bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Forecasting the 2021 local burden of population alcohol‐related harms using Bayesian structural time–series
Authors: McQuire Cheryl , Tilling Kate , Hickman Matthew , de Vocht Frank
Published: January 2019

Background and aims

Harmful alcohol use places a significant burden on health services. Sophisticated nowcasting and forecasting methods could support service planning, but their use in public health has been limited. We aimed to use a novel analysis framework, combined with routine public health data, to improve now‐ and forecasting of alcohol‐related harms.

Design

We used Bayesian structural time–series models to forecast alcohol‐related hospital admissions for 2020/21 (from 2015 to 2016).

Setting

England.

Participants

We developed separate models for each English lower‐tier local authority.

Measurements

Our primary outcome was alcohol‐related hospital admissions. Model covariates were population size and age‐structure.

Findings

Nowcasting validation indicated adequate accuracy, with 5‐year nowcasts underestimating admissions by 2.2% nationally and 3.3% locally, on average. Forecasts indicated a 3.3% increase in national admissions in 2020/21, corresponding to a 0.2% reduction in the crude rate of new admissions, due to population size changes. Locally, the largest increases were forecast in urban, industrial and coastal areas and the largest decreases in university towns and ethnically diverse areas.

Conclusions

In 2020/21, alcohol‐related hospital admissions are expected to increase in urban and coastal areas and decrease in areas associated with inward migration of younger people, including university towns and areas with greater ethnic diversity. Bayesian structural time–series models enable investigation of the future impacts of alcohol‐related harms in population subgroups and could improve service planning and the evaluation of natural experiments on the impact of interventions to reduce the societal impacts of alcohol.
“Without Flinching”: Facing up to Race in Liberal Italy
Authors: Finaldi Giuseppe , Baratieri Daniela
Published: January 2019

This article examines the development of racial discourses in Italy during the process of unification and in the following years with respect to some of the fundamental issues experienced by and facing the new nation. Anthropologists and criminologists proselytised the new “science” purporting to have discovered a novel hermeneutic for how Italy should be imagined, moulded and propelled into the future. In this article, the test case provided for how race was engaged within the Italy emerging out of the process of unification is that of the “Assabesi”, six black inhabitants of the small tract of land Italy had acquired in Africa in 1869, who were brought to Italy and displayed at the 1884 National Exhibition held in Turin. As Italy embarked on a period of extended colonial expansion, the questions of race, otherness, citizenship and boundaries became ever more pressing. Through an examination of the vicissitudes and debates surrounding the Assabesi's sojourn in Italy, the article seeks to demonstrate that while racism was one option in how Italy's new black subjects could be categorised and eventually ruled, it always had to contend with powerful and sustained counter‐arguments.
Objectively measured mobility of rural community‐dwelling people aged 80 and over is strongly associated with greater use of services for community integration and social support: An observational study
Authors: Lester David , Tiedemann Anne , Sherrington Catherine
Published: January 2019

Objective

The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between the objectively measured mobility status of rural community‐dwelling older people and their use of formal and informal services.

Design

Observational cross‐sectional study.

Setting

Community volunteers, rural New South Wales, Australia.

Participants

Seventy community‐dwelling people aged 80 years or older.

Main outcome measures

The sum of formal and informal services used, expressed as both total hours per month and the risk of using five hours (the median) or more per month. Predictor variables were usual gait speed, Four Square Step Test, short physical performance battery and de Morton Mobility Index.

Results

Each predictor variable was significantly associated with service use as a continuous or dichotomous variable. The strongest associations were with gait speed and the short physical performance battery continuous scoring. These relationships remained significant after adjusting for likely confounders, including age, sex, nutritional risk status, cognition and negative affect.

Conclusion

This study provides strong evidence that the worse an older person's objectively measured mobility scores, the greater their use of community services to remain living in their rural community. Every measure of mobility proved to be strongly associated with the hours of service use. This objective evidence enhances previous knowledge based on self‐report measures. The impact on service use of strategies that enhance older people's mobility warrants investigation.
Diagnosis and management of type 2 diabetes in youth in North Queensland and the Northern Territory: A health professional survey
Authors: Haigh Kate , McDermott Robyn , Sinha Ashim , McLean Anna
Published: January 2019

Objective

To describe clinician practice regarding diagnosis, management and perceived barriers to the optimal management of youth‐onset type 2 diabetes mellitus in North Queensland and the Northern Territory and to compare self‐reported practice to guideline recommendations.

Design

A mailed questionnaire distributed between July and October 2017.

Setting

Clinicians practising in three tertiary hospitals and two primary care organisations in North Queensland and the Northern Territory.

Participants

Of the 72 participants, 42 (58%) who responded were endocrinologists, diabetes educators, GPs and paediatricians.

Results

Of the 42 clinicians, 23 referred to the guidelines. A diabetes educator, GP, endocrinologist and dietitian were the most commonly included clinicians in the multidisciplinary team. Half of the clinicians’ screen the children if additional risk factors are present. The HbA1c is the most common test used for screening and diagnosis. At diagnosis, the clinicians' recommended lifestyle change in 86% of the patients, treatment with metformin in 48%, and, when indicated, treatment with insulin in up to 45%. All clinicians believe that non‐adherence is a major factor limiting optimal care. Most commonly cited barriers to optimal care were poor patient or family health literacy and limited patient or family understanding of the condition.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates several aspects of diagnosis and management of type 2 diabetes mellitus in youth that deviate from the guidelines. Patients need improved access to social workers, psychologists and Indigenous health workers. Other key areas to address are evaluation of risk‐based screening, supporting appropriate and early use of insulin and the management of youth with type 2 diabetes mellitus inclusive of their family through contextualised health care delivery.
Factors associated with successful chronic disease treatment plans for older Australians: Implications for rural and Indigenous Australians
Authors: Holdsworth Stuart , Corscadden Lisa , Levesque Jean‐Frederic , Russell Grant
Published: January 2019

Objective

To identify factors associated with having a successful treatment plan for managing chronic conditions.

Design

Secondary analysis of the Commonwealth Fund's 2014 International Health Policy Survey.

Setting

Australia 2014.

Participants

A total of 3310 Australian adults over 55 years old.

Main outcome measures

Whether respondents: (i) had a treatment plan for their chronic condition; and (ii) believed that the plan was helpful in managing their condition.

Methods

We used multiple logistic regressions to assess the association between individual factors (age, income, remoteness, Australian Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander status) and patient reports of the outcomes of interest.

Results

Most respondents reported having a treatment plan for their chronic condition(s); the majority reported that it was helpful in managing their health. Treatment plan provision was associated with age over 75 years, above‐average income, Australian Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander status and multiple chronic conditions. Plans were less likely for residents of outer regional and remote areas. Indigenous respondents were far less likely than non‐Indigenous respondents to report that their treatment plan helped a lot. Respondents with providers who ‘always’ explained things were far more likely to say that a treatment plan helped.

Conclusion

While the patient–provider relationship influenced the perceived success of treatment plans, inequities in treatment plan provision seemed linked with rurality and income. The higher frequency of treatment plans for Indigenous respondents might reflect access to Australian Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander health checks, while the plan's perceived lack of efficacy suggests a gap in cultural acceptability.
Service providers’ experience of methamphetamine and the portrayal of the ‘ice epidemic’ in remote Australia
Authors: Cartwright Kimberly , Tait Robert J.
Published: January 2019

Objective

To contrast service providers’ perceptions about crystalline methamphetamine (henceforth, ice) use and harm with information communicated in media reports and politicians’ statements.

Design

In‐depth semi structured interviews with service providers about the nature and extent of ice use in the local community and its impact on individual services, clients and town life. Interviews were transcribed verbatim, manually analysed and coded around key themes, interpreted and independently cross‐checked for context and accuracy.

Setting

Two remote towns located in different states and territories operating as service hubs to very remote communities.

Participants

Twenty‐seven key service providers representing local organisations that engage with ice users and/or their families.

Results

First, compared with alcohol, ice use and ice‐related harm were insignificant at the two sites. Ice users were primarily high‐earning and ‐functioning non‐Australian Aboriginal tradesmen, and to a lesser extent, professionals and secondary school students. There were few Australian Aboriginal users. Ice was used to ‘party’, keep alert, and escape psychological distress. Second, the ‘Ice Destroys Lives’ campaign and references to an ‘ice epidemic’ amplified public anxiety about ice and ice‐related harm in the surveyed communities. Third, the attention on ice distracted from the more extensive harm arising from alcohol use in their communities.

Conclusion

The respondents questioned the notion of an ‘ice epidemic’ and the use of federal funding for ice‐related initiatives in remote communities, especially while general alcohol and other drug services were under‐resourced.
Home to health care to hospital: Evaluation of a cancer care team based in Australian Aboriginal primary care
Authors: Ivers Rowena , Jackson Brad , Levett Trish , Wallace Kyla , Winch Scott
Published: January 2019

Objective

To evaluate the acceptability of a cancer care team based at an Australian Aboriginal medical service in supporting patients’ cancer journeys and to assess improvements in access to cancer care.

Design

The cancer care team consisted of an Australian Aboriginal health worker, counsellor and enrolled nurse employed for 2 days a week, supported by a general practitioner. The cancer care team supported patients from prediagnosis while investigations were being undertaken, at diagnosis and through treatment, such as surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy, and follow‐up, including to palliative care and grief support where these were required. They coordinated preventive programs, such as cervical smear and mammogram recall registers, and coordinated health promotion activities to promote prevention and early detection of other cancers, such as bowel cancer, skin cancer, liver cancer and prostate cancer. The program was evaluated qualitatively using semistructured interviews with current clients of the cancer care team and stakeholders, using grounded theory to analyse emerging themes.

Setting

An Australian Aboriginal community‐controlled health service in New South Wales.

Participants

The cancer care team provided care for 79 clients.

Main outcome measures

Acceptability and accessibility of cancer care services.

Results

The evaluation involved recruitment of eight Australian Aboriginal clients of the cancer care team and eight stakeholders. The main themes to emerge included improved accessibility of cancer care services, including availability of home visits, transport and accompaniment to tertiary settings. The service was viewed as being culturally safe.

Conclusion

A primary care‐based cancer care team in an Australian Aboriginal medical service provided a culturally safe and accessible service for clients.
Potential metabolic markers in glaucoma and their regulation in response to hypoxia
Authors: Vohra Rupali , Dalgaard Line Marie , Vibæk Jeppe , Langbøl Mia Aggergaard , Bergersen Linda Hildegaard , Olsen Niels Vidiendal , Hassel Bjørnar , Chaudhry Farrukh Abbas , Kolko Miriam
Published: January 2019

Purpose

To assess novel differences in serum levels of glucose, lactate and amino acids in patients with normal‐tension glaucoma (NTG) compared to age‐matched controls, at baseline and in response to universal hypoxia.

Methods

Twelve patients diagnosed with NTG and eleven control subjects underwent normobaric hypoxia for 2 hr. Peripheral venous blood samples were taken at baseline, during hypoxia and in the recovery phase. Serum glucose and lactate levels were measured by a blood gas analyser. Amino acids were analysed by high‐performance liquid chromatography.

Results

Baseline levels of lactate and total amino acids were significantly lower in patients with NTG compared to healthy controls. No differences were seen in blood glucose levels between the two groups. Lactate levels remained unchanged during hypoxia in the control group, but increased in patients with NTG. In the recovery phase, total amino acid levels were reduced in the control group, whereas no changes were found in patients with NTG.

Conclusion

Reduced serum levels of lactate and total amino acids were identified as potential markers for NTG. Moreover, significant differential regulatory patterns of certain amino acids were found in patients with NTG compared to control subjects. Overall, our results suggest a link between systemic energy metabolites and NTG and support a novel understanding of glaucoma as an inner retinal manifestation of a systemic condition.
The Interplay of Low Identification, Psychological Detachment, and Cynicism for Predicting Counterproductive Work Behaviour
Authors: Tong Jiajin , Chong SinHui , Chen Jiayu , Johnson Russell E. , Ren Xiaopeng
Published: January 2019

Prior research suggests that psychological detachment buffers the detrimental effects of negative work events and stressors on employees’ subsequent performance and well‐being. This, however, assumes that employees are motivated to reengage in their work following detachment, which may not always be true. Our paper examines the potential dark side of psychological detachment by exploring its moderating effects on the relationship of low organisational identification with counterproductive work behaviour (CWB) via cynicism toward work. Based on self‐discrepancy theory, we argue that detachment strengthens the link from low identification to cynicism because it reinforces the psychological distance of lowly identified employees with the organisation and provides them with additional resources to more deeply reflect on their mismatch with their organisation, thus generating stronger feelings of doubt and distrust that characterise cynicism. We also hypothesise that detachment strengthens the relation from cynicism to CWB, because detachment reinforces personal separation from work in cynical employees and because cynical employees may leverage their replenished resources to fuel deviant acts. Multi‐wave data collected from two field samples support our hypotheses. We discuss the implications of our study and propose future research directions.
Effects of different stocking densities on growth performance, antioxidant ability, and immunity of finishing broilers
Authors: Cai Chen Hao , Zhao Ruo Xi , Wang Peng , Wang Jiang Shui , Li Kai Xuan , Zhan Xiu An , Wang Kai Ying
Published: January 2019

The study was conducted to evaluate the effects of different stocking densities on growth performance, antioxidant capacity, and immunity of broilers. One thousand four hundred and forty 22‐day‐old Lingnan Yellow broilers were randomly allotted to five different stocking density groups (8, 10, 12, 14, and 16 birds per m2). Each group consisted of three replicates. The results showed that 8 and 10 birds/m2 groups had higher average daily feed intake (ADFI) than the others (p < 0.05). Heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) in the group of 16 birds/m2 had the highest levels (p < 0.05). The group of 16 birds/m2 had the lowest total antioxidant capability (T‐AOC) and total superoxide dismutase (T‐SOD) activities in blood serum (p < 0.05), and significantly increased interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β) and interleukin‐4 (IL‐4) concentration compared to the groups of 8 and 10 birds/m2 (p < 0.05). In liver, the group of eight birds/m2 had higher T‐AOC levels than that of 12, 14, and 16 birds/m2 (p < 0.05) and also higher catalase (CAT) activities than that of 14 and 16 birds/m2 (p < 0.05); the group of 10 birds/m2 had the highest T‐SOD activities among all groups (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the above results suggest that stocking density of broilers up to 8 or 10 birds/m2 can prevent the negative effects on growth performance and welfare parameters in broilers.
Lymphoma in Australian Border Collies: survey results and pedigree analyses
Authors: Cheng KY , Soh PXY , Bennett PF , Williamson P
Published: January 2019

Objectives

The aims of this study were to (1) describe the results of a survey on the clinical features of lymphoma in Australian Border Collies and (2) investigate familial clustering of lymphoma‐affected dogs by means of pedigree analyses.

Methods

Clinical and pedigree information was collected from surveys completed by owners or breeders of Australian Border Collies. Relationships between dogs were derived from pedigree data and kinship was analysed by network and cluster‐based algorithms.

Results

A total of 246 respondents completed the survey and 57 lymphoma‐affected Australian Border Collies were identified. The mean age of diagnosis was 9.16 (SD ± 3.43) years and the median was 9.7 years (range 2–15 years). The odds of female dogs affected with lymphoma were twice those of males in the reported data (OR = 2.06; 95% CI = 1.13–3.73; P = 0.02). Multicentric, high‐grade B‐cell lymphoma was the most common form in these dogs. Pedigree analyses identified 21 affected dogs that descended from two sires and 28 cases with a common female ancestor. Average inbreeding between both affected and unaffected dogs was similar (0.16, SD ± 0.06 and 0.15, SD ± 0.06, respectively).

Conclusion

The survey confirmed the presence of a relatively large number of cases of lymphoma in Australian Border Collies, consistent with our previous report of increased risk in this breed. Some dogs were diagnosed at a very young age, but the age ranged over the normal lifespan. Pedigree analyses identified multiple cases within family groups, suggesting a heritable component of the disease in this breed.
Chemical capture of wild swamp buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) in tropical northern Australia using thiafentanil, etorphine and azaperone combinations
Authors: Bryant B , Pittard S , Jordan NR , McMahon CR
Published: January 2019

Background

Studying wild animals in situ is fundamental to collecting baseline information, but generally they need to be immobilised for examination, sampling, marking and/or equipping with tracking apparatus. Capturing wild animals is inherently risky and there is a need for immobilisation methods that are safe for both the animals and researchers.

Methods

A total of 16 free‐ranging swamp buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) were chemically captured by dart for the application of satellite tracking collars in tropical northern Australia; 7 animals were anesthetised with a thiafentanil–etorphine–azaperone (TEA) combination and 9 animals with a thiafentanil–azaperone (TA) combination. Anaesthesia was reversed with intravenous naltrexone. Mean dosages of etorphine and thiafentanil for animals in the TEA group were 0.01 mg/kg of each drug and mean dosage of thiafentanil for animals in the TA group was 0.02 mg/kg. Total dose per animal of azaperone and naltrexone was 80 mg and 150 mg, respectively. Anaesthetic monitoring was by physical observation of physiological variables, pulse oximetry and capnography. Blood laboratory parameters including creatine kinase (CK), aspartate transaminase (AST), serum bicarbonate and anion gap were measured.

Results

All subject animals recovered well from anaesthesia despite the occurrence of subclinical acidosis in some patients. There was no significant difference between the treatment groups. Conversely, chase time had an adverse effect on body temperature, irrespective of the anaesthetic combination used.

Conclusions

Thiafentanil and azaperone, with or without etorphine, delivered rapid safe, effective, reversible field anaesthesia in healthy swamp buffalo.
Short‐course vs long‐course antibiotic treatment for community‐acquired pneumonia: A literature review
Authors: Møller Gundersen Kamilla , Nygaard Jensen Jette , Bjerrum Lars , Hansen Malene Plejdrup
Published: January 2019

Background

It is well known that antibiotic use is the main driver for the increasing problems with resistant bacteria. Consequently, some countries have recommended shortening the duration of antibiotic treatment of community‐acquired pneumonia (CAP). The aim of this study was to investigate whether the effectiveness of a short‐course antibiotic is comparable to a longer course of antibiotics in adults with CAP and to assess whether the duration of an antibiotic course influences the development of resistant bacteria.

Methods

A literature search was performed in PubMed and EMBASE. We included randomized, controlled trials (RCTs) comparing clinical success, microbiological efficacy, patient safety and antibiotic resistance in a short‐course (5 days) vs a long‐course antibiotic treatment (7+ days) for CAP.

Results

Six RCTs were included. Clinical success rates were 87%‐95% in patients treated with short‐course antibiotics and 88%‐94% in patients treated with a longer course. Eradication of pathogenic bacteria was found to be 100% and 95%‐100% in patients treated with short‐course and long‐course antibiotics, respectively.

No significant differences in adverse events were reported. However, none of the trials reported on the impact on the development of resistant bacteria.

Conclusion

Only few trials were included in this review and more RCTs are highly needed to be able to provide solid evidence for optimal treatment durations for patients diagnosed with CAP. Importantly, fluoroquinolones were often the drug of choice, and trials testing beta‐lactam antibiotics, which are the type of antibiotics most often used in many European countries, should be aimed for in near future.
MIDD0301 – A first‐in‐class anti‐inflammatory asthma drug targets GABAA receptors without causing systemic immune suppression
Authors: Zahn Nicolas M. , Huber Alec T. , Mikulsky Brandon N. , Stepanski Mae E. , Kehoe Alexander S. , Li Guanguan , Schussman Melissa , Rashid Roni Mohammed S. , Kodali Revathi , Cook James M. , Stafford Douglas C. , Steeber Douglas A. , Arnold Leggy A.
Published: January 2019

We report a 28‐day repeat dose immunotoxicity evaluation of investigational drug MIDD0301, a novel oral asthma drug candidate that targets gamma amino butyric acid type A receptors (GABAAR) in the lung. The study design employed oral administration of mice twice daily throughout the study period with 100 mg/kg MIDD0301 mixed in peanut butter. Compound dosing did not reveal signs of general toxicity as determined by animal weight, organ weight or haematology. Peanut butter plus test drug (in addition to ad libitum standard rodent chow) did not affect weight gain in the adult mice, in contrast to weight loss in 5 mg/kg prednisone‐treated mice. Spleen and thymus weights were unchanged in MIDD0301‐treated mice, but prednisone significantly reduced the weight of those organs over the 28‐day dosing. Similarly, no differences in spleen or thymus histology were observed following MIDD0301 treatment, but prednisone treatment induced morphological changes in the spleen. The number of small intestine Peyer's patches was not affected by MIDD0301 treatment, an important factor for orally administered drugs. Circulating lymphocyte, monocyte and granulocyte numbers were unchanged in the MIDD0301‐treated animals, whereas differential lymphocyte numbers were reduced in prednisone‐treated animals. MIDD0301 treatment did not alter IgG antibody responses to dinitrophenyl following dinitrophenyl‐keyhole limpet haemocyanin immunization, indicating that systemic humoral immune function was not affected. Taken together, these studies show that repeated daily administration of MIDD0301 is safe and not associated with adverse immunotoxicological effects in mice.
A Bayesian Hierarchical Model Estimating CACE in Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials With Noncompliance
Authors: Zhou Jincheng , Hodges James S. , Suri M. Fareed K. , Chu Haitao
Published: January 2019

Noncompliance to assigned treatment is a common challenge in analysis and interpretation of randomized clinical trials. The complier average causal effect (CACE) approach provides a useful tool for addressing noncompliance, where CACE is defined as the average difference in potential outcomes for the response in the subpopulation of subjects who comply with their assigned treatments. In this article, we present a Bayesian hierarchical model to estimate the CACE in a meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials where compliance may be heterogeneous between studies. Between-study heterogeneity is taken into account with study-specific random effects. The results are illustrated by a re-analysis of a meta-analysis comparing the effect of epidural analgesia in labor versus no or other analgesia in labor on the outcome cesarean section, where noncompliance varied between studies. Finally, we present simulations evaluating the performance of the proposed approach and illustrate the importance of including appropriate random effects and the impact of over- and under-fitting.
Fast Likelihood-Based Inference for Latent Count Models Using the Saddlepoint Approximation
Authors: Zhang W. , Bravington M. V. , Fewster R. M.
Published: January 2019

Latent count models constitute an important modeling class in which a latent vector of counts, , is summarized or corrupted for reporting, yielding observed data where is a known but non-invertible matrix. The observed vector generally follows an unknown multivariate distribution with a complicated dependence structure. Latent count models arise in diverse fields, such as estimation of population size from capture-recapture studies; inference on multi-way contingency tables summarized by marginal totals; or analysis of route flows in networks based on traffic counts at a subset of nodes. Currently, inference under these models relies primarily on stochastic algorithms for sampling the latent vector , typically in a Bayesian data-augmentation framework. These schemes involve long computation times and can be difficult to implement. Here, we present a novel maximum-likelihood approach using likelihoods constructed by the saddlepoint approximation. We show how the saddlepoint likelihood may be maximized efficiently, yielding fast inference even for large problems. For the case where has a multinomial distribution, we validate the approximation by applying it to a specific model for which an exact likelihood is available. We implement the method for several models of interest, and evaluate its performance empirically and by comparison with other estimation approaches. The saddlepoint method consistently gives fast and accurate inference, even when is dominated by small counts.
Cancer core length from targeted biopsy: an index of prostate cancer volume and pathological stage
Authors: Simopoulos Demetrios N. , Sisk Anthony E. , Priester Alan , Felker Ely R. , Kwan Lorna , Delfin Merdie K. , Reiter Robert E. , Marks Leonard S.
Published: January 2019

Objective

To study the relationship of maximum cancer core length (MCCL), on targeted biopsy (TB) of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)‐visible index lesions, to volume of that tumour found at radical prostatectomy (RP).

Patients and Methods

In all, 205 men undergoing fusion biopsy and RP were divided into two groups: 136 in whom the MCCL came from an indexMRI‐visible lesion (TB) and 69 in whom MCCL came from a non‐targeted lesion (non‐targeted biopsy [NTB]).MRIwas 3‐T multi‐parametric and biopsy was viaMRI‐ultrasonographyfusion.

Results

In the TB group, MCCL correlated with volume of clinically significant index tumours (ρ = 0.44–0.60,P < 0.01). The correlation was similar for first and repeat biopsy and for transition and peripheral zone lesions (ρ = 0.42–0.49,P < 0.01). No correlations were found in the NTB group. TB MCCL (6–10 and >10 mm) andMRIlesion diameter (>20 mm) were independently associated with tumour volume. TB MCCLs >10 mm and Gleason scores >7 were each associated with pathological T3 disease (odds ratios 5.73 and 5.04, respectively), butMRIlesion diameter lesion was not.

Conclusions

MCCL on a TB from anMRI‐visible lesion is an independent predictor of both cancer volume and pathological stage. This relationship does not exist for MCCL from a NTB core. Quantifying CCL onMRI‐TBs may have a value, not previously described, to risk‐stratify patients with prostate cancer before treatment.
Sanctuary Inter/rupted : Borders, illegalization, and unbelonging
Authors: Fakhrashrafi Mitra , Kirk Jessica P. , Gilbert Emily
Published: January 2019

Key Messages

Sanctuary Inter/rupted, a group exhibit by Way Past Kennedy Road, explored issues of internal borders, illegalization, and unbelonging in Toronto.

We focus on how artists in the Sanctuary Inter/rupted exhibit unsettled whitewashing logics of belonging and contested the limits of liberal sanctuary city movements.

We expand the ways that racial justice is understood and practiced in sanctuary city movement organizing.
Bennett acceptance ratio method to calculate the binding free energy of BACE1 inhibitors: Theoretical model and design of new ligands of the enzyme
Authors: Gutiérrez Margarita , Vallejos Gabriel A. , Cortés Magdalena P. , Bustos Carlos
Published: January 2019

In recent years, the design, development, and evaluation of several inhibitors of the BACE1 enzyme, as part of Alzheimer's treatment, have gathered the scientific community's interest. Here, a linear regression model was built using binding free energy calculations through the Bennett acceptance ratio method for 20 known inhibitors of the BACE1 enzyme, with a Pearson coefficient of R = 0.88 and R2 = 0.78. The validation of this model was verified employing eight additional random inhibitors, which also gave a linear correlation with R = 0.97 and R2 = 0.93. Furthermore, this linear regression model was also used for proposing the structure of four potential BACE1 inhibitors, and the most active of them gave a theoretical Kd = 10 nM. However, these molecules have not been synthesized yet. Our team used a total time of more than 800 ns for the Molecular Dynamics to carry out this study, and all the software used were freely available.
Depression among Chinese Left‐Behind Children: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Ding Lanyan , Yuen Lok‐Wa , Buhs Eric S. , Newman Ian M.
Published: January 2019

Background

In China, there are approximately 70 million children, nearly 25% of the child population, who are left behind in the care of other family members when their parents migrate to urban areas, for increased economic opportunities. This paper presents a systematic review and a meta‐analysis of studies that have examined the phenomenon of depression among these left‐behind children (LBC).

Methods

Six hundred three papers published between 2000 and 2017 were retrieved from five databases (China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang, Weipu, PubMed, and Web of Science).

Results

Twenty‐one studies (18 in Chinese and 3 in English) met the criteria for inclusion in this meta‐analysis. The pooled estimate of depression among LBC was 26.4%. A significant heterogeneity has been found in reported findings, and this heterogeneity was associated with three types of study characteristics, including using an unclear definition of LBC and using invalidated depression instruments, and the geographic location.

Conclusions

The risk of mental health problems among this large number of LBC suggests the need to quantify the extent and distribution of their mental health state. Implications for methodological improvements for future research have been discussed.
Supporting children and young people to assume responsibility from their parents for the self‐management of their long‐term condition: An integrative review
Authors: Nightingale Ruth , McHugh Gretl , Kirk Susan , Swallow Veronica
Published: January 2019

Background

Children and young people with long‐term conditions (LTCs) are usually dependent on, or share management with, their families and are expected to develop self‐management skills as they mature. However, during adolescence, young people can find it challenging to follow prescribed treatment regimens resulting in poor clinical outcomes. Though reviews have looked at children's and parents' experiences of self‐management, none have explicitly examined the parent‐to‐child transfer of self‐management responsibility.

Methods

An integrative review was conducted with the aim of exploring the parent‐to‐child transfer of LTC self‐management responsibility, through addressing two questions: (a) How do children assume responsibility from their parents for self‐management of their LTC? (b) What influences the parent‐to‐child transfer of this responsibility? Eight databases were searched for papers published from 1995 to 2017. Methodological quality was assessed; included papers were synthesized to identify themes.

Results

Twenty‐nine papers were identified. Most papers used qualitative designs and focused on children with diabetes. Participants were predominantly children and/or parents; only two studies included health professionals. Assuming self‐management responsibility was viewed as part of normal development but was rarely explored within the context of the child gaining independence in other areas of their life. Children and parents adopted strategies to help the transfer, but there was limited evidence around health professionals' roles and ambivalence around what was helpful. There was a lack of clarity over whether children and parents were aiming for shared management, or self‐management, and whether this was a realistic or desired goal for families. Multiple factors such as the child, family, social networks, health professional, and LTC influenced how a child assumed responsibility.

Conclusions

Evidence suggests that the parent‐to‐child transfer of self‐management responsibility is a complex, individualized process. Further research across childhood LTCs is needed to explore children's, parents', and professionals' views on this process and what support families require as responsibilities change.
Measures for social support in raising a child with a disability: A scoping review
Authors: Mantri‐Langeveldt Anushka , Dada Shakila , Boshoff Kobie
Published: January 2019

Background

The benefits of social support for caregivers raising a child with a disability have been identified in the literature. These benefits include the improvement of the mental and physical well‐being of the caregivers, improvement in caregiving styles, and overall improvement of family quality of life. Whilst the benefits of social support are widely reported, the definitions and measures of social support in the literature are varied.

Method

A scoping review was therefore undertaken to identify and describe the tools used to measure social support of primary caregivers (i.e., parents or grandparents) raising a child (0–18 years) with a congenital disability in international studies. Ten databases were systematically searched.

Results

Sixteen studies were included in the review, from which nine social support measures were identified. Attributes of the measures were searched from their referenced papers and described in terms of their reported psychometric properties.

Conclusions

Through the identification of the measures of social support and ensuring its accurate measurement, direction can be provided for intervention by allowing professionals to detect and address social support available. Future recommendations for research are made.
Somatic symptoms in children who have a parent with cancer: A systematic review
Authors: Hauskov Graungaard Anette , Roested Bendixen Christina , Haavet Ole Rikard , Smith‐Sivertsen Tone , Mäkelä Marjukka
Published: January 2019

Background

This systematic review explored the occurrence and types of somatic symptoms in children (0–20 years) who have experienced parental cancer.

Methods

We complemented a systematic literature search from PubMed and PsycInfo with a reference search. We identified 1,694 articles, which were independently screened by two authors; they further evaluated potentially relevant papers for quality and extracted the data. We found nine relevant studies (10 publications) on altogether 672 children with a parent who had cancer; four studies included a control group.

Results

The studies typically focused on children's psychosocial reactions on parental cancer rather than somatic complaints, so symptom prevalence cannot be reliably summarized. Several studies were small, and the types of somatic symptoms were only specified in five studies. Somatic symptoms were reported as a measure of emotional reactions in the remaining four studies. Three studies provided longitudinal data.

The main types of specific symptoms reported were eating problems, pain, sleeping troubles, and bed‐wetting. Children of cancer patients tended to show an increase of unspecified somatic symptoms and pain, but evidence was inconsistent. There was a tendency that somatic complaints were associated with increased emotional distress in the children. The material did not allow for separate analysis by age group or bereavement status.

Conclusions

Children in families with parental cancer may present with somatic complaints, but the prevalence and significance is not possible to estimate due to very sparse research in this area. Health professionals or counselling providers should not overlook this possible sign of distress. Qualitative studies report significant health anxiety in these children; this may represent a specific topic for counselling in this population. Targeted studies are needed to evaluate the prevalence and significance of somatic symptoms, and especially vulnerable groups need to be identified.
Natural killer cell expression of Ki67 is associated with elevated serum IL-15, disease activity and nephritis in systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Hudspeth K , Wang S , Wang J , Rahman S , Smith M A , Casey K A ,   Autoimmunity Molecular Team, Manna Z , Sanjuan M , Kolbeck R , Hasni S , Ettinger R , Siegel R M
Published: January 2019

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a complex autoimmune disorder whose pathology involves multiple immune cell types, including B and T lymphocytes as well as myeloid cells. While it is clear that autoantibody-producing B cells, as well as CD4+ T cell help, are key contributors to disease, little is known regarding the role of innate lymphoid cells such as natural killer (NK) cells in the pathogenesis of SLE. We have characterized the phenotype of NK cells by multi-color flow cytometry in a large cohort of SLE patients. While the overall percentage of NK cells was similar or slightly decreased compared to healthy controls, a subset of patients displayed a high frequency of NK cells expressing the proliferation marker, Ki67, which was not found in healthy donors. Although expression of Ki67 on NK cells correlated with Ki67 on other immune cell subsets, the frequency of Ki67 on NK cells was considerably higher. Increased frequencies of Ki67+ NK cells correlated strongly with clinical severity and active nephritis and was also related to low NK cell numbers, but not overall leukopenia. Proteomic and functional data indicate that the cytokine interleukin-15 promotes the induction of Ki67 on NK cells. These results suggest a role for NK cells in regulating the immune-mediated pathology of SLE as well as reveal a possible target for therapeutic intervention.
Effect of pembrolizumab on CD4+CD25+, CD4+LAP+ and CD4+TIM-3+ T cell subsets
Authors: Toor S M , Sasidharan Nair V , Pfister G , Elkord E
Published: January 2019

Tumor immune evasion involves the expansion of avidly proliferating immunosuppressive cells and inhibition of effector T cell proliferation. Immune checkpoints (IC) block the activation pathways of tumor-reactive T cells. IC pathways are often exploited by tumor cells to evade immune destruction, and blocking these pathways through IC inhibitors (ICI) has shown promising results in multiple malignancies. In this study, we investigated the effects of an ICI, pembrolizumab, on various T cell subsets in vitro. We compared the suppressive activity of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells (conventional Treg) with T cells expressing T cell immunoglobulin-3+ (TIM-3+) and latency-associated peptide (LAP)+ T cells. We found that LAP-expressing T cells were more suppressive than conventional Treg, but TIM-3-expressing T cells were not suppressive. Our results show that pembrolizumab does not modulate functions of Treg and mediates its immunostimulatory effects via the release of effector T cells from suppression. These findings may assist in the development of agents designed to intervene in IC pathways to overcome Treg resistance to ICI.
A dynamic analysis of cost‐share agri‐environmental programs
Authors: Vercammen James
Published: January 2019

The purpose of this paper is to theoretically examine the efficiency of a cost‐share agri‐environmental program through a farm life cycle lens. Faced with a growing environmental impact from agricultural production, the farmer must decide when and how aggressively to invest in environmental capital. The steady state of the optimal control problem reveals the trade‐off between allocating farm profits to consumption versus environmental improvements. A payment from a cost‐share program reduces the time to investment in environmental capital, and also permanently increases the farmer's level of investment. A lack of targeting results in inframarginal farmers being paid more than the minimum amount that is required to induce investment. The portion of both the marginal payment and the average payment that induces new investment declines as the government's share of the payment increases, and this decline decreases overall program efficiency. Despite this inefficiency, a larger payment from a cost‐share program is shown to decrease the farm's environmental impact in both the short and long run.
Quantifying habitat losses and gains made by U.S. Species Conservation Banks to improve compensation policies and avoid perverse outcomes
Authors: Sonter Laura J. , Barnes Megan , Matthews Jeffrey W. , Maron Martine
Published: January 2019

Compensation policies seek to counterbalance biodiversity losses caused by development; however, their effectiveness is rarely tested. We examined U.S. Species Conservation Banks (SCBs) in California, a compensation program initiated 30 years ago. We quantified the effect of 59 SCBs (15,350 ha) on habitat extent using statistical matching methods. SCBs averted a small, yet significant, amount of habitat loss (62 ha) between 2001 and 2011. However, unexpectedly, SCBs also averted significant habitat gains (1,424 ha). It is not possible to determine if losses averted by SCBs equaled losses caused by development for which credits were sold (because records of the latter do not exist), but estimated averted gains were 35 times greater than averted losses. To improve practice, SCBs must be designed to achieve outcomes that are additional and avoid crowding out other programs incentivizing statewide conservation goals.
Prevalence of diabetes among children treated with growth hormone in Israel
Authors: Lutski M. , Zucker I. , Zadik Z. , Libruder C. , Blumenfeld O. , Shohat T. , Laron Z.
Published: January 2019

Aims

To determine the long‐term risk of diabetes in a cohort of children treated with recombinant human growth hormone in Israel, using data from the Israeli National Diabetes Register.

Methods

Between 1988 and 2009, 2513 children were approved for growth hormone treatment. They were assigned to one of two groups. The first group included children treated for isolated growth hormone deficiency and who were small for gestational age and the second included those treated for multiple pituitary hormone deficiency, chronic renal failure, Turner syndrome or Prader–Willi syndrome. The cohort was cross‐linked with the Israeli National Diabetes Register for 2014 (mean follow‐up duration 12.1±5.3 years), and prevalent cases of diabetes were identified. Standardized prevalence ratios for diabetes were calculated for people aged 10–29 years.

Results

In 2014, a total of 23 individuals were identified with diabetes (four with pre‐existing diabetes, seven developed diabetes before age 17 years and 12 developed it at a later age). In the isolated growth hormone deficiency and small‐for‐gestational‐age group there was no difference in the prevalence of diabetes compared with the general population (standardized prevalence ratio 2.05, 95% CI 0.94–3.89). In the group that included people with multiple pituitary hormone deficiency, chronic renal failure, Turner syndrome and Prader–Willi syndrome there was a significantly higher diabetes prevalence (standardized prevalence ratio 11.94, 95% CI 6.53–20.00) compared with the general population.

Conclusions

No difference in diabetes prevalence was found in the isolated growth hormone deficiency and small‐for‐gestational‐age group, compared with the general population. Children treated with growth hormone with pre‐existing risk factors had an increased prevalence of diabetes. It is advisable to monitor blood glucose levels closely during and after growth hormone treatment, especially in such children.
Right‐sided aortic arch and Kommerell diverticulum with aberrant left subclavian artery: Preliminarily diagnosed by echocardiography
Authors: Yuan Hongliang , Li Yuman , He Lin , Yang Yali , Wang Jing , Lv Qing , Xie Mingxing
Published: January 2019

Kommerell diverticulum (KD) with aberrant left subclavian artery (ALSA) is a rare congenital variation of vascular structure. We reported a case of 3‐year‐old boy with KD and ALSA, which was preliminarily diagnosed by transthoracic echocardiography and verified by computed tomography angiography (CTA). The patient was treated successfully with KD resection and anastomosed the left subclavian artery directly to the left carotid artery under cardiopulmonary bypass. Our case illustrates that echocardiography and CTA should be used to comprehensively assess all the internal and external cardiac structures in order to determine the appropriate surgical plan.