bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Financial risk-taking and trait emotional intelligence
Authors: Bucciol Alessandro , Guerrero Federico , Papadovasilaki Dimitra
Published: May 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the relationship between financial risk-taking and trait emotional intelligence (EI).

Design/methodology/approach

An incentivized online survey was conducted to collect the data, including measurements for cognitive ability and socio-demographic characteristics.

Findings

There is a positive correlation between trait EI and financial risk-taking that is at least as large as that between risk-taking and measures of cognitive control (CRT). Trait EI is a key determinant of risk-taking. However, not all components of trait EI play an identical role. In fact, we observe positive effects of well-being, mainly driven by males and sociability. Self-control seems to matter only for males.

Research implications/limitations

This study suffers from the bias of self-reported answers, a common limitation of all survey studies.

Practical implications

This evidence provides a noncognitive explanation for the typically observed heterogeneity of financial risk-taking, in addition to more established explanations linked to cognitive skills. Investor profiles should bealsodetermined on their trait EI.

Social implications

Governments should start programs meant to improve the level of trait EI to ameliorate individual wealth outcomes. Female investors participation in the financial markets might increase by fostering their sociability.

Originality/value

The relationship between trait EI and each of its components with financial risk-taking is vastly unexplored, while it is the first time that gender effects are discussed in that set up.
Intercultural competency among engineering doctoral students
Authors: Main Joyce B. , Wang Yanbing
Published: May 2020

Purpose

Although engineering doctoral students are at the forefront of discovery and innovation and have great potential for establishing partnerships to address engineering challenges crossing national borders, there are few studies of their intercultural competency. The purpose of this study is to identify factors that are associated with intercultural competency – the ability to work effectively in multicultural environments.

Design/methodology/approach

The intercultural competency levels of 390 engineering doctoral students were measured by using the Miville–Guzman Universality-Diversity Scale-Short Form (MGUDS-S). Data were analyzed using ordinary linear squares regression. Results are considered descriptive, rather than causal.

Findings

Results show that female engineering doctoral students are more likely to score higher on the MGUDS-S than male engineering doctoral students. Proficiency in multiple languages and previous work- or volunteer-related travel experiences are positively associated with doctoral students’ intercultural competency.

Originality/value

As internationalization of engineering research and innovation continues to expand, findings suggest that providing students with more opportunities and support for work- or volunteer-related travel and opportunities for learning new languages may help facilitate the development of intercultural competency and students’ willingness to engage in long-term international professional opportunities and research partnerships.
Social participation in the definition of budgetary instruments
Authors: Felix Júnior Luiz Antonio , Costa Wênyka Preston Leite Batista da , Guimarães Luciana Gondim de Almeida , Pereira Glauber Ruan Barbosa , El-Aouar Walid Abbas
Published: May 2020

Purpose

The participation of society is a valuable aspect of the governability of cities, for it strengthens the citizens’ collaborative component. Such participation, which is seen as social, is considered an essential element for the design of a smart city. This study aims to identify the factors that contribute to social participation in the definition of budgetary instruments’ planning.

Design/methodology/approach

Concerning the methodological instruments, this study is characterised by a quantitative and descriptive approach and uses a multivariate data analysis with a sample of 235 respondents.

Findings

The study’s findings identified a framework that portrays elements that collaborate with the social participation in the definition of the public administration’s budgetary instruments, which are considered as elements that are able to develop the role of the popular participation and are characterised by the definition of a smart city by enabling more assertiveness in society’s needs.

Practical implications

Identification of a framework that brings out elements that are able to develop the popular participation in the definition of budgetary instruments. Then, one scale of elements that contribute to social participation in the definition of the public administration’s budgetary instruments theoretically represented and statistically validated, thus contributing to the continuity of studies on social participation.

Social implications

Through studies on social participation in budgetary planning, it is possible to guarantee a better allocation of public resources through intelligent governability.

Originality/value

The research can bring theoretical elements about social participation in the definition of budget instruments for a statistical convergence through the perception of the sample.
Intraspecific variation in tree growth responses to neighbourhood composition and seasonal drought in a tropical forest
Authors: Yang Jie , Song Xiaoyang , Zambrano Jenny , Chen Yuxin , Cao Min , Deng Xiaobao , Zhang Wenfu , Yang Xiaofei , Zhang Guocheng , Tang Yong , Swenson Nathan G.
Published: May 2020

Functional traits are expected to provide insights into the abiotic and biotic drivers of plant demography. However, successfully linking traits to plant demographic performance likely requires the consideration of important contextual and individual‐level information that is often ignored in trait‐based ecology.

Here, we modelled 8 years of growth from 1,138 individual trees in 36 tropical rain forest species. We compared models of tree growth parameterized using individual‐level versus species mean trait data. We also compared models that considered regional climatic, local biotic and whole‐plant allocation contexts to those that do not.

Our analyses show that growth models parameterized using individual‐level trait information outperformed those that used species mean trait information and that these models often contradicted one another indicating that the common practice of using species mean trait data requires more scrutiny. Additionally, we found that models including climatic, biotic and allocation contexts outperformed those that did not and provided nuanced insights into the drivers of tree growth in a tropical forest.

Synthesis. Here we have shown that the development of models of tree demographic performance upon the basis of traits can be improved through a consideration of individual‐level trait variation as well as phenotypic and climatic contexts. We highlight that our ability to understand the drivers of tree population and community structure and dynamics in current and in future climates will be limited if contextual and individual‐level data remains understudied.
Functional potential and assembly of microbes from sediments in a lake bay and adjoining river ecosystem for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon biodegradation
Authors: Yan Zaisheng , Song Na , Wang Changhui , Jiang Helong
Published: May 2020

Lake and adjoining river ecosystems are ecologically and economically valuable and are heavily threatened by anthropogenic activities. Determining the inherent capacity of ecosystems for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) biodegradation can help quantify environmental impacts on the functioning of ecosystems, especially on that of the microbial community. Here, PAH biodegradation potential was compared between sediments collected from a lake bay (LS) and an adjoining river (RS) ecosystem. Microbial community composition, function, and their co‐occurrence patterns were also explored. In the RS, the biodegradation rates (KD) of pyrene or PAH were almost two orders of magnitude higher than those in the LS. Sediment functional community structure and network interactions were dramatically different between the LS and RS. Although PAH degradation genes (p450aro, quinoline, and qorl) were detected in the LS, the community activity of these genes needed to be biostimulated for accelerated bioremediation. In contrast, functional communities in the RS were capable of spontaneous natural attenuation of PAH. The degradation of PAH in the RS also required coordinated response of the complex functional community. Taken together, elucidating functions and network interactions in sediment microbial communities and their responses to environmental changes are very important for the bioremediation of anthropogenic toxic contaminants.
First and second language vocabulary affect early second language reading comprehension development
Authors: van den Bosch Liza J. , Segers Eliane , Verhoeven Ludo
Published: May 2020

The aim of this study was to examine variation in early reading comprehension development for second language (L2) readers compared with first language (L1) readers and to investigate the impact of vocabulary knowledge in their first and second language. Participants were 75 Dutch monolingual children (L1 readers) and 71 Turkish–Dutch bilingual children (L2 readers), aged between 6 and 8 years old at the start of the study. In a longitudinal design, three waves of data were collected across second and third grades. The L2 readers had lower reading comprehension scores than the L1 readers on average, but this performance gap narrowed over time. To further investigate variation among the L2 readers, four categorical subgroups of L2 readers were identified with varying levels of L1 (Turkish) and L2 (Dutch) vocabulary knowledge by means of cluster analysis. Group membership was related to reading comprehension and showed an interaction with time, indicating that reading comprehension performance of the two L2 subgroups with high L1 vocabulary increased more over time compared with L1 readers. The L2 subgroup with high vocabulary in both languages even caught up with their monolingual peers in third grade. These findings demonstrate how individual differences in L1 and L2 vocabulary knowledge explain variation in early L2 reading comprehension development and highlight the importance of considering L2 readers' first language in research and education.
Connecting meanings of ageing, consumption, and information and communication technologies through practice
Authors: Mansvelt Juliana , Elms Jonathan , Dodds Sarah
Published: May 2020

Practices involving the consumption of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) are increasingly important to the maintenance of everyday life for older New Zealanders. Developing competency with ICT can provide a way of challenging negative discourses of ageing. Interviews with 20 older New Zealanders reveal that “keeping up” with the times, with changing technologies, and with others is a means by which to shape aged subjectivities. However, while competency in ICT practices enables participants to refute discourses of ageing that locate older people negatively as part of an aged digital divide, it can also work to reproduce this divide. Consequently, understanding the nuanced and situated nature of meanings related to ICT practice is necessary in order to interrogate normative assumptions associated with the “more than human” possibilities of ageing well.
Food Loss and Waste: Some Guidance
Authors: Koester Ulrich , Loy Jens‐Peter , Ren Yanjun
Published: May 2020

Food loss and waste (FLW) has received worldwide attention, but many studies of the issue do not use explicit objectives or consistent definitions. It often appears that the reduction of FLW is the goal whatever the costs and risks involved. From an economic perspective, the central issue is efficient resource use. Since reducing FLW to zero is unlikely to be costless, it is unlikely to be efficient. Most studies focus on the volume of FLW measured in tonnes or in calories. It makes no economic sense to aggregate different products this way, in fact, the value of FLW needs to be compared with the costs of its reduction. We present three examples which illustrate such costs. Government regulations can cause significant FLW. Instead of targeting volume‐based reductions, governments should focus on reviewing regulations that affect the level of FLW, invest in research and development for more resource efficient technologies, and provide more accurate information on value‐based FLW and the costs and risks of its reduction. Moreover, governments could support private sector activities targeted to reducing food loss. The focus should not just be on reducing FLW, but on the more efficient use of scarce resources.
Fresh fruit consumption may decrease the long‐term risk of esophageal cancer mortality: A 30‐year follow‐up study in the Linxian Dysplasia Nutrition Intervention trial (NIT)
Authors: Yang Huan , Zhang Su , Yan Huijiao , Wang Jianbing , Fan Jinhu , Qiao Youlin , Taylor Philip R.
Published: May 2020

Background

The objective of this study was to explore the association between fresh fruit consumption and long‐term risk of upper gastrointestinal cancer (UGI) in the Linxian Dysplasia Nutrition Intervention Trial (NIT) cohort.

Methods

A cohort of 3318 subjects with esophageal squamous dysplasia participated in the Linxian Dysplasia NIT in May 1985 and were followed up until 30 September 2015. Demographic characteristics, lifestyle, and history of diseases were collected at the baseline. The primary endpoint was death from esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), gastric cardia carcinoma (GCC), and gastric noncardia carcinoma (GNCC). Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were estimated using the Cox proportional hazard model.

Results

In the 30‐year follow‐up, a total of 541 ESCC, 284 GCC, and 77 GNCC deaths occurred. Relative to those who never or rarely consumed fresh fruit, the risk of ESCC mortality in participants who consumed fresh fruit more than 12 times/year were significantly decreased by 37.3% (HR = 0.63, 95% CI: 0.49–0.81). In the subgroup analyses, significantly protective effects on ESCC mortality were observed especially in females (HR = 0.59, 95% CI: 0.40–0.89), non‐smokers (HR = 0.67, 95% CI: 0.48–0.94), and nondrinkers (HR = 0.69, 95% CI: 0.51–0.93).

Conclusions

Consuming fresh fruit more than 12 times/year may reduce the long‐term risk of ESCC mortality in this dysplasia population, particularly in females, non‐smokers, and nondrinkers. Future studies are needed to confirm these findings.
Prognostic role of extracellular vesicles in squamous cell carcinoma of the lung
Authors: An Hyo Jung , Kim Min Hye , Kim Sung Hwan , Lee Gyeong‐Won , Song Dae Hyun
Published: May 2020

Background

Research on diagnosing recurrent non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and applying target gene treatment using exosomes in a less invasive way is very important. Recently, however, it has been argued that exosomes do not contain double‐stranded DNA (dsDNA) or histones. In this study, we describe the expression of extracellular vesicle (EV) markers in specimens from squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the lung and analyze their relationship with the prognosis of patients.

Methods

Clinical and pathological data were obtained from 96 patients who had undergone surgery for SCC of the lung. Tissue microarray blocks were made using representative paraffin blocks of samples from patients with SCC of the lung. Two pathologists graded the intensity of CD63, CD9, LC3A/B, P62, and ANXA1 expression as high or low expression. In addition, the authors designated the combined expression of these five independent markers as “positive EV expression” in this article.

Results

SCCs with low CD63 and SCCs with low EV expression showed unfavorable disease‐free survival (DFS) (P‐value = 0.037 and 0.006, respectively) in the survival analysis. The Kaplan‐Meier survival curve confirmed that the low EV expression showed a statistically significant relationship with unfavorable DFS (P‐value = 0.004). There were no statistically significant differences in DFS and disease‐specific survival in each low and high expression group for CD9, LC3A/B, ANXA1, and P62 in the Cox regression analysis.

Conclusions

As EV expression was related to the prognosis of lung SCC patients, a broader approach using different extracellular vesicles rather than a conventional exosome‐dependent one is needed.
Piecemeal Farm Regulation and the U.S. Commerce Clause
Authors: Carter Colin A. , Schaefer K. Aleks , Scheitrum Daniel
Published: May 2020

Since January 2015, California has required that all shell eggs consumed in the state be produced cage free or by hens housed in enlarged cages defined under Assembly Bill 1437. This paper assesses the effects of California farm animal housing restrictions on egg prices and production practices inside and outside California, and on the volume of interstate trade. We find that the California regulation generated short‐ and long‐run egg price increases across the U.S. It has also bifurcated production methods outside California yielding more concentrated interstate trade. The largest share of the associated private costs was borne by out‐of‐state consumers. The balance between a state's power to regulate food production within its borders and the impacts on out‐of‐state producers and consumers has potential legal implications under the dormant Commerce Clause of the U.S. Constitution.
Investigating women with postmenopausal bleeding: The utility of endometrial thickness in transvaginal ultrasound
Authors: Palipana Dinesh , Fomin Igor , Russell Elsa , Chan Brian , Wong Chad , Chan Erick , Ho Debbie , Walker Graeme
Published: May 2020

Background

Australian clinical guidelines recommend further investigation in females with postmenopausal bleeding (PMB) and endometrial thickness (ET) of ≥4 mm on transvaginal ultrasound (TVUS). However, the literature indicates that an ET of ≥3 mm as an upper limit is a more sensitive predictor of endometrial malignancy (EM) in females with PMB.

Aims

To assess whether Australian guidelines for PMB with an upper limit of 4 mm ET on ultrasound investigation, is sensitive enough for malignancy detection.

Material and Methods

A retrospective study was performed on tissue results in PMB presentations to the Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service between 2011 and 2015.

Results

Twenty point nine percent of women with PMB had a malignancy. With an upper limit of 4 mm in ET on ultrasound, malignancy was present in 22% of participants. [Correction added on 10 July 2020, after first online publication: percentage of women with PMB that had a malignancy has been amended to twenty point nine percent.]

Conclusions

A limit of 3 mm for ET in PMB, along with office endometrial biopsy, should be considered to ensure timely diagnoses.
Minor DNA methylation changes are observed in spermatozoa prepared using different protocols
Authors: Stimpfel Martin , Vrtacnik‐Bokal Eda
Published: May 2020

Background

DNA methylation patterns can show transgenerational inheritance and are influenced by lifestyle and environmental factors. It is suggested that these patterns can be changed by assisted reproductive technology.

Objectives

To evaluate the impact of two different sperm preparation methods, conventional density gradient centrifugation (DGC) vs. density gradient centrifugation followed by magnetic‐activated cell sorting (MACS) of non‐apoptotic spermatozoa, on sperm DNA methylation profile.

Materials and methods

We analyzed semen of patients included in our IVF treatment program. Half of the semen from each included patient was prepared for ICSI using the DGC method and the other half with DGC followed by MACS. The remaining samples were processed for DNA methylation analysis with reduced representation bisulfite sequencing (RRBS). In addition to the DNA methylation profile, we assessed the morphology and DNA fragmentation of spermatozoa.

Results

RRBS analysis revealed that the average genome‐wide methylation level was similar between both groups (DGC vs. MACS group) and ranged from 0.53 to 0.56. Furthermore, RRBS analysis identified 99 differentially methylated regions (DMRs) and 800 differentially methylated positions (DMPs). In the DGC group, 43 DMRs and 392 DMPs were hypermethylated whereas 56 DMRs and 408 DMPs were hypomethylated compared with those in the MACS group. When DMRs and DMPs were annotated to genes, 3 genes associated with imprinting were found: IGF2, PRDM16, and CLF4/BRUNOL4. The percentage of morphologically normal spermatozoa (MACS vs. DGC; 14.0 ± 10.8 vs. 13.2 ± 10.0; P = .335) and of spermatozoa with fragmented DNA of patients with RRBS analysis (22.9 ± 21.1% vs. 34.4 ± 21.2; P = .529) were also similar between groups.

Discussion and Conclusion

Although the average genome‐wide level of sperm DNA methylation was similar in both sample groups, a distinctive number of methylation changes were observed in DMR and DMP levels. A larger number of samples should be analyzed and additional sperm preparation methods should be tested to confirm our findings.
Effects of rice feeding and carnitine addition on growth performance and mRNA expression of protein metabolism‐related genes in broiler grower chicks
Authors: Fujimoto Hiroya , Matsumoto Keisuke , Koseki Minori , Yamashiro Hideaki , Yamada Takahisa , Takada Ryozo
Published: May 2020

This study was carried out to evaluate the nutritional effects of rice feeding and carnitine addition to a diet for broiler chicks. Thirty‐six male 10‐day‐old broiler chicks were assigned to one of the following four treatment groups: corn‐based diet (corn group), rice‐based diet (rice group), and each diet with added carnitine (100 ppm). The experimental period was 2 weeks. Rice feeding resulted in significantly higher growth performance (body weight gain and feed efficiency) compared to corn feeding. Carnitine addition also resulted in higher growth performance. Breast muscle and thigh muscle weight (g) were significantly higher in broiler chicks fed rice and those fed diets with added carnitine. Liver mRNA expression of IGF‐I was significantly higher in broiler chicks fed rice compared to those fed corn. There was no significant difference in mRNA expression of muscle atrogin‐1 or liver CPT‐I between broiler chicks fed rice and those fed corn, not between broilers chicks fed diets containing carnitine or not. Overall, these results show that rice feeding and carnitine addition improve the growth performance of broiler chicks by increasing mRNA expression of liver IGF‐I. In addition, carnitine action is not affected by different cereals (corn and rice).
Sacubitril/valsartan (Entresto) utilisation and prescribing patterns in the context of a reimbursement application system
Authors: Kennedy Cormac , Smith Amelia , Doran Stephen , Barry Michael
Published: May 2020

Aims

Entresto (sacubitril/valsartan) is used to treat symptomatic chronic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. Given its high potential budget impact, the Health Services Executive introduced a reimbursement application system (RAS) to ensure its appropriate use. The aim of this study was to evaluate the utilisation of Entresto in Ireland and compare patient characteristics to those of the pivotal PARADIGM‐HF trial.

Methods

We used dispensed claims data from the Primary Care Reimbursement Services, clinical data obtained from the RAS, and data from published studies of Entresto utilisation. Differences in the baseline characteristics in the study populations vs the Entresto arm of the PARADIGM‐HF trial were analysed. We also investigated cardiovascular medication use in the 6 months pre‐ and post‐Entresto initiation.

Results

In 2018, there were 1043 individuals receiving Entresto, corresponding to an expenditure of €1.2 million. Patients prescribed Entresto in Ireland were older, had lower left ventricular ejection fraction and were more symptomatic than those in the PARADIGM‐HF trial. Irish patient characteristics were reflective of Entresto‐treated populations in other real‐world studies. More than 63% of patients were commenced on the lowest Entresto dose. Entresto initiation was associated with a reduction in the use of other medications for heart failure.

Conclusion

The utilisation of Entresto has been steadily increasing in Ireland since its reimbursement approval. The expenditure in the first year was substantially lower than predicted, and the RAS is an example of how health technology management can facilitate appropriate and cost‐effective use of medicines.
Subunits of BK channels promote breast cancer development and modulate responses to endocrine treatment in preclinical models
Authors: Mohr Corinna J. , Schroth Werner , Mürdter Thomas E. , Gross Dominic , Maier Selina , Stegen Benjamin , Dragoi Alice , Steudel Friederike A. , Stehling Severine , Hoppe Reiner , Madden Stephen , Ruth Peter , Huber Stephan M. , Brauch Hiltrud , Lukowski Robert
Published: May 2020

Background and Purpose

Pore‐forming α subunits of the voltage‐ and Ca2+‐activated K+ channel with large conductance (BKα) promote malignant phenotypes of breast tumour cells. Auxiliary subunits such as the leucine‐rich repeat containing 26 (LRRC26) protein, also termed BKγ1, may be required to permit activation of BK currents at a depolarized resting membrane potential that frequently occur in non‐excitable tumour cells.

Experimental Approach

Anti‐tumour effects of BKα loss were investigated in breast tumour‐bearing MMTV‐PyMT transgenic BKα knockout (KO) mice, primary MMTV‐PyMT cell cultures, and in a syngeneic transplantation model of breast cancer derived from these cells. The therapeutic relevance of BK channels in the context of endocrine treatment was assessed in human breast cancer cell lines expressing either low (MCF‐7) or high (MDA‐MB‐453) levels of BKα and BKγ1, as well as in BKα‐negative MDA‐MB‐157.

Key Results

BKα promoted breast cancer onset and overall survival in preclinical models. Conversely, lack of BKα and/or knockdown of BKγ1 attenuated proliferation of murine and human breast cancer cells in vitro. At low concentrations, tamoxifen and its major active metabolites stimulated proliferation of BKα/γ1‐positive breast cancer cells, independent of the genomic signalling controlled by the oestrogen receptor. Finally, tamoxifen increased the relative survival time of BKα KO but not of wild‐type tumour cell recipient mice.

Conclusion and Implications

Breast cancer initiation, progression, and tamoxifen sensitivity depend on functional BK channels thereby providing a rationale for the future exploration of the oncogenic actions of BK channels in clinical outcomes with anti‐oestrogen therapy.

LINKED ARTICLES

This article is part of a themed issue on New avenues in cancer prevention and treatment (BJP 75th Anniversary). To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v179.12/issuetoc
Improving First Nations water security through governance
Authors: Alcantara Christopher , Longboat Sheri , Vanhooren Shanaya
Published: May 2020

Many First Nations communities lack access to safe drinking water. In this article, we examine an under‐appreciated tool for improving First Nations water security – governance – and develop a framework for guiding the design and analysis of First Nations water governance models. In particular, we argue that three key ideas from the public administration literature – financial resources, regulation, and formalization – should be integrated with Indigenous insights and philosophies that are specific to each First Nations community. We illustrate how this might work by focusing on the insights, traditions, and philosophies of an Anishinaabek community in southern Ontario.
Eating disorders and needs of disabled children at primary school
Authors: Kabasakal Esma , Özcebe Hilal , Arslan Umut Ece
Published: May 2020

Aim

The aim of this study was to provide current information on the eating disorders, needs and confronted problems of children with disabilities during their school hours at primary schools.

Background

Eating disorders and needs of disabled children are important in their participation in school life, cognition, and academic achievement.

Results

In this study, It was aimed to reach all children with disabilities attending at 72 primary schools located in low, medium and high socio‐economic districts in Ankara, capital of Turkey; 404 parents voluntarly accepted to participate in the study. This study has revealed that students with disabilities experienced eating disorders such as forget to eat foods at feeding time, cannot go to canteen to buy food, have sucking and/or chewing problems, lack of self‐care skills and need support while eating at schools. The percentage of children who had breakfast at school was 18.1%. The percentage of those who indicated that their child had lunch at school was 59.0%. The children from low socio‐economic district had the highest percentage of adequate nutrition at schools in the last week. Families whose children having lack of self‐care skills (50.0%), were picky eaters (38.5%), having lack of appetite (42.1%), experienced from constipation frequently (50.0%), have reflux problem (29.0%) considered that their children needed feeding supports at school.

Conclusion

Families whose children having eating disorders at schools considered that their children needed feeding supports. Fulfilling the needs of children with disability and providing them support as positive discrimination would ensure healthy development and participation in school life and generate positive effects on their academic achievement. The school health policies have to encompass nutritional needs of vulnerable children to benefit from right to education in an adequate and effective manner.
Participation‐focused practices in paediatric rehabilitation for children with neurodisability in New Zealand: An observational study using MAPi audit tool
Authors: Graham Fiona , Timothy Emily , Williman Jonathan , Levack William
Published: May 2020

Background

Participation outcomes and family‐centred services are now widely agreed standards of care in paediatric rehabilitation. Evidence suggests that adoption of these practices into usual care has been slow internationally, and no studies of participation‐focused or family‐centred practices in New Zealand have been undertaken to date. The aims of this study were to identify the extent that goal setting in paediatric rehabilitation services is participation focused and family centred and to profile clinicians' beliefs about these foci.

Methods

Observational study including a retrospective case note audit and questionnaire. Case notes (‘charts’) were audited for participation‐focused goal‐related practice. Subgroup analysis of audit data by service, profession and child ethnicity were completed using weighted mean differences. Clinicians whose case notes were audited completed a 42‐item questionnaire on factors related to practice behaviour including text responses with each item. Numerical and text data were analysed descriptively.

Results

Five services were recruited (N = 46 clinicians) with case notes for 220 children audited. Auditors extracted 368 potentially participation‐related goals (Mdn = 2 goals per child) with no goals extracted for 43 (20%) of case notes. Subsequent coding of extracted goals identified 61% reflected participation (225/368). Subgroup analysis revealed significant differences between services (p = 0.006) and professions (p < 0.001). Clinicians' reported valuing participation outcomes and family involvement and largely felt they did target participation. Skill gaps, absence of self‐monitoring strategies and unsupportive professional and work cultures were cited as key challenges.

Conclusions

Although valued by clinicians, participation‐focused practice is unusual care in paediatric rehabilitation in New Zealand. Substantial gains in the quality of care for children with disabilities could be afforded through training in collaborative goal setting to target participation outcomes.
Effectiveness and safety of dupilumab for the treatment of severe asthma in a real‐life French multi‐centre adult cohort
Authors: Dupin Clairelyne , Belhadi Drifa , Guilleminault Laurent , Gamez Anne‐Sophie , Berger Patrick , De Blay Frédéric , Bonniaud Philippe , Leroyer Christophe , Mahay Guillaume , Girodet Pierre‐Olivier , Raherison Chantal , Fry Stéphanie , Le Bourdellès Geneviève , Proust Alain , Rosencher Lise , Garcia Gilles , Bourdin Arnaud , Chenivesse Cécile , Didier Alain , Couffignal Camille , Taillé Camille
Published: May 2020

Background

Dupilumab is a monoclonal anti‐IL‐4Rα antibody developed for the treatment of severe asthma (SA). An early access programme for dupilumab was opened in France in SA patients experiencing unacceptable steroids side‐effects and/or life‐threatening exacerbations.

Objective

To assess changes in asthma control between baseline and 12 months of treatment.

Methods

Multi‐centre (n = 13) retrospective real‐life cohort study. This study is registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04022447).

Results

Overall, 64 patients with SA (median age 51, interquartile range [44‐61]; 53% females) received dupilumab as add‐on therapy to maximal standard of care; and 76% were on oral daily steroids at baseline. After 12 months, median asthma control test score improved from 14 [7‐16] to 22 [17‐24] (P < .001); median forced expiratory volume in 1 seconds increased from 58% [47‐75] to 68% [58‐88] (P = .001); and daily prednisone dose was reduced from 20 [10‐30] to 5 [0‐7] mg/d (P < .001). Annual exacerbations decreased from 4 [2‐7] to 1 [0‐2] (P < .001). Hypereosinophilia ≥1500/mm3 was observed at least once during follow‐up in 16 patients (25%), persisting after 6 months in 8 (14%) of them. Increase in blood eosinophil count did not modify the clinical response during the study period. Injection‐site reaction was the most common side effect (14%). Three deaths were observed, none related to treatment by investigators.

Conclusion & clinical relevance

In this first real‐life cohort study of predominantly steroid‐dependent SA, dupilumab significantly improved asthma control and lung function and reduced oral steroids use and exacerbations rate. Despite limitations due to the retrospective study, these results are consistent with controlled trials efficacy data. Further studies are required to assess the clinical significance and long‐term prognosis of sustained dupilumab‐induced hypereosinophilia.
Advanced glycation end products inhibit the osteogenic differentiation potential of adipose‐derived stem cells by modulating Wnt/β‐catenin signalling pathway via DNA methylation
Authors: Li Yong , Wang Lang , zhang Maorui , Huang Kui , Yao Zhihao , Rao Pengcheng , Cai Xiaoxiao , Xiao Jingang
Published: May 2020

Objectives

Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are considered a cause of diabetic osteoporosis. Although adipose‐derived stem cells (ASCs) are widely used in the research of bone regeneration, the mechanisms of the osteogenic differentiation of ASCs from diabetic osteoporosis model remain unclear. This work aimed to investigate the influence and the molecular mechanisms of AGEs on the osteogenic potential of ASCs.

Materials and methods

Enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay was used to measure the change of AGEs in diabetic osteoporotic and control C57BL/6 mice. ASCs were obtained from the inguinal fat of C57BL/6 mice. AGEs, 5‐aza2′‐deoxycytidine (5‐aza‐dC) and DKK‐1 were used to treat ASCs. Real‐time cell analysis and cell counting kit‐8 were used to monitor the proliferation of ASCs within and without AGEs. Real‐time PCR, Western blot and Immunofluorescence were used to analyse the genes and proteins expression of osteogenic factors, DNA methylation factors and Wnt/β‐catenin signalling pathway among the different groups.

Results

The AGEs and DNA methylation were increased in the adipose and bone tissue of the diabetic osteoporosis group. Untreated ASCs had higher cell proliferation activity than AGEs‐treatment group. The expression levels of osteogenic genes, Opn and Runx2, were lower, and mineralized nodules were less in AGEs‐treatment group. Meanwhile, DNA methylation was increased, and the Wnt signalling pathway markers, including β‐Catenin, Lef1 and P‐GSK‐3β, were inhibited. After treatment with 5‐aza‐dC, the osteogenic differentiation capacity of ASCs in the AGEs environment was restored and the Wnt signalling pathway was activated during this process.

Conclusions

Advanced glycation end products inhibit the osteogenic differentiation ability of ASCs by activating DNA methylation and inhibiting Wnt/β‐catenin pathway in vitro. Therefore, DNA methylation may be promising targets for the bone regeneration of ASCs with diabetic osteoporosis.
Use of cannabis and opioids for chronic pain by older adults: Distinguishing clinical and contextual influences
Authors: Bobitt Julie , Kang Hyojung , Croker James Alton , Quintero Silva Laura , Kaskie Brian
Published: May 2020

Introduction and Aims

Chronic pain is one of the most common health‐related conditions experienced by Americans over the age of 65. In this study, we examine the intersection between pain, opioids and cannabis use among older adults in Colorado and Illinois and examine how medical needs and other variables associated with a persons' background and attitudes influence choices concerning the use of opioids and cannabis to treat pain.

Design and Methods

Data were collected via a survey about cannabis and opioids use, and questions related to individual need factors (e.g. pain, quality of life) and contextual factors (e.g. sex, finances, personal attitudes, interaction with physicians) were included in this study. We built a logistic regression model to evaluate factors associated with drug use and a multinomial regression model to understand factors that influence drug choices between cannabis and opioids.

Results

A total of 436 individuals completed the survey; 62 used opioids only, 71 cannabis only and 72 used both. When comparing drug users to non‐drug users, pain was significantly associated with using cannabis and/or opioids when controlling for other covariates. However, when we compared cannabis users to opioid users, pain was no longer a determining factor. Instead, other contextual factors such as sex, personal beliefs and physician attitudes influenced an individual's choice between cannabis or opioids.

Discussion and Conclusions

This study showed that contextual factors appear to have more influence on an individual's decision to use cannabis as an alternative to opioids than individual need or characteristics.
EAN guideline on palliative care of people with severe, progressive multiple sclerosis
Authors: Solari A. , Giordano A. , Sastre‐Garriga J. , Köpke S. , Rahn A. C. , Kleiter I. , Aleksovska K. , Battaglia M. A. , Bay J. , Copetti M. , Drulovic J. , Kooij L. , Mens J. , Meza Murillo E. R. , Milanov I. , Milo R. , Pekmezovic T. , Vosburgh J. , Silber E. , Veronese S. , Patti F. , Voltz R. , Oliver D. ,   guideline task force
Published: May 2020

Background and purpose

Patients with severe, progressive multiple sclerosis (MS) have complex physical and psychosocial needs, typically over several years. Few treatment options are available to prevent or delay further clinical worsening in this population. The objective was to develop an evidence‐based clinical practice guideline for the palliative care of patients with severe, progressive MS.

Methods

This guideline was developed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation methodology. Formulation of the clinical questions was performed in the Patients–Intervention–Comparator–Outcome format, involving patients, carers and healthcare professionals (HPs). No uniform definition of severe MS exists: in this guideline, constant bilateral support required to walk 20 m without resting (Expanded Disability Status Scale score > 6.0) or higher disability is referred to. When evidence was lacking for this population, recommendations were formulated using indirect evidence or good practice statements were devised.

Results

Ten clinical questions were formulated. They encompassed general and specialist palliative care, advance care planning, discussing with HPs the patient’s wish to hasten death, symptom management, multidisciplinary rehabilitation, interventions for caregivers and interventions for HPs. A total of 34 recommendations (33 weak, 1 strong) and seven good practice statements were devised.

Conclusions

The provision of home‐based palliative care (either general or specialist) is recommended with weak strength for patients with severe, progressive MS. Further research on the integration of palliative care and MS care is needed. Areas that currently lack evidence of efficacy in this population include advance care planning, the management of symptoms such as fatigue and mood problems, and interventions for caregivers and HPs.
The mainstreaming of “vulgar territory” and popular visions of hyper‐bordered and feminized territory
Authors: Lizotte Christopher
Published: May 2020

I lay out a case for recognizing “vulgar territory,” a fusing of superficial categories of spatial sovereignty with identarian rhetorics of belonging. I argue that vulgar territory is composed of two primary elements: first, a simplistic conception of sovereignty as being entirely contiguous with state borders. Second, affective elements of spatial belonging, particularly hope and fear. These two basic elements combine in various ways depending on the particular meanings, images, and emotions that are assembled in particular geohistorical contexts. I show this with a rough typology of “vulgates” of hyper‐bordered and feminized territory by examining recent examples from around the world.
Invasive procedures in patients with haemophilia: Review of low‐dose protocols and experience with extended half‐life FVIII and FIX concentrates and non‐replacement therapies
Authors: Hermans Cedric , Apte Shashikant , Santagostino Elena
Published: May 2020

The performance of surgery and invasive procedures in patients with haemophilia is currently facing new challenges globally. The first is the appropriate application of low‐dose protocols of clotting factor concentrates (CFC) achieving adequate perioperative haemostasis in resource constraint environments. The increasing availability of CFC through humanitarian aid programmes allows more invasive surgeries to be performed for which efficacy and safety data should be more widely collected and reported. Second, extended half‐life CFC that are increasingly available in many countries represent valuable alternatives to standard half‐life products in surgical patients allowing reduced number of infusions and lower consumption, in particular for extended half‐life factor IX. Third, in the era of recently introduced non‐factor prophylaxis, some minor surgical procedures can now be performed without additional haemostatic treatment, others with few low‐dose administrations of CFC or bypassing agents. Additional factor VIII or bypassing treatment has proven to be safe and effective in association with emicizumab for major surgeries, and it was effectively given at low doses in association with fitusiran. No thrombotic complications have been reported in the surgical setting so far. A multidisciplinary team/facility remains crucial to manage major surgery in patients on prophylaxis with these new agents.
Impact of shelf temperature on a grapefruit puree temperature evolution during freeze‐drying
Authors: Egas‐Astudillo Luis Alberto , Camacho María del Mar , Martínez‐Navarrete Nuria
Published: May 2020

The high nutritional and functional value of fruits justifies the use of freeze‐drying to obtain high value‐added products. As to identify in‐line the drying end point, the usefulness of temperature evolution of a grapefruit puree, added or not with gum Arabic and bamboo fibre, when applying 20 or 40 ºC as shelf temperature has been investigated. The obtained results point for the monitoring of the product's heating rate as to identify the end of sublimation in the sample, coinciding with the time this rate starts to decrease. On the other hand, the end point of the drying step of the freeze‐drying process, optimised in terms of duration, is proposed to be related to the sample reaching a certain target temperature which does not necessarily match with the temperature of the chamber. In the concrete conditions of this study, it seems to be between 20 and 40 ºC. As for the variables considered, the biopolymers added to the grapefruit puree did not affect the duration of the process and to increase the freeze‐drier shelves temperature made it possible to reduce processing time by 40%.
Is future self‐relevance necessary to increase saving for retirement? A replication study
Authors: Stockdale Emma , Sanders Michael
Published: May 2020

Insufficient saving for retirement is one consequence of excessive discounting of the future but attempts to mitigate it often involve costly or time‐intensive personalized interventions. Marques, Mariano, Lima, and Abrams, by contrast, found that using a generic Future Time Perspective questionnaire to increase future “self‐relevance” was an effective method to increase money allocation to retirement when the salience of future aging was also higher. Originally conducted in Portugal, the present study aimed to replicate Marques et al’s findings in the UK context. In the present study (n = 219), participants were shown a website advertising a financial product. The results support Marques and colleagues’ assertion that, alone, a website priming future aging was insufficient to increase retirement savings in a money allocation task. However, in contrast to Marques et al’s original findings, we find no evidence that future self‐relevance moderates the effect such that priming future aging becomes effective when individuals have higher future self‐relevance. Instead, we find that aging primes are ineffective at increasing retirement saving regardless of whether individuals are high or low in future self‐relevance. Possible explanations for this discrepancy in findings, including methodological and cultural differences, are explored as well as directions for future research.