individual genomic feature and the drug response in high dimension and low sample size genomic datasets.
Antipsychotic and antidepressant prescribing for 704 297 children and young people with and without intellectual disabilities: record linkage study
Authors: Henderson Angela , Kinnear Deborah , Fleming Michael , Stanley Bethany , Greenlaw Nicola , Young-Southward Genevieve , Pell Jill P. , Cooper Sally-Ann
Published: December 2020

Background

Psychotropics are overprescribed for adults with intellectual disabilities; there are few studies in children and young people.

Aims

To investigate antipsychotic and antidepressant prescribing in children and young people with and without intellectual disabilities, and prescribing trends.

Method

Scotland's annual Pupil Census, which identifies pupils with and without intellectual disabilities, was record-linked to the Prescribing Information System. Antidepressant and antipsychotic data were extracted. Logistic regression was used to analyse prescribing between 2010 and 2013.

Results

Of the 704 297 pupils, 16 142 (2.29%) had a record of intellectual disabilities. Antipsychotic and antidepressant use increased over time, and was higher in older pupils; antipsychotic use was higher in boys, and antidepressant use was higher in girls. Overall, antipsychotics were prescribed to 281 (1.74%) pupils with intellectual disabilities and 802 (0.12%) without (adjusted odds ratio 16.85, 95% CI 15.29–18.56). The higher use among those with intellectual disabilities fell each year (adjusted odds ratio 20.19 in 2010 v. 14.24 in 2013). Overall, 191 (1.18%) pupils with intellectual disabilities and 4561 (0.66%) without were prescribed antidepressants (adjusted odds ratio 2.28, 95% CI 2.03–2.56). The difference decreased each year (adjusted odds ratio 3.10 in 2010 v. 2.02 in 2013).

Conclusions

Significantly more pupils with intellectual disabilities are prescribed antipsychotics and antidepressants than are other pupils. Prescribing overall increased over time, but less so for pupils with intellectual disabilities; either they are not receiving the same treatment advances as other pupils, or possible overprescribing in the past is changing. More longitudinal data are required.