bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Risk analysis of non‐native three‐spot cichlid, Amphilophus trimaculatus, in the River Cauvery (India)
Authors: Kumar Lohith , Kumari Kavita , Gogoi Pranab , Manna Ranjan Kumar , Madayi Roshith Chakkiyath , Salim Sibina Mol , Muttanahalli Eregowda Vijaykumar , Raghavan Suresh Vettath , Das Basanta Kumar
Published: November 2020

The three‐spot cichlid Amphilophus trimaculatus (Günther) is an ornamental fish known to be invasive but has not been assessed for India. The present study confirmed this non‐native species’ identity using conventional and molecular methods, as well as its occurrence in the River Cauvery, the first for this species in a lotic environment outside its native range. Gut content analysis indicated a diet of predominantly insects. The river's water quality and habitat were conducive for the species’ growth and reproduction. Using the Aquatic Species Invasiveness Screening Kit, A. trimaculatus was ranked as posing a “high” risk of being invasive in the River Cauvery, with climate match analysis showing 58% similarity with the species’ native range. Vector and pathway analysis found that A. trimaculatus was introduced to India via the aquarium trade, although consignment origin remains unknown, and the most likely means of entry into the river and its tributaries was the species’ escaping from holding facilities. Subsequent dispersal and impact of the species on native fauna are discussed. The study's outcomes demonstrate the importance of using risk analysis protocols to inform management of non‐native species in India, with suggestions provided for immediate and long‐term measures for the species’ management.
Global retail capital and urban futures: Feminist postcolonial perspectives
Authors: Faria Caroline , Whitesell Dominica
Published: November 2020

Critical scholarship on urban development and displacement has a long history in geography. Yet one emergent driver remains strikingly understudied and poorly understood: global retail capital (GRC). This essay engages feminist postcolonial approaches, grounded in African continental feminist work, to theorize from the urban transformations, displacements, and resistances driven by GRC and emerging in urban East Africa. This framework engages an intersectional understanding of capitalism, and its work driving urban displacement, as always co‐produced through gender, racial, colonial, heteronormative, nationalist, and other power‐geometries. We assert that feminist postcolonial geography helps us imagine other urban futures, within and beyond Africa: critical of colonial past‐presents; free of the modernizing imperatives of normative urban planning; and that recognize the work and insights—intellectual and material—of African women.
Effects of heat in the properties of NaOCl alone and mixed with etidronate and alkaline tetrasodium EDTA
Authors: Tartari T. , Borges M. M. B. , de Araújo L. B. B. , Vivan R. R. , Bonjardim L. R. , Duarte M. A. H.
Published: November 2020

Aim

To assess the free available chlorine concentration (FAC), organic tissue dissolution and smear layer removal capacity of sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) alone and when mixtured with etidronate (HEDP) and tetrasodium EDTA (Na4EDTA), and heated to different temperatures.

Methodology

Mixtures at 1 : 1 ratio of 5% NaOCl with distilled water (considered NaOCl alone), 18% HEDP or 10% Na4EDTA were heated to 25 °C, 37 °C, 48 °C and 60 °C. The FAC in the mixtures was assessed at 5, 10, 20, 30, 60 and 120 min. Samples of bovine muscle tissue (n = 10) were prepared with similar size and weighed before and after 5, 10 and 15 min of immersion in the mixtures heated to the different temperatures to verify organic matter dissolution. The intergroup results were compared statistically using one‐way analysis of variance (anova) and intragroup by two‐way analysis of variance (anova), both followed by Tukey’s multiple‐comparison test (α < 0.01). Bovine dentine blocks (n = 10) were analysed by scanning electron microscopy before and after immersion in the mixtures, and the time taken to remove the smear layer from the surfaces of the samples was determined. The Friedman test was used to compare the scores of the same group (α < 0.01), and the Kruskal–Wallis test with Dunn’s post hoc was used to compare the different groups (α < 0.01). Saline solution was used as a control in the experiments of tissue dissolution and smear layer removal,

Results

Heating NaOCl alone did not affect its FAC. The higher the temperature of the mixtures with the chelators, the lower the FAC. Organic tissue dissolution was improved by increases in temperature of NaOCl alone and its mixture with HEDP (P < 0.01); however, the mixture with Na4EDTA had no improvement (P > 0.01). Smear layer removal by NaOCl alone was enhanced by heating resulting in lower scores in some samples and became more rapid in the mixtures with the chelators. The saline solution did not promote tissue dissolution nor smear layer removal (P > 0.01).

Conclusion

In this laboratory study, heating NaOCl alone or when mixed with HEDP improved its capacity to dissolve organic matter and remove the smear layer. However, the mixture with HEDP required frequent refreshment to retain these effects when heated. Due to the acceleration in the reaction between the irrigants, very rapid reductions in the free available chlorine in the mixtures with Na4EDTA heated to the different temperatures occurred.
The influence of Lactobacillus bacteria type and kind of carrier on the properties of spray‐dried microencapsules of fermented beetroot powders
Authors: Janiszewska‐Turak Emilia , Hornowska Łucja , Pobiega Katarzyna , Gniewosz Małgorzata , Witrowa‐Rajchert Dorota
Published: November 2020

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of bacteria type and carrier addition during microencapsulation process by spray‐drying on the microorganism survival and physicochemical properties of fermented beetroot juice powder. Selected bacteria were as follows: L. fermentum, L. plantarum and L. brevis and its mixture in proportion 1:1:1. Fermented beetroot juice containing selected LAB was spray‐dried at 160 °C. Maltodextrin and gum Arabic were used as drying carriers at 10% (w/w). All powders were stable (low water activity below <0.25, high dry matter content 95–98%). Bacteria type had the main influence on the chemical properties and amount of bacteria. The highest bacteria content was observed in powders with L. brevis as a starter, and the same was observed for polyphenols and betalain content. However, the method of drying fermented juices still needs to be refined due to the 50% reduction in the number of microorganisms during the drying process.
Advances in green synthesis of selenium nanoparticles and their application in food packaging
Authors: Ndwandwe Bongekile K. , Malinga Soraya P. , Kayitesi Eugénie , Dlamini Bhekisisa C.
Published: November 2020

The past decade has seen nanotechnology progressively being adopted by the food industry. Its wide application in food packaging has redefined conservative food packaging with active and intelligent packaging. Nanomaterials do not only influence food quality and safety but also offer health‐related benefits. Selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) have been preferred in recent years because of their high biological activity. However, they are generally synthesised using physicochemical methods which are associated with toxicity. In the past decade, efforts have been directed towards advancement of green synthesis of SeNPs to minimise hazardous by‐products. The antioxidant and biocidal effects of SeNPs are generally investigated by direct contact between the oxidisable matter and/or test organisms. Lately, there is focus on the effect SeNPs incorporated into packaging films. This paper will review developments on SeNPs synthesised via plant extracts from the year 2010 to present and their potential application in active food packaging.
Attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder and oral health literacy exert an influence on the occurrence of dental caries in early adolescence
Authors: de Moura Mirella de Fátima Liberato , Neves Érick Tássio Barbosa , Firmino Ramon Targino , Costa Edja Maria Melo de Brito , Ferreira Fernanda Morais , Granville‐Garcia Ana Flávia
Published: November 2020

Little is known regarding the influence of psychosocial factors on dental caries at early adolescence. The study aimed to investigate associations between family environment, attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and oral health literacy (OHL) with dental caries experience in early adolescence. A cross‐sectional study was conducted with a representative sample of 448 12‐year‐old adolescents at public and private schools in North‐eastern Brazil. Parents/guardians and teachers answered the Brazilian version of the inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity subscales (SNAP‐ IV) for the evaluation of ADHD and a sociodemographic questionnaire. An OHL instrument (BREALD‐30) and the Family Adaptability and Cohesion Scales (FACES III) were administered to the adolescents. Caries experience (DMFT) was the dependent variable. Data analysis involved Poisson regression with robust variance (α = 5%). Adolescents with more symptoms of ADHD (teachers' reports) (RR: 1.73; 95% CI: 1.31‐2.28), those with lower OHL (RR: 1.59; 95% CI: 1.01‐2.51), those with a lower family income (RR: 1.38; 95% CI: 1.03‐1.83), and those from families with a greater number of residents in the home (RR: 1.18; 95% CI: 1.06‐1.31) had greater caries experience. Family adaptability and cohesion were not associated with caries experience. Dental caries experience in early adolescence was influenced by symptoms of ADHD, OHL, and sociodemographic factors.
Synthesis, sintering, and effect of surface roughness on oxidation of submicron Ti2AlC ceramics
Authors: Badie Sylvain , Dash Apurv , Sohn Yoo Jung , Vaßen Robert , Guillon Olivier , Gonzalez‐Julian Jesus
Published: November 2020

Submicron Ti2AlC MAX phase powder was synthesized by molten salt shielded synthesis (MS3) using a Ti:Al:C molar ratio of 2:1:0.9 at a process temperature of 1000°C for 5  hours. The synthesized powder presented a mean particle size of ~0.9 µm and a purity of 91 wt. % Ti2AlC, containing 6 wt. % Ti3AlC2. The Ti2AlC powder was sintered by pressureless sintering, achieving a maximal relative density of 90%, hence field‐assisted sintering technology/spark plasma sintering was used to enhance densification. The fine‐grained microstructure was preserved, and phase purity of Ti2AlC was unaltered in the latter case, with a relative density of 98.5%. Oxidation was performed at 1200°C for 50 hours in static air of dense monolithic Ti2AlC with different surface finish, (polished, ground and sandblasted) which resulted in the formation of an approx. 8 µm thin aluminum oxide (Al2O3) layer decorated with titanium dioxide (rutile, TiO2) colonies. Surface quality had no influence on Al2O3 scale thickness, but the amount and size of TiO2 crystals increased with surface roughness. A phenomenon of rumpling of the thermally grown oxide (TGO) was observed and a model to estimate the extent of deformation is proposed.
A study of B4C‐SiC composite for self‐lubrication
Authors: Zhang Wei , Yamashita Seiji , Kita Hideki
Published: November 2020

A B4C‐SiC composite without annealing and two B4C‐SiC composites followed by annealing at 1000℃ and 1200℃ for 1 hour in air, respectively, were prepared. The tribological properties of the three composites were evaluated by sliding against SiC balls at room temperature under unlubricated conditions. The B4C‐SiC composite can obtain lower friction coefficient by annealing at 1000℃, whereas the friction coefficient of B4C‐SiC composite annealed at 1200℃ was significantly increased. The cause for this difference was ascribed to different surface compositions after annealing. The mechanism of self‐lubrication of the B4C‐SiC composite was the formation of H3BO3 layer.
Should Slavery’s Statues Be Preserved? On Transitional Justice and Contested Heritage
Authors: Burch‐Brown Joanna
Published: November 2020

What should we do with statues and place‐names memorializing people who committed human‐rights abuses linked to slavery and postslavery racism? In this article, I draw on UN principles of transitional justice to address this question. I propose that a successful approach should meet principles of transitional justice recognized by the United Nations, including affirming rights to justice, truth, reparations, and guarantees of nonrecurrence of human rights violations. I discuss four strategies for handling contested heritage, examining strengths and weaknesses of each strategy. Examples from Bristol, England, highlight common challenges and positive lessons.
State ownership and the risk‐reducing effect of corporate derivative use: Evidence from China
Authors: Guo Huimin , Pan Zheyao , Tian Gary Gang
Published: November 2020

Using hand‐collected derivative use data on publicly listed firms in China, we document that derivative use has a significant risk‐reducing effect, but this effect is 40% weaker in state‐owned enterprises (SOEs) than in non‐SOEs. We also find that soft‐budget constraints and information transmission inefficiency are two mechanisms through which state ownership impedes this risk reduction. First, financial distress reduces the impact of the soft‐budget constraints, mitigating the weaker risk‐reducing effect of state control. Second, the risk‐reducing effect of derivative use is weaker in local SOEs than in central SOEs, as the former are subject to more information frictions than the latter. Our paper provides new information and insight into risk management effectiveness from the perspective of ownership identity.
Discrepant acute effect of saline loading on blood pressure, urinary sodium and potassium according to salt intake level: EpiSS study
Authors: Peng Wenjuan , Xie Yunyi , Liu Kuo , Qi Han , Liu Zheng , Xia Juan , Cao Han , Guo Chunyue , Sun Yanyan , Liu Xiaohui , Li Bingxiao , Wen Fuyuan , Zhang Fengxu , Zhang Ling
Published: November 2020

Acute dietary salt intake may cause an elevation in blood pressure (BP). The study aimed to assess the acute effect of saline loading on BP in subjects with different levels of salt intake. This study is based on the baseline survey of systemic epidemiology of salt sensitivity study. The sodium excretion in the 24‐hour urine was calculated for estimating the level of salt intake. Subjects were performed an acute oral saline loading test (1 L), and data of 2019 participants were included for analyses. Multivariate linear regression and stratified analyses were performed to identify associations between 24‐hour urinary sodium (24hUNa) with BP changes. Due to saline loading, systolic BP (SBP), pulse pressure, and urinary sodium concentration were significantly increased, while diastolic BP, heart rate, and urinary potassium concentration were significantly decreased. The SBP increments were more significant in subjects with lower salt intake, normotensives, elders, males, smokers, and drinkers. There was a significant linear negative dose‐response association between SBP increment with 24hUNa (β = −0.901, 95% CI: −1.253, −0.548), especially in lower salt intake individuals (β = −1.297, 95% CI: −2.338, −0.205) and hypertensive patients (β = −1.502, 95% CI: −2.037, −0.967). After excluding patients who received antidiabetic or antihypertensive medicines, the effects of negative associations weakened but remained significantly. In conclusion, acute salt loading leads to an increment in SBP, and the increased SBP was negatively related with 24hUNa. This study indicated avoiding acute salt loading was important for escaping acute BP changes, especially in lower salt intake populations.
Piperine protects against pyroptosis in myocardial ischaemia/reperfusion injury by regulating the miR‐383/RP105/AKT signalling pathway
Authors: Guo Xin , Hu Shan , Liu Ji‐Jun , Huang Ling , Zhong Peng , Fan Zhi‐Xing , Ye Ping , Chen Man‐Hua
Published: November 2020

miRNA‐mediated pyroptosis play crucial effects in the development of myocardial ischaemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury (MIRI). Piperine (PIP) possesses multiple pharmacological effects especially in I/R condition. This study focuses on whether PIP protects MIRI from pyroptosis via miR‐383‐dependent pathway. Rat MIRI model was established by 30 minutes of LAD ligation and 4 hours of reperfusion. Myocardial enzymes, histomorphology, structure and function were detected to evaluate MIRI. Recombinant adenoviral vectors for miR‐383 overexpression or miR‐383 silencing or RP105 knockdown were constructed, respectively. Luciferase reporter analysis was used to confirm RP105 as a target of miR‐383. Pyroptosis‐related markers were measured by Western blotting assay. The results showed that I/R provoked myocardial injury, as shown by the increases of LDH/CK releases, infarcted areas and apoptosis as well as worsened function and structure. Pyroptosis‐related mediators including NLRP3, cleaved caspase‐1, cleaved IL‐1β and IL‐18 were also reinforced after MIRI. However, PIP treatment greatly ameliorated MIRI in parallel with pyroptotic repression. In mechanistic studies, MIRI‐caused elevation of miR‐383 and decrease of RP105/PI3K/AKT pathway were reverted by PIP treatment. Luciferase reporter assay confirmed RP105 as a miR‐383 target. miR‐383 knockdown ameliorated but miR‐383 overexpression facilitated pyroptosis and MIRI. Moreover, the anti‐pyroptotic effect from miR‐383 silencing was verified to be relied on the RP105/PI3K/AKT signalling pathway. Additionally, our present study further indicated the miR‐383/RP105/AKT‐dependent approach resulting from PIP administration against pyroptosis in MIRI. Therefore, PIP treatment attenuates MIRI and pyroptosis by regulating miR‐383/RP105/AKT pathway, and it may provide a therapeutic manner for the treatment of MIRI.
Automatic greenhouse insect pest detection and recognition based on a cascaded deep learning classification method
Authors: Rustia Dan Jeric Arcega , Chao Jun‐Jee , Chiu Lin‐Ya , Wu Ya‐Fang , Chung Jui‐Yung , Hsu Ju‐Chun , Lin Ta‐Te
Published: November 2020

Inspection of insect sticky paper traps is an essential task for an effective integrated pest management (IPM) programme. However, identification and counting of the insect pests stuck on the traps is a very cumbersome task. Therefore, an efficient approach is needed to alleviate the problem and to provide timely information on insect pests. In this research, an automatic method for the multi‐class recognition of small‐size greenhouse insect pests on sticky paper trap images acquired by wireless imaging devices is proposed. The developed algorithm features a cascaded approach that uses a convolutional neural network (CNN) object detector and CNN image classifiers, separately. The object detector was trained for detecting objects in an image, and a CNN classifier was applied to further filter out non‐insect objects from the detected objects in the first stage. The obtained insect objects were then further classified into flies (Diptera: Drosophilidae), gnats (Diptera: Sciaridae), thrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) and whiteflies (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), using a multi‐class CNN classifier in the second stage. Advantages of this approach include flexibility in adding more classes to the multi‐class insect classifier and sample control strategies to improve classification performance. The algorithm was developed and tested for images taken by multiple wireless imaging devices installed in several greenhouses under natural and variable lighting environments. Based on the testing results from long‐term experiments in greenhouses, it was found that the algorithm could achieve average F1‐scores of 0.92 and 0.90 and mean counting accuracies of 0.91 and 0.90, as tested on a separate 6‐month image data set and on an image data set from a different greenhouse, respectively. The proposed method in this research resolves important problems for the automated recognition of insect pests and provides instantaneous information of insect pest occurrences in greenhouses, which offers vast potential for developing more efficient IPM strategies in agriculture.
Genetic analysis of resistance in Mekong striped catfish (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus) to bacillary necrosis caused by Edwardsiella ictaluri
Authors: Dinh Pham Khoi , Ødegård Jørgen , Van Nguyen Sang , Magnus Gjøen Hans , Klemetsdal Gunnar
Published: November 2020

The aim of this study was to analyse four cohabitation challenge‐test experiments with Mekong striped catfish (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus) against the bacterium Edwardsiella ictaluri. The data were genetically analysed per experiment by three models: 1) a cross‐sectional linear model; 2) a cross‐sectional threshold model; and 3) a linear survival model, at both 50% mortality (for models 1 and 2) and at the end of the test (for all three models). In two of the experiments (3 and 4) that were carried out in two replicated tanks, the predicted family effects (sum of sire, dam and common environmental effects) in each tank were correlated with the family survival in the other replicated tank (cross‐validation). The heritability estimates of resistance to E. ictaluri infection were ≤ 0.012 with the survival model, and up to 0.135 – 0.220 (50% survival) and 0.085 and 0.174 (endpoint survival) for the cross‐sectional linear and threshold models, respectively. The challenge test should aim for an endpoint survival that ceases naturally at 50%. Then, genetic analysis should be carried out for survival at the endpoint (reflecting susceptibility) with a simple cross‐sectional linear model.
Impact of COVID‐19 pandemic on fecal immunochemical test screening uptake and compliance to diagnostic colonoscopy
Authors: Cheng Shao‐Yi , Chen Chu‐Fen , He Hsien‐Chin , Chang Li‐Chun , Hsu Wen‐Feng , Wu Ming‐Shiang , Chiu Han‐Mo
Published: November 2020

Background and Aim

During this COVID‐19 pandemic, Taiwan is one of the few countries where fecal immunochemical test and endoscopic activity for colorectal cancer screening keeps ongoing. We aimed to investigate how screening uptake and colonoscopy rate were affected in one of the biggest screening hubs in Northern Taiwan.

Methods

We conducted a prospective observational study tracing and analyzing the screening uptake and the trend of compliance to diagnostic colonoscopy in fecal immunochemical test‐positive subjects in the National Taiwan University Hospital screening hub since the outbreak of COVID‐19 and compared it with that of the corresponding periods in the past 3 years. Cancellation and rescheduling rates of colonoscopy and related reasons were also explored.

Results

Screening uptake during December 2019 to April 2020 was 88.8%, which was significantly lower than that in the corresponding period of the past 3 years (91.2–92.7%, P for trend < 0.0001). Colonoscopy rate in this period was 66.1%, which was also significantly lower than that in the past 3 years (70.2–77.5%, P for trend = 0.017). Rescheduling or cancellation rate was up to 10.9%, which was significantly higher than that in the past 3 years (P for trend = 0.023), and half of them was due to the fear of being infected.

Conclusion

Fecal immunochemical test screening was significantly affected by COVID‐19 pandemic. In order to resume the practice in COVID‐19 era, screening organizers should consider various approaches to secure timely diagnosis of colorectal cancer.
Antibiotic resistance of Helicobacter pylori in Australia and New Zealand: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Schubert Jonathon P , Gehlert Jessica , Rayner Christopher K , Roberts‐Thomson Ian C , Costello Sam , Mangoni Arduino A , Bryant Robert V
Published: November 2020

Objective

While the global prevalence of antibiotic‐resistant Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is increasing, there is much regional variation, and local data are required to guide eradication therapy. We performed a systematic review and meta‐analysis to determine rates of H. pylori antibiotic resistance in Australia and New Zealand.

Study Design

Random effects meta‐analysis of data from 15 published studies and three published abstracts reporting prevalence of primary or secondary H. pylori antibiotic resistance in Australasia.

Data Sources

PubMed, EMBASE, MEDLINE, PROSPERO, and the Cochrane Library were searched until August, 2020.

Data Synthesis

Fifteen published studies and three published abstracts were identified; one study was excluded due to high risk of bias. Seventeen studies conducted between 1996 and 2013 were included in the final analysis, 12 reporting primary and five reporting secondary antibiotic resistance. Prevalence of primary resistance was clarithromycin 7.4% (95% confidence interval [CI], 5.3–9.7%), metronidazole 50.0% (95%CI, 23.9–56.1%), fluoroquinolones 3.7% (95%CI, 0.004–14.8%), and both amoxicillin and tetracycline <0.5%. Subgroup analysis (last 20 years) showed doubling of clarithromycin resistance to 16.1% (95%CI 11.2–21.7%) with other resistance stable. Prevalence of secondary resistance was high for all antibiotics, particularly clarithromycin 78.7% (95%CI, 64.1–90.1%) and metronidazole 68.3% (95%CI, 59.9–76.1%).

Conclusions

The outcomes reveal an increase in primary H. pylori clarithromycin resistance since the year 2000, while metronidazole resistance has remained stable and primary resistance to amoxicillin, tetracycline, and fluoroquinolones is low. Rates of secondary resistance to metronidazole and clarithromycin are high. The results highlight the need for contemporary local data on antibiotic resistance in Australia and New Zealand.
Nursing Home Transfers for Behavioral Concerns: Findings from the OPTIMISTIC Demonstration Project
Authors: Hathaway Elizabeth E. , Carnahan Jennifer L. , Unroe Kathleen T. , Stump Timothy E. , O'Kelly Phillips Erin , Hickman Susan E. , Fowler Nicole R. , Sachs Greg A. , Bateman Daniel R.
Published: November 2020

Objectives

To characterize pretransfer on‐site nursing home (NH) management, transfer disposition, and hospital discharge diagnoses of long‐stay residents transferred for behavioral concerns.

Design

This was a secondary data analysis of the Optimizing Patient Transfers, Impacting Medical Quality, Improving Symptoms: Transforming Institutional Care project, in which clinical staff employed in the NH setting conducted medical, transitional, and palliative care quality improvement initiatives and gathered data related to resident transfers to the emergency department/hospital setting. R software and Microsoft Excel were used to characterize a subset of transfers prompted by behavioral concerns.

Setting

NHs in central Indiana were utilized (N = 19).

Participants

This study included long‐stay NH residents with behavioral concerns prompting transfer for acute emergency department/hospital evaluation (N = 355 transfers).

Measurements

The measures used in this study were symptoms prompting transfer, resident demographics and baseline characteristics (Minimum Data Set 3.0 variables including scores for the Cognitive Function Scale, ADL Functional Status, behavioral symptoms directed toward others, and preexisting psychiatric diagnoses), on‐site management (e.g., medical evaluation in person or by phone, testing, and interventions), avoidability rating, transfer disposition (inpatient vs emergency department only), and hospital discharge diagnoses.

Results

Over half of the transfers, 56%, had a medical evaluation before transfer, and diagnostic testing was conducted before 31% of transfers. After transfer, 80% were admitted. The most common hospital discharge diagnoses were dementia‐related behaviors (27%) and altered mental status (27%), followed by a number of medical diagnoses.

Conclusion

Most transfers for behavioral concerns merited hospital admission, and medical discharge diagnoses were common. There remain significant opportunities to improve pretransfer management of NH transfers for behavioral concerns.
HspB5/αB‐crystallin phosphorylation at S45 and S59 is essential for protection of the dendritic tree of rat hippocampal neurons
Authors: Bartelt‐Kirbach Britta , Wiegreffe Christoph , Birk Samuel , Baur Tina , Moron Margarethe , Britsch Stefan , Golenhofen Nikola
Published: November 2020

Rarefaction of the dendritic tree leading to neuronal dysfunction is a hallmark of many neurodegenerative diseases and we have shown previously that heat shock protein B5 (HspB5)/αB‐crystallin is able to increase dendritic complexity in vitro. The aim of this study was to investigate if this effect is also present in vivo, if HspB5 can counteract dendritic rarefaction under pathophysiological conditions and the impact of phosphorylation of HspB5 in this process. HspB5 and eight mutants inhibiting or mimicking phosphorylation at the three phosphorylation sites serine (S)19, S45, and S59 were over‐expressed in cultured rat hippocampal neurons with subsequent investigation of the complexity of the dendritic tree. Sholl analysis revealed significant higher complexity of the dendritic tree after over‐expression of wild‐type HspB5 and the mutant HspB5‐AEE. All other mutants showed no or minor effects. For in vivo investigation in utero electroporation of mouse embryos was applied. At embryonal day E15.5 the respective plasmids were injected, cornu ammonis 1 (CA1) pyramidal cells transfected by electroporation and their basal dendritic trees were analyzed at post‐natal day P15. In vivo, HspB5 and HspB5‐AEE led to an increase of total dendritic length as well as a higher complexity. Finally, the dendritic effect of HspB5 was investigated under a pathophysiological condition, that is, iron deficiency which reportedly results in dendritic rarefaction. HspB5 and HspB5‐AEE but not the non‐phosphorylatable mutant HspB5‐AAA significantly counteracted the dendritic rarefaction. Thus, our data suggest that up‐regulation and selective phosphorylation of HspB5 in neurodegenerative diseases may preserve dendritic morphology and counteract neuronal dysfunction.

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Insomnia, fatigue and psychosocial well‐being during COVID‐19 pandemic: A cross‐sectional survey of hospital nursing staff in the United States
Authors: Sagherian Knar , Steege Linsey M. , Cobb Sandra J. , Cho Hyeonmi
Published: November 2020

Aims and objectives

To describe the levels of insomnia, fatigue and intershift recovery, and psychological well‐being (burnout, post‐traumatic stress and psychological distress), and to examine differences in these measures based on work‐related characteristics among nursing staff during COVID‐19 pandemic in the United States.

Background

The COVID‐19 pandemic has created a major physical and psychological burden on nursing staff in the United States and worldwide. A better understanding of these conditions will lead to tailored support and resources for nursing staff during and after the pandemic.

Design

Cross‐sectional study.

Methods

Hospital nurses and nursing assistants (N = 587) were recruited online between May–June 2020. The survey included measures on insomnia (Insomnia Severity Index) fatigue and intershift recovery (Occupational Fatigue and Exhaustion Recovery‐15), burnout (Maslach Burnout Inventory‐Human Services Survey), post‐traumatic stress (Short Post‐Traumatic Stress Disorder Rating Interview) and psychological distress (Patient Health Questionnaire‐4), and questions on work and demographics. The STROBE checklist was followed for reporting.

Results

The sample had subthreshold insomnia, moderate‐to‐high chronic fatigue, high acute fatigue and low‐to‐moderate intershift recovery. The sample experienced increased emotional exhaustion and depersonalisation, increased personal accomplishment, moderate psychological distress and high post‐traumatic stress. Nurses who cared for COVID‐19 patients had significantly scored worse on almost all measures than their co‐workers. Certain factors such as working hours per week and the frequency of 30‐min breaks were significant.

Conclusion

Nursing staff experienced poor sleep, fatigue and multiple psychological problems during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Moreover, staff who were involved in the care of COVID‐19 patients, worked more than 40 h per week and skipped 30‐min breaks showed generally worse self‐reported outcomes.

Relevance to clinical practice

Nursing administration is recommended to monitor for fatigue and distress on nursing units, re‐visit current scheduling practices, reinforce rest breaks and provide access to mental health and sleep wellness resources with additional support for their front‐line nursing groups.
High expression of novel biomarker KRT16P3 promotes the progression of tongue squamous cell carcinoma and predicts poor prognosis
Authors: Yang Yifan , Feng Ling , Ma Hongzhi , Wang Ru , Fang Jugao
Published: November 2020

Background

Overexpression of long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs) reveals the abnormal pathological processes in many human cancers. KRT16P3, a novel overexpressed lncRNA in tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC), was identified by previous lncRNA microarrays. However, the role of KRT16P3 in TSCC is not clear.

Methods

Quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR) was used to detect the expression of KRT16P3 in TSCC tissues and cells. Next, the relationships between KRT16P3 and the clinical significance of TSCC patients were analyzed. Additionally, Cell Counting Kit‐8, 5‐Bromo‐2‐deoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation assay, cell colony formation assay, flow cytometry cell apoptosis analysis, scratch wound healing assay, transwell invasion assay were used to explore the biological function of KRT16P3. Western blot and qRT‐PCR were used to determine the expression of epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers. The pathway changes after KRT16P3 knockdown were detected by Western blot.

Results

We found KRT16P3 expression is significantly upregulated in TSCC tissues and positively associated with advanced clinicopathological features of TSCC patients, and it may serve as a poor prognostic factor. Functionally, KRT16P3 knockdown inhibits proliferation, migration, invasion and promotes apoptosis of TSCC cells. Furthermore, we also revealed that KRT16P3 knockdown suppresses EMT and JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway.

Conclusion

Our results validated that KRT16P3 can modulate the malignant progression, EMT process, and JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway of TSCC, which might also serve as a novel prognostic biomarker and an attractive target for TSCC patients.
The genetic basis of oral leukoplakia and its key role in understanding oral carcinogenesis
Authors: Guimarães Letícia Martins , Diniz Marina Gonçalves , Rogatto Sílvia Regina , Gomez Ricardo Santiago , Gomes Carolina Cavalieri
Published: November 2020

Oral leukoplakia (OL) is the most common oral potentially malignant disorder, with a global prevalence of 2%‐3%, variable malignant transformation rate and incompletely understood aetiology. Considering the subjectivity in oral dysplasia grading, other evaluation methods have been tested as predictors of malignant transformation. DNA ploidy status and loss of heterozygosity signatures have been shown to be good predictive markers of malignant transformation. However, effective markers to predict which lesions will progress to invasive carcinoma and by which mechanisms remain unclear. Recent evidence suggests that dysplasia progression to carcinoma occurs through neutral clonal evolution (i.e. randomly). We focus on the genetic basis of OL, encompassing the gross chromosomal alterations and single‐gene mutations, and discuss such alterations in the context of aetiology, clinical presentation and progression. The deeper we understand the genetic basis of OL, the more we approach a better comprehension of the complex and poorly understood process of oral carcinogenesis.
Tacrolimus 0.03% ointment treatment in exfoliative cheilitis: A randomised controlled clinical trial and monitoring blood concentration
Authors: Liu Junjiang , Shi Liran , Wang Xiangjian , Wu Fanglong , Hu Mingjia , He Jing , Lin Mei , Wang Hongmei , Zhou Hongmei
Published: November 2020

Background

Tacrolimus has been used to treat various inflammatory skin diseases, but its safety for topical application on the oral mucosa is unknown. Exfoliative cheilitis (EC) is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the lips characterised by repeated scaling; it is difficult to manage. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of tacrolimus 0.03% ointment as a topical treatment in patients with EC.

Methods

In this randomised controlled clinical trial, 40 patients with EC were randomly assigned to receive either tacrolimus 0.03% ointment (experimental group, n = 20) or triamcinolone acetonide 0.1% cream (control group, n = 20) treatment for a 3‐week period. Medication was administered in 3, 2 and 1 daily doses during the first, second and third weeks, respectively. The patients with complete healing were followed up for 3 months. The clinical outcomes were measured, including the scores regarding signs (scale, dryness, rhagades and swelling) and symptoms (rough, dry, pain, pruritus and burning sensation) at every visit. Blood concentrations of tacrolimus were assessed.

Results

After the 3‐week treatment, healing rates of scale in the experimental and control groups were 65% and 10%, respectively (P = .018). Improvement in all signs and two symptoms (rough, pruritus) was much greater in the experimental group (P < .05). The 3‐month recurrence rate was higher in the control group (P = .029). Tacrolimus blood concentrations were in the safe range (< 5 ng/mL).

Conclusion

Topical tacrolimus 0.03% ointment has good short‐term efficacy and safety for treating EC.
Are Students with Mathematics Learning Disabilities Receiving FAPE?: Insights from a Descriptive Review of Individualized Education Programs
Authors: Hott Brittany L. , Morano Stephanie , Peltier Corey , Pulos Joshua , Peltier Tiffany
Published: November 2020

Students with mathematics learning disability (MLD) are entitled to a free appropriate public education (FAPE) as outlined by their Individualized Education Program (IEP). The IEP is a roadmap to enhance in‐school and postschool outcomes for students with a disability. We reviewed IEPs (n = 89) for secondary students with MLD enrolled in 15 rural independent school districts in the southeast part of the United States. Results suggested secondary students with MLD have needs in (a) calculation; (b) fractions, decimals, and percentages; (c) functional mathematics; (d) reading; and (e) social and behavioral skills based on annual goals written in their IEPs. Yet 70% of the IEPs reviewed included only instruction in the general education setting, without specialized services. IEPs included a variety of accommodations, but few goals facilitated access to grade‐level content or special education services to support specialized instruction to meet goals. Implications for practice, limitations, and future research are discussed.
Recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma after liver transplantation: Prognostic and predictive factors of survival in a Latin American cohort
Authors: Maccali Claudia , Chagas Aline L. , Boin Ilka , Quiñonez Emilio , Marciano Sebastián , Vilatobá Mario , Varón Adriana , Anders Margarita , Hoyos Duque Sergio , Lima Agnaldo S. , Menendez Josemaría , Padilla‐Machaca Martín , Poniachik Jaime , Zapata Rodrigo , Maraschio Martín , Chong Menéndez Ricardo , Muñoz Linda , Arufe Diego , Figueroa Rodrigo , Soza Alejandro , Fauda Martín , Perales Simone R. , Vergara Sandoval Rodrigo , Bermudez Carla , Beltran Oscar , Arenas Hoyos Isabel , McCormack Lucas , Mattera Francisco Juan , Gadano Adrián , Parente García Jose H. , Tani Claudia Megumi , Augusto Carneiro D’Albuquerque Luiz , Carrilho Flair J. , Silva Marcelo , Piñero Federico
Published: November 2020

Background & Aim

Recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after liver transplantation (LT) has a poor prognosis, and the adjusted effect of different treatments on post‐recurrence survival (PRS) has not been well defined. This study aims to evaluate prognostic and predictive variables associated with PRS.

Methods

This Latin American multicenter retrospective cohort study included HCC patients who underwent LT between the years 2005‐2018. We evaluated the effect of baseline characteristics at time of HCC recurrence diagnosis and PRS (Cox regression analysis). Early recurrences were those occurring within 12 months of LT. To evaluate the adjusted treatment effect for HCC recurrence, a propensity score matching analysis was performed to assess the probability of having received any specific treatment for recurrence.

Results

From a total of 1085 transplanted HCC patients, the cumulative incidence of recurrence was 16.6% (CI 13.5‐20.3), with median time to recurrence of 13.0 months (IQR 6.0‐26.0). Factors independently associated with PRS were early recurrence (47.6%), treatment with sorafenib and surgery/trans‐arterial chemoembolization (TACE). Patients who underwent any treatment presented “early recurrences” less frequently, and more extrahepatic metastasis. This unbalanced distribution was included in the propensity score matching, with correct calibration and discrimination (receiving operator curve of 0.81 [CI 0.72;0.88]). After matching, the adjusted effect on PRS for any treatment was HR of 0.2 (0.10;0.33); P < .0001, for sorafenib therapy HR of 0.4 (0.27;0.77); P = .003, and for surgery/TACE HR of 0.4 (0.18;0.78); P = .009.

Conclusion

Although early recurrence was associated with worse outcome, even in this population, systemic or locoregional treatments were associated with better PRS.
Microgeographical adaptation corresponds to elevational distributions of congeneric montane grasshoppers
Authors: Yadav Sonu , J. Stow Adam , Dudaniec Rachael Y.
Published: November 2020

Local adaptation can occur at small spatial scales relative to the dispersal capacity of species. Alpine ecosystems have sharp environmental clines that offer an opportunity to investigate the effects of fine‐scale shifts in species’ niche breadth on adaptive genetic processes. Here we examine two grasshopper species endemic to the Australian Alps (Kosciuscola spp.) that differ in elevational niche breadth: one broader, K. usitatus (1400–2200 m), and one narrower, K. tristis (1600–2000 m). We examine signatures of selection with respect to environmental and morphological variables in two mountain regions using FST outlier tests and environmental association analyses (EAAs) applied to single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data (K. usitatus: 9017 SNPs, n = 130; K. tristis: 7363 SNPs, n = 135). Stronger genetic structure was found in the more narrowly distributed K. tristis, which showed almost twice the number of SNPs under putative selection (10.8%) compared with K. usitatus (5.3%). When examining SNPs in common across species (n = 3058), 260 SNPs (8.5%) were outliers shared across species, and these were mostly associated with elevation, a proxy for temperature, suggesting parallel adaptive processes in response to climatic drivers. Additive polygenic scores (an estimate of the cumulative signal of selection across all candidate loci) were nonlinearly and positively correlated with elevation in both species. However, a steeper correlation in K. tristis indicated a stronger signal of spatially varying selection towards higher elevations. Our study illustrates that the niche breadth of co‐occurring and related species distributed along the same environmental cline is associated with differences in patterns of microgeographical adaptation.
The masking effect of extracellular DNA and robustness of intracellular DNA in anaerobic digester NGS studies: A discriminatory study of the total DNA pool
Authors: Nagler Magdalena , Podmirseg Sabine Marie , Mayr Markus , Ascher‐Jenull Judith , Insam Heribert
Published: November 2020

Most commonly, next generation sequencing‐based microbiome studies are performed on the total DNA (totDNA) pool; however, this consists of extracellular‐ (exDNA) and intracellular (iDNA) DNA fractions. By investigating the microbiomes of different anaerobic digesters over time, we found that totDNA suggested lower species richness considering all and/or only common species and yielded fewer unique reads as compared to iDNA. Additionally, exDNA‐derived sequences were more similar to those from totDNA than from iDNA and, finally, iDNA showed the best performance in tracking temporal changes in microbial communities. We postulate that abundant sequences present within the exDNA fraction mask the overall results of totDNA and provide evidence that exDNA has the potential to qualitatively bias microbiome studies at least in the anaerobic digester environment as it contains information about cells that were lysed hours or days ago. iDNA, however, was found to be more appropriate in providing reliable genetic information about potentially alive as well as rare microbes within the target habitat.
The strength and form of natural selection on transcript abundance in the wild
Authors: Ahmad Freed , Debes Paul V. , Nousiainen Ilkka , Kahar Siim , Pukk Lilian , Gross Riho , Ozerov Mikhail , Vasemägi Anti
Published: November 2020

Gene transcription variation is known to contribute to disease susceptibility and adaptation, but we currently know very little about how contemporary natural selection shapes transcript abundance. Here, we propose a novel analytical framework to quantify the strength and form of ongoing natural selection at the transcriptome level in a wild vertebrate. We estimated selection on transcript abundance in a cohort of a wild salmonid fish (Salmo trutta) affected by an extracellular myxozoan parasite (Tetracapsuloides bryosalmonae) through mark–recapture field sampling and the integration of RNA‐sequencing with classical regression‐based selection analysis. We show, based on fin transcriptomes of the host, that infection by the parasite and subsequent host survival is linked to upregulation of mitotic cell cycle process. We also detect a widespread signal of disruptive selection on transcripts linked to host immune defence, host–pathogen interactions, cellular repair and maintenance. Our results provide insights into how selection can be measured at the transcriptome level to dissect the molecular mechanisms of contemporary evolution driven by climate change and emerging anthropogenic threats. We anticipate that the approach described here will enable critical information on the molecular processes and targets of natural selection to be obtained in real time.
Accuracy of galactomannan testing on tracheal aspirates in COVID‐19‐associated pulmonary aspergillosis
Authors: Roman‐Montes Carla M. , Martinez‐Gamboa Areli , Diaz‐Lomelí Paulette , Cervantes‐Sanchez Axel , Rangel‐Cordero Andrea , Sifuentes‐Osornio Jose , Ponce‐de‐Leon Alfredo , Gonzalez‐Lara Maria F.
Published: November 2020

Objective

Our aim was to evaluate the performance of two galactomannan (GM) assays (Platelia Aspergillus EIA, Bio‐Rad®, and Aspergillus GM LFA, IMMY®) in tracheal aspirate (TA) samples of consecutive critically ill patients with COVID‐19.

Methods

We included critically ill patients, performed GM‐EIA and GM‐Lateral Flow Assay (GM‐LFA) in TA and followed them until development of COVID‐19‐associated pulmonary aspergillosis (CAPA) or alternate diagnosis. CAPA was defined according to the modified AspICU criteria in patients with SARS‐CoV‐2 infection. We estimated sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values for GM‐EIA, GM‐LFA, the combination of both or either positive results for GM‐EIA and GM‐LFA. We explored accuracy using different breakpoints, through ROC analysis and Youden index to identify the optimal cut‐offs. We described antifungal treatment and 30‐day mortality.

Results

We identified 14/144 (9.7%) patients with CAPA, mean age was 50.35 (SD 11.9), the median time from admission to CAPA was 8 days; 28.5% received tocilizumab and 30‐day mortality was 57%. ROC analysis and Youden index identified 2.0 OD as the best cut‐off, resulting in sensitivity and specificity of 57.1% and 81.5% for GM‐EIA and 60% and 72.6% for GM‐LFA, respectively.

Conclusions

The diagnostic performance of GM in tracheal aspirates improved after using a cut‐off of 2 OD. Although bronchoalveolar lavage testing is the ideal test, centres with limited access to bronchoscopy may consider this approach to identify or rule out CAPA.