bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of timing of the anorexigen sibutramine administration on reproductive end‐points of male rats
Authors: Borges Cibele S. , Silva Patrícia V. , Lozano Ana Flávia Q. , Missassi Gabriela , Silva Raquel F. , Anselmo‐Franci Janete A. , Kempinas Wilma G.
Published: July 2020

Sibutramine is a non‐selective serotonin‐norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor orally administered for weight loss. In a previous study, we showed pharmacological mechanisms involved in the reduction of sperm quality and fertility of rats exposed for 30 days to this anorexigen in the light phase of the light‐dark (l/d) cycle. It is already known that rodents are nightlife animals, with higher metabolic activity during the dark phase than in the light phase of the light‐dark (l/d) cycle. Thus, the present study aimed to investigate whether the deleterious effects on reproductive parameters after sibutramine administration would be enhanced after a shorter period of exposure during the dark phase of the l/d cycle. For this, adult male Wistar rats were treated with sibutramine (10 mg/kg/d) or vehicle for 15 days during the dark phase of the l/d cycle. Sibutramine treatment decreased final body and reproductive organ weights, as well as serum testosterone levels. Sperm transit time through the epididymis was accelerated, and sperm concentration and motility were diminished in the sibutramine‐exposed rats. The decrease in sperm concentration was also verified in the epididymal histological sections. In conclusion, the deleterious effects of sibutramine on reproductive parameters of male rats were enhanced when the exposure occurred in the dark phase of the l/d cycle, even after a short exposure duration. Our results reinforce the impact of timing on drug therapeutic action.
5‐Fluorouracil‐treated planarians, a versatile model system for studying stem cell heterogeneity and tissue aging
Authors: Gambino Gaetana , Ippolito Chiara , Modeo Letizia , Salvetti Alessandra , Rossi Leonardo
Published: July 2020

Background Information

Planarians are a sound, well‐established model system for molecular studies in the field of stem cells, cell differentiation, developmental biology and translational research. Treated stem cell‐less planarians produced by X‐ray treatment are commonly used to study stem cell transcriptional profile and their role in planarian biological processes. X‐ray induces oxidative and DNA damage to differentiated cells, requires expensive radiation machines that are not available in most of the research centres and demand rigorous risk management and dedicated staff.

Results

We tested the use of the well‐known antimetabolite genotoxic drug 5‐fluorouracil which mainly affects proliferating cells in way to demonstrate its use in replacing X‐ray treatment. We succeeded in demonstrating ability of high doses of 5‐fluorouracil to deplete Dugesia japonica stem cells and in identifying a 5‐fluorouracil transiently resistant population of lineage committed stem cells.

Conclusions and Significance

Our results encourage the use of 5‐fluorouracil‐treated planarians as a model system for studying mechanisms of resistance to genotoxicants, planarian stem cell heterogeneity and molecular cascades of tissue aging.
lncRNA IGKJ2‐MALLP2 suppresses LSCC proliferation, migration, invasion, and angiogenesis by sponging miR‐1911‐3p/p21
Authors: Cao Jing , Yang Zhenming , An Ran , Zhang Jiarui , Zhao Rui , Li Wenjing , Xu Licheng , Sun Yanan , Liu Ming , Tian Linli
Published: July 2020

Because advanced laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) is diagnosed as a malignant tumor with a poor prognosis, the associated mechanisms still need to be further investigated. As key players in the development and progression of LSCC, lncRNAs have attracted increasing attention from many researchers. In this study, a novel lncRNA termed IGKJ2‐MALLP2 was identified and investigated for its effects on the development of LSCC. IGKJ2‐MALLP2 expression was confirmed by RT‐qPCR in 78 pairs of tissues and human laryngeal carcinoma cell lines. The results of this study showed that the expression of IGKJ2‐MALLP2 was reduced in LSCC tissues and displayed close relationships with tumor stage, lymph node metastasis, and clinical stage. Using a dual‐luciferase reporter assay, the ability of miR‐1911‐3p to bind both IGKJ2‐MALLP2 and p21 mRNA was demonstrated. IGKJ2‐MALLP2 could upregulate p21 expression by competitively binding miR‐1911‐3p. Moreover, IGKJ2‐MALLP2 effectively hindered the invasion, migration, and proliferation of AMC‐HN‐8 and TU212 tumor cells. Furthermore, its high expression could hinder the secretion of VEGF‐A and suppress angiogenesis. As revealed by the results of in vitro experiments, IGKJ2‐MALLP2 overexpression could restrict tumor growth and blood vessel formation in a xenograft model of LSCC. As indicated from the mentioned findings, IGKJ2‐MALLP2, which mediates p21 expression by targeting miR‐1911‐3p, was capable of regulating LSCC progression and could act as an underlying therapeutic candidate to treat LSCC.
Tackling reporting issues and variation in behavioural weight management interventions: Design and piloting of the standardized reporting of adult behavioural weight management interventions to aid evaluation (STAR‐LITE) template
Authors: Heggie Lisa , Mackenzie Ruth M. , Ells Louisa J. , Simpson Sharon Anne , Logue Jennifer
Published: July 2020

In the United Kingdom, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence make recommendations to guide the local‐level selection and implementation of adult behavioural weight management interventions (BWMIs) which lack specificity. The reporting of BWMIs is generally poorly detailed, resulting in difficulties when comparing effectiveness, quality and appropriateness for participants. This non‐standardized reporting makes meta‐analysis of intervention data impossible, resulting in vague guidance based on weak evidence, reinforcing the urgent need for consistency and detail within BWMI description. STAR‐LITE ‐ a 4‐section, 119‐item standardized adult BWMI reporting template ‐ was developed and tested using a two‐phase process. After initial design, the template was piloted using adult behavioural weight management RCTs and currently implemented UK BWMI mapping information to further refine the template and examine current reporting and variance. Overall, reporting quality of weight management RCTs was poor, and large variance across different components of real‐world BWMIs was observed. Non‐specific guidance and wide variation in adult BWMIs are likely linked to inadequate RCT reporting quality and the inability to perform reliable comparisons of data. Future use of STAR‐LITE would facilitate the consistent, detailed reporting of adult BWMIs, supporting their evaluation and comparison, to ultimately inform effective policy and improve weight management practice.
Management and tolerability of glecaprevir‐pibrentasvir pharmacotherapy in hepatitis C viremic heart and lung transplant recipients
Authors: Lewis Tyler C. , Gidea Claudia , Reyentovich Alex , Angel Luis , Lesko Melissa , Pavone Jennifer , Sureau Kimberly , Smith Deane E. , Kon Zachary , Moazami Nader
Published: July 2020

We conducted a retrospective review of thoracic transplant recipients (22 heart and 16 lung transplant recipients) prospectively enrolled in a single‐center observational study of HCV NAT+ organ transplantation in HCV NAT− recipients. All recipients were treated with 8 weeks of glecaprevir‐pibrentasvir (GP) for HCV viremia in addition to standard triple immunosuppression post‐transplant. Thoracic transplant recipients of HCV NAT− organs were used as a control (24 heart and 22 lung transplant recipients). Our primary outcome was to assess the effect of GP on tacrolimus dose requirements. Secondary objectives included assessing drug interactions with common post‐transplant medications, adverse effects, and the need to hold or discontinue GP therapy. The median tacrolimus concentration‐to‐dose ratio (CDR) in the cohort was 184 (99‐260) during GP therapy and 154 (78‐304) over the first month after GP (P = .79). Trends in median tacrolimus CDR were similar on a per‐week basis and per‐patient basis. In three instances, concomitant posaconazole and GP led to hyperbilirubinemia and interruption of posaconazole. GP therapy was held in one heart transplant recipient and discontinued in another due to unresolving hyperbilirubinemia. Utilization of GP to treat HCV viremia post–thoracic transplant is feasible and safe, but requires modifications to post‐transplant pharmacotherapy and careful monitoring for adverse effects.
Nightlife scene involvement and patterns of prescription drug misuse
Authors: Kelly Brian C. , Vuolo Mike
Published: July 2020

Introduction and Aims

Participation in nightlife influences a range of health behaviours. Participants in various nightlife scenes have increasingly adopted prescription drug misuse into their substance use repertoires.

Design and Methods

With 404 young adults recruited via time–space sampling in New York, we examine the relationship of nightlife participation—measured by number of scenes and the number of nights out in nightlife scenes—to prescription drug misuse during the past 3 months. Outcomes included frequency of misuse, escalation to non‐oral consumption, polydrug use, social problems and symptoms of dependence.

Results

Negative binomial regressions indicate nightlife participation is associated with increased frequency of misuse measured by number of scenes (incidence rate ratio = 1.114, P < 0.05) and number of nights out (incidence rate ratio = 1.009, P < 0.001). Logistic regression models show nightlife participation is associated with increased odds of non‐oral use (adjusted odds ratio; AOR = 1.334, P < 0.01) and polydrug use (AOR = 1.776, P < 0.001) measured by number of scenes, and non‐oral use (AOR = 1.021, P < 0.001) and polydrug use (AOR = 1.023, P < 0.001) as measured by number of nights out. Nightlife participation is not associated with prescription drug problems or symptoms of dependence. Frequency of participation is associated with peer norms favourable to prescription drugs (B = 0.003, P < 0.01).

Discussion and Conclusions

Nightlife participation has implications for prescription drug misuse. While shaping how often and in what manner young people consume prescription drugs, nightlife participation is not associated with harms experienced. Given the significance of the prescription drug trend in many world regions, these results suggest that increasing participation in nightlife shapes patterns of drug use, but in ways that do not lead to reported problems.
Alcohol's harm to others and subjective well‐being: Cross‐sectional studies in Lao People's Democratic Republic and Thailand
Authors: Jankhotkaew Jintana , Pikhart Hynek , Chaiyasong Surasak , Waleewong Orratai , Nasueb Sopit , Markchang Kamolphat , Siengsounthone Latsamy , Sengngam Khanpaseuth , Douangvichit Daovieng , Thamarangsi Thaksaphon
Published: July 2020

Introduction and Aims

Previous studies have confirmed that the number of heavy drinkers in a household negatively correlates with the subjective well‐being of individuals in the household. However, limited studies have investigated the experiences of alcohol's harm to others (HTO) and subjective well‐being, particularly in low‐ and middle‐income countries. The purpose of this study was to investigate the associations between experiences of HTO and subjective well‐being in two selected low‐ and middle‐income countries.

Design and Methods

We analysed population survey data on 1205 and 1491 individuals aged 18–64 years from Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) and Thailand, respectively. The respondents' experiences of HTO and their subjective well‐being were measured using face‐to‐face interviews. The association between experiencing HTO and subjective well‐being was investigated using Tobit regression models.

Results

A significant association between experiencing HTO and subjective well‐being was found in Thailand, but not in Lao PDR. Those who had ever experienced HTO had a 2.77‐point lower score of subjective well‐being than those who had never experienced HTO (95% confidence interval −4.67, −0.88; P‐value <0.05) in Thailand. In Lao PDR, the physical harm dimension showed the strongest association with subjective well‐being compared to other types of harm, while in Thailand, financial harm was the dimension most strongly associated with the outcome.

Discussion and Conclusions

There was a significant association between HTO and subjective well‐being, particularly physical harm in Lao PDR and financial harm in Thailand. The study suggests that services to mitigate the impacts of HTO on well‐being should focus on physical harm in Lao PDR and financial harm in Thailand.
Influence of life‐history traits on the occurrence of carnivores within exoticEucalyptusplantations
Authors: Teixeira Daniela F. , Guillera‐Arroita Gurutzeta , Hilário Renato R. , Fonseca Carlos , Rosalino Luís Miguel
Published: July 2020

Aim

The world's forested area has been declining, especially in developing countries. In contrast, forest plantations are increasing, particularly exoticEucalyptusplantations, which cover nowadays over 20 million ha worldwide. This global landscape change affects native communities, especially those at higher trophic levels that are affected by bottom–up cascading effects, such as carnivores. We seek to identify the general life‐history traits of mammalian carnivore species that use exoticEucalyptusplantations.

Location

We reviewed 55 studies reporting carnivore presence inEucalyptusplantations worldwide.

Methods

We consider seven species life‐history traits (generation length, social behaviour, body mass, energetic trophic level, diet diversity, habitat generalist/specialist and locomotion mode) as candidate drivers. We used generalized linear mixed models, with life‐history traits as fixed factors, and study as well as carnivore species as random factors. We obtained the carnivore occurrence data from the literature (detection of 42 different species, from seven families). We considered non‐detected species those with an IUCN Red List of Threatened Species estimated distribution range overlapping with the study areas, but not recorded by the studies.

Results

While we found no evidence of an effect of any of the other life‐history traits tested, our modelling procedure indicated that habitat generalist species are more likely to useEucalyptusforests than specialist species.

Main conclusions

Our results, therefore, confirm an impoverishment of predator communities in disturbed environments, with the exclusion of the most specialist predators, leading to fragmentation of their populations and, ultimately contributing to their local extinction. The local extinction of specialist carnivores may lead to “functional homogenization” of communities within plantations, modifying ecosystem functioning with a negative impact on plantations’ productivity, profitability and services.
Can Mindfulness be Helpful in Team Decision‐Making? A Framework for Understanding How to Mitigate False Consensus
Authors: Selart Marcus , Schei Vidar , Lines Rune , Nesse Synnøve
Published: July 2020

Mindfulness has recently attracted a great deal of interest in the field of management. However, even though mindfulness – broadly viewed as a state of active awareness – has been described mainly at the individual level, it may also have important effects at aggregated levels. In this article, we adopt a team‐based conceptualization of mindfulness, and develop a framework that represents the powerful effect of team mindfulness on facilitating effective decision‐making. We further discuss how a conceptualization of team mindfulness may mitigate the process of false consensus by interacting positively with the following five central team processes: open‐mindedness, participation, empowerment, conflict management, and value and ambiguity tolerance. A false consensus constitutes a cognitive bias, leading to the perception of a consensus that does not exist. In essence, we argue that, although a conceptualization of team mindfulness does not guarantee effective decision‐making in itself, it may successfully reduce false consensus when coupled with these five team processes. Accordingly, this article contributes to the theory and practice of team decision‐making by demonstrating how a conceptualization of team mindfulness can be helpful in the increasingly complex and ambiguous situations faced by contemporary teams.
Understanding What People With Migraine Consider to be Important Features of Migraine Tracking: An Analysis of the Utilization of Smartphone‐Based Migraine Tracking With a Free‐Text Feature
Authors: Minen Mia T. , Jaran Jana , Boyers Talia , Corner Sarah
Published: July 2020

Background

Headache mobile health (mHealth) applications (apps) have gained popularity in use but there is little research into what people with migraine find important to track. This information is important for helping with adherence and determining meaningful data to patients. We conducted several clinical trials using a headache research app (RELAXaHEAD). The app contains a “notes” feature (a free‐text input section) where patients could record notes related to their headache.

Objective

To identify what patients view as important when tracking migraine/headaches within a headache tracking mHealth app.

Methods

This was a retrospective study where smartphone diary notes inputted by people with migraine were qualitatively analyzed; notes were extracted, a preliminary codebook was developed and used to code each note. Using grounded theory, themes and subthemes emerged.

Results

About 288 subjects in the trials used the notes function. There were 5364 total notes with an average of 18.6 ± 39.2 notes/user. The qualitative analysis yielded 759 unique codes and the emergence of 4 major themes. The first theme was “Utility in free‐text tracking of headache characteristics, medications, and sleep” which emerged as a space for users to elaborate on data that could have been inputted into other sections of the app. The second theme was “Monitoring coexisting conditions both related to and distinct from headache.” The third theme was “Personal records of behavioral therapy adherence,” which included a range of concepts from behavioral therapy session frequency/adherence to subjects’ thoughts or emotions regarding the behavioral therapy. The fourth theme was “Migraine trigger, prevention, and relief patterns deciphered through consistent data tracking.”

Conclusion

We found that the majority of patients choose to expand on information beyond what can be inputted into specific icons in a headache app. Moreover, they want to be able to monitor not only headache‐related symptoms but symptoms they experience from other conditions. In addition to tracking their pharmacologic treatment, they may choose to track their nonpharmacologic, that is, behavioral therapy use, and they also use a smartphone diary app to assess what triggers versus relieves a migraine. While the RELAXaHEAD app was designed with features to extract data that would be useful to physicians and patients in treating migraine, our study results indicated that users also prefer a range of tracking capabilities that may or may not be useful to physicians but may be important for headache smartphone user engagement.
The traceability of commercial plasma calibrators to the plasma International Standards for factor VIII and factor IX
Authors: Wilmot Helen V. , Rakowski Kajetan , Gray Elaine
Published: July 2020

Accurate measurement of coagulation factors is essential, especially for diagnosis of deficiency. Clinical laboratories use commercially available plasma calibrators, which should be traceable to the relevant plasma International Standard (IS). This study assessed the relationship between the plasma IS for factors IX (FIX) and VIII (FVIII) and some commonly used commercial calibrators. Calibrators from seven manufacturers were assayed for FIX and FVIII activity by one‐stage clotting assay (OSCA) using different activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) reagents and deficient plasmas, or chromogenic assay (CA). Results were calculated relative to the 4th IS Factors II,VII,IX,X, Plasma or the 6th IS Factor VIII/VWF, Plasma. Results for each calibrator were similar across the APTT reagents and deficient plasmas used. All calibrators showed a recovery of 90%‐111% of the manufacturers’ values, except calibrator C, which had recovery of around 85%. CA gave similar results, with good recovery for all but calibrator C. Similar low recoveries for OSCA and CA were found for a different lot of calibrator C and for a different calibrator product from manufacturer C. When all calibrators from manufacturer C were assayed by OSCA using the manufacturer's own deficient plasmas and APTT reagents, the mean recovery was still below 90%. Overall, there was good traceability of the international unit between the IS and commercial calibrator plasmas. Calibrators from one manufacturer consistently yielded lower than expected values for FIX and FVIII. This could lead to an over‐estimation of the coagulation factor content in patient samples and demonstrates the importance of careful choice of calibrator.
Transient stent placement versus tubeless procedure after ureteroscopy retrograde surgery stone extraction (Fast Track Stent study 2): A randomized prospective evaluation
Authors: Reicherz Alina , Maas Verena , Wenzel Patricia , Dahlkamp Lisa , Palisaar Jüri , von Bodman Christian , Noldus Joachim , Bach Peter
Published: July 2020

Objectives

To determine whether in pre‐stented patients undergoing ureteroscopic stone removal (ureteroscopy retrograde surgery) a tubeless procedure provides a better outcome compared with short‐term (6 h) ureteral stenting using an external ureteral catheter.

Methods

In this single academic center study (Fast Track Stent study 2), carried out between May 2016 and April 2018, 121 patients with renal or ureteral calculi were initially treated with double‐J insertion. Before secondary ureteroscopy retrograde surgery, patients were prospectively randomized into two groups: tubeless versus ureteral catheter insertion for 6 h after ureteroscopy retrograde surgery. Exclusion criteria were acute urinary tract infection, solitary kidney or stone diameter >25 mm. Study end‐points were stent‐related symptoms assessed by a validated questionnaire (ureteral stent symptom questionnaire), administered both before and 4 weeks after surgery. Numerical ureteral stent symptom questionnaire scores were compared using the Mann–Whitney‐U‐test. The level of significance was defined as P < 0.05.

Results

Ureteroscopy retrograde surgery procedures carried out by 13 surgeons resulted in >90% stone removal in all patients (n = 121), with a mean operation time of 19.9 versus 18.0 min for ureteral catheter versus tubeless, respectively (P = 0.37). Patient groups did not differ significantly in their ureteral stent symptom questionnaire scores (urinary index P = 0.24; pain index P = 0.35). Patients showed a significant preference for tubeless procedure over ureteral catheter reinsertion (Question GQ P < 0.0001). The reintervention rate was 13.3% for the tubeless procedure (n = 8) and 1.6% for the ureteral catheter group (n = 1), respectively (P = 0.034).

Conclusions

Short‐term ureteral catheter and no stent insertion after ureteroscopy retrograde surgery stone extraction in pre‐stented patients result in comparable quality of life. However, the reintervention rate is higher for tubeless procedures.
High‐dose‐rate brachytherapy and hypofractionated external beam radiotherapy combined with long‐term androgen deprivation therapy for very high‐risk prostate cancer
Authors: Kasahara Takashi , Ishizaki Fumio , Kazama Akira , Yuki Eri , Yamana Kazutoshi , Maruyama Ryo , Oshikane Tomoya , Kaidu Motoki , Aoyama Hidefumi , Bilim Vladimir , Nishiyama Tsutomu , Tomita Yoshihiko
Published: July 2020

Objective

To estimate the outcomes of high‐dose‐rate brachytherapy combined with hypofractionated external beam radiotherapy in prostate cancer patients classified as very high risk by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network.

Methods

Between June 2009 and September 2015, 66 patients meeting the criteria for very high‐risk disease received high‐dose‐rate brachytherapy (2 fractions of 9 Gy) as a boost of external beam radiotherapy (13 fractions of 3 Gy). Androgen deprivation therapy was administered for approximately 3 years. Biochemical failure was assessed using the Phoenix definition.

Results

The median follow‐up period was 53 months from the completion of radiotherapy. The 5‐year biochemical failure‐free, distant metastasis‐free, prostate cancer‐specific and overall survival rates were 88.7, 89.2, 98.5 and 97.0%, respectively. The independent contribution of each component of the very high‐risk criteria was assessed in multivariable models. Primary Gleason pattern 5 was associated with increased risks of biochemical failure (P = 0.017) and distant metastasis (P = 0.049), whereas clinical stage ≥T3b or >4 biopsy cores with Gleason score 8–10 had no significant impact on the two outcomes. Grade 3 genitourinary toxicities were observed in two (3.0%) patients, whereas no grade ≥3 gastrointestinal toxicities occurred.

Conclusions

The present study shows that this multimodal approach provides potentially excellent cancer control and acceptable associated morbidity for very high‐risk disease. Patients with primary Gleason pattern 5 are at a higher risk of poor outcomes, indicating the need for more aggressive approaches in these cases.
Impact of indocyanine green‐guided extended pelvic lymph node dissection during robot‐assisted radical prostatectomy
Authors: Shimbo Masaki , Endo Fumiyasu , Matsushita Kazuhito , Hattori Kazunori
Published: July 2020

Objectives

To evaluate the effectiveness of indocyanine green‐guided extended pelvic lymph node dissection during robot‐assisted radical prostatectomy for intermediate‐ to high‐risk prostate cancer.

Materials and methods

After institutional review board approval, between July 2017 and December 2018, we carried out 100 indocyanine green‐guided extended pelvic lymph node dissections in patients with localized intermediate‐ and high‐risk prostate cancer, using the Firefly (Novadaq Technologies, Mississauga, ON, Canada) and da Vinci Xi surgical system (Intuitive Surgical, Sunnyvale, CA, USA). Indocyanine green was injected transrectally using ultrasound sonography before each surgery. Then, lymphatic drainage patterns and pathological findings were recorded.

Results

Lymphatic drainage routes were successfully determined in 91 right‐sided and 90 left‐sided cases. Five main lymphatic pathways and sites were identified: (i) an internal route (57%); (ii) a lateral route (50%); (iii) a presacral route (20%); (iv) a paravesical artery site (20%); and (v) a pre‐prostatic site (5%). Lymph node metastasis was positive in 15 patients, with 44 pathologically confirmed metastatic lymph nodes. Metastatic fluorescent lymph nodes were found in 15 out of 44 lymph nodes (34.1%). For sentinel lymph node identification, the 34% sensitivity and 64.8% specificity rates were detected in regard to identification of lymph node metastasis.

Conclusions

Lymphatic drainage patterns from the prostate can be identified and classified using indocyanine green‐guided extended pelvic lymph node dissections. Although the direct role of fluorescent lymph nodes in sentinel lymph node identification appears to be limited, the identification of lymphatic pathways could contribute to high‐quality extended pelvic lymph node dissection during robot‐assisted radical prostatectomy.
Informal employment and the earnings of home‐based home care workers in the United States
Authors: Kim Jeounghee
Published: July 2020

Informal employment continues to exist in parallel with formal employment among the US home‐based home care workers and undermines the workers' economic security. This study examines the extent to which the earnings of the US home‐based home care workers are affected by informal employment arrangements and state labour policies designed to benefit low‐wage home care workers. Using a sample of 1,318 home‐based home care workers from the 2017 and 2018 Annual Social and Economic Supplement of the Current Population Survey, this study found that (i) informally employed home‐based home care workers had a 9% reduction in annual earnings and that (ii) their earnings were not improved by generous state minimum wages and Domestic Workers' Bill of Rights while the earnings of agency employees were. The findings highlight the importance of strong enforcement of labour standards for informally employed home care workers in the United States.
Beta diversity patterns of bats in the Atlantic Forest: How does the scale of analysis affect the importance of spatial and environmental factors?
Authors: Batista Carolina Blefari , de Lima Isaac Passos , Lima Marcos Robalinho
Published: July 2020

Aim

Environmental and spatial factors are broadly recognized as important predictors of beta diversity patterns. However, the scale at which beta diversity patterns are evaluated will affect the outcoming results. For example, studies at larger scales will usually find spatial processes as the main predictor of beta diversity patterns. In this study, we evaluate how beta diversity patterns change when analyses are conducted at different scales by reducing the scale of analysis in a hierarchical manner.

Location

Atlantic Forest biome.

Taxon

Chiroptera.

Methods

Information on the occurrence of 59 bat species were obtained from the Atlantic Bats and Species Link database. We partitioned beta diversity into its two components (nestedness and turnover), and calculated these indexes hierarchically: the biome in its entirety (all ecoregions); between larger regions (north, central and south); and between ecoregions within each region. We performed a Generalized Dissimilarity Model (GDM) to identify and predict the turnover of bat species in the Atlantic Forest based on geo‐climatic predictors. We obtained 19 geo‐climatic data from AMBDATA, an environmental dataset based on different data sources commonly used in species distribution modelling.

Results

We found that turnover was the main component influencing a latitudinal gradient when the biome was analysed in its entirety. However, when the scale of the analysis was reduced, we found that species loss (nestedness component) had a large effect in determining beta diversity dissimilarity. We also found that nestedness was the main pattern explaining beta diversity dissimilarity along a longitudinal gradient.

Main conclusions

Beta diversity patterns changed with the scale of analysis, which indicates that bat species composition does not follow the same pattern throughout the Atlantic Forest. This corroborates the importance of analysing beta diversity patterns at different scales to understand how environmental dissimilarity across geographical space can influence species distribution patterns.
Non–vitamin K oral anticoagulants in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy patients undergoing catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation
Authors: Creta Antonio , Hunter Ross J. , Earley Mark J. , Finlay Malcolm , Dhinoja Mehul , Sporton Simon , Chow Anthony , Mohiddin Saidi A. , Boveda Serge , Adragao Pedro , Jebberi Zeynab , Matos Daniel , Schilling Richard J. , Lambiase Pier D. , Providência Rui
Published: July 2020

Introduction

Patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and atrial fibrillation (AF) require chronic anticoagulation due to high thromboembolic risk. Evidence supporting the use of non–vitamin K oral anticoagulants (NOACs) in patients with HCM remains sparse, and there are no data regarding the use of NOACs in patients with HCM undergoing catheter ablation of AF.

Methods

Observational nonrandomized study in four European centers. We aimed to investigate the safety and efficacy of NOACs compared with vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) in patients with HCM undergoing catheter ablation for AF.

Results

A total of 137 patients with HCM (mean age: 55.0 ± 13.4, 29.1% female) underwent 230 catheter ablations for AF (1.7 ± 1.0 per patient). A total of 55 patients (39.4%) underwent 70 procedures (30.4%) on NOAC, while the remaining were on VKA. Warfarin (97.6%) and rivaroxaban (56.4%) were the most frequently used agents in the respective groups. No procedure‐related deaths were reported. We observed no significant difference in the rate of thromboembolism (VKA: 0.6%; NOAC: 0%; p = 1.0) or minor bleeding (VKA: 0.6%; NOAC: 1.4%; p = .54). There was a nonsignificant trend towards a lower incidence of major bleeding (VKA: 6.9%; NOAC: 1.4%; p = .09).

Conclusion

These preliminary data suggest that NOACs are at least as safe and effective as VKAs in patients with HCM undergoing catheter ablation for AF.
Evaluation of sodium dichloroisocyanurate treatment on recovered concentrations of Salmonella enterica, Escherichia coli O157:H7, and Listeria monocytogenes from cattle hide surfaces and culture medium
Authors: Long Wilbert , Sarker Majher I. , Annous Bassam A. , Paoli George C.
Published: July 2020

A major concern of the cattle industry is cross‐contamination of meat with pathogens. Cattle are exposed to fecal material, mud, and other contaminants which harbor pathogens that can be shed onto meat and meat processing equipment. Due to increased chances of meat contamination during processing, new antimicrobial formulations for carcass washing before hide removal needs to be identified and tested. Sodium dichloroisocyanurate (SDIC) has biocidal properties and belongs to the N‐halamine group of compounds. Disk diffusion assays revealed, 1,000 ppm SDIC effectively reduced pathogen concentrations. SDIC was evaluated for its effects on pathogens in Tryptic Soy Broth and results revealed that 1,000 ppm SDIC had a strong correlation with time and treatment with no bacterial growth in log CFU ml−1 observed at the lowest detection level. Treatment of inoculated hides with 1,000 ppm SDIC for 5 min resulted in reduction of Salmonella enterica, Escherichia coli O157:H7, and Listeria monocytogenes at 1.97, 2.02, and 2.84 log CFU cm−2, respectively.
Sarcopenia Definition & Outcomes Consortium Defined Low Grip Strength in Two Cross‐Sectional, Population‐Based Cohorts
Authors: Patel Sheena M. , Duchowny Kate A. , Kiel Douglas P. , Correa‐de‐Araujo Rosaly , Fielding Roger A. , Travison Thomas , Magaziner Jay , Manini Todd , Xue Qian‐Li , Newman Anne B. , Pencina Karol M. , Santanasto Adam J. , Bhasin Shalender , Cawthon Peggy M.
Published: July 2020

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

The extent to which the prevalence of muscle weakness in the US population varies by different putative grip strength constructs developed by the Sarcopenia Definitions and Outcomes Consortium (SDOC) has not been described.

DESIGN

Cross‐sectional analysis.

SETTING

Two nationally representative cohorts—2010 and 2012 waves of the Health and Retirement Survey and round 1 (2011) of the National Health and Aging Trends Survey.

PARTICIPANTS

Adults aged 65 years and older (n = 12,984) were included in these analyses.

MEASUREMENTS

We analyzed three constructs of muscle weakness developed by the SDOC, and found to be associated with mobility disability for men and women, respectively: absolute grip strength (<35.5 kg and 20 kg); grip strength standardized to body mass index (<1.05 kg/kg/m² and 0.79 kg/kg/m²); and grip strength standardized to weight (<0.45 kg/kg and 0.337 kg/kg). We estimated the prevalence of muscle weakness defined by each of these constructs in the overall older US population, and by age, sex, race, and ethnicity. We also estimated the sensitivity and specificity of each of the grip strength constructs to discriminate slowness (gait speed <0.8 m/s) in these samples.

RESULTS

The prevalence of muscle weakness ranged from 23% to 61% for men and from 30% to 66% for women, depending on the construct used. There was substantial variation in the prevalence of muscle weakness by race and ethnicity. The sensitivity and specificity of these measures for discriminating slowness varied widely, ranging from 0.30 to 0.92 (sensitivity) and from 0.17 to 0.88 (specificity).

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of muscle weakness, defined by the putative SDOC grip strength constructs, depends on the construct of weakness used. J Am Geriatr Soc 68:1438‐1444, 2020.
Patterns of accumulation and social differentiation through a slow‐paced agrarian market transition in post‐Soviet Uzbekistan
Authors: Lombardozzi Lorena
Published: July 2020

This article presents an analysis of contemporary Uzbek agrarian change. First, using mixed methods and triangulating secondary and primary data from Samarkand, it untangles emerging relations of production and exchange during the slow processes of market transition. It shows that different types of public investment, price regulation, subsidies, procurement mechanisms, and the pace of marketization to which crops are subject shaped a slow growth of rural social differentiation and private accumulation. Traditionally, cotton farms have been in a privileged position because they have access to more land and subsidized inputs of production. However, due to recent fast‐track liberalization policies and state‐led investment, farms producing high value crops—fruit and vegetables—are at the forefront of a new pattern of private accumulation. Second, the article reflects on how the gradual approach to market transition has so far squeezed private accumulation, enabling the centralization of surplus extraction from cotton and wheat. This state‐led accumulation strategy is slowly fading, leaving space for market‐oriented reforms that will entail new but uncertain distributional and developmental outcomes within and outside agriculture.
Use of vibrating anesthetic device reduces the pain of mesotherapy injections: A randomized split‐scalp study
Authors: Carvalho Raquel de Melo , Barreto Taynara de Mattos , Weffort Flavia , Machado Carla Jorge , Melo Daniel Fernandes
Published: July 2020

Pain evaluation during local injections is a complex process. Injections cause patient's distress, especially when the target is a sensitive area such as scalp. Nonpharmacological methods as vibration before and during the procedure have been used to reduce pain. Mesotherapy has become a popular nonsurgical procedure for nonscarring alopecia, such as androgenetic alopecia (AGA) and alopecia areata (AA). Vibration has been successfully used in dermatological procedures, pediatrics, and dentistry. No study was found on vibration anesthesia during scalp mesotherapy. To analyze the effect of a vibration anesthetic device (VAD) during scalp mesotherapy on the patients’ comfort.This is a randomized split‐scalp study; thirty patients received mesotherapy with or without VAD on half of their scalp. Numerical rating scale (NRS) was used to measure self‐reported pain. To test difference in means and medians in comparing device use and by treatment (AGA or AA), Student's t tests and Wilcoxon signed rank tests were used. Overall mean pain score on the no vibration‐assisted side was 8.0 ± 1.0 while pain score for the vibration side was 2.3 ± 1.5, for AGA (P < .001) and 7.4 ± 1.2 and 2.1 ± 1.3, respectively, for AA (P < .001). Findings were similar for medians. No complications were found following procedure. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study analyzing the effect of VAD in patients undergoing scalp mesotherapy. The VAD technique was found to be safe, effective, simple, and suitable for scalp procedures.
Urban‐Rural Disparities in Opioid Use Disorder Prevention and Response Activities: A Cross‐Sectional Analysis
Authors: Swann William L. , Kim Sojeong , Kim Serena Y. , Schreiber Terri L.
Published: July 2020

Purpose

Urban and rural areas have been differentially impacted by opioid use disorder (OUD) and related adverse outcomes, yet little systematic study of the urban‐rural divide in OUD prevention and response activities exists. This study compares policy and programmatic activities to tackle the opioid crisis in metropolitan versus nonmetropolitan areas, and within their subclassifications.

Methods

All county governments in 5 purposively selected states were surveyed. Metropolitan and nonmetropolitan counties, and their subclassifications, were compared in their reported implementation of 19 opioid policy and programmatic activities, using 2‐sample proportion and 1‐way analysis of variance (ANOVA) tests with Bonferroni‐corrected multiple comparisons.

Findings

Of the 358 counties surveyed, 171 (response rate = 48%) responses were obtained. The implementation rate of nonmetropolitan counties was lower than that of metropolitan counties for all activities, although not all differences were statistically significant. Within nonmetropolitan areas, the implementation rate of noncore counties was lower than that of micropolitan counties for all activities, and statistically significant differences were found for providing treatment and rehabilitation facilities, allowing arrest alternatives for opioid offenses, and providing opioid detection and treatment training to first responders, among other activities.

Conclusions

The results of this study corroborate claims that nonmetropolitan areas, and particularly noncore areas, face greater barriers to implementing opioid policy and programmatic activities. This study identifies activity areas where rural counties are especially lacking and federal and state governments could support efforts for bending the curve of the opioid crisis.
Genomic architectural variation of plant mitochondria—A review of multichromosomal structuring
Authors: Wu Zhi‐Qiang , Liao Xue‐Zhu , Zhang Xiao‐Ni , Tembrock Luke R. , Broz Amanda
Published: July 2020

Since the endosymbiont origin from α‐Proteobacteria, mitochondrial genomes have undergone extremely divergent evolutionary trajectories among eukaryotic lineages. Compared with the relatively compact and conserved animal mitochondrial genomes, plant mitochondrial genomes have many unique features, especially their large and complex genomic arrangements. The sizes of fully sequenced plant mitochondrial genomes span over a 100‐fold range from 66 kb in Viscum scurruloideum to 11 000 kb in Silene conica. In addition to the typical circular structure, some species of plants also possess linear, and even multichromosomal, architectures. In contrast with the thousands of fully sequenced animal mitochondrial genomes and plant plastid genomes, only around 200 fully sequenced land plant mitochondrial genomes have been published, with many being only draft assemblies. In this review, we summarize some of the known novel characteristics found in plant mitochondrial genomes, with special emphasis on multichromosomal structures described in recent publications. Finally, we discuss the future prospects for studying the inheritance patterns of multichromosomal plant mitochondria and examining architectural variation at different levels of taxonomic organization—including at the population level.
More than one sweet tabaiba: Disentangling the systematics of the succulent dendroid shrub Euphorbia balsamifera
Authors: Riina Ricarda , Villaverde Tamara , Rincón‐Barrado Mario , Molero Julià , Sanmartín Isabel
Published: July 2020

The sweet tabaiba (Euphorbia balsamifera Ait.) is one of the classical examples of the disjunct biogeographic pattern known as Rand Flora. This species is currently circumscribed to comprise two subspecies, Euphorbia balsamifera subsp. balsamifera and E. balsamifera subsp. adenensis (Deflers) P.R.O. Bally, with their respective areas of distribution separated by a gap of about 2000 km across Central‐East Africa. We use multiple sources of evidence including phylogenomics, morphometrics, lineage ages, and climatic niche analysis to disentangle the confusing taxonomy around this charismatic Euphorbia lineage. Based on our integrative approach, we reestablish the two current subspecies to the rank of species (E. balsamifera Ait., E. adenensis Deflers) and resurrect the long forgotten E. sepium N.E. Br., a commonly used species in the western Sub‐Saharan and Sahelian regions. The taxonomic treatment presented here includes an identification key, updated morphological descriptions, and lectotypification of several names.
Clinicopathologic characteristics, pathology, and prognosis of 77 dogs with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis
Authors: Lorbach Sarah K. , Hokamp Jessica A. , Quimby Jessica M. , Cianciolo Rachel E.
Published: July 2020

Background

Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) is a common cause of nonimmune complex glomerulopathy and the prognosis and clinicopathologic findings associated with this condition have not been described in dogs.

Objective

To characterize the presentation and identify clinical factors associated with the survival of dogs with FSGS.

Animals

Seventy‐seven dogs diagnosed with FSGS based on evaluation of renal biopsy samples submitted to the International Veterinary Renal Pathology Service.

Methods

Retrospective review of medical records of dogs biopsied for evaluation of proteinuria between January 2015 and May 2017.

Results

The incidence of FSGS among all dogs biopsied for proteinuria was 26%. Significantly more females (48; 62.3%) than males (29; 37.7%) were affected (P = .04). At the time of biopsy, median serum creatinine concentration (SCr) was 1.2 mg/dL (range, 0.3‐8.7), median serum albumin concentration (Alb) was 2.8 g/dL (range, 1.1‐4.6), median systolic blood pressure was 153.5 mm Hg (range, 95‐260), and median urine protein : creatinine ratio was 5.9 (range, 1.4‐22). Median survival time after biopsy was 258 days (range, 26‐1003) for dogs that died from all causes (n = 32). Factors that were associated with a shorter survival time included SCr ≥ 2.1 mg/dL (P < .01) and Alb < 2 g/dL (P < .01).

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Most dogs with FSGS were female, and although commonly hypertensive, azotemia, severe hypoalbuminemia and ascites or edema were observed infrequently. Variables significantly associated with survival time were SCr and Alb.
Maternal perceptions and barriers experienced during the management of moderately malnourished children in northern Uganda
Authors: Kajjura Richard Bazibu , Veldman Frederick Johannes , Kassier Susanna Maria
Published: July 2020

Little is known about how the use of supplementary foods in the management of children with moderate acute malnutrition (MAM) is perceived by mothers, as well as the barriers they face while using it in Uganda. This study determined maternal perceptions and barriers experienced during the management of children aged 6 to 23 months diagnosed with MAM using either a malted sorghum‐based porridge (MSBP) or fortified corn soy blend (CSB+) as a supplementary porridge. Twelve focus groups and 48 in‐depth interviews were conducted among purposively sampled mothers a week after completing a 3‐month cluster randomised control trial with the two supplementary porridges for the management of their children with MAM in a rural setting of Arua district. All mothers who participated in the trial were eligible for inclusion. Mothers perceived both supplementary porridges as contributing towards weight gain, reducing the prevalence of illness, improving appetite, a healthy skin and improving active play. Barriers to using the supplementary porridges were a lack of time for feeding children due to household chores, maternal hunger as a result of household food insecurity and a lack of social household and community support. Therefore, maternal barriers should be addressed in an attempt to reap maximum benefits from supplementary food interventions for the management of children with MAM, by sensitising household members to the time required to conduct household chores and measure to address food insecurity.