bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Menstrual phase-dependent differences in neurobehavioral performance: the role of temperature and the progesterone/estradiol ratio
Authors: Grant Leilah K , Gooley Joshua J , St Hilaire Melissa A , Rajaratnam Shantha M W , Brainard George C , Czeisler Charles A , Lockley Steven W , Rahman Shadab A
Published: August 2020

Study objectives

Women in the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle exhibit better cognitive performance overnight than women in the follicular phase, although the mechanism is unknown. Given the link between core body temperature (CBT) and performance, one potential mechanism is the thermoregulatory role of progesterone (P4), estradiol (E2), and their ratio (P4/E2), which change across the menstrual cycle. We examined the role of P4/E2 in modulating performance during extended wake in premenopausal women. Additionally, we compared the acute effects of nighttime light exposure on performance, CBT, and hormones between the menstrual phases.

Methods

Participants were studied during a 50 h constant routine and a 6.5 h monochromatic nighttime light exposure. Participants were 16 healthy, naturally cycling women (eight follicular; eight luteal). Outcome measures included reaction time, attentional failures, self-reported sleepiness, CBT, melatonin, P4, and E2.

Results

As compared to women in the luteal phase, women in the follicular phase exhibited worse performance overnight. CBT was significantly associated with performance, P4, and P4/E2 but not with other sex hormones. Sex hormones were not directly related to performance. Light exposure that suppressed melatonin improved performance in the follicular phase (n = 4 per group) to levels observed during the luteal phase and increased CBT but without concomitant changes in P4/E2.

Conclusions

Our results underscore the importance of considering menstrual phase when assessing cognitive performance during sleep loss in women and indicate that these changes are driven predominantly by CBT. Furthermore, this study shows that vulnerability to sleep loss during the follicular phase may be resolved by exposure to light.
Plantain (Plantago lanceolata) reduces the environmental impact of farmed red deer (Cervus elaphus)1
Authors: Beck Matt R , Garrett Konagh , Thompson Bryan R , Stevens David R , Barrell Graham K , Gregorini Pablo
Published: August 2020

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of plantain (Plantago lanceolata L.) on water dynamics and balance, as well as nitrogen (N) excretion by red deer (Cervus elaphus L.) as a potential forage tool to reduce negative environmental impacts. This experiment used a crossover design with red deer (n = 8) in metabolism crates to determine how fresh-cut herbage diets of either plantain or ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) compared in terms of dry matter intake (DMI), diet digestibility, water dynamics, and N dynamics. Deer consuming plantain had greater water intake from herbage (P < 0.01) compared with ryegrass. Additionally, when fed plantain, deer had greater water excretion from urine (P < 0.01; 69.4%) and feces (P < 0.01; 29.4%) and, thus, total water excretion (P < 0.01; 61.7%) than when fed ryegrass. When consuming plantain, deer had greater DMI (P = 0.02; +11.2%) and fecal output (P < 0.01; +36.8%) and lower apparent dry matter digestibility (P = 0.03; −8.3%) compared with ryegrass. Plantain (15.9%) contained 30% less crude protein than ryegrass (22.8%) so that even with the greater DMI of plantain, plantain had lower (P < 0.01; −23%) N intake (g/d). Deer consuming plantain had lower urine N concentration (P < 0.01) than when consuming ryegrass. Additionally, deer consuming plantain had much less daily urine N (P < 0.01; −34.9%) excretions. Our results indicate deer fed plantain had greater DMI, ingested more water, and excreted more water than those consuming ryegrass, with lower urinary N (UN) concentration and lesser daily urine N excretion. Thus, we conclude that offering red deer plantain may reduce the environmental impact associated with UN output, such as nitrate leaching or N2O emissions to the atmosphere.
Partitioning variation in measurements of beef carcass traits using ultrasound1
Authors: Schmidt Bradie M , Gonda Michael G , MacNeil Michael D
Published: August 2020

Ultrasound technology provides cattle breeders with a quick, noninvasive, and inexpensive way to measure carcass data on live animals. Ultrasound data are used as indicator traits in cattle genetic evaluations for economically relevant carcass traits. Ultrasound cattle genetic evaluations assume homogeneous additive genetic and residual variance. Thus, the objective was to partition phenotypic variance in ultrasound carcass measurements into components for additive genetic effects, technicians, contemporary groups within technicians, and residual and to examine the homogeneity of these variances among image interpretation laboratories. Records of longissimus muscle area (LMA), percentage of intramuscular fat (IMF), and subcutaneous fat depth (SFD), measured using ultrasound, were provided by the American Angus Association (n = 65,967), American Hereford Association (n = 43,182), and American Simmental Association (n = 48,298). The data also included contemporary group, technician, imaging lab, and a three-generation pedigree for each animal. Variance components for ultrasound carcass measurements were first estimated with univariate animal models for each breed and imaging laboratory using derivative-free restricted maximum likelihood. Then, treating data from each imaging laboratory as separate traits, genetic correlations between laboratories for LMA, percentage of IMF, and subcutaneous fat were estimated with trivariate animal models. The technician explained 12–27%, 5–23%, and 4–26% of the variance for IMF, SFD, and LMA, respectively, across all three breeds. Variance due to technician was often greater than variance due to additive genetic effects but almost always less than that explained by the contemporary group. Within breeds, estimates of additive genetic variance for LMA, SFD, and IMF differed (range divided by mean) among laboratories by 4.5%, 21.5%, and 39.4 % (Angus); 31.6%, 15.0%, and 49.1% (Hereford); and 19.9%, 46.6%, and 55.3% (Simmental), respectively. Likewise, estimates of residual variance for LMA, SFD, and IMF differed among laboratories by 43.4%, 22.9%, and 43.3% (Angus); 24.9%, 15.2%, and 79.2% (Hereford); and 26.4%, 32.5%, and 46.2% (Simmental), respectively. Genetic correlations between labs across breeds ranged from 0.79 to 0.95 for IMF, 0.26 to 0.94 for SFD, and 0.78 to 0.98 for LMA. The impact of the observed heterogeneity of variance between labs on genetic evaluation requires further study.
New Distribution and Molecular Diversity of the Reniform Nematode Rotylenchulus macrosoma (Nematoda: Rotylenchulinae) in Europe
Authors: Palomares-Rius Juan E. , Archidona-Yuste Antonio , Cantalapiedra-Navarrete Carolina , Azpilicueta Andrea S. , Saborido Antonio , Tzortzakakis Emmanuel A. , Cai Ruihang , Castillo Pablo
Published: August 2020

Reniform nematodes of the genus Rotylenchulus are semi-endoparasites of numerous herbaceous and woody plant species roots and occur largely in regions with temperate, subtropical, and tropical climates. In this study, we provide new records of the nematode Rotylenchulus macrosoma in eight European countries (Czech Republic, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Romania, Serbia, and Portugal), in addition to the six Mediterranean countries (Greece, Israel, Jordan, Spain, Syria, and Turkey) where the nematode was previously reported. Four new host species (corn, pea, wheat, and an almond-peach hybrid rootstock) are added to the recorded host species (bean, chickpea, hazelnut, peanut, soybean, and wild and cultivated olive). Molecular analyses based on the cytochrome c oxidase subunit coxI and D2-D3 segments of 28S RNA markers showed high diversity and pronounced genetic structure among populations of Rotylenchulus macrosoma. However, the complexity of phylogeographic patterns in plant-parasitic nematodes may be related to the intrinsic heterogeneity in the distribution of soil organisms, a rare occurrence of a species, or the potential human impact associated with agricultural practices.
Genome Resources of Four Distinct Pathogenic Races Within Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. vasinfectum that Cause Vascular Wilt Disease of Cotton
Authors: Srivastava Subodh K. , Zeller Kurt A. , Sobieraj James H. , Nakhla Mark K.
Published: August 2020

Whole genome sequence (WGS) based identifications are being increasingly used by regulatory and public health agencies to facilitate the detection, investigation, and control of pathogens and pests. Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. vasinfectum is a significant vascular wilt pathogen of cultivated cotton and consists of several pathogenic races that are not each other’s closest phylogenetic relatives. We have developed WGS assemblies for isolates of F. oxysporum f. sp. vasinfectum race 1 (FOV1), race 4 (FOV4), race 5 (FOV5), and race 8 (FOV8) using a combination of Nanopore (MinION) and Illumina sequencing technology (Mi-Seq). This resulted in assembled contigs with more than 100× coverage for each of the F. oxysporum f. sp. vasinfectum races and estimated genome sizes of FOV1 52 Mb, FOV4 68 Mb, FOV5 68 Mb, and FOV8 55 Mb. The AUGUSTUS gene prediction program predicted 16,263 genes in FOV1, 20,259 genes in FOV4, 20,375 genes in FOV5 and 16,615 genes in FOV8. We were able to identify 525 genes unique to FOV1, 570 unique to FOV4, 1,242 unique to FOV5, and 383 unique to FOV8. We expect that these findings will help in comparative genomics and in the identification of unique genes as candidate targets for diagnostic marker and methods development to permit rapid differentiation of F. oxysporum f. sp. vasinfectum subgroups.
Postoperative Bracing on Pain, Disability, Complications, and Fusion Rate Following 1–3+ Level Lumbar Fusion in Degenerative Conditions
Authors: Jones Jacob J. , Oduwole Samuel , Feinn Richard , Yue James J.
Published: August 2020

Objectives:

Lumbar fusion surgeries in degenerative spinal conditions can be invasive and may challenge the normal biomechanical spine and joint function. Frequently, patients require postoperative rehabilitation management. The purpose of this meta-analysis is to determine if there is an advantage to using a postoperative lumbar orthosis with regard to postoperative function and surgical healing.

Data Sources:

Articles in the English language were searched in electronic databases including PubMed and Clinicaltrials.gov from January 1, 2004 to January 1, 2019.

Study Selection:

Studies were included if they were described as being a prospective randomized trial, utilized a common pain score determinant, reported complications postoperatively, analyzed disability, and were published within a 15-year period. After review of 218 citations by 2 authors, 4 studies were identified as meeting the inclusion criteria.

Data Extraction:

Pain scores (Visual Analogue Scale/Dallas Pain Questionnaire), disability (Oswestry Disability Index, Short Form-36, Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire), postoperative complications and fusion rate outcomes were collected.

Data Synthesis:

Four prospective randomized controlled trials were identified and met the inclusion criteria. The outcome disability level showed a combined effect differed from 0 and favored the control [g=0.26, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.04–0.49, P=0.029]. Visual Analogue Scale pain’s combined effect did not differ from 0 and did not favor either the control or brace group (g=0.01, 95% CI: −0.25 to 0.27, P=0.93). The odds ratio (ORs) for complication rates did not differ from 1 (OR=0.88, 95% CI: 0.47–1.65, P=0.69). There was no significant difference in the ORs for fusion rate. Study heterogeneity was measured for all outcomes and there was no excessive variation.

Conclusions:

The present meta-analysis indicated no significant difference in pain scores, a decrease in disability level for control (no brace), no significant change in fusion rate, and no significant difference in the odds of complication for the brace group. These conclusions support the theory that there is no significant advantage of postoperative lumbar orthoses.
Long noncoding RNA TTTY15 promotes growth and metastasis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma by sponging microRNA-337-3p to upregulate the expression of JAK2
Authors: Wang Wei , Yang Junbo
Published: August 2020

Long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) testis-specific transcript, Y-linked 15 (TTTY15) plays an important regulatory role in prostate cancer, but its role in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) remains unclear. This study aimed to explore the expression pattern, biological function and underlying mechanism of TTTY15 in ESCC. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) was used to detect the expression of TTTY15 and microRNA (miR)-337-3p in ESCC tissues and cell lines. Cell counting kit-8 method was used to detect the proliferation of ESCC cells. Transwell method was used to determine the migration and invasion of ESCC cells. Luciferase reporter assay was used to verify the interaction between TTTY15 and miR-337-3p. Western blot was used to analyze the effects of TTTY15 and miR-337-3p on Janus kinase 2 (JAK2) expression. In the present study, we demonstrated that the expression level of TTTY15 was significantly upregulated in ESCC tissues, while the expression of miR-337-3p was downregulated. In ESCC samples, the expression levels of TTTY15 and miR-337-3p were negatively correlated. TTTY15 knockdown could significantly reduce the proliferation, migration and invasion of ESCC cells, and miR-337-3p mimics had similar effects. In addition, overexpression of TTTY15 inhibited miR-337-3p by binding with it. TTTY15 could indirectly modulate JAK2, and overexpression of TTTY15 could reverse the inhibitory effects of miR-337-3p on malignant phenotypes of ESCC cells. In conclusion, TTTY15 plays an oncogenic role in ESCC by targeting miR-337-3p/JAK2 axis.
Long-term psychological and physical outcomes of women after postdural puncture headache
Authors: Orbach-Zinger Sharon , Eidelman Leonid A. , Livne Michal Y. , Matkovski Olya , Mangoubi Eitan , Borovich Adi , Wazwaz Susan A. , Ioscovich Alexander , Zekry Zoya Haitov Ben , Ariche Karin , Weiniger Carolyn F.
Published: August 2020

BACKGROUND

Postdural puncture headache after accidental dural puncture during labour may lead to chronic sequalae.

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to measure the incidence of postpartum depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, chronic headache, backache and breastfeeding rates after a postdural puncture headache.

DESIGN

A retrospective, case-matched cohort study.

SETTING

A review of documented cases of dural puncture and matched case controls occurring at Rabin Medical Center and Shamir Medical Center from 01 January 2012 to 30 September 2018.

PATIENTS

The study cohort consisted of women with a documented postdural puncture headache and the controls were women with uneventful labour epidurals in the same 24-h period. Women were interviewed by telephone.

PRIMARY OUTCOMES MEASURE

The primary outcome measure was the incidence of postpartum depression after a postdural puncture headache.

RESULTS

Women with postdural puncture headache (n = 132) and controls (n = 276) had similar demographic data. The incidence of postpartum depression was 67/128 (52.3%) versus 31/276 (11.2%) for controls, P < 0.0001, 95% confidence intervals of the difference 31.5 to 50.2. Posttraumatic stress disorder was more frequent among women with postdural puncture headache, 17/132 (12.8%) versus controls 1/276 (0.4%), P < 0.0001, 95% confidence intervals of the difference 7.6 to 19.5. Women with postdural puncture headache breastfed less, 74/126 (54.5%) versus controls 212/276 (76.8%), P < 0.0001, 95% confidence intervals of the difference 33.1 to 55.2. Current headache and backache were significantly more frequent among women with postdural puncture headache [current headache 42/129 (32.6%) versus controls 42/276 (15.2%) P < 0.00001, 95% confidence intervals 0.085 to 0.266; current backache 58/129 (43.9%) versus controls 58/275 (21%) P < 0.0001, 95% confidence intervals 14.1 to 33.5].

CONCLUSION

We report an increased incidence of postpartum depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, chronic headache and backache and decreased breastfeeding following a postdural puncture headache. Our findings emphasise the need for postpartum follow-up for women with postdural puncture headache.

TRIAL REGISTRY NUMBER

Clinical trial registry number: NCT03550586.
Microbial Diversity and Community Structures Among Those With Moderate to Severe TBI: A United States-Veteran Microbiome Project Study
Authors: Brenner Lisa A. , Stamper Christopher E. , Hoisington Andrew J. , Stearns-Yoder Kelly A. , Stanislawksi Maggie A. , Brostow Diana P. , Hoffmire Claire A. , Forster Jeri E. , Schneider Alexandra L. , Postolache Teodor T. , Lowry Christopher A.
Published: August 2020

Objective:

To evaluate the association between distal moderate/severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) history and the human gut microbiome.

Setting:

Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

Participants:

Veterans from the United States-Veteran Microbiome Project (US-VMP). Veterans with moderate/severe TBI (n = 34) were compared with (1) Veterans with a history of no TBI (n = 79) and (2) Veterans with a history of no TBI or mild TBI only (n = 297).

Design:

Microbiome analyses from 16S rRNA gene sequencing with gut microbiota function inferred using PICRUSt2.

Main Measures:

α-Diversity and β-diversity of the gut microbiome, as well as taxonomic and functional signatures associated with moderate/severe TBI.

Results:

There were no significant differences in gut bacterial α- and β-diversity associated with moderate/severe TBI status. No differentially abundant taxa were identified when comparing samples from moderate/severe TBI to those with no TBI or no TBI/mild TBI.

Conclusion:

Results suggest that moderate/severe TBI-related changes to the gut microbiome do not persist for years postinjury.
Streptobacillus moniliformis With Features of Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis Identified by Direct Sequencing
Authors: Heaton Phillip , Schultz Noah H. , Helseth Peter H. , Cassis-Ghavami Farah L. , Hansen Glen , Schultz Kris Ann P. , Messinger Yoav H.
Published: August 2020

Rat-bite fever caused by Streptobacillus moniliformis is a rare infection that may be fatal. An adolescent male presented with multiorgan failure, negative blood cultures and Gram-negative rods in blood smear. S. moniliformis was identified by 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing from the blood. He developed systemic hyperinflammatory syndrome resembling hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, for which immune-globulins and steroids were added to the antibiotic regimen and he rapidly recovered.
Primary Eosinophilic Gastrointestinal Diseases Beyond Eosinophilic Esophagitis in Children
Authors: Egritas Gurkan Odul , Ozturk Hakan , Karagol Hacer Ilbilge Ertoy , Ceylan Kamercan , Duztas Demet Teker , Ekinci Ozgur , Sari Sinan , Dalgic Buket , Bakirtas Arzu
Published: August 2020

Objectives:

There are many unknowns about primary eosinophilic gastrointestinal disease (EGID) in childhood. The aim of this study is to provide data about the frequency, management, control level, and prognosis of well documented primary EGID in childhood.

Methods:

This study was conducted in children who underwent endoscopy and/or colonoscopy at a single center over 10‐year period up to August 2018. Primary EGID was diagnosed after exclusion of secondary EGID and classified as eosinophilic gastritis (EG), eosinophilic enteritis (EE), eosinophilic gastroenteritis (EGE: eosinophilic gastritis with eosinophilic enteritis) and eosinophilic colitis (EC) according to histopathological evaluation. The pathological number of eosinophil counts were accepted as >30 hpf for gastric mucosa in 5 hpf area, ≥20/hpf for duodenal, jejunal, and ileal mucosa, >50/hpf for right colonic mucosa, >35/hpf for transverse colonic mucosa, and >25/hpf for left colonic mucosa. Presenting symptoms, signs, management, follow‐up, disease control level, and remission were analyzed. Remission is defined if the patient is controlled with all clinical, endoscopic/colonoscopic, and histopathologic parameters without any treatments or diet for at least a year.

Results:

During the study period, 7457 biopsies were taken in 8262 endoscopy and/or colonoscopy procedures. Primary and secondary EGID frequencies were found 0.23% (n = 17 patients) and 0.1% (n =8 patients) per procedure with biopsy in children, respectively. Endoscopy/colonoscopy procedures were not able to performed in 9 patients because of short follow‐up period (n = 6) or patients leaving follow‐up (n = 3). Nine of the primary EGID patients had esophageal eosinophilia (EsE) at the time of diagnosis, 5 of them were previously managed as EoE. The median follow‐up period of primary EGID patients excluding the ones without a control endoscopy/colonoscopy procedure was 3.35 years (min‐max: 1.1–9.0 years). Proton pump inhibitors (PPI) were the most frequently used treatment alone or in combination with diet, systemic and/or topical corticosteroids. Disease control was evaluated in 8 of 17 patients and it was uncontrolled in 4, partially controlled in 1, and controlled in 3 patients. Remission was achieved in 2 patients.

Conclusions:

The frequency of primary EGID beyond eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) in children is low. It may be difficult to achieve control in children with primary EGID in the long‐term follow‐up.
Standardizing Preoperative Evaluation for Pediatric Central Venous Access
Authors: Wagner Monica L. , Doellman Darcy , Forlenza Kimberly N. , Fischer Kevin , Tuncel Kara Setenay , Bradshaw Ursula , Falcone Richard A.
Published: August 2020

Central vascular access device (CVAD) placement is a common procedure in children. When selecting a CVAD, available evidence and specified indications should be used to choose the device that best supports the patient's treatment and carries the lowest risks. A multidisciplinary team developed a care algorithm to standardize preoperative screening before pediatric CVAD placement, with 3 major parts: CVAD selection, patient risk stratification, and preoperative evaluation. Using a stepwise approach of provider education and incorporation into the electronic health record, the team achieved 82% stratification among inpatients. The team's algorithm integrates the existing literature and recommendations for safe and effective CVAD placement.
Technology Solutions for Nurse Leaders
Authors: Clancy Thomas R.
Published: August 2020

Over the next 10 years, the World Health Organization estimates that there will be global shortage of 18 000 000 health care workers. A perfect storm of an aging demographic, long-term drop in birth rate, and a retiring workforce has all the factors contributing to this impending crisis. In nursing, efforts to narrow the shortage gap through strategies that increase the number of admissions to nursing schools, such as increasing faculty members, clinical sites, preceptors, and scholarships, will likely not be enough to offset the shortfall. Solutions, in part, will be to make nurses more productive by reducing waste through the use of technology. This article evaluates how various types of technology such as electronic health records, data analytics, predictive modeling, artificial intelligence, speech recognition, natural language processing, robotics, the Internet of Things, and others can improve nurse productivity by using a Lean framework to eliminate waste and create value.
Mandibular Angle Contouring Using Porous Polyethylene Stock or PEEK-based Patient Specific Implants. A Critical Analysis
Authors: Olate Sergio , Uribe Francisca , Huentequeo-Molina Claudio , Goulart Douglas R. , Sigua-Rodriguez Eder A. , Alister Juan Pablo
Published: August 2020

Contour augmentation and mandibular angle modification surgery is becoming increasingly. The aim of this research is to compare technique and outcomes in augmentations done with standard implants or PEEK-based patient specific implants (PSI) in mandibular angle. Data from surgical planning, operative and post-operative of 6 months follow-up were revised for 21 patients who were submitted to facial surgery using a stock implant obtained from companies currently on the market or 3D implants created with CAD/CAM technology using PEEK 3D printing. Surgical time, intra-operative and post-operative complications were compared, analyzing the advantages and disadvantage of each technique. Statistical analyses using t-test and chi-squared were performed considering P value< 0.05 for statistical differences. Twelve patients were operated on with stock implants and nine patients with PSI. The surgical time was 15 minutes less for the 3D implant surgeries (P = 0.021) and intraoperatively only the stock implants needed modifications with wear and adaptation methods; post-operative infections were observed in both groups with no significant differences (P > 0.05). The 3D implants had greater levels of facial symmetry than the stock implants, although they did not present significant differences.Considering the limitations of this study, mandibular angle implants with a PEEK-based 3D CAD/CAM are efficient, stable and have a low complication rate; the CAD/CAM strategy is useful in facial surgery and can be integrated as a standard for surgical planning in facial makeover surgery.
What Promotes Surgeon Practice Change? A Scoping Review of Innovation Adoption in Surgical Practice
Authors: Arroyo Natalia A. , Gessert Thomas , Hitchcock Mary , Tao Michael , Smith Cara Damico , Greenberg Caprice , Fernandes-Taylor Sara , Francis David O.
Published: August 2020

Objective:

The goal of this scoping review was to summarize the literature on facilitators and barriers to surgical practice change. This information can inform research to implement best practices and evaluate new surgical innovations.

Background:

In an era of accelerated innovations, surgeons face the difficult decision to either acknowledge and implement or forgo new advances. Although changing surgical practice to align with evidence is an imperative of health systems, evidence-based guidelines have not translated into consistent change. The literature on practice change is limited and has largely focused on synthesizing information on methods and trials to evaluate innovative surgical interventions. No reviews to date have grounded their analysis within an implementation science framework.

Methods:

A systematic review of the literature on surgical practice change was performed. Abstracts and full-text articles were reviewed for relevance using inclusion and exclusion criteria and data were extracted from each article. Cited facilitators and barriers were then mapped across domains within the implementation science Theoretical Domains Framework and expanded to the Capability, Opportunity, Motivation, and Behavior model.

Results:

Components of the Capability, Opportunity, Motivation, and Behavior model were represented across the Theoretical Domains Framework domains and acted as both facilitators and barriers to practice change depending on the circumstances. Domains that most affected surgical practice change, in order, were: opportunity (environmental context and resources and social influences), capability (knowledge and skills), and motivation (beliefs about consequences and reinforcement).

Conclusions:

Practice change is predicated on a conducive environment with adequate resources, but once that is established, the surgeon's individual characteristics, including skills, motivation, and reinforcement determine the likelihood of successful change. Deficiencies in the literature underscore the need for further study of resource interventions and the role of surgical team dynamics in the adoption of innovation. A better understanding of these areas is needed to optimize our ability to disseminate and implement best practices in surgery.
Positive association between PTN polymorphisms and schizophrenia in Northeast Chinese Han population
Authors: Lv Ye , Sun Yang , Dai Di , Luan Zhi-Lin , Lu He-Yuan , Li Cheng-Jie , Luo Yi-Yang
Published: August 2020

As a severely and highly heritable psychotic disorder, schizophrenia has become a serious public health problem in modern society. Pleiotrophin (PTN) is a secreted cell cytokine associated with the extracellular matrix and acts as a growth factor. PTN is mainly expressed in neuroectodermal and mesodermal tissues, indicating its effect in neuron migration and epithelium-mesenchyme interactions. Whereas PTN is associated with some neurodegenerative diseases and has modulating effects on them. In this study, we aimed to investigate the association between PTN polymorphisms and schizophrenia in an independent case-control sample-set including 738 schizophrenia patients and 1085 healthy controls. Of the 13 selected single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), five showed significant differences in allele or/and genotype frequencies between patients and controls: rs3959914 (genotype: χ

2
= 11.5217, P = 0.0032); rs11765480 (genotype: χ

2
= 10.6620, P = 0.0049); rs1473355 (genotype: χ

2
= 8.3902, P = 0.0151); rs322246 (allele: χ

2
= 5.5954, P = 0.0180); rs322240 (genotype: χ

2
= 8.8429, P = 0.0121; allele: χ

2
= 8.7802, P = 0.0031). The haplotype analysis of the selected SNPs showed different haplotype frequencies for one block (rs322240, rs322246) between cases and controls (global: χ

2
= 9.0290, P = 0.0110; A-G: χ

2
= 8.985, P = 0.0027; C-A: χ

2
= 5.814, P = 0.0159). Our present results indicate PTN as a susceptibility gene for schizophrenia.
Seasonal food webs with migrations: multi-season models reveal indirect species interactions in the Canadian Arctic tundra
Authors: Hutchison Chantal , Guichard Frédéric , Legagneux Pierre , Gauthier Gilles , Bêty Joël , Berteaux Dominique , Fauteux Dominique , Gravel Dominique
Published: August 2020

Models incorporating seasonality are necessary to fully assess the impact of global warming on Arctic communities. Seasonal migrations are a key component of Arctic food webs that still elude current theories predicting a single community equilibrium. We develop a multi-season model of predator–prey dynamics using a hybrid dynamical systems framework applied to a simplified tundra food web (lemming–fox–goose–owl). Hybrid systems models can accommodate multiple equilibria, which is a basic requirement for modelling food webs whose topology changes with season. We demonstrate that our model can generate multi-annual cycling in lemming dynamics, solely from a combined effect of seasonality and state-dependent behaviour. We compare our multi-season model to a static model of the predator–prey community dynamics and study the interactions between species. Interestingly, including seasonality reveals indirect interactions between migrants and residents not captured by the static model. Further, we find that the direction and magnitude of interactions between two species are not necessarily accurate using only summer time-series. Our study demonstrates the need for the development of multi-season models and provides the tools to analyse them. Integrating seasonality in food web modelling is a vital step to improve predictions about the impacts of climate change on ecosystem functioning.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘The changing Arctic Ocean: consequences for biological communities, biogeochemical processes and ecosystem functioning’.
Arctic coastal benthos long-term responses to perturbations under climate warming
Authors: Al-Habahbeh Amalia Keck , Kortsch Susanne , Bluhm Bodil A. , Beuchel Frank , Gulliksen Bjørn , Ballantine Carl , Cristini Domiziana , Primicerio Raul
Published: August 2020

Climate warming influences structure and function of Arctic benthic ecosystems. Assessing the response of these systems to perturbations requires long-term studies addressing key ecological processes related to recolonization and succession of species. Based on unique time-series (1980–2017), this study addresses successional patterns of hard-bottom benthos in two fjords in NW Svalbard after a pulse perturbation in 1980 and during a period of rapid climate warming. Analysis of seafloor photographs revealed different return rates of taxa, and variability in species densities, through time. It took 13 and 24 years for the community compositions of cleared and control transects to converge in the two fjords. Nearly two decades after the study initiation, an increase in filamentous and foliose macroalgae was observed with a subsequent reorganization in the invertebrate community. Trait analyses showed a decrease in body size and longevity of taxa in response to the pulse perturbation and a shift towards small/medium size and intermediate longevity following the macroalgae takeover. The observed slow recovery rates and abrupt shifts in community structure document the vulnerability of Arctic coastal ecosystems to perturbations and continued effects of climate warming.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘The changing Arctic Ocean: consequences for biological communities, biogeochemical processes and ecosystem functioning’.
Use of organic exudates from two polar diatoms by bacterial isolates from the Arctic Ocean
Authors: Tisserand Lucas , Dadaglio Laëtitia , Intertaglia Laurent , Catala Philippe , Panagiotopoulos Christos , Obernosterer Ingrid , Joux Fabien
Published: August 2020

Global warming affects primary producers in the Arctic, with potential consequences for the bacterial community composition through the consumption of microalgae-derived dissolved organic matter (DOM). To determine the degree of specificity in the use of an exudate by bacterial taxa, we used simple microalgae–bacteria model systems. We isolated 92 bacterial strains from the sea ice bottom and the water column in spring–summer in the Baffin Bay (Arctic Ocean). The isolates were grouped into 42 species belonging to Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Actinobacteria and Firmicutes. Forty strains were tested for their capacity to grow on the exudate from two Arctic diatoms
.
Most of the strains tested (78%) were able to grow on the exudate from the pelagic diatom
Chaetoceros neogracilis
, and 33% were able to use the exudate from the sea ice diatom
Fragilariopsis cylindrus
. 17.5% of the strains were not able to grow with any exudate, while 27.5% of the strains were able to use both types of exudates. All strains belonging to Flavobacteriia (
n
 = 10) were able to use the DOM provided by
C. neogracilis
, and this exudate sustained a growth capacity of up to 100 times higher than diluted Marine Broth medium, of two
Pseudomonas
sp. strains and one
Sulfitobacter
strain. The variable bioavailability of exudates to bacterial strains highlights the potential role of microalgae in shaping the bacterial community composition.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘The changing Arctic Ocean: consequences for biological communities, biogeochemical processes and ecosystem functioning'.
Benthic phosphorus cycling within the Eurasian marginal sea ice zone
Authors: Tessin Allyson , März Christian , Kędra Monika , Matthiessen Jens , Morata Nathalie , Nairn Michael , O'Regan Matt , Peeken Ilka
Published: August 2020

The Arctic Ocean region is currently undergoing dramatic changes, which will likely alter the nutrient cycles that underpin Arctic marine ecosystems. Phosphate is a key limiting nutrient for marine life but gaps in our understanding of the Arctic phosphorus (P) cycle persist. In this study, we investigate the benthic burial and recycling of phosphorus using sediments and pore waters from the Eurasian Arctic margin, including the Barents Sea slope and the Yermak Plateau. Our results highlight that P is generally lost from sediments with depth during organic matter respiration. On the Yermak Plateau, remobilization of P results in a diffusive flux of P to the seafloor of between 96 and 261 µmol m−2 yr−1. On the Barents Sea slope, diffusive fluxes of P are much larger (1736–2449 µmol m−2 yr−1), but these fluxes are into near-surface sediments rather than to the bottom waters. The difference in cycling on the Barents Sea slope is controlled by higher fluxes of fresh organic matter and active iron cycling. As changes in primary productivity, ocean circulation and glacial melt continue, benthic P cycling is likely to be altered with implications for P imported into the Arctic Ocean Basin.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘The changing Arctic Ocean: consequences for biological communities, biogeochemical processes and ecosystem functioning’.
Does Arctic warming reduce preservation of organic matter in Barents Sea sediments?
Authors: Faust Johan C. , Stevenson Mark A. , Abbott Geoffrey D. , Knies Jochen , Tessin Allyson , Mannion Isobel , Ford Ailbe , Hilton Robert , Peakall Jeffrey , März Christian
Published: August 2020

Over the last few decades, the Barents Sea experienced substantial warming, an expansion of relatively warm Atlantic water and a reduction in sea ice cover. This environmental change forces the entire Barents Sea ecosystem to adapt and restructure and therefore changes in pelagic–benthic coupling, organic matter sedimentation and long-term carbon sequestration are expected. Here we combine new and existing organic and inorganic geochemical surface sediment data from the western Barents Sea and show a clear link between the modern ecosystem structure, sea ice cover and the organic carbon and CaCO
3
contents in Barents Sea surface sediments. Furthermore, we discuss the sources of total and reactive iron phases and evaluate the spatial distribution of organic carbon bound to reactive iron. Consistent with a recent global estimate we find that on average 21.0 ± 8.3 per cent of the total organic carbon is associated to reactive iron (fOC-Fe
R
) in Barents Sea surface sediments. The spatial distribution of fOC-Fe
R
, however, seems to be unrelated to sea ice cover, Atlantic water inflow or proximity to land. Future Arctic warming might, therefore, neither increase nor decrease the burial rates of iron-associated organic carbon. However, our results also imply that ongoing sea ice reduction and the associated alteration of vertical carbon fluxes might cause accompanied shifts in the Barents Sea surface sedimentary organic carbon content, which might result in overall reduced carbon sequestration in the future.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘The changing Arctic Ocean: consequences for biological communities, biogeochemical processes and ecosystem functioning’.
Development of a bio-optical model for the Barents Sea to quantitatively link glider and satellite observations
Authors: Kostakis I. , Röttgers R. , Orkney A. , Bouman H. A. , Porter M. , Cottier F. , Berge J. , McKee D.
Published: August 2020

A bio-optical model for the Barents Sea is determined from a set of
in situ
observations of inherent optical properties (IOPs) and associated biogeochemical analyses. The bio-optical model provides a pathway to convert commonly measured parameters from glider-borne sensors (CTD, optical triplet sensor—chlorophyll and CDOM fluorescence, backscattering coefficients) to bulk spectral IOPs (absorption, attenuation and backscattering). IOPs derived from glider observations are subsequently used to estimate remote sensing reflectance spectra that compare well with coincident satellite observations, providing independent validation of the general applicability of the bio-optical model. Various challenges in the generation of a robust bio-optical model involving dealing with partial and limited quantity datasets and the interpretation of data from the optical triplet sensor are discussed. Establishing this quantitative link between glider-borne and satellite-borne data sources is an important step in integrating these data streams and has wide applicability for current and future integrated autonomous observation systems.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘The changing Arctic Ocean: consequences for biological communities, biogeochemical processes and ecosystem functioning’.
Impaired Scaling of Step Length in Parkinsonian Postural Instability
Authors: McGovern Robert A. , Cortés Juan C. , Wilson Anne P. , McKhann Guy M. , Mazzoni Pietro
Published: August 2020

Background

Postural stepping is an important strategy for recovery of balance in response to postural perturbations. It is disrupted by Parkinson’s disease (PD) and other conditions. The nature of this disruption remains poorly understood. Understanding the motor control nature of this impairment can guide the development of novel interventions.

Objectives

To identify the motor control abnormalities responsible for parkinsonian impairment of postural stepping.

Methods

We studied four groups of participants: control, aged, PD, and normal-pressure hydrocephalus (NPH). We performed kinematic analysis of postural stepping by recording participants’ body motion during a modified version of the clinical pull test, which was performed multiple times with different amounts of pulling forcefulness.

Results

Successful postural stepping in the control group was accompanied by linear scaling of their first step’s length and latency to the body’s initial motion: more forceful pulls caused larger initial body acceleration, which resulted in longer steps that began earlier. PD patients exhibited reduced scaling of step length: they maintained normal reaction time but took steps that were inadequately short. Reduced step length scaling was present, but less severe, in aged individuals, and was more severe in NPH patients. Aged individuals and PD patients exhibited partial compensation for reduced step length scaling: their step length included a component that was independent of initial body acceleration, which was absent in control and NPH groups.

Conclusions

the impairment of postural stepping caused by PD and related conditions is due to inadequate scaling of movement amplitude and is thus a form of hypokinesia.
Decision models to improve healthcare-associated C. difficile PCR test use in patients with community-acquired pneumonia
Authors: Rhodes Nathaniel J. , Jozefczyk Caroline C. , Moore W. Justin , Yarnold Paul R. , Harkabuz Karolina , Sutton Sarah H. , Silkaitis Christina , Qi Chao , Wunderink Richard G. , Zembower Teresa R.
Published: August 2020

Adults hospitalized with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) typically receive antibiotics and thus are at increased risk of developing Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI), a disease of significant morbidity. We developed and validated a CAP-specific clinical decision algorithm to facilitate optimal diagnostic stewardship of C. difficile polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing. The study was a single-center retrospective, case-control analysis of hospitalized adult patients empirically treated for CAP between January 1, 2014 and May 29, 2018. A series of predictive models and validity assessments were used to evaluate demographic and post-admission patient-specific risk factors as predictors of CDI case status among patients with CAP. Thirty-two PCR confirmed CDI cases were identified and 232 randomly selected controls were drawn from the total CAP population. After propensity score weighting, hospital-onset (HO) CDI was significantly associated with broad-spectrum Gram-negative antibiotic use (P=0.002) as was subsequent community-onset (CO) CDI (P=0.005). Modified-APACHE II > 8.5 (P=0.003) and broad-spectrum Gram-negative antibiotic use (P=0.002) were associated with healthcare-associated CDI and were robust in multiple validity analyses. Patients with m-APACHE II ≤ 8.5 who received broad-spectrum Gram-negative antibiotics were more likely (odds=1:2) to experience healthcare-associated CDI compared to those who did not receive these broad-spectrum agents (odds=1:125) and compared to those with m-APACHE II > 8.5 irrespective of treatment (odds=5:27). We conclude that broad-spectrum Gram-negative antibiotic use was the common factor in development of CDI in patients with CAP in all settings. Prospective studies are needed to confirm the reproducibility and clinical utility of our model when used for diagnostic test stewardship.
Short Adaptation of the Smell Test of the University of Pennsylvania (UPSIT) For the Venezuelan Population
Authors: Rosalinda Pieruzzini , Wilneg Rodríguez , Carlos Velázquez
Published: August 2020

The objective of this study was to design a short smell test adapted to the Venezuelan population using the UPSIT test as a reference.Methodology: Preliminary surveys were carried out in 2 groups of patients (1010 patients for each group) until obtaining the most frequently recognized odors and preferred values of that population. Normosmia, hyposmia and anosmia were normalized. The results of the new Venezuelan test were compared with the UPSIT test in 169 patients. Results: Sensitivity 73%, Specificity 100% and Positive predictive value of 100 with a diagnostic accuracy of 85,21%. Conclusions: short venezuelan smell test is safe and with reliable results in the diagnosis of olfactory alterations.
Post-infection depression, anxiety and PTSD: a retrospective cohort study with mild COVID-19 patients
Authors: Ismael Flavia , Bizario João C. S. , Battagin Tatiana , Zaramella Beatriz , Leal Fabio E. , Torales Julio , Ventriglio Antonio , Marziali Megan E. , Martins Silvia S. , Castaldelli-Maia João M.
Published: August 2020

Background

It remains unclear whether COVID-19 is associated with psychiatric symptoms during or after the acute illness phase. Being affected by the disease exposes the individual to an uncertain prognosis and a state of quarantine. These factors can predispose individuals to the development of mental symptoms during or after the acute phase of the disease. There is a need for prospective studies assessing mental health symptoms in COVID-19 patients in the post-infection period.

Methods

In this retrospective cohort study, nasopharyngeal swabs for COVID-19 tests were collected at patients’ homes under the supervision of trained healthcare personnel. Patients who tested positive for COVID-19 and were classified as mild cases (N=895) at treatment intake were further assessed for the presence of mental health disorders (on average, 56.6 days after the intake). We investigated the association between the number of COVID-19 symptoms at intake and depression, anxiety and PTSD, adjusting for previous mental health status, time between baseline and outcome, and other confounders. Multivariate logistic regression and generalized linear models were employed for categorical and continuous outcomes, respectively.

Findings

Depression, anxiety and PTSD were reported by 26.2% (N=235), 22.4% (N=201), and 17.3% (N=155) of the sample. Reporting an increased number of COVID-related symptoms was associated with depression (aOR=1.059;95%CI=1.002-1.119), anxiety (aOR=1.072;95%CI=1.012-1.134), and PTSD (aOR=1.092;95%CI=1.024-1.166). Sensitivity analyses supported findings for both continuous and categorical measures.

Interpretation

Exposure to an increased number of COVID-19 symptoms may predispose individuals to depression, anxiety and PTSD after the acute phase of the disease. These patients should be monitored for the development of mental health disorders after COVID-19 treatment discharge. Early interventions, such as brief interventions of psychoeducation on coping strategies, could benefit these individuals.

Funding

The city health department of São Caetano do Sul (Secretaria Municipal de Saúde da Prefeitura de São Caetano do Sul) funded the establishment and implementation of the COVID-19 platform.