bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Association Between Mothers’ Alcohol Use Histories and Deficient Parenting in an Economically Disadvantaged Sample
Authors: Taber-Thomas Sarah M. , Knutson John F.
Published: May 2020

Objective:

Problematic maternal alcohol use confers risk for child maltreatment, though the effect on specific aspects of parenting is unclear. This study examined concurrent and prospective links among maternal alcohol use history, care neglect, supervisory neglect, and harsh or inconsistent discipline.

Method:

Multimethod multisource data were utilized to assess deficient parenting in 311 economically disadvantaged mothers at high risk of child maltreatment. Structural equation modeling was used to test hypothesized relations.

Results:

Maternal history of alcohol use was associated with more inconsistent discipline and higher levels of subsequent supervisory neglect. Secondary analyses among two-parent families found that paternal substance misuse was associated with maternal care neglect and poor supervision.

Conclusions:

Among low socioeconomic status families, maternal alcohol use increases the risk of inconsistent discipline and inadequate supervision. Inconsistent discipline may also lead to punitive parenting practices. Given the potential effect of paternal substance use on maternal parenting, findings highlight the importance of screening all caregivers for substance use in child welfare and research contexts to clarify when and how to intervene most effectively.
Strong-Ties and Weak-Ties Rationalities: Toward an Expanded Network Theory
Authors: Sundararajan Louise
Published: May 2020

This article introduces the expanded network theory and demonstrates the heuristic value of its construct of strong-ties and weak-ties rationalities. This construct is derived from the network theory of Granovetter and corroborated with evolutionary biology and psychological studies on group processes. This construct has wide-ranging implications and applications for cultural and cross-cultural psychology. It informs our efforts toward cultural sensitivity in theory and research design and offers a new tool for cultural analysis. In particular, it can serve as a useful framework to investigate cultures in transition in the globalizing era. Insights into strong-ties and weak-ties rationalities may even contribute to shaping the future of the human society.
Near-infrared transmitting occlusive intraocular lens implantation for intractable diplopia: Report of two cases
Authors: Palma-Carvajal Francisco , Wróbel-Dudzińska Dominika , Zebdeh Abdulah , Visa Josep , Güell José Luis , Elies Daniel
Published: May 2020

Objective:

The objective of this article is to report two cases of black occlusive intraocular lens and implantation for treating intractable diplopia.

Case descriptions:

Two patients with intractable diplopia after orbitofacial, trauma, and surgical removal of pituitary adenoma failed to conservative management. After uneventful cataract, phacoemulsification, a black intraocular lens was implanted in every case. In both cases, a complete degree of satisfaction was achieved, with no symptoms of diplopia, and no complications have been observed in their follow-up. The use of optical coherence tomography has been possible in both cases to assess the macula and optic nerve, since a fundoscopy is not possible in such cases.

Conclusion:

Implantation of a near-infrared transmitting occlusive intraocular lens for treating intractable diplopia provided a complete resolution of symptoms without eliminating the possibility of examining macula and optic nerve using optical coherence tomography.
Examining the relationships between market indicators and hotel pricing approaches
Authors: Ampountolas Apostolos , Shaw Gareth , James Simon
Published: May 2020

Hotels are employing revenue management (RM) to improve profitability by efficiently managing the effects of capacity, as well as the effects of performance factors to model consumer behavior. This empirical paper discusses the extent and use of different pricing approaches and their success in this multichannel environment. Do hotels consider the effect of different pricing strategies? We compare the impact of the RM factors on the main pricing techniques and by using a hotel chain scale. Based on a sample of revenue managers’ responses, the results of this study confirm that while traditional pricing techniques are an old applicable approach, they are still used extensively. The empirical results show an association among distribution channels and dynamic pricing (DP) strategies, albeit the relationship is not such robust concerning traditional pricing techniques. From a practical standpoint, hotels would advance consumer-centric strategies to bargain competitive rates in the market. The results indicate that more than half of the respondent properties transact business through a type of opaque mechanism, but not for the luxury category. Empirical analysis by chain scale illustrates that in practice, most companies are adopting different pricing techniques considering the period and the market hurdles. Small chain hotels mainly implemented some form of traditional pricing techniques or the opaque mechanism, while the DP approach is more consistent with large chain hotels. This implies that the current environment of available data on the pricing optimization left of any provision of the consumer’s willingness to pay is challenging and distresses the hotels’ promotion of product segmentation.
Magazine Journalism in the Golden Age of Muckraking: Patent-Medicine Exposures Before and After the Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906
Authors: Denham Bryan
Published: May 2020

Although studies in mass communication and investigative journalism have examined associations between newspaper reporting and policy formation, little research has focused on the policy influence of magazine coverage. In addition, given research questions that implicitly or explicitly conclude with policy implementation, studies have tended to analyze materials prior to the passage of legislation with little attention paid to subsequent reporting. This monograph examines magazine coverage of patent medicines before and after the Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906 became law. Patent medicines, which appeared in the form of cure-alls, headache remedies, and soothing syrups, emerged long before the federal government regulated substances such as morphine and cocaine, and nostrums often included these substances in addition to alcohol. Near the turn of the 20th century, magazine journalists began to draw attention to the hazards associated with patent medicines, building an agenda for policy reform. The Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906 required manufacturers to list habit-forming substances and the quantities of those substances on product labels, and sales showed an appreciable decline; however, companies continued to profit. An examination of magazine articles showed that, in addition to patent-medicine manufacturers, newspapers received significant criticism for advancing industry interests through advertising. As a partial result of outlandish claims made in advertisements, problems with patent medicines continued after implementation of the Pure Food and Drug Act. Government officials and the U.S. Supreme Court were among those who undermined the 1906 law. Implications for investigative journalism, history, and public policy are discussed.
Limb-Based Patency After Surgical vs Endovascular Revascularization in Patients with Chronic Limb-Threatening Ischemia
Authors: Utsunomiya Makoto , Takahara Mitsuyoshi , Iida Osamu , Soga Yoshimitsu , Hata Yosuke , Shiraki Tatsuya , Nagae Ayumu , Kato Tamon , Kobayashi Norihiro , Suematsu Nobuhiro , Tasaki Junichi , Horie Kazunori , Uchida Daiki , Kodama Akio , Azuma Nobuyoshi , Nakamura Masato
Published: May 2020

Purpose:

To determine whether limb-based patency (LBP) after infrainguinal revascularization for chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI) is similar between bypass surgery and endovascular therapy (EVT).

Materials and Methods:

The database for the Surgical Reconstruction vs Peripheral Intervention in Patients With Critical Limb Ischemia (SPINACH) study was interrogated to identify 130 patients (mean age 73±8 years; 94 men) who underwent bypass surgery and 271 patients (mean age 74±10 years; 178 men) who underwent EVT alone. Skin perfusion pressure (SPP) and the ankle-brachial index (ABI) were measured before the procedure and at 0, 1, and 3 months after revascularization. The outcome measure was hemodynamically evaluated LBP (SPP ≥10 mm Hg or ABI ≥0.1) maintained over the first 3 months after treatment. Any reintervention or major amputation was regarded as loss of LBP. The associations between the revascularization strategy (bypass vs EVT) and between the preoperative characteristics and the study outcome (ie, SPP- or ABI-based LBP), were determined using generalized linear mixed models with a logit link function. Patency rates are presented with the 95% confidence interval (CI).

Results:

The bypass surgery group had a higher stage of limb severity (WIfI) and anatomic complexity (GLASS) than the EVT group, whereas the EVT group had a higher prevalence of heart failure. Both SPP- and ABI-based LBP rates were higher in the bypass group than in the EVT group. SPP-based LBP rates at 3 months were 73.8% (95% CI 63.4% to 84.2%) in the bypass group and 46.2% (95% CI 38.5% to 53.8%) in the EVT group; the corresponding ABI-based LBP rates were 71.5% (95% CI 61.8% to 81.2%) and 44.0% (95% CI 37.3% to 50.7%).

Conclusion:

LBP is an important concept in the new global vascular guidelines for assessing the anatomic and hemodynamic status of CLTI patients. The present study found that LBP was significantly lower in the EVT group vs the bypass surgery group.
Technical Aspects of Branched Thoracic Arch Graft Implantation for Aortic Arch Pathologies
Authors: Spanos Konstantinos , Panuccio Giuseppe , Rohlffs Fiona , Heidemann Franziska , Tsilimparis Nikolaos , Kölbel Tilo
Published: May 2020

Purpose:

To describe the implantation steps and tips and tricks for the Inner Branch Arch Endograft designed to treat aortic arch aneurysm and chronic type A aortic dissection.

Technique:

Anatomical suitability criteria should be met in order to use this device. The proximal segment of the graft lands in the ascending aorta distally to the sinotubular junction and the distal segment lands in the descending aorta. The device includes 2 inner branches; the proximal branch is used for a connection to the innominate artery (positioned slightly posterior at 12:30 o’clock), while the second branch is positioned slightly anterior at 11:30 o’clock and is used as a connection to the left common carotid artery. Access, implantation technique, deployment of the device, and catheterization of the branches are described thoroughly.

Conclusion:

This Inner Branch Arch Endograft is an appealing alternative to treat aortic arch pathology, especially in patients unsuitable for open repair. Nevertheless, complex aortic arch repair is associated with a learning curve. Meticulous preoperative planning and a high level of concentration intraoperatively are mandatory.
Uniportal Thoracoscopic Wedge Resection of Lung Nodules: Paravertebral Blocks Are Better Than Intercostal Blocks
Authors: Xia Zhaohua , Depypere Lieven , Song Yanzheng , Liao Mingfeng , Shi Qinlang , Ma Mingfei , Wang Haijiang , Ning Xinzhong , Huang Pilai , Wen Guohuan , Qiao Kun
Published: May 2020

Background. Regional analgesia for tubeless, uniport, thoracoscopic wedge resection of benign peripheral nodules is generally performed by intercostal nerve block (INB). We examined the effectiveness of thoracic paravertebral block (PVB), in comparison to the traditional intercostal blocks, for the procedure. Methods. Between July 2016 and December 2016, 20 consecutive patients with solitary benign peripheral lung nodules underwent tubeless uniport thoracoscopic wedge resection using thoracic PVB (PVB group). The clinical outcomes were compared with those of 20 other consecutive patients who underwent the same procedure under the conventional INB, between January 2016 and July 2016 (INB group). In both groups, the procedures were performed without endotracheal intubation, urinary catheterization, or chest tube drainage. Results. The clinical data of patients in both groups were comparable in terms of demographic and baseline characteristics, operative and anesthetic characteristics, puncture-related complications, and postoperative anesthetic adverse events. No puncture-related complications occurred during the perioperative period in either group. The threshold values for mechanical pain at postoperative hours 4 and 8 were significantly higher in the PVB group than in the INB group. Furthermore, the incidence of nausea or vomiting in the PVB group was significantly less than that in the INB group. None of the patients required reintervention or readmission to our hospital. Conclusions. Tubeless uniportal thoracoscopic wedge resection for solitary benign peripheral lung nodules using thoracic PVB for regional analgesia is a feasible and safe procedure. Moreover, we found that thoracic PVB is less painful than INB.
The sustainable manufacturing concept, evolution and opportunities within Industry 4.0: A literature review
Authors: Sartal Antonio , Bellas Roberto , Mejías Ana M , García-Collado Alberto
Published: May 2020

Today’s society is becoming aware that a new economic model of production and consumption must take into account its environmental and social impact. Industries are under increasing pressure from stakeholders to be transparent in reporting the environmental and social impacts of their operations. In this context, sustainable manufacturing must minimize negative environmental impacts and consumption of energy and natural resources, while also being socially responsible and economically viable. That is why the sustainable manufacturing concept is gaining increasing attention both in the research community and in organizations, especially in the industrial sector. However, even today, there is a great diversity of interpretations and ideas associated with this term. Accordingly, this article first presents an overview of the main concepts related to sustainable manufacturing, and metrics to evaluate organizations’ sustainability performance, and then an outlook of current trends. Our work highlights the consistencies and inconsistencies in the research community related to the interpretations of sustainable manufacturing and Industry 4.0, as well as the lack of consensus about the true social impact of Industry 4.0. However, the positive ecological and economic impacts of sustainable manufacturing seem fairly widespread. In this way, sustainable manufacturing practices seem to be reinforced by initiatives within the fourth stage of industrialization – the so-called Industry 4.0 – which offers great opportunities for sustainable manufacturing, thanks to digital transformation.
Methodological Concerns About the Education Value-Added Assessment System (EVAAS): Validity, Reliability, and Bias
Authors: Amrein-Beardsley Audrey , Geiger Tray
Published: May 2020

The Education Value-Added Assessment System (EVAAS), the value-added model (VAM) sold by the international business analytics software company SAS Institute Inc., is advertised as offering “precise, reliable and unbiased results that go far beyond what other simplistic [value-added] models found in the market today can provide.” In this study, we investigated these claims, as well as others pertaining to the validity or truthfulness of model output, by conducting analyses on more than 1,700 teachers’ EVAAS results (i.e., actual EVAAS output to which no other external scholars have had access prior) from the Houston Independent School District (HISD). We found the EVAAS to perform, overall, in line with other VAMs in terms of validity and reliability, although it yielded possibly more biased value-added estimates than other VAMs due to differences in teacher’s EVAAS scores based on school-level student composition factors.
Online Rebellion: Self-Organized Criticality of Contemporary Protest Movements
Authors: Zhukov Dmitry , Kunavin Konstantin , Lyamin Sergey
Published: May 2020

The theory of self-organized criticality (SOC) is applicable for explaining powerful surges of protest activity on social media. The objects of study were two protest clusters. The first was a set of Facebook groups that promoted the impeachment of the Brazilian president Dilma Rousseff. The second was a set of groups on the social network Vkontakte that provided support for anti-government rallies in Armenia, referred to as Electric Yerevan. Numerous groups in the examined clusters were functioning in SOC mode during certain periods. Those clusters were able to generate information avalanches—seemingly spontaneous, powerful surges of creation, transmission, and reproduction of information. The facts are presented that supported the assumptions that SOC effects in social networks are associated with mass actions on the streets, including violence. The observations of SOC make it possible to reveal certain periods when the course of a sociopolitical system is least stable.
Digital human resource management: A conceptual clarification
Authors: Strohmeier Stefan
Published: May 2020

The concept of digital human resource management and related concepts such as the digitization of human resource management, the digitalization of human resource management, the digital transformation of human resource management, and the digital disruption of human resource management are gaining prominence in scholarly discussion. Frequently, however, the use of these concepts is implicit, heterogeneous, and proliferating. These concepts, thus, lack the “conceptual clarity” necessary in research. Therefore, this article aims at a conceptual clarification of digital human resource management and of related concepts of the digitization of human resource management, the digitalization of human resource management, the digital transformation of human resource management, and the digital disruption of human resource management. To do so, the article references general literature on digital organizations to develop a terminology and typology of digital human resource management. The terminology offers precise and parsimonious definitions of the concepts and relationships between them, offering a basic understanding. The typology offers precise and parsimonious ideal-types, which order and classify phenomena related to digital human resource management, in turn expanding knowledge about these phenomena. Together, the terminology and typology clarify the concept of digital human resource management and related concepts, uncover digital human resource management as an evolutionary advancement of previous conceptualizations of technology-based human resource management, and provide a conceptual basis for future work on digital human resource management.
Ossifying Lipoma in Costal Arches That Suggest Extensive Pulmonary Involvement: Case Report
Authors: Tobón Angélica , Silva Nhora M , Velásquez Mauricio , Morales Eliana , Sangiovanni Saveria , Fernández-Trujillo Liliana
Published: May 2020

Background:

Lipomas are the most common benign soft tissue tumors in the general population. These lesions can appear on any part of the body and usually develop in the subcutaneous superficial tissue. Lipomas that show ossifying changes are very rare, representing less than 1% of the reported lipomas. They usually manifest as hard nodular lesions in the head and neck, the extremities, the sternoclavicular region, and the subcutaneous tissue in general; they are rare in the costal arches.

Case presentation:

We report the case of a patient with a history of multiple diseases and 2 tumor-like lesions with internal lytic areas detected in the fourth right costal arch and in the eighth left costal arc; we describe his clinical manifestations, radiological and laboratory findings as well as the pathological results and outcome.

Conclusions:

Ossifying lipomas are rare benign tumors with asymptomatic clinical presentation. It is important to perform an adequate radiological differentiation from other more aggressive lesions such as liposarcomas.
Optimizing Tissue Use: A Step-wise Approach to Diagnosing Squamous Cell Lung Carcinoma on Small Biopsies
Authors: Olazagasti Coral , Preeshagul Isabel , Aziz Mohamed , Seetharamu Nagashree
Published: May 2020

Background:

Histologic subtyping of lung cancer has significant implications for treatment planning. Accurate diagnosis based on cytology/small biopsy specimens is challenging and frequently determined by morphology, as material is often not sufficient for immunohistochemical studies (IHC). We investigated the concordance between the rates of diagnosis from cytology/small biopsies compared with surgical specimens in patients with squamous cell lung cancer (SCC) and the utility of IHC for diagnostic precision in lung cancer subtyping.

Methods:

We conducted a 5-year retrospective analysis identifying cases of SCC diagnosed on cytology/small biopsies ± IHC and compared them with subsequent surgical specimens when available. The number of patients with SCC on surgical biopsy and the concordance between cytology ± IHC was determined.

Results:

Over the 5-year period (2011-2015), 231 cases were identified. Surgery was performed on 66 cases (28.5%), of which 87.9% concurred with cytological diagnosis (95% exact binomial confidence interval [CI] = 77.5%-94.6%). There were 36 cases diagnosed in 2014 and 2015 with IHC data. Of those cytology cases with IHC (n = 12), SCC was confirmed by surgery in 91.7% (95% CI = 61.5%-99.8%). Of those without IHC (n = 24), 95.8% were confirmed SCC by surgery (95% CI = 78.9%-99.9%). These rates were not different (Fisher exact test). All cases with IHC were morphologically squamous.

Conclusions:

Our data demonstrate that diagnostic precision of identifying SCC by cytology/small biopsy is comparable with or without additional IHC studies. We recommend judicious use of IHC on cytology specimens, reserving it for cases where cytomorphology is equivocal. Tissue should be preserved for molecular analysis, which may have therapeutic implications.
Robust CD8+ T-cell proliferation and diversification after mogamulizumab in patients with adult T-cell leukemia-lymphoma
Authors: Saito Masato , Ishii Toshihiko , Urakawa Itaru , Matsumoto Asuka , Masaki Ayako , Ito Asahi , Kusumoto Shigeru , Suzuki Susumu , Takahashi Takeshi , Morita Akimichi , Inagaki Hiroshi , Iida Shinsuke , Ishida Takashi
Published: May 2020

Skin-related adverse events (AEs) occur frequently in adult T-cell leukemia-lymphoma (ATL) patients treated with mogamulizumab, a humanized anti-CCR4 monoclonal antibody. This study was undertaken to elucidate the mechanisms of mogamulizumab-induced skin-related AEs. We analyzed the T-cell receptor β chain repertoire in ATL patients’ peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) before and after mogamulizumab. Skin-related AEs were present in 16 patients and were absent in 8 patients. Additionally, we included 11 patients before and after chemotherapy without mogamulizumab. Immune-related gene expression in PBMCs before and after mogamulizumab was also assessed (n = 24). Mogamulizumab treatment resulted in CCR4+ T-cell depletion, and the consequent lymphopenia provoked homeostatic CD8+ T-cell proliferation, as evidenced by increased expressions of CD8B and CD8A, which were significantly greater in patients with skin-related AEs than in those without them. We hypothesize that proliferation is driven by the engagement of self-antigens, including skin-related antigens, in the face of regulatory T-cell depletion. Together with the observed activated antigen presentation function, this resulted in T-cell diversification that was significantly greater in patients with skin-related AEs than in those without. We found that the CD8+ T cells that proliferated and diversified after mogamulizumab treatment were almost entirely newly emerged clones. There was an inverse relationship between the degree of CCR4+ T-cell depletion and increased CD8+ T-cell proliferation and diversification. Thus, lymphocyte-depleting mogamulizumab treatment provokes homeostatic CD8+ T-cell proliferation predominantly of newly emerging clones, some of which could have important roles in the pathogenesis of mogamulizumab-induced skin-related AEs.
An integrative investigation on significant mutations and their down-stream pathways in lung squamous cell carcinoma reveals CUL3/KEAP1/NRF2 relevant subtypes
Authors: Liu Zongang , Deng Meiyan , Wu Lin , Zhang Suning
Published: May 2020

Background

Molecular mechanism of lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) remains poorly understood, hampering effective targeted therapies or precision diagnosis about LUSC. We devised an integrative framework to investigate on the molecular patterns of LUSC by systematically mining the genomic, transcriptional and clinical information.

Methods

We utilized the genomics and transcriptomics data for the LUSC cohorts in The Cancer Genome Atlas.. Both kinds of omics data for 33 types of cancers were downloaded from The NCI’s Genomic Data Commons (GDC) (https://gdc.cancer.gov/about-data/publications/pancanatlas). The genomics data were processed in mutation annotation format (maf), and the transcriptomics data were determined by RNA-seq method. Mutation significance was estimated by MutSigCV. Prognosis analysis was based on the cox proportional hazards regression (Coxph) model.

Results

Significant somatic mutated genes (SMGs) like NFE2L2, RASA1 and COL11A1 and their potential down-stream pathways were recognized. Furthermore, two LUSC-specific and prognosis-meaningful subtypes were identified. Interestingly, the good prognosis subtype was enriched with mutations in CUL3/KEAP1/NRF2 pathway and with markedly suppressed expressions of multiple down-stream pathways like epithelial mesenchymal transition. The subtypes were verified by the other two cohorts. Additionally, primarily regulated down-stream elements of different SMGs were also estimated. NFE2L2, KEAP1 and RASA1 mutations showed remarkable effects on the subtype-determinant gene expressions, especially for the inflammatory relevant genes.

Conclusions

This study supplies valuable references on potential down-stream processes of SMGs and an alternative way to classify LUSC.
Reactive Oxygen Species-Related Nanoparticle Toxicity in the Biomedical Field
Authors: Yu Zhongjie , Li Qi , Wang Jing , Yu Yali , Wang Yin , Zhou Qihui , Li Peifeng
Published: May 2020

The unique physicochemical characteristics of nanoparticles have recently gained increasing attention in a diverse set of applications, particularly in the biomedical field. However, concerns about the potential toxicological effects of nanoparticles remain, as they have a higher tendency to generate excessive amounts of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Due to the strong oxidation potential, the excess ROS induced by nanoparticles can result in the damage of biomolecules and organelle structures and lead to protein oxidative carbonylation, lipid peroxidation, DNA/RNA breakage, and membrane structure destruction, which further cause necrosis, apoptosis, or even mutagenesis. This review aims to give a summary of the mechanisms and responsible for ROS generation by nanoparticles at the cellular level and provide insights into the mechanics of ROS-mediated biotoxicity. We summarize the literature on nanoparticle toxicity and suggest strategies to optimize nanoparticles for biomedical applications.
High-Performance AlGaN Double Channel HEMTs with Improved Drain Current Density and High Breakdown Voltage
Authors: Zhang Yachao , Li Yifan , Wang Jia , Shen Yiming , Du Lin , Li Yao , Wang Zhizhe , Xu Shengrui , Zhang Jincheng , Hao Yue
Published: May 2020

In this work, AlGaN double channel heterostructure is proposed and grown by metal organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD), and high-performance AlGaN double channel high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs) are fabricated and investigated. The implementation of double channel feature effectively improves the transport properties of AlGaN channel heterostructures. On one hand, the total two dimensional electron gas (2DEG) density is promoted due to the double potential wells along the vertical direction and the enhanced carrier confinement. On the other hand, the average 2DEG density in each channel is reduced, and the mobility is elevated resulted from the suppression of carrier-carrier scattering effect. As a result, the maximum drain current density (Imax) of AlGaN double channel HEMTs reaches 473 mA/mm with gate voltage of 0 V. Moreover, the superior breakdown performance of the AlGaN double channel HEMTs is also demonstrated. These results not only show the great application potential of AlGaN double channel HEMTs in microwave power electronics but also develop a new thinking for the studies of group III nitride-based electronic devices.
GlideScope® versus C-MAC®(D) videolaryngoscope versus Macintosh laryngoscope for double lumen endotracheal intubation in patients with predicted normal airways: a randomized, controlled, prospective trial
Authors: Huang Ping , Zhou Renlong , Lu Zhixing , Hang Yannan , Wang Shanjuan , Huang Zhenling
Published: May 2020

Background

The double lumen endotracheal tube (DLT) is the most widely-used device for single lung ventilation in current thoracic anesthesia practice. In recent years, the routine application of the videolaryngoscope for single lumen endotracheal intubation has increased; nevertheless there are few studies of the use of the videolaryngoscope for DLT. We wondered whether there were benefits to using the videolaryngoscope for DLT placement in patients with predicted normal airways. Therefore, this study was designed to compare the performances of the GlideScope®, the C-MAC®(D) videolaryngoscope and the Macintosh laryngoscope in DLT intubation.

Methods

This was a randomized, controlled, prospective study. We randomly allocated 90 adult patients with predicted normal airways into three groups. All patients underwent routine anesthesia using different laryngoscopes according to group allocation. We compared DLT insertion times, first-pass success rates, numerical rating scales (NRS) of DLT delivery and DLT insertion, Cormack-Lehane degrees (C/L), hemodynamic changes and incidences of intubation complications. All outcomes were analyzed using SPSS13.0.

Results

Compared with the GlideScope, the Macintosh gave shorter times for DLT insertion (median: 96 (IQR: 51 [min–max: 62–376] s vs 73 (26 [48–419] s, p = 0.003); however, there was no difference between the Macintosh and C-MAC(D) (p = 0.610). The Macintosh had a significantly higher successful first attempt rate than did the GlideScope or C-MAC(D) (p = 0.001, p = 0.028, respectively). NRS of DLT delivery and insertion were significantly lower in the Macintosh than in the others (p < 0.001). However, the C/L degree in the Macintosh was significantly higher than in the others (p < 0.001). The incidences of oral bleeding, hoarseness, sore throat and dental trauma were low in all groups (p > 0.05). There were no significant differences in DLT misplacement, fiberoptic time or hemodynamic changes among the groups.

Conclusions

Compared with the Macintosh laryngoscope, the GlideScope® and C-MAC®(D) videolaryngoscopes may not be recommended as the first choice for routine DLT intubation in patients with predicted normal airways.

Trial registration

The study was prospectively registered at the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (no. ChiCTR1900025718); principal investigator: Z.L.H.; date of registration: September 6, 2019.
Stunting and overweight among children in Northeast Brazil: prevalence, trends (1992-2005-2015) and associated risk factors from repeated cross-sectional surveys
Authors: Ferreira Haroldo da Silva , Albuquerque Gabriela Tenório , Santos Tamara Rodrigues dos , Barbosa Rosália de Lima , Cavalcante Andressa Lima , Duarte Luísa Elvira Cavazzani , Assunção Monica Lopes de
Published: May 2020

Background

A study involving children from Alagoas (Northeast Brazil) revealed that, as a consequence of a drastic reduction in the prevalence of stunting between 1992 to 2005, (22.5 to 11.4%) combined with an increase in overweight prevalence (6.7 to 9.3%), the prevalence of these two conditions in 2005 was very close. If these trends were maintained, it is very likely that, at this time, the childhood overweight prevalence has already exceeded that of the stunting. However, no study is available to confirm this hypothesis. The identification of these changes is relevant to the planning and evaluation of public policies. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence, time trends and associated factors with stunting and overweight in children from Alagoas.

Methods

Independent cross-sectional household surveys were conducted in 1992 (n = 1231), 2005 (n = 1381) and 2015 (n = 988). Data were collected from probabilistic samples of children aged 0–60 months. Stunting was defined by stature-for-age < − 2 sd and overweight by weight-for-stature > 2 sd.

Results

Between 1992, 2005 and 2015, the stunting prevalence was 22.6, 11.2 and 3.2% (reduction of 85.8%), while the overweight prevalence was 6.9, 7.5 and 14.9% (increase of 115.9%), respectively. After multivariate analysis, the following positive associations with stunting were observed in 1992: age group > 24 months (28.3% vs 14.5%), mother with ≥2 children (28.8% vs 12.8%), low birth weight (28.3% vs 15.7%) and mother with low schooling (29.3% vs 7.2%). In 2015 there was a higher prevalence of stunting in males (4.2% vs 2.2%), in children < 24 months (4.6% vs 2.2%), with low birth weight (8.6% vs 3.0%) and in those who had mothers with low schooling (7.0% vs 2.6%). Regarding overweight, in 1992 there was higher prevalence for male (9.1% vs 4.7%) and in children whose mothers had ≤2 children (8.9% vs 5.8%), while in 2015 only birth weight >  4 kg was associated to overweight (27.3% vs 14.2%).

Conclusions

During the analyzed period, there was a significant decrease in stunting prevalence. At the same time, a substantial increase was observed in the overweight prevalence. Currently, stunting is a problem of low magnitude, while overweight has become a worrying public health problem.
Correction to: Clitoral leiomyoma in a premenopausal woman: a case report
Authors: Taraschi Gianmarco , Aguiar Diego , Tille Jean Christophe , Petignat Patrick , Abdulcadir Jasmine
Published: May 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.
Development and validation of the shared governance feasibility instrument in nursing schools in Iran
Authors: Sattarzadeh-Pashabeig Maryam , Atashzadeh-Shoorideh Foroozan , Sadoughi Mohammad-Mehdi , Khachian Alice , Zagheri-Tafreshi Mansoureh , Stievano Alessandro
Published: May 2020

To develop and validate a shared governance feasibility instrument in schools of nursing in Iran with respect to the nature of the profession and the sociocultural context of the Iranian community.

Background

Nursing schools are liable to the application of shared governance due to the presence of various expert educational groups within the school that necessitates reciprocal cooperation. Since the concept of shared governance is culture-based and given that no full-fledged study has been conducted on shared governance in Iran, the development of a suitable shared governance feasibility instrument is rendered as mandatory.

Methods

This sequential exploratory mixed-method study consisted of two qualitative and quantitative parts was accomplished 2016–2019. First, the primary items were extracted through an extensive review of the literature, qualitative interviews and underwent psychometric validation using a methodological approach. Face, content, construct validity and reliability of the instrument was established and completed.

Results

One hundred fifty items were distilled from the first stage of the study, was reduced to 70 after establishing face, content validity and primary reliability. Exploratory factor analysis resulted in 52 items covering the two factors “shared atmosphere and culture” and “infrastructural prerequisites”. These two factors accounted for 78.6% of the total variance of the questionnaire. In calculating the final reliability coefficient of the instrument, Cronbach’s alpha and Omega were 0.981 and 0.805, respectively. The results showed an ICC of 0.91 indicating high reliability of the developed instrument with a standard error of measurement (SEM) of 10.43. Finally, the items underwent weighting via scoring by considering item weights due to differences between the two methods.

Conclusion

“Shared governance feasibility instrument” can provide a new insight into organisational performance for all policy-makers and beneficiaries of higher education. This not only leads to the use of intelligence and capabilities of the beneficiaries, but also aids in faster movement toward achieving organisational goals.

Implications for nursing management

This study and the developed instrument may serve as a guide for the feasibility of implementing shared governance to assess management styles and performance in higher education centers.
Impact of cytomegalovirus infection on B cell differentiation and cytokine production in multiple sclerosis
Authors: Zabalza Ana , Vera Andrea , Alari-Pahissa Elisenda , Munteis Elvira , Moreira Antía , Yélamos Jose , Llop Mireia , López-Botet Miguel , Martínez-Rodríguez Jose E.
Published: May 2020

Background

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection has been recently associated with a low risk of multiple sclerosis (MS), yet the basis behind this observation remains uncertain. In this study, we aimed to determine in MS patients whether HCMV induces modifications in the peripheral B cell compartment.

Methods

HCMV serostatus was determined in 73 MS patients (55 relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS); 18 progressive MS (PMS)) and 30 healthy controls, assessing their B cell immunophenotype and cytokine production (GM-CSF, IL-6, IL-10, and TNFα) by flow cytometry.

Results

HCMV seropositivity in untreated MS patients (n= 45) was associated with reduced switched memory B cells, contrasting with an opposite effect in PMS. Expansions of transitional B cells were observed in HCMV(+) IFNβ-treated RRMS patients but not in HCMV(−) cases (p< 0.01), suggesting that HCMV may influence the distribution of B cell subsets modulating the effects of IFNβ. Considering the B cell functional profile, HCMV(−) PMS displayed an increased secretion of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNFα) as compared to HCMV(+) PMS and RRMS cases (p< 0.001).

Conclusions

Our study reveals an influence of HCMV infection on the phenotype and function of B cells, promoting early differentiation stages in RRMS and reducing the proinflammatory cytokine profile in advanced MS forms, which might be related with the putative protective role of this virus in MS.
Correction to: Guideline-based quality indicators—a systematic comparison of German and international clinical practice guidelines
Authors: Becker Monika , Breuing Jessica , Nothacker Monika , Deckert Stefanie , Brombach Marie , Schmitt Jochen , Neugebauer Edmund , Pieper Dawid
Published: May 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.
Anti-dengue virus serotype 2 activity of tannins from porcupine dates
Authors: Pong Lian Yih , Yew Peng Nian , Lee Wai Leng , Lim Yau Yan , Sharifah Syed Hassan
Published: May 2020

Background

Dengue fever is currently endemic in tropical and subtropical countries worldwide and effective drug against DENV infection is still unavailable. Porcupine dates, which are traditionally used to treat dengue fever, might contain potential anti-dengue compounds. Two porcupine dates, black date (BD) and powdery date (PD) from Himalayan porcupine (Hystrix brachyura), were investigated for their antiviral activities against DENV-2 in vitro.

Methods

The methanol crude extracts (MBD and MPD) were prepared from the raw material of porcupine dates. The tannin-rich fractions (BDTF and PDTF) were isolated from their methanol crude extracts using column chromatography. The presence of tannins in BDTF and PDTF extracts was determined by fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analyses. The cytotoxicity and anti-DENV-2 activities including virus yield inhibition, virucidal, virus attachment and pre-treatment assays of the extracts were examined in Vero cells.

Results

Our findings revealed that all the extracts of porcupine dates exhibited antiviral activity against DENV-2 in Vero cells. The IC50 of BDTF and PDTF were 25 µg/mL and 11 µg/mL respectively, while their methanol crude extracts demonstrated lower antiviral efficacy (IC50 ≈ 101–107 µg/mL). BDTF and PDTF also exerted a similar higher virucidal effect (IC50 of 11 µg/mL) than methanol crude extracts (IC50 ≈ 52–66 µg/mL). Furthermore, all the extracts inhibited the attachment of DENV-2 by at least 80%. Pre-treatments of cells with BDTF and PDTF markedly prevented DENV-2 infection when compared to methanol crude extracts.

Conclusion

This study suggests that porcupine dates possess antiviral properties against DENV-2, which is attributed to its tannin compounds.
A two-compartment model of synaptic computation and plasticity
Authors: Tong Rudi , Emptage Nigel J. , Padamsey Zahid
Published: May 2020

The synapse is typically viewed as a single compartment, which acts as a linear gain controller on incoming input. Traditional plasticity rules enable this gain control to be dynamically optimized by Hebbian activity. Whilst this view nicely captures postsynaptic function, it neglects the non-linear dynamics of presynaptic function. Here we present a two-compartment model of the synapse in which the presynaptic terminal first acts to filter presynaptic input before the postsynaptic terminal, acting as a gain controller, amplifies or depresses transmission. We argue that both compartments are equipped with distinct plasticity rules to enable them to optimally adapt synaptic transmission to the statistics of pre- and postsynaptic activity. Specifically, we focus on how presynaptic plasticity enables presynaptic filtering to be optimally tuned to only transmit information relevant for postsynaptic firing. We end by discussing the advantages of having a presynaptic filter and propose future work to explore presynaptic function and plasticity in vivo.
Effect of irradiation on the survival and susceptibility of female Anopheles arabiensis to natural isolates of Plasmodium falciparum
Authors: Guissou Edwige , Poda Serge , de Sales Hien Domombabele François , Yerbanga Serge Rakiswende , Da Dari Frédéric , Cohuet Anna , Fournet Florence , Roux Olivier , Maiga Hamidou , Diabaté Abdoulaye , Gilles Jeremie , Bouyer Jérémy , Ouédraogo Anicet G. , Rayaissé Jean-Baptiste , Lefèvre Thierry , Dabiré Kounbobr Roch
Published: May 2020

Background

The sterile insect technique (SIT) is a vector control strategy relying on the mass release of sterile males into wild vector populations. Current sex separation techniques are not fully efficient and could lead to the release of a small proportion of females. It is therefore important to evaluate the effect of irradiation on the ability of released females to transmit pathogens. This study aimed to assess the effect of irradiation on the survival and competence ofAnopheles arabiensisfemales forPlasmodium falciparumin laboratory conditions.

Methods

Pupae were irradiated at 95 Gy of gamma-rays, and emerging females were challenged with one of 14 natural isolates ofP. falciparum. Seven days post-blood meal (dpbm), irradiated and unirradiated-control females were dissected to assess the presence of oocysts, using 8 parasite isolates. On 14 dpbm, sporozoite dissemination in the head/thorax was also examined, using 10 parasites isolates including 4 in common with the 7 dpbm dissection (oocyst data). The survivorship of irradiated and unirradiated-control mosquitoes was monitored.

Results

Overall, irradiation reduced the proportion of mosquitoes infected with the oocyst stages by 17% but this effect was highly inconsistent among parasite isolates. Secondly, there was no significant effect of irradiation on the number of developing oocysts. Thirdly, there was no significant difference in both the sporozoite infection rate and load between the irradiated and unirradiated-control mosquitoes. Fourthly, irradiation had varying effects on female survival with either a negative effect or no effect.

Conclusions

The effect of irradiation on mosquito competence strongly varied among parasite isolates. Because of such isolate variability and, the fact that different parasite isolates were used to collect oocyst and sporozoite data, the irradiation-mediated reduction of oocyst prevalence was not confirmed for the sporozoite stages. Our data indicate that irradiated femaleAn. arabiensiscould contribute to malaria transmission, and highlight the need for perfect sexing tools, which would prevent the release of females as part of SIT programmes.
Negative social interactions and coping behaviors: experiences of Japanese mothers caring for children with special needs in disaster areas
Authors: Kimura Miyako
Published: May 2020

Objective

This study aims to identify the challenging experiences pertaining negative social interactions and the coping behaviors of mothers of children with special needs after two major earthquakes in Japan. A qualitative content analysis was conducted based on the interviews of 26 mothers of children with special needs who had experienced the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011 or Kumamoto Earthquake in 2016.

Results

The themes extracted were “perceiving pressures and unfairness,” “failing to obtain support and deeper understanding,” “realizing child’s characteristics that are difficult for others to understand,” and “tackling challenges on their own in different ways.” The experienced negative social interactions and coping behaviors were found to be similar in both earthquakes. Although the Japanese legislation was amended 2 years after the Great East Japan Earthquake, it may not have had necessarily improved the mothers’ situations. Thus, while it is important to provide specific support for families of children with special needs after natural disasters and organize food supplies with a focus on family units, it is also important to increase Japanese society’s understanding of the varied characteristics of disabilities.
Predicting breast cancer metastasis from whole-blood transcriptomic measurements
Authors: Holsbø Einar , Perduca Vittorio , Bongo Lars Ailo , Lund Eiliv , Birmelé Etienne
Published: May 2020

Objective

In this exploratory work we investigate whether blood gene expression measurements predict breast cancer metastasis. Early detection of increased metastatic risk could potentially be life-saving. Our data comes from the Norwegian Women and Cancer epidemiological cohort study. The women who contributed to these data provided a blood sample up to a year before receiving a breast cancer diagnosis. We estimate a penalized maximum likelihood logistic regression. We evaluate this in terms of calibration, concordance probability, and stability, all of which we estimate by the bootstrap.

Results

We identify a set of 108 candidate predictor genes that exhibit a fold change in average metastasized observation where there is none for the average non-metastasized observation.