bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Facial Transplantation: Principles and Evolving Concepts
Authors: Kantar Rami S. , Alfonso Allyson R. , Diep Gustave K. , Berman Zoe P. , Rifkin William J. , Diaz-Siso J. Rodrigo , Sosin Michael , Gelb Bruce E. , Ceradini Daniel J. , Rodriguez Eduardo D.
Published: May 2021

Learning Objectives:

After studying this article, the participant should be able to: 1. Appreciate the evolution and increasing complexity of transplanted facial allografts over the past two decades. 2. Discuss indications and contraindications for facial transplantation, and donor and recipient selection criteria and considerations. 3. Discuss logistical, immunologic, and cost considerations in facial transplantation, in addition to emerging technologies used. 4. Understand surgical approaches and anatomical and technical nuances of the procedure. 5. Describe aesthetic, functional, and psychosocial outcomes of facial transplantation reported to date.

This CME article highlights principles and evolving concepts in facial transplantation. The field has witnessed significant advances over the past two decades, with more than 40 face transplants reported to date. The procedure now occupies the highest rung on the reconstructive ladder for patients with extensive facial disfigurement who are not amenable to autologous reconstructive approaches, in pursuit of optimal functional and aesthetic outcomes. Indications, contraindications, and donor and recipient considerations for the procedure are discussed. The authors also review logistical, immunologic, and cost considerations of facial transplantation. Surgical approaches to allograft procurement and transplantation, in addition to technical and anatomical nuances of the procedure, are provided. Finally, the authors review aesthetic, functional, and psychosocial outcomes that have been reported to date.
Comparison of patient-reported and functional outcomes following transition from mechanical to microprocessor knee in the low-activity user with a unilateral transfemoral amputation
Authors: Davie-Smith Fiona , Carse Bruce
Published: May 2021

Background:

The Scottish Specialist Prosthetics Service has provided microprocessor knees (MPKs) through the National Health Service since 2014, predominantly to high-activity transfemoral amputations (TFAs). Benefits of MPKs to the lower-activity TFA are less established in the literature.

Objectives:

This study aimed to compare patient-reported and functional measures in low-activity TFAs transitioning from a mechanical knee to a MPK.

Study Design:

This is a retrospective cohort analysis of low-activity individuals with a unilateral TFA provided with an MPK.

Methods:

Patient-reported measures were recorded in routine clinical care before and 6 months after MPK provision. These included HR-QoL (EQ-5D-5L Health Index), Activities Balance Confidence score, Prosthetic Limb User Survey of Mobility, falls frequency, use of walking aids, and Socket Comfort Score. Functional measures included the two-minute walk test (2MWT), L-test, and Amputee Mobility Predictor score, and three-dimensional gait analysis was used to generate a Gait Profile Score (GPS). The primary outcomes were HR-QoL and GPS.

Results:

Forty-five participants fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Thirty-one had pre-MPK and post-MPK measures, of which 15 had three-dimensional gait analysis. The mean age (n = 31) was 60 years (SD 11), and 68% were male. HR-QoL and GPS did not significantly improve with MPK provision (p = 0.014 and p = 0.019); Amputee Mobility Predictor score, L-Test, 2MWT, falls, and Activities Balance Confidence score showed a significant improvement with MPK provision (p < 0.001).

Conclusions:

Although no statistically significant change in the primary outcomes was measured, there were sufficient data to support MPK provision in low-activity prosthetic users with participants demonstrating improvements in balance, 2MWT, falls frequency, and confidence.
Two 11-Years Periods Statistics and Trends of Enucleation and Evisceration
Authors: Furdova Alena , Horkovicova Kristina , Furda Robert , Sramka Miron , Rybar Jan , Kusenda Pavol , Pridavkova Zuzana
Published: May 2021

Purpose:

The indications for evisceration and enucleation are still evolving and controversial. The study aims to describe trends of enucleation versus evisceration in one center.

Methods:

In period 1998–2019 were 353 patients were included in the study. Statistical results and Chi-square test for pair-wise comparisons for the statistical significance in comparing two subgroups (years periods 1998–2008 and 2009–2019) per category have been evaluated.

Results:

The enucleation was performed in 306 patients, and the evisceration was performed in 47 patients. In 221 patients with the tumor exclusively enucleation was indicated. For the operation technique, the authors got a chi-square value of 0.027, and the associated P value is at 0.8695, then the number of evisceration and enucleation in subgroups have not confirmed independency. For the tumor presence, the authors got a chi-square value of 5.4, and the associated P value is at 0.02, then the number of validated/nonvalidated tumor presence in subgroups confirmed independency.

Conclusions:

The performed enucleations had 98% cases uveal melanoma, 1% of cases of another type of malignancy (lymphoma non-Hodgkin type), and 1% cases with benign tumor. Enucleation is also today most frequently due to malignant intraocular tumors, whereas evisceration if most frequently for the phthisis eye after a trauma or a previous intraocular surgery. In our study in 22 years interval also in the second period, there was an increased trend of enucleation due to intraocular malignancy. It can have many reasons, especially, that patients are sent to oncology centers late in the advanced stage of tumor.
Efficacy of Sofosbuvir plus Ledipasvir in Egyptian patients with COVID-19 compared to standard treatment: Randomized controlled trial
Authors: Elgohary Mohamed Abdel-Salam , Hasan Eman Medhat , Ibrahim Amany Ahmad , Ahmed Abdelsalam Mohamed Farouk , Abdel-Rahman Raafat Zaher , Zaki Ashraf Ibrahim , Elaatar Mohamed Bakr , Elnagar Mohamed Thabet , Emam Mohamed Emam , Hamada Mahmoud Moustafa , Abdel-Hamid Taimour Mohamed , Abdel-Hafez Ahmad Samir , Seadawy Mohamed G. , Fatoh Ahmad Rashad , Elsaied Mohamed Ali , Sakr Marwa Abdel-Rahman , Elkady Ahmed Omar , Shehata Mohamed Muawad , Nawar Osama Mohamed , Selem Mohamed Abu-elnaga , Abd-aal Mohamed Saeed , Lotfy Hany Hafez , Elnagdy Tarek Refaat , Helmy Sherine , Mubark Magdy Amin
Published: May 2021

Background

COVID-19 is a pandemic disease caused by SARS-CoV-2, which is an RNA virus similar to HCV in the replication process. Sofosbuvir/ledipasvir is an approved drug by the FDA to treat HCV infection. This study investigates the efficacy of Sofosbuvir/ledipasvir as a treatment for patients with moderate COVID-19 infection..

Methods

This is a single-blinded parallel-randomized controlled trial. The participants were randomized equally into the intervention group received Sofosbuvir/ledipasvir (S.L. group), and the control group received Oseltamivir, Hydroxychloroquine, and Azithromycin (OCH group). The primary outcomes were the cure rate over time and the incidence of serious adverse events. The secondary outcomes included the laboratory findings.

Results

Two hundred and fifty patients were divided equally into each group. Both groups were similar regarding gender, but age was higher in the S.L. group (p=0.001). In the S.L. group, 89 (71.2%) patients were cured, while only 51 (40.8%) patients were cured in the OCH group. The cure rate was significantly higher in the S.L. group (RR=1.75, p<0.001). Kaplan-Meir plot showed a considerably higher cure over time in the S.L. group (Log-rank test, p=0.032). There were no deaths in the S.L. group, but there were six deaths (4.8%) in the OCH group (RR=0.08, p=0.013). Seven patients (5.6%) in the S.L. group and six patients (4.8%) in the OCH group were admitted to ICU (RR=1.17, P=0.776). There was no significant difference between treatment groups regarding Total Leukocyte Count, Neutrophils count, Lymph and Urea.

Conclusion

Sofosbuvir/ledipasvir is suggestive of being effective in treating patients with moderate COVID-19 infection. Further studies are needed to compare Sofosbuvir/ledipasvir with the new treatment protocols.
A COVID-19 Community Vulnerability Index to drive precision policy in the
US
Authors: Smittenaar Peter , Stewart Nicholas , Sutermaster Staci , Coome Lindsay , Dibner-Dunlap Aaron , Jain Mokshada , Caplan Yael , Campigotto Christine , Sgaier Sema K.
Published: May 2021

Background

In April 2020 we released the US COVID-19 Community Vulnerability Index
(CCVI) to bring to life vulnerability to health, economic, and social impact
of COVID-19 at the state, county, and census tract level. Here we describe
the methodology, how vulnerability is distributed across the U.S., and
assess the impact on vulnerable communities over the first year of the
pandemic.

Methods

The index combines 40 indicators into seven themes, drawing on both
public and proprietary data. We associate timeseries of COVID-19 cases,
deaths, test site access, and rental arrears with vulnerability.

Results

Although overall COVID-19 vulnerability is concentrated in the South,
the seven underlying themes show substantial spatial variability. As of May
13, 2021, the top-third of vulnerable counties have seen 21% more cases and
47% more deaths than the bottom-third of vulnerable counties, despite
receiving 27% fewer tests (adjusted for population). Individual
vulnerability themes vary over time in their relationship with mortality as
the virus swept across the country. Over 20% of households in the top
vulnerability tercile have fallen behind on rent. Poorer test site access
for rural vulnerable populations early in the pandemic has since been
alleviated.

Conclusion

The CCVI captures greater risk of health and economic impact. It has
enjoyed widespread use in response planning, and we share lessons learned
about developing a data-driven tool in the midst of a fast-moving pandemic.
The CCVI and an interactive data explorer are available at
precisionforcovid.org/ccvi.

What is already known on this topic

Various communities across the United States will
experience the adverse effects of public health crises to
different degrees of severity.

Composite indicators, such as the CDC Social
Vulnerability Index, have proven to be valuable to
policymakers by turning complex data sets into easily
digestible and actionable information. However, the
indicators within the Social Vulnerability Index do not
fully contextualize the negative impacts spurred by the
current pandemic.

What this study adds

The U.S. COVID-19 Community Vulnerability Index captures
vulnerabilities spanning health, social, and economic
dimensions that have been felt by every community in the US
differently.

Vulnerable populations have experienced more cases and
deaths, higher unemployment, and a lack of access to
critical support such as testing sites.

Precision policies targeting vulnerable populations need
to be designed and enacted to decrease the gap in negative
consequences experienced in this and future pandemics, and
the COVID-19 Community Vulnerability Index is a tool to
highlight where and why these inequities occur.
REGEN-COV Antibody Cocktail Clinical Outcomes Study in Covid-19 Outpatients
Authors: Weinreich David M. , Sivapalasingam Sumathi , Norton Thomas , Ali Shazia , Gao Haitao , Bhore Rafia , Xiao Jing , Hooper Andrea T. , Hamilton Jennifer D. , Musser Bret J. , Rofail Diana , Hussein Mohamed , Im Joseph , Atmodjo Dominique Y. , Perry Christina , Pan Cynthia , Mahmood Adnan , Hosain Romana , Davis John D. , Turner Kenneth C. , Baum Alina , Kyratsous Christos A. , Kim Yunji , Cook Amanda , Kampman Wendy , Roque-Guerrero Lilia , Acloque Gerard , Aazami Hessam , Cannon Kevin , Simón-Campos J. Abraham , Bocchini Joseph A. , Kowal Bari , DiCioccio Thomas , Soo Yuhwen , Stahl Neil , Lipsich Leah , Braunstein Ned , Herman Gary , Yancopoulos George D. ,   for the Trial Investigators
Published: May 2021

Background

REGEN-COV antibody cocktail (casirivimab with imdevimab) rapidly reduced viral load and decreased medically-attended visits in the phase 1/2 portion of this trial; REGEN-COV, retains activity in vitro against emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern.

Methods

The phase 3 portion of this adaptive, randomized, master protocol, included 4,057 Covid-19 outpatients with one or more risk factors for severe disease. Patients were randomized to a single treatment of intravenous placebo, or various doses of REGEN-COV, and followed for 28 days. The prespecified hierarchical analysis first compared REGEN-COV 2400mg dose vs concurrent placebo, then compared the 1200mg dose vs concurrent placebo, for endpoints assessing risk of hospitalization or death, and time to symptom resolution. Safety was evaluated in all treated patients.

Results

Both REGEN-COV 2400mg and 1200mg significantly reduced Covid-19-related hospitalization or all-cause death compared to placebo (71.3% reduction [1.3% vs 4.6%; p<0.0001] and 70.4% reduction [1.0% vs 3.2%; p=0.0024], respectively). The median time to resolution of Covid-19 symptoms was 4 days shorter in both dose arms vs placebo (10 vs 14 days; p<0.0001). Efficacy of REGEN-COV was consistent across subgroups, including patients who were SARS-CoV-2 serum antibody-positive at baseline. REGEN-COV more rapidly reduced viral load than placebo. Serious adverse events occurred more frequently in the placebo group (4.0%) than in the 1200mg (1.1%) and 2400mg (1.3%) groups and grade ≥2 infusion-related reactions were infrequent (<0.3% in all groups).

Conclusions

Treatment with REGEN-COV was well-tolerated and significantly reduced Covid-19-related hospitalization or all-cause death, rapidly resolved symptoms, and reduced viral load.

(Funded by Regeneron Pharmaceuticals and the Biomedical and Advanced Research and Development Authority of the Department of Health and Human Services; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT04425629.)
Adverse childhood experiences and trajectories of psychological distress in adulthood: an analysis of the 1958 British birth cohort
Authors: Gondek Dawid , Patalay Praveetha , Sacker Amanda , Gagné Thierry , Danese Andrea , Lacey Rebecca E
Published: May 2021

Background

The evidence on the association between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and psychological distress in adulthood tends to rely on cross-sectional studies. In this 50-year long longitudinal study, we examined the association between both prospectively and retrospectively reported ACEs and adulthood trajectories of psychological distress between age 23 and 50. We also studied potential effect modifiers of these associations, spanning social and developmental domains of child development.

Methods

The sample comprised 8,055 participants of the 1958 National Child Development Study. Psychological distress was measured by the Malaise Inventory at ages 23-50. We used growth curve analysis and multinomial regression.

Results

After accounting for covariates, those with more ACEs experienced persistently higher psychological distress between age 23 and 50, with a graded relationship observed. The associations were relatively consistent across prospectively and retrospectively reported ACEs. Those with prospective or retrospective ACE score of 1 compared with 0, had on average between 0.27 and 0.39 higher distress throughout adulthood. In relative terms, the prospective ACE score of 2+ (vs 0) was associated with 3.31 and the retrospective ACE score of 4+ (vs 0) with 5.76 (95% CI 4.24 to 7.82) times higher risk of being in the “high symptoms”, compared with the “low symptoms” trajectory of distress. None of the potential effect modifiers altered the association between ACEs and trajectories of distress.

Conclusion

If the associations between ACEs and trajectories of distress are causal, this emphasises the need to act early to prevent psychopathology across the adult life course.
Divergent sex differences in functional brain connectivity networks in excessively drinking C57BL/6J mice
Authors: Bloch Solal , Rinker Jennifer A. , Smith Alex C.W. , Shiromani Priyattam J. , Wheeler Damian G. , Azevedo Ricardo , Gandhi Sunil , Hoffman Michaela , Mulholland Patrick J.
Published: May 2021

Individuals with alcohol use disorder continue to drink in excess despite the health and societal consequences, and the rate of problematic drinking and alcohol-related harms is increased in women. Clinical imaging studies report widespread adaptations in brain structure after chronic, heavy drinking, and alcohol-related cues enhance brain reactivity in reward-related regions. In rodents, alcohol drinking induces expression of the immediate early gene c-Fos, which can be a marker of cellular activity, across multiple brain regions. Recent evidence also suggests that abstinence from chronic intermittent alcohol exposure can produce mesoscale changes in c-Fos expression. However, there is a substantial gap in our understanding of how excessive drinking affects functional connectivity networks to influence alcohol-seeking behaviors. For this study, male and female C57BL/6J mice were given access to either water or a choice between water and ethanol in the intermittent access drinking model for 4 weeks. After a short-access drinking session, whole brains from high alcohol drinking male and female mice and water drinking controls were then subjected to c-Fos immunolabeling, iDISCO+ clearing, light sheet imaging, and whole-brain c-Fos mapping. Correlation matrices were then generated and graph theoretical statistical approaches were used to determine changes in functional connectivity across sex and drinking condition. We observed robust sex differences in the network of c-Fos+ cells in water drinking mice, and excessive alcohol drinking produce divergent and robust changes in functional network connectivity in male and female mice. In addition, these analyses identified novel hub regions in excessively drinking mice that were unique for each sex. In conclusion, the whole-brain c-Fos mapping analysis identified sex difference in functional network connectivity and unique and understudied regions that may play a critical role in controlling excessive ethanol drinking in male and female mice.
Differentially methylated regions and methylation QTLs for teen depression and early puberty in the Fragile Families Child Wellbeing Study
Authors: De Vito Roberta , Grabski Isabella N , Aguiar Derek , Schneper Lisa M , Verma Archit N , Castillo-Fernandez Juan E , Mitchell Colter , Bell Jordana Tzenova , McLanahan Sara , Notterman Daniel A , Engelhardt Barbara E
Published: May 2021

The Fragile Families Child Wellbeing Study (FFCWS) is a longitudinal cohort of ethnically diverse and primarily low socioeconomic status children and their families in the U.S. Here, we analyze DNA methylation data collected from 748 FFCWS participants in two waves of this study, corresponding to participant ages 9 and 15. Our primary goal is to leverage the DNA methylation data from these two time points to study methylation associated with two key traits in adolescent health that are over-represented in these data: Early puberty and teen depression. We first identify differentially methylated regions (DMRs) for depression and early puberty. We then identify DMRs for the interaction effects between these two conditions and age by including interaction terms in our regression models to understand how age-related changes in methylation are influenced by depression or early puberty. Next, we identify methylation quantitative trait loci (meQTLs) using genotype data from the participants. We also identify meQTLs with epistatic effects with depression and early puberty. We find enrichment of our interaction meQTLs with functional categories of the genome that contribute to the heritability of co-morbid complex diseases. We replicate our meQTLs in data from the GoDMC study. This work leverages the important focus of the FFCWS data on disadvantaged children to shed light on the methylation states associated with teen depression and early puberty, and on how genetic regulation of methylation is affected in adolescents with these two conditions.
Neurodevelopmental phenotypes in individuals with pathogenic variants in CHAMP1
Authors: Garrity Madison , Kavus Haluk , Rojas-Vasquez Marta , Valenzuela Irene , Larson Austin , Reed Sara , Bellus Gary , Mignot Cyril , Munnich Arnold , Isidor Bertrand , Chung Wendy K.
Published: May 2021

De novo pathogenic variants in CHAMP1 (chromosome alignment maintaining phosphoprotein 1), which encodes kinetochore-microtubule associated protein on 13q34, cause a rare neurodevelopmental disorder. We enrolled 14 individuals with pathogenic variants in CHAMP1 that were documented by exome sequencing or gene panel sequencing. Medical history interviews, seizure surveys, Vineland Adapted Behavior Scales Second Edition, and other behavioral surveys were completed by primary caregivers of available participants in Simons Searchlight. Clinicians extracted clinical data from the medical record for two participants. We report on clinical features of 14 individuals (ages 2–26) with de novo predicted loss-of-function variants in CHAMP1 and compare them with previously reported cases (total n = 32). At least two individuals have the same de novo variant: p.(Ser181Cysfs*5), p.(Trp348*), p.(Arg398*), p.(Arg497*), or p.(Tyr709*). Common phenotypes include intellectual disability/developmental delay, language impairment, congenital and acquired microcephaly, behavioral problems including autism spectrum disorder, seizures, hypotonia, gastrointestinal issues of reflux and constipation, and ophthalmologic issues. Other rarely observed phenotypes include leukemia, failure to thrive, and high pain tolerance. Pathogenic variants in CHAMP1 are associated with a variable clinical phenotype of developmental delay/intellectual disability and seizures.
μ-Methylene-bis[dibromido(diethyl ether-κO)aluminium(III)]: crystal structure and chemical exchange in solution
Authors: Butcher Ray J. , Purdy Andrew P.
Published: May 2021

In the title compound, [Al2Br4(CH2)(C4H10O)2], the molecule lies on a crystallographic twofold axis passing through the bridging C atom. Each AlIII atom is four-coordinate, being bonded to two bromide ions, bridging the CH2 group as well as the oxygen atom of a diethyl ether ligand in a slightly distorted tetrahedral arrangement with angles ranging from 101.52 (8) to 116.44 (5)°. The Al—CH2—Al angle, 118.4 (2)°, is the smallest observed for a structure where this moiety is not part of a ring. In the crystal, weak C—H...Br interactions, characterized as R
2
2(12) rings, link the molecules into ribbons in the [101] direction. The title compound is monomeric and coordinatively saturated in the solid state, as each aluminum is four-coordinate, but in solution the ether molecules from either or both Al atoms can dissociate, and would be expected to rapidly exchange, and this is supported by NMR data.
A model for thermal comfort assessment of naturally ventilated housing in the hot and dry tropical climate
Authors: Ouedraogo Arnaud Louis Sountong-Noma , Messan Adamah , Yamegueu Daniel , Coulibaly Yezouma
Published: May 2021

Purpose

A major challenge faced by West Africa is to find comfortable housing as a result of climate change and population growth. The climatic adaptation of buildings and their indoor environment become an essential condition for maintaining the health and productivity of the occupants. This paper proposes a model to assess the thermal comfort of naturally ventilated buildings in hot and dry climates in Burkina Faso.

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed method is an adaptive model which relies on a combination of parameters such as the operative temperature, the new effective temperature and the basic parameters of thermal comfort. It consists in proposing the zones of thermal comfort on the diagram of the humid air for each climatic region.

Findings

A decision-making tool is set up for evaluating the comfort of buildings to better consider the bio-climatic concept through a long-term comfort index. This comfort index is defined and is used to assess the degree of thermal discomfort for various types of housing. Two natural ventilation pilot buildings located in Ouagadougou were considered. The results show that the pilot building whose wall are is made of Earth blocks achieves 26.4% of thermal comfort while the building made of hollow cement block achieves 25.8% of thermal comfort.

Originality/value

The decision-making tool proposed in the present study allow building stakeholders to better and easily design, assess and improve the thermal environment of buildings.
Does social support at work enhance subjective career success? The mediating role of relational attachment
Authors: Kundi Yasir Mansoor , Soomro Shuaib Ahmed , Kamran Muhammad
Published: May 2021

Purpose

Drawing on Kahn’s model of meaningful connections, this study aims to examine relational attachment as a mediating mechanism linking social support in terms of instrumental support and personal support to employees’ subjective career success.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected in 2 waves from 247 employees working in Poland. Hypotheses were tested using structural equation modeling in AMOS.

Findings

The findings indicated that employees are more attached to and satisfied with their careers when they have a stronger relational attachment to others at work. Furthermore, relational attachment was found to be driven by tangible or intangible instrumental support received at work rather than the personal support received at work.

Practical implications

Managers should recognize the importance of workplace relationships and social support, which can lead to higher career commitment and career satisfaction. However, managers should keep in mind that too much interference in individuals’ privacy and providing too much personal support may lead to adverse outcomes.

Originality/value

The present study expands the scant literature on the mediating role of relational attachment at work between social support received at work and subjective career success.
Steel truss bridge vibration-based condition monitoring using Savitzky-Golay filter, Hilbert transform, MUSIC and ESPRIT
Authors: Sharma Anshul , Kumar Pardeep , Vinayak Hemant Kumar , Patel Raj Kumar , Walia Suresh Kumar
Published: May 2021

Purpose

This study aims to perform the experimental work on a laboratory-constructed steel truss bridge model on which hammer blows are applied for excitation. The vibration response signals of the bridge structure are collected using sensors placed at different nodes. The different damaged states such as no damage, single damage, double damage and triple damage are introduced by cutting members of the bridge. The masked noise with recorded vibration responses generates challenge to properly analyze the health of bridge structure.

Design/methodology/approach

The analytical modal properties are obtained from finite element model (FEM) developed using SAP2000 software. The response signals are analyzed in frequency domain by power spectrum and in time-frequency domain using spectrogram and Stockwell transform. Various low pass signal-filtering techniques such as variational filter, lowpass sparse banded (AB) filter and Savitzky–Golay (SG) differentiator filter are also applied to refine vibration signals. The proposed methodology further comprises application of Hilbert transform in combination with MUSIC and ESPRIT techniques.

Findings

The outcomes of SG filter provided the denoised signals using appropriate polynomial degree with proper selected window length. However, certain unwanted frequency peaks still appeared in the outcomes of SG filter. The SG-filtered signals are further analyzed using fused methodology of Hilbert transform-ESPRIT, which shows high accuracy in identifying modal frequencies at different states of the steel truss bridge.

Originality/value

The sequence of proposed methodology for denoising vibration response signals using SG filter with Hilbert transform-ESPRIT is a novel approach. The outcomes of proposed methodology are much refined and take less computational time.
Easing the multiplicative effects of abusive supervision
Authors: Abi Aad Amine , Andrews Martha C. , Maalouf Jamal T. , Kacmar K. Michele , Valle Matthew
Published: May 2021

Purpose

Abusive supervision research has clearly demonstrated its many negative effects. The present study uses social learning theory to shed light on mechanisms that could potentially alter the negative effect of abusive supervision.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a sample of 162 full-time employees, we identify and test two potential variables that we believe may moderate, or soften, the trickle-down negative effects of abusive supervision.

Findings

Results demonstrates that coworker support moderates the positive relationship between abusive supervision and coworker incivility such that this relationship is weaker when coworker support is high. In addition, we found that work engagement moderates the positive relationship between coworker incivility and turnover intentions such that this relationship is weaker when engagement is high. Next, we found that coworker incivility mediates the positive relationship between abusive supervision and turnover intentions and that this indirect effect is moderated by both coworker support and work engagement.

Originality/value

We combined three theoretical explanations, social learning theory, contagion effect and the trickle-down perspective, to theoretically argue not only how (through coworker incivility) but when (when coworker support and work engagement are low) abusive supervision impacts turnover intentions. In addition, we extended the research on work engagement by positioning it as a boundary condition. We found that when individuals are engaged in their work, the environment in which they work matters less (because the work matters more).
Work ability and quality of working life in atopic dermatitis patients treated with dupilumab
Authors: Bosma Angela L. , Ouwerkerk Wouter , Günal Merve , Hyseni Ariënna M. , Arents Bernd W. M. , Gerbens Louise A. A. , Middelkamp‐Hup Maritza A. , de Boer Angela G. E. M. , Spuls Phyllis I.
Published: May 2021

Atopic dermatitis is associated with work productivity loss. Little is known about how patients perceive their work ability and quality of working life, and how this is affected by treatment. Our primary objective was to investigate work ability and quality of working life at baseline and during treatment in the long term. A registry‐embedded prospective observational cohort study was conducted consisting of patients with atopic dermatitis starting dupilumab in routine clinical care. The instruments used were the Work Ability Index (WAI; questions 1, 2, and 3) and the Quality of Working Life Questionnaire (QWLQ). Ninety‐three patients were included of whom 72 were (self‐)employed (77%). From baseline to 48 weeks, the mean WAI‐1 score (general work ability, range 0–10) improved from 6.8 (±2.0) to 7.9 (±1.3), WAI‐2 (physical work ability, range 1–5) from 3.7 (±0.9) to 4.3 (±0.7), and WAI‐3 (mental/emotional work ability, range 1–5) from 3.4 (±0.9) to 3.9 (±0.8) (p = 0.001, p = 0.005, p < 0.001, respectively). The mean QWLQ total score improved from 74.0 (±9.1) to 77.5 (±9.6) and subscale “Problems due to health situation” improved from 37.4 (±22.3) to 61.5 (±23.1) (range 0–100; p = 0.032, p < 0.001, respectively). In conclusion, patients with moderate‐to‐severe atopic dermatitis starting dupilumab report decreased work ability and quality of working life, mainly due to health‐related problems. Significant improvement of work ability and quality of working life is observed with dupilumab treatment.
Biodiversity dataset of vascular plants and birds in Chinese urban greenspace
Authors: Wang Xin , Liu Jun , Liang Chenxia , Zhao Zhichun , Feng Gang , Zhang Jian
Published: May 2021

Urban greenspace plays an important role in buffering the threat of urbanization to biodiversity. Biodiversity research in urban greenspace is essential for understanding the impacts of human activities on biodiversity and the associated ecosystem functioning and services in urban ecosystems. However, we lack large‐scale biodiversity datasets in urban greenspace for macroecological studies. In this paper, we provided a comprehensive biodiversity dataset of vascular plant and bird species in 286 university campuses and 118 urban parks in 143 cities in China, covering a wide range with different levels of urbanization (20–50°N in latitude and 81–130°E in longitude). Plant species were classified into different growth forms, and bird species were identified as resident or migrant. In total, the dataset contains 46,558 occurrence records for 5,915 plant species (about 18% of all Chinese vascular plant species) and 6,423 records for 546 bird species (around 40% of all recorded bird species in China). This dataset provides an important data source for evaluating the anthropogenic effects of biodiversity changes and advancing urban ecology. The complete data set for this abstract published in the Data Paper section of the journal is available in electronic format in MetaCat in JaLTER at http://db.cger.nies.go.jp/JaLTER/metacat/metacat/ERDP-2021-02.1/jalter-en.
Molting process revealed by the detailed expression profiles of RXR1/RXR2 and mining the associated genes in a spider mite, Panonychus citri
Authors: Li Gang , Liu Xun‐Yan , Smagghe Guy , Niu Jin‐Zhi , Wang Jin‐Jun
Published: May 2021

Spider mites have one ecdysone receptor (EcR) and multiple retinoid X receptors (RXRs). However, the function of these RXRs in spider mite development is unknown. Here, we screened the expression dynamics of two PcRXR isoforms at 4 h intervals in the deutonymphal stage of Panonychus citri. The results showed that PcEcR had an expression pattern similar to that of PcRXR2. For PcRXR1, its expression remained at a certain high level, when there was a decrease of both PcEcR and PcRXR2. In situ hybridization showed that PcRXR2 was detected in the central nervous mass, while the ecdysteroid biosynthesis gene PcSpo was mainly expressed at the edge of the central nervous mass. RNAi‐based silencing of PcRXR1 or PcRXR2 showed the same phenotype as in mites with that of silencing PcEcR. Furthermore, RNA‐seq was used to mine the genes associated with the expression dynamics of PcRXR1 or PcRXR2, which revealed that the heterodimer of EcR‐RXR2 in spider mites might be linked with the cell autophagy and tissue remodeling during apolysis, and RXR1 might be linked with new epicuticle and exocuticle secretion during ecdysis. Taken together, these results increase our understanding of the regulation mechanism of ecdysteroid signal pathway in spider mite development.
The impact of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody‐associated vasculitis on employment and work disability in an Australian population
Authors: Heron Vanessa , Gingold Michael , Kitching Arthur R. , Polkinghorne Kevan R. , Ryan Jessica
Published: May 2021

Aim

Although antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody‐associated vasculitis (AAV) most commonly affects older individuals, many patients develop the disease during their most productive working years. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of AAV on employment and work disability in a cohort of Australian patients of working age.

Methods

Patients attending a vasculitis clinic located in Melbourne, Australia, completed an employment questionnaire in addition to the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment Questionnaire: Specific Health Problem.

Results

The average age of the 47 respondents was 47.8 ± 11.9 years (range 22‐63 years), with a median disease duration of 60 months (range 10.2‐318.5 months). There were 68.1% who were currently employed, but 20.6% of respondents employed at the time of diagnosis were no longer working and 10.6% had experienced a significant reduction in work hours since their diagnosis. There were 12.7% who were dependent on the disability support pension. The rate of work disability was 23.4%. Many participants considered themselves work impaired (41.9%), with 10.1% having missed work in the previous week. Furthermore, 44.7% of respondents reported that their financial stability had been negatively impacted by their vasculitis diagnosis. Fatigue was commonly reported. Work disabled patients were significantly more likely to be obese and less likely to have completed a tertiary education. Work disabled patients tended to be older, myeloperoxidase‐antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody positive, and have renal involvement and lung involvement.

Conclusion

A proportion of people living with AAV in Australia experience a decline in employment and an increase in work disability when living with this condition.
Response to COVID‐19: The Australian Fiscal Stimulus – HomeBuilder Program
Authors: Yu Sarah Yanyue
Published: May 2021

The Australian Government launched the HomeBuilder Program as one of several fiscal policies designed to address the economic impact of COVID‐19 on the Australian economy. This paper presents an economic analysis of the use of expansionary fiscal policy via transfer payments in the HomeBuilder Program. An overview of the HomeBuilder Program and its complements of existing Federal, State and Territory grants have been provided. Economic justifications of the HomeBuilder Program have also been presented. In addition, the paper looks at the changes in private new house sales, number of dwellings approved and new loan commitments with the introduction of the HomeBuilder Program. Finally, the paper examines the eligibility criteria of the HomeBuilder Program against three groups of applicants and finds that people who plan to purchase a house and land package or build a new home on a pre‐owned vacant block benefit the most from the programme.
Improving quality and efficiency of care for advanced appendicitis in children
Authors: Do‐Wyeld Montgommery , Cundy Thomas P. , Court‐Kowalski Stefan , Dandie Lynda , Cooper Celia , Burgoyne Laura , Cooksey Rebecca , Khurana Sanjeev
Published: May 2021

Background

Complicated appendicitis encompasses a spectrum of severity with heterogeneity in definition and substantial variation in care. Enhanced recovery after surgery or ‘fast‐track’ protocols aim to reduce practice variation by standardizing care. These initiatives may improve quality and efficiency of care, preserve resources and expedite discharge. This study aims to evaluate the impact of a standardized Enhanced Recovery Pathway (ERP) on the post‐operative recovery of children with a subset of complicated appendicitis termed ‘advanced’ appendicitis.

Methods

We defined advanced appendicitis as gangrenous or suppurative appendicitis without perforation, contained iatrogenic perforation, or localized purulent fluid. Children with operative findings reflecting these criteria were enrolled in the ERP protocol. Key protocol components include early upgrade of diet, avoidance of intravenous analgesia, abridged intravenous antibiotics, early ambulation and standardized discharge criteria. The study period was May 2018 to June 2019. A historical cohort was used as the comparator group.

Results

Outcomes for 44 children treated under the ERP were compared to 44 historical controls. There was a 20% reduction in median post‐operative length of stay (1.80 vs. 2.24 days, p = 0.02). Intravenous analgesia was received by fewer patients (6.8% vs. 36.4%, p = 0.01) with significant reduction in antiemetic requirement (p = 0.03). No significant difference in 30‐day complication rates was observed.

Conclusion

Reduced post‐operative length of stay and reduction in practice variation were achieved after implementation of a ‘fast‐track’ protocol for children with advanced appendicitis. Additional benefits of this protocol include reduced provision of intravenous morphine analgesia, decreased resource use and cost savings.
Histological disease activity in patients with microscopic colitis is not related to clinical disease activity or long‐term prognosis
Authors: Olsen Lærke Müller , Engel Peter Johan Heiberg , Goudkade Danny , Villanacci Vincenzo , Thagaard Jeppe , Walbech Julie Sparholt , Bohr Johan , Kupcinskas Juozas , Verhaegh Bas , Münch Andreas , Guagnozzi Danila , Fernández‐Bañares Fernando , Munck Lars Kristian , Fiehn Anne‐Marie Kanstrup
Published: May 2021

Background

Microscopic colitis (MC) is a common cause of chronic watery diarrhea. Biopsies with characteristic histological features are crucial for establishing the diagnosis. The two main subtypes are collagenous colitis (CC) and lymphocytic colitis (LC) but incomplete forms exist. The disease course remains unpredictable varying from spontaneous remission to a relapsing course.

Aim

To identify possible histological predictors of course of disease.

Methods

Sixty patients from the European prospective MC registry (PRO‐MC Collaboration) were included. Digitised histological slides stained with CD3 and Van Gieson were available for all patients. Total cell density and proportion of CD3 positive lymphocytes in lamina propria and surface epithelium were estimated by automated image analysis, and measurement of the subepithelial collagenous band was performed. Histopathological features were correlated to the number of daily stools and daily watery stools at time of endoscopy and at baseline as well as the clinical disease course (quiescent, achieved remission after treatment, relapsing or chronic active) at 1‐year follow‐up.

Results

Neither total cell density in lamina propria, proportion of CD3 positive lymphocytes in lamina propria or surface epithelium, or thickness of collagenous band showed significant correlation to the number of daily stools or daily watery stools at any point of time. None of the assessed histological parameters at initial diagnosis were able to predict clinical disease course at 1‐year follow‐up.

Conclusions

Our data indicate that the evaluated histological parameters were neither markers of disease activity at the time of diagnosis nor predictors of disease course.
In silico prediction of drug‐induced ototoxicity using machine learning and deep learning methods
Authors: Huang Xin , Tang Fang , Hua Yuqing , Li Xiao
Published: May 2021

Drug‐induced ototoxicity has become a serious global problem, because of leading to deafness in hundreds of thousands of people every year. It always results from exposure to drugs or environmental chemicals that cause the impairment and degeneration of the inner ear. Herein, we focused on the in silico modeling of drug‐induced ototoxicity of chemicals. We collected 1,102 ototoxic medications and 1,705 non‐ototoxic drugs. Based on the data set, a series of computational models were developed with different traditional machine learning and deep learning algorithms implemented on an online chemical database and modeling environment. Six ML models performed best on 5‐fold cross‐validation and test set. A consensus model was developed with the best individual models. These models were further validated with an external validation. The consensus model showed best predictive ability, with high accuracy of 0.95 on test set and 0.90 on validation set. The consensus model and the data sets used for model development are available at https://ochem.eu/model/46566321. Besides, 16 structural alerts responsible for drug‐induced ototoxicity were identified. We hope the results could provide meaningful knowledge and useful tools for ototoxicity evaluation in drug discovery and environmental risk assessment.
Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis: Cutaneous clinical and histopathologic differential diagnosis
Authors: Tabb Elisabeth S. , Duncan Lyn M. , Nazarian Rosalynn M.
Published: May 2021

Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) is a rare, but severe systemic vasculitis that can affect skin and other organ systems. Diagnostic criteria have evolved, and many attempts have been made to classify the vasculitides based on clinical and/or histopathologic features, with an aim to develop standardized criteria. According to the EGPA Consensus Task Force recommendations, EGPA is a syndrome of asthma, eosinophilia, pulmonary infiltrates, and extrapulmonary vasculitis (such as cutaneous involvement with purpura). Histopathologic evidence of vasculitis in EGPA may be associated with eosinophilic infiltration and/or perivascular granulomatous inflammation. We review clinicopathologic criteria of this enigmatic vasculopathy.
Optimizing landscape‐scale monitoring programmes to detect the effects of megafires
Authors: Wood Connor M.
Published: May 2021

Aim

By virtue of their spatial extent, landscape‐scale monitoring programmes may be well‐suited to support before‐after/control‐impact (BACI) studies of major disturbances such as megafires, but they may only have a few affected sites, reducing statistical power. I tested whether a variety of hypothetical but logistically plausible survey designs could provide statistically powerful assessments of hypothetical but empirically based population responses to megafire.

Location

Simulation focused on fire‐prone forests.

Methods

I varied the number of affected sites, detection probability, baseline occupancy and species’ responses to fire to create 72 monitoring scenarios. I then simulated 10 years of site occupancy data in which a megafire or other disturbance occurred between years 5 and 6 (n = 500 iterations).

Results

Statistical power to correctly reject the null hypothesis of no population response to megafire was high (mean across all scenarios = 0.78), but power to identify the correct population response (e.g. post‐fire occupancy declined and then recovered) was low (mean = 0.29). Statistical power to not underestimate the effect of a megafire on site occupancy was fairly high (mean = 0.66), but power to accurately estimate site occupancy was low (mean = 0.25). Statistical power increased with the number of affected sites (i.e., sample size) and with the intensity of the focal species’ response to megafire. Case study simulations based on an existing acoustic monitoring programme in the Sierra Nevada, USA, indicate that it is likely to identify Spotted Owl and Black‐backed Woodpecker population responses to megafires. Researchers can use the included simulation tutorial to implement their own power analyses.

Main conclusions

Landscape‐scale monitoring programmes can identify population changes following megafires, but cannot reliably produce nuanced results, especially with only five years of post‐fire data. Smaller‐bodied species, which could be studied at more sites, are likely to be better focal species for megafire BACI studies. Aggregating landscape‐scale studies’ sampling coverage across many fire footprints to study the overall effects of megafires—rather than the effects of individual fires—may be a more informative approach.
Acute cholecystitis: “There’s more than one way to skin a cat”!
Authors: Costamagna Guido
Published: May 2021

This Editorial refers to the article by K. Nakahara et al., p 207‐214 of this issue.