bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Aquifer Imaging with Oscillatory Hydraulic Tomography: Application at the Field Scale
Authors: Cardiff Michael , Zhou YaoQuan , Barrash Warren , Kitanidis Peter K.
Published: November 2019

Modeling and laboratory experiments have demonstrated the ability of oscillatory hydraulic tomography (OHT) to characterize heterogeneity in aquifer hydraulic properties. In OHT, a location is stressed via periodic pumping/injection at a set frequency, and the resulting head signal is measured at a number of monitoring locations. The source of oscillations is repeatedly moved, allowing tomographic imaging of aquifer properties. Changing the period of oscillation also results in observations with additional information. In theory, OHT is comparable to other hydraulic tomography methods in that distributed pressure change measurements provide characterization information. In practice, OHT has several benefits including: (1) little to no water injected into or extracted from the aquifer; and (2) an observational signal at a set period that can be easily extracted in the presence of noise. We report the first field application of OHT, carried out at the Boise Hydrogeophysical Research Site (BHRS) using an oscillating signal generator with a very small cycling volume of <2 L, and a period range of 5 to 70 s. For these tests, signals were detected at distances of over 15 m. After processing to extract periodic signal properties, we perform tomography using a frequency‐domain numerical model for groundwater flow. In comparing results against prior characterization results from the BHRS, we find moderate to strong positive correlations between K profiles estimated via different methods at multiple wells, with moderate overall correlation between estimated three‐dimensional (3D) K volumes.
Why buy new when one can share? Exploring collaborative consumption motivations for consumer goods
Authors: Kim Naeun Lauren , Jin Byoungho Ellie
Published: November 2019

The notion of collaborative consumption or sharing economy—where consumers share access to ownership of properties such as cars, clothes and accommodations—has gained tremendous popularity in recent years. Development of communication technologies and peer‐to‐peer communities has enabled consumers to coordinate sharing activities through various online platforms. Collaborative consumption involves sharing of both intangible (e.g., music, space and car rides) and tangible assets (e.g., household items, clothes and furniture). Activities such as renting, swapping, trading and purchasing/selling used consumer goods are included in the latter. Despite increasing academic attention on collaborative consumption, little research has been pursued in the context of consumer goods. The nature of consumption for tangible goods can be entirely different from that of intangible goods because people can exercise greater control over tangible goods, which results in greater psychological ownership than that for intangible goods. To address this gap, the objective of this study is to develop a scale that examines consumer motivations for collaborative consumption of consumer goods. Following Churchill's paradigm of scale development, the procedures of scale item generation, purification and validation were conducted via in‐depth interviews, literature review and surveys. The study identified five underlying dimensions of collaborative consumption of consumer goods: concern‐for‐sustainability, social, variety‐seeking, fun and cost‐saving. Study findings and implications are discussed, and future research avenues are suggested.
Molecular basis of Hb H and AEBart’s diseases in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic
Authors: Singha Kritsada , Srivorakun Hataichanok , Fucharoen Goonnapa , Fucharoen Supan
Published: November 2019

Introduction

As compared to other neighboring countries, limited information on α‐thalassemia diseases is available for Lao PDR. We reported for the first time a genetic diversity associated with Hb H and AEBart's diseases in Laos patients.

Methods

Study was done on Laos patients with Hb H disease (n = 14) and AEBart's disease (n = 14) whose blood specimens were transferred to our laboratory for the investigation of thalassemia. Hematological parameters were recorded. Hb analysis was done using a capillary electrophoresis system. α‐ and β‐globin genotypes were determined using PCR and related techniques.

Results

Hb and DNA analyses identified Hb H disease resulted from [‐‐SEA/−α3.7, βA/βA] (n = 7), [‐‐THAI/−α3.7, βA/βA] (n = 1), Hb H‐Constant Spring (CS) disease (‐‐SEA/αCSα, βA/βA; n = 5), and Hb H‐IVSI‐117 (‐‐SEA/ααIVSI‐117G>A, βA/βA; n = 1). For those of the AEBart's disease (n = 14), five were found to be AEBart's‐CS disease [‐‐SEA/αCSα, βE/βA], two had [‐‐THAI/αCSα, βE/βA] genotype, six had AEBart's disease with (‐‐SEA/−α3.7, βE/βA) genotype, and the remaining one was a patient with AEBart's‐Pakse′ [‐‐SEA/αPSα, βE/βA] disease. These ‐‐THAI and αIVSI‐117G>A mutations are reported herein for the first time in Laos population. Accurate diagnosis in most cases was obtained after DNA analysis.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates the diverse heterogeneity and highlights the importance of molecular diagnosis of α‐thalassemia diseases in Laos population. Data on the molecular basis of α‐thalassemia should prove useful for setting up a molecular diagnostic testing for thalassemia in Laos and further hemoglobin genetic study in the region.
Methods for the generation of heritable germline mutations in the disease vector Culex quinquefasciatus using clustered regularly interspaced short palindrome repeats‐associated protein 9
Authors: Li M. , Li T. , Liu N. , Raban R. R. , Wang X. , Akbari O. S.
Published: November 2019

Culex quinquefasciatus is a vector of many diseases that adversely impact human and animal health; however, compared to other mosquito vectors limited genome engineering technologies have been characterized for this vector. Clustered regularly interspaced short palindrome repeats‐associated protein 9 (CRISPR‐Cas9) based technologies are a powerful tool for genome engineering and functional genetics and consequently have transformed genetic studies in many organisms. Our objective was to improve upon the limited technologies available for genome editing in C. quinquefasciatus to create a reproducible and straightforward method for CRISPR‐Cas9‐targeted mutagenesis in this vector. Here we describe methods to achieve high embryo survival and mutagenesis rates and we provide details on the injection supplies and procedures, embryo handling and guide RNA (gRNA) target designs. Through these efforts, we achieved embryo survival rates and germline mutagenesis rates that greatly exceed previously reported rates in this vector. This work is also the first to characterize the white gene marker in this species, which is a valuable phenotypic marker for future transgenesis or mutagenesis of this vector. Overall, these tools provide the framework for future functional genetic studies in this important disease vector and may support the development of future gene drive and genetic technologies that can be used to control this vector.
Feeling Attached and Feeling Accepted: Implications for Political Inclusion among Visible Minority Immigrants in Canada
Authors: Bilodeau Antoine , White Stephen E. , Turgeon Luc , Henderson Ailsa
Published: November 2019

Immigrants’ sense of belonging to their host communities is viewed as a core condition for their successful inclusion, but there is no consensus on which attributes of belonging are most relevant to understanding inclusion, nor is there agreement on how the sense of belonging ought to be measured empirically. This study examines how two related but independent dimensions of belonging help to better understand the political inclusion of visible minority immigrants in Canada. More specifically, it examines the role of feeling attached (immigrants’ feeling toward the host community) and the role of feeling accepted (immigrants’ sense of how their host communities feel about them). We assess the relationship between attachment, acceptance and political inclusion for both first‐ and second‐generation visible minority Canadians; the results suggest there is analytical value in utilising separate measures of attachment and acceptance: political inclusion is more likely when both are stronger.
The role of Th1/Th2 cell chemokine expression in hypertrophic scar
Authors: Chen Baoguo , Li Huichao , Xia Wei
Published: November 2019

The aim of this study was to study the role of Th1/Th2 cell‐associated chemokines in the formation of hypertrophic scars in rabbit ears. Twenty‐six New Zealand white rabbits were used to establish the hypertrophic scar model of rabbit ear and the normal scar model of rabbit's back. Two rabbits were sacrificed on days 0 and 21, 28, 35, 42, 49, 56, and 63 after operation. The specimens were stained with haematoxylin‐eosin (HE). Scar elevation index (SEI) was used to detect the expression of 10 chemokines related to Th1/Th2 cells in both scar formation expressions. Real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) results showed that two chemokines (CXCL10, CXCL12) were highly expressed during the formation of normal scar, and there was almost no expression during the formation of hypertrophic scar (*P < 0.05). The chemokines (CCL2, CCL3, CCL4, CCL5, CCL7, CCL13, CX3CL1) were almost non‐expressed in the formation of normal scars but were expressed for a long time in the formation of hypertrophic scars. The four chemokines, CCL2, CCL4, CCL5, and CX3CL1, maintained a long‐term high expression level during the formation of hypertrophic scars (P < 0.01). There were also three chemokines (CCL14, CCL19, CCL21) that were almost undetectable in normal scarring, but there was transiently low‐level expression (P < 0.05) only during the peak proliferative phase in proliferative scarring. Th1/Th2 cell‐associated chemokines are different in the type, quantity and expression, and maintenance time of rabbit ear hypertrophic scars.
Selective disclosure and the role of Form 8‐K in the post‐Reg FD era
Authors: Gleason Cristi , Ling Zhejia , Zhao Rong
Published: November 2019

We investigate the impact of Form 8‐K filings on cross‐firm differences in analysts’ private or idiosyncratic information in the post‐Reg FD era. Using firms’ connections to the investment community to identify the likelihood of selective disclosure, we document differences in analysts’ idiosyncratic information arising from selective disclosure before 8‐K filings. While filings of 8‐Ks pursuant to Reg FD attenuate the link between connections and analysts’ idiosyncratic information, they do so only after selective disclosures have already resulted in some analysts having better private information. In addition, the connections continue to facilitate private information search after the filings of non‐Reg FD‐specific 8‐Ks.
Approach to repeat ablation of atrial fibrillation when the pulmonary veins are already isolated
Authors: Chiocchini Andrea , Verma Atul
Published: November 2019

In this article, we summarize our approach to a repeat ablation for persistent atrial fibrillation when the pulmonary veins are already isolated. We summarize the approach to posterior wall isolation, ablation of drivers of atrial fibrillation, and also ablation of incompletely ablated regions identified during sinus rhythm.
TNIP1‐mediated TNF‐α/NF‐κB signalling cascade sustains glioma cell proliferation
Authors: Lei Qingchun , Gu Huan , Li Lei , Wu Tingting , Xie Wentao , Li Meizhang , Zhao Ninghui
Published: November 2019

As a malignant tumour of the central nervous system, glioma exhibits high incidence and poor prognosis. Although TNIP1 and the TNF‐α/NF‐κB axis play key roles in immune diseases and inflammatory responses, their relationship and role in glioma remain unknown. Here, we revealed high levels of TNIP1 and TNF‐α/NF‐κB in glioma tissue. Glioma cell proliferation was activated with TNF‐α treatment and showed extreme sensitivity to the TNF receptor antagonist. Furthermore, loss of TNIP1 disbanded the A20 complex responsible for IκB degradation and NF‐κB nucleus translocation, and consequently erased TNFα‐induced glioma cell proliferation. Thus, our investigation uncovered a vital function of the TNIP1‐mediated TNF‐α/NF‐κB axis in glioma cell proliferation and provides novel insight into glioma pathology and diagnosis.
Pre‐treatments enhance the therapeutic effects of mesenchymal stem cells in liver diseases
Authors: Hu Chenxia , Wu Zhongwen , Li Lanjuan
Published: November 2019

Liver diseases caused by viral infection, alcohol abuse and metabolic disorders can progress to end‐stage liver failure, liver cirrhosis and liver cancer, which are a growing cause of death worldwide. Although liver transplantation and hepatocyte transplantation are useful strategies to promote liver regeneration, they are limited by scarce sources of organs and hepatocytes. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) restore liver injury after hepatogenic differentiation and exert immunomodulatory, anti‐inflammatory, antifibrotic, antioxidative stress and antiapoptotic effects on liver cells in vivo. After isolation and culture in vitro, MSCs are faced with nutrient and oxygen deprivation, and external growth factors maintain MSC capacities for further applications. In addition, MSCs are placed in a harsh microenvironment, and anoikis and inflammation after transplantation in vivo significantly decrease their regenerative capacity. Pre‐treatment with chemical agents, hypoxia, an inflammatory microenvironment and gene modification can protect MSCs against injury, and pre‐treated MSCs show improved hepatogenic differentiation, homing capacity, survival and paracrine effects in vitro and in vivo in regard to attenuating liver injury. In this review, we mainly focus on pre‐treatments and the underlying mechanisms for improving the therapeutic effects of MSCs in various liver diseases. Thus, we provide evidence for the development of MSC‐based cell therapy to prevent acute or chronic liver injury. Mesenchymal stem cells have potential as a therapeutic to prolong the survival of patients with end‐stage liver diseases in the near future.
A new FGFR inhibitor disrupts the TGF‐β1‐induced fibrotic process
Authors: Kim Mi‐Hyoung , Jung Seung‐Youn , Song Kyung‐Hee , Park Jeong‐In , Ahn Jiyeon , Kim Eun‐Ho , Park Jong Kuk , Hwang Sang‐Gu , Woo Hee‐Jong , Song Jie‐Young
Published: November 2019

Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is chronic and irreversible damage to the lung characterized by fibroblast activation and matrix deposition. Although recently approved novel anti‐fibrotic agents can improve the lung function and survival of patients with PF, the overall outcomes remain poor. In this study, a novel imidazopurine compound, 3‐(2‐chloro‐6‐fluorobenzyl)‐1,6,7‐trimethyl‐1H‐imidazo[2,1‐f]purine‐2,4(3H,8H)‐dione (IM‐1918), markedly inhibited transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β‐stimulated reporter activity and reduced the expression of representative fibrotic markers, such as connective tissue growth factor, fibronectin, collagen and α‐smooth muscle actin, on human lung fibroblasts. However, IM‐1918 neither decreased Smad‐2 and Smad‐3 nor affected p38MAPK and JNK. Instead, IM‐1918 reduced Akt and extracellular signal‐regulated kinase 1/2 phosphorylation increased by TGF‐β. Additionally, IM‐1918 inhibited the phosphorylation of fibroblast growth factor receptors 1 and 3. In a bleomycin‐induced murine lung fibrosis model, IM‐1918 profoundly reduced fibrotic areas and decreased collagen and α‐smooth muscle actin accumulation. These results suggest that IM‐1918 can be applied to treat lung fibrosis.
The Chromatin Extrusion Phenomenon in Amoeba proteus Cell Cycle
Authors: Goodkov Andrew V. , Berdieva Mariia A. , Podlipaeva Yuliya I. , Demin Sergei Yu.
Published: November 2019

Amoeba proteus is possibly the best known of all unicellular eukaryotes. At the same time, several quintessential issues of its biology, including some aspects of the cell cycle, remain unsolved. Here, we show that this obligate agamic amoebae and related species have a special type of cyclic polyploidy. Their nucleus has an euploid status only for a small fraction of the cell cycle, during metaphase and telophase. The rest of the time it has an aneuploid status, which is a consequence of polyploidization. Extrusion of “excess” chromatin from the nucleus in late interphase and during prophase results in depolyploidization. Such a strategy of life cycle in unicellular eukaryotes is thought to be the main mechanism of “resetting” the Muller's ratchet and is a satisfactory alternative to the meiotic recombination for agamic protists.
Quantifying the impact of temperature variation on birnavirus transmission dynamics in hard clamsMeretrix lusoria
Authors: Lu Tien‐Hsuan , Yang Ying‐Fei , Chen Chi‐Yun , Wang Wei‐Ming , Liao Chung‐Min
Published: November 2019

Susceptibility of hard clamsMeretrix lusoriato birnavirus (BV) infections caused by temperature variations, from a mechanistic perspective, has rarely been explored. We used a deterministic susceptible–infectious–mortality (SIM) model to derive temperature‐dependent key epidemiologic parameters based on data sets of viral infections in hard clams subjected to acute temperature changes. To parameterize seasonal pattern dependence, we estimated monthly based cumulative mortality and basic reproduction numbers (R0) between 1997 and 2017 by way of statistical analysis. Two alternative disease control models were also proposed to assess status of controlled temperature‐mediated BV infection by using, respectively, control reproduction number (RC)‐control line criterion and removal strategy‐based control measure. We showed that based onRC‐control strategy, when temperatures ranged from 15 to 26.8°C, proportion of susceptible hard clams removed should be at least 0.22%. Based on removal‐control strategy, we found that by limiting pond water temperature to 25–30°C, together with increased removal rates and periods to remove hard clams, it is better to remove hard clams from June and August to reduce both mortality rate and spread of BV. Our results can be used to monitor BV transmission potential in hard clams that will contribute to government control strategy to eradicate future BV epidemics.
TaqMan probe real‐time polymerase chain reaction targeting the ATPase 6 gene for the detection of pork adulteration in meat and meatballs
Authors: Raharjo Tri Joko , Chudori Yusrina Nabila Chairani , Agustina Fransentino Wahyu
Published: November 2019

We developed an assay for detecting pork adulteration in meat and meatballs using real‐time polymerase chain reaction involving specific primers and a TaqMan probe targeting the porcine mitochondrial (mt) ATPase 6 gene. We proved the specificity of the probe by showing no amplification from DNA isolated from six different meat‐providing species: cattle, dog, mouse, chicken, goat, and horse. On the contrary, DNA isolated from pork was positive for amplification, with a Ct (threshold cycle) of 18.69 using a standard amount of DNA template (50 ng). The presence of matrix and food processing steps in meatball sample had no influence on the specificity of the probe. The developed technique also has a good repeatability (CV, coefficient of variation = 3.86% for meat and 5.07% for meatballs), showing good linearity and sensitivity, with a limit of detection up to 5 pg of pork total DNA, which equivalent to approximately 6.8 copies of pork mtDNA. In addition, the analysis of spiked pork in beef meatballs showed that the method could determine up to 1% pork contamination. Moreover, the system was successfully applied to detect pork adulteration in commercial meatballs by detecting the presence of pork DNA in two samples.
Occurrence of Campylobacter spp., Salmonella spp. and shiga toxin‐producing Escherichia coli in inline milk filters from Swedish dairy farms
Authors: Flink Catarina , Nyberg Karin
Published: November 2019

This study investigated the occurrence of shiga toxin‐producing Escherichia coli (STEC), thermotolerant Campylobacter spp. and Salmonella spp. in Swedish dairy milk. A total of 302 inline milk filters were analyzed. Salmonella was not isolated from any filters. Polymerase chain reaction screening detected thermotolerant Campylobacter in 30.5% of the milk filters analyzed and it was isolated from 12.6% of filters. The stx genes (stx
1, stx
2, or both) were screened from 71% of the filters and STEC was isolated from 14% of these. Of the STEC isolates, 21 contained the stx
1 gene, 19 the stx
2 gene, and five a combination of both stx
1 and stx
2 genes. Whole genome sequence typing on 34 of the 45 STEC showed that they belonged to 21 different serotypes, of which STEC O145:H28 was the most common (2%). STEC O157:H7 was only found from one (0.3%) of the filters. A combination of stx
2 and eae genes was found from 0.7% of the total number of inline milk filters analyzed, while stx
2a was found in 24% of the whole genome‐sequenced isolates. There was a significant positive correlations between number of animals per farm and presence of pathogens on milk filters.
Idiopathic pneumatosis intestinalis secondary to lactulose use in patients with cirrhosis
Authors: Varelas Lee J , Klinge Matthew J , Malik Shahid M , Borhani Amir A , Neal Matthew
Published: November 2019

Background and Aim

Few case reports exist that link lactulose use with pneumatosis intestinalis in cirrhotics. This study investigates the relationship between lactulose use and idiopathic pneumatosis intestinalis in a cohort of cirrhotic patients.

Methods

This case series considers several notable cases of patients with idiopathic pneumatosis intestinalis and concurrent lactulose use. Idiopathic pneumatosis intestinalis was defined as pneumatosis intestinalis with no identifiable etiology. A cohort of 119 patients with cirrhosis and pneumatosis intestinalis were identified in a tertiary care setting, via chart review by a multidisciplinary team. Eleven of these patients were found to have idiopathic pneumatosis intestinalis. Nine of these patients were being treated with lactulose.

Results

Six out of 9 patients with idiopathic pneumatosis intestinalis that were being treated with lactulose saw resolution of pneumatosis intestinalis following discontinuation of treatment.

Conclusions

The etiology of idiopathic pneumatosis intestinalis is likely multifactorial, but lactulose might play a preventable role in its formation.
Effect of preventive closure of the frenulum after endoscopic papillectomy: A prospective pilot study
Authors: Kagawa Koichi , Kubota Kensuke , Kurita Yusuke , Takagi Yuri , Ishii Ken , Hasegawa Sho , Iwasaki Akito , Sato Takamitsu , Fujita Yuji , Kato Shingo , Watanabe Seitaro , Sekino Yusuke , Hosono Kunihiro , Nakajima Atsushi
Published: November 2019

Background and Aim

The usefulness of preventive closure of the frenulum after endoscopic papillectomy (EP) could reduce bleeding. The feasibility and safety of clipping were evaluated in this prospective pilot study.

Methods

This study involved 40 consecutive patients who underwent preventive closure of the frenulum by clipping just after EP. The outcome data were compared with those of the previous 40 patients in whom no preemptive closure had been performed (no‐closure group) (UMIN000014783). Additionally, the bleeding sites were examined.

Results

The clipping procedure was successful in all patients. As compared to the no‐closure group, the rate of bleeding (P = 0.026) and period of hospital stay (P < 0.001) were significantly reduced in the closure group. There was no difference in the procedure time between the two groups. Furthermore, the incidence rates of pancreatitis and perforation were comparable in the two groups. The bleeding was noted in the frenulum area rather than at any other site in 90.9% of cases.

Conclusion

Preventive closure of the frenulum after EP is an effective, safe, rational, and economical method to reduce the incidence of delayed bleeding, without prolonging the procedure time or increasing the risk of post‐procedure pancreatitis perforation.
Increasing prevalence of primary biliary cholangitis in Victoria, Australia
Authors: French Janine , van der Mei Ingrid , Simpson Steve , Ng Justin , Angus Peter , Lubel John , Nicoll Amanda , Sood Siddharth , Roberts Stuart K , Kemp William , Arachchi Niranjan , Dev Anouk , Thompson Alexander , Gow Paul J
Published: November 2019

Background and Aim

The prevalence of primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) reported in different countries varies significantly and in some parts of the world appears to be increasing. The aim of this study was to determine the 2013 prevalence of PBC in Victoria, Australia, and to determine the time trend by comparing it with previous studies undertaken in 1991 and 2002.

Methods

Four case‐finding methods were used to identify cases of PBC in Victoria: (1) physicians' survey; (2) tertiary hospital search; (3) liver transplant database search; and (4) private pathology antimitochondrial antibody search.

Results

The prevalence of PBC in Victoria, Australia, is 189.0 per million using all four methods. The average annual increase in prevalence from 1991 to 2013 was 7.7 per million per year. Using the same case‐finding methods as the 1991 Victorian prevalence study (methods 1 and 2), the prevalence of PBC increased from 19.1 per million in 1991 to 49.4 per million in 2002 (P < 0.001) and to 80.7 per million in 2013 (P < 0.001).

Conclusions

The current prevalence of PBC in Victoria is significantly higher than previously reported. The use of private pathology‐based case‐finding methods is important in identifying the maximum number of PBC cases.
The Epidemiology of Depressive Symptoms in the Last Year of Life
Authors: Kozlov Elissa , Dong XinQi , Kelley Amy S. , Ankuda Claire K.
Published: November 2019

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE

Depression impacts quality of life at all life stages, but the epidemiology of depression in the last year of life is unknown. This study's objectives were to document the epidemiology of depressive symptoms in the year prior to death and to assess how the trajectory of depressive symptoms varies by sociodemographic and clinical factors.

DESIGN

Observational, cross‐sectional, cohort study using the Health and Retirement Study.

SETTING

Population‐based survey.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 3274 individuals who died within 12 months after assessment.

MEASURES

Primary outcome: eight‐item Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CESD‐8). Covariates included sociodemographics, self‐reported illnesses, and activity of daily living (ADL) limitations.

RESULTS

Average CESD‐8 score increased over the last year of life, with 59.3% screening positive for depression in the last month before death. Depression symptoms increased gradually from 12 to 4 months before death (increase of 0.05 points/month; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.01‐0.08 points/month) and then escalated from 4 to 1 months before death (increase of 0.29 points/month; 95% CI = 0.16‐0.39 points/month). Women, younger adults, and nonwhite adults all demonstrated higher rates of depressive symptoms. Individuals with cancer reported escalating rates of depressive symptoms at the end of life, while individuals with lung disease and ADL impairment demonstrated persistently high rates throughout the year before death.

CONCLUSIONS

This study revealed high rates of depressive symptoms in the last year of life as well as differences in the burden of depressive symptoms. A public health approach must be taken to screen for and appropriately treat symptoms of depression across the lifespan. J Am Geriatr Soc 68:321–328, 2020
Development and Dissemination of an Interprofessional Online Dementia Training Curriculum
Authors: Bryan Jennifer L. , Asghar‐Ali Ali Abbas
Published: November 2019

OBJECTIVES

Despite the growing number of individuals with dementia, clinicians skilled in caring for people with dementia, especially in rural areas, are lacking. The Program for Advancing Cognitive Disorders Education for Rural Staff (PACERS) was designed to improve clinician competency and comfort when caring for individuals with dementia. Based on an interprofessional needs assessment, six 1‐hour training modules were created: (1) Dementia and Delirium, (2) Identifying and Assessing for Dementia, (3) Treating Dementia: Case Studies, (4) Normal Cognitive Aging and Dementia Caregiving, (5) Addressing Decision Making and Safety in Dementia, and (6) Dementia and Driving. Each module is available for free on the Department of Veterans Affairs Talent Management System (TMS) for employees and the free TrainingFinder Real‐time Affiliate Integrated Network (TRAIN) platform for clinicians in the community. One continuing education unit is earned upon completion of each module.

DESIGN

Posttest.

SETTING

Online training at VA TMS and TRAIN.

PARTICIPANTS

To date, more than 3000 modules have been completed by interprofessional healthcare learners (eg, nurses, physicians, psychologists, and social workers).

MEASUREMENTS

Satisfaction, perceived utility of training, knowledge, skills, and attitudes were assessed.

RESULTS

The learners reported high satisfaction (mean [M] > 4) and ability to apply the knowledge and skills learned from the module to their job (M > 4) on a Likert scale (1 = Strongly disagree to 5 = Strongly agree).

CONCLUSION

Learners also reported perceived impact on both direct patient care (eg, ability to provide education and support to individuals with dementia and their caregivers) and system‐level care (eg, more appropriate referrals). Given the number of users and their evaluation data, PACERS can serve as a model curriculum for online interprofessional dementia training. J Am Geriatr Soc 68:192–197, 2019
Diabetes self‐care behaviors in adults with disabilities: A systematic review
Authors: Yang Eunjin , Kim Hee Jung , Ryu Hyunju , Chang Sun Ju
Published: November 2019

Aim

The integrated evidence on diabetes self‐care behaviors in people with a disability is not commensurate with the growing number of people with both diabetes and a disability. This study aims to identify factors influencing self‐care behaviors in adults with diabetes and a disability based on a thorough review of the current evidence.

Methods

This review followed the Cochrane guidelines for systematic review research and complies with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analysis. To find eligible articles, five electronic databases—PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, Psych‐articles, and the Cochrane Library—were searched, from the beginning of the chronological period covered by each database to June 2017. Four researchers independently conducted study selections, extracted data, and assessed the data quality.

Results

Twenty studies were reviewed to identify barriers to and facilitators of diabetes self‐care behaviors. For people with developmental disabilities, the most prominent facilitator of self‐care behaviors was the support they received for the behaviors. For people with visual impairments, that facilitator was the use of helpful assistive devices that take advantage of another sense. The main barriers to self‐care behaviors were mobility limitation for people with physical disabilities and lack of accessibility for people with visual impairments.

Conclusions

This review has identified barriers to and facilitators of diabetes self‐care behaviors by type of disability. Healthcare services need to be tailored to these facilitators and barriers, and differentiated by type of disability.
Concept analysis of dignity‐centered care for people with chronic progressive disease
Authors: Igai Yasuko
Published: November 2019

Aim

This concept analysis describes attributes, antecedents, and consequences of dignity‐centered care for people with chronic progressive disease.

Methods

Rodgers' method of concept analysis was used to clarify the concept's defining attributes. Databases searched were PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, and Ichushi‐Web by NPO Japan Medical Abstracts Society, in English and Japanese, from 1976 to 2017. The combination of MESH and keywords used were (dignity), and (care), and (chronic disease) or (chronic illness).

Results

Three antecedents were identified: loss of physical function and reduced psychological capacity, independence and role; living with uncertainty of illness; and multi‐faceted distress. There were four attributes identified: bolstering self‐esteem, reducing multi‐faceted distress, continued relationship, and protecting individual's rights. Four consequences were identified: improved self‐esteem, relief from multi‐faceted distress, deepening the purpose and meaning of life, and maintaining and/or improving the quality of life.

Conclusion

Dignity‐centered care is defined as: care that results in improvement of self‐esteem, deepens purpose and meaning of life, maintains and improves quality of life and provides relief from multi‐faceted distress. This happens through protecting the individual's rights, bolstering self‐esteem and reducing multi‐faceted distress through continued relationships with family, friends, and providers. There is a need for continued involvement with those individuals who have lost physical function, psychological capacity, autonomy, and role. They live with uncertainty of illness and exhibit multi‐faceted distress. This concept is a fulcrum for patient and nurse reciprocity enabling both to realize greater integrity and respect, and is useful for nursing practice and research.
Entry, Trade, and Exporting over the Cycle
Authors: ALESSANDRIA GEORGE , CHOI HORAG
Published: November 2019

We study how international trade and exporting affect the cyclicality of establishment creation. We build a general equilibrium model with two features: (i) new establishments start small and grow gradually and (ii) exporters are persistently bigger and more productive than nonexporters. When establishments creation costs fluctuate with aggregate productivity, the model generates procyclical fluctuations in domestic establishments and importers. Without international trade, entry is weakly countercyclical and too smooth. The model generates reasonable fluctuations in the stock of importers, exporters, and domestic establishments. With an entry margin, output is hump‐shaped following a productivity shock and this hump is stronger with trade.
Electron microscopy analysis of the thermal phase transition from hydroxyapatita to β‐TCP observed in human teeth
Authors: REYES‐GASGA JOSÉ , BECERRIL NANCY VARGAS
Published: November 2019

Samples of enamel and dentin from human molar teeth were heated in air from room temperature (25°C) up to 1200°C and the phase transition from hydroxyapatite (HAP) to tricalcium phosphate (β‐TCP) was recorded. The changes produced in morphology and chemical composition in the tooth during heating were analysed by light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), characteristic x‐ray energy dispersion spectroscopy (EDS), x‐ray diffraction (XRD), electron diffraction, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and high‐resolution electron microscopy (HRTEM). The results indicated a high correlation relationship among Ca content, P content, O content and Na content, and the existence of the Kirkendall effect during the HAP‐ β‐TCP phase transition.

Lay Description

This work is related with tooth materials. Samples of enamel and dentine from human molar teeth were heated in air from 25°C up to 1200°C and the phase transition from hydroxyapatite (HAP) to tricalcium phosphate (β‐TCP) was recorded. The β‐TCP phase is also known as whitlockite. The changes produced in morphology and chemical composition in the tooth during heating were analysed by electron microscopy and X‐ray diffraction. The results indicated a high correlation relationship among Ca, P, O and Na contents, and the existence of the Kirkendall effect, the atomic diffusion producing voids, during the HAP‐ β‐TCP phase transition.
Cranial growth in isolated sagittal craniosynostosis compared with normal growth in the first 6 months of age
Authors: Mercan Ezgi , Hopper Richard A. , Maga A. Murat
Published: November 2019

Sagittal craniosynostosis (SCS), the most common type of premature perinatal cranial suture fusion, results in abnormal head shape that requires extensive surgery to correct. It is important to find objective and repeatable measures of severity and surgical outcome to examine the effect of timing and technique on different SCS surgeries. The purpose of this study was to develop statistical models of infant (0–6 months old) skull growth in both normative and SCS subjects (prior to surgery). Our goal was to apply these models to the assessment of differences between these two groups in overall post‐natal growth patterns and sutural growth rates as a first step to develop methods for predictive models of surgical outcome. We identified 81 patients with isolated, non‐syndromic SCS from Seattle Children's Craniofacial Center patient database who had a preoperative CT exam before the age of 6 months. As a control group, we identified 117 CT exams without any craniofacial abnormalities or bone fractures in the same age group. We first created population‐level templates from the CT images of the SCS and normal groups. All CT images from both groups, as well as the canonical templates of both cohorts, were annotated with anatomical landmarks, which were used in a growth model that predicted the locations of these landmarks at a given age based on each population. Using the template images and the landmark positions predicted by the growth models, we created 3D meshes for each week of age up to 6 months for both populations. To analyze the growth patterns at the suture sites, we annotated both templates with additional semi‐landmarks equally spaced along the metopic, coronal, sagittal and lambdoidal cranial sutures. By transferring these semi‐landmarks to meshes produced from the growth model, we measured the displacement of the bone borders and suture closure rates. We found that the growth at the metopic and coronal sutures were more rapid in the SCS cohort than in the normal cohort. The antero‐posterior displacement of the semi‐landmarks also indicated a more rapid growth in the sagittal plane in the SCS model than in the normal model. Statistical templates and geometric morphometrics are promising tools for understanding the growth patterns in normal and synostotic populations and to produce objective and reproducible measurements of severity and outcome. Our study is the first of its kind to quantify the bone growth for the first 6 months of life in both normal and sagittal synostosis patients.
Contrast‐enhanced XROMM revealsin vivosoft tissue interactions in the hip ofAlligator mississippiensis
Authors: Tsai Henry P. , Turner Morgan L. , Manafzadeh Armita R. , Gatesy Stephen M.
Published: November 2019

Extant archosaurs exhibit highly divergent articular soft tissue anatomies between avian and crocodilian lineages. However, the general lack of understanding of the dynamic interactions among archosaur joint soft tissues has hampered further inferences about the function and evolution of these joints. Here we use contrast‐enhanced computed tomography to generate 3D surface models of the pelvis, femora, and hip joint soft tissues in an extant archosaur, the American alligator. The hip joints were then animated using marker‐based X‐Ray Reconstruction of Moving Morphology (XROMM) to visualize soft tissue articulation during forward terrestrial locomotion. We found that the anatomical femoral head of the alligator travels beyond the cranial extent of the bony acetabulum and does not act as a central pivot, as has been suggested for some extinct archosaurs. Additionally, the fibrocartilaginous surfaces of the alligator’s antitrochanter and femoral neck remain engaged during hip flexion and extension, similar to the articulation between homologous structures in birds. Moreover, the femoral insertion of the ligamentum capitis moves dorsoventrally against the membrane‐bound portion of the medial acetabular wall, suggesting that the inner acetabular foramen constrains the excursion of this ligament as it undergoes cyclical stretching during the step cycle. Finally, the articular surface of the femoral cartilage model interpenetrates with those of the acetabular labrum and antitrochanter menisci; we interpret such interpenetration as evidence of compressive deformation of the labrum and of sliding movement of the menisci. Our data illustrate the utility of XROMM for studyingin vivoarticular soft tissue interactions. These results also allow us to propose functional hypotheses for crocodilian hip joint soft tissues, expanding our knowledge of vertebrate connective tissue biology and the role of joint soft tissues in locomotor behavior.
How the Intersections of Ethnic and Socioeconomic Identities are Associated with Well‐Being during College
Authors: Castillo‐Lavergne Claudia M. , Destin Mesmin
Published: November 2019

For Latinx and other college students from minoritized communities, racial and ethnic group membership, socioeconomic status (SES), and multiple other social identities play important roles in their college experiences and well‐being. How students perceive the intersection of their multiple identities is shaped by their own subjective understanding and by how other people and institutions perceive and position people who belong to those social groups. In the current study, we analyzed how the intersection of ethnic identity and SES identity is associated with well‐being among 19‐ to 27‐ year old (M = 22.4 years, SD = 2.3) working‐class Latinx college women. Consistent with previous research, feelings of uncertainty about SES were associated with lower psychological well‐being, but this relationship depended on ethnic identity. Specifically, the relationship between status uncertainty and well‐being was stronger for working‐class Latinx college women who were high in ethnic identity resolution. Implications for the study of identity and higher education policy and practice are discussed.
The public life of white affects
Authors: Bucholtz Mary
Published: November 2019

The growing political power of racialized groups in white‐supremacist societies has unsettled the hegemonic position of whiteness. In the United States, this political shift has led to the linguistic repositioning of whiteness within public discourse as visible and vulnerable rather than unmarked and dominant; such repositioning operates as part of a larger strategy for maintaining white supremacy. Within white publics, which are simultaneously constituted through white public space, white public discourse, and white affects, those who are white‐identified linguistically engage in affective performances that reassert racial dominance by invoking claims of wounded whiteness. The article compares the affective strategies of white public discourse found, on the one hand, in ethnographic interviews with white youth in liberal educational spaces in California and, on the other hand, in the mediatized discourse of the US racist far right. The analysis identifies five affective discourse strategies deployed in the white public discourse of both groups: colormute racism; disavowals of racism; appropriations of diversity discourses; performances of white fragility; and claims of reverse racism. This shared set of discursive strategies is part of the larger convergence and mutual dependence of militant racism and mainstream racism in protecting all white people’s possessive investment in white supremacy.
Injuries due to foreign body ingestion and insertion in children: 10 years of experience at a single institution
Authors: Shao Fangbin , Shen Nannan , Hong Zipu , Chen Xiaoming , Lin Xiaokun
Published: November 2019

Aim

Foreign body (FB) injuries represent a severe public health problem during childhood. The aim of this study was to report our experience with patients with injuries due to FB ingestion and insertion who were treated surgically at our institution.

Methods

A total of 78 paediatric patients who were hospitalised for FB injuries were retrospectively reviewed.

Results

The series was composed of 27 males and 51 females, with a median age of 3.6 years. The cases included 35 cases of FB ingestion and 43 cases of FB insertion, including 40 cases with a vaginal insertion, 2 cases with a rectal insertion and 1 case with a urethra insertion. Intestinal perforation (n = 26) was a more common complication than intestinal obstruction (n = 9) in patients who had ingested a FB. The main clinical symptom was persistent vaginal discharge, followed by vaginal bleeding for patients with a vaginal FB insertion. Exploratory laparotomy was performed on 36 patients, while a laparoscopic approach was employed in 1 patient. Forty patients underwent hysteroscopy and one patient underwent cystotomy to remove the FB. All FBs were successfully removed. Of the 78 FBs recovered, 26 were food objects, while non‐food objects were found in 52 patients. All patients recovered well, except one patient with an intestinal obstruction from adhesions that occurred approximately 1 month after discharge.

Conclusions

Early recognition of FB injuries and appropriate management can significantly reduce complications. Surgical removal of a FB can be safe and effective, and relatively better outcomes can be achieved.
Diagnosis and long‐term outcome in dogs with acute onset intracranial signs
Authors: Gredal H. , Thomsen B. B. , Westrup U. , Boza‐Serrano A. , Deierborg T. , McEvoy F. J. , Platt S. , Lambertsen K. L. , Berendt M.
Published: November 2019

Objectives

To investigate dogs with acute onset of intracranial signs suspected of stroke by primary veterinary clinicians, and establish possible differential diagnoses and long‐term outcome. In addition, serum C‐reactive protein and plasma cytokines were investigated as potential biomarkers of disease.

Materials and Methods

All cases were evaluated by neurologic examination, routine haematology and biochemistry and measurement of serum C‐reactive protein, plasma cytokine concentrations (interleukin‐2, ‐6, ‐8, ‐10, tumour necrosis factor) and low‐field MRI.

Results

Primary veterinarians contacted the investigators with 85 suspected stroke cases. Only 20 met the inclusion criteria. Of these, two were diagnosed with ischaemic stroke. Other causes were idiopathic vestibular syndrome (n=6), brain tumour (n=5) and inflammatory brain disease (n=2); in five cases a precise diagnosis could not be determined. Median survival times were: brain tumour, 3 days, idiopathic vestibular syndrome, 315 days, ischaemic stroke, 365 days and inflammatory central nervous system (CNS) disease, 468 days. The median plasma concentrations of interleukin‐2, ‐6, ‐8, ‐10 or tumour necrosis factor were not significantly increased in any of the diagnosis groups compared to healthy controls. Serum C‐reactive protein was higher in dogs with brain tumours and inflammatory brain disease but not above the upper bound of the reference interval.

Clinical Significance

Dogs that present with acute onset intracranial disease may have ischaemic stroke but are more likely to have other causes. Many dogs with such acute onset of neurological dysfunction (brain tumours excluded) may recover within a couple of weeks despite their initial severe clinical appearance.
Subconjunctival haemorrhage in 147 dogs
Authors: Saastamoinen J. , Rutter C. R. , Jeffery U.
Published: November 2019

Objectives

To identify differential diagnoses for subconjunctival haemorrhage in dogs.

Materials and Methods

Retrospective case series.

Results

Of 147 dogs with subconjunctival haemorrhage, 119 had a history of trauma. The most common types of injury were vehicular trauma (47/119) and dog attacks (32/119). Confirmed or suspected non‐accidental injury was reported for 5/119. Of the 28 dogs without a history of trauma, 13 had a bleeding disorder and of these, immune‐mediated thrombocytopenia was the most common diagnosis (9/13). Other causes included seizure disorders (4/28), vasculitis (3/28) and ocular or periocular disease (3/28).

Clinical Significance

Subconjunctival haemorrhage in dogs can be secondary to a wide range of injuries and systemic diseases, bleeding diathesis or ocular disease.