bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Imagination exercises improve language in younger but not in older children with autism suggesting a strong critical period
Authors: Vyshedskiy Andrey , Khokhlovich Edward , Dunn Rita , Faisman Alexander , Elgart Jonah , Lokshina Lisa , Gankin Yuriy , Ostrovsky Simone , deTorres Lauren , Edelson Stephen M , Ilyinskii Petr O
Published: December 2019

Imagination exercises administered by caregivers were investigated in a three-year-long observational trial of 3,540 children with autism aged 2-12 years. Tablet-based verbal and nonverbal exercises modeled on language therapy and emphasizing mental-juxtaposition-of-objects were organized into an application called Mental Imagery Therapy for Autism (MITA). MITA-exposed children were matched to the ‘Treatment-as-Usual’ participants (TaU, N=5,222) by age, gender, language, sociability, cognitive awareness, health, and ASD severity at baseline. Both younger (2-5 years-of-age) and older children (5-12 YOA) in MITA and TaU groups improved their symptoms over time, but younger MITA-exposed children showed 2.3-fold improvement in language score at the end of the trial vs. TaU group. There was no difference between MITA and TaU in the older children group, supporting Lenneberg’s critical period hypothesis.
Industry ties and evidence in public comments on the FDA framework for modifications to artificial intelligence/machine learning-based medical devices: a cross sectional study
Authors: Smith James A , Abhari Roxanna E , Hussain Zain U , Heneghan Carl , Collins Gary S , Carr Andrew J
Published: December 2019

Objectives

To determine the extent and disclosure of financial ties to industry and use of scientific evidence in comments on a US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulatory framework for modifications to artificial intelligence/machine Learning (AI/ML)-based software as a medical device (SaMD).

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Setting

We searched all publicly available comments on the FDA “Proposed Regulatory Framework for Modifications to Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (AI/ML)-Based Software as a Medical Device (SaMD) - Discussion Paper and Request for Feedback” from April 2nd 2019 to August 8th 2019.

Main outcome measures

The proportion of articles submitted by parties with financial ties to industry, disclosing those ties, citing scientific articles, citing systematic reviews and meta-analyses, and using a systematic process to identify relevant literature.

Results

We analysed 125 comments submitted on the proposed framework. 79 (63%) comments came from parties with financial ties; for 36 (29%) comments it was not clear and the absence of financial ties could only be confirmed for 10 (8%) comments. No financial ties were disclosed in any of the comments that were not from industry submitters. The vast majority of submitted comments (86%) did not cite any scientific literature, just 4% cited a systematic review or meta-analysis, and no comments indicated that a systematic process was used to identify relevant literature.

Conclusions

Financial ties to industry were common and undisclosed and scientific evidence, including systematic reviews and meta-analyses, were rarely cited. To ensure regulatory frameworks best serve patient interests, the FDA should mandate disclosure of potential conflicts of interest (including financial ties), in comments, encourage the use of scientific evidence and encourage engagement from non-conflicted parties.

Strengths and limitations of this study

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We analysed the extent of financial ties to industry and the use of scientific evidence in comments on the proposed FDA framework

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We used a comprehensive strategy to attempt to identify financial ties to industry

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Readers may be able to contribute higher quality comments to subsequent drafts of this framework

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There is heterogeneity in the degree of conflict with respect to the framework that the recorded financial ties may represent; some ties will be more likely than others to result in biased commenting

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Because the framework could not be classified as pro-industry or not, we did not classify the direction of opinions expressed in comments with respect to the framework and their association with financial ties

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We do not know how information submitted to FDA is used internally in the rule-making process
Genetic Polymorphisms, Adherence to Mediterranean Diet and Microbiota-Associated Urolithin Metabotypes: A Complex Cocktail to Predict the Obesity in Childhood-Adolescence
Authors: Cortés-Martín Adrián , Colmenarejo Gonzalo , Selma María Victoria , Espín Juan Carlos
Published: December 2019

Environmental and genetic factors are associated with pandemic obesity since childhood. However, the association of overweight-obesity with these factors, acting as a consortium, has been scarcely studied in children. We aimed here to assess the probabilities of being overweighed-obese in a randomly recruited cohort of Spanish children and adolescents (n=415, 5–17 years-old) by estimating the odds ratios for different predictor variables, and their relative importance in the prediction. The predictor variables were ethnicity, age, sex, adherence to the Mediterranean diet (KIDMED), physical activity, urolithin metabotypes (UM-A, UM-B and UM-0) as biomarkers of the gut microbiota, and 53 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from 43 genes mainly related to obesity and cardiometabolic diseases. A proportional-odds logistic ordinal regression, validated through bootstrap, was used to model the data. While every variable was not independently associated with overweight-obesity, however, the ordinal logistic model revealed that overweight-obesity prevalence was related to being a young boy with either UM-B or UM-0, low KIDMED score and high contribution of a consortium of 24 SNPs, being rs1801253-ADRB1, rs4343-ACE, rs8061518-FTO, rs1130864-CRP, rs659366-UCP2, rs6131-SELP, rs12535708-LEP, rs1501299-ADIPOQ, rs708272-CETPand rs2241766-ADIPOQthe top-ten contributing SNPs. Additional research should confirm and complete this model by including dietary interventions and the individuals’ gut microbiota composition.
Novel Variants in COL4A3 and COL4A4 are Causes of Alport Syndrome in Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil
Authors: de Araújo Washington Candeia , Falcão Raul Maia , Uchoa Raquel , Garcia Carlos Alexandre , de Souza Jorge Estefano S. , Jeronimo Selma M. B.
Published: December 2019

Background

Alport syndrome is a progressive and hereditary nephropathy, characterized by hematuria and proteinuria, and extrarenal manifestations as hearing loss and eye abnormalities. The disease can be expressed as autosomal recessive or dominant, caused by variants in COL4A3 and COL4A4 loci, respectively, or X-linked caused by variants in COL4A5 locus.

Methods

Two unrelated families with Alport Syndrome from northeast of Brazil were studied and whole exome sequencing were performed. DNA sequences were mapped against the human genome (GRCh38/hg38 build) to identify associated mutations.

Results

Variant analysis showed deleterious variants in COL4A3 and COL4A4 loci in chromosome 2. Two variants were detected with alternative alleles in a homozygous state in the probands. One novel premature stop codon at position 481 of COL4A3 protein is present in one family and one frameshift mutation leading to a premature stop codon at position 786 of COL4A4 protein in the other family. Both Alport cases presented their variants surrounded by a broad runs of homozygosity (ROH).

Conclusions

The autosome recessive inheritance coupled with the runs of homozygosity in both families suggest inbreeding.
A review of factors associated with patterns of drinking during pregnancy
Authors: McKeague Mark , Norton Sam , Canfield Martha
Published: December 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify factors associated with drinking patterns during pregnancy.

Design/methodology/approach

A rapid evidence assessment was undertaken, scanning multiple databases for studies examining factors associated with alcohol consumption in pregnancy. Studies were included if they stratified data according to quantity of alcohol consumed and identified relevant associated factors. Drinking patterns were classified as light/moderate and heavy/binge.

Findings

In total, 15 studies were included (N=7 light/moderate; N=15 heavy/binge drinking). Factors associated with alcohol consumption during pregnancy included: smoking, age, SES, marital status, pre-pregnancy substance use and parity. While few studies reported an association between heavy/binge drinking and maternal mental health, none of the studies included explored the association between mental health and light/moderate drinking.

Research limitations/implications

Relatively few studies have looked at the association between psychological characteristics of women and their drinking patterns. There is a lack of articles examining light/moderate drinking in pregnancy compared to heavy/binge drinking. Moreover, there is marked variation in how alcohol use is measured. Further studies are needed to increase understanding of the association between psychological factors and patterns of drinking during pregnancy, and how health professionals might support women in this context.

Originality/value

The authors expand on previous work by examining two different patterns of alcohol consumption in pregnancy, rather than alcohol use simply as an isolated concept. The two groups were found to differ in a number of demographic and social factors. This information could be used to aid healthcare professionals in targeting specific interventions to those women most at risk.
Millennial generation preferences for rosé wine
Authors: Iazzi Antonio , Scorrano Paola , Rosato Pierfelice , Grandhi Balakrishna
Published: December 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to verify the preferences for the purchase of rosé wine by Italian and French Millennials, with the aim of allowing Italian companies to acquire knowledge in improving the positioning of this product in both the Italian and French markets.

Design/methodology/approach

The study involved a descriptive survey conducted between December 2018 and January 2019 on Millennials residing in Italy and France, intercepted via Facebook. In total, 500 valid responses to a highly structured self-administered questionnaire were collected. Descriptive and multivariate analysis techniques were used to examine the responses.

Findings

The two groups of Millennials show different preferences in the purchase of rosé wine. French Millennials rarely buy the product, and perhaps only for reasonable prices. Their purchasing process involves no characteristics of particular importance. On the other hand, Italian Millennials buy the product with a higher frequency and show a greater propensity to spend. In general, they attribute greater importance (though not a great deal of importance) to the characteristics of the product, paying attention to both its intrinsic aspects and its territorial origin and the quality certifications.

Research limitations/implications

The main limitation of the research is the small sample size. Future insights into the consumption of rosé wine will be sought in other significant European markets.

Practical implications

This study is of value to academic researchers, wine industry practitioners and other members of the wine distribution channel, as it provides insights into consumer behavior differences.

Originality/value

This research is the first to compare rosé wine preferences of Millennials in France and Italy.
Sustainability reporting and firm’s performance
Authors: Buallay Amina
Published: December 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a comparison between manufacturing and banking sectors with regards to the level of sustainability reporting (environmental, social and governance (ESG)) and its impact on operational, financial and market performance.

Design/methodology/approach

The research is quantitative, based on pooled data analysis of 932 manufactures and 530 banks listed on 80 countries for ten years from 2008 to 2017 ending up with 11,705 observations. A multivariate model is used to investigate the impact of sustainability reporting (ESG) on a firm’s performance. The theoretical model is built on agency, legitimacy, resources and stakeholders’ theories. The practical model is built on independent variable (ESG) and the dependent variables (return on assets, return on equity and Tobin’sQ).

Findings

The findings deduced from the empirical results on one hand demonstrated that ESG positively affect the operational, financial and market performance in the manufacturing sector. However, on the other hand, the ESG negatively affect the operational, financial and market performance in the banking sector.

Originality/value

This research makes a contribution to the scarce literature and compares the level of sustainability reporting and its impact on performance in both the manufacturing and banking sector which are two of the major and important sectors in the global financial markets.
Risk management integration and supply chain performance in ISO 9001-certified and non-certified firms
Authors: Dellana Scott , Kros John F. , Falasca Mauro , Rowe William J.
Published: December 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the mediating effect of supply chain risk management integration (RMI) on the relationship between supply chain logistics performance (LP) and supply chain cost performance (CP), as well as on the relationship between LP and supply chain service performance (SP). The impact of CP and SP on overall firm performance (FP) is also explored. ISO 9001-certified firms and non-certified firms are assessed to determine whether superior risk-based thinking, as required in the latest ISO 9001 standard, has a positive impact on the different relationships.

Design/methodology/approach

A theoretical model is developed and tested based on the participation of 140 supply chain managers. The proposed structural equation model positively relates LP, RMI, CP and SP. RMI is positively linked to CP and SP, while CP and SP are positively related to overall FP. Two subsamples (a group of 63 ISO 9001-certified firms and a group of 77 non-certified firms) are used to evaluate the model.

Findings

For certified and non-certified firms, LP is positively related to RMI, CP and SP, and SP and CP are positively related to FP. However, for certified firms, RMI partially mediates the relationship of LP with both CP and SP, while for non-certified firms, RMI does not mediate these relationships. The findings suggest that ISO 9001-certified firms are able to leverage RMI efforts to impact positively on supply chain performance, whereas non-certified firms are not.

Research limitations/implications

The study findings are based on the perceptions of managers. Even though the majority of the 63 certified firms included in this study were ISO 9001:2015 certified, the model results do not differentiate between companies certified to the 2008 version of the standard and the 2015 version (which specifically requires demonstration of risk-based thinking).

Practical implications

This study suggests that ISO 9001 provides a framework for risk management processes and collaboration with supply chain partners to positively impact the relationship of LP with cost and SP.

Originality/value

This is one of the first studies to characterize the benefits of using a structured approach for risk-based thinking that is associated with ISO 9001.
Effect of probiotic consumption on increasing the CD4+ T cell counts among Iranian patients living with HIV
Authors: Emadi-Koochak Hamid , Siami Zeinab , zebardast Jayran , SeyedAlinaghi SeyedAhmad , Asadollahi-Amin Ali
Published: December 2019

Purpose

During the ART era, persistent immune activation remains a significant challenge in people living with HIV (PLWH). Microbial translocation play an essential role in this setting. Probiotics have several immunological benefits which can reverse this process. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the safety and efficacy of probiotics on CD4 counts among Iranian PLWH.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 50 PLWH with CD4 counts above 350 cells/mm3did not receive ART participated in a randomized, double-blind trial and underwent 24 weeks of treatment with either LactoCare® or placebo twice daily. CD4 counts of the patients were measured at baseline, 12 weeks and 24 later in the two groups. Side effects were measured monthly using a specific checklist.

Findings

The mean CD4 count of the patients showed a significant difference between the two groups after six months. Through six months follow up, the mean CD4 count of the patients showed a significant reduction as compared to the baseline in the placebo group; however, it did not show a significant difference in the probiotic group. Repeated Measures Anova test showed a significant effect for time × treatment interaction on the CD4 count during the trial course. No significant difference between the two groups concerning adverse events was reported.

Originality/value

It seems the use of probiotics in PLWH with a CD4 count above 350 cells/mm3who are not receiving antiretroviral drugs is safe and can reduce the devastating process of CD4+ T cells in these patients.
Uncertainty and grey data analytics
Authors: Yang Yingjie , Liu Sifeng , Xie Naiming
Published: December 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a framework for data analytics where everything is grey in nature and the associated uncertainty is considered as an essential part in data collection, profiling, imputation, analysis and decision making.

Design/methodology/approach

A comparative study is conducted between the available uncertainty models and the feasibility of grey systems is highlighted. Furthermore, a general framework for the integration of grey systems and grey sets into data analytics is proposed.

Findings

Grey systems and grey sets are useful not only for small data, but also big data as well. It is complementary to other models and can play a significant role in data analytics.

Research limitations/implications

The proposed framework brings a radical change in data analytics. It may bring a fundamental change in our way to deal with uncertainties.

Practical implications

The proposed model has the potential to avoid the mistake from a misleading data imputation.

Social implications

The proposed model takes the philosophy of grey systems in recognising the limitation of our knowledge which has significant implications in our way to deal with our social life and relations.

Originality/value

This is the first time that the whole data analytics is considered from the point of view of grey systems.
Emotion-regulation strategies in older people: a systematic review
Authors: Ramirez-Ruiz Blanca , Quinn Kathryn , Ferreira Nuno
Published: December 2019

Purpose

Emotion regulation (ER) has been identified as an important factor influencing psychological and health problems of adult populations. The purpose of this paper is to address a gap in the literature by examining available evidence relating to the use of ER strategies (avoidance, problem solving, reappraisal, rumination and suppression) on the well-being of older people (OP).

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic search for peer-reviewed articles published from 1985 to 2015 was conducted in PsycINFO, CINAHL, Medline, Psychological and Behavioural Sciences Collections and ASSIA and resulted in 1746 titles. In total, 20 studies met full inclusion criteria (the cross-sectional association between well-being and ER was reported, participants were 60 years or older, without cognitive impairment and the article was written in English, Portuguese or Spanish).

Findings

Rumination was found to be the ER strategy most strongly associated with symptoms of anxiety and depression in OP populations, while mixed result were found for avoidance, problem solving, suppression and reappraisal.

Research limitations/implications

Given the scarcity of research examining the association between ER and positive psychological concepts only a conclusion about ER and negative mood measures could be made. Questions for future research on ER and well-being in OP are proposed.

Originality/value

This paper addresses a significant gap in the literature regarding the use of ER strategies in older adults.
Immunogenicity and contraceptive efficacy of recombinant fusion protein encompassing Sp17 spermatozoa‐specific protein and GnRH: Relevance of adjuvants and microparticles based delivery to minimize number of injections
Authors: Minhas Vidisha , Kumar Robin , Moitra Trisha , Singh Rita , Panda Amulya K. , Gupta Satish Kumar
Published: December 2019

Problem

Requirement of multiple injections of contraceptive vaccines to achieve infertility is one of the important impediments for their application. In the present study, attempts have been made to reduce the number of injections of contraceptive vaccine.

Method of study

Fusion protein encompassing C‐terminus fragment of sperm protein Sp17 (aa residues 76‐126) and two copies of gonadotropin‐releasing hormone along with T‐cell epitopes and dilysine linkers (abbreviated as Sp17C‐GnRH2) was expressed in Escherichia coli. Its immunogenicity and contraceptive efficacy have been evaluated in female FVB/J mice using different adjuvants and delivery platforms.

Results

Immunization of female mice with recombinant Sp17C‐GnRH2 (25 μg/injection/mouse) emulsified with squalene‐arlacel A following two injections schedule led to failure of 88.8% immunized animals to conceive, which was not significantly different from mice immunized with same protein along with alum following three injections schedule. To make single‐dose vaccine, poly d,l‐lactic acid–based microparticles (PLA‐MPs) entrapping Sp17C‐GnRH2 were prepared. Immunization of female mice with a combination of soluble Sp17C‐GnRH2 (12.5 μg/injection/mouse) along with Sp17C‐GnRH2 entrapped in PLA‐MPs (12.5 μg/injection/mouse) in alum showed higher antibody titres and contraceptive efficacy as compared to mice immunized with Sp17C‐GnRH2 entrapped in PLA‐MPs alone in alum. Immunization with recombinant Sp17C‐GnRH2 led to long‐term infertility as second mating (150 days after immunization) of various groups of immunized mice showed similar infertility as observed during first mating.

Conclusion

Single‐dose immunization with PLA‐MPs entrapping Sp17C‐GnRH2 along with soluble recombinant protein in alum generated long‐lasting infertility in female mice.
Effect of BIN1 on cardiac dysfunction and malignant arrhythmias
Authors: Jiang Xiao‐Xin , Zhu Yan‐Rong , Liu Hong‐Ming , Chen Shao‐Liang , Zhang Dai‐Min
Published: December 2019

Heart failure (HF) is the end‐stage syndrome for most cardiac diseases, and the 5‐year morbidity and mortality of HF remain high. Malignant arrhythmia is the main cause of sudden death in the progression of HF. Recently, bridging integrator 1 (BIN1) was discovered as a regulator of transverse tubule function and calcium signalling in cardiomyocytes. BIN1 downregulation is linked to abnormal cardiac contraction, and it increases the possibility of malignant arrhythmias preceding HF. Because of the detectability of cardiac BIN1 in peripheral blood, BIN1 may serve as a predictor of HF and may be useful in therapy development. However, the mechanism of BIN1 downregulation in HF and how BIN1 regulates normal cardiac function under physiological conditions remain unclear. In this review, recent progress in the biological studies of BIN1‐related cardiomyocytes and the effect of cardiac dysfunction and malignant arrhythmia will be discussed.
The reality of cerebral palsy in Uganda
Authors: Yeargin‐Allsopp Marshalyn
Published: December 2019

This commentary is on the original article by Andrews et al. on pages 454–462 of this issue.
Numerical and experimental validation of residual stresses of laser‐welded joints and their influence on the fatigue behaviour
Authors: Sepe Raffaele , Wiebesiek Jens , Sonsino Cetin Morris
Published: December 2019

In this work laser‐welded tube‐tube specimens made of aluminium alloys AlMg3.5Mn and AlSi1MgMn T6 were experimentally tested under constant and variable amplitude loading, under pure axial and pure torsion loading. In order to evaluate the influence on fatigue behaviour of the residual stresses, because of the welding process, some specimens were subjected to postweld heat treatment and then were tested. The numerical analyses, using finite element (FE), were carried out to obtain a reliable estimation of the residual stress in the specimen. The numerical results were in a good agreement with experimental ones obtained by means of hole‐drilling method. Finally, the residual stress distribution was superimposed to stress distribution because of fatigue loads obtained by FE analyses applying local concept, to calculate the stresses in the crack initiation zone and to understand the different types of failure that occurred in as‐welded and relieved specimens.
Involvement of portosystemic shunts in impaired improvement of liver function after direct‐acting antiviral therapies in cirrhotic patients with hepatitis C virus
Authors: Tsuji Shohei , Uchida Yoshihito , Uemura Hayato , Kouyama Jun‐Ichi , Naiki Kayoko , Nakao Masamitsu , Motoya Daisuke , Sugawara Kayoko , Nakayama Nobuaki , Imai Yukinori , Tomiya Tomoaki , Mochida Satoshi
Published: December 2019

Aim

Factors responsible for impaired improvement of liver function despite sustained viral response after direct‐acting antiviral agents therapies in cirrhotic patients with hepatitis C virus need to be elucidated.

Methods

Liver function and the extent of portosystemic shunting were evaluated for 79 patients with compensated cirrhosis, in whom sustained viral response had been achieved after direct‐acting antiviral agents therapies for hepatitis C virus at least 3 years earlier.

Results

Portosystemic shunts were observed in 63 patients (80%). Improvement and worsening, as compared with the baseline, of esophageal/gastric varices after direct‐acting antiviral agents therapies was seen in three patients (4%) and 10 patients (13%), respectively. Portal hypertension‐related events, such as varices and ascites requiring treatment, were observed in six patients (8%), in whom three patients showing worsening of Child–Pugh scores were included. Multivariate analysis showed that maximal diameter of the shunts (P = 0.012) and serum Mac‐2 binding protein glycosylation isomer levels at the end of treatment (P = 0.005) were associated with the development of portal hypertension‐related events, with cut‐off values of 5.25 mm (P = 0.001) and 6.84 cut‐off index (P < 0.001), respectively. The increase of serum albumin levels at 3 years, as compared with the baseline, was smaller in 22 patients having shunts with maximal diameters of ≥5 mm than in the remaining 57 patients (P = 0.034), whereas no such difference was seen between the patients with and without elevation of serum Mac‐2 binding protein glycosylation isomer level of ≥6.8 cut‐off index.

Conclusions

A large size of portosystemic shunts was found to be a crucial determinant of impaired improvement of liver function, as well as of the development of portal hypertension‐related events, even after sustained viral response in patients with compensated cirrhosis.
Practical roles for molecular diagnostic testing in ovarian adult granulosa cell tumour, Sertoli–Leydig cell tumour, microcystic stromal tumour and their mimics
Authors: Rabban Joseph T , Karnezis Anthony N , Devine W Patrick
Published: December 2019

Within the last decade, molecular advances have provided insights into the genetics of several ovarian sex cord–stromal tumours that have otherwise been enigmatic. Chief among these advances are the identification of FOXL2, DICER1 and CTNNB1 mutations in adult granulosa cell tumours, Sertoli–Leydig cell tumours (SLCTs), and microcystic stromal tumours (MCSTs), respectively. As access to molecular diagnostic laboratories continues to become more widely available, the potential roles for tumour mutation testing in the pathological diagnosis of these tumours merit discussion. Furthermore, links to inherited cancer susceptibility syndromes may exist for some women with SLCT (DICER1 syndrome) and MCST [familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP)]. This review will address practical issues in deciding when and how to apply mutation testing in the diagnosis of these three sex cord–stromal tumours. The pathologist's role in recommending referral for formal risk assessment for DICER1 syndrome and FAP will also be discussed.
Effect of different fibres on texture, rheological and sensory properties of acid casein processed cheese sauces
Authors: Szafrańska Jagoda O. , Sołowiej Bartosz G.
Published: December 2019

The objective of this study was the evaluation of different fibres (bamboo, acacia, potato or citrus) addition on texture, rheological and sensory properties of acid casein processed cheese sauces. Fibres used in production of sauces had an impact on the texture, viscosity, viscoelastic and sensory properties. The largest increase in viscosity was observed in products with addition of potato fibre, which have good water holding and adsorption capacity. Processed cheese sauce with the addition of citrus fibre was characterised by the highest values in general, and the increase of this feature in the tested samples was regular. Adhesiveness was the highest in products with 1% addition of every fibre. The lowest values of viscosity single shear,G′andG″moduli, among all tested, had sauces with acacia fibre. Moreover, they had the most thin liquid consistency, which was different from preferred one.
In vitro evaluation of the hyaluronic acid/alginate composite powder for topical haemostasis and wound healing
Authors: Chen Yi‐Wen , Lu Chia‐Hsin , Shen Meng‐Han , Lin Shih‐Yeh , Chen Chia‐Hui , Chuang Ching‐Kuang , Ho Chia‐Che
Published: December 2019

The use of haemostatic agents can provide life‐saving treatment for patients who suffer from massive bleeding in both prehospital and intraoperative conditions. However, there are still urgent demands for novel haemostatic materials that exhibit better haemostatic activity, biocompatibility, and biodegradability than existing products. In the present study, we aim to evaluate the feasibility of new wound dressing, RapidClot, for treating uncontrolled haemorrhage through a series of in vitro assessments to determine the swelling ratio, clotting time, enzymatic degradation, haemolytic activity, cytotoxicity, cell proliferation, and migration. The results indicated that the RapidClot revealed better water adsorption capacity and shorter blood clotting time (132.7 seconds) than two commercially available haemostatic agents Celox (378.7 seconds) and WoundSeal (705.3 seconds). Additionally, the RapidClot dressing exhibited a similar level of degradability in the presence of hyaluronidase and lysozyme as that of Celox, whereas negligible degradation of WoundSeal was obtained. Although both Celox and RapidClot revealed a similar level in cell viability (above than 90%) against NIH/3 T3 fibroblasts, improved cell proliferation and migration could be obtained in RapidClot. Taking together, our results demonstrated that RapidClot could possess a great potential for serving as an efficient healing dressing with haemorrhage control ability.
Rebuilding and guiding a care community: A grounded theory of end‐of‐life nursing care practice in long‐term care settings
Authors: Nasu Katsumi , Sato Kana , Fukahori Hiroki
Published: December 2019

Aims

To investigate the end‐of‐life (EOL) nursing care practice process in long‐term care (LTC) settings for older adults in Japan.

Design

A qualitative study based on grounded theory developed by Corbin and Strauss.

Methods

Sampling, interviewing, and analysis were performed cyclically, with results for each stage used as the basis for data collection and next‐stage analysis decisions. Semi‐structured interviews were conducted from March 2015‐March 2019 with 22 nurses from eight LTC settings. Analysis was performed using coding, constant comparison, and emerging categories.

Results

The core category, “guiding the rebuilt care community to assist the dying resident” comprised five categories: “assessing the resident's stage,” “harmonizing care with the dying process,” “rebuilding a care community,“ “helping community members care for the resident,” and “encouraging community members to give meaning.” The participants were described as “traditional village elders“ who were the integral members of the care community, as well as guides who helped and encouraged the community.

Conclusion

Results revealed the holistic process of EOL nursing‐care practice in Japan. Nurses aimed to allow LTC residents to die as social human beings, surrounded by people, and not just responding physical and psychological distress. Such practice requires nursing expertise, healthcare skills, and leadership qualities to build and serve care communities. Nurses must also consider residents’ uncertainties and vulnerabilities as well as their cultural backgrounds.

Impact

This study showed that the nurses hold unique roles in providing dying people with care from a community. These findings can potentially be applied for developing a universal model for LTC nurses in many aging populations, to modify their EOL care practice, educate new LTC nurses, and collaborate with other healthcare professionals.
Curcumin has immunomodulatory effects on RANKL‐stimulated osteoclastogenesis in vitro and titanium nanoparticle‐induced bone loss in vivo
Authors: Yang Chao , Zhu Kechao , Yuan Xiangwei , Zhang Xianlong , Qian Yebin , Cheng Tao
Published: December 2019

Wear particle‐stimulated inflammatory bone destruction and the consequent aseptic loosening remain the primary causes of artificial prosthesis failure and revision. Previous studies have demonstrated that curcumin has a protective effect on bone disorders and inflammatory diseases and can ameliorate polymethylmethacrylate‐induced osteolysis in vivo. However, the effect on immunomodulation and the definitive mechanism by which curcumin reduces the receptor activators of nuclear factor‐kappa B ligand (RANKL)‐stimulated osteoclast formation and prevents the activation of osteoclastic signalling pathways are unclear. In this work, the immunomodulation effect and anti‐osteoclastogenesis capacities exerted by curcumin on titanium nanoparticle‐stimulated macrophage polarization and on RANKL‐mediated osteoclast activation and differentiation in osteoclastic precursor cells in vitro were investigated. As expected, curcumin inhibited RANKL‐stimulated osteoclast maturation and formation and had an immunomodulatory effect on macrophage polarization in vitro. Furthermore, studies aimed to identify the potential molecular and cellular mechanisms revealed that this protective effect of curcumin on osteoclastogenesis occurred through the amelioration of the activation of Akt/NF‐κB/NFATc1 pathways. Additionally, an in vivo mouse calvarial bone destruction model further confirmed that curcumin ameliorated the severity of titanium nanoparticle‐stimulated bone loss and destruction. Our results conclusively indicated that curcumin, a major biologic component of Curcuma longa with anti‐inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties, may serve as a potential therapeutic agent for osteoclastic diseases.
The probiotic, Leuconostoc mesenteroides, inhibits Listeria monocytogenes biofilm formation
Authors: Shao Xinhao , Fang Kuili , Medina Daniel , Wan Jason , Lee Jung‐Lim , Hong Seok Hoon
Published: December 2019

Listeria monocytogenes biofilm formation renders these cells highly resistant to current sanitation methods, and probiotics may be a promising approach to the efficient inhibition of Listeria biofilms. In the present study, three Leuconostoc mesenteroides strains of lactic acid bacteria isolated from kimchi were shown to be effective probiotics for inhibiting Listeria biofilm formation. Biofilms of two L. monocytogenes serotypes, 1/2a (ATCC15313) and 4b (ATCC19115), in dual‐species culture with each probiotic strain were decreased by more than 40‐fold as compared with single‐species Listeria biofilms; for instance, a reduction from 5.4 × 106 colony forming units (CFU)/cm2 L. monocytogenes ATCC19115 in single‐species biofilms to 1.1 × 105 CFU/cm2 in dual‐species biofilms. Most likely, one of the Leuconostoc strains, L. mesenteroides W51, led to the highest Listeria biofilm inhibition without affecting the growth of L. monocytogenes. The cell‐free supernatant from the L. mesenteroides W51 culture containing large protein molecules (>30 kDa) also inhibited Listeria biofilms. These data indicate that Leuconostoc probiotics can be used to repress L. monocytogenes biofilm contamination on surfaces at food processing facilities.
Pleural effusion in an otherwise healthy infant
Authors: McAteer John , Earle Benjamin
Published: December 2019

See Answer
The safety of stopping nucleos(t)ide analogue treatment in patients with HBeAg‐negative chronic hepatitis B
Authors: Wong Grace L.‐H. , Chan Henry L.‐Y. , Yuen Becky W.‐Y. , Tse Yee‐Kit , Luk Hester W.‐S. , Yip Terry C.‐F. , Hui Vicki W.‐K. , Liang Lilian Y. , Lee Hye‐Won , Lui Grace C.‐Y. , Wong Vincent W.‐S.
Published: December 2019

Background

The rates of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) seroclearance after stopping nucleos(t)ide analogues (NA) in European (19% in 2 years) and Asian (13% in 6 years) patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) vary dramatically. We evaluated the incidence of hepatitis flare and HBsAg seroclearance in hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)‐negative Chinese CHB patients who had stopped NA.

Methods

This was a territory‐wide retrospective study in Hong Kong. We identified HBeAg‐negative CHB patients from January 2000 to December 2017 who had stopped NA treatment for more than 3 months. Hepatitis flare was defined as ALT >2×ULN.

Results

The 1076 patients were predominantly middle‐aged men (mean age 52 years, male 74.8%) when starting NA; they stopped NA after 82 ± 35 months of treatment. At 44.3 ± 24.6 months after stopping NA, 147 (13.6%) patients had hepatitis flare, which led to resumption of NA; whereas 77 (7.2%) patients had flare but did not resume NA. Decompensation occurred in 7/914 (0.8%) patients. A total of 695 (64.6%) patients remained on NA treatment at the last visit. Eleven patients had achieved HBsAg seroclearance (6 of them had hepatitis flare and 1 of these 6 patients achieved HBsAg seroclearance after NA was restarted). Hepatic events developed in 75/695 (10.8%) patients who had NA resumed vs 43/381 (11.3%) patients who did not resume NA (P = .677).

Conclusions

Hepatitis flare and retreatment were common in HBeAg‐negative CHB patients who stopped NA treatment; whereas HBsAg seroclearance rarely occurred. Stopping NA to achieve functional cure should not be recommended at this moment.
Soil erosion processes in subtropical plantations (Diospyros kaki) managed under flood irrigation in Eastern Spain
Authors: Rodrigo‐Comino Jesús , Ponsoda‐Carreres Mauro , Salesa David , Terol Enric , Gyasi‐Agyei Yeboah , Cerdà Artemi
Published: December 2019

Persimmons (Diospyros kaki) are trees cultivated under subtropical environmental conditions but are also found in other regions such as the Mediterranean. However, no research has been conducted to investigate soil erosion processes under Mediterranean soil management systems characterized by flood irrigation and/or tillage. The Improved Stock Unearthing Method (ISUM) for assessing long‐term soil mobilization was applied to two fields, one under tillage and the other under no‐till with herbicide within a 25‐year old Mediterranean persimmon plantation. Replicating methods used in vineyard studies, graft unións on persimmon plants were used as passive bio‐indicators of soil surface changes in this study. The tilled field showed a total soil mobilization volume of 48.4 m3 on a 408.5 m2 plot, representing a total soil loss of 52.6 Mg ha‐1 yr‐1. For the plot (468 m2) managed with no‐till and herbicide, the results indicated total soil mobilization of 33.6 m3 which translates to 31.9 Mg ha‐1 yr‐1. It is concluded that flood irrigation is able to modify the runoff pathways and landforms in Mediterranean persimmon plantations, and the flood impact is more extensive when combined with tillage. For the first time, ISUM has been successfully applied to estimate soil erosion in a plantation under flood irrigation.
Transfusion risk associated with recent arbovirus outbreaks in French Polynesia
Authors: Beau Frédéric , Mallet Henri‐Pierre , Lastère Stéphane , Broult Julien , Laperche Syria
Published: December 2019

Background and objectives

French Polynesia, where dengue virus (DENV) has been present for a long time, experienced two successive outbreaks of Zika (ZIKV) and chikungunya viruses (CHIKV) between 2013 and 2015. To avoid the transmission of these viruses by transfusion, nucleic acid testing (NAT) has been in place for DENV since 2013 and for ZIKV and CHIKV during epidemics. The objective was to compare the estimated risk of viraemic blood donation with NAT results and to discuss the impact on the prevention of transfusion‐related infectious risk.

Materials and methods

The average risks of viraemic blood donation were estimated per year for DENV, and during the epidemic periods for ZIKV and CHIKV, using the Biggerstaff and Petersen model based on the incidence rate, the mean length of viraemia and the frequency of asymptomatic infection. The estimated risks were compared with the number of viraemic blood donations detected by NAT.

Results

According to the different assumptions, risks estimates ranged from 11·2 to 53·1/100 000 donations for DENV, 746 to 1924/100 000 for ZIKV and 1083 /100 000 for CHIKV. When compared to the number of donations collected during the study periods, these estimates match NAT results (5 blood donors reactive for DENV, 42 for ZIKV and 34 for CHIKV).

Conclusion

The risks of viraemic blood donation were related to the viral incidence in the general population and concordant with NAT results. These findings suggest that the screening may be optimized by a targeted NAT implementation based on incidence data.
Entre iconos, polifonía, performance coplera y un alud: el paisaje textual del patrimonio en Tilcara y Volcán, Jujuy, Argentina
Authors: Civila-Orellana Fabiola Vanesa
Published: December 2019

El artículo reflexiona sobre los discursos que construyen a Quebrada de Humahuaca, patrimonio mundial de la humanidad, como paisaje textual. Para esto, en primer lugar, se trae a colación una muestra visual que fue construida a partir de la mirada y las voces de sujetos del bien patrimonial. A continuación, para registrar esas voces se utiliza el método etnográfico y la metodología semiótica, de la cual se utilizan las definiciones contextuales por generarse en el contexto discursivo del hablante y para eliminar la carga a priori que toda definición posee. Dichas definiciones son de tilcareñas que evidencian un contrapunto polifónico. Finalmente, se analiza la performance y corporalidad en el “Primer Encuentro Provincial de niñas y niños copleros” en Volcán y se hace mención al alud que azotó al pueblo en el 2017. Su reconstrucción y/o reubicación advierte aún más la reconfiguración y resignificación del patrimonio en el espacio y el tiempo.
Resilience Decision-Making for Complex Systems
Authors: Salomon Julian , Broggi Matteo , Kruse Sebastian , Weber Stefan , Beer Michael
Published: December 2019

Complex systems—such as gas turbines, industrial plants, and infrastructure networks—are of paramount importance to modern societies. However, these systems are subject to various threats. Novel research does not only focus on monitoring and improving the robustness and reliability of systems but also focus on their recovery from adverse events. The concept of resilience encompasses these developments. Appropriate quantitative measures of resilience can support decision-makers seeking to improve or to design complex systems. In this paper, we develop comprehensive and widely adaptable instruments for resilience-based decision-making. Integrating an appropriate resilience metric together with a suitable systemic risk measure, we design numerically efficient tools aiding decision-makers in balancing different resilience-enhancing investments. The approach allows for a direct comparison between failure prevention arrangements and recovery improvement procedures, leading to optimal tradeoffs with respect to the resilience of a system. In addition, the method is capable of dealing with the monetary aspects involved in the decision-making process. Finally, a grid search algorithm for systemic risk measures significantly reduces the computational effort. In order to demonstrate its wide applicability, the suggested decision-making procedure is applied to a functional model of a multistage axial compressor, and to the U-Bahn and S-Bahn system of Germany's capital Berlin.
Contact Mechanics of a Thin Layer Pressed Onto a Substrate by a Line Load
Authors: Parel K. S.
Published: December 2019

A fundamental plane frictional receding contact of a thin layer pressed onto a substrate is solved with the insertion of distributions of dislocations. The new formulation overcomes the restriction of standard contact analysis with the distributed dislocation technique, which requires the distributions to be square root bounded to zero or square root singular at the ends of the area of insertion. This new formulation opens up a range of plane frictional receding contacts to theoretical study. Solutions are obtained for the basic plane receding contact problem of a homogeneous linear elastic semi-infinite layer pressed by a line load onto a half-plane of the same material with a Coulomb friction interface. The frictional dependence of receding contact behavior is identified and discussed.
Arrangement Effects of 30 deg Inclined Teardrop-Shaped Dimples on Film Cooling Flow Over Dimpled Cutback Surface at Airfoil Trailing Edge Investigated by 2D3C-PTV
Authors: Yamamoto Shohei , Murata Akira , Saito Hiroshi , Iwamoto Kaoru
Published: December 2019

The objective of this study is to determine the differences in flow fields between the 30 deg in-line and staggered arrangements of teardrop-shaped dimples, and to explain why the surface-averaged Nusselt number with the 30 deg in-line arrangement was 28.7% higher than that with the 30 deg staggered arrangement in our previous study. Measurements of the instantaneous velocity fields over the dimpled cutback surfaces in the two arrangements were performed at five spanwise cross sections using two-dimensional three-component particle tracking velocimetry (2D3C-PTV). Recirculation flows were observed only inside the dimples in the in-line arrangement, and the region above the recirculation flows exhibited a higher Reynolds shear stress. In this region, turbulent mixing between the high-speed cooling-flow and the low-speed recirculation-flow can be promoted. Streamlines of the time-averaged velocities showed that approximately half the fluid flowing out of a teardrop-shaped dimple in the in-line arrangement hardly flowed into the ones downstream. The remainder of the fluid mostly flowed into the dimple immediately downstream, and the inflow of the fluid into further downstream dimples decreased gradually. From the PTV results, we can deduce that the fluid motions in the in-line arrangement leads to a larger temperature-difference between the dimple wall and the fluid because the inflow of fluid heated inside upstream dimples into the downstream ones is less than in the staggered arrangement. Consequently, the Nusselt number in the in-line arrangement was higher.