bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Behavioral Outcomes in Children With an Orofacial Cleft in a National Study in New Zealand
Authors: Thompson John M. D. , Ayrey S. Louise , Slykerman Rebecca F. , Stone Peter R. , Fowler Peter V.
Published: November 2020

Objective:

To determine whether children with an orofacial cleft have higher levels of behavioral problems than the general population and whether this differs by cleft phenotype.

Design:

A cohort of children with cleft lip and/or palate (CL/P) born in New Zealand from January 1, 2000.

Setting:

Cleft clinics in New Zealand participating in a larger outcomes study between 2014 and 2017.

Participants:

Children (N = 378) aged 5 to 12 years of age and their parents.

Main Outcomes:

The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) and Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) Generic Core Scales 4.0 and Family Impact Module 2.0.

Results:

Compared to standardized norms, children with a cleft had higher than expected (defined as 20%) levels of abnormal/borderline SDQ scores for conduct problems (27.4%, P = .0003) and peer relationship problems (31.6%, P < .0001) but lower than expected levels of problems with pro-social skills (6.3%, P < .0001). There were no significant differences by age-group and or cleft phenotype other than an increased risk of hyperactivity in children with CP compared to children with CL. Total difficulties SDQ scores had moderate correlations with the PedsQL.

Conclusions:

While over 90% of children with CL/P had normal prosocial skills, they may not be easily accepted by their peers which may result in behavioral problems. These concerns were moderately related to lower quality of life. Support for establishment and maintenance of peer relationships is important to address externalizing and peer difficulties in children with CL/P. Community knowledge and understanding of CL/P needs to continue to be promoted.
Adult Cleft Palate Repair: It’s Worth a Shot
Authors: Haydon Nicholas , Semple Harriet , Parkin Melissa , Taplin Michael , Boorer Catherine , Ho Kevin
Published: November 2020

Repair of cleft palate in the adult population is controversial. We present a case of a 66-year-old woman who underwent secondary cleft palate repair. The patient was born with a cleft palate and at age 15 years underwent palate repair that subsequently broke down. She had profound velopharyngeal incompetence, was difficult to understand in conversation, and had a long history of hearing issues requiring hearing aids. She underwent revision palatoplasty and insertion of bilateral grommets. Postoperatively she had marked improvement in her speech, hearing, and quality of life. This case demonstrates the utility of secondary repair of cleft palate in the adult population.
Drug therapy problems and health related quality of life among patients with colorectal cancer in a Kenyan tertiary health facility
Authors: Kabiru Charles M , Karimi Peter N , Nyamu David G , Weru Irene W
Published: November 2020

Background

Colorectal cancer is the third most common form of cancer in males and the second in females globally. The ill-health due to cancer and use of multiple therapies may result in drug related problems and also affect the health-related quality of life of the patients.

Objective

To characterize drug therapy problems and health-related quality of life among patients with colorectal cancer at Kenyatta National Hospital. Methodology: A descriptive prospective cross-sectional study design was used and simple random sampling utilized to select seventy- one participants. The participants were interviewed and their responses captured using World Health Organisation Quality of Life-BREF and a structured questionnaire. The data were analysed using STATA version 15.0. Data was summarized using descriptive statistic such as mean, range and standard deviation. Association between variables was determined using linear regression model at 0.05% level of significance. Ethical approval was granted by the relevant authorities to conduct the study.

Results

Patients were predominantly females (52.1%), had a mean age of 55.9± 14.4 years. The main drug therapy problems were adverse drug reactions (45.1%). Approximately two thirds (67.6%) of the participants complained of gastrointestinal problems followed by cardiovascular diseases (29.6%). Quality of life assessment indicated that psychological health had the highest score at 60.5%. On linear regression analysis, the presence of anemia ( p = 0.021), coverage ( p = 0.038), and cardiovascular problems ( p = 0.034) were significantly associated with the overall health-related quality of life.

Conclusion

The health-related quality of life was is dependent on several patient related factors. Interventions regarding prevention of drug therapy problems should be considered alongside other measures used to manage colorectal cancer.
The effect of additives combination on rheological properties of dough and quality of bread with Agaricus bisporus powder
Authors: Zhang Yumeng , Ruan Chengcheng , Wang Jiejie , Han Jing , Shao Zihan , Li Xueling , Sun Yue , Liang Jin
Published: November 2020

The bread with Agaricus bisporus powder has the defects of poor texture and taste, so it is necessary to optimize the appropriate additives in order to improve its quality. The purpose of this study was to evaluate improvement of the combination of vital wheat gluten, sucrose fatty acid esters and cellulase on the improved Agaricus bisporus powder bread (IABPB), with wheat bread (WB) and bread with Agaricus bisporus powder (ABPB) as control. The results of rheological properties indicated the dough samples improved with three improvers had higher solid-like behaviour than the control sample. The results of nutritional quality analysis showed that the protein and dietary fiber content of IABPB was higher than those of WB and ABPB, but the fat content was relatively low. In addition, the additives combination could effectively improve the baking quality of ABPB. Compared with ABPB without additives, the specific volume increased by 21.22%, the brightness of bread crumb increased by 8.75%, but the crumb hardness decreased by 32.57%. Furthermore, the study on texture property and water migration during the storage showed that the addition of three improvers could delay the aging of bread. Therefore, it was feasible to use additives combination as a special quality improver for ABPB, which could effectively improve its quality.
Productivity in the Hotel Industry: An Order-α Malmquist Productivity Indicator
Authors: Tzeremes Panayiotis , Tzeremes Nickolaos G.
Published: November 2020

In the literature, it is highlighted that the deterministic nature of the data envelopment analysis–based productivity measures makes them sensitive to sample characteristics. However, the majority of the related empirical studies ignore the potential bias in their data envelopment analysis–based productivity estimations. This article illustrates how the order-α quantile-type estimators can be applied to construct a robust version of the Malmquist productivity indices. Using the order-α estimators, we construct a Malmquist productivity index alongside with two well-known decompositions. The proposed productivity indicator is less sensitive to potential outliers and extreme values. Then, as an illustrative example, we apply the quantile-type productivity index on a sample of 270 hotels operating in the Balearic Islands over the period 2004-2013. The productivity levels alongside with their components are analyzed during the global financial crisis period.
Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Colonization in the Rhizosphere of Aspilia pruliseta Schweif. ext Schweif in the Semiarid Eastern Kenya
Authors: Peter Muchoka James , Njiru Mugendi Daniel , Nthakanio Njiruh Paul , Onyari Charles , Kamau Mbugua Paul , Mugendi Njeru Ezekiel
Published: November 2020

The use of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) to enhance soil phosphate uptake is a biological technique considered to cure phosphate deficiency in soils. This study investigated association of Aspilia pruliseta Schweif shrub with AMF in Kenya. The study aims at profiling a tropical shrub with multiple ecological benefits that could reduce addition of chemical phosphatic fertilizer into the soil and reverse negative consequences of eutrophication. Sampling was purposive to have areas with or without Aspilia pruliseta vegetation growing. A small amount (10 g) of the soil from 27 composite samples was used for spore count determination and a similar amount for next generation sequencing. Spore counts varied significantly among soil textural types, sample locations, and soil depth. Sandy loam had the highest spore counts with a mean average of 404 spores. The spore count decreased significantly ( P < .05) with the depth of soil from a mean of 514 spores to 185 along the rhizosphere. The intensity of spore morphotypes was significantly higher at P < .05 for soils whose vegetation was covered with Aspilia pruliseta than those without. Aspilia pruliseta vegetation used together with sandy loam soil could culture commercial mycorrhiza fungi production for use in agrisystems.
“Other psychotherapies”: Healing interactions across time, geography, and culture
Authors: White Ross G. , McGeachan Cheryl , Miller Gavin , Xenophontos Sophia
Published: November 2020

This article introduces the special issue of Transcultural Psychiatry entitled “Other Psychotherapies”: Healing Interactions across Time, Geographies, and Cultures. This special issue is intended to highlight that, rather than being exclusively a modern phenomenon, variants of psychotherapeutic practice have existed for millennia in diverse sociocultural contexts. This article explores the historical development of Western psychotherapy and points to the important contribution that Greco-Roman scholars from antiquity made to contemporary understandings of mental states and emotional wellbeing. The ways in which healing interactions have been localized to reflect the local cultural and geographic contexts are also highlighted through a discussion of recent work in psychotherapeutic geographies. This allows us to identify commonalities and differences between various forms of psychotherapy. We also consider how particular subcultures may influence the future development of psychotherapy. This article serves to foreshadow the themes that are explored in more detail in the collection of articles that make up the “Other Psychotherapies” special issue. The various articles that contribute to the special issue are introduced, and the key issues explored by these articles briefly highlighted. The intention of the special issue is to facilitate an opportunity to appreciate the ways in which psychotherapies are a product of the epoch, setting, and institutions that shape people’s lives.
“Look At It Carefully Now”: Athenian Tragedy And The “Talking Cure”
Authors: Mills Sophie
Published: November 2020

It is often suggested that the Greek tragedians present clinically credible pictures of mental disturbance. For instance, some modern interpreters have compared the process by which Cadmus brings Agave back to sanity in Euripides’ Bacchae with modern psychotherapy. But a reading of medical writers’ views on the psychological dimension of medicine offers little evidence for believing that these scenes reflect the practices of late fifth-century Athenian doctors, for whom verbal cures are associated with older traditions of non-rational thought, and thus are scorned in favor of more “scientific cures” based on diet or medication. This paper will argue that Athenian tragedians, working from older traditions that advocated verbal cures for some mental ailments, do understand the potential psychological effects that their work can have on audiences, since tragedy requires psychological interaction with its audience in order to be effective. From a close reading of select scenes in Euripidean tragedy, this paper suggests that the experiences of the characters who experience suffering in Euripides’ Heracles and Bacchae are analogues of the experiences undergone by the spectators of tragedy at large. Parallels are made between the way that Agave and Heracles are both talked back to sanity by looking upon what has happened, and the way that tragedians make their audiences observe lamentations and meditations that follow the central tragic act, to help them return from the intense emotion provoked, perhaps, by the violence they have seen.
Effect of fiber content on mechanical performance and cracking characteristics of ultra-high-performance seawater sea-sand concrete (UHP-SSC)
Authors: Huang Bo-Tao , Wang Yu-Tian , Wu Jia-Qi , Yu Jing , Dai Jian-Guo , Leung Christopher KY
Published: November 2020

Developing seawater sea-sand concrete can address the challenges arising from the lack of freshwater and river/manufactured sand for making concrete on-site for sustainable marine and coastal construction. To eliminate the corrosion risk of steel fibers while maintaining the high ductility of concrete, this study aims to develop a new type of ultra-high-performance seawater sea-sand concrete (UHP-SSC) by using ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene fibers. The effect of fiber content (0%, 0.5%, 1.0%, and 1.5% by volume) on the mechanical performance and cracking characteristics of UHP-SSC was experimentally investigated. The results showed that as the fiber content increases, the tensile strength and strain capacity of UHP-SSC significantly increase, while the compressive strength slightly decreases (but still over 130 MPa). The stochastic nature of the crack width was characterized by the Weibull distribution. A probabilistic model was used to model the evolution of the crack width for UHP-SSC at different strain levels. The model showed good agreement with the experimental results, and it can be used to estimate the allowed tensile strain of UHP-SSC in practical applications for a given limit of crack width and cumulative probability. The findings in this study provide insights into the future design of UHP-SSC in marine and coastal applications.
Disrupting hegemony in social work doctoral education and research: Using autoethnography to uncover possibilities for radical transformation
Authors: Oswald Austin Gerhard , Bussey Sarah , Thompson Monica , Ortega-Williams Anna
Published: November 2020

Social work has enhanced its profile in the United States by adopting a particular dialect of scientific inquiry wherein positivism and evidence-based practice are considered gold standards of social work research and practice. This ideological shift permeates doctoral education and research training, as well as social work more broadly. Little attention, however, is paid to the pedagogical approaches used to train doctoral students into a “science of social work,” and we know even less about critical methodologies in doctoral education. This collaborative autoethnography weaves together the personal narratives of three doctoral students and one early career faculty member navigating an academic context within a large public university in the United States. We employ a participatory and intersectional approach to analyze narrative data in terms of how our identities interact with the structures relevant to where we study and work. Three themes emerged from our collaborative analysis: becoming disillusioned by disciplinary shortcoming; confronting dissonance with radical solidarity; and making change on the inside using perspectives from the outside. We argue throughout that critical reflexivity is a tool to document, resist, and transform hegemonic discourse that narrowly defines what it means to embody social work research, practice, and education.
Effects of Timely Enrollment in College-Level Mathematics on Degree Completion
Authors: Lane Forrest C. , Zientek Linda Reichwein , Sechelski Amber , Shupp Susanna
Published: November 2020

In this study, we explored the effect of delayed enrollment in college-level mathematics upon entry into a 4-year university for students who were not placed into remedial mathematics (i.e. college ready). For students who attempted a mathematics course, delayed enrollment in mathematics did not have an effect on GPA, graduating within 6-years or passing and failing their first mathematics course suggesting a delay in mathematics enrollment may benefit some students. However, the majority of students who did not graduate within 6-years never attempted a mathematics course. Almost all of those students were non-STEM majors. An implication of our study is that students in non-STEM should be encouraged to complete a mathematics course early within their degree versus avoiding mathematics.
The Prognostic Value of Circulating VEGF-A Level in Patients With Hepatocellular Cancer
Authors: Lacin Sahin , Yalcin Suayib
Published: November 2020

Background:

Neovascularization plays a crucial pathogenic role in tumor development and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF-A) is a key signaling element that drives angiogenesis, thereby facilitating hepatocellular cancer (HCC) growth and metastasis. We aimed to define the relationship between serum VEGF-A levels and clinical outcomes in a cohort of Turkish patients with HCC.

Methods:

We enrolled and prospectively followed 84 patients with HCC in our study. Serum VEGF-A levels were measured and we assessed the association between VEGF-A levels and clinical features.

Results:

Forty-eight patients had cirrhosis while 35 patients were noncirrhotic. Serum VEGF-A levels were significantly lower in HCC patients with cirrhosis compared to non-cirrhotic HCC patients (p = 0.03).In terms of viral hepatitis subtype, 36 (%42.8) of patients were hepatitis B virus (HBV) positive and 8 (%9.5) of patients were hepatitis C virus (HCV) positive. Patients with serum VEGF-A levels ≥100 pg/mL had significantly lower OS rates than patients with serum VEGF-A level <100 pg/mL (p = 0.01). The OS rates were 5.8 and 14.2 months, respectively (p = 0.02). The median OS was 7.38 months (95% CI: 5.89-13.79 months). We observed a significant relationship between serum VEGF-A level and tumor size. Patients with tumor size ≤ 5cm had lower VEGF-A levels than patients with VEGF-A levels <5 cm. The VEGF-A levels were 132.7 and 342.1 pg/mL, respectively (p < 0.001). The median follow-up was 32 months.

Conclusions:

Serum VEGF-A level, a biological marker of angiogenesis, is an independent predictor of survival in patients with HCC. Serum VEGF-A levels may be utilized to predict response to treatment targeting serum VEGF-A in patients with HCC.
Complete Fundus Mobilization Reduces Dysphagia After Nissen Procedure
Authors: Renzi Adolfo , Di Sarno Giandomenico , d’Aniello Francesco , Brillantino Antonio , Minieri Gianluca , Coretti Guido , Barbato Domenico , Barone Gianni
Published: November 2020

Background. Anti-reflux surgery is an effective treatment for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Nevertheless, surgery is still indicated with great caution in relation to the risk of complications, and in particular to postoperative dysphagia (PD). Objective. To compare the clinical outcomes, with particular focus on the incidence and severity of PD, of laparoscopic Nissen–Rossetti fundoplication (NRF) and floppy Nissen fundoplication (FNF) with complete fundus mobilization, in the surgical treatment of GERD. Methods. Ninety patients with GERD were enrolled. Forty-four patients (21[47.7%] men, 23[52.2%] women; mean age 42.4 ± 14.3 years) underwent NRF (Group A), and 46 patients (23[50%] men, 23[50%] women; mean age 43.3 ± 15.4 years) received laparoscopic FNF with complete fundus mobilization (Group B). Clinical assessment was performed using a structured questionnaire and SF-36 quality of life (QoL) score. PD was assessed using a validated classification, and an overall outcome was also determined by asking the patient to score it. Results. At 24-month follow-up, 38 (88.3%) patients in Group A vs 39 (86.6%) in Group B reported to be completely satisfied with reflux relief and free of protonic pump inhibitors (PPIs), while 3 (6.9%) in Group A vs 2(4.4%) in Group B reported occasional PPI intake and 2(4.6%) in Group A vs 4(8.8%) in Group B needed regular PPI use. Persistent PD was observed in 8(18.6%) patients in Group A and in 2(4.4%) in Group B ( P = .03). No significant differences were found in the QoL score and in the overall outcome perceived by the patients. Conclusion. FNF, with complete fundus mobilization, appears to be associated with a lower rate of postoperative persistent dysphagia.
The Clinical Effects of Abdominal Binder on Abdominal Surgery: A Meta-analysis
Authors: Jiang Nanhui , Hao Bihai , Huang Rong , Rao Fengying , Wu Ping , Li Zhen , Song Chunxue , Liu Zhisu , Guo Tao
Published: November 2020

Objective. We conducted a meta-analysis to quantitatively evaluate the effects of abdominal binder in abdominal surgeries. Methods. Through literature retrieval in globally recognized databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Central), trials investigating the application of abdominal binder in abdominal surgeries were systematically reviewed. The main outcomes, namely, 6-minute walk test (6MWT), visual analog scale (VAS) pain score, and symptom distress scale (SDS) score, were pooled to make an overall estimation. I2 index was calculated to identify heterogeneity, and sensitivity analysis was performed to validate the stability of main results and explore the source of heterogeneity. A funnel plot and Egger’s test were applied to assess publication bias. Results. Ten randomized controlled trials consisting of 968 subjects were ultimately included for the pooled estimation. Abdominal binder significantly increased the distance of 6MWT with standard mean difference (SMD) of .555 ( P < .001) and decreased the scores of VAS and SDS with SMD of −.979 ( P < .001) and −.716 ( P < .001), respectively. Despite of the significant heterogeneity indicated by I2 index statistic, the results of sensitivity analysis revealed the reliability of the main conclusions. While we identified no obvious publication bias regarding 6MWT (Egger’s test P = .321), it seemed that significant publication biases existed with respect to the estimation of VAS ( P < .001) and SDS ( P = .006). Conclusion. The current meta-analysis verified that abdominal binder efficiently promoted recovery after abdominal surgeries in terms of facilitating mobilization, alleviating pain, and reducing postoperative distress. More rigorously designed clinical trials with large sample size are expected to further elaborate its clinical value.
Play and Spiel are not the Same: Anti-Wittgensteinian Arguments and Consideration of Game as a Kind of Human Play
Authors: Lebed Felix
Published: November 2020

The differences between categories of play in English and spiel in German (or jeu in French and so on) are essential because any complex ludic category includes games that are organized and restricted by roles and rules. My choice to deal with Wittgensteinian views of spiel (which is translated by default as ‘play’) is influenced by the fact that his argument in German about the impossibility and futility of a philosophical definition of spiel embodies the quintessence of the problem: the linguistic obstacle that prevents correct interpretation of human play. Methodologically, I make the philosophical question of dependence a linguistic one. The article concludes by defending the position that game is only one of the diverse activities realizing human play, which is a basic existential phenomenon that can be considered philosophically through the category of ‘other being’.
Chloro- and BF2bdk-substituted dithienylethene: Synthesis, photophysical properties, and optical switching behavior
Authors: Lu Zhiqiang , Yang Wenbo , Bai Yanhui , Wang Mo , Li Zixu , Yang Yang , Feng Xueling , Zhu Yuanxiao , Yang Xujia , Li Ziyong
Published: November 2020

A novel chloro- and BF2bdk-substituted dithienylethene derivative, in which a chlorine atom and a difluoroboron β-diketonate (BF2bdk) group are appended at the termini of the dithienylethene core, is developed. The structure was confirmed by 1H NMR, 13C NMR, and high-resolution mass spectrometry (electrospray ionization). It displayed solvent-dependent photophysical properties, and blue/red light-triggered optical switching behavior in nonpolar or less polar solvents.
Simple, novel, and efficient synthesis of ethyl 2-(2-(1H-indol-3-yl)benzo[d]thiazol-3(2H)-yl)-2-cyanoacetate or acetate via a three-component reaction
Authors: Nassiri Mahmoud , Jalili Milani Forough
Published: November 2020

Ethyl 2-(2-(1 H-indol-3-yl)benzo[ d]thiazol-3(2 H)-yl)-2-cyanoacetate or acetate 6a–f as a series of novel compounds were synthesized from the reactions of benzothiazole, 2-methylbenzothiazole, or 2,5-dimethylbenzothiazole and ethyl bromocyanoacetate with indole derivatives. The reactions proceeded in acetone as a solvent under reflux for 5 h in good yields. The structures of new compounds were confirmed by 1H nuclear magnetic resonance, 13C nuclear magnetic resonance, infrared, elemental analyses, and mass spectroscopy.
Self-standing magnetic composite nanosheets prepared in the presence of an external magnetic field: Characterization and potential for medical applications
Authors: Sakuragi Mina , Takahashi Yoshikazu , Ehara Keito , Kusakabe Katsuki
Published: November 2020

The aim of this study is to develop self-standing, ultrathin film, nanosheets with high magnetic response for use in a medical device that can be migrated to a target location in the body by using an external magnetic field. First, iron oxide nanoparticles are synthesized by either the sol-gel method or thermal decomposition. The resulting magnetic properties of the nanoparticles show that the thermal decomposition method provides a greater saturation magnetization value than the sol-gel method. Next, the nanoparticles obtained by the thermal decomposition method are embedded into nanosheets of poly(L-lactide) at varying concentrations. Embedding of the nanoparticles in the composite nanosheets is achieved by the application of an external magnetic field. The composite nanosheets are then characterized. The thickness of the nanosheet increases, and the nanoparticles are well dispersed, with an increase in poly (L-lactide) concentration. The NP-embedded nanosheets are imaged by transmission electron microscopy, which reveals thin, long aggregates aligned in collinear line features. X-ray diffraction results indicate that the magnetic hard axis of the nanoparticles in the nanosheets is aligned in parallel to the plane of the nanosheet by magnetic field application during nanosheet preparation. In addition, the nanosheets at high poly (L-lactide) concentrations that had been subjected to a magnetic field during preparation show a slightly greater magnetic response compared with both nanosheets without magnetic field exposure and nanosheets prepared at low poly (L-lactide) concentrations.
A practical and scalable synthesis of KRN7000 using glycosyl iodide as the glycosyl donor
Authors: Zhang Yang , Guo Jia , Xu Xiaoyan , Gao Qi , Liu Xianglai , Ding Ning
Published: November 2020

KRN7000 is particularly useful because it is a powerful and specific CD1d agonist and has prompted intense interest in the context of immunology in the past 25 years. Its limited commercial availability and high price has led to the publication of many different syntheses. However, almost all of them focused on the methodology development rather than a scalable synthesis. Herein, we have described a practical and scalable procedure for the synthesis of KRN7000 basing on the glycosyl iodide method. This procedure involves total of eight steps to obtain the highly pure product KNR7000 on gram scale from the commercially available starting materials (d-galactose and the phytosphingosine) with only three column chromatographic purifications.
An efficient multicomponent synthesis of 1H-pyrano[2,3-d]pyrimidine-2,4(3H,5H)-dione derivatives and evaluation of their α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitory activity
Authors: Naik Mamata Devendra , Bodke Yadav D , J Prashantha , Naik Jayanth K
Published: November 2020

In this paper, we report the synthesis of novel 1 H-pyrano[2,3- d]pyrimidine-2,4(3 H,5 H)-dione derivatives 5(a–j) by a facile multicomponent reaction. The structures of all the newly synthesized compounds were characterized by different spectroscopic techniques including infrared, nuclear magnetic resonance (1H and 13C) and mass spectral analysis. All the new compounds were assessed for their in vitro α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzyme inhibitory potential. The results of the assays revealed that all compounds showed different enzyme inhibition activities. The concentration required to inhibit enzyme activity is less in the case of α-glucosidases than for α-amylases, that is, the synthesized compounds are more potent in arresting α-glucosidase enzyme activity.
Facile synthesis of graphene quantum dots from glucan and their application as a deoxidizer and in cell imaging
Authors: Shen Jialu , Chen Weifeng , Liu Xiang
Published: November 2020

A facile and effective route to synthesize graphene quantum dots for cell imaging and as a deoxidizer by using glucan as a precursor is developed. AuNPs are successfully synthesized by mixing of graphene quantum dots and Au(III) salts without any additional reductants. The reducing driving force of these graphene quantum dots is much weaker than that of strong reducing agents such as NaBH4. The sizes of the as-synthesized AuNPs are much larger, with an average size of 15 nm. Notably, this size range is specifically useful and optimal for the application of AuNPs in biomedical applications. In addition, the as-synthesized graphene quantum dots are also successfully applied in cell imaging.
The gut microbiome: an under-recognised contributor to the COVID-19 pandemic?
Authors: Segal Jonathan P. , Mak Joyce W. Y. , Mullish Benjamin H. , Alexander James L. , Ng Siew C. , Marchesi Julian R.
Published: November 2020

The novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus has spread rapidly across the globe, culminating in major global morbidity and mortality. As such, there has been a rapid escalation in scientific and clinical activity aimed at increasing our comprehension of this virus. This volume of work has led to early insights into risk factors associated with severity of disease, and mechanisms that underpin the virulence and dynamics involved in viral transmission. These insights ultimately may help guide potential therapeutics to reduce the human, economic and social impact of this pandemic. Importantly, the gastrointestinal (GI) tract has emerged as an important organ influencing propensity to, and potentially severity of, COVID-19 infection. Furthermore, the gut microbiome has been linked to a variety of risk factors for COVID-19 infection, and manipulation of the gut microbiome is an attractive potential therapeutic target for a number of diseases. While data profiling the gut microbiome in COVID-19 infection to date are limited, they support the possibility of several routes of interaction between COVID-19, the gut microbiome, angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE-2) expression in the small bowel and colon and gut inflammation. This article will explore the evidence that implicates the gut microbiome as a contributing factor to the pathogenesis, severity and disease course of COVID-19, and speculate about the gut microbiome’s capability as a therapeutic avenue against COVID-19.

Lay summary

It has been noted that certain baseline gut profiles of COVID-19 patients are associated with a more severe disease course, and the gut microbiome impacts the disease course of several contributory risk factors to the severity of COVID-19. A protein called ACE-2, which is found in the small intestine among other sites, is a key receptor for COVID-19 virus entry; there is evidence that the gut microbiome influences ACE-2 receptor expression, and hence may play a role in influencing COVID-19 infectivity and disease severity. Furthermore, the gut microbiome plays a significant role in immune regulation, and hence may be pivotal in influencing the immune response to COVID-19. In terms of understanding COVID-19 treatments, the gut microbiome is known to interact with several drug classes being used to target COVID-19 and should be factored into our understanding of how patients respond to treatment. Importantly, our understanding of the role of the gut microbiome in COVID-19 infection remains in its infancy, but future research may potentially aid our mechanistic understanding of viral infection, and new ways in which we might approach treating it.
Homicides Disguised as Staged Suicides
Authors: Prahlow Samuel P. , Cohle Stephen , Shattuck Brandy , Prahlow Joseph A.
Published: November 2020

Determining the correct cause and manner of death are among the chief responsibilities of the forensic pathologist. When confronted with a case having a questionable manner of death, it is important for scene evidence, witness statements, and forensic autopsy findings to be thoroughly reviewed before certifying the manner of death. Herein three gunshot wound cases are presented which initially were suspected to be suicides but were instead determined to be homicides through full investigations with correlation to autopsy findings.
Validation of OraQuick HCV Rapid Antibody Test in Postmortem Specimens
Authors: Rose Claire E. , Duncan Lisa , Hawes Amy M.
Published: November 2020

INTRODUCTION:

The objective of this study is to evaluate the performance of OraQuick HCV Rapid Antibody Test against a “gold-standard”, FDA-approved, laboratory-based serum immunoassay (SI) in postmortem blood. To date, OraQuick HCV Rapid Antibody Test has not been evaluated for use in postmortem testing. This OraQuick test is a manually performed, visually interpreted, single use immunoassay for the qualitative detection of antibodies to the hepatitis C virus (HCV).

METHODS:

Blood was collected from 51 decedents whose deaths were investigated in the jurisdiction of the Knox and Anderson County Medical Examiner’s Office (MEO) January 2017 through April 2017. For each consented case, blood was tested using both the OraQuick HCV Rapid Antibody Test and a laboratory-based hepatitis C serum immunoassay (“gold standard” reference assay). Results from the OraQuick HCV Rapid Antibody Test were compared against a laboratory-based hepatitis C serum immunoassay.

RESULTS:

Using the laboratory-based serum immunoassay (SI) as the “gold standard” for assessing true HCV antibody positivity, and comparing SI against OraQuick rapid test, sensitivity for the OraQuick rapid test was 95.65% and specificity was 96.15% in postmortem blood.

DISCUSSION:

Our results demonstrate that OraQuick HCV rapid antibody test is reliable for diagnosis of hepatitis C infection in postmortem blood with a relatively short (less than approximately 21.5 hours) postmortem sample acquisition time. The OraQuick in some cases may be superior to traditional, laboratory-based HCV SI due to potential increased viscosity of postmortem blood.
Medical Examiner Review of the Characteristics of Fire-Related Homicides
Authors: Conway Kyle S. , Schmidt Carl J. , Brown Theodore T.
Published: November 2020

While fire-related deaths are regularly encountered by medical examiners, fire-related homicides are relatively uncommon. Although some large retrospective studies of fire-related deaths have been performed, few large studies have specifically reviewed fire-related homicides.

Autopsy, scene investigation, and ancillary studies were reviewed for 38 fire-related homicides evaluated at the Wayne County Medical Examiner’s Office in Detroit, Michigan.

The largest proportion of cases were inhalation-related deaths in dwelling fires (n = 21, 55%), followed by deaths from thermal injury after immolation (n = 8, 21%) and traumatic death with contemporaneous or subsequent immolation (n = 8, 21%). There was one case of postmortem immolation. Although carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) levels played a significant role in evaluation of these cases, no single factor was diagnostic of a particular cause or manner of death.

Fire-related homicides present unique diagnostic challenges because multiple insults frequently contribute to the cause death. Death at the scene and COHb level above 10% are the most useful factors in establishing smoke and soot inhalation as the cause of death. Some autopsy findings are helpful in establishing or ruling out smoke and soot inhalation as contributing to or sole cause of death, but an evaluation of the entire circumstances and autopsy findings is necessary.
Netrin-1: Focus on its role in cardiovascular physiology and atherosclerosis
Authors: Claro Vasco , Ferro Albert
Published: November 2020

The netrins form a family of laminin-related proteins which were first described as modulators of cell migration and axonal guidance during fetal development. Netrin-1 is the most extensively studied member of this family and, since its discovery, non-neural roles have been associated with it. Together with its receptors, DCC/neogenin and UNC5, netrin-1 has been shown to be involved in the regulation of angiogenesis, organogenesis, cancer and inflammation. An NF-κB-dependent truncated isoform of netrin-1 has also been shown to be produced in endothelial and some types of cancer cells, which both accumulates in and affects the function of the nucleus. In atherosclerosis, conflicting roles for netrin-1 have been reported on plaque progression via its receptor UNC5b. Whereas endothelial-derived netrin-1 inhibits chemotaxis of leukocytes and reduces the migration of monocytes to the atherosclerotic plaque, netrin-1 expressed by macrophages within the plaque plays a pro-atherogenic role, promoting cell survival, recruiting smooth muscle cells and inhibiting foam cell egress to the lymphatic system. In contrast, there is evidence that netrin-1 promotes macrophage differentiation to an alternative activated phenotype and induces expression of IL-4 and IL-13, while downregulate expression of IL-6 and COX-2. Further work is needed to elucidate the precise roles of the two isoforms of netrin-1 in different cell types in the context of atherosclerosis, and its potential as a putative novel therapeutic target in this disease.
Quality of life among caregivers of asthmatic children attending pulmonology clinics at Hamad General Hospital, Qatar
Authors: Shaikhan Fahad Mohammed , Makhlouf Mohamed M
Published: November 2020

Introduction:

Chronic paediatric diseases, as bronchial asthma, affect the quality of life, which can be defined as the ability to preserve personal well-being despite sickness. These diseases have a huge impact on the quality of life of both the children, their parents and or caregivers.

Methodology:

A cross-sectional study using convenient sampling was conducted in the paediatric pulmonology clinics at Hamad General Hospital in Qatar aiming to evaluate the quality of life among caregivers of asthmatic children. The quality of life of caregivers was assessed using the standard Paediatric Asthma Caregiver Quality of Life questionnaire. Depression and asthma control were assessed using the Beck Depression Inventory; second edition and the Paediatric Asthma Control and Communication Instrument, respectively.

Results:

Total number of the caregivers was 330. Majority of the asthmatic children had controlled or partially controlled asthma (47% and 44%, respectively). Most of the caregivers had either very good or good quality of life (63% and 31%, respectively). Mean quality of life score was 5.55 ± 1.14. Males, married and father caregivers had significantly higher mean quality of life. In addition, gender, getting bothered about child’s asthma, asthma control score and depression score were significant predictors of quality of life among the caregivers.

Conclusion:

Most of the caregivers had either very good or good quality of life. Being a female, degree of asthma control and depression were important determinants of the quality of life of the caregivers. Provision of needed support to caregivers and effective approach to controlling asthma are recommended to improve the quality of life of caregivers.
The reflective urologist
Authors: Terry Tim , Bates Anthon Simon
Published: November 2020

This paper reviews UK reflective practice in urology from historical and current usage perspectives. While appraisal, revalidation and annual review of competence progression processes mandate reflective practice its use in everyday urological practice is not evidenced in the urological literature. With the Covid-19 pandemic changes in urological care abound and front line NHS staff face being overwhelmed physically and emotionally by their experiences. Regular personal reflective practice and within teams offers vital support for urologists, their teams and their patients. A model for daily personal ‘small’ reflective practice and episodic ‘big’ reflective practice is proposed.

Level of evidence: Not applicable.
Demystifying consumer digital cocreated value: Social presence theory-informed framework and propositions
Authors: Hollebeek Linda D , Clark Moira K , Macky Keith
Published: November 2020

While cocreation research proliferates, existing studies fail to isolate its manifestation through digital (vs non-digital) platforms. Moreover, extant research predominantly explores the cocreation process (vs its outcome of cocreated value), which therefore merits further scrutiny, particularly in the digital context. Based on these gaps, we explore consumer digital cocreated value (CDCV), which reflects the consumer-perceived value that arises by interacting, collaborating, or communicating with or through digital platforms (touch-points). We classify digital platforms as (1) human-to-human platforms (H2HPs; for example, social media), and (2) human-to-machine platforms (H2MPs), which comprise the sub-types of (a) robotic process automation-based platforms (e.g. call centers) and (b) machine/deep learning-based platforms (e.g. service robots). We next compose a social presence theory-informed framework that explores the effect of perceived platform intimacy and immediacy on CDCV for our proposed platforms. We formalize the framework’s associations by developing a set of Propositions, and conclude by discussing important implications that arise from this research.
Comparison of Combined Lumbosacral Plexus and T12 Paravertebral Nerve Blocks With General Anesthesia in Older Adults Undergoing Primary Total Hip Arthroplasty: A Retrospective, Propensity Score–Matched Cohort Study
Authors: Min Li , Chen Chen , Yan Yuan , Jiang Shen , Linyi Yang , Xiaoxuan Bu , Liwei Zhang , Dongmei Cao
Published: November 2020

Background:

Total Hip Arthroplasty(THA) is a surgical treatment for hip disease. A large amount of evidence has been reported on comparing outcomes of neuraxial(spinal or epidural) anesthesia and general anesthesia. However, it is unclear whether nerve blocks(NB) as main anesthesia technique compared with general anesthesia(GA) for THA could reduce perioperative complications. We conducted a retrospective evaluation of NB and GA, using a propensity score-matched analysis(PSMA).

Methods:

A total of 902 patients older than 60 years old with hip disease undergoing primary THA received combined lumbosacral plexus and T12 paravertebral nerve blocks (n = 143) or GA (n = 759) at our institution from 2012 to 2018.Binary logistic regression was used for comparison of the primary outcomes(the incidence of delirium) and the secondary outcomes(the percentage of postoperative hemoglobin(>10g/dl), transfusion(>2 units), major cardiac events(MACE), postoperative pulmonary complications (PPC) and 30-day mortality) in the matched cohorts.Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS v 23.0.

Results:

Both cohorts were balanced in all included parameters after PSMA. The incidence of delirium was lower (OR 0.233,95% CI 0.064-0.845, p = 0.030) in NB group in matched cohorts. In the unmatched and matched cohorts, the percentage of Hb(>10g/dl) was higher in GA group but the incidence of transfusion(>2 units) was higher in NB group. No difference was found in the incidence of 30-day mortality in the unmatched and matched cohorts. In the unmatched cohorts, the incidence of PPC was higher and LOS was longer in NB cohort, but no difference was observed in the matched cohorts.

Conclusion:

In patients older than 60 years old receiving primary THA, NB could be associated with a lower incidence of delirium.
Nontransparent Compound Character Learning in L2 Chinese: Does Radical Awareness Always Work?
Authors: Chen Tianxu , Feng Yali
Published: November 2020

Chinese character learning requires various reading subskills, such as radical awareness and character knowledge. Radical awareness refers to learners’ ability to identify, analyze, and apply semantic radicals in compound characters. Previous studies have shown that radical awareness and character knowledge facilitate learning semantically transparent characters. Yet, little is known regarding whether radical awareness plays an active role in the meaning retention for nontransparent characters. The meanings of transparent characters, such as “河” (river) containing the radical “氵” (water), are related to the semantic category of the radicals within the characters, whereas the meanings of nontransparent characters, such as “淑” (kind and gentle) with the same radical “氵,” are not directly related to the radicals. To fill these gaps, this study included 39 L2 Chinese learners at one American university. They completed one character-learning session, and five radical-related and character-related tasks. The results suggested that radical awareness did not positively affect the meaning retention for nontransparent characters when learners’ character knowledge was controlled. In addition, character knowledge was a moderator, which shaped the relationship between radical awareness and character retention. Pedagogical implications for the understanding of L2 Chinese compound character learning are discussed.
Northwest Native American Research Center for Health: A Summary of Fellowship Trainees’ Success Over 15 Years of Funding
Authors: Cunningham Grazia , Becker Thomas M. , Firemoon Tanya , Thomas Ashley
Published: November 2020

American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/ANs) continue to be severely underrepresented in biomedical research, particularly in principal investigator roles. Efforts to decrease health disparities have shifted to building research capacity and training highly skilled AI/AN health researchers who can conduct quality research within their tribal communities. Funded by the National Institutes of Health and the Indian Health Service, the Northwest Native American Research Centers for Health (NW NARCH) program has offered financial support and mentorship to 149 AI/AN biomedical and public health graduate students for the past 15 years. In 2018, trainees were surveyed to track their progress and career development. Survey results confirmed that the financial support and mentorship available via the NW NARCH program were instrumental to their professional advancement. Support to AI/AN biomedical graduate students should continue not only to diversify the public health workforce, but also to address risk factors and health conditions that disproportionately affect AI/AN people.
The Duality of Students and Faculty: Illustrating the Sociological Utility of Doctoral Committee Data
Authors: Lewis Kevin , Packer Jordan
Published: November 2020

In the context of growing interest in social networks and the sociology of graduate education, the authors examine a relational feature of postbaccalaureate study that has received particularly little attention: the doctoral committee. Data on committee memberships speak to multiple theoretical issues and are presumably maintained by most doctorate-granting institutions, yet this information is seldom aggregated or analyzed. Here, the authors draw on records from the University of California, San Diego to illustrate the utility of doctoral committee data for four areas of sociological inquiry: interdisciplinary knowledge production, departmental community, inequality in the workplace division of labor, and variation in student outcomes. For each, the authors present core findings, discuss their implications, and suggest directions for future research.