bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
From heliophysics to space weather forecasts
Authors: Harrison Richard , Davies Jackie , Rae Jonny
Published: September 2019

Richard Harrison, Jackie Davies and Jonny Rae summarize progress in capitalizing on UK expertise in research and instrumentation for new space weather forecasting – the subject of an RAS Discussion Meeting in March.
Evidence for rapid phenotypic and behavioural shifts in a recently established cavefish population
Authors: McGaugh Suzanne E , Weaver Sam , Gilbertson Erin N , Garrett Brianna , Rudeen Melissa L , Grieb Stephanie , Roberts Jennifer , Donny Alexandra , Marchetto Peter , Gluesenkamp Andrew G
Published: September 2019

Cave colonization offers a natural laboratory to study an extreme environmental shift, and diverse cave species from around the world often have converged on robust morphological, physiological and behavioural traits. The Mexican tetra (Astyanax mexicanus) has repeatedly colonized caves in the Sierra de El Abra and Sierra de Guatemala regions of north-east Mexico ~0.20–1 Mya, indicating an ability to adapt to the cave environment. The time frame for the evolution of these traits in any cave animal, however, is poorly understood. Astyanax mexicanus from the Río Grande in South Texas were brought to Central Texas beginning in the early 1900s and colonized underground environments. Here, we investigate whether phenotypic and behavioural differences have occurred rapidly between a surface population and a geographically proximate cave population, probably of recent origin. Fish from the cave and surface populations differ significantly in morphological traits, including coloration, lateral line expansion and dorsal fin placement. Striking behavioural shifts in aggression, feeding and wall-following have also occurred. Together, our results suggest that morphological and behavioural changes accompanying cave colonization can be established rapidly, and this system offers an exciting and unique opportunity for isolating the genetic and environmental contributions to colonization of extreme environments.
Criminology in the Arab World: Misconceptions, Nuances and Future Prospects
Authors: Ouassini Nabil , Ouassini Anwar
Published: September 2019

In the protests that occurred throughout the Arab world, the criminal justice system has been the focal contention between citizens and the state. However, the notoriety of Arab regimes has compelled academics to devote their endeavours to political/religious violence, economic development/stagnation and the durability of undemocratic systems that has inhibited the production of criminological scholarship. The study of criminology in the Arab world is critical and necessitates special attention. The following article propounds the establishment of an Arab criminology sub-field that highlights strategies in research in the region, evaluates the current approaches, addresses the challenges and examines its implications on southern, international and comparative criminology.
Spontaneous coronary artery wall haematoma: success of conservative management despite alarming extension: a case report
Authors: Ndao Serigne Cheikh Tidiane , Zabalawi Amer , Gilard Martine
Published: September 2019

Background

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is a particular mode of presentation of acute coronary syndrome. It preferentially affects the young woman with little or no classical risk factor for atheromatous disease.

Case summary

In this report, we present a classical non-ST-segment myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) condition in link with a spontaneous coronary artery wall haematoma. A 43-year-old female patient who did not have any risk factors for atheromatous disease presented with NSTEMI. The coronary angiogram (CA) revealed a moderate smooth stenosis of the proximal left anterior descending artery (LAD) that ended just before the take-off of a septal branch. Intracoronary imaging by optical coherence tomography (OCT) visualized a large intramural haematoma reducing the coronary artery lumen. The patient was managed conservatively with antithrombotic regimen, nitrates, and close monitoring with repeated CA. Evolution was favourable despite striking extension of coronary haematoma towards distal LAD. She was then discharged and has been asymptomatic on follow-up visits. Planned repeat CA and OCT at 3 months showed a quite normal coronary artery appearance of the LAD with significant regression of haematoma.

Discussion

Precise data regarding SCAD epidemiology remains to be determined. The angiographic pattern of our case recalls the Type 2 described by Saw team. But OCT was necessary to confirm the diagnosis. We manage our patient conservatively with close monitoring, as largely suggested by current state of the art, regarding the good haemodynamic status, and absence of ongoing ischaemia despite an evolution severe stenosis.
Socioeconomic differences in outcomes after hospital admission for atrial fibrillation or flutter
Authors: Hagengaard Louise , Andersen Mikkel Porsborg , Polcwiartek Christoffer , Larsen Jacob Mosgaard , Larsen Mogens Lytken , Skals Regitze Kuhr , Hansen Steen Møller , Riahi Sam , Gislason Gunnar , Torp-Pedersen Christian , Søgaard Peter , Kragholm Kristian Hay
Published: September 2019

Aims

To examine socioeconomic differences in care and outcomes in a 1-year period beginning 30 days after hospital discharge for first-time atrial fibrillation or flutter (AF) hospitalization.

Methods and results

This nationwide register-based follow-up cohort study investigated AF 30-day discharge survivors in Denmark during 2005–2014 and examined associations between patient’s socioeconomic status (SES) and selected outcomes during a 1-year follow-up period beginning 30 days post-discharge after first-time hospitalization for AF. Patient SES was defined in four groups (lowest, second lowest, second highest, and highest) according to each patient’s equivalized income. SES of the included 150 544 patients was: 27.7% lowest (n = 41 648), 28.1% second lowest (n = 42 321), 23.7% second highest (n = 35 656), and 20.5% highest (n = 30 919). Patients of lowest SES were older and more often women. Within 1-year follow-up, patients of lowest SES were less often rehospitalized or seen in outpatient clinics due to AF, or treated with cardioversion or ablation and were slightly more often diagnosed with stroke and heart failure (HF) and significantly more likely to die (16.1% vs. 14.9%, 11.3% and 8.1%). Hazard ratios for all-cause mortality were 0.64 (95% confidence interval 0.61–0.68) for highest vs. lowest SES, adjusted for CHA2DS2-VASc score, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, rate- and rhythm-controlling drugs, and cohabitation status.

Conclusion

In 30-day survivors of first-time hospitalization due to AF, lowest SES is associated with increased 1-year all-cause and cardiovascular mortality and fewer cardioversions, ablations, readmissions, and outpatient contacts due to AF. Our findings indicate a need for socially differentiated rehabilitation following hospital discharge for first-time AF.
The Paradox of National Registration in a Liberal State: The Case of Wartime National Registers in Great Britain, 1915–52
Authors: Bellamy Christine
Published: September 2019

This article traces the history of British government policy on wartime national registration from 1915 to 1952. In contrast to accounts that emphasise the significance of registration for the development of an ‘information state’, it explores the implications of the fundamental paradox in national registration in a liberal state. That is, the distinctive value of a register lies in its continuing accuracy and comprehensiveness; but these properties depend on wholesale and continuing compliance with the bureaucratic demands of a tool widely regarded in Whitehall as intrusive, coercive and unpopular. The register used in the First World War never recovered from Whitehall’s unwillingness to enforce it, and preparations for registration in a second major war were frustrated by the reluctance of its principal users—those responsible for military conscription and food rationing—to be closely associated with it or dependent on it. The article explains why a robust register was nevertheless set up in 1939, but suggests, too, that the capabilities it offered to identify and trace people were less warmly welcomed and extensively exploited by other government services than is often assumed. Furthermore, the perceived need to maximise trust in its confidentiality restricted the disclosure of information recorded in the register to other public agencies, especially the police. The overall thrust of the article, then, is to cast doubt on whether the wartime national registers in the Great Britain could have developed into a formative pillar of an emergent information state.
Mentally Challenging Occupations Are Associated With More Rapid Cognitive Decline at Later Stages of Cognitive Aging
Authors: Hyun Jinshil , Katz Mindy J , Lipton Richard B , Sliwinski Martin J
Published: September 2019

Objectives

Engaging in mentally challenging activities is associated with reduced risk for cognitive impairment and dementia; however, its association with rates of cognitive decline has been inconsistent. The aim of this study is to test whether working in mentally challenging occupations is related to rates of cognitive change at later older adulthood.

Method

The sample consisted of 1,520 individuals (baseline mean age = 78.6 ± 5.1, range = 64–100) from the Einstein Aging Study. Occupation information of each participant was collected retrospectively and linked with the substantive complexity of work score from the Dictionary of Occupational Titles. Cognitive changes in memory, speed, and executive function (EF) domains were represented using two time metrics (i.e., time from retirement, time from study enrollment).

Results

Results from mixed models showed that occupational complexity was associated with significantly faster rates of cognitive decline in speed and EF in the “time from retirement” model but not in the “time from baseline” model. Despite faster cognitive loss, the protective effect of occupational complexity persisted for decades after retirement due to higher initial levels of cognition.

Discussion

The result suggests that protective factors for cognitive health may be associated with delayed onset but more rapid cognitive decline afterwards at later stages of cognitive aging.
Product market competition and employer provided training in Germany
Authors: Heywood John S , Jirjahn Uwe , Pfister Annika
Published: September 2019

Using German establishment data, this article examines the relationship between product market competition and the extent of employer provided training. We demonstrate that high product market competition is associated with increased training except when the competition is so severe as to threaten liquidation to a firm. We take this as evidence of an inverted U-shaped relationship. We also make clear that while this relationship is very evident for the service sector, it is far less evident for manufacturing where we largely confirm earlier results of no relationship.
A sea of tentacles: optically discernible traits resolved from planktonic organisms in situ
Authors: Ohman Mark D
Published: September 2019

Trait-based simplifications of plankton community structure require accurate assessment of trait values as expressed in situ. Yet planktonic organisms live suspended in a fluid medium and often bear elongate appendages, delicate feeding structures, and mucous houses that are badly damaged upon capture or removal from the fluid environment. Fixatives further distort organisms. In situ imaging of zooplankton from a fully autonomous Zooglider reveals a suite of trait characteristics that often differ markedly from those inferred from conventionally sampled plankton. In situ images show fragile feeding appendages in natural hunting postures, including reticulate networks of rhizopods, feeding tentacles of cnidarians, and tentilla of ctenophores; defensive spines and setae of copepods; intact mucous houses of appendicularians; and other structures that are not discernible in conventionally collected zooplankton. Postures characteristic of dormant copepods can be identified and the presence of egg sacs detected. Intact, elongate diatom chains that are much longer than measured in sampled specimens are resolvable in situ. The ability to image marine snow, as well as small-scale fluid deformations, reveals micro-habitat structure that may alter organismal behaviour. Trait-based representations of planktonic organisms in biogeochemical cycles need to consider naturally occurring traits expressed by freely suspended planktonic organisms in situ.
The Reform of the International Investment Regime: An African Perspective
Authors: El-Kady Hamed , De Gama Mustaqeem
Published: September 2019

The international legal framework for investment in Africa is complex, consisting of a large number of bilateral investment treaties (BITs) and regional investment agreements. This is in addition to a number of non-binding regional investment instruments and models that influence African countries' investment policy directions. Looking at the numbers, African countries have concluded over 860 BITs of which 160 are intra-African treaties. This represents around 28 percent of the BIT universe. For over 50 years African countries have been signing BITs that have core elements developed by third countries. Little attention has been given to the implications of these treaties on African countries’ right and duty to regulate investment in their territories. The result is a web of legally binding and broadly formulated commitments on investment protection. Today, African countries are taking a more active approach in the formulation of their international investment commitments at the national, bilateral and regional levels. Africa is becoming a laboratory for innovative and sustainable development-oriented investment policymaking. While these reform efforts occur in parallel and sometimes overlap with one another, they all converge in their attempt to formulate a new approach to investment policies that aims at safeguarding the right and duty of African countries to regulate and to reflect emerging sustainable development imperatives. The challenge remains in the existing stock of outdated African BITs and in the investor–State dispute system. Tribunals have broadly interpreted BIT commitments in ways that were not foreseen by African countries. The system that was originally developed to foster legal predictability in investment relations between countries has today become a source of legal uncertainty, debate and controversy. So far, African countries have been observing proposals and discussions for the reform of the ISDS system, including through the establishment of a Multilateral Investment Court (MIC) from a distance. They have been allowed to raise concerns, propose ideas and suggestions, but were not included in the original construction of the concepts and structures of any of the proposed solutions.
Improvements in patient safety culture: a national Taiwanese survey, 2009–16
Authors: Yu Brian , Wen Cheng-Fan , Lo Heng-Lien , Liao Hsun-Hsiang , Wang Pa-Chun
Published: September 2019

Objective

To assess national trends in patient safety culture in Taiwan.

Design

A safety attitudes questionnaire (SAQ) was distributed to 144 hospitals from 2009 to 2016 (n = 392 341).

Setting

Taiwan’s medical centers, regional hospitals and community hospitals.

Participants

Hospital staff in Taiwan.

Interventions

None.

Main Outcome Measures

5-point Likert scale to assess changes in patient safety culture dimensions (teamwork, safety climate, job satisfaction, stress recognition, management and working conditions) converted to positive response rate (percentage of respondents who answered slightly agree or strongly agree on Likert scale).

Results

Dimensions for patient safety culture significantly increased in Taiwan over a period of 8 years, with an all-composite improvement in positive response rate of 4.6% (P < 0.001). Regional hospitals and community hospitals registered an all-composite improvement of 6.7 and 7.0%, respectively, while medical centers improved by 4.0%. Improvements for regional and community hospitals primarily occurred in teamwork (regional hospitals, 10.4% [95% confidence interval [CI], 10.2–10.6]; community hospitals, 8.5% [95% CI, 8.0–9.0]) and safety climate (regional hospitals, 11.1% [95% [CI], 10.9–11.4]; community hospitals, 11.3% [95% CI, 10.7–11.8]) (P < 0.001, all differences). Compared with nurses (5.1%) and pharmaceutical staff (10.6%), physicians improved the least (2.0%). Improvements for nurses and pharmacists were driven by increases in perceptions of teamwork (nurses, 9.8% [95% CI, 9.7–10.0]; pharmaceutical staff, 14.2% [95% CI, 13.4–14.9]) and safety climate (nurses, 9.0% [95% CI, 8.8–9.1]; pharmaceutical staff, 16.4% [95% CI, 15.7–17.2]) (P < 0.001, all differences). At study end, medical centers (55.1%) had greater all-composite measurements of safety culture than regional hospitals (52.4%) and community hospitals (52.2%) while physicians (63.7%) maintained greater measurements of safety culture than nurses (52.1%) and pharmaceutical staff (56.6%).

Conclusion

These results suggest patient safety culture improved in Taiwan from 2009 to 2016.
Improving the Lifetime Efficiency of Trimedlure-Dispensing System in Trapping the Fruit Fly Ceratitis capitata Using Polyethylene Matrix
Authors: Bayoumy Mohamed H , El-Metwally Mostafa M , El-Adly Refaat A , Majerus Tamsin M O
Published: September 2019

Detection of the Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann), is highly reliant on traps loaded with trimedlure (TML), a male-specific attractant. The successful application of attractants requires that constituents are placed in a suitable dispensing system to reduce volatilization and increase the effective field longevity of the attractant. A series of trials were conducted in different fruit orchards to test 1) the efficiency of a polyethylene-matrix plug in regulating the emission rate of TML 2) and the lifetime attractiveness of the plug compared to the cotton wick dispenser. Cotton dispensers containing the recommended dose of TML (0.75 cm3) and with a double dose (1.5 cm3) remained active for 6 and 8 wk, respectively. The increase in TML dose from 0.75 cm3 to 1.5 cm3 led to an increase in the longevity of the cotton dispenser, but there was no significant difference between the doses in biological activity. In all trials, TML-polyethylene matrix dispensers were more efficient under field conditions as they attracted more males for up to 12 wk and prolonged the release of TML more than the cotton wick dispensers. The TML-loaded polyethylene matrix dispensers might be useful in 1) minimizing the losses of the liquid TML from cotton wicks, 2) avoiding the damage that occurs when using other dispensers, 3) prolonging the TML lifetime in the field through regulating its release rates, 4) potentially minimizing the adverse effect of high temperatures on release rate, and, finally, 5) minimizing the costs of using large amounts of expensive TML solutions.
Extreme value theory in the solar wind: the role of current sheets
Authors: Gomes Tiago F P , Rempel Erico L , Ramos Fernando M , Silva Suzana S A , Muñoz Pablo R
Published: September 2019

This article provides observational evidence for the direct relation between current sheets, multifractality and fully developed turbulence in the solar wind. In order to study the role of current sheets in extreme-value statistics in the solar wind, the use of magnetic volatility is proposed. The statistical fits of extreme events are based on the peaks-over-threshold (POT) modelling of Cluster 1 magnetic field data. The results reveal that current sheets are the main factor responsible for the behaviour of the tail of the magnetic volatility distributions. In the presence of current sheets, the distributions display a positive shape parameter, which means that the distribution is unbounded in the right tail. Thus the appearance of larger current sheets is to be expected and magnetic reconnection events are more likely to occur. The volatility analysis confirms that current sheets are responsible for the −5/3 Kolmogorov power spectra and the increase in multifractality and non-Gaussianity in solar wind statistics. In the absence of current sheets, the power spectra display a −3/2 Iroshnikov–Kraichnan law. The implications of these findings for the understanding of intermittent turbulence in the solar wind are discussed.
Stability in the most external region of the Oort Cloud: evolution of the ejected comets
Authors: Correa-Otto J A , Calandra M F
Published: September 2019

In this paper, we present a study of the dynamical effects of the Galaxy on the external region of the Oort Cloud. The aims of this paper are: (i) to determine an outer limit for the Oort Cloud; and (ii) to analyse the dynamical behaviour of the most external objects of the Oort Cloud and how they are ejected from the Solar system. To achieve these aims, we follow the temporal evolution of massless test particles in the Galactic environment of the solar neighbourhood. We show that the effect of the perturbations from the Galactic tide in the particles is similar to that found for the evolution of the population of wide binary stars. Moreover, in the Oort Cloud, we find a dynamical structure around 105 au conformed by objects unbound from the Sun. This structure allows us to define a transition region of stability and an outer boundary for the Oort Cloud, and it is also in agreement with previous results about the disruption of wide binary stars.
Sox2+ cells in Sonic Hedgehog-subtype medulloblastoma resist p53-mediated cell-cycle arrest response and drive therapy-induced recurrence
Authors: Treisman Daniel M , Li Yinghua , Pierce Brianna R , Li Chaoyang , Chervenak Andrew P , Tomasek Gerald J , Lozano Guillermina , Zheng Xiaoyan , Kool Marcel , Zhu Yuan
Published: September 2019

Background

High-intensity therapy effectively treats most TP53 wild-type (TP53-WT) Sonic Hedgehog-subgroup medulloblastomas (SHH-MBs), but often cause long-term deleterious neurotoxicities in children. Recent clinical trials investigating reduction/de-escalation of therapy for TP53-WT SHH-MBs caused poor overall survival. Here, we investigated whether reduced levels of p53-pathway activation by low-intensity therapy potentially contribute to diminished therapeutic efficacy.

Methods

Using mouse SHH-MB models with different p53 activities, we investigated therapeutic efficacy by activating p53-mediated cell-cycle arrest versus p53-mediated apoptosis on radiation-induced recurrence.

Results

Upon radiation treatment, p53WT-mediated apoptosis was sufficient to eliminate all SHH-MB cells, including Sox2+ cells. The same treatment eliminated most Sox2− bulk tumor cells in SHH-MBs harboring p53R172P, an apoptosis-defective allele with cell-cycle arrest activity, via inducing robust neuronal differentiation. Rare quiescent Sox2+ cells survived radiation-enhanced p53R172P activation and entered a proliferative state, regenerating tumors. Transcriptomes of Sox2+ cells resembled quiescent Nestin-expressing progenitors in the developing cerebellum, expressing Olig2 known to suppress p53 and p21 expression. Importantly, high SOX2 expression is associated with poor survival of all four SHH-MB subgroups, independent of TP53 mutational status.

Conclusions

Quiescent Sox2+ cells are efficiently eliminated by p53-mediated apoptosis, but not cell-cycle arrest and differentiation. Their survival contributes to tumor recurrence due to insufficient p53-pathway activation.
Newborn Screening for Five Conditions in a Tertiary Care Government Hospital in Bengaluru, South India—Three Years Experience
Authors: Kommalur Anitha , Devadas Sahana , Kariyappa Mallesh , Sabapathy Sarala , Benakappa Asha , Gagandeep Vijayalaxmi , Veranna Sajjan Sushma , Krishnapura Lakshminarayana Shilpa , Dakshayani B , Devi Chinnappa Gayathri
Published: September 2019

Purpose

Newborn screening is the need of the hour in a developing country like India as there is paucity of data from studies conducted in government hospitals with large sample size. The purpose of the study is to estimate incidence rate and recall rates for five conditions screened in the neonatal period namely congenital hypothyroidism, congenital adrenal hyperplasia, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency, galactosemia and phenyl ketonuria (PKU).

Methods

The study was conducted at VaniVilas Hospital attached to Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute. A retrospective analysis of the results of newborn screening programme during a 3-year period between January 2016 and December 2018 was done. There were 47 623 livebirths during this period out of which 41 027 babies were screened (coverage—86% of total livebirths). Heelprick samples after 48 h of life and prior to discharge were analysed by quantitative assessment. Neonates having positive screening results were recalled by telephonic call for repeat screening and confirmatory tests.

Results

G6PD deficiency was the most common disorder with an incidence of 1:414, followed by congenital hypothyroidism and Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia with an incidence of 1:2735 and 1:4102, respectively. Galactosemia and PKU were found to be rare in our population. The overall average recall rate was 0.6% which meant that 24 normal newborns were recalled for testing for one confirmed case. The recall rate was relatively higher for galactosemia and G6PD deficiency which was at 0.25% each compared to the other conditions where it was below 0.05%.

Conclusion

The results of the study emphasize the need for universal newborn screening especially in all government hospitals with large birth cohorts.
Transmission of Begomoviruses and Other Whitefly-Borne Viruses: Dependence on the Vector Species
Authors: Fiallo-Olivé Elvira , Pan Li-Long , Liu Shu-Sheng , Navas-Castillo Jesús
Published: September 2019

Most plant viruses require a biological vector to spread from plant to plant in nature. Among biological vectors for plant viruses, hemipteroid insects are the most common, including phloem-feeding aphids, whiteflies, mealybugs, planthoppers, and leafhoppers. A majority of the emerging diseases challenging agriculture worldwide are insect borne, with those transmitted by whiteflies (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) topping the list. Most damaging whitefly-transmitted viruses include begomoviruses (Geminiviridae), criniviruses (Closteroviridae), and torradoviruses (Secoviridae). Among the whitefly vectors, Bemisia tabaci, now recognized as a complex of cryptic species, is the most harmful in terms of virus transmission. Here, we review the available information on the differential transmission efficiency of begomoviruses and other whitefly-borne viruses by different species of whiteflies, including the cryptic species of the B. tabaci complex. In addition, we summarize the factors affecting transmission of viruses by whiteflies and point out some future research prospects.
Epigenomic prediction of cardiovascular disease risk and interactions with traditional risk metrics
Authors: Westerman Kenneth , Fernández-Sanlés Alba , Patil Prasad , Sebastiani Paola , Jacques Paul , Starr John M. , Deary Ian , Liu Qing , Liu Simin , Elosua Roberto , DeMeo Dawn L. , Ordovás José M.
Published: September 2019

Epigenome-wide association studies for cardiometabolic risk factors have discovered multiple loci associated with incident cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, few studies have sought to directly optimize a predictor of CVD risk. Furthermore, it is challenging to train multivariate models across multiple studies in the presence of study- or batch effects. Here, we analyzed existing DNA methylation data collected using the Illumina HumanMethylation450 microarray to create a predictor of CVD risk across three cohorts: Women’s Health Initiative, Framingham Heart Study Offspring Cohort, and Lothian Birth Cohorts. We trained Cox proportional hazards-based elastic net regressions for incident CVD separately in each cohort, and used a recently-introduced cross-study learning approach to integrate these individual predictions into an ensemble predictor. The methylation-based risk score (MRS) predicted CVD time-to-event in a held-out fraction of the Framingham dataset (HR per SD = 1.28, p = 2e-3) and predicted myocardial infarction status in the independent REGICOR dataset (OR per SD = 2.14, p = 9e-7). These associations remained after adjustment for traditional cardiovascular risk factors and were similar to those from elastic net models trained on a directly merged dataset. Additionally, we investigated interactions between the MRS and both genetic and biochemical CVD risk, showing preliminary evidence of an enhanced predictive power in those with less traditional risk factor elevation. This investigation provides proof-of-concept for a genome-wide, CVD-specific epigenomic risk score and suggests that the DNA methylation data may enable the discovery of high-risk individuals that would be missed by alternative risk metrics.
“Multimorbidity and consultation time: a systematic review”
Authors: Reis Tadeu Ana Carolina , e Silva Caetano Inês Rosendo Carvalho , de Figueiredo Inês Jorge , Santiago Luiz Miguel
Published: September 2019

Background

Multimorbidity (MM) is one of the major challenges health systems currently face. Management of time length of a medical consultation with a patient with MM is a matter of concern for doctors.

Objectives

To describe the impact of MM on the average time of a medical consultation.

Methods

A systematic review was performed considering the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The systematic online searches of the Embase and PubMed databases were undertaken, from January 2000 to August 2018. The studies were independently screened by two reviewers to decide which ones met the inclusion criteria. (Kappa=0.84 and Kappa=0.82). Differing opinions were solved by a third person. This systematic review included people with MM criteria as participants (two or more chronic conditions in the same individual). The type of outcome included was explicitly defined – the length of medical appointments with patients with MM. Any strategies aiming to analyse the impact of MM on the average consultation time were considered. The length of time of medical appointment for patients without MM was the comparator criteria. Experimental and observational studies were included.

Results

Of 85 articles identified, only 1 observational study was included, showing a clear trend for patients with MM to have longer consultations than patients without MM criteria (p<0.001).

Conclusions

More studies are necessary to assess better allocation length-time for patients with MM and to measure other characteristics like doctors workload.
Weight loss reduces head motion: re-visiting a major confound in neuroimaging
Authors: Beyer F. , Prehn K. , Wüsten KA , Villringer A. , Ordemann J. , Flöel A. , Witte AV
Published: September 2019

Head motion during magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) induces image artifacts that affect virtually every brain measure. In parallel, cross-sectional observations indicate a correlation of head motion with age, psychiatric disease status and obesity, raising the possibility of a systematic artifact-induced bias in neuroimaging outcomes in these conditions, due to the differences in head motion. Yet, a causal link between obesity and head motion has not been tested in an experimental design. Here, we show that a change in body mass index (i.e., weight loss after bariatric surgery) systematically decreases head motion during MRI. In this setting, reduced imaging artifacts due to lower head motion might result in biased estimates of neural differences induced by changes in BMI. Overall, our finding urges the need to rigorously control for within-scanner head motion to enable valid results of neuroimaging outcomes in populations that differ in head motion due to obesity or other conditions.
TRANSCUP: a scalable workflow for predicting cancer of unknown primary based on next-generation transcriptome profiling
Authors: Li Peng
Published: September 2019

Cancer of unknown primary site (CUP) accounts for 5% of all cancer diagnoses. These patients may benefit from more precise treatment when primary cancer site was identified. Advances in high-throughput sequencing have enabled cost-effective sequencing the transcriptome for clinical application. Here, we present a free, scalable and extendable software for CUP predication called TRANSCUP, which enables (1) raw data processing, (2) read mapping, (3) quality re-port, (4) gene expression quantification, (5) random forest machine learning model building for cancer type classification. TRANSCUP achieved high accuracy, sensitivity and specificity for tumor type classification based on external RNA-seq datasets. It has potential for broad clinical application for solving the CUP problem.

Availability

TRANSCUP is open-source and freely available at https://github.com/plsysu/TRANSCUP

Contact

peng-li@outlook.com
How the forest interacts with the trees: Multiscale shape integration explains global and local processing
Authors: Jacob Georgin , Arun S. P.
Published: September 2019

Hierarchical stimuli (such as a circle made of diamonds) have been widely used to study global and local processing. Two classic phenomena have been observed using these stimuli: the global advantage effect (that we identify the circle faster than the diamonds) and the incongruence effect (that we identify the circle faster when both global and local shapes are circles). Understanding them has been difficult because they occur during shape detection, where an unknown categorical judgement is made on an unknown feature representation.

Here we report two essential findings. First, these phenomena are present both in a general same-different task and a visual search task, suggesting that they may be intrinsic properties of the underlying representation. Second, in both tasks, responses were explained using linear models that combined multiscale shape differences and shape distinctiveness. Thus, global and local processing can be understood as properties of a systematic underlying feature representation.
A multifaceted cellular damage repair and prevention pathway promotes high level tolerance to β-lactam antibiotics
Authors: Shin Jung-Ho , Choe Donghui , Ransegnola Brett , Hong Hye-Rim , Onyekwere Ikenna , Cross Trevor , Shi Qiaojuan , Cho Byung-Kwan , Westblade Lars F. , Brito Ilana L. , Dörr Tobias
Published: September 2019

Bactericidal antibiotics are powerful agents due to their ability to convert essential bacterial functions into lethal processes. However, many important bacterial pathogens are remarkably tolerant against bactericidal antibiotics due to inducible damage repair responses. The cell wall damage response two-component system VxrAB of the gastrointestinal pathogen Vibrio cholerae promotes high-level β-lactam tolerance and controls a gene network encoding highly diverse functions, including negative control over multiple iron uptake systems. How this system contributes to tolerance is poorly understood. Here, we show that β-lactam antibiotics cause an increase in intracellular free iron levels and collateral oxidative damage, which is exacerbated in the ΔvxrAB mutant. Mutating major iron uptake systems drastically increased ΔvxrAB tolerance to β-lactams. We propose that VxrAB reduces antibiotic-induced toxic iron and concomitant metabolic perturbations by downregulating iron uptake transporters and show that iron sequestration enhances tolerance against β-lactam therapy in a mouse model of cholera infection. Our results suggest that a microorganism’s ability to counteract diverse antibiotic-induced stresses promotes high-level antibiotic tolerance, and highlights the complex secondary responses elicited by antibiotics.
The genomic landscape of metastasis in treatment-naïve breast cancer models
Authors: Ross Christina , Szczepanek Karol , Lee Maxwell , Yang Howard , Qiu Tinghu , Sanford Jack , Hunter Kent
Published: September 2019

Metastasis remains the principle cause of mortality for breast cancer and presents a critical challenge because secondary lesions are often refractory to conventional treatments. While specific genetic alterations are tightly linked to primary tumour development and progression, the role of genetic alteration in the metastatic process is not well-understood. To investigate how somatic evolution might contribute to breast cancer metastasis, we performed exome, whole genome, and RNA sequencing of matched metastatic and primary tumours from pre-clinical mouse models of breast cancer. Here we show that in a treatment-naïve setting, recurrent single nucleotide variants and copy number variation, but not gene fusion events, play key metastasis-driving roles in breast cancer. For instance, we identified recurrent mutations inKras, a known driver of tumorigenesis that has not been previously implicated in breast cancer metastasis. The strategy presented here represents a novel framework to identify actionable metastasis-targeted therapies.
Reduced antibacterial drug resistance and blaCTX-M β-lactamase gene carriage in cattle-associated Escherichia coli at low temperatures, at sites dominated by older animals and on pastureland: implications for surveillance
Authors: Schubert Hannah , Morley Katy , Puddy Emma F. , Arbon Robert , Findlay Jacqueline , Mounsey Oliver , Gould Virginia C. , Vass Lucy , Evans Madeleine , Rees Gwen M. , Barrett David C. , Turner Katy M. , Cogan Tristan A. , Avison Matthew B. , Reyher Kristen K.
Published: September 2019

Little is known about the drivers of critically important antibacterial resistance in species with zoonotic potential present on farms (e.g. CTX-M □-lactamase-positive Escherichia coli). Here, we collected samples, monthly over a two-year period, on 53 dairy farms in the South West of England, and data for 610 variables concerning antimicrobial usage, management practices and meteorological factors. We detected E. coli resistant to amoxicillin, ciprofloxacin streptomycin and tetracycline, respectively, in 2754/4145 (66%), 263/4145 (6%), 1475/4145 (36%) and 2874/4145 (69%) of all samples from faecally contaminated sites. E. coli positive for blaCTX-M were detected in 224/4145 (5.4%) of samples. Multilevel, multivariable logistic regression showed antibiotic dry cow therapeutic choice (including use of cefquinome or framycetin) to be associated with increased odds of blaCTX-M positivity. Low temperature was associated with reduced odds of blaCTX-ME. coli positivity in samples and to reduced odds of finding E. coli resistant to each of the four test antibacterials. This was additional to the effect of temperature on total E. coli density. Furthermore, samples collected close to calves had increased odds of having E. coli resistance to each antibacterial or positive for blaCTX-M. Samples collected on pastureland had reduced odds of having E. coli resistant to amoxicillin or tetracycline, and being positive for blaCTX-M.

Importance

Antibacterial resistance poses a significant threat to human and animal health and global food security. Surveillance for resistance on farms is important for many reasons, including to track the impacts of interventions aimed at reducing the prevalence of resistance. In this epidemiological survey of dairy farm antibacterial resistance, we show that local temperature, as it changes over the course of a year, is associated with the prevalence of antibacterial resistant E. coli. Also, that prevalence of resistant E. coli is higher in indoor environments and in environments inhabited by young animals. These findings have profound implications for routine surveillance and for surveys carried out for research. They provide important evidence that sampling at a single time-point and/or single location on a farm is unlikely to be adequate to accurately determine the status of the farm with regard to the presence or number of resistant E. coli.
Interaction between polygenic liability for schizophrenia and childhood adversity influences daily-life emotional dysregulation and psychosis proneness
Authors: Pries Lotta-Katrin , Klingenberg Boris , Menne-Lothmann Claudia , Decoster Jeroen , van Winkel Ruud , Collip Dina , Delespaul Philippe , De Hert Marc , Derom Catherine , Thiery Evert , Jacobs Nele , Wichers Marieke , Cinar Ozan , Lin Bochao D. , Luykx Jurjen J. , Rutten Bart P. F. , van Os Jim , Guloksuz Sinan
Published: September 2019

Background

The earliest stages of the pluripotent psychopathology on the pathway to psychotic disorders is represented by emotional dysregulation and subtle psychosis expression, which can be measured using the Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA). However, it is not clear to what degree common genetic and environmental risk factors for psychosis contribute to variation in these early expressions of psychopathology.

Methods

In this largest ever EMA study of a general population twin cohort including 593 adolescents and young adults between the ages of 15 and 35 years, we tested whether polygenic risk score for schizophrenia (PRS-S) interacts with childhood adversity (the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire score) and daily-life stressors to influence momentary mental state domains (negative affect, positive affect, and subtle psychosis expression) and stress-sensitivity measures.

Results

Both childhood adversity and daily-life stressors were associated with increased negative affect, decreased positive affect, and increased subtle psychosis expression, while PRS-S was only associated with increased positive affect. No gene–environment correlation was detected. We have provided novel evidence for interaction effects between PRS-S and childhood adversity to influence momentary mental states [negative affect (b = 0.07, 95% CI 0.01 to 0.13, P = 0.013), positive affect (b = −0.05, 95% CI −0.10 to −0.00, P = 0.043), and subtle psychosis expression (b = 0.11, 95% CI 0.03 to 0.19, P = 0.007)] and stress-sensitivity measures.

Conclusion

Exposure to childhood adversities, particularly in individuals with high PRS-S, is pleiotropically associated with emotional dysregulation and psychosis proneness.
Entertainment as ritual: the Post-Reform transformation of Hát bội in Southern Vietnam
Authors: Lan Nguyen To
Published: September 2019

Purpose

This article traces the transformation of hát bội, a form of traditional opera in Southern Vietnam, from its primary role as entertainment into a religious activity after the Reform (Đổi Mới) were enacted in 1986.

Design/methodology/approach

This research is based on ethnological fieldwork complemented by a review of historical documents and of the available literature on hát bội, cultural policies and on data collected from interviews with artists and spectators at the festival at the shrine to the Lady of the Realm.

Findings

Before 1986, hát bội was performed either as a stand-alone entertainment during the fair portion of community festivals or as part of religious ceremonies. The Reform and the accompanying relaxation of state control over religion and culture promoted the resurgence of popular religious fairs across the nation. New opportunities for hát bội to revive opened, artists left state-sponsored troupes to join private companies that catered to religious festivals. But almost exclusive involvement in religious rites has led to artistic stasis for private hát bội troupes.

Originality/value

This research constitutes novel insights of how the Reform in Vietnam affects the transformation of a traditional performance form.
Hakka identity and religious transformation in South Vietnam
Authors: Nguyen Tho Ngoc
Published: September 2019

Purpose

Most of 823,000 ethnic Chinese people are living in Southern Vietnam among distinct dialectical groups. Each maintains its own pantheon of gods; the majority worships standardized Thien Hau. The Hakka in Buu Long are the only group that worships the craft-master gods. This difference creates a challenging gap between the subgroups and reveals the unorthodox nature of the Hakka’s traditions. The purpose of this paper is investigate the continuous efforts to achieve “evolving standardization” and solidarity through the charismatic efforts of the local Hakka elites in Buu Long by their liturgical transformation.

Design/methodology/approach

The study further discusses the multilateral interaction and hidden discourses by applying Watson’s (1985) theory of standardization and orthodoxy as well as Weller’s (1987) concept of context-based interpretation.

Findings

Truthfully, when facing pressures, the Hakka in Southern Vietnam decided to transform their non-standard worship of the craft masters into a more integrative model, the Thien Hau cult, by superimposing the new cult on the original platform without significant changes in either belief or liturgical practice. The performance shows to be the so-called “the caterpillar’s spirit under a butterfly’s might” case.

Research limitations/implications

The transformation reveals that the Hakka are currently in their endless struggles for identity and integration, even getting engaged in a pseudo-standardization.

Social implications

This Hakka’s bottom-up evolutionary standardization deserves to be responded academically and practically.

Originality/value

The paper begins with a setting of academic discussions by western writers in this area and then moves on to what makes the practical transformation, how does it happen, and what discourses are hidden underneath.
Managing sustainability in lower-tier suppliers: how to deal with the invisible zone
Authors: Sancha Cristina , Mària S.J. Josep F. , Gimenez Cristina
Published: September 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to illustrate how a focal firm can manage sustainability in its lower-tier suppliers which lie beyond the firm’s visible horizon.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper presents a new approach to managing sustainability in multi-tier supply chains with an illustrative case study that analyzes how electronic equipment firms make efforts to verify that they are not using conflict minerals.

Findings

The nexus supplier (smelters in the electronics supply chain) plays a relevant role in increasing visibility and tracing the source of minerals, thus guaranteeing sustainability upstream in the supply chain.

Research limitations/implications

The paper is based on a specific supply chain (i.e. electronics supply chain) and therefore its conclusions might be only partially generalized to other sectors.

Practical implications

Firms in complex supply chains need to make efforts to identify and manage nexus suppliers to extend sustainability upstream in the supply chain, especially beyond their visible horizon.

Originality/value

The paper focuses on management of sustainability in the invisible zone of the supply chain, which has been neglected in previous literature and is increasingly important to the managerial world in an economy with a growing number of global supply chains.