bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Doppler‐derived renal resistive index helps predict acute kidney injury in patients undergoing living‐related liver transplantation
Authors: Shankar Vijay , Raj Anupam , Singhal Saurabh , Sahni Reeti , Goyal Neerav , Venuthurimilli Arun , Olson Michael T. , Chatterji Chitra
Published: February 2021

Background

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is commonly associated with increased postoperative morbidity in liver transplant (LT) recipients. The aim of this study was to identify the role of renal resistive index (RRI) in predicting AKI and to study the factors associated with AKI in LT recipients.

Patients and methods

We performed a single‐center, prospective study, including adult living donor LT recipients at our center between January 2018 and September 2019 with no preoperative renal dysfunction. RRI was calculated on ultrasound doppler once preoperatively, and once daily in the postoperative period through postoperative day (POD) six. Patients were grouped into AKI and non‐AKI groups for comparison.

Results

Fifty patients were included in the study (mean age, 44 years; 20% females). AKI developed in 25 patients (50%). Both groups were similar in baseline characteristics. RRI of ≥ 0.69 on POD 2 predicted AKI (sensitivity 88%; specificity 92%). RRI on the day before AKI diagnosis (0.71 vs. 0.65) and on the day of diagnosis (0.72 vs. 0.65) were significantly increased relative to preoperative baseline.

Conclusions

Doppler‐derived RRI is a rapid, non‐invasive, and bedside procedure capable of predicting the occurrence of postoperative AKI in LT recipients.
Awareness of fentanyl exposure and the associated overdose risks among people who inject drugs in a Canadian setting
Authors: Hayashi Kanna , Wood Evan , Dong Huiru , Buxton Jane A. , Fairbairn Nadia , DeBeck Kora , Milloy M.‐J. , Kerr Thomas
Published: February 2021

Introduction

Illicitly manufactured fentanyl continues to fuel the opioid overdose crisis throughout the USA and Canada. However, little is known about factors associated with knowingly or unknowingly using fentanyl. Therefore, we sought to identify the prevalence and correlates of suspected/known and unknown exposure to fentanyl (excluding the prescribed one) among people who inject drugs (PWID), including associated overdose risks.

Methods

Data were derived from three prospective cohort studies of community‐recruited people who use drugs in Vancouver, Canada in 2016–2017. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify correlates of suspected/known exposure (i.e. urine drug screen positive and self‐reporting past 3‐day exposure) and unknown exposure to fentanyl (i.e. urine drug screen positive and self‐reporting no past three‐day exposure), respectively.

Results

Among 590 PWID, 296 (50.2%) tested positive for fentanyl. Of those, 143 (48.3%) had suspected/known and 153 (51.7%) had unknown exposure to fentanyl. In multivariable analyses, using supervised injection sites and possessing naloxone were associated with both suspected/known and unknown exposure (all P < 0.05). Injecting drugs alone (adjusted odds ratio 3.26; 95% confidence interval: 1.72–6.16) was associated with known exposure, but not with unknown exposure.

Discussion and Conclusions

We found a high prevalence of fentanyl exposure in our sample of PWID, with one half of those exposed consuming fentanyl unknowingly. While those exposed to fentanyl appeared more likely to utilise some overdose prevention services, PWID with suspected/known fentanyl exposure were more likely to inject alone, indicating a need for additional overdose prevention efforts for this group.
Long‐term follow‐up of patients with venous thromboembolism and COVID‐19: Analysis of risk factors for death and major bleeding
Authors: Demelo‐Rodríguez Pablo , Ordieres‐Ortega Lucía , Ji Zichen , del Toro‐Cervera Jorge , de Miguel‐Díez Javier , Álvarez‐Sala‐Walther Luis A. , Galeano‐Valle Francisco
Published: February 2021

Introduction

COVID‐19 predisposes patients to a higher risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE), although the extent of these implications is unclear and the risk of bleeding has been poorly evaluated. To date, no studies have reported long‐term outcomes of patients with COVID‐19 and VTE.

Method

Prospective observational study to evaluate long‐term (90 days or more) outcomes of patients diagnosed with VTE (PE, DVT of the extremities, or both) in the setting of COVID‐19. The main outcome of the study was a compound of major bleeding and death.

Results

The study comprised 100 patients (mean age 65 ± 13.9 years). At the time of VTE diagnosis, 66% patients were hospitalized, 34.8% of them in the ICU. Mean follow‐up was 97.9 ± 23.3 days. During the study period, 24% patients died and median time to death was 12 (IQR: 2.25‐20.75) days, 11% patients had major bleeding and median time to event was 12 (IQR: 5‐16) days. The cause of death was PE in 5% and bleeding in 2% of patients. There were no VTE recurrences. The main study outcome occurred in 29% patients. Risk of death or major bleeding was independently associated with ICU admission (HR 12.2; 95% CI 3.0‐48.3), thrombocytopenia (HR 4.5; 95% CI 1.2‐16.5), and cancer (HR 21.6; 95% CI 1.8‐259).

Conclusion

In patients with COVID‐19 and VTE, mortality and major bleeding were high and almost a third of deaths were VTE‐related. The majority of complications occurred in the first 30 days. ICU admission, thrombocytopenia, and cancer are risk factors for poor prognosis.
Anger and its desires
Authors: Silva Laura
Published: February 2021

The orthodox view of anger takes desires for revenge or retribution to be central to the emotion. In this paper, I develop an empirically informed challenge to the retributive view of anger. In so doing, I argue that a distinct desire is central to anger: a desire for recognition. Desires for recognition aim at the targets of anger acknowledging the wrong they have committed, as opposed to aiming for their suffering. In light of the centrality of this desire for recognition, I argue that the retributive view of anger should be abandoned. I consider and dismiss two types of moves that can be made on the part of a proponent of the orthodox view in response to my argument. I propose that a pluralist view, which allows for both retribution and recognition in anger, is to be preferred.
Saturation effect on the distribution of rill detachment rate
Authors: Huang Yuhan , Wang Wei , Lei Tingwu , Li Fahu , Li Juan
Published: February 2021

Detachment rate in rill erosion is an important indicator of soil erosion speed and serves as the basis for estimation of soil erosion using the process‐oriented model. Rill detachment rates on saturated soil slopes were numerically calculated from the dataset of the rill erosion process. The datasets of sediment concentrations were obtained from laboratory experiments, along saturated soil rills 1, 2, 4 and 8 m under slope gradients of 5°, 10°, 15° and 20° and flow rates of 2, 4 and 8 L min−1, and were used to compute rill detachment rates through a numerical algorithm. The resulting rill detachment rates on saturated soil slopes ranged from 0.006 to 0.994 kg m−2 s−1. Exponential functions fitted well the rill detachment rates with rill lengths, whereas linear functions fitted well those with sediment concentrations. The rill detachment rate patterns of saturated soil slopes exhibited similar rill erosion–sediment concepts to those of non‐saturated soil slopes. However, saturated soil slopes were detached considerably faster than the non‐saturated soil slopes. Detachment rates of saturated soil rills were initially and considerably more rapid and decreased faster with rill length than those of non‐saturated soil rills. The saturated soil rills detached 1.627 to 2.246 times the sediments of the non‐saturated soil rills. This phenomenon indicates that faster rill detachments in saturated soil rills make sediment loads in water approach the sediment transport capacities faster than those in non‐saturated soil rills. The computed detachment rates and the functional relationships in this work can provide a basis for determining rill erosion model parameters on saturated soil slopes.

Highlights

Detachment rate of saturated rill can be computed similarly to non‐saturated rill.

Rill detachment rate is well correlated to sediment concentration and rill length.

Soil particles in saturated rill are detached considerably faster than non‐saturated rill.
Elevated blood purine levels as a biomarker of seizures and epilepsy
Authors: Beamer Edward , Lacey Austin , Alves Mariana , Conte Giorgia , Tian Faming , de Diego‐Garcia Laura , Khalil Mohamed , Rosenow Felix , Delanty Norman , Dale Nicholas , El‐Naggar Hany , Henshall David C. , Engel Tobias
Published: February 2021

Objective

There is a major unmet need for a molecular biomarker of seizures or epilepsy that lends itself to fast, affordable detection in an easy‐to‐use point‐of‐care device. Purines such as adenosine triphosphate and adenosine are potent neuromodulators released during excessive neuronal activity that are also present in biofluids. Their biomarker potential for seizures and epilepsy in peripheral blood has, however, not yet been investigated. The aim of the present study was to determine whether blood purine nucleoside measurements can serve as a biomarker for the recent occurrence of seizures and to support the diagnosis of epilepsy.

Methods

Blood purine concentrations were measured via a point‐of‐care diagnostic technology based on the summated electrochemical detection of adenosine and adenosine breakdown products (inosine, hypoxanthine, and xanthine; SMARTChip). Measurements of blood purine concentrations were carried out using samples from mice subjected to intra‐amygdala kainic acid‐induced status epilepticus and in video‐electroencephalogram (EEG)‐monitored adult patients with epilepsy.

Results

In mice, blood purine concentrations were rapidly increased approximately two‐ to threefold after status epilepticus (2.32 ± .40 µmol·L–1 [control] vs. 8.93 ± 1.03 µmol·L–1 [after status epilepticus]), and levels correlated with seizure burden and postseizure neurodegeneration in the hippocampus. Blood purine concentrations were also elevated in patients with video‐EEG‐diagnosed epilepsy (2.39 ± .34 µmol·L–1 [control, n = 13] vs. 4.35 ± .38 µmol·L–1 [epilepsy, n = 26]).

Significance

Our data provide proof of concept that the measurement of blood purine concentrations may offer a rapid, low‐volume bedside test to support the diagnosis of seizures and epilepsy.
Opening up a new chapter of law‐making in international law: The Global Compacts on Migration and for Refugees of 2018
Authors: Hilpold Peter
Published: February 2021

The endorsement/affirmation of the Global Compact on Migration and the Global Compact for Refugees in December 2018 has been accompanied by an intense discussion about the need to introduce new norms in these fields and about the actual legal force of the respective provisions. There was and there persists an open contrast between the openly declared non‐bindingness of these Compacts and the widespread fear that they would either severely constrain national sovereignty in highly delicate areas or dilute arduously achieved standards (especially with regard to refugee law). Eventually, this whole discussion leads to the question about the meaning and the status of soft law in international law. With regard to the European Union, the transformative impact of the Global Compacts will depend on whether the EU further proceeds on its path of “emancipation” from international law while internally finding no consensus on the values here at issue.
Genetic population structure of a top predatory fish (northern pike, Esox lucius) covaries with anthropogenic alteration of freshwater ecosystems
Authors: Eschbach Erik , Nolte Arne Wolfram , Kohlmann Klaus , Alós Josep , Schöning Sandro , Arlinghaus Robert
Published: February 2021

Esox lucius L. (northern pike) inhabits river, lake, and brackish water ecosystems of the temperate region in North America and Eurasia. In many areas of its native range, the species is confronted with human‐induced disturbances that can affect local and regional genetic diversity. Conservation of genetic diversity constitutes an important policy objective. Therefore, we investigated how the genetic population structure and patterns suggestive of hybridisation among subpopulations from different catchments vary with the type of ecosystem (river vs. lake) and the integrity of the ecosystem assessed using ecological status assessments of the European Water Framework Directive and indices of the wetland quality (in rivers) and trophic state (in lakes).

In total, 1,384 pike samples from the North, Baltic, and Black Sea drainages in Germany were analysed. We differentiated between metapopulations from each hydrogeographic region using genotypes from 15 microsatellites and mitochondrial cyt b sequences.

Individual populations showed signs of genetic admixture ranging from almost zero to complete replacement by foreign genotypes originating from different catchments. Hierarchical general linear modelling revealed a significantly positive association of the degree of genetic hybridisation with decreasing ecological status. An eroded population substructure indicative of hybridisation was also significantly elevated in rivers relative to lakes and in heavily modified water bodies. Results were consistent when using ecological status assessments by the Water Framework Directive and an alternative environmental quality index based on the health of wetlands in rivers and trophic state in lakes.

We speculate that macrophyte loss through loss of wetlands or in response to eutrophication fostered genetic mixing among different subpopulations, which were brought into secondary contact either due to stocking or due to natural dispersal from foreign catchments. Our findings suggest that anthropogenic alteration of freshwater ecosystems may influence the genetic structures present in a freshwater top piscivore at both local and regional scales.
Microplastic evacuation in fish is particle size‐dependent
Authors: Roch Samuel , Ros Albert F. H. , Friedrich Christian , Brinker Alexander
Published: February 2021

The pollution of aquatic systems with microplastics (MPs) affects marine and freshwater fish species worldwide. However, little is known about the size‐dependent retention time of these inert particles. To approach this question, the retention time of MP particles was examined in two freshwater fish species with distinct differences in gastrointestinal morphology: rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) with a true stomach, and stomachless common carp (Cyprinus carpio).

A special diet was developed that contained environmentally relevant concentrations of MPs with sizes ranging from 20 to 1,000 µm. The two species were exposed to three different concentrations and numbers of retained particle were determined up to 72 hr after administration.

The results revealed significant differences in retention time between large and small MP particles in rainbow trout, in which the T50 value (time for 50% of particles to be evacuated) ranged from 12.1 hr for 42.7 µm particles to 4.0 hr for 1,086 µm particles. In contrast, the differences observed between sizes in common carp were considerably smaller, with T50 ranging from 7.3 hr for 42.7 µm particles to 4.6 hr for 1,086 µm particles.

It is therefore concluded that large particles in rainbow trout must be actively transported out of the stomach, as the evacuation times are significantly shorter than those for food. Small particles, however, are passively excreted with the chyme. In common carp, the evacuation rates of all particle sizes were in the range of that for food, suggesting a passive excretion.

The results are particularly relevant in the contexts of particle transfer through the food chain, the release of toxic chemicals, and the translocation into tissues and organs. For this reason, it is essential that the particle size is given more consideration in future studies of microplastics in aquatic environments.
Full inversion tillage during pasture renewal to increase soil carbon storage: New Zealand as a case study
Authors: Lawrence‐Smith Erin J. , Curtin Denis , Beare Mike H. , McNally Sam R. , Kelliher Frank M. , Calvelo Pereira Roberto , Hedley Mike J.
Published: February 2021

As soils under permanent pasture and grasslands have large topsoil carbon (C) stocks, the scope to sequester additional C may be limited. However, because C in pasture/grassland soils declines with depth, there may be potential to sequester additional C in the subsoil. Data from 247 continuous pasture sites in New Zealand (representing five major soil Orders and ~80% of the grassland area) showed that, on average, the 0.15–0.30 m layer contained 25–34 t ha−1 less C than the top 0.15 m. High‐production grazed pastures require periodic renewal (re‐seeding) every 7–14 years to maintain productivity. Our objective was to assess whether a one‐time pasture renewal, involving full inversion tillage (FIT) to a depth of 0.30 m, has potential to increase C storage by burying C‐rich topsoil and bringing low‐C subsoil to the surface where C inputs from pasture production are greatest. Data from the 247 pasture sites were used to model changes in C stocks following FIT pasture renewal by predicting (1) the C accumulation in the new 0–0.15 m layer and (2) the decomposition of buried‐C in the new 0.15–0.30 m layer. In the 20 years following FIT pasture renewal, soil C was predicted to increase by an average of 7.3–10.3 (Sedimentary soils) and 9.6–12.7 t C ha−1 (Allophanic soils), depending on the assumptions applied. Adoption of FIT for pasture renewal across all suitable soils (2.0–2.6 M ha) in New Zealand was predicted to sequester ~20–36 Mt C, sufficient to offset 9.6–17.5% of the country's cumulative greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture over 20 years at the current rate of emissions. Given that grasslands account for ~70% of global agricultural land, FIT renewal of pastures or grassland could offer a significant opportunity to sequester soil C and offset greenhouse gas emissions.
Exurban growth inside the urban growth boundary? An examination of development in Oregon cities
Authors: Lewis Rebecca , Parker Robert
Published: February 2021

Oregon has relied on urban growth boundaries (UGBs) to contain growth in incorporated cities since it established a statewide planning program in 1973. Oregon state law requires that UGBs have enough land to accommodate 20 years of population and employment growth. Land inside the UGB is not immediately available for urban development until it is annexed and urban level infrastructure is available. This study focuses on policies and development patterns in the “urbanizable area”––land within the unincorporated areas inside the UGB that is reserved for future urban use. We examined planning documents, conducted GIS analysis, and administered a survey in 29 cities in five case study counties in Oregon. Our threefold analysis examined: (a) the agreements for managing growth in the urbanizable area; (b) trends in development and density in the urbanizable area, and (c) perceptions of managing growth from planning directors. Results show that development at low densities (around 1.5 dwelling units per acre) is occurring within the urbanizable area. These results have important implications for future development patterns and UGB expansions affecting rural areas. Low‐density development inside the UGB may constrain available land supply, cause more frequent UGB expansions, and lead to noncontiguous, leapfrog development.
Hydroxychloroquine‐induced acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis: a series of seven patients and review of the literature
Authors: Chaabouni Rim , Bahloul Emna , Ennouri Mariam , Atheymen Rim , Sellami Khadija , Marrakchi Slaheddine , Charfi Slim , Boudaya Sonia , Amouri Meriem , Bougacha Noura , Turki Hamida
Published: February 2021

Background

Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ)‐induced acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP) is poorly described in the literature. The aim of our study was to characterize the clinical, laboratory, allergological, and genetic features of HCQ‐induced AGEP.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective study of patients with HCQ‐induced AGEP diagnosed between 2011 and 2019. We performed molecular analysis to identify variations in the IL36RN gene. We also reviewed similar cases reported between 1991 and March 2020.

Results

Seven female patients were included. The mean age was 47 years old, and the average time from HCQ start to onset of symptoms was 40 days. All patients received topical steroids with a full resolution of the rash within an average of 39 days after HCQ withdrawal. Patch tests were performed for three patients with positive results in one case. Genetic analyses were performed for three patients, and no mutation in the IL36RN gene was identified.

Conclusion

The latent period and the duration for resolution of HCQ‐induced AGEP may be longer than with other drugs due to the metabolic characteristics of HCQ. Mutations in the IL36RN gene were not identified in our patients.
Protein changes in shrimp (Metapenaeus ensis) frozen stored at different temperatures and the relation to water‐holding capacity
Authors: Ji Wenna , Bao Yulong , Wang Keyu , Yin Liang , Zhou Peng
Published: February 2021

To study the effects of freezing temperature on muscle proteins, shrimp (Metapenaeus ensis) were frozen stored at either −18 or −60 °C up to 90 and 210 days. Shrimp frozen at −18 °C had higher thawing and compression loss and poor myofibril water‐holding capacity compared with those frozen at −60 °C. In terms of protein characteristics, shrimp frozen at −18 °C had higher levels of carbonyls and reduced sulphhydryls. Moreover, the shrimp frozen at −18 °C had higher surface hydrophobicity and reduced Ca2+‐ATPase activity, indicating increased protein denaturation. Proteomics revealed that seventy‐five proteins were classified as differentially abundant proteins (DAPs) following freezing. There were sixty‐four DAPs in the F18‐CON comparison group (shrimp frozen at −18 °C vs. control) and thirty‐two DAPs in the F60‐CON comparison group (shrimp frozen at −60 °C vs. control), suggesting that freezing at −18 °C results in more DAPs than freezing at −60 °C. A comparison between F18 and F60 revealed that ribosomal proteins (L44, L7a) and heat shock protein 21 were downregulated in F18. These results increase our understanding of the variable quality associated with shrimp frozen at different temperatures.
The effect of pedometer‐supported walking and telemonitoring after disc hernia surgery on pain and disability levels and quality of life
Authors: Aldemir Kadriye , Gürkan Aysel
Published: February 2021

Aim

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of pedometer‐supported walking and telemonitoring after lumbar disc hernia surgery on pain and disability levels and quality of life.

Methods

This was a randomized controlled trial with two randomly selected groups conducted between March 2018 and January 2019. Sixty‐seven participants (33 in the intervention group and 34 in the control group) who had undergone lumbar microdiscectomy were allocated to receive and not to receive walking exercise. Pain and disability levels and quality of life of groups were tested with the McGill Pain Questionnaire, the Oswestry Disability Index and the 36‐Item Short Form Survey. Measurements were taken 3 weeks after surgery and following completion of the first, second and third months.

Results

Compared with the control group, pain level at the first and second months and disability level at the second and third months in the intervention group were significantly lower (p < 0.05), and in the third month, subdimension scores of quality of life (the physical role difficulty, energy and vitality, mental health, social functionality and pain) were higher (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

Walking after herniated disc surgery decreased pain and disability levels and increased the quality of life; nurses can encourage adherence to walking as an effective intervention.
Age‐adjusted reference values for prostate‐specific antigen in a multi‐ethnic population
Authors: Matti Bashar , Zargar‐Shoshtari Kamran
Published: February 2021

Objective

To establish age‐adjusted reference values for prostate‐specific antigen in an ethnically diverse population.

Methods

Between 2009 and 2017, data were collected from all men aged 40–79 years, who had a prostate‐specific antigen test in the northern region of New Zealand, where the prostate‐specific antigen testing service is provided by a single community laboratory and using the same assay analyzer. Men known to have prostate cancer, who developed prostate cancer during the study period, who were treated with finasteride, or who had prostate‐specific antigen levels above 20 ng/mL were excluded. Age‐adjusted prostate‐specific antigen reference values were calculated for each of the main ethnic groups in the country including: Māori (indigenous), Pacific, Asian and European. For every 5‐year age interval, the 95th percentile of the log prostate‐specific antigen distribution was used to define the upper limit of normal.

Results

The study cohort included 215 132 apparently healthy men, with a median age and prostate‐specific antigen concentration of 59 years and 0.9 ng/mL, respectively. Prostate‐specific antigen levels for the entire cohort increased with age (Pearson correlation = 0.362, P < 0.001). This relationship was most prominent in Pacific men. Similarly, the upper reference limit for the entire cohort increased with age, from 1.60 ng/mL for men aged 40–44 years to 7.61 ng/mL for those aged 75–79 years. Significant ethnic differences were present within each interval, which was most apparent in the older age groups.

Conclusion

Ethnic differences in age‐adjusted prostate‐specific antigen reference values are present in New Zealand. These need to be considered when prostate‐specific antigen results are being interpreted in clinical practice.
Effect of intracorporeal urinary diversion on the incidence of benign ureteroenteric stricture after cystectomy
Authors: Faraj Kassem S , Rose Kyle M , Navaratnam Anojan K , Abdul‐Muhsin Haidar M , Eversman Sarah , Singh Vijay , Tyson Mark D
Published: February 2021

Objectives

To compare ureteroenteric stricture rates after radical cystectomy in patients who undergo an intracorporeal urinary diversion versus other surgical approaches.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed health records of all patients who underwent cystectomy with urinary diversion at Mayo Clinic Hospital (Phoenix, AZ, USA) from 1 January 2007 through 1 January 2018. Ureteroenteric stricture was identified by surveillance imaging. Patients were stratified by surgical approach: open radical cystectomy, robot‐assisted radical cystectomy with extracorporeal urinary diversion and robot‐assisted radical cystectomy‐intracorporeal urinary diversion. A Cox proportional hazards model was fitted that included independent predictors of stricture development.

Results

Of the 573 cystectomies assessed, 236 (41.2%) were carried out robotically. In the robot‐assisted radical cystectomy cohort, 39 patients (16.5%) underwent intracorporeal urinary diversion. The median follow‐up period was 55, 70 and 71 months for the open radical cystectomy, robot‐assisted radical cystectomy‐extracorporeal urinary diversion and robot‐assisted radical cystectomy‐intracorporeal urinary diversion groups, respectively. Subgroup stricture rates were as follows: open radical cystectomy, 8.0%; robot‐assisted radical cystectomy‐extracorporeal urinary diversion, 9.6%; and robot‐assisted radical cystectomy‐intracorporeal urinary diversion, 2.6% (P = 0.33). The median time to stricture was 5 months (interquartile range 3.3–11.5 months). In the bivariable analysis, factors that were associated with the development of ureteroenteric stricture were postoperative urinary leak (hazard ratio 3.177, 95% confidence interval 1.129–8.935; P = 0.03) and body mass index (hazard ratio 1.078, 95% confidence interval 1.027–1.132; P = 0.002). On multivariable logistic regression analysis, intracorporeal urinary diversion approach was not associated with the development of ureteroenteric stricture (hazard ratio 0.272, 95% confidence interval 0.036–2.066; P = 0.21).

Conclusions

Ureteroenteric stricture is a complication that typically occurs within the first postoperative year. Although our results did not support major differences in outcomes between intracorporeal urinary diversion and extracorporeal urinary diversion, the small sample size did not exclude the possibility of a type 2 statistical error.
Action learning sets for supporting postgraduate mental health nurses’ transition to professional practice: A qualitative study
Authors: Hopkins Julia F. , Hamilton Bridget E. , Prematunga Roshani K. , Ennis Gary , Fairest Katherine , Houghton James
Published: February 2021

This paper reports on a qualitative case study of postgraduate mental health nurses participating in a monthly facilitated action learning set (ALS) in order to support them while they transition from PGMHN to independent professional practice. The aim of the study was to determine what the impact of participating in an ALS would have on how they perceived clinical practice issues. The ALS comprised a small group of PGMHN supported by a facilitator in order to explore issues from clinical practice by using Socratic questions to challenge their thinking. Data were collected via a single focus group and a 20‐item survey. Focus group textual data were coded line by line, and codes were synthesized thematically. The major theme to emerge from the qualitative results was as follows: ‘Learning from doing an action learning set’. Three subthemes were identified: Think outside the box: Developing Socratic questions; there’s rarely one right way: Applying action learning to practice; and Not easy to implement: Action plans in action. A 20‐item evaluative survey indicated that ALS increased participant’s confidence as a mental health nurse. Using critical questions increased participants’ confidence to explore different perspectives when engaged in problem‐solving.
COVID‐19 vaccine hesitancy and attitudes in Qatar: A national cross‐sectional survey of a migrant‐majority population
Authors: Alabdulla Majid , Reagu Shuja Mohd , Al‐Khal Abdullatif , Elzain Marwa , Jones Roland M.
Published: February 2021

Background

Vaccine hesitancy is a global threat undermining control of preventable infections. Emerging evidence suggests that hesitancy to COVID‐19 vaccination varies globally. Qatar has a unique population with around 90% of the population being economic migrants, and the degree and determinants of hesitancy are not known.

Methods

This study was carried out to evaluate the degree of vaccine hesitancy and its socio‐demographic and attitudinal determinants across a representative sample. A national cross‐sectional study using validated hesitancy measurement tool was carried out from October 15, 2020, to November 15, 2020. A total of 7821 adults completed the survey. Relevant socio‐demographic data along with attitudes and beliefs around COVID‐19 vaccination were collected from the respondents.

Results

20.2% of the respondents stated they would not take the vaccine and 19.8% reported being unsure about taking the prospective COVID‐19 vaccine. Citizens and females were more likely to be vaccine hesitators than immigrants and males, respectively. Concerns around the safety of COVID‐19 vaccine and its longer‐term side effects were the main concerns cited. Personal research around COVID‐19 and vaccine were by far the most preferred methods that would increase confidence in accepting the vaccine across all demographic groups.

Conclusions

This study reports an overall vaccine hesitancy of 20% toward the COVID‐19 vaccine and the influence of social media on attitudes toward vaccination which is in keeping with emerging evidence. This finding comes at a time that is close to the start of mass immunization and reports from a migrant‐majority population highlighting important socio‐demographic determinants around vaccine hesitancy.
"A right to lead": The role of leader legitimacy on group reactions to transgressive leadership
Authors: Marques André G. , Pinto Isabel R. , Leite Ana C. , de Moura Georgina Randsley , van Prooijen Jan‐Willem , Marques José M.
Published: February 2021

Research on the transgression credit shows that groups may sometimes turn a blind eye to ingroup leaders who transgress moral norms. Although there is substantial research investigating the underlying criteria of what makes a “good” leader, research often neglects to investigate the role of followers in leader‐group dynamics. In this paper, we offer a novel approach to transgressive leadership by proposing that leader legitimacy is a key factor that determines whether followers’ reactions to transgressive leaders are positive or negative. Across two experiments, participants ascribed transgression credit only to transgressive ingroup leaders perceived as legitimate (Studies 1–2, totaln = 308). Transgressive illegitimate leaders were viewed as more threatening to the group, were targeted for formal punishment, received less validation for their behavior, triggered negative emotions (anger and shame), and raised higher consensus for their removal from the leadership position than did legitimate leaders. This effect also occurred irrespective of the absence of formal social control measures implemented toward the transgressive leader (Study 2). Mediation analysis showed that leader illegitimacy triggered stronger feelings of group threat and stronger negative emotions which, consequently, fuelled agreement with collective protest against the transgressive leader. Theoretical and practical implications of these findings are discussed.
Bortezomib suppresses self‐renewal and leukemogenesis of leukemia stem cell by NF‐ĸB‐dependent inhibition of CDK6 in MLL‐rearranged myeloid leukemia
Authors: Zhou Bin , Qin Yaqian , Zhou Jingying , Ruan Jichen , Xiong Fang , Dong Jinglai , Huang Xingzhou , Yu Zhijie , Gao Shenmeng
Published: February 2021

Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) with chromosomal rearrangements involving the H3K4 methyltransferase mixed‐lineage leukaemia (MLL) is an aggressive subtype with low overall survival. Bortezomib (Bort) is first applied in multiple myeloma. However, whether bort possesses anti‐self‐renewal and leukemogenesis of leukaemia stem cell (LSC) in AML with MLL rearrangements is still unclear. Here, we found that bort suppressed cell proliferation and decreased colony formation in human and murine leukaemic blasts. Besides, bort reduced the frequency and function of LSC, inhibited the progression, and extended the overall survival in MLL‐AF9 (MF9) ‐transformed leukaemic mice. Furthermore, bort decreased the percentage of human LSC (CD34+CD38‐) cells and extended the overall survival in AML blasts‐xenografted NOD/SCID‐IL2Rγ (NSG) mice. Mechanistically, cyclin dependent kinase 6 (CDK6) was identified as a bort target by RNA sequencing. Bort reduced the expressions of CDK6 by inhibiting NF ĸB recruitment to the promoter of CDK6, leading to the abolishment of NF ĸB DNA‐binding activity for CDK6 promoter. Overexpression of CDK6 partially rescued bort‐induced anti‐leukemogenesis. Most importantly, bort had little side‐effect against the normal haematological stem and progenitor cell (HSPC) and did not affect CDK6 expression in normal HSPC. In conclusion, our results suggest that bort selectively targets LSC in MLL rearrangements. Bort might be a prospective drug for AML patients bearing MLL rearrangements.
Impact of low‐dose gaseous ozone treatment to reduce the growth of in vitro broth cultures of foodborne pathogenic/spoilage bacteria in a food storage cold chamber
Authors: Bigi Francesco , Haghighi Hossein , Quartieri Andrea , De Leo Riccardo , Pulvirenti Andrea
Published: February 2021

Cold storage coupled with gaseous ozone represents a potential strategy to reduce or inhibit the presence of pathogenic and spoilage bacteria in a food storage cold chamber. This study aims to evaluate the impact of gaseous ozone treatment (0.05 ppm at exposure times of 30 and 60 min) on the bacterial contamination of internal surface and air in a cold chamber (3°C) intended for food storage. The bacterial load of internal surfaces was reduced by 0.99 ± 0.24 and 1.35 ± 0.27 log after 30 and 60 min ozone treatment, respectively. Airborne bacterial load was reduced by 0.93 ± 0.24 log after 30 min ozone treatment and became non‐detectable after 60 min. Gaseous ozone treatments (0.05 ppm at exposure times of 1, 2, 6, 24, 30, and 48 hr) of the cold chamber were investigated to evaluate the effectiveness of this technology against Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella enterica Typhimurium, Campylobacter jejuni, and Pseudomonas fluorescens cultured in broth cultures. Ozone treatment was effective against C. jejuni since the population at the highest concentration of inoculum (3.34 log CFU/plate) was reduced by 2.23 log after 1 hr and it was completely undetectable after 2 hr. S. enterica and E. coli showed the highest resistance to short ozone treatment since 6 hr treatment did not show antibacterial activity whereas after 24 hr treatment around 2 log reduction was observed for both pathogens. Short ozone treatment did not affect L. monocytogenes viability. P. fluorescens showed high sensitivity to short treatments, with 0.75–1.32 log reductions after 1 hr and further 0.22–0.53 log reductions after 6 hr.
Dynamic changes in the pancreatitis activity scoring system during hospital course in a multicenter, prospective cohort
Authors: Paragomi Pedram , Tuft Marie , Pothoulakis Ioannis , Singh Vikesh K , Stevens Tyler , Nawaz Haq , Easler Jeffrey J , Thakkar Shyam , Cote Gregory A , Lee Peter J , Akshintala Venkata , Kamal Ayesha , Gougol Amir , Phillips Anna Evans , Machicado Jorge D , Whitcomb David C , Greer Phil J , Buxbaum James L , Hart Phil , Conwell Darwin , Tang Gong , Wu Bechien U , Papachristou Georgios I
Published: February 2021

Background and Aim

The primary aim was to validate the Pancreatitis Activity Scoring System (PASS) in a multicenter prospectively ascertained acute pancreatitis (AP) cohort. Second, we investigated the association of early PASS trajectories with disease severity and length of hospital stay (LOS).

Methods

Data were prospectively collected through the APPRENTICE consortium (2015–2018). AP severity was categorized based on revised Atlanta classification. Delta PASS (ΔPASS) was calculated by subtracting activity score from baseline value. PASS trajectories were compared between severity subsets. Subsequently, the cohort was subdivided into three LOS subgroups as short (S‐LOS): 2–3 days; intermediate (I‐LOS): 3–7 days; and long (L‐LOS): ≥7 days. The generalized estimating equations model was implemented to compare PASS trajectories.

Results

There were 434 subjects analyzed including 322 (74%) mild, 86 (20%) moderately severe, and 26 (6%) severe AP. Severe AP subjects had the highest activity levels and the slowest rate of decline in activity (P = 0.039). Focusing on mild AP, L‐LOS subjects (34%) had 28 points per day slower decline; whereas, S‐LOS group (13%) showed 34 points per day sharper decrease compared with I‐LOS (53%; P < 0.001). We noticed an outlier subset with a median admission‐PASS of 466 compared with 140 in the rest. Morphine equivalent dose constituted 80% of the total PASS in the outliers (median morphine equivalent dose score = 392), compared with only 25% in normal‐range subjects (score = 33, P value < 0.001).

Conclusions

This study highlighted that PASS can quantify AP activity. Significant differences in PASS trajectories were found both in revised Atlanta classification severity and LOS groups, which can be harnessed in AP monitoring/management (ClincialTrials.gov number, NCT03075618).
Age‐Related Trajectories of Cardiovascular Risk and Use of Aspirin and Statin Among U.S. Adults Aged 50 or Older, 2011–2018
Authors: Rhee Taeho Greg , Kumar Manish , Ross Joseph S. , Coll Patrick P.
Published: February 2021

Objectives

To examine age‐related trajectories of cardiovascular risk and use of aspirin and statin among U.S. adults aged 50 or older.

Design

Repeated cross‐sectional study using data from 2011 to 2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys.

Setting

Nationally representative health interview survey in the United States.

Participants

Non‐institutionalized adults aged 50 years and older (n = 11,392 unweighted).

Measurements

Primary prevention was defined as the prevention of a first cardiovascular event including coronary heart disease, angina/angina pectoris, heart attack, or stroke, whereas secondary prevention was defined as those with a history of these clinical conditions. Medication use was determined by self‐report; aspirin use included dose and frequency, and statin use included generic names, days of prescription fills, and indications. We examined linear trends between age and each medication use, after controlling for period, sex, and race/ethnicity.

Results

Prevalence of those eligible for primary prevention treatment increased with age from 31.8% in ages 50–54 to 52.0% in ages ≥75 (p < 0.001). Similarly, those eligible for secondary prevention treatment increased with age from 2.7% in ages 50–54 to 21.1% in ages ≥75 (p < 0.001). Low‐dose daily aspirin use increased with age (p < 0.001), and 45.3% of adults aged ≥75 took low‐dose aspirin daily for primary prevention. Statin use also increased with age (p < 0.001), and 56.4% of adults aged ≥75 had long‐term statin use for secondary prevention.

Conclusion

While adults aged ≥75 do not benefit from the use of aspirin to prevent the first CVD, many continue to take aspirin on a regular basis. In spite of the clear benefit of statin use to prevent a subsequent CVD event, many older adults in this risk category are not taking a statin. Further education and guidance for both healthcare providers and older adults regarding the appropriate use of aspirin and statins to prevent CVD is needed.
Individual mental health and couple functioning following couple relationship education participation: Exploring prospective cross‐lagged influences among changes
Authors: Cooper Erin , Adler‐Baeder Francesca , McGill Julianne
Published: February 2021

Limited research on couple relationship education (CRE) programs explores the relationships among potential outcomes over time. This study conducted tests of processes of change in CRE participants’ mental health and couple functioning, based on previous evidence of concurrent benefit in these domains following CRE participation. Using a diverse sample of 926 men and women we first tested the stress generation model (Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 1991, 100(4), 555–561) assumptions that individual functioning influences relational functioning. We found support for immediate changes in mental health predicting changes in couple functioning 6 months later. However, a full cross‐lagged prospective model comparatively testing the stress generation model and the marital discord model (Depression in marriage: A model for etiology and treatment. Guilford, 1990), which emphasizes relational functioning impacts on individual well‐being over time, revealed the stronger directional link for both men and women was from immediate changes in couple functioning to later changes in individual mental health. Practical implications and future research directions are suggested.
Toward proficiency in telebehavioral health: applying interprofessional competencies in couple and family therapy
Authors: Hertlein Katherine M. , Drude Kenneth P. , Hilty Donald M. , Maheu Marlene M.
Published: February 2021

During the coronavirus pandemic, many behavioral health professionals providing psychotherapeutic services, including couple/marriage and family therapists (C/MFTs), quickly changed from providing in‐person services to telebehavioral health (TBH) services, with specific reliance on teleconferencing. Many therapists were thrust into telehealth with minimal or no prior telebehavioral health experience, education, or training. Although TBH services have been shown to be effective and efficient with mental health and substance abuse problems, the teaching and learning of telebehavioral competencies have generally not been included in the formal education and training received by C/MFTs. This article presents an existing interprofessional telebehavioral health competencies framework not before published in C/MFT journals. This article will also demonstrate how those competencies are applicable to the education, training, and practice of telebehavioral health by C/MFTs. Implications for educational, service, and regulatory organizations are presented.
Orexins (hypocretins): The intersection between homeostatic and hedonic feeding
Authors: Muthmainah Muthmainah , Gogos Andrea , Sumithran Priya , Brown Robyn M.
Published: February 2021

Orexins are hypothalamic neuropeptides originally discovered to play a role in the regulation of feeding behaviour. The broad connections of orexin neurons to mesocorticolimbic circuitry suggest they may play a role in mediating reward‐related behaviour beyond homeostatic feeding. Here, we review the role of orexin in a variety of eating‐related behaviour, with a focus on reward and motivation, and the neural circuits driving these effects. One emerging finding is the involvement of orexins in hedonic and appetitive behaviour towards palatable food, in addition to their role in homeostatic feeding. This review discusses the brain circuitry and possible mechanisms underlying the role of orexins in these behaviours. Overall, there is a marked bias in the literature towards studies involving male subjects. As such, future work needs to be done to involve female subjects. In summary, orexins play an important role in driving motivation for high salient rewards such as highly palatable food and may serve as the intersection between homeostatic and hedonic feeding.

image
School climate perceptions at the intersection of sex, grade, sexual, and gender identity
Authors: Ioverno Salvatore , Russell Stephen T.
Published: February 2021

School climate is an important construct in research on adolescents. Yet, no known studies have evaluated whether the measured school climate constructs are equivalent across lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning (LGBTQ), and heterosexual students as well as sex and grade levels. This study assessed measurement equivalence of a second‐order school climate construct across 1) sexual identity and sex among cisgender adolescents and 2) sexual and gender identity and grade level among cisgender and transgender adolescents. Data come from a California statewide survey of middle and high school students. Measurement equivalence was supported. This study reinforces prior findings on sexual and gender minority disparities and sheds light on an interesting pattern of school experiences across grades that deserves further investigation.