bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
MONARCH plus: abemaciclib plus endocrine therapy in women with HR+/HER2– advanced breast cancer: the multinational randomized phase III study
Authors: Zhang Qing Yuan , Sun Tao , Yin Yong Mei , Li Hui Ping , Yan Min , Tong Zhong Sheng , Oppermann Christina P. , Liu Yun Peng , Costa Romulo , Li Man , Cheng Ying , Ouyang Qu Chang , Chen Xi , Liao Ning , Wu Xin Hong , Wang Xiao Jia , Feng Ji Feng , Hegg Roberto , Kanakasetty G.B. , Coccia-Portugal Maria A. , Han Ru Bing , Lu Yi , Chi Hai Dong , Jiang Ze Fei , Hu Xi Chun
Published: October 2020

Aim:

To compare the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of abemaciclib plus endocrine therapy (ET) versus ET alone in postmenopausal women with hormone receptor (HR)-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative advanced breast cancer (ABC) from China, Brazil, India, and South Africa.

Methods:

This randomized, double-blind, phase III study was conducted between 9 December 2016 and 29 March 2019. Postmenopausal women with HR-positive, HER2-negative ABC with no prior systemic therapy in an advanced setting (cohort A) or progression on prior ET (cohort B) received abemaciclib (150 mg twice daily) or placebo plus: anastrozole (1 mg/day) or letrozole (2.5 mg/day) (cohort A) or fulvestrant (500 mg per label) (cohort B). The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS) in cohort A, analyzed using the stratified log-rank test. Secondary endpoints were PFS in cohort B (key secondary endpoint), objective response rate (ORR), and safety. This interim analysis was planned after 119 PFS events in cohort A.

Results:

In cohort A, 207 patients were randomly assigned to the abemaciclib arm and 99 to the placebo arm. Abemaciclib significantly improved PFS versus placebo (median: not reached versus 14.7 months; hazard ratio 0.499; 95% confidence intervals (CI) 0.346–0.719; p = 0.0001). ORR was 65.9% in the abemaciclib arm and 36.1% in the placebo arm ( p < 0.0001, measurable disease population). In cohort B, 104 patients were randomly assigned to the abemaciclib arm and 53 to the placebo arm. Abemaciclib significantly improved PFS versus placebo (median: 11.5 versus 5.6 months; hazard ratio 0.376; 95% CI 0.240–0.588; p < 0.0001). ORR was 50.0% in the abemaciclib arm and 10.5% in the placebo arm ( p < 0.0001, measurable disease population). The most frequent grade ⩾3 adverse events in the abemaciclib arms were neutropenia, leukopenia, and anemia (both cohorts), and lymphocytopenia (cohort B).

Conclusion:

The addition of abemaciclib to ET demonstrated significant and clinically meaningful improvement in PFS and ORR, without new safety signals observed in this population. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02763566.
When are we going to have the real school? A case study of early childhood education and care teachers’ experiences surrounding education during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Dayal Hem Chand , Tiko Lavinia
Published: October 2020

In this study, we set out to explore how two private, early childhood education and care centres in a small island developing state in the Pacific are coping with schooling during the COVID-19 lockdown period. In particular, we used a case-study research approach to explore teachers’ feelings about the situation and what actions or strategies the centres have devised to continue to support education of young children. We also report on the challenges and opportunities that teachers have experienced in teaching remotely. The case studies suggest that teachers feel worried not only about their personal lives, but also about their professional lives as teachers. The findings also reveal how the two early childhood education and care centres innovate in delivering education in a time of severe crisis. Glimpses of success are visible in terms of making teaching and learning possible and meaningful even with very young children. These findings provide useful insights into teaching and learning during a pandemic.
Performance of the Prototype NovioSense Noninvasive Biosensor for Tear Glucose in Type 1 Diabetes
Authors: Geelhoed-Duijvestijn Petronella , Vegelyte Dovile , Kownacka Alicja , Anton Nicoleta , Joosse Maurits , Wilson Christopher
Published: October 2020

Introduction:

We recently published the results of a pilot study measuring glucose in tear fluid. We now show the results of an additional 24 patients.

Methods:

Twenty-four subjects were recruited from Haaglanden Diabetes Centre. The patients reported in a fasting state and were given a meal with half the usual dose of insulin during the test. The device was applied under the lower eyelid. Glucose levels from capillary blood and interstitial fluid with a flash glucose measurement device were recorded every 15 minutes; the current from the tear glucose sensor was recorded continuously. The eye surface and tolerability were regularly checked. A calibration algorithm to convert tear glucose to blood values was built using a neural network regression model and validated.

Results:

No adverse events were attributed to the sensor coil placed under the lower eyelid. The mean absolute relative difference for the 24-patient subset was 16.7 (after 6 hours total time in the eye). The median absolute relative difference was 13.3. Compared to published data from Abbott (15.7 on day 1), the present device is comparable to Libre, considering that the device was allowed only one hour of equilibration time before the measurements were made.

Conclusion:

The NovioSense Tear glucose sensor measures blood glucose values with an acceptable accuracy and may become a good alternative to invasive devices.
Multimorbidity Among Adult Outpatients With Type 1 Diabetes in Germany
Authors: van den Boom Louisa , Buchal Gebhard , Kaiser Marcel , Kostev Karel
Published: October 2020

Aim:

The aim of this cross-sectional retrospective study was to estimate the prevalence of different physical and psychiatric disorders as well as multimorbidity in outpatients with type 1 diabetes (T1D) in Germany.

Methods:

A total of 6967 adult patients with T1D from 958 general or diabetologist practices in Germany between January 2015 and December 2019 from the Disease Analyzer database (IQVIA) were included. The main outcome of the study was the prevalence of different diabetes-related and nondiabetes-related disorders within 12 months prior to the last outpatient visit. Multivariate logistic regression models were fitted with multimorbidity differently defined as >2, >3, >4, and >5 different disorders as a dependent variable and age, sex, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) values, and insulin pump therapy as impact variables.

Results:

Mean age (standard deviation [SD]) was 45.3 (16.7) years; 42.9% were women, the mean HbA1c was 7.9% (SD: 1.4%). The most frequent disorder was arterial hypertension (31.2%), followed by dyslipidemia (26.4%), dorsalgia (20.4%), diabetic neuropathy (17.3%), and depression (14.6%). The proportion of thyroid gland disorders, retinopathy, urethritis, iron deficiency anemia, and psychiatric disorders was higher in women than in men. Hypertension and mental and behavioral disorders due to the use of tobacco were higher in men. On average, each patient was diagnosed with 3.1 different disorders. Age had the strongest association with multimorbidity, followed by HbA1c value and female sex.

Conclusion:

In summary, patients with T1D are often multimorbid, and the multimorbidity is associated with higher gender, female sex, and high HbA1c values. Understanding all of these factors can help practitioners create a risk profile for every patient.
Two New Geranylated Biphenyl Esters From Artocarpus altilis
Authors: Zhang Yitong , Jin Xinghua , Arancon Norman Q. , Borris Robert P.
Published: October 2020

Two new geranylated biphenyl esters, 2,3′,4,4′-tetrahydroxy-3-geranyl-5-carboxyethyl-biphenyl methyl ester (1), 2,3′,4,4′-tetrahydroxy-3-geranyl-5-carboxymethyl-biphenyl methyl ester (2), together with 4 known compounds were isolated from the methanol extract of the leaves of Artocarpus altilis. Their structures were established by spectroscopic means and by comparison with literature data. Compound 1 possessed moderate cytotoxicity toward MDA-MB-231 (a breast carcinoma cell line) with a half-maximal inhibitory concentration value of 30 µM and inhibited the growth of 8 bacteria, including gram-negative and gram-positive organisms, but was inactive against fungi.
Reporting Bias in Coverage of Iran Protests by Global News Agencies
Authors: Adegbola Oluseyi , Gearhart Sherice , Cho Janice
Published: October 2020

This study examines reporting on protests in Iran between late December 2017 and early January 2018 by global news agencies located in the United States (Associated Press [AP]), United Kingdom (Reuters), France (Agence France-Presse [AFP]), China (Xinhua), and Russia (Telegraph Agency of the Soviet Union [TASS]). A census of reporting on the protests ( N = 369) was content analyzed. Results demonstrate that news agencies varied considerably in their portrayal of issues defined as problems, diagnosis of causes, moral evaluations, and treatment recommendations. Reporting by Xinhua differed considerably from Western news agencies and featured a greater proportion of stories recommending maintenance of the status quo in Iran. Calls for political change received more attention in privately owned news agencies based in democratic nations. While the use of sources in news stories was generally similar across agencies, protesters were absent in reporting by state-owned agencies. Results conclude that differences in national interests and/or ownership of global news agencies may explain findings and provide insight into news reporting on foreign protest.
Spatiotemporal patterns of alcohol outlets and violence: A spatially heterogeneous Markov chain analysis
Authors: Wei Ran , Grubesic Tony H , Kang Wei
Published: October 2020

Alcohol-related violence remains a serious social and public health problem in the United States. A large corpus of work suggests a positive statistical relationship between alcohol outlet density and violence. However, questions remain as to how neighborhood violence evolves in response to varying access to alcohol outlets. This paper introduces an approach for analyzing the spatial and temporal dynamics of violence and its association with alcohol outlets by embedding the evolution of assault events and outlet density within a spatially heterogeneous Markov chain framework. This framework enables the exploration of spatiotemporal dynamics of alcohol outlets and violence and controls for potentially confounding impacts and spatial heterogeneity. Using a case study at the block group level in Seattle, Washington, the results of this paper suggest that violence is spatially heterogeneous at the local level and locations with sparsely distributed alcohol outlets are less likely to see an increase in violence when compared to areas with higher densities of outlets. Further, the modeling approach helps identify locations that might “tip” into more violent conditions if more outlets were allowed to operate. This paper concludes with a brief discussion of how the methods and results can help improve the management, licensing, and policy development for alcohol outlets in a community.
Echoic survivals: Re-documenting pre-1975 Vietnamese music as historical sound/tracks of re-membering
Authors: Nguyen Kathy
Published: October 2020

Following the contested fall of Sài Gòn in 1975, several South Vietnamese veterans found their existence and contributions during the Việt Nam War erased. Even after 45 years of diasporic displacement, or what I refer to as the involuntary and forceful exilic removal and geographical scattering of a group due to political turnover and turmoil, the histories, stories, and legacies of South Việt Nam and the Republic of Việt Nam have largely been forgotten in the present and political landscapes of both postwar Việt Nam and the United States. Based on what I describe as a diasporic re-reading of the lyrics and re-listening of selective pre-1975 Vietnamese music, this article explores the enduring corpus of musical sounds in nhạc vàng, or pre-1975 yellow music, specifically songs that focus on war and người lính (“soldiers”). By examining its historical and spatial trajectories, I argue that Vietnamese music can be heard and described as historical sources, much of which has been overlooked in the West, that document the many erased and discounted experiences, stories, and peril of South Vietnamese veterans. As I argue, diasporic sounds echoed in Vietnamese music are crucial to understanding the history and continued peril of South Vietnamese veterans in the current geopolitical landscape. The following analysis shows that Vietnamese music contextually becomes a diasporic source for re-membering the disremembered, the forgotten, and the silenced. Vietnamese music shifts from modern music to diasporic sounds of war remembrance and loss that underscore their continued postwar plight. In this essay, I also interviewed a South Vietnamese veteran. For him, music becomes a mode of survival, representing the unfading nostalgia and memories of the Việt Nam War.
Case report: anti-N-Methyl-D-Aspartate receptor encephalitis and bilateral temporal calcifications
Authors: Bu Yujie , Zhang Tinghua , Guo Jia
Published: October 2020

Background

In this study, we report a case of a young female who was hospitalized for seizures and diagnosed with anti–N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) encephalitis.

Case presentation

The main feature of this patient was bilateral temporal calcifications detected by routine head computed tomography (CT). The co-existence of anti-NMDAR encephalitis and cerebral calcifications has not been reported. We supposed that the patient had an incomplete form of celiac disease (CD), epilepsy and cerebral calcifications syndrome (CEC). The patient's symptoms were alleviated by a series of treatments, and she remained stable during the follow-ups.

Conclusions

Our findings confirm the rarity co-existing anti-NMDAR encephalitis and cerebral calcifications. In future clinical work, we need to elucidate the relationship between anti-NMDAR encephalitis and cerebral calcifications, and the association between anti-NMDAR encephalitis and other co-existing autoimmune disorders.
Health care professionals’ adherence to partograph use in Ethiopia: analysis of 2016 national emergency obstetric and newborn care survey
Authors: Gebrehiwot Solomon Weldemariam , Abrha Mulugeta Woldu , Weldearegay Haftom Gebrehiwot
Published: October 2020

Background

The period around childbirth and the first 24 hours postpartum remains a perilous time for both mother and newborn. Health care providers’ compliance to the World Health Organization modified partogram across the active first stage of labor is a graphic representation of a mother’s condition that is used as a guide in providing quality obstetrics care. However, little evidence is documented on the health providers’ adherence to the use of the partograph in Ethiopia, which limits health care providers’ ability to improve quality care services. Therefore, this study assessed the adherence of partograph use and associated factors in Ethiopia.

Methods

Data from the Ethiopian 2016 National Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care survey of 3,804 health facilities that provided maternity services were used. We extracted 2611 partograph charts over a 12 months period prior to the survey to review the proper recording of each component. Data analyses were performed using SPSS version 22.0 software. A logistic regression analyses was used to identify the association of explanatory variables with the outcome variable. A p-value of <0.05 was considered as cut off point to declare the significance association in the multivariable analysis.

Results

Of the total 2611 partographs reviewed, 561(21.5%) of them were fully recorded as per the WHO guideline. Particularly, molding in 50%, color of liquor in 70.5%, fetal heart beat in 93.3%, cervical dilation in 89.6%, descent in 63.2%, uterine contraction in 94.5%, blood pressure in 80.5%, pulse rate in 70.5%, and temperature in 53% were accurately recorded. The odds of adherence to partograph use were 1.4 in rural health facilities when compared to their counterparts (AOR=1.44; 95% CI: 1.15, 1.80, P- 0.002).

Conclusion

This study revealed a poor level of adherence in partograph use in Ethiopia. Molding, maternal temperature and decent were the least recorded parameters of the partograph. The odds of completion of partograph were high in rural facilities. Strong supporting supervision and mentoring the health workers to better record and use of partograph are needed mainly in urban health facilities. Moreover in the future, interventional research should be conducted to improve the current rate of adherence.
Beneficial effects of walnut (Juglans regia L.) oil-derived polyunsaturated fatty acid prevents a prooxidant status and hyperlipidemia in pregnant rats with diabetes
Authors: Sun Bingmei , Yan Hua , Li Chao , Yin Linlin , Li Fei , Zhou Lianxiang , Han Xiuqing
Published: October 2020

Background

Gestational diabetes mellitus has a long-term effect on pregnant women. Walnut (Juglans regia L.) oil-derived polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) possesses multifarious pharmacological activities. This study investigated the beneficial effects of walnut oil-derived PUFA on glucose metabolism, pregnancy outcomes, oxidative stress, and lipid metabolism in gestational diabetes mellitus.

Methods

The GDM rat model was generated by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (40 mg/kg) on gestational day (GD) 6, GD7 and GD8. The differences between groups were estimated using one-way ANOVA followed by the Tukey’s multiple comparison test for post-hoc analysis.

Results

The results indicated that PUFA could mitigate GDM in pregnant diabetic rats, as embodied by the decrease of fasting blood glucose and the increase of plasma insulin and hepatic glycogen levels. Also, PUFA could suppress oxidative stress in pregnant diabetic rats, as reflected by the decrease of malondialdehyde content, an increase of superoxide dismutase, catalase and gutathione peroxidase activities. PUFA could also mitigate the abnormal changes of lipid profiles in plasma and hepatic tissue. Moreover, the relative mRNA expression of sterol regulatory element-binding transcription factor-1, stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1, fatty acid synthase, and acetyl-coenzyme A carboxylase, was suppressed by PUFA in pregnant diabetic rats.

Conclusions

These results suggested that PUFA supplementation during pregnancy is beneficial in preventing diabetic complications in pregnant rats.
NIATx-TI versus typical product training on e-health technology implementation: a clustered randomized controlled trial study protocol
Authors: White Veronica M. , Molfenter Todd , Gustafson David H. , Horst Julie , Greller Rachelle , Gustafson David H. , Kim Jee-Seon , Preuss Eric , Cody Olivia , Pisitthakarm Praan , Toy Alexander
Published: October 2020

Background

Substance use disorders (SUDs) lead to tens-of-thousands of overdose deaths and other forms of preventable deaths in the USA each year. This results in over $500 billion per year in societal and economic costs as well as a considerable amount of grief for loved ones of affected individuals. Despite these health and societal consequences, only a small percentage of people seek treatment for SUDs, and the majority of those that seek help fail to achieve long-term sobriety. E-health applications in healthcare have proven to be effective at sustaining treatment and reaching patients traditional treatment pathways would have missed. However, e-health adoption and sustainment rates in healthcare are poor, especially in the SUD treatment sector. Implementation engineering can address this gap in the e-health field by augmenting existing implementation models, which explain organizational and individual e-health behaviors retrospectively, with prospective resources that can guide implementation.

Methods

This cluster randomized control trial is designed to test two implementation strategies at adopting an evidence-based mobile e-health technology for SUD treatment. The proposed e-health implementation model is the Network for the Improvement of Addiction Treatment–Technology Implementation (NIATx-TI) Framework. This project, based in Iowa, will compare a control condition (using a typical software product training approach that includes in-person staff training followed by access to on-line support) to software implementation utilizing NIATx-TI, which includes change management training, followed by coaching on how to implement and use the mobile application. While e-health spans many modalities and health disciplines, this project will focus on implementing the Addiction Comprehensive Health Enhancement Support System (A-CHESS), an evidence-based SUD treatment recovery app framework. This trial will be conducted in Iowa at 46 organizational sites within 12 SUD treatment agencies. The control arm consists of 23 individual treatment sites based at five organizations, and the intervention arm consists of 23 individual SUD treatment sites based at seven organizations

Discussion

This study addresses an issue of substantial public health significance: enhancing the uptake of the growing inventory of patient-centered evidence-based addiction treatment e-health technologies.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03954184. Posted 17 May 2019
Revesz syndrome revisited
Authors: Karremann Michael , Neumaier-Probst Eva , Schlichtenbrede Frank , Beier Fabian , Brümmendorf Tim H. , Cremer Friedrich W. , Bader Peter , Dürken Matthias
Published: October 2020

Background

Revesz syndrome (RS) is an extremely rare variant of dyskeratosis congenita (DKC) with only anecdotal reports in the literature.

Methods

To further characterize the typical features and natural course of the disease, we screened the English literature and summarized the clinical and epidemiological features of previously published RS cases. In addition, we herein describe the first recorded patient in central Europe.

Results

The literature review included 18 children. Clinical features are summarized, indicating a low prevalence of the classical DKC triad. All patients experienced early bone marrow failure, in most cases within the second year of life (median age 1.5 years; 95% CI 1.4–1.6). Retinopathy occurred typically between 6 and 18 months of age (median age 1.1 years; 95% CI 0.7–1.5). The incidence of seizures was low and was present in an estimated 20% of patients. The onset of seizures was exclusively during early childhood. The Kaplan–Meier estimate of survival was dismal (median survival 6.5 years; 95% CI 3.6–9.4), and none of the patients survived beyond the age of 12 years. Stem cell transplantation (SCT) was performed in eight children, and after a median of 22 months from SCT four of these patients were alive at the last follow up visit.

Conclusion

RS is a severe variant of DKC with early bone marrow failure and retinopathy in all patients. Survival is dismal, but stem cell transplantation may be performed successfully and might improve prognosis in the future.
Myocardial disease and ventricular arrhythmia in Marfan syndrome: a prospective study
Authors: Muiño-Mosquera Laura , De Wilde Hans , Devos Daniel , Babin Danilo , Jordaens Luc , Demolder Anthony , De Groote Katya , De Wolf Daniel , De Backer Julie
Published: October 2020

Background

Aortic root dilatation and—dissection and mitral valve prolapse are established cardiovascular manifestations in Marfan syndrome (MFS). Heart failure and arrhythmic sudden cardiac death have emerged as additional causes of morbidity and mortality.

Methods

To characterize myocardial dysfunction and arrhythmia in MFS we conducted a prospective longitudinal case–control study including 86 patients with MFS (55.8% women, mean age 36.3 yr—range 13–70 yr–) and 40 age—and sex-matched healthy controls. Cardiac ultrasound, resting and ambulatory ECG (AECG) and NT-proBNP measurements were performed in all subjects at baseline. Additionally, patients with MFS underwent 2 extra evaluations during 30 ± 7 months follow-up. To study primary versus secondary myocardial involvement, patients with MFS were divided in 2 groups: without previous surgery and normal/mild valvular function (MFS-1; N = 55) and with previous surgery or valvular dysfunction (MFS-2; N = 31).

Results

Compared to controls, patients in MFS-1 showed mild myocardial disease reflected in a larger left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD), lower TAPSE and higher amount of (supra) ventricular extrasystoles [(S)VES]. Patients in MFS-2 were more severely affected. Seven patients (five in MFS-2) presented decreased LV ejection fraction. Twenty patients (twelve in MFS-2) had non-sustained ventricular tachycardia (NSVT) in at least one AECG. Larger LVEDD and higher amount of VES were independently associated with NSVT.

Conclusion

Our study shows mild but significant myocardial involvement in patients with MFS. Patients with previous surgery or valvular dysfunction are more severely affected. Evaluation of myocardial function with echocardiography and AECG should be considered in all patients with MFS, especially in those with valvular disease and a history of cardiac surgery.
Iatrogenic sciatic nerve injury during liposuction and fat tissue grafting: a preventable surgical complication with devastating patient outcomes
Authors: Abdallah Ibrahim E. , Ayoub Rita , Sawaya Raja , Saba Salim C.
Published: October 2020

Background

Liposuction and autologous fat transplantation represent widely used techniques in plastic surgery to correct or enhance contour irregularities in the face and body. While these techniques are assumed to be safe, liposuction and fat grafting impose a hidden risk for serious preventable surgical complications and adverse patient outcomes. We hereby report two cases of iatrogenic sciatic nerve injury and provide recommendations on how to prevent this serious surgical complication.

Case presentation

We present two cases of sciatic nerve injury - one related to liposuction and the other related to gluteal lipo-augmentation. The first case is a 20-year-old female who presented to our institution with right leg weakness one week after undergoing scar revision and fat grafting in the left peri-oral region to correct peri-oral cicatricial banding and tissue atrophy. Fat was harvested from the medial thigh using a 3-mm cannula with low-pressure manual suction, utilizing minimal tumescent solution. Nerve conduction velocity and electromyography testing suggested a right-sided sciatic nerve lesion as a result of direct trauma. The patient was observed for a period of 4 months during which time she underwent physical therapy. At four months post-operatively, she had recovered completely. The second case is that of a 39-year-old female who presented to our institution with left-sided weakness of foot eversion and dorsiflexion five days after she had undergone liposuction of the thighs, flanks, and abdomen in addition to gluteal lipo-augmentation at an outside facility. The patient had undergone super wet liposuction in the areas of the abdomen, flanks and thighs. 200 mL of collected fat was then transplanted into each buttock at multiple levels. Post-operative computed tomography and electroneurography revealed acute left sided sciatic injury consistent with direct trauma to or compression of the sciatic nerve. The patient underwent an extensive regimen of physical therapy. Three months post-operatively, the patient had regained some motor function, but was lost to follow-up thereafter.

Conclusion

The sciatic nerve is relatively superficial and vulnerable to injury in the upper thigh and lower buttock regions. Therefore, extreme care should be taken when working in these areas to avoid direct or indirect injury to the sciatic nerve by compression or traction.
Soil inoculation of Trichoderma asperellum M45a regulates rhizosphere microbes and triggers watermelon resistance to Fusarium wilt
Authors: Zhang Yi , Tian Cheng , Xiao Jiling , Wei Lin , Tian Yun , Liang Zhihuai
Published: October 2020

Fusarium wilt (FW) caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum (FON) is a soil-borne disease that seriously limits watermelon production. In the present study, Trichoderma asperellum (T. asperellum) M45a was shown to be an effective biocontrol agent against FW. In a pot experiment, the application of 105 cfu/g of T. asperellum M45a granules had an improved control effect on FW during the blooming period (up to 67.44%) in soils subjected to five years of continuous cropping with watermelon, while the average length of watermelon vines was also significantly improved (P < 0.05). Additionally, the acid phosphatase (ACP), cellulase (CL), catalase (CAT), and sucrase (SC) activities in the M45a-inoculation group were significantly higher than those in the control (CK) group, and transformation of the soil nutrients (total N, NO3-N, and available P) was significantly increased. Moreover, T. asperellum M45a inoculation reduced fungal diversity, increased bacterial diversity and especially enhanced the relative abundance of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), such as Trichoderma, Sphingomonas, Pseudomonas, Actinomadura, and Rhodanobacter. Through functional prediction, the relative abundance of ectomycorrhiza, endophytes, animal pathotrophs, and saprotrophs in the fungal community was determined to be significantly lower than that observed in the M45a-treated soil. Correlation analysis revealed that Sphingomonas, Pseudomonas, and Trichoderma had the most differences in terms of microorganism abundance, and these differences were positively correlated with ACP, CL, CAT, and SC. These findings provide guidance for the use of fungicides to achieve microecological control of FW in continuously cropped watermelon plots.
Existence and Ulam stability for impulsive generalized Hilfer-type fractional differential equations
Authors: Salim Abdelkrim , Benchohra Mouffak , Karapınar Erdal , Lazreg Jamal Eddine
Published: October 2020

In this manuscript, we examine the existence and the Ulam stability of solutions for a class of boundary value problems for nonlinear implicit fractional differential equations with instantaneous impulses in Banach spaces. The results are based on fixed point theorems of Darbo and Mönch associated with the technique of measure of noncompactness. We provide some examples to indicate the applicability of our results.
On the Neumann eigenvalues for second-order Sturm–Liouville difference equations
Authors: Cheng Yan-Hsiou
Published: October 2020

The paper is concerned with the Neumann eigenvalues for second-order Sturm–Liouville difference equations. By analyzing the new discriminant function, we show the interlacing properties between the periodic, antiperiodic, and Neumann eigenvalues. Moreover, when the potential sequence is symmetric and symmetric monotonic, we show the order relation between the first Dirichlet eigenvalue and the second Neumann eigenvalue, and prove that the minimum of the first Neumann eigenvalue gap is attained at the constant potential sequence.
Preparation and characterization of different geometrical shapes of multi-bore hollow fiber membranes and application in vacuum membrane distillation
Authors: El-Zanati Elham M. , Farg Eman , Taha Esraa , El-Gendi Ayman , Abdallah Heba
Published: October 2020

Multi-bore hollow fiber membranes were prepared through phase inversion spinning process using new locally designed spinnerets of various geometrical shapes. The spun cylindrical-like, rectangular or ribbon-like, and triangular-like are prepared, dried, and characterized by scanning electronic microscope. Fibers of circular (seven, five, and four bores) shape, rectangular of five bores, and triangular of three bores were chosen to study the effect of both geometrical configuration and the number of bores on the amorphous structure and the mechanical properties of the membranes. Membrane geometry, surface amorphous, and bore arrangements are very sensitive to the operating conditions, especially the extrusion and drawing rates. Three polymeric blends of different compositions are used to prepare multi-bore hollow fiber membranes. This study revealed that the blend composition of PES 16%, PVP 2%, PEG 2%, diethylene glycol 2%, and NMP 78% gives excellent mechanical properties. Optimization of the preparation conditions also developed, where the dope flow rate, the bore flow rate, and the air gap were 1.14 cm3 s−1, 1.1 cm3 s−1, and 0 cm, respectively. Furthermore, this study proved that the circular arrangement has high mechanical strength. The prepared seven-MBHF membranes were applied in the membrane distillation process, a solution of 35 g/l NaCl was used to test the membrane performance, and the achieved flux and rejection were 28.32 L/m2 h and 98.9%, respectively. This performance demonstrated that the prepared membrane in this way is suitable to compete with conventional reverse osmosis technology that uses single track hollow fibers.
Recommendations for the adjuvant use of the poly-antibiotic–resistant probiotic Bacillus clausii (O/C, SIN, N/R, T) in acute, chronic, and antibiotic-associated diarrhea in children: consensus from Asian experts
Authors: De Castro Jo-Anne , Kesavelu Dhanasekhar , Lahiri Keya Rani , Chaijitraruch Nataruks , Chongsrisawat Voranush , Jog Pramod Prabhakar , Liaw Yun Haw , Nguyen Gia Khanh , Nguyen Thi Viet Ha , Pai Uday Ananth , Phan Huu Nguyet Diem , Quak Seng Hock , Tanpowpong Pornthep , Guno Mary Jean
Published: October 2020

This paper proposes recommendations for probiotics in pediatric gastrointestinal diseases in the Asia-Pacific region. Evidence-based recommendations and randomized controlled trials in the region are included. Cultural aspects, health management issues and economic factors were also considered. Final recommendations were approved by utilizing a modified Delphi process and applying the Likert scale in an electronic voting process. Bacillus clausii was recommended as an adjunct treatment with oral rehydration solution for acute viral diarrhea. B. clausii may also be considered for prevention of antibiotic-associated diarrhea, Clostridium difficile-induced diarrhea, and as adjunct treatment of Helicobacter pylori. There is insufficient evidence for recommendations in other conditions. Despite a diversity of epidemiological, socioeconomical and health system conditions, similar recommendations currently apply to most Asia-Pacific countries. Ideally, these need to be validated with local randomized-controlled trials.
The Menopause Transition: Signs, Symptoms, and Management Options
Authors: Santoro Nanette , Roeca Cassandra , Peters Brandilyn A , Neal-Perry Genevieve
Published: October 2020

Context

Menopause, the permanent cessation of menses, reflects oocyte depletion and loss of gonadal steroids. It is preceded by a transition state, the perimenopause, which is characterized by the gradual loss of oocytes, altered responsiveness to gonadal steroid feedback, wide hormonal fluctuations, and irregular menstrual patterns. The goal of this mini-review is to discuss the basic pathophysiology of the menopausal transition and the hormonal and nonhormonal management of clinicopathology attributed to it.

Evidence Acquisition

A Medline search of epidemiologic, population-based studies, and studies of reproductive physiology was conducted. A total of 758 publications were screened.

Evidence Synthesis

The reproductive hormonal milieu of the menopausal transition precipitates bothersome vasomotor symptoms, mood disruption, temporary cognitive dysfunction, genitourinary symptoms, and other disease processes that reduce the quality of life of affected women. The endocrine tumult of the menopause transition also exposes racial and socioeconomic disparities in the onset, severity, and frequency of symptoms. Hormone therapy (HT) treatment can be effective for perimenopausal symptoms but its use has been stymied by concerns about health risks observed in postmenopausal HT users who are older than 60 and/or women who have been postmenopausal for greater than 10 years.

Conclusions

The menopause transition is a disruptive process that can last for over a decade and causes symptoms in a majority of women. It is important for clinicians to recognize early signs and symptoms of the transition and be prepared to offer treatment to mitigate these symptoms. Many safe and effective options, including HT, are available.
Autophagic feedback-mediated degradation of IKKα requires CHK1- and p300/CBP-dependent acetylation of p53
Authors: Xu Xiuduan , Zhang Chongchong , Xu Huan , Wu Lin , Hu Meiru , Song Lun
Published: October 2020

In our previous report, we demonstrated that one of the catalytic subunits of the IκB kinase (IKK) complex, IKKα (encoded by CHUK), performs an NF-κB-independent cytoprotective role in human hepatoma cells under the treatment of the anti-tumor therapeutic reagent arsenite. IKKα triggers its own degradation, as a feedback loop, by activating p53-dependent autophagy, and therefore contributes substantially to hepatoma cell apoptosis induced by arsenite. Interestingly, IKKα is unable to interact with p53 directly but plays a critical role in mediating p53 phosphorylation (at Ser15) by promoting CHK1 activation and CHK1–p53 complex formation. In the current study, we found that p53 acetylation (at Lys373 and/or Lys382) was also critical for the induction of autophagy and the autophagic degradation of IKKα during the arsenite response. Furthermore, IKKα was involved in p53 acetylation through interaction with the acetyltransferases for p53, p300 (also known as EP300) and CBP (also known as CREBBP) (collectively p300/CBP), inducing CHK1-dependent p300/CBP activation and promoting p300–p53 or CBP–p53 complex formation. Therefore, taken together with the previous report, we conclude that both IKKα- and CHK1-dependent p53 phosphorylation and acetylation contribute to mediating selective autophagy feedback degradation of IKKα during the arsenite-induced proapoptotic responses.
Photoreceptors and diurnal variation in spectral sensitivity in the fiddler crab Gelasimus dampieri
Authors: Jessop Anna-Lee , Ogawa Yuri , Bagheri Zahra M. , Partridge Julian C. , Hemmi Jan M.
Published: October 2020

Colour signals, and the ability to detect them, are important for many animals and can be vital to their survival and fitness. Fiddler crabs use colour information to detect and recognise conspecifics, but their colour vision capabilities remain unclear. Many studies have attempted to measure their spectral sensitivity and identify contributing retinular cells, but the existing evidence is inconclusive. We used electroretinogram (ERG) measurements and intracellular recordings from retinular cells to estimate the spectral sensitivity of Gelasimus dampieri and to track diurnal changes in spectral sensitivity. G. dampieri has a broad spectral sensitivity and is most sensitive to wavelengths between 420 to 460 nm. Selective adaptation experiments uncovered an ultraviolet (UV) retinular cell with a peak sensitivity shorter than 360 nm. The species’ spectral sensitivity above 400 nm is too broad to be fitted by a single visual pigment and using optical modelling we provide evidence that at least two medium-wavelength sensitive (MWS) visual pigments are contained within a second blue-green sensitive retinular cell. We also found an approximate 25 nm diurnal shift in spectral sensitivity towards longer wavelengths in the evening in both ERG and intracellular recordings. Whether the shift is caused by screening pigment migration or changes in opsin expression remains unclear, but the observation shows the diel dynamism of colour vision in this species. Together, these findings support the notion that G. dampieri possesses the minimum requirement for colour vision, with UV and blue/green receptors, and help to explain some of the inconsistent results of previous research.
Two lines of evidence for physiological control of insensible evaporative water loss by a tiny marsupial
Authors: Cooper Christine Elizabeth , Withers Philip Carew
Published: October 2020

We present two independent lines of evidence that a tiny dasyurid marsupial, the ningaui (Ningaui spp.), has acute physiological control of its insensible evaporative water loss below and within thermoneutrality. Perturbation of the driving force for evaporation by varying relative humidity, and therefore the water vapour pressure deficit between the animal and the ambient air, does not have the expected physical effect on evaporative water loss. Exposure to a helox atmosphere also does not have the expected physical effect of increasing on evaporative water loss for live ningauis (despite it having the expected effect of increasing heat loss for live ningauis), and increasing evaporative water loss for dead ningauis. We discuss the relative advantages and disadvantages of both experimental approaches for demonstrating physiological control of insensible evaporative water loss. An appreciation of physiological control is important because insensible evaporative water loss contributes to both water and heat balance, is clearly under environmental selection pressure, and potentially impacts the distribution of endotherms and their response to environmental change.
Perioperative care of the pregnant patient undergoing non-obstetric surgery
Authors: Allana Alisha , Mujtaba Nadeam
Published: October 2020

There are a number of challenges associated with the pregnant patient undergoing non-obstetric surgery. Careful assessment and planning, taking into account the physiological and anatomical changes, will allow for optimal perioperative management.
Non-traumatic thoracic aortic emergencies: imaging diagnosis and management
Authors: Jen Jian Ping , Malik Akif , Lewis Gareth , Holloway Benjamin
Published: October 2020

The major component of non-traumatic thoracic aortic emergencies is the acute aortic syndromes. These include acute aortic dissection, intramural haematoma and penetrating atherosclerotic ulcer, grouped together because they are indistinguishable clinically and highly fatal. All three entities involve disruption to the tunica intima and media and may be complicated by rupture, end-organ ischaemia or aneurysmal transformation. Early diagnosis is vital to allow timely and appropriate management. Paired unenhanced and electrocardiogram-gated computed tomography angiography of the chest, extending more distally if required, is recommended for diagnosis. Specific computed tomography features of all three entities are reviewed, with a focus on morphological features associated with complications. Those with type A pathology are usually managed with open surgery because this has a high risk of complication. Patients with uncomplicated type B pathology are usually managed with best medical therapy whereas those with complicated type B pathology are usually offered either surgery or thoracic endovascular aortic repair. The limited evidence regarding the use of thoracic endovascular aortic repair in patients with subacute uncomplicated type B pathology is briefly discussed.
246. Las Tecnologías de la Comunicación e Información y sus implicaciones en el aprender/enseñar Geografía en la contemporaneidad: estudios de caso en Brasil
Authors: Tonetto Élida Pasini , Tonini Ivaine Maria
Published: October 2020

Viviendo en la Cibercultura, conectados a ella y al mismo tiempo reflejando sus contradicciones, buscamos comprender qué modos de aprendizaje existen en las prácticas comunicativas contemporáneas, a partir de la dimensión espacial de los estudiantes de la enseñanza media en escuelas de Brasil. Entendemos que, en el contexto de la cibercultura y los desafíos por ella generados, son complejos e impactan tanto a los profesores, como al alumnado en sus formas de aprender en el sistema escolar y en sus rutinas personales de estudios. Así, concluimos que las tecnologías digitales de la comunicación e información afectan a los modos como aprendemos y enseñamos Geografía y son también parte de las disputas existentes en la educación formal en general.
247. Los territorios digitales en el contexto del ciberespacio
Authors: Bernal Hidalgo Luis
Published: October 2020

El ciberespacio se ha configurado hoy como un territorio digital que expande el contexto relacional y el entorno de información a partir del ejercicio de nuevas praxis culturales, que incluyen producir, intercambiar y controlar impresiones.  Por lo anterior, se puede afirmar que es un proceso de construcción y de nuevas representaciones con las que se cincelan, sostienen y se transforman las posibilidades de aproximarse a la realidad, las formas de organización social y estructuración territorial. Este artículo hace un balance de los análisis presentados en las entrevistas realizadas en la tesis doctoral “La construcción del territorio a través del ciberespacio: una mirada latinoamericana de la percepción de los jóvenes frente al espacio virtual” sustentada en la Universidad de Valencia, España. Para mostrar como la evolución de las telecomunicaciones y el aumento de la interconectividad, ha potenciado la interacción social, con el surgimiento de prácticas cotidianas, identidades digitales, formas y procesos de cognición, símbolos, códigos y lenguajes, que han conformado nuevas relaciones sociales y novedosas culturas que se desarrollan en territorios marcados por la virtualidad.
Presencia de la formación en Artes Visuales en los estudios de Grado de Maestro/a de Primaria e Infantil
Authors: Martinez-Gallego Silvia , Botella Nicolás Ana Maria
Published: October 2020

El objetivo principal del presente estudio es evidenciar la estructura de los Grados de Maestro/a de Educación Primaria y de Infantil. Pretendemos comprobar qué presencia tienen las asignaturas con contenidos de Artes Visuales en los estudios de Magisterio dentro del territorio de la Comunidad Valenciana. En el mundo contemporáneo, se hace necesario estudiar y analizar cuál es la situación actual de estos estudios para obtener resultados que ayuden a mejorar la formación de los futuros profesionales del área. Evaluando la formación inicial que recibe este alumnado, podremos plantear acciones que mejoren su competencia en el mundo laboral. Así, podrán proporcionar una educación de calidad y serán capaces de comprender las necesidades de su alumnado escolar. Sin esta contextualización, realista y fundamentada, es difícil interpretar cuál es el lugar que ha ocupado la Educación Artística en la historia y evolución de estos estudios. Nos interesa demostrar las diferencias que se aprecian, entre la formación universitaria y la aplicación en la práctica de la escuela así como la gran distancia que existe entre los planteamientos políticos de la Administración y la realidad en el currículum escolar en cuanto a la presencia de la Educación Artística.
«¿Qué deberá poner allí?»: Del du-rama y el K-pop a un curso de coreano
Authors: Moya Ruiz Elisa , Orfila Febrer Marina , Tarragó Pascual Clàudia , Cassany Daniel
Published: October 2020

Documentamos con un estudio de caso las experiencias de aprendizaje en línea de coreano que realiza una traductora catalana que sigue series de du-rama y escucha música K-pop en su tiempo libre. Averiguamos cómo desarrolla esa motivación, qué prácticas discursivas realiza, qué recursos de la web descubre y emplea para aprender el idioma (apps, redes sociales) o qué estrategias de comprensión y razonamiento implementa en su aprendizaje informal. Nuestros datos proceden de entrevistas semiestructuradas y de la observación en línea de sus espacios de afinidad (cuenta en Twitter, perfiles coreanos de Instagram), con su consentimiento informado. Los resultados revelan que su motivación por la música y las series coreanas, así como por los contextos fandom que rodean estos productos, la han alentado a aprender la lengua de manera informal. En consecuencia, emplea diversas apps y recursos web según sus creencias y experiencias con la lengua, puesto que considera que la gramática es más fácil que el vocabulario y que este resulta fundamental para comunicarse. Aunque la joven valora positivamente estas prácticas de aprendizaje informal, decide complementarlo con un curso formal de coreano.