bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Chemical Adducts of Reactive Flavor Aldehydes Formed in E-Cigarette Liquids Are Cytotoxic and Inhibit Mitochondrial Function in Respiratory Epithelial Cells
Authors: Jabba Sairam V , Diaz Alexandra N , Erythropel Hanno C , Zimmerman Julie B , Jordt Sven-Eric
Published: September 2020

Introduction

Flavor aldehydes in e-cigarettes, including vanillin, ethyl vanillin (vanilla), and benzaldehyde (berry/fruit), rapidly undergo chemical reactions with the e-liquid solvents, propylene glycol, and vegetable glycerol (PG/VG), to form chemical adducts named flavor aldehyde PG/VG acetals that can efficiently transfer to e-cigarette aerosol. The objective of this study was to compare the cytotoxic and metabolic toxic effects of acetals and their parent aldehydes in respiratory epithelial cells.

Aims and Methods

Cell metabolic assays were carried out in bronchial (BEAS-2B) and alveolar (A549) epithelial cells assessing the effects of benzaldehyde, vanillin, ethyl vanillin, and their corresponding PG acetals on key bioenergetic parameters of mitochondrial function. The potential cytotoxic effects of benzaldehyde and vanillin and their corresponding PG acetals were analyzed using the LIVE/DEAD cell assay in BEAS-2B cells and primary human nasal epithelial cells (HNEpC). Cytostatic effects of vanillin and vanillin PG acetal were compared using Click-iT EDU cell proliferation assay in BEAS-2B cells.

Results

Compared with their parent aldehydes, PG acetals diminished key parameters of cellular energy metabolic functions, including basal respiration, adenosine triphosphate production, and spare respiratory capacity. Benzaldehyde PG acetal (1–10 mM) increased cell mortality in BEAS-2B and HNEpC, compared with benzaldehyde. Vanillin PG acetal was more cytotoxic than vanillin at the highest concentration tested while both diminished cellular proliferation in a concentration-dependent manner.

Conclusions

Reaction products formed in e-liquids between flavor aldehydes and solvent chemicals have differential toxicological properties from their parent flavor aldehydes and may contribute to the health effects of e-cigarette aerosol in the respiratory system of e-cigarette users.

Implications

With no inhalation toxicity studies available for acetals, data from this study will provide a basis for further toxicological studies using in vitro and in vivo models. This study suggests that manufacturers’ disclosure of e-liquid ingredients at time of production may be insufficient to inform a comprehensive risk assessment of e-liquids and electronic nicotine delivery systems use, due to the chemical instability of e-liquids over time and the formation of new compounds.
Opioid Use Disorder Trends from 2002 to 2017 by Cigarette Smoking Status in the United States
Authors: Parker Maria A , Weinberger Andrea H
Published: September 2020

Introduction

There have been significant increases in opioid use and opioid-related overdose deaths in the United States (US). While cigarette smoking remains disproportionately high among individuals with opioid use disorder (OUD), it is unknown whether trends in OUD differ by cigarette use. This study examined differences in OUD by smoking status and trends in OUD by smoking status over time.

Methods

Data were harnessed from US National Surveys on Drug Use and Health, annual cross-sectional, nationally representative samples of individuals aged 12 and older. Past-year OUD prevalences were estimated each year from 2002 to 2017 among persons with current daily, current nondaily, former, and never cigarette smoking (n = 891 548). Linear time trends of OUD were examined using logistic regression models.

Results

In 2017, OUD was significantly more common among persons with daily (2.6%) and nondaily (1.5%) smoking compared with those with former (0.5%) or never (0.2%) smoking. Overall, the prevalence of OUD increased between 2002 and 2017, although trends differed by smoking status. Adjusting for background characteristics, the prevalence of OUD increased significantly among individuals with daily (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.06; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.04, 1.07), nondaily (AOR = 1.03; 95% CI: 1.01, 1.05), and former smoking (AOR = 1.05; 95% CI: 1.02, 1.09), but decreased among those who never smoked (AOR = 0.98; 95% CI: 0.97, 0.99).

Conclusions

In the United States, the prevalence of OUD was higher among individuals with current cigarette smoking relative to those with former and never smoking. OUD increased among persons with current and former smoking from 2002 to 2017, in contrast to a decrease in OUD among those who never smoked.

Implications

OUDs are increasing in the United States and are associated with difficulty quitting cigarettes. Our data from representative national samples of US individuals showed that although OUD increased among those with both current and former smoking over time, OUD remained significantly higher among persons with current (daily and nondaily) smoking versus persons who formerly smoked cigarettes. In addition, youth with cigarette smoking had particularly high prevalences of OUDs. Cigarette smoking may be important to address alongside OUD to reduce the harmful consequences of OUD and cigarette use especially among younger individuals.
Is Currency Risk Priced in Global Equity Markets?*
Authors: Andrew Karolyi George , Wu Ying
Published: September 2020

We offer new evidence on how currency risk is priced in the cross-section of global stock returns. The focus is on two currency risk factors—a dollar-risk factor and a carry-trade-risk factor—and their explanatory power for a variety of test assets comprised monthly returns for over 37,000 stocks from forty-six countries and over four decades. We obtain reliable positive evidence of the pricing of carry-trade factor risk and the implied premia are statistically significant and economically as expected. The pricing of the dollar-risk factor is less reliable. Our inferences depend critically on the inclusion of emerging markets.
Decolonizing Feminist Economics: Interrogating the Women’s Economic Empowerment and Gender Equality Development Framework
Authors: Carrasco-Miró Gisela
Published: September 2020

This article urges attention be paid to the project of decolonizing feminist development economics as a way to reimagine feminist economics and politics. Drawing on economic patterns within contemporary Mesoamerica, this article exposes modernist assumptions within development discourse on women’s economic empowerment and their contemporary colonial forms, and expands the notion of economy and female empowerment beyond the scope of capitalist modernity. Further to this, and using the experience of working as a feminist economist in an international development organization in Guatemala, this article discusses feminist dilemmas in development that complicate current approaches to women’s economic empowerment and gender equality.
Building the evidence base—10 years of PA research in England
Authors: Drennan Vari M. , Halter Mary
Published: September 2020

This article describes the 10-year journey of a research group helping to build the research evidence base for physician assistants (PAs), known as physician associates in the United Kingdom, in the National Health Service in England. It draws out some key issues that may be of interest to those developing PA research programs in different specialties and different countries. PA research also can help healthcare policy makers address growing demand, issues of quality, and cost.
New drugs 2020, part 3
Authors: Hussar Daniel A.
Published: September 2020

This article reviews eight drugs recently approved by the FDA, including indications, precautions, adverse reactions, and nursing considerations.
Capsulorrhaphy using suture anchors in open reduction of developmental dislocation of hip: technical note
Authors: Lahoti Om , Abhishetty Naveen , Lahoti Nishant
Published: September 2020

We describe a new technique of using titanium alloy anchors to perform internally rotating capsulorrhaphy during open reduction and stabilization procedure and obliteration of pseudoacetabulum when one exists. We routinely use anterior approach via bikini incision (modified Smith-Peterson approach) to perform open reduction and internally rotating capsulorrhaphy. We describe the technique of using barbed titanium alloy anchors preloaded with nonabsorbable sutures and two needles, to accomplish a secure and easy capsulorrhaphy, in selected cases. We have used this technique in 21 hips, since 2008. None of the hips redislocated and hip movements were symmetrical in most cases at 6 months after surgery. One anchor appeared 5 mm away from the pubic ramus on first radiograph at 6 months without any adverse effect on the outcome. It did not migrate any further on follow up radiographs. MRI scan of hip obtained for another purpose confirmed that it was not intra-articular. Capsulorrhaphy using barbed titanium anchors with nonabsorbable ethibond sutures is an effective, safe and technically easy alternative to standard capsulorrhaphy using needles and sutures in selected cases.
Subcutaneous Emphysema, Pneumomediastinum, and Pneumothorax in Critically Ill Patients With Coronavirus Disease 2019: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Jones Eben , Gould Allon , Pillay Timesh D. , Khorasanee Reza , Sykes Richard , Bazo-Alvarez Juan Carlos , Cox Charlie , Shurovi Badrun , Isted Alexander , Simpson Thomas , Jennings Mick , Breeze Richard , Khaliq Waqas
Published: September 2020

Importance:

Management of severe coronavirus disease 2019 relies on advanced respiratory support modalities including invasive mechanical ventilation, continuous positive airway pressure, and noninvasive ventilation, all of which are associated with the development of subcutaneous emphysema, pneumomediastinum, and pneumothorax (herein collectively termed barotrauma).

Objectives:

To assess the occurrence rate of barotrauma in severe coronavirus disease 2019 and to explore possible associated factors.

Design, Setting, and Participants:

A retrospective, single-center cohort study with nested case series, conducted at University Hospital Lewisham: a 450-bed general hospital in London, United Kingdom. All patients with confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 admitted to the critical care department from March 12, to April 12, 2020, were included.

Main Outcomes and Measures:

Patients were retrospectively screened for radiological evidence of barotrauma. Admission characteristics, modalities of respiratory support, and outcomes were compared between barotrauma and nonbarotrauma groups. Respiratory parameters in the period preceding barotrauma identification were recorded.

Results:

Of 83 admissions with coronavirus disease 2019, eight suffered barotrauma (occurrence rate 9.6%; 95% CI 4.3%–18.1%). Barotrauma cases had longer illness duration prior to critical care admission (10 vs 7 d; interquartile range, 8–14 and 6–10, respectively; p = 0.073) and were more often treated with continuous positive airway pressure or noninvasive ventilation as the initial modality of advanced respiratory support (87.5% vs 36.0%; p = 0.007). Patients managed with continuous positive airway pressure or noninvasive ventilation prior to the development of barotrauma had median minute ventilation of 16.2–19.9 and 21.3–22.7 L/min, respectively. Compared with the nonbarotrauma group, a higher proportion of patients with barotrauma had died (62.5% vs 43.2%), and a lower proportion of patients had been discharged (25.0% vs 53.3%) at 3-month follow-up.

Conclusions and Relevance:

Barotrauma appears to be a common complication of severe coronavirus disease 2019. Determining whether high minute ventilation while using continuous positive airway pressure or noninvasive ventilation predisposes patients to barotrauma requires further investigation.
The Debate Over Egg Consumption and Incident Cardiovascular Disease
Authors: Chrysant Steven G. , Chrysant George S.
Published: September 2020

There is a great debate regarding the association of cholesterol intake from egg consumption and the incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Most studies show that moderate egg consumption is not associated with a significant increase in CVD, stroke, heart failure, and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), whereas others dispute this fact and state that there is an association with increased egg consumption, especially if they are consumed with saturated fats. In addition, the recent relaxation of cholesterol intake to greater than 300 mg/d by the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Nutritional Guidelines has fueled this debate. In order to get a current perspective on the significance of moderate egg consumption with the primary incidence of CVD, a focused Medline search of the English language literature was conducted between 2010 and March 2020 using the terms, cholesterol intake, egg consumption, coronary artery disease, CVD, and T2DM. Nineteen pertinent articles were retrieved, and these, together with collateral literature, will be discussed in this review article. The analysis of data from the articles retrieved indicated that several studies showed that moderate egg consumption (1 egg/d) is not associated with adverse cardiovascular effects in subjects free of CVD or T2DM, whereas other studies showed a positive association, especially in patients with preexisting CVD or T2DM. Therefore, at present, there is no unanimous agreement on this subject, and the controversy will continue until new confirmatory evidence becomes available.
Proteomics of Non-human Primate Plasma after Partial-body Radiation with Minimal Bone Marrow Sparing
Authors: Huang Weiliang , Yu Jianshi , Liu Tian , Defnet Amy E. , Zalesak Stephanie , Farese Ann M. , MacVittie Thomas J. , Kane Maureen A.
Published: September 2020

High-dose radiation exposure results in organ-specific sequelae that occurs in a time- and dose-dependent manner. The partial body irradiation with minimal bone marrow sparing model was developed to mimic intentional or accidental radiation exposures in humans where bone marrow sparing is likely and permits the concurrent analysis of coincident short- and long-term damage to organ systems. To help inform on the natural history of the radiation-induced injury of the partial body irradiation model, we quantitatively profiled the plasma proteome of non-human primates following 12 Gy partial body irradiation with 2.5% bone marrow sparing with 6 MV LINAC-derived photons at 0.80 Gy min−1 over a time period of 3 wk. The plasma proteome was analyzed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. A number of trends were identified in the proteomic data including pronounced protein changes as well as protein changes that were consistently upregulated or downregulated at all time points and dose levels interrogated. Pathway and gene ontology analysis were performed; bioinformatic analysis revealed significant pathway and biological process perturbations post high-dose irradiation and shed light on underlying mechanisms of radiation damage. Additionally, proteins were identified that had the greatest potential to serve as biomarkers for radiation exposure.
Proteomic Evaluation of the Natural History of the Acute Radiation Syndrome of the Gastrointestinal Tract in a Non-human Primate Model of Partial-body Irradiation with Minimal Bone Marrow Sparing Includes Dysregulation of the Retinoid Pathway
Authors: Huang Weiliang , Yu Jianshi , Liu Tian , Tudor Gregory , Defnet Amy E. , Zalesak Stephanie , Kumar Praveen , Booth Catherine , Farese Ann M. , MacVittie Thomas J. , Kane Maureen A.
Published: September 2020

Exposure to ionizing radiation results in injuries of the hematopoietic, gastrointestinal, and respiratory systems, which are the leading causes responsible for morbidity and mortality. Gastrointestinal injury occurs as an acute radiation syndrome. To help inform on the natural history of the radiation-induced injury of the partial body irradiation model, we quantitatively profiled the proteome of jejunum from non-human primates following 12 Gy partial body irradiation with 2.5% bone marrow sparing over a time period of 3 wk. Jejunum was analyzed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, and pathway and gene ontology analysis were performed. A total of 3,245 unique proteins were quantified out of more than 3,700 proteins identified in this study. Also a total of 289 proteins of the quantified proteins showed significant and consistent responses across at least three time points post-irradiation, of which 263 proteins showed strong upregulations while 26 proteins showed downregulations. Bioinformatic analysis suggests significant pathway and upstream regulator perturbations post-high dose irradiation and shed light on underlying mechanisms of radiation damage. Canonical pathways altered by radiation included GP6 signaling pathway, acute phase response signaling, LXR/RXR activation, and intrinsic prothrombin activation pathway. Additionally, we observed dysregulation of proteins of the retinoid pathway and retinoic acid, an active metabolite of vitamin A, as quantified by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Correlation of changes in protein abundance with a well-characterized histological endpoint, corrected crypt number, was used to evaluate biomarker potential. These data further define the natural history of the gastrointestinal acute radiation syndrome in a non-human primate model of partial body irradiation with minimal bone marrow sparing.
Germ‐Line TP53 Mutation in an Adolescent With CMML/Atypical CML and Familiar Cancer Predisposition
Authors: Nucera Silvia , Fazio Grazia , Piazza Rocco , Rigamonti Silvia , Fontana Diletta , Gambacorti Passerini Carlo , Maitz Silvia , Rovelli Attilio , Biondi Andrea , Cazzaniga Giovauni , Balduzzi Adriana
Published: September 2020

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text
Iontophoresis-Assisted Rose Bengal and Green Light Corneal Cross-Linking
Authors: Tefon Aribaş Atike Burçin , Sarikaya Burcu , Bilgihan Kamil
Published: September 2020

Purpose:

To evaluate the effects of the application of iontophoresis-assisted rose bengal and green light cross-linking (I-RGX) therapy on enucleated rabbit eyes for corneal biomechanical parameters, dye diffusion rates, and green light levels reaching deep tissues and to compare these parameters with a standard rose bengal and green light cross-linking (RGX) therapy.

Method:

Forty-five enucleated rabbit eyes were used in this study. To evaluate biomechanical changes, corneas were divided into the following 4 groups: the control group, the 0.1% rose bengal application group, the RGX group (100 J/cm2), and the I-RGX group (100 J/cm2). After this, corneal strips were evaluated with a uniaxial extensometer. To assess corneal dye diffusion, postprocedure dye depth was recorded with anterior segment optic coherence tomography. The amount of irradiation passing through the cornea during irradiation with 250 mW/cm2 irradiation power was measured with a laser power meter at the first, third, and seventh minutes.

Results:

In the I-RGX–treated group especially, the mean elastic modulus and corneal stiffness values were about 4.7 times higher when compared with the controls and about 2.2 times higher than those in the RGX group. The rose bengal diffusion depth was 26.63% ± 3.84% of the total corneal thickness in the rose bengal drop group, but this value increased to 42.22% ± 4.77% in the iontophoresis group (<0.001). After iontophoresis, an average of 98% of the 100 J/cm2 green light was kept in the cornea.

Conclusions:

I-RGX is a very useful method for increasing corneal biomechanical strength and is highly effective in increasing the amount of corneal dye diffusion into the cornea while also minimalizing the amount of laser passage reaching deeper tissues.
Resveratrol Rescues Human Corneal Epithelial Cells Cultured in Hyperosmolar Conditions: Potential for Dry Eye Disease Treatment
Authors: Shetty Rohit , Subramani Murali , Murugeswari Ponnalagu , Anandula Venkata Ramana , Matalia Himanshu , Jayadev Chaitra , Ghosh Arkasubhra , Das Debashish
Published: September 2020

Purpose:

Dry eye disease (DED) is a common ocular surface condition across age groups. Recently, vitamin D deficiency has gained importance as a causative factor, and its supplementation alleviates symptoms of DED. Resveratrol (RES) regulates vitamin D receptors (VDRs) and Notch signaling. We investigated the role of RES on vitamin D levels and Notch signaling under hyperosmolar conditions.

Methods:

Human corneal epithelial (HCE-T) cells were treated with RES in hyperosmolar and normal conditions. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), immunofluorescence, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and western blot analysis were performed for estimating reactive oxygen species, VDR, secreted 25-hydroxyvitamin D3, and Notch signaling pathway molecules in treated and control cells.

Results:

HCE-T cells in hyperosmolar conditions had increased reactive oxygen species levels and decreased vitamin D levels that got restored in the presence of RES. Hyperosmolarity also reduced VDR expression and Notch activity that normalized to original levels with RES. In the presence of Notch blocker LY-411575, RES could not restore VDR expression or secreted vitamin D levels in HCE-T cells exposed to hyperosmolar conditions, whereas recombinant Jagged1 restored vitamin D and VDR levels.

Conclusions:

RES restores vitamin D levels in hyperosmolar conditions most likely through activation of Notch signaling. Hence, RES can be a potential adjuvant in DED for patients considered for vitamin D treatment.
Presumed Herpes Zoster Ophthalmicus Reactivation Following Recombinant Zoster Vaccination
Authors: Jabbour Samir , Shekhawat Nakul S. , Chen Ariel , Woreta Fasika A.
Published: September 2020

Purpose:

To report a case of herpes zoster ophthalmicus (HZO) reactivation after recombinant zoster vaccination.

Methods:

A 78-year-old woman, with a history of HZO 20 years ago, was referred for progressive corneal thinning in her left eye that started 1 week after her second dose of recombinant zoster vaccination.

Results:

At presentation, visual acuity was counting fingers. Corneal sensation was markedly decreased. Slit lamp examination revealed a temporal paracentral epithelial defect 1.5 × 2.0 mm in size with 40% thinning and surrounding stromal inflammation suggestive of stromal keratitis with ulceration. The patient was started on oral valacyclovir, topical erythromycin ointment, and hourly topical lubrication. A bandage contact lens was placed and was replaced 1 week later with self-retained cryopreserved amniotic membrane ring. The ring was removed in the following week when the thinned area was epithelialized with no further evidence of stromal lysis.

Conclusions:

HZO reactivation after recombinant zoster vaccination is uncommon but possible. Ophthalmologists should remain aware of potential risks of zoster vaccination and take special precautions in patients with HZO history.
Inflammatory-induced astigmatism: acute changes in corneal curvature secondary to marginal keratitis and previous mitomycin-C treatment
Authors: Hossain Ruhella R. , McKelvie James
Published: September 2020

A 52-year-old man presented with left eye redness, blurred vision, and photophobia. A history included marginal keratitis and conjunctival squamous cell carcinoma treated with excision and topical mitomycin-C. Examination revealed current marginal keratitis, managed with topical antibiotic and corticosteroid. Regular assessments included high-resolution optical coherence corneal tomography, refraction, and blood tests to exclude other causes of peripheral infiltrate and thinning. Two weeks later, visual acuity (VA) decreased and astigmatism increased. Significant refractive instability with astigmatism increased to 5.25 diopters with a corresponding decrease in VA. After 4 months of topical treatment, the marginal keratitis, astigmatism, and change in VA resolved. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first case report to describe an induced and fluctuating high-magnitude corneal astigmatic change in response to marginal keratitis.
Child Labor Trafficking Essentials for Forensic Nurses
Authors: Hornor Gail
Published: September 2020

Human trafficking is a form of modern-day slavery and is a significant pediatric healthcare problem in the United States. The term “human trafficking” encompasses both sex and labor trafficking. Sex trafficking, especially child sex trafficking, has received significant lay and professional attention. However, few efforts have focused on learning more about youth experiencing labor trafficking in the United States. Pediatric healthcare providers, including forensic nurses, are likely to encounter victims of child labor trafficking in their practice. A basic understanding of child labor trafficking will assist forensic nurses in timely identification of and appropriate intervention for victims. In this article child labor trafficking is discussed in terms of definition, epidemiology, history, risk factors, consequences, identification, and implications for practice.
Rising Rate of Obesity in Patients Admitted for Crohn’s Disease Increases Costs But Not Mortality
Authors: Lipcsey Megan , Stein Daniel J. , DeVore Zachary G. , Feuerstein Joseph D.
Published: September 2020

Goal:

The goal of this study was to compare outcomes and trends for inpatients with Crohn’s disease (CD) and obesity.

Background:

Obesity is a growing concern in the United States. Current data on the effect of obesity on the course of the CD are conflicted.

Methods:

Data from the 2016 to 2017 National Inpatient Sample were compared for obese, normal weight, and malnourished patients. After adjustment for comorbidities, demographics and disease type/inpatient surgery, outcomes including mortality, length of stay, hospitalization charges, and rates of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) in obese and malnourished patients were compared with those with normal body mass index using multivariable regression. For trend analysis, rates of obesity were compared from 2002 to 2017.

Results:

The percentage of patients with CD and obesity increased from 1.8% in 2002 to 9.5% in 2017 (0.5% per year, P<0.001). Rates of death were similar in obese versus normal-weight CD patients [odds ratio (OR)=1.21, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.85-1.73, P=0.288]. In contrast, obese CD patients had increased length of stay (1.0 d, 95% CI: 0.81-1.26, P<0.001), cost ($8323, 95% CI: 5565-11,082, P<0.001), and DVT rate (OR=1.67, 95% CI: 1.13-2.46, P=0.01). Malnourished CD patients had OR for death of 2.15 (95% CI: 1.71-2.70, P<0.001) compared with normal-weight cohort. Similarly, length of stay, cost, and DVT rate were all increased.

Conclusions:

Rates of hospitalized CD patients with obesity are increasing. Patients with obesity and CD have increased length of stay and costs, with no mortality difference. Malnourished CD patients continue to have higher mortality, length of stay, and cost. Obesity is a risk factor for adverse hospitalization outcomes.
Uterine Adenosarcoma Originating in Adenomyosis: Report of an Extremely Rare Phenomenon and Review of Published Literature
Authors: Talia Karen L. , Naaman Yael , McCluggage W. Glenn
Published: September 2020

Müllerian adenosarcoma is an uncommon biphasic malignant tumor most often occurring in the uterine corpus and derived from native surface endometrium. We report a case of intramural uterine adenosarcoma arising in association with adenomyosis, in the absence of tumor involving the surface endometrium. This is an extremely rare phenomenon, with only 8 other published cases of uterine corpus adenosarcoma in the absence of surface endometrial involvement, 5 originating in adenomyosis and 3 in adenomyomas. We review these cases. The current FIGO staging system for uterine adenosarcoma assumes origin from the surface endometrium and does not address the rare occurrence of intramural tumors without a surface endometrial component. Such tumors are problematic to stage and could potentially be overtreated, particularly if there is deep myometrial involvement.
The Preventive and Control Recommendations on Patient With Cleft Lip and Palate During COVID-19 Pandemic in Shanghai
Authors: Cai Ming , Zhao Xinran , Chen Liqin , Yuan Weijun , Wang Guomin , Wang Xudong
Published: September 2020

As Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been gradually controlled domestically, various industries began to resume production in an orderly way. Attention should be paid to the disease and population characteristics of patients with cleft lip with/without palate during diagnosis and treatment. This article summarized and provided prevention and control recommendations on management strategies during hospitalization and protective measures of patients and healthcare workers, hoping to minimize the spread of disease and create a relatively safe environment for medical work.
Molecular identification, genotypic heterogeneity and comparative pathogenicity of environmental isolates of Papiliotrema laurentii
Authors: Asadzadeh Mohammad , Ahmad Suhail , Khan Ziauddin , Verghese Soumya , Joseph Leena
Published: September 2020

Introduction.Papiliotrema laurentii, formerlyCryptococcus laurentii, is typically isolated from environmental sources, but also occasionally from clinical specimens. Other close relatives may be misidentified asP. laurentiiby phenotypic methods.P. laurentiiusually lacks melanin; however, melanin-forming strains have also been isolated.

Hypothesis/Gap Statement.Although melanin production by encapsulated budding yeasts is considered a major virulence factor, the comparative pathogenicity of melanin-forming and non-melanized environmental strains ofP. laurentiihas rarely been studied.

Aim.We performed phenotypic and molecular identification and determined the genotypic heterogeneity amongP. laurentiiisolates. We also studied the pathogenicity of melanin-forming and non-melanized strains in normal and immunosuppressed mice.

Methodology.Eleven environmental isolates were tested for their identity by Vitek2 and/or ID32C systems, and by PCR-sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region and D1/D2 domains of ribosomal DNA (rDNA). Genotypic heterogeneity was studied by sequence comparisons. The pathogenicity of melanized and non-melanizedP. laurentiistrains was studied in intravenously infected normal and immunosuppressed BALB/c mice.

Results.Phenotypic methods identified seven of the environmental isolates, while PCR-sequencing of the ITS region and D1/D2 domains of rDNA detected two and five isolates, respectively, asP. laurentii. Sequence comparisons demonstrated genotypic heterogeneity amongP. laurentii. The remaining four environmental isolates yielded expected results. None of the normal mice infected with 105 cells of melanized/non-melanizedP. laurentiistrains died. Infection of immunosuppressed mice with 107 cells caused higher mortality with non-melanizedP. laurentii, while viable counts in brain/lung tissue were higher in mice infected with a melanized strain and were detectable for up to 14 days.

Conclusion.Phenotypic methods lacked specificity, but PCR-sequencing of D1/D2 domains correctly identifiedP. laurentiiand sequence comparisons demonstrated the genotypic heterogeneity of the isolates. Both melanized and non-melanized strains at a higher dose caused mortality in immunosuppressed mice and persisted in brain/lung tissue up to 14 days post-infection.
Prediction of Covid-19 Infections Through December 2020 for 10 US States Incorporating Outdoor Temperature and School Re-Opening Effects-August Update
Authors: Newell Ty
Published: September 2020

End-of-August updates for Covid-19 infection case predictions for 10 US States (NY, WA, GA, IL, MN, FL, OH, MI, CA, and NC) are compared to actual data. Several states that experienced significant summer surges gained control of accelerating infection spread during August. The US as a whole and the 10 States investigated continue to follow periods of linear infection growth that defines a boundary separating accelerated infection growth and infection decay.

August 31 predictions (initiated July 27, 2020) for four States (NY, WA, MI and MN) are within 10% of actual data. Predictions for four other States (GA, IL, CA, and OH) agree between 10 and 20% of actual data. Predictions for two States (FL and NC) are greater than 20% different from actual data. Systematic differences between predictions and actual data are related to the impact of the June-July summer surge, and human behavior reactions (ie, increased face mask usage and distancing) to accelerated infection growth.

Outdoor temperature effects and school re-opening effects are not apparent nor expected for August. Human behavior parameters (Social Distance Index, SDI, and disease transmission efficiency, G, parameters) are adjusted to mirror August data. Comparisons of actual versus predicted daily new infection cases display the complexity of SARS-CoV-2 transmission.
Dual Attention Multiple Instance Learning with Unsupervised Complementary Loss for COVID-19 Screening
Authors: Chikontwe Philip , Luna Miguel , Kang Myeongkyun , Hong Kyung Soo , Ahn June Hong , Park Sang Hyun
Published: September 2020

Chest computed tomography (CT) based analysis and diagnosis of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) plays a key role in combating the outbreak of the pandemic that has rapidly spread worldwide. To date, the disease has infected more than 18 million people with over 690k deaths reported. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RTPCR) is the current gold standard for clinical diagnosis but may produce false positives; thus, chest CT based diagnosis is considered more viable. However, accurate screening is challenging due to difficulty in annotation efforts of infected areas, curation of large datasets, and the slight discrepancies between COVID-19 and other viral pneumonia. In this study, we propose an attention-based end-to-end weakly supervised framework for the rapid diagnosis of COVID-19 and bacterial pneumonia based on multiple instance learning (MIL). We further incorporate unsupervised contrastive learning for improved accuracy with attention applied both in spatial and latent contexts, herein we propose Dual Attention Contrastive based MIL (DA-CMIL). DA-CMIL takes as input a several patient CT slices (considered as a bag of instances) and outputs a single label. Attention based pooling is applied to implicitly select key slices in latent space, and spatial attention learns slice spatial context for interpretable diagnosis. A contrastive loss is applied at the instance level to encode similarity in features from the same patient against pooled patient features. Empirical results show our algorithm achieves an overall accuracy of 98.6% and an AUC of 98.4%. Moreover, ablation studies show the benefit of contrastive learning with MIL.
Application of interpretive structural modelling for analysis of lean adoption barriers in heavy industry
Authors: B.G. Aadithya , P. Asokan , Vinodh S.
Published: September 2020

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to depict a study on analysis of barriers to lean adoption in fabrication industry using interpretive structural modelling (ISM).

Design/methodology/approach

From the literature review, 22 barriers to lean adoption in fabrication industry have been recognized . Self-structure interaction matrix has been developed based on expert opinion. Computational steps of ISM are being done to develop the structural model. cross-impact matrix multiplication applied to classification (MICMAC) analysis is being done to group the barriers into four types.

Findings

Based on the study, it has been found that “lack of knowledge about lean (philosophy, principles, tools)”, “lack of top management support and commitment” and “poor leadership” are found to be the principal barriers. MICMAC analysis indicated that number of driving, dependent, linkage and autonomous barriers are 9, 8, 4 and 1, respectively.

Practical implications

The study has been executed based on the inputs from industrial practitioners and hence the inferences are found to have practical relevance.

Originality/value

The study is an attempt to analyze the barriers for lean concepts adoption in fabrication kind of industry.
Editorial: service research in the new (post-COVID) marketplace
Authors: Rosenbaum Mark Scott , Russell-Bennett Rebekah
Published: September 2020

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to encourage service researchers to consider the long-term or permanent impact of the coronavirus-2019 (COVID-19) on services, service delivery, organizational structures, service providers and service systems from global perspectives.

Design/methodology/approach

This editorial is based on the personal reflections of the Journal of Services Marketing editors.

Findings

The services marketing discipline emerged in a time when customers and employees were encouraged to engage in social interaction and to form relationships, as many service encounters were deemed as social encounters. COVID-19 has impacted the ability of customers and employees to freely engage in social interaction, and as a result, we need to consider the steadfastness of our foundational theories and conceptual models in the “new” marketplace.

Research limitations/implications

The editors put forth a series of sixteen research questions that warrant future empirical and descriptive research.

Practical implications

Managers can understand how COVID-19 will profoundly impact dramatic changes in the marketplace and prepare for them.

Originality/value

This study suggests that our theoretical and practical understandings of service industries has been significantly impacted by COVID-19.
The institutionalization of management control systems in a family firm
Authors: Pagliarussi Marcelo S. , Leme Michel A.
Published: September 2020

Purpose

This study aims to understand how family values, family managers and non-family managers influence the institutionalization of management control systems in family firms.

Design/methodology/approach

A case study was conducted in a family business group that underwent a process of adoption and transformation of its management control system.

Findings

The results indicate that several non-family managers, besides the controller, played crucial roles in harmonizing the logic of a generalized practice (quality control management) with the existing rationalities of the family firm. The authors also observed that the ISO 9001/quality control management logic together with the family values of professionalism, meritocracy and an emphasis on the business’s identity rather than the family identity have laid the groundwork for the formalization of the business group’s management controls.

Practical implications

This study shows that quality control management is an accessible source of guidance for the formalization of managerial activities within an organization.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the literature by clarifying the role performed by non-family managers during the formalization of management control in family firms. It also shows how the family values of professionalism, meritocracy and an emphasis on the business’s identity rather than family identity can influence the way control is exercised within family firms.
Using non‐mydriatic fundus photography to detect fundus pathology in Australian metropolitan emergency departments: A prospective prevalence and diagnostic accuracy study
Authors: Dunn Hamish P , Teo Kai Zong , Smyth James WP , Weerasinghe Lakni S , Costello Julia , Pampapathi Preethi , Keay Lisa , Green Tim , Vukasovic Matthew , Bruce Beau B , Newman Nancy J , Biousse Valérie , White Andrew J , McCluskey Peter , Fraser Clare L
Published: September 2020

Objective

To determine the prevalence of fundus pathology in metropolitan Australian EDs utilising a non‐mydriatic fundus photography screening programme. Secondary objectives include diagnostic accuracy among emergency physicians compared to telehealth ophthalmologist review.

Methods

Prospective cross‐sectional study investigating non‐mydriatic fundus photography as a new diagnostic test in two tertiary Australian EDs. Consecutive adult patients were enrolled if they presented with headache, focal neurological deficit, visual disturbance or diastolic BP >120 mmHg. Diagnostic agreement was determined using kappa statistics and sensitivity and specificity using a reference standard consensus ophthalmology review.

Results

A total of 345 consecutive patients were enrolled among whom 56 (16%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 13–21) had urgent fundus pathology. Agreement between emergency physician and ophthalmic assessment of fundus photographs was 74% (kappa = 0.196, P = 0.001). Emergency physicians had 40% sensitivity (95% CI 27–54) and 82% specificity (95% CI 76–86) for detecting urgent pathology on photographs.

Conclusions

Fundus photography detects a clinically significant proportion of fundus pathology and urgent diagnoses. Telehealth specialist image review is important to detect some important, time‐critical illnesses that can be missed in routine care. This offers an accurate alternative to direct ophthalmoscopy that warrants further research in Australian EDs.
Histological scores in inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: Neri Benedetto , Mossa Michelangela , Scucchi Ludovica , Sena Giorgia , Palmieri Giampiero , Biancone Livia
Published: September 2020

The role of histology in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has not yet been well defined. Endoscopic mucosal healing has been proposed as a predictor of the clinical course of IBD and it is indeed considered one of the main therapeutic targets. However, it does not necessarily imply histological healing. Histological remission has been reported to be associated with a better clinical outcome than endoscopic remission only in IBD patients. These observations support the view that histology plays a role as a potential therapeutic target in Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Histological scores being able to quantify the degree of microscopic activity are needed for this purpose. In the era of biologics, indication for proper treatment may benefit from the assessment of clinical and endoscopic activity, as well as histological scores. Such scores may allow us to quantify the microscopic mucosal response to treatment and to define complete healing in IBD. A validated histological score in IBD may lead to the definition of microscopic activity in clinical practice, trials and investigational settings. Several attempts to develop such scores have been reported, but few are currently used and none is applied worldwide in clinical practice. The present review summarizes the main histological scores currently used for assessing IBD activity.
Alcohol Availability, Cost, Age of First Drink, and Its Association with At‐Risk Alcohol Use in Moshi, Tanzania
Authors: Staton Catherine A , Zhao Duan , Ginalis Elizabeth E. , Hirshon Jon Mark , Sakita Francis , Swahn Monica H. , Mmbaga Blandina Theophil , Nickenig Vissoci Joao Ricardo
Published: September 2020

Background

The Kilimanjaro region has one of the highest levels of reported alcohol intake per capita in Tanzania. Age at first drink has been found to be associated with alcohol problems in adulthood, but there is less information on the age of first drink in the Kilimanjaro region and its associations with alcohol‐related consequences later in life. Furthermore, local alcohol cost and availability may influence the prevalence of alcohol use and alcohol use disorders.

Methods

Data on the age of first drink, alcohol use disorder identification tool (AUDIT), number and type of alcohol consequences (DrInC), and perceived alcohol at low cost and high availability for children and adolescents were collected from an alcohol and health behavior survey of injury patients (N = 242) in Moshi, Tanzania. Generalized linear models were used to test age at first drink, perceived alcohol cost and availability, and their association with the AUDIT and DrInC scores, and current alcohol use, respectively.

Results

Consuming alcohol before age 18 was significantly associated with higher AUDIT and DrInC scores, with odds ratios of 1.22 (CI: 1.004, 1.47) and 1.72 (CI: 1.11, 2.63), respectively. Female gender is strongly associated with less alcohol use and alcohol consequences, represented by an odds ratio of 3.70 (CI: 1.72, 8.33) for an AUDIT score above 8 and an odds ratio of 3.84 (CI: 2.13, 6.67) with the DrInC score. Perceived high availability of alcohol for children is significantly related to higher alcohol use quantity, with the odds ratio of 1.6 (CI: 1.17, 2.20).

Conclusions

The first use of alcohol before the age of 18 is associated with higher alcohol use and alcohol‐related adverse consequences. In Tanzania, age at first drink is an important target for interventions aiming to prevent negative alcohol‐related consequences later in life.
Reductions in Drinking Predict Increased Distress: Between‐ and Within‐Person Associations between Alcohol Use and Psychological Distress During and Following Treatment
Authors: Levine Jacob A. , Gius Becky K. , Boghdadi George , Connors Gerard J. , Maisto Stephen A. , Schlauch Robert C.
Published: September 2020

Background

As the nature of the association between alcohol use disorder (AUD) and other disorders is not well understood, the ways in which psychological distress changes during the course of treatment for AUD are relatively unknown. Existing literatures posit 2 competing hypotheses such that treatment for AUD concurrently decreases alcohol use and psychological distress or treatment for AUD decreases alcohol use and increases psychological distress. The current study examined the ways in which psychological distress changed as a function of treatment for AUD, including the relationship between psychological distress and drinking behaviors.

Methods

Secondary data analysis was conducted on an existing clinical trial dataset that investigated the effect of cognitive–behavioral therapy and therapeutic alliance feedback on AUDs. Specifically, data collected at baseline, posttreatment, 3‐month, 6‐month, 9‐month, and 12‐month follow‐up assessments were examined.

Results

Results indicated decreases in heavy drinking days, increases in percentage of days abstinent, and decreases in overall psychological distress. Findings also revealed that changes in psychological distress did not predict changes in drinking at the next time interval; however, decreases in drinking predicted higher psychological distress at the next assessment. Further, average levels of psychological distress were positively associated with rates of drinking.

Conclusions

The current study provides some insight into how psychological distress changes during the course of treatment for AUD, including the relationship between changes in drinking and such symptoms. Future research should continue to explore these relationships, including the ways in which treatment efforts can address what may be seen as paradoxical effects.
How Do Farmers Learn from Extension Services? Evidence from Malawi
Authors: Maertens Annemie , Michelson Hope , Nourani Vesall
Published: September 2020

Though extension services have long since proved their value to agricultural production and farmer prosperity, their record in sub‐Saharan Africa has been mixed. To study the impact of such programs on farmers' learning about agricultural technologies, we implemented a quasi‐randomized controlled trial and collected detailed panel data among Malawian farmers. Based on those findings, we develop a two‐stage learning framework, in which farmers formulate yield expectations before deciding on how much effort to invest in learning about these processes. Using data centered on farmer beliefs, knowledge, and constraints, we find evidence that beliefs about potential yields hinge on first‐hand and local experience, and that these beliefs significantly impact learning efforts. Consistent with this, we find that farmers who participated in season‐long, farmer‐led demonstration plot cultivation plan to adopt more components of new multi‐component technology, compared to farmers who were invited to attend only field‐day events.