bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Plasma metabolites associated with arterial stiffness in patients with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Katakami Naoto , Omori Kazuo , Taya Naohiro , Arakawa Shoya , Takahara Mitsuyoshi , Matsuoka Taka-aki , Tsugawa Hiroshi , Furuno Masahiro , Bamba Takeshi , Fukusaki Eiichiro , Shimomura Iichiro
Published: June 2020

Background

Although an increased arterial stiffness has been associated with traditional coronary risk factors, the risk factors and pathology of arterial stiffness remain unclear. In this study, we aimed to identify the plasma metabolites associated with arterial stiffness in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Methods

We used the metabolomic data of 209 patients with type 2 diabetes as the first dataset for screening. To form the second dataset for validation, we enlisted an additional 31 individuals with type 2 diabetes. The non-targeted metabolome analysis of fasting plasma samples using gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry and the measurement of brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) were performed.

Results

A total of 65 annotated metabolites were detected. In the screening dataset, there were statistically significant associations between the baPWV and plasma levels of indoxyl sulfate (r = 0.226, p = 0.001), mannitol (r = 0.178, p = 0.010), mesoerythritol (r = 0.234, p = 0.001), and pyroglutamic acid (r = 0.182, p = 0.008). Multivariate regression analyses revealed that the plasma levels of mesoerythritol were significantly (β = 0.163, p = 0.025) and that of indoxyl sulfate were marginally (β = 0.124, p = 0.076) associated with baPWV, even after adjusting for traditional coronary risk factors. In the independent validation dataset, there was a statistically significant association between the baPWV and plasma levels of indoxyl sulfate (r = 0.430, p = 0.016). However, significant associations between the baPWV and plasma levels of the other three metabolites were not confirmed.

Conclusions/interpretation

The plasma levels of indoxyl sulfate were associated with arterial stiffness in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes. Although the plasma levels of mannitol, mesoerythritol, and pyroglutamic acid were also associated with arterial stiffness, further investigation is needed to verify the results.
Correction to: Analysis of dynamic molecular networks for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma progression
Authors: Pan Zongfu , Li Lu , Fang Qilu , Zhang Yiwen , Hu Xiaoping , Qian Yangyang , Huang Ping
Published: June 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.
Protease associated domain of RNF43 is not necessary for the suppression of Wnt/β-catenin signaling in human cells
Authors: Radaszkiewicz Tomasz , Bryja Vítězslav
Published: June 2020

Background

RNF43 and its homolog ZNRF3 are transmembrane E3 ubiquitin ligases frequently mutated in many human cancer types. Their main role relays on the inhibition of canonical Wnt signaling by the negative regulation of frizzled receptors and LRP5/6 co-receptors levels at the plasma membrane. Intracellular RING domains of RNF43/ZNRF3 mediate the key enzymatic activity of these proteins, but the function of the extracellular Protease Associated (PA) fold in the inhibition of Wnt/β-catenin pathway is controversial up-to date, apart from the interaction with secreted antagonists R-spondin family proteins shown by the crystallographic studies.

Methods

In our research we utilised cell-based approaches to study the role of RNF43 lacking PA domain in the canonical Wnt signalling pathway transduction. We developed controlled overexpression (TetON) and CRISPR/Cas9 mediated knock-out models in human cells.

Results

RNF43ΔPA mutant activity impedes canonical Wnt pathway, as manifested by the reduced phosphorylation of LRP6, DVL2 and DVL3 and by the decreased β-catenin-dependent gene expression. Finally, rescue experiments in the CRISPR/Cas9 derived RNF43/ZNRF3 double knock-out cell lines showed that RNFΔPA overexpression is enough to inhibit activation of LRP6 and β-catenin activity as shown by the Western blot and Top flash dual luciferase assays. Moreover, RNF43 variant without PA domain was not sensitive to the R-spondin1 treatment.

Conclusion

Taken together, our results help to understand better the mode of RNF43 tumor suppressor action and solve some discrepancies present in the field.

Graphical Abstract
Factors associated with sexual and reproductive health behaviour of street-involved young people: findings from a baseline survey in Southwest Nigeria
Authors: Olaleye Atinuke O. , Obiyan Mary O. , Folayan Morenike O.
Published: June 2020

Background

To achieve the Sustainable Development Goal 3, which is to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all persons of all ages, street-involved young people (SIYP) must be assured of universal access to sexual and reproductive healthcare. This study aims to determine the factors associated with age- and sex-specific differences in the sexual and reproductive health (SRH) behaviour of SIYP in southwest Nigeria.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional study that recruited 1505 SIYP aged 10–24 years by use of respondent-driven and time-location sampling. Data were collected through interviewer-administered questionnaires on socioeconomic characteristics; access to SRH information; contraceptive knowledge and use; sexual behavior; and sexual practice. The outcome variables were inconsistent condom use, multiple sexual partners, and transactional sex. Binomial regression analysis models were developed to determine risk indicators for outcome variables.

Results

Although 968 (64.3%) participants were sexually active and 1089 (72.4%) knew about modern contraception, only 300 (31.0%) sexually active respondents used modern contraceptives. Knowledge of modern contraception (AOR: 0.11; 95% C.I: 0.01–0.82, p = 0.03) and being employed (AOR: 0.38; 95% C.I: 0.15–0.95, p = 0.04) reduced the odds for inconsistent condom use among male SIYPs. For female SIYPs, knowledge of modern contraception reduced the odds for inconsistent condom use (AOR: 0.26; 95% C.I: 0.08–0.90, p = 0.03), whereas access to SRH information significantly increased the odds for inconsistent condom use (AOR: 5.06; 95% C.I: 1.67–15.37, p = 0.004).

Conclusion

Age- and sex- related factors associated with risky sexual behaviors vary among SIYP. Addressing these differences in the delivery of targeted interventions to reduce sexual health risk of SIYP may be required.
Fertility preferences among couples in Nigeria: a cross sectional study
Authors: Odusina Emmanuel Kolawole , Ayotunde Titilayo , Kunnuji Michael , Ononokpono Dorothy N. , Bishwajit Ghose , Yaya Sanni
Published: June 2020

Background

The persistently high and stalled total fertility in Sub-Saharan Africa, including in Nigeria, calls for new efforts towards fertility reduction. Most efforts on fertility desire in sub-Saharan Africa have focused either on individual men or women with little focus on couples as a unit of analysis. Moreover, the influences of different types of marriages in which couples reproduce have not been adequately explored. Therefore, this study examined fertility desires among couples in Nigeria.

Methods

This paper used data from the Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) of 2018 to assess fertility desire by marriage type among couples in Nigeria. In addition, the association between fertility desire and disparity in couples’ educational attainment, place of residence, region, religion, occupation, wealth status, children ever born and contraceptive use were considered. The participants consisted of 6813 couples aged between 15–49 years. Couples’ characteristics were reported using frequency and percentage distribution tables. Descriptive and logistic regression analyses were conducted.

Results

Overall, the study revealed that 73.8% of couples were in monogamous relationships while 26.2% were in polygynous relationships. The mean ideal number of children for men and women were 7.2 and 6.1, respectively. Also, 49.3% of the couples reported husbands desired more children, 43.9% claimed wives desired more children, while 6.8% indicated equal number of desired children among wives and husbands. The results of binary logistic regression showed that couples in polygynous relationships were 4.3 times as likely to desire more children, compared to couples in monogamous relationships (OR = 4.3; 95% CI: 3.5, 5.3). Couples in polygynous relationships wanted as many as four times the number of children desired by couples in monogamous relationships. Fertility desire was significantly higher among couples who indicated the following: either was using contraceptives (OR = 2.3; 95% CI: 1.6–3.4), both were not using contraceptives (OR = 2.8; 95% CI: 1.9, 4.1), lived in North East (OR = 2.0; 95% CI: 1.5, 2.6) and North West (OR = 1.7; 95% CI: 1.3, 2.3), both were not working (OR = 1.33, 95% CI; 1.1, 1.6) and were adherents of Islam (OR = 1.8; 95% CI; 1.5, 2.4).

Conclusion

These findings reflect the role of region, use of contraceptives, work status and religion in the fertility desire of couples. Implementing programmes and policies on sexual education and reproductive rights of couples and individuals may reduce high fertility desire and its adverse consequences, such as child and maternal morbidity and mortality in Nigeria.
Comparing total hip arthroplasty and hemiarthroplasty for the treatment of displaced femoral neck fracture in the active elderly over 75 years old: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized control trials
Authors: Liu Yijun , Chen Xiaokun , Zhang Peixun , Jiang Baoguo
Published: June 2020

Background

Displaced femoral neck fractures (DFNF) are increasingly common in elderly patients. Hip arthroplasty, the recommended treatment of DFNF, consists of the total hip arthroplasty (THA) and hemiarthroplasty (HA). THA is superior to HA in younger patients. However, there are concerns whether the more substantial surgical trauma and higher dislocation rate would trade off the advantages of THA due to frailty and lower physical demands in the elderly over 75 years.

Methods

We conducted the literature search by searching PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, ClinicalTrials.gov, and Web of Science from the inception dates to June 1, 2019. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Included studies were analyzed according to Cochrane review methods.

Results

Nine studies met the inclusion criteria totaling 631 participants (301 THA and 330 HA). Four of the studies conducted were identical to a previous study but look at different follow-up periods. Our study revealed that THA was superior in terms of pain HHS, total HHS, EQ-5D, and acetabulum erosion, with a trend of a lower mortality rate within 6 months after surgery. However, the THA group had a longer average operative time and higher dislocation rate, with a trend towards a higher general complication rate. Moreover, there was no significant difference in terms of reoperation rate, postoperative infection, peri-prosthetic fracture, and VTE prevalence across the groups.

Conclusions

THA may be a preferred management option for active elderly patients over 75 years old, which can provide superior hip function and life quality with acceptable risks. Strict management should be followed to prevent dislocation following a THA, especially within the first 6 months.

Trial registration

This study was registered at the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (CRD42019139135).
Medical exercise therapy alone versus arthroscopic partial meniscectomy followed by medical exercise therapy for degenerative meniscal tear: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Ma Jianxiong , Chen Hengting , Liu Aifeng , Cui Yuhong , Ma Xinlong
Published: June 2020

Objective

To explore if medical exercise therapy (MET) alone is comparable to arthroscopic partial meniscectomy (APM) followed by MET for knee pain, activity level, and physical function in middle-aged patients with degenerative meniscal tear (DMT) by a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

Method

A systematic search of electronic databases (PubMed, the Cochrane Library, Embase, and Web of Science) was conducted to retrieve RCTs comparing MET+APM with MET alone for DMT. Risk of bias of the studies was evaluated. Outcomes assessed were pain relief, physical function, and activity level.

Results

A total of 6 RCTs containing 879 patients were included. After pooling the data of 5 researches, we found small significant differences support the APM + MET group for pain control assessed by Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) at 2 to 3 months (p = 0.004) and at 6 months (p = 0.04). And there were statistically improvements in APM + MET at 6 months compared with MET alone when changing measurement to visual analog scale (VAS) (p = 0.0003). Our analysis also found small significant differences favor the APM followed by MET group for physical function both at 2 to 3 months (p = 0.01, KOOS and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index, WOMAC; and P = 0.40, Lysholm Knee Scoring Scale) and at 6 months (p = 0.01, KOOS and WOMAC).

Conclusion

We found favorable results of APM + MET up to 6 months for pain control and physical function. However, there were no differences at longer follow-up. The clinical applicability of APM + MET compared with MET should be interpreted carefully, and the potential of MET to treat DMT should be valued.
Clinical experience of whole-body computed tomography as the initial evaluation tool after extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation in patients of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest
Authors: Yang Kelvin Jeason , Wang Chih-Hsien , Huang Yu-Cheng , Tseng Li-Jung , Chen Yih-Sharng , Yu Hsi-Yu
Published: June 2020

Background

The routine application of whole-body CT after extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) has not been extensively investigated. We aimed to evaluate the benefit of CT in this context.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed all OHCA patients who had received ECPR between January 2006 to May 2019. Electronic records were reviewed to filter out patients who had a whole-body CT as their first clinical evaluation after ECPR. CT findings and major hospital outcomes were evaluated.

Results

From January 2006 to May 2019, 700 patients had received ECPR in our institution. We identified 93 OHCA patients who received whole-body CT as the first clinical evaluation after ECPR. 22.6% of those had no acute findings detected on CT requiring immediate treatment. In the remaining 77.4%, CT had findings that might lead to alterations in clinical course. Most important findings were myocardial infarction (57.0%), hypoxic brain injury (29.0%), sternal/rib fractures (16.1%), aortic dissection (7.5%), pulmonary embolism (5.4%), and cardiac tamponade (5.4%). There were no significant differences in ICU/hospitalization days, time on ECMO support, survival and neurological outcomes between those with and without immediate CT. In our OHCA cohort, there were 27 patients with CT evidence of hypoxic brain injury, of whom 22.2% (n = 2) managed to wean from ECMO support, 14.8% (n = 4) survived to discharge, but only 3.7% (n = 1) survived with good neurological outcome. Hypoxic brain injury on CT has a 95% specificity in predicting poor neurological outcome, with a false positive rate of only 3.7%. Logistic regression suggested a potential correlation between CT findings of hypoxic brain injury and poor neurological outcome [Odds ratio (OR) = 12.53 (1.55 to 10.1), p = 0.02)].

Conclusions

Routine whole-body CT after ECPR in OHCA patients appears to have a limited role, as the majority is caused by ACS. However, it may be a useful tool when CPR-related injury or non-ACS causes of OHCA are suspected, as well as in cases where the cause of OHCA is unknown. On the contrary, routine brain CT may be a valuable tool in guiding anticoagulant therapy during ECMO and in aiding outcome prediction.
Childhood acute poisoning in the Italian North-West area: a six-year retrospective study
Authors: Berta Giovanni N. , Di Scipio Federica , Bosetti Francesca M. , Mognetti Barbara , Romano Federica , Carere Maria E. , Del Giudice Anna C. , Castagno Emanuele , Bondone Claudia , Urbino Antonio F.
Published: June 2020

Background

Data about acute poisoning in Italian pediatric patients are obsolete or absent. This study would partially fill this exiting gap and compare the scene with others around the world.

Methods

A retrospective evaluation was performed on a 2012–2017 data registry of the Children’s Emergency Department at the Regina Margherita Hospital of Turin, where 1030 children under age 14 were accepted with a diagnosis of acute intoxication.

Results

The median age of the patients was 2.2 years (IQR 2.3) and 55% were male. Events occurred mostly in children aged 1–4 years (n = 751, 72.9%). Six hundred and eight patients (59%) were exposed to Nonpharmaceutical agents, the household cleaning products being the more frequent (n = 298, 49%). Exposure to Pharmaceuticals were 422 (41%); the most common Pharmaceuticals were analgesics (n = 88, 20.8%), psychotropics (n = 77, 18.2%) and cardiovascular (n = 53, 12.6%) drugs. The 85% of the intoxications occurred accidentally, the 10.6% as therapeutic error, the 2.3% as suicide attempts and the 1.5% for recreational purposes. No patient died.

Conclusions

Despite acute poisoning being a relevant problem in pediatric emergency, our results would seem to paint a less worrying picture if compared to other countries, mainly when considering the children hospitalized in the pediatric intensive care unit and the number of deaths. Nevertheless, our study might represent a tool for public health authorities to program incisive interventions.
Kyasanur Forest disease virus non-mouse animal models: a pilot study
Authors: Nikiforuk A. M. , Tierny K. , Cutts T. A. , Kobasa D. K. , Theriault S. S. , Cook B. W. M.
Published: June 2020

Objectives

Mouse models have delivered variable recapitulation of Kyasanur Forest disease (KFD) pathology and consistently demonstrated neurological involvement which may be a limited feature of human disease. With the purpose of more accurately modelling human disease progression we infected several small-mammalian models: guinea pigs, hamsters and ferrets with a titered infectious dose of Kyasanur Forest disease virus (KFDV). Clinical indicators of disease severity were observed for seventeen days, on day eighteen a visual post-mortem analysis of visceral organs was conducted. Viral load in selected tissues was measured to infer disease signs and the establishment of viral replication.

Data description

Daily monitoring did not reveal any observable signs of illness; weight loss was minimal across species and gross pathology did not indicate severe viral infection. Tissue specific tropism and establishment of viral infection was monitored by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). No viral replication was detected in ferrets (n = 0/3), but was present in the spleen of guinea pigs (n = 3/3) and the brain of hamsters (n = 3/3). Low levels of viral RNA were detected in multiple hamster tissues (kidney, liver, lung and spleen) suggesting the possibility of viral tropism and possible adaptation to the host. No serological tests were performed.
Optical coherence tomography angiography as a potential screening tool for cerebral small vessel diseases
Authors: Lee Ju-Yeun , Kim Jun Pyo , Jang Hyemin , Kim Jaeho , Kang Sung Hoon , Kim Ji Sun , Lee Jongmin , Jung Young Hee , Na Duk L. , Seo Sang Won , Oh Sei Yeul , Kim Hee Jin
Published: June 2020

Background

The retina and the brain share anatomic, embryologic, and physiologic characteristics. Therefore, retinal imaging in patients with brain disorders has been of significant interest. Using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA), a novel quantitative method of measuring retinal vasculature, we aimed to evaluate radial peripapillary capillary (RPC) network density and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness in cognitively impaired patients and determine their association with brain imaging markers.

Methods

In this prospective cross-sectional study, a total of 69 patients (138 eyes) including 29 patients with amyloid-positive Alzheimer’s disease-related cognitive impairment (ADCI), 25 patients with subcortical vascular cognitive impairment (SVCI), and 15 amyloid-negative cognitively normal (CN) subjects were enrolled. After excluding eyes with an ophthalmologic disease or poor image quality, 117 eyes of 60 subjects were included in the final analyses. Retinal vascular [capillary density (CD) of the radial peripapillary capillary (RPC) network] and neurodegeneration markers [retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness at four quadrants] were measured using OCTA and OCT imaging. Brain vascular (CSVD score) and neurodegeneration markers (cortical thickness) were assessed using 3D brain magnetic resonance imaging. The CD and RNFL thickness and their correlation with brain imaging markers were investigated.

Results

The SVCI group showed lower CD in the temporal quadrant of the RPC network compared to the CN group (mean (SD), 42.34 (6.29) vs 48.45 (7.08); p = 0.001). When compared to the ADCI group, the SVCI showed lower CD in the superior quadrant (mean (SD), 60.14 (6.42) vs 64.15 (6.39); p = 0. 033) as well as in the temporal quadrant (ADCI 45.76, SVCI 42.34; p = 0.048) of the RPC network. The CD was negatively correlated with CSVD score in the superior (B (95%CI), − 0.059 (− 0.097 to − 0.021); p = 0.003) and temporal (B (95%CI), − 0.048 (− 0.080 to − 0.017); p = 0.003) quadrants of the RPC network. RNFL thickness did not differ among the groups nor did it correlate with cortical thickness.

Conclusions and relevance

The microvasculature of the RPC network was related to the CSVD burden. However, the RNFL thickness did not reflect cerebral neurodegeneration. Noninvasive and rapid acquisition of the OCTA image might have the potential to be used as a screening tool to detect CSVD.
Using discrete choice experiments to measure preferences for hard to observe choice attributes to inform health policy decisions
Authors: van den Broek-Altenburg Eline , Atherly Adam
Published: June 2020

Background

Models of preferences in health services research (HSR) and Health Economics are often defined by readily available information, such as that captured in claims data and electronic health records. Yet many important questions about patient choices cannot be easily studied because of a lack of critical data elements. The objective of this review is to outline the advantages of using stated preferences (SP) data in health services research, and to outline how these methods can be used to evaluate choices that have not yet been offered or studied.

Main body

This article focuses on the application of DCE’s to relevant policy and health system delivery questions currently relevant, particularly in the United States. DCE’s may be helpful to collect data from patient or consumer data that we currently do not have. The article provides examples of research questions that have been answered using SP data collected with a DCE. It outlines how to construct a DCE and how to analyze the data. It also discusses the methodological challenges and emphasizes important considerations regarding the design and estimation methods.

SP data can be adopted in situations where we would like to have consumer choice data, but we currently do not. These are often hypothetical situations to analyze the decision-making process of individuals. With SP data it is possible to analyze trade-offs patients make when choosing between treatment options where these hard to measure attributes are important.

Conclusion

This paper emphasizes that a carefully designed DCE and appropriate estimation methods can open up a new world of data regarding trade-offs patients and providers in healthcare are willing to make. It updates previous “how to” guide for DCE’s for health services researchers and health economists who are not familiar with these methods or have been unwilling to use them and updates previous description of these methods with timely examples.
A parallel algorithm for space-time-fractional partial differential equations
Authors: Lorin E.
Published: June 2020

This paper is dedicated to the derivation of a simple parallel in space and time algorithm for space and time fractional evolution partial differential equations. We report the stability, the order of the method and provide some illustrating numerical experiments.
Comparative analysis of the effects of institutional factors and Piketty’s Hypothesis on inequality: evidence from a panel of countries
Authors: Sarkhosh-Sara Ali , Nasrollahi Khadije , Azarbayjani Karim , Bakhshi Dastjerdi Rasul
Published: June 2020

There are many reports on investigating the influences of institutional factors and Piketty’s Hypothesis on income inequality; nonetheless, the inequality effects of both factors are seemingly investigated separately. We hypothesize that economic freedom viewed as an institutional improvement or distortion has comparatively larger effects on inequality than the forces of income divergence introduced by Thomas Piketty. This article revisits the income inequality–(r–g) nexus and uncovers the role of economic freedom as an institutional indicator in explaining the relationship. Considering the latest inequality data of World Inequality Database (WID) and Standardized World Income Inequality (SWIID) for 82 countries over 2000–2017, an inequality model is estimated that explicitly captures the interaction effect of (r−g) and economic freedom. Reaffirming that economic freedom affects inequality in a non-linear form, we also found evidence that (r−g) raises inequality in the short run, demonstrating that preexisting holders of capital derive greater shares of income. Nevertheless, the effect of (r–g) is not as strong as that of economic freedom and is insignificant in highly unequal countries. This implies that institutional factors play a more important role than Piketty’s Hypothesis in the presence of high inequality. Furthermore, variables of inflation, gross savings rate, trade openness, and unemployment rate are shown to be the most consistently positive and significant factor and GDP per capita, government spending, natural resource rent, and tax revenue variables have negative and significant effects on the baseline estimations.
Does fertilizer adoption enhance smallholders’ commercialization? An endogenous switching regression model from northern Ethiopia
Authors: Tesfay Menasbo Gebru
Published: June 2020

Background

Theory of development economics emphasizes how individuals transit out of poverty. Adoption of improved agricultural technologies is one of the means that enables to facilitate the transition in developing countries. The application of yield-enhancing technologies is potentially likely to produce crop income more than what farm households consume compared to farming activities with more traditional production techniques. Inorganic fertilizer is one of modern agricultural technologies that can enhance agricultural productivity. However, the increase in crop production by itself is insufficient to improve the welfare of farm households; rather, it has to be linked to the market. Therefore, I am motivated to evaluate the potential impact of adoption of inorganic fertilizer on smallholders’ commercialization as technological change enhanced land-use intensification and crop productivity in a land-scarce economy like in rural Tigrai, northern Ethiopia.

Methodology

The study utilizes cross-sectional farm household data collected in the 2014–2015 cropping season from a randomly selected 626 farm households in rural Tigrai, northern Ethiopia. Plot-level productivity is estimated using OLS with a control function approach. The causal impact of fertilizer adoption on smallholders’ commercialization is estimated using an endogenous switching regression model to control for selection problems associated with adoption decision. While factors affecting the probability and extent of inorganic fertilizer adoptions are analyzed using a double-hurdle model (hurdle 1 for probability of adoption and hurdle 2 for the extent of adoption).

Results

The double-hurdle results show that large family size, a higher number of male and female adults affect positively and significantly adoption probability of inorganic fertilizer, while long plot distance, households headed by illiterate are key constraints for inorganic fertilizer adoption. Fertilizer adoption has positive and significant effect on plot-level productivity. Finally, adoption of inorganic fertilizer has a strong and positive impact on smallholders’ commercialization through productivity gain.

Conclusion

The finding of this study confirms the potential role of technology adoption in facilitating rural transformation as higher production from adoption of improved agricultural technologies translates into surplus products and greater ability to integrate with the output market.
Correction to: Amid COVID-19: the importance of developing an positive adverse drug reaction (ADR) and medical device incident (MDI) reporting culture for Global Health and public safety
Authors: Elbeddini Ali , Yeats Aniko , Lee Stephanie
Published: June 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.
Lithofacies-dependent rock physics templates of an unconventional shale reservoir on the North Slope, Alaska
Authors: Tran Minh , Mukerji Tapan , Hosford Scheirer Allegra
Published: June 2020

Over the past 20 years, oil and gas companies have turned their attention to producing petroleum directly from organic-rich shale. Successful exploration, appraisal, and production strategies for source rocks critically depend on reliable identification of their organic components (kerogen, in particular) and generation potential. There is mounting demand to evaluate organic richness in terms of quantity (i.e. total organic carbon) and quality (i.e. hydrogen index) from seismic data, which is usually the only source of information in the early development period of emerging shale plays. We delineated major seismic lithofacies on the Alaska North Slope using elastic, seismic, and petrophysical properties. We performed a well-established quantitative seismic interpretation workflow to integrate geochemical data in the lithofacies definition. Rock physics templates of seismic parameters, Acoustic Impedance, (AI), versus P-wave to S-wave velocity ratio, (VP/VS), are constructed for each lithofacies to assess variations in pore fluid and lithology. We proposed correlations between source rock properties (hydrogen index, total organic carbon) and petrophysical properties (bulk density, porosity, sonic velocity ratio) of the major lithofacies. These correlations, together with facies-specific rock physics templates, can be utilized to predict organic richness and source rock properties away from drilled wells. The models are validated by training data from 2 regional wells to observe their applicability on the Alaska North Slope.
On the depth of detection of logging-while-drilling resistivity measurements for looking-around and looking-ahead applications
Authors: Li Hu , Zhu Jun , Xiong Yanchun , Liu Gang , Tian Yuanshi , Geng Zunbo , Zhou John
Published: June 2020

The depth of detection (DOD), which is an important concept in logging data interpretation, describes the detection capability of the borehole measurements. We have extended the definition of DOD for azimuthal information, namely, the geosignal delivered by azimuthal resistivity tools, to resistivity logs in logging-while-drilling (LWD) applications. Instead of using the radial geometric factor, the detection thresholds in predicting a geologic boundary are used to describe the DOD of a measurement. This definition unifies the criteria to evaluate the detectability of different borehole measurements, such as LWD resistivity measurements and geosignals. It also can be generalized to other kinds of well logging methods in LWD applications. Using the proposed definition, we analyze the detection capability of the LWD resistivity measurements in looking-around and looking-ahead applications; they provide more tangible descriptions. In vertical or near-vertical wells, the definition provides an indicator to evaluate the capability and reliability of looking ahead of deep/ultradeep LWD resistivity tools. The investigations on the influence of the DOD on the distance-to-boundary inversion, which can help in developing a robust and accurate inversion scheme, also are presented and discussed.
Outcomes Among Homeless Patients With Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer: A County Hospital Experience
Authors: Concannon Kyle F. , Thayer John H. , Wu Qian V. , Jenkins Isaac C. , Baik Christina S. , Linden Hannah M.
Published: June 2020

PURPOSE:

Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer death in the United States, with outcomes likely worsened by the presence of poorer outcomes among vulnerable populations such as the homeless. We hypothesized that homeless patients experience delays in biopsy, decreased appointment adherence, and increased overall mortality rates.

METHODS:

We conducted a retrospective electronic medical record–based review of all patients with non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC; N = 133) between September 2012 and September 2018 at an academic county hospital in Seattle, Washington.

RESULTS:

Of the 133 patients treated for NSCLC, 22 (17%) were homeless at the time of their treatment. Among homeless patients with localized lung cancer, the mean time from radiographic finding to biopsy was 248 days, compared with 116 days among housed patients ( P = .37). Homeless patients with advanced disease missed a mean of 26% of appointments in the year after diagnosis, compared with 16% among housed patients ( P = .03). Homeless patients with advanced NSCLC had a median survival of 0.58 years, versus 1.30 years in housed patients ( P = .48).

CONCLUSION:

To our knowledge, this is the first US study comparing outcomes among homeless and housed patients with NSCLC within the same institution; we found homeless patients had longer delays to biopsy, increased rates of missed appointments, and a trend toward decreased survival. This study shows potential areas where interventions could be implemented to improve lung cancer outcomes in this patient population.
Controlling Helical Pitch of Chiral Supramolecular Nanofibers Composed of Two Amphiphiles
Authors: Minakawa Muneharu , Nakagawa Makoto , Wang Ke-Hsuan , Imura Yoshiro , Kawai Takeshi
Published: June 2020

In a previous work, we demonstrated that an amidoamine amphiphile with a stearyl group as the alkyl chain (C18AA) and 12-hydroxystearic acid (HSA) can produce hydrogels consisting of self-assembled chiral nanofibers with a homogeneous helical structure. In this work, we investigate the effect of introducing a double bond into the alkyl chain, i.e., substituting the oleyl group for a stearyl group, on the formation of the hydrogel and the structure of the chiral nanofibers. Combining the amphiphile with the oleyl group (OleylAA) and HSA produced hydrogels, although the self-assembled chiral nanofibers in the hydrogels had a different composition, helical pitch, and diameter than those formed by C18AA and HSA mixtures. Further, we demonstrate that the chiral nanofibers can be used as a soft template for preparing chiral Au nanowires.
Glioma surveillance imaging: current strategies, shortcomings, challenges and outlook
Authors: Abdalla Gehad , Hammam Ahmed , Anjari Mustafa , D'Arco Dr. Felice , Bisdas Dr. Sotirios
Published: June 2020

Inaccurate assessment of surveillance imaging to assess response to glioma therapy may have life-changing consequences. Varied management plans including chemotherapy, radiotherapy or immunotherapy may all contribute to heterogeneous post-treatment appearances and the overlap between the morphological features of pseudoprogression, pseudoresponse and radiation necrosis can make their discrimination very challenging. Therefore, there has been a drive to develop objective strategies for post-treatment assessment of brain gliomas. This review discusses the most important of these approaches such as the RANO “Response Assessment in Neuro-Oncology”, iRANO “Immunotherapy Response Assessment in Neuro-Oncology” and RAPNO “Response Assessment in Paediatric Neuro-Oncology” models.

In addition to these systematic approaches for glioma surveillance, the relatively limited information provided by conventional imaging modalities alone has motivated the development of novel advanced magnetic resonance (MR) and metabolic imaging methods for further discrimination between viable tumour and treatment induced changes. Multiple clinical trials and meta-analyses have investigated the diagnostic performance of these novel techniques in the follow up of brain gliomas, including both single modality descriptive studies and comparative imaging assessment. In this manuscript, we review the literature and discuss the promises and pitfalls of frequently studied modalities in glioma surveillance imaging, including MR perfusion, MR diffusion and MR spectroscopy. In addition, we evaluate other promising MR techniques such as chemical exchange saturation transfer as well as fludeoxyglucose and non-FDG positron emission tomography techniques.
A Playground for ALL Children
Authors: Tavares M. C.
Published: June 2020

As all children deserve the same opportunity to play with each other and to be happy in their differences, students from the class 3.ºB, of Santo Amaro Elementary School, want the school playground to be inclusive, for children in a wheelchair. At the beginning of the project, children in a wheelchair could not play together with their colleagues, as the playground equipment was not adapted. Students developed research on inclusion, built models, and contacted architects that are specialized in inclusive playgrounds. Students also engaged their families in the development of the project. The next step is to show the project to the local authorities.
The impact of large-scale deployment of Wolbachia mosquitoes on dengue and other Aedes-borne diseases in Rio de Janeiro and Niterói, Brazil: study protocol for a controlled interrupted time series analysis using routine disease surveillance data
Authors: Durovni Betina , Saraceni Valeria , Eppinghaus Ana , Riback Thais I.S. , Moreira Luciano A. , Jewell Nicholas P. , Dufault Suzanne M. , O'Neill Scott L. , Simmons Cameron P. , Tanamas Stephanie K. , Anders Katherine L.
Published: June 2020

Background: Rio de Janeiro and Niterói are neighbouring cities in southeastern Brazil which experience large dengue epidemics every 2 to 5 years, with >100,000 cases notified in epidemic years. Costs of vector control and direct and indirect costs due to the Aedes-borne diseases dengue, chikungunya and Zika were estimated to total $650 million USD in 2016, but traditional vector control strategies have not been effective in preventing mosquito-borne disease outbreaks. The Wolbachia method is a novel and self-sustaining approach for the biological control of Aedes-borne diseases, in which the transmission potential of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes is reduced by stably transfecting them with the Wolbachia bacterium (wMel strain). This paper describes a study protocol for evaluating the effect of large-scale non-randomised releases of Wolbachia­-infected mosquitoes on the incidence of dengue, Zika and chikungunya in the two cities of Niterói and Rio de Janeiro. This follows a lead-in period since 2014 involving intensive community engagement, regulatory and public approval, entomological surveys, and small-scale pilot releases.

Method: The Wolbachia releases during 2017-2019 covered a combined area of 170 km2 with a resident population of 1.2 million, across Niterói and Rio de Janeiro. Untreated areas with comparable historical dengue profiles and demographic characteristics have been identified a priori as comparative control areas in each city. The proposed pragmatic epidemiological approach combines a controlled interrupted time series analysis of routinely notified suspected and laboratory-confirmed dengue and chikungunya cases, together with monitoring of Aedes-borne disease activity utilising outbreak signals routinely used in public health disease surveillance.

Discussion: If the current project is successful, this model for control of mosquito-borne disease through Wolbachia releases can be expanded nationally and regionally.
Glycemic control monitoring in patients with tuberculosis and diabetes: a descriptive study from programmatic setting in Tamil Nadu, India
Authors: Gurukartick J. , Murali Lakshmi , Shewade Hemant Deepak , Jacob Anil G. , Samy M. M. , Dheenadayal D. , Aslesh O. P. , Marimuthu Ganesh , Ananthakrishnan Ramya , Krishnan Nalini
Published: June 2020

Background: India’s national tuberculosis (TB) programme recommends that among patients with diabetes mellitus and TB, fasting blood glucose (FBG) be recorded at baseline, the end of intensive phase and the end of continuation phase of TB treatment. We conducted this operational research in select districts of Tamil Nadu, India, in 2016 to determine the availability of blood glucose records and glycemic control status during TB treatment.

Methods: This was a descriptive study involving secondary programme data. Glycemic control during TB treatment was ‘optimal’ if both baseline and end of intensive phase FBG (during TB treatment) were <130 mg/dl. In the absence of FBG, we used random blood glucose (RBG), with <180 mg/dl as the cut off.

Results: Of 438 patients, FBG at baseline, the end of intensive phase and the end of continuation phase were each available in <20%. Glycemic control status was known for 94% (412/438) patients at baseline and for 91% (400/438) during TB treatment. Among those with known glycemic status, glycemic control was not optimal in 77% of patients (316/412) at baseline and in 84% (337/400) during TB treatment. The proportion of patients with unfavourable TB treatment outcomes at the end of intensive phase was 11% (46/438) and at the end of continuation phase was 5% (21/438). We decided against assessing factors associated with glycemic control during TB treatment and association between glycemic control and TB treatment outcomes because glycemic control assessment, if any, was based mostly on RBG values.

Conclusion: Among patients with diabetes and tuberculosis, recording of FBG during tuberculosis treatment requires urgent attention.
Parafunctions, Signs and Symptoms of Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD), in Children with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
Authors: Suligowska Klaudia , Mikietyńska Magdalena , Pakalska-Korcala Anna , Wolańczyk Tomasz , Prośba-Mackiewicz Maria , Zdrojewski Tomasz
Published: June 2020

Cel pracy

Celem pracy było porównanie ilości parafunkcji oraz oznak i objawów TMD w populacyjnej grupie dzieci z ADHD i bez ADHD.

Metoda

Badaniem objęto wszystkie dzieci klas V wszystkich publicznych szkół podstawowych (dzieci nieleczone, niekierowane). Zgłaszalność wyniosła 91%.
W I etapie badań psychologiczno-psychiatrycznych rodzice i dzieci wypełniali kwestionariusze CBCL i YSR. W kolejnym etapie u dzieci wyłonionych w badaniu przesiewowym wykwalifikowany psychiatra dziecięcy przeprowadził półustrukturyzowany wywiad diagnostyczny K-SADS-PL i diagnozował ADHD. Parafunkcje, oznaki i objawy TMD oceniono przeprowadzając bezpośredni wywiad z dzieckiem oraz badanie kliniczne przez lekarza stomatologa.

Wyniki

Wykazano istotne różnice (p<0,05) pomiędzy dziećmi z ADHD i bez ADHD związane z uprawianiem parafunkcji takich jak: żucie gumy (76,47% vs. 46,07%), obgryzanie paznokci (70,59% vs. 40,45%) oraz bruksizm (52,54% vs. 26,22%), liczbą uprawianych parafunkcji (8-10 parafunkcji 11,76% vs. 2,25%) oraz oznak i objawów TMD (1 oznaka lub objaw 0,0% vs 32,21%; 4-7 oznak lub objawów 17,65% vs. 3,75%).

Wnioski

U dzieci z ADHD wykazano znacznie częstsze występowanie objawów zaburzeń stawu skroniowo-żuchwowego oraz uprawianych parafunkcji. Badania te sugerują, że dzieci z ADHD stanowią grupę zwiększonego ryzyka wystąpienia TMD w przyszłości. Koniecznie jest interdyscyplinarne leczenie pacjenta z ADHD przez psychiatrę i stomatologa.
The Influence of Performance Measurement on the Processual Dynamics of Strategic Change
Authors: Abernethy Margaret A. , Dekker Henri C. , Grafton Jennifer
Published: June 2020

We draw on a five-year longitudinal data set to investigate the influence of performance measurement in the processual dynamics of strategic change, particularly in enacting effective strategic change. Our model examines the role of performance measurement in driving strategy-consistent operational changes and in ensuring that the desired objectives of the strategic change process are achieved. We investigate these roles for performance measurement over time and empirically document lags between changes in strategic priorities, changes in operational processes, and subsequent changes in firm performance. We find that performance measurement supports the implementation of strategic change by influencing the extent to which changes to operational tasks and activities are made in response to new strategic priorities, as well as influencing the quality and impact of these operational changes, as reflected in improved contemporaneous and future firm performance.

This paper was accepted by Suraj Srinivasan, accounting.
How much does body size impact the equine foot?
Authors: Leśniak Kirsty
Published: June 2020

Kirsty Leśniak SFHEA, PGCE, MSc, BSc (Hons) Senior Lecturer Equine Science, Hartpury University discusses a smart response to a sizeable challenge
Asymmetry in horses
Authors: Povey-White Suzannah
Published: June 2020

Suzannah Povey-White BSc, Phys Dip asks how does asymmetry affect horses and, should it be a cause for concern?
Atypical Myopathy: an update
Authors: Watson Rebecca
Published: June 2020

Rebecca Watson MSc RVN recaps on what we know and, what we have yet to discover
The changing seasons
Authors: Witherow Briony
Published: June 2020

Briony Witherow MSc RNutr. Practical Equine Nutrition, looks at recent exceptional weather conditions and the possible impact on horses when transitioning from winter to spring
Limb position influences component orientation in Oxford mobile bearing unicompartmental knee arthroplasty
Authors: Tapasvi Sachin , Shekhar Anshu , Patil Shantanu , Pandit Hemant
Published: June 2020

Aims

The mobile bearing Oxford unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (OUKA) is recommended to be performed with the leg in the hanging leg (HL) position, and the thigh placed in a stirrup. This comparative cadaveric study assesses implant positioning and intraoperative kinematics of OUKA implanted either in the HL position or in the supine leg (SL) position.

Methods

A total of 16 fresh-frozen knees in eight human cadavers, without macroscopic anatomical defects, were selected. The knees from each cadaver were randomized to have the OUKA implanted in the HL or SL position.

Results

Tibial base plate rotation was significantly more variable in the SL group with 75% of tibiae mal-rotated. Multivariate analysis of navigation data found no difference based on all kinematic parameters across the range of motion (ROM). However, area under the curve analysis showed that knees placed in the HL position had much smaller differences between the pre- and post-surgery conditions for kinematics mean values across the entire ROM.

Conclusion

The sagittal tibia cut, not dependent on standard instrumentation, determines the tibial component rotation. The HL position improves accuracy of this step compared to the SL position, probably due to better visuospatial orientation of the hip and knee to the surgeon. The HL position is better for replicating native kinematics of the knee as shown by the area under the curve analysis. In the supine knee position, care must be taken during the sagittal tibia cut, while checking flexion balance and when sizing the tibial component.
New Feature Editor and Topical Editor: editorial
Authors: Carney P. Scott
Published: June 2020

Editor-in-Chief P. Scott Carney introduces the Journal’s new Feature
Editor and newest Topical Editor.