bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Perceptions of loneliness among people accessing treatment for substance use disorders
Authors: Ingram Isabella , Kelly Peter J. , Deane Frank P. , Baker Amanda L. , Dingle Genevieve A.
Published: July 2020

Introduction and Aims

Guided by cognitive theory of loneliness, this study sought to explore the experience of loneliness among people accessing treatment for substance use disorders. Specifically, contributors to, consequences and alleviators of loneliness were explored.

Design and Methods

Individual semi‐structured interviews were conducted with 20 participants. Interviews were conducted onsite at two residential treatment facilities in New South Wales, Australia. Interviews were audio recorded and transcribed and an iterative categorisation approach was used to guide data analysis and reporting.

Results

Four key themes emerged as contributors to and consequences of loneliness: cognitions (mistrust, perceived support from others, low self‐worth and fear of negative evaluation), quality and authenticity of relationships, unhelpful interpersonal behaviours and the role of substance use. Participants indicated that overcoming the cognitive and behavioural perpetuators helped to alleviate loneliness and also described the utility of support groups, pursuit of authentic relationships and activities that provide a sense of purpose as helpful.

Discussion and Conclusions

Cognitions related to mistrust, lack of perceived support, low self‐worth, fear of negative evaluation and identification and pursuit of meaningful relationships supportive of recovery should be key treatment targets for this population.
NTRK gene fusions in melanoma: detection, prevalence and potential therapeutic implications
Authors: Forschner Andrea , Forchhammer Stephan , Bonzheim Irina
Published: July 2020

Fusions involving neurotrophic tyrosine receptor kinase (NTRK) are known drivers of oncogenesis and also occur in melanoma, although very rarely. A particularly high incidence of NTRK gene fusions is reported in infantile fibrosarcoma (> 90 %) or the secretory type of breast cancer (> 90 %). Recently, larotrectinib (a tropomyosin receptor kinase [TRK] inhibitor) was approved, and we wondered whether TRK inhibitors might also be helpful for melanoma patients. We therefore screened the literature and obtained relevant results. NTRK fusions are relatively common in spitzoid melanoma, with a prevalence of 21–29 % compared to < 1 % in cutaneous or mucosal melanoma and 2.5 % in acral melanoma. It appears that fusion proteins are mutually exclusive for most common oncogenic drivers such as BRAF or NRAS. A further indicator of an increased probability of detecting NTRK‐positive tumors could be a low mutation load. Since TRK inhibitors are already available for patients with NTRK fusions, the challenge will be to implement screening for NTRK gene fusions in clinical practice. A possible approach could be to screen BRAF, NRAS and KIT wild‐type melanoma patients with next‐generation sequencing as soon as they need systemic treatment or at the latest when they have no tumor control on checkpoint inhibitors.
Expecting the unexpected: Echo laboratory preparedness in the time of COVID‐19
Authors: Goldberg Alan B. , Kyung Stella , Swearingen Sean , Rao Anupama
Published: July 2020

COVID‐19 poses a unique set of challenges to the healthcare system due to its rapid spread, intensive resource utilization, and relatively high morbidity and mortality. Healthcare workers are at especially high risk of exposure given the viruses spread through close contact. Reported cardiac complications of COVID‐19 include myocarditis, acute coronary syndrome, cardiomyopathy, pericardial effusion, arrhythmia, and shock. Thus, echocardiography is integral in the timely diagnosis and clinical management of COVID‐19 patients. Rush University Medical Center has been at the forefront of the COVID‐19 response in Illinois with high numbers of cases reported in Chicago and surrounding areas. The echocardiography laboratory at Rush University Medical Center (RUMC) proactively took numerous steps to balance the imaging needs of a busy, nearly 700‐bed academic medical center while maintaining safety.
Agrochemical leaching reduction in biochar‐amended tropical soils of Belize
Authors: Aldana Gerardo O. , Hazlerigg Charles , Lopez‐Capel Elisa , Werner David
Published: July 2020

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of biochar addition on agrochemical leaching in tropical soils of Belize. Biochars were produced from mixed softwood, rice husk and miscanthus straw, each pyrolysed at 700°C. Loam, sandy silt loam and clay loam tropical soils were amended with 0, 1, 2.5 and 5% (w/w) biochar to determine atrazine, diuron, enrofloxacine, oxytetracycline and tetracycline absorption in batch studies following OECD 106 guidelines. FOCUS groundwater modelling was performed with the results of the batch‐sorption study and alterations to the soil profiles to explore the effect of biochar amendment on the leaching of atrazine in a risk assessment context. Results showed that agrochemical sorption was higher in biochar‐amended soils than soils without biochar amendment. Soil organic matter content and biochar amendment contributed to the agrochemical sorption increase in soils. The FOCUS modelling showed a significant reduction in predicted environmental concentration in groundwater (PECgw) of atrazine when biochar was applied as a soil amendment. However, a trade‐off was identified between the sorptive capacity of the biochar and the changes in hydrology in the soil as a result of the biochar incorporation. The amendment of Belizean tropical soils with rice husk biochar was shown to be an effective method to reduce the leaching of the selected agrochemicals, although widespread implementation should be conducted carefully, taking account of the potential trade‐offs with biochar use identified in our modelling.

Highlights

Biochar‐amended soil is a feasible method to increase sorption and reduce agrochemical leaching to groundwater.

Environmental fate modelling demonstrated that 1% and 2.5% biochar amendment could reduce atrazine leaching in soil.

Modelling identified a biochar performance trade‐off: altered soil hydrology could lead to greater leaching.

Biochar implementation must account for trade‐offs identified to ensure the mitigation works in each circumstance.
Real‐world experience with direct brain‐responsive neurostimulation for focal onset seizures
Authors: Razavi Babak , Rao Vikram R. , Lin Christine , Bujarski Krzysztof A. , Patra Sanjay E. , Burdette David E. , Geller Eric B. , Brown Mesha‐Gay M. , Johnson Emily A. , Drees Cornelia , Chang Edward F. , Greenwood Janet E. , Heck Christianne N. , Jobst Barbara C. , Gwinn Ryder P. , Warner Nicole M. , Halpern Casey H.
Published: July 2020

Objective

The RNS System is a direct brain‐responsive neurostimulation system that is US Food and Drug Administration–approved for adults with medically intractable focal onset seizures based on safety and effectiveness data from controlled clinical trials. The purpose of this study was to retrospectively evaluate the real‐world safety and effectiveness of the RNS System.

Methods

Eight comprehensive epilepsy centers conducted a chart review of patients treated with the RNS System for at least 1 year, in accordance with the indication for use. Data included device‐related serious adverse events and the median percent change in disabling seizure frequency from baseline at years 1, 2, and 3 of treatment and at the most recent follow‐up.

Results

One hundred fifty patients met the criteria for analysis. The median reduction in seizures was 67% (interquartile range [IQR] = 33%‐93%, n = 149) at 1 year, 75% (IQR = 50%‐94%, n = 93) at 2 years, 82% (IQR = 50%‐96%, n = 38) at ≥3 years, and 74% (IQR = 50%‐96%, n = 150) at last follow‐up (mean = 2.3 years). Thirty‐five percent of patients had a ≥90% seizure frequency reduction, and 18% of patients reported being clinically seizure‐free at last follow‐up. Seizure frequency reductions were similar regardless of patient age, age at epilepsy onset, duration of epilepsy, seizure onset in mesial temporal or neocortical foci, magnetic resonance imaging findings, prior intracranial monitoring, prior epilepsy surgery, or prior vagus nerve stimulation treatment. The infection rate per procedure was 2.9% (6/150 patients); five of the six patients had an implant site infection, and one had osteomyelitis. Lead revisions were required in 2.7% (4/150), and 2.0% (3/150) of patients had a subdural hemorrhage, none of which had long‐lasting neurological consequences.

Significance

In this real‐world experience, safety was similar and clinical seizure outcomes exceeded those of the prospective clinical trials, corroborating effectiveness of this therapy and suggesting that clinical experience has informed more effective programming.
Statistical efficiency of patient data in randomized clinical trials of epilepsy treatments
Authors: Romero Juan , Goldenholz Daniel M.
Published: July 2020

Objective

Previous research suggests that natural fluctuations in seizure rates within individuals have a quantifiable impact on therapeutic clinical trial outcomes.

Methods

A trial simulator estimated the statistical power of clinical trials with a typical trial design with and without patients included who exhibited a range of means (1‐15 seizures/mo) and standard deviations (1‐15 seizures/mo) in their baseline seizure rates. Trial outcomes were evaluated using 50% responder rates, median percentage change, and time to prerandomization.

Results

Patients with higher seizure frequencies and lower standard deviations during their baseline contribute more to the statistical power regardless of the method used to evaluate the trial. Power varied from −20% to 30% depending on baseline seizure characteristics.

Significance

Patient‐specific characteristics can predict the contributions to the statistical power of clinical trials for epilepsy treatments. It may be possible to characterize this contribution with baseline data, leading to more efficient clinical trials.
Pharmacological agents under investigation in the treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 and the importance of melatonin
Authors: Parlakpinar Hakan , Polat Seyhan , Acet Haci Ahmet
Published: July 2020

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) is a life‐threatening infectious respiratory disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2). COVID‐19 pandemic causing morbidities and even deaths worldwide revealed that there is urgent need to find pharmacological agents or vaccines. Although there are a lot of agents under investigation, there is no approved agent for the prevention or treatment of the COVID‐19 yet. Treatment of patients remains mainly supportive as well as compassionate use of the agents under investigation. It is well established that excessive inflammatory and immune response and oxidative injury play a critical role in the pathogenesis of COVID‐19. In this review, we aimed to update knowledge about pathogenesis, clinical features, and pharmacological treatment of COVID‐19 and review the potential beneficial effects of ancient antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory, and immunomodulatory molecule melatonin for prevention and treatment of COVID‐19.
How does fascin promote cancer metastasis?
Authors: Lin Shengchen , Taylor Matthew D. , Singh Pankaj K. , Yang Shengyu
Published: July 2020

Fascin is an F‐actin‐bundling protein that cross‐links individual actin filaments into straight and stiff bundles. Fascin overexpression in cancer is strongly associated with poor prognosis and metastatic progression across different cancer types. It is well established that fascin plays a causative role in promoting metastatic progression. We will review the recent progress in our understanding of mechanisms underlying fascin‐mediated cancer metastasis. This review will cover the biochemical basis for fascin‐bundling activity, the mechanisms by which cancer cells upregulate fascin expression and the mechanism underlying fascin‐mediated cancer cell migration, invasion, and metastatic colonization. We propose that fascin has broad roles in both metastatic dissemination and metastatic colonization. Understanding these mechanisms will be crucial to the development of anti‐metastasis therapeutics targeting fascin.
Influence of hot isostatic pressing and surface finish on the mechanical behaviour of Ti6Al4V processed by electron beam melting
Authors: Franchitti Stefania , Pirozzi Carmine , Borrelli Rosario
Published: July 2020

Electron beam melting (EBM) is one of a few additive manufacturing technologies capable of making full‐density functional metallic parts realized from raw materials in the form of powders. The ability of direct fabrications of metallic parts can accelerate product design and development in a wide range of metallic‐part applications, especially for complex components, which are difficult to make by conventional manufacturing means. To capitalize on these benefits, it must be shown that the mechanical performances of parts produced by EBM can meet design requirements. In this research, an intensive mechanical characterization aimed at determining static and fatigue performance of the alloy Ti6Al4V processed by EBM was performed. The effect of both postprocessing treatments (HIP and surface finish) on the mechanical behaviour was evaluated by mechanical testing, microstructural study, computed tomography analysis and fracture surface investigation.
Quantitative effects of cultural practices on growth and yield of forage rice having short panicles
Authors: Tanno Kazuyuki
Published: July 2020

Cultivation of forage rice for whole‐crop silage has been increasing in Japan and will be important in Asia. In this study, effects of cultural practices on growth and yield of a forage rice cultivar “Tsukisuzuka” having short panicle 1 allele were analysed quantitatively using linear mixed model. The contribution of basal dressing to dry yield per 1 g/m2 nitrogen fertilizer was larger than that of topdressing. In addition, topdressing 30 and 20 days before heading was considered to have the disadvantage of increasing risk of lodging and panicle weight respectively. Effects of weather elements on growth of forage rice were also speculated. In tested fields, high solar radiation at seedling and tillering stage was considered important for the high yield. As the number of continuous cropping cycles increased, growth of forage rice got worse. And application of compost improved growth of forage rice. Elemental analysis of soil and plants revealed that this continuous cropping obstacle was likely to attributed to deficiency of potassium. In addition, potassium deficiency increased panicle weight of a forage rice cultivar having short panicle 1 allele. Therefore, control of potassium nutrition will be useful for both sustaining productivity (sufficient application of potassium) and seed production (restriction of potassium). These findings will be useful for improvement of cultivation method of forage rice.
Practical management of inflammatory bowel disease patients during the COVID‐19 pandemic: expert commentary from the Gastroenterological Society of Australia Inflammatory Bowel Disease faculty
Authors: Aysha Al‐Ani , Rentsch Clarissa , Prentice Ralley , Johnson Doug , Bryant Robert V. , Ward Mark G. , Costello Samuel P. , Lewindon Peter , Ghaly Simon , Connor Susan J. , Begun Jakob , Christensen Britt
Published: July 2020

The COVID‐19 pandemic, caused by the novel coronavirus SARS‐CoV‐2, has emerged as a public health emergency and challenged healthcare systems globally. In a minority of patients, SARS‐CoV‐2 manifests with a severe acute respiratory illness and currently there are insufficient data regarding the virulence of COVID‐19 in inflammatory bowel disease patients taking immunosuppressive therapy. This review aims to summarise the current literature and provide guidance on the management of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients in the context of the COVID‐19 pandemic in the Australasian setting.
Nurses’ professional dignity in private health care: a descriptive phenomenological study
Authors: Combrinck Y. , van Wyk N. C. , Mogale R. S.
Published: July 2020

Aim

This study explored and described nurses’ experiences of factors that influenced their professional dignity in private hospitals in South Africa.

Background

Patients’ dignity is a nursing professional value in high regard. Nurses’ dignity, in particular nurses’ professional dignity, has not been valued equally. Disrespect for nurses' professional dignity impacts on nurses’ motivation to provide nursing care to their full potential.

Methods

Descriptive phenomenological research was conducted. Eleven professional nurses were interviewed at two private hospitals in the provinces of KwaZulu‐Natal and the Free State of South Africa.

Findings

The participants were conscious of their ‘professional standing due to own and others’ percipience’. Their professional dignity was influenced by experiences such as perceiving one’s own professional dignity; having contradictory experiences; being proud to be a professional nurse; receiving support, appreciation and respect; providing care in complex situations; performing as a professional nurse; valuing patient well‐being; and being humiliated by others.

Conclusion

Preserving nurses’ professional dignity is crucial and should be acknowledged and encouraged by managers, health team members and nurses.

Implications for nursing/health policy

The need for preserving nurses’ professional dignity necessitates the incorporation of professional dignity strategies in healthcare, nursing and education policies.
Punishing Noncitizens
Authors: Wringe Bill
Published: July 2020

In this article, I discuss a distinctively nonparadigmatic instance of punishment: the punishment of noncitizens. I shall argue that the punishment of noncitizens presents considerable difficulties for one currently popular account of criminal punishment: Antony Duff’s communicative expressive theory of punishment. Duff presents his theory explicitly as an account of the punishment of citizens – and as I shall argue, this is not merely an incidental feature of his account. However, it is plausible that a general account of the criminal law of the kind of idealized state that Duff focusses on will need to say something about how that law deals with noncitizens. In particular, I claim, it will need to provide a justification for punishing them. Because Duff's account says nothing about the punishment of noncitizens, it cannot do so. Furthermore, although Duff's more recent suggestion that noncitizens should be thought of as being guests in the state on whose territory they are present may provide for an account of their criminalization, it cannot easily be extended into an account that provides a justification for their punishment.
Antimicrobial capacity is related to body colouration and reproductive success in female spotless starlings
Authors: Ruiz‐Rodríguez Magdalena , Azcárate‐García Manuel , Ruiz‐Castellano Cristina , Tomás Gustavo , Díaz‐Lora Silvia , Pérez‐Contreras Tomás , Soler Juan J.
Published: July 2020

Pathogenic microorganisms select for a plethora of defensive mechanisms on their hosts. In males of some species, flashy traits might signal antimicrobial capacity and, thus, they might be favoured in scenarios of sexual selection. Antimicrobial capacity of individuals may predict reproductive success in males, and it could be adapted to changing environments. However, evidence for these associations is still scarce in females. Here, we evaluated antimicrobial capacity of spotless starling Sturnus unicolor females during the mating and nestling–provisioning phase. We did this by measuring 1) the blood plasma inhibition capacity against 12 bacterial strains (antagonistic index), 2) the constitutive innate humoral immunity (lysis and agglutination capacity, a non‐specific first barrier of protection of hosts against microbial parasites) and 3) the uropygial gland size and volume of secretion produced, relevant traits in the protection against, among others, feather‐degrading bacteria. We also measured colouration of throat and back feathers, and of leg and beak integuments. This information was collected during the pre‐laying and nestling stages to compare values from these two periods. We found an increase in the plasma antagonistic index from the pre‐laying to the nestling period, while a decrease on the plasma capacity of agglutination of foreign antigens. Both plasma antagonistic index and humoral immune response measured before breeding were positively related to future female reproductive success. In addition, the level of antimicrobial capacity was related to colouration of leg skin and beak integuments and of back feathers. These associations suggest that, similar to males, females might show through their physical appearance their capacity to fight microbial infections; information that could be evaluated by their potential partners and by female competitors.
Strong genetic structure in a widespread estuarine crab: A test of potential versus realized dispersal
Authors: Tepolt Carolyn K. , Blakeslee April M. H. , Fowler Amy E. , Darling John A. , Torchin Mark E. , Miller A. Whitman , Ruiz Gregory M.
Published: July 2020

Aim

Genetic structure has proven difficult to predict for marine and estuarine species with multi‐day pelagic larval durations, since many disperse far less than expected based on passive transport models. In such cases, the gap between potential and realized dispersal may result from larval behaviours that evolved to facilitate retention and settlement in favourable environments. Behaviour is predicted to play a particularly key role in structuring truly estuarine species, which often moderate their behaviour to remain within their natal estuaries. In such systems, this restricted dispersal may lead to high divergence, local adaptation and eventual speciation across their range. Here, we test whether a geographically widespread estuarine crab, known to have behaviour promoting larval retention, exhibits high population structure despite a 2‐ to 4‐week larval duration.

Location

Atlantic and Gulf Coasts of North America.

Taxon

White‐fingered mud crab, Rhithropanopeus harrisii.

Methods

Population genomic analyses across nine estuaries from New Hampshire to Louisiana using 12,638 transcriptome‐derived SNPs.

Results

We found highly differentiated genetic signatures among all nine estuaries, separated by 200–5,000 km of coastline. Estimates of gene flow suggest that migration is low and largely symmetrical between sites. We also observed deep phylogenetic divides corresponding to major biogeographical breaks.

Main conclusions

These results indicate substantial and longstanding constraints to dispersal in the species’ native range, likely arising from the emergence of geological and oceanographic barriers and sustained by behaviour that promotes estuarine retention during larval development. This work supports the idea that larval behaviour promoting estuarine retention can be reflected in substantial genetic structure even in species with multi‐week pelagic larval durations. Such behaviour‐restricted dispersal has implications for predicting adaptation and spread in estuarine species, many of which have been introduced outside their native ranges.
The impact of on‐demand metacognitive help on effortful behaviour: A longitudinal study using task‐related visual analytics
Authors: Papamitsiou Zacharoula , Economides Anastasios A.
Published: July 2020

This longitudinal study investigates the differences in learners' effortful behaviour over time due to receiving metacognitive help—in the form of on‐demand task‐related visual analytics. Specifically, learners' interactions (N = 67) with the tasks were tracked during four self‐assessment activities, conducted at four discrete points in time, over a period of 8 weeks. The considered and coded time points were: (a) prior to providing the metacognitive help; (b) while the task‐related visual analytics were available (treatment); (c) after the removal of the treatment; and (d) while the option to receive metacognitive help was available again. To measure learners' effortful behaviour across the self‐assessment activities, this study utilized learners' response‐times to correctly/wrongly complete the tasks and on‐task effort expenditure. The panel data analysis shown that the usage of metacognitive help caused statistically significant changes in learners' effortful behaviour, mostly in the third and fourth phase. Statistically significant changes were detected also in the usage of metacognitive help. These results provide empirical evidence on the benefits of task‐related visual analytics to support learners' on‐task engagement, and suggest relevant cues on how metacognitive help could be designed and prompted by focusing on the “task”, instead of the “self”.
Camouflage and autism
Authors: Fombonne Eric
Published: July 2020

The theme of camouflage recently gained unexpected momentum in autism research. Symposia and panel discussions are devoted to ‘ camouflage’ in autism conferences. Because of its association with intended deception, the term camouflage has poor fit with the autism world. However, psychopathologists have a long tradition of resorting to camouflage‐like terminology, from Freud’s reaction formation, to pseudoschizophrenia, to Winnicott’s false self, to masked depression, and even to the recent quasi‐autism, artfully telling us that what we see is actually not what we see but rather what we cannot see. Is ‘Camouflaged Autism’ the next in line nosographical pearl?
Latitudinal variation in norms of reaction of phenology in the greater duckweed Spirodela polyrhiza
Authors: Hitsman Harry W. , Simons Andrew M.
Published: July 2020

Variable environments may result in the evolution of adaptive phenotypic plasticity when cues reliably indicate an appropriate phenotype–environment match. Although adaptive plasticity is well established for phenological traits expressed across environments, local differentiation in norms of reaction is less well studied. The switch from the production of regular fronds to overwintering ‘turions’ in the greater duckweed Spirodela polyrhiza is vital to fitness and is expressed as a norm of reaction induced by falling temperatures associated with the onset of winter. However, the optimal norm of reaction to temperature is expected to differ across latitudes. Here, we test the hypothesis that a gradient in the length and predictability of growing seasons across latitudes results in the evolution of reaction norms characterized by earlier turion production at higher latitudes. We test this by collecting S. polyrhiza from replicate populations across seven latitudes from Ontario to Florida and then assessing differentiation in thermal reaction norms of turion production along a common temperature gradient. As predicted, northern populations produce turions at a lower birth order and earlier; a significant latitude‐by‐temperature interaction suggests that reaction norm differentiation has occurred. Our results provide evidence of differentiation in reaction norms across latitudes in a phenological trait, and we discuss how the adaptive significance of this plasticity might be further tested.
Endoscopic grading of gastric atrophy on risk assessment of gastric neoplasia: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Xiao Shiyu , Fan Yihan , Yin Zhihao , Zhou Liya
Published: July 2020

Background and Aim

Endoscopic examination of gastric atrophy has been developed to determine the extent of atrophy by identifying the atrophic border of gastric mucosa, but its value in predicting the risk of developing gastric neoplasms is not quantified. Thus, this systematic review and meta‐analysis aim to assess the incidence risk of gastric neoplasms on the basis of endoscopic grading of gastric atrophy.

Methods

Two authors independently searched the electronic databases (PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library) from inception through December 31, 2019, without language restriction. The effect size on study outcomes is calculated using random‐effects model and presented as risk ratio (RR) with 95% confidence interval (CI). Heterogeneity, publication bias, and quality of included studies were also assessed.

Results

Fourteen retrospective studies are identified to perform systematic review and meta‐analysis, 11 were cohort studies, and three were cross‐sectional research. The pooled RR for developing gastric neoplasms is 3.89 (95% CI 2.92–5.17) among general patients with severe endoscopic atrophy. For patients who underwent endoscopic resection for early gastric neoplasms, nearly two times increased risk of synchronous or metachronous neoplasms is pooled (RR = 1.96, 95% CI 1.39–2.75). In terms of the type of endoscopic atrophy, patients with open‐type endoscopic atrophy have a higher risk of gastric cancer development (RR 8.02; 95% CI 2.39–26.88) than those with close type. [Correction added on 22 December 2020, after first online publication: ‘(RR = 7.27; 95% CI 1.64–32.33)’ has been corrected to ‘(RR 8.02; 95% CI 2.39–26.88)’]

Conclusions

Grading endoscopic atrophy according to the Kimura–Takemoto classification can assess the risk of gastric neoplasia development. Patients with severe or open‐type endoscopic gastric atrophy at baseline should undergo rigorous surveillance to early detect premalignant lesions and cancer.
In vitro evaluation of antioxidant and antibacterial activities of Eucheuma cottonii extract and its in vivo evaluation of the wound‐healing activity in mice
Authors: Teo Brian Sheng Xian , Gan Rui Yi , Abdul Aziz Sarah , Sirirak Thanchanok , Mohd Asmani Mohd Fadli , Yusuf Eddy
Published: July 2020

Background

Eucheuma Cottonii is a type of red algae obtained from Sabah with main active component, sulfated polysaccharide or k‐carrageenan.

Aims

The objective of this research was to evaluate the antioxidant, antibacterial and potential wound‐healing properties in aqueous extraction of E cottonii in order to meet the increasing demand for halal and natural cosmeceutical products.

Methods and Results

Aqueous extract of E cottonii was investigated for active compounds by phytochemical screening and IR spectroscopy. Antioxidant activity was carried out using DPPH method, and the IC50 value was 1.99 mg/mL. Antibacterial activity was examined against Staphylococcus Aureus using Kirby‐Bauer disk diffusion method and showed 10.03 ± 0.06 mm zone of inhibition, achieved by 200 mg/mL of extracts. A wound was made by skin excision of area around 100 mm2 on each mouse. Test group was treated with aqueous extract gel (10% w/w); meanwhile, the mice that were treated with honey acted as the positive control group and the untreated mice as negative control group. Results showed that the wound contraction rate inclined to aqueous extracts as compared to untreated group (P < .05). Percentage of wound healing for aqueous extracts and untreated group were 87.7% ± 2.0% and 57.6% ± 5.3%, respectively.

Conclusion

Aqueous extract was found to be comparable to the honey in wound healing.
Primary low grade myxoid liposarcoma of the ovary: A case report and review of literature
Authors: Öz Atalay Fatma , Akyol Sevda , Bozdogan Önder
Published: July 2020

A 20‐year‐old female patient presented with the complaint of pelvic pain. Radiological studies showed a cystic mass in the left ovary. Histological examination revealed a myxoid tumor with a chicken wire‐like, thin vascularization. The diagnosis of the lesion, morphologically resembling myxoid liposarcoma was supported by demonstration of rearrangement of the DDIT3 gene by fluorescence in situ hybridization.
Predictors of length of hospital stay among preterm infants admitted to neonatal intensive care unit: Data from a multicentre collaborative network from India (INNC: Indian National Neonatal Collaborative)
Authors: Murki Srinivas , Vardhelli Venkateshwarlu , Deshabhotla Saikiran , Sharma Deepak , Pawale Dinesh , Kulkarni Dattatray , Kumar Praveen , Kabra Nandkishor S , Sundaram Mangalabharathi , Plakkal Nishad , Mehta Ashish , Tandur Baswaraj , Chawla Deepak , Sreeram Subramanian , Saha Bijan , Suman Rao PN , Kadam Sandeep
Published: July 2020

Aim

Prediction of length of stay (LOS) among preterm neonates is important for counselling of parents and for assessing neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) census and economic burden. The aim of this study is to evaluate perinatal and postnatal factors that influence LOS in preterm infants (25–33 weeks of gestation) admitted to participating NICUs of Indian National Neonatal Collaborative (INNC).

Methods

From the INNC database, the data which were prospectively entered using uniformed pre‐defined criteria were analysed.

Results

A total of 3095 infants were included from 12 centres. Every week decrease in gestation increased LOS by 9 days. The median LOS for infants with gestational age of 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32 and 33 weeks were 86, 70, 62, 52, 40, 30, 23, 16 and 10 days, respectively. On multivariate analysis, abnormal antenatal umbilical artery doppler, severe small for gestational age (SGA), requirement of resuscitation, respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), seizures, sepsis, necrotising enterocolitis (NEC), major malformations and bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) increased LOS by 5.4 (3.5–7.4), 21.6 (19–23.9), 4.7 (3.3–6.1), 3 (1.7–4.3), 15.2 (8.5–22.1), 11.2 (9.1–13.2), 9.8 (5.2–14.4), 8.8 (4.4–13.3) and 5.6 (0.5–10.7) days, respectively.

Conclusions

Apart from lower gestation and birth weight, abnormal antenatal umbilical artery doppler, severe SGA, resuscitation need, major malformations, RDS, seizures, sepsis, NEC and BPD influenced LOS in preterm infants. In comparison with other networks or data from developed countries, LOS in our network was comparatively less for similar gestational age infants.
Resource‐driven victory
Authors: Jahandideh Mahsa
Published: July 2020

The vast popularity of distributive policies in many resource‐rich countries coincided with the oil and gas price hike of 2004. However, following the sharp decline of price in the late 2014, this popularity started waning and the tendency toward more productive policies gained traction. Using a theoretical model, this paper studies the optimal composition of public spending and demonstrates that, for a sufficiently low amount of any exogenous revenue, for example, resource revenue, investing revenue in productive public good is preferable. The representative agent prefers more distributive policies as resource revenue increases. A key determinant of the optimal composition of public spending is the inherited level of productivity. Countries with too low or too high productivity both find distributive policies more appealing even for a small amount of resource revenue. Yet, they have an essential difference. Resource revenue eradicates individuals' incentive to work in countries with low initial productivity while individuals always prefer to work in highly productive countries.
Use and non-use of a nationwide patient portal – a survey among pharmacy customers
Authors: Sääskilahti Maria , Aarnio Emma , Lämsä Elina , Ahonen Riitta , Timonen Johanna
Published: July 2020

Objectives

A nationwide patient portal (My Kanta) for viewing electronic prescriptions and health data has been phased in since 2010 in Finland. This study aimed to study how commonly Finnish pharmacy customers use My Kanta, the factors related to My Kanta use, the main reasons for non-use and how non-users would like to monitor their medication and health information.

Methods

A survey was conducted among adult pharmacy customers purchasing prescription medicines for themselves or for their child <18 years. Questionnaires (N = 2866) were distributed from 18 pharmacies across Finland. Open-ended questions were analysed qualitatively. Quantitative analyses included frequencies, Chi-square tests, Fisher's exact tests, t-tests and logistic regression analysis.

Key findings

In total, 994 (34.7%) questionnaires were included. Most (82.5%) adult pharmacy customers used My Kanta. Use of the service was associated with use of the internet to search for health-related information (OR: 8.82, 95% CI: 4.65‒16.74), active internet use (OR: 7.30, 95 %: CI 3.54‒15.08), living in Northern (OR: 4.35, 95% CI: 1.75‒10.82) or Eastern (OR: 3.25, 95% CI: 1.41‒7.48) parts of Finland, and the increasing number of currently used regular prescription medicines (OR: 1.16, 95% CI: 1.01‒1.34). The main reasons for non-use were lack of need and tools. Non-users reported physician/health centres and pharmacies as their preferred sources of medication and health information.

Conclusions

Most Finnish pharmacy customers use the My Kanta nationwide patient portal. The strongest predictors for use are factors related to internet use. Some pharmacy customers do not use My Kanta despite having the necessary means. The main reason for non-use is a lack of need. Customers unable to use My Kanta want to monitor their medication and health information via healthcare professionals.
Assessing the Short‐Term Association Between Rural Hospitals’ Participation in Accountable Care Organizations and Changes in Utilization and Financial Performance
Authors: Comfort Leeann N. , Fulton Brent D. , Shortell Stephen M.
Published: July 2020

Purpose

Although much research has been done on accountable care organizations (ACOs), little is known about their impact on rural hospitals. We examine the association between rural hospitals’ participation in an ACO and their performance on utilization and financial measures.

Methods

This quasi‐experimental study estimates the relationship between voluntary ACO participation and hospital metrics using propensity score‐matched, longitudinal regression models with year and hospital fixed effects. Regression models controlled for secular trends and time‐varying hospital and county characteristics. Hospital measures were from the American Hospital Association, RAND Hospital Data, and Leavitt Partners. The initial population comprises 643 rural hospitals that participated in an ACO for at least one year during the 2011 to 2018 study period and 1,541 rural hospitals that did not participate in an ACO. From this population we created a sample of propensity score‐matched hospitals consisting of 525 ACO‐participating and 525 comparable non‐ACO hospitals.

Results

Rural hospitals’ participation in an ACO is not associated with changes in hospital utilization or financial measures, nor is there an association between these performance metrics and whether another within‐county hospital participated in an ACO. A secondary analysis limited to Critical Access Hospitals provides some evidence that inpatient utilization increases in the second year of ACO participation, though the increases are not significant in year 3 and beyond.

Conclusion

We find no evidence that rural hospitals experience substantive changes in outpatient visits, inpatient utilization, or operating margin in the years immediately after joining an ACO.
Effect of prior general anesthesia or sedation and antiseizure drugs on the diagnostic utility of wireless video electroencephalography in dogs
Authors: Parmentier Thomas , Monteith Gabrielle , Cortez Miguel A. , Wielaender Franziska , Fischer Andrea , Jokinen Tarja S. , Lohi Hannes , Sanders Sean , Sammut Veronique , Tai Tricia , James Fiona M. K.
Published: July 2020

Background

Ambulatory wireless video electroencephalography (AEEG) is the method of choice to discriminate epileptic seizures from other nonepileptic episodes. However, the influence of prior general anesthesia (GA), sedation, or antiseizure drug (ASD) on the diagnostic ability of AEEG is unknown.

Hypothesis/Objectives

The use of sedation/GA or ASD treatment before AEEG recording may affect the diagnostic ability of AEEG and the time to first abnormality on AEEG.

Animals

A total of 108 client‐owned dogs undergoing ambulatory AEEG for paroxysmal episodes.

Methods

Retrospective cohort study. Proportions of diagnostic AEEG and time to first abnormality were compared between dogs that received sedation/GA or neither for instrumentation as well as dogs receiving at least 1 ASD and untreated dogs.

Results

Ambulatory EEG was diagnostic in 60.2% of all dogs including 49% of the sedation/GA dogs and 68% of dogs that received neither (odds ratio [OR], 2.25; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.02‐5.00; P = .05). The AEEG was diagnostic in 51% of dogs receiving at least 1 ASD and 66% of untreated dogs (OR, 1.95; 95% CI, 0.9‐4.3; P = .11). No difference was found in time to first abnormality between sedation/GA or neither or ASD‐treated or untreated dogs (P = .1 and P = .3 respectively). Ninety‐five percent of dogs had at least 1 abnormality within 277 minutes.

Conclusion and Clinical Importance

Sedation/GA and concurrent ASD administration were not identified as confounding factors for decreasing AEEG diagnostic capability nor did they delay the time to first abnormality. A 4‐hour minimal recording period is recommended.
Does harvest affect genetic diversity in grey wolves?
Authors: Ausband David E. , Waits Lisette
Published: July 2020

Harvest can affect vital rates such as reproduction and survival, but also genetic measures of individual and population health. Grey wolves (Canis lupus) live and breed in groups, and effective population size is a small fraction of total abundance. As a result, genetic diversity of wolves may be particularly sensitive to harvest. We evaluated how harvest affected genetic diversity and relatedness in wolves. We hypothesized that harvest would (a) reduce relatedness of individuals within groups in a subpopulation but increase relatedness of individuals between groups due to increased local immigration, (b) increase individual heterozygosity and average allelic richness across groups in subpopulations and (c) add new alleles to a subpopulation and decrease the number of private alleles in subpopulations due to an increase in breeding opportunities for unrelated individuals. We found harvest had no effect on observed heterozygosity of individuals or allelic richness at loci within subpopulations but was associated with a small, biologically insignificant effect on within‐group relatedness values in grey wolves. Harvest was, however, positively associated with increased relatedness of individuals between groups and a net gain (+16) of alleles into groups in subpopulations monitored since harvest began, although the number of private alleles in subpopulations overall declined. Harvest likely created opportunities for wolves to immigrate into nearby groups and breed, thereby making groups in subpopulations more related over time. Harvest appears to affect genetic diversity in wolves at the group and population levels, but its effects are less apparent at the individual level given the population sizes we studied.
The route to your roots: New ethnic symbols in the age of the genome
Authors: Carlson Hannah
Published: July 2020

This study assesses the recent surge in popularity for genetic “ancestry” testing in the United States and what significance this has for Americans' use of symbolic ethnicities. Specifically, this study evaluates how commercial genetic tests allow for new engagement with a symbolic ethnicity and ethnic symbols (Gans, 1979). This study draws upon interviews, attendance of a genealogical conference and a virtual ethnography to support its arguments. The possibility of reification of ethnic, national and racial categories is discussed, alongside a discussion of the way genetic populations are technologically produced. This study draws upon the concepts of affiliative ethnicity (Jimenez, 2010); affiliative self‐fashioning (Nelson, 2008); geneticized identities (Roth & Ivemark, 2018) and Waters' Ethnic Options to argue that DTC genetic ancestry tests allow for a new type of play with ethnic symbols, resulting in cognizant engagement with symbolic ethnicities among Americans who take a genetic test with identity aspirations.
North American temperate conifer (Tsuga canadensis) reveals a complex physiological response to climatic and anthropogenic stressors
Authors: Rayback Shelly A. , Belmecheri Soumaya , Gagen Mary H. , Lini Andrea , Gregory Rachel , Jenkins Catherine
Published: July 2020

Rising atmospheric CO2 (ca) is expected to promote tree growth and lower water loss via changes in leaf gas exchange. However, uncertainties remain if gas‐exchange regulation strategies are homeostatic or dynamical in response to increasing ca, as well as evolving climate and pollution inputs.

Using a suite of tree ring‐based δ13C‐derived physiological parameters (Δ13C, ci, iWUE) and tree growth from a mesic, low elevation stand of canopy‐dominant Tsuga canadensis in north‐eastern USA, we investigated the influence of rising ca, climate and pollution on, and characterised the dynamical regulation strategy of, leaf gas exchange at multidecadal scales.

Isotopic and growth time series revealed an evolving physiological response in which the species shifted its leaf gas‐exchange strategy dynamically (constant ci; constant ci/ca; constant ca − ci) in response to rising ca, moisture availability and site conditions over 111 yr. Tree iWUE plateaued after 1975, driven by greater moisture availability and a changing soil biogeochemistry that may have impaired a stomatal response.

Results suggested that trees may exhibit more complex physiological responses to the changing environmental conditions over multidecadal periods, and complicating the parameterisation of Earth system models and the estimation of future carbon sink capacity and water balance in midlatitude forests and elsewhere.
Neighbourhood speed limit and childhood obesity
Authors: Luo Miyang , Li Hanqi , Pan Xiongfeng , Fei Teng , Dai Shaoqing , Qiu Ge , Zou Yuxuan , Vos Heleen , Luo Jiayou , Jia Peng
Published: July 2020

As an important factor for neighbourhood walkability, the speed limit in the neighbourhood may influence children's physical activity (PA) outdoors, especially active transport, and further their weight status. This review aimed to systematically evaluate the association between neighbourhood speed limit and obesity‐related behaviours and outcomes among children and adolescents. PubMed, Embase and Web of Science were systematically searched for relevant studies published from the inception of the database to 1 January 2019. Sixteen studies were included, with 13 cross‐sectional studies and three longitudinal studies. Speed limit was measured as the percentage/number of high‐speed roads, perception of safe driving speed, perception of speeding and use of traffic‐calming tools in the neighbourhood. Eleven studies measured the use of active transport as the outcome of interest, and seven studies measured PA directly. Eleven studies revealed an association between a lower speed limit and increased PA, whereas one study showed a negative association, and three studies reported non‐significant associations. Only one study associated speed limit with weight status, which reported a non‐significant association. This review generally supported a negative association between speed limit and PA among children and adolescents. More studies are needed to examine their causality, as well as the association between speed limit and weight status, in order to increase the impact of this research area on public health policy making.