bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Law enforcement and academics working together on cold case investigations: lessons learned and paths forward
Authors: Fox Bryanna , Miley Lauren N. , Allen Scott , Boness Jordan , Dodge Cassandra , Khachatryan Norair , Lyle MacKenzie , McKinley Sean , Peake Jeff , Rozo Maria
Published: April 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to outline the specific details and lessons learned during a cold case collaborative effort, which granted graduate students and a professor from the University of South Florida the opportunity to assist Pasco Sheriff’s Office in the investigation of a cold case homicide.

Methodology

The collaboration between law enforcement and academics is a new and emerging strategy to investigate cold cases and identify the elusive offenders who committed these crimes. Such collaboration aids law enforcement by obtaining a force multiplier for investigative resources, accessing cutting-edge evidence-based research and cultivating innovative approaches to their work. For academics, such collaboration allows the unique opportunity to engage in translational criminology, which is an important and increasingly encouraged aspect of the field.

Findings

In this paper, the authors provide an overview of the process used to study this cold case as part of an experiential academic course, provide evidence-based research findings relevant to cold case investigations and outline the steps for others to replicate the efforts.

Originality/value

The authors describe in detail the process used to “work” the cold case, academic research that the authors found useful in understanding and investigating cold cases, important lessons learned and advice for future academics and practitioners who undertake an incredible collaborative effort such as this.
The subjective experiences of liaison and diversion staff who encounter individuals with autism
Authors: Burch Eleanor , Rose John
Published: April 2020

Purpose

Research suggests that individuals with autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) are inconsistently supported throughout the criminal justice system (CJS) in the UK. Bradley (2009) recommended the introduction of criminal justice liaison and diversion (L&D) teams to bridge the gap between the CJS and mental health services and provide a more consistent and improved quality of support for individuals with vulnerabilities, including those with autism. This study aims to explore the experiences of staff working in L&D teams who encounter individuals with ASD.

Design/methodology/approach

Interviews were conducted with ten L&D team members. Interpretative phenomenological analysis was used to gain insight into their lived experiences of working with autism in the CJS.

Findings

Interpretation of individual transcripts resulted in three super-ordinate themes: “feeling helpless and helpful in the system”, “transition to knowing” and “impact on self”. Each theme encapsulated a number of sub-themes depicting the limitations of services, difficult environments, making a difference, lack of understanding, developing understanding and the impact of these experiences on staff’s confidence, attitudes and well-being.

Practical implications

Criminal justice services are limited for people with autism. There is a lack of autism awareness by staff. Lack of awareness impacts staff attitudes and confidence. Training in autism should be provided to criminal justice staff.

Originality/value

This research highlights the limitations of services available for individuals with autism and the widespread lack of autism awareness. These concerns directly impacted participants’ confidence, attitudes and well-being. Recommendations are proposed to guide future practice and research including increasing availability of access to ASD services, enforcing mandatory autism-specific training for staff and routinely collecting service-user feedback.
The impact of renewable on-site energy production on property values
Authors: Leskinen Niina , Vimpari Jussi , Junnila Seppo
Published: April 2020

Purpose

Contrary to the traditional technology project perspective, real estate investors see building-specific renewable energy (on-site energy) investments as part of the property and as something affecting the property’s ability to produce a (net) cash flow. This paper aims to show the value-influencing mechanism of on-site energy production from a professional property investors’ perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

The value-influencing mechanism is presented with a case study of a prime logistics property located in the Helsinki metropolitan area, Finland. The case study results are compared with the results of a survey answered by over 70 property valuation professionals in the Finnish real estate market.

Findings

Current valuation practice supports the presented value-creation mechanism based on the capitalisation of the savings generated by a building’s own energy production. Valuation professionals see benefits beyond decreased operating expenses such as enhanced image and better saleability. However, valuers acted more conservatively than expected when transferring these additional benefits to the cash flows of the case property.

Practical implications

Because the savings in operating expenses can be capitalised into the property value, property investors should consider on-site energy production when the return of on-site energy exceeds the return of the property. This enhances the profitability of on-site energy, especially in urban areas with low initial yields.

Originality/value

This is the first research paper to open the value-influencing mechanism of on-site energy production from a professional property investors’ perspective in commercial properties and to confirm it from a market study.
Credit risk shocks and banking efficiency: a study based on a bootstrap-DEA model with nonperforming loans as bad output
Authors: Li Renyu , Li Li , Zou Peijiang
Published: April 2020

Purpose

This paper investigates the impact of credit risk shocks on the evolution of banking efficiency in China.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper introduces credit risk as a bad output into a bootstrap data envelopment analysis (bootstrap-DEA) model.

Findings

During a credit risk shock, the efficiency levels of both state-owned commercial banks and joint-stock commercial banks are significantly higher than those of urban/rural commercial banks, and the efficiency differences between these banks further increase during a period of economic slowdown. This paper also finds that the efficiencies of joint-stock commercial banks are the most sensitive to credit risk shocks; these banks are the first to be affected and the first to completely adjust. However, urban/rural commercial banks adjust very slowly.

Originality/value

Most scholars still use the traditional DEA method to estimate China's banking efficiency. The bootstrap-DEA method is clearly able to obtain a more exact estimated efficiency score. In fact, in comparison with the bootstrap-DEA model, we found that the traditional DEA method overestimates China's banking efficiency, and this is an especially serious problem for those banks that have a high efficiency score.
Designing a forensic mental health service delivery model: a multi-professional approach
Authors: Domingue Jean-Laurent , Michel Steve F. , Cléroux Carole , Dobson Tom , Fréchette Jean-Michel , Fusco Nina , Jaroudi Lara , Konecki Robert , Power Donna , Richardson-Brown Sara , Robins Richard , Stufko Tony , Telford Sarah , Wesley Whitney
Published: April 2020

Purpose

Forensic mental health programs (FMHPs) in Ontario, Canada provide rehabilitation and supervision services. However, models available to guide their delivery are primarily adapted from fields outside of forensic mental health. To partially fill this gap, this paper aims to provide a general review of the process a multi-professional team took to develop the Integrated Forensic Program [IFP]-Ottawa Model of Risk Management & Recovery.

Design/methodology/approach

Working groups were initiated to identify the needs of patients in their local setting, conduct a literature review on care delivery models in forensic mental health and build a service delivery model specific to forensic mental health.

Findings

The resulting model places patient engagement at its centre and encompasses eight domains of need that contribute towards the patient’s recovery and the management of the safety risk they pose to the public, namely, the basic needs, diversity and spirituality, social, occupational, psychological, substance use, physical health and mental health domains.

Practical implications

The IFP-Ottawa Model of Risk Management & Recovery provides a framework to which therapeutic group services for persons in FMHPs can be aligned.

Originality/value

The leadership teams in FMHPs could use this framework and the method used for its development to ensure group services provided at their FMHPs are evidence-informed and coincide with their patients’ specific needs.
Brexit, Birmingham, belonging and home: the experience of secondary migrant Somali families and the dirty work of boundary maintenance
Authors: Allen Chris , Ögtem-Young Özlem
Published: April 2020

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the impact of the Brexit referendum on feelings of belonging and home among secondary migrant Somali families in the city of Birmingham. Here, the Brexit referendum is understood through the analytical framework of the politics of belonging in that it functioned as a political mechanism that demarcated who was able to belong and who was not.

Design/methodology/approach

This research was qualitatively designed, comprising 25 in-depth, semi-structured interviews that used a whole family methodological approach. In doing so, this paper considers how the referendum challenged notions of citizenship as well as community and individual identities.

Findings

For the families engaged, they experienced the referendum as a mechanism that immediately conveyed notions of “otherness” and “foreign-ness” onto them, thereby creating anxiety, uncertainty and instability. This paper argues that the emotional components of belonging were also challenged to the extent that feelings of security, safety and “home” became rendered meaningless through the disempowering impact of the referendum via the removal of autonomy and choice in the bonds that exist between people and places.

Originality/value

This paper generates new knowledge about the impact of the Brexit referendum. As “one-off” event, this research provides new insights into the political, social and cultural impacts of the vote. It considers a minority group that is seen to be hard to reach and thereby under-researched.
The role of high-performance work system and human capital in enhancing job performance
Authors: Imran Rabia , Atiya Tariq Mohammed Salih
Published: April 2020

Purpose

The aim of the current research is to examine how job performance is affected by high-performance work system (HPWS) and human capital. Furthermore, the research focuses on exploring the mediating role played by human capital in HPWS and job performance relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

Data was collected from service sector employees. A sample of 400 respondents was selected from the chosen population using purposive sampling.

Findings

The results reveal that HPWS and human capital positively and significantly affect job performance. The impact of HPWS in creating human capital was also supported. The research also hypothesized mediating role played by human capital in HPWS and job performance relationship, and it was partially supported.

Originality/value

Recent literature is evident of the relationship between performance and HPWS; however, the mechanism between these variables is still unclear (Demirbaget al., 2014). There is a need of identifying the factors that strengthen this relationship. The current research is an attempt to fill this gap by examining the effect of HPWS on job performance. Furthermore, it explores the role played by human capital in strengthening the connection of HPWS and job performance.
Ocean warming increases the nitrogen demand and the uptake of organic nitrogen of the globally distributed seagrass Zostera marina
Authors: Alexandre Ana , Quintã Raquel , Hill Paul W. , Jones Davey L. , Santos Rui
Published: April 2020

The impact of global warming on the metabolic state of a species may be examined by either measuring physiological rates across a latitudinal gradient or by assessing short‐term responses under experimentally controlled temperature regimes. The combination of the two approaches is seldom used but it provides valuable information on an organism's responses to temperature at broader temporal and spatial scales while allowing the isolation of temperature effects from other environmental variables.

Here we used both approaches to assess the warming effects on the total acquisition of dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN; nitrate, ammonium) and organic N (DON; amino acids, peptides) by the globally widespread seagrass Zostera marina. DIN and DON uptake rates were measured in plants from three sites covering the species latitudinal distribution in Europe (Iceland, UK and Portugal). The responses of DIN and DON uptake rates of plants from the middle latitude (UK) to a latitudinal range of temperatures (8, 12 and 17°C) were also measured. We further examined the microbial uptake of DON along the latitudinal distribution and whether temperature is the main driver of that uptake.

Our results showed that warming greatly increased the total N uptake by Z. marina and also the relative contribution of DON to total N acquisition. The microbial uptake of DON increased towards warmer latitudes, and temperature was the main driver of these observations.

Ocean warming will increase the nitrogen demand of Z. marina and this demand may be met by an increasing uptake of organic nitrogen forms. This indicates that Z. marina, and probably other seagrass species, can be winners under global change as nitrogen uptake capacity will not limit growth driven by increased photosynthetic assimilation of CO2.

A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.
Delivered pricing and endogenous delegation of contract type
Authors: Heywood John S. , Wang Zheng
Published: April 2020

This article demonstrates for the first time that owners will delegate the location decision under delivered pricing using a relative performance contract rather than a market share contract. It goes on to evaluate the welfare consequences of this demonstration. With linear production costs and simultaneous location, both incentive contracts reduce welfare, but the chosen relative performance contract reduces it by less. Yet, with linear costs and sequential location, the chosen relative performance contract reduces welfare by more. Finally, with enough convexity in production costs, welfare can be improved by the chosen relative performance contracts.
Laser therapy for urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse: a systematic review
Authors: Mackova K , Van daele L , Page A‐S , Geraerts I , Krofta L , Deprest J
Published: April 2020

Background

Laser therapy is now being proposed for the treatment of pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and urinary incontinence (UI).

Objectives

To systematically review the available literature on laser therapy for POP and UI.

Search strategy

PubMed, Web Of Science and Embase were searched for relevant articles, using a three‐concept (POP, UI, laser therapy) search engine composed as (concept 1 OR concept 2) AND concept 3.

Selection criteria

Only full‐text clinical studies in English.

Data collection and analysis

Data on patient characteristics, laser setting, treatment outcome and adverse events were independently collected by two researchers. There was a lack of methodological uniformity so meta‐analysis was not possible and the results are presented narratively.

Main results

Thirty‐one studies recruiting 1530 adult women met the inclusion criteria. All studies showed significant improvement either on UI, POP or both; however the heterogeneity of laser settings, application and outcome measures was huge. Only one study was a randomised controlled trial, two studies were controlled cohort studies. All three were on UI and used standardised validated tools. The risk of bias in the randomised controlled trial was low on all seven domains; the controlled studies had a serious risk of bias. No major adverse events were reported, mild pain and burning sensation were the most commonly described adverse events.

Conclusions

All studies on vaginal and/or urethral laser application for POP and UI report improvement, but the quality of studies needs to be improved.

Tweetable abstract

There is weak evidence that laser therapy is effective for urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse #LASER#UI#POP.
Connected markets through global real estate investments
Authors: Zhu Bing , Lizieri Colin
Published: April 2020

This study focuses on the possibility of higher risk in commercial real estate markets due to the “linked ownership” network, which is measured by the common holdings of properties in different urban real estate markets by the same investor. Using data from 2007 to 2016, our results show that commonality in ownership can explain the significant comovement in international office market performance and add additional information to other matrices constructed by geographic distance, mergers and acquisitions capital flow, currency unit, and even overlapping occupiers located in those cities. The transmission mechanism is most pronounced and persistent during the global financial crisis period.
Estimating the Impact of Laminar Flow on the Pattern and Rate of Decomposition in Aquatic Environments—Is There a Better Way of Modeling Decomposition?
Authors: Palmer Christy
Published: April 2020

Determining the Postmortem Submersion Interval (PMSI) is challenging for forensic anthropologists due to the variability of decomposition in aquatic environments. One possible cause of this variability that has received little attention in the literature is the impact of laminar flow. In order to determine whether flow affects the pattern or rate of decomposition, this study analyzed six rabbit carcasses submerged in two different sites: one with slow, laminar flow (“River Site”) and one without flow (“Canal Site”). A pulley system was designed in order to periodically bring the carcasses out of the water for sampling, with the pattern of decomposition monitored using visual descriptions of the decomposition process and the rate monitored using the Heaton et al. 2010 method of scoring aquatic decomposition in conjunction with accumulated degree days (ADD). The rate of decomposition was found to be significantly different between the two sites (F(1, 126) = 89.569, p < 0.01). In addition, decomposition was observed to occur in four distinct stages, which were modeled as a series of curves, and a Staged Decomposition Model was created as the possible basis for an improved predictor of PMSI versus the current loglinear approach. While the traditional loglinear approach appears to give a good approximation to the Staged Decomposition Models in environments with laminar flow, this research suggests that it may be less accurate for nonflowing sites.
RT‐LAMP for rapid diagnosis of coronavirus SARS‐CoV‐2
Authors: Huang Wei E. , Lim Boon , Hsu Chia‐Chen , Xiong Dan , Wu Wei , Yu Yejiong , Jia Huidong , Wang Yun , Zeng Yida , Ji Mengmeng , Chang Hong , Zhang Xiuming , Wang Hui , Cui Zhanfeng
Published: April 2020

The pandemic coronavirus SARS‐CoV‐2 in the world has caused a large infected population suffering from COVID‐19. To curb the spreading of the virus, WHO urgently demanded an extension of screening and testing; thus, a rapid and simple diagnostic method is needed. We applied a reverse transcription‐loop‐mediated isothermal amplification (RT‐LAMP) to achieve the detection of SARS‐CoV‐2 in 30 min. We designed four sets of LAMP primers (6 primers in each set), targeting the viral RNA of SARS‐CoV‐2 in the regions of orf1ab, S gene and N gene. A colorimetric change was used to report the results, which enables the outcome of viral RNA amplification to be read by the naked eye without the need of expensive or dedicated instrument. The sensitivity can be 80 copies of viral RNA per ml in a sample. We validated the RT‐LAMP method in a hospital in China, employing 16 clinic samples with 8 positives and 8 negatives. The testing results are consistent with the conventional RT‐qPCR. In addition, we also show that one‐step process without RNA extraction is feasible to achieve RNA amplification directly from a sample. This rapid, simple and sensitive RT‐LAMP method paves a way for a large screening at public domain and hospitals, particularly regional hospitals and medical centres in rural areas.
Parental Family History of Alcohol Use Disorder and Neural Correlates of Response Inhibition in Children From the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study
Authors: Lees Briana , Aguinaldo Laika , Squeglia Lindsay M. , Infante Maria Alejandra , Wade Natasha E. , Hernandez Mejia Margie , Jacobus Joanna
Published: April 2020

Background

Youth whose parents have alcohol use disorder (AUD) are at higher risk for earlier initiation and greater magnitude of alcohol use, and have a higher likelihood of developing an AUD than their peers without parental history of AUD. This increased risk may be partly attributable to altered development of inhibitory control and related neural circuitry. This study examined neural activation during a motor response inhibition Stop Signal Task (SST) in substance‐naïve youth aged 9 to 10 years with and without parental family history of AUD.

Methods

Baseline cross‐sectional survey and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data were drawn from 6,898 youth in the US‐based Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study. Generalized additive mixed models were conducted to examine the association between maternal, paternal, and parental (both mother and father) family history of AUD with neural activation during successful and failed response inhibition. Family history interactions with sex and stratification by ethnicity were explored.

Results

Of 6,898 participants, 951 (14%) were family history positive for any parental AUD. Paternal history of AUD was associated with greater activation for successful inhibition in the right medial orbital frontal gyrus, compared to youth with no family history. Maternal history of AUD was associated with greater activation for failed response inhibition among females in the cerebellum, compared to females with no such history. Parental history (both mother and father) of AUD was associated with greater activation during successful inhibition in the left paracentral gyri and left superior parietal lobule. Maternal history and parental history of AUD findings were accounted for by a family history of substance use disorder in general. All effect sizes were relatively small.

Conclusions

Substance‐naïve children with a parental family history of AUD exhibit greater neural activation in some regions of the fronto‐basal ganglia and cerebellar networks when they successfully or unsuccessfully inhibit a response as compared to children with no such family history. This unique neural response pattern could reflect a compensatory response and may represent an inherent neurobiological vulnerability to risk‐related behaviors in these youth which will be examined in future longitudinal analyses of this cohort.
The Demographic and Neurocognitive Profile of Clients Diagnosed With Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder in PATCHES Paediatrics Clinics Across Western Australia and the Northern Territory
Authors: Connor Sophia , Tan Kuen Yee , Pestell Carmela F. , Fitzpatrick James P.
Published: April 2020

Background

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) is a diagnosis relating to neurocognitive impairments associated with prenatal alcohol exposure. A key aspect of improving FASD diagnostic processes and management is understanding the demographic and neurocognitive profile of those living with FASD. The aim of this study was to describe the demographic and neurocognitive profile of the first 199 individuals diagnosed with FASD in PATCHES Paediatrics clinics.

Methods

A retrospective cross‐sectional descriptive study design was conducted with individuals diagnosed with FASD between 2013 and 2018 through a multidisciplinary team according to the Australian FASD Diagnostic Guidelines.

Results

Participants were primarily male 133 (66.8%) and Aboriginal Australian 147 (73.9%), aged 2 to 31 (mean 10.5), with 94 (47.3%) from remote or very remote parts of Western Australia. Participants came from low 119 (59.8%), medium 48 (24.1%), and high 32 (16.1%) socioeconomic (SE) backgrounds. Low SE background was found to be a predictor of number of sentinel facial features (Wald χ2 (1) = 4.03, p < 0.05). Most received a diagnosis of FASD with <3 sentinel features 165 (82.9%). Participants either had 6 or more 46 (23.1%), 5 44 (22.1%), 4 55 (27.6%), or 3 (27.1%) neurodevelopmental domains impaired. Executive functioning was the most commonly impaired neurodevelopmental domain 158 (79.4%), and 31 (61%) reported sleep disturbance. ADHD was the most observed comorbid condition (41.7%).

Conclusions

This study improves our current understanding of neurocognitive and demographic profiles in individuals with FASD that have been clinically referred for diagnosis within Western Australia and the Northern Territory, and highlights the importance of prevention and early assessment/diagnosis as well as guidance regarding more targeted interventions. FASD affects individuals from all cultural and SE backgrounds. Individuals from middle to higher SE groups are at risk of FASD with prevention efforts needing to target these sectors of society. Suggestions for future research directions are also provided.
Northward shift in temperature sum isoclines may favour Ips typographus outbreaks in European Russia
Authors: Romashkin Ivan , Neuvonen Seppo , Tikkanen Olli‐Pekka
Published: April 2020

As the development of the eight‐toothed spruce bark beetle Ips typographus is temperature‐dependent, climate change may encourage development of its additional generations per year and facilitate mass outbreaks further north than previously known.

The aim of the study was to analyse historical changes in effective temperature sums (ETSs) and early season swarming weather for I. typographus in different forest zones of European Russia between 1960 and 2016. The difference in ETSs was analysed with linear regression using daily temperature data from the 30 meteorological stations. Historical data regarding the location of I. typographus outbreaks were examined and changes in their distribution during the entire study period were analysed.

There was a substantial increase in ETSs, especially in the latter half of the study period. Increased ETSs coincided with more favourable conditions for swarming of I. typographus. Areas with favourable ETSs for the complete development of bivoltine populations of I. typographus (>1500 DD) shifted northwards on average 450 km during the entire study period.

The northward shift of ETSs may enhance the transition from univoltine to bivoltine life cycles of I. typographus in the south and middle taiga and from bivoltine to trivoltine life cycles in conifer‐broadleaf forests.
Portal venous gas: different aetiologies and their respective outcomes
Authors: Daneshmand Ali , Parys Simon , Rao Sudako , Watanabe Yuki , Sieunarine Kishore
Published: April 2020

Background

Historically finding of portal venous gas (PVG) has been considered as an ominous sign and an indication for emergency surgery and reportedly has a high mortality rate. However, with the recent increasing use of imaging studies, cases of PVG associated with benign and non‐life‐threatening causes are increasing. The purpose of our study was to investigate the different aetiologies associated with PVG and their respective outcomes.

Methods

A consecutive series of patients with PVG was identified in our group of tertiary hospitals in Western Australia over a 10‐year period. Collected data included patients' demographic data, comorbidities, blood tests results, underlying aetiology of the PVG, patients' management and their outcomes.

Results

During the study period of 2008 to 2018, 164 patients met the inclusion criteria. Male : Female 90 versus 74. Average age was 65.6. A diverse range of underlying causes identified broadly divided into thromboembolic events (n = 70), mechanical bowel obstruction (n = 29), inflammatory conditions (n = 37) and a wide range of other pathologies (n = 28). The overall mortality was 47.5%, however, varied depending on the underlying aetiology (14.3–72.8%).

Conclusion

Our study demonstrates that PVG is not always a fatal sign and that mortality varies significantly depending on the aetiology. Both the patient's presenting history and the clinical findings have to be considered to recognize benign aetiology of PVG on computed tomography imaging and the treatment should be directed to the underlying disease with consideration of the high mortality rate of PVG associated with ischaemic bowel.
Overweight, obesity and hyperandrogenemia are associated with gestational diabetes mellitus: A follow‐up cohort study
Authors: West Sammeli , Ollila Meri‐Maija , Franks Stephen , Piltonen Terhi , Jokelainen Jari , Nevalainen Jaana , Puukka Katri , Ruokonen Aimo , Järvelin Marjo‐Riitta , Auvinen Juha , Tapanainen Juha S. , Morin‐Papunen Laure
Published: April 2020

Introduction

The aim of the study was to determine the association of body mass index (BMI), self‐reported symptoms or diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and hyperandrogenemia with the occurrence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) through reproductive life.

Material and methods

A cohort of women born in 1966 were investigated at ages 14, 31 and 46. Women with self‐reported PCOS symptoms (presence of both oligo‐amenorrhea and hirsutism) at age 31 or with formally diagnosed polycystic ovaries (PCO)/PCOS by age 46 formed the group of self‐reported PCOS (srPCOS, n = 222) and were compared with women without self‐reported PCOS symptoms or diagnosis (n = 1357). We investigated also the association of hyperandrogenism (hirsutism or biochemical hyperandrogenism) at age 31 with the occurrence of GDM throughout reproductive life.

Results

Self‐reported PCOS alone was not a risk factor for GDM, but combined with overweight at age 31 (odds ratio [OR] 2.43, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.22‐4.86) or 46 (OR 3.04, 95% CI 1.58‐5.83) srPCOS was associated with GDM when compared with normal weight controls. The association disappeared when comparing overweight srPCOS women with overweight controls. However, hyperandrogenemia at age 31, but not hirsutism, was associated with GDM even after adjustment for BMI.

Conclusions

The increased risk of GDM in women with srPCOS was mostly attributed to overweight or obesity. Importantly, normal weight women with srPCOS did not seem to be at increased risk for developing GDM. However, hyperandrogenemia was associated with GDM even after adjustment for BMI. These findings strengthen the importance of weight management in reproductive‐age women and suggest a noteworthy role of hyperandrogenemia in the pathophysiology of GDM.
Exploration of suitable pharmacodynamic parameters for acarbose bioequivalence evaluation: A series of clinical trials with branded acarbose
Authors: Huang Jie , Liu Wen‐yu , Yu Jing‐jing , Yang Jin‐bo , Li Min , Zou Chan , Guo Cheng‐xian , Yang Xiao‐yan , Yang Shuang , Xie Jin‐lian , Huang Zhi‐jun , Chen Hui , Pei Qi , Yang Guo‐ping
Published: April 2020

Aims

To determine deficiencies in the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)'s guidance for assessing acarbose bioequivalence (BE) and to explore optimal pharmacodynamic (PD) metrics for better evaluation of acarbose BE.

Methods

Three clinical trials with branded acarbose were conducted in healthy subjects, including a pilot study (Study I, n = 11, 50 and 100 mg), a 2×2 crossover BE study (Study II, n = 36, 100 mg) and a 4×4 Williams study (Study III, n = 16, 50/100/150 mg). Serum glucose concentrations were measured by the glucose oxidase method.

Results

In Study I, compared with 50 mg acarbose, only 100 mg acarbose had a significantly lower Cmax0–4h than that of sucrose administration alone (7.96 ± 0.83 mmol/L vs 6.78 ± 1.02 mmol/L, P < .05). In Study II, the geometric mean ratios of the test formulation to the reference formulation (both formulations were the branded drug) for FDA PD metrics, ΔCmax0–4h and ΔAUC0–4h, were 0.903 and 0.776, respectively, and the 90% confidence intervals were 67.44–120.90 and 53.65–112.13, respectively. The geometric mean ratios (confidence interval) for possible optimal evaluation PD metrics (Cmax0–2h and AUC0–2h) were 1.035 (94.23–112.68) and 0.982 (89.28–107.17), respectively. Further, Cmax0–2h and AUC0–2h also met the sensitivity requirements for BE evaluation in Study III.

Conclusion

Considering the mechanisms of action of acarbose, the PD effect was shown to be dose independent during the 2–4 hours postadministration of acarbose. Hence PD metrics based on the serum glucose concentration from 0 to 2 hours (Cmax0–2h and AUC0–2h) are more sensitive than the FDA‐recommended PD metrics for acarbose BE evaluation from 0–4 hours (ΔCmax0–4h and ΔAUC0–4h).

The trial has been registered at the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (http://www.chictr.org.cn, ChiCTR1800015795, ChiCTR‐IIR‐17013918, ChiCTR‐IIR‐17011903). All subjects provided written informed consent before screening.
Rethinking patient involvement in healthcare priority setting
Authors: Sandman Lars , Hofmann Bjorn , Bognar Greg
Published: April 2020

With healthcare systems under pressure from scarcity of resources and ever‐increasing demand for services, difficult priority setting choices need to be made. At the same time, increased attention to patient involvement in a wide range of settings has given rise to the idea that those who are eventually affected by priority setting decisions should have a say in those decisions. In this paper, we investigate arguments for the inclusion of patient representatives in priority setting bodies at the policy level. We find that the standard justifications for patient representation, such as to achieve patient‐relevant decisions, empowerment of patients, securing legitimacy of decisions, and the analogy with democracy, all fall short of supporting patient representation in this context. We conclude by briefly outlining an alternative proposal for patient participation that involves patient consultants.
Long‐term follow‐up after radiotherapy for prostate cancer with and without rectal hydrogel spacer: a pooled prospective evaluation of bowel‐associated quality of life
Authors: Seymour Zachary A. , Hamstra Daniel A. , Daignault‐Newton Stephanie , Bosch Walter , Michalski Jeffery , Gay Hiram A. , Pinkawa Michael
Published: April 2020

Objective

To evaluate the long‐term bowel‐associated quality of life (QOL) in men after radiotherapy (RT) for prostate cancer with and without the use of rectal hydrogel spacer.

Patients and Methods

The patients’ QOL was examined using the Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite (EPIC) and mean changes from baseline in EPIC domains were evaluated. A total of 215 patients from a randomised multi‐institutional trial of RT, with or without hydrogel spacer, with a QOL endpoint were pooled with 165 non‐randomised patients from a single institution with prospective QOL collection in patients with or without hydrogel spacer. The proportions of men with minimally important differences (MIDs) relative to pre‐treatment baseline in the bowel domain were tested using repeated measure logistic models with a pre‐specified threshold for clinically significant declines (≥5 equivalent to MIDx1 and ≥10 equivalent to MIDx2).

Results

A total of 380 men were evaluated (64% with spacer and 36% without) with QOL data being available for 199 men with >24 months of follow‐up [median (range) 39.5 (31–71.4) months]. Treatment with spacer was associated with less decline in average long‐term bowel QOL (89.4 for control and 94.7 for spacer) with differences at >24 months meeting the threshold of a MID difference between cohorts (bowel score difference from baseline: control = −5.1, spacer = 0.3, difference = −5.4; P < 0.001). When evaluated over time men without spacer were more likely to have MIDx1 (5 points) declines in bowel QOL (P = 0.01). At long‐term follow‐up MIDx1 was 36% without spacer vs 14% with spacer (P <0.001; odds ratio [OR] 3.5, 95% CI 1.7–6.9) while MIDx2 was seen in 19% vs 6% (P = 0.008; OR 3.6, 95% CI 1.4–9.1). The use of spacer was associated with less urgency with bowel movements (P = 0.002) and fewer loose stools (P = 0.009), as well as less bother with urgency (P = 0.007) and frequency of bowel movements (P = 0.009).

Conclusions

In this pooled analysis of QOL after prostate RT with up to 5 years of follow‐up, use of a rectal spacer was associated with preservation of bowel QOL. This QOL benefit was preserved with long‐term follow‐up.
Bayesian assessment of Lorenz and stochastic dominance
Authors: Lander David , Gunawan David , Griffiths William , Chotikapanich Duangkamon
Published: April 2020

We introduce a Bayesian approach for assessing Lorenz and stochastic dominance. For two income distributions, say X and Y, estimated via Markov chain Monte Carlo, we describe how to compute posterior probabilities for: (i) X dominates Y, (ii) Y dominates X and (iii) neither Y nor X dominates. The proposed approach is applied to Indonesian income distributions using mixtures of gamma densities that ensure flexible modelling. Probability curves depicting the probability of dominance at each population proportion are used to explain changes in dominance probabilities over restricted ranges relevant for poverty orderings. They also explain some seemingly contradictory outcomes from the p‐values of some sampling theory tests.
Rae1 drives NKG2D binding‐dependent tumor development in mice by activating mTOR and STAT3 pathways in tumor cells
Authors: Zhao Peiyan , Yang Lei , Li Xin , Lu Wenting , Lu Fangjie , Wang Shengnan , Wang Ying , Hua Li , Cui Cuiyun , Dong Boqi , Yu Yongli , Wang Liying
Published: April 2020

Natural killer group 2 member D (NKG2D) ligands (NKG2DLs) on tumor cells engage NKG2D and mediate killing by NKG2D+ immune cells. However, tumor cells with high levels of NKG2DLs are still malignant and proliferate rapidly. We investigated the reason for NKG2DL‐expressing cell progression. Tumor cells in mice were assessed for their NKG2DL expression, ability to attract immune cells, tumorigenicity, mTOR, and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) signaling activation. Antibody blockade was used to determine the effect of NKG2DL‐NKG2D interaction on signaling activation in vitro. Retinoic acid early inducible gene 1 (Rae1) was related to the expression of other NKG2DLs, the promotion of tumorigenicity, Mmp2 expression, mTOR and STAT3 phosphorylation in GL261 cells, and the recruitment of NKG2D+ cells in mice. Rae1 also induced NKG2DL expression, mTOR, and STAT3 phosphorylation in GL261 cells and LLC cells, but not in B16 and Pan02 cells, which did not express NKG2DLs, when cocultured with PBMCs; the induced phosphorylation was eliminated by Rae1‐NKG2D blockade. Inhibition of mTOR and/or STAT3 decreased PBMC‐induced migration and proliferation of GL261 cells in vitro. Rae1, a NKG2DL on tumor cells, plays a driving role in the expression of other NKG2DLs and in tumor development in mice by activating mTOR and STAT3 pathways, relying on its interaction with NKG2D on immune cells.
Potent antibacterial activity of dihydydropyrimidine‐1,3,5‐triazines via inhibition of DNA gyrase and antifungal activity with favourable metabolic profile
Authors: Masih Anup , Shrivastava Jitendra Kumar , Bhat Hans Raj , Singh Udaya Pratap
Published: April 2020

The compounds were tested against panel of three Gram‐positive, viz. Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus cereus and three Gram‐negative bacterial strains viz. Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, and Proteus vulgaris where they showed significant to moderate antibacterial activity. The compound also showed considerable antibiofilm activity against S. aureus and B. subtilis. The most potent compounds 7l and 7m found bacteriostatic in time‐kill assay via inhibition of DNA gyrase enzyme and interacting with Glu58, Val130, Ile175 and Ile186 via numerous H‐bonds as revealed by docking. In S. aureus‐induced murine infection model, compound 7m showed dose‐dependent reduction of viability of bacteria with maximum activity in 25 mg/kg treated group. The antifungal activity against human fungal pathogens was also estimated, where these compounds showed considerable inhibitory activity as compared to standard. The metabolic liability of compound 7m was determined using RS‐Predictor and MetaPrint 2D React. The molecules were proved as effective antibacterial agent via inhibition of DNA gyrase as a mechanism together with significant antifungal activity.
Gram‐negative endophthalmitis: A prospective study examining the microbiology, clinical associations and visual outcomes following infection
Authors: Stevenson Louis J. , Dawkins Rosie C. H. , Sheorey Harsha , McGuinness Myra B. , Hurley Andrew H. , Allen Penelope J.
Published: April 2020

Importance

This is the largest Gram‐negative endophthalmitis specific series and provides important evidence to guide management.

Background

Endophthalmitis is a sight‐threatening emergency. Gram‐negative infections are associated with poorer visual outcomes; however, there is limited literature pertaining to this uncommon condition.

Design

Prospective case series.

Participants

All patients presenting with endophthalmitis to a tertiary institution over a 20‐year period.

Methods

Data were collected prospectively and entered into a registry. Patients with microbiological evidence of Gram‐negative infection were included in the analysis.

Main outcomes measures

Final visual acuity (VA), precipitating events, causative organisms, antibiotic sensitivity profiles and risk factors for poor visual outcomes were reported.

Results

One hundred Gram‐negative organisms were isolated in 97 eyes. Final VA was worse than 6/60 in 65 (67.0%) eyes at follow‐up and 29 (29.9%) eyes were eviscerated or enucleated. Microbial keratitis (26.8%, n = 26) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (34.0%, n = 34) were the most common precipitating event and causative organism, respectively. Eight (8.0%) isolates were third‐generation cephalosporin resistant; of which, 7 (88.0%) were sensitive to ciprofloxacin. Preceding microbial keratitis (OR = 13.16, P = .015) or P. aeruginosa infections (OR = 3.40, P = .045) were strongly associated with poorer visual outcomes (worse than 6/60).

Conclusions and relevance

Visual outcomes following Gram‐negative endophthalmitis are extremely poor, with almost 30% of patients being eviscerated or enucleated. A majority of ceftazidime resistant organisms are sensitive to ciprofloxacin, providing evidence to support the empirical use of quinolones. Clinicians should be mindful that infections secondary to P. aeruginosa or microbial keratitis carry a particularly poor prognosis.
Quantitative comparison of endoscopically assisted endonasal, sublabial and transorbital transmaxillary approaches to the anterolateral skull base
Authors: Lin Bon‐Jour , Ju Da‐Tong , Hsu Tzu‐Hsien , Chen Yi‐An , Chung Tzu‐Tsao , Liu Wei‐Hsiu , Hueng Dueng‐Yuan , Chen Yuan‐Hao , Hsia Chung‐Ching , Ma Hsin‐I , Liu Ming‐Ying , Tang Chi‐Tun
Published: April 2020

Objectives

The aim of this anatomical study is to make quantitative comparison among three endoscopic approaches, encompassing contralateral endonasal transseptal transmaxillary transpterygoid approach (contralateral EEA), endoscopic sublabial transmaxillary transalisphenoid (Caldwell‐Luc) approach and endoscopic transorbital transmaxillary approach through inferior orbital fissure (ETOA), to the anterolateral skull base for assisting preoperative planning.

Design & Participants

Anatomical dissections were performed in four adult cadaveric heads bilaterally using three endoscopic transmaxillary approaches described above.

Setting

Skull Base Laboratory at the National Defense Medical Center.

Main outcome measures

The area of exposure, angles of attack and depth of surgical corridor of each approach were measured and obtained for statistical comparison.

Results

The ETOA had significantly larger exposure over middle cranial fossa (731.40 ± 80.08 mm2) than contralateral EEA (266.60 ± 46.74 mm2) and Caldwell‐Luc approach (468.40 ± 59.67 mm2). In comparison with contralateral EEA and Caldwell‐Luc approach, the ETOA offered significantly greater angles of attack and shorter depth of surgical corridor (P < .05 for all comparisons).

Conclusions

The ETOA is the superior choice for target lesion occupying multiple compartments with its epicentre located in the middle cranial fossa or superior portion of infratemporal fossa.
Utility of the Mansoura Numeroalphabetic Constipation Score in detection of obstructed defaecation syndrome and prediction of the outcome of treatment
Authors: Emile S. , Shalaby M. , Elshobaky A. , Khafagy W. , Farid M.
Published: April 2020

Aim

Thorough assessment of obstructed defaecation syndrome (ODS) is imperative for the selection of treatment options. The present study aimed to examine the utility of the Mansoura Numeroalphabetic Constipation Score (MNCS) in distinguishing patients with ODS from healthy control subjects and in predicting the outcome of treatment of ODS.

Methods

Patients with ODS associated with anterior rectocele and/or rectoanal intussusception were assessed with the MNCS at the first visit to the clinic. All patients were offered conservative treatment for 3 months and patients who improved were continued on conservative treatment for six more months while patients who failed were treated surgically. The MNCS was reassessed at the end of follow‐up in both groups. A cohort of healthy controls was compared to ODS patients with regard to age, sex and baseline MNCS.

Results

In all, 124 ODS patients and 53 healthy controls were included. The ODS patients had a significantly higher baseline MNCS than controls (9.5 ± 1.5 vs 0.76 ± 0.71, P < 0.0001). Forty of 124 patients improved after conservative management and showed a significant decrease in MNCS (6.9 ± 1.08 to 3.1 ± 1.2, P < 0.0001). Eighty‐four (67.8%) patients failed to respond to conservative measures and were surgically treated, 77 (91.6%) of whom showed significant improvement in symptoms postoperatively while seven (8.4%) failed to improve; the difference in postoperative MNCS between the two groups was significant.

Conclusion

The MNCS successfully distinguished ODS patients from controls and was able to predict the outcome of ODS treatment.
Blurred vision in a young man: Eyeball fluid cytopathology
Authors: Martínez-Girón Rafael , Martínez-Torre Santiago
Published: April 2020

A 23‐year‐old male presented with progressive blurred vision in his right eye for three weeks. Ocular examination by a slit‐lamp demonstrated an accumulation of a turbid cream‐colored material at the bottom of the anterior chamber (AC) of the eyeball. An AC paracentesis was carried out, obtaining 0.5 ml of non‐transparent fluid,and a diagnosis was made.