bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enhancer polymorphism rs10865710 associated with traumatic sepsis is a regulator of PPARG gene expression
Authors: Lu Hongxiang , Wen Dalin , Sun Jianhui , Zeng Ling , Du Juan , Du Dingyuan , Zhang Lianyang , Deng Jin , Jiang Jianxin , Zhang Anqiang
Published: December 2019

Background

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) is a major regulator in sepsis. Our previous study identified the enhancer polymorphism rs10865710C/G to be associated with susceptibility to sepsis in trauma patients. We performed two-stage cohort studies integrating biological experiments of potential functional variants that modify susceptibility to traumatic sepsis.

Methods

Improved multiplex ligation detection reaction (iMLDR) was used to genotype rs10865710 in 797 Han Chinese trauma patients in Chongqing. Clinical relevance was validated in 334 patients in Guizhou. The potential function of rs10865710 in transcriptional regulation was explored through a dual luciferase reporter assay and electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA). Expression of PPARγ was assessed by expression quantitative trait locus (e-QTL) and western blot analyses.

Results

The association results confirmed rs10865710 to be significantly strongly associated with sepsis risk in trauma patients of the Chongqing and Guizhou cohorts (OR = 1.41 (1.11–1.79), P = 0.004 and OR = 1.45 (1.01–2.09), P = 0.046, both for allele-dose effect, respectively). A meta-analysis of both cohorts and a previous study indicated strong evidence for this association (OR = 1.41 (1.17–1.71), P = 0.0004 for the dominant model, OR = 1.78 (1.34–2.36), P < 0.0001 for the recessive model and OR = 1.38 (1.20–1.58), P < 0.0001 for the allelic model). Functional experiments verified that rs10865710 was a causative variant influencing enhancer activity (G vs. C, 0.068 ± 0.004 vs. 0.096 ± 0.002, P = 0.0005) and CREB2 binding. Expression analysis also indicatevd rs10865710 genotypes to be associated with levels of PPARγ expression (P = 9.2 × 10−5 for dominant effect and P = 0.005 for recessive effect).

Conclusions

Our study provides evidence that the enhancer-region polymorphism rs10865710 might influence transcription factor binding and regulate PPARγ expression, thus conferring susceptibility to traumatic sepsis.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01713205. Registered 18 October 2012, retrospectively registered.
mRNA structural elements immediately upstream of the start codon dictate dependence upon eIF4A helicase activity
Authors: Waldron Joseph A. , Tack David C. , Ritchey Laura E. , Gillen Sarah L. , Wilczynska Ania , Turro Ernest , Bevilacqua Philip C. , Assmann Sarah M. , Bushell Martin , Le Quesne John
Published: December 2019

Background

The RNA helicase eIF4A1 is a key component of the translation initiation machinery and is required for the translation of many pro-oncogenic mRNAs. There is increasing interest in targeting eIF4A1 therapeutically in cancer, thus understanding how this protein leads to the selective re-programming of the translational landscape is critical. While it is known that eIF4A1-dependent mRNAs frequently have long GC-rich 5′UTRs, the details of how 5′UTR structure is resculptured by eIF4A1 to enhance the translation of specific mRNAs are unknown.

Results

Using Structure-seq2 and polysome profiling, we assess global mRNA structure and translational efficiency in MCF7 cells, with and without eIF4A inhibition with hippuristanol. We find that eIF4A inhibition does not lead to global increases in 5′UTR structure, but rather it leads to 5′UTR remodeling, with localized gains and losses of structure. The degree of these localized structural changes is associated with 5′UTR length, meaning that eIF4A-dependent mRNAs have greater localized gains of structure due to their increased 5′UTR length. However, it is not solely increased localized structure that causes eIF4A-dependency but the position of the structured regions, as these structured elements are located predominantly at the 3′ end of the 5′UTR.

Conclusions

By measuring changes in RNA structure following eIF4A inhibition, we show that eIF4A remodels local 5′UTR structures. The location of these structural elements ultimately determines the dependency on eIF4A, with increased structure just upstream of the CDS being the major limiting factor in translation, which is overcome by eIF4A activity.
Nurse-led care versus physician-led care in the management of rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis (StaerkeR): study protocol for a multi-center randomized controlled trial
Authors: Mai Anna , Braun Jürgen , Reese Jens-Peter , Westerhoff Benjamin , Trampisch Ulrike , Klaassen-Mielke Renate , Timmesfeld Nina , Trampisch Hans J. , Krause Dietmar
Published: December 2019

Background

In Germany, the care of patients with inflammatory arthritis could be improved. Although specialized rheumatology nurses could take over substantial aspects of patient care, this hardly occurs in Germany. Thus, the aim of the study is to examine structured nursing consultation in rheumatology practices.

Methods/design

In total, 800 patients with a stable course of rheumatoid arthritis or psoriatic arthritis in 20 centers in North Rhine–Westphalia and Lower Saxony will be randomized to either nurse-led care or standard care. Participating nurses will study for a special qualification in rheumatology and trial-specific issues. It is hypothesized that nurse-led care is non-inferior to standard care provided by rheumatologists with regard to a reduction of disease activity (DAS28) while it is hypothesized to be superior regarding changes in health-related quality of life (EQ-5D-5L) after 1 year. Secondary outcomes include functional capacity, patient satisfaction with treatment, and resource consumption.

Discussion

Since there is insufficient care of rheumatology patients in Germany, the study may be able to suggest improvements. Nurse-led care has the potential to provide more efficient and effective patient care. This includes a more stringent implementation of the treat-to-target concept, which may lead to a higher percentage of patients reaching their treatment targets, thereby improving patient-related outcomes, such as quality of life, functional capacity, and participation. Additionally, nurse-led care may be highly cost-effective. Finally, this project may form the basis for a sustainable implementation of nurse-led care in standard rheumatology care in Germany.

Trial registration

German Clinical Trials Register, DRKS00015526. Registered on 11 January 2019.
Teacher Anxiety Program for Elementary Students (TAPES): intervention development and proposed randomized controlled trial
Authors: Ginsburg Golda S. , Pella Jeffrey E. , Piselli Kate , Chan Grace
Published: December 2019

Background

Excessive student anxiety is a common problem that severely impairs short- and long-term academic functioning and increases teacher burden. Reducing student anxiety has been associated with improvement in educational functioning. Because anxiety manifests daily in the classroom, teachers are in an ideal position to identify and help students manage their anxiety. Unfortunately, teachers lack the knowledge and skills to support the learning of students with excessive anxiety. The Teacher Anxiety Program for Elementary Students (TAPES), a novel teacher-administered school-home collaborative intervention, was designed to address this gap.

Methods

This manuscript describes the protocol for developing and evaluating TAPES. Specifically, we present a description of: (1) the intervention and theoretical model; and (2) methods for the proposed randomized controlled trial comparing TAPES to a standard professional development seminar focused on reducing student anxiety.

Discussion

Primary aims examine the impact of the TAPES training on teacher knowledge and skill. Secondary aims examine the impact of TAPES on student outcomes. Exploratory aims will examine mediators based on our proposed theory of change. If effective, TAPES has the potential to directly benefit teachers (improving skills) and students (reducing anxiety and improving functioning).

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov,NCT03899948. Registered on 28 March 2019.
Internet-based interpersonal psychotherapy for stress, anxiety, and depression in prenatal women: study protocol for a pilot randomized controlled trial
Authors: Bright Katherine S. , Mughal Muhammad Kashif , Wajid Abdul , Lane-Smith Marie , Murray Lindsay , Roy Nicola , Van Zanten Sander Veldhuyzen , Mcneil Deborah A. , Stuart Scott , Kingston Dawn
Published: December 2019

Background

Psychological distress, defined as depression, anxiety and perceived stress, during pregnancy is common, with 15–25% of women experiencing clinically significant levels of such distress. Despite the far-reaching impact of prenatal psychological distress on mothers and their children, and that women are receptive to screening, few providers routinely screen for prenatal psychological distress and less than one in five women will receive the mental health care that they require. There is a lack of certainty regarding the most effective treatments for prenatal psychological distress. No online interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) trials have been conducted that focus on improving psychological distress in prenatal women. The purpose of this pilot randomized controlled trial is to evaluate the perspectives of pregnant women on the feasibility and acceptability of online IPT (e-IPT) delivered during pregnancy.

Methods

A pilot randomized controlled trial design with repeated measures will evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of e-IPT for pregnant women compared to routine prenatal care. Qualitative interviews with 15–30 individuals in the intervention group will provide further data on the feasibility and acceptability of the intervention. Assessment of feasibility will include the ease of accessing and completing the intervention. Women will also be asked about what barriers there were to starting and completing the e-IPT. Assessment of acceptability will inquire about the perception of women regarding the intervention and its various features. A sample size of 160 consenting pregnant women aged 18 years and older will be enrolled and randomized into the experimental (e-IPT) or control (routine care) condition. The secondary outcome measures include: depression, anxiety and stress symptoms; self-efficacy; self-mastery; self-esteem; relationship quality (spouse, immediate family members); coping; and resilience. All participants will complete the aforementioned measures at baseline during pregnancy (T1), 3 months postrandomization (T2), at 8 months of pregnancy (T3), and 3 months postpartum (T4).

Discussion

The results of this pilot randomized controlled trial will provide data on the feasibility and acceptability of the intervention and identify necessary adaptations. This study will allow for optimization of full trial processes and inform the evaluation strategy, including sample size calculations for the full randomized controlled trial.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01901796. Registered on 18 December 2014.
The efficacy of iCBT added to treatment as usual for alcohol-dependent patients in primary care: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Hyland Karin , Hammarberg Anders , Hedman-Lagerlöf Erik , Johansson Magnus , Andreasson Sven
Published: December 2019

Background

Alcohol dependence is a common disorder with a continuum regarding severity. Most alcohol-dependent persons have a moderate level of dependence and live under socially orderly conditions. Treatment-seeking in this group is low, mainly due to stigma and because treatment options are seen as unappealing.

Alcohol is a relevant topic to discuss in many primary care (PC) consultations and PC is less stigmatizing to visit compared to addiction care units for people with alcohol problems. However, general practitioners (GPs) hesitate to engage in treating alcohol problems due to time constraints and lack of knowledge. Screening and brief interventions are effective for high consumers but there are few studies on dependence.

Methods

This is a two-group, parallel, randomized controlled trial (RCT). The aim is to study whether an Internet-based Cognitive Behavioral Treatment (iCBT) when added to treatment as usual (TAU) is more effective than TAU only for alcohol dependence in PC. Two hundred and sixty adults with alcohol dependence will be included. Participants are randomized to iCBT and TAU or TAU only. The primary study outcome is alcohol consumption in grams per week and heavy-drinking days. Secondary outcomes include alcohol-related problem severity, number of diagnostic criteria for alcohol dependence, depression and anxiety symptoms, health-related quality of life and biochemical markers for high consumption and liver pathology. Data will be analyzed using mixed-effect models.

Discussion

Internet-based interventions are attractive to, and have been shown to reach, people with alcohol problems. Yet there are no studies investigating the efficacy of Internet treatment of alcohol dependence in PC. In this study we hypothesize that iCBT when added to TAU will improve treatment outcome for alcohol dependence in PC, compared to TAU only. If effective, iCBT can be distributed to the public to a low cost for a stakeholder and has the opportunity to reduce both short-term and long-term public health costs.

Trial registration

ISRCTN69957414. Retrospectively registered on 7 June 2018.
Facile synthesis and antiproliferative activity of new 3-cyanopyridines
Authors: Abdel-aziz Hassan M. , Gomha Sobhi M. , El-Sayed Abdelaziz A. , Mabkhot Yahia Nasser , Alsayari Abdulrhman , Muhsinah Abdullatif Bin
Published: December 2019

Background

Pyridines have been reported to possess various pharmacological activities.

Results

Sodium 3-oxo-3-(2-oxo-2H-chromen-3-yl)prop-1-en-1-olate (2) and sodium 3-oxo-3-(3-oxo-3H-benzo[f]chromen-2-yl)prop-1-en-1-olate (7) were prepared and reacted with 2-cyano-N’-(1-aryl(heteryl)ethylidene)acetohydrazides 3a–d to produce 2-oxo-1,2-dihydropyridine-3-carbonitrile derivatives 5a–d and 9a–d, respectively, in good yields. Also, 3a–d reacted with sodium (2-oxocyclopentylidene)methanolate (11a) or sodium (2-oxocyclohexylidene) methanolate (11b) to yield 2-oxo-tetrahydro-1H-cyclopenta[b]pyridine-3-carbonitriles 13a–d and 2-oxo-hexahydroquinoline-3-carbonitriles 13e–h, respectively. The mechanisms that account for the formation of the products are discussed. Additionally, the structures of all the newly synthesized products are confirmed, based on elemental analysis and spectral data. Several of the newly synthesized compounds are evaluated for their antitumor activity against HEPG2 and their structure activity relationship (SAR) was studied.

Conclusions

The results revealed that the pyridine derivatives 5c and 5d (IC50 = 1.46, 7.08 µM, respectively) have promising antitumor activity against liver carcinoma cell line (HEPG2), compared to the reference drug, doxorubicin.
Neoantigen-specific immunity in low mutation burden colorectal cancers of the consensus molecular subtype 4
Authors: van den Bulk Jitske , Verdegaal Els M. E. , Ruano Dina , Ijsselsteijn Marieke E. , Visser Marten , van der Breggen Ruud , Duhen Thomas , van der Ploeg Manon , de Vries Natasja L. , Oosting Jan , Peeters Koen C. M. J. , Weinberg Andrew D. , Farina-Sarasqueta Arantza , van der Burg Sjoerd H. , de Miranda Noel F. C. C.
Published: December 2019

Background

The efficacy of checkpoint blockade immunotherapies in colorectal cancer is currently restricted to a minority of patients diagnosed with mismatch repair-deficient tumors having high mutation burden. However, this observation does not exclude the existence of neoantigen-specific T cells in colorectal cancers with low mutation burden and the exploitation of their anti-cancer potential for immunotherapy. Therefore, we investigated whether autologous neoantigen-specific T cell responses could also be observed in patients diagnosed with mismatch repair-proficient colorectal cancers.

Methods

Whole-exome and transcriptome sequencing were performed on cancer and normal tissues from seven colorectal cancer patients diagnosed with mismatch repair-proficient tumors to detect putative neoantigens. Corresponding neo-epitopes were synthesized and tested for recognition by in vitro expanded T cells that were isolated from tumor tissues (tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes) and from peripheral mononuclear blood cells stimulated with tumor material.

Results

Neoantigen-specific T cell reactivity was detected to several neo-epitopes in the tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes of three patients while their respective cancers expressed 15, 21, and 30 non-synonymous variants. Cell sorting of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes based on the co-expression of CD39 and CD103 pinpointed the presence of neoantigen-specific T cells in the CD39+CD103+ T cell subset. Strikingly, the tumors containing neoantigen-reactive TIL were classified as consensus molecular subtype 4 (CMS4), which is associated with TGF-β pathway activation and worse clinical outcome.

Conclusions

We have detected neoantigen-targeted reactivity by autologous T cells in mismatch repair-proficient colorectal cancers of the CMS4 subtype. These findings warrant the development of specific immunotherapeutic strategies that selectively boost the activity of neoantigen-specific T cells and target the TGF-β pathway to reinforce T cell reactivity in this patient group.
A benchmark of transposon insertion detection tools using real data
Authors: Vendrell-Mir Pol , Barteri Fabio , Merenciano Miriam , González Josefa , Casacuberta Josep M. , Castanera Raúl
Published: December 2019

Background

Transposable elements (TEs) are an important source of genomic variability in eukaryotic genomes. Their activity impacts genome architecture and gene expression and can lead to drastic phenotypic changes. Therefore, identifying TE polymorphisms is key to better understand the link between genotype and phenotype. However, most genotype-to-phenotype analyses have concentrated on single nucleotide polymorphisms as they are easier to reliable detect using short-read data. Many bioinformatic tools have been developed to identify transposon insertions from resequencing data using short reads. Nevertheless, the performance of most of these tools has been tested using simulated insertions, which do not accurately reproduce the complexity of natural insertions.

Results

We have overcome this limitation by building a dataset of insertions from the comparison of two high-quality rice genomes, followed by extensive manual curation. This dataset contains validated insertions of two very different types of TEs, LTR-retrotransposons and MITEs. Using this dataset, we have benchmarked the sensitivity and precision of 12 commonly used tools, and our results suggest that in general their sensitivity was previously overestimated when using simulated data. Our results also show that, increasing coverage leads to a better sensitivity but with a cost in precision. Moreover, we found important differences in tool performance, with some tools performing better on a specific type of TEs. We have also used two sets of experimentally validated insertions in Drosophila and humans and show that this trend is maintained in genomes of different size and complexity.

Conclusions

We discuss the possible choice of tools depending on the goals of the study and show that the appropriate combination of tools could be an option for most approaches, increasing the sensitivity while maintaining a good precision.
Activating BRAF mutation in sclerosing mucoepidermoid carcinoma with eosinophilia of the thyroid gland: two case reports and review of the literature
Authors: Sukumar Jasmine S. , Sukumar Senthil , Purohit Darshana , Welch Brian J. , Balani Jyoti , Yan Shirley , Hathiramani Sumitha S.
Published: December 2019

Background

Sclerosing mucoepidermoid carcinoma with eosinophilia is a rare form of thyroid carcinoma. The underlying molecular mechanisms of sclerosing mucoepidermoid carcinoma with eosinophilia tumorigenesis remain unknown.

Case presentation

We present two cases of sclerosing mucoepidermoid carcinoma with eosinophilia, both with a concurrent papillary thyroid carcinoma. Patient 1, a 70-year-old Caucasian woman, presented with sclerosing mucoepidermoid carcinoma with eosinophilia with distant renal metastasis and coexisting papillary thyroid carcinoma. Patient 2, a 74-year-old Caucasian woman with a remote history of thyroid cancer treated with thyroidectomy, presented with locoregionally invasive sclerosing mucoepidermoid carcinoma with eosinophilia and recurrent papillary thyroid carcinoma in the thyroid bed.BRAFmutation studies were performed on the sclerosing mucoepidermoid carcinoma with eosinophilia tumors. In both cases, sclerosing mucoepidermoid carcinoma with eosinophilia was positive for theBRAFV600E mutation by polymerase chain reaction. Patient 1 is the first reported case of sclerosing mucoepidermoid carcinoma with eosinophilia with renal metastasis, to the best of our knowledge.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest, for the first time, to our knowledge, involvement of the RAS-RAF-MEK-ERK signaling pathway in the pathogenesis of sclerosing mucoepidermoid carcinoma with eosinophilia. Thus, BRAF inhibitors may prove to be a useful targeted medical therapy in the treatment of a subset of patients with aggressive sclerosing mucoepidermoid carcinoma with eosinophilia tumors who exhibitBRAFactivating mutation.
Buying efficiency: optimal hospital payment in the presence of double upcoding
Authors: Spika Simon B. , Zweifel Peter
Published: December 2019

Background

With DRG payments, hospitals can game the system by ’upcoding’ true patient’s severity of illness. This paper takes into account that upcoding can be performed by the chief physician and hospital management, with the extent of the distortion depending on hospital’s internal decision-making process. The internal decision making can be of the principal-agent type with the management as the principal and the chief physician as the agent, but the chief physicians may be able to engage in negotiations with management resulting in a bargaining solution.

Results

In case of the principal-agent mechanism, the distortion due to upcoding is shown to accumulate, whereas in the bargaining case it is avoided at the level of the chief physician.

Conclusion

In the presence of upcoding it may be appropriate for the sponsor to design a payment system that fosters bargaining to avoid additional distortions even if this requires extra funding.
Pharmacologic and surgical therapies for patients with Meniere’s disease: a protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Ahmadzai Nadera , Cheng Wei , Wolfe Dianna , Bonaparte Jamie , Schramm David , Fitzpatrick Elizabeth , Lin Vincent , Skidmore Becky , Esmaeilisaraji Leila , Kilty Shaun , Hutton Brian
Published: December 2019

Background

Hearing loss is one of the leading causes of disability in Canada and worldwide, with more than one million Canadians enduring a hearing-related disability. Meniere’s disease (MD) is a chronic condition of the inner ear, manifesting as a triad of disabling symptoms, including attacks of vertigo, fluctuating sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL), and tinnitus. Impacts on quality of life are severe, particularly with respect to restrictions in social participation and physical activity, fatigue, and reduced capacity to work. Anxiety and other psychological disorders may result from the restrictions imposed on life, the constant uncertainty of vertigo attacks, and fluctuating SNHL, with neuroses and depression affecting 40 to 60% of sufferers of intractable MD. There is a need to establish the benefits of previously studied interventions with greater certainty. The planned systematic review and meta-analyses/network meta-analyses (NMAs) will assess the relative effects of competing pharmacologic and surgical interventions for management of MD in adults.

Methods

An experienced medical information specialist in consultation with the review team will develop the electronic search strategies. We will search various databases including MEDLINE, Embase, and the Cochrane Library with no date or language restrictions for published literature, and key clinical trial registries for in-progress and completed trials. Screening of the literature will be performed by two reviewers independently using pre-specified eligibility criteria, and quality of the included studies will be assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool. We will resolve disagreements through consensus or third-party adjudication. When applicable, meta-analyses and NMAs will be pursued to compare interventions in terms of their effects on outcomes, including frequency and severity of vertigo, occurrence and intensity of tinnitus, changes in hearing and speech recognition, quality of life, and harms. Separate analyses exploring the effects of pharmacologic and surgical approaches will be performed.

Discussion

Our planned systematic review will provide informative evaluations of existing treatments for management of Meniere’s disease. The findings will inform practitioners as to the relative benefits and harms of the existing competing interventions for MD, offer optimal clinical treatment strategies, identify evidence gaps, and determine promising therapies for evaluation in future trials.

Systematic review registration

PROSPERO CRD42019119129
Faucet aerators as a reservoir for Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii: a healthcare-associated infection outbreak in a neurosurgical intensive care unit
Authors: Lv Yu , Xiang Qian , Jin Ying Z. , Fang Ying , Wu Yu J. , Zeng Bin , Yu Hua , Cai Hong M. , Wei Qiong D. , Wang Chen , Chen Jing , Wang Hui
Published: December 2019

Background

On January 7, 2019, we observed an outbreak of healthcare-associated infection (HAI) caused by Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) in the neurosurgical intensive care unit (NSICU). A follow-up epidemiological investigation was conducted, and an emergency response was initiated. We aimed to study the clonal transmission of CRAB and its possible source.

Methods

A matched case-control (1:2) study was performed to identify the possible predisposing factors. A multifaceted intervention was implemented to control the outbreak. We collected environmental samples from patients’ rooms and living area of the staff. CRAB isolates were tested for genetic relatedness by Pulsed-Field Gel Electrophoresis (PFGE).

Results

Environmental sampling showed that a faucet aerator was contaminated with A. baumannii. Molecular typing revealed the only outbreak strain, which was isolated from tracheal aspirate cultures of the first case of community-acquired infection and 3 cases of HAI. In environmental samples, the outbreak strain was found only in the faucet aerator of the dining room. This CRAB outbreak was discovered in time, and further progress of this outbreak was prevented through a pre-set emergency response procedure.

Conclusions

The faucet aerator acted as a reservoir for bacteria in the outbreak, and contamination of the faucet aerator might have occurred from splashes originating from handwashing by the healthcare workers (HCWs). In high-risk areas, such as NSICU, the faucet aerators should not be used during an outbreak or they should be regularly cleaned and disinfected. The start-up criteria for the emergency response played a key role in controlling the CRAB outbreak, and its settings should be discussed more widely.
Implications of salep collection for the conservation of the Elder-flowered orchid (Dactylorhiza sambucina) in Epirus, Greece
Authors: Charitonidou Martha , Stara Kalliopi , Kougioumoutzis Konstantinos , Halley John M.
Published: December 2019

Background

In Epirus, Greece, orchids have been traditionally harvested for the production of salep, a beverage made from their tubers. Over-collection of orchids for salep is believed to be a growing threat to wild species, yet very little research has concentrated on orchid populations in the wild. Here, we studied the impact of salep collection on population demographic parameters and uniformity of distribution patterns of the Elder-flowered orchid,Dactylorhiza sambucina, the most commonly collected orchid in northern Greece.

Methods

We carried out fieldwork in four meadows where salep harvesting occurs, and conducted interviews in villages close to these sites. Fieldwork focused on the demographic parameters of orchid populations and on the characteristics of their habitat (natural-anthropogenic). We also measured population size and distribution, extent and multi-scale density, comparing distributions to Poisson and fractal models.

Results

According to interviews, salep collection by the local community has decreased, contrary to collection by people outside the community, which is increasing. Interviewees did not believe that orchid abundance was higher in the past; they claim that it can be very variable. None of the participants seemed aware of the legislation to conserve orchids. Demographic parameters did not seem to be strongly dependent on whether it was a harvested and non-harvested sites and population density was greatest in the site of highest collection pressure.

Conclusions

Our findings show that salep collection is still ongoing in Epirus. Our interview results and our population study indicate that current levels of collection are not significantly affecting the abundance of the Elder-flowered orchid in Epirus subalpine meadows. However, the expanding commercial collection could reach levels that threaten the species. There is a need for a longer-term monitoring of these orchid populations, and a more effective modeling of the species’ response to different harvesting pressures.
A right whale (Mysticeti, Balaenidae) from the Pleistocene of Taiwan
Authors: Tsai Cheng-Hsiu , Chang Chun-Hsiang
Published: December 2019

Current patterns of biological distribution result from the deep past. Of particular interest, some closely related species appear at high latitudes of both hemispheres, but not in between, a pattern known as antitropical distribution. However, the timing, pathway, and drivers of antitropical distributions remain mostly unknown. Here we describe a new fossil, a left tympanic bulla (part of the ear bones), from the Middle/Late Pleistocene (0.78–0.01 mya, but not excluding the possibility of Holocene in age, as the specimen was dredged from the sea bottom and the geological horizon remains uncertain) of Taiwan. The tympanic bulla is diagnostic in baleen whales, and this specimen shows morphological features that are identical to extant Eubalaena, including: relatively large size (the anteroposterior length is 117 mm); rectangular outline in medial view; short anterior lobe, judging from the remaining of the lateral furrow; squared anterior margin; prominent transverse crease on the involucrum; transversely compressed in anterior view; well-developed and rounded outer lip; and parallel involucral and main ridges. Although incomplete, the morphological characters and overall similarity to extant Eubalaena allow a reliable taxonomic assignment to Eubalaena sp. The occurrence of a Pleistocene Eubalaena on the southern margin of the western North Pacific is the first balaenid fossil evidence indicative of the biotic interchange between two hemispheres leading to the origin of antitropical distribution in the Pleistocene; alternatively, this specimen might merely represent an extra-limital record of the North Pacific Eubalaena. Furthermore, this find suggests that the Eubalaena interchange, being one of the largest species displaying antitropical distribution pairs in the history of life, likely took place along the western Pacific. Notably, this does not preclude the Eubalaena interchange from other routes, such as the eastern Pacific or the Atlantic Ocean, and future finds should test the scenario for the biotic interchange between Northern and Southern Hemispheres of Eubalaena.
Haematologists’ experiences implementing patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) in an outpatient clinic: a qualitative study for applied practice
Authors: Thestrup Hansen Stine , Kjerholt Mette , Friis Christensen Sarah , Hølge-Hazelton Bibi , Brodersen John
Published: December 2019

Background

The patient-doctor relationship is crucial to provide person-centred care, allowing the alleviation of symptom burden caused by disease or treatment. Implementing Patient Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) is suggested to inform the decision-making process and lead to initiation of care. Yet there are knowledge gaps regarding how meaningful it is to incorporate PROMs in clinical settings. The aim of this study was to investigate haematologists’ experiences when PROMs were implemented in an outpatient setting.

Methods

Fourteen participant observations, 13 individual interviews and three in-depth interviews were conducted with haematologists, guided by the qualitative methodology Interpretive Description. Analysis was inspired by Habermas’ critical theoretical framework.

Results

The haematologists included were characterised by dichotomous experiences with PROMs, either resistant to or supporting their implementation.

None were observed to elaborate on PROMs during consultations: instead, primary attention was spent discussing the hematological agenda dictated by the system.

Conclusion

The use of PROMs for individualized care was linked with extensive uncertainties and PROMs were not requested by the haematologists. To improve individualized care, other approaches may be more suitable. If PROMs are to be incorporated into future clinical practice, they should be tested tothe specific patient group and involve relevant users.
Chronic oral administration of Passiflora incarnata extract has no abnormal effects on metabolic and behavioral parameters in mice, except to induce sleep
Authors: Kim Gwang-Ho , Yi Sun Shin
Published: December 2019

Although the number of prescriptions and dependence on sleeping pills are increasing, the associations with unexpected abnormal behaviors and metabolic diseases caused by the overuse of sleeping pills are not well understood. In particular, such as abnormal eating-behavior and the occurrence of metabolic disorders caused by psychological unstable states are reported. For this reason, herbal medicine, which has not had such side effects in recent years, is attracting attention as an alternative medicine/food for sleeping inducer. We have used ethanol extracts from Passiflora incarnata (PI) to steadily obtain positive effects on sleep and brain microenvironment. However, as mentioned earlier, sleep-inducing efficacy can only be used safely if the behavioral and metabolic abnormalities do not appear.

Thus, in this study, we used Phenomaster equipment to continuously monitor the movement, feeding, water consumption, gas changes, etc. in C57BL/6 mice at a dose of 500 mg/kg/day for 5 consecutive days with PI extract group compared with the control group. Before sacrifice, differences in body composition of mice were also compared. Monitoring of 24 h/5 days through the equipment showed no change in PI-treated group in anything except for significant decrease in blood melatonin levels and activity after PI administration. Taken together, the statistically insignificance of any behavioral and metabolic phenomenon produced by repeated treatment of PI are not only expected to have an accurate sleep effect, but are also free of side effects of the prescribed sleeping pills. This study has given us greater confidence in the safety of the PI extracts we use for sleep-inducer.
Radioactive Forms: Radium, the State, and the End of Victorian Narrative
Authors: Martel Michael
Published: December 2019

This article examines Edwardian “radioactive fiction”—narratives about radium’s transformative political implications—to demonstrate how radioactivity shaped narrative form and English politics between 1898 and 1914. Recent scholarship on this period’s literary engagements with energy physics and politics shows that thermodynamics’ second law provided the narrative structures that shaped turn-of-the-century scientific, cultural, and political discourses. At this moment, however, radioactivity upended these “entropolitical” narrative forms through its seemingly endless self-regeneration. Attending to this narratological and scientific upheaval, the article argues that formal experiments as varied as Joseph Conrad’s Secret Agent ([1907] 2007) and H. G. Wells’s World Set Free (1914) exemplify a widespread regrounding of narrative and political form in a universe where the fundamental laws of energy no longer apply. The article first examines how espionage, detective, and invasion fiction, exemplified by The Secret Agent, incorporated the Edwardian press’s figuration of radium to suggest that the entropic nation-state’s raison d’être, degenerate populations, was not so entropic after all. It then examines utopian treatments of radioactivity to argue that nonentropic narrative forms modeled political orders beyond the nation-state. Through narrative chiasmus, The World Set Free figures an atomic state capable of organizing its constituent parts into a new collectivity, the global atomic commons.
Way Down in the Hole: Adaptation to Long-Term Water Loss in Rural India
Authors: Blakeslee David , Fishman Ram , Srinivasan Veena
Published: December 2019

Worsening environmental conditions threaten to undermine progress in reducing rural poverty. Little is known, however, about the prospects for farmer adaptations to mitigate this threat, in particular through opportunities for income diversification presented by recent non-agricultural growth. We study the effects of increasing water scarcity in India using quasi-random, geologically determined differences in access to groundwater. The drying up of wells results in a precipitous and persistent decline in farm income and wealth, with little evidence of agricultural adaptation. However, labor reallocation to off-farm employment appears successful in maintaining overall income, particularly in locations with a more developed manufacturing sector. (JEL O13, O18, Q12, Q15, Q18, Q25, Q28)
Maritime Security and Geopolitics in the Indo-Pacific Region
Authors: Khurana Gurpreet Singh
Published: December 2019

The centre-of-gravity of world‘s economic power is shifting eastwards to the ‗Indo-Pacific‘, a maritime-configured macro-region that spans the maritime underbelly of Asia connecting the Indian and the western Pacific oceans. The security environment in the Indian Ocean and the western Pacific are different; nonetheless, strong maritime security linkages emerging between the two oceans has led to the reincarnation of the concept of ‗Indo-Pacific‘. Since the turn of the 21st century, new maritime insecurities have taken root, including in terms of China‘s revisionist positions on the established maritime order. Notwithstanding the US response in the western Pacific and the recent articulation of its ‗Indo-Pacific‘ strategy, it is unclear how the regional countries and the major regional stakeholders willmanage to address the emerging maritime insecurities in the Indian Ocean, including in terms of China‘s expanding politico-military footprint. This paper attempts to examine the security environment and geopolitics in the Indo-Pacific in context of India‘s national security interests.
AGENT MODELING AS ANALYSIS TOOL IMPLEMENTATION OF INFORMATION AND ANALYTICAL ECOSYSTEMS
Authors: Sukhonosenko Zakhar Viktorovich , Gajkova Luybov Vadimovna
Published: December 2019

The use of agency modeling in the early analysis of the expected results of integration of the designed software into business processes is considered using the example of information and analytical mo-Delhi, which implements a new approach to the promotion of financial products, as well as problems of low conversion of the Internet and mobile advertising.

Purpose: determination of scientifically based approaches to ecosystem performance growth with different values of efficiency of financial products promotion in the consumer market.

Methodology: the dialectical method is used as a general scientific method of cognition; Techniques and tools for systemic, comparative, statistical, economic and financial analysis; Simulation methods and tools.

Results: described is a new approach to promotion, regarding problems of low conversion of the Internet and mobile advertising of financial products, characterized by using agency simulation as a basis for analytical processing of research results.

Scope of results: heads of companies when deciding on favorable and unfavourable conditions of the information and analytical financial ecosystem as one of the components of the business development strategy.
TRENDS OF ECONOMIC RELATIONS TRANSFORMATION IN CONTEXT OF DIGITAL ECONOMY (ON THE EXAMPLE OF COMMERCIAL BANKS AND BUSINESS SECTOR)
Authors: Generalnitskaia Elena Igorevna
Published: December 2019

Background: The article presents the results of the study of digital transformation trends of economic relations between credit organizations and organizations of the business sector due to their significance for stable growth of Russian economy. Ongoing changes identified in this article as trends require thorough study in order to increase the efficiency of economic relations between credit organizations and organizations of the business sector.

Research methods: survey, questioning, grouping, graphing, comparison, analysis, synthesis.

Results of the study: 12 trends of the economic relations transformation between credit organizations and organizations of the business sector in context of digital economy were highlighted and survey was conducted among two groups of respondents – representatives of credit organizations and business entities. On the grounds of received results key trends were highlighted and comparative analysis of trends estimates of two groups of respondents was conducted.

Discussion: summary of key trends was conducted, which allowed to highlight an important background for developing organizations of business sector – to connect Internet, in addition, advisability of monitoring credit organizations in terms of offering digital services and monitoring business sector in terms of increasing indicators of digital interaction was proved.

Conclusion: a set of measures for increasing digitalization of economic relations between credit organizations and business sector was developed.
EVALUATION OF THE COST-EFFECTIVENESS OF THE PUBLIC SECTOR SERVICES: VARIABILITY OF THE METHODOLOGICAL TOOLS
Authors: Dyagel Oksana Yurievna
Published: December 2019

The purpose of the article was to reveal the analytical tools for evaluating the effectiveness of the allocated financing funds for the provision of the services provided in the public sector of the economy, the application of which does not have a uniform methodology today.

The possibility to solve this issue is shown with regard to the compulsory health insurance system.

To achieve the goal, the study reveals the definition of such categories as “effect” and “efficiency” of the medical institutions activities, “efficiency of spending” of the Territorial Fund for Compulsory Health Insurance. There is revealed the analytical significance of the existing methodological approaches to assessing the effectiveness of health care costs; their comparative analysis is carried out.

Based on the results, the alternative is proposed, based on the system of the cost-effectiveness indices to achieve the health, social and economic effects of medical institutions; the analytical advantages of the alternative proposed are justified.
Kazimierz Filip Wize (1873 – 1953) – a psychiatrist, a biologist, and a philosopher
Authors: Czekajewska Justyna , Moskalewicz Marcin , Zamojski Jan , Musielak Michał
Published: December 2019

Kazimierz Filip Wize (1873– 1953) był polskim multidyscyplinarnym badaczem, mikrobiologiem, lepidepterologiem, psychiatrą i filozofem, propagującym wartości opieki nad osobami chorymi psychicznie. Po obronie pracy doktorskiej z medycyny w Monachium w 1899 roku, Wize zdobył specjalizację z mikrobiologii w Instytucie Pasteura w Paryżu. W 1907 roku obronił drugi doktorat z filozofii w Lipsku. Wize był niezwykle aktywny na arenie międzynarodowej, szczególnie w obszarze estetyki oraz filozofii medycyny. W jego przekonaniu pomostem pomiędzy abstrakcyjną filozofią akademicką, etyką stosowaną i filozofią medycyny, pojmowaną jako nauka i sztuka, była filozofia działania. Do praktykowania medycyny Wize powrócił w latach trzydziestych XX wieku zdobywając specjalizację z psychiatrii. Dzięki nowej dziedzinie udało mu się wcielić w życie własne koncepcje estetyczne w obszarze opieki na chorymi oraz stać się pionierem arteterapii. Zdaniem Wizego muzyka, malarstwo i taniec są istotnym czynnikiem procesu zdrowienia i umożliwiają osiągnięcie wolności oraz pogody ducha. W późniejszym czasie Wize był świadkiem ekterminacji pacjentów psychiatrycznych w Polsce dokonywanej w ramach nazistowskiej akcji T4.
Development and nutritional evaluation of multigrain gluten free cookies and pasta products
Authors: Radhika Radhika , Virk Amreen , Kaur Manpreet , Thakur Priyanka , Chauhan Divya , Rizvi Qurat Ul Eain Hyder , Jan Sumaira , Kumar Krishan
Published: December 2019

Present study was undertaken for development of gluten free processed products i.e. cookies and pasta by incorporation of gluten-free ingredients in different proportions. Gluten free raw ingredients i. e. finger millet (FM), pearl millet (PM), soya bean (SB) and groundnut (GN) were assessed for their nutritional characteristics. Results of nutritional analysis concluded that these ingredients are a rich source of crude fibre, protein, fat and ash or mineral content. Different formulations were prepared depending on variation of ingredients in each formulation. In case of cookies, the formulation containing all the four ingredients i. e. FM, PM, SB and GN in equal proportion (25% each) was liked most and scored highest on 9-point hedonic rating scale. Whereas, in case of steamed pasta (PS) and steamed as well as fried pasta (PF) products, the most acceptable formulation was the one containing 30% PM, 35% FM and 35% SB flour. Also, PF was liked more than PS as frying increased the palatability of fried products. Although, all formulations of both products were moderately acceptable having organoleptic score more than 7.0 as per assessment on 9 point hedonic rating scale but, the formulations containing higher amount of pearl millet were scored slightly lower as compared to other formulation mainly due to the lower values for sensory parameters such as colour, flavour and texture of such products. Incorporation of nutritious gluten free ingredients increased the content of essential nutrients such as crude fibre, crude fat, crude proteins and mineral or ash contents to a significant (P≤0.05) extent as compared to control.
Quality Changes of Chilled Green Mussel (Perna Viridis) Pre-Treated with Organic Acids and Sodium Tripolyphosphate
Authors: Arcales Julie Ann Aboganda , Nacional Loda Montederamos
Published: December 2019

This study assessed the potential of lactic acid, citric acid, and sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP) as pre-treatments to improve the quality and shelf life of vacuum-packed green mussel during chilled storage. Blanched mussel meat samples were dipped in 2% lactic acid (LA), 2% citric acid (CA), 10% sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP), 10% STPP + 2% lactic acid (STPP-LA), 10% STPP + 2% citric acid (STPP-CA) solutions and chilled at 3˚C. Vacuum-packed green mussel pre-treated with lactic acid have higher sensory scores and remained acceptable at 24 days of storage. Psychrophilic and lactic acid bacteria counts were significantly lower (P<0.05) than other treatments and remained within the safe limit throughout the storage period. Total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N), trimethylamine nitrogen (TMA-N), pH and ammonia increased with storage in all samples but values for acid pre-treated samples remained within the safe limit. However, the weight of organic acid pre-treated samples significantly decreased (P<0.05) than the control (no pre-treatment). Results of the quality assessment indicated that lactic acid pre-treatment can significantly extend the shelf life of green mussel for 24 days at chilled storage compared to 6 days in the untreated sample.