bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Early intervention service intensity and young children’s home participation
Authors: Khetani M. A. , McManus B. M. , Albrecht E. C. , Kaelin V. C. , Dooling-Litfin J. K. , Scully E. A. ,   on behalf of the High Value Early Intervention Research Group
Published: July 2020

Background

Young children with developmental disabilities and delays spend significant amounts of time at home, show decreased participation in home-based activities, and receive home-based early intervention services to improve participation in activities. Yet, knowledge about the relationship between EI service use and children’s home participation in activities remains poorly understood but needed for program improvement. The purpose of this study was to understand the relationships between EI service use and children’s home participation.

Methods

In a cross-sectional design, data were gathered from caregivers (N = 139) who enrolled in a pilot trial of the Young Children’s Participation in Environment Measure (YC-PEM) electronic patient-reported outcome (e-PRO), as implemented within 1 month of their child’s next EI progress evaluation. A series of path analytic models were used to estimate EI service intensity as a predictor of parent-reported young children’s home participation 1) frequency, 2) level of involvement, and 3) desired change, adjusting for family and child social and functional characteristics. Models included caregiver perceptions of home environmental support to test its indirect (i.e., mediation) effects on the relationship between EI service intensity and each of the three home participation dimensions.

Results

All three models fit the data well (comparative fit index = 1.00). EI service intensity was not a significant predictor of participation frequency. However, EI service intensity had a significant direct effect on a child’s participation according to level of involvement and desired change, explaining between 13.3–33.5% of the variance in home participation. Caregiver perceptions of environmental support had a small yet significant indirect effect on the relationship between EI service intensity and level of involvement and desired change; these models explained between 18.5–38.1% of the variance in home participation.

Conclusions

EI service intensity has important links with involvement in and desired change for home-based activities. Caregiver perceptions of environmental support appears to be a factor in the relationship between EI service intensity and home participation. Results warrant longitudinal replication with a control group, which would be possible with the implementation of the YC-PEM e-PRO in a routine EI clinical workflow.

Trial retrospectively registered

NCT03904797.
Factors influencing utilization of primary health care by elderly internal migrants in China: the role of social contacts
Authors: Lin Yanwei , Chu Chengjing , Chen Qin , Xiao Junhui , Wan Chonghua
Published: July 2020

Background

Utilization of primary health care is an important aspect of elderly internal migrants’ access to screening and preventive services in China. It has been evident that social contacts, such as community engagement, social mobilization, and the ability to communicate were related to health service delivery, but little has been done to explore the relationship between social contacts and utilization of primary health care for this group. This study aimed to explore the factors influencing utilization of primary health care from the perspective of social contacts among elderly internal migrants in China.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional study including 1544 elderly internal migrants in eight cities. Whether these indivdiuals had chosen to participate in the free health checkup organized in the previous year was adopted as an indicator of the utilization of primary health care. The number of local friends and amount of exercise time per day were measured as a proxy for social contacts. Multivariate binary logistic regression was used to investigate the association of social contacts with the likelihood of using primary health care.

Results

55.6% of the respondents were men, and the mean age was 66.34 years (SD, 5.94). 88.6% had received an education of high school or below. 12.9% had no local friends. 5.2% did not exercise. Just 33.1% had participated in a free medical check-up. Social contacts, age, and medical insurance were associated with more use of primary health care among elderly internal migrants in China.

Conclusion

The role of the community in promoting the use of primary health care should be expanded, such as creating community-based campaigns specifically targeting elderly internal migrants or designing social or sports activities tailored to increase the opportunity for contact between local elders and their internal migrant peers.
Estimation of the ideal correction of lumbar lordosis to prevent reoperation for symptomatic adjacent segment disease after lumbar fusion in older people
Authors: Wang Shan-Jin , Zhang Shu-Bao , Yi Yu-Yang , Xu Hao-Wei , Wu De-Sheng
Published: July 2020

Background

Symptomatic adjacent segment disease (ASDis) is a major complication following spinal fusion. Sagittal spinopelvic imbalance may contribute to the development of ASDis. However, the exact ideal correction of lumbar lordosis (LL) is unknown for different ages of people to prevent ASDis. The purpose of this study was to estimate the ideal correction of LL required to prevent symptomatic ASDis requiring revision surgery in patients of various ages, and to determine the radiographic risk factors for ASDis.

Methods

468 patients who underwent lumbar fusion between January 2014 and December 2016, were enrolled in the present study. The patients were classified into the ASDis and N-ASD group. These two matched groups were compared regarding surgery-related factors and radiographic features. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the risk factors for ASDis.

Results

Sixty-two patients (13.25%) underwent reoperation for ASDis during a mean follow-up duration of 38.07 months. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that the postoperative LL - preoperative LL (△LL) cutoff value was 11.7°for the development of ASDis. Logistic regression analysis revealed that the risk factors for symptomatic ASDis were a smaller LL angle, △LL > 12°, and PI-LL > 10° (p <  0.05). For patients > 60 years, the incidence of ASDis was higher in patients with a LL correction of ≥10° and a lumbar-pelvic mismatch (PI-LL) of > 20°.

Conclusions

The significant predictors of the occurrence of ASDis were a smaller LL angle, △LL > 12°, and PI-LL > 10°. However, in patients older than 60 years, the incidence of ASDis after lumbar fusion was higher in those with a LL correction of ≥10° and PI-LL of > 20°. More attention should be paid to patient age and the angle of correction of LL before lumbar fusion.
Systematic review of the tools of oral and dental health literacy: assessment of conceptual dimensions and psychometric properties
Authors: Ghaffari Mohtasham , Rakhshanderou Sakineh , Ramezankhani Ali , Mehrabi Yadollah , Safari-Moradabadi Ali
Published: July 2020

Background

This article aims to provide a description of conceptual dimensions and psychometric properties of the tools of oral and dental health literacy.

Methods

Two authors in this study conducted electronic searches in the Medline (via PubMed), and Embase databases to find relevant articles from 1990 to present day. Evaluation of the tools was carried out in two parts; general evaluation of the tools using skills introduced by Sørensen et al., and qualitative assessment of psychometric properties using COSMIN checklist.

Results

After reviewing 1839 articles on oral and dental health literacy and evaluating 33 full text articles for eligibility, 21 articles entered the study. The sample size varied from 20 to 1405 subjects and the items of each tool ranged from 11 to 99 items. Of the 21 tools examined, 16 tools were evaluated for word recognition. For the studies examined, the evaluation of COSMIN scores was often fair or good. Of the 21 tools examined, 9 tools at least in one dimension were in the category of “poor”, 19 tools were in the category of “fair”, 20 tools were in the category of “good”, and 4 tools were in the category of “excellent” in at least one dimension.

Conclusion

The findings of this study showed that some aspects of oral and dental health literacy are being ignored in the existing tools. Therefore, the authors of present study emphasize on the necessity to design and develop a comprehensive tool and take into account two characteristics of simplicity and briefness for international use.
Temporospatial shifts within commercial laboratory mouse gut microbiota impact experimental reproducibility
Authors: Mandal Rabindra K. , Denny Joshua E. , Waide Morgan L. , Li Qingsheng , Bhutiani Neal , Anderson Charles D. , Baby Becca V. , Jala Venkatakrishna R. , Egilmez Nejat K. , Schmidt Nathan W.
Published: July 2020

Background

Experimental reproducibility in mouse models is impacted by both genetics and environment. The generation of reproducible data is critical for the biomedical enterprise and has become a major concern for the scientific community and funding agencies alike. Among the factors that impact reproducibility in experimental mouse models is the variable composition of the microbiota in mice supplied by different commercial vendors. Less attention has been paid to how the microbiota of mice supplied by a particular vendor might change over time.

Results

In the course of conducting a series of experiments in a mouse model of malaria, we observed a profound and lasting change in the severity of malaria in mice infected with Plasmodium yoelii; while for several years mice obtained from a specific production suite of a specific commercial vendor were able to clear the parasites effectively in a relatively short time, mice subsequently shipped from the same unit suffered much more severe disease. Gut microbiota analysis of frozen cecal samples identified a distinct and lasting shift in bacteria populations that coincided with the altered response of the later shipments of mice to infection with malaria parasites. Germ-free mice colonized with cecal microbiota from mice within the same production suite before and after this change followed by Plasmodium infection provided a direct demonstration that the change in gut microbiota profoundly impacted the severity of malaria. Moreover, spatial changes in gut microbiota composition were also shown to alter the acute bacterial burden following Salmonella infection, and tumor burden in a lung tumorigenesis model.

Conclusion

These changes in gut bacteria may have impacted the experimental reproducibility of diverse research groups and highlight the need for both laboratory animal providers and researchers to collaborate in determining the methods and criteria needed to stabilize the gut microbiota of animal breeding colonies and research cohorts, and to develop a microbiota solution to increase experimental rigor and reproducibility.
Real-time tracking of stem cell viability, proliferation, and differentiation with autonomous bioluminescence imaging
Authors: Conway Michael , Xu Tingting , Kirkpatrick Andrew , Ripp Steven , Sayler Gary , Close Dan
Published: July 2020

Background

Luminescent reporter proteins are vital tools for visualizing cells and cellular activity. Among the current toolbox of bioluminescent systems, only bacterial luciferase has genetically defined luciferase and luciferin synthesis pathways that are functional at the mammalian cell temperature optimum of 37 °C and have the potential for in vivo applications. However, this system is not functional in all cell types, including stem cells, where the ability to monitor continuously and in real-time cellular processes such as differentiation and proliferation would be particularly advantageous.

Results

We report that artificial subdivision of the bacterial luciferin and luciferase pathway subcomponents enables continuous or inducible bioluminescence in pluripotent and mesenchymal stem cells when the luciferin pathway is overexpressed with a 20–30:1 ratio. Ratio-based expression is demonstrated to have minimal effects on phenotype or differentiation while enabling autonomous bioluminescence without requiring external excitation. We used this method to assay the proliferation, viability, and toxicology responses of iPSCs and showed that these assays are comparable in their performance to established colorimetric assays. Furthermore, we used the continuous luminescence to track stem cell progeny post-differentiation. Finally, we show that tissue-specific promoters can be used to report cell fate with this system.

Conclusions

Our findings expand the utility of bacterial luciferase and provide a new tool for stem cell research by providing a method to easily enable continuous, non-invasive bioluminescent monitoring in pluripotent cells.
Comparison of three small-area mortality metrics according to urbanity in Korea: the standardized mortality ratio, comparative mortality figure, and life expectancy
Authors: Kim Ikhan , Lim Hwa-Kyung , Kang Hee-Yeon , Khang Young-Ho
Published: July 2020

Background

This study aimed to compare three small-area level mortality metrics according to urbanity in Korea: the standardized mortality ratio (SMR), comparative mortality figure (CMF), and life expectancy (LE) by urbanity.

Methods

We utilized the National Health Information Database to obtain annual small-area level age-specific numbers of population and deaths in Korea between 2013 and 2017. First, differences in the SMR by urbanity were examined, assuming the same age-specific mortality rates in all small areas. Second, we explored the differences in ranking obtained using the three metrics (SMR, CMF, and LE). Third, the ratio of CMF to SMR by population was analyzed according to urbanity.

Results

We found that the age-specific population distributions in urbanized areas were similar, but rural areas had a relatively old population structure. The age-specific mortality ratio also differed by urbanity. Assuming the same rate of age-specific mortality across all small areas, we found that comparable median values in all areas. However, areas with a high SMR showed a strong predominance of metropolitan areas. The ranking by SMR differed markedly from the rankings by CMF and LE, especially in areas of high mortality, while the latter two metrics did not differ notably. The ratio of CMF to SMR showed larger variations in small areas in rural areas, particularly in those with small populations, than in metropolitan and urban areas.

Conclusions

In a comparison of multiple SMRs, bias could exist if the study areas have large differences in population structure. The use of CMF or LE should be considered for comparisons if it is possible to acquire age-specific mortality data for each small area.
ICON: a randomized phase IIb study evaluating immunogenic chemotherapy combined with ipilimumab and nivolumab in patients with metastatic hormone receptor positive breast cancer
Authors: Kyte J. A. , Andresen N. K. , Russnes H. G. , Fretland S. Ø. , Falk R. S. , Lingjærde O. C. , Naume B.
Published: July 2020

Background

Immunotherapy with checkpoint inhibitors (CPI) targeting PD-1 or CTLA-4 has emerged as an important treatment modality for several cancer forms. In hormone receptor positive breast cancer (HR + BC), this therapeutic approach is largely unexplored. We have started a clinical trial, ICON (CA209-9FN), evaluating CPI combined with selected chemotherapy in patients with metastatic HR + BC. The tumor lymphocyte infiltration is predictive for the effect of chemotherapy in BC. In ICON, we use anthracycline, which are considered as “immunogenic” chemotherapy, and low-dose cyclophosphamide, which has been reported to counter immunosuppressive cells.

Methods

ICON is a randomized exploratory phase IIb study evaluating the safety and efficacy of combining nivolumab (nivo; anti-PD-1) and ipilimumab (ipi; anti-CTLA-4) with chemotherapy in subjects with metastatic HR + BC. Primary objectives are aassessment of toxicity and progression-free survival. The trial will enrol 75 evaluable subjects, randomized 2:3 into two arms (A:B). Patients in Arm A receive only chemotherapy, i.e. pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD 20 mg/m2 intravenously every 2nd week) + cyclophosphamide (cyclo; 50 mg per day, first 2 weeks in each 4 week cycle). Patients in Arm B receive PLD + cyclo + ipilimumab (1 mg intravenously every 6th week) + nivolumab (240 mg intravenously every 2nd week). Patients in arm A will be offered ipi + nivo after disease progression.

Discussion

ICON is among the first clinical trials combining chemotherapy with PD-1 and CTLA-4 blockade, and the first in BC. There is a strong preclinical rationale for exploring if anthracyclines, which are considered to induce immunogenic cell death, synergize with CPI, and for combining PD-1 and CTLA-4 blockade, as these checkpoints are important in different phases of the immune response. If the ICON trial suggests acceptable safety and provide a signal of clinical efficacy, further studies are warranted. The cross-over patients from Arm A receiving ipilimumab/nivolumab without concomitant chemotherapy represent the first BC cohort receiving this therapy. The ICON trial includes a series of translational sub-projects addressing clinically important knowledge gaps. These studies may uncover biomarkers or mechanisms of efficacy and resistance, thereby informing the development of novel combinatory regimes and of personalised biomarker-based therapy.

Trial registration NCT03409198, Jan 24th 2018; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/record/NCT03409198
The timeline and risk factors of clinical progression of COVID-19 in Shenzhen, China
Authors: Wang Fang , Qu Mengyuan , Zhou Xuan , Zhao Kai , Lai Changxiang , Tang Qiyuan , Xian Wenjie , Chen Ruikun , Li Xuan , Li Zhiyu , He Qing , Liu Lei
Published: July 2020

Background

The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) broke out globally. Early prediction of the clinical progression was essential but still unclear. We aimed to evaluate the timeline of COVID-19 development and analyze risk factors of disease progression.

Methods

In this retrospective study, we included 333 patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 infection hospitalized in the Third People’s Hospital of Shenzhen from 10 January to 10 February 2020. Epidemiological feature, clinical records, laboratory and radiology manifestations were collected and analyzed. 323 patients with mild-moderate symptoms on admission were observed to determine whether they exacerbated to severe-critically ill conditions (progressive group) or not (stable group). We used logistic regression to identify the risk factors associated with clinical progression.

Results

Of all the 333 patients, 70 (21.0%) patients progressed into severe-critically ill conditions during hospitalization and assigned to the progressive group, 253 (76.0%) patients belonged to the stable group, another 10 patients were severe before admission. we found that the clinical features of aged over 40 (3.80 [1.72, 8.52]), males (2.21 [1.20, 4.07]), with comorbidities (1.78 [1.13, 2.81]) certain exposure history (0.38 [0.20, 0.71]), abnormal radiology manifestations (3.56 [1.13, 11.40]), low level of T lymphocytes (0.99 [0.997, 0.999]), high level of NLR (0.99 [0.97, 1.01]), IL-6 (1.05 [1.03, 1.07]) and CRP (1.67 [1.12, 2.47]) were the risk factors of disease progression by logistic regression.

Conclusions

The potential risk factors of males, older age, with comorbidities, low T lymphocyte level and high level of NLR, CRP, IL-6 can help to predict clinical progression of COVID-19 at an early stage.
A systematic review of global health capacity building initiatives in low-to middle-income countries in the Middle East and North Africa region
Authors: Naal Hady , El Koussa Maria , El Hamouch Melissa , Hneiny Layal , Saleh Shadi
Published: July 2020

Introduction

Low-and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs) in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region are facing increasing global health challenges with a reduced ability to manage them. Global Health Capacity Building (GHCB) initiatives have the potential to improve health workforce performance and health outcomes, however little is known about the GHCB topics and approaches implemented in this region. This is the first systematic review of GHCB initiatives among LMICs in the MENA region.

Methods

An academic database search of Medline (OVID), PubMed, Scopus,Embase.com, and Open Grey was conducted for articles published between January 2009 and September 2019 in English. Next, a grey literature search following a recommended search framework was conducted. Reviewed records addressed a global health topic, had a capacity building component, looked at specific learning outcomes, and reflected an LMIC in the MENA. Primary outcomes included country, topic, modality, pedagogy, and population.

Results

Reports of GHCB initiatives were retrieved from grey sources (73.2%) and academic sources (26.8%). Most GHCB initiatives were mainly conducted face-to-face (94.4%) to professional personnel (57.5%) through a theoretical pedagogical approach (44.3%). Dominant global health themes were non-communicable diseases (29.2%), sexual and reproductive health (18.4%), and mental health (14.5%). When matched against the Global Burden of Disease data, important gaps were found regarding the topics of GHCB initiatives in relation to the region’s health needs. There were limited reports of GHCB initiatives addressing conflict and emergency topics, and those addressing non-communicable disease topics were primarily reported from Egypt and Iran.

Conclusion

Innovative and practicum-based approaches are needed for GHCB initiatives among LMICs in the MENA region, with a focus on training community workers. Regional and country-specific analyses of GHCB initiatives relative to their health needs are discussed in the manuscript based on the results of this review.
Single-cell ATAC-seq signal extraction and enhancement with SCATE
Authors: Ji Zhicheng , Zhou Weiqiang , Hou Wenpin , Ji Hongkai
Published: July 2020

Single-cell sequencing assay for transposase-accessible chromatin (scATAC-seq) is the state-of-the-art technology for analyzing genome-wide regulatory landscapes in single cells. Single-cell ATAC-seq data are sparse and noisy, and analyzing such data is challenging. Existing computational methods cannot accurately reconstruct activities of individual cis-regulatory elements (CREs) in individual cells or rare cell subpopulations. We present a new statistical framework, SCATE, that adaptively integrates information from co-activated CREs, similar cells, and publicly available regulome data to substantially increase the accuracy for estimating activities of individual CREs. We demonstrate that SCATE can be used to better reconstruct the regulatory landscape of a heterogeneous sample.
Quantile normalization of single-cell RNA-seq read counts without unique molecular identifiers
Authors: Townes F. William , Irizarry Rafael A.
Published: July 2020

Single-cell RNA-seq (scRNA-seq) profiles gene expression of individual cells. Unique molecular identifiers (UMIs) remove duplicates in read counts resulting from polymerase chain reaction, a major source of noise. For scRNA-seq data lacking UMIs, we propose quasi-UMIs: quantile normalization of read counts to a compound Poisson distribution empirically derived from UMI datasets. When applied to ground-truth datasets having both reads and UMIs, quasi-UMI normalization has higher accuracy than competing methods. Using quasi-UMIs enables methods designed specifically for UMI data to be applied to non-UMI scRNA-seq datasets.
On new fractional integral inequalities for p-convexity within interval-valued functions
Authors: Abdeljawad Thabet , Rashid Saima , Khan Hasib , Chu Yu-Ming
Published: July 2020

This work mainly investigates a class of convex interval-valued functions via the Katugampola fractional integral operator. By considering thep-convexity of the interval-valued functions, we establish some integral inequalities of the Hermite–Hadamard type and Hermite–Hadamard–Fejér type as well as some product inequalities via the Katugampola fractional integral operator. In addition, we compare our results with the results given in the literature. Applications of the main results are illustrated by using examples. These results may open a new avenue for modeling, optimization problems, and fuzzy interval-valued functions that involve both discrete and continuous variables at the same time.
Correction to: Journeying to freedom: the spatial ecology of a reintroduced population of Orinoco crocodiles (Crocodylus intermedius) in Colombia
Authors: Moreno-Arias Rafael A. , Ardila-Robayo María Cristina
Published: July 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.
Towards a typology of local migration diversity policies
Authors: van Breugel Ilona
Published: July 2020

This paper contributes to the migration studies literature by a comparative analysis of local migration diversity governance in large, mid-sized and small cities, analysing the broader scope of the local dimension of migration-diversity policies. While a ‘local turn’ has taken place in migration studies over the past two decades, the literature has primarily focused on capital and gateway cities. Yet immigrants arrive and settle in a much wider range of cities. Little is known about what forms migration-diversity governance across cities of different sizes and positions. This paper therefore conducts a comparative analysis of migration diversity governance across the local dimension. Based on a qualitative, comparative analysis of migration diversity policies in 16 Dutch municipalities between 2014 and 2018, I distinguish between different local migration diversity policy approaches: ‘proactive pluralist’, ‘proactive monist’, ‘reactive embedded’ and ‘reactive one-domain’. This illustrates the variety of local approaches to migration diversity and thus argues against ‘a local dimension’ of migration diversity governance, rather arguing for different types of local approaches. The proactive cities explicitly chose their own framing for their migration diversity policies, in contradiction to the supposed ‘paradigmatic’ character of the local level, instead showing that cities position their own framing of migration diversity. The types of migration diversity policies I distinguish provide an analytical framework and starting point for further research on the variety of local migration diversity approaches.
Implementation and sustainment of diverse practices in a large integrated health system: a mixed methods study
Authors: Nevedal Andrea L. , Reardon Caitlin M. , Jackson George L. , Cutrona Sarah L. , White Brandolyn , Gifford Allen L. , Orvek Elizabeth , DeLaughter Kathryn , White Lindsay , King Heather A. , Henderson Blake , Vega Ryan , Damschroder Laura
Published: July 2020

Background

One goal of health systems seeking to evolve into learning health systems is to accelerate the implementation and sustainment of evidence-based practices (EBPs). As part of this evolution, the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) developed the Innovation Ecosystem, which includes the Diffusion of Excellence (DoE), a program that identifies and diffuses Gold Status Practices (GSPs) across facilities. The DoE hosts an annual “Shark Tank” competition in which leaders bid on the opportunity to implement a GSP with 6 months of implementation support. Over 750 diverse practices were submitted in cohorts 2 and 3 of Shark Tank; 23 were designated GSPs and were implemented in 31 VA networks or facilities. As part of a national evaluation of the DoE, we identified factors contributing to GSP implementation and sustainment.

Methods

Our sequential mixed methods evaluation of cohorts 2 and 3 of Shark Tank included semi-structured interviews with at least one representative from 30/31 implementing teams (N= 78/105 people invited) and survey responses from 29/31 teams (N= 39/47 invited). Interviews focused on factors influencing implementation and future sustainment. Surveys focused on sustainment 1.5–2 years after implementation. The Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) informed data collection and directed content analysis. Ordinal scales were developed inductively to rank implementation and sustainment outcomes.

Results

Over 50% of teams (17/30) successfully implemented their GSP within the 6-month implementation period. Despite extensive implementation support, significant barriers related to centralized decision-making, staffing, and resources led to partial (n= 6) or no (n= 7) implementation for the remaining teams. While 12/17 initially successful implementation teams reported sustained use of their GSP, over half of the initially unsuccessful teams (n= 7/13) also reported sustained GSP use 1.5 years after the initial implementation period. When asked at 6 months, 18/27 teams with complete data accurately anticipated their future sustainability based on reported sustainment an average of 1.5 years later.

Conclusions

Most teams implemented within 6 months and/or sustained their GSP 1.5 years later. High levels of implementation and sustainment across diverse practices and teams suggest that VHA’s DoE is a successful large-scale model of diffusion. Team predictions about sustainability after the first 6 months of implementation provide a promising early assessment and point of intervention to increase sustainability.
Pregnancy Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substance Concentrations and Postpartum Health in Project Viva: A Prospective Cohort
Authors: Mitro Susanna D , Sagiv Sharon K , Fleisch Abby F , Jaacks Lindsay M , Williams Paige L , Rifas-Shiman Sheryl L , Calafat Antonia M , Hivert Marie-France , Oken Emily , James-Todd Tamarra M
Published: July 2020

Context

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are environmental chemicals linked to weight gain and type 2 diabetes.

Objective

We examined the extent to which PFAS plasma concentrations during pregnancy were associated with postpartum anthropometry and biomarkers.

Design, Patients, and Measures

We studied women recruited between 1999 and 2002 in the Project Viva prospective cohort with pregnancy plasma concentrations of PFAS, including perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), and 2-(N-ethyl-perfluorooctane sulfonamide) acetic acid (EtFOSAA). Three-year postpartum anthropometry measurements were available from 786 to 801 women, blood pressure from 761 women, and blood biomarkers from 450 to 454 women. We used multivariable regression to evaluate the association of log2-transformed PFAS with postpartum anthropometry, blood pressure, and blood biomarkers (leptin, adiponectin, sex hormone binding globulin [SHBG], hemoglobin A1c, interleukin-6 [IL-6], C-reactive protein), adjusting for age, prepregnancy body mass index, marital status, race/ethnicity, education, income, smoking, parity, and breastfeeding history.

Results

Pregnancy concentrations of certain PFAS were associated with greater adiposity (eg, 0.4 cm [95% confidence interval [95%CI]: −0.1, 0.9] greater waist circumference per doubling in EtFOSAA; 0.2 cm [95%CI: −0.1, 0.5] greater mid-upper arm circumference per doubling in PFOA; 1.2 mm [95%CI: 0.1, 2.2] thicker sum of subscapular and triceps skinfolds per doubling in PFOS) and higher systolic blood pressure (eg, 1.2 mm Hg [95%CI: 0.3, 2.2] per doubling in PFOS) at 3 years postpartum. Higher EtFOSAA concentrations were also associated with 10.8% higher IL-6 (95%CI: 3.3, 18.9) and 6.1% lower SHBG (95%CI: 0.7, 11.2) per doubling.

Conclusions

Pregnancy concentrations of EtFOSAA, PFOS, and PFOA were associated with adverse postpartum cardiometabolic markers.
Pediatric Distraction on Induction of Anesthesia With Virtual Reality and Perioperative Anxiolysis: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Jung Michael J. , Libaw Justin S. , Ma Kevin , Whitlock Elizabeth L. , Feiner John R. , Sinskey Jina L.
Published: July 2020

BACKGROUND:

Perioperative pediatric anxiety is common and can have a negative psychological impact on children undergoing surgery and anesthesia. Studies have shown an incidence of anxiety at induction of up to 50%. Audiovisual distraction, including virtual reality (VR), is a noninvasive, nonpharmacological modality that may reduce perioperative anxiety. The goal of this study was to determine whether immersive audiovisual distraction with a VR headset during induction of general anesthesia (GA) in pediatric patients reduced preoperative anxiety.

METHODS:

In this randomized-controlled, parallel-group study, 71 children 5–12 years of age scheduled for elective surgery with GA were randomly allocated to a VR group or a non-VR (No VR) control group. VR group patients underwent audiovisual distraction with a VR headset during induction in the operating room, whereas the control group received no audiovisual distraction. The primary outcome was the Modified Yale Preoperative Anxiety Scale (mYPAS), which was measured at 3 time points to assess patient anxiety: in the preoperative holding area before randomization, on entering the operating room, and during induction of GA. The primary outcome was analyzed using univariate analysis and a linear mixed-effects model. Secondary outcomes included postinduction parental anxiety measured by the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, pediatric induction compliance, and parental satisfaction.

RESULTS:

Average patient age was 8.0 ± 2.3 years (mean ± standard deviation [SD]), and 51.4% of patients were female. Baseline variables were not substantially different between the VR group (33 patients) and the No VR group (37 patients). No patients received preoperative anxiolytic medication. Baseline mYPAS scores were not different between the groups, with scores of 28.3 (23.3–28.3) (median [interquartile range {IQR}]) in both. The change in mYPAS scores from baseline to time of induction was significantly lower in the VR group versus control group (0.0 [0.0–5.0] vs 13.3 [5.0–26.7]; P < .0001). In the mixed-effects model, the VR group had an estimated 6.0-point lower mYPAS score (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.7–11.3; P = .03) at room entry than the No VR group, and 14.5-point lower score (95% CI, 9.3–19.8; P < .0001) at induction versus control. Randomization to VR did not alter parental anxiety (0 [−2 to 2]), pediatric induction compliance (0 [0–0]), or parental satisfaction (−3 [−8 to 2]) (difference in medians [95% CI]).

CONCLUSIONS:

This study demonstrates a reduction in pediatric preoperative anxiety with the use of VR. Preoperative VR may be an effective noninvasive modality for anxiolysis during induction of anesthesia in children.
Pushing myelination – developmental regulation of myosin expression drives oligodendrocyte morphological differentiation
Authors: Domingues Helena Sofia , Urbanski Mateusz M. , Macedo-Ribeiro Sandra , Almaktari Amr , Irfan Azka , Hernandez Yamely , Wang Haibo , Relvas João Bettencourt , Rubinstein Boris , Melendez-Vasquez Carmen V. , Pinto Inês Mendes
Published: July 2020

Oligodendrocytes are the central nervous system myelin-forming cells providing axonal electrical insulation and higher-order neuronal circuitry. The mechanical forces driving the differentiation of oligodendrocyte precursor cells into myelinating oligodendrocytes are largely unknown, but likely require the spatiotemporal regulation of the architecture and dynamics of the actin and actomyosin cytoskeletons. In this study, we analyzed the expression pattern of myosin motors during oligodendrocyte development. We report that oligodendrocyte differentiation is regulated by the synchronized expression and non-uniform distribution of several members of the myosin network, particularly non-muscle myosins 2B and 2C, which potentially operate as nanomechanical modulators of cell tension and myelin membrane expansion at different cell stages.

This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.
Exploring the interdependence between self-organization and functional morphology in cellular systems
Authors: Mancinelli Gloria , Galic Milos
Published: July 2020

All living matter is subject to continuous adaptation and functional optimization via natural selection. Consequentially, structures with close morphological resemblance repeatedly appear across the phylogenetic tree. How these designs emerge at the cellular level is not fully understood. Here, we explore core concepts of functional morphology and discuss its cause and consequences, with a specific focus on emerging properties of self-organizing systems as the potential driving force. We conclude with open questions and limitations that are present when studying shape–function interdependence in single cells and cellular ensembles.
Study protocol: A profile of physical performance variables in an outpatient adult population with narcolepsy
Authors: Tadrous Ragy , O'Rourke Deirdre , Murphy Niamh , Slattery Lisa , Quinn Gillian , Broderick Julie
Published: July 2020

Background: Narcolepsy is a sleep disorder characterised by excessive daytime sleepiness and significantly impacts quality of life. People with narcolepsy demonstrate many potential barriers to being physically fit and active, such as sleepiness and social isolation. Very little is known about how physical performance variables may be affected in people with narcolepsy. This study aims to profile the physical fitness of adults with narcolepsy and to explore the relationship between physical fitness and quality of life, symptom severity and disease duration in this cohort.

Methods and Analysis: In this cross-sectional observational study, participants will undergo a comprehensive physical performance test battery that will investigate cardiopulmonary fitness, objective measures of physical activity, muscle strength and endurance. Furthermore, quality of life, symptom severity and physical activity will be ascertained through self-report questionnaires. The study population will consist of adults with narcolepsy aged 18-65 years attending the National Narcolepsy Centre located in St. James’s Hospital as an outpatient.

Ethics and Dissemination: Ethical approval has been obtained from the St. James’s Hospital and Tallaght University Hospital Research Ethics Committee, and this study is presently underway. The results obtained from this study will be used to help tailor exercise and possible rehabilitation strategies for this population. Dissemination will be sought through peer-reviewed journals, national and international conferences, and through engagement with service user groups.

Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT04419792; registered on 5 June 2020.
Insurance of Entrepreneurial Risks As a Factor in the Development of the Russian Economy
Authors: Grafov Andrey , Guskov Sergei , Kukina E.
Published: July 2020

This article is devoted to the study of the role of business risk insurance in the development of the Russian economy. The article deals with such issues as the nature of insurance risks, methods of minimizing business risks, and the impact of insurance of business risks on the Russian economy. Th e analysis of the business risk insurance market in the Lipetsk region is carried out.
Medicamentos esenciales y huérfanos en Panamá: percepción de la competencia e implicaciones de la política de precios
Authors: Herrera Ballesteros Víctor H , Moreno Velásquez Ilais , Conte Eric I , Hall Cecilio N , Gómez Beatriz
Published: July 2020

Medimos la percepción de competencia en el mercado de medicamentos esenciales y huérfanos. La tasa de inflación de los productos originales fue de 0.002 anuales, mientras que la de los medicamentos genéricos fue de 0.005. La provincia de Panamá, que contiene el 46.5 % de las farmacias privadas, tiene el índice más bajo en la percepción de competencia. El 18 % de los encuestados en la encuesta de gastos de bolsillo no tenía medicamentos disponibles y el 55 % no podía pagarlos. Los coeficientes de Gini fueron 0.40 (2014) y 0.76 (2017). El aumento de los precios, la relativa independencia de los minoristas para establecer los precios y el bajo acceso al seguro social/privado aumentan los gastos de bolsillo.
Spectrophotometric determination of Uranium through complex formation with roxarsone
Authors: Abd alaty Nashat Mohamed Alanwar
Published: July 2020

A new sensitive, accurate, and non-extractive spectrophotometric method was developed for the rapid determination of Uranium in pure form and Uranium ore using roxarsone. The procedure was based on the complex formation between Uranium (VI) and roxarsone. This showed maximum absorption at λmax 395 nm with a linear relationship in the concentration range from (20-100 µg mLˉ¹) with a molar absorptivity 9.57×103(1mol-1 cm-1). Inductively Coupled Plasma mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS) was used in the study of the interferences caused by some metallic ions, which were effectively masked by tartaric acid and diethylenetriaminepenta-acetic acid (DTPA). The method holds its accuracy and precision well when applied to the determination of the studied Uranium in its pure form and Uranium ore. 

 
Performance of measurands in time-domain optical brain imaging: depth selectivity versus contrast-to-noise ratio
Authors: Sudakou Aleh , Yang Lin , Wabnitz Heidrun , Wojtkiewicz Stanislaw , Liebert Adam
Published: July 2020

Time-domain optical brain imaging techniques introduce a number of different measurands for analyzing absorption changes located deep in the tissue, complicated by superficial absorption changes and noise. We implement a method that allows analysis, quantitative comparison and performance ranking of measurands under various conditions – including different values of reduced scattering coefficient, thickness of the superficial layer, and source-detector separation. Liquid phantom measurements and Monte Carlo simulations were carried out in two-layered geometry to acquire distributions of times of flight of photons and to calculate the total photon count, mean time of flight, variance, photon counts in time windows and ratios of photon counts in different time windows. Quantitative comparison of performance was based on objective metrics: relative contrast, contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) and depth selectivity. Moreover, the product of CNR and depth selectivity was used to rank the overall performance and to determine the optimal source-detector separation for each measurand. Variance ranks the highest under all considered conditions.
Analysis of the low-probability-of-detection characteristics of ultraviolet communications
Authors: Weisman Michael J. , Dagefu Fikadu T. , Moore Terrence J. , Arslan C. Hakan , Drost Robert J.
Published: July 2020

Deep ultraviolet wavelengths have been proposed for low-probability-of-detection (LPD) communications, particularly for non-line-of-sight (NLOS) links, because of the increased atmospheric absorption at these wavelengths. Motivated by this favorable feature, we develop a modeling framework to quantitatively study the LPD characteristics of ultraviolet communications (UVC). We then demonstrate the application of our modeling framework by considering various friendly and adversarial system configurations and quantifying the proposed LPD metric (the range at which an adversary can detect communications that uses the minimum power needed to meet given communications performance requirements), as well as investigating the sensitivity of the analysis to various scenario parameters. The results demonstrate the potential for this modeling and analysis approach to provide key insights into the design and operation of LPD NLOS UVC systems.
Nonresonant signal assisted high-pressure multi-species gas concentration measurements using ultrabroadband CARS
Authors: Ran Yang , Boden André , Richter Andreas , Guhl Stefan , Nolte Stefan , Ackermann Roland
Published: July 2020

Due to their large spectral bandwidth sub ∼20 fs pulses are a versatile tool in spectroscopy, but for applications in gases comparably high pulse energies are required. These pulses are easily subject to distortions of the spectral shape, phase and shot-to-shot stability. We investigate the excitation efficiency for two-beam ultrabroadband fs/ps coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) using a shot-to-shot stable BBO-based optical parametric chirped pulse amplifier (OPCPA). Up to 10 bar, quantitative concentration measurements with and without consideration of the excitation efficiency measured in argon are investigated for ternary gas mixtures with Raman shifts up to ∼3000 cm−1.
Des Schusters Schuhe
Authors: Lux Anna M. , Robra-Bissantz Susanne
Published: July 2020

Die Analogie des Titels aufgreifend widmet sich der vorliegende Beitrag dem Ungleichgewicht zwischen innovativen Entwicklungen aus der Dienstleistungsforschung für den Markt und dem Stand der Dienstleistungsentwicklung im Praxisfeld der Wissenschaft. Während sich auf der einen Seite Erkenntnisse aus der Forschung in der unternehmerischen Praxis als Service-Trends etablieren und durch den Einsatz digitaler Technologien gestützt werden, fehlt eine adäquate Umsetzung im Umfeld der Forschenden selbst. Gleichzeitig führen rasante Veränderungen in der Forschungslandschaft zu einem steigenden Bedarf nach Unterstützungsleistungen in der Wissenschaft. Wie technologische Lösungen und personelle Unterstützung in innovative Dienste zusammengeführt werden können, wird in dem für die Wirtschaftsinformatik zunehmend relevanten Forschungsgebiet der Personennahen Dienstleistungen (PD) untersucht. Inter- und transdisziplinäre Forschungsverbünde widmen sich der Entwicklung von Konzepten zur Gestaltung marktfähiger digitaler PD. Die hieraus gewonnenen Erkenntnisse bestärken unterschiedlichste Praxisgebiete, jedoch nicht das der Menschen, die in der Wissenschaft arbeiten. Können auch Forschende von digitalen PD profitieren? Der vorliegende Beitrag führt in eine erweiterte Betrachtung des Forschungsgebietes PD ein, stellt die Bedeutung der Übertragbarkeit auf das Praxisgebiet Wissenschaft dar und zeigt Chancen zur Gestaltung auf.
The Expression Pattern of Epidermal Differentiation Marker Keratin 10 in the Normal Human Breast and Breast Cancer Cells
Authors: Kim Jiyoung , Villadsen René
Published: July 2020

Cells of the human breast gland express an array of keratins, of which some are used for characterizing both normal and neoplastic breast tissue. However, the expression pattern of certain keratins has yet to be detailed. Here, the expression of a differentiation marker of epidermal epithelium, keratin 10 (K10), was investigated in the human breast gland. While in normal breast tissue generally less than 1% of luminal epithelial cells expressed K10, in women >30 years of age glandular structures with K10-positive (K10pos) cells were found at higher frequency than in younger women. K10pos cells belong to a mature luminal compartment as they were negative for cKIT, positive for Ks20.8, and mostly non-cycling. In breast cancer, around 16% of primary breast carcinomas tested were positive for K10 by immunohistochemistry. Interestingly, K10pos tumor cells generally exhibit features of differentiation similar to their normal counterparts. Although this suggests that K10 is a marker of tumor differentiation, data based on gene expression analysis imply that high levels of K10 dictate a worse outcome for breast cancer patients. These findings can form the basis of future studies that should unravel which role K10 may play as a marker of breast cancer: