bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The impact of empirical hydrocortisone therapy on clinical outcomes in dengue fever: a retrospective chart review
Authors: de Mel Sanjay , Thilakawardana Basuru Uvindu , de Mel Primesh , de Silva Arjuna P , de Mel Chandima , Chandrasena Lal , Seneviratne Suranjith L , Abeysuriya Visula
Published: June 2020

Background

The role of steroids in dengue infection (DI) remains uncertain.

Methods

A retrospective chart review was conducted on patients ≥18 y of age diagnosed with DI based on positivity for dengue non-structural antigen 1 or immunoglobulin M between October 2017 and November 2018.

Results

Hydrocortisone was administered to 106 of 406 patients. DI with warning signs occurred in nine patients (9.5%) in the steroid cohort and eight patients (2.5%) in the non-steroid group. The incidence of severe DI, bleeding and admission duration were similar between the groups.

Conclusions

Our study shows no significant benefit of empirical steroids in DI.
Reporting a Pass/Fail Outcome for USMLE Step 1: Consequences and Challenges for International Medical Graduates
Authors: Boulet John R. , Pinsky William W.
Published: June 2020

After extensive stakeholder discussion, the Federation of State Medical Boards and the National Board of Medical Examiners announced in February 2020 that United States Medical Licensing Examination Step 1 will transition to a pass/fail exam. Program directors have historically used Step 1 scores in deciding which residency applicants to interview. The lack of numerical scores will force changes to the residency selection process, which could have both positive and negative consequences for international medical graduates (IMGs). In this Invited Commentary, the authors discuss how some of the issues associated with the transition to Step 1 pass/fail are likely to impact IMGs. The authors also provide insights into how this and other policy changes could help spur the medical education community to improve the process by which medical school graduates transition to graduate medical education.
Mineralocorticoid Dysfunction during Critical Illness
Authors: Nethathe Gladness Dakalo , Cohen Jeremy , Lipman Jeffrey , Anderson Ronald , Feldman Charles
Published: June 2020

The recent demonstration of the significant reduction in mortality in patients with septic shock treated with adjunctive glucocorticoids combined with fludrocortisone and the effectiveness of angiotensin II in treating vasodilatory shock have renewed interest in the role of the mineralocorticoid axis in critical illness. Glucocorticoids have variable interactions at the mineralocorticoid receptor. Similarly, mineralocorticoid receptor–aldosterone interactions differ from mineralocorticoid receptor–glucocorticoid interactions and predicate receptor–ligand interactions that differ with respect to cellular effects. Hyperreninemic hypoaldosteronism or selective hypoaldosteronism, an impaired adrenal response to increasing renin levels, occurs in a subgroup of hemodynamically unstable critically ill patients. The suggestion is that there is a defect at the level of the adrenal zona glomerulosa associated with a high mortality rate that may represent an adaptive response aimed at increasing cortisol levels. Furthermore, cross-talk exists between angiotensin II and aldosterone, which needs to be considered when employing therapeutic strategies.
Impact of catheter-tissue contact force on lesion size during right ventricular outflow tract ablation in a swine model
Authors: Jiang Jing-Bo , Li Jin-Yi , Jiang Zhi-Yuan , Wang An , Huang Zheng , Xu Hong-Yuan , Shu Cheng-Lin , Li Gui-Juan , Zheng Yi-Sheng , He Yan , Zhong Guo-Qiang
Published: June 2020

Background

The catheter-tissue contact force (CF) is one of the significant determinants of lesion size and thus has a considerable impact on the effectiveness of ablation procedures. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of CF on the lesion size during right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) ablation in a swine model.

Methods

Twelve Guangxi Bama miniature male pigs weighing 40 to 50 kg were studied. After general anesthesia, a ThermoCool SmartTouch contact-sensing ablation catheter was introduced to the RVOT via the femoral vein under the guidance of the CARTO 3 system. The local ventricular voltage amplitude and impedance were measured using different CF levels. We randomly divided the animals into the following four groups according to the different CF levels: group A (3–9 g); group B (10–19 g); group C (20–29 g); and group D (30–39 g). Radiofrequency ablations were performed at three points in the free wall and septum of the RVOT in power control mode at 30 W for 30 s while maintaining the saline irrigation rate at 17 mL/min. At the end of the procedures, the maximum depth, surface diameter, and lesion volume were measured and recorded. A linear regression analysis was performed to determine the relationship between continuous variables.

Results

A total of 72 ablation lesions were created in the RVOT of the 12 Bama pigs. The maximum depth, surface diameter, and volume of the lesions measured were well correlated with the CF (free wall:β = 0.105,β = 0.162,β = 3.355, respectively,P < 0.001; septum:β = 0.093,β = 0.150,β = 3.712, respectively,P < 0.001). The regional ventricular bipolar voltage amplitude, unipolar voltage amplitude, and impedance were weakly positively associated with the CF (β = 0.065,β = 0.125, andβ = 1.054, respectively,P < 0.001). There was a significant difference in the incidence of steam pops among groups A, B, C, and D (free wall:F = 7.3,P = 0.032; septum:F = 10.5,P = 0.009); and steam pops occurred only when the CF exceeded 20 g. Trans-mural lesions were observed when the CF exceeded 10 g in the free wall, while the lesions in the septum were non-trans-mural even though the CF reached 30 g.

Conclusions

CF seems to be a leading predictive factor for the size of formed lesions in RVOT ablation. Maintaining the CF value between 3 and 10 g may be reasonable and effective for creating the necessary lesion size and reducing the risk of complications, such as steam pops and perforations.
Hepatitis C in Children and Adolescents of a Brazilian Tertiary Center
Authors: Hirsch Camila Bellettini , Pereira Maria Fernanda Bádue , Benevides Gabriel Nuncio , Bernardes Tamires Miranda , Palandri Giovanna Gavros , Bastos Karina Lucio de Medeiros , Toma Ricardo Katsuya , de Azevedo Ramiro Anthero , Marques Heloisa Helena de Sousa
Published: June 2020

We evaluated 113 pediatric patients with chronic hepatitis C from 2009 to 2019 at a Brazilian tertiary center. Seventy patients received pegylated-interferon treatment. The sustained virologic response was 61.4%, and 92.8% reported side effects. Currently, we are following 39 patients with chronic hepatitis C, 24 of whom are eligible for treatment with direct-acting antivirals according to Brazilian recommendations.
The Effect of Early Postoperative Swelling on Change in Upper Eyelid Position After External Levator Resection and Blepharoplasty
Authors: Cohen Liza M. , Katsev Blake , Esfandiari Mahtash , Rootman Daniel B.
Published: June 2020

Purpose:

To determine if early postoperative swelling has an effect on change in the upper eyelid position after external levator resection (ELR) or blepharoplasty.

Methods:

In this observational cohort study, patients >18 years old who underwent ELR or upper blepharoplasty were identified. Digital photographs in primary position were obtained at the preoperative, early postoperative week one, and late postoperative month 3 visits. Marginal reflex distance 1 (MRD1) was measured digitally. Swelling was graded on a previously validated scale from 0 to 3. Photographs were evaluated by 26 experts/professional image graders. Primary outcome measure was changed in MRD1 from preoperative to late postoperative visits. Secondary outcome measure was change in MRD1 from early to late postoperative visits. The effect of early postoperative swelling on each outcome was assessed using linear regression models.

Results:

The sample contained 54 patients (25 ELR and 29 blepharoplasty). The model regressing change in MRD1 from preoperative to late postoperative visits with early postoperative swelling as the predictor was significant for ELR (R2 = 0.165, p = 0.044) but not blepharoplasty (R2 = 0.016, p = 0.515). However, the model controlling for preoperative MRD1 was not significant for ELR (B = 0.423, p = 0.354). The model regressing change in MRD1 from early to late postoperative follow up utilizing early postoperative swelling as the sole predictor was not significant for ELR (R2 = 0.010, p = 0.627) but was significant for blepharoplasty (R2 = 0.207, p = 0.013), with increased swelling associated with greater change in MRD1.

Conclusions:

Early postoperative swelling does not affect the final MRD1 outcome of ELR or upper blepharoplasty; however, blepharoplasty patients with early postoperative swelling may experience greater increase in MRD1 over follow up.
Risk stratification in patients hospitalized for acute heart failure in Asian population
Authors: Chang Hao-Chih , Cheng Hao-Min , Huang Wei-Ming , Lee Ching-Wei , Guo Chao-Yu , Yu Wen-Chung , Chen Chen-Huan , Sung Shih-Hsien
Published: June 2020

Background:

The AHEAD (A: atrial fibrillation; H: hemoglobin; E: elderly; A: abnormal renal parameters; D: diabetes mellitus) score may be suboptimal in predicting long-term mortality in Asian patients with acute heart failure (AHF). We aimed to propose and validate a risk score incorporating easily available echocardiographic parameters to improve risk stratification in Asian patients with AHF.

Methods:

A total of 3537 patients hospitalized for AHF were enrolled and divided into generation and validation cohorts. Independent predictors of all-cause mortality were identified by Cox regression analysis and scored by hazard ratios to constitute the model. Model performance was validated and evaluated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and net reclassification improvement (NRI).

Results:

In the generation cohort of 1775 patients (74.3±13.0 years, 69.9% men), there were 870 deaths (49.0%) during a mean follow-up of 24.7±13.8 months. Age, anemia, estimated glomerular filtration rate <50 ml/min/1.73 m2, hyperuricemia, left ventricular ejection fraction <50% and right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP) >40 mmHg were independently related to mortality, which constituted “UR-HEARt” (U: uric acid, R: renal function, H: hemoglobin, E: ejection fraction of left ventricle, A: age, Rt: RVSP) score. Model performance was evaluated in the validation cohort (n = 1762), which outperformed AHEAD score by comparison of ROC curves in predicting all-cause mortality (area under curve [AUC] of UR-HEARt vs. AHEAD: 0.66 [95% CI 0.62–0.70] vs. 0.58 [95% CI 0.54–0.62]; p < 0.001), with NRI by 10.9% for all-cause mortality (p < 0.001) and 18.4% for cardiovascular death (p < 0.001).

Conclusion:

UR-HEARt score, an easily accessible racial-specific risk score with integration of echocardiographic indices, improved risk stratification in Asian patients hospitalized for AHF.
Coach Mindset
Authors: Rindlisbacher Diane
Published: June 2020

Health care, like other industries, is faced with increased competition from both traditional and nontraditional players. A top challenge facing organizations is the ability to effectively develop leaders to lead in an increasingly volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous environment. Organizations with effective leaders have been shown to outperform their peers. Transforming leadership to include the adoption of a coach mindset that creates a climate of trust, enables improved engagement and performance of nurses (employees) and teams, while also accelerating the creation of value and outcome improvements for patients, is a pursuit worthy of leadership attention. The purpose of this article is to describe a conceptual framework, define a coach mindset, and describe the mediating antecedents and consequences that result when leaders adopt a coach mindset as a leadership competency. This work can be applied as a part of leadership development implementation and adoption-related activities and used in future research.
Thyroid Nodule Malignancy Risk Stratification Using a Convolutional Neural Network
Authors: Stib Matthew T. , Pan Ian , Merck Derek , Middleton William D. , Beland Michael D.
Published: June 2020

This study evaluates the performance of convolutional neural networks (CNNs) in risk stratifying the malignant potential of thyroid nodules alongside traditional methods such as American College of Radiology Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System (ACR TIRADS). The data set consisted of 651 pathology-proven thyroid nodules (500 benign, 151 malignant) from 571 patients collected at a single tertiary academic medical center. Each thyroid nodule consisted of two orthogonal views (sagittal and transverse) for a total of 1,302 grayscale images. A CNN classifier was developed to identify malignancy versus benign thyroid nodules, and a nested double cross validation scheme was applied to allow for both model parameter selection and for model accuracy evaluation. All thyroid nodules were classified according to ACR TIRADS criteria and were compared with their respective CNN-generated malignancy scores. The best performing model was the MobileNet CNN ensemble with an area under the curve of 0.86 (95% confidence interval, 0.83–0.90). Thyroid nodules within the highest and lowest CNN risk strata had malignancy rates of 81.4% and 5.9%, respectively. The rate of malignancy for ACR TIRADS ranged from 0% for TR1 nodules to 60% for TR5 nodules. Convolutional neural network malignancy scores correlated well with TIRADS levels, as malignancy scores ranged from 0.194 for TR1 nodules and 0.519 for TR5 nodules. Convolutional neural networks can be trained to generate accurate malignancy risk scores for thyroid nodules. These predictive models can aid in risk stratifying thyroid nodules alongside traditional professional guidelines such as TIRADS and can function as an adjunct tool for the radiologist when identifying those patients requiring further histopathologic workup.
Sphingomonas profundi sp. nov., isolated from deep-sea sediment of the Mariana Trench
Authors: Yang Shanshan , Li Xuegong , Xiao Xiang , Zhuang Guangjiao , Zhang Yu
Published: June 2020

A Gram-stain-negative, short rod-shaped, yellow bacterium (strain LMO-1T) was isolated from deep-sea sediment of the Mariana Trench, Challenger Deep. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence showed that strain LMO-1T belonged to genus

Sphingomonas

, with the highest sequence similarity to

Sphingomonas formosensis

CC-Nfb-2T (96.3 %), followed by

Sphingomonas prati

W18RDT (96.1 %),

Sphingomonas arantia

6PT (96.0 %) and

Sphingomonas montana

W16RDT (95.9 %). The predominant polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, sphingoglycolipid, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylcholine. The main cellular fatty acids were summed feature 8 (C18 : 1 ω7c and/or C18 : 1 ω6c), C16 : 0 and C14 : 0 2-OH. The major polyamine was sym-homospermidine and the predominant isoprenoid quinone was ubiquinone-10. The genome DNA G+C content of strain LMO-1T was 69.2 mol%. The average nucleotide identity and DNA–DNA hybridization values between strain LMO-1T and CC-Nfb-2T were 75.9 and 20.5 %, respectively. Based on these data, LMO-1T should be classified as representing a novel species of the genus

Sphingomonas

, for which the name Sphingomonas profundi sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is LMO-1T (=MCCC 1K04066T=JCM 33666T).
Inhibition of CAMKK2 impairs autophagy and castration-resistant prostate cancer via suppression of AMPK-ULK1 signaling
Authors: Lin Chenchu , Blessing Alicia M. , Pulliam Thomas L. , Shi Yan , Wilkenfeld Sandi R. , Han Jenny J. , Murray Mollianne M. , Pham Alexander H. , Duong Kevin , Brun Sonja N. , Shaw Reuben J. , Ittmann Michael M. , Frigo Daniel E.
Published: June 2020

Previous work has suggested androgen receptor (AR) signaling mediates cancer progression in part through the modulation of autophagy. Accordingly, we demonstrate that chloroquine, an inhibitor of autophagy, can inhibit tumor growth in preclinical mouse models of castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). However, clinical trials testing chloroquine derivatives in men with CRPC have yet to yield promising results, potentially due to side effects. We hypothesized that identification of the upstream activators of autophagy in prostate cancer could highlight alternative, context-dependent targets for blocking this important cellular process during disease progression. Here, we used molecular (inducible overexpression and shRNA-mediated knockdown), genetic (CRISPR/Cas9), and pharmacological approaches to elucidate an AR-mediated autophagy cascade involving Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase kinase 2 (CAMKK2; a kinase with a restricted expression profile), 5’-AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and Unc-51 like autophagy activating kinase 1 (ULK1). These findings are consistent with data indicating CAMKK2-AMPK-ULK1 signaling correlates with disease progression in genetic mouse models and patient tumor samples. Importantly,CAMKK2disruption impaired tumor growth and prolonged survival in multiple CRPC preclinical mouse models. Finally, we demonstrate that, similar to CAMKK2 inhibition, a recently described inhibitor of AMPK-ULK1 signaling blocked autophagy, cell growth and colony formation in prostate cancer cells. Taken together, our findings converge to demonstrate that AR signaling can co-opt the CAMKK2-AMPK-ULK1 signaling cascade to promote prostate cancer by increasing autophagy. Further, we propose that an inhibitor of this signaling cascade could serve as an alternative, more specific therapeutic compared to existing inhibitors of autophagy that, to date, have demonstrated limited efficacy in clinical trials due to their toxicity and poor pharmacokinetics.
DRD2/ANKK1 Taq1A but not COMT single nucleotide polymorphisms contribute to the link between temporal impulsivity and obesity in men
Authors: Morys Filip , Simmank Jakob , Horstmann Annette
Published: June 2020

Temporal impulsivity, the tendency to choose a smaller, sooner over a larger, delayed reward, is associated with single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in COMT and DRD2-related ANKK1 genes, whose products regulate dopaminergic transmission in the brain. Temporal impulsivity is also consistently associated with obesity, sometimes in a genderdependent fashion. Further, there seems to be no direct association between these SNPs and obesity. In this study, we investigated an interaction between BMI, COMT, and DRD2/ANKK1 SNPs, and temporal impulsivity. We tested three plausible models of associations between those variables: (1) genetic variability influencing BMI through temporal impulsivity and gender interactions, (2) genetic variability interacting with temporal impulsivity to influence BMI, (3) interaction of BMI and genetic variability influencing temporal impulsivity. We found evidence for the second model: in men, BMI was dependent on temporal impulsivity and the DRD2/ANKK1 SNP. It shows that increased temporal impulsivity combined with a disadvantageous DRD2/ANKK1 genotype might be a vulnerability factor for the development of obesity. Our study, even though cross-sectional, adds to the body of literature regarding the influence of the dopaminergic system on obesity measures. Our results point to a factor explaining discrepancies in results regarding associations of temporal impulsivity and BMI in women and men.
Balancing signal and photoperturbation in multiphoton light-sheet microscopy by optimizing laser pulse frequency
Authors: Maioli Vincent , Boniface Antoine , Mahou Pierre , Ortas Júlia Ferrer , Abdeladim Lamiae , Beaurepaire Emmanuel , Supatto Willy
Published: June 2020

Improving the imaging speed of multiphoton microscopy is an active research field. Among recent strategies, light-sheet illumination holds distinctive advantages for achieving fast imagingin vivo. However, photoperturbation in multiphoton light-sheet microscopy remains poorly investigated. We show here that the heart beat rate of zebrafish embryos is a sensitive probe of linear and nonlinear photoperturbations. By analyzing its behavior with respect to laser power, pulse frequency and wavelength, we derive guidelines to balance signal and photoperturbation. We then demonstrate one order-of-magnitude signal enhancement over previous implementations by optimizing the laser pulse frequency. These results open new opportunities for fast live tissue imaging.
Divergent evolution of mutation rates and biases in the long-term evolution experiment withEscherichia coli
Authors: Maddamsetti Rohan , Grant Nkrumah A.
Published: June 2020

All organisms encode enzymes that replicate, maintain, pack, recombine, and repair their genetic material. For this reason, mutation rates and biases also evolve by mutation, variation, and natural selection. By examining metagenomic time series of the Lenski long-term evolution experiment (LTEE) withEscherichia coli(Good, et al. 2017), we find that local mutation rate variation has evolved during the LTEE. Each LTEE population has evolved idiosyncratic differences in their rates of point mutations, indels, and mobile element insertions, due to the fixation of various hypermutator and antimutator alleles. One LTEE population, called Ara+3, shows a strong, symmetric wave pattern in its density of point mutations, radiating from the origin of replication. This pattern is largely missing from the other LTEE populations, most of which evolved missense, indel, or structural mutations intopA,fis, anddusB— loci that all affect DNA topology. The distribution of mutations in those genes over time suggests epistasis and historical contingency in the evolution of DNA topology, which may have in turn affected local mutation rates. Overall, the replicate populations of the LTEE have largely diverged in their mutation rates and biases, even though they have adapted to identical abiotic conditions.
The hidden variable in the dynamics of transmission of COVID-19: A Henon map approach
Authors: Pal Akshay , Bhattacharjee Jayanta K
Published: June 2020

We consider the transmission dynamics of COVID-19 which is characterized by two distinct features. One is the existence of asymptomatic carriers which is the hidden variable in the problem. The other is the issue of latency which means that among the symptomatic carriers there could be a fraction whose symptoms develop after a couple of days. We write down a Henon-like map to take these effects into account and find that the map has an unusual fixed point which corresponds to a very high ratio of asymptomatic to symptomatic infected persons. This fixed point has its own stability zone and influences the dynamics overall. Although a rather elementary model, we show that it is not totally devoid of reality.
Lipidomic and metabolomic profiles ofCoffea canephoraL. beans cultivated in South-western Nigeria
Authors: Anagbogu Chinyere F. , Zhou Jiaqi , Olasupo Festus O. , Baba-Nitsa Mohammed , Beckles Diane M.
Published: June 2020

Coffee (Coffeaspp.) is one of the most popular refreshments globally. Coffee lipid diversity has untapped potential for improving coffee marketability because lipids contribute significantly to both the health benefits and cup quality of coffee. However, there have not been extensive studies of lipids ofC. canephoragenotypes. In this study, Ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (UPLC–MS) profiling of lipid molecules was performed for 30 genotypes consisting of 15 cultivated and 15 conserved genotypes ofC. canephorain Southwestern Nigeria. We identified nine classes of lipids in the 30 genotypes which belong to the ‘Niaouli’, ‘Kouillou’ and ‘Java Robusta’ group: among these, the most abundant lipid class was the triacylglycerols, followed by the fatty acyls group. Although ‘Niaouli’ diverged from the ‘Kouillou’ and ‘Java Robusta’ genotypes when their lipid profiles were compared, there was greater similarity in their lipid composition by multivariate analysis, compared to that observed when their primary metabolites and especially their secondary metabolite profiles were examined. However, distinctions could be made among genotypes. Members of the fatty acyls group had the greatest power to discriminate among genotypes, however, lipids that were low in abundance e.g. a cholesterol ester (20:3), and phosphotidylethanolamine (34:0) were also helpful to understand the relationships amongC. canephoragenotypes. The lipid diversity identified among theC. canephoragenotypes examined correlated with their overall Single Nucleotide Polymorphism diversity assessed by genotype-by-sequencing, supporting the relevance of this study to coffee cup quality improvement.
Lactoferrin retargets adenoviruses to TLR4 to induce an abortive NLRP3-associated pyroptotic response in human dendritic cells
Authors: Chéneau Coraline , Eichholz Karsten , Tran Tuan Hiep , Tran Thi Thu Phuong , Paris Océane , Henriquet Corinne , Pugniere Martine , Kremer Eric J
Published: June 2020

Despite decades of investigations, we still poorly grasp the immunogenicity of human adenovirus (HAdV)-based vaccines in humans. In this study, we explored the role of lactoferrin, which belong to the alarmin subset of antimicrobial peptides that provide immediate direct and indirect activity against a range of pathogens following a breach in tissue homeostasis. Lactoferrin is a globular, iron-sequestering, glycoprotein that can increase HAdV infection and maturation of antigen-presenting cells. However, the mechanism by which HAdV-lactoferrin complexes induce maturation is unknown. We show that lactoferrin redirects HAdVs from species B, C, and D to toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) complexes on human mononuclear phagocyte. TLR4-mediated internalization induces an abortive NLRP3-associated pyroptotic response inducing pro-inflammatory cytokine release and disrupting plasma membrane integrity without cell death. These data impact our understanding of the immunogenicity of HAdV-based vaccines and may provide ways to increase their efficacy.
Chromatin remodeler Brahma safeguards canalization in cardiac mesoderm differentiation
Authors: Hota Swetansu K. , Blair Andrew P. , Rao Kavitha S. , So Kevin , Blotnick Aaron M. , Desai Ravi V. , Weinberger Leor S. , Kathiriya Irfan S. , Bruneau Benoit G.
Published: June 2020

Differentiation proceeds along a continuum of increasingly fate-restricted intermediates, referred to as canalization1–4. Canalization is essential for stabilizing cell fate, but the mechanisms underlying robust canalization are unclear. Here we show that deletion of the BRG1/BRM-associated factor (BAF) chromatin remodeling complex ATPase geneBrm(encoding Brahma) results in a radical identity switch during directed cardiogenesis of mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs). Despite establishment of well-differentiated precardiac mesoderm,Brm-null cells subsequently shifted identities, predominantly becoming neural precursors, violating germ layer assignment. Trajectory inference showed sudden acquisition of non-mesodermal identity inBrm-null cells, consistent with a new transition state inducing a fate switch referred to as a saddle-node bifurcation3,4. Mechanistically, loss ofBrmprevented de novo accessibility of cardiac enhancers while increasing expression of the neurogenic factor POU3F1 and preventing expression of the neural suppressor REST.Brmmutant identity switch was overcome by increasing BMP4 levels during mesoderm induction, repressingPou3f1and re-establishing a cardiogenic chromatin landscape. Our results reveal BRM as a compensable safeguard for fidelity of mesoderm chromatin states, and support a model in which developmental canalization is not a rigid irreversible path, but a highly plastic trajectory that must be safeguarded, with implications in development and disease.
Performance characteristics of the ID NOW COVID-19 assay: A regional health care system experience
Authors: Ghofrani Mohiedean , Casas Mary T. , Pelz Robert K. , Kroll Catherine , Blum Natalie , Foster Scott D.
Published: June 2020

Objectives

We compared the Abbott ID NOW COVID-19 point-of-care test (POCT) with polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based methods to assess the claimed sensitivity and specificity of POCT and to optimize test utilization in our regional health care system.

Methods

Assuming PCR to be the gold standard, we used a convenience sampling of mostly symptomatic COVID-19 suspect hospital patients who had already been tested for internal validation and guideline development purposes by both PCR and POCT to calculate the sensitivity and specificity of POCT with Clopper-Pearson 95% confidence intervals (CI).

Results

During the study period, 113 paired patient samples met eligibility criteria. The sensitivity of POCT in this population was calculated to be 94.1% [CI 71.31-99.85%] and the specificity was 99.0% [CI 94.33-99.97%].

Conclusions

Based on the lower sensitivity of POCT and the estimated prevalence of COVID-19 in our symptomatic and asymptomatic hospital patients, we recommend a two-pronged testing approach in which COVID-19 suspect patients are tested by the more sensitive PCR, while asymptomatic patients with a low pre-test probability of infection are tested with POCT supplemented by PCR confirmation of positive results. Furthermore, isolation decisions should not be based on POCT results alone.
Covid-19 trajectories – Monitoring pandemic in the worldwide context
Authors: Loeffler-Wirth Henry , Schmidt Maria , Binder Hans
Published: June 2020

Background

Covid-19 pandemic is developing worldwide with common dynamics but also with partly marked differences between regions and countries. They are not completely understood, but presumably, provide one clue to find ways to mitigate epidemics until exit strategies to its eradication become available.

Method

We provide a monitoring tool available atwww.izbi.de. It enables inspection of the dynamic state of the epidemic in 187 countries using trajectories. They visualize transmission and removal rates of the epidemic and this way bridge epi-curve tracking with modelling approaches.

Results

Examples were provided which characterize state of epidemic in different regions of the world in terms of fast and slow growing and decaying regimes and estimate associated rate factors. Basic spread of the disease associates with transmission between two individuals every two-three days on the average. Non-pharmaceutical interventions decrease this value to up to ten days where ‘complete lock down’ measures are required to stop the epidemic. Comparison of trajectories revealed marked differences between the countries regarding efficiency of measures taken against the epidemic. Trajectories also reveal marked country-specific dynamics of recovery and death rates.

Conclusions

The results presented refer to the pandemic state in May 2020 and can serve as ‘working instruction’ for timely monitoring using the interactive monitoring tool as a sort of ‘seismometer’ for the evaluation of the state of epidemic, e.g., the possible effect of measures taken in both, lock-down and lock-up directions. Comparison of trajectories between countries and regions will support developing hypotheses and models to better understand regional differences of dynamics of Covid-19.
Dynamic regulation of histone modifications and long-range chromosomal interactions during postmitotic transcriptional reactivation
Authors: Kang Hyeseon , Shokhirev Maxim N. , Xu Zhichao , Chandran Sahaana , Dixon Jesse R. , Hetzer Martin W.
Published: June 2020

During mitosis, transcription of genomic DNA is dramatically reduced, before it is reactivated during nuclear reformation in anaphase/telophase. Many aspects of the underlying principles that mediate transcriptional memory and reactivation in the daughter cells remain unclear. Here, we used ChIP-seq on synchronized cells at different stages after mitosis to generate genome-wide maps of histone modifications. Combined with EU-RNA-seq and Hi-C analyses, we found that during prometaphase, promoters, enhancers, and insulators retain H3K4me3 and H3K4me1, while losing H3K27ac. Enhancers globally retaining mitotic H3K4me1 or locally retaining mitotic H3K27ac are associated with cell type-specific genes and their transcription factors for rapid transcriptional activation. As cells exit mitosis, promoters regain H3K27ac, which correlates with transcriptional reactivation. Insulators also gain H3K27ac and CCCTC-binding factor (CTCF) in anaphase/telophase. This increase of H3K27ac in anaphase/telophase is required for posttranscriptional activation and may play a role in the establishment of topologically associating domains (TADs). Together, our results suggest that the genome is reorganized in a sequential order, in which histone methylations occur first in prometaphase, histone acetylation, and CTCF in anaphase/telophase, transcription in cytokinesis, and long-range chromatin interactions in early G1. We thus provide insights into the histone modification landscape that allows faithful reestablishment of the transcriptional program and TADs during cell division.
Crystal structure ofN,N-diisopropyl-4-methylbenzenesulfonamide
Authors: Stenfors Brock A. , Staples Richard J. , Biros Shannon M. , Ngassa Felix N.
Published: June 2020

The synthesis of the title compound, C13H21NO2S, is reported here along with its crystal structure. This compound crystallizes with two molecules in the asymmetric unit. The sulfonamide functional group of this structure features S=O bond lengths ranging from 1.433 (3) to 1.439 (3) Å, S—C bond lengths of 1.777 (3) and 1.773 (4) Å, and S—N bond lengths of 1.622 (3) and 1.624 (3) Å. When viewing the molecules down the S—N bond, the isopropyl groups aregaucheto the aromatic ring. On each molecule, two methyl hydrogen atoms of one isopropyl group are engaged in intramolecular C—H...O hydrogen bonds with a nearby sulfonamide oxygen atom. Intermolecular C—H...O hydrogen bonds and C—H...π interactions link molecules of the title compound in the solid state.
Cross-cultural insights on lived experiences of opioid users among young adults
Authors: Zaman Sabir , Irfan Shahid , Hussain Basharat , Nawaz Muhammad Tahir , Khalid Shazia
Published: June 2020

Purpose

There is increased social discussion of the emerging issues of opioid use, health and well-being of young adults within contemporary Asian society. The purpose of this study is to contribute new knowledge of opioid-using young adults through ethnographic perspectives of the five main cultures of Pakistan. Furthermore, it tried to explore the values of opioid users.

Design/methodology/approach

It is a qualitative study. Semi-structured interview and observation techniques were used to gain the participants’ information, in a non-judgmental environment. Observation and life focus history interview methodology were used for data collection. The sample consisted of 18 male opioid users (approximately three from each area including: Punjab, Khyber Pakhtoon Khah, Balochistan, Sindh, Gilgit Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir). An interview script was used in interviews after written informed consent. After the detailed interview and observation of non-verbal behaviours, the researchers analysed the data by using the content analysis of qualitative method.

Findings

The result showed that poor relationships, conflicts over property, lack of social support and family problems increased with the use of opioids by individuals. The individual’s mental health, such as hopelessness, curiosity, mistrust and lack of interest in social activities, was the major cause of opioid addiction. Moreover, peer influences and friends may also have played contributing roles in opioids use among men.

Research limitations/implications

The current study added to the understanding of the relationship of different environmental, behavioural and social factors involved in developing opioid use among young individuals. The homogeneity of the sample may have weakened the generalisability of the findings of the study as all participants in the study were male.

Practical implications

Clinicians and allied professionals have shown a great interest in early intervention with opioid users. At the same time, there is a lack of qualitative studies exploring the lived experiences of young opioid users. That is why this study was done, to empower counsellors.

Social implications

Opioids, including heroin, have strong addictive tendencies. They are easily available, particularly in unplanned urban areas of Pakistan. The present study tried to understand the lived experiences and beliefs of opioid users belonging to different cultures of Pakistan.

Originality/value

At the same time, there is a lack of qualitative studies exploring the lived experiences of adult opioid users. Therefore, this study presented 18 interview-based facts from the opioid users belonging to different areas of Pakistan residing in capital of Pakistan. The content of these vignettes was examined in the context of an ethnographic perspective, as it has a strong connection and contribution to drug abuse.
Inclusive leadership: new age leadership to foster organizational inclusion
Authors: Kuknor Sunaina Chetan , Bhattacharya Shubhasheesh
Published: June 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the relationship between inclusive leadership (IL) and organizational inclusion (OI) in literature and explores the contribution of IL and OI in human resources development (HRD).

Design/methodology/approach

The systematic literature review was undertaken from peer-reviewed journals. In total, 68 articles were critically analyzed to be included in the review highlighting the relationship between IL and OI.

Findings

The paper provides insights into leader behaviors that foster IL and how it differs from other styles of leadership. The paper also proposes a theoretical model to show the relationship between IL and OI.

Practical implications

The study will facilitate creating awareness in practitioners and academicians who think inclusion is mostly concerned with disabled learners, which is misleading. The paper will help the concerned stakeholders to formulate HRD practices to foster an inclusive culture at work.

Originality/value

The paper explores an area less researched and is among the few review papers investigating through the relationship between IL and OI and how they impact HRD practices in an organizational set-up.
Does anti-corruption disclosure affect banking performance?
Authors: Nobanee Haitham , Atayah Osama F. , Mertzanis Charilaos
Published: June 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to test the levels of anti-corruption disclosure and its implication on the banking performance of both conventional and Islamic banks listed on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange and Dubai Financial Market.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors have used the content analysis to identify the levels of anti-corruption disclosure in the banks’ annual reports. They have also used the two-steps generalized method of moments (GMM) regression applied to dynamic panel data analysis to examine the effect of the anti-corruption disclosure on the banking performance.

Findings

The empirical results show that the anti-corruption disclosure is at low levels for all banks and conventional and Islamic banks samples. The results also show no significant differences in the anti-corruption disclosure between Islamic and conventional banks. The results of the two-steps GMM regression applied to dynamic panel data analysis show a negative and significant impact of the levels of anti-corruption disclosure on the bank’s performance for both all banks and conventional banks; the results of the dynamic panel data analysis show an insignificant impact of anti-corruption discloser for the Islamic banks' sample.

Practical implications

The findings recommended a comprehensive framework of anti-corruption disclosure to the central banks and financial market regulators to enhance anti-corruption practices within the financial institutions to increase transparency and enhance their performance.

Originality/value

Fighting against anti-corruption is essential for financial institutions. This paper is the first study that examined the extent of anti-corruption levels and their effect on banking performance for both Islamic and conventional banks operates in the UAE. The findings help in enhancing reporting practices in terms of anti-corruption to improve transparency and performance in the banking sector.
Money laundering in selected emerging economies: is there a role for banks?
Authors: Alnasser Mohammed Sulaiman Abdullah Saif
Published: June 2020

Purpose

Understanding money laundering plays an important role in understanding economic growth (EG). Extensive research is conducted about that, previous research lacks answers about the relationship of anti-money laundering (AML) and EG by investigating the roles of the performance of Islamic banks, legal environment, financial crisis (FC) and bank size. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to cover that gap.

Design/methodology/approach

SmartPLS 3.0 was used and 33 Islamic banks were selected from developing countries between 2007 and 2010.

Findings

Note that AML, Islamic bank performance, legal environment, and FC are significantly related to EG.

Research limitations/implications

The research would be of importance to those seeking to understand the determinants of EG; it is also beneficial for those writing books about money laundering and Islamic banks in developing countries. The limitation of the study is the low number of Islamic banks that have complete data. Thus, this could be future research contribution.

Originality/value

To the best knowledge of the author, research on money laundering and Islamic banks in developing countries are not extensive, we have found an ample room to discuss the said variables.
Measuring happiness at work in a Takaful organization
Authors: Mroueh Meerna , de Waal André
Published: June 2020

Purpose

Happiness at work (HAW) has been a hot item in both the academic and managerial literature, as HAW seems to have a positive effect on attractiveness of an organization on its current workforce and potential new employees. Many of the HAW models have been developed in a Western setting, while this research aims at evaluation of whether a previously validated HAW model in the Western context is also valid in a non-Western context; in this case at a Takaful insurance company in the United Arab Emirates.

Design/methodology/approach

Employees of the Takaful insurance company were asked to rate their organization on how high performance it was – using the validated high-performance organization (HPO) questionnaire – and how happy they were – using the previously validated HAW questionnaire. The collected data was subjected to confirmatory factor analyses and structural equation modeling to arrive at a validated HAW model for this Takaful insurance company.

Findings

The study results show that if the Takaful insurance company transforms itself to an HPO, it will become more attractive to current and future employees, by raising the HAW of current employees. The results also show that HAW consists of three factors: work engagement, job satisfaction and affective organizational commitment.

Practical implications

The Takaful insurance company now has knowledge at its disposal about ways to promote happiness in its employees, thus raising its attractiveness to current and future employees. The developed HAW model for this company is potentially also useful for other Takaful insurance companies in the UAE.

Originality/value

This study was the first of its kind – using the HPO and HAW models developed in a Western context, to be validated for a Takaful insurance company – and as such, contributes to both the HPO and HAW literature.
Sustainability of supply chains in the wake of the coronavirus (COVID-19/SARS-CoV-2) pandemic: lessons and trends
Authors: Lopes de Sousa Jabbour Ana Beatriz , Chiappetta Jabbour Charbel Jose , Hingley Martin , Vilalta-Perdomo Eliseo Luis , Ramsden Gary , Twigg David
Published: June 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to address the prioritisation and focus of supply chain managers subsequent to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)/severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and the great lockdown of 2020.

Design/methodology/approach

In this article, concepts and trends on resilient and sustainable supply chains are systematized. Main trends in sustainability of supply chains in the wake of COVID-19 are presented.

Findings

Guidelines on building smarter and more resilient supply chains are provided and future tendencies, which includes the increase of a sustainable consumption perspective, are highlighted.

Originality/value

This is a conceptual article blended with a practical approach aiming to propose guidelines for managers and scholars on how to address supply chain management challenges after the coronavirus pandemic.
Industry 4.0 deployment in the construction industry: a bibliometric literature review and UK-based case study
Authors: Newman Chris , Edwards David , Martek Igor , Lai Joseph , Thwala Wellington Didibhuku , Rillie Iain
Published: June 2020

Purpose

Industry 4.0 is predicted to be a game-changer, revolutionizing commercial and manufacturing practices through improved knowledge utilization and efficiencies. The barriers however, are significant, and the construction industry remains notoriously slow to take up innovations. This study reviews the research work in Industry 4.0 as it relates to construction, and examines a leading UK-based construction firm to ascertain the prognosis for Industry 4.0 roll-out in terms of the impediments and opportunities.

Design/methodology/approach

A multistage mixed philosophies and methods approach was adopted for this study. First, an interpretivist epistemological lens was used to synthesise extant literature as a means of contextualizing the present study. Second, an empirical case study using a post-positivist stance and inductive reasoning was conducted to explore practitioner acceptance of Industry 4.0 in the UK construction context.

Findings

Findings from the literature review indicate studies in Industry 4.0 to be a relatively new phenomenon, with developed countries and Germany in particular leading in the field. The range of opportunities are many, but so too are the barriers to enablement. Findings from the case study provide real-world corroboration of the review; practitioners are sanguine about Industry 4.0's potential to reinvigorate the construction industry, but also note that implementation remains curtailed by residual managerial practices dependent on ‘human interaction’. At present, much of the focus of industry practitioners is on the implementation of building information modelling (BIM), often at the expense of other more advanced technologies within Industry 4.0.

Originality/value

Research in Industry 4.0 is limited, with the emphasis being on technology application. This paper, by contrast, maps the totality of work carried out so far and presents an assessment of Industry 4.0's progression, potential and degree of uptake within the UK construction industry.