bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fear of movement in children and adolescents undergoing major surgery: A psychometric evaluation of the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia
Authors: Rosenbloom Brittany N. , Pagé M. Gabrielle , Isaac Lisa , Campbell Fiona , Stinson Jennifer N. , Cribbie Robert , Katz Joel
Published: August 2020

Background

The objective of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the 17‐item Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia (TSK) in youth.

Methods

Participants were 264 children and adolescents (58.7% female, Mage = 14.1 years, SDage = 2.51) scheduled for major surgery who were assessed before surgery, while in hospital postoperatively, and at 6 and 12 months after surgery. Exploratory factor analyses (EFA) were conducted to determine the factor structure of pre‐operative TSK scores. Reliability, and convergent, discriminant, and predictive validity were examined.

Results

EFA on the 17‐item TSK revealed a two‐factor model distinguishing the 13 positively scored items from the 4 reverse scored items, but the fit was poor. A second EFA was conducted on the 13 positively scored items (TSK‐13) revealing a three‐factor model: Fear of injury, bodily vulnerability, and activity avoidance. The TSK‐13 showed adequate internal consistency (Ω = 0.82) and weak convergent validity. The TSK‐13 was not correlated with postoperative, in‐hospital physical activity (actigraphy; r (179) = −0.10, p = 0.18) and showed adequate discriminant validity, that is correlations less than 0.70, with measures of depression (r (225) = 0.41, p < 0.001) and general anxiety (r (224)=0.35, p < 0.001). Predictive validity for pain‐related disability at 12 months (r (70) = 0.34, p < 0.001) was adequate.

Conclusions

The original TSK‐17 does not appear to be a meaningful measure of kinesiophobia in youth after surgery possibly because of the syntactic structure of the reverse scored items. In contrast, a modified TSK‐13, comprised of only the positively scored items, revealed a 3‐factor structure that is reliable and demonstrates adequate convergent, discriminant, and predictive validity.

Significance

Kinesiophobia is an important construct to evaluate in the transition from acute to chronic pain among children and adolescents. The 17 item Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia (TSK) does not show adequate validity or reliability in youth undergoing major surgery, however, the psychometric properties of a 13‐item modified scale (TSK‐13) are promising.
Correlation properties of integral ground‐motion intensity measures from Italian strong‐motion records
Authors: Huang Chen , Tarbali Karim , Galasso Carmine
Published: August 2020

This study investigates the correlation properties of integral ground‐motion intensity measures (IMs) from Italian strong‐motion records. The considered integral IMs include 5–95% significant duration, Housner intensity, cumulative absolute velocity, and Arias intensity. Both IM spatial correlation and the correlation between different integral and amplitude‐based IMs (i.e., cross‐IM correlation) are addressed in this study. To this aim, a new Italian ground‐motion model (GMM) with spatial correlation for integral IMs is first introduced. Based on the newly developed GMM, the empirical correlation coefficients from interevent and intraevent residuals are investigated and various analytical correlation models between integral IMs and amplitude‐based IMs are proposed. The effective range parameter representing spatial correlation properties and the trend in the cross‐IM correlations are compared with existing models in the literature. The variability of the effective range parameters with respect to event‐specific features is also discussed. Modeling ground‐motion spatial and cross‐IM correlations is an important step in seismic hazard and risk assessment of spatially distributed systems. Investigating region‐specific correlation properties based on Italian strong‐motion records is of special interest as several correlation models have been developed based on global datasets, often lacking earthquakes in extensional regions such as Italy.
Geomorphological evolution of a debris‐covered glacier surface
Authors: Westoby Matthew J. , Rounce David R. , Shaw Thomas E. , Fyffe Catriona L. , Moore Peter L. , Stewart Rebecca L. , Brock Benjamin W.
Published: August 2020

There exists a need to advance our understanding of debris‐covered glacier surfaces over relatively short timescales due to rapid, climatically induced areal expansion of debris cover at the global scale, and the impact debris has on mass balance. We applied unpiloted aerial vehicle structure‐from‐motion (UAV‐SfM) and digital elevation model (DEM) differencing with debris thickness and debris stability modelling to unravel the evolution of a 0.15 km2 region of the debris‐covered Miage Glacier, Italy, between June 2015 and July 2018. DEM differencing revealed widespread surface lowering (mean 4.1 ± 1.0 m a‐1; maximum 13.3 m a‐1). We combined elevation change data with local meteorological data and a sub‐debris melt model, and used these relationships to produce high resolution, spatially distributed maps of debris thickness. These maps were differenced to explore patterns and mechanisms of debris redistribution. Median debris thicknesses ranged from 0.12 to 0.17 m and were spatially variable. We observed localized debris thinning across ice cliff faces, except those which were decaying, where debris thickened. We observed pervasive debris thinning across larger, backwasting slopes, including those bordered by supraglacial streams, as well as ingestion of debris by a newly exposed englacial conduit. Debris stability mapping showed that 18.2–26.4% of the survey area was theoretically subject to debris remobilization. By linking changes in stability to changes in debris thickness, we observed that slopes that remain stable, stabilize, or remain unstable between periods almost exclusively show net debris thickening (mean 0.07 m a‐1) whilst those which become newly unstable exhibit both debris thinning and thickening. We observe a systematic downslope increase in the rate at which debris cover thickens which can be described as a function of the topographic position index and slope gradient. Our data provide quantifiable insights into mechanisms of debris remobilization on glacier surfaces over sub‐decadal timescales, and open avenues for future research to explore glacier‐scale spatiotemporal patterns of debris remobilization. © 2020 The Authors. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd
Improved Vim targeting for focused ultrasound ablation treatment of essential tremor: A probabilistic and patient‐specific approach
Authors: Su Jason H. , Choi Eun Young , Tourdias Thomas , Saranathan Manojkumar , Halpern Casey H. , Henderson Jaimie M. , Pauly Kim Butts , Ghanouni Pejman , Rutt Brian K.
Published: August 2020

Magnetic resonance‐guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) ablation of the ventral intermediate (Vim) thalamic nucleus is an incisionless treatment for essential tremor (ET). The standard initial targeting method uses an approximate, atlas‐based stereotactic approach. We developed a new patient‐specific targeting method to identify an individual's Vim and the optimal MRgFUS target region therein for suppression of tremor. In this retrospective study of 14 ET patients treated with MRgFUS, we investigated the ability of WMnMPRAGE, a highly sensitive and robust sequence for imaging gray matter‐white matter contrast, to identify the Vim, FUS ablation, and a clinically efficacious region within the Vim in individual patients. We found that WMnMPRAGE can directly visualize the Vim in ET patients, segmenting this nucleus using manual or automated segmentation capabilities developed by our group. WMnMPRAGE also delineated the ablation's core and penumbra, and showed that all patients' ablation cores lay primarily within their Vim segmentations. We found no significant correlations between standard ablation features (e.g., ablation volume, Vim‐ablation overlap) and 1‐month post‐treatment clinical outcome. We then defined a group‐based probabilistic target, which was nonlinearly warped to individual brains; this target was located within the Vim for all patients. The overlaps between this target and patient ablation cores correlated significantly with 1‐month clinical outcome (r = −.57, p = .03), in contrast to the standard target (r = −.23, p = .44). We conclude that WMnMPRAGE is a highly sensitive sequence for segmenting Vim and ablation boundaries in individual patients, allowing us to find a novel tremor‐associated center within Vim and potentially improving MRgFUS treatment for ET.
A qualitative study exploring the dietary gatekeeper's food literacy and barriers to healthy eating in the home environment
Authors: Wijayaratne Sanjeewa , Westberg Kate , Reid Mike , Worsley Anthony
Published: August 2020

Issue addressed

Food literacy has been recognised as a collection of interrelated food skills and knowledge to support healthy dietary outcomes. In the home environment, the dietary gatekeeper is the individual most responsible for food preparation, and therefore, has a significant influence on the family diet. This study explored how the dietary gatekeeper's food literacy skills are used to manage dietary barriers to facilitate healthy eating in the home environment.

Methods

Qualitative data were collected from a sample of household dietary gatekeepers with children (n = 17). Participants were also instructed to take photographs of family meals prior to the interview and these were used as interview prompts to gain deeper insights into gatekeeper behaviour.

Results

Participants reported the two most significant barriers to healthy eating in households were time pressure and fussy eating. Four strategies were identified that used gatekeepers' food literacy to manage these barriers: breaking up meal tasks; customising meals for family tastes; camouflaging healthy ingredients; and facilitating food choice autonomy. These strategies incorporated interrelated food literacy skills related to the planning, preparation, selection and eating domains.

Conclusion

The current findings highlight the dietary gatekeeper's food literacy as an interrelated concept and show how it is operationalised to successfully manage barriers to healthy eating experienced in the home environment.

So what?

Future health promotion campaigns must offer tailored communications and interventions that provide resources and support to dietary gatekeepers to foster food literacy and counteract the influence of barriers to healthy eating.
Sceletium tortuosum (Zembrin®) ameliorates experimentally induced anxiety in healthy volunteers
Authors: Reay Jonathon , Wetherell Mark A. , Morton Emma , Lillis James , Badmaev Vladimir
Published: August 2020

Objective

To investigate the anxiolytic properties of a standardized extract of Sceletium tortuosum (trademarked―Zembrin®).

Methods

Two studies utilized a placebo‐controlled, double‐blind, between‐subject experimental design to investigate the effects of a single dose of Sceletium tortuosum (25 mg, Zembrin®) on laboratory stress/anxiety responding in 20 young healthy volunteers. To elicit feelings of stress/anxiety, participants completed 20 min of the multitasking framework in study 1 and a 5‐min simulated public speaking task in study 2. Study 1 measured subjective experiences of mood at baseline, prestress induction, and poststress induction. Study 2 measured subjective experiences of anxiety and physiological indicators of stress (heart rate [HR] and galvanic skin response) at baseline, prestress induction, during stress induction, and poststress induction.

Results

A series of analysis of covariances (baseline entered as the covariate) revealed no treatment effect in study 1; however, study 2 revealed subjective anxiety levels to be significantly lower in the Zembrin® group at the prestress induction point and a significant interaction between treatment and time on HR. Taken together, results indicate that a single dose of Zembrin® can ameliorate laboratory stress/anxiety responding in healthy volunteers.

Conclusion

We provide the first tentative behavioral evidence to support the anxiolytic properties of Sceletium tortuosum (25 mg Zembrin®).
Liver cancer prediction in a viral hepatitis cohort: A deep learning approach
Authors: Phan Dinh‐Van , Chan Chien‐Lung , Li Ai‐Hsien Adams , Chien Ting‐Ying , Nguyen Van‐Chuc
Published: August 2020

Viral hepatitis is the primary cause of liver diseases, among which liver cancer is the leading cause of death from cancer. However, this cancer is often diagnosed in the later stages, which makes treatment difficult or even impossible. This study applied deep learning (DL) models for the early prediction of liver cancer in a hepatitis cohort. In this study, we surveyed 1 million random samples from the National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD) to analyze viral hepatitis patients from 2002 to 2010. Then, we used DL models to predict liver cancer cases based on the history of diseases of the hepatitis cohort. Our results revealed the annual prevalence of hepatitis in Taiwan increased from 2002 to 2010, with an average annual percentage change (AAPC) of 5.8% (95% CI: 4.2‐7.4). However, young people (aged 16‐30 years) exhibited a decreasing trend, with an AAPC of −5.6 (95% CI: −8.1 to −2.9). The results of applying DL models showed that the convolution neural network (CNN) model yielded the best performance in terms of predicting liver cancer cases, with an accuracy of 0.980 (AUC: 0.886). In conclusion, this study showed an increasing trend in the annual prevalence of hepatitis, but a decreasing trend in young people from 2002 to 2010 in Taiwan. The CNN model may be applied to predict liver cancer in a hepatitis cohort with high accuracy.
Genetically predicted circulating concentrations of micronutrients and risk of breast cancer: A Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Papadimitriou Nikos , Dimou Niki , Gill Dipender , Tzoulaki Ioanna , Murphy Neil , Riboli Elio , Lewis Sarah J. , Martin Richard M. , Gunter Marc J. , Tsilidis Konstantinos K.
Published: August 2020

The epidemiological literature reports inconsistent associations between consumption or circulating concentrations of micronutrients and breast cancer risk. We investigated associations between genetically predicted concentrations of 11 micronutrients (beta‐carotene, calcium, copper, folate, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, selenium, vitamin B6, vitamin B12 and zinc) and breast cancer risk using Mendelian randomization (MR). A two‐sample MR study was conducted using 122 977 women with breast cancer and 105 974 controls from the Breast Cancer Association Consortium. MR analyses were conducted using the inverse variance‐weighted approach, and sensitivity analyses were conducted to assess the impact of potential violations of MR assumptions. A value of 1 SD (SD: 0.08 mmol/L) higher genetically predicted concentration of magnesium was associated with a 17% (odds ratio [OR]: 1.17, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.10‐1.25, P value = 9.1 × 10−7) and 20% (OR: 1.20, 95% CI: 1.08‐1.34, P value = 3.2 × 10−6) higher risk of overall and ER+ve breast cancer, respectively. An inverse association was observed for a SD (0.5 mg/dL) higher genetically predicted phosphorus concentration and ER−ve breast cancer (OR: 0.84, 95% CI: 0.72‐0.98, P value = .03). There was little evidence that any other nutrient was associated with breast cancer. The results for magnesium were robust under all sensitivity analyses and survived correction for multiple comparisons. Higher circulating concentrations of magnesium and potentially phosphorus may affect breast cancer risk. Further work is required to replicate these findings and investigate underlying mechanisms.
Smoking and colorectal cancer: A pooled analysis of 10 population‐based cohort studies in Japan
Authors: Akter Shamima , Islam Zobida , Mizoue Tetsuya , Sawada Norie , Ihira Hikaru , Tsugane Shoichiro , Koyanagi Yuriko N. , Ito Hidemi , Wang Chaochen , Tamakoshi Akiko , Wada Keiko , Nagata Chisato , Tanaka Kenta , Kitamura Yuri , Utada Mai , Ozasa Kotaro , Sugawara Yumi , Tsuji Ichiro , Shimazu Taichi , Matsuo Keitaro , Naito Mariko , Tanaka Keitaro , Inoue Manami
Published: August 2020

Smoking has been consistently associated with the risk of colorectal cancer (CRC) in Western populations; however, evidence is limited and inconsistent in Asian people. To assess the association of smoking status, smoking intensity and smoking cessation with colorectal risk in the Japanese population, we performed a pooled analysis of 10 population‐based cohort studies. Study‐specific hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using Cox's proportional hazards model and then pooled using a random‐effects model. Among 363 409 participants followed up for 2 666 004 person‐years, 9232 incident CRCs were identified. In men, compared with never smokers, ever smokers showed higher risk of CRC. The HRs (95% CI) were 1.19 (1.10‐1.29) for CRC, 1.19 (1.09‐1.30) for colon cancer, 1.28 (1.13‐1.46) for distal colon cancer and 1.21 (1.07‐1.36) for rectal cancer. Smoking was associated with risk of CRC in a dose‐response manner. In women, compared with never smokers, ever smokers showed increased risk of distal colon cancer (1.47 [1.19‐1.82]). There was no evidence of a significant gender difference in the association of smoking and CRC risk. Our results confirm that smoking is associated with an increased risk of CRC, both overall and subsites, in Japanese men and distal colon cancer in Japanese women.
Performances and risk of socially responsible investments across regions during crisis
Authors: Lean Hooi Hooi , Pizzutilo Fabio
Published: August 2020

Very few studies verified whether Socially Responsible Investments (SRIs) add value during a financial turmoil. We fill this gap. We conduct the analysis by employing the Fama and French (2015) five‐factor model along with the usual Fama and French's (1993) and Carhart's (1997) models. We also propose an innovative methodology that takes into consideration the higher moments of the explanatory variables in order to deal with the non‐normality and the heteroskedasticity of return distributions. Rather than inspecting Socially Responsible (SR) mutual funds as done by most of the existent literature, we concentrate on SR indexes, in the conviction to overcome some of the limitations that can potentially bias an analysis carried out on mutual funds. Our results show that both SR and conventional indexes performed almost in the same way independently of the financial market conditions. Little evidence can at best support the conclusion that SRIs dampened the downside risk during the recent financial crisis in North America only. At the same time, SRIs do not seem to suffer from a risk‐adjusted perspective during normal times. As expected, SRIs bear a higher level of idiosyncratic volatility compared to their respective conventional investments. Our innovative methodology plays an important role in explaining the cross section of SR returns.
Laser‐induced optothermal response of gold nanoparticles: From a physical viewpoint to cancer treatment application
Authors: Asadi Somayeh , Bianchi Leonardo , De Landro Martina , Korganbayev Sanzhar , Schena Emiliano , Saccomandi Paola
Published: August 2020

Gold nanoparticles (GNPs)‐based photothermal therapy (PTT) is a promising minimally invasive thermal therapy for the treatment of focal malignancies. Although GNPs‐based PTT has been known for over two decades and GNPs possess unique properties as therapeutic agents, the delivery of a safe and effective therapy is still an open question. This review aims at providing relevant and recent information on the usage of GNPs in combination with the laser to treat cancers, pointing out the practical aspects that bear on the therapy outcome. Emphasis is given to the assessment of the GNPs’ properties and the physical mechanisms underlying the laser‐induced heat generation in GNPs‐loaded tissues. The main techniques available for temperature measurement and the current theoretical simulation approaches predicting the therapeutic outcome are reviewed. Topical challenges in delivering safe thermal dosage are also presented with the aim to discuss the state‐of‐the‐art and the future perspective in the field of GNPs‐mediated PTT.
Harnessing electrospun nanofibers to recapitulate hierarchical fibrous structures of meniscus
Authors: Wang Xiaoyu , Zhu Jingjing , Sun Binbin , Jin Qiu , Li Haiyan , Xia Changlei , Wang Hongsheng , Mo Xiumei , Wu Jinglei
Published: August 2020

The meniscus has complex biomechanical functions endowed by the hierarchical fibrous structure of its extracellular matrix (ECM), which plays a central role in protecting the knee joint. However, it is challenging to recapitulate the ECM structure of the meniscus. Herein, we used electrospinning to prepare various scaffolds with distinct nanofibrous structures to approximate that of the heterogeneous ultrastructure of meniscus ECM. Our results showed that adjusting the deposition manner of nanofibers during electrospinning could effectively manipulate the architectures of resulting scaffolds. This approach led to electrospun scaffolds with random or aligned fibrous structures that reassemble the surface or superficial layers of the meniscus. We also showed that assembly of electrospun nanofibers into yarn‐like configurations replicates the circumferentially aligned fibrous bundles of the inner part of the meniscus. These scaffolds exhibited distinct fibrous anisotropies and mechanical properties. In vitro studies indicated good cytocompatibility of scaffolds, especially, the yarn scaffold supported considerable meniscus cell infiltration. The meniscus cells, in turn, enhanced the mechanical properties of scaffolds. Taken together, these data imply that electrospun scaffolds may have potential in enhancing meniscus repair and regeneration.
On the strength of hydrogen bonding within water clusters on the coordination limit
Authors: Castor‐Villegas Víctor Manuel , Guevara‐Vela José Manuel , Vallejo Narváez Wilmer E. , Martín Pendás Ángel , Rocha‐Rinza Tomás , Fernández‐Alarcón Alberto
Published: August 2020

Hydrogen bonds (HB) are arguably the most important noncovalent interactions in chemistry. We study herein how differences in connectivity alter the strength of HBs within water clusters of different sizes. We used for this purpose the interacting quantum atoms energy partition, which allows for the quantification of HB formation energies within a molecular cluster. We could expand our previously reported hierarchy of HB strength in these systems (Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2016,18, 19557) to include tetracoordinated monomers. Surprisingly, the HBs between tetracoordinated water molecules are not the strongest HBs despite the widespread occurrence of these motifs (e.g., in iceIh). The strongest HBs within H2O clusters involve tricoordinated monomers. Nonetheless, HB tetracoordination is preferred in large water clusters because (a) it reduces HB anticooperativity associated with double HB donors and acceptors and (b) it results in a larger number of favorable interactions in the system. Finally, we also discuss (a) the importance of exchange‐correlation to discriminate among the different examined types of HBs within H2O clusters, (b) the use of the above‐mentioned scale to quickly assess the relative stability of different isomers of a given water cluster, and (c) how the findings of this research can be exploited to indagate about the formation of polymorphs in crystallography. Overall, we expect that this investigation will provide valuable insights into the subtle interplay of tri‐ and tetracoordination in HB donors and acceptors as well as the ensuing interaction energies within H2O clusters.
Evaluation of miR‐130 family members as circulating biomarkers for the diagnosis of bladder cancer
Authors: Wang Jingyao , Zhao Liwen , Peng Xiqi , Liu Kaihao , Zhang Chunduo , Chen Xuan , Han Yanni , Lai Yongqing
Published: August 2020

Objective

Previous research has shown that the miR‐130 family is closely related to the occurrence and development of bladder cancer. We hope to use the miR‐130 family members as new, non‐invasive, and easily detectable biomarkers for bladder cancer.

Methods

We analyzed 428 cases in The Cancer Genome Atlas‐Bladder Urothelial Carcinoma database and verified that the miR‐130 family members were significantly overexpressed in bladder cancer. A total of 74 bladder cancer patients and 90 controls were enrolled. The relative expression of the miR‐130 family in serum was detected using quantitative reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction. The diagnostic efficacy of the miR‐130 family members was determined using the receiver operating characteristic method (ROC), and a diagnostic panel was built using logistic regression. The results of the study were further confirmed in an external validation set of 492 samples from the Gene Expression Omnibus database.

Results

The expression of the miR‐130 family members (except for miR‐301b‐3p) in the serum of bladder cancer patients was higher than that in the controls. The diagnostic capabilities for bladder cancer were 0.847 (miR‐130a‐3p), 0.762 (miR‐130b‐3p), and 0.892 (miR‐301a‐3p). We established a three‐miRNA panel with an area under the ROC curve as high as 0.961, indicating that it is a promising clinical diagnostic biomarker of bladder cancer with high sensitivity and specificity.

Conclusion

The expression levels of miR‐130 family members in serum can effectively distinguish the bladder cancer patients from healthy controls. This finding will facilitate the clinical diagnosis of bladder cancer.
Geropsychology career pipeline perceptions
Authors: Dorman Hillary R. , Strong Jessica V. , Tighe Caitlan A. , Mast Benjamin T. , Allen Rebecca S.
Published: August 2020

Objective

Using the framework of Social Cognitive Career Theory, this study aimed to ascertain attitudes and perceptions of geropsychology career paths, given the present notable geriatric workforce shortage.

Methods

An online survey was developed iteratively and disseminated through various modalities (i.e., internet, email, word‐of‐mouth). Participants included 28 predoctoral and 76 professional geropsychologists (N = 107; age M = 39.18, SD = 12.05). The sample was largely female (72%), non‐Hispanic White (89%), and has or was working towards their PhD (82%).

Results

Results delineate attractive and unattractive aspects of common career options (academic, clinical Veterans Affairs [VA], clinical non‐VA), and assessed the hypothetical proclivity and feasibility of switching between academic and clinically focused careers. The results found gender (women vs. men) and career stages (predoctoral vs. professional) to be significant contributors to career perceptions.

Conclusions

The present study advances past literature by unveiling potential avenues to ameliorate this workforce shortage within both clinical and academic fields in geropsychology.
STAT3‐dependent regulation of the electrogenic Na+/HCO3− cotransporter 1 (NBCe1) functional expression in cortical astrocytes
Authors: Giannaki Marina , Schrödl‐Häußel Magdalena , Khakipoor Shokoufeh , Kirsch Matthias , Roussa Eleni
Published: August 2020

The electrogenic Na+/HCO3− cotransporter (NBCe1) in astrocytes is crucial in regulation of acid–base homeostasis in the brain. Since many pathophysiological conditions in the brain have been associated with pH shifts we exposed primary mouse cortical and hippocampal astrocytes to prolonged low or high extracellular pH (pHo) at constant extracellular bicarbonate concentration and investigated activation of astrocytes and regulation of NBCe1 by immunoblotting, biotinylation of surface proteins, and intracellular H+ recordings. High pHo at constant extracellular bicarbonate caused upregulation of NBCe1 protein, surface expression and activity via upregulation of the astrocytic activation markers signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) signaling and glial fibrillary acidic protein expression. High pHo‐induced increased NBCe1 protein expression was prevented in astrocytes from Stat3flox/flox::GfapCre/+ mice. In vitro, basal and high pHo‐induced increased NBCe1 functional expression was impaired following inhibition of STAT3 phosphorylation. These results provide a novel regulation mode of NBCe1 protein and activity, highlight the importance of astrocyte reactivity on regulation of NBCe1 and implicate roles for NBCe1 in altering/modulating extracellular pH during development as well as of the microenvironment at sites of brain injuries and other pathophysiological conditions.
Size reconstructibility of graphs
Authors: Groenland Carla , Guggiari Hannah , Scott Alex
Published: August 2020

The deck of a graph is given by the multiset of (unlabeled) subgraphs . The subgraphs are referred to as the cards of . Brown and Fenner recently showed that, for , the number of edges of a graph can be computed from any deck missing 2 cards. We show that, for sufficiently large , the number of edges can be computed from any deck missing at most cards.
Long‐term effects of teamwork training on communication and teamwork climate in ambulatory reproductive health care
Authors: Dodge Laura E. , Nippita Siripanth , Hacker Michele R. , Intondi Evelyn M. , Ozcelik Guzey , Paul Maureen E.
Published: August 2020

Background

We previously reported an association between team training in the ambulatory setting and improvements in team climate at 6 and 12 months, but it is unknown whether improvements persist at 2 years.

Study Design

From 2014 to 2015, we enrolled 20 organizations, each operating a varying number of health centers, into a teamwork training initiative. We evaluated teamwork outcomes at baseline and 2 years using a communication behaviors assessment, the TeamSTEPPS® Teamwork Perceptions Questionnaire (T‐TPQ), and the Patients’ Insights and Views of Teamwork (PIVOT) survey.

Results

At 2 years, use of TeamSTEPPS® tools and strategies remained increased compared to baseline at many health centers; results ranged from 32% of centers reporting increased use of pauses to identify the patient to 91% reporting increased use of standardized language. Staff T‐TPQ responses indicated that TeamSTEPPS® implementation was associated with improved perceptions of teamwork in approximately half (49%) of statements at 2 years. Significant improvements occurred in over half of PIVOT survey statements, and patient satisfaction was significantly greater at 2 years compared to baseline.

Conclusions

Patient and staff views of teamwork were significantly improved 2 years after TeamSTEPPS® implementation in ambulatory reproductive health care centers, demonstrating positive long‐term effects of teamwork training.
Embedding trend into seasonal temperature forecasts through statistical calibration of GCM outputs
Authors: Shao Yawen , Wang Quan J. , Schepen Andrew , Ryu Dongryeol
Published: August 2020

Accurate and reliable seasonal climate forecasts are frequently sought by climate‐sensitive sectors to support decision‐making under climate variability and change. Temperature trend is discernible globally over the past decades, but seasonal forecasts produced by a global climate model (GCM) generally underestimate such trend. Current statistical methods used for calibrating seasonal climate forecasts mostly do not explicitly account for climate trends. Consequently, the calibrated forecasts also fail to capture the observed trend. Solving this problem can enhance user confidence in seasonal climate forecasts. In this study, we extend the capability of the Bayesian joint probability (BJP) modelling approach for statistical calibration of seasonal climate forecasts. A trend component is introduced into the BJP algorithm for embedding the observed trend into calibrated ensemble forecasts. We apply the new model (named BJP‐t) to three test stations in Australia. Seasonal forecasts of daily maximum temperatures from the SEAS5 model, operated by the European Centre for Medium‐Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF), are calibrated and evaluated. The BJP‐t calibrated ensemble forecasts can reproduce the observed trend, when the raw ensemble forecasts and the BJP calibrated ensemble forecasts both fail to do so. The BJP‐t calibration leads to more skilful, more reliable and sharper forecasts than the BJP calibration.
Self‐administered proximal implant‐supported hygiene measures and the association to peri‐implant conditions
Authors: Pons Ramón , Nart José , Valles Cristina , Salvi Giovanni E. , Monje Alberto
Published: August 2020

Background

Dental plaque biofilm is considered to be the underlying cause of peri‐implant diseases. Moreover, it has been corroborated recently the association between the presence of these diseases and deficiently designed implant‐supported prostheses. In this regard, professional‐administered oral hygiene measures have been suggested to play a dominant role in prevention.

Methods

A cross‐sectional study was conducted in dental implant patients according to accessibility for self‐performed oral hygiene using a 0.5 mm interproximal brush. Periodontal and peri‐implant status were assessed based on clinical and radiographic variables to determine the prevalence of peri‐implant diseases. In addition, the participants completed a questionnaire on the efficiency and accessibility for self‐performed proximal hygiene. Associations of descriptive data were analyzed using the chi‐squared test and Mann‐Whitney U‐test. Correlations of the variables with the primary outcome (accessibility) were assessed by means of generalized estimation equations and multilevel logistic regression models.

Results

Based on an a priori power calculation, a total of 50 patients (171 implants) were consecutively recruited. From these, 46% of the prostheses allowed proper access for performing proximal hygiene whereas 54% of the prostheses precluded proper access. Poor access for proximal hygiene displayed tendency towards statistical significance with peri‐implant disease (OR = 2.31; P = 0.090), in particular with peri‐implant mucositis (OR = 2.43; P = 0.082) when compared to good access. In addition, an association was observed to increased levels of mucosal redness (P = 0.026) and the full‐mouth bleeding score (P = 0.018). On the other hand, the presence of peri‐implant disease was related to self‐reported assessment of oral hygiene measures (P = 0.015) and to patient perception of gingival/mucosal bleeding when performing oral hygiene (P = 0.026). In turn, the diagnosis of peri‐implant disease was significantly associated to the quantity and quality of information provided at the time of implant therapy (P = 0.004), including the influence of confounders upon disease occurrence (P = 0.038)

Conclusions

To a certain extent, accessibility for self‐performed proximal hygiene is associated to the peri‐implant condition. On the other hand, the information received by the patient from the dental professional is essential for self‐monitoring of the peri‐implant conditions and for alerting to the possible presence of disorders.
Cardamine hupingshanensis aqueous extract improves intestinal redox status and gut microbiota in Se‐deficient rats
Authors: Cheng Yuxin , Huang Yuting , Liu Kunyuan , Pan Siyi , Qin Zhiguo , Wu Ting , Xu Xiaoyun
Published: August 2020

BACKGROUND

As an essential trace element for mammalian species, selenium (Se) possesses powerful antioxidant properties and is a potential regulator of intestinal microbiota. However, effects of Cardamine hupingshanensis aqueous extract (CE), rich in Se, on balancing the intestinal redox status and regulating gut microbiota have been neglected.

RESULTS

An Se‐deficient rat model was established by feeding a low‐Se diet (LD) for 5 weeks and CE was then supplemented to LD or normal‐Se‐diet (ND) rats. Antioxidant enzyme activities and short‐chain fatty acids (SCFA) concentration were increased by CE in both LD and ND rats. CE improved the intestinal morphology of LD rats impaired by deficient Se. Intestinal microbiota demonstrated various changes; for example, Butyrivibrio was increased in LD rats, while Bacteroides, Christensenellaceae, Clostridiaceae and Blautia were enhanced in ND rats.

CONCLUSION

Our findings provide evidence that CE shows potential in improving intestinal redox status and regulating gut microbiota. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Production of phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity via bioconversion of wheat straw by Inonotus obliquus under submerged fermentation with the aid of a surfactant
Authors: Zhao Wei , Huang Panpan , Zhu Zhenduo , Chen Cui , Xu Xiangqun
Published: August 2020

BACKGROUND

This study investigated the effect of surfactants on wheat straw biodegradation and the growth‐associated generation of exo‐ and endo‐phenolic compounds (EPC and IPC) and antioxidant activity expression by liquid‐cultured Inonotus obliquus, an edible and medicinal mushroom, also known as a white rot fungus. Changes in the chemical composition and multiscale structure of wheat straw, in the production and activity of EPC and IPC and in individual flavonoids were analyzed.

RESULTS

Fungal pretreatment decreased significantly the contents of all lignocellulose components, increased and enlarged substrate porosity and caused changes in the structure of wheat straw with the aid of Triton X‐100. A gradual increase in EPC and IPC production was observed up to 6.4‐ and 1.5‐fold for 9 days. The EPC obtained on day 9 showed the highest antioxidant activity (IC50 of 30.96 mg L−1) against 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl radicals. High‐performance liquid chromatographic results indicated the presence of high amounts of epicatechin‐3‐gallate (ECG; (374.9 mg g−1) and epigallocatechin‐3‐gallate (EGCG; 447.2 mg g−1) in the EPC; other polyphenols were also enhanced but to a lesser extent. Surfactant supplementation was effective in enhancing flavonoid production and in increasing antioxidant activity in EPC.

CONCLUSIONS

The results indicated enhanced accumulation of phenolic compounds, particularly ECG and EGCG in Inonotus obliquus via biodegradation and bioconversion of lignocellulose residues. They also indicated enhancement in the production of several flavonoids and also an increase in antioxidant activity in the product by a surfactant‐treated process, which may be a useful way of exploiting underused lignocellulosic residues to various high‐added‐value functional ingredients. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Comparing Survival and Movements of Non‐Urban and Urban Translocated Mule Deer
Authors: Wright Chloe A. , Adams Ian T. , Stent Patrick , Ford Adam T.
Published: August 2020

In many parts of North America, deer (Odocoileus spp.) have adapted to live in urban areas and are a source of negative human‐wildlife interactions. Management strategies such as culling, immunocontraceptives, sterilization, and translocation have been implemented to manage urban deer populations. In the East Kootenay region of southern British Columbia, urban mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) populations have been increasing, whereas non‐urban mule deer populations have decreased. In 2014 a non‐urban mule deer research project began in the area and in 2016 an urban deer translocation trial was approved in the same region. We fit 121 non‐urban deer with global positioning system (GPS)‐collars and translocated 135 urban mule deer to non‐urban areas, of which 57 were fit with GPS‐collars. We tested if annual survival between urban translocated (i.e., translocated) and non‐urban deer differed, and if translocated deer survival increased in subsequent years after translocation. We also determined if age, body condition, release site, capture area and distance between capture and release sites affected translocated deer survival. We evaluated if translocated deer exhibited different movement behaviors than non‐urban deer by comparing probability of migration, maximum net displacement, home range size, and probability of crossing a paved road. Finally, during our study we observed some translocated deer return to a municipal area after translocation and assessed if any covariates such as age, release site, or capture city could help predict this behavior. Annual survival of translocated deer was 0.48 and was significantly lower than survival of non‐urban deer, which was 0.77. We observed 20 of 57 collared translocated deer return to a town after translocation. Translocated deer had larger net displacements and larger seasonal home range sizes than non‐urban deer. Non‐urban deer were more likely to migrate than translocated deer and crossed fewer paved roads than translocated deer. The management effectiveness of translocation to reduce urban deer densities is mixed because annual survival of translocated deer may be lower than may be acceptable to some stakeholders. Additionally, some translocated deer returned to an urban area, and the large distances traveled by deer after translocation may unintentionally spread disease. © 2020 The Wildlife Society.
Is Familial Nonmedullary Thyroid Cancer A More Aggressive Type of Thyroid Cancer?
Authors: Muallem Kalmovich Limor , Jabarin Basel , Koren Shlomit , Or Karen , Marcus Efrat , Tkacheva Inna , Benbassat Carlos , Steinschneider Miriam
Published: August 2020

Objectives

Familial non‐medullary thyroid cancer (FNMTC) is a distinct entity, increasingly diagnosed. By lacking an accurate genetic diagnostic test, its diagnosis is currently clinically based, with an ongoing debate over whether it has a more aggressive clinical behavior than sporadic non‐medullary thyroid cancer (SNMTC). We seek to compare in this study, the clinicopathological variables, and the outcome of FNMTC versus SNMTC patients.

Methods

We retrospectively searched a database of 465 patients that underwent thyroidectomy at Assaf Harofeh Medical Center (91.4% between 1990 and 2019) for demographics, risk factors, medical history, diagnostic workup, primary treatment, follow‐up, and disease outcome data. We compared 47 FNMTC versus 321 SNMTC patients, and FNMTC patients with ≥2 (n = 34) versus ≥3 (n = 13) first‐relative affected members.

Results

There were no significant differences in demographics, histopathology, TNM stage, treatment, and disease outcome between the FNMTC and SNMTC groups. The T2 and T4 tumor stage in the ≥3‐member group were 25% and 8.3% compared to 0% and 0% in the two‐member group (P = .02 and P = ns, respectively). Also, LN involvement was significantly higher in the ≥3‐member group (61.6% vs. 24.2%, respectively; P = .036).

Conclusion

FNMTC is not a more aggressive disease than SNMTC, but this may not apply for the ≥3‐affected‐relatives group. A large multicenter study including only families with three or more affected relatives is needed. Until then, a family history of NMTC should not be overlooked.

Level of Evidence

3/5 Laryngoscope, 131:E677–E681, 2021
Mussel‐Inspired Polydopamine: The Bridge for Targeting Drug Delivery System and Synergistic Cancer Treatment
Authors: Wang Wenyan , Tang Zhuo , Zhang Yi , Wang Qiuxu , Liang Zhigang , Zeng Xiaowei
Published: August 2020

Polydopamine (PDA), a mussel‐inspired molecule, has been recognized as attractive in cancer therapy due to a number of inherent advantages, such as good biocompatibility, outstanding drug‐loading capacity, degradability, superior photothermal conversion efficiency, and low tissue toxicity. Furthermore, due to its strong adhesive property, PDA is able to functionalize various nanomaterials, facilitating the construction of a PDA‐based multifunctional platform for targeted or synergistic therapy. Herein, recent PDA research, including targeted drug delivery, single‐mode therapy, and diverse synergistic therapies against cancer, are summarized and discussed. For synergistic therapy, advanced developments are highlighted, such as photothermal/radiotherapy, chemo−/photothermal/gene therapy, photothermal/immune therapy, and photothermal/photodynamic/immune therapy. Finally, the challenges and promise of PDA for biomedical applications in the future are discussed.
A Biomimetic Hybrid Hydrogel Based on the Interactions between Amino Hydroxyapatite and Gelatin/Gellan Gum
Authors: Wang Lvyang , Li Mengya , Li Xiumin , Liu Jie , Mao Yajie , Tang Keyong
Published: August 2020

In this work, a gelatin (Gel)‐oxidized gellan gum (OG)/amino hydroxyapatite (mHap) hybrid hydrogel with Schiff base linkages is reported. The mHap is obtained by modifying hydroxyapatite with tetraethyl orthosilicate and 3‐aminopropyl‐triethoxysilane. The effects of different mHap contents on the structure, morphology, and properties of hydrogels are particularly investigated. Scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersion spectroscopy reveals that mHap of around 100 nm is uniformly distributed inside the hydrogel with interconnected porous structures. Notably, the hydrogel with 1 wt% mHap possesses the highest compressive stress (2.01 ± 0.10 MPa) at 90% strain, as well as the lowest equilibrium swelling ratio (97% ± 5%) and degradation rate than other hydrogels. Besides, an ultra‐high compressive stress equivalent to 91% of the initial stress can be obtained by this hydrogel after 50 loading‐unloading cycles (85% strain). Meanwhile, after being swollen, this improved hydrogel also exhibits better structural stability than Gel‐OG hydrogel. The in vitro 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay further shows that all hydrogels are nontoxic against mouse fibroblasts. This work provides a biomimetic strategy to construct the organic/inorganic hydrogels with excellent interactions, elasticity, reversibility, and biocompatibility, which is of great importance for the practical applications in cartilage tissue engineering.
Structural Insights into the Mechanism of Heat‐Set Gel Formation of Polyisocyanopeptide Polymers
Authors: Gavrilov Mikhail , Gilbert Elliot P. , Rowan Alan E. , Lauko Jan , Yakubov Gleb E.
Published: August 2020

One of the key factors influencing the mechanical properties of natural and synthetic extracellular matrices (ECM) is how large‐scale 3D gel‐like structures emerge from the molecular self‐assembly of individual polymers. Here, structural characterization using small‐angle neutron scattering (SANS) of ECM‐mimicking polyisocyanopeptide (PIC) hydrogels are reported as a function of background ions across the Hofmeister series. More specifically, the process of polymer assembly is examined by probing the structural features of the heat‐set gels and correlating them with their rheological and micro‐mechanical properties. The molecular parameters obtained from SANS clearly show changes in polymer conformation which map onto the temperature‐induced changes in rheological and micro‐mechanical behavior. The formation of larger structures are linked to the formation of cross‐links (or bundles), whilst the onset of their detection in the SANS is putatively linked to their concentration in the gel. These insights provide support for the ‘hot‐spot’ gelation mechanism of PIC heat‐set gels. Finally, it is found that formation of cross‐links and heat‐set gelling properties can be strongly influenced by ions in accordance with Hofmeister series. In practice, these results have significance since ions are inherently present in high concentration during cell culture studies; this may therefore influence the structure of synthetic ECM networks.