bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Binding constraints to productive investment in Malawi: A modified HRV framework
Authors: Chirwa Themba G. , Odhiambo Nicholas M.
Published: February 2021

The paper applies a modified Hausmann, Rodrik, and Velasco (HRV) growth diagnostics framework to analyse Malawi's growth challenges. The study finds five critical binding constraints affecting productive investment and output growth in Malawi. These include land administration, taxation, customs and trade regulations, political governance, and cost‐of‐finance. Land constraints are evidenced by highly urban and rural population growth, an inverse co‐movement between the rural population and investment per capita, and low land administration indices. Tax constraints are evidenced by the negative growth of investment per capita. Customs and trade regulations constraints are evidenced by nontariff measures, such as high costs and the time it takes to export and import. Political governance constraints are evidenced by rising government debt and the low score on transparency, accountability, and corruption based on the World Bank's Public Transparency Scale. Lastly, high cost‐of‐finance constraints are evidenced by monetary policy challenges, such as high real interest rates, inflation rate, uncompetitive exchange rate, and foreign aid ineffectiveness. Therefore, we recommend that the formulation of crucial policy strategies to alleviate these five significant binding constraints be encouraged. The government should base such an approach to sound growth therapeutics that fully account for each challenge's root causes.
Characteristics of Halloween genes and RNA interference‐mediated functional analysis of LmCYP307a2 in Locusta migratoria
Authors: Zhang Xue‐Yao , He Qi‐Hui , Zhang Ting‐Ting , Wu Hai‐Hua , Zhang Jian‐Zhen , Ma En‐Bo
Published: February 2021

Halloween genes are involved in the biosynthesis of the molting hormone, which plays a key role in insect ecdysis, development, metamorphosis, and reproduction. Our previous work identified five Halloween genes from Locusta migratoria, but their functions are currently unknown. In this study, the sequences of these five Halloween genes were analyzed and characterized. LmCYP307a2, LmCYP306a1, LmCYP302a1, and LmCYP315a1 were primarily expressed in the prothoracic glands, while LmCYP314a1 was universally expressed in peripheral tissues, especially in the ovaries and Malpighian tubules. All five Halloween genes were mainly expressed from the 5th to the 7th d in 5th‐instar nymphs. RNA interference (RNAi) silencing of LmCYP307a2 resulted in severe molting delays and molting failure, which could be rescued by supplementary 20‐hydroxyecdysone. A hematoxylin and eosin staining analysis suggested that the RNAi of LmCYP307a2 inhibited the ecdysis process by inhibiting the apolysis and degradation of the old cuticle, and by promoting the synthesis of a new cuticle. Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction results showed that the expressions of LmE74, LmCht5, and LmCht10 were dramatically down‐regulated, while that of LmChsI was substantially up‐regulated, after knockdown of LmCYP307a2. The results suggest that LmCYP307a2 is related to the molt process via regulation of chitin synthesis and degradation.
Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt in patients treated with a balloon tamponade for variceal hemorrhage without response to high doses of vasoactive drugs: A real‐world multicenter retrospective study
Authors: Ni Jing Bin , Xiang Xiao Xing , Wu Wei , Chen Shi Yao , Zhang Feng , Zhang Ming , Peng Chun Yan , Xiao Jiang Qiang , Zhuge Yu Zheng , Zhang Chun Qing
Published: February 2021

Objective

To evaluate the efficacy of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) and non‐TIPS therapy (endoscopy and/or nonselective beta‐blockers [NSBB]) in patients with cirrhosis and active variceal hemorrhage who did not respond to high‐dose vasoactive drugs and required balloon tamponade for hemostasis.

Methods

Medical records of cirrhotic patients who did not respond to high‐dose vasoactive drugs and required balloon tamponade for hemostasis at five university hospitals in China between January 2011 and December 2018 were reviewed. Treatment outcomes were compared between the TIPS and the non‐TIPS groups.

Results

Treatment failure of variceal hemorrhage within 5 days was reported in six patients of the non‐TIPS group (N = 70) and none of the TIPS group (N = 66) (P = .028). The TIPS group had a higher 1‐year variceal rebleeding‐free rate compared with the non‐TIPS group (95.5% vs 60.0%, P < .001). One patient treated with TIPS and nine with non‐TIPS therapy experienced rebleeding within 5 days and 6 weeks after the intervention (P = .009). The cumulative 1‐year survival rate was higher in the TIPS group than in the non‐TIPS group (93.9% vs 78.6%, P = .01). The TIPS group had a higher incidence of hepatic encephalopathy within one year compared with the non‐TIPS group (18.2% vs 4.3%, P = .026).

Conclusion

For patients with cirrhosis and active variceal bleeding who do not respond to high‐dose vasoactive agents and require a balloon tamponade for hemostasis, TIPS may be an appropriate treatment choice.
Nitrogen and Phosphorus Sources and Delivery from the Mississippi/Atchafalaya River Basin: An Update Using 2012 SPARROW Models
Authors: Robertson Dale M. , Saad David A.
Published: February 2021

Nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) inputs throughout the Mississippi/Atchafalaya River Basin (MARB) have been linked to the Gulf of Mexico hypoxia and water‐quality problems throughout the MARB. To describe N and P loading throughout the MARB, SPAtially Referenced Regression On Watershed attributes (SPARROW) models were previously developed based on nutrient inputs and management similar to 1992 and 2002. In this study, refined SPARROW models were developed with higher resolution basin delineation, updated (2012) source inputs, improved calibration (load) targets, and additional statistical techniques than used in the previous SPARROW models. Based on the refined models, consistent with past models, N and P loads/yields were the highest from the central part of the MARB (Corn Belt) and along the Mississippi River. Agricultural activities remained the most important N and P source, but more so for N because its input, which could now be distinguished from atmospheric deposition, could be estimated. Natural loss of P from geologic material throughout the MARB was an important source, contributing about 23% of the total P from the MARB, and resulted in specific areas, such as Kentucky and Tennessee, being larger sources of P than previously estimated. This information can help managers decide where efforts will have the largest effects (highest ranked areas) on reducing nutrient loading to the Gulf hypoxia and what are the most important sources of N and P in these areas.
Oesophageal cancer treatment patterns, timeliness of care and outcomes in the Loddon Mallee region of Victoria: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Conway Paul , Leach Michael , Tejani Neetu , Robinson Amanda , Shethia Yachna , Solo Ilana
Published: February 2021

Introduction

Few studies have investigated oesophageal cancer care in regional areas. This study aimed to describe treatment patterns for oesophageal cancer in a regional area, and to identify factors associated with radiotherapy utilisation, timeliness of care, and death.

Methods

In a retrospective cohort study, medical records were reviewed to source data on all patients diagnosed with and/or treated for oesophageal cancer at two regional Victorian hospitals over July 2015–June 2018. Cox proportional hazards regression was employed to identify factors associated with time from diagnosis to death while binary logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with radiotherapy utilisation and treatment within 28 days of diagnosis – a time frame derived from the relevant optimal care pathway.

Results

Of 95 patients, 72% had radiotherapy, 32% received any treatment within 28 days, and 78% died over a median time of nine months. Odds of not receiving radiotherapy were decreased (odds ratio [OR] = 0.26, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.08–0.87) for histology other than adenocarcinoma. Odds of timely care were increased for any palliative radiotherapy (OR = 3.47, 95% CI = 1.15–10.5) and decreased for older age (OR = 0.95, 95% CI = 0.91.0.999). Hazard of death was elevated for stage IV disease (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.73, 95% CI = 1.64–4.54) and reduced for radical intent (HR = 0.27, 95% CI = 0.15–0.48).

Conclusion

Nearly three‐quarters of regional oesophageal cancer patients had radiotherapy while approximately one‐third received any treatment within the recommended 28 days. Any palliative radiotherapy and younger age were associated with timely treatment. Future studies could further investigate factors related to timely oesophageal cancer care.
Predictors of gastrointestinal bleeding in adult ICU patients in the SUP‐ICU trial
Authors: Granholm Anders , Krag Mette , Marker Søren , Alhazzani Waleed , Perner Anders , Møller Morten Hylander
Published: February 2021

Background

In previous studies of predictors of gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding in the intensive care unit (ICU), most patients received pharmacological stress ulcer prophylaxis (SUP). We aimed to assess associations between potential predictors of clinically important GI bleeding (CIB) and overt GI bleeding in adult ICU patients, while considering the effect and potential interaction with use of SUP.

Methods

We included 3291 acutely admitted adult ICU patients with risk factors for GI bleeding randomized to SUP (pantoprazole) or placebo in the SUP‐ICU trial. We used logistic regression models adjusted for allocation to SUP to estimate associations between 23 potential predictors and CIB (primary outcome) and overt GI bleeding (secondary outcome). Furthermore, we assessed associations between potential predictors and both outcomes in each allocation group and assessed potential interaction with allocation to SUP.

Results

Increasing SAPS II and SOFA scores, use of circulatory support and renal replacement therapy were associated with increased risk of CIB and overt GI bleeding; chronic lung disease was associated with increased risk of overt GI bleeding. Results for the remaining potential predictors were compatible with both no difference or increased and decreased risks. We found no strong evidence for any interaction between treatment allocation and any potential predictors.

Conclusion

In adult ICU patients at risk of GI bleeding, severity of illness, use of circulatory support and renal replacement therapy were associated with higher odds of CIB, with no strong evidence of interaction with SUP.
Severely low testosterone in males with COVID‐19: A case‐control study
Authors: Salonia Andrea , Pontillo Marina , Capogrosso Paolo , Gregori Silvia , Tassara Michela , Boeri Luca , Carenzi Cristina , Abbate Costantino , Cignoli Daniele , Ferrara Anna Maria , Cazzaniga Walter , Rowe Isaline , Ramirez Giuseppe A. , Tresoldi Cristina , Mushtaq Junaid , Locatelli Massimo , Santoleri Luca , Castagna Antonella , Zangrillo Alberto , De Cobelli Francesco , Tresoldi Moreno , Landoni Giovanni , Rovere‐Querini Patrizia , Ciceri Fabio , Montorsi Francesco
Published: February 2021

Background

Circulating androgens could have a relevant pathobiological role in clinical outcomes in men with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) infection (COVID‐19).

Objectives

We aimed to assess: (a) circulating sex steroids levels in a cohort of 286 symptomatic men with laboratory‐confirmed COVID‐19 at hospital admission compared to a cohort of 281 healthy men; and (b) the association between serum testosterone levels (tT), COVID‐19, and clinical outcomes.

Materials and Methods

Demographic, clinical, and hormonal values were collected for all patients. Hypogonadism was defined as tT ≤9.2 nmol/l. The Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) was used to score health‐significant comorbidities. Severe clinical outcomes were defined as patients either transferred to intensive care unit (ICU) or death. Descriptive statistics and multivariable linear and logistic regression models tested the association between clinical and laboratory variables and tT levels. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression models tested the association between tT and severe clinical outcomes.

Results

Overall, a significantly lower levels of LH and tT were found in patients with COVID‐19 compared to healthy controls (all p < 0.0001); conversely, healthy controls depicted lower values of circulating E2 (p < 0.001). Testosterone levels suggestive for hypogonadism were observed in 257 (89.8%) patients at hospital admission. In as many as 243 (85%) cases, hypogonadism was secondary. SARS‐CoV‐2 infection status was independently associated with lower tT levels (p < 0.0001) and greater risk of hypogonadism (p < 0.0001), after accounting for age, BMI, CCI, and IL‐6 values. Lower tT levels were associated with higher risk of ICU admission and death outcomes (all p ≤ 0.05), after accounting for clinical and laboratory parameters.

Conclusions

We unveil an independent association between SARS‐CoV‐2 infection status and secondary hypogonadism already at hospital admission, with lower testosterone levels predicting the most severe clinical outcomes.
Impact of lobular carcinoma in situ on local recurrence in breast cancer treated with breast conservation therapy: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Harris Christopher G. , Eslick Guy D.
Published: February 2021

Background

Lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS) is a known risk factor for breast cancer of unclear significance when detected in association with invasive carcinoma. This meta‐analysis aims to determine the impact of LCIS on local recurrence risk for individuals with breast cancer treated with breast conservation therapy to help guide appropriate management strategies.

Methods

We identified relevant studies from five electronic databases. Studies were deemed suitable for inclusion where they compared patients with invasive breast cancer and concurrent LCIS to those with breast cancer alone, all patients underwent breast conservation therapy (lumpectomy with adjuvant radiation therapy) and local recurrence was evaluated. Recurrence data were pooled by use of a random‐effects model.

Results

From 1488 citations screened by our search, nine studies were deemed suitable for inclusion. These studies comprised 990 cases and 12 870 controls. Median follow‐up time was 104 months. There was a significantly increased risk of overall local recurrence of breast cancer for individuals with LCIS in association with breast cancer following breast conservation therapy (pooled odds ratio (pOR) 1.73; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.10–2.71; P = 0.018). The risk of local recurrence was not significantly increased at 5 years (pOR 1.00; 95% CI 0.49–2.04; P = 0.995) and 10 years (pOR 1.52; 95% CI 0.72–3.23; P = 0.275).

Conclusion

Individuals with LCIS in association with invasive breast cancer have an increased risk of local recurrence following breast conservation therapy. This supports consideration of increased medical surveillance and exploration of further risk reduction strategies for such patients.
Re‐examining the age of the Affad MSA deposits in the Middle Nile Valley
Authors: Osypiński P. , Burrough S. , Skinner A. , Standzikowski K.
Published: February 2021

We present data on the chronology of fluvial and aeolian sediments as well as ecofacts that allow us to indicate the timing of Middle Stone Age settlement in Affad on the Middle Nile. Previously published chronometric data based solely on (multi‐grain) optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dates suggested the extremely late settlement and usage of Middle Stone Age technology in North‐East Africa during the Terminal Pleistocene (post‐Last Glacial Maximum). The current analyses using multiple dating methods—multi‐ and single‐grain OSL, thermoluminescence (TL), electron spin resonance (ESR) or accelerator mass spectrometry radiocarbon (AMS14C)—with OSL analyses carried out blind in three independent laboratories suggest this age is incorrect. More likely is that the site dates to about 50 ka. The comparison of dating results and methodological differences enable us to explore a spectrum of possible explanations. Here we infer the strong need to consider an appropriate methodology specific to the depositional context for indicating the age of fluvial sediments and prehistoric settlements at open‐air sites of North‐East Africa.
White Jesus and Antisemitism: Toward an Antiracist and Decolonial Christology
Authors: Hedges Paul
Published: February 2021

This article argues that traditional Christology is intimately bound up with a triumphalist agenda that denies Jesus’ Jewishness and is structurally antisemitic. Taking an antiracist stance, the article argues that systemic rethinking of Christianity’s theological resources is needed, which must be anti‐antisemitic and antiracist. This involves reconfiguring how we take on board Jesus’ Jewishness in a post‐Holocaust context and recognizing Jesus as a Jewish prophet. From this, it is tentatively suggested that rethinking the role of the Messiah involves understanding a Levinasian Messiah who does not come, but rather calls upon us to act in a Messianic role before the Other as an ethical imperative.
The World Council of Churches and the Theology of Christian‐Jewish Relations
Authors: Marshall David
Published: February 2021

This essay explores the approach of the World Council of Churches (WCC) to the theological questions involved in Jewish‐Christian relations, while also noting connections between these questions and political factors. The first part focuses on WCC assemblies. At Amsterdam in 1948, a brief document emphasized four key issues: the relationship of the Jewish people to God and to the Church; antisemitism; mission; and the State of Israel. At subsequent assemblies, especially after 1967, with attention focusing on the Israel‐Palestine conflict and the plight of the Palestinians, theological discussion of these questions was avoided. The second part of the essay turns to the discussion of these four questions at other levels of the WCC, also considering the wider context of this discussion in the varied approaches developed among WCC member churches. A major theme throughout the essay is that because of the spectrum of ecclesiastical and regional affiliations across member churches, theological discussion of these questions has been controversial within the WCC. If its output in this field of theological work has therefore understandably been limited in comparison with that of some member churches and ecumenical partners, the WCC does nevertheless have a unique capacity to play a convening role for discussion of these difficult questions between Christians of different traditions and from very different political contexts.
Discovering Jesus Anew
Authors: Gnanadason Aruna
Published: February 2021

In light of the political and ritual abuse of religion in India today, this article underlines the importance of Christian women’s engagement with women of all faiths to resist discrimination and violence. The Indian Christian Women’s Movement draws on Jesus’ liberative practice and teaching as women find creative and subversive ways to strengthen Christian women’s solidarity with women of other faiths. While all faith traditions carry embedded patriarchal biases that have been used to legitimize the second‐class status of women, they also have streams of liberation motifs. The article employs a feminist epistemology to reconstruct dominant theological motifs and assumptions based on an ethic of care, compassion, and mutuality in relationships.
Phosphatic scales in vase‐shaped microfossil assemblages from Death Valley, Grand Canyon, Tasmania, and Svalbard
Authors: Riedman Leigh Anne , Porter Susannah M. , Czaja Andrew D.
Published: February 2021

Although biomineralized skeletal elements dominate the Phanerozoic fossil record, they did not become common until ~550–520 Ma when independent acquisitions of biomineralization appeared in multiple lineages of animals and a few protists (single‐celled eukaryotes). Evidence of biomineralization preceding the late Ediacaran is spotty aside from the apatitic scale microfossils of the ~811 Ma Fifteenmile Group, northwestern Canada. Here, we describe scale‐shaped microfossils from four vase‐shaped microfossil (VSM)‐bearing units of later Tonian age: the Togari Group of Tasmania, Chuar and Pahrump groups of southwestern United States, and the Roaldtoppen Group of Svalbard. These scale‐shaped microfossils consist of thin, ~13 micron‐long plates typically surrounded by a 1–3 micron‐thick colorless envelope; they are found singly and in heterotypic and monotypic clusters of a few to >20 specimens. Raman spectroscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy indicate these microfossils are composed of apatite and kerogen, just as is seen in the Fifteenmile Group scale microfossils. Despite compositional similarity, however, these scales are probably not homologous, representing instead, an independent acquisition of apatite mineralization. We propose that these apatite‐kerogen scale‐shaped microfossils are skeletal elements of a protistan cell. In particular, their consistent co‐occurrence with VSMs, and similarities with scales of arcellinid testate amoebae, a group to which the VSMs are thought to belong, suggest the possibility that these microfossils may be test‐forming scales of ancient arcellinid testate amoebae. The apparent apatite biomineralization in both these microfossils and the Fifteenmile scales is unexpected given its exceedingly rare use in skeletons of modern protists. This modern absence is attributed to the extravagance of using a limiting nutrient in a structural element, but multiple occurrences of apatite biomineralization in the Tonian suggest that phosphorus was not a limiting nutrient for these organisms, a suggestion consistent with the idea that dissolved seawater phosphate concentrations may have been higher at this time.
The expectations and realities of nutrigenomic testing in australia: A qualitative study
Authors: Tutty Erin , Hickerton Chriselle , Terrill Bronwyn , McClaren Belinda , Tytherleigh Rigan , Stackpoole Elaine , Savard Jaqueline , Newson Ainsley , Middleton Anna , Nisselle Amy , Cusack Marie , Adamski Melissa , Gaff Clara , Metcalfe Sylvia
Published: February 2021

Background

Consumer genomic testing for nutrition and wellness, (nutritional genomics), is becoming increasingly popular. Concurrently, health‐care practitioners (HPs) working in private practice (including doctors interested in integrative medicine, private genetic counsellors, pharmacists, dieticians, naturopaths and nutritionists) are involved as test facilitators or interpreters.

Objective

To explore Australian consumers’ and HPs’ experiences with nutrigenomic testing.

Method

Semi‐structured in‐depth interviews were conducted using predominantly purposive sampling. The two data sets were analysed individually, then combined, using a constant comparative, thematic approach.

Results

Overall, 45 interviews were conducted with consumers (n = 18) and HPs (n = 27). Many of the consumer interviewees experienced chronic ill‐health. Nutrigenomic testing was perceived as empowering and a source of hope for answers. While most made changes to their diet/supplements post‐test, self‐reported health improvements were small. A positive relationship with their HP appeared to minimize disappointment. HPs’ adoption and views of nutrigenomic testing varied. Those enthusiastic about testing saw the possibilities it could offer. However, many felt nutrigenomic testing was not the only ‘tool’ to utilize when offering health care.

Discussion

This research highlights the important role HPs play in consumers’ experiences of nutrigenomics. The varied practice suggests relevant HPs require upskilling in this area to at least support their patients/clients, even if nutrigenomic testing is not part of their practice.

Patient or public contribution

Advisory group included patient/public group representatives who informed study design; focus group participants gave feedback on the survey from which consumer interviewees were sourced. This informed the HP data set design. Interviewees from HP data set assisted with snowball sampling.
Prognostic value of preoperative inflammation markers in non‐muscle invasive bladder cancer
Authors: Yıldız Hüseyin Alperen , Değer Müslim Doğan , Aslan Güven
Published: February 2021

Purpose

To investigate the prediction values of the preoperative neutrophil‐lymphocyte ratio (NLR), lymphocyte‐monocyte ratio (LMR), platelet‐lymphocyte ratio (PLR), mean platelet volume (MPV) and red cell distribution width (RDW) for recurrence and progression of patients with non‐muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC).

Methods

In this prospective study, 94 consecutive patients newly diagnosed with NMIBC between July 2017 and August 2018 were included. The blood samples were collected from patients before transurethral resection of bladder tumour (TURB) and NLR, LMR, PLR, RDW and MPV values were calculated. The effect of these preoperative inflammatory parameters and other clinicopathological parameters on recurrence and progression rates was evaluated. Kaplan–Meier and multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed to identify significant prognostic variables.

Results

The mean follow‐up was 11 ± 6.4 months. Recurrence was observed in 35.1% and progression was detected in 7.4% of the patients. NLR was statistically significantly associated with both recurrence (P = .01) and progression (P = .035), whereas LMR was only associated with recurrence (P = .038). In the survival analyses, the relationship between recurrence and LMR was confirmed in both univariate (P = .021) and multivariate (P = .022) analyses. The relationship between NLR and recurrence was confirmed in univariate analysis (P = .019); however; in multivariate analysis, it was found to be statistically insignificant (P = .051).

Conclusions

LMR might be an easy obtainable, non‐invasive and cost‐effective method for predicting recurrence of disease in patients with NMIBC.
Effect of liraglutide treatment on body mass index and weight parameters in children and adolescents with type 2 diabetes: Post hoc analysis of the ellipse trial
Authors: Bensignor Megan O. , Bomberg Eric M. , Bramante Carolyn T. , Divyalasya T. V. S. , Hale Paula M. , Ramesh Chethana K. , Rudser Kyle D. , Kelly Aaron S.
Published: February 2021

Background

Weight loss in children and adolescents with type 2 diabetes (T2D) is associated with improved glycaemic control.

Objectives

To assess the effects of liraglutide vs placebo on body mass index (BMI) and weight parameters in children and adolescents with T2D using data from the ellipse trial (NCT01541215).

Methods

The ellipse trial randomized participants (10‐<17 years old, BMI >85th percentile, T2D, glycated haemoglobin [HbA1c] 7.0%‐11.0% [if diet‐ and exercise‐treated] or 6.5% to 11.0% [if treated with metformin, basal insulin or both]) to liraglutide or placebo. This post‐hoc analysis evaluated changes from baseline to weeks 26 and 52 in absolute BMI, percent change in BMI and other weight‐related parameters. Changes were assessed by liraglutide overall (all doses) and liraglutide by dose (0.6, 1.2 and 1.8 mg/day) vs placebo using a pattern mixture model of observed data, with missing observations imputed from each treatment group.

Results

In total, 134 participants were included. There were statistically significant differences between groups in certain parameters, including absolute BMI (estimated treatment difference [ETD] –0.89 kg/m2; 95% confidence interval [CI] –1.71,–0.06) and percent change in BMI (ETD –2.73%; 95% CI –5.15,–0.30) at week 52, but none at week 26. Dose‐dependent effects were not observed for liraglutide vs placebo for all BMI/weight parameters.

Conclusions

Compared with placebo, liraglutide was associated with statistically significant reductions in BMI/weight parameters at week 52, but not week 26, in children and adolescents with T2D.
Managerial Jacobinism and performance in the private sector: Evidence from the Turkish shipyards for a vertical frame
Authors: Cam Surhan , Palaz Serap
Published: February 2021

Long‐lasting euphoria of the private sector managerialism has begun to be questioned even by its ardent advocators in recent years. Substantiating a distinct concern, this paper sheds light on what one might call ‘managerial Jacobinism’ through unstructured interviews conducted in Turkey's shipyards. As its most defining characteristics, the undervaluation of managerial work by the companies and the punitive treatment of good practices by the mediocre superiors provoke ill‐concealed defensive reactions among the managers to their insecurity at work while undermining both employees' productivity and the firms' performance in the midst of regulatory deficiencies. Managerial Jacobinism also spirals around a vertical frame by being more apparent and survival‐driven in the case of immediate managers whereas more ambition‐driven and detrimental when it comes to top managers resonating with their higher influence. Empirical findings further indicate that results are officiated by the intersecting variations in age, gender, ethnicity, occupations, administrative divisions and establishment size.
Integrating modified WebQuest activities for programming learning
Authors: Wang Yi‐Hsuan
Published: February 2021

The study designed WebQuest activities and explored the learning performance of learners to understand the suitability of using WebQuest in a college programming course. The study modified the processes of WebQuest based on social constructivism and scaffolding learning, and included programming tasks such as debugging practice to encourage learners to develop their problem‐solving abilities. The WebQuest learning sheets include the following four parts, introduction, task, resources and evaluation, and the learners had to complete the tasks without the detailed processes. After they had tried to solve the problem for approximately two weeks, the detailed WebQuest processes were provided. A total of 109 learners (third year of college) participated in the study and were separated into two groups. The experimental group underwent WebQuest teaching, while the control group received the traditional IT‐integrated teaching. The study duration was 18 weeks (3 hr/week). The results indicated that the modified WebQuest activity gave learners scaffolding to do try‐and‐revise practice, and the processes of using provided possible information to test and debug the resulting codes encouraged them to associate and analyze learning information before programming and then to generalize the programming steps on their own instead of following the instructor's step‐by‐step instructions. The learners thus have a deep understanding of the programming concept rather than surface learning. The findings revealed that the modified WebQuest activity is a helpful form of scaffolding for promoting learners' positive learning experiences regarding organizing information and problem solving and reasoning skills. Besides, integrating debugging practice in the WebQuest activity could promote learners' intermediate and advance level programming ability. Subsequent research could further explore the effects of adding after‐practice WebQuest activities to assist and trigger learners' self‐reflection for refining their problem‐solving processes after the in‐class WebQuest activities.
Ablation Index‐guided high‐power (50 W) short‐duration for left atrial anterior and roofline ablation: Feasibility, procedural data, and lesion analysis (AI High‐Power Linear Ablation)
Authors: Zanchi Simone , Chen Shaojie , Bordignon Stefano , Bianchini Lorenzo , Tohoku Shota , Bologna Fabrizio , Tondo Claudio , Chun K. R. Julian , Schmidt Boris
Published: February 2021

Objectives

To evaluate the feasibility, procedural data, and lesion characteristics of the anterior line (AL) and roofline (RL) ablation by using ablation index (AI)‐guided high power (50 W) among patients with recurrent atrial fibrillation (AF) or atrial tachycardia (AT) after pulmonary vein isolation (PVI).

Methods

Data from 35 consecutive patients with macro‐reentrant left atrial tachycardia or substrate at the left atrium anterior wall or roof after previous PVI were collected. Ablation power was set to 50 W, targeting AI 500 for AL and 400 for RL. The first‐pass conduction block (FPB) was evaluated. The AL was arbitrarily divided into three (caudal, middle, and cranial) segments to analyze the location of conduction gaps in non‐FPB patients.

Results

A total of 32 AL and 17 RL were deployed and FPB was achieved in 24 (75%) and 14 (82%) of them, respectively. In the non‐FPB group, the most frequent gap location along the AL was the middle third. The final block of AL was achieved in 97%, and the block of RL was achieved in 100%. The radiofrequency (RF) ablation time was short (2.9 ± 0.8 min for AL and 46.2 ± 15.6 s for RL). For AL, the female gender was significantly more frequent in FPB than in non‐FPB patients (p = .028); patients with non‐FPB were associated with significantly longer RF time as compared to patients with FPB (204 ± 47 s vs. 161 ± 41 s; p = .02). No procedural complications occurred.

Conclusion

AI‐guided high‐power (50 W) ablation appears to be a feasible, effective, and fast technique for AL and RL ablation.
Comparison of guidelines for the management of hypertension: Similarities and differences between international and Asian countries; perspectives from HOPE‐Asia Network
Authors: Chia Yook‐Chin , Turana Yuda , Sukonthasarn Apichard , Zhang Yuqing , Shin Jinho , Cheng Hao‐Min , Tay Jam Chin , Tsoi Kelvin , Siddique Saulat , Verma Narsingh , Buranakitjaroen Peera , Sogunuru Guru P. , Nailes Jennifer , Van Minh Huynh , Park Sungha , Teo Boon W. , Chen Chen‐Huan , Wang Tzung‐Dau , Soenarta Arieska A. , Hoshide Satoshi , Wang Ji‐Guang , Kario Kazoumi ,   the Hypertension Cardiovascular Outcome Prevention, Evidence (HOPE) Asia Network
Published: February 2021

Guidelines on the management of hypertension have been developed by various professional bodies and institutions to primarily address the issues of diagnosis, treatment, and control in order to rationalize and improve the management of hypertension. Hypertension guidelines across the world have recently been updated following the new and controversial lower blood pressure threshold of ≥130/80 mmHg for the diagnosis of hypertension adopted by the Americans. While there are differences between the major as well as between the Asian national guidelines, there were also many similarities. This paper discusses and highlights the differences and similarities between the major international guidelines of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association, of the European Society of Cardiology/European Society of Hypertension, and of the International Society of Hypertension and also compares them with the Asian guidelines.
Interactions of anthropometric indices, rs9939609 FTO gene polymorphism and breast cancer: A case‐control study
Authors: Doaei Saeid , Bourbour Fatemeh , Rastgoo Samira , Akbari Mohammad Esmail , Gholamalizadeh Maryam , Hajipour Azadeh , Moslem Alireza , Ghorat Fereshteh , Badeli Mostafa , Bagheri Seyedeh Elaheh , Alizadeh Atieh , Mokhtari Zohreh , Pishdad Samaneh , JavadiKooshesh Sepehr , Azizi Tabesh Ghasem , Montazeri Fateme , Joola Parvin , Rezaei Shahla , Dorosti Masoomeh , Mosavi Jarrahi Seyed Alireza
Published: February 2021

Contradictory results were reported on the effect of fat mass‐ and obesity‐associated (FTO) gene and anthropometric measurements on breast cancer (BC). This study aimed to assess the interactions between rs9939609 polymorphism of FTO gene, anthropometric indices and BC risk in Iranian women. This case‐control study was performed on 540 women including 180 women with BC and 360 healthy women in Tehran, Iran. Physical activity and dietary intakes were assessed by validated questionnaires. Data on sociodemographic and pathologic factors of the participants as well as their blood samples were collected. The rs9939609 FTO gene polymorphism was genotyped using the tetra‐primer amplification refractory mutation system‐polymerase chain reaction (T‐ARMS‐PCR). No significant association was found between BC and risk allele of FTO rs9939609 polymorphism after adjustments for the confounders. However, there was a significant association between rs9939609 polymorphism risk allele and BC risk in females with overweight, even after adjusting for age, family history of BC, abortion, BMI and the number of pregnancies (P < .05). The association was disappeared after further adjustments for lifestyle factors including smoking, alcohol consumption, calorie and macronutrients intake, and physical activity. The FTO gene polymorphism was associated with the risk of BC in overweight individuals. This association was influenced by environmental factors including diet, alcohol consumption and smoking. Future studies are required to confirm the association between the FTO gene and BC in overweight females and to identify the underlying mechanisms.
Impact of language disorders on children’s everyday lives from 4 to 13 years: Commentary on Le, Mensah, Eadie, McKean, Schiberras, Bavin, Reilly and Gold (2020)
Authors: Lyons Rena
Published: February 2021

This paper by Le et al. (2020) is a valuable addition to the literature because it provides evidence regarding the trajectories of health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) in children with language disorders from the ages of 4–13 years. The authors found that higher language scores were associated with better HRQoL particularly in the school and social domains. Of the children in the low language group, 40% were in the stable‐high HRQoL trajectory, while the others were in the reduced‐slow‐decline (26%) and low‐rapid‐decline (34%) HRQoL groups. Despite the prevalence of language disorder and its impact on many aspects of children’s everyday lives, many professionals and members of the public are still unaware of this condition and its potential consequences. The publication of the Le et al. (2020) paper is timely because it coincides with a call to action to support these children by McGregor (2020). McGregor (2020) argued that we fail children with developmental language disorders both in terms of research and service provision. In her recent discussion paper, she provided evidence that these children face significant risks with regard to academic achievement: they are 6 times more likely to have reading disabilities, 6 times more likely to have spelling difficulties, 4 times more likely to have difficulties with mathematics and 12 times more likely to present with all three difficulties.
Relational Dialectics Theory
Authors: Baxter Leslie A. , Scharp Kristina M. , Thomas Lindsey J.
Published: February 2021

This article first provides an overview and brief history of relational dialectics theory (RDT) before turning to a presentation of RDT's basic tenets and theoretical utility. In addition, it also examines how RDT has been applied in studying family contexts and offers suggestions for future directions of RDT‐based research.
Credit Supply and Demand in Unconventional Times
Authors: ALTAVILLA CARLO , BOUCINHA MIGUEL , HOLTON SARAH , ONGENA STEVEN
Published: February 2021

Do borrowers demand less credit from banks with weak balance sheets, following monetary policy shocks? To answer this, we use novel bank‐specific survey data matched with balance sheet information for euro area banks. We find that, following a monetary policy shock, bank strength influences credit demand as well as credit supply. Bank resilience is important for firms when selecting a lender and it is therefore vital to control for bank‐specific demand when identifying credit supply shocks. An application using bank‐specific demand shows that—even after fully controlling for demand, borrower quality, and bank strength—unconventional monetary policies stimulate loan supply.
Stop the rot. Enzyme inactivation at brain harvest prevents artifacts
Authors: Dienel Gerald A.
Published: February 2021

Post‐mortem metabolism is widely recognized to cause rapid and prolonged changes in the concentrations of multiple classes of compounds in brain, that is, they are labile. Post‐mortem changes from levels in living brain include components of pathways of metabolism of glucose and energy compounds, amino acids, lipids, signaling molecules, neuropeptides, phosphoproteins, and proteins. Methods that stop enzyme activity at brain harvest were developed almost 50 years ago and have been extensively used in studies of brain functions and diseases. Unfortunately, these methods are not commonly used to harvest brain tissue for mass spectrometry‐based metabolomic studies or for imaging mass spectrometry studies (IMS, also called mass spectrometry imaging, MSI, or matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization‐MSI, MALDI‐MSI). Instead these studies commonly kill animals, decapitate, dissect out brain and regions of interest if needed, then ‘snap’ freeze the tissue to stop enzymatic activity after harvest, with post‐mortem intervals typically ranging from ~0.5 to 3 min. To increase awareness of the importance of stopping metabolism at harvest and preventing the unnecessary complications of not doing so, this commentary provides examples of labile metabolites and the magnitudes of their post‐mortem changes in concentrations during brain harvest. Brain harvest methods that stop metabolism at harvest eliminate post‐mortem enzymatic activities and can improve characterization of normal and diseased brain. In addition, metabolomic studies would be improved by reporting absolute units of concentration along with normalized peak areas or fold changes. Then reported values can be evaluated and compared with the extensive neurochemical literature to help prevent reporting of artifactual data.

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Annual report of the Committee on Gynecologic Oncology, the Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology: Annual patient report for 2017 and annual treatment report for 2012
Authors: Nagase Satoru , Ohta Tsuyoshi , Takahashi Fumiaki , Yaegashi Nobuo ,   Board members of the 2020 Committee on Gynecologic Oncology of the Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Published: February 2021

Aim

To provide information including the trend of gynecological malignancies in Japan, we hereby present the Annual Patient Report for 2017 and the Annual Treatment Report for 2012, on the outcomes of patients who started treatment in 2012.

Methods

The Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology maintains an annual tumor registry, where information on gynecological malignancies from various participating institutions is gathered. The data of patients whose treatment with gynecologic malignancies was initiated in 2017 were analyzed retrospectively. Survival of the patients who started treatment with cervical, endometrial and ovarian cancer in 2012 was analyzed by using the Kaplan‐Meier, log‐rank and Wilcoxon tests.

Results

Treatment was initiated in 2017 for 7710 patients with cervical cancer; 11 120 with endometrial cancer; 7029 with ovarian, tubal and peritoneal cancer; 2164 with ovarian borderline tumors; and with the others (213 vulvar cancer, 139 vaginal cancer, 366 uterine sarcoma, 41 uterine adenosarcoma and 131 trophoblastic diseases). This clinicopathological information was summarized as the patient annual report. The 5‐year survival rates of the patients with cervical cancer were 92.9, 75.5, 58.2 and 26.7% for stages I, II, III and IV, respectively. The 5‐year survival rates for the patients with endometrial cancer were 93.6, 85.6, 72.6 and 27.3% for stages I, II, III and IV, respectively. The 5‐year survival rates for the patients with ovarian cancer (surface epithelial‐stromal tumors) were 92.5, 83.5, 49.5 and 30.8% for stages I, II, III and IV, respectively.

Conclusion

The annual tumor report is an important survey that provides knowledge on gynecological malignancy trends in Japan.
Development and progression of proteinuria in dogs treated with masitinib for neoplasia: 28 cases (2010‐2019)
Authors: Kuijlaars M. , Helm J. , McBrearty A.
Published: February 2021

Objectives

To describe the incidence, severity and progression of proteinuria over the first 6 months of masitinib treatment in tumour‐bearing dogs without pre‐existing proteinuria. To describe the effect of treatment on urine protein:creatinine and renal parameters in patients with pre‐existing proteinuria.

Materials and Methods

Records were reviewed from patients receiving masitinib for neoplasms between June 1, 2010, and May 5, 2019. Patients without pre‐treatment and at least one urine protein:creatinine after ≥7 days treatment were excluded. Signalment, tumours and concurrent diseases, treatments, haematology, biochemistry and urinalysis results before, during and after treatment for up to 202 days were collected. Patient visits were grouped into six timepoints for analysis.

Results

Twenty‐eight dogs were included. Eighteen percent of dogs non‐proteinuric at baseline (four of 22) developed proteinuria during treatment, all within 1 month of treatment initiation. One dog developed hypoalbuminaemia, none developed oedema or ascites, azotaemia or were euthanased/died due to proteinuria. Masitinib was immediately discontinued in both dogs in which urine protein:creatinine greater than 2.0 was detected and in both, proteinuria improved.

Six dogs with pre‐treatment proteinuria were treated with masitinib, significant worsening of proteinuria did not occur. Neither azotaemia nor severe hypoalbuminaemia occurred.

Clinical Significance

Proteinuria, when it occurs, tends to develop within 1 month of masitinib commencement and may progress rapidly. Weekly proteinuria monitoring should be considered for the first month and a urine protein:creatinine greater than 0.5 should prompt reassessment within 1 week. Masitinib treatment can be considered in patients with pre‐treatment proteinuria and does not inevitably cause worsening of proteinuria.
Light chain myeloma and detection of free light chains in serum and urine of dogs and cats
Authors: Harris Robert Adam , Miller Matthew , Donaghy Dillon , Ashton Laura , Langston Catherine , Shockey Todd , Moore A Russell
Published: February 2021

Background

Detection of free light chains (fLC) in animals relies on protein electrophoresis or the Bence‐Jones protein test on urine.

Objective

To describe the detection of both serum fLC (sfLC) and urine fLC (ufLC) in 8 dogs and 2 cats using a commercially available human immunofixation (IF) kit.

Animals

Archived serum or urine samples from 27 dogs and 2 cats submitted to the Colorado State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory for routine diagnostics.

Methods

Retrospective study evaluating the presence of fLC in dogs and cats using agarose gel electrophoresis and routine and fLC IF performed on serum and urine. The performance of the fLC IF reagents was evaluated using samples characterized by routine IF, tandem mass spectrometry, and a combination of fLC IF and western blotting. Free light chains were documented by paired electrophoresis and fLC IF.

Results

The fLC only myeloma case developed end‐stage renal failure 5 months post initial diagnosis. All electrophoresis‐defined urinary Bence‐Jones proteins were labeled by the anti‐free λ light chain (anti‐fλ) reagent; none were labeled by the anti‐free κ light chain (anti‐fκ); 2 of these were identified as fκ by mass spectrometry. An electrophoretically identical protein restriction that was labeled by the anti‐fλ reagent was present in the paired serum from 5/8 of cases, documenting sfLC.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Commercially available human IF reagents identified sfLC and ufLC in both dogs and cats. Free light chains may be nephrotoxic in dogs.