bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Two new Andean species of Alychna Grishin, 2019 (Hesperiidae, Hesperiinae, Hesperiini, Moncina) from Bolivia and Peru
Authors: DE MEDEIROS ADALBERTO DANTAS , DOLIBAINA DIEGO RODRIGO , MIELKE OLAF HERMANN HENDRIK , CASAGRANDE MIRNA MARTINS
Published: March 2020

Two new species of Alychna Grishin, 2019, Alychna chulumani Medeiros, Dolibaina & O. Mielke sp. nov. from Bolivia (La Paz, Chulumani) and Alychna argenteus Medeiros, Dolibaina & Casagrande sp. nov. from Peru (Huánuco, Carpish) are described. Illustrations of the wing pattern, forewing stigma and male genitalia of the two species are provided.
Impact of the North Atlantic Warming Hole on Sensible Weather
Authors: Gervais Melissa , Shaman Jeffrey , Kushnir Yochanan
Published: March 2020

In future climate projections there is a notable lack of warming in the North Atlantic subpolar gyre, known as the North Atlantic warming hole (NAWH). In a set of large-ensemble atmospheric simulations with the Community Earth System Model, the NAWH was previously shown to contribute to the projected poleward shift and eastward elongation of the North Atlantic jet. The current study investigates the impact of the warming hole on sensible weather, particularly over Europe, using the same simulations. North Atlantic jet regimes are classified within the model simulations by applying self-organizing maps analysis to winter daily wind speeds on the dynamic tropopause. The NAWH is found to increase the prevalence of jet regimes with stronger and more-poleward-shifted jets. A previously identified transient eddy-mean response to the NAWH that leads to a downstream enhancement of wind speeds is found to be dependent on the jet regime. These localized regime-specific changes vary by latitude and strength, combining to form the broad increase in seasonal-mean wind speeds over Eurasia. Impacts on surface temperature and precipitation within the various North Atlantic jet regimes are also investigated. A large decrease in surface temperature over Eurasia is found to be associated with the NAWH in regimes where air masses are advected eastward over the subpolar gyre prior to reaching Eurasia. Precipitation is found to be locally suppressed over the warming hole region and increased directly downstream. The impact of this downstream response on coastal European precipitation is dependent on the strength of the NAWH.
On the Parameterization of Convective Downdrafts for Marine Stratocumulus Clouds
Authors: Wu Elynn , Yang Handa , Kleissl Jan , Suselj Kay , Kurowski Marcin J. , Teixeira João
Published: March 2020

The role of nonlocal transport on the development and maintenance of marine stratocumulus (Sc) clouds in coarse-resolution models is investigated, with a special emphasis on the downdraft contribution. A new parameterization of cloud-top-triggered downdrafts is proposed and validated against large-eddy simulation (LES) for two Sc cases. The applied nonlocal mass-flux scheme is part of the stochastic multiplume eddy-diffusivity/mass-flux (EDMF) framework decomposing the turbulent transport into local and nonlocal contributions. The complementary local turbulent transport is represented with the Mellor–Yamada–Nakanishi–Niino (MYNN) scheme. This EDMF version has been implemented in the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) single-column model (SCM) and tested for three model versions: without mass flux, with updrafts only, and with both updrafts and downdrafts. In the LES, the downdraft and updraft contributions to the total heat and moisture transport are comparable and significant. The WRF SCM results show a good agreement between the parameterized downdraft turbulent transport and LES. While including updrafts greatly improves the modeling of Sc clouds over the simulation without mass flux, the addition of downdrafts is less significant, although it helps improve the moisture profile in the planetary boundary layer.
To extend: Temporariness in a world of itineraries
Authors: Simone AbdouMaliq
Published: March 2020

Recent urban analysis has emphasised the ‘big moves’ – planetary scales, extensive processes, major actors, mega-developments and substantial financial flows – important in accounting for a seemingly all-encompassing urbanisation. Still, significant volumes of the urban environment have historically been shaped by the collaborative efforts of residents and their associative institutions. These were collaborations largely operating without formal contracts or consensus, piecing together concrete places capable of holding different practices and sentiments and, as such, rarely became sedentary, even if conditions and power relations might have appeared fixed. These forms included and exceeded clear demarcations of entities (individual, household, social), with, for example, the operations of the digital media increasingly beyond the apprehension of human cognition, making it increasingly unclear ‘who is the what that does something to whom.’ As a result, the terms and economies of such collaborations amongst residents – their acts of autoconstruction – have become more complex and precarious, particularly as residents emphasise the importance of mobility, flexible commitments and individual aspirations. Hence, urban environments are elaborated in ways not captivated by plans, measures or even advanced computational analyses, and there are many ways that residents continue to operate in concert but without discernible mobilisation or organisation. Focusing on temporariness – not as a specific sector or set of practices but as a constellation of efforts to generate something of value – and drawing upon fieldwork across different sites in Indonesia, this lecture explores the new terrain of urban invention by poor, working and lower middle-class residents in the wake of its purported demise.
Determining the Relationship Among Hamburg Wheel-Tracking Test Parameters and Correlation to Field Performance of Asphalt Pavements
Authors: Yin Fan , Chen Chen , West Randy , Martin Amy Epps , Arambula-Mercado Edith
Published: March 2020

The Hamburg wheel-tracking test (HWTT) is commonly used to evaluate the rutting resistance and moisture susceptibility of asphalt mixtures. Over the years, different test parameters have been proposed, including the traditional ones specified in AASHTO T 324 and several alternatives developed by asphalt researchers. This study was undertaken to refine the HWTT method toward enhancing its implementation as part of balanced mix design specifications for asphalt mixtures. A HWTT database was developed including test results of over 70 mixtures with a wide range of mixture components and production parameters. Data analyses were conducted to examine the relationships among various HWTT parameters, determine their correlations to field performance data, and estimate the within-laboratory repeatability of the test results. Two alternative rutting parameters, rutting resistance index ( RRI) and corrected rut depth ( CRD), were found to be advantageous over the traditional parameters of total rut depth ( TRD) and creep slope ( CS). RRI allows for direct comparison of results with different termination points, and CRD isolates the rut depth resulting from permanent deformation from that caused by stripping. Among all the rutting parameters, RRI had the best correlation to field rut depth, followed by CS, CRD, and TRD. Receiver operating characteristic analysis was conducted to determine the correspondence between HWTT results and pavement field performance related to moisture susceptibility. The analysis identified 9,000 passes as the best criterion for stripping inflection point and 2,000 passes for the alternative moisture susceptibility parameter, stripping number. Finally, the within-laboratory repeatability of HWTT rut depth measurements was determined.
Bacterial pathogens in peritoneal dialysis peritonitis: Insights from next-generation sequencing
Authors: van Hougenhouck-Tulleken Wesley G , Lebre Pedro H , Said Mohamed , Cowan Don A
Published: March 2020

Background:

Peritoneal dialysis (PD) peritonitis is a feared complication of PD, with significant sequelae for the patient. The cause of PD peritonitis is largely due to a single organism (≥75% of cases) and rarely due to multiple organisms.

Methods:

In this pilot study, we investigated 25 cases of PD peritonitis with 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) next-generation sequencing (NGS) techniques.

Results:

Total concordance between culture and NGS was noted. In addition, the NGS technique was highly sensitive, identifying 33 different bacteria (including a nonculturable bacterium), compared to 13 bacterial species using culture-based techniques. This was counterbalanced by a lack of specificity with NGS, largely due to the small size of the 16S rRNA gene segment sequenced.

Conclusions:

For the clinician, our results suggest that PD peritonitis may often be a polymicrobial disease and that treating a dominant organism may not totally eradicate all bacterial contamination within the peritoneum. For the clinical scientist, additional use of a larger 16S rRNA segment (V5 or V6) is likely to outperform the use of the V4 segment only.
Communication network analysis to advance mapping ‘sport for development and peace’ complexity: Cohesion and leadership
Authors: Herasimovich Volha , Alzua-Sorzabal Aurkene
Published: March 2020

Attempts to map the global sport for development and peace field have revealed only some aspects of its complex organisational structure, failing to depict the web of relations in which diverse stakeholders are embedded. Based on the principles of complex systems, this study applies a communication network perspective and the analytical instruments of hyperlink network analysis to advance mapping sport for development and peace complexity and to reveal the significance of the stakeholders’ structure for power relations, cohesion and leadership processes in the sport for development and peace field. The research extends the current mapping by depicting an international network of 520 organisations and 2279 links. The stakeholders differ according to the level of involvement in sport for development and peace practice, the field of main activities, and origins (the global North and South). The density of the network is extremely sparse, which means that less than 1% of all possible ties are realised. Furthermore, it ratifies the leading role of the global North in sport for development and peace efforts. Findings also disclose difficulties in establishing relations between delivery organisations that can be attributed to competitive context and shortage of resources. The study provides clarification of existing power relations and helps to find development strategies and a more inclusive and equitable policy formulation aimed to create equal opportunities for leadership.
Comparison between provocative test-based and long-term intraocular pressure parameters in patients with stable open-angle glaucoma
Authors: Almeida Izabela , Scoralick Ana Luiza B , Dias Diego T , Ushida Michele , Dorairaj Syril , Gracitelli Carolina PB , Paranhos Augusto , Kanadani Fábio N , Prata Tiago S
Published: March 2020

Purpose:

To compare provocative test-based and long-term intraocular pressure variation parameters in patients with stable open-angle glaucoma.

Methods:

A prospective observational study was carried out in which stable open-angle glaucoma patients (⩾3 years of follow-up without any changes on current medical regimen) were consecutively enrolled. All patients were submitted to a water-drinking test. Long-term intraocular pressure parameters were obtained from isolated intraocular pressure measurements from each visit (⩾5 visits). We investigated the correlation and agreement between the following water-drinking test and long-term intraocular pressure parameters: mean, peak, and fluctuation. In addition, the percentage of eyes with significant intraocular pressure peaks during the water-drinking test (defined as a difference ⩾25% between water-drinking test intraocular pressure peak and mean long-term intraocular pressure) was assessed.

Results:

Sixty-three eyes from 63 open-angle glaucoma patients (mean age, 60.7 ± 11.8 years) were included. Mean and water-drinking test intraocular pressure peak correlated significantly with mean ( r = 0.67) and maximum long-term intraocular pressure ( r = 0.52), respectively ( p < 0.01). The correlation between water-drinking test intraocular pressure fluctuation and long-term intraocular pressure fluctuation was not significant ( p = 0.45). Limits of agreement from Bland–Altman plots exceeded the maximum allowed difference between methods (3 mm Hg) for all the intraocular pressure parameters analyzed, suggesting poor agreement between water-drinking test–derived and long-term intraocular pressure values. Overall, significant water-drinking test intraocular pressure peaks were observed in 39.7% of these eyes with stable open-angle glaucoma.

Conclusion:

Although some water-drinking test–based and long-term intraocular pressure parameters correlate significantly, water-drinking test results may not reflect the long-term intraocular pressure profile of stable open-angle glaucoma patients, as their agreement is poor. Many of these patients may experience significant water-drinking test intraocular pressure peaks, despite long-standing stable disease and unchanged medical regimen.
Data harmonization for collaborative research among MS registries: A case study in employment
Authors: Salter A , Stahmann A , Ellenberger D , Fneish F , Rodgers WJ , Middleton R , Nicholas R , Marrie RA
Published: March 2020

Objective:

To assess the feasibility of collaboration and retrospective data harmonization among three multiple sclerosis (MS) registries by investigating employment status.

Methods:

We used the Maelstrom guidelines to facilitate retrospective harmonization of data from three MS registries, including the NARCOMS (North American Research Committee on MS) Registry, German MS Register (GMSR), and United Kingdom MS (UK-MS) Register. A protocol was developed based on the guidelines, and summary-level data were used to combine results. Employment status and a limited set of factors associated with employment (age, sex, education, and disability level) were harmonized. A meta-analytic approach was used to pool estimates using a weighted average of logistic regression estimates and their variances in a random effects model.

Results:

Employment status, age, sex, education, and disability were mapped. The overall employment rate was 57% (11,143 employed out of 19,562 persons with MS) with the GMSR having the highest proportion of participants employed (66.2%), followed by the UK-MS (55.2%) and NARCOMS (43.0%) registries. As disability level increased, the odds of not being employed increased.

Conclusion:

Harmonization across registries was feasible. The Maelstrom guidelines provide a valuable roadmap for conducting high-quality harmonization projects. The pooling of data sources has the potential to be an important mechanism for conducting research in MS.
Trait Emotional Intelligence Moderates the Impact of Failure Feedback: Out-Group Derogation in Fiji
Authors: Johnson James , Lakhan Ravinesh , Lecci Len , Dovidio John F. , Schellhaas Fabian M. H.
Published: March 2020

Two studies investigated the effect of failure feedback, relative to success or no feedback, on the intergroup responses of Fijians of Indian descent (Indo-Fijians, Study 1) and Indigenous Fijians (I-Taukei, Study 2), groups that have a history of intergroup tension, on job suitability ratings of applicants from the negative out-group and from a “neutral” out-group (Asians). For applicants from negative out-groups specifically, compared to participants in the success and no feedback conditions, participants in the failure condition who were low in trait emotional intelligence (TEI) gave poorer negative out-group member suitability ratings. As predicted, TEI moderated the effect of feedback on ratings of the negative out-group member, with participants higher in TEI displaying less negative responding as a function of failure. The moderating impact of TEI on feedback did not occur for candidates from the neutral out-group.
Treatment Integrity of Intervention Studies in Professional School Counseling From 1997 to 2018: A Systematic Review
Authors: Liu Yanhong , Cochrane Wendy S. , Fox Dylan , Sanetti Lisa M. Hagermoser
Published: March 2020

Treatment integrity (TI) refers to the degree to which an intervention is implemented as intended. We analyzed 67 youth intervention studies published in Professional School Counseling from 1997 to 2018. More than half (55%) of the interventions were operationally defined and 16.4% of the studies monitored TI, but only 6% systematically evaluated TI. Results provide insight into school counseling interventions with implications for practicing school counselors.
Genetic and genomic characterization of vulva size traits in Yorkshire and Landrace gilts
Authors: Corredor Flor-Anita , Sanglard Leticia P. , Leach Richard J. , Ross Jason W. , Keating Aileen F. , Serão Nick V. L.
Published: March 2020

Background

Reproductive performance is critical for efficient swine production. Recent results indicated that vulva size (VS) may be predictive of reproductive performance in sows. Study objectives were to estimate genetic parameters, identify genomic regions associated, and estimate genomic prediction accuracies (GPA) for VS traits.

Results

Heritability estimates of VS traits, vulva area (VA), height (VH), and width (VW) measurements, were moderately to highly heritable in Yorkshire, with 0.46 ± 0.10, 0.55 ± 0.10, 0.31 ± 0.09, respectively, whereas these estimates were low to moderate in Landrace, with 0.16 ± 0.09, 0.24 ± 0.11, and 0.08 ± 0.06, respectively. Genetic correlations within VS traits were very high for both breeds, with the lowest of 0.67 ± 0.29 for VH and VW for Landrace. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) for Landrace, reveled genomic region associated with VS traits onSus scrofachromosome (SSC) 2 (154–157 Mb), 7 (107–110 Mb), 8 (4–6 Mb), and 10 (8–19 Mb). For Yorkshire, genomic regions on SSC 1 (87–91 and 282–287 Mb) and 5 (67 Mb) were identified. All regions explained at least 3.4% of the genetic variance. Accuracies of genomic prediction were moderate in Landrace, ranging from 0.30 (VH) to 0.61 (VA), and lower for Yorkshire, with 0.07 (VW) to 0.11 (VH). Between-breed and multi-breed genomic prediction accuracies were low.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that VS traits are heritable in Landrace and Yorkshire gilts. Genomic analyses show that major QTL control these traits, and they differ between breed. Genomic information can be used to increase genetic gains for these traits in gilts. Additional research must be done to validate the GWAS and genomic prediction results reported in our study.
Plasma levels of matrix metalloproteinase-9 are elevated in individuals with hypertensive crisis
Authors: Valente Flavia Mariana , de Andrade Days Oliveira , Cosenso-Martin Luciana Neves , Cesarino Cláudia Bernardi , Guimarães Sérgio Mussi , Guimarães Victor Beneditti , Lacchini Riccardo , Tanus-Santos José Eduardo , Yugar-Toledo Juan Carlos , Vilela-Martin José Fernando
Published: March 2020

Background

Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) participates in the degradation of components of the extracellular matrix and it is involved in vascular remodeling and vasomotor changes. The aim of this study was to investigate the plasma levels of MMP-9 in acute vascular alterations due to hypertensive crisis.

Methods

This cross-sectional study was performed in 40 normotensive (NT) and 58 controlled hypertensive subjects (CHyp) followed up in outpatient clinic. Moreover, 57 patients with hypertensive emergency (HypEmerg) and 43 in hypertensive urgency (HypUrg), seen in emergency department, were also included. Hypertensive crisis was divided into HypEmerg, which was characterized by levels of systolic blood pressure (BP) ≥ 180 mmHg and/or diastolic BP ≥ 120 mmHg complicated with target-organ damage (TOD), and HypUrg, defined by BP elevation without TOD. Univariate and multivariate regression analysis was performed to identify the influence of independent variables on MMP-9 levels. A p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

The mean age was 43.5 years in the NT group (11 men); 57.7 years in the CHyp group (29 men); 59.4 years in the HypUrg group (21 men) and 62.4 years in the HypEmerg group (31 men). The age was statistically different in the NT group compared to other 3 groups. The mean BP was 116.5 ± 13.9/72.4 ± 10.6 mmHg for NT, 123.2 ± 12.6/79 ± 9.2 for CHyp, 194.1 ± 24.3/121.4 ± 17.3 for HypUrg and 191.6 ± 34.3/121.7 ± 18.8 mmHg for HypEmerg, respectively (p-value< 0.0001 between groups). MMP-9 levels were statistically different between the HypEmerg (2.31 ± 0.2 ng/mL) and HypUrg groups (2.17 ± 0.3 ng/mL) compared to the NT (1.94 ± 0.3 ng/mL) (p-value < 0.01 and p-value < 0.05, respectively) and CHyp groups (1.92 ± 0.2 ng/mL) (p-value < 0.01). Uric acid was the only independent variable for predicting MMP-9 levels (p-value = 0.001).

Conclusion

MMP-9 concentrations are significantly higher in the hypertensive crisis groups (urgency and emergency) compared to the control groups. Therefore, MMP-9 may be a biomarker or mediator of pathophysiologic pathways in cases of acute elevations of blood pressure.
Prophylactic clip application for large pedunculated polyps before snare polypectomy may decrease immediate postpolypectomy bleeding
Authors: Soh Jae Seung , Seo Myeongsook , Kim Kyung-Jo
Published: March 2020

Background

Although prophylactic clip application before polypectomy may prevent postpolypectomy bleeding (PPB), the usefulness of prophylactic clipping in the treatment of large pedunculated polyps is controversial in some prospective randomized studies. This study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of prophylactic clip application and to investigate the predictors of PPB in large pedunculated colorectal polyps.

Methods

A total of 137 pedunculated polyps (size ≥1 cm) in 116 patients were prospectively included and randomized into group A (with clipping) and group B (without clipping), and resected. The occurrences of immediate PPB (graded 1–4) and delayed PPB were compared.

Results

Sixty-seven polyps were allocated in group A and 70 polyps in group B. In both groups, the median polyp diameter was 15 mm (P = 0.173) and the median stalk diameter was 3 mm (P = 0.362). Twenty-eight (20.4%) immediate PPB episodes in 137 polyps occurred, 6 (9.0%) in group A and 22 (31.4%) in group B (P = 0.001). However, the occurrence of delayed PPB was not different between the groups (P = 0.943). Prophylactic clip application decreased the occurrence of immediate PPB (odds ratio 0.215, 95% confidence interval 0.081–0.571). Moreover, polyp size ≥20 mm and stalk diameter ≥ 4 mm increased the risk of immediate PPB.

Conclusions

Clip application before polypectomy of ≥1 cm pedunculated polyps is effective in decreasing the occurrence of immediate PPB. Thus, clip application should be considered before performing snare polypectomy, especially for large polyps with a thick stalk.

Trial registration

This research was studied a prospective maneuver and enrolled in a registry of clinical trials run by United States National Library of Medicine at the National Institutes of Health (ClinicalTrials.gov Protocol Registration and Results system ID: NCT01437631). This study was registered on September 19, 2011.
Experiences of dementia and attitude towards prevention: a qualitative study among older adults participating in a prevention trial
Authors:   for the MIND-AD and HATICE groups, Rosenberg Anna , Coley Nicola , Soulier Alexandra , Kulmala Jenni , Soininen Hilkka , Andrieu Sandrine , Kivipelto Miia , Barbera Mariagnese
Published: March 2020

Background

A better insight into older adults’ understanding of and attitude towards cognitive disorders and their prevention, as well as expectations and reasons for participation in prevention trials, would help design, conduct, and implement effective preventive interventions. This qualitative study aimed at exploring the knowledge and perceptions of cognitive disorders and their prevention among participants in a prevention trial.

Methods

Semi-structured interviews were conducted among the participants of a multinational randomised controlled trial testing the efficacy of a lifestyle-based eHealth intervention in preventing cardiovascular disease or cognitive decline in community dwellers aged 65+. Participants were probed on their reasons for participation in the trial and their views on general health, cardiovascular disease, ageing, and prevention. The subset of data focusing on cognitive disorders (15 interviewees; all in Finland) was considered for this study. Data were analysed using content analysis.

Results

Participants’ knowledge of the cause and risk factors of cognitive disorders and prevention was limited and superficial, and a need for up-to-date, reliable, and practical information and advice was expressed. Cognitive disorders evoked fear and concern, and feelings of hopelessness and misery were frequently expressed, indicating a stigma. Strong heredity of cognitive disorders was a commonly held belief, and opinions on the possibility of prevention were doubtful, particularly in relation to primary prevention. Family history and/or indirect experiences of cognitive disorders was a recurrent theme and it showed to be linked to both the knowledge of and feelings associated with cognitive disorders, as well as attitude towards prevention. Indirect experiences were linked to increased awareness and knowledge, but also uncertainty about risk factors and possibility of prevention. Distinct fear and concerns, particularly over one’s own cognition/risk, and high motivation towards engaging in prevention and participating in a prevention trial were also identified in connection to this theme.

Conclusions

Family history and/or indirect experiences of cognitive disorders were linked to sensitivity and receptiveness to brain health and prevention potential. Our findings may be helpful in addressing older adults’ expectations in future prevention trials to improve recruitment, maximise adherence, and facilitate the successful implementation of interventions.
A retrospective analysis of the microbiology of diabetic foot infections at a Scottish tertiary hospital
Authors: Macdonald Katherine E. , Jordan Crispin Y. , Crichton Emma , Barnes Judith E. , Harkin Gillian E. , Hall Lesley M. L. , Jones Joshua D.
Published: March 2020

Background

This study represents the first Scottish retrospective analysis of the microbiology of diabetic foot infections (DFIs). The aims were to compare the microbiological profile of DFIs treated at a Scottish tertiary hospital to that in the literature, gather data regarding antimicrobial resistance and investigate potential trends between the microbiological results and nature or site of the clinical sample taken and age or gender of the patients.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of wound microbiology results was performed, data were obtained from one multidisciplinary outpatient foot clinic during the 12 months of the year 2017. Seventy-three patients and 200 microbiological investigations were included. In cases of soft tissue infection, the deepest part of a cleansed and debrided wound was sampled. In cases of osteomyelitis a bone biopsy was obtained. Factors influencing the pattern of microbial growth or prevalence ofStaphylococcus aureuswere investigated.

Results

Of the 200 microbiological investigations, 62% were culture positive, of which 37.9% were polymicrobial and 62.1% monomicrobial. Among the monomicrobial results (n = 77), most were Gram positive isolates (96.1%) and the most frequently isolated bacteria wasS. aureus(84.4%). No methicillin-resistantS. aureuswas reported. The prevalence ofS. aureusin DFIs was associated with increasing age (p = 0.021), but no evidence of association with gender, anatomical sample site or sample material was found.

Conclusion

The microbiological profile of DFIs in Scotland resembles that reported elsewhere in the UK. In this context, Gram positive organisms, primarilyS. aureus, are most frequently isolated from DFIs. TheS. aureusisolates identified were largely susceptible to antibiotic therapy. An association between increasing patient age and the prevalence ofS. aureusin DFIs was observed.
Remifentanil patient-controlled versus epidural analgesia on intrapartum maternal fever: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Lu Guolin , Yao Wenshui , Chen Xiaofen , Zhang Sujing , Zhou Min
Published: March 2020

Background

Intravenous remifentanil patient-controlled analgesia (RPCA) is an alternative for epidural analgesia (EA) in labor pain relief. However, it remains unknown whether RPCA is superior to EA in decreasing the risk of intrapartum maternal fever during labor.

Methods

According to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, a systematic review and meta-analysis was performed by searching PubMed, EMBASE and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials from inception to April 2019. All randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating the risk of intrapartum maternal fever with RPCA compared with EA alone or EA in combination with spinal analgesia during labor were included.

Results

A total of 825 studies were screened, and 6 RCTs including 3341 patients were identified. Compared with EA, RPCA was associated with a significantly lower incidence of intrapartum maternal fever (risk ratio [RR] 0.48, P = 0.02, I2 = 49%) during labor analgesia. After excluding 2 trials via the heterogeneity analysis, there was no difference in the incidence of intrapartum fever between patients receiving RPCA and those receiving EA. Satisfaction with pain relief during labor was lower in the RPCA group than that in the EA group (− 10.6 [13.87, − 7.44], P < 0.00001, I2 = 0%). The incidence of respiratory depression was significantly greater in the RPCA group than that in the EA group (risk ratio 2.86 [1.65, 4.96], P = 0.0002, I2 = 58%). The incidence of Apgar scores < 7 at 5 min in the RPCA group was equivalent to that in the EA group.

Conclusion

There is no solid evidence to illustrate that the incidence of intrapartum maternal fever is lower in patients receiving intravenous RPCA than in patients receiving EA.
Tumor mutational burden is associated with poor outcomes in diffuse glioma
Authors: Wang Lihong , Ge Jia , Lan Yang , Shi Yu , Luo Ying , Tan Yuhuan , Liang Mei , Deng Song , Zhang Xia , Wang Wenying , Tan Yaoyao , Xu Yuanyuan , Luo Tao
Published: March 2020

Background

Tumor mutational burden (TMB) is a potential biomarker for immune checkpoint therapy and prognosis. The impact of TMB on clinical outcomes and the correlation coefficient between exome sequencing and targeted sequencing in glioma have not yet been explored.

Methods

Somatic mutations in the coding regions of 897 primary gliomas and the clinical and RNA-seq data of 654 patients in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database were analyzed as a training set, while another 286 patients in the Chinese Glioma Genome Atlas (CGGA) database were used for validation. Descriptive and correlational analyses were conducted with TMB. Enrichment map analysis and gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) were also performed.

Results

TMB was higher for the group of mutant genes that are frequently mutated in glioblastomas (GBMs) and lower for the group of mutant genes that are frequently mutated in lower-grade gliomas (LGGs). Patients with a higher TMB exhibited shorter overall survival. TMB was associated with grade, age, subtype and mutations affecting genomic structure. Moreover, univariate and multivariate analyses showed that TMB was an independent prognostic factor for glioma. The signaling pathways of the cell cycle were enriched in the TMBHigh group. TMB was higher in the mismatch repair (MMR) gene mutant group than in the wild-type group, but the MMR pathway was enriched in the TMBHigh group of gliomas without mutations in classical MMR genes. The correlation between TMBs calculated through exome sequencing and targeted sequencing was moderate, and panel-based TMB was not correlated with prognosis.

Conclusions

TMB is associated with poor outcomes in diffuse glioma. The high proliferative activity in the TMBHigh group could account for the shorter survival of these patients. This association was not reflected by a pan-cancer targeted sequencing panel.
Identification of potential novel biomarkers to differentiate malignant thyroid nodules with cytological indeterminate
Authors: Wu Dandan , Hu Shudong , Hou Yongzhong , He Yingying , Liu Shubai
Published: March 2020

Background

The fine-needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy was broadly applied to clinical diagnostics evaluation for thyroid carcinomas nodule, while companioning with higher uncertainty rate (15~30%) to identify malignancy for cytological indeterminate cases. It is requirement to discover novel molecular biomarkers to differentiate malignant thyroid nodule more precise.

Methods

We employed weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) to discover genes significantly associated with malignant histopathology for cytological indeterminate nodules. In addition, identified significantly genes were validated through another independently investigations of thyroid carcinomas patient’s samples via cBioportal and Geipa. The key function pathways of significant genes involving were blast through GenClip.

Results

Twenty-four signature genes were identified significantly related to thyroid nodules malignancy. Furthermore, five novel genes with missense mutation, FN1 (R534P), PROS1((K200I), (Q571K)), SCEL (T320S), SLC34A2(T688M) and TENM1 (S1131F), were highlighted as potential biomarkers to rule out nodules malignancy. It was identified that the key functional pathways involving in thyroid carcinomas.

Conclusion

These results will be helpful to better understand the mechanism of thyroid nodules malignant transformation and characterize the potentially biomarkers for thyroid carcinomas early diagnostics.
Mutational landscape differences between young-onset and older-onset breast cancer patients
Authors: Mealey Nicole E. , O’Sullivan Dylan E. , Pader Joy , Ruan Yibing , Wang Edwin , Quan May Lynn , Brenner Darren R.
Published: March 2020

Background

The incidence of breast cancer among young women (aged ≤40 years) has increased in North America and Europe. Fewer than 10% of cases among young women are attributable to inheritedBRCA1orBRCA2mutations, suggesting an important role for somatic mutations. This study investigated genomic differences between young- and older-onset breast tumours.

Methods

In this study we characterized the mutational landscape of 89 young-onset breast tumours (≤40 years) and examined differences with 949 older-onset tumours (> 40 years) using data from The Cancer Genome Atlas. We examined mutated genes, mutational load, and types of mutations. We used complementary R packages “deconstructSigs” and “SomaticSignatures” to extract mutational signatures. A recursively partitioned mixture model was used to identify whether combinations of mutational signatures were related to age of onset.

Results

Older patients had a higher proportion of mutations inPIK3CA,CDH1, andMAP3K1genes, while young-onset patients had a higher proportion of mutations inGATA3andCTNNB1. Mutational load was lower for young-onset tumours, and a higher proportion of these mutations were C > A mutations, but a lower proportion were C > T mutations compared to older-onset tumours. The most common mutational signatures identified in both age groups were signatures 1 and 3 from the COSMIC database. Signatures resembling COSMIC signatures 2 and 13 were observed among both age groups. We identified a class of tumours with a unique combination of signatures that may be associated with young age of onset.

Conclusions

The results of this exploratory study provide some evidence that the mutational landscape and mutational signatures among young-onset breast cancer are different from those of older-onset patients. The characterization of young-onset tumours could provide clues to their etiology which may inform future prevention. Further studies are required to confirm our findings.
Changes in therapy and survival of metastatic renal cell carcinoma in Estonia
Authors: Jürgens Hannes , Ojamaa Kristiina , Pokker Helis , Innos Kaire , Padrik Peeter
Published: March 2020

Background

Before the era of targeted therapies, cytokines were the main therapy for metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC). Our aim was to analyze the changes in treatments and overall survival (OS) of all mRCC patients in Estonia in relation to the introduction of new medications.

Methods

All patients with mRCC who started medical therapy in Estonia during the years 2004–2012 were identified using the database of the Estonian Health Insurance Fund. Tumor and treatment data were gathered from medical records. Vital status data were obtained from the Estonian Population Registry. The only available therapy before 2008 was interferon alpha-2A (INFa2A), targeted agents added from 2008. For survival analysis, patients were divided into 2 groups: INFa therapy only (group 1) and INFa followed by targeted agents or targeted agents therapy only (group 2).

Results

Out of 416 identified patients, 380 were eligible for analysis. The most common 1st-line treatments were INFa (55%), sunitinib (32%) and INFa+bevacizumab (13%). 28% of patients received 2nd-line therapies and 15% 3rd-line treatments. Median survival of all patients was 13.7 months [95% confidence interval (CI) 11.3–16.2]; 7.6 months (CI 6.4–8.6) for group 1 and 19.8 months (CI 15.6–22.9) for group 2. In multivariate analysis, group 1 had nearly four times higher risk of dying than group 2 [hazard ration (HR) 3.88, 95% CI 2.64–5.72].

Conclusions

The implementation of targeted therapies significantly changed the outcomes of mRCC in Estonia: it prolonged median survival, reduced the risk of death and also enlarged the proportion of patients who received medical therapy.
Genetic mutational analysis of pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia from a single center in China using exon sequencing
Authors: Zhang Honghong , Wang Hongsheng , Qian Xiaowen , Gao Shuai , Xia Jieqi , Liu Junwen , Cheng Yanqin , Man Jie , Zhai Xiaowen
Published: March 2020

Background

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), the most common childhood malignancy, is characterized by recurring structural chromosomal alterations and genetic alterations, whose detection is critical in diagnosis, risk stratification and prognostication. However, the genetic mechanisms that give rise to ALL remain poorly understood.

Methods

Using next-generation sequencing (NGS) in matched germline and tumor samples from 140 pediatric Chinese patients with ALL, we landscaped the gene mutations and estimated the mutation frequencies in this disease.

Results

Our results showed that the top driver oncogenes having a mutation prevalence over 5% in childhood ALL included KRAS (8.76%), NRAS (6.4%), FLT3 (5.7%) and KMT2D (5.0%). While the most frequently mutated genes were KRAS, NRAS and FLT3 in B cell ALL (B-ALL), the most common mutations were enriched in NOTCH1 (23.1%), FBXW7 (23.1%) and PHF6 (11.5%) in T cell ALL (T-ALL). These mutant genes are involved in key molecular processes, including the Ras pathway, the Notch pathway, epigenetic modification, and cell-cycle regulation. Strikingly, more than 50% of mutations occurred in the high-hyperdiploid (HeH) ALL existed in Ras pathway, especially FLT3 (20%). We also found that the epigenetic regulator gene KMT2D, which is frequently mutated in ALL, may be involved in driving leukemia transformation, as evidenced by an in vitro functional assay.

Conclusion

Overall, this study provides further insights into the genetic basis of ALL and shows that Ras mutations are predominant in childhood ALL, especially in the high-hyperdiploid subtype in our research.
Identification of lncRNA–miRNA–mRNA regulatory network associated with primary open angle glaucoma
Authors: Zhou Minwen , Lu Bing , Tan Wei , Fu Mingshui
Published: March 2020

Background

Primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) is a multifactorial disorder characterized by a progressive permanent degeneration of retinal ganglion cell (RGCs) death. An increasing number of studies have suggested that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have the ability to regulate gene expression; however, thus far, the mechanisms and functions of lncRNAs in the development of POAG are still unclear.

Methods

Using the data from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO), differentially expressed lncRNAs and differentially expressed mRNAs between POAG patients and controls were identified. Then, the lncRNA–miRNA–mRNA competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network was constructed, and the key lncRNAs in POAG were identified. A Gene Ontology (GO) analysis and a Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis were performed to assess the enriched biological functions of mRNA in the ceRNA network.

Results

During this study, a POAG-related ceRNA network with 37 miRNA nodes, 248 lncRNA nodes, 178 mRNA nodes, and 1985 edges was constructed. In addition, four lncRNAs (DNAJC27-AS1, AF121898, OIP5-AS1, and SNX29P2) were established as hub RNAs in this ceRNA network. The functional assay showed that 18 GO terms and 17 pathways were enriched.

Conclusion

This study provides novel insights into the lncRNA-related ceRNA network in POAG, and the four lncRNAs were identified in the development of POAG.
Computerized adaptive testing to screen children for emotional and behavioral problems by preventive child healthcare
Authors: Theunissen Meinou H. C. , de Wolff Marianne S. , Deurloo Jacqueline A. , Vogels Anton G. C. , Reijneveld Sijmen A.
Published: March 2020

Background

Questionnaires to detect emotional and behavioral problems (EBP) in Preventive Child Healthcare (PCH) should be short which potentially affects validity and reliability. Simulation studies have shown that Computerized Adaptive Testing (CAT) could overcome these weaknesses. We studied the applicability (using the measures participation rate, satisfaction, and efficiency) and the validity of CAT in routine PCH practice.

Methods

We analyzed data on 461 children aged 10–11 years (response 41%), who were assessed during routine well-child examinations by PCH professionals. Before the visit, parents completed the CAT and the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). Satisfaction was measured by parent- and PCH professional-report. Efficiency of the CAT procedure was measured as number of items needed to assess whether a child has serious problems or not. Its validity was assessed using the CBCL as the criterion.

Results

Parents and PCH professionals rated the CAT on average as good. The procedure required at average 16 items to assess whether a child has serious problems or not. Agreement of scores on the CAT scales with corresponding CBCL scales was high (range of Spearman correlations 0.59–0.72). Area Under Curves (AUC) were high (range: 0.95–0.97) for the Psycat total, externalizing, and hyperactivity scales using corresponding CBCL scale scores as criterion. For the Psycat internalizing scale the AUC was somewhat lower but still high (0.86).

Conclusions

CAT is a valid procedure for the identification of emotional and behavioral problems in children aged 10–11 years. It may support the efficient and accurate identification of children with overall, and potentially also specific, emotional and behavioral problems in routine PCH.
HESPER web - development and reliability evaluation of a web-based version of the humanitarian emergency settings perceived needs scale
Authors: Hugelius K. , Semrau M. , Holmefur M.
Published: March 2020

Background

The Humanitarian Emergency Settings Perceived Needs Scale (HESPER) assesses a wide range of physical, psychological and social perceived needs across 26 questions, and can be used in humanitarian emergencies and disasters for needs assessment or research studies. The original HESPER collects data through individual interviews. Today, a large number of people have access to the internet, including in humanitarian emergencies and disasters. Therefore, this paper aimed to report the development, reliability evaluation and feasibility evaluation of the HESPER Web.

Methods

First, the original HESPER was developed into a web based survey. Thereafter, alternate forms reliability between the HESPER and HESPER Web, and test-retest reliability for the HESPER Web, was evaluated using a study sample of 85 asylum seekers in Sweden in total.

Results

The alternate forms reliability evaluation showed that the HESPER Web was a reliable instrument to assess perceived needs. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) for total number of serious needs was 0.96 (CI 0.93–09.98, p < 0.001). Cohen’s κ was used to analyse the alternate forms reliability between the HESPER and HESPER Web item per item; the correspondence between HESPER and HESPER Web varied between 0.54 and 1.0 for the 26 questions. There was a strong nominal association in first priority need between the HESPER and HESPER Web (Cramer’s V 0.845, p < 0.001). In the test-retest reliability evaluation of HESPER Web, ICC was 0.98 (CI 0.97–0.99, p < 0.001), and Cohen’s κ varied between 0.53 and 1.0. There was a strong nominal association in first priority need between test and re-test (Cramer’s V 0.93, p < 0.001). The HESPER Web was experienced as easy and safe to use and was found less time consuming than the original HESPER interview, according to the study participants.

Conclusion

The HESPER Web is a reliable and usable instrument to assess perceived needs. It can reduce a number of practical challenges both for needs assessment in disasters or humanitarian emergencies as well as in research.
The time spent sitting does not always mean a low level of physical activity
Authors: Matusiak-Wieczorek Ewelina , Lipert Anna , Kochan Ewa , Jegier Anna
Published: March 2020

Background

The problem of spending most of the day in a sitting position concerns all people, regardless of their age. Unfortunately, this trend is more and more often observed among young people.

The aim of the study was to assess self-reported physical activity and time spent sitting among students of different fields of health related faculty.

Methods

The study group included 216 students (22.3 ± 1.8 years of age) of the Medical University of Lodz: physiotherapy students (n = 101), pharmacy students (n = 73), and dietetics students (n = 42). The time spent sitting and physical activity level were assessed based on the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-long version.

Results

The time spent sitting among health related faculty students was on average more than 46 h a week (2781.8 ± 1238.5 MET-minutes/week). Regarding all the students the pharmacy students spent most time sitting (3086.0 ± 1032.1 MET-minutes/week), while the dietetics students spent the least (2215.7 ± 1230.1 MET-minutes/week). Taking into account the physical activity level almost 65% of all the students were in a high category (mainly physiotherapy students). Only 1.4% of all the surveyed students were classified as the low physical activity category. Statistical analysis showed no significant differences (P = 0.6880) between the time spent sitting and level of physical activity among all students.

Conclusions

Students of medical universities spend too much hours on sitting, mostly 5–8 h a day. Despite this, they undertake various activities due to which their level of physical activity is moderate or even high. Therefore, it cannot be unequivocally stated that there is a relationship between the time spent sitting and physical activity level.