bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A metagene of NRF2 expression is a prognostic biomarker in all stage colorectal cancer
Authors: O’Cathail Séan M. , Wu Chieh-Hsi , Lewis Annabelle , Holmes Chris , Hawkins Maria A , Maughan Tim
Published: July 2019

Objective

Nrf2 overexpression confers poor prognosis in some cancers but its role in colorectal cancer (CRC) is unknown. Due to its role as a transcription factor we hypothesise a metagene of NRF2 regulated genes could act as a prognostic biomarker in CRC.

Design

Using known NRF2 regulated genes, we defined an NRF2 metagene to represent the pathway expression using principal component analysis and Cox proportional hazard models. The NRF2 metagene was validated in four independent datasets, including the recently profiled MRC FOCUS randomised controlled trial.

Results

36 genes comprised the final prognostic metagene in the training set. 1,360 patients were included in the validation analyses. High NRF2 metagene expression is associated with worse disease free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) outcomes in stage I/II/III disease and worse OS in stage IV disease. In multivariate analyses, NRF2 expression remained significant when adjusted for known prognostic factors of adjuvant chemotherapy and stage in stage I/II/III disease, as well as BRAF V600E mutation and sidedness in stage IV disease. NRF2 metagene expression exhibits variation within each of the Consensus Molecular Subtypes (CMS) but high expression is particularly enriched in CMS 4.

Conclusion

We demonstrate in a large scale analysis that NRF2 expression is a novel biomarker of poor prognosis across all stages of colorectal cancer. Higher expression observed in CMS 4 further refines the molecular taxonomy of colorectal cancer.
tACS entrains neural activity while somatosensory input is blocked
Authors: Vieira Pedro G. , Krause Matthew R. , Pack Christopher C.
Published: July 2019

Transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) modulates brain activity by passing electrical current through electrodes that are attached to the scalp. Because it is safe and non-invasive, it holds great promise as a tool for basic research and clinical treatment. However, little is known about how tACS ultimately influences neural activity. One hypothesis is that tACS affects neural responses directly, by producing electrical fields that interact with the brain’s endogenous electrical activity. Since the shape and location of these electric fields can be controlled, stimulation could be targeted at brain regions associated with particular behaviors or symptoms. However, an alternative hypothesis is that tACS affects neural activity indirectly, via peripheral sensory afferents. In particular, it has often been hypothesized that tACS acts on nerve fibers in the skin, which in turn provide rhythmic input to central neurons. In this case, there would be little possibility of targeted brain stimulation, as the regions modulated by tACS would depend entirely on the somatosensory pathways originating in the skin around the stimulating electrodes. Here, we directly test these competing hypotheses by recording single-unit activity in the hippocampus and visual cortex of monkeys receiving tACS. We find that tACS entrains neuronal activity in both regions, so that cells fire synchronously with the stimulation. Blocking somatosensory input with a topical anesthetic does not significantly alter these neural entrainment effects. These data are therefore consistent with the direct stimulation hypothesis and suggest that peripheral somatosensory stimulation is not required for tACS to entrain neurons.
Self-body recognition through a mirror: Easing spatial-consistency requirements for rubber hand illusion
Authors: Hasegawa Hikaru , Okamoto Shogo , Ito Ken , Hara Masayuki , Kanayama Noriaki , Yamada Yoji
Published: July 2019

Typical experiments to induce the rubber hand illusion (RHI) require experimental participants to gaze at a fake hand while tactile stimuli are provided to both the fake and hidden actual hands in a synchronous manner. However, under such conditions, postural and apparent disagreement between a seen fake hand and hidden actual hand prevents illusory body ownership. Provided that humans recognize mirror images as copies of the real world in spite of their spatial uncertainties or incongruence, the sensory disagreement may be accepted in RHI settings if using a mirror to show a fake hand. The present study performed two experiments to reveal how self-body recognition of a fake hand feature via mirror affects the RHI. These experiments were conducted in an RHI environment involving voluntary hand movements to investigate not only body ownership but also agency. The first experiment (Experiment 1) examined whether illusory ownership of a fake hand seen in a mirror could be induced. Then, we examined whether the RHI using a mirror image allows disagreement in orientation between the rubber and actual hands (Experiment 2). Subjective evaluations using a RHI questionnaire demonstrated that evoked embodiment of the rubber hand was stronger in the presence of a mirror than in the absence of it (Experiment 1) and that participants experienced the RHI even if the actual and rubber hands were incongruent in terms of orientation (45 °; Experiment 2). No significant difference was found in the change of perceived finger location (proprioceptive drift) between these experiments. These findings suggest that the use of a mirror masks subtle spatial incongruency or degrades the contribution of visual cues for spatial recognition and facilitates multisensory integration for bodily illusions.
A time‐series model for estimating temporal variation in phenotypic selection on laying dates in a Dutch great tit population
Authors: Cao Yihan , Visser Marcel E. , Tufto Jarle
Published: July 2019

Temporal and spatial variation in phenotypic selection due to changing environmental conditions is of great interest to evolutionary biologists, but few existing methods estimating its magnitude take into account the temporal autocorrelation.

We use state‐space models (SSMs) to analyse phenotypic selection processes that cannot be observed directly and use Template Model builder (TMB), an R package for computing and maximizing the Laplace approximation of the marginal likelihood for SSM and other complex, nonlinear latent variable model via automatic differentiation. Using a long‐term great tit (Parus major) dataset, we fit several SSMs and conduct model selection based on Akaike information criterion (AIC) to assess the support for fluctuated directional or autocorrelated stabilizing selection on breeding time of the great tit population.

Our results show that there is directional selection on the probability of breeding failure, and stabilizing selection on the mean number of fledglings. This selection for early laying date is consistent with a previous study of the same population. We also estimate the variation and autocorrelation in other parameters of the fitness functions, including the width and height, and found the height and location of annual fitness function are autocorrelated with significant variation, while the width can be assumed to constant over time.

Using TMB to fit SSMs, we are able to estimate additional parameters compared to previous methods, all without requiring a substantial increase in computational resources. Furthermore, our specification of complex nonlinear model structure benefits greatly from the flexibility of model formulation with TMB. Therefore, our approach could be directly applied to estimating even more complicated phenotypic selection processes induced by environmental change for other species.
The prevalence of wholly attributable alcohol conditions in the United Kingdom hospital system: a systematic review, meta‐analysis and meta‐regression
Authors: Roberts Emmert , Morse Rachel , Epstein Sophie , Hotopf Matthew , Leon David , Drummond Colin
Published: July 2019

Background and Aims

The prevalence of alcohol‐related conditions is often reported as higher in hospital in‐patients compared with the general population. However, formal prevalence estimates are commonly derived from small studies which report highly varied results. This systematic review and meta‐analysis, within the UK hospital system, aimed to estimate the pooled prevalence of the 26 ICD‐10 conditions that are wholly attributable to alcohol in in‐patient settings.

Methods

We searched Medline, Embase, PsychINFO and CENTRAL from database inception until 1 May 2018. We included studies of any design that reported the prevalence of one of 26 wholly attributable alcohol conditions defined by the ICD‐10. Studies were required to be conducted in one or more of the constituent nations of the United Kingdom and in an in‐patient setting (general wards, intensive care units, accident and emergency departments or mental health in‐patient units). Estimates were pooled using random‐effects meta‐analysis, and meta‐regression tested study and patient factors contributing to variation. Quality was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment Development and Evaluation (GRADE) framework.

Results

A total of 124 studies were included, reporting on a total of 1 657 614 patients. The majority of studies reported on harmful use of alcohol and alcohol dependence, for which the pooled prevalence was 19.76% [95% confidence interval (CI) = 15.61–24.26%] and 10.25% (95% CI = 7.06–13.96%), respectively. Mean patient age and type of in‐patient setting were identified as the main sources of variation in prevalence estimates, but not date of data collection. Both estimates were deemed very low quality according to GRADE.

Conclusions

An estimated one in five patients in the UK hospital system use alcohol harmfully, and one in 10 are alcohol‐dependent.
A review of whole brain radiotherapy outcomes in a high epidermal growth factor receptor mutation rate population: Does QUARTZ apply in Asia?
Authors: Ng Ivy Weishan , Tey Jeremy Chee Seong , Chia David Wei Tsau , Yee Choon Meng , Cheo Timothy Song Tao
Published: July 2019

Aim

Whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT) is commonly used to treat brain metastases (BM) from nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Its utility is increasingly being questioned after a recent randomized trial (QUARTZ) showed that its omission did not significantly impact the survival or quality of life of their patients recruited from UK and Australian centers. We report the patient characteristics and survival outcomes of our local population in comparison with theirs.

Methods

Medical records of patients who received WBRT in two tertiary hospitals over 18 months were reviewed. Characteristics and survival outcomes of patient with NSCLC receiving WBRT for the first time were evaluated. Patients with prior excision of BM or stereotactic radiotherapy were excluded. Treatment details including radiotherapy dose and use of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) were recorded.

Results

Between January 2015 and June 2016, 116 patients with NSCLC received WBRT for their BM. Their median age was 65 years (range, 36‐85) and median follow‐up duration was 110 days (range, 14‐840). A total of 102 (88%) patients had their driver mutation tested of which 59 (58%) were epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutants. Factors predicting for better survival were female gender (P < .001), EGFR mutant receiving TKIs (P = .013), prescription other than 20 Gray in five fractions (P = .003), and presence of more than four BM (P = .001).

Conclusion

Our patients appear to be considerably different from those recruited into the QUARTZ trial. Further prospective studies should be done to evaluate the value of WBRT in our population.
The efficacy and safety of tacrolimus as mono‐ and adjunctive therapy for vitiligo: A systematic review of randomised clinical trials
Authors: Arora Charan Jeet , Rafiq Muhammad , Shumack Stephen , Gupta Monisha
Published: July 2019

There is currently no definitive treatment for vitiligo; various modalities include immune modulators phototherapy and skin camouflage. We investigated the efficacy and safety of topical tacrolimus either as monotherapy or combined therapy in the treatment of vitiligo. Electronic systematic search of the literature was carried out using four major databases. Randomised clinical trials (RCTs) that reported the use of topical tacrolimus in the treatment of human vitiligo have been included in a systematic review and meta‐analysis. Meta‐analysis was conducted via RevMan, and risk of bias was assessed through the Cochrane quality assessment tool. The protocol was published through PROSPERO (CRD42018112430). A total of 19 studies including 814 patients were included in our systematic review. The random‐effects‐model meta‐analysis of two studies revealed that the tacrolimus and narrowband ultraviolet B (NB‐UVB) combination therapy rates is better than NB‐UVB alone in inducing >75% repigmentation [RR 1.34 (95% CI: 01.05–1.71), P = 0.02]. Tacrolimus and steroids had similar potency in acheiving >75% repigmentation [RR 1.02 (95% CI: 0.19–5.51), P = 0.98]. Meta‐analysis of two studies revealed that the fractional laser and tacrolimus combination therapy is no better than tacrolimus alone in causing >75% repigmentation [RR 2.11 (95% CI: 0.87–5.09), P = 0.10]. Further investigating tacrolimus as mono‐ or adjuvant therapy for vitiligo is highly recommended. Combining tacrolimus to other treatment options such as steroids, phototherapy and laser may be superior to using tacrolimus alone.
Risk of adult‐onset asthma increases with the number of allergic multimorbidities and decreases with age
Authors: Toppila‐Salmi Sanna , Chanoine Sebastien , Karjalainen Jussi , Pekkanen Juha , Bousquet Jean , Siroux Valérie
Published: July 2019

Background

The aim was to study the association between allergic multimorbidity and adult‐onset asthma considering the number of allergic diseases and the age effect.

Methods

We used population‐based data from Finnish national registers including 1205 adults over 30 years of age with recently diagnosed asthma (age range: 30‐93), matched for gender, age, and living region with one or two controls (n = 2050). Allergic rhinitis (AR), allergic conjunctivitis (AC), and allergic dermatitis (AD) were defined from self‐completed questionnaire. Conditional logistic regression adjusted on potential confounders (smoking, growing in countryside, childhood hospitalized infection/pneumonia, parental asthma/allergy, parental smoking, education level, professional training, number of siblings, and birth order) was applied to estimate the asthma risk associated with allergic multimorbidity.

Results

A total of 1118 cases with asthma and 1772 matched controls were included [mean (SD, min‐max) 53 (11, 31‐71) years, 37% men)]. AR, AC, and AD were reported by 50.2%, 39.6%, and 33.8%, respectively, among subjects with asthma and 26.1%, 20.0%, and 23.5%, respectively, among controls. Compared to nonatopics, adult‐onset asthma increased with the number of allergic diseases; adjusted OR for asthma [95% CI] associated with 1, 2, and 3 allergic diseases was 1.95 [1.52‐2.49], 2.87 [2.19‐3.77], and 4.26 [3.07‐5.90], respectively. The association between adult‐onset asthma and ≥ 1 allergic multimorbidity decreased with increasing age (3.52 [2.51‐4.94], 2.44 [1.74‐3.42], and 1.68 [1.04‐2.71]) in subjects < 50 years, 50‐62 years, and > 62 years, respectively (p for age*≥1 allergic multimorbidity interaction, 0.002).

Conclusions

Adult‐onset asthma was positively associated with the number of allergic diseases, and this association decreases with age.
Nursing intensity scores did not correlate well with reimbursement claims for infant bronchiolitis
Authors: Heikkilä Paula , Kokko Petra , Lohi Olli , Korppi Matti
Published: July 2019

Aim

We retrospectively evaluated the hospital reimbursement rates for inpatient bronchiolitis treatment and then compared them to the RAFAELA® nursing intensity scores.

Methods

We selected all 44 bronchiolitis patients treated in the paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) and then for each PICU‐treated patient two patients treated on the ward (n = 88) under 12 months of age in 2010‐2015. The data included medical histories, hospital reimbursement rates using the Nordic Diagnosis Related Groups (NordDRG) or expense categories and the RAFAELA® scores.

Results

Reimbursement claims were mostly based on expense categories for PICU admissions and NordDRG categories for ward admissions. The median (range) was €6352 (€1330‐30 554) and €2009 (€768‐6027) per episode for the PICU and ward cases, respectively. The median lengths of hospital stay were 8.5 days (3‐18) and 3 days (1‐8), respectively. Higher RAFAELA® scores were associated with nasal continuous positive airway pressure therapy and mechanical ventilation in the PICU and oxygen supplementation and nasogastric tube feeding on the ward. The correlation coefficients between RAFAELA® scores and hospital reimbursement claims ranged from 0.121‐0.450.

Conclusion

Hospital reimbursement claim for a PICU admission was three times as much as a ward admission and reimbursement claims for bronchiolitis did not match with nursing intensity scores.
How law can help solve the collective action problem of antimicrobial resistance
Authors: Hoffman Steven J. , Bakshi Reema , Rogers Van Katwyk Susan
Published: July 2019

Antimicrobial resistance is a global collective action problem with dire consequences for human health. This article considers how domestic and international legal mechanisms can be used to address antimicrobial resistance and overcome the governance and political economy challenges that accelerate it.
Non‐invasive visual evoked potentials to assess optic nerve involvement in the dark agouti rat model of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis induced by myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein
Authors: Castoldi Valerio , Marenna Silvia , d’Isa Raffaele , Huang Su‐Chun , De Battista Davide , Chirizzi Cristina , Chaabane Linda , Kumar Deepak , Boschert Ursula , Comi Giancarlo , Leocani Letizia
Published: July 2019

Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) is the primary disease model of multiple sclerosis (MS), one of the most diffused neurological diseases characterized by fatigue, muscle weakness, vision loss, anxiety and depression. EAE can be induced through injection of myelin peptides to susceptible mouse or rat strains. In particular, EAE elicited by the autoimmune reaction against myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) presents the common features of human MS: inflammation, demyelination and axonal loss. Optic neuritis affects visual pathways in both MS and in several EAE models. Neurophysiological evaluation through visual evoked potential (VEP) recording is useful to check visual pathway dysfunctions and to test the efficacy of innovative treatments against optic neuritis. For this purpose, we investigate the extent of VEP abnormalities in the dark agouti (DA) rat immunized with MOG, which develops a relapsing–remitting disease course. Together with the detection of motor signs, we acquired VEPs during both early and late stages of EAE, taking advantage of a non‐invasive recording procedure that allows long follow‐up studies. The validation of VEP outcomes was determined by comparison with ON histopathology, aimed at revealing inflammation, demyelination and nerve fiber loss. Our results indicate that the first VEP latency delay in MOG‐EAE DA rats appeared before motor deficits and were mainly related to an inflammatory state. Subsequent VEP delays, detected during relapsing EAE phases, were associated with a combination of inflammation, demyelination and axonal loss. Moreover, DA rats with atypical EAE clinical course tested at extremely late time points, manifested abnormal VEPs although motor signs were mild. Overall, our data demonstrated that non‐invasive VEPs are a powerful tool to detect visual involvement at different stages of EAE, prompting their validation as biomarkers to test novel treatments against MS optic neuritis.
Prevalence of age‐related macular degeneration in Chinese populations worldwide: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Jin Guangming , Zou Minjie , Chen Aiming , Zhang Yichi , Young Charlotte A. , Wang Shi‐Bin , Zheng Danying
Published: July 2019

Importance

Age‐related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of irreversible blindness, but the magnitude of AMD among Chinese populations worldwide is still unknown.

Background

To investigate the prevalence of AMD in Chinese populations worldwide.

Design

Meta‐analysis.

Participants

Nine studies with 29 344 subjects in total.

Methods

All population‐based studies on AMD prevalence in Chinese populations worldwide were identified and only studies using standardized AMD grading systems (Wisconsin Age‐Related Maculopathy Grading System, Age‐Related Eye Disease Study System of Classifying AMD, the International Classification and Grading System for AMD or the Clinical Classification of Age‐Related Macular Degeneration) were included. We used meta‐analysis to estimate the pooled prevalence and its 95% confidence interval (95% CI) of AMD, and to explore the racial differences and regional differences.

Main Outcome Measures

Age‐specific prevalence, gender‐specific prevalence and pooled prevalence of early and late AMD among Chinese population worldwide.

Results

Altogether, 9 studies with 29 344 individuals were included and analysed. The crude pooled prevalence of early and late AMD among Chinese populations worldwide aged 50 years and above is 4.9% (95% CI: 3.1%‐7.7%) and 0.7% (95% CI: 0.5%‐1.1%), respectively. Corresponding crude prevalence among Caucasian populations are 10.1% (95% CI: 5.7%‐17.2%) and 1.6% (95% CI: 1.0%‐2.4%). There are statistically significant differences within age and gender subgroups.

Conclusions and Relevance

Among persons aged 50+ years, both early AMD and late AMD in Chinese populations worldwide were less common compared with that reported from Caucasian populations. Considering the significant racial or ethnic differences in AMD prevalence between Chinese and Caucasian people, further studies are needed to explore the possible mechanism behind this discrepancy.
Comparison of cotinine levels in the peri‐implant sulcular fluid among cigarette and waterpipe smokers, electronic‐cigarette users, and nonsmokers
Authors: Alqahtani Fawaz , Alqahtani Mana , Albaqawi Ahmed Heji , Al‐Kheraif Abdulaziz A. , Javed Fawad
Published: July 2019

Background

Assessment of cotinine levels in the peri‐implant sulcular fluid (PISF) may serve as a valuable biomarker of peri‐implant diseases in nicotine‐product users.

Purpose

The aim of the present study was to compare cotinine levels in the PISF among cigarette smokers, waterpipe users, electronic‐cigarette users, and nonsmokers.

Materials and Methods

Cigarette smokers, waterpipe smokers, electronic‐cigarette users, and nonsmokers were included. A questionnaire was used to collect information about age, gender, duration of smoking and vaping, family history of smoking, duration of smoking/vaping, and daily frequency of smoking/vaping. Implant‐related data including implant dimensions and duration of implants in function were also recorded. In all groups, peri‐implant probing depth (PD), bleeding on probing (BoP), and plaque index (PI) were assessed. Using standard techniques, PISF was collected and levels of cotinine in the PISF were measured. Sample‐size estimation was performed, and statistical comparisons were done using one‐way analysis of variance and Bonferroni post hoc adjustment tests. P values below .05 were categorized as statistically significant.

Results

One hundred two male individuals (35 cigarette smokers, 33 waterpipe smokers, 34 electronic‐cigarette users, and 35 nonsmokers) were included. Scores of peri‐implant PI (P < .05) and PD (P < .05) were significantly higher among cigarette smokers, waterpipe smokers, and electronic‐cigarette users compared with nonsmokers. Peri‐implant BoP was more often manifested in nonsmokers compared with cigarette smokers (P < .05), waterpipe smokers (P < .05), and electronic‐cigarette users (P < .05). The volume of collected PISF was significantly higher among cigarette (P < .05) and waterpipe smokers (P < .05) and electronic‐cigarette users (P < .05) than nonsmokers. Cotinine levels were significantly higher in the PISF of cigarette (P < .05) and waterpipe smokers (P < .05) and electronic‐cigarette users (P < .05) than nonsmokers.

Conclusions

Habitual use of nicotinic products enhances the expression of cotinine in the PISF. Cotinine levels in the PISF of cigarette and waterpipe smokers and electronic‐cigarette users are comparable.
CREDIT COUNSELING AND CONSUMER CREDIT TRAJECTORIES
Authors: Roll Stephen , Moulton Stephanie
Published: July 2019

Nonprofit credit counseling provides consumers with financial education, individualized financial counseling, and debt restructuring. Despite potential benefits, relatively little is known about its efficacy. This study uses administrative data to assess the relationship between counseling and consumer credit outcomes. We estimate difference‐in‐difference models to analyze credit outcomes for a counseled group relative to a matched comparison group for six quarters after a baseline period. We find evidence of a substantial credit shock around the time of counseling. Post‐treatment, counseling is associated with a persistent reduction in debt even after accounting for bankruptcies, foreclosures, debt charge‐offs, or participation in debt consolidation programs. (JEL D12)
Effects of the stress state on plastic deformation and ductile failure: Experiment and numerical simulation using a newly designed tension‐shear specimen
Authors: Zhang Xue‐Wei , Wen Jian‐Feng , Zhang Xian‐Cheng , Wang Xiao‐Gang , Tu Shan‐Tung
Published: July 2019

The stress state is one of the most notable factors that dominates the initiation of ductile fracture. To examine the effects of the stress state on plasticity and ductile failure, a new tension‐shear specimen that can cover a wide range of stress triaxialities was designed. A fracture locus was constructed in the space of ductility and stress triaxiality for two typical steels based on a series of tests. It is observed that the equivalent plastic strain at failure exhibits a nonmonotonic variation with increasing the value of stress triaxiality. A simple damage model based on the ductility exhaustion concept was used to simulate the failure behaviour, and a good agreement is achieved between simulation results and experimental data. It is further shown that consideration of fracture locus covering a wide range of stress triaxialities is a key to an accurate prediction.
The effects of cooking method on selected quality traits of broccoli and green asparagus
Authors: Danowska‐Oziewicz Marzena , Narwojsz Agnieszka , Draszanowska Anna , Marat Natalia
Published: July 2019

Broccoli and green asparagus were cooked using boiling water, steam, microwave oven and combi oven with overheated steam and combination of hot air with overheated steam (only broccoli). Vegetables were analysed for chlorophylls a and b, carotenoids, total polyphenols, antioxidant activity, colour parameters and sensory properties. Cooking in the combi oven with overheated steam was an effective method to achieve the highest levels of polyphenols and antioxidant activity, but it negatively influenced the contents of chlorophylls in both vegetables and carotenoids in asparagus. Boiling and cooking in the combi oven with overheated steam or hot air and steam ensured the best and comparable sensory properties of broccoli. Asparagus showed a lower susceptibility to heat treatments than broccoli as none of the treatments applied caused significant differences in colour redness and yellowness, polyphenol content and sensory properties of this vegetable.
Effects of the Girls on the Move randomized trial on adiposity and aerobic performance (secondary outcomes) in low‐income adolescent girls
Authors: Pfeiffer Karin A. , Robbins Lorraine B. , Ling Jiying , Sharma Dhruv B. , Dalimonte‐Merckling Danielle M. , Voskuil Vicki R. , Kaciroti Niko , Resnicow Kenneth
Published: July 2019

Background

Limited, mixed evidence exists regarding the effectiveness of physical activity interventions on adiposity and aerobic performance in adolescent underrepresented populations.

Objective

To examine effects of Girls on the Move on body mass index z‐scores (BMI‐z), percent (%) body fat, and aerobic performance in fifth‐ to eighth‐grade underrepresented girls.

Methods

A group randomized trial, involving 12 intervention and 12 control schools in low‐income areas, was conducted. Participants (n = 1519) were low‐active girls. The 17‐week intervention included (a) a physical activity club, (b) two motivational interviewing sessions, and (c) one Internet‐based session. BMI‐z was determined from measured height and weight; % body fat was assessed using bioelectric impedance. Aerobic performance was assessed using a shuttle run. Demographics, physical activity (accelerometer), and pubertal development were assessed. Linear mixed models, adjusting for baseline, were used to examine group differences in postintervention.

Results

No significant between‐group differences in BMI‐z existed at postintervention, but % body fat increased less among intervention than control group girls (Mchange = 0.43% vs 0.73%). Aerobic performance decreased less in intervention vs control (Mchange = −0.39 vs −0.57).

Conclusions

Although the intervention positively impacted % body fat and aerobic performance in underrepresented girls, more research is necessary to determine optimal implementation for yielding greater effects.
The evolution of female genitalia
Authors: Sloan Nadia S. , Simmons Leigh W.
Published: July 2019

Female genitalia have been largely neglected in studies of genital evolution, perhaps due to the long‐standing belief that they are relatively invariable and therefore taxonomically and evolutionarily uninformative in comparison with male genitalia. Contemporary studies of genital evolution have begun to dispute this view, and to demonstrate that female genitalia can be highly diverse and covary with the genitalia of males. Here, we examine evidence for three mechanisms of genital evolution in females: species isolating ‘lock‐and‐key’ evolution, cryptic female choice and sexual conflict. Lock‐and‐key genital evolution has been thought to be relatively unimportant; however, we present cases that show how species isolation may well play a role in the evolution of female genitalia. Much support for female genital evolution via sexual conflict comes from studies of both invertebrate and vertebrate species; however, the effects of sexual conflict can be difficult to distinguish from models of cryptic female choice that focus on putative benefits of choice for females. We offer potential solutions to alleviate this issue. Finally, we offer directions for future studies in order to expand and refine our knowledge surrounding female genital evolution.
International Adaptation of a Treatment Program for Situational Couple Violence
Authors: Stith Sandra M. , Spencer Chelsea M. , Ripoll‐Núñez Karen J. , Jaramillo‐Sierra Ana L. , Khodadadi‐Andariyeh Farideh , Nikparvar Fatemeh , Oksman Ria , Metelinen Juha
Published: July 2019

Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is a serious international problem. Stith, S. M., McCollum, E. E., and Rosen, K. H. received funding from the US National Institute of Mental Health to develop and test a program for couples experiencing IPV: Domestic Violence Focused Couples Treatment (DVFCT). This article provides an overview of DVFCT, and presents three case studies illustrating how DVFCT has been adapted for use in Colombia, Iran, and Finland. This article emphasizes the need for adapting treatment models to be culturally informed, provides practice‐based evidence for DVFCT as a treatment model, and highlights the importance of careful screening and assessment when working with couples who have experienced violence, no matter the country or location where treatment is being conducted.
Does Student Loan Debt Contribute to Racial Wealth Gaps? A Decomposition Analysis
Authors: Kakar Venoo , Daniels Gerald Eric , Petrovska Olga
Published: July 2019

There is evidence of a large and growing student debt burden over the last decade. Previous research has shown that the presence of student debt jeopardized the short‐term financial wealth of U.S. households during the Great Recession. We examine the effects of student loan use on the wealth of U.S. households post‐recession, using recent data from the 2013 and 2016 Survey of Consumer Finances. We find that mean 2016 wealth for households with no outstanding student debt is more than four times higher than households with student debt. We find that living in a household at the 15th, 30th, 50th, 70th, and 85th percentile of the wealth distribution with student debt is associated with an 80%, 49%, 37%, 35%, and 36% wealth loss compared with a similar household with no student debt. Our decomposition results suggest that student loan use can explain between 3% and 7% of the Black‐White wealth gap across the wealth distribution but is insignificant in explaining the Hispanic‐White wealth gap.
Effects of Computerized Instruction on the Use of Punctuation Strategies by Students with LD
Authors: Schumaker Jean B. , Fisher Joseph B. , Walsh Lisa D.
Published: July 2019

An interactive multimedia software program was developed for teaching punctuation strategies and then tested with middle‐school and high‐school students with learning disabilities. Students at each school level were randomly selected into an experimental or control group. Results showed that experimental students at both school levels performed similarly by earning significantly higher scores on a test of punctuation usage than the control students. Additionally, experimental students in both school cohorts inserted significantly fewer incorrect punctuation marks than the controls. Furthermore, the experimental students generalized their use of the strategies to a test where they wrote their own sentences. Thus, this study shows that students with LD can learn punctuation strategies at a high level of mastery and can generalize their skills to sentence editing and sentence construction tasks when taught through interactive multimedia.
Causal Inference from Noise
Authors: Climenhaga Nevin , DesAutels Lane , Ramsey Grant
Published: July 2019

Correlation is not causation is one of the mantras of the sciences—a cautionary warning especially to fields like epidemiology and pharmacology where the seduction of compelling correlations naturally leads to causal hypotheses. The standard view from the epistemology of causation is that to tell whether one correlated variable is causing the other, one needs to intervene on the system—the best sort of intervention being a trial that is both randomized and controlled. In this paper, we argue that some purely correlational data contains information that allows us to draw causal inferences: statistical noise. Methods for extracting causal knowledge from noise provide us with an alternative to randomized controlled trials that allows us to reach causal conclusions from purely correlational data.
Data needed to respond appropriately to anemia when it is a public health problem
Authors: Williams Anne M. , Addo O. Yaw , Grosse Scott D. , Kassebaum Nicholas J. , Rankin Zane , Ballesteros Katherine E. , Olsen Helen Elizabeth , Sharma Andrea J. , Jefferds Maria Elena , Mei Zuguo
Published: July 2019

Although the proportion of anemia amenable to change varies by population, the World Health Organization (WHO) criteria used to describe the public health severity of anemia are based on population prevalences. We describe the importance of measuring iron and other etiologic indicators to better understand what proportion of anemia could be responsive to interventions. We discuss the necessity of measuring inflammation to interpret iron biomarkers and documenting anemia of inflammation. Finally, we suggest assessing nonmodifiable genetic blood disorders associated with anemia. Using aggregated results from the Global Burden of Disease 2016, we compare population prevalence of anemia with years lived with disability (YLD) estimates, and the relative contributions of mild, moderate, and severe anemia to YLD. Anemia prevalences correlated with YLD and the relative proportion of moderate or severe anemia increased with anemia prevalence. However, individual‐level survey data revealed irregular patterns between anemia prevalence, the prevalence of moderate or severe anemia, and the prevalence of iron deficiency anemia (IDA). We conclude that although the WHO population prevalence criteria used to describe the public health severity of anemia are important for policymaking, etiologic‐specific metrics that take into account IDA and other causes will be necessary for effective anemia control policies.
Deficient glucose uptake is linked to impaired Glut1 expression upon CD3/CD28 stimulation in memory T cells from pleural effusions secondary to lung cancer
Authors: Prado‐Garcia Heriberto , Romero‐Garcia Susana , Castro‐Flores Daniela Alejandra , Rumbo‐Nava Uriel
Published: July 2019

Glucose and nutrient uptake is essential in supporting T cell activation and is increased upon CD3/CD28 stimulation. As T cells from pleural effusions secondary to lung cancer show impaired function, we hypothesized that these cells might have altered expression of nutrient transporters. Here, we analysed by flow cytometry the expression of the transferrin receptor CD71, amino acid transporter CD98 and glucose transporter Glut1 and glucose uptake in pleural effusion‐derived T cells from lung cancer patients, after stimulation via CD3/CD28 under normoxia or hypoxia (2% O2). We compared the response of T cells from pleural effusions secondary to lung cancer with that of T cells from nonmalignant effusions. In memory T cells from both groups, anti‐CD3/CD28‐stimulation under normoxia upregulated CD98 and CD71 expression (measured as median fluorescence intensity, MFI) in comparison with anti‐CD3‐stimulation. Costimulation under hypoxia tended to increase CD98 expression compared to CD3‐stimulation in memory T cells from both groups. Remarkably, in the cancer group, memory T cells stimulated via CD3/CD28 under hypoxia failed to increase CD71 and Glut1 expression levels compared to the cells receiving anti‐CD3 stimulation, a phenomenon that contrasted with the behaviour of memory T cells from nonmalignant effusions. Consequently, glucose uptake by memory T cells from the cancer group was not increased after CD3/CD28 stimulation under hypoxia, implying that their glycolytic metabolism is defective. As this process is required for inducing an antitumoural response, our study suggests that memory T cells are rendered dysfunctional and are unable to eliminate lung tumour cells.
Racialization and Black multiplicity: Generative paradigms for understanding Black immigrants
Authors: Medford Marcelle M.
Published: July 2019

Black immigrants occupy a liminal space on the race ethnicity spectrum that defies traditional assimilation theories. The social distancing paradigm has emerged as one of the most influential theories to address this shortcoming in the field and explain the incorporation of Black immigrants. However, because this paradigm implicitly rests on an analogy to White immigrants, the articulation of Black ethnic options can often times be more derivative than generative. As a result, accounts of Black immigrant racialization reify provincialized notions of Blackness by relying on problematic comparisons to African American culture and outcomes. In this paper, I argue that moving away from these provincialized characterizations of Blackness requires building on theories of immigrant racialization that take Black multiplicities as its starting point. This review takes up that perspective in analyzing how narratives of Blackness emerge in segmented, classic, canonical, and neoclassical theories of assimilation. I then map out some theoretical and empirical trends that emerge across three waves of Black immigrant research agendas and outline the need to move beyond the White immigrant analogy in order to more aptly redefine Black immigrants for future research.
Fragilidad cognitiva, un desafío en evolución
Authors: Chacón-Valenzuela Estephania , Morros-González Elly , Vargas-Beltrán Maria Paula , Venegas-Sanabria Luis Carlos , Gómez-Arteaga Ronald Camilo , Chavarro-Carvajal Diego , Cano-Gutiérrez Carlos Alberto
Published: July 2019

Dentro de los principales desafíos relacionados con el envejecimiento se encuentran la fragilidad y el deterioro cognitivo, condiciones que se han relacionado con aumento en la declinación funcional, la discapacidad y el deterioro en la calidad de vida. Durante los últimos años se ha demostrado la relación bidireccional entre estas dos condiciones clínicas y dentro del Grupo de Consenso Internacional en Toulouse, Francia, surgió el término fragilidad cognitiva, en el 2013. Ese estado reversible se ha considerado un nuevo síndrome geriátrico, caracterizado por la coexistencia entre fragilidad física y deterioro cognitivo; sin embargo, aún sin criterios diagnósticos definidos. El objetivo es realizar una aproximación de la definición, fisiopatología, herramientas diagnósticas y su respectiva asociación con desenlaces adversos, para realizar un diagnóstico oportuno y aplicar intervenciones multidominio centradas en la actividad física, el enfoque nutricional y el entrenamiento cognitivo, que puedan modificar el curso de este estado dinámico y reversible, previniendo el deterioro funcional y mejorando la calidad de vida de las personas mayores.
Hipocondría terminológica: presentación de un caso
Authors: Suárez Pérez Ella
Published: July 2019

Paciente femenina de edad indeterminada, natural de Colombia, quien desde hace más de una década presenta un persistente cuadro de hipocondría terminológica cada vez que corrige textos del área de la salud. Luego de un cuidadoso examen, se establecieron varias causas que desencadenaron dicho cuadro: uso naturalizado de anglicismos léxicos o sintácticos, redacción empobrecida a causa de la ausencia de artículos o preposiciones o terca persistencia de parte de los autores en mantener sus malas prácticas de redacción. Más allá de considerar que el idioma inglés tiene el predominio absoluto sobre la comunicación científica y que sobre ello poco o nada puede hacerse, sino naturalizarla o mantener la pereza mental que para algunos es el pan de cada día, el artículo tiene como objetivo relatar, a modo de parodia, cómo fue formarse para corregir textos médicos, de qué herramientas valerse, cómo establecer un diálogo con los autores del área de la salud y, así, evitar que se sigan reproduciendo este tipo de errores en los textos escritos en español.
Exploring Heat Transfer Characteristics of Ferrofluid in the Presence of Magnetic Field for Cooling of Solar Photovoltaic Systems
Authors: Singh Danvendra , Shyam Sudip , Mehta Balkrishna , Asfer Mohammed , Alshqirate A. S.
Published: July 2019

In this paper, a ferrofluid-based cooling technique is proposed for solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, where ferrofluid flow can be easily altered by the application of an external magnetic field leading to enhanced heat transfer from the hot surface of PV systems. The effect of both constant and alternating magnetic field on ferrofluid flow through a minichannel is explored numerically in the present work. A detailed parametric study is performed to investigate the effect of actuation frequencies of alternating magnetic field (0.5–20 Hz) and Reynolds numbers (Re = 24, 60, and 100) on heat transfer characteristics of ferrofluid. An overall enhancement of 17.41% is observed for heat transfer of ferrofluid in the presence of magnetic field compared to the base case of no magnetic field. For the case of alternating magnetic field, a critical actuation frequency is observed for each Reynolds number above which heat transfer is observed to decrease. The enhancement or decrease in heat transfer of ferrofluid is found to depend on several factors such as actuation frequency of alternating magnetic field, Reynolds numbers of ferrofluid flow, and formation/dispersion of stagnant layers of ferrofluid at the magnet location. Preliminary visualization of ferrofluid flow is also carried out to provide a qualitative insight to the nature of transportation of ferrofluid in the presence of an alternating magnetic field.
Review Article: Layer-structured carbonaceous materials for advanced Li-ion and Na-ion batteries: Beyond graphene
Authors: Ni Wei , Shi Lingying
Published: July 2019

Two-dimensional (2D) materials, including transition-metal chalcogenides, MXenes, and carbonaceous materials, have been regarded as promising alternatives to commercial graphite for use as advanced lithium/sodium-ion battery (LIB/SIB) anodes owing to the enriched active sites and expanded interlayer spacing for higher energy/power densities. The carbonaceous 2D materials, either graphitic or nongraphitic structures, arise from varieties of natural or artificial sources with potential scalable synthesis, high conductivity, and low cost and have shown great advantages for sustainable energy conversion and storage applications. Considering the importance of 2D carbonaceous materials beyond graphene, a timely and systematic overview of the very recent progress of layer-structured carbonaceous materials is vital for exploring high-performance anode materials for advanced LIB/SIBs. The recent advances in Li+/Na+ ion storage in various novel morphological variants of 2D carbonaceous materials prepared by a variety of techniques are discussed along with important models presented in the literature to explain the excess lithium/sodium storage. This review will also discuss the opportunities, challenges, and perspectives of the 2D carbonaceous nanomaterials beyond graphene in the field of energy storage.
Water adsorption on Al doped silicatene films grown on Mo(112)
Authors: Nayakasinghe M. T. , Burghaus U.
Published: July 2019

At ultrahigh vacuum (UHV), clean and Al doped SiO2 films were epitaxially grown on Mo(112). The pristine films are often denoted as silicatene, whereas the doping should result in two-dimensional zeolitelike films. The films were prepared by vapor deposition of Al on silicatene, followed by postannealing in UHV. The films were characterized by Auger electron spectroscopy and thermal desorption spectroscopy (TDS). Whereas the first synthesis of these films was reported earlier [Stacchiola et al., Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. Engl. 45, 7636 (2006); Gründling et al., Surf. Sci. 318, 97 (1994)], we discuss another variation of the film preparation. Moreover, water adsorption kinetics was studied by TDS. Accordingly, Al doped silica exhibits hydrophilic characteristics compared to hydrophobic silicatene, which reflects the enhanced chemical reactivity due to the doping induced polarity of the zeolite film.
CFTR-PTEN–dependent mitochondrial metabolic dysfunction promotes
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
airway infection
Authors: Riquelme Sebastián A. , Lozano Carmen , Moustafa Ahmed M. , Liimatta Kalle , Tomlinson Kira L. , Britto Clemente , Khanal Sara , Gill Simren K. , Narechania Apurva , Azcona-Gutiérrez Jose M. , DiMango Emily , Saénz Yolanda , Planet Paul , Prince Alice
Published: July 2019

Excess succinate due to CFTR-PTEN dysfunction selects for
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
mutants adapted to the airway.