bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prospective Ultrasound Screening of Men With Cerebrovascular Disease for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms
Authors: Vänni Ville , Turtiainen Johanna , Kaustio Ulla , Toivanen Jari , Rusanen Minna , Hernesniemi Jussi
Published: May 2020

Background:

The prevalence of abdominal aortic aneurysms is higher in population with other vascular comorbidities, especially among men. Utility of screening among patients with cerebrovascular disease is unclear.

Objective:

To determine the prevalence of abdominal aortic aneurysm in male patients with diagnosed cerebrovascular disease manifested by transient ischemic attack or stroke.

Methods:

Between May 2013 and May 2014, all consecutive male patients undergoing carotid ultrasound in single tertiary center with a catchment area of 179,000 inhabitants were evaluated for ultrasound screening of abdominal aortic aneurysm. Abdominal aortic aneurysm was defined as maximum diameter of infrarenal aorta 30 mm or more.

Results:

Of 105 (n = 105) consecutively evaluated male patients, only 69% (n = 72) were eligible for the study and underwent aortic screening. Reason for ineligibility was most often poor general medical condition (n = 29). Mean age of screened patients was 66 years (SD 9.8 years). Half of the screened patients suffered stroke (n = 36). The incidence of abdominal aortic aneurysm was 5.6% (n = 4). All found abdominal aortic aneurysms were small and did not require immediate surgical intervention. During a follow-up period of over 4 years, none of the aneurysms exhibited tendency for growth.

Conclusions:

The male population with cerebrovascular disease is comorbid and frail. Only, moderate prevalence of abdominal aortic aneurysms can be found in this subpopulation.
What is documentation doing? Early childhood education teachers shifting from and between the meanings and actions of documentation practices
Authors: Albin-Clark Jo
Published: May 2020

This article asks the question of what documentation is doing, rather than what documentation means in the context of early childhood education. By focusing on the documentation of a young child’s playful exploration with water that inhabits a classroom wall, new materialist theories are put to work to ponder documentation’s agentive capacities and intra-activities. What is argued is that documentation is inviting powerful creating and resisting actions that offer senses of belonging for a child. Consequently, it is proposed that teachers both shift from and overlay matters of fact and matters of concern. The implication is that documentation can be put to work in influential ways when its actions (rather than meanings) within spaces are foregrounded. This article offers original contributions to contemporary debates regarding agentive readings of documentation practices that can influence forms of ethical and flourishing pedagogies in a policy climate that can otherwise confine.
Those who have the power get the coverage – Female politicians in campaign coverage in Austria over time
Authors: Hayek Lore , Russmann Uta
Published: May 2020

Politics in Austria is still a male business. Even though in 2017, women occupied 34 percent of the seats in Austria’s Nationalrat, female MPs are still underrepresented. Moreover, previous studies have shown that women receive substantially less media coverage than men do and this, for instance, disadvantages female politicians to male politicians in election campaigns. Our study seeks to contribute to this debate by adding a longitudinal perspective and substantially underpinning it with empirical data. We use quantitative content analysis to examine whether the election coverage of female politicians in Austrian news media has changed between 2008 and 2017. Our findings show low visibility of female politicians in Austrian campaign coverage that is even decreasing over time; furthermore, the political role a female politician occupies plays a crucial role for her media visibility.
Using touchscreen tablets to support social connections and reduce responsive behaviours among people with dementia in care settings: A scoping review
Authors: Hung Lillian , Chow Bryan , Shadarevian John , O’Neill Ryan , Berndt Annette , Wallsworth Christine , Horne Neil , Gregorio Mario , Mann Jim , Son Cathy , Chaudhury Habib
Published: May 2020

The use of touchscreen tablets, such as the iPad, offers potential to support the person with dementia staying in a care setting, ranging from a long-term care home to an adult day programme. Although electronic devices are used among people with dementia, a comprehensive review of studies focusing on their impact and how they may be used effectively in care settings is lacking. We conducted a scoping review to summarize existing knowledge about the impact of touchscreen tablets in supporting social connections and reducing responsive behaviours of people with dementia in care settings. Our research team consists of patient partners and family partners, physicians, nurses, a medical student and an academic professor. A total of 17 articles were included in the review. Our analysis identified three ways in which touchscreen tablets support dementia care: (1) increased the person’s engagement, (2) decreased responsive behaviours and (3) positive effect on enjoyment/quality of life for people with dementia. Lessons learned and barriers to the use of touchscreen tablets in the care of people with dementia are described. Overall, only a few studies delineated strategies that helped to overcome barriers to technology adoption in care settings. Knowledge translation studies are needed to identify effective processes and practical tips to overcome barriers and realize the potential of assistive technology in dementia care.
A complex reminding: The ethics of poetry writing in dementia care
Authors: Synnes Oddgeir , Råheim Målfrid , Lykkeslet Else , Gjengedal Eva
Published: May 2020

Interest in the potential benefits of poetry writing in dementia care has been increasing. Various practical projects, as well as research articles, have highlighted how poetry can acknowledge the words of persons with dementia, and increase well-being. In this article, the authors present a poetry writing project in dementia care in Norway, and argue for how poetry as a genre involves lyrical as well as ethical aspects. The aim of this article is to show how linguistic and ethical sensibility can illuminate the poetic possibilities of the everyday language of persons with dementia. Through a close reading of selected poems from the poetry writing project, the authors show how poetry writing can give an increased understanding of the resources in the everyday language of persons living with dementia. Poetry can open up alternative forms of expression and agency, and thereby support the narrative citizenship of persons with dementia.
Black men’s conversations about mental health through photos
Authors: Keating Frank
Published: May 2020

This paper presents findings from a photovoice project that was aimed at engaging with a diverse range of black men in a London Borough. The key objectives were to find a different way to get men to talk about their concerns and to raise awareness about mental health. Photovoice is a participatory research action technique that was developed to enable communities to document their concerns and experiences of community life that is meaningful to them. Nineteen men participated in the project. It has been suggested that men, in particular, black men do not find it easy to talk about mental health issues. This study found that through the use of photovoice methods, black men were able to talk about a range of emotions when they were offered the right medium and safe spaces to share their experiences. It found that they can and want to take control of their lives, but at times may require life skills training. Another finding was that black men have to balance expectations about being strong whilst ‘containing’ vulnerabilities in racialised contexts – being hard on the outside and human on the inside, and that their experiences are characterised by journeys of significant struggle and resilience in the face of adversity. The paper concludes that mental health services should find ways of engaging with black men differently, i.e. reaching out rather than the traditional mantra of ‘outreach’.
Role of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program in Improving Diet Quality: Implications for Nurses
Authors: M. Pak Victoria , Ferranti Erin , Duva Ingrid , Owen Melissa , B. Dunbar Sandra
Published: May 2020

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides access to healthy food for low-income individuals and households. Food security, however, does not necessarily achieve higher diet quality for beneficiaries. Diet quality is an important consideration for the development and management of chronic illness, a significant public health concern. In this study, we review incentives and disincentives implemented to improve the diet quality, the evidence on SNAP including benefits, challenges, and the politics of funding. New interventions and policies will be needed in order to improve the overall diet quality of SNAP households. SNAP should align with nutritional science to meet national public health goals. Nurses are trusted advocates for patients and the public and are uniquely positioned to aid in this effort. Informed by evidence, nurses willing to leverage their influence, can lead this needed change.
“You Can’t Hide Your Lyin’ Eyes”: Investigating the Relationship Between Associative Learning, Cue Awareness, and Decision Performance in Detecting Lies
Authors: Morrison Ben W. , Johnston David , Naylor Mathew , Morrison Natalie M. V. , Forrest Daniel
Published: May 2020

Although skilled cue utilization is presumed to result primarily from domain-specific experience, individual differences in learning are theorized to play a significant role. Using a single-group correlational design, this study tested whether individuals’ domain-general associative learning capacity was related to performance in a complex real-world decision task presumed to rely heavily on cues: lie detection. A total of 21 participants completed an associative learning task in the form of a Space Invaders-like game. In the game, those who learn the cues are able to respond faster to the appearance of an enemy ship. Participants were also surveyed on their awareness of cues in the game. This was followed by a lie detection task. It was hypothesized that greater associative learning would be associated with greater awareness of cues in the learning task, and subsequently, superior accuracy in the lie detection task. Participants’ associative learning was correlated with their cue awareness ( r pb = .782, p < .001). Further, learning was associated with better performance in the lie detection task ( r = .544, p = .011); however, accuracy was found to be unrelated to the types of cues reportedly used during detection. These findings have implications for our understanding of cue acquisition and expertise development.
Applying Qualitative Research to Develop a Guide for Parents of Newborns With Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy
Authors: Herranz-Rubia Nuria , Violant Verónica , Balaguer Albert , Noreña-Peña Ana
Published: May 2020

Moderate-to-severe hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is a significant cause of neonatal mortality and permanent disability in surviving newborns. Therapeutic hypothermia (TH) is the only effective intervention to reduce these outcomes. Being a parent of these babies is a traumatic and strenuous event. To address these difficulties, parents need information and support. The aim of this article is to describe a qualitative methodological process followed to develop a guide for parents of a newborn with HIE receiving TH as an addendum to clinical practice guidelines. The guide based on the experience of parents of newborns with HIE is presented as 16 meaningful questions and a glossary. It provides information to parents about HIE, treatment and care, future outcomes, and coping strategies. The final version, in Spanish and English, has a didactic format with simple wording, parents’ verbatim queries, and illustrations made expressly for the guide. Furthermore, we think showing the methodological process we followed to develop the guide, detailing the difficulties that arose in doing so, and making the reflexivity of the researchers explicit may provide support for other teams undertaking similar projects. Likewise, this article illustrates in a practical way how the perspective of family can be incorporated into clinical practice guidelines.
Trajectory tracking sliding mode control for underactuated autonomous underwater vehicles with time delays
Authors: Zhou Jiajia , Zhao Xinyi , Feng Zhiguang , Wu Di
Published: May 2020

Trajectory tracking control of autonomous underwater vehicles in three-dimension always suffers disturbances such as input time delays and model uncertainties. Regarding this problem, an integral time-delay sliding mode control law is proposed in this article with dividing the vehicle’s input time delays model into cascade system consisting of a kinematics subsystem and a dynamics subsystem. Based on the established pose error equation and velocity error equation, a suitable Lyapunov–Krasovskii functional is given to analyze and guarantee the global stability of the whole system under reasonable assumptions. At last, comparative simulations are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Direct and indirect utilities of patients with mild to moderate versus severe carpal tunnel syndrome
Authors: Wang Annie M. Q. , Retrouvey Helene , Krahn Murray , McCabe Steven J. , Baltzer Heather L.
Published: May 2020

Health utility is a quantitative global measure of patients’ health status. This retrospective cohort study aimed to compare health utilities of patients with mild to moderate versus severe carpal tunnel syndrome and determine inter-instrumental agreement. Health utilities of 29 patients with varying severity of carpal tunnel syndrome were measured indirectly by Short-Form Sixth Dimension and EuroQol 5D questionnaire and directly by Chained Standard Gamble and a visual analogue scale. Health utility was 0.69 for Short-Form Sixth Dimension, 0.78 for EuroQol 5D Questionnaire, 0.98 for Chained Standard Gamble, and 0.76 for the visual analogue scale. There was a significant inter-instrumental agreement between three of the instruments, but not the Chained Standard Gamble. The difference in health utilities between patients with mild or moderate versus severe carpal tunnel syndrome was significant only for the EuroQol 5D questionnaire. We conclude based on our results that there are no clear indications on how health utilities can be integrated into decision analysis models and economic evaluation regarding carpal tunnel syndrome of various severities .

Level of evidence: IV
Interpretation as luxury: Heart patients living with data doubt, hope, and anxiety
Authors: Lomborg Stine , Langstrup Henriette , Andersen Tariq Osman
Published: May 2020

Personal health technologies such as apps and wearables that generate health and behavior data close to the individual patient are envisioned to enable personalized healthcare - and self-care. And yet, they are consumer devices. Proponents of these devices presuppose that measuring will be helpful, and that data will be meaningful. However, a growing body of research suggests that self-tracking data does not necessarily make sense to users. Drawing together data studies and digital health research, we aim to further research on data ambivalence, a term we use to refer to the ambiguities and uncertainties people experience when interpreting their own data, as well as the critical obligation towards cultivating ethically sound uses and responses to such data in context. We develop the relationship between data, interpretation, and context as a central theoretical and practical problem in the datafication of healthcare. We then show how interpretation and context matter for data ambivalence through an empirical study of heart patients with an implanted advanced pacemaker who were offered a Fitbit wristband for self-tracking as part of a research project. We argue that the hope, anxiety, and doubt connected to the promise and accuracy of data are tempered by the context and purpose of self-tracking, and by individual circumstances. Finally, we link the findings on context-sensitivity in data interpretation to questions about response-ability in cloud-based care infrastructures. We discuss the ethical dilemmas associated with the use of commercial wellness-technologies in healthcare, and with researching such emerging practices.
Moral Education Curriculum Reform for China’s Elementary and Middle Schools in the Twenty-First Century: Past Progress and Future Prospects
Authors: Tang (唐汉卫) Hanwei , Wang (王阳) Yang
Published: May 2020

Purpose:

This article provides a historical overview of the progress made in the moral education curriculum (MEC) reform of China’s elementary and middle schools in the 21st century and discusses its future prospects.

Design/Approach/Methods:

The main methods used were textual and policy analyses.

Findings:

While China’s MEC reform is characterized by an openness and modernity achieved through international dialogue, it remains distinctively Chinese. The continued development and improvement of MEC reform can only occur through the careful handling of the various relationships between China and the international community, traditionality and modernity, central and local authorities, as well as theory and practice.

Originality/Value:

In addition to providing greater insights into and understanding of China’s new MEC reform, this article suggests several ideas for the further development of educational reform.
The Moderating Role of Product Type in Network Buying Behavior
Authors: Xiao Jin , Xie Ling , Shahzad Muhammad Faisal , Khattak Jamshed Khan
Published: May 2020

This article investigates how consumer attitudes toward green buying and subjective norms influence the network buying with the mediation of behavioral intentions and moderation of product type. Due to the increasing environmental concerns, network buying has positively changed human interactions with the environment. Based on a sample of 392 Chinese consumers, this study reveals that consumer attitudes toward green buying and subjective norms significantly influence network buying. The empirical results provide strong evidence for the mediating role of behavioral intentions in the relationship between the attitudes toward green buying and network buying. This study empirically tests a model, including the moderating effect of product type toward green products through network buying. Green consumption through network buying will help consumers to live a healthy life together with achieving environmental sustainability and consumer well-being at large. Interestingly, the current study suggests that network buying can drive sustainable consumption.
Neuroticism and Interpretive Bias as Risk Factors for Anxiety and Depression
Authors: Vinograd Meghan , Williams Alexander , Sun Michael , Bobova Lyuba , Wolitzky-Taylor Kate B. , Vrshek-Schallhorn Suzanne , Mineka Susan , Zinbarg Richard E. , Craske Michelle G.
Published: May 2020

Neuroticism has been associated with depression and anxiety both cross-sectionally and longitudinally. Interpretive bias has been associated with depression and anxiety, primarily in cross-sectional and bias induction studies. The purpose of the current study was to examine the role of interpretive bias as a prospective risk factor and a mediator of the relation between neuroticism and depressive and anxious symptoms in young adults assessed longitudinally. Neuroticism significantly predicted a broad general-distress dimension but not intermediate fears and anhedonia-apprehension dimensions or a narrow social-fears dimension. Neuroticism also significantly predicted negative interpretive bias for social scenarios. Negative interpretive bias for social scenarios did not significantly predict dimension scores, nor did it mediate the relation between neuroticism and general distress or social fears. These results suggest that although neuroticism relates to negative interpretive bias, its risk for symptoms of depression and anxiety is at most weakly conferred through negative interpretive bias.
Dimensions of Foreign Direct Investment Inflow in India After 1991
Authors: Nayak Suryakanta , Sahoo Dukhabandhu
Published: May 2020

Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) has emerged as an important topic for researchers and policymakers in India. The present study analyze the dimensions, i.e., current status, global position, trends, growth, sources, sectoral composition, regional distribution, and the determinants of FDI inflow in India after the economic reforms in the year 1991. Furthermore, this piece of research answers an important question, i.e., whether the currency area hypothesis of Aliber (1970) is good enough to explain FDI inflow in India during 1991 – 2018? The study uses trend analysis and simple linear regression analysis to analyze the data. The findings of this research have shed light on some of the important aspects of FDI inflow in India. The inward FDI in India has increased from the US $75 million in 1991 to the US $42285.68 million in 2018, registering an annual average growth rate of 37.85 per cent. This study also finds that the increase in the value of Indian Rupee has an inverse impact on the FDI inflow. Thus, the findings support the currency area hypothesis of Aliber (1970) . It suggests that policymakers should consider the exchange rate while formulating policy to attract FDI inflow into India.
Changes in Rural Poverty Among Occupational Groups in Odisha: An Analysis of Post-Reform Period
Authors: Sahoo Priyabrata , Sahoo Dibakar , Chandra Subhash
Published: May 2020

This article is an attempt to study the changes in rural poverty and its link with growth of farm sector output for Odisha in the post-reform period. The rural household-type (occupational groups) classification of National Sample Survey Organisation (NSSO) from the unit-level data of Consumer Expenditure Survey (CES) has been used for the class analysis of rural poverty. The Odisha economy has recorded high growth in net state domestic product (NSDP) in the post-reform period. During the decade of the 1990s, the state witnessed a negative growth in farm output, lower reduction in rural poverty and distress occupational mobility from farm to non-farm sector. However, in the next decade, the farm sector registered high growth, higher rural poverty reduction and occupational mobility within the farm sector. There has also been higher growth in monthly per capita expenditure (MPCE) and faster reduction in rural poverty among all the rural occupational groups in the decade of the 2000s. Thus, it is the growth of the farm sector, which remains the major driver of rural poverty reduction in Odisha.
Misaligned Needs in the Pursuit of Shared Value: A Multi-Stakeholder Study of the Shift from Corporate Social Responsibility to Corporate Social Entrepreneurship in an Emerging Economy
Authors: Hidden Karen , Tresman Marks Jonathan
Published: May 2020

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) has long been highlighted by business and society as essential. However, it has been suggested that over time, the relationship between the corporate donor and their CSR recipients has become fragmented. CSR investments that are predominantly business-driven have led to missed opportunities in fostering a potentially brand loyal market, developing future employees and entrepreneurs and facilitating innovation and growth within the broader economy. In order to address these short comings, it has been argued that a shift from CSR to corporate social entrepreneurship (CSE) may yield a broader set of benefits—for the company, its recipients and society at large. The aim of CSE is to create accelerated and disruptive change in pursuit of new social and economic opportunities. Literature, however, is limited as to the role stakeholders play in this process, especially in contexts where needs and values are not aligned. The current study, drawing on CSE theory, was undertaken to provide a mutually sustainable model of engagement between stakeholders. It also aims to address Porter and Kramer’s (2006) suggestion that there does not appear to be a strategically aligned process available for the benefits of both corporate donors and their recipients.

A combination of phenomenology and Grounded Theory was used as methodological frameworks for this research. Staff from Dell Computers South Africa and two of their donor-funded recipients were used as part of the sample group.

Eight categories emerged from the data analysis, and a conceptual model, based on the traditional Business Model Canvas, was developed. This model acts as a visual tool for corporates and recipients when engaging in CSE practices as well as a conceptual framework to inform future research and advance theory in the field of CSE.
Exploring Decision-Making Complexity in Major Infrastructure Projects: A Case Study From China
Authors: Shi Qianqian , Hertogh Marcel , Bosch-Rekveldt Marian , Zhu Jianbo , Sheng Zhaohan
Published: May 2020

The goal of this study is to identify, classify, explore, and understand decision-making complexity elements in major infrastructure projects (MIPs). This article puts forward systematic definitions of decision making, decision-making quality, and decision-making complexity. Based on literature reviews and an in-depth case analysis of Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB), a comprehensive framework of decision-making complexity is developed, which divides the elements into six dimensions: technical, social, financial, legal, organizational, and time. The links between different dimensions are also illustrated. This article is expected to deepen our current understanding of decision-making complexity and to provide a fundamental point of reference in the front-end phase of MIPs.
GPS2 promotes erythroid differentiation by control of the stability of EKLF protein
Authors: Ma Wen-Bing , Wang Xiao-Han , Li Chang-Yan , Tian Huan-Huan , Zhang Jie , Bi Jun-Jie , Ren Guang-Ming , Tao Shou-Song , Liu Xian , Zhang Wen , Li Dong-Xu , Chen Hui , Zhan Yi-Qun , Yu Miao , Ge Chang-Hui , Yang Xiao-Ming , Yin Rong-Hua
Published: May 2020

Erythropoiesis is a complex multistage process that involves differentiation of early erythroid progenitors to enucleated mature red blood cells, in which lineage-specific transcription factors play essential roles. Erythroid Krüppel-like factor (EKLF/KLF1) is a pleiotropic erythroid transcription factor that is required for the proper maturation of the erythroid cells, whose expression and activation are tightly controlled in a temporal and differentiation stage-specific manner. Here, we uncover a novel role of G-protein pathway suppressor 2 (GPS2), a subunit of the nuclear receptor corepressor/silencing mediator of retinoic acid and thyroid hormone receptor corepressor complex, in erythrocyte differentiation. Our study demonstrates that knockdown of GPS2 significantly suppresses erythroid differentiation of human CD34+ cells cultured in vitro and xenotransplanted in nonobese diabetic/severe combined immunodeficiency/interleukin-2 receptor γ-chain null mice. Moreover, global deletion of GPS2 in mice causes impaired erythropoiesis in the fetal liver and leads to severe anemia. Flow cytometric analysis and Wright-Giemsa staining show a defective differentiation at late stages of erythropoiesis in Gps2−/− embryos. Mechanistically, GPS2 interacts with EKLF and prevents proteasome-mediated degradation of EKLF, thereby increasing EKLF stability and transcriptional activity. Moreover, we identify the amino acids 191-230 region in EKLF protein, responsible for GPS2 binding, that is highly conserved in mammals and essential for EKLF protein stability. Collectively, our study uncovers a previously unknown role of GPS2 as a posttranslational regulator that enhances the stability of EKLF protein and thereby promotes erythroid differentiation.
The incidence of diabetes among the non-diabetic residents in Kawauchi village, Fukushima, who experienced evacuation after the 2011 Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant disaster
Authors: Chung Yun-Shan , Harada Kouji H. , Igari Keiko , Ishizuka Jinrou , Koizumi Akio
Published: May 2020

Objectives

After the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant disaster in 2011, residents of Kawauchi village who experienced evacuation had a high risk of suffering from diabetes and metabolic syndrome compared with non-evacuees. In addition to evacuation, lifestyle characteristics can be important factors influencing the development and prognosis of diabetes or glucose tolerance. The current study aimed to evaluate the effects of evacuation (i.e., lifestyle changes) on the incidence of diabetes among the non-diabetic residents of Kawauchi village.

Methods

Design is retrospective cohort study. Annual health examination data of residents of Kawauchi village and control area (Ono town) in Fukushima prefecture from 2008 to 2017, as available from the Japanese National Health Insurance system. Participants were classified into three groups: “Diabetes (DM)” (FBG ≥ 126 mg/dL or HbA1c ≥ 6.5% or hospital visit for DM or usage of diabetic medication), “Borderline DM” (126 mg/dL > FBG ≥ 110 mg/dL or 6.5% > HbA1c ≥ 6.0%, and without hospital visit, and without diabetic medication), and “Normoglycemic” (FBG < 110 mg/dL and HbA1c < 6.0%, and without hospital visit, and without diabetic medication). New onset of diabetes was evaluated and the events or missing data were occurred at health checkup. For this survival analysis, 339 residents in Kawauchi and 598 residents in Ono were included. Average follow-up periods after 2010 were 3.9 years in Kawauchi village and 3.6 years in Ono town.

Results

Compared with the normoglycemic group, incidence of DM was much greater in the borderline DM group, where DM occurred among 38.2% of the group in 2012 and increased to over 60% cumulatively through 2017 in Kawauchi village. DM had a prevalence of 16.3% in 2012, and below 30% in 2017 in borderline DM group of Ono town. Cox proportional hazard regression analysis was applied to non-DM groups at both study sites separately to evaluate the effects of lifestyle changes at each site. While BMI, BMI change, and the lack of regular exercise (HR = 1.29, 1.72, and 5.04, respectively) showed significant associations with the onset of diabetes in Ono town, only BMI and late-night dinner (HR = 1.21 and 4.86, respectively) showed significant associations with diabetes onset in Kawauchi village.

Conclusions

The current results confirmed that diabetes incidence was increased 6 years after the Daiichi nuclear power plant disaster in Kawauchi. We also found changes in lifestyle habits, suggesting that diabetes prevention with promotion of healthy lifestyle behaviors is an urgent priority.
The loss of photosynthesis pathway and genomic locations of the lost plastid genes in a holoparasitic plant Aeginetia indica
Authors: Chen Jingfang , Yu Runxian , Dai Jinhong , Liu Ying , Zhou Renchao
Published: May 2020

Background

With three origins of holoparasitism, Orobanchaceae provides an ideal system to study the evolution of holoparasitic lifestyle in plants. The evolution of holoparasitism can be revealed by plastid genome degradation and coordinated changes in the nuclear genome, since holoparasitic plants lost the capability of photosynthesis. Among the three clades with holoparasitic plants in Orobanchaceae, only Clade VI has no available plastid genome sequences for holoparasitic plants. In this study, we sequenced the plastome and transcriptome of Aeginetia indica, a holoparasitic plant in Clade VI of Orobanchaceae, to study its plastome evolution and the corresponding changes in the nuclear genome as a response of the loss of photosynthetic function.

Results

The plastome of A. indica is reduced to 86,212 bp in size, and almost all photosynthesis-related genes were lost. Massive fragments of the lost plastid genes were transferred into the mitochondrial and/or nuclear genomes. These fragments could not be detected in its transcriptomes, suggesting that they were non-functional. Most protein coding genes in the plastome showed the signal of relaxation of purifying selection. Plastome and transcriptome analyses indicated that the photosynthesis pathway is completely lost, and that the porphyrin and chlorophyll metabolism pathway is partially retained, although chlorophyll synthesis is not possible.

Conclusions

Our study suggests the loss of photosynthesis-related functions in A. indica in both the nuclear and plastid genomes. The lost plastid genes are transferred into its nuclear and/or mitochondrial genomes, and exist in very small fragments with no expression and are thus non-functional. The Aeginetia indica plastome also provides a resource for comparative studies on the repeated evolution of holoparasitism in Orobanchaceae.
Coordination between GROWTH-REGULATING FACTOR1 and GRF-INTERACTING FACTOR1 plays a key role in regulating leaf growth in rice
Authors: Lu Yuzhu , Meng Yunlong , Zeng Jia , Luo Ying , Feng Zhen , Bian Liying , Gao Suyun
Published: May 2020

Background

The interactions between Growth-regulating factors (GRFs) and GRF-Interacting Factors (GIFs) have been well demonstrated but it remains unclear whether different combinations of GRF and GIF play distinctive roles in the pathway downstream of the complex.

Results

Here we showed that OsGRF1 and OsGIF1 synergistically regulate leaf growth in rice. The expression of OsGIF1 emerged in all tissues with much higher level while that of OsGRF1 appeared preferentially only in the stem tips containing shoot apical meristem (SAM) and younger leaves containing leaf primordium. Overexpression of an OsmiR396-resistant version of mOsGRF1 resulted in expanded leaves due to increased cell proliferation while knockdown of OsGRF1 displayed an opposite phenotype. Overexpression of OsGIF1 did not exhibit new phenotype while knockdown lines displayed pleiotropic growth defects including shrunken leaves. The crossed lines of mOsGRF1 overexpression and OsGIF1 knockdown still exhibited shrunk leaves, indicating that OsGIF1 is indispensable in leaf growth regulated by OsGRF1. The expression of OsGRF1 could be upregulated by gibberellins (GAs) and downregulated by various stresses while that of OsGIF1 could not.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that OsGIF1 is in an excessive expression in various tissues and play roles in various aspects of growth while OsGRF1 may specifically involve in leaf growth through titrating OsGIF1. Both internal and external conditions impacting leaf growth are likely via way of regulating the expression of OsGRF1.
A case of an unexpected posterior mediastinal functional paraganglioma: case report and literature review
Authors: Yang Zhuqing , Shi Qinye , Bao Fangping
Published: May 2020

Background

Paraganglioma can be found in a wide range of locations. However, paraganglioma in the posterior mediastinum is rare. An unexpected paraganglioma located in the posterior mediastinum was found during surgery. The anesthesia management of this patient was challenging.

Case presentation

A 65-year-old male with a posterior mediastinal tumor was scheduled for thoracoscopic mediastinal tumor resection. Severe hemodynamic changes during the operation and postoperative pathological diagnosis showed that the patient had a rare case of posterior mediastinal functional paraganglioma, which was not found before the operation. Although the patient did not experience side effects after surgery, he did experience a dangerous surgical process.

Conclusions

The correct diagnosis of paraganglioma, intensive preoperative screening, adequate preoperative preparation, and accurate intraoperative anesthesia management could provide better anesthesia for paraganglioma patients.
Clinical and molecular characterization of a patient with mitochondrial Neurogastrointestinal Encephalomyopathy
Authors: Habibzadeh Parham , Silawi Mohammad , Dastsooz Hassan , Bahramjahan Shima , Ezzatzadegan Jahromi Shahrokh , Ostovan Vahid Reza , Yavarian Majid , Mofatteh Mohammad , Faghihi Mohammad Ali
Published: May 2020

Background

Mitochondrial neurogastrointestinal encephalomyopathy (MNGIE) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder caused by mutations inTYMPgene, encoding nuclear thymidine phosphorylase (TP). MNGIE mainly presents with gastrointestinal symptoms and is mostly misdiagnosed in many patients as malabsorption syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, anorexia nervosa, and intestinal pseudo-obstruction. Up to date, more than 80 pathogenic and likely pathogenic mutations associated with the disease have been reported in patients from a wide range of ethnicities. The objective of this study was to investigate the underlying genetic abnormalities in a 25-year-old woman affected with MNGIE.

Case presentation

The patient was a 25-year-old female referred to our center with the chief complaint of severe abdominal pain and diarrhea for 2 years that had worsened from 2 months prior to admission. The clinical and para-clinical findings were in favor of mitochondrial neurogastrointestinal encephalomyopathy syndrome. Subsequent genetic studies revealed a novel, private, homozygous nonsense mutation inTYMPgene (c. 1013 C > A, p.S338X). Sanger sequencing confirmed the new mutation in the proband. Multiple sequence alignment showed high conservation of amino acids of this protein across different species.

Conclusion

The detected new nonsense mutation in theTYMPgene would be very important for genetic counseling and subsequent early diagnosis and initiation of proper therapy. This novel pathogenic variant would help us establish future genotype-phenotype correlations and identify different pathways related to this disorder.
Cholestasis and disseminated histoplasmosis in a psoriatic patient on infliximab: case report and review of literature
Authors: Park Steven , Cheong Janice , Kyi Kaitlin , Aranez Jose , Abu-Farsakh Sohaib , Whitney-Miller Christa , Al-Judaibi Bandar , Laryea Marie
Published: May 2020

Background

Histoplasma capsulatumis the most common endemic mycosis in the United States and frequently presents as an opportunistic infection in immunocompromised hosts. Though liver involvement is common in disseminated histoplasmosis, primary gastrointestinal histoplasmosis of the liver in absence of lung involvement is rare. Similarly, cholestatic granulomatous hepatitis in liver histoplasmosis is rarely seen.

Case presentation

We present a rare case of primary gastrointestinal histoplasmosis manifesting with acute granulomatous hepatitis and cholestasis in a 48-year-old female with psoriatic arthritis, receiving methotrexate and infliximab. The epidemiology, risk factors, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of histoplasmosis is discussed. Furthermore, we review the published cases of biopsy-proven disseminated histoplasmosis with cholestatic jaundice to highlight histoplasmosis involvement in the liver.

Conclusion

Histoplasmosis should be considered in immunosuppressed patients with fever, chills, abdominal pain and cholestasis with progressive jaundice, particularly in subjects without evidence of biliary obstruction. Future studies are needed to accurately assess the risk of this fungal infection, specifically in patients on immunomodulatory therapy for autoimmune disease.
No evidence for amyloid pathology as a key mediator of neurodegeneration post-stroke - a seven-year follow-up study
Authors: Hagberg Guri , Ihle-Hansen Hege , Fure Brynjar , Thommessen Bente , Ihle-Hansen Håkon , Øksengård Anne Rita , Beyer Mona K. , Wyller Torgeir B. , Müller Ebba Gløersen , Pendlebury Sarah T. , Selnes Per
Published: May 2020

Background

Cognitive impairment (CI) with mixed vascular and neurodegenerative pathologies after stroke is common. The role of amyloid pathology in post-stroke CI is unclear. We hypothesize that amyloid deposition, measured with Flutemetamol (18F-Flut) positron emission tomography (PET), is common in seven-year stroke survivors diagnosed with CI and, further, that quantitatively assessed 18F-Flut-PET uptake after 7 years correlates with amyloid-β peptide (Aβ42) levels in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) at 1 year, and with measures of neurodegeneration and cognition at 7 years post-stroke.

Methods

208 patients with first-ever stroke or transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) without pre-existing CI were included during 2007 and 2008. At one- and seven-years post-stroke, cognitive status was assessed, and categorized into dementia, mild cognitive impairment or normal. Etiologic sub-classification was based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings, CSF biomarkers and clinical cognitive profile. At 7 years, patients were offered 18F-Flut-PET, and amyloid-positivity was assessed visually and semi-quantitatively. The associations between 18F-Flut-PET standardized uptake value ratios (SUVr) and measures of neurodegeneration (medial temporal lobe atrophy (MTLA), global cortical atrophy (GCA)) and cognition (Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE), Trail-making test A (TMT-A)) and CSF Aβ42 levels were assessed using linear regression.

Results

In total, 111 patients completed 7-year follow-up, and 26 patients agreed to PET imaging, of whom 13 had CSF biomarkers from 1 year. Thirteen out of 26 patients were diagnosed with CI 7 years post-stroke, but only one had visually assessed amyloid positivity. CSF Aβ42 levels at 1 year, MTA grade, GCA scale, MMSE score or TMT-A at 7 years did not correlate with 18F-Flut-PET SUVr in this cohort.

Conclusions

Amyloid binding was not common in 7-year stroke survivors diagnosed with CI. Quantitatively assessed, cortical amyloid deposition did not correlate with other measures related to neurodegeneration or cognition. Therefore, amyloid pathology may not be a key mediator of neurodegeneration 7 years post-stroke.

Trial registration

Clinicaltrials.gov (NCT00506818). July 23, 2007. Inclusion from February 2007, randomization and intervention from May 2007 and trial registration in July 2007.
Stereotactic robotic body radiotherapy for patients with oligorecurrent pulmonary metastases
Authors: Berkovic Patrick , Gulyban Akos , Defraene Gilles , Swenen Laurie , Dechambre David , Nguyen Paul Viet , Jansen Nicolas , Mievis Carole , Lovinfosse Pierre , Janvary Levente , Lambrecht Maarten , De Meerleer Gert
Published: May 2020

Background

Our aim is to report treatment efficacy and toxicity of patients treated by robotic (Cyberknife®) stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) for oligorecurrent lung metastases (ORLM). Additionally we wanted to evaluate influence of tumor, patient and treatment related parameters on local control (LC), lung and distant progression free- (lung PFS/Di-PFS) and overall survival (OS).

Methods

Consecutive patients with up to 5 ORLM (confirmed by FDG PET/CT) were included in this study. Intended dose was 60Gy in 3 fractions (prescribed to the 80% isodose volume). Patients were followed at regular intervals and tumor control and toxicity was prospectively scored. Tumor, patient and treatment data were analysed using competing risk- and Cox regression.

Results

Between May 2010 and March 2016, 104 patients with 132 lesions were irradiated from primary lung carcinoma (47%), gastro-intestinal (34%) and mixed primary histologies (19%). The mean tumor volume was 7.9 cc. After a median follow up of 22 months, the 1, 2 and 3 year LC rate (per lesion) was 89.3, 80.0 and 77.8% respectively. The corresponding (per patient) 1, 2 and 3 years lung PFS were 66.3, 50.0, 42.6%, Di-PFS were 80.5, 64.4, 60.6% and OS rates were 92.2, 80.9 and 72.0% respectively. On univariable analysis, gastro-intestinal (GI) as primary tumor site showed a significant superior local control versus the other primary tumor sites. For OS, significant variables were primary histology and primary tumor site with a superior OS for patients with metastases of primary GI origin. LC was significantly affected by the tumor volume, physical and biologically effective dose coverage. Significant variables in multivariable analysis were BED prescription dose for LC and GI as primary site for OS. The vast majority of patients developed no toxicity or grade 1 acute and late toxicity. Acute and late grade 3 radiation pneumonitis (RP) was observed in 1 and 2 patients respectively. One patient with a centrally located lesion developed grade 4 RP and died due to possible RT-induced pulmonary hemorrhage.

Conclusions

SBRT is a highly effective local therapy for oligorecurrent lung metastases and could achieve long term survival in patients with favourable prognostic features.
Colorectal carcinomas with mucinous differentiation are associated with high frequent mutation of KRAS or BRAF mutations, irrespective of quantity of mucinous component
Authors: Li Xiaodong , Sun Katherine , Liao Xiaoyan , Gao Haijuan , Zhu Hongfa , Xu Ruliang
Published: May 2020

Background

Mucinous adenocarcinoma (MAC) is a distinct type of colorectal cancer (CRC) associated with poor response to treatment and poorer prognosis. MAC is diagnosed by WHO definition when the extracellular mucin is more than 50% of the lesion. We aimed at assessing the gene expression profiles of the CRCs with any mucinous features (> 5%) in a retrospective study.

Methods

The data of a 50-gene next generation sequencing (NGS) panel of 166 CRCs was analyzed and the gene mutational profile with morphologic features was correlated.

Results

We identified the different genetic mutation profiles between CRCs with and without mucinous component, but noticed a similar genetic profile between MACs and CRCs with mucinous component, irrespective of the percentage (if mucinous component more than 5%). The different genetic mutation profile related to MSI status was also identified between two groups of tumors. The most frequent mutations in CRCs with mucinous component are KRAS (28/49, 57.1%) and BRAF (19/49, 38.7%), PIK3CA (16/49, 32.6%), followed by APC (12/49, 24.5%) and TP53 (11/49, 22.5%). The combined mutation frequency of the two key factors in the EGFR signaling pathway, KRAS and BRAF, in the CRCs with and without mucinous component is 95.9 and 52.1%, respectively.

Conclusions

The dysregulation of EGFR pathway plays a critical role in the development of CRCs with mucinous component, irrespective of the percentage. The result suggested that the current cut off of 50% mucin component to define mucinous adenocarcinoma might be challengeable.
Association of Myopia with cognitive function among one million adolescents
Authors: Megreli Jacob , Barak Adiel , Bez Maxim , Bez Dana , Levine Hagai
Published: May 2020

Background

Myopia is a leading cause of visual impairment worldwide, and its increasing incidence is of public health concern. Cognitive function was associated with myopia among children, but evidence for adolescents is scarce. The purpose of this study was to determine whether myopia is associated with cognitive function, and which cognitive ability, verbal or non-verbal, is involved.

Methods

We conducted a population-based cross-sectional study of 1,022,425 Israeli candidates for military service aged 16.5–18 years. Participants underwent a comprehensive battery of tests assessing verbal and non-verbal intelligence, which yields a summarized cognitive function score (CFS). In addition, subjective visual acuity examination followed by objective non-cycloplegic refraction was carried out for each participant. Association between myopia and cognitive function was evaluated by multivariable logistic regression models adjusted for gender, age, country of origin, socioeconomic status, years of education, body mass index, height and year of examination.

Results

Compared to the intermediate CFS of the entire cohort, participants who had the highest CFS had 1.85-fold (95% CI, 1.81 to 1.89;P < .001) higher odds of having myopia and 2.73-fold (95% CI, 2.58 to 2.88;P < .001) higher odds of high myopia, while participants with the lowest CFS had 0.59-fold (95% CI, 0.57 to 0.61,P < .001) lower odds of having myopia. The verbal components of the cognitive function assessment had stronger associations with myopia than the non-verbal components (P < .001, for all).

Conclusions

Cognitive function, especially verbal intelligence, is strongly and consistently associated with myopia among adolescents.