bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
#Testathome: Implementing 2 Phases of a HIV Self-Testing Program Through Community-Based Organization Partnerships in New York City
Authors: Hubbard Stephanie J. , Ma Maria , Wahnich Amanda , Clarke Alyson , Myers Julie E. , Saleh Lena D.
Published: March 2020

Background

Access to human immnodeficiency virus (HIV) testing in New York City (NYC) has increased, but disparities in testing rates still exist among most communities impacted by HIV. HIV self-tests (HIVSTs) present an opportunity to address testing barriers, but HIV-affected communities experience difficulties accessing HIVSTs, including lack of awareness and cost. To support increased access to HIVSTs, the NYC Health Department launched a partnership with select organizations to pilot distribution of free HIVSTs in 2 phases among priority populations across NYC.

Methods

Organizations that were diverse in their missions, experiences, capacities and populations served were recruited through a formal application process. The program initially launched with 10 organization partners (phase 1); as the pilot continued, partners identified necessary revisions to the program and launched a second phase in year 2. Both phases included outreach to NYC priority populations, HIVST distribution/redemption, and a follow-up survey.

Results

From March 2017 to August 2019, organizations distributed 75 HIVSTs during phase 1 and 252 during phase 2. All intended priority populations were reached, notably, those who had never tested before: 35% in phase 1 and 12% in phase 2. Over half of the follow-up survey respondents reported testing sooner. Respondents reported liking the HIVST because it did not require a visit to a clinic (84%) and preferred an HIVST to testing in a clinic (92%).

Conclusions

Through 2 phases of implementation, this innovative partnership was able to reach and offer HIVSTs to priority populations across NYC. This program supports the feasibility of distributing HIVSTs through close partnerships with diverse organizations.
Diagnosis, Treatment, Follow-up, and Persistence of Trichomonas vaginalis in Women 45 Years and Older According to HIV Status: A 10-Year Retrospective Cohort
Authors: Lazenby Gweneth B. , Hill Allyson , Tarleton Jessica , Soper David
Published: March 2020

Background

Trichomonas vaginalis is a common treatable sexually transmitted infection among older women. Persistent T. vaginalis infection after treatment is common among women with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). We sought to determine if HIV-negative women were as likely as women with HIV to have persistent T. vaginalis infection.

Methods

We performed a retrospective cohort study of women 45 years or older with T. vaginalis infection. We evaluated differences in persistent T. vaginalis infection according to HIV status using χ2 analysis. We performed regression analyses to describe factors associated with persistent and recurrent infection in older women.

Results

Over a 10-year study period, we identified 282 women with T. vaginalis, 46 with HIV. Most women (240, 86%) were treated in accordance with 2015 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Sexually Transmitted Diseases treatment guidelines. Half of the women (144, 53%) had a repeat T. vaginalis test 90 to 365 days after treatment, and one third had persistent infection (39/125, 31%). Persistent infection was similar between women with HIV and HIV-negative women treated according to Centers for Disease Control recommendations (17% vs 33%, P = 0.3). When adjusting for age and incidental diagnosis, tobacco use was associated with an increased risk of more than 1 or recurrent T. vaginalis infection during the study period (adjusted odds ratio, 2.8; 95% confidence interval, 1.5–4.9).

Conclusions

The HIV status did not affect persistent T. vaginalis infection in women 45 years or older. Given over one third of women have a positive test within a year after the recommended treatment, our data support repeat testing in women 45 years and older treated for T. vaginalis.
Screening for Intimate Partner Violence in a Pediatric ED
Authors: Mancheno Christina , Aumaier Brenna , Murray Ashlee
Published: March 2020

Objective

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a serious public health concern and impacts the entire family unit, particularly children. We implemented an IPV screening and referral program in an urban pediatric emergency department (ED) and aimed to screen 30% of patient families for IPV by January 1, 2017.

Methods

We used a quality improvement initiative using a nonverbal screening card to screen families when the caregiver was the sole adult present and spoke English and/or Spanish, and the patient was medically stable. Interventions included education, culture of screening initiatives, feedback, and process changes to emergency medical record (EMR) documentation. The primary outcome measure was percentage of caregivers screened in the ED over time. Our balancing measure was ED length of stay.

Results

After process improvement implementations that include requiring IPV screen documentation in the EMR, using Research Electronic Data Capture for referrals, and standardizing and simplifying the screening process, caregiver screening rates increased to 30% and have remained consistently at or above that rate during the 15-month postevaluation phase. This intervention did not impact length of stay in the ED.

Conclusions

An innovative multiphase quality improvement approach to screen for IPV using a nonverbal screening card and technology within the EMR was successfully implemented in our pediatric ED. Both IPV screening and documentation rates demonstrated greatest improvement and sustainability after process improvements over other initiatives.
Photo-Based Range-of-Motion Measurement: Reliability and Concurrent Validity in Children With Cerebral Palsy
Authors: Johansen Mette , Haslund-Thomsen Helle , Kristensen Jeanette , Skou Søren Thorgaard
Published: March 2020

Purpose:

To investigate intrarater and interrater reliability, agreement, and concurrent validity of a smartphone photography-based application compared with a universal goniometer in children with cerebral palsy.

Methods:

Range of motion of hip abduction, popliteal angle, and ankle dorsiflexion was measured with a universal goniometer and a photography-based application in children with cerebral palsy, Gross Motor Function Classification System levels I to V.

A 2-way random-effects intraclass correlation coefficients and Bland-Altman plots, standard error of measurement, and smallest detectable change were used for analyses.

Results:

The application had good to excellent reliability and concurrent validity compared with a universal goniometer, while the large measurement error of both methods suggests that changes of 10° to 23° are needed to be certain that changes over time are not results of measurement error.

Conclusions:

A photography-based goniometer can be a reliable and valid tool when measuring range of motion in children with cerebral palsy.
Obesity and the Brain: Another Brain-Body Versus Body-Brain Conundrum
Authors: Haley Andreana P.
Published: March 2020

Midlife obesity has been associated with poor cognitive functioning in older age, but the bidirectional pathways linking the brain and excessive adipose tissue require further research. In this issue of Psychosomatic Medicine, two investigations address the brain responses to food-related cues and psychological stressors relevant to obesity. Moazzami and colleagues document the relationship between abdominal obesity and brain responses to stress among patients with coronary artery disease and find that stress-related brain activity plays a potentially important role in the link between psychological distress, food cravings, and eating patterns relevant to obesity. Donofry and colleagues compare food cue–evoked functional connectivity in adults with obesity and report that brain areas involved in impaired self-regulation and reward processing may increase the risk of obesity by influencing decisions regarding diet and exercise. In this editorial, these findings are discussed in the context of brain-obesity interactions and the need for personalized multidisciplinary interventions for obesity. It is possible that functional magnetic resonance imaging and other indices of brain functioning will be useful in tailoring interventions that target weight reduction and/or cognitive functioning and monitoring treatment progress.
Inflammatory Pseudotumor of Intestine Mimicking Lymphoma on 18F-FDG PET/CT
Authors: Xue Qianqian , Miao Weibing
Published: March 2020

A 45-year-old man with suspected colonic malignancy was referred to 18F-FDG PET/CT for staging. PET/CT images showed segmental increased FDG uptake along the intestine with thickening of colonic wall, where no mass was obviously seen. Subsequently, left hemicolectomy and resection of partial small intestine were done. Histopathology of the resected specimen confirmed the diagnosis of inflammatory pseudotumor involving colon and small intestine. No recurrence was detected on follow-up CT images after 6 months. Although most of the previously reported intestinal inflammatory pseudotumor manifested as a mass, it should be considered as a differential diagnosis of FDG-avid segmental intestinal wall thickening.
Solitary Penile Metastasis of Prostate Cancer on 18F-Fluciclovine PET/CT Imaging in a Patient With PSA of 1 ng/mL
Authors: Salavati Ali , Schik Allyssa N. , Koksel Yasemin , Gencturk Mehmet , Froelich Jerry W.
Published: March 2020

An 85-year-old asymptomatic man with suspected biochemical recurrence of prostate cancer underwent an 18F-fluciclovine PET/CT scan, which revealed a solitary suspicious tracer uptake in the dorsal right corporal body of the proximal pendulous penis. The patient underwent ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration of the penile lesion, which revealed metastatic prostate cancer. The patient had definitive external beam radiation therapy 3 years before the examination. At the time of scan, the prostatic-specific antigen (PSA) was only 1.0 ng/mL, although the PSA doubling time was 2.6 months. It is unusual to detect a solitary penile metastasis in a patient with a low level of PSA.
A New Cartilage-Sparing Procedure for Correction of the Prominent Ear Deformity
Authors: Mutaf Mehmet , Temel Metin
Published: March 2020

Background

Although the literature is replete with surgical techniques described for correction of the prominent ears, new techniques are still needed to minimize the recurrence rates and postoperative complications.

Objective

Here, the author presents a new and simple otoplasty procedure, namely, the dermal anchor technique (DAT), in which a wide planar adhesion between the opposing dermal surfaces of the deepithelized antihelical groove is used as a biological anchor for long-term maintenance of the antihelical fold without any cartilage manipulation.

Materials and Methods

For 12 years, this new procedure was used for correction of 76 prominent ears in 44 patients, with 17 being female and 27 being male. The ages of the patients ranged from 5 to 37 years. In 28 patients, the DAT was combined with conchal excision and/or concha-mastoid sutures as required, whereas it was used alone in the remaining 16 patients. The preoperative and postoperative distance between the ear and the head was measured at 4 points (superior helical point, superior conchal attachment, inferior conchal attachment, and lobules).

Results

All patients healed uneventfully. Except mild edema and pain, there was no postoperative problem. The mean follow-up time was 4½ years (4 months–10 years). During this time, there was no patient with surface irregularities and/or suture-related complications. Two patients required revision because of unilateral lateralization of the upper pole by time (recurrence rate, 2.63%). When the preoperative and postoperative superior helical point, superior conchal attachment, inferior conchal attachment, and lobule measurements for both ears of the patients who were operated on were compared, postoperative values were determined to be significantly decreased (P< 0.001).

Conclusions

The DAT provides predictable and aesthetically satisfactory long-lasting results with a minimal risk of complications. Because it does not harm the cartilage tissue, it avoids the potential problems resulted from cartilage manipulations such as surface irregularities and chondritis. Covering the suture knots with a thick soft tissue layer, it eliminates the suture-related complications. Moreover, it offers a direct approach and does not require anterior dissection. Thus, it requires a shorter operative time, minimizes the risk of anterior skin necrosis and hematoma, and causes less postoperative pain, edema, and ecchymosis.
Concentrations of Serum Cyclophilin A in Patients With Bell Palsy
Authors: Demir Berat , Kersin Burak , Gojayeva Farida , Arman Ahmet , Binnetoglu Adem
Published: March 2020

Background:

Cyclophilin A (CyPA) is the responder protein to stimuli that cause inflammation. To date, no association among CyPA and Bell palsy has been reported.

Methods:

The concentrations of Serum CyPA were measured in 90 healthy participants and 92 patients with Bell palsy. Serum samples of patients and the control group were compared on the basis of CyPA levels. Facial latency and amplitude values on electromyography were evaluated and compared with serum CyPA concentrations.

Results:

A total of 28, 37, 19, and 8 patients had grade 3, 4, 5, and 6 facial palsy cases, respectively. Comparing the control group and the patient group showed significant differences in CyPA values (P < 0.001). Cyclophilin A value can be evaluated as a marker with high disease discrimination capability. The results also showed that at low CyPA, the average recovery time was shorter than that of high CyPA (41.6 ± 5.7 days vs 62.8 ± 10.2 days, P = 0.036). We found no statistically significant relationship between electromyography parameters and CyPA level. (Facial latency: r: −0.014, P: 0.948; facial amplitude r: −0.081, P: 0.713).

Conclusion:

Serum CyPA concentrations increased in response to inflammation in Bell palsy patients. However, CyPA could not be used as an early prognostic marker in Bell palsy, low CyPA indicates the shorter average recovery time than that of high CyPA.
Factors Associated With Residual Kidney Function and Proteinuria After Living Kidney Donation in the United States
Authors: Augustine Joshua J. , Arrigain Susana , Mandelbrot Didier A. , Schold Jesse D. , Poggio Emilio D.
Published: March 2020

Background.

Living kidney donors are carefully screened, but despite overall good health, long-term donor outcomes have been shown to vary by predonation demographics. Since 2013, the United Network for Organ Sharing has mandated 2-year postdonation follow-up with measurements of kidney function and proteinuria.

Methods.

Using data from the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients, we sought to analyze donor factors associated with the percent change of kidney function from baseline (predonation) to 2-year postdonation, along with incidence of proteinuria reported within the same follow-up period.

Results.

Older donor age, male gender, black race, and body mass index >25 kg/m2 were independently associated with a greater percent decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Male gender, black race, and higher body mass index were also independently associated with incident proteinuria. In contrast, younger donor age was associated with proteinuria, but proteinuria did not correlate with greater decline in eGFR in the overall cohort.

Conclusions.

Donor factors associated with lower eGFR at 2-year postdonation were similar to those previously found to be associated with long-term risk for end-stage renal disease. Early postdonation assessment of kidney function and proteinuria may help to identify donors who are at greater risk of end-stage renal disease and who may benefit from more intense long-term monitoring.
The Impact of Inadequate (“AX”) Transbronchial Biopsies on Post–lung Transplant CLAD or Death
Authors: Levy Liran , Huszti Ella , Pal Prodipto , Tikkanen Jussi , Ghany Rasheed , Keshavjee Shaf , Martinu Tereza , Singer Lianne G.
Published: March 2020

Background.

Procuring a good quality transbronchial-biopsy sample is essential for diagnosing acute cellular rejection after lung transplantation (LT). Insufficient transbronchial-biopsy samples are graded “AX.” We hypothesized that AX samples may be associated with a higher risk for chronic lung allograft dysfunction (CLAD) or death/retransplant, through a potential anatomic or physiologic underlying pulmonary process or because of undiagnosed acute cellular rejection episodes.

Methods.

We conducted a single-center, retrospective, cohort study drawn from all consecutive adult, first, bilateral LT between 1999 and 2015. We reviewed all biopsies obtained within the first year posttransplant and compared outcomes of patients with ≥1 AX to patients with no AX. Association of any AX or percent AX with time to CLAD or death/retransplant was assessed using Cox Proportional Hazards models.

Results.

The cohort consisted of 809 patients with a median of 6 (interquartile range 5–6) biopsies and 16.7% (interquartile range 0–25) AX samples within the first year posttransplant. Four hundred thirty-nine (54.3%) subjects had ≥1 AX sample obtained within the time period. Median time to CLAD or death/retransplant, from 1 year posttransplant, was 761 (320, 1587) and 1200 (662, 2308) days, respectively. In the multivariable analysis, there was no difference in risk for CLAD (hazard ratio = 1.05, 95% confidence interval, 0.87-1.28, P = 0.60), or death/retransplant (hazard ratio = 1.14, 95% confidence interval, 0.92–1.42, P = 0.24) between patients with ≥1 AX biopsy versus none. Among subjects with ≥1 AX, having >50% AX biopsies was not associated with outcome.

Conclusions.

This is the first study to demonstrate that AX biopsies are not associated with an increased risk of CLAD or death/retransplant after LT and may not require to repeat the biopsy.
Metformin Preconditioning Improves Hepatobiliary Function and Reduces Injury in a Rat Model of Normothermic Machine Perfusion and Orthotopic Transplantation
Authors: Westerkamp Andrie C. , Fujiyoshi Masato , Ottens Petra J. , Nijsten Maarten W.N. , Touw Daan J. , de Meijer Vincent E. , Lisman Ton , Leuvenink Henri G.D. , Moshage Han , Berendsen Tim A. , Porte Robert J.
Published: March 2020

Background.

Preconditioning of donor livers before organ retrieval may improve organ quality after transplantation. We investigated whether preconditioning with metformin reduces preservation injury and improves hepatobiliary function in rat donor livers during ex situ normothermic machine perfusion (NMP) and after orthotopic liver transplantation.

Methods.

Lewis rats were administered metformin via oral gavage, after which a donor hepatectomy was performed followed by a standardized cold storage period of 4 hours. Graft assessment was performed using NMP via double perfusion of the hepatic artery and portal vein. In an additional experiment, rat donor livers preconditioned with metformin were stored on ice for 4 hours and transplanted to confirm postoperative liver function and survival. Data were analyzed and compared with sham-fed controls.

Results.

Graft assessment using NMP confirmed that preconditioning significantly improved ATP production, markers for hepatobiliary function (total bile production, biliary bilirubin, and bicarbonate), and significantly lowered levels of lactate, glucose, and apoptosis. After orthotopic liver transplantation, metformin preconditioning significantly reduced transaminase levels.

Conclusions.

Preconditioning with metformin lowers hepatobiliary injury and improves hepatobiliary function in an in situ and ex situ model of rat donor liver transplantation.
Does Preoperative Ostomy Education Decrease Anxiety in the New Ostomy Patient? A Quantitative Comparison Cohort Study
Authors: Harris Michelle S. , Kelly Katherine , Parise Carol
Published: March 2020

PURPOSE:

The purpose of this study was to determine if patients undergoing presurgical ostomy education and routine postoperative education experienced less postsurgical anxiety than patients undergoing routine preoperative education.

DESIGN:

Quantitative, prospective, comparison cohort study.

SUBJECTS AND SETTING:

The sample comprised 30 participants divided into 2 groups; one group received preoperative ostomy education and stoma site marking, along with postoperative ostomy education, while the other received only postoperative ostomy education. Each group had an equal number of males (n = 11) and females (n = 4). The mean age for the groups was 65.27 (SD = 9.97) and 61.87 (SD = 17.56) years, respectively; this difference was not statistically significant (P > .05). The intervention group included 9 patients who underwent colostomy, 4 who underwent ileostomy, and 2 who underwent urostomy. The comparison group comprised 10 patients with colostomies, 4 with ileostomies, and 1 with a urostomy. The study setting was a 385-bed tertiary hospital in Northern California. Data collection occurred from November 2, 2018, to February 22, 2019.

METHODS:

Postoperative anxiety levels were evaluated in both groups during their postoperative ostomy education session. Anxiety level was measured using the anxiety domain of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Survey (HADS), which was administered during their postoperative educational session. Analysis of variance was used to compare the difference between the HADS anxiety domain scores between the groups.

RESULTS:

Patients who received preoperative ostomy education had statistically significant lower postsurgical anxiety scores than patients who had standard education (P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS:

Study findings suggest that preoperative ostomy education, when offered in addition to routine preoperative education, significantly lowers anxiety when compared to patients managed by routine preoperative education alone.
Estimating the infection and case fatality ratio for COVID-19 using age-adjusted data from the outbreak on the Diamond Princess cruise ship
Authors: Russell Timothy W , Hellewell Joel , Jarvis Christopher I , Van Zandvoort Kevin , Abbott Sam , Ratnayake Ruwan ,   CMMID COVID-19 working group, Flasche Stefan , Eggo Rosalind M , Edmunds W John , Kucharski Adam J
Published: March 2020

Adjusting for delay from confirmation-to-death, we estimated case and infection fatality ratios (CFR, IFR) for COVID-19 on the Diamond Princess ship as 2.3% (0.75%–5.3%) and 1.2% (0.38–2.7%). Comparing deaths onboard with expected deaths based on naive CFR estimates using China data, we estimate IFR and CFR in China to be 0.5% (95% CI: 0.2–1.2%) and 1.1% (95% CI: 0.3–2.4%) respectively.

Aim

To estimate the infection and case fatality ratio of COVID-19, using data from passengers of the Diamond Princess cruise ship while correcting for delays between confirmation-and-death, and age-structure of the population.
A preliminary study on serological assay for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in 238 admitted hospital patients
Authors: Liu Lei , Liu Wanbing , Zheng Yaqiong , Jiang Xiaojing , Kou Guomei , Ding Jinya , Wang Qiongshu , Huang Qianchuan , Ding Yinjuan , Ni Wenxu , Wu Wanlei , Tang Shi , Tan Li , Hu Zhenhong , Xu Weitian , Zhang Yong , Zhang Bo , Tang Zhongzhi , Zhang Xinhua , Li Honghua , Rao Zhiguo , Jiang Hui , Ren Xingfeng , Wang Shengdian , Zheng Shangen
Published: March 2020

Background

The outbreak of the recently emerged novel corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) poses a challenge for public health laboratories. We aimed to evaluate the diagnostic value of serological assay for SARS-CoV-2.

Methods

A newly-developed ELISA assay for IgM and IgG antibodies against N protein of SARS-CoV-2 were used to screen the serums of 238 admitted hospital patients with confirmed or suspected SARS-CoV-2 infection from February 6 to February 14, 2020. SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected by real time RT-PCR on pharyngeal swab specimens.

Findings

Of the 238 patients, 194 (81.5%) were detected to be antibody (IgM and/or IgG) positive, which was significantly higher than the positive rate of viral RNA (64.3%). There was no difference in the positive rate of antibody between the confirmed patients (83.0%, 127/153) and the suspected patients (78.8%, 67/85) whose nucleic acid tests were negative. After the patients were defined to the different stages of disease based on the day when the test samples were collected, the analysis results showed that the antibody positive rates were very low in the first five days after initial onset of symptoms, and then rapidly increased as the disease progressed. After 10 days, the antibody positive rates jumped to above 80% from less than 50%. On the contrary, the positive rates of viral RNA kept above 60% in the first 11 days after initial onset of symptoms, and then rapidly decreased. In addition, half of the suspected patients with symptoms for 6-10 days were detected to be antibody positive.

Interpretation

The suspected patients were most likely infected by SARS-CoV-2. Before the 11th day after initial onset of symptoms, nucleic acid test is important for confirmation of viral infection. The combination of serological assay can greatly improve the diagnostic efficacy. After that, the diagnosis for viral infection should be majorly dependent on serological assay.
Adaptation supports short-term memory in a visual change detection task
Authors: Hu Brian , Garrett Marina E. , Groblewski Peter A. , Ollerenshaw Douglas R. , Shang Jiaqi , Roll Kate , Manavi Sahar , Koch Christof , Olsen Shawn R. , Mihalas Stefan
Published: March 2020

The maintenance of short-term memories is critical for survival in a dynamically changing world. Previous studies suggest that this memory can be stored in the form of persistent neural activity or using a synaptic mechanism, such as with short-term plasticity. Here, we compare the predictions of these two mechanisms to neural and behavioral measurements in a visual change detection task. Mice were trained to respond to changes in a repeated sequence of natural images while neural activity was recorded using two-photon calcium imaging. We also trained two types of artificial neural networks on the same change detection task as the mice. Following fixed pre-processing using a pretrained convolutional neural network, either a recurrent neural network (RNN) or a feedforward neural network with short-term synaptic depression (STPNet) was trained to the same level of performance as the mice. While both networks are able to learn the task, the STPNet model contains units whose activity are more similar to thein vivodata and produces errors which are more similar to the mice. When images are omitted, an unexpected perturbation which was absent during training, mice often do not respond to the omission but are more likely to respond to the subsequent image. Unlike the RNN model, STPNet also produces a similar pattern of behavior. These results suggest that simple neural adaptation mechanisms may serve as an important bottom-up memory signal in this task, which can be used by downstream areas in the decision-making process.

Author Summary

Animals have to adapt to environments with rich dynamics and maintain multiple types of memories. In this study, we focus on a visual change detection task in mice which requires short-term memory. Learning which features need to be maintained in short-term memory can be realized in a recurrent neural network by changing connections in the network, resulting in memory maintenance through persistent activity. However, in biological networks, a large diversity of time-dependent intrinsic mechanisms are also available. As an alternative to persistent neural activity, we find that learning to make use of internal adapting dynamics better matches both the observed neural activity and behavior of animals in this simple task. The presence of a large diversity of temporal traces could be one of the reasons for the diversity of cells observed. We believe that both learning to keep representations of relevant stimuli in persistent activity and learning to make use of intrinsic time-dependent mechanisms exist, and their relative use will be dependent on the exact task.
Cancer Stem Cell Enrichment and Metabolic Substrate Adaptability are Driven by Hydrogen Sulfide Suppression in Glioblastoma
Authors: Silver Daniel J. , Roversi Gustavo A. , Bithi Nazmin , Neumann Chase K. A. , Troike Katie M. , Ahuja Grace K. , Reizes Ofer , Brown J. Mark , Hine Christopher , Lathia Justin D.
Published: March 2020

Glioblastoma (GBM) remains among the deadliest of human malignancies. The emergence of the cancer stem cell (CSC) phenotype represents a major challenge to disease management and durable treatment response. The extrinsic, environmental, and lifestyle factors that result in CSC enrichment are not well understood. The CSC state endows cells with a fluid metabolic profile, enabling the utilization of multiple nutrient sources. Therefore, to test the impact of diet on CSC enrichment, we evaluated disease progression in tumor-bearing mice fed an obesity-inducing high-fat diet (HFD)versusan energy-balanced, low-fat control diet. HFD consumption resulted in hyper-aggressive disease that was accompanied by CSC enrichment and shortened survival. HFD consumption also drove intracerebral accumulation of saturated fats, which in turn inhibited the production and signaling of the gasotransmitter hydrogen sulfide (H2S). H2S is an endogenously produced bio-active metabolite derived from sulfur amino acid catabolism. It functions principally through protein S-sulfhydration and regulates a variety of programs including mitochondrial bioenergetics and cellular metabolism. Inhibition of H2S synthesis resulted in increased proliferation and chemotherapy resistance, whereas treatment with H2S donors led to cytotoxicity and death of cultured GBM cells. Compared to non-cancerous controls, patient GBM specimens were reduced in overall protein S-sulfhydration, which was primarily lost from proteins regulating cellular metabolism. These findings support the hypothesis that diet-regulated H2S signaling serves to suppress GBM by restricting metabolic adaptability, while its loss triggers CSC enrichment and disease acceleration. Interventions augmenting H2S bioavailability concurrent with GBM standard of care may improve outcomes for GBM patients.

One Sentence Summary

Consumption of a high-fat diet (HFD) accelerates glioblastoma (GBM) by inhibiting the production and signaling of the tumor-suppressive metabolite hydrogen sulfide (H2S).
Precision engineering of the transcription factor Cre1 inHypocrea jecorina (Trichoderma reesei)for efficient cellulase production in the presence of glucose
Authors: Han Lijuan , Tan Yinshuang , Ma Wei , Niu Kangle , Hou Shaoli , Guo Wei , Liu Yucui , Fang Xu
Published: March 2020

InTrichoderma reesei, carbon catabolite repression (CCR) significantly downregulates the transcription of cellulolytic enzymes, which is usually mediated by the zinc finger protein Cre1. It was found that there is a conserved region at the C-terminus of Cre1/CreA in several cellulase-producing fungi that contains up to three continuous S/T phosphorylation sites. Here, S387, S388, T389, and T390 at the C-terminus of Cre1 inT. reeseiwere mutated to valine for mimicking an unphosphorylated state, thereby generating the transformantsTr_Cre1S387V,Tr_Cre1S388V,Tr_Cre1T389V, andTr_Cre1T390V, respectively. Transcription ofcel7ainTr_ Cre1S388Vwas markedly higher than that of the parent strain when grown in glucose-containing media. Under these conditions, both filter paperase (FPase) andp-nitrophenyl-β-D-cellobioside (pNPCase) activities, as well as soluble proteins fromTr_Cre1S388Vwere significantly increased by up to 2- to 3-fold compared with that of other transformants and the parent strain. To our knowledge, this is the first report demonstrating an improvement of cellulase production in fungal species under CCR by mimicking dephosphorylation at the C-terminus of Cre1. Taken together, we developed a precision engineering strategy based on the modification of phosphorylation sites of Cre1 transcription factor to enhance the production of cellulase in fungal species under CCR.
Ecological opportunity, radiation events and genomic innovations shaped the episodic evolutionary history of papillomaviruses
Authors: Willemsen Anouk , Bravo Ignacio G.
Published: March 2020

Papillomaviruses (PVs) have a wide host range, infecting mammals, birds, turtles, and snakes. The recent discovery of PVs in different fish species allows for a more complete reconstruction of the evolutionary history of this viral family. In this study we perform phylogenetic dating to analyse evolutionary events that occurred during PV evolution, as well as to estimate speciation and evolutionary rates.

We have used four different data sets to explore and correct for potential biases that particular taxa combinations may introduce during molecular time inference. When considering the evolution of substitution rates we observed that short-term rate estimates are much higher than long-term rate estimates, also known as the time-dependent rate phenomenon. When considering the evolution of viral branching events (as a proxy for speciation rates), we show that these have not been constant through time, suggesting the occurrence of distinct evolutionary events such as adaptive radiations and/or changes in the available host niches. In a joint analysis with host speciation rates, we identified at least four different evolutionary periods, suggesting that the evolution of PVs has been multiphasic, and thus refining the previously suggested biphasic evolutionary scenario. Thanks to the discovery of novel PVs in basal hosts and to the implementation of a time-dependent rate model for molecular dating, our results provide new insights into the evolutionary history of PVs. In this updated evolutionary scenario, ecological opportunity appears as one main driving force for the different radiation and key-innovation events we observe.
Blended learning source of satisfaction of psychological needs
Authors: Siddiqui Sohni , Soomro Naureen Nazar , Thomas Martin
Published: March 2020

Purpose

In this study, researchers applied blended learning program to investigate the success of a blended learning program on satisfaction of the psychological needs, and academic achievement of chemistry students of O-Levels, following curriculum prescribed by University of Cambridge.

Design/methodology/approach

Research pattern is quantitative aligned with the quasi-experimental and pre-post experimental design which aimed at examining the efficiency of a motivational strategies adopted with the use of blended learning program on psychological needs satisfaction (competence, autonomy, and relatedness) and achievement in chemistry O-Levels Syllabus, at the end of the research program.

Findings

Hypothesis testing represented that use of blended learning program has significant and positive impact on academic achievements through the mediation of autonomy. Results also revealed the substantial association of blended learning on other psychological needs (i.e., competence and relatedness); however, the competence and relatedness have no effect on academic achievements in this study. Thus, research concludes that providing an autonomous environment in substitution of the controlled environment promotes learning and produces positive outcomes.

Originality/value

Blended learning or use of Learning Management Systems is being commonly used mostly in the tertiary level of studies; however, blended learning with secondary classes especially in the field of chemistry is yet not studied in detail. Similarly, the usefulness of the motivational strategies to learn chemistry is observed with university-level students, but very rare data about encouraging students at the secondary level have been gathered. Therefore, the researcher designed this blended learning program to enhance students’ motivation towards achievements in secondary chemistry.
Are vegetarianism and veganism just half the story? Empirical insights from Switzerland
Authors: Mann Stefan , Necula Raluca
Published: March 2020

Purpose

Per capita meat consumption in Switzerland has been rather consistent for decades, although the percentage of vegetarians has risen to 14 per cent according to a recent survey. This study tries to resolve this apparent contradiction

Design/methodology/approach

The study is based on household consumption data from Switzerland and focuses on the distribution of consumption rather than on average amounts, using descriptive statistics and a mixed-effects model which explains the coefficient of variation between single consumer consumption amounts.

Findings

Vegetarianism and veganism are not only overestimated through surveys but also associated with a segment of the population that is consuming increasing amounts of meat. This dual development leads to a stable per capita meat consumption.

Originality/value

Our results indicate that greater scientific attention should be paid to this segment of heavy meat eaters.
An ERP success model based on agency theory and IS success model
Authors: Kala Kamdjoug Jean Robert , Bawack Ransome Epie , Tayou Aurel Edith Tuessu
Published: March 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose an enterprise resource planning (ERP) implementation model based on the agency theory and the Delone and McLean information systems (IS) success model. This paper answers two major research questions: (i) how does client–consultant interaction affect the outcome of ERP implementation projects; and (ii) how can this interaction be managed effectively to ensure successful project outcomes?

Design/methodology/approach

An electronic banking institution in Africa was used to conduct a case study research and examine the validity of the proposed conceptual framework.

Findings

Based on the constructs of the conceptual framework, the study found that client–consultant relationships/interactions mediate the effect of human, organizational, and technological critical success factors (CSFs) on information quality, service quality, and information quality. Agency conflicts in client–consultant relationships can be managed using outcome incentive-based contracts and a conflict management committee.

Research limitations/implications

This is a single case study research. Thus, despite its analytical validity and generalizability, there is a need for more studies on the statistical validity of the model in other contexts.

Practical implications

This paper provides practical information needed to manage conflicts between clients and consultants, as well as factors that must be considered in order to keep the interest of both parties aligned.

Originality/value

No research has been conducted on how to manage client–consultant interactions and related conflicts in ERP implementation projects. This study fills this gap using a well-established theoretical foundation to propose a conceptual framework that would guide and drive further discussions on the topic. This is also one of the few studies in the context of developing countries.
High-Performance CML approximate full adders for image processing application of laplace transform
Authors: Uoosefian Hamidreza , Navi Keivan , Faghih Mirzaee Reza , Hosseinzadeh Mahdi
Published: March 2020

Purpose

The high demand for fast, energy-efficient, compact computational blocks in digital electronics has led the researchers to use approximate computing in applications where inaccuracy of outputs is tolerable. The purpose of this paper is to present two ultra-high-speed current-mode approximate full adders (FA) by using carbon nanotube field-effect transistors.

Design/methodology/approach

Instead of using threshold detectors, which are common elements in current-mode logic, diodes are used to stabilize voltage. Zener diodes and ultra-low-power diodes are used within the first and second proposed designs, respectively. This innovation eliminates threshold detectors from critical path and makes it shorter. Then, the new adders are employed in the image processing application of Laplace filter, which detects edges in an image.

Findings

Simulation results demonstrate very high-speed operation for the first and second proposed designs, which are, respectively, 44.7 per cent and 21.6 per cent faster than the next high-speed adder cell. In addition, they make a reasonable compromise between power-delay product (PDP) and other important evaluating factors in the context of approximate computing. They have very few transistors and very low total error distance. In addition, they do not propagate error to higher bit positions by generating output carry correctly. According to the investigations, up to four inexact FA can be used in the Laplace filter computations without a significant image quality loss. The employment of the first and second proposed designs results in 42.4 per cent and 32.2 per cent PDP reduction compared to when no approximate FA are used in an 8-bit ripple adder.

Originality/value

Two new current-mode inexact FA are presented. They use diodes as voltage regulators to design current-mode approximate full-adders with very short critical path for the first time.
Leanness evaluation in health-care organizations using fuzzy logic approach
Authors: Suresh M. , Vaishnavi V. , Pai Rajesh D.
Published: March 2020

Purpose

Lean practices are one of the fundamental practices adopted by health-care organizations to improve service quality and to reduce cost. In this context, the measurement of leanness in health-care organizations has become imperative. The purpose of this study is to measure the leanness of a hospital using fuzzy logic.

Design/methodology/approach

The design of the research includes two major steps. First, the identification of enablers, criteria and attributes of leanness constitutes the measures of assessment. Second, the above measures in the case hospital are assessed by using fuzzy logic approach.

Findings

This study suggests that leanness assessment is essential to identify the current lean capability of a health-care organization. This would help the health-care organizations to improve their lean performance further. The findings of the study suggest that the leanness of the case hospital is “Lean” (fuzzy range: 5.61, 7.24 and 8.91).

Practical implications

This study brings in three important implications from managerial point of view. First, it helps the management to assess the current level of leanness of the hospital. Second, it identifies the attributes that prevent the organization from being more lean. Third, it provides suggestive measures to address the weaker attributes and enables the enhancement of lean performance further.

Originality/value

The leanness assessment framework developed in the hospital operations is found to be original, and it adds value to the leanness assessment in health-care operations.
Abusive supervisors and employees who cyberloaf
Authors: Agarwal Upasnaa A. , Avey James B.
Published: March 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of abusive supervision on cyberloafing behavior, to test the mediating role of PsyCap in this relationship and the extent to which these relationships are moderated by psychological contract breach.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 394 full-time managers across different Indian organizations served as the sample for this study.

Findings

The results revealed that the abusive supervision and PsyCap are significantly correlated with cyberloafing, the relationship between abusive supervision and cyberloafing is partially mediated by PsyCap and the impact of abusive supervision and PsyCap on cyberloafing is moderated by psychological contract breach such that the effects of abusive supervision and PsyCap on cyberloafing are stronger when employees perceive high psychological contract breach.

Research limitations/implications

A cross-sectional design and use of self-reported questionnaires are a few limitations of this study.

Originality/value

This is one of the first studies examining cyberloafing in response to abusive supervision and one of the few attempts to examine the effects of abusive supervision on individual resources (PsyCap) in response to workplace mistreatment. This study is also the first to examine these phenomena in the Indian context.
3D printing optimization algorithm based on back-propagation neural network
Authors: Yan Jinshun
Published: March 2020

Purpose

To obtain a high-quality finished product model, three-dimensional (3D) printing needs to be optimized.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on back-propagation neural network (BPNN), the particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm was improved for optimizing the parameters of BPNN, and then the model precision was predicted with the improved PSO-BPNN (IPSO-BPNN) taking nozzle temperature, etc. as the influencing factors.

Findings

It was found from the experimental results that the prediction results of IPSO-BPNN were closer to the actual values than BPNN and PSO-BPNN, and the prediction error was smaller; the average error of dimensional precision and surface precision was 6.03% and 6.54%, respectively, which suggested that it could provide a reliable guidance for 3D printing optimization.

Originality/value

The experimental results verify the validity of IPSO-BPNN in 3D printing precision prediction and make some contributions to the improvement of the precision of finished products and the realization of 3D printing optimization.
Intellectual capital in tourism SMEs in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan
Authors: Khalique Muhammad , Hina Khushbakht , Ramayah T. , Shaari Jamal Abdul Nassir bin
Published: March 2020

Purpose

The main aim of this study was to examine the effect of the components of intellectual capital on the organizational performance of SMEs operating in tourism sector at Azad Jammu and Kashmir Pakistan.

Design/methodology/approach

In this empirical study, survey approach was used and primary data were collected through structured questionnaire. A total of 300 structured questionnaire survey forms were distributed through purposive sampling technique. Two hundred and twenty usable questionnaire survey forms were returned. Six research hypotheses were constructed to achieve the objective of this study. Smart Partial Least Square (PLS) 3 was used to test the proposed research hypotheses.

Findings

The findings showed that two out of six hypotheses were supported. Precisely, customer capital has appeared as one of the most important components of intellectual capital in model. The results showed that the overall intellectual capital has effect on the organizational performance of SMEs. Results shed more light on the effects that the components of intellectual capital have on organizational performance of SMEs, particularly in the context of Pakistan.

Research limitations/implications

This research is limited to SMEs in tourism sector in Pakistan and the data were gathered through questionnaire which used mostly subjective measures. Subsequently, findings may not be applicable to other industries. The research contributes to the development of intellectual capital literature focused on the organizational performance in the perspective of SMEs in emerging economies. Future research needs to reach beyond the boundaries and understand the effect of intellectual capital on the performance of organizations.

Originality/value

This study extended the knowledge about the prominence of intellectual capital and its effect on the organizational performance of SMEs. Moreover, this study identified the level of existence and measurement of the six components of intellectual capital in SMEs which enables practitioners to develop adequate strategies to better manage it. To author's best knowledge, this study can be the first empirical study which investigates the impact of intellectual capital on the organizational performance of SMEs operating in tourism sector in Pakistan.