bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Echocardiographic screening of pregnant women by non-physicians with remote interpretation in primary care
Authors: Nascimento Bruno R , Sable Craig , Nunes Maria Carmo P , Oliveira Kaciane K B , Franco Juliane , Barbosa Marcia M , Reese Alison T , Diamantino Adriana C , Ferreira Filho Domingos Sávio G , Macedo Frederico V B , Raso Leonardo A M , Paiva Sarcha M W , Ribeiro Antonio L P , Beaton Andrea Z
Published: September 2020

Background

Impact of heart disease (HD) on pregnancy is significant.

Objective

We aimed to evaluate the feasibility of integrating screening echocardiography (echo) into the Brazilian prenatal primary care to assess HD prevalence.

Methods

Over 13 months, 20 healthcare workers acquired simplified echo protocols, utilizing hand-held machines (GE-VSCAN), in 22 primary care centres. Consecutive pregnant women unaware of HD underwent focused echo, remotely interpreted in USA and Brazil. Major HD was defined as structural valve abnormalities, more than mild valve dysfunction, ventricular systolic dysfunction/hypertrophy, or other major abnormalities. Screen-positive women were referred for standard echo.

Results

At total, 1 112 women underwent screening. Mean age was 27 ± 8 years, mean gestational age 22 ± 9 weeks. Major HD was found in 100 (9.0%) patients. More than mild mitral regurgitation was observed in 47 (4.2%), tricuspid regurgitation in 11 (1.0%), mild left ventricular dysfunction in 4 (0.4%), left ventricular hypertrophy in 2 (0.2%) and suspected rheumatic heart disease in 36 (3.2%): all, with mitral valve and two with aortic valve (AV) involvement. Other AV disease was observed in 11 (10%). In 56 screen-positive women undergoing standard echo, major HD was confirmed in 45 (80.4%): RHD findings in 12 patients (all with mitral valve and two with AV disease), mitral regurgitation in 40 (14 with morphological changes, 10 suggestive of rheumatic heart disease), other AV disease in two (mild/moderate regurgitation).

Conclusions

Integration of echo screening into primary prenatal care is feasible in Brazil. However, the low prevalence of severe disease urges further investigations about the effectiveness of the strategy.
Modelling the effects of diffusive-viscous waves in a 3-D fluid-saturated media using two numerical approaches
Authors: Mensah Victor , Hidalgo Arturo
Published: September 2020

The accurate numerical modelling of 3-D seismic wave propagation is essential in understanding details to seismic wavefields which are, observed on regional and global scales on the Earth’s surface. The diffusive-viscous wave (DVW) equation was proposed to study the connection between fluid saturation and frequency dependence of reflections and to characterize the attenuation property of the seismic wave in a fluid-saturated medium. The attenuation of DVW is primarily described by the active attenuation parameters (AAP) in the equation. It is, therefore, imperative to acquire these parameters and to additionally specify the characteristics of the DVW. In this paper, quality factor, Q is used to obtain the AAP, and they are compared to those of the visco-acoustic wave. We further derive the 3-D numerical schemes based on a second order accurate finite-volume scheme with a second order Runge–Kutta approximation for the time discretization and a fourth order accurate finite-difference scheme with a fourth order Runge–Kutta approximation for the time discretization. We then simulate the propagation of seismic waves in a 3-D fluid-saturated medium based on the derived schemes. The numerical results indicate stronger attenuation when compared to the visco-acoustic case.
Social Emotional Learning and the promotion of equal personal relationships among adolescents in Panama: a study protocol
Authors: Araúz Ledezma Ana B , Massar Karlijn , Kok Gerjo
Published: September 2020

Adolescents in Panama face multiple barriers that affect their health, such as high rates of teenage pregnancy, increased human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections and sexual violence. Equal relationships between women and men are likely to reduce such risks. Here, we suggest that the school-based enhancement of Social and Emotional Learning core competencies—awareness of self and others, positive attitudes and values, responsible decision-making, and social interaction skills—could foster positive changes in behaviors between boys and girls, specifically through a focus on equal roles, equal rights in relationships and nonviolent problem solving. This paper, using the Intervention Mapping Protocol, describes the process of development of, and planning surrounding the implementation and evaluation of the program ‘Me and My new World’, a Social Emotional Learning intervention for middle school students (12–15 years old) in Panama. Program development was based on a needs assessment (Araúz Ledezma et al. (2020) Behavioural and environmental influences on adolescent decision making in personal relationships: a qualitative multi–stakeholder exploration in Panama. Health Education Research, 35, 1–14.) and a literature review of theory- and evidence-based Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)-programs. Intervention outcomes, performance objectives and change objectives of the intervention were identified. The practical applications of different theory-based methods allowed for contextual considerations that could potentially influence the expected behavioral outcomes of the intervention. Teachers were the implementers of the program, and during development, implementation, and evaluation, the roles, opinions, and teaching methods of all stakeholders were recognized. We conclude that Intervention Mapping allows for the analysis of multiple factors influencing the development and implementation of Social Emotional Learning programs promoting equal relationships among adolescents in a developing country, with a special consideration of culture, educational systems, and policies, from a capability development perspective.
Escherichia coli strains possessing a four amino acid YRIN insertion in PBP3 identified as part of the SIDERO-WT-2014 surveillance study
Authors: Sato Takafumi , Ito Akinobu , Ishioka Yoshino , Matsumoto Shuhei , Rokushima Masatomo , Kazmierczak Krystyna M , Hackel Meredith , Sahm Daniel F , Yamano Yoshinori
Published: September 2020

Background

In addition to carbapenemases, dissemination of recently reported Escherichia coli lineages possessing a four amino acid insertion in PBP3 (encoded by ftsI) that confers reduced susceptibility to PBP3-targeted β-lactams, such as ceftazidime, can pose a threat of antimicrobial resistance.

Objectives

To evaluate genotypic and phenotypic characteristics of E. coli possessing the mutated PBP3 collected during SIDERO-WT-2014 surveillance.

Methods

A subset of 65 E. coli clinical isolates with MICs ≥2 mg/L for ceftazidime/avibactam, ceftolozane/tazobactam or cefiderocol, among a total of 1529 isolates from the multinational surveillance study, were subjected to gene analysis and antimicrobial susceptibility testing. Isogenic PBP3 mutants were constructed to confirm experimentally an impact on antimicrobial susceptibility.

Results

Eleven strains possessing a YRIN-inserted PBP3 were identified, consisting of nine strains collected from the same hospital in Turkey (ST1284) and one each from the USA and Italy (ST361). Strains associated with each ST lineage possessed similar genetic backgrounds including β-lactamase genotypes; all nine strains from Turkey carried CMY-42, OXA-1 and the OXA-181 carbapenemase (five strains additionally carried CTX-M-15 ESBL), whereas the two other strains carried CMY-42 and TEM-1, indicating dissemination driven by selective pressure. The presence of the YRIN insertion contributed to reduced susceptibility to aztreonam, ceftazidime, cefepime and ceftolozane/tazobactam, although the strains remained susceptible to ceftazidime/avibactam despite relatively high MICs.

Conclusions

E. coli strains of both ST1284 and ST361 lineages, possessing YRIN-inserted PBP3, are disseminating in several regions. The YRIN insertion in PBP3 occurred with multiple β-lactamases, which indicates frequent cross-resistance to other β-lactams.
Digital Asymmetries in Transnational Communication: Expectation, Autonomy and Gender Positioning in the Household
Authors: Wang Yang , Lim Sun Sun
Published: September 2020

In contemporary society, information and communication technologies (ICTs) are widely cherished for helping transnational households preserve a coherent sense of familyhood despite geographical separation. Despite ICTs having positive benefits for the maintenance of long-distance intimacies, digital asymmetries characterized by gaps in routines, emotional experiences, and outcomes of ICT use can also emerge between family members of different structural, social, and geographical conditions. Drawing on an innovative “content–context diary”-cum-participant observation, this article investigates the multi-dimensional digital asymmetries emerging from the transnational communication of Chinese “study mothers” in Singapore. Using the data visualization and analysis tool “ecomap,” the findings uncover that study mothers were largely beleaguered by expectation asymmetry and autonomy asymmetry, arising from different expectations to and control over daily transnational communication with their family members. The study mothers were disadvantaged by their relatively isolated life situations in the host society and accentuated gender hierarchies in the household.
Evaluation of solid portions in non-small cell lung cancer—the solid part is not always measurable for clinical T factor
Authors: Fukui Mariko , Takamochi Kazuya , Ouchi Takehiro , Koike Yutaro , Yaguchi Takashi , Matsunaga Takeshi , Hattori Aritoshi , Suzuki Kazuhiro , Hoshina Ayako , Yamashiro Yuki , Oh Shiaki , Suzuki Kenji
Published: September 2020

Background

Solid component size on thin-section computed tomography is used for T-staging according to the eighth edition of the Tumor Node Metastasis classification of lung cancer. However, the feasibility of using the solid component to measure clinical T-factor remains controversial.

Methods

We evaluated the feasibility of measuring the solid component in 859 tumours, which were suspected cases of primary lung cancers, requiring surgical resection regardless of the procedure or clinical stage. After excluding 126 pure ground-glass opacity tumours and 450 solid tumours, 283 part-solid tumours were analysed to determine the frequency of cases where the measurement of the solid portion was difficult along with the associated cause. Pathological invasiveness was also evaluated.

Results

The solid portion of 10 lesions in 283 part-solid nodules was difficult to measure due to an underlying lung disease (emphysema and pneumonitis). The solid portion of 62 lesions (21.9%) without emphysema and pneumonitis was difficult to measure due to imaging features of the tumours. Among the 62 patients, five had no malignancy and one with a tumour size of 33 mm had nodal metastasis. There were 56 lesions with a tumour size of ≤30 mm, wherein nodal metastases, vascular and/or lymphatic invasions were not observed.

Conclusion

For one-fifth of the part-solid tumours, measurement of the solid component was difficult. Moreover, these lesions had low invasiveness, especially in T1. The measurement of the solid portion and the classification of T1 in 1-cm increments may be complex.
Neglected tropical diseases in non-endemic countries in the era of COVID-19 pandemic: the great forgotten
Authors: Tilli Marta , Olliaro Piero , Gobbi Federico , Bisoffi Zeno , Bartoloni Alessandro , Zammarchi Lorenzo
Published: September 2020

In non-endemic countries, the access to healthcare for migrants and other patients with NTDs may be hampered by new barriers linked to the COVID-19 pandemic. Low awareness of health care professionals on the opportunistic potential of some NTDs may lead to unfavorable outcome of COVID-19 patients treated with immunomodulatory drugs.
Will cytokinins underpin the second ‘Green Revolution’?
Authors: Jameson Paula E , Song Jiancheng
Published: September 2020

This article comments on:

Schwarz I, Scheirlinck MT, Otto E, Bartrina I, Schmidt RC, Schmülling T. 2020. Cytokinin regulates the activity of the inflorescence meristem and components of seed yield in oilseed rape. Journal of Experimental Botany 71, 7146–7159.
A Step Too Far? Whittington Hospital NHS Trust v XX [2020] UKSC 14
Authors: Horsey Kirsty , Powell Andrew
Published: September 2020

This comment piece explores the decision in Whittington Hospital NHS Trust v XX [2020] UKSC 14. It argues that despite notable shifts in public policy in respect of the acceptability of surrogacy as a means of family formation in the past twenty years, the Supreme Court has taken a step too far in deciding that foreign commercial surrogacy is as widely socially accepted. This impacts on the reasonableness of any claim for damages in negligence for the costs of commercial surrogacy. It is posited that the issue of whether damages for foreign commercial surrogacy are reasonable or not will be the key battleground in future negligence cases of this type.
ALMA observations of envelopes around first hydrostatic core candidates
Authors: Maureira María José , Arce Héctor G , Dunham Michael M , Mardones Diego , Guzmán Andrés E , Pineda Jaime E , Bourke Tyler L
Published: September 2020

We present ALMA 3 mm molecular line and continuum observations with a resolution of ∼3.5 arcsec towards five first hydrostatic core (FHSC) candidates (L1451-mm, Per-bolo 58, Per-bolo 45, L1448-IRS2E, and Cha-MMS1). Our goal is to characterize their envelopes and identify the most promising sources that could be bona fide FHSCs. We identify two candidates that are consistent with an extremely young evolutionary state (L1451-mm and Cha-MMS1), with L1451-mm being the most promising FHSC candidate. Although our envelope observations cannot rule out Cha-MMS1 as an FHSC yet, the properties of its CO outflow and SED published in recent studies are in better agreement with the predictions for a young protostar. For the remaining three sources, our observations favour a pre-stellar nature for Per-bolo 45 and rule out the rest as FHSC candidates. Per-bolo 58 is fully consistent with being a Class 0, while L1448 IRS2E shows no emission of high-density tracers (NH2D and N2H+) at the location of the previously identified compact continuum source, which is also undetected in our observations. Thus, we argue that there is no embedded source at the presumptive location of the FHSC candidate L1448 IRS2E. We propose instead that what was thought to be emission from the presumed L1448 IRS2E outflow corresponds to outflow emission from a nearby Class 0 system, deflected by the dense ambient material. We compare the properties of the FHSC candidates studied in this work and the literature, which shows that L1451-mm appears as possibly the youngest source with a confirmed outflow.
Discovery of an ∼30-yr-duration post-nova pulsating supersoft source in the Large Magellanic Cloud
Authors: Vasilopoulos G , Koliopanos F , Woods T E , Haberl F , Soraisam M D , Udalski A
Published: September 2020

Supersoft X-ray sources (SSS) have been identified as white dwarfs accreting from binary companions and undergoing nuclear burning of the accreted material on their surface. Although expected to be a relatively numerous population from both binary evolution models and their identification as type Ia supernova progenitor candidates, given the very soft spectrum of SSSs relatively few are known. Here we report on the X-ray and optical properties of 1RXS J050526.3−684628, a previously unidentified accreting nuclear-burning white dwarf located in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC). XMM–Newton observations enabled us to study its X-ray spectrum and measure for the first time short-period oscillations of ∼170 s. By analysing newly obtained X-ray data by eROSITA, together with Swift observations and archival ROSAT data, we have followed its long-term evolution over the last 3 decades. We identify 1RXS J050526.3−684628 as a slowly evolving post-nova SSS undergoing residual surface nuclear burning, which finally reached its peak in 2013 and is now declining. Though long expected on theoretical grounds, such long-lived residual-burning objects had not yet been found. By comparison with existing models, we find that the effective temperature and luminosity evolution are consistent with an ∼0.7 M⊙ carbon–oxygen white dwarf accreting ${\sim} 10^{-9}~\rm {M}_{\odot }$ yr−1. Our results suggest that there may be many more undiscovered SSSs and ‘missed’ novae awaiting dedicated deep X-ray searches in the LMC and elsewhere.
Hundreds of new periodic signals detected in the first year of TESS with the weirddetector
Authors: Chakraborty Joheen , Wheeler Adam , Kipping David
Published: September 2020

We apply the weirddetector, a non-parametric signal detection algorithm based on phase dispersion minimization, in a search for low duty-cycle periodic signals in the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) photometry. Our approach, in contrast to commonly used model-based approaches specifically for flagging transits, eclipsing binaries, or other similarly periodic events, makes minimal assumptions about the shape of a periodic signal, with the goal of finding ‘weird’ signals of unexpected or arbitrary shape. In total, 248 301 TESS sources from the first-year Southern sky survey are run through the weirddetector, of which we manually inspect the top 21 500 for periodicity. To minimize false-positives, we here only report on the upper decile in terms of signal score, a sample for which we obtain 97% recall of TESS eclipsing binaries and 62% of the TOIs. In our sample, we find 377 previously unreported periodic signals, for which we make a first-pass assignment that 26 are ultra-short periods (<0.3 d), 313 are likely eclipsing binaries, 28 appear planet-like, and 10 are miscellaneous signals.
Leveraging HST with MUSE: II. Na-abundance variations in intermediate age star clusters
Authors: Martocchia S , Kamann S , Saracino S , Usher C , Bastian N , Rejkuba M , Latour M , Lardo C , Cabrera-Ziri I , Dreizler S , Kacharov N , Kozhurina-Platais V , Larsen S , Mancino S , Platais I , Salaris M
Published: September 2020

Ancient (>10 Gyr) globular clusters (GCs) show chemical abundance variations in the form of patterns among certain elements, e.g. N correlates with Na and anticorrelates with O. Recently, N abundance spreads have also been observed in massive star clusters that are significantly younger than old GCs, down to an age of ∼2 Gyr. However, so far N has been the only element found to vary in such young objects. We report here the presence of Na abundance variations in the intermediate age massive star clusters NGC 416 (∼6.5 Gyr old) and Lindsay 1 (∼7.5 Gyr old) in the Small Magellanic Cloud, by combining Hubble Space Telescope (HST) and European Southern Observatory Very Large Telescope MUSE observations. Using HST photometry, we were able to construct ‘chromosome maps’ and separate subpopulations with different N content, in the red giant branch of each cluster. MUSE spectra of individual stars belonging to each population were combined, resulting in high signal-to-noise spectra representative of each population, which were compared to search for mean differences in Na. We find a mean abundance variation of Δ[Na/Fe] = 0.18 ± 0.04 dex for NGC 416 and Δ[Na/Fe] = 0.24 ± 0.05 dex for Lindsay 1. In both clusters, we find that the population that is enhanced in N is also enhanced in Na, which is the same pattern to the one observed in ancient GCs. Furthermore, we detect a bimodal distribution of core-helium-burning red clump (RC) giants in the UV colour–magnitude diagram of NGC 416. A comparison of the stacked MUSE spectra of the two RCs shows the same mean Na abundance difference between the two populations. The results reported in this work are a crucial hint that star clusters of a large age range share the same origin: they are the same types of objects, but only separated in age.
Can we constrain the aftermath of binary neutron star mergers with short gamma-ray bursts?
Authors: Patricelli B , Bernardini M G
Published: September 2020

The joint observation of GW170817 and GRB170817A proved that binary neutron star (BNS) mergers are progenitors of short gamma-ray bursts (SGRBs): this established a direct link between the still unsettled SGRB central engine and the outcome of BNS mergers, whose nature depends on the equation of state (EOS) and on the masses of the NSs. We propose a novel method to probe the central engine of SGRBs based on this link. We produce an extended catalogue of BNS mergers by combining recent theoretically predicted BNS merger rate as a function of redshift and the NS mass distribution inferred from measurements of Galactic BNSs. We use this catalogue to predict the number of BNS systems ending as magnetars (stable or supramassive NS) or BHs (formed promptly or after the collapse of a hypermassive NS) for different EOSs, and we compare these outcomes with the observed rate of SGRBs. Despite the uncertainties mainly related to the poor knowledge of the SGRB jet structure, we find that for most EOSs the rate of magnetars produced after BNS mergers is sufficient to power all the SGRBs, while scenarios with only BHs as possible central engine seem to be disfavoured.
INTEDE: interactome of drug-metabolizing enzymes
Authors: Yin Jiayi , Li Fengcheng , Zhou Ying , Mou Minjie , Lu Yinjing , Chen Kangli , Xue Jia , Luo Yongchao , Fu Jianbo , He Xu , Gao Jianqing , Zeng Su , Yu Lushan , Zhu Feng
Published: September 2020

Drug-metabolizing enzymes (DMEs) are critical determinant of drug safety and efficacy, and the interactome of DMEs has attracted extensive attention. There are 3 major interaction types in an interactome: microbiome–DME interaction (MICBIO), xenobiotics–DME interaction (XEOTIC) and host protein–DME interaction (HOSPPI). The interaction data of each type are essential for drug metabolism, and the collective consideration of multiple types has implication for the future practice of precision medicine. However, no database was designed to systematically provide the data of all types of DME interactions. Here, a database of the Interactome of Drug-Metabolizing Enzymes (INTEDE) was therefore constructed to offer these interaction data. First, 1047 unique DMEs (448 host and 599 microbial) were confirmed, for the first time, using their metabolizing drugs. Second, for these newly confirmed DMEs, all types of their interactions (3359 MICBIOs between 225 microbial species and 185 DMEs; 47 778 XEOTICs between 4150 xenobiotics and 501 DMEs; 7849 HOSPPIs between 565 human proteins and 566 DMEs) were comprehensively collected and then provided, which enabled the crosstalk analysis among multiple types. Because of the huge amount of accumulated data, the INTEDE made it possible to generalize key features for revealing disease etiology and optimizing clinical treatment. INTEDE is freely accessible at: https://idrblab.org/intede/
dbGuide: a database of functionally validated guide RNAs for genome editing in human and mouse cells
Authors: Gooden Alexander A , Evans Christine N , Sheets Timothy P , Clapp Michelle E , Chari Raj
Published: September 2020

With the technology's accessibility and ease of use, CRISPR has been employed widely in many different organisms and experimental settings. As a result, thousands of publications have used CRISPR to make specific genetic perturbations, establishing in itself a resource of validated guide RNA sequences. While numerous computational tools to assist in the design and identification of candidate guide RNAs exist, these are still just at best predictions and generally, researchers inevitably will test multiple sequences for functional activity. Here, we present dbGuide (https://sgrnascorer.cancer.gov/dbguide), a database of functionally validated guide RNA sequences for CRISPR/Cas9-based knockout in human and mouse. Our database not only contains computationally determined candidate guide RNA sequences, but of even greater value, over 4000 sequences which have been functionally validated either through direct amplicon sequencing or manual curation of literature from over 1000 publications. Finally, our established framework will allow for continual addition of newly published and experimentally validated guide RNA sequences for CRISPR/Cas9-based knockout as well as incorporation of sequences from different gene editing systems, additional species and other types of site-specific functionalities such as base editing, gene activation, repression and epigenetic modification.
Seeker: alignment-free identification of bacteriophage genomes by deep learning
Authors: Auslander Noam , Gussow Ayal B , Benler Sean , Wolf Yuri I , Koonin Eugene V
Published: September 2020

Recent advances in metagenomic sequencing have enabled discovery of diverse, distinct microbes and viruses. Bacteriophages, the most abundant biological entity on Earth, evolve rapidly, and therefore, detection of unknown bacteriophages in sequence datasets is a challenge. Most of the existing detection methods rely on sequence similarity to known bacteriophage sequences, impeding the identification and characterization of distinct, highly divergent bacteriophage families. Here we present Seeker, a deep-learning tool for alignment-free identification of phage sequences. Seeker allows rapid detection of phages in sequence datasets and differentiation of phage sequences from bacterial ones, even when those phages exhibit little sequence similarity to established phage families. We comprehensively validate Seeker's ability to identify previously unidentified phages, and employ this method to detect unknown phages, some of which are highly divergent from the known phage families. We provide a web portal (seeker.pythonanywhere.com) and a user-friendly Python package (github.com/gussow/seeker) allowing researchers to easily apply Seeker in metagenomic studies, for the detection of diverse unknown bacteriophages.
On the founder effect in COVID-19 outbreaks: how many infected travelers may have started them all?
Authors: Ruan Yongsen , Luo Zhida , Tang Xiaolu , Li Guanghao , Wen Haijun , He Xionglei , Lu Xuemei , Lu Jian , Wu Chung-I
Published: September 2020

How many incoming travelers (I0 at time 0, equivalent to the ‘founders’ in evolutionary genetics) infected with SARS-CoV-2 who visit or return to a region could have started the epidemic of that region? I0 would be informative about the initiation and progression of epidemics. To obtain I0, we analyze the genetic divergence among viral populations of different regions. By applying the ‘individual-output’ model of genetic drift to the SARS-CoV-2 diversities, we obtain I0 < 10, which could have been achieved by one infected traveler in a long-distance flight. The conclusion is robust regardless of the source population, the continuation of inputs (It for t > 0) or the fitness of the variants. With such a tiny trickle of human movement igniting many outbreaks, the crucial stage of repressing an epidemic in any region should, therefore, be the very first sign of local contagion when positive cases first become identifiable. The implications of the highly ‘portable’ epidemics, including their early evolution prior to any outbreak, are explored in the companion study (Ruan et al., personal communication).
Complementary feeding and future health in Mexico. Introduction to the XI Nestlé Nutrition Conference
Authors: Polo-Oteyza Ernestina , Gil-Zenteno Lidia
Published: September 2020

Nutrition in infancy provides an important window of opportunity to shape good health during childhood and adult life. The objective of this manuscript is to provide an introduction to the review articles that bring together the proceedings of the XI Nestlé Nutrition Conference “Complementary Feeding: A Piece of the Puzzle to Understand Future Health”. The studies and description of complementary feeding practices in Mexico, from the Mexican National Health and Nutrition Survey 2012 (ENSANUT 2012), support the urgent need for strong policy actions to promote healthy eating and appropriate complementary feeding practices. Early interventions considering a life course approach and maternal and child nutrition are essential to prevent obesity, chronic disease and to ensure better health for the Mexican population.
Development priorities: the relative benefits of agricultural growth
Authors: Monteforte Fabio , Satchi Mathan , Temple Jonathan R. W.
Published: September 2020

Should agriculture or non-agriculture be a priority for development? We revisit this question using a two-sector, three-factor dynamic model with an asymptotic balanced growth path. The model allows a forward-looking assessment of development priorities based on lifetime welfare. A comparison of sector-specific productivity gains indicates that gains in non-agriculture are often more valuable, even when agriculture is initially the largest sector in terms of employment. We discuss the robustness of this result and how international capital mobility, capital intensity, demographics, the discount rate, and taxes on profits influence investment and structural transformation.
Lower lobe lung volume reduction surgery: a case report
Authors: Al-Jaghbeer Mohammed J , Hatipoglu Umur , Murthy Sid , Meli Yvonne , Mehta Atul C
Published: September 2020

Lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS) is an option for select patients with advanced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Current guidelines recommend LVRS for patients with appropriate physiology and heterogeneous distribution of emphysema predominately involving upper lobes. We present an unusual case of a 72-year-old male with an advanced COPD who suffered with recurrent exacerbations despite optimal medical management. He underwent a two-stage bilateral lower lobe LVRS for heterogeneous lower lobe emphysema via video-assisted thoracoscopic (VATS) approach. This resulted in a significant subjective as well as objective improvement in his pulmonary functions, 6-min walk distance and subsequent discontinuation of supplemental oxygen.
The importance of beliefs in shaping macroeconomic outcomes
Authors: Farmer Roger E A
Published: September 2020

For the past 30 years of the history of macroeconomic thought, the Indeterminacy School of Macroeconomics has used general equilibrium models with indeterminate equilibria to understand the independent role of beliefs in shaping macroeconomic outcomes. In this paper I review the most recent advances in the indeterminacy agenda, Keynesian Search Theory, and I advance that agenda by introducing self-fulfilling beliefs to a Keynesian Search Model in two different ways. One variant of the model is driven by an exogenous process for investment expenditure. If investment is exogenous, the only way to restore full employment is by replacing private investment with public investment. The second variant of the model is driven by consumer confidence. If consumer confidence is exogenous, treasury or central bank intervention in the asset markets is a more effective means of restoring full employment than fiscal policy. In either scenario, increased government consumption will not be effective at maintaining full employment in the face of permanently depressed beliefs about the value of private assets.
Spotlight on COVID-19 rapid guidance: NICE’s experience of producing rapid guidelines during the pandemic
Authors: Southall Sara , Taske Nichole , Power Eric , Desai Monica , Baillie Nick
Published: September 2020

This article highlights recent guidance from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). It provides an overview of the COVID-19 rapid guidance produced since March 2020, along with an account of how the organization adapted during the pandemic, developing resources to guide practice with the limited time and evidence available. The growing COVID-19 evidence base is also considered, with reference to international initiatives supporting production of the best possible information to guide the global pandemic response.

What’s new?

Since March 2020, the NICE has developed 21 rapid guidelines with NHS England and NHS Improvement (NHSE&I) and a cross-speciality clinical group, supported by specialist societies and royal colleges. The 21 guidelines can be summarized into three groups—managing symptoms and complications, managing conditions that increase risk, and providing services during the pandemic. The rapid guidelines are part of a suite of rapid resources, including innovative technology briefings, shared learning examples and rapid evidence summaries, such as that for Vitamin D in COVID-19 (ES28).
The Economics of the Fed Put
Authors: Cieslak Anna , Vissing-Jorgensen Annette
Published: September 2020

Since the mid-1990s, negative stock returns comove with downgrades to the Fed’s growth expectations and predict policy accommodations. Textual analysis of FOMC documents reveals that policy makers pay attention to the stock market. The primary mechanism is their concern with the consumption wealth effect, with a secondary role for the market predicting the economy. We find little evidence of the Fed overreacting to the market in an ex post sense (reacting beyond the market’s effect on growth expectations). Although policy makers are aware that the Fed put could induce risk-taking, moral hazard considerations appear not to significantly affect their decision-making ex ante.
DUAL-PARTICLE DOSEMETER BASED ON ORGANIC SCINTILLATOR
Authors: Miller C A , Di Fulvio A , Clarke S D , Pozzi S A
Published: September 2020

Traditionally available handheld dosemeters are generally sensitive to only one type of radiation: neutrons or photons. Some dosemeters also rely on very specific attenuation correlations between response and dose, are not scalable in size and multiple dosemeters are required to characterise mixed-particle fields. The research presented here serves as a proof-of-concept for a method to simultaneously measure dose rates from neutrons and photons using a particle discriminating organic scintillation detector without the need for spectral deconvolution. The method was compared with traditional instruments and to simulation. Isotopic photon dose rates measured with this method were within 4% of simulated truth, whereas fission spectrum neutron dose rates were measured within 21%. Measurements of dose rates from both particles agree with simulated truth better than traditional instruments. This new method allows for measurement of dose equivalent from both neutrons and photons with a single instrument and no reliance on spectral deconvolution.
The Presumption of Safety Tested: The Use of Country of Origin Information in the National Designation of Safe Countries of Origin
Authors: Vogelaar Femke
Published: September 2020

The article examines the process of evidentiary assessment of Country of Origin Information (COI) by policy-makers. It particularly focuses on the evidentiary assessment of COI by the UK and the Netherlands in their decisions to designate Albania and Kosovo as Safe Countries of Origin (SCO). The article assesses the COI standards laid down in the European Asylum Support Office’s (EASO) Country of Origin Information Report Methodology, and whether, and how, these standards are applied by the UK and the Netherlands. The analysis shows that the UK and the Netherlands have in practice not given proper meaning to the standards in the EASO methodology. As a result, the Dutch and UK SCO policies on Albania and Kosovo lack a common and systematic approach to COI. The policies fail to show how information was assessed and why substantial weight was attached to information in the determination that there is in general no persecution in Albania and Kosovo. The analysis of the Dutch and UK SCO policies leads to the important conclusion that there is much room for the improvement of evidentiary assessment of COI at the level of the decision-maker and policy-maker, especially, with regard to the transparent presentation of the evidentiary assessment. The European Union should consider the adoption of the COI quality standards in binding EU legislation that would provide the proper basis for a common and systematic approach to COI that can truly improve convergence in asylum decision-making.
Development of Voluntary Control Over Voice-Hearing Experiences: Evidence From Treatment-Seeking and Non-Treatment-Seeking Voice-Hearers
Authors: Mourgues Catalina , Negreira Alyson M , Quagan Brittany , Mercan Nur Evin , Niles Halsey , Kafadar Eren , Bien Claire , Kamal Faria , Powers Albert R
Published: September 2020

Voluntary control over voice-hearing experiences is one of the most consistent predictors of functioning among voice-hearers. However, control over voice-hearing experiences is likely to be more nuanced and variable than may be appreciated through coarse clinician-rated measures, which provide little information about how control is conceptualized and developed. We aimed to identify key factors in the evolution of control over voice-hearing experiences in treatment-seeking (N = 7) and non-treatment-seeking (N = 8) voice-hearers. Treatment-seeking voice-hearers were drawn from local chapters of the Connecticut Hearing Voices Network, and non-treatment-seeking voice-hearers were recruited from local spiritually oriented organizations. Both groups participated in a clinical assessment, and a semi-structured interview meant to explore the types of control exhibited and how it is fostered. Using Grounded Theory, we identified that participants from both groups exerted direct and indirect control over their voice-hearing experiences. Participants that developed a spiritual explanatory framework were more likely to exert direct control over the voice-hearing experiences than those that developed a pathologizing framework. Importantly, despite clear differences in explanatory framework and distress because of their experiences, both groups underwent similar trajectories to develop control and acceptance over their voice-hearing experiences. Understanding these factors will be critical in transforming control over voice-hearing experiences from a phenomenological observation to an actionable route for clinical intervention.
The Use of HR Policies and Job Satisfaction of Older Workers
Authors: Visser Mark , Lössbroek Jelle , van der Lippe Tanja
Published: September 2020

Against the backdrop of aging populations and policies to extend working lives, this study advances prior research by examining how job satisfaction of older workers is associated with not only own, but also coworkers’ usage of 3 human resource (HR) policies: phasing out (i.e., lighter workload, additional leave, and semi-retirement), demotion, and training. Exploiting unique, linked organization-department-employee data from the European Sustainable Workforce Survey (ESWS), hypotheses derived from the job demands-resources (JD-R) model and relative deprivation theory are tested with 3-level regression analysis. The findings show that demotees are less satisfied with their job compared to older employees who were not demoted, whereas participation in phasing out arrangements is not related to older workers’ job satisfaction. Older employees who received training are more satisfied with their job than those who did not. Moreover, in departments where coworkers participated in training, older employees who did not receive training are more satisfied than those in departments where training is unavailable or in which training is offered, but not used. Phasing out and demotion of colleagues are not associated with job satisfaction of older workers. These results are largely in line with the JD-R model, as demotion would decrease motivation and, in turn, job satisfaction, whereas training would increase job resources and motivation and, in turn, job satisfaction. This study concludes that providing training to older workers is a fruitful HR strategy for employers to stimulate job satisfaction among their older employees and facilitate longer working lives.
Prophylactic Salpingectomy for Prevention of Ovarian Cancer at the Time of Elective Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy
Authors: Tomasch G. , Lemmerer M. , Oswald S. , Uranitsch S. , Schauer C. , Schütz A.-M. , Bliem B. , Berger A. , Lang P. F. J. , Rosanelli G. , Ronaghi F. , Tschmelitsch J. , Lax S. F. , Uranues S. , Tamussino K.
Published: September 2020

(Abstracted from BJS 2020;107:519–524)

The majority of ovarian cancers are now believed to originate in the fimbriae of the fallopian tubes as serous tubal intraepithelial carcinomas (STICs). Removal of the fallopian tubes (salpingectomy) has been associated with a reduced risk of developing ovarian cancer, leading to gynecologic societies recommending prophylactic salpingectomy at the time of pelvic surgery in appropriate women.
Elagolix Treatment for Up to 12 Months in Women With Heavy Menstrual Bleeding and Uterine Leiomyomas
Authors: Simon James A. , Al-Hendy Ayman , Archer David F. , Barnhart Kurt T. , Bradley Linda D. , Carr Bruce R. , Dayspring Thomas , Feinberg Eve C. , Gillispie Veronica , Hurtado Sandra , Kim JinHee , Liu Ran , Owens Charlotte D. , Muneyyirci-Delale Ozgul , Wang Alice , Watts Nelson B. , Schlaff William D.
Published: September 2020

(Abstracted from Obstet Gynecol 2020;135:1313–1326)

Uterine leiomyomas affect up to 80% of reproductive-age women and are the most common benign neoplasm of the uterus. A variety of symptoms occur in approximately half of these women; the most common is heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB), which can result in anemia.
Screening for Bacterial Vaginosis in Pregnant Persons to Prevent Preterm Delivery: US Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement
Authors:   US Preventive Services Task Force
Published: September 2020

(Abstracted from JAMA 2020;323(13):1286–1292)

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a common vaginal condition, occurring in 5.8% to 19.3% of pregnant women. It is also associated with a 2-fold higher risk for preterm delivery, although it is unclear whether the condition is a cause of preterm birth.
Neonatal Mortality After Interhospital Transfer of Pregnant Women for Imminent Very Preterm Birth in Illinois
Authors: Shah Kshama P. , deRegnier Raye-Ann O. , Grobman William A. , Bennett Amanda C.
Published: September 2020

(Abstracted from JAMA Pediatr 2020;174(4):358–365)

In the United States, prematurity is a major contributor to mortality in children younger than 5 years. To reduce infant mortality, preterm newborns should be delivered or transferred to a hospital that can meet their medical care needs.
High Prevalence of Falls Independent of Age in Adults Living With Chronic Pain
Authors: Bisson Etienne J. , Gemmell Jen , Kelly Sarah , Marsala Adam , Brown Elizabeth , Good Mary Anne , Wilson Rosemary , Duggan Scott
Published: September 2020

Objectives:

High risks of falls have been reported in older adults with chronic pain but chronic pain similarly affects adults of all ages. This cross-sectional study aimed to determine the prevalence of falls and associated risk factors in adults of all ages living with chronic pain.

Materials and Methods:

Patient-reported data were analyzed from 591 adults with chronic pain enrolled in a local pain clinic between November 2017 and April 2019. Sociodemographic, history of falls, and biopsychosocial measures of pain were examined to identify and describe adults with chronic pain who fell in the previous year. Factors associated with falls were examined using logistic regression.

Results:

A total of 268 (45%) reported at least 1 fall in the previous year (fallers) where 194 (33%) fell in the previous 3 months, and 185 (31%) had multiple falls. The prevalence of falls in the previous year was over 37% across age groups. Overall, fallers were older, had greater pain severity and interference, lower physical function and pain self-efficacy, greater depression, more reported neuropathic pain, and had more pain sites compared with nonfallers. Number of pain sites reported (odds ratio=1.12; 95% confidence interval, 1.02-1.22) and lower physical function (odds ratio=0.96; 95% confidence interval, 0.94-0.99) were independently associated with falls.

Discussion:

A high prevalence of falls was found independent of age for adults with chronic pain. Although the risk of falls may increase with age, lower physical function and more pain sites are better indicators for falls. A better understanding of circumstances and consequences of falls in all adults with chronic pain is warranted.
Perioperative Pregabalin for Preventive Analgesia in Breast Cancer Surgery
Authors: Chang Chun-Chia , Yen Wei-Ting , Lin Yao-Tsung , Wang Li-Kai , Hung Kuo-Chuan , Wu Zhi-Fu , Chen Jen-Yin
Published: September 2020

Objectives:

Pregabalin is a drug for neuropathic pain. Antipronociceptive properties of pregabalin have led to its recent use as an adjuvant to the multimodal postoperative pain regimen. This meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of perioperative pregabalin on acute and chronic postsurgical pain (CPSP) after breast cancer surgery.

Methods:

A meta-analysis including 8 randomized controlled trials searched from MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials was conducted. Subgroup analysis was performed according to doses and timecourse of pregabalin administration. Review Manager 5.3 was selected to conduct the meta-analysis.

Results:

Preoperative pregabalin in breast cancer surgery alleviated acute postoperative pain at rest 24 hours after surgery by 0.31 points on an 0 to 10 Numerical Rating Scale (95% confidence interval [CI] −0.57 to −0.05). Morphine consumption showed a decrease in postoperative use by 1.09 mg (95% CI: −1.61 to −0.57). The incidence of CPSP 3 months after surgery was reduced to 46% (95% CI: 0.25-0.85). Postoperative nausea and vomiting, dizziness, and sedation showed no overall significant reductions. However, a decrease in the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting and an increase in the incidence of dizziness were noted when patients received 300 mg of pregabalin before surgery.

Discussion:

This study demonstrated that pregabalin showed more efficacy on chronic pain than acute pain after a breast cancer surgery. Further study based on doses and treatment course of pregabalin should be conducted to establish stronger evidence of treatment effects.