bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects on Firefighters’ Nocturnal Cardiac Autonomic Activity and Sleep Quality of On-Call Nights With and Without Simulated Firefighting Interventions
Authors: Marcel-Millet Philémon , Groslambert Alain , Ravier Gilles
Published: September 2020

Objective:

To examine the effects on firefighters’ nocturnal cardiac autonomic activity and sleep quality of one on-call night without intervention and one on-call night with intervention.

Methods:

Thirteen firefighters completed three experimental nights: a control night (CON), an on-call night without intervention (0-INTER), an on-call night with one simulated intervention (1-INTER). Sleep parameters were determined from nocturnal heart rate variability (HRV), objective and subjective sleep quality.

Results:

Derived parasympathetic HRV indices were higher in CON compared with 0-INTER and 1-INTER (P < 0.05). Subjective sleep quality and total sleep time were decreased in 1-INTER compared with CON and 0-INTER (P < 0.01).

Discussion:

These results revealed that for firefighters, being on-call during the night with and without interventions disturbs cardiac autonomic activity. Objective and subjective sleep quality were disrupted when on-call nights were interrupted by simulated firefighting interventions.
Multiple Past Concussions in High School Hockey Players: Examining Cognitive Functioning and Symptom Reporting
Authors: Iverson Grant L. , Cook Nathan E. , Gilman Isabelle G. , Maxwell Bruce , Mannix Rebekah , Zafonte Ross , Berkner Paul D. , Brooks Brian L.
Published: September 2020

Objective:

To investigate (1) if there are meaningful differences in baseline preseason cognitive functioning or symptom reporting between high school ice hockey players with and without prior concussions and (2) determine which health history variables predict symptom reporting.

Design:

Cross-sectional study.

Setting:

High schools across the state of Maine.

Participants:

Participants were 1616 male high school ice hockey players (mean age = 15.6 years; SD = 1.5 years) who completed baseline testing between 2009 and 2015.

Independent Variables:

Athletes were grouped according to their self-reported concussion history [0 (n = 1136), 1 (n = 321), 2 (n = 112), or 3+ (n = 47) previous concussions].

Main Outcome Measures:

Cognitive functioning was measured by the Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing (ImPACT) battery, and symptom ratings were obtained from the Post-Concussion Symptom Scale.

Results:

There were no statistically significant differences between groups in cognitive functioning as measured by ImPACT. The group with ≥3 prior concussions endorsed higher total symptom scores, but the effect sizes were small and not statistically significant. In a multivariate model, prior treatment for headaches (not necessarily migraines), prior treatment for a psychiatric condition, and prior treatment for substance/alcohol use all significantly predicted total symptom scores, with concussion history being the weakest independent predictor.

Conclusions:

Players with a history of prior concussions performed similarly to players with no prior concussions on cognitive testing. Health history factors were more strongly associated with symptom reporting than concussion history.
Investigating Concussion Knowledge in US Born Versus Internationally Born Collegiate Student-Athletes in the United States
Authors: Hoersten Tricia , Gray Ashley , Payne Ellen K. , Gear William , Hageman Jason
Published: September 2020

Objective:

To compare concussion knowledge between US born and internationally born collegiate student-athletes. Furthermore, to investigate whether length of time in the United States impacted concussion knowledge.

Design:

Survey.

Setting:

Preparticipation physicals at a midwestern NAIA college.

Participants:

Three hundred one collegiate student-athletes.

Interventions:

Demographic questionnaire and the Rosenbaum Concussion Knowledge and Attitudes Survey (RoCKAS).

Main Outcome Measures:

t test was used to determine whether a difference in Concussion Knowledge Index (CKI) scores exists between US born and internationally born student-athletes. A one-way analysis of variance was used to determine significance for length of time in the United States.

Results:

A statistically significant difference was found for CKI scores between US born (19.22 ± 2.38) and internationally born student-athletes (18.01 ± 2.57) (t = 3.895, P = 0.000). Analysis of variance demonstrated statistically significant difference for CKI scores (F
2,300 = 13.883, P = 0.001). Post hoc analysis found significant differences in CKI scores between US born (19.22 ± 2.38) and internationally born student-athletes in the United States less than 2 years (17.31 ± 2.52) (P = 0.000), and between internationally born student-athletes in the United States 2 or more years (19.15 ± 2.25) and internationally born student-athletes in the United States less than 2 years (17.31 ± 2.52) (P = 0.002).

Conclusion:

Among this sample, being born in the United States and length of time in the United States contribute to student-athletes' concussion knowledge.

Clinical Relevance:

Standardized guidelines are needed to assist health care professionals in properly educating student-athletes about concussions as the recognition and management of concussions can be affected by a student-athlete's knowledge.
High prevalence of overweight/obesity in adult persons with hemophilia in Utah and a review of the literature
Authors: Lim Ming Y. , Wei Guo , Presson Angela P. , Bray Paul , Rodgers George M.
Published: September 2020

The objectives of this study were firstly to determine the prevalence of overweight/obesity in adult persons with hemophilia in Utah, and to explore the association between age, disease severity and race with body mass index (BMI), and secondly to provide recent data on the prevalence of overweight/obesity in the hemophilia population via a review of the literature. We conducted a retrospective cross section study of adult persons with hemophilia who were seen at a Utah hemophilia treatment center from 1 January 2017 to 31 December 2019. The electronic database PubMed was searched for studies with observation periods from 1 January 2012 to 31 December 2019. The age-adjusted prevalence for overweight/obesity in the adult Utah hemophilia population was higher than the overall Utah population and the general US population. After adjusting for race and age, mild hemophilia was associated with a 7.7% higher BMI (95% confidence interval, 0.023–15.98%,P < 0.05). Review of the literature demonstrated high levels of overweight/obesity in hemophilia communities globally with considerable heterogeneity between studies. Despite increasing awareness, prevalence of overweight/obesity in the hemophilia population remains high in comparison with the general population. There is a critical need to address this issue acutely at hemophilia treatment centers due to the considerable burden of obesity.
Use of direct oral anticoagulants in cerebral venous thrombosis: a systematic review
Authors: Sheng Sen , Nalleballe Krishina , Pothineni Naga V. , Sharma Rohan , Brown Aliza , Elkhider Hisham , Ranabothu Saritha , Kapoor Nidhi , Patrice Kelly-Ann , Onteddu Sanjeeva
Published: September 2020

We are here to review the efficacy and safety of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) in the treatment of Cerebral Venous Thrombosis (CVT). A search strategy was developed with a research librarian. All published articles including trials, studies, case series, and case reports were reviewed from NCBI/PubMed up to May 2019 by two independent reviewers. A total of 11 studies were identified, which included 70 patients with CVT on DOACs. After 6 months follow-up more than 86.7% of these patients had a good outcome on the Modified Rankin Scale (mRS) of 0--1 at 6 months and no recurrence of venous thromboembolic events (VTE) at 12 months. Recanalization rate at 6 months varied from 55 to 100%. Only two patients had a side effect of minor bleeding because of DOAC usage. Although the current American Heart Association/American Stroke Association and European Stroke Organization guidelines do not endorse the use of DOACs for treatment of CVT because of lack of evidence from large randomized clinical trials, Use of DOACs in CVT appears to be well tolerated and efficacious with favorable outcomes. Further evidence is needed to establish their use in CVT.
Healthy dietary patterns to reduce obesity-related metabolic disease: polyphenol-microbiome interactions unifying health effects across geography
Authors: Diotallevi Camilla , Fava Francesca , Gobbetti Marco , Tuohy Kieran
Published: September 2020

Purpose of review

The spread of the Western lifestyle across the globe has led to a pandemic in obesity-related metabolic disease. The Mediterranean diet (MedDiet), Okinawa diet (OkD) and Nordic diet, derived from very different regions of the world and culinary traditions, have a large whole plant food component and are associated with reduced disease risk. This review focuses on polyphenol : microbiome interactions as one possible common mechanistic driver linking the protective effects whole plant foods against metabolic disease across healthy dietary patterns irrespective of geography.

Recent findings

Although mechanistic evidence in humans is still scarce, animal studies suggest that polyphenol or polyphenol rich foods induce changes within the gut microbiota and its metabolic output of trimethylamine N-oxide, short-chain fatty acids, bile acids and small phenolic acids. These cross-kingdom signaling molecules regulate mammalian lipid and glucose homeostasis, inflammation and energy storage or thermogenesis, physiological processes determining obesity-related metabolic and cardiovascular disease risk. However, it appears that where in the intestine metabolites are produced, the microbiota communities involved, and interactions between the metabolites themselves, can all influence physiological responses, highlighting the need for a greater understanding of the kinetics and site of production of microbial metabolites within the gut.

Interactions between polyphenols and metabolites produced by the gut microbiota are emerging as a possible unifying protective mechanism underpinning diverse healthy dietary patterns signaling across culinary traditions, across geography and across domains of life.
Changes in Symptoms of Midday Fogging with a Novel Scleral Contact Lens Filling Solution
Authors: Fogt Jennifer Swingle , Karres Matthew , Barr Joseph T.
Published: September 2020

SIGNIFICANCE

Midday fogging of scleral contact lenses requires frequent lens removal and reapplication for a large portion of lens wearers. Using a lens filling solution that mimics the composition of tears is hypothesized to have an impact on the production of material trapped under a scleral lens.

PURPOSE

The purposes of this open-label study were to assess the safety of a scleral lens filling solution, which closely approximates the ionic concentration and pH of human tears, and to assess signs and symptoms of midday fogging with this formulation and with subjects' habitual sodium chloride solutions.

METHODS

Existing scleral lens wearers with midday fogging (N = 22) were examined and completed surveys of symptoms. Subjects filled the concavity of their current lenses with test solution and were assessed immediately and approximately 4 hours later for safety monitoring. Test solution was dispensed and used for 5 to 9 days when subjects were reexamined and repeated the surveys. Biomicroscopy and anterior optical coherence tomography images were used to assess midday fogging objectively.

RESULTS

The median (interquartile range) Ocular Surface Disease Index score decreased from 27.1 (21.7) U when using habitual filling solution to 9.1 (20.1) U when using the test solution (P = .006). Current Symptoms Survey findings with the test solution compared with habitual solution resulted in statistically significant decreases in burning/stinging (P = .04), grittiness/foreign body sensation (P = .01), dryness (P = .002), blurry/fluctuating vision (P = .002), and overall pain/discomfort (P = .006). Objective assessment of corneal staining and fogging revealed decreases that were not statistically significant in this small sample size.

CONCLUSIONS

This study establishes the safety and subject tolerance of a scleral lens filling solution that mimics the ionic composition of human tears. Significant improvements in subjective ratings, although likely biased in this unmasked trial, suggest that further studies of the effectiveness of this solution in reducing midday fogging are warranted.
Optical Quality and Visual Performance for One Year in a Sample of Scleral Lens Wearers
Authors: Macedo-de-Araújo Rute J. , Faria-Ribeiro Miguel , McAlinden Colm , van der Worp Eef , González-Méijome José M.
Published: September 2020

SIGNIFICANCE

This study shows the optical and visual quality behavior of modern scleral lenses (SLs) in the medium and long term in patients with irregular cornea (IC) and regular cornea (RC).

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the 12-month optical quality outcomes with SL in patients with IC and RC.

METHODS

Sixty-nine patients completed the 12 months of follow-up (99 eyes with IC and 27 with RC). LogMAR high- and low-contrast visual acuity, whole eye aberrometry, and the size (Light Disturbance Index, %) and shape (BFCIrregSD, mm) of night vision disturbances were measured at baseline with habitual correction (HC), best spectacle correction (BSC), and SL at all the follow-up visits (1, 3, 6, and 12 months). Subjective visual quality was measured with the Quality of Vision (QoV) questionnaire.

RESULTS

After SL fitting, high-contrast visual acuity improved significantly compared with HC and BSC in the IC group (average improvement of +0.35 ± 0.32 and +0.29 ± 0.26 to +0.08 ± 0.14, P < .001) and RC group (+0.17 ± 0.23 and +0.12 ± 0.23 to +0.10 ± 0.23, P < .05). Light Disturbance Index decreased significantly with SL compared with HC and BSC from 13.85 ± 13.99% and 15.89 ± 13.38% to 5.75 ± 4.51% in the IC group (P < .001) and 6.16 ± 5.38 and 5.98 ± 5.39 to 3.99 ± 3.05 in the RC group (P < .05). BFCIrregSD also decreased significantly, namely, in the IC group (−51%). All subscales of the QoV questionnaire had a statistically significant decrease (improvement) with SL (P < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

Scleral lenses promote a better subjective and objective visual quality, mainly in patients with IC. Additional measurements such as night vision disturbances, aberrometry, and subjective perceptions should be considered to characterize the visual enhancement promoted by SL in RC and IC patients.
Clinical Outcomes of Scleral Lens Fitting with a Data-driven, Quadrant-specific Design: Multicenter Review
Authors: Barnett Melissa , Carrasquillo Karen G. , Schornack Muriel M.
Published: September 2020

SIGNIFICANCE

Alignment of the scleral lens haptic with the anterior ocular surface is of critical importance when fitting scleral lenses. The concept of leveraging big-data analysis to drive lens design is explored in this study. This retrospective study evaluated fitting outcomes of a data-driven, quadrant-specific scleral lens design and found that most patients (76%) were successfully fit with this design.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to evaluate clinical outcomes with a data-driven, quadrant-specific scleral lens design compared with traditional lens designs.

METHODS

For this multicenter retrospective observational study, A REDCap (Research Electronic Data Capture) survey was distributed to scleral lens practitioners who participated in β testing of a data-driven, quadrant-specific scleral lens design (study lens) between June 1, 2016, and January 31, 2017. Descriptive data were collected, and patient-reported outcomes, visual acuity, and lens design outcomes achieved with the study lens were described.

RESULTS

Seventy-five patients (85 eyes) were fit with the study lens design between June 2016 and January 2017. Mean patient age was 47 years (range, 17 to 77 years). Forty-six were male, and 29 were female. Seventy-six eyes (89%) were fit for corneal irregularity, whereas nine eyes (11%) were fit for management of ocular surface disease. Compared with habitual correction, 22% more eyes achieved 20/20 or better, and 21% more eyes achieved 20/40 or better. There was also a 60% decrease in the need for midday removal with the study lens. An average of two lenses were manufactured per eye to complete the fitting process.

CONCLUSIONS

Using a data-driven, quadrant-specific scleral lens resulted in visual improvement, a reduced need for midday removal, and an average of two lenses needed to complete the fitting process. Longer-term clinical outcomes and the use of big-data analysis to inform scleral lens design should be further explored.
BDNF/TrkB/Akt Signaling Pathway Epithelial Odontogenic Tumors and Keratocyst: An Immunohistochemical Study Comparative With Dental Germs
Authors: Dornelles Florencia M.L. , Wagner Vivian P. , Fonseca Felipe P. , Ariotti Carla , Carrard Vinicius C. , Vargas Pablo A. , Sánchez-Romero Celeste , Beovide Veronica , Bologna-Molina Ronell , Martins Manoela D.
Published: September 2020

Odontogenic lesions (OL) are an important group of oral and maxillofacial diseases represented by odontogenic cysts, benign, and malignant tumors. The brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)/ tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TrkB) signaling pathway has multiple biological actions and has been identified as an important pathway in the proliferation, invasion, and survival of different epithelial tumors. Its role in the development of OL, however, has so far been unexplored. Our aim was to evaluate the BDNF/TrkB/Akt/p-RPS6 signaling pathway in OL of epithelial origin. This cross-sectional study comprised 3 cases of tooth germs, 25 cases of odontogenic keratocyst (OK), 29 cases of ameloblastoma (Am), and 6 cases of ameloblastic carcinoma. Immunohistochemical staining for BDNF, TrkB, p-Akt, and p-RPS6 was performed. OLs were evaluated according to the pattern of immunohistochemical expression in epithelial cells and by semiquantitative scores that considered the intensity of staining and percentage of positive cells. BDNF stromal expression was also assessed. No significant differences were observed with respect to the percentage of positive cases for all markers. Regarding the immunoreactive scores, BDNF and p-RPS6 expressions were similar in the odontogenic epithelium of all OL. However, TrkB and p-Akt were overexpressed in OK compared with ameloblastic carcinoma. In Am, epithelial BDNF was significantly higher compared with stromal expression. In conclusion, BDNF seems to participate in the development of cystic, benign, and malignant odontogenic epithelium to similar degrees. The acquisition of the invasive or malignant phenotype in odontogenic neoplasms is not associated with alterations in the BDNF/TrkB/Akt/RPS6 axis, which could be implicated in the differentiation process.
Use of Opioids and Nonopioid Analgesics to Treat Pediatric Postoperative Pain in the Emergency Department
Authors: Stake Christine E. , Manworren Renee C. B. , Rizeq Yazan K. , Minhas Sana , Quan Hehui , Barsness Katherine A.
Published: September 2020

Objectives

The incidence, demographic characteristics, and treatment approaches for pediatric patients who present to the ED with a primary complaint of postoperative pain have not been well described. The purpose of this study was to describe opioid and nonopioid prescribing patterns for pediatric patients evaluated for postoperative pain in the Emergency Department (ED).

Methods

Pediatric Health Information System is an administrative database of encounter-level data from 48 children's hospitals. Emergency department visits for postoperative pain from January 2014 to September 2017 were analyzed. Visits were matched by the Pediatric Health Information System identifier to associate corresponding same site surgery encounters directly preceding ED visits.

Results

There were 7365 ED visits for acute postoperative pain, for which 4044 could be linked to corresponding surgical procedure. Eight-one percent of ED visits were within 7 days of surgery. Opioids were given at 1979 (49%) of visits, and nonopioids at 678 (17%) of visits. The most common surgeries preceding a postoperative pain ED visit were for tonsils and adenoids (48.5%). Age, sex, length of stay for both procedure and ED visits, procedure specialty, and the number of days between procedure discharge and admission to ED were associated with opioid administration during ED visits (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

Pediatric patients treated in the ED for postoperative pain were often treated with opioid and nonopioid analgesics, with wide prescriber variability. Further research is warranted to help balance optimal pain management and safe prescribing practices.
Prognostic and Predictive Factors in Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Gan Chun Loo , Dudani Shaan , Heng Daniel Y. C.
Published: September 2020

Metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) comprises a highly heterogeneous group of diseases with varied clinical outcomes. As a result, models to estimate prognosis were developed in an attempt to aid patient counseling, treatment selection, and clinical trial design. Contemporary prognostic models have been mostly generated based on clinical factors because of their ease of use. Recent advances in molecular techniques have allowed unprecedented molecular profiling of RCC and the discovery of genomic and proteotranscriptomic factors that may contribute to disease trajectory. With the advent of multiple systemic therapies in mRCC in recent years, predictive biomarkers have become increasingly relevant in treatment selection. In this review, we discuss the existing staging systems and prognostic models in mRCC. We also highlight various promising molecular biomarkers according to the subtypes of RCC and explore their integration into the traditional prognostic models. In addition, we discuss emerging predictive biomarkers in the era of immuno-oncology. Lastly, we explore future directions with a focus on liquid biopsies and composite biomarkers.
Comprehensive Analysis of Multiple Primary Cancers in Patients With Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Undergoing Esophagectomy
Authors: Yoshida Naoya , Eto Kojiro , Kurashige Junji , Izumi Daisuke , Sawayama Hiroshi , Horinouchi Tomo , Iwatsuki Masaaki , Baba Yoshifumi , Miyamoto Yuji , Baba Hideo
Published: September 2020

Objective:

The aim of this study was to elucidate the latest epidemiology and risk factors for multiple primary cancers (MPCs), and the association between neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) and postoperative metachronous cancer (PMC) in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) who underwent esophagectomy.

Summary of Background Data:

Background data to derive appropriate screening strategies are insufficient.

Methods:

This study consisted of 3 retrospective investigations. A total of 766 consecutive patients with ESCC who underwent esophagectomy between April 2005 and December 2019 were eligible for epidemiological analysis. Of these, 688 patients without missing data were analyzed for the risk of MPCs. In total, 364 patients who underwent NAC (115) and no preoperative treatments (249) were investigated for the association between NAC and PMC.

Results:

Of 766 patients, 288 (38%) patients experienced 357 MPCs in their life. PMCs identified after the completion of 5-year postoperative follow-up were significantly more advanced (P = 0.019). Male sex [hazard ratio (HR) = 3.04, P = 0.038], older age (HR = 2.39, P < 0.001), and diabetes mellitus (HR = 1.76, P = 0.034) were risk factors for preoperative metachronous cancers. Heavy smoking (HR = 1.70, P = 0.014) and drinking (HR = 1.61, P = 0.029) were risk factors for synchronous cancers. NAC significantly reduced PMC incidence (P = 0.043). NAC showed a trend to contribute to improved survival via reduced deaths from PMCs, although this did not reach significance (P = 0.082).

Conclusions:

ESCC is associated with a high risk of MPCs. Continuing follow-up for PMCs after the completion of 5-year postoperative follow-up is important. NAC may reduce PMCs, representing a novel mechanism for improving survival in patients with locally advanced ESCC.
A Prospective, Single-arm, Multicenter Trial of Diverting Stoma Followed by Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy Using mFOLFOX6 for Obstructive Colon Cancer
Authors: Ishibe Atsushi , Watanabe Jun , Suwa Yusuke , Nakagawa Kazuya , Suwa Hirokazu , Misumi Toshihiro , Ota Mitsuyoshi , Endo Itaru
Published: September 2020

Objective:

We conducted the first prospective clinical trial of neoadjuvant chemotherapy for patients with obstructive colon cancer.

Background:

Obstructive colorectal cancer is locally advanced colorectal cancer with a poor prognosis. The effect of neoadjuvant chemotherapy for obstructive colon cancer is unclear.

Methods:

We conducted a single arm, multicenter trial involving patients from the Yokohama Clinical Oncology Group with obstructive colon cancer. All eligible patients underwent diverting stoma formation before neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Patient received 6 cycles of mFOLFOX6 followed by primary tumor surgery and then 6 cycles of adjuvant chemotherapy. The primary endpoint was the objective response rate of all intended neoadjuvant therapy. The study was registered with the Japanese Clinical Trials Registry as UMIN000013198.

Results:

Between April 2014, and July 2016, 50 patients were registered, and 46 received neoadjuvant chemotherapy. The objective response rate as the primary endpoint was 67.4%. The most common grade >3 adverse event associated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy was neutropenia (28.3%). Forty-five patients underwent surgical resection of the primary lesion (R0 resection in all cases). Grade >2 surgery-related complications occurred in 7 patients (15.6%). The downstaging rate was 48.9%, and the moderate or greater regression rate was 52.2%; no cases showed pathological complete response. Adjuvant chemotherapy with mFOLFOX6 was performed in 34 patients (75.6%). The 3-year relapse-free and overall survival rates were 76.5% and 95.4%, respectively.

Conclusion:

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy using mFOLFOX6 was feasible and might be a treatment option for patients with obstructive colon cancer. Further large-scale studies are warranted to confirm the present findings.
The Role of Race and Gender in the Career Experiences of Black/African American Academic Surgeons
Authors: Crown Angelena , Berry Cherisse , Khabele Dineo , Fayanju Oluwadamilola M. , Cobb Adrienne , Backhus Leah , Smith Randi N. , Sweeting Raeshell , Hasson Rian M. , Johnson-Mann Crystal , Oseni Tawakalitu , Newman Erika A. , Turner Patricia , Karpeh Martin , Pugh Carla , Jordan Andrea Hayes , Henry-Tillman Ronda , Joseph Kathie-Ann
Published: September 2020

Objective:

To determine the role of race and gender in the career experience of Black/AA academic surgeons and to quantify the prevalence of experience with racial and gender bias stratified by gender.

Summary of Background Data:

Compared to their male counterparts, Black/African American women remain significantly underrepresented among senior surgical faculty and department leadership. The impact of racial and gender bias on the academic and professional trajectory of Black/AA women surgeons has not been well-studied.

Methods:

A cross-sectional survey regarding demographics, employment, and perceived barriers to career advancement was distributed via email to faculty surgeon members of the Society of Black American Surgeons (SBAS) in September 2019.

Results:

Of 181 faculty members, 53 responded (29%), including 31 women (58%) and 22 men (42%). Academic positions as a first job were common (men 95% vs women 77%, P = 0.06). Men were more likely to attain the rank of full professor (men 41% vs women 7%, P = 0.01). Reports of racial bias in the workplace were similar (women 84% vs men 86%, not significant); however, reports of gender bias (women 97% vs men 27%, P < 0.001) and perception of salary inequities (women 89% vs 63%, P = 0.02) were more common among women.

Conclusions and Relevance:

Despite efforts to increase diversity, high rates of racial bias persist in the workplace. Black/AA women also report experiencing a high rate of gender bias and challenges in academic promotion.
Arduino-based lab equipment: building a multipurpose pressure transducer device
Authors: Di Domenico Stefano
Published: September 2020

Background

Lab equipments could be expensive and their cost can be unsustainable for scientist with limited financial resources. In order to overcome these impediments and to improve our experimental studies on liver resection in rat, a multipurpose pressure measurement device was project and realized using low cost components.

Materials and Methods

The device is based on an Arduino board, an easy-to-use and open-source microcontroller, that receives analog inputs from an instrumental amplifier connected to a disposable pressure traducer. The analogic inputs are converted to digital values and an LCD can visualize the pressure values calculated from the digital inputs. Programs has been written using C++ within the Arduino IDE, while the pressure data has been recorded on PC using data-logging freeware. Calibration has been performed using a water column as standard. Measure agreement was studied by comparing this device with a water column and with a standard clinical monitoring system.

Results

The final device it is handy and portable, it costs less the 20 euros and both the hardware and the software are easy modifiable. Calibration procedures resulted in reliable measurements as showed by the Bland-Altman measure agreement analysis.

Discussion and conclusion

The final device meets the goals of the original project and offers pressure measurements that are enough accurate for our studies on liver regeneration.

In a wider contest the present article shows the potentiality of the open-source-hardware movement to increase the opportunities for scientists and educators.
BRD4-mediated repression of p53 is a target for combination therapy in AML
Authors: Latif Anne-Louise , Newcombe Ashley , Li Sha , Gilroy Kathryn , Robertson Neil , Lei Xue , Stewart Helen , Cole John , Terradas Maria Terradas , Rishi Loveena , McGarry Lynn , McKeeve Claire , Reid Claire , Clark William , Campos Joana , Kirschner Kristina , Davis Andrew , Lopez Jonathan , Sakamaki Jun-Ichi , Morton Jennifer , Ryan Kevin M. , Tait Stephen , Abraham Sheela , Holyoake Tessa , Higgins Brian , Huang Xu , Blyth Karen , Copland Mhairi , Chevassut Tim , Keeshan Karen , Adams Peter D.
Published: September 2020

Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) is a typically-lethal molecularly heterogeneous disease, with few broad-spectrum therapeutic targets. Unusually, most AML retain wild-typeTP53, encoding the pro-apoptotic tumor suppressor p53. MDM2 inhibitors (MDM2i), which activate wild-type p53, and BET inhibitors (BETi), targeting the BET-family co-activator BRD4, both show encouraging pre-clinical activity, but limited clinical activity as single agents. Here, we report synergistic toxicity of combined MDM2i and BETi towards AML cell lines, primary human blasts and mouse models, resulting from BETi’s ability to evict an unexpected repressive form of BRD4 from p53 target genes, and hence potentiate MDM2i-induced p53 activation. These results indicate that wild-typeTP53and a transcriptional repressor function of BRD4 together represent a potential broad-spectrum synthetic therapeutic vulnerability for AML.
Morphological Integration and Modularity in the Hyperkinetic Feeding System of Aquatic-foraging Snakes
Authors: Rhoda Daniel , Polly P. David , Raxworthy Christopher , Segall Marion
Published: September 2020

The kinetic skull is a key innovation that allowed snakes to capture, manipulate, and swallow prey exclusively using their heads using the coordinated movement of 8 bones. Despite these unique feeding behaviors, patterns of evolutionary integration and modularity within the feeding bones of snakes in a phylogenetic framework have yet to be addressed. Here, we use a dataset of 60 µCT scanned skulls and high-density geometric morphometric methods to address the origin and patterns of variation and integration in the feeding bones of aquatic-foraging snakes. By comparing alternate superimposition protocols allowing us to analyze the entire kinetic feeding system simultaneously, we find that the feeding bones are highly integrated, driven predominantly by functional selective pressures. The most supported pattern of modularity contains four modules each associated with distinct functional roles: the mandible, the palatopterygoid arch, the maxilla, and the suspensorium. Further, the morphological disparity of each bone is not linked to its magnitude of integration, indicating that integration within the feeding system does not constrain morphological evolution and that adequate biomechanical solutions to a wide range of feeding ecologies and behaviors is readily evolvable within the constraint due to integration in the snake feeding system.
Towards cryogenic neutron crystallography on the reduced form of [NiFe]-hydrogenase
Authors: Hiromoto Takeshi , Nishikawa Koji , Inoue Seiya , Matsuura Hiroaki , Hirano Yu , Kurihara Kazuo , Kusaka Katsuhiro , Cuneo Matthew , Coates Leighton , Tamada Taro , Higuchi Yoshiki
Published: September 2020

A membrane-bound hydrogenase fromDesulfovibrio vulgarisMiyazaki F is a metalloenzyme that contains a binuclear Ni–Fe complex in its active site and mainly catalyzes the oxidation of molecular hydrogen to generate a proton gradient in the bacterium. The active-site Ni–Fe complex of the aerobically purified enzyme shows its inactive oxidized form, which can be reactivated through reduction by hydrogen. Here, in order to understand how the oxidized form is reactivated by hydrogen and further to directly evaluate the bridging of a hydride ligand in the reduced form of the Ni–Fe complex, a neutron structure determination was undertaken on single crystals grown in a hydrogen atmosphere. Cryogenic crystallography is being introduced into the neutron diffraction research field as it enables the trapping of short-lived intermediates and the collection of diffraction data to higher resolution. To optimize the cooling of large crystals under anaerobic conditions, the effects on crystal quality were evaluated by X-rays using two typical methods, the use of a cold nitrogen-gas stream and plunge-cooling into liquid nitrogen, and the former was found to be more effective in cooling the crystals uniformly than the latter. Neutron diffraction data for the reactivated enzyme were collected at the Japan Photon Accelerator Research Complex under cryogenic conditions, where the crystal diffracted to a resolution of 2.0 Å. A neutron diffraction experiment on the reduced form was carried out at Oak Ridge National Laboratory under cryogenic conditions and showed diffraction peaks to a resolution of 2.4 Å.
Online service or virtual community? Building platform loyalty in reward-based crowdfunding
Authors: Ryu Sunghan , Suh Ayoung
Published: September 2020

Purpose

This study examines how individual contributors' evaluation of the two aspects in reward-based crowdfunding—service and community—influences the formation of platform loyalty. It also seeks to determine the conditions under which the evaluation is positive.

Design/methodology/approach

We collaborated for data collection with two reward-based crowdfunding platforms in South Korea that primarily promote crowdfunding campaigns in the creative domains. We combined the survey data collected from 578 contributors and campaign data from the platforms, empirically examining the formation of platform loyalty and its antecedents.

Findings

The results suggest that service satisfaction with a platform and a sense of belonging to it are positively associated with platform loyalty. We also found that an individual contributor's self-image congruence with the crowdfunding platform is positively associated with service satisfaction and a sense of belonging, while the experience of greater campaign success moderates the relationship in different ways.

Research limitations/implications

This study contributes to the crowdfunding literature by establishing a theoretical background for understanding reward-based crowdfunding platforms, which combine service and community. It also extends the scope of the literature on crowdfunding by examining the role of platform loyalty at the platform level.

Practical implications

The results suggest that service and community are both critical for building a sustainable crowdfunding platform. Platform operators are expected to provide high-quality services and foster a sense of community. Identifying and developing contributors with higher self-image congruence with the platforms is essential.

Originality/value

While previous literature on reward-based crowdfunding has focused on individual contributor- and campaign-level analyses, platform-level knowledge is lacking. This study is among the first to focus on platform loyalty of individual contributors toward reward-based crowdfunding platforms. Moreover, we use both individual-level perception and campaign-level performance variables to examine the formation of platform loyalty.
The impact of employee participation in online innovation communities on idea quality
Authors: Yu Jing , Liu Chen
Published: September 2020

Purpose

Online user innovation community (OUIC) has become a vital source for enterprises to obtain user innovation ideas and interact with users in new product development. However, most studies only focus on the relationship between users and ideas, often ignoring the influence of employees in the innovation platform. The purpose of this study is to explore the impact of employee behaviors on idea quality in OUIC.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, the authors collected sample data of open user innovation community – Idea Exchange – and then, the authors examined the direct roles of employee’s idea generation behaviors and idea promotion behaviors on idea quality and the moderating roles of social networks position and enthusiasm by using binary logistic regression model.

Findings

Results indicated that employee’s idea generation behaviors and idea promotion behaviors have a positive influence on users’ idea quality. Also, the social network position and characteristics show the moderation effect of employee behavior and idea quality.

Originality/value

This study is different from prior studies because it emphasizes the role of employees in the open source platform. The findings suggest that enterprises and platform managers pay more attention to the impact of employees and improve the quality of ideas and promote the development of OUIC.
The mediating role of trust in leader in the relations of ethical leadership and distributive justice on internal whistleblowing: a study on Turkish banking sector
Authors: Alpkan Lütfihak , Karabay Melisa , Şener İrge , Elçi Meral , Yıldız Bora
Published: September 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explain the effect of perceived ethical leadership and perceived distributive justice on internal whistleblowing intention through trust in leader as a mediator.

Design/methodology/approach

Following an empirical design, data were collected from 1,296 employees of Turkish financial institutions, located in Istanbul. To test four hypotheses structural equation modelling was applied.

Findings

Results reveal that trust in a leader fully mediates the positive effects of both ethical leadership and distributive justice on the internal whistleblowing intention.

Originality/value

This study enhances the understanding of the ethical leadership perception and distributive justice affecting the internal whistleblowing intention in Turkey that is a developing country. Although numerous studies on whistleblowing have been conducted, this study’s originality and contribution lay in the examination of trust in the leader as a missing link between the direct relations.
Pan‐genome study of Thermococcales reveals extensive genetic diversity and genetic evidence of thermophilic adaption
Authors: Zhong Chaofang , Wang Lusheng , Ning Kang
Published: September 2020

Thermococcales has a strong adaptability to extreme environments, which is of profound interest in explaining how complex life forms emerge on earth. However, their gene composition, thermal stability and evolution in hyperthermal environments are still little known. Here, we characterized the pan‐genome architecture of 30 Thermococcales species to gain insight into their genetic properties, evolutionary patterns and specific metabolisms adapted to niches. We revealed an open pan‐genome of Thermococcales comprising 6070 gene families that tend to increase with the availability of additional genomes. The genome contents of Thermococcales were flexible, with a series of genes experienced gene duplication, progressive divergence, or gene gain and loss events exhibiting distinct functional features. These archaea had concise types of heat shock proteins, such as HSP20, HSP60 and prefoldin, which were constrained by strong purifying selection that governed their conservative evolution. Furthermore, purifying selection forced genes involved in enzyme, motility, secretion system, defence system and chaperones to differ in functional constraints and their disparity in the rate of evolution may be related to adaptation to specific niche. These results deepened our understanding of genetic diversity and adaptation patterns of Thermococcales, and provided valuable research models for studying the metabolic traits of early life forms.
The direct and indirect risk impacts on remittances: A cross‐regional specific effects
Authors: Sridi Dorsaf , Guetat Imene
Published: September 2020

The main purpose of this paper is to study determinants of workers’ remittances especially the impact of country risk based on a regional comparison of 121 countries subdivided into six areas over the period 1984–2015. We consider possible direct and indirect effects of different risk indexes. We particularly focus on the comparison of the regional effect of economic, political, and financial risks on remittances. To capture these effects, region‐specific variables are introduced. The results show that remittances are more influenced by the risk indexes than other macroeconomic variables. Regional comparison indicates that remittance inflows are more sensitive to the different risks in the MENA region compared to other world regions. The financial risk is highlighted to have the largest impact on remittances in this region.
Understanding and Illustrating the Influence of the Cult of St Chad of Lichfield
Authors: STYLER IAN
Published: September 2020

Modern‐day activity relating to the veneration of the Anglo‐Saxon saint Chad is concentrated on two sites: the cathedral at Lichfield where he was buried in 672, and the cathedral in Birmingham which has housed his relics since the middle of the nineteenth century. The geographical extent to which his cult spread in the 800 years between his death and the dispersal of his relics at the time of the Reformation have not, however, been explored in any detail. This article collates a range of evidence types that exist for the saint, including the hagiographic texts of his life, material culture from archaeological excavations and extant buildings, parish church dedications, and place‐name evidence. This evidence base is used to build up a comprehensive picture of Chad's influence from the time Bede described his life and death in his Ecclesiastical History until the Reformation, highlighting significant periods in the shrine's history. The use of GIS techniques to record, analyse and illustrate the range of evidence types allows the patterns and distributions and their significance to be demonstrated cartographically, thus revealing the reach of Chad's cult throughout the Middle Ages.
Relational immunity? Examining relationship as crisis shield
Authors: Smith Brian G. , Krishna Arunima , Smith Staci B.
Published: September 2020

This study examined the influence of a crisis on relational perceptions and the role of an empathetic response from stakeholders by investigating students’ perceptions of their relationship with a university following an on‐campus shooting. Findings show that despite the generally positive relationship, the university maintains with its students, the crisis had a negative impact on the students’ perceptions of their relationship with the university. Furthermore, results show how emotions, especially empathy, about an organization in a crisis situation can influence stakeholder relationships. This research helps provide nuance to the extant scholarship on crisis and emotions by introducing stakeholder empathy as a theoretical construct. Results also demonstrate that crisis managers who invest in relationship building before a crisis may elicit empathy more than blame in a crisis and may emerge with less relational damage.
Extending the window for thrombolysis for treatment of acute ischaemic stroke during pregnancy: a review
Authors: Dinehart E , Leon Guerrero C , Pham A , Chandra S , Petersen SM , Bathgate S , Ahmadzia H
Published: September 2020

Historically, safety of intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (IV rt‐PA) for the treatment of acute ischaemic stroke (AIS) is limited to use within 4.5 hours from symptom onset. Recent studies suggest the treatment window may be extended when patients have salvageable brain tissue on advanced neuroimaging. This paper describes a novel use of IV rt‐PA for treatment of AIS in a pregnant patient within an extended‐time window (>4.5 hours, and <9 hours) based on advanced neuroimaging with a favourable outcome.

Tweetable abstract

Novel use of IV rt‐PA for treatment of AIS in pregnancy within an extended‐time window based on advanced imaging with a favourable outcome.
Forensic Footwear Reliability: Part II—Range of Conclusions, Accuracy, and Consensus*
Authors: Richetelli Nicole , Hammer Lesley , Speir Jacqueline A.
Published: September 2020

Between February 2017 and August 2018, West Virginia University conducted a reliability study to determine expert performance among forensic footwear examiners in the United States. Throughout the study’s duration, 70 examiners each performed 12 comparisons and reported a total of 840 conclusions. In order to assess the accuracy of conclusions, the similarities and differences between mated and nonmated pairs were evaluated according to three criteria: (i) inherent agreement/disagreement in class, wear, and randomly acquired features, (ii) limitations as a function of questioned impression quality, clarity, and totality, and (iii) adherence to the Scientific Working Group for Shoeprint and Tire Tread Evidence (SWGTREAD) 2013 conclusion standard. Using these criteria, acceptable/expected categorical conclusions were defined. Preliminary results from this study are divided into a series of three summaries. This manuscript (Part II) reports accuracy and reproducibility. For mated pairs, accuracy equals 76.3% ± 13.0% (median of 78.6% and a 90% confidence interval between 72.2% and 80.0%). For nonmated pairs, accuracy equals 87.4% ± 9.24% (median of 91.4% and a 90% confidence interval between 84.7% and 89.8%). In addition, the community assessed agreement (denoted by IQR) of reported results equals the research team's accepted/expected conclusions for 10 out of 12 comparisons. In terms of reproducibility, the 90% confidence interval for consensus was computed and found to equal 0.71–0.86 (median of 0.77) for the combined dataset. Although based on a limited sample size, these results provide a baseline estimate of accuracy and consensus/reproducibility as a function of the existing seven‐point SWGTREAD 2013 conclusion standard.