bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
More than self‐interest: Why different classes have different attitudes to income inequality
Authors: Langsæther Peter Egge , Evans Geoffrey
Published: March 2020

The connection between social class and political preferences is among the most well established in the social sciences. This association is typically taken as prima facie evidence of economic self‐interest: Classes hold different attitudes, values, and party preferences because they have different economic interests. However, this assumption has rarely been tested empirically. In this article, we use survey data from 18 West European countries to examine why classes differ on a central aspect of political preferences, namely their views on the desirability of income inequality. We find that only a moderate proportion of differences between employee classes in support for redistribution can be accounted for by contemporary differences in resources and risks; differences in economic interests to some degree account for the anti‐redistributive preferences of the professional middle classes compared with the working class. However, the preferences of the self‐employed have a different explanation; autonomy is a better explanation of the right‐wing preferences of the self‐employed compared with the working class.
Robert Coram and the European Sources of Radical Enlightenment in America
Authors: Wolloch Nathaniel
Published: March 2020

This article argues for the indebtedness of the American Enlightenment to the European Enlightenment by examining the philosophy of Robert Coram, the revolutionary‐era radical philosopher of education. Coram criticised unequal distribution of land and argued for the compensatory influence of universal public education. He developed a primitivist critique of advanced civilisation, praising agricultural society and the American Indians. He presented an original, occasionally subversive, reading of various eighteenth‐century authors, such as William Blackstone, Antoine‐Yves Goguet, John Locke, Jean‐Jacques Rousseau and Adam Smith, in this way demonstrating the indebtedness of the American Enlightenment to the European Enlightenment.
Opioid use disorder incidence and treatment among incarcerated pregnant women in the United States: results from a national surveillance study
Authors: Sufrin Carolyn , Sutherland Lauren , Beal Lauren , Terplan Mishka , Latkin Carl , Clarke Jennifer G.
Published: March 2020

Background and Aims

The established standard care in pregnancy is medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD); however, many institutions of incarceration do not have MOUD available. We aimed to describe the number of incarcerated pregnant women with opioid use disorder (OUD) in the United States and jails’ and prisons’ MOUD in pregnancy policies.

Design

Epidemiological surveillance study of 6 months of outcomes of pregnant, incarcerated women with OUD and cross‐sectional survey of institutional policies.

Setting

United States.

Participants

Twenty‐two state prison systems and six county jails.

Measurements

The number of pregnant women with OUD admitted and treated with methadone, buprenorphine or withdrawal; policies on provision of MOUD and withdrawal in pregnancy.

Findings

Twenty‐six per cent of pregnant women admitted to prisons and 14% to jails had OUD. One‐third were managed through withdrawal. The majority who were prescribed MOUD were on methadone (78%, prisons; 81%, jails), not buprenorphine. While most sites (n = 18 prisons, n = four jails) continued pre‐incarceration MOUD in pregnancy, very few initiated in custody (n = four prisons; n = two jails). Two‐thirds of prisons and three‐quarters of jails providing MOUD in pregnancy discontinued it postpartum.

Conclusions

In this sample of US prisons and jails, one‐third required pregnant women with opioid use disorder to go through withdrawal, contrary to medical guidelines. More women were prescribed methadone than buprenorphine, despite the fewer regulatory barriers on prescribing buprenorphine. Most sites stopped medication for opioid use disorder postpartum, signaling prioritization of the fetus, not the mother. Pregnant incarcerated women with opioid use disorder in the United States frequently appear to be denied essential medications and receive substandard medical care.
Allergic and photoallergic contact dermatitis to chlorpromazine
Authors: Martínez-Doménech Alvaro , García‐Legaz Martínez Marta , Ferrer‐Guillén Blanca , Magdaleno‐Tapial Jorge , Valenzuela‐Oñate Cristian , Esteve‐Martínez Altea , Zaragoza‐Ninet Violeta , Pérez‐Ferriols Amparo
Published: March 2020

Chlorpromazine is known to produce both systemic phototoxic and photoallergic reactions. However, it may also cause photoallergic contact dermatitis and, albeit exceptionally, allergic contact dermatitis (ACD). We present a series of photoallergic contact dermatitis and ACD to chlorpromazine diagnosed at a tertiary centre cutaneous allergy unit between 1980 and 2019.
Bitemporal alopecia areata
Authors: Meah Nekma , Wall Dmitri , Trindade de Carvalho Lara , Sinclair Rodney
Published: March 2020

Alopecia areata has various clinical presentations, some of which have recognised prognostic significance. We report five cases of bitemporal alopecia areata, with involvement of the frontal hairline, the therapeutic approach for each case and possible differential diagnoses to also consider.
Laparoscopic‐endoscopic cooperative surgery for a gastric duplication cyst in the prepyloric region to preserve the pylorus ring in a child: A case report
Authors: Hattori Kengo , Takamizawa Shigeru
Published: March 2020

Laparoscopic‐endoscopic cooperative surgery (LECS) has revolutionized the surgical treatment of submucosal gastric tumors by minimizing resection of the normal gastric wall to avoid deformity of the stomach. We present our experience with a child in whom we successfully resected a gastric duplication cyst in the prepyloric region and preserved the pylorus ring by performing LECS.
Revisiting the impact of impure public goods on consumers’ prosocial behavior: A lab experiment in Shanghai
Authors: Guo Qinxin , Wang Enci , Nie Yongyou , Shen Junyi
Published: March 2020

In this study, we implemented a dictator game experiment to examine how the increase of the public characteristic in an impure public good affects individuals’ prosocial behaviour. A within‐subject design was used in the experiment. The dictator game was repeated six times with an impure public good introduced in four of them. We observe that the increase of the public characteristic in an impure public good partly crowds out individuals’ subsequent donations, which could be explained by a seemingly ‘mental accounting’ mental process. In addition, we also find that the selfish behaviour of individuals in dictator games with impure public goods, to some extent, has an inertia influence on their subsequent donations when the impure public good is removed.
Thiol‐disulfide as a novel indicator of obstructive sleep apnea
Authors: Argüder Emine , Parlak Ebru Ş. , Kılıç Hatice , Hezer Habibe , Neşelioğlu Salim , Hasanoğlu Hatice Canan , Yalçıner Gökhan , Babademez Mehmet Ali , Erel Özcan
Published: March 2020

Introduction

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is an oxidative stress disease, which has been considered to be a notable risk and associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Thiol‐disulfide homeostasis is as a novel indicator of oxidative stress.

Objectives

We aimed to evaluate thiol‐disulfide homeostasis in a large patient population with OSA.

Methods

A total of 230 with OSA and 40 healthy controls were included in the study. Inclusion criteria for OSA patients are having apnoea‐hypopnoea index of ≥5/hour, being more than 18 years of age and having no previous treatment for OSA. Thiol‐disulfide analysis was done for the patients and control group. Blood thiol‐disulfide homeostasis was analysed using the new automatic method, developed by Erel and Neşelioğlu.

Results

Among all OSA subjects, 149 (64.8%) were males and the mean ages of the patients were 53.38 ± 10.22. Total thiol, native thiol (SH) and disulfide (SS) levels were significantly lower in OSA group compared to the control group (P < .001, P < .001 and P = .039 respectively). Also, total thiol and native thiol (SH) were significantly different between the groups according to OSA severity (mild‐moderate to severe OSA) (P < .001 and P < .001 respectively). Thiol‐disulfide redox parameters were correlated with apnoea‐hypopnoea index (AHI) scores.

Conclusion

The present prospective study showed that thiol/disulfide homeostasis was unbalanced in OSA patients. Especially, in OSA patients have low level of thiol/disulfide redox parameters when compared to healthy subjects. Evaluating thiol‐disulfide homeostasis in OSA may be a contributing aspect to assessment and monitoring of the patient.
A gap analysis modelling framework to prioritize collecting for ex situ conservation of crop landraces
Authors: Ramirez‐Villegas Julian , Khoury Colin K. , Achicanoy Harold A. , Mendez Andres C. , Diaz Maria Victoria , Sosa Chrystian C. , Debouck Daniel G. , Kehel Zakaria , Guarino Luigi
Published: March 2020

Aim

The conservation and effective use of crop genetic diversity are crucial to overcome challenges related to human nutrition and agricultural sustainability. Farmers’ traditional varieties (“landraces”) are major sources of genetic variation. The degree of representation of crop landrace diversity in ex situ conservation is poorly understood, partly due to a lack of methods that can negotiate both the anthropogenic and environmental determinants of their geographic distributions. Here, we describe a novel spatial modelling and ex situ conservation gap analysis modelling framework for crop landraces, using common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) as a case study.

Location

The Americas.

Methods

The modelling framework includes five main steps: (a) determining relevant landrace groups using literature to develop and test classification models; (b) modelling the potential geographic distributions of these groups using occurrence (landrace presences) combined with environmental and socioeconomic predictor data; (c) calculating geographic and environmental gap scores for current genebank collections; (d) mapping ex situ conservation gaps; and (e) compiling expert inputs.

Results

Modelled distributions and conservation gaps for the two genepools of common bean (Andean and Mesoamerican) were robustly predicted and align well with expert opinions. Both genepools are relatively well conserved, with Andean ex situ collections representing 78.5% and Mesoamerican 98.2% of their predicted geographic distributions. Modelling revealed additional collection priorities for Andean landraces occur primarily in Chile, Peru, Colombia and, to a lesser extent, Venezuela. Mesoamerican landrace collecting priorities are concentrated in Mexico, Belize and Guatemala.

Conclusions

The modelling framework represents an advance in tools that can be deployed to model the geographic distributions of cultivated crop diversity, to assess the comprehensiveness of conservation of this diversity ex situ and to highlight geographic areas where further collecting may be conducted to fill gaps in ex situ conservation.
The Political Construction of Extractive Regimes in Two Newly Created Indian States: A Comparative Analysis of Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh
Authors: Adhikari Anindita , Chhotray Vasudha
Published: March 2020

This article presents a multidimensional account of the politics of resource extraction in two subnational regions of India in response to the question: what are the political conditions that facilitate extraction? Emerging from the same moment of state creation in 2000, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh are adjacent mineral‐rich states with similar demographic profiles and comparable levels of economic development. The authors argue that despite these similarities and India's highly centralized legislative framework for natural resource governance, the two states have developed distinctive ‘extractive regimes’ in the years since statehood, which contrast in important ways across three dimensions: political organization and history, institutional effectiveness, and the nature and management of social resistance. The article offers the first in‐depth, comparative account of how subnational territorial reorganization in India acts as a critical juncture enabling the formation of extractive regimes, which have also converged in important ways in recent years.
Speech accommodation toward older people in 7‐ To 12‐year‐old children
Authors: Flamion Allison , Missotten Pierre , Goffinet Alysson , Kukor Léna , Nagy Noemi , Adam Stéphane
Published: March 2020

From an early age, children develop stereotypes toward older adults leading to potential ageism. In young adults, ageism includes conversational changes, also known as elderspeak, characterized by louder, slower, and simplified speech. Although it has direct consequence on older adults, to date no studies have explored elderspeak in children. We invited 137 Belgian children aged 7–12 to take part in a guessing game through a dissimulated Skype session. The child had to make two female interlocutors in turn, one young (25 years old) and the other old (75), guess two different words each. During the session, children remained unaware of the real purpose of the game. Prosody, verbal fluency, and semantic content of their speech were measured using the Praat and VocabProfil software. The results, analyzed using mixed‐design ANOVA, showed that children spoke louder to the older interlocutor and tended to judge her less competent to guess words than the younger participant. When the older person was second in turn, children engaged in lengthier and more detailed explanations. Unexpectedly, positive views on older people correlated with higher voice intensity, suggesting that the child's differential vocal attitudes may reflect benevolent ageism. In conclusion, significant speech accommodation can be detected in 7‐ to 12‐year‐old children when they speak to an older compared with a younger interlocutor. This accommodation is characterized by louder voice and lengthier explanations.
Does prior residency interact with loss? A study of male–male contests in the hermit crab Pagurus minutus
Authors: Yasuda Chiaki I. , Kaida Takehiro , Koga Tsunenori
Published: March 2020

Residency is an important predictor of success in contests with ownership asymmetries. Residency often can interact with a winning experience. However, given that some residents lose a contest even when showing an ownership advantage and that the process leading to loss often determines the loser's subsequent success, prior ownership might also interact with a loss. Here, we staged experimental contests between males of the hermit crab Pagurus minutus with a similar‐sized weapon (i.e., cheliped) to examine this possibility. Male–male contests in this species occur between a solitary intruder and an owner guarding a mature female. We evaluated (a) whether resource ownership and female value affect the contest outcome and (b) whether the probability of winning after losing differs depending on the initial role of the loser (i.e., owner or intruder) by using precopulatory guarding pairs of P. minutus collected from the field. In the first fighting trial, we found an ownership advantage and increasing owner success as the body size of his partner increased. Although some owners lost the fight, in contrast to our prediction, the frequency of losing in the second fighting trial did not differ between prior owners and prior intruders. Because losers from the first fighting trial of male–male contests have no female regardless of their initial role, this shared solitary status might be related to the lack of difference in success in the second fighting trial. Moreover, unlike in other animals, resident status might not always assure greater fighting ability in P. minutus males because guarding Pagurus males can avoid male–male contests by climbing up objects in the field. Losers in the first trial, therefore, may have been weaker contestants based on traits other than size, regardless of whether they were owners or intruders.
A taste of its own medicine: Assessing the impact of the EU Better Regulation Agenda
Authors: Garben Sacha
Published: March 2020

This article performs an ‘impact assessment’ of the EU Better Regulation Agenda. It considers whether there is a clear definition of the problems that the EU Better Regulation seeks to address, the evidence base, whether Better Regulation more effectively responds to those problems than alternative options, and what the costs, benefits and broader impacts of the the Agenda may be. The analysis suggests that while the Better Regulation Agenda generally promotes an open yet rational decision‐making process based on sound problem definitions and aiming at targeted solutions calibrated for optimum efficiency and effectiveness, some of its own problem assumptions remain unproven, it possesses contradictory traits and risks being counter productive. Furthermore, while EU Better Regulation may have benefits, it also entails significant costs that should not be overlooked. This assessment reveals the complex and multifaceted nature of EU Better Regulation, and the need to hold it to its own standards.
Stress triaxiality effect on void nucleation in ductile metals
Authors: Testa Gabriel , Bonora Nicola , Ruggiero Andrew , Iannitti Gianluca , Gentile Domenico
Published: March 2020

The stress triaxiality effect on the strain required for void nucleation by particle‐matrix debonding has been investigated by means of micromechanical modelling. A unit‐cell model considering an elastic spherical particle embedded in an elastic‐plastic matrix was developed to the purpose. Particle‐matrix decohesion was simulated through the progressive failure of a cohesive interface. It has been shown that the parameters of matrix‐particle cohesive interface are correlated with macroscopic material properties. Here, a simple relationship for the maximum cohesive opening at interface failure as a function of material fracture toughness and yield stress has been derived. Results seem to confirm that, increasing stress triaxiality, the strain at which void nucleation is predicted to occur decreases exponentially in a similar way as for fracture strain. This result has substantial implications in modelling of ductile damage because it indicates that if the stress triaxiality is high enough, ductile fracture can occur at plastic strain lower than that necessary to nucleate damage for moderate or low stress triaxiality regime.
Activity measurements of dalcinonacog alfa
Authors: Williams Stella C. , Gray Elaine
Published: March 2020

Introduction

Many recombinant and modified FIX products have been, and continue to be, developed with the aim of improving treatment for patients with haemophilia B. One such new product is dalcinonacog alfa, a recombinant FIX with modifications to provide improved features such as subcutaneous administration.

Aim

In view of previously observed assay discrepancies with modified FIX therapeutics, the aim of this study was to assess potential discrepancies in potency measurement of dalcinonacog alfa between and within different assay methods.

Methods

Potency of dalcinonacog alfa was measured against the 5th International Standard (IS) for FIX Concentrate and the 4th IS for FIX Plasma by One‐Stage Clotting Assay, using 9 different APTT reagents and 2 commercially available FIX chromogenic kits. Plasma‐derived concentrate and recombinant FIX samples were also included for comparison in every assay.

Results

Substantial discrepancies were observed when assaying dalcinonacog alfa using the one‐stage clotting assay against both standards. No statistically valid results were obtained when testing dalcinonacog alfa using either chromogenic kit. Increasing the incubation time with the activation reagent in both chromogenic kits resulted in valid assays and increased the potency to become more in line with potencies by one‐stage clotting assays. Increasing the incubation time in the chromogenic kits had no effect on the potencies of the plasma‐derived or recombinant samples. However, incubation time influenced in the one‐stage clotting assay using Dapttin.

Conclusions

Within and between assay method discrepancy was found when assaying dalcinonacog alfa. Methods for potency labelling and clinical monitoring should be given careful consideration.
Prevalence of inhibitors and clinical characteristics in patients with haemophilia in a middle‐income Latin American country
Authors: Villarreal‐Martínez Laura , García‐Chávez Jaime , Sánchez‐Jara Berenice , Moreno‐González Aida Mashenka , Soto‐Padilla Janet , Aquino‐Fernández Efraín , Paredes‐Aguilera Rogelio , Maldonado‐Silva Karla , Rodríguez‐Castillejos Cecilia , González‐Ávila Ana Itamar , Mora‐Torres María , Tiznado‐García Hector Manuel , Padilla‐Durón Natalia Elizabeth , Luna‐Silva Nuria Citlali , Gutiérrez‐Juárez Eric Israel , Nemi‐Cueto Jorge , Gómez‐González Claudia Sofia , De León‐Figueroa Ricardo , López‐Miranda Adela , Ríos‐Osuna Mirna Guadalupe , Tamez‐Gómez Edna Liliana , Reyes‐Espinoza Elio Aarón , Domínguez‐Varela Irving Armando , González‐Martínez Gerardo , Godoy‐Salinas Elias Adán
Published: March 2020

Introduction

Development of inhibitors is the most serious complication in patients with haemophilia (PWH). The prevalence of inhibitors in patients with severe haemophilia A (HA) is approximately 25%‐30%. Inhibitor prevalence differs among populations. Some studies report a prevalence of almost twice in Hispanic as compared to Caucasian patients. Most data available, on the prevalence of inhibitors and their predisposing factors, originate from centres in developed countries.

Aim

Establish the prevalence of inhibitors of FVIII and FIX in Mexico.

Methods

This was an observational, cross‐sectional and descriptive study. The records of all patients diagnosed with haemophilia A (HA) or B (HB), with and without inhibitors, were included. Clinical and demographical characteristics of patients with inhibitors were assessed. Statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS version 22. The Ethics Committees of the various participating institutions approved this study.

Results

A total of 1455 patients from the 20 participating centres were recruited, from which 1208 (83.02%) had HA and 247 (16.97%) were diagnosed with HB. The presence of inhibitors in severe HA was reported in 93/777(11.96%), and 10/162 (6.17%) in severe HB. Of them, 91.7% exhibited high titres in HA and 100% in HB.

Conclusion

In Mexico, the general prevalence of inhibitors varies considerably among centres. This study established a basis of comparison for future development and advances in the treatment and follow‐up of patients. These findings also augment our understanding of risk factors related to inhibitor development.
The effect of extended‐hours hemodialysis on outcomes: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Hull Katherine L. , March Daniel S. , Churchward Darren R. , Graham‐Brown Matthew P.M. , Burton James O.
Published: March 2020

Extended‐hours hemodialysis is associated with improvements in quality of life (QoL) and mortality, but it may accelerate the loss of residual kidney function (RKF) and increase vascular access complications. Multiple established databases were systematically searched; randomized and non‐randomized studies were pooled separately. QoL outcomes were assessed using standardized mean difference (SMD), vascular access adverse events and mortality were assessed with relative risk ratios (RR). Four hundred seventy‐six patients from six trials were eligible. Data from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) could only be synthesized for vascular access adverse events and mortality, which demonstrated no significant change in vascular access adverse events (RR 1.25, 95% CI 0.88 to 1.77) or mortality (RR 2.29, 95% CI 0.60 to 8.71). Pooled data from non‐randomized trials demonstrated no significant difference in QoL (SF‐36 Physical Component Summary SMD 0.61, 95% CI −0.10 to 1.31, SF‐36 Mental Component Summary SMD −0.04, 95% CI −0.61 to 0.54). RKF was assessed in one report which demonstrated a potential reduction over 12 months with extended‐hours hemodialysis. The majority of trials had high risk of bias. Extended‐hours hemodialysis was not associated with improved QoL or mortality, or increased vascular access events. Adequately powered RCTs are needed to fully assess extended‐hours hemodialysis.
Delayed conversion from central venous catheter to non‐catheter hemodialysis access associates with an increased risk of death: A retrospective cohort study based on data from a large dialysis provider
Authors: Raimann Jochen G. , Chu Fang‐I , Kalloo Sean , Zhang Hanjie , Maddux Frank , Wang Yuedong , Kotanko Peter
Published: March 2020

Background

Hemodialysis initiation using a central venous catheter (CVC) poses an increased risk of death. Conversion to an arterio‐venous graft or fistula (AVF, AVG) improves outcomes. The relationship of primary dialysis access and timing of conversion from CVC to either AVF or AVG to all‐cause mortality was investigated.

Methods

Two retrospective analyses in incident hemodialysis patients commencing treatment from January 2010 to December 2014 in dialysis clinics in the United States were conducted. Analysis 1 stratified as per access at initiation and those commencing with CVC were further stratified into (a) those that had a CVC, AVF, or AVG the entire year; (b) those that were converted to either AVF or AVG within either (i) the first or (ii) the second 6 months. Kaplan Meier analysis and Cox regression analysis were employed. Analysis 2 included all CVC patients investigating the relationship between access conversion time and mortality risk using a Cox proportional hazards model depicting the hazard ratio (HR) as a spline function over time.

Results

Two subsets from initial 78,871 patients were studied. In Analysis 1 both AVF (referent) and AVG [HR 1.12 (0.97 to 1.30)] associated with a better outcome than CVC [HR 1.55 (1.38 to 1.74)] during follow‐up. Lower mortality risk was seen for early switch from a CVC to AV access within the first 6 months [HR = 1.04 (0.97–1.13)] compared to a later switch [HR = 1.23 (1.10–1.38)]. Analysis 2 indicated that a CVC to AVF switch resulted in improved survival. Analysis 2 indicated early conversion to confer a survival benefit for CVC to AVG switch.

Discussion and Conclusion

AVF and AVG show a survival benefit over CVC. Early conversion from CVC to either access improves survival. This emphasizes the importance of early preparation for dialysis by creation of an AVF or AVG and to convert CVCs early.
Quality of life in active surveillance for early prostate cancer
Authors: Kato Takuma , Sugimoto Mikio
Published: March 2020

Recently, the prevalence of the prostate‐specific antigen screening test for early‐stage prostate cancer has increased, but this has also resulted in an increase in insignificant cancers. The treatment outcome of early‐stage prostate cancer is excellent, but such a radical treatment also leaves the patient with undesired adverse consequences. To resolve such problems, attention should be paid to active surveillance as a modern treatment option. This study aimed to systematically review the literature about quality of life in prostate cancer patients undergoing active surveillance. Evidence was acquired from PubMed databases in March 2019 using quality of life, prostate cancer, well‐being, anxiety, depression, stress, outcomes, active surveillance, radiation therapy and radical prostatectomy as keywords. Five clinical active surveillance studies measured health‐related quality of life and related psychological factors, and seven compared active surveillance with other treatments (radical therapy and hormone therapy). Active surveillance was superior to radical therapy for urinary and sexual function. Furthermore, most patients who opted for active surveillance showed lower anxiety and fear of progression, whereas health‐related quality of life was maintained. Although active surveillance has the advantage of being non‐invasive, its diagnosis and follow‐up protocols are unreliable. Because such uncertainty can affect patients’ quality of life, utilization of imaging modalities, such as magnetic resonance imaging, and the development of new biomarkers are required.
Efficient genome editing in the olive fruit fly, Bactrocera oleae
Authors: Koidou V. , Denecke S. , Ioannidis P. , Vlatakis I. , Livadaras I. , Vontas J.
Published: March 2020

The olive fruit fly, Bactrocera oleae, causes great damage to the quality and quantity of olive production worldwide. Pest management approaches have proved difficult for a variety of reasons, a fact that has brought about a need for alternative tools and approaches. Here we report for the first time in B. oleae the development of the clustered regularly interspaced palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR associated protein 9 (Cas9) gene editing tool, using the well‐known eye colour marker gene scarlet. Two synthetic guide RNAs targeting the coding region of the scarlet gene were synthesized and shown to work efficiently in vitro. These reagents were then microinjected along with purified Cas9 protein into early‐stage embryos. Successful CRISPR‐induced mutations of both copies of the scarlet gene showed a striking yellow eye phenotype, indicative of gene disruption. Multiple successful CRISPR events were confirmed by PCR and sequencing. The establishment of an efficient CRISPR‐based gene editing tool in B. oleae will enable the study of critical molecular mechanisms in olive fruit fly biology and physiology, including the analysis of insecticide resistance mechanisms and the discovery of novel insecticide targets, as well as facilitate the development of novel biotechnology‐based pest control strategies.
Experiences of service users with a mild intellectual disability or borderline intellectual functioning with Flexible Assertive Community Treatment: A qualitative study
Authors: Neijmeijer Laura , Kuiper Chris , Kroon Hans , Didden Robert
Published: March 2020

Background

In the Netherlands, Flexible Assertive Community Treatment (FACT) teams have been established for people with mild intellectual disability (MID) or borderline intellectual functioning (BIF) and mental health problems or challenging behaviour. Little is known yet about service users’ experiences with FACT.

Method

An inductive grounded theory approach was used to explore how service users valued the treatment and their own functioning, and which factors were perceived as supportive. Semi‐structured interviews were held with 15 service users.

Results

Most service users highly appreciated the contact with the staff and the practical and emotional support. Persistent involvement, availability and humanity, and respect for autonomy were distinguished as core values in the relationship with the staff. Most service users experienced improvement in time and attributed this to intrapersonal changes and/or less stress in life.

Conclusions

From the perspective of service users with MID/BIF, FACT appears to have an added value.
Treatment of diabetic retinopathy through neuropeptide Y‐mediated enhancement of neurovascular microenvironment
Authors: Ou Kepeng , Copland David A. , Theodoropoulou Sofia , Mertsch Sonja , Li Youjian , Liu Jian , Schrader Stefan , Liu Lei , Dick Andrew D.
Published: March 2020

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is one of the most severe clinical manifestations of diabetes mellitus and a major cause of blindness. DR is principally a microvascular disease, although the pathogenesis also involves metabolic reactive intermediates which induce neuronal and glial activation resulting in disruption of the neurovascular unit and regulation of the microvasculature. However, the impact of neural/glial activation in DR remains controversial, notwithstanding our understanding as to when neural/glial activation occurs in the course of disease. The objective of this study was to determine a potential protective role of neuropeptide Y (NPY) using an established model of DR permissive to N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate (NMDA)‐induced excitotoxic apoptosis of retinal ganglion cells (RGC) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)‐induced vascular leakage. In vitro evaluation using primary retinal endothelial cells demonstrates that NPY promotes vascular integrity, demonstrated by maintained tight junction protein expression and reduced permeability in response to VEGF treatment. Furthermore, ex vivo assessment of retinal tissue explants shows that NPY can protect RGC from excitotoxic‐induced apoptosis. In vivo clinical imaging and ex vivo tissue analysis in the diabetic model permitted assessment of NPY treatment in relation to neural and endothelial changes. The neuroprotective effects of NPY were confirmed by attenuating NMDA‐induced retinal neural apoptosis and able to maintain inner retinal vascular integrity. These findings could have important clinical implications and offer novel therapeutic approaches for the treatment in the early stages of DR.
FAM46C controls antibody production by the polyadenylation of immunoglobulin mRNAs and inhibits cell migration in multiple myeloma
Authors: Herrero Ana Belén , Quwaider Dalia , Corchete Luis Antonio , Mateos Maria Victoria , García‐Sanz Ramón , Gutiérrez Norma C.
Published: March 2020

FAM46C, frequently mutated in multiple myeloma (MM), has recently been shown to encode a non‐canonical poly(A) polymerase (ncPAP). However, its target mRNAs and its role in MM pathogenesis remain mostly unknown. Using CRISPR‐Cas9 technology and gene expression analysis, we found that the inactivation of FAM46C in MM down‐regulates immunoglobulins (Igs) and several mRNAs encoding ER‐resident proteins, including some involved in unfolded protein response and others that affect glycosylation. Interestingly, we show that FAM46C expression is induced during plasma cell (PC) differentiation and that Ig mRNAs encoding heavy and light chains are substrates of the ncPAP, as revealed by poly(A) tail‐length determination assays. The absence of the ncPAP results in Ig mRNA poly(A) tail‐shortening, leading to a reduction in mRNA and protein abundance. On the other hand, loss of FAM46C up‐regulates metastasis‐associated lncRNA MALAT1 and results in a sharp increase in the migration ability. This phenotype depends mainly on the activation of PI3K/Rac1 signalling, which might have significant therapeutic implications. In conclusion, our results identify Ig mRNAs as targets of FAM46C, reveal an important function of this protein during PC maturation to increase antibody production and suggest that its role as a tumour suppressor might be related to the inhibition of myeloma cell migration.
Mycosis fungoides: developments in incidence, treatment and survival
Authors: Kaufman A.E. , Patel K. , Goyal K. , O'Leary D. , Rubin N. , Pearson D. , Bohjanen K. , Goyal A.
Published: March 2020

Background

Prior studies have demonstrated improved disease‐specific survival of mycosis fungoides (MF) patients over the last 50 years.

Objective

To analyse patterns of survival and incidence from 1973 to 2016 and determine whether apparent improvements in MF‐specific survival are due to lead‐time bias rather than improvements in treatment.

Methods

We performed an analysis of 10 155 patients diagnosed with MF from 1973 to 2016 in the United States cancer registries of SEER‐18. We also performed a literature review of papers including stage data for unselected populations of MF patients prior to 2000.

Results

Incidence of MF increased from 3.0 per million person‐years in the 1970s to 5.9 in the 2010s. For all cohorts, non‐Hodgkin lymphoma (including MF) was the leading cause of death. Survival analysis demonstrated marked improvement in disease‐specific and overall survival from the 1970s to 2010s. Based on systematic review of the literature, 32%–73% of patients diagnosed prior to 2000 were diagnosed with early‐stage disease, as opposed to 81% of patients in the SEER 2000–2016 cohort (P < 0.035 for all cohorts).

Conclusions

Although there have been improvements in MF‐related survival over the last 50 years, these may reflect improvements in our ability to diagnose early‐stage disease rather than improved treatment.
A model of Social Rehabilitation Treatment for Juveniles: Cognitive and Behavioral Perspective ‐ Practical Aspects
Authors: Siemionow Justyna
Published: March 2020

The article concerns the new model of social rehabilitation treatment of juveniles which is based on cognitive and behavioral theory. This theory is the foundation of cognitive – behavioral therapy (CBT). The main goal of this manuscript is to describe the planned and conducted actions within the process of social rehabilitation of adolescents residing at the Youth Education Center. In Poland, this institution strictly cooperates with Court. The purposes of this article are: firstly, to present the theoretical basis for the cognitive–behavioral interventions; secondly, to introduce the Youth Educational Center as an example of an individual approach to a socially maladjusted adolescent; and finally, to describe an example of a juvenile’s individual treatment and its evaluation.
Prevalence and Severity of Traumatic Intracranial Hemorrhage in Older Adults with Low‐Energy Falls
Authors: Lampart Alina , Kuster Tobias , Nickel Christian H. , Bingisser Roland , Pedersen Vera
Published: March 2020

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

To determine the prevalence and severity of traumatic intracranial hemorrhage (tICH) in a large cohort of older adults presenting with low‐energy falls and the association with anticoagulation or antiplatelet medication.

DESIGN

Bicentric retrospective cohort analysis.

SETTING

Two level 1 trauma centers in Switzerland and Germany.

PARTICIPANTS

Consecutive sample of older adults (aged ≥65 y) presenting to the emergency department (ED) over a 1‐year period with low‐energy falls who received cranial computed tomography (cCT) within 48 hours of ED presentation.

MEASUREMENTS

The prevalence and severity of tICHs was assessed and the outcomes (in‐hospital mortality, admission to intensive care unit [ICU], or neurosurgical intervention) were specified. We used multivariate regression models to measure the association between anticoagulation/antiplatelet therapy and the risk for tICH after adjustment for known predictors.

RESULTS

The overall prevalence for tICH detected by cCT was 176 of 2567 (6.9%). Neurosurgical intervention was performed in 15 of 176 (8.5%) patients with tICH, 28 of 176 (15.9%) patients were admitted to the ICU, and 14 of 176 (8.0%) died in the hospital. CT‐detected skull fracture and signs of injury above the clavicles were the strongest predictors for the presence of tICH (odds ratio [OR] = 4.28; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.79‐6.51; OR = 1.88; 95% CI = 1.3‐2.73, respectively). Among 2567 included patients, 1424 (55%) were on anticoagulation/antiplatelet therapy. Multivariate regression models showed no differences for the risk of tICH (OR = 1.05; 95% CI = .76‐1.47; P = .76) or association with the head‐specific Injury Severity Scale (incident rate ratio = 1.08; 95% CI = .97‐1.19; P = .15) with or without anticoagulation/antiplatelet therapy.

CONCLUSION

Medication with anticoagulants or antiplatelet agents was not associated with higher prevalence and severity of tICH in older patients with low‐energy falls undergoing cCT examination. In addition to cCT‐detected skull fractures, visible injuries above the clavicles were the strongest clinical predictors for tICH. Our findings merit prospective validation. J Am Geriatr Soc 68:977–982, 2020
Optimising adjacent membrane segmentation and parameterisation in multicellular aggregates by piecewise active contours
Authors: JARA‐WILDE J. , CASTRO I. , LEMUS C.G. , PALMA K. , VALDÉS F. , CASTAÑEDA V. , HITSCHFELD N. , CONCHA M.L. , HÄRTEL S.
Published: March 2020

In fluorescence microscopy imaging, the segmentation of adjacent cell membranes within cell aggregates, multicellular samples, tissue, organs, or whole organisms remains a challenging task. The lipid bilayer is a very thin membrane when compared to the wavelength of photons in the visual spectra. Fluorescent molecules or proteins used for labelling membranes provide a limited signal intensity, and light scattering in combination with sample dynamics during in vivo imaging lead to poor or ambivalent signal patterns that hinder precise localisation of the membrane sheets. In the proximity of cells, membranes approach and distance each other. Here, the presence of membrane protrusions such as blebs; filopodia and lamellipodia; microvilli; or membrane vesicle trafficking, lead to a plurality of signal patterns, and the accurate localisation of two adjacent membranes becomes difficult.

Several computational methods for membrane segmentation have been introduced. However, few of them specifically consider the accurate detection of adjacent membranes. In this article we present ALPACA (ALgorithm for Piecewise Adjacent Contour Adjustment), a novel method based on 2D piecewise parametric active contours that allows: (i) a definition of proximity for adjacent contours, (ii) a precise detection of adjacent, nonadjacent, and overlapping contour sections, (iii) the definition of a polyline for an optimised shared contour within adjacent sections and (iv) a solution for connecting adjacent and nonadjacent sections under the constraint of preserving the inherent cell morphology.

We show that ALPACA leads to a precise quantification of adjacent and nonadjacent membrane zones in regular hexagons and live image sequences of cells of the parapineal organ during zebrafish embryo development. The algorithm detects and corrects adjacent, nonadjacent, and overlapping contour sections within a selected adjacency distance d, calculates shared contour sections for neighbouring cells with minimum alterations of the contour characteristics, and presents piecewise active contour solutions, preserving the contour shape and the overall cell morphology. ALPACA quantifies adjacent contours and can improve the meshing of 3D surfaces, the determination of forces, or tracking of contours in combination with previously published algorithms. We discuss pitfalls, strengths, and limits of our approach, and present a guideline to take the best decision for varying experimental conditions for in vivo microscopy.
Appendicular myological reconstruction of the forelimb of the giant titanosaurian sauropod dinosaur Dreadnoughtus schrani
Authors: Voegele Kristyn K. , Ullmann Paul V. , Lamanna Matthew C. , Lacovara Kenneth J.
Published: March 2020

Soft tissues are variably preserved in the fossil record with external tissues, such as skin and feathers, more frequently preserved than internal tissues (e.g. muscles). More commonly, soft tissues leave traces of their locations on bones and, for muscles, these clues can be used to reconstruct the musculature of extinct vertebrates, thereby enhancing our understanding of how these organisms moved and the evolution of their locomotor patterns. Herein we reconstruct the forelimb and shoulder girdle musculature of the giant titanosaurian sauropod Dreadnoughtus schrani based on observations of osteological correlates and dissections of taxa comprising the Extant Phylogenetic Bracket of non‐avian dinosaurs (crocodilians and birds). Fossils of Dreadnoughtus exhibit remarkably well‐preserved, well‐developed, and extensive muscle scars. Furthermore, this taxon is significantly larger‐bodied than any titanosaurian for which a myological reconstruction has previously been attempted, rendering this myological study highly informative for the clade. In total, 28 muscles were investigated in this study, for which 46 osteological correlates were identified; these osteological correlates allowed the reconstruction of 16 muscles on the basis of Level I or Level II inferences (i.e. not Level I' or Level II' inferences). Comparisons with other titanosaurians suggest widespread myological variation in the clade, although potential phylogenetic patterns are often obscured by fragmentary preservation, infrequent myological studies, and lack of consensus on the systematic position of many taxa. By identifying myological variations within the clade, we can begin to address specific evolutionary and biomechanical questions related to the locomotor evolution in these sauropods.
Access and referral to palliative care for patients with chronic heart failure: A qualitative study of healthcare professionals
Authors: Singh Gursharan K. , Ramjan Lucie , Ferguson Caleb , Davidson Patricia M. , Newton Phillip J.
Published: March 2020

Background

Palliative care for individuals with chronic heart failure is recommended for improving patients’ symptoms, function and overall quality of life. Despite this mandate, there is limited access and referral to specialist palliative care for individuals with chronic heart failure.

Objectives

To explore healthcare professionals’ perspectives on access to palliative care for patients with chronic heart failure, focussing on patient, provider and system factors.

Methods

Cardiologists, palliative care specialists, heart failure nurses and palliative care nurses in acute and community care settings were interviewed using semi‐structured interviews. Purposive and snowball sampling methods were used for recruitment. Interview data were analysed using thematic analysis. The COREQ checklist guided data collection and reporting.

Results

There were 15 participants in the study, and the majority were female. Participants included palliative medicine physicians, a palliative care nurse consultant, cardiologists, a general practitioner and advanced heart failure nurses. The themes derived from the thematic analysis centred on patient, provider and system factors impacting access and referral to palliative care in the context of chronic heart failure. The patient themes were (a) patient and family preconception of palliative care and (b) patient's clinical profile influences referral. The provider themes were (a) conflict, (b) making decisions and (c) education needs, and the system themes were (a) accessing services and resources and (b) improving the model of care.

Conclusions

The patient's clinical profile, education needs of healthcare professionals and improving access to services and resources need to be considered to enhance palliative care access and referral as well as the interacting and influencing elements of the patient, provider and system.
Professional relationships between nephrology clinicians and patients: a systematic review
Authors: Cousins Marina , Bradshaw Julie , Bonner Ann
Published: March 2020

Background

Nephrology nurses and patients expressed that the clinician–patient relationship in a haemodialysis (HD) unit might be best described as being part of an extended family. However, there is a risk that professional boundaries may become blurred due to the perceived closeness of this relationship.

Objective

This systematic review sought to explore the experiences of nephrology clinicians in establishing and maintaining a professional relationship with people experiencing end‐stage kidney disease who are receiving HD treatment.

Method

A search strategy was created using JBI systematic review guidelines for six databases (PubMed, CINAHL, EMBASE, PsycINFO, Cochrane Library and JBI library). Qualitative studies were eligible for inclusion when the participants were nephrology clinicians who provided HD treatment or management of patients in a hospital outpatient HD unit or a community HD centre.

Results

Three studies met the inclusion criteria and the findings were synthesised into two themes (1) establishing a professional relationship and (2) coping mechanisms. All three studies focused on nephrology clinicians realising the importance of treating patients as individuals. Nephrology clinicians demonstrated advanced communication skills, empathy and compassion when interacting with patients, which seemed to contribute to patient satisfaction. This systematic review found some qualitative evidence to explain how nephrology clinicians establish and maintain a professional clinician–patient relationship with patients in the HD unit.

Conclusion

This review highlighted a significant gap in research concerning the trajectory of the clinician–patient relationship across all members of the renal multidisciplinary health care team.