bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Projected Utility of Pharmacogenomic Testing Among Individuals Hospitalized With COVID‐19: A Retrospective Multicenter Study in the United States
Authors: Stevenson James M. , Alexander G. Caleb , Palamuttam Natasha , Mehta Hemalkumar B. 
Published: October 2020

Many academic institutions are collecting blood samples from patients seeking treatment for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) to build research biorepositories. It may be feasible to extract pharmacogenomic (PGx) information from biorepositories for clinical use. We sought to characterize the potential value of multigene PGx testing among individuals hospitalized with COVID‐19 in the United States. We performed a cross‐sectional analysis of electronic health records from consecutive individuals hospitalized with COVID‐19 at a large, urban academic health system. We characterized medication orders, focusing on medications with actionable PGx guidance related to 14 commonly assayed genes (CYP2C19, CYP2C9, CYP2D6, CYP3A5, DPYD, G6PD, HLA‐A, HLA‐B, IFNL3, NUDT15, SLCO1B1, TPMT, UGT1A1, and VKORC1). A simulation analysis combined medication data with population phenotype frequencies to estimate how many treatment modifications would be enabled if multigene PGx results were available. Sixty‐four unique medications with PGx guidance were ordered at least once in the cohort (n = 1,852, mean age 60.1 years). Nearly nine in 10 individuals (89.7%) had at least one order for a medication with PGx guidance and 427 patients (23.1%) had orders for 4 or more actionable medications. Using a simulation, we estimated that 17 treatment modifications per 100 patients would be enabled if PGx results were available. The genes CYP2D6 and CYP2C19 were responsible for the majority of treatment modifications, and the medications most often affected were ondansetron, oxycodone, and clopidogrel. PGx results would be relevant for nearly all individuals hospitalized with COVID‐19 and would provide the opportunity to improve clinical care.
Iraqi Kurds: The dream of nation state
Authors: Mohammed Jihan A. , Alrebh Abdullah F. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThe purpose of this article is to analyze why the 2017 Kurdish independence referendum failed. We aim to do that by analyzing the multilevel factors that we argue worked dialectically to block Iraqi Kurds’ state‐building project. On the Kurdish level, we argue that the Kurdish political and economic spheres are built on partisan bonds and loyalties at the expense of collective and national interest, thus, Iraqi Kurds lack a unified vision, ideology, and central leadership for how to achieve independence. Politically, Kurdish parties disagreed on the timing and the legality of the referendum. Economically, the Kurdish leadership has been unsuccessful in establishing a sustainable political economy able to endure the sanctions imposed on the Iraqi Kurdistan Region (IKR) as a reaction to the 2017 referendum. On the regional level, we argue that the Middle Eastern states are prone to ally with the Kurds and build economic and political relations with them as far as the Kurds remain a minority within Iraq. We discuss how Iraq, Turkey, and Iran took immediate and serious measures against the 2017 referendum, thus, shacking the status quo of IKR. Finally, on the international level, we argue that the international community have historically resisted the secession of the Kurds from Iraq. Thus, in 2017 they sustained, yet again, that the territorial integrity of Iraq should be preserved.
Under hegemonic pressure: 2018 American sanctions against Iran and Turkey’s response
Authors: Matera Paulina 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThis article examines Turkey's decision to comply with American sanctions against Iran re‐imposed in May 2018 despite Turkey's initial resistance. To this end, I answer the following questions: (1) is Turkey capable of resisting American pressure to join the sanctions against Iran and maintain good relations with Iran? (2) How does Turkey's stance on American sanctions affect the Turkish economy and the relations with the United States? The potential impact of U.S. sanctions in the event of noncompliance with U.S. requirements are considered in view of the following parameters: (1) consequences for the Turkish economy; (2) changes in Turkish policy in the region; (3) Turkish–American interdependencies; and (4) tensions in Turkish–American relations in other fields. I will evaluate what compliance and noncompliance with current U.S. sanctions on Iran mean for Turkey. Ankara's decisions are explained by comparing the benefits and losses resulting from adjusting to American requirements, using a SWOT analysis.
Do interactions with candidates increase voter support and participation? Experimental evidence from Italy
Authors: Cantoni Enrico , Pons Vincent 
Published: October 2020

AbstractWe test whether politicians can use direct contact to reconnect with citizens, increase turnout, and win votes. During the 2014 Italian municipal elections, we randomly assigned 26,000 voters to receive visits from city council candidates, canvassers supporting the candidates' list, or to a control group. While canvassers' visits increased turnout by 1.8 percentage points, candidates' had no impact on participation. Candidates increased their own vote share in the precincts they canvassed, but only at the expense of other candidates on the list. This suggests that their failure to mobilize non‐voters resulted from focusing on securing the preferences of active voters.
Moving from survival to development: Experiences in Kosovo from developing academic identity in a transitional context
Authors: Saqipi Blerim , Rexhaj Xhavit 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThe purpose of the study on which this article reports was to elaborate on career trajectories of academics in Kosovo. Particular attention is given to efforts to follow international benchmarks such as the Bologna Process at key stages of Kosovo's historical and political development in the last three decades. In this qualitative study, semi‐structured interviews were carried out with eleven academics with and without management experience as well as administrators. Findings revealed that Kosovo's higher education system is characterised by a weak organisational culture and an orientation towards externally driven change. Also, we found that academics perceived their role narrowly. The findings suggest that while higher education in Kosovo has moved towards adopting international benchmarks, the identity of the academics has not evolved in parallel to support the transition. A managerialist approach catalysed by the Bologna Process has helped a transition process in higher education in Kosovo. Finally, we propose that for a context in transition, local meaning‐making processes for policy transfer are needed. Moving forward, institutional development should be led by academic managers and should serve the professionalisation of academics in Kosovo.
The remarkable hypoxia tolerance in Brandt's voles (Lasiopodomys brandtii)
Authors: Li Wei , Dong Yanan , Dong Qianqian , Sun Hong , Zhang Yifeng , Wang Zhenlong 
Published: October 2020

AbstractOxygen (O2) is essential for the survival of most animal species; however, O2 levels are lower than normal in certain spatiotemporal circumstances. Therefore, animals have to develop some strategies to face and adapt to this plight. This study compared the differences in survival, behavior, and hippocampal neurons under hypoxic conditions between Brandt's voles (Lasiopodomys brandtii) and Kunming mice (Mus musculus). Brandt's voles had longer survival times than did Kunming mice in 5%–6.5% O2 levels. Significant differences were observed in mortality between Brandt's voles and Kunming mice after 6 hr of exposure to 5%–7% O2 levels. The novel object recognition test (NORT) and neuronal nuclei staining revealed the presence of species‐dependent learning deficits and neuron loss under hypoxic conditions. NORT and neuronal nuclei staining showed that the Kunming mice exposed to 7.5% O2 levels had significant learning deficits and neuronal loss compared with normoxia Kunming mice. Conversely, Brandt's voles exposed to 7.5% O2 levels had no significant learning deficits and neuronal loss compared with the normoxia group. Therefore, hypoxia showed significant effects on survival, cognitive behavior, and neuronal loss of the two species. Moreover, Brandt's voles showed stronger hypoxia tolerance than Kunming mice, and Brandt's voles hypoxia tolerance may root in their adaptive evolution to highland habitat environment. This research is meaningful for studying hypoxic adaptation in animals, and will promote the development of therapies for some illnesses such as stroke and cardiac arrest.
Shift in antibiotic prescription at a University Dental Clinic in Norway 2013–2017
Authors: Bolstad Anne I. , Sætre Malene M. , Aasgaard Anette S. , Bunæs Dagmar F. 
Published: October 2020

A considerable number of prescriptions for antibiotics are issued by dentists. Educational institutions have a special responsibility to promote informed attitudes among dental students towards prescribing antibiotics. The purpose of this study was to analyze the antibiotic prescriptions issued during a 5‐year period (2013–2017) at a University Dental Clinic (UDC) in Norway. All patient records containing prescriptions for patients ≥18 yr of age as of 2013–2017 were identified through an electronic search. In total, 6,014 patient record lines containing prescriptions were obtained, 1,047 (17.4%) of which were prescriptions for systemic antibiotics. These patient record lines were analysed to identify the specific antibiotic prescribed, the indication or diagnosis for which it was prescribed, and whether microbiological testing (to determine antibiotic sensitivity) had been carried out. Acute infections were the most common context for prescribing antibiotics. Surprisingly, prophylaxis was the second most frequent reason stated. Disease related to pulp necrosis (43%) and postoperative infections (26%) was the most common diagnosis for therapeutic antibiotic prescriptions. Antibiotic therapy was more commonly used to treat peri‐implantitis than to treat periodontitis. Only 60% of the clindamycin prescriptions were issued to patients with penicillin allergy. Further studies are warranted concerning antibiotic use at UDC because this can probably be more restrictive, in particular concerning usage related to antibiotic prophylaxis. Microbiological testing should be performed before administration of antibiotic therapy for periodontitis and peri‐implantitis. The reason for prescribing antibiotics should always be stated in the patient’s record lines.
Whole‐genome analyses provide no evidence for dog introgression in Fennoscandian wolf populations
Authors: Smeds Linnéa , Aspi Jouni , Berglund Jonas , Kojola Ilpo , Tirronen Konstantin , Ellegren Hans 
Published: October 2020

AbstractHybridization and admixture can threaten the genetic integrity of populations and be of particular concern to endangered species. Hybridization between grey wolves and dogs has been documented in many wolf populations worldwide and is a prominent example of human‐mediated hybridization between a domesticated species and its wild relative. We analysed whole‐genome sequences from >200 wolves and >100 dogs to study admixture in Fennoscandian wolf populations. A principal component analysis of genetic variation and Admixture showed that wolves and dogs were well‐separated, without evidence for introgression. Analyses of local ancestry revealed that wolves had <1% mixed ancestry, levels comparable to the degree of mixed ancestry in many dogs, and likely not resulting from recent wolf–dog hybridization. We also show that the founders of the Scandinavian wolf population were genetically inseparable from Finnish and Russian Karelian wolves, pointing at the geographical origin of contemporary Scandinavian wolves. Moreover, we found Scandinavian‐born animals among wolves sampled in Finland, demonstrating bidirectional gene flow between the Scandinavian Peninsula and eastern countries. The low incidence of admixture between wolves and dogs in Fennoscandia may be explained by the fact that feral dogs are rare in this part of Europe and that careful monitoring and management act to remove hybrids before they backcross into wolf populations.
Metabolic mediators: How immunometabolism directs the immune response to infection
Authors: Amiel Eyal , Perona‐Wright Georgia 
Published: October 2020

SummaryHere we announce the first part of an exciting new series of reviews exploring the impact of immunometabolism in the interaction between host and pathogen, and in the outcome of infection. This collection discusses the links between metabolism and epigenetic control of cell function, post‐translation modifications of host proteins that determine protein fate and host cell function, the metabolic determinants of cell migration and immune cell activity, and the tussle for iron as a metabolic mediator of host‐pathogen domination. Together these reviews provide engaging new insight into the metabolic signals that guide the dynamic conversation between microbial pathogens and the mammalian hosts they aim to occupy.
Acute mental health nurses’ experience of forcibly touching service users during physical restraint
Authors: Bailey Jill , Nawaz Rasanat Fatima , Jackson Debra 
Published: October 2020

AbstractMental health nurses use forcible touch during physical restraint. Little research considers nurses’ experiences and the meanings they give to forcible touch. This study investigated nurses’ lived experiences of forcibly touching service users during physical restraint. A qualitative approach informed by phenomenology guided the study. The COREQ checklist ensured explicit and detailed reporting of the study. Fourteen nurses participated in semi‐structured interviews analysed using a phenomenological process. The participants’ experienced their touch during restraint as a problematic aspect of practice. They expressed preferences for holding different parts of the service user’s body, described their proximity to the service user’s body, and their experience of intimacy. The meanings of touch included forced, gentle, protective, and compassionate touches. Three themes revealed the complexity of this previously unproblematized area of nursing practice identified through their narratives. These were ‘needing to justify’, ‘inconsistent knowing’, and ‘compassionate whilst careworn’. Physical restraint training requires reconceptualization towards touch to help nurses connect with the meanings of their bodily contact with service users, and the potential influence upon care. Articulation of these touch meanings will help to develop a nursing discourse on this neglected area of nursing practice. Training courses orientate primarily towards techniques, whilst nurses’ conversations about touch are unclear. Training courses and practice fora can enhance understanding of the nursing contribution to physical restraint by addressing the nature of nurses’ bodywork. This discourse will help to reveal the complexity of this touch intervention, identify areas of good practice, and areas for practice development.
Learning immunology in a game: Learning outcomes, the use of player characters, immersion experiences and visual attention distributions
Authors: Teng Yuan‐Yu , Chou Wen‐Chi , Cheng Meng‐Tzu 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThis study contributed to the current body of literature on game‐based learning by investigating the way playing an educational game, Humunology, affected learning about the immune system and examining further the association between game immersion and visual attention distribution. A total of 79 undergraduate and graduate students participated, and data were collected both in situ and ex situ. The results showed that the students learned through playing Humunology, and the analyses of the use of player characters indicated that the game design facilitated gameplay behaviours that are consistent with the science content. The use of the eye‐tracking method also revealed that students who were more immersed in playing Humunology paid more attention to areas related to player characters. The interpretations and limitations are discussed further.
Usefulness of ankle‐brachial index calculated using diastolic blood pressure for prediction of mortality in patients with acute myocardial infarction
Authors: Hsu Po‐Chao , Lee Wen‐Hsien , Chiu Cheng‐An , Chen Ying‐Chih , Chang Ching‐Tang , Tsai Wei‐Chung , Chu Chun‐Yuan , Lin Tsung‐Hsien , Voon Wen‐Chol , Lai Wen‐Ter , Sheu Sheng‐Hsiung , Su Ho‐Ming 
Published: October 2020

AbstractA low ankle‐brachial index (ABI) calculated using systolic blood pressure (SBP) (ABIsbp) is associated with poor cardiovascular outcome in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). ABI is always calculated using SBP clinically. However, there was no study investigating ABI calculated using mean artery pressure (MAP)(ABImap) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP)(ABIdbp) for mortality prediction in AMI patients. Therefore, our study was aimed to investigate the issue. 199 AMI patients were enrolled. Different ABIs were measured by an ABI‐form device. The median follow‐up to mortality was 64 months. There were 40 cardiovascular and 137 all‐cause mortality. The best cutoff values of ABImbp and ABIdbp for mortality prediction were 0.91 and 0.78, respectively. After multivariate analysis, only ABIdbp and ABIdbp < 0.78 could predict cardiovascular mortality (P ≤ .047). However, all of six ABI parameters, including ABIsbp, ABImap, ABIdbp, ABIsbp < 0.90, ABImap < 0.91, and ABIdbp < 0.78, could predict all‐cause mortality (P ≤ .048). In a direct comparison of six ABI models for prediction of all‐cause mortality, basic model + ABIdbp <0.78 had the highest predictive value (P ≤ .025). In conclusion, only ABIdbp and ABIdbp < 0.78 could predict cardiovascular and all‐cause mortality after multivariate analysis in our study. Furthermore, when adding into a basic model, ABIdbp < 0.78 had the highest additively predictive value for all‐cause mortality in the six ABI parameters. Hence, calculation of ABI using DBP except SBP might provide an extra benefit in prediction of cardiovascular and all‐cause mortality in AMI patients.
The influence of long‐term administration of SGLT2 inhibitors on blood pressure at the office and at home in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and chronic kidney disease
Authors: Furuki Takayuki , Kobayashi Kazuo , Toyoda Masao , Hatori Nobuo , Sakai Hiroyuki , Sato Kazuyoshi , Miyakawa Masaaki , Tamura Kouichi , Kanamori Akira 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThe decrease in blood pressure is thought to play an important role for the renoprotective effects of sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors in patients with diabetes mellitus. However, their influence on blood pressure at home has not been well studied. The aim of this study is to clarify how long‐term use of sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors influence on blood pressure both at the office and at home, and the kidney function. We retrospectively analyzed 102 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and chronic kidney disease to whom sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors were administered for more than 1 year, and whose blood pressure were monitored both at the office and at home. The blood pressure at the office and at home significantly decreased, and there was a significant positive correlation between both blood pressure values. Controlled, white‐coat, and sustained hypertension were observed in 9.8%, 14.7%, and 55.9% of the patients at the beginning of the treatment, which changed to 16.7%, 15.7%, and 48.0% at the time of the survey, however, the ratio of masked hypertension was not changed (19.6%). The cutoff value of mean arterial pressure at home after treatment for the improvement of urine albumin to creatinine ratio was 92.0 mm Hg, with 54.1% of sensitivity and 60.0% of specificity. Sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors can be useful for the strict management of blood pressures both at the office and at home. The decrease in blood pressure at home by this treatment might be related to the improvement of diabetic nephropathy.
CXADR‐like membrane protein protects against heart injury by preventing excessive pyroptosis after myocardial infarction
Authors: Han Xinglong , Zhao Zhen‐Ao , Yan Shiping , Lei Wei , Wu Hongchun , Lu Xing‐Ai , Chen Yueqiu , Li Jingjing , Wang Yaning , Yu Miao , Wang Yongming , Zheng Yufang , Wang Hongyan , Shen Zhenya , Hu Shijun 
Published: October 2020

AbstractMyocardial infarction (MI) results in cardiomyocyte death and ultimately leads to heart failure. Pyroptosis is a type of the inflammatory programmed cell death that has been found in various diseased tissues. However, the role of pyroptosis in MI heart remains unknown. Here, we showed that CXADR‐like membrane protein (CLMP) was involved in pyroptosis in the mouse MI heart. Our data showed that CLMP was strongly expressed in fibroblasts of the infarcted mouse hearts. The Clmp+/− mice showed more serious myocardial fibrosis and ventricular dysfunction post‐MI than wild‐type (Clmp+/+) mice, indicating a protective effect of the fibroblast‐expressed CLMP against MI‐induced heart damage. Transcriptome analyses by RNA sequencing indicated that Il‐1β mRNA was significantly increased in the MI heart of Clmp+/− mouse, which indicated a more serious inflammatory response. Meanwhile, cleaved caspase‐1 and Gasdermin D were significantly increased in the Clmp+/− MI heart, which demonstrated enhanced pyroptosis in the Clmp knockdown heart. Further analysis revealed that the pyroptosis mainly occurred in cardiac fibroblasts (CFs). Compared to wild‐type fibroblasts, Clmp+/− CFs showed more serious pyroptosis and inflammatory after LPS plus nigericin treatment. Collectively, our results indicate that CLMP participates in the pyroptotic and inflammatory response of CFs in MI heart. We have provided a novel pyroptotic insight into the ischaemic heart, which might hold substantial potential for the treatment of MI.