bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Early or deferred initiation of efavirenz during rifampicin‐based TB therapy has no significant effect on CYP3A induction in TB‐HIV infected patients
Authors: Aklillu Eleni , Zumla Alimuddin , Habtewold Abiy , Amogne Wondwossen , Makonnen Eyasu , Yimer Getnet , Burhenne Jürgen , Diczfalusy Ulf
Published: November 2020

Background and Purpose

In TB‐HIV co‐infection, prompt initiation of TB therapy is recommended but anti‐retroviral treatment (ART) is often delayed due to potential drug–drug interactions between rifampicin and efavirenz. In a longitudinal cohort study, we evaluated the effects of efavirenz/rifampicin co‐treatment and time of ART initiation on CYP3A induction.

Experimental Approach

Treatment‐naïve TB‐HIV co‐infected patients (n = 102) were randomized to efavirenz‐based‐ART after 4 (n = 69) or 8 weeks (n = 33) of commencing rifampicin‐based anti‐TB therapy. HIV patients without TB (n = 94) receiving efavirenz‐based‐ART only were enrolled as control. Plasma 4β‐hydroxycholesterol/cholesterol (4β‐OHC/Chol) ratio, an endogenous biomarker for CYP3A activity, was determined at baseline, at 4 and 16 weeks of ART.

Key Results

In patients treated with efavirenz only, median 4β‐OHC/Chol ratios increased from baseline by 269% and 275% after 4 and 16 weeks of ART, respectively. In TB‐HIV patients, rifampicin only therapy for 4 and 8 weeks increased median 4β‐OHC/Chol ratios from baseline by 378% and 576% respectively. After efavirenz/rifampicin co‐treatment, 4β‐OHC/Chol ratios increased by 560% of baseline (4 weeks) and 456% of baseline (16 weeks). Neither time of ART initiation, sex, genotype nor efavirenz plasma concentration were significant predictors of 4β‐OHC/Chol ratios after 4 weeks of efavirenz/rifampicin co‐treatment.

Conclusion and Implications

Rifampicin induced CYP3A more potently than efavirenz, with maximum induction occurring within the first 4 weeks of rifampicin therapy. We provide pharmacological evidence that early (4 weeks) or deferred (8 weeks) ART initiation during anti‐TB therapy has no significant effect on CYP3A induction.

LINKED ARTICLES

This article is part of a themed issue on Oxysterols, Lifelong Health and Therapeutics. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v178.16/issuetoc
Temperature‐sensitive transient receptor potential vanilloid channels: structural insights into ligand‐dependent activation
Authors: Zubcevic Lejla
Published: November 2020

Temperature‐sensitive transient receptor potential vanilloid ion channel subtypes 1–4 (thermoTRPV1–thermoTRPV4) play important roles in a wide range of physiological processes, including temperature sensing and body temperature regulation, inflammation, pain, itch, maintenance of skin, bone and hair, along with osmotic regulation. ThermoTRPV function is modulated by numerous natural product compounds, such as capsaicin, camphor and cannabinoids. Because of their physiological importance and their druggability, these channels have made attractive potential targets for drug development. Since the beginning of the cryo‐electron miscroscopy (cryo‐EM) “resolution revolution,” a lot of progress has been made towards dissecting the activation mechanisms of thermoTRPVs and mapping the binding sites for modulatory compounds. Here, we review the thermoTRPV physiology and pharmacology and summarize the current knowledge of their mechanisms of gating and ligand binding sites.

LINKED ARTICLES

This article is part of a themed issue on Structure Guided Pharmacology of Membrane Proteins (BJP 75th Anniversary). To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v179.14/issuetoc
A transformational change in scintigraphic gastroesophageal reflux studies: A comparison with historic techniques
Authors: Burton Leticia , Joffe David , Mackey Douglas W , Van der Wall Hans , Falk Gregory L
Published: November 2020

Background

The inclusion of scintigraphy in the diagnostic algorithm for gastroesophageal reflux is controversial due to variability in methodology and reporting. A novel scintigraphic reflux study has been developed and validated against the current standards for the diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GORD).

Objective

To compare a new scintigraphic reflux test against historic techniques and standardised diagnostic reference tests for gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Methods

Paired scintigraphic studies were conducted in seventeen patients. All patients underwent at least one other standardised diagnostic reflux test such as 24‐ hour oesophageal impedance/ pH, and oesophageal manometry, barium swallow, gastroscopy or the Peptest. Patients inadvertently presented at sites B for scintigraphic reflux testing rather than at Site A which was part of an approved study. The findings from sites B did not correlate with clinical symptoms and other diagnostic reference tests from GORD. These studies were then repeated at Site A with approval from the patients. A second reflux study was performed at site A, utilising a novel technique with the capability of assessing oesophageal and extra‐oesophageal disease.

Results

The Site A technique shows good concordance with the reference diagnostic tests with an accuracy of 82.4% and kappa of 0.64 (SE: 0.16, p = 0.00). Site B had an overall accuracy of 47.1% and kappa of 0.066 (SE: 0.068, p = 0.45).

Conclusion

The Site A technique shows higher accuracy than either site B or the historic reflux techniques. It has characteristics that make it an effective screening tool for assessment of local oesophageal disease and its extraoesophageal manifestations.
Pulmonary sclerosing pneumocytoma mimicking malignancy in endobronchial ultrasound‐guided transbronchial needle aspiration: A case report
Authors: Kosmas Konstantinos , Vamvakaris Ioannis , Psychogiou Eleni , Megas Panagiotis , Riga Dimitra
Published: November 2020

Although Pulmonary sclerosing pneumocytoma (PSP) is generally considered to be a benign tumor, it represents a diagnostic challenge due to its controversial etiology and biologic behavior, the diversity of histopathohistological findings as well as the difficult differential diagnosis from poorly differentiated lung adenocarcinomas or carcinoids. EBUS‐TBNA alone cannot be accepted as the final definitive diagnostic approach for this tumor especially if the specimen is not sufficient.
Crystal methamphetamine use among young people entering custody: Prevalence, correlates and comorbidity
Authors: Kaye Sharlene , Lewandowski Amy , Bowman Julia , Doyle Michael F.
Published: November 2020

Introduction and Aims

Crystal methamphetamine (CM) is associated with a range of physical and mental health harms and may be of particular concern among young people at risk of early, problematic substance use, such as those in contact with the criminal justice system. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and correlates of regular (i.e. at least weekly) CM use among young people preceding entry into custody.

Design and Methods

Data were collected from 207 participants aged 14–18 years as part of the 2015 Young People in Custody Health Survey, a cross‐sectional survey of youth in custody in New South Wales, Australia. Participants were administered face‐to‐face structured interviews assessing sociodemographic, childhood and family characteristics, offending history, substance use and psychopathology. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify factors independently associated with regular CM use.

Results

Regular CM use was reported by 31% of participants and was independently associated with higher levels of antisocial traits/behaviour [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 1.13, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.02, 1.25], increased polydrug use (AOR 1.34, 95% CI 1.14, 1.58), injecting drug use (AOR 4.06, 95% CI 1.02, 16.16) and meeting symptom thresholds for two or more current psychological disorders (AOR 3.20, 95% CI 1.15, 8.94).

Discussion and Conclusions

Regular CM users present with more complex comorbidity than other young people in custody, increasing the health‐care burden in custodial and community settings. Early identification and appropriate treatment of this comorbidity is crucial to improving the health, psychosocial and behavioural outcomes of this vulnerable group.
A novel disturbance rejection factor based stable direct adaptive fuzzy control strategy for a class of nonlinear systems
Authors: Das Sharma Kaushik , Chatterjee Amitava , Siarry Patrick , Rakshit Anjan
Published: November 2020

This paper proposes a unique disturbance rejection factor (DRF) based design of direct stable adaptive fuzzy logic controllers (AFLCs) for a class of non‐linear systems with large and fast disturbances. The proposed AFLCs are realized by employing hybrid combinations of Lyapunov theory based local adaptation and harmony search algorithm based global optimization technique. These hybrid AFLCs are designed with the objective of optimizing both the structure and free parameters of it with guaranteed stability and, at the same time, simultaneously achieving satisfactory tracking performance and disturbance rejection. The novelty of the proposed work lies in the fact that, in a bid to perform the disturbance rejection, the nature of the disturbance itself is used in designing the tracking control law. The proposed DRF based hybrid stable AFLCs are implemented for several benchmark case studies and extensive performance evaluations demonstrate their usefulness.
Global soil‐derived ammonia emissions from agricultural nitrogen fertilizer application: A refinement based on regional and crop‐specific emission factors
Authors: Ma Ruoya , Zou Jianwen , Han Zhaoqiang , Yu Kai , Wu Shuang , Li Zhaofu , Liu Shuwei , Niu Shuli , Horwath William R. , Zhu‐Barker Xia
Published: November 2020

Ammonia (NH3) emissions from fertilized soils to the atmosphere and the subsequent deposition to land surface exert adverse effects on biogeochemical nitrogen (N) cycling. The region‐ and crop‐specific emission factors (EFs) of N fertilizer for NH3 are poorly developed and therefore the global estimate of soil NH3 emissions from agricultural N fertilizer application is constrained. Here we quantified the region‐ and crop‐specific NH3 EFs of N fertilizer by compiling data from 324 worldwide manipulative studies and focused to map the global soil NH3 emissions from agricultural N fertilizer application. Globally, the NH3 EFs averaged 12.56% and 14.12% for synthetic N fertilizer and manure, respectively. Regionally, south‐eastern Asia had the highest NH3 EFs of synthetic N fertilizer (19.48%) and Europe had the lowest (6%), which might have been associated with the regional discrepancy in the form and rate of N fertilizer use and management practices in agricultural production. Global agricultural NH3 emissions from the use of synthetic N fertilizer and manure in 2014 were estimated to be 12.32 and 3.79 Tg N/year, respectively. China (4.20 Tg N/year) followed by India (2.37 Tg N/year) and America (1.05 Tg N/year) together contributed to over 60% of the total global agricultural NH3 emissions from the use of synthetic N fertilizer. For crop‐specific emissions, the NH3 EFs averaged 11.13%–13.95% for the three main staple crops (i.e., maize, wheat, and rice), together accounting for 72% of synthetic N fertilizer‐induced NH3 emissions from croplands in the world and 70% in China. The region‐ and crop‐specific NH3 EFs of N fertilizer established in this study offer references to update the default EF in the IPCC Tier 1 guideline. This work also provides an insight into the spatial variation of soil‐derived NH3 emissions from the use of synthetic N fertilizer in agriculture at the global and regional scales.
Water‐use efficiency of maize may be increased by the plant growth regulator paclobutrazol
Authors: Hütsch Birgit W. , Schubert Sven
Published: November 2020

Contradictory results of the paclobutrazol (PAC) effect on maize plants were obtained under semiarid compared to well‐watered conditions with grain yield improvements versus depressions, respectively. In addition, maize cultivars differed in their reactions to similar PAC dosages. Thus, in the present study PAC was applied in the appropriate dosage at growth stage V5 to six maize cultivars (Zea mays L. cvs. Amanova, Severeen, Hubble, Galactus, Fabregas, Pioneer 3906) grown in a container experiment under well‐watered conditions. PAC caused significant decreases in plant height, increases in culm diameter and reduced transpiration rates in comparison with the untreated control plants. At anthesis, start and duration of pollen production, start of silking and anthesis‐silking interval (ASI) were mostly unaffected by PAC application. Senescence of PAC‐treated plants was delayed by one week. Apart from cultivar Galactus, PAC treatment caused significant grain yield reductions between 9% and 20%, which were solely based on decreases in kernel number because higher single kernel weights were obtained. In all cultivars, reductions in straw yield of 28% to 49% were achieved with PAC application, which were responsible for significant improvements of the harvest index by 8%–36%. PAC‐treated plants showed reduced water consumption (11%–21%), resulting in significantly improved WUEgrain during the critical period of kernel setting of the cultivars Amanova, Severeen, Galactus and Fabregas. The results indicate that PAC treatment of maize plants bears several advantages such as reduced water demand and improved water‐use efficiency (WUE), higher mechanical strength of the stalk and an enhanced harvest index. Possible grain yield decreases per plant under well‐watered conditions could be counteracted by moderate increases in plant density, yet concurrently this might diminish some of the beneficial PAC effects.
Mesenchymal stroma/stem‐like cells of GARP knockdown inhibits cell proliferation and invasion of mouse colon cancer cells (MC38) through exosomes
Authors: Xing Haizhou , Liang Chunyan , Xu Xintong , Sun Hui , Ma Xiaojun , Jiang Zhongxing
Published: November 2020

Mesenchymal stroma/stem‐like cells (MSCs) have antitumour activity, and MSC‐derived exosomes play a role in the growth, metastasis and invasion of tumour cells. Additionally, glycoprotein A repetition predominant (GARP) promotes oncogenesis in breast cancer. Therefore, GARP is speculated to be a target gene for cancer therapy. We aimed to explore the therapy role of MSC‐derived exosomes targeting GARP in mouse colon cancer cell MC38. We successfully established a GARP knockdown system using three kinds of siRNA‐GARP in MSC cells. Exosomes were isolated from MSC and siGARP‐MSC cells, and verified by the exosome surface protein markers CD9, CD63 and CD81. GARP expression was significantly decreased in siGARP‐MSC exosomes compared with that of MSC exosomes. We found that siGARP‐MSC exosomes inhibited cell proliferation, migration and invasion of MC38 cells, using CCK‐8, colony formation, wound‐healing and Transwell invasion assays. Furthermore, siGARP‐MSC exosomes impeded IL‐6 secretion and partly inactivated JAK1/STAT3 pathway, measured using ELISA and RT‐qPCR. In conclusion, MSC‐derived exosomes targeting GARP are a potential strategy for cancer therapy.
Improvement in Activities of Daily Living during a Nursing Home Stay and One‐Year Mortality among Older Adults with Sepsis
Authors: Downer Brian , Pritchard Kevin , Thomas Kali S. , Ottenbacher Kenneth
Published: November 2020

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE

To describe the recovery of activities of daily living (ADLs) during a skilled nursing facility (SNF) stay and the association with 1‐year mortality after SNF discharge among Medicare beneficiaries treated in intensive care for sepsis.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

SETTING

Skilled nursing facilities in the United States.

PARTICIPANTS

Medicare fee‐for‐service beneficiaries admitted to an SNF within 3 days of discharge from a hospitalization that included an intensive care unit (ICU) stay for sepsis between January 1, 2013, and September 30, 2015 (N = 59,383).

MEASUREMENTS

Data from the Minimum Data Set (MDS) were used to calculate a total score for seven ADLs. Improvement was determined by comparing the total ADL scores from the first and last MDS assessments of the SNF stay. Proportional hazard models were used to estimate the association between improvement in ADL function and 1‐year mortality after SNF discharge.

RESULTS

Approximately 58% of SNF residents had any improvement in ADL function. Residents who had improvement in ADL function had 0.72 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.69–0.74) lower risk for mortality following SNF discharge than residents who did not improve. Residents who improved 1–3 points (hazard ratio (HR) = 0.82, 95% CI = 0.79–0.84) and four or more points (HR = 0.57, 95% CI = 0.55–0.60) in ADL function had significantly lower mortality risk than residents who did not improve.

CONCLUSION

Older adults treated in an ICU with sepsis can improve in ADL function during an SNF stay. This improvement is associated with lower 1‐year mortality risk after SNF discharge. These findings provide evidence that ADL recovery during an SNF stay is associated with better health outcomes for older adults who have survived an ICU stay for sepsis.
Health Heterogeneity in Older Adults: Exploration in the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging
Authors: Nguyen Quoc Dinh , Moodie Erica M. , Forget Marie‐France , Desmarais Philippe , Keezer Mark R. , Wolfson Christina
Published: November 2020

Background

A widely held dictum in aging research is that heterogeneity in health increases with age, but the basis for this claim has not been fully investigated. We examined heterogeneity at different ages across health characteristics to describe variation and trends; we investigated the comparative importance of between‐age versus within‐age heterogeneity.

Design

This was a cohort study.

Setting

Community‐dwelling older adults.

Participants

A total of 30,097 adults aged 45 to 86 years, from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging, were included.

Measurements

Thirty‐four health characteristics in eight domains (physical measures, vital signs, physiological measures, physical performance, function/disability, chronic conditions, frailty, laboratory values) were assessed cross‐sectionally. We used regression models to examine heterogeneity in health characteristics (using absolute deviation) and domains (using effective variance) in relation to age. Comparison between between‐age and within‐age heterogeneity was quantified by estimating the age threshold at which the former exceeds the latter.

Results

Of the 34 health characteristics, 17 showed increased heterogeneity, 8 decreased, and 9 no association with age. The associations between heterogeneity and age increased generally but were nonlinear for most domains and nonmonotonic for some. We observed peak heterogeneity at approximately 70 years. Between‐age heterogeneity, compared with within‐age heterogeneity, was most important for forced expiratory volume in 1 second and grip strength but varied across characteristics.

Conclusion

Overall health heterogeneity increases with age but does not uniformly increase across all variables and domains. Heterogeneity in aging reinforces the need for geriatric assessment and personalized care, depending on which health characteristics are assessed, their measurement properties, and their referent group. Our findings suggest further research to develop improved single‐dimension and multidimensional instruments, as well as specific vital and laboratory reference ranges for older adults.
Bank Size and Household Financial Sentiment: Surprising Evidence from University of Michigan Surveys of Consumers
Authors: BERGER ALLEN N. , IRRESBERGER FELIX , ROMAN RALUCA A.
Published: November 2020

We analyze comparative advantages/disadvantages of small and large banks in improving household financial sentiment. Matching University of Michigan Surveys of Consumers household sentiment data with local banking market data from 2000 to 2014, we find surprising results—large banks have significant comparative advantages in boosting such sentiment. The findings apply across demographic groups, market types, and time periods, and are robust to different measurements and econometric methods. We contribute to the literatures on bank specialness, benefits and costs of small and large banks, household sentiment, and real effects of banking. We conjecture about the drivers of the findings, and discuss policy implications.
Rethinking Political Elites' Mass‐Linkage Strategies: Lessons from the Study of Indira Gandhi's Political Habitus
Authors: Singh Sourabh
Published: November 2020

In this article, I critique available elite‐mass linkage theories that depict elites either as structurally determined or rational actors. Taking cues from Bourdieu's political field theory, I argue that elites' mass‐linkage strategies are a product of their point of view on politics structured by their trajectory in historically specific structures of politics. I demonstrate my argument by documenting shifts in the mass‐linkage strategies of Indira Gandhi, one of the most influential leaders of postcolonial India. The general lesson to be drawn from this study is that it is important to examine political elites' past mass‐linkage experiences in historically specific conditions of the political structure in order to explain their current choices of mass‐linkage strategies.
School Mental Health Curriculum Effects on Peer Violence Victimization and Perpetration: A Cluster‐Randomized Trial
Authors: DuPont‐Reyes Melissa J. , Villatoro Alice P. , Phelan Jo C. , Painter Kris , Barkin Kay , Link Bruce G.
Published: November 2020

BACKGROUND

Addressing school violence is an important public health goal. To assess the role of school mental health curricula in violence prevention, we evaluated effects of an anti‐stigma curriculum on violence victimization/perpetration.

METHODS

An ethnically/socioeconomically diverse sample of 751 sixth‐graders (mean age 11.5 years) across 14 schools in Texas were block‐randomized by school (2011‐2012) to receive singly or in combination: (1) a mental illness anti‐stigma curriculum; (2) contact with 2 young adults with mental illness; or (3) merged control (printed materials/no intervention). Pre‐ and post‐test assessments were self‐completed during health education classes; prior to randomization, 484 (64.5%) agreed to 2‐year, home‐based longitudinal assessments. Statistical models tested short‐ and long‐term effects on physical, verbal, and relational/social violence victimization/perpetration.

RESULTS

At 1‐month post‐test, students who received the curriculum versus control made fewer verbal threats (p < .05). Those with high‐level mental health symptoms in the curriculum group versus control used less violence overall and received fewer verbal threats from peers short‐term (p < .05). Curriculum effects of reducing violence perpetration sustained long‐term among adolescents with high‐symptoms (p < .01). The comparator contact intervention was ineffective short‐ and long‐term.

CONCLUSIONS

Implementing efficacious mental health curricula can serve as a multi‐pronged strategy with anti‐bulling efforts to prevent violence and improve mental health.
High Magnesium Calcite and Dolomite composition carbonate in Amphiroa (Lithophyllaceae, Corallinales, Rhodophyta): further documentation of elevated Mg in Corallinales with climate change implications
Authors: Nash Merinda C. , Adey Walter , Harvey Adela S.
Published: November 2020

Species of the calcified, articulate coralline Amphiroa are key components of many shallow marine ecosystems. Understanding their mineral composition is important as their susceptibility to dissolution, due to ocean acidification, may vary with mineral composition. We studied the distribution of Mg‐calcite, very high magnesium calcite (VHMC), and dolomite within Amphiroa species to elucidate their mineral properties and susceptibility to dissolution. Results revealed that the asymmetrical X‐ray diffraction (XRD) pattern typical of Amphiroa globally represents high levels of VHMC and dolomite composition carbonate. The dolomite seems most likely to be disordered, but higher resolution XRD is required for confirmation. The calcified long sides of medullary cells have predominantly VHMC/dolomite and the corners have bands of VHMC/dolomite. Epithallial cell walls are low Mg‐calcite, and cortical cells are low Mg‐calcite with bands of VHMC. VHMC/dolomite is more stable than Mg‐calcite, and this may provide a competitive advantage for Amphiroa species as seawater pH declines. Further work is required to determine the metabolic controls on VHMC/dolomite mineral formation.
Pipeline Programs Can Support Reforms in Medical Education: A Cohort Study of Alabama's Rural Health Leaders Pipeline to Engage Community Leaders
Authors: Wheat John R. , Leeper James D.
Published: November 2020

Purpose

To demonstrate for county leaders the utility of rural pipelines to gain physicians and produce health professionals.

Methods

This cohort study, 1993‐2018, aggregated 1,051 students in the Rural Health Leaders Pipeline to their home counties (N = 67) to study the relationship between county participation in pipeline programs and outcomes of family physicians gained and health professionals produced. Additional county demographics were included. We conducted descriptive, bivariate, and multivariable linear regression analyses controlling for poverty, race, and rurality.

Findings

All 67 Alabama counties participated with means of 9.6 Rural Health Scholars, 2.7 Rural Minority Health Scholars, 3.4 Rural Medical Scholars, 67% rural population, 29.7% Black population, and 21.5% under poverty. Best regression model for gaining family physicians included Rural Medical Scholars involved (b = 0.24, P < .001) with R2 0.30, indicating a county gained 1 family physician for 4 students. Best model for health professionals included Rural Health Scholars involved (b = 0.20, P < .001) with R2 0.31, indicating production of 1 health professional for 5 students. Best model for any professional included Rural Health Scholars involved (b = 0.23, P < .001) with R2 0.35, indicating 1 professional produced for 4 students.

Conclusions

Rural pipeline programs can be useful tools in medical education reform to benefit counties with the gain of family physicians and production of health professionals. Local public officials could use these findings, eg, 1 family physician gained for every 4 students a county involved in the pipeline, to advocate that health professional education employ such pipelines.
Deaths From COVID‐19 in Rural, Micropolitan, and Metropolitan Areas: A County‐Level Comparison
Authors: Karim Saleema A. , Chen Hsueh‐Fen
Published: November 2020

Purpose

The United States has experienced a surge of COVID‐19 cases and deaths. Regardless of the overall increase in the prevalence and mortality, there are disagreements about the consequences of exposure and contracting COVID‐19, specifically in rural areas. Rural areas have inherent characteristics that increase their vulnerability to contracting COVID‐19. The objective of this study was to investigate the differences in death rates from COVID‐19 between urban and rural areas in the United States.

Methods

This study used county‐level data. The data set consisted of confirmed COVID‐19 cases and deaths along with county‐level demographics. The sample consisted of all counties in the 50 US states and DC. Counties were designated as metropolitan, micropolitan, and rural. A zero‐inflated negative binomial regression was used to estimate county‐level number of deaths conditional on contracting COVID‐19. The study focused on COVID‐19‐related mortality from February 10, 2020, to June 12, 2020.

Findings

After controlling for county‐level characteristics, the rate of COVID‐19 deaths was 70.3% (P < .001) for rural counties and 53.4% (P < .001) for micropolitan counties, both significantly lower than metropolitan counties during the study time period.

Conclusion

Over time, rural geography and social isolation may not provide sustainable protection to rural residents from the pandemic. The slow progression provides rural areas additional time and opportunity to learn from the experiences in urban areas that were most affected. Rural areas need to be proactive and develop prevention strategies and response plans to manage and control the spread of COVID‐19.
Ecological niche models improve home range estimations
Authors: Sillero N. , dos Santos R. , Teodoro A. C. , Carretero M. A.
Published: November 2020

Home ranges in animals can be estimated by different methods like minimum convex polygons, characteristic hulls or kernels while correlative ecological niche models (ENMs) are commonly employed for forecasting species' ranges. However, ENMs can also model the distribution of individuals if environmental very high spatial resolution data are available. Indeed, remote sensing (RS) can provide images with pixel sizes of few centimetres. Here, we modelled the distribution of individual lizards (Podarcis bocagei) combining aerial‐like photographs recorded with a compact camera and a matrix of temperature/humidity data‐loggers to obtain several environmental layers with very high spatial resolution. We recorded lizards’ positions in a 20 × 20 m mesocosm with a high precision GPS device (~10 cm of error), multiple times per day throughout the whole period of daily activity. We built an orthophoto map (pixels of 20 cm2) from camera pictures, a digital surface model, and a land‐cover supervised classification map. We recreated climate‐like variables by combining data‐logger data. For each individual, we calculated the distance to males and females, excluding the focal lizard. We computed individual realized niche models with Bioclim, GAM, GLM, Maxent and random forest. Models attained a very high evaluation score in most cases. The most contributing variables were related to microclimate (isothermality, minimum temperature and humidity) and distance to conspecifics. Our very high spatial resolution models provided robust information on how space is used by each lizard. Correlative models can identify the most suitable areas inside the home range, similar to core areas estimated from kernel algorithms, but allowed better statistical inference. Overall, RS tools generated high‐quality environmental data, and when combined with ENMs, improved the robustness of the predictions on spatial patterns of small terrestrial animals.
Political Uncertainty and the Vote‐of‐Confidence Procedure
Authors: Spater Jeremy
Published: November 2020

I develop a model to study the effects of political uncertainty on a prime minister’s ability to use a vote‐of‐confidence procedure to determine policy outcomes. In contrast to previous studies, I model political uncertainty as an area in policy space in which the probability of the prime minister’s proposal being accepted varies continuously and find that under certain circumstances the presence of political uncertainty can increase the ability of the prime min‐ ister to extract policy rents. This novel result corresponds to an interpretation of political uncertainty as a result of an intraparty bargaining problem within the legislature and allows the model to explain certain cases that sit oddly with previous work.
What affects the price movements in Bitcoin and Ethereum?
Authors: Sabalionis Arturas , Wang Wenbo , Park Hail
Published: November 2020

This study aims to explain price movements in the two largest cryptocurrencies that represent the majority of cryptocurrency market capitalization—Bitcoin and Ethereum. A VAR‐GARCH‐BEKK model is estimated to analyze how Google search interest, number of tweets and active addresses on the blockchain impact prices of Bitcoin and Ethereum over time. We find solid evidence that the amount of active addresses is the most significant variable among others influencing price movements in Bitcoin and Ethereum. Based on spillover effects and GIRFs, Google searches and tweets, to a certain extent, have impacts on the Bitcoin and Ethereum prices, but the impacts are weaker than that of active addresses in terms of magnitude and significance.
Disease progression and phenotypes of non‐motor symptoms in Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Osaki Yasushi , Morita Yukari , Miyamoto Yuka , Furushima Tomomi , Furuta Konosuke , Furuya Hirokazu
Published: November 2020

Background

Motor symptoms, non‐motor symptoms, and treatment‐related motor complications appear during the course of Parkinson's disease.

Aim

To observe the progression of all symptoms related to Parkinson's disease including prodromal non‐motor symptoms, motor symptoms, treatment‐related motor complications, and non‐motor symptoms.

Methods

We assessed 201 patients with Parkinson's disease. The reviewed symptoms included all of the motor and non‐motor symptoms listed in the Movement Disorder Society‐Parkinson's disease criteria and other non‐motor symptoms such as pain, fatigue, and apathy. According to established criteria, the presence of each symptom was coded. If present, latencies were calculated by months. To identify representative non‐motor symptoms, we performed non‐hierarchical and hierarchical cluster analyses.

Results

We observed the presence of prodromal non‐motor symptoms and the progression of motor symptoms, treatment‐related complications, and non‐motor symptoms. Regarding the non‐motor symptoms, a comparison of the results from the two sets of cluster analysis led to the identification of six subgroups: “pain,” “constipation,” “depression and insomnia,” “hyposmia,” “daytime urinary urgency and symptomatic orthostatic hypotension,” and “excessive daytime somnolence, rapid eye movement sleep behavioral disorder, hallucinations, and dementia.”

Conclusions

In some patients, Parkinson's disease starts from the extra‐striatonigral pathway. Apart from the motor symptoms and treatment‐related complications, the non‐motor symptoms progress independently in several directions, as a result of non‐dopaminergic dysfunction, outside the nigrostriatal pathway.
Uncertainty of runoff sensitivity to climate change in the Amazon River basin
Authors: Carmona Alejandra M. , Renner Maik , Kleidon Axel , Poveda Germán
Published: November 2020

We employ the approach of Roderick and Farquhar (2011) to assess the sensitivity of runoff (R) given changes in precipitation (P), potential evapotranspiration (Ep), and other properties that change the partitioning of P (n) by estimating coefficients that predict the weight of each variable in the relative change of R. We use this framework using different data sources and products for P, actual evapotranspiration (E), and Ep within the Amazon River basin to quantify the uncertainty of the hydrologic response at the subcatchment scale. We show that when estimating results from the different combinations of datasets for the entire river basin (at Óbidos), a 10% increase in P would increase R on average 16%, while a 10% increase in Ep would decrease R about 6%. In addition, a 10% change in the parameter n would affect the hydrological response of the entire basin around 5%. However, results change from catchment to catchment and are dependent on the combination of datasets. Finally, results suggest that enhanced estimates of E and Ep are needed to improve our understanding of the future scenarios of hydrological sensitivity with implications for the quantification of climate change impacts at the regional (subcatchment and subbasin) scale in Amazonia.
Fair‐y Tales: An analysis of children’s books about sun safety
Authors: McCormack Lindsay , Dzuali Fiatsogbe S. , Tappel Anna , Huang Jennifer T.
Published: November 2020

Introduction

Skin cancer prevention should ideally begin with healthy sun protection habits during childhood. Children's books can be effective tools to introduce healthy habits early in life and should be targeted toward all children regardless of skin tone. This study examined sun protection guidelines and the representation of skin tones in commercial children's books.

Methods

We performed internet searches for children's books about sun protection. We compared content from these books to current sun protection guidelines from the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). We assessed books for reading level, author profession, and skin tone representation.

Results

Seventeen books met study criteria. Of 19 factors surrounding sun protection provided by the AAD, the median number of factors mentioned within children's books was nine (range 3‐13). Of the 13 books with color illustrations of people, one (7.6%) book depicted people with dark skin tones on the cover, and three (23.1%) books depicted people with dark skin tones within the story.

Conclusion

Commercial children's books about sun protection incorporate some, but not all, of the AAD guidelines, and there is an inadequate representation of darker skin tones within and on the cover of these books.
A study on lethal doses of various pesticides on honeybees (Apis mellifera L.) – a laboratory trial
Authors: Pervez Mahnoor , Manzoor Farkhanda
Published: November 2020

Exposure of honeybee (Apis mellifera L.) to pesticides disturbed normal physiological and behavioral functions required for normal foraging and colony maintenance. The present study was aimed towards establishing the mean lethal concentration (LC50) of three pesticides viz. carbamate (carbaryl), organophosphate (chlorpyrifos) and neonicotinoid (imidacloprid) in honeybees through feeding bioassay laboratory trial. Deleteriousness was confirmed through mortality rate, number of survival bees, acetylcholinesterase (AChE), total protein (TP) levels, AChE gene transcription level, and gut tissues histological analysis of exposed honeybees. Mean mortality rate was calculated for 96 h interval at three different concentrations of tested pesticides (5, 2.5, and 1.25 mg L−1), and LC50 values calculated for 48 and 96 h interval. AChE enzyme and TP level are determined by ELIZA and spectrophotometer, respectively. Results revealed that imidacloprid had the lowest LC50 (0.477 ng/bee) values as compared with carbaryl and chlorpyrifos. High mortality rate was observed at highest dose, being impidacloprid have more lethal effects as compared with other pesticides. Similarly, biochemical analysis revealed that imidiacloprid and chlorpyrifos significantly (P ≤ 0.05) increased AChE and TP levels, whereas carbaryl significantly (P ≤ 0.05) decreased them. Similarly, probe based RT qPCR revealed that imidacloprid and chlorpyrifos treatments significantly (P ≤ 0.05) enhanced the AChE level whereas carbaryl decreased it. Histological analysis showed that the gut tissues of honeybees exposed to pesticide treatment had substantial morphological abnormalities. In a nutshell, imidacloprid, carbaryl and chlorpyrifos have substantial toxic effects on all the study attributes of honeybees with imidacloprid being most toxic.
An interdisciplinary street outreach program to engage vulnerable neighbors in care
Authors: Doran Kelly , Doede Megan
Published: November 2020

Those experiencing poverty, homelessness, or behavioral health disorders are difficult to engage and maintain in health care services. These vulnerable populations experience unique barriers to engagement in health care services, which fuel health inequity. We need innovative approaches to address this need. This paper discusses the reciprocal relationship between a community center and a local university, which led to a street outreach program that provides a dynamic interprofessional experience for nursing, medical, and social work students and helps connect vulnerable populations to care. Over 12 weeks, students interacted with 127 neighbors. The most common interventions used were as follows: support and encouragement, health teaching, providing medical supplies, and/or referrals to the community center to meet with case management and/or attend the nurse‐run public health clinic. The encounters often resulted in neighbors’ goals being met, neighbors’ planning to use the community outreach center (COC) in the future, and neighbors leaving the encounter with a plan to manage their health.
Risk of adverse maternal and foetal outcomes associated with inactivated influenza vaccination in first trimester of pregnancy
Authors: Speake Hollie A. , Pereira Gavin , Regan Annette K.
Published: November 2020

Background

In many countries, influenza vaccination is routinely recommended during any stage of pregnancy, yet uptake remains low, particularly in the first trimester. This is thought to be due to maternal concerns regarding vaccine safety.

Objective

To evaluate the safety of influenza vaccination in the first trimester of pregnancy.

Methods

In a 4‐year retrospective cohort study using probabilistic record linkage of administrative health data, we established a population‐based cohort of 2391 women vaccinated in first trimester and 68 447 never vaccinated women with a date of conception between 2012 and 2015 in Western Australia. We estimated the relative risk (RR) of perinatal health outcomes among first trimester vaccinated women as compared to never vaccinated women using log‐binomial logistic regression following a propensity score matched (PSM) analyses (2391 vaccinated women matched with 9564 never vaccinated women).

Results

First trimester vaccination was not associated with increased risk of stillbirth (RR 1.18, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.64, 2.19), small for gestational age (RR 0.96, 95% CI 0.83, 1.11) or preeclampsia (RR 0.97, 95% CI 0.74, 1.28). The risk of spontaneous birth at 32‐36 weeks was higher in first trimester vaccinated women compared with never vaccinated women (RR 1.40, 95% CI 1.11, 1.77). Vaccination was associated with a 10‐19% increase in the risk of gestational diabetes (RR 1.18, 95% CI 0.94, 1.49), premature rupture of membranes (RR 1.10, 95% CI 0.82, 1.48), and threatened preterm labour (RR 1.19, 95% CI 0.90, 1.59).

Conclusions

With exception to spontaneous preterm birth, findings suggest that first trimester vaccination is not associated with adverse maternal and foetal outcomes. Results can be used to support patient and provider‐level vaccine decision making during first trimester.
Bird functional diversity in restored and secondary forests of the Colombian Andes
Authors: Betancurt‐Grisales Juan F. , Vargas‐Daza Angela M. , Castaño‐Villa Gabriel J. , Ospina‐Bautista Fabiola
Published: November 2020

Forest plantations may have detrimental effects on biodiversity. However, these plantations are widely used to restore degraded habitats, yet their contribution to restoring functional diversity remains largely unknown. We assessed vegetation structure, resource availability, and bird abundance, as well as bird morphological, behavioral, life history, and functional diversity in ~35‐year‐old monospecific protected Andean alder (Alnus acuminata) forest plantations in the Central Andes range at elevations between 2,400 and 2,800 m, to determine if plantation structure and resource availability favor bird functional diversity. We compared our findings to a 35‐ to 45‐year‐old secondary forest that had naturally regenerated. We found similarities in bird functional diversity but different functional composition between the Andean alder plantation and secondary forest. The bird life history, behavioral, and morphological traits from the secondary forest were more heterogeneous than those from the plantation. In addition, standing dead trees in the Andean alder plantation promoted bird functional diversity and the presence of birds in the plantation interior. Overall, vegetation structure and understory resource availability of Andean alder plantations appear sufficient to enable bird functional diversity partially resembling that of secondary forests in the region.
Firm‐productivity and cross border merger
Authors: Mukherjee Arijit , Senalp Umut Erksan
Published: November 2020

We examine whether higher productivity of a foreign firm increases the incentive for a cross border merger, which is a dominant form of foreign direct investment in recent decades. In line with the empirical evidence, we show that the relationship between productivity of a foreign firm and cross border merger is mixed. We show that the market concentration effect plays an important role in determining the relationship and provides a rationale for a generally ignored empirical evidence showing a negative relationship between firm‐productivity and cross border merger. Our results hold under both Cournot and Bertrand competition.
Variation of intra‐aggregate organic carbon affects aggregate formation and stability during organic manure fertilization in a fluvo‐aquic soil
Authors: Wen Yunjie , Tang Yuefeng , Wen Jiong , Wang Qi , Bai Lingyu , Wang Yanan , Su Shiming , Wu Cuixia , Lv Jialong , Zeng Xibai
Published: November 2020

The aggregate formation and stability are controlled by the dynamics of soil organic matters (SOM), but how it is related to SOM chemical composition within different‐sized aggregates is largely unknown during manure fertilization. In this study, the variations of intra‐aggregate organic carbon (OC), including intra‐particulate organic matter (iPOM) and mineral‐associated organic matter, were quantitatively and qualitatively analysed, and then, their effects on aggregate formation and stability were assessed under four treatments: control (CK), mineral fertilizer (NPK), reduced manure (30%M) and manure fertilizers (M). Manure application (M) significantly increased macroaggregate proportion, mean weight diameter (MWD), and OC contents within different‐sized aggregates compared to CK, NPK, and 30%M. The OC accumulation of macroaggregate in M was attributed to OC content increase in silt plus clay subfraction rather than iPOM with more labile organic groups; oppositely, in microaggregate it was located in the relatively stable fine iPOM. The macroaggregate formation and stability were controlled by the fine iPOM within macroaggregates, whose abundant polysaccharide‐C and aliphatic‐C after manure fertilization advanced the microbial growth except for Gram‐positive bacteria, which further promoted macroaggregate formation and stability. The free silt plus clay fraction also affected macroaggregate formation and stability, and its polysaccharide‐C derived from microorganisms or decomposing SOM was positively associated with MWD and macroaggregate proportion. Because polysaccharide‐C can be easily associated with mineral particles, further improving micro‐ or macroaggregation. We conclude that continuous manure fertilization could increase labile SOM accumulation within aggregates and then facilitate microbial growth, which collectively are responsible for aggregate formation and stabilization.