bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Feasibility of a peer mentoring programme for young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and co‐occurring mental health conditions
Authors: Schwartz Ariel E. , Levin Melissa
Published: May 2021

Accessible Summary

Many young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities also have mental health challenges, such as anxiety, depression or post‐traumatic stress disorder.

Peer mentoring is when people with disabilities support another person with a disability.

We worked together to make a peer mentoring programme to help young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities have better mental health.

People enjoyed peer mentoring—they thought it was fun and that their mentors were nice. A few people thought that mentoring would be better if there was more time to do activities with their mentor. Some people felt like mentoring helped them learn ways to cope with their mental health challenges.

This article describes the peer mentoring programme, what people liked, what they did not like and how we want to change peer mentoring in the future. This is important, because other people might want to try peer mentoring so people with disabilities can learn from each other.

Background

We conducted feasibility testing of a novel peer mentoring intervention addressing self‐awareness and proactive coping for young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and co‐occurring mental health conditions. Aligned with regulatory flexibility theory, we hypothesised that if young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and co‐occurring mental health conditions learned a range of coping strategies, then they would have greater self‐efficacy for managing their emotions and, subsequently, decreased mental health symptoms.

Methods

Five participants (Mage: 20, range: 16–22) were mentored by another young adult with intellectual and developmental disabilities and co‐occurring mental health conditions for 10 sessions. Feasibility data collected included the following: enrollment data, attendance rates, participant and parent member experiences and observation of change (via post‐intervention interviews), and mentoring satisfaction via a mentoring questionnaire (range 15–60).

Findings

Our enrolment rate was 16%. Mentoring was acceptable to young adults, as demonstrated by high attendance rates (98% of sessions attended), mentoring questionnaire responses (M=49.4) and feedback describing the intervention as enjoyable and mentors as “nice,” and “understanding.” Participants and parents reported potential change in self‐efficacy for managing emotions (proximal outcome), use of coping strategies and self‐awareness of needs, but few changes in mental health symptoms (distal outcomes).

Conclusions

The peer mentoring intervention was feasible and acceptable for young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and co‐occurring mental health conditions. Results suggest a longer intervention duration may be necessary to elicit changes in mental health symptoms. To enhance feasibility, different recruitment strategies should be considered.
The relative importance of COVID‐19 pandemic impacts on biodiversity conservation globally
Authors: Gibbons David W. , Sandbrook Chris , Sutherland William J. , Akter Rezvin , Bradbury Richard , Broad Steven , Clements Andy , Crick Humphrey Q. P. , Elliott Joanna , Gyeltshen Ngawang , Heath Melanie , Hughes Jonathan , Jenkins Richard K. B. , Jones Alastair H. , Lopez de la Lama Rocio , Macfarlane Nicholas B. W. , Maunder Mike , Prasad Ravikash , Romero‐Muñoz Alfredo , Steiner Noa , Tremlett James , Trevelyan Rosie , Vijaykumar Savita , Wedage Irushinie , Ockendon Nancy
Published: May 2021

The COVID‐19 pandemic has had an enormous impact on almost all aspects of human society and endeavor; the natural world and its conservation have not been spared. Through a process of expert consultation, we identified and categorized, into 19 themes and 70 subthemes, the ways in which biodiversity and its conservation have been or could be affected by the pandemic globally. Nearly 60% of the effects have been broadly negative. Subsequently, we created a compendium of all themes and subthemes, each with explanatory text, and in August 2020 a diverse group of experienced conservationists with expertise from across sectors and geographies assessed each subtheme for its likely impact on biodiversity conservation globally. The 9 subthemes ranked highest all have a negative impact. These were, in rank order, governments sidelining the environment during their economic recovery, reduced wildlife‐based tourism income, increased habitat destruction, reduced government funding, increased plastic and other solid waste pollution, weakening of nature‐friendly regulations and their enforcement, increased illegal harvest of wild animals, reduced philanthropy, and threats to survival of conservation organizations. In combination, these impacts present a worrying future of increased threats to biodiversity conservation but reduced capacity to counter them. The highest ranking positive impact, at 10, was the beneficial impact of wildlife‐trade restrictions. More optimistically, among impacts ranked 11‐20, 6 were positive and 4 were negative. We hope our assessment will draw attention to the impacts of the pandemic and, thus, improve the conservation community's ability to respond to such threats in the future.
The importance of rectal contrast in CT assessment to detect anastomotic leakage after colorectal surgery
Authors: Marres Carla Christine Maria , Engelmann Esmee W. M. , Buskens Chistianne J. , Haak Hester Eline , Bemelman Willem A. , van de Ven Anthony Willem Hendrik
Published: May 2021

Aim

Computed tomography (CT) is currently the diagnostic tool most often used to detect anastomotic leakage (AL) after colorectal surgery. The aim of this study was to investigate the value of rectal contrast.

Method

All patients who underwent colorectal surgery with a primary anastomosis between 2009 and 2018 were identified from a prospectively maintained database. Patients who underwent postoperative CT scanning in suspicion of AL were included. The clinical and radiological outcomes of patients with and without rectal contrast were compared.

Results

A total of 1183 patient records were reviewed; 225 patients underwent CT‐abdomen in suspicion of AL. Of these patients, 175 (77.8%) received rectal contrast. Sensitivity and specificity in this group were 78% and 94%, respectively. The positive predictive value (PPV) was 0.78 and the negative predictive value (NPV) was 0.94. In the group without rectal contrast (n = 50), sensitivity was 47%, specificity 88%, PPV 0.66 and NPV 0.76. In patients who received rectal contrast, contrast reached the anastomosis in 81.7% compared with 26.0% in patients who were given only oral contrast (p < 0.001). The sensitivity increased to 93% in the group of patients with contrast at the anastomosis, the specificity to 97%, the PPV to 0.88 and the NPV to 0.98. No adverse events were observed after the use of rectal contrast.

Conclusion

The use of rectal contrast led to a significant increase in the predictive value of CT scanning for AL, especially when it reached the anastomosis. This suggests that rectal contrast is a safe and useful adjunct to CT‐abdomen in the detection of AL.
Extensional Superposition and Its Relation to Compositionality in Language and Thought
Authors: Thornton Chris
Published: May 2021

Semantic composition in language must be closely related to semantic composition in thought. But the way the two processes are explained differs considerably. Focusing primarily on propositional content, language theorists generally take semantic composition to be a truth‐conditional process. Focusing more on extensional content, cognitive theorists take it to be a form of concept combination. But though deep, this disconnect is not irreconcilable. Both areas of theory assume that extensional (i.e., denotational) meanings must play a role. As this article demonstrates, they also have the potential to fulfill a mediative function. What is shown is that extensional meanings are themselves inherently compositional. On this basis, it becomes possible to model semantic composition without assuming the existence of any specifically linguistic/conceptual apparatus. Examples are presented to demonstrate this direct style of modeling. Abstract connections between composition in thought and language can then be made, raising the prospect of a more unified, theoretical account of semantic composition.
Evaluation of neutrophil extracellular trap deregulated formation in pyoderma gangrenosum
Authors: Croia Cristina , Dini Valentina , Loggini Barbara , Manni Elisabetta , Romanelli Marco , Migliorini Paola
Published: May 2021

Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is a neutrophilic dermatose (ND) characterized by a dense neutrophilic infiltrate in the affected tissue. Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) are web‐like structures released by neutrophils and composed of cytosolic and granule proteins assembled on a scaffold of decondensed chromatin. Very little is known about the role of NETosis in PG. Here, we assessed the possible implication of NETosis in the pathogenesis of PG by investigating the NETosis in the ulcers of 26 PG patients. We demonstrated that neutrophils in the PG skin lesions undergo an aberrant level of NETosis in 100% of the analysed cases (N = 26). All control and abscess biopsies were instead negative for the NETosis. In addition, neutrophils from peripheral blood of PG patients showed a significantly higher rate of spontaneous, but not induced, NETosis. Overall, this study suggests that the NETosis may contribute to systemic inflammation and tissue destruction in PG, thus representing a possible novel therapeutic target.
Conditional love? Co‐occurrence patterns of drought‐sensitive species in European grasslands are consistent with the stress‐gradient hypothesis
Authors: de Jonge Melinda M. J. , Benítez‐López Ana , Hennekens Stephan , Santini Luca , Huijbregts Mark A. J. , Schipper Aafke M.
Published: May 2021

Aim

The stress‐gradient hypothesis (SGH) postulates that species interactions shift from negative to positive with increasing abiotic stress. Interactions between species are increasingly being recognized as important drivers of species distributions, but it is still unclear whether stress‐induced changes in interactions affect continental‐to‐global scale species distributions. Here, we tested whether associations of vascular plant species in dry grasslands in Europe follow the SGH along a climatic water deficit (CWD) gradient across the continent.

Location

Dry grasslands in Europe.

Time period

Present.

Major taxa studied

Vascular plants.

Methods

We built a context‐dependent joint species distribution model (JSDM) to estimate the residual associations (i.e., associations that are not explained by the abiotic environment) of 161 plant species as a function of the CWD based on community data from 8,660 vegetation plots. We evaluated changes in residual associations between species for pairs and on the community level, and we compared responses for groups of species with different drought tolerances.

Results

We found contrasting shifts in associations for drought‐sensitive and drought‐tolerant species. For drought‐sensitive species, 21% of the pairwise associations became more positive with increasing CWD, whereas 17% became more negative. In contrast, only 17% of the pairwise associations involving drought‐tolerant species became more positive, whereas 27% became more negative in areas with a high CWD. Additionally, the incidence of positive associations increased with drought for drought‐sensitive species and decreased for drought‐tolerant species.

Main conclusions

We found that associations of drought‐sensitive plant species became more positive with drought, in line with the SGH. In contrast, associations of drought‐tolerant species became more negative. Additionally, changes in associations of single species pairs were highly variable. Our results indicate that stress‐modulated species associations might influence the distribution of species over large geographical extents, thus leading to unexpected responses under climate change through shifts in species associations.
Reticulated ceramic foams from alumina‐chromia solid solutions: A feasibility study
Authors: Betke Ulf , Schrake Daniel , Scheffler Michael
Published: May 2021

Open cellular ceramic foams were manufactured from plain and chromia‐doped alumina, with a chromium concentration ranging between 1.25 mol% and 5.0 mol%. The (AlCr)2O3 starting powders were prepared by precipitation of a chromia precursor onto the surface of an alumina powder and subsequent calcination. Characterization of the starting powders as well as the foam samples made therefrom were carried out with respect to the chromium concentration in the alumina phase and the influence of the dopant on the cellular structure and sintering behavior of the doped material. While no positive effect on the compressive strength of the ceramic foams was found, the dopant influences the sintering behavior resulting in an increased shrinkage and in a reduction of total porosity.
The effect of health education on prevention of low back pain for health caregivers and cleaning workers
Authors: Güneş Elifnur , Ayaz‐Alkaya Sultan
Published: May 2021

Aim

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of health education on prevention of low back pain for health caregivers and cleaning workers.

Background

Low back pain is a common health problem in the workplace. Health education is important in the prevention and recurrence of low back pain.

Methods

A quasi‐experimental design with a pre‐test and post‐test control group was used. The population of the study consisted of health caregivers and cleaning workers working in a university hospital in Turkey. A total of 120 participants, 60 in the intervention group and 60 in the control group, were included in the study. Data were collected between October 2016 and April 2017. A questionnaire, the Oswestry Low Back Pain Scale and the Knowledge Evaluation Form were used to collect data. Health education was given to the intervention group.

Results

Following the health education, the mean scores of the Oswestry Low Back Pain Scale in the intervention group were significantly lower than the control group and had a larger effect size.

Conclusion

This study provides evidence for the effectiveness of health education in the prevention of low back pain in health caregivers and cleaning workers.
Atmospheric CO2 enrichment effect on water use efficiency in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)
Authors: Saha Saurav , Chakraborty Debashis , Sehgal Vinay K , Pal Madan
Published: May 2021

Effect of atmospheric CO2 enrichment on crop water relations was evaluated in an open‐top chamber experiment on kabuli chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.; Pusa 1,105). Increase in atmospheric CO2 concentration (e[CO2], 580 ± 20 μmol/mol) resulted in 21%–46% increase in leaf water potential, and 7%–11% in relative leaf water content, indicating higher water content in leaves, compared to the ambient level (a[CO2], 384 ± 12 μmol/mol). Higher leaf water status was connoted through spectral indices over the growing period. A rise in CO2, however, brought increase in leaf diffusive resistance and canopy temperature by 15%–35% and 3%–11%, respectively, potentially indicating partial closure of stomata. Increase in leaf area index (13%–73%), and higher spectral vegetation index suggested improved growth of chickpea under e[CO2]. An increase in leaf area compensated the decrease in diffusive resistance, and therefore seasonal total water use was similar between enriched and ambient conditions. Although water use efficiency (WUE) increased by 30% (p < .05) due to an increase in crop biomass under e[CO2], the canopy conductance remained unaffected. Results suggest a possibility of improved plant water status, enhanced biomass production and increased WUE for chickpea, with similar crop water use under future e[CO2] levels.
Integrating elements of teddy bear therapy into cognitive behavioral therapy for a child with obsessive–compulsive disorder: A case study
Authors: Harris Olivia , Lloyd Susannah , Ward Jayne
Published: May 2021

Problem

Childhood obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) can chronically affect functioning across a multitude of areas. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is well‐evidenced as an effective treatment option, however, there is less research on how CBT for OCD can best be adapted to meet the specific needs of younger children. Integrating CBT with forms of therapy that incorporate play and externalization may be particularly appropriate for this age group. However, more research is needed detailing how this could be carried out in clinical settings.

Methods

This study meets this need by describing the treatment of an 8‐year‐old boy with OCD. An evidence‐based CBT approach was used integrated with teddy‐bear therapy (TBT). This study employs a single‐case A–B design to explore the acceptability and benefits of using an integrated CBT/TBT treatment approach.

Findings and Conclusions

A reduction in ritualistic behavior and anxiety was seen following treatment, with qualitative feedback from the client and his family showing the inclusion of TBT to be experienced as acceptable and useful. All therapy goals were met by the end of treatment, though the parental scores on the Revised Child Anxiety and Depression Scale indicated ongoing clinically significant OCD symptoms. Implications for clinical practice and future research are discussed.
Mild hypothermia in rat with acute myocardial ischaemia‐reperfusion injury complicating severe sepsis
Authors: Qin Zhuyun , Shen Shixuan , Qu Kaiyong , Nie Yu , Zhang Haitao
Published: May 2021

Myocardial ischemia‐reperfusion injury (MIRI) with concurrent severe sepsis has led to substantial mortality. Mild hypothermia (MHT) has been proved to have a therapeutic effect in either MIRI or severe sepsis, which suggests it might be beneficial for MIRI complicating severe sepsis. In this study, Sprague‐Dawley rats with MIRI complicating severe sepsis were allotted in either MHT (33 ± 0.5°C) group or normothermia (NT, 37 ± 0.5°C) group; as control, rats receiving sham surgery and normal saline were kept at NT. After 2h of temperature maintenance, blood and heart tissue were acquired for detections. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and MB isoenzyme of creatine kinase (CK‐MB) in blood, triphenyl tetrazolium chloride and Evans blue staining, hematoxylin and eosin staining for myocardium were employed to detect myocardial damage. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α and caspase‐3 was performed by immunohistochemistry to exam myocardial inflammation and apoptosis. Detection of NADPH oxidase (NOX) 2 was for myocardial oxidative stress. In MHT group, systolic blood pressure was improved significantly compared with NT group. Myocardial infarct size, morphological change, LDH and CK‐MB levels were attenuated compared to NT group. Moreover, less expressions of TNF‐α, caspase‐3 and NOX2 in MHT group were presented compared with NT group. MHT showed cardioprotection by improving cardiac dysfunction, reducing myocardial infarct size and attenuating myocardial injury, inflammation, apoptosis and oxidative stress.
Structural dissimilarity of partners' immune genes increases sperm viability in women's reproductive tract
Authors: Magris Martina , Jokiniemi Annalaura , Kuusipalo Liisa , Ritari Jarmo , Koskela Satu , Partanen Jukka , Kekäläinen Jukka
Published: May 2021

Human leucocyte antigen (HLA) genes appear to mediate pre‐ and post‐copulatory mate choice towards HLA‐dissimilar (‘compatible’) partners. However, since genetically distinct alleles often have similar immunogenic properties, genetic dissimilarity is not necessarily an accurate predictor of the functional compatibility of HLA alleles and, hence, may not reflect partners' true compatibility. Furthermore, it has remained unclear whether other genes of the immune system could also play a role in male–female compatibility. We studied whether the immunoglobulin binding regions (eplets) of HLA molecules and the immunoglobulin structural dissimilarity of the partners affect their gamete‐level compatibility. We exposed sperm of multiple men to follicular fluid or cervical mucus of multiple women and tested whether sperm viability in these reproductive secretions was influenced by HLA eplet and immunoglobulin structural dissimilarity between partners. We found that eplet dissimilarity positively affects sperm viability in follicular fluid, whereas immunoglobulin dissimilarity enhanced sperm viability in cervical mucus. Together, these findings indicate that structural characteristics of both HLA alleles and immunoglobulins may facilitate cryptic female choice towards immunologically compatible partners. Our results, thus, indicate that partners' genetic compatibility may have wider immunological basis than traditionally has been assumed. Relative contribution of different immunogenetic factors to overall compatibility of the reproductive partners needs to be clarified in future studies.
On the association of debt attitudes with socioeconomic characteristics and financial behaviors
Authors: Loibl Cäzilia , Letkiewicz Jodi , McNair Simon , Summers Barbara , Bruine de Bruin Wändi
Published: May 2021

This study investigates time trends in debt attitudes, the socioeconomic profiles of members in three debt attitudes groups, implications for borrowing, banking, and spending behaviors, and the relationship of debt attitudes with planned borrowing and saving behaviors. Based on a representative online survey data of the German population, gender, income, and educational attainment are found to distinguish a larger group of emergency debtors from two smaller, about equally‐sized, groups of debt refusers and debt pragmatists. Debt refusers report less engagement in current borrowing, banking, and spending behaviors compared with emergency debtors and debt pragmatists. Results hold after controlling for psychological responses such as economic outlook, financial planning, and debt stress. Implications for attitude‐focused interventions are discussed.
Good credit, bad credit: The differential role of the sources of debt in life satisfaction
Authors: Bialowolski Piotr , Weziak‐Bialowolska Dorota
Published: May 2021

This study evaluated the short‐term links between different forms of household debt—credit card debt, student debt, debt from relatives, mortgage debt, car debt, and debt arrears—and life satisfaction. To this end, a longitudinal dataset for the US population from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics (PSID) was used and the propensity score difference‐in‐differences approach was applied. Credit card debt and student loans negatively impacted life satisfaction in the short term (up to 2 years). Mortgages and external financing for a car, however, were found to increase life satisfaction. The effects associated with the initial uptake and final repayment of a loan turned out to not be symmetrical—the end of any type of loan contract was not related to life satisfaction. In the case of involuntary debt (i.e., mortgage arrears), a significant negative impact on life satisfaction was noted when problems emerged, while a positive effect was found when the debts were paid off.
A multi‐centre study of learning styles of new nursing students
Authors: Campos Daniel G. , Alvarenga Marcia R. M. , Morais Sheila C. R. V. , Gonçalves Natalia , Silva Tiago B. C. , Jarvill Melissa , Oliveira Kumakura Ana R. S.
Published: May 2021

Aims

To describe beginning nursing student learning styles and to determine whether there are relationships between learning style and sociodemographic or educational background. We also aim to compare these data with the normative values of the 3.1 version of the Kolb learning style inventory and verify its reliability.

Background/Literature

Learning style is related to the way in which an individual interacts with learning conditions, involving cognitive, affective, physical and environmental aspects. In nursing education, few studies have focused on knowing the learning styles of beginning nursing students, despite the need for students to develop critical thinking skills required of nurses.

Design

Descriptive, cross‐sectional, correlational, multi‐site study.

Method

The study took place at five universities in Brazil and one university in the United States. Data were collected from a sample of beginning nursing students (n = 176) in 2019, using the Portuguese and English 3.1 versions of Kolb's learning style inventory.

Results

Most students’ learning styles were classified as divergers (34.10%), while 28.41% were assimilators, 23.86% were accommodators and 13.63% were convergers. Kolb describes learning as a four‐stage cyclical process grounded in experience. The mean score of one learning stage, the concrete experience, showed those who attended public high schools compared with private high schools was higher (mean = 26.22; p = .0019), and there were different results between Brazilian state universities, Brazilian federal universities and the American university (p = .0149).

Conclusion

The diverger style was the most common among beginning nursing students in Brazil and the United States. There was a significant relationship between learning style, the educational background of students, the type of institution they attend and their previous experience with some active learning methodologies.

Relevance to clinical practice

Aligned with Kolb's experiential learning theory, nurse educators must be aware of student learning styles so they may use teaching strategies to meet their students’ needs.
Amniotic fluid neutrophil gelatinase‐associated lipocalin and L‐type fatty acid‐binding protein in predicting fetal inflammatory response syndrome
Authors: Katsura Daisuke , Tsuji Shunichiro , Hayashi Kaori , Tokoro Shinsuke , Zen Rika , Hoshiyama Takako , Nakamura Akiko , Kimura Fuminori , Kita Nobuyuki , Murakami Takashi
Published: May 2021

Aim

To analyze the effectiveness of amniotic fluid neutrophil gelatinase‐associated lipocalin and L‐type fatty acid‐binding protein as predictive factors for fetal inflammatory response syndrome.

Methods

We classified single pregnancy cases into the fetal inflammatory response syndrome and nonfetal inflammatory response syndrome groups. We collected amniotic fluid at vaginal delivery and cesarean section and compared the patient characteristics, maternal white blood cell count, C‐reactive protein level, and amniotic fluid interleukin‐6; neutrophil gelatinase‐associated lipocalin; and L‐type fatty acid‐binding protein levels between the groups. We further analyzed the relationship between L‐type fatty acid‐binding protein levels and neonatal clinical outcomes.

Results

We analyzed 129 pregnancies, of which 36 and 93 (27.9% and 72.1%, respectively) were classified into the fetal inflammatory response syndrome and nonfetal inflammatory response syndrome groups, respectively. We observed significant differences in the maternal white blood cell counts and amniotic fluid interleukin‐6 and neutrophil gelatinase‐associated lipocalin levels. On the multivariate analysis, the useful predictive factors were maternal white blood cell count and amniotic fluid interleukin‐6 and neutrophil gelatinase‐associated lipocalin levels. Furthermore, the level of L‐type fatty acid‐binding protein was significantly higher in the transient tachypnea of the newborn and postnatal respiratory support group than in the control group.

Conclusions

The maternal white blood cell count and amniotic interleukin‐6 and neutrophil gelatinase‐associated lipocalin levels were effective predictors of fetal inflammatory response syndrome. Amniotic fluid L‐type fatty acid‐binding protein level was an effective predictor of neonatal respiratory support.
Existence of equilibrium in an overlapping‐generations model with government debt
Authors: Li Jinlu , Lin Shuanglin
Published: May 2021

The Diamond overlapping generations (OLG) model with government debt has been widely utilized in economics, but the existence of the steady‐state equilibrium is either assumed or illustrated numerically. This paper provides easily checkable conditions for the existence and uniqueness of steady‐state equilibrium in this model. By checking the first derivatives of the production and utility functions and their interactions, we can determine whether the model has a nontrivial equilibrium or not. We show that the level of government debt, production technology, individual preference, and the growth rate are important for the existence of equilibrium. If government debt exceeds a certain level, equilibrium will not exist. Given technology, preference, and the growth rate, the upper‐bounds of the government debt‐output ratio in equilibrium can be determined based on our results.
Patient‐specific establishment of bacterial composition within the peri‐implant microbiota during the earliest weeks after implant uncovering
Authors: Shimogishi Masahiro , Watanabe Takayasu , Shibasaki Masaki , Shiba Takahiko , Komatsu Keiji , Nemoto Takashi , Ishihara Kazuyuki , Nakano Yoshio , Iwata Takanori , Kasugai Shohei , Nakagawa Ichiro
Published: May 2021

Background and Objective

Dysbiosis, a loss of balance in the microbiota, is a potential factor of peri‐implantitis. However, compositional change of the peri‐implant microbiota soon after implant uncovering is still unknown. In this study, bacterial composition in the peri‐implant sulcus was examined to understand the establishment of bacterial composition within the peri‐implant microbiota during the earliest weeks after implant uncovering.

Methods

Microbiota samples were collected at weeks 1, 2, 4, and 6 after stage‐two surgery. Bacterial DNA was isolated from the samples, and a 16S rRNA gene library was constructed. Sequence reads were obtained using a high‐throughput sequencing platform and were taxonomically assigned at the phylum and genus levels.

Results

Alpha diversity indices, which did not include taxonomic information, were at similar levels throughout the four time points. At 1 and 2 weeks, the bacterial composition was similar among patients with the predominance of Firmicutes and Proteobacteria. However, the composition was diverse at 4 and 6 weeks and significantly dissimilar to the composition at 1 week.

Conclusions

At 1 week, the peri‐implant microbiota was already formed with alpha diversity as high as that at the later time points. However, the bacterial composition was not highly dissimilar among patients at 1 week. The composition changed over the passage of several weeks and was specific for each patient.
Health behaviors and multimorbidity associated with bruxism: Population‐based study
Authors: Fehlberg Bruna Kelly , Barros Marilisa Berti de Azevedo , Lima Margareth Guimarães
Published: May 2021

Objectives

Determine the prevalence of possible bruxism in the adult population of Campinas, Brazil, and investigate its association with health behaviors, health status, and multimorbidity.

Methods

A population‐based cross‐sectional study was conducted with data from the 2014/2015 Campinas Health Survey. The sample was composed of 1986 adults (≥20 years of age). The data were collected with the aid of a pre‐coded questionnaire, and the dependent variable was self‐reported bruxism (possible bruxism). The prevalence of possible bruxism was estimated according to the independent variables (health‐related behaviors, morbidities, demographic and socioeconomic characteristics). A hierarchical model was employed using stepwise backward regression in two stages. Principal component analysis was also performed to identify multimorbidity patterns.

Results

The prevalence of possible bruxism was 13.6%. Associations were found with the consumption of alcoholic beverages, sleep quality, and the number of chronic diseases/health problems. Bruxism was more associated with multimorbidity pattern 2, which was composed of asthma, rhinitis, sinusitis, dizziness/vertigo, migraine/headache, emotional/mental problem, back pain, and allergy.

Conclusion

The present findings justify the planning of actions directed at reducing the consumption of alcoholic beverages and can help guide the health actions of the multidisciplinary team, prioritizing a reduction in the harm caused by the simultaneous presence of health problems associated with possible bruxism.
Comparison of Imaging Parameters between a New Cervical Full Lamina Back Shift Spinal Canal Enlargement Technique and Single Open‐Door Laminoplasty for Multisegment Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy
Authors: Wang Xiao‐nan , Zhao Yi‐bo , Lu Xiang‐dong , Zhao Xiao‐feng , Fan Zhi‐feng , Qi De‐tai , Zhou Run‐tian , Jin Yuan‐zhang , Zhao Bin
Published: May 2021

Purpose

To provide imaging evidence of the feasibility and clinical efficacy of a new full lamina back shift spinal canal enlargement technique.

Methods

A retrospective analysis was conducted on 64 patients with multisegment cervical spondylotic myelopathy caused by cervical stenosis. Of these, 32 patients underwent the new full lamina back shift spinal canal enlargement technique (as observation group) and 32 patients underwent single open‐door miniature titanium plate internal fixation (as control group). The computed tomography (CT) data of both groups were imported into Mimics 17.0 software to measure the median sagittal diameter and cross‐sectional area of the spinal canal. Photoshop CS5 was employed to measure the drift distance of the spinal cord on MR images to perform a comparative study of the imaging parameters from the two groups.

Results

The T2‐weighted MR images in both groups showed continuous recovery of the cerebrospinal fluid signal in the C3–C7 range. The enlarged spinal canal cross‐sectional area (mm2) of each segment after the new full lamina back shift spinal canal enlargement technique was 130.90 ± 20.52 (C3), 180.81 ± 18.86 (C4), 240.48 ± 35.43 (C5), 145.93 ± 36.94 (C6), and 153.16 ± 36.28 (C7), and the enlarged median sagittal diameter (mm) was 5.31 ± 1.13 (C3), 8.8 ± 1.28 (C4), 10.28 ± 1.68 (C5), 9.46 ± 1.48 (C6), and 9.22 ± 1.12 (C7). Both parameters were significantly superior to single open‐door miniature titanium plate internal fixation (P < 0.05). No significant difference was detected in the drift distance of the spinal cord between the two groups (P > 0.05).

Conclusion

The new full lamina back shift spinal canal enlargement technique achieved a thorough spinal canal decompression effect on imaging while ensuring a reasonable spinal drift distance and few surgical complications. The clinical curative effect of the new technique was precise.
Speckle pattern creation methods for two‐dimensional digital image correlation strain measurements applied to mechanical tensile tests up to 700°C
Authors: Luong Phuong , Bonnaire Rébecca , Périé Jean‐Noel , Sirvin Quentin , Penazzi Luc
Published: May 2021

The purpose of this study is to develop novel speckle pattern techniques for digital image correlation (DIC) kinematic measurements of mechanical tests at high temperatures, typically from 400 to 700°C. In this context, the speckle pattern should not only meet morphological criteria (size, density, distance) in order to improve spatial resolution, but it should also present a high contrast and resist high temperature and strain levels. To find a speckle pattern matching these specifications, a comparison was performed on six types of speckle made using different techniques. First, a computer‐generated speckle pattern that meets DIC criteria was numerically designed to produce six types of speckle pattern. Next, the speckle patterns produced using these six techniques were compared in terms of speckle morphology, image quality and adherence to titanium alloy TA6V material at high temperatures. From 25 to 600°C, the speckle pattern made by the technique combining anodisation and laser engraving named M5 technique gave the best contrast (highest value of mean intensity gradient [MIG] and Shannon entropy value) and the adherence of 200% of strain measurements to the TA6V material. At 700°C, speckle image quality is considerably reduced due to oxidation of the titanium alloy, and this may not be suitable for DIC measurements. Only the speckles produced by painting in which the paint plays a protective role provide with a better speckle contrast compared with other techniques. However, these speckle patterns enable only a strain measurement of 22% by the DIC method. This article concludes with guidelines for producing a speckle pattern suitable for high‐temperature mechanical tests.
Biochar composites: Emerging trends, field successes and sustainability implications
Authors: Wang Liuwei , Ok Yong Sik , Tsang Daniel C. W. , Alessi Daniel S. , Rinklebe Jörg , Mašek Ondřej , Bolan Nanthi S. , Hou Deyi
Published: May 2021

Engineered biochars are promising candidates in a wide range of environmental applications, including soil fertility improvement, contaminant immobilization, wastewater treatment and in situ carbon sequestration. This review provides a systematic classification of these novel biochar composites and identifies the promising future trends in composite research and application. It is proposed that metals, minerals, layered double hydroxides, carbonaceous nanomaterials and microorganisms enhance the performances of biochars via distinct mechanisms. In this review, four novel trends are identified and assessed critically. Firstly, facile synthesis methods, in particular ball milling and co‐pyrolysis, have emerged as popular composite fabrication strategies that are suitable for large‐scale applications. Secondly, biochar modification with green materials, such as natural clay minerals and microorganisms, align well with the on‐going green and sustainable remediation (GSR) movement. Furthermore, new applications in soil health improvement and climate change mitigation support the realization of United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Finally, the importance of field studies is getting more attention, since evidence of field success is critically needed before large‐scale applications.
A case series of multidrug‐resistant tuberculosis in renal transplant recipients: Challenges in management from a TB endemic country
Authors: Babar Zaheer Udin , Nasim Asma , Kumar Sunil , Nazmi Jawwad , Badlani Sanjay , Nadeem Ali , Aziz Tahir
Published: May 2021

Multidrug‐resistant tuberculosis (MDR‐TB) is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis that is resistant to isoniazid and rifampicin (Rif). The use of immunosuppressive drugs in solid organ transplant recipients can increase the risk of TB. Management of MDR‐TB is quite challenging in the general population with poor compliance owing to lengthy treatment duration and drug toxicities. New drugs as well as shorter regimen have been used to increase the likelihood of adherence. The experience of treating MDR‐TB in the transplant recipients is limited. New drugs like bedaquiline, linezolid, clofazimine, and delamanid have rarely been used in transplant recipients. To the best of our knowledge, only 14 cases of MDR‐TB in transplant population have been reported in the literature and no case from Pakistan, a high TB burden country. We are reporting our experience of treating 4 renal transplant recipients. We used new drug regimen and found many side effects. Treatment outcome was successful with complete cure in 3 of our patients, however one died of severe drug toxicity. The most worrisome drug interaction was between azathioprine and linezolid, with life‐threatening thrombocytopenia. There was no graft dysfunction noted at the end of the therapy. The management of MDR‐TB in transplant recipients is challenging; excellent coordination between transplant team and Infectious Diseases Physician for close monitoring and follow‐up is needed.
Screening for parvovirus B19 antigen through chemiluminescent enzyme immunoassay is equivalent to B19 nucleic acid amplification test‐based screening of pooled plasma
Authors: Ikegawa Motonori , Ohashi Shinichi , Minagi Takao , Okamoto Hiroko , Yunoki Mikihiro
Published: May 2021

Background

Human parvovirus B19 (B19) is a pathogen that threatens the quality of plasma products. Therefore, health authorities have mandated measures against B19 contamination of plasma pools. The US FDA has recommended a B19 genome level of 104 IU/ml or lower in pooled plasma lots. Therefore, the B19 nucleic acid amplification test (B19‐NAT) has been introduced in many plasma fractionators. However, in the Japanese Red Cross, which is the only approved blood collector in Japan, the B19 antigen test has been introduced for screening donated blood in Japan. Therefore, to clarify whether the antigen test is robust enough to screen blood samples according to the FDA recommendation, we evaluated B19 genome levels in each pooled plasma lot from 2003 to 2020.

Study Design and Methods

Data of 5576 pooled plasma lots from factories A and B, which were derived from plasma bags and passed the B19 antigen‐based tests, receptor‐mediated hemagglutination assay (B19‐RHA), or chemiluminescent enzyme immunoassay (B19‐CLEIA), during 2003 to 2020, were evaluated. The amount of B19 genome in each lot was determined using quantitative or semiquantitative B19‐NAT.

Results

The B19 genome levels in pooled plasma lots screened using B19‐RHA did not meet the FDA recommendation, whereas the lots derived from B19‐CLEIA fulfilled the FDA recommendation, even during the B19 epidemic in Japan.

Discussion

The results suggest that the B19‐CLEIA donor screening for plasma pools is also useful in light of the US FDA recommendation.
The role of lactate in sepsis and COVID‐19: Perspective from contracting skeletal muscle metabolism
Authors: Iepsen Ulrik Winning , Plovsing Ronni R. , Tjelle Klaus , Foss Nicolai Bang , Meyhoff Christian S. , Ryrsø Camilla K. , Berg Ronan M. G. , Secher Niels H.
Published: May 2021

New Findings

What is the topic of this review?

Lactate is considered an important substrate for mitochondria in the muscles, heart and brain during exercise and is the main gluconeogenetic precursor in the liver and kidneys. In this light, we review the (patho)physiology of lactate metabolism in sepsis and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19).

What advances does it highlight?

Elevated blood lactate is strongly associated with mortality in septic patients. Lactate seems unrelated to tissue hypoxia but is likely to reflect mitochondrial dysfunction and high adrenergic stimulation. Patients with severe COVID‐19 exhibit near‐normal blood lactate, indicating preserved mitochondrial function, despite a systemic hyperinflammatory state similar to sepsis.

In critically ill patients, elevated plasma lactate is often interpreted as a sign of organ hypoperfusion and/or tissue hypoxia. This view on lactate is likely to have been influenced by the pioneering exercise physiologists around 1920. August Krogh identified an oxygen deficit at the onset of exercise that was later related to an oxygen ‘debt’ and lactate accumulation by A. V. Hill. Lactate is considered to be the main gluconeogenetic precursor in the liver and kidneys during submaximal exercise, but hepatic elimination is attenuated by splanchnic vasoconstriction during high‐intensity exercise, causing an exponential increase in blood lactate. With the development of stable isotope tracers, lactate has become established as an important energy source for muscle, brain and heart tissue, where it is used for mitochondrial respiration. Plasma lactate > 4 mM is strongly associated with mortality in septic shock, with no direct link between lactate release and tissue hypoxia. Herein, we provide evidence for mitochondrial dysfunction and adrenergic stimulation as explanations for the sepsis‐induced hyperlactataemia. Despite profound hypoxaemia and intense work of breathing, patients with severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) rarely exhibit hyperlactataemia (> 2.5 mM), while presenting a systemic hyperinflammatory state much like sepsis. However, lactate dehydrogenase, which controls the formation of lactate, is markedly elevated in plasma and strongly associated with mortality in severe COVID‐19. We briefly review the potential mechanisms of the lactate dehydrogenase elevation in COVID‐19 and its relationship to lactate metabolism based on mechanisms established in contracting skeletal muscle and the acute respiratory distress syndrome.
Overdischarge Detection and Prevention With Temperature Monitoring of Li-Ion Batteries and Linear Regression-Based Machine Learning
Authors: Li Bing , Jones Casey M. , Tomar Vikas
Published: May 2021

This work focuses on the use of linear regression analysis-based machine learning for the prediction of the end of discharge of a prismatic Li-ion cell. The cell temperature was recorded during the cycling of Li-ion cells and the relation between the open circuit voltage (OCV) and cell temperature was used in the development of the linear regression-based machine learning algorithm. The peak temperature was selected as the indicator of battery end of discharge. A battery management system (BMS) using a pyboard microcontroller was constructed to monitor the temperature of the cell under test and was also used to control a MOSFET that acted as a switch to disconnect the cell from the circuit. The method used an initial 10 charge and discharge cycles at a rate of 1C as the training data, then another charge and discharge cycle for the testing data. During the test cycling, the discharge was continued beyond the cutoff voltage to initiate an overdischarge while the temperature of the cell was continuously monitored. When the temperature of the cell exceeded the predetermined threshold, the pyboard triggered the MOSFET to disconnect the cell and stop the overdischarge. The experiment was performed on three different cells, and the overdischarge for each was secured within 0.1 V of the cutoff voltage. The results of these experiments show that a linear regression-based analysis can be implemented to detect an overdischarge condition of a cell based on the anticipated peak temperature during discharge.
Drill String Torsional Vibrations Modeling With Dynamic Drill Pipe Properties Measurement and Field Validation
Authors: Boukredera Farouk Said , Hadjadj Ahmed , Youcefi Mohamed Riad
Published: May 2021

This paper aims to present the drill string torsional dynamics through a lumped parameter modeling using the basic physical notions with continuous measurement of drill pipe mechanical properties (inertia, damping, and stiffness). The model represents the mechanical properties as a variable for each drilled stand. A rock bit interactions model is employed in the system considering the kinetic friction as variable and depends on surface drilling parameters and the well length. Field data, including surface and downhole recorded velocities, are used to validate the model by comparing both velocities and to confirm the existence of drill string vibrations together with the simulation results (bit velocity).