bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enhanced self-reported affect and prosocial behaviour without differential physiological responses in mirror-sensory synaesthesia
Authors: Ioumpa Kalliopi , Graham Sarah A. , Clausner Tommy , Fisher Simon E. , van Lier Rob , van Leeuwen Tessa M.
Published: October 2019

Mirror-sensory synaesthetes mirror the pain or touch that they observe in other people on their own bodies. This type of synaesthesia has been associated with enhanced empathy. We investigated whether the enhanced empathy of people with mirror-sensory synesthesia influences the experience of situations involving touch or pain and whether it affects their prosocial decision making. Mirror-sensory synaesthetes (N= 18, all female), verified with a touch-interference paradigm, were compared with a similar number of age-matched control individuals (all female). Participants viewed arousing images depicting pain or touch; we recorded subjective valence and arousal ratings, and physiological responses, hypothesizing more extreme reactions in synaesthetes. The subjective impact of positive and negative images was stronger in synaesthetes than in control participants; the stronger the reported synaesthesia, the more extreme the picture ratings. However, there was no evidence for differential physiological or hormonal responses to arousing pictures. Prosocial decision making was assessed with an economic game assessing altruism, in which participants had to divide money between themselves and a second player. Mirror-sensory synaesthetes donated more money than non-synaesthetes, showing enhanced prosocial behaviour, and also scored higher on the Interpersonal Reactivity Index as a measure of empathy. Our study demonstrates the subjective impact of mirror-sensory synaesthesia and its stimulating influence on prosocial behaviour.

This article is part of the discussion meeting issue ‘Bridging senses: novel insights from synaesthesia’.
Skeletal muscle reprogramming by breast cancer regardless of treatment history or tumor molecular subtype
Authors: Wilson Hannah E. , Stanton David A. , Montgomery Cortney , Infante Aniello M. , Taylor Matthew , Hazard-Jenkins Hannah , Pugacheva Elena N. , Pistilli Emidio E.
Published: October 2019

Increased susceptibility to fatigue is a negative predictor of survival commonly experienced by women with breast cancer. Here, we sought to identify molecular changes induced in human skeletal muscle by BC regardless of treatment history or tumor molecular subtype using RNA-sequencing and proteomic analyses. Mitochondrial dysfunction was apparent across all molecular subtypes, with the greatest degree of transcriptomic changes occurring in women with HER2/neu-overexpressing tumors, though muscle from patients of all subtypes exhibited similar pathway-level dysregulation. Interestingly, we found no relationship between anti-cancer treatments and muscle gene expression, suggesting that fatigue is a product of BCper serather than clinical history.In vitroandin vivoexperimentation confirmed the ability of BC cells to alter mitochondrial function and ATP content in muscle. These data suggest that interventions supporting muscle in the presence of BC-induced mitochondrial dysfunction may alleviate fatigue and improve the lives of women with BC.
Unravelling the Stability and Capsid Dynamics of the Three Virions of Brome Mosaic Virus Assembled Autonomously In Vivo
Authors: Chakravarty Antara , Beren Christian , Garmann Rees , Rao A.L.N.
Published: October 2019

Viral capsids are dynamic assemblies that undergo controlled conformational transitions to perform various biological functions. The replicated three-molecule RNA progeny of Brome mosaic virus (BMV) are packaged by a single capsid protein (CP) into three types of morphologically indistinguishable icosahedral virions with T=3 quasi-symmetry. Type 1 (B1v) and type 2 (B2v) virions respectively package genomic RNA1 or RNA2, while type 3 (B3+4v) co-packages genomic RNA3 (B3) and its sub-genomic RNA4 (B4). In this study, the application of a robust Agrobacterium-mediated transient expression system allowed us to assemble each virion type separately in planta. Physical and biochemical approaches analyzing the morphology, size, and electrophoretic mobility failed to distinguish between the virion types, so protease-based mapping experiments were used to analyze the conformational dynamics of the individual virions. The crystallographic structure of the BMV capsid shows four trypsin-cleavage sites (K65, R103, K111 and K165 on the A, B and C subunits) exposed on the exterior of the capsid. Irrespective of the digestion time, while retaining their capsid structural integrity, B1v and B2v released only two peptides involving amino acids 2-8 and 16-22 from the N-proximal arginine-rich RNA binding motif. In contrast, B3+4v capsids are unstable to trypsin, releasing several peptides in addition to the four sites predicted to be exposed on the capsid exterior. These results, demonstrating qualitatively different dynamics for the three types of BMV virions, suggest that the different RNA genes they contain may have different translational timing and efficiency and may even impart different structures to their capsids.

IMPORTANCE

The majority of viruses contain RNA genomes protected by a shell of capsid proteins. Although crystallographic studies show that viral capsids are static structures, accumulating evidence suggests that in solution virions are highly dynamic assemblies. The three genomic RNAs (RNAs 1, 2 and 3) and a single subgenomic RNA (RNA4) of Brome mosaic virus (BMV), an RNA virus pathogenic to plants, are distributed among three physically homogeneous virions. This study examines the capsid dynamics by MALDI-TOF analyses following trypsin digestion of the three virions assembled separately in vivo using the Agrobacterium-mediated transient expression approach. The results provide compelling evidence that virions packaging genomic RNAs1 and 2 are more stable and dynamically distinct from those co-packaging RNA3 and 4, suggesting that RNA-dependent capsid dynamics play an important biological role in the viral life cycle.
Reference-free resolution of long-read metagenomic data
Authors: Khachatryan Lusine , Anvar Seyed Yahya , Vossen Rolf H. A. M. , Laros Jeroen F. J.
Published: October 2019

Background

Read binning is a key step in proper and accurate analysis of metagenomics data. Typically, this is performed by comparing metagenomics reads to known microbial sequences. However, microbial communities usually contain mixtures of hundreds to thousands of unknown bacteria. This restricts the accuracy and completeness of alignment-based approaches. The possibility of reference-free deconvolution of environmental sequencing data could benefit the field of metagenomics, contributing to the estimation of metagenome complexity, improving the metagenome assembly, and enabling the investigation of new bacterial species that are not visible using standard laboratory or alignment-based bioinformatics techniques.

Results

Here, we apply an alignment-free method that leverages on k-mer frequencies to classify reads within a single long read metagenomic dataset. In addition to a series of simulated metagenomic datasets, we generated sequencing data from a bioreactor microbiome using the PacBio RSII single-molecule real-time sequencing platform. We show that distances obtained after the comparison of k-mer profiles can reveal relationships between reads within a single metagenome, leading to a clustering per species.

Conclusions

In this study, we demonstrated the possibility to detect substructures within a single metagenome operating only with the information derived from the sequencing reads. The obtained results are highly important as they establish a principle that might potentially expand the toolkit for the detection and investigation of previously unknow microorganisms.
Limited overlap in RNA virome composition among rabbits and their ectoparasites reveals barriers to virus transmission
Authors: Mahar Jackie E. , Shi Mang , Hall Robyn N. , Strive Tanja , Holmes Edward C.
Published: October 2019

Ectoparasites play an important role in virus transmission among vertebrates. However, little is known about the extent and composition of viruses that pass between invertebrates and vertebrates. In Australia, flies and fleas support the mechanical transmission of viral biological controls against wild rabbits - rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) and myxoma virus. We compared virome structure and composition in rabbits and these associated ectoparasites, sequencing total RNA from multiple tissues and gut contents of wild rabbits, fleas collected from these rabbits, and flies trapped sympatrically. Meta-transcriptomic analyses identified 50 novel viruses from multiple RNA virus families. Rabbits and their ectoparasites were characterised by markedly different viromes: although viral contigs from six virus families/groups were found in both rabbits and ectoparasites, none were vertebrate-associated. A novel calicivirus and picornavirus detected in rabbit caecal content were vertebrate-specific: the newly detected calicivirus was distinct from known rabbit caliciviruses, while the novel picornavirus clustered with theSapeloviruses. SeveralPicobirnaviridaewere also identified, falling in diverse phylogenetic positions suggestive of an association with co-infecting bacteria. The remaining viruses found in rabbits, and all those from ectoparasites, were likely associated with invertebrates, plants and co-infecting endosymbionts. While no full genomes of vertebrate-associated viruses were detected in ectoparasites, suggestive of major barriers to biological transmission with active replication, small numbers of reads from rabbit astrovirus, RHDV and other lagoviruses were present in flies. This supports the role of flies in the mechanical transmission of RHDV and implies that they may assist the spread of astroviruses.
Granulins modulate liquid-liquid phase separation and aggregation of TDP-43 C-terminal domain
Authors: Bhopatkar Anukool A. , Uversky Vladimir N. , Rangachari Vijayaraghavan
Published: October 2019

Tar DNA binding protein (TDP-43) has emerged as a key player in many neurodegenerative pathologies including frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) and amyotropic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Important hallmarks of FTLD and ALS are the toxic cytoplasmic inclusions of C-terminal fragments of TDP-43 (TDP-43CTD), which are formed upon proteolytic cleavage of full-length TDP-43 in the nucleus and subsequent transport to the cytoplasm. TDP-43CTD is also known to form stress granules (SGs) by coacervating with RNA in cytoplasm under stress conditions and are believed to be involved in modulating the pathologies. Among other factors affecting these pathologies, the pleiotropic protein called progranulin (PGRN) has gained significant attention lately. The haploinsufficiency of PGRN, caused by autosomal dominant mutations inGRNgene, results in its loss-of-function linked to FTLD and ALS. But precisely how the protein contributes to the pathology remains unknown. Recently, cleavage to GRNs were observed to be a significant part of FTLD and ALS progression with specific GRNs exacerbating TDP-43-induced toxicity inC.elegans. In this report, we show that GRNs −3 and −5 directly interact with TDP-43CTD to modulate latter’s aggregation or stress granule formation in disparate ways in vitro. These results constitute the first observation of direct interaction between GRNs and TDP-43 and suggest a mechanism by which the loss of PGRN function could lead to FTLD and ALS.
The price of cider: empirical analysis in Québec province
Authors: Outreville J. François , Le Fur Eric
Published: October 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the main factors and mechanisms that govern the price of cider, and to apply the analysis to the price of ciders in the Province of Québec, Canada.

Design/methodology/approach

The analysis is following the methodology applied to the determinants of the price of wine. A model for the price of cider is estimated with 70 prices representing five regions and five types of products.

Findings

The analysis is limited to one geographical factor, i.e. the region of origin and factors related to the producer, i.e. the age and the size of the firm. The results conclude on the importance of geographical factors related to the region of origin. The relationship between the price of ciders and the region of origin is statistically significant at the 1 percent level for two regions and shows a high premium for ciders produced in these two regions. Production factors related to the age and the size of the production unit although showing the expected sign are not statistically significant to conclude on the impact. There is a small premium for producing effervescent cider compared to still or rosé cider but the most statistically significant results at a 1 percent level are for ice ciders and fortified ciders which are two typical products from Québec.

Research limitations/implications

The analysis has important potential implications on the role of certification of origin. Cider regions in Québec, Canada have recently defined quality standards applied to specialties like Ice cider and Fire ciders. The choice of high quality products is reflected in the premium associated to the price of these products.

Originality/value

Contrary to the wine sector, there is a lack of research and literature on the determinants of the price of ciders. This study is the first to propose a pricing model to examine some of the determinants of prices.
Organic milk supply in Poland: market and policy developments
Authors: Zuba-Ciszewska Maria , Kowalska Aleksandra , Manning Louise , Brodziak Aneta
Published: October 2019

Purpose

Global demand for organic milk products gives an opportunity to Polish organic farmers and dairies to supply national, European Union and international milk markets. The purpose of this paper is to review the historic and contemporary changes in organic milk production and processing in Poland, in order to identify the main factors of influence and to propose the direction of future market and policy development in the sector.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, secondary data from a range of literature sources and databases are analysed. The Lorenz’s concentration ratio is applied to the data derived to evaluate the degree of concentration of certified organic farms in the different regions of Poland and conclusions are drawn as a result.

Findings

Organic dairy farm operations in Poland are small scale and territorially dispersed. Although there is some evidence of growing supply concentration, Polish processors of organic milk face multiple barriers to development not least a lack of continuity of supplies. Whilst global markets are of interest, the development of alternative, innovative food networks in Poland that focus on provenance, integrity and promoting the special health benefits of organic milk would be of value to the sector, but further cooperation and integration is essential to take advantage of these market opportunities.

Originality/value

This research underpins the need for appropriate national policies in Poland for the development and actualisation of a dynamic organic milk supply system that delivers value to local, regional and international markets.
Organizational culture now and going forward
Authors: Baek Pyounggu , Chang Jihyun , Kim Taesung
Published: October 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the fundamental premises (i.e. perspectives on organizations and intrinsic research contributions) embodied in the literature on organizational culture and offer insights into where organizational culture research should be headed now and going forward.

Design/methodology/approach

This research provides an integrative review of organizational culture research and investigates commonalities and differences in terms of the fundamental premises between North America and Europe.

Findings

The findings include that the modern perspective was most pervasive (87 percent) in both regions, with Europe slightly more open to varied perspectives such as symbolic and postmodern ones; approximately 70 percent of the studies were geared toward organization-level contributions, less than 10 percent toward individual-level contributions, and less than 20 percent toward mega-level contributions as the underlying research intent; and (c) in terms of the perspective-contribution combination, the pair of modern perspective and organization-level contribution was most dominant in both regions, while the individual-level contribution was paired with no other perspectives than the modern one.

Research limitations/implications

This research suggests that the research community shape a whole new discourse on organizational culture and recommends several promising research avenues.

Originality/value

By engaging in fundamental discussions on how an organization has been perceived and what purpose it has meant to deliver, this research offers an overarching view of where we stand currently and possibly where we should be heading in terms of organizational change management.
Accounting for certified emission reductions (CERs) in India
Authors: Kumar Praveen , Firoz Mohammad
Published: October 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyse the certified emission reduction (CERs) disclosure and reporting practices followed by Indian firms.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is based on all 131 Indian firms who received the CERs under the CDM of UNFCCC. The content analysis is being used to examine the recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of CERs within the financial statements.

Findings

The study found that there is generally no uniformity of accounting for CERs. The firms adopted a diversity of accounting practices. More specifically, majority of companies (40.46 per cent) recognised CERs as the other income; a very high non-disclosure rate (91.60 per cent) for valuation of CERs inventories was found as only four companies (3.05 per cent) provided accounting treatment for CERs inventories at lower of cost or net realisable value followed by three companies (2.29 per cent) accounted for these inventories at Net realisable value at the end of the reporting period; similarly, a very high non-disclosure rate (92.36 per cent) for how companies account for expenses incurred in earning these credits was found.

Research limitations/implications

The study will be useful for a wide array of audiences ranging from accounting standard setter to the auditors. The present analysis is based on secondary data, as we examined only annual reports of the sample companies to know how they recognise their earned CERs within the financial statements. So, we did not cover the opinions of various key persons of companies like an accountant, auditors etc. which could be a limitation of this study in validating CERs disclosure practices followed by the Indian firms.

Originality/value

To the best of the author's knowledge, the present study is a first of its kind to analyse the carbon credit disclosure practices in the context of a developing country.
Why are most physicochemical parameters not useful in predicting the quality of sheep milk?
Authors: Tribst Alline Artigiani Lima , Falcade Luiza Toledo Piza , Leite Júnior Bruno Ricardo de Castro , de Oliveira Miguel Meirelles
Published: October 2019

The impact of microbial growth on the physicochemical parameters of sheep milk was evaluated. The total bacterial counts (TBC) showed a lag phase of 4 h and µ‐max of 0.4 log/h. After 8.4 h, the TBC reached the limit established by European Community, pH had a reduction of 0.04, acidity had an increase in 0.04%, and no changes were observed in the ethanol stability. The milk became thermally unstable after 17 h (109 cfu/mL), when the pH was 5.71, acidity was 0.36%, and ethanol stability was 21.3%. These results highlighted the extreme stability of sheep milk protein and that acidity may be the best physicochemical parameters to predict the quality of sheep milk.
The effect of the endosymbiont Wolbachia on the behavior of insect hosts
Authors: Bi Jie , Wang Yu‐Feng
Published: October 2019

As one of the most successful intracellular symbiotic bacteria, Wolbachia can infect many arthropods and nematodes. Wolbachia infection usually affects the reproduction of their hosts to promote their own proliferation and transmission. Currently, most of the studies focus on the mechanisms of Wolbachia interactions with host reproduction. However, in addition to distribution in the reproductive tissues, Wolbachia also infect various somatic tissues of their hosts, including the brain. This raises the potential that Wolbachia may influence some somatic processes, such as behaviors in their hosts. So far, information about the effects of Wolbachia infection on host behavior is still very limited. The present review presents the current literature on different aspects of the influence of Wolbachia on various behaviors, including sleep, learning and memory, mating, feeding and aggression in their insect hosts. We then highlight ongoing scientific efforts in the field that need addressing to advance this field, which can have significant implications for further developing Wolbachia as environmentally friendly biocontrol agents to control insect‐borne diseases and agricultural pests.
Healthy Eating Index‐2015 as a predictor of ulcerative colitis risk in a case–control cohort
Authors: Rahmani Jamal , Varkaneh Hamed Kord , Ryan Paul M. , Zarezadeh Meysam , Rashvand Samaneh , Clark Cain , Day Andrew S , Hekmatdoost Azita
Published: October 2019

Objective

There is compelling clinical evidence implicating certain dietary components in the development and clinical course of progression in ulcerative colitis (UC). This study aimed to assess whether any association exists between ulcerative colitis and scores on a healthy eating index.

Methods

In this case‐control study patients with UC were recruited and assessed together with healthy controls. The participants completed a validated 168‐item food frequency questionnaire, the results of which were subsequently used to generate individual healthy eating index (HEI‐2015) scores.

Results

Altogether 58 patients with UC and 123 healthy controls were recruited. After controlling for confounding factors, participants who were in the highest quartile of the HEI‐2015 had a 66% lower odds ratio (OR) of UC than the lowest quartile (OR = 0.34, 95% confidence interval 0.12‐0.96).

Conclusion

HEI‐2015 was associated with UC in this cohort. Further elucidation of the role of key dietary elements is now warranted.
Nevirapine inhibits migration and invasion in dedifferentiated thyroid cancer cells
Authors: Shang Hongxia , Zhao Junyu , Yao Jinming , Wang Huanjun , Wang Shengnan , Dong Jianjun , Liao Lin
Published: October 2019

Background

Metastatic or recurrent thyroid cancer often behaves aggressively, and approximately two‐thirds of patients present with radioiodine resistance. Effective therapies to suppress thyroid cancer metastasis are urgently needed. Nevirapine has been proved to suppress tumor growth and induce differentiation in several tumor cells, but has not previously been evaluated in metastasis of thyroid cancer. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of nevirapine on migration and invasion in dedifferentiated thyroid cancer cells.

Methods

Human dedifferentiated thyroid cancer cell line (WRO 82‐1) was subject to real‐time quantitative PCR, western blot and transwell migration/invasion assays. The liver metastasis in tumor xenografts of nude mice was subject to hematoxylin‐eosin (HE) staining.

Results

Nevirapine significantly repressed cell migration and invasion in WRO 82‐1 cells, and surprisingly significantly decreased liver metastatic tumor in the nude mouse model of dedifferentiated thyroid cancer compared with that of the control. Moreover, nevirapine significantly decreased the expression of IL‐6 mRNA and phosphorylation of JAK2 (Y1007+Y1008) and STAT3 (Tyr 705) in WRO 82‐1 cells compared with those in control cells.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that nevirapine significantly repressed migration and invasion/metastasis in WRO 82‐1 cells and tumor xenografts, which may be related to inhibition of IL‐6/STAT3 signaling pathway. It promises great potential as a novel therapy for thyroid cancer, especially for those patients with metastasis.
A comparison of trends in wastewater‐based data and traditional epidemiological indicators of stimulant consumption in three locations
Authors: Goulding Neil , Hickman Matthew , Reid Malcolm , Amundsen Ellen J. , Baz‐Lomba Jose Antonio , O'Brien Jake W. , Tscharke Ben J. , de Voogt Pim , Emke Erik , Kuijpers Wil , Hall Wayne , Jones Hayley E.
Published: October 2019

Aims

To compare long‐term trends in wastewater data with other indicators of stimulant use in three locations and to test the reliability of estimates based on 1 week of sampling.

Design

Comparison of trends in quantities (‘loads’) of stimulants or their metabolites in wastewater with trends in other indicators of stimulant use (e.g. treatment, police, population survey data).

Setting and Participants

Populations in Oslo (Norway), South‐East Queensland (Australia) and Eindhoven (the Netherlands).

Measurements

Wastewater data were modelled for MDMA (3,4‐methyl​enedioxy​methamphetamine), benzoylecgonine (a metabolite of cocaine), amphetamine and methamphetamine in Oslo; benzoylecgonine in Eindhoven; and methamphetamine in South‐East Queensland. Choice of stimulants modelled in each region was primarily determined by availability of useable data.

Findings

In Oslo, wastewater data, driving under the influence of drugs statistics and seizure data all suggested increasing MDMA use between 2009 and 2017. In South‐East Queensland, there was an estimated 31.1% [95% confidence interval (CI) = 29.4–32.9%] annual increase in daily loads of methamphetamine in wastewater between 2009 and 2016, compared with a 14.1% (95% CI = 10.9–17.3%) annual increase in seizures. Some of the increase in wastewater can be explained by increased purity. In Eindhoven, there was no evidence of a change in cocaine consumption from wastewater, but a reduction was observed in numbers in treatment for cocaine use from 2012 to 2017. In approximately half the cases examined in Oslo, credible intervals around estimates of annual average loads from a regression model versus estimates based on a single week of sampling did not overlap.

Conclusions

Long‐term trends in loads of stimulants in wastewater appear to be broadly consistent with trends in other indicators of stimulant use in three locations. Wastewater data should be interpreted alongside epidemiological indicators and purity data. One week of wastewater sampling may not be sufficient for valid inference about drug consumption.
The effect of cricoid and paralaryngeal force on upper oesophageal occlusion during induction of anaesthesia: a randomised, crossover study
Authors: Kim H. , Chang J.‐E. , Won D. , Lee J.‐M. , Jung J.‐Y. , Choi S. , Min S.‐W. , Hwang J.‐Y.
Published: October 2019

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of cricoid and paralaryngeal force for oesophageal entrance occlusion during induction of anaesthesia. Seventy‐four patients were included in this randomised, crossover study. The relative position of the glottis and outer anteroposterior diameter of the upper oesophageal entrance were assessed at baseline, after the application of 30 N cricoid and paralaryngeal force, and after induction of anaesthesia. The occlusion rate of the oesophageal entrance with cricoid and paralaryngeal force was assessed during direct laryngoscopy. The relative position of the upper oesophageal entrance to the glottis changed in 45 out of 74 patients after induction of anaesthesia and during direct laryngoscopy compared with the awake state. The application of cricoid and paralaryngeal force decreased the mean (SD) diameter of the upper oesophageal entrance to a similar degree in awake (8.5 (2.1) mm to 6.4 (1.7) mm and 6.5 (1.6) mm, respectively; p < 0.001) and anaesthetised (8.7 (2.2) mm to 6.5 (1.7) mm and (6.7 (1.9) mm, respectively; p < 0.001) states. During direct laryngoscopy, the occlusion rate of the oesophageal entrance was greater with cricoid compared with paralaryngeal force (46/74 vs. 26/74, respectively; p = 0.002). The relative position of the upper oesophageal entrance to the glottis may change after induction of anaesthesia and during direct laryngoscopy. Cricoid and paralaryngeal force both decrease the diameter of the upper oesophageal entrance in awake and anaesthetised states. Occlusion of the oesophageal entrance is achieved more frequently with cricoid force compared with paralaryngeal force during direct laryngoscopy.
Multi‐site evaluation of partnered pharmacist medication charting and in‐hospital length of stay
Authors: Tong Erica Y. , Mitra Biswadev , Yip Gary , Galbraith Kirstie , Dooley Michael J. ,   PPMC Research Group
Published: October 2019

Aims

To undertake a multicentre evaluation of translation of a partnered pharmacist medication charting (PPMC) model in patients admitted to general medical units in public hospitals in the state of Victoria, Australia.

Methods

Unblinded, prospective cohort study comparing patients before and after the intervention. Conducted in seven public hospitals in Victoria, Australia from 20 June 2016 to 30 June 2017. Patients admitted to general medical units were included in the study. Medication charting by pharmacists using a partnered pharmacist model was compared to traditional medication charting. The primary outcome variable was the length of inpatient hospital stay. Secondary outcome measures were medication errors detected within 24 h of the patients' admission, identified by an independent pharmacist assessor.

Results

A total of 8648 patients were included in the study. Patients who had PPMC had reduced median length of inpatient hospital stay from 4.7 (interquartile range 2.8–8.2) days to 4.2 (interquartile range 2.3–7.5) days (P < 0.001). PPMC was associated with a reduction in the proportion of patients with at least 1 medication error from 66% to 3.6% with a number needed to treat to prevent 1 error of 1.6 (95% confidence interval: 1.57–1.64).

Conclusion

Expansion of the partnered pharmacist charting model across multiple organisations was effective and feasible and is recommended for adoption by health services.
Insomnia symptoms and asthma control—Interrelations and importance of comorbidities
Authors: Sundbom Fredrik , Malinovschi Andrei , Lindberg Eva , Almqvist Catarina , Janson Christer
Published: October 2019

Background

Insomnia symptoms are common with asthma. The aim of the study was to analyse the associations between insomnia symptoms and asthma control, asthma severity, and asthma‐related comorbidity in a community‐based population.

Methods

Adults (n = 23 875, ages 18‐45) from the community‐based LifeGene study answered a questionnaire on insomnia symptoms, airway symptoms, asthma diagnosis, asthma medication, and asthma‐related comorbidities (chronic rhinosinusitis, gastro‐oesophageal reflux, anxiety, depression, or obesity).

Results

Of the participants, 1272 (5.3%) had asthma. The prevalence of any insomnia symptom was higher in participants with uncontrolled asthma (n = 201) than with controlled or partially controlled asthma (32.2% vs 19.9% and 20.1%, respectively, P < .01). There was no significant difference in the prevalence of insomnia symptoms between subjects with controlled asthma and subjects without asthma. Subjects with asthma and any asthma‐related comorbidity reported more insomnia symptoms (29.0% vs 22.4%, P < .01) compared to asthmatics without comorbidity. Moreover, the prevalence was highest among subjects reporting both uncontrolled asthma and any asthma‐related comorbidity (45.1%, P < .01). Uncontrolled asthma remained significantly associated with insomnia symptoms (OR 1.72 (1.15‐2.56)) after adjusting for age, sex, BMI, smoking history, comorbidities, physical activity, and educational level, while medication level was not. Among asthma‐related comorbidities, chronic rhinosinusitis (OR 1.62 (1.20‐2.19)), obesity (1.87 (1.07‐3.25)), and depression (OR 1.85 (1.34‐2.55)) were independently associated with insomnia symptoms.

Conclusion

Uncontrolled asthma was significantly associated with insomnia symptoms, while controlled or partially controlled asthma was not. Asthma‐related comorbidity is of great importance, and asthma control seems to be more important than asthma severity for insomnia symptoms.
Nicotine modulates molecules of the innate immune response in epithelial cells and macrophages during infection withM. tuberculosis
Authors: Valdez-Miramontes C E , Trejo Martínez L A , Torres-Juárez F , Rodríguez Carlos A , Marin-Luévano S P , de Haro-Acosta J P , Enciso-Moreno J A , Rivas-Santiago B
Published: October 2019

Smoking increases susceptibility to becoming infected with and developing tuberculosis. Among the components of cigarette smoke, nicotine has been identified as the main immunomodulatory molecule; however, its effect on the innate immune system is unknown. In the present study, the effect of nicotine on molecules of the innate immune system was evaluated. Lung epithelial cells and macrophages were infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) and/or treated with nicotine. The results show that nicotine alone decreases the expression of the Toll-like receptors (TLR)-2, TLR-4 and NOD-2 in all three cell types, as well as the production of the SP-D surfactant protein in type II pneumocytes. Moreover, it was observed that nicotine decreases the production of interleukin (IL)-6 and C-C chemokine ligand (CCL)5 during Mtb infection in epithelial cells (EpCs), whereas in macrophages derived from human monocytes (MDMs) there is a decrease in IL-8, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, IL-10, CCL2, C-X-C chemokine ligand (CXCL)9 and CXCL10 only during infection with Mtb. Although modulation of the expression of cytokines and chemokines appears to be partially mediated by the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor α7, blocking this receptor found no effect on the expression of receptors and SP-D. In summary, it was found that nicotine modulates the expression of innate immunity molecules necessary for the defense against tuberculosis.
Predictive multi‐scale occupancy models at range‐wide extents: Effects of habitat and human disturbance on distributions of wetland birds
Authors: Stevens Bryan S. , Conway Courtney J.
Published: October 2019

Aim

Predicting distributions is fundamental to ecology, yet hindered by spatially restricted sampling, scale‐dependent relationships and detection error associated with field surveys. Predictive species distribution models (SDMs) are nonetheless vital for conservation of many species. We developed a framework for building predictive SDMs with multi‐scale data and used it to develop range‐wide breeding‐season SDMs for 14 marsh bird species of concern.

Location

USA.

Methods

We built SDMs using data from range‐wide surveys conducted over 14 years, and habitat and disturbance covariates measured at multiple spatial scales. We built hierarchical occupancy models that included heterogeneity in detectability during sampling, and used Bayesian model selection to regulate model complexity (covariates and scales) based explicitly on spatial predictive abilities. We thus integrated model selection for optimizing out‐of‐sample prediction, range‐wide sampling over broad conditions, multi‐scale analyses and scale optimization, and species‐specific detectability for a suite of wide‐ranging species.

Results

Distributions of marsh birds were affected by local wetland conditions, but also by agricultural, urban and hydrologic disturbances operating from local scales (100–500 m) to the watershed level. Variables measuring human disturbances improved prediction for most species, and every species was affected by attributes at >1 scale. Five species showed evidence for continental‐scale range contraction during the study.

Main conclusions

We demonstrate how hierarchical occupancy models can be optimized for prediction across a species' range at the extent of a continent while also accounting for imperfect detection, and thus describe a generalizable approach that can be used for any species. We provide the first data‐driven, empirical SDMs built at the range‐wide extent for most of our 14 study species and demonstrate that previous studies focused on local distributions and the effects of fine‐scale wetland vegetation missed important broadscale drivers of occupancy for marsh birds.
Echocardiographic reference ranges for myocardial work in healthy subjects: A preliminary study
Authors: Galli Elena , John‐Matthwes Beatrice , Rousseau Chloé , Schnell Frederic , Leclercq Christophe , Donal Erwan
Published: October 2019

Background

Myocardial work (MW) estimation by pressure‐strain loops (PSL) allows the non‐invasive assessment of myocardial performance. Aim of this study is to provide the reference values for global myocardial work index (WI), constructive work (CW), wasted work (WW), and work efficiency (WE) in a group of healthy volunteers accounting for age and gender.

Methods and results

2D standard and speckle‐tracking echocardiography were performed in 115 healthy volunteers (median age 36.3 [18–69] years, males: 67%). PSLs were used to assess MW. Mean ± standard deviation or median and inter‐quartile range, 5° and 95° percentile values for global myocardial WI, CW, WW, and WE in the whole population were 1926 ± 247 mm Hg, (1534–2356); 2224 ± 229 mm Hg, (1894–2647); 90 (61–123) mm Hg%, (38–195); and 96 (94–97)%, (91–98), respectively. Global WI (2031 ± 247 vs 1874 ± 232 mm Hg%, P = .001) and global CW (2289 ± 261 vs 2194 ± 207 mm Hg%, P = .04) were higher in women than in men. Age did not affect MW parameters. The segmental analysis showed that myocardial WI, CW, and WE were lower in the left ventricular basal segments than in the apex. The apex‐to‐base gradient was inverted for WW (all P < .0001).

Conclusions

The assessment of MW is feasible in normal subjects. The presented referral ranges of global myocardial WI, CW, WW, and WE were not affected by age. An apex‐to‐base gradient was observed for all MW parameters. Nevertheless, the wide variability of MW parameters prevents for the moment the application of this technique in the routine clinical setting.
The feasibility of contrast echocardiography in the assessment of right ventricular size and function
Authors: Pereira Jason B. , Essa Mohammed , Ugonabo Ifeoma , Hur David J. , Crandall Ian , Vaccarelli Michael , Sugeng Lissa
Published: October 2019

Background

Right ventricle (RV) evaluation requires dedicated imaging to achieve a comprehensive functional and anatomical assessment. Right ventricular imaging could be technically difficult which results in suboptimal visibility and inconsistent assessment between observers. The aim of this study was to assess feasibility and the additive value of contrast enhancement for right ventricular evaluation.

Methods

Eighty patients referred for clinically indicated echocardiography studies were included. Patients with irregular rhythms were excluded. Dedicated RV‐focused view was attained; RV dimensions measured, and RV segment visualization and wall motion were assessed with and without contrast enhancement. Paired sample t test was used to compare continuous variables, Wilcoxon signed‐rank test to compare segments visualization on enhanced versus (vs) nonenhanced images, and Cohen kappa coefficient to assess the agreement of wall motion between two observers. Reproducibility was measured by the absolute mean difference method.

Results

A total of 240 total segments of 80 patients were analyzed, and 178 (74%) were visible on unenhanced while 221 (92%) on enhanced images, P < .05. Further, RV measurements on enhanced images were consistently larger on RV focused, SAX, and RVOT. Inter‐ and intra‐observer reproducibility showed a higher reproducibility with a lower bias on enhanced images. Absolute agreement on RV segmental wall motion between two independent observers was higher on enhanced images. Percent agreement was 78% on UE vs 89% on CE.

Conclusion

Contrast RV imaging is feasible and improves RV segment visualization and inter‐observer agreement. Compared with unenhanced images, RV measurements on contrast images are larger and more reproducible with lower bias.
Simple signals indicate which period of the annual cycle drives declines in seasonal populations
Authors: Burant Joseph B. , Betini Gustavo S. , Norris D. Ryan
Published: October 2019

For declining wild populations, a critical aspect of effective conservation is understanding when and where the causes of decline occur. The primary drivers of decline in migratory and seasonal populations can often be attributed to a specific period of the year. However, generic, broadly applicable indicators of these season‐specific drivers of population decline remain elusive. We used a multi‐generation experiment to investigate whether habitat loss in either the breeding or non‐breeding period generated distinct signatures of population decline. When breeding habitat was reduced, population size remained relatively stable for several generations, before declining precipitously. When non‐breeding habitat was reduced, between‐season variation in population counts increased relative to control populations, and non‐breeding population size declined steadily. Changes in seasonal vital rates and other indicators were predicted by the season in which habitat loss treatment occurred. Per capita reproductive output increased when non‐breeding habitat was reduced and decreased with breeding habitat reduction, whereas per capita non‐breeding survival showed the opposite trends. Our results reveal how simple signals inherent in counts and demographics of declining populations can indicate which period of the annual cycle is driving declines.
The epileptology of GNB5 encephalopathy
Authors: Poke Gemma , King Chontelle , Muir Alison , de Valles‐Ibáñez Guillem , Germano Michele , Moura de Souza Carolina F. , Fung Jasmine , Chung Brian , Fung Cheuk Wing , Mignot Cyril , Ilea Adina , Keren Boris , Vermersch Anne‐Isabelle , Davis Suzanne , Stanley Thorsten , Moharir Mahendranath , Kannu Peter , Shao Zhuo , Malerba Natascia , Merla Giuseppe , Mefford Heather C. , Scheffer Ingrid E. , Sadleir Lynette G.
Published: October 2019

Pathogenic variants in GNB5 cause an autosomal recessive neurodevelopmental disorder with neonatal sinus bradycardia. Seizures or epilepsy occurred in 10 of 22 previously reported cases, including 6 children from one family. We delineate the epileptology of GNB5 encephalopathy. Our nine patients, including five new patients, were from seven families. Epileptic spasms were the most frequent seizure type, occurring in eight of nine patients, and began at a median age of 3 months (2 months to 3 years). Focal seizures preceded spasms in three children, with onset at 7 days, 11 days, and 4 months. One child presented with convulsive status epilepticus at 6 months. Three children had burst suppression on electroencephalography (EEG), three had hypsarrhythmia, and one evolved from burst suppression to hypsarrhythmia. Background slowing was present in all after age 3 years. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed cerebral atrophy in one child and cerebellar atrophy in another. All nine had abnormal development prior to seizure onset and ultimately had profound impairment without regression. Hypotonia was present in all, with contractures developing in two older patients. All individuals had biallelic pathogenic variants in GNB5, predicted by in silico tools to result in protein truncation and loss‐of‐function. GNB5 developmental and epileptic encephalopathy is characterized by epileptic spasms, focal seizures, and profound impairment.
Cross impact analysis and data mining variable hierarchy of stakeholder responses for sustainable development of Schizothorax fisheries in Kashmir lakes, India
Authors: Qureshi Neha W. , Krishnan M. , V. Ramasubramanian
Published: October 2019

This study documented the history of lake fisheries in Kashmir, India, and estimated the trends in fish production using Kane's cross impact analysis (CIA) and stakeholders’ willingness to pay (WTP) for the restoration of the Schizothorax fisheries. Kane's CIA model for Lake Dal indicated a perceptible drop in Schizothorax production in the long run, and that the total catch is being maintained by an increasing contribution by carp. In Lake Wular, the CIA indicated that the size of the lake still offers scope for the co‐existence and growth of both Schizothorax as well as carp. A Classification and Regression Tree (CART) model was used to data mine multiple stakeholder responses to make a case for sustainable development of the Schizothorax fisheries in the lakes of Kashmir. The amount of time spent on the lakes to earn their livelihoods emerged as the single most important variable that determined WTP by stakeholders followed by income, type of stakeholder and age. The pruned tree gave the hierarchy of the variables that determined WTP. The results made a strong case for a concerted multi‐institutional action plan for the restoration of the Schizothorax fisheries in the lakes of Kashmir.
Hereditary angioedema: a prospective study of a Brazilian single‐center cohort
Authors: Alonso Maria L. O. , Valle Solange O. R. , Tórtora Rosângela P. , Grumach Anete S. , França Alfeu T. , Ribeiro Márcia G.
Published: October 2019

Background

Hereditary angioedema (HAE) is rare and still underdiagnosed in some countries. We aimed to describe HAE diagnosis and sociodemographic and clinical features in patients with HAE due to C1 inhibitor deficiency (HAE‐C1‐INH) followed up at a tertiary‐level center in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Methods

A descriptive, cross‐sectional study with prospective data collection of 138 Brazilian patients with HAE was performed. From the total, 107 patients with HAE‐C1‐INH were selected. Data were assessed based on a specific questionnaire.

Results

One hundred and five patients had HAE type I (76.1%), and two had HAE type II (1.4%). Seventy‐two were female (67.3%), and 35 were male  (32.7%). Mean age was 38.0 ± 15.0 years (range: 12–73 years). A long delay (17.7 ± 12.6 years) until diagnosis was observed. About 86.9% had a familial history. Cutaneous edema (95.8%), abdominal pain (88.5%), and laryngeal edema (65.6%) were the most frequent symptoms. Triggering factors (95.8%) and prodromal symptoms (47.9%) were referred. Attacks were severe in 55.1% and moderate in 24.3%. Eleven (10.3%) were asymptomatic. HAE attacks were more frequent and severe (P = 0.021) in females.

Conclusions

We observed a considerable delay in diagnosis, even with familial history. The severity of HAE attacks, especially in females, highlights the need for an awareness of disease by gynecologists and obstetricians. Screening of familial members, including asymptomatic individuals, is critical for earlier diagnosis. Regional evaluation of patient profiles can be helpful to draw more attention about HAE and to improve quality of life.