bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Breaking process of composite membranes used in desalination phenomenon
Authors: Ezaier Yassine , Hader Ahmed , Achik Imad , Tarras Iliass , Moultif Rachida , Bakir Redouane
Published: March 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a study of the breaking process of composite membranes used in the water desalination. Temperature, fluid pressure and accumulate retained fluid are remarkable parameters, which are likely to damage these membranes.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, the authors adopt the dynamics of a fiber bundle model to investigate the breaking process of composite membranes with fibres distributed parallel to the direction of fluid flow. The model is based on the fiber bundle model where the fibres are randomly oriented.

Findings

The obtained results show that the increase in the parameters leads to an avalanche rupture of the membrane fibre and also increases its porosity. Lifetime membranes exhibit an exponential and power law vs. the parameters.

Originality/value

The accumulation of the retained fluid has a great effect on membranes than the temperature and fluid pressure.
Does social distancing make the heart grow fonder? The impact of work spouse interaction frequency on organizational outcomes
Authors: Frieder Rachel E. , Whitman Marilyn V. , Mandeville Ashley , Leon Matthew
Published: March 2022

Purpose

The shift to remote work brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic dramatically limited spontaneous workplace interpersonal interactions. For one interpersonal relationship in particular, the work spouse, the sudden physical distance may impact the energy work spouses draw from one another. Drawing on interactional ritual theory, this study aims to investigate the relationship between interaction frequency and organizational outcomes mediated by relational energy amid the pandemic.

Design/methodology/approach

During the COVID-19 pandemic, working adults who indicated they had a work spouse were recruited via Qualtrics to participate in a two-part online study.

Findings

Complete data from 120 participants across both time periods revealed that more frequent interaction between work spouses is associated with increased job satisfaction and affective commitment mediated by relational energy.

Originality/value

This study represents the first empirical examination of individual and organizational outcomes of a unique interpersonal workplace relationship. Additionally, this study enhances our understanding of the impact of relational energy in socially distanced situations between employees in a close, intimate (non-sexual) pair bond.
The effectiveness of the general aptitude test in Saudi Arabia in predicting performance of English as a foreign language
Authors: Aldurayheem Abdulhameed
Published: March 2022

Purpose

This study examines the test's predictive validity of English language performance and compares test constructs to identify the most effective predictors of English language performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected and analysed from test scores of students enrolled in the foundation year (N = 84) and level 2 (N = 127) in the faculty of English at a Saudi university using correlation and regression tests.

Findings

The findings revealed that the General Aptitude Test (GAT) is effective in predicting English performance for students in level 2 and that the error detection task is the most effective predictor of performance in English reading.

Practical implications

The study provides support for the validity of the GAT as a university admission requirement for English language courses in the Arabic-speaking world.

Originality/value

This study examines the GAT's power using a fine-grained approach by deriving scores from its breakdown constructs to predict the performance of English skills at the university level.
Assessment of patient safety culture in two emergency departments in Australia: a cross sectional study
Authors: Alshyyab Muhammad A. , Albsoul Rania A. , Kinnear Frances B. , Saadeh Rami A. , Alkhaldi Sireen M. , Borkoles Erika , Fitzgerald Gerard
Published: March 2022

Purpose

Patient safety culture is a vital element to create patient safety in healthcare organisations. Emergency department (ED) professionals operate in unstable conditions that may pose risk to patient safety on day-to-day basis. The aim of this study was to assess the status of patient safety culture and to quantify the dimensions of safety culture in the ED setting.

Design/methodology/approach

This was a descriptive cross sectional study that used a validated questionnaire distributed to the staff working in the nominated EDs . Perceptions on various dimensions of safety culture were reported and the frequency of positive responses for each dimension was calculated.

Findings

“Teamwork” is the only dimension that rated positive by over 70% of participants. Other dimensions rated below 50%, except for “Organisational learning–continuous improvement” which rated 51.2%. Areas that rated the lowest were “Handover and transitions”, “Staffing”, “Non-punitive response to error” and “Frequency of event reporting” with average positive response rate of 15.4%, 26%, 26.8% and 27.6%, respectively.

Originality/value

This study displayed a concerning perceptions held by participants about the deficiency of patient safety culture in their EDs. Moreover, it provided a baseline finding giving a clearer vision of the areas of patient safety culture that need improvement.
Soil N enrichment mediates carbon allocation through respiration in a dominant grass during drought
Authors: Meng Bo , Li Junqin , Yao Yuan , Nippert Jesse B. , Williams David G. , Chai Hua , Collins Scott L. , Sun Wei
Published: March 2022

Carbon (C) allocation strategy plays a critical role in plant adaptability, which are also important to assess the productivity stability under environmental change. Based on optimal partitioning theory, we asked two questions: (1) How is plant C allocation within tissues affected by nutrient enrichment (N addition)? And (2) does long‐term N addition alter how plants allocate C under drought?

To address these questions, we conducted a greenhouse experiment using the widespread perennial C3 grass, Leymus chinensis, under four treatments: ‘Watered’, ‘Dry’, ‘Watered + N’ and ‘Dry + N’. 13CO2 pulse labelling was used to trace C transport through the plant–soil system.

We found that drought and N addition resulted in additive effects on C allocation. Greater above‐ground biomass under N addition resulted in higher C loss via above‐ground plant respiration, even under drought, which plays a more important role in the adjustment of root:shoot ratio than does the trade‐off between above‐ and below‐ground organs.

Compared to the concept of active phenotype adjustment for maximized growth rate in traditional optimal partitioning theory, our results imply that pre‐drought allometry, which changes under long‐term resource addition, also determines how plants respond to drought and their adaptability to changing environmental conditions.

Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.
Coalitions of touch: Balancing restraint and haptic soothing in the veterinary clinic
Authors: Llewellyn Nick , Hindmarsh Jon , Burrow Robin
Published: March 2022

This article responds to recent calls to further incorporate the study of animal health care into the sociology of health and illness. It focuses on a theme with a long tradition in medical sociology, namely clinical communication, but explores matters distinctive to veterinary practice. Drawing on video recordings of 60 consultations across three small animal veterinary clinics in the United Kingdom, we explore how clients and veterinarians (or “vets”) fashion fleeting “coalitions of touch,” that aptly position the animal to enable the performance of medical work, often in the face of physical resistance. Building on recent developments in the study of haptic sociality, we analyse how care and emotional concern for animal patients is communicated through various forms of embodied action; thus, how the problematics of forced care and restraint are mitigated through distinctive ways of touching and holding animal patients. Moreover, while prior studies of small animal veterinary work have highlighted the significance of talk within the clinician–animal–client triad, we reveal the fundamentally embodied and collaborative work of managing and controlling patients during sometimes intense and fast‐moving episodes of veterinary care.
Crown dimensions of primary teeth—A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: P Sujitha , Bhavyaa R. , M S Muthu , Nirmal Latha , Patil Sneha S.
Published: March 2022

Odontometrics, also known as metric traits, includes mesiodistal, buccolingual dimensions, and crown height. The purpose of this study was to assess pancontinental odontometric variations in the crown dimensions of primary teeth. Ten electronic databases were searched to identify studies that measured crown dimensions of primary teeth, published in English language, without year restriction up to July 2020. Studies included cross‐sectional research measuring on casts, subjects, and on radiographs of healthy children. Meta‐analysis was performed, and risk of bias was assessed using modified Newcastle–Ottawa Scale. Eighty‐seven observational studies were included, with 24,634 participants (9487 males, 11,083 females; 19 studies lacked gender information). Only one study showed a low bias risk, whereas 81 and 5 studies had moderate and high risk, respectively. Sixty‐five studies included for meta‐analysis revealed heterogeneity in mean mesiodistal dimensions of maxillary first molars from Asia (I2—99.7%), buccolingual measurements of mandibular first molars from Europe (I2—99.9%), crown height of mandibular second molars from Africa and Europe (I2—79.8%). Among mesiodistal and buccolingual dimensions, Australians have larger while Asians have smaller teeth. Pertaining to crown height, very few studies could be found in the literature. This review highlights the variations in crown dimensions of primary teeth among populations.
Sudden death caused by ruptured brain arteriovenous malformation in an adolescent with autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Taylor Haley L. , Dove Eric J. , Elverum Cassandra L. , Gunther Wendy M.
Published: March 2022

Brain arteriovenous malformations (bAVMs) are infrequent disorders in the pediatric population. The rupture of a bAVM is a clinical emergency often followed by death. Autism spectrum disorder shares a number of symptoms with AVM malformation; this may impede antemortem diagnosis. An 11‐year‐old boy with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) without other medical history died suddenly. Initially, choking on a peanut butter sandwich was suspected; autopsy did not demonstrate aspiration, but identified a ruptured right cerebellar AVM, with the characteristic tortuous vessels. The histology on the lesion confirmed the presence of arterialized veins and showed gliotic tissue and hemosiderin‐laden macrophages, consistent with prior bleeding. BAVM pathogenesis is unknown; congenital disease may have several mechanisms including genetic predisposition and familial risk factors; development de novo may occur after hemorrhagic intracranial events such as surgical intervention and head trauma. ASD may present with overlapping symptoms of bAVM and may also interfere with expressing subtle neurologic symptoms to caretakers. ASD and AVM are rarely reported in association.
Retained surgical drain fragments: A systematic review and case report
Authors: Indja Ben , Chen Kerry , Cheng Ernest , Kennedy Helen , Alzahrani Nayef , Morris David L
Published: March 2022

Aim

Retained surgical drains are an avoidable and serious cause of postoperative morbidity. This study aims to first report on our unit's experience in identifying and managing retained surgical drains and then consolidate current knowledge regarding retained surgical drains, causes and associated complications.

Patients and Methods

A systematic review of the literature was performed through searches in electronic databases to identify studies that described incidents involving retained surgical drains. Data were extracted regarding patient and operative characteristics, drain complications and management.

Results

A total of 36 case reports and/or series were identified in the literature, with 39 individual cases of retained surgical drains in patients undergoing abdominal, thoracic or orthopaedic procedures. The most common cause for retained drain was fracture of drain tubing. Patients presented with complications ranging from chronic pain, abscess or fistula formation, to migration of the drain fragment into a hollow viscus. In all cases an invasive intervention was required to remove the retained drain.

Conclusion

Surgeons should be aware of retained surgical drains as an iatrogenic cause of postoperative morbidity. Contemporary surgical practice should include methods to prevent, identify and manage retained drains and associated complications.
A prognostic classification based on the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer histologic grading and immunoscore in KRAS‐mutant invasive non‐mucinous adenocarcinoma
Authors: Chi Kaiwen , Sun Wei , Yang Xin , Wu Jianghua , Wang Haiyue , Liu Xinying , Mao Luning , Zhou Lixin , Huang Xiaozheng , Lin Dongmei
Published: March 2022

Background

Tumor immune cell infiltration is important in the prognosis of patients with lung adenocarcinoma. The aim of this study was to develop a prognostic classification based on the tumor immunoscore.

Methods

Patients with KRAS‐mutant invasive non‐mucinous lung adenocarcinoma who underwent radical surgery were enrolled in the study. Histologic grading was assessed according to the recommendations of the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer. Programmed death‐ligand 1 (PD‐L1) and CD8 expression was detected using immunohistochemistry. The number of CD8+ tumor‐infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) per high‐power field was assessed. A classification based on histological grade and CD8+ TIL level was established (Grading‐Immunoscore type): low‐to‐medium grade with high or low infiltration (type A); high‐grade, high‐infiltration (type B); and high‐grade, low‐infiltration (type C).

Results

A total of 112 patients participated. In the multivariable analysis, histological grading and level of CD8+ TILs were independent prognostic factors for overall survival (OS) and progression‐free survival (PFS) (p < 0.001 and p = 0.007, respectively). Patients with type A tumors had the best OS and PFS, whereas those with type C tumors had the worst OS (89.6%, 65.0%, and 29.5% 5‐year OS for types A, B, and C, respectively). PD‐L1 positivity and high expression rate was highest in type B tumors (tumor proportion score [TPS] ≥ 1%: 29.4%, 73.1%, and 42.9%; TPS ≥50%: 7.8%, 42.3%, and 17.1%, for types A, B, and C, respectively).

Conclusions

The Grading‐Immunoscore classification refines the prognostic grouping of histological grading and might aid in the screening of potential candidates for immunotherapy in patients with KRAS‐mutant adenocarcinoma.
Litigation related to anaesthesia: analysis of claims against the NHS in England 2008–2018 and comparison against previous claim patterns
Authors: Oglesby F. C. , Ray A. G. , Shurlock T. , Mitra T. , Cook T. M.
Published: March 2022

We reviewed all 1230 claims against anaesthesia notified to NHS Resolution (formerly the NHS Litigation Authority, 1995–2017) in England between 2008 and 2018. Claims were categorised by incident type, severity (whether physical or psychological), and cost, and comparisons were made against a similar published analysis of data from 1995 to 2007. While the annual number of claims against anaesthesia increased by 62% from the earlier period, anaesthesia now accounts for smaller proportions of all claims submitted to NHS Resolution (1.5% vs. 2.5%) and of the total cost of all claims (0.7% vs. 2.4%). The absolute costs related to anaesthesia claims rose over 300%, totalling £145 million between 2008 and 2018, but the mean cost per closed claim (retail price index adjusted) fell by 6% to £74,883. The most common clinical categories were regional anaesthesia (24%), inadequate anaesthesia (20%) and drug administration (20%). Claims related to airway management, central venous catheterisation and cardiac arrest remained infrequent but severe and costly. The proportion of claims relating to regional anaesthesia and obstetric anaesthesia fell significantly, but claims relating to peripheral nerve blockade doubled. Our analysis includes categories relating to organisational and human factors which are present in a substantial proportion of claims; categories with the highest mean cost per claim included delayed care, planning, monitoring and consent. Overall, the specialty of anaesthesia is at low risk of litigation. Our analysis provides important insights into current and changing patterns in claim distributions that may help improve the quality of patient care and reduce future litigation. We recommend the establishment of a structure for national review and learning from all cases of litigation.
Assessment of the role of the Edinburgh dysphagia score in referral triage in a national service evaluation of the urgent suspected upper gastrointestinal cancer pathway
Authors: Kamran Umair , King Dominic , Banks Matthew , Nylander David , Shetty Sharan , Hebbar Srisha , Ransford Rupert , Mitchell David , Williams Matthew , Gupta Sanjay , Cheung Danny , Baker Graham , Rees James , Fox Mark , Ashall Barbara , Barker Sophie , Greenaway John , Jones Miriam , Caffrey Matthew , Kadri Sudarshan , Glynn Michael , Evans James , Tham Tony C. , Adderley Nicola J. , Trudgill Nigel
Published: March 2022

Background

The British Society of Gastroenterology has recommended the Edinburgh Dysphagia Score (EDS) to risk‐stratify dysphagia referrals during the endoscopy COVID recovery phase.

Aims

External validation of the diagnostic accuracy of EDS and exploration of potential changes to improve its diagnostic performance.

Methods

A prospective multicentre study of consecutive patients referred with dysphagia on an urgent suspected upper gastrointestinal (UGI) cancer pathway between May 2020 and February 2021. The sensitivity and negative predictive value (NPV) of EDS were calculated. Variables associated with UGI cancer were identified by forward stepwise logistic regression and a modified Cancer Dysphagia Score (CDS) developed.

Results

1301 patients were included from 19 endoscopy providers; 43% male; median age 62 (IQR 51–73) years. 91 (7%) UGI cancers were diagnosed, including 80 oesophageal, 10 gastric and one duodenal cancer. An EDS ≥3.5 had a sensitivity of 96.7 (95% CI 90.7–99.3)% and an NPV of 99.3 (97.8–99.8)%. Age, male sex, progressive dysphagia and unintentional weight loss >3 kg were positively associated and acid reflux and localisation to the neck were negatively associated with UGI cancer. Dysphagia duration <6 months utilised in EDS was replaced with progressive dysphagia in CDS. CDS ≥5.5 had a sensitivity of 97.8 (92.3–99.7)% and NPV of 99.5 (98.1–99.9)%. Area under receiver operating curve was 0.83 for CDS, compared to 0.81 for EDS.

Conclusions

In a national cohort, the EDS has high sensitivity and NPV as a triage tool for UGI cancer. The CDS offers even higher diagnostic accuracy. The EDS or CDS should be incorporated into the urgent suspected UGI cancer pathway.
Bacterial diversity of Gambian traditional fermented milk, “Kosam”
Authors: Baldeh Edrissa , Bah Saidal Ali , Camara Saibana , Fye Biram Laity , Nakamura Tadashi
Published: March 2022

We have clarified the microbiological characterization of Gambian traditional fermented milk (FM), “Kosam.” Two samples of FM were collected at two regions in The Gambia in 2019. The microbiota of these samples was analyzed by culture‐dependent methods and Illumina sequencing. The number of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) in FM from Central River Region (CRR) and Lower River Region (LRR) was 8.27 ± 0.08 log CFU/ml and 7.21 ± 0.09 log CFU/ml, respectively. While no coliforms and Escherichia coli were detected in CRR‐FM, LRR‐FM contained 5.73 ± 0.17 log CFU/ml of coliforms and 4.82 ± 0.13 log CFU/ml of E. coli. The dominant viable LAB in FM from CRR was Lactobacillus delbrueckii, followed by Streptococcus lutetiensis, while that from LRR was Lactococcus lactis. The metagenomic analysis also revealed that these species were dominant in these Gambian traditional FM. Furthermore, it also revealed the possibility of the presence of pathogens such as Klebsiella spp. This study enhanced the knowledge of Gambian FM and contributed to the elucidation of microbial communities.
Feature Screening with Latent Responses
Authors: Yu Congran , Guo Wenwen , Song Xinyuan , Cui Hengjian
Published: March 2022

A novel feature screening method is proposed to examine the correlation between latent responses and potential predictors in ultrahigh-dimensional data analysis. First, a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) model is used to characterize latent responses through multiple observed variables. The expectation-maximization algorithm is employed to estimate the parameters in the CFA model. Second, R-Vector (RV) correlation is used to measure the dependence between the multivariate latent responses and covariates of interest. Third, a feature screening procedure is proposed on the basis of an unbiased estimator of the RV coefficient. The sure screening property of the proposed screening procedure is established under certain mild conditions. Monte Carlo simulations are conducted to assess the finite-sample performance of the feature screening procedure. The proposed method is applied to an investigation of the relationship between psychological well-being and the human genome.
Moderator effects of mobile users' pedagogical role on science learning: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Shi Lehong , Kopcha Theodore J.
Published: March 2022

The advancement of technologies has promoted the increasing popularity and integration of mobile technologies in science education in the past decade. These trends have led to an increased interest among scholars to understand the effects of mobile technologies in science education and whether those effects differ depending on how mobile technologies are used in learning and teaching (eg, student‐led, teacher‐led, collaborative). In this study, we performed a meta‐analysis of 34 studies that directly examined the effects of users' pedagogical role on K‐16 students' achievement in science when engaging in mobile learning (ML). The analysis of the 34 studies yielded an overall significant main effect of ML on K‐16 science learning outcomes. We applied the mixed‐effects model with moderator variables and found that users' pedagogical role significantly moderated the ML effects as a whole. Collaborative and student‐led uses had a statistically significant impact on student science learning, whereas teacher‐led use did not. Findings from this meta‐analysis are consistent with prior research, providing synthesized research‐based evidence of the effects of ML on science learning that holds implications for both mobile curriculum design and mobile technology use.

Practitioner notes

What is already known about this topic

Mobile technology has been increasingly adopted in science learning with great potential to support learning and teaching.

Prior meta‐analysis has suggested multiple moderators in measuring the mobile learning effect.

Prior empirical studies examined the effect of mobile users' pedagogical role in the specific subject domains (eg, physics) and grade levels (eg, high school).

What this paper adds

This meta‐analysis is among the first to examine the moderator effect of mobile users' pedagogical roles on ML in K‐16 science education.

This study found that mobile technology use is associated with significant science learning outcomes across 34 studies.

This study found that the effect of mobile learning was moderated by mobile users' pedagogical roles (ie, who initiated the use). Collaborative use between teachers and students tends to be the most effective. Teacher‐led use tends to be the least effective.

Implications for practice

This study suggests that we should consider who leads the use of mobile technology when integrating mobile learning in science education.

In particular, educators should encourage collaborative and student‐led mobile use for learning and instruction.
The NF1 microdeletion syndrome: early genetic diagnosis facilitates the management of a clinically defined disease
Authors: Kehrer‐Sawatzki Hildegard , Bäzner Ute , Krämer Johannes , Lewerenz Jan , Pfeiffer Christiane
Published: March 2022

Neurofibromatosis type‐1 (NF1) is a genodermatosis frequently encountered in general dermatology. In many patients, the diagnosis of NF1 is made clinically based on the presence of café‐au‐lait macules and skinfold freckling, as well as plexiform neurofibromas detectable during early childhood. Later in life, cutaneous neurofibromas often represent important diagnostic features. NF1 is characterized by extreme clinical variability and a broad heterogeneity of NF1 gene mutations which impede genotype/phenotype correlations. Notable exceptions are NF1 microdeletions observed in 5–11 % of all NF1 patients. Patients with NF1 microdeletions frequently exhibit facial dysmorphic features and a tall stature as rather specific clinical signs. Furthermore, cutaneous and subcutaneous neurofibromas present at an early age, severe global developmental delay and cognitive disability are pathognomonic for the “NF1 microdeletion syndrome”. Importantly, NF1 microdeletions are associated with an approximately twofold higher risk for malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors than intragenic NF1 gene mutations. The severe clinical manifestations of patients with NF1 microdeletions require early multidisciplinary clinical care and frequent tumor surveillance. Therefore, when red flag features for the “NF1 microdeletion syndrome” are present in a patient, genetic testing is necessary to confirm or exclude an NF1 microdeletion.
Composition and capacity of Institutional Review Boards, and challenges experienced by members in ethics review processes in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: An exploratory qualitative study
Authors: Seralegne Yemisrach Zewdie , Wangamati Cynthia Khamala , Bernabe Rosemarie D. L. C. , Farsides Bobbie , Aseffa Abraham , Zewdie Martha
Published: March 2022

Few studies in sub‐Saharan Africa evaluate Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) capacity. The study aims to explore the composition of IRBs, training, and challenges experienced in the ethics review processes by members of research institutions and universities in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Our findings indicate that most IRBs members were trained on research ethics and good clinical practice. However, majority perceived the trainings as basic. IRB members faced several challenges including: investigators wanting rapid review; time pressure; investigators not following checklists; limited expertise in reviewing clinical trials, studies on genetics, and traditional medicine; lack of IRB offices for administrative work; competing tasks; limited staffing and the lack of a standardized review system. There is need for advanced training on research ethics to meet the evolving research needs. In addition, investments in IRBs are needed in terms of funding, and physical and human resources in Addis Ababa and Ethiopia in general.
Homing ability in a tropical Asian stingless bee is influenced by interaction between release distances and urbanisation
Authors: Wayo Kanuengnit , Leonhardt Sara D. , Sritongchuay Tuanjit , Bumrungsri Sara
Published: March 2022

Bee homing capacity determines the maximum distance/area from/around the nest that workers can travel to exploit resources. However, homing ranges have been hardly examined in tropical Asian stingless bee species or in relation to anthropogenic land‐use changes.

Here, we used translocation experiments, where we released marked bees at different distances from the colony, to evaluate the maximum homing distance of Tetragonula fuscobalteata in 10 different anthropogenic landscapes in Southern Thailand.

Our results show that typical and maximum homing distances (i.e., distances where 50% and 90% of released bees failed to return, respectively) were estimated to be 240 and 595 m, respectively. We found that bee homing rates were not affected by forest proximity or surrounding landscape composition within 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 and 600 m radii, but that they were influenced by the interaction between release distances from the colony and the proportion of urbanised cover at a 100 m radius. Bee homing rates decreased with increasing release distances for colonies placed in areas with higher proportions of urbanised land within a 100 m radius.

This suggests that urbanised areas (e.g., urban or suburban gardens, home gardens, backyards) provided sufficient food resources close to colonies, resulting in smaller foraging ranges.
Genetic evidence for the most common risk factors for chronic axonal polyneuropathy in the general population
Authors: Taams Noor E. , Knol Maria J. , Hanewinckel Rens , Drenthen Judith , Adams Hieab H. H. , van Doorn Pieter A. , Ikram Mohammad Arfan
Published: March 2022

Background and purpose

Chronic axonal polyneuropathy is a common disease, but the etiology remains only partially understood. Previous etiologic studies have identified clinical risk factors, but genetic evidence supporting causality between these factors and polyneuropathy are largely lacking. In this study, we investigate whether there is a genetic association of clinically established important risk factors (diabetes, body mass index [BMI], vitamin B12 levels, and alcohol intake) with chronic axonal polyneuropathy.

Methods

This study was performed within the population‐based Rotterdam Study and included 1565 participants (median age = 73.6 years, interquartile range = 64.6–78.8, 53.5% female), of whom 215 participants (13.7%) had polyneuropathy. Polygenic scores (PGSs) for diabetes, BMI, vitamin B12 levels, and alcohol intake were calculated at multiple significance thresholds based on published genome‐wide association studies.

Results

Higher PGSs of diabetes, BMI, and alcohol intake were associated with higher prevalence of chronic axonal polyneuropathy, whereas higher PGS of vitamin B12 levels was associated with lower prevalence of polyneuropathy. These effects were most pronounced for PGSs with lenient significance thresholds for diabetes and BMI (odds ratio [OR]diabetes, p < 1.0 = 1.21, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.05–1.39 and ORBMI, p < 1.0 = 1.21, 95% CI = 1.04–1.41) and for the strictest significance thresholds for vitamin B12 level and alcohol intake (OR vitamin B12, p < 5e‐6 = 0.79, 95% CI = 0.68–0.92 and ORalcohol, p < 5e‐8 = 1.17, 95% CI = 1.02–1.35). We did not find an association between different PGSs and sural sensory nerve action potential amplitude, nor between individual lead variants of PGSp < 5e‐8 and polyneuropathy.

Conclusions

This study provides evidence for polygenic associations of diabetes, BMI, vitamin B12 level, and alcohol intake with chronic axonal polyneuropathy. This supports the hypothesis of causal associations between well‐known clinical risk factors and polyneuropathy.
COVID 19: A catalyst to automate protection order petitions to support self‐represented litigants
Authors: Ajmi Ayyoub
Published: March 2022

COVID‐19 exacerbated the crisis in access to legal services especially for victims of domestic violence for whom the pandemic made their situations even more precarious. In this article, the author shares his experience of building and implementing an automated solution to help pro‐se litigants petition the court for emergency protection orders remotely and without the need to visit the courthouse. The article describes the lessons learned in developing a state court online portal dedicated to educating abuse victims and providing them with an automated way to petition the court for protection orders remotely without the need to visit a courthouse. The article concludes that implementing replicable models in other jurisdictions could create various efficient web‐based solutions for helping self‐represented litigants access the legal services that they need.
Dispatch and delivery at the ER–Golgi interface: how endothelial cells tune their hemostatic response
Authors: Kat Marije , Margadant Coert , Voorberg Jan , Bierings Ruben
Published: March 2022

Von Willebrand factor (VWF) is a glycoprotein that is secreted into the circulation and controls bleeding by promoting adhesion and aggregation of blood platelets at sites of vascular injury. Substantial inter‐individual variation in VWF plasma levels exists among the healthy population. Prior to secretion, VWF polymers are assembled and condensed into helical tubules, which are packaged into Weibel‐Palade bodies (WPBs), a highly specialized post‐Golgi storage compartment in vascular endothelial cells. In the inherited bleeding disorder Von Willebrand disease (VWD), mutations in the VWF gene can cause qualitative or quantitative defects, limiting protein function, secretion, or plasma survival. However, pathogenic VWF mutations cannot be found in all VWD cases. Although an increasing number of genetic modifiers have been identified, even more rare genetic variants that impact VWF plasma levels likely remain to be discovered. Here, we summarize recent evidence that modulation of the early secretory pathway has great impact on the biogenesis and release of WPBs. Based on these findings, we propose that rare, as yet unidentified quantitative trait loci influencing intracellular VWF transport contribute to highly variable VWF levels in the population. These may underlie the thrombotic complications linked to high VWF levels, as well as the bleeding tendency in individuals with low VWF levels.
The effect of past defaunation on ranges, niches, and future biodiversity forecasts
Authors: Sales Lilian P. , Galetti Mauro , Carnaval Ana , Monsarrat Sophie , Svenning Jens‐Christian , Pires Mathias M.
Published: March 2022

Humans have reshaped the distribution of biodiversity across the globe, extirpating species from regions otherwise suitable and restricting populations to a subset of their original ranges. Here, we ask if anthropogenic range contractions since the Late Pleistocene led to an under‐representation of the realized niches for megafauna, an emblematic group of taxa often targeted for restoration actions. Using reconstructions of past geographic distributions (i.e., natural ranges) for 146 extant terrestrial large‐bodied (>44 kg) mammals, we estimate their climatic niches as if they had retained their original distributions and evaluate their observed niche dynamics. We found that range contractions led to a sizeable under‐representation of the realized niches of several species (i.e., niche unfilling). For 29 species, more than 10% of the environmental space once seen in their natural ranges has been lost due to anthropogenic activity, with at least 12 species undergoing reductions of more than 50% of their realized niches. Eighteen species may now be confined to low‐suitability locations, where fitness and abundance are likely diminished; we consider these taxa 'climatic refugees'. For those species, conservation strategies supported by current ranges risk being misguided if current, suboptimal habitats are considered baseline for future restoration actions. Because most climate‐based biodiversity forecasts rely exclusively on current occurrence records, we went on to test the effect of neglecting historical information on estimates of species’ potential distribution – as a proxy of sensitivity to climate change. We found that niche unfilling driven by past range contraction leads to an overestimation of sensitivity to future climatic change, resulting in 50% higher rates of global extinction, and underestimating the potential for megafauna conservation and restoration under future climate change. In conclusion, range contractions since the Late Pleistocene have also left imprints on megafauna realized climatic niches. Therefore, niche truncation driven by defaunation can directly affect climate and habitat‐based conservation strategies.
First Full‐Scale In Situ Propane Biosparging for Co‐Metabolic Bioremediation of 1,4‐Dioxane
Authors: Bell Caitlin H. , Wong Jocelyn , Parsons Kelli , Semel William , McDonough Jeff , Gerber Kathleen
Published: March 2022

1,4‐Dioxane is an emerging contaminant of environmental concern, probable human carcinogen, and it can result in diffuse groundwater plumes and is not readily treated using common remedial techniques (e.g., via air stripping or granular activated carbon). In situ bioremediation of 1,4‐dioxane has been studied at the bench‐scale and pilot‐scale. This work documents the full‐scale application of in situ propane biosparging for the treatment of 1,4‐dioxane. The subject site is located at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. Installation of the full‐scale treatment system came after several pilot tests (e.g., Lippincott et al. 2015), stable isotope testing (Bell et al. 2016), and rebound testing conducted from 2012 to 2016. The full‐scale propane biosparge system supplies air and propane at an average of 5 kg (11 pounds) of propane per day to a network of 97 biosparge wells, or 52 g (0.11 pounds) of propane per day per biosparge well. Additionally, a bioaugmentation culture and macronutrients were delivered to the subsurface. After approximately 6 months of operation, 1,4‐dioxane was reduced at up to 99.2%, with an average global reduction of 64.1% (excluding two anomalous monitoring wells) across a treatment area of approximately 30.5 by 61 m (100 by 200 ft).
Developing lay summaries and thank you notes in paediatric pragmatic clinical trials
Authors: Zimmerman Kanecia O. , Perry Brian , Hanlen‐Rosado Emily , Nsonwu Adora , Lane Morgan D. , Benjamin Daniel K. , Becker Mara , Corneli Amy ,   Best Pharmaceuticals for Children Act—Pediatric Trials Network Steering Committee
Published: March 2022

Introduction

Better transparency of research results and participant engagement may help address poor participant accrual in paediatric clinical research. We conducted formative research to assess the acceptability of lay summaries and thank you notes, as well as to refine and expand guidance on participant and family engagement in Pediatric Trials Network's (PTN) pragmatic paediatric clinical research.

Methods

Informed by draft PTN guidance, we conducted in‐depth qualitative interviews with adolescent clinical trial participants and caregivers of paediatric participants in four trials conducted by PTN across eight sites. Participants were shown multiple versions of mock lay summaries and thank you notes and asked questions on their preferences for content and layout, and on trial communications. We used applied thematic analysis to analyse the data.

Results

We interviewed 27 individuals engaged in PTN research: 24 caregivers and 3 adolescents. During a trial, participants want regular updates on study progress, reminders of the study purpose and reassurances of data confidentiality. After the trial, participants want to learn the aggregated results, particularly medication effectiveness. Participants reported that lay summaries should include a review of the study's purpose, methods and length, and that they expect to learn individual‐level results. Participants stated that thank you notes must be of sufficient length to be meaningful.

Conclusions

This is the first study to describe stakeholder preferences for thank you note content and layout. Using these findings, we finalized PTN's trial communication guidance for use in future PTN trials. Research is needed to determine the effect of lay summaries and thank you notes on improving public transparency regarding clinical trials and paediatric trial recruitment and completion.

Patient or Public Contribution

By design, stakeholders (adolescent trial participants and caregivers of pediatric trial participants) contributed to PTN's guidance on the content and layout of lay summaries and thank you notes through their participation in the in‐depth interviews.
Encapsulation of protein hydrolysates by spray drying: feasibility of using buffalo whey proteins
Authors: Giroldi Maiara , Grambusch Isabel Marie , Schlabitz Cláudia , Kuhn Daniel , Lehn Daniel Neutzling , Volken de Souza Claucia Fernanda
Published: March 2022

This work aimed to produce and encapsulate protein hydrolysates of buffalo origin using spray drying with gum arabic and maltodextrin as encapsulating agents. The following core ratios were applied: encapsulating agent in the ratios of 1:10 and 1:15, with 50% gum arabic and 50% maltodextrin (50:50), and 70% gum arabic and 30% maltodextrin (70:30). The encapsulated particles were between 2.0 and 20.0 μm. The encapsulation efficiency of the samples was above 95% at the initial time. After 45 days of storage, encapsulation efficiency decreased to values below 60%. The 70:30 samples showed a significant decrease (P < 0.05) in hygroscopicity, moisture and water activity compared with free hydrolysates. The encapsulation process increased the values of oil retention, emulsifying activity and solubility of whey protein hydrolysates for all proportions evaluated, both at the initial time and after 45 days of storage. The branched‐chain amino acid concentration was higher in samples encapsulated at the 1:10 ratio. The spray drying encapsulation of buffalo protein hydrolysates with suitable encapsulating agents improves the techno‐functional characteristics of these hydrolysates, hence expanding their use in different food matrices and enabling the use of buffalo cheese whey.
A prospective, multicentre study of 6‐mm short implants in posterior alveolar bone supporting splinted crowns: A 5‐year follow‐up study
Authors: Sui Huiping , Tang Zhihui , Zhang Xiao , Wei Diyuan , Meng Huanxin , Han Jie
Published: March 2022

Aim

To evaluate the clinical and radiographic outcomes of 6‐mm short implants, placed in the posterior jaws and supporting splinted crowns, at 5 years after early loading.

Materials and Methods

Forty‐five patients with 95 implants (diameter: 4 mm; length: 6 mm) were enrolled at three centres. Two to three implants were placed in either the maxillary or the mandibular posterior region in each patient and restored with screw‐retained splinted crowns at 6 weeks later. Clinical and radiographic outcomes were evaluated at implant placement, at loading, and at 6, 12, 24, 36, and 60 months after loading. Biological and mechanical complications were recorded. Marginal changes in bone level in relation to clinical parameters were evaluated using a generalized linear mixed model.

Results

During the 5 years of follow‐up, the mean change in the marginal bone level (MBL) was 0.04 ± 0.14 mm. Four implants in four patients were lost before loading, one implant in one patient was lost at the 5‐year follow‐up, and two patients were lost to follow‐up. The survival and success rates were 88.4% (38/43) at the patient level. The incidence rates of peri‐implant mucositis and peri‐implantitis were 29.4% and 7.0%, respectively. The rate of technical complications was 14.0%.

Conclusions

Over a 5‐year period, 6‐mm short implants supporting early loaded splinted crowns in maxillary or mandibular posterior regions showed stable MBLs and acceptable technical and biological complication rates.
Exploring periodontitis misclassification mechanisms under partial‐mouth protocols
Authors: Alshihayb Talal S. , Sharma Praveen , Dietrich Thomas , Heaton Brenda
Published: March 2022

Aim

To investigate the sources of periodontitis misclassification under partial‐mouth protocols (PMPs) and to explore possible approaches to enhancing protocol validity.

Materials and Methods

Using data from 10,680 adults with 244,999 teeth from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, we compared tooth‐, site‐, and quadrant‐specific periodontal parameters and case identification under full‐mouth protocols and PMPs. Separately, we utilized population measures of tooth‐specific periodontal severity to generate PMPs with tooth selection based on the population ranking of clinical severity and assessed the sensitivity of case identification.

Results

Symmetry of clinical severity was generally confirmed, with the exception of lingual inter‐proximal sites, which yielded greater sensitivity in identifying periodontitis compared to buccal sites due to more severe pocketing and attachment loss on average. Misclassification of severe periodontitis occurred more frequently under commonly implemented PMPs compared to ranking‐based selection of teeth, which yielded sensitivity estimates of 70.1%–79.4% with the selection of 8 teeth and reached 90% with the selection of only 14 teeth.

Conclusions

Clinical symmetry and sources of periodontitis misclassification were confirmed. The proposed selection of teeth based on population rankings of clinical severity yielded optimal sensitivity estimates for the detection of severe periodontitis and may present a favourable alternative to current options.
Rural Residents’ Perinatal Experiences During the Initial Months of the COVID‐19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Study in British Columbia
Authors: Sullivan Eva , Cameron Audrey , Kornelsen Jude
Published: March 2022

Introduction

Many studies have explored the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic on perinatal health, but few have examined the effects of the pandemic on birthing families through a rural lens. Given that the COVID‐19 pandemic has reinforced long‐standing disparities between urban and rural communities, it is important that the significance of place on the health and wellness of rural populations is made visible.

Methods

In‐depth interviews and focus groups with 16 participants from rural communities in British Columbia, Canada, were performed. Participants included those who had been pregnant or given birth after March 11, 2020. Data from the interviews and focus groups were analyzed using the principles of thematic analysis to understand the perinatal experiences of rural families during the initial months of the COVID‐19 pandemic.

Results

Analysis of the data revealed 4 major themes: perceived risk of infection, navigating uncertainty, experience of care received, and resilience and silver linings. In general, participants conceptualized rural communities as safer bubbles. Exceptions included specific vectors of risk such as tourism travel and border communities. Challenges experienced by rural families including anxiety around changing health guidelines, reduced social support, and potential loss of their partners’ support at births. Additional concerns specific to rural experiences added to this burden, including fear of traveling to referral centers for care and increased difficulties accessing resources.

Discussion

Participants reported positive, compassionate care experiences that helped to mitigate some of the added stressors of the pandemic. These findings highlight the importance of perinatal care provision that integrates physiologic and mental health supports. This study provides a foundation for a comprehensive inquiry into the experiences of rural perinatal services during COVID‐19.