bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sex and gender differences in nutrition research: considerations with the transgender and gender nonconforming population
Authors: Linsenmeyer Whitney , Waters Jennifer
Published: January 2021

A sex- and gender-informed approach to study design, analysis and reporting has particular relevance to the transgender and gender nonconforming population (TGNC) where sex and gender identity differ. Notable research gaps persist related to dietary intake, validity and reliability of nutrition assessment methods, and nutrition interventions with TGNC populations. This is due in part to the conflation of sex and gender into one binary category (male or female) in many nutrition surveillance programs worldwide. Adoption of the Sex and Gender Equity In Research (SAGER) guidelines and the two-step method of querying sex and gender has the potential to exponentially increase the body of research related to TGNC health.
An assessment of the use of patient reported outcome measurements (PROMs) in cancers of the pelvic abdominal cavity: identifying oncologic benefit and an evidence-practice gap in routine clinical practice
Authors: Moss Miss Charlotte L. , Aggarwal Ajay , Qureshi Asad , Taylor Benjamin , Guerrero-Urbano Teresa , Van Hemelrijck Mieke
Published: January 2021

Background

Patient reported outcome measurements (PROMs) are emerging as an important component of patient management in the cancer setting, providing broad perspectives on patients’ quality of life and experience. The use of PROMs is, however, generally limited to the context of randomised control trials, as healthcare services are challenged to sustain high quality of care whilst facing increasing demand and financial shortfalls. We performed a systematic review of the literature to identify any oncological benefit of using PROMs and investigate the wider impact on patient experience, in cancers of the pelvic abdominal cavity specifically.

Methods

A systematic review of the literature was conducted using MEDLINE (Pubmed) and Ovid Gateway (Embase and Ovid) until April 2020. Studies investigating the oncological outcomes of PROMs were deemed suitable for inclusion.

Results

A total of 21 studies were included from 2167 screened articles. Various domains of quality of life (QoL) were identified as potential prognosticators for oncologic outcomes in cancers of the pelvic abdominal cavity, independent of other clinicopathological features of disease: 3 studies identified global QoL as a prognostic factor, 6 studies identified physical and role functioning, and 2 studies highlighted fatigue. In addition to improved outcomes, a number of included studies also reported that the use of PROMs enhanced both patient-clinician communication and patient satisfaction with care in the clinical setting.

Conclusions

This review highlights the necessity of routine collection of PROMs within the pelvic abdominal cancer setting to improve patient quality of life and outcomes.
Prenatal detection and molecular cytogenetic characterization of 19q13.42 microduplication: three reported cases and literature review
Authors: Zhang Xinyue , Yue Fagui , Shi Qingyang , Jiang Yuting , He Jing , Li Leilei , Liu Ruizhi
Published: January 2021

Background

Trisomy 19q is a recognizable syndrome and associated with a wide spectrum of clinical phenotypes in clinic. The purpose of this study was to explore the prenatal phenotypes of 19q13.42 duplication, which was rarely reported in clinic.

Case presentation

Three pregnant women presenting diverse indications for prenatal diagnosis accepted amniocentesis: increased nuchal translucency and fetal pyelic separation (case 2) and high risk of maternal serum screening for Down syndrome (case 1 and case 3). Case 1 and case 2 shared similar duplicated locus in the region of 19q13.42, encompassing part NLRP12 gene. The latter inherited the chromosomal duplication from the mother with normal phenotypes. Case 3 carried a 1.445 Mb duplication in the 19q13.42q13.43 region. It was proposed that evolutionary duplication of NLRP12 gene could have a causative role in autoinflammatory diseases development. The genotype–phenotype correlation depends mainly on the duplicated size and functional genes involved, which is still yet to be determined. All pregnant women chose to continue the pregnancy and delivered healthy children with no apparent abnormalities.

Conclusions

The 19q13.42 microduplications in our study were the smallest fragments compared to previous literature. Our findings enriched the prenatal phenotypes for this chromosomal microscopic imbalance. It was proposed that long term follow up analysis should be guaranteed till adulthood to determine whether there will be other emerging clinical symptoms and developmental-behavioral disorders for such carriers.
Visceral leishmaniasis outbreaks in Bihar: community-level investigations in the context of elimination of kala-azar as a public health problem
Authors: Priyamvada Khushbu , Bindroo Joy , Sharma Madan Prashad , Chapman Lloyd A. C. , Dubey Pushkar , Mahapatra Tanmay , Hightower Allen W. , Bern Caryn , Srikantiah Sridhar
Published: January 2021

Background

With visceral leishmaniasis (VL) incidence at its lowest level since the 1960s, increasing attention has turned to early detection and investigation of outbreaks.

Methods

Outbreak investigations were triggered by recognition of case clusters in the VL surveillance system established for the elimination program. Investigations included ascertainment of all VL cases by date of fever onset, household mapping and structured collection of risk factor data.

Results

VL outbreaks were investigated in 13 villages in 10 blocks of 7 districts. Data were collected for 20,670 individuals, of whom 272 were diagnosed with VL between 2012 and 2019. Risk was significantly higher among 10–19 year-olds and adults 35 or older compared to children younger than 10 years. Outbreak confirmation triggered vector control activities and heightened surveillance. VL cases strongly clustered in tolas (hamlets within villages) in which > 66% of residents self-identified as scheduled caste or scheduled tribe (SC/ST); 79.8% of VL cases occurred in SC/ST tolas whereas only 24.2% of the population resided in them. Other significant risk factors included being an unskilled non-agricultural laborer, migration for work in a brick kiln, living in a kuccha (mud brick) house, household crowding, habitually sleeping outside or on the ground, and open defecation.

Conclusions

Our data highlight the importance of sensitive surveillance with triggers for case cluster detection and rapid, careful outbreak investigations to better respond to ongoing and new transmission. The strong association with SC/ST tolas suggests that efforts should focus on enhanced surveillance in these disadvantaged communities.

Graphical Abstract
Assessing individual-level change in dementia research: a review of methodologies
Authors: Murray Aja Louise , Vollmer Marlena , Deary Ian J. , Muniz-Terrera Graciela , Booth Tom
Published: January 2021

Background

Whether in the context of monitoring disease progression or in assessing the effects of interventions, a major challenge in dementia research is determining when an individual has undergone meaningful change in symptoms and other relevant outcomes such as cognitive test performance. The challenge lies in differentiating genuine improvement or deterioration from change in scores due to random and systematic error.

Body

In this review, we discuss the advantages and limitations of available methods for assessing individual-level change in the context of key challenges, including imperfect and differential reliability of scores, and practice effects. We discuss indices of reliable change and the use of composite and item response theory (IRT) scores.

Conclusion

We conclude that IRT-based approaches hold particular promise because they have the flexibility to accommodate solutions to a wide range of issues that influence the accuracy of judgements of meaningful change. We close by discussing the practical implications of adopting IRT-based approaches.
Retinal imaging study diagnoses in COVID-19: a case report
Authors: Ortiz-Egea José M. , Ruiz-Medrano Jorge , Ruiz-Moreno José M.
Published: January 2021

Background

Hyperreflective lesions at the level of ganglion cell (GCL) and inner plexiform retinal layers (IPL) by optical coherence tomography (OCT) and cotton wool spots in the examination of the eye fundus have recently been described as findings in patients with COVID-19 infection.

Case report

We report the case of a 42-year-old healthy Caucasian male anesthetist who had treated COVID-19 patients during the previous 5 weeks and suddenly presented with a temporal relative scotoma in his left eye. Best-corrected visual acuity was 20/20 for the left eye, and no discromatopsy or afferent pupillary defect was present. Visual field test was performed, with no significant findings associated with the focal loss of sensitivity described by the patient. The anterior segment was unremarkable on slit lamp examination in both eyes. Fundus examination of the left eye showed no significant findings. A placoid, hyperreflective band at the level of the GCL and IPL was visible in OCT which spared the outer retina, at the time of diagnosis and 1 month later. An oropharyngeal swab test was performed for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) ribonucleic acid (RNA), immunoglobulin G (IgG) and immunoglobulin M (IgM) enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) determination. Real-time reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was negative. ELISA testing and a third rapid antibody detection test performed 7 days after the onset of symptoms were positive.

Conclusions

Ocular signs and symptoms in COVID-19 cases are rarely reported, but may be underestimated, especially those that affect the retina and occur in asymptomatic or paucisymptomatic cases. We present a case of COVID-19 diagnosis based on retinal ophthalmic examination.
MicroRNA profiling of the pig periaqueductal grey (PAG) region reveals candidates potentially related to sex-dependent differences
Authors: Pawlina-Tyszko Klaudia , Oczkowicz Maria , Gurgul Artur , Szmatoła Tomasz , Bugno-Poniewierska Monika
Published: January 2021

Background

MicroRNAs indirectly orchestrate myriads of essential biological processes. A wide diversity of miRNAs of the neurodevelopmental importance characterizes the brain tissue, which, however, exhibits region-specific miRNA profile differences. One of the most conservative regions of the brain is periaqueductal grey (PAG) playing vital roles in significant functions of this organ, also those observed to be sex-influenced. The domestic pig is an important livestock species but is also believed to be an excellent human model. This is of particular importance for neurological research because of the similarity of pig and human brains as well as difficult access to human samples. However, the pig PAG profile has not been characterized so far. Moreover, molecular bases of sex differences connected with brain functioning, including miRNA expression profiles, have not been fully deciphered yet.

Methods

Thus, in this study, we applied next-generation sequencing to characterize pig PAG expressed microRNAs. Furthermore, we performed differential expression analysis between females and males to identify changes of the miRNA profile and reveal candidates underlying sex-related differences.

Results

As a result, known brain-enriched, and new miRNAs which will expand the available profile, were identified. The downstream analysis revealed 38 miRNAs being differentially expressed (DE) between female and male samples. Subsequent pathway analysis showed that they enrich processes vital for neuron growth and functioning, such as long-term depression and axon guidance. Among the identified sex-influenced miRNAs were also those associated with the PAG physiology and diseases related to this region.

Conclusions

The obtained results broaden the knowledge on the porcine PAG miRNAome, along with its dynamism reflected in different isomiR signatures. Moreover, they indicate possible mechanisms associated with sex-influenced differences mediated via miRNAs in the PAG functioning. They also provide candidate miRNAs for further research concerning, i.e., sex-related bases of physiological and pathological processes occurring in the nervous system.

Graphical abstract
Cross-talks among GBA mutations, glucocerebrosidase, and α-synuclein in GBA-associated Parkinson’s disease and their targeted therapeutic approaches: a comprehensive review
Authors: Behl Tapan , Kaur Gagandeep , Fratila Ovidiu , Buhas Camelia , Judea-Pusta Claudia Teodora , Negrut Nicoleta , Bustea Cristiana , Bungau Simona
Published: January 2021

Current therapies for Parkinson’s disease (PD) are palliative, of which the levodopa/carbidopa therapy remains the primary choice but is unable to modulate the progression of neurodegeneration. Due to the complication of such a multifactorial disorder and significant limitations of the therapy, numerous genetic approaches have been proved effective in finding out genes and mechanisms implicated in this disease. Following the observation of a higher frequency of PD in Gaucher’s disease (GD), a lysosomal storage condition, mutations of glycosylceramidase beta (GBA) encoding glucocerebrosidase (GCase) have been shown to be involved and have been explored in the context of PD. GBA mutations are the most common genetic risk factor of PD. Various studies have revealed the relationships between PD and GBA gene mutations, facilitating a better understanding of this disorder. Various hypotheses delineate that the pathological mutations of GBA minimize the enzymatic activity of GCase, which affects the proliferation and clearance of α-synuclein; this affects the lysosomal homeostasis, exacerbating the endoplasmic reticulum stress or encouraging the mitochondrial dysfunction. Identification of the pathological mechanisms underlying the GBA-associated parkinsonism (GBA + PD) advances our understanding of PD. This review based on current literature aims to elucidate various genetic and clinical characteristics correlated with GBA mutations and to identify the numerous pathological processes underlying GBA + PD. We also delineate the therapeutic strategies to interfere with the mutant GCase function for further improvement of the related α-synuclein–GCase crosstalks. Moreover, the various therapeutic approaches such as gene therapy, chaperone proteins, and histone deacetylase inhibitors for the treatment of GBA + PD are discussed.
Charging device for wearable electromagnetic energy-harvesting textiles
Authors: Lee Hyewon , Roh Jung-Sim
Published: January 2021

The study aims to develop charging devices for wearable electromagnetic energy harvesting textiles (WEHT). Electromagnetic energy through human movement can be easily and naturally generated and is not significantly affected by environmental factors, however, the electric current generated by the electromagnetic method of human movement is difficult to efficiently charge. Three charging circuits for use with wearable electromagnetic energy-harvesting textiles were developed. The three types of charging circuits developed are rectifier, voltage doubler, and voltage quadrupler circuits. The performances of the developed circuits were evaluated in comparison with a normal storage circuit, in which the generated energy is stored immediately. The results show that storage energy was generated from the WEHT in all the developed circuits, and the charging efficiency improved as the simulated walking frequency increased. Energy generated from wearable electromagnetic energy harvesting textiles has the highest storage efficiency when charged with a rectifier circuit. The rectifying circuit method showed a charging rate twice that of a normal storage circuit. The charging speed of the rectifier circuit was faster to reach 3.7 V, the nominal maximum barrier voltage of the single-cell lithium-ion batteries used in portable devices, than the normal charging circuit. In the voltage multiplier circuit, the voltage drop generated in the circuit was large, so the charging efficiency was not superior to the normal circuit or rectifier circuit. In conclusion, it is most effective to use a rectifier circuit for charging portable electronic devices using the energy harvested by wearable electromagnetic energy harvesting textiles.
Tensile strength assay comparing the resistance between two different autologous platelet concentrates (leucocyte-platelet rich fibrin versus advanced-platelet rich fibrin): a pilot study
Authors: Pascoal Martim de Almeida Nóbrega Correia , dos Santos Nuno Bernardo Malta , Completo António Manuel Godinho , Fernandes Gustavo Vicentis de Oliveira
Published: January 2021

Background

Since the leucocyte-platelet rich fibrin (L-PRF) was published in 2001, many studies have been developed, analyzing its properties, and also verifying new possibilities to improve it. Thereby, it emerges the advanced-platelet rich fibrin (A-PRF) with a protocol that optimizes the properties obtained by the L-PRF. Nonetheless, there is a gap in the literature to landmark the evolutive process concerning the mechanical properties in specific the resistance to tensile strength which consequently may influence the time for membrane degradation. Thus, this study had the goal to compare the resistance to the traction of membranes produced with the original L-PRF and A-PRF protocols, being the first to this direct comparison.

Findings

The harvest of blood from a healthy single person, with no history of anticoagulant usage. We performed the protocols described in the literature, within a total of 13 membranes produced for each protocol (n= 26). Afterward, the membranes were prepared and submitted to a traction test assessing the maximal and the average traction achieved for each membrane. The data were analyzed statistically using the unpairedttest. Regarding average traction, A-PRF obtained a value of 0.0288 N mm−2and L-PRF 0.0192 N mm−2(p< 0.05 using unpairedttest). For maximal traction, A-PRF obtained 0.0752 N mm−2and L-PRF 0.0425 N mm−2(p< 0.05 using unpairedttest).

Conclusion

With this study, it was possible to conclude that indeed A-PRF has a significative higher maximal traction score and higher average traction compared to L-PRF, indicating that it had a higher resistance when two opposing forces are applied.
Granulocyte-colony stimulating factor-producing malignant phyllodes tumor of the breast: a rare case
Authors: Mizoguchi Kimihisa , Kaneshiro Kazuhisa , Kubo Makoto , Sadakari Yoshihiko , Kimura Yoshizo , Higaki Koichi , Ogata Toshiro , Taniguchi Masahiko
Published: January 2021

Background

Granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF)-producing tumors can cause leukocytosis despite an absence of infection. G-CSF-producing tumors have been reported in various organs such as the lung, esophagus, and stomach but rarely in the breast. We report a case of G-CSF-producing malignant phyllodes tumor of the breast.

Case presentation

An 84-year-old woman visited our hospital complaining of a lump in her left breast without fever and pain. Laboratory tests revealed elevated white blood cell (WBC) count and G-CSF levels. A malignant tumor of the breast was diagnosed by core needle biopsy. We performed a total mastectomy and sentinel lymph node biopsy. The tumor was identified as a G-CSF-producing malignant phyllodes tumor. Within 7 days after surgery, the patient’s WBC count and G-CSF level had decreased to normal levels. She is alive without recurrence 13 months after surgery.

Conclusions

We encountered a rare case of G-CSF-producing malignant phyllodes tumor of the breast. PET–CT revealed diffuse accumulation of FDG in the bone. Phyllodes tumors need to be differentiated from bone metastasis, lymphoma, and leukemia. We must be careful to not mistake this type of tumor for bone marrow metastasis.
Common nutritional deficiency with unusual site of presentation
Authors: Balamurugesan Kandan , Ponprabha Rajangam , Davis Prem
Published: January 2021

Background

Pellagra is a nutritional disorder due to deficiency of vitamin B3 (niacin) which is characterized by dermatitis, dementia, diarrhea, and death. The most common site of dermatitis in pellagra is the Casal necklace; however, in this case, the presentation of dermatitis is in unusual sites. Therefore, mucocutaneous signs play a major role in diagnosing the condition. The clinical features of pellagra begin with gastrointestinal symptoms followed by neurological symptoms which are subtle and non-specific. But if misdiagnosed and untreated, it can progress to death from multiorgan failure.

Case presentation

A 46-year-old Indian farmer, chronic alcoholic of 20 years duration, presented to the hospital with the complaints of darkening and thickening of the skin over the left upper chest and shoulder, epigastric region, left arm and forearm, and right arm and forearm for a period of 4 months with mild cognitive decline. His blood parameters revealed moderate anemia with microcytic hypochromic blood picture and decreased MCV, MCH, and MCHC values. A diagnosis of pellagra was built clinically after exclusion of other causes and has been treated with nicotinamide and had drastic improvement on follow-up.

Conclusion

The unusual site of pellagra presentation is rare; however, the uncommon presentation of a common disease is always to be considered for diagnosing the disease at the early stage. The neuropsychiatric symptoms of the pellagra in a known case of chronic alcoholic are not well defined, and if untreated, it may progress to stupor and coma and ultimately death. Hence, appropriate diagnosis and earlier management helps in the prevention of various life-threatening complications of any disease.
Risk of miscarriage in women with psychiatric disorders
Authors: Magnus Maria C. , Havdahl Alexandra , Morken Nils-Halvdan , Wensaas Knut-Arne , Wilcox Allen J. , Håberg Siri E.
Published: January 2021

Background

Some psychiatric disorders have been associated with increased risk of miscarriage. However, there is a lack of studies considering a broader spectrum of psychiatric disorders to clarify the role of common as opposed to independent mechanisms.

Aims

To examine the risk of miscarriage among women diagnosed with psychiatric conditions.

Method

We studied registered pregnancies in Norway between 2010 and 2016 (n = 593 009). The birth registry captures pregnancies ending in gestational week 12 or later, and the patient and general practitioner databases were used to identify miscarriages and induced abortions before 12 gestational weeks. Odds ratios of miscarriage according to 12 psychiatric diagnoses were calculated by logistic regression.

Miscarriage risk was increased among women with bipolar disorders (adjusted odds ratio 1.35, 95% CI 1.26–1.44), personality disorders (adjusted odds ratio 1.32, 95% CI 1.12–1.55), attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (adjusted odds ratio 1.27, 95% CI 1.21–1.33), conduct disorders (1.21, 95% CI 1.01, 1.46), anxiety disorders (adjusted odds ratio 1.25, 95% CI 1.23–1.28), depressive disorders (adjusted odds ratio 1.25, 95% CI 1.23–1.27), somatoform disorders (adjusted odds ratio 1.18, 95% CI 1.07–1.31) and eating disorders (adjusted odds ratio 1.14, 95% CI 1.08–1.22). The miscarriage risk was further increased among women with more than one psychiatric diagnosis. Our findings were robust to adjustment for other psychiatric diagnoses, chronic somatic disorders and substance use disorders. After mutual adjustment for co-occurring psychiatric disorders, we also observed a modest increased risk among women with schizophrenia spectrum disorders (adjusted odds ratio 1.22, 95% CI 1.03–1.44).

Conclusions

A wide range of psychiatric disorders were associated with increased risk of miscarriage. The heightened risk of miscarriage among women diagnosed with psychiatric disorders highlights the need for awareness and surveillance of this risk group in antenatal care.
First-Line Palliative Chemotherapy for Esophageal and Gastric Cancer: Practice Patterns and Outcomes in the General Population
Authors: Merchant Shaila J. , Kong Weidong , Gyawali Bishal , Hanna Timothy P. , Chung Wiley , Nanji Sulaiman , Patel Sunil V. , Booth Christopher M.
Published: January 2021

PURPOSE:

Clinical trials have shown that palliative chemotherapy (PC) improves survival in patients with incurable esophageal and gastric cancer; however, outcomes achieved in routine practice are unknown. We describe treatment patterns and outcomes among patients treated in the general population of Ontario, Canada.

METHODS:

The Ontario Cancer Registry was used to identify patients with esophageal or gastric cancer from 2007 to 2016, and data were linked to other health administrative databases. Patients who received curative-intent surgery or radiotherapy were excluded. Factors associated with the receipt of PC were determined using logistic regression. First-line PC regimens were categorized, and trends over time were reported. Survival was determined using the Kaplan-Meier method.

RESULTS:

The cohort included 9,848 patients; 22% (2,207 of 9,848) received PC. Patients receiving PC were younger (mean age, 63 v 74 years; P < .0001) and more likely male (71% v 65%; P < .0001). Thirty-seven percent of non-PC patients saw a medical oncologist in consultation. Over the study period, utilization of PC increased (from 11% in 2007 to 19% in 2016; P < .0001), whereas the proportion of patients receiving triplet regimens decreased (65% in 2007 to 56% in 2016; P = .04). In the PC group, the median overall and cancer-specific survival from treatment initiation was 7.2 months.

CONCLUSION:

One fifth of patients with incurable esophageal and gastric cancer in the general population receive PC. Median survival of patients treated in routine practice is inferior to that in clinical trials. Only one third of patients not treated with PC had consultation with a medical oncologist. Further work is necessary to understand low utilization of PC and medical oncology consultation in this patient population.
The Deiodinases: Their Identification and Cloning of Their Genes
Authors: Galton Valerie Anne , Larsen P Reed , Berry Marla J
Published: January 2021

In this minireview, we provide a historical outline of the events that led to the identification and characterization of the deiodinases, the recognition that deiodination plays a major role in thyroid hormone action, and the cloning of the 3 deiodinase genes. The story starts in 1820, when it was first determined that elemental iodine was important for normal thyroid function. Almost 100 years later, it was found that the primary active principle of the gland, T4, contains iodine. Once radioactive iodine became available in the 1940s, it was demonstrated that the metabolism of T4 included deiodination, but at the time it was assumed to be merely a degradative process. However, this view was questioned after the discovery of T3 in 1952. We discuss in some detail the events of the next 20 years, which included some failures followed by the successful demonstration that deiodination is indeed essential to normal thyroid hormone action. Finally, we describe how the 3 deiodinases were identified and characterized and their genes cloned.
Comparison of the Analgesic Duration of 0.5% Bupivacaine With 1:200,000 Epinephrine Versus 0.5% Ropivacaine Versus 1% Ropivacaine for Low-Volume Ultrasound-Guided Interscalene Brachial Plexus Block: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Safa Ben , Flynn Brendan , McHardy Paul G. , Kiss Alex , Haslam Lynn , Henry Patrick D. , Kaustov Lilia , Choi Stephen
Published: January 2021

BACKGROUND:

Bupivacaine and ropivacaine are the preferred long-acting local anesthetics for peripheral nerve blocks as they provide prolonged analgesia in the postoperative period. No studies have directly compared the analgesic duration of these commonly used local anesthetics in the setting of low-volume ultrasound-guided interscalene block (US-ISB). This study was designed to determine which local anesthetic and concentration provides superior analgesia (duration and quality) for low-volume US-ISB.

METHODS:

Sixty eligible patients scheduled for arthroscopic shoulder surgery were randomized (1:1:1) to receive US-ISB (5 mL) with 0.5% bupivacaine with 1:200,000 epinephrine, 0.5% ropivacaine, or 1% ropivacaine. All individuals were blinded including study participants, anesthesiologists, surgeons, research personnel, and statistician. All participants received a standardized general anesthetic and multimodal analgesia. The primary outcome was duration of analgesia defined as the time from the end of injection to the time that the patients reported a significant increase in pain (>3 numeric rating scale [NRS]) at the surgical site.

RESULTS:

The mean duration of analgesia for 0.5% bupivacaine with 1:200,000 epinephrine, 0.5% ropivacaine, or 1% ropivacaine was 14.1 ± 7.4, 13.8 ± 4.5, and 15.8 ± 6.3 hours, respectively (analysis of variance [ANOVA], P = .51). There were no observed differences in analgesic duration or other secondary outcomes between the 3 groups with the exception of a difference in cumulative opioid consumption up to 20h00 on the day of surgery in favor of ropivacaine 0.5% over bupivacaine of minimal clinical significance.

CONCLUSIONS:

In the context of single-injection low-volume US-ISB, we have demonstrated a similar efficacy between equal concentrations of ropivacaine and bupivacaine. In addition, increasing the concentration of ropivacaine from 0.5% to 1% did not prolong the duration of US-ISB.
Migration and Democratization in Brazil: The Case of Electoral Participation and Competition
Authors: Gori Maia Alexandre , Lu Yao
Published: January 2021

Deepening democratization in Brazil has coincided with sustained flows of domestic migration, which raises an important question of whether migration deepens or depresses democratic development in migrant-sending regions. Whereas earlier perspectives have viewed migration as a political “brain drain,” we contend that out-migration can generate resources that promote democratic processes back home. We investigate the role of migration in two aspects of democratization: electoral participation and competition. The analyses are based on spatial panel data models of mayoral election results across all municipalities between 1996 and 2012. The results show that migration increases electoral participation and competition in migrant-sending localities in Brazil. This study also identifies the sociopolitical context that conditions the impact of migration: the effect is most often present in the context of rural-urban migration and is more pronounced in sending localities with less democratic political structures. Moreover, using spatial network models, we find evidence for the transmission of political remittances from migration destination municipalities to origin municipalities. The present study extends the research on the migration-development nexus to the political arena, thus demonstrating the value of integrating demographic processes into explanations of political change.
Sex Differences in Cardiometabolic Health Indicators after HIIT in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease
Authors: WAY KIMBERLEY L. , VIDAL-ALMELA SOL , MOHOLDT TRINE , CURRIE KATHARINE D. , AKSETØY INGER-LISE AAMOT , BOIDIN MAXIME , CORNELISSEN VERONIQUE A. , JOA KYUNG-LIM , KEECH ANDREW , JAYO-MONTOYA JON ANDER , TAYLOR JENNA L. , FOURINER KARINE , REED JENNIFER L.
Published: January 2021

Purpose

Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) is an independent predictor of mortality, and females typically achieve smaller improvements in CRF than males after exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) has been shown to produce superior improvements in CRF than traditional cardiac rehabilitation, but the sex differences are unknown. The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate sex differences for changes in CRF and cardiometabolic health indicators after HIIT in adults with coronary artery disease (CAD).

Methods and Results

A systemic search of five electronic databases for studies examining the effect of HIIT on measured CRF and cardiometabolic health indicators in adults with CAD was performed. Data (published and unpublished) from 14 studies were included in the meta-analyses with approximately eightfold greater male than female participation (n = 836 vs n = 103). Males with CAD achieved a near-significant absolute improvement in CRF (mean difference [MD] = 1.07, 95% confidence interval [CI] = −0.08 to 2.23 mL·kg−1⋅min−1, P = 0.07) after HIIT when compared with control; there were insufficient data to conduct such an analysis in females. Significantly smaller improvements in CRF were experienced by females than males (MD = −1.10, 95% CI = −2.08 to −0.12 mL·kg−1⋅min−1, P = 0.03); there was no sex difference for the relative (percentage) change in CRF after HIIT. Females achieved significantly smaller reductions in body mass index (MD = −0.25, 95% CI = −0.03 to −0.47 kg·m−2, P = 0.02) and fasting blood glucose (MD = −0.38, 95% CI = −0.05 to −0.72, P = 0.03); no sex differences were observed for other cardiometabolic health indicators.

Conclusion

There are no sex differences for relative improvements in CRF after HIIT; however, females are greatly underrepresented in trials. Future studies should increase female participation and perform sex-based analyses to determine sex-specific outcomes following HIIT.
Maximal Oxygen Uptake Is Underestimated during Incremental Testing in Hypertensive Older Adults: Findings from the HAEL Study
Authors: SCHAUN GUSTAVO Z. , ALBERTON CRISTINE L. , GOMES MARIA LAURA B. , SANTOS LUCAS P. , BAMMAN MARCAS M. , MENDES GRACIELE F. , HÄFELE MARIANA S. , ANDRADE LUANA S. , ALVES LEONARDO , DE ATAIDES VINÍCIUS A. , CARMONA MARCO A. , LÁZARO RAFAEL , BOTTON CÍNTIA E. , UMPIERRE DANIEL , PINTO STEPHANIE S. , WILHELM EURICO N.
Published: January 2021

Purpose

The present cross-sectional study aimed to investigate whether a maximal oxygen uptake (V˙O2max) verification phase (VER) could improve the accuracy of a previous graded exercise test (GXT) to assess individual V˙O2max in hypertensive individuals.

Methods

Thirty-three older adults with hypertension (24 women) taking part in the Hypertension Approaches in the Elderly Study (NCT03264443) were recruited. Briefly, after performing a treadmill GXT to exhaustion, participants rested for 10 min and underwent a multistage VER to confirm GXT results. Individual V˙O2max, RER, maximal heart rate (HRmax), and RPE were measured during both GXT and VER tests. Mean values were compared between bouts using paired sample t-tests, and V˙O2max was also compared between GXT and VER on an individual basis.

Results

Testing was well tolerated by all participants. Both absolute (P = 0.011) and relative (P = 0.014) V˙O2max values were higher in VER than that in GXT. RER (P < 0.001) and RPE (P = 0.002) were lower in VER, whereas HRmax (P = 0.286) was not different between the two trials. Individual V˙O2max comparisons revealed that 54.6% of the participants (18/33) achieved a V˙O2max value that was ≥3% during VER (mean = 13.5%, range = +3% to +22.1%, ES = 0.062), whereas 87.9% (29/33) of the tests would have been validated as a maximal effort if the classic criteria were used (i.e., V̇O2 plateau or at least two secondary criteria).

Conclusion

In sedentary older individuals with hypertension, GXT to exhaustion underestimated V˙O2max in more than half of tested participants, even when established, but criticized criteria were used to confirm whether a maximal effort was attained. Using VER after GXT is a quick approach to assist with the verification of an individual’s V˙O2max.
Factors Protecting against a Decline in Physical Activity during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: FEARNBACH S. NICOLE , FLANAGAN EMILY W. , HÖCHSMANN CHRISTOPH , BEYL ROBBIE A. , ALTAZAN ABBY D. , MARTIN CORBY K. , REDMAN LEANNE M.
Published: January 2021

Purpose

The spread of COVID-19 and the associated stay-at-home orders and shutdowns of gyms and fitness centers have drastically influenced health behaviors leading to widespread reductions in physical activity (PA). The recent Call to Action from the American College of Sports Medicine has promoted “innovative strategies to promote PA during the COVID-19 pandemic.” We aimed to identify individual-level factors that protected against declines in PA levels amid the COVID-19 restrictions.

Methods

We used the Pennington Biomedical COVID-19 Health Behaviors Survey for our analyses and used mixed-effect linear and generalized linear models to estimate the effects of individual-level factors on changes in PA levels during the COVID-19 restrictions.

Results

Participants (n = 4376) provided information on PA behaviors before and during the COVID-19 shutdown. Overall, PA levels declined by a mean ± SD of 112 ± 1460 MET·min·wk−1 during the COVID-19 shutdown; however, changes in PA were heterogeneous, with 55% of the participants reporting increases in or maintenance of PA during that time. Several social and demographic factors were significantly related to declines in PA, including high prepandemic PA levels, living alone (difference = 118 MET·min·wk−1), low household income (difference between the highest and the lowest income group = 363 MET·min·wk−1), COVID-19-related changes in income (difference = 110 MET·min·wk−1), and loss of employment (difference = 168 MET·min·wk−1). The substitution of prepandemic gym attendance with the purchase and use of home exercise equipment or exercise through virtual fitness platforms promoted increases in PA during the COVID-19 shutdown.

Conclusions

While promoting PA through the COVID-19 pandemic, it is important to consider demographic factors, which greatly influence health behaviors and implementation of, and access to, replacement behaviors. The promotion of such strategies could help maintain PA levels during potential future stay-at-home orders.
Comprehensive annotation and characterization of planarian tRNA and tRNA-derived fragments (tRFs)
Authors: Lakshmanan Vairavan , Sujith T.N. , Bansal Dhiru , Shivaprasad Padubidri V. , Palakodeti Dasaradhi , Krishna Srikar
Published: January 2021

tRNA-derived fragments (tRFs) have recently gained a lot of scientific interest due to their diverse regulatory roles in several cellular processes. However, their function in dynamic biological processes such as development and regeneration remains unexplored. Here, we show that tRFs are dynamically expressed during planarian regeneration, suggesting a possible role for these small RNAs in the regulation of regeneration. In order to characterize planarian tRFs, we first annotated 457 tRNAs in S. mediterranea combining two tRNA prediction algorithms. Annotation of tRNAs facilitated the identification of three main species of tRFs in planarians—the shorter tRF-5s and itRFs, and the abundantly expressed 5′-tsRNAs. Spatial profiling of tRFs in sequential transverse sections of planarians revealed diverse expression patterns of these small RNAs, including those that are enriched in the head and pharyngeal regions. Expression analysis of these tRF species revealed dynamic expression of these small RNAs over the course of regeneration suggesting an important role in planarian anterior and posterior regeneration. Finally, we show that 5′-tsRNA in planaria interact with all three SMEDWI proteins and an involvement of AGO1 in the processing of itRFs. In summary, our findings implicate a novel role for tRFs in planarian regeneration, highlighting their importance in regulating complex systemic processes. Our study adds to the catalog of posttranscriptional regulatory systems in planaria, providing valuable insights on the biogenesis and the function of tRFs in neoblasts and planarian regeneration.
El humor en la publicidad radiofónica. La marca de la Cadena SER a través de las promos de Ortega.
Authors: de Sola Pueyo Javier , Segura Anaya Ana , Nogales Bocio Antonia Isabel
Published: January 2021

In times of reinvention, the need to find new ways to relate to their audiences is in radio stations. In this context of increasing advertising creativity in the audiovisual sector, humour carried to the absurd and irony are some of the resources detected with the SER Network has decided to promote itself. In last months of 2019, it has done so through the voice of Juan Carlos Ortega, comedian and presenter of the SER program “Las Noches de Ortega”. In this sense, this paper analyzes the bet of the PRISA media, the most listened to in Spain, to introduce new forms of communication with its audience in its self-promotion. The research, which combines quantitative and qualitative methodologies, determines the formal and content aspects that characterize these advertising spots, where humour, music and the active presence of listeners are fundamental. The brand image of the leading radio network is also affected by such practices that seek to influence the perception of the medium by its audience. As one of the conclusions of the research, it is possible to establish that this new form of radio self-promotion includes an explicit critique of the traditional formats of the radio wedge, which supposes a critical positioning from the audiovisual sector.
The Role of Time-Varying Contextual Factors in Latent Attrition Models for Customer Base Analysis
Authors: Bachmann Patrick , Meierer Markus , Näf Jeffrey
Published: January 2021

Context matters when modeling customer purchases and attrition in noncontractual settings.
The Sequence Effect in Panel Decisions: Evidence from the Evaluation of Research and Development Projects
Authors: Criscuolo Paola , Dahlander Linus , Grohsjean Thorsten , Salter Ammon
Published: January 2021

We examine how groups fall prey to the sequence effect when they make choices based on informed assessments of complex situations, for example, when evaluating research and development (R&D) projects. The core argument is that the temporal sequence of selection matters because projects that appear in a sequence following a funded project are themselves less likely to receive funding. Building on the idea that selecting R&D projects is a demanding process that drains participants’ mental and emotional resources, we further theorize the moderating effect of the influence of the timing of the panel meeting on the sequence effect. We test these conjectures using a randomization in sequence order from several rounds of R&D project selection at a leading professional service firm. We find robust support for the existence of a sequence effect in R&D as well as for the moderating effect. We further explore different explanations for the sequence effect and how it passes from the individual to the panel. These findings have broader implications for the literature on innovation and search in general and on group decision making for R&D, specifically, as they suggest that a previously overlooked dimension affects selection outcomes.
From Help to Harm: Increases in Status, Perceived Under-Reciprocation, and the Consequences for Access to Strategic Help and Social Undermining Among Female, Racial Minority, and White Male Top Managers
Authors: Keeves Gareth D. , Westphal James D.
Published: January 2021

This paper explores how social psychological biases impede the social exchange relations of executives who ascend to high-status corporate leadership positions. We theorize that a combination of self-serving attribution biases among executives who gain status and egocentric biases of their prior benefactors cause a systematic difference in perceptions about the relative importance of that help to the beneficiary’s success. This leads to the perception among prior benefactors that the high-status executives have not adequately reciprocated their help. We then extend this argument to explain why perceptions of under-reciprocation are heightened when the high-status executive is a racial minority or a woman but reduced when the prior benefactor is a racial minority or a woman. The final element of our theoretical framework examines the social consequences of perceived under-reciprocation for corporate leaders. We suggest that the high-status leaders’ access to strategic help is reduced, and they may become the target of social undermining that can damage their broader reputation. The findings support our social psychological perspective on social exchange in corporate leadership, revealing how and why executives who have ascended to high-status positions not only may encounter difficulty obtaining assistance from fellow leaders but also may experience adverse reversals in their social exchange ties such that managers who previously aided them engage in socially harmful behavior toward them.
Malignant and benign thyroid nodule differentiation through the analysis of blood plasma with terahertz spectroscopy
Authors: Konnikova Maria R. , Cherkasova Olga P. , Nazarov Maxim M. , Vrazhnov Denis A. , Kistenev Yuri V. , Titov Sergei E. , Kopeikina Elena V. , Shevchenko Sergei P. , Shkurinov Alexander P.
Published: January 2021

The liquid and lyophilized blood plasma of patients with benign or malignant thyroid nodules and healthy individuals were studied by terahertz (THz) time-domain spectroscopy and machine learning. The blood plasma samples from malignant nodule patients were shown to have higher absorption. The glucose concentration and miRNA-146b level were correlated with the sample’s absorption at 1 THz. A two-stage ensemble algorithm was proposed for the THz spectra analysis. The first stage was based on the Support Vector Machine with a linear kernel to separate healthy and thyroid nodule participants. The second stage included additional data preprocessing by Ornstein-Uhlenbeck kernel Principal Component Analysis to separate benign and malignant thyroid nodule participants. Thus, the distinction of malignant and benign thyroid nodule patients through their lyophilized blood plasma analysis by terahertz time-domain spectroscopy and machine learning was demonstrated.
Pulsed laser activated impulse response encoder (PLAIRE): sensitive evaluation of surface cellular stiffness on zebrafish embryos
Authors: Yasukuni Ryohei , Minamino Daiki , Iino Takanori , Araki Takashi , Takao Kohei , Yamada Sohei , Bessho Yasumasa , Matsui Takaaki , Hosokawa Yoichiroh
Published: January 2021

Mechanical properties of cells and tissues closely link to their architectures and physiological functions. To obtain the mechanical information of submillimeter scale small biological objects, we recently focused on the object vibration responses when excited by a femtosecond laser-induced impulsive force. These responses are monitored by the motion of an AFM cantilever placed on top of a sample. In this paper, we examined the surface cellular stiffness of zebrafish embryos based on excited vibration forms in different cytoskeletal states. The vibration responses were more sensitive to their surface cellular stiffness in comparison to the Young’s modulus obtained by a conventional AFM force curve measurement.
Method for increasing coupling efficiency between helical-core and standard single-mode fibers
Authors: Statkiewicz-Barabach Gabriela , Napiorkowski Maciej , Bernas Marta , Czyzewska Lidia , Mergo Pawel , Urbanczyk Waclaw
Published: January 2021

Helical core fibers (HCFs) suffer from low coupling efficiency and unavoidable excitation of higher order modes below the cutoff wavelength because of a core tilt with respect to the symmetry axis of the cladding. We propose an effective way of increasing the coupling efficiency to a HCF by untwisting its beginning section in a hydrogen ﬂame. The proposed solution provides also a control over the excitation of higher order modes in HCFs and can be applied in splicing as well as in a free-space launching configuration. We experimentally demonstrate that by using the proposed method, the coupling efficiency between a SMF-28 and HCF can be increased to the level reachable for straight fibers, which is limited only by a modal fields mismatch. We also present detailed numerical and analytical studies of the coupling efficiency between a HCF and SMF versus the pitch distance in the partially untwisted input section of the HCF, which takes into account fundamental and higher-order modes.