bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Low plasma 25(OH) vitamin D level is associated with increased risk of COVID‐19 infection: an Israeli population‐based study
Authors: Merzon Eugene , Tworowski Dmitry , Gorohovski Alessandro , Vinker Shlomo , Golan Cohen Avivit , Green Ilan , Frenkel‐Morgenstern Milana
Published: July 2020

Vitamin D deficiency is a worldwide pandemic. The aim of this study was to evaluate associations of plasma 25(OH)D levels with the likelihood of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) infection and hospitalization. The study population included the 14 000 members of Leumit Health Services, who were tested for COVID‐19 infection from February 1st to April 30th, 2020, and who had at least one previous blood test for the plasma 25(OH)D level. ‘Suboptimal’ or ‘low’ plasma 25(OH)D level was defined as plasma 25‐hydroxyvitamin D, or 25(OH)D, concentration below the level of 30 ng/mL. Of 7807 individuals, 782 (10.02%) were COVID‐19‐positive, and 7025 (89.98%) COVID‐19‐negative. The mean plasma vitamin D level was significantly lower among those who tested positive than negative for COVID‐19 [19.00 ng/mL (95% confidence interval (CI) 18.41–19.59) vs. 20.55 (95% CI: 20.32–20.78)]. Univariate analysis demonstrated an association between the low plasma 25(OH)D level and increased likelihood of COVID‐19 infection [crude odds ratio (OR) of 1.58 (95% CI: 1.24–2.01, P < 0.001)], and of hospitalization due to the SARS‐CoV‐2 virus [crude OR of 2.09 (95% CI: 1.01–4.30, P < 0.05)]. In multivariate analyses that controlled for demographic variables, and psychiatric and somatic disorders, the adjusted OR of COVID‐19 infection [1.45 (95% CI: 1.08–1.95, P < 0.001)] and of hospitalization due to the SARS‐CoV‐2 virus [1.95 (95% CI: 0.98–4.845, P = 0.061)] were preserved. In the multivariate analyses, age over 50 years, male gender and low–medium socioeconomic status were also positively associated with the risk of COVID‐19 infection; age over 50 years was positively associated with the likelihood of hospitalization due to COVID‐19. We concluded that low plasma 25(OH)D levels appear to be an independent risk factor for COVID‐19 infection and hospitalization.
Roles of dopamine and glutamate co‐release in the nucleus accumbens in mediating the actions of drugs of abuse
Authors: Buck Silas A. , Torregrossa Mary M. , Logan Ryan W. , Freyberg Zachary
Published: July 2020

Projections of ventral tegmental area dopamine (DA) neurons to the medial shell of the nucleus accumbens have been increasingly implicated as integral to the behavioral and physiological changes involved in the development of substance use disorders (SUDs). Recently, many of these nucleus accumbens‐projecting DA neurons were found to also release the neurotransmitter glutamate. This glutamate co‐release from DA neurons is critical in mediating the effect of drugs of abuse on addiction‐related behaviors. Potential mechanisms underlying the role(s) of dopamine/glutamate co‐release in contributing to SUDs are unclear. Nevertheless, an important clue may relate to glutamate's ability to potentiate loading of DA into synaptic vesicles within terminals in the nucleus accumbens in response to drug‐induced elevations in neuronal activity, enabling a more robust release of DA after stimulation. Here, we summarize how drugs of abuse, particularly cocaine, opioids, and alcohol, alter DA release in the nucleus accumbens medial shell, examine the potential role of DA/glutamate co‐release in mediating these effects, and discuss future directions for further investigating these mechanisms.
Benthic habitat is an integral part of freshwater Mysis ecology
Authors: Stockwell Jason D. , O’Malley Brian P. , Hansson Sture , Chapina Rosaura J. , Rudstam Lars G. , Weidel Brian C.
Published: July 2020

Diel vertical migration (DVM) is common in aquatic organisms. The trade‐off between reduced predation risk in deeper, darker waters during the day and increased foraging opportunities closer to the surface at night is a leading hypothesis for DVM behaviour.

Diel vertical migration behaviour has dominated research and assessment frameworks for Mysis, an omnivorous mid‐trophic level macroinvertebrate that exhibits strong DVM between benthic and pelagic habitats and plays key roles in many deep lake ecosystems. However, some historical literature and more recent evidence indicate that mysids also remain on the bottom at night, counter to expectations of DVM.

We surveyed the freshwater Mysis literature using Web of Science (WoS; 1945–2019) to quantify the frequency of studies on demographics, diets, and feeding experiments that considered, assessed, or included Mysis that did not migrate vertically but remained in benthic habitats. We supplemented our WoS survey with literature searches for relevant papers published prior to 1945, journal articles and theses not listed in WoS, and additional references known to the authors but missing from WoS (e.g. only 47% of the papers used to evaluate in situ diets were identified by WoS).

Results from the survey suggest that relatively little attention has been paid to the benthic components of Mysis ecology. Moreover, the literature suggests that reliance on Mysis sampling protocols using pelagic gear at night provides an incomplete picture of Mysis populations and their role in ecosystem structure and function.

We summarise current knowledge of Mysis DVM and provide an expanded framework that more fully considers the role of benthic habitat. Acknowledging benthic habitat as an integral part of Mysis ecology will enable research to better understand the role of Mysis in food web processes.
Fermentation and aerobic stability of Napier grass silage treated with different levels of citric acid residue
Authors: Tao Xuxiong , Chen Sifan , Zhao Jie , Wang Siran , Li Junfeng , Sun Fuxin , Shao Tao
Published: July 2020

The experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of different levels of citric acid residue (CAR) on the fermentation quality and aerobic stability of Napier grass. Napier grass was ensiled with no additives control (CON), 1.2% CAR (C1), 3.6% CAR (C2) and 6.0% CAR (C3) on a fresh weight basis in laboratory silos for 3, 6, 9, 15 and 45 days. After opening the silos, the silages were subjected to analyzing the chemical and microbial compositions, and the residual silages ensiled for 45 days were evaluated for aerobic stability. Addition of CAR increased lactic acid/acetic acid, dry matter, lactic acid and water‐soluble carbohydrate contents, and decreased pH, acetic acid, ammonia nitrogen (NH3‐N), neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber and cellulose contents as compared to the control. At the day 45 of ensiling, the C2 and C3 silages showed higher lactic acid contents and lactic acid/acetic acid, and lower NH3‐N and acetic acid contents than these of C1 silages. There was no significant difference in the aerobic stability between CAR‐treated silages and the control. Application of CAR effectively improved the fermentation quality of Napier grass, but had no obvious effects on the improvement of aerobic stability. In conclusion, application of CAR at the level of 3.6% or 6.0% is recommended for Napier grass silage making.
Simulation of Lake‐Groundwater Interaction under Steady‐State Flow
Authors: Lu Chuiyu , Zhang Bo , He Xin , Cao Guoliang , Sun Qingyan , Yan Lingjia , Qin Tao , Li Tianchen , Li Zepeng
Published: July 2020

MODFLOW is one of the most popular groundwater simulation tools available; however, the development of lake modules that can be coupled with MODFLOW is lacking apart from the LAK3 package. This study proposes a new approach for simulating lake‐groundwater interaction under steady‐state flow, referred to as the sloping lakebed method (SLM). In this new approach, discretization of the lakebed in the vertical direction is independent of the spatial discretization of the aquifer system, which can potentially solve the problem that the lake and groundwater are usually simulated at different scales. The lakebed is generalized by a slant at the bottom of each lake grid cell, which can be classified as fully submerged, dry, and partly submerged. The SLM method accounts for all lake sources and sinks, establishing a governing equation that can be solved using Newton's method. A benchmarking case study was conducted using a modified model setup in the LAK3 user manual. It was found that when there is a sufficient number of layers at the top of the groundwater model, SLM simulates an almost identical groundwater head as the LAK3‐based model; when the number of layers decreases, SLM is unaffected while LAK3 may be at a risk of giving unrealistic results. Additionally, the SLM can reflect the relationship between the simulated lake surface area and lake water depth more accurately. Therefore, the SLM method is a promising alternative to the LAK3 package when simulating lake‐groundwater interaction.
Successful correction of factor V deficiency of patient‐derived iPSCs by CRISPR/Cas9‐mediated gene editing
Authors: Nakamura Takayuki , Morishige Satoshi , Ozawa Hidetoshi , Kuboyama Kenji , Yamasaki Yoshitaka , Oya Shuki , Yamaguchi Maki , Aoyama Kazutoshi , Seki Ritsuko , Mouri Fumihiko , Osaki Koichi , Okamura Takashi , Mizuno Shinichi , Nagafuji Koji
Published: July 2020

Background

Factor V (FV) deficiency is a monogenic inherited coagulation disorder considered to be an ideal indication for gene therapy. To investigate the possibility of therapeutic application of genome editing, we generated induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from a FV‐deficient patient and repaired the mutation of factor V gene (F5) using a clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR‐associated 9 (Cas9).

Methods

The patient's peripheral blood mononuclear cells were reprogrammed for iPSCs. The targeting vector was designed with homology arms against F5 containing the corrected sequence. Cas9 ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complex and targeting vector were electroporated into iPSCs. Gene‐edited iPSCs were differentiated into hepatocyte‐like cells (HLCs).

Results

The mutation of F5 in patient‐derived iPSCs was repaired by CRISPR/Cas9. In concentrated culture supernatants of patient‐derived iPS‐HLCs, neither FV antigen nor activity was detected, while in those of gene‐corrected iPS‐HLCs, FV antigen and specific activity were 67.0 ± 13.1 ng/mL and 173.2 ± 41.1 U/mg, respectively.

Conclusions

We successfully repaired the mutation of F5 using the CRISPR/Cas9 and confirmed the recovery of FV activity with gene‐corrected iPS‐HLCs. Gene‐edited iPSCs are promising for elucidating the pathophysiology as well as for a modality of gene therapy.
Covering patient’s perspective in case‐based critical review articles to improve shared decision making in complex cases
Authors: Salmi Louis‐Rachid , Côté Pierre , Cedraschi Christine
Published: July 2020

Background

The patient has always been at the centre of the evidence‐based medicine model. Case‐based critical reviews, such as best‐evidence topics, however, are incomplete reflections of the evidence‐based medicine philosophy, because they fail to consider the patient's perspective. We propose a new framework, called the ‘Shared Decision Evidence Summary’ (ShaDES), where the patient's perspective on available treatment options is explicitly included.

Methods

Our framework is grounded in the critical appraisal of a clinical scenario, and the development of a clinical question, including patient characteristics, compared options and outcomes to be improved. Answers to the clinical question are informed by the literature, the evaluation of its quality and its potential usefulness to the clinical scenario. Finally, the evidence synthesis is presented to the patient to facilitate the formulation of an evidence‐informed decision about the treatment options.

Key results

Using three similar but contrasted clinical scenarios of patients with low back pain, we illustrate how considering the patient's preferences on the proposed treatment options impact the bottom line, a synthetic formulation of the answer to the focused question. ShaDES includes clinical and psychosocial components, transformed in a searchable question, with a full search strategy.

Conclusions

ShaDES is a practical framework that may facilitate clinical decisions adapted to psychological, social and other relevant non‐clinical characteristics of patients.
Gastric neuroendocrine tumours from long‐term proton pump inhibitor users are indolent tumours with good prognosis
Authors: Trinh Vincent Q‐H , Shi Chanjuan , Ma Changqing
Published: July 2020

Aims

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are among the most widely used medications in the United States. Most PPI users have persistent hypergastrinaemia during treatment. However, gastric neuroendocrine tumours diagnosed in long‐term PPI users are rarely reported. Their clinicopathological features and prognosis are not characterised. It remains unclear whether or not they can be classified as Type III sporadic tumours.

Methods and results

We retrospectively characterised 66 gastric neuroendocrine tumours from patients without atrophic gastritis and gastrinoma from two tertiary care medical centres, including 38 tumours in patients who had used PPIs for at least 1 year and 28 tumours from patients without long‐term PPI use (control group, Type III tumours). Compared to controls, tumours from long‐term PPI users tended to be in the pT1–2 category (98% versus 79%, P = 0.09) and less often invaded the serosa (3% versus 18%, P = 0.08) or lymphovascular spaces (11% versus 32%, P = 0.06). Using Kaplan–Meier analysis, long‐term PPI users had significantly longer overall survival than controls (P = 0.035). While three control patients developed distant metastasis and seven died, long‐term PPI users were without distant metastasis (P = 0.06) or death (P = 0.002) during follow‐up. However, five long‐term PPI users developed additional gastric neuroendocrine tumour(s), while none of the controls did (P = 0.07).

Conclusions

Our results show that gastric neuroendocrine tumours of long‐term PPI users are probably less aggressive compared to Type III sporadic tumours and have an indolent disease course. Our findings support the classification of gastric neuroendocrine tumours in long‐term PPI users as a separate subtype.
Association analysis of miR‐499 rs3746444 gene polymorphism with periodontitis
Authors: Kaarthikeyan Gurumoorthy , Jayakumar Nadathur Doraisamy , Anand Balakrishnan
Published: July 2020

Background and Objective

Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease. The innate immune mechanism plays a significant role in the aetiopathogenesis of periodontal destruction. The innate immune signalling molecular factors are regulated by small noncoding RNAs called microRNAs (miRNAs). miR‐499 targets many inflammatory cytokine gene mRNAs and has been associated with many inflammatory diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and cardiovascular diseases. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are found to be genetic factors of periodontitis. Not much information is available on miRNA SNP and periodontitis. Thus, the aim of the present study was to find the association of miR‐499 rs3746444 gene polymorphism with chronic periodontitis, aggressive periodontitis and healthy controls.

Materials and methods

This is a case–control study and includes 80 aggressive periodontitis cases, 81 chronic periodontitis cases and 167 healthy controls. DNA extraction was extracted from the peripheral blood lymphocytes, and the PCR amplification of rs3746444 region of miR‐499 gene was done. The amplified products were restriction‐digested using the enzyme Bcl1. The restriction‐digested products were analysed by electrophoresis on a 3% agarose gel.

Results

Our study results showed no significant association of genotypes of miR‐499 rs3746444 with chronic periodontitis (OR 0.91, CI = 0.39–2.01 and p = .813) and aggressive periodontitis in this study population (OR 0.38, CI = 0.12–1.02 and p = .054). The C allele of rs3746444 could be a protective allele in the susceptibility to aggressive periodontitis (OR 0.64; 95% CI = 0.42–0.99; p = .043). There was no significant association of chronic periodontitis as far as miR‐499 rs3746444 genotypes were concerned.

Conclusion

Our study concludes that there is no significant association of miR‐499 rs3746444 polymorphism with periodontitis in this study population.
Clinical and hematological characteristics of 88 patients with COVID‐19
Authors: Zhang Hongmei , Cao Xiaocui , Kong Man , Mao Xiaoli , Huang Lifeng , He Panwen , Pan Shiyao , Li Jin , Lu Zhongxin
Published: July 2020

Introduction

To retrospectively analyze epidemiological, clinical and hematological characteristics of COVID‐19 patients.

Methods

The demographic, symptoms, and physiological parameters of 88 patients were collected and analyzed. The performance of complete blood count (CBC) indexes for monitoring and predicting the severity of COVID‐19 in patients was evaluated by analyzing and comparing CBC results among different COVID‐19 patient groups.

Results

White blood cells (WBCs), the neutrophil percentage (Neu%), absolute neutrophil count (Neu#), and neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio (NLR) were significantly higher in the critical group than in the other three groups (P < .05), while the lymphocyte percentage (Lym%), monocyte percentage (Mon%), lymphocyte count (Lym#), and lymphocyte‐to‐monocyte ratio (LMR) were significantly lower in the critical group than in the other three groups (P < .05). WBCs, the Neu%, Neu#, NLR, and neutrophil‐to‐monocyte ratio (NMR) were significantly higher in the severe group than in the mild and moderate groups (P < .05), while the Lym% was significantly lower in the severe group than in the mild and moderate groups (P < .05). The Mon%, Lym#, and LMR were significantly lower in the severe group than in the moderate group (P < .05). Using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis to differentiate severe and nonsevere patients, the areas under the curve (AUCs) for the NLR, Neu%, and Lym% were 0.733, 0.732, and 0.730, respectively. When differentiating critical patients from noncritical patients, the AUCs for the NLR, Neu%, and Lym% were 0.832, 0.831, and 0.831.

Conclusions

The NLR is valuable for differentiating and predicting patients who will become critical within 4 weeks after the onset of COVID‐19.
The moderation effect of locus of control on the relationship between job demand and job satisfaction among nurses
Authors: Bani‐Hani Manar Ali , Hamdan‐Mansour Ayman M.
Published: July 2020

Background

Job demand and job satisfaction in nursing profession have been identified as significant indicators of quality of nursing care. Job demand is the most influential job stressor and has been connected to negative consequences on nurses' ability to function.

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to examine the moderating effect of work locus of control on the relationship between job demand and job satisfaction among nurses working at public hospitals.

Methods

A quantitative, cross‐sectional, correlational design was utilized to randomly recruit 427 registered nurses working at two major public hospitals. Data were collected using a self‐administered questionnaire regarding job demand, job satisfaction and work locus of control.

Results

Work locus of control had a significant moderating effect on the relationship between job demand and satisfaction. External locus of control had a negative effect on the job demand and job satisfaction relationship, whereas internal locus of control positively buffered this correlation.

Conclusion

This study adds a novel contribution to the body of knowledge that buffering effect of job demand among nurses is much dependent on appropriately enhancing internal locus of control, consequently improving job satisfaction.
Relations between patient and staff member characteristics and staff member injury on a psychiatric inpatient unit for children with intellectual or developmental disabilities
Authors: Romani Patrick W. , Ariefdjohan Merlin , Jensen Gaffey Lyndsay L. , Torres‐Dominguez Maria , Lister Jada
Published: July 2020

Problem

Staff member injuries are a pervasive and long‐standing problem for psychiatric inpatient units.

Method

The current study analyzed the prevalence of staff member injury and characteristics of patients that injured staff on a specialized psychiatric unit for children with intellectual or developmental disabilities. We evaluated staffing patterns as well as characteristics of patients (e.g., diagnoses, body mass index) between 2016 and 2018. This time period was selected because it represented an approximately equal period before and after the introduction of a new clinical model that incorporated applied behavior analysis (ABA) and other safety‐related practices (e.g., personal protective equipment).

Findings

During this study period, there were 110 cases of staff injuries caused by 42 patients. Injuries were most likely to occur during physical management of a patient engaging in aggressive behavior, but less so when strategies requiring less physical contact were implemented. The frequency of staff injury was also significantly related to patients' diagnoses, particularly those exhibiting aggressive behavior and diagnosed with moderate‐to‐severe intellectual disability and/or autism spectrum disorder.

Conclusions

Robust staff training incorporating the principles of ABA and the provision of other safety‐related resources can be integrated to clinical guidelines to promote the safety of staff practicing in psychiatric inpatient units.
In‐depth proteomics approach reveals novel biomarkers of cardiac remodelling after myocardial infarction: An exploratory analysis
Authors: Mao Shuai , Liang Yubin , Chen Peipei , Zhang Yuzhuo , Yin Xin , Zhang Minzhou
Published: July 2020

Cardiac remodelling following myocardial infarction (MI) is a maladaptive change associated with progressive heart failure and compromises long‐term clinical outcome. A substantial proportion of patients afflicted by MI still develop adverse outcomes associated with cardiac remodelling. Therefore, it is crucial to identify biomarkers for the early prediction of cardiac remodelling. An in‐depth proteomics approach, including both semi‐quantitative and quantitative antibody arrays, was used to identify circulating biomarkers that may be associated with detrimental cardiac remodelling. Furthermore, statistical correlation analysis was performed between the candidate biomarkers and clinical cardiac remodelling data to demonstrate their clinical utility. A systematic proteomics approach revealed that sclerostin (SOST), growth differentiation factor‐15 (GDF‐15), urokinase‐type plasminogen activator (uPA), and midkine (MK) were increased, while monocyte chemotactic protein‐3 (MCP‐3) was uniquely decreased in MI patients who developed cardiac remodelling, compared to MI patients who did not develop cardiac remodelling and healthy humen. Moreover, correlation analyses between serum proteomes and cardiac remodelling echocardiographic parameters demonstrated a moderate positive association between left ventricular end‐diastolic volume index (LVEDVi) and the three serum proteins, uPA, MK and GDF‐15 (P < .05, respectively), and a moderate negative correlation between LV ejection fraction (LVEF) and these serum proteins (P < .05, respectively). Importantly, uPA and MK were firstly identified to be associated with the development of cardiac remodelling. The present study contributes to a better understanding of the various cytokines expressed during adverse cardiac remodelling. The identified biomarkers may facilitate early identification of patients at high risk of ischaemic heart failure pending further confirmation through larger clinical trials.
Associations between urinary 6‐sulfatoxymelatonin excretion and diabetic vascular complications or arteriosclerosis in patients with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Tanaka Kenichi , Okada Yosuke , Maiko Hajime , Mori Hiroko , Tanaka Yoshiya
Published: July 2020

Aims/Introduction

There are limited reports on the association between melatonin levels and vascular complications in patients with type 2 diabetes. The aim of this study was to determine the association between urinary 6‐sulfatoxymelatonin, which is a urinary metabolite of melatonin, and diabetic vascular complications or arteriosclerosis in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Materials and Methods

This retrospective study included patients (167 patients with type 2 diabetes and 27 patients without diabetes adjusted for age and sex) admitted to the hospital who underwent measurement of urinary 6‐sulfatoxymelatonin. The urinary 6‐sulfatoxymelatonin/creatinine ratio (6‐SMT) was calculated.

Results

The natural logarithmically scaled 6‐SMT level (Ln 6‐SMT) was significantly lower in type 2 diabetes patients (1.9 ± 1.1) compared with patients without diabetes (2.8 ± 1.0, P < 0.001). Multivariate linear regression analysis identified duration of diabetes, smoking status, urinary albumin‐to‐creatinine ratio, retinopathy and coronary heart disease as factors that could influence Ln 6‐SMT levels in type 2 diabetes patients (R2 = 0.232, P < 0.001). Ln 6‐SMT was associated with decreased odds of diabetic retinopathy, even after adjustment for various confounding factors (odds ratio 0.559, 95% confidence interval 0.369–0.846, P = 0.006). Similarly, Ln 6‐SMT was associated with decreased odds of coronary heart disease (odds ratio 0.442, P = 0.030).

Conclusions

Our results showed the presence of low levels of Ln 6‐SMT in type 2 diabetes patients relative to patients without diabetes. Furthermore, Ln 6‐SMT is an independent risk factor of diabetic retinopathy and coronary heart diseases. These findings suggest that 6‐SMT could be a useful biomarker for the prediction of micro‐ and macrovasculopathies in patients with type 2 diabetes.
Collusion under different pricing schemes
Authors: Gössl Florian , Rasch Alexander
Published: July 2020

We analyze collusive outcomes under different pricing schemes in a differentiated product market in which customers have elastic demand. Starting with a situation in which firms can set two‐part tariffs to price discriminate, we consider two policy interventions that ban price discrimination: Firms must set (a) linear prices or (b) fixed fees. We find that collusion at maximum prices becomes harder to sustain under linear prices. By contrast, the analysis shows that the fixed fees policy facilitates collusion at maximum prices. The results have important implications for competition policy.
Moving Toward a Global Age‐Friendly Ecosystem
Authors: Fulmer Terry , Patel Pinkey , Levy Nicole , Mate Kedar , Berman Amy , Pelton Leslie , Beard John , Kalache Alexandre , Auerbach John
Published: July 2020

The designation of “age friendly” has clearly engaged the attention of scholars and leading experts in the field of aging. A search of PubMed references citing the term produced 15 results in the 5‐year period from 2006 to 2011; that number increased to 572 in the period from 2015 to 2019. The work, notably led by the World Health Organization with the initiation of age‐friendly cities and age‐friendly communities, has now sparked a movement for the creation of age‐friendly health systems and age‐friendly public health systems. Now more than ever, in an era of pandemics, it seems wise to create an ecosystem where each of the age‐friendly initiatives can create synergies and additional momentum as the population continues to age. Work of a global nature is especially important given the array of international programs and scientific groups focused on improving the lives of older adults along with their care and support system and our interconnectedness as a world community. In this article, we review the historical evolution of age‐friendly programs and describe a vision for an age‐friendly ecosystem that can encompass the lived environment, social determinants of health, the healthcare system, and our prevention‐focused public health system.
Frailty Combined with Loneliness or Social Isolation: An Elevated Risk for Mortality in Later Life
Authors: Hoogendijk Emiel O. , Smit Annelot P. , van Dam Carmen , Schuster Noah A. , de Breij Sascha , Holwerda Tjalling J. , Huisman Martijn , Dent Elsa , Andrew Melissa K.
Published: July 2020

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

Frailty, loneliness, and social isolation are all associated with adverse outcomes in older adults, but little is known about their combined impact on mortality.

DESIGN

Prospective cohort study.

SETTING

The Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam.

PARTICIPANTS

Community‐dwelling older adults aged 65 and older (n = 1,427).

MEASUREMENTS

Frailty was measured with the frailty phenotype (Fried criteria). Loneliness was assessed with the De Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale. Social isolation was operationalized using information on partner status, social support, and network size. Two categorical variables were created, for each possible combination regarding frailty and loneliness (FL) and frailty and social isolation (FS), respectively. Mortality was monitored over a period of 22 years (1995–2017). Survival curves and Cox proportional hazard models were used to study the effects of the FL and FS combinations on mortality. Analyses were adjusted for sociodemographic factors, depression, chronic diseases, and smoking.

RESULTS

Frailty prevalence was 13%, and 5.9% of the sample were frail and lonely, and 6.2% frail and socially isolated. In fully adjusted models, older adults who were only frail had a higher risk of mortality compared with people without any of the conditions (hazard ratio [HR] range = 1.40–1.48; P < .01). However, the highest risk of mortality was observed in people with a combined presence of frailty and loneliness or social isolation (HRFL = 1.83; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.42–2.37; HRFS = 1.77; 95% CI = 1.36–2.30). Sensitivity analyses using a frailty index based on the deficit accumulation approach instead of the frailty phenotype showed similar results, confirming the robustness of our findings.

CONCLUSION

Frail older adults are at increased risk of mortality, but this risk is even higher for those who are also lonely or socially isolated. To optimize well‐being and health outcomes in physically frail older adults, targeted interventions focusing on both subjective and objective social vulnerability are needed.
Function identification of MdTIR1 in apple root growth benefited from the predicted MdPPI network
Authors: Liu Lin , Yu Zipeng , Xu Yang , Guo Cheng , Zhang Lei , Wu Changai , Yang Guodong , Huang Jinguang , Yan Kang , Shu Huairui , Zheng Chengchao , Zhang Shizhong
Published: July 2020

Protein–protein interaction (PPI) network analysis is an effective method to identify key proteins during plant development, especially in species for which basic molecular research is lacking, such as apple (Malus domestica). Here, an MdPPI network containing 30 806 PPIs was inferred in apple and its quality and reliability were rigorously verified. Subsequently, a root‐growth subnetwork was extracted to screen for critical proteins in root growth. Because hormone‐related proteins occupied the largest proportion of critical proteins, a hormone‐related sub‐subnetwork was further extracted from the root‐growth subnetwork. Among these proteins, auxin‐related M. domestica TRANSPORT INHIBITOR RESISTANT 1 (MdTIR1) served as the central, high‐degree node, implying that this protein exerts essential roles in root growth. Furthermore, transgenic apple roots overexpressing an MdTIR1 transgene displayed increased primary root elongation. Expression analysis showed that MdTIR1 significantly upregulated auxin‐responsive genes in apple roots, indicating that it mediates root growth in an auxin‐dependent manner. Further experimental validation revealed that MdTIR1 interacted with and accelerated the degradation of MdIAA28, MdIAA43, and MdIAA46. Thus, MdTIR1‐mediated degradation of MdIAAs is critical in auxin signal transduction and root growth regulation in apple. Moreover, our network analysis and high‐degree node screening provide a novel research technique for more generally characterizing molecular mechanisms.
Neonatal skin assessments and injuries: Nomenclature, workplace culture and clinical opinions—Method triangulation a qualitative study
Authors: August Deanne L. , Ray Robin A. , Kandasamy Yoga , New Karen
Published: July 2020

Aim and objective

To explore and establish the language, clinical opinions and workplace culture around neonatal skin injury nomenclature. Specifically, what nomenclature is used to describe, define, identity and communicate neonatal skin injuries including (a) terms, (b) locations, (c) associated risks and (d) mechanical forces.

Background

Skin injuries are affirmed or denied based on visual assessment with findings reported by language rather than measurements. However, if language or nomenclature is ambiguous, assessments could be misinterpreted effecting healthcare delivery.

Design

Qualitative enquiry including applied discourse analysis and between‐method triangulation, within a larger exploratory mixed‐methods study.

Methods

Data were collected over two years from four sources: literature, documents, interviews/focus groups and free text injury assessments. Data analysis included content analysis, selective coding and thematic analysis. The collective data were further explored using discourse analysis and triangulation to achieve collective conclusions about opinions, emotions, feelings, perceptions and workplace cultures. The COREQ checklist provided structure for the reporting of study methods, analysis and findings.

Results

A total of 427 data points were collected from literature, documentation and two clinical data sources. Data convergence revealed that neonatal skin injuries are described by numerous terms with preferences for “injury,” “trauma” or “redness.” Injuries occur in over 20 anatomical locations and risks for injuries included hospitalisation, specific treatments and prematurity. Essential medical devices, clinical condition, lack of clinician experience and overactive neonates were uniquely associated risks. There was incongruency between sources. The literature and documents empathise pressure as the primary force related to skin injury, while varied forces were identified within interviews, focus groups and free text injury assessments.

Conclusions

The variety of unique terms, locations and risks for injury indicate the need for updated neonatal skin injury frameworks. If frameworks and policies continue to be created without the empirical knowledge of neonatal clinicians, misrepresentation of neonatal skin injury locations and risk will continue to dominate the literature.

Relevance to Clinical Practice

The recognition and management of neonatal skin injuries are related to language used to describe assessments in the absence of diagnostic confirmation, which has implications for both the neonate and the healthcare team.
Involving nursing students into clinical research projects: Reliability of data and experiences of students?
Authors: Sortland Kjersti , Halvorsen Kristin , Šaltytė Benth Jūratė , Almendingen Kari
Published: July 2020

Aims

To examine reliability of the screening data collected by nursing students. Furthermore, to examine students' evaluations of participation in nutritional screening of older hospitalised patients.

Background

In cross‐sectional study on nutritional risk and care in older hospitalised patients, the prevalence for undernutrition was 45%, a finding corresponding with other international studies. In this study, nursing students (n = 173) screened older patients (n = 508) for malnutrition, while they were in hospital practice. The validity of the results thus depends on the quality of the students screening.

Methods

Agreement in measurements on age, weight, height and nutritional risk scoring by students using Nutritional Risk Screening (NRS 2002) was assessed for 30 randomly selected hospitalised patients (≥70 years), with data collected by students in the study and two additional students. Bland–Altman analysis was used for continuous measurements, while kappa statistic was used to assess agreement between the NRS 2002 scores. Experiences of all included students were described. A STROBE checklist was completed.

Results

No significant bias was found among the students. Questionnaire data showed that 70.5% of the students agreed that the NRS 2002 was easy to use and 59.0% found it easier to measure the patients' height than weight. It was 70.5% who found it difficult to find previously recorded information on the patients' weight in the electronic records. Only 13% found it easy to find information on patients' nutritional status. 37.0% agreed that participating in the screening was instructive, and 34.0% gained increased interest in nutritional care.

Conclusion

Collaborating with students in screening older patients for nutritional risk and undernutrition gave reliable data and increased the students' interest in nutritional care among hospitalised patients.

Relevance to clinical practice

Collaborating with students contributes with valuable data for practice and research. Moreover, it increases students' engagement for improved care practices for older patients.
The relationship between resilience, anxiety and depression among patients with mild symptoms of COVID‐19 in China: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Zhang Jie , Yang Zhen , Wang Xiao , Li Juan , Dong Lili , Wang Fusheng , Li Yifei , Wei Ruihong , Zhang Jingping
Published: July 2020

Aims and objectives

To explore the role of resilience in anxiety and depression and to clarify their relationships among patients with mild symptoms of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) in Wuhan, China.

Background

The outbreak of COVID‐19 has negatively affected some individuals, but resilience plays a decisive role in the response of individuals under pressure and can help them deal with pressure more effectively.

Design

The cross‐sectional descriptive correlational survey was reported in line with the STROBE guidelines.

Subject and setting

In total, 296 patients from FangCang Hospital in Wuhan, Hubei, China, with mild symptoms of COVID‐19 were recruited.

Methods

Participants were recruited through convenience sampling. The data collected included their demographic information, the Connor‐Davidson Resilience Scale and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale.

Results

A small number of patients in this study had above threshold anxiety (subthreshold anxiety and major anxiety) and depression (subthreshold depression and major depression). The mean total resilience score of the participants was slightly below the normal level of ordinary Chinese adults. Resilience was inversely associated with and was a protective factor for both anxiety and depression in our samples. Risk factors for anxiety include being female and having colleagues with COVID‐19, while a risk factor for depression was having family members with COVID‐19.

Conclusions

This study shows that after taking the general demographics into consideration, higher levels of resilience were associated with lower anxiety and depression among mild COVID‐19 patients in Wuhan, China.

Relevance to clinical practice

Health professionals, especially clinical nurses, need to be aware of the psychological status of COVID‐19 patients and promote resilience to improve their mental health.
The experience of living with rheumatoid arthritis: A qualitative metasynthesis
Authors: Parenti Giulia , Tomaino Silvia Caterina Maria , Cipolletta Sabrina
Published: July 2020

Aims and objectives

To develop a model of understanding of how rheumatoid arthritis (RA) affects daily life based on a third‐order interpretation of qualitative findings.

Background

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic condition subject to a progressive deterioration of joints, limiting the ability to move and causing severe impairment in patients' lives.

Design

A qualitative metasynthesis.

Methods

CINHAL, ProQuest, PsycINFO, PubMed, SCOPUS and Web of Science databases were searched for relevant studies applying appropriate criteria. Screening and selection of studies were performed following the PRISMA guidelines and the PRISMA checklist was completed. Thirty‐eight qualitative articles were retrieved: in total, 17 were excluded for failing to meet inclusion criteria, and 21 were considered for synthesis. Data analysis followed a third‐order interpretation of data for synthesising qualitative research.

Results

Findings led to the creation of a model consisting of two overarching categories: “rheumatoid arthritis impact on life domains” and “Confronting the illness,” and two cross‐sectional codes: “Health” and “Independence and normality.”

Conclusion

This meta‐study provides a model that is both inclusive of participants' own viewpoint and solidly grounded in a health psychology model.

Relevance to clinical practice

The model can be highly informative for both practitioners and researchers in developing tailored interventions of support and prevention.
Managing Buyer‐Supplier Conflicts: The Effect of Buyer Openness And Directness On A Supplier's Willingness to Adapt
Authors: Pulles Niels J. , Loohuis Raymond P.A.
Published: July 2020

Conflict has received much attention in the supply chain management literature, as it appears to be an inevitable aspect of buyer–supplier relationships. While previous studies mainly focused on preventing or mitigating conflict, this study examines the micro‐processes of buyer–supplier conflicts and the mechanisms that facilitate functional conflict processes. Specifically, we examine how a buyer’s conflict expression in the way disagreements are conveyed influences a supplier’s willingness to adapt its internal processes in favor of the buyer. By means of a multi‐method, sequential research design, combining insights from a case study and a scenario‐based experiment, we found that expressions of entrenchment by the buyer negatively affect supplier adaptation. In addition, a buyer that is direct, while at the same time expressing openness to the supplier’s position, is shown to positively influence supplier adaptation. We also demonstrate the mediating effects of the supplier’s emotions in these relationships. Our findings contribute to the supply chain literature by demonstrating the relevance of conflict expression in enabling adaptive processes. In addition, our insights into the interplay between different expression dimensions extend conflict expression theory.
Domestic host availability modifies human‐triatomine contact and host shifts of the Chagas disease vector Triatoma infestans in the humid Argentine Chaco
Authors: Ordóñez‐Krasnowski P. C. , Lanati L. A. , Gaspe M. S. , Cardinal M. V. , Ceballos L. A. , Gürtler R. E.
Published: July 2020

Domestic animals may affect human‐vector contact and parasite transmission rates. We investigated the relationships between host‐feeding choices, site‐specific host availability, bug nutritional status, stage and abundance of Triatoma infestans Klug (Heteroptera: Reduviidae) in rural houses of Pampa del Indio during spring. We identified the bloodmeal sources of 865 triatomines collected in 70 sites from four main ecotopes. The main sources in domiciles were human (65.9%), chicken (23.4%) and dog (22.4%); dog (64.4%, 35.3%) and chicken (33.1%, 75.4%) in kitchens and storerooms, respectively; and chicken (94.7%) in chicken coops. Using random‐intercept logistic regression clustered by domicile, the fraction of human‐fed triatomines strongly decreased with increasing proportions of chicken‐ and dog‐fed bugs, dropping from 96.4% when no chicken or dog slept indoors at night to 59.4% when both did. The fraction of dog‐fed bugs significantly decreased with increasing human and chicken blood indices, and marginally increased with an indoor‐resting dog. Mixed blood meals occurred 3.62 times more often when a chicken or a dog slept indoors. Host blood source did not affect mean body weight adjusted for body length and bug stage. Indoor‐resting chickens and dogs greatly modified human‐bug contact rates, and may be targeted with long‐lasting systemic insecticides to suppress infestation.
Visual Narratives: Exploring the Impacts of Tourism Development in Placencia, Belize
Authors: Vitous Crystal Ann , Zarger Rebecca
Published: July 2020

Visualizing environmental change is one way people experience ecological degradation and changes in land‐use practices. In Placencia, located in Belize, the intensity and scale of development has been increasing without participation by local populations. Through interviews and photovoice, we document the ways residents have encountered changing environments, in order to explore how global and local processes of uneven development intersect. Areas of concern included coastal erosion, dredging, and impacts to marine environments. Participants asserted the need for greater enforcement of environmental regulations and more equitable decision‐making practices related to land and resource ownership in the context of rapid development.
Factors associated with childhood vaccine hesitancy and measles vaccine hesitancy among healthcare students
Authors: Yörük Selda
Published: July 2020

This study aims to determine the prevalence and causes of childhood vaccine and measles vaccine hesitancy and refusal among healthcare students in Turkey. The pool of this cross‐sectional study, which included 718 students, was made up of healthcare students from the Faculty of Health Sciences at Balikesir University (N = 960). It was determined that 10% of students surveyed were hesitant regarding childhood vaccines, while 11.8% were hesitant with regard to the measles vaccine, specifically. Many of the participants held the belief that chronic idiopathic diseases such as multiple sclerosis and autism are related to vaccines; they also believed that vaccines should not be mandatory. More alarming than this, however, was that in response to a question regarding the measles vaccine, many of the students responded that “I would not have my child vaccinated with the vaccines administered by the Ministry of Health if I had a child.” The findings revealed, overall, that the rates of childhood vaccine hesitancy and measles vaccine hesitancy are high among the healthcare students who were surveyed and that a high number of healthcare students hold negative attitudes that are related to rates of vaccine hesitancy.
Relationship between periodontal disease and male infertility: A case–control study
Authors: Tao Dan‐Ying , Zhu Jia‐Lin , Xie Chun‐Yu , Kuang Yan‐Ping , Chai Wei‐Ran , Lo Edward Chin Man , Ye Wei , Li Fei , Feng Xi‐Ping , Lu Hai‐Xia
Published: July 2020

Objectives

To compare the prevalence of chronic periodontitis between men who had semen abnormalities and those who had normozoospermia through a case–control study.

Materials and Methods

Male patients who visited the assisted reproduction clinic of a large general hospital and were diagnosed with semen abnormalities were included in the case group. The control group was composed of patients of the same clinic with normozoospermia. The semen analysis included sperm concentration, count and progressive and total motility, which were measured in the laboratory. A questionnaire and clinical periodontal examination were conducted for all participants. Logistic regression was performed to explore the relationship between chronic periodontitis and male infertility.

Results

A total of 192 participants were included: 63 participants (32.8%) had some type of semen abnormality (case group), while 129 participants (67.2%) had normozoospermia (control group). The case group had a significantly higher prevalence of moderate/severe periodontitis than the control group (33.3% vs. 17.8%, p = .012). The logistic regression showed that participants who had moderate/severe periodontitis had a greater chance of having semen abnormalities after adjusting for other confounding factors (OR = 3.377, p = .005).

Conclusions

Periodontitis is associated with semen abnormalities and sperm motility in men.