bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessing the impact of diabetes on quality of life: what have the past 25 years taught us?
Authors: Speight J. , Holmes‐Truscott E. , Hendrieckx C. , Skovlund S. , Cooke D.
Published: December 2019

Over the past 25 years, there has been significant acknowledgement of the importance of assessing the impact of diabetes on quality of life. Yet, despite the development of several diabetes‐specific quality of life measures, the challenges we faced in 1995 remain. There is little consensus on the definition of quality of life because of the complexity and subjectivity of the concept. General quality of life comprises several domains of life, and these are highly individualized. Assessing the impact of diabetes on these life domains adds to the complexity. While comprehensive diabetes‐specific quality‐of‐life measures typically increase respondent burden, brief questionnaires may not capture all relevant/important domains. Today, the lack of resolution of these challenges may explain why the impact of diabetes on quality of life is not systematically assessed in research or clinical care. Few researchers report detailed rationales for assessment, there is often a mismatch between the concept of interest and the measure selected, and data are misinterpreted as assessing the impact of diabetes on quality of life when, in reality, related but distinct constructs have been assessed, such as diabetes distress, treatment satisfaction or health status. While significant efforts are being made to increase routine monitoring of psychological well‐being and understand the lived experience, no guidelines currently recommend routine clinical assessment of diabetes‐specific quality of life, and there is no consensus on which questionnaire(s) to use. The gaps identified in this review need urgent attention, starting with recognition that assessment of diabetes‐specific quality of life is as important as biomedical markers, if we are to improve the lives of people with diabetes.
25 Years of psychological research investigating disordered eating in people with diabetes: what have we learnt?
Authors: Broadley M. M. , Zaremba N. , Andrew B. , Ismail K. , Treasure J. , White M. J. , Stadler M.
Published: December 2019

Disordered eating is a serious and under‐recognized problem in people with diabetes. This narrative review summarizes the research contributions made by psychological science over the past 25 years to the study of disordered eating in people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes, and identifies gaps and future directions relevant to both healthcare professionals and researchers. Key focus areas of psychological research investigating disordered eating in people with diabetes have been: (1) defining and classifying types of disordered eating; (2) identifying demographic, diabetes‐specific and psychosocial correlates of disordered eating, and developing theoretical models of disordered eating in people with type 1 diabetes; (3) identifying the physical and psychosocial consequences of disordered eating; and (4) developing screening measures to identify disordered eating in people with type 1 diabetes. Psychological science has made significant contributions over the past 25 years to our understanding of the nature of this problem and the multiple factors which may interrelate with disordered eating in people with diabetes. Key areas for further attention include: (1) a better definition of disordered eating subtypes in people with type 1 diabetes; (2) characterizing disordered eating in people with type 2 diabetes; and (3) developing multidisciplinary, evidence‐based prevention and treatment interventions for comorbid disordered eating and diabetes.
Apold1 deficiency associates with increased arterial thrombosis in vivo
Authors: Diaz‐Cañestro Candela , Bonetti Nicole R. , Wüst Patricia , Nageswaran Vanasa , Liberale Luca , Beer Jürg H. , Montecucco Fabrizio , Lüscher Thomas F. , Bohacek Johannes , Camici Giovanni G.
Published: December 2019

Background

Endothelial cells regulate the formation of blood clots; thus, genes selectively expressed in these cells could primarily determine thrombus formation. Apold1 (apolipoprotein L domain containing 1) is a gene expressed by endothelial cells; whether Apold1 directly contributes to arterial thrombosis has not yet been investigated. Here, we assessed the effect of Apold1 deletion on arterial thrombus formation using an in vivo model of carotid thrombosis induced by photochemical injury.

Material and methods

Apold1 knockout (Apold1−/−) mice and wild‐type (WT) littermates underwent carotid thrombosis induced by photochemical injury, and time to occlusion was recorded. Tissue factor (TF) activity and activation of mitogen‐activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and phosphatidyl‐inositol‐3 kinase (PI3K)/Akt pathways were analysed by colorimetric assay and Western blotting in both Apold1−/− and WT mice. Finally, platelet reactivity was assessed using light transmission aggregometry.

Results

After photochemical injury, Apold1−/− mice exhibited shorter time to occlusion as compared to WT mice. Moreover, TF activity was increased in carotid arteries of Apold1−/− when compared to WT mice. Underlying mechanistic markers such as TF mRNA and MAPKs activation were unaffected in Apold1−/− mice. In contrast, phosphorylation of Akt was reduced in Apold1−/− as compared to WT mice. Additionally, Apold1−/− mice displayed increased platelet reactivity to stimulation with collagen compared with WT animals.

Conclusions

Deficiency of Apold1 results in a prothrombotic phenotype, accompanied by increased vascular TF activity, decreased PI3K/Akt activation and increased platelet reactivity. These findings suggest Apold1 as an interesting new therapeutic target in the context of arterial thrombosis.
Multitrophic interactions drive body size variations in seed‐feeding insects
Authors: Oliveira Tamires C. T. de , Monteiro Angelo B. , Morales‐Silva Tiago , Maia Laís F. , Faria Lucas D. B.
Published: December 2019

1. The intensity of community interactions and the structure of food webs can be associated with an organism's body size. However, little is known about how interactions among species in multitrophic communities determine the body size of individuals exploiting the same resource.

2. This study evaluates the effects of resource size, fruit infestation, and parasitism on tibia length, a proxy measure of body size, of insects exploiting the same resource. The three most abundant seed‐feeding species of Senegalia tenuifolia (Fabaceae: Mimosoideae) were selected, and the relationship between their tibia length and the interactions within the food web was estimated. The selected species were the beetles Merobruchus terani and Stator maculatopygus, and the braconid wasp Allorhogas vulgaris.

3. The body sizes of 531 specimens were measured and it was found that tibia length of each species responded differently to the interactions, demonstrating that functionally similar species may respond differently to multitrophic effects. The body size of Merobruchus terani, the most abundant species in the food web, was negatively affected by the presence of A. vulgaris, but there was a positive relationship with seed biomass and its own abundance in the fruits. The other two species were less abundant and more plastic in their responses, as a strong negative effect of M. terani presence on A. vulgaris body size was observed, as well as a strong negative effect of Coleoptera parasitism rate on S. maculatopygus body size.

4. It is concluded that morphological traits can provide information on how interactions affect species body size.
A new clustering method based on the bio‐inspired cuttlefish optimization algorithm
Authors: Eesa Adel Sabry , Orman Zeynep
Published: December 2019

Most of the well‐known clustering methods based on distance measures, distance metrics and similarity functions have the main problem of getting stuck in the local optima and their performance strongly depends on the initial values of the cluster centers. This paper presents a new approach to enhance the clustering problems with the bio‐inspired Cuttlefish Algorithm (CFA) by searching the best cluster centers that can minimize the clustering metrics. Various UCI Machine Learning Repository datasets are used to test and evaluate the performance of the proposed method. For the sake of comparison, we have also analysed several algorithms such as K‐means, Genetic Algorithm and the Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) Algorithm. The simulations and obtained results demonstrate that the performance of the proposed CFA‐Clustering method is superior to the other counterpart algorithms in most cases. Therefore, the CFA can be considered as an alternative stochastic method to solve clustering problems.
Management Strategies for Pain Associated with Arteriovenous Fistula Cannulation: An Integrative Literature Review
Authors: Alzaatreh Mohammad Y. , Abdalrahim Maysoon S.
Published: December 2019

Patients on maintenance hemodialysis are subjected to mild‐to‐moderate pain associated with arteriovenous fistula needle insertion. This pain might adversely affect patient compliance with dialysis and quality of life. The aim of this study was to evaluate published research studies on management strategies for pain associated with fistula needle insertion. A review of 35 studies from well‐known databases such as CINAHL, ProQuest, and PubMed was conducted. Three strategies of cannulation pain management were found to have been tried: specific cannulation techniques; use of alternative complementary therapies; and use of local anesthetic agents.
Gingival tissue human beta‐defensin levels in relation to infection and inflammation
Authors: Özdemir Meltem , Caglayan Feriha , Bikker Floris J. , Pussinen Pirkko , Könönen Eija , Yamalik Nermin , Gürsoy Mervi , Fteita Dareen , Nazmi Kamran , Güncü Güliz N. , Pietiäinen Milla , Tolvanen Mimmi , Gürsoy Ulvi Kahraman
Published: December 2019

Aim

To profile gingival tissue levels of human beta‐defensin (hBD)‐2 and hBD‐3 in relation to gingival inflammation, Th17‐related cytokine concentrations, Porphyromonas gingivalis counts, and gingipain and total protease activities.

Materials and Methods

Gingival tissue and subgingival plaque samples were collected from 21 periodontitis patients including 48 periodontal pocket sites with marginal, mild, or moderate to severe inflammation. hBD levels were determined by immunodetection, P. gingivalis counts with real‐time polymerase chain reaction, protease activities with fluorogenic substrates, and cytokine concentrations with Luminex technique. Data were statistically analysed using Kruskal–Wallis and Mann–Whitney U tests and Spearman correlation coefficients.

Results

Subgingival plaque counts of P. gingivalis (p = .001) and gingipain activity (p < .001), as well as interleukin (IL)‐1β (p = .012), IL‐10 (p = .024), IL‐17A (p = .002), IL‐17F (p = .006), and IL‐23 (p = .036) concentrations were elevated in severely inflamed sites, whereas no change was observed in hBD‐2 and hBD‐3 levels. Negative correlations were found between protease activity and hBD‐2 (p = .033) and hBD‐3(p = .003) levels.

Conclusions

Shift in gingival inflammation from marginal to mild stage is related to elevations in subgingival plaque P. gingivalis counts and gingipain activity, but not to tissue hBD levels. Negative correlations between hBDs and total protease activity suggest the degradation of these antimicrobial peptides in progressed inflammation.
Influence of smoking on periodontal healing one year after active treatment
Authors: Naji Aorra , Edman Kristina , Holmlund Anders
Published: December 2019

Objective

To investigate the impact of smoking on the reduction of pockets >4 mm deep and a composite variable of residual pockets >4 mm and bleeding on probing (BoP) after treatment.

Methods

Eligible after exclusion due to missing records were 3,535 individuals, referred for periodontal treatment between 1980 and 2015. The number of teeth (NT), probing pocket depth (PPD), proportion of plaque (PLI) and BoP were registered before treatment and 1 year after treatment. To analyse the impact of smoking on PPD reduction, a mixed model adjusted for age, sex, type of therapy, baseline PPD, reduction of PLI, BoP and NT was used. Depending on residual PPD and BoP, two categories were created: good and poor responders.

Results

PLI was reduced by 20% in non‐smokers and by 18% in smokers, and BoP by 46% and 37%, respectively. In the adjusted mixed model, the mean reduction of PPD > 4 mm among smokers undergoing surgery was 14.4 versus 9.7 in non‐smokers (p < .001). The odds ratio for being a poor responder was 2.40 (95% CI 1.99–2.91, p < .001) for smokers.

Conclusion

Although surgical treatment reduced PPD >4 mm in smokers more effectively than in non‐smokers, significantly more non‐smokers were good responders after periodontal therapy.
Psoriasis, cardiovascular risk factors and metabolic disorders: sex‐specific findings of a population‐based study
Authors: Sondermann W. , Djeudeu Deudjui D.A. , Körber A. , Slomiany U. , Brinker T.J. , Erbel R. , Moebus S.
Published: December 2019

Background

Scientific evidence suggests an association between psoriasis and cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. However, there are hardly any sex‐specific results from population‐based studies reporting the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in patients with psoriasis and point estimates of the association between psoriasis and cardiovascular and metabolic disorders.

Objective

Aims are to evaluate the sex‐specific prevalence of psoriasis and cardiovascular risk factors, and to estimate sex‐specific associations between psoriasis and diabetes type 2 (DM) and metabolic syndrome (MetS).

Methods

We used data of 3723 participants (45–75 years, 54.1% women) without coronary heart disease and missing data (psoriasis, DM, MetS) from the Heinz Nixdorf Recall study. Standardized information on health outcomes and risk factors was assessed. We performed descriptive statistics and multiple regression analyses to calculate prevalence rate ratios (PR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI).

Results

The prevalence of psoriasis was 3.8% (n = 143), with no differences between sex. We observed more often metabolic and cardiovascular risk factors in women with psoriasis compared to women without psoriasis. Interestingly, in men, this pattern was partly reversed. Multiple regression analyses revealed distinctly elevated PRs for DM for both women and men with psoriasis (fully adjusted PR: 2.43; 95% CI: 1.17–5.07, resp. 2.09; 1.16–3.76). Regarding the MetS, the results were inconsistent, showing a positive association between psoriasis and MetS in women (1.84; 1.14–2.98), but a negative association in men, even though with a wide 95% CI (0.69; 0.42–1.12).

Conclusion

The results of our cross‐sectional, population‐based analysis show a distinct association between psoriasis and DM, whereas for the MetS the results contrasted between men and women, translating in women with MetS showing a higher and in men a lower chance to be psoriatic. Our results emphasize the urgent need for sex‐specific research, studying the effects of psoriasis on metabolic disorders as well as effective sex tailored prevention measures.
Baseline patient‐reported outcomes from UNITE: an observational, international, multicentre registry to evaluate hidradenitis suppurativa in clinical practice
Authors: Kimball A.B. , Crowley J.J. , Papp K. , Calimlim B. , Duan Y. , Fleischer A.B. , Sobell J.
Published: December 2019

Background

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic, inflammatory, skin condition associated with many comorbidities and often has a substantial impact on patients’ lives.

Objectives

To evaluate symptom burden and health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) at baseline in patients with HS in an observational, real‐world, clinical setting using several tools including a validated HS‐specific instrument.

Methods

This study evaluated HRQoL data from the international UNITE HS disease registry. Administration of patient‐reported outcome (PRO) instruments and collection of data were executed per local regulations. All data were assessed using descriptive statistical methods.

Results

PRO data from 529 adults and 65 adolescents were evaluated. Most adults (64.5%) and adolescents (73.8%) were classified as Hurley Stage II with substantial disease burden at baseline. HS had a large effect (mean DLQI = 12.6) and moderate effect (mean CDLQI = 6.9) on the lives of adults and adolescents, respectively. Approximately 58% of adults and 41% of adolescents had anxiety scores beyond the normal range; 30% of adults and 16% of adolescents exhibited symptoms of depression. Based on HSSA and HSIA scores, approximately 30% of adults reported a substantial burden of multiple HS clinical symptoms and more than 45% reported a significant emotional impact of HS that adversely affected their intimate relationships. Only 60% of adults were employed and of those, 64% reported at least some degree of impairment while working because of HS.

Conclusions

Based on PROs collected from patients enrolled in the UNITE registry, a real‐world, clinical setting, HS has a significant negative impact on the everyday lives of patients affected by this disease.
“Harder Being Without the Baby”: Fathers' Coparenting Perspectives in Responsible Fatherhood Programming
Authors: Randles Jennifer
Published: December 2019

Objective

The objective of this study was to analyze how marginalized men's coparenting perspectives and experiences shaped their engagement with a responsible fatherhood program (RFP).

Background

Previous studies of fathers enrolled in RFPs found that their coparenting relationships have both positive and negative components and that program participation is associated with better coparenting communication. Yet men also report strained coparenting relationships as a primary barrier to paternal involvement. More exploratory research is needed to understand how fathers use RFPs to navigate coparenting challenges.

Method

In‐depth interviews and focus groups were conducted with a nonrandom sample of 64 low‐income fathers of color who participated in a federally funded RFP. Inductive coding techniques revealed how men used the program to manage complex and conflicted coparenting arrangements and to gain greater access to their children.

Results

The program helped fathers manage common coparenting challenges, including interpersonal conflict, mothers' perceived gatekeeping, and financial obstacles. They found support for forming closer relationships with children outside “package deal” understandings of fathering and for proving their paternal commitments amid severe economic constraints.

Conclusion

Fathers enrolled in an RFP primarily due to conflicted coparenting relationships exacerbated by poverty, unemployment, and homelessness. Program services helped them navigate the challenges of raising children with partners, exes, or coparents with whom they never had a romantic connection.

Implications

These findings reinforce the importance of addressing coparenting in RFPs. Messages and services should align with how fathers prioritize bonds with children and seek to prove their paternal commitments to coparents.
Historical continuity and spatial connectivity ensure hedgerows are effective corridors for forest plants: Evidence from the species–time–area relationship
Authors: Lenoir Jonathan , Decocq Guillaume , Spicher Fabien , Gallet‐Moron Emilie , Buridant Jérôme , Closset‐Kopp Déborah
Published: December 2019

Questions

Are hedgerows efficient corridors for forest‐dwelling species within agricultural landscapes? Do time and space interact synergistically to enhance forest plant species accumulation in hedgerows (i.e. the species–time–area relationship)? Does the distribution profile of forest herbs along hedgerows differ between specialist and generalist species?

Location

Agricultural landscapes in northern France.

Methods

We assembled a chronosequence of 99 dated (1725–2008) hedgerows, which were surveyed for forest plant species and a number of local‐proximal descriptors. A subset of 29 hedgerows were further sampled for species occurrence data in 5‐m segments. We used generalized linear models to test the interaction between time (hedgerow age) and space on species richness. Space was characterized by both habitat size (hedgerow length, width and height) and spatial connectedness: i.e. whether a hedgerow is attached to a woodland and how much woodland habitat is available in the surroundings. We used generalized linear mixed‐effects models to test whether the probability of occurrence of forest herbs along hedgerows differ between specialists and generalists.

Results

Hedgerow age and length interacted synergistically to increase forest plant species richness. Hedgerows attached to woodlands hosted systematically more species. Taller and wider hedgerows with a lower intensity of adjacent land uses hosted more forest plant species. Increasing the spatial connectedness of hedgerows had a positive effect on the probability of occurrence of dispersal‐limited forest specialists in the understorey, which was not the case for generalists.

Conclusion

As predicted by the species–time–area relationship, ancient and long hedgerows attached to woodlands host more species and are more effective corridors. Creating new hedgerows to connect isolated woodlands can be a suitable strategy to restore functional connectivity, but it will be effective only in the longer term. The conservation of the most ancient hedgerows within intensively managed agricultural landscapes, especially those attached to ancient woodlands, should therefore be a priority.
Systematic critical realist review of interventions designed to improve end‐of‐life care in care homes
Authors: Spacey Adam , Scammell Janet , Board Michele , Porter Sam
Published: December 2019

The demand for high‐quality end‐of‐life care is rising. Frequently evidenced concerns about the provision of end‐of‐life in care homes relate to inter‐disciplinary communication and engagement in advance care planning. A number of interventions employing different mechanisms have been designed to address these issues. Therefore, the aim of this systematic critical realist review was to describe and explain the effectiveness of interventions designed to improve end‐of‐life care in care homes. Electronic searches were conducted in ScienceDirect, MEDLINE, PubMed, PsychINFO, and CINAHL from January 2000 to August 2018. Forty one studies were included in the review. While most of the evidence identified in this review was not strong, there was evidence to suggest that education and inter‐professional collaboration can be effective intervention mechanisms for improving end‐of‐life care in care homes. High staff turnover was a significant contextual mechanism impacting on the sustainability of interventions. In terms of human agency, it is important to note a consistent finding related to the dedication and enthusiasm of care home staff who deliver end‐of‐life care.
Enriching footsteps sounds in gait rehabilitation in chronic stroke patients: a pilot study
Authors: Gomez‐Andres Alba , Grau‐Sánchez Jennifer , Duarte Esther , Rodriguez‐Fornells Antoni , Tajadura‐Jiménez Ana
Published: December 2019

In the context of neurorehabilitation, sound is being increasingly applied for facilitating sensorimotor learning. In this study, we aimed to test the potential value of auditory stimulation for improving gait in chronic stroke patients by inducing alterations of the frequency spectra of walking sounds via a sound system that selectively amplifies and equalizes the signal in order to produce distorted auditory feedback. Twenty‐two patients with lower extremity paresis were exposed to real‐time alterations of their footstep sounds while walking. Changes in body perception, emotion, and gait were quantified. Our results suggest that by altering footsteps sounds, several gait parameters can be modified in terms of left–right foot asymmetry. We observed that augmenting low‐frequency bands or amplifying the natural walking sounds led to a reduction in the asymmetry index of stance and stride times, whereas it inverted the asymmetry pattern in heel–ground exerted force. By contrast, augmenting high‐frequency bands led to opposite results. These gait changes might be related to updating of internal forward models, signaling the need for adjustment of the motor system to reduce the perceived discrepancies between predicted–actual sensory feedbacks. Our findings may have the potential to enhance gait awareness in stroke patients and other clinical conditions, supporting gait rehabilitation.
Persistent dentoalveolar pain disorder: A putative intraoral chronic overlapping pain condition
Authors: Herrero Babiloni Alberto , Nixdorf Donald R. , Moana‐Filho Estephan J.
Published: December 2019

Chronic overlapping pain conditions (COPCs) are conditions that share several clinical characteristics and symptomatology, are usually considered idiopathic in nature, and are frequently comorbid. Currently, there are no established inclusion criteria to determine which conditions should be included under this umbrella term despite different systems proposed. Persistent dentoalveolar pain disorder (PDAP), also referred to as atypical odontalgia and thought to be a component of persistent idiopathic facial pain, is a chronic pain condition that manifests as a persistent tooth pain or pain over a dentoalveolar site formerly occupied by a tooth in the absence of detectable pathology during clinical or radiological examination. PDAP is considered idiopathic in nature, and its pathophysiological mechanisms are not fully understood. Our objective was to investigate whether PDAP fits the conceptual paradigm of COPC given its characteristics and commonalities with other COPC, based on published literature identified through a scoping review. We found that PDAP fits 16 out of 18 common characteristics among COPCs, and based on this finding, we discuss the implications of PDAP being considered a COPC.
Quantitative trait loci mapping for flooding tolerance at an early growth stage of soybean recombinant inbred line population
Authors: Dhungana Sanjeev K. , Kim Hong‐Sik , Kang Beom‐Kyu , Seo Jeong‐Hyun , Kim Hyun‐Tae , Shin Sang‐Ouk , Park Chang‐Hwan , Kwak Do‐Yeon
Published: December 2019

Flooding stress causes a significant yield reduction in soybean. The early growth of soybean in Korea coincides with the rainy season, potentially exposing to flooding stress. Greenhouse experiments were conducted to map the quantitative trait loci (QTL) for flooding tolerance in soybean and to identify and investigate candidate genes near the QTL hot spots. Flood stress was imposed at V1–V2 stage on a recombinant inbred line population (‘Paldalkong’ × ‘NTS1116’), and leaf chlorophyll content (CC) and shoot dry weight (DW) were measured under control and flooded conditions. The genetic map was constructed using 180K Axiom® SoyaSNP markers. The QTL were analysed under control and flooded conditions as well as for index (ratio of CC or DW under flooded to control, CCI and DWI) and flooding tolerance index (FTI, mean of CCI and DWI). A total of 20 QTL with LOD scores 3.59–19.73 causing 5.8%–33.3% phenotypic variation were identified on nine chromosomes. Chromosomes 10, 12 and 13 harboured relatively more stable QTL. Results of this study could be useful to further understand the genetic basis of soybean's flooding tolerance and applied in breeding programmes.
Genetic analysis of late blight resistance in a new RIL population of tomato derived from LB‐resistant Solanum pimpinellifolium accession PI 270443
Authors: Jia Mengyuan , Foolad Majid R.
Published: December 2019

Late blight (LB), caused by Phytophthora infestans, is one of the most devastating diseases of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) worldwide. Aggressive pathogen isolates resistant to fungicides have driven research in favour of finding new sources of host resistance for tomato breeding. Recently, we reported S. pimpinellifolium accession PI 270443 exhibiting LB resistance stronger than all commercial LB‐resistant tomato cultivars. The purpose of this study was to examine the inheritance of LB resistance conferred by this accession. An interspecific cross was made between PI 270443 and a LB‐susceptible tomato breeding line and advanced to F10 generation. A total of 166 F9 and corresponding F10 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) were evaluated for response to LB in four replicated greenhouse experiments. Estimates of heritability (h2) of LB resistance, determined by parent–offspring (F9:F10) correlation analysis, ranged from 0.66 to 0.81, with an average of 0.76. The moderately high h2 of LB resistance in PI 270443 suggests the utility of this accession for tomato breeding. Molecular mapping and RNA‐sequencing efforts are underway to identify genes underlying LB resistance in PI 270443.
Comparative metabolomics implicates threitol as a fungal signal supporting colonization of Armillaria luteobubalina on eucalypt roots
Authors: Wong Johanna W.‐H. , Plett Krista L. , Natera Siria H.A. , Roessner Ute , Anderson Ian C. , Plett Jonathan M.
Published: December 2019

Armillaria root rot is a fungal disease that affects a wide range of trees and crops around the world. Despite being a widespread disease, little is known about the plant molecular responses towards the pathogenic fungi at the early phase of their interaction. With recent research highlighting the vital roles of metabolites in plant root–microbe interactions, we sought to explore the presymbiotic metabolite responses of Eucalyptus grandis seedlings towards Armillaria luteobuablina, a necrotrophic pathogen native to Australia. Using a metabolite profiling approach, we have identified threitol as one of the key metabolite responses in E. grandis root tips specific to A. luteobubalina that were not induced by three other species of soil‐borne microbes of different lifestyle strategies (a mutualist, a commensalist, and a hemi‐biotrophic pathogen). Using isotope labelling, threitol detected in the Armillaria‐treated root tips was found to be largely derived from the fungal pathogen. Exogenous application of d‐threitol promoted microbial colonization of E. grandis and triggered hormonal responses in root cells. Together, our results support a role of threitol as an important metabolite signal during eucalypt‐Armillaria interaction prior to infection thus advancing our mechanistic understanding on the earliest stage of Armillaria disease development.

Comparative metabolomics of eucalypt roots interacting with a range of fungal lifestyles identified threitol enrichment as a specific characteristic of Armillaria pathogenesis. Our findings suggest that threitol acts as one of the earliest fungal signals promoting Armillaria colonization of roots.
Primary cutaneous alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma in an adolescent – A challenging diagnosis
Authors: Calvão Joana , Cardoso José Carlos , Ramos Leonor , Figueiredo Américo
Published: December 2019

Primary cutaneous alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma is an extremely rare and highly aggressive soft tissue sarcoma that predominantly arises on the extremities and perineum of adolescents and young adults. Dermatologists should be aware of these tumors in order to promptly make the diagnosis and initiate treatment.
A retrospective study on the diagnosis and treatment of dementia in patients referred to the Sagamihara Municipal Medical Center for Dementia for consultation
Authors: Kyou Yoshitaka , Oishi Satoru , Takizawa Takeya , Suzuki Ryutaro , Nakamura Nana , Arai Hisatoshi , Miyaoka Hitoshi
Published: December 2019

Aim

In Japan, the Orange Plan was formulated in 2013 to promote community‐based integrated care systems, and in 2015, it was revised as the New Orange Plan. Since the introduction of these programmes, adequate research has not been carried out on how these measures affect regional dementia care. The aim of this study was to investigate the state of community‐based dementia treatment through a survey of medical consultation pathways, including dementia diagnosis, at the Sagamihara Municipal Medical Center for Dementia.

Methods

The participants included 1480 patients (585 men, 895 women) who presented for consultation at the Sagamihara Municipal Medical Center for Dementia for a differential diagnosis or treatment of dementia. The relationship between the path leading to medical consultation before pharmacotherapy and post‐consultation diagnosis was investigated.

Results

Significantly more participants who presented for consultation without a referral were not diagnosed with dementia than diagnosed. Furthermore, among participants referred from a non‐psychiatric clinic, significantly more patients were diagnosed with dementia than not. A significant difference was observed in a comparison of facility types and the use or non‐use of anti‐dementia drugs. Notably, the rate of anti‐dementia drug prescriptions was significantly higher in psychiatric hospitals and non‐psychiatric clinics. Furthermore, it is possible that approximately 30% of anti‐dementia drugs prescribed at each facility were not covered by insurance.

Conclusion

Community‐based integrated care systems aim to promote collaboration within each region aimed. However, appropriate pharmacotherapy methods for dementia patients have not been adequately communicated to non‐specialist physicians and local residents. For this reason, human resource solutions are needed to help medical staff deepen their understanding of dementia so that they can better provide dementia support to patients.
Restoration of degraded lands through bioenergy plantations
Authors: Singh Saurabh , Jaiswal Durgesh Kumar , Krishna Ram , Mukherjee Arpan , Verma Jay Prakash
Published: December 2019

Land degradation has become a worldwide problem. Increasing population, the conversion of forest land into cropland, and its gradual degradation due to unsustainable agricultural practices have led to this prevailing scenario. Unsustainable agriculture practices like use of chemical fertilizers for increasing crop productivity (recorded 281.75 lakh tonnes in the year 2010–2011) also leads to degradation of land. A total of 4.1 million hectares of culturable wasteland was recorded in the same year. Also, crude oil consumption is increasing at a rate of 1.7% which prompts for massive input of crude oil. Thus, biofuel plantations have recently attracted a lot of attention because of several advantages that they present. The genetically engineered bioenergy crops can help in land restoration by increasing the soil fertility, growing in stress conditions, and they also lead to the production of fuels through their various parts. The use of genetically engineered bioenergy crops will not only help in the prevention of degraded land but also yield biofuel as a product and enhance soil fertility and health for further sustainable agricultural practices.
Regulation and the connectedness of insurers to the banking sector: International evidence
Authors: Niehaus Greg , Rauch Jannes , Wende Sabine
Published: December 2019

Using variation across countries and time in the degree to which regulations restrict banks and insurers from engaging in the same activities, we find that property/liability insurers' connectedness to the banking sector declines when regulatory restrictions increase, but life insurers' connectedness to banks does not. The results suggest that the connectedness between life insurers and banks is largely due to these institutions sharing common underlying economic and financial risk factors that exist even when regulation restricts these institutions from engaging in each other's activities.
Intra‐household bargaining power and household expenditure allocation: Evidence from Iran
Authors: Basu Bharati , Maitra Pushkar
Published: December 2019

This article examines the role of intra‐household bargaining power on household expenditure patterns in Iran to see whether women’s empowerment can achieve similar results in Iran as we have seen it achieve in other countries of the world. This study is insightful because it tells us whether Iranian women, who have experienced both economic and noneconomic constraints over many years, can utilize increased power toward economic development. The bargaining power is measured by the sex ratio in the marriage market. Using the Household Income and Expenditure Survey in Iran, we find that greater bargaining power of women contributes significantly toward greater provision of education and health expenditure within the household, creating a potential for an increase in welfare for the next generation.
Parents’ perspective on their responsibilities with regard to adolescents’ use of alcohol
Authors: Mynttinen Mari , Pietilä Anna‐Maija , Kangasniemi Mari
Published: December 2019

Background

Parents have responsibilities when their adolescent offspring use alcohol, but little is known about their views on the topic. This knowledge would help healthcare organisations to develop practices to help parents meet their responsibilities.

Aim

The aim of this study was to describe parents’ perceptions and experiences of their responsibilities and what support they needed to tackle underage drinking.

Design and methods

This Finnish study was carried out in 2017. It used a qualitative descriptive method that involved carrying out semi‐structured interviews with 20 parents of adolescents aged 14–15 years. The data were analysed using inductive content analysis.

Results

Parents described that it was their responsibility to prevent problems that could have a negative impact on their adolescents’ well‐being. When it came to their responsibilities with regard to adolescents using alcohol, parents saw these as guiding and protecting their child, being aware of how parents used alcohol themselves, the way they communicated with adolescents and the rules they set about experimenting with alcohol. Parents said that receiving collaborative support from peers, community and professionals working in health and social care services would be useful. This could help them to prevent adolescents using alcohol, tackle problems that occurred when adolescents drank and enable parents to play a responsible role in their local community.

Conclusion

Parents recognised that they had responsibilities to prevent alcohol having a negative impact on adolescents’ well‐being. They wanted to ensure that adolescents made sensible and responsible decisions when it came to using alcohol. Parents described that the most important form of support was peer support from other parents. The findings of this study can be used to inform the development of preventive healthcare services and support parents to meet their responsibilities with regard to tackling underage drinking.
Standing low‐field MRI of the equine proximal metacarpal/metatarsal region is considered useful for diagnosing primary bone pathology and makes a positive contribution to case management: A prospective survey study
Authors: Labens Raphael , Schramme Michael C. , Murray Rachel C. , Bolas Nick
Published: December 2019

High‐field MRI of the proximal metacarpal/metatarsal region has been associated with great diagnostic potential and clinical reports of standing low‐field MRI of the forelimb suggest the same. To better understand diagnostic outcomes with standing low‐field MRI of the proximal suspensory region, a prospective survey study was conducted and users of a widely available system questioned on their experience, operating procedures, and interpretation of standing low‐field MRI findings. Response data included scores on a modified Likert scale from which weighted ratings were calculated for statistical analyses. Depending on the question, responses were obtained from 17 to 29 of the 38 invited facilities. Users indicated that standing low‐field MRI was most frequently performed in the face of equivocal diagnostic findings; compared to Sports horses, general purpose riding horses were thought less likely to have detectable abnormalities and standing low‐field MRI was rated most useful for the detection of primary bone pathology in the proximal metacarpal region. Standing low‐field MRI signal change involving both the suspensory ligament and adjacent bone concurrently was rated most relevant and abnormalities solely affecting the muscle/adipose tissue bundles least relevant for diagnosing suspensory ligament injury. Transverse scans and in decreasing order T1‐weighted gradient echo, short‐tau inversion recovery FSE, T2*‐weighted gradient echo, and T2‐weighted FSE sequences were most frequently acquired and judged most useful by the majority of users experienced in imaging of the target area. This survey supports the relevant impact of standing low‐field MRI on clinical case management, particularly in the context of imaging the proximal metacarpal region.
Numerical Investigation on Pool Boiling Over a Vertical Tube Coupled With In-Tube Condensation
Authors: Ren Shuai , Zhou Wenzhong
Published: December 2019

Pool boiling and in-tube condensation phenomena have been investigated intensively during the past decades, due to the superior heat transfer capacity of the phase change process. In passive heat removal heat exchangers of nuclear power plants, the two phase-change phenomena usually occur simultaneously on both sides of the tube wall to achieve the maximum heat transfer efficiency. However, the studies on the effects of in-tube condensation on external pool boiling heat transfer are very limited, especially in numerical computation aspect. In the present study, the saturated pooling boiling over a vertical tube under the influences of in-tube steam condensation is investigated numerically. The Volume of Fluid (VOF) interface tracking method is employed based on the 2D axisymmetric Euler-Euler multiphase frame. The phase change model combining with a mathematical smoothing algorithm and a temporal relaxation procedure has been implemented into CFD platform by user defined functions (UDFs). The two-phase flow pattern and bubble behavior have been analyzed. The effects of inlet steam mass flow rate on boiling heat transfer are discussed.
Numerical Heat Transfer Simulations and Parametric Investigations Using Crossed Array Design of Experiments Approach During RFA of Breast Tumor
Authors: Sulake Sandeep , Dubey Satish Kumar , Javed Arshad
Published: December 2019

In the present work, a heterogeneous breast model comprising of fat, glandular and muscle tissues along with a spherical tumor of 2 cm diameter is modelled. The efficacy of Radio Frequency Ablation (RFA) is mainly judged by the extent to which the tumor cells are damaged and hence the volume fraction of necrotic tissue (VFNT) is a response parameter. Several critical factors affect the volume of necrotic tissue, among which the blood perfusion rate, target tip temperature of electrode and location of tumor from the body core are considered as prime input parameters. This work focuses on the selection and the significance of tolerance of these critical factors using ‘cross-array design of experiment’ (CA-DOE) approach. The loose and tight ranges of tolerances of these factors are selected to form Taguchi’s inner and outer orthogonal array and experimental combination sets are prepared. In this study, the effect of each possible set of tolerance on the output parameter i.e. tumor ablation volume generated is analyzed. The different values of the ablation volume generated for each experiment are obtained from finite element analysis. The entire analysis is carried out using a bioheat transfer module coupled with electric currents module in COMSOL multiphysics software. Additionally, target tip temperature is controlled by the implementation of proportional-integral-derivative control strategy. The simulations results are validated with the available published experimental results. The simulation results are further analyzed using statistical methods, such as signal to noise ratio, analysis of mean, and analysis of variance. The presented analysis will be helpful to achieve robust and targeted values of ablation volume with least effort of maintaining process accuracy. The proposed methodology and results are useful for clinicians in the RFA.
In-Situ Thermal ROM-Based Optimization Using Borg MOEA: A Preliminary Study
Authors: Irick Kevin , Brown Erich
Published: December 2019

High-fidelity computational thermal models (HFMs) of mechanical systems typically incorporate multi-disciplinary data sources to define boundary conditions, constraints, and dynamic system inputs. Oftentimes, HFMs are used during the planning, design, fabrication, testing, and operational phases of the mechanical systems, however, most of that data is processed during the modeling and test phases to discover and verify system responses. This approach can lead to much unused data and engineering effort that could otherwise provide useful information during the operational phases of the systems. One major bottleneck in using HFMs during the operational phase is data volume and computation time. Reduced-order models (ROMs), such as Gaussian processes, can consolidate data volume, data complexity, and time complexity needed for processing HFMs. The Borg multi-objective evolutionary algorithm (MOEA) presents a possible effective approach for processing ROM information in conjunction with real-time true process data to better understand the real-time state of a system. An investigation is being performed into the use of ROMs with the Borg MOEA to capitalize on engineering effort and simulation data that would otherwise be abandoned. This paper discusses the results of such a study in a steady-state conductive-radiative heat transfer system.
Evaporation-Based Microfluidic Pump Using Super-Hydrophilic Diatom Biosilica Thin Films
Authors: Jarrett Hunter , Wade Micah , Kraai Joseph , Rorrer Gregory L. , Wang Alan X. , Tan Hua
Published: December 2019

Diatoms are a group of single-celled photosynthetic algae that use biochemical pathways to bio-mineralize and self-assemble three-dimensional photonic crystals with unique photonic and micro- & nano-fluidic properties. In recent years, diatom biosilica has been used in surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) based optofluidic sensors for detection of a variety of chemical and biological molecules. In this paper, we present a study to develop a microfluidic pumping system using super-hydrophilic diatom thin films. The desire to develop such a system stems from the requirement to create a low-cost, self-powered microfluidic pumping system that can sustain a continuous flow over an extended period of time. The diatom biosilica acts not only as the driving force behind the flow, but also serves as ultra-sensitive SERS substrates that allows for trace detection of various molecules.

Liquid is drawn from a reservoir to the tip of a 150μm inner diameter capillary tube positioned directly over the diatom film. A thin and long horizontal reservoir is used to prevent flooding on the diatom film when the liquid is initially drawn to the diatom film through a capillary tube from the reservoir. The connection of the meniscus from the capillary to the film was maintained from a horizontal reservoir for a recorded time of 20 hours and 32 minutes before the partially filled reservoir emptied. Flow rates of 0.38, 0.22 and 0.16μL/min were achieved for square biosilica thin films of 49mm2, 25mm2, and 9mm2 at a temperature of 63°F and 45% relative humidity respectively. A temperature-controlled system was introduced for the 49mm2 substrate and flow rates of 0.60, 0.82, 0.93, and 1.15μL/min were observed at 72, 77, 86, and 95°F at 21% relative humidity respectively. More testing and analysis will be performed to test the operation limits of the proposed self-powered microfluidic system.