bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The earlier the better? Nesting timing and reproductive success in subalpine cavity‐nesting bees
Authors: Wong Lydia H. , Forrest Jessica R. K.
Published: March 2021

Reproductive timing can affect an organism's production of offspring and its offspring's success, both of which contribute to its overall fitness. In seasonal environments, the timing of reproductive activity may be restricted to short periods of the year owing to numerous potential selective pressures such as variation in daylength, weather, food availability, predation or competition.

We documented the relationships between reproductive timing and individual reproductive success (total reproductive output and offspring success) in subalpine populations of five cavity‐nesting solitary bee species. We also examined the relationships between bee reproductive success and environmental variables that are likely ultimate drivers of bee phenology in subalpine environments (i.e. seasonality of floral resource abundance and temperature).

Over 6 years, we recorded solitary bee nesting timing, egg production and offspring success using artificial nesting structures (‘trap‐nests’) established at multiple study sites. We also quantified floral resources and recorded temperature throughout growing seasons.

Bees nesting earlier in the season exhibited greater reproductive success. Reproductive output generally increased with floral abundance, although this relationship was weak and only significant for some bee species. Elevated temperatures were associated with increased nest construction rate, but not with greater reproductive output. These contrasting effects of temperature may have been driven by the negative relationship between temperature and bee longevity. Bees who nested for shorter durations of time (a proxy for longevity) produced fewer offspring, and individuals exhibiting the shortest nesting durations were also those that began nesting late in the season.

Overall, bees who initiated nesting early and sustained activity for a long duration had the highest reproductive output. This work documents the relationship between reproductive phenology and fitness in wild insect populations and highlights the ways in which organisms can cope with the challenges of living in seasonal and highly variable environments.
THE RISK OF AUSTERITY CO‐PRODUCTION IN CITY‐REGIONAL GOVERNANCE IN ENGLAND
Authors: Habermehl Victoria , Perry Beth
Published: March 2021

This article examines the risk of what we term ‘austerity co‐production’, a weak form of collaborative governance shaped by resource scarcity and fragmented, multiple forms of expertise. Despite the hope that co‐production has radical potential to solve governance challenges across city‐regions, not enough attention has been paid to the institutional contexts in which co‐production is developed. We argue this institutional context is crucial in shaping how co‐production comes to ground and the conditions it reproduces. We draw on a critical case study of metropolitan policymaking in Greater Manchester, England, to examine the gap between imagined and actual institutional contexts for co‐production. We develop a framework that can be applied in different policy areas to assess the potential implementation of co‐production in city‐regional governance. Whilst the promise of co‐production remains, we conclude that austerity co‐production risks operating as an already‐existing default solution to urban problems that constrains more innovative approaches to the governance and politics of the city‐region.
Curcumin induces ferroptosis in non‐small‐cell lung cancer via activating autophagy
Authors: Tang Xin , Ding Hui , Liang Maoli , Chen Xing , Yan Yuxia , Wan Nansheng , Chen Qianqian , Zhang Jing , Cao Jie
Published: March 2021

Background

Emerging studies showed curcumin can inhibit glioblastoma and breast cancer cells via regulating ferroptosis. However, the role of ferroptosis in the inhibitory effect of curcumin on non‐small‐cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains unclear.

Methods

Cell counting kit‐8 (CCK‐8) assay was used to measure the viability of A549 and H1299 cells under different conditions. Cell proliferation was examined by Ki67 immunofluorescence. The morphological changes of cells and tumor tissues were observed by optical microscope and hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH), and iron contents were determined by corresponding assay kit. The related protein expression levels were detected by western blot and immunohistochemistry. Transmission electron microscope was used to observe ultrastructure changes of A549 and H1299 cells.

Results

Curcumin inhibited tumor growth and cell proliferation, but promoted cell death. Characteristic changes of ferroptosis were observed in curcumin group, including iron overload, GSH depletion and lipid peroxidation. Meanwhile, the protein level of ACSL4 was higher and the levels of SLC7A11 and GPX4 were lower in curcumin group than that in control group. Incubation of ferroptosis inhibitors ferrostatin‐1 (Fer‐1) or knockdown of iron‐responsive element‐binding protein 2 (IREB2) notably weakened curcumin‐induced anti‐tumor effect and ferroptosis in A549 and H1299 cells. Further investigation suggested that curcumin induced mitochondrial membrane rupture and mitochondrial cristae decrease, increased autolysosome, increased the level of Beclin1 and LC3, and decreased the level of P62. Curcumin‐induced autophagy and subsequent ferroptosis were both alleviated with autophagy inhibitor chloroquine (CQ) or siBeclin1.

Conclusion

Curcumin induced ferroptosis via activating autophagy in NSCLC, which enhanced the therapeutic effect of NSCLC.
BiT age: A transcriptome‐based aging clock near the theoretical limit of accuracy
Authors: Meyer David H. , Schumacher Björn
Published: March 2021

Aging clocks dissociate biological from chronological age. The estimation of biological age is important for identifying gerontogenes and assessing environmental, nutritional, or therapeutic impacts on the aging process. Recently, methylation markers were shown to allow estimation of biological age based on age‐dependent somatic epigenetic alterations. However, DNA methylation is absent in some species such as Caenorhabditis elegans and it remains unclear whether and how the epigenetic clocks affect gene expression. Aging clocks based on transcriptomes have suffered from considerable variation in the data and relatively low accuracy. Here, we devised an approach that uses temporal scaling and binarization of C. elegans transcriptomes to define a gene set that predicts biological age with an accuracy that is close to the theoretical limit. Our model accurately predicts the longevity effects of diverse strains, treatments, and conditions. The involved genes support a role of specific transcription factors as well as innate immunity and neuronal signaling in the regulation of the aging process. We show that this binarized transcriptomic aging (BiT age) clock can also be applied to human age prediction with high accuracy. The BiT age clock could therefore find wide application in genetic, nutritional, environmental, and therapeutic interventions in the aging process.
A comparison of gastric gas volumes measured by computed tomography after high‐flow nasal oxygen therapy or conventional facemask ventilation*
Authors: Sud A. , Athanassoglou V. , Anderson E. M. , Scott S.
Published: March 2021

High‐flow nasal oxygen therapy is increasingly used to improve peri‐intubation oxygenation. However, it is unknown whether it may cause or exacerbate insufflation of gas into the stomach. High‐flow nasal oxygen therapy is now standard practice in our hospital for adult patients undergoing percutaneous thermal ablation of liver cancer under general anaesthesia with tracheal intubation. We compared gastric gas volumes measured from computed tomography images that had been acquired immediately after intubation in two series of patients: 50 received peri‐intubation high‐flow nasal oxygen therapy and another 50 received conventional facemask pre‐oxygenation and ventilation before intubation and before high‐flow nasal oxygen therapy became standard practice in our unit. Median (IQR [range]) gastric gas volume was 24.0 (14.2–59.9 [3–167]) cm3 in the high‐flow nasal oxygen therapy group and 23.8 (12.6–38.8 [0–185]) cm3 in the facemask group. There was no difference between the two groups in the volume of gastric gas measured by computed tomography imaging (Mann–Whitney U‐test, U = 1136, p = 0.432, n1 = n2 = 50). Our results demonstrate that a small volume of gastric gas is commonly present after induction of anaesthesia, but that the use of peri‐intubation high‐flow nasal oxygen therapy for pre‐oxygenation and during apnoea does not increase this volume compared with conventional facemask pre‐oxygenation and ventilation. This is clinically relevant, as high‐flow nasal oxygen therapy is increasingly being used in a peri‐intubation context and in patients at higher risk of aspiration.
Proposed delay for safe surgery after COVID‐19
Authors: Kovoor Joshua G. , Scott N. Ann , Tivey David R. , Babidge Wendy J. , Scott David A. , Beavis Vanessa S. , Kok Jen , MacCormick Andrew D. , Padbury Robert T. A. , Hugh Thomas J. , Hewett Peter J. , Collinson Trevor G. , Maddern Guy J. , Frydenberg Mark
Published: March 2021

Background

Long‐term effects after COVID‐19 may affect surgical safety. This study aimed to evaluate the literature and produce evidence‐based guidance regarding the period of delay necessary for adequate recovery of patients following COVID‐19 infection before undergoing surgery.

Methods

A rapid review was combined with advice from a working group of 10 clinical experts across Australia and New Zealand. MEDLINE, medRxiv and grey literature were searched to 4 October 2020. The level of evidence was stratified according to the National Health and Medical Research Council evidence hierarchy.

Results

A total of 1020 records were identified, from which 20 studies (12 peer‐reviewed) were included. None were randomized trials. The studies comprised one case–control study (level III‐2 evidence), one prospective cohort study (level III‐2) and 18 case‐series studies (level IV). Follow‐up periods containing observable clinical characteristics ranged from 3 to 16 weeks. New or excessive fatigue and breathlessness were the most frequently reported symptoms. SARS‐CoV‐2 may impact the immune system for multiple months after laboratory confirmation of infection. For patients with past COVID‐19 undergoing elective curative surgery for cancer, risks of pulmonary complications and mortality may be lowest at 4 weeks or later after a positive swab.

Conclusion

After laboratory confirmation of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection, minor surgery should be delayed for at least 4 weeks and major surgery for 8–12 weeks, if patient outcome is not compromised. Comprehensive preoperative and ongoing assessment must be carried out to ensure optimal clinical decision‐making.
Levels of agreement between youth in out‐of‐home care and key adults' ratings of sibling and peer relationships: The impact of respondent characteristics and associations to youth resilience
Authors: Wojciak Armeda Stevenson , Waid Jeffrey
Published: March 2021

The current study utilized survey data to determine if respondent characteristics and inter‐rater agreement on measures of important relationships were associated with resilience among child welfare‐involved youth. Youth and key adults (e.g., caregivers or caseworkers) each completed a multidimensional survey of youth well‐being. Both responded to measures of sibling and peer relationships; youth also completed a brief resilience measure. Inter‐rater agreement for sibling and peer relationship constructs were established through independent samples t‐test, Pearson correlation coefficient, Cronbach's kappa and double‐entry intraclass correlation coefficient. Linear regression models then examined associations of respondent and dyad characteristics to inter‐rater disagreement, and inter‐rater disagreement to youth reported resilience. Post hoc analyses probed interactions for respondent characteristics and inter‐rater disagreement to youth resilience. Results indicate key adults overestimated the quality of youth's sibling relationships, and inter‐rater disagreement was highest when the youth was older and the adult was a caregiver. Sibling rater disagreement was associated with higher youth reported resilience. For peer relationships, significant inter‐rater disagreement was not observed. Higher relative disagreement, however, was associated with lower youth resilience. Findings suggest levels of inter‐rater agreement may be an important consideration when assessing the well‐being of youth in out‐of‐home care.
ProtekDuo as a bridge to lung transplant and heart‐lung transplant
Authors: Sinha Neeraj , Goodarzi Ahmad , Akku Radhika , Balayla Galit
Published: March 2021

Recent advances in technology have led to significantly greater use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) as a bridge to lung transplantation with better outcomes. The novel ProtekDuo veno‐venous ECMO (CardiacAssist, Inc.) has gained significance as it facilitates effective decompression of the right heart in patients with acute decompensation, while also providing consistent and effective gas exchange by eliminating recirculation. Here, we report two cases of effectively using ProtekDuo veno‐venous ECMO: one case as a bridge to lung transplantation and another case as a bridge to heart‐lung transplantation.
A semi‐empirical model to predict the EM38 electromagnetic induction measurements of soils from basic ground properties
Authors: Visconti Fernando , De Paz José Miguel
Published: March 2021

Electromagnetic induction (EMI) measurements (σb*) are widely used for the survey of several soil attributes, among which basic properties such as salinity (σe), water content (θw), clay (wc), organic matter (wom) and bulk density (ρb) stand out. In usual practice, purely empirical models relating one of these properties to σb* are calibrated at selected sites. However, this calibration is site and time specific and has to be repeated time and again. In order to understand where the variability of the EMI empirical models comes from, it is necessary to know how the different soil properties contribute to them and, with this aim, a more physically based relationship between σb* and, at least, σe, θw, wc, wom and ρb was developed in this work, additionally including soil temperature (t). It was calibrated and cross‐validated with the data from one survey carried out in a wide agricultural irrigation area in SE Spain, taking σb* measurements with the Geonics EM38 in the horizontal and vertical dipole modes and at various heights over the ground. Then, it was externally validated with the data from a second survey carried out 4 years later in the same area but in a different season. In the calibration, R2 and root mean square error (RMSE) were 0.84 and 0.18 dS m−1 (41%), respectively, for the vertical dipole orientation and 0.90 and 0.11 dS m−1 (39%) for the horizontal one. In the external validation, R2 and RMSE were 0.80 and 0.24 dS m−1 (44%), respectively, for the vertical dipole orientation and 0.90 and 0.13 dS m−1 (38%) for the horizontal one. Therefore, because the performance of the model barely worsened as time passed by, it can be considered to represent the underlying physical process and, therefore, to increase our understanding of how the soil EMI signals are generated, with potential benefits for the planning and comparability of EMI soil measurements, specifically with the EM38, among different areas.

Highlights

A semi‐empirical model was developed to predict soil EMI measurements from basic ground properties.

Salinity, water content, clay, organic matter, bulk density and temperature were used as predictors.

The model was able to explain between 80 and 90% of the variance in EMI measurements in the validation.

This model helps us understand how the basic soil properties contribute to the EMI measurements.
Functional interaction of ubiquitin ligase RNF167 with UBE2D1 and UBE2N promotes ubiquitination of AMPA receptor
Authors: Ghilarducci Kim , Cabana Valérie C. , Desroches Camille , Chabi Kahina , Bourgault Steve , Cappadocia Laurent , Lussier Marc P.
Published: March 2021

Protein ubiquitination has been historically associated with protein degradation, but recent studies have demonstrated other cellular functions associated with substrate ubiquitination. Among the RING‐type ubiquitin E3 ligase enzymes present in the human genome, RNF167 is a transmembrane protein located in endosomes and lysosomes and is implicated in controlling the endolysosomal pathway. Substrates of RNF167 have been identified, but the ubiquitin‐conjugating E2 enzymes involved in the mechanism remain unknown. In this study, we describe the interaction between RNF167 and conjugating E2 enzymes. By means of in vitro autoubiquitination and binding assays, we show that RNF167 functionally interacts with many conjugating E2s, while fluorescence microscopy illustrates that these interactions occur in endosomes and lysosomes. Kinetic analyses of the interaction between RNF167 and selected conjugating E2 enzymes reveal submicromolar dissociation constants. The computed model of interaction between the RING domain of RNF167 and conjugating enzymes gives us insights on how RNF167 could interact with conjugating E2 enzymes. Furthermore, the results reveal that in vitro polyubiquitination of the AMPA‐type glutamate receptor subunit GluA2, one of the RNF167’s known substrates, is possible by the conjugating E2 enzyme UBE2N only after GluA2 has been primed by ubiquitin subsequent to the action of an initiating conjugating E2 enzyme functionally binding RNF167. Pharmacological inhibition of UBE2N in cultured hippocampal neurons diminishes AMPA‐induced GluA2 ubiquitination. This study characterizes interacting partners of RNF167 and constitutes an initial step toward the identification of functional pairs assembled from RNF167 and ubiquitin‐conjugating E2 enzymes involved in the ubiquitination of RNF167’s substrate.
Variation in riparian and stream assemblages across the primary succession landscape of Mount St. Helens, U.S.A.
Authors: Claeson Shannon M. , LeRoy Carri J. , Finn Debra S. , Stancheva Rosalina H. , Wolfe Emily R.
Published: March 2021

Although most lotic ecosystems experience frequent and sometimes large disturbances, opportunities are uncommon to study primary succession in streams. Exceptions include new stream channels arising from events such as glacial retreat, volcanism, and catastrophic landslides. In 1980, the eruption and massive landslide at Mount St. Helens (WA, U.S.A.) created an entire landscape with five new catchments undergoing primary succession. We asked if riparian and lotic assemblages at early successional stages (36 years after the eruption) showed predictable change along longitudinal gradients within catchments, and whether assemblages were similar among five replicate catchments.

In July 2016, we collected environmental data and characterised riparian, algal, and benthic macroinvertebrate assemblages at 21 stream reaches distributed within and among five neighbouring catchments. We evaluated patterns of richness, abundance, biomass, multivariate taxonomic community structure, and functional traits both longitudinally and among catchments.

We found minimal evidence that longitudinal gradients had developed within catchments at 36 years post‐eruption. Increases in diatom and macroinvertebrate richness with downstream distance were the only biological responses with longitudinal trends. Conversely, we documented substantial variation in community structure of riparian plants, soft‐bodied algae, diatoms, and macroinvertebrates at the among‐catchment scale. Among‐catchment differences consistently separated two eastern catchments from three western catchments, and these two groups also differed in stream water chemistry, water temperature, and geomorphology.

Overall, we documented greater diversity in the young catchments than predicted by ecologists in the years immediately following the eruption, yet functional traits indicate that these catchments are still in relatively early stages of succession. Variation at the among‐catchment scale is likely to be driven in part by hydrological source variation, with the two eastern catchments showing environmental signatures associated with glacial ice‐melt and the three western catchments probably fed primarily by springs from groundwater aquifers. Contemporary flow disturbance regimes also varied among catchments and successional trajectories were probably reset repeatedly in streams experiencing more frequent disturbance.

Similar to new stream channels formed following glacial retreat, our results support a tolerance model of succession in streams. However, contrasting abiotic templates among Mount St. Helens catchments appear to be driving different successional trajectories of riparian plant, algal, and macroinvertebrate assemblages among neighbouring small catchments sharing the same catastrophic disturbance history.
The prognostic impact of thyroid disorders on the clinical severity of COVID‐19: Results of single‐centre pandemic hospital
Authors: Güven Mehmet , Gültekin Hamza
Published: March 2021

Background

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) infection can cause thyroid hormonal disorders. In addition, tracheal compression by thyroid nodules can aggravate hypoxia in critically ill patients. No studies have investigated the effect of thyroid nodules on the prognosis of patients with COVID‐19. In this study, we investigated the effect of thyroid hormonal disorders and thyroid nodules on the prognosis of patients with COVID‐19.

Materials and Methods

This prospective study was conducted at the Şırnak State Hospital (Pandemic hospital in Turkey) between 15 March and 15 August 2020. We evaluated thyroid hormonal disorder and thyroid nodules in 125 patients who were admitted to the non‐intensive care unit (non‐ICU) due to mild COVID‐19 pneumonia (group 1) and 125 critically ill patients who were admitted to the ICU (group 2).

Results

Thyroid‐stimulating hormone levels (TSH) were not significantly different between groups 1 and 2; however, group 2 patients had significantly lower levels of free thyroxine (FT4) and free triiodothyronine (FT3) as compared to group 1 (P = .005, P < .0001, respectively). FT3 level showed a negative correlation with length of hospital stay and C‐reactive protein level (rho: −0.216, p: 0.001; rho: −0.383, P < .0001). Overt thyroid disorder was observed in 13 patients [2 patients in group 1 (both with overt thyrotoxicosis) and 11 patients in group 2 (3 overt hypothyroidism, 8 overt thyrotoxicosis) (P = .01)]. Thyroid nodules sized ≥1 cm were found in 9 patients (7%) in group 1 and 32 patients (26%) in group 2 (P < .0001).

Conclusion

Overt thyroid hormonal disorders were more common in critically ill COVID‐19 patients. FT3 level at hospital admission is a potential prognostic marker of COVID‐19 patients. Thyroid nodules may be associated with severe COVID‐19 disease.
Simplification of complex insulin regimens using canagliflozin or liraglutide in patients with well‐controlled type 2 diabetes: A 24‐week randomized controlled trial
Authors: Ando Yasuyo , Shigiyama Fumika , Hirose Takahisa , Kumashiro Naoki
Published: March 2021

Aims/Introduction

We investigated the potential use of canagliflozin, in comparison with liraglutide, as an alternative to bolus insulin in patients with well‐controlled type 2 diabetes mellitus receiving multiple daily insulin injection therapy.

Materials and Methods

In 40 patients, with glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels <7.5% controlled by multiple daily insulin injection therapy, all bolus insulin was randomly switched to canagliflozin (100 mg/day) or liraglutide (0.3–0.9 mg/day) for 24 weeks. Basal insulin was continued with dose adjustment according to a predefined algorithm. The end‐points were the change in the HbA1c level, glycemic variability assessed by continuous glucose monitoring, body mass index, insulin dose, quality of life (QOL) and safety assessments. Factors influencing the changes in QOL were also assessed using a simple regression analysis.

Results

The change in HbA1c from baseline was comparable between the treatments. Both treatments maintained the HbA1c level to the baseline levels with stable glucose variability and no severe hypoglycemia for 24 weeks, decreased total insulin dose, and significantly increased the QOL score. The change in QOL was significantly associated with injection frequency.

Conclusions

For patients with well‐controlled type 2 diabetes mellitus, under the support of basal insulin, complex insulin regimens can be simplified by replacing all bolus insulin with once‐daily canagliflozin or liraglutide, which improves patients’ QOL.
The impact of COVID‐19 on alcohol and other drug nurses' provision of care: A qualitative descriptive study
Authors: Searby Adam , Burr Dianna
Published: March 2021

Aims and objectives

To explore the impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on alcohol and other drug nurses providing treatment for individuals presenting with problematic alcohol and other drug use.

Background

COVID‐19 has caused disruption to contemporary health service delivery, including alcohol and other drug treatment. Provisional research on drug and alcohol consumption patterns shows changes attributable to the pandemic, with implications for service delivery. Research also indicates the impact of the pandemic on healthcare staff is significant, leading to workforce challenges that threaten care provision.

Design

Qualitative descriptive study design.

Methods

Data were collected using semi‐structured, individual telephone interviews with practising alcohol and other drug nurses from Australia and New Zealand (n = 19). COREQ reporting guidelines were used.

Results

After thematic analysis, three key themes emerged: ‘No room at the inn: Changes to service delivery due to COVID‐19’, ‘We are providing care to a very vulnerable group of people: Consumer factors during COVID‐19’ and ‘Personally, we were very, very stressed: Workforce factors due to COVID‐19’.

Conclusions

The findings from this study indicate that the impact of the pandemic was felt by alcohol and other drug nurses, services and healthcare consumers alike. The experiences of alcohol and other drug nurses through the COVID‐19 pandemic need further exploration both to ensure workforce sustainability and that disruptions to alcohol and other drug services do not occur in future outbreaks of communicable disease.

Relevance to clinical practice

COVID‐19 has had a profound effect on nurses in all settings, and these effects are likely to be felt for some time after the pandemic: nursing specialties require support to ensure ongoing workforce sustainability and well‐being of nursing staff. All nurses need to be aware of changes to alcohol and other drug use during the pandemic and screen healthcare consumers accordingly.
Clinical presentations of Kingella kingae musculoskeletal infections in South Australian children
Authors: Awwad Elias , Tolley Morgan , Antoniou Georgia , Williams Nicole
Published: March 2021

Aim

This study aimed to alert clinicians to the spectrum of presentations of Kingella kingae musculoskeletal infections.

Methods

Between August 2010 and March 2018, 55 children presented with positive K. kingae polymerase chain reaction on joint fluid, bone or deep soft tissue collections involving the limbs and subsequently underwent retrospective medical record, radiological and laboratory review. Demographics and clinical information are presented.

Results

Median age at presentation was 15.9 months (range 4.3 months–10.7 years) and 64% were male. Septic arthritis was the most common diagnosis (95%), median duration of symptoms was 4 days, 65% had a preceding infection (e.g. upper respiratory or gastrointestinal) and 22% re‐presented to emergency departments after prior discharge. The lower limb was involved in 84%, with the knee being most affected (55%). If the lower limb was involved, 82% of previously weight‐bearing children had a limp or were unable to weight bear. On presentation, median temperature was 36.7°C and inflammatory markers were mildly elevated. No blood cultures grew K. kingae. Five synovial fluid cultures were positive for K. kingae. Plain radiography showed effusion, soft tissue swelling or a lesion in 53% of patients. All 41 ultrasounds showed effusion, soft tissue swelling or synovial thickening. One patient with delayed diagnosis later presented with avascular necrosis of the femoral head.

Conclusion

Kingella kingae is difficult to diagnose due to non‐specific symptoms, absence of fevers and often unremarkable blood tests. Despite generally having good long‐term outcomes, our case of avascular necrosis suggests accurate diagnosis and treatment are important.
The Health Improvement Profile for people with severe mental illness: Feasibility of a secondary analysis to make international comparisons
Authors: Bos Dawn , Gray Richard , Meepring Soontareeporn , White Jacquie , Foland Kay , Bressington Daniel
Published: March 2021

Accessible Summary

What is already known about this topic?

Individuals with severe mental illness (SMI) have elevated risks for physical health problems and low screening rates.

No previous studies have compared the physical health promotion needs of people with SMI using the same screening tool across different international settings.

What this paper adds to existing knowledge?

It appears feasible to use the HIP to profile and compare physical health‐related risks in people with SMI across different international settings.

The HIP tool identified significant differences in areas of risk across the four countries.

What are the implications for practice?

The HIP could be used to identify unique clusters of health promotion needs in different countries.

Use of HIP health checks may support implementation of individualized interventions.

Introduction

To date, no studies have contrasted physical health profiles of people with severe mental illness (SMI) in different countries.

Aim

To evaluate feasibility of using the Health Improvement Profile (HIP) to compare and contrast physical health and health behaviours of people with SMI from four countries.

Method

An observational feasibility study using secondary analysis of pooled health state and lifestyle data. Physical health checks using modified versions of HIP were administered in four countries.

Results

Findings suggest feasibility of HIP screening to profile and compare physical health and health behaviours of people with SMI across international settings. High overall numbers of risk items (red flags) were identified in all but the Thailand sample. Despite some commonalities, there were important differences in health profiles across countries.

Discussion

This is the first study to demonstrate feasibility of the HIP to compare health risks in individuals with SMI across countries. Future multi‐national HIP studies should recruit a fully powered stratified random sample of people with SMI that is representative of each setting.

Implications for practice

It appears feasible to utilize the HIP to identify specific areas of health risk in different countries, which may help to better focus nursing interventions and use of resources.
The relationship between onset of workplace violence and onset of sleep disturbances in the Swedish working population
Authors: Heming Meike , Xu Tianwei , Nyberg Anna , Magnusson Hanson Linda L.
Published: March 2021

The study investigated the association between onset of workplace violence and onset of sleep disturbances. We used self‐reported data from the Swedish Longitudinal Occupational Survey of Health (SLOSH) collected in 2014, 2016, and 2018. A two‐wave design was based on participants who had no exposure to workplace violence or sleep disturbances at baseline (n = 6,928). A three‐wave design was based on participants who in addition were unexposed to sleep disturbances in the second wave (n = 6,150). Four items of the Karolinska Sleep Questionnaire were used to measure sleep disturbances and one question was used to measure the occurrence of workplace violence or threats of violence. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed. In the two‐wave approach, onset of workplace violence was associated with onset of sleep disturbances after adjustment for sex, age, occupational position, education, and civil status (adjusted odds ratio 1.41, 95% confidence interval 1.02–1.96). The association was no longer statistically significant after further adjustment for night/evening work, demands, control, and social support at work. In the three‐wave approach, results were only suggestive of an association between onset of workplace violence and subsequent onset of sleep disturbances after adjustment for sex, age, occupational position, education, and civil status. Onset of frequent exposure to workplace violence was associated with subsequent onset of sleep disturbances in the adjusted analyses, but these analyses were based on few individuals (13 exposed versus 5,907 unexposed). The results did not conclusively demonstrate that onset of workplace violence predicts development of sleep disturbances. Further research could elucidate the role of other working conditions.
Equine antimicrobial therapy: Current and past issues facing practitioners
Authors: Knych Heather K. , Magdesian K. Gary
Published: March 2021

Equine antimicrobial therapy has advanced over time with the availability of increasing pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic studies in horses, allowing for greater evidence‐based clinical decision‐making. However, many challenges to optimal antimicrobial therapy remain and further research is needed to address these areas. There are a limited number of approved antimicrobials for use in horses, which creates a need for compounded preparations for clinicians. Extra‐label drug use is commonplace in equine practice, which warrants continual education of veterinarians about policies and updates. Performance and competitive horses have their own unique concerns when it comes to antimicrobial use and drug testing. In keeping with the use of a broader range of antimicrobials over time, antimicrobial resistance is emerging as an important issue facing veterinary medicine, including equine practice. Another challenge is that of drug interactions and adverse drug events for which there are little scientific data available for horses, especially for critically important diseases such as Rhodococcus equi infection. Finally, much progress has been made in the availability of equine‐specific antimicrobial susceptibility break points. These aid clinicians in interpreting culture and susceptibility results and antimicrobial selection. Even with these advances, continuing education and further research are needed in this area.
Integrated pancreatic microcirculatory profiles of streptozotocin‐induced and insulin‐administrated type 1 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Li Yuan , Li Bingwei , Wang Bing , Liu Mingming , Zhang Xiaoyan , Li Ailing , Zhang Jian , Zhang Honggang , Xiu Ruijuan
Published: March 2021

Objective

As an integrated system, pancreatic microcirculatory disturbance plays a vital role in the pathogenesis of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), which involves changes in microcirculatory oxygen and microhemodynamics. Therefore, we aimed to release type 1 diabetic and insulin‐administrated microcirculatory profiles of the pancreas.

Methods

BALB/c mice were assigned to control, T1DM, and insulin‐administrated groups randomly. T1DM was induced by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ). 1.5 IU insulin was administrated subcutaneously to keep the blood glucose within the normal range. After anesthetizing by isoflurane, the raw data set of pancreatic microcirculation was collected by the multimodal device– and computer algorithm–based microcirculatory evaluating system. After adjusting outliers and normalization, pancreatic microcirculatory oxygen and microhemodynamic data sets were imported into the three‐dimensional module and compared.

Results

Microcirculatory profiles of the pancreas in T1DM exhibited a loss of microhemodynamic coherence (significantly decreased microvascular blood perfusion) accompanied by an impaired oxygen balance (significantly decreased PO2, SO2, and rHb). More importantly, with insulin administration, the pathological microcirculatory profiles were partially restored. Meanwhile, there were correlations between pancreatic microcirculatory blood perfusion and PO2 levels.

Conclusions

Our findings establish the first integrated three‐dimensional pancreatic microcirculatory profiles of STZ‐induced and insulin‐administrated T1DM.
A systematic evaluation of cutaneous microcirculation in the foot using post‐occlusive reactive hyperemia
Authors: Balasubramanian Gayathri , Chockalingam Nachiappan , Naemi Roozbeh
Published: March 2021

Objectives

Cutaneous microcirculatory impairments are associated with skin injury to the foot. Post‐Occlusive reactive hyperemia (PORH) is one of the quick and easy methods to assess microcirculatory function. However, there are variations in the protocols currently used. Hence, this study aimed to systematically investigate the reproducibility of PORH protocols with minimal occlusion time in the foot.

Methods

Post‐Occlusive reactive hyperemia was measured using 12 different protocols (three occlusion times, two occlusion sites and with or without temperature control) in 25 healthy adults. Each of the 12 different protocols was repeated three times, and the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was calculated.

Results

Intraclass correlation coefficient showed that that ankle level occlusion produced moderate to excellent reproducibility for most PORH measures. In the right foot, 30‐ and 60‐s ankle level occlusion without temperature control showed ICC of >0.40 for all parameters except the area of hyperemia (ICC = −0.36) and biological zero to peak flow percent change (ICC = −0.46). In the left foot, 30‐s ankle level occlusion without temperature control showed ICC of >0.40 for all parameters except time to latency (ICC = 0.29), after hyperemia (ICC = 0.37), and max (ICC = −0.01), and area of hyperemia (ICC = −0.36). But the 60‐s protocol showed ICC > 0.40 for all except time to max (ICC = 0.38). In the hallux protocols, all three 10‐, 30‐, and 60‐s protocols without temperature control showed moderate to excellent reproducibility (ICC > 0.40). In most cases, the temporal and area under the perfusion‐time curve parameters showed poor reproducibility.

Conclusion

Post‐Occlusive reactive hyperemia can be tested efficiently with a minimal occlusion time of 10 s with hallux occlusion and 30 s with ankle occlusion in the foot. This can suggest that microcirculatory assessment is feasible in routine practice and can potentially be included for routine assessment of foot in people with diabetes.
β‐glucan therapy converts the inhibition of myeloid‐derived suppressor cells in oral cancer patients
Authors: Lo Ya‐Wen , Lee Alan Yueh‐Luen , Liu Yi‐Ching , Ko Hui‐Hsin , Peng Hsin‐Hui , Lee Hsiang‐Chieh , Pan Pei‐Yao , Chiang Chun‐Pin , Cheng Shih‐Jung
Published: March 2021

Objectives

The myeloid‐derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) frequently have a high expansion in cancer patients. This research explored whether administration of β‐glucan could increase anti‐tumor immunity in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) patients.

Materials and Methods

This study evaluated the MDSC level of circulating blood as CD33+/CD11b+/HLA‐DR‐/low by flow cytometry in 30 healthy donors (HDs, group I), in 48 oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) patients before and after 14‐day preoperative administration of β‐glucan (group II), and in 52 OSCC patients without taking β‐glucan (group III).

Results

A significantly higher mean MDSC level was observed in 100 OSCC patients than in 30 HDs (p < .001). There was a significant reduction of the mean MDSC level in group II patients after taking β‐glucan (p < .001). Moreover, we discovered a significantly higher recurrence‐free survival (RFS) in group II than in group III patients (p = .026). Finally, the multivariate Cox regression further identified the MDSC level ≤1% and administration of β‐glucan as more favorable prognostic factors for OSCC patients.

Conclusion

Preoperative administration of β‐glucan can augment anti‐tumor immunity and increase RFS rate via subversion of suppressive function of MDSC in OSCC patients.
Diagnosis of central nervous system invasive aspergillosis in a liver transplant recipient using microbial cell‐free next generation DNA sequencing
Authors: Shishido Akira A. , Vostal Alexander , Mayer Romana , Ho Cheng‐Ying , Baddley John W
Published: March 2021

Invasive aspergillosis (IA) is an important opportunistic infection among patients with liver disease and liver transplants. Diagnosis of IA may be challenging, especially among patients with central nervous system infection. Herein, we demonstrate the utility of next‐generation sequencing of microbial cell‐free DNA in the diagnosis of fungal brain abscess in a liver transplant recipient.
Thyroid nocardiosis: Case report and review of the literature
Authors: Esnault Violaine , Wittnebel Sebastian , Pouillon Mathias , Collarino Rocco , Jauréguiberry Stephane , Chachaty Elisabeth , Gachot Bertrand , Wyplosz Benjamin
Published: March 2021

Disseminated nocardiosis is a rare but growing concern in immunocompromised patients. Typical localizations include the lung, brain and/or soft tissues, but laboratory confirmation of nocardiosis usually requires sampling of infected organs by invasive procedures such as bronchoalveolar lavage or brain biopsy. We report a case of disseminated nocardiosis occurring in a hematopoietic stem‐cell transplant recipient, with clinical lung and brain localizations. Examination of the thyroid gland was suggestive of a unilateral abscess. A culture of thyroid pus sampled by fine‐needle aspiration was positive for Nocardia farcinica and therefore avoided a more invasive procedure. The patient recovered after a six‐month antibiotic therapy without thyroid surgery. We reviewed other ten cases of thyroid nocardiosis published in the medical literature. Among the ten cases of disseminated nocardiosis established during the patient's lifetime including ours, six (60%) were asymptomatic and seven (70%) were confirmed by culture of the aspiration of thyroid pus. When disseminated nocardiosis is suspected, systematic examination for a thyroid abscess may help establish a microbiological diagnosis and prevent further invasive procedures.
Normas en la formación didáctico-matemática de futuros profesores de primaria
Authors: Toscano Rocío , Gavilán-Izquierdo José María , Sánchez Victoria
Published: March 2021

Este estudio se centra en la identificación de normas en el discurso coloquial que surge entre estudiantes para ser profesores (EP) de primaria cuando resuelven en grupo tareas didáctico-matemáticas. Los datos son las narrativas identificadas en las transcripciones de las grabaciones en audio de los diálogos de estos estudiantes. El análisis realizado ha permitido inferir la existencia de diferentes normas: sociales, sociomatemáticas, sociodidáctico-matemáticas y didáctico-matemáticas. Su identificación ha permitido aproximarnos a cómo estas normas regulan la enseñanza/aprendizaje de estos estudiantes y pueden afectar su futuro desarrollo profesional como profesores de primaria.
clic de la clica
Authors: Jiménez Romo Agnes del Rosario
Published: March 2021

Este artículo de reflexión tiene como objetivo acercarse al tema de las pandillas en El Salvador, mediante las expresiones de reconfiguración identitaria generadas en el marco de una experiencia de fotografía participativa con un grupo de hombres que pertenecieron a estas colectividades. A través de sus narraciones, descripciones, y ejercicios de acción-reflexión, se creó un encuentro de voces y miradas que, de forma dialógica, analiza, interpreta y reconstruye fragmentos de sus realidades anclados a sus experiencias y los significados de estas. La identidad en el contexto de la pandilla, las formas y los significados de las violencias como mediación de relaciones sociales, y el estigma social como dispositivo de producción del otro son los tres ejes analíticos que permiten comprender la dificultad de la construcción identitaria en el contexto de una sociedad estigmatizadora, el nuevo autoconcepto a partir del distanciamiento de las prácticas de violencia y la conciencia sobre las posibilidades de cambio.
La aceleración en la lógica del capital
Authors: Cristiano Javier Luis
Published: March 2021

El trabajo retoma la argumentación de Hartmut Rosa sobre la aceleración como principio tendencial de la modernidad, ahondando en las razones (los “motores”) que producen dicho proceso. Uno de esos motores, el que aquí se analiza en detalle, es el de la competencia capitalista, que impulsa junto con aspectos culturales e institucionales el incremento de la velocidad. Apelando a la obra de David Harvey se muestra en qué sentidos y por qué razones lógicas el capitalismo produce, en efecto, aceleración, lo que permite luego realizar dos contribuciones a la teorización de Rosa: discutir la relación entre los distintos motores de la aceleración y sopesar la importancia de considerarlos en términos de un concepto sociológico de estructura social.
Atomic Scale
Authors: Abrams Michael
Published: March 2021

Large nuclear power plants are becoming increasingly difficult to site and build. The solution, say some nuclear advocates, is to give up on gigawatt-scale, bespoke plants and—following in the footsteps of other energy system—go small and modular. Small modular reactors (SMRs), which would generate tens or a few hundreds of mega-watts, would have a lower price tag and could prove to be safer.
Mathematical-Machine Determination of the Vibration of Accelerated Unbalanced Rotor
Authors: Baker J. G.
Published: March 2021

For an unbalanced rotor, amplitudes of vibration are given for different rates of constant angular acceleration and deceleration. The setup used to obtain these results on the differential analyzer at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology is described briefly and shown diagrammatically. The selection of spring constant, damping, and mass of suspended unit as a means of avoiding serious vibration in bringing a heavily unbalanced spring-mounted rotor up to speed is discussed in connection with the results.
Chart of Air-Vapor Mixture Properties at Different Pressures
Authors: Binder R. C.
Published: March 2021

A discussion is given of the use of a total pressure-temperature diagram provided with reversible adiabatic and specific-humidity lines for mixtures of air and water vapor. The graphical relation between dew-point temperature, dry-bulb temperature, and specific humidity is given directly for any total pressure on this chart. From this relation the vapor pressure and relative humidity can be easily calculated. Certain chart lines give a close approximation to the wet-bulb temperature for a limited range. This pressure-temperature chart should be convenient and useful for a wide variety of problems which involve these fundamental thermodynamic properties.
An Extension of the Photoelastic Method of Stress Measurement to Plates in Transverse Bending
Authors: Goodier J. N. , Lee G. H.
Published: March 2021

The well-known photoelastic method for models in plane stress is extended to plates bent transversely by cementing together two similar plates with a thin layer of reflecting material between them. The light thus transverses twice one half of the full plate thickness, in which the stress is, in the simplest case, all of one sign, so that a net optical effect is obtained. Measurements on a strip of celluloid in pure bending, and with circular holes, yield results in conformity with theory; but a Bakelite model with circular holes showed discrepancies indicating that the cement bond between the Bakelite and the reflecting layer (aluminum foil) was not adequate. Results of measurements on semicircular notches in a strip under pure bending are also given. The difficulties and potentialities of the method are discussed.