bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ethanolic guava leaf extract with different chlorophyll removal processes: Antioxidant properties and its preventive effect on lipid oxidation in Pacific white shrimp
Authors: Olatunde Oladipupo Odunayo , Tan Steffi Louisa Della , Benjakul Soottawat
Published: September 2020

Sedimentation process (GLE‐S) or chloroform (GLE‐Ch) were used for dechlorophyllisation of ethanolic guava leaf extract (EGLE). EGLE without chlorophyll removal (GLE‐C) was served as control. Among all the extracts, GLE‐S had the lowest chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and total chlorophyll contents (P < 0.05). Extraction yield was highest in GLE‐C, followed by GLE‐S and GLE‐Ch, respectively. Total phenolic content and antioxidant properties were highest in GLE‐S (P < 0.05). When Pacific white shrimp (PWS) was pre‐treated with GLE‐S at varying doses (0.5% and 1%), lipid oxidation products were monitored as compared to the control (CON) and those pre‐treated with 1.25% sodium metabisulphite (SMS‐1.25) during refrigerated storage (4°C) for 12 days. Lower lipid oxidation was recorded for PWS pre‐treated with GLE‐S, especially at 1%. Therefore, sedimentation process, a green method, showed promising efficacy for producing EGLE free of green colour with improved antioxidant properties. The extract effectively reduced lipid oxidation in PWS during refrigerated storage.
Seasonal variations in hematological disorders: A 10‐year single‐center experience
Authors: Hassan Jawad , Adil Syed Omair , Haider Zeeshan , Zaheer Sidra , Anwar Nida , Nadeem Muhammad , Ansari Saqib Hussain , Shamsi Tahir
Published: September 2020

Aims

To assess the seasonal variations in hematological disorders among patients diagnosed on the basis of bone marrow biopsy, who attended National Institute of Blood Diseases (NIBD) clinics during 2006 to 2015.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the 10‐year records of hematological disorders among patients' NIBD clinics from year 2006 to 2015. All cases of aplastic anemia (AA), acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), acute myeloid leukemia (AML), immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), and acute promyelocytic leukemia (APML) were categorized on the basis of the seasons in which they were diagnosed such as winter (December‐February), spring (March‐May), southwest monsoon periods (June‐September), and retreating monsoon period (October and November). Statistical analysis was performed by using SPSS and STATA. Inferential statistics were explored using the chi‐square test for heterogeneity to evaluate seasonal variations. P‐value <0.05 was taken as significant.

Results

A total of 1982 cases were reviewed. Men were predominantly higher (n = 1190, 60%) as compared to women (n = 792, 40%). Frequency of ALL was found to be higher (513, 25.9%), followed by ITP (504, 25.4%), AML (490, 24.7%), AA (396, 20%), while APML was observed in only 79 (4%) patients. Seasonal variations in the diagnosis of hematological disorders were observed (P‐value < .001), except in APML diagnosis (P‐value = .445). Significant seasonal variations were also detected in both genders in stratified analysis.

Conclusion

The finding of this study has reported an increase in the hematological disorder during 2006 to 2015. Particularly, majority of the cases were reported in southwest monsoon period, whereas least cases were reported in retreating period. Significant seasonal and yearly variations were detected in all diagnosis except the APML.
Exploring occupational gender‐role stereotypes of male nurses: A South African study
Authors: Rabie Tinda , Rossouw Lizelle , Machobane Bandile F.
Published: September 2020

Aim

The aim of the study was to investigate stereotypes of occupational gender roles about male nurses, as viewed from both emic and etic perspectives.

Background

Male nurses are a minority group in health institutions. Stereotypes have been questioned regarding these males' occupational role and presence in the nursing profession.

Design

A qualitative description design was used.

Methods

During 2016, semi‐structured interviews (N = 30) were conducted with male nurses (n = 10) (emic group), female nurses (n = 10) and discharged patients (n = 10) (etic groups) from four public hospitals.

Results

Seven categories with respective themes and subthemes emerged. Three categories were captured for emic groups, namely, existing stereotypes, experiences of stereotyping and the influences of stereotypes on work performance. Four categories emerged for etic groups, namely, treatment preferences, types of stereotyping towards male nurses, origin of stereotypes and effects of stereotypes.

Conclusion

Positive and negative stereotypes were reported by both emic and etic groups, with etic groups revealing more stereotypes. Effort should be made by both management in the practice environment and the media to counter the stereotyping of male nurses.
Libertad sindical en la industria de la confección de Bangladesh. Esquizofrenia política en la legislación laboral
Authors: RAHIM Mia Mahmudur , ISLAM Sk Samidul
Published: September 2020

El derecho de libertad sindical es fundamental para institucionalizar el sindicalismo. La Constitución y el Código del Trabajo de Bangladesh lo reconocen, pero sus disposiciones han demostrado ser ineficaces para garantizar su ejercicio en la industria de la confección. A fin de corregir las deplorables condiciones laborales de la misma, se requiere un marco legislativo integral que promueva las aptitudes y recursos complementarios del Gobierno, de los propietarios de fábricas, de los sindicatos y de las marcas mundiales hacia un compromiso y una contribución permanentes a las dimensiones socioeconómicas y políticas de las relaciones laborales en la industria de la confección de Bangladesh.
Possible negative effects of big data on decision quality in firms: The role of knowledge hiding behaviours
Authors: Ghasemaghaei Maryam , Turel Ofir
Published: September 2020

While common wisdom suggests that big data facilitates better decisions, we posit that it may not always be the case, as big data aspects can also afford and motivate knowledge hiding. To examine this possibility, we integrate adaptive cost theory with the resource‐based view of the firm. This integration suggests that the effect of big data characteristics (i.e., data variety, volume, and velocity) on firm decision quality can be explained, in part, by data analysts' perceived knowledge hiding behaviours, including evasive hiding, playing dumb, and rationalized hiding. We examined this model with survey data from 149 data analysts in firms that use big data to varying degrees. The findings show that big data characteristics have distinct effects on knowledge hiding behaviours. While data volume and velocity enhance knowledge hiding, data variety reduces it. Moreover, evasive hiding, playing dumb, and rationalized hiding have varying effects on firm decision quality. Whereas evasive hiding reduces firm decision‐making quality, playing dumb does not affect it, and rationalized hiding improves it. These results are further validated with applicability checks. Ultimately, these results can explain inconsistent past findings regarding the return on investment in big data and provide a unique look into the potential “dark sides” of big data.
Effects of microstructure on the oxidation behavior of A3 matrix‐grade graphite
Authors: Bratten Adam , Duan Jiaqi , Hoffman Andrew , Wen Haiming , He Xiaoqing , Stempien John D.
Published: September 2020

The oxidation behavior of matrix‐grade graphite in air‐ or steam‐ingress accident scenarios is of great interest for high‐temperature gas reactors (HTGRs). In this study, the microstructures of two variants of matrix‐grade graphite based on the German A3‐3 and A3‐27 formulations were characterized with scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and Raman spectroscopy, and correlated to oxidation behavior observed through thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Through TEM imaging and selected area electron diffraction (SAED), a higher volume fraction of partially graphitized carbon was identified in the A3‐3 type graphite than in the A3‐27 type. This structure is believed to have contributed to the accelerated oxidation exhibited by A3‐3 in the chemical reaction‐controlled oxidation regime.
Editorial Perspective: A plea for the sustained implementation of digital interventions for young people with mental health problems in the light of the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Kaess Michael , Moessner Markus , Koenig Julian , Lustig Sophia , Bonnet Sabrina , Becker Katja , Eschenbeck Heike , Rummel‐Kluge Christine , Thomasius Rainer , Bauer Stephanie ,   the ProHEAD Consortium
Published: September 2020

The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic and the consequent global lockdown posed a particular challenge for youths with mental health problems. Crucial interference with their everyday lives likely increased psychological distress while accessibility of conventional mental health care was limited. Ongoing online trials offer a unique opportunity to analyse mental health status and help‐seeking behaviour of adolescents during the pandemic. The ProHEAD‐online trial aims at improving help‐seeking behaviour of children and adolescents with significant psychological impairment. From January to May 2020, 1,042 students had access to the ProHEAD‐online platform providing information on mental illness, monitoring, peer support and professional counselling. In the week from 11 March, when schools were closed in Germany, a drastic (more than 2 standard deviations) but time‐limited increase in utilization of the ProHEAD‐online services became apparent. This may indicate a worsened mental health status and an increased help seeking via digital services during the lockdown. Although this finding is purely observational, it speaks to the importance of evidence‐based online service in the field of mental health within the current crisis and beyond.
Symbiont‐mediated fly survival is independent of defensive symbiont genotype in the Drosophila melanogaster–Spiroplasma–wasp interaction
Authors: Jones Jordan E. , Hurst Gregory D. D.
Published: September 2020

When a parasite attacks an insect, the outcome is commonly modulated by the presence of defensive heritable symbionts residing within the insect host. Previous studies noted markedly different strengths of Spiroplasma‐mediated fly survival following attack by the same strain of wasp. One difference between the two studies was the strain of Spiroplasma used. We therefore performed a laboratory experiment to assess whether Spiroplasma‐mediated protection depends upon the strain of Spiroplasma. We perform this analysis using the two strains of male‐killing Spiroplasma used previously, and examined response to challenge by two strains of Leptopilina boulardi and two strains of Leptopilina heterotoma wasp. We found no evidence Spiroplasma strain affected fly survival following wasp attack. In contrast, analysis of the overall level of protection, including the fecundity of survivors of wasp attack, did indicate the two Spiroplasma strains tested varied in protective efficiency against three of the four wasp strains tested. These data highlight the sensitivity of symbiont‐mediated protection phenotypes to laboratory conditions, and the importance of common garden comparison. Our results also indicate that Spiroplasma strains can vary in protective capacity in Drosophila, but these differences may exist in the relative performance of survivors of wasp attack, rather than in survival of attack per se.
Indirect effect of elevated CO2 concentration on Bemisia tabaci MEAM1 feeding on Bt soybean plants
Authors: De Paulo Paula Daiana , Pereira Eliseu José G. , Oliveira Eugenio E. , Fereres Alberto , Garzo Elisa
Published: September 2020

The development of herbivore insects is influenced by the quality of their host plants. Elevated CO2 alters plant metabolism, which may change the nutritional quality of the plant, modifying the life history and feeding behaviour of herbivore insects. Understanding how insect pests respond to increasing CO2 concentration is essential for predicting the impact of the pest on food security. In this study, we investigated the effects of elevated CO2 (eCO2) on the life history and feeding behaviour of the MEAM1 species of Bemisia tabaci on a Bt soybean cultivar. We found that eCO2 increased the egg to adult development time and reduced the reproductive responses (fecundity and fertility) of B. tabaci. The whitefly B. tabaci that fed on the soybean plants grown under eCO2 conditions was negatively influenced by several traits related to the host plant resistance, such as the time spent on phloem sap ingestion. Furthermore, we evaluated the changes in the C:N concentration and plant morphology of the Bt plants. The biomass (weight of leaves and stems) of the Bt soybean plants grown under eCO2 conditions was significantly increased, and the elevated C:N ratio in the phenological stage V6 (i.e. when the plants had six trifoliate leaves developed) was the most pronounced difference in the Bt soybean plants subjected to eCO2 treatment. Taken together, our results indicate that Bt plants cultivated under eCO2 inhibit B. tabaci feeding, which can reduce whitefly infestations of the soybean fields.
Is shared decision‐making to blame for the provision of ethically inappropriate treatment? Results of a multi‐site study exploring physician understanding of the “shared” model of decision making
Authors: Landry Joshua T.
Published: September 2020

Support for the concept of respect for first‐person informed consent and patient autonomy, including the negative right of patients to refuse unwanted interventions has grown, but does not generally include a positive right of patients to receive whatever treatment they request or demand without constraint. Despite this, health‐care providers in both Canada and the United States are guilty of providing, in their own opinions, futile or probably futile treatments at the request of patients or their substitute decision‐makers. The purpose of this study was to examine whether physicians’ understanding of the shared model of medical decision‐making – shared decision‐making, (SDM) – may be among the reasons why some patients receive treatment understood as ethically inappropriate, including those deemed futile, treatments that are not medically indicated, or those that are not in the patient's best interests to receive. A secondary question asked to study participants was whether they believed their professional college allowed, or further, required them to use shared decision‐making in their practice. The initial hypothesis of the researcher in this study was that SDM is not well understood by physicians, and that this lack of understanding, combined with other factors to be discussed in the full text, may result in patients receiving ethically‐inappropriate treatment. Results suggest support for this hypothesis, and that SDM should be more closely examined if it is to be pursued as a method of decision making.
Do Different Ascertainment Techniques Identify the Same Individuals as Sarcopenic in the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging?
Authors: Mayhew Alexandra J. , Phillips Stuart M. , Sohel Nazmul , Thabane Lehana , McNicholas Paul D. , de Souza Russell J. , Parise Gianni , Raina Parminder
Published: September 2020

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

Sarcopenia is associated with poor health outcomes such as disability, institutionalization, and mortality. Efforts to manage sarcopenia clinically have been hindered by challenges in determining how to ascertain sarcopenia status correctly. The objective of this project was to assess the agreement between the different methods of ascertaining sarcopenia recommended by expert groups.

DESIGN

Cross‐sectional study of baseline data (2011–2015) from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging.

SETTING

Population‐based multicenter study of community‐dwelling participants.

PARTICIPANTS

Eligible participants (n = 12,646) aged 65 to 85 living within 25 to 50 km of 11 data collection sites in Canada. The analyses included 10,820 participants with the data required to diagnose sarcopenia.

MEASUREMENTS

Sarcopenia was operationalized as appendicular lean mass (ALM), ALM and grip strength, ALM and gait speed, and grip strength and gait speed. Within each combination, ALM was adjusted for height squared, weight, body mass index, and the residual of regressing lean mass on height and fat mass. The lowest 20th sex‐specific percentile values were used as the cutoffs for low ALM. Low grip strength cutoffs of 35.5 kg for men and 20 kg for women and a gait speed cutoff of .8 m/s were used.

RESULTS

The mean age was 73.0 ± 5.6 years, and 51.9% of the sample was male. The agreement (Cohen's κ) between the different combinations of variables used to ascertain sarcopenia status was below .50. Agreement for the different lean mass adjustment techniques ranged from .04 to .76.

CONCLUSION

The combination of variables used to ascertain sarcopenia and many of the ALM adjustment techniques have insufficient agreement to be considered equivalent. This has important clinical implications for the management of sarcopenia because treatments may differ based on how sarcopenia is identified. To improve the clinical utility of sarcopenia, a unified definition of sarcopenia is required.
Conflicting Orders in Physician Orders forLife‐SustainingTreatment Forms
Authors: Lee Robert Y. , Modes Matthew E. , Sathitratanacheewin Seelwan , Engelberg Ruth A. , Curtis J. Randall , Kross Erin K.
Published: September 2020

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

Many older persons with chronic illness use Physician Orders for Life‐Sustaining Treatment (POLST) to document portable medical orders for emergency care. However, some POLSTs contain combinations of orders that do not translate into a cohesive care plan (eg, cardiopulmonary resuscitation [CPR] without intensive care, or intensive care without antibiotics). This study characterizes the prevalence and predictors of POLSTs with conflicting orders.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

SETTING

Large academic health system.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 3,123 POLST users with chronic life‐limiting illness who died between 2010 and 2015 (mean age = 69.7 years).

MEASUREMENTS

In a retrospective review of all POLSTs in participants' electronic health records, we describe the prevalence of POLSTs with conflicting orders for cardiac arrest and medical interventions, and use clustered logistic regression to evaluate potential predictors of conflicting orders. We also examine the prevalence of conflicts between POLST orders for antibiotics and artificial nutrition with orders for cardiac arrest or medical interventions.

RESULTS

Among 3,924 complete POLSTs belonging to 3,123 decedents, 209 (5.3%) POLSTs contained orders to “attempt CPR” paired with orders for “limited interventions” or “comfort measures only”; 745/3169 (23.5%) POLSTs paired orders to restrict antibiotics with orders to deliver non‐comfort‐only care; and, 170/3098 (5.5%) POLSTs paired orders to withhold artificial nutrition with orders to deliver CPR or intensive care. Among POLSTs with orders to avoid intensive care, orders to attempt CPR were more likely to be present in POLSTs completed earlier in the patient's illness course (adjusted odds ratio = 1.27 per twofold increase in days from POLST to death; 95% confidence interval = 1.18–1.36;P < .001).

CONCLUSION

Although most POLSTs are actionable by clinicians, 5% had conflicting orders for cardiac arrest and medical interventions, and 24% had one or more conflicts between orders for cardiac arrest, medical interventions, antibiotics, and artificial nutrition. These conflicting orders make implementation of POLST challenging for clinicians in acute care settings.
Three‐scope carbon emission inventories of global cities
Authors: Wiedmann Thomas , Chen Guangwu , Owen Anne , Lenzen Manfred , Doust Michael , Barrett John , Steele Kristian
Published: September 2020

A major challenge for cities taking action on climate change is assessing and managing the contribution of urban consumption which triggers greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions outside city boundaries. Using a novel method of creating city‐level input–output tables, we present the first consistent, large‐scale, and global assessment of three‐scope GHG inventories for 79 members of the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group. These inventories cover the emissions from sources located within city boundaries (Scope 1), emissions occurring as a consequence of the use of grid‐supplied electricity, heat, steam, and/or cooling (Scope 2), and all other GHG emissions that occur outside the city boundary as a result of activities taking place within the city (Scope 3). We find that, by only accounting for territorial emissions, without Scope 3, the 79 C40 cities under‐report 4% of global annual GHG emissions from six key infrastructure‐related transboundary sources (73%) and from service‐related sectors (27%). In contrast, when only accounting for consumption‐based emissions, the C40 cities would miss the mitigation target on 41% of their territorial emissions. We argue that cities should complement their GHG inventories, adding full Scope 3 to Scopes 1 and 2, and develop low‐carbon consumption strategies in addition to current infrastructure‐focused action on climate change.
Will the patient’s double eyelid shape be like that of the surgeon performing the procedure? A study of surgeons’ aesthetics in East Asian Blepharoplasty
Authors: Wang Hayson Chenyu , Ting Wenyun , Tong Dandan , Dong Ruijia , Long Xiao , Huang Jiuzuo , Cao Hairu , Tianyu Sun Elliot , Yu Nanze , Wang Xiaojun , Zhao Ru
Published: September 2020

Background

No reports of the potential areas of surgeons' aesthetics in blepharoplasty.

Aims

To explore the association between the surgeons' own double eyelid morphology and their aesthetics and surgical outcome.

Methods

An investigation of 1605 patients was carried collecting the data of double eyelid shape, based on which to propose a preliminary double eyelid classification for analyzing the aesthetics of surgeons. Ten double eyelid surgical cases were randomly collected from each surgeon according to the inclusion criteria, whose double eyelid shape, ideal shape, the selection tendency of surgical approach, most cared factor during surgery, and design concept of eyelid shape were collected. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was performed to assess the association between participants' double eyelid shape, aesthetics, and blepharoplasty outcome.

Results

Fifty‐three double eyelid surgeons were enrolled for study, whose double eyelids shapes mostly were obviously fan‐shaped (37.74%) and low‐parallel eyelid (26.42%), and the ideal shapes were obviously fan‐shaped (41.51%) and high‐parallel eyelid (24.53%). 54.72% of the subjects preferred to use the full‐incisional method. 45.28% cared for long‐term outcome most. Regarding blepharoplasty outcome style, 49.06% of the subjects preferred obviously fan‐shaped type and 24.53% for high‐parallel type. SEM showed that aesthetics rank increased by 0.692 points for surgeons’ shape (P < .001), and surgical outcome rank increased by 0.861 points for aesthetics (P < .001). However, their eyelid shape had no direct contribution to surgical outcome (P = .96).

Conclusions

The findings indicated that surgeons' double eyelid shape positively affected their aesthetics, which affected their surgical outcomes further, but their double eyelid shape failed to affect the surgical outcomes directly.
Effect of grape seed extract on skin fibroblasts exposed to UVA light and its photostability in sunscreen formulation
Authors: Yarovaya Liudmila , Waranuch Neti , Wisuitiprot Wudtichai , Khunkitti Watcharee
Published: September 2020

Background

Grape seed extract (GSE) is rich in polyphenolic compounds, particularly (+)‐catechin (C) and (‐)‐epicatechin (EC). Strong antioxidant activity of these compounds makes GSE to be value‐added to the cosmetics with anti‐aging properties. However, a lack of stability in different environmental conditions makes GSE challenging for the development of photostable cosmetic sunscreen products.

Aims

To evaluate photoprotective effects of GSE on human dermal fibroblasts irradiated with UVA light and assess photostability of catechins in cream formulations containing GSE alone or in combination with octyl methoxycinnamate (OMC).

Methods

MTT assay was used to assess protective effects of GSE on fibroblasts irradiated with UVA light. A photostability of C and EC in GSE and in cream formulation containing GSE was investigated using high‐performance liquid chromatography and confirmed by reflection and transmission spectrophotometry using Transpore™ tapes and polymethacrylate (PMMA) plates as substrates.

Results

High UVA doses damaged fibroblast structure and inhibited their growth. However, GSE increased cell viability and effectively protected them from UVA damage. Photostability of C and EC was achieved by combination of GSE and OMC that also improved absorption capacity of UV filter and increased overall efficacy of formulation. PMMA plates showed better applicability for in vitro photostability testing of sunscreen formulations. However, despite the instability of Transpore® tape under heat from UV exposure, it can still be economically a substrate of alternative choice for screening.

Conclusions

GSE can be used as an effective and sustainable natural resource for prevention of UV‐induced skin damage providing long‐term protection against premature skin aging.
White Matter Lesions in Mild Cognitive Impairment and Idiopathic Parkinson's Disease: Multimodal Advanced MRI and Cognitive Associations
Authors: Rane Swati , Owen Julia , Hippe Daniel S. , Cholerton Brenna , Zabetian Cyrus P. , Montine Tom , Grabowski Thomas J.
Published: September 2020

Cerebrovascular disease is a common comorbidity in older adults, typically assessed in terms of white matter hyperintensities (WMHs) on MRI. While it is well known that WMHs exacerbate cognitive symptoms, the exact relation of WMHs with cognitive performance and other degenerative diseases is unknown. Furthermore, based on location, WMHs are often classified into periventricular and deep WMHs and are believed to have different pathological origins. Whether the two types of WMHs influence cognition differently is unclear. Using regression models, we assessed the independent association of these two types of WMHs with cognitive performance in two separate studies focused on distinct degenerative diseases, early Alzheimer's (mild cognitive impairment), and Parkinson's disease. We further tested if the two types of WMHs were differentially associated with reduced cortical cerebral blood flow (CBF) as measured by arterial spin labeling and increased mean diffusivity (MD, a marker of tissue injury) as measured by diffusion imaging. Our approach revealed that both deep and periventricular WMHs were associated with poor performance on tests of global cognition (Montreal cognitive Assessment, MoCA), task processing (Trail making test), and category fluency in the study of mild cognitive impairment. They were associated with poor performance in global cognition (MoCA) and category fluency in the Parkinson's disease study. Of note, more associations were detected between cognitive performance and deep WMHs than between cognitive performance and periventricular WMHs. Mechanistically, both deep and periventricular WMHs were associated with increased MD. Both deep and periventricular WMHs were also associated with reduced CBF in the gray matter.
Cognitive Decline and White Matter Integrity Degradation in Myotonic Dystrophy Type I
Authors: Lopez‐Titla Maria Margarita , Chirino Amanda , Cruz Solis Sara Vanessa , Hernandez‐Castillo Carlos R. , Diaz Rosalinda , Márquez‐Quiroz Luz del Carmen , Magaña Jonathan J , Beltrán‐Parrazal Luis , Fernandez‐Ruiz Juan
Published: September 2020

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Myotonic Dystrophy Type I (DM1) is a neurodegenerative, genetic, and multisystemic disorder with a large variety of symptoms due to a CTG trinucleotide expansion located on Dystrophia Myotonica Protein Kinase (DMPK) gene. Previous reports have shown cognitive deterioration in these patients. Given that white matter (WM) degradation has also been reported in DM1 patients, here we explored if alterations in the cognitive profile of DM1 patients could be related to the deterioration of WM.

METHODS

A total of 22 classic DM1 patients with age range (18‐56 years) and 22 matched healthy control subjects were neuropsychological evaluated by the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated (CANTAB). Patients were evaluated with the Muscular Impairment Rating Scale (MIRS). We then evaluated the cerebral WM integrity using the Fractional Anisotropy (FA) index obtained from the Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) data acquired with a 3T MR scanner.

RESULTS

DM1 patients showed generalized reduction of WM integrity across the brain. Similarly, patients’ neuropsychological evaluation showed significant deficits in memory and problem‐solving tasks. Correlation analyses showed a significant correlation between FA deterioration at frontal, temporomedial, and parietal lobes and delayed matched to sample deficits.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that despite the pervasive WM integrity loss in DM1 disorder, specific memory impairments can be associated to discreet areas of WM deterioration in these patients.
Three‐Dimensional Accuracy of Conventional Versus Digital Complete Arch Implant Impressions
Authors: Albayrak Berkman , Sukotjo Cortino , Wee Alvin G , Korkmaz İsmail Hakkı , Bayındır Funda
Published: September 2020

Purpose

The accuracy of digital impressions is still controversial for complete arch implant cases. The aim of this study is to compare the accuracy of different intraoral scanners with the conventional technique in terms of trueness and precision in a complete arch implant model.

Material and Methods

Eight implants were inserted asymmetrically in a polyurethane edentulous mandibular model with different angulations. A 3‐dimensional (3D) reference model was obtained by scanning this polyurethane model with an optical scanner. First, digital impressions were made by using 3 different intraoral scanners: Carestream 3500 (DC), Cerec Omnicam (DO) and 3Shape Trios 3 (DT). Subsequently, a nonsplinted open tray impression technique was used for conventional impression group (C) and then the master casts were digitalized with a lab scanner. Each 10 STL files belonging to 4 different impression groups were imported to a reverse engineering program, to measure distance and angle deviations from the reference model. All statistical analyses were performed after taking absolute values of the data. After comparing the impression groups with one‐way ANOVA, the trueness and precision values were analyzed by Tukey post hoc test and 0.05 was used as the level of significance.

Results

The mean trueness of distance was 123.06 ± 89.83 µm for DC, 229.72 ± 121.34 µm for DO, 209.75 ± 47.07 µm for DT, and 345.32 ± 75.12 µm for C group (p < 0.0001). While DC showed significantly lower deviation compared to DO and C, no significant difference was found between DC and DT. C showed the highest distance deviation significantly in all groups; and no significant difference was found between DO and DT groups. In angle measurements; the trueness was 0.26° ± 0.07° for DC, 0.53° ± 0.42° for DO, 0.33° ± 0.30° for DT, and 0.74° ± 0.65° for C group. There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of angular trueness (p = 0.074). In terms of the precision for distance, the results of DC 80.43 ± 29.69 µm, DO 94.06 ± 69.96 µm, DT 35.55 ± 28.46 µm and C 66.97 ± 36.69 µm were determined (p = 0.036). The significant difference was found only between DT and DO among all groups. Finally, angular precision was determined to be 0.19° ± 0.11° for DC, 0.30° ± 0.28° for DO, 0.22° ± 0.19° for DT, and 0.50° ± 0.38° for Group C. No significant difference was found between the groups, in terms of angular precision (p = 0.053).

Conclusions

All digital impression groups yielded superior data compared to conventional technique in terms of trueness. DC formed the impression group with the highest trueness in both distance and angular measurements. The results of this in vitro study suggest the use of intraoral scanners compared to the conventional impression techniques in complete arch implant cases with high angulations.
Change in mental health symptoms during the COVID‐19 pandemic: The role of appraisals and daily life experiences
Authors: Brose Annette , Blanke Elisabeth S. , Schmiedek Florian , Kramer Andrea C. , Schmidt Andrea , Neubauer Andreas B.
Published: September 2020

Objective

When confronted with major threats, people often experience decline in well‐being. The central purpose of this study was to identify mechanisms underlying change of well‐being in times of threat, using the example of the COVID‐19 pandemic, with a focus on appraisals of the pandemic and affective states, stress, as well as mindfulness in daily life.

Method

We conducted a study across 3.5 weeks, including pretest, posttest, and a diary phase in‐between. We worked with a sample of 460 adults, pre‐ and post‐test information, as well as 7,189 observations from the diary phase.

Results

Results showed that deterioration in mental health symptoms across the duration of the study was associated with (a) change towards less fortunate appraisals of the pandemic and (b), more negative affect and less mindfulness in daily life. Furthermore, appraisals of the pandemic at pretest predicted experiences in daily life, with more negative appraisals of the pandemic predicting more negative affect and stressor occurrence as well as less mindfulness.

Conclusions

These findings speak to the dynamic nature of well‐being and appraisals in times of threat, and highlight the role of experiences in daily life in changes in well‐being.
Insurer risk and performance before, during, and after the 2008 financial crisis: The role of monitoring institutional ownership
Authors: Ma Yu‐Luen , Ren Yayuan
Published: September 2020

This study examines the relationship between institutional ownership and insurers' risk and performance before, during, and after the 2008 financial crisis. Monitoring institutional investors are defined as those that have (a) a long‐term investment horizon, (b) large holdings in the investee firm, (c) independence from management, and (d) a large portion of their portfolio invested in the firm. We measure both the level and persistence of monitoring institutional ownership and find a negative relationship between monitoring institutional ownership and an insurer's stock stability and performance during the crisis. Further examination reveals that these firms took more risk before the crisis. Whereas many monitoring institutions exited the insurance market after the crisis, evidence suggests that the remaining institutional investors in the postcrisis period have a longer investment horizon and are active in monitoring and risk management.
Communication between parents and well‐siblings in the context of living with a child with a life‐threatening or life‐limiting condition
Authors: Jaaniste Tiina , Tan Sarah C , Aouad Phillip , Trethewie Susan
Published: September 2020

Effective parent‐child communication may serve to buffer the potential negative impacts of stressful situations on a child. Children who have a brother or sister with a life‐threatening or life‐limiting medical condition may turn to their parents for help with comprehending the situation, to help maintain their own ability to function across various life areas or to receive emotional support. There is a need for more investigation into the nature and importance of parent‐child communication in the context of living with a seriously ill brother or sister. The current paper presents a framework of parent‐sibling communication in the context of living with a seriously unwell child, distinguishing the focus of communication (illness‐related vs. non‐illness‐related) and the purpose of communication (information‐provision vs. emotional support). Such a framework offers a holistic approach to exploring some of the challenges of communication between parents and well‐siblings. The state of current knowledge regarding the focus and purpose of communication between parents and well‐siblings is reviewed, and implications for research and possible clinical applications discussed.
Understanding the effect of milk composition and milking season on quality characteristics of chhana
Authors: Chakraborty Purba , Singh Tejvir , Shivhare Uma Shanker , Basu Santanu
Published: September 2020

The quality characteristics of chhana varied due to the milk composition (cow‐, buffalo‐, and mixed‐ milk) which in turn was affected by the milking season (summer and winter). Upon heating and acidification of milk samples water holding phenomena and denatured protein association within and with other components lead to variation in both macroscale properties (color, texture, and rheology) and molecular bonding patterns (FTIR character). Yield, lightness (L* value), textural firmness, and elastic modulus of chhana increased with increasing proportion of buffalo milk in mixed milk due to higher total solids and less moisture content in both the seasons. Total protein, fat, water, and interaction between them and extent of hydrogen bonding significantly affected the rheological and textural properties of chhana samples.
Treatment outcomes and costs of a simplified antiviral treatment strategy for hepatitis C among monoinfected and HIV and/or hepatitis B virus‐co‐infected patients in Myanmar
Authors: Min Thaung Yin , Chasela Charles S. , Chew Kara W. , Minior Thomas , Lwin Aye A. , Sein Yi Y. , Drame Ndeye , Marange Fadzai , van der Horst Charles , Thwin Hnin T. , Freiman Morgan J , Gandhi Malini M. , Bijl Murdo , Wose Kinge Constance , Rosen Sydney , Thura Si , Mohamed Sofiane , Xulu Thembisile , Naing Aung Y. , Barralon Matthiue , Cavenaugh Clint , Kyi Khin P. , Sanne Ian ,   for EQUIP Health
Published: September 2020

Access to hepatitis C virus (HCV) testing and treatment is limited in Myanmar. We assessed an integrated HIV and viral hepatitis testing and HCV treatment strategy. Sofosbuvir/velpatasvir (SOF/VEL) ± weight‐based ribavirin for 12 weeks was provided at three treatment sites in Myanmar and sustained virologic response (SVR) assessed at 12 weeks after treatment. Participants co‐infected with HBV were treated concurrently with tenofovir. Cost estimates in 2018 USD were made at Yangon and Mandalay using standard micro‐costing methods.

803 participants initiated SOF/VEL; 4.8% were lost to follow‐up. SVR was achieved in 680/803 (84.6%) by intention‐to‐treat analysis. SVR amongst people who inject drugs (PWID) was 79.7% (381/497), but 92.5% among PWID on opioid substitution therapy (OST) (74/80), and 97.4% among non‐PWID (298/306). Utilizing data from 492 participants, of whom 93% achieved SVR, the estimated average cost of treatment per patient initiated was $1030 (of which 54% were medication costs), with a production cost per successful outcome (SVR) of $1109 and real‐world estimate of $1250. High SVR rates were achieved for non‐PWID and PWID on OST. However, the estimated average cost of the intervention (under the assumption of no genotype testing and reduced real‐world effectiveness) of $1250/patient is unaffordable for a national elimination strategy. Reductions in the cost of antivirals and linkage to social and behavioural health services including substance use disorder treatment to increase retention and adherence to treatment are critical to HCV elimination in this population.
Development and internal validation of a prediction tool to aid the diagnosis of Cushing's syndrome in dogs attending primary‐care practice
Authors: Schofield Imogen , Brodbelt David C. , Niessen Stijn J. M. , Church David B. , Geddes Rebecca F. , Kennedy Noel , O'Neill Dan G.
Published: September 2020

Background

Novel methods to aid identification of dogs with spontaneous Cushing's syndrome are warranted to optimize case selection for diagnostics, avoid unnecessary testing, and ultimately aid decision‐making for veterinarians.

Hypothesis/Objectives

To develop and internally validate a prediction tool for dogs receiving a diagnosis of Cushing's syndrome using primary‐care electronic health records.

Animals

Three hundred and ninety‐eight dogs diagnosed with Cushing's syndrome and 541 noncase dogs, tested for but not diagnosed with Cushing's syndrome, from a cohort of 905 544 dogs attending VetCompass participating practices.

Methods

A cross‐sectional study design was performed. A prediction model was developed using multivariable binary logistic regression taking the demography, presenting clinical signs and some routine laboratory results into consideration. Predictive performance of each model was assessed and internally validated through bootstrap resampling. A novel clinical prediction tool was developed from the final model.

Results

The final model included predictor variables sex, age, breed, polydipsia, vomiting, potbelly/hepatomegaly, alopecia, pruritus, alkaline phosphatase, and urine specific gravity. The model demonstrated good discrimination (area under the receiver operating curve [AUROC] = 0.78 [95% CI = 0.75‐0.81]; optimism‐adjusted AUROC = 0.76) and calibration (C‐slope = 0.86). A tool was developed from the model which calculates the predicted likelihood of a dog having Cushing's syndrome from 0% (score = −13) to 96% (score = 10).

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

A tool to predict a diagnosis of Cushing's syndrome at the point of first suspicion in dogs was developed, with good predictive performance. This tool can be used in practice to support decision‐making and increase confidence in diagnosis.
RNA2‐encoded VP37 protein ofBroad bean wilt virus 1is a determinant of pathogenicity, host susceptibility, and a suppressor of post‐transcriptional gene silencing
Authors: Carpino Caterina , Ferriol Safont Inmaculada , Elvira‐González Laura , Medina Vicente , Rubio Luis , Peri Ezio , Davino Salvatore , Galipienso Torregrosa Luis
Published: September 2020

Broad bean wilt virus 1(BBWV‐1, genusFabavirus, familySecoviridae) is a bipartite, single‐stranded positive‐sense RNA virus infecting many horticultural and ornamental crops worldwide. RNA1 encodes proteins involved in viral replication whereas RNA2 encodes two coat proteins (the large and small coat proteins) and two putative movement proteins (MPs) of different sizes with overlapping C‐terminal regions. In this work, we determined the role played by the small putative BBWV‐1 MP (VP37) on virus pathogenicity, host specificity, and suppression of post‐transcriptional gene silencing (PTGS). We engineered a BBWV‐1 35S‐driven full‐length cDNA infectious clone corresponding to BBWV‐1 RNA1 and RNA2 (pBBWV1‐Wt) and generated a mutant knocking out VP37 (pBBWV1‐G492C). Agroinfiltration assays showed that pBBWV1‐Wt, as the original BBWV‐1 isolate, infected broad bean, tomato, pepper, andNicotiana benthamiana,whereas pBBWV1‐G492C did not infect pepper and tomato systemically. Also, pBBWV1‐G492C induced milder symptoms in broad bean andN. benthamianathan pBBWV1‐Wt. Differential retrotranscription and amplification of the (+) and (−) strands showed that pBBWV1‐G492C replicated in the agroinfiltrated leaves of pepper but not in tomato. All this suggests that VP37 is a determinant of pathogenicity and host specificity. Transient expression of VP37 through a potato virus X (PVX) vector enhanced PVX symptoms and induced systemic necrosis associated with programmed cell death inN. benthamianaplants. Finally, VP37 was identified as a viral suppressor of RNA silencing by transient expression inN. benthamiana16c plants and movement complementation of a viral construct based on turnip crinkle virus (pTCV‐GFP).
Automated and accurate segmentation of leaf venation networks via deep learning
Authors: Xu Hao , Blonder Benjamin , Jodra Miguel , Malhi Yadvinder , Fricker Mark
Published: September 2020

Leaf vein network geometry can predict levels of resource transport, defence and mechanical support that operate at different spatial scales. However, it is challenging to quantify network architecture across scales due to the difficulties both in segmenting networks from images and in extracting multiscale statistics from subsequent network graph representations.

Here we developed deep learning algorithms using convolutional neural networks (CNNs) to automatically segment leaf vein networks. Thirty‐eight CNNs were trained on subsets of manually defined ground‐truth regions from >700 leaves representing 50 southeast Asian plant families. Ensembles of six independently trained CNNs were used to segment networks from larger leaf regions (c. 100 mm2). Segmented networks were analysed using hierarchical loop decomposition to extract a range of statistics describing scale transitions in vein and areole geometry.

The CNN approach gave a precision‐recall harmonic mean of 94.5% ± 6%, outperforming other current network extraction methods, and accurately described the widths, angles and connectivity of veins. Multiscale statistics then enabled the identification of previously undescribed variation in network architecture across species.

We provide a LeafVeinCNN software package to enable multiscale quantification of leaf vein networks, facilitating the comparison across species and the exploration of the functional significance of different leaf vein architectures.
Phosphate‐solubilising microorganisms for improved crop productivity: a critical assessment
Authors: Raymond Nelly S. , Gómez‐Muñoz Beatriz , van der Bom Frederik J. T. , Nybroe Ole , Jensen Lars S. , Müller‐Stöver Dorette S. , Oberson Astrid , Richardson Alan E.
Published: September 2020

Phosphate‐solubilising microorganisms (PSM) are often reported to have positive effects on crop productivity through enhanced phosphorus (P) nutrition. Our aim was to evaluate the validity of this concept. Most studies that report ‘positive effects’ of PSM on plant growth have been conducted under controlled conditions, whereas field experiments more frequently fail to demonstrate a positive response. Many studies have indicated that the mechanisms seen in vitro do not translate into improved crop P nutrition in complex soil–plant systems. Furthermore, associated mechanisms are often not rigorously assessed. We suggest that PSM do not mobilise sufficient P to change the crops’ nutritional environment under field conditions. The current concept, in which PSM solubilise P ‘for the plant’ should thus be revised. Although PSM have the capacity to solubilise P to meet their own needs, it is the turnover of the microbial biomass that subsequently provides P to plants over a longer time. Therefore, the existing concept of PSM function is unlikely to deliver a reliable strategy for increasing crop P nutrition. A further mechanistic understanding is needed to determine how P mobilisation by PSM as a component of the whole soil community can be manipulated to become more effective for plant P nutrition.