bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Progress on the scaling up of HIV testing in South Africa through varied distribution models using the oral HIV self‐test kit
Authors: Majam Mohammed
Published: August 2020

Self‐Testing for HIV (HIVST) was approved as additional testing modality by the WHO in December 2016. The South African National Department of Health has adopted these guidelines and has sanctioned the assessment of various testing modalities to scale up HIV testing in response to the UNAIDS 90‐90‐90 targets. HIV self‐tests are targeted at reaching infrequent, under‐tested and high‐risk populations. Herewith, we present the progress to date on the testing of various models of distribution through public and private sector initiatives. The oral test, called OraQuick HIV1/2, was the first test to be WHO Pre‐Qualified for HIVST. Through the STAR Initiative, implementers have distributed oral HIVST kits to primary recipients (end‐users) and secondary distribution (to networks/partners) between January 2018 and August 2019. Models of distribution in the public sector include community‐ and facility‐based distribution which target high prevalence areas, high volume transport hubs and other facilities through which target groups can be reached. In the private sector, we have targeted workplaces, private pharmacies and waiting rooms of health professionals. For the period under review in this article, 1 231 138 were distributed. Follow‐up of users is through digital platforms such as WhatsApp, Interactive Voice Response System (IVRS) and progressive web applications. Progress has been steady, and the full results of the STAR programme are expected by the end of 2020 once all tests have been distributed.
Clinical manifestations and risk factors for oral immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome in Mexico
Authors: Castillejos‐García Itzel , Ramírez‐Amador Velia , Gómez‐Mejía Eduardo , Badial‐Hernández Florentino , Anaya‐Saavedra Gabriela
Published: August 2020

The immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS) is a rare acute complication presenting in people living with HIV (PLWH) within the first 6 months of starting combined antiretroviral therapy (cART). While there is relevant information about its pathogenesis and clinical spectrum, IRIS‐oral lesions (IRIS‐OLs) have been scarcely described. Thus, to establish the incidence and clinical characteristics of IRIS‐OLs, data from a cohort of 158 HIV individuals starting cART, followed for 6 months, were obtained retrospectively. IRIS‐OLs developed in 11.4% of the individuals, in a median time of 87.5 days, with oral candidiasis being the most frequent manifestation detected in eight individuals (5.1%). The study emphasizes the importance of the correct diagnosis and management of these lesions.
Genetic variation of IRF6 and TGFA genes in an HIV‐exposed newborn with non‐syndromic cleft lip palate
Authors: Sufiawati Irna , Maskoen Ani Melani , Soemantri Eky Setiawan Soeria
Published: August 2020

We present here the first reported case of a non‐syndromic cleft lip and palate (NSCLP) in an HIV‐exposed newborn of a mother on antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Indonesia. Genetic testing was performed to confirm a suspected genetic condition. Genomic DNA was extracted from the blood, and genetic variations of the interferon regulatory factor 6 (IRF6) rs642961 (Mspl) (G>A) and transforming growth factor alpha (TGFA) BamHI (rs11466297, A>C) and RsaI (rs3732248, C>T) were performed by PCR‐RFLP and IRF6 gene analysis by PCR sequencing. Genotyping of DNA sequence variants in the IRF6 gene showed both parents had genotype GA, while the child had genotype GG (genotype wild type). There was no difference observed in the TGFA BamHI gene variant between the child and her mother and father that were wild‐type polymorphisms (normal), while the Rsa1 polymorphisms of them were heterozygotes. A genetic variant of IRF6 might be a protective factor for NSCLP, while Rsa1 gene variant (A) allele can be considered to be the risk factor associated with NSCLP development. This case report also highlights the possible etiologic role of ART in NSCLP; therefore, early control of adverse effects of ART might be an important factor in decreasing the incidence of the congenital anomalies in HIV‐infected children.
The global changing pattern of the oral manifestations of HIV
Authors: Tappuni Anwar R.
Published: August 2020

The significance of the oral manifestations of HIV has been widely recognised since the start of the epidemic. It is estimated that more than 38 million people are living with HIV currently, with more than a third presenting with oral manifestations. Access to optimum clinical management and effective treatment in resource‐rich countries has led to a remarkable decrease in some of the oral manifestations in the HIV population but this is not mirrored in developing countries, where most HIV‐positive patients reside. In this paper, a review of the literature since the start of the HIV infection in different parts of the world is presented to highlight the current significance of the oral conditions in this population. Oral candidiasis was repeatedly reported as the most encountered oral manifestation of HIV in different countries, including in studies on groups on anti‐retroviral therapy. Over time salivary gland disease was reported less in developed countries but was encountered more in developing countries. There is evidence to show that the prevalence of oral warts increased with the establishment of anti‐retroviral therapy. A review of the worldwide prevalence of HIV‐related oral conditions indicates that except for oral hairy leucoplakia, the prevalence of all other nine commonly reported oral conditions remained the same or increased over time. Oral opportunistic infections in HIV‐infected patients are an ongoing clinical burden mainly in developing countries. Maintaining research in the subject and improving access to HIV treatment will help address the oral health inequalities around the world.
Innate immune mechanisms to oral pathogens in oral mucosa of HIV‐infected individuals
Authors: Weinberg Aaron , Tugizov Sharof , Pandiyan Pushpa , Jin Ge , Rakshit Srabanti , Vyakarnam Annapurna , Naglik Julian R.
Published: August 2020

A crucial aspect of mucosal HIV transmission is the interaction between HIV, the local environmental milieu and immune cells. The oral mucosa comprises many host cell types including epithelial cells, CD4 + T cells, dendritic cells and monocytes/macrophages, as well as a diverse microbiome predominantly comprising bacterial species. While the oral epithelium is one of the first sites exposed to HIV through oral‐genital contact and nursing infants, it is largely thought to be resistant to HIV transmission via mechanisms that are still unclear. HIV‐1 infection is also associated with predisposition to secondary infections, such as tuberculosis, and other diseases including cancer. This review addresses the following questions that were discussed at the 8th World Workshop on Oral Health and Disease in AIDS held in Bali, Indonesia, 13 September —15 September 2019: (a) How does HIV infection affect epithelial cell signalling? (b) How does HIV infection affect the production of cytokines and other innate antimicrobial factors, (c) How is the mucosal distribution and function of immune cells altered in HIV infection? (d) How do T cells affect HIV (oral) pathogenesis and cancer? (e) How does HIV infection lead to susceptibility to TB infections?
HIV in Indonesia and in neighbouring countries and its social impact
Authors: Riono Pandu , Challacombe Stephen J.
Published: August 2020

HIV incidence is still increasing in parts of Indonesia and in several Asian Countries. New cases of HIV in Indonesia have risen from 7,000 per year in 2006 to 48,000 per year in 2017. In spite of this increase, the number of newly diagnosed cases of AIDS has decreased from a peak of over 12,000 in 2013 to a little over 9,000 in 2017. The mean prevalence of HIV in Indonesia is 0.41% but there is a ten‐fold difference in the prevalence in different regions with the highest in Papua (5%). Women represent over 35% of new infections per year and of the total (640,000) in Indonesia. Over 50% of HIV diagnoses are made when patients already have AIDS. Stigma and discrimination are still strong barriers in prevention and treatment but also there are considerable challenges in access to appropriate anti‐retroviral therapy. There is a need for further investment in HIV Programs in Indonesia so that prevention can be enhanced, and diagnosis made at an earlier stage. Health Professionals including dentists should be readily willing to provide joint prevention efforts and care to people at risk and with HIV and other infectious diseases to help meet the WHO aims of 2030. Public health programmes are needed to make certain that the general public is aware of HIV testing and the role of dental healthcare workers in facilitating this, thereby further normalising attitudes to people living with HIV.
HIV and stigma in the healthcare setting
Authors: Yuvaraj Anandi , Mahendra Vaishali S. , Chakrapani Venkatesan , Yunihastuti Evy , Santella Anthony J. , Ranauta Amitha , Doughty Janine
Published: August 2020

People living with HIV (PLHIV) continue to endure stigma and discrimination in the context of health care despite global improvements in health outcomes. HIV stigma persists within healthcare settings, including dental settings, manifesting itself in myriad, intersecting ways, and has been shown to be damaging in the healthcare setting. Stigmatising practices may include excessive personal protective equipment, delaying the provision of care or unnecessary referral of PLHIV to specialist services in order to access care. The workshop entitled “HIV and Stigma in the Healthcare Setting” provided an overview of the concept and manifestation of HIV stigma and explored the disproportionate burden it places on groups that face additional disadvantages in accessing care. The final part of the workshop concluded with a review of institutional and community‐based interventions that worked to reduce HIV stigma and group discussion of the ways in which these strategies might be adapted to the dental workforce.
Linking political and bureaucratic representation: Does minority representation on city councils affect the outcomes of street‐level service?
Authors: Choi Heasun , Hong Sounman
Published: August 2020

This study examines whether minority representation in democratic institutions impacts frontline public service outcomes, investigating specifically the association between the shares of ethnic minorities on California city councils and the measured level of racial disparities practised by the police in the corresponding jurisdictional areas. The findings suggest that an increase in ethnic minority council members is associated with a respective decrease in racial disparities against ethnic minority groups only if ethnic minority groups are well represented in police forces. This study is among the first to empirically examine the link between political representation and bureaucratic behaviours at the street level. The findings have implications for understanding how political representation can contribute to the democratic accountability of street‐level bureaucracy and how political and bureaucratic representations can complement each other.
IgE‐reactivity profiles to allergen molecules in Russian children with and without symptoms of allergy revealed by micro‐array analysis
Authors: Elisyutina Olga , Lupinek Christian , Fedenko Elena , Litovkina Alla , Smolnikov Evgenii , Ilina Nataliya , Kudlay Dmitry , Shilovskiy Igor , Valenta Rudolf , Khaitov Musa
Published: September 2020

Background

The analysis of longitudinal birth cohorts with micro‐arrayed allergen molecules has provided interesting information about the evolution of IgE sensitization in children. However, so far no cross‐sectional study has been performed comparing IgE sensitization profiles in children with and without symptoms of allergy. Furthermore, no data are available regarding molecular IgE sensitization profiles in children from Russia.

Methods

We recruited two groups of age‐ and gender‐matched children, one (Group 1: n = 103; 12.24 ± 2.23 years; male/female: 58/45) with symptoms and a second (Group 2: n = 97; 12.78 ± 2.23 years; male/female: 53/44), without symptoms of allergy according to international ISAAC questionnaire. Children were further studied regarding symptoms of allergy (rhinitis, asthma, atopic dermatitis) according to international guidelines, and skin prick testing with a panel of aeroallergen extracts was performed before sera were analyzed in an investigator‐blinded manner for IgE specific to more than 160 micro‐arrayed allergen molecules using ImmunoCAP ISAC technology.

Results

IgE sensitization = or >0.3 ISU to at least one of the micro‐arrayed allergen molecules was found in 100% of the symptomatic children and in 36% of the asymptomatic children. Symptomatic and asymptomatic children showed a comparable IgE sensitization profile; however, frequencies of IgE sensitization and IgE levels to the individual allergen molecules were higher in the symptomatic children. Aeroallergen sensitization was dominated by sensitization to major birch pollen allergen, Bet v 1, and major cat allergen, Fel d 1. Food allergen sensitization was due to cross‐sensitization to PR10 pollen and food allergens whereas genuine peanut sensitization was absent.

Conclusion

This is the first study analyzing molecular IgE sensitization profiles to more than 160 allergen molecules in children with and without symptoms of allergy. It detects similar molecular IgE sensitization profiles in symptomatic and asymptomatic children and identifies Bet v 1 and Fel d 1 as the predominant respiratory allergen molecules and PR10 proteins as the major food allergens and absence of genuine peanut allergy in Moscow region (Russia).
Cancer‐related gene mutations and intratumoral genetic heterogeneity in human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 heterogeneous gastric cancer
Authors: Kanayama Kazuki , Imai Hiroshi , Usugi Eri , Matsuda Chise , Ichishi Masako , Hirokawa Yoshifumi S. , Watanabe Masatoshi
Published: September 2020

Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) protein overexpression is associated with HER2 gene amplification, a critical driver oncogenetic change in gastric cancer. HER2 heterogeneity in advanced gastric cancer is associated with a poor prognosis and affects the clinical efficacy of trastuzumab. However, the mechanisms of HER2 heterogeneity are not fully understood. Here, we examined whether HER2 heterogeneous gastric cancer exhibited intratumoral genetic heterogeneity in other cancer‐related genes. Two cases of advanced gastric cancer with HER2 heterogeneity were selected, and samples of HER2‐positive and HER2‐negative areas in each case were analyzed using a cancer‐associated multiple gene panel. In both cases, TP53 mutations were observed in both HER2‐positive and HER2‐negative areas, whereas many of the potential driver and passenger mutations differed between HER2‐positive and HER2‐negative areas. Overall, our findings demonstrated that HER2 heterogeneous gastric cancer exhibited intratumoral genetic heterogeneity in other cancer‐related genes and that the molecular mechanisms could differ between HER2‐positive and ‐negative areas.
Elevated atmospheric CO2 modifies responses to water‐stress and flowering of Mediterranean desert truffle mycorrhizal shrubs
Authors: Marqués‐Gálvez José Eduardo , Navarro‐Ródenas Alfonso , Peguero‐Pina José Javier , Arenas Francisco , Guarnizo Angel Luigi , Gil‐Pelegrín Eustaquio , Morte Asunción
Published: September 2020

Predicted increases in atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2) coupled with increased temperatures and drought are expected to strongly influence the development of most of the plant species in the world, especially in areas with high risk of desertification like the Mediterranean basin. Helianthemum almeriense is an ecologically important Mediterranean shrub with an added interest because it serves as the host for the Terfezia claveryi mycorrhizal fungus, which is a desert truffle with increasingly commercial interest. Although both plant and fungi are known to be well adapted to dry conditions, it is still uncertain how the increase in atmospheric CO2 will influence them. In this article we have addressed the physiological responses of H. almeriense × T. claveryi mycorrhizal plants to increases in atmospheric CO2 coupled with drought and high vapor pressure deficit. This work reports one of the few estimations of mesophyll conductance in a drought deciduous Mediterranean shrub and evaluates its role in photosynthesis limitation. High atmospheric CO2 concentrations help desert truffle mycorrhizal plants to cope with the adverse effects of progressive drought during Mediterranean springs by improving carbon net assimilation, intrinsic water use efficiency and dispersal of the species through increased flowering events.
The Adoption of Robotics by Government Agencies: Evidence from Crime Labs
Authors: Whitford Andrew B. , Yates Jeff , Burchfield Adam , Anastasopoulos Jason L. , Anderson Derrick M.
Published: September 2020

Two decades of research have helped show that government agencies can be innovative under certain conditions. We test hypotheses about the adoption and use of robotics as a key emerging leading‐edge technology as advanced economies undergo the latest technological revolution. We focus on the case of U.S. crime laboratories as a core component of the “evidence assembly process” in the U.S. justice system. Using data from the census of crime labs, we show that the adoption of robotics depends on familiar “push‐and‐pull” factors: the push of agency professionalism, the pull of agency task environments, and the supporting capability of resources. Together these findings suggest that agencies can be early adopters of robotics as advanced technologies if they have the capacity (and need) to do so.
Taking Goldschmidt to the Woods: Timberland Ownership and Quality of Life in Alabama*
Authors: Bailey Conner , Gopaul Abhimanyu , Thomson Ryan , Gunnoe Andrew
Published: September 2020

We use a database of property tax records for 13.6 million acres representing every parcel of privately owned timberland in 48 rural Alabama counties to test two hypotheses inspired by Walter Goldschmidt relating land ownership and quality of life. Our data show private ownership is highly concentrated and 62 percent is absentee owned. We employed Pearson correlations alongside Poisson and negative binomial regression models to estimate influence of both concentrated private ownership and absentee ownership of timberland. Our findings support Goldschmidt‐inspired hypotheses that concentrated and absentee ownership of timberland exhibit a significant adverse relationship with quality of life as measured by educational attainment, poverty, unemployment, food insecurity, eligibility for free or reduced price lunch at public schools, Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program participation, and population density. Low property taxes in Alabama limit the ability of local governments to generate revenue to support public education or meet other infrastructural or service needs in rural areas. We call on rural sociologists and kindred spirits to pay more attention to the fundamental importance of land ownership which shapes the foundations of power and inequality affecting rural life in America and beyond.
The prospects of single‐cell analysis in autoimmunity
Authors: Sulen André , Islam Shahinul , Wolff Anette S. B. , Oftedal Bergithe E.
Published: September 2020

In the last decade, there has been a tremendous development of technologies focused on analysing various molecular attributes in single cells, with an ever‐increasing number of parameters becoming available at the DNA, RNA and protein levels. Much of this progress has involved cells in suspension, but also in situ analysis of tissues has taken great leaps. Paralleling the development in the laboratory, and because of increasing complexity, the analysis of single‐cell data is also constantly being updated with new algorithms and analysis platforms. Our immune system shares this complexity, and immunologists have therefore been in the forefront of this technological development. These technologies clearly open new avenues for immunology research, maybe particularly within autoimmunity where the interaction between the faulty immune system and the thymus or the target organ is important. However, the technologies currently available can seem overwhelming and daunting. The aim of this review is to remedy this by giving a balanced overview of the prospects of using single‐cell analysis in basal and clinical autoimmunity research, with an emphasis on endocrine autoimmunity.
Media Consumption and Racial Residential Preferences
Authors: Korver‐Glenn Elizabeth , Emmanuel Sylvia , Campbell Mary E. , Keith Verna M.
Published: August 2020

Objective

To what extent do mainstream media, social media, and ethnic media consumption, as dominant and counter‐dominant forms of public discourse, connect to where people prefer to live? We unpack whether media consumption influences such preferences in Texas, a racially segregated and increasingly racially diverse state.

Methods

Using the Texas Diversity Survey (n = 1,322), we run a series of logit regression models, stratified by respondent race (Black, Latinx, Multiracial, and White), to measure the relationship between media consumption and racial residential preferences.

Results

We find that racial residential preferences are shaped not only by expected attributes (e.g., age, education, racial composition of current neighborhood of residence) but also by whether mainstream media are consumed for Latinx respondents. Whites who consume ethnic media are significantly more likely to prefer living in Black and Latinx communities.

Conclusion

These findings suggest that public discourse is connected to residential preference formation and a “sense of group position”—but how this happens depends on the media source as well as the group in question.
Current status and practical considerations in the development of convalescent plasma as a treatment for COVID‐19
Authors: Liao Hua
Published: August 2020

Background and Objectives

The ongoing COVID‐19 pandemic caused by rapid spreading of the SARS‐CoV‐2 virus since December 2019 is inflicting tremendous harm in human health and causing severe economic damages around the world. Expeditious identification and development of intervention therapies are of great importance before safe and effective vaccines against SARS‐CoV‐2 become widely available. Convalescent plasma therapy has emerged as a promising candidate that could be safe and effective against COVID‐19 within a short period of time, due to positive experiences thus far with regard to both safety and efficacy from past infectious disease outbreaks.

Materials and Methods

Three types of studies involving convalescent plasma therapy have been reviewed, including CP for past infectious disease outbreaks, recent published studies and ongoing clinical trials for COVID‐19.

Results

This review provides a narrative summary of existing clinical data for the efficacy and safety of convalescent plasma in infectious diseases, the current status of its development and use as a COVID‐19 treatment, and some practical considerations in the design of clinical trials.

Conclusion

Despite that encouraging data continue to accumulate, definitive clinical evidence for the effectiveness of CP therapy as a treatment for COVID‐19 is still lacking and the need for well designed randomized trials is imperative. The experiences learned about convalescent plasma as a therapy from the past outbreaks and the ongoing COVID‐19 pandemic will be invaluable in combating future outbreaks of infectious diseases.
Customizing WLAN Access Point’s Indoor Coverage and Throughput with Corner Reflector
Authors: Abdul Aziz Omar , Din Jafri , A. Rashid Rozeha , Sarijari Mohd. Adib , Yusri Nur Aqilah
Published: September 2020

Careful control of indoor wireless coverage is crucial to ensure better signal reception at user-end, mitigate interference to other adjacent wireless systems plus reduce possibility of signal reception by unintended users. Existing solutions are either costly or difficult to configure. This paper presents empirical IEEE802.11 indoor coverage and Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) throughput analysis for WLAN Access Point with corner reflector. The integration of two corner reflector configurations to Access Point was shown to successfully weaken signals by up to 19 dB and 100% of TCP throughput while strengthening signals by up to 6 dB and 40% of TCP throughput for respective intended regions. The results demonstrate potential application of corner reflector to customize indoor coverage and regulate reliable internet connectivity of Access Point.
Predictive Variables of Faculty Retention in the Counselor Education Field: A Gender Perspective
Authors: Neale-McFall Cheryl , Hermann Mary A. , Eckart Emeline
Published: September 2020

Faculty, especially women faculty, continue to leak from the academic pipeline. Considering the costs related to faculty turnover, researchers have recommended continued exploration of faculty experiences with occupational satisfaction and retention. Accordingly, utilizing quantitative methodology and content analysis, the authors examined the reported experiences of 218 professors in the Counselor Education field. Predictive variables related to faculty retention were identified. These variables included lack of support from administration, lack of support from colleagues, having to work harder than colleagues to be taken seriously, gender, and partner job status. Data also revealed significant differences between gender and partner job status, gender and workload variables, and gender and retention variables. These results provide information on the experiences of both men and women faculty, and highlight gender inequities in higher education.
Measurement of fatigue in clinicians within hospital settings: a systematic review protocol of measurement properties
Authors: Walters Stephen John , Stern Cindy , Stephenson Matthew
Published: August 2020

Objective:

The objective of this review is to evaluate measurement properties of instruments used to measure fatigue in clinicians within hospital settings.

Introduction:

Research has shown that clinician fatigue leads to accidents and mistakes, and puts patient safety at risk. The problem of managing fatigue in clinicians may need a more complex approach than only restricting work hours. It may be helpful to include a measure of fatigue in the workplace so that fatigue may be quantified, predicted, and correlated to performance.

Inclusion criteria:

Articles will include clinicians working in hospitals, and will evaluate and present measurement properties of the instruments used to measure fatigue. The studies of interest include validation studies, quantitative research, and instrument development reports.

Methods:

Databases to be searched include PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL, EThOS (Electronic Thesis Online Service), ProQuest Dissertations and Theses: Global, and will be limited to publications in English. There will be no date limits. Articles will be screened and those meeting the inclusion criteria will be retained and assessed for methodological quality by two independent appraisers. Data will be presented using a narrative synthesis and tables presenting the measurement properties of each instrument and ancillary data.

Systematic review registration number:

PROSPERO CRD42020186226
Experiences and views of women, children, and professionals regarding second-hand smoke exposure prevention in Middle Eastern countries: a qualitative systematic review protocol
Authors: Hassanein Zeinab , Langley Tessa , Murray Rachael L. , Bogdanovica Ilze , Leonardi-Bee Jo
Published: August 2020

Objective:

This systematic review aims to identify and explore the experiences and views of women, children, and professionals regarding second-hand smoke exposure prevention in the home, workplace, school, personal vehicles, and public places in Middle Eastern countries.

Introduction:

Exposure to second-hand smoke is a significant public health problem globally, but particularly in Middle Eastern countries. Whilst many Middle Eastern countries have implemented tobacco-control programs and have legislation that bans smoking in public places, the legislation is not always comprehensively implemented or enforced. Therefore, women and children continue to be exposed to second-hand smoke in public and private settings.

Inclusion criteria:

This review will consider studies that include the views and experiences of any of the following three groups: (i) women (including pregnant women and mothers), (ii) children (primary and secondary school age), and (iii) professionals (including health professionals and policy makers), regarding the prevention of second-hand smoke exposure in women and children in Middle Eastern countries.

Methods:

MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Web of Science, and Scopus, and sources of gray literature will be searched for eligible studies. Databases will be searched from their inception dates and no language restrictions will be applied. Two reviewers will independently screen studies and assess methodological quality and extract data from the included studies following JBI systematic review guidelines. The JBI process of meta-aggregation will be used to identify categories and synthesize findings. The ConQual approach will be used to assess confidence in the findings.

Systematic review registration number:

PROSPERO (CRD42019137006)
Effectiveness of photobiomodulation therapy for nipple pain or nipple trauma in lactating women: a systematic review protocol
Authors: Cirico Michelli Oliveira Vani , Shimoda Gilceria Tochika , Silva Isilia Aparecida , de Sousa Marcelo Victor Pires , de Castro Renata , McArthur Alexa
Published: August 2020

Objective:

The objective of this protocol is to evaluate the effectiveness of photobiomodulation therapy for the treatment of nipple pain or nipple trauma in women during the breastfeeding period.

Introduction:

One approach that has been reported on the management of nipple pain or nipple trauma in lactating women is the use photobiomodulation therapy to heal the injury or to decrease pain intensity. However, studies have achieved different results, due to variations in the treatment protocol, such as the source of light used, the application mode, the irradiation, or the light dose parameters, leading to varying outcomes.

Inclusion criteria:

This review will consider studies that evaluate photobiomodulation therapy for the treatment of nipple pain or nipple trauma in lactating women in the postpartum period that compare the intervention to standard care, placebo, or other type of treatment. The following outcomes will be considered: intensity of nipple pain, healing of nipple trauma, exclusive breastfeeding rate, quality of life, and satisfaction of the women with treatment. There will be no publication time limit, and studies published in any language will be considered for inclusion.

Methods:

This review will be conducted in accordance with JBI methodology for systematic reviews of effectiveness. The search strategy will search both published and unpublished studies, and the process of study selection, critical appraisal, data extraction, and data synthesis will be performed in accordance to the JBI approach.

Systematic review registration number:

PROSPERO CRD42019147401
An Automated Quantitative Method to Analyze Immunohistochemistry and Immunocytochemistry Images
Authors: Jin Yongcheng , Shi Kexin , Gao Xumei , Langenbach Shenna Y. , Li Meina , Harris Trudi , Stewart Alastair G.
Published: September 2020

Immunohistochemistry (IHC) plays an important role in target protein analysis. However, many researchers analyze IHC images by five/three-tier manual ranking methods based on stained area and density. Such manual scoring might be biased by the antibody amount, counterstaining density, overall brightness, and most importantly, researchers' ranking experience. The potential lack of reliability in manual approach drives us to develop an automatic tool to quantitatively analyze IHC, which can also be used for immunocytochemistry (ICC). We applied a “color deconvolution” method based on an red-green-blue (RGB) color vector matching the color of desired immunochemistry agent, 3,3′-diaminobenzidine (DAB) with haematoxylin in this case, to acquire pseudo-color images. Subsequently, Density, the product of integrating the single pixel staining density by area stained, is used as an index of immunostaining. We observed a strong correlation between the results by our automatic method and the manual scoring from experienced researchers, demonstrating the utility of this method in IHC and ICC. For IHC analysis, five-tier ranking based on density (n = 161) shows a high Spearman's coefficient (rho) of 0.80 (P < 0.0001) with the annotation given by two experienced scientists. However, the rho between experienced and inexperienced researchers' annotation (n = 154) is only 0.66 (P < 0.0001). In immunocytochemistry, the rho between density and experienced researchers' annotation is 0.80 (n = 44, P < 0.0001). In conclusion, our method can rank multiple protein targets in immunohistochemistry and may be also used in immunochemistry.
Analysis of linear viscoelasticity of aging soft glasses
Authors: Shukla Asheesh , Shanbhag Sachin , Joshi Yogesh M.
Published: September 2020

Aging soft glassy materials do not follow time-translational invariance and violate the principles of linear viscoelasticity, such as the relation between the dynamic moduli in the frequency domain and the stress relaxation modulus in the time domain. Using an aqueous suspension of hectorite clay, a model aging soft glassy material, we account for time-dependent behavior by transforming the experimentally obtained stress relaxation and dynamic moduli from the real-time domain to the effective-time domain by normalizing the real-time by a time-dependent relaxation time. We find that the two sets of experiments probe different aging and deformation timescales, and simultaneous analysis provides insights into material behavior over a wide range of timescales. Careful analysis of the dynamic moduli reveals contamination of (slow) aging α modes by (fast) nonaging β modes, which is not clearly evident in the stress relaxation modulus. On the other hand, the stress relaxation measurements probe timescales long enough to characterize the terminal relaxation of the suspension. A toy Maxwell model is used to elucidate the interaction of the slow aging and fast nonaging modes, and their effect of measurements. The synergistic relationship between the two sets of experiments offers guidelines for characterizing time-dependent materials by generalizing the principles of linear viscoelasticity.
Novel Functions and Signaling Specificity for the GraS Sensor Kinase of Staphylococcus aureus in Response to Acidic pH
Authors: Kuiack Robert C. , Veldhuizen Ruud A. W. , McGavin Martin J.
Published: September 2020

Staphylococcus aureus
asymptomatically colonizes 30% of humans but is also a leading cause of infectious morbidity and mortality. Since infections are typically initiated by the same strain associated with asymptomatic colonization of the nose or skin, it is important to understand how the microbe can endure exposure to harsh conditions that successfully restrict the growth of other bacteria, including a combination of acidic pH, antimicrobial peptides, and antimicrobial fatty acids. The significance of our research is in showing that acidic pH combined with antimicrobial peptide or environmental calcium can signal through a single membrane sensor protein to promote traits that may aid in survival, including modification of cell surface properties, increased resistance to antimicrobial fatty acids, and enhanced production of secreted proteases.
Identification of Uncharacterized Components of Prokaryotic Immune Systems and Their Diverse Eukaryotic Reformulations
Authors: Burroughs A. Maxwell , Aravind L.
Published: September 2020

Both prokaryotic and eukaryotic immune systems face the dangers of premature activation of effectors and degradation of self-molecules in the absence of an invader. To mitigate this, they have evolved threshold-setting regulatory mechanisms for the triggering of effectors only upon the detection of a sufficiently strong invader signal. This work defines general templates for such regulation in effector-based immune systems. Using this, we identify several previously uncharacterized prokaryotic immune mechanisms that accomplish the regulation of downstream effector deployment by using nucleotide, NAD
+
-derived, two-component, and one-component signals paralleling physiological homeostasis. This study has also helped identify several previously unknown sensor and effector modules in these systems. Our findings also augment the growing evidence for the emergence of key animal immunity and chromatin regulatory components from prokaryotic progenitors.
An Online Interactive Video Vignette that Helps Students Learn Key Concepts of Fermentation and Respiration
Authors: Cardinale Jean A. , Newman Dina L. , Wright L. Kate
Published: September 2020

Topics related to energy transformation and metabolism are important parts of an undergraduate biology curriculum, but these are also topics that students traditionally struggle with. To address this, we have created a short online Interactive Video Vignette (IVV) called
To Ferment or Not to Ferment: That is the Question
. This IVV is designed to help students learn important ideas related to cellular respiration and metabolism. Students in various courses across four institutions were assigned the IVV as an out-of-class preinstruction homework assignment. To test the effectiveness of this IVV on student learning, we collected and analyzed data from questions embedded in the IVV, open response reflection questions, and pre- and postassessments from IVV watchers and nonwatchers. Our analysis revealed that students who completed the IVV activity interacted productively with this online tool and made significant learning gains on important topics related to cellular respiration and metabolism. This IVV is freely available via
https://www.rit.edu/cos/interactive/MINT
for instructors to adopt for class use.
Nationwide trends in the incidence of orbital lymphoma from 1999 to 2016 in South Korea
Authors: Jung Su Kyung , Lim Jiwon , Yang Suk Woo , Won Young-Joo
Published: August 2020

Background/Aims

Lymphomas are the most frequent neoplasm of the orbit. However, the epidemiology of orbital lymphomas is not well reported. This study aimed to provide a population-based report on the epidemiology of orbital lymphomas and measure the trends in the incidence of orbital lymphoma cancer in South Korea.

Methods

Nationwide cancer incidence data from 1999 to 2016 were obtained from the Korea Central Cancer Registry. Age-standardised incidence rates and annual percent changes were calculated according to sex and histological types. The analysis according to the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results summary stage classifications was performed from 2006 to 2016. Survival rates were estimated for cases diagnosed from 1999 to 2016.

Results

A total of 630 patients (median age: 54 years) with orbital lymphoma in the orbital soft tissue were included in this study. The age-standardised incidence rates increased from 0.03 to 0.08 per 100 000 individuals between 1999 and 2016, with an annual percent change of 6.61%. The most common histopathological type of orbital lymphoma was extra marginal zone B cell lymphoma, accounting for 82.2% of all orbital lymphomas during 1999–2016, followed by diffuse large B cell lymphoma (9.2%). Five-year, 10-year and 15-year overall survival (OS) of orbital lymphoma was 90.8%, 83.8% and 75.8%, respectively. OS showed a significant decrease as age increased and no significant differences between men and women.

Conclusion

The incidence rate of orbital lymphoma is very low in South Korea. However, the incidence rate has increased over the past years. Orbital lymphomas have a worse prognosis as age increases.
Temperature and cardiovascular mortality in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: effect modification by individual-level and neighbourhood-level factors
Authors: Silveira Ismael Henrique , Cortes Taísa Rodrigues , Oliveira Beatriz Fátima Alves , Junger Washington Leite
Published: August 2020

Background

Many factors related to susceptibility or vulnerability to temperature effects on mortality have been proposed in the literature. However, there is limited evidence of effect modification by some individual-level factors such as occupation, colour/race, education level and community-level factors. We investigated the effect modification of the temperature–cardiovascular mortality relationship by individual-level and neighbourhood-level factors in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Methods

We used a case-crossover study to estimate the total effect of temperature on cardiovascular mortality in Rio de Janeiro between 2001 and 2018, and the effect modification by individual-level and neighbourhood-level factors. Individual-level factors included sex, age, colour/race, education, and place of death. Neighbourhood-level characteristics included social development index (SDI), income, electricity consumption and demographic change. We used conditional Poisson regression models combined with distributed lag non-linear models, adjusted for humidity and public holidays.

Results

Our results suggest a higher vulnerability to high temperatures among the elderly, women, non-hospitalised deaths, and people with a lower education level. Vulnerability to low temperatures was higher among the elderly, men, non-white people, and for primary education level. As for neighbourhood-level factors, we identified greater vulnerability to low and high temperatures in places with lower SDI, lower income, lower consumption of electricity, and higher demographic growth.

Conclusion

The effects of temperature on cardiovascular disease mortality in Rio de Janeiro vary according to individual-level and neighbourhood-level factors. These findings are valuable to inform policymakers about the most vulnerable groups and places, in order to develop more effective and equitable public policies.
Staff perceptions of how changes occur in an emergency department: a qualitative study
Authors: Ratnapalan Savithiri , Lang Daniel
Published: September 2020

Introduction

Changes in healthcare organisations often incur significant financial costs and disrupt of normal operations. The objective of this research was to explore staff perceptions of changes at a university teaching hospital in the UK.

Methods

Grounded theory methodology was used to perform a secondary analysis of 41 interview transcripts from participants consisting of 20 physicians, 13 nurses, 2 support workers and 6 managers involved in paediatric emergency care at the hospital.

Results

Four major themes identified from the analysis were types of changes, change readiness, change triggers and challenges to implementing changes. Both planned and emergent changes can occur simultaneously, and emergency department staff are ready to manage them although external pressures seem to be the main trigger for changes, emergent changes appear to occur as initiatives to improve performance or improve services. Emergent changes at a systemic level have an inclusive planning, implementation and evaluation process. They have to be implemented at minimal cost and show the value of changes.

Discussion and conclusion

These results suggest that emergent changes that were to be implemented at a system level had higher scrutiny of their value and to occur with zero or minimum financial cost. Planned changes implemented by senior management as top–down process should have similar procedures and scrutiny to emergent changes arising from staff, to ensure value for cost. Policy makers and senior managers should encourage and evaluate group or system level changes that arise as a bottom–up process and assess associated financial cost.
Integration with an adaptive harmonic mean algorithm
Authors: Caldwell Allen , Eller Philipp , Hafych Vasyl , Schick Rafael , Schulz Oliver , Szalay Marco
Published: September 2020

Numerically estimating the integral of functions in high dimensional spaces is a nontrivial task. A oft-encountered example is the calculation of the marginal likelihood in Bayesian inference, in a context where a sampling algorithm such as a Markov Chain Monte Carlo provides samples of the function. We present an Adaptive Harmonic Mean Integration (AHMI) algorithm. Given samples drawn according to a probability distribution proportional to the function, the algorithm will estimate the integral of the function and the uncertainty of the estimate by applying a harmonic mean estimator to adaptively chosen regions of the parameter space. We describe the algorithm and its mathematical properties, and report the results using it on multiple test cases.
Integrability and spectral form factor in Chern–Simons formulation
Authors: Ma Chen-Te , Shu Hongfei
Published: September 2020

We study the integrability from the spectral form factor in the Chern–Simons formulation. The effective action in the higher spin sector was not derived so far. Therefore, we begin from the SL(3) Chern–Simons higher spin theory. Then the dimensional reduction in this Chern–Simons theory gives the SL(3) reparametrization invariant Schwarzian theory, which is the boundary theory of an interacting theory between the spin-2 and spin-3 fields at the infrared or massless limit. We show that the Lorentzian SL(3) Schwarzian theory is dual to the integrable model, SL(3) open Toda chain theory. Finally, we demonstrate the application of open Toda chain theory from the SL(2) case. The numerical result shows that the spectral form factor loses the dip-ramp-plateau behavior, consistent with integrability. The spectrum is not a Gaussian random matrix spectrum. We also give an exact solution of the spectral form factor for the SL(3) theory. This solution provides a similar form to the SL(2) case for [Formula: see text]. Hence the SL(3) theory should also do not have a Gaussian random matrix spectrum.
Moonlighting Proteins
Authors: Singh Nadia , Bhalla Needhi
Published: September 2020

The single gene, single protein, single function hypothesis is increasingly becoming obsolete. Numerous studies have demonstrated that individual proteins can moonlight, meaning they can have multiple functions based on their cellular or developmental context. In this review, we discuss moonlighting proteins, highlighting the biological pathways where this phenomenon may be particularly relevant. In addition, we combine genetic, cell biological, and evolutionary perspectives so that we can better understand how, when, and why moonlighting proteins may take on multiple roles.