bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparative review and the recent progress in detection technologies of meat product adulteration
Authors: Li Yun‐Cheng , Liu Shu‐Yan , Meng Fan‐Bing , Liu Da‐Yu , Zhang Yin , Wang Wei , Zhang Jia‐Min
Published: June 2020

Meat adulteration, mainly for the purpose of economic pursuit, is widespread and leads to serious public health risks, religious violations, and moral loss. Rapid, effective, accurate, and reliable detection technologies are keys to effectively supervising meat adulteration. Considering the importance and rapid advances in meat adulteration detection technologies, a comprehensive review to summarize the recent progress in this area and to suggest directions for future progress is beneficial. In this review, destructive meat adulteration technologies based on DNA, protein, and metabolite analyses and nondestructive technologies based on spectroscopy were comparatively analyzed. The advantages and disadvantages, application situations of these technologies were discussed. In the future, determining suitable indicators or markers is particularly important for destructive methods. To improve sensitivity and save time, new interdisciplinary technologies, such as biochips and biosensors, are promising for application in the future. For nondestructive techniques, convenient and effective chemometric models are crucial, and the development of portable devices based on these technologies for onsite monitoring is a future trend. Moreover, omics technologies, especially proteomics, are important methods in laboratory detection because they enable multispecies detection and unknown target screening by using mass spectrometry databases.
Changes in cocoa properties induced by the alkalization process: A review
Authors: Valverde García Damián , Pérez Esteve Édgar , Barat Baviera José Manuel
Published: June 2020

Alkalization, also known as “Dutching,” is an optional, but very useful, step taken in the production chain of cocoa to darken its color, modify its taste, and increase natural cocoa solubility. Over the years, various attempts have been made to design new and more effective alkalization methods. Moreover, different authors have attempted to elucidate the impact of alkalization on the physicochemical, nutritional, functional, microbiological, and sensory characteristics of alkalized cocoa. The aim of this review is to provide a clear guide about not only the conditions that can be applied to alkalize cocoa, but also the reported effects of alkalization on the nutritional, functional, microbiological, and sensory characteristics of cocoa. The first part of this review describes different cocoa alkalization systems and how they can be tuned to induce specific changes in cocoa properties. The second part is a holistic analysis of the effects of the alkalization process on different cocoa features, performed by emphasizing the biochemistry behind all these transformations.
Effects of atmospheric pressure plasma jet on the physicochemical, functional, and antioxidant properties of flaxseed protein
Authors: Yu Xiao , Huang Shasha , Nie Chengzhen , Deng Qianchun , Zhai Yafei , Shen Ruiling
Published: June 2020

The aim of this study was to explore the effect of atmospheric pressure plasma jet (APPJ) on the physicochemical, functional, and antioxidant properties of flaxseed protein following APPJ treatment (0 to 240 s). The results showed that the pH value continuously dropped with the minimum value of 3.45 ± 0.15 after 240 s of APPJ treatment (–61.7%, P < 0.05). The relative protein solubility significantly declined after 15 s of APPJ treatment (–43.1%, P < 0.05), which was accompanied by the evident increase in mean particle size of flaxseed protein in aqueous solution (+157%, P < 0.05). Moreover, the surface hydrophobicity and contents of disulfide bonds gradually raised when the APPJ exposure time extended from 30 to 240 s. Notably, the foaming, emulsifying, and in vitro antioxidant properties of flaxseed protein were significantly improved following short time of APPJ treatment (5 to 15 s), which was paralleled with the changes of spatial conformation, mild protein oxidation, as well as the release of phenolic acids and flavonoids from naturally occurring protein–phenolic complex. Our findings elucidated that APPJ may be considered as an effective strategy to improve the functionality and antioxidant activities of flaxseed protein.

Practical Application

We had evaluated the effect of APPJ treatment on the physicochemical, functional, and antioxidant properties of flaxseed protein, which was conducive to tailor flaxseed protein with the optimal techno‐functionality and antioxidant activities as a potential nano‐delivery vehicle.
Quantitative Analysis of Natural and Human Factors of Oasis Change in the Tail of Shiyang River over the Past 60 Years
Authors: CHEN Yong , YANG Guojing , ZHOU Lihua , LIAO Jie , WEI Xuan
Published: June 2020

The human and natural factors complicit in the driving forces of oasis change have always received considerable interest from the international research community. In this study, we used principal component analysis of natural and socioeconomic statistical factors to quantitatively analyze the causal relationships and their contributions to the observed periodic expansion or shrinkage of the Minqin Oasis over almost 60 years. Our results show that human factors were the dominant factors governing expansion or shrinkage, with average contributions of 69.38% and 76.16%, respectively. Moreover, policy decisions have been the pivotal human factors. Under the influence of various policies, we have found that water resource utilization, land reclamation, population explosion, ecological protection and economic development have each played leading roles in different periods. This study provides a scientific basis for modelling the dynamics of an oasis for sustainable management.
Lacustrine Record of 1954 Flood Event on Begnas and Rupa Lake, Central Nepal
Authors: ACHARYA Sudip , Can‐Ge LI , JI Kejia , SUN Zhe , WANG Mingda , HOU Juzhi
Published: June 2020

In recent decades, there have been discussions and predictions regarding the impact of climate on floods, due to its socioeconomic and environmental consequences. For accurate prediction of future flood events and their impacts, it is crucial to have an improved understanding on past flood events. Lacustrine sediments have been used as a natural archive to study the past flood events. Here, we study the impact of 1954 flood event on the lacustrine environment of Bengas and Rupa Lake in central Nepal based on X‐ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF) element analysis, magnetic susceptibility (MS), total organic carbon (TOC) and the biomarker molecular compositions. Results showed that 1954 flood event had significant impacts on the two lakes in terms of detrital input, organic matter deposition and aquatic production. Before the flood event, both two studied lakes had relatively lower catchment erosion rate, lower organic matter deposition and aquatic production. During the flood event, catchment erosion and aquatic production increased in both lakes due to mass transport deposits and the increased nutrition loading attributed to flood event. Following the flood event, Begnas Lake showed the sharp increase in organic matter deposition, whereas in the Rupa Lake organic matter deposition showed minor changes. The difference in organic matter deposition in lakes during flooding event is likely due to detrital material brought and deposited by the flood activity. Overall our results suggest that lacustrine sediments are sensitive to the extreme event and would be an ideal archive for the reconstruction of flood events.
The ‘Badlands’ of the ‘Balkan Route’: Policy and Spatial Effects on Urban Refugee Housing
Authors: Bird Gemma , Obradovic‐Wochnik Jelena , Beattie Amanda Russell , Rozbicka Patrycja
Published: June 2020

Refugee camps and reception and identification centres (RICs) have long been imagined as ‘the best’ or ‘most suitable’ places for displaced people by states and border management authorities. In contrast, informal housing often provided by activist groups, is frequently framed as a part of the urban ‘badlands’. Drawing on research carried out between 2015 and 2019 in key spaces in Greece and Serbia along the so‐called ‘Balkan Route’, this article engages with the concept of the ‘badlands’ as a lens through which to consider the different types of housing made available for refugees in key urban centres. Following Dikeç (2007), Neely and Samura (2011), and Shabazz (2015), we examine how sites of refugee accommodation are imagined through the lenses of place, space and race and how this shapes policy responses. We ask: what are the main divergences and variations between formal refugee housing and informal sites? Why, given the poor conditions of most refugee camps, are they still viewed as the ‘best’ solution to housing? What role do policy decisions play in ‘othering’ spaces, places, groups and individuals? We examine the spatial effects of multiple policy levels and interventions (EU, national, local, grassroots) on refugee accommodation.
The Spiral of Sovereignty: Enacting and Entangling the State from Haiti's Streets
Authors: Kivland Chelsey L.
Published: June 2020

How, and at what cost, do people improvise political communities in the face of state collapse? In the neglected sectors of urban Haiti, groups of young men broker relations with politicians, state agents, and NGO workers to secure representation, resources, and jobs for themselves and neighbors. Although often classified as apolitical criminal gangs, these groups (locally calledbaz) more accurately express a novel mode of state‐making in their attempts to perform governance and make other governing agents active in the zone. The baz has proved an innovative and often effective form of political brokerage in the current configuration of state and NGO governance while at the same time precipitating contests of leadership that exacerbate neighborhood insecurity. Still, I argue that this effort to reconstitute state‐like modes of rule and order offers an important lesson for political thought: one that counters prevailing modes of conceptualizing the state as that which should be avoided. In the stead of a vitiated government, the state can resurface as the aspirational bedrock of the good society. [governance, gangs, urban politics, state and sovereignty, Haiti]
Hinglaj Devi: Solidifying Hindu Identity at a Hindu Temple in Pakistan
Authors: Schaflechner Jürgen
Published: June 2020

By exploring the features of Hinglaj Devi, the most important Hindu pilgrimage site in Pakistan, this article reveals how one local caste's version became hegemonic at Hinglaj and has today become practically synonymous with the “real” or the “actual” tradition of the goddess. Mainly utilizing my ethnographic material, this article describes how the increasingly plural religious landscapes at Hinglaj—seen in the vast crowds the annual festivals attract from a wide range of castes, languages, ethnicities, and nationalities—has not led to a democratization of interpretation of the shrine's various traditions but rather to the solidification of a particular interpretation of Hinduism favored by the local Lasi Lohana community. Thanks to the vast institutional network attached to the temple committee—largely composed of Lasi Lohana group members—Lohana practices at the temple have been framed and disseminated in a way that suggests their association with broader notions of progress and education. [ritual journey, solidification, Baluchistan, Hinglaj Devi, Pakistani Hinduism]
Citizens' juries give verdict on whether private practice veterinarians should attend unvaccinated Hendra virus suspect horses
Authors: Annand EJ , Reid PA , Johnson J , Gilbert GL , Taylor M , Walsh M , Ward MP , Wilson A , Degeling C
Published: June 2020

Background

Hendra virus (HeV) is endemic in Australian flying foxes, posing a threat to equine and human health. Equine vaccination remains the most effective risk mitigation strategy. Many horses remain unvaccinated – even in higher‐risk regions. Debate surrounding the vaccine's use is characterised by conflicting perspectives, misunderstanding and mistrust. Private veterinary practitioners are critical to early identification of public health risk through recognition, sampling and management of suspect‐equine‐HeV‐cases. However, managing such cases can be burdensome, with some veterinarians opting not to attend unvaccinated horses or to abandon equine practice because of risk posed by HeV disease and liability.

Objective

Ascertain the perspectives of informed citizens on what obligations (if any) private veterinarians have to attend unvaccinated horses with HeV or HeV‐like disease.

Methods

Three citizens' juries were tasked with considering approaches to managing HeV risk in Australia, including (reported here) roles and obligations of private veterinarians in responding to HeV‐suspect‐cases.

Results

Jurors acknowledged that HeV management posed an important challenge for private veterinarians. A clear majority (27 of 31 jurors) voted that veterinarians should not be obliged to attend unvaccinated horses. All recognised that greater support for veterinarians should be a priority.

Conclusions

When informed of HeV risks and strategies for control and management, citizens appreciated the need to support veterinarians performing this critical ‘One Health’ role for public benefit. The current governance framework within which zoonotic disease recognition and response operates limits the contingency and scope for increasing support and efficacy of these important veterinary public health practices.
Advancing structured decision‐making in drug regulation at the FDA and EMA
Authors: Angelis Aris , Phillips Lawrence D.
Published: June 2020

The recent benefit–risk framework (BRF) developed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is intended to improve the clarity and consistency in communicating the reasoning behind the FDA's decisions, acting as an important advancement in US drug regulation. In the PDUFA VI implementation plan, the FDA states that it will continue to explore more structured or quantitative decision analysis approaches; however, it restricts their use within the current BRF that is purely qualitative. By contrast, European regulators and researchers have been long exploring the use of quantitative decision analysis approaches for evaluating drug benefit–risk balance. In this paper, we show how quantitative modelling, backed by decision theory, could complement and extend the FDA's BRF to better support the appraisal of evidence and improve decision outcomes. After providing relevant scientific definitions for benefit–risk assessment and describing the FDA and European Medicines Agency (EMA) frameworks, we explain the components of and differences between qualitative and quantitative approaches. We present lessons learned from the EMA experience with the use of quantitative modelling and we provide evidence of its benefits, illustrated by a real case study that helped to resolve differences of judgements among EMA regulators.
Bone mineral density improves during 2 years of treatment with bisphosphonates in patients with ankylosing spondylitis
Authors: Arends Suzanne , Wink Freke , Veneberg Joyce , Bos Reinhard , van Roon Eric , van der Veer Eveline , Maas Fiona , Spoorenberg Anneke
Published: June 2020

Aims

To evaluate whether 2 years of treatment with bisphosphonates in combination with calcium/vitamin D supplements has an effect on lumbar spine and hip bone mineral density (BMD) in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients starting tumour necrosis factor‐α inhibitors or receiving conventional treatment. Secondly, to explore the development of radiographic vertebral fractures.

Methods

Patients from the Groningen Leeuwarden AS cohort receiving bisphosphonates based on clinical indication and available 2‐year follow‐up BMD measurements were included. BMD of lumbar spine (L1–L4) and hip (total proximal femur) were measured using dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry. Spinal radiographs (Th4–L4) were scored for vertebral fractures according to the Genant method.

Results

In the 20 included patients (median 52 years, 14 males), lumbar spine and hip BMD Z‐scores increased significantly; median from −1.5 (interquartile range [IQR] −2.2 to 0.4) to 0.1 (IQR −1.5 to 1.0); P < .001 and median from −1.0 (IQR −1.6 to −0.7) to −0.8 (IQR −1.2 to 0.0); P = .006 over 2 years, respectively. In patients also treated with tumour necrosis factor‐α inhibitors (n = 11), lumbar spine and hip BMD increased significantly (median 2‐year change +8.6% [IQR 2.4 to 19.6; P = .009] and +3.6% [IQR 0.7–9.0; P = .007]). In patients on conventional treatment (n = 9), lumbar spine BMD increased significantly (median 2‐year change +3.6%; IQR 0.7 to 9.0; P = .011) and no improvement was seen in hip BMD (median −0.6%; IQR −3.1 to 5.1; P = .61). Overall, younger AS males with limited spinal radiographic damage showed most improvement in lumbar spine BMD. Four mild radiographic vertebral fractures developed in 3 patients and 1 fracture increased from mild to moderate over 2 years in postmenopausal women and middle‐aged men.

Conclusion

This explorative observational cohort study in AS showed that 2 years of treatment with bisphosphonates in combination with calcium/vitamin D supplements significantly improves lumbar spine BMD. Mild radiographic vertebral fractures still occurred.
Batch Bayesian optimization design for optimizing a neurostimulator
Authors: Kaplan Adam , Murray Thomas A.
Published: June 2020

Recently, spinal epidural neurostimulation is being considered for rehabilitation of persons suffering from partial spinal‐cord injury. The neurostimulator must be programmed by a neurosurgeon, yet little work has been done to develop rigorous methods for optimally programming the device. We propose an adaptive design to efficiently optimize programming of the neurostimulator based on specified interim evaluations of patient reported preferences. Preferences for the eligible device configurations are estimated after each interim analysis through a conditionally autoregressive model that assumes preference for one configuration is related to preferences for neighboring configurations. Using the adaptively updated preferences, a group of configurations is programmed into the device for the patient to evaluate during the next follow‐up period. This selection is based on a balance of device exploration and preference maximization. We repeat this process until a specified stopping rule or the calibration end is reached. We show simulation studies to evaluate the overall quality of the adaptive calibration for various configuration selection strategies and the effects of stopping it early.
68Ga‐PSMA‐PET/CT helps to select patients for salvage radical prostatectomy with local recurrence after primary radiotherapy for prostate cancer
Authors: Pfister David , Haidl Friederike , Nestler Tim , Verburg Frederik , Schmidt Matthias , Wittersheim Maike , Steib Florain , Heidenreich Axel
Published: June 2020

Objective

To investigate the diagnostic performance of gallium‐68 prostate‐specific membrane antigen positron emission tomography/computed tomography (68Ga‐PSMA PET/CT) in patients with recurrent prostate cancer with regard to the presence of lymph node metastases (LNM) and local recurrences after primary radiotherapy.

Patients and methods

We retrospectively reviewed 142 patients following salvage radical prostatectomy (sRP), 50 of which had a 68Ga‐PSMA PET/CT performed as a preoperative staging module. Predictive clinical parameters were analysed in a multivariate Cox regression analysis. Sensitivity, specificity, positive (PPV) and negative predictive values (NPV) and the accuracy of 68Ga‐PSMA PET/CT were analysed with regard to LNM and local recurrence.

Results

In all, 613 lymph nodes were resected in 40 patients and 23 lymph nodes had metastatic deposits in 14 patients. In all patients local recurrence could have been found with 68Ga‐PSMA PET/CT. Sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV and accuracy on a per lymph node basis were 34.78% (16.38–57.2%), 100% (99.38–100%), 100%, 97.52% (96.69–98.15%) and 97.55% (96.00–98.62%). For detecting local recurrence, the sensitivity and PPV were both 100% with an accuracy of 100% (92.89–100%).

Conclusion

68Ga‐PSMA PET/CT should be the standard imaging in biochemical recurrent prostate cancer. With this imaging module one detects first local recurrence and can detect locoregional and distant metastases more precisely than standard CT and bone scan.
More policies and laws, is it better for biodiversity conservation in Malaysia?
Authors: Tong Pei Sin
Published: June 2020

Malaysia is a megadiverse country, and it ratified the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in 1994. Since then, Malaysia has initiated procedures to fulfill its obligations to this multilateral environmental agreement. Among the key developments are the formulation of national biodiversity policies and mainstreaming biodiversity in Malaysia. Drafting biodiversity‐related policies and laws across different sectors is a means to an end in conserving biodiversity. However, the declining forest cover and the relatively high number of threatened species in Malaysia may indicate that biodiversity conservation is not working.
The Programme for International Student Assessment and Google: An analysis of online news in Italy
Authors: Fiore Brunella , Poliandri Donatella
Published: June 2020

Media reporting of results from the survey conducted by the OECD Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) have led to far‐reaching reforms in many countries. The study on which this article reports analysed how media has responded to the survey results in the national context of Italy. Governments have been suggested to either accept, refuse or renegotiate survey results. Our research elaborated on how information on PISA results were conveyed by searches on the internet search engine Google. A review of 353 contributions published on 127 different online news portals in the period between 2006 and 2018 was analysed, with focus specifically on political communication. An exploratory documentary analysis, using quantitative and qualitative analyses, was conducted for identifying the most recurrent themes. News from four online news portals that recorded the highest number of contributions is analysed in depth, namely: Corriere della Sera, Il Sole 24 Ore, La Repubblica, and Orizzonte Scuola. Our analysis suggests that the message about PISA results transmitted by the media was neither rejected nor renegotiated in news, nor by those who contribute to political debates. Nor can the message be understood as accepted since a well‐informed active process of public debate in the media and among the political decision makers has not taken place.
Long‐term nitrogen loading alleviates phosphorus limitation in terrestrial ecosystems
Authors: Chen Ji , van Groenigen Kees J. , Hungate Bruce A. , Terrer César , van Groenigen Jan‐Willem , Maestre Fernando T. , Ying Samantha C. , Luo Yiqi , Jørgensen Uffe , Sinsabaugh Robert L. , Olesen Jørgen E. , Elsgaard Lars
Published: June 2020

Increased human‐derived nitrogen (N) deposition to terrestrial ecosystems has resulted in widespread phosphorus (P) limitation of net primary productivity. However, it remains unclear if and how N‐induced P limitation varies over time. Soil extracellular phosphatases catalyze the hydrolysis of P from soil organic matter, an important adaptive mechanism for ecosystems to cope with N‐induced P limitation. Here we show, using a meta‐analysis of 140 studies and 668 observations worldwide, that N stimulation of soil phosphatase activity diminishes over time. Whereas short‐term N loading (≤5 years) significantly increased soil phosphatase activity by 28%, long‐term N loading had no significant effect. Nitrogen loading did not affect soil available P and total P content in either short‐ or long‐term studies. Together, these results suggest that N‐induced P limitation in ecosystems is alleviated in the long‐term through the initial stimulation of soil phosphatase activity, thereby securing P supply to support plant growth. Our results suggest that increases in terrestrial carbon uptake due to ongoing anthropogenic N loading may be greater than previously thought.
Therapeutic metamorphosis: Findings from a grounded theory study of the impact of low‐dose prophylaxis in children living with haemophilia in India
Authors: T Rohini , Thomas Gino , Paul Linny , Mathew Sheena , Biss Tina , Hanley John P. , Narayana Pillai Vijayakumar
Published: June 2020

Introduction

The clinical benefits of administering low‐dose prophylaxis in children with haemophilia are well established. Qualitative research describing the impact of prophylaxis on quality of life is comparatively rare in this area.

Aim

The aim of this study was to investigate in children the experiences of living and becoming adjusted to haemophilia before prophylaxis, by collecting information directly from children and their parents or guardians. A further goal was to evaluate whether and how the use of low‐dose prophylaxis impacts the disease experience.

Methods

A grounded theory design according to Strauss and Corbin was chosen for this study. The study was conducted in the Haemophilia Treatment Centre at Aluva, Kerala, India and involved nineteen participants (children, mothers, father and grandmothers) who were selected by theoretical sampling. Data were collected through audiotaped interviews, which included demographic and semi‐structured interview questions. Data were coded and evolved into concepts and categories that lead to the emergence of theory.

Results

The study resulted in the construction of ‘Theory of Therapeutic Metamorphosis’. It comprised two stages: stage of bondage (enduring hardships), experienced during the absence of prophylaxis or on‐demand treatment and stage of freedom (deliverance/reductions, energized life/improvements and behaviour to seek prophylaxis) experienced during low‐dose prophylaxis.

Conclusion

This study illustrates the challenges faced by children with haemophilia and their families and the positive impact of low‐dose prophylaxis. Further prospective research studies are required to add to the growing knowledge in this area.
The association between influenza infections in primary care and intensive care admissions for severe acute respiratory infection (SARI): A modelling approach
Authors: van Asten Liselotte , Luna Pinzon Angie , van de Kassteele Jan , Donker Gé , de Lange Dylan W. , Dongelmans Dave A. , de Keizer Nicolette F. , van der Hoek Wim
Published: June 2020

Background

The burden of severe influenza virus infections is poorly known, for which surveillance of severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) is encouraged. Hospitalized SARI patients are however not always tested for influenza virus infection. Thus, to estimate the impact of influenza circulation we studied how influenza in primary care relates to intensive care unit (ICU) admissions using a modelling approach.

Methods

We used time‐series regression modelling to estimate a) the number of SARI admissions to ICU associated with medically attended influenza infections in primary care; b) how this varies by season; and c) the time lag between SARI and influenza time series. We analysed weekly adult ICU admissions (registry data) and adult influenza incidence (primary care surveillance data) from July 2007 through June 2016.

Results

Depending on the year, 0% to 12% of annual SARI admissions were associated with influenza (0‐554 in absolute numbers; population rate: 0/10 000‐0.39/10 000 inhabitants), up to 27% during influenza epidemics. The average optimal fitting lag was +1 week (SARI trend preceding influenza by 1 week), varying between seasons (−1 to +4) with most seasons showing positive lags.

Conclusion

Up to 12% of yearly SARI admissions to adult ICU are associated with influenza, but with large year‐to‐year variation and higher during influenza epidemics. In most years, SARI increases earlier than medically attended influenza infections in the general population. SARI surveillance could thus complement influenza‐like illness surveillance by providing an indication of the season‐specific burden of severe influenza infections and potential early warning of influenza activity and severity.
Factors associated with postsurgical wound infections among breast cancer patients: A retrospective case‐control record review
Authors: Tan Rachel Zhao Fang , Yong Bernice , Aloweni Fazila Abu Bakar , Lopez Violeta
Published: June 2020

Women with non‐metastatic breast cancer will be offered surgery as their first option. Unfortunately, studies have shown that the most common postoperative complication is surgical wound infection (SWI). We investigated the prevalence of SWI in breast cancer patients and identified the factors predictive of its development. The study was conducted at the breast cancer centre in Singapore. A retrospective case‐control review of medical records was used. During the 2013 to 2016 study period, there were 657 postsurgical breast cancer patients with only 105 records eligible for the study. The sample consisted of one to four case:control (21:84), matched according to their age at the time of their surgery. Patients presenting with SWI were grouped into cases, while those without SWI were grouped into the controls. Chi‐square test and Mann‐Whitney U test were used to identify risk factors associated with SWI. Regression analysis of predictive variables from the univariate analyses was included. These variables were type of breast surgery, implants, comorbidities, previous surgery, previous chemotherapy, surgical drains, seroma, blood transfusion, surgeon department, and length of stay. The prevalence of SWI was 9%. Demographic, clinical, and comorbidities were not associated with SWI. However, multivariate analysis found that “surgeon department,” “discharged with surgical drains,” and “postoperative seroma” were predictive of SWI. Monitoring SWI is indispensable to minimise burdens on individuals and institutions. Health care professionals should identify high‐risk patients based on the identified predictive variables. A cross‐institutional record review of SWI in postoperative breast cancer patients should be conducted.
Safety and efficacy of catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation in patients with percutaneous atrial septal closure device
Authors: Garg Jalaj , Shah Kuldeep , Turagam Mohit K. , Janagam Pragna , Natale Andrea , Lakkireddy Dhanunjaya
Published: June 2020

Introduction

Transseptal puncture (TSP) is challenging in patients with prior percutaneous atrial septal defect (ASD) occluder. We aimed to perform a systematic review and meta‐analysis of the safety and efficacy of catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients with percutaneous ASD occluder.

Methods

We searched PubMed, Medline, Embase, Ovid, and Cochrane for studies reporting results of AF ablation (freedom from AF, fluoroscopy/procedure time, and complications) in patients with percutaneous ASD occluders.

Results

Three studies with a total of 64 patients met inclusion criteria. The success rate of TSP was 100%. All patients (but one) underwent TSP under fluoroscopic and intracardiac echocardiography guidance. Freedom from AF was achieved in 77.7% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 65.7–86.3) patients. In the subgroup analysis, comparing septal versus device puncture, no significant difference in recurrence of AF was observed (23.07% vs. 16.66%; risk ratio: 1.18; 95% CI: 0.35–4.00; p = .79, respectively). The total fluoroscopy time was not significantly different in patients with TSP via native septum or device (43.50 vs. 70.67 min; p = .44), total procedural time was significantly longer with TSP via the closure device (237.3 vs. 180 min; p = .004) compared with the native septum. There were no device dislodgement or residual interatrial shunt during the follow‐up period.

Conclusion

Catheter ablation for AF in patients with prior percutaneous ASD closure device is feasible and safe with favorable long‐term outcomes.
TGFβ2 is a prognostic‐related biomarker and correlated with immune infiltrates in gastric cancer
Authors: Xiao Zunqiang , Hu Linjun , Yang Liu , Wang Sheng , Gao Yuling , Zhu Qiaojuan , Yang Guo , Huang Dongsheng , Xu Qiuran
Published: June 2020

TGFβ2 is an essential regulator of immune cell functionality, but the mechanisms whereby it drives immune infiltration in gastric cancer remain uncertain. The Oncomine and Tumor Immunoassay Resource (TIMER) databases were used for assessing the expression of TGFβ2, after which TIMER was used to explore the relationship between TGFβ2 and tumour immune infiltration. Finally, we assessed how TGFβ2 expression correlated with the expression of a set of marker genes associated with immune infiltration using TIMER and GEPIA. We determined TGFβ2 expression to be significantly correlated with outcome in multiple types of cancer in the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), with the effect being particularly pronounced in gastric cancer. Furthermore, elevated TGFβ2 expression was found to be significantly correlated with gastric cancer N staging, and with the expression of a variety of immune markers associated with particular immune cell subsets. These results indicate that TGFΒ2 is associated with patient outcome and tumour immune cell infiltration in multiple cancer types. This suggests that TGFβ2 is a key factor which governs immune cell recruitment to gastric cancer tumours, potentially playing a vital role in governing immune cell infiltration and thus representing a valuable prognostic biomarker in gastric cancer patients.
Sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors compared with other glucose‐lowering drugs in Japan: Subanalyses of the CVD‐REAL 2 Study
Authors: Kohsaka Shun , Takeda Masayoshi , Bodegård Johan , Thuresson Marcus , Kosiborod Mikhail , Yajima Toshitaka , Wittbrodt Eric , Fenici Peter
Published: June 2020

There are limited data on cardiovascular efficacy and safety of type 2 diabetes therapies in Japan, where treatments are characterized by lower metformin use and higher dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 inhibitor (DPP4i) use versus other countries. We investigated the cardiovascular outcomes in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes initiating sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) matched 1:1 to patients initiating other glucose‐lowering drugs (33,890 patients/group) or DPP4i (9,876 patients/group). SGLT2i initiation was associated with lower risks (hazard ratio of in‐hospital death [death] 0.56, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.47–0.67; hospitalization for heart failure 0.75, 95% CI 0.64–0.89; composite of hospitalization for heart failure or death 0.65, 95% CI 0.58–0.74 and stroke 0.66, 95% CI 0.52–0.84 versus other glucose‐lowering drugs and lower risks of death 0.52, 95% CI 0.36–0.73) and composite of hospitalization for heart failure or death (0.65, 95% CI 0.51–0.83) versus DPP4i. In conclusion, SGLT2i initiators had lower risks of cardiovascular events versus other glucose‐lowering drug initiators and, uniquely, versus DPP4i initiators in Japanese real‐world practice.
CTNNBIP1 modulates keratinocyte proliferation through promoting the transcription of β‐catenin/TCF complex downstream genes
Authors: Wang C. , Wang H. , Peng Y. , Zeng B. , Zhang Y. , Tang X. , Mi L. , Pan Y. , Yang Z.
Published: June 2020

Background

During psoriasis initiation and development, deregulations in signalling pathways and gene expression are observed.

Methods

Herein, we downloaded seven sets of microarray mRNA expression profiles showing differentially expressed genes in psoriasis lesion skin and non‐lesion skin tissues and three sets of RNA‐seq data and analysed these online data attempting to screen for crucial genes related to keratinocyte proliferation and psoriasis development. The expression of CTNNBIP1 in psoriasis patients and IMQ mouse model skin tissues were examined by RT‐PCR, immunoblotting and IHC. The functions of CTNNBIP1 on HaCaT cell proliferation, apoptosis and β‐catenin/TCF complex were measured by MTT, EdU, flow cytometry, IF, luciferase assays and immunoblotting.

Results

The expression of catenin beta interacting protein 1 (CTNNBIP1) was remarkably downregulated within psoriasis lesion skin tissue samples compared to that within non‐lesion skin tissues based on both online data and experimental results. In response to a period of different therapies, respectively, CTNNBIP1 expression could be rescued in lesion skin tissues. Within IMQ‐induced psoriasis‐like dermatitis in mice, CTNNBIP1 silence further aggravated psoriatic phenotypes. In human immortalized keratinocytes, HaCaT cells, CTNNBIP1 silence significantly inhibited cell apoptosis and promoted cell proliferation. Regarding the molecular mechanism, CTNNBIP1 silence in HaCaT cells promoted β‐catenin nucleus translocation, enhanced the transcriptional activity of TCF4 and increased β‐catenin/TCF complex downstream c‐Myc and cyclin D1 proteins, and also increased the expression of cell proliferation marker ki‐67. In contrast to CTNNBIP1, the expression of c‐Myc and cyclin D1 showed to be dramatically upregulated within psoriasis lesion tissue samples than that within non‐lesion tissue samples. Within tissues, c‐Myc and cyclin D1 showed to be negatively correlated with CTNNBIP1, respectively.

Conclusions

We identify CTNNBIP1 as an abnormally downregulated gene in psoriasis. CTNNBIP1 silence significantly disturbs the proliferation of keratinocytes through promoting the transcription of β‐catenin/TCF complex downstream genes.
Temporal variability in size and growth of Atlantic herring in the Gulf of Maine
Authors: Becker James R. , Cieri Matthew D. , Libby David A. , St. Gelais Adam , Sherwood Graham , Chen Yong
Published: June 2020

Variability in life history traits and structural diversity of commercially exploited fishes in response to stress can impact their population dynamics and sustainability. Using data from a fishery dependent sampling program from 1978 to 2011, we evaluated temporal variability of size and growth of adult Atlantic herring (Clupea harengus) in the Gulf of Maine. We then developed and tested the hypotheses on the links of such temporal changes to population density and environmental factors and found decreases in size and growth potential. Generalized additive models found that density dependence was the main driver of such changes over sea surface temperature and salinity. Our results highlight the importance of density dependent processes in regulating growth and population size structure for Atlantic herring in the Gulf of Maine.
Non‐Pharmacologic Multicomponent Interventions Preventing Delirium in Hospitalized People
Authors: Ludolph Paul , Stoffers‐Winterling Jutta , Kunzler Angela M. , Rösch Romina , Geschke Katharina , Vahl Christian Friedrich , Lieb Klaus
Published: June 2020

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

Delirium is a common neurobehavioral complication in hospitalized patients with a high prevalence in various clinical settings. Prevention of delirium is critical due to its common occurrence and associated poor outcomes. Our objective was to evaluate the efficacy of multicomponent interventions in preventing incident delirium in hospitalized patients at risk.

DESIGN

Systematic review and meta‐analysis.

SETTING

Hospital.

PARTICIPANTS

We included a study if it was a randomized controlled trial and was evaluating effects of coordinated non‐pharmacologic multicomponent interventions in the prevention of delirium.

MEASUREMENTS

We performed a systematic literature search in PubMed and CENTRAL (PROSPERO: CRD42019138981; last update May 24, 2019). We assessed the quality of included studies by using the criteria established by the Cochrane Collaboration. We extracted the measured outcomes for delirium incidence, duration of delirium, length of hospital stay, falls during hospital stay, discharge to institutional care, and inpatient mortality.

RESULTS

In total, we screened 1,027 eligible records and included eight studies with 2,105 patients in the review. We found evidence of an effect (ie, reduction) of multicomponent interventions on the incidence of delirium (risk ratio = .53; 95% confidence interval = .41‐.69; I2 = 0). We detected no clear evidence of an effect for delirium duration, length of hospital stay, accidental falls, and mortality. Subgroup analyses did not result in findings of substantial effect modifiers, which can be explained by the high homogeneity within studies.

CONCLUSION

Our findings confirm the current guidelines that multicomponent interventions are effective in preventing delirium. Data are still lacking to reach evidence‐based conclusions concerning potential benefits for hard outcomes such as length of hospital stay, return to independent living, and mortality. J Am Geriatr Soc 68:1864‐1871, 2020.
Collagen formula with Djulis for improvement of skin hydration, brightness, texture, crow’s feet, and collagen content: A double‐blind, randomized, placebo‐controlled trial
Authors: Lin Ping , Alexander Ruth Audy , Liang Chia‐Hua , Liu Cheng , Lin Yung‐Hao , Lin Yung‐Hsiang , Chan Leong‐Perng , Kuan Chen‐Meng
Published: June 2020

Background

The efficacy of Djulis for skin care is currently based on cellular or animal models, and the clinical aspect is not in place.

Aim

This clinical study is to investigate the synergistic effect of fish collagen and Djulis (Chenopodium formosanum Koidz.) for improvement of skin parameters. We used the combination of hydrolyzed collagen and Djulis to develop a new functional formula for skin improvement.

Patients/Methods

Fifty volunteers were randomly allocated (in a 1:1 ratio) to the placebo or collagen drink group. Volunteers were required to consume a 50 mL of a collagen drink or placebo drink daily for 8 weeks. For measurements, the indexes of skin conditions were measured at the baseline and 4 and 8 weeks.

Results

The improvements of skin hydration, brightness, crow's feet, texture, wrinkles, pores, spots, and collagen content after 8 weeks in collagen group were 17.8%, 5.4%, 14.9%, 9.9%, 29.3%, 10.4%, 9.9%, and 22.3%, respectively. Noticeably, over 68% of subjects got improved for their skin parameters after 8‐week intake of collagen drink. The improvement levels indicated competitive skin improvement effects in comparison with previous studies.

Conclusion

This clinical study demonstrates the synergistic effect of fish collagen and Djulis (the main components) for the substantial improvements in hydration, brightness, crow's feet, texture, wrinkles, pores, surface spots, and collagen content in skin. The collagen drink comprehensively improved skin parameters for most subjects after 4‐week intake and manifested competitive efficiency in comparison with other similar studies. We convince that the collagen drink may delay skin aging process and improve skin aging parameters.
Interprofessional Collaboration in Dentistry: Role of physiotherapists to improve care and outcomes for chronic pain conditions and sleep disorders
Authors: Herrero Babiloni Alberto , Lam Jacqueline T. A. T. , Exposto Fernando G. , Beetz Gabrielle , Provost Catherine , Gagnon Dany H. , Lavigne Gilles J.
Published: June 2020

Physiotherapists can manage chronic pain patients by using technical interventions such as mobility, strengthening, manual therapy, or flexibility in a specific and functional manner, being a key component of a multidisciplinary team. Dentists are involved in the management of different chronic pain conditions such as temporomandibular disorders and sleep disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea. However, they are frequently unaware of the benefits of collaborating with physical therapists. In this review, the collaboration of physical therapists and dentists will be explored when managing orofacial pain, headaches, and sleep disorders. The physical therapist is important in the management of these disorders and also in the screening of risk factors.
Upregulation of long non‐coding RNA FOXD2‐AS1 promotes progression and predicts poor prognosis in tongue squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Zhou Guangming , Huang Zixian , Meng Yiyi , Jin Tingting , Liang Yancan , Zhang Bin
Published: June 2020

Background

Accumulating evidences suggest that lncRNA FOXD2‐AS1 plays an important role in tumor progression, however, its function in tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) remains unknown. This research aims to investigate the function and mechanism of FOXD2‐AS1 in the modulation of tongue squamous cell carcinoma progression.

Methods

Expression of FOXD2‐AS1 was detected in TSCC tissues and TCGA data. Receiver operating characteristic curves (ROCs) analysis and bioinformatic analysis of TCGA data were performed to investigate the role of FOXD2‐AS1 in TSCC prognosis. After siRNA‐mediated downregulation of FOXD2‐AS1, wound healing assay, Transwell migration and invasion assays, and MTS proliferation assay were conducted to explore the effects that FOXD2‐AS1 exerted on SCC‐9 and CAL‐27 cell lines. Western blotting was performed to detect the downstream protein changes.

Results

Compared to the normal tissues and samples, FOXD2‐AS1 significantly highly expressed in TSCC tissues and in TSCC samples of TCGA data, and high expression of FOXD2‐AS1 was associated with lymphatic metastasis and poor TNM stages. ROC analysis and bioinformatic analysis of TCGA data further suggested that high expression of FOXD2‐AS1 was associated with TSCC poor prognosis. Downregulation of FOXD2‐AS1 inhibited the migration and invasion of SCC‐9 and CAL‐27 cell lines. Western blotting showed that the expression of p‐p44 and p‐p65 downregulated after FOXD2‐AS1 knockdown.

Conclusion

High expression of FOXD2‐AS1 promotes TSCC progression through modulating NF‐kB and ERK MAPK signaling pathways and is associated with TSCC poor prognosis, it could be a novel therapeutic target and prognostic biomarker for TSCC.
The WetNet: What the Oral Polio Vaccine Hypothesis Exposes about Globalized Interspecies Fluid Bonds
Authors: Jain S. Lochlann
Published: June 2020

The author analyzes the aftermath of Edward Hooper's suggestion that the trial of an oral polio vaccine (OPV) in the Belgian colonies of Africa engendered the pandemic form of the AIDS virus, HIV‐1. In response to Hooper's book, The River (1999), the Royal Society in London held a conference to debate the origins of HIV. Examination of the quick dismissal of the OPV theory opens a space for legitimately challenging the widely held belief that the vaccine contamination question was convincingly resolved. This article interrogates the relationship between historiography and the making of scientific facts and history, suggesting that historians have been too credulous of scientists’ testimony. The further result of the lack of a thorough analysis of the evidence backing the OPV hypothesis has resulted in a missed opportunity to read The River as one of the few detailed accounts of the immense social, political, technological, and interspecies infrastructure constituted by Cold War vaccine production. This biomedical infrastructure dramatically changed the geographic and interspecies mobility of viruses in ways that may be impossible to reconstruct. Yet these potential transmission routes remain crucial to acknowledge. The COVID‐19 pandemic draws attention to the critical importance of studying The WetNet, a concept coined by the author to name the conceptual and material infrastructures of inter‐ and intraspecies fluid bonding.