bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Clinical alarms and alarm fatigue in a University Hospital Emergency Department—A retrospective data analysis
Authors: Jämsä Juho O. , Uutela Kimmo H. , Tapper Anna‐Maija , Lehtonen Lasse
Published: March 2021

Background

Alarm fatigue is hypothesized to be caused by vast amount of patient monitor alarms. Objectives were to study the frequency and types of patient monitor alarms, to evaluate alarm fatigue, and to find unit specific alarm threshold values in a university hospital emergency department.

Methods

We retrospectively gathered alarm data from 9 September to 6 October 2019, in Jorvi Hospital Emergency department, Finland. The department treats surgical, internal and general medicine patients aged 16 and older. The number of patients is on average 4600 to 5000 per month. Eight out of 46 monitors were used for data gathering and the monitored modalities included electrocardiography, respiratory rate, blood pressure, and pulse oximetry.

Results

Total number of alarms in the study monitors was 28 176. Number of acknowledged alarms (ie acknowledgement indicator pressed in the monitor) was 695 (2.5%). The most common alarm types were: Respiratory rate high, 9077 (32.2%), pulse oximetry low, 4572 (16.2%) and pulse oximetry probe off, 4036 (14.3%). Number of alarms with duration under 10 s was 14 936 (53%). Number of individual alarm sounds was 105 000, 469 per monitor per day. Of respiratory rate high alarms, 2846 (31.4%) had initial value below 30 breaths min−1. Of pulse oximetry low alarms, 2421 (53.0%) had initial value above 88%.

Conclusions

Alarm sound load, from individual alarm sounds, was nearly continuous in an emergency department observation room equipped with nine monitors. Intervention by the staff to the alarms was infrequent. More than half of the alarms were momentary.
Evaluating the effects of two alcohol reduction counseling interventions on intimate partner violence perpetration: secondary analysis of a three‐arm randomized controlled trial among Vietnamese men with HIV
Authors: Hershow Rebecca B. , Reyes H. Luz Mc Naughton , Ha Tran Viet , Chander Geetanjali , Mai Nguyen Vu Tuyet , Sripaipan Teerada , Dowdy David W. , Latkin Carl , Hutton Heidi E. , Pettifor Audrey , Maman Suzanne , Frangakis Constantine , Go Vivian F.
Published: March 2021

Background and Aims

Evidence suggests that alcohol reduction interventions decrease intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetration, although this remains untested in low‐ and middle‐income countries and among men with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). This study evaluates the effectiveness of alcohol reduction counseling interventions on IPV perpetration among men on anti‐retroviral therapy (ART) and tests whether alcohol use explains the intervention effects.

Design

Secondary analysis of data from a three‐arm randomized controlled trial among ART patients with hazardous alcohol use. Participants were recruited from March 2016 to May 2017.

Setting

Thai Nguyen, Vietnam.

Participants, interventions and comparators

Male participants (n = 426). Participants received a two‐session brief intervention (BI), a six‐session combined intervention (CoI) or the standard of care (SOC), comprising alcohol treatment referrals. Alcohol reduction counseling interventions were guided by cognitive–behavioral therapy and motivational enhancement therapy delivered by psychosocial counselors over 3 months.

Measurements

IPV perpetration was measured using the shortened Conflict Tactics Scale 2 and alcohol use was measured using timeline followback.

Findings

BI and CoI participants reported reduced IPV perpetration at 3 months compared with SOC participants [BI: adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 0.27, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.11, 0.65; CoI: aOR = 0.50, 95% CI = 0.22, 1.13]; the association was only significant for the BI group. Intervention effects were not sustained at 6 and 12 months. There was little evidence that alcohol use acted as a mediator (indirect effect, BI: aOR = 0.84, 95% CI = 0.63, 1.04; indirect effect, CoI: aOR = 0.86, 95% CI = 0.66, 1.03).

Conclusions

Among Vietnamese men receiving anti‐retroviral therapy, alcohol reduction counseling interventions appeared to reduce intimate partner violence perpetration immediately post‐intervention, but reductions were not sustained at 6 and 12 months and were not explained by alcohol reduction.
All‐cause and suicide mortality among people with methamphetamine use disorder: a nation‐wide cohort study in Taiwan
Authors: Lee Wan‐Chen , Chang Hu‐Ming , Huang Ming‐Chyi , Pan Chun‐Hung , Su Sheng‐Siang , Tsai Shang‐Ying , Chen Chiao‐Chicy , Kuo Chian‐Jue
Published: March 2021

Background and aims

Although methamphetamine use is a serious public health problem, large‐scale cohort studies assessing methamphetamine‐related mortality are scant. This study investigated all‐cause mortality and suicide methods in people with methamphetamine use disorder.

Design

A cohort record‐linkage study using data from Taiwan's National Health Research Institute Database (NHIRD) linked to Taiwan's National Death Certification System.

Setting

Taiwan.

Participants

A total of 23 248 individuals with methamphetamine use disorder between 1 January 2001 and 31 December 2005.

Measurements

The outcome variables included mortality rates and standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) for all causes of death and for each suicide method.

Findings

Compared with the general population, the current cohort had an increased all‐cause mortality (SMR = 5.4), with the SMR for unnatural causes (14.8) higher than that for natural causes (7.5). Among all causes of death, suicide had the highest SMR (16.3), followed by neurological diseases (9.7). Among the methods of choice for suicide, drug overdose had the highest SMR (24.9). The incidence of charcoal burning and hanging was significantly higher in men and that of jumping from a high place was significantly higher in women.

Conclusion

People in Taiwan with methamphetamine use disorder appear to have a significantly increased all‐cause mortality rate compared with the general population, with suicide having the highest contribution, particularly suicide via drug overdose. The methods of choice for suicide revealed distinct patterns between men and women.
Immigration Status and Postsecondary Opportunity: Barriers to Affordability, Access, and Success for Undocumented Students, and Policy Solutions
Authors: Ballerini Victoria , Feldblum Miriam
Published: March 2021

Immigrant and undocumented students face significant barriers in accessing and obtaining a postsecondary degree. The anti‐immigration agenda of the Trump administration and its impact on higher education made this issue of paramount concern. In this article, we review issues at the intersection of immigration and postsecondary education. First, we define the population of interest, with special attention to the differentiated rights of different groups. We argue for the policy significance of immigration for postsecondary education. Second, we provide an overview of the main identified barriers facing undocumented students in accessing postsecondary education. We then examine policies that have been adopted by states and by institutions of higher education to address some of those barriers. We conclude with policy recommendations to improve affordability, access, and success for undocumented students and argue for the inclusion of immigration status as a variable in research on equity in postsecondary education.
Parental Structuring in Response to Toddler Negative Emotion Predicts Children’s Later Use of Distraction as a Self‐Regulation Strategy for Waiting
Authors: Ravindran Niyantri , Genaro Breana G. , Cole Pamela M.
Published: March 2021

Structuring is a parental response to young children’s behavior that may foster children’s attempts to use cognitive skills to engage in self‐regulation. Using a rural, economically strained sample, parental structuring in response to 127 eighteen‐month‐olds’ negative emotion was observed during a home visit. Children’s distraction, a useful cognitive strategy when waiting for a reward, was assessed during a laboratory wait task at 18, 24, 36, and 48 months. More frequent parental structuring at child age 18 months predicted more developmental growth in children’s use of distraction between 18 and 48 months, in contrast with parental directives. Consistent with Kopp’s (1989) framework, parental structuring may capitalize on children’s cognitive development to play a unique role in fostering children’s self‐regulation of negative emotion.
Understanding consumer demand for bushmeat in urban centers of Cameroon with a focus on pangolin species
Authors: Nguyen Linh Bao , Fossung Etogekwe Esua , Affana Nkoa Camille , Humle Tatyana
Published: March 2021

Bushmeat consumption remains significant in urban Central Africa. Increasing urbanization has fueled bushmeat trade and become a threat to endangered species like the pangolin. Behavioral change interventions may help reduce demand for pangolins in urban centers. However, there is still a lack of adequate locally‐specific research on consumer behavior and drivers of demand to effectively guide such interventions. Our study addressed this knowledge gap through semistructured interviews to investigate consumer preferences and bushmeat consumption habits and perceptions of 597 participants in Bertoua and Ebolowa, Cameroon. Bushmeat, in general, was positively perceived as a tasty, healthy, and luxurious item that meets cultural needs, while domestic meat was negatively perceived as an unhealthy and intensively processed product. The biggest barriers to bushmeat consumption were its illegality and high price. Pangolin was among the most desired types of bushmeat. Nearly half of pangolin consumers were willing to pay more for a pangolin meal. Despite being fully protected by national laws, pangolins were consistently found in local bushmeat markets and restaurants, suggesting the ineffectiveness in law enforcement and/or communication with the public about the legal protection and current status of pangolins. Our findings provide an understanding of sociocultural consumer behavior and drivers that can help guide bushmeat demand reduction interventions in urban centers of Cameroon.
Associations between uncertainties identified by the European Medicines Agency and national decision making on reimbursement by HTA agencies
Authors: Bloem Lourens T. , Vreman Rick A. , Peeters Niels W. L. , Hoekman Jarno , van der Elst Menno E. , Leufkens Hubert G. M. , Klungel Olaf H. , Goettsch Wim G. , Mantel‐Teeuwisse Aukje K.
Published: March 2021

We aimed to determine whether uncertainties identified by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) were associated with negative relative effectiveness assessments (REAs) and negative overall reimbursement recommendations by national health technology assessment (HTA) agencies. Therefore, we identified all HTA reports from Haute Autorité de Santé (HAS; France), National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE; England/Wales), Scottish Medicine Consortium (SMC; Scotland), and Zorginstituut Nederland (ZIN; The Netherlands) for a cohort of innovative medicines that the EMA had approved in 2009 to 2010 (excluding vaccines). Uncertainty regarding pivotal trial methodology, clinical outcomes, and their clinical relevance were combined to reflect a low, medium, or high level of uncertainty. We assessed associations by calculating risk ratios (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs), and agreement between REA and overall reimbursement recommendation outcomes. We identified 36 medicines for which 121 reimbursement recommendations had been issued by the HTA agencies between September 2009 and July 2018. High versus low uncertainty was associated with an increased risk for negative REAs and negative overall reimbursement recommendations: RRs 1.9 (95% CI 0.9–3.9) and 1.6 (95% CI 0.7–3.5), respectively, which was supported by further sensitivity analyses. We identified a lack of agreement between 33 (27%) REA and overall reimbursement recommendation outcomes, which were mostly restricted recommendations that followed on negative REAs in case of low or medium uncertainty. In conclusion, high uncertainty identified by the EMA was associated with negative REAs and negative overall reimbursement recommendations. To reduce uncertainty and ultimately facilitate efficient patient access, regulators, HTA agencies, and other stakeholders should discuss how uncertainties should be weighed and addressed early in the drug life cycle of innovative treatments.
Encountering—An uncomfortable vocation of love. Theology and practice in Scandinavian parish work
Authors: Nahnfeldt Dr Cecilia
Published: March 2021

This is an analysis of practical theology in a parish, responding to organized racism in the local area. The involvement in civil action, as well as the theological aspects of such work are considered and discussed in relation to Scandinavian creation theology. The need for radical practice is discussed in relation to vocation and the love of the neighbor, even when such practice becomes uncomfortable and even threatening.
Darwin’s finches habitually anoint their feathers with leaves of the endemic treePsidium galapageiumduring the non‐breeding season
Authors: Tebbich Sabine , Schwemhofer Timo , Fischer Barbara , Pike Courtney
Published: March 2021

Birds host a wide range of ectoparasites and have developed behavioural strategies to combat them, such as preening, dust bathing and water bathing. In addition, a wide range of avian taxa anoint their feathers with insects or plants that have pharmaceutical properties, though most observations on anointing are anecdotal. Darwin's finches preen with leaves of an endemic tree (Psidium galapageium) and a previous laboratory study has shown that this plant has compounds that repel both mosquitoes and the invasive parasitic flyPhilornis downsi, whose larvae suck blood from nestlings and incubating females and cause high nestling mortality. In the current study, we tested the hypothesis that preening withP.galapageiumleaves serves to repel these parasites with an indirect approach. Mosquitoes andP.downsiaffect their hosts mainly during the bird breeding season andP.downsionly affects breeding females, but not adult males. To test our hypothesis, we gathered quantitative data on leaf‐preening behaviour in Darwin's finches during their breeding and non‐breeding season and also investigated the influence of time of day and humidity, as humid conditions facilitate the release of volatile organic compounds. Contrary to our predictions, anointing occurred significantly more often during the non‐breeding season when mosquito andP.downsinumbers are lower. Four Darwin's finch species anointed their feathers habitually, and during the non‐breeding season, 56% of all preening events were with leaves. We found no effect of sex, but preening with leaves occurred predominately in the morning when leaves were wet. Our study is the first to provide quantitative data on anointing behaviour in birds and the high percentage of preening with leaves in the non‐breeding season suggests that the behaviour has an adaptive value. However, further studies are needed to test whether it reduces the negative impact of parasites other than mosquitoes andP.downsi.
The FEBS Journal: hidden gems
Authors: Breuer Manuel
Published: March 2021

Every quarter, The FEBS Journal presents some of its ‘hidden gems’ – original research and review‐type articles that provide a significant advance or discuss recent developments in the molecular or cellular life sciences. These articles are of high value to the scientific community, and we like to take the opportunity to promote these contributions from previous issues of the journal, as we feel their scientific content merits a boost in exposure.
Population‐level variation in infection outcomes not influenced by pesticide exposure in larval wood frogs (Rana sylvatica)
Authors: Billet Logan S. , Wuerthner Vanessa P. , Hua Jessica , Relyea Rick A. , Hoverman Jason T.
Published: March 2021

There is increasing evidence that populations of non‐target wildlife species can evolve tolerance to pesticides. As ecosystems become increasingly exposed to chemical contaminants globally, it is important to consider not only the immediate consequences of contaminant exposure but also the potential costs associated with evolved responses. Theory predicts there may be trade‐offs, including increased susceptibility to parasites, associated with evolved pesticide tolerance. It remains unclear, however, how environmental context (i.e. presence/absence of pesticides in the contemporary environment) interacts with evolved pesticide tolerance levels to influence infection outcomes.

Several studies have demonstrated that wood frog (Rana sylvatica) populations close to agriculture, where frequent exposure to pesticides is more likely, show higher baseline tolerance to pesticides than do populations far from agriculture. Using eight wood frog populations from across an agricultural gradient, we explored patterns of variation in susceptibility to parasites associated with a population's proximity to agriculture (a proxy for pesticide tolerance), and how these patterns are influenced by experimental exposure of tadpoles to the insecticide carbaryl. We did this by first placing tadpoles in an environment containing the pesticide carbaryl (1 mg/L) or in a pesticide‐free control environment for 5 days, and subsequently exposing tadpoles to trematodes (Echinostoma trivolvis) or ranavirus (frog virus 3).

We found that variation in trematode susceptibility was related to the tadpole populations’ proximity to agriculture. Individuals from populations located close to agriculture were modestly more susceptible to trematode infections than individuals from populations farther from agriculture. Ranavirus susceptibility was not associated with proximity to agriculture.

Surprisingly, exposure to carbaryl increased the survival rates of tadpoles infected with ranavirus. There were no other significant effects of carbaryl exposure on the measured disease outcomes.

This study provides evidence for a potential trade‐off between trematode resistance and putative pesticide tolerance. We show that host populations can vary significantly in their susceptibility to pathogens, but that pesticide exposure does not always increase parasite susceptibility or uniformly exacerbate disease outcomes. Further research is needed to determine how genetic variation among populations impact susceptibility to parasites, and if these patterns of susceptibility are consistent across space and time.
Effects of nitric oxide on the alleviation of postharvest disease induced by Penicillium italicum in navel orange fruits
Authors: Yang Rui , Du Huaying , Sun Ying , Zhang Fengying , Zhang Wei , Wan Chunpeng , Chen Jinyin , Zhu Liqin
Published: March 2021

The present study evaluated the effects of 15 μL L‐1 nitric oxide (NO) on the fruit defence response of ‘Newhall’ navel orange. The decay rate of NO‐treated navel orange fruits was significantly lower than that of control fruits during storage at 20 °C storage (P < 0.05). Treatment with NO suppressed the increase in disease incidence and lesion area in orange fruits inoculated with Penicillium italicum (P. italicum); significantly increased the activities of phenolic metabolism‐associated enzymes and pathogenesis‐related (PR) proteins, including polyphenoloxidase (PPO), phenylalanine ammonia‐lyase (PAL), β‐1,3‐glucanase (GLU) and chitinase (CHT); and enhanced the activities of key enzymes, including 4‐coumarate: CoA ligase (4CL), cinnamate‐4‐hydroxylase (C4H) and chalcone isomerase (CHI) in the phenylpropanoid pathway. The contents of total phenolics, flavonoids and lignin were also higher in NO‐treated fruits than in control fruits. The findings suggest that exogenous NO could induce disease resistance against P. italicum in navel orange fruits.
Strikes in British Coal Mining, 1893–1940: Testing Models of Strikes
Authors: Campolieti Michele
Published: March 2021

Unlike earlier studies, which focus on one model, I use data on British coal mining strikes to test several models of strikes, for example, the war‐of‐attrition, one‐sided asymmetric information and joint costs models as well as the safety valve hypothesis, which is related to “forest fire” models of strikes. I determine whether the data and estimates are compatible with these models as well as how observers in retrospective and contemporary accounts viewed these strikes. I find that the empirical and narrative evidence is supportive of the safety valve hypothesis, but is often at odds with the other (more commonly used) models.
Effect of vacuum sealing drainage on healing time and inflammation‐related indicators in patients with soft tissue wounds
Authors: Xue Xin , Li Na , Ren Liqing
Published: March 2021

The aim of this study was to investigate the therapeutic effects of vacuum sealing drainage (VSD) on wound repair time and inflammation‐related indicators in patients with soft‐tissue wounds in comparison with traditional treatment. From January 2018 to January 2020, 130 enrolled patients with soft‐tissue wounds were randomly divided into two groups: VSD group (65 cases) and routine dressing change (RDC) group (65 cases). The inflammation‐related indicators including erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C‐reactive protein (CRP), white blood cell (WBC), and procalcitonin (PCT) of preoperative stage and postoperative day 3 (POD 3) and POD 7 were recorded. Wound healing was observed 3 and 7 days after treatment, and the clinical efficacy, changes in the wound (coverage rate and thickness of granulation tissue and bacterial clearance rate), wound‐cleaning time, wound‐healing time, and hospital stay time were recorded after treatment as well. No significant difference was observed in terms of the baseline between the two groups. On POD 3 and POD 7, CRP, WBC, and PCT levels in the VSD group were lower than those in the RDC group, while ESR levels were higher, with significant differences (P < .05). After treatment, the wound‐cleaning time, wound‐healing time, and hospital length of stay of the VSD group were all lower than those of the RDC group, with significant differences (P < .05). VSD has a significant effect on the treatment of patients with soft‐tissue wounds, which can effectively shorten the time of wound healing and reduce inflammation‐related indicators. Compared with traditional RDC, VSD is more worthy of clinical application.
Bismuth layer‐structured ferroelectrics with non‐sheet‐like polyhedral microstructures
Authors: He Xiang , Chen Chen , Zeng Huarong , Li Yongxiang , Yang Qunbao , Yi Zhiguo
Published: March 2021

Bismuth layer‐structured ferroelectrics (BLSFs) are promising candidates for a variety of applications because of their high Curie temperature and environmentally benign nature as compared to their lead contained counterparts. Featured by the mica‐like grain growth habit and spontaneous polarization along crystallographic a‐b plane, it is difficult to obtain excellent ferroelectric properties for most of the BLSFs fabricated by the conventional ceramic route. Herein, a new approach is reported to obtain Bi2WO6 and Bi4Ti3O12 BLSF ceramics with non‐sheet‐like polyhedral microstructures. The intriguing ferroelectric hysteresis behavior, dielectric tunability, and domain structures are successfully observed. The Bi2WO6 ceramic with a unique single‐domain structure in each grain shows a typical ferroelectric polarization‐electric field hysteresis loop with a remnant polarization of ~17.8 μC cm−2 and a coercive field of ~43 kV cm−1. These values have never been obtained in Bi2WO6 ceramics with sheet‐like microstructure. The Bi4Ti3O12 ceramic with irregular‐shaped and curved tiny domains exhibits an antiferroelectric‐like behavior, which is significantly different from the reported Bi4Ti3O12 counterparts that have plate‐like anisotropic grains. The present study would stimulate microstructure design and property modulation for other layer‐structured materials.
Let God and Rawls be Friends: On the Cooperation between the Political Liberal Government and Religious Schools in Civic Education
Authors: Wong Baldwin
Published: March 2021

Political liberals are primarily concerned with the roles played by the government and public schools in civic education. In policies related to religious schools, political liberals often use a strategy of regulation that aims to restrict religious schools. I argue that, although this strategy is effective in eliminating bad religious schools, it alone is unable to ensure that all (or most) reasonable citizens achieve full justification, which is a necessary condition for the stability of a just society. I, therefore, suggest that this strategy should be supplemented with a strategy of promotion. This strategy implies that a government should use policies, such as tax exemption, subsidy, national prize, and advertisement, to encourage good religious schools that teach students to reconcile religious beliefs and political ideas. While the government remains neutral and offers a citizenship curriculum that teaches political ideas, religious schools teach theological beliefs that provide students with comprehensive reasons to affirm political ideas. This division of labor facilitates students from different religious backgrounds to attain full justification. Religious schools have often been regarded as posing a threat to cultural balkanization. It is, however, an overlooked grain of truth that religious schools could be essential cornerstones of a stable liberal democracy.
SNHG12 promotes carcinogenesis of human renal cell cancer via functioning as a competing endogenous RNA and sponging miR‐30a‐3p
Authors: Yu Hongyuan , Liu Junlong , Zhang Zhe , Zhu Yuyan , Bi Jianbin , Kong Chuize
Published: March 2021

Small nucleolar RNA host gene 12 (SNHG12) has been indicated in the tumorigenesis of various human cancers, including clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). However, the underlying mechanisms of SNHG12 driving progression of ccRCC remain incompletely understood. In the present study, we discovered that SNHG12 is up‐regulated in ccRCC and that overexpression of SNHG12 predicted poor clinical outcome of ccRCC patients. SNHG12 knockdown notably inhibited proliferation and migration of RCC cells. Furthermore, we discovered that miR‐30a‐3p, a putative ccRCC inhibitor, was competitively sponged by SNHG12. Via the crosstalk network, SNHG12 was capable of up‐regulating multiple target genes of miR‐30a‐3p, namely, RUNX2, WNT2 and IGF‐1R, which have been identified to facilitate tumorigenesis of ccRCC. Taken together, our present study suggested a novel ceRNA network, in which SNHG12 could promote the malignancy of ccRCC although competitively binding with miR‐30a‐3p and consequently release the expression of its downstream cancer‐related genes.
lncRNA RPSAP52 induced the development of tongue squamous cell carcinomas via miR‐423‐5p/MYBL2
Authors: Wu Xiaozhen , Gong Zuode , Ma Long , Wang Qibao
Published: March 2021

Growing lncRNAs have been noted to involve in the initiation and development of several tumours including tongue squamous cell carcinomas (TSCCs). However, the biological role and mechanism of lncRNA RPSAP52 were not well‐explained. We indicated that RPSAP52 was higher in TSCC samples compared with that in control samples. The higher expression of RPSAP52 was positively correlated with higher T stage and TNM stage. Ectopic expression of RPSAP52 induced TSCC cell growth and cycle and induced cytokine secretion including IFN‐γ, IL‐1β and IL‐6, IL‐8, IL‐10 and TGF‐β. We found that the overexpression of RPSAP52 suppressed miR‐423‐5p expression in SCC‐4 cell. miR‐423‐5p was lower in TSCC samples compared with that in control samples, and miR‐423‐5p level was negatively correlated with higher T stage and TNM stage. Pearson's correlation indicated that miR‐423‐5p was negatively associated with that of RPSAP52 in TSCC tissues. Furthermore, MYBL2 was one direct gene of miR‐423‐5p and elevated expression of miR‐423‐5p suppressed MYBL2 expression and ectopic expression of RPSAP52 increased MYBL2 expression in SCC‐4 cell. Finally, we illustrated that RPSAP52 overexpression promoted TSCC cell growth and cycle and induced cytokine secretion including IFN‐γ, IL‐1β and IL‐6, IL‐8, IL‐10 and TGF‐β via modulating MYBL2. These data provided new insight into RPSAP52, which may be one potential treatment target for TSCC.
Molecular and morphological comparison of larvae and juveniles of five species of callionymids, with ontogenetic evidence on the monophyly of Repomucenus (Callionymidae)
Authors: Kim Jin‐Seok , Ji Hwan‐Sung , Kim Jin‐Koo
Published: March 2021

Dragonet fishes (Callionymidae) are benthic inhabitants of shallow waters, even in tidal pools, down to depths below 900 m in all subtropical, tropical and temperate oceans. The family comprises 200 species in 20 genera worldwide, of which 18 species in 6 genera occur in Korea. Classification within the family Callionymidae has been controversial because of the differing proposals of Fricke and Nakabo (Fishes of Japan with pictorial keys to the species, 1983). For example, Fricke suggested genus Repomucenus and Bathycallionymus, whose genera contains most callionymid species in Korean waters, as junior synonym of genus Callionymus while Nakabo (Fishes of Japan with pictorial keys to the species, 1983) suggested as valid. In such cases, when classifications of adults have taxonomic contention, examination of larval characters may prove informative. Therefore, in this study, the authors conducted comprehensive molecular and morphological analyses on larvae and juveniles of five species in the genus Repomucenus and discussed their taxonomic status within the family Callionymidae. Larval and juvenile callionymids show high morphological similarities during their ontogenetic development. Nonetheless, the following morphological differences were observed in melanophore distribution and preopercular spine development: (a) stellate or punctate melanophores in Bathycallionymus kaianus vs. branched melanophores in genus Repomucenus, (b) melanophores on the abdominal cavity gradually disappearing in B. kaianus vs. gradually becoming prominent in Repomucenus and (c) preopercular spine development giving rise to one perpendicular spine in B. kaianus vs. two or three spines in Repomucenus. Molecular analysis based on 16S ribosomal RNA showed similar results to the morphological analysis. Genera Bathycallionymus and Repomucenus showed significant genetic distance (d = 0.113–0.120); moreover, genus Callionymus, which was suggested as a senior synonym of genus Bathycallionymus and Repomucenus by Fricke (Journal of Natural History, 2014, 48, 2419–2448), also showed considerable difference (d = 0.226–0.246). In the present study, the monophyly of genus Repomucenus seemed well supported by the results of morphological and molecular analyses of larval stage Callionymidae.
Variation in propofol induction doses administered to surgical patients over age 65
Authors: Schonberger Robert B. , Bardia Amit , Dai Feng , Michel George , Yanez David , Curtis Jeptha P. , Vaughn Michelle T. , Burg Matthew M. , Mathis Michael , Kheterpal Sachin , Akhtar Shamsuddin , Shah Nirav
Published: March 2021

Background/Objectives

Advanced age is associated with increased susceptibility to acute adverse effects of propofol. The present study aimed to describe patterns of propofol dosing for induction of general anesthesia before endotracheal intubation in a nationwide sample of older adults presenting for surgery.

Design

Retrospective observational study using the Multicenter Perioperative Outcomes Group data set.

Setting

Thirty‐six institutions across the United States.

Participants

A total of 350,766 patients aged over 65 years who received propofol for general anesthetic induction and endotracheal intubation between 2014 and 2018.

Intervention

None.

Measurements

Total induction bolus dose of propofol administered.

Results

The mean (SD) weight‐adjusted propofol dose was 1.7 (0.6) mg/kg. The mean prevalent propofol induction dose exceeded the upper bound of what has been described as the typical geriatric dose requirement across every age category examined. The percent of patients receiving propofol induction doses above the described typical geriatric range was 64.8% (95% CI 64.6–65.0), varying from 73.8% among patients aged 65–69 to 45.8% among patients aged 80 and older.

Conclusion

The present study of a large multicenter cohort demonstrates that prevalent propofol dosing commonly falls above the published typically required dose range for patients aged ≥65 in nationwide anesthetic practice. Widespread variability in induction dose administration remains incompletely explained by known patient variables. The nature and clinical consequences of these unexplained dosing decisions remain important topics for further study. Observed discordance between expected and actual induction dosing raises the question of whether there should be reconsideration of widespread provider practice or, alternatively, whether what is published as the typical propofol induction dose range should be revisited.
Insulin as a neuroendocrine hormone
Authors: Grattan David R. , Andrews Zane B.
Published: March 2021

The year 2021 marks 100 years since the discovery of insulin and this Special Issue of theJournal of Neuroendocrinologywas conceived as a way to mark that historic breakthrough. The discovery of insulin and its subsequent use in the treatment of diabetes is one of the most striking success stories in biomedical research. From a neuroendocrinology perspective, the recognition that insulin also exerts widespread and varied actions in the brain is more recent, but potentially also of equal importance with relevance for conditions ranging from obesity to dementia. The reviews contained in this Special Issue were selected to cover the range of known actions of insulin in neuroendocrine function, and also to highlight areas where further understanding of insulin actions in the brain hold great promise for further improvements in human health.
The Sharing Economy and Business Model Design: A Configurational Approach
Authors: Jiang Feifei , Zheng Xiaoying , Fan Di , Zhang Pengxiang , Li Sali
Published: March 2021

The rapid growth of the sharing economy has attracted a recent surge of academic interest. However, few studies to date address performance variation among sharing platforms. Building on the notion of business model design and applying a configurational approach, we develop a conceptual model that investigates what combinations of design elements can enhance the performance of sharing platforms. Data from 189 platforms and fuzzy‐set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) reveal six business model designs, each with its own performance implications. Of these, four configurations lead to high performance and two lead to low performance. Our study advances current understanding of the sharing economy and sheds important light on business model research.
The law in computation: What machine learning, artificial intelligence, and big data mean for law and society scholarship
Authors: DoCarmo Tania , Rea Stephen , Conaway Evan , Emery John , Raval Noopur
Published: March 2021

Computational systems, including machine learning, artificial intelligence, and big data analytics, are not only inescapable parts of social life but are also reshaping the contours of law and legal practice. We propose turning more law and social science (LSS) attention to new technological developments through the study of “law in computation,” that is, computational systems' integration with regulatory and administrative procedures, the sociotechnical infrastructures that support them, and their impact on how individuals and populations are interpellated through the law. We present a range of cases in three areas of inquiry ‐ algorithmic governance, jurisdiction and agency ‐ on issues such as immigration enforcement, data sovereignty, algorithmic warfare, biometric identity regimes, and gig economies, for which examining law in computation illuminates how new technological systems' integration with legal processes pushes the distinction between “law on the books” and “law in action” into new domains.We then propose future directions and methods for research. As computational systems become ever more sophisticated, understanding the law in computation is critical not only for LSS scholarship, but also for everyday civics.
A Second Chance: Reenactment and Recovery Narratives in a Peruvian Drug Rehabilitation Center
Authors: Silverstein Sydney M.
Published: March 2021

The following article discusses a collaborative, reenactment film made with the residents of a drug rehabilitation center in Iquitos, Peru. In so doing, it raises questions about narratives of recovery from addiction, and the tensions that emerge between these narratives and the often‐ambivalent feelings of the people who tell them. Practices of filmmaking and reenactment generate a collaborative theorization of lived experience—in this case, the multifaceted natures of both addiction and recovery. At the same time, these practices are also attentive to the embodied memories and complex feelings of the film's actors. Further engagement with the filmic materials demonstrates how the film became an active exploration of the ongoing nature of recovery, complicating the therapeutic trajectories of a group of actors struggling to reconcile ambivalent feelings as they attempt to craft new narratives of self.
Disproportionality by sex in the prescription of drugs capable of inducing parkinsonism for the elderly: A survey using statistics of Japanese national health claims from 2014 to 2017
Authors: Sato Kenichiro , Mano Tatsuo , Iwata Atsushi , Toda Tatsushi
Published: March 2021

Background

Patients with older age and female sex are known to have increased risk of developing drug‐induced parkinsonism (DIP).

Aim

Basic prescription patterns of drugs associated with a risk of causing DIP remain unclear, which we assessed in this study.

Methods

Using the publicly distributed data “NDB Open Data Japan,” the summary statistics of Japanese nationwide health claims, we calculated the disproportionality in prescriptions among men and women of different age groups to whom tablets/capsules were prescribed at the outpatient clinic from 2014 to 2017. Based on the 2‐by‐2 contingency table, we derived the odds ratio (OR) to identify which drug is more frequently prescribed to elderly (65 y/o) women than to men.

Results

Among the calculated ORs of 18 generic DIP‐related drugs we investigated, sulpiride had the highest OR (3.85), followed by tiapride (OR = 2.47), olanzapine (OR = 2.43), and risperidone (OR = 2.27). Among all the drug products included in the database, sulpiride again showed a significantly high OR, which was higher than the 95th percentile of ORs of all 3604 products examined.

Conclusion

Our results showed that the distribution of sulpiride prescriptions is biased toward older females, who are more susceptible to develop DIP than males. Assuming the limited indication of sulpiride as the primary treatment option for depression or schizophrenia, a future study on why and how sulpiride is prescribed to the elderly female patients might aid in changing the prescription strategy of sulpiride, thereby possibly reducing the overall incidence of DIP in Japan.
Genomic insights into evolution of pathogenicity and resistance of multidrug‐resistant Raoultella ornithinolytica WM1
Authors: Wang Meng , Fan Yu , Liu Ping , Liu Yehua , Zhang Jianlei , Jiang Yan , Zhou Chunlei , Yang Lei , Wang Ce , Qian Chengqian , Yuan Chao , Zhang Si , Zhang Xiaohang , Yin Zhiqiu , Mu Hong , Du Yuhui
Published: March 2021

Raoultella ornithinolytica is a poorly understood opportunistic pathogen, and the underlying mechanisms of its multidrug resistance and pathogenicity have not yet been comprehensively investigated. The multidrug‐resistant (MDR) strain WM1 was isolated from the blood of a male patient in Tianjin, China, in 2018. Here, we describe the complete genome and provide a genomic analysis of R. ornithinolytica WM1. The isolate was resistant to all tested antimicrobials except amikacin, tobramycin, and tigecycline. Two plasmids, pWM1‐1 (IncHI5) and pWM1‐2 (IncR), carried multidrug‐resistance regions. A large antimicrobial resistance island region resided on pWM1‐1 and exhibited mosaic structures resulting from the acquisition of complex integrations of variable regions, including genes conferring resistance to multiple classes of antimicrobials. Moreover, WM1 possessed virulence‐related elements that encode several virulence factors, including type I fimbriae, Escherichia coli common pilus, type II and VI secretion systems, yersiniabactin, enterobactin, and surface polysaccharide, indicating pathogenic potential. Furthermore, the core genome phylogeny and pan‐genome analyses revealed extensive genetic diversity. Our analysis indicates the need for stringent infection control, antimicrobial stewardship, periodic resistance monitoring, and rational medication to address potential threats posed by MDR R. ornithinolytica strains.
Renal sympathetic denervation for the treatment of recurrent ventricular arrhythmias—ELECTRAM investigators
Authors: Garg Jalaj , Shah Siddharth , Shah Kuldeep , Turagam Mohit K. , Natale Andrea , Lakkireddy Dhanunjaya
Published: March 2021

Introduction

Renal sympathetic denervation (RSDN) is an alternate management approach for refractory ventricular arrhythmias (VAs). We aimed to perform a systematic review of clinical outcomes on the impact of RSDN on refractory VA patients.

Methods

A systematic search without language restriction, using PubMed, EMBASE, SCOPUS, Google Scholar, and ClinicalTrials.gov from inception to August 18, 2020, was performed for the studies that reported outcomes in patients who underwent RSDN for VA. The outcomes studied were—(1) recurrent VA; and (2) all‐cause mortality.

Results

Five studies (from 2014 to 2018) with a total of 51 VA patients met study inclusion criteria. The mean age was 61.92 ± 11.76 years, and 78.4% were men. The pooled incidence of short‐term (3 months or less) and long‐term (more than 3 months) VA recurrence was 63.85% (95% CI 16.75 to 99.32) and 10.52% (95% CI 0.14 to 28.75), respectively. When stratified by the number of VA episodes, there was a significant reduction in mean VA episodes (SMD ‐3.79, 95% CI ‐6.59 to ‐0.98, p < .01), ICD shocks (SMD ‐1.71, 95% CI ‐3.0 to ‐0.42, p < .01) and anti‐tachycardia pacing (SMD ‐1.21, 95% CI ‐1.98 to ‐0.44, p < .01) following RSDN denervation. The pooled incidence of all‐cause mortality after RSDN was 10.16% (95% CI 1.08 to 24.12). There were no major vascular complications, one minor vascular complication–small non‐flow limiting renal artery dissection (no intervention needed).

Conclusion

RSDN appears to be a safe and effective treatment strategy in patients with prior failed antiarrhythmic drugs and catheter ablation for recurrent ventricular arrhythmia and electrical storm.
Growth‐phase dependent morphological alteration in higher plant thylakoid is accompanied by changes in both photodamage and repair rates
Authors: Nozue Hatsumi , Shigarami Takashi , Fukuda Shinji , Chino Takayuki , Saruta Ryouta , Shirai Kana , Nozue Masayuki , Kumazaki Shigeichi
Published: March 2021

Thylakoid membranes of young leaves consist of grana and stroma lamellae (stroma‐grana [SG] structure). The SG thylakoid is gradually converted into isolated grana (IG), almost lacking the stroma lamellae during growth. This morphological alteration was found to cause a reduction in maximum photosynthetic rate and an enhancement of photoinhibition in photosystem II (PSII). In situ microspectrometric measurements of chlorophyll fluorescence in individual chloroplasts suggested an increase of the PSII/PSI ratio in IG thylakoids of mature leaves. Western blot analysis of isolated IG thylakoids showed relative increases in some PSII components, including the core protein (D1) and light‐harvesting components CP24 and Lhcb2. Notably, a nonphotochemical quenching‐related factor in the PSII supercomplex, PsbS, decreased by 40%. Changes in the high light response of PSII were detected through parameters of pulse‐amplitude modulation fluorometry. Chlorophyll fluorescence lifetime indicated an increase of fluorescence quantum yield in IG. A minimal photodamage‐repair rate analysis on a lincomycin treatment of the leaves indicated that repair rate constant of IG is slower than that of SG, while photodamage rate of IG is higher than that of SG. These results suggest that IG thylakoids are relatively sensitive to high light, which is not only due to a higher photodamage rate caused by some rearrangements of PS complexes, but also to the retarded PSII repair that may result from the lack of stroma lamellae. The IG thylakoids found among many plant species thus seem to be an adaptive form to low light environments, although their physiological roles still remain unclear.
Renewable Portfolio Standards: Do Voluntary Goals vs. Mandatory Standards Make a Difference?
Authors: Solomon Barry D. , Zhou Shan
Published: March 2021

This research investigates whether an obligation to meet a Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) target in U.S. states affects the policy effectiveness, which is defined as the RPS‐related renewable electricity capacity additions. A voluntary RPS target can serve as a political device for signaling commitment to certain goals, though there is no penalty if the goal is not met. Alternatively, mandatory RPS targets have varying stringency and uneven enforcement. Our results indicate that the compulsoriness of a state RPS is an insignificant determinant of RPS‐related renewable electricity capacity additions. Factors other than whether an RPS target or goal is compulsory are more important in influencing renewable electricity development, including policy stringency. If a state seeks a modest level of renewable electricity development, setting a voluntary goal can sometimes be effective and more efficient. Nonetheless, a mandatory RPS may be required to accomplish a more significant level of renewable electricity deployment.
The Design of Replication Studies
Authors: Hedges Larry V. , Schauer Jacob M.
Published: March 2021

Empirical evaluations of replication have become increasingly common, but there has been no unified approach to doing so. Some evaluations conduct only a single replication study while others run several, usually across multiple laboratories. Designing such programs has largely contended with difficult issues about which experimental components are necessary for a set of studies to be considered replications. However, another important consideration is that replication studies be designed to support sufficiently sensitive analyses. For instance, if hypothesis tests are to be conducted about replication, studies should be designed to ensure these tests are well-powered; if not, it can be difficult to determine conclusively if replication attempts succeeded or failed. This paper describes methods for designing ensembles of replication studies to ensure that they are both adequately sensitive and cost-efficient. It describes two potential analyses of replication studies—hypothesis tests and variance component estimation—and approaches to obtaining optimal designs for them. Using these results, it assesses the statistical power, precision of point estimators and optimality of the design used by the Many Labs Project and finds that while it may have been sufficiently powered to detect some larger differences between studies, other designs would have been less costly and/or produced more precise estimates or higher-powered hypothesis tests.