bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A new map of glacigenic features and glacial landsystems in central mainland Nunavut, Canada
Authors: McMartin Isabelle , Godbout Pierre‐Marc , Campbell Janet E. , Tremblay Tommy , Behnia Pouran
Published: November 2020

A new digital map of glacial geomorphic features and interpreted glacial landsystems was produced for an area covering ~415 000 km2 in the Keewatin Sector of the Laurentide Ice Sheet (LIS) in Nunavut. The map integrates information from previous surficial geology maps and >14 000 field stations, and is significantly improved by the detailed inventory of ~152 000 glacigenic features using high‐resolution ArcticDEM data and Landsat 8 imagery. From this, we identify and map coherent patterns of landform development (landsystems) between the Manitoba border and the Arctic coast, many of which are entirely new and others that are significantly modified or updated. In particular, we recognize six separate ice streams, including one probable remnant ice stream, and we delineate numerous palimpsest streamlined landscapes with associated ice‐flow trends and relative ages. A continuum of relict terrains with varying basal ice thermal conditions is mapped for the first time in the ice divide migration zone between Baker Lake and Wager Bay. In addition, deglacial cold‐based retreat terrains and preserved warm‐based landscapes unaffected by younger glacial events have been identified. These new georeferenced, multi‐scale data sets and interpreted glacial landsystems provide a comprehensive framework to strengthen reconstructions of the glacial history and dynamics of one of the largest ice domes of the LIS, identify distinct glacial sediment transport paths for applications to mineral exploration, and test numerical modelling of the LIS in support of climate change studies and long‐term evolution of modern ice sheets.
The utility of a random growth hormone level in determining neonatal growth hormone sufficiency
Authors: Mamilly Leena , Pyle‐Eilola Amy L. , Chaudhari Monika , Henry Rohan K.
Published: November 2020

Background

Random growth hormone (GH) levels have been used in the neonate to investigate congenital growth hormone deficiency (GHD). The cut‐off value for use in this diagnosis is yet to be established.

Methods

This is a retrospective chart review of all random GH levels obtained in neonates ≤28 days of age. Neonates were divided into three groups: those diagnosed with congenital GHD, those at risk for GHD (ARF‐GHD) and a non‐growth hormone deficient (non‐GHD) group. Mean GH levels for each group were compared, and ROC analysis was used to identify a cut‐off for the diagnosis of GHD.

Results

The study included 138 neonates with the mean age of 9.07 ± 6.6 days, and 65% of these were born at term gestation. Mean GH levels were lower in the GHD group (2.73 ± 1.19 ng/ml) as compared to the ARF‐GHD (9.4 ± 7.96 ng/ml, p = .002) and non‐GHD groups (14.86 ± 14.42 ng/ml, p = .027). GH values were not significantly different between non‐GHD and ARF‐GHD groups. ROC analysis identified a cut‐off of serum random GH level of 4.5 ng/ml that achieved 100% sensitivity and 83% specificity for the diagnosis of congenital GHD.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates that random GH levels obtained in the first 28 days of life can be useful in diagnosing congenital GHD. Moreover, a diagnostic cut‐off for congenital GHD using random GH levels was identified.
Readiness to Change and Prospective Effects of Weight Management Programs in Pediatric Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Authors: Slowik Voytek , Wasserkrug Heather , Fischer Ryan T. , Connelly Mark , Deacy Amanda D. , Hampl Sarah , Daniel James F.
Published: November 2020

Non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is an increasing problem in pediatrics with limited treatment options. We prospectively assessed outcomes in patients managed in a hepatology clinic (HC) alone vs. those managed in combination with a multidisciplinary weight management program (MWMP). We describe each group’s readiness to change at the time of NAFLD diagnosis. Patients diagnosed with NAFLD were given a modified Stages of Change Readiness and Treatment Eagerness Scale (SOCRATES) at enrollment (T1) to assess readiness to change. They were then followed at 3–9 months (T2) and at 10–15 months (T3). Linear mixed models were used to evaluate changes in body mass index (BMI), BMI z‐score, and transaminases over time and between the two groups. There were no significant treatment group main effects or treatment × time interactions for our primary end points for HC alone (n = 75) or with MWMP (n = 18). There was a significant main effect for time for BMI z‐score, with BMI z‐scores declining on average by 0.0568 (P = 0.004) from visit to visit. Low SOCRATES subscales scores in HC alone (n = 33) or with MWMP (n = 4) suggested a patient population with low recognition of disease and likelihood of taking steps for change. Patients with obesity and NAFLD had low scores on all three SOCRATES subscales. Despite this, both groups had improvement in BMI z‐score without significant difference between the two treatment groups in other primary end points. Further study is needed to identify the most effective patient selection and treatment strategies for pediatric patients with NAFLD, including pharmacotherapy and surgery.
Climate change impacts on living marine resources in the Eastern Tropical Pacific
Authors: Clarke Tayler M. , Reygondeau Gabriel , Wabnitz Colette , Robertson Ross , Ixquiac‐Cabrera Manuel , López Myrna , Ramírez Coghi Ana Rosa , del Río Iglesias José Luis , Wehrtmann Ingo , Cheung William W.L.
Published: November 2020

Aim

Project shifts in the habitat suitability of 505 fish and invertebrate species in the Eastern Tropical Pacific that are likely to occur by the mid‐21st century under “high greenhouse gas emissions” (RCP 8.5) and “strong mitigation” (RCP 2.6) scenarios.

Location

The Eastern Tropical Pacific Ocean, a discrete biogeographic region from the Gulf of California to northern Peru.

Methods

Ensemble simulations of climate change effects on fish and invertebrate species caught by four major fisheries in the region, based on four species distribution models and three Earth system models.

Results

Simulation results indicated that species' habitat suitability increased or remained the same in the northern and southern margins of the Eastern Tropical Pacific but decreased by up to 14% in some fisheries along Central America. The largest declines in the average species habitat suitability index were projected for small pelagic fisheries (up to −46%), while the highest local species turnover was projected for coastal small‐scale fisheries (up to 80%). Under RCP 8.5, species in the southern half and northern equatorial region of the Eastern Tropical Pacific were projected to shift south‐east at a rate of approximately 30–60 km decade‐1, respectively. Demersal species were projected to move into shallower, inshore waters with a shift in depth centroids estimated at a rate of around 1 to 13 m decade−1. Range shifts towards the equator reflect movements to cooler habitats that are characteristic of equatorial upwelling systems. Range shifts towards shallower, inshore waters reflect habitat compression associated with the expansion of oxygen minimum zones.

Main conclusions

Our findings highlight the importance of local‐scale oceanographic and biological data to elucidate the multidimensional biogeographic shifts of key species, their potential impacts on fisheries in the region and the need to consider such shifts in the design of effective conservation and marine resource management measures.
CRISPR/Cas9 nickase‐mediated efficient and seamless knock‐in of lethal genes in the medaka fish Oryzias latipes
Authors: Murakami Yu , Futamata Ryota , Horibe Tomohisa , Ueda Kazumitsu , Kinoshita Masato
Published: November 2020

The CRISPR/Cas system offers new opportunities for targeted gene modifications in a wide range of organisms. In medaka (Oryzias latipes), a vertebrate model organism, a wild‐type Cas9‐based approach is commonly used to establish desired strains, however, its use in lethal genes is still challenging due to excess gene disruptions triggered by DNA double strand breaks (DSBs). To overcome this problem, we aimed to develop a new knock‐in system using Cas9 nickase (Cas9n) that can reduce DNA DSBs. We revealed that Cas9n allowed reduction of the DSB‐induced unwanted mutagenesis via non‐homologous end‐joining at both on‐ and off‐ target sites. Further, with a new donor plasmid (p2BaitD) that provides a linear template through Cas9n‐mediated nicks, we successfully integrated reporter cassettes via homology‐directed repair (HDR) into all three loci tested, including a lethal gene. In the experiment targeting the lethal gene, the combination of p2BaitD and Cas9n achieved higher survival rates than the Cas9‐based approach, which enabled the desired knock‐in founders. Additionally, through a technical blend of our knock‐in system with a recently developed One‐step mating protocol, we successfully established a homozygous knock‐in strain in one generation period. This study presents evidence of an effective method to generate an HDR‐mediated gene knock‐in in medaka and other organisms, which is useful for establishing screening platforms for genes or drugs toxicity or other applications.
Effect of the glucagon‐like peptide‐1 analogue liraglutide versus placebo treatment on circulating proglucagon‐derived peptides that mediate improvements in body weight, insulin secretion and action: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Kim Sun H. , Abbasi Fahim , Nachmanoff Clara , Stefanakis Konstantinos , Kumar Ajay , Kalra Bhanu , Savjani Gopal , Mantzoros Christos S.
Published: November 2020

Aim

To examine how circulating glucagon‐like peptide‐1 (GLP‐1) concentrations during liraglutide treatment relate to its therapeutic actions on glucose and weight, and to study the effects of liraglutide on other proglucagon‐derived peptides (PGDPs), including endogenous GLP‐1, glucagon‐like peptide‐2, glucagon, oxyntomodulin, glicentin and major proglucagon fragment, which also regulate metabolic and weight control.

Materials and Methods

Adults who were overweight/obese (body mass index 27‐40 kg/m2) with prediabetes were randomized to liraglutide (1.8 mg/day) versus placebo for 14 weeks. We used specific assays to measure exogenous (liraglutide, GLP‐1 agonist [GLP‐1A]) and endogenous (GLP‐1E) GLP‐1, alongside five other PGDP concentrations during a mixed meal tolerance test (MMTT) completed at baseline and at week 14 (liraglutide, n = 16; placebo, n = 19). Glucose during MMTT, steady‐state plasma glucose (SSPG) concentration for insulin resistance and insulin secretion rate (ISR) were previously measured. MMTT area‐under‐the‐curve (AUC) was calculated for ISR, glucose and levels of PGDPs.

Results

Participants on liraglutide versus placebo had significantly (P ≤ .004) decreased weight (mean −3.6%, 95% CI [−5.2% to −2.1%]), SSPG (−32% [−43% to −22%]) and glucose AUC (−7.0% [−11.5% to −2.5%]) and increased ISR AUC (30% [16% to 44%]). GLP‐1A AUC at study end was significantly (P ≤ .04) linearly associated with % decrease in weight (r = −0.54) and SSPG (r = −0.59) and increase in ISR AUC (r = 0.51) in the liraglutide group. Treatment with liraglutide significantly (P ≤ .005) increased exogenous GLP‐1A AUC (median 310 vs. 262 pg/mL × 8 hours at baseline but decreased endogenous GLP‐1E AUC [13.1 vs. 24.2 pmol/L × 8 hours at baseline]), as well as the five other PGDPs. Decreases in the PGDPs processed in the intestines are independent of weight loss, indicating a probable direct effect of GLP‐1 receptor agonists to decrease their endogenous production in contrast to weight loss‐dependent changes in glucagon and major proglucagon fragment that are processed in pancreatic alpha cells.

Conclusions

Circulating GLP‐1A concentrations, reflecting liraglutide levels, predict improvement in weight, insulin action and secretion in a linear manner. Importantly, liraglutide also downregulates other PGDPs, normalization of the levels of which may provide additional metabolic and weight loss benefits in the future.
Martial arts training is related to implicit intermanual transfer of visuomotor adaptation
Authors: Werner Susen , Hasegawa Koki , Kanosue Kazuyuki , Strüder Heiko K. , Göb Tobias , Vogt Tobias
Published: November 2020

Recent work identified an explicit and implicit transfer of sensorimotor adaptation with one limb to the other, untrained limb. Here, we pursue the idea that different individual factors contribute differently to the amount of explicit and implicit intermanual transfer. In particular, we tested a group of judo athletes who show enhanced right‐hemispheric involvement in motor control and a group of equally trained athletes. After adaptation to a 60° visual rotation, we estimated awareness of the perturbation and transfer to the untrained, non‐dominant left hand in two experiments. We measured the total amount of intermanual transfer (explicit plus implicit) by telling the participants to repeat what was learned during adaptation, and the amount of implicit transfer by instructing the participants to refrain from using what was learned and to perform movements as during baseline instead. We found no difference between the total intermanual transfer of judokas and running experts, with mean absolute transfer values of 42.4° and 47.0°. Implicit intermanual transfer was very limited, but larger in judokas than in general sports athletes, with mean values of 5.2° and 1.6°. A multiple linear regression analysis further revealed that total intermanual transfer, which mainly represents the explicit transfer, is related to awareness of the perturbation, while implicit intermanual transfer can be predicted by judo training, amount of total training, speed of adaptation, and handedness scores. The findings suggest that neuronal mechanisms such as hemispheric interactions and functional specialization underlying intermanual transfer of motor learning may be applied according to individual predisposition.
Twin pregnancy in women with epilepsy
Authors: Vajda Frank J. E. , O’Brien Terence J. , Graham Janet E. , Hitchcock Alison A. , Perucca Piero , Lander Cecilie M. , Eadie Mervyn J.
Published: November 2020

Objective

We report data from the Raoul Wallenberg Australian Register of Antiepileptic Drugs in Pregnancy (APR) to see if there are significant differences in relation to the courses and outcomes of the twin pregnancies contained in the register, as compared with the singleton ones.

Methods

The APR has been under the oversight of Melbourne institutional Human Ethics Research Committees; all women enrolled in the APR have provided written informed consent. Data from the APR were transferred to a spreadsheet and then analyzed using simple statistical techniques including logistic regression.

Results

The population studied comprised 44 twin and 2261 singleton pregnancies; thus, twin pregnancies accounted for 1.91% of all pregnancies studied. The women carrying twins tended to be older than the women with singleton pregnancies to a statistically significant extent, their pregnancies more often originated from assisted fertilization techniques, and their babies were more often delivered by cesarean section. There were no statistically significant differences in relation to antiepileptic drug (AED) therapy. Individual twins had statistically significantly lower mean birthweights than singleton babies and they were statistically significantly more often involved structurally malformed foetuses. In the first year of life, the twin pregnancies statistically significantly more often produced offspring that were affected by seizures in infancy.

Significance

The data suggest that there may be an increased hazard of fetal malformation in the offspring of twin pregnancy in women with epilepsy, but that with contemporary standards of management of epilepsy and pregnancy, there is unlikely to be an increased hazard of seizure‐affected pregnancy.
Gabra2 is a genetic modifier of Scn8a encephalopathy in the mouse*
Authors: Yu Wenxi , Hill Sophie F. , Xenakis James G. , Pardo‐Manuel de Villena Fernando , Wagnon Jacy L. , Meisler Miriam H.
Published: November 2020

Objective

SCN8A encephalopathy is a developmental epileptic encephalopathy typically caused by de novo gain‐of‐function mutations in Nav1.6. Severely affected individuals exhibit refractory seizures, developmental delay, cognitive disabilities, movement disorders, and elevated risk of sudden death. Patients with the identical SCN8A variant can differ in clinical course, suggesting a role for modifier genes in determining disease severity. The identification of genetic modifiers contributes to understanding disease pathogenesis and suggesting therapeutic interventions.

Methods

We generated F1 and F2 crosses between inbred mouse strains and mice carrying the human pathogenic variants SCN8A‐R1872W and SCN8A‐N1768D. Quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis of seizure‐related phenotypes was used for chromosomal mapping of modifier loci.

Results

In an F2 cross between strain SJL/J and C57BL/6J mice carrying the patient mutation R1872W, we identified a major QTL on chromosome 5 containing the Gabra2 gene. Strain C57BL/6J carries a splice site mutation that reduces expression of Gabra2, encoding the α2 subunit of the aminobutyric acid type A receptor. The protective wild‐type allele of Gabra2 from strain SJL/J delays the age at seizure onset and extends life span of the Scn8a mutant mice. Additional Scn8a modifiers were observed in the F2 cross and in an F1 cross with strain C3HeB/FeJ.

Significance

These studies demonstrate that the SJL/J strain carries multiple modifiers with protective effects against seizures induced by gain‐of‐function mutations in Scn8a. Homozygosity for the hypomorphic variant of Gabra2 in strain C57BL/6J is associated with early seizure onset and short life span. GABRA2 is a potential therapeutic target for SCN8A encephalopathy.
Balancing Breeding for Growth and Fecundity in Radiata Pine (Pinus radiataD. Don) Breeding Programme
Authors: Wu Harry X. , Ker Richard , Chen Zhiqiang , Ivkovic Milos
Published: November 2020

Tree breeding has focused on increasing stem volume growth with a cost to fecundity. However, fecundity is important in maintaining the fitness in natural stands and facilitating cross‐pollination to advance breeding populations. Understanding the inheritance of fecundity and the genetic relationship between fecundity and growth is essential to understand the constraints of evolution in natural population and design an optimal selection strategy to balance breeding for growth and fecundity. Inheritance of female fecundity and the genetic relationship between fecundity and growth in radiata pine were investigated using a large Australia‐wide progeny test, planted on eight sites involving 279 control‐pollinated families. It was found that fecundity of female cones was highly heritable with an estimated heritability of 0.39–0.61, but genetically correlated with growth (−0.30 to −0.39). This indicates that improvement in tree growth alone could reduce the fecundity, thus to break the possible evolutionary constraint in natural population. To maintain fecundity for breeding purposes and minimize the interruption of the evolutionary constraint between fecundity and growth, use of a restraint selection index to impose no change of fecundity is developed in current breeding, while dissecting the genetic basis of adversely correlated traits at loci level is required for optimal long‐term strategy.
Equine conidiobolomycosis: A review and case study
Authors: Zetterström S. , Hanson R. , Velloso Alvarez A. , Caldwell F. , Boone L. , Schumacher J.
Published: November 2020

Conidiobolus coronatusis one of the most commonly identified upper respiratory fungal pathogens in horses. This article includes a review of clinical signs, diagnostics, treatment and outcomes in previously reported cases of equine conidiobolomycosis, as well as six additional cases seen at our hospital. Each of the six horses presented with a complaint of serosanguinous or haemorrhagic nasal discharge and conidiobolomycosis was confirmed by histopathology and fungal culture. Five horses recovered after administration of antifungal drugs alone (n = 4) or in combination with extensive nasal septum resection (n = 1). Surgical treatment alone was ineffective. One horse was euthanised without treatment because of the extent of the disease.
An intelligent control strategy for cancer cells reduction in patients with chronic myelogenous leukaemia using the reinforcement learning and considering side effects of the drug
Authors: Noori Amin , Alfi Alireza , Noori Ghazaleh
Published: November 2020

Chronic Myelogenous Leukaemia (CML) is a haematopoietic stem cells disease with complex dynamical behaviour. One of the effective factors in treating patients is to determine the appropriate drug dosage. A physician should test the different drug dosages through trial and error in order to find its optimal value. This procedure is normally a time‐consuming and error‐prone task that can even be harmful. The contribution of this paper is to design an intelligent control strategy, which can be used to help physicians, by finding a drug treatment regimen to minimize the number of cancer cells for a CML patient. In this paper, the eligibility traces algorithm and Q‐learning approach are adopted as sub‐optimal methods for progressively reducing the population of cancer cells. In addition, the injected dosage of the drug has improved, compared with previous methods. More importantly, the proposed method is followed by the reduction in side effects of the drug. The advantage of the backward view and the previous states investigation are applied in the Eligibility Traces algorithm. These effects increase the learning procedure and decrease the growth rate of cancer cells and total dosage of the injected drug during the treatment period of time. The proposed strategy mitigates the side effects of the drug on the normal cells.
Associations of mothers' source of feeding information with longitudinal trajectories of sugar‐sweetened beverage intake, 100% juice intake and adiposity in early childhood
Authors: Korn Ariella R. , Economos Christina D. , Hammond Ross A. , Hennessy Erin , Kalkwarf Heidi J. , Must Aviva , Woo Jessica G.
Published: November 2020

Background

There remains a need to understand how information sources can promote young children's healthy beverage consumption and prevent obesity.

Objectives

To examine associations of mothers' primary feeding information source with children's sugar‐sweetened beverage (SSB) intake, 100% juice intake and adiposity between ages 3 and 7 years.

Methods

We analyzed data from a prospective cohort study (n = 371 children; 13 visits). Mothers reported their primary feeding information source at baseline and completed child 3‐day dietary records each visit. Child adiposity indicators were calculated from repeated height/weight measurements and dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry. Longitudinal models examined beverage intakes and adiposity over time by source.

Results

Primary feeding information sources included doctors (48.2%), mothers (17.5%), grandmothers (13.5%), other healthcare professionals (11.3%) and other family/friends (9.4%). Children's juice intake with age differed by source (P interaction = 0.03), with steepest and slightest intake decreases in the doctor (−19.7% each year; 95% CI: −23.7%, −15.5%) and grandmother (−5.0%; −14.5%, 5.5%) subgroups, respectively. Children's SSB intake did not differ by source, but increased annually by 7.1% (4.5%, 9.8%) overall. The grandmother subgroup had the greatest child adiposity over time.

Conclusions

Mothers' primary feeding information source may have important, yet heterogeneous, influences on young children's beverage intakes and adiposity over time. Consistent evidence‐based messages are likely needed.
Autophagy in T‐cell differentiation, survival and memory
Authors: Wang Liqing , Das Jugal Kishore , Kumar Anil , Peng Hao‐Yun , Ren Yijie , Xiong Xiaofang , Yang Jin‐Ming , Song Jianxun
Published: November 2020

Over the past decade, autophagy has emerged as a critical regulatory mechanism of the immune system through critically controlling various aspects of T cell biology and determining the fate of different T cell subsets. Autophagy maintains T cell development and survival by regulating the degradation of organelles and apoptotic proteins. The autophagic process also impacts the formation of memory T cells. Alteration of autophagy in T cells may lead to a variety of pathological conditions such as inflammation, autoimmune diseases and cancer. In this review, we discuss how autophagy impacts T cell differentiation, survival and memory, and its implication in immunotherapy for various diseases.
Dirty money: Does the risk of infectious disease lower demand for cash?
Authors: Cevik Serhan
Published: November 2020

The COVID‐19 pandemic is a global crisis like no other in modern times, and there is a growing apprehension about handling potentially contaminated cash. This paper is the first empirical attempt in the literature to investigate whether the risk of infectious diseases affects demand for physical cash. Since the intensity of cash use may influence the spread of infectious diseases, this paper utilizes two‐stage least squares methodology with instrumental variable to address omitted variable bias and account for potential endogeneity. The empirical analysis indicates that the spread of infectious diseases lowers demand for physical cash, after controlling for macroeconomic, financial, and technological factors. This effect, withstanding several robustness checks, is economically and statistically significant. While the transactional constraints imposed by the coronavirus pandemic could become a catalyst for the use of digital technologies around the world, electronic payment methods may not be universally available in every country owing to financial and technological bottlenecks.
A game‐theoretic approach for the location of terror response facilities with both disruption risk and hidden information
Authors: Li Qing , Li Mingchu , Gan Jianyuan , Guo Cheng
Published: November 2020

Recently, locating emergency response facilities has been drawing increasing attention with the highly strategic nature of terrorist attacks. To this end, we present a game‐theoretic approach for the location of terror response facilities when both disruption risk and hidden information are taken into account. The game is described as a two‐stage game, in which the first stage allows the State, that is, defender, to locate the terror response facilities, including disclosed and undisclosed facilities, and assign them to the attacked city, while the second stage allows the terrorist, that is, attacker, to select one city to attack with partial information about facility location and assignment. We propose a mixed integer bi‐level nonlinear programming formulation, and in response, a heuristic algorithm is developed to find the equilibrium solution. Extensive computational tests on both synthetic data and a real‐world dataset of provincial capital cities in China demonstrate the effectiveness of the developed algorithm.
Esophageal deviation with vacuum suction and mechanical deflection during ablation of atrial fibrillation: First in man evaluation
Authors: Aguinaga Luis , Palazzo Alejandro , Bravo Alejandro , Lizarraga Gabriela , Sandoval Daisy , Figueroa Eduardo , Juri Teresa , Daoud Emile G. , Weiss Raul
Published: November 2020

Deviation of the esophagus during atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation can reduce esophageal injury. This study reports upon a novel esophageal retractor that utilizes vacuum suction and mechanical deflection to deviate the esophagus. The device was used in seven patients undergoing cryoballoon AF ablation. The esophagus was deviated 31.9 ± 4.4 mm to the right and 28.2 ± 5.9 mm to the left. Endoscopy at 4.4 ± 1.5 days postablation showed no esophageal injury. This study demonstrates the safe and effective deviation of the esophagus without a trailing edge with an esophageal retractor utilizing vacuum suction and mechanical deflection.
Immediate placement of single implants with or without immediate provisionalization in the maxillary aesthetic region: A 5‐year comparative study
Authors: Slagter Kirsten W. , Raghoebar Gerry M. , Hentenaar Diederik F. M. , Vissink Arjan , Meijer Henny J. A.
Published: November 2020

Aim

To compare marginal bone level changes around immediately placed and immediately provisionalized implants with immediately placed and delayed provisionalized implants in the aesthetic region after five years of function.

Materials and Methods

Forty patients with a failing tooth in the maxillary anterior region were randomly assigned immediate implant placement with immediate (Group A: n = 20) or delayed (Group B: n = 20) provisionalization. Definitive crown placement occurred three months after provisionalization. The primary outcomes were changes in marginal bone level. In addition, survival rates, buccal bone thickness, soft peri‐implant tissues, aesthetics and patient‐reported outcomes were assessed.

Results

After 5 years, the mean mesial and distal marginal bone level changes were 0.71 ± 0.68 mm and 0.71 ± 0.71 mm, respectively, in group A and 0.49 ± 0.52 mm and 0.54 ± 0.64 mm, respectively, in group B; the difference between the groups was not significant (p = .305 and p = .477, respectively). Implant and restoration survivals were 100%. No clinically relevant differences in buccal bone thickness or in mid‐facial peri‐implant mucosal level, aesthetic and patient outcomes were observed.

Conclusions

The mean marginal bone level changes following immediate implant placement and provisionalization were comparable with immediate implant placement and delayed provisionalization. (www.isrctn.com: ISRCTN57251089 and www.trialregister.nl: NL8255).
AmplifEYE assisted colonoscopy versus standard colonoscopy: A randomized controlled study
Authors: Sze Shun Fung , Cheung Wing I , Wong Wai Chuen , Hui Yee Tak , Lam Jodis Ting Wa
Published: November 2020

Background and Aim

AmplifEYE is a mucosal exposure device mounted to the tip of colonoscope to improve polyp or adenoma detection. We aim to compare the adenoma detection rates (ADR) of AmplifEYE‐assisted colonoscopy (AC) with standard colonoscopy (SC).

Methods

We performed a randomized controlled trial involving patients aged 50 to 79 who underwent AC or SC in two centers. Procedures were performed by five experienced colonoscopists.

Results

Three hundred fifty‐five patients were recruited, with 334 patients (170 AC and 164 SC) included into analysis. The ADR was numerically higher in AC (47.1%) versus SC (40.9%), P = 0.253. The polyp detection rate (PDR) in AC was 68.2% versus 54.3% in SC, P = 0.009, and serrated polyp detection rate (SDR) in AC was 37.6% versus 20.1% in SC, P < 0.001, both statistically significant higher in the study group. The mean cecal intubation time was shorter with AmplifEYE (8.0 min in AC vs 8.9 min in SC, P = 0.030), and there was no difference in pain score (3 in AC vs 4 in SC, P = 0.121).

Conclusions

AmplifEYE‐assisted colonoscopy significantly improved the PDR and SDR, while the ADR was numerically higher in AC that did not reach statistical significance. Using the device resulted in shorter cecal intubation time and did not cause more pain.
Parent perceptions regarding literacy instruction for students with intellectual disability
Authors: Wakeman S. Y. , Pennington R. , Cerrato B. , Saunders A. , Ahlgrim‐Delzell L.
Published: November 2020

Background

Parents offer a unique perspective as they may view literacy instruction through the lens of its direct impact on their child's daily life. Further, they are likely to provide insight into the interactions between the perceived effectiveness of instruction and their expectations for their child's success. The purposes of the current investigation were to explore perceptions of parents of children with intellectual disability (ID) related to their child's literacy instruction in schools and understand parental expectations for their child's literacy performance.

Methods

In the current investigation, we surveyed 211 parents of children with ID in one state within the USA to identify their perceptions related to their child's literacy outcomes and instruction. The survey instrument contained 25 items including 9 multiple‐choice, 12 multiple‐selection, 2 open‐response and 2 rank order items.

Results

Data indicated significant differences across grade bands related to the type of skills students engage in learning, the importance of specific literacy skills and the challenges or barriers for students to engage in literacy instruction. The overwhelming majority of parents reported their child learning to read as very important and believe there is a difference in life outcomes between children who can read written words and those who cannot. Parents of elementary school children report barriers of disruptive behaviour, the inability of children to remain seated and distractibility more so than parents of secondary students. Parents of high school students reported a lack of instructional time more often than parents of middle and elementary school.

Conclusions

While parents across grade bands reported the importance of literacy skills for students with ID and instruction in reading comprehension, listening comprehension and vocabulary, some differences were noted. Only half the parents reported an increased focus on literacy instruction, including on essential skills (e.g. decoding), in the earlier grades. Problem behaviour and motivation served as barriers to literacy for elementary students, and a lack of instructional time served as a barrier to writing for high school students.
An Introduction and Illustration of Bayesian Modeling in Couple and Family Therapy Research
Authors: Johnson Lee N. , Baldwin Scott A.
Published: November 2020

Bayesian modeling is becoming increasing popular as a method for data analyses in the social sciences and can move couple, marriage, and family therapy (C/MFT) research forward. Bayesian modeling helps researchers better understand the uncertainty of findings and incorporate previous research into analyses. Other benefits of Bayesian modeling are the straightforward interpretation of findings, high‐quality inferences even with small samples (in combination with an informative prior), and the ability to work with complex data structures (observations nested in relationships and time points) which are common in C/MFT research. This article introduces the benefits of Bayesian modeling and provides an example of an Actor–Partner Interdependence Model using R. Information on how to conduct the same analyses using Stata and MPlus is provided in the Supplemental Information.
Recognising and responding to intimate partner violence using telehealth: Practical guidance for nurses and midwives
Authors: Jack Susan M. , Munro‐Kramer Michelle L. , Williams Jessica R. , Schminkey Donna , Tomlinson Elizabeth , Jennings Mayo‐Wilson Larissa , Bradbury‐Jones Caroline , Campbell Jacquelyn C.
Published: November 2020

Aims

To synthesise the current, global evidence‐informed guidance that supports nurses and midwives to recognise and respond to intimate partner violence (IPV), and how these practices can be translated from face‐to‐face encounters to care that is delivered through telehealth.

Background

COVID‐19‐related social and physical distancing measures increase the risk for individuals who are socially isolated with partners who perpetuate violence. Providing support through telehealth is one strategy that can mitigate the pandemic of IPV, while helping patients and providers stay safe from COVID‐19.

Design and Methods

In this discursive paper, we describe how practical guidance for safely recognising and responding to IPV in telehealth encounters was developed. The ADAPT‐ITT (Assessment, Decisions, Administration, Production, Topical Experts, Integration, Testing, Training) framework was used to guide the novel identification and adaptation of evidence‐informed guidance. We focused on the first six stages of the ADAPT‐ITT framework.

Conclusions

This paper fills a gap in available guidance, specifically for IPV recognition and response via telehealth. We present strategies for prioritising safety and promoting privacy while initiating, managing or terminating a telehealth encounter with patients who may be at risk for or experiencing IPV. Strategies for assessment, planning and intervention are also summarised. System‐level responses, such as increasing equitable access to telecommunication technology, are also discussed.

Relevance to clinical practice

Integrating innovative IPV‐focused practices into telehealth care is an important opportunity for nurses and midwives during the current global COVID‐19 pandemic. There are also implications for future secondary outbreaks, natural disasters or other physically isolating events, for improving healthcare efficiency, and for addressing the needs of vulnerable populations with limited access to health care.
Assessment of risk factors for cystic periventricular leukomalacia
Authors: Kurimoto Tomonori , Ibara Satoshi , Kamitomo Masato , Tokuhisa Takuya , Maeda Takatsugu , Maede Yoshinobu , Ishihara Chie , Naito Yoshiki , Hirakawa Eiji , Yamamoto Tsuyoshi
Published: November 2020

Aim

Periventricular leukomalacia (PVL) is an important cause of cerebral palsy in premature infants, and cystic PVL is the most serious form of the disease. The risk factors for cystic PVL in singleton fetuses at a gestational age of <35 weeks are unclear.

Methods

This study included 2013 singleton birth infants delivered at a gestational age of <35 weeks in Kagoshima City Hospital between 2006 and 2017. The findings for 30 infants with cystic PVL were compared with those for 63 matched control infants by gestational age and birth weight.

Results

The cystic PVL was associated with increased incidence of recurrent late deceleration (L/D) (43.4% vs. 15.9%, P = 0.004) and loss of variability (LOV) (10.0% vs. 0.0%, P = 0.03) in fetal heart rate monitoring and late‐onset circulatory dysfunction (LCD) (33.3% vs. 11.1%, P = 0.02).

Logistic regression analysis revealed that recurrent L/D (odds ratio [OR] = 3.57, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.29–10.15, P = 0.01) and LCD (OR = 3.41, 95% CI: 1.09–11.04, P = 0.03) were risk factors associated with cystic PVL. LOV was not included in the multivariate analysis as there were too few cases in both the cystic PVL and control groups.

Conclusion

Recurrent L/D, LOV and LCD are strongly associated with cystic PVL. In cases of fetal acidosis related to recurrent L/D or loss of variability, cystic PVL may occur.
Validation of the scale of assessment of self‐care behaviours for arteriovenous fistula in patients ongoing haemodialysis in Turkey
Authors: İkiz Saime Nuray , Usta Yasemin Yıldırım , Sousa Clemente Neves , Teles Paulo , Dias Vanessa Filipa Ferreira , Magalhães Anna Luiza Pereira , de Sá Basílio Lins Silvia Maria , Ribeiro Olga Maria Pimenta Lopes
Published: November 2020

Background

Several guidelines recommend that patients with chronic kidney disease treated by haemodialysis (HD) take care of their own arteriovenous fistula (AVF). The dialysis nurse plays an important role in the development of such self‐care behaviours. A very small number of instruments are available to assess self‐care behaviours with AVF in Turkey.

Objective

Cultural adaptation and psychometric testing of the Turkish version of the scale of assessment of self‐care behaviours with arteriovenous fistula in haemodialysis (ASBHD‐AVF) patients.

Design

Cross‐sectional validation study.

Participants and Measurements

This study was conducted involving 160 patients in the Bolu region in Turkey. The guidelines provided by Sousa and Rojjanasrirat were taken into account in the scale translation, adaptation and validation process. Validity was analysed through content validity and construct validity. The latter was measured through principal component analysis with varimax rotation, considering only factor loadings of 0.30 or larger. Reliability analysis was based on internal consistency measured by Cronbach's α.

Results

A two‐factor structure was extracted explaining 59.01% of the total variance. Cronbach's α was 0.91, 0.85 and 0.84 for the overall scale, the self‐care in prevention of complications subscale and the self‐care in management of signs and symptoms subscale, respectively.

Conclusions

The Turkish version of the scale of ASBHD‐AVF patients is a reliable and valid instrument and can therefore be used.
Asymptotic Behavior of Delay Times of Bubble Monitoring Tests
Authors: Kurozumi Eiji
Published: November 2020

We investigate the asymptotic properties of the stopping times based on the monitoring tests for a bubble, that is, ADF‐type and CUSUM‐type tests. We derive the stochastic orders of these stopping times and find that they depend on the relative position of the emerging date of a bubble. We show that when a bubble emerges early in the monitoring period, the diverging rate of the stopping time based on the CUSUM‐type detector is slower than that based on the ADF‐type detector, which implies that the former tends to find a bubble earlier than the latter, whereas this advantage disappears for the late emerging bubble. We also derive the limiting distribution of the stopping time based on the CUSUM detector. The finite sample simulations support the theoretical result.
Serum immunoglobulin E responses to aeroallergens in cats with naturally occurring airway eosinophilia compared to unaffected control cats
Authors: Buller Maggie C. , Johnson Lynelle R. , Outerbridge Catherine A. , Vernau William , White Stephen D.
Published: November 2020

Background

Eosinophilic airway disease in cats is sometimes described as allergic in origin, but controversy exists in the documentation of allergy in cats and the utility of allergy testing for respiratory tract diseases.

Objective

To examine serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) response to aeroallergens in cats with airway eosinophilia.

Animals

Fifteen cats with idiopathic eosinophilic airway inflammation and 9 control cats.

Methods

Prospective, case‐control study. Surplus serum from cats with airway eosinophilia documented by bronchoscopic bronchoalveolar lavage was submitted for IgE measurement using ELISA polyclonal antibody methodology. Responses for regional allergens (fungal organisms, weeds, grasses, trees, mites, insects) were assessed. Results were reported as ELISA absorbance units with scores 0 to 79 considered negative, scores between 80 and 300 considered intermediate, and scores >300 considered positive.

Results

Cats with airway eosinophilia had significantly more positive serum IgE responses (25/720) than did healthy controls (5/432,P= .02); however, the number of cats with positive IgE responses (5/15) did not differ from controls (1/9,P= .35). The allergen that most commonly resulted in positive serum IgE response in cats with airway eosinophilia was dust mite (n = 4) followed by 2 types of storage mites (n = 3 each). No control cat tested positive for these allergens.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Serum IgE production against aeroallergens was found in some cats with eosinophilic airway inflammation, but the number of affected cats with positive results did not differ from controls. Further investigation in cats with eosinophilic, mixed, and neutrophilic airway disease in comparison to control cats is warranted.
Disturbance effects on productivity–plant diversity relationships from a 22‐year‐old successional field
Authors: Li Guoyong , Barfknecht David F. , Gibson David John
Published: November 2020

Aims

The productivity–plant diversity relationship is a central subject in ecology under debate for decades. Anthropogenic disturbances have been demonstrated to affect productivity and plant diversity. However, the impact of disturbances on the productivity–diversity relationship is poorly understood.

Location

An old‐field located at the Touch of Nature Environmental Center in Jackson County, Illinois, USA.

Methods

A manipulative experiment with fertilizer (unfertilized, fertilized annually, fertilized every five years) and mowing (unmowed, mowed in spring only, mowed in spring and fall) in a successional old‐field began in 1996 to examine disturbance effects on above‐ground net primary productivity (ANPP)–plant diversity relationships. Taxonomic (species richness, T0) and phylogenetic (net relatedness index, NRI) diversity were selected as potential plant diversity metrics.

Results

A unimodal relationship of ANPP with T0 and a negative relationship between ANPP and NRI were found across all treatments and years in this study, but individual years showed different patterns. Fertilization did not affect T0, NRI, and ANPP, whereas mowing stimulated T0 and ANPP but reduced NRI (i.e., increasing phylogenetic diversity) across all survey years. New colonists, especially exotic species introduced under mowing, but not locally extinct species, were more distantly related to resident species than by chance, implying that invasion of exotic species contributes to phylogenetic overdispersion of community assembly in the old‐field. However, the patterns of the unimodal relationship of ANPP with T0 and the negative correlation between ANPP and NRI did not change under fertilization or mowing in this study.

Conclusions

Anthropogenic disturbances alter productivity and different dimensions of plant diversity, but do not change the patterns of the productivity–diversity relationships. Our findings highlight the robust relationship between productivity and diversity providing empirical support for productivity as a powerful predictor of plant diversity under intensified human activities.
Shallow‐water habitat use and population parameters of rough‐toothed dolphins, Steno bredanensis (G. Cuvier in Lesson, 1828) in southeastern Brazil
Authors: Carvalho Rafael R. , Lailson‐Brito José , Kajin Maja , Quintana Carlos Eduardo P. , Pereira Karina S. , Bisi Tatiana L. , Cunha Haydée A. , Azevedo Alexandre F.
Published: November 2020

The rough‐toothed dolphin (Steno bredanensis) is a poorly known species along its distribution especially in the Southern Hemisphere where data on habitat use and population parameters are scarce. Boat‐based surveys were conducted from 2009 to 2017 in a shallow water environment in southeastern Brazil. During focal‐group observations, S. bredanensis was more commonly found in mean depths of 22 m with varying group size and composition. Generalized additive models showed that group size was influenced by environmental variables such as sea surface and bottom temperatures, depth, and season. Photo‐identification effort allowed us to catalogue 173 well‐distinct marked individuals. Estimates of population parameters showed high and constant survival (Φ = 0.99) corroborating site fidelity but time varying capture probabilities (p = .03–.71). An open population model also indicated a small abundance estimate (Nt = 218) of S. bredanensis in the study area, improving knowledge for this species in shallow water environments of the southwestern Atlantic Ocean.