bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A randomised controlled feasibility study of interpersonal art psychotherapy for the treatment of aggression in people with intellectual disabilities in secure care
Authors: Hackett Simon S. , Zubala Ania , Aafjes-van Doorn Katie , Chadwick Thomas , Harrison Toni Leigh , Bourne Jane , Freeston Mark , Jahoda Andrew , Taylor John L. , Ariti Cono , McNamara Rachel , Pennington Lindsay , McColl Elaine , Kaner Eileen
Published: November 2020

Background

Rates of aggression in inpatient secure care are higher than in other psychiatric inpatient settings. People with intellectual disabilities in secure care require adapted psychological treatments. Interpersonal art psychotherapy incorporates the use of creative art making approaches by participants, thus reducing sole reliance upon verbal interactions during psychotherapy for people who may have communication difficulties. During interpersonal art psychotherapy, participants are individually supported by their therapist to consider how they conduct relationships. This includes the influence and impact of interpersonal issues resulting in repeated patterns of conflict. The key feasibility objectives were to assess recruitment and retention rates, follow-up rates and trial procedures such as randomisation, allocation and identifying any practical or ethical problems. In addition, a preliminary ‘signal’ for the intervention was considered and an indicative sample size calculation completed. The acceptability of a potential third trial arm attentional control condition, mindful colouring-in, was assessed using four single-case design studies and a UK trial capacity survey was conducted.

Methods

Adult patients with intellectual disabilities in secure care were recruited and randomised to either interpersonal art psychotherapy or delayed treatment in this multi-site study. Outcomes were assessed using weekly observations via the Modified Overt Aggression Scale and a range of self-report measures. Within study reporting processes, qualitative interviews and a survey were completed to inform trial feasibility.

Results

Recruitment procedures were successful. The target of recruiting 20 participants to the trial from multiple sites was achieved within 8 months of the study opening. All participants recruited to the treatment arm completed interpersonal art psychotherapy. Between-group differences of interpersonal art psychotherapy versus the delayed treatment control showed a ‘signal’ effect-size of .65 for total scores and .93 in the verbal aggression sub-scale. There were no amendments to the published protocol. The assessment of key feasibility objectives were met and the trial procedures were acceptable to all involved in the research.

Conclusion

This study suggested that a randomised controlled trial of interpersonal art psychotherapy is acceptable and feasible.

Trial registration

ISRCTN14326119(Retrospectively Registered).
De-implementation of detrimental feeding practices: a pilot protocol
Authors: Swindle Taren , Rutledge Julie M. , Johnson Susan L. , Selig James P. , Curran Geoff M.
Published: November 2020

Background

Early childhood educators (ECEs) often use detrimental feeding practices and are slow to implement positive feeding practices. Nevertheless, few studies have aimed to understand and change ECEs’ feeding practices. This gap needs to be addressed because implementation (i.e., adding new, evidence-based practices) and de-implementation (i.e., stopping low-value or harmful practices) are distinct processes that require unique strategies.

Methods

We will develop a de-implementation strategy for detrimental feeding practices using evidence-based quality improvement (EBQI) sessions to engage stakeholders and draw on the Niven process model for de-implementation. Then, we will investigate the effects of the de-implementation strategy in a proof-of-principle study. The de-implementation strategy will be evaluated in 2 partnering childcare agencies using a pre-post, within-site design. For our primary outcome, we will interview educators throughout the school year to assess the feasibility and acceptability of the intervention and survey them with standard measures for assessing feasibility and acceptability. For secondary outcomes, we will investigate its effects on the use of detrimental and evidence-based feeding practices by teachers and impacts on child BMI and diet.

Discussion

The current study will establish the feasibility and acceptability of our de-implementation approach and will provide preliminary data toward 3 predicted secondary outcomes: (1) decreased detrimental feeding practices by ECEs, (2) increased adoption of and fidelity to nutrition promotion practices, and (3) improved child dietary outcomes. These results are expected to contribute to the uptake and sustainability of mealtime interventions to improve the diets of young children. Results will also apply to the field of implementation science by informing processes for developing de-implementation approaches in a community setting.
New insights into the morphology and evolution of the ventral pharynx and jaws in Histriobdellidae (Eunicida, Annelida)
Authors: Tzetlin Alexander , Budaeva Nataliya , Vortsepneva Elena , Helm Conrad
Published: November 2020

The jaw apparatus in several annelid families represents a powerful tool for systematic approaches and evolutionary investigations. Nevertheless, for several taxa, this character complex has scarcely been investigated, and complete comparative analyses of all annelid jaws are lacking. In our comprehensive study, we described the fine structure of the jaw apparatus and the ventral pharyngeal organ (VPO) in Histriobdella homari – a minute ectocommensal of lobsters putatively belonging to the Eunicida – using different comparative morphological approaches, including SEM, TEM, CLSM and subsequent 3D reconstruction. The H. homari jaw apparatus is composed of ventral paired mandibles and dorsal symmetrical maxillae consisting of numerous dental plates, ventral carriers and an unpaired dorsal rod, and the general assemblage and arrangement of the different parts are highly comparable to those of other eunicid families. The jaw ultrastructure of histriobdellids resembles that of the families Dorvilleidae and (juvenile) Onuphidae. Furthermore, our data reveal that in the process of development of the jaw apparatus, the mandibles, maxillae II and unpaired dorsal rod are formed first, and the remaining maxillae and ventral carriers appear later. Notably, the muscular apparatus differs from that in Dorvilleidae and Onuphidae in terms of the number and arrangement of muscle fibers encompassing the jaws – not only because of the very small size of Histriobdella but also because histriobdellid maxillary protraction occurs due to straightening of the dorsal rod and thus requires a different muscular scaffold. Based on our investigations, the arrangement of the muscular apparatus of the jaws, the presence of paired ventral carriers and the dorsal rod, and the morphology of the ventral pharyngeal organ represent a histriobdellid autapomorphy. Our datasets form a basis for further comparative analyses to elucidate the evolution of Eunicida and jaw-bearing Annelida.
Recommendations from a James Lind Alliance priority setting partnership - a qualitative interview study
Authors: Jongsma Karin , van Seventer Juliette , Verwoerd Anouk , van Rensen Annemiek
Published: November 2020

Background

The James Lind Alliance (JLA) offers a method for research priority setting with patients, clinicians and carers. The method is increasingly used but publications primarily discuss the outcome of such projects, rather than reflecting on the JLA method itself. Scrutiny of the method is crucial in order to understand and correctly interpret its outcomes.

Methods

We conducted a qualitative interview study with people involved in a JLA project into Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) (n = 30) to better understand the mechanisms, procedures and decisional processes during such a project and to formulate recommendations for those who consider starting a JLA project in the future.

Results

Four main themes were identified: 1) motivations, goals and expectations 2) inclusivity, roles and representation 3) procedures and decision-making 4) outcomes and future steps.

Conclusion

While the top 10 of ‘evidence uncertainties’ seems to take the centre stage in JLA projects, the ways in which these priorities are determined may be influenced by ‘process uncertainties’. We have formulated ten specific recommendations for future JLA projects. Reflection on and reporting of these process uncertainties would contribute to the improvement of JLA projects and increase the validity of the outcome of such projects.
Intercultural pedagogies: experiencing the kungfu teaching methods at the Shaolin Temple
Authors: Nešković Marta
Published: November 2020

The Shaolin Temple is a unique religious institution in China. It is the most renowned temple of Chan Buddhism and, at the same time, a famed site of intensive cultivation of traditional kungfu. Besides running the kungfu program for selected Chinese youth, the Temple offers a program for foreign students interested in training kungfu in its authentic cultural setting. Founded on anthropology of education, the theories of embodiment, and the theory of practice, our research project is focused on the relationship between the Shaolin kungfu and Chan Buddhism. The aim of this paper is to describe the students’ perceptions of the Shaolin kungfu teaching methods through the analyses of their narrated personal experiences. The research is based on our 16 months of fieldwork in the Temple, which comprised a full participation in the training program as well as the formal and informal interviews and the group discussions with the students. The paper presents the students’ perceptions of the Shaolin masters’ training methods, the main kungfu principles and their sources, as well as the differences between the training approaches in the Temple and in their home countries. In addition, the study brings forth the concept of intercultural martial arts pedagogies and its application in a representative Chan Buddhist setting.
Phytochemical constituents and antibacterial activity of Citrus lemon leaves
Authors: Asker Mohsen , El-gengaihi Souad E. , Hassan Emad M. , Mohammed Mona A. , Abdelhamid Sayeda A.
Published: November 2020

Background

The study investigated the phytochemical constituents and antibacterial activity ofCitrus lemonvolatile oil extracted from pruning leaves collected from a private farm at Nobariya district against Gram-positive "Staphylococcus aureusNRRL B-313 andBacillus cereusNRC" and Gram-negative "Pseudomonas aeruginosaNRC B-32 andEscherichia coliNRC B-3703".

Results

The oil obtained from powdered driedC. lemonleaves was analyzed by GC–MS to identify their constituents. The analysis revealed the presence of sabinene, carene, limonene, and β-ocimene. The leaves volatile oil showed a remarkable inhibition againstS. aureus(32 ± 0.01 mm) andP. aeruginosa(49 ± 0.01 mm) and it had a strong effect on the DNA, RNA, lipids, and protein biosynthesis in cells ofS. aureusand had a strong effect on the lipids biosynthesis in cells ofP. aeruginosa.

Conclusion

The results in this study suggested thatC. lemonleaves could be beneficial in developing a novel antibiotic and studied its mode of action on the pathogenic microorganism’s cells.
Comparison of stroke care parameters in acute ischemic stroke patients with and without concurrent Covid-19. A Nationwide analysis
Authors: Richter Daniel , Krogias Christos , Eyding Jens , Bartig Dirk , Grau Armin , Weber Ralph
Published: November 2020

Background

Comparing health care parameters of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients with and without concurrent coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19, SARS-CoV-2 infection), may be helpful in terms of optimizing clinical and public health care during pandemic.

Methods

We evaluated a nationwide administrative database of all hospitalized patients with main diagnosis of acute ischemic stroke with/without diagnosis of Covid-19 who were hospitalized during the time period from January 16th to May 15th, 2020. Data from a total of 1463 hospitals in Germany were included. We compared case numbers, treatment characteristics (intravenous thrombolysis, IVT; mechanical thrombectomy, MT; treated on an intensive care unit, stroke unit or regular ward) and in-hospital mortality of AIS with and without concurrent diagnosis of Covid-19.

Results

From a total of 30,864 hospitalized Covid-19 patients during the evaluation period in Germany, we identified a subgroup of 213 patients with primary diagnosis of AIS. Compared to the 68,700 AIS patients without Covid-19, this subgroup showed a similar rate of IVT (16.4% vs. 16.5%, p = 0.985) but a significantly lower rate of MT (3.8% vs. 7.9%, p = 0.017). In-hospital mortality rate was significantly higher in patients with AIS and concurrent Covid-19 compared to non-infected AIS patients (22.5% vs. 7.8%, p < 0.001).

Conclusion

These nationwide data point out differences in mortality and medical treatment regime between AIS patients with and without concurrent Covid-19. Since the pandemic is still ongoing, these data draw attention to AIS as a less frequent but often fatal comorbidity in Covid-19 patients.
Imetelstat Achieves Meaningful and Durable Transfusion Independence in High Transfusion–Burden Patients With Lower-Risk Myelodysplastic Syndromes in a Phase II Study
Authors: Steensma David P. , Fenaux Pierre , Van Eygen Koen , Raza Azra , Santini Valeria , Germing Ulrich , Font Patricia , Diez-Campelo Maria , Thepot Sylvain , Vellenga Edo , Patnaik Mrinal M. , Jang Jun Ho , Varsos Helen , Bussolari Jacqueline , Rose Esther , Sherman Laurie , Sun Libo , Wan Ying , Dougherty Souria , Huang Fei , Feller Faye , Rizo Aleksandra , Platzbecker Uwe
Published: November 2020

PURPOSE

Patients with lower-risk (LR) myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) who are RBC transfusion dependent and have experienced relapse after or are refractory to erythropoiesis-stimulating agent (ESA) have limited treatment options. High telomerase activity and human telomerase reverse-transcription expression in clonal hematopoietic cells have been reported in patients with MDS. Imetelstat, a first-in-class competitive inhibitor of telomerase enzymatic activity, targets cells with active telomerase. We report efficacy, safety, and biomarker data for patients with LR MDS who are RBC transfusion dependent and who were relapsed/refractory to ESAs.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In this two-part phase II/III study (MDS3001), the primary end point was 8-week RBC transfusion independence (TI) rate, with key secondary end points of 24-week RBC TI rate, TI duration, and hematologic improvement-erythroid.

RESULTS

Data from the phase II part of the study are reported. Of 57 patients enrolled and treated (overall population), 38 were non-del(5q) and hypomethylating agent and lenalidomide naïve (subset population). The 8- and 24-week RBC TI rates in the overall population were 37% and 23%, respectively, with a median TI duration of 65 weeks. In the subset population, 8- and 24-week RBC TI rates were 42% and 29%, respectively, with a median TI duration of 86 weeks. Eight-week TI rate was observed across all subgroups evaluated. Cytogenetic and mutational data revealed a reduction of the malignant clones, suggesting disease modification activity. The most common adverse events were cytopenias, typically reversible within 4 weeks.

CONCLUSION

Imetelstat treatment results in a meaningful, durable TI rate across a broad range of heavily transfused patients with LR MDS who are ineligible for or relapsed/refractory to ESAs. Biomarker analyses indicated effects on the mutant malignant clone.
The Road Less Traveled: A Guide to Metastatic ROS1-Rearranged Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Almquist Daniel , Ernani Vinicius
Published: November 2020

Over the past decade, significant advances have been achieved in the diagnostic testing, treatment, and prognosis of advanced non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). One of the most significant developments was the identification of specific gene alterations that define subsets of NSCLC. In 2007, ROS1 rearrangements were first described and observed in approximately 1%-2% of patients with NSCLC. Currently, crizotinib remains the therapy of choice for advanced ROS1-rearranged NSCLC without CNS metastases, while entrectinib has emerged as the preferred option for those with CNS metastases. The next-generation inhibitors under development are more potent, have better CNS efficacy, and can overcome important resistance mutations. In this review, we focus on the management of patients with advanced NSCLC harboring a ROS1 rearrangement. We aim to provide insight into the diagnosis, treatment approach, and emerging treatments in this subgroup of NSCLC.
The Curious Case of the Octagonal Temple
Authors: Buckee Fiona
Published: November 2020

The Muṇḍeśvarī temple near Bhabuā in southwest Bihar is an octagonal, sandstone monument without a spire. Scholars have dated the temple to the first half of the seventh century, primarily on account of early inscriptions from the site and the style of the door frames. Few monuments survive from this nascent stage of structural North Indian temple architecture, and the Muṇḍeśvarī temple is intriguing because it is an anomaly in terms of its size, composition, and the shape of its plan.

This study argues that the Muṇḍeśvarī temple has been misdated, and presents a systematic architectural analysis that highlights multiple features and irregularities that are incompatible with early North Indian design. The paper proposes that, rather than being seventh century, the octagonal shrine was built about a millennia later, in the sixteenth–seventeenth century, incorporating doorways and moldings salvaged from the ruins of the seventh century temples that once graced the hilltop. The latter part of the article considers how the Muṇḍeśvarī temple came to be buried by the end of the eighteenth century, and questions whether the Archaeological Survey of India might have altered the temple's appearance during the reconstructive work they undertook at the start of the twentieth century.
Image, Body, and Simulation of the Afterlife in the Early Medieval Sarcophagus of Prince Yuan Mi
Authors: Shi Jie
Published: November 2020

Dated to 524 ce, the lavishly carved stone sarcophagus of the Northern Wei Prince Yuan Mi exemplifies an early Chinese method using a diagonal gaze as a visual device to construct a three-dimensional space. On the exterior faces of the sarcophagus, the anonymous artist simulated a three-layered space, imagining the deceased's wooden coffin (the inner layer) contained in his burial chamber (middle layer), which in turn is embraced by a complex three-dimensional natural and supernatural world (the outer layer). In the middle layer, eight figures cast a slant gaze from behind four windows at filial paragons dwelling in the outer layer. This gaze was used as a rhetorical device to bridge the physical and psychological gap between the gazers and those upon whom they gaze. Evoking the idiom found in medieval Chinese texts of “watching the ancients as neighbors,” the artist defined the deceased as a neighbor of the ancient filial paragons who dwell in an ideal landscape as recluses. In addition to the visual analysis of the sarcophagus, this article also examines the epitaph buried along with the sarcophagus. While the carving praises the private virtue of the dead, the text paints another rosy picture of the deceased prince as a good official. Eventually, the image and text were used in tandem to create a perfect image of the deceased.
Characterisation of baseline microbiological and host factors in an inception cohort of people with surgical wounds healing by secondary intention reveals circulating IL-6 levels as a potential predictive biomarker of healing
Authors: Buckley Hannah , Dumville Jo , Hodgkinson Michael , Wearmouth Debbie , Barlow Gavin , van der Woude Marjan , Cullum Nicky , Chetter Ian , Lagos Dimitris
Published: November 2020

Background: More than 2 million people per year are treated for surgical wounds in the UK.  Over a quarter of these wounds are estimated to heal by secondary intention (from the “bottom up”) resulting in further complications and requiring increased healthcare resources. Identification of microbiological or host biomarkers that can predict healing outcomes may help to optimize the management of surgical wounds healing by secondary intention. However, the microbial and host factor heterogeneity amongst this diverse population is completely unexplored.

Methods: We demonstrate feasibility of determining presence and levels of wound microbes and systemic host factors in an inception cohort of 54 people presenting with surgical wounds healing by secondary intention, who were subsequently followed-up for a period of 12-21 months. We present descriptive statistics for plasma levels of inflammatory, angiogenic cytokines and microRNAs, and we identify a range of wound colonizing microbes. We tentatively explore association with healing aiming to generate hypotheses for future research.

Results: We report a potential correlation between poor healing outcomes and elevated interleukin (IL)-6 plasma levels at presentation (ρ=0.13) which requires confirmation.  

Conclusions: This study demonstrates the degree of biological heterogeneity amongst people with surgical wounds healing by secondary intention and proves the feasibility of embedding a biomarker discovery study in a cohort study in surgical wounds. Our results are essential for designing large biomarker discovery studies to further investigate the potential validity of circulating IL-6 or other factors as novel predictive biomarkers of healing for surgical wounds healing by secondary intention.
Integrating economic and health evidence to inform Covid-19 policy in low- and middle- income countries
Authors: Vassall Anna , Sweeney Sedona , Barasa Edwine , Prinja Shankar , Keogh-Brown Marcus R , Tarp Jensen Henning , Smith Richard , Baltussen Rob , M Eggo Rosalind , Jit Mark
Published: November 2020

Covid-19 requires policy makers to consider evidence on both population health and economic welfare. Over the last two decades, the field of health economics has developed a range of analytical approaches and contributed to the institutionalisation of processes to employ economic evidence in health policy. We present a discussion outlining how these approaches and processes need to be applied more widely to inform Covid-19 policy; highlighting where they may need to be adapted conceptually and methodologically, and providing examples of work to date. We focus on the evidential and policy needs of low- and middle-income countries; where there is an urgent need for evidence to navigate the policy trade-offs between health and economic well-being posed by the Covid-19 pandemic.
On the Question of the Reliability of the Fair Value Measurement
Authors: Mislavskaya N.
Published: November 2020

Th e article analyzes the emerging problems in the process of assessing assets and liabilities at fair value. Attention is drawn to the inconsistencies and inaccuracies that prevent the presentation of fi nancial information useful for making management and investment decisions by interested users. Th e reason for what is happening is associated with ignoring, in the process of determining the fair value of accounting items, market characteristics, among which economic growth stands out. Th e author insists on the need to introduce into the assessment methodology not only the characteristics of assets and liabilities, but also the corresponding market characteristics.
The Plural of Goal: Learning in a World of Ambiguity
Authors: Levinthal Daniel A. , Rerup Claus
Published: November 2020

In the Carnegie School tradition of experiential learning, learning processes are driven by the encoding of performance outcomes as a success or failure relative to a goal. We expand this line of inquiry by highlighting how conflicting and thus ambiguous outcomes across multiple goals make interpretation a critical aspect of organizational learning processes. In early work in the Carnegie tradition, interpretation played a role in the demarcation between what constituted success or failure on a given outcome metric. However, in March’s latter writings, learning and decision making produce an arena or even an opportunity for generating interpretations and broader meanings regarding roles, values, and identities. We explore how the two interpretive approaches in March’s work play out across three modes of responses to ambiguity. First, the process of self-enhancement whereby participants interpret conflictual outcomes so that they, the participants, appear in a positive light. Second, an explicit political process regarding the contestation of how to interpret conflicting outcomes. Third, from the perspective of the organizations’ literature on wisdom, participants may embrace ambiguity either to enhance learning or simply to enrich individuals’ interpretation of their experiences. Although these three modes of response do not offer a complete set of responses for learning in a world of ambiguity, they constitute valuable touchstones for the perspective we wish to put forward and, collectively, help enrich our understanding of the role of learning, ambiguity and interpretation within the Carnegie School.
Mouth cancer – What is it to Me and You?
Authors: Lewis Mike
Published: November 2020

The single most important factor in improving mouth cancer survival rates is detecting a tumour before it has reached 2 cm in diameter and has not metastasized to the lymph nodes. Clear descriptions of the abnormalities are essential in referrals to aid the vetting process. The introduction of the lockdown has reduced the number of referrals, which will undoubtedly have a negative impact for patients.
The Prevention of Tooth Wear
Authors: Mehta Shamir B , Banerji Subir
Published: November 2020

With adult dentitions being retained for longer, issues relating to the wear of teeth are increasingly becoming of relevance to the general dental practitioner. As with any treatment plan, prevention is a fundamental and an important stage in the management of tooth wear. This article outlines the contemporary preventive features that the general dental practitioner should be aware of when dealing with patients presenting with tooth wear or exhibiting a susceptibility to this.

CPD/Clinical Relevance: An understanding of the factors relevant to the prevention of tooth wear will enable an effective preventive regimen to be prescribed. This will play an integral role in the management of tooth wear and its sequalae.
Minimally Invasive Selective Caries Removal put into Practice
Authors: Dawett Bhupinder , Young Sarah , Deery Chris , Banerjee Avijit
Published: November 2020

Dental caries remains a significant health problem globally, causing morbidity in those affected and consuming health resources. The management of caries consumes considerable finances both for individuals and the public purse. The scientific understanding of the dental caries process has evolved considerably over the last four decades with a move towards a minimum intervention oral care (MIOC) approach to managing patients. The minimally invasive operative intervention that retains demineralised, caries-affected dentine under a well-sealed restoration in order to avoid instrumentation close to the pulp, has shown clinical efficacy in treating individual teeth, as part of the MIOC framework. However, implementation of the selective caries removal approach in deep lesions is still not thought to be practised routinely by clinicians both globally, and in the UK. This article discusses some of the issues that may account for this and describes a case study using this operative strategy.

CPD/Clinical Relevance: Restoring deep carious lesions can be a challenge, but using selective caries removal approaches will help minimise the adverse effects of pulp trauma.
Measuring Oral Health: From Simple Scoring to a Combined Risk-assessment Approach
Authors: Burke FJ Trevor , Chapple Liz , Busby M
Published: November 2020

The ability to measure oral health is central to successful, patient-oriented clinical practice. In this regard, there have been a variety of definitions of oral health over the years, with the most recent being one by the FDI. Specific quality measures have been designed to assess, for example, the technical excellence of restorations, periodontal health, tooth wear, and, depth of caries (e.g. ICDAS). However, a single index that would produce a composite score of oral health could be considered desirable and the ideal criteria for this are discussed, namely, that it should be reproducible and valid, readily understood and capable of being used by dentists with minimal instruction and training. The profession has now entered the era of personalised medicine where risk factors need to be identified and patients educated about these, thus empowering them to work with their care provider and at home to take responsibility for their own dental health. As a result, a variety of oral health assessments, which include assessments of risk factors, have now become available: examples of these are described, with suggestions regarding the implementation of such into a clinician's practice being given.

CPD/Clinical Relevance: The ability to measure oral health is central to successful clinical practice.
Platelet-rich plasma in the treatment of equine orthopaedic disease
Authors: Tucker Rachel
Published: November 2020

Platelet-rich plasma is a blood-derived, autologous product, which contains a mixture of growth factors, cells and cytokines. These substances are integral in the regulation of the inflammatory process and repair of tissues, although their methods of action are highly complex and not fully elucidated. The content of a platelet-rich plasma product is variable and the optimal concentrations of prime constituents such as platelets, growth factors and leucocytes are not known. A lack of uniformity of products and treatment protocols, along with study design limitations, means that the efficacy of platelet-rich plasma in healing tendon and ligament injuries is yet to be proven or disproven. Nevertheless platelet-rich plasma has gained widespread use in clinical practice primarily for the treatment of these injuries, among other applications. There are no widespread published or anecdotal concerns over the safety of platelet-rich plasma; however, synovial fluid analysis reveals an acute inflammatory response following intra-articular injection of a leucocyte-rich product.
Dialogues in pandemic politics: COVID-19 and the struggle to re-order relations in the Persian Gulf
Authors: Mabon Simon
Published: November 2020

Over the past decade, regional politics across the Persian Gulf - and within the GCC in particular - has increasingly been characterised by suspicion and mutual distrust. Predominantly appearing in the guise of tensions between the Arab side of the Gulf on the west and the Iranian side on the east - divisions which are exacerbated by ethnicity, religion, economics, geopolitics, demographics, and geography - are coupled with intra-Arab and intra-GCC tensions about the nature of regional order. Yet at times of crisis, as Michael Barnett (1998) astutely observed, opportunities emerge to reshape the nature of relations. In what follows I reflect on Barnett’s Constructivist take to explore the nature of Persian Gulf politics at a regional level. Other contributors to this special issue take a deeper dive into the intricacies of political, social, economic, governance and human rights concerns and, as such, I will largely steer clear of such observations. Instead, I will engage in a broader set of reflections about the nature of regional order and the impact of the pandemic on changing order.
Person Ability Scores as an Alternative to Norm-Referenced Scores as Outcome Measures in Studies of Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Authors: Farmer Cristan A. , Kaat Aaron J. , Thurm Audrey , Anselm Irina , Akshoomoff Natacha , Bennett Amanda , Berry Leandra , Bruchey Aleksandra , Barshop Bruce A. , Berry-Kravis Elizabeth , Bianconi Simona , Cecil Kim M. , Davis Robert J. , Ficicioglu Can , Porter Forbes D. , Wainer Allison , Goin-Kochel Robin P. , Leonczyk Caroline , Guthrie Whitney , Koeberl Dwight , Love-Nichols Jamie , Mamak Eva , Mercimek-Andrews Saadet , Thomas Rebecca P. , Spiridigliozzi Gail A. , Sullivan Nancy , Sutton Vernon R. , Udhnani Manisha D. , Waisbren Susan E. , Miller Judith S.
Published: November 2020

Although norm-referenced scores are essential to the identification of disability, they possess several features which affect their sensitivity to change. Norm-referenced scores often decrease over time among people with neurodevelopmental disorders who exhibit slower-than-average increases in ability. Further, the reliability of norm-referenced scores is lower at the tails of the distribution, resulting in floor effects and increased measurement error for people with neurodevelopmental disorders. In contrast, the person ability scores generated during the process of constructing a standardized test with item response theory are designed to assess change. We illustrate these limitations of norm-referenced scores, and relative advantages of ability scores, using data from studies of autism spectrum disorder and creatine transporter deficiency.
A Psychometric Evaluation of the Motor-Behavioral Assessment Scale for Use as an Outcome Measure in Rett Syndrome Clinical Trials
Authors: Raspa Melissa , Bann Carla M. , Gwaltney Angela , Benke Timothy A. , Fu Cary , Glaze Daniel G. , Haas Richard , Heydemann Peter , Jones Mary , Kaufmann Walter E. , Lieberman David , Marsh Eric , Peters Sarika , Ryther Robin , Standridge Shannon , Skinner Steven A. , Percy Alan K. , Neul Jeffrey L.
Published: November 2020

Rett syndrome (RTT) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that primarily affects females. Recent work indicates the potential for disease modifying therapies. However, there remains a need to develop outcome measures for use in clinical trials. Using data from a natural history study (n = 1,075), we examined the factor structure, internal consistency, and validity of the clinician-reported Motor Behavior Assessment scale (MBA). The analysis resulted in a five-factor model: (1) motor dysfunction, (2) functional skills, (3) social skills, (4) aberrant behavior, and (5) respiratory behaviors. Item Response Theory (IRT) analyses demonstrated that all items had acceptable discrimination. The revised MBA subscales showed a positive relationship with parent reported items, age, and a commonly used measure of clinical severity in RTT, and mutation type. Further work is needed to evaluate this measure longitudinally and to add items related to the RTT phenotype.
Enabling technologies for low-latency service migration in 5G transport networks [Invited]
Authors: Li Jun , Chen Lei , Chen Jiajia
Published: November 2020

The fifth generation (5G) mobile communications system is envisioned to serve various mission-critical services such as industrial automation, cloud robotics, and safety-critical vehicular communications. To satisfy the stringent end-to-end latency requirement of these services, fog computing has been regarded as a promising technology to be integrated into 5G networks, in which computing, storage, and network functions are provisioned close to end users, thus significantly reducing the latency caused in transport networks. However, in the context of fog-computing-enabled 5G networks, the high mobility feature of users brings critical challenges to satisfy the stringent quality of service requirements. To address this issue, service migration, which transmits the associated services from the current fog server to the target one to follow the users’ travel trace and keep the service continuity, has been considered. However, service migration cannot always be completed immediately and may lead to a situation where users experience a loss of service access. In this regard, low-latency service migration plays a key role to reduce the negative effects on services being migrated. In this paper, the factors that affect the performance of service migration are analyzed. To enable low-latency service migration, three main enabling technologies are reviewed, including migration strategies, low-latency, and high-capacity mobile backhaul network design, and adaptive resource allocation. Based on a summary of the reviewed technologies, we conclude that dynamic resource allocation is the worthiest one to research. Therefore, we carry out a use case, where reinforcement learning (RL) is adopted for autonomous bandwidth allocation in support of low-latency service migration in a dynamic traffic environment and evaluate its performance compared to two benchmarks. The simulation demonstrates that the RL-based algorithm is able to self-adapt to a dynamic traffic environment and gets converged performance, which has an obviously smaller impact on non-migration traffic than the two benchmarks while keeping the migration success probability high. Meanwhile, unlike the benchmarks, the RL-based method shows performance fluctuations before getting converged, which may cause unstable system performance. It calls for future research on advanced smart policies that can get convergence quickly, particularly for handling the migration of latency-sensitive services in 5G transport networks.
Backpropagation neural network assisted concentration prediction of biconical microfiber sensors
Authors: Zhang Yaping , Li Mengjie , Lin Zhili , Zhang Xining , Dai Hao , Liu Juan , Yu Hang , Wu Zhijun , Pu Jixiong
Published: November 2020

The response of the optical microfiber sensor has a big difference due to the slight change in fiber structure, which greatly reduces the reliability of microfiber sensors and limits its practical applications. To avoid the nonlinear influences of microfiber deformation and individual differences on sensing performance, a backpropagation neural network (BPNN) is proposed for concentration prediction based on biconical microfiber (BMF) sensors. Microfiber diameter, cone angle, and relative intensity are the key input parameters for detecting the concentration of chlorophyll-a (from ∼0.03 mg/g to ∼0.10 mg/g). Hundreds of relative intensity-concentration data pairs acquired from 32 BMF sensors are used for the network training. The prediction ability of the model is evaluated by the root-mean-square error (RMSE) and the fitness value (F). The prediction performance of BPNN is compared with the traditional linear-fitting line method. After training, BPNN could adapt to the BMF sensors with different structural parameters and predict the nonlinear response caused by the small structural changes of microfiber. The concentration prediction given by BPNN is much closer to the actual measured value than the one obtained by the linear fitting curve (RMSE 1.84×10−3 mg/g vs. 4.6×10−3 mg/g). The numbers of training data and hidden layers of the BPNN are discussed respectively. The prediction results indicate that the one-hidden-layer network trained by more training data provides the best performance (RMSE and fitness values are 1.63×10−3 mg/g and 97.91%, respectively) in our experiments. With the help of BPNN, the performance of the BMF sensor is acceptable to the geometric deformation and fabrication error of microfiber, which provides an opportunity for the practical application of sensors based on micro/nanofibers.
Numerical study of solitonic pulse generation in the self-injection locking regime at normal and anomalous group velocity dispersion
Authors: Kondratiev Nikita M. , Lobanov Valery E. , Lonshakov Evgeny A. , Dmitriev Nikita Yu. , Voloshin Andrey S. , Bilenko Igor A.
Published: November 2020

We developed an original model describing the process of the frequency comb generation in the self-injection locking regime and performed numerical simulation of this process. Generation of the dissipative Kerr solitons in the self-injection locking regime at anomalous group velocity dispersion was studied numerically. Different regimes of the soliton excitation depending on the locking phase, backscattering parameter and pump power were identified. It was also proposed and confirmed numerically that self-injection locking may provide an easy way for the generation of the frequency combs at normal group velocity dispersion. Generation of platicons was demonstrated and studied in detail. The parameter range providing platicon excitation was found.
Enhanced multifocal structured illumination microscopy with desired optical sectioning capability and lateral resolution improvement
Authors: Zhang Chenshuang , Zhang Wei , Yu Bin , Danying Lin , Qu Junle
Published: November 2020

Multifocal structured illumination microscopy (MSIM) can rapidly
retrieve 3D structures of thick samples by using multi-spot excitation
and detection. Although numerous super-resolution (SR) and optical
sectioning (OS) methods have been introduced in this field, the
existing OS-SR method in MSIM still has the difficulty in rejecting
deep defocused light, which may lead to strong background signal in
the retrieved results. To this end, an enhanced OS-SR method is
proposed to simultaneously achieve the desired OS capability and
significant resolution improvement in MSIM. The enhanced OS-SR image
is obtained by combining the standard deviation image with the
conventional OS-SR image in the frequency domain. The validity of the
proposed method is demonstrated by simulation and experimental
results.
Mms19 promotes spindle microtubule assembly in Drosophila neural stem cells
Authors: Chippalkatti Rohan , Egger Boris , Suter Beat
Published: November 2020

Mitotic divisions depend on the timely assembly and proper orientation of the mitotic spindle. Malfunctioning of these processes can considerably delay mitosis, thereby compromising tissue growth and homeostasis, and leading to chromosomal instability. Loss of functional Mms19 drastically affects the growth and development of mitotic tissues in Drosophila larvae and we now demonstrate that Mms19 is an important factor that promotes spindle and astral microtubule (MT) growth, and MT stability and bundling. Mms19 function is needed for the coordination of mitotic events and for the rapid progression through mitosis that is characteristic of neural stem cells. Surprisingly, Mms19 performs its mitotic activities through two different pathways. By stimulating the mitotic kinase cascade, it triggers the localization of the MT regulatory complex TACC/Msps (Transforming Acidic Coiled Coil/Minispindles, the homolog of human ch-TOG) to the centrosome. This activity of Mms19 can be rescued by stimulating the mitotic kinase cascade. However, other aspects of the Mms19 phenotypes cannot be rescued in this way, pointing to an additional mechanism of Mms19 action. We provide evidence that Mms19 binds directly to MTs and that this stimulates MT stability and bundling.
COPB2 gene silencing inhibits colorectal cancer cell proliferation and induces apoptosis via the JNK/c-Jun signaling pathway
Authors: Wang Yan , Xie Guangmei , Li Min , Du Juan , Wang Min
Published: November 2020

Objectives

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common malignant human tumors. It is associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. In recent years, tumor gene therapy has emerged as a promising new approach for colorectal cancer therapy. Herein, we identify and analyze the role of COPB2 (coatomer protein complex, subunit beta 2) in proliferation and apoptosis of CRC cells.

Methods

To investigate the role of COPB2 in the proliferation and apoptosis of CRC cells, a shCOPB2 vector and a shCtrl vector were constructed for transfection into RKO and HCT116 cells. Cells proliferation was subsequently measured via cell counting kit-8 (CCK8) assay and Celigo cell counting assay. Apoptosis was measured via flow cytometry. The activity level of Caspase 3/7 was measured. Finally, the level of several JNK/c-Jun apoptosis pathway-related proteins were measured to characterize the mechanism of apoptosis.

Results

Our results showed that the proliferation rate was decreased and the apoptosis rate was increased in shCOPB2-treated RKO and HCT116 cells compared to those in controls. After the silencing of COPB2, JNK/c-Jun signal pathway activation was increased, the expression levels of apoptosis pathway-related proteins, such as Bad, p53 and Caspase 3, were also increased.

Conclusion

COPB2 gene silencing can inhibit RKO and HCT116 cells proliferation and induce apoptosis via the JNK/c-Jun signaling pathway.
Using the NIH Research, Condition and Disease Categorization Database for research advocacy: Schizophrenia research at NIMH as an example
Authors: Torrey E. Fuller , Knable Michael B. , Rush A. John , Simmons Wendy W. , Snook John , Jaffe D. J.
Published: November 2020

In 2008 the National Institutes of Health established the Research, Condition and Disease Categorization Database (RCDC) that reports the amount spent by NIH institutes for each disease. Its goal is to allow the public “to know how the NIH spends their tax dollars,” but it has been little used. The RCDC for 2018 was used to assess 428 schizophrenia-related research projects funded by the National Institute of Mental Health. Three senior psychiatrists independently rated each on its likelihood (“likely”, “possible”, “very unlikely”) of improving the symptoms and/or quality of life for individuals with schizophrenia within 20 years. At least one reviewer rated 386 (90%), and all three reviewers rated 302 (71%), of the research projects as very unlikely to provide clinical improvement within 20 years. Reviewer agreement for the “very unlikely” category was good; for the “possible” category was intermediate; and for the “likely” category was poor. At least one reviewer rated 30 (7%) of the research projects as likely to provide clinical improvement within 20 years. The cost of the 30 projects was 5.5% of the total NIMH schizophrenia-related portfolio or 0.6% of the total NIMH budget. Study results confirm previous 2016 criticisms that the NIMH schizophrenia-related research portfolio disproportionately underfunds clinical research that might help people currently affected. Although the results are preliminary, since the RCDC database has not previously been used in this manner and because of the subjective nature of the assessment, the database would appear to be a useful tool for disease advocates who wish to ascertain how NIH spends its public funds.