bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of β‐1/3,1/6‐glucan upon immune responses and bacteria in the gut of healthy common carp (Cyprinus carpio)
Authors: Harris Sarah J. , Bray Daniel P. , Adamek Mikolaj , Hulse David R. , Steinhagen Dieter , Hoole David
Published: November 2019

β‐glucans are frequently included in the diet of healthy common carp Cyprinus carpio as a pre‐emptive measure for combatting disease. In order to study the effect this has on the relationship between the gut bacteria and host immune response, carp were maintained on either a β‐glucan free diet or feed containing 0.1% MacroGard®, a β‐1/3, 1/6‐glucan, for up to 7 weeks and analysis of innate immune gene expression and molecular analysis of the gut bacteria was performed. The data reveals feeding of MacroGard® to healthy carp does not induce bactericidal innate immune gene expression in the gut but does appear to alter bacterial species richness that did not have a negative effect on overall health. Analysis of innate immune gene expression within the upper midgut revealed that there were significant changes over time in the expression of Interleukin (il)‐1β, inducible nitric oxide synthase (inos), mucin (muc2) and C‐reactive protein (crp2). Diet did not affect the number of copies of the bacterial 16s rDNA gene in the gut, used as a as a measure of total bacteria population size. However, PCR‐denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) analysis revealed a shift in bacterial species richness with MacroGard feeding. Bactericidal immune gene expression of crp2, muc2 and il‐1β was weakly correlated with gut bacteria population size indicating a potentially limited role of these genes in interacting with the gut bacteria in healthy carp in order to maintain gut homeostatic conditions. These findings highlight the importance of considering both host immunity and the microbiome together in order to fully elucidate the effeect of immunomodulants, such as β‐glucans, upon gut health.
The 2017 fipronil egg contamination incident: The case of Greece
Authors: Anagnostopoulos Chris , Ampadogiannis George , Bempelou Eleftheria , Liapis Konstantinos , Kastellanou Eirini
Published: November 2019

In 2017, an outbreak regarding the release to the market of contaminated eggs with fipronil, alerted all EU authorities as to monitor and take relevant measures. In Greece, a total of 40 samples of poultry fat and eggs taken from the primary production (poultry farms) were analyzed, as to investigate the occurrence of fipronil residues. For the analysis of the samples, a simple and cost effective sample preparation procedure using freezing as the cleanup step was used, in conjunction with liquid chromatography with electrospray ionization‐tandem mass spectrometry, to identify and quantify fipronil and its sulfone metabolite in poultry fat and eggs. Mean recoveries in the range 69.3–120.3% with all relative standard deviations <18.8% were obtained for both analytes and both matrices. The limit of quantification of the method was set at 0.0025 mg/kg−1. The matrix effect was evaluated and the quantification of the analytes was conducted using matrix matched calibration standards.
Nerve growth factor‐induced migration in oral and salivary gland tumour cells utilises the PI3K/Akt signalling pathway: Is there a link to perineural invasion?
Authors: Alkhadar Huda , Macluskey Michaelina , White Sharon , Ellis Ian
Published: November 2019

Objectives

The aims of this study were to investigate the role of nerve growth factor on perineural invasion in oral and salivary gland tumour cell lines and whether there is an involvement of PI3K/Akt pathway.

Materials and Methods

Four cell lines were investigated: HSG and TYS (salivary gland tumours), SAS‐H1 (oral squamous cell carcinoma) and HaCaT (human skin keratinocyte). Initially, Boyden chamber assay was done to examine the effect of different concentration of nerve growth factor on cell migration. Western blot/ immunofluorescence techniques were used to investigate the phosphorylation status of the Akt pathway within the cells in response to nerve growth factor. The effect of this growth factor and the addition of an Akt inhibitor on cell morphology and migration were also examined using scatter/scratch assays.

Results

Nerve growth factor triggered the PI3K/Akt pathway in oral and salivary tumour cells and induced oral and salivary tumour cell scattering and migration. Inhibitor assays confirmed that oral and salivary gland tumour cell scattering and migration is Akt dependent.

Conclusions

Nerve growth factor can stimulate scattering and migration in cells derived from oral and salivary gland tumours, thereby potentially enhancing perineural invasion. Phosphorylated Akt controls cancer cell migration and scattering. Blocking the Akt pathway may inhibit cell migration and therefore perineural invasion and metastasis.
A brief report: The National Adult Reading Test (NART) is a stable assessment of premorbid intelligence across disease severity in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)
Authors: Olaithe Michelle , Bucks Romola S. , Eastwood Peter , Hillman David , Skinner Timothy , James Alan , Hunter Michael , Gavett Brandon
Published: November 2019

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a widely prevalent disorder that can affect cognitive function. The relationship between cognitive function and OSA is known to be affected by an individual's premorbid cognitive ability. Tools to measure premorbid intelligence across OSA disease severity have not been validated. This brief report aims to establish if the National Adult Reading Test (NART) provides a stable estimate of premorbid intelligence across levels of OSA disease severity. We examined if NART scores varied systematically across levels of untreated OSA severity (defined according to the apnea–hypopnea index [AHI]) and mean oxygen saturation in sleep clinic (n = 121) and community samples (n = 398) using regression analysis. Simple linear regression was used to predict NART scores based on the AHI. NART‐estimated premorbid IQ scores without demographics did not vary systematically with AHI (F < 1; β = 0.01) or mean SpO2 (F < 1; β = 0.12). NART‐estimated premorbid IQ scores with added demographic information also did not vary systematically with AHI (F < 1; β = −0.01) or mean SpO2 (F < 1; β = 0.15). This preliminary examination shows that the NART provides a stable estimate of premorbid intelligence across untreated OSA disease severity, as demarcated by AHI or mean nocturnal SpO2.
Addressing Linguistic Diversity in the Language Classroom in a Resource‐Oriented Way: An Intervention Study With Primary School Children
Authors: Busse Vera , Cenoz Jasone , Dalmann Nina , Rogge Franziska
Published: November 2019

Adequately responding to linguistic diversity in the classroom is imperative in European school contexts, not least because of current migratory movements. This article presents the results of an intervention study with primary school English‐foreign‐language learners in Germany (N = 42, Mage = 8.70 years) from linguistically diverse backgrounds, who participated in a learning unit on the human body (five 45‐minute lessons). Drawing on multilingual education and second language motivational research, we encouraged children in the intervention group to use their linguistic resources, and they engaged with two affective‐experiential activities aimed at stimulating attitudinal aspects of learning. We investigated intervention effects through pre‐, post‐, and follow‐up tests. We measured affect after each lesson. The intervention group displayed higher plurilingual ideal self aspirations after the intervention and higher positive affect throughout the intervention. Importantly, the intervention group made significantly larger vocabulary learning gains than the control group despite spending less time on task.
Acute application of a transdermal nitroglycerin patch protects against prolonged forearm ischemia‐induced microvascular dysfunction
Authors: Soares Rogerio N. , Proctor David N. , de Oliveira Gustavo V. , Alvares Thiago Silveira , Murias Juan M.
Published: November 2019

Introduction

Prolonged limb blood flow occlusion (ie, tourniquet application during limb surgery) causes transient microvascular dysfunction. We examined the ability of a local nitric oxide donor (transdermal nitroglycerin) administered during prolonged cuff forearm occlusion to protect against microvascular dysfunction and to alter brachial artery dilation.

Methods

Ten healthy men (28 ± 8 years) participated in the study. During the control visit, they completed three vascular occlusion tests in the right arm termed, PRE (5‐min occlusion), POSTimmediate (20‐min occlusion), and POST30min (5‐min occlusion). During the nitroglycerin visit, subjects completed the same vascular occlusion tests, but with a nitroglycerin patch placed over the contralateral forearm during the 20‐min occlusion test. Micro‐ and macrovascular function were assessed using the near‐infrared spectroscopy‐derived reperfusion upslope (reperfusion slope, %.s−1) and flow‐mediated dilation (%FMD), respectively.

Results

The reperfusion slope (1.44 ± 0.72%.s‐1) and the %FMD (15.0 ± 2.8%) of the POSTimmediate test of the nitroglycerin condition were significantly (P < .05) higher than the reperfusion slope (1.01 ± 0.37%.s−1) and %FMD (6.77 ± 1.8%) during the POSTimmediate test of the control visit.

Conclusion

Transdermal nitroglycerin protects against ischemia‐induced microvascular dysfunction and causes marked dilation of the brachial artery %FMD.
The Christological Prudence of the Natural Slave
Authors: McCuskey Bruce
Published: November 2019

The account of prudence found in Aquinas's Summa Theologiae and the Commentary on the Nicomachean Ethics is bound up with his endorsement of Aristotle's notion of the Natural Slave in his Commentary on Aristotle's Politics. This connection not only hobbles his account of the virtue of prudence, but also weakens other areas of his theology, including his account of providence. A creative rereading of Aquinas's biblical commentaries, however, affords Aquinas the opportunity to correct himself. Aquinas's commentaries on Paul, especially the Commentary on Philippians, provide ample resources for doing so. The Christ hymn of Philippians 2:5-11 forms the cornerstone of a thoroughly Christological, even Apocalyptic, account of prudence, which overcomes the tensions in Aquinas's account of prudence resulting from his endorsement of natural slavery. This scriptural reformulation of prudence heightens the stress on exemplification even further and in so doing makes its exercise more conducive to peaceableness. Due to the political dimensions of prudence, these shifts have an ecclesiological dimension that reveals Aquinas's affinity with Giorgio Agamben's philosophical account of mendicant life.
The dawn of betalains
Authors: Gandía‐Herrero Fernando , García‐Carmona Francisco
Published: November 2019

This article is a Commentary on Sheehan et al. (2020), 227: 914–929.
I knew you'd understand: How gendered expectations of understanding affect stress
Authors: Straup Maddie L. , White Justin , Butterworth Sarah E. , Dunn Delaney S. , Tate Kayla E. , Guermeur Alexandra S. , Crockett Erin E.
Published: November 2019

An experimental design was used to examine the effects of interviewer gender and (mis)understanding on physiological stress (i.e., cortisol). A total of 103 undergraduate students wrote about a recent social conflict and then discussed that conflict with either a male or a female interviewer. During these discussions, the interviewer displayed verbal and nonverbal cues of (mis)understanding toward the participants. Participants' cortisol was assessed four times throughout the study. Results from a 2 × 2 × 4 mixed‐model analysis of variance demonstrated an interaction between the gender of the interviewer, understanding condition, and time such that cortisol decreased the most over time when the interviewer used cues of understanding that matched stereotypical expectations for the interviewers' gender (i.e., when women were understanding and men were misunderstanding).
Anxiety symptoms are quantitatively and qualitatively different in dementia with Lewy bodies than in Alzheimerʼs disease in the years preceding clinical diagnosis
Authors: Segers Kurt , Benoit Florence , Meyts Jean‐Marie , Surquin Murielle
Published: November 2019

Aim

Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) is a common but underdiagnosed type of cognitive impairment and dementia. The current diagnostic criteria for research purposes have a high specificity but lack sensitivity. Moreover, patients who live alone are not always aware that they have core clinical features such as cognitive fluctuations, visual hallucinations, and parasomnia. Anxiety is a common and early manifestation in DLB.

Methods

We matched 41 DLB patients with 41 patients with Alzheimerʼs disease (AD) according to gender, age, and cognitive status and retrospectively analyzed their files for the presence of anxiety, depression, constipation, and the core clinical features of DLB in the documented period before diagnosis.

Results

Anxiety, but not depression, occurred significantly more frequently in DLB than in AD (63.4% vs 26.8%). It appears up to 4–5 years before the diagnosis of DLB and is associated with depression and living at home. Anxiety in DLB was often described as intermittent panic attacks without reason or during states of delirium; it was also severe enough to require medical treatment and inpatient or outpatient psychiatric care. It was often mistaken for a psychiatric illness or a manifestation of other common forms of dementia. Anxiety in AD seemed much milder, was often related to the patient's coping with cognitive dysfunction, and was never cited as a specific reason for medical help. The concomitant presence of anxiety with at least one core clinical criterion of DLB enabled us to differentiate it from AD in our study, with a sensitivity of 63.4% but a specificity of 100%.

Conclusions

In all patients over 50 who present with cognitive problems and anxiety, DLB should be considered. Patients and informants should be carefully questioned regarding the presence of other typical signs and symptoms of DLB.
The role prioritization model: How communal men and agentic women can (sometimes) have it all
Authors: Haines Elizabeth L. , Stroessner Steven J.
Published: November 2019

Men and women are persistently associated with breadwinning and caregiving roles and related stereotypes. A role prioritization model (RPM) is presented that accounts for the conditions under which penalties and benefits arise due to perceived fulfillment or neglect of communal/caregiving roles (typically associated with women) and agentic/breadwinning roles (typically associated with men). Our model makes unique contributions to understanding gender stereotyping and negative evaluations for stereotype violation (i.e., backlash). First, behaviors suggesting low prioritization of one's traditional gender role—when women appear to neglect caregiving and men neglect breadwinning—produce particularly harsh judgments. Second, behaviors indicating successful balancing of role prioritization (e.g., men who augment breadwinning with communal behavior and women who augment childrearing with agentic behavior) allow avoidance of backlash. The RPM is useful for organizing existing research on gendered perceptions and for understanding perceptions of men and women who violate gender norms to create greater gender equality.
Excretion of Ascaris lumbricoides following reduced‐intensity allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and consecutive treatment with mebendazole
Authors: Luber Verena , Lutz Mathias , Abele‐Horn Marianne , Einsele Hermann , Grigoleit Götz Ulrich , Mielke Stephan
Published: November 2019

Here, we present the unique case of a 51‐year‐old German patient with multiple myeloma excreting Ascaris lumbricoides in his stool five weeks after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Stool analysis remained negative for the presence of eggs, and there was no eosinophilia in the peripheral blood at any time around stem cell transplantation. The patient was commenced on a three‐day treatment with mebendazole, which was well tolerated. No serious interactions with the concomitant post‐transplant medication or negative effects on the hematopoiesis were observed, and the myeloma still is in complete remission. To our knowledge, this is the first report on excretion of A lumbricoides in the context of allogeneic stem cell transplantation. The case is remarkable with view to the fact that the parasite has supposedly survived all courses of myeloma treatment including autologous and allogeneic conditioning. Parasitosis with A lumbricoides has a worldwide prevalence of about a billion and is extremely rare in northern Europe. Possibly the patient got infected during a trip to Egypt years before multiple myeloma was diagnosed.
El racismo del cuerpo: procesos psicosociológicos de discriminación escolar
Authors: Kaplan Carina Viviana , Szapu Ezequiel
Published: November 2019

Objetivo. Reflexionar en torno a los resultados de un estudio socioeducativo, el cual tenía el propósito decomprender la construcción social de los cuerpos y las emociones de los estudiantes y sus relaciones conla producción de las violencias. Esto, teniendo en cuenta que la convivencia se enmarca en un entramadode vínculos sociales, cuya matriz emocional se codifica y decodifica a través de los cuerpos. Método. Seempleó la entrevista en profundidad por medio de una guía semiestructurada. Para el análisis de datos seempleó un procedimiento inductivo-deductivo. Resultados. El análisis de los testimonios brindados porjóvenes atravesados por condiciones materiales y simbólicas de marginalidad urbana, permitió interpretarciertos rasgos corporales que funcionan como signos de humillación y autohumillación, particularmente lapiel. El racismo del cuerpo se expresa en los modos de la interacción escolar, en la que unos grupos se creensuperiores y subsumen a los otros a quienes consideran de menor valía social. Conclusión. Ante el sentimiento de exclusión y negación de la subjetividad se pueden desencadenar ciertos comportamientos asociados con la violencia hacia los otros, o bien generar prácticas de autodestrucción. La piel es depositaria de este dolor social que puede traducirse en autoagresiones corporales.
Design for Interface Stiffness of Mechanical Products Using Integrated Simulation and Optimization Under Uncertainty
Authors: Zhang J. , Wu M. , Peng Q. , Dixit U. S. , Gu P.
Published: November 2019

Interface stiffness is an important factor influencing the performance of mechanical products. Uncertain factors affect the interface stiffness and stability in the process of product design, manufacture, and operation. How to reduce the impact of uncertain factors on the interface stiffness is a vital problem in interface design. In this paper, a robust optimal design method is proposed for mechanical interfaces considering uncertain factors, which combines the finite element simulation, experiment, and optimization to reduce the sensitivity of interface stiffness to uncertain factors. The proposed interface design method provides an effective way to improve the interface stiffness under uncertain conditions. In order to validate the proposed method, the bolted connection structure of a flange is applied as an example. The interface stiffness of the flange is selected as an optimization target, and the Gaussian process regression is used to construct a two-layer optimal model of the objective function for the design and uncertain parameters. When experimental and optimization results differ significantly, the Kalman filter is used to provide the feedback for the optimization results until the results meet requirements. The final results show that the optimized mechanical interface stiffness is increased by 15.5%, and the error between the optimized prediction and experimental results is within 1% after three times experimental validation and feedback adjustment.
Geometric L1 Adaptive Attitude Control for a Quadrotor Unmanned Aerial Vehicle
Authors: Kotaru Prasanth , Edmonson Ryan , Sreenath Koushil
Published: November 2019

In this paper, we study the quadrotor unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) attitude control on special orthogonal group (SO(3)) in the presence of unknown disturbances and model uncertainties. L1 adaptive control for UAVs using Euler angles/quaternions is shown to exhibit robustness and precise attitude tracking in the presence of disturbances and uncertainties. However, it is well known that dynamical models and controllers that use Euler angle representations are prone to singularities and typically have smaller regions of attraction while quaternion representations are subject to the unwinding phenomenon. To avoid such complexities, we present a geometric L1 adaptation control law to estimate the uncertainties. A model reference adaptive control approach is implemented, with the attitude errors between the quadrotor model and the reference model defined on the manifold. Control laws for the quadrotor and reference models are developed directly on SO(3) to track the desired trajectory while rejecting the uncertainties. Control Lyapunov function-based analysis is used to show the exponential input-to-state stability of the attitude errors. The proposed L1 adaptive controller is validated using numerical simulations. Preliminary experimental results are shown comparing a geometric proportional-derivative controller to the geometric L1 adaptive controller. Experimental validation of the proposed controller is carried out on an Autel X-star quadrotor.
Bacteria-armed mosquitoes make dent in dengue
Authors: Servick Kelly
Published: November 2019

Field trials suggest spreading
Wolbachia
could reduce cases of debilitating viruses.
Questions churn about vaping's long-term risks
Authors: Couzin-Frankel Jennifer
Published: November 2019

Studies in people and animals explore potential chronic harms to the heart and lungs.
A shot of hope
Authors: de Vrieze Jop
Published: November 2019

The first malaria vaccine is finally being rolled out—despite limited efficacy and nagging safety concerns.
Magnetization switching by magnon-mediated spin torque through an antiferromagnetic insulator
Authors: Wang Yi , Zhu Dapeng , Yang Yumeng , Lee Kyusup , Mishra Rahul , Go Gyungchoon , Oh Se-Hyeok , Kim Dong-Hyun , Cai Kaiming , Liu Enlong , Pollard Shawn D. , Shi Shuyuan , Lee Jongmin , Teo Kie Leong , Wu Yihong , Lee Kyung-Jin , Yang Hyunsoo
Published: November 2019

Toward magnonic devices

The field of magnonics aims to use spin waves (SWs) and their associated quasiparticles—magnons—as carriers of information. Compared with the movement of charge in conventional electronics, a major advantage of SWs is reduced Joule heating. However, SWs are trickier to direct and control. Two groups now go a step further toward magnon-based devices. Han
et al.
show that in multilayer films, domain walls can be used to change the phase and magnitude of a spin wave. Wang
et al.
demonstrate how magnon currents can be used to switch the magnetization of an adjacent layer.

Science
, this issue p.
1121
, p.
1125
Lactose drives
Enterococcus
expansion to promote graft-versus-host disease
Authors: Stein-Thoeringer C. K. , Nichols K. B. , Lazrak A. , Docampo M. D. , Slingerland A. E. , Slingerland J. B. , Clurman A. G. , Armijo G. , Gomes A. L. C. , Shono Y. , Staffas A. , Burgos da Silva M. , Devlin S. M. , Markey K. A. , Bajic D. , Pinedo R. , Tsakmaklis A. , Littmann E. R. , Pastore A. , Taur Y. , Monette S. , Arcila M. E. , Pickard A. J. , Maloy M. , Wright R. J. , Amoretti L. A. , Fontana E. , Pham D. , Jamal M. A. , Weber D. , Sung A. D. , Hashimoto D. , Scheid C. , Xavier J. B. , Messina J. A. , Romero K. , Lew M. , Bush A. , Bohannon L. , Hayasaka K. , Hasegawa Y. , Vehreschild M. J. G. T. , Cross J. R. , Ponce D. M. , Perales M. A. , Giralt S. A. , Jenq R. R. , Teshima T. , Holler E. , Chao N. J. , Pamer E. G. , Peled J. U. , van den Brink M. R. M.
Published: November 2019

Lactose can fuel GVHD

Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT) is used to treat certain hematopoietic malignancies, but patients have a risk of developing graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). Stein-Thoeringer
et al.
performed a large-scale analysis of more than 1300 patients treated with allo-HCT across four clinical centers (see the Perspective by Zitvogel and Kroemer). High levels of bacteria from the
Enterococcus
genus were associated with greater incidence of GVHD and mortality. Lactose appears to provide a substrate for
Enterococcus
growth, and patients with a lactose-malabsorption genotype had a greater abundance of
Enterococcus.
A lactose-free diet limited
Enterococcus
growth, reduced the severity of GVHD, and improved survival in gnotobiotic mouse models.

Science
, this issue p.
1143
; see also p.
1077
Tailored multifunctional micellar brushes via crystallization-driven growth from a surface
Authors: Cai Jiandong , Li Chen , Kong Na , Lu Yi , Lin Geyu , Wang Xinyan , Yao Yuan , Manners Ian , Qiu Huibin
Published: November 2019

Growing polymer brushes from surfaces

Surface functionalization is important in a broad range of fields. One approach involves polymer brushes, where polymer chains are grafted onto a surface. Cai
et al.
describe the nanoscale functionalization of surfaces by exploiting the living crystallization-driven self-assembly of polyferrocenyl-based block copolymers (see the Perspective by Presa Soto). Small crystalline cylindrical micelle seeds were attached using noncovalent bonds to a variety of surfaces, including silicon wafers, graphene oxide nanosheets, and gold. Addition of dissolved unimers over the seed-coated surfaces allowed micellar brushes to grow. Protonation and postdecoration with gold and silver nanoparticles demonstrated the applicability of such modified surfaces in catalysis, as antibacterial agents, and in separation processes.

Science
, this issue p.
1095
; see also p.
1078
Illuminating seafloor faults and ocean dynamics with dark fiber distributed acoustic sensing
Authors: Lindsey Nathaniel J. , Dawe T. Craig , Ajo-Franklin Jonathan B.
Published: November 2019

Marine observations with optics

Placing sensors on the seafloor is difficult, but a sensor network has huge potential for observing processes occurring both below and above the seafloor. Lindseyet al.measured acoustic vibrations collected by attaching a laser to the Monterey Accelerated Research System's subsea optical fiber during a maintenance period (see the Perspective by Jousset). Acoustic waves were monitored by changes in laser light along the cable. The observations from just a few days allowed mapping of an unknown fault system and detection of several dynamic processes in the water column above.

Science, this issue p.1103; see also p.1076
Моделирование линейного отклика квантовой неэкстенсивной системы на динамическое внешнее возмущение
Authors: Колесниченко Александр Владимирович , Kolesnichenko Aleksandr Vladimirovich
Published: November 2019

В рамках квантовой статистической механики, основанной на параметрической неаддитивной энтропии Тсаллиса, связанной с матрицей плотности, развита динамическая теория линейного отклика неэкстенсивных квазиравновесных систем многих тел на внешнее зависящее от времени возмущение. В работе для неэкстенсивных квантовых систем предложена модификация теории Кубо, разработанная в рамках квантовой механики. Построение теории линейной реакции проведено на основе обобщeнного канонического вида матрицы плотности, полученного при максимизации квантовой энтропии Тсаллиса при осреднении наблюдаемых величин по эскортному распределению. Представлены обобщeнные выражения для адмитанса и функции отклика, описывающие линейную реакцию системы на слабое внешнее механическое воздействие. Обсуждается свойство симметрии для релаксационной функции при обращении времени и соотношения взаимности Онзагера для обобщeнной восприимчивости. Показано, что эти известные в классической квантовой статистике свойства остаются в силе и для аномальных систем.
Real-world management of treatment-naïve diabetic macular oedema in Japan: two-year visual outcomes with and without anti-VEGF therapy in the STREAT-DME study
Authors: Shimura Masahiko , Kitano Shigehiko , Muramatsu Daisuke , Fukushima Harumi , Takamura Yoshihiro , Matsumoto Makiko , Kokado Masahide , Kogo Jiro , Sasaki Mariko , Morizane Yuki , Kotake Osamu , Koto Takashi , Sonoda Shozo , Hirano Takao , Ishikawa Hiroto , Mitamura Yoshinori , Okamoto Fumiki , Kinoshita Takamasa , Kimura Kazuhiro , Sugimoto Masahiko , Yamashiro Kenji , Suzuki Yukihiko , Hikichi Taiichi , Washio Noriaki , Sato Tomohito , Ohkoshi Kishiko , Tsujinaka Hiroki , Kusuhara Sentaro , Kondo Mineo , Takagi Hitoshi , Murata Toshinori , Sakamoto, Taiji
Published: November 2019

Background/Aims

To investigate real-world outcomes for best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) after 2-year clinical intervention for treatment-naïve, centr-involving diabetic macular oedema (DME).

Methods

Retrospective analysis of longitudinal medical records obtained from 27 institutions specialising in retinal diseases in Japan. A total of 2049 eyes with treatment-naïve DME commencing intervention between 2010 and 2015 who were followed for 2 years were eligible. Interventions for DME included anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy, local corticosteroid therapy, macular photocoagulation and vitrectomy. Baseline and final BCVA (logMAR) were assessed. Eyes were classified by the treatment pattern, depending on whether anti-VEGF therapy was used, into an anti-VEGF monotherapy group (group A), a combination therapy group (group B) and a group without anti-VEGF therapy (group C).

Results

The mean 2-year improvement of BCVA was −0.04±0.40 and final BCVA of >20/40 was obtained in 46.3% of eyes. Based on the treatment pattern, there were 427 eyes (20.9%) in group A, 807 eyes (39.4%) in group B and 815 eyes (39.8%) in group C. Mean improvement of BCVA was −0.09±0.39, –0.02±0.40 and −0.05±0.39, and the percentage of eyes with final BCVA of >20/40 was 49.4%, 38.9%, and 52.0%, respectively.

Conclusion

Following 2-year real-world management of treatment-naïve DME in Japan, BCVA improved by 2 letters. Eyes treated by anti-VEGF monotherapy showed a better visual prognosis than eyes receiving combination therapy. Despite treatment for DME being selected by specialists in consideration of medical and social factors, a satisfactory visual prognosis was not obtained, but final BCVA remained >20/40 in half of all eyes.
Interaction of lipid accumulation product and family history of hypertension on hypertension risk: a cross-sectional study in the Southern Chinese population
Authors: Huang JunXuan , Bao XinYu , Xie YiXian , Zhang XiaoXia , Peng Xin , Liu Yan , Cheng MengJiao , Ma JinXiang , Wang PeiXi
Published: November 2019

Objectives

This study aimed at investigating the applicability of a novel index based on waist circumference (WC) and triglyceride (TG) which was named lipid accumulation product (LAP) in the Southern Chinese population, and compared the predictive effects of LAP and other obesity indicators on hypertension risk. Moreover, this study investigated the interactive effects of LAP and family history of hypertension.

Methods

A total number of 2079 of community-dwelling adults in Southern China were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. The participants underwent questionnaire surveys, anthropometric tests and laboratory examinations. Themultinomial logistic regression model and receiver operating characteristic curves, including LAP, body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), WC and TG, were used to assess the association between hypertension risk and obesity indexes. The interaction effects were evaluated by relative excess risk of interaction (RERI), attributable proportion due to interaction (AP) and synergy index (SI).

Results

Higher LAP levels have a relatively higher risk of having hypertension in both sexes (males: adjusted OR=2.79 per SD increase, 95% CI 1.43 to 5.44, p<0.001; females: adjusted OR=3.15, 95% CI 1.56 to 6.39, p<0.001). LAP (area under the curve=0.721; 95% CI 0.680 to 0.761) is a better indicator in identifying hypertension risk than BMI, WHR and TG in females, but WC performed better in males. A significant interaction between LAP and family history of hypertension was observed in males (RERI=1.652, 95% CI 0.267 to 3.037; AP=0.516, 95% CI 0.238 to 0.794; SI=3.998, 95% CI 0.897 to 17.820), but there is no statistically significant difference in females.

Conclusions

LAP significantly associates with hypertension risk in the Southern Chinese population. It has better performance than BMI, WHR and TG on predicting hypertension risk of the Southern Chinese female population. Moreover, LAP and family history of hypertension might synergistically increase the risk of hypertension.
Effectiveness of Xin Jia Xuan Bai Cheng Qi Decoction in treating acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: study protocol for a multicentre, randomised, controlled trial
Authors: Jin Jin , Zhang Hongchun , Li Demin , Jing Yue , Sun Zengtao , Feng Jihong , Zhang Hong , Zhang Yan , Cui Tianhong , Lei Xiang , Zhang Jing , Cheng Qijian , Li Erran
Published: November 2019

Introduction

Acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) brings a serious impact on patients’ quality of life, and has extremely high morbidity and mortality worldwide. Although there are many therapies being developed to alleviate symptoms and reduce mortality, a few studies have supported which treatment method is the best. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has shown good potential in the prevention and treatment of AECOPD, especially in terms of supplementation and reduction of dosage and adverse effect of Western medicine. The purpose of this study is to compare the effectiveness of combination of TCM and Western medicine with conventional therapy alone for AECOPD, and to ensure whether the combined therapy may reduce the use of systemic glucocorticoid in AECOPD without influencing efficacy.

Methods and analysis

A multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted to enrol a total of 360 eligible patients who will be randomised into integrated Chinese and Western medicine group A, B and Western standard Medicine group C. After 5 days of intervention and 1 month of follow-up, the efficacy and safety of Xin Jia Xuan Bai Cheng Qi Decoction in patients with AECOPD will be observed. The results of evaluation indicators include: clinical symptoms, biochemical indicators such as blood gas analysis, inflammatory markers, hospitalisation time, TCM syndrome evaluation, biological indicators such as airway, intestinal flora sequencing.

Ethics and dissemination

This trail has been approved by the Ethics Committee of China-Japan Friendship Hospital. The results will be disseminated in international peer-reviewed journals and be presented in academic conferences. The results will also be disseminated to patients by telephone, inquiring on patient’s poststudy health status during the follow-up.

Trial registration number

ChiCTR1800016915
Prevalence of multimorbidity among Bangladeshi adult population: a nationwide cross-sectional study
Authors: Khan Nusrat , Rahman Mahfuzar , Mitra Dipak , Afsana Kaosar
Published: November 2019

Objective

This study aimed to report prevalence and evaluate the association between multimorbidity and associated risk factors in the adult population of Bangladesh.

Design

A cross-sectional study was conducted using a multistage clustered random sampling strategy.

Setting

The study was conducted among the general population of 58 districts in Bangladesh.

Participants

A total of 12 338 male and female individuals aged ≥35 were included for analysis in this study. Identified through a household listing conducted prior to the study, from 15 297 individuals meeting the inclusion criteria, 12 338 participants were included based on availability during data collection, consent and health condition.

Outcome measures

Multimorbidity in terms of hypertension, diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, stroke and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Results

Approximately 8.4% (95% CI 7.0 to 9.7) of individuals suffer from multimorbidity, of which hypertension accounted for (30.1%) followed by diabetes (10.6%). The mean age of the population was 58.6 (SD ±9.2) years. The prevalence of multimorbidity was lower among men (7.7%) compared with women (8.9%). The likelihood of having multimorbidity among obese individuals were more than double than people with normal body mass index (BMI). Physical activity protected individuals from developing multimorbidity: however, the physical activity adjusted OR was 0.5 (95% CI 0.2 to 1.2). After adjusting for all covariates, higher age, higher educational status, economic status, and higher BMI were found to be significantly associated with the odds of developing multimorbidity, with an overall adjusted OR of 0.02 (95% CI 0.01 to 0.02).

Conclusion

This study reported a high prevalence of multimorbidity in Bangladesh, although it explored the burden and identified risk factors considering only six chronic diseases. Further detailed exploration through longitudinal studies considering a wider range of diseases is needed to document the actual burden, develop effective preventive measures and clinical guidelines to improve the quality of life of the population.
Association between sleep duration and hypertension of migrant workers in China: a national cross-sectional surveillance study
Authors: Guan Yunqi , Zhang Mei , Zhang Xiao , Zhao Zhenping , Huang Zhengjing , Li Chun , Xiao Qian , Wang Limin
Published: November 2019

Objectives

To examine the relationship between sleep duration and hypertension of migrant workers aged 18–59 years in China.

Design

Population-based cross-sectional study using a complex survey sampling design.

Participants

There were 43 655 subjects in our analysis, after excluding people with missing information for key exposure and outcome variables and abnormal values for sleep duration (≤2 or ≥17 hours).

Primary outcome measure

Hypertension was defined as systolic blood pressure (BP) ≥140 mm Hg and/or diastolic BP ≥90 mm Hg, or self-reported history of hypertension diagnosis in hospitals at the township (community) level or above and use of hypertensive medicine in the last 2 weeks.

Results

Of 43 655 subjects, 15.6% (95% CI 15.1% to 16.1%) of migrant workers had hypertension. The prevalence of hypertension decreased with the increased sleep duration, both in males and females. Logistic regression models, using 7–8 hours sleep/day as the reference, showed a greater odds for hypertension among men and women who reported <6 hours of sleep after adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics, behavioural risk factors, body mass index, diabetes, stroke and myocardial infarction (men: OR 1.26; 95% CI 1.03 to 1.54, women: OR 1.55; 95% CI 1.13 to 2.06, pinteraction=0.096). Further stratified by age and migration time, it revealed that among adults less than 45 years old, those sleeping 9 or more hours had adjusted odds for hypertension of 0.82 (95% CI 0.72 to 0.93, pinteraction=0.020),while there was no evidence of an association between sleep duration and hypertension among adults aged 45–59 years. Among adults whose migration time was less than 4.5 years, those sleeping 9 or more hours had adjusted odds for hypertension of 0.80 (95% CI 0.68 to 0.94, pinteraction=0.097).

Conclusion

The association between sleep duration and hypertension varies by age. Short sleep duration (<6 hours) is associated with an increased prevalence of hypertension in both genders.
Validation of revised patient measures of safety: PMOS-30 and PMOS-10
Authors: Louch Gemma , Reynolds Caroline , Moore Sally , Marsh Claire , Heyhoe Jane , Albutt Abigail , Lawton Rebecca
Published: November 2019

Objectives

There is growing evidence that patients can provide feedback on the safety of their care. The 44-item Patient Measure of Safety (PMOS) was developed for this purpose. While valid and reliable, the length of this questionnaire makes it potentially challenging for routine use. Our study aimed to produce revised, shortened versions of PMOS (PMOS-30 and PMOS-10), which retained the psychometric properties of the longer version.

Participants

To produce a shortened diagnostic measure, we analysed data from 2002 patients who completed PMOS-44, and examined the reliability of the revised measure (PMOS-30) in a sample of 751 patients. To produce a brief standalone measure, we again analysed data from 2002 patients who completed PMOS-44, and tested the reliability and validity of the brief standalone measure (PMOS-10) in a sample of 165 patients.

Methods

The process of shortening the questionnaire involved a combination of secondary data analysis (eg, Standard Deviation and inter-item correlations) and a consensus group exercise to produce PMOS-30 and examine face validity. Analysis of PMOS-30 data examined reliability (eg, Cronbach’s alpha). Further secondary data analysis (ie, corrected item-total correlations) produced PMOS-10, and primary data collection assessed its reliability and validity (eg, Cronbach’s alpha, analysis of variance).

Results

Fourteen items were removed to produce PMOS-30 and the percentage of negatively worded items was reduced from 57% to 33%. PMOS-30 demonstrated good internal reliability (α=0.89). The 10 items with the highest corrected item-total correlations across both PMOS-44 and PMOS-30 composed PMOS-10. PMOS-10 had good internal reliability (α=0.79), demonstrated convergent validity; however, discriminant validity was not established.

Conclusions

Two revised, shortened versions of the original PMOS-44 (PMOS-30 and PMOS-10) were produced to capture patient feedback about safety in hospital. The measures demonstrated good reliability and validity, and preserved the psychometric properties of the original measure.
Piecing together the Inuit food security policy puzzle in Nunatsiavut, Labrador (Canada): protocol for a scoping review
Authors: Bowers Renee , Turner Gail , Graham Ian D , Furgal Chris , Dubois Lise
Published: November 2019

Introduction

Inuit Nunangat is the Inuit homeland in Canada. It is comprised of four Inuit regions. Inuit residing in these areas experience greater social and economic inequities than the general Canadian population. Food security exemplifies this inequity and is a distinct determinant of Inuit health. Policy can play an integral role in health equity. However, demonstrating this role can be a complex task, especially when there are both national and regionally specific policies pertaining to each of the Inuit regions. This scoping review will focus on Nunatsiavut, located in northern Labrador. This region is situated within a complex policy space due to the national, provincial and regional governance structures, geographical location and the breadth of factors pertaining to food security. This scoping review aims to identify the range of policies pertaining to food security in Nunatsiavut and complete a directed content analysis to code each policy against the applicable dimension of food security.

Methods and analysis

The researchers will conduct a search strategy on the following four databases: MEDLINE (via Ovid), Embase (via Ovid), CINHAL and Scopus. A hand search of the relevant journals, conference abstracts and grey literature will be completed from April to October 2019. The following parameters will be extracted: a description of the policy, the organisation/institution that developed the policy, the definition of food security used or implied, and any stated intended targets or outcomes. The results will be compiled in a tabular form.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethics approval is not required as primary data will not be collected. The findings from this scoping review will be disseminated through peer-reviewed journals and public presentations. The results of this scoping review will be validated by a Nunatsiavut Government Advisory Group.
Vortioxetine treatment for generalised anxiety disorder: a meta-analysis of anxiety, quality of life and safety outcomes
Authors: Qin Bin , Huang Guangsu , Yang Qian , Zhao Mingjun , Chen Hong , Gao Wen , Yang Mingxiu
Published: November 2019

Objectives

The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy, tolerability, safety, and impact on quality of life (QoL) and functional status of vortioxetine treatment for patients with generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) by performing a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials (RCTs).

Design

Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Data sources

Data mining was conducted in January 2019 across PubMed, EMBASE, PsycINFO, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials Cochrane Library, Web of science and ClinicalTrials.gov.

Eligibility criteria for selecting studies

All published RCTs, which assessed the effect of vortioxetine treatment for patients with GAD when compared with a placebo group, were included.

Data extraction and synthesis

Relevant data were extracted and synthesised narratively. Results were expressed as standardised mean differences or ORs with 95% CIs.

Results

Our meta-analysis showed that multiple doses (2.5, 5 and 10 mg/day) of vortioxetine did not significantly improve the response rates, compared with placebo (OR 1.16, 95% CI 0.84 to 1.60, p=0.38; OR 1.41, 95% CI 0.82 to 2.41, p=0.21; and OR 1.05, 95% CI 0.76 to 1.46, p=0.75). Moreover, there was no statistically significant difference regarding the remission rates, discontinuation for any reason rates, discontinuation due to adverse events rates, Short-Form 36 Health Survey scores or Sheehan Disability Scale scores between administration of multiple doses (2.5, 5 and 10 mg/day) of vortioxetine and placebo.

Conclusions

Although our results suggest that vortioxetine did not improve the GAD symptoms, QoL and functional status impairment of patients with GAD, it was safe and well tolerated. Clinicians should interpret and translate our data with caution, as the meta-analysis was based on a limited number of RCTs.
Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting from oral chemotherapy for childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia: feasibility study
Authors: Kovacevic Anja , Sivananthan Araby , Patel Rikesh , Patel Priya , Vennettilli Ashlee , Paw Cho Sing Edric , Zupanec Sue , Alexander Sarah , Sung Lillian , Dupuis L Lee
Published: November 2019

Objective

To evaluate the feasibility of a large prospective trial aimed at improving chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) control in paediatric patients undergoing oral chemotherapy during acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) maintenance therapy.

Methods

English-speaking children, 4.0–17.99 years old and undergoing ALL maintenance treatment with an English-speaking guardian, were eligible to participate in this observational, serial, cross-sectional feasibility study. Data were collected from participants over one to three 7-day periods during months 2–3, 5–6 and 11–12 of ALL maintenance treatment. A future trial was considered feasible if the mean time to enrol 10 patients in each of three data collection periods was ≤1 year with ≥80% of patients returning evaluable data. CINV control was described as a secondary endpoint.

Results

Twenty-nine of 31 consenting patients (median age: 6.5 years, IQR: 5.1–9.2) completed the study: 10 in months 2–3, 10 in months 5–6 and 9 in months 11–12. The total time to recruit 29 patients was 1.2 years. In each of the three data collections periods, 72% of the patients provided evaluable data. Complete CINV control was reported in 6/21 (29%) evaluable study periods.

Conclusions

A future trial to evaluate interventions to improve CINV control in patients with ALL undergoing oral maintenance chemotherapy as designed in this study is not feasible. An electronic data capture method and deferring patient recruitment until the mid-maintenance to late-maintenance phase should be considered in the design of a future trial.