bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Call to action regarding the vascular‐bipolar link: A report from the Vascular Task Force of the International Society for Bipolar Disorders
Authors: Goldstein Benjamin I. , Baune Bernhard T. , Bond David J. , Chen Pao‐Huan , Eyler Lisa , Fagiolini Andrea , Gomes Fabiano , Hajek Tomas , Hatch Jessica , McElroy Susan L. , McIntyre Roger S. , Prieto Miguel , Sylvia Louisa G. , Tsai Shang‐Ying , Kcomt Andrew , Fiedorowicz Jess G.
Published: May 2020

Objectives

The association of bipolar disorder with early and excessive cardiovascular disease was identified over a century ago. Nonetheless, the vascular‐bipolar link remains underrecognized, particularly with regard to how this link can contribute to our understanding of pathogenesis and treatment.

Methods

An international group of experts completed a selective review of the literature, distilling core themes, identifying limitations and gaps in the literature, and highlighting future directions to bridge these gaps.

Results

The association between bipolar disorder and vascular disease is large in magnitude, consistent across studies, and independent of confounding variables where assessed. The vascular‐bipolar link is multifactorial and is difficult to study given the latency between the onset of bipolar disorder, often in adolescence or early adulthood, and subsequent vascular disease, which usually occurs decades later. As a result, studies have often focused on risk factors for vascular disease or intermediate phenotypes, such as structural and functional vascular imaging measures. There is interest in identifying the most relevant mediators of this relationship, including lifestyle (eg, smoking, diet, exercise), medications, and systemic biological mediators (eg, inflammation). Nonetheless, there is a paucity of treatment studies that deliberately engage these mediators, and thus far no treatment studies have focused on engaging vascular imaging targets.

Conclusions

Further research focused on the vascular‐bipolar link holds promise for gleaning insights regarding the underlying causes of bipolar disorder, identifying novel treatment approaches, and mitigating disparities in cardiovascular outcomes for people with bipolar disorder.
Comparing confirmatory biopsy outcomes between MRI‐targeted biopsy and standard systematic biopsy among men being enrolled in prostate cancer active surveillance
Authors: Shapiro Daniel D. , Gregg Justin R. , Lim Amy H. , Nogueras‐González Graciela M. , Choi Haesun , Kang Hyunseon C. , Inguillo Irene A. , Chapin Brian F. , Davis John W. , Ward John F.
Published: May 2020

Objectives

To evaluate the ability of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)‐targeted biopsy combined with systematic biopsy (MRI‐biopsy) to reduce negative biopsies and detect clinically significant prostate cancer compared to systematic biopsy (SB) alone in the confirmatory biopsy setting using matched cohorts.

Patients and Methods

Patients were identified from an active surveillance database who had a previously positive transrectal ultrasonography‐guided SB followed by a confirmatory biopsy at a single institution between 2006 and 2019. Patients were divided into two cohorts based on confirmatory biopsy technique: SB alone or MRI‐biopsy (which included MRI‐targeted and systematic biopsies). Cohorts were then matched on age, prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) level, number of positive cores on initial biopsy and initial biopsy Gleason grade group (GG). Logistic regression was performed to identify associations with confirmatory biopsy upgrading.

Results

After matching, 514 patients were identified (257 per cohort). PSA, prostate volume and PSA density prior to initial biopsy, in addition to total number of initial biopsy positive cores and GG, were similar between the matched cohorts. After confirmatory biopsy, 118/257 patients (45.9%) in the MRI‐biopsy cohort were upgraded compared to 46/257 patients (17.9%) in the SB cohort (P < 0.001). The rate of negative confirmatory biopsy was 32/257 (12.5%) compared to 97/257 (37.7%) in the MRI‐biopsy and SB cohorts, respectively (P < 0.001). Confirmatory MRI‐biopsy was associated with greater odds of confirmatory biopsy upgrade from GG 1 to ≥GG 2 compared to SB alone (odds ratio 3.62, 95% confidence interval 1.97–6.63; P < 0.001).

Conclusion

The addition of MRI‐targeted biopsies to SB in the confirmatory biopsy setting among men with previously detected prostate cancer resulted in fewer negative confirmatory biopsies and detection of more clinically significant prostate cancer compared to SB alone.
Quantifying the relationship between structural deformation and the morphology of submarine channels on the Niger Delta continental slope
Authors: Hamish Mitchell W. , Whittaker Alexander C. , Mayall Mike , Lonergan Lidia , Pizzi Marco
Published: May 2020

The processes and deposits of deep‐water submarine channels are known to be influenced by a wide variety of controlling factors, both allocyclic and autocyclic. However, unlike their fluvial counterparts whose dynamics are well‐studied, the factors that control the long‐term behaviour of submarine channels, particularly on slopes undergoing active deformation, remain poorly understood. We combine seismic techniques with concepts from landscape dynamics to investigate quantitatively how the growth of gravitational‐collapse structures at or near the seabed in the Niger Delta have influenced the morphology of submarine channels along their length from the shelf edge to their deep‐water counterpart. From a three dimensional (3D), time‐migrated seismic‐reflection volume, which extends over 120 km from the shelf edge to the base of slope, we mapped the present‐day geomorphic expression of two submarine channels and active structures at the seabed, and created a Digital Elevation Model (DEM). A second geomorphic surface and DEM raster—interpreted to closer approximate the most recent active channel geometries—were created through removing the thickness of hemipelagic drape across the study area. The DEM rasters were used to extract the longitudinal profiles of channel systems with seabed expression, and we evaluate the evolution of channel widths, depths and slopes at fixed intervals downslope as the channels interact with growing structures. Results show that the channel long profiles have a relatively linear form with localized steepening associated with seabed structures. We demonstrate that channel morphologies and their constituent architectural elements are sensitive to active seafloor deformation, and we use the geomorphic data to infer a likely distribution of bed shear stresses and flow velocities from the shelf edge to deep water. Our results give new insights into the erosional dynamics of submarine channels, allow us to quantify the extent to which submarine channels can keep pace with growing structures, and help us to constrain the delivery and distribution of sediment to deep‐water settings.
Noncoding telomeric repeat‐containing RNA inhibits the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma by regulating telomerase‐mediated telomere length
Authors: Cao Haiyan , Zhai Yulong , Ji Xiaoying , Wang Yaya , Zhao Jing , Xing Jinliang , An Jiaze , Ren Tingting
Published: May 2020

Telomeric repeat‐containing RNA (TERRA) is closely involved in the regulation of telomere length, which plays critical roles in tumorigenesis. However, the biological significance of TERRA in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains largely unknown. In this study, we found that HCC cells show a frequent downregulation of TERRA and its positive regulator TTAGGG repeat binding factor‐1 (TRF1), whereas the negative regulator TTAGGG repeat binding factor‐1 (TRF2) was upregulated. We found that TERRA, TRF1, and TRF2 contributed to poor prognosis of HCC patients. Importantly, we found that the downregulation of TERRA significantly promoted HCC cell growth and metastasis in vitro and in vivo, whereas the upregulation of TERRA showed an opposite effect. Mechanistically, downregulation of TERRA significantly increased telomerase activity and promoted telomere elongation. Moreover, the inhibitory effects of TERRA overexpression on the growth and metastasis of HCC cells were reversed by treatment with TA‐65 that activates telomerase activity. In contrast, the protumor effect of TERRA downregulation was reversed by treatment with TMPyP4 that inhibits telomerase activity. Our findings reveal that TERRA plays a critical role in HCC cell growth and metastasis, indicating that TERRA is a potential therapeutic target for HCC.
MicroRNA‐184 is a key molecule responsible for the transforming growth factor‐β2‐induced epithelial‐mesenchymal transition in human lens epithelial‐B3cells
Authors: Chen Yang , Fan Dongsheng , Zhang Xinli , Han Shaoping , Wei Xiaoyue , Wang Yongshu , Song Lili
Published: May 2020

Background

TGF‐β2‐induced epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) is an important mechanism for posterior capsule opacity (PCO) in lens epithelial cells (LECs). This study aimed to investigate if MicroRNA‐184 (miR‐184) plays a role in the TGF‐β2‐induced EMT in LECs.

Methods

Human LECs (HLE‐B3 cells) were used in this study. Quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) (qRT‐PCR) was performed to analyse miR‐184 expressions in HLE‐B3 treated with TGF‐β2 at different concentrations (0‐15 ng/mL) and different time (10 ng/mL, 0‐48 hours). After transfection of miR‐184 mimics or miR‐184 inhibitor, cells were treated with 10 ng/mL TGF‐β2 for 24 hours, and the expression levels of miR‐184, E‐cadherin, vimentin, zinc finger E‐box binding homeobox 2 (ZEB2), α‐Smooth muscle actin (α‐SMA), Collagen 1 and bin3 were determined by qRT‐PCR and Western blot, respectively.

Results

TGF‐β2 treatment significantly downregulated E‐cadherin and upregulated vimentin generally in a dose‐dependent and time‐dependent manner. TGF‐β2 treatment significantly elevated the level of miR‐184 in both dose‐ and time‐dependent manners. In addition, transfection of miR‐184 inhibitor RNA significantly attenuated TGF‐β2‐induced downregulation of E‐cadherin as well as upregulation of vimentin, ZEB2, α‐SMA and Collagen 1, whereas transfection of miR‐184 mimic further enhanced the effects of TGF‐β2 on the expressions of these markers. Furthermore, TGF‐β2 treatment significantly downregulated bin3, and transfection of miR‐184 mimic and miR‐184 inhibitor significantly enhanced and attenuated the inhibition effect of TGF‐β2 on bin3, respectively.

Conclusions

miR‐184 plays a key role in the TGF‐β2‐induced EMT in LECs, and bin3 may be a downstream protein.
Mesenchymal stem cell therapy alleviates the neuroinflammation associated with acquired brain injury
Authors: Bonsack Brooke , Corey Sydney , Shear Alex , Heyck Matt , Cozene Blaise , Sadanandan Nadia , Zhang Henry , Gonzales‐Portillo Bella , Sheyner Michael , Borlongan Cesar V.
Published: May 2020

Ischemic stroke and traumatic brain injury (TBI) comprise two particularly prevalent and costly examples of acquired brain injury (ABI). Following stroke or TBI, primary cell death and secondary cell death closely model disease progression and worsen outcomes. Mounting evidence indicates that long‐term neuroinflammation extensively exacerbates the secondary deterioration of brain structure and function. Due to their immunomodulatory and regenerative properties, mesenchymal stem cell transplants have emerged as a promising approach to treating this facet of stroke and TBI pathology. In this review, we summarize the classification of cell death in ABI and discuss the prominent role of inflammation. We then consider the efficacy of bone marrow–derived mesenchymal stem/stromal cell (BM‐MSC) transplantation as a therapy for these injuries. Finally, we examine recent laboratory and clinical studies utilizing transplanted BM‐MSCs as antiinflammatory and neurorestorative treatments for stroke and TBI. Clinical trials of BM‐MSC transplants for stroke and TBI support their promising protective and regenerative properties. Future research is needed to allow for better comparison among trials and to elaborate on the emerging area of cell‐based combination treatments.
Skin barrier function after repeated short‐term application of alcohol‐based hand rub following intervention with water immersion or occlusion
Authors: Plum Frederik , Yüksel Yasemin T. , Agner Tove , Nørreslet Line B.
Published: May 2020

Background

Alcohol‐based hand rub (ABHR) is recommended for hand hygiene, and application on dry skin is generally well tolerated. However, hydration of the skin may lead to increased susceptibility to ABHR.

Objectives

To evaluate if increased skin hydration changes skin barrier response to ABHR, as compared to application on dry skin.

Methods

Twenty healthy volunteers participated in a 3‐day experimental setup. Intervention areas on the forearms were exposed to either water immersion or occlusion followed by repeated exposures to ABHR. Skin barrier function was assessed by measurement of transepidermal water loss (TEWL), electrical conductance, pH, and erythema at baseline and day 3.

Results

The area exposed to water immersion preceding ABHR showed a significant increase in TEWL from baseline to day 3 (P = .04), and for the occluded area the same trend was found (P = .11), with an additional decrease in electrical conductance (P = .03). No significant differences were found for the control area. The assessments did not differ significantly between intervention and control sites.

Conclusion

Our results indicate that extensive skin hydration may lead to increased susceptibility to ABHR. Further evaluation of this observation is important, since ABHRs are widely used, particularly among health care workers in whom hand eczema is a huge problem.
A multicentre comparative study between laparoscopic and open surgery for intussusception in adults
Authors: Kang S. , Lee S. I. , Min B. W. , Lee T. H. , Baek S.‐J. , Kwak J.‐M. , Kim J. , Kim S.‐H. , Kim J. S. , Ji W.‐B. , Um J. W. , Hong K. D.
Published: May 2020

Aim

Intussusception in adults is rare and requires surgery in most cases. While abdominal laparoscopic surgery (LS) is becoming more popular, there are few reports on the outcomes of adult intussusception treated with LS. This study compared the feasibility of LS vs open surgery (OS) for adult intussusception.

Method

We reviewed retrospectively the medical records of adult patients with intussusception from three tertiary hospitals between 2000 and 2016. The patients were divided into LS and OS groups, and their surgical outcomes were compared.

Results

Surgery was indicated in 71 patients with intussusception (41 LS and 30 OS). The median age of the patients was 49.0 and 51.5 years in the LS and OS groups, respectively (P = 0.930). Overall, nine (12.7%) patients had a negative laparotomy or laparoscopy with spontaneous reduction of the intussusception. Conversion to OS from LS was necessary in one patient (2.4%). The operative time and intra‐operative and postoperative complication rates were not significantly different. However, there were more serious complications such as bowel perforation and major vessel injury in the LS group. The patients in the LS group had a shorter time to first food intake and hospital stay vs patients in the OS group (4.0 vs 6.0 days, P < 0.001, and 7.0 vs 10.5 days, P < 0.001, respectively).

Conclusion

LS may be feasible for adult intussusception; there may be more severe intra‐operative complications than in OS.
Green but not altruistic warm‐glow predicts conservation behavior
Authors: Jia Lili , van der Linden Sander
Published: May 2020

Environmental policies frequently assume that people only act to help the environment if such behavior is in their self‐interest. A growing amount of literature, however, shows that people also derive positive emotional benefits or “warm‐glow from acting green. Yet, it remains unclear to what extent this motivation is derived from classical accounts of altruistic concern. In the current study, we leveraged a prospective design of a unique sample (N1 = 341, N2 = 251) of customers who subscribe to a local sustainable food store. We measured altruistic and green warm‐glow at T1 and predicted to what extent such prospective warm‐glow predicted a range of self‐reported conservation behaviors 4 weeks later (T2). Results suggest that the anticipated warm‐glow from helping other people did not significantly predict green intentions nor green behavior despite being highly correlated with green warm‐glow. In fact, only green warm‐glow significantly predicted conservation behavior over time. These findings are important because they elucidate a basic differential motivation between helping other people versus protecting the planet. This differentiation is critical to the design of effective conservation interventions.
Cytomorphological spectrum, including immunohistochemical results of 16 cases of clear cell sarcoma of soft tissue, along with positive EWSR1 gene rearrangement result in two cases
Authors: Rao Vidya , Rekhi Bharat
Published: May 2020

Objectives

To describe the cytopathological features of clear cell sarcomas (CCSs), including immunohistochemical and molecular results, the latter in selected cases.

Methods

Sixteen consecutively diagnosed cases of CCS of soft tissue, over 6‐year duration were included. Fine needle aspiration cytology was performed for primary diagnosis in three and for recurrent/metastatic lesions in 12 cases. Cytopathological features in 16 cases (conventional Papanicolaou‐ and May‐Grünwald Giemsa‐stained smears) were critically analysed. Corresponding histopathological and immunostained sections were available in 15 cases. Two cases were tested for EWSR1 gene rearrangement by fluorescence in‐situ hybridisation.

Results

Sixteen tumours occurred in patients with age ranging from 18 to 56 years (median = 33.5); M: F ratio = 1:1; in deep soft tissues, mostly in extremities. Primary cytopathological diagnosis (3 cases) was CCS with a differential diagnosis of melanoma (1 case) and poorly differentiated malignant tumour (2 cases). On review, smears were predominantly hypercellular (n = 14), invariably composed of monomorphic appearing epithelioid/polygonal cells (n = 16), including spindle cells (n = 6); mostly singly scattered (n = 16), in loose clusters (n = 12); with prominent nucleolisation (n = 16); granular to vacuolated, well‐defined cytoplasm (n = 12), binucleation/multinucleation (n = 9); mitoses (n = 6); sudden anisonucleosis; racquet‐shaped cells (n = 3), against a tigroid background (n = 2), along with focal intracytoplasmic pigment deposition (n = 2). Immunohistochemically, tumour cells were positive for S‐100P (15/15), HMB‐45 (15/15) and melan‐A(6/12). Two cases tested for EWSR1 rearrangement displayed red‐green split signals.

Conclusions

This constitutes one of the largest series describing the cytomorphological spectrum of CCS of soft tissue. Certain features, such as singly scattered monomorphic, epithelioid cells with prominent nucleolisation are useful diagnostic clues. Immunohistochemical stains are necessary and molecular testing is further helpful in reinforcing a diagnosis in certain cases. A correct diagnosis has crucial treatment implications.
Cold extremities in migraine: a marker for vascular dysfunction in women
Authors: Linstra K. M. , Perenboom M. J. L. , van Zwet E. W. , van Welie F. C. , Fronczek R. , Tannemaat M. R. , Wermer M. J. H. , Maassenvandenbrink A. , Terwindt G. M.
Published: May 2020

Background and purpose

Migraine is recognized as a vascular risk factor, especially in women. Presumably, migraine, stroke and cardiovascular events share pathophysiological mechanisms. Self‐reported cold extremities were investigated as a marker for vascular dysfunction in migraine. Secondly, it was hypothesized that suffering from cold extremities affects sleep quality, possibly exacerbating migraine attack frequency.

Methods

In this case–control study, a random sample of 1084 migraine patients and 348 controls (aged 22–65 years) from the LUMINA migraine cohort were asked to complete questionnaires concerning cold extremities, sleep quality and migraine.

Results

A total of 594 migraine patients and 199 controls completed the questionnaires. In women, thermal discomfort and cold extremities (TDCE) were more often reported by migraineurs versus controls (odds ratio 2.3, 95% confidence interval 1.4–3.7; P < 0.001), but not significantly so in men (odds ratio 2.5, 95% confidence interval 0.9–6.9; P = 0.09). There was no difference in TDCE comparing migraine with or without aura. Female migraineurs who reported TDCE had higher attack frequencies compared to female migraineurs without TDCE (4 vs. 3 attacks per month; P = 0.003). The association between TDCE and attack frequency was mediated by the presence of difficulty initiating sleep (P = 0.02).

Conclusion

Women with migraine more often reported cold extremities compared with controls, possibly indicating a sex‐specific vascular vulnerability. Female migraineurs with cold extremities had higher attack frequencies, partly resulting from sleep disturbances. Future studies need to demonstrate whether cold extremities in female migraineurs are a predictor for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events.
Is faster or slower trading better? An examination of order type execution speed and costs
Authors: Garvey Ryan , Huang Tao , Wu Fei
Published: May 2020

We examine order type execution speed and costs for US equity traders. Marketable orders that execute slower exhibit lower execution costs. Those who remove liquidity faster and pay higher trading costs transact in smaller size, spread trading across more venues, take more liquidity, and are better informed. Nonmarketable limit orders that execute slower exhibit greater adverse selection; and larger, uninformed traders who concentrate their trading in fewer venues submit them. Our findings suggest that slowing down the trading process, when faster options exist, can benefit certain market participants who seek to cross the bid–ask spread.
Multiple extra‐pulmonary disorders associated with Rhodococcus equi infection in a 2‐month‐old foal
Authors: Le Corre S. , Janes J. , Slovis N. M.
Published: May 2020

A 2‐month‐old Thoroughbred filly was referred to Hagyard Equine Medical Institute for further evaluation of acute pyrexia and a suspected intra‐abdominal abscess based on abdominal ultrasonography performed in the field. Initial examination revealed bilateral uveitis, polysynovitis, a large internal abdominal abscess and pneumonia. A transtracheal wash confirmed the presence of a multi‐sensitive strain of Rhodococcus equi. Anaemia and thrombocytopenia were noted during hospitalisation. Results of a Coombs test were consistent with an immune‐mediated haemolytic process. Recurrent pyrexia, abdominal discomfort and severe respiratory distress unresponsive to intensive medical support motivated euthanasia followed by necropsy after 30 days of treatment. Overall, six extra‐pulmonary disorders were simultaneously diagnosed despite the lack of pulmonary pyogranulomas.
Regulatory monitoring and university financial reporting quality: Agency and resource dependency perspectives
Authors: Greenwood Margaret J. , Tao Lei
Published: May 2020

In this paper we exploit the complementarities between agency theory and resource dependence theory to investigate the influence of regulatory monitoring on financial reporting quality in the higher education sector. Our setting is U.K. universities. Using 14 years of data over the period 2002–2015, we find that financial reporting quality, (proxied by discretionary accruals), improves with the intensity of monitoring and resource dependence (proxied by the proportion of funding from regulators/funding bodies). However, this positive influence is mitigated in the presence of a pre‐discretionary deficit, a proxy for the threat of regulatory intervention. A net benefit from monitoring remains for those universities with low levels of regulated funding but in those where there is high dependence the monitoring benefit is reversed and a pre‐discretionary deficit is converted to a small reported surplus. Both agency and resource dependence theories offer explanations for these findings. Agency theory predicts increased financial reporting quality with increased monitoring and also a reduction in financial reporting quality to avoid costly regulatory intervention. Resource dependence theory predicts that both these effects will increase with increased dependence on resources from a key provider. These findings extend our theoretical understanding of financial reporting quality of universities, contribute to the limited literature on financial reporting quality in the not‐for‐profit and public sectors, and contribute to the exploration of the use of alternative theoretical frameworks in the domain of public sector accounting.
Widow and Bereaved Mother Relations After Loss of Husband or Son: A Double Perspective
Authors: Segev Einav , Regev Irit , Hochman Yael , Zafrany Yaffa , Sherfi Yaffa , Elkayam Ayelet
Published: May 2020

Objective

To explore the perception of the relationships between widows and bereaved mothers after the loss of their husband or son from a double perspective.

Background

Despite the centrality of the husband and son in making the connection between the mother‐in‐law and the daughter‐in‐law, there are almost no studies on the implications of the absence of the husband and son, after he is deceased, on this relationship.

Method

Twenty semistructured interviews were conducted with 10 widows and 10 bereaved mothers who were recruited by convenience sample. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis.

Results

The findings indicate complex relationships between widows and bereaved mothers. Some factors, such as a history of good relations, helped bolster the relationship, but others such as guilt, blaming, and obstructing actors, thwarted it.

Conclusion

The complexity of the relationship between widows and bereaved mothers after loss points to the importance of assessing their relationship close to the loss, as well as of direct intervention in the relationship, to prevent the development and escalation of conflicts between the women.

Implications

Systemic professional intervention is suggested as a means for improving relations between widows and bereaved mothers.
Using lipidomics to reveal details of lipid accumulation in developing Siberian apricot (Prunus sibirica L.) seed kernels
Authors: Mai Yiting , Huo Kaisen , Yu Haiyan , Zhou Nan , Shui Lanya , Liu Yang , Zhang Chengxin , Niu Jun , Wang Libing
Published: May 2020

Siberian apricot seed kernel (SASK) contains a high of 50% oil with suitable fuel properties conformed to biodiesel standard. To date, Prunus sibirica is a novel non‐crop feedstock for biodiesel production in China. Here, oil contents and fatty acid (FA) compositions were identified in developing SASK from AS‐80 and AS‐84, at intervals of 1 week from 3 weeks after anthesis (WAA) to 9 weeks. The major differences in oil content between C18:1 and C18:2 levels were greater among the AS‐80 (32.69/15.48 g/100 g) than among the AS‐84 (25.78/13.15 g/100 g). Subsequently, the SASKs from 4, 6, and 8 WAA, respectively, representing early, middle, and late phases of oil accumulation, were selected as optimal samples for lipidomics analysis. It was notable that 18:1/18:1/18:2, 18:1/18:1/18:3, and 18:2/18:2/18:2 were the prominent compositions in triacylglycerol (TAG), and their higher content found among the AS‐80 was consistent with FA results. Although phosphatidic acid (PA) is directly connected with diacylglycerol (DAG) in Kennedy pathway, we found significant difference between PA and DAG compositions. The resulting molecular species differ in acyl composition depending on whether they were generated via phosphatidylcholine (PC) or Kennedy pathway. By qRT‐PCR analysis, the expression levels of FAD3, PDCT, and DAG‐CPT related to the biosynthesis of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) showed a gradual decrease with SASK mature, explaining the drastic change of DAG‐18:3/18:3 content. Additionally, the lipidomics data coupled with qRT‐PCR analysis suggested that phospholipid:DAG acyltransferase may play a critical role in incorporation of PUFAs into sn‐3 of TAG. Our data contribute significantly to understand the underlying mechanisms of lipid accumulation in P. sibirica, and may also present strategies for engineering oil accumulation in oilseed plants.
Role of respirators in controlling the spread of novel coronavirus (COVID‐19) amongst dental healthcare providers: a review
Authors: Umer F. , Haji Z. , Zafar K.
Published: May 2020

During the ongoing COVID‐19 pandemic, healthcare professionals are at the forefront of managing the highly infectious coronavirus. As the most common route of transmission is via aerosols and droplet inhalation, it is critical for healthcare workers to have the correct personal protective equipment (PPE) including gowns, masks and goggles. Surgical masks are not effective in preventing the influenza and SARS, so they are unlikely to be able to resist contaminated aerosols from entering the respiratory system. Therefore, it is vital to use respirators which have been proven to offer better protection against droplets, aerosols and fluid penetration and which form a tight seal around the mouth and nose. Various types of respirators are used in healthcare settings, such as half‐mask filtering facepiece respirators (FFRs) and powered air‐purifying respirators (PAPRs). The most commonly used FFR is the N95 disposable respirator, which is tight fitting and has a 95% or above particle filtering efficiency for a median particle size of 0.3 µm. This review discusses respirators, their purpose, types, clinical efficiency and proper donning and doffing techniques.
Impact of physical condition on disposal and end‐of‐life extension of clothing
Authors: Degenstein Lauren M. , McQueen Rachel H. , McNeill Lisa S. , Hamlin Robert P. , Wakes Sarah J. , Dunn Linda A.
Published: May 2020

Clothing waste is an increasing global problem as “disposable” fashion items are consumed and discarded at rapid rates. Low‐quality fashion garments are easily damaged and thrown out due to the low initial investment and replacement cost of other items. Previous research has found physical damage to be a common reason for clothing disposal; however, the degree to which damage plays a role in disposal decisions has not been studied. Therefore, using a survey‐based, pre‐experimental design, this research examined the extent to which varying levels of garment physical damage influences consumer disposal decisions and garment life extension practices in Edmonton, Canada. Results indicated that damage severity plays a significant role in how respondents choose to dispose, or otherwise deal with, their unwanted clothing. Garment quality and type were also shown to predict disposal method and end‐of‐life extension strategies.
An overview of healthcare improvement: unpacking the complexity for clinicians and managers in a learning health system
Authors: Melder Angela , Robinson Tracy , McLoughlin Ian , Iedema Rick , Teede Helena
Published: May 2020

Given the pace of technological advancement and government mandates for healthcare and system transformation, there is an imperative for change. Health systems are highly complex in their design, networks and interacting components, and experience demonstrates that change is very challenging to enact, sustain and scale. Policy‐makers, academics and clinicians all need better insight into the nature of this complexity and an understanding of the evidence‐base that can support healthcare improvement (HCI), or quality improvement, interventions and make them more effective in driving change. The evidence base demonstrates the vital role of clinical engagement and leadership in HCI, and it is imperative that clinicians engage to improve front‐line healthcare. The literature on HCI is vast, applies different and inconsistent terminology and encompasses often loosely defined and overlapping concepts. An increasingly broad range of disciplines has contributed to the available evidence base, but often discipline‐specific perspectives frame these contributions. Available literature can also be overly driven by the generation of theoretical concepts and the advancement of academic understanding. It does not necessarily primarily provide focussed and pragmatic insights to guide and inform frontline practice. We aim to address these issues by summarising theories, frameworks, models and success factors for improvement in complex health systems to assist clinicians and others to engage and lead change. We integrate the field of HCI into the learning health system highlighting the key role of the clinician. We seek to inform stakeholders; clinicians and managers to guide the planning, enacting, sustaining and scaling of HCI.
Keyboarding Difficulties: Frequency and Characteristics among Higher Education Students with Handwriting Difficulties
Authors: Rosenberg‐Adler Tali , Weintraub Naomi
Published: May 2020

Word processing is often considered an alternative writing mode or test accommodation for students with specific learning disorders who have handwriting difficulties (HD). Therefore, it is important for researchers and educators to understand the difficulties these students may encounter while using this technology. We examined the frequency of keyboarding difficulties (KD; i.e., slow keyboarding) among higher education students with HD, and the underlying functions (language, fine‐motor, and attention) of these disabilities compared to students with only HD. Of the 50 students with HD, 24 percent were found to have KD. This group had significantly lower scores in phonological and orthographic skills, but not in fine‐motor and attention functions, compared to students with HD alone. These results support models suggesting that handwriting and keyboarding share linguistic processes. They also suggest that for students with lower linguistic functions, word processing via keyboarding may not be an effective writing mode, and that these students may require tailored accommodation.
Patisiran, an RNAi therapeutic for patients with hereditary transthyretin‐mediated amyloidosis: Sub‐analysis in Japanese patients from the APOLLO study
Authors: Yamashita Taro , Ueda Mitsuharu , Koike Haruki , Sekijima Yoshiki , Yoshinaga Tsuneaki , Kodaira Minori , Katsuno Masahisa , Sobue Gen , Zhang Xiaoping , White Matthew T. , Sweetser Marianne T. , Wang Jing Jing , Ando Yukio
Published: May 2020

Background

Hereditary transthyretin‐mediated (hATTR) amyloidosis is a rapidly progressive and fatal disease. Patisiran is an RNA interference therapeutic that inhibits synthesis of disease‐causing mutant and wild‐type transthyretin (TTR) protein in hATTR amyloidosis.

Aim

The efficacy and safety of patisiran were evaluated in the Phase 3 APOLLO study in patients with hATTR amyloidosis with polyneuropathy.

Methods

In total, 225 patients from 19 countries, including Japan (n = 16), received patisiran 0.3 mg/kg intravenously or placebo once every 3 weeks for 18 months. Patisiran halted or improved outcomes of polyneuropathy (measured by modified Neuropathy Impairment Score +7 [mNIS+7]) and improved quality of life (QOL) (measured by Norfolk Quality of Life‐Diabetic Neuropathy questionnaire). Present analyses assess the efficacy, safety, pharmacokinetic exposure, and pharmacodynamic effect of patisiran in the Japanese sub‐population of APOLLO.

Results

Consistent with the overall APOLLO population, patisiran significantly improved outcomes of polyneuropathy (mNIS+7) compared with placebo at 18 months in the APOLLO Japanese patients. Patisiran treatment also demonstrated benefit in QOL, motor strength, gait speed, nutritional status, and autonomic symptoms compared with placebo at 18 months in the Japanese sub‐population. Patisiran was generally well tolerated in Japanese patients, with most adverse events mild or moderate; safety profile was similar to the overall APOLLO population, and no deaths were observed. Patisiran pharmacokinetic exposures and TTR reduction were comparable to the overall population.

Conclusions

Data in the Japanese sub‐population were consistent with those from the overall APOLLO population and indicate a notable health benefit for patisiran treatment in Japanese patients with hATTR amyloidosis with polyneuropathy.
Gait training for adults with cerebral palsy following harmonic modification in rhythmic auditory stimulation
Authors: Kim Soo Ji , Yoo Ga Eul , Shin Yoon‐Kyum , Cho Sung‐Rae
Published: May 2020

This study aimed to investigate the differences in gait outcomes of young adults with cerebral palsy (CP) following rhythmic auditory stimulation (RAS) with different types of cueing. A total of 13 ambulatory adults with CP were recruited. The participants were assigned to receive either RAS with simple chords or RAS with complex chords. Each participant received 30‐min individual sessions three times per week for 4 weeks. In the simple RAS group, basic chords were used for cueing. In the complex RAS group, the diversified chords were adopted from patients’ preferred music. At pre‐ and posttest, spatiotemporal and kinematic parameters and the range of motion (ROM) for each joint during a gait cycle were collected. After RAS, cadence, velocity, and stride length significantly increased, but no significant group effect was found. Meanwhile, regarding kinematic parameters, a significant interaction effect between time and group was observed with the angle of plantar flexion in the preswing phase and ROM in the ankle. The complex RAS group showed increased maximal ankle plantar flexion in the preswing phase. These results demonstrated that the primary agent for gait control is rhythm, while perception of music facilitates patient engagement in walking differently depending on the level of musical elements.
Unlocking the intraspecific aquaculture potential from the wild biodiversity to facilitate aquaculture development
Authors: Toomey Lola , Fontaine Pascal , Lecocq Thomas
Published: May 2020

Domestication of new candidate species remains a long and difficult process often resulting in unfruitful attempts. Early steps in most domestication programmes often consider species as a unity, disregarding a part of the biodiversity: the wild intraspecific geographic differentiation. Yet, this differentiation can shape local specificities, which could lead to different domestication predisposition or socio‐economic attractiveness between populations. Therefore, considering this population‐specific potential could facilitate domestication and subsequent production of new candidate species. Here, we propose a three‐step integrative approach to standardise and facilitate new domestication attempts by taking advantage of wild geographic differentiation. Step 1 consists of classifying the wild biodiversity to identify prospective units (i.e. groups of differentiated allopatric populations). Step 2 allows comparing performances of these units in standardised conditions (i.e. rearing system) through a multifunction and multi‐trait assessment. Finally, step 3 highlights units with higher aquaculture potentials through the calculation of an aquaculture potential score. This approach, here applied to fish culture for human consumption, also aims at being extended to other taxa (e.g. crustaceans, molluscs) and other production goals.
Halo and association effects: Cognitive biases in teacher attunement to peer‐nominated bullies, victims, and prosocial students
Authors: Marucci Eleonora , Oldenburg Beau , Barrera Davide , Cillessen Antonius H. N. , Hendrickx Marloes , Veenstra René
Published: May 2020

This study examined whether teachers’ perceptions of students’ behavior (referring to halo effects) and the behavior of teacher‐perceived friends (referring to association effects) influenced teachers’ ability to recognize students identified as bullies, victims, and prosocial by their peers. Data came from 1,458 children (Mage = 10.5, 47.5% girls) and 56 teachers (Mage = 40.8, 66.1% females). Perceived likeability was associated with decreased odds and teachers’ perceptions of popularity and externalizing behavior were associated with increased odds for teacher attunement to bullying. Perceived likeability and affiliation were associated with decreased odds for teacher attunement to victimized students. Teachers’ perceptions of externalizing behavior were associated with decreased odds, whereas teachers’ perceptions of affiliation and academic competence were associated with increased odds for attunement to prosociality. Finally, a positive association was found between teacher attunement and the average behavior of teacher‐perceived friends for bullying, victimization, and prosociality.
Prospective evaluation of platelet refractoriness in haematological patients in a single Brazilian institution
Authors: Bub Carolina Bonet , Gonçalez Ana Cláudia , Barjas‐Castro Maria Lourdes , Castro Vagner
Published: May 2020

Introduction

Platelet refractoriness (PR) is a frequent complication in multitransfused patients, due to non‐immune and immune factors. Brazilian population has a distinct ethnical background, and few data are available of PR. This study aimed to evaluate clinical and laboratory features of haematological patients with suspected PR from a Brazilian regional reference centre.

Material and methods

Haematological patients (pts) with clinical suspected PR were included from February 2007 to 2014. Platelet Abs and anti‐HLAAbs identification, HPA and HLA genotyping performed. Clinical information obtained from medical records.

Results

Total of 624 patients were evaluated, and incidence of PR observed was 7%. Among 93 patients with clinical suspicion of PR, 45·2% had PR confirmed. HLA antibodies were present in 80·9% among PRpts in 60·6% of non‐PRpts (no significant difference). Immune PR(IPR) isolated was identified in 11·9% of the PR patients and in association with non‐immune causes in 69·05%. Isolated non‐immune PR (NIPR) was present in 19·1% of cases. IPR patients had higher HPA‐Abs frequency compared to I+NIPR group (P = 0·026), with similar HLA Ab frequency (100%) in both groups.

Discussion

Incidence of 7% found is within the range(75%–34%) described by literature. Non‐immune factors such as fever and antibiotics were main cause found present in more than 80% of cases and immune causes were mainly associated with HLA antibodies as expected. Interestingly, no anti‐HPA‐1a antibodies were identified, the most common specificity described in other populations. However, anti‐HPA‐5b and anti‐HPA‐3b antibodies were detected. This finding suggests that possible unidentified factors would lead to a distinct pattern of platelet alloimmunization as previously described for fetal‐neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenic purpura in Brazil.
Fickle fricatives: Fricative and stop perception in Gurindji Kriol, Roper Kriol, and Standard Australian English
Authors: Stewart Jesse , Meakins Felicity , Algy Cassandra , Ennever Thomas , Joshua Angelina
Published: May 2020

This paper uses a 2AFC identification task experiment to test listener perception of voiceless fricative-stop contrasts with minimal pairs modified along a 10-step continuum. Here, the authors focus on the uniqueness and near-uniformity of the phonological systems found in Australia. The languages involved in this study include Roper Kriol (an English-lexifier creole language), Gurindji Kriol (a mixed language derived from Gurindji and Kriol), with Standard Australian English (Indo-European) used as a baseline. Results reveal that just over 50% of the Roper Kriol and Gurindji Kriol listeners identified differences in the stop-fricative pairs with a high degree of consistency while nearly a quarter consistently identified the fricative-like stimuli as such, but showed random responses to the stop-like stimuli. The remaining participants showed a preference toward the fricatives across the entire continuum. The authors conclude that the fricative-stop contrast is not critical to the functionality of the phonologies in Roper Kriol or Gurindji Kriol, which could explain the high degree of variability. In addition, there is some evidence that the degree of exposure to English may have an effect on the degree of contrastability.
Acoustic correlates of plosive voicing in Madurese
Authors: Misnadin  , Kirby James
Published: May 2020

Madurese, a Malayo-Polynesian language of Indonesia, is of interest both areally and typologically: it is described as having a three-way laryngeal contrast between voiced, voiceless unaspirated, and voiceless aspirated plosives, along with a strict phonotactic restriction on consonant voicing-vowel height sequences. An acoustic analysis of Madurese consonants and vowels obtained from the recordings of 15 speakers is presented to assess whether its voiced and aspirated plosives might share acoustic properties indicative of a shared articulatory gesture. Although voiced and voiceless aspirated plosives in word-initial position pattern together in terms of several spectral balance measures, these are most likely due to the following vowel quality, rather than aspects of a shared laryngeal configuration. Conversely, the voiceless (aspirated and unaspirated) plosives share multiple acoustic properties, including F0 trajectories and overlapping voicing lag time distributions, suggesting that they share a glottal aperture target. The implications of these findings for the typology of laryngeal contrasts and the historical evolution of the Madurese consonant-vowel co-occurrence restriction are discussed.
Acoustic evidence for right-edge prominence in Nafsan
Authors: Billington Rosey , Fletcher Janet , Thieberger Nick , Volchok Ben
Published: May 2020

Oceanic languages are often described as preferring primary stress on penultimate syllables, but detailed surveys show that many different types of prominence patterns have been reported across and within Oceanic language families. In some cases, these interact with segmental and phonotactic factors, such as syllable weight. The range of Oceanic prominence patterns is exemplified across Vanuatu, a linguistically diverse archipelago with over 130 languages. However, both impressionistic and instrumentally-based descriptions of prosodic patterns and their correlates are limited for languages of this region. This paper investigates prominence in Nafsan, an Oceanic language of Vanuatu for which previous observations of prominence differ. Acoustic and durational results for disyllabic and trisyllabic Nafsan words show a clear pattern of higher fundamental frequency values in final syllables, regardless of vowel length, pointing towards a preference for prominence at the right edge of words. Short vowels also show centralisation in penultimate syllables, providing supporting evidence for right-edge prominence and informing the understanding of vowel deletion processes in Nafsan.
An acoustic description of Mixean Basque
Authors: Egurtzegi Ander , Carignan Christopher
Published: May 2020

This paper presents an acoustic analysis of Mixean Low Navarrese, an endangered variety of Basque. The manuscript includes an overview of previous acoustic studies performed on different Basque varieties in order to synthesize the sparse acoustic descriptions of the language that are available. This synthesis serves as a basis for the acoustic analysis performed in the current study, in which the various acoustic analyses given in previous studies are replicated in a single, cohesive general acoustic description of Mixean Basque. The analyses include formant and duration measurements for the six-vowel system, voice onset time measurements for the three-way stop system, spectral center of gravity for the sibilants, and number of lingual contacts in the alveolar rhotic tap and trill. Important findings include: a centralized realization ([ʉ]) of the high-front rounded vowel usually described as /y/; a data-driven confirmation of the three-way laryngeal opposition in the stop system; evidence in support of an alveolo-palatal to apical sibilant merger; and the discovery of a possible incipient merger of rhotics. These results show how using experimental acoustic methods to study under-represented linguistic varieties can result in revelations of sound patterns otherwise undescribed in more commonly studied varieties of the same language.