bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Racial and ethnic disparities in care for health system‐affiliated physician organizations and non‐affiliated physician organizations
Authors: Timbie Justin W. , Kranz Ashley M. , DeYoreo Maria , Eshete‐Roesler Blen , Elliott Marc N. , Escarce José J. , Totten Mark E. , Damberg Cheryl L.
Published: October 2020

Objective

To assess racial and ethnic disparities in care for Medicare fee‐for‐service (FFS) beneficiaries and whether disparities differ between health system‐affiliated physician organizations (POs) and nonaffiliated POs.

Data Sources

We used Medicare Data on Provider Practice and Specialty (MD‐PPAS), Medicare Provider Enrollment, Chain, and Ownership System (PECOS), IRS Form 990, 100% Medicare FFS claims, and race/ethnicity estimated using the Medicare Bayesian Improved Surname Geocoding 2.0 algorithm.

Study Design

Using a sample of 16 007 POs providing primary care in 2015, we assessed racial/ethnic disparities on 12 measures derived from claims (2 cancer screenings; diabetic eye examinations; continuity of care; two medication adherence measures; three measures of follow‐up visits after acute care; all‐cause emergency department (ED) visits, all‐cause readmissions, and ambulatory care‐sensitive admissions). We decomposed these “total” disparities into within‐PO and between‐PO components using models with PO random effects. We then pair‐matched 1853 of these POs that were affiliated with health systems to similar nonaffiliated POs. We examined differences in within‐PO disparities by affiliation status by interacting each nonwhite race/ethnicity with an affiliation indicator.

Data Collection/Extraction methods

Medicare Data on Provider Practice and Specialty identified POs billing Medicare; PECOS and IRS Form 990 identified health system affiliations. Beneficiaries age 18 and older were attributed to POs using a plurality visit rule.

Principal Findings

We observed total disparities in 12 of 36 comparisons between white and nonwhite beneficiaries; nonwhites received worse care in 10. Within‐PO disparities exceeded between‐PO disparities and were substantively important (>=5 percentage points or>=0.2 standardized differences) in nine of the 12 comparisons. Among these 12, nonaffiliated POs had smaller disparities than affiliated POs in two comparisons (P < .05): 1.6 percentage points smaller black‐white disparities in follow‐up after ED visits and 0.6 percentage points smaller Hispanic‐white disparities in breast cancer screening.

Conclusions

We find no evidence that system‐affiliated POs have smaller racial and ethnic disparities than nonaffiliated POs. Where differences existed, disparities were slightly larger in affiliated POs.
The changing therapeutic landscape, burden of disease, and unmet needs in patients with cutaneous T‐cell lymphoma
Authors: Scarisbrick Julia J. , Bagot Martine , Ortiz‐Romero Pablo L.
Published: October 2020

Cutaneous T‐cell lymphomas (CTCLs) have a chronic, relapsing course, and the most common subtypes are mycosis fungoides and Sézary syndrome. The disease causes visible skin alterations and can also cause alopecia, pruritus and pain, all of which can impact patients’ health‐related quality of life (HRQoL). The goal of treatment is to reduce symptoms and prevent disease progression. However, treatment recommendations are often based on low levels of evidence due to the lack of well‐designed randomised clinical trials and treatment guidelines, and approved drugs vary considerably across different countries and regions. Currently, available treatments rarely lead to durable remissions and eventually become less effective, meaning patients often require multiple therapy changes. Skin‐directed therapies (SDTs) are first‐line treatments for early‐stage CTCL, whereas systemic therapies may be needed for early‐stage disease that does not respond to SDT or for advanced‐stage disease. However, patients can experience significant side‐effects with these treatments or may be unable to tolerate them. Hence, there is an unmet need for effective therapies with good safety profiles for the treatment of early‐ and late‐stage CTCL. Here, we review current treatment guidelines, investigational and approved treatments, the impact of CTCL on patients’ HRQoL, and the treatment of pruritus.
Uneven Development, Uneven Response: The Relentless Search for Meaningful Regulation of GVCs
Authors: Morris Jonathan , Jenkins Jean , Donaghey Jimmy
Published: October 2020

The regulation of employment in global value chains (GVCs) is a story of the interaction of corporation and state in transnational space, where uneven international development has allowed the commodification and exploitation of international labour. Global standards are well articulated by bodies such as the International Labour Organization (ILO) and UN. We know what ‘decent work’ should look like as well as what all workers should enjoy as basic employment and human rights. Yet, internationally, the different mechanisms of private and public regulation fail at the point of implementation and across the world we see no fundamental shift in the condition of labour in terms of its capacity for social or economic upgrading. This article examines the regulatory mechanisms, and outcomes of regulation, of industrial relations in GVCs. It commends a future research agenda to illuminate the interaction between different sources of standards and rules and the complexities of intersecting private and public regulation, in the pursuit of enforceable, meaningful regulation of work and employment in international supply chains.
Urban Reforms, Cultural Goods and the Valongo Wharf Circle: Understanding Intervention in Rio de Janeiro's Port Area
Authors: Adams Victoria
Published: October 2020

Between 2012 and 2016, the Valongo Wharf Circle employed capoeira to make sense of the complex and enduring legacies of the Valongo Wharf, namely, the impact and intersection of racial discrimination and cycles of redevelopment that have remade Rio and marked the history of the site. This article uses ‘products’ that record the project to consider the vicissitudes and contingency of how it both used and reconfigured the selective valorisation of the everyday to probe and disrupt the quotidian dynamics of Rio's port area.
How cultural tightness relates to creativity in work teams: Exploring the moderating and mediating mechanisms
Authors: Gedik Yeliz , Ozbek Mehmet Ferhat
Published: October 2020

In the present study, we examined the team‐level association between cultural tightness, justice and creativity under varying levels of collectivism. Utilizing data from a field sample of 532 employees distributed across 147 work teams in 13 organizations, we demonstrated that cultural tightness was negatively related to team creativity for teams with lower levels of collectivism, but we did not observe such clear effects in teams with higher levels of collectivism. Finally, our results indicated that team justice climate (i.e., the average justice perception within the team) mediated the relationship between cultural tightness and team creativity in teams with lower levels of collectivism. Our findings accentuate the importance of understanding how norm‐based (i.e., cultural tightness) and value‐based (i.e., team collectivism) cultural dimensions jointly impact upon team creativity and suggest that managers should consider the optimal configuration of cultural dimensions if creativity is vital to their work team's functioning.
Evolutionary Fuzzy‐based gravitational search algorithm for query optimization in crowdsourcing system to minimize cost and latency
Authors: Bhaskar N. , Kumar P. Mohan , Renjit J. Arokia
Published: October 2020

Crowdsourcing is an environment where a group of users collaborates together to exchange information and to find answers for complex problems (queries). Query optimization is the task of selecting the best query strategy with less cost associated with it. The crowdsourcing cost can be determined by selecting the best plan from the set of options available and the best plan considerably reduce the cost for the inquiry configuration. As one of the center tasks in information recovery, the investigation of top‐k queries with crowdsourcing, to be specific group empowered top k inquiries is depicted. This issue is defined with three key variables, latency, money related expense, and nature of answers. The fundamental point is to plan a novel system that limits financial cost when the latency is compelled. In this article, we used a heuristic search algorithm named as Evolutionary Fuzzy‐based Gravitational Search algorithm (EFGSA) that produces an optimal query feature selection results with minimizing cost and latency. EFGSA‐based crowdsourcing framework gives a better balance between latency and cost while generating query plans. The performance analysis of proposed EFSGA for optimal query plan is evaluated in terms of running time, accuracy, monetary cost, and so on. From the experimental results, the proposed method achieved better results than other methods in our cost and latency model.
Host plant identification in the generalist xylem feeder Philaenus spumarius through gut content analysis
Authors: Gonella Elena , Picciau Luca , Pippinato Liam , Cavagna Beniamino , Alma Alberto
Published: October 2020

The meadow spittlebug, Philaenus spumarius L. (Hemiptera: Aphrophoridae), is the main vector of the phytopathogenic bacterium Xylella fastidiosa in Europe, where the ST53 strain induces the olive quick decline syndrome, causing severe economic damage in southern Italy. The wide range of plant species infected by X. fastidiosa, and the wide host range of P. spumarius suggest that a large number of wild and cultivated plants may become infected by the pathogen following unintentional introduction events. Therefore, it is necessary to detail the host plant preference of the vector, in order to include preferred plants in the field, in pathogen‐targeted diagnostic efforts. This would allow the identification of main sources of X. fastidiosa acquisition by P. spumarius; such plant species represent an important target for rational disease management. Here, we investigated the host plants of P. spumarius in north‐western Italy, a region where X. fastidiosa is still not present but is regarded as a primary threat. We designed a new molecular diagnostic tool targeting chloroplast DNA, to characterize the gut content of single P. spumarius adults. The newly set up, nested PCR/sequencing‐based identification protocol was proven to be useful for retrieving sequences from the last two different host plants used by P. spumarius, even if limited persistence of intact chloroplast DNA was reported in the spittlebug gut. We propose this protocol as a new tool for supporting research on xylem feeder biology that could be particularly useful for highly polyphagous species such as P. spumarius. Furthermore, the method could help monitor X. fastidiosa invasion, and contribute to the study of vector ecology and pathogen epidemiology.
Serum neurofilament level increases after ascent to 4559 m but is not related to acute mountain sickness
Authors: Sareban Mahdi , Berger Marc Moritz , Pinter Daniela , Buchmann Arabella , Macholz Franziska , Schmidt Peter , Schiefer Lisa , Schimke Magdalena , Niebauer Josef , Steinacker Jürgen Michael , Treff Gunnar , Khalil Michael
Published: October 2020

Background and purpose

At high altitude the brain is exposed to hypoxic stress, which may result in neurological conditions, with acute mountain sickness (AMS) being the most common. We aimed to test the hypothesis that rapid ascent to high altitude alters neuro‐axonal integrity, which can be detected by increased concentration of serum neurofilament light (sNfL) in the blood and may even be exaggerated in people with AMS.

Methods

Serum neurofilament light was measured using a single‐molecule array (Simoa, Quanterix, Lexington, MA, USA) assay at low altitude (423 m) in 47 healthy study participants and 44 h after rapid and active ascent to high altitude (4559 m). Peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2) and partial pressures of oxygen (pO2) were obtained at low and high altitude. The Acute Mountain Sickness‐Cerebral (AMS‐C) scoring system was used to assess AMS incidence and AMS severity.

Results

There was an increase in sNfL from its baseline value compared with its value at high altitude (6.34 ± 1.96 vs. 7.19 ± 3.14 pg/ml; p = 0.014), but sNfL level did not correlate with SpO2 (r = −0.19; p = 0.066) or pO2 (r = −0.19; p = 0.068). The incidence of AMS at high altitude was 62%. Neither at low altitude (p = 0.706) nor at high altitude (p = 0.985) was there a difference in sNfL between participants with and without AMS as measured 3 days after rapid ascent and 44 h of high‐altitude exposure. Altitude sNfL did not correlate with AMS‐C, either overall or with single‐item scores such as headache severity.

Conclusions

Rapid ascent of healthy people to high altitude provokes an increase in sNfL 44 h after arrival at 4559 m, which is not related to the magnitude of hypoxemia or AMS incidence and severity, suggesting that neuro‐axonal injury does not directly contribute to AMS.
How does pasture size alter plant–herbivore interactions among grazing cattle?
Authors: Dumont Bertrand , Rossignol Nicolas , Decuq Francis , Note Priscilla , Farruggia Anne
Published: October 2020

Grassland management impacts ecosystem functioning and is critical for livestock production and biodiversity conservation. Decreasing the stocking rate usually benefits biodiversity but also decreases production per unit area. Here, we assessed the combined effects of cattle herd and pasture size on sward structure, diet quality and daily grazing time while maintaining a constant stocking rate. The experiment was conducted over four successive years in two blocks of a species‐rich upland grassland that was continuously grazed for 5 months between May and October. Each block consisted of one 3‐ha pasture that was grazed by a group of three heifers, one 9‐ha pasture grazed by nine heifers, and one 27‐ha pasture grazed by 27 heifers. The grazed patches were discriminated using a mathematical model that for each point gave a probability of being grazed based on sward height and spatial dependence. Heifers created fewer patches and had less control over sward height in the smallest (3‐ha) plots, while no difference was found between the 9‐ and 27‐ha plots. The small heifer groups also had the shortest daily grazing time. These observations point out a risk that animal impacts on sward structure could be partly missed in grazing experiments conducted with very small groups. Estimated diet quality was unaffected by pasture size. Patch stability was frequent between two successive years but we observed a decrease in interannual patch stability as time intervals increase. Such observations are useful for calibrating spatial interaction models combining foraging behaviour and vegetation dynamics rules and enhance their predictive ability.
Understanding self‐regulation for political control and policymaking: Effects of governance mechanisms on accountability
Authors: Papenfuß Ulf , Schmidt Christian A.
Published: October 2020

Self‐regulation has become a crucial governance mechanism for policymaking and political control. Although governments have increasingly implemented self‐regulation, its effects are under‐researched. International policymakers highlight the role of self‐regulation in extending accountability and political control of state‐owned enterprises (SOEs). A key accountability area—attracting widespread public interest—is the level of executive directors' pay. Drawing on agency theory, this study analyzes 2,112 pay disclosures of 700 executive directors employed in 289 German SOEs between 2014 and 2017. The results indicate that both self‐regulation and its quality have significant effects on behavior control. Further, the complementary adoption of self‐regulation and law has the strongest effects on principals' and agents' behavior and awareness. For the debate on board composition, it is important to note that a higher proportion of politicians as directors on SOE boards weakens the effects of self‐regulation. Overall, this study enhances the theoretical understanding of self‐regulation and provides important policy implications.
The challenge of genetically unresolved haemophilia A patients: Interest of the combination of whole F8 gene sequencing and functional assays
Authors: Lassalle Fanny , Jourdy Yohann , Jouan Loubna , Swystun Laura , Gauthier Julie , Zawadzki Christophe , Goudemand Jenny , Susen Sophie , Rivard Georges‐Etienne , Lillicrap David
Published: October 2020

Background

The causative variant remains unidentified in 2%–5% of haemophilia A (HA) patients despite an exhaustive sequencing of the full F8 coding sequence, splice consensus sequences, 5’/3’ untranslated regions and copy number variant (CNV) analysis. Next‐generation sequencing (NGS) has provided significant improvements for a complete F8 analysis.

Aim

The aim of this study was to identify and characterize pathogenic non‐coding variants in F8 of 15 French and Canadian HA patients genetically unresolved, through the use of NGS, mRNA sequencing and functional confirmation of aberrant splicing.

Methods

We sequenced the entire F8 gene using an NGS capture method. We analysed F8 mRNA in order to detect aberrant transcripts. The pathogenic effect of candidate intronic variants was further confirmed using a minigene assay.

Results

After bioinformatic analysis, 11 deep intronic variants were identified in 13 patients (8 new variants and 3 previously reported). Three variants were confirmed to be likely pathogenic with the presence of an aberrant transcript during mRNA analysis and minigene assay. We also found a small intronic deletion in 6 patients, recently described as causing mild HA.

Conclusion

With this comprehensive work combining NGS and functional assays, we report new deep intronic variants that cause HA through splicing alteration mechanism. Functional analyses are critical to confirm the pathogenic effect of these variants and will be invaluable in the future to study the large number of variants of uncertain significance that may affect splicing that will be found in the human genome.
Does the use of non‐GAAP earnings in compensation contracts lead to excessive CEO compensation? Efficient contracting versus managerial power
Authors: Kyung Hangsoo , Ng Jeff , Yang Yong George
Published: October 2020

We examine whether the recent trend of firms’ using non‐GAAP earnings metrics in compensation contracts is consistent with the efficient contracting hypothesis or the managerial power hypothesis. We extract non‐GAAP performance metrics from compensation contracts in proxy statements of S&P 500 firms from 2006 to 2013. We find that the adoption of non‐GAAP earnings in CEOs’ compensation contracts is positively associated with CEOs’ cash compensation. However, the increase in CEOs’ compensation is primarily evident among firms with superior CEO talent. In addition, we find that the cash pay‐performance sensitivity (PPS) increases after the adoption of non‐GAAP performance measures, suggesting that boards use non‐GAAP performance measures to enhance CEOs’ performance‐improving incentives, rather than granting excessive compensation. Overall, our evidence suggests that, on average, the use of non‐GAAP performance metrics in executive compensation contracts reflects boards’ efforts to retain talented CEOs and mitigate agency problems, which is consistent with the efficient contracting hypothesis.
Novel insights into the epidemiology of epidermolysis bullosa (EB) from the Dutch EB Registry: EB more common than previously assumed?
Authors: Baardman R. , Yenamandra V.K. , Duipmans J.C. , Pasmooij A.M.G. , Jonkman M.F. , van den Akker P.C. , Bolling M.C.
Published: October 2020

Background

Epidermolysis bullosa (EB) is a heterogeneous group of rare and incurable genetic disorders characterized by fragility of the skin and mucosae, resulting in blisters and erosions. Several epidemiological studies in other populations have been carried out, reporting varying and sometimes inconclusive figures, highlighting the need for standardized epidemiological analyses in well‐characterized cohorts.

Objectives

To evaluate the epidemiological data on EB in the Netherlands, extracted from the molecularly well‐characterized cohort in the Dutch EB Registry.

Methods

In this observational study all EB‐patients that were based in the Netherlands and captured in the Dutch EB Registry between 1988 and 2018 were included. The epidemiological outcomes were based on complete diagnostic data (clinical features, immunofluorescence, electron microscopy and mutation analysis), with longitudinal follow‐up.

Results

A total of 464 EB‐patients (287 families) were included. The incidence and point‐prevalence of EB in the Netherlands were 41.3 per million live births and 22.4 per million population, respectively. EB Simplex (EBS), Junctional EB (JEB), Dystrophic EB (DEB) and Kindler EB were diagnosed in 45.7%, 18.8%, 34.7% and 0.9% of the EB‐patients, respectively, with an incidence and point‐prevalence of 17.5 and 11.9 (EBS), 9.3 and 2.1 (JEB), 14.1 and 8.3 (DEB), 0.5 and 0.2 (Kindler EB). In 90.5% of the EB‐patients the diagnosis was genetically confirmed. During the investigated time period 73 EB‐patients died, 72.6% of whom as a direct consequence of their EB.

Conclusion

The epidemiological outcomes of EB in the Netherlands are high, attributed to a high detection rate in a well‐organized set‐up, indicating that EB might be more common than previously assumed. These epidemiological data help to understand the extensive need for (specialized) medical care of EB‐patients and is invaluable for the design and execution of therapeutic trials. This study emphasizes the importance of thorough reporting systems and registries worldwide.
Prefrontal cortex miR‐874‐3p prevents lipopolysaccharide‐induced depression‐like behavior through inhibition of indoleamine 2,3‐dioxygenase 1 expression in mice
Authors: Suento Willy Jaya , Kunisawa Kazuo , Wulaer Bolati , Kosuge Aika , Iida Tsubasa , Fujigaki Suwako , Fujigaki Hidetsugu , Yamamoto Yasuko , Tanra Andi Jayalangkara , Saito Kuniaki , Mouri Akihiro , Nabeshima Toshitaka
Published: October 2020

Indoleamine 2,3‐dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) is the first rate‐limiting enzyme that metabolizes tryptophan to the kynurenine pathway. Its activity is highly inducible by pro‐inflammatory cytokines and correlates with the severity of major depressive disorder (MDD). MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are involved in gene regulation and the development of neuropsychiatric disorders including MDD. However, the role of miRNAs in targeting IDO1 in the pathophysiology of MDD is still unknown. In this study, we investigated the role of novel miRNAs in the regulation of IDO1 activity and its effect on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced depression‐like behavior in mice. LPS up‐regulated miR‐874‐3p concomitantly with increase in IDO1 expression in the prefrontal cortex (PFC), increase in immobility in the forced swimming test as depression‐like behavior and decrease in locomotor activity as sickness behavior without motor dysfunction. The miR‐874‐3p increased in both neuron and microglia after LPS. Its mimic significantly suppressed LPS‐induced IDO1 expression in the PFC. Infusion of IDO1 inhibitor (1‐methyl‐l‐tryptophan) and miR‐874‐3p into PFC prevented an increase in immobility in the forced swimming test, but did not decrease in locomotor activity induced by LPS. These results suggest that miR‐874‐3p may play an important role in preventing the LPS‐induced depression‐like behavior through inhibition of IDO1 expression. This may also serve as a novel potential target molecule for the treatment of MDD.

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Collagen and soy peptides attenuate contractile loss from UVA damage and enhance the antioxidant capacity of dermal fibroblasts
Authors: Zhang Sophia Y. , Hood Molly , Zhang Iris X. , Chen Clark L. , Zhang Lynn L. , Du Jun
Published: October 2020

Background

Wrinkles and extracellular matrix (ECM) loss are common signs of skin aging and are thought to be the result of damage caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS); ROS induces an imbalance between ECM degradation and production.

Objectives

In this study, we evaluate soy peptides (SP) and collagen peptides (CP), alone and in combination, for their ability to inhibit ROS formation and increase ECM gene expression in order to ameliorate the signs of skin aging.

Methods

Using tert‐Butyl hydroperoxide (t‐BuOOH)–treated dermal fibroblasts, we explored the potential of CP and SP to inhibit ROS formation by flow cytometry, as well as their effect on ECM component genes by real‐time quantitative PCR. In addition, we examined the effect of CP and SP on UVA irradiated fibroblasts in a 3D collagen lattice model that measured contractility.

Results

The results showed that the combination of CP and SP synergistically reduces ROS formation. This combination also increased expression of collagen I, collagen II, elastin, and fibronectin in t‐BuOOH‐treated or untreated dermal fibroblasts. In the UVA‐treated 3D collagen lattice model, the results show that CP and SP significantly improved fibroblast contractility when compared to UVA control (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

In conclusion, CP and SP attenuate the loss of contractility due to UVA damage, inhibit t‐BuOOH‐induced ROS formation, and improve expression of ECM component genes.
Efficacy and safety of controlled‐release dinoprostone vaginal delivery system (PROPESS) in Japanese pregnant women requiring cervical ripening: Results from a multicenter, randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled phase III study
Authors: Itoh Hiroaki , Ishii Keisuke , Shigeta Naoya , Itakura Atsuo , Hamada Hiromi , Nagamatsu Takeshi , Ishida Tomohiko , Bungyoku Yasuaki , Falahati Ali , Tomisaka Miori , Kitamura Mikiya
Published: October 2020

Aim

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of dinoprostone vaginal insert (PROPESS) in pregnant post‐term Japanese women requiring cervical ripening.

Methods

This randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study included 114 pregnant Japanese women at term (41 weeks of gestation) requiring cervical ripening (baseline Bishop score (BS) ≤ 4). The primary end‐point was the proportion of subjects with successful cervical ripening defined as BS ≥ 7 or vaginal delivery in 12 h. The secondary end‐points were changes in BS, proportion of women with vaginal delivery, proportion of women receiving mechanical cervical ripening procedure and use of oxytocic drugs.

Results

PROPESS administration for a maximum of 12 h showed significantly higher successful cervical ripening rate (47.4% vs 14.3%, respectively; treatment contrast [TC]: 33.1%; P = 0.0002). The median time from administration to vaginal delivery was significantly shorter in the PROPESS group than in the placebo group (26.18 h vs 33.02 h; OR 2.51; 95% CI [1.60–3.92]; P < 0.0001). In the PROPESS group, the dosage of uterotonic drugs, such as oxytocin, decreased, and the number of patients who used these drugs also decreased.

Conclusion

PROPESS administration for a maximum of 12 h was an effective and well‐tolerated treatment for pregnant Japanese women post‐term requiring cervical ripening.
Barriers to influenza vaccination of children hospitalised for acute respiratory illness: A cross‐sectional survey
Authors: Carlson Samantha J , Quinn Helen E , Blyth Christopher C , Cheng Allen , Clark Julia , Francis Joshua R , Marshall Helen S , Macartney Kristine , Leask Julie
Published: October 2020

Aim

To identify barriers to influenza vaccination of children hospitalised for acute respiratory illness in Australia.

Methods

A total of 595 parents of children hospitalised with acute respiratory illness across five tertiary hospitals in 2019 participated in an online survey. Multivariate logistic regression identified factors most strongly associated with influenza vaccination barriers.

Results

Odds of influenza vaccination were lower with lack of health‐care provider (HCP) recommendation (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 0.18; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.08–0.38); if parents had difficulties (aOR 0.19; 95% CI: 0.08–0.47) or were ‘neutral’ (aOR 0.23; 95% CI: 0.06–0.82) in remembering to make an appointment; and if parents had difficulties (aOR 0.21; 95% CI: 0.07–0.62) or were ‘neutral’ (aOR 0.24; 95% CI: 0.07–0.79) regarding getting an appointment for vaccination. Odds were also lower if parents did not believe (aOR 0.27; 95% CI: 0.08–0.90) or were ‘neutral’ (aOR 0.15; 95% CI: 0.04–0.49) regarding whether the people most important to them would have their child/ren vaccinated against influenza. Children had lower odds of vaccination if parents did not support (aOR 0.09; 95% CI: 0.01–0.82) or were ambivalent (aOR 0.09; 95% CI: 0.01–0.56) in their support for influenza vaccination. Finally, lack of history of influenza vaccination of child (aOR 0.38; 95% CI: 0.18–0.81) and respondent (aOR 0.25; 95% CI: 0.11–0.56) were associated with lack of receipt of influenza vaccine before admission for acute respiratory infection.

Conclusions

Assisting parents in remembering and accessing influenza vaccination and encouraging health‐care providers to recommend vaccination may increase uptake.
Practical progression in the clinical management of neuroinfections and related diseases in Japan
Authors: Kamei Satoshi
Published: October 2020

Neuroinfections and related diseases are a life‐threatening disease. The practical progression of the clinical management in these diseases in Japan was reviewed. The guidelines for the clinical management of bacterial meningitis in Japan were published in 2014 which were established based on the current knowledge of microbiological evidence in Japan. The guidelines for the clinical management of herpes simplex virus encephalitis (HSVE) in Japan were also published in 2017. Aciclovir should be initiated in all patients with suspected encephalitis. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for HSVE has high sensitivity and specificity and is the gold standard diagnostic tool. However, when the negative result of PCR is obtained at the acute stage with the highly suspicious patients with HSVE, our clinical guidelines recommend to continuing aciclovir and repeating PCR. The viral resistance to aciclovir has been reported. In the case of aciclovir‐nonresponding and treatment‐resistant patients, an alternative treatment with foscarnet is recommended. Autoimmune encephalitis (AIE) is considered one of the most common causes of noninfectious acute encephalitis. As a series of anti‐neuronal surface antibodies (NSAs) were found, the diagnostic approach to AIE has undergone a paradigm shift. Different techniques are currently available to detect NSAs: tissue‐based assays (TBAs) with rodent brain sections, cell‐based assays (CBAs), and assays for primary cultured neurons of rodent. The diagnosis of AIE in Japan could previously be delayed owing to limited access to specialized laboratory; the assay system used by TBAs and CBAs for AIE was established and started to use in Japan since 2019.
Improving mealtimes for paediatric intensive care children and families: A quality improvement initiative
Authors: De Monte Malorie , Marty Petit Emilie M. L. , Baudin Florent , Zamor Julia , Ford‐Chessel Carole , Tume Lyvonne N. , Bordet Fabienne , Valla Frederic V.
Published: October 2020

Background

Many critically ill children can be fed orally at some point during their paediatric intensive care (PICU) stay, but reduced appetite and other factors may impact their intake. At home, oral feeding is usually delivered by parents, so involving parents more actively during mealtimes in the PICU may contribute to improved patient/family satisfaction.

Aim

To assess the impact of a new “room service” initiative involving parents on mealtime quality and on both family and health care professional (HCP) satisfaction.

Methods

A prospective, single‐centre, before‐and‐after intervention study was designed as part of a PICU quality‐of‐care improvement programme in 2013 to 2016. Two questionnaires assessing oral nutrition practices and family/HCP overall satisfaction were disseminated among the parents of critically ill children capable of oral feeding during their PICU admission and among the whole PICU HCP team (nurses, nurse assistants, and medical doctors). Categorical variables were compared using the chi‐square test, and Likert scales were compared between groups with the Mann‐Whitney‐Wilcoxon test.

Results

the pre‐intervention surveys were completed by 97 of 130 (75%) HCPs and 52 families and the post‐intervention surveys by 74 of 130 (57%) HCPs and 54 families. After the intervention, a marked improvement was observed in the overall quality of meal service rating by both HCPs and families (medians and IQR: 5 (5‐7) to 7 (7, 8) and 6 (6‐8) to 8 (7‐9), respectively; P < .01) and also in parents' involvement; in children's, families', and HCP satisfaction; in meal‐dedicated facilities and equipment; and in perception that oral nutrition is an important aspect of PICU care.

Conclusions

Implementation of an improved “room service” initiative in the PICU was feasible and improved the perceived quality of care and satisfaction around oral feeding. This family‐centred care initiative can be integrated in an overall quality improvement strategy.
The Adoption of Local Option Fuel Taxes: Evidence From Florida Counties
Authors: Chen Can , Afonso Whitney B.
Published: October 2020

This study examines the time to adoption of local option fuel taxes (LOFTs) among Florida counties from 1972 to 2015. Florida county governments are authorized to levy up to 12 cents of LOFTs in the form of three separate instruments. Using a Cox proportional hazards model, this study finds that additional LOFT instruments in place affect time to adoption and that the factors associated with the adoption of LOFTs differ from those of local option sales taxes. Additionally, there is evidence that suggests the legal structure of LOFTs affects both the time to adoption and the relationship with other LOFTs.
Microbiome‐wide association studies reveal correlations between the structure and metabolism of the rhizosphere microbiome and disease resistance in cassava
Authors: Zhang Lin , Zhang Jiachao , Wei Yunxie , Hu Wei , Liu Guoyin , Zeng Hongqiu , Shi Haitao
Published: October 2020

Cassava is one of the most important staple food crops in tropical regions. To date, an understanding of the relationship between microbial communities and disease resistance in cassava has remained elusive. In order to explore the relationship among microbiome and phenotypes for further targeted design of microbial community, 16S rRNA and ITS of microbiome of ten cassava varieties were analysed, and a distinctive microbial community in the rhizosphere showed significant interdependence with disease resistance. Shotgun metagenome sequencing was performed to elucidate the structure of microbiomes of cassava rhizosphere. Comprehensive microbiome studies were performed to assess the correlation between the rhizosphere microbiome and disease resistance. Subsequently, the metagenome of rhizosphere microbiome was annotated to obtain taxonomic information at species level and identify metabolic pathways that were significantly associated with cassava disease resistance. Notably, cassava disease resistance was significantly associated with Lactococcus sp., which specifically produces nisin. To definitively explain the role of nisin and underlying mechanism, analysis of nisin biosynthesis‐associated genes together with in vitro and in vivo experiments highlighted the effect of nisin on inhibiting the growth of Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. manihotis (Xam) and activating immune response in cassava. The new insights between cassava rhizosphere microbiome especially Lactococcus sp. and disease resistance provide valuable information into further control of cassava disease.
In vivo confocal Raman spectroscopic imaging of the human skin extracellular matrix degradation due to accumulated intrinsic and extrinsic aging
Authors: Ali Syed Mehmood
Published: October 2020

Background

Skin aging is a dynamic process that affects the entire body, marked by molecular and structural changes. Type I collagen is the most abundant structural component and accounts 80% of total collagen in human skin. The amount of proline and hydroxyproline reflect the quantity and quality of the collagen fiber in the extracellular matrix of skin, which is alerted due to accumulated effects of intrinsic and extrinsic aging. Extrinsic aging is driven by ultraviolet radiation–induced reactive oxygen species production that activates the matrix metalloproteinase and disrupts the extracellular matrix of skin dermis, while intrinsic aging is the non‐enzymatic process resulting in advanced glycation end products (AGEs). In the presence of pentosidine‐AGEs, aging process is accelerated.

Method

In vivo Raman spectra of human dermis were collected from forearms of 30 volunteers and were divided into three groups: 10 young adult 25 ± 5 years, 10 old adult 65 ± 10 years and 10 diabetic old adult 65 ± 10 years old male participants. Density functional theory was performed to compute the vibration modes of AGEs, pentosidine, and glucosepane.

Results

In vivo confocal Raman spectroscopy detects the specific changes in the proline and hydroxyproline conformation, collagen fiber degradation of type I collagen and AGE protein contribution to specific Raman bands in the aged dermis because of Intrinsic and Extrinsic aging. Statistical t test marked significant differences (P < .01) in Raman peaks of proline and hydroxyproline among young adult, old adult, and diabetic old adult participants at wavenumbers 855, 875, 922, and 938 cm−1.

Conclusion

In vivo confocal Raman spectroscopy is a useful tool to detect the AGE markers in the old adult and diabetic old adult male participants, which interacts with the ultraviolet radiations and accelerates the aging process resulting in the extracellular matrix degradation.
Schizotypy, neuroticism, and saccadic eye movements: New data and meta‐analysis
Authors: Thomas Elizabeth H. X. , Steffens Maria , Harms Christopher , Rossell Susan L. , Gurvich Caroline , Ettinger Ulrich
Published: October 2020

Deficits on saccade tasks, particularly antisaccade performance, have been reliably reported in schizophrenia. However, less evidence is available on saccade performance in relation to schizotypy, a personality constellation harboring risk for schizophrenia. Here, we report a large empirical study of the associations of schizotypy and neuroticism with antisaccade and prosaccade performance (Study I). Additionally, we carried out meta‐analyses of the association between schizotypy and antisaccade error rate (Study II). In Study I, N = 526 healthy individuals from the general population aged 18–54 years completed prosaccade and antisaccade tasks as well as the Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire (SPQ). Schizotypy was significantly associated with increased antisaccade error rate, with the disorganized dimension emerging as strongest predictor (β = .118, p = .007). Neuroticism emerged as a significant predictor for prosaccade gain (β = .103, p = .023) and antisaccade latency (β = .101, p = .025). In Study II, random‐effects meta‐analyses were performed on the published data and those from Study I. Meta‐analyses revealed significant associations (all p ≤ .003) of antisaccade error rate with positive (g = 0.37), negative (g = 0.26), disorganized (g = 0.36) and overall schizotypy (g = 0.37). Overall, the present work replicates the association between antisaccade direction errors and schizotypy. Significant findings from meta‐analyses provide further evidence of the antisaccade error rate as a putative schizophrenia spectrum marker.
Spatial and temporal evolution of quantitative magnetic resonance imaging parameters of peach and apple fruit – relationship with biophysical and metabolic traits
Authors: Musse Maja , Bidault Kévin , Quellec Stéphane , Brunel Béatrice , Collewet Guylaine , Cambert Mireille , Bertin Nadia
Published: October 2020

Fruits are complex organs that are spatially regulated during development. Limited phenotyping capacity at cell and tissue levels is one of the main obstacles to our understanding of the coordinated regulation of the processes involved in fruit growth and quality. In this study, the spatial evolution of biophysical and metabolic traits of peach and apple fruit was investigated during fruit development. In parallel, the multi‐exponential relaxation times and apparent microporosity were assessed by quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The aim was to identify the possible relationships between MRI parameters and variations in the structure and composition of fruit tissues during development so that transverse relaxation could be proposed as a biomarker for the assessment of the structural and functional evolution of fruit tissues during growth. The study provides species‐specific data on developmental and spatial variations in density, cell number and size distribution, insoluble and soluble compound accumulation and osmotic and water potential in the fruit mesocarp. Magnetic resonance imaging was able to capture tissue evolution and the development of pericarp heterogeneity by accessing information on cell expansion, water status and distribution at cell level, and microporosity. Changes in vacuole‐related transverse relaxation rates were mostly explained by cell/vacuole size. The impact of cell solute composition, microporosity and membrane permeability on relaxation times is also discussed. The results demonstrate the usefulness of MRI as a tool to phenotype fruits and to access important physiological data during development, including information on spatial variability.
Refining the phylogeny of Crambidae with complete sampling of subfamilies (Lepidoptera, Pyraloidea)
Authors: Léger Théo , Mally Richard , Neinhuis Christoph , Nuss Matthias
Published: October 2020

Crambidae is a group of moths with more than 10,000 species occurring worldwide that evolved diverse morphological and ecological habits. They can be best recognized by morphological characters of the adult tympanal organ and larval chaetotaxy. We present the first molecular phylogeny of Crambidae including all subfamilies and most tribes. We use available molecular data from two previous studies, and published transcriptomes and genomes, compiling ten genes totalling 11,247 bp. Up to eight genes are sequenced for thirty‐nine additional taxa, with Cathariinae, Cybalomiinae and Linostinae sampled for the first time. Maximum‐likelihood and Bayesian analyses recover topologies mostly agreeing with those of previous studies, with several groupings showing better support. Cathariinaesyn. n.and Cybalomiinaesyn. n.are recovered as ingroup of Glaphyriinae and are consequently synonymized with the latter. Linostinae are either sister to Glaphyriinae or sister to the ‘CAMMSS clade’. Lathrotelinae are recovered monophyletic and as sister to Musotiminae in the Bayesian analysis. Hoploscopinaestat. n.are recovered as sister to ((Crambinae + Erupinaestat. n.) + (Scopariinae + Heliothelinae s. str.)). Evolution of host‐plant preferences is discussed.
Justicia flava leaf extract potently relaxes pregnant human myometrial contractility: a lead plant for drug discovery of new tocolytic drugs
Authors: Bafor Enitome E. , Prendergast Clodagh , Wray Susan
Published: October 2020

New Findings

What is the central question of this study?

Can Justicia flava leaf extract (JF) inhibit human myometrial contractility as was previously shown in mouse myometrium?

What is the main finding and its importance?

JF abolished human myometrial contractions and therefore presents as a lead plant in drug discovery studies involving drugs for preterm birth.

In the search for new potent therapies for preterm labour, Justicia flava leaf extract (JF) was previously shown to potently inhibit uterine contractility in both pregnant and non‐pregnant mouse uterus. This study took the investigation a step further and investigated the activity of JF on pregnant human myometrial contractility. JF potently inhibited human myometrial contractility in a concentration‐dependent manner. This pilot study provides evidence that JF should be further investigated as a lead plant in the drug discovery of new uterine relaxants.
Neuronal excitability and sensory responsiveness in the thalamo‐cortical network in a novel rat model of isoelectric brain state
Authors: Carton‐Leclercq Antoine , Lecas Sarah , Chavez Mario , Charpier Stéphane , Mahon Séverine
Published: October 2020

Key points

 The neuronal and network properties that persist during an isoelectric coma remain largely unknown.

 We developed a new in vivo rat model to assess cell excitability and sensory responsiveness in the thalamo‐cortical pathway during an isoflurane‐induced isoelectric brain state.

 The isoelectric electrocorticogram reflected a complete interruption of spontaneous synaptic and firing activities in cortical and thalamic neurons.

 Cell excitability and sensory responses in the thalamo‐cortical network persisted at a reduced level in the isoelectric condition and returned to control values after resumption of background brain activity.

 These findings could lead to a reassessment of the functional status of the drug‐induced isoelectric state: a latent state in which individual neurons and networks retain to some extent the ability of being activated by external inputs.

The neuronal and network properties that persist in an isoelectric brain completely deprived of spontaneous electrical activity remain largely unexplored. Here, we developed a new in vivo rat model to examine cell excitability and sensory responsiveness in somatosensory thalamo‐cortical networks during the interruption of endogenous brain activity induced by high doses of isoflurane. Electrocorticograms (ECoGs) from the barrel cortex were captured simultaneously with either intracellular recordings of subjacent cortical pyramidal neurons or extracellular records of the related thalamo‐cortical neurons. Isoelectric ECoG periods reflected the disappearance of spontaneous synaptic and firing activities in cortical and thalamic neurons. This was associated with a sustained membrane hyperpolarization and a reduced intrinsic excitability in deep‐layer cortical neurons, without significant changes in their membrane input resistance. Concomitantly, we found that whisker‐evoked potentials in the ECoG and synaptic responses in cortical neurons were attenuated in amplitude and increased in latency. Impaired responsiveness in the barrel cortex paralleled with a lowering of the sensory‐induced firing in thalamic cells. The return of endogenous brain electrical activities, after reinstatement of a control isoflurane concentration, led to the recovery of cortical neurons excitability and sensory responsiveness. These findings demonstrate the persistence of a certain level of cell excitability and sensory integration in the isoelectric state and the full recovery of cortico‐thalamic functions after restoration of internal cerebral activities.
European Research Program on Supercritical Water-Cooled Reactor
Authors: Kryková M. , Schulenberg T. , Arnoult Růžičková M. , Sáez-Maderuelo A. , Otic I. , Czifrus S. , Cizelj L. , Pavel G. L.
Published: October 2020

The article summarizes the major achievements and scope of the projects supported by the European Commission with the main focus on the supercritical water-cooled reactor, one of the concepts of the Generation IV reactors. The presented projects are focused mainly on the design of the future reactor, the study of the very specific knowledge gaps related to the technology cooled by supercritical water in large-scale installation as well as the small modular reactor type. Major research topics cover the fields of the constructional materials, their corrosion and mechanical stability, validation of the thermal-hydraulic computing codes and design of the future reactor core including the neutronic calculations. Main goals and future direction of the supercritical water-cooled reactor research program are stated to gain as much as possible from the already performed research not only in the nuclear field—but also in the area of fossil-fueled supercritical-water cooled power plants.