bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
How Does Deprivation Affect Early-Age Mortality? Patterns of Socioeconomic Determinants of Neonatal and Postneonatal Mortality in Bolivia
Authors: Temporin Filippo
Published: September 2020

Three mechanisms related to household living standards might affect early-age mortality: the absolute level of deprivation, its level relative to the average of the community, and the inequality in the distribution of deprivation within communities. A large body of literature has explored the effect of the absolute level of deprivation, but little research has examined the association between relative deprivation and early-age mortality, and findings related to deprivation inequality are inconsistent. Using 2008 Bolivian Demographic and Health Survey data, this study explores patterns of association between the three factors and mortality occurring in the neonatal and postneonatal periods. Because household-level deprivation might capture some unmeasured characteristics at the community level, such as area-specific investments, this study decomposes household-level deprivation into its between- and within-community components. The results show that after possible confounders are controlled for, community-level absolute deprivation is a significant predictor of neonatal and postneonatal mortality. Relative deprivation and deprivation inequality are not associated with early-age mortality. These findings are specific to a context of widespread deprivation and low inequality within communities; the role of the distribution of deprivation might be more important in countries in which basic needs are met within a bigger proportion of the population. This study helps identify crucial sectors of development related to living standards and deprivation inequality in order to tackle neonatal and postneonatal mortality.
The Direct Effects of Legal Same-Sex Marriage in the United States: Evidence From Massachusetts
Authors: Carpenter Christopher S.
Published: September 2020

I provide evidence on the direct effects of legal same-sex marriage in the United States by studying Massachusetts, the first state to legalize it in 2004 by court order. Using confidential Massachusetts data from 2001–2013, I show that the ruling significantly increased marriage among lesbians, bisexual women, and gay men compared with the associated change for heterosexuals. I find no significant effects on coupling. Marriage take-up effects are larger for lesbians than for bisexual women or gay men and are larger for households with children than for households without children. Consistent with prior work in the United States and Europe, I find no reductions in heterosexual marriage.
EAU20 Virtual
Authors: Lock M.T.W.T.
Published: September 2020

Samenvatting

Sinds de COVID-19-uitbraak lijkt onze wereld heel anders te functioneren. Wie had op nieuwjaarsmorgen 2020 kunnen bedenken hoe anders het nieuwe jaar vanaf februari zou gaan verlopen. Terwijl wij midden in de naweeën van Brabants carnaval en terugkomers van de wintersport zaten, vond president Donald Trump het een ‘klein’ Chinees griepje. In zijn kielzog kwetterde president Jair Bolsenaro in Brazilië eenzelfde liedje. Beiden weten, nu ruim vier maanden verder, de laatste zelf net gerecupereerd van corona, dat de werkelijke feiten fors dramatischer zijn.
Gelokaliseerde prostaatkanker – EAU highlights
Authors: Soeterik Timo F.W. , van den Bergh Roderick C.N.
Published: September 2020

Samenvatting

Het is tijd om afstand te doen van de traditionele computertomografie (CT) en de botscan voor disseminatieonderzoek bij hoogrisico primair prostaatcarcinoom en deze te vervangen door prostaatspecifiek membraanantigeen positive emission tomography (PSMA PET) CT.
Irregular Bone Defect Repair Using Tissue-Engineered Periosteum in a Rabbit Model
Authors: Zhao Lin , Zhao Junli , Yu Jia-Jia , Zhang Cangyu
Published: September 2020

Background:

In previous studies, we succeeded in repairing a long bone defect with tissue-engineered periosteum (TEP), fabricated by incorporating rabbit mesenchymal stem cells with small intestinal submucosa. In this study, we investigated the feasibility of allogeneic irregular bone defect repair using TEP.

Methods:

We performed a subtotal resection of the scapula in 36 rabbits to establish a large irregular bone defect model. The rabbits were then randomly divided into three groups (n = 12 per group) and the defects were treated with TEP (Group 1), allogeneic deproteinized bone (DPB) (Group 2) or a hybrid of TEP and DPB (Group 3). At 4, 8, and 12 weeks after surgery, the rabbits were sacrificed, and the implants were harvested. X-ray radiographic and histological examinations were performed to detect bone healing. Ink-formaldehyde perfusion was introduced to qualitatively analyze vascularization in TEP engineered new bone.

Results:

The repair of scapular defects was diverse in all groups, shown by radiographic and histological tests. The radiographic scores in Group 1 and Group 3 were significantly higher than Group 2 at 8 and 12 weeks (p < 0.05). Histological scores further proved that Group 1 had significantly greater new bone formation compared to Group 3 (p < 0.05), while Group 2 had the lowest osteogenesis at all time-points (p < 0.001). Ink-formaldehyde perfusion revealed aboundant microvessels in TEP engineered new bone.

Conclusion:

We conclude that TEP is promising for the repair of large irregular bone defects. As a 3D scaffold, DPB could provide mechanical support and a shaping guide when combined with TEP. TEP engineered new bone has aboundant microvessels.
The use of behaviour management techniques amongst paediatric dentists working in the Arabian region: a cross-sectional survey study
Authors: Nazzal H. , El Shahawy O. I. , Al-Jundi S. , Hussein I. , Tahmassebi J. F.
Published: September 2020

Purpose

The purposes of this study were to investigate paediatric dental practitioners’ training and confidence in using dental behaviour management techniques in the Arabian region and to assess the factors influencing the application of advanced behaviour management techniques. Methods: An online questionnaire was distributed to paediatric dental practitioners in the Arabian region. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and Pearson Chi Square.

Results

A total of 113 responses were obtained. Of these, the majority were from Egypt (45%, n = 51). Just over half of the respondents were registered as specialists at the country where they were practicing paediatric dentistry (53%, n = 60). The use of behaviour management techniques varied amongst participants with tell-show-do (95%, n = 107) and positive reinforcement (89%, n = 101) being the most routinely used techniques. The majority of participants reported using voice control (83%) and parental separation (68%) techniques. Hand over mouth exercise (HOME) was only used by 24% (n = 27) of participants, whilst just over half of the participants, 53%, reported using protective stabilisation. A significant association was shown between country of practice, country of obtaining paediatric dental training, speciality status and the use of advanced behaviour management techniques, whilst confidence in using HOME and sedation were associated with work setting and country of practice, respectively.

Conclusion

The use of advanced behaviour management techniques was found to be high amongst respondents in the Arabian region. The lack of training in using these techniques, however, is of concern. Further assessment of the factors affecting the use of and confidence in applying advanced behaviour management techniques in the Arabian region is needed.
Internal fixation of acetabular quadrilateral plate fractures in elderly patients: Could the fracture reduction quality affect their functional recovery?
Authors: Panella Antonello , Solarino Giuseppe , Vicenti Giovanni , Bizzoca Davide , Baglioni Marco , Fortunato Francesco , Maruccia Francesco , Notarnicola Angela , Piazzolla Andrea , Pascarella Raffaele , Belluati Alberto , Moretti Biagio
Published: September 2020

Background

Osteoporotic acetabular fractures frequently involve the quadrilateral plate (QP), a flat and thin bone constituting the medial wall of the acetabulum. This study aims to assess the impact of the quality of osteoporotic QP fractures reduction on the patients’ functional recovery, at 24 months follow-up.

Methods

Patients referring with osteoporotic QP fractures to our Level I trauma centre were prospectively recruited. Inclusion criteria: patients aged 60 years old or older; osteoporosis, defined as Dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA) T-score ≤ − 2.5; acute acetabular fracture; anatomic or good fracture reduction according to Matta on postoperative CT. Exclusion criteria: moderate cognitive impairment (defined as Mini-Mental State Examination < 19); a history of malignant neoplasm; concomitant fractures in other sites; traumatic head injury; lower limb joint prostheses; patient not able to walk independently before trauma; poor fracture reduction, according to Matta, on postoperative CT. All the QP fractures were surgically managed. After surgery, the reduction of each QP fracture was classified as anatomical (displacement 0–1 mm), good (displacement 2–3 mm) and poor (displacement > 3 mm) on postoperative CT. Based on this classification: patients with a poor fracture reduction were excluded from this study, patients with an anatomical reduction were recruited in Group-A and patients with a good reduction in Group-B. All the patients underwent a clinical and radiographic 24-months follow-up.

Results

68 patients (males 38; females 30; mean age 68.6 years old; range 60–79) were finally included in in the study. No cases of open fractures or concomitant pelvic ring fractures were observed. Based on the post-operative CT, 39 patients showed an anatomic fracture reduction (Group-A) while the remaining 29 patients revealed a good fracture reduction (Group-B). Complication rates and mean clinical scores showed no significant differences between groups, at 24-months follow-up.

Conclusions

In this study, the functional recovery at 24 months follow-up showed no significant differences in elderly patients with QP fracture undergoing anatomical reconstruction (displacement 0–1 mm) compared to patients receiving a good QP fracture reconstruction (displacement ≤ 3 mm).
Correction to: Perioperative Management of Elderly patients (PriME): recommendations from an Italian intersociety consensus
Authors: Aceto Paola , Antonelli Incalzi Raffaele , Bettelli Gabriella , Carron Michele , Chiumiento Fernando , Corcione Antonio , Crucitti Antonio , Maggi Stefania , Montorsi Marco , Pace Maria Caterina , Petrini Flavia , Tommasino Concezione , Trabucchi Marco , Volpato Stefano ,   Società Italiana di Anestesia Analgesia Rianimazione e Terapia Intensiva (SIAARTI), Società Italiana di Gerontologia e Geriatria (SIGG), Società Italiana di Chirurgia (SIC), Società Italiana di Chirurgia Geriatrica (SICG) and Associazione Italiana di Psicogeriatria (AIP)
Published: September 2020

The article Perioperative Management of Elderly patients (PriME).
Employment practices in Japan’s automobile industry: the implication for divergence of employment systems under globalization
Authors: Yamauchi Mari
Published: September 2020

This paper analyses recent developments in HR practice toward core white collar employees at Japan’s major automobile companies. It confirms there have been incremental but substantial changes in key HR policies such as compensation and the ranking system, but also finds that traditional long-term employment continues to be practiced at most firms. It further observes that Japan’s auto companies have introduced global HR polices earlier than have Japanese firms in comparable sectors. This, however, has not resulted in the alignment of policies toward those of overseas operations, which one often finds in other Japanese industries such as finance and pharmaceuticals. This would indicate that different trajectories of change are emerging in employment practices—that is, diversification in employment systems is expanding—according to sector (or, the products and services firms offer). This paper also analyses several background factors propelling such divergence, and suggests possible future constellations of employment systems among large elite firms in Japan. In these ways this study contributes to the debate on the effects of globalization on divergence and convergence of employment systems.
Correction to: A Review of the Potential Impacts of Wind Turbine Noise in the Australian Context
Authors: Davy John Laurence , Burgemeister Kym , Hillman David , Carlile Simon
Published: September 2020

The article A Review of the Potential Impacts of Wind Turbine Noise in the Australian Context, written by John Laurence Davy, Kym Burgemeister, David Hillman & Simon Carlile, was originally published electronically on the publisher’s internet portal on 27 June 2020 without open access.
Motif-based spectral clustering of weighted directed networks
Authors: Underwood William G. , Elliott Andrew , Cucuringu Mihai
Published: September 2020

Clustering is an essential technique for network analysis, with applications in a diverse range of fields. Although spectral clustering is a popular and effective method, it fails to consider higher-order structure and can perform poorly on directed networks. One approach is to capture and cluster higher-order structures using motif adjacency matrices. However, current formulations fail to take edge weights into account, and thus are somewhat limited when weight is a key component of the network under study.We address these shortcomings by exploring motif-based weighted spectral clustering methods. We present new and computationally useful matrix formulae for motif adjacency matrices on weighted networks, which can be used to construct efficient algorithms for any anchored or non-anchored motif on three nodes. In a very sparse regime, our proposed method can handle graphs with a million nodes and tens of millions of edges. We further use our framework to construct a motif-based approach for clustering bipartite networks.We provide comprehensive experimental results, demonstrating (i) the scalability of our approach, (ii) advantages of higher-order clustering on synthetic examples, and (iii) the effectiveness of our techniques on a variety of real world data sets; and compare against several techniques from the literature. We conclude that motif-based spectral clustering is a valuable tool for analysis of directed and bipartite weighted networks, which is also scalable and easy to implement.
Relating Wikipedia article quality to edit behavior and link structure
Authors: Ruprechter Thorsten , Santos Tiago , Helic Denis
Published: September 2020

Currently, the relation between edit behavior, link structure, and article quality is not well-understood in our community, notwithstanding that this relationship may facilitate editing processes and content quality on Wikipedia. To shed light on this complex relation, we classify article edits and perform an in-depth analysis of editing sequences for 4941 articles. Additionally, we build a network of internal Wikipedia hyperlinks between articles. Using this data, we compute parsimonious metrics to quantify editing and linking behavior. Our analysis unveils that conflicted articles differ substantially from others in almost all metrics, while we also detect slight trends for high-quality articles. With our network analysis we find evidence indicating that controversial and edit war articles frequently span structural holes in the Wikipedia network. Finally, in a prediction experiment we demonstrate the usefulness of edit behavior patterns and network properties in predicting conflict and article quality. With our work, we assist online collaboration communities, especially Wikipedia, in long-term improvement of content quality by offering valuable insights about the interplay of article quality, controversies and edit wars, editing behavior, and network properties via sequence-based edit and network-based article metrics.
Simulating reversible computation with reaction systems
Authors: Bagossy Attila , Vaszil György
Published: September 2020

Reaction systems are a formal model of computation providing a framework for investigating biochemical reactions inside living cells. We look at the functioning of these systems as a process producing a series of different possible sets of entities representing states which can be changed by the application of reactions, and we study reversibility and its simulation in this framework. Our goal is to establish an Undo-Redo-Do-like semantics of reversibility with environmental control over the direction of the computation following a so-called no-memory approach, that is, without introducing modifications to the model of reaction systems itself. We first establish requirements the systems must satisfy in order to produce processes consisting of states with unique predecessors, then define reversible reaction systems in terms of reversible interactive processes. For such reversible systems, we also construct simulator systems that can traverse between the states of reversible interactive processes back and forth based on the input of a special “rollback” symbol from the environment.
Impact of the introduction of a verbal socially assistive robot on the relationship between older people and their caregivers in a nursing home
Authors: Nakamura Mio , Nihei Misato , Kato Noriko , Inoue Takenobu
Published: September 2020

This study was aimed at investigating the changes in relationship between older people and caregivers caused by the introduction of a verbal socially assistive robot (SAR) in a nursing home. Twenty-one older people residing on one floor of the nursing home and eight caregivers working at the nursing home participated in the study. A time study was conducted, and behaviours were observed before the introduction of the verbal SAR, on day 1 of the introduction, and on day 14 after the introduction. Pepper (Softbank Co. Ltd.) was used in this study. The conversation time between residents and caregivers increased after the introduction of the verbal SAR. At the time of introduction of the verbal SAR, caregivers were providing personalized care to residents during group gymnastics activities (e.g., talking to them and providing movement instructions). The results of the study indicate that the introduction of the verbal SAR improved the relationship between the residents and caregivers and contributed in improving the delivered quality of care.
Real-Time Processing of High-Resolution Video and 3D Model-Based Tracking for Remote Towers
Authors: Barrowclough Oliver J. D. , Briseid Sverre , Muntingh Georg , Viksand Torbjørn
Published: September 2020

During the past decade, a new approach to providing air traffic services to airports from a remote location has been established, known as remote or digital tower. High quality video data is a core component in remote tower operations as it inherently contains a huge amount of information on which a controller can base decisions. The total resolution of a typical remote tower setup often exceeds 25 million RGB pixels and is captured at 30 frames per second or more. It is thus a challenge to efficiently process all the data in such a way as to provide relevant real-time enhancements to the controller. In this paper we describe the development of number of improvements and discuss how they can be implemented efficiently on a single workstation by decoupling processes, implementing attention mechanisms and utilizing hardware for parallel computing.
Flexural behavior of composite structural insulated panels with magnesium oxide board facings
Authors: Smakosz Łukasz , Kreja Ireneusz , Pozorski Zbigniew
Published: September 2020

The current report is devoted to the flexural analysis of a composite structural insulated panel (CSIP) with magnesium oxide board facings and expanded polystyrene (EPS) core, that was recently introduced to the building industry. An advanced nonlinear FE model was created in the ABAQUS environment, able to simulate the CSIP’s flexural behavior in great detail. An original custom code procedure was developed, which allowed to include material bimodularity to significantly improve the accuracy of computational results and failure mode predictions. Material model parameters describing the nonlinear range were identified in a joint analysis of laboratory tests and their numerical simulations performed on CSIP beams of three different lengths subjected to three- and four-point bending. The model was validated by confronting computational results with experimental results for natural scale panels; a good correlation between the two results proved that the proposed model could effectively support the CSIP design process.
Optimizing Scarce Resource Allocation During COVID-19: Rapid Creation of a Regional Health-Care Coalition and Triage Teams in San Diego County, California
Authors: Devereaux Asha , Yang Holly , Seda Gilbert , Sankar Viji , Maves Ryan C. , Karanjia Navaz , Parrish John Scott , Rosenberg Christy , Goodman-Crews Paula , Cederquist Lynette , Burkle Frederick M. , Tuteur Jennifer , Leroy Chiara , Koenig Kristi L.
Published: September 2020

Successful management of an event where health-care needs exceed regional health-care capacity requires coordinated strategies for scarce resource allocation. Publications for rapid development, training, and coordination of regional hospital triage teams to manage the allocation of scarce resources during coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are lacking. Over a period of 3 weeks, over 100 clinicians, ethicists, leaders, and public health authorities convened virtually to achieve consensus on how best to save the most lives possible and share resources. This is referred to as population-based crisis management. The rapid regionalization of 22 acute care hospitals across 4500 square miles in the midst of a pandemic with a shifting regulatory landscape was challenging, but overcome by mutual trust, transparency, and confidence in the public health authority. Because many cities are facing COVID-19 surges, we share a process for successful rapid formation of health-care care coalitions, Crisis Standard of Care, and training of Triage Teams. Incorporation of continuous process improvement and methods for communication is essential for successful implementation. Use of our regional health-care coalition communications, incident command system, and the crisis care committee helped mitigate crisis care in the San Diego and Imperial County region as COVID-19 cases surged and scarce resource collaborative decisions were required.
Assessing Socioeconomic Vulnerabilities Related to COVID-19 Risk in India: A State-Level Analysis
Authors: Pathak Praveen Kumar , Singh Yadawendra , Mahapatro Sandhya R. , Tripathi Niharika , Jee Jyoti
Published: September 2020

Objective:

There is a paucity of scientific analysis that has examined spatial heterogeneities in the socioeconomic vulnerabilities related to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) risk and potential mitigation strategies at the sub-national level in India. The present study examined the demographic, socioeconomic, and health system-related vulnerabilities shaping COVID-19 risk across 36 states and union territories in India.

Methods:

Using secondary data from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), Government of India; Census of India, 2011; National Family Health Survey, 2015-16; and various rounds of the National Sample Survey, we examined socioeconomic vulnerabilities associated with COVID-19 risk at the sub-national level in India from March 16, 2020, to May 3, 2020. Descriptive statistics, principal component analysis, and the negative binomial regression model were used to examine the predictors of COVID-19 risk in India.

Results:

There persist substantial heterogeneities in the COVID-19 risk across states and union territories in India. The underlying demographic, socioeconomic, and health infrastructure characteristics drive the vulnerabilities related to COVID-19 in India.

Conclusions:

This study emphasizes that concerted socially inclusive policy action and sustained livelihood/economic support for the most vulnerable population groups is critical to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in India.
The German “Verständigung” and Consensual Elements in German Criminal Trials
Authors: Jahn Matthias , Schmitt-Leonardy Charlotte
Published: September 2020

Negotiated agreements in criminal proceedings have often been regarded as the embodiment of a negative wider trend towards the informalization of the criminal procedure, and have—especially in Germany—long been the subject of vivid controversies. A criminal proceeding in the traditional sense aims to establish the truth ex officio, which is achieved by means of a comprehensive inquiry into the facts conducted by the court during the trial, followed by a sentence that appropriately reflects the individual guilt of the defendant, which can then, in turn, achieve the procedural objective of “justice.” A streamlining of the extensive inquiry into the facts that the court would normally have to conduct via the consensual process of negotiation does not, a priori, fit the mold of a criminal procedure in the aforementioned sense. At the same time, the consensual termination of criminal proceedings—which also includes other forms of termination of the proceeding besides the concept of Verständigung, which occur by means of a preferment of public charges—is, in fact, more prevalent in practice these days than judgments rendered in adversarial trials are. Our Article focuses on the reasons why this stark contrast between legal doctrine and reality came to pass and which aspects of the implementation of the concept of consensus into the German law of criminal procedure still seem problematic.
Effects of Spherical Clearance Joint on Dynamics of Redundant Driving Spatial Parallel Mechanism
Authors: Chen Xiulong , Guo Jingyao
Published: September 2020

This paper proposes a dynamic modeling method of redundant drive spatial parallel mechanism, dynamics of 4-UPS-RPU redundant driving spatial parallel mechanism considering spherical joint clearance are analyzed. The dynamic equation of spherical joint clearance with Lagrange multiplier is built. The influences of single clearance and multiple clearances on dynamic responses of redundant drive spatial parallel mechanisms are analyzed under different clearance values. The results show that the dynamic characteristics of the mechanism with single clearance are basically consistent with the ideal situation, and the dynamic characteristics of the mechanism with multi-clearance are significantly different from the ideal situation.
Folate status in women of childbearing age in the Urban Metropolitan Region of Chile: results from the National Health Survey 2016–2017
Authors: Busso Dolores , Echeverría Guadalupe , Passi-Solar Alvaro , Morales Fernanda , Farías Marcelo , Margozzini Paula
Published: September 2020

Objective:

To analyse serum folate levels in women of childbearing age in the Metropolitan Region (MR) of Chile.

Design:

Cross-sectional design as part of the 2016–2017 National Health Survey (Encuesta Nacional de Salud, ENS 2016–2017), using a household-based multistage stratified random sample. Serum folate levels measured by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay in fasting venous blood samples were classified as deficient (<4·4 ng/ml), normal (4·4–20 ng/ml) or supraphysiological (>20 ng/ml).

Setting:

The MR of Chile.

Participants:

Women of reproductive age (15–49 years, n 222) from the MR participated in the ENS 2016–2017.

Results:

The mean, median and range of serum folate were 14·2 (se 0·4), 13·9 and 2·1–32·2 ng/ml, respectively. Folate deficiency was detected in 0·9 % of women, while 7·0 % had supraphysiological levels of the vitamin. No significant effects of age, educational level, marital status, parity, smoking status or nutritional status on serum folate levels were detected by univariate or multivariate analyses. Intake of folic acid supplements showed a significant association with serum folate levels, but only 1·2 % of women used supplements.

Conclusions:

Folate deficiency in women of reproductive age living in the MR of Chile is almost inexistent according to the ENS 2016–2017, suggesting that the current population-wide mandatory folic acid fortification of flour is an effective and equitable measure to prevent folate deficiency. These results support the option of maintaining current folic acid fortification in Chile, particularly based on the low adherence to supplementation regimes evidenced in other populations.
Population attributable fraction estimates for factors associated with different types of anaemia among women in Ethiopia: multilevel multinomial analysis
Authors: Kibret Kelemu Tilahun , Chojenta Catherine , D’Arcy Ellie , Loxton Deborah
Published: September 2020

Objective:

This study aimed to identify factors for different levels of anaemia among Ethiopian women and to estimate the population attributable fraction (PAF).

Design:

This study was a detailed analysis of data of the 2016 Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey data. Adjusted OR (AOR) with 95 % CI was computed using multilevel multinomial regression models, and the PAF were estimated using these AOR.

Setting:

This study was conducted in Ethiopia.

Participants:

Women of reproductive age.

Results:

The PAF showed that the proportion of mild anaemia cases attributable to having no formal education was 14·6 % (95 % CI 3·4, 24·5), high gravidity (≥4) was 11·2 % (95 % CI 1·2, 19·9) and currently breast-feeding was 5·2 % (95 % CI 0·0, 10·7). Similarly, the proportion of moderate–severe anaemia cases attributable to being in a rural residence was 38·1 % (95 % CI 15·9, 54·8); poorest wealth quantile, 12·6 % (95 % CI 2·9, 24·6); giving birth in the last 5 years, 10·5 % (95 % CI 2·9, 18·2) and unimproved latrine facilities, 17 % (95 % CI 0, 32·5).

Conclusions:

The PAF suggest that rural residency, low education, low wealth status, high parity, pregnancy and breast-feeding contribute substantially to the occurrence of anaemia among women in Ethiopia. Mild anaemia could be reduced by setting intervention strategies targeting women with low education, multigravida women and breast-feeding women, while preventing moderate–severe anaemia may require increasing income and improving living environments through the accessibility of hygienic latrines.
Implementation of perinatal collaborative care: a health services approach to perinatal depression care
Authors: Miller Emily S. , Jensen Rebekah , Hoffman M. Camille , Osborne Lauren M. , McEvoy Katherine , Grote Nancy , Moses-Kolko Eydie L.
Published: September 2020

Aim:

Our objective was to integrate lessons learned from perinatal collaborative care programs across the United States, recognizing the diversity of practice settings and patient populations, to provide guidance on successful implementation.

Background:

Collaborative care is a health services delivery system that integrates behavioral health care into primary care. While efficacious, effectiveness requires rigorous attention to implementation to ensure adherence to the core evidence base.

Methods:

Implementation strategies are divided into three pragmatic stages: preparation, program launch, and program growth and sustainment; however, these steps are non-linear and dynamic.

Findings:

The discussion that follows is not meant to be prescriptive; rather, all implementation tasks should be thoughtfully tailored to the unique needs and setting of the obstetric community and patient population. In particular, we are aware that implementation on the level described here assumes commitment of both effort and money on the part of clinicians, administrators, and the health system, and that such financial resources are not always available. We conclude with synthesis of a survey of existing collaborative care programs to identify implementation practices of existing programs.
Is Energy Subsidy Reform in an Oil-Exporting Small Economy Beneficial to Trade? Illustrations from Kuwait
Authors: Shehabi Manal
Published: September 2020

This article fills a gap in the literature by quantifying impacts of fossil fuel subsidy reform on trade (inflow and outflow) in an oil-producing, “almost small”, economy, using Kuwait as an example. It employs a two-region economy-wide model with oligopoly behaviour in a general equilibrium framework. The model embodies unique elements of Kuwait's economic structure, idiosyncratic rigidities, and distortions, including oligopolistic industrial structure and labour markets. Simulations show that energy subsidies have minimal effects on trade and on non-energy exports, largely due to the pervasiveness of oligopolies that sustain large markups and their collusive pricing. Reforming energy subsidies generates higher pro-trade effects if implemented during low (not high) oil prices because its negative effects are partially offset by efficiency gains and reduction in oligopoly markups. Yet, contrary to claims by proponents of reforms, these effects remain largely constrained unless appropriate incentives are introduced. These results have important policy implications. In developing oil-exporting economies with pervasive oligopolies, microeconomic reform can be a channel through which to achieve pro-trade effects of energy subsidy reform. Further, benefits beyond export expansion, such as higher economic efficiency, could be better motivators of energy subsidy reform in oil economies.
Transportation Cost, Fuel Subsidies, and Commodity Prices
Authors: Fuje Habtamu
Published: September 2020

Despite being at the forefront of the global policy agenda, fuel subsidy reform is understudied and its impact on trade is not particularly well understood. This type of reform could have a huge impact on market performance by increasing transportation costs. I present a case study from Ethiopia, which removed its fuel subsidies and increased the price of diesel price by 39% overnight on 4 October 2008. What is the impact of such an increase in diesel price on transportation costs and hence grain prices in developing countries such as Ethiopia? I use spatial difference-in-difference (sDID) on distance from major markets to assess the effects of removing the fuel subsidy on grain price dispersion. The sDID leverages distance from the national capital to investigate the impact of fuel subsidy reform on markets located at different distances from consumer centers. The results indicate that remote markets experienced high price dispersion compared to markets near the capital.
„Das Management muss das Bildungskonzept unterstützen“
Authors: Key Michaela , Boiteux Nicole , Geser Daniela , Küng Rosmarie , Schieber Irmgard , Schürmann Simone , Panfil Eva-Maria
Published: September 2020

Zusammenfassung. Um die Qualität der praktischen Ausbildung sicherzustellen, wurde im Universitätsspital Zürich (USZ) 2009 mit der „Lern- und Arbeitsgemeinschaft“ (LAG) ein Organisationskonzept und damit verbindliche Rahmenbedingungen für die praktische Ausbildung entwickelt (Panfil, Küng, Zürcher & Key, 2017). Andere Spitäler in der Deutschschweiz haben das Konzept der LAG vom USZ übernommen, an die institutionseigenen Rahmenbedingungen adaptiert und implementiert mit dem Ziel, die Lern- und Ausbildungsqualität zu optimieren.
Stomach microbiota, Helicobacter pylori, and group 2 innate lymphoid cells
Authors: Ohno Hiroshi , Satoh-Takayama Naoko
Published: September 2020

The stomach has been thought to host few commensal bacteria because of the existence of barriers, such as gastric acid. However, recent culture-independent, sequencing-based microbial analysis has shown that the stomach also harbors a wide diversity of microbiota. Although the stomach immune system, especially innate lymphoid cells (ILCs), has not been well elucidated, recent studies have shown that group 2 ILCs (ILC2s) are the dominant subtype in the stomach of both humans and mice. Stomach ILC2s are unique in that their existence is dependent on stomach microbiota, in sharp contrast to the lack of an impact of commensal microbiota on ILC2s in other tissues. The microbiota dependency of stomach ILC2s is partly explained by their responsiveness to interleukin (IL)-7. Stomach ILC2s express significantly higher IL-7 receptor protein levels on their surface and proliferate more in response to IL-7 stimulation in vitro than small intestinal ILC2s. Consistently, the stomach expresses much higher IL-7 protein levels than the small intestine. IL-5 secreted from stomach ILC2s promotes immunoglobulin (Ig) A production by plasma B cells. In a murine model, stomach ILC2s are important in containingHelicobacter pyloriinfection, especially in the early phase of infection, by promoting IgA production.
Single-photon emission from isolated monolayer islands of InGaN
Authors: Sun Xiaoxiao , Wang Ping , Wang Tao , Chen Ling , Chen Zhaoying , Gao Kang , Aoki Tomoyuki , Li Mo , Zhang Jian , Schulz Tobias , Albrecht Martin , Ge Weikun , Arakawa Yasuhiko , Shen Bo , Holmes Mark , Wang Xinqiang
Published: September 2020

We identify and characterize a novel type of quantum emitter formed from InGaN monolayer islands grown using molecular beam epitaxy and further isolated via the fabrication of an array of nanopillar structures. Detailed optical analysis of the characteristic emission spectrum from the monolayer islands is performed, and the main transmission is shown to act as a bright, stable, and fast single-photon emitter with a wavelength of ~400 nm.
VDR–SOX2 signaling promotes colorectal cancer stemness and malignancy in an acidic microenvironment
Authors: Hu Pei-Shan , Li Ting , Lin Jin-Fei , Qiu Miao-Zhen , Wang De-Shen , Liu Ze-Xian , Chen Zhan-Hong , Yang Lu-Ping , Zhang Xiao-Long , Zhao Qi , Chen Yan-Xing , Lu Yun-Xin , Wu Qi-Nian , Pu Heng-Ying , Zeng Zhao-Lei , Xie Dan , Ju Huai-Qiang , Luo Hui-Yan , Xu Rui-Hua
Published: September 2020

The acidic tumor microenvironment provides an energy source driving malignant tumor progression. Adaptation of cells to an acidic environment leads to the emergence of cancer stem cells. The expression of the vitamin D receptor (VDR) is closely related to the initiation and development of colorectal carcinoma (CRC), but its regulatory mechanism in CRC stem cells is still unclear. Our study revealed that acidosis reduced VDR expression by downregulating peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor delta (PPARD) expression. Overexpression of VDR effectively suppressed the stemness and oxaliplatin resistance of cells in acidosis. The nuclear export signal in VDR was sensitive to acidosis, and VDR was exported from the nucleus. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) and assay for transposase-accessible chromatin with high-throughput sequencing (ATAC-seq) analyses showed that VDR transcriptionally repressed SRY-box 2 (SOX2) by binding to the vitamin D response elements in the promoter of SOX2, impairing tumor growth and drug resistance. We demonstrated that a change in the acidic microenvironment combined with overexpression of VDR substantially restricted the occurrence and development of CRC in vivo. These findings reveal a new mechanism by which acidosis could affect the stemness of CRC cells by regulating the expression of SOX2 and show that abnormal VDR expression leads to ineffective activation of vitamin D signaling, resulting in a lack of efficacy of vitamin D in antineoplastic process.
Epitranscriptomics and epiproteomics in cancer drug resistance: therapeutic implications
Authors: Song Huibin , Liu Dongcheng , Dong Shaowei , Zeng Leli , Wu Zhuoxun , Zhao Pan , Zhang Litu , Chen Zhe-Sheng , Zou Chang
Published: September 2020

Drug resistance is a major hurdle in cancer treatment and a key cause of poor prognosis. Epitranscriptomics and epiproteomics are crucial in cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and epithelial–mesenchymal transition. In recent years, epitranscriptomic and epiproteomic modification has been investigated on their roles in overcoming drug resistance. In this review article, we summarized the recent progress in overcoming cancer drug resistance in three novel aspects: (i) mRNA modification, which includes alternative splicing, A-to-I modification and mRNA methylation; (ii) noncoding RNAs modification, which involves miRNAs, lncRNAs, and circRNAs; and (iii) posttranslational modification on molecules encompasses drug inactivation/efflux, drug target modifications, DNA damage repair, cell death resistance, EMT, and metastasis. In addition, we discussed the therapeutic implications of targeting some classical chemotherapeutic drugs such as cisplatin, 5-fluorouridine, and gefitinib via these modifications. Taken together, this review highlights the importance of epitranscriptomic and epiproteomic modification in cancer drug resistance and provides new insights on potential therapeutic targets to reverse cancer drug resistance.
EGFR as a stable marker of prostate cancer dissemination to bones
Authors: Nastały Paulina , Stoupiec Sara , Popęda Marta , Smentoch Julia , Schlomm Thorsten , Morrissey Colm , Żaczek Anna Joanna , Beyer Burkhard , Tennstedt Pierre , Graefen Markus , Eltze Elke , Maiuri Paolo , Semjonow Axel , Pantel Klaus , Brandt Burkhard , Bednarz-Knoll Natalia
Published: September 2020

Background

Prostate cancer (PCa) is among the most commonly diagnosed malignancies in men. Although 5-year survival in patients with localised disease reaches nearly 100%, metastatic disease still remains incurable. Therefore, there is a need for markers indicating metastatic dissemination.

Methods

EGFR overexpression (EGFRover) was tracked in 1039 primary tumours, circulating tumour cells from 39 d’Amico high-risk patients and metastatic samples from 21 castration-resistant PCa cases. EGFR status was compared to clinical parameters and multiple molecular factors were assessed using immunohistochemistry and gene ontology analysis. The functional aspect of EGFR was evaluated by plating PC-3 cells on soft and rigid matrices.

Results

EGFRover was found in 14% of primary tumours, where it was associated with shorter metastasis-free survival and was an independent indicator of worse overall survival. EGFRover correlated with a pro-migratory and pro-metastatic phenotype of tumour cells as well as rich collagen fibre content. All circulating tumour cells (detected in 13% of cases) were positive for EGFR, independent of their EMT-related phenotype. EGFRover was more prevalent in castration-resistant bone metastases (29% of patients) and supported growth of human PCa cells on rigid matrices mimicking bone stiffness.

Conclusions

EGFRover is a stable, EMT-independent marker of PCa disseminating to rigid organs, preferentially bones.
Single-cell transcriptomic atlas of primate cardiopulmonary aging
Authors: Ma Shuai , Sun Shuhui , Li Jiaming , Fan Yanling , Qu Jing , Sun Liang , Wang Si , Zhang Yiyuan , Yang Shanshan , Liu Zunpeng , Wu Zeming , Zhang Sheng , Wang Qiaoran , Zheng Aihua , Duo Shuguang , Yu Yang , Belmonte Juan Carlos Izpisua , Chan Piu , Zhou Qi , Song Moshi , Zhang Weiqi , Liu Guang-Hui
Published: September 2020

Aging is a major risk factor for many diseases, especially in highly prevalent cardiopulmonary comorbidities and infectious diseases including Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). Resolving cellular and molecular mechanisms associated with aging in higher mammals is therefore urgently needed. Here, we created young and old non-human primate single-nucleus/cell transcriptomic atlases of lung, heart and artery, the top tissues targeted by SARS-CoV-2. Analysis of cell type-specific aging-associated transcriptional changes revealed increased systemic inflammation and compromised virus defense as a hallmark of cardiopulmonary aging. With age, expression of the SARS-CoV-2 receptor angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) was increased in the pulmonary alveolar epithelial barrier, cardiomyocytes, and vascular endothelial cells. We found that interleukin 7 (IL7) accumulated in aged cardiopulmonary tissues and induced ACE2 expression in human vascular endothelial cells in an NF-κB-dependent manner. Furthermore, treatment with vitamin C blocked IL7-induced ACE2 expression. Altogether, our findings depict the first transcriptomic atlas of the aged primate cardiopulmonary system and provide vital insights into age-linked susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2, suggesting that geroprotective strategies may reduce COVID-19 severity in the elderly.
A three-year follow-up study evaluating clinical utility of exome sequencing and diagnostic potential of reanalysis
Authors: Fung Jasmine L. F. , Yu Mullin H. C. , Huang Shushu , Chung Claudia C. Y. , Chan Marcus C. Y. , Pajusalu Sander , Mak Christopher C. Y. , Hui Vivian C. C. , Tsang Mandy H. Y. , Yeung Kit San , Lek Monkol , Chung Brian H. Y.
Published: September 2020

Exome sequencing (ES) has become one of the important diagnostic tools in clinical genetics with a reported diagnostic rate of 25–58%. Many studies have illustrated the diagnostic and immediate clinical impact of ES. However, up to 75% of individuals remain undiagnosed and there is scarce evidence supporting clinical utility beyond a follow-up period of >1 year. This is a 3-year follow-up analysis to our previous publication by Mak et al. (NPJ Genom. Med. 3:19, 2018), to evaluate the long-term clinical utility of ES and the diagnostic potential of exome reanalysis. The diagnostic yield of the initial study was 41% (43/104). Exome reanalysis in 46 undiagnosed individuals has achieved 12 new diagnoses. The additional yield compared with the initial analysis was at least 12% (increased from 41% to at least 53%). After a median follow-up period of 3.4 years, change in clinical management was observed in 72.2% of the individuals (26/36), leading to positive change in clinical outcome in four individuals (11%). There was a minimum healthcare cost saving of HKD$152,078 (USD$19,497; €17,282) annually for these four individuals. There were a total of six pregnancies from five families within the period. Prenatal diagnosis was performed in four pregnancies; one fetus was affected and resulted in termination. None of the parents underwent preimplantation genetic diagnosis. This 3-year follow-up study demonstrated the long-term clinical utility of ES at individual, familial and health system level, and the promising diagnostic potential of subsequent reanalysis. This highlights the benefits of implementing ES and regular reanalysis in the clinical setting.