bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Technique failure in remote patient monitoring program in patients undergoing automated peritoneal dialysis: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Corzo Leyder , Wilkie Martin , Vesga Jasmin I , Lindholm Bengt , Buitrago Giancarlo , Rivera Angela S , Sanabria Rafael M
Published: December 2020

Background:

Remote patient monitoring (RPM) programs in automated peritoneal dialysis (APD) allow clinical teams to be aware of many aspects and events of the therapy that occur in the home. The present study evaluated the association between RPM use and APD technique failure.

Methods:

A retrospective, multicentre, observational cohort study of 558 prevalent adult APD patients included between 1 October 2016 and 30 June 2017 with follow-up until 30 June 2018 at Renal Therapy Services network in Colombia. Patients were divided into two cohorts based on the RPM use: APD-RPM ( n = 148) and APD-without RPM ( n = 410). Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of all patients were summarized descriptively. A propensity score was used to create a pseudo-population in which the baseline covariates were well balanced. The association of RPM with technique failure was estimated adjusting for the competing events death and kidney transplant.

Results:

Five hundred fifty-eight patients were analyzed. 26.5% had APD-RPM. In the matched sample comprising 148 APD-RPM and 148 APD-without RPM patients, we observed a lower technique failure rate of 0.08 [0.05–0.15] episodes per patient-year in APD-RPM versus 0.18 [0.12–0.26] in APD-without RPM cohort; incidence rate ratio = 0.45 95% confidence interval: [0.22–0.91], p-value = 0.03.

Conclusions:

The use of an RPM program in APD patients may be associated with a lower technique failure rate. More extensive and interventional studies are needed to confirm its potential benefits and to measure other patient-centered outcomes.
Love thy Aged? A State-Level Analysis of Religiosity and Mobility in Aging Populations During the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic
Authors: Hill Terrence D. , Gonzalez Kelsey E. , Upenieks Laura
Published: December 2020

Objectives: We test whether the association between state religiosity and distance traveled is moderated by population age during the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Methods: Mobility is operationalized as the state-level average median distance traveled from February 24 to May 4 across the contiguous United States. Shelter-in-place rates are operationalized as the state-level percentage of users staying home. State religiosity is measured with an index of aggregated religious identities, beliefs, and practices. Population age is indicated by the state percentage of adults aged 65 years and older. We model population mobility using regression with state clustered robust SEs. Results: We observe that religious states tend to travel more during the early stages of the pandemic. However, the behavioral risks associated with state religiosity are less pronounced in states with larger older populations. Discussion: We contribute to our understanding of the social patterning of pandemic mobility in aging populations.
In Search of Civil Society: Disentangling Associational Practices and Civil Society Conceptions in Germany
Authors: Weber Peter C.
Published: December 2020

The historical case study of German associations during World War I highlights the limits of sociability in times of political polarization. At the war’s beginning, German elites supported political associations that welcomed the entire political spectrum, thus radically breaking with associations that had developed along political, social, and religious dividing lines. The article shows how the inclusive sociability that the common cause of the war initially spurred failed to withstand the pressures of mass politics, extreme sociopolitical fragmentation, and the new republican institutions. The discrediting of associations as sources of inclusive sociability paved the path to conscious efforts to educate German citizens and political professionals to the working of democratic systems. The analysis suggests a conceptualization of civil society that relies on explicit strategies, such as political education, to cultivate the political conduct that modern democracies require, replacing the faith in associations as indirect sources of democratic governance.
Assessment of oxidative DNA damage, oxidative stress responses and histopathological alterations in gill and liver tissues of Oncorhynchus mykiss treated with linuron
Authors: Topal Ahmet , Gergit Arzu , Özkaraca Mustafa
Published: December 2020

We investigated changes in 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) activity which is a product of oxidative DNA damage, histopathological changes and antioxidant responses in liver and gill tissues of rainbow trout, following a 21-day exposure to three different concentrations of linuron (30 µg/L, 120 µg/L and 240 µg/L). Our results indicated that linuron concentrations caused an increase in LPO levels of liver and gill tissues ( p < 0.05). While linuron induced both increases and decreases in GSH levels and SOD activity, CAT activity was decreased by all concentrations of linuron ( p < 0.05). The immunopositivity of 8-OHdG was detected in the hepatocytes of liver and in the epithelial and chloride cells of the secondary lamellae of the gill tissues. Our results suggested that linuron could cause oxidative DNA damage by causing an increase in 8-OHdG activity in tissues, and it induces histopathological damage and alterations in the antioxidant parameters of the tissues.
Association between the anticancer efficacy of cabazitaxel and toll-like receptor 4 mediating signaling pathways in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer cells
Authors: Guney Eskiler Gamze , Ozkan Asuman Deveci , Eryilmaz Isil Ezgi , Egeli Unal , Cecener Gulsah
Published: December 2020

Background:

We evaluated the effect of cabazitaxel (CAB) as a third-line taxane on Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)-mediated signaling pathways, especially NF-κB activity, in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) cells.

Methods:

CAB cytotoxicity was determined by WST-1 assay. To assess the relationship between CAB efficacy and TLR4 signaling pathways, RT-PCR, western blot and immunofluorescence analysis were performed. Additionally, CAB-mediated apoptotic cell death was assessed by Annexin V and RT-PCR analysis.

Results:

Our results demonstrated that CAB exerted considerably cytotoxic and apoptotic effects on PC-3 mCRPC cells (p < 0.05). CAB treatment altered TLR4 expression level in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, 1 nM CAB treatment significantly induced NF-κB activity through p65 nuclear localization and increased the expression level of caspase-3, Bax and p53. Interestingly, total apoptotic cell death and IRF3 protein levels were increased at 5 nM concentration of CAB despite a decrease in the levels of both NF-κB and pro-apoptotic genes.

Conclusions:

Therefore, NF-κB activity may be a potential target for the efficacy of CAB in mCRPC cells.
Preferences of people with mental illness for engaging in exercise programs under COVID-19 restrictions
Authors: Chapman Justin J , Hielscher Emily , Patterson Sue , Reavley Nicola , Brown Wendy J , Wyder Marianne , Childs Sarah , Russell Anneliese , Suetani Shuichi , Scott James G
Published: December 2020

Objectives:

People with mental illness may be vulnerable to decline in mental health and reduced physical activity because of the COVID-19 pandemic and associated restrictions. The aim of this study was to inform the design of physical activity interventions for implementation under these conditions to improve/maintain well-being and physical activity in this population.

Methods:

People with mental illness who had participated in a physical activity program prior to the pandemic were invited to complete a survey about the impact of COVID-19 on mental health and physical activity and their preferences for engaging in a physical activity program under pandemic-related restrictions.

Results:

More than half the 59 respondents reported worse mental health and lower physical activity during the pandemic. The preferred format for a physical activity program was one-on-one exercise instruction in-person in a park. Program components endorsed as helpful included incentivization, provision of exercise equipment and fitness devices, and daily exercise programs. About a third of the participants reported limitations in using technology for a physical activity program.

Conclusions:

In-person exercise support is preferred by people with mental illnesses during pandemic-related restrictions. Enablement strategies such as providing equipment and self-monitoring devices should be utilized; assistance may be needed to incorporate the use of technology in exercise programs.
Effectiveness of a Care Delivery Model for High-Need Older Adults in Communities
Authors: Chen Kuei-Min , Hsu Hui-Fen , Yang Li-Yen , Chang Chiang-Ching , Chen Yu-Ming , Chang Wei-Yun
Published: December 2020

Purpose:

This study aimed to test the effectiveness of High-Need Community-Dwelling Older Adults Care Delivery Model (HCOACDM) in Taiwan.

Methods:

A cluster randomized controlled trial with repeated measures design was conducted in eight community care centers, involving 145 high-need older adults who were assigned to the intervention group or comparison group. The HCOACDM was provided over 6 months. Functional ability, quality of life, depressive symptoms, and health care and social service utilizations were measured at baseline, at 3 months, and 6 months into the intervention. The participants’ satisfaction was measured at the end of 6-month intervention.

Results:

Positive effects were shown on all variables in the intervention group at both the 3-month and 6-month intervals (all p < .05). The intervention group had a higher satisfaction with care delivery than the comparison group ( p < .05).

Discussion:

The promising findings supported a long-term implementation of the HCOACDM as applicable and beneficial.
Retrospective Evaluation of Number of Surgeries and Parent Ratings of Academic and Behavioral Functioning Among Children With Isolated Oral Clefts
Authors: Conrad Amy L. , Albert Meredith , Crerand Canice E. , Crilly Bellucci Claudia , Heppner Celia E. , Sheikh Farah , Woodard Suzanne , Kapp-Simon Kathleen A
Published: December 2020

Objective:

The purpose of this study was to evaluate possible relationships between number of surgeries and parent ratings of academic functioning among children with isolated oral clefts.

Design:

Multicenter, retrospective cohort study including structured interviews, questionnaires, and chart reviews.

Setting:

Completion of questionnaires occurred during clinical visits at 6 different cleft centers across North America.

Participants:

Parents of 285 children with isolated clefts of the lip and/or palate, aged 8 to 10 years old, participated in structured interviews and completed questionnaires regarding the academic and behavioral functioning of their children.

Main Outcome Measures:

Parent interview and medical chart review of number of surgeries to date and parent ratings on the Adaptive Behavior Assessment System, Third Edition-Functional Academics Scale (ABAS-FA) and Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) Total Competency Scale.

Results:

Parent ratings of ABAS-FA were at or above normative expectations, while ratings across CBCL Competency Scales were lower than normative expectations. Socioeconomic status (SES), age, and race were consistent predictors of parent ratings (higher SES, older age, and Caucasian race were associated with better functioning). Number of surgeries did not add significantly to academic ratings but did significantly contribute to ratings of social and activity participation. Patients with more surgeries were rated with lower functioning in these domains.

Conclusions:

Findings do not support a connection between number of surgeries and later ratings of academic functioning but do support a connection to social and activity involvement. Recommendations for conducting direct studies of the connection between surgeries and academic functioning as well as clinical considerations for surgeries and impact on social and activity involvement are discussed.
Psychopathic Expression From Early to Late Adulthood: An Item Response Theory Analysis of the Hare Psychopathy Checklist–Revised
Authors: Baglole J. Sebastian , Tsang Siny , Hare Robert D. , Forth Adelle E.
Published: December 2020

Several investigators have assessed the Psychopathy Checklist–Revised (PCL-R) for invariance across offender ethnicities and in correctional and forensic–psychiatric contexts. Yet we do not know whether, or to what extent, item properties among male offenders vary throughout adulthood. With a combined sample of PCL-R data on offenders from Canada and the United States ( N = 4,820), we measured item properties for offenders in age groups of Early (18-30 years old), Middle (31-49 years old), and Late (50+ years old) adulthood. Nine items showed differential item functioning across age group comparisons. Among the Early group, the PCL-R Interpersonal and Affective traits were most informative for measuring the latent trait of psychopathy. Among the Late group, the PCL-R Lifestyle and Antisocial items were most informative for the latent trait. These differences in item information illustrate how psychopathy manifests in male offenders throughout adulthood.
The Strong Black Woman: Insights and Implications for Nursing
Authors: Jefferies Keisha
Published: December 2020

OBJECTIVE

This discussion paper describes the intricacies of the strong Black woman (SBW) construct and how understanding this construct is significant and relevant within nursing.

METHOD

This article is a discussion piece that provides a succinct conceptual and historical overview of the SBW construct. It then describes the impacts of this construct before presenting implications as they relate to nursing practice, education, policy, and research.

RESULTS

The SBW construct is exclusively and routinely applied to Black women. Typically, the SBW construct encompasses five components, which center on independence, caring, and strength. These five components include the obligation to (1) always maintain and present an image of strength, (2) suppress emotion, (3) be self-reliant, (4) succeed despite all odds, and (5) always place the needs [especially comfort] of others above those of oneself. Moreover, the SBW construct posits Black women as possessing superhuman capabilities. The nature of this construct is complex, with some Black women using it as a survival mechanism, and others finding empowerment through this image. Nevertheless, recent research has revealed the harms associated with this image including detriment to physical, mental, and spiritual well-being, with the implications extending to Black families and communities.

CONCLUSION

Understanding this topic is essential in providing support to all Black women in health care and within the Black community—including patients, nurses, faculty, staff, and students. Recognizing the implications of the SBW construct is essential toward ensuring that our care, practices, and policies are not only supportive but also antiracist.
Diagnostic error in detection of fractured and migrated totally implantable venous access device fragments and experience with percutaneous retrieval: A report of 27 cases
Authors: Matton Tom , Coolen Johan , Vanhaecht Kris , Boecxstaens Veerle , Fourneau Inge , Maleux Geert
Published: December 2020

Purpose:

To assess diagnostic efficacy/error to identify broken or dislocated totally implantable venous access device (TIVAD) fragments on radiological studies and to analyze interventional outcome of percutaneous retrieval.

Materials and methods:

Retrospective, single-center analysis of 27 patients, referred for percutaneous retrieval of embolized TIVAD fragments between 2000 and 2018. Demographic data, underlying disease, diagnostic studies, diagnostic error, interval between implantation and diagnosis of TIVAD-dysfunction, interval between diagnosis and retrieval, anatomical location of the embolized fragments, and technical aspects of retrieval procedure were identified from the patients’ electronic medical records.

Results:

Overall, diagnostic error was found in six patients (22%) with an average delay of 53 days. Ten fractures were caused during surgical removal, eleven fractures by pinching between first rib and clavicle and six cases by spontaneous disconnection between reservoir and catheter. Success rate of retrieval was 96% and the complication rate 0%.

Conclusion:

Fractured or retained TIVAD fragments were initially overlooked on radiological studies in more than 20% of patients. Percutaneous retrieval of broken and dislocated TIVAD fragments is very safe and highly successful.
A cudgel of repression: Analysing state instrumentalisation of the ‘fake news’ label in Southeast Asia
Authors: Neo Ric
Published: December 2020

Fake news has been recognised as a pressing issue by scholars, who have highlighted the destabilising impact it portends in societies. Beyond an understanding of the empirical effects of fake news on democratic institutions that recent scholarship has shed light on, emergent research also points to the potential of fake news being weaponised as a discursive tool to achieve political ends. In that light, this study sets out to analyse the discourses of fake news as advanced by states. Results from a critical discourse analysis of articles relating to fake news ( n = 450) from four countries – Cambodia, Malaysia, Singapore and Vietnam – reveal four key findings: first, fake news is being framed as an existential security issue that directly threatens foundational societal values. Second, fake news as an issue is constructed as a new and unprecedented contemporary problem, and compared on equal terms to other security threats such as terrorism, chemical attacks and cyberwarfare. Third, the threat of fake news is used to justify the passing of broad-reaching legislation and curbs on free speech that are construed as aligned with global democratic norms. Lastly, the term is used to facilitate unsubstantiated ‘lying press’ accusations against media outlets. Overall, this study suggests that fake news can be damaging to the quality of democracies not only as a result of its dissemination, but also through the discursive instrumentalisation of the term to curb civil liberties and justify crackdowns.
Mediated representation of Middle Eastern and African migrants in UK and US press in the Wake of Brexit and Trumpism
Authors: Okoye John-Bell S
Published: December 2020

Immigration was a salient feature of Trump and Brexit campaigns in 2016. In view of this, the study assumes that media coverage of Middle Eastern and African (MEA) migrants in international press might deteriorate. Extracting contents from Bloomberg Businessweek, Time and The Economist magazines for the years 2016–2018, the phenomenon was investigated using quantitative content analysis and qualitative textual analysis methods. The findings showed that MEA migrants are positively framed. However, the metaphors and language of constructing the image of these migrant groups belie the positive frames, making references to migrants’ values, cultural backgrounds, faith, and origins in a way that dehumanises and capable of generating hostile attitudes towards them. Of the categories of sources used, politicians’ voices and quotes dominated the coverage with references to the political actors of the 2016 epochal events, while the voices of MEA migrants are underrepresented. What these findings suggest is that not only did the 2016 Brexit and Trump immigration discourses influenced MEA migrants’ portrayals, they also indicated that the media is still manufacturing consent with regards to immigration coverage.
Hating journalism: Anti-press discourse and negative emotions toward journalism in Korea
Authors: Shin Wooyeol , Kim Changwook , Joo Jaewon
Published: December 2020

In South Korea since the mid-2010s, the discourse on giraegi has prevailed. The word giraegi is a combination of gija, the Korean word for journalist, and tsuraegi, the Korean word for trash. By considering this distinctive discourse on giraegi as a negative emotional form of anti-press discourse, this paper explores the background logics and rationales behind the giraegi discourse that classifies journalists as trash, by focusing on the case of the networked public of # giraegi. Its analysis reveals that certain negative emotions toward the press – disgust, hate, and shame – are the sources of the formation and maintenance of the networked public of # giraegi and also the energy that directs the flow of their hostile messages about journalists and journalism. Moreover, journalists are considered ‘pollutants’ that tarnish Korean society and thereby something that needs to be eliminated. In connection with the growing research on hate speech against journalists on digital media, this research ultimately argues that this affective form of anti-journalistic discourse – mainly focusing on hate, disgust, and shame – can hardly bring about normative and constructive effects; its probable impact will be to exacerbate distrust and skepticism toward journalists and journalism itself.
Assessment of the relationship between estimated cardiovascular risk and structural damage in patients with axial spondyloarthritis
Authors: Ladehesa-Pineda María Lourdes , Arias de la Rosa Iván , López Medina Clementina , Castro-Villegas María del Carmen , Ábalos-Aguilera María del Carmen , Ortega-Castro Rafaela , Gómez-García Ignacio , Seguí-Azpilcueta Pedro , Jiménez-Gómez Yolanda , Escudero-Contreras Alejandro , López Pedrera Chary , Barbarroja Nuria , Collantes-Estévez Eduardo ,   for the CASTRO Working Group
Published: December 2020

Aims:

To evaluate the association of estimated cardiovascular (CV) risk and subclinical atherosclerosis with radiographic structural damage in patients with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA).

Methods:

Cross-sectional study including 114 patients axSpA from the SpA registry of Córdoba (CASTRO) and 132 age- and sex-matched healthy controls (HCs). Disease activity and the presence of traditional CV risk factors were recorded. The presence of atherosclerotic plaques and carotid intima media thickness (cIMT) were evaluated through carotid ultrasound and the SCORE index was calculated. Radiographic damage was measured though modified Stoke Ankylosing Spondylitis Spinal Score (mSASSS). The association between mSASSS and SCORE was tested using generalized linear models (GLM), and an age-adjusted cluster analysis was performed to identify different phenotypes dependent on the subclinical CV risk.

Results:

Increased traditional CV risk factors, SCORE, and the presence of carotid plaques were found in axSpA patients compared with HCs. The presence of atherosclerotic plaques and SCORE were associated with radiographic structural damage. The GLM showed that the total mSASSS was associated independently with the SCORE [β coefficient 0.24; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.10–0.38] adjusted for disease duration, age, tobacco, C-reactive protein, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) intake. Hard cluster analysis identified two phenotypes of patients. Patients from cluster 1, characterized by the presence of plaques and increased cIMT, had a higher prevalence of CV risk factors and SCORE, and more structural damage than cluster two patients.

Conclusion:

Radiographic structural damage is associated closely with increased estimated CV risk: higher SCORE levels in axSpA patients were found to be associated independently with mSASSS after adjusting for age, disease duration, CRP, tobacco and NSAID intake.
A robust approach for the generation of functional hematopoietic progenitor cell lines to model leukemic transformation
Authors: Doma Eszter , Mayer Isabella Maria , Brandstoetter Tania , Maurer Barbara , Grausenburger Reinhard , Menzl Ingeborg , Zojer Markus , Hoelbl-Kovacic Andrea , Carlsson Leif , Heller Gerwin , Kollmann Karoline , Sexl Veronika
Published: December 2020

Studies of molecular mechanisms of hematopoiesis and leukemogenesis are hampered by the unavailability of progenitor cell lines that accurately mimic the situation in vivo. We now report a robust method to generate and maintain LSK (Lin−, Sca-1+, c-Kit+) cells, which closely resemble MPP1 cells. HPCLSKs reconstitute hematopoiesis in lethally irradiated recipient mice over >8 months. Upon transformation with different oncogenes including BCR/ABL, FLT3-ITD, or MLL-AF9, their leukemic counterparts maintain stem cell properties in vitro and recapitulate leukemia formation in vivo. The method to generate HPCLSKs can be applied to transgenic mice, and we illustrate it for CDK6-deficient animals. Upon BCR/ABLp210 transformation, HPCLSKsCdk6−/− induce disease with a significantly enhanced latency and reduced incidence, showing the importance of CDK6 in leukemia formation. Studies of the CDK6 transcriptome in murine HPCLSK and human BCR/ABL+ cells have verified that certain pathways depend on CDK6 and have uncovered a novel CDK6-dependent signature, suggesting a role for CDK6 in leukemic progenitor cell homing. Loss of CDK6 may thus lead to a defect in homing. The HPCLSK system represents a unique tool for combined in vitro and in vivo studies and enables the production of large quantities of genetically modifiable hematopoietic or leukemic stem/progenitor cells.
Novel targeted therapies of T cell lymphomas
Authors: Iżykowska Katarzyna , Rassek Karolina , Korsak Dorota , Przybylski Grzegorz K.
Published: December 2020

T cell lymphomas (TCL) comprise a heterogeneous group of non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHL) that often present at an advanced stage at the time of diagnosis and that most commonly have an aggressive clinical course. Treatment in the front-line setting is most often cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (CHOP) or CHOP-like regimens, which are effective in B cell lymphomas, but in TCL are associated with a high failure rate and frequent relapses. Furthermore, in contrast to B cell NHL, in which substantial clinical progress has been made with the introduction of monoclonal antibodies, no comparable advances have been seen in TCL. To change this situation and improve the prognosis in TCL, new gene-targeted therapies must be developed. This is now possible due to enormous progress that has been made in the last years in the understanding of the biology and molecular pathogenesis of TCL, which enables the implementation of the research findings in clinical practice. In this review, we present new therapies and current clinical and preclinical trials on targeted treatments for TCL using histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi), antibodies, chimeric antigen receptor T cells (CARTs), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase inhibitors (PI3Ki), anaplastic lymphoma kinase inhibitors (ALKi), and antibiotics, used alone or in combinations. The recent clinical success of ALKi and conjugated anti-CD30 antibody (brentuximab-vedotin) suggests that novel therapies for TCL can significantly improve outcomes when properly targeted.
Reflections on key methodological decisions in national burden of disease assessments
Authors: von der Lippe Elena , Devleesschauwer Brecht , Gourley Michelle , Haagsma Juanita , Hilderink Henk , Porst Michael , Wengler Annelene , Wyper Grant , Grant Ian
Published: December 2020

Background

Summary measures of population health are increasingly used in different public health reporting systems for setting priorities for health care and social service delivery and planning.

Disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) are one of the most commonly used health gap summary measures in the field of public health and have become the key metric for quantifying burden of disease (BoD).

BoD methodology is, however, complex and highly data demanding, requiring a substantial capacity to apply, which has led to major disparities across researchers and nations in their resources to perform themselves BoD studies and interpret the soundness of available estimates produced by the Global Burden of Disease Study.

Methods

BoD researchers from the COST Action European Burden of Disease network reflect on the most important methodological choices to be made when estimating DALYs. The paper provides an overview of eleven methodological decisions and challenges drawing on the experiences of countries working with BoD methodology in their own national studies. Each of these steps are briefly described and, where appropriate, some examples are provided from different BoD studies across the world.

Results

In this review article we have identified some of the key methodological choices and challenges that are important to understand when calculating BoD metrics. We have provided examples from different BoD studies that have developed their own strategies in data usage and implementation of statistical methods in the production of BoD estimates.

Conclusions

With the increase in national BoD studies developing their own strategies in data usage and implementation of statistical methods in the production of BoD estimates, there is a pressing need for equitable capacity building on the one hand, and harmonization of methods on the other hand.

In response to these issues, several BoD networks have emerged in the European region that bring together expertise across different domains and professional backgrounds. An intensive exchange in the experience of the researchers in the different countries will enable the understanding of the methods and the interpretation of the results from the local authorities who can effectively integrate the BoD estimates in public health policies, intervention and prevention programs.
MycoNews 2020: President’s message, news, reports, awards, personalia, book news, and correspondence
Authors: Hawksworth David L.
Published: December 2020

This second annual edition ofMycoNewsstarts with a message from IMA President Wieland Meyer regarding the steps being taken to legally incorporate the Association in Switzerland. News is provided on progress in the arrangements for IMC12 (Amsterdam 2022), release of theState of World’s Plants and Fungireport, mycology under the Coronavirus pandemic, and two new biodiversity initiatives in The Netherlands. Reports are presented from the: 1st International Symposium on Tropical African Mycology (Benin 2019); Recent Advances in the Biodiversity, Biology, and Biotechnology of Fungi (Pondicherry 2019); the 4th InternationalMalasseziaWorkshop (virtual 2020); Dutch Design Week (2020), and UK Fungus Day (2020). An honour awarded to Francis Martin is recorded. Birthday greetings from IMA go to John Walker, José Dianese, Richard Harris, Tomasz Majewski, David Malloch, and John Sheard. Tributes are paid to the passing of John Peberdy, Anthony Trinci, and Balamuri Vittal. This contribution continues with news of 10 new mycological books published in 2019 or 2020 and concludes with a letter on the appropriateness of adopting the term ‘Funga’.
The Association Between Baseline Insulin Treatment and Cardiovascular Events: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Khatib Joanna E , Shao Yixue , Shi Lizheng , Fonseca Vivian A
Published: December 2020

Objective

We conducted a meta-analysis to compare major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) in recent diabetes type 2 drugs cardiovascular outcome trials (CVOTs) in the subgroups that used insulin at baseline to the subgroups that did not.

Methods

English publications from 2010 to 2019 were searched in PubMed and Google Scholar. We searched published clinical trials for CVOTs with new drugs for type 2 diabetes and found 12 publications, of which 8 provided outcomes according to insulin use. We compared the event rate of the primary outcome in the group taking insulin with the one not taking insulin. Data were extracted by 2 investigators independently, including CVOT drug, publication year, sample size, duration of diabetes, mean glycated hemoglobin A1c, mean age, and number of patients in each treatment group. We included 8 trials in the analysis: DECLARE, EMPA-REG, EXSCEL, HARMONY, LEADER, SUSTAIN-6, EXAMINE, and SAVOR-TIMI. The pooled relative risk was 1.52 (95% CI, 1.43 ~ 1.62) when comparing the treatment group with insulin at baseline with the treatment group of patients without insulin use.

Results

In recent CVOTs, patients on insulin regimen along with the new antidiabetic drug had a higher risk ratio of cardiovascular events than patients who used the new antidiabetic drug alone.
Education Crowdfunding and Student Performance: An Empirical Study
Authors: Gao Qiang , Lin Mingfeng , Wu D. J.
Published: December 2020

Despite the growing popularity of online public funding for education (i.e., crowdfunding), controversy persists about whether teachers’ efforts to use this channel are justified and whether donations thus received can actually make a difference in students’ academic performance. We present the first empirical evidence of the positive influence of online education crowdfunding after teachers successfully raise funds. Using data from California public school teachers and their students, as well as the teachers’ fundraising activities on DonorsChoose.org , we find significant academic performance improvements among students after their teachers receive donations through this platform. Such improvements in students’ academic performance are stronger when more local donors participate in teachers’ fundraising campaigns. Notably, teachers who attempt to raise funds online but are unsuccessful are still able to improve their students’ performance. These findings not only document the positive impact of online education crowdfunding on students’ academic performance, but also demonstrate that such impacts are at least partially attributable to the nonfinancial motivational benefits on teachers from receiving such donations. Our study therefore contributes to the literature on crowdfunding, as well as the ongoing debates surrounding the financing of public education.
A Comparative Study of Simple Regression Models to Estimate Fibre Length Growth in Chios Sheep from Common Meteorological Variables
Authors: Matsoukis Aristidis , Chronopoulou-Sereli Aikaterini , Stratakos George
Published: December 2020

Chios sheep is a promising sheep breed, with wool, one of its products, to be of special interest to genetic improvement programs. Recently, it has been reported significant linear correlation between the fibre length growth (FLG) of Chios sheep, an important component of its wool quality, and each of the meteorological variables air temperature (T) and sunshine (SUNS), but nothing is known about the prediction of FLG from T and SUNS. Thus, this work aims to investigate the effectiveness of five simple regression models (linear, quadratic, cubic, logarithmic and inverse), concerning the aforementioned prediction, using visual examination and two widely accepted statistical measures, the adjusted coefficient of determination (R2adj) and the root mean square error (RMSE). Results showed that the applied nonlinear regression models were characterized by higher R2adj and lower RMSE in comparison to the linear one, irrespective of input variable. The inverse model presented the greatest effectiveness to predict FLG from T and SUNS, separately (maximum R2adj and minimum RMSE), followed by the logarithmic and the linear ones, under visual examination and applied statistical measures. Air temperature was superior to SUNS in all cases (higher R2adj and lower RMSE), when comparing the regression models of the same type to check their effectiveness for predicting FLG. The findings of our study could be a decisive step towards a better exploitation of the examined meteorological variables for the sustainable production of Chios sheep.
Multi-Temporal Synthetic Aperture Radar Data for Paddy Crop Area Estimation in Eastern part of Godavari Delta, Andhra Pradesh, India.
Authors: Tiwari S.K. , Rao G Prasada
Published: December 2020

In the present study, an attempt is made to estimate the area under paddy crop during Rabi, 2013-14 using Microwave satellite data in the eastern part of Godavari delta. Clouds veil nearly the entire sky in both (Kharif & Rabi) seasons of Andhra Pradesh and hinder the estimation of crop acreage through optical satellite sensors. Microwaves can penetrate clouds and be used to detect crops during the day and night, regardless of cloud cover. Radar Imaging SATellite-1 (RISAT-1), microwave sensor, dual-polarization Horizontal-Horizontal (HH), Horizontal-Vertical (HV), Medium Resolution scanSAR Mode (MRS) data (18 m pixel spacing and 37° incidence angle) of three different dates (in December, January, and February) with 25 days interval was used. The backscatter (dB) values of the early, mid, and late-season transplanted stages of paddy crop were used to estimate the paddy crop acreage coupled with ground truth information during different stages of the crop. It was observed that the dB values at the transplanting stage rapidly increased with plant growth in the early season sown areas and mid-season sowed paddy illustrate a dip in dB values in the second date due to change in transplantation and increased backscatter coefficient values in the third date because of crop growth after transplantation. The backscatter signature value of late sowing paddy crop showed first and second dates with high backscatter due to previous crop/vegetation and then a sudden dip in the third date as submerged field ready for transplantation. The dB values of the above stages were used in decision-based classifier to estimate paddy crop acreage. The paddy area was compared at Mandal (sub-district level) estimates observed the significant coefficient of determination (R² = 0.89) between traditional estimates and Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data assessment. This study robustly suggests the utilization of SAR data in agricultural crop monitoring during cloud cover.
Evolution of Order in Soft Materials under Nanoscale Confinement: Structure and Bonding
Authors: Datta Alokmay
Published: December 2020

Soft materials can be confined either at interfaces or as films. In either case, internal forces are developed that, due to the softness of the materials, can cause large scale changes in bonding and structure, at microscopic and/or mesoscopic length scales, which in turn give rise to properties drastically different from bulk matter. Here we focus on the evolution of spontaneous order in simple and complex fluids under one-dimensional geometrical confinement as obtains in ultrathin films and at liquid-solid interfaces. We present a very brief review of research on the structural characteristics of such ordering and the changes in molecular bonding that cause these structural changes. We also discuss some effects of this ordering on some transport properties.
Carbon Nanotube Reinforced Metal Matrix Composites by Powder Metallurgy: A Review
Authors: Pasha Azeem , B.M Rajaprakash , Ahmed M Nayeem , hafeezi Tariq , AC Manjunath
Published: December 2020

This Review paper mainly focuses on the processing technique of carbon nanotube reinforced materials with light material matrix composites of the powder metallurgy route. Different mixing/alloying conditions are used for carbon nanotube dispersion (CNT) in the Aluminium matrix using a ball milling process with ball milling time, milling speed, Ball to powder (BPR) ratio, and Process control agent (PCA). Processing parameters are discussed, such as sintering temperature, sintering time, pressure, and heat treatment condition. Mechanical and microstructural properties are discussed.
Cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy analysis of Cr3+ doped Mg2SiO4 nanoparticles
Authors: Naik Ramachandra , Revathi V. , Nagabhushana H. , Girish K.M , Nagaswarupa H.P
Published: December 2020

Low temperature solution combustion synthesized Cr3+(1- 4 mol%) doped Mg2SiO4 nanoparticles were analyzed by Powder X-ray Diffraction (PXRD), Fourier Transform Infra-Red (FTIR) spectroscopy, Cyclic voltammetry (CV) and Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) techniques. PXRD profile shows the samples are crystalline.FTIR spectra show MgO6 octahedral and Si-O bending and stretching modes.It was observed that, CV show excellent semi rectangular shaped voltammograms due to the oxidation reduction reactions and the reversibility of the reaction which suits for electric double layer capacitance.Charge transfer resistance (Rct) was found to be 10 Ωindicates the better electron transfer from one phase to another.
Dielectric Relaxation Studies Between Brompheniramine with 1-Butanol, 1-Pentanol and 1-Hexanol at 303K
Authors: Elangovan Sampandam , Diriba Garbi Tilahun , Kena Etana Senbeto
Published: December 2020

The dielectric relaxation studies are vital in analyzing the strength of the inter molecular interaction between the binary liquid systems [1-4]. Jyostna et al. [5] reported thermodynamic parameters of isoamyl alcohols and mono clinic aromatic liquid mixtures. Shakila et al. [6] studied the dielectric properties of aromatic alcohols and aliphatic amines at different temperatures. In general, dielectric relaxation time varies with the inter molecular forces acting between the molecules in the selected liquid mixtures. Brompheniramine is one of the critical compounds of an amine group with spectacular applications, including pharmaceutical industries [7]. Higher carbon chain length alcohols are having self associated and proton donating ability in the liquid mixtures. The variations in the dielectric constant (є’), dielectric loss (є’’), static dielectric constant (є0) and the dielectric constant at an optical frequency (є∞) with a range of brompheniramine concentrations with 1-butanol,1-pentanol and 1-hexanol systems are useful in the applied research and chemical industries. Moreover, the variations in the dielectric constant and dielectric relaxation time should be useful in the analysis of intermolecular interaction between the functional group of the selected liquid mixtures. This research work attempts to analyse the intermolecular interaction between the brompheniramine and 1-butanol,1-pentanol and 1-hexanol at 303K using time domain reflectometry techniques.
Preoperative bone marrow stimulation does not improve functional outcomes in arthroscopic cuff repair: a prospective randomized controlled trial
Authors: Lapner Peter , Pollock J. W. , Laneuville Odette , Uhthoff Hans K. , Zhang Tinghua , Sheikh Adnan , McIlquham Katie , Trudel Guy
Published: December 2020

Aims

Despite recent advances in arthroscopic rotator cuff repair, re-tear rates remain high. New methods to improve healing rates following rotator cuff repair must be sought. Our primary objective was to determine if adjunctive bone marrow stimulation with channelling five to seven days prior to arthroscopic cuff repair would lead to higher Western Ontario Rotator Cuff (WORC) scores at 24 months postoperatively compared with no channelling.

Methods

A prospective, randomized controlled trial was conducted in patients undergoing arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. Patients were randomized to receive either a percutaneous bone channelling of the rotator cuff footprint or a sham procedure under ultrasound guidance five to seven days prior to index surgery. Outcome measures included the WORC, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES), and Constant scores, strength, ultrasound-determined healing rates, and adverse events.

Results

Overall, 94 patients were randomized to either bone channelling or a sham procedure. Statistically significant improvements in all clinical outcome scores occurred in both groups from preoperative to all timepoints (p < 0.001). Intention-to-treat analysis revealed no statistical differences in WORC scores between the two interventions at 24 months postoperatively (p = 0.690). No differences were observed in secondary outcomes at any timepoint and healing rates did not differ between groups (p = 0.186).

Conclusion

Preoperative bone channelling one week prior to arthroscopic rotator cuff repair was not associated with significant improvements in WORC, ASES, Constant scores, strength, or ultrasound-determined healing rates. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2021;103-B(1):123–130.
Next-generation sequencing not superior to culture in periprosthetic joint infection diagnosis
Authors: Kildow Beau J. , Ryan Sean P. , Danilkowicz Richard , Lazarides Alexander L. , Penrose Colin , Bolognesi Michael P. , Jiranek William , Seyler Thorsten M.
Published: December 2020

Aims

Use of molecular sequencing methods in periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) diagnosis and organism identification have gained popularity. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) is a potentially powerful tool that is now commercially available. The purpose of this study was to compare the diagnostic accuracy of NGS, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), conventional culture, the Musculoskeletal Infection Society (MSIS) criteria, and the recently proposed criteria by Parvizi et al in the diagnosis of PJI.

Methods

In this retrospective study, aspirates or tissue samples were collected in 30 revision and 86 primary arthroplasties for routine diagnostic investigation for PJI and sent to the laboratory for NGS and PCR. Concordance along with statistical differences between diagnostic studies were calculated.

Results

Using the MSIS criteria to diagnose PJI as the reference standard, the sensitivity and specificity of NGS were 60.9% and 89.9%, respectively, while culture resulted in sensitivity of 76.9% and specificity of 95.3%. PCR had a low sensitivity of 18.4%. There was no significant difference based on sample collection method (tissue swab or synovial fluid) (p = 0.760). There were 11 samples that were culture-positive and NGS-negative, of which eight met MSIS criteria for diagnosing infection.

Conclusion

In our series, NGS did not provide superior sensitivity or specificity results compared to culture. PCR has little utility as a standalone test for PJI diagnosis with a sensitivity of only 18.4%. Currently, several laboratory tests for PJI diagnosis should be obtained along with the overall clinical picture to help guide decision-making for PJI treatment. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2021;103-B(1):26–31.