bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dynamic arterial elastance measured with pressure recording analytical method, and mean arterial pressure responsiveness in hypotensive preload dependent patients undergoing cardiac surgery
Authors: Di Tomasso Nora , Lerose Caterina C. , Licheri Margherita , Castro Ligia E. Alpìzar , Tamà Simona , Vitiello Chiara , Landoni Giovanni , Zangrillo Alberto , Monaco Fabrizio
Published: January 2021

BACKGROUND

Organ perfusion is a factor of cardiac output and perfusion pressure. Recent evidence shows that dynamic arterial elastance is a reliable index of the interaction between the left ventricle and the arterial system and, in turn, of left ventricular mechanical efficiency. A practical approach to the assessment of dynamic arterial elastance at the bedside is the ratio between pulse pressure variation and stroke volume variation, which might predict the effect of a fluid challenge on the arterial pressure in patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the ability of dynamic arterial elastance, measured by the pressure recording analytical method (PRAM), to predict the response of mean arterial pressure (MAP) to a fluid challenge.

DESIGN

Prospective observational study.

SETTING

Cardiac surgery patients in a university hospital.

PATIENTS

Preload-dependent (pulse pressure variation ≥13%), hypotensive (MAP ≤65 mmHg) patients, without right ventricular dysfunction, at the end of cardiac surgery.

INTERVENTIONS

A 250 ml fluid challenge infused over 3 min.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

A receiver-operating characteristic curve was generated to test the ability of the baseline (before fluid challenge) dynamic arterial elastance (primary endpoint) and all other haemodynamic variables (secondary endpoint) to predict MAP responsiveness (≥10% increase in MAP) after a fluid challenge.

RESULTS

Of 270 patients undergoing cardiac surgery, 97 (35.9%) were preload-dependent, hypotensive and received a fluid challenge. Of these 97 patients, 50 (51%) were MAP responders (≥10% increase in MAP) and 47 (48%) were MAP nonresponders (<10% increase in MAP). Baseline dynamic arterial elastance (mean ± SD) had an area under the curve of 0.64 ± 0.06 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.53 to 0.73; P = 0.017]. A dynamic arterial elastance at least 1.07 with a grey zone ranging between 0.9 and 1.5 had 86% sensitivity (95% CI, 73 to 94) and 45% specificity (95% CI, 30 to 60) in predicting MAP increase.

CONCLUSION

In a hypotensive preload-dependent cardiac surgery cohort without right ventricular dysfunction, dynamic arterial elastance measured by PRAM can predict pressure response for values greater than 1.5 or less than 0.9.
Serum isoflavones and lignans and odds of breast cancer in pre- and postmenopausal Chinese women
Authors: Feng Xiao-Li , Ho Suzanne C. , Zhan Xiao-Xia , Zuo Luo-Shi-Yuan , Mo Xiong-Fei , Zhang Xin , Abulimiti Alinuer , Huang Chu-Yi , Zhang Cai-Xia
Published: January 2021

Objective:

Isoflavones and lignans are phytoestrogens present in plant-based foods, which have a potential preventive effect on breast carcinogenesis. The effects of phytoestrogens on breast cancer may differ according to the hormonal environment. This case-control study aimed to investigate the association between serum phytoestrogens and odds of breast cancer among Chinese pre- and postmenopausal women.

Methods:

A total of 792 cases and 813 age-matched controls were included. Serum isoflavone (daidzein, genistein, glycitein, equol, and formononetin) and lignan (enterodiol and enterolactone) concentrations were measured using a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method.

Results:

Significant inverse associations were found between serum total soy isoflavone precursors, daidzein, genistein, formononetin, total lignans, enterodiol, enterolactone, and the odds of breast cancer in premenopausal but not postmenopausal women. For premenopausal women, the adjusted odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) for the highest versus the lowest serum concentration groups were 0.60 (0.41-0.87) for total soy isoflavones precursors, 0.64 (0.44-0.93) for daidzein, 0.62 (0.43-0.90) for genistein, 0.49 (0.35-0.68) for formononetin, 0.38 (0.25-0.57) for total lignans, 0.49 (0.33-0.73) for enterodiol, and 0.49 (0.33-0.74) for enterolactone. However, the interaction between serum phytoestrogens and menopausal status on odds of breast cancer was statistically significant only for daidzein. No significant association was found between serum equol or gycitein and the odds of breast cancer among either pre- or postmenopausal women.

Conclusions:

Higher levels of certain serum isoflavones and lignans were associated with reduced odds of breast cancer in premenopausal women, but the interaction was statistically significant only for daidzein.
Association of Empiric Antibiotic Regimen Discordance With 30-Day Mortality in Neonatal and Pediatric Bloodstream Infection—A Global Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Cook Aislinn , Hsia Yingfen , Russell Neal , Sharland Mike , Cheung Kaman , Grimwood Keith , Cross Jack , Cotrim da Cunha Denise , Magalhães Gloria Regina , Renk Hanna , Hindocha Avni , McMaster Paddy , Okomo Uduak , Darboe Saffiatou , Alvarez-Uria Gerardo , Jinka Dasaratha R. , Murki Srinivas , Kandraju Hemasree , Dharmapalan Dhanya , Esposito Susanna , Bianchini Sonia , Fukuoka Kahoru , Aizawa Yuta , Jimenez-Juarez Rodolfo Norberto , Ojeda-Diezbarroso Karla , Pirš Mateja , Rožič Mojca , Anugulruengkitt Suvaporn , Jantarabenjakul Watsamon , Cheng Ching-Lan , Jian Bai-Xiu , Spyridakis Evangelos , Zaoutis Theoklis , Bielicki Julia
Published: January 2021

Background:

While there have been studies in adults reporting discordant empiric antibiotic treatment associated with poor outcomes, this area is relatively unexplored in children and neonates despite evidence of increasing resistance to recommended first-line treatment regimens.

Methods:

Patient characteristics, antibiotic treatment, microbiology, and 30-day all-cause outcome from children <18 years with blood-culture-confirmed bacterial bloodstream infections (BSI) were collected anonymously using REDCap™ through the Global Antibiotic Prescribing and Resistance in Neonates and Children network from February 2016 to February 2017. Concordance of early empiric antibiotic treatment was determined using European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing interpretive guidelines. The relationship between concordance of empiric regimen and 30-day mortality was investigated using multivariable regression.

Results:

Four hundred fifty-two children with blood-culture-positive BSI receiving early empiric antibiotics were reported by 25 hospitals in 19 countries. Sixty percent (273/452) were under the age of 2 years. S. aureus, E. coli, and Klebsiella spp. were the most common isolates, and there were 158 unique empiric regimens prescribed. Fifteen percent (69/452) of patients received a discordant regimen, and 7.7% (35/452) died. Six percent (23/383) of patients with concordant regimen died compared with 17.4% (12/69) of patients with discordant regimen. Adjusting for age, sex, presence of comorbidity, unit type, hospital-acquired infections, and Gram stain, the odds of 30-day mortality were 2.9 (95% confidence interval: 1.2–7.0; P = 0.015) for patients receiving discordant early empiric antibiotics.

Conclusions:

Odds of mortality in confirmed pediatric BSI are nearly 3-fold higher for patients receiving a discordant early empiric antibiotic regimen. The impact of improved concordance of early empiric treatment on mortality, particularly in critically ill patients, needs further evaluation.
Guideline of the guidelines: urolithiasis
Authors: Quhal Fahad , Seitz Christian
Published: January 2021

Purpose of review

We reviewed the latest guidelines on urolithiasis to highlight the commonalities and differences in the most important recommendations.

Recent findings

Most guidelines utilize systematic review of literature and grade evidence to generate the appropriate recommendations and statements. Only the latest versions of guidelines were included in this review.

Four national and international guidelines were included in this review, including those of the EAU (European Association of Urology), the AUA (American Urological Association)/ES (Endourological Society), the UAA (Urological Association of Asia) and the NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) guidelines. There are general similarities in the most important recommendations. The EAU guidelines provide the latest evidence updates.
Aeromicrobium terrae sp. nov., isolated from a maize field
Authors: Lin Shih-Yao , Tsai Chia-Fang , Hameed Asif , Young Chiu-Chung
Published: January 2021

A polyphasic taxonomic approach was used to characterize a Gram-stain-positive bacterium, designated strain CC-CFT486T, isolated from soil sampled in a maize field in Taiwan. Cells of strain CC-CFT486T were short rods, motile with polar flagella, catalase-positive and oxidase-positive. Optimal growth occurred at 30 °С, pH 8 and 1 % NaCl. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA genes revealed a distinct taxonomic position attained by strain CC-CFT486T associated with

Aeromicrobium panacisoli

(97.0 % sequence identity),

Aeromicrobium lacus

(97.0 %),

Aeromicrobium erythreum

(96.8 %) and

Aeromicrobium alkaliterrae

(96.8 %), and lower sequence similarity values to other species. Average nucleotide identity (ANI) values were 70.6–77.8 % (n=11) compared within the type strains of the genus

Aeromicrobium

. Strain CC-CFT486T contained C16 : 0, C17 : 0, C17 : 1
 ω8c and C18 : 1
 ω9c as the predominant fatty acids. The polar lipid profile consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol, two unidentified aminophospholipids and three unknown phospholipids. The cell wall peptidoglycan of strains CC-CFT486T contained ll-diaminopimelic acid (ll-DAP) and the major polyamine was spermidine. The DNA G+C content was 70.6 mol% and the predominant quinone was menaquinone 9 (MK-9). Based on its distinct phylogenetic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic traits together with results of comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence and ANI analyses, strain CC-CFT486T is proposed to represent a novel

Aeromicrobium

species, for which the name Aeromicrobium terrae sp. nov. (type strain CC-CFT486T=BCRC 81217T=JCM 33499T).
Newcastle disease virus induced ferroptosis through p53-SLC7A11-GPX4 axis mediated nutrient deprivation in tumor cells
Authors: Kan Xianjin , Yin Yuncong , Song Cuiping , Tan Lei , Qiu Xusheng , Liao Ying , Liu Weiwei , Meng Songshu , Sun Yingjie , Ding Chan
Published: January 2021

A number of new cell death processes have been discovered in recent years, including ferroptosis, which is characterized by the accumulation of lipid peroxidation products derived from iron metabolism. The evidence suggests that ferroptosis has a tumor-suppressor function. However, the mechanism by which ferroptosis mediates the response of tumor cells to oncolytic viruses remains poorly understood. Newcastle disease virus can selectively replicate in tumor cells. We show that NDV-induced ferroptosis acts through p53-SLC7A11-GPX4 pathway. The expression of tumor suppressor gene p53 increased after NDV infection, and the expressions of SLC7A11 and SLC3A2 were down-regulated, leading to the inhibition of glutathione synthesis and a decrease in glutathione peroxidase 4 expression. The chemical compound erastin, which induces ferroptosis, also down-regulated glutathione synthase expression and caused lipid peroxide accumulation and cell death. Meanwhile, the levels of intracellular reactive oxygen species and lipid peroxides increased in tumor cells. Ferritinophagy was induced by NDV promotion of ferroptosis through the release of ferrous iron and an enhanced Fenton reaction. Collectively, these observations demonstrated that NDV can kill tumor cells through ferroptosis. Our study provides novel insights into the mechanisms of NDV-induced ferroptosis and highlights the critical role of viruses in treating therapy-resistant cancers.
Spatial Clustering of CD68+ Tumor Associated Macrophages with Tumor Cells is Associated with Worse Overall Survival in Metastatic Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Chakiryan Nicholas H , Kimmel Gregory J , Kim Youngchul , Hajiran Ali , Aydin Ahmet M , Zemp Logan , Katende Esther , Nguyen Jonathan , Lopez-Blanco Neale , Chahoud Jad , Spiess Philippe E , Fournier Michelle , Dhillon Jasreman , Wang Liang , Moran-Segura Carlos , El-Kenawi Asmaa , Mulé James , Altrock Philipp M , Manley Brandon J
Published: January 2021

Immune infiltration is typically quantified using cellular density, not accounting for cellular clustering. Tumor-associated macrophages (TAM) activate oncogenic signaling through paracrine interactions with tumor cells, which may be better reflected by local cellular clustering than global density metrics. Using multiplex immunohistochemistry and digital pathologic analysis we quantified cellular density and cellular clustering for myeloid cell markers in 129 regions of interest from 55 samples from 35 patients with metastatic ccRCC. CD68+ cells were found to be clustered with tumor cells and dispersed from stromal cells, while CD163+ and CD206+ cells were found to be clustered with stromal cells and dispersed from tumor cells. CD68+ density was not associated with OS, while high tumor/CD68+ cell clustering was associated with significantly worse OS. These novel findings would not have been identified if immune infiltrate was assessed using cellular density alone, highlighting the importance of including spatial analysis in studies of immune cell infiltration of tumors.

SIGNIFICANCE

Increased clustering of CD68+ TAMs and tumor cells was associated with worse overall survival for patients with metastatic ccRCC. This effect would not have been identified if immune infiltrate was assessed using cell density alone, highlighting the importance of including spatial analysis in studies of immune cell infiltration of tumors.
The development and neuronal complexity of bipinnaria larvae of the sea starAsterias rubens
Authors: Carter Hugh F. , Thompson Jeffrey R. , Elphick Maurice R. , Oliveri Paola
Published: January 2021

Free-swimming planktonic larvae are a key stage in the development of many marine phyla, and studies of these organisms have contributed to our understanding of major genetic and evolutionary processes. Although transitory, these larvae often attain a remarkable degree of tissue complexity, with well-defined musculature and nervous systems. Amongst the best studied are larvae belonging to the phylum Echinodermata, but with work largely focused on the pleuteus larvae of sea urchins (class Echinoidea). The greatest diversity of larval strategies amongst echinoderms is found in the class Asteroidea (sea-stars), organisms that are rapidly emerging as experimental systems for genetic and developmental studies. However, the bipinnaria larvae of sea stars have only been studied in detail in a small number of species and the full complexity of the nervous system is, in particular, poorly understood. Here we have analysed embryonic development and bipinnaria larval anatomy in the common North Atlantic sea-starAsterias rubens, employing use of a variety of staining methods in combination with confocal microscopy. Importantly, the complexity of the nervous system of bipinnaria larvae was revealed in greater detail than ever before, with identification of at least three centres of neuronal complexity: the anterior apical organ, oral region and ciliary bands. Furthermore, the anatomy of the musculature and sites of cell division in bipinnaria larvae were analysed. Comparisons of developmental progression and molecular anatomy across the Echinodermata provided a basis for hypotheses on the shared evolutionary and developmental processes that have shaped this group of animals. We conclude that bipinnaria larvae appear to be remarkably conserved across ~200 million years of evolutionary time and may represent a strong evolutionary and/or developmental constraint for species utilizing this larval strategy.
The “long term” as an instrument for deploying neoliberalism: the case of the myth of long-term compensation
Authors: Chakhovich Terhi
Published: January 2021

Purpose

This study locates one surprisingly powerful ally of neoliberalism enabling its proliferation in certain contexts, the discursive notion of the “long term” (LT). Earlier literature has shown that neoliberalism is concerned with investors' decision-making that has been claimed to be based on LT forecasts. This research explains this focus on the “long term.”

Design/methodology/approach

Share-based compensation (SBC) is investigated in one case company. The data consist of interviews with executives, board members, analysts and owners and also of archival data on the executives' performance measurement and compensation.

Findings

Much research equates “share-based compensation” with “long-term compensation,” and the present study terms this relation “the myth of long-term compensation.” It is demonstrated that multiple features of share-based plans, characteristics of the management in question and contextual factors of the company and its governance tie in with the time orientation of such compensation. Multiple contradictions and irregularities in the literature on SBC are analyzed, undermining the claim that SBC is invariably LT oriented. Relying on Barthes' work, the study illustrates how LT SBC is a myth contributing to the ideology of neoliberalism.

Research limitations/implications

It is proposed that the terms “share-based compensation” and “long term” be distinguished from each other for analytical and practical purposes. SBC, and thus neoliberalism, can sometimes be linked to the short term.

Originality/value

“Long term” is illustrated as a significant instrument for deploying ideologies.
The impact of board characteristics on corporate investment decisions: an empirical study
Authors: Agyei-Mensah Ben Kwame
Published: January 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the influence of board characteristics on firms’ investment decisions.

Design Methodology Approach

The study used data sourced from annual reports of firms listed on the Ghana Stock Exchange from 2014 to 2018. Descriptive analysis was performed to provide the background statistics of the variables examined. This was followed by a regression analysis which forms the main data analysis.

Findings

The multiple regression analysis results indicated that the proportion of independent directors and financial experts on the board are negatively related to firm investment. These findings imply that independent directors and financial experts on the board can help firms reduce overinvestment and improve investment efficiency.

Originality Value

The extant literature shows that the board of directors are an effective mechanism to reduce agency problems in firm decisions and operating performance. However, there has been little research on the role of the board of directors in corporate investment policy.
Increasing production efficiency through the reduction of transportation activities and time using 4D BIM simulations
Authors: Pérez Cristina Toca , Bastos Costa Dayana
Published: January 2021

Purpose

This paper proposes to apply the lean philosophy principle of minimizing or eliminating non-value adding activities combined with 4D building information modeling (BIM) simulations to reduce transportation waste in construction production processes.

Design/methodology/approach

This study adopts design science research (DSR) because of its prescriptive character to produce innovative constructions (artifacts) to solve real-world problems. The artifact proposed is a set of constructs for evaluating the utility of 4D BIM simulations for transportation waste reduction. The authors performed two learning cycles using empirical studies in projects A, B and C. The construction process of cast-in-place (CIP) reinforcement concrete (RC) was selected to demonstrate and evaluate 4D BIM's utility. The empirical studies focused on understanding the current transportation waste, collecting actual performance data during job site visits and demonstrating the usage of 4D BIM.

Findings

In the first cycle, 4D BIM successfully allowed users to understand the CIP-RC process's transportation activities, which were modeled. In the second cycle, 4D BIM enabled better decision-making processes concerning the definitions of strategies for placing reusable formworks for CIP concrete walls by planning transportation activities.

Practical implications

In Cycle 2, three different scenarios were simulated to identify the most suitable formwork assembly planning, and the results were compared to the real situations identified during the job site visits. The scenario chosen demonstrated that the 4D BIM simulation yielded an 18.75% cycle time reduction. In addition, the simulation contributed to a decrease in transportation waste that was previously identified.

Originality/value

The original contribution of this paper is the use of 4D BIM simulation for managing non-value adding activities to reduce transportation waste. The utility of 4D BIM for the reduction of those conflicts considered three constructs: (1) the capacity to improve transportation activity efficiency, (2) the capacity to improve construction production efficiency and (3) the capacity to reduce transportation waste consequences.
Exploring the use of social media sites for health professionals' engagement and productivity in public sector hospitals
Authors: Naeem Muhammad , Ozuem Wilson
Published: January 2021

Purpose

Competitive pressure and social influence for technology adoption have increased among developed, developing and emerging countries. The influence of social structure, organizational forces and political forces varies between public sector hospitals in countries where there are more social media restrictions. This study aims to explore how the use of social media can influence employee engagement and productivity in the workplaces of public sector hospitals.

Design/methodology/approach

The study follows a social constructivist approach to understand employee attitudes, motivation culture, political forces and the local context. Data were collected from health professionals of five public sector hospitals using a non-directive and semi-structured interview method.

Findings

The results show that the use of social media sites has increased collaboration, coordination and cooperation among health professionals, especially in critical situations. They are more socialized, connected and engaged, thus helping them to exchange useful knowledge using instant messaging apps. Conversely, there are no organizational polices and specific laws and too little support from management and senior doctors to drive the use of social networking sites in public hospitals. The use of social media has enhanced health professionals' engagement and productivity as they are able to share their expertise, knowledge and information with their colleagues and subordinates.

Research limitations/implications

The results can guide policy-makers, researchers, hospitals, doctors and the Ministry of Health about the positive use of social networking sites in the workplace. The positive use of social networking sites in the workplace can enhance information, knowledge and coordination which may help to enhance employee engagement and productivity.

Originality/value

The present study has provided a social media health organization workplace (SMHOW) model which explains how individual and organizational contexts can influence the actual use of social media in healthcare organizations.
Role of river stage in characterization of phreatic line
Authors: Kumar Vikram , Granthi Srivastava
Published: January 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to understand the basics of interactions of groundwater and surface water, which is needed for effective management of water resources.

Design/methodology/approach

The experimental setup was framed using curved flume and the straight flume, which simulates the model of river and groundwater storage, respectively. The model set up further consists, downstream, central and upstream sections where 14 observation wells, which are arranged at a measured distance from the canal side.

Findings

Exit gradient is higher at downstream when the average head differences between canal and river are 31.9 cm and 35.7 cm. Free seepage height is more in the downstream wells than upstream and central wells. At the downstream section, there is a greater chance of instability of the riverbank.

Research limitations/implications

Results will be used for better planning of hydraulic structural design.

Practical implications

Results will help in storing the large water and better irrigation planning for the water acute states and locations.

Originality/value

The originality is own developed physical model and its own first type to understand the basic of interaction and effects.
Gender in sustainability research: Inclusion, intersectionality, and patterns of knowledge production
Authors: Khalikova Venera R. , Jin Mushan , Chopra Shauhrat S.
Published: January 2021

This cross‐disciplinary study examines gender inclusion and intersectionality in the knowledge production of sustainability research. Building on studies of gender inclusion as essential for quality research, we develop a three‐step framework that analyzes the socio‐demographic profile of researchers (sustainability by whom?), key research trajectories (sustainability of what?), and beneficiaries of sustainability research (sustainability for whom?). Our methods include a survey and a bibliometric analysis. The survey was administered at the joint conference of the International Society for Industrial Ecology and the International Symposium on Sustainable Systems and Technology in 2017. The survey results show gendered differences in collaboration patterns. The survey results also indicated a good level of gender inclusion among the experts in this field, but the bibliometric analysis showed that gender issues remain marginal in the studies of industrial ecology. In contrast to industrial ecology, we found increasing attention to gender in other areas of sustainability research (climate change, corporate social responsibility, food production, resource management, energy policy, and environmental behavior and education), but even there, “gender” tends to be equated with “women” in traditional gender roles, ignoring the role of intersectionality—the intersection of gender with income, age, and other demographic characteristics. Therefore, this study makes recommendations to approach gender critically, by using theoretical lenses from gender studies scholarship (i.e., gender as a constructed, intersectional, dynamic category). We show how these lenses enable better assessments of the environmental impacts of industrial processes on people of diverse backgrounds in the context of changing patterns of work and consumption.
Dynamic evaluation of an in vivo postinflammatory hyperpigmentation model using reflectance confocal microscopy and spectrophotometry
Authors: Zhao Juemin , Liu Ziqi , Zhang Chengfeng , Wu Jiaqiang , Huang Nan , Du Yaping , Xiang Leihong
Published: January 2021

Background

Postinflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) reflects a dynamic process from primary injury and cutaneous inflammation to subsequent melanogenesis and hyperpigmentation, of which pathogenesis remains unclear, hindering the development of targeted therapies.

Aims

To observe the dynamic development of PIH; determine the starting point and peak point of the inflammatory phase and pigmentary phase; and clarify the timing of anti‐inflammatory and anti‐pigmentary treatment.

Methods

Thirty healthy volunteers with Fitzpatrick skin types III‐IV were enrolled and underwent suction blisters. The noninvasive evaluation of inflammation and hyperpigmentation on suction blister sites were performed via spectrophotometry (CM2600d and SIAscope) and RCM for the following 24 weeks.

Results

We successfully observed suction blister‐induced PIH lasting over 24 weeks. The inflammatory phase started soon after the procedure and lasted for 8‐12 weeks, manifested by significantly elevated a* values and erythema index detected by spectrophotometry, as well as inflammatory infiltration and angiogenesis shown in RCM images. Meanwhile, melanogenesis was accelerated after week 3 and reached peak on week 8, manifested by significantly accumulated melanin granules and bright pigment rings in different depths under RCM, which was in parallel with elevated melanin index. The darkening skin tone in PIH actually presented a mixture of inflammatory erythema, angiogenesis, and hyperpigmentation. The inflammation and pigmentation phases of PIH were not sequential but partially overlap.

Conclusion

The duration of suction blister‐induced PIH is more than 24 weeks. The inflammatory phase partially overlaps with the pigmentary phase, and those drugs with anti‐inflammatory and anti‐pigmentary dual effects are potential choices.
Indication of a reduction in the cover of thin‐leaved plants in Danish grasslands over an eight‐year period
Authors: Damgaard Christian
Published: January 2021

Question

According to leaf economics spectrum theory, the historic changes in several environmental factors, e.g. land use and nitrogen deposition, are expected to lead to selection of a change in the relative proportion of thin‐leaved and thick‐leaved plant species. However, it is generally unknown how fast plant communities respond to environmental changes.

Location

Denmark.

Methods

Time‐series analysis of Danish grassland pin‐point plant cover data from an eight‐year period.

Results

Across four grassland habitat types, the cover of thin‐leaved plants was found to decrease significantly, but generally only limited trait selection was observed on leaf traits (specific leaf area [SLA] and leaf dry matter content [LDMC]). The mostly negative result may partly be due to the relatively conservative analysis, where the continuous plant trait variables are used for grouping plant species into functional types, which are then treated as dependent variables. This method was chosen in order to account for the sampling process of the vegetation data and is in contrast to most other analyses of trait selection, where it is the community‐weighted mean of the traits that is used as the dependent variable.

Conclusions

Only limited leaf trait selection was observed in semi‐natural grasslands that was not subjected to successional processes.
Apathy symptoms increase the risk of dementia conversion: a case‐matching cohort study on patients with post‐stroke mild cognitive impairment in China
Authors: Zhao Jiayi , Jin Xianglan , Chen Baoxin , Fu Chen , Ji Shaozhen , Shen Wei , Wei Jingjing , Zheng Hong , Zhang Yunling
Published: January 2021

Background

Apathy is a neuropsychiatric symptom frequently observed in patients with cognitive impairment. It has been found to be a predictor of conversion from mild cognitive impairment (MCI) to dementia of Alzheimer disease type. However, this association between apathy and dementia conversion has not yet been confirmed in vascular MCI, especially post‐stroke MCI. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether apathy would increase the risk of dementia conversion in patients with post‐stroke MCI after 6 months.

Method

A prospective multi‐centre cohort study was performed in 14 clinics in seven provinces and cities of China. A total of 989 subjects were included 2 weeks to 6 months after stroke, and met the diagnostic criteria of International Working Group for MCI. Symptoms of apathy were assessed using the apathy subscale of Geriatric Depression Scale. Subjects were divided into an apathy group (n = 128) and a non‐apathy group (n = 861). The primary outcome was the dementia conversion after 6 months. To eliminate potential biases, subjects were chosen from 861 non‐apathy patients with similarity in seven potential predictors of cognitive impairment to match with the apathy group (n = 128) at a 1:1 ratio, as a matched non‐apathy group (n = 128). The dementia conversion rate was compared between the apathy group (n = 128) and its correspondingly matched non‐apathy group (n = 128), and the relative risk (RR) was calculated.

Results

The prevalence of apathy in post‐stroke MCI was 12.9%. After 6 months, 5.2% of patients with post‐stroke MCI converted to dementia. The dementia conversion rate of the apathy group was significantly higher than that of the non‐apathy group before case‐matching (17.2% vs 3.4%, P < 0.001), and also after case‐matching (17.2% vs 6.3%, P < 0.001). Symptoms of apathy increased the risk of conversion from MCI to dementia (RR 2.75, 95% CI 1.272–5.947, P < 0.001).

Conclusions

For patients with post‐stroke MCI, apathy symptoms increase the risk of conversion from MCI to dementia.
Nonlinear crosstalk in broadband multi-channel echosounders
Authors: Khodabandeloo Babak , Ona Egil , Macaulay Gavin J. , Korneliussen Rolf
Published: January 2021

Distortion of acoustic wave caused by nonlinear propagation transfers acoustic energy into higher harmonics of the transmitted signal. When operating several broadband echosounders with non-overlapping frequency bands to cover a wide frequency range, higher harmonics generated by one band may interfere with the fundamental band of others. This interference (i.e., crosstalk) can adversely affect the measured backscattered amplitude frequency response and in some circumstances, appears as spurious targets above and/or below the main target in pulse-compressed echograms. The nonlinear propagation of frequency-modulated acoustic waves in a directional beam was modeled and used to assess methods to reduce the deleterious effects of harmonic components in the signal, and was also compared to field experiments using the seabed echo and a metallic target sphere, with good agreement. Two methods are shown to materially reduce crosstalk: (1) reduction in transmit power, which reduces crosstalk amplitude by a larger amount than the associated reduction in transmit power, and (2) selection of a proper Fourier window length in the processing stage. The effect of crosstalk was small (<0.4 dB or 10%) for area backscattering measurements, but could be several dB for target strength measurements at different frequencies, depending on the transmit signals and processing parameters.
Physics-based characterization of soft marine sediments using vector sensors
Authors: Godin Oleg A. , Deal Thomas J. , Dong Hefeng
Published: January 2021

In a 2007 experiment conducted in the northern North Sea, observations of a low-frequency seismo-acoustic wave field with a linear horizontal array of vector sensors located on the seafloor revealed a strong, narrow peak around 38 Hz in the power spectra and a presence of multi-mode horizontally and vertically polarized interface waves with phase speeds between 45 and 350 m/s. Dispersion curves of the interface waves exhibit piece-wise linear dependences between the logarithm of phase speed and logarithm of frequency with distinct slopes at large and small phase speeds, which suggests a seabed with a power-law shear speed dependence in two distinct sediment layers. The power spectrum peak is interpreted as a manifestation of a seismo-acoustic resonance. A simple geoacoustic model with a few free parameters is derived that quantitatively reproduces the key features of the observations. This article's approach to the inverse problem is guided by a theoretical analysis of interface wave dispersion and resonance reflection of compressional waves in soft marine sediments containing two or more layers of different composition. Combining data from various channels of the vector sensors is critical for separating waves of different polarizations and helps to identify various arrivals, check consistency of inversions, and evaluate sediment density.
A Maximal Rowing Ergometer Protocol to Predict Maximal Oxygen Uptake
Authors: Jensen Kurt , Frydkjær Morten , Jensen Niels M.B. , Bannerholt Lucas M. , Gam Søren
Published: January 2021

Purpose: To examine the relationship between the maximal power output (MPO) in an individualized 7 × 2-minute incremental (INCR) test, average power in a 2k (W2k) rowing ergometer test, and maximal oxygen uptake () and to develop a regression equation to predict . Methods: A total of 34 male club rowers (age 18–30 y) performed a 2k and an INCR test in a Concept2 rowing ergometer to determine and compare MPO, W2k, and . Results: No significant difference was found between measured during INCR or 2k test (P = .73). A very high correlation coefficient (r = .96) was found between MPO and and between W2k and (r = .93). Linear regression analyses were developed for predicting from MPO: (1)  (mL·min−1) = 11.49 × MPO + 810 and from W2k: (2)  = 10.96 × W2k + 1168. Cross-validation analyses were performed using an independent sample of 14 rowers. There was no difference between the mean predicted in the INCR test (4.41 L·min−1) or the 2k test (4.39 L·min−1) and the observed (4.40 L·min−1). Technical error of measurement was 3.1% and 3.6%, standard error of estimate was 0.136 and 0.157 mL·min−1, and validation coefficients (r) were .95 and .94 using Equation (1) and (2), respectively. Conclusion: A prediction model only including MPO or W2k explains 88% to 90% of the variability in and is suggested for practical use in male club rowers.
Nature versus Nurture: Assessing the Impact of Strain Diversity and Pregrowth Conditions on Salmonella enterica, Escherichia coli, and
Listeria
Species Growth and Survival on Selected Produce Items
Authors: Harrand Anna Sophia , Guariglia-Oropeza Veronica , Skeens Jordan , Kent David , Wiedmann Martin
Published: January 2021

Our findings suggest that inclusion of multiple pregrowth conditions in inoculation studies can best capture the range of growth and survival patterns expected for
Salmonella enterica
and
Escherichia coli
present on produce. This is particularly important for fresh and fresh-cut produce, where stress conditions encountered by pathogens prior to contamination can vary widely, making selection of a typical pregrowth condition virtually impossible.
Discovery and Functional Analysis of a Salicylic Acid Hydroxylase from Aspergillus niger
Authors: Lubbers Ronnie J. M. , Dilokpimol Adiphol , Visser Jaap , Hildén Kristiina S. , Mäkelä Miia R. , de Vries Ronald P.
Published: January 2021

Nonrenewable petroleum sources are being depleted, and therefore, alternative sources are needed. Plant biomass is one of the most abundant renewable sources on Earth and is efficiently degraded by fungi.
Characterization of a Four-Component Regulatory System Controlling Bacteriocin Production in Streptococcus gallolyticus
Authors: Proutière Alexis , du Merle Laurence , Périchon Bruno , Varet Hugo , Gominet Myriam , Trieu-Cuot Patrick , Dramsi Shaynoor
Published: January 2021

Streptococcus gallolyticus
subsp.
gallolyticus
, formerly known as
Streptococcus bovis
biotype I, is an opportunistic pathogen causing septicemia and endocarditis in the elderly often associated with asymptomatic colonic neoplasia. Recent studies indicate that
S. gallolyticus
subsp.
gallolyticus
is both a driver and a passenger of colorectal cancer.
Identification of Nasal Gammaproteobacteria with Potent Activity against Staphylococcus aureus: Novel Insights into the “Noncarrier” State
Authors: Cole Amy L. , Sundar Meera , Lopez Ana , Forsman Anna , Yooseph Shibu , Cole Alexander M.
Published: January 2021

Nasal carriage of
Staphylococcus aureus
is a risk factor for infection, but it is not yet understood why some individuals carry nasal
S. aureus
persistently, intermittently, or seemingly not at all when tested via culture methods. This study compared the nasal microbiomes of established
S. aureus
carriers and noncarriers, identified species associated with noncarriage, and tested them for anti-
S. aureus
activity using assays developed to model the nutrient-limited nasal mucosa.
Hospital readmission among people experiencing homelessness in England: a cohort study of 2772 matched homeless and housed inpatients
Authors: Lewer Dan , Menezes Dee , Cornes Michelle , Blackburn Ruth M , Byng Richard , Clark Michael , Denaxas Spiros , Evans Hannah , Fuller James , Hewett Nigel , Kilmister Alan , Luchenski Serena April , Manthorpe Jill , McKee Martin , Neale Joanne , Story Alistair , Tinelli Michela , Whiteford Martin , Wurie Fatima , Yavlinsky Alexei , Hayward Andrew , Aldridge Robert
Published: January 2021

Background

Inpatients experiencing homelessness are often discharged to unstable accommodation or the street, which may increase the risk of readmission.

Methods

We conducted a cohort study of 2772 homeless patients discharged after an emergency admission at 78 hospitals across England between November 2013 and November 2016. For each individual, we selected a housed patient who lived in a socioeconomically deprived area, matched on age, sex, hospital, and year of discharge. Counts of emergency readmissions, planned readmissions, and Accident and Emergency (A&E) visits post-discharge were derived from national hospital databases, with a median of 2.8 years of follow-up. We estimated the cumulative incidence of readmission over 12 months, and used negative binomial regression to estimate rate ratios.

Results

After adjusting for health measured at the index admission, homeless patients had 2.49 (95% CI 2.29 to 2.70) times the rate of emergency readmission, 0.60 (95% CI 0.53 to 0.68) times the rate of planned readmission and 2.57 (95% CI 2.41 to 2.73) times the rate of A&E visits compared with housed patients. The 12-month risk of emergency readmission was higher for homeless patients (61%, 95% CI 59% to 64%) than housed patients (33%, 95% CI 30% to 36%); and the risk of planned readmission was lower for homeless patients (17%, 95% CI 14% to 19%) than for housed patients (30%, 95% CI 28% to 32%). While the risk of emergency readmission varied with the reason for admission for housed patients, for example being higher for admissions due to cancers than for those due to accidents, the risk was high across all causes for homeless patients.

Conclusions

Hospital patients experiencing homelessness have high rates of emergency readmission that are not explained by health. This highlights the need for discharge arrangements that address their health, housing and social care needs.
After the bell: adolescents’ organised leisure-time activities and well-being in the context of social and socioeconomic inequalities
Authors: Badura Petr , Hamrik Zdenek , Dierckens Maxim , Gobiņa Inese , Malinowska-Cieślik Marta , Furstova Jana , Kopcakova Jaroslava , Pickett William
Published: January 2021

Background

Previous research has linked adolescents’ participation in organised leisure-time activities (OLTAs) to better health and well-being. It remains unclear whether these associations can be observed consistently across social and socioeconomic strata and countries.

Methods

The present study used nine nationally representative samples of adolescents aged 11, 13 and 15 years (total n=55 429) from the 2017/2018 Health Behaviour in School-aged Children survey from Europe and Canada. Regression models with mixed effects to account for nested nature of data were applied to estimate: (1) the associations of social and socioeconomic factors with OLTA participation; (2) strengths of the associations between breadth and pattern of OLTA participation with health and well-being indicators, after adjustment for the social and socioeconomic factors.

Results

Rates of OLTA participation varied by age, sex and country of adolescents. Participants from lower socioeconomic classes and non-nuclear families were less likely to participate in OLTAs across each of the nine countries. Moreover, breadth of OLTA participation was associated with higher well-being independent of socioeconomic status or family structure. All of the participation patterns were associated with higher life satisfaction, but sports (either alone or in combination with a non-sport OLTA) were also associated with fewer psychological complaints and excellent self-rated health.

Conclusion

Adolescents’ engagement in OLTAs was associated with adolescents’ subjective well-being regardless of country, age, sex and variance in social and socioeconomic factors. Policies aimed at increasing adolescents’ subjective well-being and OLTA participation should focus on adolescents from low socioeconomic classes and non-nuclear families.
Justifying risk-related standards of capacity via autonomy alone
Authors: Graber Abraham
Published: January 2021

The debate over risk-related standards of decisional capacity remains one of the most important and unresolved challenges to our understanding of the demands of informed consent. On one hand, risk-related standards benefit from significant intuitive support. On the other hand, risk-related standards appear to be committed to asymmetrical capacity—a conceptual incoherence. This latter objection can be avoided by holding that risk-related standards are the result of evidential considerations introduced by (i) the reasonable person standard and (ii) the standing assumption that patients have capacity. This evidential approach to justifying risk-related standards of capacity avoids the most significant challenges faced by extant views while grounding risk-related standards in two fairly uncontroversial views in biomedical ethics.
Longitudinal Doppler effect in de Sitter expanding universe
Authors: Cotăescu Ion I.
Published: January 2021

A new redshift formula is obtained considering the longitudinal Doppler effect in the de Sitter expanding universe where the relative geodesic motion is governed by the Lorentzian isometries of our new de Sitter relativity [I. I. Cotăescu, Eur. Phys. J. C 77, 485 (2017)]. This formula combines in a nontrivial manner the well-known cosmological contribution given by Lamaître’s law with that of the relative motion of the source with respect to a fixed observer as in de Sitter relativity instead of special relativity. Other related quantities as the dispersion relation, the propagation time of the photon and the real distance between the source and observer at the moment of observation are discussed pointing out their specific features in the de Sitter relativity.
Uniformly Bootstrapped Cable for the Key Distribution System Using Resistors and Noise Sources
Authors: Liu Pao-Lo
Published: January 2021

Waveguide analysis indicates that a triaxial cable with uniform bootstrapping is a transmission line with an adjustable characteristic impedance. When the bootstrapping level is high, the characteristic impedance is high. The cable capacitance is reduced while the cable inductance is increased. Simulations confirm that the transmission-line circuit and the lumped-element circuit, including the mutual inductance, generate the same results for the key distribution system using resistors and noise sources.