bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Task persistence in kindergarten children: Disentangling age from schooling effects
Authors: Oeri Niamh , Roebers Claudia M.
Published: October 2020

The aim of the present study was to examine age effects and schooling effects on task persistence. Four‐ and 5‐year‐old (N = 120) kindergarten children were observed while working on a persistence task. Since children attend kindergarten for 2 years in Switzerland, age and schooling effects could be examined in a cut‐off research design. To examine age effects, task performance was compared between 4‐ and 5‐year‐olds, all enrolled in their first kindergarten year. To address schooling effects, performance between 5‐year‐olds enrolled in their first vs. 5‐year‐olds enrolled in their second kindergarten year was compared. Age differences were found for two different persistence measures. No effect was found for schooling. Overall, the present results suggest that 1 year of formal kindergarten schooling, as a structuring environmental factor, does not affect the ability to persist. Age and inhibitory skills, however, do.
Activation of dopaminergic VTA inputs to the mPFC ameliorates chronic stress‐induced breast tumor progression
Authors: Xu Xi‐Rong , Xiao Qian , Hong Yu‐Chuan , Liu Yun‐Hui , Liu Yue , Tu Jie
Published: October 2020

Aims

Chronic stress plays an important role in promoting the progression and migration of cancers. However, little is known of any direct impact on tumor progression related to the regulation of emotion‐related circuitry. The aim of this study was to explore the neural‐circuit mechanisms underlying stress‐induced progression of cancers and the impact of emotion‐related regulation of circuitry on tumor growth.

Methods

Optogenetic manipulation was applied to unpredictable chronic mild stress (UCMS)–treated mice bearing breast tumor cell. The stress‐related hormones, tumor‐related cytokines, the tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)–positive neurons and their fibers, dopamine receptor–positive cells, and anxiety level were measured using ELISA, immunohistochemical staining, fluorescence in situ hybridization, and behavioral test, respectively.

Results

By investigating breast cancer mouse models with a chronic mild stress model, optogenetic stimulation, and behavioral analysis, we show that chronic stress induced anxiety‐like behavior in mice and increased serum concentration of norepinephrine and corticosterone, hormones closely related to stress and anxiety. Optogenetic activation of VTA TH terminals in the mPFC rescued anxiety‐like behavior induced by chronic stress. Chronic stress resulted in marked progression of breast tumors, and repetitive optogenetic activation of VTA TH terminals in the mPFC significantly attenuated stress‐induced progression of breast cancers and reduced serum concentration of norepinephrine and corticosterone. Furthermore, there was a positive correlation between serum norepinephrine or corticosterone concentration and tumor size.

Conclusions

These findings indicate a positive role of an emotion regulation circuit on the progression of breast cancer and reveal a link between stress, emotion regulation, and the progression of breast cancers. Our findings provide new insights pertinent to therapeutic interventions in the treatment of breast cancers.
Feasibility of manual bronchial branch reading technique in navigating conventional rEBUS bronchoscopy in the evaluation of peripheral pulmonary lesion
Authors: Kho Sze Shyang , Nyanti Larry Ellee , Chai Chan Sin , Chan Swee Kim , Tie Siew Teck
Published: October 2020

Background

Although radial endobronchial ultrasound (rEBUS) is an important verification tool in guided bronchoscopy, a navigational route was not provided. Manual airway mapping allows the bronchoscopist to translate the bronchial branching in computed tomography (CT) into a comparable bronchoscopic road map. We aimed to explore the feasibility of this technique in navigating conventional rEBUS bronchoscopy in the localisation of peripheral pulmonary lesion by determining navigation success and diagnostic yield.

Methods

Retrospective review of consecutive rEBUS bronchoscopy performed with a 6.2 mm conventional bronchoscope navigated via manual bronchial branch reading technique over 18 months.

Results

Ninety‐eight target lesions were included. Median lesion size was 2.67 cm (IQR 2.22‐3.38) with 96.9% demonstrating positive CT bronchus sign. Majority (86.7%) of lesions were situated in between the third and fifth airway generations. Procedure was performed with endotracheal intubation in 43.9% and fluoroscopy in 72.4%. 98.9% of lesions were successfully navigated and verified by rEBUS following the pre‐planned airway road map. Bidirectional guiding device was employed in 29.6% of cases. Clinical diagnosis was secured in 88.8% of cases, majority of which were malignant disease. The discrepancy between navigation success and diagnostic yield was 10.1%. Target PPL located within five airway generations was associated with better diagnostic yield (95.1% vs. 58.8%, P < 0.001). There was 1 (1.0%) pneumothorax in our cohort.

Conclusions

Manual bronchial branch reading technique in combination with conventional rEBUS is feasible in localisation of PPL, especially for lesions located within the first five airway generations
Effects of genetics and altitude on lung function
Authors: Talaminos‐Barroso Alejandro , Roa‐Romero Laura M. , Ortega‐Ruiz Francisco , Cejudo‐Ramos Pilar , Márquez‐Martín Eduardo , Reina‐Tosina Javier
Published: October 2020

Objectives

The aim of this work is to present a review on the impact of genetics and altitude on lung function from classic and recent studies.

Data source

A systematic search has been carried out in different databases of scientific studies, using keywords related to lung volumes, spirometry, altitude and genetics.

Results

The results of this work have been structured into three parts. First, the relationship between genes and lung function. Next, a review of the genetic predispositions related to respiratory adaptation of people who inhabit high‐altitude regions for millennia. Finally, temporary effects and long‐term acclimatisation on respiratory physiology at high altitude are presented.

Conclusions

The works focused on the influence of genetics and altitude on lung function are currently of interest in terms of studying the interactions between genetic, epigenetic and environmental factors in the configuration of the pathophysiological adaptation patterns.
Pilotstudie zum Einfluss von kaltem atmosphärischem Plasma auf bakterielle Kontamination und Heilungstendenz chronischer Wunden
Authors: Moelleken Maurice , Jockenhöfer Finja , Wiegand Cornelia , Buer Jan , Benson Sven , Dissemond Joachim
Published: October 2020

Hintergrund

Wöchentlich dreimalige Anwendung kalten atmosphärischen Plasmas (KAP) wurde bereits erfolgreich zur Wundbehandlung eingesetzt. Jetzt sollte untersucht werden, ob mit nur einmal wöchentlicher Behandlung vergleichbar gute Ergebnisse erzielt werden können.

Patienten und Methodik

In dieser randomisierten klinischen Pilotstudie (RCT) wurden Patienten mit therapierefraktären chronischen Wunden über maximal zwölf Wochen 1 x/Woche (Gruppe 1) oder 3 x/Woche (Gruppe 2) mit KAP behandelt. Patienten der Gruppe 3 erhielten 1 x/Woche eine Placebotherapie.

Ergebnisse

Die Wundfläche nahm in Gruppe 1 (n = 14) signifikant um 63,0 % (P = 0,005) und in Gruppe 2 (n = 13) um 46,8 % (P = 0,007) ab. In Gruppe 3 (n = 10) wurden die Wunden durchschnittlich 17,5 % größer. In den beiden mit KAP behandelten Gruppen konnte eine signifikante Schmerzreduktion (Gruppe 1: P = 0,042; Gruppe 2: P = 0,027) gemessen werden. Ausschließlich in der Gruppe 2 zeigte sich eine signifikante Verbesserung der wundspezifischen Lebensqualität (P = 0,005). Nach der zwölfwöchigen KAP‐Behandlung konnte eine Reduktion der Bakterienlast um durchschnittlich 50,4 % (Gruppe 1) beziehungsweise um 35,0 % (Gruppe 2) im Vergleich zum Tag des Studieneinschlusses nachgewiesen werden.

Schlussfolgerungen

Unserer RCT zeigt, dass durch die Behandlung mit KAP verschiedene Parameter der Wundheilung bei Patienten mit therapierefraktären, chronischen Wunden verbessert werden. Hierbei waren die Ergebnisse bei der Anwendung 1 x/Woche der Anwendung 3 x/Woche nicht unterlegen. Die Behandlung 1 x/Woche ist im klinischen Alltag leichter und wirtschaftlicher zu implementieren.
Policy coherence across Agenda 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals: Lessons from Finland
Authors: Ylönen Matti , Salmivaara Anna
Published: October 2020

Motivation

Agenda 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) expand the development agenda. While all major development actors support policy coherence for development (PCD), analysis has been lacking on how this can be achieved as the development agenda expands. We discuss the relationship between SDGs and PCD through a comprehensive case study from Finland.

Purpose

To examine the coherence of Finland’s foreign and development policy for achieving the SDGs, while leaving no one behind. Particular focus is given to policies related to the private sector’s role in development, and attention is also paid to ministries other than the Ministry for Foreign Affairs.

Approach and methods

We carried out interviews with policy‐makers and other stakeholders, and analysed relevant documents. We reviewed governmental high‐level policy statements, sectoral alignments, and development aid documents. We also reviewed the position papers that the Finnish Government had issued on European Union (EU) processes, particularly regarding development relating to the private sector.

Findings

Finland has been uniquely positioned to advance PCD in its foreign policy, thanks to co‐ordination structures across government. Nonetheless, mainstreaming of the expanded development agenda has been largely limited to the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and its development policy department. The breadth of the SDG agenda has enabled individual targets to be cherry‐picked, with less attention paid to advancing the Agenda 2030 as a whole and to implementing its Leave No One Behind (LNOB) principle. Despite an institutional framework seemingly ideal for policy coherence, traditional sectoral divisions between development policy as a separate field and sustainability as an environmental issue, remain. Five factors in particular hindered policy coherence: (a) Finland’s position papers to the EU on taxes and migration all but ignored Agenda 2030 commitments; (b) the Finnish emphasis on the private sector in development narrowed the considerations of development to economic growth; (c) sustainability was seen as green technology, with scant regard to social sustainability; (d) private firms interpreted the SDGs to mean that environmental sustainability could address human rights‐related concerns with corporate social responsibility initiatives; and (e) cuts to staffing in the Finnish Government stymied innovative thinking and working across departmental boundaries.

Policy Implications

Finland is generally seen as a front‐runner in mainstreaming development issues, which makes it an interesting case. We outline the key challenges that Finland has faced in tackling PCD, which should be relevant for other Organisation for Economic Co‐operation and Development (OECD) countries as well. Many challenges related to PCD are political and organizational. As such, they are highly dependent on the particular institutional settings in each country. Our methodological approach could be replicated in other similar countries.
Association of lower vitamin D levels with inflammation and leucocytes parameters in patients with and without diabetes mellitus undergoing coronary angiography
Authors: Verdoia Monica , Nardin Matteo , Rolla Roberta , Negro Federica , Gioscia Rocco , Afifeh Arraa Maddalena Saghir , Viglione Filippo , Suryapranata Harry , Marcolongo Marco , De Luca Giuseppe ,   the Novara Atherosclerosis Study Group (NAS)
Published: October 2020

Background

Diabetes mellitus has been associated with a chronic low‐grade inflammation and a higher risk of cardiovascular and infectious disease, that could be prevented by the effects of vitamin D. We aimed at evaluating the impact of vitamin D levels on the biomarkers of acute‐phase response, inflammation and glucose metabolism in a large cohort of diabetic patients with cardiovascular disease.

Materials and methods

Consecutive patients undergoing coronary angiography were included. Diabetes mellitus was defined as previous diagnosis, specific treatment administration (oral drug or insulin), fasting glycaemia >6.99 mmol/L or HbA1c >48 mmol/L. Glucose parameters, white blood cells, Neutrophil‐to‐Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR), Monocyte‐to‐Lymphocyte Ratio (MLR), C‐reactive protein (CRP) and vitamin D were measured at admission. Vitamin D levels were measured by chemiluminescence immunoassay kit LIAISON® Vitamin D assay (Diasorin Inc).

Results

We included 1472 diabetic patients and 2499 non‐diabetic patients that were divided according to vitamin D tertiles. Among diabetic patients, lower levels of vitamin D were associated with female gender (P = .02), obesity (P = .004), active smoking and acute presentation (P < .001) and with a more atherogenic metabolic profile. The levels of white blood cells, leucocytes subfamilies, and inflammatory parameters significantly correlated with vitamin D levels in both patients with and without diabetes (diabetic: P = .012 for WBC, P = .004 for NLR and P < .001 for MLR and C‐reactive protein, non‐diabetic: P < .001 for WBC; NLR, MLR and C‐reactive protein, respectively).

Among diabetic patients, results were confirmed at multivariate analysis with no significant interaction according to glycaemic control.

Conclusion

The present study demonstrates that, among patients with cardiovascular disease, vitamin D deficiency is associated with metabolic dysregulation and with an elevation of cellular and humoural inflammatory parameters, especially among diabetics, although not being dependent from glycaemic control.
Redistributive preferences in Europe and Central Asia, 2006–2016*
Authors: Cojocaru Alexandru , Diagne Mame Fatou
Published: October 2020

This paper analyses support for reducing inequality and for redistribution to specific groups in Europe and Central Asia. Using the Life in Transition Surveys, it examines differences in redistributive preferences across countries and time, as well as determinants of individual preferences, testing for motivations such as self‐interest, past and expected future social mobility, beliefs about fairness, as well as ideology and risk preferences. The extent to which different groups are perceived as deserving of government support is found to vary considerably, with the disabled, the elderly and families with children being the most favoured groups. The motives for redistribution towards different groups are also not uniform – self‐interest appears to be a basis for assistance to the elderly and families with children, whereas values and beliefs are associated with support for the working poor and the unemployed.
Comparative analyses of transgene expression patterns after intra‐striatal injections of rAAV2‐retro in rats and rhesus monkeys: A light and electron microscopic study
Authors: Albaugh Daniel L. , Smith Yoland , Galvan Adriana
Published: October 2020

Retrogradely‐transducing viral vectors are versatile tools for anatomical and functional interrogations of neural circuits. These vectors can be applied in nonhuman primates (NHPs), powerful model species for neuroscientific studies with limited genetic tractability, but limited data are available regarding the tropism and transgene expression patterns of such viruses after injections in NHP brains. Consequently, NHP researchers must often rely on related data available from other species for experimental planning. To evaluate the suitability of rAAV2‐retro in the NHP basal ganglia, we studied the transgene expression patterns at the light and electron microscope level after injections of rAAV2‐retro vector encoding the opsin Jaws conjugated to a green fluorescent protein (GFP) in the putamen of rhesus macaques. For inter‐species comparison, we injected the same vector in the rat dorsal striatum. In both species, GFP expression was observed in numerous cortical and subcortical regions with known striatal projections. However, important inter‐species differences in pathway transduction were seen, including labeling of the intralaminar thalamostriatal projection in rats, but not monkeys. Electron microscopic ultrastructural observations within the basal ganglia revealed GFP labeling in both postsynaptic dendrites and presynaptic axonal terminals; the latter likely derived from anterograde transgene transport in neurons that project to the striatum, and from collaterals of these neurons. Our results suggest that certain neural pathways may be refractory to transduction by retrograde vectors in a species‐specific manner, highlighting the need for caution when determining the suitability of a retrograde vector for NHP studies based solely on rodent data.
Structural brain plasticity induced by early blindness
Authors: Touj Sara , Gallino Daniel , Chakravarty Mallar M. , Bronchti Gilles , Piché Mathieu
Published: October 2020

It is well established that early blindness results in behavioural adaptations. While the functional effects of visual deprivation have been well researched, anatomical studies are scarce. The aim of this study was to investigate whole brain structural plasticity in a mouse model of congenital blindness. Volumetric analyses were conducted on high‐resolution MRI images and histological sections from the same brains. These morphometric measurements were compared between anophthalmic and sighted ZRDBA mice obtained by breeding ZRDCT and DBA mice. Results from MRI analyses using the Multiple Automatically Generated Templates (MAGeT) method showed smaller volume for the primary visual cortex and superior colliculi in anophthalmic compared with sighted mice. Deformation‐based morphometry revealed smaller volumes within the dorsal lateral geniculate nuclei and the lateral secondary visual cortex and larger volumes within olfactory areas, piriform cortex, orbital areas and the amygdala, in anophthalmic compared with sighted mice. Histological analyses revealed a larger volume for the amygdala and smaller volume for the superior colliculi, primary visual cortex and medial secondary visual cortex, in anophthalmic compared with sighted mice. The absence of superficial visual layers of the superior colliculus and the thinner cortical layer IV of the primary and secondary visual cortices may explain the smaller volume of these areas, although this was observed in a limited sample. The present study shows large‐scale brain plasticity in a mouse model of congenital blindness. In addition, the congruence of MRI and histological findings support the use of MRI to investigate structural brain plasticity in the mouse.
The erythema Q‐score, an imaging biomarker for redness in skin inflammation
Authors: Frew John , Penzi Lauren , Suarez‐Farinas Mayte , Garcet Sandra , Brunner Patrick M. , Czarnowicki Tali , Kim Jaehwan , Bottomley Claire , Finney Robert , Cueto Inna , Fuentes‐Duculan Judilyn , Ohmatsu Hanako , Lentini Tim , Yanofsky Valerie , Krueger James G. , Guttman‐Yassky Emma , Gareau Daniel
Published: October 2020

Physician rating of cutaneous erythema is central to clinical dermatological assessment as well as quantification of outcome measures in clinical trials in a number of dermatologic conditions. However, issues with inter‐rater reliability and variability in the setting of higher Fitzpatrick skin types make visual erythema assessment unreliable. We developed and validated a computer‐assisted image‐processing algorithm (EQscore) to reliably quantify erythema (across a range of skin types) in the dermatology clinical setting.

Our image processing algorithm evaluated erythema based upon green light suppression differentials between affected and unaffected skin. A group of four dermatologists used a 4‐point Likert scale as a human evaluation of similar erythematous patch tests. The algorithm and dermatologist scores were compared across 164 positive patch test reactions. The intra‐class correlation coefficient of groups and the correlation coefficient between groups were calculated. The EQscore was validated on and independent image set of psoriasis, minimal erythema dose testing and steroid‐induced blanching images. The reliability of the erythema quantification method produced an intra‐class correlation coefficient of 0.84 for the algorithm and 0.67 for dermatologists. The correlation coefficient between groups was 0.85. The EQscore demonstrated high agreement with clinical scoring and superior reliability compared with clinical scoring, avoiding the pitfalls of erythema underrating in the setting of pigmentation. The EQscore is easily accessible (http://lab.rockefeller.edu/krueger/EQscore), user‐friendly, and may allow dermatologists to more readily and accurately rate the severity of dermatological conditions and the response to therapeutic treatments.
The inflammation in cutaneous lichen planus is dominated by IFN‐ϒ and IL‐21—A basis for therapeutic JAK1 inhibition
Authors: Pietschke Katharina , Holstein Julia , Meier Katharina , Schäfer Iris , Müller‐Hermelink Eva , Gonzalez‐Menendez Irene , Quintanilla‐Martinez Leticia , Ghoreschi Franziska C. , Solimani Farzan , Ghoreschi Kamran
Published: October 2020

Cutaneous lichen planus (CLP) and psoriasis (PSO) are both common chronic inflammatory skin diseases for which development of new treatments requires the identification of key targets. While PSO is a typical Th17/IL‐17‐disorder, there is some evidence that Th1/IFN‐ɣ dominate the inflammatory process in CLP. Nonetheless, the immunopathogenesis of CLP is not fully explained and key immunological factors still have to be recognized. In this study, we compared the immune signature of CLP lesions with the well‐characterized inflammation present in PSO skin. First, we analysed the histological and immunohistological characteristics of CLP and PSO. Second, we assessed the cytokine expression (IL1A, IL1B, IL4, IL6, IL8, IL10, IL17A, IL19, IL21, IL22, IL23A, IL13, IFNG, TNF, IL12A, IL12B and IL36G) of lesional skin of CLP with PSO by qPCR. Histology revealed a similar epidermal thickness in CLP and PSO. Immunohistochemically, both diseases presented with an inflammatory infiltrate mainly composed by CD3+CD4+ T cells rather than CD3+CD8+. Importantly, mRNA analysis showed a distinct cytokine signature: while levels of IL12B, IL1A, IL6 and IL23 were similar between the two groups, the characteristic PSO‐associated cytokines IL8, IL17A, IL22, IL19 and IL36G were expressed at very low levels in CLP. In contrast, CLP lesional skin was dominated by the expression of IFNG, IL21, IL4, IL12A and TNF. Immunohistochemistry confirmed the dominance of IL‐21, IFN‐ɣ and also pSTAT1 in the dermal infiltrate of CLP, while IL‐17A was more present in PSO. Collectively, this study improves our understanding of the immunological factors dominating CLP. The dominating cytokines and signalling proteins identified suggest that anti‐cytokine therapeutics like JAK inhibitors may be beneficial in CLP.
Hook disgorgers remove deep hooks but kill fish: A plea for cutting the line
Authors: Cooke Steven J. , Danylchuk Andy J.
Published: October 2020

Recreational fishing can result in deep hooking (e.g. in the gullet) of fish that are intended to be released, leading to the development of various tools intended to assist with hook removal. So‐called “hook disgorgers” are typically marketed as being a mechanism to retrieve the hook while doing so in a way that reduces harm to the fish, despite there being many studies that demonstrate that it is best to cut the line for deeply hooked fish. A study was designed to test the effectiveness of six different hook disgorgers for deeply hooked smallmouth bass, Micropterus dolomieu Lacépède, captured using baitholder hooks relative to shallow hooked controls and fish for which the line was cut. Reflex impairment and survival at 10 min, 1 hr and 24 hr were assessed. The study was terminated after early results revealed that all but one of the fish that had the hook removed died (n = 17), while all fish that were hooked in the jaw (n = 4) or had the line cut (n = 5) survived. The ethical conundrum faced by the research team is discussed here, recognising that an incomplete study would have less statistical rigour even though it was very clear that disgorgers used when hooks were in the gullet killed the fish. Stopping rules are common in pharmaceutical trials and can also be used to inform catch‐and‐release research to maintain fish welfare. Best practices for anglers include cutting the line when fish are hooked in the gullet, and changing fishing strategies and gear type when deep hooking is encountered on a routine basis, otherwise mortality can be unnecessarily high.
A century of coping with environmental and ecological changes via compensatory biomineralization in mussels
Authors: Telesca Luca , Peck Lloyd S. , Backeljau Thierry , Heinig Mario F. , Harper Elizabeth M.
Published: October 2020

Accurate biological models are critical to predict biotic responses to climate change and human‐caused disturbances. Current understanding of organismal responses to change stems from studies over relatively short timescales. However, most projections lack long‐term observations incorporating the potential for transgenerational phenotypic plasticity and genetic adaption, the keys to resistance. Here, we describe unexpected temporal compensatory responses in biomineralization as a mechanism for resistance to altered environmental conditions and predation impacts in a calcifying foundation species. We evaluated exceptional archival specimens of the blue mussel Mytilus edulis collected regularly between 1904 and 2016 along 15 km of Belgian coastline, along with records of key environmental descriptors and predators. Contrary to global‐scale predictions, shell production increased over the last century, highlighting a protective capacity of mussels for qualitative and quantitative trade‐offs in biomineralization as compensatory responses to altered environments. We also demonstrated the role of changes in predator communities in stimulating unanticipated biological trends that run contrary to experimental predictive models under future climate scenarios. Analysis of archival records has a key role for anticipating emergent impacts of climate change.
Spatial Analysis and Modeling: Advances and Evolution
Authors: Murray Alan T.
Published: October 2020

This review is based on a plenary lecture delivered at a recent annual meeting of the American Association of Geographers, sponsored by the Spatial Analysis and Modeling specialty group. This group began around 1979 as Mathematical Models & Quantitative Methods, with a subsequent name change in 2000 to better reflect the maturing interests and concerns of members. Some twenty years down the road, advances in computing, methods, and models across academic disciplines have brought about many advances and evolution in capabilities. This article discusses a number of important spatial analytical methods with the intent of highlighting understanding and solution. Further, this is based upon development efforts rooted in the fundamentals of GIScience and spatial data science. Three spatial analytical approaches are reviewed, offering insight regarding evolved capabilities. Of particular emphasis is the ability to take advantage of derived geographic knowledge in order to structure, solve, and apply these methods.
Depth of invasion versus tumour thickness in early oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma: which measurement is the most practical and predictive of outcome?
Authors: Salama Abeer M , Valero Cristina , Katabi Nora , Khimraj Anjanie , Yuan Avery , Zanoni Daniella K , Ganly Ian , Patel Snehal G , Ghossein Ronald , Xu Bin
Published: October 2020

Aims

The 8th edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) Staging introduced depth of invasion (DOI) into the pT category of oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma. However, we noted multiple practical obstacles in accurately measuring DOI histologically in our daily practice.

Methods and results

To compare the prognostic effects of DOI and tumour thickness (TT), a meticulous pathology review was conducted in a retrospective cohort of 293 patients with AJCC 7th edition pT1/T2 oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma. Overall survival (OS) and nodal metastasis rate at initial resection were the primary and secondary outcomes, respectively. We found that TT and DOI were highly correlated with a correlation coefficient of 0.984. The upstage rate was only 6% (18 of 293 patients) when using TT in the pT stage compared with using DOI. More importantly, DOI and TT, as well as pT stage using DOI and pT stage using TT, performed identically in predicting risk of nodal metastasis and OS.

Conclusions

We therefore propose to replace DOI, a complicated measurement with many challenges, with TT in the pT staging system.
Optimization and sensitivity analysis of rheological properties of high concentration γ‐alumina/water suspension
Authors: Nouri Mohammad Javad , Karimi Darvanjooghi Mohammad Hossein , Moheb Ahmad
Published: October 2020

In this study, a high concentration γ‐alumina/water suspension containing 75% (wt) γ‐alumina nanoparticle was prepared by using a 3D‐mixer. TEM imaging, Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), and X‐Ray Diffraction (XRD) analyses were used to investigate the stability of nanoparticles in the base fluid, purity, and crystallinity as well as chemical structure of nanoparticles, respectively. Then, the variation of dynamic viscosity and rheological behavior of the suspension and their dependency on pH, sonication durations, dispersing agent concentrations, and ratios of ceramic balls to nanoparticles weight was studied. The results showed that the rheological behavior of the suspension was similar to non‐Newtonian fluids, and a power‐law model with yield stress was able to justify this behavior. Moreover a correlation, including pH, sonication time, dispersing agent concentration, and the ratio of ceramic balls to nanoparticles weight as independent parameters, was developed to predict the power of the power‐law model. The model showed a low deviation, about 5%, from the experimental values and revealed the significant effect of pH, sonication time, and the ratio of mixing ceramic balls to nanoparticles on the rheological behavior of the suspension. More importantly, by implementing the method used in this work, a very low dynamic viscosity of 11.4 mPa.s was achieved.
Listening to Global Englishes: Script‐assisted shadowing
Authors: Hamada Yo , Suzuki Satoko
Published: October 2020

The current rise in interactions among English speakers with different accents entails occasional difficulties in understanding unfamiliar English accents. This study attempted to propose a teaching technique using shadowing to listen to unfamiliar English accents. The participants were 96 Japanese university students. One group worked on shadowing assisted by script, one on shadowing only, while the control group only listened and did not engage in shadowing. Five speech samples, each read in a different English accent, were used. A 75‐item dictation test (with 25 items each for Chinese, Italian, and American accents) was administered as both a pre‐ and post‐test. The results showed that while only shadowing practice alone may not promote perceptual adaptation, when accompanied by a script, it enhances students’ perceptual adaptation.
Does financial reporting quality vary across firm life cycle?
Authors: Krishnan Gopal V. , Myllymäki Emma‐Riikka , Nagar Neerav
Published: October 2020

This study provides empirical evidence that across firm life cycle there is considerable variation in financial reporting quality. Specifically, the focus is on matching quality captured by the contemporaneous correlation between revenues and expenses and on the likelihood of material misstatements in financial statements. On balance, we observe an inverted U‐shaped pattern of financial reporting quality, that is, lower quality during the introduction, growth, and decline stages, compared to the mature stage of firm life cycle. First, we find poor matching of expenses with revenues in the introduction, growth, and decline stages. This implies conservative or aggressive recognition of expenses, leading to less informative earnings, and hence lower financial reporting quality. Then, we examine the likelihood of material misstatements, measured by weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting, financial statement restatements, Securities and Exchange Commission's (SEC) accounting and auditing enforcement releases (AAER), and financial statement divergence (FSD) scores. We find clear indications that firms in the introduction, growth, and decline stages are significantly more likely to have misstatements in their financial statements compared to firms in the mature stage. Overall, the findings of this study enhance our understanding of the role of life‐cycle stages in causing variation in financial reporting quality.
Schizophrenia risk candidate EGR3 is a novel transcriptional regulator of RELN and regulates neurite outgrowth via the Reelin signal pathway in vitro
Authors: Nie Fayi , Zhang Qiaoxia , Ma Jie , Wang Pengjie , Gu Ruiying , Han Jing , Zhang Rui
Published: October 2020

Schizophrenia is a severe psychiatric disorder with a strong hereditary component that affects approximately 1% of the world's population. The disease is most likely caused by the altered expression of a number of genes that function at the level of biological pathways or gene networks. Transcription factors (TF) are indispensable regulators of gene expression. EGR3 is a TF associated with schizophrenia. In the current study, DNA microarray and ingenuity pathway analyses (IPA) demonstrated that EGR3 regulates Reelin signaling pathway in SH‐SY5Y cells. ChIP and luciferase reporter studies confirmed that EGR3 directly binds to the promoter region of RELN thereby activating RELN expression. The expression of both EGR3 and RELN was decreased during neuronal differentiation induced by retinoic acid (RA) in SH‐SY5Y cells, and EGR3 over‐expression reduced neurite outgrowth which could be partially reversed by the knockdown of RELN. The expression levels of EGR3 and RELN in peripheral blood of subjects with schizophrenia were found to be down‐regulated (compared with healthy controls), and were positively correlated. Furthermore, data mining from public databases revealed that the expression levels of EGR3 and RELN were presented a positive correlation in post‐mortem brain tissue of subjects with schizophrenia. Taken together, this study suggests that EGR3 is a novel TF of the RELN gene and regulates neurite outgrowth via the Reelin signaling pathway. Our findings contribute to the understanding of the regulatory role of EGR3 in the pathophysiology and molecular mechanisms of schizophrenia, and potentially to the development of new therapies and diagnostic biomarkers for the disorder.

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Death of an infant: Accessing the voices of bereaved mothers to create healing. A qualitative study
Authors: Hawthorne Dawn M. , Joyner Rachael , Gaucher Elena , Liehr Patricia
Published: October 2020

Aims and Objectives

To describe the health challenge for mothers whose infants have died and approaches and resources they used to manage the loss.

Background

The death of an infant is a devastating experience for families. Bereaved mothers have higher rates of mental distress, loneliness and isolation. While some learn to cope, others remain consumed by grief, unable to function, with persistent affective, cognitive and physical symptoms.

Design

Qualitative design guided by story theory.

Methods

In‐depth, semi‐structured interviews were conducted with mothers 13–36 months after the death of their infant. Looking at the present, past and future, mothers were asked to describe the health challenge of losing an infant and approaches used to manage the loss. The COREQ checklist was used.

Results

These mothers' experiences were captured in six main themes: ‘Painful aloneness’, ‘Blemished identity’, ‘Burden of being misunderstood’, ‘Being with and being heard’, ‘Being present and building a future’ and ‘Finding meaning in the tragedy’. In sharing their stories, mothers identified positive and negative encounters with healthcare professionals following the death of their infant.

Conclusion

After losing an infant, mothers experience an array of challenges as they move forward. They describe their approaches used to manage the loss. This included a need to be heard, feel supported and find meaning in the loss as they try to build a new future. Their stories express a need for health care encounters to be healing, allowing mothers to feel cared for and supported on their unique journeys towards a new sense of well‐being.

Relevance to clinical practice

In sharing their stories what matters most to these mothers having lost an infant emerged. The study findings can be used to guide nursing practice, incorporated into healthcare providers bereavement training, increase knowledge and build effective communication skills.
To what extent Unfinished Nursing Care tools coincide with the discrete elements of The Fundamentals of Care Framework? A comparative analysis based on a systematic review
Authors: Palese Alvisa , Longhini Jessica , Danielis Matteo
Published: October 2020

Aims and objectives

To establish whether, and to what extent, tools measuring Unfinished Nursing Care (UNC) that have been validated to date have the ability to detect the discrete elements of the ‘Integration of care’ dimension of The Fundamentals of Care Framework (The Framework).

Background

UNC and The Framework have been established as two separate research lines, focused on (a) omitted care and related tools, and (b) on how to improve patient care, respectively. However, no attempts have been made to date to establish whether, and to what extent, tools measuring UNC have the ability to represent the discrete elements of The Framework.

Design

A two‐step study: (a) a secondary analysis of a systematic review up to June 2018 later updated in May 2020, followed by (b) a comparative analysis.

Methods

A systematic review of studies on validated tools measuring UNC was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses guideline. Then, researchers independently performed a comparative analysis between the extracted (a) discrete elements of The Framework and (b) items of the UNC tools retrieved.

Results

A total of 14 tools were analysed. The physical dimension of The Framework was the one mostly covered by UNC tools (up to 87.5% with the Perceived Implicit Rationing of Nursing Care). The Norwegian Basel Extent of Rationing of Nursing Care showed the highest level of representation (41.6%) for the psychosocial dimension. Only the Perceived Implicit Rationing of Nursing Care and the Unfinished Care tool measure the relational dimension (22.2%, respectively). By considering all elements of the ‘Integration of care’ dimension, the Perceived Implicit Rationing of Care had the highest percentage of convergence (41%).

Conclusion

Not all UNC tools have the same ability to represent the discrete elements of The Framework. Moreover, physical needs are more often detected in UNC tools compared to the relational and psychological ones.

Relevance to clinical practice

Unfinished care tools validated to date can represent a body of knowledge on which to build The Framework metrics, especially for the physical dimensions.
Designing paper‐based records to improve the quality of nursing documentation in hospitals: A scoping review
Authors: Muinga Naomi , Abejirinde Ibukun‐Oluwa Omolade , Paton Chris , English Mike , Zweekhorst Marjolein
Published: October 2020

Background

Inpatient nursing documentation facilitates multi‐disciplinary team care and tracking of patient progress. In both high‐ and low‐ and middle‐income settings, it is largely paper‐based and may be used as a template for electronic medical records. However, there is limited evidence on how they have been developed.

Objective

To synthesise evidence on how paper‐based nursing records have been developed and implemented in inpatient settings to support documentation of nursing care.

Design

A scoping review guided by the Arksey and O'Malley framework and reported using PRISMA‐ScR guidelines.

Eligibility criteria

We included studies that described the process of designing paper‐based inpatient records and excluded those focussing on electronic records. Included studies were published in English up to October 2019.

Sources of evidence

PubMed, CINAHL, Web of Science and Cochrane supplemented by free‐text searches on Google Scholar and snowballing the reference sections of included papers.

Results

12 studies met the eligibility criteria. We extracted data on study characteristics, the development process and outcomes related to documentation of inpatient care. Studies reviewed followed a process of problem identification, literature review, chart (re)design, piloting, implementation and evaluation but varied in their execution of each step. All studies except one reported a positive change in inpatient documentation or the adoption of charts amid various challenges.

Conclusions

The approaches used seemed to work for each of the studies but could be strengthened by following a systematic process. Human‐centred Design provides a clear process that prioritises the healthcare professional's needs and their context to deliver a usable product. Problems with the chart could be addressed during the design phase rather than during implementation, thereby promoting chart ownership and uptake since users are involved throughout the design. This will translate to better documentation of inpatient care thus facilitating better patient tracking, improved team communication and better patient outcomes.

Relevance to clinical practice

Paper‐based charts should be designed in a systematic and clear process that considers patient's and healthcare professional's needs contributing to improved uptake of charts and therefore better documentation.
THE POLITICAL ECONOMY OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES: A REVIEW OF THE EMPIRICAL LITERATURE
Authors: Hu Haiqing , Chen Di , Chang Chun‐Ping , Chu Yin
Published: October 2020

As a key concern for human survival and development, environmental issues have been widely perceived to be impacted by various political institutional factors. A considerable body of literature has attempted to investigate how different political factors affect environmental policymaking and outcomes. In this paper, we critically review related scholarly works published in peer‐reviewed economic journals in the past 30 years, with an emphasis on the empirical literature. Political institutional factors considered in this survey include corruption, the general concept and specific elements of democracy, and the vertical structure of environmental regulation authority within different levels of governments (i.e. environmental federalism). Studies focusing on the interplay of these factors are also highlighted. Based on a critical review, we provide a guide to the datasets, methodologies, and main findings of the literature. We also point out the existing gaps, and put forward suggestions for future research directions.
Is Valsalva maneuver an alternative to use tenaculum for endometrial sampling procedure in cases where the cervix cannot be passed spontaneously with pipelle? A randomized study
Authors: Narin Raziye , Uysal Gülsüm , Baş Sevda , Narin Mehmet A. , Küçükbingöz Emine G.
Published: October 2020

Aim

To evaluate the effect of the Valsalva maneuver on ease of the endometrial sampling procedure in cases where the cervix cannot be passed spontaneously.

Methods

A randomized prospective trial was conducted in 84 patients whose cervix could not pass spontaneously with pipelle, and they were randomized for the Valsalva maneuver or tenaculum groups. In 43 of a total of 84 patients, we requested Valsalva maneuver throughout the process to pass the cervical canal, and in 41 patients, we performed tenaculum to pass the cervix.

Results

Valsalva and tenaculum groups did not differ in success rates (P = 0.314). There was no difference between the two groups in the history of the disease, past surgery and education (P > 0.05).

Conclusion

In endometrial sampling procedure with pipelle, when the cervix cannot be passed spontaneously, the transition with the Valsalva maneuver should be tried before using the tenaculum. Thus, a more painful procedure can be avoided and patient satisfaction may increase.
Management of the late blight (Phytophthora infestans) disease of potato in the southern hills of India
Authors: Mhatre Priyank Hanuman , Lekshmanan Divya K. , Palanisamy Venkatasalam E. , Bairwa Aarti , Sharma Sanjeev
Published: October 2020

Late blight of potato is considered to be the most devastating problem causing severe yield losses in potato worldwide. Among the different management strategies, the use of resistant cultivars is the most viable option, but the non‐availability of enough quantity of quality seed materials of resistant cultivars forces the farmers to grow susceptible cultivars with proper fungicide scheduling. Therefore, in the present study, chemical control using fungicide has been attempted with newer molecules in the susceptible cultivar along with a resistant cultivar as a positive control. All the tested fungicides were found safe, and no phytotoxicity was observed with any chemical at the applied rate. In resistant cultivar, no late blight was appeared in both the years, whereas maximum AUDPC was observed in the untreated control (276.3) and minimum (41.7) in mancozeb‐cymoxanil + mancozeb based scheduling which was found on par with chlorothalonil‐famoxadone + cymoxanil (51.3) and chlorothalonil‐ametoctradin + dimethomorph (53.5) based scheduling. Among the treatments, resistant cultivar, Kufri Girdhari followed by chlorothalonil‐ametoctradin + dimethomorph and mancozeb‐cymoxanil + mancozeb based fungicidal scheduling were proven as the best treatments for both the crop seasons resulting in the highest yield parameters. The disease severity showed a strong negative correlation with the tuber yield of potatoes in both the years. Based on overall observations including BC ratio, it can be concluded that, wherever seed material of resistant cultivar is available farmers should grow the same or else with susceptible cultivars the fungicidal scheduling based on mancozeb‐cymoxanil + mancozeb or chlorothalonil‐ametoctradin + dimethomorph can be followed to obtain the maximum returns with effective management of late blight at the southern hills of India.