bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Benzoic acid derivatives as luminescent sublimation dyes in cyanoacrylate fuming of latent fingerprints
Authors: Azaldegui Christopher , Aguilar Guadalupe , Enriquez Sarahi , Madonna Chris , Parish Fisher Casie , Burks Raychelle
Published: February 2021

Development of latent prints employing cyanoacrylate ester (CA) can be a multistep process including CA fuming and subsequent fluorescent staining to produce fingerprints of sufficient contrast for comparison work. To enable a single‐step CA fuming—staining process, a selection of fluorophores have been developed as sublimation dyes in CA fuming. A greater array of such luminescent sublimation dyes would allow users greater flexibility in selecting a particular dye—CA combination to best suit their processing needs. Toward this end, six benzoic acid derivatives were evaluated for use as luminescent sublimation dyes under elementary CA fuming conditions using a single non‐porous surface type and an inexpensive handheld UV lamp for excitation. Two benzoic acid derivatives, 2‐hydroxybenzoic acid (salicylic acid) and 2‐aminobenzoic acid (anthranilic acid), were identified as new potential luminescent sublimation dyes with stained fingerprints excited at 254 nm. The fluorescence intensity and stability of prints produced via the sublimation of CA with 2‐hydroxybenzoic acid and 2‐aminobenzoic acid were evaluated over approximately six weeks using image and statistical analysis.
Stopping Haemorrhage by Application of Rope tourniquet or inguinal Compression (SHARC study)
Authors: Taylor Nicholas B , Lamond David W
Published: February 2021

Objective

There are increasing numbers of shark attacks in Australasian waters, with death commonly resulting from uncontrolled lower limb bleeding. The present study aims to determine the most effective first aid method using immediately available resources for controlling lower limb haemorrhage, which could be provided by single unsupported rescuer.

Methods

The present study was a clinical trial performed at a single tertiary referral hospital. Healthy volunteers who completed a screening questionnaire, a baseline popliteal velocity measurement and then consented were eligible. The present study used Doppler ultrasound to record the reduction in popliteal artery peak systolic velocity created by surfboard leg rope tourniquet and by inguinal region external compression in healthy volunteer subjects with and without a wetsuit. Leg circumference and sex data were also collected.

Results

Pooled data from each intervention without and with a wetsuit showed that inguinal compression resulted in a mean reduction of popliteal artery peak systolic velocity of 89.7% (95% CI 83.9%, 95.5%) compared to leg rope application 43.8% (95% CI 34.5%, 53.1%; P ≤ 0.001). There was no significant influence by the wetsuit on effectiveness of either intervention technique.

Conclusion

The present study has shown that manual inguinal compression, an easily taught first aid technique, can reliably completely stop or substantially reduce blood loss in the setting of a lower limb injury and is superior to an improvised tourniquet.
An Odd Crisis: Covid‐19 and UK Food Prices
Authors: Lin Han , Lloyd Tim , McCorriston Steve
Published: February 2021

The Covid‐19 pandemic will have impacts that will vary across countries and commodity sectors, reflecting factors such as the importance of trade, differences in the functioning of supply chains and the market which producers and farmers supply. Some of these effects will be relatively short‐lived; others will be longer‐lasting. In this context, we set out the channels through which food prices will be affected by the Covid‐19 pandemic, emphasising the short‐ and longer‐term nature of the main effects. We focus on the UK but the insights extend to other (importing) countries. Drawing on a recent econometric model of UK retail food prices that accounts for both domestic and international factors, we show that the key drivers have potentially off‐setting effects, suggesting that the Covid‐19 shock to the food sector is likely to be different from previous shocks, particularly the commodity price crises of 2007–2008 and 2011. In many European countries, the Covid‐19 pandemic may manifest itself as something of an ‘odd crisis’, in which lower world and farm‐gate prices co‐exist with higher domestic retail prices. These off‐setting factors will frame policy responses targeted at different stages of the food chain across countries.
Food Supply Chains and Covid‐19: Impacts and Policy Lessons
Authors: Deconinck Koen , Avery Ellie , Jackson Lee Ann
Published: February 2021

Covid‐19 placed unprecedented stresses on food supply chains. Farms faced bottlenecks for some inputs, notably seasonal labour. Processing was disrupted by labour shortages and shutdowns, especially in meat processing. Air freight, important for fruits and vegetables, was severely disrupted. Demand from restaurants and food service collapsed, while retail food demand surged. Yet supply chains in the developed world have been remarkably resilient to date. Store shelves were replenished as stockpiling behaviour subsided and as supply chain actors expanded operating hours, increased staff, simplified the product range and found alternative suppliers. This rapid recovery was facilitated by policy decisions to reduce border waiting times, to streamline certification procedures and to relax regulations on trade in food. Importantly, policymakers have so far mostly avoided a repeat of the mistakes of the 2007–2008 food price crisis, which was greatly exacerbated by export bans. Some bottlenecks remain, and there may be new supply risks as Covid‐19 spreads in Latin America. Overall, the biggest risk to food security is not food availability, but consumers’ loss of income. Safety nets and food assistance are essential to avoid an increase in hunger, especially in developing countries.
Has Covid‐19 Polarised the Debate on Climate Change and Food Security in the European Union?
Authors: Haniotis Tassos
Published: February 2021

The response of the global food system to the Covid‐19 crisis demonstrated not just its capacity to prevent a health crisis turning into a food crisis, but also highlighted deep divisions around the manner in which food security and climate action interact. The global food system has genuine shortcomings which are part of a much broader, complex picture of trade‐offs between enhancing climate action and food production; all major agricultural countries and regions face area constraints in meeting growing demands from the expected increase in world population. Amongst all major global players it is only in the EU that agriculture has reduced its GHG emissions, and even there momentum seems to have been exhausted recently. However, per capita and per area emissions differ significantly, with the ‘old world’ having a higher level of agricultural intensity than the ‘new world’. These production changes saw Brazil, the US and the EU, in different sectors and to varying degrees, increase the volume of food surpluses, while Africa and Asia generally increased their deficits; the former in food grains and the latter in feed and livestock products. These facts clearly point to an uncomfortable reality – that globally, we need to produce more with less, and therefore both economic and environmental efficiency matter.
Deployment and Exploration of a Gas Storage Well Pattern Based on the Threshold Radius
Authors: TANG Ligen , ZHU Weiyao , ZHU Huayin , SUN Chunhui , YANG Fenglai , WANG Yan , Li Xiaorui , Li Haiming , CHU Guangzhen , WANG Jieming , KONG Debin , YUE Ming , LIU Yuwei , HUANG Kun
Published: February 2021

To tackle the problem that wells that are deployed in a specific pattern based on the requirements of gas reservoir development are not suitable for gas storage, we have conducted concentrically circular injection and production simulation experiments for gas storage, discovered the existence of a threshold radius, denoted by Rt, and derived the expression for Rt. Based on the analysis and discussion results, we propose a strategy for deploying gas storage wells in specific patterns. The expression for Rt shows that it is affected by factors such as the gas storage gas production/injection time, the upper pressure limit, the lower pressure limit, the bottomhole flow pressure at the ends of injection and production, the and permeability. The analysis and discussion results show that the Rt of a gas storage facility is much smaller than the Rt for gas reservoir development. In the gas storage facilities in China, the Rt for gas production is less than the Rt for the gas injection, and Rt increases with the difference in the operating pressure and with permeability K. Based on the characteristics of Rt, we propose three suggestions for gas storage well pattern deployment: (1) calculate Rt according to the designed functions of the gas storage facility and deploy the well pattern according to Rt; (2) deploy sparser, large‐wellbore patterns in high‐permeability areas and denser, small‐wellbore patterns in high‐permeability areas; and (3) achieve the gas injection well pattern by new drilling, and the gas production well pattern through a combination of the gas injection well pattern and old wells. By assessing a gas storage facility with a perfect well pattern after a number of adjustments, we found that the Rt of the 12 wells calculated in this paper is basically close to the corresponding actual radius, which validates our method. The results of this study provide a methodological basis for well pattern deployment in new gas storage construction.
Comparison of baseline laboratory findings of macrophage activation syndrome complicating systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis and multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children
Authors: Aydın Fatma , Çelikel Elif , Ekici Tekin Zahide , Coşkun Serkan , Sezer Müge , Karagöl Cüneyt , Kaplan Melike Mehveş , Tekgöz Nilüfer , Kurt Tuba , Özcan Serhan , Kavurt Ahmet Vedat , Özkaya Parlakay Aslınur , Çelikel Acar Banu
Published: February 2021

Aims

Recently, multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS‐C) has been recognized in association with coronavirus disease 2019 as a cytokine storm syndrome. MIS‐C presents with symptoms similar to Kawasaki disease and macrophage activation syndrome (MAS). We aimed to better understand this cytokine storm syndrome by comparing the initial laboratory findings of MIS‐C and MAS.

Methods

Patients who were diagnosed with MAS due to systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis in our clinic between March 2002 and November 2020 and with MIS‐C between 20 September and 20 October 2020 were enrolled into the study. The medical files of all patients were reviewed retrospectively.

Results

A total of 13 MAS (9 boys, 4 girls) and 26 MIS‐C (16 boys,10 girls) patients were included in the study. Hemoglobin, absolute neutrophil and lymphocyte counts, C‐reactive protein (CRP), ferritin, fibrinogen and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels showed significant differences between the two groups (P < 0.05). Patients with MAS had lower hemoglobin (10.10 g/dL) and fibrinogen (2.72 g/dL), but higher ferritin (17 863 mg/dL) and LDH (890.61 U/L) at the time of diagnosis. Patients with MIS‐C had higher absolute neutrophil count (12 180/mm3) and CRP (194.23 mg/dL) values, but lower absolute lymphocyte count (1140/mm3) at the time of diagnosis. Left ventricle ejection fraction was significantly lower in the MIS‐C group in echocardiographic evaluation (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Ferritin, hemoglobin, LDH, and fibrinogen levels were significantly changed in MAS compared with MIS‐C. However, patients with MIS‐C have more severe signs than MAS, such as cardiac involvement.
Predictive factors of recurrence after resection of subsolid clinical stage IA lung adenocarcinoma
Authors: Im Dong Jin , Lee Sang Min , Han Kyunghwa , Park Chul Hwan , Lee Ji Won , Hwang Sung Ho , Seo Jae Seung , Kwon Woocheol , Lee Kye Ho , Hur Jin
Published: February 2021

Background

Ongoing studies are currently investigating the extent of surgical resection required for subsolid cancers. This study aimed to investigate the predictive factors related to recurrence in patients with clinical stage IA subsolid cancer who underwent either lobectomy or sublobar resection.

Methods

This was a prospective multicenter observational study conducted in eight qualifying university teaching hospitals between April 2014 and December 2016. A total of 173 patients with subsolid nodules pathologically confirmed to have primary lung adenocarcinoma and stage IA disease were included in the final analysis. All patients underwent lobectomy, segmentectomy, or wedge resection performed by experienced thoracoscopic surgeons at each site. The surgical procedure was chosen based on the decision of the surgeons involved. The primary endpoint was time to recurrence (TTR).

Results

The study population was 43.9% (76 of 173) male with a mean age of 60.7 years. During the median follow‐up period of 5.01 years, nine patients (5%) experienced disease recurrence. In the multivariable analysis, tumor size (size ≥2 cm) (hazard ratio: 73.717, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.635–895.036; p < 0.001) and stage IA3 (hazard ratio: 62.010, 95% CI: 2.837–855.185; p < 0.001) were independent predictors of tumor recurrence. When analyzing the recurrence outcome in patients according to surgical procedure, no significant difference was found in TTR among the three groups (i.e., lobectomy, segmentectomy, and wedge resection; p = 0.99).

Conclusions

Patients with radiologically subsolid lung adenocarcinoma measuring <3 cm could be candidates for sublobar resection instead of lobectomy.
Return Migration from Nineteenth Century Australia: Key Drivers and Gender Differences
Authors: Ward Tony
Published: February 2021

This paper sheds new light on return migration from Australia to the UK in the latter nineteenth century. It uses data from shipping records, and from a random sample of the 23,000 Australian‐born in the 1911 Census of England and Wales. Based on these sources, it estimates some 20% of migrants to Australia returned: higher among the wealthy, but still 12% of semi‐ and unskilled working class migrants returned. There was a preponderance of women among returnees. From that, and other evidence such as the geographic spread of returnees across England, the paper argues that social networks played critical roles in decisions to return.
A genome‐wide association study reveals a quantitative trait locus for calf mortality on chromosome 9 in Japanese Black cattle
Authors: Sasaki S. , Ibi T.
Published: February 2021

Calf mortality is a major problem affecting cattle production. To identify genetic variants associated with calf mortality in Japanese Black cattle, we evaluated calf mortality as a categorical trait using a threshold model and conducted a GWAS. We identified two SNPs between 32 549 297 and 32 606 924 bp on bovine chromosome 9 that were significantly associated with calf mortality from 61 to 180 days after birth. The SNP showing the highest association was localized at a region 624 bp downstream of exon 4 of the anti‐silencing function 1A histone chaperone gene (ASF1A) that promotes DNA damage repair, and the null mice, which exhibit pre‐ and postnatal lethality. This association was also detected using the breeding value of 334 sires. The frequency of the risk allele in Japanese Black cattle from locations across Japan was 0.013; although the frequency of ASF1A risk allele was low, it is widespread in the Japanese Black cattle population. Thus, it may be necessary to routinely monitor the cattle population for the presence of this allele.
Adaptive Experimental Design: Prospects and Applications in Political Science
Authors: Offer‐Westort Molly , Coppock Alexander , Green Donald P.
Published: February 2021

Experimental researchers in political science frequently face the problem of inferring which of several treatment arms is most effective. They may also seek to estimate mean outcomes under that arm, construct confidence intervals, and test hypotheses. Ordinarily, multiarm trials conducted using static designs assign participants to each arm with fixed probabilities. However, a growing statistical literature suggests that adaptive experimental designs that dynamically allocate larger assignment probabilities to more promising treatments are better equipped to discover the best performing arm. Using simulations and empirical applications, we explore the conditions under which such designs hasten the discovery of superior treatments and improve the precision with which their effects are estimated. Recognizing that many scholars seek to assess performance relative to a control condition, we also develop and implement a novel adaptive algorithm that seeks to maximize the precision with which the largest treatment effect is estimated
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A longitudinal gender perspective of well‐being and health in spanish youth: the UP&DOWN study
Authors: Esteban‐Gonzalo Sara , Esteban‐Gonzalo Laura , González‐Pascual Juan Luis , Esteban‐Cornejo Irene , Izquierdo‐Gómez Rocío , Conde‐Caveda Julio , Castro‐Piñero José , Veiga Oscar L.
Published: February 2021

Previous studies have observed a link between gender and well‐being and health in young populations. The purpose of this research was twofold: (1) to analyse the cross‐sectional relationship between gender status with well‐being indicators and self‐perceived health in adolescents at baseline and at 2‐year follow‐up and (2) to evaluate the prospective associations between gender at baseline and well‐being indicators/self‐perceived health assessed at 2‐year follow‐up. Well‐being was measured using the KIDSCREEN‐10 questionnaire (as a measure of health‐related quality of life (HR‐QoL)), the Children's Hope Scale and the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule. Health status of the adolescents was assessed using self‐perceived health. Multilevel mixed‐effects linear/logistic regression models were carried out to assess the associations between gender status and well‐being and health of a sample of 1590 Spanish adolescents. Adolescent girls were shown to have lower HR‐QoL scores and higher negative affect scores, and had a higher risk of reporting poor health than boys, in both cross‐sectional and longitudinal analyses. Adolescent girls seem to be more vulnerable to poorer well‐being and self‐reported health than boys. When looking at hedonic and eudemonic well‐being separately, longitudinal differential evolution of boys and girls seems to indicate greater deterioration of hedonic well‐being among girls as compared to boys. Overall, gender may have a relevant impact on mental and physical health during adolescence.
Circulating tumour DNA in B‐cell lymphomas: current state and future prospects
Authors: Lakhotia Rahul , Roschewski Mark
Published: February 2021

Circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) is a highly versatile analyte and an emerging biomarker for detection of tumour‐specific sequences in lymphoid malignancies. Since ctDNA is derived from tumour cells throughout the body, it overcomes fundamental limitations of tissue biopsies by capturing the complete molecular profile of tumours, including those from inaccessible anatomic locations. Assays for ctDNA are minimally invasive and serial sampling monitors the effectiveness of therapy and identifies minimal residual disease below the detection limit of standard imaging scans. Dynamic changes in ctDNA levels measure real‐time tumour kinetics, and early reductions in ctDNA during treatment correlate with clinical outcomes in multiple B‐cell lymphomas. After therapy, ctDNA can effectively discriminate between patients who achieved a complete molecular remission from those with residual treatment‐resistant disease. Serial monitoring of ctDNA after therapy can detect early molecular relapse and identify drug‐resistant clones that harbour targetable mutations. In order for ctDNA to reach its full potential, the standardization and harmonization of the optimal pre‐analytical and analytical techniques for B‐cell lymphomas is a critically necessary requirement. Prospective validation of ctDNA within clinical studies is also required to determine its clinical utility as an adjunctive decision‐making tool.
Reduced visual acuity is mirrored in low vision imagery
Authors: Arditi Aries , Legge Gordon , Granquist Christina , Gage Rachel , Clark Dawn
Published: February 2021

Research has examined the nature of visual imagery in normally sighted and blind subjects, but not in those with low vision. Findings with normally sighted subjects suggest that imagery involves primary visual areas of the brain. Since the plasticity of visual cortex appears to be limited in adulthood, we might expect imagery of those with adult‐onset low vision to be relatively unaffected by these losses. But if visual imagery is based on recent and current experience, we would expect images of those with low vision to share some properties of impaired visual perception. We examined key parameters of mental images reported by normally sighted subjects, compared to those with early‐ and late‐onset low vision, and with a group of subjects with restricted visual fields using an imagery questionnaire. We found evidence that those with reduced visual acuity report the imagery distances of objects to be closer than those with normal acuity and also depict objects in imagery with lower resolution than those with normal visual acuity. We also found that all low vision groups, like the normally sighted, image objects at a substantially greater distance than when asked to place them at a distance that ‘just fits’ their imagery field (overflow distance). All low vision groups, like the normally sighted, showed evidence of a limited visual field for imagery, but our group with restricted visual fields did not differ from the other groups in this respect. We conclude that imagery of those with low vision is similar to that of those with normal vision in being dependent on the size of objects or features being imaged, but that it also reflects their reduced visual acuity. We found no evidence for a dependence on imagery of age of onset or number of years of vision impairment.
Effect of information on reducing inappropriate expectations and requests for antibiotics
Authors: Thorpe Alistair , Sirota Miroslav , Orbell Sheina , Juanchich Marie
Published: February 2021

People often expect antibiotics when they are clinically inappropriate (e.g., for viral infections). This contributes significantly to physicians’ decisions to prescribe antibiotics when they are clinically inappropriate, causing harm to the individual and to society. In two pre‐registered studies employing UK general population samples (n1 = 402; n2 = 190), we evaluated the relationship between knowledge and beliefs with antibiotic expectations, and the effects of information provision on such expectations. We conducted a correlational study (study 1), in which we examined the role of antibiotic knowledge and beliefs and an experiment (study 2) in which we assessed the causal effect of information provision on antibiotic expectations. In study 1, we found that both knowledge and beliefs about antibiotics predicted antibiotic expectations. In study 2, a 2 (viral information: present vs. absent) × 2 (antibiotic information: present vs. absent) experimental between‐subjects design, information about antibiotic efficacy significantly reduced expectations for antibiotics, but viral aetiology information did not. Providing antibiotic information substantially diminishes inappropriate expectations of antibiotics. Health campaigns might also aim to change social attitudes and normative beliefs, since more complex sociocognitive processes underpin inappropriate expectations for antibiotics.
A chronological and palaeoenvironmental re‐evaluation of two loess‐palaeosol records in the northern Harz foreland, Germany, based on innovative modelling tools
Authors: Schmidt Christoph , Zeeden Christian , Krauß Lydia , Lehmkuhl Frank , Zöller Ludwig
Published: February 2021

The continuing development of analytical methods for investigating sedimentary records calls for iterative re‐examination of existing data sets obtained on loess‐palaeosol sequences (LPS) as archives of palaeoenvironmental change. Here, we re‐investigate two LPS (Hecklingen, Zilly) in the northern Harz foreland, Germany, being of interest due to their proximity to the Scandinavian Ice Sheet (SIS) and the position between oceanic climatic influence further west and continental influence towards the east. First, we established new quartz OSL and polymineral IRSL chronologies. Both methods show concordant ages in the upper part of the Hecklingen profile (~20–40 ka), but in the lower part IRSL underestimates OSL ages by up to ~15 ka for the period 40–60 ka. Interpretations hence refer to the OSL data set. Second, we applied Bayesian age‐depth modelling to data sets from Hecklingen to resolve inversions in the original ages, also reducing averaged 1σ uncertainty by ~19% (OSL) and ~12% (IRSL). Modelled chronologies point out phases of increased (MIS 2, early MIS 3) and reduced (middle and late MIS 3) sedimentation, but interpretation of numerical rates is problematic because of intense erosion and slope wash particularly during MIS 3. Finally, previously obtained grain‐size data were re‐investigated by end member modelling analyses. Three fundamental grain‐size distributions (loadings) explain the measured data sets and offer information on intensity and – combined with modelled OSL ages – timing of geomorphic processes. We interpret the loadings to represent (i) primary loess accumulation, (ii) postdepositional pedogenesis and/or input of aeolian fine fractions, and (iii) input of coarse aeolian material and/or slope wash. The applied modelling tools facilitate detailed understanding of site‐formation through time, allowing us to correlate a strong peak in mean grain size at ~26–24 ka to the maximum extent of the SIS and increased influence of easterly winds.
TRV130 partial agonism and capacity to induce anti‐nociceptive tolerance revealed through reducing available μ‐opioid receptor number
Authors: Singleton Samuel , Baptista‐Hon Daniel T. , Edelsten Emily , McCaughey Kirsty S. , Camplisson Ewan , Hales Tim G.
Published: February 2021

Background and Purpose

β‐Arrestin2 recruitment to μ‐receptors may contribute to the development of opioid side effects. This possibility led to the development of TRV130 and PZM21, opioids reportedly biased against β‐arrestin2 recruitment in favour of G‐protein signalling. However, low efficacy β‐arrestin2 recruitment by TRV130 and PZM21 may simply reflect partial agonism overlooked due to overexpression of μ‐receptors.

Experimental Approach

Efficacies and apparent potencies of DAMGO, morphine, PZM21 and TRV130 as stimulators of β‐arrestin2 recruitment and inhibitors of cAMP accumulation were assessed in CHO cells stably expressing μ‐receptors. Receptor availability was depleted through prior exposure of cells to the irreversible antagonist, β‐FNA. We also examined whether μ‐receptor availability influences TRV130 anti‐nociception and/or tolerance using the tail withdrawal assay in wild‐type C57BL/6 and μ+/− mice.

Key Results

Morphine, PZM21 and TRV130 were partial agonists in the β‐arrestin2 recruitment assay. Only TRV130 exhibited partial agonism in the cAMP assay. Exposure to β‐FNA to reduce μ‐receptor availability further limited the efficacy of TRV130 and revealed morphine and PZM21 to be partial agonists. Despite having partial efficacy in vitro, TRV130 caused potent anti‐nociception (ED50: 0.33 mg·kg−1) in wild‐type mice, without tolerance after daily administration for 10 days. TRV130 caused similar anti‐nociception in μ+/− mice, with marked tolerance on day 4 of injections.

Conclusion and Implications

Our findings emphasise the importance of receptor reserve when characterising μ‐receptor agonists. Reduced receptor availability reveals that TRV130 is a partial agonist capable of tolerance, despite having limited efficacy for β‐arrestin2 recruitment to the μ‐receptor.
The Longitudinal Relationship Between Conversational Turn‐Taking and Vocabulary Growth in Early Language Development
Authors: Donnelly Seamus , Kidd Evan
Published: February 2021

Children acquire language embedded within the rich social context of interaction. This paper reports on a longitudinal study investigating the developmental relationship between conversational turn‐taking and vocabulary growth in English‐acquiring children (N = 122) followed between 9 and 24 months. Daylong audio recordings obtained every 3 months provided several indices of the language environment, including the number of adult words children heard in their environment and their number of conversational turns. Vocabulary was measured independently via parental report. Growth curve analyses revealed a bidirectional relationship between conversational turns and vocabulary growth, controlling for the amount of words in children’s environments. The results are consistent with theoretical approaches that identify social interaction as a core component of early language acquisition.
Identifying distinct trajectories of acute otitis media in children: A prospective cohort study
Authors: van Ingen Gijs , le Clercq Carlijn M. P. , Jaddoe Vincent W. V. , Moll Henriette A. , Duijts Liesbeth , Raat Hein , Baatenburg de Jong Robert J. , van der Schroeff Marc P.
Published: February 2021

Objectives

To identify possibly distinct acute otitis media (AOM) trajectories in childhood and identify determinants associated with specific AOM trajectories. To explore which child will become prone to recurrent AOM episodes and which will not.

Design

Population‐based prospective cohort study among 7863 children from birth until 10 years and their mothers.

Methods

This study was embedded in the Generation R Study: a population‐based prospective cohort study. Data on AOM and determinants were collected by repeated parental questionnaires. Distinct AOM trajectories within the population were identified with latent‐class analyses. Next, using multivariate analysis we checked whether specific determinants were associated with specific trajectories.

Results

Three distinct trajectories were identified; that is, non–otitis prone, early AOM—that is children who suffered AOM episodes until 3 years of age but not beyond, and persistent AOM—that is children who remained otitis‐prone. Male gender (OR: 1.26, CI: 1.11‐1.43) and day‐care attendance (OR: 1.31, CI: 1.06‐1.60) were associated with increased odds of early AOM. Breastfeeding was beneficial for children in both the early‐AOM and persistent‐AOM trajectories (OR: 0.78 and 0.77, respectively). Birth in the summer or autumn as compared with birth in the spring decreased odds of AOM only in the persistent‐AOM trajectory. Half of all AOM‐prone children recovered after the age of 3 years.

Conclusion

Specific determinants are associated with different AOM trajectories. Future research is needed to better predict which child will remain otitis‐prone and which recovers after the age of 3 years to better tailor treatment towards the needs of the individual child.
COVID‐19 in hospitalized liver transplant recipients: An early systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Jayant Kumar , Reccia Isabella , Virdis Francesco , Pyda Jordan S. , Bachul Piotr J. , di Sabato Diego , Barth Rolf N. , Fung John , Baker Talia , Witkowski Piotr
Published: February 2021

Adverse clinical outcomes related to SARS‐CoV‐2 infection among liver transplant (LTx) recipients remain undefined. We performed a meta‐analysis to determine the pooled prevalence of outcomes among hospitalized LTx recipients with COVID‐19. A database search of literature published between December 1, 2019, and November 20, 2020, was performed per PRISMA guidelines. Twelve studies comprising 517 hospitalized LTx recipients with COVID‐19 were analyzed. Common presenting symptoms were fever (71%), cough (62%), dyspnea (48%), and diarrhea (28%). Approximately 77% (95% CI, 61%‐93%) of LTx recipients had a history of liver cirrhosis. The most prevalent comorbidities were hypertension (55%), diabetes (45%), and cardiac disease (21%). In‐hospital mortality was 20% (95% CI, 13%‐28%) and rose to 41% (95% CI, 19%‐63%) (P < 0.00) with ICU admission. Additional subgroup analysis demonstrated a higher mortality risk in the elderly (>60‐65 years) (OR 4.26; 95% CI, 2.14‐8.49). There was no correlation in respect to sex or time since transplant. In summary, LTx recipients with COVID‐19 had a high prevalence of dyspnea and gastrointestinal symptoms. In‐hospital mortality was comparable to non‐transplant populations with similar comorbidities but appeared to be less than what is reported elsewhere for cirrhotic patients (26%‐40%). Importantly, the observed high case fatality in the elderly could be due to age‐associated comorbidities.
The relationship between marijuana use and psychosocial variables in living kidney donor candidates
Authors: Loiselle Marci M. , Gulin Shaina , Rose Terra , Burker Eileen , Bolger Lauren , Smith Patrick
Published: February 2021

Background

We investigate whether marijuana use in living kidney donor candidates is associated with psychosocial risk factors that place donors at higher risk for adverse outcomes and the unique associations between marijuana use and donor candidacy.

Methods

Medical records of 757 living kidney donor candidates were reviewed. Patients were grouped into marijuana users/abstainers; demographic, psychiatric, and substance use variables were compared. Multivariate logistic regression assessed the independent association of marijuana use on committee approval for donation.

Results

Marijuana use was associated with lack of health insurance, legal history, lower education level, active and history of substance use disorder, active psychiatric disorder, history of multiple psychiatric diagnoses, and history of suicidality. Marijuana users were also more likely to be young, male, unmarried, and less likely to be approved for donation by the multidisciplinary selection committee. This latter association persisted in multivariate models.

Conclusions

This is the first study to show that marijuana use is associated with psychosocial factors that could impact behavioral adherence following kidney donation, while reducing chances of committee approval for kidney donation. Special attention to potential overlay between psychosocial risk factors and marijuana use should be considered when evaluating kidney donors, particularly in context of increasingly legal use.
Non‐medical prescription opioid use and in‐hospital illicit drug use among people who use drugs
Authors: Parmar Gurjit S. , Hayashi Kanna , Nolan Seonaid , Milloy M.‐J. , DeBeck Kora , Shulha Hennady P. , Kerr Thomas , Ti Lianping
Published: February 2021

Introduction

Illicit drug use while admitted to hospital is common amongst people who use drugs. Furthermore, non‐medical prescription opioid use (NMPOU) is increasingly being used by this population. This study was undertaken to investigate the relationship between NMPOU and having ever reported using illicit drugs in the hospital.

Methods

This study was a cross‐sectional study design based on data derived from participants enrolled in three Canadian prospective cohort studies between December 2011 and November 2016. Using bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses, we examined the relationship between NMPOU and having ever reported illicit drug use in the hospital.

Results

Among the 1865 participants (951 male, 471 female) enrolled in the studies, 1422 (76.25%) met the inclusion criteria of having ever been hospitalised. Of these, 436 (30.7%) had used illicit drugs while in the hospital. In multivariable analyses, after adjusting for various confounders, we found a positive relationship between the percentage of reporting at least daily NMPOU in the past 6 months during the cohort study period and illicit drug use in the hospital (adjusted odds ratio 3.42; 95% confidence interval 1.46–8.02).

Discussion and Conclusions

Among our sample, more persistent NMPOU was positively associated with having reported in‐hospital illicit drug use. Our findings point to the need for better identification and management of opioid use disorder in acute care settings to reduce in‐hospital illicit drug use, and to offer evidence‐based medical treatments to achieve the most optimal outcomes for patients.
Prenatal valproate exposure and adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes: Does sex matter?
Authors: Honybun Eliza , Thwaites Rebecca , Malpas Charles B. , Rayner Genevieve , Anderson Alison , Graham Janet , Hitchcock Alison , O’Brien Terence J. , Vajda Frank J. E. , Perucca Piero
Published: February 2021

Objective

Prenatal exposure to the antiepileptic drug (AED) valproic acid (VPA) is associated with an increased risk of impaired postnatal neurodevelopment, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). We aimed to evaluate the influence of sex and drug dosage on the association between prenatal VPA exposure and postnatal behavioral outcomes.

Methods

The Australian Pregnancy Register of AEDs was interrogated to identify children aged 4–11 years prenatally exposed to AEDs. Parents reported on their child's behavior using the Autism Spectrum Quotient–Children's Version and the National Institute for Children's Health Quality Vanderbilt Assessment Scale for ADHD. General linear mixed‐effects models were used to investigate the relationship between clinicodemographic variables and psychometric scores.

Results

A total of 121 children were studied: 54 prenatally exposed to VPA (28 males, 26 females; mean dose ± SD: 644 ± 310 mg/day) and 67 exposed to other AEDs. There was a main effect of sex showing higher ASD scores in males compared to females (p = .006). An interaction between sex and VPA exposure revealed that males had higher ASD symptoms among children exposed to AEDs other than VPA (p = .01); however, this typical sex dynamic was not evident in VPA‐exposed children. There was no evidence of any dose–response relationship between VPA exposure and ASD symptoms. Males had higher ADHD scores compared to females, but there was no evidence for a link between ADHD symptoms and VPA exposure.

Significance

Prenatal VPA exposure seems to negate the usual male sex‐related predominance in the incidence of ASD. These initial findings deepen the concept of VPA as a "behavioral teratogen" by indicating that its effect might be influenced by sex, with females appearing particularly sensitive to the effects of VPA. No association between VPA doses and adverse postnatal behavioral outcomes was detected, possibly related to the low VPA doses used in this study.
Investigating the pathogenesis of high‐serum gamma‐glutamyl transferase activity in Thoroughbred racehorses: A series of case‐control studies
Authors: Mann Sabine , Ramsay Joshua D. , Wakshlag Joseph J. , Stokol Tracy , Reed Steven , Divers Thomas J.
Published: February 2021

Background

High‐serum γ‐Glutamyl Transferase (GGT) activity has been associated with and thought to be a marker of maladaptation to training and possibly poor performance in racehorses, but the cause is unknown.

Objectives

To investigate possible metabolic and infectious causes for the high GGT syndrome.

Study design

Pilot case‐control study and nested case‐control study.

Methods

The case‐control study in 2017 included 16 horses (8 cases and 8 controls with median [range] serum GGT 82 [74‐148] and 22 [19‐28] IU/L, respectively) from the same stable. In 2018, similar testing was performed in a nested case‐control study that identified 27 case (serum GGT 50 ≥ IU/L)‐control pairs from three stables for further testing. Serum liver chemistries, selenium measurements, viral PCR and metabolomics were performed.

Results

No differences were found in frequency of detection of viral RNA/DNA or copy numbers for equine hepacivirus (EqHV) and parvovirus‐hepatitis (EqPV‐H) between cases and controls. Mild increases in hepatocellular injury and cholestatic markers in case vs control horses suggested a degree of liver disease in a subset of cases. Metabolomic and individual bile acid testing showed differences in cases compared with controls, including increased abundance of pyroglutamic acid and taurine‐conjugated bile acids, and reduced abundance of Vitamin B6. Selenium concentrations, although within or above the reference intervals, were also lower in case horses in both studies.

Main limitations

Observational study design did not allow us to make causal inferences.

Conclusions

We conclude that high GGT syndrome is likely a complex metabolic disorder and that viral hepatitis was not identified as a cause for this syndrome in this cohort of racehorses. Our results support a contribution of oxidative stress and cholestasis in its pathophysiology.
Riparian forests can mitigate warming and ecological degradation of agricultural headwater streams
Authors: Turunen Jarno , Elbrecht Vasco , Steinke Dirk , Aroviita Jukka
Published: February 2021

Riparian forests are commonly advocated as a key management option to mitigate the effects of agriculture on headwater stream biodiversity and ecosystem functions. However, the benefits of riparian forests might be reduced by uninterrupted catchment‐scale pollution.

We studied the effects of riparian land use on multiple ecological endpoints in headwater streams in an agricultural landscape. We studied stream habitat characteristics, water temperature and algal accrual, and macrophyte, benthic macroinvertebrate and fish communities in 11 paired forested and open agricultural headwater stream reaches that differed in their extent of riparian forest cover but had similar water quality.

Hydromorphological habitat quality was higher in forested reaches than in open reaches. Riparian forest had a strong effect on the summer water temperature regime, with maximum and mean water temperatures and temperature variation in forested reaches substantially lower than in open reaches.

Macrophyte communities differed between forested and open reaches. The mean abundance of bryophytes was higher in forested reaches but the difference to open reaches was only marginally significant, whereas graminoids were significantly more abundant in open reaches. Within‐stream dissimilarity of benthic macroinvertebrate community structure was significantly related to the difference in riparian land use between reach pairs. The relative DNA sequence abundance of pollution‐sensitive Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, and Trichoptera species tended to be higher in forested reaches than in open reaches. Finally, fish densities were not significantly different between forested and open reaches, although densities were higher in forested reaches.

This unequivocal evidence for the ecological benefits of forested riparian reaches in agricultural headwater streams suggests that riparian forest can partly mitigate the adverse impacts of agricultural diffuse pollution on biota. The strong effect of forests on stream water temperature suggest that riparian forest could also mitigate harmful effects on headwater stream biodiversity and ecosystem functions of the predicted more frequent high summer temperatures.
Functional and joint evaluation in a prospective cohort of patients with severe haemophilia
Authors: Ribeiro Alexandre Jorge Teixeira , Amorim Fábio Ferreira , Soares Beatriz Mac Dowell , Santana Levy Aniceto , Imoto Aline Mizusaki
Published: February 2021

Introduction

Arthropathy is the main morbidity of haemophilia. Periodic joint health assessment enables a better understanding of the limitations of these patients.

Objective

To evaluate the functional and joint performance in patients with haemophilia at one‐year follow‐up, as well as its association with prophylactic treatment and attendance at scheduled consultations at a haemophilia treatment centre.

Methods

This prospective cohort study included patients with severe haemophilia aged 7 years or more and treated at Fundação Hemocentro de Brasília, Brazil, from January 2014 to December 2018. The Hemophilia Joint Health Score and Functional Independence Score in Hemophilia were assessed at the first consultation and after a one‐year follow‐up.

Results

The study included 69 patients. The mean age at study recruitment was 22.5 ± 4.5 years, 62.3% of patients aged 18 years or older, and 29 patients were receiving primary prophylaxis (38.0%). There was a positive correlation between HJHS and age and a negative correlation between FISH and age. The worsening HJHS was associated with non‐primary prophylaxis and non‐attendance at scheduled multidisciplinary consultations. The worsening FISH was associated with non‐primary prophylaxis. The correlation between FISH and treatment adherence was significant for the delta.

Conclusion

The older the patient with haemophilia, the higher the probability of a worsening of the HJHS. In the presence of more arthropathies, the older the patient, the worse the FISH. Patients receiving primary prophylaxis show better results in the HJHS and FISH when compared to patients receiving secondary prophylaxis and/or on‐demand treatment.
Trends in coagulation factor replacement therapy and medical costs in patients with haemophilia in Taiwan: A population‐based, 15‐year analysis
Authors: Hsieh Miyuki Hsing‐Chun , Chiou Shyh‐Shin , Liao Tzu‐Chi , Kao Yang Yea‐Huei , Lai Edward Chia‐Cheng
Published: February 2021

Introduction

Taiwan's National Health Insurance Program approved reimbursement of prophylactic coagulation factor replacement therapy (CFRT) for patients with haemophilia (PWH) in 2014.

Aim

To examine 15‐year trends and the impact of reimbursement for prophylactic CFRT on its utilization and related medical costs for PWH.

Methods

We analysed Taiwan's National Health Insurance Database from 2003 to 2017. We included patients with haemophilia A (PWHA) or B (PWHB) receiving coagulating factor. Female patients were excluded because of small sample size. We analysed annual consumption of CFRT units and medical costs. High proportion of days covered (PDC) with CFRT served as an indicator for prophylactic treatment since it reflects routine use of CFRT. We applied interrupted time series analysis (ITSA) to evaluate the impact of reimbursement for prophylactic CFRT on usage patterns and medical costs.

Results

We included 896 male PWHA and 181 male PWHB, with 38.1% and 37.0% aged under 18 years, respectively. By ITSA, we found the trends in coagulation factor consumption and PDC significantly increased after reimbursement for prophylactic CFRT in both PWHA and PWHB (p values for trend change <0.05). The overall medical costs per patient increased with increasing consumption of coagulation factor; however, ITSA revealed non‐CFRT cost decreased after reimbursement of prophylactic CFRT for both PWHA and PWHB (p values <.05).

Conclusion

Reimbursement for prophylactic CFRT facilitated growth in rates of prophylactic CFRT and increased related costs, but curbed rising non‐CFRT costs. These findings provide strong grounds for future cost‐effectiveness studies to leverage prophylactic CFRT for its therapeutic benefits.