bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The effect of sodium‐glucose transport protein 2 inhibitors on mortality and heart failure in randomized trials versus observational studies
Authors: Krogh Jesper , Hjorthøj Carsten , Kristensen Søren L. , Selmer Christian , Haugaard Steen B.
Published: May 2021

Aim

Randomized clinical trials (RCTs) allocating type 2 diabetes patients to treatment with sodium‐glucose transport protein 2 (SGLT‐2) inhibitors or placebo have found significant effects on the risk of heart failure and modest effects on mortality. In the wake of the first trials, a number of observational studies have been conducted, some of these reporting a mortality reduction of 50% compared to active comparators. In this review, we systematically assess and compare the results on all‐cause mortality, cardiovascular mortality and heart failure hospitalization observed in RCTs with the results obtained in observational studies.

Method

We performed a systematic bibliographical search including cardiovascular outcome trials and observational studies assessing the effect of SGLT‐2 inhibitors on mortality and heart failure.

Results

Seven RCTs and 23 observational studies were included in the current review. The observed heterogeneity between study results for all‐cause mortality (p‐interaction < 0.001) and cardiovascular mortality (p‐interaction < 0.001) was explained by study type, whereas this was not the case for heart failure (p‐interaction = 0.18).

Conclusion

Methodological considerations such as the omission of important confounders, immortal‐time bias and residual confounding such as unmeasured social economic inequality may be the cause of the inflated results observed in observational studies and that calls for caution when observational studies are used to guide treatment of patients with type 2 diabetes.
Hemodynamically significant prosthesis‐patient mismatch can be predicted and is associated with early prosthetic valve dysfunction in aortic bioprosthesis
Authors: Ronderos Ricardo , Politi María Teresa , Mahia Mariana Cecilia , Castro María Florencia , Sciancalepore Agustina , Cueva Torres Franklin , Kuschnir Paola , de la Paz Ricapito María , Vrancic Juan Mariano , Camporrotondo Mariano , Piccinini Fernando , Navia Daniel
Published: May 2021

Objectives

To evaluate the accuracy of predicted prosthesis‐patient mismatch (PPM) regarding actual PPM measured postoperatively. To assess the association between PPM and prosthetic valve dysfunction.

Methods

Retrospective cohort study including adult patients after aortic valve replacement surgery with a biological prosthesis. Predicted PPM status was determined using mean reference effective orifice area indexed to total body surface (iEOA), without considering reference standard deviations. Postoperative PPM status was determined by measuring iEOA within the first 60 postoperative days. Prosthetic valve dysfunction was defined as thrombosis, pannus, valve degeneration, and/or disruption.

Results

205 patients were enrolled between January 2003 and June 2017: predicted PPM was absent in 52 patients (25.4%), moderate in 137 patients (66.8%), and severe in 16 patients (7.8%). After surgery, the actual postoperative iEOA was measured: 53 (25.9%) did not have PPM, 73 had moderate PPM (35.6%), and 79 had severe PPM (38.5%). Predicted PPM identified the presence of hemodynamically significant actual postoperative PPM (OR = 2.56; 95%CI 1.30–5.05; P = .006), though not its degree of severity. Prosthetic valve dysfunction was more frequent among patients with hemodynamically significant PPM (53.9% vs. 11.3%; P < .001), compared to those without PPM. The association between PPM and prosthetic valve dysfunction was maintained after adjusting for gender, age, and ever‐smoking (OR = 9.03; P < .001). The incidence of thrombosis or pannus was also nonsignificantly higher in patients with moderate or severe PPM.

Conclusions

Predicted PPM identifies the presence, possibly not the severity, of actual postoperative PPM. Moderate or severe PPM is associated with prosthetic valve dysfunction.

Actual postoperative prosthesis‐patient mismatch measured within 60 postoperative days showed a distinctive hemodynamic profile and presented a stronger association with prosthetic valve dysfunction than predicted prosthesis‐patient mismatch. A. Echocardiographic follow‐up in patients according to the actual postoperative PPM measured within 60 postoperative days. B. Prediction of prosthetic valve dysfunction based on preoperative predicted PPM or on actual postoperative PPM within 60 postoperative days. PPM: prosthesis‐patient mismatch. OR: Odds ratio.
Exploring specific predictors of psychosis onset over a 2‐year period: A decision‐tree model
Authors: Bjornestad Jone , Tjora Tore , Langeveld Johannes H. , Stain Helen J. , Joa Inge , Johannessen Jan Olav , Friedman‐Yakoobian Michelle , ten Velden Hegelstad Wenche
Published: May 2021

Aim

The fluctuating symptoms of clinical high risk for psychosis hamper conversion prediction models. Exploring specific symptoms using machine‐learning has proven fruitful in accommodating this challenge. The aim of this study is to explore specific predictors and generate atheoretical hypotheses of onset using a close‐monitoring, machine‐learning approach.

Methods

Study participants, N = 96, mean age 16.55 years, male to female ratio 46:54%, were recruited from the Prevention of Psychosis Study in Rogaland, Norway. Participants were assessed using the Structured Interview for Psychosis Risk Syndromes (SIPS) at 13 separate assessment time points across 2 years, yielding 247 specific scores. A machine‐learning decision‐tree analysis (i) examined potential SIPS predictors of psychosis conversion and (ii) hierarchically ranked predictors of psychosis conversion.

Results

Four out of 247 specific SIPS symptom scores were significant: (i) reduced expression of emotion at baseline, (ii) experience of emotions and self at 5 months, (iii) perceptual abnormalities/hallucinations at 3 months and (iv) ideational richness at 6 months. No SIPS symptom scores obtained after 6 months of follow‐up predicted psychosis.

Conclusions

Study findings suggest that early negative symptoms, particularly those observable by peers and arguably a risk factor for social exclusion, were predictive of psychosis. Self‐expression and social behaviour might prove relevant entry points for early intervention in psychosis and psychosis risk. Testing study results in larger samples and at other sites is warranted.
Constriction coefficient based particle swarm optimization and gravitational search algorithm for multilevel image thresholding
Authors: Rather Sajad Ahmad , Bala P. Shanthi
Published: May 2021

Image segmentation is one of the pivotal steps in image processing. Actually, it deals with the partitioning of the image into different classes based on pixel intensities. This work introduces a new image segmentation method based on the constriction coefficient‐based particle swarm optimization and gravitational search algorithm (CPSOGSA). The random samples of the image act as searcher agents of the CPSOGSA algorithm. The optimal number of thresholds is determined using Kapur's entropy method. The effectiveness and applicability of CPSOGSA in image segmentation is accomplished by applying it to five standard images from the USC‐SIPI image database, namely Aeroplane, Cameraman, Clock, Lena, and Pirate. Various performance metrics are employed to investigate the simulation outcomes, including optimal thresholds, standard deviation, MSE (mean square error), run time analysis, PSNR (peak signal to noise ratio), best fitness value calculation, convergence maps, segmented image graphs, and box plot analysis. Moreover, image accuracy is benchmarked by utilizing SSIM (structural similarity index measure) and FSIM (feature similarity index measure) metrics. Also, a pairwise non‐parametric signed Wilcoxon rank‐sum test is utilized for statistical verification of simulation results. In addition, the experimental outcomes of CPSOGSA are compared with eight different algorithms including standard PSO, classical GSA, PSOGSA, SCA (sine cosine algorithm), SSA (salp swarm algorithm), GWO (grey wolf optimizer), MFO (moth flame optimizer), and ABC (artificial bee colony). The simulation results clearly indicate that the hybrid CPSOGSA has successfully provided the best SSIM, FSIM, and threshold values to the benchmark images.
The utility of biomarkers in prognosis assessment of patients with acute liver failure
Authors: De Clercq Pauline , Geerts Anja , Van Vlierberghe Hans , Verhelst Xavier
Published: May 2021

Background

Acute liver failure (ALF) is a rare but potential lethal condition characterized by the sudden development of jaundice, coagulopathy and hepatic encephalopathy in patients without underlying liver disease. In selected patients, emergency liver transplantation is required. Selection of these patients is based on clinical criteria such as the Kings College Criteria (KCC) or the Clichy criteria.

Aims

The aim of this work is to provide an overview of potential biomarkers that could improve the prognostic value of KCC.

Results

Several promising biomarkers involved in related pathophysiological processes have been identified. Some could be as stand‐alone biomarkers; however, the best prognostic values have been observed in the combination of biomarkers with current models. Among these, the ALFSG Index that combines clinical parameters and circulating blood levels of CK18 claims a higher prognostic value than KCC.

Conclusions

In this review, all potential biomarkers for ALF have been summarized to give an overview of the work performed over the last years, and a glimpse of what to expect in this field in the coming years.
Dynamic navigation: a laboratory study on the accuracy and potential use of guided root canal treatment
Authors: Torres Andres , Boelen Gerd‐Jan , Lambrechts Paul , Pedano Mariano Simon , Jacobs Reinhilde
Published: May 2021

Aim

To evaluate 3D accuracy and outcome of a dynamic navigation method for guided root canal treatment of severe pulp canal obliteration (PCO) in 3D printed jaws.

Methodology

Three operators with different levels of experience in Endodontics performed navigated access cavities, using the Navident system (ClaroNav), in two sets (maxillary and mandibular) of 3D‐printed jaw models with teeth presenting severe PCO. Models were mounted on a phantom to mimic a real clinical situation. After treatment, a postoperative high resolution Cone‐Beam Computer Tomography (CBCT) scan (NewTom) was taken for each model and registered to the preoperative model. All access cavities were then segmented using 3‐Matic Medical software 15.0 (Materialise). Length and volume of each access cavity were measured, and a comparison was done by measuring the distance deviation in mm at the coronal entry point, apical point, vertical deviation, total deviation and angular deviation of the access cavity in comparison with the virtual planning. Additionally, all access cavities were scouted with a size 10 K‐file and inspected on the CBCT to confirm that the canal was located. Descriptive statistics for each parameter were performed. Normality of the data was assessed; data were transformed if needed to make it normally distributed. One‐way analysis of variance (anova) was applied to assess differences between parameters for tooth type, jaw, and operators and corrected for simultaneous hypothesis testing according to Tukey. Significance level was set at .05.

Results

After training with the system (28 cavities per operator), a total of 132 teeth and 168 access cavities (56 per operator) were prepared. All operators located a total of 156 canals, obtaining an overall success of 93% without a difference between operator experience (p > .05). The mean deviation at the apical point was 0.63 mm (SD 0.35) and was significantly lower in anterior teeth in comparison with molars (p < .05). The mean angular deviation from the planning was 2.81° (SD 1.53).

Conclusion

Dynamic navigation was an accurate approach for root canal treatment in teeth with severely calcified canals. However, the technique has a learning curve and requires extensive training prior to its use clinically.
A grounded theory study: Exploring health care professionals decision making when managing end stage heart failure care
Authors: Higginbotham Karen , Jones Ian , Johnson Martin
Published: May 2021

Aim

To explore how healthcare professionals in an acute medical setting make decisions when managing the care of patients diagnosed with end stage heart failure, and how these decisions impact directly on the patient's end of life experience.

Design

A constructivist grounded theory approach was adopted.

Method

A purposive sample was used to recruit participants that included 16 registered nurses, 15 doctors and 16 patients. Data were collected using semi‐structured interviews and focus groups over a 12‐month period of fieldwork concluding in 2017. The interviews were recorded and transcribed and the data were analysed using constant comparison and QSR NVivo.

Findings

Four theoretical categories emerged from the data to explain how healthcare professionals and patients negotiated the process of decision making when considering end of life care. These were: signposting symptoms, organizing care, being informed and recognizing dying. The themes revolved around a core category ‘a vicious cycle of heart failure care’.

Conclusion

Healthcare professionals need to engage in informed decision making with patients to break this ‘vicious cycle of care’ by identifying key stages in the terminal phase of heart failure and correctly signposting the patient to the most suitable healthcare care professional for intervention.

Impact

This study provides a theoretical framework to explain a ‘vicious cycle of care’ for patients diagnosed with end stage heart failure. This theory grounded in data demonstrates the need for both acute and primary care to design an integrative end of life care pathway for heart failure patients which addresses the need for early shared decision making between the healthcare professional, family and the patient when it comes to end of life conversations.
Comparative efficacy and safety of systemic therapies used in moderate‐to‐severe atopic dermatitis: a systematic literature review and network meta‐analysis
Authors: Silverberg J.I. , Thyssen J.P. , Fahrbach K. , Mickle K. , Cappelleri J.C. , Romero W. , Cameron M.C. , Myers D.E. , Clibborn C. , DiBonaventura M.
Published: May 2021

Given the lack of head‐to‐head studies of systemic therapies in moderate‐to‐severe atopic dermatitis (AD), network meta‐analyses (NMAs) can provide comparative efficacy and safety data to inform clinical decision‐making. In this NMA, eligible randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published before 24 October 2019 were identified by a systematic literature review. Short‐term (12–16 weeks) efficacy (Investigator’s Global Assessment [IGA] and Eczema Area and Severity Index [EASI] responses), patient‐reported outcomes (PROs) and safety data from each trial were abstracted and analysed separately for monotherapy and combination therapy (systemic plus topical anti‐inflammatory therapy). RCTs were analysed in fixed‐effects and random‐effects Bayesian NMA models. Overall, 19 phase 2 and phase 3 RCTs of abrocitinib, baricitinib, dupilumab, lebrikizumab, nemolizumab, tralokinumab and upadacitinib were included. In monotherapy RCTs, upadacitinib 30 mg once daily (QD) had the numerically highest efficacy (83.6% achieved ≥50% improvement in EASI [EASI‐50 response]), followed by abrocitinib 200 mg QD (74.6%), upadacitinib 15 mg QD (70.5%), dupilumab 300 mg every 2 weeks (Q2W) (63.4%) and abrocitinib 100 mg QD (56.7%). Similar trends in EASI‐75 and EASI‐90 response were observed. In combination therapy RCTs, abrocitinib 200 mg QD had the highest EASI‐50 (86.6%), followed by dupilumab 300 mg Q2W (82.4%) and abrocitinib 100 mg QD (79.7%). Similar findings were observed for IGA response and PROs. In monotherapy and combination therapy RCTs, the probability of treatment‐emergent adverse events (TEAEs) was higher among all active treatments than with placebo (except for dupilumab 300 mg Q2W [odds ratio (OR), 0.96; 95% credible interval (CrI), 0.45–2.18] and abrocitinib 100 mg QD [OR, 0.95; 95% CrI, 0.35–2.66] in combination therapy RCTs), although active treatments did not significantly differ from one another. Abrocitinib, dupilumab and upadacitinib were consistently the most effective systemic therapies in adult and adolescent patients with AD, with no significant TEAE differences in short‐term RCTs.
Emerging role of air pollution and meteorological parameters in COVID‐19
Authors: Zhao Channa , Fang Xinyu , Feng Yating , Fang Xuehui , He Jun , Pan Haifeng
Published: May 2021

Exposure to air pollutants has been associated with respiratory viral infections. Epidemiological studies have shown that air pollution exposure is related to increased cases of SARS‐COV‐2 infection and COVID‐19‐associated mortality. In addition, the changes of meteorological parameters have also been implicated in the occurrence and development of COVID‐19. However, the molecular mechanisms by which pollutant exposure and changes of meteorological parameters affects COVID‐19 remains unknown. This review summarizes the biology of COVID‐19 and the route of viral transmission, and elaborates on the relationship between air pollution and climate indicators and COVID‐19. Finally, we envisaged the potential roles of air pollution and meteorological parameters in COVID‐19.
Evidence of Atlantic bluefin tuna spawning in the Bay of Biscay, north‐eastern Atlantic
Authors: Rodriguez Jose M. , Johnstone Carolina , Lozano‐Peral Diego
Published: May 2021

The spawning grounds of the Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) are traditionally considered to be the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf of Mexico) and the Mediterranean Sea (Mediterranean Sea). However, for the western Atlantic, unequivocal evidence of bluefin spawning outside the Gulf of Mexico has been shown. In this study we present the first records of genetically confirmed bluefin larvae in the southern Bay of Biscay (eastern Atlantic). These findings provide evidence of bluefin spawning activity outside the Mediterranean Sea, in the north‐eastern Atlantic. However, our results suggest that the bluefin spawning in the Bay of Biscay is a sporadic phenomenon.
Has stocking contributed to an increase in the rod catch of anadromous trout (Salmo trutta L.) in the Shetland Islands, UK?
Authors: Andrew King R. , Miller Andrew L. , Stevens Jamie R.
Published: May 2021

The stocking of hatchery‐origin fish into rivers and lakes has long been used in fisheries management to try to enhance catches, especially for trout and salmon species. Frequently, however, the long‐term impacts of stocking programmes have not been evaluated. In this study, the authors investigate the contribution of a stocking programme undertaken to support the rod catch of sea trout in the Shetland Islands, UK. Once a highly productive recreational fishery, Shetland sea trout catches crashed in the mid‐1990s. Around the time that stocking began, increases in rod catches were also reported, with advocates of the stocking highlighting the apparent success of the programme. Using a suite of genetic markers (microsatellites), this study explores the contribution of the stocking programme to the Shetland sea trout population. The authors found that the domesticated broodstock and wild spawned brown trout from seven streams were genetically distinct. Despite extensive stocking, wild spawned brown trout dominated, even in those streams with a long history of supplementation. The majority of sea trout caught and analysed were of wild origin – only a single individual was of pure stocked origin, with a small number of fish being of wild × stocked origins. This study suggests that stocking with a domesticated strain of brown trout has made only a very limited contribution to the Shetland Islands rod catch, and that the revival of sea trout numbers appears to be driven almost exclusively by recovery of trout spawned in the wild.
The ability of Neoparamoeba perurans to bind to and digest non‐fish‐derived mucin: Insights into the amoeba’s mechanism of action to overcome gill mucus production
Authors: Lima Paula C. , Hartley‐Tassell Lauren , Wynne James W.
Published: May 2021

Amoebic gill disease (AGD) is caused by the marine amoeba Neoparamoeba perurans, a facultative parasite. Despite the significant impact this disease has on production of Atlantic salmon worldwide, the mechanisms involved in host–parasite interaction remains unknown. Excessive gill mucus secretion is reported as a host defence mechanism to prevent microbial colonization in the gill epithelium. Despite this response, N. perurans still attaches and proliferates. The present study aimed to investigate the interaction between N. perurans and mucin, the most abundant component in mucus. An in vitro adhesion assay using bovine submaxillary mucin (BSM) demonstrated that amoeba binding to mucin‐coated substrate was significantly higher than to the BSA control. This binding interaction is likely glycan‐mediated as pre‐incubation with galactose, galactosamine, N‐acetylgalactosamine and fucose reduced mucin adhesion to control levels. The ability of N. perurans to secrete proteases that target mucin was also investigated. Protease activity was detected in the amoeba culture media in the presence of BSM, but not when protease inhibitor was added. Mucin degradation was visually assessed on protein gels. This study provides preliminary evidence that N. perurans has developed mechanisms to interact with and evade mucus by binding to mucin glycan receptors and secreting proteases with mucolytic activity.
Enhanced tyrosine hydroxylase activity induces oxidative stress, causes accumulation of autotoxic catecholamine metabolites, and augments amphetamine effects in vivo
Authors: Vecchio Laura M. , Sullivan Patricia , Dunn Amy R. , Bermejo Marie Kristel , Fu Rong , Masoud Shababa T. , Gregersen Emil , Urs Nikhil M. , Nazari Reza , Jensen Poul Henning , Ramsey Amy , Goldstein David S. , Miller Gary W. , Salahpour Ali
Published: May 2021

In Parkinson's disease, dopamine‐containing nigrostriatal neurons undergo profound degeneration. Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) is the rate‐limiting enzyme in dopamine biosynthesis. TH increases in vitro formation of reactive oxygen species, and previous animal studies have reported links between cytosolic dopamine build‐up and oxidative stress. To examine effects of increased TH activity in catecholaminergic neurons in vivo, we generated TH‐over‐expressing mice (TH‐HI) using a BAC‐transgenic approach that results in over‐expression of TH with endogenous patterns of expression. The transgenic mice were characterized by western blot, qPCR, and immunohistochemistry. Tissue contents of dopamine, its metabolites, and markers of oxidative stress were evaluated. TH‐HI mice had a 3‐fold increase in total and phosphorylated TH levels and an increased rate of dopamine synthesis. Coincident with elevated dopamine turnover, TH‐HI mice showed increased striatal production of H2O2 and reduced glutathione levels. In addition, TH‐HI mice had elevated striatal levels of the neurotoxic dopamine metabolites 3,4‐dihydroxyphenylacetaldehyde and 5‐S‐cysteinyl‐dopamine and were more susceptible than wild‐type mice to the effects of amphetamine and methamphetamine. These results demonstrate that increased TH alone is sufficient to produce oxidative stress in vivo, build up autotoxic dopamine metabolites, and augment toxicity.

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Web workouts and consumer well‐being: The role of digital‐physical activity during the UK COVID‐19 lockdown
Authors: Cronshaw Sue
Published: May 2021

By using three areas of well‐being, psychological, physical, and social this study aims to explore the perceptions of consumers engaging in digital‐physical platforms and communities during the UK COVID‐19 lockdown and the impact such participation had on their well‐being. Ninety people were recruited via an online study, all were using online workouts, and self‐selected to participate. The use of virtual ethnography gave further insight into the functions of these platforms and their role in social connection. Participants discussed the benefits to their mental health, the provision of structure to their day, the social connection it provided, and the alleviation of feelings of isolation. The findings also demonstrate how numerous consumer groups in society could use digital‐physical platforms as a potential way of connecting those who are unable to engage in face‐to‐face settings.
Big toenail onychomycosis features associated with response to 1064 nm Nd: YAG laser treatment
Authors: Helou Josiane , Maatouk Ismael , Soutou Boutros
Published: May 2021

Background

A few studies discussed the factors correlated to response in laser treatment of onychomycosis.

Objective

This study aimed to seek big toenail onychomycosis features that correlate with response to 1064 nm Nd: YAG laser treatment.

Methods

This single‐center, retrospective study included patients who had only one big toenail onychomycosis, with a confirmed mycological diagnosis and/or a high clinical suspicion. Patients had three sessions 1 month apart. The following characteristics were collected from the patients' files: age, sex, smoking and arterial hypertension statuses, results of baseline mycological culture, Onychomycosis Severity Index (OSI) score at baseline and at the end of the 6‐month follow‐up, as well as the reported side effects.

Results

We included 105 patients, 86 women and 19 men, with a mean age of 43 years. Demographics have shown that 73.6% of patients were smokers, 17.9% had arterial hypertension, 61.9% had a culture positive for Trichophyton species, and 9.4% had a culture positive for Candida species. According to the OSI score, onychomycosis was mild in 18.9%, moderate in 39.6%, and severe in 41.5% of patients. At 6 months, clinical cure was achieved in 57.1% of patients.

Conclusion

The OSI decrease after 3 sessions of Nd: YAG laser was significantly more important in women and in patients with positive mycology culture, smaller affected area of the nail, no subungual hyperkeratosis, and no nail matrix involvement. Age, smoking, hypertension, and side effects were not shown to significantly correlate with the decrease of the OSI score.
Student Engagement in Adolescence: A Scoping Review of Longitudinal Studies 2010–2020
Authors: Salmela‐Aro Katariina , Tang Xin , Symonds Jennifer , Upadyaya Katja
Published: May 2021

We systematically mapped and analyzed the longitudinal research on adolescent student engagement published during 2010–2020. A total of 104 studies of 104,304 adolescents met inclusion criteria. Studies were mainly conducted in North America (43%) or Europe (34%). Over half studied engagement across one or more years. Most studies (93%) focused on antecedents of engagement rather than outcomes of engagement (38%). Data were commonly collected using self‐report questionnaires (87%) and analyzed using path, growth, and cross‐lagged models. Studies mainly examined engagement in classroom activities, school, or schoolwork; and focused on behavioral engagement (70%), followed by emotional (61%), then cognitive engagement (35%). No studies used a specific theory of engagement development, but instead referred to self‐determination, ecological systems, and stage‐environment fit theories.
Political dimensions of gender inclusive writing in Parisian universities
Authors: Burnett Heather , Pozniak Céline
Published: May 2021

Écriture inclusive (EI) has long been the topic of public debates in France. These debates have become more intense in recent years, often focusing on the higher education system and culminating in the formulation of three separate laws banning it for public administration. In this paper, we investigate the foundations of these conflicts through a large quantitative corpus study of the (non)use of EI in Parisian undergraduate brochures. Our results suggest that Parisian university professors use EI not only to ensure gender neutral reference but also as a tool to construct their political identities. We show that both the use of EI and its particular forms are conditioned by how brochure writers position themselves on non gender‐related‐related issues within the French university's political landscape, which explains how conflicts surrounding a linguistic practice have become understood as conflicts about larger issues in French society. Our paper thus provides new information to be taken into account in the formulation and promotion of nonsexist language policies and sheds light on how feminist linguistic activism and its opposition are deeply intertwined with other kinds of social activism in present‐day France.
Feasibility, efficacy, and safety of ethanol infusion into the vein of Marshall for atrial fibrillation: A meta‐analysis
Authors: He Zhiyu , Yang Lin , Bai Ming , Yao Yali , Zhang Zheng
Published: May 2021

Background

Contemporary radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) approaches for atrial fibrillation (AF) have reached an efficacy “ceiling”. Ethanol infusion into the vein of Marshall (EI‐VOM) has shown potential in preliminary studies. Data on EI‐VOM are largely limited to small single‐center reports, and clinical benefits and risks have not been systematically examined. Therefore, we performed a meta‐analysis to assess the feasibility, efficacy, and safety of EI‐VOM for AF.

Methods

All studies evaluating EI‐VOM for AF were initially searched from four electronic search engines: PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and SinoMed. We used RevMan5.4 to calculate pooled outcomes of randomized controlled trial and cohort studies. We also performed single‐arm meta‐analyses using Open Meta‐Analyst.

Results

We included a total of 10 studies with 1322 patients. Successful EI‐VOM was performed in 86.7% (95% CI 81.9–91.4%) of patients. For persistent AF patients, the recurrence of AF and/or atrial tachycardia (AT) was significantly lower in the EI‐VOM combined with RFCA group compared with RFCA alone group (RR 0.58, 95% CI 0.35 to 0.96, p = 0.04). EI‐VOM combined with RFCA significantly increased the rate of bidirectional mitral isthmus block compared with RFCA alone in AF patients (RR 1.50, 95% CI 1.34 to 1.67, p < 0.001). There were nine cardiac tamponades observed in 644 patients (PR 0.8%, 95% CI 0.1–1.5%) who were performed EI‐VOM combined with RFCA.

Conclusions

Our meta‐analysis brings encouraging evidence that adjuvant EI‐VOM reduces AF and/or AT recurrence rate in persistent AF patients and increases the success rate of bidirectional mitral isthmus block.
Hepatitis C virus E2 envelope glycoprotein produced in Nicotiana benthamiana triggers humoral response with virus‐neutralizing activity in vaccinated mice
Authors: Dobrica Mihaela‐Olivia , van Eerde André , Tucureanu Catalin , Onu Adrian , Paruch Lisa , Caras Iuliana , Vlase Ene , Steen Hege , Haugslien Sissel , Alonzi Dominic , Zitzmann Nicole , Bock Ralph , Dubuisson Jean , Popescu Costin‐Ioan , Stavaru Crina , Liu Clarke Jihong , Branza‐Nichita Norica
Published: May 2021

Chronic infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV) remains a leading cause of liver‐related pathologies and a global health problem, currently affecting more than 71 million people worldwide. The development of a prophylactic vaccine is much needed to complement the effective antiviral treatment available and achieve HCV eradication. Current strategies focus on increasing the immunogenicity of the HCV envelope glycoprotein E2, the major target of virus‐neutralizing antibodies, by testing various expression systems or manipulating the protein conformation and the N‐glycosylation pattern. Here we report the first evidence of successful production of the full‐length HCV E2 glycoprotein in Nicotiana benthamiana, by using the Agrobacterium‐mediated transient expression technology. Molecular and functional analysis showed that the viral protein was correctly processed in plant cells and achieved the native folding required for binding to CD81, one of the HCV receptors. N‐glycan analysis of HCV‐E2 produced in N. benthamiana and mammalian cells indicated host‐specific trimming of mannose residues and possibly, protein trafficking. Notably, the plant‐derived viral antigen triggered a significant immune response in vaccinated mice, characterized by the presence of antibodies with HCV‐neutralizing activity. Together, our study demonstrates that N. benthamiana is a viable alternative to costly mammalian cell cultures for the expression of complex viral antigens and supports the use of plants as cost‐effective production platforms for the development of HCV vaccines.
Mast cell tryptase‐PAR2 pathway in proliferation of prostatic stromal cells reacted with Trichomonas vaginalis
Authors: Noh Chang‐Suk , Chung Hyo‐Yeoung , Han Ik‐Hwan , Kim Jung‐Hyun , Kim Yu‐Mi , Ryu Jae‐Sook
Published: May 2021

We investigated whether tryptase released from mast cells activated by prostate stromal cells (PSC) reacted with Trichomonas vaginalis (Tv) promoted the proliferation of PSC through protease‐ activated receptor 2 (PAR2). Conditioned medium of PSC was prepared by stimulating them with Tv (Trichomonad‐conditioned medium (TCM)), and mast cell‐conditioned medium were prepared by incubating them with TCM (mast cell‐TCM (M‐TCM)). Mast cells incubated with TCM migrated more efficiently and produced more β‐hexosaminidase and tryptase. M‐TCM containing tryptase increased the proliferation of PSC, while inhibition of tryptase decreased proliferation. Expression of signalling molecules such as PAR2, p‐ERK, COX‐2, 15d‐PGJ2 and PPARγ, known to be involved in the tryptase‐PAR2 pathway, increased in response to M‐TCM, and blocking any of these signals decreased proliferation, indicating that tryptase‐PAR2 signalling is involved in the proliferation of PSC. Inhibition of tryptase and PAR2 led to reduced expression of PAR2, p‐ERK, COX‐2, 15d‐PGJ2 and PPARγ, while inhibition of ERK or COX‐2 reduced the expression of COX‐2, 15d‐PGJ2 and PPARγ indicating that the tryptase‐PAR2 pathway proceeds in the order p‐ERK, COX‐2, 15d‐PGJ2, and PPARγ. These results show that interaction between PSC stimulated with Tv and mast cells causes proliferation of PSC through the tryptase‐PAR2 pathway.
Conspiracy Theories and Institutional Trust: Examining the Role of Uncertainty Avoidance and Active Social Media Use
Authors: Mari Silvia , Gil de Zúñiga Homero , Suerdem Ahmet , Hanke Katja , Brown Gary , Vilar Roosevelt , Boer Diana , Bilewicz Michal
Published: May 2021

A generalized climate of distrust in political institutions is not functional to healthy democracies. With the advent of social media, recent scholarly efforts attempt to better understand people's conspiracy theory beliefs in inhibiting institutional trust. This study contributes to this literature by considering the direct antecedent effects of uncertainty avoidance and the moderating role ofactivesocial media use—SMU (i.e., interactional SMU, informational SMU, and political expressive SMU). The former is theorized to enable conspiracy theories to thrive, while the latter should cushion the negative effects of conspiracy beliefs on institutional trust. Relying on diverse survey data across different cultures from Europe, the Americas, and New Zealand (N = 11,958) and applying structural equation modeling, findings supported the hypothesized model. In high uncertainty‐avoidance societies, where less well‐known situations are perceived as uncomfortable or downright threatening, conspiracy beliefs proliferate and negatively impact institutional trust. Active SMU attenuates these effects. Via social media, citizens have the ability to strengthen social relationships (interactional SMU), keep themselves informed about the community (informational SMU), and engage in political self‐expression (political expressive SMU), which mitigate conspiracy‐belief negative effects on institutional trust. Future research implications and key limitations of the study are all discussed.
An uncoordinated effort: A new mechanism of exercise intolerance in fibrotic interstitial lung disease
Authors: Mohning Michael P.
Published: May 2021

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From Chutes and Ladders to No Te Enojes: Simulation of two (moral) random paths
Authors: Zazueta‐Hernández Jorge Antonio , López‐Barrientos José Daniel
Published: May 2021

This paper walks the reader through a simple mathematical characterization of the popular children's game, Chutes and Ladders, focusing primarily on Monte Carlo simulation. The focus is then shifted to the board game No Te Enojes in order to analyze the implications of the introduction of strategy. The presence of strategy in a game of No Te Enojes makes it an interesting generalization of Chutes and Ladders. This progression allows us to explore the nature of chance in board games through the aid of computer simulation, an increasingly important topic in teaching both statistics and data science.
Feasibility and Acceptability of a Language Concordant Health Coaching Intervention Delivered by Nurses for Latinx With Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Rechenberg Kaitlyn , Szalacha Laura , Martinez Glenn , Graham Margaret , Stauber Leah , Menon Usha
Published: May 2021

Background

Latinx immigrants have high rates of type 2 diabetes (T2D), exhibit out‐of‐range glycemic control, and have higher rates of diabetes‐related complications than non‐Latinx whites, with limited English proficiency (LEP) being a major barrier to care.

Aims

We tested the feasibility and acceptability of a language concordant (provider that is proficient in the patient’s preferred language) health coaching intervention delivered by nurse and nurse practitioner students in a pilot study of Latinx immigrants with T2D and LEP.

Methods

A sample of 17 Latinx immigrants with T2D and LEP were split into intervention and control groups. The control group received basic diabetes care and written educational materials on diabetes self‐management in Spanish. Individuals in the intervention group received the standard diabetes care offered by the clinic and six biweekly health coaching sessions (intervention) with a trained language concordant health coach.

Results

The language concordant health coaching intervention was both feasible (delivery) and acceptable (satisfactory) to Latinx immigrants with T2D and LEP and resulted in clinically meaningful differences in key diabetes‐related outcomes.

Linking Evidence to Action

Our findings suggest that lack of language concordance between provider and patient has an important and meaningful impact on the ability of an LEP Latinx patient to receive, and perhaps act upon, adequate education for T2D management. Receiving biweekly coaching calls could have offered further emotional support for participants to discuss living with T2D, which may have helped to alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety that individuals with T2D frequently endure.
Best Practices to Verify Ongoing Placement of NG or OG Tube After Initial X‐ray Confirmation
Authors: Tripathi Rekha , Hinic Katherine
Published: May 2021

Background

Many patients in intensive care units (ICU) require nasogastric (NG) or orogastric (OG) tubes. These patients often require a combination of sedatives that can alter level of consciousness and impair cough or gag reflexes. Such factors can lead to NG/OG tube displacement. Using a misplaced tube can lead to aspiration, lung injury, infection, and even death.

Aims

To standardize ongoing verification of NG tube placement practices in our 34‐bed Medical‐Surgical ICU.

Methods

The Johns Hopkins Nursing Model was utilized to guide this project. A literature review and critical appraisal were performed to establish NG/OG tube best practices. Best practices were implemented and assessed (via a survey and charting audits).

Results

Fifteen publications were identified and appraised as Level 4 and 5 sources. Best evidence supported that at the time of radiographic confirmation of the tube site, it should be marked with inedible ink or adhesive tape where it exits the nares; tube location should be checked at 4‐hour intervals; and placement/patency should be checked in patients who complain of pain, vomiting, or coughing. Following the practice change, N = 40 nurses indicated improvement in verification of NG/OG tube knowledge, “OK to use” order was verified for 89% of patients, and 63% of tubes were marked with tape at the exit site.

Linking Action to Evidence

Adherence to current, evidence‐based strategies for NG/OG tube verification promotes patient safety. Monitoring practice changes is critical to determine whether a best practice is sustained. Electronic health records must be current to guide and support evidence‐based nursing practice.
Marine fish imported from Argentina as source of human diphyllobothriosis in Europe? Ecological evidence from dolphins
Authors: Hernández‐Orts Jesús S. , Scholz Tomáš , Loizaga Rocío , García Néstor A. , Crespo Enrique A. , Kuchta Roman
Published: May 2021

Diphyllobothriosis caused by the Pacific broad tapeworm Adenocephalus pacificus (syn. Diphyllobothrium pacificum) is an emerging parasitic disease reported also from non‐endemic areas, including Europe (Spain). The origin of these human cases is unknown but should be related to fresh marine fish imported from endemic areas. In this study, we molecularly confirmed common dolphins Delphinus delphis off Argentina as euparatenic transit hosts of A. pacificus. Preliminary analysis of their stomach content, together with data from previous studies from the Southwest Atlantic, showed that common dolphins feed almost exclusively on schooling Argentine hake Merluccius hubbsi and Argentine anchovy Engraulis anchoita. Therefore, we suggest that Argentine hake and Argentine anchovy may represent the intermediate hosts of A. pacificus in the Southwest Atlantic, but also in Europe to where M. hubbsi is imported on ice (unfrozen).
Characterization of the emerging multidrug‐resistant Salmonella enterica serotype Kentucky ST314 in China
Authors: Wang Shaojun , Liao Xinmeng , Xiong Zhiying , Lin Qijie , Wen Junping , Xu Chenggang , Qu Xiaoyun , Chen Kaifeng , Zhang Jianmin
Published: May 2021

Salmonella enterica serotype Kentucky (S. Kentucky) is an important Salmonella serotype with multiple sequence types (ST) with a worldwide incidence. We identified 8 STs from 180 strains of S. Kentucky, and ST314 emerged as the most commonly encountered ST. Drug susceptibility testing revealed that ST314 had multiple resistance properties, and 75.5% of the strains were resistant to three or more classes of antimicrobials. The rate of resistance to chloramphenicol, florfenicol, sulfafurazole and tetracycline were greater than 60%. The rates of ST314 resistance to quinolones were as follows: ciprofloxacin, 32.1%; nalidixic acid, 16%; and ofloxacin, 7.5%. Investigating the mechanism of quinolone resistance of ST314 revealed that mutations in the quinolone resistance‐determining regions were rare, and resistance mainly occurred due to the resistance genes carried by plasmids. Only 1.9% (2/106) of ST314 strains had mutations in the quinolone resistance‐determining regions (QRDR). The drug resistance genes of ST314 were primarily of plasmid‐mediated quinolone resistance (PMQR). The detection rate of Salmonella genomic island 1 (SGI1) in ST314 was 12.3%. XbaI‐pulsed‐field gel electrophoresis revealed that S. enterica Kentucky ST314 was capable of cross‐regional and cross‐host transmission in China. We found ST314 to be the dominant S. Kentucky ST in China, and it carried multidrug resistance. This is the first report about the emergence of quinolone‐resistant S. enterica Kentucky ST314 in China, which is different from previous reports, and the findings of the present study suggest that the mechanism of quinolone resistance in these strains are plasmid‐mediated. Notably, plasmids carrying resistance genes may promote the rapid spread of ciprofloxacin resistance.
An Investigation on Starvation Onset of Rough Surface Line Contacts
Authors: Li S. , Kolivand A. , Anisetti A.
Published: May 2021

Utilizing a computational approach, this study quantifies the onset of lubrication starvation for line contacts of rough surfaces operating under typical ranges of automotive gearing applications. The response parameter is selected as the critical film thickness supply, at which starvation initiates. The potential influential parameters (predictors) considered include normal force density, rolling velocity, sliding, lubricant viscosity, and surface roughness amplitude. A non-Newtonian thermal mixed lubrication model is employed to determine the critical lubricant supply under various operating and surface roughness conditions. General linear regression is implemented to reach an easy-to-use equation (R-squared value higher than 97%), facilitating the quantification of starvation dependence on the predictors that are statistically significant.
Model Predictive Control-Based Hierarchical Control of a Multi-Zone Commercial HVAC System
Authors: Raman Naren Srivaths , Chaturvedi Rahul Umashankar , Guo Zhong , Barooah Prabir
Published: May 2021

This paper presents a novel architecture for model predictive control (MPC)-based indoor climate control of multi-zone buildings to provide energy efficiency. Unlike prior works, we do not assume the availability of a high-resolution multi-zone building model, which is challenging to obtain. Instead, the architecture uses a low-resolution model of the building that is divided into a small number of “meta-zones” that can be easily identified using existing data-driven modeling techniques. The proposed architecture is hierarchical. At the higher level, an MPC controller uses the low-resolution model to make decisions for the air handling unit (AHU) and the meta-zones. Since the meta-zones are fictitious, a lower level controller converts the high-level MPC decisions into commands for the individual zones by solving a projection problem that strikes a trade-off between two potentially conflicting goals: the AHU-level decisions made by the MPC are respected while the climate of the individual zones is maintained within the comfort bounds. The performance of the proposed controller is assessed via simulations in a high-fidelity simulation testbed and compared to that of a rule-based controller that is used in practice. Simulations in multiple weather conditions show the effectiveness of the proposed controller in terms of energy savings, climate control, and computational tractability.