bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Recent pubertal timing trends in Northern Taiwanese children: Comparison with skeletal maturity
Authors: Chow Jeffrey C. , Chou Ting Ywan , Tung Tao-Hsin , Yuh Yeong-Seng
Published: June 2020

Background:

International studies have reported an early age of onset of puberty in girls and boys. However, the current situation of puberty onset in Taiwanese children is unknown. In this study, the timing of menarche and pubertal change in testicular volume (TV) in Taiwanese children was examined, and bone age (BA) was used as an internal somatic maturity scale and compared with the chronological age (CA) at pubertal timing.

Methods:

Clinical data from October 1, 2010, to March 31, 2018, were retrospectively collected from a general hospital in Taipei. The data of patients who were diagnosed with endocrine/genetic disorders were excluded. Clinical data included CA, timing of menarche, and X-ray images of TV and BA. BA was determined by a senior pediatrician and a senior pediatric radiologist. The reliability and validity of BA readings were tested. Collected data were analyzed statistically.

Results:

Overall, TV records of 241 boys and the menarche timing data of 98 girls were collected from 1823 children. CA for menarche was 11.35 ± 1.06 years (mean ± SD), and BA for menarche was 12.95 ± 0.80 years. CA and BA at TV = 15 mL in male puberty was 12.32 ± 1.22 and 13.46 ± 0.68 years, respectively. A stronger correlation was observed between TV and BA than between TV and CA during the pubertal period.

Conclusion:

The secular trend of earlier puberty timing continues. The decline rate of menarche timing was approximately 0.43 years per decade in the past 30 years. Among boys, an advance of more than 1 year in pubertal timing age was observed over the past 20 years. BA and TV showed high correlation during puberty.
Therapeutic Interventions for Adjustment Disorder: A Systematic Review
Authors: Constantin Dan , Dinu Eleonora A. , Rogozea Liliana , Burtea Victoria , Leasu Florin-Gabriel
Published: June 2020

Background:

Adjustment disorder requires therapeutic intervention because of its complications, which include a significant risk of suicide, but evidence-based therapeutic guidelines are not available.

Areas of Uncertainty:

The main problem is related to answer to the following question: What is the optimal therapeutic approach to adjustment disorder? In this respect we review all randomized controlled trials that aimed to investigate therapeutic interventions for adjustment disorder in adult populations.

Data Sources:

Comprehensive search of the electronic database PubMed (January 1980–June 2019). The review included clinical trials that aimed to investigate a psychological or pharmacological treatment for adjustment disorder in adult population and reported outcome data for therapeutic interventions.

Results:

The search identified 23 studies that fulfilled the inclusion criteria for this review. Pharmacotherapy interventions were the focus of 11 studies that used various medications and dosages including viloxazine, lormetazepam, S-adenosylmethionine, pivagabine, trazodone, clorazepate, etifoxine, lorazepam, diazepam, afobazole, and plant extracts (Kava–kava, Euphytose, and Ginkgo biloba) on a total number of 1020 patients. Psychotherapy interventions were identified in 12 studies that used mirror therapy, short-term dynamic psychotherapy, yoga meditation, body-mind-spirit technique, mindfulness, bibliotherapy (self-help manual), humor training, and cognitive behavioral therapy.

Conclusions:

Psychotherapy seems indicated for mildly symptomatic adjustment disorder. Given the fact that adjustment disorder with severe symptoms is associated with a high risk of suicidal ideation and suicide attempts, clinicians must consider the potential benefit of using psychotropic agents such as benzodiazepines, antidepressants, or etifoxine.
Cost-effectiveness of Investment in End-of-Life Home Care to Enable Death in Community Settings
Authors: Isenberg Sarina R. , Tanuseputro Peter , Spruin Sarah , Seow Hsien , Goldman Russell , Thavorn Kednapa , Hsu Amy T.
Published: June 2020

Background:

Many people with terminal illness prefer to die in home-like settings—including care homes, hospices, or palliative care units—rather than an acute care hospital. Home-based palliative care services can increase the likelihood of death in a community setting, but the provision of these services may increase costs relative to usual care.

Objective:

The aim of this study was to estimate the incremental cost per community death for persons enrolled in end-of-life home care in Ontario, Canada, who died between 2011 and 2015.

Methods:

Using a population-based cohort of 50,068 older adults, we determined the total cost of care in the last 90 days of life, as well as the incremental cost to achieve an additional community death for persons enrolled in end-of-life home care, in comparison with propensity score–matched individuals under usual care (ie, did not receive home care services in the last 90 days of life).

Results:

Recipients of end-of-life home care were nearly 3 times more likely to experience a community death than individuals not receiving home care services, and the incremental cost to achieve an additional community death through the provision of end-of-life home care was CAN$995 (95% confidence interval: −$547 to $2392).

Conclusion:

Results suggest that a modest investment in end-of-life home care has the potential to improve the dying experience of community-dwelling older adults by enabling fewer deaths in acute care hospitals.
Polyethylene Glycol Dosing for Constipation in Children Younger Than 24 Months
Authors: Rachel Helisa , Griffith Andrew F. , Teague Warwick J. , Hutson John M. , Gibb Susan , Goldfeld Sharon , Trajanovska Misel , King Sebastian K.
Published: June 2020

Objectives:

Evaluate safety and effectiveness of Polyethylene glycol (PEG) for chronic constipation in children aged younger than 24 months. Identify the optimum dose of PEG to manage chronic constipation in children aged younger than 24 months.

Methods:

In this systematic review, Embase, Medline Ovid, Pubmed, and the Cochrane Library were searched between January 1, 2000 and February 1, 2019. Studies investigating functional constipation, in which patients younger than 24 months of age were treated with PEG, were considered as potentially eligible for review. Two authors screened the studies against inclusion/exclusion criteria. Study quality was assessed with the PEDro quality assessment, Cochrane risk of bias tool, and/or the Newcastle‐Ottawa Scale.

Results:

Five studies (2 randomized controlled trials, 3 retrospective chart reviews) satisfied selection criteria (n = 459). All studies employed different dosage categories: mean effective maintenance dose, mean initial dose, mean short‐term and long‐term dose, and mean daily dose. Dosage regimens were variable, with 0.45 to 1.1 g · kg−1 · day−1 for PEG3350 and 0.48 to 0.65 g · kg−1 · day−1 for PEG4000. Adverse effects were transient across all studies for all types of PEG; these included diarrhea and abdominal pain.

Conclusions:

This systematic review provided evidence for a lack of reported side effects from PEG for children aged younger than 24 months. Evidence to establish appropriate dosage regimens does not exist.

An infographic accompanying this article can be found at http://links.lww.com/MPG/B839.
Protocol for Symptom Experience, Management, Outcomes, and Adherence in Women Receiving Breast Cancer Chemotherapy
Authors: Nugent Bethany D. , McCall Maura K. , Connolly Mary , Mazanec Susan R. , Sereika Susan M. , Bender Catherine M. , Rosenzweig Margaret Q.
Published: June 2020

Background

The 5-year survival for Black women with breast cancer in the United States is lower than White women for stage-matched disease. Our past and ongoing work and that of others suggest that symptom incidence, cancer-related distress, and ineffective communication contribute to racial disparity in dose reduction and early therapy termination. Although race is perhaps the most studied social determinant of health, it is clear that race alone does not account for all disparities.

Objectives

The aim of the study was to present a study protocol of Black and White women prescribed breast cancer chemotherapy. The aims are to (1) examine and compare chemotherapy received/prescribed over time and in total; (2a) examine and compare symptom incidence, distress, and management and clinical encounter, including patient-centeredness of care and management experience over time and (2b) correlate symptom incidence, distress, and management experience to Aim 1; and (3) explore the effects of social determinants of health, including age, income, education, zip code, and lifetime stress exposure, on Aims 1, 2a, and 2b.

Methods

A longitudinal, repeated-measures (up to 18 time points), comparative, mixed-methods design is employed with 179 White and 179 Black women from 10 sites in Western Pennsylvania and Northeast Ohio over the course of chemotherapy and for 2 years following completion of therapy.

Results

The study began in January 2018, with estimated complete data collection by late 2023.

Discussion

This study is among the first to explore the mechanistic process for racial disparity in dosage and delay across the breast cancer chemotherapy course. It will be an important contribution to the explanatory model for breast cancer treatment disparity and may advance potential mitigation strategies for racial survival disparity.
Characterization of the Vaginal Microbiome in Women of Reproductive Age From 5 Regions in Brazil
Authors: Marconi Camila , El-Zein Mariam , Ravel Jacques , Ma Bing , Lima Moises D. , Carvalho Newton Sergio , Alves Rosane R F. , Parada Cristina M G L. , Leite Sandra H M. , Giraldo Paulo C. , Gonçalves Ana K. , Franco Eduardo L. , Silva Marcia G.
Published: June 2020

Background

Composition of the vaginal microbiome is strongly related to a woman's reproductive health and risk of sexually transmitted infections. Ethnoracial, behavioral, and environmental factors can influence microbiome. The Brazilian population is unique in terms of miscegenation of ethnic groups and behavioral characteristics across different regions. We aimed to characterize the vaginal microbiome of women from 5 geographical regions of Brazil.

Methods

We sequenced V3–V4 regions of 16S rRNA gene in vaginal samples of 609 reproductive-aged women. We performed logistic regression analyses to estimate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the association between sociodemographic and behavioral factors with Lactobacillus-depleted microbiome (community state type [CST] IV).

Results

Vaginal samples were grouped into 5 CST: CST I (L. crispatus predominant, 30.5%), CST II (L. gasseri predominant, 4.4%), CST III (Lactobacillus iners predominant, 36.5%), CST IV (Lactobacillus-depleted, 27.4%), and CST V (L. jensenii predominant, 1.2%). Several factors were independently associated with CST IV, such as smoking (OR, 1.80; 95% CI, 1.02–3.18), number of partners (OR, 2.11; 95% CI, 1.20–3.70), and vaginal douching (OR, 2.24; 95% CI, 1.34–3.74). A protective effect was observed for milk/dairy intake (OR, 0.47; 95% CI, 0.27–0.82) and sitz bathing (OR, 0.43; 95% CI, 0.19–0.98).

Conclusions

Nearly two thirds of Brazilian women may be at an increased risk for adverse outcomes associated with a vaginal microbiota characterized by the depletion of Lactobacillus or dominance by L. iners, whose protective role has been widely questioned. Several factors related to sexual behavior and intimate hygiene were associated with CST IV.
Cephalosporin-Resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae Isolated in Portugal, 2019
Authors: Pinto Miguel , Matias Rui , Rodrigues João Carlos , Duarte Sílvia , Vieira Luís , Gonçalves Inês , Gonçalves Maria João , Ramos Maria Helena , Gomes João Paulo , Borrego Maria José
Published: June 2020

We report a multidrug-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae exhibiting resistance to ceftriaxone and cefixime, isolated in Portugal in 2019. Whole-genome sequencing was performed for typing and identification of genetic determinants of antimicrobial resistance. Because of its antimicrobial susceptibility profile, awareness should be raised for the circulation of this strain.
Implementation of a Pilot Leadership Curriculum for Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Residents
Authors: McIntyre McKyla , Alavinia Seyed Mohammad , Matlow Anne
Published: June 2020

Medical trainees are expected to achieve leadership competencies by the end of their training. However, there is a lack of standardized postgraduate leadership education. The aims of this study were to evaluate a pilot program consistent with leadership aims of the medical education body and to assess learners’ perceived responses to the curriculum. A pilot workshop was developed using Kern’s six-step approach to curriculum development for medical education. Topics included leading teams, managing conflict, feedback, goal setting, and time management, as these gaps were identified during a targeted needs assessment. Learning was assessed by preworkshop and postworkshop self-assessments, and the curriculum was evaluated with a postworkshop survey. The workshop was attended by 14 physical medicine and rehabilitation residents and 1 medical student. There was a statistically significant increase in participants’ Likert scale confidence scores for the summative areas of leading teams, managing conflict, feedback, goal setting, and time management (P < 0.001). All participants rated the session as 4 or 5/5 on all evaluation domains. In conclusion, a single session targeting stated needs of trainees was successful in increasing perceived competence in areas relevant to clinical leadership. Expansion to include a longitudinal component, with assessment for behavior change for ongoing improvement would be beneficial.
Integrating Suicide Risk Screening into Pediatric Ambulatory Subspecialty Care
Authors: Lois Becky H. , Urban Tamaki H. , Wong Christina , Collins Erin , Brodzinsky Lara , Harris Mary Ann , Adkisson Hayley , Armstrong Monique , Pontieri Jeanmarie , Delgado Diana , Levine Jeremiah , Liaw K. Ron-Li
Published: June 2020

Background:

Suicide risk screening is recommended in pediatric care. To date, no previous studies illustrate the implementation of suicide risk screening in pediatric subspecialty care, even though chronic medical conditions are associated with a higher risk of suicide.

Methods:

A large multidivision pediatric ambulatory clinic implemented annual suicide risk screening. Patients ages 9–21 years participated in suicide risk screening using the Ask Suicide-Screening Questions during the project. A multidisciplinary team employed quality improvement methods and survey-research design methods to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of the screening process for patients, families, and medical providers.

Results:

During the quality improvement project period, 1,934 patients were offered screening; 1,301 (67.3%) patients completed screening; 82 patients (6.3% of 1,301 patients) screened positive. The monthly compliance rate held steady at 86% following several Plan-Do-Study-Act cycles of improvement. The survey results demonstrate that providers rated the suicide risk screening process positively; however, a subset of providers indicated that the screening process was out of their scope of practice or impeded their workflow.

Conclusions:

Suicide risk screening is feasible in pediatric specialty care and can identify at-risk patients. Continued efforts are needed to standardize suicide risk screening practices. Future directions include identifying factors associated with suicide risk in patients in pediatric subspecialty care settings.
A Multimetric Health Literacy Analysis of Online Information for Gluteal Augmentation With Fat Grafting
Authors: Oleck Nicholas C. , Johnson Anna Rose , Tran Bao Ngoc N. , Ayyala Haripriya S. , Lee Edward S. , Lee Bernard T.
Published: June 2020

Background and Objectives

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons the number of gluteal augmentations with fat grafting, colloquially known as the “Brazilian buttock lift” (BBL), doubled from 2014 to 2018. Recent studies have demonstrated that gluteal augmentation with fat grafting has a higher mortality rate when compared with other esthetic surgeries. We hypothesize that online patient-directed information for gluteal augmentation are overly complex, written at an elevated reading grade level, with incomplete or no information regarding associated surgical risks.

Objective

To perform an objective appraisal of the most popular online patient education materials for gluteal augmentation surgery and explore potential interventions for improving material quality.

Methods

An online Google search using the term “Brazilian butt lift” was performed and the top 10 websites providing relevant information were identified. Readability for each website was determined using Readability Studio. Understandability, actionability and cultural sensitivity was assessed with validated tools by 2 independent raters.

Results

The top 10 websites were written at a mean reading grade level of 13.0, appropriate for a high school graduate. No website was written at the American Medical Association and the National Institutes of Health recommended 6th to 8th grade reading level. Mean understandability and actionability scores of 51% and 18.9%, respectively, suggest significant room for improvement. The average cultural sensitivity assessment tool score was 2.30, below the recommended threshold for acceptability of 2.5. Ninety percent of all websites did not meet the threshold for cultural acceptability.

Conclusions

Online patient education materials for gluteal augmentation with fat grafting were written at an inappropriately elevated reading grade level and were overly complex, did not promote reader action, and were not sensitive to the needs of the target demographic.
Outcomes of Elective Major Cancer Surgery During COVID 19 at Tata Memorial Centre
Authors: Shrikhande Shailesh V. , Pai Prathmesh S. , Bhandare Manish S. , Bakshi Ganesh , Chaukar Devendra A. , Chaturvedi Pankaj , Goel Mahesh , Gulia Ashish , Qureshi Sajid S. , Maheshwari Amita , Moiyadi Aliasgar , Nair Sudhir , Nair Nita S. , Karimundackal George , Saklani Avanish P. , Shankhadhar Vinay K. , Parmar Vani , Divatia Jigeeshu V. , CS Pramesh , Puri Ajay , Badwe Rajendra A.
Published: June 2020

Background:

Overburdened systems and concerns of adverse outcomes have resulted in deferred cancer surgeries with devastating consequences. In this COVID pandemic, the decision to continue elective cancer surgeries, and their subsequent outcomes, are sparsely reported from hotspots.

Methods:

A prospective database of the Department of Surgical Oncology was analysed from March 23rd to April 30th, 2020.

Findings:

Four hundred ninety-four elective surgeries were performed (377 untested and 117 tested for Covid 19 before surgery). Median age was 48 years with 13% (n = 64) above the age of 60 years. Sixty-eight percent patients were American Society of Anaesthesiology (ASA) grade I. As per surgical complexity grading, 71 (14·4%) cases were lower grade (I-III) and 423 (85.6%) were higher grade complex surgeries (IV – VI).

Clavien-Dindo ≥ grade III complications were 5.6% (n = 28) and there were no postoperative deaths. Patients >60 years documented 9.3% major complications compared to 5.2% in <60 years (P = 0.169). The median hospital stay was 1 to 9 days across specialties.

Postoperatively, 26 patients were tested for COVID 19 and 6 tested positive. They all had higher grade surgeries but none required escalated or intensive care treatment related to COVID infection.

Interpretation:

A combination of scientific and administrative rationale contributed to favorable outcomes after major elective cancer surgeries. These results support the continuation of elective major cancer surgery in regions with Covid 19 trends similar to India.
Liquid plasma: A solution to optimizing early and balanced plasma resuscitation in massive transfusion
Authors: Beattie Genna , Cohan Caitlin M. , Ng Valerie L. , Victorino Gregory P.
Published: June 2020

BACKGROUND

Early and balanced resuscitation for traumatic hemorrhagic shock is associated with decreased mortality, making timely plasma administration imperative. However, fresh frozen plasma (FFP) thaw time can delay administration, and the shelf life of thawed FFP limits supply and may incur wastage. Liquid plasma (LP) offers an attractive alternative given immediate transfusion potential and extended shelf life. As such, we hypothesized that the use of LP in the massive transfusion protocol (MTP) would improve optimal plasma/red blood cell (RBC) ratios, initial plasma transfusion times, and clinical outcomes in the severely injured patient.

METHODS

Using Trauma Quality Improvement Program data from our level 1 trauma center, we evaluated MTP activations from 2016 to 2018. Type A LP use was instated April 2017. Before this, thawed FFP was solely used. Plasma/RBC ratios and initial plasma transfusion times were compared in MTP patients before and after LP implementation. Patient and injury characteristics were accounted for using linear regression analysis. Secondary outcomes of mortality, 28-day recovery, and complications were evaluated using Cox proportional hazards regression.

RESULTS

A total of 95 patients were included (pre-LP, 39; post-LP, 56). Time to initial plasma transfusion and plasma/RBC ratios at 4 and 24 hours were improved post-LP implementation with a coinciding reduction in RBC units transfused (p < 0.05). In a 28-day Cox proportional hazards regression LP implementation was associated with favorable recovery (hazard ratio, 3.16; 95% confidence interval, 1.60–6.24; p < 0.001) and reduction in acute kidney injury (hazard ratio, 0.092; 95% confidence interval, 0.011–0.77; p = 0.027). No post-LP patients with blood group type B or AB (n = 9) demonstrated evidence of hemolysis within 24 hours of type A LP transfusion.

CONCLUSION

Initial resuscitation with LP optimizes early plasma administration and improves adherence to transfusion ratio guidelines. Furthermore, LP offers a solution to inherent delays with FFP and is associated with improved clinical outcomes, particularly 28-day recovery and odds of acute kidney injury. Liquid plasma should be considered as an alternative to FFP in MTPs.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic/care management, level IV.
Recent genetic advances in early-onset dystonia
Authors: Steel Dora , Kurian Manju A.
Published: June 2020

Purpose of review

The discovery of new disease-causing genes and availability of next-generation sequencing platforms have both progressed rapidly over the last few years. For the practicing neurologist, this presents an increasingly bewildering array both of potential diagnoses and of means to investigate them. We review the latest newly described genetic conditions associated with dystonia, and also address how the changing landscape of gene discovery and genetic testing can best be approached, from both a research and a clinical perspective.

Recent findings

Several new genetic causes for disorders in which dystonia is a feature have been described in the last 2 years, including ZNF142, GSX2, IRF2BPL, DEGS1, PI4K2A, CAMK4, VPS13D and VAMP2. Dystonia has also been a newly described feature or alternative phenotype of several other genetic conditions, notably for genes classically associated with several forms of epilepsy. The DYT system for classifying genetic dystonias, however, last recognized a new gene discovery (KMT2B) in 2016.

Gene discovery for dystonic disorders proceeds rapidly, but a high proportion of cases remain undiagnosed. The proliferation of rare disorders means that it is no longer realistic for clinicians to aim for diagnosis to the level of predicting genotype from phenotype in all cases, but rational and adaptive use of available genetic tests can certainly expedite diagnosis.
Wilson disease
Authors: Aggarwal Annu , Bhatt Mohit
Published: June 2020

Purpose of review

The aim of this article is to review recent developments in the areas of the disease features and treatment of Wilson disease, and survey disorders that share its pathophysiology or clinical symptoms.

Recent findings

Knowledge of the clinical spectrum of Wilson disease has expanded with recognition of patients who present in atypical age groups – patients with very early onset (<5 years) and those in whom symptoms present in mid-to-late adulthood. A disease phenotype with dominant psychiatric features and increased risk of cardiac problems and various sleep disorders have been identified.

In addition to a better understanding of the phenotype of Wilson disease itself, features of some related disorders (‘Wilson disease-mimics’) have been described leading to a better understanding of copper homeostasis in humans. These disorders include diseases of copper disposition, such as mental retardation, enteropathy, deafness, neuropathy, ichthyosis, keratoderma syndrome, Niemann–Pick type C, and certain congenital disorders of glycosylation, as well as analogous disorders of iron and manganese metabolism.

Outcomes for existing treatments, including in certain patient subpopulations of interest, are better known. Novel treatment strategies being studied include testing of bis-choline tetrathiomolybdate in phase 2 clinical trial as well as various preclinical explorations of new copper chelators and ways to restore ATP7B function or repair the causative gene.

Recent studies have expanded the phenotype of Wilson disease, identified rare inherited metal-related disorders that resemble Wilson disease, and studied long-term outcomes of existing treatments. These developments can be expected to have an immediate as well as a long-term impact on the clinical management of the disease, and point to promising avenues for future research.
Cybernetic combatants support the importance of duels in the evolution of extreme weapons
Authors: Fea Murray P. , Boisseau Romain P. , Emlen Douglas J. , Holwell Gregory I.
Published: June 2020

A current evolutionary hypothesis predicts that the most extreme forms of animal weaponry arise in systems where combatants fight each other one-to-one, in duels. It has also been suggested that arms races in human interstate conflicts are more likely to escalate in cases where there are only two opponents. However, directly testing whether duels matter for weapon investment is difficult in animals and impossible in interstate conflicts. Here, we test whether superior combatants experience a disproportionate advantage in duels, as compared with multi-combatant skirmishes, in a system analogous to both animal and military contests: the battles fought by artificial intelligence agents in a computer war game. We found that combatants with experimentally improved fighting power had a large advantage in duels, but that this advantage deteriorated as the complexity of the battlefield was increased by the addition of further combatants. This pattern remained under the two different forms of the advantage granted to our focal artificial intelligence (AI) combatants, and became reversed when we switched the roles to feature a weak focal AI among strong opponents. Our results suggest that one-on-one combat may trigger arms races in diverse systems. These results corroborate the outcomes of studies of both animal and interstate contests, and suggest that elements of animal contest theory may be widely applicable to arms races generally.
Tolerant and intolerant macaques show different levels of structural complexity in their vocal communication
Authors: Rebout Nancy , De Marco Arianna , Lone Jean-Christophe , Sanna Andrea , Cozzolino Roberto , Micheletta Jérôme , Sterck Elisabeth H. M. , Langermans Jan A. M. , Lemasson Alban , Thierry Bernard
Published: June 2020

We tested the social complexity hypothesis which posits that animals living in complex social environments should use complex communication systems. We focused on two components of vocal complexity: diversity (number of categories of calls) and flexibility (degree of gradation between categories of calls). We compared the acoustic structure of vocal signals in groups of macaques belonging to four species with varying levels of uncertainty (i.e. complexity) in social tolerance (the higher the degree of tolerance, the higher the degree of uncertainty): two intolerant species, Japanese and rhesus macaques, and two tolerant species, Tonkean and crested macaques. We recorded the vocalizations emitted by adult females in affiliative, agonistic and neutral contexts. We analysed several acoustic variables: call duration, entropy, time and frequency energy quantiles. The results showed that tolerant macaques displayed higher levels of vocal diversity and flexibility than intolerant macaques in situations with a greater number of options and consequences, i.e. in agonistic and affiliative contexts. We found no significant differences between tolerant and intolerant macaques in the neutral context where individuals are not directly involved in social interaction. This shows that species experiencing more uncertain social interactions displayed greater vocal diversity and flexibility, which supports the social complexity hypothesis.
Androgen-dependent sexual dimorphism in pituitary tryptophan hydroxylase expression: relevance to sex differences in pituitary hormones
Authors: Kawabata-Sakata Yukika , Nishiike Yuji , Fleming Thomas , Kikuchi Yukiko , Okubo Kataaki
Published: June 2020

Serotonin is a biogenic monoamine conserved across phyla that is implicated in diverse physiological and behavioural functions. On examining the expression of the rate-limiting enzymes in serotonin synthesis, tryptophan hydroxylases (TPHs), in the teleost medaka (
Oryzias latipes
), we found that males have much higher levels of
tph1
expression as compared with females. This robust sexual dimorphism was found to probably result from the direct stimulation of
tph1
transcription by androgen/androgen receptor binding to canonical bipartite androgen-responsive elements in its proximal promoter region. Our results further revealed that
tph1
expression occurs exclusively in pro-opiomelanocortin (
pomc
)-expressing cells and that the resulting serotonin and its derivative melatonin inhibit the expression of the pituitary hormone genes,
fshb
,
sl
and
tshb
. This suggests that serotonin and/or melatonin synthesized in
pomc
-expressing cells act in a paracrine manner to suppress pituitary hormone levels. Consistent with these findings and the male-biased expression of
tph1
, the expression levels of
fshb
,
sl
and
tshb
were all higher in females than in males. Taken together, the male bias in
tph1
expression and consequent serotonin/melatonin production presumably contribute to sex differences in the expression of pituitary hormones and ultimately in the physiological functions mediated by them.
Three biofilm types produced by a model pseudomonad are differentiated by structural characteristics and fitness advantage
Authors: Koza Anna , Jerdan Robyn , Cameron Scott , Spiers Andrew J.
Published: June 2020

Model bacterial biofilm systems suggest that bacteria produce one type of biofilm, which is then modified by environmental and physiological factors, although the diversification of developing populations might result in the appearance of adaptive mutants producing altered structures with improved fitness advantage. Here we compare the air–liquid (A–L) interface viscous mass (VM) biofilm produced byPseudomonas fluorescensSBW25 and the wrinkly spreader (WS) and complementary biofilm-forming strain (CBFS) biofilm types produced by adaptive SBW25 mutants in order to better understand the link between these physical structures and the fitness advantage they provide in experimental microcosms. WS, CBFS and VM biofilms can be differentiated by strength, attachment levels and rheology, as well as by strain characteristics associated with biofilm formation. Competitive fitness assays demonstrate that they provide similar advantages under static growth conditions but respond differently to increasing levels of physical disturbance. Pairwise competitions between biofilms suggest that these strains must be competing for at least two growth-limiting resources at the A–L interface, most probably O2and nutrients, although VM and CBFS cells located lower down in the liquid column might provide an additional fitness advantage through the colonization of a less competitive zone below the biofilm. Our comparison of different SBW25 biofilm types illustrates more generally how varied biofilm characteristics and fitness advantage could become among adaptive mutants arising from an ancestral biofilm–forming strain and raises the question of how significant these changes might be in a range of medical, biotechnological and industrial contexts where diversification and change may be problematic.
Staphylococcus nepalensis, a commensal of the oral microbiota of domestic cats, is a reservoir of transferrable antimicrobial resistance
Authors: Andrade-Oliveira Ana Luisa , Rossi Ciro César , Souza-Silva Thaysa , Giambiagi-deMarval Marcia
Published: June 2020

Staphylococcus nepalensisis a commensal bacterium from the oral microbiota of domestic cats, with a still obscure clinical importance. In this work, we analysed the ability of feline strains ofS. nepalensisto transfer antimicrobial resistance genes toStaphylococcus aureusisolated from humans through plasmids. To this end, we first analysed all publicly available genomes from cat staphylococci using computational methods to build a pan-resistome. Genes that encode resistance to erythromycin, gentamicin, mupirocin and tetracycline, common to human and cat staphylococci and previously described to be located in mobile genetic elements, were chosen for the next analyses. We studied 15 strains ofS. nepalensis, which were shown to be genetically different by GTG5-PCR. As observed by disc diffusion, resistance to tetracycline was widespread (80 %), followed by resistance to erythromycin (40 %), gentamicin (27 %) and mupirocin (7 %). The strains were positive for several antimicrobial resistance genes and more than half of them harboured plasmids. The loss of plasmids and resistance genes in some strains were induced by stress with SDS. Through conjugation experiments, we observed that these plasmids can be transferred toS. aureus, thus increasing its potential to resist drug therapy. Our findings show thatS. nepalensis, an underestimated inhabitant of the cat microbiota, can be a reservoir of antimicrobial resistance genes forS. aureusand, like many other staphylococci, be an overlooked and silent threat to their animal hosts and humans living with them.
Alternative polyadenylation is a determinant of oncogenic Ras function
Authors: Subramanian Aishwarya , Hall Mathew , Hou Huayun , Mufteev Marat , Yu Bin , Yuki Kyoko E. , Nishimura Haruka , Sathaseevan Anson , Lant Benjamin , Zhai Beibei , Ellis James , Wilson Michael D. , Daugaard Mads , Derry W. Brent
Published: June 2020

Alternative polyadenylation of pre-mRNA has been recently shown to play important roles in development and cancer. Activating mutations in the Ras oncogene are common drivers of many human cancers but the mechanisms by which they cooperate with alternative polyadenylation are not known. By exploiting the genetics ofC. elegans, we identifiedcfim-1/CFIm25, a subunit of the alternative polyadenylation machine, as a key determinant of hyperactive Ras function. Ablation ofcfim-1increased penetrance of multivulva phenotype inlet-60/Rasgain-of-function (gf) mutant through shortening of transcripts at the 3’ untranslated region, including p21 activated kinasepak-1/PAK1and multidrug transportermrp-5/ABCC1. Depletion of CFIm25 in human KRAS-driven cancer cells resulted in a similar shortening of 3’ untranslated regions in thePAK1andABCC1transcripts, which caused an epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and increased cell migration. Exploiting the mechanisms by which alternative polyadenylation affects activated oncogene output could offer novel approaches for the treatment of Ras-driven tumors.
Calculating the optimal hematocrit under the constraint of constant cardiac power
Authors: Sitina M. , Stark H. , Schuster S.
Published: June 2020

In humans and higher animals, a trade-off between sufficiently high erythrocyte concentrations to bind oxygen and sufficiently low blood viscosity to allow rapid blood flow has been achieved during evolution. Optimal hematocrit theory has been successful in predicting hematocrit values of about 0.3 - 0.5, in very good agreement with the normal values observed for humans and many animal species. However, according to those calculations, the optimal value should be independent of the mechanical load of the body. This is in contradiction to the exertional increase in hematocrit observed in some animals called natural blood dopers and to the illegal practice of blood boosting in high-performance sports. In this study, we calculate the optimal hematocrit under two different constraints - under a constant driving pressure and under constant cardiac power – and show that the optimal hematocrit under constant cardiac power is higher than the normal value, ranging from 0.5 to 0.7. We use this result to explain the tendency to better exertional performance at an increased hematocrit.

Statement of Significance

In humans and higher animals, erythrocytes comprise a volume fraction (hematocrit) of 30-50 % of the blood. Mathematical calculations based on the assumption of constant blood pressure show that the optimal hematocrit value is indeed in that range. However, this optimum should apply to both rest and physical exertion, which is in contradiction to the increase in hematocrit observed in some animals called natural blood dopers and to the illegal practice of blood boosting in sports. Here, we calculate the optimal value based on the alternative constraint of constant cardiac power. We show that this results in a higher optimal value, ranging from 50 to 70 %. In this way, we explain the better exertional performance at an increased hematocrit.
Insight into vaccine development for Alpha-coronaviruses based on structural and immunological analyses of spike proteins
Authors: Shi Yuejun , Shi Jiale , Sun Limeng , Tan Yubei , Wang Gang , Guo Fenglin , Hu Guangli , Fu Yanan , Fu Zhen F. , Xiao Shaobo , Peng Guiqing
Published: June 2020

Coronaviruses that infect humans belong to theAlpha-coronavirus(including HCoV-229E) andBeta-coronavirus(including SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2) genera. In particular, SARS-CoV-2 is currently a major threat to public health worldwide. However, no commercial vaccines against the coronaviruses that can infect humans are available. The spike (S) homotrimers bind to their receptors through the receptor-binding domain (RBD), which is believed to be a major target to block viral entry. In this study, we selectedAlpha-coronavirus(HCoV-229E) andBeta-coronavirus(SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2) as models. Their RBDs were observed to adopt two different conformational states (lying or standing). Then, structural and immunological analyses were used to explore differences in the immune response with RBDs among these coronaviruses. Our results showed that more RBD-specific antibodies were induced by the S trimer with the RBD in the “standing” state (SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2) than the S trimer with the RBD in the “lying” state (HCoV-229E), and the affinity between the RBD-specific antibodies and S trimer was also higher in the SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2. In addition, we found that the ability of the HCoV-229E RBD to induce neutralizing antibodies was much lower and the intact and stable S1 subunit was essential for producing efficient neutralizing antibodies against HCoV-229E. Importantly, our results reveal different vaccine strategies for coronaviruses, and S-trimer is better than RBD as a target for vaccine development inAlpha-coronavirus. Our findings will provide important implications for future development of coronavirus vaccines.

Importance

Outbreak of coronaviruses, especially SARS-CoV-2, poses a serious threat to global public health. Development of vaccines to prevent the coronaviruses that can infect humans has always been a top priority. Coronavirus spike (S) protein is considered as a major target for vaccine development. Currently, structural studies have shown thatAlpha-coronavirus(HCoV-229E) andBeta-coronavirus(SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2) RBDs are in lying and standing state, respectively. Here, we tested the ability of S-trimer and RBD to induce neutralizing antibodies among these coronaviruses. Our results showed that Beta-CoVs RBDs are in a standing state, and their S proteins can induce more neutralizing antibodies targeting RBD. However, HCoV-229E RBD is in a lying state, and its S protein induces a low level of neutralizing antibody targeting RBD. Our results indicate thatAlpha-coronavirusis more conducive to escape host immune recognition, and also provide novel ideas for the development of vaccines targeting S protein.
The peer effect of training on farmers' pesticides application: a spatial econometric approach
Authors: Zhou Li , Zhang Fan , Zhou Shudong , Turvey Calum G.
Published: June 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationships of technical training and the peer effects of technical training with farmers' pesticide use behaviors.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses survey data from 300 peanut growers in Zoucheng County, Shandong, China, in 2016 and employs spatial econometric models to examine the relationships of technical training and the peer effects of technical training with farmers' pesticide use behaviors.

Findings

This paper reveals that important peer effects can be channeled through technical training and that these peer effects are sufficiently significant to encourage neighboring farmers to reduce the amount of pesticide use, to transform the structure of pesticide use, and to increase the usage amount of low-toxicity, low-residue pesticide use per hectare. The estimated parameters for the peer effects from technical training are significantly larger than those from technical training alone, which suggests that the technical training of neighboring farmers plays a greater role than technical training for farmers individually.

Originality/value

The research finds that technical training within smaller, localized, groups can induce previously unobservable spillover effects, and this provides a scientific, theoretical and empirical justification for agricultural technology extension that can lead to a rapid, effective transformation of applying new agricultural technologies in an environmentally sensitive and economically sustainable manner.
Influencing factors of construction professionals’ burnout in China: a sequential mixed-method approach
Authors: Sun Mouxuan , Zhu Fangwei , Sun Xiuxia
Published: June 2020

Purpose

The present study investigated how different factors interact and work in concert to influence construction professionals’ burnout (hereafter CPs’ burnout) in China.

Design/methodology/approach

A sequential mixed-method approach was chosen for this research. Twenty-two interviews were conducted and analysed, and we identified ten influencing factors associated with CPs’ burnout. Subsequently, a sample of 232 questionnaires was analysed using fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) to ascertain the eight configurations of CPs’ high and low burnout.

Findings

The key findings include the following: first, perceived workload, role ambiguity, role conflict, emotional demand, work-home interference, relationships with supervisors, autonomy, fairness of rewards, support from project team and self-efficacy are the ten factors influencing CPs’ burnout; second, experienced and less experienced construction professionals take different paths towards high or low burnout; and third, among construction professionals, perceived workload and burnout are not necessarily correlated. We found that autonomy plays a crucial role in this process.

Originality/value

This is one of the first studies to adopt a configurational approach for understanding influencing factors of CPs’ burnout. The strength of the present study is its sequential mixed-method approach, which forms a loop between the qualitative and quantitative studies.
Researching on the edge: emancipatory praxis for social justice
Authors: Hutton Martina , Heath Teresa
Published: June 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to provoke a conversation in marketing scholarship about the overlooked political nature of doing research, particularly for those who research issues of social (in)justice. It suggests a paradigmatic shift in how researchers might view and operationalise social justice work in marketing. Emancipatory praxis framework offers scholars an alternative way to think about the methodology, design and politics of researching issues of social relevance.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a conceptual paper drawing on critical theory to argue for a new methodological shift towards emancipatory praxis.

Findings

As social justice research involves a dialectical relationship between crises and critique, the concept of emancipation acts as a methodological catalyst for furthering debate about social (in)justice in marketing. This paper identifies a set of methodological troubles and challenges that may disrupt the boundaries of knowledge-making. A set of methodological responses to these issues illustrating how emancipatory research facilitates social action is outlined.

Research limitations/implications

Emancipatory praxis offers marketing scholars an alternative methodological direction in the hope that more impactful and useful ways of knowing can emerge.

Practical implications

The paper is intended to change the ways that researchers work in practical and concrete terms on issues of social (in)justice.

Social implications

Although this paper is theoretical, it argues for an alternative methodological approach to research that reorients researchers towards a politicised praxis with emancipatory relevancy.

Originality/value

Emancipatory praxis offers a new openly politicised methodological alternative for addressing problems of social relevance in marketing. As a continuous political and emancipatory task for researchers, social justice research involves empirical encounters with politics, advocacy and democratic participation, where equality is the methodological starting point for research design and decisions as much as it is the end goal.
Construct creation from research questions
Authors: Forbes Sarah , Avis Mark
Published: June 2020

Purpose

Construct Creation (CC) is a methodological problem occurring when a research process, instead of measuring an extant construct in the participant’s mind, creates the construct. The purpose of this paper is to argue that CC derives from problems around ecologically invalid research and attitudinal responses developed on the spot, both resulting from self-generated validity.

Design/methodology/approach

A between-subjects design was used to explore whether the personification prime (PP), a component of brand personality (BP) methodology, influenced the CC of BP for rocks. Analysis of qualitative data on how participants made their BP ratings in the absence of a PP was also completed.

Findings

Findings revealed that a methodology can enable CC in the participant’s mind, despite the construct being ecologically invalid prior to them participating in the study. Analysis also revealed that participants will use varied, and sometimes elaborate, strategies to enable CC and provide researchers with the answers to their questions.

Research limitations/implications

Previous research has drawn attention to CC as a problem but the implications of prior research have so far been “sidestepped”. Consequently, this paper demonstrates CC and why it is a problem, while rebutting some arguments made in prior research for sidestepping CC.

Practical implications

CC is a potentially serious methodological problem that can result in invalid findings informing or misdirecting theory used by practitioners. As such, this paper proposes methods to ameliorate CC and improve ecological validity of future research.

Originality/value

This study will contribute to methodological literature by refocusing attention to the currently neglected problem of CC and by proposing a model of CC by participants.