bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Not all elderly are the same: fostering trust through mobile banking service experience
Authors: Rajaobelina Lova , Brun Isabelle , Line Ricard , Cloutier-Bilodeau Christina
Published: October 2020

Purpose

This study seeks to examine the impact of mobile service experience on trust of elderly consumers in their financial institution and assess whether age (55–64 years vs 65+ years) exerts a moderating influence.

Design/methodology/approach

A self-administered questionnaire was completed online by 390 panelists (aged 55 years or more) who use their mobile devices to conduct banking activities. A multigroup analysis was conducted to assess the moderating role of age.

Findings

Results confirm the presence of links between four out of five dimensions of the mobile banking service experience (cognitive, positive affective/sensory, negative affective and social) and trust. Findings further point to age-specific variation in the impact of mobile service experience dimensions on trust, thus supporting the notion that the elderly represents a clientele with different experiential needs. More specifically, whereas the social dimension has a greater influence on trust in individuals 65 years of age and over (seniors), the positive affective/sensory dimension exerts a deeper marked impact on trust in individuals 55–64 years of age (pre-retirees).

Research limitations/implications

Although generations and chronological age are powerful segmentation variables, it might be interesting to consider perceived age. Redoing the study in a post-COVID context would also be an interesting avenue of research.

Practical implications

The ageing market is important for banks. This study highlights, in an m-banking context, which dimension of experience to focus on in order to improve trust in banks for pre-retirees (emotional/sensory dimension) and seniors (social dimension).

Originality/value

This study is the first to consider mobile service experience of elderly individuals as well as the impact of each of the experience dimensions on an important relational variable, namely trust. By considering the age of individuals as a moderating variable, this study also provides an in-depth examination of age-related links and presents a number of relevant recommendations for financial institutions.
The potential of game- and video-based assessments for social attributes: examples from practice
Authors: Leutner Franziska , Codreanu Sonia-Cristina , Liff Josh , Mondragon Nathan
Published: October 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to describe the development and psychometric properties of a novel game- and video-based assessment of social attributes. Despite their increasing adaption, little research is available on the suitability of games and video analytics for measuring noncognitive attributes in the selection context.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors describe three novel assessments and their psychometric properties in a sample of 1,300 participants: a game-based adaptation of an Emotion Recognition Task, a chatbot-based situational judgment test for emotion management and a video-based conscientiousness assessment.

Findings

The novel assessments show good to moderate convergent validity for Emotional Recognition (r = 0.42), Emotion Management (r = 0.39) and Conscientiousness (r = 0.21). The video-based assessment demonstrates preliminary predictive validity for self-reported work performance. Novel game-based assessments (GBAs) are perceived as better designed and more immersive than traditional questionnaires. Adverse impact analysis indicates small group differences by age, gender and ethnicity.

Research limitations/implications

Predictive validity findings need to be replicated using objective measures of performance, such as performance ratings by supervisors and extended to the GBAs. Adverse impact should be evaluated using a real-life applicant pool and extended to additional groups.

Practical implications

Evidence for the psychometric validity of novel assessment formats supports their adoption in selection and recruitment. Improved user experience and shortened assessment times open up new areas of application.

Originality/value

This study gives first insights into psychometric properties of video- and game-based assessments of social attributes.
Designing connection into healthcare services
Authors: Berry Leonard L.
Published: October 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to highlight the importance of the foundational construct of “connection” in linking design and service in performing vital functions in the healthcare sector. “Connection” facilitates patients receiving life-saving and life-improving care at the right time, in the right place, in the right way.

Design/methodology/approach

This article discusses various design-improvement initiatives making clear that healthcare, like any labor-intensive service delivered to people, is a human endeavor whose systems and features can be materially and cleverly enhanced once their intricacies are analyzed, understood and then redesigned to move closer to excellence.

Findings

By designing connection into healthcare and thinking holistically about the needs and preferences of users (patients), the functionality and the appeal of healthcare services can be enhanced.

Originality/value

The gap between the service that healthcare aims to deliver – and what it actually delivers – is unacceptably large. This article calls for incorporating connection through design into healthcare as a way to bridge this gap.
A secure anonymous tracing fog-assisted method for the Internet of Robotic Things
Authors: Alamer Abdulrahman
Published: October 2020

Purpose

Employing a fog computing (FC) network system in the robotic network system is an effective solution to support robotic application issues. The interconnection between robotic devices through an FC network can be referred as the Internet of Robotic Things (IoRT). Although the FC network system can provide number of services closer to IoRT devices, it still faces significant challenges including real-time tracing services and a secure tracing services. Therefore, this paper aims to provide a tracking mobile robot devices in a secure and private manner, with high efficiency performance, is considered essential to ensuring the success of IoRT network applications.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper proposes a secure anonymous tracing (SAT) method to support the tracing of IoRT devices through a FC network system based on the Counting Bloom filter (CBF) and elliptic curve cryptography techniques. With the proposed SAT mechanism, a fog node can trace a particular robot device in a secure manner, which means that the fog node can provide a service to a particular robot device without revealing any private data such as the device's identity or location.

Findings

Analysis shows that the SAT mechanism is both efficient and resilient against tracing attacks. Simulation results are provided to show that the proposed mechanism is beneficial to support IoRT applications over an FC network system.

Originality/value

This paper represents a SAT method based on CBF and elliptic curve cryptography techniques as an efficient mechanism that is resilient against tracing attacks.
Sustainable organisational learning in sustainable companies
Authors: Battistella Cinzia , Cicero Lucia , Preghenella Nadia
Published: October 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to extend the knowledge on sustainable organisational learning (OL) in sustainable companies.

Design/methodology/approach

Sustainability is examined from an OL perspective and was based on Edward’s integral cycle of learning. An in-depth analysis of the literature was carried out, and a list of OL characteristics, such as openness to new ideas and participative policymaking, were compiled. To identify which OL characteristics are used for sustainability, a multiple-case study was designed for sustainable companies operating in the food and beverage industry.

Findings

This study found a wide variety of sustainable practices, such as experimentation and information-sharing systems, related to learning processes, and learning leadership appears to be the least developed dimension. It was also found that sustainable companies learn through social rather than reflective learning, in relationships with internal and external stakeholders, and by concrete actions to implement environmental and social impacts.

Originality/value

This study is one of a few that explore sustainable OL and contributes to categorising OL characteristics that sustainable companies use to facilitate and support sustainability in the mid–long term.
Quinolone immediate hypersensitivity due to topical ophthalmic preparations: a case report and review of literature
Authors: Ajima Sayaka , Sano Yusuke , Hashizume Hideo
Published: October 2020

Ophthalmic quinolone preparations are widely used for the treatment of eye diseases; however, there are only a few reported cases of immediate hypersensitivity due to such medications. Here, we present a case of immediate hypersensitivity induced by an ophthalmic administration of quinolones in a 20‐year‐old female with bacterial conjunctivitis. The results of skin prick and basophil activation tests suggest that it involved a type Ib reaction associated with Mas‐related G‐protein coupled receptor X2. The present case cautions us to be aware of quinolone immediate hypersensitivity caused by topical ophthalmic preparations, which can easily be overlooked, because it may predict severe hypersensitivity reactions to systemic administration.
‘You're just a locum’: professional identity and temporary workers in the medical profession
Authors: Ferguson Jane , Tazzyman Abigail , Walshe Kieran , Bryce Marie , Boyd Alan , Archer Julian , Price Tristan , Tredinnick‐Rowe John
Published: October 2020

Internationally, there has been substantial growth in temporary working, including in the medical profession where temporary doctors are known as locums. There is little research into the implications of temporary work in health care. In this paper, we draw upon theories concerning the sociology of the medical profession to examine the implications of locum working for the medical profession, healthcare organisations and patient safety. We focus particularly on the role of organisations in professional governance and the positioning of locums as peripheral to or outside the organisation, and the influence of intergroup relationships (in this case between permanent and locum doctors) on professional identity. Qualitative semi‐structured interviews were conducted between 2015 and 2017 in England with 79 participants including locum doctors, locum agency staff, and representatives of healthcare organisations who use locums. An abductive approach to analysis combined inductive coding with deductive, theory‐driven interpretation. Our findings suggest that locums were perceived to be inferior to permanently employed doctors in terms of quality, competency and safety and were often stigmatised, marginalised and excluded. The treatment of locums may have negative implications for collegiality, professional identity, group relations, team functioning and the way organisations deploy and treat locums may have important consequences for patient safety.
The first step in an investigation of quantitative ultrasound as a technique for evaluating infant bone strength
Authors: Soto Martinez Miriam E. , Love Jennifer C. , Crowder Christian M. , Wiersema Jason M. , Pinto Deborrah C. , Derrick Sharon M. , Gao Si , Fleischman Julie M. , Greeley Christopher , Donaruma‐Kwoh Marcella , Bachim Angela
Published: October 2020

This study's purpose is to evaluate whether bone speed of sound (SOS) data, a parameter of quantitative ultrasound, collected from an infant autopsy sample are comparable to data collected from healthy, living infants. We hypothesize that SOS values obtained from deceased term‐born infants will fall within the normal range for healthy, living infants. The study sample consists of 351 deceased infants between the ages of 30 weeks gestation at birth to 1 year postnatal at the time of death receiving autopsies at the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences or Texas Children's Hospital in Houston, TX. Various multivariate and univariate statistics were used to examine the relationship between SOS and age, prematurity, and chronic illness. The results of an ANOVA comparing the study sample data to published data from healthy, living infants indicate the SOS data are comparable. Additionally, a MANOVA indicated significant differences in SOS related to prematurity (p = 0.001) and age (p < 0.001). Mean SOS was significantly greater among term‐born infants (M = 3065.66, SD =165.05) than premature infants (M = 2969.71, SD =192.72). Age had a significant polynomial (cubic) relationship with SOS for both the premature and term groups (p < 0.001). Results suggest that bone from an infant autopsy sample is an appropriate surrogate to examine the relationship between SOS and determinants of bone strength. Therefore, future research will use this study sample to investigate the relationship between SOS and determinants of bone strength in infants.
Glaucoma as a prognostic factor of central retinal vein occlusion: visual and anatomical outcomes and occurrence of ischaemic central retinal vein occlusion
Authors: Kim You Na , Shin Joong Won , Park Yu Jeong , Lee Joo Yong , Kim June Gone , Yoon Young Hee , Kim Yoon Jeon
Published: October 2020

Purpose

To compare the functional and anatomical outcomes of central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) according to the presence of glaucoma before the onset of CRVO, and to assess whether pre‐existing glaucoma affects the prognosis of CRVO in terms of development and conversion to ischaemic CRVO.

Methods

In this retrospective cohort study, patients with treatment‐naïve CRVO were enrolled between December 2009 and February 2019. The patients were classified into two groups according to the presence of pre‐existing primary open‐angle glaucoma at CRVO diagnosis. We reviewed medical records regarding basic demographics, ocular characteristics and treatments. The effects of pre‐existing glaucoma on the occurrence of ischaemic CRVO were also investigated using Cox proportional hazard models.

Results

Of 166 eyes from 166 patients, 26 (15.7%) had pre‐existing glaucoma. The pre‐existing glaucoma group revealed significantly older (69.4 ± 13.3 versus 56.5 ± 15.9) and lower BCVA at baseline (1.06 ± 0.75 versus 0.64 ± 0.58, logMAR) and final visits (1.56 ± 1.35 versus 0.64 ± 0.48, logMAR) (all p < 0.05) than non‐glaucomatous group. In terms of perfusion status of CRVO, the glaucoma group showed higher incidence of ischaemic CRVO (30.8% versus 5.3%, p = 0.052) at initial and last visits as well as more disorganization of retinal inner layers (DRIL) at 3 months (76.0% versus 49.6%, p = 0.015). Pre‐existing glaucoma (hazard ratio (HR) = 2.141, p = 0.014), lower vision at baseline (HR = 2.071, p = 0.001) and DRIL at 3 months (HR = 2.905, p = 0.011) were significant risk factors for the occurrence of ischaemic CRVO.

Conclusion

In patients with CRVO, pre‐existing glaucoma was associated with poorer visual and anatomical outcomes, and played as a significant risk factor for the development and conversion to ischaemic CRVO with lower vision and presence of DRIL at early phase of CRVO.
Eomes promotes esophageal carcinoma progression by recruiting Treg cells through the CCL20‐CCR6 pathway
Authors: Lian Jingyao , Liu Saisai , Yue Ying , Yang Qingshan , Zhang Zhen , Yang Shengli , Zhang Yi
Published: October 2020

Eomesodermin (Eomes) is a T‐box transcription factor that drives the differentiation and function of cytotoxic lymphocytes. However, the underlying function and mechanism of Eomes in tumor cells remains elusive. Here, we studied the role of Eomes in human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Using 2 human ESCC cell lines, we found that Eomes knockdown reduced esophageal cancer cell proliferation and that the esophageal cancer cell cycle was blocked in the G2/M phase. Mechanistically, we identified CCL20 as the main downstream target of Eomes. Furthermore, we found that CCL20 could chemoregulate regulatory T cells (Tregs) through their specific receptor CCR6, then promoting the proliferation of esophageal cancer cells. Eomes knockdown also delayed the growth of human ESCC xenografts in BALB/c nude mice. Importantly, in 133 human ESCC tissues, high Eomes levels were associated with poor clinical prognosis. Overall, our findings suggested that the Eomes‐CCL20‐CCR6 pathway plays a vital role in human ESCC progress. Therefore, targeting this pathway may represent a promising strategy for controlling human ESCC.
Single‐nucleotide polymorphism rs4142441 and MYC co‐modulated long non‐coding RNA OSER1‐AS1 suppresses non‐small cell lung cancer by sequestering ELAVL1
Authors: Xie Weijia , Wang Youhao , Zhang Yao , Xiang Ying , Wu Na , Wu Long , Li Chengying , Cai Tongjian , Ma Xiangyu , Yu Zubin , Bai Li , Li Yafei
Published: October 2020

Single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) and long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been involved in the process of lung cancer. Following clues given by lung cancer risk‐associated SNP, we aimed to find novel functional lncRNAs as candidate targets in lung cancer. We identified a lncRNA Oxidative Stress Responsive Serine Rich 1 Antisense RNA 1 (OSER1‐AS1) through a lung cancer risk‐associated SNP rs4142441. OSER1‐AS1 was down‐regulated in tumor tissue and its low expression was significantly associated with poor overall survival among non‐smokers in non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. Gain‐ and loss‐of‐function studies showed that OSER1‐AS1 acted as a tumor suppressor by inhibiting lung cancer cell growth, migration and invasion in vitro. Xenograft tumor assays and a metastasis mouse model confirmed that OSER1‐AS1 suppressed tumor growth and metastasis in vivo. The promoter of OSER1‐AS1 was repressed by MYC, and the 3′‐end of OSER1‐AS1 was competitively targeted by microRNA hsa‐miR‐17‐5p and RNA‐binding protein ELAVL1. Our results indicated that OSER1‐AS1 exerted tumor‐suppressive functions by acting as an ELAVL1 decoy to keep it away from its target mRNAs. Our findings characterized OSER1‐AS1 as a new tumor‐suppressive lncRNA in NSCLC, suggesting that OSER1‐AS1 may be suitable as a potential biomarker for prognosis, and a potential target for treatment.
Low‐intensity pulsed ultrasound ameliorates depression‐like behaviors in a rat model of chronic unpredictable stress
Authors: Zhang Jinniu , Zhou Hui , Yang Jian , Jia Jun , Niu Lili , Sun Zuoli , Shi Dandan , Meng Long , Qiu Weibao , Wang Xiaomin , Zheng Hairong , Wang Gang
Published: October 2020

Introduction

There is an unmet need for better nonpharmaceutical treatments for depression. Low‐intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) is a novel type of neuromodulation that could be helpful for depressed patients.

Objective

The goal of this study was to investigate the feasibility and potential mechanisms of LIPUS in the treatment of depression.

Methods

Chronic unpredictable stress (CUS) was used to generate rats with depression‐like features that were treated with four weeks of LIPUS stimulation of the ventromedial prefrontal cortex. Depression‐like behaviors were assessed with the sucrose preference, forced swim, and open field tests. BDNF/mTORC1 signaling was examined by Western blot to investigate this potential molecular mechanism. The safety of LIPUS was evaluated using hematoxylin‐eosin and Nissl staining.

Results

Four weeks of LIPUS stimulation significantly increased sucrose preference and reduced forced swim immobility time in CUS rats. LIPUS also partially reversed the molecular effects of CUS that included decreased levels of BDNF, phosphorylated tyrosine receptor kinase B (TrkB), extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK), mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1), and S6 kinase (S6K). Moreover, histological staining revealed no gross tissue damage.

Conclusions

Chronic LIPUS stimulation can effectively and safely improve depression‐like behaviors in CUS rats. The underlying mechanisms may be related to enhancement of BDNF/ERK/mTORC1 signaling pathways in the prefrontal cortex (PFC). LIPUS is a promising noninvasive neuromodulation tool that merits further study as a potential treatment for depression.
Inpatient diabetes care during the COVID‐19 pandemic: A Diabetes UK rapid review of healthcare professionals' experiences using semi‐structured interviews
Authors: Burr Olivia , Berry Alex , Joule Nikki , Rayman Gerry
Published: October 2020

Aims

Inpatient care for people with diabetes can and must be improved. The COVID‐19 pandemic has impacted the way care is delivered across the UK. Diabetes UK needed to understand how inpatient care for people with diabetes has been affected and to identify opportunities, areas of concerns and recommendations for the future.

Methods

We interviewed 28 healthcare professionals and hospital teams from across the UK to find out about their experiences of delivering inpatient diabetes care during the first peak of the COVID‐19 pandemic.

Results

We found that disruption to inpatient diabetes services created positive environments and opportunities for new ways of working, but in the minority, impacted on the quality of care clinicians felt they were able to deliver.

Conclusions

It is important that these positive ways of working be maintained and as a result of these experiences we have outlined urgent recommendations for the challenging winter months ahead.
Body size distributions of anurans are explained by diversification rates and the environment
Authors: Amado Talita Ferreira , Martinez Pablo Ariel , Pincheira‐Donoso Daniel , Olalla‐Tárraga Miguel Ángel
Published: October 2020

Aim

Body size frequency distributions are often skewed to the right, with a greater frequency of small‐sized species. Right skewness can appear when speciation is biased towards small species and extinction towards large ones. In contrast, limits imposed by environmental constraints will select taxa to co‐occur in assemblages and can modify size distributions to the left or to the right. We analysed whether the shape of size distributions of anurans is related to diversification rates and how the environment might also be creating the observed patterns.

Location

The Western Hemisphere.

Time period

Current.

Major taxa studied

Anurans.

Methods

We computed diversification rates from a dated phylogeny and obtained data for body size, spatial distribution and the climate (annual temperature, potential evapotranspiration and normalized difference vegetation index) inhabited by 2,598 anuran species to analyse the relationship between diversification rates and body size. We then used an assemblage‐based approach to test whether the climate is acting together with species evolutionary history to generate skewed distributions of body sizes at local sites.

Results

Skewness was positively correlated with size‐biased speciation and extinction, whereas it was negatively correlated with net diversification. After the inclusion of environmental predictors, the explanatory power of our models increased significantly. When ranking the predictors, evolutionary rates remained first, followed by a secondary role of environmental variables.

Main conclusions

Despite the high frequency of right‐skewed body size distributions, anuran assemblages of the New World showed a variation of skewness that can be explained by faster net diversification (speciation minus extinction) at modal sizes. We conclude that size‐biased evolutionary rates and the environment both have a role in defining the proportion of small and large sizes at local scales.
Modified bismuth quadruple therapy with low‐dose metronidazole as first‐line therapy for Helicobacter pylori infection
Authors: Pih Gyu Young , Choi Kee Don , Gong Eun Jeong , Na Hee Kyong , Ahn Ji Yong , Lee Jeong Hoon , Jung Kee Wook , Kim Do Hoon , Song Ho June , Lee Gin Hyug , Jung Hwoon‐Yong
Published: October 2020

Background

Bismuth‐containing quadruple therapy is an effective alternative first‐line therapy for Helicobacter pylori infection. We evaluated the efficacy and safety of a modified twice‐a‐day bismuth quadruple regimen (BQT‐2) with low‐dose (1000 mg total) metronidazole as first‐line therapy for the eradication of H pylori.

Materials and Methods

In this prospective pilot study, patients diagnosed with H pylori infection and naïve to eradication therapy were included. The modified BQT‐2 therapy consisted of rabeprazole 20 mg, amoxicillin 1 g, metronidazole 500 mg, and tripotassium dicitrato bismuthate 600 mg (elemental bismuth 240 mg) twice daily, given 30 minutes before morning and evening meals for 14 days. H pylori eradication was assessed by 13C‐urea breath test conducted at least 4 weeks after therapy completion.

Results

In 66 patients who received the modified BQT‐2 regimen, the compliance rate was 100% and the H pylori eradication rate was 77.3%. H pylori was successfully cultured in 50 (75.8%) patients. The resistance rates to metronidazole and clarithromycin were 30.0% and 22.0%, respectively. Eradication rates were not significantly different according to the resistance to metronidazole (metronidazole‐susceptible: 74.3% [26/35], metronidazole‐resistant: 73.3% [11/15]; P > .99). Most of the adverse events were mild, with 20 (30%) patients developing nausea, epigastric soreness, loose stool, asthenia, skin rash, dizziness, taste perversion, headache, or dyspepsia.

Conclusions

Twice‐a‐day modified BQT‐2 regimen with low‐dose metronidazole was suboptimal as an alternative first‐line therapy for eradicating H pylori, despite high patient compliance.
Kinetics of immune reconstitution after anti‐CD19 chimeric antigen receptor T cell therapy in relapsed or refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia patients
Authors: Wang Ying , Li Hujun , Song Xuguang , Qi Kunming , Cheng Hai , Cao Jiang , Shi Ming , Yan Zhiling , Jing Guangjun , Pan Bin , Sang Wei , Wang Xiangmin , Zhao Kai , Chen Chong , Chen Wei , Zheng Junnian , Li Zhenyu , Xu Kailin
Published: October 2020

Introduction

Anti‐CD19 chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) ‐T cells, which recognize and kill both B lymphoblasts and normal B cells, result in B cell aplasia and humoral immunodeficiency. However, there were only a few detailed reports on the profile of immune reconstitution after anti‐CD19 CAR‐T cell therapy.

Methods

Thirty nine patients with relapsed or refractory (R/R) B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) receiving anti‐CD19 CAR‐T cell therapy were enrolled. Subjects died, relapsed, received other treatment, or lost to follow‐up within 60 days post‐infusion were excluded. 21 patients were finally selected. Laboratory and clinical data were collected for analysis of immune reconstitution.

Results

CD8+ cells were the first to recover with a median time on day 21(7‐87), followed by CD16/CD56+ cells on day 28(14‐87), and finally CD4+ cells with only 5(23.81%) patients recovered within 60 days post‐infusion. CD4/CD8 ratio was inverted, sustaining for at least 1 year. B cell aplasia occurred in all patients and CD19+ cells returned to normal on a median time of day 79(41‐118). All patients developed hypogammaglobulinemia with a median onset time of 2 weeks post‐infusion. IgG recovered in 6 patients with a median time on day 184(89‐346). IgM recovered on days 212, 242, and 346 in 3 patients. IgA recovered most slowly and remained low >1 year postinfusion. A total of 9 infections occurred in 6(28.57%) patients.

Conclusions

Our data showed prolonged reconstitution of immune function, especially humoral immunity, in R/R B cell ALL patients receiving anti‐CD19 CAR‐T cell therapy.
Deprescribing long‐term opioid therapy in patients with chronic pain
Authors: Glare Paul , Ashton‐James Claire , Han Esther , Nicholas Michael
Published: October 2020

Proposed regulatory changes will limit the access to opioids by Australian patients with chronic pain, many of whom are under the care of consultant physicians. This review summarises points of consensus on opioid deprescribing that emerged from the interaction of an expert panel and the audience at a symposium on the topic held in Sydney in 2019. Each of these consensus points speaks to the need for an individualised, patient‐centred approach. In other words, ‘treat the patient, not the pill count’.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor attenuates the hyperresponsiveness of TLR2+ and TLR4+ Th17/Tc17‐like cells in multiple sclerosis patients with major depression
Authors: Sales Marisa C. , Kasahara Taissa M. , Sacramento Priscila M. , Rossi Átila D. , Cafasso Marcos Octávio S.D. , Oyamada Hugo A.A. , Hygino Joana , Alvim Fabianna , Andrade Regis M. , Cristina Vasconcelos Cláudia , Bento Cleonice A.M.
Published: October 2020

Elevated frequency of Th17‐like cells expressing Toll‐like receptors (TLRs) has been recently associated with relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis (MS) pathogenesis, a chronic inflammatory demyelinating autoimmune disease of the central nervous system. We aimed to investigate the impact of current major depressive disorder (MDD) on the behaviour of these cells following in vitro stimulation with TLR2, TLR4, TLR5 and TLR9 agonists. Here, the level of both cell proliferation and cytokine production related to Th17/Tc17 phenotypes in response to TLR2 (Pam3C) and TLR4 (LPS) ligands was significantly higher in CD4+ and CD8+ T‐cell cultures from MS/MDD patients when compared to non‐depressed patients. These cytokine levels were positively associated with neurological disabilities in patients. No difference for responsiveness to TLR5 (flagellin) and TLR9 (ODN) agonists was observed. LPS, but not Pam3C, induced significant IL‐10 release, mainly in patients without MDD. Interestingly, more intense expression of TLR2 and TLR4 on these cells was observed in MDD patients. Finally, in vitro addition of serotonin and treatment of MDD patients with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) reduced the production of Th17/Tc17‐related cytokines by CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in response to Pam3C and LPS. However, only SSRI therapy diminished the frequency and intensity of TLR2 and TLR4 expression on circulating CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. In summary, although preliminary, our findings suggest that adverse events that elevate circulating levels of TLR2 and TLR4 ligands can affect MS pathogenesis, particularly among depressed patients.
A unified analysis of stochastic gradient‐free Frank–Wolfe methods
Authors: Guo Jiahong , Liu Huiling , Xiao Xiantao
Published: October 2020

In this paper, we consider a class of constrained stochastic programs in which the gradient of the random function in the objective and the projection onto the feasible set are assumed to be prohibitive to compute. We propose a class of mini‐batch gradient‐free Frank–Wolfe methods. Under mild conditions, we conduct a unified convergence analysis for both convex and nonconvex problems.
Difference in the prevalence of intracardiac thrombus on the first presentation of atrial fibrillation versus flutter in the pediatric and congenital heart disease population
Authors: Meziab Omar , Marcondes Luciana , Friedman Kevin G. , O'Leary Edward T. , Gurvitz Michelle , VanderPluym Christina J. , Walsh Edward P. , Triedman John K. , Mah Douglas Y.
Published: October 2020

Introduction

Guidelines recommend trans‐esophageal echocardiography (TEE) for patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) or atrial flutter (AFL) for >48 h, due to risk of intracardiac thrombus formation. With growing evidence that AFL in adults with structurally normal hearts has less thrombogenic potential compared to AF, and the need for TEE questioned, we compared prevalence of intracardiac thrombus detected by TEE in pediatric and congenital heart disease (CHD) patients presenting in AF and AFL.

Methods/Results

Single‐center, cross‐sectional analysis for unique first‐time presentations of patients for either AF, AFL, or intra‐atrial reentrant tachycardia (IART) between 2000 and 2019. Patients were categorized by presenting arrhythmia (AF vs. AFL/IART), with the exclusion of other forms of atrial tachycardia, hemodynamic instability, chronic anti‐coagulation before TEE, and presentation for a reason other than TEE examination for thrombus. A total of 201 patients had TEE with co‐diagnosis of AF or AFL. Of these, 105 patients (29 AF, 76 AFL) met inclusion criteria, with no difference in age between AF (median 24.9 years; IQR 18.6–38.3 years) and AFL/IART (23.3 years; 15.4–38.4 years). The prevalence of thrombus in the entire cohort was 9.5%, with no difference between AF (13.8%) and AFL groups (7.9%), p = .46. Patients with thrombus demonstrated no difference in age, systemic ventricular function, cardiac complexity, or CHADS2/CHA2DS2VASc score at presentation.

Conclusions

The risk for intracardiac thrombus is high in the pediatric and CHD population, with no apparent distinguishing factors to warrant a change in the recommendations for TEE, with all levels of cardiac complexity being at risk for clot.
Forecasting the type 2 diabetes mellitus epidemic and the role of key risk factors in Oman up to 2050: Mathematical modeling analyses
Authors: Awad Susanne F , Al‐Mawali Adhra , Al‐Lawati Jawad A , Morsi Magdi , Critchley Julia A , Abu‐Raddad Laith J
Published: October 2020

Aims/Introduction

To investigate and forecast type 2 diabetes mellitus epidemic, its related risk factors and cost in Oman by 2050.

Materials and Methods

An age‐structured mathematical model was used to characterize type 2 diabetes mellitus epidemiology and trends in Oman between 1990 and 2050. The model was parametrized using current and quality data, including six nationally representative population‐based epidemiological surveys for type 2 diabetes mellitus and its key risk factors.

Results

The projected type 2 diabetes mellitus prevalence increased from 15.2% in 2020 to 23.8% in 2050. The prevalence increased from 16.8 and 13.8% in 2020 among women and men to 26.3 and 21.4% in 2050, respectively. In 2020, 190,489 Omanis were living with type 2 diabetes mellitus compared with 570,227 in 2050. The incidence rate per 1,000 person‐years changed from 8.3 in 2020 to 12.1 in 2050. Type 2 diabetes mellitus’ share of Oman’s national health expenditure grew by 36% between 2020 and 2050 (from 21.2 to 28.8%). Obesity explained 56.7% of type 2 diabetes mellitus cases in 2020 and 71.4% in 2050, physical inactivity explained 4.3% in 2020 and 2.7% in 2050, whereas smoking accounted for <1% of type 2 diabetes mellitus cases throughout 2020–2050. Sensitivity and uncertainty analyses affirmed these predictions.

Conclusions

The type 2 diabetes mellitus epidemic in Oman is expected to increase significantly over the next three decades, consuming nearly one‐third of the national health expenditure. The type 2 diabetes mellitus burden is heavily influenced by obesity. Interventions targeting this single risk factor should be a national priority to reduce and control the burden of type 2 diabetes mellitus in Oman.
Discrimination of red porgy Pagrus pagrus (Sparidae) potential stocks in the south‐western Atlantic by otolith shape analysis
Authors: Kikuchi Eidi , García Sebastían , da Costa Paulo Alberto Silva , Cardoso Luis Gustavo , Haimovici Manuel
Published: October 2020

Otolith shape analysis is a powerful method for fish stock identification. We compared the otolith shape of Pagrus pagrus (Linnaeus 1758) along with its distribution in four south‐western Atlantic regions where it is commercially fished: Rio de Janeiro, Rio Grande do Sul in southern Brazil, the Argentine‐Uruguayan Common Fishing Zone (UA) and the Argentinian Exclusive Fishing Zone (AR). Otolith shapes were compared by Elliptical Fourier and Wavelet coefficients among specimens in a size range with similar otoliths, morphometric parameters and ages. Four potential stocks were identified: one in the AR, a second along the UA which included specimens from southern Brazil with well‐marked opaque bands in its otoliths (MRS), the third in southern Brazil with faint or absent opaque bands in its otoliths (FRS) and the fourth along Rio de Janeiro. The difference in the otolith shape among regions followed differences reported using other stock identification techniques. The similarity between otoliths from UA and MRS (ANOVA‐like, P > 0.01) can be explained by seasonal short‐range migrations. Otoliths shape differences between MRS and FRS (ANOVA‐like, P < 0.01) suggest that P. pagrus does not form a homogeneous group in southern Brazil.
Psychological factors associated with sleep disorders in patients with axial spondyloarthritis or psoriatic arthritis: A multicenter cross‐sectional observational study
Authors: Cano‐García Laura , Mena‐Vázquez Natalia , Manrique Arija Sara , Hernández‐Sánchez María Dolores , Segura‐Ruiz Rocío , Domínguez‐Quesada Carmen , Fernández‐Nebro Antonio
Published: October 2020

Background

Studies in axial spondyloarthritis (AxSp) have shown that intensity of pain, anxiety, depression and inflammatory activity are associated with poor sleep quality.

Aim

To describe mood and sleep disorders and positive psychological factors in patients with AxSp and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and to evaluate the psychological factors that are potentially involved in sleep disorders.

Design

Multicenter cross‐sectional observational study based on a series of patients with AxSp and PsA.

Participants

Participants were selected consecutively from patients aged ≥18 years with AxSp or PsA followed at the rheumatology department of 4 Spanish hospitals. Inclusion criteria: age ≥18 years, AxSp (ASAS criteria) or PsA (CASPAR criteria), ability to understand the study and prepared to complete the questionnaires.

Methods

Main outcomes: Oviedo Sleep Quality questionnaire result. Secondary outcomes: psychological status evaluated using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) questionnaire, health‐related quality of life evaluated using SF‐36, perception of pain evaluated using the short questionnaire for assessment of pain (BDU) and fatigue evaluated using the Fatigue Scale (FACIT) questionnaire. We performed a descriptive multivariate linear regression analysis to study factors that were independently associated with sleep disorders. The STROBE guidelines were adopted.

Results

We included 301 patients (152 [50.5%] with AxSp and 149 [49.5%] with PsA). The multivariate linear regression analysis for the whole sample showed that insomnia was inversely associated with emotional recovery and biologic disease‐modifying antirheumatic drugs and directly associated with depression in both groups. The analysis by disease (AxSp and PsA) showed that insomnia was independently associated with depression and emotional recovery.

Conclusions

Insomnia may be associated with other mood disorders, quality of life and inflammatory activity in the patients studied here.

Relevance to clinical practice

A nurse intervention can be carried out to prevent sleep disorders knowing the consequences and triggers of the problem.
Analysis of experience of the use of plastic cannulas in Spanish haemodialysis units
Authors: Pedreira‐Robles Guillermo , Martínez‐Delgado Yaiza , Herrera‐Morales Cristina , Vasco‐Gómez Ana , Junyent‐Iglesias Ernestina
Published: October 2020

Introduction

Plastic cannulas (PC) have shown efficacy in haemodialysis (HD) and are presented as a positive innovation for patients and vascular access survival.

Objective

To analyse Spanish HD nurses' experience of using PC.

Design

Cross‐sectional observational study.

Methods

An ad hoc questionnaire was administered on nurses' experience of PC use.

Results

A total of 163 Spanish HD nurses were surveyed, of whom 42.3% had PC in their workplace and 50.9% had used them. In all, 55.8% had received training and 77.9% wished to receive more training. These needles were significantly more available in public institutions than in private centres (p < 0.001). There was no significant difference between years of experience and having received training (p = 0.915). There was a moderate‐strong correlation (ρ = 0.659) between greater professional satisfaction with the product and greater patient satisfaction (p < 0.001). The nurses would make a median of two [P25, 1; P75, 3] modifications in the product design. The characteristics of the PC were rated positively by 55.8% and negatively by 10.3%.

Conclusions

A substantial proportion of the nurses surveyed did not use PC and had not received training in their use. Respondents reported that PC could be improved and a small percentage perceived them negatively.

Implications for Practice

Based on the evidence presented and available, if we manage to integrate this knowledge and work on the continuum of achieving excellence, we will continue to grow as a profession and provide higher quality care.
Faecal regenerating 1B protein concentration is not associated with child growth in rural Malawi
Authors: Liu Zhifei , Fan Yue‐Mei , Ashorn Per , Cheung Yin Bun , Hallamaa Lotta , Hyöty Heikki , Maleta Kenneth , Lehto Kirsi‐Maarit , Oikarinen Sami , Parkkila Seppo , Ashorn Ulla
Published: October 2020

Aim

This study was designed to determine whether faecal regenerating 1B protein (REG1B) concentration is associated with physical growth among 6–30‐month‐old children in rural Malawi.

Methods

This was a secondary analysis from a randomised controlled trial in rural Malawi in which we followed‐up 790 live‐born infants from birth to 30 months of age. We collected anthropometric data at the age of 6, 12, 18, 24 and 30 months. We measured faecal REG1B concentration by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique using stool samples collected at 6, 18 and 30 months of age. We assessed the association between faecal REG1B concentration and children's physical growth using linear regression and longitudinal data analysis.

Results

Of 790 live‐born infants enrolled, 694 (87%) with at least one faecal REG1B concentration measurement were included in the analysis. Faecal REG1B concentration was not associated with the children's concurrent length‐for‐age z‐score (LAZ), weight‐for‐age z‐score (WAZ), weight‐for‐length z‐score (WLZ) and mid‐upper arm circumference‐for‐age z‐score (MUACZ) at any time point (P > 0.05), nor with a change in their anthropometric indices in the subsequent 6‐month period (P > 0.05).

Conclusions

Faecal REG1B concentration is not associated with LAZ, WAZ, WLZ and MUACZ among 6–30‐month‐old infants and children in rural Malawi.
CoVID‐19: Parent and caregiver concerns about reopening New Zealand schools
Authors: Jeffs Emma , Lucas Nathanael , Walls Tony
Published: October 2020

Aim

Children generally have a milder CoVID‐19 disease course and better prognosis than adults. Many countries have closed schools as part of measures to limit transmission and this has had a considerable impact on children world‐wide. This includes New Zealand (NZ), where rates of CoVID‐19 have been very low. The aims of this study were to investigate parents' and caregivers' knowledge of CoVID‐19 in children, to understand their levels of concern and to identify their most trusted sources of information.

Methods

Participants were recruited via NZ parenting support and interest groups on Facebook.com. Knowledge was assessed by way of a self‐administered questionnaire during the 10 days prior to NZ schools reopening on 18 May 2020.

Results

Of the 1191 study participants, 721 (60%) expressed some level of worry (14.5% very or extremely worried) that their child would catch CoVID‐19 at school. A high proportion (79%, 941) thought it likely or very likely that their child would catch CoVID‐19 at school if there were to be widespread community transmission. Fear scores for CoVID‐19 were generally high, and 828 (80%) of participants said they would vaccinate their child if a newly developed vaccine were available.

Conclusions

Parents and caregivers were generally fearful of their children acquiring CoVID‐19 at school. This was despite messaging from multiple trusted sources that transmission in schools is unlikely, and the number of NZ CoVID‐19 cases being extremely low. These findings have implications for policy development and public health messaging both in NZ and in countries with ongoing community transmission of CoVID‐19.
Partially replacing sorghum silage with cactus (Opuntia stricta) cladodes in a soybean oil‐supplemented diet markedly increases trans‐11 18:1, cis‐9, trans‐11 CLA and 18:2 n‐6 contents in cow milk
Authors: Gama Marco A. S. , de Paula Talita A. , Véras Antônia S. C. , Guido Sebastião I. , Borges Cristiano A. V. , Antoniassi Rosemar , Lopes Fernando C. F. , Neves Maria L. M. W. , Ferreira Marcelo de A.
Published: October 2020

Based on low 18:0 contents observed in milk fat of cows fed cactus cladodes (CC), we hypothesized that including Opuntia stricta cladodes in a soybean oil (SO)‐supplemented diet would promote incomplete rumen biohydrogenation of supplemental PUFA, leading to increased trans‐11 18:1 and cis‐9, trans‐11 CLA contents in milk. Twelve Holstein cows were used in a two‐period study: (a) Baseline: all cows received a total mixed ration (TMR) composed of sorghum silage (SS) and a concentrate containing no SO for 14 days; (b) Treatment: cows received one of the following SO‐supplemented diets for 21 days: (1) SS‐TMR: a TMR composed of SS and a SO‐enriched concentrate, (2) CC‐TMR: a TMR containing CC as a partial substitute for SS plus the SO‐enriched concentrate, and (3) CC‐PMR: same diet as in treatment 2, but CC were mixed with the SO‐enriched concentrate and fed as a partial mixed ration (PMR). Both CC diets increased relative abundances of trans‐11 18:1, cis‐9, trans‐11 CLA, and 18:2 n‐6 in milk fat, whereas opposite effects were observed on 18:0 and cis‐9 18:1. Proportion of 18:2 n‐6 increased, and cis‐9, trans‐11 CLA tended to increase with CC‐PMR as compared to CC‐TMR, whereas 18:3 n‐3 was higher with CC‐PMR than with SS‐TMR. Proportions of several odd‐ and branched‐chain fatty acids, certain 18:1 isomers, and trans‐9, cis‐11 CLA changed with CC diets, notably with CC‐PMR. Milk yield and intake of most nutrients (except fibre) increased or tended to increase with the CC diets, whereas gross milk composition was unaltered. Stearoyl‐CoA desaturase‐1 index for C18 (SCD18) was higher with CC‐PMR than with SS‐TMR, and milk n‐6:n‐3 FA ratio and apparent transfer of 18:2 n‐6 to milk increased with CC diets. These results indicate that Opuntia stricta cladodes can be a valuable feed ingredient for improving the nutraceutical value of milk fat.