bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Age, growth and maturation of the Sakhalin flounder Limanda sakhalinensis of the northern Sea of Okhotsk
Authors: Yusupov R R , Metelev E A , Sergeev A S , Danilov V S
Published: September 2020

Sakhalin flounder abounds in the northern part of the Sea of Okhotsk and is currently a commercial fishing resource. Thus, the data needed for scientifically based management of this resource was obtained in the frame of a study carried out on the sampling of 1229 specimen caught in August–September of 2013 and 2019, determining age composition, growth and maturity of the fish. The otoliths were studied to reveal the age. The largest male with a credibly estimated age of 17 years was 27.0 cm TL and, weighted 184 g, while a 21 years old female was 35.0 cm TL and 408 g respectively. The measured data confirmed by the von Bertalanffy growth function calculations indicated that the growth of the female specimens is higher than that of the male. However, male specimens are faster in achieving their maximum length and reproductive maturity. Males start maturing at the age of 3 as they attain the length of 12.5 cm TL, while females mature at the age of five being 16.0 cm TL. The calculations indicate that for 50% of Sakhalin flounder, the males’ age of maturity is 4.1 years upon attaining TL 15.2 cm. Females mature in bulk at 7.5 years, attaining the length of 19.6 cm.
Innovative approaches to obtaining a green sweetener
Authors: Zobnina I A , Rybakova G R , Doiko I V , Gulenkova G S , Veretnova O Y
Published: September 2020

On the backdrop of the general trend towards healthy diet, scientists have noted an increase in the incidence of diabetes in the most active part of the working population. An erroneous idea of a balanced diet formed by the mass media contributed to the consolidation of a sweet taste as the most desirable in diets. To reduce harmful effects of sugar while maintaining the familiar taste of food, one of the ways to “improve” nutrition is to use a natural sweetener which is called stevia. The article proposes the method of growing it in a controlled environment. The objectives of the study were to obtain raw materials with an optimal ratio of the amount of biomass and the content of sweet glycoside of stevioside in it, and approbation of the introduction of whole dried raw materials into the products. Growth environment was changed to create stress by varying the spectral composition of the light. Obtained results indicate differences in the accumulation of stevioside along the tiers of leaves, with a maximum at an average level, as well as in the different effects of red, white, and blue parts of the spectrum on plant development. It has been shown that the regime with transition from the white or red spectra giving an increase in green mass to blue, “switching” metabolic processes to the accumulation of secondary metabolites, which stevioside belongs to, should become optimal. Obtained raw materials showed compatibility in bakery product formulations and in soft drinks. The method is considered promising for use in the greenhouse complexes of the Arctic to provide the rations of the local population with a functional additive for preventive nutrition.
Modeling double-strand breaks from direct and indirect action in a complete human genome single cell Geant4 model
Authors: Zhao Xiandong , Liu Ruirui , Zhao Tianyu , Reynoso Francisco J
Published: September 2020

The aim of this work is to develop and validate a computational model to investigate direct and indirect DNA damage by directly quantifying DNA strand breaks. A detailed geometrical target model was created in the Monte Carlo toolkit Geant4 to represent the nucleus of a single human cell with complete human genome. A calculation framework to simulate double-strand breaks (DSBs) was implemented using this single cell model in the Geant4-DNA extension. A detailed ellipsoidal single cell model was implemented using a compacted DNA structure representing the fibroblast cell in the G0/G1 phase of the cycle using a total of 6 Gbp within the nucleus to represent the complete human genome. This geometry was developed from the publicly available Geant4-DNA example (wholeNuclearDNA), and modified to record DNA damage for both the physical and chemical stages. A clustering algorithm was implemented in the analysis process in order to quantify direct, indirect, and mixed DSBs. The model was validated against published experimental and computational results for DSB Gy−1Gbp−1 and the relative biological effectiveness (RBE) values for 250 kVp and Co-60 photons, as well as 2–100 MeV mono-energetic protons. A general agreement was observed over the whole simulated proton energy range, Co-60 beam, and 250 kVp in terms of the yield of DSB Gy−1Gbp−1 and RBE. The DSB yield was 8.0 ± 0.3 DSB Gy−1Gbp−1 for Co-60, and 9.2 ± 0.2 DSB Gy−1Gbp−1 for 250 kVp, and between 11.1 ± 0.9 and 8.1 ± 0.5 DSB Gy−1Gbp−1 for 2–100 MeV protons. The results also show mixed DSBs composed of direct and indirect SSBs make up more than half of the total DSBs. The results presented indicate that the current model reliably predicts the DSB yield and RBE for proton and photon irradiations, and allows for the detailed computational investigation of direct and indirect effects in DNA damage.
Photo-irradiation induced green synthesis of highly stable silver nanoparticles using durian rind biomass: effects of light intensity, exposure time and pH on silver nanoparticles formation
Authors: Chutrakulwong Fueangfahkan , Thamaphat Kheamrutai , Limsuwan Pichet
Published: September 2020

The purpose of this work is to single-pot biosynthesize silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using the extract from mesocarp and endocarp of durian rind under photo-irradiation. Without adding chemical substance, flavonoids, phenolic compounds and glucose dissolved in the extract served as the reducing agent; while proteins acted as the particle-stabilizing agent in the formation of AgNPs. The synthesis parameters i.e. light intensity, exposure duration, and pH value directly associated with the nucleation, growth, and aggregation of nanoparticles. The amount of synthesized AgNPs increased with increasing visible light intensity and exposure duration, while the size and stability of nanoparticles were decided by pH value adjustment. The size of synthesized AgNPs decreased when the pH value increased, on the contrary, the size increased when the pH value decreased. Under the optimized synthesis conditions (visible light intensity of 13,430 lx and pH value of 8.5), approximately 99% of silver ions was reduced to the spherical AgNPs with the mean diameter of 11.4 ± 3.2 nm within 5 min. The AgNPs remained uniformly dispersed in de-ionized water at no less than six months. The present environmental-friendly method is facile, rapid, and cost effective for the large scale preparation of AgNPs. The obtained AgNPs synthesized under optimum conditions could be applied for use in various fields such as antimicrobial activity, biosensors, and catalysis in the near future.
Enhanced interfacial reaction of precursor and low temperature substrate in HfO2 atomic layer deposition with highly Ar diluted O2 plasma
Authors: Kitajima Takeshi , Minowa Hidemichi , Nakano Toshiki
Published: September 2020

The internal energy of metastable oxygen atoms in highly Ar diluted oxygen plasma was utilized in the initial stage of the atomic layer deposition of HfO2 on SiO2/Si(100) at low temperature of 150 °C. The highly Ar dilute oxygen plasma enhanced the oxidation of the incomplete chemisorption state of the precursor at low temperature, successfully formed Hf silicate interface, and decreased the impurity nitrogen atoms in the HfO2 film compared to the pure oxygen plasma ALD. Residual nitrogen atoms in the film were found to cause excessive precursor adsorption. The results of plasma emission spectroscopy and ion saturation current measurements show that the highly Ar-diluted O2 plasma can increase the O radical formation rate for ion fluxes at pressures above 100 Pa. The relatively high metastable oxygen atom irradiation is thought to be responsible for the removal of HfN bonds and enable ALD on low temperature substrates. Atomic force microscopy showed that the root mean square roughness in the high Ar dilution sample was 0.093 nm, indicating high flatness.
Spectroscopic investigation of a neon-operated DBD at atmospheric and intermediate pressure
Authors: Bansemer Robert , Scholten Laura Vilardell , Winter Jörn , Weltmann Klaus-Dieter
Published: September 2020

A sinusoidally-excited Venturi-DBD operating in neon has been investigated. The Ne(1s5) metastable density has been quantified spatially resolved using laser atomic absorption spectroscopy for different pressure levels. Density values of up to 7 · 1016 m−3 could be determined at atmospheric pressure and up to 3 · 1016 m−3 at 100 mbar. For all investigated parameters, the Ne(1s5) density was found to be distinctly higher in the proximity of the cathode than in the anode region. Complementary investigations of the discharge development using phase-resolved optical emission spectroscopy complete the characterization of the device. The discharge was found to show typical properties of a glow-like discharge regarding current waveform and luminosity distribution. In addition, the influence of nitrogen and oxygen impurities and admixtures in the process gas has been determined. A substantial impact was found on both the Ne(1s5) concentration and the current waveform.
Emergence of long-range correlations in random networks
Authors: Mizutaka Shogo , Hasegawa Takehisa
Published: September 2020

We perform an analysis of the long-range degree correlation of the giant component (GC) in an uncorrelated random network by employing generating functions. By introducing a characteristic length, we find that a pair of nodes in the GC is negatively degree-correlated within the characteristic length and uncorrelated otherwise. At the critical point, where the GC becomes fractal, the characteristic length diverges and the negative long-range degree correlation emerges. We further propose a correlation function for degrees of two nodes separated by the shortest path length l, which behaves as an exponentially decreasing function of distance in the off-critical region. The correlation function obeys a power-law with an exponential cutoff near the critical point. The Erdős-Rényi random graph is employed to confirm this critical behavior.
Endoplasmic reticulum stress causes insulin resistance by inhibiting delivery of newly synthesized insulin receptors to the cell surface
Authors: Brown Max , Dainty Samantha , Strudwick Natalie , Mihai Adina D. , Watson Jamie N. , Dendooven Robina , Paton Adrienne W. , Paton James C. , Schröder Martin
Published: September 2020

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress inhibits activation of AKT by insulin by depleting insulin receptors and interferes with the delivery of newly synthesized insulin receptors to the cell surface. Bypass of the secretory pathway in synthesis of the cytosolic protein tyrosine kinase domain of the insulin receptor negates the effects of ER stress on activation of AKT by insulin.
Histoplasmosis Caused by Histoplasma capsulatum var. duboisii: A Comprehensive Review of Cases From 1993 to 2019
Authors: Develoux M , Amona F M , Hennequin C
Published: September 2020

Background

Histoplasmosis caused by Histoplasma capsulatum var. duboisii (Hcd) is a rare, but probably underestimated, endemic infection described in intertropical Africa. Therefore, the epidemiology of the infection remains unclear, and there is no consensus on therapeutic management.

Methods

Using a comprehensive search on different Internet databases, we collected case reports of Hcd infection published from 1993 to 2019. Epidemiological and clinical charts and therapeutic strategies were analyzed.

Results

We found 94 well-documented cases of Hcd infection, and 30.1% of the patients were under 18 years old. Symptoms occurred in some patients several decades after leaving the endemic area. Cutaneous/subcutaneous lesions, bone infections, and lymphadenopathies, both isolated and combined, were the most frequent presentations. The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) coinfection rate was at 20.8%, with fever, lymphadenopathies, and an absence of bone infection being the differentiating elements from patients living without HIV. The rate of disseminated forms (60.6% in our review) significantly increased as compared to studies published before 1993, but without correlation with HIV infection. The global mortality rate was at 23.4% by the end of follow-up. The outcome was not correlated with the antifungal drug prescribed, nor with HIV serologic status, but was correlated with the initiation of an antifungal therapy.

Conclusions

Hcd histoplasmosis is a severe fungal infection for which the precise mode of acquisition remains to be determined. There is a need for affordable and more specific diagnostic tools. Itraconazole and amphotericin B are the best therapeutic alternatives and should be available in all low-income countries of the endemic area.
Illness Severity and Outcomes Among Enteric Fever Cases From Bangladesh, Nepal, and Pakistan: Data From the Surveillance for Enteric Fever in Asia Project, 2016–2019
Authors: Longley Ashley T , Hemlock Caitlin , Date Kashmira , Luby Stephen P , Andrews Jason R , Saha Samir K , Bogoch Isaac I , Yousafzai Mohammad T , Garrett Denise O , Qamar Farah N
Published: September 2020

Background

Enteric fever can lead to prolonged hospital stays, clinical complications, and death. The Surveillance for Enteric Fever in Asia Project (SEAP), a prospective surveillance study, characterized the burden of enteric fever, including illness severity, in selected settings in Bangladesh, Nepal, and Pakistan. We assessed disease severity, including hospitalization, clinical complications, and death among SEAP participants.

Methods

We analyzed clinical and laboratory data from blood culture–confirmed enteric fever cases enrolled in SEAP hospitals and associated network laboratories from September 2016 to September 2019. We used hospitalization and duration of hospital stay as proxies for severity. We conducted a follow-up interview 6 weeks after enrollment to ascertain final outcomes.

Results

Of the 8705 blood culture-confirmed enteric fever cases enrolled, we identified 6 deaths (case-fatality ratio, .07%; 95% CI, .01–.13%), 2 from Nepal, 4 from Pakistan, and none from Bangladesh. Overall, 1.7% (90/5205) of patients recruited from SEAP hospitals experienced a clinical complication (Bangladesh, 0.6% [18/3032]; Nepal, 2.3% [12/531]; Pakistan, 3.7% [60/1642]). The most identified complications were hepatitis (n = 36), septic shock (n = 22), and pulmonary complications/pneumonia (n = 13). Across countries, 32% (2804/8669) of patients with hospitalization data available were hospitalized (Bangladesh, 27% [1295/4868]; Nepal, 29% [455/1595]; Pakistan, 48% [1054/2206]), with a median hospital stay of 5 days (IQR, 3–7).

Conclusions

While defined clinical complications and deaths were uncommon at the SEAP sites, the high proportion of hospitalizations and prolonged hospital stays highlight illness severity and the need for enteric fever control measures, including the use of typhoid conjugate vaccines.
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 RNA in Plasma Is Associated With Intensive Care Unit Admission and Mortality in Patients Hospitalized With Coronavirus Disease 2019
Authors: Prebensen Christian , Myhre Peder L , Jonassen Christine , Rangberg Anbjørg , Blomfeldt Anita , Svensson My , Omland Torbjørn , Berdal Jan-Erik
Published: September 2020

The clinical significance of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 RNA in the circulation is unknown. In this prospective cohort study, we detected viral RNA in the plasma of 58 of 123 (47%) patients hospitalized with coronavirus disease 2019. RNA was detected more frequently, and levels were higher, in patients who were admitted to the intensive care unit and/or died.
China’s Role in Global Economic Governance Revisited: Evidence from a Comparative Analysis of Chinese and Japanese BITs
Authors: Blanchard Jean-Marc F , Zeng Ka
Published: September 2020

A large proportion of debates about China’s impacts on global economic governance lack systematic empirical analysis. We engage the debate about if China is a revolutionary, revisionist, or status quo state through a deep dive into China’s behaviors with respect to Bilateral Investment Treaties (BITs). This research strategy is à propos because BITs represent the de facto regime governing foreign direct investment (FDI) globally, and China is the world’s second largest signatory of BITs. Drawing upon a database that we created using material on BITs available from the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, we systematically examine the substantive and procedural provisions of China’s BITs from 2000 onward. Using a qualitative methodology discussed in-depth in our article, we also put China’s BIT practices in comparative perspective by comparing them against the BIT practices of Japan, a leading developed economy with BIT practices reflecting those of other established economies. Our multivariate analysis demonstrates China is not a revolutionary or dramatically revisionist player with respect to BITs. It champions positions that are neither hyper-conservative (state friendly) nor hyper-liberal (FDI friendly). To be more precise, China’s policies, especially with respect to substantive provisions, tend to be conservative, with, to some extent, some liberal aspects. Our analysis, then, indicates that commentators, businesspeople, and policymakers should be cautious about proffering claims that China is dramatically reshaping global economic governance. Aside from this important contribution to the debate, our work also expands knowledge about China’s BITs specifically and BITs generally, which does not reflect adequate attention to BITs from East Asian countries.
Ckj consolidation among Q1 Urology and Nephrology journals
Authors: Ortiz Alberto
Published: September 2020

The Clinical Kidney Journal (ckj) impact factor from Clarivate’s Web of Science for 2019 was 3.388. This consolidates ckj among journals in the top 25% (first quartile, Q1) in the Urology and Nephrology field according to the journal impact factor. The manuscripts contributing the most to the impact factor focused on chronic kidney disease (CKD) epidemiology and evaluation, CKD complications and their management, cost-efficiency of renal replacement therapy, pathogenesis of CKD, familial kidney disease and the environment–genetics interface, onconephrology, technology, SGLT2 inhibitors and outcome prediction. We provide here an overview of the hottest and most impactful topics for 2017–19.
SGLT2 inhibitors for non-diabetic kidney disease: drugs to treat CKD that also improve glycaemia
Authors: Fernandez-Fernandez Beatriz , Sarafidis Pantelis , Kanbay Mehmet , Navarro-González Juan F , Soler María José , Górriz Jose Luis , Ortiz Alberto
Published: September 2020

Sodium–glucose co-transporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors decreased cardiovascular (CV) events and improved renal outcomes in CV safety studies in type 2 diabetes melitus (T2DM) patients at high CV risk. Canagliflozin also improved kidney outcomes in diabetic kidney disease in the Canagliflozin and Renal Events in Diabetes and Nephropathy Clinical Evaluationtrial. More recently, the Dapagliflozin and Prevention of Adverse Outcomes in Heart Failure (DAPA-HF) trial showed that dapagliflozin improved CV outcomes in patients with HF with or without diabetes. Protection from HF in non-diabetics was confirmed for empagliflozin in the EMPagliflozin outcomE tRial in Patients With chrOnic heaRt Failure With Reduced Ejection Fraction (EMPEROR-Reduced) trial. A meta-analysis of DAPA-HF and EMPEROR-Reduced confirmed reductions in all-cause and CV death and the combined risk of CV death or worsening HF, as well as in the composite renal endpoint {hazard ratio [HR] 0.62 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.43–0.90]} without differences based on the presence of diabetes or baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Moreover, the Study to Evaluate the Effect of Dapagliflozin on Renal Outcomes and Cardiovascular Mortality in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease (DAPA-CKD) showed that dapagliflozin as an add-on over renin–angiotensin system blockade in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD; with or without T2DM) reduced the HR for the primary endpoint (time to the first occurrence of ≥50% eGFR decline, end-stage kidney disease or renal or CV death) to 0.61 (95% CI 0.51–0.72) and for the secondary endpoints of worsening renal function or death from kidney failure [HR 0.56 (95% CI 0.45–0.68)], hospitalization for HF or CV death [HR 0.71 (95% CI 0.55–0.92)] and all-cause mortality [HR 0.69 (95% CI 0.53–0.88)]. These beneficial effects were consistent in patients with and without T2DM. In conclusion, SGLT2 inhibitors offer CV and kidney protection in both diabetic and non-diabetic CKD and, additionally, improve glycaemic control in T2DM, making them first-line therapy for CKD independent from diabetic status.
Radial incision and cutting for dilation before endoscopic submucosal dissection in patients with esophageal cancer on the distal side of severe benign esophageal strictures
Authors: Nakajo Keiichiro , Yoda Yusuke , Kadota Tomohiro , Murano Tatsuro , Shinmura Kensuke , Ikematsu Hiroaki , Akimoto Tetsuo , Yano Tomonori
Published: September 2020

We investigated the efficacy and safety of radial incision and cutting as a novel dilation method for strictures just before endoscopic submucosal dissection in patients with metachronous esophageal cancer localized on the distal side of strictures and determined the optimal dilation method. Consecutive patients who underwent endoscopic submucosal dissection for superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinomas localized on the distal side of severe strictures were investigated retrospectively and assigned to a radial incision and cutting (19 patients; 23 lesions) or an endoscopic balloon dilation (20 patients; 20 lesions) group. We evaluated the passage success rates of cap-wearing endoscopes with diameters ≥8.9 mm, the procedural success, en bloc resection, complete resection, major adverse event rates, and total procedure times. Compared to the endoscopic balloon dilation group, the passage success rate of a conventional endoscope with a transparent cap (87% vs. 50%) and procedural success rate (96% vs. 63%) were significantly higher in the radial incision and cutting group. The mean procedure time of ‘dilation and ESD’ was significantly shorter in the radial incision and cutting group than in the endoscopic balloon dilation group. Neither group experienced any serious adverse events. Radial incision and cutting followed by endoscopic submucosal dissection was effective and safe in patients with superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinomas localized on the distal side of severe benign esophageal strictures. Endoscopic submucosal dissection using a cap-wearing endoscope was possible with radial incision and cutting, and the procedure time was shorter than that for endoscopic balloon dilation.
Trans Men’s Access to Knowledgeable Providers and Their Experiences in Health Care Settings: Differences by Demographics, Mental Health, and Degree of Being “Out” to Providers
Authors: Seelman Kristie L , Kattari Shanna K , Harvey Penny , Bakko Matthew
Published: September 2020

Transgender adults face a health care system rife with stigma, including a lack of culturally responsive providers and high likelihood of discrimination and mistreatment. However, there is a gap in knowledge about trans men—those assigned a female sex at birth who identify as men or as transmasculine—including subgroups, such as trans men of color. Using data from the U.S. Transgender Survey, the largest transgender survey conducted in the United States, this study analyzes whether trans men’s access to knowledgeable providers and their experiences of mistreatment in health care were related to demographic and mental health characteristics and degree of being “out” to providers. Among 7,950 trans men, respondent race and ethnicity, education level, disability status, psychological distress, suicidality, and being less “out” were associated with assessing one’s health care provider as not knowledgeable about trans-related care. Mistreatment in health care was more common among Alaska Native/American Indian trans men; those who lived in or near poverty; those who were queer, pansexual, bisexual, or an orientation not listed; those with a disability; those experiencing distress or suicidality; and those who were more “out.” This article discusses how findings can inform culturally responsive health care interventions with trans men.
Dormant Plasmodium falciparum Parasites in Human Infections Following Artesunate Therapy
Authors: Peatey Christopher , Chen Nanhua , Gresty Karryn , Anderson Karen , Pickering Paul , Watts Rebecca , Gatton Michelle L , McCarthy James , Cheng Qin
Published: September 2020

Background

Artemisinin monotherapy of Plasmodium falciparum infection is frequently ineffective due to recrudescence. Artemisinin-induced dormancy, shown in vitro and in animal models, provides a plausible explanation. To date, direct evidence of artemisinin-induced dormancy in humans is lacking.

Methods

Blood samples were collected from Plasmodium falciparum 3D7- or K13-infected participants before and 48–72 hours after single-dose artesunate (AS) treatment. Parasite morphology, molecular signature of dormancy, capability and dynamics of seeding in vitro cultures, and genetic mutations in the K13 gene were investigated.

Results

Dormant parasites were observed in post-AS blood samples of 3D7- and K13-infected participants. The molecular signature of dormancy, an up-regulation of acetyl CoA carboxylase, was detected in 3D7 and K13 samples post-AS, but not in pre-AS samples. Posttreatment samples successfully seeded in vitro cultures, with a significant delay in time to reach 2% parasitemia compared to pretreatment samples.

Conclusions

This study provides strong evidence for the presence of artemisinin-induced dormant parasites in P. falciparum infections. These parasites are a likely reservoir for recrudescent infection following artemisinin monotherapy and artemisinin combination therapy (ACT). Combination regimens that target dormant parasites or remain at therapeutic levels for a sufficient time to kill recovering parasites will likely improve efficacy of ACTs.
No Evidence of Varicella-Zoster Virus Infection in Temporal Artery Biopsies of Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy Patients With and Without Giant Cell Arteritis
Authors: Verdijk Robert M , Ouwendijk Werner J D , Kuijpers Robert W A M , Verjans Georges M G M
Published: September 2020

Background

To test the hypothesis that varicella-zoster virus (VZV) infection contributes to temporal arteritis pathogenesis, comprehensive in situ analysis was performed on temporal artery biopsies of 38 anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (AION) patients, including 14 (37%) with giant cell arteritis.

Methods

Biopsies were completely sectioned, and, on average, 146 serial sections per patient were stained for VZV glycoprotein E.

Results

Four of 38 AION patients showed VZV glycoprotein E staining, but VZV infection was not confirmed by staining for VZV IE63 protein and VZV-specific polymerase chain reaction on adjacent sections.

Conclusions

This study refutes the premise that VZV is casually related to AION with and without giant cell arteritis.
Decolonising global health: transnational research partnerships under the spotlight
Authors: Lawrence David S , Hirsch Lioba A
Published: September 2020

There are increasing calls to decolonise aspects of science, and global health is no exception. The decolonising global health movement acknowledges that global health research perpetuates existing power imbalances and aims to identify concrete ways in which global health teaching and research can overcome its colonial past and present. Using the context of clinical trials implemented through transnational research partnerships (TRPs) as a case study, this narrative review brings together perspectives from clinical research and social science to lay out specific ways in which TRPs build on and perpetuate colonial power relations. We will explore three core components of TRPs: participant experience, expertise and infrastructure, and authorship. By combining a critical perspective with recently published literature we will recommend specific ways in which TRPs can be decolonised. We conclude by discussing decolonising global health as a potential practice and object of research. By doing this we intend to frame the decolonising global health movement as one that is accessible to everyone and within which we can all play an active role.
Predictors of mortality and clinical characteristics among carbapenem-resistant or carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae bloodstream infections in Spanish children
Authors: Ara-Montojo M F , Escosa-García L , Alguacil-Guillén M , Seara N , Zozaya C , Plaza D , Schuffelmann-Gutiérrez C , de la Vega Á , Fernández-Camblor C , Ramos-Boluda E , Romero-Gómez M P , Ruiz-Carrascoso G , Losantos-García I , Mellado-Peña M J , Gómez-Gil R
Published: September 2020

Background

Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) are an emerging problem in the paediatric population worldwide with high mortality rates in bloodstream infection (BSI).

Objectives

To evaluate predictors of 30 day mortality in CRE BSI in a paediatric cohort.

Methods

A retrospective observational single-centre study (December 2005–August 2018) was conducted. Cases of CRE BSI in children 0 to 16 years were included. Microbiological identification (MALDI Biotyper) and antimicrobial susceptibility testing (Vitek2® and MicroScan panel NBC44) according to EUCAST breakpoints were performed. PCR OXVIKP® was used to confirm carbapenemase genes (OXA-48, VIM, KPC, NDM). Demographic characteristics, underlying diseases, source of bacteraemia, antimicrobial therapy and outcomes were collected from medical records. Survival analysis to establish predictors of 30 day mortality was performed.

Results

Thirty-eight cases were included; 76.3% were hospital-acquired infections and 23.7% related to healthcare. All patients had at least one underlying comorbidity and 52.6% were recipients of an organ transplant. VIM carbapenemase was the predominant mechanism (92.1%). Previous CRE colonization or infection rate was 52.6%. Intestinal tract (26.3%) and vascular catheter (21.1%) were the most common sources of infection. Crude mortality within 30 days was 18.4% (7/38); directly related 30 day mortality was 10.5%. Conditions associated with an increment in 30 day mortality were intensive care admission and inadequate empirical therapy (P < 0.05). Combination-antibiotic targeted treatment and a low meropenem MIC were not related to improved survival.

Conclusions

CRE BSI mortality rate is high. The most important factor related to 30 day survival in our CRE BSI cohort in children was empirical treatment that included at least one active antibiotic.
Trends in user-initiated health information exchange in the inpatient, outpatient, and emergency settings
Authors: Rahurkar Saurabh , Vest Joshua R , Finnell John T , Dixon Brian E
Published: September 2020

Prior research on health information exchange (HIE) typically measured provider usage through surveys or they summarized the availability of HIE services in a healthcare organization. Few studies utilized user log files. Using HIE access log files, we measured HIE use in real-world clinical settings over a 7-year period (2011-2017). Use of HIE increased in inpatient, outpatient, and emergency department (ED) settings. Further, while extant literature has generally viewed the ED as the most relevant setting for HIE, the greatest change in HIE use was observed in the inpatient setting, followed by the ED setting and then the outpatient setting. Our findings suggest that in addition to federal incentives, the implementation of features that address barriers to access (eg, Single Sign On), as well as value-added services (eg, interoperability with external data sources), may be related to the growth in user-initiated HIE.
An assessment of genomic connectedness measures in Nellore cattle
Authors: Amorim Sabrina T , Yu Haipeng , Momen Mehdi , de Albuquerque Lúcia Galvão , Cravo Pereira Angélica S , Baldi Fernando , Morota Gota
Published: September 2020

An important criterion to consider in genetic evaluations is the extent of genetic connectedness across management units (MU), especially if they differ in their genetic mean. Reliable comparisons of genetic values across MU depend on the degree of connectedness: the higher the connectedness, the more reliable the comparison. Traditionally, genetic connectedness was calculated through pedigree-based methods; however, in the era of genomic selection, this can be better estimated utilizing new approaches based on genomics. Most procedures consider only additive genetic effects, which may not accurately reflect the underlying gene action of the evaluated trait, and little is known about the impact of non-additive gene action on connectedness measures. The objective of this study was to investigate the extent of genomic connectedness measures, for the first time, in Brazilian field data by applying additive and non-additive relationship matrices using a fatty acid profile data set from seven farms located in the three regions of Brazil, which are part of the three breeding programs. Myristic acid (C14:0) was used due to its importance for human health and reported presence of non-additive gene action. The pedigree included 427,740 animals and 925 of them were genotyped using the Bovine high-density genotyping chip. Six relationship matrices were constructed, parametrically and non-parametrically capturing additive and non-additive genetic effects from both pedigree and genomic data. We assessed genome-based connectedness across MU using the prediction error variance of difference (PEVD) and the coefficient of determination (CD). PEVD values ranged from 0.540 to 1.707, and CD from 0.146 to 0.456. Genomic information consistently enhanced the measures of connectedness compared to the numerator relationship matrix by at least 63%. Combining additive and non-additive genomic kernel relationship matrices or a non-parametric relationship matrix increased the capture of connectedness. Overall, the Gaussian kernel yielded the largest measure of connectedness. Our findings showed that connectedness metrics can be extended to incorporate genomic information and non-additive genetic variation using field data. We propose that different genomic relationship matrices can be designed to capture additive and non-additive genetic effects, increase the measures of connectedness, and to more accurately estimate the true state of connectedness in herds.
A Tissue Digestion Protocol for Measuring Sarcoptes scabiei (Astigmata: Sarcoptidae) Density in Skin Biopsies
Authors: Tiffin Hannah S , Cockerill Robert , Brown Justin D , Machtinger Erika T
Published: September 2020

Sarcoptic mange is a parasitic skin disease caused by the burrowing mite Sarcoptes scabiei that affects a diversity of mammals, including humans, worldwide. In North America, the most commonly affected wildlife includes wild canids, such as coyotes and red foxes, and more recently American black bears in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast United States. Currently, surveillance for sarcoptic mange in wildlife is syndromic, relying on detection of clinical signs and lesions, such as alopecia and crusting of skin. When possible, skin scrapes are used to identify the causative mite. While skin scrapes are a valuable diagnostic tool to identify mites, this approach has significant limitations when used for quantification of mite burden. To further investigate mite burden in cases of sarcoptic mange, 6-mm punch biopsies were collected from affected skin of red foxes (Vulpes vulpes Linnaeus [Carnivora: Canidae]), a species historically affected by sarcoptic mange, frequently with high mite burdens and severe skin disease, and validated on skin tissue from mange-affected American black bears (Ursus americanus Pallas [Carnivora: Ursidae]) and coyotes (Canis latrans Say [Carnivora: Canidae]). Biopsies were digested by incubating the tissue in potassium hydroxide (KOH) at 55°C. The greatest tissue clearance and lowest mite degradation resulted after 12 h of tissue digestion. The purpose of this manuscript is to describe a methodology for host tissue digestion and mite quantification in cases of sarcoptic mange. This method will provide a valuable surveillance and research tool to better understand sarcoptic mange in wild and domestic animals, with applications to a diversity of other ectoparasitic diseases.
Repellency and Contact Irritancy Responses of Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) Against Deltamethrin and Permethrin: A Cross-Regional Comparison
Authors: Yu Jin-Jia , Bong Lee-Jin , Panthawong Amonrat , Chareonviriyaphap Theeraphap , Neoh Kok-Boon
Published: September 2020

Control strategies exploiting the innate response of mosquitoes to chemicals are urgently required to complement existing traditional approaches. We therefore examined the behavioral responses of 16 field strains of Aedes aegypti (L.) from two countries, to deltamethrin and permethrin by using an excito-repellency (ER) test system. The result demonstrated that the escape percentage of Ae. aegypti exposed to pyrethroids did not vary significantly between the two countries in both contact and noncontact treatment despite the differing epidemiological patterns. Deltamethrin (contact: 3.57 ± 2.06% to 31.20 ± 10.71%; noncontact: 1.67 ± 1.67% to 17.31 ± 14.85%) elicited relatively lower responses to field mosquitoes when compared with permethrin (contact: 16.15 ± 4.07% to 74.19 ± 4.69%; noncontact: 3.45 ± 2.00% to 41.59 ± 6.98%) in contact and noncontact treatments. Compared with field strains, the mean percentage of escaping laboratory susceptible strain individuals were significantly high after treatments (deltamethrin contact: 72.26 ± 6.95%, noncontact: 61.10 ± 12.31%; permethrin contact: 78.67 ± 9.67%, noncontact: 67.07 ± 7.02%) and the escaped individuals spent significantly shorter time escaping from the contact and noncontact chamber. The results indicated a significant effect of resistance ratio on mean escape percentage, but some strains varied idiosyncratically compared to the increase in insecticide resistance. The results also illustrated that the resistance ratio had a significant effect on the mortality in treatments. However, the mortality in field mosquitoes that prematurely escaped from the treated contact chamber or in mosquitoes that stayed up to the 30-min experimental period showed no significant difference.
Stigma by Association: Parent Stigma and Youth Adjustment in Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Authors: Baudino Marissa N , Perez Megan N , Roberts Caroline M , Edwards Clayton S , Gamwell Kaitlyn L , Keirns Natalie G , Tung Jeanne , Jacobs Noel J , Grunow John E , Mullins Larry L , Chaney John M
Published: September 2020

Objective

Examine the indirect association between parents’ experience of stigma (i.e., associative stigma) and youth depressive symptoms through the serial effects of associative stigma on parent and youth illness intrusiveness in pediatric inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Methods

During routine clinic visits, 150 youth with well-controlled IBD (ages 10–18 years) completed measures of perceived illness intrusiveness and depressive symptoms. Parents completed measures of associative stigma and illness intrusiveness. Pediatric gastroenterologists provided ratings of IBD disease severity.

Results

Structural equation modeling revealed significant direct associations for associative stigma → parent illness intrusiveness, parent illness intrusiveness → youth illness intrusiveness, and youth illness intrusiveness → youth depressive symptoms. Results also revealed a significant associative stigma → parent illness intrusiveness → youth illness intrusiveness→ youth depressive symptoms serial mediation path, indicating that parents’ experience of associative stigma indirectly influenced youth depressive symptoms through its sequential effects on parent and youth perceived illness intrusiveness.

Conclusions

Parents who face stigma related to their child’s IBD (i.e., associative stigma) are more likely to experience IBD-induced lifestyle intrusions (i.e., illness intrusiveness), which in turn is associated with youths’ illness intrusiveness and ultimately youth depressive symptoms. These findings provide further evidence for the important role of illness-related stigma in pediatric IBD, particularly the transactional relation between parents’ associative stigma and youths’ illness appraisals and emotional functioning. The clinical implications of our results for addressing adjustment difficulties in youth with IBD are also discussed.
Application of 3D-print silica bolus for nasal NK/T-cell lymphoma radiation therapy
Authors: Dai Guyu , Xu Xin , Wu Xiaohong , Lei Xiaolin , Wei Xing , Li Zhibin , Xiao Qing , Zhong Renming , Bai Sen
Published: September 2020

The aim of the study was to evaluate the clinical feasibility of a 3D-print silica bolus for nasal NK/T-cell lymphoma radiation therapy. Intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) and volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) plans were designed using an anthropomorphic head phantom with a 3D-print silica bolus and other kinds of bolus used clinically, and the surface dose was measured by a metal oxide semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET) dosimeter. Four nasal NK/T patients with or without 3D-print silica bolus were treated and the nose surface dose was measured using a MOSFET dosimeter during the first treatment. Plans for the anthropomorphic head phantom with 3D-print bolus have more uniform dose and higher conformity of the planning target volume (PTV) compared to other boluses; the homogeneity index (HI) and conformity index (CI) of the VMAT plan were 0.0589 and 0.7022, respectively, and the HI and CI of the IMRT plan were 0.0550 and 0.7324, respectively. The MOSFET measurement results showed that the surface dose of the phantom with 3D-print bolus was >180 cGy, and that of patients with 3D-print bolus was higher than patients without bolus. The air gap volume between the 3D-print bolus and the surface of patients was <0.3 cc. The 3D-print silica bolus fitted well on the patient’s skin, effectively reducing air gaps between bolus and patient surface. Meanwhile, the 3D-print silica bolus provided patients with higher individuation, and improved the conformity and uniformity of the PTV compared to other kinds of boluses.
Synthesizing Geocodes to Facilitate Access to Detailed Geographical Information in Large-Scale Administrative Data
Authors: Drechsler Jörg , Hu Jingchen
Published: September 2020

We investigate whether generating synthetic data can be a viable strategy for providing access to detailed geocoding information for external researchers, without compromising the confidentiality of the units included in the database. Our work was motivated by a recent project at the Institute for Employment Research in Germany that linked exact geocodes to the Integrated Employment Biographies, a large administrative database containing several million records. We evaluate the performance of three synthesizers regarding the trade-off between preserving analytical validity and limiting disclosure risks: one synthesizer employs Dirichlet Process mixtures of products of multinomials, while the other two use different versions of Classification and Regression Trees (CART). In terms of preserving analytical validity, our proposed synthesis strategy for geocodes based on categorical CART models outperforms the other two. If the risks of the synthetic data generated by the categorical CART synthesizer are deemed too high, we demonstrate that synthesizing additional variables is the preferred strategy to address the risk-utility trade-off in practice, compared to limiting the size of the regression trees or relying on the strategy of providing geographical information only on an aggregated level. We also propose strategies for making the synthesizers scalable for large files, present analytical validity measures and disclosure risk measures for the generated data, and provide general recommendations for statistical agencies considering the synthetic data approach for disseminating detailed geographical information.
Beyond the lognormal approximation: a general simulation scheme
Authors: Tosone Federico , Neyrinck Mark C , Granett Benjamin R , Guzzo Luigi , Vittorio Nicola
Published: September 2020

We present a public code to generate random fields with an arbitrary probability distribution function (PDF) and an arbitrary correlation function. The algorithm is cosmology independent and applicable to any stationary stochastic process over a three-dimensional grid. We implement it in the case of the matter density field, showing its benefits over the lognormal approximation, which is often used in cosmology for the generation of mock catalogues. We find that the covariance of the power spectrum from the new fast realizations is more accurate than that from a lognormal model. As a proof of concept, we also apply the new simulation scheme to the divergence of the Lagrangian displacement field. We find that information from the correlation function and the PDF of the displacement–divergence provides modest improvement over other standard analytical techniques to describe the particle field in the simulation. This suggests that further progress in this direction should come from multiscale or non-local properties of the initial matter distribution.
A Review of Passive Brain Mapping Techniques in Neurological Surgery
Authors: Roland Jarod L , Hacker Carl D , Leuthardt Eric C
Published: September 2020

Brain mapping is a quintessential part of neurosurgical practice. Accordingly, much of our understanding of the brain's functional organization, and in particular the motor homunculus, is largely attributable to the clinical investigations of past neurosurgeons. Traditionally mapping was invasive and involved the application of electrical current to the exposed brain to observe focal disruption of function or to elicit overt actions. More recently, a wide variety of techniques have been developed that do not require electrical stimulation and often do not require any explicit participation by the subject. Collectively we refer to these as passive mapping modalities. Here we review the spectrum of passive mapping used by neurosurgeons for mapping and surgical planning that ranges from invasive intracranial recordings to noninvasive imaging as well as regimented task-based protocols to completely task-free paradigms that can be performed intraoperatively while under anesthesia.