bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Relationship between vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), soluble receptor for advanced glycation end products (sRAGE) and functional hemodynamic parameters of arteriovenous fistula
Authors: Ticala Maria , Rusu Crina Claudia , Moldovan Diana , Potra Alina Ramona , Tirinescu Dacian Calin , Coman Anca Laura , Bondor Cosmina Ioana , Budisan Livia , Kacso Ina Maria
Published: December 2020

Background:

The preferred vascular access for hemodialysis is represented by arteriovenous fistula (AVF) due to fewer complications and more prolonged survival. Considerable efforts have been made to identify biomarkers associated with AVF dysfunction, but results are conflicting. Vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM-1) and advanced glycation end products are involved in atherogenesis, vascular calcification, peripheral artery disease, and neointimal hyperplasia in renal and non-renal patients. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether there is an association between VCAM-1, soluble receptor for advanced glycation end products (sRAGE), NcarboxymethylLysine (CML), and arteriovenous fistula dysfunction (AVF).

Methods:

VCAM-1, sRAGE, and CML were performed using the ELISA technique in 88 HD patients. Ultrasound assessment of AVF reports brachial artery blood flow (Qa), brachial resistivity index (RI), presence of calcification, and the diameter. AVF dysfunction was defined as a brachial artery Qa ⩽ 500 ml/min or RI ⩾ 0.5.

Results:

The median level of VCAM-1 [2676.5(2206.8–4203.9) versus 2613.2(1885.7–3161.8), p 0.026] was significantly higher in patients with AVF dysfunction compared to the rest of the patients. sRAGE and CML were higher in this group but without statistical significance. In patients with AVF dysfunction, significant positive correlations were found between VCAM-1and sRAGE ( r = 0.417, p = 0.001), RI ( r = 0.313, p = 0.046), dialysis vintage ( r = 0.540, p < 0.001), AVF vintage ( r = 0.336, p = 0.032), intima-media thickness ( r = 0.423, p = 0.006) and C-reactive protein ( r = 0.315, p = 0.045). VCAM-1 correlated inversely with cholesterol ( r = −0.312, p = 0.047), triglycerides ( r = −0.358, p = 0.021), body mass index ( r = −0.388, p = 0.012). In multivariate regression analysis, VCAM-1 ( p = 0.013) and sRAGE ( p = 0.01) remained significant predictors of RI and Qa. Logistic regression disclosed calcification, VCAM-1, as risks factors for AVF dysfunction.

Conclusion:

The results we obtained showed that patients with AVF dysfunction had a significantly higher level of VCAM-l. A positive correlation between VCAM-1 and sRAGE was identified in this group.
Physical health needs and self-reported health status among adults with autism
Authors: Turcotte Paul , Shea Lindsay
Published: December 2020

Self-reported health status is an integral method to understand how adults on the autism spectrum perceive their healthcare and service needs. The objective of the study is to examine how self-reported health changes with use and need of physical health services. The Pennsylvania autism needs assessment included a survey of adults on the autism spectrum responding for themselves. Self-reported health status change over the previous year was reported as improved, decreased, or stable. Adjusted multinomial logistic regression was used to identify characteristics of individuals who experienced decreased or improved health. A total of 1197 adults responded, with most respondents’ health remaining stable (68%). Respondents who had a decreased health status reported needing more physical health services (1.64 services) compared to respondents with stable health (1.07 services) and improved health (1.18 services). Respondents with a decreased health status had 1.23 higher odds (95% confidence interval: 1.08–1.40) of having an increase in one physical health service need as compared to those whose health remained stable. Increased physical health service needs were associated with a decreased health status. Adults on the autism spectrum can present with a complex array of needs and determining the role physical health services play in improving and maintaining health remains critical.

Lay abstract

Self-reported health can be a powerful measure of how adults with autism spectrum disorder view their overall health. The goal of this study was to determine how health statuses of adults with autism spectrum disorder change, when they are currently receiving or need more physical health services. The Pennsylvania autism needs assessment included a survey of individuals with autism aged 18 years or older responding for themselves. They indicated whether their health status changed over the previous year as improved, decreased, or remained stable. We found that most adults with autism spectrum disorder had their health remain the same (68%). We also found that adults who said their health got worse needed more physical health services, compared to those whose health remained stable, or got better. Supporting the health of adults with autism can be complex and finding out more about how physical health services play a role in that care is important.
Living life with cerebral palsy? A description of the social safety nets for individuals with cerebral palsy in the Nordic countries
Authors: Alriksson-Schmidt Ann I. , Jeglinsky Ira , Jonsdottir Gudny , Kedir Seid Abdu , Klevberg Gunvor , Buschmann Eva , Jahnsen Reidun
Published: December 2020

Aims:

This report reviews major laws, acts and regulations of social benefits and services for individuals with disabilities, focusing on cerebral palsy in the five Nordic countries. It summarizes the available benefits and services and the re-application process and provides comparative analyses among the countries.

Methods:

Published reports, articles and relevant government and municipal websites were reviewed for each respective country and used to compile an overview and comparison between the countries.

Results:

In the Nordic countries, there are a number of laws and regulations in place to support individuals with cerebral palsy and their families. In addition, there are numerous social benefits available for which individuals with disabilities can apply. Although there are national differences, the similarities across the five countries regarding laws, social benefits offered for individuals with cerebral palsy and the application processes are clear. However, the application processes seem cumbersome and, at times, redundant. Physicians and other healthcare specialists repeatedly need to write ‘medical certificates’ describing the diagnosis and its consequences for a disability that is chronic and lifelong.

Conclusions:

Participation in society for individuals with cerebral palsy disabilities can be enabled by social benefits. By extension, social benefits may indirectly have implications for public health in individuals with disabilities. Although the lives of individuals with cerebral palsy – as with others – can improve in certain areas, the need for social benefits will generally increase, not decrease, over time. Although it is clearly important to have checks and balances that prevent system misuse, it might be worthwhile from a cost-benefit perspective to investigate whether the current systems could be improved to better manage time and resources and avoid emotional distress by streamlining the application process.
Colour preference in relation to personal determinants and implications for indoor circadian luminous environment
Authors: Potočnik Jaka , Košir Mitja , Dovjak Mateja
Published: December 2020

Colour of interior surfaces has to be considered in order to provide optimal visual and non-visual performance. Colour selection is often related to the occupant's colour preferences. First part of the presented study was a questionnaire-based cross-sectional study among the employees of the University of Ljubljana conducted in December 2019 in order to identify possible association between personal determinants, room typology, preferred colour of indoor surfaces and general colour preferences. Based on the findings from the survey results, a simulation study on a generic cellular office was executed in order to evaluate the implications of occupant's wall colour preference on the resulting non-visual luminous environment under the climate of Ljubljana. Results showed a strong association between the general colour preference and wall colour preference. Significant differences between gender and age groups were identified. The respondents preferred white, orange and blue coloured walls, the latter two, as deduced from the simulations, may have a substantial negative or positive impact on the spatial distribution and duration of appropriate non-visual exposure in the indoor environment. The results of the presented study highlight the importance of considering the potential impact of indoor surface colour selection when evaluating the quality of the indoor luminous environment.
Computed Tomography Verified Prevalence of Incisional Hernia 1 Year Postoperatively after Colorectal Cancer Resection
Authors: Karlsson Niklas , Zackrisson Sophia , Buchwald Pamela
Published: December 2020

Background and objective:

Incisional hernia is a frequent negative outcome after open and minimal invasive surgery of colorectal cancer. This study aimed to determine computed tomography–verified incisional hernia prevalence 1-year post colorectal cancer surgical resection in patients sutured with standardized small stich 4:1 technique, identify risk factors for incisional hernia and assess to what extent incisional hernia required surgical correction.

Methods:

All patients subjected to resectional colorectal cancer surgery during 2012–2016 at Skåne University Hospital were identified in the Swedish Colorectal Cancer Registry. The 1-year follow-up computed tomography was re-evaluated to establish the presence of incisional hernia. Clinical data were collected from Swedish Colorectal Cancer Registry and the patients’ medical charts were reviewed. Non-parametric tests and binary logistic regression analysis were used for statistical analysis.

Results:

In total, 1744 tumors were identified resulting in 1231 patients meeting the inclusion criteria. In total, 25.9% (n = 319) had incisional hernia at the 1-year follow-up computed tomography and 13.2% (n = 162) of the colorectal cancer resections were minimal invasive surgery, and there was non-significant incisional hernia prevalence difference between open and minimal invasive surgery. However, for converted and non-converted minimal invasive surgery, the incisional hernia frequencies were 43.9% (n = 18) and 24.1% (n = 39), respectively (p = 0.012). Significant risk factors for incisional hernia were body mass index, wound rupture, and procedure time. During the follow-up time, 14.1% (n = 45) needed incisional hernia corrective surgery.

Conclusions:

Incisional hernia after colorectal cancer surgery is common despite standardized small stich 4:1 closure, but few incisional hernias are surgically corrected. Incisional hernia is equally frequent after open surgery and minimal invasive surgery. However, the risk of incisional hernia is considerably higher after minimal invasive surgery conversion.
Free vibration analysis of a composite elliptical plate made of a porous core and two piezoelectric layers
Authors: Balak Morteza , Mehrabadi Saeed Jafari , Monfared Hamid Mohseni , Feizabadi Hassan
Published: December 2020

Porous materials are used extensively to manufacture beams, plates, and shells, and have been studies from different perspectives. Composite porous plates in various shapes and dimensions have numerous industrial applications. The vibration behaviors of rectangular and circular plates have been previously studied; however, less attention has been paid to the analysis of complex configuration, such as elliptical plates. We analyzed the free vibration of composite elliptical plates, consisting of a porous core and two piezoelectric layers. The governing equations were based on the classical plate theory and Rayleigh–Ritz’s energy method. The properties of porous materials with varying thickness of the core and porosity distributions continuously undergo changes due to the intended applications and functions. The proposed theoretical functions satisfy the boundary conditions in simple and clamped forms, and with a high degree of accuracy in the frequencies. Finally, we investigated the effects of important variables, such as geometric parameters and material specifications on the natural frequencies. The results of our analyses were consistent with the findings of previous studies. Based on our vibration analyses, the most crucial factors in composite elliptical plates are geometrical parameters, material specifications, and their effects on the vibration frequencies of the proposed model.
Response analysis of hybrid functionally graded material plate subjected to thermo-electro-mechanical loading
Authors: Kumar Pawan , Harsha SP
Published: December 2020

Static and free vibration response analysis of a functionally graded piezoelectric material plate under thermal, electric, and mechanical loads is done in this study. The displacement field is acquired using the first-order shear deformation theory, and the Hamilton principle is applied to deduce the motion equations. Temperature-dependent material properties of the functionally graded material plate are used, and these properties follow the power-law distributions along the thickness direction. However, the properties of piezoelectric material layers are assumed to be independent of the electric field and temperature. Finite element formulation for the functionally graded piezoelectric material plate is done using the combined effect of mechanical and electrical loads. The effects of parameters like electrical loading, volume fraction exponent N, and temperature distribution on the static and free vibration characteristics of the functionally graded piezoelectric material square plate are analyzed and presented. Responses are obtained in terms of the centerline deflection, axial stress and the nondimensional natural frequency with various boundary conditions. It is observed that the centerline deflection and nondimensional natural frequency increases as exponent N increases. At the same time, the axial stress decreases with an increase in exponent N. The findings of the static and the free vibration analysis suggest the potential application of the functionally graded piezoelectric material plate in the piezoelectric actuator as well as for sensing deflection in bimorph.
Narrative feminist research interviewing with ‘inconvenient groups’ about sensitive topics: affect, iteration and assemblages
Authors: Fraser Heather , Taylor Nik
Published: December 2020

This article has been written for qualitative researchers inclined towards in-person, narrative interviewing with members of groups designated ‘inconvenient’ or ‘hard to reach’, about sensitive or controversial topics. The aim is to critically reflect on narrative research interviewing practices we have undertaken in Australia with (1) women who had recently survived domestic violence and had relocated with ‘their animal companions’; and (2) dairy farmers discussing challenges to their wellbeing and that of ‘their livestock’. The themes of affect, iteration and assemblages guide our discussion. Affect speaks to emotions; iteration to researchers raising prior interview content with subsequent participants; and assemblages to the process of piecing together an analysis that later appears seamless. With some caveats, we argue that (in-person) narrative interviewing has the potential to generate rapport with diverse participants that enables the production of ‘good data’, that is, data that are rich in detail but also politicised.
Investigation of influence of compact actuators on air cavity in water flow under recessed hull
Authors: Collins Jeffrey M , Matveev Konstantin I
Published: December 2020

Air cavity drag reduction is one promising method for reducing power consumption of ships. Its current practical applications are rather limited, owing largely to the fact that air cavity size and shape change drastically in response to variations in ship attitude, motions and speed, as well as sea conditions. This study explores how deployment of moveable hydrodynamic actuators near the air cavity on a small-scale simplified hull form can effectively increase the air cavity size in adverse hull positions. Experimentally investigated actuators included an adjustable plate in the front part of an air cavity, a stern spoiler, and a hydrofoil with regulated attack angle and streamwise position beneath the hull. In the cases of significant hull trims that are challenging for maintenance of long air cavities, optimal actuator placement increased cavity length by nearly 110% from its degraded state at negative trim and by 24% at positive trim. Actuator effects were more pronounced at higher water speeds.
Personal lighting conditions of office workers: An exploratory field study
Authors: van Duijnhoven J , Aarts MPJ , Kort HSM
Published: December 2020

Light enables us to see and perceive our environment but it also initiates effects beyond vision, such as alertness. Literature describes that at least six factors are relevant for initiating effects beyond vision. The exact relationship between these factors and alertness is not yet fully understood. In the current field study, personal lighting conditions of 62 Dutch office workers (aged 49.7 ± 11.4 years) were continuously measured and simultaneously self-reported activities and locations during the day were gathered via diaries. Each office worker participated 10 working days in spring 2017. Personal lighting conditions were interpreted based on four of the six factors (light quantity, spectrum, timing, and duration of light exposure). Large individual differences were found for the daily luminous exposures, illuminances, correlated colour temperatures, and irradiances measured with the blue sensor area of the dosimeter. The average illuminance (over all participants and all days) over the course of the day peaked three times. The analysis of the duration of light exposure demonstrated that the participants were on average only exposed to an illuminance above 1000 lx for 72 minutes per day. The interpretation of personal lighting conditions based on the four factors provides essential information since all of these factors may be relevant for initiating effects beyond vision. The findings in the current paper give first in-depth insight in the possibilities to interpret personal lighting conditions of office workers.
Intensification of auxetic effect in high stiffness auxetic yarns with potential application as the reinforcing element of composite
Authors: Lolaki Asal , Zarrebini Mohammed , Mostofinejad Davood , Shanbeh Mohsen , Abtahi Sayyed Mahdi
Published: December 2020

Helical auxetic yarn (HAY) is a newly developed composite yarn with negative Poisson’s ratio. HAYs offers advantageous merits as a reinforcing element in composite materials. In this paper high stiffness HAYs composed of Nylon filament core and fine steel wire wrap yarns were developed. The importance of the stiffness ratio of the wrap to the core components in the resultant auxetic yarn was examined. The differences between instantaneous and engineering Poisson’s ratio analyses in the understanding of the strain-dependent behavior of HAY was investigated. Results revealed that the utilization of the fine steel multifilament in the developed HAY samples enormously improves the stiffness of HAY. It was possible to obtain an elastic modulus of 9 GPa and a maximum auxetic effect of –16.82 in the samples. It was concluded that such highly stiff auxetic yarn can successfully be used as reinforcement in various composite materials such as cementitious composites.
Necrotizing Fasciitis Caused by Aeromonas hydrophila With Catastrophic Progression
Authors: Huang Dun-Wei , Liu Hung-Hui , Dai Niann-Tzyy , Chen Shyi-Gen , Tzeng Yuan-Sheng
Published: December 2020

Necrotizing fasciitis is a severe deep soft tissue infection with poor disease prognosis. The Aeromonas species is characterized as gram-negative, facultative, anaerobic small bacilli that are ubiquitously distributed in aquatic environments. Necrotizing fasciitis caused by this species is rare but has an extremely high mortality rate, especially in immunocompromised individuals. This study presents the case of a 39-year-old man with alcoholic liver cirrhosis, Child-Pugh class B, with necrotizing fasciitis caused by Aeromonas hydrophila. Despite debridement and bilateral above-knee amputation performed immediately, rapid progression to bilateral upper limbs and trunk was noted in 24 hours. The patient expired from septic shock with multiple organ failure in less than 48 hours following initial presentation. Two similar cases with different medical intervention and results have been reported in the literature and are further discussed in the present study. This allows the authors to suggest potential solutions for an improved clinical outcome.
Self-care education across Canadian pharmacy schools: Curriculum survey findings
Authors: Nakhla Nardine , Black Emily , Abdul-Fattah Hiba , Taylor Jeff
Published: December 2020

Background:

Self-care instruction in pharmacy curricula is essential given the impact pharmacists have in caring for patients in the community and their evolving role in this area. The primary objective of this study was to strengthen our current understanding of self-care education across undergraduate Canadian pharmacy programs.

Methods:

A national curriculum survey and follow-up phone interview was conducted in 2019 to assess the quantity and quality of self-care instruction across Canadian pharmacy schools. Representatives were selected based on theirparticipation in the Association of Faculties of Pharmacy of Canada Self-Care Therapeutics and Minor Ailments special interest group.

Results:

Responses were received from all 10 pharmacy schools in Canada. Self-care education varies across Canadian pharmacy curricula, reflecting differences in scopes of practice across provinces, topics of interest and availability of space within curricula by the various faculties. Specifically, there was considerable variability in the number of hours devoted to self-care education, course content and methods for integration and teaching.

Conclusions:

Results of this study may help inform and evolve self-care curricula across the country. We argue that strategies for enhancing current programs may include establishing a minimum number of core hours and topics, expanding natural health product content and curricular content oversight by a lead faculty member. Can Pharm J (Ott) 2021;154:xx-xx.
MiR-155-5p promotes metastasis and epithelial–mesenchymal transition of renal cell carcinoma by targeting apoptosis-inducing factor
Authors: Lei Qing-qing , Huang Yuan , Li Bin , Han Lu , Lv Cai
Published: December 2020

Background:

Although renal cell carcinoma remains one of the most malignant cancers, our understanding of progression and recurrence of this disease is limited. The present study explored the precise role of miR-155-5p in renal cancer metastasis.

Methods:

The expression of miR-155-5p in renal carcinoma clinical tissues and cells was determined using quantitative real time-polymerase chain reaction. The role of miR-155-5p on tumor cell growth were examined using CCK-8 and colony formation assays. Transwell assay was utilized to identify the role of miR-155-5p on the invasion and migration of renal cancer cells. Markers of epithelial-mesenchymal transition were determined using western blot. The in vivo effects of miR-155-5p on renal cancer cell growth, apoptosis, and metastasis were explored using xenograft mice. Luciferase reporter assay was performed to identify the potential target of miR-155-5p.

Results:

Levels of miR-155-5p were significantly elevated in renal cancer tissues and cell lines. Suppression of miR-155-5p decreased the growth, colony formation, migration, and invasiveness of renal cancer cells. In contrast, overexpression of miR-155-5p led to opposite effects on renal cancer cells. Mechanically, the apoptosis-inducing factor was identified as the target of miR-155-5p. Interference of miR-155-5p significantly increased mRNA and protein expression of the apoptosis-inducing factor, whereas overexpression of miR-155-5p remarkably suppressed the apoptosis-inducing factor levels in renal cancer cells. The xenograft model identified that suppression of miR-155-5p restrained tumor growth and promoted apoptosis, whereas overexpression of miR-155-5p decreased apoptosis and accelerated tumor growth. Moreover, the number of lung metastasis nodules were decreased following injection with anti-miR-155-5p transfected cells, whereas the nodules were remarkably increased after overexpression of miR-155-5p. In addition, in vitro and in vivo assays both confirmed that suppression of miR-155-5p increased the expression of E-cadherin and decreased levels of N-cadherin and Snail, whereas overexpression of miR-155-5p accelerated epithelial–mesenchymal transition progression in renal cancer cells.

Conclusion:

These findings demonstrate that miR-155-5p enhances metastasis and epithelial–mesenchymal transition by targeting the apoptosis-inducing factor, suggesting that miR-155-5p represents a novel therapeutic target for renal cancer.
Why Hypothesis Testers Should Spend Less Time Testing Hypotheses
Authors: Scheel Anne M. , Tiokhin Leonid , Isager Peder M. , Lakens Daniël
Published: December 2020

For almost half a century, Paul Meehl educated psychologists about how the mindless use of null-hypothesis significance tests made research on theories in the social sciences basically uninterpretable. In response to the replication crisis, reforms in psychology have focused on formalizing procedures for testing hypotheses. These reforms were necessary and influential. However, as an unexpected consequence, psychological scientists have begun to realize that they may not be ready to test hypotheses. Forcing researchers to prematurely test hypotheses before they have established a sound “derivation chain” between test and theory is counterproductive. Instead, various nonconfirmatory research activities should be used to obtain the inputs necessary to make hypothesis tests informative. Before testing hypotheses, researchers should spend more time forming concepts, developing valid measures, establishing the causal relationships between concepts and the functional form of those relationships, and identifying boundary conditions and auxiliary assumptions. Providing these inputs should be recognized and incentivized as a crucial goal in itself. In this article, we discuss how shifting the focus to nonconfirmatory research can tie together many loose ends of psychology’s reform movement and help us to develop strong, testable theories, as Paul Meehl urged.
Batman and the World of Tomorrow: Yesterday’s Technological Future in the Animated Film Batman: Mask of the Phantasm
Authors: Jürgens Anna-Sophie
Published: December 2020

Examining facets of modernist visions of our technological future and of theatricalized city and stage spaces in the 1993 animated film Batman: Mask of the Phantasm, this article explores the cultural meaning of technology in graphic fiction. The confrontation scene between Batman and Joker in the grounds of Gotham’s World’s Fair, the author argues, echoes the 1939 New York World’s Fair with its modernist urban optimism and pop cultural fascination with new visionary technologies, as well as the modern history of moving pictures and multi-media spectacle. The article spotlights the power of the Batman story to participate in, and contribute towards, complex cultural inquiry and transmedial discourses around technology and popular entertainments. Through the exquisite medium of animation – which allows animated characters to be placed on an abstract architectural city stage – Mask of the Phantasm also embodies modernist visions of the ‘ideal’ stage character in a medium that creates non-realist art and more complex possibilities for movement, thus transporting modernist thinking into the 20th century.
Is the YouTube Animation Algorithm-Friendly? How YouTube’s Algorithm Influences the Evolution of Animation Production on the Internet
Authors: Ribes Xavier
Published: December 2020

YouTube has become a great showcase for audiovisual products and a source of income for a number of creators. Several pioneers of internet animation migrated to this platform to provide greater visibility and economic security for their productions. A group of YouTubers, so-called ‘Reply Girls’, achieved rapid economic benefits by publishing content without any value, neither artistic nor communicative, but that deceived YouTube’s remuneration system and prioritization algorithm. To fight this phenomenon, YouTube subsequently applied changes to its prioritization algorithm and monetization plans. In this article, the author examines more than 3,300 videos published by 25 animation channels between 2006 and 2018 with Digital Methods tools to analyse how the changes applied to the platform policies have influenced and shaped the evolution of animation production on the internet.
Prone position in covid-19: Can we tackle rising dead space?
Authors: Sharp T , Al-Faham Z , Brown M , Martin-Lazaro J , Cevallos Morales J
Published: December 2020

Little is known about the impact of proning on oxygenation and ventilatory efficiency on patients with severe Covid-19. In this retrospective observational study we calculated Pa/FiO2 ratio (P/F) as a marker of oxygenation and dead space fraction (Vd/Vt) to assess ventilation. 12 patients who were proned twice or more were included. There was a significant improvement in P/F ratio when prone (110.18 ± 28.11) compared to supine (88.95 ± 19.34) (p < 0.01). There was no improvement in Vd/Vt on proning (p > 0.05). Vd/Vt as a function of time displayed a positive linear correlation in those who did not survive (n = 9) (Rs = 0.48, p < 0.01) but no observed correlation in those who survived (n = 3) (Rs = 0.002, p = 0.97). Our findings indicate that prone position in patients with Covid-19 has little effect on dead space fraction but does improve oxygenation. Rise in dead space with time appears to be a prognostic factor for death in patients with severe Covid- 19.
Breathing resistance in heat and moisture exchanging devices
Authors: Ainegren Mats , Hanstock Helen , Stenfors Nikolai
Published: December 2020

The purpose of this study was to investigate the resistance to breathing (RES) in heat and moisture exchanging devices (HME) intended for use during physical activity in the cold. RES was investigated for seventeen HMEs, including different types of filters. In addition, the influence of headwind on RES was tested using four representative HMEs. HMEs were mounted to the face of an artificial head manufactured from ABS plastic. The HMEs were connected to a mechanical lung simulator, which delivered standardised inspiratory and expiratory air flow rates ([Formula: see text], L/s). The delta pressure (Δ p, Pa) between ambient air and the air inside the HME was measured, whereupon RES was calculated. The results showed significant ( p < 0.05) differences in RES between HMEs from different manufacturers, while the difference was smaller, and in some cases not significant ( p > 0.05), between different models/filters within the same brand. The results also showed that RES was highly influenced by different ventilations and headwind conditions. RES increased with increased [Formula: see text] and, when a headwind was introduced, RES decreased during inspiration and increased during expiration. Calculations showed that the oxygen and energy cost for breathing through an HME was very small for most of the tested models. The effect of HME dead space on pulmonary gas fractions depends on the tidal volume. At large tidal volumes and ventilations, the effect of HMEs on pulmonary gas fractions becomes relatively small.
Human responses to nature- and culture-based non-clinical interventions: a systematised review
Authors: Fairbrass AJ , Chatterjee H , Jones KE , Osborn D
Published: December 2020

Aims:

A wide range of non-clinical nature- and culture-based interventions for the treatment of health issues have been evaluated in evidence and systematic reviews. However, common outcomes of these interventions have not been identified and neuro-bio-psychosocial mechanisms underlying how these interventions impact health are not well understood. We conducted a systematised review and compared the evidence for human responses to nature- and culture-based non-clinical interventions for a range of health issues and assessed the proposed mechanisms and conceptual frameworks underlying these interventions.

Methods:

Comprehensive searches were conducted up to May 2018 in six bibliographic databases: Campbell Collaboration, Cochrane Library, Embase, Medline, Scopus and Web of Science. Studies included were evidence reviews or systematic reviews on any nature- or culture-based non-clinical intervention to improve the health of individuals.

Results:

A total of 60 reviews were included (33 of nature, 26 of culture, 1 of both) covering 1480 individual studies and trials. The most common review types were systematic (32), literature (22) and meta-analyses (6). Positive effects on mental health were reported for the majority of interventions, while other health outcomes such as immunity were not well represented in the review literature. A range of secondary outcomes were common to both nature- and culture-based interventions including psychological and emotional impacts, social interaction and relationship development, skills development, physical health benefits, and positive impact of the intervention environment. Only two reviews proposed conceptual frameworks, and the neuro-bio-psychosocial mechanisms that underpin the health changes were not clarified.

Conclusion:

Future research should focus on reviewing the evidence gaps for non-clinical nature- and culture-based interventions with an emphasis on implementing larger sample sizes, cohort and longitudinal studies, which deploy a wider range of mixed-methods, quasi-experimental and randomised control trials. There should also be agreement on terminology and developing conceptual frameworks to better understand the neuro-bio-psychosocial mechanisms underlying interventions.
BRCA1/2 pathogenic variants in triple-negative versus luminal-like breast cancers: genotype–phenotype correlation in a cohort of 531 patients
Authors: Incorvaia Lorena , Fanale Daniele , Bono Marco , Calò Valentina , Fiorino Alessia , Brando Chiara , Corsini Lidia Rita , Cutaia Sofia , Cancelliere Daniela , Pivetti Alessia , Filorizzo Clarissa , La Mantia Maria , Barraco Nadia , Cusenza Stefania , Badalamenti Giuseppe , Russo Antonio , Bazan Viviana
Published: December 2020

Background:

Several available data suggest the association between specific molecular subtypes and BRCA1/2 mutational status. Previous investigations showed the association between BRCA1/2 pathogenic variants (PVs) in specific genomic regions and phenotypic variations of cancer relative risk, while the role of PV type and location in determining the breast cancer (BC) phenotypic features remains still unclear. The aim of this research was to describe the germline BRCA1/2 PVs in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) versus luminal-like BC and their potential leverage on BC phenotype.

Patients & methods:

We retrospectively collected and analyzed all clinical information of 531 patients with BC genetically tested for germline BRCA1/2 PVs by Next-Generation Sequencing analysis at University Hospital Policlinico “P. Giaccone” of Palermo (Sicily) from January 2016 to February 2020.

Results:

Our results corroborate the evidence that BRCA1-related tumors often have a profile which resembles the TNBC subtype, whereas BRCA2-associated tumors have a profile that resembles luminal-like BC, especially the Luminal B subtype. Interestingly, our findings suggest that the PVs identified in TNBC were not largely overlapping with those in luminal-like tumors. Differences in the frequency of two PVs potentially associated with different molecular tumor subtypes were observed. BRCA1-633delC was detected with relatively higher prevalence in patients with TNBC, whereas BRCA2-1466delT was found mainly in Luminal B tumors, but in no TNBC patient.

Conclusion:

Future studies examining the type and location of BRCA1/2 PVs within different molecular subtypes are required to verify our hypothesis and could provide an interesting insight into the complex topic of genotype–phenotype correlations. Additionally, a more in-depth understanding of the potential correlations between BRCA PVs and clinical and phenotypic features of hereditary BC syndrome patients could be the key to develop better strategies of prevention and surveillance in BRCA-positive carriers without disease.
Shared development of targeted therapies among autoimmune and inflammatory diseases: a systematic repurposing analysis
Authors: Petitdemange Arthur , Blaess Julien , Sibilia Jean , Felten Renaud , Arnaud Laurent
Published: December 2020

Background:

Pathogenic inflammatory pathways are largely shared between different autoimmune and inflammatory diseases (AIDs). This offers the potential to develop a given targeted therapy in several AIDs.

Methods:

We analyzed two clinical trials registries (ClinicalTrials.gov and EU Clinical Trials Register) to identify the targeted therapies whose development is shared between at least two of the most common AIDs [rheumatoid arthritis (RA), spondyloarthritis (SpA), cutaneous psoriasis (cPso), inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), primary Sjögren’s syndrome (pSS), systemic sclerosis (SSc), idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM), giant cell arteritis (GCA), and multiple sclerosis (MS)] using an in-depth repurposing analysis.

Results:

We identified 142 shared targeted therapies. The four diseases in which shared targeted therapies were the most numerous were RA ( n = 92), cPso ( n = 67), IBD ( n = 58), and SLE ( n = 56). The two clusters of diseases between which the overlap of targeted therapies was the most important were RA and SLE as well as RA, SpA, cPso, and IBD. The targeted therapies which were shared by five diseases or more were abatacept, ustekinumab, rituximab, anakinra, etanercept, infliximab, secukinumab, tofacitinib, alemtuzumab, tocilizumab, adalimumab, apremilast, baricitinib, belimumab, brodalumab, filgotinib, and upadacitinib. The most frequently targeted molecules and pathways were (by descending frequency): JAK-STAT pathways, Th17 axis, TNF-α, IL-6, costimulation molecules, BAFF, CD20, BTK, chemokines and integrins, IL-1, and type I interferon.

Conclusion:

Many targeted therapies are developed in several AIDs, reflecting the overlap of pathogenic pathways and potential of drug repurposing. This suggests that a revision of the current, clinically based classification of AIDs towards a more mechanistic-based taxonomy might be relevant.
Writing With: Collaborative Writing as Hope and Resistance
Authors: Diversi Marcelo , Gale Ken , Moreira Claudio , Wyatt Jonathan
Published: December 2020

Collaboration in scholarship holds the peculiar position of being expected, encouraged, and, in the process, somewhat taken-for-granted as monolithic academic practice. Collaboration is important for the cultivation of a rich ecosystem of ideas, thoughts, methods, theories, and experimentation. It seems safe to assume that most scholars would agree with the need and the possibilities of collaboration. Yet, collaboration in scholarship is often understood in reductionist and pragmatic ways: While ideas and thoughts flow in certain stages of the collaboration, labor is often divided among collaborators, authorship is ranked and quantified, and subjective lived experiences are most ignored or codified in rigid fashion. In this article, we attempt to further explore how collaboration can also be an act of leaning on each other in order to make sense of thinking and narrating hope and resistance in times of neo-nationalism and authoritarianism. We each live in different parts of the planet, yet we share a common hope. Here, we come together to think, feel, commune, and write with each other in hope to find ways beyond individual positions and in search of collaborations that allow us to imagine possibilities of resistance and paths toward a kinder and more just future.
Rabbit models of intracranial atherosclerotic disease for pathological validation of vessel wall MRI
Authors: McNally J Scott , Havenon Adam de , Kim Seong-Eun , Wang Chuanzhuo , Wang Shuping , Zabriskie Matthew S , Parker Dennis L , Baradaran Hediyeh , Alexander Matthew D
Published: December 2020

Introduction

Vessel wall magnetic resonance imaging can improve the evaluation of intracranial atherosclerotic disease. However, pathological validation is needed to improve vessel wall magnetic resonance imaging techniques. Human pathology samples are not practical for such analysis, so an animal model is therefore needed.

Materials and methods

Watanabe heritable hyperlipidemic rabbits and apolipoprotein E knockout rabbits were evaluated against New Zealand white wild-type rabbits. Evaluation of intracranial arteries was performed with vessel wall magnetic resonance imaging and pathological analysis, rating the presence and severity of disease in each segment. Two-tailed t-tests were performed to compare disease occurrence and severity prevalence among rabbit subtypes. Sensitivity and specificity were calculated to assess the diagnostic accuracy of vessel wall magnetic resonance imaging.

Results

Seventeen rabbits (five Watanabe heritable hyperlipidemic, four apolipoprotein E knockout and eight New Zealand white) were analysed for a total of 51 artery segments. Eleven segments (five Watanabe heritable hyperlipidemic and six apolipoprotein E knockout) demonstrated intracranial atherosclerotic disease on pathology. Disease model animals had lesions more frequently than New Zealand white animals ( P<0.001). The sensitivity and specificity of vessel wall magnetic resonance imaging for the detection of intracranial atherosclerotic disease were 68.8% and 95.2%, respectively. When excluding mild cases to assess vessel wall magnetic resonance imaging accuracy for detecting moderate to severe intracranial atherosclerotic disease lesions, sensitivity improved to 100% with unchanged specificity.

Conclusion

Intracranial atherosclerotic disease can be reliably produced and detected using 3T vessel wall magnetic resonance imaging-compatible Watanabe heritable hyperlipidemic and ApoE rabbit models. Further analysis is needed to characterize better the development and progression of the disease to correlate tissue-validated animal findings with those in human vessel wall magnetic resonance imaging studies.
Intrathecally produced CXCL13: A predictive biomarker in multiple sclerosis
Authors: DiSano Krista D , Gilli Francesca , Pachner Andrew R
Published: December 2020

Background

Clinicians caring for patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) need improved biomarkers to aid them in disease management.

Objective

We assessed the predictive value of the candidate biomarker CXCL13 index in comparison to oligoclonal bands (OCBs) and CSF neurofilament light (NfL) concentration, examining the ability of each biomarker to predict future disease activity in clinically and radiologically isolated syndromes, relapsing-remitting MS, and progressive MS.

Methods

Matched serum and CSF samples were obtained from 67 non-inflammatory neurologic disease patients and 67 MS patients. CSF and serum CXCL13 and CSF NfL were analyzed by Luminex and ELISA, respectively. CXCL13 data were also analyzed as CSF/serum ratios and indices. Electronic medical records were accessed to determine diagnosis, CSF profiles, and disease activity after the lumbar puncture.

Results

Among CXCL13 measures, CXCL13 index was the best predictor of future disease activity in MS patients (AUC = 0.82; CI = 0.69–0.95; p = 0.0002). CXCL13 index values were significantly elevated in activity-positive MS patients compared to activity-negative patients (p < 0.0001). As a single predictor, CXCL13 index outperformed both OCBs and CSF NfL in sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive value, for future disease activity in MS patients. Moreover, combining CXCL13 index and CSF NfL status improved sensitivity and predictive values for disease activity in MS patients.

Conclusions

The CXCL13 index is an excellent candidate prognostic biomarker for disease activity in patients with MS.
Peri-implant fractures proximal to a long retrograde femoral nail – A case series
Authors: Yvette (林慧思) Lam Wei Sze , Chi Kay (劉旨琦) Lau Janice , Chun (葉家俊) Ip Ka , Yiu (沈允堯) Shen Wan
Published: December 2020

Low energy peri-trochanteric fractures may happen in the presence of a retrograde nail in the femur. The management of these peri-implant fractures are very rarely reported. This is a series of seven cases from a level one trauma centre in Hong Kong. All fractures arose from low energy falls and were either inter-trochanteric or subtrochanteric. Removal of previous implants to allow cephalo-medullary fixation of the new fracture could be considered, but this is often difficult, time-consuming, and may inflict damage to the articular cartilage. Furthermore, this is not an option if the distal fracture is not yet well healed. Six of the seven fractures presented here were treated operatively with an extra-medullary device fixed to the proximal shaft with cerclage cables. The choice of fixation implants were based on the fracture type and available space above the proximal end of the retrograde nail. All seven fractures healed with no implant failure and major complications. There were no thirty-day and one-year mortality. A treatment algorithm is proposed for the management of these uncommon but difficult cases.
Influence of curing duration and mixing techniques of bulk fill resin composites on bi-axial flexural strength and degree of conversion
Authors: Almohareb Thamer , Alayed Abdulaziz A , Alzahrani Khalid M. , Maawadh Ahmed M , Almutairi Basil , Alhamdan Rana S , Bahkali Ahlam , Abduljabbar Tariq , Vohra Fahim
Published: December 2020

Objectives:

The aim was to assess the influence of polymerization duration, method and resin manipulation techniques on the biaxial flexural strength (BFS) and degree of conversion (DC) of bulk fill resin composites (BFRC).

Methods:

One hundred and eighty disc specimens were fabricated using MultiCore (MC) and Core-It (CI) bulk fill resin composite. Each material group, specimens were divided into nine subgroups based on curing methods (Light cure for 10 and 20 s; and auto-cure) and mixing techniques (first auto-mix, second automix, and hand mix). BFS was tested with a ball indenter at a crosshead speed of 0.50 mm/min. DC was assessed for MC and CI materials for 10 s and 20 s light cure; and auto cure specimens using Fourier Transform-Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). Statistical data comparisons were performed using ANOVA, Bonferroni and Tukey-Kramer tests.

Results:

For MC and CI, BFS was highest in 10 s light cure specimens, however comparable to specimens cured for 20 s ( p > 0.05). Auto cure specimens showed lower BFS than light cured samples for both materials ( p < 0.05). Hand mixed specimens showed significantly compromised BFS compared to automix technique for MC and CI. DC % was comparable for 10 s and 20 s light cure methods for both materials ( p > 0.05), which was higher than DC % of auto cure bulk fill resins ( p < 0.05). CI showed higher DC % and BFS compared to MC bulk fill resin composite.

Conclusion:

Photo-polymerization duration of 10 and 20 s showed similar outcomes for BFS and DC %; and BFS for auto-mixed resins (MC and CI) was significantly higher than hand mixed resin. BFS and DC was higher in photopolymerized groups as compared to auto-cured resin regardless of the manipulation technique for both materials (MultiCore and Core it).