bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
What students and new graduates perceive supports them to think, feel and act as a health professional in a rural setting
Authors: Furness Linda , Tynan Anna , Ostini Jenny
Published: June 2020

Objective

Clinical placements in rural locations are perceived by students to provide positive learning experiences to support their transition to practice. This study explores how clinical placements in a rural health setting might influence students and new graduates to think, feel and act as a health professional.

Design

A qualitative study comprising focus group discussions was conducted.

Setting

The study was conducted in a rural health service in Queensland, Australia.

Participants

Allied health students (n = 12) on placement and new graduates (n = 11) working in a regional health service.

Main outcome measures

This study identified allied health student and new graduate perspectives on clinical placement factors which support them to think, feel and act as a health professional.

Results

Thematic analysis was used to understand student and new graduate perceptions of how rural placements support thinking, feeling and acting as a health professional. Suggestions for supporting learning included the following:

Development of learning partnerships between students and clinical educators with inbuilt expectations and opportunities for reflection and supervision.

Creating a culture where students are welcomed, valued and encouraged to take meal breaks with the team supported connectedness.

The importance of balancing student autonomy with educating and grading support to increase independence.

Conclusions

Findings show clinical placement experiences identified by allied health students and new graduates which support them to begin to think, feel and act as a health professional. Suggestions provided by students and new graduates can be used to inform implementation of clinical placement experiences.
Opportunity and Willingness of Collective Action: Elections in India
Authors: Roy Swetasree
Published: June 2020

Scholars argue that collective action is possible if and only if rebel groups can solve their dilemma of non‐participation. This paper examines whether opportunity can help resolve the rebel’s dilemma and increase participation in collective action. Scholars contend that presence of representative government provides many solutions to the rebel’s dilemma. In this paper, the author tests the validity of this argument in the present times. Using a mid‐level theory of opportunity and willingness on panel data of 28 Indian states from 2001–2012, results show that an open political system does not automatically signal opportunity for rioting. Risk is significant only when there is a willingness to use the opportunity. An interaction of the political opportunity and willingness to riot reduces the rebel’s dilemma of non‐participation, thereby increasing the risk of violent collective action. Interestingly, some old predictors of collective action like wealth, education, and youth bulge do not find support here.
A pilot randomised placebo‐controlled trial of cannabidiol to reduce severe behavioural problems in children and adolescents with intellectual disability
Authors: Efron Daryl , Freeman Jeremy L. , Cranswick Noel , Payne Jonathan M. , Mulraney Melissa , Prakash Chidambaram , Lee Katherine J. , Taylor Kaitlyn , Williams Katrina
Published: June 2020

Aims

Severe behavioural problems (SBP) are a major contributor to morbidity in children with intellectual disability (ID). Medications used to treat SBP in ID are associated with a high risk of side effects. Cannabidiol has potential therapeutic effects in SBP. This pilot study aimed to investigate the feasibility of conducting a randomised placebo‐controlled trial of cannabidiol to reduce SBP in children with ID.

Methods

This is a double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, two‐armed, parallel‐design, randomised controlled trial of cannabidiol in children aged 8–16 years with ID and SBP. Participants were randomised 1:1 to receive either 98% cannabidiol in oil (Tilray, Canada) or placebo orally for 8 weeks. The dose was up‐titrated over 9 days to 20 mg/kg/day in two divided doses, with a maximum dose of 500 mg twice/day. The feasibility and acceptability of all study components were assessed.

Results

Eight children were randomised, and all completed the full study protocol. There were no serious adverse events or drop‐outs. Protocol adherence for key study components was excellent: study visits 100%, medication adherence 100%, blood tests 92% and questionnaire completion 88%. Parents reported a high degree of acceptability with the study design. All parents reported they would recommend the study to other families with children with similar problems. There was an efficacy signal in favour of active drug.

Conclusions

The findings suggest that the study protocol is feasible and acceptable to patients with ID and SBP and their families.
Adaptation and evaluation of a learning analytics dashboard to improve academic support at three Latin American universities
Authors: Guerra Julio , Ortiz-Rojas Margarita , Zúñiga‐Prieto Miguel Angel , Scheihing Eliana , Jiménez Alberto , Broos Tom , De Laet Tinne , Verbert Katrien
Published: June 2020

Despite the success of academic advising dashboards in several higher educational institutions (HEI), these dashboards are still under‐explored in Latin American HEI's. To close this gap, three different Latin American universities adapted an existing advising dashboard, originally deployed at the KU Leuven to their own context. In all three cases, the context was the main ruling factor to these adaptations. In this paper, we describe these adaptions using a framework that focuses on four different elements of the context: Objectives, Stakeholders, Key moment and Interactions. Evaluation of the adapted dashboards in the three different Latin American universities is conducted through pilots. This evaluation shows the value of the dashboard approach in different contexts in terms of satisfaction, usefulness and impact in academic decision‐making and advising tasks. The main contribution of this paper is the systematic reporting of the adaptations to an academic advising dashboard and showing the value of an academic advising dashboard on academic decision‐making and advising tasks.
Persisting SARS‐CoV‐2 viraemia after rituximab therapy: two cases with fatal outcome and a review of the literature
Authors: Tepasse Phil‐Robin , Hafezi Wali , Lutz Mathias , Kühn Joachim , Wilms Christian , Wiewrodt Rainer , Sackarnd Jan , Keller Martin , Schmidt Hartmut H. , Vollenberg Richard
Published: June 2020

SARS‐CoV‐2 infection can cause severe pneumonia (COVID‐19). There is evidence that patients with comorbidities are at higher risk of a severe disease course. The role of immunosuppression in the disease course is not clear. In the present report, we first describe two cases of persisting SARS‐CoV‐2 viraemia with fatal outcome in patients after rituximab therapy.
Miconazole inhibits signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 signaling by preventing its interaction with DNA damage‐induced apoptosis suppressor
Authors: Yoon Sung‐Hoon , Kim Bo‐Kyung , Kang Mi‐Jung , Im Joo‐Young , Won Misun
Published: June 2020

DNA damage‐induced apoptosis suppressor (DDIAS) facilitates the survival of lung cancer by suppressing apoptosis. Moreover, DDIAS promotes tyrosine phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) via their interaction. Here, we identified miconazole as an inhibitor of DDIAS/STAT3 interaction by screening a chemical library using a yeast two‐hybrid assay. Miconazole inhibited growth, migration and invasion of lung cancer cells. Furthermore, miconazole suppressed STAT3 tyrosine Y705 phosphorylation and the expression of its target genes, such as cyclin D1, survivin and snail but had no suppressive effect on the activation of ERK1/2 or AKT, which is involved in the survival of lung cancer. As expected, no interaction between DDIAS and STAT3 occurred in the presence of miconazole, as confirmed by immunoprecipitation assays. Mouse xenograft experiments showed that miconazole significantly suppressed both tumor size and weight in an NCI‐H1703 mouse model. Tyrosine phosphorylation of STAT3 at Y705 and expression of its targets, such as cyclin D1, survivin and snail, were decreased in miconazole‐treated tumor tissues, as compared with those in vehicle‐treated tumor tissues. These data suggest that miconazole exerts an anti–cancer effect by suppressing STAT3 activation through inhibiting DDIAS/STAT3 binding.
Dual TTK/CLK2 inhibitor, CC‐671, selectively antagonizes ABCG2‐mediated multidrug resistance in lung cancer cells
Authors: Wu Zhuo‐Xun , Yang Yuqi , Wang Guangsuo , Wang Jing‐Quan , Teng Qiu‐Xu , Sun Lingling , Lei Zi‐Ning , Lin Lizhu , Chen Zhe‐Sheng , Zou Chang
Published: June 2020

One pivotal factor that leads to multidrug resistance (MDR) is the overexpression of ABCG2. Therefore, tremendous effort has been devoted to the search of effective reversal agents to overcome ABCG2‐mediated MDR. CC‐671 is a potent and selective inhibitor of both TTK (human protein kinase monopolar spindle 1 [hMps1]) and CDC like kinase 2 (CLK2). It represents a new class of cancer therapeutic drugs. In this study, we show that CC‐671 is an effective ABCG2 reversal agent that enhances the efficacy of chemotherapeutic drugs in ABCG2‐overexpressing lung cancer cells. Mechanistic studies show that the reversal effect of CC‐671 is primarily attributed to the inhibition of the drug efflux activity of ABCG2, which leads to an increased intracellular level of chemotherapeutic drugs. In addition, CC‐671 does not alter the protein expression or subcellular localization of ABCG2. The computational molecule docking analysis suggests CC‐671 has high binding affinity to the drug‐binding site of ABCG2. In conclusion, we reveal the interaction between CC‐671 and ABCG2, providing a rationale for the potential combined use of CC‐671 with ABCG2 substrate to overcome MDR.
Post‐transplant survival in adult congenital heart disease patients as compared to dilated and ischemic cardiomyopathy patients; an analysis of the thoracic ISHLT registry
Authors: Kinsella Aisling , Rao Vivek , Fan Chun‐Po , Manlhiot Cedric , Stehlik Josef , Ross Heather , Alba Ana C.
Published: June 2020

Previous studies have shown that adult congenital heart disease (ACHD) is associated with high early post‐transplant mortality but improved long‐term survival in comparison to the overall heart transplant population. We aimed to evaluate survival outcomes of ACHD in adult transplant recipient patients as specifically compared to ischemic (ICM) and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) groups. Adult heart transplant recipients between 2004 and 2014 were identified from the ISHLT registry. We used Kaplan‐Meier analysis to evaluate overall survival, 1‐year survival, and 1‐year conditional survival among etiology groups and multivariable Cox proportional hazard (PH) models to assess the association between etiology of cardiomyopathy and 1‐year and long‐term all‐cause mortality and cause‐specific mortality. We included 30 130 heart transplant recipients. One‐year survival was 78.3% in ACHD, 84.3% in ICM, and 86.2% in DCM patients (P < .001). By multivariable analysis, during first post‐transplant year, ACHD and ICM patients were at significantly higher mortality risk than DCM. Adjusted post‐transplant mortality risk, conditional on 1‐year survival, was not statistically different in ACHD and DCM while ICM patients had 17% higher long‐term mortality risk than DCM patients leading to overall worse outcomes in ICM patients. Therefore, ICM patients have poorer outcomes in comparison to both DCM and ACHD patients.
‘He was trapped in his own web’—Dependent drinking as a poverty trap: A qualitative study from Goa, India
Authors: Schess Jaclyn , Kumar Sonali , Velleman Richard , Adhvaryu Achyuta , Nadkarni Abhijit
Published: June 2020

Introduction and Aims

Of the Indian population, 2.7% have alcohol dependence, the most severe of alcohol use disorders. Alcohol use disorders have previously been found to be correlated with a range of negative economic outcomes, but dependent drinking has yet to be causally identified as a poverty trap. We use qualitative data as the first step towards identifying the mechanisms that may underlie a dependent drinking driven poverty trap in India.

Design and Methods

Thirty‐six in‐depth interviews were conducted and analysed using inductive thematic analysis. Participants were men having probable alcohol dependence (n = 11), doctors (n = 13) who come into contact with patients presenting with alcohol dependence at government hospitals and clinics, and family members of men with probable alcohol dependence (n = 12) in Goa, India.

Results

Our key findings showed that families of those who have alcohol dependence have less opportunity for saving, more job instability and poor treatment opportunity to aid recovery and allow escaping from the trap.

Discussion and Conclusions

Households in Goa, India with a member with alcohol dependence display patterns consistent with a poverty trap, though the mechanisms derived from these qualitative data need to be further demonstrated by longitudinal quantitative data to corroborate a causal relationship between alcohol use disorders and poverty.
Fluoroquinolone exposure in utero did not affect articular cartilage of resulting foals
Authors: Ellerbrock Robyn E. , Canisso Igor F. , Larsen Ryan J. , Garrett Katherine S. , Stewart Matthew C. , Herzog Kalyn K. , Kersh Mariana E. , Moshage Sara G. , Podico Giorgia , Lima Fabio S. , Childs Bronwen A.
Published: June 2020

Background

Recent studies have shown that fluoroquinolones, specifically, enrofloxacin and its active metabolite (ciprofloxacin), cross the equine placenta without causing gross or histological lesions in the first and third trimester fetuses or resulting foal. However, it is possible that in utero exposure to fluoroquinolones may cause subtle lesions not detectable by standard means; thus, a more in‐depth assessment of potential toxicity is warranted.

Objectives

To use quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (qMRI), biomechanical testing, and chondrocyte gene expression to evaluate the limbs of foals exposed to enrofloxacin during the third trimester of pregnancy.

Study design

In vivo and control terminal experiment.

Methods

Healthy mares at 280 days gestation were assigned into three groups: untreated (n = 5), recommended therapeutic (7.5 mg/kg enrofloxacin, PO, SID, n = 6) or supratherapeutic (15 mg/kg, PO, SID, n = 6) doses for 14 days. Mares carried and delivered to term and nursed their foals for ~30 days. Two additional healthy foals born from untreated mares were treated post‐natally with enrofloxacin (10 mg/kg PO, SID, for 5 days). By 30 days, foal stifles, hocks, elbows, and shoulders were radiographed, foals were subjected to euthanasia, and foal limbs were analysed by quantitative MRI, structural MRI, biomechanical testing and chondrocyte gene expression.

Results

Osteochondral lesions were detected with both radiography and structural MRI in foals from both enrofloxacin‐treated and untreated mares. Severe cartilage erosions, synovitis and joint capsular thickening were identified in foals treated with enrofloxacin post‐natally. Median cartilage T2 relaxation times differed between joints but did not differ between treatment groups.

Main limitations

A small sample size was assessed and there was no long‐term follow‐up.

Conclusion

While further research is needed to address long‐term foal outcomes, no differences were seen in advanced imaging, biomechanical testing or gene expression by 30 days of age, suggesting that enrofloxacin may be a safe and useful antibiotic for select bacterial infections in pregnant mares.
IL‐15 and IL‐23 synergize to trigger Th17 response by CLA+ T cells in psoriasis
Authors: de Jesús‐Gil Carmen , Ruiz‐Romeu Ester , Ferran Marta , Sagristà Marc , Chiriac Anca , García Pablo , Celada Antonio , Pujol Ramon M. , Santamaria‐Babí Luis F.
Published: June 2020

IL‐15 has emerged as a potentially relevant target in the IL‐17 response in psoriasis. However, its mechanism is poorly characterized in humans. IL‐15 and IL‐23 are constitutively expressed in the psoriatic lesion. Also, IL‐15 is considered a susceptibility‐associated gene in psoriasis, as are IL‐23R, and HLACW6. Here, we studied the effect of IL‐15 and IL‐23 stimulation on the cytokine response of CLA+/CLA‐ T cells from 9 psoriasis patients and 3 healthy control subjects. To this end, CLA + and CLA‐ T cells from blood samples were cultured with epidermal cells from skin biopsies and treated with IL‐15 and IL‐23. After five days of culture, cytokines in supernatant were measured by ELISA or fluorescent bead‐based immunoassay. There was a statistically significant increase in IL‐17F and IL‐17A production (P < .001) in cocultures of psoriasis skin‐homing CLA + T cells with epidermal cells when stimulated with IL‐15 and IL‐23, but this effect was not observed in the cells of healthy controls. Interestingly, this response was reduced by around 50 to 80% by blocking HLA class I and II molecules. Our results point to the synergic action of IL‐15 and IL‐23 selectively for CLA + cells in psoriasis, leading to the induction of Th17 cell‐related cytokines.
Increased 25(OH)D3 level in redheaded people: Could redheadedness be an adaptation to temperate climate?
Authors: Flegr Jaroslav , Sýkorová Kateřina , Fiala Vojtěch , Hlaváčová Jana , Bičíková Marie , Máčová Ludmila , Kaňková Šárka
Published: June 2020

About 1‐2% of European population are redheaded, meaning they synthesize more pheomelanin than eumelanin, the main melanin pigment in humans. Several mutations could be responsible for this phenotype. It has been suggested that corresponding mutations spread in Europe due to a founder effect shaped either by a relaxation of selection for dark, UV‐protective phenotypes or by sexual selection in favour of rare phenotypes. In our study, we investigated the levels of vitamin D precursor 25(OH)D3 (calcidiol) and folic acid in the blood serum of 73 redheaded and 130 non‐redheaded individuals. In redheaded individuals, we found higher 25(OH)D3 concentrations and approximately the same folic acid concentrations as in non‐redheaded subjects. 25(OH)D3 concentrations correlated with the intensity of hair redness measured by two spectrophotometric methods and estimated by participants themselves and by independent observers. In non‐redheaded individuals, 25(OH)D3 levels covaried with the amount of sun exposure and intensity of suntan while in redheaded individuals, this was not the case. It suggests that increased 25(OH)D3 levels in redheaded individuals are due to differences in physiology rather than in behaviour. We also found that folic acid levels increased with age and the intensity of baldness and decreased with the frequency of visiting tanning salons. Our results suggest that the redheaded phenotype could be an evolutionary adaptation for sufficient photosynthesis of provitamin D in conditions of low intensity of UVB radiation in central and northern parts of Europe.
Omentin‐1 attenuates adipose tissue inflammation via restoration of TXNIP/NLRP3 signaling in high‐fat diet‐induced obese mice
Authors: Zhou Hongli , Zhang Zuo , Qian Guisheng , Zhou Jiyin
Published: June 2020

Omentin‐1 is an adipokine expressed by the adipose tissue and is reduced in obesity. This study was designed to calculate the protective efficiency and mechanism of omentin‐1 against inflammation of the adipose tissue in obese mice. A transgenic mouse model with omentin‐1 protein overexpression was established by crossing omentin‐1 transgenic mice with Fabp4‐Cre mice. Obesity was induced in the mice by feeding them a high‐fat diet for 10 weeks. Fabp4‐Cre‐mediated overexpression of omentin‐1 significantly increased serum omentin‐1 level, serum anti‐inflammatory factor levels, and expression of M2‐specific mRNAs; inhibited body weight and adipose tissue weight gain; improved glucose tolerance, insulin tolerance, and insulin sensitivity; decreased serum levels of insulin and proinflammatory factors, adipocyte size, and expression of M1‐specific mRNAs; suppressed macrophage infiltration; downregulated expression of proinflammatory factors; upregulated expression of anti‐inflammatory factors; and inhibited thioredoxin‐interacting protein (TXNIP)/NOD‐like receptor 3 (NLRP3) signaling in the adipose tissue of obese mice. An NLRP3 inhibitor (20 mg/kg MCC950) exhibited the same effects as overexpression of omentin‐1. Pretreatment with omentin‐1 inhibited lipopolysaccharide‐induced inflammation via TXNIP/NLRP3 signaling in RAW 264.7 macrophages. These findings suggest that omentin‐1 suppresses adipose tissue inflammation in obese mice, at least partly, via inhibiting the TXNIP/NLRP3 signaling pathway.
Novel feeding interactions amplify the impact of species redistribution on an Arctic food web
Authors: Pecuchet Laurene , Blanchet Marie‐Anne , Frainer André , Husson Bérengère , Jørgensen Lis L. , Kortsch Susanne , Primicerio Raul
Published: June 2020

Species are redistributing globally in response to climate warming, impacting ecosystem functions and services. In the Barents Sea, poleward expansion of boreal species and a decreased abundance of Arctic species are causing a rapid borealization of the Arctic communities. This borealization might have profound consequences on the Arctic food web by creating novel feeding interactions between previously non co‐occurring species. An early identification of new feeding links is crucial to predict their ecological impact. However, detection by traditional approaches, including stomach content and isotope analyses, although fundamental, cannot cope with the speed of change observed in the region, nor with the urgency of understanding the consequences of species redistribution for the marine ecosystem. In this study, we used an extensive food web (metaweb) with nearly 2,500 documented feeding links between 239 taxa coupled with a trait data set to predict novel feeding interactions and to quantify their potential impact on Arctic food web structure. We found that feeding interactions are largely determined by the body size of interacting species, although species foraging habitat and metabolic type are also important predictors. Further, we found that all boreal species will have at least one potential resource in the Arctic region should they redistribute therein. During 2014–2017, 11 boreal species were observed in the Arctic region of the Barents Sea. These incoming species, which are all generalists, change the structural properties of the Arctic food web by increasing connectance and decreasing modularity. In addition, these boreal species are predicted to initiate novel feeding interactions with the Arctic residents, which might amplify their impact on Arctic food web structure affecting ecosystem functioning and vulnerability. Under the ongoing species redistribution caused by environmental change, we propose merging a trait‐based approach with ecological network analysis to efficiently predict the impacts of range‐shifting species on food webs.
Evidence of non‐stationary relationships between climate and forest responses: Increased sensitivity to climate change in Iberian forests
Authors: Astigarraga Julen , Andivia Enrique , Zavala Miguel A. , Gazol Antonio , Cruz‐Alonso Verónica , Vicente‐Serrano Sergio M. , Ruiz‐Benito Paloma
Published: June 2020

Climate and forest structure are considered major drivers of forest demography and productivity. However, recent evidence suggests that the relationships between climate and tree growth are generally non‐stationary (i.e. non‐time stable), and it remains uncertain whether the relationships between climate, forest structure, demography and productivity are stationary or are being altered by recent climatic and structural changes. Here we analysed three surveys from the Spanish Forest Inventory covering c. 30 years of information and we applied mixed and structural equation models to assess temporal trends in forest structure (stand density, basal area, tree size and tree size inequality), forest demography (ingrowth, growth and mortality) and above‐ground forest productivity. We also quantified whether the interactive effects of climate and forest structure on forest demography and above‐ground forest productivity were stationary over two consecutive time periods. Since the 1980s, density, basal area and tree size increased in Iberian forests, and tree size inequality decreased. In addition, we observed reductions in ingrowth and growth, and increases in mortality. Initial forest structure and water availability mainly modulated the temporal trends in forest structure and demography. The magnitude and direction of the interactive effects of climate and forest structure on forest demography changed over the two time periods analysed indicating non‐stationary relationships between climate, forest structure and demography. Above‐ground forest productivity increased due to a positive balance between ingrowth, growth and mortality. Despite increasing productivity over time, we observed an aggravation of the negative effects of climate change and increased competition on forest demography, reducing ingrowth and growth, and increasing mortality. Interestingly, our results suggest that the negative effects of climate change on forest demography could be ameliorated through forest management, which has profound implications for forest adaptation to climate change.
Catching a glimpse: Corona‐life and its micro‐politics in academia
Authors: Plotnikof Mie , Bramming Pia , Branicki Layla , Christiansen Lærke Højgaard , Henley Kelly , Kivinen Nina , de Lima João Paulo Resende , Kostera Monika , Mandalaki Emmanouela , O'Shea Saoirse , Özkazanç‐Pan Banu , Pullen Alison , Stewart Jim , Ybema Sierk , van Amsterdam Noortje
Published: June 2020

The spread of COVID‐19 acutely challenges and affects not just economic markets, demographic statistics and healthcare systems, but indeed also the politics of organizing and becoming in a new everyday life of academia emerging in our homes. Through a collage of stories, snapshots, vignettes, photos and other reflections of everyday life, this collective contribution is catching a glimpse of corona‐life and its micro‐politics of multiple, often contradicting claims on practices as many of us live, work and care at home. It embodies concerns, dreams, anger, hope, numbness, passion and much more emerging amongst academics from across the world in response to the crisis. As such, this piece manifests a shared need to — together, apart — enact and explore constitutive relations of resistance, care and solidarity in these dis/organizing times of contested spaces, identities and agencies as we are living–working–caring at home during lockdowns.
Awareness and attitudes regarding Helicobacter pylori infection in Chinese physicians and public population: A national cross‐sectional survey
Authors: Wu You , Su Tun , Zhou Xianzhu , Lu Nonghua , Li Zhaoshen , Du Yiqi
Published: June 2020

Background

There is a lack of reports on the awareness of Helicobacter pylori (H pylori) prevention and treatment in the general Chinese population. And whether the knowledge level will affect their action toward screening was unknown. This study aimed to conduct a national survey on the knowledge, attitudes, and practice regarding H pylori infection in Chinese physicians and the public.

Methods

This was an Internet‐based survey of the general Chinese population and Chinese physicians from different specialties, carried out from January to February 2019. Both surveys (general population's and physicians') included questions to assess the knowledge and attitudes toward H pylori and its action.

Results

A total of 3211 people and 546 physicians were enrolled. In the population, the proportion of subjects who answered correctly to all questions about H pylori's infectivity was only 16%, and that for H pylori's harmfulness and that for H pylori preventive measures were 35% and 43.6%, respectively. In general, physicians had a better understanding of H pylori's harmfulness (83.9%) than the other population. The vast majority of the surveyed population (87.0%) and physicians (82.2%) supported a national H pylori screening plan to prevent gastric cancer. The support ratio paralleled with the overall knowledge level. Unexpectedly, gastroenterologists tend to have a relatively low support rate for H pylori screening than non‐gastroenterologists (58.2% vs 84.2%, P < .001), which may be related to consideration of heavy medical burden (67.3%).

Conclusions

The general population in China has relatively insufficient awareness of H pylori, which is incompatible with the highly infectious status. More works on health education are needed to improve the knowledge of this gastric pathogen.
Pigmentation effects of blue light irradiation on skin and how to protect against them
Authors: Campiche R. , Curpen S. J. , Lutchmanen‐Kolanthan V. , Gougeon S. , Cherel M. , Laurent G. , Gempeler M. , Schuetz R.
Published: June 2020

Background

Visible light, in particular blue light, has been identified as an additional contributor to cutaneous photoageing. However, clinical studies demonstrating the clear effect of blue light on photoageing are still scarce, and so far, most studies have focused on broad‐spectrum visible light. Although there is evidence for increased skin pigmentation, the underlying mechanisms of photoageing in vivo are still unclear. Furthermore, there is still a need for active ingredients to significantly protect against blue light‐induced hyperpigmentation in vivo.

Our study had two aims: to detect visible changes in skin pigmentation following repeated irradiation of the skin with LED‐based blue light and to reduce pigmentation using suitable active ingredients.

Method

We conducted a randomized, double‐blind and placebo‐controlled clinical study on 33 female volunteers with skin phototypes III and IV. We used a repetitive blue light (4 × 60 J cm−2, 450 nm) irradiation protocol on the volunteers’ inner forearms. Using hyperspectral imaging, we assessed chromophore status. In addition, we took chromameter measurements and photographs to assess visible hyperpigmentation.

Results

We measured significant changes in chromophore status (P < 0.001 vs baseline), that is of melanin, haemoglobin and oxygen saturation, immediately after blue light irradiation. In addition, we found visible skin colour changes which were expressed by a significant decrease in ITA° values (delta ITA° = −16.89, P < 0.001 vs baseline for the placebo group) and an increase in a* (delta a* = +3.37, P < 0.001 vs baseline for the placebo group) 24 h post‐irradiation. Hyperpigmentation and skin reddening were mitigated by both a formulation containing 3% of a microalgal product and a formulation containing 3% niacinamide.

Conclusion

Our study sets out an efficient and robust protocol for investigating both blue light‐induced cutaneous alterations, such as changes in skin chromophores, and signs of photoageing, such as hyperpigmentation. Moreover, we have shown evidence that both an extract of the microalga Scenedesmus rubescens and niacinamide (vitamin B3) have the potential to protect against blue light‐induced hyperpigmentation.
Preparation and evaluation of caffeine bioadhesive emulgels for cosmetic applications based on formulation design using QbD tools
Authors: de Lafuente Y. , Ochoa‐Andrade A. , Parente M. E. , Palena M. C. , Jimenez‐Kairuz A. F.
Published: June 2020

Objective

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the influence of the incorporation of caffeine as a model active ingredient on the quality attributes of a bioadhesive emulgel formulation previously optimized by Quality by Design (QbD) tools. Emulgels are emerging topical drug delivery systems for cosmetic or pharmaceutical uses, which combine the advantages of both emulsions and gels.

Methods

In this work, the observed and predicted values for spreadability, phase separation by centrifugation and detachment forces performed by texturometer were compared with those of the control and active‐containing emulgel formulations. In addition, rheological properties, release of caffeine and comparative in vitro/ex vivo bioadhesion properties were evaluated using human skin.

Results

The flow curves of emulgel formulations showed the typical pseudoplastic and no thixotropic flow with yield stress. The incorporation of active ingredient did not produce significant changes. All emulgels were uniformly spread and no significant differences in spreadability values between control and caffeine containing formulations and neither respect to those predicted values from experimental design optimization were found. Emulgel formulations showed appropriate detachment forces values and no significant differences between caffeine loading and control emulgel formulations were observed.

Conclusion

Caffeine was successfully vehiculized in this optimized bioadhesive emulgel formulation, which showed high robustness regarding the process variability. There were no significant changes in the critical quality attributes after the incorporation of the active ingredient and a promising stability was observed for at least one year. Results suggested that the optimized emulgel is an interesting topical biodhesive delivery system for cosmetic applications, including agents for skin conditioning, not present in gels formulations.
Adverse drug reactions’ reporting in a Mexican hospital
Authors: Valdez-Ramírez Lourdes Aidee , Serrano-Medina Aracely , Cornejo-Bravo José Manuel
Published: June 2020

Objectives

To summarize the procedure for reporting adverse drug reactions (ADRs) in a Mexican hospital, with the purpose of promoting and facilitating the report of ADRs by the heath team. We outline the relevance of pharmacists in performing these activities in Mexican hospitals.

Methods

A pharmacovigilance study was carried out following the establishment of the Pharmacovigilance Unit of a Mexican hospital on January 2014 through March 2019.

Key findings

There is an undernotification rate of ADRs, since only 137 ADRs were notified in a five-year period, mostly by biopharmaceutical chemists holding bachelor's degrees that were acting as pharmacists.

Conclusions

To improve the safety of medications, it is necessary to improve ADR notifications in Mexico’s health system. One important step in this direction is to establish a Pharmacy degree with training for promoting and performing ADR notifications.
Experience sampling method and the everyday experiences of adults with intellectual disability: A feasibility study
Authors: Wilson Nathan J. , Chen Yu‐Wei , Mahoney Natasha , Buchanan Angus , Marks Anne , Cordier Reinie
Published: June 2020

Background

Experiences of people with intellectual disability are often reported by proxy, excluding the person's own perception. To assist people with intellectual disabilities ability to communicate their own experiences, the current study explored the feasibility, reliability and validity of experience sampling methods (ESMs) for people with intellectual disability.

Method

After a training session, 19 participants carried a mobile device for 7 consecutive days, answering a survey when prompted 7 times daily. Participants were interviewed at the end of data collection.

Results

Excluding incomplete entries, the response rate was 33.8%, varying by living arrangement and employment. Split‐half reliability and correlations among logically linked internal experiences demonstrated strong reliability and validity. Illustration of the context of responses supported face validity. Technological and content difficulties were discussed in interviews.

Conclusions

Experience sampling methods is feasible for some people with intellectual disability, providing valid and reliable information. Future research is needed to further improve feasibility.
Exosomal microRNA‐26b‐5p down‐regulates ATF2 to enhance radiosensitivity of lung adenocarcinoma cells
Authors: Han Fushi , Huang Dongdong , Huang Xinghong , Wang Wei , Yang Shusong , Chen Shuzhen
Published: June 2020

Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD), as the most common subtype of non‐small cell lung cancer, is responsible for more than 500 000 deaths worldwide annually. In this study, we identify a novel microRNA‐26b‐5p (miR‐26b‐5p) and elucidated its function on LUAD. The survival rate of parent LUAD cells and radiation‐resistant LUAD cells were determined using clonogenic survival assay. We overexpressed or inhibited miR‐26b‐5p in LUAD, and the correlation between activating transcription factor 2 (ATF2) and miR‐26b‐5p was determined using integrated bioinformatics analysis and dual‐luciferase reporter gene assay. Exosomes derived from A549 cell lines were then detected using Western blot assay, followed by co‐transfection with radiation‐resistant A549R cells. LUAD tissues and serum were collected, followed by miR‐26b‐5p relative expression quantification using RT‐qPCR. miR‐26b‐5p was identified as the most differentially expressed miRNA and was down‐regulated in LUAD. Radiation‐resistant cells were more resistant to X‐radiation compared with parent cells. miR‐26b‐5p overexpression and X‐irradiation led to enhanced radiosensitivity of LUAD cells. ATF2 was negatively targeted by miR‐26b‐5p. Exosomal miR‐26b‐5p derived from A549 cells could be transported to irradiation‐resistant LUAD cells and inhibit ATF2 expression to promote DNA damage, apoptosis and radiosensitivity of LUAD cells, which was verified using serum‐based miR‐26b‐5p. Our results show a regulatory network of miR‐26b‐5p on radiosensitivity of LUAD cells, which may serve as a non‐invasive biomarker for LUAD.
Analysis of virulence and immunogenic factors in Aeromonas hydrophila: Towards the development of live vaccines
Authors: Zhao Xian‐liang , Wu Gan , Chen He , Li Li , Kong Xiang‐hui
Published: June 2020

Aeromonas hydrophila, a bacterium that is widespread in aquatic environments, is responsible for causing haemorrhagic disease in both aquatic and terrestrial species. With the purpose of developing a live vaccine, herein we have investigated nine strains of A. hydrophila (Ah‐01 to Ah‐09) isolated from diseased fish. A study of virulence factors that contribute to pathogenicity and immunogenicity in the host Cyprinus carpio suggests that the presence of β‐hly, act and fla genes contribute to pathogenesis: strains Ah‐01, Ah‐02 and Ah‐03 (β‐hly+/act+/fla+ genotype) were highly pathogenic to C. carpio, whereas Ah‐05 and Ah‐06 (β‐hly−/act−/fla− genotype) showed weak pathogenicity. Accordingly, Ah‐02 and Ah‐03 were selected to prepare inactivated vaccines, whereas Ah‐05 and Ah‐06 were chosen as live vaccines. Ah‐06 live vaccine was found to have the best protective efficacy, with a protective rate of about 85%, whereas rates of other vaccines were significantly lower, in the range 37%–59%. In addition, DNA vaccines based on genes altA, aha and omp showed immune protection rates of 25%, 37.5% and 75%, respectively. Our data demonstrate that the β‐hly−/act−/fla−/altA+/aha+/omp+ genotype has weak pathogenicity and high immunogenicity, and provide a simple and effective way to screen for live A. hydrophila vaccines.
Pragmatic clinical trials: Increasing the rate of translating nursing research into practice†
Authors: Doorenbos Ardith Z. , Kato Yutaka
Published: June 2020

Aim

Nursing research worldwide is committed to rigorous scientific inquiry that provides a significant body of knowledge to advance nursing practice. One way to advance nursing practice is to increase the rate at which nursing research findings are translated into clinical practice, and one way to do that is to use pragmatic clinical trial research designs. This article aims to describe and advocate for the increased use of pragmatic clinical trials in nursing research and to provide a summary of one nursing pragmatic clinical trial.

Methods

A review and discussion of the features of pragmatic clinical trials.

Results

This article describes the principles and benefits of pragmatic clinical trials. Nurse researchers who use these principles will generate results that are more actionable, patient‐centered, and relevant in clinical practice. Focusing on research that provides practical evidence that can be translated into evidence‐based practice is an important way to improve the environment for nursing research that leads more rapidly to improved nursing practice.

Conclusions

Embracing and increasing our use of pragmatic clinical trial design concepts in nursing research can enhance the significance of our findings and facilitate the translation of our research into practice.
Exchange Rates and Fundamentals: A General Equilibrium Exploration
Authors: KANO TAKASHI
Published: June 2020

Engel and West (2005) show that the observed near random‐walk behavior of nominal exchange rates is an equilibrium outcome of a partial equilibrium asset approach when economic fundamentals follow exogenous first‐order integrated processes and the discount factor approaches one. In this paper, I argue that the unit market discount factor creates a theoretical trade‐off within a two‐country general equilibrium model. The unit discount factor generates near random‐walk nominal exchange rates, but it counterfactually implies perfect consumption risk sharing and flat money demand. Bayesian posterior simulation exercises, based on post‐Bretton Woods data from Canada and the United States, reveal difficulties in reconciling the equilibrium random‐walk proposition within the canonical model; in particular, the market discount factor is identified as being much smaller than one. A relative money demand shock is identified as the main driver of nominal exchange rates.
Gas Composition of Developing Pneumatocysts in Bull KelpNereocystis luetkeana(Phaeophyceae)1
Authors: Liggan Lauran M. , Martone Patrick T.
Published: June 2020

The subtidal kelpNereocystis luetkeana(hereafterNereocystis) maintains an upright stature by producing a single gas‐filled float (pneumatocyst) that provides buoyancy. The ability ofNereocystispneumatocysts to inflate with gas underwater is peculiar, and the gas composition of pneumatocysts has been the topic of several studies over the last 100 years. Past studies of pneumatocyst gases only examined large sporophytes, leaving open questions about the origins of these gases and how gas composition may change during development. In this study, we use developmental time as a means to understand the origin and physiological mechanisms that give rise to different gases withinNereocystispneumatocysts. Total gas composition was measured across a range of pneumatocyst sizes (5–725 mL). Contrary to previous studies that documented pneumatocyst gas concentrations to be similar to air, this study found internal gas levels of CO, CO2, and O2to be 1.2 ± 0.8%, 0.6 ± 0.2%, and 59.9 ± 13.6%, respectively. Our data suggest that the composition of gases does not change as pneumatocysts grow and that the rate of each gas added is approximately proportional to changes in pneumatocyst volume. Therefore, cells constituting the pneumatocyst wall are likely producing more gas (per surface area) to fill pneumatocysts as they expand, maintaining proportional gas composition and corresponding internal pressure.
Unexplained patterns of grey wolf Canis lupus natal dispersal
Authors: Mech L. David
Published: June 2020

Natal dispersal (movement from the site of birth to the site of reproduction) is a pervasive but highly varied characteristic of life forms. Thus, understanding it in any species informs many aspects of biology, but studying it in most species is difficult. In the grey wolf Canis lupus, natal dispersal has been well studied. Maturing members of both sexes generally leave their natal packs, pair with opposite‐sex dispersers from other packs, near or far, select a territory, and produce their own offspring. However, three movement patterns of some natal‐dispersing wolves remain unexplained: 1) long‐distance dispersal when potential mates seem nearby, 2) round‐trip travels from their natal packs for varying periods and distances, also called extraterritorial movements, and often not resulting in pairing, and 3) coincidental dispersal by individual wolves from a given area in the same basic directions and over the same long distances. This perspective article documents and discusses these unexplained dispersal patterns, suggests possible explanations, and calls for additional research to understand them more clearly.
Eating and feeding behaviours in children in low‐income areas in Nairobi, Kenya
Authors: Mutoro Antonina N. , Garcia Ada L. , Kimani‐Murage Elizabeth W. , Wright Charlotte M.
Published: June 2020

Child eating and caregiver feeding behaviours are critical determinants of food intake, but they are poorly characterized in undernourished children. We aimed to describe how appetite, food refusal and force‐feeding vary between undernourished and healthy children aged 6–24 months in Nairobi and identify potential variables for use in a child eating behaviour scale for international use. This cross‐sectional study was conducted in seven clinics in low‐income areas of Nairobi. Healthy and undernourished children were quota sampled to recruit equal numbers of undernourished children (weight for age [WAZ] or weight for length [WLZ] Z scores ≤2SD) and healthy children (WAZ > 2SD). Using a structured interview schedule, questions reflecting child appetite, food refusal and caregiver feeding behaviours were rated using a 5‐point scale. Food refusal and force‐feeding variables were then combined to form scores and categorized into low, medium and high. In total, 407 child–caregiver pairs, aged median [interquartile range] 9.98 months [8.7 to 14.1], were recruited of whom 55% were undernourished. Undernourished children were less likely to ‘love food’ (undernourished 78%; healthy 90% p = < 0.001) and more likely to have high food refusal (18% vs. 3.3% p = <0.001), while their caregivers were more likely to use high force‐feeding (28% vs. 16% p = 0.03). Undernourished children in low‐income areas in Nairobi are harder to feed than healthy children, and force‐feeding is used widely. A range of discriminating variables could be used to measure child eating behaviour and assess the impact of interventions.
A microbial mandala for environmental monitoring: Predicting multiple impacts on estuarine prokaryote communities of the Bay of Biscay
Authors: Lanzén Anders , Mendibil Iñaki , Borja Ángel , Alonso‐Sáez Laura
Published: June 2020

Routine monitoring of benthic biodiversity is critical for managing and understanding the anthropogenic impacts on marine, transitional and freshwater ecosystems. However, traditional reliance on morphological identification generally makes it cost‐prohibitive to increase the scale of monitoring programmes. Metabarcoding of environmental DNA has clear potential to overcome many of the problems associated with traditional monitoring, with prokaryotes and other microorganisms showing particular promise as bioindicators. However, due to the limited knowledge regarding the ecological roles and responses of environmental microorganisms to different types of pressure, the use of de novo approaches is necessary. Here, we use two such approaches for the prediction of multiple impacts present in estuaries and coastal areas of the Bay of Biscay based on microbial communities. The first (Random Forests) is a machine learning method while the second (Threshold Indicator Taxa Analysis and quantile regression splines) is based on de novo identification of bioindicators. Our results show that both methods overlap considerably in the indicator taxa identified, but less for sequence variants. Both methods also perform well in spite of the complexity of the studied ecosystem, providing predictive models with strong correlation to reference values and fair to good agreement with ecological status groups. The ability to predict several specific types of pressure is especially appealing. The cross‐validated models and biotic indices developed can be directly applied to predict the environmental status of estuaries in the same geographical region, although more work is needed to evaluate and improve them for use in new regions or habitats.