bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The effect of ohmic heat process on thermal properties of green bean seed
Authors: Rokhbin Arash , Azadbakht Mohsen , Asghari Ali
Published: February 2021

Using a voltage regulator at three voltages of 30, 50, 70 V and at three times of 3, 6, 9 min of boiling in the glass case, the weight changes were measured and temperature changes were recorded. Then the thermal properties of grains, such as specific heat, thermal conductivity coefficient, and thermal diffusivity coefficients, were examined separately. The test was conducted in a complete randomized design by factorial experiments. The results showed the amounts of ohmic heating duration, have significant effects on specific heat, thermal conductivity coefficient, and thermal diffusivity coefficient. Thus, specific heat and thermal conductivity coefficients increased and the thermal diffusivity coefficient decreased. The highest amount of specific heat was 0.859 kJ/kg °C at 70 V and 9 min. The lowest amount of specific heat was 0.154 kJ/kg °C at 30 V and 3 min, the highest number of thermal conductivity coefficient was 0.646 W/m °C at 30 V in 9 min and the lowest number of thermal conductivity coefficient was 0.293 W/m °C at 50 V in 3 min, and about thermal diffusivity coefficient the highest amount was 85 × 10−7 m2/s at 70 V in 3 min and the lowest was 18 × 10–7 m2/s at 30 V in 9 min. According to the results obtained in this study, the parameters of the ohmic heating system, that is, ohmic time and voltage, as well as their interactions had a significant level, so that the increase of each of these parameters has increased the moisture content in the sample, Which has increased the specific heating and thermal conductivity and also reduced the thermal diffusion coefficient of the sample.

Practical Applications

Due to the importance and high nutritional value of green beans, the aim of this study is that ohmic heating can affect some of the thermal properties of green bean seeds and this method can be used as an alternative method in processing this product in the industrial sector has a wide range of applications.
Influence of type of natural emulsifier and microfluidization conditions on Capsicum oleoresin nanoemulsions properties and stability
Authors: de Aguiar Ana Carolina , de Paula Julia Teixeira , Mundo Jorge Luis Muriel , Martínez Julian , McClements David Julian
Published: February 2021

There is a growing interest in the fabrication of colloidal delivery systems for bioactive compounds assembled from natural ingredients, particularly plant‐based ones. In this study, Capsicum oleoresin was encapsulated within oil‐in‐water nanoemulsions by high‐pressure microfluidization from natural emulsifiers: whey protein (WP), pea protein (PP), quillaja saponin (QS), and sunflower lecithin (SL). The influence of emulsifier, concentration, and microfluidization conditions (pressure and number of passes), on particle diameter and zeta‐potential of nanoemulsions was evaluated. Particle diameter decreased with increasing homogenization pressure and number of passes. All emulsifiers were capable of forming charged droplets with dimensions in the nanometer range at sufficiently high concentrations. The stability of nanoemulsions to environmental stresses (pH, ionic strength, and heating) and storage was studied. The pH and salt stabilities were dependent on the emulsifier type. Overall, natural emulsifiers were effective in producing Capsicum oleoresin‐loaded nanoemulsions with small particle size and capsaicin stability.
The HEAR‐VA Pilot Study: Hearing Assistance Provided to Older Adults in the Emergency Department
Authors: Chodosh Joshua , Goldfeld Keith , Weinstein Barbara E. , Radcliffe Kate , Burlingame Madeleine , Dickson Victoria , Grudzen Corita , Sherman Scott , Smilowitz Jessica , Blustein Jan
Published: February 2021

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

Poor communication is a barrier to care for people with hearing loss. We assessed the feasibility and potential benefit of providing a simple hearing assistance device during an emergency department (ED) visit, for people who reported difficulty hearing.

DESIGN

Randomized controlled pilot study.

SETTING

The ED of New York Harbor Manhattan Veterans Administration Medical Center.

PARTICIPANTS

One hundred and thirty‐three Veterans aged 60 and older, presenting to the ED, likely to be discharged to home, who either (1) said that they had difficulty hearing, or (2) scored 10 or greater (range 0–40) on the Hearing Handicap Inventory‐Survey (HHI‐S).

INTERVENTION

Subjects were randomized (1:1), and intervention subjects received a personal amplifier (PA; Williams Sound Pocketalker 2.0) for use during their ED visit.

MEASUREMENTS

Three survey instruments: (1) six‐item Hearing and Understanding Questionnaire (HUQ); (2) three‐item Care Transitions Measure; and (3) three‐item Patient Understanding of Discharge Information. Post‐ED visit phone calls to assess ED returns.

RESULTS

Of the 133 subjects, 98.3% were male; mean age was 76.4 years (standard deviation (SD) = 9.2). Mean HHI‐S score was 19.2 (SD = 8.3). Across all HUQ items, intervention subjects reported better in‐ED experience than controls. Seventy‐five percent of intervention subjects agreed or strongly agreed that ability to understand what was said was without effort versus 56% for controls. Seventy‐five percent of intervention subjects versus 36% of controls said clinicians provided them with an explanation about presenting problems. Three percent of intervention subjects had an ED revisit within 3 days compared with 9.0% controls.

CONCLUSION

Veterans with hearing difficulties reported improved in‐ED experiences with use of PAs, and were less likely to return to the ED within 3 days. PAs may be an important adjunct to older patient ED care but require validation in a larger more definitive randomized controlled trial.
Medication review interventions to reduce hospital readmissions in older people
Authors: Dautzenberg Lauren , Bretagne Lisa , Koek Huiberdina L. , Tsokani Sofia , Zevgiti Stella , Rodondi Nicolas , Scholten Rob J. P. M. , Rutjes Anne W. , Di Nisio Marcello , Raijmann Renee C. M. A. , Emmelot‐Vonk Marielle , Jennings Emma L. M. , Dalleur Olivia , Mavridis Dimitris , Knol Wilma
Published: February 2021

Objective

To assess the efficacy of medication review as an isolated intervention and with several co‐interventions for preventing hospital readmissions in older adults.

Methods

Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and CINAHL were searched for randomized controlled trials evaluating the effectiveness of medication review interventions with or without co‐interventions to prevent hospital readmissions in hospitalized or recently discharged adults aged ≥65, until September 13, 2019. Included outcomes were “at least one all‐cause hospital readmission within 30 days and at any time after discharge from the index admission.”

Results

Twenty‐five studies met the inclusion criteria. Of these, 11 studies (7,318 participants) contributed to the network meta‐analysis (NMA) on all‐cause hospital readmission within 30 days. Medication review in combination with (a) medication reconciliation and patient education (risk ratio (RR) 0.45; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.26–0.80) and (b) medication reconciliation, patient education, professional education and transitional care (RR 0.64; 95% CI 0.49–0.84) were associated with a lower risk of all‐cause hospital readmission compared to usual care. Medication review in isolation did not significantly influence hospital readmissions (RR 1.06; 95% CI 0.45–2.51). The NMA on all‐cause hospital readmission at any time included 24 studies (11,677 participants). Medication review combined with medication reconciliation, patient education, professional education and transitional care resulted in a reduction of hospital readmissions (RR 0.82; 95% CI 0.74–0.91) compared to usual care. The quality of the studies included in this systematic review raised some concerns, mainly regarding allocation concealment, blinding and contamination.

Conclusion

Medication review in combination with medication reconciliation, patient education, professional education and transitional care, was associated with a lower risk of hospital readmissions compared to usual care. An effect of medication review without co‐interventions was not demonstrated. Trials of higher quality are needed in this field.
Nursing home oversight during the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Stevenson David G. , Cheng Audrey K.
Published: February 2021

Background/objectives

Regulatory oversight has been a central strategy to assure nursing home quality of care for decades. In response to COVID‐19, traditional elements of oversight that relate to resident care have been curtailed in favor of implementing limited infection control surveys and targeted complaint investigations. We seek to describe the state of nursing home oversight during the pandemic to facilitate a discussion of whether and how these activities should be altered going forward.

Design and setting

In a retrospective study, we describe national oversight activities in January–June 2020 and compare these activities to the same time period from 2019. We also examine state‐level oversight activities during the peak months of the pandemic.

Participants

United States nursing homes.

Data

Publicly available Quality, Certification, and Oversight Reports (QCOR) data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

Measurements

Number of standard, complaint, and onsite infection surveys, number of deficiencies from standard and complaint surveys, number of citations by deficiency tag, and number and amount of civil monetary penalties.

Results

The number of standard and complaint surveys declined considerably in the second quarter of 2020 relative to the same time frame in 2019. Deficiency citations generally decreased to near zero by April 2020 with the exception of infection prevention and control deficiencies and citations for failure to report COVID‐19 data to the national health safety network. Related enforcement actions were down considerably in 2020, relative to 2019.

Conclusion

In the months since COVID‐19 first impacted nursing homes, regulatory oversight efforts have fallen off considerably. While CMS implemented universal infection control surveys and targeted complaint investigations, other routine aspects of oversight dropped in light of justifiable limits on nursing home entry. Going forward, we must develop policies that allow regulators to balance the demands of the pandemic while fulfilling their responsibilities effectively.
Barriers to implementation of STRIDE, a national study to prevent fall‐related injuries
Authors: Reckrey Jennifer M. , Gazarian Priscilla , Reuben David B. , Latham Nancy K. , McMahon Siobhan K. , Siu Albert L. , Ko Fred C.
Published: February 2021

Background/Objectives

Evaluations of complex models of care for older adults may benefit from simultaneous assessment of intervention implementation. The STRIDE (Strategies To Reduce Injuries and Develop confidence in Elders) pragmatic trial evaluated the effectiveness of a multifactorial intervention to reduce serious fall injuries in older adults. We conducted multi‐level stakeholder interviews to identify barriers to STRIDE intervention implementation and understand efforts taken to mitigate these barriers.

Design

Qualitative interviews with key informants.

Setting

Ten clinical trial sites affiliated with practices that provided primary care for persons at increased risk for fall injuries.

Participants

Specially trained registered nurses working as Falls Care Managers (FCMs) who delivered the intervention (n = 13 individual interviews), Research Staff who supervised trial implementation locally (n = 10 group interviews, 23 included individuals), and members of Central Project Management and the National Patient Stakeholder Council who oversaw national implementation (n = 2 group interviews, six included individuals).

Measurements

A semi‐structured interview guide derived from the consolidated framework for implementation research (CFIR).

Results

We identified eight key barriers to STRIDE intervention implementation. FCMs navigated complex relationships with patients and families while working with Research Staff to implement the intervention in primary care practices with limited clinical space, variable provider buy‐in, and significant primary care practice staff and provider turnover. The costs of the intervention to individual patients and medical practices amplified these barriers. Efforts to mitigate these barriers varied depending on the needs and opportunities of each primary care setting.

Conclusion

The many barriers to implementation and the variability in how stakeholders addressed these locally may have affected the overall STRIDE intervention's effectiveness. Future pragmatic trials should incorporate simultaneous implementation aims to better understand how research interventions translate into clinical care that improves the lives of older adults.
Three‐dimensional product circularity
Authors: Boyer Robert H. W. , Mellquist Ann‐Charlotte , Williander Mats , Fallahi Sara , Nyström Thomas , Linder Marcus , Algurén Peter , Vanacore Emanuela , Hunka Agnieszka D. , Rex Emma , Whalen Katherine A.
Published: February 2021

Understanding product circularity as “three‐dimensional” could anchor the Circular Economy to common principles while affording its followers flexibility about how to measure it in their specific sectors and disciplines and within their organization's means. Inspired by a heuristic developed for the urban planning profession to cope with the inherent conflicts of Sustainable Development, this article argues that measuring product‐level circularity should consider ways to achieve (1) high material recirculation, (2) high utilization, and (3) high endurance in products and service offerings. Achieving all three dimensions ensures that material flowing through the economy is recovered from prior use phases, that it is used intensely, and that it retains its value in spite of exogenous changes. The article argues further that these three dimensions ought to be measured and reported separately rather than as a composite metric and that certain applications will have opportunities to improve circularity through certain dimensions better than others. The article also explains how researchers at RISE (Research Institutes of Sweden AB) are working with industry and government partners to measure the three dimensions and how diverse actors interested in the Circular Economy can use the three dimensions to take the first steps in their transition to circularity.
History of sunscreen: An updated view
Authors: Ma Yangmyung , Yoo Jinah
Published: February 2021

Background

With the global sunscreen market expected to reach $24.4 billion worldwide by 2029, this demonstrates the increasing awareness of the damaging effects of sunlight. Sunscreen has been gradually evolving, and new photoprotective ingredients are continuing to be produced in response to growing scientific evidence on the effect of solar radiation on the skin.

Aims

This literature review aims to provide an updated view of the history of sunscreens.

Methods

A literature search was conducted with the keywords “Sunscreen, history, regulation, ultraviolet A, ultraviolet B, visible light” from PubMed, Medline, and online search engines.

Results

Humankind has always found ways to provide photoprotection since 4000BC. Only in the last century, evidence‐based sunscreens have existed. The first ultraviolet B filters were produced in 1928, its evidence of efficacy and safety discovered in 1956 and development of sun protection factor in 1974. Similarly, sunscreen containing ultraviolet A filters was released in 1980 and the ultraviolet A star rating system developed in 1992. Regulatory bodies for sunscreen were introduced in the 1970s and have sought to review the safety and efficacy of ingredients. With the rising number of researches on the effects of visible light on hyperpigmentation over the past decade, the need for photoprotection beyond ultraviolet has been increasing.

Conclusion

To provide consumers with evidence‐based sunscreen, challenges remain in acquiring further evidence, regulation, and rating systems.
Evaluating the safety of dienogest in women with adenomyosis: A retrospective analysis
Authors: Ono Natsumi , Asano Ryoko , Nagai Koichi , Sugo Yoshinobu , Nakamura Tomomi , Miyagi Etsuko
Published: February 2021

Aim

Dienogest (DNG) is highly effective for relieving pain caused by endometriosis and adenomyosis. However, women with severe uterine swelling due to adenomyosis who take DNG usually experience metrorrhagia. This study aimed to examine the safety of DNG usage in women with adenomyosis.

Methods

This study included 20 women who were prescribed DNG for adenomyosis in our hospital from January 2016 to December 2016. We retrospectively analyzed women's clinical background characteristics (age, the use of the gonadotropin‐releasing hormone agonist as pre‐treatment of DNG, the uterus size [major axis, minor axis, maximum thickness in the myometrium, and length of the uterine body] by transvaginal ultrasonography [TVUS], hemoglobin level, and the presence of metrorrhagia during treatment). These variables were compared between the DNG continuation and discontinuation groups using the Mann–Whitney U test.

Results

Thirteen women continued DNG, and seven discontinued DNG within 12 months because of metrorrhagia. The uterine size was significantly larger in the discontinuation group than in the continuation group. All uterine measurements had high Spearman rank correlation coefficients (ρ > 0.8, P < 0.05). In six of seven cases in the discontinuation group, adenomyosis was in the anterior wall. Measuring the uterus size and locating adenomyosis by TVUS are simple methods of predicting DNG discontinuation.

Conclusion

We consider that DNG can be safely administered in women with adenomyosis if the uterine size is <6 cm in the minor axis and the main lesion of adenomyosis is located in the posterior uterine wall.
Trichotorquatus gen. nov. ‐ a new genus of soil cyanobacteria discovered from American drylands1
Authors: Pietrasiak Nicole , Reeve Sharon , Osorio‐Santos Karina , Lipson David A. , Johansen Jeffrey R.
Published: February 2021

Cyanobacteria are crucial ecosystem components in dryland soils. Advances in describing α–level taxonomy are needed to understand what drives their abundance and distribution. We describe Trichotorquatus gen. nov. (Oculatellaceae, Synechococcales, Cyanobacteria) based on four new species isolated from dryland soils including the coastal sage scrub near San Diego, California (USA), the Mojave and Colorado Deserts with sites at Joshua Tree National Park and Mojave National Preserve, California (USA), and the Atacama Desert (Chile). The genus is morphologically characterized by having thin trichomes (<4.5 μm wide), cells both shorter and longer than wide, rarely occurring single and double false branching, necridia appearing singly or in rows, and sheaths with a distinctive collar‐like fraying and widening mid‐filament, the feature for which the genus is named. The genus is morphologically nearly identical with Leptolyngbya sensu stricto but is phylogenetically quite distant from that genus. It is consequently a cryptic genus that will likely be differentiated in future studies based on 16S rRNA sequence data. The type species, T. maritimus sp. nov. is morphologically distinct from the other three species, T. coquimbo sp. nov., T. andrei sp. nov. and T. ladouxae sp. nov. However, these latter three species are morphologically very close and are considered by the authors to be cryptic species. All species are separated phylogenetically based on sequence of the 16S‐23S ITS region. Three distinct ribosomal operons were recovered from the genus, lending difficulty to recognizing further diversity in this morphologically cryptic genus.
Single‐dose pharmacokinetics of mycophenolic acid following administration of immediate‐release mycophenolate mofetil in healthy Beagle dogs
Authors: Klotsman Michael , Sathyan Gayatri , Anderson Wayne H.
Published: February 2021

Mycophenolic acid (MPA) is an immunomodulating agent commonly used in human medicine for the treatment of immune‐mediated diseases. There is growing evidence that the immunomodulating properties of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), a prodrug of MPA, are therapeutically beneficial for the treatment of immune‐mediated diseases in dogs. A narrow therapeutic index and high inter‐and intra‐patient pharmacokinetic (PK) variability complicate the use of MMF. A better characterization of MPA pharmacokinetics is needed to help establish dosing regimens and standardized treatment protocols for canine patients. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the pharmacokinetics of MPA in dogs. MMF oral suspension (10 mg/kg) was administered to five healthy beagle dogs. Serial blood samples were collected from 0 to 18 hours after administration. The simultaneous quantification of MPA, and its metabolites MPA‐7‐O‐glucuronide (MPAG), and acyl glucuronide (AcMPAG) was determined by liquid chromatography (LC)‐mass spectrometry (MS)/MS. MPA peak concentrations were achieved rapidly (median Tmax of 0.5 h). Concentrations fell through 3 hours post‐dose and then plateaued around 20% of Cmax. The mean elimination half‐life was rapid (5.8 hours) and notable variability was observed in all PK parameters. The PK profiles for the MPAG and AcMPAG metabolites followed a similar pattern as MPA concentration. Future repeat‐dose studies will be needed to evaluate steady‐state PK parameters and to define therapeutic MPA dose levels.
Estimating a bilateral J‐curve between the UK and the Euro area: An asymmetric analysis
Authors: Bahmani‐Oskooee Mohsen , Karamelikli Huseyin
Published: February 2021

The J‐curve outlines the path of movement in the trade balance after a currency is devalued or depreciated, deteriorating in the short run but improving in the long run. One study in this journal investigated the concept between the UK and each of its 10 large partners from the EU. The study found support for the J‐curve effect in the UK trade balance with Belgium, Germany, France, Italy and Netherlands. However, the findings were based on sign misinterpretation. If correctly interpreted, the findings actually support the inverse J‐curve, i.e., long‐run deterioration in the bilateral trade balances. The results were based on using the linear ARDL approach. We revisit the issue and use the Nonlinear ARDL approach. We find support for the asymmetric J‐curve effect in the bilateral trade balance between the UK and France, Greece, Portugal and Spain and an asymmetric inverse J‐curve in the case of Finland.
The multidisciplinary team perspectives on agitation management in critical care: A qualitative study
Authors: Freeman Samantha , Yorke Janelle , Dark Paul
Published: February 2021

Background

People who are experiencing a period of critical illness frequently experience severe agitation. The presence of agitation can pose risks to the patient, family, and clinical team.

Aims and objectives

To capture the views and opinions of critical care multidisciplinary teams concerning the approaches in the management of agitation, and to understand and identify the perceived risks and benefits of current management strategies.

Design

A descriptive qualitative design.

Methods

Data were gathered using semi‐structured interviews with multidisciplinary teams from adult critical care units from one region in the United Kingdom.

Findings

A total of 19 participants participated between February to September 2017. There were two group interviews (GIs) (n = 12, GI 1 n =  8, GI 2 n = 4) and seven one‐to‐one interviews, across four hospital organisations with one participant working via an agency. The mean length (± SD) of each interview, one to one or group, was 58.86 minutes (5.81 minutes). Three major themes were generated about the complex clinical decision‐making required to manage an agitated patient. These themes represented: the burden of care, continuity of clinical decision‐making, and uncertainty and indecision experienced by participants.

Conclusion

Participants described caring for an agitated patient as challenging and stressful. Staff sought clarification on what level of restrictive practice is allowed. Feelings of anxiety and stress generated by the decisions made may have an impact on staff, particularly those who are more inexperienced, which in the longer term could lead to fatigue or moral distress. Relevance to clinical practice. The study has emphasised the challenges faced by multidisciplinary teams and how decision‐making may impact on individuals within the team.
Of bowels, brain and behavior: A role for the gut microbiota in psychiatric comorbidities in irritable bowel syndrome
Authors: Wilmes Lars , Collins James M. , O'Riordan Kenneth J. , O’Mahony Siobhain M. , Cryan John F. , Clarke Gerard
Published: February 2021

Background

The gastrointestinal microbiota has emerged as a key regulator of gut‐brain axis signalling with important implications for neurogastroenterology. There is continuous bidirectional communication between the gut and the brain facilitated by neuronal, endocrine, metabolic, and immune pathways. The microbiota influences these signalling pathways via several mechanisms. Studies have shown compositional and functional alterations in the gut microbiota in stress‐related psychiatric disorders. Gut microbiota reconfigurations are also a feature of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a gut‐brain axis disorder sharing high levels of psychiatric comorbidity including both anxiety and depression. It remains unclear how the gut microbiota alterations in IBS align with both core symptoms and these psychiatric comorbidities.

Methods

In this review, we highlight common and disparate features of these microbial signatures as well as the associated gut‐brain axis signalling pathways. Studies suggest that patients with either IBS, depression or anxiety, alone or comorbid, present with alterations in gut microbiota composition and harbor immune, endocrine, and serotonergic system alterations relevant to the common pathophysiology of these comorbid conditions.

Key results

Research has illustrated the utility of fecal microbiota transplantation in animal models, expanding the evidence base for a potential causal role of disorder‐specific gut microbiota compositions in symptom set expression. Moreover, an exciting study by Constante and colleagues in this issue highlights the possibility of counteracting this microbiota‐associated aberrant behavioral phenotype with a probiotic yeast, Saccharomyces boulardii CNCM I‐745.

Conclusions and inferences

Such data highlights the potential for therapeutic targeting of the gut microbiota as a valuable strategy for the management of comorbid psychiatric symptoms in IBS.
Circular RNAs in metabolism and metabolic disorders
Authors: Zeng Yongzhi , Zheng Zhi , Liu Fengtao , Yi Guanghui
Published: February 2021

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a serious health condition triggered by hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, and abnormal adipose deposition. Recently, circular RNAs (circRNAs) have been proposed as key molecular players in metabolic homeostasis due to their regulatory effects on genes linked to the modulation of multiple aspects of metabolism, including glucose and lipid homeostasis. Dysregulation of circRNAs can lead to metabolic disorders, indicating that circRNAs represent plausible potential targets to alleviate metabolic abnormalities. More recently, a series of circulating circRNAs have been identified to act as both essential regulatory molecules and biomarkers for the progression of metabolism‐related disorders, including type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM or T2D) and cardiovascular disease (CVD). The findings of this study highlight the function of circRNAs in signaling pathways implicated in metabolic diseases and their potential as future therapeutics and disease biomarkers.
Increased sensitization rates to tree pollens in allergic children and adolescents and a change in the pollen season in the metropolitan area of Seoul, Korea
Authors: Lee Kyung Suk , Kim Kyunghoon , Choi Young‐Jin , Yang Seung , Kim Chang‐Ryul , Moon Jin‐Hwa , Kim Kyu Rang , Lee Yung‐Seop , Oh Jae‐Won
Published: February 2021

Introduction

Children with allergies are at greater risk of becoming sensitized to allergenic pollens in response to environmental changes. This study investigated the relationship between changes in pollination associated with meteorologic changes and the sensitization rates of children to tree pollen allergens in the metropolitan area of Seoul, Korea.

Methods

The study population consisted of 8,295 children who visited the pediatric allergy clinics at Hanyang University Seoul and Guri Hospital for allergy symptoms between January 1, 1998, and December 31, 2019. Pollen was collected at the two hospitals during the study using a Burkard 7‐day sampler. Meteorologic data were obtained from the National Weather Service.

Results

Among the major tree pollens, the largest increase in allergic sensitization was to oak, hazel, and alder pollens (0.28% annually). The pollen‐sensitization rates increased annually within younger age groups. The duration of the pollen season was 98 days in 1998 and 140 days in 2019. Positive correlations were determined between the duration of the pollen season and the rates of sensitization to tree pollens, as well as between the pollen‐sensitization rates and increasing temperature.

Conclusions

This study demonstrated the correlation between weather changes and the resulting changes in the pollen season with sensitization rates to allergenic pollens in children living in the Seoul metropolitan area. An annual increase in sensitization rates in younger children was determined. This pattern is expected to continue due to continuing climate change.
Genetic architecture of phenotypic indices for simultaneous improvement of protein content and grain yield in triticale (×triticosecale)
Authors: Neuweiler Jan E. , Maurer Hans Peter , Würschum Tobias
Published: February 2021

Our study aimed to assess the potential of indices, including grain protein deviation and protein yield, to simultaneously improve grain yield and protein content in triticale. Our analysis of 1.218 triticale genotypes revealed significant genotypic variation and high heritabilities for all traits. We analysed the suitability of the indices for phenotypic selection for both high grain yield and increased protein content. We show that some genotypes were selected irrespective of the applied index, but also observed considerable differences between the indices. To uncover the genetic architecture of grain yield, protein content and derived indices, we performed genome‐wide association mapping and biparental QTL mapping. This revealed many pleiotropic QTL with opposite effects on grain yield and protein content and a complex inheritance of all traits, suggesting that the genetic architecture limits the potential of marker‐assisted selection. Nevertheless, the use of these indices is recommended for breeding of special‐purpose cultivars, like high‐protein cultivars for on‐farm feed production.
A chloroplast heat shock protein modulates growth and abiotic stress response in creeping bentgrass
Authors: Sun Xinbo , Huang Ning , Li Xin , Zhu Junfei , Bian Xiuju , Li Huibin , Wang Lihong , Hu Qian , Luo Hong
Published: February 2021

Small heat shock proteins (sHSPs), a family of the ubiquitous stress proteins in plants acting as molecular chaperones to protect other proteins from stress‐induced damage, have been implicated in plant growth and development as well as plant response to environmental stress, especially heat stress. In this study, a chloroplast‐localized sHSP, AsHSP26.8, was overexpressed in creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera L.) to study its role in regulating plant growth and stress response. Transgenic (TG) creeping bentgrass plants displayed arrested root development, slow growth rate, twisted leaf blades and are more susceptible to heat and salt but less sensitive to drought stress compared to wild‐type (WT) controls. RNA‐seq analysis revealed that AsHSP26.8 modulated the expression of genes in auxin signalling and stress‐related genes such as those encoding HSPs, heat shock factors and other transcription factors. Our results provide new evidence demonstrating that AsHSP26.8 negatively regulates plant growth and development and plays differential roles in plant response to a plethora of diverse abiotic stresses.
Effect of decorin and selected glycosylation inhibitors on the adhesion of caruncular epithelial cells of pregnant cows—part I
Authors: Jamioł Monika , Wawrzykowski Jacek , Bulak Kamila , Kankofer Marta
Published: February 2021

Adhesion process ensures the formation of the appropriate connection between mother and foetus during placentation and further placental development, which determines physiological pregnancy course. Extracellular matrix of foetal membranes are a rich source of biologically active proteins, the synthesis of which is regulated by hormones. Depending on the stage of pregnancy, the protein profile of the placenta changes, thanks to which its remodelling is possible. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of decorin, as well as selected glycosylation inhibitors on the adhesion of caruncular epithelial cells derived from cows during pregnancy. Placental cells were isolated from healthy, pregnant (2nd and 4th month) cows after slaughter, which allowed for the establishment of 4 primary cell cultures without visible cells of fibroblast morphology. The presence of decorin in cell monolayer and cell lysates was determined by the use of immunocytochemistry and Western blotting, respectively. The viability of cells was evaluated by MTT assay. The adhesion of cells to fibronectin was measured spectrophotometrically. Protein N‐glycosylation and O‐glycosylation have a modulating effect on the adhesion and viability of placental cells during early–mid pregnancy. Decorin and tunicamycin were shown to have anti‐adhesive properties with respect to caruncular cells of the pregnant bovine uterus.
Dynamic Risk Perceptions in Times of Avian and Seasonal Influenza Epidemics: A Repeated Cross‐Sectional Design
Authors: Lages Nadine C. , Debbeler Luka J. , Blumenschein Michael , Kollmann Josianne , Szymczak Hermann , Keim Daniel A. , Schupp Harald T. , Renner Britta
Published: February 2021

Infectious diseases pose a serious threat to humans. Therefore, it is crucial to understand how accurately people perceive these risks. However, accuracy can be operationalized differently depending on the standard of comparison. The present study investigated accuracy in risk perceptions for three infectious diseases (avian influenza, seasonal influenza, common cold) using three different standards for accuracy: Social comparison (self vs. others’ risk perceptions), general problem level (risk perceptions for diseases with varying threat levels), and dynamic problem level (risk perceptions during epidemics/seasons vs. nonepidemic/off‐season times). Four online surveys were conducted using a repeated cross‐sectional design. Two surveys were conducted during epidemics/seasons of avian influenza, seasonal influenza, and common cold in 2006 (n = 387) and 2016 (n = 370) and two surveys during nonepidemic/off‐season times for the three diseases in 2009 (n = 792) during a swine flu outbreak and in 2018 (n = 422) during no outbreak of zoonotic influenza. While on average participants felt less at risk than others, indicating an optimistic bias, risk perceptions matched the magnitude of risk associated with the three infectious diseases. Importantly, a significant three‐way interaction indicated dynamic accuracy in risk perceptions: Participants felt more at risk for seasonal influenza and common cold during influenza and cold seasons, compared with off‐season times. However, these dynamic increases were more pronounced in the perceived risk for others than for oneself (optimistic bias). The results emphasize the importance of using multiple approaches to assess accuracy of risk perception as they provided different information on how accurately people gauge their risk when facing infectious diseases.
A Bayesian Nonparametric Model for Textural Pattern Heterogeneity
Authors: Li Xiao , Guindani Michele , Ng Chaan S. , Hobbs Brian P.
Published: February 2021

Cancer radiomics is an emerging discipline promising to elucidate lesion phenotypes and tumour heterogeneity through patterns of enhancement, texture, morphology and shape. The prevailing technique for image texture analysis relies on the construction and synthesis of grey-level co-occurrence matrices (GLCM). Practice currently reduces the structured count data of a GLCM to reductive and redundant summary statistics for which analysis requires variable selection and multiple comparisons for each application, thus limiting reproducibility. In this article, we develop a Bayesian multivariate probabilistic framework for the analysis and unsupervised clustering of a sample of GLCM objects. By appropriately accounting for skewness and zero inflation of the observed counts and simultaneously adjusting for existing spatial autocorrelation at nearby cells, the methodology facilitates estimation of texture pattern distributions within the GLCM lattice itself. The techniques are applied to cluster images of adrenal lesions obtained from CT scans with and without administration of contrast. We further assess whether the resultant subtypes are clinically oriented by investigating their correspondence with pathological diagnoses. Additionally, we compare performance to a class of machine learning approaches currently used in cancer radiomics with simulation studies.
Dentoalveolar radiation dose following IMRT in oropharyngeal cancer—An observational study
Authors: Patel Vinod , Humbert‐Vidan Laia , Thomas Christopher , Sassoon Isabel , McGurk Mark , Fenlon Michael , Urbano Teresa Guerrero
Published: February 2021

Objectives

This observational study aims to determine individual dental doses in oropharyngeal cancer (OPC) patients managed by intensity modulated radiation treatment (IMRT).

Materials and methods

OPC patients treated with IMRT had each tooth individually contoured on post‐IMRT CT scans. The mean, maximum and minimum doses were calculated per tooth‐based upon patient and tumor demographics (tumor size and nodal status).

Results

A total of 160 patients were included in this study. Escalating tumor size and nodal status led to an observed increase in Dmean doses to the dentition on the contralateral tumor side. A significant region in both jaws received >30 Gy in this tumor group.

Conclusion

Tumor demographics were observed to influence RT doses to the dentition and need to be considered when providing a pre‐RT dental assessment. The observed dose of >30 Gy in large spans of the dentition and jaws highlights future risk of dental deterioration and ORN with long term survival.
The patient's agenda: nurses’ experience of learning and using guided self‐determination
Authors: Dehn Pernille , Strømberg Charlotte , Linnet Olesen Mette
Published: February 2021

Objectives

Health care has seen a shift towards person‐centred care to encompass the entirety of a person's needs and preferences, but research is sparse on healthcare professionals learning and using person‐centred care.

Aim

To investigate nurses’ experiences of learning and using the person‐centred method guided self‐determination (GSD) in three different gynaecological settings and to determine whether, and potentially, how new tasks introduced by the GSD method influence their professional identity.

Design

A qualitative interview study conducted between January 2019 and January 2020.

Method

We conducted 16 semi‐structured interviews with nurses educated in using GSD. Applying inductive and deductive reasoning, we analysed the interviews using thematic analysis. The study was registered with the Danish Data Protection Agency (file no.: VD‐2018‐445, I‐Suite no.: 6700).

Results

The analysis generated three main themes with two subthemes each: (a) prerequisites and barriers to learning and using GSD in terms of personal factors and organisational and method‐related factors; (b) new knowledge and understanding of illness with the subthemes expanded understanding of illness and a different relationship; and (c) nursing undergoing change with the subthemes, a new role and a professional self shaped through interaction with other professions.

Conclusions

Although other professionals may have either supported or challenged the use of GSD, most nurses indicated that it supplemented their professional role and identity as they gained new knowledge about person‐centred challenges and felt more confident. When introducing GSD in nursing, the organisation must not only consider individual characteristics, multidisciplinary collaboration and communication but also plan individual education and supervision. This is necessary because all these factors affect how a new professional role is constructed and adopted, not to mention how it influences the nurses’ perception of their professional identity and use of GSD. Establishing a helpful person‐centred environment must also be considered.
Absolute blood volume variations during hemodialysis: Does dialysate temperature play a role?
Authors: Álvarez Nadal Marta , Martín Capón Irene , Viera Ramírez Elizabeth Romelia , Fernández Lucas Milagros
Published: February 2021

Background

Vascular refilling occurs to preserve hemodynamic stability during hemodialysis (HD). Recent studies report a feasible and noninvasive method to determine absolute blood volume (ABV), and estimate vascular refilling during HD. The objective of this study is to analyze if lowering dialysate temperature modifies variations in ABV during HD.

Methods

The study was performed in 50 patients under HD. During two different sessions, relative blood volume was assessed using dialysate temperatures of 35.5°C (cool dialysate) and 36.5°C (neutral dialysate). ABV and vascular refilling were calculated using Kron et al methodology.

Results

Thirty‐nine intradialytic morbid events (IMEs) were observed in 30 patients, 14 under cool dialysate and 25 during neutral dialysate. We did not found statistically differences in ABV or in refilling volume between cool and neutral temperature. When analyzing apart only those patients who presented IME, we observed lower drop in ABV in the 35.5°C dialysate treatments (0.57 L) versus 36.5°C dialysate treatments (0.71 L). When cool dialysate was used, the vascular refilling fraction tended to be higher, but data did not turn statistically significant.

Conclusions

In selected groups of patients the use of cool dialysate induces lower ABV variations that could improve hemodynamic stability during HD treatments.
An analysis of the impact of suicide prevention messages and memorials on motorway bridges
Authors: O'Neill Siobhan , Potts Courtney , Bond Raymond , Mulvenna Maurice , Ennis Edel , McFeeters Danielle , Boyda David , Morrissey Jacqui , Scowcroft Elizabeth , Isaksen Mette , Turkington Robin
Published: February 2021

Recently, there has been activity at public locations where people have died by suicide, including the erection of suicide prevention messages and memorials (decorations). This research looks at the impact of these decorations and associated media coverage of the decorations on suicidal behaviour at bridges. Incidents (n = 160) of suicidal behaviour on 26 bridges across motorways in England were analysed. Overall, there was no significant difference in the proportion of incidents pre‐decoration versus post‐decoration (p‐value = .55). The incident rates were not significantly different pre‐ and post‐decoration (p = .46). Only one bridge had statistically significantly more incidents post‐decoration and media reporting (p = .03). However, following correction for multiple testing there was no significant difference in pre‐ and post‐incident rates at any of the bridges. In total, 58% of bridges had a greater frequency of incidents when decorations were absent; however, this proportion was not statistically significant (p = .41). Further research is required to establish how suicide prevention messages are perceived. There does not appear to be any benefit, but it often generates media coverage which has been shown to increase risk.
Relationship between compaction and infiltration capacity of amended soil for urban flood damage mitigation
Authors: Itsukushima Rei , Ideta Kazufumi , Takata Hiroshi
Published: February 2021

To mitigate urban flooding, conserving pervious areas and securing the infiltration capacity are important. The infiltration capacity of an area can be significantly reduced by compaction; thus, we attempted to build a runoff reduction technology that can ensure the infiltration capacity even after compaction to mitigate urban flooding. Herein, we revealed the relationship between the degree of compaction and infiltration capacity of amended soils using humus and bamboo chips. We performed a watering infiltration experiment, which initially demonstrated the nonoccurrence of surface runoff in all experimental materials for rainfall intensities of 60 and 120 mm hr−1, without compaction. However, as the degree of compaction increased, humus mixed with soil exhibited behaviour similar to that of unimproved soil and the surface runoff exceeded seepage drainage. In contrast, in the case of bamboo chips mixed with soil, the surface runoff remained small even at high degrees of compaction. Consequently, when the rainfall intensity was 120 mm hr−1 and compaction was 3 kg cm−2, the surface runoff per unit time for bamboo chips mixed with soil was 2.4 times less than that for humus mixed with soil and 2.2 times less than that for unimproved soil. Moreover, such differences were observed in the infiltration capacity with respect to compaction because of the void structure owing to soil improvement. Thus, we conclude that soil improvement using bamboo chips can be considered an effective technology to mitigate urban flooding.
Identification of a new HLA‐A allele: A*31:187
Authors: Ingrassia Francesco , Pecoraro Alice , Blando Maria , Lo Brutto Angela , Cappuzzo Valentina
Published: February 2021

HLA‐A*31:187 differs from A*31:01:02:04 by a single nucleotide change in codon 80 (ACC > AAC).
TINY BRANCHED HAIR functions in multicellular trichome development through an ethylene pathway in Cucumis sativus L.
Authors: Zhang Yaqi , Shen Junjun , Bartholomew Ezra S. , Dong Mingming , Chen Shuying , Yin Shuai , Zhai Xuling , Feng Zhongxuan , Ren Huazhong , Liu Xingwang
Published: February 2021

The fruit trichomes of Cucurbitaceae are widely desired in many Asian countries and have been a key determinant of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) cultivar selection for commercial production and breeding. However, our understanding of the initiation and development of cucumber trichomes is still limited. Here, we found that the cucumber TINY BRANCHED HAIR (TBH) gene is preferentially expressed in multicellular trichomes. Overexpression of CsTBH in tbh mutants restored the trichome phenotype and increased the percentage of female flowers, whereas silencing of CsTBH in wild‐type plants resulted in stunted trichomes with a lower rate of female flowers. Furthermore, we provide evidence that CsTBH can directly bind to the promoters of cucumber 1‐Aminocyclopropane‐1‐Carboxylate Synthase (CsACS) genes and regulate their expression, which affects multicellular trichome development, ethylene accumulation, and sex expression. Two cucumber acs mutants with different trichome morphology and sex morphs compared with their near‐isogenic line further support our findings. Collectively, our study provides new information on the molecular mechanism of CsTBH in regulating multicellular trichome development and sex expression through an ethylene pathway.
How red blood cell quality is starting to carry its weight
Authors: Shopsowitz Kevin E. , Shih Andrew W.
Published: February 2021

See article on page 435–448, in this issue

See article on page 449–463, in this issue