bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Efficacy and safety of oral misoprostol vs transvaginal balloon catheter for labor induction: An observational study within the SWEdish Postterm Induction Study (SWEPIS)
Authors: Alkmark Mårten , Carlsson Ylva , Wendel Sophia Brismar , Elden Helen , Fadl Helena , Jonsson Maria , Ladfors Lars , Saltvedt Sissel , Sengpiel Verena , Wessberg Anna , Wikström Anna‐Karin , Hagberg Henrik , Wennerholm Ulla‐Britt
Published: March 2021

Introduction

Induction of labor is increasing. A common indication for induction of labor is late term and postterm pregnancy at 41 weeks or more. We aimed to evaluate if there are any differences regarding efficacy, safety, and women's childbirth experience between oral misoprostol and transvaginal balloon catheter for cervical ripening in women with a low‐risk singleton pregnancy and induction of labor at 41+0 to 42+0 to 1 weeks of gestation.

Material and methods

In this observational study, based on data from the Swedish Postterm Induction Study (SWEPIS), a multicenter randomized controlled trial, a total of 1213 women with a low‐risk singleton pregnancy at 41 to 42 weeks of gestation were induced with oral misoprostol (n = 744) or transvaginal balloon catheter (n = 469) at 15 Swedish delivery hospitals. The primary efficacy outcome was vaginal delivery within 24 h and primary safety outcomes were neonatal and maternal composite adverse outcomes. Secondary outcomes included time to vaginal delivery and mode of delivery. Women's childbirth experience was assessed with the Childbirth Experience Questionnaire (CEQ 2.0) and visual analog scale. We present crude and adjusted mean differences and relative risks (RR) with 95% CI. Adjustment was performed for a propensity score based on delivery hospital and baseline characteristics including Bishop score.

Results

Vaginal delivery within 24 h was significantly lower in the misoprostol group compared with the balloon catheter group (46.5% [346/744] vs 62.7% [294/469]; adjusted RR 0.76 95% CI 0.640.89]). Primary neonatal and maternal safety outcomes did not differ between groups (neonatal composite 3.5% [36/744] vs 3.2% [15/469]; adjusted RR 0.77 [95% CI 0.31–1.89]; maternal composite 2.3% [17/744] vs 1.9% [9/469]; adjusted RR 1.70 [95% CI 0.58–4.97]). Adjusted mean time to vaginal delivery was increased by 3.8 h (95% CI 1.3–6.2 h) in the misoprostol group. Non‐operative vaginal delivery and cesarean delivery rates did not differ. Women's childbirth experience was positive overall and similar in both groups.

Conclusions

Induction of labor with oral misoprostol compared with a transvaginal balloon catheter was associated with a lower probability of vaginal delivery within 24 h and a longer time to vaginal delivery. However, primary safety outcomes, non‐operative vaginal delivery, and women's childbirth experience were similar in both groups. Therefore, both methods can be recommended in women with low‐risk postdate pregnancies.
Connections matter: Institutionalization of LDP's relations with the CCP
Authors: Zakowski Karol
Published: March 2021

Since the beginning of the 1990s, the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) of Japan has tried to institutionalize contacts with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Until 2009, the Sino‐Japanese Conference of Exchange Between the Ruling Parties did little to build ties of trust between both sides, but its revival in 2015 proved much more successful. This article argues that as the institutionalized channels were prone to disturbance caused by ideological leanings of party officials, they did not work as efficiently as sub‐party level of exchange. The weakening of LDP factions and centralization of decision‐making process under the Prime Minister, however, contributed to shortages of Japan's semi‐official diplomacy towards China, which detrimentally influenced bilateral contacts, especially under the second Abe administration. Paradoxically, since 2015 the revived Conference started playing a more important role thanks to determination of LDP secretaries‐general. This article examines the gravity of these personal factors in LDP–CCP relations.
Promoting diseases to promote drugs: The role of the pharmaceutical industry in fostering good and bad medicalization
Authors: Kaczmarek Emilia
Published: March 2021

The pharmaceutical industry and drugs advertisements are sometimes accused of “creating diseases”. This article assesses and describes the role of that industry in fostering medicalization. First, the notions of medicalization and pharmaceuticalization are defined. Then, the problem of distinguishing between harmful overmedicalization and well‐founded medicalization is presented. Next, the phenomenon of disease mongering is explained and illustrated by the case analysis of medicalizing pain and suffering in three contexts: (1) the general idea of medicalizing physical pain, (2) the medicalization of grief and (3) disease mongering of pseudoaddiction—a condition promoted in order to increase the demand for opioid pain relievers.
The Recursive Indian: The Significance of Complementary Ethnic Alterity in the Bolivian Tipnis March
Authors: Bold Rosalyn
Published: March 2021

This article explores ethnic alterity in the Bolivian Tipnis crisis, showing how claiming indigenous, Indian and colonial identities was significant in shaping government strategy and responses among ‘citified Indians’ of La Paz and El Alto and highland indigenous social movements. While Kuper claims indigeneity can distract attention from ‘real local issues’, Andean ethnicity is relational, roles assigned and reassigned in a continually shifting political theatre, where the ‘rebel Indian’ recurs historically, challenging colonial hegemony and reorienting the discussion towards issues of territorial autonomy.
Functional brain imaging in larval zebrafish for characterising the effects of seizurogenic compounds acting via a range of pharmacological mechanisms
Authors: Winter Matthew J. , Pinion Joseph , Tochwin Anna , Takesono Aya , Ball Jonathan S. , Grabowski Piotr , Metz Jeremy , Trznadel Maciej , Tse Karen , Redfern Will S. , Hetheridge Malcolm J. , Goodfellow Marc , Randall Andrew D. , Tyler Charles R.
Published: March 2021

Background and Purpose

Functional brain imaging using genetically encoded Ca2+ sensors in larval zebrafish is being developed for studying seizures and epilepsy as a more ethical alternative to rodent models. Despite this, few data have been generated on pharmacological mechanisms of action other than GABAA antagonism. Assessing larval responsiveness across multiple mechanisms is vital to test the translational power of this approach, as well as assessing its validity for detecting unwanted drug‐induced seizures and testing antiepileptic drug efficacy.

Experimental Approach

Using light‐sheet imaging, we systematically analysed the responsiveness of 4 days post fertilisation (dpf; which are not considered protected under European animal experiment legislation) transgenic larval zebrafish to treatment with 57 compounds spanning more than 12 drug classes with a link to seizure generation in mammals, alongside eight compounds with no such link.

Key Results

We show 4dpf zebrafish are responsive to a wide range of mechanisms implicated in seizure generation, with cerebellar circuitry activated regardless of the initiating pharmacology. Analysis of functional connectivity revealed compounds targeting cholinergic and monoaminergic reuptake, in particular, showed phenotypic consistency broadly mapping onto what is known about neurotransmitter‐specific circuitry in the larval zebrafish brain. Many seizure‐associated compounds also exhibited altered whole brain functional connectivity compared with controls.

Conclusions and Implications

This work represents a significant step forward in understanding the translational power of 4dpf larval zebrafish for use in neuropharmacological studies and for studying the events driving transition from small‐scale pharmacological activation of local circuits, to the large network‐wide abnormal synchronous activity associated with seizures.
Cellular models of development of ovarian high‐grade serous carcinoma: A review of cell of origin and mechanisms of carcinogenesis
Authors: Mei Jie , Tian Huixiang , Huang Hsuan‐Shun , Hsu Che‐Fang , Liou Yuligh , Wu Nayiyuan , Zhang Wei , Chu Tang‐Yuan
Published: March 2021

High‐grade serous carcinoma (HGSC) is the most common and malignant histological type of epithelial ovarian cancer, the origin of which remains controversial. Currently, the secretory epithelial cells of the fallopian tube are regarded as the main origin and the ovarian surface epithelial cells as a minor origin. In tubal epithelium, these cells acquire TP53 mutations and expand to a morphologically normal ‘p53 signature’ lesion, transform to serous tubal intraepithelial carcinoma and metastasize to the ovaries and peritoneum where they develop into HGSC. This shifting paradigm of the main cell of origin has revolutionarily changed the focus of HGSC research. Various cell lines have been derived from the two cellular origins by acquiring immortalization via overexpression of hTERT plus disruption of TP53 and the CDK4/RB pathway. Malignant transformation was achieved by adding canonical driver mutations (such as gain of CCNE1) revealed by The Cancer Genome Atlas or by noncanonical gain of YAP and miR181a. Alternatively, because of the extreme chromosomal instability, spontaneous transformation can be achieved by long passage of murine immortalized cells, whereas in humans, it requires ovulatory follicular fluid, containing regenerating growth factors to facilitate spontaneous transformation. These artificially and spontaneously transformed cell systems in both humans and mice have been widely used to discover carcinogens, oncogenic pathways and malignant behaviours in the development of HGSC. Here, we review the origin, aetiology and carcinogenic mechanism of HGSC and comprehensively summarize the cell models used to study this fatal cancer having multiple cells of origin and overt genomic instability.
Structured diagnostic assessment of hand eczema in cleaning workers
Authors: Jamiolkowski Dagmar , Steveling‐Klein Esther , Thomas Zita‐Rose Manjaly , Bircher Andreas , Hofmeier Kathrin Scherer , Hartmann Karin
Published: March 2021

Hand dermatitis is a widespread problem among cleaners. In most cases, it is caused by a combination of wet work and contact with irritants, which can result in irritant (toxic) contact dermatitis. In some cases, the irritant contact eczema then evolves into allergic contact dermatitis, although not all cases of allergic contact dermatitis are preceded by irritant contact dermatitis. This mini‐review proposes a two‐step diagnostic algorithm based on patch testing, which can be used if allergic contact dermatitis is suspected in cleaning workers. As a first step, we recommend performing the DKG standard series (German Contact allergy research group, DKG), the DKG rubber series, both DKG “further fragrances” series as well as the DKG preservative and disinfectant series. If there are clear hints of an occupational contact dermatitis, the first step can also involve testing patients’ own products alongside the standardized tests. In a second step (at the latest), if standardized tests do not suffice to identify the culprit allergen and there is well‐founded suspicion, we recommend testing the patients’ own products. If necessary, the second step can also include testing the individual contact allergens contained in the screening mixes that are part of the standard series.
Intra‐active refractions
Authors: Pryor Adam
Published: March 2021

Responding to the analyses that Andreas Losch and Lucas John Mix offer regarding Living with Tiny Aliens: The Image of God for the Anthropocene, this article begins to address how their respective concerns regarding ratiocentric and anthropocentric ideas haunt the construction of a planetary account of the imago Dei. The article then introduces a subsequent line of critique not mentioned by Losch or Mix related to decentering the human individual from accounts of the imago Dei in order to highlight an ongoing challenge for transdisciplinary theological projects that involve astrobiology.
Quality of life measures in pediatric multiple sclerosis: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Ow Nikki , Mozafarinia Maryam , Mayo Nancy E
Published: March 2021

Aim

To identify generic measures used to measure quality of life (QoL) in pediatric multiple sclerosis research, estimate an overall score of children and adolescents with pediatric multiple sclerosis, and compare the scores to scores of typically developing children and adolescents.

Method

A systematic search was conducted on four databases. All studies were included if: the sample was children with pediatric demyelinating disorders; self‐reported QoL/health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) measures or results were reported; and the mean age of the sample was below 21 years. Quality of the included articles was appraised using the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) checklist and the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool checklist. A meta‐analysis was also conducted.

Results

A total of 12 full‐text articles were included. Content analysis showed that many components of QoL were not included in the measures. Seven studies were included in the meta‐analysis. The meta‐analyzed score was 75.7 (95% confidence interval 71.2–80.3) with a pooled standard deviation of 16.6. Scores of typically developing children and children with pediatric multiple sclerosis were similar.

Interpretation

Most measures assessed HRQoL and not QoL. Development of a condition‐specific measure of QoL for children and adolescents with pediatric multiple sclerosis would make an important contribution to the field.

What this paper adds

Health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) measures were used to measure quality of life in pediatric multiple sclerosis.

HRQoL scores in pediatric multiple sclerosis were similar to typically developing children and adolescents.
Henagliflozin as add‐on therapy to metformin in patients with type 2 diabetes inadequately controlled with metformin: A multicentre, randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, phase 3 trial
Authors: Weng Jianping , Zeng Longyi , Zhang Yuwei , Qu Shen , Wang Xueying , Li Ping , Fu Liujun , Ma Boqing , Ye Shandong , Sun Jiao , Lu Weiping , Liu Zhiwen , Chen Daoxiong , Cheng Zhifeng , Liu Haiyan , Zhang Tao , Zou Jianjun
Published: March 2021

Aim

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of henagliflozin in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) inadequately controlled with metformin.

Material and Methods

This multicentre phase 3 trial included a 24‐week randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled period, followed by a 28‐week extension period. Patients with a glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) level of 7.0% (53 mmol/mol) to 10.5% (91 mmol/mol) were randomized and treated with once‐daily placebo (n = 161), henagliflozin 5 mg (n = 162), or henagliflozin 10 mg (n = 160). After 24 weeks, patients on placebo were switched to 5 mg or 10 mg henagliflozin for the additional 28‐week treatment, and patients on henagliflozin during 24‐week treatment period maintained this initial therapy. The primary endpoint was change in HbA1c from baseline to Week 24.

Results

At Week 24, the least squares mean HbA1c changes versus placebo from baseline were − 0.76% (−8.3 mmol/mol) and − 0.80% (−8.7 mmol/mol) for henagliflozin 5 and 10 mg, respectively (all P < 0.0001). Compared with the placebo group, both doses of henagliflozin lowered fasting plasma glucose, 2‐hour postprandial plasma glucose, body weight and blood pressure, and increased the proportions of patients achieving HbA1c <7.0% (53 mmol/mol) at Week 24. The trends in these improvements were sustained over an additional 28 weeks. Slightly higher proportions of ketosis and presence of urine ketone bodies were observed in patients treated with henagliflozin compared to placebo at Week 24. No diabetic ketoacidosis or episodes of severe hypoglycaemia were reported.

Conclusions

Henagliflozin 5 mg or 10 mg as add‐on therapy to metformin provided a new therapeutic option for the treatment of T2DM patients who have inadequate glycaemic control with metformin alone, and was generally well tolerated.
Foul‐weather friends: Modelling thermal stress mitigation by symbiotic endolithic microbes in a changing environment
Authors: Zardi Gerardo I. , Monsinjon Jonathan R. , McQuaid Christopher D. , Seuront Laurent , Orostica Mauricio , Want Andrew , Firth Louise B. , Nicastro Katy R.
Published: March 2021

Temperature extremes are predicted to intensify with climate change. These extremes are rapidly emerging as a powerful driver of species distributional changes with the capacity to disrupt the functioning and provision of services of entire ecosystems, particularly when they challenge ecosystem engineers. The subsequent search for a robust framework to forecast the consequences of these changes mostly ignores within‐species variation in thermal sensitivity. Such variation can be intrinsic, but can also reflect species interactions. Intertidal mussels are important ecosystem engineers that host symbiotic endoliths in their shells. These endoliths unexpectedly act as conditionally beneficial parasites that enhance the host's resistance to intense heat stress. To understand how this relationship may be altered under environmental change, we examined the conditions under which it becomes advantageous by reducing body temperature. We deployed biomimetic sensors (robomussels), built using shells of mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) that were or were not infested by endoliths, at nine European locations spanning a temperature gradient across 22°of latitude (Orkney, Scotland to the Algarve, Portugal). Daily wind speed and solar radiation explained the maximum variation in the difference in temperature between infested and non‐infested robomussels; the largest difference occurred under low wind speed and high solar radiation. From the robomussel data, we inferred body temperature differences between infested and non‐infested mussels during known heatwaves that induced mass mortality of the mussel Mytilus edulis along the coast of the English Channel in summer 2018 to quantify the thermal advantage of endolith infestation during temperature extremes. Under these conditions, endoliths provided thermal buffering of between 1.7°C and 4.8°C. Our results strongly suggest that sustainability of intertidal mussel beds will increasingly depend on the thermal buffering provided by endoliths. More generally, this work shows that biomimetic models indicate that within‐species thermal sensitivity to global warming can be modulated by species interactions, using an intertidal host–symbiont relationship as an example.
A two‐week single‐group longitudinal test of a new sonic‐powered toothbrush simulating the ‘bass brushing technique’ with tapered bristles on the brush head for reduction of dental plaque and gingivitis
Authors: Su Qing‐qing , Pang Liang‐yue , Zhou Yang , Yu Li‐xia , Lin Huan‐cai , Zhi Qing‐hui
Published: March 2021

Objective

To investigate the effect of a new powered toothbrush with tapered bristles on the brush head for the reduction of dental plaque and gingivitis.

Methods

This was a single‐centre, single‐group, longitudinal clinical trial. Thirty‐two participants who were typical manual toothbrush users were recruited and assigned the sonic‐powered brush. Interviews were arranged on the 1st, 4th, and 15th days which represented the baseline (T1), middle (T2) and final (T3) time points, respectively. At each visit, the plaque index (PlI), gingival index (GI), bleeding on probing (BOP) and probing depth (PD) were recorded for the Ramfjord index teeth, gingival crevicular fluid(GCF) samples were collected and the proportions of eight periodontal pathogenic bacteria were analysed. Repeated‐measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used for comparisons at different time points.

Results

PlI was significantly reduced by 41.67% from T1 to T2 (p<0.001) and decreased by 18.57% from T2 to T3 (p=0.003). GI also varied significantly from T1 to T2 (p=0.018) and T1 to T3 (p=0.037). A 35.86% reduction in the BOP percentage occurred after using the sonic‐powered toothbrush for 3 days (p=0.001). However, no significant difference was observed in the mean values of PD at different examination intervals (p=0.529). There was no significant difference in the proportions of bacteria between T1 and T3 (p>0.05).

Conclusion

This research demonstrated the efficacy of the sonic‐powered brush handle together with tapered bristles on the brush in reducing plaque and gingivitis within a short time period.
The procedural and interpersonal justice of automated application and resume screening
Authors: Noble Sean M. , Foster Lori L. , Craig S. Bartholomew
Published: March 2021

Research on organizational justice theory has yet to fully explore how automated application and resume screening procedures affect justice perceptions. In a 2 × 3 experimental design, MTurk workers (N = 360) were randomly assigned to read one of six vignettes describing a job application scenario of either a traditionally administered or algorithmically administered screening procedure with an outcome favorability of acceptance, rejection, or unknown. They then rated procedural and interpersonal justice across eight dimensions. A MANOVA and follow‐up univariate ANOVAs indicated that automated screening was rated lower on job relatedness‐predictive, job relatedness‐content, opportunity to perform, reconsideration opportunity, treatment, two‐way communication, and propriety of questions, and higher on consistency. The interaction between screening procedure and outcome favorability showed mixed results.
MiR‐155 promotes colitis‐associated intestinal fibrosis by targeting HBP1/Wnt/β‐catenin signalling pathway
Authors: Li Nianshuang , Ouyang Yaobin , Xu Xinbo , Yuan Zhenxiang , Liu Chunquan , Zhu Zhenhua
Published: March 2021

Intestinal fibrosis is the most common complication of Crohn's disease (CD) that is one major disorder of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), but the precise mechanism remains unclear. MiR‐155 has been involved in fibrotic diseases. Here, we determined the role of miR‐155 in regulating intestinal fibrosis. MiR‐155 levels were significantly up‐regulated in CD patients with intestinal stricture CD. The overexpression of miR‐155 significantly aggravated TNBS‐induced CD‐associated intestinal fibrosis. Mechanistically, we identified that HBP1, a negative regulator of the Wnt/β‐catenin signalling pathway, is a direct target of miR‐155. Moreover, in vitro and in vivo experiments suggested that the miR‐155/HBP1 axis activates Wnt/β‐catenin signalling pathway to induce intestinal fibrosis. Taken together, we demonstrated that miR‐155 directly targets HBP1 to induce CD‐associated intestinal fibrosis via Wnt/β‐catenin signalling pathway.
Effect of two different pre‐anaesthetic omeprazole protocols on gastroesophageal reflux incidence and pH in dogs
Authors: Lotti F. , Twedt D. , Warrit K. , Bryan S. , Vaca C. , Krause L. , Fukushima K. , Boscan P.
Published: March 2021

Objectives

Gastroesophageal reflux can occur during anaesthesia and may lead to esophagitis and occasionally oesophageal stricture formation. The aim of the study is to assess two omeprazole protocols on gastroesophageal reflux incidence and pH in anaesthetised dogs.

Materials and Methods

Fifty‐five dogs undergoing elective ovariectomy were randomly assigned to: omeprazole single dose 1 mg/kg orally the evening before anaesthesia (20 dogs), omeprazole two doses 1 mg/kg orally the evening and 3 hours before anaesthesia (15 dogs), and control group that did not receive omeprazole (20 dogs). An oesophageal impedance/pH probe was used to measure gastroesophageal reflux incidence and pH during anaesthesia.

Results

Gastroesophageal reflux was observed in 55% (11/20) of control dogs, 55% (11/20) of dogs receiving omeprazole once and 47% (7/15) of dogs receiving omeprazole twice. The incidence was not statistically significant different between groups. Gastroesophageal reflux pH (mean ± sd) was higher in dogs receiving omeprazole twice (6.3 ± 1.5), when compared to either control dogs (3.8 ± 1.1) or dogs receiving omeprazole once (4.1 ± 1.5). Strongly acidic reflux (pH < 4) was observed in 7% (1/15) of dogs receiving omeprazole twice versus 55% (11/20) and 35% (7/20) of control dogs and dogs receiving omeprazole once, respectively.

Clinical Significance

Omeprazole administered the evening and 3 hours before anaesthesia increased gastroesophageal reflux pH and decreased the incidence of strongly acidic reflux in dogs. A single dose of omeprazole given the evening before anaesthesia had no effect on reflux pH.
Uncertain occupational expectations at age 19 and later educational and labour market outcomes
Authors: Greve Jane , Saaby Morten , Rosdahl Anders , Christensen Vibeke Tornhøj
Published: March 2021

Many young people lack clear subjective occupational expectations. A concern is how they will perform later in life. We examine the impact of uncertain expectations at age 19 on education and labour market outcomes at age 30. We use the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) 2000 survey conducted on a nationally representative sample of 15‐year‐olds, a follow‐up survey in 2004, and administrative registry data from 2004–2014. We find that uncertain expectations are associated with low educational attainment and weak labour market attachment. This result applies mainly for young men and for young people from low socioeconomic backgrounds.
Risk factors and nomogram for predicting carotid blowout syndrome based on computed tomography angiography
Authors: Feng Kun , Hu Jing , Huang Qiuyu , Cai Weixin , Zhuang Zehang , Liu Haichao , Hou Jinsong , Liu Xiqiang , Wang Cheng
Published: March 2021

Objectives

To identify independent factors for head and neck cancer (HNC) patients with carotid blowout syndrome (CBS) and construct a nomogram to predict risk of CBS preoperatively based on computed tomography angiography (CTA) imaging.

Subject and Methods

From January 2010 to July 2020, 73 HNC patients who had surgery in hospitalization and underwent CTA examination for head and neck region were included in this study. Vascular alterations and the relationship between carotid artery (CA) and tumor were evaluated in CTA. Clinical and CTA imaging features were distinguished by logistic regression analysis and used to perform receiver operating curve analysis. Nomogram was created to predict risk of CBS and assessed by concordance index (C‐index) and calibration curve.

Results

Three independent risk factors were identified, including radical neck dissection, CA surrounded by tumor, and CA invaded by tumor without clear boundary. Area under curve of the combination of 3 variables was 0.836 (95% CI, 0.72–0.952, p < 0.001). The C‐index of nomogram was 0.84 (95% CI, 0.73–0.94), and the calibration plot showed a good fitting between prediction and observation.

Conclusions

We established a useful nomogram based on CTA imaging, which showed a satisfied efficacy for evaluating risk of CBS in HNC patients preoperatively.
Structural validity and reliability of the Spanish Central Sensitization Inventory in breast cancer survivors
Authors: Roldán‐Jiménez Cristina , Pajares Bella , Iglesias Campos Marcos , Trinidad‐Fernández Manuel , Gutiérrez‐Sánchez Daniel , Ribelles Nuria , Alba Emilio , Cuesta‐Vargas Antonio Ignacio
Published: March 2021

Introduction

One of the most widely used instruments to identify symptoms that may be related to central sensitization is the Central Sensitization Inventory (CSI). Although this instrument has been translated and validated in Spanish patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain, no psychometric analysis has been carried out in breast cancer survivors. The aim of this study was to perform a psychometric analysis of the Spanish version of the Central Sensitization Inventory (CSI‐Sp) in Spanish breast cancer survivors.

Materials and Methods

A validation study was carried out in 183 breast cancer survivors. A psychometric analysis of internal consistency, factor structure, and test‐retest reliability of the CSI‐Sp was performed. Internal consistency was determined using Cronbach’s alpha. Test‐retest reliability was evaluated using the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) Type 2.1. Exploratory factor analysis was used to determine the internal structure of the questionnaire.

Results

The internal consistency was high (α = 0.91). The test‐retest reliability was satisfactory with excellent values (ICC 2.1 = 0.95). The exploratory factor analysis yielded a one factor structure explaining the 33.88% of total variance.

Conclusions

The CSI‐Sp has demonstrated to be a psychometrically strong measure for assessing central sensitization symptoms in breast cancer survivors based on internal consistency, test‐retest reliability, and structural validity. Further studies that analyze other measurement properties in different Spanish clinical populations are needed.
Two‐Phase Newsvendor with Optimally Timed Additional Replenishment: Model, Algorithm, Case Study
Authors: Smirnov Dina , Herer Yale T. , Avrahami Assaf
Published: March 2021

Recent advancements in Information Technology have provided an opportunity to significantly improve the effectiveness of inventory systems. The use of in‐cycle demand information enables faster reaction to demand fluctuations. In particular, for the newsvendor (NV) system, we exploit the newly available data to perform an additional review (AR) of inventory at an endogenously determined, a priori set time during the sales period, and perform an additional replenishment if necessary. We implemented our innovative model at a market‐leading media group. The results of the initial pilot were dramatic, indicating that the proposed model achieves an increase of 4%–24% in profits compared to the policy before implementation. As a result, the company started following the proposed model for all their printed magazines and observed a significant reduction in operational costs. In a generalized setting, we provide a tractable search‐based optimization algorithm, based on the problem's structural properties, for determining the optimal initial quantity, AR timing, and quantity to restock at that time. Based on these theoretical results, we propose a simple heuristic that can be used for many practical situations including our implementation at Yedioth. Through a computational experiment, we show that our algorithm finds the optimal solution quickly and that the proposed heuristic performs well. We also provide additional insights into the problem—for instance, that our system exhibits properties similar to inventory pooling, provided that the demand rate is large enough.
Environmental Factors in Operations Management: The Impact of Air Quality on Product Demand
Authors: Ding Ying , Tu Yanping , Pu Jingchuan , Qiu Liangfei
Published: March 2021

The operations management literature has recently begun to analyze how novel data sources help practitioners better understand product demand. We extend this stream of research by analyzing how air quality, a prominent environmental factor that has received little attention in prior studies, can impact product demand. Specifically, we examine how air quality affects the demand for different product color options, and find a greater demand for blue‐color product option on air‐polluted days (vs. clear days). We attribute this pattern to compensatory consumption induced by need deprivation. Specifically, poor air quality deprives people of the visual experience of seeing a blue sky, leading them to seek compensation by acquiring blue‐color options. By analyzing a three‐year purchase‐related dataset from an online retailer (Study 1) and conducting a field experiment (Study 2) and two laboratory experiments (Studies 3 and 4), we establish the external validity, internal validity, and robustness of this finding. We also provide empirical support for deprived visual experience as the mechanism: The proposed effect is driven by air quality indicators that affect visibility (Study 1) and is mediated by experienced visibility (Study 3). We further identify a theoretically relevant individual difference variable as a moderator: prior experience with air pollution, which strengthens the proposed effect in the laboratory setting because prior experience enables people to “relive” the deprived visual experience more vividly (Study 4). Given the prevalence of air pollution across the globe, our research sheds light on how practitioners can improve their operational decisions by factoring in air quality.
Simple Mechanisms for Sequential Capacity Allocations
Authors: Kim Bosung , Kim Sang Won , Iravani Seyed M. R. , Park Kun Soo
Published: March 2021

We consider a sequential capacity allocation problem of a firm to its retail branches that sell the firm's product. The orders of the retail branches to the headquarters arrive sequentially, and each allocation decision has to be made before the next order arrives. The objective of the headquarters is to maximize the overall firm profit, that is, the total profit of all the retail branches. Each retail branch makes ordering decision independently by using private information about its local market condition in order to maximize its own profit. Hence, they may strategically inflate their order quantities in their favor, potentially hurting the firm profit. We first discuss the importance of capacity rationing in maximizing the firm's profit by finding the first‐best allocation outcome, the optimal solution without information asymmetry. Based on this, we design mechanisms that effectively overcome the information asymmetry. First, we design a simple threshold‐type mechanism where truthful reporting is optimal and capacity rationing is implemented by limiting allocation beyond a pre‐specified threshold. We show this mechanism is optimal within the class of mechanisms that do not allow any side payments. We also design a mechanism with side payments that is optimal among all possible mechanisms. In particular, we show that this payment‐based mechanism achieves the first‐best allocation, fully overcoming information asymmetry. Although optimal, it may not be practical because of the complexity in the side payment menu, so we also propose a simple variant of it with only a few parameters. Our extensive numerical study shows that our simple threshold‐type and payment‐based mechanisms achieve near‐optimal performance.
The Dual Impact of Product Line Length on Consumer Choice
Authors: Wang Wei‐Lin , Vakratsas Demetrios
Published: March 2021

Although extant literature has argued for both positive and negative effects of product line length on choice, i.e. a “dual impact,” such a possibility has not been empirically investigated. This is the first study to address this issue, using a multiple discrete choice model for horizontally differentiated goods. The authors argue that the dual impact of product line length is due to competing effects of the two constituent dimensions of product line structure: a positive effect of product line width (total number of product configurations offered) and a negative effect of average line depth (average number of SKUs per product configuration). They also examine the moderating role of choice diversification propensity manifested in multiple discreteness. An empirical application in the potato chip market confirms the expectations regarding the competing effects of the two product line dimensions and hence the dual impact of product line length. Furthermore, the negative effect of average line depth is found to be more pronounced for households with higher choice diversification propensity. These findings are not only novel but also meaningful since simulations show that the corresponding effects influence product line management decisions and new product design.
Managing Commodity Stock‐outs in Public Health Supply Chains in Developing Countries: An Empirical Analysis
Authors: Karimi Amir , Mishra Anant , Natarajan Karthik V. , Sinha Kingshuk K.
Published: March 2021

Public health supply chains are channels through which health commodities are distributed among end clients. In developing countries, significant resource constraints hamper the effective and efficient delivery of health commodities, leading to supply chain failures such as “stock‐outs.” While the prevalence of commodity stock‐outs is well‐acknowledged, there is little by way of systematic and rigorous empirical research that sheds light on the factors that drive such stock‐outs in developing countries. The study documented in this article is anchored in the “logistics cycle” framework that is well‐accepted and widely adopted by organizations involved in managing public health supply chains. Using this framework, we empirically investigate how commodity range and a health facility's logistics management information system (LMIS) practices impact the likelihood of stock‐outs. We estimate our models using a novel field dataset spanning 4000 health facilities across five developing countries. Our results indicate that the likelihood of stock‐outs increases with an expansion in the range of health commodities offered through the public health supply chain. However, the detrimental impact of offering a wider range of health commodities is more severe in resource‐constrained rural facilities relative to their urban counterparts. Further, we find that urban facilities can significantly reduce the likelihood of stock‐outs by updating their LMIS records on a daily basis. However, in rural facilities, daily LMIS updating is beneficial only when used in conjunction with an electronic LMIS. Our findings have implications for resource allocation to reduce the risk of health commodity stock‐outs in developing countries.
Cryptic burrow traces in black shales – a petrographic Rorschach test or the real thing?
Authors: Schieber Juergen , Shao Xinhe , Yawar Zalmai , Liu Bei
Published: March 2021

In black shale studies, apparent lack of bioturbation is commonly taken as an indication of anoxic bottom waters. Yet, modern oxygen‐stressed environments show that even at suboxic levels (0.0 to 0.2 ml l−1 oxygen), microscopic eukaryotic benthic organisms live in the uppermost millimetres to centimetres of the substrate. Known as meiofauna, these organisms disturb the primary fabric as they move through the sediment. These modern examples inspired students of the rock record to report sub‐millimetre irregular–wiggly features in black shale thin sections as meiofaunal burrows. Preparation flaws in thin section manufacture can cause reduced light transmission that results in darkened regions when viewed in transmitted light, and one wonders whether micro‐burrows reported in the literature are indeed burrows, or alternatively artifact‐induced optical illusions. Examining shale thin sections of Archean to Tertiary age showed: (i) that burrow‐like features are common regardless of age; and (ii) that burrow identification varies significantly between observers. When transposing locations of presumed traces onto scanning electron microscope images of the same field of view (diamond polished surface), no evidence of fabric modification at locations of presumed burrows was observed. Microfabric within and outside ‘burrows’ was the same, and larger fabric elements traversed ‘burrows’ uninterrupted. Once both sides of the rock slice were polished, presumed burrows could no longer be observed, indicating that damage to the underside of the thin section caused the mistaken identification of micro‐burrows. Because burrows emplaced in water‐rich muds must undergo substantial compaction‐induced ‘flattening’ and deformation prior to lithification, geometries of presumed burrows that disagree with a plausible compaction regime provide an additional filter to separate potential burrows from artifact‐induced features. Recognizing meiofaunal disruption is an important aspect for accurate palaeoenvironmental interpretation of black shales. Yet, initial assessment via optical microscopy needs to be verified through scanning electron microscope‐based examination of shale fabrics.
Corneometric evaluation of skin moisture after application of 10% and 30% gluconolactone
Authors: Jarząbek‐Perz Sylwia , Mucha Paulina , Rotsztejn Helena
Published: March 2021

Background

Dry skin, caused by improper care or genetic conditions, can affect people of all ages. Skin hydration is determined its lipid content, which inhibits water loss from the epidermis, as well as other substances such as polyhydroxy acids and gluconolactone that can bind water. The aim of this study was to evaluate skin hydration after the application of 10% and 30% gluconolactone solution in a split face model.

Materials and methods

Sixteen healthy women were qualified for the study. Three split face treatments were performed, with 10% and 30% gluconolactone solution applied to two sides of the face. Skin moisture was measured before each treatment and a week after the last treatment at three measurement sites on either side of the face, that is, on the forehead, around the eye and on the cheek.

Results

Corneometric measurements showed a significant increase in facial skin hydration after gluconolactone treatment. No significant differences were observed between the application of 10% and 30% solution.

Conclusion

Gluconolactone is a moisturizing substance which works well in dry skin care.
The impact of donor total estimated blood volume on nucleated cell yield in bone marrow harvests for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Rennert Wolfgang , Sobh Lina , Cormier Katie , Smith Jenna , Gonzalez Corina
Published: March 2021

Background

Nucleated cell yields of marrow harvests depend on factors related to donors, the procedure itself, and the volume of marrow harvested. Few attempts have been made to relate donor characteristics to harvest volume. We hypothesize that the percentage of total donor blood volume accessed for harvesting impacts the nucleated cell yield per ml of marrow collected.

Methods and Materials

We investigated 481 consecutive unrelated marrow harvests from a single center. Donor characteristics including weight, body mass index (BMI), white blood cells (WBCs), hemoglobin (Hgb), and platelet counts, as well as estimated total blood volume, were recorded and compared with nucleated cell yields and harvest volumes.

Results

The percentage of donor blood volume accessed for marrow harvesting was inversely related to nucleated cell yields (r = −0.57). The donor–recipient weight differential impacted cell yields as well (r = 0.35), with heavier recipients requiring increased marrow volumes from smaller donors to satisfy their nucleated cell needs. 3.73 × 108/kg of recipient weight could be collected with 95% certainty when harvest volumes did not exceed 16.1% of donor total blood volume. In a stepwise multiple regression analysis, 45.4% of cell yield variance was explained by blood volume percentage accessed for harvesting, donor weight, and WBC. Donor sex, BMI, and platelet counts did not contribute further to cell yield variance. Smokers had higher cell yields than nonsmokers (20.4 vs. 18.3 × 106/ml; 95% confidence interval 0.62, 3.47) independent of other parameters.

Conclusion

Establishing the relationship between percentage of estimated donor total blood volume and recipient cell needs can facilitate donor selection for successful hematopoietic cell (HPC) transplants.
The dynamic linkage between phytotoxicity and metabolites in Wedelia trilobata soils
Authors: Azizan Kamalrul Azlan , Zamani Arief Izzairy , Ibrahim Sarah , Yusoff Nornasuha , Abdul Ghani Nurul Haizun , Nawawi Mohamad Firdaus
Published: March 2021

The phytotoxicity of soils under Wedelia trilobata has been described, but the dynamic between phytotoxic and metabolites in W. trilobata soil and the restriction posed by soil properties have been poorly addressed. In this study, the phytotoxic variation of W. trilobata soil in response to the changes in soil properties and soil metabolomics was determined at monthly intervals for 11 months using bioassays and metabolomic approaches. Strong variability in soil properties and obvious temporal variations in the soil phytotoxicity were observed over the 11‐month period. Among the soil properties that were analyzed, soil organic matter, electrical conductivity, total nitrogen, and soil nutrients presented the most contribution in differentiating soils according to time of sampling and strength of phytotoxicity. Nonsterilized soil exerted stronger percentage inhibition of seed germination (IG) of lettuce, whereas the percentage inhibition of shoot height (SH) and root length (RL) of lettuce was higher in sterilized soil. Decline in the overall phytotoxicity was clearly observed in nonsterilized soil, suggesting the role of soil microbes in mediating the soil phytotoxic effect of W. trilobata, albeit the negative correlation. Putative metabolites contributing to the discrimination of soils according to time of sampling and strong correlation with percentage inhibition (%) of IG, SH, and RL were identified and discussed. Overall, the results showed that the phytotoxicity of soils under W. trilobata varied throughout the 11 months of study and can be restricted by the changes in soil properties.
Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‐1 and MMP‐2, but not COX‐2 serve as additional predictors for chronic venous ulcer healing
Authors: Bergant Suhodolčan Aleksandra , Luzar Boštjan , Kecelj Leskovec Nada
Published: March 2021

Chronic venous ulcers affect 1% of the adult population and are associated with a marked reduction in quality of life, especially if healing is prolonged. Several matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) appear to be involved in the pathophysiology of chronic venous ulcer healing, but their exact role is still unclear. Cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2) is an important enzyme in prostanoid synthesis, induced during inflammation in chronic venous ulcer. The first aim of our study was to compare the expression of MMP‐1, MMP‐2, and COX‐2 in wound tissue to that in normal skin. The second aim was to observe the expression of the above factors in 29 chronic venous ulcers in 22 patients at the beginning and 4 weeks later in relation to healing rates and final healing outcome after 24 weeks. The enrolled population was divided into two groups, healed and non‐healed wounds after 24 weeks. The intensity of expression of MMP‐1, MMP‐2 and COX‐2 was assessed for each ulcer in paired wound biopsy samples and wound size measurements using laser triangulation at the beginning and after 4 weeks of observation. Initial healing rates in the first 4 weeks were calculated and proved to be an important predictive factor of healing in 24 weeks. Decreases in MMP‐1 and MMP‐2 after 4 weeks of observation were distinct, positive predictors for ulcer healing. Healing odds were 3.7 times higher for a decrease in MMP‐1 and 2.1 times higher for a decrease in MMP‐2 compared to the healing odds for a non‐decrease in MMP‐1 and MMP‐2. In conclusion, a decrease in MMP‐1 and MMP‐2, but not COX‐2, in wound biopsy samples after 4 weeks of observation can predict better healing of chronic venous ulcer.