bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Abstract PR08: Higher expression of SATB2 gene in hepatocellular carcinoma of African American patients determines aggressiveness phenotypes than those in Caucasian Americans
Authors: Roy S.K. , Ma Y. , Danos D.M. , Shankar S. , Miele L. , Scribner R.A. , Srivastava R.K.
Published: August 2020

In the US, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) incidence has tripled over the past two decades. This trend indicates that social determinants, genetic and environmental factors are driving the epidemic at the population level. Furthermore, the disease has disproportionately affected minority and disadvantaged populations. SATB2 (special AT-rich binding protein-2), a transcription factor and epigenetic regulator, influences gene expression both by modulating chromatin architecture and by functioning as a transcriptional co-factor. SATB2 is highly expressed in embryonic stem cells and progenitor cells, whereas its expression is low or absent in human normal liver tissues. We have recently demonstrated that overexpression of SATB2 can transform normal epithelial cells to cancer stem-like cells in pancreatic, colorectal and breast cancer models, and the expression of SATB2 was significantly higher in cancer tissues compared to normal tissues. The purpose of this study was to examine the expression of SATB2 gene in HCC from AA and CA patients and assess its oncogenic potential by measuring cell viability, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), stem cell markers and pluripotency maintaining factors in cancer stem cells (CSCs). We compared the expression of SATB2 in primary hepatocytes, Hep3b (from AA), HepG2 (from CA) and HCC CSCs. Hep3b (higher), HepG2 (lower) and CSCs (highest) expressed SATB2 protein, whereas human primary normal hepatocytes did not express SATB2. Knockout of SATB2 in CSCs by Crispr/Cas9 technique significantly inhibited the expression of SATB2 gene, stem cell markers (CD24, CD44 and CD133), pluripotency maintaining factors (cMyc, KLF4, SOX2 and OCT4), and EMT compared to NTC control group. The expression of SATB2 was significantly higher in HCC tissues than adjacent normal controls. Furthermore, the expression of SATB2 was significantly higher in HCC tissues derived from AA compared to those in CA. These data suggest that SATB2 is an oncogenic factor and its expression, which is higher in in HCC tissues derived from AA, may explain the disparity in HCC outcomes among AA.

This abstract is also being presented as Poster B049.

Citation Format: S.K. Roy, Y. Ma, D.M. Danos, S. Shankar, L. Miele, R.A. Scribner, R.K. Srivastava. Higher expression of SATB2 gene in hepatocellular carcinoma of African American patients determines aggressiveness phenotypes than those in Caucasian Americans [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Eleventh AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2018 Nov 2-5; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2020;29(6 Suppl):Abstract nr PR08.
Abstract 06: Streamlining data management for clinical trials
Authors: Norris Brook , Neighbors Lauren , Wale Lucas
Published: August 2020

The purpose of this study is to answer the FDA’s call to action for new research paradigms that rely on real-world data (RWD) to increase the efficiency of clinical trials and to conduct research using an approach that is less disruptive to the patient-provider clinical care setting. With the expansion of electronic health record (EHR) vendor structured data models, clinical study data can be directly captured using the patient’s EHR data as documented in the health care organization’s (HCOs) electronic medical record (EMR) system(s) and other electronic data sources (eSources). In partnership with HCOs, the Optum Digital Research Network is conducting a pilot to enable effective RWD extraction, normalization, and transcription from EMRs and other eSource to a read-only electronic data capture (EDC) system, effectively eliminating the need for duplicative data entry during the study. Optum is developing custom database queries to extract structured EMR data (including demographics, medications, labs, vitals, and encounters) from the respective domains of each EMR into a staging database. The raw data are then curated, normalized, and mapped into a common data model study database. In this case, the Observational Medical Outcomes Partnership (OMOP) data standard is employed as the clinical data management (CDM) model. The curated data are then mapped to Clinical Data Acquisition Standards Harmonization (CDASH) variables and transmitted to an EDC system using the EDC vendor’s application programming interface (API). The entire process is scheduled on a daily cadence (removing any duplicate data) to capture any updated visit information, medications, labs, or vitals. The EDC form fields are read-only. If there is a discrepancy or query, sites are notified requesting to confirm or correct their EHR data, which may result in an update to the respective read-only EDC form fields. Through this pilot project, Optum’s successful transfer of structured EMR data to a read-only EDC system has substantial implications for clinical research. Using data and technology, this methodology is projected to improve the efficiency (and lower costs) of clinical trials while minimizing the burden on HCOs.

Citation Format: Brook Norris, Lauren Neighbors, Lucas Wale. Streamlining data management for clinical trials [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Advancing Precision Medicine Drug Development: Incorporation of Real-World Data and Other Novel Strategies; Jan 9-12, 2020; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2020;26(12_Suppl_1):Abstract nr 06.
Abstract 16: Landscape and outcome of TRK fusion-positive Cancers
Authors: Rosen Ezra Y. , Goldman Debra A. , Hechtman Jaclyn F. , Benayed Ryma , Schram Alison M. , Cocco Emiliano , Shifman Sophie , Gong Yixiao , Kundra Ritika , Solomon James P. , Bardelli Alberto , Scaltriti Maurizio , Drilon Alexander , Iasonos Alexia , Taylor Barry S. , Hyman David M.
Published: August 2020

TRK inhibitors achieve marked tumor-agnostic efficacy in TRK fusion-positive cancers and consequently are now an established standard of care. Little is known, however, about the demographics, clinical outcomes, response to alternative standard therapies, or genomic characteristics of TRK fusion-positive cancers. Utilizing a center-wide screening program involving more than 26,000 prospectively sequenced patients, genomic and clinical data from all cases with identified TRK fusions were extracted. An integrated analysis was performed of genomic, therapeutic, and phenomic outcomes. In total, we identified 76 cases with confirmed TRK fusions (0.27% overall prevalence) involving 48 unique rearrangements and 17 distinct cancer types. The presence of a TRK fusion was associated with depletion of concurrent oncogenic drivers (p=4.4E-7) and lower tumor mutation burden (p=4.2E-9), with the exception of colorectal cancer where TRK fusions co-occur with microsatellite instability (MSI-H). Longitudinal profiling in a subset of patients indicated that TRK fusions were present in all sampled timepoints in 82% (14/17) of cases. Progression-free survival on first-line therapy, excluding TRK inhibitors, administered for advanced disease was 9.6 months (95% CI: 4.8-13.2). The best ORR achieved with chemotherapy containing-regimens across all lines of therapy was 63% (95% CI: 41-81). Among 12 patients treated with checkpoint inhibitors, the only response observed was in an MSI-H colorectal patient. TRK fusion-positive cancers can respond to alternative standards of care, although efficacy of immunotherapy in the absence of other predictive biomarkers (MSI-H) appears limited. TRK fusions are present in tumors with simple genomes lacking in concurrent drivers that may partially explain the tumor-agnostic efficacy of TRK inhibitors.

Citation Format: Ezra Y. Rosen, Debra A. Goldman, Jaclyn F. Hechtman, Ryma Benayed, Alison M. Schram, Emiliano Cocco, Sophie Shifman, Yixiao Gong, Ritika Kundra, James P. Solomon, Alberto Bardelli, Maurizio Scaltriti, Alexander Drilon, Alexia Iasonos, Barry S. Taylor, David M. Hyman. Landscape and outcome of TRK fusion-positive Cancers [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Advancing Precision Medicine Drug Development: Incorporation of Real-World Data and Other Novel Strategies; Jan 9-12, 2020; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2020;26(12_Suppl_1):Abstract nr 16.
Abstract 34: Improve decision making in clinical trials through machine learning and EHR
Authors: Shen LiMing , Sheng Tao , Luo Xaiodong
Published: August 2020

One of the key contributors to the failure of oncology trials is patient selection bias. A bias that results in a lower observed efficacy in phase II may lead to a premature decision to abort a trial, whereas a bias in the positive direction may result in an expensive failure in phase III. We propose an approach in which RWE is used to model a proxy endpoint that is available in RWE but is also related to the endpoint in clinical trial, on patient profile; the model is then used on clinical trial patients to predict their proxy endpoints, which in turn is used to quantitatively assess selection bias and infer the effect of bias on the observed efficacy of the trial. We used an ongoing metastatic breast cancer trial to demonstrate this approach. Medication, demography, vital signs, and time of death of the target patient population were extracted from Optum Humetica. These data were then used to train a ML survival model to predict OS based on patient profiles in a virtual trial. For this oncology trial, we chose OS as a proxy endpoint as it has a well-established strong correlation with the observed efficacy in terms of PFS and time on drug duration. OS is an endpoint. The term proxy is used here in the sense that it is not the endpoint used in the earlier-phase trial. The model is then used to predict risk profiles for patients in the actual trial, and the difference between risk profile of the trial patients and that of the RWE target population provides a quantitative assessment of selection bias of the trial population. The effectiveness of this approach depends on the predictive power of the model. A nonpredictive model obviously cannot detect bias even when it is present. To quantitatively assess the predictive power of the model, we subsampled the RWE population to simulate a trial population with different risk profiles and use the model to determine a threshold in risk difference beyond which the model can detect a significant difference. In this context, we also compared Cox PH, decision tree, and a neural network model with respect to their predictive power in term of concordance score. We then compared the risk profile of the clinical trial patients with that of the target patient population. As RWE data become more abundant and data interoperability and quality improve, the prediction model will become more accurate and bias detection will become more sensitive. We believe this approach will lead to an effective framework whereby RWE data can be used to improve the success rate of oncology clinical trials.

Citation Format: LiMing Shen, Tao Sheng, Xaiodong Luo. Improve decision making in clinical trials through machine learning and EHR [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Advancing Precision Medicine Drug Development: Incorporation of Real-World Data and Other Novel Strategies; Jan 9-12, 2020; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2020;26(12_Suppl_1):Abstract nr 34.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder among Clients Diagnosed with a Substance Use Disorder in the Therapeutic Communities: Prevalence and Psychiatric Comorbidity
Authors: Miovský Michal , Lukavská Kateřina , Rubášová Eva , Šťastná Lenka , Šefránek Martin , Gabrhelík Roman
Published: August 2020

Background: Most severe substance use disorders (SUDs) are connected with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and other mental health problems. Therapeutic communities (TCs) provide a suitable option for the treatment of severe SUDs. The relationship between ADHD, the severity of the SUD, and other comorbidities in residential TCs is unknown. Objective: To estimate the prevalence of ADHD among clients with an SUD in residential rehab, and to compare the mental health of clients with and without ADHD. Methods: A cohort study was conducted in 5 residential TCs (N = 180, 76.7% male, 53.9% 25–34 years, 79.2% diagnosed with methamphetamine use disorder). We assessed ADHD symptoms, substance use, mental health problems, and psychiatric symptoms. Results: ADHD was found in 51% of the clients who showed significantly higher scores for their psychiatric status composite score (ASI-PSY) (F = 9.08, p < 0.001; t = 5.05, p < 0.001), the positive psychiatric symptoms total (SCL-PST) (F = 3.36, p < 0.05; t = 3.15, p < 0.01), and the global severity index (SCL-GSI) (F = 3.27, p < 0.05; t = 3.18, p < 0.01). The ASI-PSY and SCL correlated significantly with the symptoms of attention deficit disorder (Pearson’s r’s = 0.30–0.42, p’s < 0.001) and the symptoms of hyperactivity disorder (r’s = 0.24–0.30, p’s < 0.01). Even when severity of substance use was accounted for, ADHD was confirmed as a significant predictor of ASI-PSY (B= 0.14, p < 0.001 for combined disorder; B = 0.20, p < 0.001 for attention disorder) and partially of SCL-PST (B = 8.12, p < 0.05 for attention disorder). Conclusions: The ADHD prevalence in TCs was nearly 10-fold compared to the globally recorded values. ADHD diagnostic procedures and interventions should become an integral part of the standard diagnostic and treatment process.
Subjective Memory Complaints and Sensitivity of the Subjective Memory Complaint Questionnaire in Post-Stroke Dementia Patients
Authors: Cho Inkyoung , Kim SangYun , Choi Jeong Gue , Shin Joon-Ho
Published: August 2020

Introduction: Subjective memory complaints (SMCs) among stroke patients are common. To date, reports on SMCs using the Subjective Memory Complaint Questionnaire (SMCQ) are limited. We provided descriptive information on SMCs using the SMCQ alongside objective neuropsychological function assessment in stroke patients and established the sensitivity of SMCQ for post-stroke dementia. Methods: In total, 419 consecutive stroke patients who were admitted to a stroke unit for younger populations (age <65 years) at a rehabilitation hospital from June 1, 2014, to January 1, 2020, were reviewed. SMCs were measured using the SMCQ. Objective neuropsychological function was assessed using protocols of the Vascular Cognitive Impairment Harmonization Standards. Results: SMCs were significantly correlated with objective neuropsychological functions including memory, executive function, language, and depression. SMCs were not significantly correlated with visuospatial function. The SMCQ exhibited comparable sensitivity to that of Mini-Mental Status Examination for evaluating post-stroke dementia. Conclusions: The SMCQ may be a valid measure of cognitive function among patients with stroke, is sensitive for post-stroke dementia, and may assume a complementary role for assessing patients with stroke.
Predisposition of Inflammatory Bowel Disease Is Influenced by IL-8, IL-10, and IL-18 Polymorphisms: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Su Yanzhuo , Zhao Haomin
Published: August 2020

Background: Whether interleukin (IL)-8, IL-10, and IL-18 polymorphisms influence predisposition of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) remains uncertain. Objectives: The authors conducted a meta-analysis to explore relationships between IL-8, IL-10, or IL-18 polymorphisms and predisposition of IBD by merging the results of eligible literatures. Methods: A thorough literature search in MEDLINE, Embase, Wanfang, VIP, and CNKI was conducted by the authors to identify eligible literatures, and 33 literatures were finally selected for merged analyses. Results: We found that genotypic frequencies of IL-8 rs4073, IL-10 rs1800871, IL-10 rs1800872, and IL-10 rs1800896 polymorphisms among cases with IBD and population-based controls differed significantly. Moreover, we found that genotypic frequencies of IL-8 rs4073, IL-10 rs1800871, and IL-18 rs1946518 polymorphisms among cases with IBD and population-based controls of Asian origin differed significantly, whereas genotypic frequency of IL-10 rs1800896 polymorphism among cases with IBD and population-based controls of Caucasian origin also differed significantly. Furthermore, genotypic frequency of IL-18 rs187238 polymorphism among cases with Crohn’s disease (CD) and population-based controls also differed significantly. Conclusions: The present meta-analysis shows that IL-8 rs4073, IL-10 rs1800871, IL-10 rs1800872, IL-10 rs1800896, and IL-18 rs1946518 polymorphisms may influence predisposition of IBD. Furthermore, IL-18 rs187238 polymorphism may influence predisposition of CD, but not predisposition of ulcerative colitis.
Comparison of the Safety Profiles of 3 Different Hymenoptera Venom Immunotherapy Protocols: A Retrospective 2-Center Study of 143 Patients
Authors: Pospischil Isabella Maria , Kagerer Madeleine , Cozzio Antonio , Angelova-Fischer Irena , Guenova Emmanuella , Ballmer-Weber Barbara , Hoetzenecker Wolfram
Published: August 2020

Introduction: Venom immunotherapy (VIT) is highly effective and the treatment of choice for patients with a history of systemic anaphylactic reactions to a Hymenoptera sting. It has been assumed that VIT protocols with a rapid dose increase during the induction phase are associated with a higher frequency of systemic reactions (SR); however, study data addressing this issue are conflicting. Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the safety of 3 different Hymenoptera VIT protocols (half-day ultra-rush, 3-day rush, 3-week cluster). Methods: This retrospective 2-center study included 143 Hymenoptera venom-allergic patients, who underwent 147 VIT procedures during the years 2015–2018. Twenty cluster, 75 rush, and 52 ultra-rush VIT protocols were performed with honeybee (54 protocols) and wasp (93 protocols) venom. All documented side effects were classified into large local and SR (Ring and Messmer classification). Results: SR were observed during 11 (7.5%) VIT procedures and did not exceed severity grade II. SR occurred more frequently in cluster compared to accelerated protocols. This result was observed for both honeybee (cluster: 25%, rush: 8.7%, and ultra-rush: 15.8%) and wasp VIT (cluster: 12.5%, rush: 0%, and ultra-rush: 6.1%), though the differences were statistically significant only in the wasp VIT subgroup. Honeybee venom elicited more SR than wasp venom (14.8 and 3.2%, respectively, p = 0.01). The risk for SR did not depend on age, sex, concomitant antihypertensive medication, hypertryptasemia, or severity of the index sting reaction. Conclusion: Accelerated VIT protocols, namely, rush and ultra-rush protocols are safe therapeutic options for Hymenoptera venom-allergic patients and displayed fewer SR than cluster VIT protocols in our study.
Mobility Impairment in Patients New to Dialysis
Authors: Moorthi Ranjani N. , Fadel William F. , Cranor Alissa , Hindi Judy , Avin Keith G. , Lane Kathleen A. , Thadhani Ravi I. , Moe Sharon M.
Published: August 2020

Background: Impaired mobility is associated with functional dependence, frailty, and mortality in prevalent patients undergoing dialysis. We investigated risk factors for mobility impairment, (poor gait speed) in patients incident to dialysis, and changes in gait speed over time in a 2-year longitudinal study. Methods: One hundred eighty-three patients enrolled within 6 months of dialysis initiation were followed up 6, 12, and 24 months later. Grip strength, health-related quality of life, and comorbidities were assessed at baseline. Outcomes were (a) baseline gait speed and (b) change in gait speed over time. Gait speed was assessed by 4-meter walk. Multivariate linear regression was used to identify risk factors for low gait speed at baseline. For longitudinal analyses, linear mixed effects modeling with gait speed modeled over time was used as the outcome. Results: Participants were 54.7 ± 12.8 years old, 52.5% men, 73.9% black with mean dialysis vintage of 100.1 ± 46.9 days and median gait speed 0.78 (0.64–0.094) m/s. Lower health utility and grip strength, diabetic nephropathy, and walking aids were associated with lower baseline gait speed. Loss of 0.1 m/s gait speed occurred in 24% of subjects at 1 year. In multivariate mixed effects models, only age, walking aid use, lower health utility, and lower handgrip strength were significantly associated with gait speed loss. Conclusions: In our cohort of incident dialysis patients, overall gait speed is very low and 54.2% of the subjects continue to lose gait speed over 2 years. Older age, lower handgrip strength, and quality of life are risk factors for slowness. Patients at highest risk of poor gait speed can be identified at dialysis initiation to allow targeted implementation of therapeutic options.
Flow-Mediated Dilatation of the Brachial Artery for Assessing Endothelial Dysfunction in Children with Moyamoya Disease
Authors: Kim Eun-Hee , Lee Hyung-Chul , Chung Jaeyeon , Ji Sang-Hwan , Jang Young-Eun , Lee Ji-Hyun , Kim Jin-Tae , Kim Hee-Soo
Published: August 2020

Background: Moyamoya disease is a progressive, steno-occlusive arteriopathy involving the internal carotid artery and its branches and causing recurrent stroke episodes in children. Patients with moyamoya disease may be more susceptible to influences that cause endothelial dysfunction. We evaluated whether flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) of the brachial artery is useful for assessing endothelial dysfunction in children with moyamoya disease. Methods: This prospective observational study included 30 children with moyamoya disease and 30 controls. After anesthesia induction, a blood pressure cuff was applied to the forearm and inflated to a pressure that was 50 mm Hg above the baseline systolic blood pressure for 5 min. From 30 s before to 2 min after deflation, the brachial artery diameter was recorded on ultrasound. The increase in internal diameter was expressed as the percentage of the baseline diameter. Results: Fifty-nine patients were analyzed. Baseline brachial artery diameters in the moyamoya and control groups were 3.00 and 3.37 mm, respectively (p = 0.004; difference, 0.38; 95% CI 0.12–0.63), while those after deflation were 3.06 and 3.48 mm, respectively (p = 0.003; difference, 0.42; 95% CI 0.15–0.68). The percent change of the baseline diameter value was 4.0% in the disease group and 8.3% in the control group (p = 0.10). There was a group and time interaction for brachial artery diameter (p = 0.01; main effect of group, p = 0.009; main effect of time, p = 0.007). Conclusion: FMD of the brachial artery may not be enough for determining endothelial dysfunction under general anesthesia in children with moyamoya disease.
A Retrospective Clinical Audit of the ImmunoCAP ISAC 112 for Multiplex Allergen Testing
Authors: Erskine Jamie , Brooker Elspeth , Leech Susan , Chalkidou Anastasia , Keevil Stephen , North Jonathan
Published: August 2020

Introduction: Complex cases of multiple allergies can be particularly difficult to diagnose using standard methods such as skin prick tests and assessment of a patient’s allergic history. Multiplex allergy testing may improve outcomes for allergy patients by avoiding misdiagnosis and providing reassurance. The ImmunoCAP Immuno Solid-Phase Allergen Chip (ISAC) 112 is a CE-marked, molecular, multiplex, allergy test that can test for IgE antibodies to 112 components from 51 allergen sources. However, its clinical utility is unknown and is difficult to estimate due to the complexity of the diagnostic pathway in which it is used. Objective: To assess how the ImmunoCAP ISAC 112 is currently being used in UK practice. The patient populations in which it may have the most benefit were examined, and the sequence of other tests implemented alongside ISAC was determined. Methods: A retrospective audit of 100 patient cases from 2 UK tertiary allergy clinics was performed. Fifty paediatric and fifty adult cases were selected for audit. The indications for ordering an ISAC test, the other tests used alongside ISAC, and changes in management actioned by the ISAC test were investigated. Results: 73.6% of paediatric and 78% of adult patients referred for an ISAC test were suspected to have multiple sensitizations. The sequence of testing varied greatly between cases, but 70% of adult and 98% of paediatric patients had at least one other investigation prior to an ISAC test. In most cases, ISAC testing confirmed clinical suspicion. Conclusions: A prospective research study is necessary to further investigate the clinical utility and cost-effectiveness of the ISAC. A UK national registry would be of great benefit but will require a large resource base.
Modeling and control of 41-level inverter using best switching angles calculation method
Authors: Toubal Maamar Alla Eddine , Helaimi M'hamed , Taleb Rachid , Gadoum Abdelatif
Published: August 2020

In this paper, analysis and modeling of a single-phase H-bridge forty-one level inverter are con sidered. The control of proposed inverter by equal-phase and half-height methods is implemented. MATLAB/Simulink environments are used to simulate the model an d show obtained results of waveforms with FFT analysis. Eventually, the total harmonic distortion obtained for each level with the two methods is presented, comparatively, for a comparison.
Nonconvergence and Divergence in Bilingual Phonological and Phonetic Systems: Low Back Vowels in Moundridge Schweitzer German and English
Authors: Joo Hyoun-A , Schwarz Lara , Richard Page B.
Published: August 2020

This study explores the bilingual phonology of two heritage speakers of Moundridge Schweitzer German (msg) from Moundridge, Kansas. The speakers are descendants of Mennonite speakers of German who settled in the area around Moundridge, Kansas, in the 1870s. The production of Moundridge Schweitzer German /a/ and /ɔ/ and American English /a/ and /ɔ/ were compared and no evidence of phonological or phonetic convergence was found. For one speaker, there was evidence that phonetic realizations of /a/ and /ɔ/ in the two languages were diverging with a merger or a near merger of the two vowels in the heritage variety of German but not in English.
A Rosetta Stone for eastern Pacific Caecidae (Gastropoda: Caenogastropoda)
Authors: RAINES BRET K.
Published: August 2020

Nearly one hundred names have been proposed for Caecidae within the eastern Pacific. For the first time a comprehensive review of the extant members of Caecidae has been completed for this region. During this twelve year long deciphering effort, tens of thousands of specimens from Alaska to Chile were examined. All known type material was studied and whenever possible has been illustrated herein.                Whenever possible the descriptions include details of each growth stage from the protoconch through to the final adult stage. Then, the growth stages have been reconstructed to show what the caecid might have looked like, if it had not discarded its previous stages. In doing so, a better understanding of the growth morphology is provided for each species. In addition, this effort shows that not only the apertures of late subadult stages can appear different from their adult stage, but there can also be multiple differences in the varices.                The resulting product is a taxonomic resource for Caecidae identification and growth morphology. Forty-three species are treated herein. Neotypes have been designated for Caecum glabriforme, C. semilaeve and C. subaustrale, and a lectotype has been designated for C. mirificum. Five species are described as new to science, plus one replacement name: Caecum lightfootanum sp. nov., C. draperi sp. nov., C. shaskyi sp. nov., C. galapagoense sp. nov. and C. spiculum sp. nov. and C. adamsi nom. nov.
What Methods Do Social Scientists Use to Study Disasters? An Analysis of the Social Science Extreme Events Research Network
Authors: Peek Lori , Champeau Heather , Austin Jessica , Mathews Mason , Wu Haorui
Published: August 2020

Methods matter. They influence what we know and who we come to know about in the context of hazards and disasters. Research methods are of profound importance to the scholarly advancement of the field and, accordingly, a growing number of publications focus on research methods and ethical practices associated with the study of extreme events. Still, notable gaps exist. The National Science Foundation-funded Social Science Extreme Events Research (SSEER) network was formed, in part, to respond to the need for more specific information about the status and expertise of the social science hazards and disaster research workforce. Drawing on data from 1,013 SSEER members located across five United Nations (UN) regions, this article reports on the demographic characteristics of SSEER researchers; provides a novel inventory of methods used by social science hazards and disaster researchers; and explores how methodological approaches vary by specific researcher attributes including discipline, professional status, researcher type based on level of involvement in the field, hazard/disaster type studied, and disaster phase studied. The results have implications for training, mentoring, and workforce development initiatives geared toward ensuring that a diverse next generation of social science researchers is prepared to study the root causes and social consequences of disasters.
Food Insecurity Predicts Urban Gun Violence
Authors: Smith Randi N. , Williams Keneeshia N. , Roach Robert M. , Tracy Brett M.
Published: August 2020

Introduction

Food insecurity (FI), defined as inadequate access to affordable and quality nutrition, has negative health consequences. FI and violence share similar root causes. The aim of this study was to determine the association of FI with gunshot injury (GSI) incidence.

Methods

We performed a retrospective review of all patients from 2012 to 2018 who sustained a GSI. Food access data was abstracted from the US Department of Agriculture. We analyzed the impact of FI, low food access (LA), and low food access with no vehicle (LANV) on the incidence of GSI using Poisson regression. We also compared high-risk zip codes for GSI, FI, LA, and LANV using geospatial analysis.

Results

There were 1700 patients in our cohort from 33 different zip codes. The median incidence of GSI per zip code was 142 (85-164); 5 zip codes comprised 50% of all GSI events. FI (incidence rate ratio [IRR] 4.05, 95% CI 3.98-4.13, P < .0001), LA (IRR 2.97, 95% CI 2.92-3.03. P < .0001), and LANV (IRR 2.58, 95% CI 2.55-2.62, P < .0001) were significant predictors of GSI incidence. The FI model was superior to the LA and LANV models. Geospatial analysis demonstrated that both FI ( P < .0001) and LANV ( P < .0001) were significantly associated with GSI, while LA was not ( P > .05).

Conclusion

FI is an independent risk factor for GSI incidence. Additionally, a majority of GSI events occur in a minority of communities. These data provide a novel opportunity for social services to guide future violence prevention strategies.
A Distracted Scientist: The Life and Contributions of John Senders
Authors: Hancock P. A. , Crichton-Harris Ann , Sellen Abigail , Sheridan Thomas B. , Hancock Gabriella M.
Published: August 2020

Objective

To provide an evaluative and personal overview of the life and contributions of Professor John Senders and to introduce this Special Issue dedicated to his memory.

Background

John Senders made many profound contributions to HF/E. These various topics are exemplified by the range of papers which compose the Special Issue. Collectively, these works document and demonstrate the impact of his many valuable research works.

Method

The Special Issue serves to summarize Senders’ collective body of work as can be extracted from archival sources. This introductory paper recounts a series of remembrances derived from personal relationships, as well as the products of cooperative investigative research.

Results

This collective evaluative process documents Senders’ evident and deserved status in the highest pantheon of HF/E pioneers. It records his extraordinary life, replete with accounts of his insights and joie de vivre in exploring and explaining the world which surrounded him.

Applications

Senders’ record of critical contributions provides the example, par excellence, of the successful and fulfilling life in science. It encourages all, both researchers and practitioners alike, in their own individual search for excellence.
“The woman in the background”: Gendered Nouns in CNN and FOX Media Discourse
Authors: Konnelly Lex
Published: August 2020

Linguistic democratization, the goal or practice of increasing social equity through language, has not figured prominently in corpus studies. However, corpus-based approaches present the opportunity to probe questions of unequal linguistic representation on a large scale, providing crucial insights into how actors are classified in public discourse, especially with respect to the representation of gender relations and inequity. This paper draws on corpus methods to analyze the patterning of two generic, gendered nouns— woman and man—in American news television discourse. Results of both quantitative and qualitative analyses show that patterns for both grammatical factors (syntactic function, determiner type, pre-modification) and collocational behavior are largely consistent across networks, suggesting that gender ideologies expressed by newscasters and talk show hosts on both networks are not substantially different from one another. This study shows how elements of discourse that may be considered innocuous and below the level of consciousness—such as the position of certain nouns in the sentence, the determiners that specify them, and the adjectives that modify them—can provide valuable diagnostics of discourse-level democratization, and reveal deeper sociocultural ideologies about gendered individuals that are regularly perpetuated in public news discourse, regardless of the networks’ own political positioning.
Environmental Information Required by Individuals with Visual Impairments Who Use Orientation and Mobility Aids to Navigate Campuses
Authors: Papadopoulos Konstantinos , Charitakis Konstantinos , Koustriava Eleni , Kouroupetroglou Georgios , Stiefelhagen Rainer , Stylianidis Efstratios , Gumus Suad Sakalli
Published: August 2020

Introduction:

This study investigated the user requirements of individuals with visual impairments regarding the information to be included in orientation and mobility (O&M) aids in order for optimally useful audio-tactile maps of campuses to be developed. In addition, this study aimed at investigating the importance (usefulness) that individuals with visual impairments attribute to environmental information of campuses.

Methods:

The researchers listed 213 pieces of environmental information concerning campuses and address them in survey by conducting a respective questionnaire. Participants were asked to evaluate the information, regarding the importance or usefulness of the information in regard to safety, location of services, and orientation and wayfinding during movement. Through convenience sampling 115 adults (aged from 18 to 64 years) with visual impairments from four countries (Greece, Cyprus, Turkey, and Germany) took part in the research.

Results:

Pieces of environmental information, sorted in descending order starting with the most useful ones, have been listed. A repeated measures analysis of variance yielded a significant main effect for the type of information (safety, location of services, and wayfinding and orientation): F(2, 228) = 70.868, p < .001.

Discussion:

This study resulted in the specification of the most significant or useful information that should be included in O&M aids of campuses for individuals with visual impairments.

Implications for practitioners:

The results of this study will hold the interest of developers of O&M aids, O&M practitioners, rehabilitation teachers, and instructors who design and construct O&M aids. Moreover, the context for appropriately designed tactile or audio-tactile maps for campuses is provided, and campuses around the world could rely on this study for the creation of a valuable accessibility aid.
Singles’ Sexual Satisfaction is Associated With More Satisfaction With Singlehood and Less Interest in Marriage
Authors: Park Yoobin , Impett Emily A. , MacDonald Geoff
Published: August 2020

Despite the worldwide increase in single-person households, little research has examined what factors contribute to a satisfying single life. We used three data sets ( N = 3,890) to examine how satisfaction with sexual and social aspects of life are linked with single people’s perceptions of marriage and singlehood. Our results suggest that higher sexual satisfaction is associated with less desire to marry (Study 1), stronger beliefs that unmarried people can be happy without marriage (Study 2), and greater satisfaction with singlehood and less desire for a partner (Study 3). All effects in Studies 1 and 3 remained significant controlling for life satisfaction and sexual frequency. Satisfying friendships were associated with variables related to satisfaction with singlehood but not variables related to desire for a partner, whereas no effect was found for satisfaction with family. This study highlights the potential importance of maintaining a satisfying sex life in people’s satisfaction with singlehood.
Ethical aspects in the use of radiation in medicine: update from ICRP Task Group 109
Authors: Bochud F. , Cantone M.C. , Applegate K. , Coffey M. , Damilakis J. , del Rosario Perez M. , Fahey F. , Jesudasan M. , Kurihara-Saio C. , Le Guen B. , Malone J. , Murphy M. , Reid L. , Zölzer F.
Published: August 2020

Whereas scientific evidence is the basis for recommendations and guidance on radiological protection, professional ethics is critically important and should always guide professional behaviour. The International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) established Task Group 109 to advise medical professionals, patients, families, carers, the public, and authorities about the ethical aspects of radiological protection of patients in the diagnostic and therapeutic use of radiation in medicine. Occupational exposures and research-related exposures are not within the scope of this task group. Task Group 109 will produce a report that will be available to the different interested parties for consultation before publication. Presently, the report is at the stage of a working document that has benefitted from an international workshop organised on the topic by the World Health Organization. It presents the history of ethics in medicine in ICRP, and explains why this subject is important, and the benefits it can bring to the standard biomedical ethics. As risk is an essential part in decision-making and communication, a summary is included on what is known about the dose–effect relationship, with emphasis on the associated uncertainties. Once this theoretical framework has been presented, the report becomes resolutely more practical. First, it proposes an evaluation method to analyse specific situations from an ethical point of view. This method allows stakeholders to review a set of six ethical values and provides hints on how they could be balanced. Next, various situations (e.g. pregnancy, elderly, paediatric, end of life) are considered in two steps: first within a realistic, ethically challenging scenario on which the evaluation method is applied; and second within a more general context. Scenarios are presented and discussed with attention to specific patient circumstances, and on how and which reflections on ethical values can be of help in the decision-making process. Finally, two important related aspects are considered: how should we communicate with patients, family, and other stakeholders; and how should we incorporate ethics into the education and training of medical professionals?
Confidential Gossip and Organization Studies
Authors: Fan Ziyun , Grey Christopher , Kärreman Dan
Published: August 2020

This essay sets out the case for regarding confidential gossip as a significant concept in the study of organizations. It develops the more general concept of gossip by combining it with concepts of organizational secrecy in order to propose confidential gossip as a distinctive communicative practice. As a communicative practice, it is to be understood as playing a particular role within the communicative constitution of organizations. That particularity arises from the special nature of any communication regarded as secret, which includes the fact that such communication is liable to be regarded as containing the ‘real truth’ or ‘insider knowledge’. Thus it may be regarded as more than ‘just gossip’ and also as more significant than formal communication. This role is explored, as well as the methodological and ethical challenges of studying confidential gossip empirically.
Implementation and Evaluation of a Virtual Elective in Otolaryngology in the Time of COVID‐19
Authors: Steehler Andrew J. , Pettitt‐Schieber Brian , Studer Matthew B. , Mahendran Geetha , Pettitt Barbara J. , Henriquez Oswaldo A.
Published: August 2020

Objective

To develop and evaluate a virtual otolaryngology medical student elective created during the COVID‐19 crisis with the intention of teaching the basic tenets of otolaryngology and increasing exposure to the specialty.

Study Design

Cross‐sectional survey.

Setting

Emory University School of Medicine.

Methods

A 1‐week virtual otolaryngology curriculum was offered to third‐ and fourth‐year medical students that centered on the American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery Foundation’s handbook Primary Care in Otolaryngology (fourth edition). The course covered a variety of topics and was conducted remotely via online video conferencing software. We applied multiple teaching modalities and surveyed students regarding the effectiveness of the course. Mixed methods analysis was employed to analyze the course data.

Results

Twelve students participated; 67% reported their baseline precourse understanding of otolaryngology in the “poor‐fair” range. After the course, 92% of students reported increased understanding, with 42% and 58% reporting “good” and “very good” understanding, respectively. Following completion of the course, posttest scores on summative assessments were significantly higher than pretest scores (P <. 001). Ninety‐two percent of students reported either “increased” or “greatly increased” interest in otolaryngology postcourse. Qualitative survey results revealed students’ appreciation of course organization, formative assessments, and case‐based learning.

Conclusions

An otolaryngology elective administered through a virtual format can be effective at providing an educational experience and garnering interest in the field. Positive exposure to otolaryngology can increase medical students’ interest in pursuing the specialty and expand their general knowledge of consultation, diagnosis, and management in otolaryngology.
Survival and predictors of mortality in patients after the Fontan operation
Authors: Sethasathien Saviga , Silvilairat Suchaya , Kraikruan Hathaiporn , Sittiwangkul Rekwan , Makonkawkeyoon Krit , Pongprot Yupada , Woragidpoonpol Surin
Published: August 2020

Background

As a result of the surgical techniques now being employed, the survival rate in patients after undergoing the Fontan operation has improved. The aims of this study were focused on determining the survival rate and predictors of early mortality.

Methods

In a retrospective cohort study, 117 consecutive patients who underwent the Fontan operation were recruited. Multivariate Cox proportional regression analysis was used to assess the predictors of early mortality, defined as death within 30 days after the Fontan operation.

Results

The median follow-up time was 6.1 years. The median age at the time of the Fontan operation was 5.7 years. Survival rates in the patients at 5, 10, and 15 years postoperatively were 92%, 87% and 84%, respectively. Using univariate Cox regression analysis, the predictors of early mortality were found to be postoperative mean pulmonary artery pressure ≥23 mm Hg (hazard ratio 26.0), renal failure (hazard ratio 9.5), heterotaxy syndrome (hazard ratio 5.3), and uncorrected moderate or severe atrioventricular valve regurgitation (hazard ratio 9.4). After adjusting for confounding factors using multivariate Cox regression analysis, the predictors of early mortality were found to be postoperative mean pulmonary artery pressure ≥23 mm Hg (hazard ratio 23.2) and uncorrected moderate or severe atrioventricular valve regurgitation (hazard ratio 8.2).

Conclusions

Uncorrected moderate or severe atrioventricular valve regurgitation and postoperative mean pulmonary artery pressure ≥23 mm Hg are independent predictors of early mortality after the Fontan operation. Patients with these factors should undergo aggressive management to minimize morbidity and mortality.
Antenatal Depression and Generalized Anxiety Disorder in a Tertiary Hospital in South India
Authors: Jyothi Kantipudi Suvarna , Kannan GK , Viswanathan Sushma , Ranganathan Sumathi , Menon Jayakumar , Ramanathan Sathianathan
Published: August 2020

Background:

Antenatal depression is associated with several adverse maternal outcomes, perinatal outcomes, lower academic achievements in adolescence, and future mental health problems for the mothers. Early identification and effective treatment of depression in antenatal women can also improve perinatal outcomes.

Aim:

This study aims to understand the prevalence of antenatal depression and anxiety disorder, along with associated factors, among antenatal women attending the outpatient clinic of the obstetrics department in a tertiary care hospital.

Methods:

A cross-sectional design was employed for determining the prevalence, while a case-control framework was used for analysis of the associated factors. Semi-structured sociodemographic pro forma, Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) Tamil version, and Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) Tamil version were administered to antenatal women after obtaining informed consent. Those who scored above 10 points on the PHQ-9 or above 9 points on the GAD-7 were interviewed using the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) diagnostic interview schedule, by a psychiatrist, for confirming the diagnosis.

Results:

In our sample, 22% of the participants were diagnosed with depression, and 23% with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Twenty-eight participants (13.4%) had both depression and GAD. Antenatal depression was associated with alcohol use in the spouse (P < 0.015), physical violence (P < 0.026), low perceived social support from the in-laws (P < 0.039), and pressure to have a male child (0.001). Antenatal GAD was associated with low perceived social support from the in-laws (P < 0.039) and pressure to have a male child (P < 0.041).

Conclusion:

The occurrence of depression and generalized anxiety disorder is high in antenatal women. Our study identified relevant psychosocial factors that may be potential targets to develop effective interventions.