bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Stage‐dependent effects of river flow and temperature regimes on the growth dynamics of an apex predator
Authors: Stoffels Rick J. , Weatherman Kyle E. , Bond Nick R. , Morrongiello John R. , Thiem Jason D. , Butler Gavin , Koster Wayne , Kopf R. Keller , McCasker Nicole , Ye Qifeng , Zampatti Brenton , Broadhurst Ben
Published: September 2020

In the world's rivers, alteration of flow is a major driver of biodiversity decline. Global warming is now affecting the thermal and hydrological regimes of rivers, compounding the threat and complicating conservation planning. To inform management under a non‐stationary climate, we must improve our understanding of how flow and thermal regimes interact to affect the population dynamics of riverine biota. We used long‐term growth biochronologies, spanning 34 years and 400,000 km2, to model the growth dynamics of a long‐lived, apex predator (Murray cod) as a function of factors extrinsic (river discharge; air temperature; sub‐catchment) and intrinsic (age; individual) to the population. Annual growth of Murray cod showed significant, curvilinear, life‐stage‐specific responses to an interaction between annual discharge and temperature. Growth of early juveniles (age 1+ and 2+ years) exhibited a unimodal relationship with annual discharge, peaking near median annual discharge. Growth of late juveniles (3+ to 5+) and adults (>5+) increased with annual discharge, with the rate of increase being particularly high in adults, whose growth peaked during years with flooding. Years with very low annual discharge, as experienced during drought and under high abstraction, suppress growth rates of all Murray cod life‐stages. Unimodal relationships between growth and annual temperature were evident across all life stages. Contrary to expectations of the Temperature Size Rule, the annual air temperature at which maximum growth occurred increased with age. The stage‐specific response of Murray cod to annual discharge indicates that no single magnitude of annual discharge is optimal for cod populations, adding further weight to the case for maintaining and/or restoring flow variability in riverine ecosystems. With respect to climate change impacts, on balance our results indicate that the primary mechanism by which climate change threatens Murray cod growth is through alteration of river flows, not through warming annual mean temperatures per se.
Superchilled, chilled and frozen storage of Atlantic mackerel (Scomber scombrus) – effect on lipids and low molecular weight metabolites
Authors: Mozuraityte Revilija , Standal Inger Beate , Cropotova Janna , Budźko Emilia , Rustad Turid
Published: September 2020

Quality changes in Atlantic mackerel fillets during superchilled, chilled and frozen storage focusing on lipid quality, colour and changes in low molecular weight metabolites relevant for quality and safety were studied. Low formation of oxidation products was observed in chilled (up to 7 days), superchilled (up to 14 days) and frozen storage (up to one year). Only slight formation of TBARS was measured in the samples which correlated with the increasing fillet yellowness. The profile of low molecular weight compounds, analysed by high‐resolution NMR, showed clear grouping of the different samples according to both treatment and storage time. The increase in K‐value was highest in the chilled samples, reaching a K‐value of 93 ± 3% on day 5, exceeding the proposed limit of human consumption (80%) while superchilling reached a K‐value of ca 90 % after 14 days. Frozen samples showed acceptable quality in the whole storage period.
Public Opinion and Public Policy: The Case of Kennedy and Civil Rights
Authors: Stevens Daniel
Published: September 2020

This article pits the current competing perspectives on the causal connection between presidential policy making and public opinion‐that politicians are sensitive and responsive to movements in global public opinion, or public mood, over a range of issues as opposed to context‐ and issue‐specific opinion‐against each other in a case study of the Kennedy administration and civil rights policy. It finds that Kennedy's initial caution was the result of his greater attention to issue‐specific opinion and that the subsequent change of strategy occurred as the salience and character of the civil rights question shifted. There is little evidence to suggest the administration was aware of, or responsive to, global public opinion.
The Contemporary Presidency: Parties, Process, and Presidential Power: Learning from Confirmation Politics in the U.S. Senate
Authors: Andres Gary J.
Published: September 2020

President George W. Bush used to think Home Alone was only a movie. But as art imitates life, it also describes many of his cabinet secretaries because of the Senate's failure to confirm subcabinet nominees during the first year of his administration.
The Polls: The Public's Response to the Clinton Scandals, Part 1: Inconsistent Theories, Contradictory Evidence
Authors: Renshon Stanley A.
Published: September 2020

The public's response to the Clinton administration's many scandals and the president's impeachment is both puzzling and contradictory. They supported the president, but not his behavior; they wanted him severely reprimanded, but not punished; and they wanted him to remain in office, but were happy to see him leave. In this, the first article of a two‐part series, I explore the many theories put forward to explain these ambivalent public responses and the contradictory evidence put forward to support them.
Information Sharing to Improve Retail Product Freshness of Perishables
Authors: Ferguson Mark , Ketzenberg Michael E.
Published: September 2020

We explore the value of information (VOI) in the context of a retailer that provides a perishable product to consumers and receives replenishment from a single supplier. We assume a periodic review model with stochastic demand, lost sales, and order quantity restrictions. The product lifetime is fixed and deterministic once received by the retailer, although the age of replenished items provided by the supplier varies stochastically over time. Since the product is perishable, any unsold inventory remaining after the lifetime elapses must be discarded (outdated). Without the supplier explicitly informing the retailer of the product age, the age remains unknown until receipt. With information sharing, the retailer is informed of the product age prior to placing an order and hence, can utilize this information in its decision‐making. We formulate the retailer's replenishment policies, with and without knowing the age of the product upon receipt, and measure the VOI as the marginal improvement in profit that the retailer achieves with information sharing, relative to the case when no information is shared. We establish the importance of information sharing and identify the conditions under which substantial benefits can be realized.
Emodin inhibiting neutrophil elastase‐induced epithelial‐mesenchymal transition through Notch1 signalling in alveolar epithelial cells
Authors: Zhou Linshui , Gao Rundi , Hong Huihua , Li Xiaojuan , Yang Jia , Shen Wei , Wang Zhen , Yang Junchao
Published: September 2020

The transition of alveolar type II epithelial cells into fibroblasts has been reported to cause and/or aggravate pulmonary fibrosis (PF), which is characterized by fibroblast proliferation, an enhanced production and accumulation of ECM (extracellular matrix), alveolar wall damage and functional capillary unit loss. Traditional Chinese medicine Emodin has been reported to inhibit TGF‐β‐induced epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) in alveolar epithelial cells through Notch signalling. In the present study, neutrophil elastase (NE, also known as ELA2) treatment promoted EMT, Notch1 cleavage (NICD/Notch1 ratio increase) and NICD nuclear translocation in RLE‐6TN cells and A549 cells. The promotive roles of NE treatment in these events were significantly reversed by Notch1 knockdown. Traditional Chinese medicine Emodin treatment remarkably inhibited the enzyme activity of NE, suppressed EMT, Notch1 cleavage and NICD nuclear translocation within RLE‐6TN and A549 cells, while NE treatment significantly reversed the effects of Emodin. Moreover, in RLE‐6TN, the effects of NE on EMT, Notch1 cleavage and NICD nuclear translocation were remarkably attenuated by Emodin treatment and more attenuated by the combination of Emodin and neutrophil elastase inhibitor Sivelestat or notch signal pathway inhibitor DAPT. In conclusion, we revealed the involvement of NE‐induced Notch1 cleavage in the functions of Emodin suppressing NE‐caused EMT in RLE‐6TN cells and A549 cells. This novel mechanism of Emodin inhibiting EMT might extend the application of Emodin in PF treatment.
Vitamin B6 prevents excessive inflammation by reducing accumulation of sphingosine‐1‐phosphate in a sphingosine‐1‐phosphate lyase–dependent manner
Authors: Du Xialin , Yang Yalong , Zhan Xiaoxia , Huang Yulan , Fu Yuling , Zhang Zelin , Liu Honglin , Zhang Lijie , Li Yanfen , Wen Qian , Zhou Xinying , Zuo Daming , Zhou Chaoying , Li Laisheng , Hu Shengfeng , Ma Li
Published: September 2020

Vitamin B6 is necessary to maintain normal metabolism and immune response, especially the anti‐inflammatory immune response. However, the exact mechanism by which vitamin B6 plays the anti‐inflammatory role is still unclear. Here, we report a novel mechanism of preventing excessive inflammation by vitamin B6 via reduction in the accumulation of sphingosine‐1‐phosphate (S1P) in a S1P lyase (SPL)‐dependent manner in macrophages. Vitamin B6 supplementation decreased the expression of pro‐inflammatory cytokines by suppressing nuclear factor‐κB and mitogen‐activated protein kinases signalling pathways. Furthermore, vitamin B6–reduced accumulation of S1P by promoting SPL activity. The anti‐inflammatory effects of vitamin B6 were inhibited by S1P supplementation or SPL deficiency. Importantly, vitamin B6 supplementation protected mice from lethal endotoxic shock and attenuated experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis progression. Collectively, these findings revealed a novel anti‐inflammatory mechanism of vitamin B6 and provided guidance on its clinical use.
Testicular leiomyoma and spermatogenic failure syndrome in a seabass from broodstock
Authors: Natale Sabrina , Capparucci Fabiano , Abbate Jessica Maria , Panebianco Rosanna , Puleio Roberto , Iaria Carmelo
Published: September 2020

Testicular leiomyomas and gonadal dysfunctions are not commonly reported in teleost and particularly in broodstock fish. In the present work, a testicular leiomyoma related to an unusual case of spermatogenic failure syndrome, in a broodstock seabass coming from an Italian aquaculture farm, is reported. At gross pathology, the circumscribed neoplasia showed several white nodular masses, originating from the gonad, deforming the anatomo‐physiological shape. From light microscopy, the presence of neoplastic tissue islands with spindle cells with a whirling pattern and the low presence of connective tissue were evident and originated from smooth muscle cells. Seminiferous tubules showed severe azoospermia with the absence of sperm cells even closer to the neoplastic area. Immunohistochemical analysis was positive for alpha‐SMA, desmin and vimentin but negative for S‐100, confirming a diagnosis of leiomyoma. This is the first report of spermatogenic failure syndrome associated with a testicular leiomyoma in fish from broodstock. More efforts should be made in studying broodstock fish pathologies related to fish maintenance and hormonal treatments that could economically affect aquaculture production.
Modeling of product temperature in a supercritical fluid extrusion process through dimensional analysis
Authors: Pan Tina Ying , Gopirajah Rajamanickam , Krishnamurthy Sugirtha , Rizvi Syed S.H.
Published: September 2020

A correlation model for predicting the maximum product temperature reached during a supercritical fluid extrusion (SCFX) process was developed using the Buckingham Pi method. Two dimensionless groups, Dref (ratio of screw diameter to screw length) and Eref (ratio of energy added to energy removed), were developed to model the maximum temperature of an SCFX process using dimensional analysis. The model was validated by comparing predicted and experimental values. Experiments were conducted using two feed formulations: 1. Milk protein concentrate (MPC) with rice flour (30%), and 2. MPC with grape pomace (15%). The average percent error was 2.57% for rice flour extrudate and 1.02% for grape pomace extrudate. Based on the results, the model could be used for prediction of maximum temperature in SCFX systems.

Practical Applications

Maintaining the extruder temperature below 100°C remains a major challenge during the supercritical fluid extrusion (SCFX) process. The model developed determines the maximum temperature of a given SCFX system based on key extrusion parameters. Hence, the developed model can be used by manufacturers for determining the optimal operating conditions while scaling up an SCFX process.
Modeling of vacuum‐ and ultrasound‐assisted osmodehydration of carrot cubes followed by combined infrared and spouted bed drying using artificial neural network and regression models
Authors: Alizehi Mohammad Hashem , Niakousari Mehrdad , Fazaeli Mahboubeh , Iraji Maryam
Published: September 2020

This research seeks to understand the effects of using various vacuum pretreatments (0 and 200 mBar) and different ultrasound power levels (0 and 130 W) on osmodehydration and spouted bed drying of carrot cubes. Effects of using diverse air‐drying temperatures (55, 65 and 75°C), infrared power (0 and 250 W) and the presence of Teflon beads as inert particles (0 and 30% w/w), were also investigated. The effects of above‐mentioned parameters on drying time and physicochemical characteristics of dried carrot samples including hardness, shrinkage, total carotenoid content, rehydration ratio and total color difference (∆E) were examined. The results explicitly demonstrated that the utilization of osmodehydration in conjunction with ultrasound and vacuum (UVOD) had shorter drying time compared to those just treated with osmotic dehydration. The highest total carotenoid content and the lowest ∆E were belonged to the samples exposed to UVOD. The efficiency of artificial neural network (ANN), genetic algorithm based ANN (GANN) and Regression mathematical models were investigated to determine the nonlinear relationship between the inputs and outputs variables. To find the efficiency of all models, mean square error were compared. The results indicate that the ANN model could provide more reliable prediction over the other models.

Practical application

Combined IR‐convective drying has gained increased attention in the recent years because of the fast and efficient transfer of heat, cheap processing cost, and uniform heat transfer, which resulted in products with better organoleptic properties than common drying processes. The combination of hot air and IR radiation resulted in a synergistic effect, leading to more efficient drying than either individual convective or IR drying. Vegetables with high levels of moisture content can be effectively dried using pretreatments such as ultrasonically vacuum‐assisted osmotic dehydration, which reduced the drying time.
RING finger protein RGLG1 and RGLG2 negatively modulate MAPKKK18 mediated drought stress tolerance in Arabidopsis
Authors: Yu Jiayi , Kang Lu , Li Yuanyuan , Wu Changai , Zheng Chengchao , Liu Pei , Huang Jinguang
Published: September 2020

Mitogen activated protein kinase kinase kinase 18 (MAPKKK18) mediated signaling cascade plays important roles in Arabidopsis drought stress tolerance. However, the post‐translational modulation patterns of MAPKKK18 are not characterized. In this study, we found that the protein level of MAPKKK18 was tightly controlled by the 26S proteasome. Ubiquitin ligases RGLG1 and RGLG2 ubiquitinated MAPKKK18 at lysine residue K32 and K154, and promoted its degradation. Deletion of RGLG1 and RGLG2 stabilized MAPKKK18 and further enhanced the drought stress tolerance of MAPKKK18‐overexpression plants. Our data demonstrate that RGLG1 and RGLG2 negatively regulate MAPKKK18‐mediated drought stress tolerance in Arabidopsis.
Interleukin 17 receptor A haplotype analysis in chronic spontaneous urticaria: A preliminary study
Authors: Nada Hesham , Hassan Ranya , Ibrahim Rasha Abd El‐Hamed , Abdelsalam Omnia Emad , Fathy Amal , Toraih Eman Ali , Atwa Mona A.
Published: September 2020

Background

Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) is a distressing skin disease. Family clustering and heterogeneity in the onset and progression indicate that susceptibility to CSU is a complex trait. In this study, we performed haplotype analysis for one of the key player gene, IL17RA, for CSU to test the association with disease susceptibility and severity.

Methodology

The study included 70 CSU patients and 30 healthy controls. The severity of the disease was evaluated by autologous serum skin test (ASST) and urticaria activity score (UAS). ASST test was done and quality of life was assessed using a questionnaire. Allelic discrimination analysis for rs4819554 and rs879577 was performed using real‐time polymerase chain reaction technology.

Results

Carriers of rs4819554*G were more prone to develop CSU than its counterpart (P = .039), while rs4819554*A allele displayed more severe phenotype in the form of more prolonged disease duration (P = .040), concurrent angioedema (P < .001), higher level of treatment (P < .001), and higher score of quality of life (P < .001). Additionally, homozygote patients with rs879577*CC were associated with angioedema (P < .001). Haplotype analysis revealed that cohorts with both rs4819554*A and rs879577*T conferred protection against developing CSU (OR = 0.07, 95% CI = 0.01‐0.32, P = .001).

Conclusion

Our results showed that IL17RA gene polymorphisms might contribute to the increased susceptibility to CSU.
A Dynamic Model of Optimal Creditor Dispersion
Authors: ZHONG HONGDA
Published: September 2020

Borrowing from multiple creditors exposes firms to rollover risk due to coordination problems among creditors, but it also improves firms' repayment incentives, thereby increasing pledgeability. Based on this trade‐off, I develop a dynamic debt rollover model to analyze the evolution of creditor dispersion. Consistent with empirical evidence, I find that firms optimally increase creditor dispersion after poor performance. In contrast, cross‐sectionally higher‐growth firms can support more dispersed creditors. Frequent debt renegotiation limits firms' ability to increase pledgeability by having more creditors. Finally, holding a cash balance while borrowing from multiple creditors improves firms' repayment incentives uniformly across all future states.
Do Household Wealth Shocks Affect Productivity? Evidence from Innovative Workers During the Great Recession
Authors: BERNSTEIN SHAI , MCQUADE TIMOTHY , TOWNSEND RICHARD R.
Published: September 2020

We investigate how the deterioration of household balance sheets affects worker productivity, and in turn economic downturns. Specifically, we compare the output of innovative workers who experienced differential declines in housing wealth during the financial crisis but were employed at the same firm and lived in the same metropolitan area. We find that, following a negative wealth shock, innovative workers become less productive and generate lower economic value for their firms. The reduction in innovative output is not driven by workers switching to less innovative firms or positions. These effects are more pronounced among workers at greater risk of financial distress.
Great Successes and Great Failures: The Impact of Project Leader Status on Project Performance and Performance Extremeness
Authors: Szatmari Balazs , Deichmann Dirk , van den Ende Jan , King Brayden G.
Published: September 2020

Research supporting the Matthew effect demonstrates that high‐status actors experience performance benefits due to increased recognition of their work and greater opportunities and resources, but recent research also indicates that high‐status actors face a greater risk of negative performance evaluations. In this paper, we seek to contribute to the status literature by reconciling these findings and ask: To what extent does status influence heterogeneity in performance evaluations? We explore how project leader status affects the performance of innovation projects in the video game industry. We hypothesize that there is an inverted U‐shaped relationship between project leader status and project performance, and a positive relationship between project leader status and performance extremeness (i.e., performance variation). In order to test our hypotheses, we analysed the performance of video game projects and computed the status of project leaders by applying a project affiliation social network analysis. We find that an intermediate level of status – neither too much nor too little – is positively associated with average project performance. We also reveal more extreme performance effects for high‐status leaders: While some achieve superior project performance, others experience significant project failures. We, therefore, provide important theoretical and practical insights regarding how status affects the implementation of innovations. We also discuss the implications of these findings for the literature on middle‐status conformity.
Effect of peri‐implant bone resorption on mechanical stress in the implant body: In vivo measured load‐based finite element analysis
Authors: Bing Liu , Mito Takehiko , Yoda Nobuhiro , Sato Emika , Shigemitsu Ryuji , Han Jian‐Min , Sasaki Keiichi
Published: September 2020

Background

Research on resolving implant fracture is still gaining attention as it can be a serious treatment failure outcome. The implant fracture is likely to occur due to increased stress in implant body associated with peri‐implant bone resorption.

Objective

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between degree of peri‐implant bone resorption and stress distribution in implant body by using finite element analysis (FEA).

Methods

The magnitude and direction of loads on implants at the mandibular molar region were measured with 3D piezoelectric force transducers in a patient during maximal voluntary clenching, grinding and tapping to obtain input for the FEA as the loading condition. Simplified finite element bone models were generated to simulate the six patterns of peri‐implant bone resorption progression which the bone levels from implant platform were set at 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 mm. Three types of implants with different diameters (3.5, 4.0 and 5.0 mm), corresponding abutments and screws were created. FEA using the in vivo measured load was conducted to investigate how peri‐implant bone loss affects stress distribution in the implant body.

Results

Loading condition affected stress distribution in the implant body. As bone resorption increased, von Mises stress in the implant body became larger, which was marked in smaller diameter implants, and this change was amply demonstrated when the bone resorption increased from 0 to 2 mm.

Conclusion

The FEA demonstrated that as peri‐implant bone loss increased, the magnitude of stress in the implant increased, especially in small diameter implants.
A novel role for the pineal gland: Regulating seasonal shifts in the gut microbiota of Siberian hamsters
Authors: Shor Elyan K. , Brown Shawn P. , Freeman David A.
Published: September 2020

The gut microbiota plays a significant role in a variety of host behavioral and physiological processes. The mechanisms by which the gut microbiota and the host communicate are not fully resolved but include both humoral and direct neural signals. The composition of the microbiota is affected by internal (host) factors and external (environmental) factors. One such signal is photoperiod, which is represented endogenously by nocturnal pineal melatonin (MEL) secretion. Removal of the MEL signal via pinealectomy abolishes many seasonal responses to photoperiod. In Siberian hamsters (Phodopus sungorus), MEL drives robust seasonal shifts in physiology and behavior, such as immunity, stress, body mass, and aggression. While the profile of the gut microbiota also changes by season, it is unclear whether these changes are driven by pineal signals. We hypothesized that the pineal gland mediates seasonal alterations in the composition of the gut microbiota. To test this, we placed pinealectomized and intact hamsters into long or short photoperiods for 8 weeks, collected weekly fecal samples, and measured weekly food intake, testis volume, and body mass. We determined microbiota composition using 16S rRNA sequencing (Illumina MiSeq). We found significant effects of treatment and time on the abundances of numerous bacterial genera. We also found significant associations between individual OTU abundances and body mass, testis mass, and food intake, respectively. Finally, results indicate a relationship between overall community structure, and body and testis masses. These results firmly establish a role for the pineal gland in mediating seasonal alterations in the gut microbiota. Further, these results identify a novel neuroendocrine pathway by which a host regulates seasonal shifts in gut community composition, and indicates a relationship between seasonal changes in the gut microbiota and seasonal physiological adjustments.
Groups in contact: Meta‐representations, interobjectivity, and cultural incompatibilities
Authors: Wagner Wolfgang
Published: September 2020

This analysis departs from social identity being part and parcel of the system of social representations a group holds. Additionally, social identity is seen as being affectively laden with religious or other deeply ingrained ideological beliefs. These systems delimit the space of norms and behaviours where people socially construct the objects defining the local world as an objectively given. The local objectifications differ between groups and cultures and pose a problem for interaction and communication between members of different groups. Inter‐group discrepancies must be bridged by establishing a shared representational space and interobjective understanding. This understanding can be reached if both interactants mutually develop meta‐representations that allow them to grossly anticipate what to expect from the other and to orient their actions accordingly. But there is a catch in establishing interobjectivity: even if the interactants manage to overcome semantic and cognitive barriers, their interaction and open‐minded communication will be blocked if the two objectivities are ethically or affectively incommensurable. I illustrate this process by suggesting that native Europeans will feel blocked to establish interobjective acceptance for example with proponents of a slave holder culture whose values are incommensurable with European ideas of human equality. Accepting a slave holder's worldview would threaten the European's identity. A similar process seems to govern devout conservative Muslims living in 'gated communities' and enclaves in European cities who try to maintain their identity by avoiding regular contact with the non‐Muslim majority. Such contact would threaten their identity if their worldview and sharia rules were measured by the standards of human rights. Native Europeans on the other hand, will feel their own cultural objectivity to be incompatible with traditional Islam that does not equally observe human rights. The implications of such processes are discussed in terms of migrants' integration, multiculturalism, and socio‐political psychology.
Measurement of vertical and horizontal vibrations of a probe for acoustic evaluation of food texture
Authors: Sakurai Naoki , Akimoto Hidemi , Takashima Tatsuki
Published: September 2020

Two‐dimensional (vertical and horizontal) vibrations of a wedge‐type probe upon food rupture were evaluated separately using two accelerometers placed perpendicular to a guide rod of a swing‐arm device for texture evaluation of the flesh of three varieties of apples and three types of potato chips. Voltage signals from the accelerometers were filtered using a half‐octave band‐pass filter. The energy texture index (ETI), based on kinetic energy of the vertical or horizontal probe vibrations, was calculated over low to high frequency bands (no. 1–21). The spectra for the flesh of the three varieties of apples included two common peaks for vertical ETI at band no. 11 (1,120–1,600 Hz) and 19 (17,920–25,600 Hz) and horizontal ETI at band no. 1 (0–10 Hz) and 15 (4,480–6,400 Hz). The spectra for the three types of potato chips had a common ETI peak at band no. 11 (1,120–1,600 Hz) for horizontal ETI and at no. 15 (4,480–6,400 Hz) for vertical ETI. The three apple varieties gave rise to different intensities of vertical and horizontal ETIs while the two peaks were maintained. The thick potato chip type had higher vertical and horizontal ETIs than the thin and soft varieties in most bands; however, the thin type had the highest vertical ETIs only in lower bands (0–200 Hz). The soft type had the lowest vertical and horizontal ETI. The above results suggest that different food textures can be distinguished by two‐dimensional vibration analyses of probe insertion into a food sample based on frequency bands.
Early caregiver burden in owners of pets with suspected cancer: Owner psychosocial outcomes, communication behavior, and treatment factors
Authors: Shaevitz Marejka H. , Tullius Jeri A. , Callahan Robert T. , Fulkerson Christopher M. , Spitznagel Mary Beth
Published: September 2020

Background

Owners of companion animals with serious illnesses are likely to experience “caregiver burden.” This topic has not been fully evaluated in veterinary oncology.

Objectives

To examine owners of a dog or cat with suspected cancer for relationships between early caregiver burden and (a) psychosocial factors: depression, stress, and quality of life; (b) owner communication behavior; and (c) specific pet treatment plan factors.

Animals

None.

Methods

This cross‐sectional, observational study recruited 164 owners of a cat or dog presenting for evaluation by a veterinary oncology service at a single referral institution. Measures of caregiver burden, psychosocial function, treatment plan elements, and demographics were collected online via owner self‐report. Medical records were reviewed to identify factors including diagnosis, medications, treatment schedules, and owner communications.

Results

Caregiver burden correlated with higher stress (rs = 0.40, P < .001), greater symptoms of depression (rs = 0.50, P < .001), and lower quality of life (rs = 0.39, P < .001). Pet treatment plan factors related to caregiver burden included changes in care routines, perception that compliance with new routines was challenging, and difficulty adhering to medication routines. There was low correlation between caregiver burden and owner‐driven communications (rs = 0.15, P = .07).

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Findings suggest caregiver burden is similar in owners of pets with cancer and owners of pets with other diseases. Caregiver burden is present in the earliest stages of disease. Major correlates of burden including life‐disruptive treatments and schedules provide key areas for potential intervention by veterinary teams.
Impact of metabolic risk factors on the severity and outcome of patients with alcohol‐associated acute‐on‐chronic liver failure
Authors: Duseja Ajay , De Arka , Taneja Sunil , Choudhury Ashok Kumar , Devarbhavi Harshad , Hu Jinhua , Hamid Saeed S. , Butt Amna Subhan , Jafri Syed Muhammad Wasim , Ghazinian Hasmik , Chawla Yogesh K. , Dhiman Radha K. , Duan Zhongping , Chen Yu , Tan Soek Siam , Lee Guan Huei , Lim Seng Gee , Kim Dong Joon , Sahu Manoj , Sollano Jose D. , Carpio Gian , Mohan Prasad Virukalpatti Gopalratnam , Abbas Zaigham , Lesmana Laurentius A. , Lesmana Cosmas Rinaldi , Eapen Chundamannil E. , Goel Ashish , Sood Ajit , Midha Vandana , Goyal Omesh , Dokmeci Abdul Kadir , Ning Qin , Chen Tao , Ma Ke , Payawal Diana A. , Lau George K. K. , Al Mahtab Mamun , Rahman Salimur , Alam Mohd Shahinul , Shukla Akash , Shrestha Ananta , Shah Samir , Kalal Chetan Ramesh , Kumar Guresh , Jain Priyanka , Paulson Irene , Sarin Shiv Kumar ,   for the APASL ACLF Working Party, APASL ACLF Research Consortium (AARC)
Published: September 2020

Background

Metabolic risk factors may impact the severity and outcome of alcoholic liver disease. The present study evaluated this effect in patients with alcohol‐associated acute‐on‐chronic liver failure (ACLF).

Methodology

One thousand two hundred and sixteen prospectively enrolled patients with ACLF (males 98%, mean age 42.5 ± 9.4 years, mean CTP, MELD and AARC scores of 12 ± 1.4, 29.7 ± 7 and 9.8 ± 2 respectively) from the Asian Pacific Association for the Study of the Liver (APASL) ACLF Research Consortium (AARC) database were analysed retrospectively. Patients with or without metabolic risk factors were compared for severity (CTP, MELD, AARC scores) and day 30 and 90 mortality. Information on overweight/obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), hypertension and dyslipidaemia were available in 1028 (85%), 1019 (84%), 1017 (84%) and 965 (79%) patients respectively.

Results

Overall, 392 (32%) patients died at day 30 and 528 (43%) at day 90. Overweight/obesity, T2DM, hypertension and dyslipidaemia were present in 154 (15%), 142 (14%), 66 (7%) and 141 (15%) patients, respectively, with no risk factors in 809 (67%) patients. Patients with overweight/obesity had higher MELD scores (30.6 ± 7.1 vs 29.2 ± 6.9, P = .007) and those with dyslipidaemia had higher AARC scores (10.4 ± 1.2 vs 9.8 ± 2, P = .014). Overweight/obesity was associated with increased day 30 mortality (HR 1.54, 95% CI 1.06‐2.24, P = .023). None of other metabolic risk factors, alone or in combination, had any impact on disease severity or mortality. On multivariate analysis, overweight or obesity was significantly associated with 30‐day mortality (aHR 1.91, 95% CI 1.41‐2.59, P < .001), independent of age, CTP, MELD and AARC scores.

Conclusion

Overweight/obesity and dyslipidaemia increase the severity of alcohol‐associated ACLF, and the former also increases the short‐term mortality in these patients.
Clinical cues used by nurses to recognize changes in patients' clinical states: A systematic review
Authors: Burdeu Gabrielle , Lowe Grainne , Rasmussen Bodil , Considine Julie
Published: September 2020

The aim of this systematic review was to examine the clinical cues used by acute care nurses to recognize changes in clinical states of adult medical and surgical patients that occurred as usual consequence of acute illness and treatment. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses guidelines and checklist were followed. Four databases and reference lists of included studies were searched: from 1,049 studies, 38 were included. There were 26 subjective and 147 objective cues identified; only 6% of all cues described improvements in patients' clinical states. The most common clinical cues used were heart rate, blood pressure and temperature. Many studies (n= 31) focused on only one element of assessment, such as physiological stability, pain, or cognition. There was a paucity of studies detailing the complexity of acute care nurses' assessment practices as they would occur in clinical practice and a disproportionate focus on the objective assessment of deterioration. Studies are needed to understand the full breadth of cues acute care nurses use to recognize clinical change that includes both improvement and deterioration.
Nurse education to reduce physical restraints use in ICU: A scoping review
Authors: Lei Ruobing , Jiang Xiaoping , Liu Qin , He Hui
Published: September 2020

Background

Physical restraints are defined as a manual approach to reduce a patient's physical movement and has been regarded as a protective nursing measure in the intensive care unit (ICU) to avoid unplanned extubation, falls, and other unexpected events. However, the limitations and changes associated with physical restraints have been verified by several studies. Restraint minimization has been advocated by studies worldwide; however, the most effective interventions are still being explored.

Aim

To identify and map nurse education strategies that reduce the use of physical restraints in the ICU.

Design and methods

A systematic literature search that followed the steps of a scoping review was performed in the Cochrane, PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, CNKI, Wan Fang Data, and VIP databases. We included studies that focused on nurse education aiming to reduce the use of physical restraints and/or use physical restraints reasonably.

Results

The included studies (n = 12) described a variety of education strategies. Two delivery modes, eight common course durations, 14 main topics, two types of teaching methods with various materials, and two kinds of outcome measurements were identified and compared.

Conclusion

There are a variety of nurse education activities that could effectively improve ICU nurses' knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours towards physical restraints. However, the strategies of nurse education, such as delivery mode, teaching methods, and outcome measurements, require further study.

Relevance to clinical practice

Nurse education on physical restraints should be carried out in ICUs. Online courses, practical sessions, and simulated scenarios should be a part of future nurse education. In addition to nurses' knowledge and attitude changes, frequency of physical restraints and other patient‐related outcomes should also be considered for outcome evaluation.
Molecular IgE sensitization profiles of urban and rural children in South Africa
Authors: Mittermann Irene , Dzoro Sheron , Gattinger Pia , Botha Maresa , Basera Wisdom , Facey‐Thomas Heidi E. , Gaunt Ben , Genuneit Jon , Gray Claudia L. , Hlela Carol , Flicker Sabine , Lunjani Nonhlanhla , Mankahla Avumile , Ramjith Jordache , Valenta Rudolf , Levin Michael E
Published: September 2020

Background

Allergens can act as disease‐triggering factors in atopic dermatitis (AD) patients. The aim of the study was to elucidate the molecular IgE sensitization profile in children with and without AD living in urban and rural areas of South Africa.

Methods

Specific IgE reactivity was assessed in 166 Black South African children aged 9‐38 months using a comprehensive panel of microarrayed allergens. According to clinical characterization children fell in four groups, urban AD cases (n = 32), urban controls (non‐AD, n = 40), rural cases (n = 49) and rural controls (non‐AD, n = 45).

Results

IgE reactivity to at least one of the allergens was detected in 94% of urban and 86% of rural AD children. House dust mite (HDM; 81% urban, 74% rural AD) and animal‐derived allergens (50% urban, 31% rural AD) were the most frequently recognized respiratory allergens, whereas IgE to pollen allergens was almost absent. Urban AD children showed significantly higher frequency of IgE reactivity (50%) to mouse lipocalin, Mus m 1, than rural AD children (12%). The most frequently recognized food allergens were from egg (63% urban, 43% rural AD), peanut (31% vs 41%), and soybean (22% vs 27%), whereas milk sensitization was rare. α‐gal‐specific IgE almost exclusively occurred in rural children (AD: 14%, non‐AD: 49%).

Conclusion

Molecular allergy diagnosis detects frequent IgE sensitization to HDM, animal but not pollen allergens and to egg, peanut, and soy, but not milk allergens in African AD children. Urban AD children reacted more often to Mus m 1, whereas α‐gal sensitization is more common in rural children likely due to parasite exposure.
Hypothalamic‐pituitary‐adrenal axis suppression in asthma: A glucocorticoid receptor polymorphism may protect
Authors: Akurugu Wisdom Alemya , Van Heerden Carel Jacobus , Mulder Nicola , Zöllner Ekkehard Werner
Published: September 2020

Background

Asthmatic children on corticosteroids can develop hypothalamic‐pituitary‐adrenal axis suppression (HPAS). Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) rs242941 and rs1876828 of the corticotrophin‐releasing hormone receptor 1 (CRHR1) gene were associated with lower stimulated cortisol (F) levels, whereas rs41423247 of the glucocorticoid receptor (NR3C1) gene was associated with higher basal F levels. The objective of the current study was to confirm whether these three SNPs are associated with HPAS in asthmatic children.

Methods

DNA was extracted from saliva obtained from 95 asthmatic children, who had previously undergone basal F and metyrapone testing. Thirty‐six children were classified as suppressed. Non‐suppressed children were subclassified according to their post‐metyrapone adrenocorticotropin (PMTP ACTH) level into a middle (106‐319 pg/mL) and a high (>319 pg/mL) ACTH response group. TaqMan® polymerase chain reaction assays were utilized.

Results

Only rs41423247 was inversely associated with HPAS (OR = 0.27 [95% CI 0.06‐0.90]). Its GC genotype was inversely associated with HPAS (log odds = −1.28, P = .021). √PMTP ACTH was associated with CC (effect size = 10.85, P = .005) and GC genotypes (effect size = 4.06, P = .023). The C allele is inherited as a dominant trait (effect size = −1.31 (95% CI −2.39‐−0.33; P = .012). In the high ACTH response group, both genotypes affected the PMTP ACTH (effect sizes 1.41 and 15.46; P‐values .023 and <2 × 10−26 for GC and CC, respectively).

Conclusions

The C allele of rs41423247 was found to be protective against HPAS. CC genotype is associated with the highest PMTP ACTH response.
How to Restart the Interventional Activity in the COVID‐19 Era: The Experience of a Private Pain Unit in Spain
Authors: Abejón David , Monzón Eva M. , Deer Tim , Hagedorn Jonathan M. , Araujo Ricardo , Abad Cristina , Rios Alberto , Zamora Alejandro , Vallejo Ricardo
Published: September 2020

Introduction

The situation generated in the health system by the COVID‐19 pandemic has provoked a crisis involving the necessity to cancel non‐urgent and oncologic activity in the operating room and in day‐to‐day practice. As the situation continues, the need to reinstate attention for patients with chronic pain grows. The restoration of this activity has to begin with on‐site appointments and possible surgical procedures. On‐site clinical activity has to guarantee the safety of patients and health workers.

Objectives

The objective of this review was to evaluate how to manage activity in pain units, considering the scenario generated by the pandemic and the implications of chronic pain on the immune system and proposed pharmacological and interventional therapies.

Methods

Besides the established general recommendations (physical distance, surgical masks, gloves, etc.), we established specific recommendations that will allow patient treatment and relieve the disruption of the immune response. It is important to highlight the use of opioids with the least influence in the immune system. Further, individualized corticoid use, risk assessment, reduced immune suppression, and dose adjustment should take patient needs into account. In this scenario, we highlight the use of radiofrequency and neuromodulation therapies, techniques that do not interfere with the immune response.

Conclusions

We describe procedures to implement these recommendations for individual clinical situations, the therapeutic possibilities and safety guidelines for each center, and government recommendations during the COVID‐19 pandemic.
Strongyloides‐specific IgA, IgG and IgG immune complex profile in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis
Authors: Bosqui Larissa Rodrigues , da Silva Gabriela Borges , Gonzaga Henrique Tomaz , Gonçalves Ana Lúcia Ribeiro , Custodio Luiz Antonio , Pavanelli Wander Rogério , Conchon‐Costa Ivete , de Paula Fabiana Martins , Costa‐Cruz Julia Maria , da Costa Idessania Nazareth
Published: September 2020

Aims

To describe an anti‐StrongyloidesIgA, IgG and IgG immune complex antibody response profile in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis.

Methods and Results

Saliva and serum samples were collected from 100 individuals: group I, 50 apparently healthy individuals; and group II, 50 pulmonary tuberculosis patients. The IgA, IgG and IgG immune complex detection were carried out via an ELISA immunoenzymatic test. Optical density medians in saliva samples of IgA antibody (median of 7.21) and IgG‐IC (median of 4.95) were significantly higher in tuberculosis group compared to control individuals (median IgA of 3.93 and IgG‐IC of 2.38).

Conclusion

This study presents antibody data to the field of pulmonary tuberculosis and strongyloidiasis coinfection, including saliva samples, and especially IgG immune complex detection.
Pollen viability of Euro‐Mediterranean orchids under different storage conditions: The possible effects of climate change
Authors: Pellegrino G. , Mahmoudi M. , Palermo A. M.
Published: September 2020

The future impact of climate change and a warmer world is a matter of great concern. We therefore aimed to evaluate the effects of temperature on pollen viability and fruit set of Mediterranean orchids.

The in vitro and controlled pollination experiments were performed to evaluate the ability of pollinia stored at lower and higher temperatures to germinate and produce fruits and seeds containing viable embryos.

In all of the examined orchids, pollen stored at −20 °C remained fully viable for up to 3 years, reducing its percentage germination from year 4 onwards. Pollinia stored at higher temperatures had a drastic reduction in vitality after 2 days at 41–44 °C, while pollinia stored at 47–50 °C did not show any pollen tube growth.

The different levels of pollen viability duration among the examined orchids can be related to their peculiar reproductive biology and pollination ecology. The germinability of pollinia stored at lower temperatures for long periods suggests that orchid pollinia can be conserved ex situ. In contrast, higher temperatures can have harmful effects on the vitality of pollen and consequently on reproductive success of the plants. To our knowledge, this is the first report demonstrating the effects of global change on orchid pollen, and on pollen ability to tolerate, or not, higher air temperatures. Although vegetative reproduction allows orchids to survive a few consecutive warm years, higher temperatures for several consecutive years can have dramatic effects on reproductive success of orchids.
Preparatory ERPs in visual, auditory, and somatosensory discriminative motor tasks
Authors: Bianco Valentina , Berchicci Marika , Livio Perri Rinaldo , Quinzi Federico , Mussini Elena , Spinelli Donatella , Di Russo Francesco
Published: September 2020

Previous event‐related potential (ERP) studies mainly from the present research group showed a novel component, that is, the prefrontal negativity (pN), recorded in visual‐motor discriminative tasks during the pre‐stimulus phase. This component is concomitant to activity related to motor preparation, that is, the Bereitschaftspotential (BP). The pN component has been reported in experiments based on the visual modality only; for other modalities (acoustic and/or somatosensory) the presence of the pN warrants further investigation. This study represents a first step toward this direction; indeed, we aimed at describing the pN and the BP components in discriminative response tasks (DRTs) for three sensory modalities. In experiment 1 ERPs were recorded in 29 adults in visual and auditory DRT; an additional group of 15 adults participated to a somatosensory DRT (experiment 2). In line with previous results both the pN and the BP were clearly detectable in the visual modality. In the auditory modality the prefrontal pN was not detectable directly; however, the pN could be derived by subtraction of separate EEG traces recorded in a “passive” version of the same auditory task, in which motor responses were not required. In the somatosensory modality both the pN and the BP were detectable, although with lower amplitudes with respect to other two sensory modalities. Overall, regardless of the sensory modality, anticipatory task‐related pN and BP components could be detected (or derived by subtraction) over both the prefrontal and motor cortices. These results support the view that anticipatory processes share common components among sensory modalities.