bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bone ongrowth and mechanical fixation of implants in cortical and cancellous bone
Authors: Walsh William Robert , Pelletier Matthew Henry , Bertollo Nicky , Lovric Vedran , Wang Tian , Morberg Per , Parr William Chase Harington , Bergadano Dario
Published: May 2020

Background

What is the right surface for an implant to achieve biological fixation? Surface technologies can play important roles in encouraging interactions between the implant surface and the host bone to achieve osseointegration. Preclinical animal models provide important insight into in vivo performance related to bone ongrowth and implant fixation.

Methods

A large animal model was used to compare the in vivo response of HA and plasma-sprayed titanium coatings in a well-reported adult ovine model to evaluate bone ongrowth in terms of mechanical properties in cortical sites, and histology and histomorphometry in cortical and cancellous sites at 4 and 12 weeks.

Results

Titanium plasma-sprayed surfaces outperformed the HA-coated samples in push-out testing in cortical sites while both surfaces supported new bone ongrowth and remodeling in cortical and cancellous sites.

Conclusions

While both HA and Ti plasma provided an osteoconductive surface for bone ongrowth, the Ti plasma provided a more robust bone-implant interface that ideally would be required for load transfer and implant stability in the longer term.
Effect of ulinastatin on post-operative blood loss and allogeneic transfusion in patients receiving cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass: a prospective randomized controlled study with 10-year follow-up
Authors: Zhang Peng , Lv Hong , Qi Xia , Xiao Wenjing , Xue Qinghua , Zhang Lei , Li Lihuan , Shi Jia
Published: May 2020

Background

Major bleeding and allogeneic transfusion leads to negative outcomes in patients receiving cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Ulinastatin, a urine trypsin inhibitor, relieves systemic inflammation and improves coagulation profiles with however sparse evidence of its effects on blood loss and allogeneic transfusion in this specific population.

Methods

In this prospective randomized controlled trial, 426 consecutive patients receiving open heart surgery with CPB were randomly assigned into three groups to receive ulinastatin (group U, n = 142), tranexamic acid (group T, n = 143) or normal saline (group C, n = 141). The primary outcome was the total volume of post-operative bleeding and the secondary outcome included the volume and exposure of allogeneic transfusion, the incidence of stroke, post-operative myocardial infarction, renal failure, respiratory failure and all-cause mortality. A ten-year follow-up was carried on to evaluate long-term safety.

Results

Compared with placebo, ulinastatin significantly reduced the volume of post-operative blood loss within 24 h (688.39 ± 393.55 ml vs 854.33 ± 434.03 ml MD − 165.95 ml, 95%CI − 262.88 ml to − 69.01 ml, p < 0.001) and the volume of allogeneic erythrocyte transfusion (2.57 ± 3.15 unit vs 3.73 ± 4.21 unit, MD-1.16 unit, 95%CI − 2.06 units to − 0.26 units, p = 0.002). The bleeding and transfusion outcomes were comparable between the ulinastatin group and the tranexamic acid group. In-hospital outcomes and 10-year follow-up showed no statistical difference in mortality and major morbidity among groups.

Conclusions

Ulinastatin reduced post-operative blood loss and allogeneic erythrocyte transfusion in heart surgery with CPB. The mortality and major morbidity was comparable among the groups shown by the 10-year follow-up.

Trial registration

The trial was retrospectively registered on February 2, 2010. Trial registration number: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT01060189.
Neurally adjusted ventilatory assist versus pressure support ventilation: a randomized controlled feasibility trial performed in patients at risk of prolonged mechanical ventilation
Authors: Hadfield Daniel J. , Rose Louise , Reid Fiona , Cornelius Victoria , Hart Nicholas , Finney Clare , Penhaligon Bethany , Molai Jasmine , Harris Clair , Saha Sian , Noble Harriet , Clarey Emma , Thompson Leah , Smith John , Johnson Lucy , Hopkins Phillip A. , Rafferty Gerrard F.
Published: May 2020

Background

The clinical effectiveness of neurally adjusted ventilatory assist (NAVA) has yet to be demonstrated, and preliminary studies are required. The study aim was to assess the feasibility of a randomized controlled trial (RCT) of NAVA versus pressure support ventilation (PSV) in critically ill adults at risk of prolonged mechanical ventilation (MV).

Methods

An open-label, parallel, feasibility RCT (n = 78) in four ICUs of one university-affiliated hospital. The primary outcome was mode adherence (percentage of time adherent to assigned mode), and protocol compliance (binary—≥ 65% mode adherence). Secondary exploratory outcomes included ventilator-free days (VFDs), sedation, and mortality.

Results

In the 72 participants who commenced weaning, median (95% CI) mode adherence was 83.1% (64.0–97.1%) and 100% (100–100%), and protocol compliance was 66.7% (50.3–80.0%) and 100% (89.0–100.0%) in the NAVA and PSV groups respectively. Secondary outcomes indicated more VFDs to D28 (median difference 3.0 days, 95% CI 0.0–11.0; p = 0.04) and fewer in-hospital deaths (relative risk 0.5, 95% CI 0.2–0.9; p = 0.032) for NAVA. Although overall sedation was similar, Richmond Agitation and Sedation Scale (RASS) scores were closer to zero in NAVA compared to PSV (p = 0.020). No significant differences were observed in duration of MV, ICU or hospital stay, or ICU, D28, and D90 mortality.

Conclusions

This feasibility trial demonstrated good adherence to assigned ventilation mode and the ability to meet a priori protocol compliance criteria. Exploratory outcomes suggest some clinical benefit for NAVA compared to PSV. Clinical effectiveness trials of NAVA are potentially feasible and warranted.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01826890. Registered 9 April 2013.
Overexpression of an endogenous type 2 diacylglycerol acyltransferase in the marine diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum enhances lipid production and omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid content
Authors: Haslam Richard P. , Hamilton Mary L. , Economou Chloe K. , Smith Richard , Hassall Kirsty L. , Napier Johnathan A. , Sayanova Olga
Published: May 2020

Background

Oleaginous microalgae represent a valuable resource for the production of high-value molecules. Considering the importance of omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFAs) for human health and nutrition the yields of high-value eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) require significant improvement to meet demand; however, the current cost of production remains high. A promising approach is to metabolically engineer strains with enhanced levels of triacylglycerols (TAGs) enriched in EPA and DHA.

Results

Recently, we have engineered the marine diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum to accumulate enhanced levels of DHA in TAG. To further improve the incorporation of omega-3 LC-PUFAs in TAG, we focused our effort on the identification of a type 2 acyl-CoA:diacylglycerol acyltransferase (DGAT) capable of improving lipid production and the incorporation of DHA in TAG. DGAT is a key enzyme in lipid synthesis. Following a diatom based in vivo screen of candidate DGATs, a native P. tricornutum DGAT2B was taken forward for detailed characterisation. Overexpression of the endogenous P. tricornutum DGAT2B was confirmed by qRT-PCR and the transgenic strain grew successfully in comparison to wildtype. PtDGAT2B has broad substrate specificity with preferences for C16 and LC-PUFAs acyl groups. Moreover, the overexpression of an endogenous DGAT2B resulted in higher lipid yields and enhanced levels of DHA in TAG. Furthermore, a combined overexpression of the endogenous DGAT2B and ectopic expression of a Δ5-elongase showed how iterative metabolic engineering can be used to increase DHA and TAG content, irrespective of nitrogen treatment.

Conclusion

This study provides further insight into lipid metabolism in P. tricornutum and suggests a metabolic engineering approach for the efficient production of EPA and DHA in microalgae.
Genetic diversity and phylogenetic relationships of tsetse flies of the palpalis group in Congo Brazzaville based on mitochondrial cox1 gene sequences
Authors: Mayoke Abraham , Muya Shadrack M. , Bateta Rosemary , Mireji Paul O. , Okoth Sylvance O. , Onyoyo Samuel G. , Auma Joanna E. , Ouma Johnson O.
Published: May 2020

Background

Despite the morphological characterization established in the 1950s and 1960s, the identity of extant taxa that make upGlossina fuscipes(s.l.) in the Congo remains questionable. Previous claims of overlap betweenG. fuscipes(believed to beG. f. quanzensis) andG. palpalis palpalisaround Brazzaville city further complicate the taxonomic status and population dynamics of the two taxa. This study aimed to determine the phylogenetic relationships betweenG. fuscipes(s.l.) andG. p. palpalisand to assess genetic variation amongG. fuscipes(s.l.) populations in Congo Brazzaville.

Methods

We collected 263G. fuscipes(s.l.) from northern and central regions, and 65G. p. palpalisfrom southern part of the country. The mitochondrial cytochromecoxidase subunit 1 (cox1) gene was amplified using taxa-specific primer pairs. Sequence data were analyzed in DnaSP and Arlequin to assess the genetic diversity, differentiation and demographic history ofG. fuscipes(s.l.) populations.

Results

The general BLAST analysis yielded a similarity of 99% forG. fuscipes(s.l.) andG. p. palpalis. BLASTn analysis forG. fuscipes(s.l.) showed > 98% identity with GenBank sequences forG. fuscipes(s.l.), with BEMB population showing 100% similarity withG. f. fuscipes.Glossina fuscipes(s.l.) populations showed high haplotype diversity (H = 46, Hd = 0.884), moderate nucleotide diversity ( = 0.012) and moderate (FST= 0.072) to high (FST= 0.152) genetic differentiation. Most of the genetic variation (89.73%) was maintained within populations. The mismatch analysis and neutrality tests indicated recent tsetse population expansions.

Conclusions

Phylogenetic analysis revealed minor differences betweenG. fuscipes(s.l.) andG. p. palpalis.Genetic diversity ofG. fuscipes(s.l.) was high in the populations sampled except one. Genetic differentiation ranged from moderate to high among subpopulations. There was a restricted gene flow betweenG. fuscipes(s.l.) populations in the north and central part of the country. Genetic signatures based oncox1 showed recent expansion and recovery ofG. fuscipes(s.l.) populations from previous bottlenecks. To fully understand the species distribution limits, we recommend further studies involving a wider sampling scheme including the swampy Mossaka focus forG. fuscipes(s.l.) and the entire range ofG. p. palpalisin South Congo.
Combined ultrasound–CT approach to monitor acute exacerbation of interstitial lung disease
Authors: Mongodi Silvia , Colombo Andrea , Orlando Anita , Cavagna Lorenzo , Bouhemad Bélaid , Iotti Giorgio Antonio , Mojoli Francesco
Published: May 2020

Background

Lung ultrasound is a bedside non-irradiating tool for assessment and monitoring of lung diseases. A lung ultrasound score based on visualized artefacts allows reliable quantification of lung aeration, and is useful to monitor mechanical ventilation setting, fluid resuscitation and antibiotic response in critical care. In the context of interstitial lung diseases associated to connective tissue disorders, lung ultrasound has been integrated to computed tomography for diagnosis and follow-up monitoring of chronic lung disease progression.

Case presentation

This case describes a severe acute exacerbation of interstitial lung disease associated to dermatomyositis–polymyositis requiring prolonged extra-corporeal life support. Lung ultrasound score was performed daily and allowed monitoring and guiding both the need of advanced imaging as computed tomography and immunosuppressive therapy.

Conclusions

This case suggests lung ultrasound may be a useful monitoring tool for the response to immunosuppressive therapy in acute severe rheumatic interstitial lung disease, where chest X-ray is poorly informative, and transportation is at high risk.
The effects of hypoxia on muscle deoxygenation and recruitment in the flexor digitorum superficialis during submaximal intermittent handgrip exercise
Authors: Nell Hayley J. , Castelli Laura M. , Bertani Dino , Jipson Aaron A. , Meagher Sean F. , Melo Luana T. , Zabjek Karl , Reid W. Darlene
Published: May 2020

Background

Decreased oxygenation of muscle may be accentuated during exercise at high altitude. Monitoring the oxygen saturation of muscle (SmO2) during hand grip exercise using near infrared spectroscopy during acute exposure to hypoxia could provide a model for a test of muscle performance without the competing cardiovascular stresses that occur during a cycle ergometer or treadmill test. The purpose of this study was to examine and compare acute exposure to normobaric hypoxia versus normoxia on deoxygenation and recruitment of the flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS) during submaximal intermittent handgrip exercise (HGE) in healthy adults.

Methods

Twenty subjects (11 M/9 F) performed HGE at 50% of maximum voluntary contraction, with a duty cycle of 2 s:1 s until task failure on two occasions one week apart, randomly assigned to normobaric hypoxia (FiO2 = 12%) or normoxia (FiO2 = 21%). Near-infrared spectroscopy monitored SmO2, oxygenated (O2Hb), deoxygenated (HHb), and total hemoglobin (tHb) over the FDS. Surface electromyography derived root mean square and mean power frequency of the FDS.

Results

Hypoxic compared to normoxic HGE induced a lower FDS SmO2 (63.8 ± 2.2 vs. 69.0 ± 1.5, p = 0.001) and both protocols decreased FDS SmO2 from baseline to task failure. FDS mean power frequency was lower during hypoxic compared to normoxic HGE (64.0 ± 1.4 vs. 68.2 ± 2.0 Hz, p = 0.04) and both decreased mean power frequency from the first contractions to task failure (p = 0.000). Under both hypoxia and normoxia, HHb, tHb and root mean square increased from baseline to task failure whereas O2Hb decreased and then increased during HGE. Arterial oxygen saturation via pulse oximetry (SpO2) was lower during hypoxia compared to normoxia conditions (p = 0.000) and heart rate and diastolic blood pressure only demonstrated small increases. Task durations and the tension-time index of HGE did not differ between normoxic and hypoxic trials.

Conclusion

Hypoxic compared to normoxic HGE decreased SmO2 and induced lower mean power frequency in the FDS, during repetitive hand grip exercise however did not result in differences in task durations or tension-time indices. The fiber type composition of FDS, and high duty cycle and intensity may have contributed greater dependence on anaerobiosis.
Follicular lymphoma transforming to DLBCL and reverting back to follicular lymphoma at relapse—a case report
Authors: Suresh Babu M. C. , Thottian Antony George Francis , Lokanatha D. , Jacob Linu Abraham , Lokesh K. N. , Rudresha A. H. , Rajeev L. K. , Smitha Saldanha , Hassan Syed Adil , Ashok Khandare Pravin , Premalatha C. S. , Suma M. N.
Published: May 2020

Background

Transformation of low-grade follicular lymphoma to high-grade diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is known. However, the opposite is not commonly reported. In this report, we present a case of follicular lymphoma that underwent transformation to DLBCL. Three years after treatment for histologic transformation, the patient presented again with low-grade follicular lymphoma at the same site which is unusual in the natural history of follicular lymphoma.

Case presentation

A 50-year-old female patient presented to us with complaints of slowly progressing swelling in the neck on the left side for a duration of 1 year. Past history of the patient revealed a diagnosis of follicular lymphoma in 2004 for which the patient had taken prednisolone and chlorambucil. Details of staging were not available with the patient. After a complete work-up, she was diagnosed as DLBCL, stage IIIE. She was treated with 6 cycles of CHOP regimen. She had very good response to chemotherapy. However, she defaulted and was lost to follow-up. She presented again after 3 years with history of painless progressive swelling in the right side of the neck for the last 1 year. Examination revealed cervical lymph nodes and ascites. This time, a repeat biopsy and immunohistochemistry was suggestive of follicular lymphoma. In view of significant ascites, she was started on chemotherapy with CVP regimen. After 6 cycles, she has good partial response and resolution of ascites. She is currently on follow-up.

Conclusions

We have presented a case of FL that has transformed to DLBCL after 10 years of diagnosis. After HT, she was treated with CHOP chemotherapy and the patient relapsed again after 3 years with follicular lymphoma histology. This case highlights the unique and varied natural history of follicular lymphoma that may be attributed to different subclones of malignant cells that may have arisen from a common progenitor FL cell and differential effect of chemotherapy on these subclones.
Randomized Phase III Study of Pemetrexed Plus Cisplatin Versus Vinorelbine Plus Cisplatin for Completely Resected Stage II to IIIA Nonsquamous Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Kenmotsu Hirotsugu , Yamamoto Nobuyuki , Yamanaka Takeharu , Yoshiya Katsuo , Takahashi Toshiaki , Ueno Tsuyoshi , Goto Koichi , Daga Haruko , Ikeda Norihiko , Sugio Kenji , Seto Takashi , Toyooka Shinichi , Date Hiroshi , Mitsudomi Tetsuya , Okamoto Isamu , Yokoi Kohei , Saka Hideo , Okamoto Hiroaki , Takiguchi Yuichi , Tsuboi Masahiro
Published: May 2020

PURPOSE

To evaluate the efficacy of pemetrexed plus cisplatin versus vinorelbine plus cisplatin as postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with pathologic stage II-IIIA nonsquamous non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We performed a randomized, open-label, phase III study at 50 institutions within 7 clinical study groups in Japan. Patients with completely resected pathologic stage II-IIIA (TNM 7th edition) nonsquamous NSCLC were randomly assigned to receive either pemetrexed (500 mg/m2, day 1) plus cisplatin (75 mg/m2, day 1) or vinorelbine (25 mg/m2, days 1 and 8) plus cisplatin (80 mg/m2, day 1) with stratification by sex, age, pathologic stage, EGFR mutation, and institution. These treatments were planned to be given every 3 weeks for 4 cycles. The primary end point was recurrence-free survival in the modified intent-to-treat population, excluding ineligible patients.

RESULT

Between March 2012 and August 2016, 804 patients were enrolled (402 assigned to vinorelbine plus cisplatin and 402 assigned to pemetrexed plus cisplatin). Of 784 eligible patients, 410 (52%) had stage IIIA disease and 192 (24%) had EGFR-sensitive mutations. At a median follow-up of 45.2 months, median recurrence-free survival was 37.3 months for vinorelbine plus cisplatin and 38.9 months for pemetrexed plus cisplatin, with a hazard ratio of 0.98 (95% CI, 0.81 to 1.20; 1-sided P = .474). Grade 3-4 toxicities reported more frequently for vinorelbine plus cisplatin than for pemetrexed plus cisplatin were febrile neutropenia (11.6% v 0.3%, respectively), neutropenia (81.1% v 22.7%, respectively), and anemia (9.3% v 2.8%, respectively). One treatment-related death occurred in each arm.

CONCLUSION

Although this study failed to show the superiority of pemetrexed plus cisplatin for patients with resected nonsquamous NSCLC, this regimen showed a better tolerability as adjuvant chemotherapy.
Synthesis and Crystal Structure of Mn3Fe2(SeO3)6
Authors: Giester Gerald
Published: May 2020

Crystals of Mn3Fe2(SeO3)6 have been synthesized in the system MnCO3-FeC2O4·2H2O-H2SeO3-H2O at 220 °C and structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction methods. The new compound is orthorhombic, space group Pna21 (a = 5.362 Å, b = 18.840 Å, c = 7.612 Å, Z = 4) building a complex framework from distorted Mn2+O6 polyhedra, Fe3+O6 octahedra and trigonal pyramidal SeO3 groups. Mean bond distances are ∼2.22 Å, 2.02 Å and 1.69–1.71 Å, respectively. Close relations with the structures of Cu3Fe2(SeO3)6-II and Cu3In2(SeO3)6 are evident.
Improved and Practical Synthesis of the Integrastatin Core
Authors: Yamagiwa Yoshiro , Haruna Nozomi , Kawakami Hideki , Matsumoto Kouichi
Published: May 2020

The new and versatile method for the synthesis of integrastatin core has been developed by the use of o-toluic acid and 2′-hydroxyacetophenone with NaH/sec-BuLi, followed by the reaction of dihydroisocoumarins with MeLi. The overall steps for the synthesis of integrastatin core was only 3 steps including the known method by the literature. The scope and limitations of substrates bearing the various substituents on the aromatic ring were investigated. The chemical yields by our approach are generally high and the current route enables us the rapid synthesis.
Ru-Based Complexes as Heterogeneous Potential Catalysts for the Amidation of Aldehydes and Nitriles in Neat Water
Authors: Arafa Wael Abdelgayed Ahmed
Published: May 2020

Five novel heterogeneous mononuclear complex-anchored Ru(III) have been efficiently sono-synthesized and characterized by utilizing several analytical techniques. The assembled complexes could be utilized as effective, robust and recyclable (up to eight consecutive runs) catalysts for one-pot transformation of a vast array of nitriles and aldehydes to primary amides in H2O under aerobic conditions. Moreover, some unreported di- and tetra-amide derivatives were obtained also under the optimal conditions. The results of ICP/OES analysis demonstrated that there is no detected leaching of the recycled catalyst, which suggests the real heterogeneity of the present protocol. The present Ru-complexes exhibited superiority compared to other reported catalysts for amide preparation in terms of low catalyst load, short reaction time, low operating temperature, no hazardous additives required, and high values of TON (990) and TOF (1980 h−1).
Tertiary Alkylations of Aldehydes, Ketones or Imines Using Benzylic Organoboronates and a Base Catalyst
Authors: Sato Yukiya , Nakamura Kei , Yabushita Kenya , Nagao Kazunori , Ohmiya Hirohisa
Published: May 2020

The KHMDS-catalyzed tertiary alkylation of aldehydes, ketones or imines using tertiary benzylic organoboronates is reported. This protocol permitted the use of tertiary benzylic alkylboronates as the tertiary alkyl anion for construction of highly congested contiguous sp3 carbon centers. The mild and transition-metal-free reaction conditions are attractive features of the protocol.
Comparison of quantity and quality of muscle as clinical prognostic markers in patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy
Authors: Waduud Mohammed Abdul , Ul-Hassan Awais , Naveed Talha , Adusumilli Pratik , Slater Thomas Alexander , Straw Sam , Hammond Christopher , Ashbridge Scott David Julian
Published: May 2020

Objective:

The measurement of muscle area is routinely utilised in determining sarcopaenia in clinical research. However, this simple measure fails to factor in age-related morphometric changes in muscle quality such as myosteatosis. The aims of this study were to: firstly investigate the relationship between the masseter area (quantity) and density (quality), and secondly compare the prognostic clinical relevance of each parameter.

Methods:

Cross-sectional CT head scans were reviewed for patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy. The masseter was manually delineated and the total masseter area (TMA) and the total masseter density (TMD) calculated. Measurements of the TMA were standardised against the cranial circumference. Observer variability in measurements were assessed using Bland–Altman plots. The relationship between TMA and TMD were evaluated using Pearson’s correlation and linear regression analyses. The prognostic value of TMA and TMD were assessed using receiver operator curves and cox-regression analyses.

Results:

In total, 149 patients who had undergone routine CT scans prior to a carotid endarterectomy were included in this study. No significant observer variations were observed in measuring the TMA, TMD and cranium circumference. There was a significant positive correlation between standardised TMA and TMD (Pearson’s correlation 0.426, p < 0.001, adjusted R-squared 17.6%). The area under the curve for standardised TMA in predicting all-cause mortality at 30 days, 1 year and 4 years were higher when compared to TMD. Standardised TMA was only predictive of post-operative overall all-cause mortality (adjusted hazard ratio 0.38, 95% confidence interval 0.15–0.97, p = 0.043).

Conclusion:

We demonstrate a strong relationship between muscle size and density. However, the utilisation of muscle area is likely to be limited in routine clinical care.

Advances in knowledge:

Our study supports the utilisation of muscle area in clinical sarcopaenia research. We did not observe any additional prognostic advantage in quantifying muscle density.
As descobertas genômicas do SARS-CoV-2 e suas implicações na pandemia de COVID-19
Authors: Lima Luana Nepomuceno Gondim Costa , De Sousa Maisa Silva , Lima Karla Valéria Batista
Published: May 2020

Objetivo: Auxiliar no entendimento da COVID-19 em relação à origem do SARS-CoV-2, suas descobertas genômicas, patogenia, possíveis hospedeiros primários e intermediários, além da comparação com outros coronavírus. Metodos: foram utilizadas as bases de dados Scientific Eletronic Library Online e PubMed, com artigos de revisão e originais, em língua portuguesa e inglesa, pesquisados no período de 05 de março a 10 de abril de 2020, adotando os seguintes descritores: SARS-CoV, COVID-19, coronavirus, Wuhan, genome, structure, origin, transmission, evolution, zoonotic. Os artigos originais identificados foram incluídos nesta revisão, juntamente com artigos de suporte referenciados por estes. Resultados: As características genômicas descritas até o momento podem explicar, em parte, a infectividade e a transmissibilidade do SARS-CoV-2 em humanos. Devido aos notáveis recursos de SARS-CoV-2, incluindo o local otimizado do domínio de ligação ao receptor (RBD) e de clivagem polibásica, é pouco provável um cenário laboratorial para a origem do SARS-CoV-2. Conclusão: Para o presente, é de extrema importância obter mais dados genéticos e funcionais sobre o SARS-CoV-2, incluindo estudos em animais, sequenciamento do vírus em casos muito precoces e identificação dos parentes virais mais próximos do SARS-CoV-2 que circulam em animais.
Hospital performance and payment: impact of integrating pay-for-performance on healthcare effectiveness in Lebanon
Authors: Khalife Jade , Ammar Walid , Emmelin Maria , El-Jardali Fadi , Ekman Bjorn
Published: May 2020

Background: In 2014 the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health integrated pay-for-performance into setting hospital reimbursement tiers, to provide hospitalization service coverage for the majority of the Lebanese population. This policy was intended to improve effectiveness by decreasing unnecessary hospitalizations, and improve fairness by including risk-adjustment in setting hospital performance scores.

Methods: We applied a systematic approach to assess the impact of the new policy on hospital performance. The main impact measure was a national casemix index, calculated across 2011-2016 using medical discharge and surgical procedure codes. A single-group interrupted time series analysis model with Newey ordinary least squares regression was estimated, including adjustment for seasonality, and stratified by case type. Code-level analysis was used to attribute and explain changes in casemix index due to specific diagnoses and procedures.

Results: Our final model included 1,353,025 cases across 146 hospitals with a post-intervention lag-time of two months and seasonality adjustment. Among medical cases the intervention resulted in a positive casemix index trend of 0.11% per month (coefficient 0.002, CI 0.001-0.003), and a level increase of 2.25% (coefficient 0.022, CI 0.005-0.039). Trend changes were attributed to decreased cases of diarrhea and gastroenteritis, abdominal and pelvic pain, essential hypertension and fever of unknown origin. A shift from medium to short-stay cases for specific diagnoses was also detected. Level changes were attributed to improved coding practices, particularly for breast cancer, leukemia and chemotherapy. No impact on surgical casemix index was found.

Conclusions: The 2014 policy resulted in increased healthcare effectiveness, by increasing the casemix index of hospitals contracted by the Ministry. This increase was mainly attributed to decreased unnecessary hospitalizations and was accompanied by improved medical discharge coding practices. Integration of pay-for-performance within a healthcare system may contribute to improving effectiveness. Effective hospital regulation can be achieved through systematic collection and analysis of routine data.
Automated Evaluation of Academic Staff Working Rate
Authors: Bortnikov M. , Logachev M.
Published: May 2020

The article presents a study of the process of faculty working rate in an educational organization. Such an assessment is important, since it is part of the processes of self-examination, the formation of a rating of an educational organization and the calculation of the incentive part of faculty wages. The work determines the place of the process in the system of processes of the educational organization, the subjects and objects involved in its implementation, as well as the mechanisms of their interaction. Based on the results, models are developed and problems and solutions are identified. The purpose of the work is to improve the methodology for evaluating the performance of faculty by introducing an information system that allows you to reallocate the resources necessary for the implementation of the process in such a way as to reduce the burden on individual specialists and automate the verification of individual criteria. The work presents process models that allow you to evaluate changes after the implementation of part of the modules of the information system, as well as screenshots of the developed application.
The Results of an Empirical Study of High School Lecturers’ Concept of Semiotic Competence
Authors: Danyushenkov V. , Korshunova O. , Shkalikov E.
Published: May 2020

The semiotic transprofessional competence of a modern person becomes more popular in the coherent arsenal of cognitive and communicative competencies of a digital society representative. Semiotic means “sign”, therefore, the information society suggests a new format for the subject, who knows how to understand, create, transfer, change signs and sign systems that carry information. To prepare a successful representative of the community, a teacher with appropriate abilities is needed. The teacher, fi rst of all, is formed in the process of vocational training at the university, therefore, the university teacher is obliged to possess the corresponding knowledge, skills and competencies. This article aims at identifying of the university teacher’s representations about semiotic competence. The objectives are: a) to determine the diff erence between semiotic competence and informational competency, with which the former is often identifi ed; b) justifi cation of the semiotic competence phenomenon importance for the education system and for the 21st century’s teachers training system; c) the development of measuring tools to identify the representations of the university educator, who works with future teachers, about semiotic competence; d) interpretation of the results of empirical research in the designated problem fi eld of educational semiotics.The main research methods are: comparative content analysis of scientifi c literature on the problem of the informational and semiotic competencies interaction; Google questionnaire; scaling; qualitative methods for processing an empirical data array. The novelty of the article material lies in the theoretical justifi cation and presentation of the approach to determining the relationship of semiotic and informational competencies; clarifi cation of the concept of «semiotic dominant» on three diff erent grounds for students — future teachers — in accordance with their training fi eld; interpretation of processing an empirical data array results and capturing specifi c facts of the current state in the representations of university teachers, working with students in “Pedagogical Education” fi eld, about semiotic competence (in a sense, revealing the willingness of teachers to respond to the challenges of the information society). The results of the article are: justifi cation for the inclusion of information competence in the semiotic one; development of measurement procedures to identify the representations of university teachers, who works with future teachers, about semiotic competence in the form of a questionnaire of 27 questions; obtaining and capturing specifi c facts about the state of information and semiotic skills of higher school teachers.
Optimal Financing and Disclosure
Authors: Szydlowski Martin
Published: May 2020

I study an entrepreneur who finances a project with uncertain cash flows and who jointly chooses the disclosure and financing policies. In the Bayesian persuasion framework, I show that it is optimal to truthfully reveal whether the project’s cash flows are above a threshold. This class of threshold policies is optimal for any prior belief, monotone security, and increasing utility function of the entrepreneur. I characterize how the disclosure threshold depends on the underlying security, the prior, and the cost of investment. The financing choice of the entrepreneur is determined by a new trade-off between the likelihood of persuading investors and relinquishing cash flow rights. Absent further frictions, the optimal security is indeterminate. If there is adverse selection after the entrepreneur has disclosed information, the unique outcome is a pooling equilibrium in which the entrepreneur pledges the entire cash flow.

This paper was accepted by Tomasz Piskorski, finance.
The Customer May Not Always Be Right: Customer Compatibility and Service Performance
Authors: Buell Ryan W. , Campbell Dennis , Frei Frances X.
Published: May 2020

This paper investigates the impact of customer compatibility—the degree of fit between customers’ needs and the capabilities of the operations serving them—on customer experiences and firm performance. We use variance decomposition analysis to quantify the relative importance of customer, employee, process, location, and market-level effects on customer satisfaction. In our models, which explain roughly a quarter of the aggregate variance, differences among customers account for 96%–97% of the explainable portion. Further analysis of interaction-level data from banking and quick-service restaurants reveals that customers report relatively consistent satisfaction across transactions with particular firms but that some customers are habitually more satisfied than others. A second set of empirical studies provides evidence that these customer-level differences are explained in part by customer compatibility. Customers whose needs, proxied by differences in demographics and product choices, diverge more starkly from those of their bank’s average customers report significantly lower levels of satisfaction. Consistently, banks that serve customer bases with more dispersed needs receive lower satisfaction scores than banks serving customer bases with less dispersed needs. Finally, a longitudinal analysis of the deposit and loan growth of all federally insured banks in the United States from 2006 to 2017 reveals that customer compatibility affects a firm’s financial performance. Branches with more divergent customers grow more slowly than branches with less divergent customers. Institutions serving customer bases with more dispersed needs have branches that exhibit slower growth than those of institutions serving customer bases with less dispersed needs.

This paper was accepted by Vishal Gaur, operations management.
EVOLUÇÃO DAS MÍDIAS POPULARES NO BRASIL (1980-2015): AVANÇOS, DESAFIOS E PERSPECTIVAS
Authors: Suzina Ana Cristina
Published: May 2020

Esta comunicação discute as condições atuais para o desenvolvimento de mídias populares no Brasil, a partir dos resultados de uma pesquisa doutoral realizada entre 2013 e 2016, junto a 29 experiências em seis regiões do país. O artigo explora as evoluções nesse campo em relação às condições estruturais, com especial atenção ao acesso e ao uso de tecnologias digitais, em comparação com a situação descrita por Cicilia Peruzzo para os anos 1980-90. O acesso a recursos financeiros continua sendo um dos principais desafios. Embora as estratégias de comunicação tenham maior relevância nas ações de mudança social e a ruptura digital represente oportunidades para desenvolver modelos alternativos de financiamento, as fontes financeiras ainda são frágeis e instáveis. O acesso a equipamentos e o perfil das equipes apresentam, por sua vez, notáveis transformações. A evolução tecnológica em geral e os requisitos de regularização, no caso particular dos audiovisuais, renovaram as práticas.
CITIZEN JOURNALISM AND USER GENERATED CONTENT IN MAINSTREAM MEDIA. NEW DIALOGIC FORM OF COMMUNICATION, USER-ENGAGEMENT TECHNIQUE OR FREE LABOR EXPLOITATION?
Authors: Cervi Laura
Published: May 2020

With the widespread diffusion of social networks and "participatory platforms", the process of collecting, creating and distributing information is no longer the exclusive competence of professional journalists and media outlets: it potentially involves all citizens, turning information into a real common good. In this context, despite their concerns, big broadcasters have been forced to adapt and include User Generated Content (UGC) in their programming, both as a way to engage their users and to benefit from the opportunity offered by a potential infinite source of information. This article, through a structural and qualitative analysis of four amongst the most relevant international broadcasters’ User generated Content platforms (BBC, France 24, CNN and Al Jazeera), tries to understand if the outputs of these initiatives actually create a new form of dialogic journalism, showing that these relatively young practices present a mix of user engagement and active participation, but it’s too early to speak about a real dialogic communication. The main limits are still related to the verification process, the crediting –and consequently with free labor- and the responsibility attributions. The articles ends with some recommendations geared toward building a real community of trust.
APRESENTAÇÃO DO SEGUNDO NÚMERO DA REVISTA DE COMUNICAÇÃO DIALÓGICA
Authors: Ernandez Macedo Marcelo , Da Silva Xavier Ferreira Hércules
Published: May 2020

Apresentação dos artigos que compõem o primeiro número da revista e agradecimentos à equipe envolvida.
Determinants of unintended pregnancies among nursing mothers in southwest Nigeria
Authors: Afolabi Adebukunola Olajumoke , Olaogun Adenike Ayobola , Afolabi Kolade Afolayan , Afolabi Esther Kikelomo
Published: May 2020

Background/aims

Studies have identified risks for unintended pregnancies, globally and in Nigeria, which include ineffective contraception, strong opposition to family planning by partners, number of living children and birth interval. These factors have contributed to the increasing rate of unintended pregnancy and the high rate of induced abortion, with associated consequences such as obstetric haemorrhage, infection and increased maternal morbidity and mortality. However, there is a paucity of information regarding the influence of culture and religion on pregnancy intentions. This study aimed to examine the influence of culture, religion, sociodemographic characteristics, and reproductive characteristics on nursing mothers' perception of unintended pregnancy in southwest Nigeria.

Methods

This study used a sequential explanatory mixed-method approach, with both quantitative and qualitative elements. A conceptual hierarchical model was used to analyse the influence of three levels of characteristics (sociodemographic, religious and cultural, reproductive) on unintended pregnancy in southwest Nigeria. A total of 400 nursing mothers attending either a postnatal, immunisation, infant welfare or under-five clinic were selected via multistage sampling from primary healthcare centres. Quantitative data were collected from these participants using a semi-structured questionnaire, administered by a researcher. These data were analysed using both bivariate and multivariate analysis. First, they were analysed with either a chi-squared or Fisher exact test, then subjected to a regression model analysis. Qualitative data were collected and subjected to content analysis via focus group discussions with a total of 32 purposively selected participants.

Results

Approximately 36.5% participants reported their index pregnancy as being unintended. With regression analysis, age (25–34 years: relative risk ratio=0.42, P=0.02; 35–44 years: relative risk ratio=0.21, P=0.003), parity (relative risk ratio=10.38, P<0.00), ethnicity (relative risk ratio=0.13, P=0.002) and religion (relative risk ratio=0.26, P=0.048) were found to be significant risk factors for unintended pregnancy.

Conclusions

Age, parity, ethnicity and religion were the main determinants of unintended pregnancies. Intervention programmes should therefore be aware of these variables and address myths and misconceptions about pregnancy intentions.
The development of critical care nursing education in Zambia
Authors: Carter Chris , Mukonka Priscar Sakala , Sitwala Lilian Jere , Howard-Hunt Barbara , Notter Joy
Published: May 2020

Background:

Critical care services reflect the healthcare services they support. In many low-to-middle-income countries (LMICs), balancing a sparse workforce, resources and competing demands to fund services, is a significant challenge when providing critical care. In Zambia, critical care has evolved significantly over the past 10 years. This article explores the provision of critical care services and the review and validation of a critical care nursing course.

Objectives:

To review the literature relating to critical care nursing in sub-Saharan Africa to support a review and validation of the current critical care nursing course and to prepare a framework for a Bachelor of Science (BSc) in critical care nursing programme in Zambia.

Results:

A search of the published literature identified key themes, including a paucity of evidence, limited educational opportunities, a lack of national and international opportunities, protocols and standards, and the challenges of providing technical services. The subsequent review and validation took account of these themes.

Conclusion:

This project has had an impact on improving critical care nurses' knowledge and skills and provided the foundations for the BSc in critical care nursing.
Litigation and patient–carer, safety issues in the COVID-19 crisis
Authors: Tingle John
Published: May 2020

John Tingle, Lecturer in Law, Birmingham Law School, University of Birmingham, discusses some recent reports on litigation issues and patient-health carer safety in the COVID-19 crisis
Ensuring safe practice during the pandemic
Authors: Foster Sam
Published: May 2020

Sam Foster, Chief Nurse, Oxford University Hospitals, considers the range of issues that needs to be considered to enable retired nurses and those redeployed from other areas to care for patients with COVID-19
Urology nurses lead the way in adopting an innovative prostate biopsy technique
Authors: Rusere Jonah
Published: May 2020

Jonah Rusere, Advanced Nurse Practitioner for South East London Accountable Cancer Network, outlines an opportunity for urology nurses to make a difference to prostate cancer pathways
Influence of Teachers’ Classroom Management Style on Pupils’ Motivation for Learning and Academic Achievement in Kwara State
Authors: Adedigba Olabisi , Sulaiman Folasade R.
Published: May 2020

This study investigated the influence of teachers’ classroom management on pupils’ motivation for learning and academic achievement in Kwara State. Descriptive survey design was adopted. The population was all primary teachers and pupils in Ilorin Metropolis, Kwara State. The sample size was 250 teachers and all pupils in their classrooms. One research questions and four hypotheses guided the study. The instruments used to collect data were researchers’ developed instruments titled ‘Teachers’ Classroom Management Style Observation Scale (TCMOS) and Pupils’ Motivation for Learning Rating Scale (PMLRS) with reliability coefficients of 0.82 and 0.86 respectively. Data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics, linear regression, t-test and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). All hypotheses were tested at 0.05 level of significance. The results showed that there was significant influence of classroom management styles on pupils motivation for learning (F(1,248) = 121.155, p < 0.05) and their academic achievement (F(1,248) = 28.947, p < 0.05). It was therefore recommended that teachers should be encouraged to adopt appropriate classroom management to motivate pupils to learn for improved academic achievement. Also, courses on classroom management and leadership should be integrated into the teacher training curriculum while regular retraining of in-service teachers should be encouraged.
Three new species of Dasyhelea Kieffer and new record of D. flaviformis Carter, Ingram and Macfie (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) from the Deltaic Proper of Gangetic West Bengal, India

Authors: BRAHMA SHUBHRANIL , CHATTERJEE SOMNATH , HAZRA NILADRI
Published: May 2020

Three new species of biting midges belonging to the genus Dasyhelea Kieffer are described as a result of the extensive entomological surveys in the Deltaic Proper of Gangetic West Bengal, India. Adult and pupal stages of Dasyhelea (Dasyhelea) multiforamina sp. nov. and D. (Sebessia) bulbosa sp. nov., and all the life stages of D. (Pseudoculicoides) aprojecta sp. nov. are described. Dasyhelea (Prokempia) flaviformis Carter, Ingram and Macfie is also recorded first time from the Oriental region as only adult stage. They are described, illustrated and photomicrographed. A short note on bionomics of the four species is provided. The subgeneric placement of seven species previously described from India and keys to the Indian species of Dasyhelea based on male and female are also furnished. Key words: Dasyhelea, new species, new record, immature, Sebessia, Prokempia, Pseudoculicoides, Key, Oriental Region
Blue-laser-diode–based high CRI lighting and high-speed visible light communication using narrowband green-/red-emitting composite phosphor film
Authors: Ali Amjad , Tehseen Riffat , Mithilesh K. M. , Zhang Chao , Hassnain S. A. , Chen Xiao , Yang Xingqi , Rehman Faizan Ur , Ge Wenmin , Ye Ying , Xu Jing
Published: May 2020

We experimentally demonstrate high-speed visible light communication (VLC) and high-quality solid-state lighting (SSL) using polymethyl-methacrylate-doped phosphor film based on cesium lead bromide quantum dot (CsPbBr3-QD) and potassium fluorosilicateK2SiF6:Mn4+, which is excited by a blue gallium nitride laser diode. A 1.6 Gbps data rate is achieved by employing a non-return-to-zero on–off keying modulation scheme. The measured bit error rate of2.7×10−3adheres to the standard threshold (3.8×10−3) of forward error correction. Moreover, the generated white-light source has a high color rendering index of 93.8 and a correlated color temperature of 4435 K, and it exhibits a Commission Internationale de l’Eclairage (CIE) 1931 chromaticity coordinate at (0.3556, 0.3520), which is close to the ideal CIE value of white light (0.3333, 0.3333). This work opens up exciting possibilities for future high-speed indoor VLC and high-quality SSL.