bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Neural Basis of Smoking-Related Difficulties in Emotion Regulation
Authors: Faulkner Paul , Dean Andy C , Ghahremani Dara G , London Edythe D
Published: March 2020

Background

Negative emotional states contribute to cigarette smoking, and difficulties in regulating these states can hinder smoking cessation. Understanding the neural bases of these difficulties in smokers may facilitate development of novel therapies for Tobacco Use Disorder.

Methods

Thirty-seven participants (18 smokers, 19 nonsmokers; 16–21 years old) completed the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS), which is comprised of 6 subscales (lack of emotional clarity, lack of emotional awareness, limited access to emotion regulation strategies, nonacceptance of emotional responses, difficulties engaging in goal-directed behaviors, and impulse control difficulties) that combine to provide a total score. Participants also underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging to determine resting-state functional connectivity of the amygdala. Separate ANOVAs were used to determine group differences in self-reports on the DERS. Voxel-wise linear mixed models were performed to determine whether group influenced relationships between whole-brain functional connectivity of the amygdala and scores on the DERS.

Results

Compared with nonsmokers, smokers reported greater difficulties in emotion regulation, denoted by higher total scores on the DERS. Group differences were observed on a subscale of lack of emotional clarity, but no other subscale differences on the DERS were observed. Nonsmokers exhibited a greater negative correlation than smokers between lack of emotional clarity scores and connectivity of the amygdala with the left inferior frontal gyrus. Finally, this amygdala-to-left inferior frontal gyrus connectivity was weaker in smokers than in nonsmokers.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that difficulties in emotion regulation in smokers are at least partially due to lack of emotional clarity. Given the role of the inferior frontal gyrus in understanding emotional states, strengthening connectivity between the amygdala and the inferior frontal gyrus may improve emotional clarity to help smokers regulate their negative emotions, thereby improving their ability to quit smoking.
Full-Rank Valuations and Toric Initial Ideals
Authors: Bossinger Lara
Published: March 2020

Let $V(I)$ be a polarized projective variety or a subvariety of a product of projective spaces, and let $A$ be its (multi-)homogeneous coordinate ring. To a full-rank valuation ${\mathfrak{v}}$ on $A$ we associate a weight vector $w_{\mathfrak{v}}$. Our main result is that the value semi-group of ${\mathfrak{v}}$ is generated by the images of the generators of $A$ if and only if the initial ideal of $I$ with respect to $w_{\mathfrak{v}}$ is prime. As application, we prove a conjecture by [ 7] connecting the Minkowski property of string polytopes to the tropical flag variety. For Rietsch-Williams’ valuation for Grassmannians, we identify a class of plabic graphs with non-integral associated Newton–Okounkov polytope (for ${\operatorname *{Gr}}_k(\mathbb C^n)$ with $n\ge 6$ and $k\ge 3$).
Results from the Survey of Antibiotic Resistance (SOAR) 2015–17 in the Middle East (Kuwait, Lebanon and Saudi Arabia): data based on CLSI, EUCAST (dose-specific) and pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) breakpoints
Authors: Torumkuney D , Mokaddas E , Jiman-Fatani A , Ageel A , Daoud Z , Bouferraa Y , Zerdan M B , Morrissey I
Published: March 2020

Objectives

To determine antibiotic susceptibility of Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae isolates from community-acquired respiratory tract infections (CA-RTIs) collected in 2015–17 from Kuwait, Lebanon and Saudi Arabia.

Methods

MICs were determined by CLSI broth microdilution and susceptibility was assessed using CLSI, EUCAST (dose-specific) and pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) breakpoints.

Results

A total of 139 S. pneumoniae isolates were collected from four centres in Kuwait, Lebanon and Saudi Arabia in 2015–17 and 55 H. influenzae isolates were collected and analysed from Saudi Arabia over the same time period. Pneumococci from all three countries were commonly non-susceptible to penicillin based on CLSI oral or low-dose IV penicillin using EUCAST breakpoints (39% in Kuwait to 57.1% in Lebanon) but by CLSI IV and EUCAST high-dose breakpoints most isolates were susceptible (∼90% in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, and 100% in Lebanon). Isolates from Lebanon were highly susceptible to most other antibiotics (>90%) except cefaclor, oral cefuroxime and cefpodoxime (EUCAST breakpoints only). Overall, susceptibility was significantly lower in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia than Lebanon. Although all H. influenzae isolates (Saudi Arabia only) were β-lactamase negative, 3.6% and 12.7% were ampicillin resistant by CLSI and EUCAST breakpoints, respectively. Otherwise susceptibility was high in H. influenzae. The application of different EUCAST breakpoints for low and higher doses for some of the antibiotics (amoxicillin, amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, ampicillin, penicillin, ceftriaxone, clarithromycin, erythromycin, levofloxacin and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole) allowed, for the first time in a SOAR study, the effect of raising the dosage on susceptibility to be quantified.

Conclusions

Relatively low antibiotic susceptibility was observed in S. pneumoniae from Kuwait and Saudi Arabia in contrast to Lebanon, where rates of susceptibility were generally higher. Isolates of H. influenzae from Saudi Arabia were susceptible to most antibiotics. These factors are important in decision making for empirical therapy of CA-RTIs.
Results from the Survey of Antibiotic Resistance (SOAR) 2015–17 in Turkey: data based on CLSI, EUCAST (dose-specific) and pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) breakpoints
Authors: Torumkuney D , Tunger A , Sancak B , Bıçakçıgil A , Altun B , Aktas Z , Kayacan C , Morrissey I
Published: March 2020

Objectives

To determine antibiotic susceptibility of Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae isolates from community-acquired respiratory tract infections (CA-RTIs) collected in 2015–17 from Turkey.

Methods

MICs were determined by CLSI broth microdilution and susceptibility was assessed using CLSI, EUCAST (dose-specific) and pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) breakpoints.

Results

A total of 179 S. pneumoniae and 239 H. influenzae isolates were collected. Few (27.9%) pneumococci were penicillin susceptible by CLSI oral or EUCAST low-dose breakpoints, but by EUCAST high-dose or CLSI IV breakpoints 84.4% were susceptible. The most active antibiotics (excluding penicillin IV) by CLSI breakpoints were fluoroquinolones (98.9% of isolates susceptible), ceftriaxone (83.2%), amoxicillin (78.8%) and amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (78.8%). Pneumococcal susceptibility to amoxicillin and amoxicillin/clavulanic acid was lower using EUCAST low-dose breakpoints (49.7%), although susceptibility increased when using EUCAST high-dose (57.0%–58.1%) and PK/PD (78.8%–87.7%) breakpoints. Twenty-three H. influenzae isolates were β-lactamase positive, with 11 characterized as β-lactamase negative and ampicillin resistant following EUCAST criteria and 5 by CLSI criteria. Generally antibiotic susceptibility was high using CLSI breakpoints: ≥92.9% for all antibiotics except ampicillin (87% by CLSI and EUCAST breakpoints) and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (67.4% and 72% by CLSI and EUCAST breakpoints, respectively). Susceptibility using EUCAST breakpoints (where these are published) was similar, except for cefuroxime (oral) with 3.8% of isolates susceptible. PK/PD breakpoints indicated low susceptibility to macrolides (5.9%–10%) and cefaclor (13%). The application of different EUCAST breakpoints for low and higher doses for some of the antibiotics (amoxicillin, amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, ampicillin, penicillin, ceftriaxone, clarithromycin, erythromycin, levofloxacin and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole) allowed, for the first time in a SOAR study, the effect of raising the dosage on susceptibility to be quantified.

Conclusions

Antibiotic susceptibility of S. pneumoniae was generally low, which is in keeping with evidence of inappropriate and high antibiotic use in Turkey. H. influenzae susceptibility was high. These data are important for empirical therapy of CA-RTIs.
Fluoroquinolone resistance in Escherichia coli isolates after exposure to non-fluoroquinolone antibiotics: a retrospective case–control study
Authors: Chaname Pinedo Linda E , Bruyndonckx Robin , Catry Boudewijn , Latour Katrien , Goossens Herman , Abrams Steven , Coenen Samuel
Published: March 2020

Objectives

To investigate whether prior exposure to non-fluoroquinolone antibiotics increases the risk of fluoroquinolone resistance in Escherichia coli.

Methods

This was a secondary analysis of data collected retrospectively in a case–control study linking microbiological test results (isolated bacteria and their susceptibility) of urine samples routinely collected from primary, secondary and tertiary care patients in Belgium with information on prior antibiotic use at the patient level up to 1 year previously.

Results

In urine samples from 6125 patients, 7204 E. coli isolates were retrieved [1949 fluoroquinolone-resistant isolates (cases) and 5255 fluoroquinolone-susceptible isolates (controls)]. After adjusting for potential confounders (including fluoroquinolone use) and correcting for multiple testing there were lower odds of fluoroquinolone resistance in E. coli isolates after exposure to cefazolin (OR = 0.65; 95% CI = 0.52–0.81; P = 0.00014) and higher odds after exposure to trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (OR = 1.56; 95% CI = 1.23–1.97; P =0.00020) or nitrofurantoin (OR = 1.50; 95% CI = 1.23–1.84; P =0.000083). A sensitivity analysis excluding samples with antibiotic use during the 6 months prior to the sampling date confirmed the higher odds of fluoroquinolone resistance after exposure to trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole and nitrofurantoin.

Conclusions

Assuming no residual confounding or other biases, this study suggests that exposure to non-fluoroquinolone antibiotics, i.e. trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole and nitrofurantoin, might be causally related to fluoroquinolone resistance in E. coli isolates from urinary samples. Future prospective research is needed to confirm non-fluoroquinolone antibiotics as potential drivers of fluoroquinolone resistance.
Recovery and Sporicidal Resistance of Various B. subtilis Spore Preparations on Porcelain Penicylinders Compared with Results from AOAC Test Methods
Authors: Danielson James W , Zuroski Kristine E , Twohy Christine , Thompson Richard D , Bell Ellis , McClure Foster
Published: March 2020

Sporicidal test results obtained from carriers inoculated with 4 types of defined Bacillus subtilis spore preparations were compared with the standard AOAC sporicidal test using soil extract nutrient broth (SENB) B. subtilis 19659 spores. Recoveries of spores inoculated on penicylinders from B. subtilis clean spores (washed and suspended in water) and B. subtilis 19659 spores inoculated from culture filtrates according to the AOAC method were compared. Spores were exposed to 6 concentrations (0.5–3.0% w/v) of glutaraldehyde in phosphate buffer (pH 7.5) for 10 h. Concentrations were established by titrimetry and liquid chromatography. Recoveries of surviving spores were determined for 3 types of clean B. subtilis var. niger preparations, one clean B. subtilis 19659 preparation, and the SENB B. subtilis 19659 filtrates. Spore carriers, inoculated by the standard AOAC protocol, resulted in as much as a 2-log number difference in runs 1–12, but not more than 0.5 log number for each clean spore preparation. The SENB spores varied most in resistance to glutaraldehyde, with no growth in recovery media from 3 different batches of 1, 1.5, and 2% glutaraldehyde. Separate batches of SENB preparations of B. subtilis 19659 were resistant and destroyed by 1.0% glutaraldehyde, with 3.98 and 6.0 log numbers of spores on penicylinders, respectively. Clean spore preparations of B. subtilis 19659 on porcelain penicylinders were more resistant to glutaraldehyde than were SENB spores. Nutrient agar/Mg/Ca and nutrient agar/Mg spore preparations of B. subtilis var. niger showed the most uniform resistance to glutaraldehyde. Spores with calcium added showed increased resistance to glutaraldehyde. B. subtilis 19659 spores from the Columbia broth spore preparation were the most resistant and were recovered after exposure to 3.0% glutaraldehyde.
Element and Radionuclide Concentrations in Food: FDA Total Diet Study 1991–1996
Authors: Capar Stephen G , Cunningham William C
Published: March 2020

Foods purchased throughout the United States during 1991–1997 under the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's Total Diet Study (TDS) program were analyzed for elements and radionuclides. The program is described with emphasis on food analysis and quality control, including independent interlaboratory exercises. Analytical results are summarized for Cd, Pb, Ni, As, Hg, Se, Cu, Zn, Mn, Fe, Mg, Ca, P, K, and Na and for 137Cs, 131I, 106Ru, and 90Sr. Concentration data are provided to expand the information base used to support assessments of the safety and nutritive value of the U.S. food supply and for their potential use in food composition databases. For selected foods, comparisons were made with past TDS results and with those reported in the literature. An extensive listing of the analytical data is available on the FDA CFSAN Website.
Speciation of Iodide, Iodine, and Iodate in Environmental Matrixes by Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometry Using in situ Chemical Manipulation
Authors: Anderson Kim A , Markowski Peter
Published: March 2020

Dissolved iodine, iodide, and iodate are determined in environmental matrixes by in situ chemical manipulation and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICPAES). The method uses equipment commonly available to most laboratories involved in environmental inorganic analysis. Total dissolved iodine, iodide, and iodate are determined by ICPAES using iodine vapor generation. Total iodine is determined directly by ICPAES after filtration. Total dissolved iodide (I−) is oxidized in situ to iodine by the addition of sodium nitrite in sulfuric acid in a simplified continuous flow manifold. Iodate is determined by prereduction at the instrument before analysis by the in situ oxidation ICPAES procedure. A standard nebulizer produces the gas–liquid separation of the total iodine, which is then quantified by ICPAES at 206.16 nm. The instrument detection limit for the iodine analysis was 0.04 μg/mL. Recoveries from seawater, saltwater, and freshwater standard reference materials ranged from 85 to 118% and averaged 98%. For samples containing both iodine and iodide, the total is determined with in situ oxidation, iodine is determined without the oxidizing reagents, and iodide is calculated from the difference. For samples containing all 3 species, pre-reduction is used and the iodine and iodide concentrations are subtracted for quantitation of iodate. The analysis is selective for these 3 species (I−, I2, and IO−3). A group of 20–30 samples may be analyzed and quantitated for all 3 individual, commonly occurring iodide species in less than 1 h. The procedure is considerably faster than any other reported techniques. This method is especially well-suited to the analysis of small environmental samples.
Comparative Photodegradation Study of Atrazine and Desethylatrazine in Water Samples Containing Titanium Dioxide/Hydrogen Peroxide and Ferric Chloride/Hydrogen Peroxide
Authors: Peñuela Gustavo A , Barceló Damià
Published: March 2020

Results are reported for a comparative photodegradation study of atrazine and desethylatrazine in water using TiO2/H2O2, FeCl3/H2O2, and photolysis. Deionized water and ground water spiked with atrazine or desethylatrazine at 36 μg/L were irradiated by using a xenon arc lamp and/or sunlight. After irradiation, the water samples containing the spiked pesticides were preconcentrated by using C18 solid-phase extraction disks and analyzed by gas chromatography with nitrogen–phosphorus and mass spectrometric detection. A relative percentage of 7% desethylatrazine was detected in samples removed after 20 and 4 min of sensitized photodegradation with TiO2 and Fe3+, respectively. Atrazine and desethylatrazine did not degrade when solar irradiation (in winter) and deionized water were used. Atrazine degraded faster than desethylatrazine when a xenon arc lamp or sunlight plus FeCl3 was used, with half-lives varying from 5 to 11 min and from 19 to 26 min, respectively. In other photodegradation experiments, the degradation of atrazine was slightly higher than that of desethylatrazine. This study shows that desethylatrazine has slightly higher stability than atrazine in environmental water samples; this stability accounts for the frequent detection of desethylatrazine together with atrazine in natural waters.
Second transurethral resection for high-risk non-muscle invasive bladder cancer patients: a propensity score matched analysis
Authors: Matsushita Yuto , Watanabe Kyohei , Watanabe Hiromitsu , Tamura Keita , Motoyama Daisuke , Ito Toshiki , Sugiyama Takayuki , Otsuka Atsushi , Miyake Hideaki
Published: March 2020

Objectives

Second transurethral resection is recommended for patients diagnosed with high-risk non-muscle invasive bladder cancer; however, there have been several studies showing conflicting findings regarding the advantage of second transurethral resection. The objective of this study was to investigate the prognostic significance of second transurethral resection using propensity score matched analysis.

Patients and Methods

This study retrospectively included 164 consecutive patients who underwent initial transurethral resection and were diagnosed with high-risk non-muscle invasive bladder cancer. Of these, 56 subsequently received second transurethral resection, and the remaining 108 underwent initial transurethral resection alone.

Results

After adjusting patient variables by propensity score matching, 44 patients were included in each group. There was no significant difference in recurrence-free, progression-free or overall survival between these two groups.

Conclusions

These findings suggested no significant impact of second transurethral resection on the prognosis of high-risk non-muscle invasive bladder cancer patients; therefore, it may be necessary to perform a reassessment focusing on the indication for second transurethral resection by conducting a large-scale prospective study.
The Word on the Street or the Number from the State? Government-Provided Information and Americans’ Opinions of Schools
Authors: Valant Jon , Newark Daniel A
Published: March 2020

Public institutions seeking to facilitate effective decision making by boundedly rational constituents often must determine what information to provide and in what form to provide it. Ideally, this determination would reflect an understanding of how different kinds, forms, and sources of information are processed by constituents and influence constituents’ beliefs. However, research on this topic—especially in the context of educational institutions, and with a focus on official numerical information versus electronic word of mouth—has been minimal. Considering the case of state governments wishing to inform citizens about their schools, we examine how parents and the US public evaluate schools after receiving two increasingly abundant kinds of school quality information: numerical government ratings and online parent comments. Using an online survey experiment with a nationally representative sample, we find that perceptions of school quality are heavily influenced by parent comments even when these comments appear alongside official ratings. By contrast, the effects of official numerical ratings appear modest. Additional findings suggest that the comments’ influence results from preferences for the information’s source (parents over government) and style (narrative over numerical), and that nonprofit organizations are more trusted messengers of performance information than state governments. These results advance our theoretical understanding of the effects of different kinds of information on belief, and we conclude the article by discussing their implications for how public institutions disseminate information to their constituents.
Observing superluminous supernovae and long gamma-ray bursts as potential birthplaces of repeating fast radio bursts
Authors: Hilmarsson G H , Spitler L G , Keane E F , Athanasiadis T M , Barr E , Cruces M , Deng X , Heyminck S , Karuppusamy R , Kramer M , Sathyanarayanan S P , Venkatraman Krishnan V , Wieching G , Wu J , Wucknitz O
Published: March 2020

Superluminous supernovae (SLSNe) and long gamma-ray bursts (LGRBs) have been proposed as progenitors of repeating fast radio bursts (FRBs). In this scenario, bursts originate from the interaction between a young magnetar and its surrounding supernova remnant (SNR). Such a model could explain the repeating, apparently non-Poissonian nature of FRB121102, which appears to display quiescent and active phases. This bursting behaviour is better explained with a Weibull distribution, which includes parametrization for clustering. We observed 10 SLSNe/LGRBs for 63 h, looking for repeating FRBs with the Effelsberg 100-m radio telescope, but have not detected any bursts. We scale the burst rate of FRB121102 to an FRB121102-like source inhabiting each of our observed targets, and compare this rate to our upper burst rate limit on a source by source basis. By adopting a fiducial beaming fraction of 0.6, we obtain 99.99 per cent and 83.4 per cent probabilities that at least one, and at least half of our observed sources are beamed towards us, respectively. One of our SLSN targets, PTF10hgi, is coincident with a persistent radio source, making it a possible analogue to FRB121102. We performed further observations on this source using the Effelsberg 100-m and Parkes 64-m radio telescopes. Assuming that PTF10hgi contains an FRB121102-like source, the probabilities of not detecting any bursts from a Weibull distribution during our observations are 14 per cent and 16 per cent for Effelsberg and Parkes, respectively. We conclude by showing that a survey of many short observations increases burst detection probability for a source with Weibull distributed bursting activity.
Host galaxy properties and environment of obscured and unobscured X-ray selected active galactic nuclei in the COSMOS survey
Authors: Bornancini C , García Lambas D
Published: March 2020

We analyse different photometric and spectroscopic properties of active galactic nuclei (AGNs) and quasars (QSOs) selected by their mid-IR power-law and X-ray emission from the COSMOS survey. We use a set of star-forming galaxies as a control sample to compare with the results. We have considered samples of obscured (HR > −0.2) and unobscured (HR < −0.2) sources including AGNs with LX < 1044 erg s−1, as well as QSOs (LX > 1044 erg s−1) with 1.4 ≤ z ≤ 2.5. We also study the typical environment of these samples, by assessing neighbouring galaxy number density and neighbour properties such as colour, stellar mass, and star formation rate. We find that the UV/optical and mid-infrared colour distribution of the different AGN types differ significantly. Also, we obtain most of AGNs and QSOs to be more compact when compared to the sample of SF galaxies. In general we find that the stellar mass distribution of the different AGN sample are similar, obtaining only a difference of $\Delta \overline{\mathrm{log}M}=0.3$ dex (M⊙) between unobscured and obscured QSOs. Obscured and unobscured AGNs and QSOs reside in different local environment at small (rp < 100 kpc) scales. Our results support previous findings where AGN type correlates with environment. These differences and those found in AGN host properties cast out the simplest unified model in which obscuration is purely an orientation effect.
Runaway GC Evolution in Gerbil Genomes
Authors: Pracana Rodrigo , Hargreaves Adam D , Mulley John F , Holland Peter W H
Published: March 2020

Recombination increases the local GC-content in genomic regions through GC-biased gene conversion (gBGC). The recent discovery of a large genomic region with extreme GC-content in the fat sand rat Psammomys obesus provides a model to study the effects of gBGC on chromosome evolution. Here, we compare the GC-content and GC-to-AT substitution patterns across protein-coding genes of four gerbil species and two murine rodents (mouse and rat). We find that the known high-GC region is present in all the gerbils, and is characterized by high substitution rates for all mutational categories (AT-to-GC, GC-to-AT, and GC-conservative) both at synonymous and nonsynonymous sites. A higher AT-to-GC than GC-to-AT rate is consistent with the high GC-content. Additionally, we find more than 300 genes outside the known region with outlying values of AT-to-GC synonymous substitution rates in gerbils. Of these, over 30% are organized into at least 17 large clusters observable at the megabase-scale. The unusual GC-skewed substitution pattern suggests the evolution of genomic regions with very high recombination rates in the gerbil lineage, which can lead to a runaway increase in GC-content. Our results imply that rapid evolution of GC-content is possible in mammals, with gerbil species providing a powerful model to study the mechanisms of gBGC.
International prescribing patterns and polypharmacy in older people with advanced chronic kidney disease: results from the European Quality study
Authors: Hayward Samantha , Hole Barnaby , Denholm Rachel , Duncan Polly , Morris James E , Fraser Simon D S , Payne Rupert A , Roderick Paul , Chesnaye Nicholas C , Wanner Christoph , Drechsler Christiane , Postorino Maurizio , Porto Gaetana , Szymczak Maciej , Evans Marie , Dekker Friedo W , Jager Kitty J , Caskey Fergus J ,   the EQUAL Study investigators
Published: March 2020

Background

People with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are at high risk of polypharmacy. However, no previous study has investigated international prescribing patterns in this group. This article aims to examine prescribing and polypharmacy patterns among older people with advanced CKD across the countries involved in the European Quality (EQUAL) study.

Methods

The EQUAL study is an international prospective cohort study of patients ≥65 years of age with advanced CKD. Baseline demographic, clinical and medication data were analysed and reported descriptively. Polypharmacy was defined as ≥5 medications and hyperpolypharmacy as ≥10. Univariable and multivariable linear regressions were used to determine associations between country and the number of prescribed medications. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression were used to determine associations between country and hyperpolypharmacy.

Results

Of the 1317 participants from five European countries, 91% were experiencing polypharmacy and 43% were experiencing hyperpolypharmacy. Cardiovascular medications were the most prescribed medications (mean 3.5 per person). There were international differences in prescribing, with significantly greater hyperpolypharmacy in Germany {odds ratio (OR) 2.75 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.73–4.37]; P < 0.001, reference group UK}, the Netherlands [OR 1.91 (95% CI 1.32–2.76); P = 0.001] and Italy [OR 1.57 (95% CI 1.15–2.15); P = 0.004]. People in Poland experienced the least hyperpolypharmacy [OR 0.39 (95% CI 0.17–0.87); P = 0.021].

Conclusions

Hyperpolypharmacy is common among older people with advanced CKD, with significant international differences in the number of medications prescribed. Practice variation may represent a lack of consensus regarding appropriate prescribing for this high-risk group for whom pharmacological treatment has great potential for harm as well as benefit.
Involvement of BGLU30 in Glucosinolate Catabolism in the Arabidopsis Leaf under Dark Conditions
Authors: Morikawa-Ichinose Tomomi , Miura Daisuke , Zhang Liu , Kim Sun-Ju , Maruyama-Nakashita Akiko
Published: March 2020

Glucosinolates (GSLs) are secondary metabolites that play important roles in plant defense and are suggested to act as storage compounds. Despite their important roles, metabolic dynamics of GSLs under various growth conditions remain poorly understood. To determine how light conditions influence the levels of different GSLs and their distribution in Arabidopsis leaves, we visualized the GSLs under different light conditions using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry imaging. We observed the unique distribution patterns of each GSL in the inner regions of leaves and marked decreases under darkness, indicating light conditions influenced GSL metabolism. GSLs are hydrolyzed by a group of ß-glucosidase (BGLU) called myrosinase. Previous transcriptome data for GSL metabolism under light and dark conditions have revealed the highly induced expression of BGLU30, one of the putative myrosinases, which is also annotated as Dark INducible2, under darkness. Impairment of the darkness-induced GSL decrease in the disruption mutants of BGLU30, bglu30, indicated that BGLU30 mediated GSL hydrolysis under darkness. Based on the GSL profiles in the wild-type and bglu30 leaves under both conditions, short-chain GSLs were potentially preferable substrates for BGLU30. Our findings provide an effective way of visualizing GSL distribution in plants and highlighted the carbon storage GSL function.
Behavioral interventions for sleep disturbances in children with neurological and neurodevelopmental disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Phillips Natalie L , Moore Teleri , Teng Arthur , Brookes Naomi , Palermo Tonya M , Lah Suncica
Published: March 2020

Study Objectives

Sleep disturbances are common and associated with negative functional and health consequences in children with neurological and neurodevelopmental disorders (NNDDs) and represent an important potential target for behavioral interventions. This systematic review examined the efficacy of behavioral sleep interventions (BSIs) for children with NNDDs and comorbid sleep disturbances.

Methods

A systematic search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsychINFO, and CENTRAL was conducted in April 2019. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of BSI for children with NNDDS were included. Meta-analysis and GRADE quality ratings were performed on sleep and secondary functional outcomes (cognition, academics, and behavior).

Results

Nine RCTs were identified (n = 690; Mage = 8.39 ± 2.64years; 71.11% male). The quality of the evidence was predominantly rated as moderate. Posttreatment improvements in sleep were found on self-reported sleep disturbances (total sleep disturbance [standardized mean difference, i.e. SMD = 0.89], night wakings [SMD = 0.52], bedtime resistance [SMD = 0.53], parasomnias [SMD = 0.34], sleep anxiety [SMD = 0.50]) and self-reported sleep patterns (sleep duration [SMD = 0.30], sleep onset duration [SMD = 0.75]) and (2) objectively measured actigraphic sleep patterns (total sleep time [MD = 18.09 min; SMD = 0.32], sleep onset latency [MD = 11.96 min; SMD = 0.41]). Improvements in sleep (self-reported, not actigraphy) were maintained at follow-up, but few studies conducted follow-up assessments resulting in low-quality evidence. Reduction in total behavioral problems (SMD = 0.48) posttreatment and attention/hyperactivity (SMD = 0.28) at follow-up was found. Changes in cognition and academic skills were not examined in any studies.

Conclusions

BSIs improve sleep, at least in the short term, in children with NNDDs. Benefits may extend to functional improvements in behavior. More rigorous RCTs involving placebo controls, blinded outcome assessment, longer follow-up durations, and assessment of functional outcomes are required.
Unifying and defining ‘dishonesty’ in the law of trusts
Authors: Jiang Zixin
Published: March 2020

In this article, I argue that ‘dishonesty’ should be unified and defined in the law of trusts. I argue: (1) the UK Supreme Court in Ivey v Genting Casinos was correct to reject the Ghosh test for dishonesty and to endorse the Royal Brunei test for all legal contexts; (2) the present law on trustee exemption clauses is inconsistent with Ivey, and Walker v Stones must accordingly be overruled; (3) the subjective factors relevant to dishonesty are reducible to a person’s intentions and beliefs; and (4) ‘dishonest’ assistance of a breach of trust should be defined more precisely in terms of what knowledge is required to hold a defendant liable.
Camelina sativa cake for broiler chickens: effects of increasing dietary inclusion on clinical signs of toxicity, feed disappearance, and nutrient digestibility
Authors: Oryschak Matthew A , Christianson Colleen B , Beltranena Eduardo
Published: March 2020

The effect of feeding diets with increasing dietary inclusions of Camelina sativa cake (CC; 22% ether extract, 34% crude protein) on safety, feed disappearance, and nutrient digestibility was evaluated in a 42-day (d) broiler study. Day-old male chicks (Ross 308; n = 744) were divided among 24 test cages in a randomized complete block design with six replicate cages per dietary regimen. Dietary regimens consisted of feeding test diets containing 0, 8, 16, or 24% CC over three growth phases of 2-week duration each. Diets fed from d 14–21 included an indigestible marker. Pen body weight, feed added, and leftover orts for each phase were measured on d 0, 14, 28, and 42 to calculate average daily feed disappearance, average daily weight gain, and gain-to-feed ratio. On d 14, 28, and 42, three broilers per test cage were euthanized by intravenous injection. A gross post mortem examination was conducted and select organs were weighed. Blood was drawn from broilers removed on d 42 to measure serum parameters. Excreta from d 19 to 21 and ileal digesta (10 birds per cage) on d 21 were collected to yield a single pooled sample of each per test cage. Dietary CC inclusion up to 24% did not affect broiler mortality or the incidence of abnormal gross findings. Differences (P < 0.05) in serum levels of P, uric acid, T3, and T4 are explained by differential digestible nutrient intake among broilers fed increasing CC inclusion levels. Organ weight as proportion of body weight was not affected by treatment, except for pancreas on d 28 and 42, which both linearly increased (P < 0.01) with increasing CC inclusion. Daily feed disappearance did not differ among CC inclusion levels for the overall 42-d study. Increasing dietary CC inclusion level linearly reduced nutrient digestibility of test diets (P < 0.01). In conclusion, CC is a safe feedstuff for broilers that can be fed at dietary inclusions up to and including 24% without adverse effects on broiler health.
Whole Genome Sequencing Resource of the European Larch Canker Pathogen Lachnellula willkommii for Molecular Diagnostic Marker Development
Authors: Giroux Emily , Bilodeau Guillaume J.
Published: March 2020

The filamentous ascomycete fungus Lachnellula willkommii is the causal agent of European larch canker (ELC), one of the most destructive diseases of larch in Europe and a regulated plant pathogen of quarantine significance in Canada and the United States. L. willkommii was first detected in Massachusetts, North America in 1927 on a larch plantation cultivated with nursery stock imported from Great Britain. Despite the decades of practices aimed at eliminating the pathogen, it has reappeared in coastal areas of Canada and the United States. There is concern ELC could spread throughout the range of eastern larch, a transcontinental species typical of the Boreal forest that spans the North American landscape. There is geographic range overlap between several nonpathogenic indigenous Lachnellula species and the reported distribution of L. willkommii in North America. Morphological and biological methods to distinguish L. willkommii are often inadequate as the fungus does not always produce the phenotypic structures that distinguish it from these other saprophytic Lachnellula species. Whole genome sequencing technologies were used to obtain the draft genome sequences of L. willkommii and six other Lachnellula species. Molecular markers identified from the genomic data may be used to discriminate L. willkommii from its nonpathogenic relatives.
Outcomes of Integrase Inhibitor–based Antiretroviral Therapy in a Clinical Cohort of Treatment-experienced Children, Adolescents and Young Adults With HIV Infection
Authors: Levy Matthew E. , Griffith Caleb , Ellenberger Nicole , Monroe Anne K. , Castel Amanda D. , Rakhmanina Natella ,   on behalf of the DC Cohort Executive Committee
Published: March 2020

Background:

Data on integrase strand transfer inhibitor (INSTI) use in children, adolescents and young adults with HIV are limited. We evaluated virologic and safety outcomes following INSTI initiation among treatment-experienced children, adolescents and young adults.

Methods:

The DC Cohort is a multicenter observational study of individuals receiving HIV care in Washington, DC. This analysis included treatment-experienced participants 0–24 years of age who initiated an INSTI during 2011–2017. Viral suppression (VS) and safety outcomes were quantified. Differences in VS by age, sex and CD4 count were assessed using Kaplan-Meier curves.

Results:

Of 141 participants (median age 20 years; 35% <18 years; 60% male; 89% Black; 62% perinatally-infected), 35% had VS and 65% lacked VS on INSTI initiation. Dolutegravir was the most commonly prescribed INSTI (55%). Among participants without VS at INSTI initiation, 46% achieved VS after a median of 2.7 months. Participants 13–24 (vs. 0–12) years old (P = 0.011) and participants with CD4 counts <350 (vs. >500) cells/μL were less likely to achieve VS (P < 0.001). Among participants with VS at INSTI initiation, 51% sustained VS through a median of 11.0 months of follow-up; of the 49% with transient viremia, 77% later achieved VS again. There were no safety concerns associated with the use of INSTIs.

Conclusions:

More than half of treatment-experienced children, adolescents and young adults with detectable viremia at INSTI initiation did not achieve VS, while half of those with prior VS experienced transient viremia. Further evaluation of long-term outcomes associated with INSTI use among children, adolescents and young adults is warranted.
Dosing of Antimicrobials in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
Authors: Stark Ashley , Childers Julie , England Morgan , Clark Reese H. , Laughon Matthew , Cohen-Wolkowiez Michael , Benjamin Daniel K. , Smith P. Brian , Wade Kelly , Greenberg Rachel G.
Published: March 2020

Background:

We sought to compare meropenem and fluconazole dosing in the neonatal intensive care unit with recommendations based on published pharmacokinetic (PK) studies in infants.

Methods:

We performed an observational cohort study of infants <90 days postnatal age who received a course of meropenem or fluconazole who were treated in neonatal intensive care units managed by the Pediatrix Medical Group (1997–2016). We defined any dose amount from 80% to 120% of the published recommendation to constitute an appropriate dose of either antimicrobial. We calculated the percentage of appropriately dosed courses overall and by discharge year. We then evaluated the change in appropriate dosing over time using a nonparametric test of trend to evaluate the proportion of appropriately dosed courses of each antimicrobial by discharge year.

Results:

A total of 3608 infants were administered 2025 courses of meropenem and 1201 courses of fluconazole. Of all meropenem courses, 32% were dosed appropriately (increased significantly over time; P = 0.01), while 17% of fluconazole courses were dosed appropriately (increased significantly over time; P = 0.01). Median dosing for both meropenem and fluconazole was at or below recommendations; therefore, under-dosing was more common.

Conclusions:

There was marked discordance between actual fluconazole and meropenem dosing and dosing recommendation in PK publications, yet adherence to PK-based doses showed improvement over time.
Midline Growth on the Palate
Authors: Markel Kory , Jacob Sharon E.
Published: March 2020

Teledermatology is a term to describe the provision of dermatologic medical services through telecommunication technology. This is a teledermatology case of a man with an irregularly bordered torus along the palatine raphe protruding inferiorly.
24th World Congress of Dermatology
Authors: Coyner Theresa , Nicol Noreen Heer , Inabinet Robin , Jellerichs Bradley , Aldredge Lakshi
Published: March 2020

The 24th World Congress of Dermatology was held in Milan, Italy, on June 11–15, 2019, under the auspices of the International League of Dermatological Societies. The Dermatology Nurses' Association and the British Dermatological Nursing Group, both sister societies of the International League of Dermatological Societies, coordinated a nursing scientific program and a half-day leadership meeting held during the World Congress. Overview of the nursing scientific program and outcomes of the half-day leadership meeting are described.
Metal artifact reduction of orthopedics metal artifact reduction algorithm in total hip and knee arthroplasty
Authors: Zhang Kesong , Han Qing , Xu Xiaolin , Jiang Hao , Ma Lin , Zhang Yong , Yang Kerong , Chen Bingpeng , Wang Jincheng
Published: March 2020

The purpose of this study was to investigate metal artifact reduction effect of orthopedics metal artifact reduction (O-Mar) algorithm in computer tomography (CT) image of patients who have undergone total hip arthroplasty (THA) or total knee arthroplasty (TKA).

35 cases of patients who underwent TKA or THA have been recruited in this study. CT image of hip or knee joint was obtained with Philips 256-row CT scanner. Tube voltages of 120 and 140 kilovolt peak (KVP) were set. Afterwards, CT image was reconstructed by O-Mar algorithm to reduce metal artifact. Grade of image quality and severity of metal artifact would be taken into qualitative evaluation. While, quantitative evaluation mainly included measurement of metal artifact volume and 2D measurement of average CT value in region of interest (ROI). The visibility of interface between bone–prostheses was also estimated.

Result of qualitative analysis indicated that score of CT quality was improved and grade of metal artifact was decreased significantly with O-Mar. Quantitative analysis illustrated that volume of beam-hardening (B-H) metal artifact decreased remarkably after reconstruction of O-Mar (P < .001). In addition, O-Mar algorithm reduced 83.3% to 83.7% volume of photon-starvation (P-S) metal artifact. As for result of 2D measurement, CT value in ROI was closer to standard value in O-Mar group CT image (P < .001). Meanwhile, error of CT value also decreased significantly after reconstruction of O-Mar algorithm. Visibility rate of bone–prosthesis interface improved from 34.3% (Non-O-Mar) to 66.7% (O-Mar).

O-Mar algorithm could significantly reduce metal artifact in CT image of THA and TKA in both 2D and three-dimensional (3D) level. Therefore, better image quality and visibility of bone–prostheses interface could be presented. In this study, O-Mar was proved as an efficient metal artifact reduction method in CT image of THA and TKA.
Effect of different high altitudes on vascular endothelial function in healthy people
Authors: Fan Ning , Liu Cun , Ren Ming
Published: March 2020

Background:

The aim of the study was to provide a theoretical basis for the early diagnosis and prediction of acute altitude sickness, to provide a better entry mode for healthy people from plain areas to plateau areas, and to preliminarily clarify the possible mechanism of this approach.

Methods:

We measured endothelin-1 (ET-1), asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), nitric oxide (NO), and hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1) levels in each sample and determined flow-mediated dilation (FMD) values using a portable OMRON color Doppler with a 7.0- to 12.0-MHz linear array probe. We used the Lewis Lake score to diagnose acute mountain sickness (AMS) and to stratify the disease severity.

Results:

We found no cases of AMS at any of the studied elevation gradients. We found significant differences in FMD values between individuals when at 400 m above sea level and when at 2200, 3200, and 4200 m above sea level (P < .05) but found no significant differences among those at 2200, 3200, and 4200 m. Our variance analysis showed that serum ET-1, VEGF, ADMA, NO, and HIF-1 levels in individuals at ≥3000 m and those at subplateau and plain areas (<3000 m) significantly differed (P < .05). The level of these factors also significantly differed between individuals at elevation gradients of plateau areas (3260 m vs 4270 m) (P < .05). We found no significant differences in serum ET-1, VEGF, and ADMA levels between individuals at the plateau (2260 m) and plain (400 m) areas (P > .05). NO and HIF-1 levels were significantly different in serum samples from individuals between the plateau (2260 m) and plain (400 m) areas (P < .05). However, with increasing altitude, the NO level gradually increased, whereas ET-1, ADMA, VEGF, and HIF-1 levels showed a decreasing trend. With the increase of altitude, there is no correlation between the trend of FMD and hematologic-related factors such as VEGF, NO, and HIF-1.

Conclusion:

A healthy young male population ascending to a high-altitude area experiences a low incidence of AMS. Entering an acute plateau exposure environment from different altitude gradients may weaken the effect of acute highland exposure on vascular endothelial dysfunction in healthy individuals. Changes in serum ET-1, VEGF, ADMA, NO, and HIF-1 levels in healthy young men may be related to the body's self-regulation and protect healthy individuals from AMS. A short stay in a subplateau region may initiate an oxygen-free preconditioning process in healthy individuals, thereby protecting them from AMS. Noninvasive brachial artery endothelial function test instead of the detection of invasive hematologic-related factors for early diagnosis and prediction of the occurrence and severity of acute high-altitude disease is still lack of sufficient theoretical basis.