bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Resistant Starch Production and Glucose Release from Pre‐Prepared Chilled Food: The SPUD Project
Authors: Robertson T. M. , Brown J. E. , Fielding B. A. , Hovorka R. , Robertson M. D.
Published: November 2020

With an increasing prevalence of diabetes worldwide, effective dietary strategies for blood glucose control are crucial. As carbohydrates make up approximately 50% of the diet, it is neither practical nor advisable to avoid them altogether. Most of the carbohydrate in the diet is derived from starch, found in potatoes, pasta, rice and bread. These foods are often processed in some way before consumption, yet little is known about the effects processing, such as chilling and reheating, has on the glycaemic response, particularly when the food is consumed in the context of a mixed meal. This article introduces the SPUD project, a BBSRC DRINC‐funded initiative. Taking the potato as the model carbohydrate, this project will investigate, via in vitro and in vivo studies, the effects of domestic food processing techniques on the glycaemic response. A final study, utilising intrinsically labelled potato and a dual stable isotope methodology, will model glucose flux data to determine the underlying mechanisms of action.
Recommendations by the Asian Pacific society of nephrology (APSN) on the appropriate use of HIF‐PH inhibitors
Authors: Yap Desmond Y. H. , McMahon Lawrence P. , Hao Chuan‐Ming , Hu Nan , Okada Hirokazu , Suzuki Yusuke , Kim Sung Gyun , Lim Soo Kun , Vareesangthip Kriengsak , Hung Chi‐Chih , Nangaku Masaomi ,   for the APSN HIF‐PHI Recommendation Committee
Published: November 2020

Renal anaemia is a common and important complication in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The current standard‐of‐care treatment for renal anaemia in CKD patients involves ensuring adequate iron stores and administration of erythropoietin stimulating agents (ESA). Hypoxia inducible factor (HIF) is a key transcription factor primarily involved in the cellular regulation and efficiency of oxygen delivery. Manipulation of the HIF pathway by the use of HIF‐prolyl hydroxylase inhibitors (HIF‐PHI) has emerged as a novel approach for renal anaemia management. Despite it being approved for clinical use in various Asia‐Pacific countries, its novelty mandates the need for nephrologists and clinicians generally in the region to well understand potential benefits and harms when prescribing this class of drug. The Asian Pacific society of nephrology HIF‐PHI Recommendation Committee, formed by a panel of 11 nephrologists from the Asia‐Pacific region who have clinical experience or have been investigators in HIF‐PHI studies, reviewed and deliberated on the clinical and preclinical data concerning HIF‐PHI. This recommendation summarizes the consensus views of the committee regarding the use of HIF‐PHI, taking into account both available data and expert opinion in areas where evidence remains scarce.
Lactarius brunneoaurantiacus sp. nov. and L. indoscrobiculatus sp. nov. from India
Authors: Das Kanad , Bera Ishika , Ghosh Aniket
Published: November 2020

The present paper describes two novel species in Lactarius subg. Lactarius collected from Sikkim, a Himalayan state in India. Lactarius brunneoaurantiacus sp. nov., is characterised by brownish to greyish orange basidiomata, watery white unchanging latex, subglobose to ellipsoid basidiospores with somewhat zebroid pattern of ornamentations and ixotrichopalisade nature of pileipellis whereas, L. indoscrobiculatus sp. nov., a lookalike of the European L. scrobiculatus, is characterised by large to very large pale yellow to ochraceous basidiomata, pileus with concolorous concentric zones, subdistant to distant decurrent lamellae, watery light yellow latex and sour taste. Detailed morphological descriptions, illustrations and nrITS‐based phylogenetic estimation of these species are presented.
Oxidized phospholipids affect small intestine neuromuscular transmission and serotonergic pathways in juvenile mice
Authors: Marsilio Ilaria , Caputi Valentina , Latorre Eva , Cerantola Silvia , Paquola Andrea , Alcalde Ana I. , Mesonero José E. , O'Mahony Siobhain M. , Bertazzo Antonella , Giaroni Cristina , Giron Maria Cecilia
Published: November 2020

Background

Oxidized phospholipid derivatives (OxPAPCs) act as bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS)–like damage‐associated molecular patterns. OxPAPCs dose‐dependently exert pro‐ or anti‐inflammatory effects by interacting with several cellular receptors, mainly Toll‐like receptors 2 and 4. It is currently unknown whether OxPAPCs may affect enteric nervous system (ENS) functional and structural integrity.

Methods

Juvenile (3 weeks old) male C57Bl/6 mice were treated intraperitoneally with OxPAPCs, twice daily for 3 days. Changes in small intestinal contractility were evaluated by isometric neuromuscular responses to receptor and non–receptor‐mediated stimuli. Alterations in ENS integrity and serotonergic pathways were assessed by real‐time PCR and confocal immunofluorescence microscopy in longitudinal muscle‐myenteric plexus whole‐mount preparations (LMMPs). Tissue levels of serotonin (5‐HT), tryptophan, and kynurenine were measured by HPLC coupled to UV/fluorescent detection.

Key Results

OxPAPC treatment induced enteric gliosis, loss of myenteric plexus neurons, and excitatory hypercontractility, and reduced nitrergic neurotransmission with no changes in nNOS+ neurons. Interestingly, these changes were associated with a higher functional response to 5‐HT, altered immunoreactivity of 5‐HT receptors and serotonin transporter (SERT) together with a marked decrease in 5‐HT levels, shifting tryptophan metabolism toward kynurenine production.

Conclusions and Inferences

OxPAPC treatment disrupted structural and functional integrity of the ENS, affecting serotoninergic tone and 5‐HT tissue levels toward a higher kynurenine content during adolescence, suggesting that changes in intestinal lipid metabolism toward oxidation can affect serotoninergic pathways, potentially increasing the risk of developing functional gastrointestinal disorders during critical stages of development.
Key root traits of Poaceae for adaptation to soil water gradients
Authors: Yamauchi Takaki , Pedersen Ole , Nakazono Mikio , Tsutsumi Nobuhiro
Published: November 2020

Drought and flooding are contrasting abiotic stressors for plants. Evidence is accumulating for root anatomical traits being essential for the adaptation to drought or flooding. However, an integrated approach to comprehensively understand root anatomical traits has not yet been established.

Here we analysed the root anatomical traits of 18 wild Poaceae species differing in adaptation to a range of soil water content. Regression model analyses revealed the optimal anatomical traits that were required by the plants to adapt to low or high soil water content.

While the area and number of each root tissue (e.g. stele, cortex, xylem or aerenchyma) were not strongly correlated to the soil water content, the ratio of the root tissue areas (cortex to stele ratio (CSR), xylem to stele ratio (XSR) and aerenchyma to cortex ratio (ACR)) could fully explain the adaptations of the wild Poaceae species to the soil water gradients.

Our results demonstrate that the optimal anatomical traits for the adaptations to soil water content can be determined by three indices (i.e. CSR, XSR and ACR), and thus we propose that these root anatomical indices can be used to improve the tolerance of crops to drought and flooding stresses.
Linking canopy‐scale mesophyll conductance and phloem sugar δ13C using empirical and modelling approaches
Authors: Schiestl‐Aalto Pauliina , Stangl Zsofia R. , Tarvainen Lasse , Wallin Göran , Marshall John , Mäkelä Annikki
Published: November 2020

Interpreting phloem carbohydrate or xylem tissue carbon isotopic composition as measures of water‐use efficiency or past tree productivity requires in‐depth knowledge of the factors altering the isotopic composition within the pathway from ambient air to phloem contents and tree ring. One of least understood of these factors is mesophyll conductance (gm).

We formulated a dynamic model describing the leaf photosynthetic pathway including seven alternative gm descriptions and a simple transport of sugars from foliage down the trunk. We parameterised the model for a boreal Scots pine stand and compared simulated gm responses with weather variations. We further compared the simulated δ13C of new photosynthates among the different gm descriptions and against measured phloem sugar δ13C.

Simulated gm estimates of the seven descriptions varied according to weather conditions, resulting in varying estimates of phloem δ13C during cold/moist and warm/dry periods. The model succeeded in predicting a drought response and a postdrought release in phloem sugar δ13C indicating suitability of the model for inverse prediction of leaf processes from phloem isotopic composition.

We suggest short‐interval phloem sampling during and after extreme weather conditions to distinguish between mesophyll conductance drivers for future model development.
Preferential meiotic chromosome pairing among homologous chromosomes with cryptic sequence variation in tetraploid maize
Authors: Braz Guilherme T. , Yu Fan , Zhao Hainan , Deng Zuhu , Birchler James A. , Jiang Jiming
Published: November 2020

Meiotic chromosome pairing between homoeologous chromosomes was reported in many nascent allopolyploids. Homoeologous pairing is gradually eliminated and replaced by exclusive homologous pairing in well‐established allopolyploids, an evolutionary process referred to as the diploidization of allopolyploids. A fundamental question of the diploidization of allopolyploids is whether and to what extent the DNA sequence variation among homoeologous chromosomes contribute to the establishment of exclusive homologous chromosome pairing.

We developed aneuploid tetraploid maize lines that contain three copies of chromosome 10 derived from inbred lines B73 and H99. We were able to identify the parental origin of each copy of chromosome 10 in the materials using oligonucleotide‐based haplotype‐specific chromosome painting.

We demonstrate that the two identical copies of chromosome 10 from H99 pair preferentially over chromosome 10 from B73 in different stages of prophase I and metaphase I during meiosis. Thus, homologous chromosome pairing is favored to partners with the most similar DNA sequences and can be discriminated based on cryptic sequence variation.

We propose that innate preference of homologous chromosome pairing exists in nascent allopolyploids and serves as the first layer that would eventually block all homoeologous chromosome pairing in allopolyploids.
Regulatory challenges with biosimilars: an update from 20 countries
Authors: Kang Hye‐Na , Thorpe Robin , Knezevic Ivana , Casas Levano Mary , Chilufya Mumbi Bernice , Chirachanakul Parichard , Chua Hui Ming , Dalili Dina , Foo Freddie , Gao Kai , Habahbeh Suna , Hamel Hugo , Kim Gi Hyun , Perez Rodriguez Violeta , Putri Desi Eka , Rodgers Jacqueline , Savkina Maria , Semeniuk Oleh , Srivastava Shraddha , Tavares Neto João , Wadhwa Meenu , Yamaguchi Teruhide
Published: November 2020

The World Health Organization (WHO) issued guidelines for the regulatory evaluation of biosimilars in 2009 and has provided considerable effort toward helping member states implement the evaluation principles in the guidelines into their regulatory practices. Despite this effort, a recent WHO survey (conducted in 2019–2020) has revealed four main remaining challenges: unavailable/insufficient reference products in the country; lack of resources; problems with the quality of some biosimilars (and even more with noninnovator products); and difficulties with the practice of interchangeability and naming of biosimilars. The following have been identified as opportunities/solutions for regulatory authorities to deal with the existing challenges: (1) exchange of information on products with other regulatory authorities and accepting foreign licensed and sourced reference products, hence avoiding conducting unnecessary (duplicate) bridging studies; (2) use of a “reliance” concept and/or joint review for the assessment and approval of biosimilars; (3) review and reassessment of the products already approved before the establishment of a regulatory framework for biosimilar approval; and (4) setting appropriate regulatory oversight for good pharmacovigilance, which is essential for the identification of problems with products and establishing the safety and efficacy of interchangeability of biosimilars.
Injury prevention among young people in nursing homes: Recommendations following expert consultation forums
Authors: Cartwright Anna , Bugeja Lyndal , Ibrahim Joseph E.
Published: November 2020

Background

Approximately 6,000 people under the age of 65 years reside in nursing homes each year in Australia. These young people in nursing homes are at risk of premature death and preventable morbidity from injuries. Choking and falls are the leading causes of premature deaths in this cohort with reported rates of 44% and 33%, respectively.

Objectives

To develop injury prevention recommendations for young people in Australian nursing homes.

Methods

This mixed‐methods study comprised two expert consultation panels and a follow‐up survey. Two expert and stakeholder consultation panels used a modified nominal group technique to formulate recommendations. A short survey was subsequently given to participants to validate responses from the panels and to provide an opportunity to evaluate and rank recommendations.

Results

Ten recommendations were formulated for consideration that focused on system‐wide reforms. Four were ranked as most important for implementation: education and training for nursing home staff; implementation of National Disability Insurance Scheme; support for coordinated care; and increasing residential housing stock that is appropriately designed.

Conclusion

Extensive changes are needed to prevent injury for young people in nursing homes. Implementation should reduce the risk of injury and lead to an improved quality of life for this cohort.

Implications for practice

This study provides an evidence base for aged care practitioners to improve practice within nursing homes to reduce fatal and non‐fatal injuries for young people in nursing homes.
Dry eye symptoms in children: can we reliably measure them?
Authors: Chidi‐Egboka Ngozi Charity , Golebiowski Blanka , Lee Sun‐Young , Vi Mimi , Jalbert Isabelle
Published: November 2020

Purpose

Many dry eye questionnaires are available, but these may not be suitable for paediatric eye care. The feasibility of use and repeatability of symptom questionnaires administered to children was examined.

Methods

Participants aged 6‐15 years (n = 62; 25M:37F; 40% male) completed six questionnaires twice in random order at a single visit: Symptoms assessment in dry eye (SANDE), ocular surface disease index (OSDI), numerical rating scale (NRS), ocular comfort index (OCI, n = 30), dry eye questionnaire 5 (DEQ‐5) and the instant ocular symptoms survey (IOSS). Completion time and need for assistance were recorded and relationships with age examined (Pearson correlation, independent t‐test). The number of participants requiring assistance and with which items were compared (linear mixed model, pairwise test). Repeatability (coefficient of repeatability (CoR), limit of agreement, bias) and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) were examined.

Results

Completion time was ≤2 min for each individual questionnaire. Younger participants took longer to complete (r = −0.43 to −0.60, p ≤ 0.01), and required more assistance (p ≤ 0.001). Forty‐eight participants required assistance with at least one questionnaire. Older children (13–15 years) only required assistance with OSDI (p ≤ 0.004) and NRS (p ≤ 0.003). Participants required more assistance with SANDE, OSDI and NRS than with DEQ‐5 and IOSS (p ≤ 0.02) and with gritty (OSDI, 77% of participants; OCI, 100%) and foreign body sensation (NRS, 92%) items. CoR was similar for all questionnaires with no evidence of a learning effect (p > 0.05). ICC was moderate to excellent.

Conclusions

Dry eye questionnaires can be used reliably in paediatric eye care; more time and assistance may be required for younger children. The DEQ‐5 and IOSS are recommended for use in younger age children.
Lung function testing and inflammation markers for wheezing preschool children: A systematic review for the EAACI Clinical Practice Recommendations on Diagnostics of Preschool Wheeze
Authors: Elenius Varpu , Chawes Bo , Malmberg Pekka L. , Adamiec Aleksander , Ruszczyński Marek , Feleszko Wojciech , Jartti Tuomas ,   EAACI Preschool Wheeze Task Force for Diagnostics of Preschool Wheeze
Published: November 2020

Background

Preschool wheeze is highly prevalent; 30%–50% of children have wheezed at least once before age six. Wheezing is not a disorder; it is a symptom of obstruction in the airways, and it is essential to identify the correct diagnosis behind this symptom. An increasing number of studies provide evidence for novel diagnostic tools for monitoring and predicting asthma in the pediatric population. Several techniques are available to measure airway obstruction and airway inflammation, including spirometry, impulse oscillometry, whole‐body plethysmography, bronchial hyperresponsiveness test, multiple breath washout test, measurements of exhaled NO, and analyses of various other biomarkers.

Methods

We systematically reviewed all the existing techniques available for measuring lung function and airway inflammation in preschool children to assess their potential and clinical value in the routine diagnostics and monitoring of airway obstruction.

Results

If applicable, measuring FEV1 using spirometry is considered useful. For those unable to perform spirometry, whole‐body plethysmography and IOS may be useful. Bronchial reversibility to beta2‐agonist and hyperresponsiveness test with running exercise challenge may improve the sensitivity of these tests.

Conclusions

The difficulty of measuring lung function and the lack of large randomized controlled trials makes it difficult to establish guidelines for monitoring asthma in preschool children.
Pediatric liver transplantation in Australia and New Zealand: The case for a collaborative anesthetic database
Authors: Paterson Neil A. B. , Lee‐Archer Paul , Shirley Anna , Lee Julie
Published: November 2020

Background

Liver transplantation is conducted with strict oversight of organizational structure and clinical practice. However, specific regulations pertaining to the delivery of anesthetic services are lacking and consideration of departmental structure and mechanisms for quality control must occur at a local level. Busy centers collect and process sufficient data to guide this process but those with low case loads may not generate enough data for useful analysis. In Australia and New Zealand, pediatric liver transplants are performed at only four locations. As these operations are not equally distributed geographically or temporally there are periods of low activity at some centers. As anesthesia affects patient outcome, quality assurance activities are important in this setting.

Aims

Provide a global overview of the structure and function of liver transplantation networks. Identify issues related to provision of pediatric anesthetic services with specific reference to Australasia. Examine anesthetic data from a single pediatric center to illustrate benefits and limitations of such activity.

Methods

Pediatric liver transplant centers from Australia and New Zealand were surveyed to determine the organizational and logistical issues related to a liver transplant service. An audit of 15 years of liver transplants from a single center was conducted for benchmarking purposes and to identify changes in anesthetic practice over time.

Results

Pediatric liver transplants performed in Queensland from January 2005 to December 2019 were reviewed. Changes in transfusion practice reflected international trends. Morbidity and mortality were comparable to international data. Important complications such as hepatic artery and portal vein thrombosis were uncommon and did not generate enough data for further analysis.

Conclusions

Combining the anesthetic liver transplant data from all sites in a single registry would expand data collection and generate broadly applicable findings. We propose the establishment of an Australasian pediatric anesthetic liver transplant database.
Peripheral Nerve Stimulation and Clinical Outcomes: A Retrospective Case Series
Authors: Warner Nafisseh S. , Schaefer Kalli K. , Eldrige Jason S. , Lamer Tim J. , Pingree Matthew J. , Bendel Markus A. , Warner Matthew A. , Rho Richard H. , Mauck William D.
Published: November 2020

Purpose

Peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) is a rapidly expanding field within neuromodulation; however, there is limited data on therapeutic efficacy. This study describes the indications and clinical outcomes for patients undergoing PNS for chronic pain states.

Patients and Methods

This is a retrospective case series of adults undergoing PNS implantation from 2004 to 2017 at an academic medical center. The primary outcomes were changes in numeric rating scale (NRS) pain scores, opioid utilization in oral morphine milligram equivalent (MME), and self‐reported patient functioning at 6 months postoperatively. Infectious and device‐related complications were also assessed.

Results

A total of 72 patients underwent PNS implantation, including 59 patients that received a preceding PNS trial (59/78; 76% progression rate) and 13 that did not receive a PNS trial. The most common indication for stimulation was occipital neuralgia (47%) followed by lower‐extremity neuropathies (17%). PNS implantation was associated with 6‐month reductions in pain scores (7 [6, 8] baseline vs. 4 [2, 5] 6 months; P < 0.001) and opioid utilization (eg, median 60 [31, 104] vs. 18 [0, 52] MME among those with baseline opioid use; P < 0.001). Median functional improvement was 73% (50%, 88%). Seven patients (10%) suffered a postoperative surgical site infection at a median of 50 (30, 124) days, of which five devices were removed.

Conclusion

Peripheral nerve stimulation was associated with reduced pain scores, lower opioid utilization, and improved patient function at 6 months. These data support PNS as a potentially effective nonopioid analgesic modality in chronic pain, though prospective multicenter evaluation is warranted to evaluate longer‐term outcomes.
Giant congenital fibroepithelial polyp of the scrotum
Authors: Kubelis‐López David Emmanuel , Figueroa‐Morales Ana Lizzeth , Reyna‐Rodríguez Irving Llibrán , Garza‐Rodríguez Verónica , Ocampo‐Candiani Jorge , Gutiérrez‐González Adrián , García‐Chairez Luis Roberto , Piñeiro‐Martínez Antonio , Enrriquez‐Avila Joana Valeria , Alba‐Rojas Erika
Published: November 2020

Fibroepithelial polyps are common tumors of mesodermal origin. However, only a few case reports of giant fibroepithelial polyps have been published, and they have mainly involved adults. This case report describes a 3‐month‐old boy with a pedunculated mass in the scrotum. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a giant congenital fibroepithelial polyp on this location.
Gainsharing Contracts for CMS’ Episode‐Based Payment Models
Authors: Gupta Diwakar , Mehrotra Mili , Tang Xiaoxu
Published: November 2020

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has introduced several Episode‐based Payment Models. Episodes are combinations of pre‐acute, acute, and post‐acute services for particular medical conditions. During the year, CMS pays hospitals according to historical norms. At the end of the year, these payments are reconciled against a target price, resulting in either a gain or a loss for the hospital. The hospital may also realize gains or losses from its internal operations. It may incentivize physicians to select certain treatment levels that improve quality and reduce costs by offering to share gains and losses. CMS has placed restrictions on what gains or losses may be shared and implemented stop‐loss and stop‐gain (SLSG) provisions for the hospital and the physicians. In this study, we consider a class of affine gainsharing functions that calculate a physician’s per‐episode share based on both the aggregate performance across all physicians, and the cost and quality outcomes achieved by that physician. We show that when there are no sharing restrictions and no SLSG provisions, an optimal gainsharing function lies in the class of affine functions. In contrast, when there are SLSG constraints, the contract design problem is analytically challenging. Therefore, we perform a series of numerical experiments, which reveal that the hospital SLSG provisions, the maximum savings potential, and the hospital’s risk preferences determine the amount of gains and losses that the hospitals share and the resulting treatment levels. From the CMS perspective, we show that SLSG constraints matter more to hospitals with higher historical average billing and higher risk aversion.
Morphological and molecular characterization of Phytophthora species associated with root and crown rot of pomegranate in Iran
Authors: Ghaderi Fariba , Habibi Azadeh
Published: November 2020

The purpose of this research was to identify the pathogens causing root and crown rot in major pomegranate‐growing areas of Iran. Infected tissue samples were collected from trees with symptoms from 49 pomegranate orchards in four provinces of Iran: Fars, Markazi, Isfahan, and Kohgiluyeh va Boyer‐Ahmad. In total, 23 Phytophthora spp. isolates were obtained, which were identified as P. cryptogea species complex (12 isolates) and P. cinnamomi (11 isolates) based on morphological characters. Molecular confirmation of identification was performed by inference of phylogeny of ITS‐rDNA regions, β‐tubulin gene, and the mitochondrial gene cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1. The results of our phylogenetic analysis confirmed the morphological identification of P. cinnamomi isolates and placed them in Clade 7c of Phytophthora. In addition, the P. cryptogea species complex isolates, despite morphological similarities, were in fact four distinct species including P. cryptogea sensu stricto (two isolates), P. pseudocryptogea (one isolate), P. sp. kelmania (one isolate), and P. erythroseptica (six isolates). This is the first report of pomegranate root and crown rot caused by P. cinnamomi and P. cryptogea species complex.
Acute coronary syndrome following arteriovenous fistula creation in a post CABG patient: A steal phenomenon from coronary artery to subclavian artery
Authors: Alemzadeh‐Ansari Mohammad Javad , Sarreshtehdari Ali , Abdi Seifollah , Moosavi Jamal , Shafe Omid , Sadeghipour Parham , Pouraliakbar Hamidreza , Mohebbi Bahram
Published: November 2020

A 70‐year‐old man with a history of coronary artery bypass grafting 15 years back and arteriovenous (AV) fistula creation in the left arm 1 month back presented with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). He had not received dialysis before his referral. We felt the most likely etiology for these complaints was increased cardiac oxygen demand from an increased cardiac output related to the newly formed left AV fistula. Coronary angiography was done to detect any significant stenosis in the native or grafted vessels. This revealed that the left subclavian artery was totally occluded in the ostioproximal segment and the coronary arteries did not have occlusions to explain the ACS setting. CT angiography confirmed the angiographic findings of the totally occluded left subclavian artery followed by a well‐developed and patent left internal mammary artery to left anterior descending artery. This led to the consideration of a steal syndrome from the coronary artery by the subclavian artery distal to the occlusion. A successful percutaneous endovascular intervention on the left subclavian artery occlusion was performed. Subsequently, the patient became asymptomatic and experienced a dramatic increase in left ventricular ejection fraction.
Minimally important change and smallest detectable change of the OSTRC questionnaire in half‐ and full‐marathon runners
Authors: Franke Thierry P. C. , de Vet Henrica C. W. , Huisstede Bionka M. A.
Published: November 2020

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the smallest detectable change (SDC), minimally important change (MIC), and factor structure of the Oslo Sports Trauma Research Center (OSTRC) questionnaire severity score in half‐ and full‐marathon runners. Data came from a prospective cohort study, the SUcces Measurement and Monitoring Utrecht Marathon (SUMMUM) 2017 study. Two external anchors, the global rating of change (GRC) and global rating of limitations (GRL), were used to classify the running‐related injuries (RRI) as truly improved, unchanged, or truly worsened. SDC values were calculated at individual and group levels. MIC values were calculated using the visual anchor‐based MIC distribution and mean change methods. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to study the a priori hypothesized factor structure. A total of 132 runners who reported the same RRI on two occasions 2 weeks apart were included in the analysis. SDC values at individual and group levels were ≤35.06 and ≤9.30, respectively. With the visual anchor‐based MIC distribution method, the MIC values for RRIs that truly improved according to the GRC and GRL anchors were 13.50 and 18.50, respectively. With the mean change method, the MIC values for RRIs that truly improved according to the GRC and GRL anchors were 15.49 and 45.38, respectively. The CFA confirmed that the OSTRC was a unidimensional questionnaire. The change score of the OSTRC severity score can be used to distinguish between important change and measurement error at a group level using the MIC value 18.50. Because the SDC of the OSTRC severity score was larger than the MIC, it is not advised to use the MIC at an individual level.
Glocal Peace Mediators as Norm Translators
Authors: Kastner Philipp
Published: November 2020

International peace mediators operate within a normative universe constituted of interrelated, overlapping and evolving norms. They are constantly involved in the application, creation and adaptation of different norms, whether consciously or unconsciously, explicitly or implicitly. This article interrogates the increasingly complex normative dimensions of peace mediation and, especially, the ways in which peace mediators navigate and translate different norms. It seeks to fill two significant gaps in the existing literature. With respect to the emerging literature on norms in peace mediation, the article innovates by drawing on critical legal pluralism. Through this approach, and by building on legal‐anthropological work on transnational human rights norms as well as on recent empirical studies on peace mediators, the article also adds to the existing international relations scholarship on norms and norm translation, which has not focused on mediation as a site, or on the involvement of mediators as a form of agency.
Ellipsis with a Coordinated Antecedent: An Alternative to V‐strandingVP‐ellipsis
Authors: Landau Idan
Published: November 2020

Gribanova (2013b) observes that when the antecedent clause for an object gap in Russian contains a disjunction of ditransitiveVPs, the gap is interpreted as if it contained the disjunction, thus favoring a V‐strandingVP‐ellipsis (VSVPE) analysis over a simple Argument Ellipsis (AE) analysis. We show thatVSVPEfails to predict the attested interpretation of the gap when the antecedentVPcontains aconjunction. The data are fully explained by combiningAEwith a pragmatic (scalar) inference triggered in situations of indeterminate ellipsis resolution, leading to multiple “cycles” in the dynamic semantics.
Efficacy of β‐lactam/β‐lactamase inhibitors to treat extended‐spectrum beta‐lactamase‐producing Enterobacterales bacteremia secondary to urinary tract infection in kidney transplant recipients (INCREMENT‐SOT Project)
Authors: Pierrotti Ligia C. , Pérez‐Nadales Elena , Fernández‐Ruiz Mario , Gutiérrez‐Gutiérrez Belén , Tan Ban Hock , Carratalà Jordi , Oriol Isabel , Paul Mical , Cohen‐Sinai Noa , López‐Medrano Francisco , San‐Juan Rafael , Montejo Miguel , Freire Maristela P. , Cordero Elisa , David Miruna D. , Merino Esperanza , Mehta Steinke Seema , Grossi Paolo A. , Cano Ángela , Seminari Elena M. , Valerio Maricela , Gunseren Filiz , Rana Meenakshi , Mularoni Alessandra , Martín‐Dávila Pilar , van Delden Christian , Hamiyet Demirkaya Melike , Koçak Tufan Zeliha , Loeches Belén , Iyer Ranganathan N. , Soldani Fabio , Eriksson Britt‐Marie , Pilmis Benoît , Rizzi Marco , Coussement Julien , Clemente Wanessa T. , Roilides Emmanuel , Pascual Álvaro , Martínez‐Martínez Luis , Rodríguez‐Baño Jesús , Torre‐Cisneros Julian , Aguado José María ,   Investigators from the REIPI/INCREMENT‐SOT Group
Published: November 2020

Background

Whether active therapy with β‐lactam/β‐lactamase inhibitors (BLBLI) is as affective as carbapenems for extended‐spectrum β‐lactamase‐producing Enterobacterales (ESBL‐E) bloodstream infection (BSI) secondary to urinary tract infection (UTI) in kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) remains unclear.

Methods

We retrospectively evaluated 306 KTR admitted to 30 centers from January 2014 to October 2016. Therapeutic failure (lack of cure or clinical improvement and/or death from any cause) at days 7 and 30 from ESBL‐E BSI onset was the primary and secondary study outcomes, respectively.

Results

Therapeutic failure at days 7 and 30 occurred in 8.2% (25/306) and 13.4% (41/306) of patients. Hospital‐acquired BSI (adjusted OR [aOR]: 4.10; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.50‐11.20) and Pitt score (aOR: 1.47; 95% CI: 1.21‐1.77) were independently associated with therapeutic failure at day 7. Age‐adjusted Charlson Index (aOR: 1.25; 95% CI: 1.05‐1.48), Pitt score (aOR: 1.72; 95% CI: 1.35‐2.17), and lymphocyte count ≤500 cells/μL at presentation (aOR: 3.16; 95% CI: 1.42‐7.06) predicted therapeutic failure at day 30. Carbapenem monotherapy (68.6%, primarily meropenem) was the most frequent active therapy, followed by BLBLI monotherapy (10.8%, mostly piperacillin‐tazobactam). Propensity score (PS)‐adjusted models revealed no significant impact of the choice of active therapy (carbapenem‐containing vs any other regimen, BLBLI‐ vs carbapenem‐based monotherapy) within the first 72 hours on any of the study outcomes.

Conclusions

Our data suggest that active therapy based on BLBLI may be as effective as carbapenem‐containing regimens for ESBL‐E BSI secondary to UTI in the specific population of KTR. Potential residual confounding and unpowered sample size cannot be excluded (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02852902).
Post kidney transplant histoplasmosis: An under‐recognized diagnosis in India
Authors: Rana Abhyudaysingh , Kotton Camille N. , Mahapatra Amit , Nandwani Ashish , Sethi Sidharth , Bansal Shyam B.
Published: November 2020

Histoplasmosis is an invasive mycosis caused by fungus Histoplasma capsulatum. Clinical features of histoplasmosis are often nonspecific, but patients with disseminated infection may present with severe manifestations posing an increasing threat to patients with various immunocompromised conditions. It is often misdiagnosed as tuberculosis in endemic regions leading to high mortality. There is under‐reporting of histoplasmosis in solid organ transplant from India undermining its actual incidence and impact. As a result of the potentially fatal nature of the disease, careful evaluation with tissue diagnosis is recommended. We present a series of five cases of disseminated histoplasmosis in renal transplant recipients from our centre, highlighting its significance as differential diagnosis in this population. To our knowledge, this is the largest case series reported from India in renal transplant patients.
Ammonium stress increases microautophagic activity while impairing macroautophagic flux in Arabidopsis roots
Authors: Robert Germán , Yagyu Mako , Koizumi Takaya , Naya Loreto , Masclaux‐Daubresse Céline , Yoshimoto Kohki
Published: November 2020

Plant responses to NH4 + stress are complex, and multiple mechanisms underlying NH4 + sensitivity and tolerance in plants may be involved. Here, we demonstrate that macro‐ and microautophagic activities are oppositely affected in plants grown under NH4 + toxicity conditions. When grown under NH4 + stress conditions, macroautophagic activity was impaired in roots. Root cells accumulated autophagosomes in the cytoplasm, but showed less autophagic flux, indicating that late steps of the macroautophagy process are affected under NH4 + stress conditions. Under this scenario, we also found that the CCZ1‐MON1 complex, a critical factor for vacuole delivery pathways, functions in the late step of the macroautophagic pathway in Arabidopsis. In contrast, an accumulation of tonoplast‐derived vesicles was observed in vacuolar lumens of root cells of NH4 +‐stressed plants, suggesting the induction of a microautophagy‐like process. In this sense, some SYP22‐, but mainly VAMP711‐positive vesicles were observed inside vacuole in roots of NH4 +‐stressed plants. Consistent with the increased tonoplast degradation and the reduced membrane flow to the vacuole due to the impaired macroautophagic flux, the vacuoles of root cells of NH4 +‐stressed plants showed a simplified structure and lower tonoplast content. Taken together, this study presents evidence that postulates late steps of the macroautophagic process as a relevant physiological mechanism underlying the NH4 + sensitivity response in Arabidopsis, and additionally provides insights into the molecular tools for studying microautophagy in plants.
A 7‐min video training intervention improves worker short‐term radiation safety behavior during small animal diagnostic radiography
Authors: Freitas Fernando P. , Koehncke Niels K. , Waldner Cheryl L. , Belotta Alexandra , Lanovaz Joel , Mayer Monique N.
Published: November 2020

Although manual restraint for small animal diagnostic radiography is common, worker protection is often not optimized, particularly for hands and eyes. Radiation safety training videos generally include hours of material on content other than personal protective equipment (PPE), have limited content, if any, on reducing dose to the lens of the eye, and are presented at the level of veterinary professionals. The objectives of this prospective, observational study were to develop a short, open access video training intervention at the layperson level, focused on proper use of PPE, and to test the effectiveness of the training video in changing behavior of workers. The use of PPE, optimal head position, and body position relative to the source of scattered radiation were compared before and after the video training was completed by workers. Results of unconditional and multivariable analyses were similar. In final multivariable analysis, workers wore gloves correctly more frequently (odds ratio [OR] = 2.09; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.68‐2.59; P < .001) and wore eyewear more frequently (OR = 1.85; 95% CI, 1.23‐2.78; P = .003) after completing the training intervention. Workers also had an optimal head position more frequently (OR = 1.27; 95% CI, 1.03‐1.58; P = .03) and stood straight or leaned back more frequently (OR = 1.85; 95% CI, 1.48‐2.23; P < .001) after completing the training. The video training developed in this study is an effective tool that can be incorporated into a radiation protection program to improve worker radiation safety behaviors during manual restraint for small animal diagnostic radiography.
GROUNDWATER VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENT OF SYLHET SADAR USING GIS
Authors: Rahman Md. Ashikur , Alam Md. Jahir
Published: November 2020

Groundwater has been treated as a vital water supply because of its comparatively low vulnerability to pollution compared to surface water. Due to the health and economic impacts of groundwater contamination, steps to measure groundwater vulnerability are necessary for sustainable groundwater protection and management planning. In this study, an attempt has been made to assess groundwater vulnerability using the overlay index method and to prepare a groundwater vulnerability map using Geographic Information System (GIS) of Sylhet Sadar, a northeastern region of Bangladesh. Also, for the water depth-wise vulnerability assessment, the Water index was generated to observe the effect on chemical concentration for the depth of water. By assigning weight to each pollutant map in the overlay index approach, a combined hazard map was successfully created. The combined hazard map shows a total of 16.04%, 41.36%, and 42.59% of the studied area located in a less, moderate, and severely vulnerable zone, respectively. The combined effect of the chemical concentrations of water gradually decreases with the increase in water depth. Therefore, the developed map can be used as a tool for the management to take initiatives for sustainable use of groundwater.
DESIGN OF A TRAFFIC SIGNALISATION SCHEME AT OLA-OLU INTERSECTION, ILORIN, NIGERIA
Authors: Adeleke Oluwafemi Oyetunde , Adeogun Kabiru Abiodun , Kolo Stephen Sunday
Published: November 2020

Ola-Olu intersection in Ilorin metropolis, Nigeria, is a 3-legged intersection in a typical urban centre of a developing economy. It is presently traffic warden controlled at morning peak period on weekdays and occasionally in the evening when thereâ€™s an event in a neighbouring public event centre that is expected to increase the traffic at the intersection. It is observed that the delay experienced at the intersection is quite high and traffic crashes at the intersection is a weekly occurrence. The study thereby aims at ameliorating the hazards by designing a fixed-time traffic signalization for the intersection. The objectives are to i. determine the geometric layout of the intersection ii. determine the traffic volume and vehicular turning movement pattern and iii. design and provide the signal timings at the T-intersection. Traffic volume survey and geometric layout survey were carried out at the intersection and analyzed to determine the optimum cycle length and signal setting using the Websterâ€™s method. A 3-phase fixed time traffic signalization of 155 seconds cycle length was designed for an effective signal traffic control. The green time for phases 1, 2 and 3 are 102 seconds, 16 seconds and 22 seconds respectively. The implementation of the traffic signal will enhance both traffic flow and safety at the intersection.
RECYCLED TIRE ISOLATOR AS EARTHQUAKE RESISTANCE SYSTEM FOR SINGLE STOREY BUILDING IN MALAYSIA
Authors: Tong Siow Yun , Kasa Anuar , Osman Siti Aminah
Published: November 2020

The studies of seismic isolation have gradually become important particularly in countries of active seismicity activity. The main idea of isolation is to provide flexibility to the structural foundation as well as to absorb energy and mitigating ground acceleration generated from earthquake forces. However, the cost to manufacture conventional commercial rubber isolator is high due to its heavy weight complicated in the process of preparation involving expensive machinery. When earthquake occurs, the building structure especially low rise residential buildings such as single storey buildings are subjected to high inertia forces which lead to structural damages. Country such as Malaysia which located outside the earthquake region is now even facing the threat of earthquake too in some areas especially Sabah. This alerts Malaysia that there is a need to develop an earthquake resistance mechanism. Recycled Tire Isolator (RTI) is a model designed to be embedded into the foundation of a low rise building in order to withstand earthquake forces. The main component in the fabrication of RTI is recycled tire. The useable section of the recycle tire is the tread and will be split into small pieces with measurement of 300mm x 210mm. Each piece of cut tire is about 10mm thick. The method of preparation of RTI samples is simple which is cost effective and sustainable. RTI samples consist of four to five layers of cut recycled tire pads. Static compression test was conducted to examine the vertical capacity of RTI. A controlled vertical force of 380 kN (maximum capacity of the compression test machine) was applied on to the RTI during the compression test. An average displacement of 11.5mm was recorded when the cracking sound was heard indicating the failure of RTI sample. The static or vertical stiffness of RTI was determined. Besides, dynamic compressive load test was another experiment carried out to examine the damping coefficient, damping ratio and also dynamic stiffness of RTI. The results obtained from the experiment were compared with the commercial available isolators and also compared among the RTIs. The similarities of characteristics between RTI and the commercial isolators have given an indication that RTI has great potential to be adopted as earthquake base isolator for single storey residential buildings.
Operational Stability of a Hydropower Plant With a Pipe-Shaped Air-Cushion Surge Chamber
Authors: Xu Tingyu , Zhang Jian , Chen Sheng , He Wei , Yu Xiaodong , Zhu David Z.
Published: November 2020

This paper theoretically analyzed the design and operating parameters of a pipe-shaped air-cushion surge chamber (PS-ACSC). A mathematical model for a small load disturbance (SLD) in a hydropower plant containing the PS-ACSC was established to analyze the effects of the sensitivity of its initial horizontal area and the air–water volume ratio on the operational stability of the plant. The results showed that the PS-ACSC should occupy a critical horizontal area, and its initial water level and the initial air–water volume ratio should be within a certain range to ensure its own stable operation as well as that of the turbine units. The results of a case study showed that a hydropower plant containing the PS-ACSC is most stable when the initial air–water volume ratio ranges from 2.90:1 to 6.68:1. In addition, a hydropower plant containing the PS-ACSC delivers better performance than a horseshoe-shaped ACSC under the same conditions. This study contributes to the design and operational control of hydropower plants containing the PS-ACSC.
Audiogram of a Cook Inlet beluga whale (Delphinapterus leucas)
Authors: Mooney T. Aran , Castellote Manuel , Jones Ian , Rouse Natalie , Rowles Teri , Mahoney Barbara , Goertz Caroline E. C.
Published: November 2020

Noise is a stressor to wildlife, yet the precise sound sensitivity of individuals and populations is often unknown or unmeasured. Cook Inlet, Alaska belugas (CIBs) are a critically endangered and declining marine mammal population. Anthropogenic noise is a primary threat to these animals. Auditory evoked potentials were used to measure the hearing of a wild, stranded CIB as part of its rehabilitation assessment. The beluga showed broadband (4–128 kHz) and sensitive hearing (<80 dB) for a wide-range of frequencies (16–80 kHz), reflective of a healthy odontocete auditory system. Data were similar to healthy, adult belugas from the comparative Bristol Bay population (the only other published data set of healthy, wild marine mammal hearing). Repeated October and December 2017 measurements were similar, showing continued auditory health of the animal throughout the rehabilitation period. Hearing data were compared to pile-driving and container-ship noise measurements made in Cook Inlet, two sources of concern, suggesting masking is likely at ecologically relevant distances. These data provide the first empirical hearing data for a CIB allowing for estimations of sound-sensitivity in this population. The beluga's sensitive hearing and likelihood of masking show noise is a clear concern for this population struggling to recover.