bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Inconsistent efficacy of water‐soluble amphotericin B for the treatment of Macrorhabdus ornithogaster in a budgerigar (Melopsittacus undulatus) aviary
Authors: Baron HR , Stevenson BC , Phalen DN
Published: March 2020

Objective

To assess the efficacy of a commercially available in‐water amphotericin B treatment for Macrorhabdus ornithogaster.

Design

Clinical treatment trial.

Methods

Faecal shedding of 16 naturally infected budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus) was monitored while they were being treated using in‐water amphotericin B, as per the manufacturer's instructions, for 10 days. Any birds that remained positive after 10 days received a further 10 day course of treatment. All birds were rechecked 16 days after the end of the second treatment period.

Results

At the conclusion of treatment, 11 birds had stopped shedding M. ornithogaster, and 5 birds were still shedding. Sixteen days after the conclusion of the second treatment period, four birds that were negative after 10 days of treatment were shedding again, and two of the birds that were treated for 20 days were shedding. In addition, one bird from each treatment group died after treatment and before follow‐up testing.

Conclusion

These findings represent a 36% treatment failure, suggesting that treatment with the commercially available, water‐soluble amphotericin B has inconsistent efficacy against M. ornithogaster in some budgerigars in Australia and is not effective for eliminating it from budgerigar aviaries.
Comprehensive moral thinking and the demandingness objection
Authors: Butler Travis
Published: March 2020

In his tripartite theory of corporate responsibility, Kenneth Goodpaster argues for the inclusion of “Comprehensive Moral Thinking (CMT)” as the third part alongside shareholder and stakeholder thinking. CMT requires managers sometimes to act for reasons of dignity or a just community, against what shareholder and stakeholder thinking recommend. To address concerns about the demandingness of CMT, Goodpaster argues that the responsibilities it imposes are significant but qualified or conditional: they require only that managersmake effortsto address problems of dignity and justice, especially in cooperation with other willing firms. If extreme efforts are required or if other firms are unwilling to cooperate, managers can be justified in deciding in favor of shareholder or stakeholder values, even when dignity or justice is at stake. I raise two problems for the appeal to qualified responsibility—an extensional problem about the inability of the account to yield the correct judgment in important cases and an internal problem about the coherence of the account when qualified responsibility is included. I conclude by considering the prospects of a theory that includes CMT but rejects qualified responsibility.
Selective clamping during robot‐assisted partial nephrectomy in patients with a solitary kidney: is it safe and does it help?
Authors: Badani Ketan K. , Kothari Pankti D. , Okhawere Kennedy E. , Eun Daniel , Hemal Ashok , Abaza Ronney , Porter James , Lovallo Gregory , Ahmed Mutahar , Munver Ravi , Stifelman Michael D.
Published: March 2020

Objectives

To obtain the most accurate assessment of the risks and benefits of selective clamping in robot‐assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN) we evaluated outcomes of this technique vs those of full clamping in patients with a solitary kidney undergoing RAPN.

Patients and Methods

Data from institutional review board‐approved retrospective and prospective databases from 2006 to 2019 at multiple institutions with sharing agreements were evaluated. Patients with a solitary kidney were identified and stratified based on whether selective or full renal artery clamping was performed. Both groups were analysed with regard to demographics, risk factors, intra‐operative complications, and postoperative outcomes using chi‐squared tests, Fisher’s exact tests, t‐tests and Mann–Whitney U‐tests.

Results

Our initial cohort consisted of 4112 patients, of whom 72 had undergone RAPN in a solitary kidney (51 with full clamping and 21 with selective clamping). There were no significant differences in demographics, tumour size, baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), or warm ischaemia time (WIT) between the groups (Table 1). Intra‐operative outcomes, including estimated blood loss, operating time, and intra‐operative complications were similar in the two groups. Short‐ and long‐term postoperative percentage change in eGFR, frequency of acute kidney injury (AKI), and frequency of de novo chronic kidney disease (CKD) were also not significantly different between the two techniques.

Conclusion

In a large cohort of patients with solitary kidney undergoing RAPN, selective clamping resulted in similar intra‐operative and postoperative outcomes compared to full clamping and conferred no additional risk of harm. However, selective clamping did not appear to provide any functional advantage over full clamping as there was no difference observed in the frequency of AKI, CKD or change in eGFR. Short WIT in both groups (<15 min) may have prevented identification of benefits in the selective clamping group; a similar study analysing cases with longer WIT may elucidate any beneficial effects of selective clamping.
The share of the global energy mix: Signs of convergence?
Authors: Ghoshray Atanu , Malki Issam
Published: March 2020

This paper investigates the convergence behaviour regarding the share of global energy mix, as measured by primary energy consumption. Recent studies that employ stationary tests of panel data suggest that such data support the convergence hypothesis; however, some drawbacks exist, as these studies rely on methods that do not necessarily imply a sufficient condition for convergence. This paper adopts the concept of relative convergence as proposed by Phillips and Sul (2007), which employs a time‐varying, idiosyncratic component. We choose to focus on various sources’ global primary energy consumption and investigate the long‐ run dynamic behaviour by source. The key finding of this paper is that two distinct clubs of convergence of energy can be determined: renewable and non‐renewable energy clubs of convergence.
Monophyletic classification and information content
Authors: Hayden James E.
Published: March 2020

The connection between monophyly and efficient taxonomic diagnoses is elaborated. The inefficiency of nonmonophyletic groups is shown by reconstructing data matrices from hierarchical sets of diagnoses that are derived from apomorphies and read in order from highest to lowest rank. The practice of diagnosing nonmonophyletic groups either results in omitting data, resulting in errors in reconstructed datasets, or repeating character information to make up for the implied losses. Step‐by‐step demonstrations with hypothetical and real data are used as guidance. Provisions are made for missing, inapplicable and polymorphic data. Slow optimization (delayed transformation) is useful for choosing a state reconstruction in order to report apomorphies completely. The diagnoses of paraphyletic groups can be expressed in different ways, including regrafting derived clades, reanalyzing data with constraints, and reading the original diagnoses in a different order––the last is the least efficient. A cladistic version of the data compression ratio is proposed to quantify the diagnostic efficiency of a cladogram.
A new hybrid image segmentation approach using clustering and black hole algorithm
Authors: Dhanachandra Nameirakpam , Chanu Y. Jina , Singh Kh. Manglem
Published: March 2020

Clustering technique is used in image segmentation because of its simple and easy approach. However, the existing clustering techniques required prior information as input and the performance are entirely dependent on this prior information, which is the main drawback of the clustering approaches. Therefore, many researchers are trying to introduce a novel method with user free parameter. We proposed a clustering method, that is, independent of user parameters and later we used a region merging technique to improve the performance of the clustering output. In this article, we proposed a hybrid image segmentation method which is based on a clustering algorithm and black hole algorithm. In the clustering technique, we have used recursive density estimation technique of surrounding pixels. After clustering technique, presence of small segments may be present and it would give lower a performance of segmentation output. Therefore, a segment is merged with another segment by finding best matched segment. Black hole algorithm concept has been used to define the fitness of each segment and to find the best matching segment. We have compared the proposed method with the other clustering‐based segmentation methods and different evaluation indices are used to calculate the performance, and the result proved the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.
The effect of liposome on dyeing mohair/wool blends
Authors: Kartal Gülşah Ekin , Avci Berrak Buket , Erkan Gokhan , Sariisik Merih
Published: March 2020

The aim of this study was to examine the use of liposome in the dyeing of wool and mohair fibres with acid dyestuffs. Soybean lecithin and cholesterol were used to form the liposome membrane utilised in the dyebath. Liposome production was performed according to the thin lipid layer method (Bangham Method) using a rotary evaporator. Two different forms of liposome were used for dyeing wool and mohair fibres. In its first form, liposome was utilised as an auxiliary agent, where it was added to a conventional dyebath at the beginning of the process. In its second form, dyes were encapsulated with liposome and then used in dyeing. The effects of these two different forms of liposome were compared with conventional dyeing. Dyeing was carried out at depths of shade of 0.5%, 1.0% and 2.0% using three different concentrations of liposome (0.33%, 0.66% and 1.33%). An analysis of K/S values, fastness to washing, and the alkali solubility of fibres was conducted. The fibre samples dyed in the presence of liposome exhibited very good fastness to light (grade 8). The wash fastness test results of the liposomal‐dyed samples were significantly better (grade 4‐5) than for those samples which were conventionally dyed. In the presence of liposome, the tensile strength of fibres was 20 gf, whereas it was 11 gf without liposomes.
Nasal glucagon as a viable alternative for treating insulin‐induced hypoglycaemia in Japanese patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes: A phase 3 randomized crossover study
Authors: Matsuhisa Munehide , Takita Yasushi , Nasu Risa , Nagai Yukiko , Ohwaki Kenji , Nagashima Hirotaka
Published: March 2020

Aim

To compare nasal glucagon (NG) with intramuscular glucagon (IMG) for the treatment of insulin‐induced hypoglycaemia in Japanese patients with type 1 (T1DM) or type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Materials and methods

This phase 3, randomized, open‐label, two‐treatment, two‐period crossover non‐inferiority study enrolled Japanese adults with T1DM or T2DM on insulin therapy, with glycated haemoglobin levels ≤86 mmol/mol (≤10%). After ≥8 hours of fasting, hypoglycaemia was induced with human regular insulin (intravenous infusion). Patients received NG 3 mg or IMG 1 mg approximately 5 minutes after insulin termination. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients achieving treatment success [plasma glucose (PG) increase to ≥3.9 mmol/L (≥70 mg/dL) or ≥1.1 mmol/L (≥20 mg/dL) increase from the PG nadir within 30 minutes of receiving glucagon]. Non‐inferiority was declared if the upper limit of the two‐sided 95% confidence interval (CI) of the mean difference in the percentage of patients achieving treatment success (IMG minus NG) was <10%.

Results

Seventy‐five patients with T1DM (n = 34) or T2DM (n = 41) were enrolled; 72 patients (50 men, 22 women) received ≥1 study drug dose (T1DM, n = 33; T2DM, n = 39). Sixty‐eight patients completed the study and were evaluable. All NG‐ and IMG‐treated patients achieved treatment success (treatment arm difference: 0%; upper limit of two‐sided 95% CI 1.47%); NG met prespecified conditions defining non‐inferiority versus IMG. Glucagon was rapidly absorbed after both nasal and intramuscular administration; PG profiles were similar between administration routes during the first 60 minutes post dose. Study drug‐related treatment‐emergent adverse events affecting >2 patients were rhinalgia, increased blood pressure, nausea, ear pain and vomiting in the NG group, and nausea and vomiting in the IMG group.

Conclusion

Nasal glucagon was non‐inferior to IMG for successful treatment of insulin‐induced hypoglycaemia in Japanese patients with T1DM/T2DM, supporting use of NG as a rescue treatment for severe hypoglycaemia.
A river runs through it: The causes, consequences, and management of intraspecific diversity in river networks
Authors: Blanchet Simon , Prunier Jérôme G. , Paz‐Vinas Ivan , Saint‐Pé Keoni , Rey Olivier , Raffard Allan , Mathieu‐Bégné Eglantine , Loot Géraldine , Fourtune Lisa , Dubut Vincent
Published: March 2020

Rivers are fascinating ecosystems in which the eco‐evolutionary dynamics of organisms are constrained by particular features, and biologists have developed a wealth of knowledge about freshwater biodiversity patterns. Over the last 10 years, our group used a holistic approach to contribute to this knowledge by focusing on the causes and consequences of intraspecific diversity in rivers. We conducted empirical works on temperate permanent rivers from southern France, and we broadened the scope of our findings using experiments, meta‐analyses, and simulations. We demonstrated that intraspecific (genetic) diversity follows a spatial pattern (downstream increase in diversity) that is repeatable across taxa (from plants to vertebrates) and river systems. This pattern can result from interactive processes that we teased apart using appropriate simulation approaches. We further experimentally showed that intraspecific diversity matters for the functioning of river ecosystems. It indeed affects not only community dynamics, but also key ecosystem functions such as litter degradation. This means that losing intraspecific diversity in rivers can yield major ecological effects. Our work on the impact of multiple human stressors on intraspecific diversity revealed that—in the studied river systems—stocking of domestic (fish) strains strongly and consistently alters natural spatial patterns of diversity. It also highlighted the need for specific analytical tools to tease apart spurious from actual relationships in the wild. Finally, we developed original conservation strategies at the basin scale based on the systematic conservation planning framework that appeared pertinent for preserving intraspecific diversity in rivers. We identified several important research avenues that should further facilitate our understanding of patterns of local adaptation in rivers, the identification of processes sustaining intraspecific biodiversity–ecosystem function relationships, and the setting of reliable conservation plans.
Preconditioning with lidocaine and xylazine in experimental equine jejunal ischaemia
Authors: Verhaar Nicole , Pfarrer Christiane , Neudeck Stephan , König Kathrin , Rohn Karl , Twele Lara , Kästner Sabine
Published: March 2020

Background

Pharmacological preconditioning of dexmedetomidine on small intestinal ischaemia/reperfusion injury has been reported in different animal models including horses.

Objectives

The objective was to assess if xylazine and lidocaine have a preconditioning effect in an experimental model of equine jejunal ischaemia.

Study design

Terminal in vivo experiment.

Methods

Ten horses under general anaesthesia were either preconditioned with xylazine (group X; n = 5) or lidocaine (group L; n = 5). A historical untreated control group (group C; n = 5) was used for comparison. An established experimental model of equine jejunal ischaemia was applied, and intestinal samples were taken pre‐ischaemia, after ischaemia and following reperfusion. Histomorphological examination was performed based on a modified Chiu score. Immunohistochemical staining for cleaved caspase‐3, TUNEL and calprotectin was performed, and positive cell counts were expressed in cells/mm2.

Results

There was no progression of histomorphological mucosal injury from ischaemia to reperfusion, and there were no differences in histomorphology between the groups. After ischaemia, group X had significantly less caspase‐positive cells compared to the control group with a median difference of 227% (P = .01). After reperfusion, group X exhibited significantly lower calprotectin‐positive cell counts compared to the control group, with a median difference of 6.8 cells/mm2 in the mucosa and 44 cells in the serosa (P = .02 and .05 respectively). All groups showed an increase in caspase‐ and calprotectin‐positive cells during reperfusion (P < .05). TUNEL‐positive cells increased during ischaemia, followed by a decrease after reperfusion (P < .05).

Main limitations

The small sample size and the use of a historical control group. Preconditioning effects of the tested drugs may be masked by the protective effects of isoflurane in the anaesthetic protocol.

Conclusions

Preconditioning with lidocaine did not have any effect on the tested variables. The lower cell counts of caspase‐ and calprotectin‐positive cells in group X may indicate a beneficial effect of xylazine on ischaemia/reperfusion injury. Due to the absence of a concurrent reduction of histomorphological injury, the clinical significance remains uncertain.
Asymmetries of horses walking and trotting on treadmill with and without rider
Authors: Byström Anna , Clayton Hilary M. , Hernlund Elin , Roepstorff Lars , Rhodin Marie , Bragança Filipe S. , Engell Maria T. , van Weeren René , Weishaupt Michael A. , Egenvall Agneta
Published: March 2020

Background

Left‐right movement symmetry is a highly desirable characteristic in sport horses.

Objectives

This study compared movement symmetry in well‐trained dressage horses in unridden and unrestrained position and ridden in a dressage frame, and investigated possible associations between gaits.

Study design

Experimental study.

Methods

Seven sound, high‐level dressage horses were measured at walk and sitting trot on a treadmill at several speeds under two conditions: with and without rider. Left‐right differences in stance duration, stance protraction and retraction based on longitudinal hoof positions, ipsilateral limb tracking, minimum and maximum vertical positions of the dorsal spinous processes of the sixth thoracic (T6), third sacral vertebrae (S3) and wing of atlas, and vertical ground reaction forces were calculated and analysed in mixed models.

Results

At walk, five body variables indicated increased asymmetry in the ridden condition compared with unridden condition: forelimb stance duration (unridden/ridden left‐right differences 9 vs 13 ms;P = .008), forelimb stance protraction (P = .004), stance retraction (P = .001) and first force peak (P = .003), and hindlimb stance retraction (P = .01). At trot, six body variables were more asymmetrical in the ridden condition: forelimb stance duration (2.5 vs 3.8 ms,P = .004); hindlimb stance protraction (P < .0001) and retraction (P = .01), T6 minimum (4 vs 6 mm,P = .001), T6 maximum (9 vs 11 mm,P = .01) and S3 maximum (6 vs 12 mm,P < .001). Five variables had significant associations between asymmetries at walk and trot, but only three demonstrated a positive slope.

Main limitations

A limited number of horses and riders were studied. Measurements were performed on a treadmill.

Conclusions

High‐level horses moved slightly more asymmetrically when ridden in a dressage frame than in the unridden condition.
A multilevel paradigm for deep convolutional neural network features selection with an application to human gait recognition
Authors: Arshad Habiba , Khan Muhammad Attique , Sharif Muhammad Irfan , Yasmin Mussarat , Tavares João Manuel R. S. , Zhang Yu‐Dong , Satapathy Suresh Chandra
Published: March 2020

Human gait recognition (HGR) shows high importance in the area of video surveillance due to remote access and security threats. HGR is a technique commonly used for the identification of human style in daily life. However, many typical situations like change of clothes condition and variation in view angles degrade the system performance. Lately, different machine learning (ML) techniques have been introduced for video surveillance which gives promising results among which deep learning (DL) shows best performance in complex scenarios. In this article, an integrated framework is proposed for HGR using deep neural network and fuzzy entropy controlled skewness (FEcS) approach. The proposed technique works in two phases: In the first phase, deep convolutional neural network (DCNN) features are extracted by pre‐trained CNN models (VGG19 and AlexNet) and their information is mixed by parallel fusion approach. In the second phase, entropy and skewness vectors are calculated from fused feature vector (FV) to select best subsets of features by suggested FEcS approach. The best subsets of picked features are finally fed to multiple classifiers and finest one is chosen on the basis of accuracy value. The experiments were carried out on four well‐known datasets, namely, AVAMVG gait, CASIA A, B and C. The achieved accuracy of each dataset was 99.8, 99.7, 93.3 and 92.2%, respectively. Therefore, the obtained overall recognition results lead to conclude that the proposed system is very promising.
Enzyme evolution in fungal indole alkaloid biosynthesis
Authors: Fraley Amy E. , Sherman David H.
Published: March 2020

The class of fungal indole alkaloids containing the bicyclo[2.2.2]diazaoctane ring is comprised of diverse molecules that display a range of biological activities. While much interest has been garnered due to their therapeutic potential, this class of molecules also displays unique chemical functionality, making them intriguing synthetic targets. Many elegant and intricate total syntheses have been developed to generate these alkaloids, but the selectivity required to produce them in high yield presents great barriers. Alternatively, if we can understand the molecular mechanisms behind how fungi make these complex molecules, we can leverage the power of nature to perform these chemical transformations. Here, we describe the various studies regarding the evolutionary development of enzymes involved in fungal indole alkaloid biosynthesis.
Malignant melanoma of the breast: controversies in the diagnosis and therapeutic management of a rare nosologic entity
Authors: Mastoraki Aikaterini , Schizas Dimitrios , Giannakodimos Ilias , Rebakos Athanasios , Margaris Ioannis , Katsaros Ioannis , Vagios Ilias , Vassiliu Pantelis , Pikoulis Emmanouil
Published: March 2020

Melanoma of the breast is an infrequent entity, presenting as either primary or metastatic from extramammary solid neoplasms. Depending on the involvement of the skin, primary malignant melanoma of the breast (PMMB) can be classified as cutaneous or noncutaneous. Cutaneous PMMB accounts for <5% of all melanomas and only 0.5% of all breast cancers. Furthermore, despite the rarity of metastatic breast neoplasms, melanoma comprises a frequent source of metastases. Metastatic potential of melanoma is associated with poor prognosis, and the majority of patients present more than one metastatic foci at the time of diagnosis. Diagnostic approach for both primary and metastatic melanomas of the breast is substantiated by fine needle aspiration (FNA) cytology along with immunohistochemistry. Nevertheless, verification of a metastatic mammary melanoma requires the discovery of a primary lesion. The mainstay of treatment for primary tumors is surgery, with radical local excision and axillary lymph node dissection or, on occasion, axillary sentinel node resection, while for metastatic tumors it depends on the specificities of the melanoma. Adjuvant therapy is always implemented. The aim of this survey is to meticulously review the literature of primary and metastatic malignant melanomas of the breast and report epidemiologic and clinicopathologic data for this rare entity. Clinical features, histogenesis, morphological, and immunochemical findings are discussed, while the role of current diagnostic and therapeutic management of this uncommon entity is emphasized.
Improving the nutritional and phytochemical compounds of a plant‐based milk of sapucaia nut cake using block freeze concentration
Authors: Demoliner Fernanda , de Carvalho Letícia Turcatto , de Liz Gabriela Rodrigues , Prudêncio Elane Schwinden , Ramos Juliano Carvalho , Bascuñan Vera Lúcia Azzolin Frescura , Vitali Luciano , Block Jane Mara
Published: March 2020

The nutrient profile and the phytochemical composition of the sapucaia nut cake milk (SNCM) were evaluated after applying five consecutive stages of block freeze concentration (C1, C2, C3, C4 and C5). The profile of phenolic compounds by LC‐ESI‐MS/MS and the antioxidant activity (ABTS and FRAP) of SNCM were also determined. The freeze concentration increased proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, ash, soluble solids (°Brix) and total phenolic compounds (TPC) in all stages and in the ice fractions obtained from C1, C2 and C3 stages. The antioxidant activity (ABTS) in C3, C4 and C5 fractions was highly significant (P < 0.05). The antioxidant activity (FRAP) and the phenolic compounds (gallic, vanillic, ferulic, sinapic and salicylic acids, catechin, taxifolin and sinapaldehyde) increased significantly (P < 0.05) for all five fractions. The freeze concentration was successfully used for enriching the SNCM, generating a promising ingredient for the food industry.
Associations between attention deficit hyperactivity disorder symptoms and eating behaviors in early childhood
Authors: Fuemmeler Bernard F. , Sheng Yaou , Schechter Julia C. , Do Elizabeth , Zucker Nancy , Majors Alesha , Maguire Rachel , Murphy Susan K. , Hoyo Cathrine , Kollins Scott H.
Published: March 2020

Background

Attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms have been linked with eating behaviors and obesity adolescence and young adulthood. Yet, little is known about whether these associations occur during early childhood and few studies have examined these associations prospectively.

Objectives

To assess magnitude and direction of associations between childhood ADHD symptoms and eating behaviors.

Methods

Participants were from the Newborn Epigenetics Study (N = 470, M age = 4 years). Multivariable linear regression models were used to examine cross‐sectional associations between ADHD symptoms and eating behaviors. Latent Change Score (LCS) modeling was performed to examine prospective association among a subset of children with available follow‐up data. (N = 100, M age = 7 years).

Results

The cross‐sectional results showed that attention problem (AP) and hyperactivity (HY) were positively associated with food responsiveness, emotional overeating, desire to drink, and slowness in eating. AP, but not HY, was inversely associated with enjoyment of food. Results of the LCS models revealed AP and HY were both positively associated with prospective changes in emotional overeating and satiety responsiveness. AP was further positively associated with prospective changes in food responsiveness. The reverse relationship predicting changes in ADHD symptoms from earlier assessments of eating behaviors was not significant.

Conclusion

Results suggest a link between ADHD symptoms and obesity‐related eating behaviors in early childhood, highlighting the need to address self‐regulation and healthy eating behaviors in the prevention of childhood obesity.
Strategic short selling around index additions: Evidence from the Nikkei 225
Authors: Shiomi Naoya , Takahashi Hidetomo , Xu Peng
Published: March 2020

Focusing on index additions, which provoke buying pressure by large investors, we analyze the trading activities of short sellers around these events. Using daily short‐selling data from Japan, we find that short sellers exploit profitable opportunities through their liquidity provision activities. Short sellers earn profits by selling short right before the effective date of index additions and buying back after the effective date. The results suggest that short sellers exploit profitable opportunities due to anticipated buying pressure.
Real‐time surveillance systems: Applicability for the control of influenza in acute care
Authors: Quirós‐González Víctor , Rodríguez‐Pérez Paz , Haro‐Pérez Ana Mª , Jiménez‐Rodríguez Mª Mar , Maderuelo‐Fernández José Ángel , Eiros José Mª
Published: March 2020

Background

The high morbidity and mortality caused by influenza viruses translate into a great impact on specialized health care. Apart from the annual vaccination, the relevance of other measures to prevent and control this infection is unknown. The objective of our research was to determine the importance of a real‐time surveillance system to establish early extended transmission precautions.

Methods

Quasi‐experimental before‐and‐after study comparing the influenza cases detected in hospitalized adults during the 2016/2017 season (264 patients) with those detected after the implementation of a real‐time surveillance system in the 2017/2018 season (519 patients). The improvements included early microbiological diagnosis, immediate communication of results, constant updating of patient information, coordination among professionals, periodic surveillance of the adequacy of preventive measures, and greater control of roommates. The effectiveness of the intervention was determined from the nosocomial infection rate in each season.

Results

After the real‐time surveillance system for influenza was implemented, patients with early microbiological diagnosis and immediate isolation increased significantly (13.7% vs 68.2%; P < .001). In addition, nosocomial infections decreased from 17% to 9.2% (P = .001) and overall hospital stay was significantly reduced. Assuming that the entire effect was due to the intervention, the absolute risk reduction was 7.8% and number needed to treat was 12.8.

Conclusion

The results in our study reveal the impact of nosocomial transmission of influenza virus in a tertiary hospital and highlight the need to supplement traditional strategies with novel methodologies such as modern surveillance systems based on early diagnosis, close case monitoring, and coordination among professionals.
Human amniotic membrane allograft, a novel treatment for chronic diabetic foot ulcers: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomised controlled trials
Authors: Su Ya‐Na , Zhao Ding‐Yun , Li Yong‐Hong , Yu Tian‐Qi , Sun Huan , Wu Xin‐Yu , Zhou Xiao‐Qin , Li Jing
Published: March 2020

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of human amniotic membrane (HAM) allograft in treating chronic diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs), a comprehensive search of randomised controlled trials in MEDLINE, EMBASE, PubMed, CENTRAL and Web of Science was conducted to December 7, 2019. Two reviewers independently screened the studies, extracted data, and evaluated the quality of studies. The primary outcome was the proportion of complete healing. The secondary outcomes were mean time to complete healing and adverse events. Statistical analyses were performed using RevMan 5.3. We identified 257 articles, of which 7 articles (465 participants) were included in the meta‐analysis. The proportion of complete wound healing in HAM plus standard of care (SOC) group was 3.88 times as high as that in SOC alone (RR: 3.88 [95% CI: 2.34, 6.44]) at 6 weeks, and 2.01 times at 12 weeks (RR: 2.01 [95%CI: 1.45, 2.77]). The intervention group had a significantly shorter time to complete healing (MD: −30.33 days, [95% CI: −37.95, −22.72]). The number needed to treat within 6 weeks was 2.3 ([95% CI: 1.8, 3.1]). No significant difference was shown in adverse events. Results were consistent in a sensitivity analysis. Hence, HAM plus SOC is effective and safe in treating chronic DFUs.
Thermally stable energy storage properties in relaxor BNT‐6BT‐modified antiferroelectric PNZST ceramics
Authors: Li Ling , Wang Rui‐Xue , Zhang Shan‐Tao
Published: March 2020

Relaxor ferroelectric 0.94Na0.5Bi0.5TiO3‐0.06BaTiO3‐modified antiferroelectric Pb0.99Nb0.02[(Zr0.57Sn0.43)0.94Ti0.06]0.98O3 ceramics, (1−x)PNZST‐x(BNT‐6BT), were prepared to acquire high energy storage and thermal stability properties. X‐ray diffraction and element mapping revealed that a solid solution between PNZST and BNT‐6BT occurs, and Ti cations enter the PNZST lattice, partly extruding Sn cations and leading to the formation of isolated SnO2 particles at the grain boundaries and a 0‐3 type composite structure. Such a composite structure helps to create deviatoric stress in the solid solution component. The BNT‐6BT content significantly influences the energy storage capacity, and the x = 0.2 composition renders optimal performance. The room‐temperature‐recoverable energy density and energy efficiency are 2.23 J/cm3 and 78%, respectively, at 260 kV/cm. Both parameters vary less than 6% within a temperature range of 25°C and 125°C. The improved energy storage and temperature stability indicate that the ceramics can potentially be applied in pulse power capacitors and that this relaxor‐modified antiferroelectric ceramic preparation method is a valuable reference for further optimizing the functional properties.
Long non‐coding RNA LINC00467 drives hepatocellular carcinoma progression via inhibiting NR4A3
Authors: Wang Haihao , Guo Qiannan , Nampoukime Kan‐Paatib Barnabo , Yang Peiwen , Ma Ke
Published: March 2020

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a main cause of cancer‐related deaths globally. Long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play important roles in diverse cancers. Our previous microarray‐based lncRNA profiling showed that LINC00467 was highly expressed in HCC. Here, we further explored the expression, role and functional mechanism of lncRNA LINC00467 in HCC. Our findings revealed that LINC00467 was up‐regulated in HCC tissues and HCC cell lines. Increased expression of LINC00467 was positively associated with tumour size and vascular invasion. In vitro functional experiments revealed that LINC00467 accelerated HCC cell proliferation, cell cycle progression and migration and reduced HCC cell apoptosis. In vivo functional assays revealed that LINC00467 drove HCC xenograft growth and HCC cell proliferation and repressed HCC cell apoptosis in vivo. Moreover, LINC00467 inhibited NR4A3 post‐transcriptionally via interacting with NR4A3 mRNA to form double‐stranded RNA, which was further degraded by Dicer. The expression of NR4A3 was inversely associated with LINC00467 in HCC tissues. Functional rescue assays found that restore of NR4A3 expression blocked the oncogenic roles of LINC00467 in HCC. Taken together, our results demonstrated that lncRNA LINC00467 was a novel highly expressed and oncogenic lncRNA in HCC via inhibiting NR4A3. Targeting LINC00467 or enhancing NR4A3 may be potential therapeutic strategies against HCC.
Clinical characteristics of lip infantile haemangiomas and main risk factors for ulceration: an 8‐year retrospective study of 69 Chinese infants
Authors: Yu L. , Li L.L. , Yan P. , Deng L. , Gan X.L. , Yao X.J. , Zhu Z.H. , Zhang T.D.
Published: March 2020

Background

Infantile haemangiomas (IHs) involving the lip are of special concern because of the susceptibility of complications, including ulceration, obstruction and disfigurement. The available data for the relationship between their clinical characteristics and ulcerations are limited.

Objectives

To describe the clinical characteristics of lip IHs and to evaluate the main risk factors for ulceration.

Methods

A retrospective study was designed that included infants with lip IHs during an 8‐year period, the clinical data of participants were collected, and univariable and multivariable logistic models were used to determine the relationships between the clinical characteristics of lip IHs and ulcerations. Location, size and type were investigated as potential independent factors influencing the development of ulceration.

Results

A total of 69 lip IHs were identified including 40 girls and 29 boys. Ulcerations were found in 37 (53.6%) lip IHs. Lip haemangiomas experiencing ulceration had a mean size (SD) of 3.49 (2.82) cm2 compared with 1.08 (0.96) cm2 for those without ulceration. Twenty‐eight (52.8%) of the 53 localized haemangiomas and 9 (56.3%) of the 16 segmental haemangiomas experienced ulcerations. Univariable analyses of all investigated factors revealed significant associations of location and size with increased risk of ulceration, and these significant associations remained after adjusting for sex and age [OR 8.61 (95% CI, 2.24–33.13) and 2.62 (95% CI, 1.46–4.72), respectively]. The duration before ulceration was between 4 and 70 days after the occurrence of lip IHs, with a median of 28 (19.41) days. Most ulcers occurred within 45 days of IH occurrence.

Conclusions

Ulceration is a common complication of lip IHs at an earlier stage. A swollen with pale or bright crimson appearance of the lip IH surface could be an important signal of subsequent ulceration. Location of the IH on the lower lip and lip IH size are risk factors for the occurrence of ulceration.
Ready for shared decision making: Pretesting a training module for health professionals on sharing decisions with their patients
Authors: Kienlin Simone , Nytrøen Kari , Stacey Dawn , Kasper Jürgen
Published: March 2020

Introduction

While shared decision‐making (SDM) training programmes for health professionals have been developed in several countries, few have been evaluated. In Norway, a comprehensive curriculum, “klar for samvalg” (ready for SDM), for interprofessional health‐care teams was created using generic didactic methods and guidance to tailor training to various contexts. The programmes adapted didactic methods from an evidence‐based German training programmes (doktormitSDM). The overall aim was to evaluate two particular SDM modules on facilitating SDM implementation into clinical practice.

Method

A descriptive mixed methods study using questionnaires and a focus group guided by the Medical Research Council Complex Interventions Framework. The training was provided as two different applications (module AB [introduction and SDM‐basics] and module ABC [introduction, SDM‐basics and interactive training]) with differing learning objectives, extent of interactivity, and duration (1 vs 2 hours).

Groups of participants were recruited consecutively based on requests for health professional SDM training in university/college‐ and hospital‐settings. By a focus group and a self‐administered questionnaire comprehensibility, relevance and acceptance were assessed and qualitative feedback collected after the training. Data passed descriptive and content analysis, respectively. Knowledge was assessed twice using five multiple‐choice items and analysed using paired t‐tests.

Results

In 11 (six AB and five ABC) training sessions, 357/429 (296 AB and 133 ABC) eligible nurses, physicians and health professional students with varying clinical backgrounds and previous levels of SDM‐knowledge participated. SDM‐knowledge increased from 25‐78% (range pretest) to 85‐95% (range post‐test) (P ≤ .001).

The training was rated easy to understand, acceptable and relevant for practice. Findings to improve the education suggest higher emphasis on interprofessional teaching methods.

Conclusions

The two SDM training modules met the basic requirements for use in a broader SDM implementation strategy and can even improve knowledge.
Hamlet without the Prince of Denmark: Bringing Capitalism back into the ‘New’ History of Capitalism
Authors: Kershaw Paul V.
Published: March 2020

A growing number of historians are self‐identifying as historians of capitalism, a new subfield within the discipline, and have produced research on interesting new questions that transcend the subfields of economic, business, social, cultural, and political history. Ironically, what is missing from the “new” history of capitalism is any serious engagement with the new subfield's central character—capitalism, which instead is simply assumed despite being a contested concept. The implications are not trivial and include making unfalsifiable claims, unwittingly implying that capitalism is totalizing, and reproducing rather than exposing ahistorical understandings of the concept.
Transmission of hepatitis C virus in HIV‐positive and PrEP‐using MSM in England
Authors: Bradshaw Daniel , Vasylyeva Tetyana I. , Davis Chris , Pybus Oliver G. , Thézé Julien , Thomson Emma C. , Martinello Marianne , Matthews Gail V. , Burholt Ruth , Gilleece Yvonne , Cooke Graham S. , Page Emma E. , Waters Laura , Nelson Mark
Published: March 2020

We sought to characterize risk factors and patterns of HCV transmission amongst men who have sex with men (MSM). MSM with recently acquired HCV (AHCV) were prospectively recruited ('clinic cohort') between January and September 2017. Clinical data and risk behaviours were identified and blood obtained for HCV whole genome sequencing. Phylogenetic analyses were performed, using sequences from this cohort and two other AHCV cohorts, to identify transmission clusters. Sixteen (40.0%) men in the clinic cohort were HIV‐negative MSM. HIV‐negative MSM were younger than HIV‐positive MSM; most (81.3%) had taken HIV PrEP in the preceding year. Eighteen men (45.0%) reported injection drug use; most (34, 85.0%) reported noninjection drug use in the last year. Most in both groups reported condomless anal sex, fisting and sex in a group environment. Few (7, 17.5%) men thought partners may have had HCV. There were 52 sequences in the HCV genotype 1a phylogeny, 18 from the clinic cohort and 34 from other AHCV cohorts; 47 (90.4%) clustered with ≥1 other sequence. There were 7 clusters of 2‐27 sequences; 6 clusters contained HIV‐negative and HIV‐positive MSM and 1 cluster only HIV‐positive MSM. Four of these clusters were part of larger clusters first described in 2007. PrEP‐using MSM are at risk of HCV, sharing similar risk factors to HIV‐positive MSM. Phylogenetics highlights that PrEP‐using and HIV‐positive MSM are involved in the same HCV transmission networks. Few men demonstrated HCV awareness and risk reduction strategies should be expanded.
The relationship between body shape, body size and locomotor mode in extant lepidosaurs
Authors: Grinham L. R. , Norman D. B.
Published: March 2020

Despite historic work, the mechanisms and evolutionary drivers associated with the adoption of a facultatively bipedal locomotor mode in extant lepidosaurs are unclear. Recent work has provided insights into the biomechanical triggers of bipedal locomotion, but the associated anatomies are yet to be fully understood, particularly with regard to body size across Lepidosauria. Using a dataset derived from museum specimens, representing a range of lepidosaur body shapes, we highlight the differences between obligate quadrupeds and facultative bipeds within this group and demonstrate the value of non‐caudal skeletal material in identifying facultative bipeds using osteology alone. We use multiple statistical approaches to identify trends across locomotor modes relative to body size. Body size has a significant effect upon body proportions across the two locomotor modes, especially in the hindlimbs. Forelimb lengths do not differ significantly across locomotor modes for animals of similar body size, but distal hindlimbs are significantly longer in facultative bipeds. Interestingly, femoral length does not differ across locomotor modes of a similar body size. Our findings contrast with historical tropes and are significant for future work attempting to identify the factors driving the evolution of a facultatively bipedal locomotor mode in Lepidosauria.
Female concave‐eared torrent frogs prefer smaller males
Authors: Zhang F. , Yuan C. , Feng A. S.
Published: March 2020

Mate choice is a natural selection mechanism whereby the traits of select members of a population are passed on to their offspring. We hypothesized that, for stream‐dwelling anurans, females might prefer males with smaller body size and higher call frequency as their vocal calls are more conspicuous in the species’ habitat featuring intense but predominantly low‐frequency stream noise. To test this hypothesis, we first measured the body size of amplectant male concave‐eared torrent frogs (Odorrana tormota) in the field, a species with demonstrated ability of ultrasonic communication. Our field observation showed that, on average, amplectant males had smaller body size compared to that of non‐amplectant males (P < 0.05), an unusual finding among anurans. We next performed two‐choice amplexus experiments by pairing a female with two males in an aquarium indoors. Results of laboratory experiments similarly revealed female’s preference for males with smaller body sizes. Additionally, we recorded and analyzed the advertisement calls of 33 males and confirmed that their call frequency was inversely related to the body size as expected. Together, our studies showed that, for O. tormota, smaller males with higher call frequencies had higher mating success over bigger rivals, that is, females prefer smaller males.
Pluractionality: A cross‐linguistic perspective
Authors: Mattiola Simone
Published: March 2020

This paper aims to give a cross‐linguistic overview of pluractionality. Pluractionality is defined as a structural modification of the verb indicating the presence of multiple events. The paper first investigates the functions associated with pluractional markers in the languages of the world and classifies them into core and additional functions. I then present the most frequent marking strategies that the languages adopt in order to encode pluractionality and briefly discuss the morphological nature of one in particular (i.e., lexical alternation), as well as the formal identification of participant plurality. Finally, I examine the grammatical status of pluractionality in a cross‐linguistic perspective, taking the most recent typological literature into consideration. I conclude that “pluractionality” cannot be theoretically conceived as a unique, cross‐linguistically valid category but should rather be regarded as a label, which indicates different phenomena in different languages, useful for typological comparison but not reflecting any kind of pre‐established grammatical category.
Warrant from transsaccadic vision
Authors: Buehler Denis
Published: March 2020

Recently, there has been much interest in epistemic roles of attention, especially in whether visual attention is necessary for warranting (basic) visual belief. Arguably it is not. But attention nevertheless has important roles to play in our warrant from vision. I argue that we must appeal to a competence for shifting visual attention in explaining transsaccadic vision and our epistemic warrant from it. So even if it is not necessary for visual warrant or vision, visual attention plays a central role in both.