bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Transforming growth factor beta 1 levels in the blood of pediatric liver recipients: Clinical and biochemical correlations
Authors: Kurabekova Rivada , Tsirulnikova Olga , Pashkova Irina , Gichkun Olga , Mozheyko Natalia , Gautier Sergey , Shevchenko Olga
Published: March 2020

TGF‐β1 is a cytokine with profibrogenic and immunosuppressive activities, which suggest the clinical significance of TGF‐β1 for the assessment of graft function after LT. We analyzed the dynamics of TGF‐β1 levels in the blood after LDLT in 135 pediatric liver recipients and examined the relationship between the cytokine levels and the laboratory and clinical variables. We found that TGF‐β1 levels in the blood of patients with ESLD were lower than that in healthy children of the same age, P = .001. Moreover, blood levels of TGF‐β1 were associated with liver disease etiology (r = .23) and hepatic fibrosis severity (r = .33). Before LDLT, TGF‐β1 levels were significantly higher in children with good outcomes than in recipients who developed graft dysfunction early in the post‐transplant period, P = .047. One month after LDLT, TGF‐β1 levels in blood plasma increased in pediatric recipients, P = .002. Cytokine levels were significantly correlated with gender (r = .21) and HLA (r = −.24) mismatches, as well as with TAC dosage (r = −.32) later in the post‐transplant period. One year after LDLT, TGF‐β1 plasma levels were higher (P = .01) than those before LDLT and did not correlate with most of the investigated biochemical and clinical variables. Conclusion: Blood levels of TGF‐β1 are associated with hepatic fibrosis severity, graft dysfunction development, and TAC dosage and can be regarded as a potential prognostic biomarker for the assessment of graft function and the optimization of immunosuppressant dosage in pediatric recipients after LDLT.
Feeding on tea GH19 chitinase enhances tea defense responses induced by regurgitant derived from Ectropis grisescens
Authors: Lu Xiaotong , Wang Baohui , Cai Xiaoming , Chen Shenglong , Chen Zongmao , Xin Zhaojun
Published: March 2020

Multiple isoforms of chitinases participate in plant defense against outside invaders. However, the functions of hydrolase family 19 (GH19) chitinases on pest control remain largely unknown. Here we reported the isolation and functional analysis of a gene CsChi19, which encodes a GH19 endochitinase protein of 332 amino acid residues from tea plant (Camellia sinensis). CsChi19 expression levels were upregulated in response to mechanical wounding, infestation by two important pests: the tea geometrid Ectropis grisescens and the tea green leafhopper Empoasca (Matsumurasca) onukii, a fungal pathogen Colletotrichum fructicola, and treatment with two phytohormones: jasmonic acid (JA) and salicylic acid. CsChi19 was heterologously expressed in Escherichia coli, and its catalytic function was further elucidated. The protein could hydrolyze colloidal chitin, and the optimum temperature and pH for its activity was 40°C and pH 5.0. CsChi19 were found to be toxic to tea pests when they were fed on artificial diets containing this protein. Interestingly, the regurgitant derived from E. grisescens fed with artificial diets containing CsChi19 protein induced stronger expression of CsMPK3, more JA burst, more accumulation of defense‐related secondary metabolites, and more emission of volatiles than the regurgitant derived from E. grisescens fed only with artificial diets. Our results provide first evidence that CsChi19 is involved in mediating a novel defense mechanism of tea plant through altering the composition of the regurgitant.
Guild‐level responses by mammalian predators to afforestation and subsequent restoration in a formerly treeless peatland landscape
Authors: Hancock Mark H. , Klein Daniela , Cowie Neil R.
Published: March 2020

Afforestation of formerly open landscapes can transform mammalian predator communities, potentially impacting prey species like ground‐nesting birds. In Scotland's Flow Country, a globally important peatland containing many forestry plantations, earlier studies found reduced densities of breeding waders on open bogs, when forestry plantations were present within 700 m. One plausible explanation for this pattern is mammalian predation. We tested whether mammalian predator indices, based on scats (feces), differed between (1) open bog, forestry plantations, and former plantations being restored as bog (“restoration” habitats); (2) restoration habitats of different ages; and (3) open bogs with differing amounts of nearby forestry. We measured summer scat density and size over 14 years in 26 transects 0.6–4.5 km in length, collecting data during 93, 96, and 79 transect‐years in bog, forestry, and restoration habitats respectively. In forestry, scat density increased eightfold, reaching values ~6 times higher than those of bogs. On open bogs with over 10% forestry within 700 m, scat densities were 2.9 times higher than on open bogs with less forestry nearby. Results support the hypothesis that mammalian predators might be responsible for the low densities of breeding waders close to forests, on adjacent open bogs. In restoration habitats, scat densities rose 6–10 years after felling but fell to levels similar to open bogs in older restoration habitats, supporting restoration management as a means of reducing mammalian predator activity/abundance. We urge caution around decisions to establish forestry plantations in open landscapes of high biodiversity importance.
Vertical foreign direct investment: Make, buy, and sell
Authors: Milliou Chrysovalantou , Sandonis Joel
Published: March 2020

According to conventional wisdom, multinational enterprises (MNEs) undertake vertical FDI to take advantage of cross‐border factor cost differences and source inputs from abroad at better terms. However, recent empirical studies document many instances in which intrafirm trade between parent firms and their vertically related foreign affiliates is absent. We provide theoretical support for these findings, demonstrating that a firm can engage in vertical FDI to exploit its intangible assets in another country and improve its input sourcing terms domestically by enhancing its cross‐threat. Furthermore, we show that the welfare implications of vertical FDI on the home and host country are neither always positive nor aligned.
Causes of Effects via a Bayesian Model Selection Procedure
Authors: Corradi Fabio , Musio Monica
Published: March 2020

In causal inference, and specifically in the causes-of-effects problem, one is interested in how to use statistical evidence to understand causation in an individual case, and in particular how to assess the so-called probability of causation. The answer involves the use of potential responses, which describe what would have happened to the outcome if we had observed a different value for the exposure. However, even given the best possible statistical evidence for the association between exposure and outcome, we can typically only provide bounds for the probability of causation. Dawid and his colleagues highlighted some fundamental conditions, namely exogeneity, comparability and sufficiency, that are required to obtain such bounds from experimental data. The aim of the present paper is to provide methods to find, in specific cases, the best subsample of the reference data set to satisfy these requirements. For this, we introduce a new variable, expressing the preference whether or not to be exposed, and we set the question up as a model selection problem. The best model is selected by using the marginal probability of the responses and a suitable prior over the model space. An application in the educational field is presented.
Does expertise and thinking mode matter for accuracy in judgments of job applicants’ cognitive ability?
Authors: Sinclair Samantha , Agerström Jens
Published: March 2020

The present research examined the role of thinking mode for accuracy in recruiters and laypeople’s judgments of applicants’ cognitive ability. In Study 1, students who relied on their intuition were somewhat less accurate. In Study 2, an experimental manipulation of thinking mode (intuitive vs analytical) revealed no apparent differences in accuracy. Moreover, there were no differences in accuracy or agreement between recruiters and laypeople. Examination of the use of specific resume content suggested that intuitive thinking corresponds to basing one’s judgments more on the way that applicants present themselves in their personal letter and less on diagnostic biographical information such as SAT scores. The findings point to the possibility that professional recruiters may not possess intuitive expertise in this context.
A Survey on the Study Habits of the Taiwanese University Students: Comparison of the Four Years of Undergraduate Education
Authors: Shirban Sasi Abolfazl , Hsu Shu-Ting
Published: March 2020

This study was conducted in order to examine the probable differences among the study habits of students on different academic levels: freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors in Taiwanese universities. Thus, 14 departments were randomly chosen in three universities in central Taiwan. In total, 964 respondents were considered in this study. The research instrument was a 24-item questionnaire adopted from the Study Skill Assessment Questionnaire, originally developed by University of Houston Clear Lake, Texas. The questionnaire items used in this study clustered three study habits/skills constructs (eight items each) which were: time management and procrastination, study aids and note-taking, and organizing and processing information. Applying a Pearson Chi-square test (a ≤.05) for each of the 24 items of the questionnaire, it was revealed that there is no significant difference among students of different years with respect to item 4 (preparing a “to do” list), item 18 (breaking assignments into manageable parts), and item 22 (using questions to better organize and understand studying material). As for the other 21 items of the questionnaire, the subjects’ responses varied with a low significance, showing a little difference in study habits among the students of four levels of undergraduate education. Furthermore, and using the rubrics suggested by the original questionnaire developer, it was measured that the lowest score for all of the surveyed constructs was 18.74 (low range) for sophomores on “study aids and note-taking”, while the highest score was 26.26 (medium-high range) for seniors on “organizing and processing information”.
Discontinuous Galerkin Method and Dual-SLERP for Time Integration of Flexible Multibody Dynamics
Authors: Han Shilei , Bauchau Olivier A.
Published: March 2020

A novel time-discontinuous Galerkin (DG) method is introduced for the time integration of the differential-algebraic equations governing the dynamic response of flexible multibody systems. In contrast to traditional Galerkin methods, the rigid-body motion field is interpolated using the dual spherical linear scheme. Furthermore, the jumps inherent to time-DG methods are expressed in terms of a parameterization of the relative motion from one time-step to the next. The proposed scheme is third-order accurate for initial value problems of both rigid and flexible multibody dynamics.
How to set sound exposure criteria for fishes
Authors: Hawkins Anthony D. , Johnson Craig , Popper Arthur N.
Published: March 2020

Underwater sounds from human sources can have detrimental effects upon aquatic animals, including fishes. Thus, it is important to establish sound exposure criteria for fishes, setting out those levels of sound from different sources that have detrimental effects upon them, in order to support current and future protective regulations. This paper considers the gaps in information that must be resolved in order to establish reasonable sound exposure criteria for fishes. The vulnerability of fishes is affected by the characteristics of underwater sounds, which must be taken into account when evaluating effects. The effects that need to be considered include death and injuries, physiological effects, and changes in behavior. Strong emphasis in assessing the effects of sounds has been placed upon the hearing abilities of fishes. However, although hearing has to be taken into account, other actual effects also have to be considered. This paper considers the information gaps that must be filled for the development of future guidelines and criteria.
Irreversible TrxR1 inhibitors block STAT3 activity and induce cancer cell death
Authors: Busker S. , Qian W. , Haraldsson M. , Espinosa B. , Johansson L. , Attarha S. , Kolosenko I. , Liu J. , Dagnell M. , Grandér D. , Arnér E. S. J. , Tamm K. Pokrovskaja , Page B. D. G.
Published: March 2020

Redox regulation of STAT3 is targeted by direct inhibition of TrxR1, illuminating a promising link for therapeutic development.
Protecting quantum entanglement from leakage and qubit errors via repetitive parity measurements
Authors: Bultink C. C. , O’Brien T. E. , Vollmer R. , Muthusubramanian N. , Beekman M. W. , Rol M. A. , Fu X. , Tarasinski B. , Ostroukh V. , Varbanov B. , Bruno A. , DiCarlo L.
Published: March 2020

We protect two-transmon entanglement from qubit leakage using the same parity checks used to correct standard qubit errors.
Strong adhesion of wet conducting polymers on diverse substrates
Authors: Inoue Akihisa , Yuk Hyunwoo , Lu Baoyang , Zhao Xuanhe
Published: March 2020

A simple yet general method is reported to realize strong adhesion of various wet conducting polymers on diverse substrates.
Regulation of body length and bone mass by Gpr126/Adgrg6
Authors: Sun Peng , He Liang , Jia Kunhang , Yue Zhiying , Li Shichang , Jin Yunyun , Li Zhenxi , Siwko Stefan , Xue Feng , Su Jiacan , Liu Mingyao , Luo Jian
Published: March 2020

Adhesion GPCR
Gpr126/Adgrg6
regulates mouse body length and bone mass by controlling osteoblast differentiation.
3D printing of Haversian bone–mimicking scaffolds for multicellular delivery in bone regeneration
Authors: Zhang Meng , Lin Rongcai , Wang Xin , Xue Jianmin , Deng Cuijun , Feng Chun , Zhuang Hui , Ma Jingge , Qin Chen , Wan Li , Chang Jiang , Wu Chengtie
Published: March 2020

Tissue engineering scaffolds are supposed to mimick the native tissue to achieve the functionalized tissue regeneration.
Delayed diagnosis of Ewing’s sarcoma in a young patient presented with left knee monoarthritis
Authors: Lim Chong Hong , Lim Yuen Han , Radzi Muhammad
Published: March 2020

A 19-year-old girl presented to the rheumatology clinic for left knee monoarthritis for the past 4 months. She also had constitutional symptoms with significant weight loss. On physical examination, she appeared cachexic, her left knee was swollen and tender. MRI of the left knee showed a soft tissue swelling extending into the knee joint. Left knee synovial fluid showed small round cells. Histopathology results were compatible with Ewing’s sarcoma. Due to the delay in seeking medical advice, she succumbed to the disease 1 week after the diagnosis was made. Soft tissue/bone tumour causes monoarthritis is not common. A careful history taking, physical examination and investigations should be done in order to identify a sinister cause of monoarthritis such as Ewing’s sarcoma. Early treatment should be initiated to ensure a better outcome.
Pancreatic microcystic serous cystadenoma: a lethal disease? Rare case of a life-threatening haemorrhage
Authors: Amaral Maria João , Serôdio Marco , Ramalhosa Fátima , Tralhão José Guilherme
Published: March 2020

Serous pancreatic cystadenomas are benign tumours and most cases are detected incidentally. Complications are unusual. A patient with a history of a large pancreatic serous cystadenoma (SCA) presented to the emergency department with abdominal pain and haemodynamic shock. After haemodynamic stabilisation, an urgent abdominal CT scan revealed a large hemoperitoneum but the origin of the bleeding was not found. The patient was submitted to an angiography that revealed a bleeding hypervascular pancreatic mass and an embolisation was done successfully. After 3 weeks, the patient underwent a laparotomic left pancreatectomy with en bloc splenectomy. The anatomopathological results were consistent with a microcystic SCA of the pancreas. Despite the high vascularity of pancreatic SCA, haemorrhage is a very rare but life-threatening complication.
Proglucagon peptide secretion profiles in type 2 diabetes before and after bariatric surgery: 1-year prospective study
Authors: Alexiadou Kleopatra , Cuenco Joyceline , Howard James , Wewer Albrechtsen Nicolai Jacob , Ilesanmi Ibiyemi , Kamocka Anna , Tharakan George , Behary Preeshila , Bech Paul R , Ahmed Ahmed R , Purkayastha Sanjay , Wheller Robert , Fleuret Matthieu , Holst Jens Juul , Bloom Stephen R , Khoo Bernard , Tan Tricia M-M
Published: March 2020

Introduction

Hyperglucagonemia is a key pathophysiological driver of type 2 diabetes. Although Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) is a highly effective treatment for diabetes, it is presently unclear how surgery alters glucagon physiology. The aim of this study was to characterize the behavior of proglucagon-derived peptide (glucagon, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), oxyntomodulin, glicentin) secretion after RYGB surgery.

Research design and methods

Prospective study of 19 patients with obesity and pre-diabetes/diabetes undergoing RYGB. We assessed the glucose, insulin, GLP-1, glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide (GIP), oxyntomodulin, glicentin and glucagon responses to a mixed-meal test (MMT) before and 1, 3 and 12 months after surgery. Glucagon was measured using a Mercodia glucagon ELISA using the ‘Alternative’ improved specificity protocol, which was validated against a reference liquid chromatography combined with mass spectrometry method.

Results

After RYGB, there were early improvements in fasting glucose and glucose tolerance and the insulin response to MMT was accelerated and amplified, in parallel to significant increases in postprandial GLP-1, oxyntomodulin and glicentin secretion. There was a significant decrease in fasting glucagon levels at the later time points of 3 and 12 months after surgery. Glucagon was secreted in response to the MMT preoperatively and postoperatively in all patients and there was no significant change in this postprandial secretion. There was no significant change in GIP secretion.

Conclusions

There is a clear difference in the dynamics of secretion of proglucagon peptides after RYGB. The reduction in fasting glucagon secretion may be one of the mechanisms driving later improvements in glycemia after RYGB.

Trial registration number

NCT01945840.
Association ofG6PDvariants with hemoglobin A1c and impact on diabetes diagnosis in East Asian individuals
Authors: Leong Aaron , Lim Victor Jun Yu , Wang Chaolong , Chai Jin-Fang , Dorajoo Rajkumar , Heng Chew-Kiat , van Dam Rob M , Koh Woon-Puay , Yuan Jian-Min , Jonas Jost B , Wang Ya Xing , Wei Wen-Bin , Liu Jianjun , Reilly Dermot F , Wong Tien-Yin , Cheng Ching-Yu , Sim Xueling
Published: March 2020

Objective

Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) accuracy is important for diabetes diagnosis and estimation of overall glycemia. TheG6PD-Asahi variant which causes glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency has been shown to lower HbA1c independently of glycemia in African ancestry populations. As differentG6PDvariants occur in Asian ancestry, we sought to identify Asian-specificG6PDvariants associated with HbA1c.

Research design and methods

In eight Asian population-based cohorts, we performed imputation on the X chromosome using the 1000 Genomes reference panel and tested for association with HbA1c (10 005 East Asians and 2051 South Asians). Results were meta-analyzed across studies. We compared the proportion of individuals classified as having diabetes/pre-diabetes by fasting glucose ≥100 mg/dL or HbA1c ≥5.7% units among carriers and non-carriers of HbA1c-associated variants.

Results

The strongest association was a missense variant (G6PD-Canton, rs72554665, minor allele frequency=2.2%, effect in men=−0.76% unit, 95% CI −0.88 to −0.64, p=1.25×10−27, n=2844). Conditional analyses identified a secondary distinct signal, missense variant (G6PD-Kaiping, rs72554664, minor allele frequency=1.6%, effect in men=−1.12 % unit, 95% CI −1.32 to −0.92, p=3.12×10−15, pconditional_Canton=7.57×10−11). Adjusting for glucose did not attenuate their effects. The proportion of individuals with fasting glucose ≥100 mg/dL did not differ by carrier status ofG6PD-Canton (p=0.21). Whereas the proportion of individuals with HbA1c ≥5.7% units was lower in carriers (5%) compared with non-carriers ofG6PD-Canton (30%, p=0.03).

Conclusions

We identified twoG6PDvariants in East Asian men associated with non-glycemic lowering of HbA1c. Carriers of these variants are more likely to be underdiagnosed for diabetes or pre-diabetes than non-carriers if screened by HbA1c without confirmation by direct glucose measurements.
Use of healthcare services and assistive devices among centenarians: results of the cross-sectional, international 5-COOP study
Authors: Dupraz Julien , Andersen-Ranberg Karen , Fors Stefan , Herr Marie , Herrmann Francois R , Wakui Tomoko , Jeune Bernard , Robine Jean-Marie , Saito Yasuhiko , Santos-Eggimann Brigitte
Published: March 2020

Objectives

To measure the use of healthcare services and assistive devices by centenarians in five countries.

Design

Cross-sectional study using a survey questionnaire.

Setting

Community-dwelling and institutionalised centenarians living in Japan, France, Switzerland, Sweden and Denmark.

Participants

1253 participants aged 100 or in their 100th year of life, of whom 1004 (80.1%) were female and 596 (47.6%) lived in institutions.

Main outcome measures

Recent use of medical visits, nursing care at home, home-delivered meals, acute care hospital stays overnight, professional assessments such as sight tests, mobility aids and other assistive devices. A set of national healthcare system indicators was collected to help interpret differences between countries.

Results

There was considerable variability in the healthcare services and assistive devices used by centenarians depending on their country and whether they were community-dwelling or institutionalised. In contrast to the relatively homogeneous rates of hospitalisation in the past year (around 20%), community-dwelling centenarians reported widely ranging rates of medical visits in the past 3 months (at least one visit, from 32.2% in Japan to 86.6% in France). The proportion of community-dwellers using a mobility device to get around indoors (either a walking aid or a wheelchair) ranged from 48.3% in Japan to 79.2% in Sweden. Participants living in institutions and reporting the use of a mobility device ranged from 78.6% in Japan to 98.2% in Denmark.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest major differences in care received by centenarians across countries. Some may result from the characteristics of national healthcare systems, especially types of healthcare insurance coverage and the amounts of specific resources available. However, unexplored factors also seem to be at stake and may be partly related to personal health and cultural differences.
What are potential barriers and enablers to patient and physician participation in Canadian cell therapy trials for stroke? A stakeholder interview study
Authors: Lalu Manoj M , Foster Madison , Presseau Justin , Dowlatshahi Dar , Castillo Gisell , Cardenas Analyssa , Tam Whitney , Zlepnig Jennifer , Timpson Deborah , Dong Yuan Yi , Juneau Pascale , Fergusson Dean A
Published: March 2020

Objectives

Early phase cell therapy trials face many barriers to successful, timely completion. To optimise the conduct of a planned clinical trial of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy for chronic stroke, we sought patient and physician views on possible barriers and enablers that may influence their participation.

Design

Semistructured interview study.

Setting

Patients were recruited from three rehabilitation centres in Ontario, Canada; physicians were recruited from across Canada through snowball sampling.

Participants

Thirteen chronic stroke patients (patients who had experienced a stroke at least 3 months prior; 10 male, 3 female) and 15 physicians (stroke physiatrists; 9 male, 6 female) participated in our interview study. Data adequacy was reached after 13 patient interviews and 13 physician interviews.

Methods

Interview guides and directed content analysis were based on the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF). Interviews were coded, and relevant themes were identified.

Results

Most patients were optimistic about participating in an MSC therapy clinical trial, and many expressed interest in participating, even if it was a randomised controlled trial with the possibility of being allocated to a placebo group. However, the method of administration of cells (intravascular preferred to intracerebral) and goal of the trial (efficacy preferred to safety) may influence their intention to participate. All physicians expressed interest in screening for the trial, though many stated they were less motivated to contribute to a safety trial. Physicians also identified several time-related barriers and the need for resources to ensure feasibility.

Conclusions

This novel application of the TDF helped identify key potential barriers and enablers prior to conducting a clinical trial of MSC therapy for stroke. This will be used to refine the design and conduct of our trial. A similar approach may be adopted by other investigators considering early phase cell therapy trials.
PREDICtors for health-related quality of life after elective sigmoidectomy for DIVerticular disease: the PREDIC-DIV study protocol of a prospective multicentric transnational observational study
Authors: Sohn Maximilian , Agha Ayman , Iesalnieks Igors , Bremer Susanne , Trum Stefanie , Di Cerbo Francesca , Nerlich Andreas , Lotz Natalie , Klieser Eckhard , Hochrein Alfred , Schredl Philipp , Kalcheva Dariya , Emmanuel Klaus , Presl Jaroslav
Published: March 2020

Introduction

Diverticulitis is among the most common abdominal disorders. The best treatment strategy for this complicated disease as well as for recurrent stages is still under debate. Moreover, little knowledge exists regarding the effect of different therapeutic strategies on the health-related quality of life (HrQoL). Therefore, the PREDIC-DIV (PREDICtors for health-related quality of life after elective sigmoidectomy for DIVerticular disease) study aims to assess predictors of a change in HrQoL in patients after elective sigmoidectomy for diverticular disease.

Methods and analysis

A prospective multicentre transnational observational study was started in November 2017. Patients undergoing elective sigmoid resection for diverticular disease were included. Primary outcome includes HrQoL 6 months postoperatively, staged by the Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index (GIQLI). Secondary outcomes include HrQoL 6 months after sigmoidectomy, assessed using the Short Form 36 Questionnaire and a custom-made Visual Analogue Scale-based inventory; HrQoL after 12 and 24 months; postoperative morbidity; mortality; influence of surgical technique (conventional laparoscopic multiport operation vs robotic approach); histological grading of inflammation and morphological characteristics of the bowel wall in the resected specimen; postoperative functional changes (faecal incontinence, faecal urge, completeness of emptying, urinary incontinence, sexual function); disease-specific healthcare costs; and changes in economic productivity, measured by the iMTA Productivity Cost Questionnaire. The total follow-up will be 2 years.

Ethics and dissemination

The protocol was approved by the medical ethical committee of the Bavarian Medical Council (report identification number: 2017-177). The study was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki. The findings of this study will be submitted to a peer-reviewed journal (BMJ Open,Annals of Surgery,British Journal of Surgery,Diseases of the Colon and the Rectum). Abstracts will be submitted to relevant national and international conferences.

Trial registration number

The study is registered with the ClinicalTrials.gov register asNCT03527706; Pre-results.
Physical activity and risk of behavioural and mental health disorders in kindergarten children: analysis of a series of cross-sectional complete enumeration (census) surveys
Authors: O'Brien Kathleen , Agostino Jason , Ciszek Karen , Douglas Kirsty A
Published: March 2020

Objectives

There is mixed evidence on the relationship between physical activity and behavioural and mental health. We aimed to estimate the association between physical activity and risk of behavioural and mental health disorders in early school-aged children.

Design

A series of cross-sectional complete enumeration (census) surveys.

Settings

All primary schools in the Australian Capital Territory, 2014–2016.

Participants

All children enrolled in their first year of full-time primary education (kindergarten) were invited to participate. Of the 16 662 eligible kindergarten children, 15 040 completed the survey for the first time.

Outcome measures

Average daily physical activity participation and prevalence of risk of behavioural and mental health disorders derived from parent-reported data and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Characteristics associated with SDQTotal difficultiesand subscales were estimated using logistic regression.

Results

8340 (61.7%) children met physical activity targets (60 min or more daily) and 709 (4.8%) were at clinically significant risk of behavioural and mental health disorders (Total difficulties).

Known sociodemographic correlates were also those variables associated with high risk of behavioural and mental health disorders (Total difficulties): Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander status (OR 2.72, 95% CI 1.78–4.16), relative socioeconomic disadvantage (most disadvantaged vs least disadvantaged, OR 1.86, 95% CI 1.38–2.50) and male sex (OR 1.80, 95% CI 1.49–2.17). Average daily physical activity was not significant, despite the highest levels of physical activity (90 min or more daily) being reported in boys, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and those from more disadvantaged areas.

Conclusions

Our study provides comprehensive cross-sectional data on the relationship between physical activity participation and the risk of behavioural and mental health disorders in a large cohort of early school-aged Australian children. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, boys and those from the most disadvantaged socioeconomic group were at greatest risk of clinically significant behavioural and mental health disorders.
Patient perception of anticoagulant treatment for stroke prevention (RE-SONANCE study)
Authors: Vinereanu Dragos , Napalkov Dmitry , Bergler-Klein Jutta , Benczur Bela , Ciernik Martin , Gotcheva Nina , Medvedchikov Alexey , Põder Pentti , Simic Dragan , Skride Andris , Tang Wenbo , Trusz-Gluza Maria , Vesely Jiri , Vishnepolsky Tatiana , Vrabec Mirej
Published: March 2020

Objective

We evaluated atrial fibrillation (AF) patients’ perceptions of anticoagulation treatment with dabigatran or a vitamin K antagonist (VKA) for stroke prevention, according to accepted indications.

Methods

The RE-SONANCE observational, prospective, multicentre, international study used the validated Perception on Anticoagulant Treatment Questionnaire (PACT-Q) to assess patients with AF already taking a VKA who were switched to dabigatran (cohort A), and newly diagnosed patients initiated on either dabigatran or a VKA (cohort B). Visit 1 (V1) was at baseline, and visit 2 (V2) and visit 3 (V3) were at 30–45 and 150–210 days after baseline, respectively. Primary outcomes were treatment satisfaction and convenience in cohort A at V2 and V3 versus baseline, and in cohort B for dabigatran and a VKA at V2 and V3.

Results

The main analysis set comprised 4100 patients in cohort A and 5365 in cohort B (dabigatran: 3179; VKA: 2186). In cohort A, PACT-Q2 improved significantly (p<0.001 for all) for treatment convenience (mean change V1 vs V2=20.72; SD=21.50; V1 vs V3=24.54; SD=22.85) and treatment satisfaction (mean change V1 vs V2=17.60; SD=18.76; V1 vs V3=21.04; SD=20.24). In cohort B, mean PACT-Q2 scores at V2 and V3 were significantly higher (p<0.001 for all) for dabigatran versus a VKA for treatment convenience (V2=18.38; SE =0.51; V3=23.34; SE=0.51) and satisfaction (V2=15.88; SE=0.39; V3=19.01; SE=0.41).

Conclusions

Switching to dabigatran from long-term VKA therapy or newly initiated dabigatran is associated with improved patient treatment convenience and satisfaction compared with VKA therapy.
Provisions for bank deposit withdrawals and portfolio selection
Authors: Perera Ryle S.
Published: March 2020

The primary economic function of a bank is to redirect funds from savers to borrowers in an efficient manner, while increasing the value of the bank’s asset holdings in absolute terms. Within the regulatory framework of the Basel III accord, banks are required to maintain minimum liquidity to guard against withdrawals/liquidity risks. In this paper, we analyze a continuous-time mean-variance portfolio selection for a bank with stochastic withdrawal provisioning by relating the reserves as a proxy for the assets held by the bank. We then formulate an optimal investment portfolio selection for a banker by constructing a special Riccati equation as a continuous solution to the Hamilton–Jacobi–Bellman (HJB) equation under mean-variance paradigm. We obtain an explicit closed form solution for the optimal investment portfolio as well as the efficient frontier. The aforementioned modeling enables us to formulate a stochastic optimal control problem related to the minimization of the reserve, depository, and intrinsic risk that are associated with the reserve process.
A time consistent derivative strategy
Authors: Mudzimbabwe Walter
Published: March 2020

In this paper, we derive a time consistent investment strategy for an investor who can invest not only in a bond and stock but in a derivative as well. In order to capture typical features shown by stocks, the stock and by extension the derivative depends on stochastic volatility. We assume that the investor is interested in maximizing a mean–variance utility function. Since the problem is time-inconsistent, we formulate the problem in game theoretic way and seek a subgame Nash equilibrium as the strategy. By solving an extended HJB equation system, we derive explicit time-consistent strategy and the corresponding efficient frontier. In order to show efficiency of the derivative strategy, we compare it with a strategy for the case of a market without a derivative. Our results show that efficient frontier for an investor with a derivative is higher than without derivative.
Impact of audit committee attributes on financial distress: Evidence from Pakistan
Authors: Khalid Muqaddas , Abbas Qaisar , Malik Fizzah , Ali Shahid
Published: March 2020

This research study compares the financially distressed and financially healthy companies, based on their audit committee attributes over the 2006–2010 period. While focusing on the manufacturing sector of Pakistan, the logit regression results reveal that audit committee composition and audit committee opinion have significant impact on the financial distress of the companies while audit committee size has insignificant impact on financial distress. The first of its kind, this study, benefits investors, financial analysts, accounting professionals, and practitioners. Their decision-making process will be enhanced regarding the evaluation of financially distressed companies and financially healthy ones. Despite its limitations, this study fills up the literature gap by focusing on the financially distressed firms that have not yet been bankrupted, thus giving them a chance to restructure their policies regarding the implementation of corporate governance practices in the context of Pakistan. This study has ignored financial sector of Pakistan because of different reporting styles of financial firms. The periods before and after the period of financial distress have also been ignored in the study.
Artificial intelligence and the future of professional work
Authors: Sako Mari
Published: March 2020

Considering the implications of the influence of artificial intelligence given previous industrial revolutions.
Master of tickets
Authors: Neville-Neil George V.
Published: March 2020

Valuing the quality, not the quantity, of work.
A taxonomy of automated assistants
Authors: Grochow Jerrold M.
Published: March 2020

Rating your intelligent (human or automated) assistant.
Fang‐Ji‐Huang‐Qi‐Tang Attenuates Degeneration of Early‐Stage KOA Mice Related to Promoting Joint Lymphatic Drainage Function
Authors: Han Haihui , Ma Yinghui , Wang Xiaoyun , Yun Ruisheng , Lu Sheng , Xia Mengxiong , Wang Yongjun , Shi Qi , Zhai Weitao , Liang Qianqian , Xu Hao
Published: March 2020

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic degenerative joint disease characterized by the breakdown of articular cartilage, subchondral bone remodeling, and inflammation of the synovium. In this study, we investigated whether Fang‐Ji‐Huang‐Qi‐Tang (FJHQT) decoction improved the joint structure of OA or delayed the process of knee joint degeneration in OA mice by promoting lymphatic drain function. The mice were randomly divided into four groups, the sham group, the PBS group, the FJHQT‐treated group, and the Mobic‐treated group. The mice in each group were tested for lymphatic draining function at 4, 6, 8, and 10 weeks postsurgery (WPS), then sacrificed (N = 10/group). Using a near‐infrared indocyanine green (NIR‐ICG) lymphatic imaging system, we found that the lymphatic drain function was significantly reduced in the PBS group compared with the sham group. After treatment with the FJHQT decoction, the lymphatic draining function improved at 4 wps and 6 wps. The results of the analysis indicated a strong correlation between lymphatic draining function (ICG clearance) and the degree of joint structural damage (OARSI score). By Alcian blue/orange G (ABOG) staining of the paraffin sections, the FJHQT‐treated group exhibited less cartilage destruction and lower OARSI scores. Moreover, the result of immunohistochemical staining (IHC) shows that FJHQT decoction increased the content of type II collagen in knee joints of OA mice at 4 wps and 6 wps. By the double immunofluorescence staining of podoplanin and smooth muscle actin in the paraffin sections, the capillaries and mature lymphatics in the FJHQT group increased at 4 wps. In conclusion, the FJHQT decoction can increase lymphatic vessel number, promote joint lymphatic draining function, and postpone knee osteoarthritis pathologic progression in the early stage of a collagen‐induced mouse model. Therefore, the application of sufficient lymphatic drainage in the knee joint may be a new treatment method for knee joint osteoarthritis (KOA).
Bacterial Endotoxin Induces Oxidative Stress and Reduces Milk Protein Expression and Hypoxia in the Mouse Mammary Gland
Authors: Spitzer Alexander Jonathan , Tian Qing , Choudhary Ratan K. , Zhao Feng-Qi
Published: March 2020

The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanisms underlying the reduced milk production during mastitis. We hypothesized that bacterial endotoxin induces hypoxia, oxidative stress, and cell apoptosis while inhibiting milk gene expression in the mammary gland. To test this hypothesis, the left and right sides of the 4th pair of mouse mammary glands were alternatively injected with either lipopolysaccharide (LPS, E. coli 055: B5, 100 μL of 0.2 mg/mL) or sterile PBS through the teat meatus 3 days postpartum. At 10.5 and 22.5 h postinjection, pimonidazole HCl, a hypoxyprobe, was injected intraperitoneally. At 12 or 24 h after the LPS injection, the 4th glands were individually collected (n=8) and analyzed. LPS treatment induced mammary inflammation at both 12 and 24 h but promoted cell apoptosis only at 12 h. Consistently, H2O2 content was increased at 12 h (P<0.01), but dropped dramatically at 24 h (P<0.01) in the LPS-treated gland. Nevertheless, the total antioxidative capacity in tissue tended to be decreased by LPS at both 12 and 24 h (P=0.07 and 0.06, respectively). In agreement with these findings, LPS increased or tended to increase the mRNA expression of antioxidative genes Nqo1 at 12 h (P=0.05) and SLC7A11 at 24 h (P=0.08). In addition, LPS inhibited mammary expression of Csn2 and Lalba across time and protein expression of Csn1s1 at 24 h (P<0.05). Furthermore, hypoxyprobe staining intensity was greater in the alveoli of the PBS-treated gland than the LPS-treated gland at both 12 and 24 h, demonstrating a rise in oxygen tension by LPS treatment. In summary, our observations indicated that while intramammary LPS challenge incurs inflammation, it induces oxidative stress, increases cell apoptosis and oxygen tension, and differentially inhibits the milk protein expression in the mammary gland.
A 7-Amino Acid Peptide Mimic from Hepatitis C Virus Hypervariable Region 1 Inhibits Mouse Lung Th9 Cell Differentiation by Blocking CD81 Signaling during Allergic Lung Inflammation
Authors: Zhao Wanzhou , Tan Conghao , Yu Xi , Yu Ruihe , Mei Qibing , Cheng Yun
Published: March 2020

T helper (Th) cells orchestrate allergic lung inflammation in asthma pathogenesis. Th9 is a novel Th cell subset that mainly produces IL-9, a potent proinflammatory cytokine in asthma. A 7-amino acid peptide (7P) of the hypervariable region 1 (HVR1) of hepatitis C virus has been identified as an important regulator in the type 2 cytokine (IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13) immune response. However, it is unknown whether 7P regulates Th9 cell differentiation during ovalbumin- (OVA-) induced allergic lung inflammation. To address this, we studied wild-type mice treated with 7P and a control peptide in anin vivomouse model of OVA-induced allergic inflammation and anin vitrocell model of Th9 differentiation, using flow cytometry, cytokine assays, and quantitative PCR. The binding of 7P to CD81 on naïve CD4+T cells during lung Th9 differentiation was determined using CD81 overexpression and siRNA knockdown analyses. Administration of 7P significantly reduced Th9 cell differentiation after OVA sensitization and exposure. 7P also inhibited Th9 cell differentiation from naïve and memory CD4+T cellsin vitro. Furthermore, 7P inhibited the differentiation of human Th9 cells with high CD81 expression from naïve CD4+T cells by blocking CD81 signaling. CD81 siRNA significantly reduced Th9 cell differentiation from naïve CD4+T cellsin vitro. Interestingly, CD81 overexpression in human naïve CD4+T cells also enhanced Th9 developmentin vitro. These data indicate that 7P may be a good candidate for reducing IL-9 production in asthma.
Theoretical Model for Prediction of Turning Resistance of Tracked Vehicle on Soft Terrain
Authors: Ding Zhao , Li Yaoming , Tang Zhong
Published: March 2020

Skid-steered tracked vehicles are commonly used in soft agricultural terrain due to its low ground pressure between vehicle tracks and the ground. However, the sliding and sinkage of the track during a turning maneuver causes considerable turning resistance, which reduces the vehicle's turning ability. Therefore, we constructed a theoretical model that predicts the turning resistance of tracked vehicles—under steady-state conditions on soft terrain—accounting for track sinkage effects and track slip and skid. The results demonstrate that the moment of turning resistance decreases with increased track slip and skid ratio but increases with track sinkage depth. The model-predicted moments of turning resistance for the outer and inner tracks—at a given track sinkage depth and track slip and skid ratio—are in reasonably close agreement with available experimental data. This theoretical model can be employed as a predictor for testing the turning resistance of tracked vehicles operating on a wide range of soils.
Factors That Determine the Likelihood of Giving Birth to the First Child within 10 Months after Marriage
Authors: Iddrisu Abdul-Karim , Bukari Francis Kwame , Opoku-Ameyaw Kwaku , Afriyie Gabriel Oppong , Tawiah Kassim
Published: March 2020

Background. One of the major aims of marriage is to procreate or give birth to a child. Childbirth is so crucial in marriage that it often determines the happiness of the couple. Too much delay in childbirth after marriage or the likelihood that one cannot give birth after marriage can lead to divorce. However, causes of delay in childbirth are often difficult to detect by both the Gynaecologist and the couple involved. This makes proposing solutions to issues related to childbirth usually unsuccessful. Methods. It is against this background that we conducted this study to identify factors that determine childbirth within 10 months or after 10 months of marriage (birth length) among women in Ghana. This was achieved by using a logistic regression model for the dichotomous birth length variable, adjusting for risk factors/predictors of birth length. The data used for the study were obtained from the 2014 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey, consisting 6,525 complete cases with 18 predictor variables. Statistical analyses were carried out using STATA version 14.1. Results. The results show that respondents who have ever terminated pregnancy are more likely (OR=0.178, 95%CI=0.044, 0.312) to deliver after 10 months, wives whose husbands have higher education are less likely (OR=‐0.162, 95%CI=‐0.236, ‐0.088) to give birth after 10 months of marriage, wives who reported that beating is justified if she goes out without her husband’s notice are more likely (OR=0.466, 95%CI=0.305, 0.628) to give birth after 10 months, wives who reported that beating is justified if she neglects the child are more likely (OR=‐0.305, 95%CI=‐0.461, ‐0.149) to give birth within 10 months, and wives who reported that beating is justified when she argues with her husband are less likely (OR=‐0.301, 95%CI=‐0.451, ‐0.152) to give birth after 10 months of marriage. Every unit increase in the age of the respondent at marriage increases the likelihood of giving birth after 10 months of marriage, and a unit increase in the age of the respondent at first sex decreases the likelihood of giving birth after 10 months in marriage. Conclusions. For conception within 1 month of marriage, wives and husbands should/are encouraged to have frequent sex, any negative social behaviour or policies must be discouraged, experts’ advice on contraceptive use must be sought, and women are encouraged to desist from termination of pregnancy at any time of their life. Husbands should openly express their desire and love for their children since this increases the likelihood of wives’ desire to give birth. This leads to frequent sex, which then reduces conception time, and hence childbirth within the shortest possible time.
Enhancement of Photoelectrochemical Performance of Ag@ZnO Nanowires: Experiment and Mechanism
Authors: Cai Yu , Yao Chengbao , Yuan Jie
Published: March 2020

This paper focuses on the enhancement of photoelectrochemical (PEC) performance of uniform silver nanoparticles-decorated ZnO (Ag@ZnO) nanowires, which have been synthesized by two-step chemical vapor deposition to prepare ZnO nanowires then magnetron sputtering method to deposit Ag nanoparticles. Moreover, we analyzed the mechanisms of the PEC behavior of the Ag@ZnO nanowires. The PEC characteristics show that the current density of Ag@ZnO nanowires increased comparing to that of unmodified ZnO nanowires. The optimized content of the Ag-decorated ZnO photoelectrode is up to the maximum photocurrent density of 24.8 μAcm-2at 1 V vs. Ag/AgCl, which was almost four times than that of the unmodified ZnO photoelectrode. Based on the surface plasmon resonance (SPR), effect of Ag nanoparticles was enhanced PEC performance of the Ag@ZnO nanowires. Because SPR effect of Ag nanoparticles extended the light absorption and enhanced the separation efficiency of the photogenerated electron-hole pairs. The remarkable PEC properties offer metals-semiconductor compound nanostructures materials as a promising electron source for high current density applications.