bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Outdoor green space exposure and brain health measures related to Alzheimer’s disease: a rapid review
Authors: Besser Lilah
Published: May 2021

Objectives

Summarise studies of outdoor green space exposure and brain health measures related to Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders (ADRD), and determine scientific gaps for future research.

Design

Rapid review of primary research studies.

Methods and outcomes

PubMed, Embase and Web of Science Core Collection were searched for articles meeting the criteria published on/before 13 February 2020. The review excluded papers not in English, focused on transient states (eg, mental fatigue) or not using individual-level measures of brain health (eg, average school test scores). Brain health measures of interest included cognitive function, clinical diagnosis of cognitive impairment/dementia/ADRD and brain biomarkers such as those from MRI, measures typically associated with ADRD risk and disease progression.

Results

Twenty-two papers were published from 2012 to 2020, 36% on <18 years old, 32% on 18–64 years old and 59% on ≥65 years old. Sixty-four per cent defined green space based on the Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (‘greenness’/healthy vegetation) and 68% focused on cognitive measures of brain health (eg, memory). Seventeen studies (77%) found green space-brain health associations (14 positive, 4 inverse). Greater greenness/green space was positively associated various cognitive domains in 10 studies and with MRI outcomes (regional brain volumes, cortical thickness, amygdala integrity) in three studies. Greater neighbourhood greenness was associated with lower odds/risk of cognitive impairment/ADRD in some studies but increased odds/risk in others (n=4 studies).

Conclusions

Published studies suggest positive green space-brain health associations across the life course, but the methods and cohorts were limited and heterogeneous. Future research using racially/ethnically and geographically diverse cohorts, life course methods and more specific green space and brain health measures (eg, time spent in green spaces, ADRD biomarkers) will strengthen evidence for causal associations.
Physical fitness of Latin America children and adolescents: a protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Godoy-Cumillaf Andrés , Bizzozero-Peroni Bruno , Tomkinson Grant R , Brazo-Sayavera Javier
Published: May 2021

Introduction

Physical fitness (PF) is an important indicator of health in children and adolescents. Internationally, test batteries have been used to assess overall PF. In Latin America, however, while PF has been widely measured, there is no accepted test battery, making it difficult to monitor and/or compare the PF levels of Latin children. The aim of this study, therefore, is to systematically review and potentially meta-analyse the peer-reviewed literature regarding the assessment of PF in Latin American children and adolescents.

Methods and analysis

This systematic review and meta-analysis will follow the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Protocols statement. The systematic literature search will be performed in MEDLINE, Scopus, SciELO, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, SPORTDiscus, LILACS and Latindex (Spanish) to locate articles published up to April 2021. Eligible studies will include both descriptive and analytic study designs. Meta-analyses are planned for sufficiently homogeneous PF outcomes with regard to statistical and methodological characteristics. Narrative syntheses are planned for PF outcomes that are considered to be too heterogeneous. The statistical program STATA V.15 will be used for meta-analyses, with subgroup analyses performed according to the characteristics of included studies.

Ethics and dissemination

This systematic review and meta-analysis protocol is designed to provide updated evidence on the PF of Latin American children and adolescents. Findings from this review may be useful for teachers, researchers and other professionals responsible for paediatric fitness and health promotion/surveillance. The results will be disseminated through peer-reviewed scientific publications, conferences, educational talks and infographics.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42020189892.
Air Pollution, housing and respiratory tract Infections in Children: NatIonal birth Cohort study (PICNIC): study protocol
Authors: Favarato Graziella , Clemens Tom , Cunningham Steven , Dibben Chris , Macfarlane Alison , Milojevic Ai , Taylor Jonathon , Wijlaars Linda Petronella Martina Maria , Wood Rachael , Hardelid Pia
Published: May 2021

Introduction

Respiratory tract infections (RTIs) are the most common reason for hospital admission among children <5 years in the UK. The relative contribution of ambient air pollution exposure and adverse housing conditions to RTI admissions in young children is unclear and has not been assessed in a UK context.

Methods and analysis

The aim of the PICNIC study (Air Pollution, housing and respiratory tract Infections in Children: NatIonal birth Cohort Study) is to quantify the extent to which in-utero, infant and childhood exposures to ambient air pollution and adverse housing conditions are associated with risk of RTI admissions in children <5 years old. We will use national administrative data birth cohorts, including data from all children born in England in 2005–2014 and in Scotland in 1997–2020, created via linkage between civil registration, maternity and hospital admission data sets. We will further enhance these cohorts via linkage to census data on housing conditions and socioeconomic position and small area-level data on ambient air pollution and building characteristics. We will use time-to-event analyses to examine the association between air pollution, housing characteristics and the risk of RTI admissions in children, calculate population attributable fractions for ambient air pollution and housing characteristics, and use causal mediation analyses to explore the mechanisms through which housing and air pollution influence the risk of infant RTI admission.

Ethics, expected impact and dissemination

To date, we have obtained approval from six ethics and information governance committees in England and two in Scotland. Our results will inform parents, national and local governments, the National Health Service and voluntary sector organisations of the relative contribution of adverse housing conditions and air pollution to RTI admissions in young children. We will publish our results in open-access journals and present our results to the public via parent groups and social media and on the PICNIC website. Code and metadata will be published on GitHub.
Early vocational rehabilitation for people with spinal cord injury: a research protocol using realist synthesis and interviews to understand how and why it works
Authors: Dunn Jennifer , Martin Rachelle A , Hackney Jonathan J , Nunnerley Joanne L , Snell Deborah , Bourke John A , Hall Andrew , Derrett Sarah
Published: May 2021

Introduction

Return to work after spinal cord injury (SCI) is linked to well-being and better physical and mental health outcomes. In New Zealand, work rates after SCI are lower than the general population. Vocational rehabilitation is one method of supporting return to work. Although the best model has not been determined, there is evidence supporting early intervention. However, most vocational rehabilitation research focuses on return to work outcomes without considering why vocational rehabilitation works, for whom and under what circumstances. Given this knowledge gap, we detail a realist synthesis protocol aiming to explain how contextual factors trigger relevant mechanisms to facilitate return to work after SCI.

Methods and analysis

This study will use a realist synthesis approach, following Realist And MEta-narrative Evidence Synthesis: Evolving Standards (RAMESES) guidelines. First, we will undertake a realist review of existing published and grey literature. Second, to assist with theoretical conceptualisation, we will interview people with SCI who have received vocational rehabilitation. Finally, we will survey people with SCI who received early vocational rehabilitation for theoretical testing and refinement.

Ethics and dissemination

University of Otago Ethics Committee (Reference H19/170) has been obtained. A knowledge translation event will address issues relevant to wider implementation of the intervention and study findings. Findings will be also be disseminated through peer reviewed journals, conference presentations and formal reports.
Surgical training fit for the future: the need for a change
Authors: Elnikety Sherif , Badr Eman , Abdelaal Ahmed
Published: May 2021

Postgraduate training in surgical specialties is one of the longest training programmes in the medical field. Most of the surgical training programmes require 5–6 years of postgraduate training to become qualified. This is usually followed by 1–2 years of fellowship training in a subspecialised interest. This has been the case for the last 20–30 years with no significant change. The surgical practice is transforming quickly due to the advances in medical technology. This transformation is not matched in the postgraduate training, there is minimal exposure to the new technological advances in early years of postgraduate training. The current postgraduate training in surgical specialties is not fit for the future. Early exposure to robotic and artificial intelligence technologies is required. To achieve this, a significant transformation of surgical training is necessary, which requires a new vision and involves significant investment. We discuss the need for this transformation in the postgraduate surgical specialties training and analyse the threats and opportunities in relation to this transformation.
Predicting partially observed processes on temporal networks by Dynamics-Aware Node Embeddings (DyANE)
Authors: Sato Koya , Oka Mizuki , Barrat Alain , Cattuto Ciro
Published: May 2021

Low-dimensional vector representations of network nodes have proven successful to feed graph data to machine learning algorithms and to improve performance across diverse tasks. Most of the embedding techniques, however, have been developed with the goal of achieving dense, low-dimensional encoding of network structure and patterns. Here, we present a node embedding technique aimed at providing low-dimensional feature vectors that are informative of dynamical processes occurring over temporal networks – rather than of the network structure itself – with the goal of enabling prediction tasks related to the evolution and outcome of these processes. We achieve this by using a lossless modified supra-adjacency representation of temporal networks and building on standard embedding techniques for static graphs based on random walks. We show that the resulting embedding vectors are useful for prediction tasks related to paradigmatic dynamical processes, namely epidemic spreading over empirical temporal networks. In particular, we illustrate the performance of our approach for the prediction of nodes’ epidemic states in single instances of a spreading process. We show how framing this task as a supervised multi-label classification task on the embedding vectors allows us to estimate the temporal evolution of the entire system from a partial sampling of nodes at random times, with potential impact for nowcasting infectious disease dynamics.
Divergent part of the stress-energy tensor for Maxwell’s theory in curved space-time: a systematic derivation
Authors: Niardi Roberto , Esposito Giampiero , Tramontano Francesco
Published: May 2021

In this paper the Feynman Green function for Maxwell’s theory in curved space-time is studied by using the Fock–Schwinger–DeWitt asymptotic expansion; the point-splitting method is then applied, since it is a valuable tool for regularizing divergent observables. Among these, the stress-energy tensor is expressed in terms of second covariant derivatives of the Hadamard Green function, which is also closely linked to the effective action; therefore one obtains a series expansion for the stress-energy tensor. Its divergent part can be isolated, and a concise formula is here obtained: by dimensional analysis and combinatorics, there are two kinds of terms: quadratic in curvature tensors (Riemann, Ricci tensors and scalar curvature) and linear in their second covariant derivatives. This formula holds for every space-time metric; it is made even more explicit in the physically relevant particular cases of Ricci-flat and maximally symmetric spaces, and fully evaluated for some examples of physical interest: Kerr and Schwarzschild metrics and de Sitter space-time.
Experimental and Numerical Study on Gas-Liquid Flow in Hilly-Terrain Pipeline-Riser Systems
Authors: He Zhaoyang , He Limin , Liu Haixiao , Wang Dan , Li Xiaowei , Li Qingping
Published: May 2021

In offshore oil and gas transport, gas-liquid mixed transport is a basic flow phenomenon. In general, pipeline undulations are caused by seabed topography; therefore, it is of great significance to study the mechanisms underlying gas and liquid flows in hilly-terrain pipeline-riser systems. This study established a hilly-terrain pipeline-riser experimental system in an indoor laboratory. The flow pattern and its flow mechanism were studied via experimental observation and pressure detection. Experimental results showed that the gas-liquid flow pattern in the hilly-terrain pipeline-riser system can be divided into four types: severe slugging, dual-peak slug, oscillation flow, and stable flow, where dual-peak slug flow is a special flow pattern in this pipeline system. Hilly-terrain units obstruct the downstream gas transport, weaken the gas-liquid eruption in the riser, and increase the cycle of severe slugging. In this paper, gas is regarded as power in the flow of gas and liquid, and the accumulation of liquid in low-lying areas is regarded as an obstacle. Then, the moment of gas-liquid blowout is studied as main research object, and the mechanism of flow pattern transformation is described in detail. This study investigated the accuracy of the OLGA 7.0 simulation results for the gas-liquid two-phase flow in the hilly-terrain pipeline-riser. The results show that OLGA 7.0 achieves a more accurate calculation of severe slugging and stable flow and can predict both the pressure trend and change characteristics. However, the simulation accuracies for dual-peak slug flow and oscillation flow are poor, and the sensitivity to gas changes is insufficient.
[Retracted] Investigating the Possibility of Green Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Using Vaccinium arctostaphlyos Extract and Evaluating Its Antibacterial Properties
Authors: Khodadadi Sedighe , Mahdinezhad Nafiseh , Fazeli-Nasab Bahman , Heidari Mohammad Javad , Fakheri Baratali , Miri Abdolhossein
Published: May 2021

Objective. Vaccinium genus plants have medicinal value, of which Vaccinium arctostaphylos (Caucasian whortleberry or Qare‐Qat in the local language) is the only available species in Iran. Public tendency to use herbal remedies and natural products such as synthesized nanoparticles is increasing due to the proof of the destructive side effects of chemical drugs. Nanosilver products have been effective against more than 650 microbe types. This study was aimed at assessing the possibility of green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using Vaccinium arctostaphylos aqueous extract and at evaluating its antibacterial properties, as well. Materials and Methods. In order to synthesize silver nanoparticles, different volumes of Vaccinium arctostaphylos aqueous extract (3, 5, 10, 15, and 30 ml) were assessed with different silver nitrate solution concentrations (0.5, 1, 3, 5, and 10 mM) and different reaction time durations (1, 3, 5, 10, and 20 minutes) at room temperature using a rotary shaker with a speed of 150 rpm. Ultraviolet‐visible (UV‐Vis) spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction analysis (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were carried out. The antibacterial activity of the aqueous extract and the synthesized nanoparticles was evaluated, as well. Results. Silver nanoparticle formation process was confirmed with XRD analysis, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and FTIR spectroscopy. The UV‐Vis spectroscopy of silver colloidal nanoparticles showed a surface plasmon resonance peak at 443 nm under optimal conditions (3 ml aqueous extract volume, 1 mM silver nitrate solution concentration, and 3 min reaction time under sunlight exposure). The reduction of silver ions to silver nanoparticles in solution was confirmed, as well. Based on X‐ray diffraction analysis, the size of silver nanoparticles was in the range of 7‐16 nm. TEM images showed an even distribution of silver nanoparticles, with a spherical shape. FTIR spectroscopy demonstrated the presence of different functional groups of oxygenated compounds such as carboxyl, hydroxyl, and nitrogenous groups. The antibacterial properties of the synthesized nanoparticles were confirmed. Conclusion. The synthesized nanoparticles showed more antibacterial properties against gram‐positive bacteria (Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus) than gram‐negative ones (Escherichia coli and Salmonella enteritidis).
Asynchronous Bilateral Ureteric-Arterial Fistula: Diagnosis and Treatment
Authors: Pepe Pietro , D’Arrigo Letterio , Patane’ Domenico , Pepe Ludovica , Candiano Giuseppe , Pennisi Michele
Published: May 2021

A 48-year-old woman submitted to anterior exenteration plus ileal-cutaneous conduit for metastatic cervical cancer during the change of the ureteral stent showed massive bleeding in the left ureter. A selective intra-arterial angiography showed a fistula between the ureter and the left common iliac artery that the interventional radiologist quickly repaired by inserting a vascular endoprosthesis. Six months later, gross hematuria secondary to right ureter-iliac fistula occurred again and a second endoprosthesis was inserted. Asynchronous bilateral ureteric stent-related vascular fistula is an uncommon scenario, but it should be suspected in the presence of hematuria following ureteral stent replacement.
Psychosomatic Disorders in Patients with Gastrointestinal Diseases: Single-Center Cross-Sectional Study of 1186 Inpatients
Authors: Feng Lijuan , Li Zichun , Gu Xuerong , Jiang Jiahui , Liu Xiaowei
Published: May 2021

Objective. To investigate the prevalence of anxiety and depression in hospitalized patients in the Department of Gastroenterology and to explore the risk factors affecting psychosomatic conditions in patients with digestive disorders. Methods. Patients hospitalized with gastrointestinal diseases were enrolled by the Department of Gastroenterology of Xiangya Hospital of Central South University from November 2017 to June 2018 and completed a cross-sectional questionnaire survey. According to anxiety/nonanxiety, depression/nondepression, the subjects were divided into two groups, respectively, and the risk factors of anxiety/depression were analyzed. Results. A total of 1186 patients were included in this study. The overall detection rate was 20.74% for anxiety symptoms alone, 31.78% for depressive symptoms alone, 13.99% for both anxiety and depressive symptoms, and 38.53% for either depression or anxiety symptoms. The prevalence of anxiety symptoms was higher in female than in male patients and inversely correlated with levels of education. There was no significant difference in the detection rate of anxiety and depression between patients with functional and organic digestive diseases. Sleep quality and quality of life were inversely correlated with the severity of anxiety and depression. Notably, among the patients with abnormal psychological conditions, only 7.6% of them were willing to receive psychological treatment. Gender, sleep quality, and life quality are independent risk factors for anxiety and depression symptoms for inpatients with gastrointestinal diseases. Conclusion. Paying more attention to the education level, sleep quality, and quality of life in patients with gastrointestinal diseases will help doctors to identify the risk of psychological abnormalities and improve medical care.
Increased Urinary CD163 Levels in Systemic Vasculitis with Renal Involvement
Authors: Aierken Xiayire , Zhu Qing , Wu Ting , Liu Sha sha , Cao Yuan yuan , Cai Xin tian , Aihemaiti Ayiguzaili , Bi Yunwei , Yang Shunfan , Zhang Weiwei , Li Nanfang
Published: May 2021

Objectives. Systemic vasculitis includes a group of disorders characterized by inflammation of the vessel wall, involving multiple systems, and can cause malignant hypertension. CD163 is a specific marker of anti‐inflammatory macrophages. This study is aimed at evaluating the CD163 levels in relation to systemic vasculitis and renal involvements. Methods. Urinary CD163 levels were retrospectively measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in 51 patients with systemic vasculitis, 42 essential hypertensions, and 36 healthy volunteers. The associations between urinary CD163 levels and clinical indicators were analyzed. Results. Urinary CD163 levels were significantly higher in patients with systemic vasculitis [68.20 (38.25~158.78) (pg/ml)] compared to essential hypertension [43.86 (23.30‐60.71) (pg/ml)] (p = 0.003) and the healthy volunteers [30.76 (9.30‐54.16) (pg/ml)] (p < 0.001). Furthermore, systemic vasculitis patients with renal involvement had significantly higher urinary CD163 levels relative to patients without renal involvement [86.95 (47.61 and 192.38) pg/ml] vs. [41.99 (17.70 and 71.95) pg/ml, p = 0.005]. After control factors age, sex, and BMI, urinary CD163 levels in systemic vasculitis patients were positively correlated with serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, and β‐2 microglobulin (r = 0.45, 0.48, and 0.46; p = 0.001, 0.001, and 0.002, respectively). In addition, we found the level of urinary CD163 in granulomatous vasculitis (including TA, GPA, and EGPA) was significantly higher than that in necrotizing vasculitis (including PAN) [86.95 (41.99 and 184.82) pg/ml] vs. [45.73 (21.43 and 74.43) pg/ml, p = 0.016]. Conclusion. Urinary CD163 levels were significantly higher in patients with systemic vasculitis, especially in patients with renal involvement. Thus, urinary CD163 has the potential to be a biomarker for systemic vasculitis with renal involvement.
Stationary Wavelet with Double Generalised Rayleigh Distribution
Authors: Aljohani Hassan M.
Published: May 2021

Statistics are mathematical tools applying scientific investigations, such as engineering and medical and biological analyses. However, statistical methods are often improved. Nowadays, statisticians try to find an accurate way to solve a problem. One of these problems is estimation parameters, which can be expressed as an inverse problem when independent variables are highly correlated. This paper’s significant goal is to interpret the parameter estimates of double generalized Rayleigh distribution in a regression model using a wavelet basis. It is difficult to use the standard version of the regression methods in practical terms, which is obtained using the likelihood. Since a noise level usually makes the result of estimation unstable, multicollinearity leads to various estimates. This kind of problem estimates that features of the truth are complicated. So it is reasonable to use a mixed method that combines a fully Bayesian approach and a wavelet basis. The usual rule for wavelet approaches is to choose a wavelet basis, where it helps to compute the wavelet coefficients, and then, these coefficients are used to remove Gaussian noise. Recovering data is typically calculated by inverting the wavelet coefficients. Some wavelet bases have been considered, which provide a shift-invariant wavelet transform, simultaneously providing improvements in smoothness, in recovering, and in squared-error performance. The proposed method uses combining a penalized maximum likelihood approach, a penalty term, and wavelet tools. In this paper, real data are involved and modeled using double generalized Rayleigh distributions, as they are used to estimate the wavelet coefficients of the sample using numerical tools. In practical applications, wavelet approaches are recommended. They reduce noise levels. This process may be useful since the noise level is often corrupted in real data, as a significant cause of most numerical estimation problems. A simulation investigation is studied using the MCMC tool to estimate the underlying features as an essential task statistics.
Pseudocyst in Neck: A Case Report on Rare Complication of Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt
Authors: Nitin B. , Gupta Manish , Singh Anshul
Published: May 2021

Introduction. Ventriculoperitoneal shunt is a common neurosurgical procedure, for the definitive management of hydrocephalus. Shunt failures may occur due to various causes but are usually due to infections in adults and catheter occlusion in the paediatric population. Case Report. The 13-year-old girl presented with a right lateral neck swelling. In detailed history, she was found to be an old case of ventriculoperitoneal shunt. The clinical examination and radiological investigation revealed proximal dislodgment of the stent from the cranium, causing persistent cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak and pseudocyst formation in the neck. Conclusion. The case highlights CSF pseudocyst formation as a rare differential for lateral neck swellings.
Partially Accelerated Model for Analyzing Competing Risks Data from Gompertz Population under Type‐I Generalized Hybrid Censoring Scheme
Authors: Alghamdi Abdulaziz S.
Published: May 2021

In reliability engineering and lifetime analysis, many units of the product fail with different causes of failure, and some tests require stress higher than normal stress. Also, we need to design the life experiments which present methodology for formulating scientific and engineering problems using statistical models. So, in this paper, we adopted a partially constant stress accelerated life test model to present times to failure in a small period of time for Gompertz life products. Also, considering that, units are failing with the only two independent causes of failure and tested under type‐I generalized hybrid censoring scheme the data built. Obtained data are analyzed with two methods of estimations, maximum likelihood and Bayes methods. These two methods are used to construct the point and interval estimators with the help of the MCMC method. The developed results are measured and compared under Monte Carlo studying. Also, a data set is analyzed for illustration purposes. Finally, some comments are presented to describe the numerical results.
Surface Analysis and Spectrophotometric Evaluation of Different Esthetic Restorative Materials Frequently Exposed to a Desensitizing Agent
Authors: Aref Neven S. , Abdallah Reham M.
Published: May 2021

Background. Patients with tooth sensitivity are frequently exposed to desensitizing agents on a regular basis. These agents might have an impact on the surface properties and color of existing oral restorations. Accordingly, this study aimed to investigate the color stability, surface microhardness, and surface roughness of resin-modified glass ionomer (RMGIC), amalgomer CR, nanohybrid, and bulk-fill resin composites restorative materials after frequent exposure to a desensitizing agent. Materials and Methods. One hundred and twenty specimens were prepared; 10 specimens for each restorative material were equally subdivided into control and desensitizing-agent-exposed groups in each test. Surface microhardness and surface roughness were evaluated using the Vickers microhardness tester and surface profilometer, respectively. The color change was measured by using a spectrophotometer using the CIE L

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formula. Surface topography was analyzed using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The collected data were analyzed with Student’s t-test, one-way ANOVA, and Tukey post hoc tests for pairwise comparison at a level of significance of 0.05. Result. The frequent use of a desensitizing agent significantly decreased surface hardness of RMGIC, amalgomer, and bulk-fill composite materials. However, nanohybrid composite exhibited a significant surface hardness increase. The surface roughness of RMGIC, amalgomer, and nanohybrid composite increased significantly. Meanwhile, the bulk-fill resin composite showed a nonsignificant decrease. Both RMGIC and amalgomer exhibited significantly higher values of color change in comparison to those of nanohybrid and bulk-fill composites. Conclusion. The bulk-fill composite seems to be more resistant to discoloration and surface topographical changes than other tested materials on frequent exposure to the desensitizing agent. However, this exposure may pose a negative impact on its surface hardness. Bulk-fill resin composite may be the most suitable esthetic restorative in patients who frequently use desensitizing agents.
Missing Internal Limiting Membrane during Macular Hole Repair in Alport Syndrome
Authors: Chaudhry Sarah G. , Liew Gerald , Fung Adrian T.
Published: May 2021

The aim of this manuscript is to describe a novel retinal finding of Alport syndrome during surgical management of an associated macular hole. A retrospective chart review of a 65-year-old man with a diagnosis of Alport syndrome confirmed by renal biopsy was found to have an associated full-thickness macular hole. Pars-plana vitrectomy surgery with internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling was attempted, but intraoperatively the ILM was found to be absent at the macula. Alport syndrome may be associated with the absence of the ILM. This can complicate attempts at macular hole repair.
Smokers “Context Reactivity” in Virtual Domestic Environments
Authors: Benvegnù Giulia , Tommasi Francesco , Ferraro Stefano , Libener Elettra , Di Chio Marzia , Bosi Sandra , Zandonai Thomas , Chiamulera Cristiano
Published: May 2021

Introduction: Although the effects of proximal smoking cues have been widely studied in smokers, little is known on the features associated with background spatial context effect, that is, “context reactivity.” The aim of this study was to investigate context reactivity exhibited by smokers in virtual cue-free domestic scenarios. Methods: Sixty-nine participants divided in 2 cohorts (33 smokers and 36 non-smokers) were exposed to a virtual reality session with 4 domestic room scenarios presented in a balanced order: bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, and living room. Results: We showed that (i) it is possible to elicit smoking craving in smokers in virtual reality, and (ii) these effects are room dependent and (iii) associated with a lower sense of presence; furthermore, (iv) smokers reported higher craving scores for alcohol and food in a room-dependent fashion compared to non-smokers. Conclusion: Our study provides an experimental paradigm for assessing context reactivity in smokers and suggests a potential use for the identification of non-pharmacological interventions as a co-adjuvant of smoking cessation treatment.
Translation, Cross-Cultural Adaptation, and Psychometric Evaluation of the Swedish Version of ENDOCARE: An Instrument to Measure Patient Centeredness of Endometriosis Care
Authors: Grundström Hanna , Wikman Per , Olovsson Matts
Published: May 2021

Objectives: The need for quality improvement within endometriosis healthcare is widely acknowledged. The ENDOCARE questionnaire (ECQ) measures patient centeredness of endometriosis care. The aims of this study were (1) to translate and culturally adapt ECQ into Swedish, (2) to evaluate validity (construct validity), and (3) to measure reliability (internal consistency and test-retest reliability). Design: This is a cross-sectional randomized study. Participants, Setting, and Methods: ECQ was first translated according to a well-established guideline and was thereafter sent to 500 randomly selected women with endometriosis, who had visited participating clinics during the past 3 years. The first 150 women who returned their questionnaires were immediately sent the same questionnaire again. The ECQ consists of 3 parts. The first part contains demographic and clinical questions, while part II has 38 items that are answered according to 2 aspects: percentage of negative experience of care and mean personal importance. A patient-centeredness score (PCS) is calculated based on these 2 aspects. The items are also divided into 10 dimensions of care. Part III is a grading of overall experience and an open-ended question on any missing aspect in the questionnaire. Results: A total of 187 native Swedish-speaking women participated. Data completeness was high (>90%). The overall PCS median was 3.5. The highest median PCS was found in the dimension regarding endometriosis clinic staff and the lowest in emotional support and alleviation of fear and anxiety and the involvement of significant others. Factor analysis could roughly confirm 2 of the 10 dimensions. The Cronbach’s α coefficient for PCS ranged from 0.35 to 0.73. The test-rest analysis showed acceptable reliability. Limitations: The most important limitation was the relatively low participation rate and the risk of recall bias. It is likely that women gave their answers based on their most recent experiences. Conclusions: Overall, our results indicate that the Swedish version of the ECQ is a usable instrument to measure patient centeredness in endometriosis care, but due to the unstable factor analysis, conclusions based on the dimensions should be made with caution.
Adverse Maternal Environment Alters MicroRNA-10b-5p Expression and Its Epigenetic Profile Concurrently with Impaired Hippocampal Neurogenesis in Male Mouse Hippocampus
Authors: Ke Xingrao , Huang Yingliu , Fu Qi , Lane Robert H. , Majnik Amber
Published: May 2021

An adverse maternal environment (AME) predisposes adult offspring toward cognitive impairment in humans and mice. However, the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. Epigenetic changes in response to environmental exposure may be critical drivers of this change. Epigenetic regulators, including microRNAs, have been shown to affect cognitive function by altering hippocampal neurogenesis which is regulated in part by brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF). We sought to investigate the effects of AME on miR profile and their epigenetic characteristics, as well as neurogenesis and BDNF expression in mouse hippocampus. Using our mouse model of AME which is composed of maternal Western diet and prenatal environmental stress, we found that AME significantly increased hippocampal miR-10b-5p levels. We also found that AME significantly decreased DNA methylation and increased accumulations of active histone marks H3 lysine (K) 4me3, H3K14ac, and ­H3K36me3 at miR-10b promoter. Furthermore, AME significantly decreased hippocampal neurogenesis by decreasing cell numbers of Ki67+ (proliferation marker), NeuroD1+ (neuronal differentiation marker), and NeuN+ (mature neuronal marker) in the dentate gyrus (DG) region concurrently with decreased hippocampal BDNF protein levels. We speculate that the changes in epigenetic profile at miR-10b promoter may contribute to upregulation of miR-10b-5p and subsequently lead to decreased BDNF levels in a model of impaired offspring hippocampal neurogenesis and cognition in mice.
Long-Term Treatment with Telotristat Ethyl in Patients with Carcinoid Syndrome Symptoms: Results from the TELEPATH Study
Authors: Hörsch Dieter , Anthony Lowell , Gross David J. , Valle Juan W. , Welin Staffan , Benavent Marta , Caplin Martyn , Pavel Marianne , Bergsland Emily , Öberg Kjell , Kassler-Taub Kenneth B. , Binder Polina , Banks Phillip , Lapuerta Pablo , Kulke Matthew H.
Published: May 2021

Introduction: Telotristat ethyl is indicated for use in combination with somatostatin analogs (SSAs) to treat carcinoid syndrome (CS) diarrhea uncontrolled by SSAs alone in adults, but long-term safety and efficacy data beyond 48 weeks are needed. Objectives: The aims of the study were to evaluate the long-term safety and tolerability of telotristat ethyl and its effect on quality of life (QOL) in patients with CS. Methods: In this phase 3, nonrandomized, multicenter, open-label, long-term extension study (TELEPATH), patients who participated in phase 2 or 3 trials of telotristat ethyl continued treatment at their present dose level (250 or 500 mg thrice daily) for 84 weeks. Safety and tolerability, the primary endpoint, were assessed by monitoring adverse events (AEs), serious AEs, AEs of special interest (AESIs; including liver-related AEs, depression, and gastrointestinal AEs), and deaths. The secondary objective was to evaluate changes in patients’ QOL using validated cancer questionnaires and a subjective global assessment of CS symptoms. Results: In 124 patients exposed to telotristat ethyl for a mean of 102.6 ± 53.2 weeks, the type and frequency of AEs were consistent with those reported in previous trials. The occurrence of AESIs was not related to dosage or duration of therapy. Most AEs were mild to moderate in severity, and no deaths were related to telotristat ethyl. QOL scores remained stable, and the majority of patients reported adequate symptom relief throughout the study. Conclusions: Safety results of TELEPATH support the long-term use of telotristat ethyl in patients with CS diarrhea. Telotristat ethyl was well-tolerated and associated with sustained improvement in QOL scores (NCT02026063).
A recepção internacional da obra de A. J. Greimas: viagens, traduções, transmissões
Authors: Broden Thomas F.
Published: May 2021

Este estudo de caso em história das ciências da linguagem insere-se na perspectiva metodológica da história intelectual, na qual analisamos o impacto internacional de A. J. Greimas (1917-1992) e de sua obra, por meio do estudo das práticas de comunicação, de deslocamento e de tradução. As missões científicas realizadas fora da França, o número e a origem dos estudantes estrangeiros matriculados no seu seminário, em Paris, bem como a cronologia e a geografia linguística das traduções de sua obra ajudam a traçar, avaliar e explicar a difusão e o desenvolvimento mundial das suas ideias. Seu projeto inspirou apropriações distintas e, às vezes, estruturas institucionais em vários contextos culturais e linguísticos, incluindo contextos românicos, anglo-americanos, germânicos, eslavos, lituanos e do leste asiático. A conclusão deste ensaio avalia a importância do contato pessoal, do contexto sócio-histórico e do status sociolinguístico e didático do francês para a recepção mundial de Greimas. Ademais, este trabalho é baseado em trabalhos científicos publicados, documentos de arquivo, entrevistas e comunicações pessoais com tradutores e editores, com Greimas e seus colaboradores e com especialistas das diferentes culturas estudadas.
Mudanças de suporte na história das inscrições urbanas
Authors: Correa Thiago Moreira
Published: May 2021

De acordo com Correa (2016), as inscrições urbanas podem ser compreendidas como um conjunto de práticas semióticas cuja dinâmica social mostra a interdependência entre os níveis de pertinência (Fontanille, 2008). Assim, ao avaliar a história das inscrições urbanas, identifica-se no suporte um núcleo de transformação dirigido pelas práticas e um fator desencadeador das tensões que promovem mudanças e conservações ao longo do tempo. Por isso, tomam-se as propostas de Dondero e Reyes (2016) sobre a questão do suporte na semiótica para abordar o desenvolvimento das práticas de inscrições urbanas em relação ao uso do suporte e seu impacto na plasticidade dos textos-enunciados. Desse modo, consegue-se dar mais um passo em direção à análise de um fenômeno social cujo dinamismo e multiplicidade desafiam a apreensão teórica.
A new freshwater fabriciid species (Sabellida, Fabriciidae) from the Uruguay River, Argentina, with some remarks on the relationships of Monroika Hartman, 1951, Manayunkia Bourne, 1884 and Brandtika Jones, 1974
Authors: BICK ANDREAS , ARMENDÁRIZ LAURA
Published: May 2021

Between the years 2007 and 2009 a hitherto unknown fabriciid species was found in the Lower Uruguay River, Argentina. Initially, it was assumed that this species could represent Manayunkia speciosa, a freshwater species originally described from North America. However, re-examinations have revealed that these specimens are clearly different from M. speciosa but they resemble Monroika africana. However, differences were also found that clearly distinguish this South American species from the African species so that it is described here as M. clarae sp. nov. The characters found in Monroika clarae sp. nov. make it also possible to compare and discuss these characters with those from the West African species Monroika africana, the Southeast Asian species Brandtika asiatica as well as Manayunkia species in terms of their systematic position. This mainly concerns the structure of the radiolar crown, the number of abdominal chaetigers, the presence of transitional chaetae as well as the structure of the thoracic and abdominal uncini. Potential origins of the freshwater Fabriciidae are also discussed.
Apertochrysa Tjeder, 1966, a new senior synonym of Pseudomallada Tsukaguchi, 1995 (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae: Chrysopinae: Chrysopini)
Authors: BREITKREUZ LAURA , DUELLI PETER , OSWALD JOHN
Published: May 2021

Apertochrysa Tjeder, 1966, is identified as a new senior subjective synonym of the large, subcosmopolitan, green lacewing genus currently known under the name Pseudomallada Tsukaguchi, 1995. Apertochrysa is rediagnosed and the taxonomic consequences of the new synonymy are reviewed. New combinations are created in Apertochrysa for 165 species formerly placed in Pseudomallada and for two species formerly placed in Mallada; three species are transferred from Pseudomallada back to previously-established combinations in Apertochrysa; and 13 additional species are retained in Apertochrysa from previous placements. This brings the total number of Apertochrysa species to 183.
The Great Plains Irrigation Experiment (GRAINEX)
Authors: Rappin Eric , Mahmood Rezaul , Nair Udaysankar , Pielke Roger A. , Brown William , Oncley Steve , Wurman Joshua , Kosiba Karen , Kaulfus Aaron , Phillips Chris , Lachenmeier Emilee , Santanello Joseph , Kim Edward , Lawston-Parker Patricia
Published: May 2021

Extensive expansion in irrigated agriculture has taken place over the last half century. Due to increased irrigation and resultant land-use–land-cover change, the central United States has seen a decrease in temperature and changes in precipitation during the second half of the twentieth century. To investigate the impacts of widespread commencement of irrigation at the beginning of the growing season and continued irrigation throughout the summer on local and regional weather, the Great Plains Irrigation Experiment (GRAINEX) was conducted in the spring and summer of 2018 in southeastern Nebraska. GRAINEX consisted of two 15-day intensive observation periods. Observational platforms from multiple agencies and universities were deployed to investigate the role of irrigation in surface moisture content, heat fluxes, diurnal boundary layer evolution, and local precipitation. This article provides an overview of the data collected and an analysis of the role of irrigation in land–atmosphere interactions on time scales from the seasonal to the diurnal. The analysis shows that a clear irrigation signal was apparent during the peak growing season in mid-July. This paper shows the strong impact of irrigation on surface fluxes, near-surface temperature and humidity, and boundary layer growth and decay.
Enhanced Relationship between Central Tropical Pacific Sea Surface Temperature and Eurasian Surface Air Temperature during Boreal Summers
Authors: Ming Jing , Sun Jianqi
Published: May 2021

This study investigates the relationship between the central tropical Pacific (CTP) sea surface temperature (SST) and the surface air temperature (SAT) variability un-related to canonical El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) over mid-to-high latitude Eurasia during boreal summers over the past half-century. The results show that their relationship experienced a decadal shift around the early 1980s. Before the early 1980s, the Eurasian SAT-CTP SST connection was weak; after that time, the relationship became stronger, and the SAT anomalies exhibited a significant wave-like pattern over Eurasia. Such a decadal change in the Eurasian SAT-CTP SST relationship could be attributed to decadal changes in the mean state and variability of CTP SST. The warmer mean state and enhanced SST variability after the early 1980s reinforced the convective activities over the tropical Pacific, leading to significantly anomalous divergence/convergence and Rossby wave sources over the North Pacific. This outcome further excited the wave train propagating along the Northern Hemisphere zonal jet stream to northern Eurasia and then affected the surface heat fluxes and atmospheric circulations over the region, resulting in wave-like SATs over Eurasia. However, during the period before the early 1980s, the CTP SST had a weak impact on the North Pacific atmospheric circulation and was consequently not able to excite the wave train pattern to impact the Eurasian atmospheric circulation and SATs. The physical processes linking the CTP SST and Eurasian SAT are further confirmed by numerical simulations. The results of this study are valuable to understanding the variability of summer Eurasian SATs.
The Resurgence of Religious and Ethnic Identities among Eritrean Refugees: A Response to the Government’s Nationalist Ideology
Authors: Mohammad Abdulkader Saleh
Published: May 2021

This article explores processes of identity formation in Eritrean diaspora communities that have reverted to subnational patterns of identification grounded in the historical-political crises of their homeland. Refugees from Eritrea’s open-ended national service have ambivalent feelings towards their national identity: on the surface, they stress the cohesiveness of the Eritrean people, but in their daily lives they embrace ethnic or religious communities. I elaborate the dilemmas of identity formation in the transnational space between religious and ethnic affiliations and Eritrean nationalism. I analyse the expansion of ethnolinguistic and regional associations among diaspora communities and discuss their impact on identity formation. I link cleavages along ethnic and religious lines to collective memories and the government’s attempts to eradicate subnational identities. The study is based on long-term participant observation and semi-structured interviews with Eritreans in exile, and engages with relevant bodies of literature discussing identity formation in African and diaspora contexts.
Between Tradition and Modernity: Customary Structures as Agents in Local Governance in Ghana
Authors: Kwarkye Thompson Gyedu
Published: May 2021

Local governance in many developing countries attracts several stakeholders who maintain a lot of significance in improving well-being, service delivery, accountability, and responsibility. The plural legal system where government structures exist side by side with customary structures in many countries south of the Sahara provides an opportunity to explore relationships, partnerships, and interactions among them. With ethnographic evidence from Kpandai District in Northern Ghana, this article explores customary structures not only as cultural and religious leaders with authority embedded in tradition but also as major stakeholders in local governance. The article argues that historical factors, coupled with limited government presence at the local levels, have positioned customary structures as an accessible channel to the people in the district. Customary structures have forged informal relationships and partnerships with government structures to bring the government closer to the people and to access basic services.