bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The effectiveness of the One Health SMART approach on dengue vector control in Majalengka, Indonesia
Authors: Kurniawan Wawan , Suwandono Agus , Widjanarko Bagoes , Suwondo Ari , Artama Wayan Tunas , Shaluhiyah Zahroh , Adi Mateus Sakundarno , Sofro Muchlis Achsan Udji
Published: August 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to apply the OH-SMART approach on dengue vector control and assess the influence on knowledge, attitude, practice (KAP) amongst elementary students in Majalengka as well as check the dengue serotypes distribution.

Design/methodology/approach

This study was designed by sequential exploration. An OH-SMART workshop involving local government institutions, schools, colleges and health professional organizations was conducted. A total of 334 elementary students, chosen by cluster sampling, participated including 171 in the intervention group and 163 in the control group. A self-administered questionnaire was used to assess the differences in the subject's KAP. Dengue serotypes were analyzed by reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and the distribution was measured by GPS. Descriptive statistics, paired t-test and the Wilcoxon rank test were used for data analysis.

Findings

There were eight gaps in Dengue vector control in Majalengka and three main recommendations after the OH-SMART workshop i.e. the formation of OH-teams, the preparation of module training, and training of vector control in the schools. After the program, there were statistically significant differences between the intervention and control groups (p = 0,001, CI 95%). All differences in the intervention group were higher than in the control. The most commonly found dengue serotype was DEN-1.

Originality/value

OH-SMART has never been applied in Indonesia, especially in a local government setting but is recognized as an effective approach in the prevention of vector-borne disease and zoonotic.
Development of a risk score to predict abnormal glycemic status among Thai dental patients
Authors: Tantipoj Chanita , Srimaneekarn Natchalee , Supa-amornkul Sirirak , Lohsoonthorn Vitool , Hiransuthikul Narin , Khovidhunkit Weerapan , Piboonniyom Khovidhunkit Siribang-on
Published: August 2020

Purpose

To construct a risk score using both clinical and intra-oral variables and to determine a risk score to screen individuals according to their risk of hyperglycemia.

Design/methodology/approach

A cross-sectional study was carried out among 690 Thai dental patients who visited the Special Clinic, Faculty of Dentistry, Mahidol University and a mobile dental unit of His Majesty the King of Thailandss Dental Service Unit. Participants aged ≥25 years without a previous history of type 2 diabetes mellitus were included in the study. Participants diagnosed with severe anemia and polycythemia were excluded. Questionnaires were used to collect demographic data. Point-of-care HbA1c, body mass index (BMI), blood pressure and periodontal status were analyzed.

Findings

A total of 690 participants were included in the study. A risk scoring system including five variables was developed. It exhibited fair discrimination (area under the curve = 0.72, 95%CI 0.68–0.71). The risk score value of 9 was used as the cut-off point for increased risk of abnormal HbA1c. Subjects that had a total risk score of 9 or more had a high probability of having abnormal HbA1c and were identified for referral to physicians for further investigation and diagnosis.

Originality/value

A risk score to predict hyperglycemia using a dental parameter was developed for convenient evaluation in dental clinics.
Beyond healthcare leadership? The imperative for health and social care systems
Authors: Edmonstone John Duncan
Published: August 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to make the case that there is a need to move beyond a focus on an approach to leadership development which is confined to health care only. It argues that, given the economic, financial, social and organisational context within which health and social care organisations in the UK operate, there is a need to develop leadership within health and social care systems, rather than within the existing “siloed” sectors.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper considers the context within which health and social care organisations in the UK operate; examines the nature of those organisations; makes the case for focusing on the health and social car system through systems leadership; and identifies the need for leadership, rather than leader development.

Findings

There is a danger of health and social care organisations “walking backwards into the future” with eyes fixed on the past. The future lies with treating health and social care as a system, rather than focusing on organisations. The current model is individual leader focused, but the emerging model is one of collective multi-agency teams.

Originality/value

The paper seeks to go beyond a health-care-only focus, by asserting that there is a need to regard health and social care as a single system, delivered by a multiplicity of different organisations. This has implications for the kind of leadership involved and for how this might be developed.
Lonely, homesick and struggling: undergraduate students and intention to quit university
Authors: Boddy Clive
Published: August 2020

Purpose

This paper outlines a variety of the research on student attrition and recognises some of the sensitivities that may be involved for some students in dealing with dropping out of university. This paper claims that because of these sensibilities, some student’s responses to direct questions about the reasons for attrition may be biased by social desirability. The purpose of this paper is to get beyond social desirability bias to examine a fuller range of reasons for student retention and attrition.

Design/methodology/approach

In an exploratory investigation, this research study uses a projective technique which helps to circumvent the conscious defences of respondents. The projective technique is based on the “thematic apperception test” and uses a “bubble drawing” to elicit emotional and more socially undesirable responses.

Findings

All first-year students appear to consider leaving university, and emotional considerations involving loneliness and homesickness are much more prominent than most quantitative studies acknowledge. For example, in this research, social concerns are twice as prominent as financial concerns, whereas in past survey research, financial concerns have been identified as most prominent.

Practical implications

To retain students, universities need to provide new students with real care and support, especially in their first few weeks at university. To study retention comprehensively, researchers need to go beyond the confines of positivist research.

Originality/value

This is the first study that uses a projective technique to investigate student retention and attrition. By going beyond a merely positivist approach to research, a fuller, deeper and more complete understanding of the wide extent and profound nature of the emotional issues involved in student attrition and retention is gained.
Mechanistic home range analysis reveals drivers of space use patterns for a non‐territorial passerine
Authors: Ellison Natasha , Hatchwell Ben J. , Biddiscombe Sarah J. , Napper Clare J. , Potts Jonathan R.
Published: August 2020

Home ranging is a near‐ubiquitous phenomenon in the animal kingdom. Understanding the behavioural mechanisms that give rise to observed home range patterns is thus an important general question, and mechanistic home range analysis (MHRA) provides the tools to address it. However, such analysis has hitherto been principally restricted to scent‐marking territorial animals, so its potential breadth of application has not been tested.

Here, we apply MHRA to a population of long‐tailed tits Aegithalos caudatus, a non‐territorial passerine, in the non‐breeding season where there is no clear ‘central place’ near which birds need to remain. The aim is to uncover the principal movement mechanisms underlying observed home range formation.

Our foundational models consist of memory‐mediated conspecific avoidance between flocks, combined with attraction to woodland. These are then modified to incorporate the effects of flock size and relatedness (i.e. kinship), to uncover the effect of these on the mechanisms of home range formation.

We found that a simple model of spatial avoidance, together with attraction to the central parts of woodland areas, accurately captures long‐tailed tit home range patterns. Refining these models further, we show that the magnitude of spatial avoidance by a flock is negatively correlated to both the relative size of the flock (compared to its neighbour) and the relatedness of the flock with its neighbour.

Our study applies MHRA beyond the confines of scent‐marking, territorial animals, so paves the way for much broader taxonomic application. These could potentially help uncover general properties underlying the emergence of animal space use patterns. This is also the first study to apply MHRA to questions of relatedness and flock size, thus broadening the potential possible applications of this suite of analytic techniques.
Three eco‐physiological strategies of response to drought maintain the form and function of a tropical montane grassland
Authors: Matos Ilaíne S. , Eller Cleiton B. , Oliveras Imma , Mantuano Dulce , Rosado Bruno H. P.
Published: August 2020

Ecologists seek a general scheme to classify the diversity of plant responses to environmental factors into a few strategies (e.g. competitor—C, stress tolerant—S, ruderal—R), while plant physiologists seek a mechanistic scheme to explain such different responses (e.g. tolerance, escape, avoidance). So far, few attempts have been made to combine both perspectives into plant eco‐physiological strategies. Moreover, the relative contribution of different strategies to maintain both community structure and ecosystem functioning during drought has rarely been assessed. Thus, limiting our capacity to predict how extreme events caused by climate change will affect plant communities.

Here, we present an integrated framework to identify plant eco‐physiological strategies and to estimate their contribution to community originality (diversity of trait combinations), dominance (species relative frequency) and ecosystem functioning (productivity and evapotranspiration).

We applied this framework in a tropical montane grassland in Brazil (Campos de Altitude) and found three eco‐physiological strategies co‐occurring in this community (S‐tolerance/avoidance, CS‐escape/tolerance and CR‐escape/avoidance). While CS‐species contributed more to dominance and functionality, CR‐ and S‐species contributed more to originality. Therefore, all three strategies were important to support the grassland form and function.

Synthesis. Plants exhibit different strategies, as well as different contributions to community and ecosystem attributes. We developed an integrated approach to both identify strategies and estimate their relative contribution. Thereby, as droughts intensify, we can better predict which plants are more likely to be lost and how their loss will impact the communities and ecosystem where they occur. This knowledge is necessary for specifying conservation priorities and for developing more efficient conservation practices.
A high‐quality genome of taro (Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott), one of the world's oldest crops
Authors: Yin Jianmei , Jiang Lu , Wang Li , Han Xiaoyong , Guo Wenqi , Li Chunhong , Zhou Yi , Denton Matthew , Zhang Peitong
Published: August 2020

Taro (Colocasia esculenta (L.), Schott), from the Araceae family, is one of the oldest crops with important edible, medicinal, nutritional and economic value. Taro is a highly polymorphic species including diverse genotypes adapted to a broad range of environments, but the taro genome has rarely been investigated. Here, a high‐quality chromosome‐level genome of C. esculenta was assembled using data sequenced by Illumina, PacBio and Nanopore platforms. The assembled genome size was 2,405 Mb with a contig N50 of 400.0 kb and a scaffold N50 of 159.4 Mb. In total, 2,311 Mb (96.09%) of the contig sequences was anchored onto 14 chromosomes to form pseudomolecules, and 2,126 Mb (88.43%) was annotated as repetitive sequences. Of the 28,695 predicted protein‐coding genes, 26,215 genes (91.4%) could be functionally annotated. On the basis of phylogenetic analysis using 769 genes, C. esculenta and Spirodela polyrhiza were placed on one branch of the tree that diverged approximately 73.23 million years ago. The synteny analyses showed that there have been two whole‐genome duplication events in C. esculenta separated by a relatively short gap. According to comparative genome analysis, a larger number (1,189) of distinct gene families and long terminal repeats were enriched in C. esculenta. Our high‐quality taro genome will provide valuable resources for further genetic, ecological and evolutionary analyses of taro or other species in the Araceae.
Brief Report: Rates of Fentanyl Use Among Psychiatric Emergency Room Patients
Authors: Elmarasi Mohamed , Garcia‐Vassallo Gabriela , Campbell Sheldon , Fuehrlein Brian
Published: August 2020

Background and Objectives

Opioid overdose‐related deaths increased from approximately 18 000 deaths in 2007 to 46 802 deaths in 2018. Fentanyl is primarily responsible for the increase in opioid overdose deaths from 2011 through 2017. The primary aim of this study is to determine the rates of fentanyl in the urine drug screens of all patients who presented to the psychiatric emergency room at VA Connecticut, over 7 months in 2018.

Methods

Data were collected for all patient presentations between June 2018 and December 2018. There were 746 total patient presentations, with 497 being unique. Collected data included basic demographic information, psychiatric diagnosis, and urine drug screen for various illicit substances, including fentanyl.

Results

Over 15% of patients screened positive for fentanyl. Patients who tested positive for fentanyl were further classified based on positive urine drug screening results for other opioids, cocaine, or both. Twenty percent of patients who screened positive for fentanyl and cocaine tested negative for other opioids. This category suggests that some veterans might be consuming fentanyl with cocaine.

Discussion and Conclusions

Fentanyl was found at a high rate, even in the absence of other opioids, which suggests that some veterans might be consuming fentanyl with cocaine. Consequently, harm reduction strategies should be broadened to include all patients at risk of fentanyl overdose, including patients who use substances (eg, cocaine) that are potentially adulterated with fentanyl.

Scientific Significance

This study is the first one of its kind that looked at rates of fentanyl use in all presentations to a psychiatric emergency room. While it is well‐known that fentanyl is highly prevalent, these findings extend the current state of knowledge by replication in a psychiatric emergency population. (Am J Addict 2021;30:92–95)
InterRAI assessments: opportunities to recognise need for and implementation of palliative care interventions in the last year of life?
Authors: Robinson Jackie , Frey Rosemary , Boyd Michal , McLeod Heather , Meehan Brigette , Gott Merryn
Published: August 2020

Objectives

To explore how interRAI assessments could be used to identify opportunities to integrate palliative care into a plan of care.

Methods

A population‐based, cross‐sectional design using unique identifiers to link deaths with a national interRAI database. Data were analysed using logistic regression models and chi‐square tests.

Results

A total of 4869 people died over a 12‐month period in one district health board area; 50.9% (n = 2478) received one or more interRAI assessments in the year before death. Diagnosis impacted on the type and timing of interRAI assessments and the recognition of end‐stage disease.

Conclusion

People in the last year of life experience frequent interRAI assessments. There are opportunities to identify people who might benefit from a palliative care approach. Future research is needed to understand how interRAI assessors can be supported in the application of assessment items related to palliative care.
Identifying ultrasound features of positive expression of Ki67 and P53 in breast cancer using radiomics
Authors: Cui Hao , Zhang Dandan , Peng Fuhui , Kong Hanqing , Guo Qiang , Wu Tong , Wen Xin , Zhang Lei , Tian Jiawei
Published: August 2020

Purpose

To examine the relationship between ultrasonic findings and positive expression of Ki67 and P53 in breast cancer.

Material and methods

Surgical resection specimens of 263 breast cancer lesions were examined. Ultrasound examination and pathological examination were performed on each lesion for retrospective analysis. We applied regression analysis to the ultrasonic features related to the positive expression of Ki67 and P53 and obtained the corresponding models. To analyze diagnostic efficiency, we calculated the area under the curve (AUC). Additionally, we created a heat map to show the results of the cluster analysis.

Results

Lesions with higher Ki67 expression were associated with posterior acoustic enhancement, absence of an echo halo and a higher Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI‐RADS) category. P53‐positive cancer were associated with an absence of an echo halo and a higher BI‐RADS category. The AUC of the regression models of Ki67 and P53 was 0.78 and 0.71, respectively.

Conclusions

Our study revealed that breast cancer ultrasonic findings were closely related to expression of molecular indicators, suggesting that ultrasound can be used to provide useful information to clinicians.
Re Facial aesthetic injections in clinical practice: Pretreatment and post‐treatment consensus recommendations to minimise adverse outcome Region‐specific changes in line with the Covid‐19 pandemic
Authors: Goodman Greg J , Liew Steven , Callan Peter , Hart Sarah , Somia Naveen , Sullivan John , Heydenrych Izolda
Published: August 2020

Despite the recent publication in March 2020 of guidelines for facial injectable treatments, the speed of the COVID‐19 pandemic and its safety implications necessitate changes to these guidelines The authors described what would constitute safest practice in the provision of facial injectable treatments and summarised these in table form. Adherence to a high standard of asepsis and infectious disease precautions remain a key patient safety requirement when performing facial aesthetic injections. A revision and update of these guideline summary tables follows. Changes made should enhance both patient and staff safety regarding COVID‐19/SARS‐CoV‐2, a highly infective respiratory pathogen transmitted by respiratory droplets, respiratory/mucosal secretions and contaminated fomites. Some of the additions are COVID‐19 specific and are likely to evolve and change, particularly should serological tests determining acquired immunity become available. Other additions represent further tightening of our infection control precautions.
COVID‐19 and pregnancy: A review of clinical characteristics, obstetric outcomes and vertical transmission
Authors: Pettirosso Elicia , Giles Michelle , Cole Stephen , Rees Megan
Published: August 2020

Background

Since its emergence in December 2019, COVID‐19 has spread to over 210 countries, with an estimated mortality rate of 3–4%. Little is understood about its effects during pregnancy.

Aims

To describe the current understanding of COVID‐19 illness in pregnant women, to describe obstetric outcomes and to identify gaps in the existing knowledge.

Methods

Medline Ovid, EMBASE, World Health Organization COVID‐19 research database and Cochrane COVID‐19 in pregnancy spreadsheet were accessed on 18/4, 18/5 and 23/5 2020. Articles were screened via Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses guidelines. The following were excluded: reviews, opinion pieces, guidelines, articles pertaining solely to other viruses, single case reports.

Results

Sixty articles were included in this review. Some pregnant participants may have been included in multiple publications, as admission dates overlap for reports from the same hospital. However, a total of 1287 confirmed SARS‐CoV‐2 positive pregnant cases are reported. Where universal testing was undertaken, asymptomatic infection occurred in 43.5–92% of cases. In the cohort studies, severe and critical COVID‐19 illness rates approximated those of the non‐pregnant population. Eight maternal deaths, six neonatal deaths, seven stillbirths and five miscarriages were reported. Nineteen neonates were SARS‐CoV‐2 positive, confirmed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction of nasopharyngeal swabs. [Correction added on 2 September 2020, after first online publication: the number of neonates indicated in the preceding sentence has been corrected from ‘Thirteen’ to ‘Nineteen’.]

Conclusions

Where universal screening was conducted, SARS‐CoV‐2 infection in pregnancy was often asymptomatic. Severe and critical disease rates approximate those in the general population. Vertical transmission is possible; however, it is unclear whether SARS‐CoV‐2 positive neonates were infected in utero, intrapartum or postpartum. Future work should assess risks of congenital syndromes and adverse perinatal outcomes where infection occurs in early and mid‐pregnancy.
Options for screening for gestational diabetes mellitus during the SARS‐CoV‐2 pandemic
Authors: Simmons David , Rudland Victoria L. , Wong Vincent , Flack Jeff , Mackie Adam , Ross Glynis P. , Coat Suzette , Dalal Raiyomand , Hague Bill M. , Cheung Ngai Wah
Published: August 2020

The balance between avoiding severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus‐2 contagion and reducing wider clinical risk is unclear for gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) testing. Recent recommendations promote diagnostic approaches that limit collection but increase undiagnosed GDM, which potentially increases adverse pregnancy outcome risks. The most sensitive approach to detecting GDM at 24–28 weeks beyond the two‐hour oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) is a one‐hour OGTT (88% sensitivity). Less sensitive approaches use fasting glucose alone (≥5.1 mmol/L: misses 44–54% GDM) or asking ~20% of women for a second visit (fasting glucose 4.7–5.0 mmol/L (62–72% sensitive)). Choices should emphasise local and patient decision‐making.
“Nobody wants to kill”
Authors: OSTERHOUDT SARAH R.
Published: August 2020

Vanilla prices in Madagascar have reached historic highs. For the country's vanilla‐producing smallholders, the influx of new wealth has resulted in profound affective changes—in large part owing to vanilla theft, which has become widespread. Anxiety and anger are rampant in vanilla‐producing communities, and these feelings are increasingly channeled into deadly mob violence against accused thieves. Rather than random acts, these extrajudicial killings are structured by localized cultural, material, and affective forms, as people enact and embody commodity violence in intimate, often contradictory ways. Commodity violence emerges as an additional form of unwanted emotional and physical labor for smallholders. With the vanilla market, as with commodity markets more generally, it is those with the least to gain who are disproportionately exposed to violence and harm. [commodity booms,affect,structure of feeling,vigilante violence,smallholders,vanilla,Madagascar]
Ideology before party: Social dominance orientation and right‐wing authoritarianism temporally precede political party support
Authors: Satherley Nicole , Sibley Chris G. , Osborne Danny
Published: August 2020

Although an extensive literature on political ideology and party support has developed, studies examining the temporal ordering of these variables remain lacking. We address this oversight and argue that because ideologies provide a framework for understanding the world, they should forecast changes in party support over time. Accordingly, a random intercepts cross‐lagged panel model estimated the annual within‐person associations between social dominance orientation (SDO), right‐wing authoritarianism (RWA), and party support in nine waves of a New Zealand representative longitudinal panel sample from 2009 to 2017 (N = 31,537). As hypothesized, SDO and RWA predicted within‐person increases in support for the centre‐right National Party, but decreases in support for the centre‐left Labour Party. Reciprocal associations from party support to ideology were approximately half the magnitude. These results provide some of the most robust evidence to date of the oft‐assumed, but largely untested, premise that SDO and RWA predict change in party support.
First records of contemporary testate amoeba assemblages from the Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia and potential for palaeoenvironmental reconstruction
Authors: Payne Richard J. , Bobrov Anatoly A. , Tsyganov Andrey N. , Babeshko Kirill V. , Sloan Thomas J. , Kay Martin , Kupriyanov Dmitry A. , Surkov Nikolay V. , Novenko Elena Y. , Andreev Andrey A. , Mazei Yuri A.
Published: August 2020

The Kamchatka Peninsula in the far east of Russia is a substantial landmass that is poorly documented in terms of most elements of biodiversity. Here we provide the first study of modern assemblages of testate amoebae, a widespread group of protists that are particularly abundant in soils. We present a data set of 78 widely distributed samples, including forest, fen, scrub and bog habitats. Testate amoebae are abundant and diverse across Kamchatka with 119 taxa identified. The assemblage is primarily composed of widespread taxa, but rarer occurrences such as Cyclopyxis puteus hint at important biogeographical differences that will require confirmation with molecular data. Assemblages from mineral soils are significantly different from those of peatlands with the former characterized by small idiosome taxa and the latter by larger taxa, often with secretion tests. Water table depth explained significant variance in the peatland samples, supporting the use of testate amoebae in palaeoecological studies. This study adds to our knowledge of the biodiversity of Kamchatka and the global biogeography of protists, and it paves the way for palaeoecological studies to understand long‐term environmental change in this region.
Réformes de l'immigration au Québec en 2019 et 2020: La logique politique à l’épreuve de l'analyse statistique
Authors: Fleury Charles , Bélanger Danièle , Lechaume Aline
Published: August 2020

This research note examines the economic performance of economic immigrants selected under the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ). Launched in 2010 and currently being challenged by the Government of Quebec, this immigration program offers an accelerated path to obtaining a Quebec Selection Certificate. Drawing on data from The Longitudinal Immigration Database (IMDB), this analysis focuses on PEQ immigrants’ employment rates and employment income compared to the Quebec population aged 25 and 44, other economic immigrants admitted to Quebec, and candidates for the Canadian experience program admitted in another province. The results show that the first cohorts of this program performed very well on the Quebec job market, a performance that compares favorably with that of the other groups studied. The results indicate that the economic arguments put forward by the Québec Government to justify the reform of the PEQ do not withstand the statistical examination of employment outcomes; other factors should justify this reform.
Ethical questions concerning newborn genetic screening
Authors: Esquerda Montserrat , Palau Francesc , Lorenzo David , Cambra Francisco Jose , Bofarull Margarita , Cusi Victoria , Interdisciplinar en Bioetica Grup
Published: August 2020

Newborn screening is a public health strategy used to identify certain diseases in the first days of life and, therefore, facilitate early treatment before the onset of symptoms. The decision of which diseases should be included in a screening goes beyond the medical perspective, including reasons for public health and health economics. There are a number of characteristics to include a disease in the screening, such as that the disorder must be a significant health problem, the natural history of the disease must be well known, a feasible and accurate test must be available, there must be a treatment that is most effective when applied before the onset of clinical symptoms and a health system must be in place that is capable of performing the procedure and subsequent monitoring. Currently, newborn screening programs are currently based on the use of biochemical markers that detect metabolites, hormones or proteins, but recently, the availability of new technology has allowed the possibility of a genetic screening. In addition to technical problems, the possibility of neonatal screening also presents a number of ethical problems. We identified and discussed six areas of particular concern: type of illness, overdiagnosis or overtreatment, information management and informed consent, data confidentiality and protection, justice and legal regulation.
Risk, vulnerability, and pragmatic inevitability: the conflict–disaster nexus and urban governance in Johannesburg, South Africa
Authors: Danielak Silvia
Published: August 2020

This paper spotlights post‐disaster relief provision in Johannesburg, South Africa, following the floods of 2016 in a bid to explore how local government and non‐governmental actors in the country conceive of compounding vulnerability and conflict within urban disaster governance. It reveals the diverse strategies employed to navigate violent conflict during the cyclical occurrence of disaster and reconstruction that the predominantly migrant population experiences in the Setswetla informal settlement, adjacent to the Alexandra township in northern Johannesburg. Rendered visible in moments of disaster and recovery are the spatial politics and multidimensional nature of conflict. These phenomena unfold across various levels of urban governance and in the affected community and effectively construct a disaster citizenship that makes risk reduction and community cohesion impossible in the eyes of disaster managers. This research, based on a set of expert interviews, integrates conflict and disaster studies to shed light on how the conflict–disaster interface materialises, and is operationalised, in an urban setting.
Evidence of unidirectional hybridization and second‐generation adult hybrid between the two largest animals on Earth, the fin and blue whales
Authors: Pampoulie Christophe , Gíslason Davíð , Ólafsdóttir Guðbjörg , Chosson Valérie , Halldórsson Sverrir Daníel , Mariani Stefano , Elvarsson Bjarki Þ. , Rasmussen Marianne H. , Iversen Maria R. , Daníelsdóttir Anna Kristín , Víkingsson Gísli A.
Published: August 2020

Biodiversity in the oceans has dramatically declined since the beginning of the industrial era, with accelerated loss of marine biodiversity impairing the ocean's capacity to maintain vital ecosystem services. A few organisms epitomize the damaging and long‐lasting effects of anthropogenic exploitation: Some whale species, for instance, were brought to the brink of extinction, with their population sizes reduced to such low levels that may have caused a significant disruption to their reproductive dynamics and facilitated hybridization events. The incidence of hybridization is nevertheless believed to be rare, and very little information exists on its directionality. Here, using genetic markers, we show that all but one whale hybrid sample collected in Icelandic waters originated from the successful mating of male fin whale and female blue whale, thus suggesting unidirectional hybridization. We also demonstrate for the first time the existence of a second‐generation adult (male) hybrid resulting from a backcross between a female hybrid and a pure male fin whale. The incidence of hybridization events between fin and blue whales is likely underestimated and the observed unidirectional hybridization (for F1 and F2 hybrids) is likely to induce a reproductive loss in blue whale, which may represent an additional challenge to its recovery in the Atlantic Ocean compared to other rorquals.
Acne as an altered dermato‐endocrine response problem
Authors: Briganti Stefania , Flori Enrica , Mastrofrancesco Arianna , Ottaviani Monica
Published: August 2020

Acne is the most common skin disease in adolescent Westernized populations. Several data support the involvement of the mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) signalling in the interplay between androgens, insulin, insulin‐like growth factor (IGF1) and high‐glycaemic index diet in acne. The peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor γ (PPARγ) is involved in both differentiation and anti‐inflammatory response. Low differentiated sebocytes showed decreased expression of PPARγ and increased level of insulin and IGF‐1 receptors, resulting in the production of acne‐like sebum and inflammatory mediators. In this viewpoint, we discuss how in acne the dysregulation of proliferation and differentiation processes in sebocytes and keratinocytes may be associated with altered response to androgens and other hormones, such as insulin or IGF‐1. Moreover, we propose PPARγ modulation as an innovative therapeutic approach to normalize sebocyte differentiation process, interfering with the different mechanisms involved in altered pilosebaceous unit.
COVID‐19 and Vitamin D: A lesson from the skin
Authors: Slominski Radomir M. , Stefan Joanna , Athar Mohammad , Holick Michael F. , Jetten Anton M. , Raman Chander , Slominski Andrzej T.
Published: August 2020

The negative outcomes of COVID‐19 diseases respiratory distress (ARDS) and the damage to other organs are secondary to a “cytokine storm” and to the attendant oxidative stress. Active hydroxyl forms of vitamin D are anti‐inflammatory, induce antioxidative responses, and stimulate innate immunity against infectious agents. These properties are shared by calcitriol and the CYP11A1‐generated non‐calcemic hydroxyderivatives. They inhibit the production of pro‐inflammatory cytokines, downregulate NF‐κΒ, show inverse agonism on RORγ and counteract oxidative stress through the activation of NRF‐2. Therefore, a direct delivery of hydroxyderivatives of vitamin D deserves consideration in the treatment of COVID‐19 or ARDS of different aetiology. We also recommend treatment of COVID‐19 patients with high‐dose vitamin D since populations most vulnerable to this disease are likely vitamin D deficient and patients are already under supervision in the clinics. We hypothesize that different routes of delivery (oral and parenteral) will have different impact on the final outcome.
Total ecosystem carbon stocks at the marine‐terrestrial interface: Blue carbon of the Pacific Northwest Coast, United States
Authors: Kauffman J. Boone , Giovanonni Leila , Kelly James , Dunstan Nicholas , Borde Amy , Diefenderfer Heida , Cornu Craig , Janousek Christopher , Apple Jude , Brophy Laura
Published: August 2020

The coastal ecosystems of temperate North America provide a variety of ecosystem services including high rates of carbon sequestration. Yet, little data exist for the carbon stocks of major tidal wetland types in the Pacific Northwest, United States. We quantified the total ecosystem carbon stocks (TECS) in seagrass, emergent marshes, and forested tidal wetlands, occurring along increasing elevation and decreasing salinity gradients. The TECS included the total aboveground carbon stocks and the entire soil profile (to as deep as 3 m). TECS significantly increased along the elevation and salinity gradients: 217 ± 60 Mg C/ha for seagrass (low elevation/high salinity), 417 ± 70 Mg C/ha for low marsh, 551 ± 47 Mg C/ha for high marsh, and 1,064 ± 38 Mg C/ha for tidal forest (high elevation/low salinity). Soil carbon stocks accounted for >98% of TECS in the seagrass and marsh communities and 78% in the tidal forest. Soils in the 0–100 cm portion of the profile accounted for only 48%–53% of the TECS in seagrasses and marshes and 34% of the TECS in tidal forests. Thus, the commonly applied limit defining TECS to a 100 cm depth would greatly underestimate both carbon stocks and potential greenhouse gas emissions from land‐use conversion. The large carbon stocks coupled with other ecosystem services suggest value in the conservation and restoration of temperate zone tidal wetlands through climate change mitigation strategies. However, the findings suggest that long‐term sea‐level rise effects such as tidal inundation and increased porewater salinity will likely decrease ecosystem carbon stocks in the absence of upslope wetland migration buffer zones.
NKX3.1 immunoreactivity is not identified in mesenchymal chondrosarcoma: a 25‐case cohort study
Authors: Chen Wei , Hornick Jason L , Fletcher Christopher D M
Published: August 2020

Aims

Mesenchymal chondrosarcoma (MC) is characterised typically by a bimorphic microscopic appearance of islands of a well‐differentiated cartilaginous component, admixed with a primitive small cell component, which commonly expresses CD99 and NKX2.2. Given the variable relative abundance of each component and histological overlap with other small round cell tumours, the diagnosis can be challenging, especially in a limited sample. A distinctive gene fusion between HEY1 (located in 8q21) and NCOA2 (located in 8q13) was identified in MC, but the downstream molecular events are unknown. NKX3.1 (coding gene located in 8p21.1) was recently reported to be expressed in a small number of MC cases. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the potential diagnostic utility of NKX3.1 immunohistochemistry in MC.

Methods and results

We evaluated sections from 25 cases of MC, including 20 extraskeletal and five osseous. The tumour affected nine females and 16 males, with a median age of 34 years (age range = 7–82 years). Two different rabbit antibodies against NKX3.1 (monoclonal and polyclonal) were used for immunohistochemistry. However, no immunoreactivity was observed with either of the antibodies in all 25 (100%) MC.

Conclusions

NKX3.1 immunoreactivity was not identified in our cohort. Clonality of the antibody could not explain the negativity.
Knowledge, attitude, and practice concerning hypoglycaemia, insulin use, and insulin pens in Vietnamese diabetic outpatients: Prevalence and impact on safety and disease control
Authors: Ngo Thi Kim Cuc , Vo Thi Ha , Le Chuyen
Published: August 2020

Rationale, Aims, and Objectives

This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of Vietnamese diabetics in an outpatient setting regarding hypoglycaemia, insulin use, and insulin pen and to evaluate the factors related to the KAP, adverse drug reactions (ADRs), and glycaemic control status.

Methods

We interviewed patients by 16‐item questions on knowledge and eight questions on attitude, and requested the patient to demonstrate the injection technique with a sampled insulin pen.

Results

The response rate was 74% (148 patients included). The proportions of patient having a good knowledge, positive attitude, and good practice were 45.9%, 78.4%, and 44.6%, respectively. The two most common incorrect steps in using insulin pen were skipping to prime pen needle (90.9%) and not removing the used needle from the pen after using (87.8%). Patients using insulin at least 1 year had better knowledge (P = .025), more positive attitude (P = .017), and better practice of using insulin pen (P = .042). Patients had more positive attitude of insulin's role (P = .038) if they either used insulin in combination with oral diabetic medications or had history of using insulin vials. The number of patients having good knowledge was statistically significant higher in participants who previously received counselling from health professionals (P = .001). We also found a positive correlation between good knowledge of patients and good practice skills (P < .001). Patients with poor practice of insulin were more likely to have ADRs at the injection sites (P = .013). The patients with poorer level of knowledge had significant higher risk of hypoglycaemia (P = .001). KAP levels did not correlate with glycaemic control status.

Conclusions

The majority of outpatients had positive attitude towards insulin's role; however, their knowledge and practice of hypoglycaemia and using insulin pen needs improvement. This study will be helpful in the planning of patient education strategies.
Prediction model of success for external cephalic version. Complications and perinatal outcomes after a successful version
Authors: López‐Pérez Rocío , Lorente‐Fernández Mónica , Velasco‐Martínez María , Martínez‐Cendán Juan Pedro
Published: August 2020

Aim

External cephalic version (ECV) is an effective and safe technique for avoiding breech presentation at birth. However, it continues rejected by many women. The aim of this study is to develop a predictive model of success of external cephalic version, determine the safety of the technique and perinatal outcomes after successful version.

Methods

Data from 317 versions performed over a 6‐year period were collected. Different clinical and ultrasound variables, complications, vaginal delivery after successful version and perinatal outcomes were analyzed.

Results

The overall success rate was 72% (229 of 317 versions). The variables most related to success were parity, placental location, amniotic fluid volume, fetal sex, fetal head palpation and descent of the presenting part. A model for calculating the probability of success was developed in which to input parity, placentation and amniotic fluid data. The model correctly classified 98.8% of successful technique and 74% of all women. Complications were very few and mostly mild. Of women who had success, 77% (163 of 212) had a vaginal birth. No differences between neonatal outcomes were found.

Conclusion

External cephalic version is a successful, safe technique with a high rate of subsequent vaginal delivery. A success prediction model based on some very easily obtained variables can personalize the probability of success.
Potential effects of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection during pregnancy on fetuses and newborns are worthy of attention
Authors: Dang Dan , Wang Liying , Zhang Chuan , Li Zhenyu , Wu Hui
Published: August 2020

The outbreak of the 2019 novel coronavirus disease (SARS‐CoV‐2) has resulted in a major epidemic threat worldwide. However, the effects of neoviruses on infected pregnant women and especially on their fetuses and newborns are not well understood. Most up‐to‐date evidences about how SARS‐CoV‐2 affected patients especially in pregnancy were collected by conducting a comprehensive search of medical literature electronic databases. Immune‐related data of pregnant women, fetuses and newborns were further analysis. According to the limited literature, SARS‐CoV‐2 utilizes angiotensin converting enzyme 2 as its receptor and causes severe hypoxemia. Insufficiency of angiotensin converting enzyme 2 in pregnant women and the effects of hypoxia on the placental oxygen supply will cause severe perinatal complications. In addition, SARS‐CoV‐2 infection may disrupt maternal‐fetal immune tolerance and cause immunological damage to embryos. Because of these reasons, pregnancy complications such as fetal demise or premature birth, preeclampsia, intrauterine growth restriction, respiratory dyspnea, nervous system dysplasia and immune system defects are likely to occur in pregnant women with COVID‐19 or their newborns. Pregnant women infected with SARS‐CoV‐2 should be treated as a special group and given special attention. Fetuses and newborns of SARS‐CoV‐2‐infected pregnant women should be given more protection to reduce the occurrence of adverse events. In this review, we intend to provide an overview of the physiological and immunological changes that induce the pregnancy complications. This article will benefit the treatment and prognosis of fetuses and newborns of SARS‐CoV‐2‐infected pregnant women.
The evaluation of laparotomy results in breast cancer patients with gynecological pathologies
Authors: Şahin Uysal Nihal , Boyraz Gökhan , Usubütün Alp , Tuncer Zafer S.
Published: August 2020

Aim

The aim of the study was to evaluate the results of the laparotomies due to gynecological pathologies in breast cancer patients and to assess the distribution of gynecological pathologies and the clinical and laboratory findings contributing to the diagnosis.

Methods

This study was conducted between years 2002 and 2011 at Hacettepe University Hospital. We obtained information about 86 consecutive breast cancer patients, including age, time of diagnosis and pathology of breast cancer, hormone receptor status, history of endocrine therapy, presenting symptoms, ultrasonography findings, CA 125 levels, endometrial biopsy results, type of gynecological surgery and pathology results. Data were analyzed with the use of SPSS software.

Results

Twenty‐one (24.4%) out of 86 patients had endometrial pathology, and 24 (27.9%) had adnexal pathology. Fourteen patients (16.2%) had malignant pathology, and of them, 11 had ovarian cancer 3 had endometrial cancer. There were five abnormal cytological findings: 2 ASCUS, 1 LSIL, 1 ASC‐H and 1 adenocarcinoma. The patient with the cytology report of adenocarcinoma had the final diagnosis of endometrial cancer. Of the patients, 67 (77.9%) used tamoxifen, whereas 19 (22.1%) did not. Thirty‐three patients (38.4%) with gynecological pathologies were detected incidentally during routine follow‐up of breast cancer.

Conclusion

This study supports the increase of the gynecological pathology incidence in breast cancer patients and the recommendation of close gynecological follow‐up in these patients. Asymptomatic patients might also develop genital cancer. The ultrasonographic appearance of the adnexal masses or endometrial thickness and any abnormal vaginal bleeding or high CA 125 levels are important parameters for evaluating breast cancer patients.
Verbal cues to deceit when lying through omitting information
Authors: Leal Sharon , Vrij Aldert , Deeb Haneen , Hudson Charlotte , Capuozzo Pasquale , Fisher Ronald P.
Published: August 2020

Background

Lying through omitting information has been neglected in verbal lie detection research. The task is challenging: Can we decipher from the truthful information a lie teller provides that s/he is hiding something? We expected this to be the case because of lie tellers’ inclination to keep their stories simple. We predicted lie tellers to provide fewer details and fewer complications than truth tellers, the latter particularly after exposure to a Model Statement.

Method

A total of 44 truth tellers and 41 lie tellers were interviewed about a conversation (debriefing interview) they had taken part in earlier. Lie tellers were asked not to discuss one aspect of that debriefing interview.

Results

Results showed that truth tellers reported more complications than lie tellers after exposure to a Model Statement.

Conclusion

Ideas about future research in lying through omissions are discussed.