bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pleuroparenchymal fibroelastosis in systemic sclerosis: prevalence and prognostic impact
Authors: Bonifazi Martina , Sverzellati Nicola , Negri Eva , Jacob Joseph , Egashira Ryoko , Moser Joanna , Piciucchi Sara , Mei Federico , De Lauretis Angelo , Visca Dina , Goh Nicole , Bonini Matteo , Cirilli Laura , La Vecchia Carlo , Chua Felix , Kouranos Vasileios , Margaritopoulos George , Kokosi Maria , Maher Toby M. , Gasparini Stefano , Gabrielli Armando , Wells Athol U. , Renzoni Elisabetta A.
Published: April 2020

Interstitial lung disease (ILD) in systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality, mostly presenting as non-specific interstitial pneumonia. Little is known about the prevalence of pleuroparenchymal fibroelastosis (PPFE), a specific entity affecting the visceral pleura and subpleural parenchyma. We set out to estimate PPFE prevalence in two large cohorts of SSc patients and to assess its impact on survival and functional decline.

A total of 359 SSc patients, derived from two referral centres in two different countries (UK and Italy), were included. The first available high-resolution computed tomography scan was independently evaluated by two radiologists blind to clinical information, to quantify ILD extent, freestanding bronchial abnormalities, and lobar percentage involvement of PPFE on a four-point categorical scale. Discordant scores were adjudicated by a third scorer. PPFE extent was further classified as limited (≤2/18) or extensive (>2/18). Results were evaluated against functional decline and mortality.

The overall prevalence of PPFE in the combined SSc population was 18% (11% with extensive PPFE), with no substantial difference between the two cohorts. PPFE was significantly linked to free-standing bronchial abnormalities (61%versus25% in PPFEversusno PPFE; p<0.0001) and to worse survival, independently of ILD severity or short-term lung function changes (HR 1.89, 95% CI 1.10–3.25; p=0.005).

In the current study, we provide an exhaustive description of PPFE prevalence and clinical impact in the largest cohort of SSc subjects published so far. PPFE presence should be carefully considered, due to its significant prognostic implications.
Epigenetic pacemaker: closed form algebraic solutions
Authors: Snir Sagi
Published: April 2020

Background

DNA methylation is widely used as a biomarker in crucial medical applications as well as for human age prediction of very high accuracy. This biomarker is based on the methylation status of several hundred CpG sites. In a recent line of publications we have adapted a versatile concept from evolutionary biology - the Universal Pacemaker (UPM) - to the setting of epigenetic aging and denoted itthe Epigenetic PaceMaker(EPM). The EPM, as opposed to other epigenetic clocks, is not confined to specific pattern of aging, and the epigenetic age of the individual is inferred independently of other individuals. This allows an explicit modeling of aging trends, in particular non linear relationship between chronological and epigenetic age. In one of these recent works, we have presented an algorithmic improvement based on a two-step conditional expectation maximization (CEM) algorithm to arrive at a critical point on the likelihood surface. The algorithm alternates between a time step and a site step while advancing on the likelihood surface.

Results

Here we introduce non trivial improvements to these steps that are essential for analyzing data sets of realistic magnitude in a manageable time and space. These structural improvements are based on insights from linear algebra and symbolic algebra tools, providing us greater understanding of the degeneracy of the complex problem space. This understanding in turn, leads to the complete elimination of the bottleneck of cumbersome matrix multiplication and inversion, yielding a fast closed form solution in both steps of the CEM.In the experimental results part, we compare the CEM algorithm over several data sets and demonstrate the speedup obtained by the closed form solutions. Our results support the theoretical analysis of this improvement.

Conclusions

These improvements enable us to increase substantially the scale of inputs analyzed by the method, allowing us to apply the new approach to data sets that could not be analyzed before.
Effects of a maternal role adjustment program for first time mothers who use postpartum care centers (Sanhujoriwon) in South Korea: a quasi-experimental study
Authors: Song Ju-Eun , Chae Hyun-Ju , Ko Jung Mi , In Yang Jeong , Kim Tiffany
Published: April 2020

Background

Many South Korean women stay in specialized postpartum care centers calledSanhujoriwonfor 2 weeks after childbirth, a time which is widely recognized as a critical period for maternal role adjustment. Mothers’ time within the postpartum care center offers a unique opportunity for nursing intervention to promote a successful transition to motherhood, especially for first time mothers. This study aimed to develop a maternal role adjustment program within theSanhujoriwonbased on the ecological model, and to evaluate its effects on maternal role confidence and breastfeeding success.

Methods

A non-equivalent control group pretest-posttest design was used. Data were collected from 30 participants in the experimental group and 37 in the control group at four measurement times, i.e., admission day toSanhujoriwon, discharge day fromSanhujoriwon, 4–6 weeks postpartum, and 12 weeks postpartum. The experimental group received the maternal role adjustment program, which included family education and counseling regarding breastfeeding and infant care, and encouraged rooming-in practices during their stay in theSanhujoriwon. The data were analyzed using the IBM SPSS statistics 25.0 program using descriptive statistics, t-test, chi-square test, ANCOVA, and GEE.

Results

There were significant interaction effects showing different patterns in maternal role confidence and breastfeeding success scores over the four time points. Maternal role confidence in the experimental group gradually increased over time. Maternal role confidence in the control group also increased from baseline to 4 to 6 week postpartum, but abruptly decreased at 12 week postpartum. At 12 weeks postpartum, maternal role confidence in the experimental group was significantly higher than that of the control group. In addition, breastfeeding success scores in the experimental group also gradually increased over the four time points, while those of the control group showed a gradual decline. Breastfeeding success scores were significantly higher than those of control group at both 4–6 weeks and 12 weeks postpartum.

Conclusions

These results indicate that the maternal role adjustment program was effective in improving maternal role confidence and breastfeeding success among first time mothers in the postpartum care center.
Microarray data analysis on gene and miRNA expression to identify biomarkers in non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: Jin Xiang , Guan Yinghui , Zhang Zhen , Wang Hongyue
Published: April 2020

Background

The aim of this study was to gain further investigation of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) tumorigenesis and identify biomarkers for clinical management of patients through comprehensive bioinformatics analysis.

Methods

miRNA and mRNA microarray datasets were downloaded from GEO (Gene Expression Omnibus) database under the accession number GSE102286 and GSE101929, respectively. Genes and miRNAs with differential expression were identified in NSCLC samples compared with controls, respectively. The interaction between differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and differentially expressed miRNAs (DEmiRs) was predicted, followed by functional enrichment analysis, and construction of miRNA-gene regulatory network, protein-protein interaction (PPI) network, and competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network. Through comprehensive bioinformatics analysis, we anticipate to find novel therapeutic targets and biomarkers for NSCLC.

Results

A total of 123 DEmiRs (5 up- and 118 down-regulated miRNAs) and 924 DEGs (309 up- and 615 down-regulated genes) were identified. These genes and miRNAs were significantly involved in different pathways including adherens junction, relaxin signaling pathway, and axon guidance. Furthermore, hsa-miR-9-5p, has-miR-196a-5p and hsa-miR-31-5p, as well as hsa-miR-1, hsa-miR-218-5p and hsa-miR-135a-5p were shown to have higher degree in the miRNA-gene regulatory network and ceRNA network, respectively. Furthermore,BIRC5andFGF2, as well asRTKN2andSLIT3were hubs in the PPI network and ceRNA network, respectively.

Conclusion

Several pathways (adherens junction, relaxin signaling pathway, and axon guidance) miRNAs (hsa-miR-9-5p, has-miR-196a-5p, hsa-miR-31-5p, hsa-miR-1, hsa-miR-218-5p and hsa-miR-135a-5p) and genes (BIRC5,FGF2,RTKN2andSLIT3) may play important roles in the pathogenesis of NSCLC.
Despite early Medicaid expansion, decreased durable virologic suppression among publicly insured people with HIV in Washington, DC: a retrospective analysis
Authors:   on behalf of the DC Cohort Executive Committee, Goldstein Deborah , Hardy W. David , Monroe Anne , Hou Qingjiang , Hart Rachel , Terzian Arpi
Published: April 2020

Background

Despite widely available access to HIV care in Washington, DC, inequities in HIV outcomes persist. We hypothesized that laboratory monitoring and virologic outcomes would not differ significantly based on insurance type.

Methods

We compared HIV monitoring with outcomes among people with HIV (PWH) with private (commercial payer) versus public (Medicare, Medicaid) insurance receiving care at community and hospital clinics. The DC Cohort follows over 8000 PWH from 14 clinics. We included those ≥18 years old enrolled between 2011 and 2015 with stable insurance. Outcomes included frequency of CD4 count and HIV RNA monitoring (> 2 lab measures/year, > 30 days apart) and durable viral suppression (VS; HIV RNA < 50 copies/mL at last visit and receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) for ≥12 months). Multivariable logistic regression models examined impact of demographic and clinical factors.

Results

Among 3908 PWH, 67.9% were publicly-insured and 58.9% attended community clinics. Compared with privately insured participants, a higher proportion of publicly insured participants had the following characteristics: female sex, Black race, heterosexual, unemployed, and attending community clinics. Despite less lab monitoring, privately-insured PWH had greater durable VS than publicly-insured PWH (ART-naïve: private 70.0% vs public 53.1%, p = 0.03; ART-experienced: private 80.2% vs public 69.4%, p < 0.0001). Privately-insured PWH had greater durable VS than publicly-insured PWH at hospital clinics (AOR = 1.59, 95% CI: 1.20, 2.12; p = 0.001).

Conclusions

Paradoxical differences between HIV monitoring and durable VS exist among publicly and privately-insured PWH in Washington, DC. Programs serving PWH must improve efforts to address barriers creating inequity in HIV outcomes.
Utility of CT-based navigation in revision total hip arthroplasty for a patient with severe posterior pelvic tilt-case report-
Authors: Watanabe Shintaro , Choe Hyonmin , Kobayashi Naomi , Ike Hiroyuki , Kobayashi Daigo , Higashihira Syota , Inaba Yutaka
Published: April 2020

Background

Hip dislocation after total hip arthroplasty (THA) or hemi-arthroplasty is a rare but serious complication. Dislocation may be prevented by appropriate positioning of the cup angle of inclination and anteversion.

Case presentation

This report describes a 66-year-old woman who underwent revision THA using a computer tomography (CT)-based navigation system to treat an anterior dislocation after hemi-arthroplasty due to a severe posterior pelvic tilt. At initial presentation, her sagittal pelvic tilt angle, measured as anterior pelvic plane (APP) in the supine position, was 38 degrees posterior to the coronal plane. Owing to the posterior pelvic tilt, revision THA was performed using CT-based navigation, while dual mobility was utilized to reduce the risk of re-dislocation. Postoperatively, her sagittal pelvic tilt angle showed further progression over time, with an APP of 66 degrees posterior to the coronal plane in the standing position 3 years after revision THA. Simulation with the Zed Hip system showed that the risk of implant-to-implant impingement was much higher posteriorly than anteriorly. Gait analysis demonstrated hyperextension of the hip joint while walking, although hip joint function required for daily activity was maintained.

Conclusions

Preoperative planning of implant orientation, based on posterior progression of pelvic tilt and accurate placement of components, is important to prevent dislocation in patients with severe posterior pelvic tilt. A dual mobility cup may also improve hip function in these patients.
The role of residents in medical students’ neurology education: current status and future perspectives
Authors: Keser Zafer , Rodriguez Yvo A. , Tremont Jennifer , Hsieh Peggy H. , McCullough Louise D. , Sandrone Stefano , Stimming Erin F.
Published: April 2020

Background

Neurophobia, a well-described fear of neurology, affects medical students worldwide and may be one of the factors contributing to a shortage of neurologists in the United States. Residents spend a considerable amount of time with medical students; therefore, we sought to understand better the impact neurology residents have on medical students during their neurology clerkship and their subsequent interest in neurology. We aimed to identify and implement strategies to decrease neurophobia and increase the number of students pursuing neurology as a career.

Methods

Third-year medical students (n = 234) of UTHealth’s McGovern Medical School rotating through their neurology core clerkship completed two surveys regarding their rotation experiences. Surveys were completed anonymously before and after the clerkship to measure their interest and confidence in neurology and the impact of their interactions with the neurology residents during the clerkship. In parallel, residents participated in a teaching workshop focused on small group teaching to improve their teaching effectiveness. Non-parametrical comparison and ordinal regression analyses were utilized for data analyses.

Results

Medical students reported a statistically significant increase in their confidence in managing neurological conditions and interest in pursuing a neurology residency after their clerkship. There was a significant association between the medical students’ overall rotation experience and the residents’ teaching effectiveness. The overall clerkship experience correlated with the medical students’ interest and confidence in neurology. There was a trend towards an increase in residents’ teaching effectiveness and students’ rotation experience after a resident teaching workshop. Additionally, of note, students who rotated on both and outpatient and inpatient sites during their clerkship reported an increased interest in neurology.

Conclusion

Our study supports that resident-led teaching efforts are important in improving medical students’ neurologic education and their interest in neurology.Our data also supports that the interest in neurology increased for medical students after their neurology clerkship. We examined future strategies to implement “near-peer” teaching activities to enhance the medical students’ neurologic educational experience. These strategies could potentially mitigate neurophobia and ultimately lead to a much-needed increase in future neurologists.
Improving the participation of adults with visual and severe or profound intellectual disabilities: a process evaluation of a new intervention
Authors: Hanzen Gineke , van Nispen Ruth M. A. , Vlaskamp Carla , Korevaar Eliza L. , Waninge Aly , van der Putten Annette A. J.
Published: April 2020

Background

While the participation of adults with visual and severe or profound intellectual disabilities (VSPID) in society and community life is important, evidence-based interventions to improve their participation are lacking. We conducted a process evaluation of the implementation of ‘Care for Participation+’ (CFP+), a new intervention targeting the attitudes of direct support professionals (DSPs) toward the participation of adults with VSPID, within a residential facility in the Netherlands.

Methods

CFP+ was inspired by the Boston Psychiatric Rehabilitation Approach and adapted by adopting a new definition and operationalization of the concept of participation for adults with VSPID. Following systematic training, 16 DSPs of adults with VSPID were able to apply key elements of CFP+ to explore diverse roles and activities for this population, facilitating their self-management, teaching them necessary skills for participation, and organizing support. Our process evaluation entailed an investigation of the delivered dose, reach, fidelity, and adaptation of CFP+ during and after the CFP+ intervention. We also evaluated the mechanisms of impact and context using questionnaires, assignments, documentation, interviews, and a logbook.

Results

The intended dose, reach, and fidelity relating to the implementation of CFP+ were not achieved. Despite this fact, an assessment of the mechanisms of impact indicated that assignments of CFP+ were well (75%) or reasonably well (17%) understood by DSPs. CFP+ was applied by DSPs to stimulate self-management (83% of DSPs), new activities (100%), enhanced involvement in existing activities (67%) and to explore new roles (50%) for adults with VSPID. A negative contextual factor mentioned by the trainer and manager was the DSPs’ lack of commitment to the training program. Another negative contextual factor mentioned by DSPs was the lack of time for implementing CFP+.

Conclusions

CFP+ provides new opportunities to improve the participation of adults with VSPID. Despite the non-optimal conditions for implementing CFP+ and the DSPs’ general reluctance to apply the new intervention, some have actively used CFP+ within the residential facility. Future studies should focus on the outcomes of CFP+ regarding attitudinal changes among DSPs relating to the participation of adults with VSPID and their quality of life.
Health professionals’ experiences with the implementation of a digital medication dispenser in home care services – a qualitative study
Authors: Kleiven Hanne H. , Ljunggren Birgitte , Solbjør Marit
Published: April 2020

Background

Implementing digital technology in home care services challenges care arrangements built on face-to-face encounters. Digital welfare technology has been suggested as a solution to increasing demands on health care services from an ageing population. Medication delivery is a major task for home care services, and digital medication devices could lessen the need for resources. But technology has scripts based on how designers picture its use, and these might not fit with users’ needs and practices. New technology must go through processes of domestication among its users. In the present study, we investigate how health professionals experienced the implementation of a digital medication dispenser into home care services in Norway.

Methods

This was a qualitative interview study with 26 health professionals from home care services in five municipalities.

Results

All five municipalities had implemented a digital medication dispenser in home care services. Prior to the introduction of the dispenser, medication practices had been based on home visits. The safety of medication practices was the main concern of health professionals who had to negotiate the technological script in order to make it work in a new care arrangement. Rationalities of effectiveness collided with rationalities of care, symbolized by warm hands. Professionals who had been used to working independently became dependent on technical support. Being unfamiliar with the new medication arrangement led to resistance towards the digital dispenser, but more direct experiences changed the focus from technology to new care arrangements. Negotiating practical and organizational arrangements led health professionals to trust the digital medication dispenser to contribute to safe and good care for service users.

Conclusions

Implementing digital technology in home care services must be informed by previous practices in the field, especially when it concerns safety for patients. Through processes of domestication, health professionals negotiate technological scripts to make them fit professional ideals and practices. Policymakers and managers must address questions of care arrangements and individualized adaptions to patients’ needs in order to receive support from health professionals when implementing digital technology in home care services.
Normality in medicine: a critical review
Authors: Catita Marisa , Águas Artur , Morgado Pedro
Published: April 2020

What is considered normal determines clinical practice in medicine and has implications at an individual level, doctor-patient relationship and health care policies. With the increase in medical information and technical abilities it is urgent to have a clear concept of normality in medicine so that crucial discussions can be held with unequivocal terms.

The different meanings for normality were analyzed throughout the literature and grouped according to their relevance in the academic community in models, namely the Biostatistical Theory (BST), Health, Ideal, Process and Biological advantage. The BST is the most established naturalistic approach, however normal variability can arguably constitute a problem. Health is similar and raises the question of setting the boundaries of pathology. Normality as an Ideal is an useful tool but is naturally unrealistic. As a Process it is comprehensible but is hard to frame for practical purposes. If considered as a Biological Advantage, seems intuitive but abnormality should tend to disappear.

After, three examples were presented to discuss these models. They were Anemia, Psychiatric diseases and Psychopathy. In the case of Anemia the BST was applied and the arbitrary boundaries but with social impact were exposed. Psychiatric diseases was discussed under the process of self-organization and non-suffering ideal. With Psychopathy the boundaries of biological advantage are questioned.

This review appeals to the importance of redesigning of the concept of normality in medicine according to current times and stresses the importance of integrating concepts such as variability and autonomy.
Repairing effects of glucosamine sulfate in combination with etoricoxib on articular cartilages of patients with knee osteoarthritis
Authors: Sun Yong , Wang Changde , Gong Chunzhu
Published: April 2020

Purpose

To evaluate the repairing effects of glucosamine sulfate combined with etoricoxib on articular cartilages of patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA).

Methods

A total of 106 KOA patients were randomly divided into control (n = 40) and experimental groups (n = 66) and treated with etoricoxib alone and glucosamine sulfate plus etoricoxib, respectively. Changes in WOMAC score and clinical efficacy were observed. The synovial fluid was extracted. Bone metabolism indices, growth factors, inflammatory factors, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), and NO-induced apoptosis-related factors were measured by ELISA. JNK and Wnt5a mRNA levels were determined using RT-PCR.

Results

After treatment, the total WOMAC scores of both groups significantly declined (P < 0.05), being lower in experimental group. The total effective rate of experimental group was higher (P < 0.05). BGP and OPG levels rose, especially in experimental group (P < 0.05). CTX-II, COMP, and RANKL levels decreased, particularly in experimental group (P < 0.05). TGF-β, IGF-1, and FGF-2 levels increased, especially in experimental group (P < 0.05). Both groups, particularly experimental group, had decreased levels of IL-1β, IL-17, IL-18, TNF-α, MMP-3, MMP-9, and MMP-13 (P < 0.05). JNK and Wnt5a mRNA levels of both groups dropped, which were lower in experimental group (P < 0.05). NO and LPO levels reduced, being lower in experimental group. SOD level rose, especially in experimental group (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Glucosamine sulfate plus etoricoxib can repair the articular cartilages of KOA patients. Probably, JNK and Wnt5a are downregulated to inhibit the secretion of MMPs through lowering the levels of inflammatory factors, thereby delaying cartilage matrix degradation. NO-induced chondrocyte apoptosis may be suppressed via the SOD pathway.
Combined extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy and endoscopic treatment for pain in chronic pancreatitis (SCHOKE trial): study protocol for a randomized, sham-controlled trial
Authors: Olesen Søren S. , Drewes Asbjørn M. , Gaud Rajesh , Tandan Manu , Lakhtakia Sundeep , Ramchandani Mohan , Rao G. V. , Reddy D. Nageshwar , Talukdar Rupjyoti
Published: April 2020

Background

Pain is the primary symptom of chronic pancreatitis (CP) and remains a considerable therapeutic challenge. In patients with obstruction of the pancreatic duct, including stones and strictures, endoscopic treatment with or without preceding extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) has been used for pancreatic duct decompression. The rationale for these procedures is based on the assumption that obstruction of the pancreatic duct leads to ductal hypertension and pain. However, clinical pain symptoms correlate poorly with pancreatic duct morphology, and the evidence for pancreatic duct decompression as an effective treatment for pain is based on case series and comparison between different procedures. No randomized, prospective, sham-controlled trials are currently available. The SCHOKE (Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy and Endotherapy for Pain in Chronic Pancreatitis) trial is a randomized, sham-controlled trial designed to determine if pancreatic duct decompression is an effective treatment for pain in patients with CP.

Methods

The SCHOKE trial is a randomized, single-blind, parallel-group, sham-controlled trial designed to evaluate the effect of combined ESWL and endoscopic treatment for pain in patients with CP. In total, 106 adult patients with painful CP and pancreatic duct obstruction will be randomized to combined ESWL and subsequent endoscopic treatment or corresponding sham procedures. The primary outcome is pain relief during the 3-month postrandomization period as documented in a pain diary. Secondary outcomes include quality of life and functional scores, patient global impression of change, change in use of analgesics, frequency of hospitalization, and complications. Standard follow-up is at 3 and 6 months after randomization. In an experimental substudy, quantitative sensory testing obtained before and after intervention will be used to obtain information on central pain processing and to develop models for prediction of treatment outcome.

Discussion

The SCHOKE trial investigates if pancreatic duct decompression, obtained by combined ESWL and endoscopic treatment, is effective for pain treatment in patients with CP.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03966781. Registered on May 25, 2019.

Protocol date and version identifier: March 1, 2020; version 3.0.

Sponsor: Rupjyoti Talukdar, Department of Medical Gastroenterology, Asian Institute of Gastroenterology, Hyderabad, Telangana, India.
Assessing two methods for estimating excess mortality of chronic diseases from aggregated data
Authors: Brinks Ralph , Tönnies Thaddäus , Hoyer Annika
Published: April 2020

Objective

To assess the numerical properties of two recently published estimation techniques for excess mortality based on aggregated data about diabetes in Germany.

Results

Application of the new methods to the claims data yields implausible findings for the excess mortality of type 2 diabetes in ages below 50 years of age.
An analysis of genetically regulated gene expression across multiple tissues implicates novel gene candidates in Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Gerring Zachary F. , Lupton Michelle K. , Edey Daniel , Gamazon Eric R. , Derks Eske M.
Published: April 2020

Introduction

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have successfully identified multiple independent genetic loci that harbour variants associated with Alzheimer’s disease, but the exact causal genes and biological pathways are largely unknown.

Methods

To prioritise likely causal genes associated with Alzheimer’s disease, we used S-PrediXcan to integrate expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) from the Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) study and CommonMind Consortium (CMC) with Alzheimer’s disease GWAS summary statistics. We meta-analysed the GTEx results using S-MultiXcan, prioritised disease-implicated loci using a computational fine-mapping approach, and performed a biological pathway analysis on the gene-based results.

Results

We identified 126 tissue-specific gene-based associations across 48 GTEx tissues, targeting 50 unique genes. Meta-analysis of the tissue-specific associations identified 73 genes whose expression was associated with Alzheimer’s disease. Additional analyses in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex from the CMC identified 12 significant associations, 8 of which also had a significant association in GTEx tissues. Fine-mapping of causal gene sets prioritised gene candidates in 10 Alzheimer’s disease loci with strong evidence for causality. Biological pathway analyses of the meta-analysed GTEx data and CMC data identified a significant enrichment of Alzheimer’s disease association signals in plasma lipoprotein clearance, in addition to multiple immune-related pathways.

Conclusions

Gene expression data from brain and peripheral tissues can improve power to detect regulatory variation underlying Alzheimer’s disease. However, the associations in peripheral tissues may reflect tissue-shared regulatory variation for a gene. Therefore, future functional studies should be performed to validate the biological meaning of these associations and whether they represent new pathogenic tissues.
A new nonmonotone adaptive trust region line search method for unconstrained optimization
Authors: Wang Xinyi , Ding Xianfeng , Qu Quan
Published: April 2020

This paper proposes a new nonmonotone adaptive trust region line search method for solving unconstrained optimization problems, and presents a modified trust region ratio, which obtained more reasonable consistency between the accurate model and the approximate model. The approximation of Hessian matrix is updated by the modified BFGS formula. Trust region radius adopts a new adaptive strategy to overcome additional computational costs at each iteration. The global convergence and superlinear convergence of the method are preserved under suitable conditions. Finally, the numerical results show that the proposed method is very efficient.
Approximate solutions for HBV infection with stability analysis using LHAM during antiviral therapy
Authors: Aniji M. , Kavitha N. , Balamuralitharan S.
Published: April 2020

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a life-threatening virus that causes very serious liver-related diseases from the family of Hepadnaviridae having very rare qualities resembling retroviruses. In this paper, we analyze the effect of antiviral therapy through mathematical modeling by using Liao’s homotopy analysis method (LHAM) that defines the connection between the target liver cells and the HBV. We also examine the basic nonlinear differential equation by LHAM to get a semi-analytical solution. This can be a very straight and direct method which provides the appropriate solution. Moreover, the local and global stability analysis of disease-free and endemic equilibrium is done using Lyapunov function. Mathematica 12 software is used to find out the solutions and graphical representations. We also discuss the numerical simulations up to sixth-order approximation and error analysis using the same software.
Microbial mats in the Turks and Caicos Islands reveal diversity and evolution of phototrophy in the Chloroflexota order Aggregatilineales
Authors: Ward Lewis M. , Lingappa Usha F. , Grotzinger John P. , Fischer Woodward W.
Published: April 2020

Genome-resolved metagenomic sequencing approaches have led to a substantial increase in the recognized diversity of microorganisms; this included the discovery of novel metabolic pathways in previously recognized clades, and has enabled a more accurate determination of the extant distribution of key metabolisms and how they evolved over Earth history. Here, we present metagenome-assembled genomes of members of the Chloroflexota (formerly Chloroflexi or Green Nonsulfur Bacteria) order Aggregatilineales (formerly SBR1031 or Thermofonsia) discovered from sequencing of thick and expansive microbial mats present in an intertidal lagoon on Little Ambergris Cay in the Turks and Caicos Islands. These taxa included multiple new lineages of Type 2 reaction center-containing phototrophs that were not closely related to previously described phototrophic Chloroflexota—revealing a rich and intricate history of horizontal gene transfer and the evolution of phototrophy and other core metabolic pathways within this widespread phylum.
#foodie: Implications of interacting with social media for memory
Authors: Zimmerman Jordan , Brown-Schmidt Sarah
Published: April 2020

Background

Social media is an increasingly popular outlet for leisure and social interaction. On many social media platforms, the user experience involves commenting on or responding to user-generated content, such as images of cats, food, and people. In two experiments, we examined how the act of commenting on social media images impacts subsequent memory of those images, using Instagram posts as a test case. This project was inspired by recent findings of laboratory studies of conversation which found that describing a picture for a conversational partner boosts recognition memory for those images. Here we aimed to understand how this finding translates to the more ecologically valid realm of social media interactions. A second motivation for the study was the popularity of food- and dieting-related content on Instagram and prior findings that use of Instagram in particular is associated with disordered eating behaviors.

Results

Across two experiments, we observed that commenting on Instagram posts consistently boosted subsequent recognition and that correct recognition increased with comment length. Stable individual differences in recognition memory were observed, and “unhealthy” food images such as chocolates were particularly well remembered; however, these memory findings did not relate to self-reported eating behavior.

Conclusions

Taken together, our findings show that the way in which we engage with social media content shapes subsequent memory of it, raising new questions about how our online lives persist in memory over time, potentially shaping future behavior.
Elementary teachers’ attitudes and beliefs about spatial thinking and mathematics
Authors: Burte Heather , Gardony Aaron L. , Hutton Allyson , Taylor Holly A.
Published: April 2020

Considering how spatial thinking connects to Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) outcomes, recent studies have evaluated how spatial interventions impact elementary students’ math learning. While promising, these interventions tend to overlook other factors affecting math learning; perceptions of math abilities, beliefs about math, and math anxiety can also impact math performance. Additionally, perceptions of spatial skill and spatial anxiety impact spatial performance. This study investigated how elementary teachers’ perceptions of spatial thinking connects with math perceptions. Specifically, we focused on teachers’ attitudes and beliefs around three topics: teaching and learning math, spatial abilities, and spatial thinking in mathematics. We found that lower spatial anxiety related to lower anxiety about teaching math, greater alignment between math beliefs and math standards, and greater efficacy in teaching and learning math. Further, a factor analysis showed one factor that connected stereotypical math thinking with both math and spatial anxiety, and another that connected spatial competencies, teaching and learning math, and spatial thinking within math. To further evaluate spatial thinking in math, we introduced a math categorization and verified it using teachers’ ratings of teaching difficulty, visualization helpfulness, and spatial-thinking involvement. Structural equation models revealed that the level of spatial-thinking categorization was the best model of all three of the teachers’ ratings. Overall, results showed numerous connections between teachers’ attitudes and beliefs about mathematics and spatial thinking. Future intervention studies should consider teachers who are spatial and/or math-anxious, and future research should investigate the role of stereotypical thinking in spatial and math anxiety.
Mechanics of moving defects in growing sheets: 3-d, small deformation theory
Authors: Acharya Amit , Venkataramani Shankar C.
Published: April 2020

Growth and other dynamical processes in soft materials can create novel types of mesoscopic defects including discontinuities for the second and higher derivatives of the deformation, and terminating defects for these discontinuities. These higher-order defects move “easily", and can thus confer a great degree of flexibility to the material. We develop a general continuum mechanical framework from which we can derive the dynamics of higher order defects in a thermodynamically consistent manner. We illustrate our framework by obtaining the explicit dynamical equations for the next higher order defects in an elastic body beyond dislocations, phase boundaries, and disclinations, namely, surfaces of inflection and branch lines.
Toxicological effects of the concurrent administration of cadmium and arsenic through the food chain on the liver and kidney of rats
Authors: Ezedom Theresa , Asagba Samuel , Tonukari Nyerhovwo J.
Published: April 2020

Background

Our environment is filled with a mixture of toxic elements.

Objectives

This study seeks to assess the effects of exposure to cadmium and arsenic through the food chain on the liver and kidney of rats.

Methodology

Adult male albino rats were exposed to experimental feed of which the protein composition was made of fish exposed to cadmium and arsenic for 1 month at a concentration of 0.4 mg cadmium or/and arsenic/100 ml water for 1 and 3 months. Samples of feed and tissue were assayed for cadmium and arsenic load. Tissue homogenates were used for biochemical analysis and the estimation of the expression levels of mRNA of Bax and Bcl2 genes in the liver and kidney of rats were carried out. Samples of tissues were also used for histological analysis.

Results

Results show a greater accumulation of metals in the liver than kidney of rats after the 1-month exposure of which the trend changed after the 3-month exposure. Alterations in enzymatic activities and levels of MDA and GSH were also recorded. Significant (P < 0.05) alterations in the level of mRNA expression of the Bax and Bcl2 genes were observed in all groups compared to the control for both duration of treatment. Treatment-related lesions were also observed for the various groups from the histopathological analysis.

Conclusion

The cadmium-contaminated diet was found to be more toxic to the kidney while the arsenic-contaminated diet was found to be toxic to the liver. In addition, the present study has shown that the toxicity of a mixture of As + Cd cannot be predicted from the toxic mechanisms of the single components.
A study of diffusion tensor imaging of median nerve in diabetic peripheral neuropathy
Authors: Edward Ramy , Abdelalim Ahmed M. , Ashour Amal S. , Afifi Lamia , Al-Athwari Aussan
Published: April 2020

Objective

To evaluate the role of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) in the evaluation of diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) compared to clinical scores and nerve conduction studies (NCS).

Patients and methods

We included 30 patients with diabetes mellitus complaining of neuropathy symptoms and 15 healthy volunteers. All subjects underwent evaluation using 1.5-T DTI of median nerves and NCS. Patients underwent clinical evaluation using the Neuropathy Deficit Score (NDS), Neuropathy Impairment Score in the Lower Limbs (NIS-LL), and Diabetic Neuropathy Examination (DNE) score.

Results

We found statistically significant differences between healthy volunteers and patients in fractional anisotropy (FA) of the distal segment (P = 0.016) and whole median nerve (P = 0.024), apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) of proximal (P = 0.027) and distal (P < 0.001) segments, and whole median nerve (P = 0.019). Distal segment FA was significantly correlated with NDS (P = 0.003), DNEs (P = 0.003), sensory amplitude (P = 0.048), and motor CV (P = 0.020). Distal segment ADC was significantly correlated with NDS (P = 0.007), NIS-LL (P = 0.003), DNEs (P = 0.01), and sensory amplitude (P = 0.032). The best cut-off value of distal segment for FA was 0.45 (87% sensitivity, 80% specificity) and of distal segment ADC was 1.217 (80% sensitivity and specificity).

Conclusions

Our results suggest that 1.5-T DTI examination of the median nerve can provide useful non-invasive information in patients with DPN.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03934970. Registered on May 1, 2019
Physical Inactivity among Ghanaians in Ghana and Ghanaian Migrants in Europe
Authors: AFRIFA-ANANE ERNEST , DE-GRAFT AIKINS AMA , A. C. MEEKS KARLIJN , BEUNE ERIK , ADDO JULIET , SMEETH LIAM , BAHENDEKA SILVER , STRONKS KARIEN , AGYEMANG CHARLES
Published: April 2020

Purpose

There is a paucity of data on physical activity (PA) among migrants from sub-Saharan Africa, yet physical inactivity is a key risk factor for noncommunicable diseases. We examined the levels of physical inactivity and its determinants among Ghanaians in different geographical locations.

Methods

We used the Research on Obesity and Diabetes among African Migrants data of Ghanaian adults (n = 4760) age 25–70 yr in rural and urban Ghana and three European cities (Amsterdam, London, and Berlin). Using total physical activity metabolic equivalent of task, physical inactivity was defined as total physical activity metabolic equivalent of task minutes per week less than 600. Logistic regression was used to examine the differences in the levels and the determinants of physical inactivity across sites.

Results

Physical inactivity was higher among Ghanaian migrants (14.6% in Amsterdam, 24.1% in Berlin, and 36.6% in London) and urban Ghanaians (29.0%) compared with rural Ghanaians (11.2%). After adjustment for covariates (age, sex, education, health status, smoking status, body mass index, and social network) using rural Ghanaians as the comparator group, the odds ratios for physical inactivity in men ranged from 3.67 (95% confidence interval, 2.19–6.16) in urban Ghanaians to 10.37 (5.96–18.02) in London Ghanaians, and from 3.27 (2.46–4.35) in urban Ghanaians to 4.41 (3.12–6.22) in London Ghanaians in women. Migrants in London and Berlin had higher odds of physical inactivity compared with Amsterdam. Increased age, university education, and overweight/obesity were positively associated with physical inactivity, whereas social support was inversely associated with physical inactivity with variability across sites.

Conclusions

Findings indicate high prevalence of physical inactivity among Ghanaians in all sites, particularly among Ghanaians in Europe. Hence, there is the need to take local context into account to improve PA.
Enzootic bovine leukosis accompanied by splenomegaly in an 8-month-old calf
Authors: OKADA S. , TAGAWA K. , WADA R. , YAGUCHI Y. , KASHIMA Y. , NISHIMORI A.
Published: April 2020

In this report, an 8-month-old calf (crossbred, Holstein × Japanese Black) developed fever and accompanied abomasum displacement. Blood chemical test showed remarkably high values of white blood cell count and heteromorphic lymphocytes. In pathological appraisal, enlarged splenomegaly and swelling of the lymph nodes were observed. Histopathological examination revealed invasion of tumor cells derived from B1 cells into systemic lymph nodes, liver and spleen. The provirus loads of bovine leukemia virus (BLV) was 1,439 copies per 10 ng DNA by using real time PCR. In conclusion, this case was diagnosed as bovine leukemia caused by BLV infection with a huge splenomegaly.
Painful Pseudotendon Caused by Closed Rupture of the Flexor Carpi Radialis Tendon: A Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Roh Youn-Tae , Jeong Changhoon , Lee Jaeyoung , Hwang Sunwook , Park Il-Jung
Published: April 2020

Closed rupture of the flexor carpi radialis tendon in non-rheumatoid patients is uncommon. We report a case of a 53-year-old woman who developed painful pseudotendon after a complete rupture of the flexor carpi radialis tendon due to osteoarthritis of the scaphotrapezial trapezoidal joint.
Przekład ustny w Państwowym Muzeum Auschwitz -Birkenau (PMAB): warunki pracy, problemy i profil tłumacza
Authors: Paleczna Marta
Published: April 2020

Interpretation at The Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum (ABMM): Working Conditions, Problems and Interpreter’s Profile In 2016 The Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum was visited by over 2 million people, of whom over 400 thousand were Polish speakers. The others, over 1.5 million people, heard about the history of the camp from guides speaking their native languages. The largest group consisted of tourists from Great Britain, the United States, Italy, Spain, Israel and Germany. Due to the constantly increasing number of foreign tourists, the ABMM had to face the problem of shortage of guides speaking particular languages. Thus, a more and more popular solution is hiring interpreters who, along with Polish-speaking guides, provide the history of the camp to foreign language tourists. The time of sightseeing the ABMM with a guide is limited, therefore quick decision making regarding the interpretation is of the crucial importance. Basing on surveys carried out among interpreters I would like to present the interpretation at the Auschwitz Museum as an example of intercultural dialogue. Problems which interpreters are faced with and the way these problems are approached have a tremendous impact on the reception of the heard history.
La imagen del mundo hispánico en Polonia: hispanismo, relaciones hispanopolacas y su reflejo en la enseñanza del español a través de los manuales de ELE
Authors: González Sepúlveda Paola
Published: April 2020

The Image of the Hispanic World in Poland: Hispanicism, Spanish-Polish Relations and Their Reflection in the Teaching of Spanish through the ELE Manuals

There is evidence of medieval Polish pilgrimages to (place) and the first Polish writings about Latin America date back to the 16th century. Since then the Hispanic World has raised the interest of the Polish population and its perception has been reflected not only in literary works but also in Spanish teaching books. This paper aims to approach the concept of country image, and it will reflect on the first trips of Polish citizens to Spain and Latin America and the first writings, treatises and bilateral relationships between these countries. It will also reflect on the beginnings of the teaching of Spanish as a Second Language in Poland and the use of the first teaching methods in the country. An analysis of the image of the Hispanic world in the manual Język hiszpański dla lektoratów (1971) by Oskar Perlin and the interpretation of some examples from the manual will follow.
Zmiany klimatu jako zagrożenie dla bezpieczeństwa narodowego w świetle dokumentów administracji amerykańskiej XXI wieku
Authors: Hacaga Maciej
Published: April 2020

Climate Change as National Security Threat in the 21st Century as Seen from the US Strategic Documents Perspective

The issue of climate change has started to be implemented in official strategic documents of the United States (US) in the first decade of the 21st century. This paper describes briefly the hierarchy of the US national security documents and climate change-related definitions. In the main part it makes an analysis of how climate change-related issues were introduced into the US national security strategic documents by the three 21st century American presidents. The paper comes to a conclusion, that climate change is treated as a national security threat and therefore reflected in a number of the US strategic documents.