bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Role of heat shock transcription factor 2 in the NMDA‐dependent neuroplasticity induced by chronic ethanol intake in mouse hippocampus
Authors: Drissi Ichrak , Deschamps Chloé , Alary Rachel , Robert Alexandre , Dubreuil Véronique , Le Mouël Anne , Mohammed Myriame , Sabéran‐Djoneidi Délara , Mezger Valérie , Naassila Mickael , Pierrefiche Olivier
Published: July 2020

Ethanol consumption impairs learning and memory through disturbances of NMDA‐type glutamate receptor‐dependent synaptic plasticity (long‐term depression [LTD] and long‐term potentiation [LTP]) in the hippocampus. Recently, we demonstrated that two ethanol binge‐like episodes in young adult rats selectively blocked NMDA‐LTD in hippocampal slices, increased NMDA receptor sensitivity to a GluN2B subunit antagonist, and induced cognitive deficits. Here, using knockout adult mice, we show that a stress‐responsive transcription factor of the heat shock factor family, HSF2, which is involved in the perturbation of brain development induced by ethanol, participates in these processes. In the absence of ethanol, hsf2−/− mice show a selective loss of LTD in the hippocampus, which is associated with an increased sensitivity of NMDA‐field excitatory postsynaptic potentials (fEPSPs) to a GluN2B antagonist, compared with wild‐type (WT) mice. These results suggest that HSF2 is required for proper glutamatergic synaptic transmission and LTD plasticity. After 1 month of chronic ethanol consumption in a two‐bottle choice paradigm, WT mice showed an increase in hippocampal synaptic transmission, an enhanced sensitivity to GluN2B antagonist, and a blockade of LTD. In contrast, such modulation of synaptic transmission and plasticity were absent in hsf2−/− mice. We conclude that HSF2 is an important mediator of both glutamatergic neurotransmission and synaptic plasticity in basal conditions and also mediates ethanol‐induced neuroadaptations of the hippocampus network after chronic ethanol intake.
First records of myxomycetes from Bathurst Island (one of the Tiwi Islands) in the Northern Territory, Australia
Authors: White Mary A. , Elliott Todd F. , Kennedy Brooke P. A. , Stephenson Steven L.
Published: July 2020

Myxomycetes, also known as plasmodial slime moulds or myxogastrids, are a widespread but often overlooked group of amoeboid eukaryotes. There are still many regions where they have been poorly studied or entirely overlooked. In an effort to more completely document myxomycete diversity and distribution in Australia, we provide the first report of myxomycete occurrence on the Tiwi Islands. Four of the species recorded from Bathurst Island are new records for the Northern Territory. This natural history note is based on 50 moist chamber cultures prepared with substrate samples collected on Bathurst Island. These cultures yielded 28 specimens representing a total of twelve species in eight genera.
An Australian, single‐centre study of surgical management outcomes for early‐stage cervical cancer
Authors: Weishaupt Jennifer , Saidi Samir , Carter Jonathan
Published: July 2020

Background

The Laparoscopic Approach to Cervical Cancer (LACC) trial is the first phase III randomised, multicentred trial to compare oncologic outcomes associated with open radical hysterectomy vs minimally invasive surgery (MIS) for treatment of early cervical cancer.

Aim

To evaluate our surgical experience in patients with early cervical cancer.

Methods and Materials

The Lifehouse Gynaecologic Oncology database was queried based upon the eligibility criteria of the LACC study and included all FIGO 2009 stage (1A1 with lymph vascular space invasion, 1A2, 1B1) cervical cancer women from 2008–2018. Patients were also included in our study if they had abdominal radical trachelectomy (ART), laparoscopic radical hysterectomy (TLRH) and robotic radical trachelectomy (RRT).

Results

Forty‐six women were identified with four exclusions. Thirty‐seven women had stage 1B1 disease, 24 had a squamous cell carcinoma, 15 had an adenocarcinoma and three had an adenosquamous carcinoma of the cervix. Of the 42 eligible patients, 32 underwent an open abdominal approach (26 total abdominal radical hysterectomy (TARH), six ART) and ten a MIS approach (nine TLRH and one RRT) with a mean follow‐up of 4.8 years. All 42 women had a pelvic lymph node dissection, eight women had nodal metastases and 16 patients received adjuvant chemoradiation. Two of the nine women in the laparoscopic radical hysterectomy group had a recurrence. Both had adenocarcinoma, stage 1B1 disease. There were no recurrences in the TARH group or radical trachelectomy groups.

Conclusion

Our data, albeit limited in number, have reflected the results of the LACC trial that MIS was associated with a lower disease‐free survival than open radical hysterectomy.
Intra‐operative methadone effect on quality of recovery compared with morphine following laparoscopic gastroplasty: a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Pontes J. P. J. , Braz F. R. , Módolo N. S. P. , Mattar L. A. , Sousa J. A. G. , Navarro e Lima L. H.
Published: July 2020

The effect of intra‐operative intravenous methadone on quality of postoperative recovery was compared with morphine after laparoscopic gastroplasty. We included 137 adult patients with a body mass index > 35 kg.m−2 who underwent bariatric surgery. Patients were allocated at random to receive either intra‐operative methadone (n = 69) or morphine (n = 68). All patients received the same postoperative care and analgesia. The primary outcome of postoperative quality of recovery was assessed using the Quality of Recovery‐40 questionnaire total score 24 h after surgery. Secondary outcomes were assessed in the post‐anaesthesia care unit the night of the day of surgery (T1), in the morning after surgery (T2); and at night on the day following surgery (T3). The median (IQR [range]) total Quality of Recovery‐40 questionnaire score of 194 (190–197 [165–200]) was higher (p < 0.0001) in the methadone group compared with the score of 181 (174–185.5 [121–200]) in the morphine group. In the post‐anaesthesia care unit, the pain burden; incidence of nausea and vomiting; rescue morphine dose; and time to discharge, were significantly lower in the methadone group. On the ward, the methadone group had a lower: incidence of rescue morphine requests at T1 (5.8 vs. 54.4%, p < 0.0001) and T2 (0 vs. 20.1%, p < 0.0001); and incidence of nausea (21.7 vs. 41.2%, p = 0.014), compared with the morphine group. We conclude that intra‐operative intravenous methadone improved quality of recovery in patients who underwent laparoscopic gastroplasty, compared with intra‐operative morphine. Methadone also reduced postoperative pain, postoperative opioid consumption and the incidence of opioid‐related adverse events.
Subjective global assessment of nutrition, dialysis quality, and the theory of the scientific method in Nephrology practice
Authors: Zsom Lajos , Zsom Marianna , Abdul Salim Sohail , Fülöp Tibor
Published: July 2020

In an era of evidence‐based medicine and dialysis performance measures, there is strong motivation to find specific, objective, quantifiable, and reproducible parameters to characterize the clinical condition of chronic kidney disease patients and to present population‐wide statistics that may describe quality of care in dialysis centers. Yet, in the last three decades, several studies demonstrated that while parameters including Kt/V urea, serum phosphorus, parathyroid hormone, serum cholesterol fulfill all these criteria, efforts to optimize these lab parameters failed to improve survival on dialysis. However, subjective assessments of nutrition including subjective global assessment and malnutrition–inflammation score, while not ideally suited for statistical analysis and not optimal from the point of view of scientific methodology due to their general, semi‐quantifiable, subjective nature have, nevertheless, proved themselves as some of the strongest predictors of clinical outcomes in the dialysis population. Where does this paradox leave us? We propose that a deeper understanding of relevance of these variables in the dialysis population may improve appreciation of the clinical situation of individual patients and may result in a paradigm shift from dialysis adequacy to quality dialysis.
Hypersensitivity to amphetamine's psychomotor and reinforcing effects in serotonin transporter knockout rats: Glutamate in the nucleus accumbens
Authors: Caffino Lucia , Verheij Michel M. M. , Roversi Karine , Targa Giorgia , Mottarlini Francesca , Popik Piotr , Nikiforuk Agnieska , Golebiowska Joanna , Fumagalli Fabio , Homberg Judith R.
Published: July 2020

Background and Purpose

Amphetamine (AMPH) use disorder is a serious health concern, but, surprisingly, little is known about the vulnerability to the moderate and compulsive use of this psychostimulant and its underlying mechanisms. Previous research showed that inherited serotonin transporter (SERT) down‐regulation increases the motor response to cocaine, as well as moderate (as measured during daily 1‐h self‐administration sessions) and compulsive (as measured during daily 6‐h self‐administration sessions) intake of this psychostimulant. Here, we sought to investigate whether these findings generalize to AMPH and the underlying mechanisms in the nucleus accumbens.

Experimental Approach

In serotonin transporter knockout (SERT−/−) and wild‐type control (SERT+/+) rats, we assessed the locomotor response to acute AMPH and i.v. AMPH self‐administration under short access (ShA: 1‐h daily sessions) and long access (LgA: 6‐h daily sessions) conditions. Twenty‐four hours after AMPH self‐administration, we analysed the expression of glutamate system components in the nucleus accumbens shell and core.

Key Results

We found that SERT−/− animals displayed an increased AMPH‐induced locomotor response and increased AMPH self‐administration under LgA but not ShA conditions. Further, we observed changes in the vesicular and glial glutamate transporters, NMDA and AMPA receptor subunits, and their respective postsynaptic scaffolding proteins as function of SERT genotype and AMPH exposure (baseline, ShA, and LgA), specifically in the nucleus accumbens shell.

Conclusion and Implications

We demonstrate that SERT gene deletion increases the psychomotor and reinforcing effects of AMPH and that the latter is potentially mediated, at least in part, by homeostatic changes in the glutamatergic synapse of the nucleus accumbens shell and/or core.
The complication rate of intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) in a multicenter pediatric heart transplant population: A study of the international pediatric IVUS consortium
Authors: Auerbach Scott R. , Fenton Matthew J. , Grutter Giorgia , Albert Dimpna C. , Di‐Filippo Sylvie , Burch Michael , Kuhn Michael A.
Published: July 2020

Background

Our purpose was to determine the complication rate from intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) in a large, multicenter cohort of pediatric heart transplant (PHT) patients.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed all PHT who underwent IVUS at 5 institutions (2006‐2014). Rates of major and minor complications were calculated. All adverse events (AE) were graded from 1 to 5 using a previously published AE severity scale.

Results

There were 1380 catheterizations in 505 patients and 32 AE (2.3%); 9 major (0.6%) and 23 AE (1.7%). The major AE attributed to IVUS were all coronary artery vasospasm (7). Major and minor AE rates directly related to IVUS were 0.5% and 0.7%, respectively. Minor AE possibly attributable to IVUS included excessive fluoroscopy (3) and transient ST segment changes (7). Of AE related to IVUS, only 3 were of moderate severity. The rest were ≤ minor in severity. There were no reports of coronary artery dissection or death.

Conclusion

Most AE during routine PHT coronary evaluation with IVUS were minor and not directly related to the use of IVUS. The number of coronary related AE was similar to a registry‐based report of coronary angiography alone. Efforts to minimize IVUS‐related complications should be focused on preventing coronary artery vasospasm.
The Impact of Safe Harbor Legislation on Court Proceedings Involving Sex Trafficked Youth: A Qualitative Investigation of Judicial Perspectives
Authors: Sprang Ginny , Cole Jennifer , Leistner Christine , Ascienzo Sarah
Published: July 2020

The passage of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) facilitated the conceptual shift in reframing youth involved in sex trafficking as victims, rather than criminals. Many states have passed legislation in the form of Safe Harbor laws to protect sex trafficked juveniles from criminal charges and provide rehabilitative services (Polaris, 2015). Nevertheless, limited research has examined the impact of Safe Harbor laws and the role juvenile and family court judges play in how minor victims of sex trafficking are treated by the court system. Consequently, the purpose of this qualitative study was to examine juvenile and family court judges’ knowledge and perceptions of Safe Harbor legislation and identify legal challenges when presiding over cases involving sexually exploited youth. Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with a national sample (N = 82) of family and juvenile court judges. Findings suggest that respondents perceive Safe Harbor laws to have positively affected both attitudes and practices, although several challenges and unintended negative effects were identified. Further, dispositional issues, difficulties with case identification, legal and policy issues, and challenges with interagency collaboration were identified as ongoing issues to address. Legal implications as well as practice and policy considerations based on the study findings are discussed.
Evaluation of Topics in Utah's ONE‐HOUR Divorce Education Program
Authors: Kopystynska Olena , Turner Joshua J. , Schramm David G. , Higginbotham Brian
Published: July 2020

Divorce education programs are mandatory in most states. Despite the ongoing debate in the field regarding the appropriate duration of these programs, the goal of the current study was to identify the following five content areas in divorce education that may be most relevant for predicting favorable outcomes: (1) impact of divorce on children, (2) impact of divorce on family relationships, (3) financial responsibilities of divorcing parents for children, (4) benefits of positive coparenting, and (5) impact of domestic violence on children and family relationships. Using divorcing parents' self‐reported data (N = 3,275) from a one‐hour online divorce education program in Utah, we examined participants' post‐divorce intentions to treat each other respectfully, especially in front of the child(ren), and engage in positive coparental practices. The results showed that the program was effective in obtaining these objectives. We discuss these findings in depth and offer suggestions for future programs.
Emerging Parenting Coordination Practices Around the Globe: What We Have Learned
Authors: Capdevila Brophy Connie , D'Abate Dominic A. , Mazzoni Silvia , Giudice Elena
Published: July 2020

Parenting coordination is emerging in numerous countries around the globe as a response to the need to protect children in families whose parents experience high conflict following their separation or divorce. This article describes the different trends in the implementation of parenting coordination programs in Canada, Spain, and Italy and the socio‐legal contexts in which they have evolved. An analysis will also be presented of the unique challenges faced by these countries and the ensuing debates on issues related to the referral process, legal procedures, decision‐making authority, judicial immunity, confidentiality, and professional requirements and training for the appointment of parenting coordinators. The authors will present what has been learned from their respective experiences and make recommendations to promote continued development.
Phenotypic responses of invasive species to removals affect ecosystem functioning and restoration
Authors: Závorka Libor , Lassus Rémy , Britton John Robert , Cucherousset Julien
Published: July 2020

Reducing the abundances of invasive species by removals aims to minimize their ecological impacts and enable ecosystem recovery. Removal methods are usually selective, modifying phenotypic traits in the managed populations. However, there is little empirical evidence of how removal‐driven changes in multiple phenotypic traits of surviving individuals of invasive species can affect ecosystem functioning and recovery. Overcoming this knowledge gap is highly relevant because individuals are the elemental units of ecological processes and so integrating individual‐level responses into the management of biological invasions could improve their efficiency. Here we provide novel demonstration that removals by trapping, angling and biocontrol from lakes of the globally invasive crayfish Procambarus clarkii induced substantial changes in multiple phenotypic traits. A mesocosm experiment then revealed that these changes in phenotypic traits constrain recovery of basic ecosystem functions (decomposition of organic matter, benthic primary production) by acting in the opposite direction than the effects of reduced invader abundance. However, only minor ecological impacts of invader abundance and phenotypic traits variation remained a year after its complete eradication. Our study provides quantitative evidence to an original idea that removal‐driven trait changes can dampen recovery of invaded ecosystems even when the abundance of invasive species is substantially reduced. We suggest that the phenotypic responses of invaders to the removal programme have strong effects on ecosystem recovery and should be considered within the management of biological invasions, particularly when complete eradication is not achievable.
Feminist solidarities: Theoretical and practical complexities
Authors: Littler Jo , Rottenberg Catherine
Published: July 2020

This article considers the resurgence of interest in feminist solidarity in theory and practice in the contemporary moment in the United States and UK. What does feminist solidarity mean, what forms is it taking, and how might it proliferate? We begin by mapping the changing inflections of solidarity in recent feminist cultural theory, highlighting the range of theoretical components, investments and emphases. Next, we consider the various forms of solidarity presented and created by the Women’s March and the Women’s Strike, analysing the differences in terms of the extent of their reach and their political economy. We argue that both phenomena can be understood as reactions to, firstly, several decades of neoliberal impoverishment, which have now exposed neoliberal iterations of feminism as fundamentally inadequate; and secondly, and relatedly, the arrival of misogynistic and reactionary forms of nationalism. Finally, we show that different approaches to feminist solidarity, as well as an expansion of alliances, are necessary in order to extend contemporary feminism as an effective and large‐scale project. We therefore argue that feminist solidarity needs to retain its genealogical roots in left politics whilst being as plural as possible in practice.
Joint health and treatment modalities in Nordic patients with moderate haemophilia A and B – The MoHem study
Authors: Måseide Ragnhild J. , Berntorp Erik , Astermark Jan , Olsson Anna , Bruzelius Maria , Frisk Tony , Nummi Vuokko , Lassila Riitta , Tjønnfjord Geir E. , Holme Pål A.
Published: July 2020

Introduction

The prevalence of arthropathy in moderate haemophilia A (MHA) and B (MHB) is not well known.

Aim

We evaluated joint health in Nordic patients in relation to their treatment modality.

Methods

A cross‐sectional, multicentre study covering MHA and MHB in Sweden, Finland and Norway. Arthropathy was evaluated by ultrasound (HEAD‐US) and Haemophilia Joint Health Score (HJHS).

Results

We report on 145 patients: median age 28 years (IQR 13‐52) and 61% MHA. Baseline factor VIII/factor IX activity (FVIII/FIX:C) was 2 IU/dL (median) (IQR 2‐4): lower for MHB (2 IU/dL, IQR 1‐2) than MHA (3 IU/dL, IQR 2‐4) (P < .01). Eighty‐five per cent of MHA and 73% MHB had a history of haemarthrosis (P = .07). Age at first joint bleed was lower for MHA (5 years [median], IQR 3‐7) than MHB (7 years, IQR 5‐12) (P = .01). Thirty‐eight per cent received prophylaxis, started at median 10 years of age (IQR 4‐24). Median joint bleeds and serious other bleeds during the last 12 months were both zero (IQR 0‐1). Total HEAD‐US captured 0/48 points (median) (IQR 0‐2) and HJHS 4/120 points (IQR 1‐10) with strong correlation between them (r = .72). FVIII/FIX:C ≤ 3 IU/dL was associated with higher HJHS (P = .04). Fifteen per cent had undergone orthopaedic surgery.

Conclusion

The current joint health in Nordic moderate haemophilia patients was rather good, but a subgroup had severe arthropathy. FVIII/FIX:C ≤ 3 IU/dL and MHA were associated with a more severe bleeding phenotype. We suggest primary prophylaxis to all patients with FVIII/FIX:C ≤ 3 IU/dL.
Job satisfaction, work environment and intent to stay of Jordanian midwives
Authors: Alnuaimi K. , Ali R. , Al‐Younis N.
Published: July 2020

Aim

The aims of this study were to (1) assess the levels of Jordanian midwives’ job satisfaction, intention to stay and work environment; (2) examine the relationship between work environment and intention to stay, and the level of job satisfaction among midwives working in Jordanian hospitals and maternal and child health centres and (3) to investigate the associations between job satisfaction and selected demographic variables among Jordanian midwives.

Background

The shortage, turnover and retention of midwives are global problems and Jordan is one of the countries thathas a shortage of midwifery workforce. Job satisfaction is well studied among nurses worldwide; however, there are inadequate studies that have assessed the job satisfaction among midwives including Jordan.

Methods

A descriptive, correlational design survey was used and a sample of 413 midwives were recruited from 14 different hospital settings (12 governmental and 2 teaching hospitals) and 8 health centres.

Results

The levels of job satisfaction of Jordanian midwives were neither satisfied nor unsatisfied. The overall mean intent to stay at work was between neutral to agree in general. A positive significant correlation was found between job satisfaction, work environment and intent to stay. The work environment was neither a favourable nor an unfavourable.

Conclusion and implications for nursing, health and education policy

Jordanian midwives have neutral job satisfaction and work environment. Managerial plans and interventions are needed to improve midwives' job satisfaction and to create a favourable work environment which might reflect positively on their work and performance and improve their retention. Policymakers and mangers should enhance midwives’ job satisfaction through external reward via salary, vacation and benefits packages. Engaging in research activities, publication and more collaboration with academic staff may improve midwives’ professional development. Midwives should take more active roles in hospital affairs and receive more support by their management in Jordan.
An economic evaluation examining the cost‐effectiveness of continuous diffusion of oxygen therapy for individuals with diabetic foot ulcers
Authors: Chan Brian C.‐F. , Campbell Karen E.
Published: July 2020

Continuous delivery of oxygen therapy has been observed to improve healing for individuals with an advanced diabetic foot ulcer (DFU). However, this intervention requires the purchasing of an oxygen delivery device and moist dressings. It is unknown whether this upfront financial investment represents good value for money. Thus the aim of this project is to evaluate the cost‐effectiveness of treating advanced DFU using continuous delivery of oxygen compared with negative pressure wound therapy from the perspective of the public health care payer in Ontario, Canada. A microsimulation model was constructed with inputs from peer‐reviewed journal publications and publicly available reports. The 5‐year costs and quality‐adjusted life‐years were compared between treatment and comparator. Sensitivity analyses were conducted to evaluate the robustness of results. The model predicted that continuous delivery of oxygen would cost $4800 less compared with negative pressure wound therapy and increased quality‐adjusted life years by 0.025. Lower cost and improved outcomes were observed in most scenario analyses. The results of this economic evaluation suggest that CDO therapy may reduce health care economic burden with a modest increase in quality of life outcomes. Health care decision‐makers should consider the inclusion of CDO for the treatment of DFU.
Chilling stress tolerance of two soya bean cultivars: Phenotypic and molecular responses
Authors: Kuczyński Jakub , Twardowski Tomasz , Nawracała Jerzy , Gracz‐Bernaciak Joanna , Tyczewska Agata
Published: July 2020

Chilling stress is a major factor limiting the yield of soya bean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] on a global scale. However, the regulatory network that controls the chilling response of soya bean remains unclear. In the present study, phenotyping and quantitative analyses of miRNAs in soya bean under chilling stress were carried out to determine the impact of environmental constraints on soya bean productivity. Measurements done during soya bean growth in chilling along with the results of field trials indicated that the cultivars Augusta and Fiskeby V responded differently to low temperatures. Although chilling affected the reproductive development of both cultivars, the final seed output remained unchanged. The differential expression of miR169, miR319, miR397 and miR398 under cold stress was detected using ddPCR. Upon chilling in the reproductive stage, we found that these miRNAs had contrasting expression profiles in Augusta and Fiskeby V. A set of candidate target genes was predicted based on degradome sequencing data. A negative correlation was found between the expression of miR169, miR319 and miR398 and their targets in the roots of both cultivars. Our work elucidates the impact of chilling stress on the productivity of two soya bean cultivars and reveals the importance of miRNA involvement in the low temperature response.
CEO turnover and bankrupt firms’ emergence
Authors: Lin Beiqi , Liu Chelsea , Tan Kelvin Jui Keng , Zhou Qing
Published: July 2020

This paper examines whether CEO turnover within a bankrupt firm predicts the firm's likelihood to reemerge from bankruptcy proceedings as a reorganized entity. Using 836 bankruptcy cases filed under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code from 1989 through 2016, we show that firms that undergo CEO turnover are significantly more likely to emerge from Chapter 11 proceedings. We conduct further analyses to examine the potential mechanisms through which CEO turnover is linked to a firm's chance of emergence. Consistent with the perspective that CEO turnover constitutes an observable event that can signal creditor support, we find that CEO turnover in bankrupt firms is positively associated with debtor‐in‐possession financing. Additionally, there is a significant increase in managerial quality post‐turnover. Further, we document that the predictive power of CEO turnover is stronger in bankruptcy cases with greater uncertainty, such as in free‐fall bankruptcies, where there is less preexisting agreement between the firm and its creditors. Overall, our findings provide valuable insight into external investors and stakeholder groups, whose interests are significantly impacted by corporate bankruptcies.
A review of learning demands in instructional animations: The educational effectiveness of animations unfolds if the features of change need to be learned
Authors: Ploetzner Rolf , Berney Sandra , Bétrancourt Mireille
Published: July 2020

In a systematic review, 194 studies on learning from animation were analysed. The analysis covers the learning domains, the representational characteristics of the animations, the assessed perceptual and cognitive achievements, and the assessment formats. Research on learning from animation focuses on assessing conceptual at the neglect of kinematic mental models. This is in contrast to an important rationale for making use of animations: that it needs to be learned what animations can specifically display, namely, how change in space and time occurs. This might explain why meta‐analyses which compared the effectiveness of animations and static pictures found merely small overall effect sizes in favour of animations. To confirm this hypothesis, one meta‐analysis was re‐analysed with a new moderator. It encodes whether the features of the displayed changes were relevant to learning. Learning from animations was significantly more successful than learning from static pictures, if the features of the displayed changes had to be learned.
An allele of rs619586 polymorphism in MALAT1 alters the invasiveness of meningioma via modulating the expression of collagen type V alpha (COL5A1)
Authors: Zheng Jie , Pang Chang‐he , Du Wei , Wang Lei , Sun Lai‐guang , Xing Zhen‐yi
Published: July 2020

The rs619586 polymorphism has been shown to alter the expression of MALAT1, which act as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) against miR‐145. And miR‐145 was found to target COL5A1, the interaction between which was shown to be involved in the pathogenesis of invasive meningioma. In this study, we aimed to explore the effect of rs619586 polymorphism and its underlying molecular mechanism in invasive meningioma. Real‐time PCR and Western Blot analysis were used to study the differentiated expression of miR‐145, MALAT1 (metastasis‐associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1) and COL5A1 (collagen alpha‐1(V) chain) in tumour/serum samples genotyped as rs619586 AA, AG and GG. Computational analysis and luciferase reporter assay were also conducted to identify the regulatory relationship between miR‐145 and MALAT1/COL5A1. Meanwhile, expression of miR‐145 and COL5A1 in different cell treatment groups was measured to validate the results obtained from earlier experiments. As shown by the results and in tumour/serum samples genotyped as AA, AG and GG, the expression of both MALAT1 and COL5A1 was down‐regulated in a stepwise fashion, while the expression of miR‐145 was increased, suggesting a potential negative relationship between MALAT1/COL5A1 and miR‐145. Meanwhile, miR‐145 was shown to bind to MALAT1, while COL5A1 was identified as a virtual target gene of miR‐145. As a consequence, a MALAT1/miR‐145/COL5A1 molecular pathway was established based on the above results. In particular, with the presence of rs619586 A>G polymorphism, the expression of MALAT1 and COL5A1 was both reduced, leading to reduced invasiveness of meningioma.
S‐adenosylmethionine in combination with decitabine shows enhanced anti‐cancer effects in repressing breast cancer growth and metastasis
Authors: Mahmood Niaz , Arakelian Ani , Cheishvili David , Szyf Moshe , Rabbani Shafaat A.
Published: July 2020

Abnormal DNA methylation orchestrates many of the cancer‐related gene expression irregularities such as the inactivation of tumour suppressor genes through hypermethylation as well as activation of prometastatic genes through hypomethylation. The fact that DNA methylation abnormalities can be chemically reversed positions the DNA methylation machinery as an attractive target for anti‐cancer drug development. However, although in vitro studies suggested that targeting concordantly hypo‐ and hypermethylation is of benefit in suppressing both oncogenic and prometastatic functions of breast cancer cells, this has never been tested in a therapeutic setting in vivo. In this context, we investigated the combined therapeutic effects of an approved nutraceutical agent S‐adenosylmethionine (SAM) and FDA‐approved hypomethylating agent decitabine using the MDA‐MB‐231 xenograft model of breast cancer and found a pronounced reduction in mammary tumour volume and lung metastasis compared to the animals in the control and monotherapy treatment arms. Immunohistochemical assessment of the primary breast tumours showed a significantly reduced expression of proliferation (Ki‐67) and angiogenesis (CD31) markers following combination therapy as compared to the control group. Global transcriptome and methylome analyses have revealed that the combination therapy regulates genes from several key cancer‐related pathways that are abnormally expressed in breast tumours. To our knowledge, this is the first preclinical study demonstrating the anti‐cancer therapeutic potential of using a combination of methylating (SAM) and demethylating agent (decitabine) in vivo. Results from this study provide a molecularly founded rationale for clinically testing a combination of agents targeting the epigenome to reduce the morbidity and mortality from breast cancer.
Implementation of a multidisciplinary rehabilitation program for patients with chronic low back pain—experiences and perspectives of rehabilitation team members
Authors: Faymonville Lisa , Schmidt Anne Mette , Handberg Charlotte
Published: July 2020

Study rationale

Low back pain is a common condition and one of the leading reasons for years of chronic disability. Rehabilitation has been shown to be effective on low back pain, because it is based on the complex and multifactorial mechanisms that low back pain entails.

Aim

The aim of this study was to describe and interpret rehabilitation team members' experiences and perspectives regarding an integrated rehabilitation program for patients with chronic low back pain.

Methods and Materials

This qualitative study used the Interpretive Description methodology. Data consisted of participant observation of 28 rehabilitation team members and four semi‐structured focus group interviews with 20 of the 28 participants. The COREQ checklist was used to consolidate the findings in the study.

Results

The results represented an insight into rehabilitation team members' experiences and perspectives regarding the implementation of an integrated rehabilitation program for patients with chronic low back pain. The significance of the rehabilitation team members' expectations was underlined as they initially had positive expectations but along the implementing of the program found their expectations challenged. The challenges they experienced were related to their professional competence, the incongruity of the two programs being compared, and to their utilization of quick fixes.

Conclusion

This Interpretive Description study provides insight into the complexity and challenges related to implementation practice. It identifies important elements when implementing a new rehabilitation intervention in clinical practice and emphasizes the importance of expectations among rehabilitation team members in the implementation process. There should be a specific focus on the importance of involving rehabilitation team members when new interventions are to be implemented, as participation contributes to increased positivity in relation to new initiatives.
MANAGING FOR RATINGS: REAL EFFECTS OF A CORPORATE RATINGS CRITERIA CHANGE
Authors: Alanis Emmanuel , Payne Janet , Picard Joerg
Published: July 2020

We exploit a criteria change by Standard & Poor's (S&P) to examine the real effects of a credit ratings change. Using a recalibration by S&P, unrelated to firms’ fundamentals, as a quasi‐natural experiment we analyze the impact of a ratings upgrade on the issuance activity, investment, cash holdings, and payout policy of companies. Our findings suggest upgraded firms subsequently issue more debt relative to equity, enjoy lower debt yields, and increase their investment rate and share repurchases. We find limited evidence that upgraded firms decrease their cash holdings. Our results support the view that credit ratings have a real effect on corporations.
Hydrodynamic effect on non‐stationary vehicles at varying Froude numbers under subcritical flows on flat roadways
Authors: Shah Syed Muzzamil Hussain , Mustaffa Zahiraniza , Matínez‐Gomariz Eduardo , Yusof Khamaruzaman Wan
Published: July 2020

Water is essentially a powerful component, strong enough to even move vehicles at the lowest hydraulic parameters. The flow orientation as well as the geometric and physical characteristics of a vehicle attribute to the way floodwaters affect and control the vehicle. Herein an effort has been made to study the hydrodynamic impact on a non‐stationary vehicle partially submerged attempting to cross a flooded roadway (flat conditions). In arriving at the outcomes, extensive experimental testing was carried out on a Malaysian made city car, Perodua Viva (1:10), which was controlled to be partially submerged under the influence of subcritical flows. The experimental data was proven through theoretical equations based on the instability failure modes. The variation of the Froude number with respect to varying hydrodynamic forces has been further explored and conversed. The incipient velocity formulation proposed herein has been validated through the experimental data and the results showed good agreement between the two with a correlation coefficient ofR2= 0.85. Among the main findings, it was noticed that the buoyancy force governed vehicle weight at depths greater than and equal to 0.0457 m for the scaled model. On the other hand, below critical depth, the dominancy of the drag force over frictional resistance and driving force caused sliding instability.
Microbiological stability and general sensory acceptance of microfiltered skim milk with agave fructans of a high degree of polymerization added
Authors: Ceja‐Medina Luis I. , Jiménez‐Fernández Maribel , Andrade‐González Isaac , Navarrete‐Guzmán Antonio , Chacón‐López Martina A. , García‐Magaña María L. , Bonilla‐Cárdenas Jorge A. , Ortiz‐Basurto Rosa I.
Published: July 2020

Skim milk was microfiltered in a pilot system equipped with ceramic membranes that have a novel configuration in their active layer, for the production of microbiologically‐stable milk. The linear velocity (LV), temperature (T), and transmembrane pressure (TMP) were studied to assess the effect on bacterial reduction and protein permeation in the microfiltration system. Statistical analysis showed significant effects (α= 0.05) of T on flux, LV on protein permeation, and all the three conditions on the logarithmic reduction of microorganisms. The optimal operational conditions in the system obtained by the surface response method were LV = 6 m/s, T = 30°C, and TMP = 1.5 bar. These operational conditions ensured high filtration performance and a logarithmic reduction of bacteria by 4.55 log and extension of the shelf life to 5 days during storage at 4°C, the microbiological stability of microfiltered milk was not affected by the addition of prebiotic agave fructans of a high degree of polymerization. The microfiltration allows microbiological stability, conservation of functional compounds, and preservation of organoleptic sensory properties of milk, for the production of healthy and innocuous fresh dairy products with higher shelf life.
Spatial User Experience: A Multidisciplinary Approach to Assessing Physical Settings
Authors: Juliá Nehme Begoña , Rodríguez Eugenio , Yoon So–Yeon
Published: July 2020

In the fields of Product Design and Human–Computer Interaction, the term User Experience has been used to describe the interaction with products and systems. The largest product that humans interact with is the built environment. We use the built environment constantly for various functions. Based on a thorough review of the literature from multiple disciplinary sources, we introduce a model of Spatial User Experience (SUE), in which we define six dimensions as the main influential factors of the User Experience. These dimensions are categorized into two groups: (1) Ergonomic–Instrumental, including Spatial Cognition, Physical Compatibility, and Environmental Compatibility; and (2) Affective, comprising Emotional Reaction, Spatial Appreciation, and Proxemics. Furthermore, the User Experience influences behavioral responses, which will depend on the context and the activity performed. The model aims to be flexible enough to be applied in different physical settings. Its purpose is to contribute to the theory building in User Experience and Interior Design and to provide a foundation for empirical research. Future studies will be able to further validate the relationships defined in the model in diverse physical settings, identifying the dimensions that have greater impact on the User Experience. Ultimately, it is our objective to orient practitioners in the design of places that foster positive experiences and well–being.
Multiple team membership and job performance: The role of employees’ information‐sharing networks
Authors: van de Brake Hendrik J. , Walter Frank , Rink Floor A. , Essens Peter J.M.D. , van der Vegt Gerben S.
Published: July 2020

Individuals in contemporary work organizations are often involved in multiple teams at the same time. This study uses a social capital perspective to propose that employees’ multiple team memberships (MTM) offer the potential for individual performance benefits and detriments, depending on the characteristics of an employee’s information‐sharing network. To test our predictions, we gathered both archival and survey data at an organization for applied research in the Netherlands. We found that individual MTM was indirectly associated with an employee’s overall job performance by increasing the size of his or her information‐sharing network. As expected, however, this indirect relationship was contingent on the average strength of an employee’s network ties (i.e., the frequency of the respective interactions), such that MTM only improved overall performance when network ties were relatively weak. The indirect relationship between MTM and individual job performance was negative, by contrast, when an employee’s network ties were relatively strong. Together, these findings advance our understanding of the mechanisms and contingency factors that shape the performance consequences associated with individuals’ concurrent membership in multiple teams.

Practitioner points

An employee’s membership in multiple teams at the same time increases the size of his or her information‐sharing network within the organization.

The performance consequences associated with this increased information‐sharing network hinge on the characteristics of an employee’s information‐sharing network.

If the respective information‐sharing linkages are based on relatively infrequent interactions with colleagues, an employee’s multiple team membership indirectly benefits his or her overall job performance.

If the respective information‐sharing linkages are based on relatively frequent and intense interactions with colleagues, however, an employee’s multiple team membership indirectly diminishes his or her overall job performance.
Novel clinicopathological characteristics differentiate dementia with Lewy bodies from Parkinson’s disease dementia
Authors: Hansen D. , Ling H. , Lashley T. , Foley J. A. , Strand C. , Eid T. M. , Holton J. L. , Warner T. T.
Published: July 2020

Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) and Parkinson’s disease dementia (PDD) known as Lewy body dementias have overlapping clinical and neuropathological features. Neuropathology in both includes combination of Lewy body and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) pathology. Cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA), often seen in AD, is increasingly recognized for its association with dementia.

Aims

This study investigated clinical and neuropathological differences between DLB and PDD.

Methods

52 PDD and 16 DLB cases from the Queen Square Brain Bank (QSBB) for Neurological disorders were included. Comprehensive clinical data of motor and cognitive features were obtained from medical records. Neuropathological assessment included examination of CAA, Lewy body and AD pathology.

Results

CAA was more common in DLB than in PDD (P = 0.003). The severity of CAA was greater in DLB than in PDD (P = 0.009), with significantly higher CAA scores in the parietal lobe (P = 0.043), and the occipital lobe (P = 0.008), in DLB than in PDD. The highest CAA scores were observed in cases with APOE ε4/4 and ε2/4. Survival analysis showed worse prognosis in DLB, as DLB reached each clinical milestone sooner than PDD. Absence of dyskinesia in DLB is linked to the significantly lower lifetime cumulative dose of levodopa in comparison with PDD.

Conclusions

This is the first study which identified prominent concurrent CAA pathology as a pathological substrate of DLB. More prominent CAA and rapid disease progression as measured by clinical milestones distinguish DLB from PDD.
Mental distress and influencing factors in nurses caring for patients with COVID‐19
Authors: Leng Min , Wei Lili , Shi Xiaohui , Cao Guorong , Wei Yuling , Xu Hong , Zhang Xiaoying , Zhang Wenwen , Xing Shuyun , Wei Holly
Published: July 2020

Background

Nurses are experiencing tremendous stress during the new coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic, especially intensive care nurses. The pandemic of the disease is a tragedy, which may leave a catastrophic psychological imprint on nurses. Understanding nurses' mental distress can help when implementing interventions to mitigate psychological injuries to nurses.

Aims and objectives

To quantify the severity of nurses' post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and stress and explore the influencing factors of their psychological health when caring for patients with COVID‐19.

Design

A cross‐sectional survey.

Methods

The PTSD Checklist‐Civilian and the Perceived Stress Scale were administered from 11 to 18 March 2020, to 90 nurses selected from another city to go and help an intensive care unit (ICU) in Wuhan, China. These nurses were selected because of their high levels of clinical performance and resilience status.

Results

Nurses' average PTSD score was 24.62 ± 6.68, and five (5.6%) of the nurses reported a clinically significant level of PTSD symptoms (>38 points). Nurses' perceived stress averaged 19.33 ± 7, and 20 nurses (22.22%) scored positively >25 points. Nurses' stress and PTSD symptoms were positively correlated (P < .01). Major stress sources included working in an isolated environment, concerns about personal protective equipment shortage and usage, physical and emotional exhaustion, intensive workload, fear of being infected, and insufficient work experiences with COVID‐19.

Conclusions

This study showed that even relatively highly resilient nurses experienced some degree of mental distress, including PTSD symptoms and perceived stress. Our findings highlight the importance of helping nurses cultivate resilience and reduce stress.

Relevance to clinical practice

Recommendations for practice include providing adequate training and orientation before assigning nurses to ICU to help, offering disaster‐emergency‐preparedness training to keep nurses prepared, providing caring and authentic nursing leadership, offering ongoing psychological support to frontline nurses.
The European Parliament's role as an informalEUagenda setter: The influence of own initiative reports
Authors: Webb Michael , Kreppel Amie
Published: July 2020

This article examines the conditions under which the European Parliament (EP) effectively exercises its informal agenda setting powers to directly influence the content of the European Union's policy agenda through the use of ‘own initiative reports’ or EPOIR. We test three models of EPOIR influence (salience, linkage and ideology) utilizing a newly created dataset of all substantive references to EPOIR within Commission pre‐legislative communications and legislative proposals produced between 2000 and 2017. These references serve as the dependent variable in our analysis, which seeks to identify the traits of EPOIR that increase their likelihood of exerting agenda influence. Our findings suggest not only that EPOIR can and do help to shape the EU policy agenda, but that salience and inter‐institutional linkage are the most effective attributes in explaining when this type of EP agenda setting effort via EPOIR is most likely to be successful.