bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Boundary Crossing in a Professional Association: The Dynamics of Research Use Among State Leaders and Researchers in a Research-Practice Partnership
Authors: Hopkins Megan , Weddle Hayley , Gluckman Maxie , Gautsch Leslie
Published: December 2019

As spaces for researchers and practitioners to engage in long-term, mutual collaborations aimed at addressing problems of practice in education, research-practice partnerships (RPPs) offer rich contexts for research use. Our study examines how interactions between researchers and practitioners shape opportunities for research use in a professional association engaged in RPP activities focused on fostering change in statewide K–12 science education. Drawing on a conceptualization of RPPs as joint work at boundaries, we show how both researchers and practitioners facilitated research use. Furthermore, research use was facilitated by brokers’ engagement in RPP activities and with shared pieces of research. Findings affirm the role that brokers play in connecting research and practice and identify specific activities that may be useful in facilitating research use in RPPs.
On solving large p-median problems
Authors: Mu Wangshu , Tong Daoqin
Published: December 2019

Incorporating big data in urban planning has great potential for better modeling of urban dynamics and more efficiently allocating limited resources. However, big data may present new challenges for problem solutions. This research focuses on the p-median problem, one of the most widely used location models in urban and regional planning. Similar to many other location models, the p-median problem is non-deterministic polynomial-time hard (NP-hard), and solving large-sized p-median problems is difficult. This research proposes a high performance computing-based algorithm, random sampling and spatial voting, to solve large-sized p-median problems. Instead of solving a large p-median problem directly, a random sampling scheme is introduced to create smaller sub- p-median problems that can be solved in parallel efficiently. A spatial voting strategy is designed to evaluate the candidate facility sites for inclusion in obtaining the final problem solution. Tests with the Balanced Iterative Reducing and Clustering using Hierarchies (BIRCH) data set show that random sampling and spatial voting provides high-quality solutions and reduces computing time significantly. Tests also demonstrate the dynamic scalability of the algorithm; it can start with a small amount of computing resources and scale up and down flexibly depending on the availability of the computing resources.
Moving eyes on pictures following visual grammar benefits meaning making:  Evidence from the independent reading of Chinese preschool children
Authors: Li Linhui , Martin Cortazzi , Baogen Liu , Xiaomei Gao
Published: December 2019

Children focus on pictures during storybook reading, thus, investigating children’s eye movement on the pictures of storybooks may implicate how they make meaning during the process. However, very few studies have examined this issue. In this study, an experiment tracking children’s eye movement with Tobii T60 was implemented for 115 children aged from 3 to 6 years, and data were analyzed based within a framework of the theory of ‘Visual Grammar’. The results showed: first, children at age of three to six years clustered their eye fixations on ‘participants’ in pictures, which are informative regions for meaning making. Second, linguistic and visual variables all affect how soon, for how long and how many times they fixated on the participants. Third, children pay attention to participants, especially to those which have relationships representing actions: this is better for children to make meaning from pictures.
Malleable infrastructures: Crisis and the engineering of political ecologies in Southern California
Authors: Cousins Joshua J
Published: December 2019

This paper examines the sociotechnical imaginaries shaping the development, retrofit, and multiple uses of water infrastructure in response to crisis. Focusing on Morris Dam, located on the San Gabriel River in Los Angeles County, I ground my analysis in a case that highlights how the interactions between professional engineering and scientific practice, political aims and goals, and environmental conditions shape infrastructural form and function. Analysing three different phases in the infrastructure’s lifespan, I argue that infrastructures exist in and beyond their initial functions as metabolic conduits, as they take on new meanings in relation to shifting social, political, and environmental crises. In the first phase, I focus on the sociotechnical imaginaries and forms of politics that take shape around the development of Morris Dam as a modernization project. In the next phase, I draw attention to the unintended configurations of science, nature, and naval weapons development that emerged at Morris Dam in the mid-20th century and continued through the Cold War. The final phase examines the retrofitting process that re-modernized the dam as a technology to advance water resources sustainability and resilience in the region. Together, I use these different forms of infrastructural relations to illustrate how malleability works as an infrastructural feature and political process enabling infrastructural resilience and attachment to changing sociotechnical imaginaries over time.
Types and prevalence of adverse events among obstetric clients hospitalized in a secondary healthcare facility in Ghana
Authors: Otchi Elom-Hilary , Esena Reuben K , Srofenyoh Emmanuel K , Marfo Kissinger , Agbeno Evans Kofi , Asah-Opoku Kwaku , Ken-Amoah Sebastian , Ameh Emmanuel Ogbada , Beyuo Titus , Oduro Frederick
Published: December 2019

Objective

The main objective of this study was to determine the types and prevalence of adverse events among obstetric clients hospitalized in a secondary health facility in Ghana.

Design

A retrospective study that reviewed medical records of obstetric clients on admission at the Obstetrics Unit of a secondary healthcare facility in Ghana.

Setting

Clinical environment. The study site is the third largest health facility in Ghana that provides maternity services and serves as the major referral facility for Greater Accra Region, the capital of Ghana. About 41% (4676) of its total antenatal cases (11,406) in 2015 were referrals from other facilities in Ghana. The medical records were reviewed retrospectively from 1 January to 31 December 2015. A four-stage review process was used: the first and second stages (by nurse/midwife reviewers) involved the identification and exclusion of records that had a length of stay less than 24 h and inadequate documentation; and were unlikely to include an adverse event. The third stage by obstetrician gynaecologist reviewers included a full review of all the positive trigger folders to determine the types, causes and degree of preventability of the adverse events. The fourth stage involved an independent obstetrician gynaecologist review of all records that had discrepancies. Details of the review process are presented in the figure.

Participants

Obstetric clients (i.e. pregnant women at any stage of gestation or less than 5 days after delivery who were attended to at the hospital). About a third (1402, 49.3%) met the inclusion criteria and were reviewed.

Main outcome measures

The main outcome measure for this study was the prevalence of adverse events among hospitalized obstetric clients.

Results

The prevalence of adverse events was 12% (168) out of 1402 records reviewed. The mean maternal age of the clients was 30.0 ± 5.8 years. Among these, the greatest proportion of adverse events was related to surgical interventions (66.3%) and the smallest were related to patient care (0.7%).

Conclusions

This study has provided the first documented prevalence (12.0%) and types of adverse events among hospitalized obstetric clients in a secondary health facility in Ghana. It provides a preliminary baseline for the burden of adverse events among the obstetric population in Ghana.
Educational outcomes of children from long-term foster care: Does foster parents’ educational attainment matter?
Authors: Berlin Marie , Vinnerljung Bo , Hjern Anders , Brännström Lars
Published: December 2019

Parental education is a robust predictor of children’s educational outcomes in general population studies, yet little is known about the intergenerational transmission of educational outcomes in alternative family settings such as children growing up in foster care. Using Swedish longitudinal register data on 2.167 children with experience of long-term foster care, this study explores the hypothesized mediating role of foster parents’ educational attainment on foster children’s educational outcomes, here conceptualized as having poor school performance at age 15 and only primary education at age 26. Results from gender-stratified regression analyses suggest that there was an association between foster parental educational attainment and foster children’s educational outcomes but that the educational transmission was weak and inconsistent and differed somewhat between males and females. For males, lower educational attainment in foster parents was associated with poor school performance but was not associated with educational attainment at age 26. The reverse pattern was found among females: the educational gradient was inconsistent for poor school performance but appeared in educational attainment. The results indicate that supported interventions for improving foster children’s educational achievements are needed, even when placements are relatively stable and foster parents have a long formal education.
Revisiting Juvenile Justice with Victim Lens
Authors: Mishra Neha
Published: December 2019

Juvenile offenders also remain victims of multifaceted and complex social needs, and hence termed as children in conflict with law in India. Statistically, juvenile offending as well as juvenile victimization continues to be a persistent problem too. Children being in their vulnerable age in both scenarios of offending or being victims can have long-lasting impact; consequently, emphasis on developmental victimology becomes essential and unavoidable in a structured and safe setting.

The dynamics that may place a child to come in conflict with law can also place a child at risk of being a victim. Juvenile crime victimization, therefore, needs a relook towards their intertwined relationship without excluding the other. Around various jurisdictions, victimology has been given a vital role within the juvenile justice (JJ) system, namely circle sentencing, victim–offender mediation and reconciliation programmes, wherein all stakeholders including the victim move towards a collective satisfaction. Through the present study, the effort would be placed on answering the viability of victim-based approach in JJ: Whether in the absence of a safe structured setting such reconciliation and mediation programmes can prove effective towards restoration? How victim-based justice can be included in cases of violent or serious and heinous offences?
Prevention of Psychological Abuse in Paediatric Populations
Authors: Rinker Katelyn
Published: December 2019

There are times when neglect or verbal abuse can be nearly as traumatic as physical assault. The social problem of violence relies on the fields of psychology and criminal justice to gain a deeper understanding of aggressive behaviour. These issues are especially troubling in children, who may not have the power to defend themselves, along with other members of special populations. Experiences of trauma during human development can also come with new challenges, such as altered family values through learned behaviors. Aggression is can be learned from family members or close relatives through modeling acts of anger. The reasons underlying child abuse is explored to raise awareness on this serious issue in society. The cycle of violence is also discussed in detail. And the adverse effects of abuse and neglect are emphasized. These concepts include negative health risks, such insomnia, drug use, and nicotine dependence. Other detrimental effects include a poor sense of self-image and low self-esteem, which can increase feelings of self-loathing and disgust. The opinions of specialists in human development and behavioural medicine are voiced to understand violent behavior in individuals prone to criminal behaviours. Experts from a book known as the Societal Burden of Child Abuse explain the aspects of traumatization.
The Sri Lankan Refugee Crimes and Crisis: Experience and Lessons Learnt from South India
Authors: Shekhar Beulah , Somasundaram Vijaya
Published: December 2019

Sharing porous borders with its neighbours, India has played a regular host to refugees from Nepal, Burma, Tibet, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. According to UNHCR, as of 2014, there are more than 200,000 refugees living in India. Notwithstanding the fact that India is not a signatory to the 1951 UN Refugee Convention and its additional 1967 Protocol, its open-door policy to refugees has had adverse political and socio-economic repercussions. This article3 analyses the experience of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu with the Sri Lankan refugees from the first influx in 1983 up to 2000, when the refugees began returning to their homeland. The researchers identify the pull factors for the refugee influx and push factors that led to their return and in the process put together crucial learning that can be of significance to States dealing with the problem of refugees.
tRNA functional signatures classify plastids as late-branching cyanobacteria
Authors: Lawrence Travis J , Amrine Katherine CH , Swingley Wesley D , Ardell David H
Published: December 2019

Background

Eukaryotes acquired the trait of oxygenic photosynthesis through endosymbiosis of the cyanobacterial progenitor of plastid organelles. Despite recent advances in the phylogenomics of Cyanobacteria, the phylogenetic root of plastids remains controversial. Although a single origin of plastids by endosymbiosis is broadly supported, recent phylogenomic studies are contradictory on whether plastids branch early or late within Cyanobacteria. One underlying cause may be poor fit of evolutionary models to complex phylogenomic data.

Results

Using Posterior Predictive Analysis, we show that recently applied evolutionary models poorly fit three phylogenomic datasets curated from cyanobacteria and plastid genomes because of heterogeneities in both substitution processes across sites and of compositions across lineages. To circumvent these sources of bias, we developed CYANO-MLP, a machine learning algorithm that consistently and accurately phylogenetically classifies (“phyloclassifies”) cyanobacterial genomes to their clade of origin based on bioinformatically predicted function-informative features in tRNA gene complements. Classification of cyanobacterial genomes with CYANO-MLP is accurate and robust to deletion of clades, unbalanced sampling, and compositional heterogeneity in input tRNA data. CYANO-MLP consistently classifies plastid genomes into a late-branching cyanobacterial sub-clade containing single-cell, starch-producing, nitrogen-fixing ecotypes, consistent with metabolic and gene transfer data.

Conclusions

Phylogenomic data of cyanobacteria and plastids exhibit both site-process heterogeneities and compositional heterogeneities across lineages. These aspects of the data require careful modeling to avoid bias in phylogenomic estimation. Furthermore, we show that amino acid recoding strategies may be insufficient to mitigate bias from compositional heterogeneities. However, the combination of our novel tRNA-specific strategy with machine learning in CYANO-MLP appears robust to these sources of bias with high accuracy in phyloclassification of cyanobacterial genomes. CYANO-MLP consistently classifies plastids as late-branching Cyanobacteria, consistent with independent evidence from signature-based approaches and some previous phylogenetic studies.
Transcriptome and microbiome of coconut rhinoceros beetle (Oryctes rhinoceros) larvae
Authors: Shelomi Matan , Lin Shih-Shun , Liu Li-Yu
Published: December 2019

Background

The coconut rhinoceros beetle,Oryctes rhinoceros, is a major pest of palm crops in tropical Asia and the Pacific Islands. Little molecular data exists for this pest, impeding our ability to develop effective countermeasures and deal with the species’ growing resistance to viral biocontrols. We present the first molecular biology analyses of this species, including a metagenomic assay to understand the microbiome of different sections of its digestive tract, and a transcriptomics assay to complement the microbiome data and to shed light on genes of interest like plant cell wall degrading enzymes and immunity and xenobiotic resistance genes.

Results

The gut microbiota ofOryctes rhinoceroslarvae is quite similar to that of the termite gut, as both species feed on decaying wood. We found the first evidence for endogenous beta-1,4-endoglucanase in the beetle, plus evidence for microbial cellobiase, suggesting the beetle can degrade cellulose together with its gut microfauna. A number of antimicrobial peptides are expressed, particularly by the fat body but also by the midgut and hindgut.

Conclusions

This transcriptome provides a wealth of data about the species’ defense against chemical and biological threats, has uncovered several potentially new species of microbial symbionts, and significantly expands our knowledge about this pest.
DEBATE-statistical analysis plans for observational studies
Authors: Hiemstra Bart , Keus Frederik , Wetterslev Jørn , Gluud Christian , van der Horst Iwan C. C.
Published: December 2019

Background

All clinical research benefits from transparency and validity. Transparency and validity of studies may increase by prospective registration of protocols and by publication of statistical analysis plans (SAPs) before data have been accessed to discern data-driven analyses from pre-planned analyses.

Main message

Like clinical trials, recommendations for SAPs for observational studies increase the transparency and validity of findings. We appraised the applicability of recently developed guidelines for the content of SAPs for clinical trials to SAPs for observational studies. Of the 32 items recommended for a SAP for a clinical trial, 30 items (94%) were identically applicable to a SAP for our observational study. Power estimations and adjustments for multiplicity are equally important in observational studies and clinical trials as both types of studies usually address multiple hypotheses. Only two clinical trial items (6%) regarding issues of randomisation and definition of adherence to the intervention did not seem applicable to observational studies. We suggest to include one new item specifically applicable to observational studies to be addressed in a SAP, describing how adjustment for possible confounders will be handled in the analyses.

Conclusion

With only few amendments, the guidelines for SAP of a clinical trial can be applied to a SAP for an observational study. We suggest SAPs should be equally required for observational studies and clinical trials to increase their transparency and validity.
Associated factors in distinguishing patients with brucellosis from suspected cases
Authors: Luo Jingjing , Yang Huixin , Hu Fangfang , Zhang Siwen , Wang Taijun , Zhao Qian , Wang Ruize , Zhen Qing
Published: December 2019

Background

To investigate the risk factors for brucellosis in suspected cases of the disease.

Methods

A self-designed questionnaire was developed to collect data from 3557 people whose initial visit site was the Songyuan Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) from January 1st, 2009 to December 31st, 2012. After collecting blood samples, a plate agglutination test (PAT) and serum agglutination test (SAT) were used to distinguish the patients with brucellosis from the suspected cases.

Results

Sex, occupation (farmers and herdsmen), contact with abortion products, and contact with feces were the main risk factors for brucellosis in the suspected cases (all P < 0.05). No difference existed between the confirmed cases and suspected cases in the demographic characteristics, contact with animals (except swine), contact with substances, or clinical symptoms (except fever). However, the confirmed cases showed significant differences from people without brucellosis in demographic characteristics, contact with animals (except cattle and swine), contact with substances, and clinical symptoms. Suspected cases exhibited significant differences from people without brucellosis in the demographic characteristics (except education), contact with animals (except swine), contact with substances (except dust), and clinical symptoms (except chills and acratia). Brucella was cultured from the blood samples of three of 30 suspected cases with fever. Using AMOS-PCR and agarose electrophoresis, the detailed species of Brucella strain was identified as Brucella melitensis.

Conclusions

Abortion products and feces are the main risk factors for brucellosis in suspected cases of the disease. Pyrexia in suspected cases with a history of contact with abortion products or feces should raise suspicion for the disease.
Evaluation of the relationship between IL-12, IL-13 and TNF-α gene polymorphisms with the susceptibility to brucellosis: a case control study
Authors: Kazemi Sima , Vaisi-Raygani Asad , Keramat Fariba , Saidijam Massoud , Soltanian Ali Reza , Alahgholi-Hajibehzad Mahdi , Hashemi Seyed Hamid , Alikhani Mohammad Yousef
Published: December 2019

Background

The cytokine gene polymorphism is important for the genetic susceptibility of infectious diseases. The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between TNF-α, IL-12, and IL-13 gene polymorphisms and predisposition to brucellosis.

Methods

In this study, 107 patients with brucellosis and 107 healthy individuals were evaluated. The SNPs of TNF-α)- 238 G/A) and IL-12 (+ 1188 A/C) were done by amplification refractory mutation system-polymerase chain reaction (ARMS-PCR) and IL-13 genotyping at positions − 1512 (A/C) and − 1112 (C/T) were analysis by restriction fragment length polymorphism-polymerase chain reaction (RFLP-PCR) methods. IL-12, IL-13 and TNF-α serum levels were measured by a sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Results

IL-13 (−1512A/C) was associated with Brucellosis risk in dominant model (OR (95% CI) = 2.17 (1.02–4.62)), P-value = 0.041. However, there was no difference in allele and genotype frequencies of TNF-α)- 238 G/A), IL-12 (+ 1188 A/C) and IL-13 [− 1512 (A/C) and − 1112 (C/T)] between patients and controls. Serum levels of IL-12 and TNF-α were significantly more frequent in the patients than in the control groups.

Conclusions

The IL-13 gene polymorphism can be used as a biomarker for detecting susceptibility to Brucella disease.
Transplant outcomes in positive complement-dependent cytotoxicity- versus flow cytometry-crossmatch kidney transplant recipients after successful desensitization: a retrospective study
Authors: Kim Deok Gie , Lee Juhan , Park Younhee , Kim Myoung Soo , Jeong Hyeon Joo , Kim Soon Il , Kim Yu Seun , Kim Beom Seok , Huh Kyu Ha
Published: December 2019

Background

Despite the obvious survival benefit compared to that among waitlist patients, outcomes of positive crossmatch kidney transplantation (KT) are generally inferior to those of human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-compatible KT. This study aimed to compare the outcomes of positive complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC) crossmatch (CDC + FC+) and positive flow cytometric crossmatch (CDC-FC+) with those of HLA-compatible KT (CDC-FC-) after successful desensitization.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed 330 eligible patients who underwent KTs between June 2011 and August 2017: CDC-FC- (n = 274), CDC-FC+ (n = 39), and CDC + FC+ (n = 17). Desensitization protocol targeting donor-specific antibody (DSA) involved plasmapheresis, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), and rituximab with/without bortezomib for positive-crossmatch KT.

Results

Death-censored graft survival and patient survival were not different among the three groups. The median estimated glomerular filtration rate was significantly lower in the CDC + FC+ group than in the compatible group at 6 months (P < 0.001) and 2 years (P = 0.020). Biopsy-proven rejection within 1 year of CDC-FC-, CDC-FC+, and CDC + FC+ were 15.3, 28.2, and 47.0%, respectively. Urinary tract infections (P < 0.001), Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (P < 0.001), and cytomegalovirus viremia (P < 0.001) were more frequent in CDC-FC+ and CDC + FC+ than in CDC-FC-.

Conclusions

This study showed that similar graft and patient survival was achieved in CDC-FC+ and CDC + FC+ KT compared with CDC-FC- through DSA-targeted desensitization despite the higher incidence of rejection and infection than that in compatible KT.
Correction to: Perspectives and pregnancy outcomes of maternal Ramadan fasting in the second trimester of pregnancy
Authors: Safari Kolsoom , Piro Tiran Jamil , Ahmad Hamdia Mirkhan
Published: December 2019

Following publication of the original article [1], the author notified us about the incorrect values on Table 4.
Prevalence and profile of users and non-users of anabolic steroids among resistance training practitioners
Authors: PEREIRA Ericson , MOYSES Samuel Jorge , IGNÁCIO Sérgio Aparecido , MENDES Daniel Komarchewski , SILVA Diego Sgarbi D. A. , CARNEIRO Everdan , HARDY Ana Maria Trindade Grégio , ROSA Edvaldo Antônio Ribeiro , BETTEGA Patrícia Vida Cassi , JOHANN Aline Cristina Batista Rodrigues
Published: December 2019

Background

To verify the prevalence and profile of users and non-users of anabolic steroid (AS) among resistance training practitioners.

Methods

An observational, cross-sectional survey was performed in 100 gyms in Curitiba city, involving 5773 individuals and self-administered questionnaires. The chi-square and z-tests of proportions were used for comparison between the groups (p < 0.05).

Results

83.2% did not use, 9.1% formerly used, 3.4% currently used, and 4.3% intended used AS. The prevalence of former or current AS users was 16.9 and 6.5% among men and women, respectively. The prevalence ratios were as follows: 1) 2.6 male users for each woman; 2) 3.3 individuals aged 30–44 years and 2.8 individuals aged 18–29 years for each individual aged over 45 years. Beginners were not interested in using AS, but individuals who had trained longer had higher prevalence of AS use.

Conclusions

The gym environment encouraged the use of AS owing to aesthetic appeal. Thus, suggesting the need for actions to prevent abusive use of AS considering the practitioners profile (practitioners were young, university and single).
Misconceptions about traumatic brain injury among nursing students in India: implications for nursing care and curriculum
Authors: Gurusamy Jothimani , Gandhi Sailaxmi , Amudhan Senthil , Veerabhadraiah Kathyayani B. , Narayanasamy Padmavathi , Sreenivasan Sunitha T. , Palaniappan Marimuthu
Published: December 2019

Background

Despite the devastating consequences of Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), TBI misconceptions are common among healthcare professionals. As an essential member of multi-professional team providing TBI care, it is important that nurses have correct information and adequate skills to achieve the best possible outcomes for TBI. For example, some common misconceptions about TBIs are that a second blow to the head can improve memory functioning and wearing seatbelts can cause as many brain injuries as it prevents. In India, perhaps such misconceptions towards TBI among nursing professionals were not yet documented. As nursing students form the future health workforce, understanding TBI misconceptions among nursing students in resource-limited settings like India will provide useful information for strengthening the nursing curricula for improved care and rehabilitation of TBIs.

Methods

We used a cross-sectional survey to study the TBI misconceptions among nursing students in India. A Common Misconceptions about Traumatic Brain Injury (CM-TBI) questionnaire was administered to 154 nursing students from a nursing college of a tertiary care neuro-centre in India. The mean percentage of misconceptions were calculated for 7-domains of CM-TBI. T-test for independent samples and ANOVA were used to study the association of misconception with socio-demographic variables using total score for each respondent.

Results

Of the 143 nursing students who completed the survey, majority of them were female (97%) and in the 19-20 year age-group (95.1%). Domain on brain damage (81.1%) had highest rate, while amnesia domain (42.0%) had lowest rate of misconception. The overall mean-score was 22.73 (Standard Deviation: 4.69) which was significantly higher than the median score of 19.5. The study did not show significant differences on overall misconceptions about TBI for any of the socio-demographic characteristics.

Conclusions

Misconceptions about TBIs were common among nursing students and it was pervasive irrespective of age, gender, place of residence and year of education. A need to strengthen nursing curriculum in the area of TBIs has been emphasized for improved care and management of TBIs. The study findings also suggest the need for understanding such misconceptions among other healthcare professionals involved in TBI care.
Training and well-equipped facility increases the odds of skills of health professionals on helping babies breathe in public hospitals of Southern Ethiopia: cross-sectional study
Authors: Mersha Abera , Shibiru Shitaye , Gultie Teklemariam , Degefa Nega , Bante Agegnehu
Published: December 2019

Background

Health professionals equipped with the adequate skills of helping baby breath remain the backbone in the health system in improving neonatal outcomes. However, there is a great controversy between studies to show the proximate factors of the skills of health care providers in helping babies breathe. In Ethiopia, there is a paucity of evidence on the current status of health care provider’s skills of helping babies breathe despite the improvement in neonatal health care services. Therefore, this study intends to fill those gaps in assessing the skills of helping babies breathe and its associated factors among health professionals in public hospitals in Southern Ethiopia.

Methods

A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 441 health professionals from March 10 to 30, 2019. A simple random sampling method was used to select the study participants. The data were collected through pre-tested interviewer-administered questionnaire and observational checklist. A binary logistic regression model was used to identify significant factors for the skills of helping babies breathe by using SPSS version 25. The P-value < 0.05 used to declare statistical significance.

Results

Overall, 71.1% (95%CI: 66.2, 75.4%) of health professionals had good skills in helping babies breathe. Age group from 25 to 34 (AOR = 2.24; 95%CI: 1.04, 4.81), training on helping babies breathe (AOR = 2.69; 95%CI: 1.49, 4.87), well-equipped facility (AOR = 2.15; 95%CI: 1.09, 4.25), and adequate knowledge on helping babies breathe (AOR = 2.21; 95%CI: 1.25, 3.89) were significantly associated with a health professionals good skill on helping babies breathe.

Conclusions

Even though a significant number of care providers had good skills in helping babies breathe, yet there is a need to further improve the skills of the provider in helping babies breathe. Hence, health facilities should be equipped with adequate materials and facilitate frequent training to the provider.
Descriptive epidemiology of physical activity energy expenditure in UK adults (The Fenland study)
Authors: Lindsay Tim , Westgate Kate , Wijndaele Katrien , Hollidge Stefanie , Kerrison Nicola , Forouhi Nita , Griffin Simon , Wareham Nick , Brage Søren
Published: December 2019

Background

Physical activity (PA) plays a role in the prevention of a range of diseases including obesity and cardiometabolic disorders. Large population-based descriptive studies of PA, incorporating precise measurement, are needed to understand the relative burden of insufficient PA levels and to inform the tailoring of interventions. Combined heart and movement sensing enables the study of physical activity energy expenditure (PAEE) and intensity distribution. We aimed to describe the sociodemographic correlates of PAEE and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) in UK adults.

Methods

The Fenland study is a population-based cohort study of 12,435 adults aged 29–64 years-old in Cambridgeshire, UK. Following individual calibration (treadmill), participants wore a combined heart rate and movement sensor continuously for 6 days in free-living, from which we derived PAEE (kJ•day− 1•kg− 1) and time in MVPA (> 3 & > 4 METs) in bouts greater than 1 min and 10 min. Socio-demographic information was self-reported. Stratum-specific summary statistics and multivariable analyses were performed.

Results

Women accumulated a mean (sd) 50(20) kJ•day− 1•kg− 1 of PAEE, and 83(67) and 33(39) minutes•day− 1 of 1-min bouted and 10-min bouted MVPA respectively. By contrast, men recorded 59(23) kJ•day− 1•kg− 1, 124(84) and 60(58) minutes•day− 1. Age and BMI were also important correlates of PA. Association with age was inverse in both sexes, more strongly so for PAEE than MVPA. Obese individuals accumulated less PA than their normal-weight counterparts, whether considering PAEE or allometrically-scaled PAEE (− 10 kJ•day− 1•kg− 1 or − 15 kJ•day− 1•kg-2/3 in men). Higher income and manual work were associated with higher PA; manual workers recorded 13–16 kJ•kg− 1•day− 1 more PAEE than sedentary counterparts. Overall, 86% of women and 96% of men accumulated a daily average of MVPA (> 3 METs) corresponding to 150 min per week. These values were 49 and 74% if only considering bouts > 10 min (15 and 31% for > 4 METs).

Conclusions

PA varied by age, sex and BMI, and was higher in manual workers and those with higher incomes. Light physical activity was the main driver of PAEE; a component of PA that is currently not quantified as a target in UK guidelines.
Plasma sTNFR1 and IL8 for prognostic enrichment in sepsis trials: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Anderson Brian J. , Calfee Carolyn S. , Liu Kathleen D. , Reilly John P. , Kangelaris Kirsten N. , Shashaty Michael G. S. , Lazaar Aili L. , Bayliffe Andrew I. , Gallop Robert J. , Miano Todd A. , Dunn Thomas G. , Johansson Erik , Abbott Jason , Jauregui Alejandra , Deiss Thomas , Vessel Kathryn , Belzer Annika , Zhuo Hanjing , Matthay Michael A. , Meyer Nuala J. , Christie Jason D.
Published: December 2019

Background

Enrichment strategies improve therapeutic targeting and trial efficiency, but enrichment factors for sepsis trials are lacking. We determined whether concentrations of soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor-1 (sTNFR1), interleukin-8 (IL8), and angiopoietin-2 (Ang2) could identify sepsis patients at higher mortality risk and serve as prognostic enrichment factors.

Methods

In a multicenter prospective cohort study of 400 critically ill septic patients, we derived and validated thresholds for each marker and expressed prognostic enrichment using risk differences (RD) of 30-day mortality as predictive values. We then used decision curve analysis to simulate the prognostic enrichment of each marker and compare different prognostic enrichment strategies.

Measurements and main results

An admission sTNFR1 concentration > 8861 pg/ml identified patients with increased mortality in both the derivation (RD 21.6%) and validation (RD 17.8%) populations. Among immunocompetent patients, an IL8 concentration > 94 pg/ml identified patients with increased mortality in both the derivation (RD 17.7%) and validation (RD 27.0%) populations. An Ang2 level > 9761 pg/ml identified patients at 21.3% and 12.3% increased risk of mortality in the derivation and validation populations, respectively. Using sTNFR1 or IL8 to select high-risk patients improved clinical trial power and efficiency compared to selecting patients with septic shock. Ang2 did not outperform septic shock as an enrichment factor.

Conclusions

Thresholds for sTNFR1 and IL8 consistently identified sepsis patients with higher mortality risk and may have utility for prognostic enrichment in sepsis trials.
The majority of A-to-I RNA editing is not required for mammalian homeostasis
Authors: Chalk Alistair M. , Taylor Scott , Heraud-Farlow Jacki E. , Walkley Carl R.
Published: December 2019

Background

Adenosine-to-inosine (A-to-I) RNA editing, mediated by ADAR1 and ADAR2, occurs at tens of thousands to millions of sites across mammalian transcriptomes. A-to-I editing can change the protein coding potential of a transcript and alter RNA splicing, miRNA biology, RNA secondary structure and formation of other RNA species. In vivo, the editing-dependent protein recoding of GRIA2 is the essential function of ADAR2, while ADAR1 editing prevents innate immune sensing of endogenous RNAs by MDA5 in both human and mouse. However, a significant proportion of A-to-I editing sites can be edited by both ADAR1 and ADAR2, particularly within the brain where both are highly expressed. The physiological function(s) of these shared sites, including those evolutionarily conserved, is largely unknown.

Results

To generate completely A-to-I editing-deficient mammals, we crossed the viable rescued ADAR1-editing-deficient animals (Adar1E861A/E861AIfih1−/−) with rescued ADAR2-deficient (Adarb1−/−Gria2R/R) animals. Unexpectedly, the global absence of editing was well tolerated. Adar1E861A/E861AIfih1−/−Adarb1−/−Gria2R/R were recovered at Mendelian ratios and age normally. Detailed transcriptome analysis demonstrated that editing was absent in the brains of the compound mutants and that ADAR1 and ADAR2 have similar editing site preferences and patterns.

Conclusions

We conclude that ADAR1 and ADAR2 are non-redundant and do not compensate for each other’s essential functions in vivo. Physiologically essential A-to-I editing comprises a small subset of the editome, and the majority of editing is dispensable for mammalian homeostasis. Moreover, in vivo biologically essential protein recoding mediated by A-to-I editing is an exception in mammals.
Statistical methods for testing X chromosome variant associations: application to sex-specific characteristics of bipolar disorder
Authors: Jons William A. , Colby Colin L. , McElroy Susan L. , Frye Mark A. , Biernacka Joanna M. , Winham Stacey J.
Published: December 2019

Background

Bipolar disorder (BD) affects both sexes, but important sex differences exist with respect to its symptoms and comorbidities. For example, rapid cycling (RC) is more prevalent in females, and alcohol use disorder (AUD) is more prevalent in males. We hypothesize that X chromosome variants may be associated with sex-specific characteristics of BD. Few studies have explored the role of the X chromosome in BD, which is complicated by X chromosome inactivation (XCI). This process achieves “dosage compensation” for many X chromosome genes by silencing one of the two copies in females, and most statistical methods either ignore that XCI occurs or falsely assume that one copy is inactivated at all loci. We introduce new statistical methods that do not make these assumptions.

Methods

We investigated this hypothesis in 1001 BD patients from the Genetic Association Information Network (GAIN) and 957 BD patients from the Mayo Clinic Bipolar Disorder Biobank. We examined the association of over 14,000 X chromosome single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with sex-associated BD traits using two statistical approaches that account for whether a SNP may be undergoing or escaping XCI. In the “XCI-informed approach,” we fit a sex-adjusted logistic regression model assuming additive genetic effects where we coded the SNP either assuming one copy is expressed or two copies are expressed based on prior knowledge about which regions are inactivated. In the “XCI-robust approach,” we fit a logistic regression model with sex, SNP, and SNP-sex interaction effects that is flexible to whether the region is inactivated or escaping XCI.

Results

Using the “XCI-informed approach,” which considers only the main effect of SNP and does not allow the SNP effect to differ by sex, no significant associations were identified for any of the phenotypes. Using the “XCI-robust approach,” intergenic SNP rs5932307 was associated with BD (P= 8.3 × 10−8), with a stronger effect in females (odds ratio in males (ORM) = 1.13, odds ratio in females for a change of two allele copies (ORW2) = 3.86).

Conclusion

X chromosome association studies should employ methods which account for its unique biology. Future work is needed to validate the identified associations with BD, to formally assess the performance of both approaches under different true genetic architectures, and to apply these approaches to study sex differences in other conditions.
Tau- but not Aß -pathology enhances NMDAR-dependent depotentiation in AD-mouse models
Authors: Faldini Enrico , Ahmed Tariq , Bueé Luc , Blum David , Balschun Detlef
Published: December 2019

Many mouse models of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) exhibit impairments in hippocampal long-term-potentiation (LTP), seemingly corroborating the strong correlation between synaptic loss and cognitive decline reported in human studies. In other AD mouse models LTP is unaffected, but other defects in synaptic plasticity may still be present. We recently reported that THY-Tau22 transgenic mice, that overexpress human Tau protein carrying P301S and G272 V mutations and show normal LTP upon high-frequency-stimulation (HFS), develop severe changes in NMDAR mediated long-term-depression (LTD), the physiological counterpart of LTP. In the present study, we focused on putative effects of AD-related pathologies on depotentiation (DP), another form of synaptic plasticity. Using a novel protocol to induce DP in the CA1-region, we found in 11–15 months old male THY-Tau22 and APPPS1–21 transgenic mice that DP was not deteriorated by Aß pathology while significantly compromised by Tau pathology. Our findings advocate DP as a complementary form of synaptic plasticity that may help in elucidating synaptic pathomechanisms associated with different types of dementia.
First field application of temperature sensor modules for groundwater flow detection near borehole heat exchanger
Authors: Michalski Alexander , Klitzsch Norbert
Published: December 2019

Here, we present the first application of a temperature sensor module (TSM) for deducing groundwater flow velocity and direction at borehole heat exchangers (BHEs). The TSM maps the horizontal temperature distribution around a BHE. As groundwater flow distorts this temperature distribution, flow velocity and direction can be inferred from the measured temperatures. As modular systems, TSMs can be attached to a BHE at any depth. For the studied BHE, the depths of interest are 82 m and at 94 m. We recorded TSM data for 2 weeks before and during the operation of the BHE. After simulating the working fluid temperature, we model the horizontal temperature distributions using the working fluid temperatures at the depths of interest as input. We use the latter simulations for inferring groundwater flow by minimizing the root mean square error between the measured and simulated temperatures. We obtain a groundwater flow of 0.4 m/day in the NW direction and groundwater flow below the detection limit of 0.01 m to 0.02 m/day at 82 m and 94 m depths, respectively. A flow meter measurement in a nearby groundwater well confirms the flow direction at 82 m but gives an order of magnitude higher velocity, which we attribute to the measurement principle. Moreover, long-term monitoring of a BHE equipped with multiple TSMs could provide information on seasonal variations in groundwater flow, changes in the thermal properties of the BHE filling or changes in the thermal resistance between BHE and ground.
Optimizing Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cell Therapy for Adults With Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Authors: Frey Noelle V. , Shaw Pamela A. , Hexner Elizabeth O. , Pequignot Edward , Gill Saar , Luger Selina M. , Mangan James K. , Loren Alison W. , Perl Alexander E. , Maude Shannon L. , Grupp Stephan A. , Shah Nirav N. , Gilmore Joan , Lacey Simon F. , Melenhorst Jos J. , Levine Bruce L. , June Carl H. , Porter David L.
Published: December 2019

PURPOSE

The anti-CD19 chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy tisagenlecleucel (CTL019) has an 81% response rate in children with relapsed or chemotherapy refractory (r/r) B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Cytokine release syndrome (CRS) is a life-threatening treatment-related toxicity that limits the full therapeutic potential in adults. We report outcomes for adults with r/r ALL treated with an optimized CTL019 dosing and CRS management strategy.

METHODS

Adults with r/r B-cell ALL received CTL019 in 1 of 2 trials. Patients received lymphodepletion followed by CTL019 as either a one-time infusion or fractionated infusions split over 3 days (day 1, 10%; day 2, 30%; day 3, 60%), which allowed for day 2 and day 3 doses to be held for early CRS. Total planned CTL019 dose varied with adaptive protocol modifications in response to efficacy and CRS toxicity.

RESULTS

Thirty-five adults with r/r ALL received CTL019 in 1 of 3 dosing cohorts. The low-dose cohort (n = 9) received single or fractionated dosing and had manageable toxicity with a 33% complete remission (CR) rate. In the high-dose single infusion cohort, 3 of 6 patients with refractory CRS concurrent with culture-positive sepsis died, and 3 achieved CR. The 20 patients in the high-dose fractionated (HDF) cohort had a 90% CR rate and manageable CRS. The HDF cohort had the highest survival, with a 2-year overall survival of 73% (95% CI, 46% to 88%) and event-free survival of 49.5% (95% CI, 21% to 73%).

CONCLUSION

Fractionated dosing of CTL019 with intrapatient dose modification optimizes safety without compromising efficacy in adults with r/r ALL.
Patient-Centered Standards for Medically Integrated Dispensing: ASCO/NCODA Standards
Authors: Dillmon Melissa S. , Kennedy Erin B. , Anderson Mary K. , Brodersen Michael , Cohen Howard , D′Amato Steven L. , Davis Patty , Doshi Gury , Genschaw Stuart , Makhoul Issam , Ormsby Wayne , Panikkar Rajiv , Peng Eileen , Raez Luis E. , Ronnen Ellen A. , Wimbiscus Bill , Reff Michael
Published: December 2019

PURPOSE

To provide standards for medically integrated dispensing of oral anticancer drugs and supportive care medications.

METHODS

An Expert Panel was formed, and a systematic review of the literature on patient-centered best practices for the delivery of oral anticancer and supportive care drugs was performed to April 2019 using PubMed and Google Scholar. Available patient-centered standards, including one previously developed by the National Community Oncology Dispensing Association (NCODA), were considered for endorsement. Public comments were solicited and considered in preparation of the final manuscript.

RESULTS

A high-quality systematic review that was current to May 2016 was adopted into the evidence base. Five additional primary studies of multifaceted interventions met the inclusion criteria. These studies generally included a multicomponent intervention, often led by an oncology pharmacist, and also included patient education and regular follow-up and monitoring. These interventions resulted in significant improvements to patient quality and safety and demonstrated improvements in adherence and other patient outcomes.

CONCLUSION

The findings of the systematic review were consistent with the NCODA patient-centered standards for patient relationships and education, adherence, safety, collection of data, documentation, and other areas. NCODA standards were adopted and used as basis for these American Society of Clinical Oncology/NCODA standards. Additional information is available at www.asco.org/mid-standards .