bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Influence of chemical composition of windmill palm fibre on crystallinity after alkali peroxide bleaching by grey model
Authors: Chen Guicui , Wang Zhong , Zhang Lifeng , Liu Hua , Wang Guohe , Wang Shudong , Qin Xiao , Zhao Lei , Liu Yan
Published: November 2019

To study the relationship between the chemical composition and aggregation structure of windmill palm fibres, the Grey System theory, least-squares method and MATLAB® software were used to develop a grey model that relates the crystallinity index to the cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin content of the fibres after alkaline peroxide bleaching. The mean arithmetic error (=0.109) of the grey model (GM (1,4)) indicated that the model could predict the crystallinity of windmill palm fibre based on its chemical composition. Scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and Raman microscopy were used to characterize the morphology and chemical composition of the windmill palm fibres before and after alkaline peroxide bleaching. The results indicated that silica, as well as most of the pectin, hemicellulose and lignin, were removed after peroxide bleaching, and thus, the crystallinity index of the peroxide-bleached samples increased. The GM (1,4) provided a reference for studying the influence of the chemical composition of windmill palm fibre on its aggregate structure.
Inspection for supercritical CO2 dyeing of poly(m-phenylene isophthalamide) by kinetics and thermodynamics analysis
Authors: Ye Fang , Liu Guohua , Khalil Ibrahim , Zheng Laijiu , Zheng Huanda , Cai Yibing
Published: November 2019

Eco-friendly dyeing by using supercritical carbon dioxide as a medium has already been investigated worldwide due to the advantages of dyeing without water and recyclability of dyes and carbon dioxide. In this article, dyeing mechanism of poly(m-phenylene isophthalamide) was investigated in supercritical carbon dioxide. The obtained results showed that the dye uptake of Disperse Red 60 increased moderately with the temperature raising at constant pressure and achieved dyeing equilibrium after 70 min. By adding the carrier, diffusion coefficients of Disperse Red 60 in the polymer increased significantly in supercritical carbon dioxide. The activation energy for diffusion of Disperse Red 60 with and without carrier was 1165.91 and 1050.66 kJ mol−1, respectively. Moreover, the distribution coefficient, the standard affinity, the standard enthalpy, and the standard entropy of dyeing were also determined in supercritical carbon dioxide. These fundamental data are of vital importance on the green dyeing production of poly(m-phenylene isophthalamide).
Exploring the utility of self-determination theory in complex interventions in multimorbidity: A qualitative analysis of patient experiences of the CARE Plus intervention
Authors: McCallum Marianne , Gray Cindy M , Hanlon Peter , O’Brien Rosaleen , Mercer Stewart W
Published: November 2019

Objectives

CARE Plus is a primary-care-based complex intervention for patients with multimorbidity living in areas of high socioeconomic deprivation. This study explores patients’ experience of the intervention and whether self-determination theory is useful to understand reported impacts.

Method

Thematic analysis of semistructured interviews of 14 participants conducted during a randomised controlled trial of CARE Plus. Improvement in wellbeing in daily lives following CARE Plus was estimated from participants’ accounts of their experiences of the intervention.

Findings

Participants valued the CARE Plus consultations irrespective of perceived improvements. Six participants reported changes in wellbeing that improved daily life, three reported slight improvement (not impacting daily life) and five no improvement. Evidence of satisfaction of the three major self-determination theory psychological needs – relatedness, competence and autonomy – was prominent in the accounts of those experiencing improved wellbeing in daily life; this group also spoke in ways congruent with more self-determined motivational regulation. These changes were not evident in those with little or no improvement in wellbeing.

Discussion

This study suggests self-determination theory has utility in understanding the impact of CARE Plus on patients and may be a useful theory to inform development of future interventions to improve outcomes for patients with multimorbidity.
Implementation of rainwater infiltration measurements in hygrothermal modelling of non-insulated brick cavity walls
Authors: Calle Klaas , Coupillie Charlotte , Janssens Arnold , Van Den Bossche Nathan
Published: November 2019

The watertightness of solid masonry walls is generally based on the concept of buffering and afterwards drying out the absorbed rainwater. In cavity walls, on the contrary, the air layer provides a capillary break between the inner and outer leafs allowing drainage of rainwater and preventing infiltration to the interior wall surface. For assessing moisture-related risks, heat, air and moisture models have proven to be a valuable tool, but in the case of cavity walls two problems arise: the degree of water infiltration into the cavity is unknown, and no consensus is available on the method that should be used to implement these infiltrations in a simulation. For example, for the existing buildings, it is worthwhile to investigate whether injecting cavity wall insulation induces an increase or decrease in moisture-related pathologies, in contrast to adopting a fixed performance criterion for assessment. However, to complete a thorough analysis of a brick cavity wall, it is first useful to review the hygrothermal behaviour of cavity walls as it has been previously described in the literature. As such, this article provides a summary of experimental water infiltration results for cavity walls as described in the literature, discusses experimental results of four test walls subjected to four test protocols and extracts from these results the water infiltration rate for implementation in heat, air and moisture models. Finally, several methods for implementing the infiltrations in heat, air and moisture simulations are presented and evaluated based on different damage criteria. In general, the new modelling approaches are considered to provide realistic results. Nonetheless, an in situ investigation on whether mortar bridges occur in the cavity due to poor workmanship remains crucial to understanding the hygrothermal response as mortar bridges are found to have a dominant impact on the risk of mould growth at the interior wall surface.
Practicing critical media literacy education with/for young migrants: Lessons learned from a participatory action research project
Authors: Bruinenberg Hemmo , Sprenger Sanne , Omerović Ena , Leurs Koen
Published: November 2019

During settlement, migrant youth negotiate between various transitional spaces, which include educational, mediated and transnational spaces. To what extent can critical media literacy education acknowledge and strengthen young migrants’ resilience? In this article, we evaluate the Netherlands-based participatory action research project Critical media literacy through making media. Gathered empirical data include participant observation in two classes, in-depth interviews with 3 teachers and 19 students, as well an 18-minute film reflection. The focus is on how understandings, procedures and affectivity shape young migrants’ mindful media literacy practice. In order to develop media literacy education which works for all, we need to move away from a one-size-fits-all model based on the norms of Western, educated, industrialized, rich and democratic societies. Drawing on our experiences of co-creating, practicing and evaluating a curriculum with teachers and migrant students, we demonstrate the urgency of situated, reflexive, flexible, culture and context-aware critical media literacy education.
Renal oncocytoma with vascular and perinephric fat invasion
Authors: Omiyale Ayo O. , Carton James
Published: November 2019

Renal oncocytoma is a benign epithelial neoplasm typically composed of large cells with granular eosinophilic cytoplasm. Although rare, histologically worrisome features such as vascular and perinephric fat invasion have been reported. Of the 159 renal oncocytomas resected at our institution, 20 (12.6%) had vascular and/or perinephric fat invasion. Microscopically, 10 oncocytomas had perinephric fat invasion, 7 had vascular invasion and 3 had both vascular and perinephric fat invasion. Grossly, perinephric fat invasion was visible in three cases and tumour was identified within the branches of the renal vein in two cases. Tumours occurred in 14 men and 6 women (M:F = 2.3:1). The mean age at diagnosis was 64.5 years (range, 33–88 years). A total of 11 cases had radical nephrectomies while 9 cases had partial nephrectomies. There was no evidence of disease recurrence, metastasis or death due to tumour after a mean follow up of 25.6 months (range, 2–103 months). The presence of vascular and perinephric fat invasion in renal oncocytoma though worrisome, does not alter the benign course of the tumour.
‘Nothing Goes to Waste’: A professional learning programme for early childhood centres
Authors: Boyd Wendy
Published: November 2019

Waste created by modern lifestyles is of key concern to sustainable development globally. Early childhood centres engage in sustainable practices, and waste management is one of these practices. Past research has indicated that early childhood staff are challenged to implement sustainable practices. However, the National Quality Standard requires centres to engage in sustainable practices. This study reports on research undertaken to examine the effectiveness of effectiveness of a waste management professional learning programme run in 30 early childhood centres in Australia. The data collected was interviews of the directors of 16 centres, 6 months after the programme. Findings found the programme to be effective in encouraging waste management practices as all centres changed practices to reduce or recycle waste. The majority of the centres had a staff member who championed environmental education and was an inspiration for other staff, but barriers to good waste management practices were experienced because of external stakeholders’ power over decision-making, owners not agreeing to make changes, and, internally, from having to maintain hygienic standards. Recommendations are made for future professional learning programmes.
The functions of contracts in interorganizational relationships: A contract experts’ perspective
Authors: Hurmerinta-Haanpää Anna , Viding Sampo
Published: November 2019

Previous research has shown how contracts are used together with relational governance (RG) mechanisms to manage interorganizational relationships (IORs). Moreover, research has found that contracts are used in safeguarding, adapting, and coordinating business relationships. Based on the findings of an interview study with 24 contract experts, we argue that, in addition to safeguarding, adaptation, and coordination, firms use contracts to: codify their deals; steer their internal work; and plan, promote, and steer collaboration. On the one hand, when used intelligently, contractual techniques that reflect different functions can enhance IOR performance. On the other hand, the careless use of contracts can negatively affect RG and IOR performance. Our research has notable theoretical and managerial contributions, as it develops the theory of the functions of contracts and argues that the functions are fundamental to designing a contract that aims to complement RG and support IOR performance.
Enabling change: An assessment tool for adult offenders that operationalises risk needs responsivity and desistance principles
Authors: Horan Rachel , Wong Kevin , Szifris Kirstine
Published: November 2019

This article examines the extent to which the risk needs responsivity (RNR) model and desistance principles have been integrated and operationalised in the development of the Enablers of Change assessment and sentence planning tool developed by a Community Rehabilitation Company provider in England. We consider the constructs that underpin the tool, identifying points of departure and similarity between RNR principles (Andrews and Bonta, 2007), the ‘good lives’ model (Ward and Maruna, 2007) and desistance principles (McNeil and Weaver, 2010) and their integration. We examine how these constructs have been operationalised in the tool, which aims to assess needs, strengths, protective factors and contribute to risk assessment. Given the tool’s innovation, this article is of international significance and will make an original contribution to the evidence base on operationalising desistance in the management of people with convictions in England and Wales and other jurisdictions.
Advice on Communicating During Crisis: A Study of Popular Crisis Management Books
Authors: Frandsen Finn , Johansen Winni
Published: November 2019

In this study, we investigate a sample of 15 popular crisis management books (PCMBs), written by crisis consultants and published between 1986 and 2018 in the United States or in the United Kingdom. The aim of the study is to examine (1) how the authors of PCMBs position themselves in front of their readers, clients, and competitors, including public relations professionals and academics; (2) how they understand and present organizational crises and the practice of crisis management and crisis communication as their field of expertise; and (3) how they promote this expertise using various types of message strategies and rhetorical packaging. The findings of the study reveal that PCMBs are more diverse than expected and that they cover important aspects of crisis management often neglected by academic publications. The article concludes with some implications for practice, research, and education.
Tarsal Morphology Differs in Plano Valgus Feet
Authors: Moore Erik S. , Kindig Matthew W. , McKearney Daniel A , Telfer Scott , Sangeorzan Bruce , Ledoux William R
Published: November 2019

Category:

Hindfoot

Introduction/Purpose:

While there are established associated conditions, the intrinsic cause of symptomatic adult flatfoot is not known. There are published data suggesting that the relationship of the hindfoot bones in acquired flatfoot are subluxated. And there is some support in 2 D for the concept that the bones are shaped differently in flatfoot but the complexity of bone shape and human variation makes comparisons difficult. The purpose of this study was to utilize principal component analysis (PCA) to determine whether morphology of the hind- and midfoot bones differs in neutral and plano-valgus feet.

Methods:

Forty subjects (23 male and 17 Female, average age 52.6 +/- 8.9) with no history of injury or surgery underwent bilateral foot WB CT scan for another study. The talus, calcaneus, navicular and cuboid were segmented into bone models from these previously acquired CT images. Morphometric Shape analysis software (Geomorph) was used to assess shape variations among foot types using Principal component analysis (PCA). PCA is a statistical modelling technique used to study variation in the shape of structures that are difficult to compare and bring out strong patterns in a dataset objectively. Forty feet had been classified into 4 foot groups prior to this study; neutral, cavus, asymptomatic flatfoot and symptomatic flatfoot. This study included the painful flatfeet and neutral feet. Each bone was compared between the feet that were flat and those that were neutral. Comparisons were made between men and women as well.

Results:

There were no differences between groups in age or sex. There were 38 principle components identified. The first two PC accounted for 38% of the calcaneal variation and 33% of the talar variation. Subtle differences between men and women were found only at the talus and navicular. The cuboid did not exhibit any differences between foot types. The navicular in symptomatic planus had a more posteriorly positioned tuberosity (tuber wrapped around the medial side of the talus) and were wider than neutral feet. The calcaneus showed planus feet to have calcanei that have decreased height and increased length compared to neutrally aligned feet. The cross -sectional area of the calcaneus was reduced compared to neutral feet. The talar shape was not different in the PC.

Conclusion:

A flat foot is present in over 20% of the population and most often not symptomatic. The root cause of symptomatic adult plano valgus foot is not known and is likely multi factorial. The study demonstrates that there is intrinsic difference in the shape of the calcaneus and navicular bones in flat foot. it is possible that the catalyst for collapse is bony rather than soft tissue.
Vigilance: An Unmeasured Patient-Centered Outcome for Ankle Reconstruction
Authors: Pinsker Ellie , Sale Joanna E.M. , Gignac Monique A.M. , Daniels Timothy R. , Beaton Dorcas E.
Published: November 2019

Category:

Ankle, Ankle Arthritis

Introduction/Purpose:

A wide range of patient-reported outcome measures are used to evaluate ankle reconstruction outcomes, but there is little agreement regarding which best captures patients’ perceptions of illness and treatment outcomes. There has been little exploration of what outcomes are important to patients. Qualitative work offers one approach to try to understand patients’ experiences of ankle reconstruction for treatment of end-stage ankle osteoarthritis.

Methods:

Individuals were recruited from an existing cohort of persons who had undergone total ankle replacement or ankle fusion. Twenty-five English-speaking individuals who had surgery at least one year prior and were receptive to in-depth interviews were asked to participate following a routine clinic visit. Semi-structured, face-to-face interviews were conducted by a qualitative researcher in a private hospital room.

Results:

Twenty-five adults (12 women, 13 men) ages 25–82 years were interviewed for 1–2 hours. Participants commonly described a state of having to keep careful watch for potential environmental challenges on a daily basis. ‘Vigilance’ was related to ongoing symptoms (i.e. pain, stiffness) and concerns related to balance, stability, and damage to the fused ankle or implant. Findings indicated that vigilance existed along a continuum with higher levels associated with stress, mental exhaustion, and a negative impact on relationships with friends and family. Vigilance appeared to effect participants’ perception of their surgical outcome, with high levels of vigilance linked to negative perceptions of outcome. The degree to which individuals perceived they needed to be vigilant was influenced by environmental factors like uneven ground or crowds.

Conclusion:

Vigilance, or the constant appraisal of the environment and personal ability, is not captured by current instruments assessing ankle reconstruction outcomes. However, the mental load and worry associated with high ‘vigilance’ was important to patients and played a role in their perception of outcome, distinct from related pain or functional status. As such, reducing high levels of vigilance appears to be an appropriate target for patient-centered treatment outcomes and one that can be managed or remedied. A thorough outcome battery for ankle reconstruction should consider this domain.
Radiographic Outcomes and Complications of Medial Column Correction in Adult Acquired Flatfoot Deformity Using A Titanium Wedge
Authors: Fraser Tyler W. , Doty Jesse F. , Kadakia Anish R.
Published: November 2019

Category:

Hindfoot, Midfoot/Forefoot, Flatfoot

Introduction/Purpose:

Forefoot varus is a common component of flatfoot deformity that is often surgically addressed. There are multiple options to plantarflex the medial column of the foot, with midfoot fusion and the Cotton osteotomy being the most common. This study analyzes radiographic outcomes and complications when a titanium wedge is used for structural support in a dorsal opening wedge Cotton osteotomy of the medial cuneiform.

Methods:

Between December 2016 and May 2018, 32 feet in 31 patients were treated with medial column titanium wedges for residual forefoot varus in association with flatfoot corrections. All participants had preoperative and weight-bearing postoperative radiographs examined for analysis of radiographic correction. The average age of the patients was 41.1 years (Range: 12-70). The average follow-up time for patients was 8.1 months (6-17 months). All patients underwent a six-month non-operative treatment course prior to operative intervention. The average time from the initial visit with the primary surgeon (JFD, ARK) to the day of surgical intervention was 211 days (29-1296 days). The choice to use a titanium wedge, versus an alternative method of correction of the medial column, was at the discretion of the primary surgeon (JFD, ARK).

Results:

A dorsal opening wedge medial cuneiform osteotomy was performed in all patients. All radiographic parameters showed statistically significant correction from preoperative to postoperative. All cases had multiple concomitant procedures performed to address the flatfoot deformity, so it is difficult to isolate the effect of the medial cuneiform osteotomy. 30/31 cases went on to successful union of the osteotomy within the study follow-up period. There were no instances of hardware pain requiring implant removal. There was 1 case of plantar gapping at the osteotomy site and implant loosening that required revision to a larger titanium wedge which healed uneventfully. No implants had supplemental fixation or additional bone graft placement at the osteotomy site.

Conclusion:

To our knowledge, this represents the first reported series on the use of structural titanium wedges with an opening wedge osteotomy of the medial cuneiform. There is limited data regarding the use of metal wedges for flatfoot correction. Nearly every patient in our series underwent concomitant procedures as part of the flatfoot reconstruction. This makes it difficult to isolate the effect of the deformity correction provided solely by the medial column correction. Our study suggests that metal wedges are both safe and effective for use in medial column correction, and future studies comparing titanium wedges to traditional techniques are needed.
Graft Collapse and Loss of Fixation in Lateral Column Lengthening
Authors: Freibott Christina E. , Shoap Seth C. , Evangelista Maria C. , Vosseller J. Turner , Greisberg Justin K.
Published: November 2019

Category:

Ankle

Introduction/Purpose:

Lateral Column lengthening through an osteotomy of the anterior process of the calcaneus is one of the most effective procedures for restoring arch alignment in the adult acquired flatfoot, without fusing essential joints. Despite remarkable radiographic corrections, previous studies have found persistent lateral hindfoot pain remains a challenge. In this study, we reviewed a large series of patients who underwent lateral column lengthening as part of flat foot reconstructive surgery, using either autograft or allograft. Rates of graft collapse and loss of fixation were determined with two different graft sources.

Methods:

After Institutional Review Board approval, all patients who underwent lateral column lengthening between 2002 and 2018 were reviewed for clinical and radiographic outcomes. Variables such as age, gender, diagnosis, type of bone graft, subsequent surgery, screw/hardware breakage, length of follow-up, time until weight bearing, and length of radiographic follow-up were recorded. Approximately half the patients had iliac crest allograft for the distraction, and the others had proximal tibial structural autograft.

Results:

52 patients met inclusion criteria. The average age was 47±14 years (range 18-86), with 32 women (62%) and 20 men (38%). 25 (48%) patients had a second surgery, most often for hardware removal. Two patients had repair of a nonunion. Twenty- five percent of patients who had proximal tibial autograft had hardware breakage and some degree of graft collapse, whereas none had hardware breakage in the iliac crest allograft group (p<0.05). Twenty-one of the 36 patients in the proximal tibia autograft group underwent a second surgery for persistent lateral column pain, with removal of hardware and bone debridement, compared to only 4 in the allograft group (p<0.05).

Conclusion:

Proximal tibia autograft performed relatively poorly in this case series, with a higher rate of graft collapse and lateral column pain. The allograft group had less complications, but even in this group, the rate of revision surgery is higher than might be expected for foot surgery in general. Lateral column lengthening is a powerful procedure for restoring hindfoot alignment without sacrificing essential joints, but suffers from a relatively high rate of persistent lateral column pain (which usually is not present prior to surgery) and reoperation.
Increased Mac-2 binding protein glycan isomer in patients at risk for late nonrelapse mortality after HSCT
Authors: Akahoshi Yu , Nakasone Hideki , Kawamura Koji , Kusuda Machiko , Kawamura Shunto , Takeshita Junko , Yoshino Nozomu , Misaki Yukiko , Yoshimura Kazuki , Gomyo Ayumi , Tanihara Aki , Tamaki Masaharu , Kimura Shun-ichi , Kako Shinichi , Kanda Yoshinobu
Published: November 2019

Key Points

M2BPGi is increased in patients with liver graft-versus-host disease, especially in those at high risk for late NRM after allogeneic HSCT. WFA+-M2BP–positive macrophages are found in liver graft-versus-host disease, supporting these cells as a responder of this glycoprotein.
Association between clinical outcomes and metformin use in adults with sickle cell disease and diabetes mellitus
Authors: Badawy Sherif M. , Payne Amanda B.
Published: November 2019

Key Points

Metformin use was associated with significantly fewer SCD-related health care utilization encounters and clinical events. Our findings provide the first evidence to suggest potential clinical benefits associated with metformin use in patients with SCD.
WMGHMDA: a novel weighted meta-graph-based model for predicting human microbe-disease association on heterogeneous information network
Authors: Long Yahui , Luo Jiawei
Published: November 2019

Background

An increasing number of biological and clinical evidences have indicated that the microorganisms significantly get involved in the pathological mechanism of extensive varieties of complex human diseases. Inferring potential related microbes for diseases can not only promote disease prevention, diagnosis and treatment, but also provide valuable information for drug development. Considering that experimental methods are expensive and time-consuming, developing computational methods is an alternative choice. However, most of existing methods are biased towards well-characterized diseases and microbes. Furthermore, existing computational methods are limited in predicting potential microbes for new diseases.

Results

Here, we developed a novel computational model to predict potential human microbe-disease associations (MDAs) based on Weighted Meta-Graph (WMGHMDA). We first constructed a heterogeneous information network (HIN) by combining the integrated microbe similarity network, the integrated disease similarity network and the known microbe-disease bipartite network. And then, we implemented iteratively pre-designed Weighted Meta-Graph search algorithm on the HIN to uncover possible microbe-disease pairs by cumulating the contribution values of weighted meta-graphs to the pairs as their probability scores. Depending on contribution potential, we described the contribution degree of different types of meta-graphs to a microbe-disease pair with bias rating. Meta-graph with higher bias rating will be assigned greater weight value when calculating probability scores.

Conclusions

The experimental results showed that WMGHMDA outperformed some state-of-the-art methods with average AUCs of 0.9288, 0.9068 ±0.0031 in global leave-one-out cross validation (LOOCV) and 5-fold cross validation (5-fold CV), respectively. In the case studies, 9, 19, 37 and 10, 20, 45 out of top-10, 20, 50 candidate microbes were manually verified by previous reports for asthma and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), respectively. Furthermore, three common human diseases (Crohn’s disease, Liver cirrhosis, Type 1 diabetes) were adopted to demonstrate that WMGHMDA could be efficiently applied to make predictions for new diseases. In summary, WMGHMDA has a high potential in predicting microbe-disease associations.
Transcriptomic and metabolomic profiling provide novel insights into fruit development and flesh coloration in Prunus mira Koehne, a special wild peach species
Authors: Ying Hong , Shi Jian , Zhang Shanshan , Pingcuo Gesang , Wang Shuo , Zhao Fan , Cui Yongning , Zeng Xiuli
Published: November 2019

Background

Flesh color is one of the most important traits for the commercial value of peach fruit. To unravel the underlying regulatory network in Prunus mira, we performed an integrated analysis of the transcriptome and metabolome of 3 fruit types with various flesh pigmentations (milk-white, yellow and blood) at 3 developmental stages (pit-hardening, cell enlargement and fruit ripening).

Results

Transcriptome analysis showed that an intense transcriptional adjustment is required for the transition from the pit-hardening to the cell enlargement stage. In contrast, few genes were differentially expressed (DEGs) from the cell enlargement to the fruit ripening stage and importantly, the 3 fruits displayed diverse transcriptional activities, indicating that difference in fruit flesh pigmentations mainly occurred during the ripening stage. We further investigated the DEGs between pairs of fruit types during the ripening stage and identified 563 DEGs representing the ‘core transcriptome’ associated with major differentiations between the 3 fruit types, including flesh pigmentation. Meanwhile, we analyzed the metabolome, particularly, at the ripening stage and uncovered 40 differential metabolites (‘core metabolome’) between the 3 fruit types including 5 anthocyanins, which may be the key molecules associated with flesh coloration. Finally, we constructed the regulatory network depicting the interactions between anthocyanins and important transcripts involved in fruit flesh coloration.

Conclusions

The major metabolites and transcripts involved in fruit flesh coloration in P. mira were unraveled in this study providing valuable information which will undoubtedly assist in breeding towards improved fruit quality in peach.
Effect of vitamin D supplementation on assisted reproduction technology (ART) outcomes and underlying biological mechanisms: protocol of a randomized clinical controlled trial. The “supplementation of vitamin D and reproductive outcome” (SUNDRO) study
Authors: Paffoni Alessio , Somigliana Edgardo , Sarais Veronica , Ferrari Stefania , Reschini Marco , Makieva Sofia , Papaleo Enrico , Viganò Paola
Published: November 2019

Background

Vitamin D plays an important role in human physiology and pathology. The receptor for vitamin D regulates 0.5–5% of the human genome. Accordingly, vitamin D insufficiency has been shown to increase the risk of several diseases. In recent years, based on growing evidence, on a role of vitamin D has been also postulated in reproductive health both in animals and humans, especially in female fertility female fertility. In vitro fertilization success was shown to be higher in women with appropriate reserves of vitamin D. However a causal relation has not been demonstrated and randomized controlled trials testing the effectiveness of vitamin D supplementation in IVF are warranted.

Methods

This is a multicenter randomized double blinded placebo controlled study aimed at determining the benefits of vitamin D [25(OH)D] supplementation in improving clinical pregnancy rate in women undergoing IVF. Eligible women with a serum level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] < 30 ng/ml will be randomized. Recruited women will be given the drug (either 600,000 IU of 25(OH) D or placebo in a single oral administration) at the time of randomization. Two centres will participate and the sample size (700 women) is foreseen to be equally distributed between the two. Patients will be treated according to standard IVF protocols.

Discussion

The primary aim of the study is the cumulative clinical pregnancy rate per oocyte retrieval. Clinical pregnancy is defined as the presence of at least one intrauterine gestational sac with viable foetus at first ultrasound assessment (3 weeks after a positive human chorionic gonadotropin [hCG] assessment). Secondary outcomes include: 1) clinical and embryological variables; 2) oocyte and endometrium quality at a molecular level. To investigate this latter aspect, samples of cumulus cells, follicular and endometrial fluids will be obtained from a subgroup of 50 age-matched good-prognosis cases and controls.

Trial registration

The protocol was included in EudraCT on 22nd September 2015 with the registration number assigned ‘2015-004233-27’; it was submitted through the database of the Italian “Osservatorio Nazionale della Sperimentazione Clinica (OsSC)” - (National Monitoring Centre of Clinical Trials) to the National Competent Authority on 8th March 2016 and approved on 23rd June 2016.
Stromal ColXα1 expression correlates with tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and predicts adjuvant therapy outcome in ER-positive/HER2-positive breast cancer
Authors: Zhao Chaohui Lisa , Singh Kamaljeet , Brodsky Alexander S. , Lu Shaolei , Graves Theresa A. , Fenton Mary Anne , Yang Dongfang , Sturtevant Ashlee , Resnick Murray B. , Wang Yihong
Published: November 2019

Background

The breast cancer microenvironment contributes to tumor progression and response to chemotherapy. Previously, we reported that increased stromal Type X collagen α1 (ColXα1) and low TILs correlated with poor pathologic response to neoadjuvant therapy in estrogen receptor and HER2-positive (ER+/HER2+) breast cancer. Here, we investigate the relationship of ColXα1 and long-term outcome of ER+/HER2+ breast cancer patients in an adjuvant setting.

Methods

A total of 164 cases with at least 5-year follow-up were included. Immunohistochemistry for ColXα1 was performed on whole tumor sections. Associations between ColXα1expression, clinical pathological features, and outcomes were analyzed.

Results

ColXα1 expression was directly proportional to the amount of tumor associated stroma (p = 0.024) and inversely proportional to TILs. Increased ColXα1 was significantly associated with shorter disease free survival and overall survival by univariate analysis. In multivariate analysis, OS was lower in ColXα1 expressing (HR = 2.1; 95% CI = 1.2–3.9) tumors of older patients (> = 58 years) (HR = 5.3; 95% CI = 1.7–17) with higher stage (HR = 2.6; 95% CI = 1.3–5.2). Similarly, DFS was lower in ColXα1 expressing (HR = 1.8; 95% CI = 1.6–5.7) tumors of older patients (HR = 3.2; 95% CI = 1.3–7.8) with higher stage (HR = 2.7; 95% CI = 1.6–5.7) and low TILs. In low PR+ tumors, higher ColXα1 expression was associated with poorer prognosis.

Conclusion

ColXα1 expression is associated with poor disease free survival and overall survival in ER+/HER2+ breast cancer. This study provides further support for the prognostic utility of ColXα1 as a breast cancer associated stromal factor that predicts response to chemotherapy.
Local walking and cycling by residents living near urban motorways: cross-sectional analysis
Authors: Powers Eleanor F. J. , Panter Jenna , Ogilvie David , Foley Louise
Published: November 2019

Background

Everyday activities, such as walking or cycling, may be a feasible and practical way to integrate physical activity into everyday life. Walking and cycling for transport or recreation in the area local to a person’s home may have additional benefits. However, urban planning tends to prioritise car use over active modes. We explored the cross-sectional association between living near an urban motorway and local walking and cycling.

Methods

In 2013, residents living in an area (a) near a new urban motorway (M74), (b) near a longstanding urban motorway (M8), or (c) without a motorway, in Glasgow, Scotland, were invited to complete postal surveys assessing local walking and cycling journeys and socio-demographic characteristics. Using adjusted regression models, we assessed the association between motorway proximity and self-reported local walking and cycling, as well as the count of types of destination accessed. We stratified our analyses according to study area.

Results

One thousand three hundred forty-three residents (57% female; mean age: 54 years; SD: 16 years) returned questionnaires. There was no overall association between living near an urban motorway and the likelihood of local walking or cycling, or the number of types of local destination accessed by foot or bicycle.

In stratified analyses, for those living in the area around the new M74 motorway, increasing residential proximity to the motorway was associated with lower likelihood of local recreational walking and cycling (OR 0.63, 95% CI: 0.39 to 1.00) a pattern not found in the area with the longstanding M8 motorway. In the area near the M8 motorway residential proximity was statistically significantly (p = 0.014) associated with a 12% decrease in the number of types of destination accessed, a pattern not found in the M74 study area.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that associations between living near a motorway and local walking and cycling behaviour may vary by the characteristics of the motorway, and by whether the behaviour is for travel or recreation. The lack of associations seen in the study area with no motorway suggests a threshold effect whereby beyond a certain distance from a motorway, additional distance makes no difference.
Factors associated with tuberculosis disease among children who are household contacts of tuberculosis cases in an urban setting in Malaysia
Authors: Azit Noor Atika , Ismail Aniza , Ahmad Norfazilah , Ismail Rohani , Ishak Shuhaily
Published: November 2019

Background

With the rise in prevalence of childhood tuberculosis (TB) globally, contact tracing should be a powerful strategy for early diagnosis and management, especially in children who are household contacts of active TB cases. Here, we aimed to determine the prevalence and factors associated with TB disease in children who are household contacts of TB cases.

Methods

We used a cross-sectional study with data from the Malaysian TB Information System (TBIS) recorded from 1 January 2014 to 31 December 2017. All children aged 0–14 years who were registered in the TBIS with at least one household contact of TB cases were included in the study. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to calculate the adjusted odds ratio (adj. OR) and for adjusting the confounding factors.

Results

A total of 2793 children were included in the study. The prevalence of active TB was 1.5% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.31, 1.77%). Children aged < 5 years [adj. OR 9.48 (95% CI: 3.41, 26.36) p < 0.001] with positive tuberculin skin test [adj. OR 395.73 (95% CI: 134.17, 1167.13), p < 0.001] and investigation period of > 6 weeks [adj. OR 7.48 (95% CI: 2.88, 19.43), p < 0.001] had significantly higher odds for TB disease.

Conclusions

The prevalence of TB disease in children who were household contacts of TB cases is relatively low. However, contact tracing programmes should not only focus on children aged < 5 years and with positive tuberculin skin test results, but also be empowered to reduce the investigation period.
A longitudinal study assessing differences in causes of death among housed and homeless people diagnosed with HIV in San Francisco
Authors: Hessol Nancy A. , Eng Monica , Vu Annie , Pipkin Sharon , Hsu Ling C. , Scheer Susan
Published: November 2019

Background

San Francisco has implemented several programs addressing the needs of two large vulnerable populations: people living with HIV and those who are homeless. Assessment of these programs on health outcomes is paramount for reducing preventable deaths.

Methods

Individuals diagnosed with HIV/AIDS and reported to the San Francisco Department of Public Health HIV surveillance registry, ages 13 years or older, who resided in San Francisco at the time of diagnosis, and who died between January 1, 2002, and December 31, 2016 were included in this longitudinal study. The primary independent variable was housing status, dichotomized as ever homeless since diagnosed with HIV, and the dependent variables were disease-specific causes of death, as noted on the death certificate. The Cochran-Armitage test measured changes in the mortality rates over time and unadjusted and adjusted Poisson regression models measured prevalence ratios (PR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for causes of death.

Results

A total of 4158 deceased individuals were included in the analyses: the majority were male (87%), ages 40–59 years old at the time of death (64%), non-Hispanic White (60%), men who have sex with men (54%), had an AIDS diagnosis prior to death (87%), and San Francisco residents at the time of death (63%). Compared to those who were housed, those who were homeless were more likely to be younger at time of death, African American, have a history of injecting drugs, female or transgender, and were living below the poverty level (all p values < 0.0001). Among decedents who were SF residents at the time of death, there were declines in the proportion of deaths due to AIDS-defining conditions (p < 0.05) and increases in accidents, cardiomyopathy, heart disease, ischemic disease, non-AIDS cancers, and drug overdoses (p < 0.05). After adjustment, deaths due to mental disorders (aPR = 1.63, 95% CI 1.24, 2.14) were more likely and deaths due to non-AIDS cancers (aPR = 0.63, 95% CI 0.44, 0.89) were less likely among those experiencing homelessness.

Conclusions

Additional efforts are needed to improve mental health services to homeless people with HIV and prevent mental-health related mortality.
A longitudinal faculty development program: supporting a culture of teaching
Authors: Burgess Annette , Matar Elie , Neuen Brendon , Fox Greg J.
Published: November 2019

Background

Recent trends in faculty development demonstrate a shift from short term to long-term programs; formal to informal learning in the workplace; individual to group settings; and from individual support to institutional support. The purpose of this study was to develop and evaluate a one-year Clinical Teaching Fellowship (CTF) program designed to equip early career medical practitioners and basic scientists with necessary skills to facilitate Team-based learning (TBL).

Methods

The CTF program provided formal training, a choice of informal professional development activities, and practical co-teaching opportunities in TBL. Of the 40 registrants, 31 (78%) completed the program. Data were collected via questionnaire and focus group. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and framework analysis.

Results

Participants considered the CTF program as relevant to their needs and useful to their career. Learning was enriched through the combination of training, practical teaching experience alongside senior clinical teachers, the multi-disciplinary context of training and co-teaching in TBLs; and the sense of community. Competing clinical responsibilities made it difficult to attend training and TBL teaching.

Conclusions

The CTF program provided a longitudinal faculty development framework promoting preparation, practice and development of teaching skills. Securing institutional support to invest in the growth and development of early career teachers is essential to sustained innovation and excellence in teaching.
Lessons learned from implementing a responsive quality assessment of clinical ethics support
Authors: Van Baarle Eva M. , Potma Marieke C. , van Hoek Maria E. C. , Hartman Laura A. , Molewijk Bert A. C. , van Gurp Jelle L. P.
Published: November 2019

Background

Various forms of Clinical Ethics Support (CES) have been developed in health care organizations. Over the past years, increasing attention has been paid to the question of how to foster the quality of ethics support. In the Netherlands, a CES quality assessment project based on a responsive evaluation design has been implemented. CES practitioners themselves reflected upon the quality of ethics support within each other’s health care organizations. This study presents a qualitative evaluation of this Responsive Quality Assessment (RQA) project.

Methods

CES practitioners’ experiences with and perspectives on the RQA project were collected by means of ten semi-structured interviews. Both the data collection and the qualitative data analysis followed a stepwise approach, including continuous peer review and careful documentation of the decisions.

Results

The main findings illustrate the relevance of the RQA with regard to fostering the quality of CES by connecting to context specific issues, such as gaining support from upper management and to solidify CES services within health care organizations. Based on their participation in the RQA, CES practitioners perceived a number of changes regarding CES in Dutch health care organizations after the RQA: acknowledgement of the relevance of CES for the quality of care; CES practices being more formalized; inspiration for developing new CES-related activities and more self-reflection on existing CES practices.

Conclusions

The evaluation of the RQA shows that this method facilitates an open learning process by actively involving CES practitioners and their concrete practices. Lessons learned include that “servant leadership” and more intensive guidance of RQA participants may help to further enhance both the critical dimension and the learning process within RQA.
Burnout as a predictor of depression: a cross-sectional study of the sociodemographic and clinical predictors of depression amongst nurses in Cameroon
Authors: Mbanga Clarence , Makebe Haman , Tim Divine , Fonkou Steve , Toukam Louise , Njim Tsi
Published: November 2019

Background

Depression is a debilitating mental health condition which affects an estimated 350 million people worldwide annually. Nurses are twice as likely to suffer from depression than professionals in other professions. This leads to a considerable loss of efficiency and productivity. We sought to determine the prevalence and predictors of depression among nurses in Cameroon.

Methods

Cross-sectional analysis carried out over 6 months (January – June 2018) using nurses from public and private healthcare institutions sampled consecutively in the two English-speaking regions (North west and South west regions) of Cameroon. The nurses were handed a structured, printed, self-administered questionnaire to fill and hand in at their earliest convenience. Depression and burnout were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire – 9 and the Oldenburg Burnout Inventory respectively.

Results

A total of 143 nurses were recruited (mean age: 29.75 ± 6.55 years; age range: 20–55 years, 32.87% male). The overall prevalence of depression was 62.24%. Independent predictors of depression after multivariable analysis were: Number of night shifts a week (adjusted odds ratio: 1.58; p value: 0.045, 95% CI; 1.01, 2.48) and Total Oldenburg Burnout Inventory score (adjusted odds ratio: 1.21, p value: 0.001; 95% CI; 1.08, 1.35). Recreational drug use was also found to perfectly predict the outcome – depression.

Conclusion

Depression is highly prevalent among nurses in the English-speaking regions of Cameroon. Accurate predictors could prove vital for early detection and management of affected individuals. Predictors presented herein require further investigation via multicentric nationwide studies, to obtain more generalizable results.