bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of a Workplace Violence Intervention on Hospital Employee Perceptions of Organizational Safety
Authors: Marquez Sergio M. , Chang Chu-Hsiang , Arnetz Judith 
Published: September 2020

Objective:
To examine hospital employee perceptions of organizational safety one-year following a workplace violence intervention and to evaluate perceptions based on violence exposure status.

Methods:
In 2014, 343 employees across 41 hospital units (N = 21 control units, N = 20 intervention units) completed a questionnaire capturing organizational safety perceptions and violence exposure.

Results:
Intervention unit employees reported more positive perceptions of organizational safety compared to control unit employees. However, intervention group employees who experienced patient-to-worker violence (Type II) had significantly more positive perceptions than those who experienced worker-to-worker violence (Type III).

Conclusions:
Organizational safety perceptions improved following a violence-prevention intervention, especially among employees who reported Type II violence. Certain employees report worsened safety perceptions. Hospitals and units that implement violence prevention interventions should strive to address all types of violent behavior.
Current and novel imaging techniques to evaluate myocardial dysfunction during hemodialysis
Authors: Hur Lisa , McIntyre Christopher W. 
Published: September 2020

Purpose of review
Patients on hemodialysis have significantly higher rates of cardiovascular mortality resulting from a multitude of myocardial dysfunctions. Current imaging modalities allow independent assessment of cardiac morphology, contractile function, coronary arteries and cardiac perfusion. Techniques such as cardiac computed tomography (CT) imaging have been available for some time, but have not yet had widespread adoption because of technical limitations related to cardiac motion, radiation exposure and safety of contrast agents in kidney disease.

Recent findings
Novel dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) CT imaging can be used to acquire high-resolution cardiac images, which simultaneously allow the assessment of coronary arteries and the quantitative measurement of myocardial perfusion. The advancement of recent CT scanners and cardiac protocols have allowed noninvasive imaging of the whole heart in a single imaging session with minimal cardiac motion artefact and exposure to radiation.

Summary
DCE-CT imaging in clinical practice would allow comprehensive evaluation of the structure, function, and hemodynamics of the heart in a short, well tolerated scanning session. It is an imaging tool enabling the study of myocardial dysfunction in dialysis patients, who have greater cardiovascular risk than nonrenal cardiovascular disease populations, both at rest and under cardiac stress associated with hemodialysis itself.
Nutritional status assessment: a neglected biomarker in persons with end-stage kidney disease
Authors: Viramontes-Hörner Daniela , Taal Maarten W. 
Published: September 2020

Purpose of review
Malnutrition is a frequent complication and risk factor for adverse outcomes in the dialysis population that is often underrecognized and neglected. This article reviews published literature on the associations between malnutrition, mortality, quality of life and hospitalizations in persons on dialysis in order to raise awareness of the importance of preventing and treating it.

Recent findings
All methods of nutritional assessment namely serum biochemistry, body composition, dietary intake, handgrip strength and nutritional scoring tools are independently associated with increased mortality in dialysis populations. Malnutrition severely affects physical and mental measures of quality of life and increases the number and length of hospitalizations in persons receiving dialysis, resulting in increased healthcare costs. Worsening of nutritional status is also associated with poor survival and higher rates of hospitalizations in this patient population.

Summary
Malnutrition is an unacceptably common complication in dialysis patients that is substantially associated with adverse outcomes and higher hospital costs. Further interventional studies assessing the impact of preventing and treating malnutrition on clinical outcomes are warranted and should be considered a priority.
Update in clinical and mouse microbiota research in allogeneic haematopoietic cell transplantation
Authors: Lindner Sarah , Peled Jonathan U. 
Published: September 2020

Purpose of review
The intestinal microbiota plays a critical role in intestinal homeostasis and immune regulation and has been recognized as a predictor of clinical outcome in patients undergoing allogeneic haematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT) and specifically a determinant of the severity of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) in mouse models. As GVHD is the most important cause of nonrelapse mortality (NRM) after allo-HCT, understanding the mechanisms by which modifying the microbiota may prevent or decrease the severity of GVHD would represent an important advance.

Recent findings
Microbiota injury was observed globally and higher diversity at peri-engraftment was associated with lower mortality. Lactose is a dietary factor that promotes post-allo-HCT Enterococcus expansion, which is itself associated with mortality from GVHD in patients and exacerbates GVHD in mice. Bacterial and fungal bloodstream infections are preceded by intestinal colonization with a corresponding organism, supporting the gut as a source for many bloodstream infections. Metabolomic profiling studies showed that GVHD is associated with changes in faecal and plasma microbiota-derived molecules.

Summary
In this review, we highlight some of the most recent and important findings in clinical and mouse microbiota research, as it relates to allo-HCT. Many of these are already being translated into clinical trials that have the potential to change future practice in the care of patients.
Randomized Clinical Trial of 20% Mannitol Versus 3% Hypertonic Saline in Children With Raised Intracranial Pressure Due to Acute CNS Infections*
Authors: Rameshkumar Ramachandran , Bansal Arun , Singhi Sunit , Singhi Pratibha , Jayashree Muralidharan 
Published: September 2020

Objectives:
Mannitol is a commonly used osmotherapy agent in raised intracranial pressure. However, the side effects of mannitol are significant. In traumatic brain injury (adult and pediatric), hypertonic saline (3%) shows varied results in comparison with 20% mannitol. We compared the effect of 3% hypertonic saline versus 20% mannitol (using common dosing strategies) on raised intracranial pressure in pediatric acute CNS infections.

Design:
Open-label randomized controlled trial.

Setting:
PICU of a quaternary care academic institute.

Patients:
Children 1–12 years old, with raised intracranial pressure and modified-Glasgow Coma Scale scores less than or equal to 8, were enrolled.

Interventions:
Patients were randomly assigned to 20%-mannitol (n = 28), 0.5 gram/kg/dose versus 3%-hypertonic saline (n = 29), 10 mL/kg loading followed by 0.5–1 mL/kg/hr infusion. An intraparenchymal catheter was used to monitor the intracranial pressure. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients achieved target average intracranial pressure less than 20 mm Hg during 72 hours. Secondary outcomes were interventions, morbidity, and mortality.

Measurements and Main Results:
The proportion of patients with target average intracranial pressure (< 20 mm Hg) was higher in hypertonic saline-group as compared to mannitol-group (79.3% vs 53.6%; adjusted hazard ratio 2.63; 95% CI: 1.23–5.61). Mean (± se) reduction of intracranial pressure (–14.3 ± 1.7 vs –5.4 ± 1.7 mm Hg; p ≤ 0.001) and elevation of cerebral perfusion pressure (15.4 ± 2.4 vs 6 ± 2.4 mm Hg; p = 0.007) from baseline were significant in hypertonic saline-group. Mean (± se) intracranial pressure over 72 hours was lower (14 ± 2 vs 22 ± 2 mm Hg; p = 0.009), and cerebral perfusion pressure was higher (65 ± 2.2 vs 58 ± 2.2; p = 0.032) in hypertonic saline-group. Hypertonic saline-group had higher modified-Glasgow Coma Scale score at 72 hours (median, interquartile range 10; 7–11 vs 7; 3–9; p = 0.003), lower mortality (20.7% vs 35.7%; p = 0.21), shorter duration of mechanical ventilation (5 vs 15 d; p = 0.002), and PICU stay (11 vs 19 d; p = 0.016) and less severe neurodisability at discharge (31% vs 61%; p = 0.049).

Conclusions:
In pediatric acute CNS infections, 3%-hypertonic saline was associated with a greater reduction of intracranial pressure as compared to 20% mannitol.
Transitions to Postsecondary Education in Young Adults with Hemoglobinopathies: Perceptions of Patients and Staff
Authors: Allemang Brooke A. , Bradley James , Leone Rosemary , Henze Megan 
Published: September 2020

Introduction:
The transition from high school to postsecondary education can be challenging for adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with chronic health conditions. AYAs with hemoglobinopathies, including sickle cell disease, are a particularly vulnerable group whose academic performance is impacted by unpredictable disease symptoms. AYA with hemoglobinopathies may require academic accommodations to promote postsecondary success; however, accessing appropriate supports can be complicated.

Methods:
Given these complexities, a multidisciplinary team in a pediatric outpatient clinic designed and implemented a standardized intervention to support AYA with hemoglobinopathies in navigating the transition to postsecondary education. A quality improvement (QI) project was initiated to support the referral of all eligible patients with hemoglobinopathies to postsecondary accessibility offices. This article will describe the development of the intervention and present key findings from qualitative interviews with patients (ages 18−19) and postsecondary accessibility office staff about the implemented resources as an initial step of an ongoing QI project. We used thematic analysis to identify themes across interviews with both groups of stakeholders.

Results:
Key themes across both groups of interviews highlighted the benefits of the intervention, including (1) knowledge of available services, (2) registering early with appropriate documentation, and (3) self-advocacy.

Conclusions:
The preliminary qualitative findings validate the importance of embedding discussions about the transition to postsecondary education into routine clinic appointments for AYA with chronic health conditions. Clinical implications of this ongoing QI project for health care providers working with AYA with chronic health conditions will be shared.
Real-World Clinical Experience With Idebenone in the Treatment of Leber Hereditary Optic Neuropathy
Authors: Catarino Claudia B. , von Livonius Bettina , Priglinger Claudia , Banik Rudrani , Matloob Selma , Tamhankar Madhura A. , Castillo Lorena , Friedburg Christoph , Halfpenny Christopher A. , Lincoln John A. , Traber Ghislaine L. , Acaroglu Gölge , Black Graeme C. M. , Doncel Carlos , Fraser Clare L. , Jakubaszko Joanna , Landau Klara , Langenegger Stefan J. , Muñoz-Negrete Francisco J. , Newman Nancy J. , Poulton Joanna , Scoppettuolo Elisabetta , Subramanian Prem , Toosy Ahmed T. , Vidal Mariona , Vincent Andrea L. , Votruba Marcela , Zarowski Marcin , Zermansky Adam , Lob Felice , Rudolph Günther , Mikazans Oskars , Silva Magda , Llòria Xavier , Metz Günther , Klopstock Thomas 
Published: September 2020

Background:
Leber hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) leads to bilateral central vision loss. In a clinical trial setting, idebenone has been shown to be safe and to provide a trend toward improved visual acuity, but long-term evidence of effectiveness in real-world clinical practice is sparse.

Methods:
Open-label, multicenter, retrospective, noncontrolled analysis of long-term visual acuity and safety in 111 LHON patients treated with idebenone (900 mg/day) in an expanded access program. Eligible patients had a confirmed mitochondrial DNA mutation and had experienced the onset of symptoms (most recent eye) within 1 year before enrollment. Data on visual acuity and adverse events were collected as per normal clinical practice. Efficacy was assessed as the proportion of patients with either a clinically relevant recovery (CRR) or a clinically relevant stabilization (CRS) of visual acuity. In the case of CRR, time to and magnitude of recovery over the course of time were also assessed.

Results:
At time of analysis, 87 patients had provided longitudinal efficacy data. Average treatment duration was 25.6 months. CRR was observed in 46.0% of patients. Analysis of treatment effect by duration showed that the proportion of patients with recovery and the magnitude of recovery increased with treatment duration. Average gain in best-corrected visual acuity for responders was 0.72 logarithm of the minimal angle of resolution (logMAR), equivalent to more than 7 lines on the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) chart. Furthermore, 50% of patients who had a visual acuity below 1.0 logMAR in at least one eye at initiation of treatment successfully maintained their vision below this threshold by last observation. Idebenone was well tolerated, with most adverse events classified as minor.

Conclusions:
These data demonstrate the benefit of idebenone treatment in recovering lost vision and maintaining good residual vision in a real-world setting. Together, these findings indicate that idebenone treatment should be initiated early and be maintained more than 24 months to maximize efficacy. Safety results were consistent with the known safety profile of idebenone.
Enhanced tissue penetration of antibodies through pressurized immunohistochemistry
Authors: Fiorelli Roberto , Sidhu Gurpaul S. , Cebrián-Silla Arantxa , Melendez Ernesto Luna , Mehta Shwetal , Garcia-Verdugo Jose M. , Sanai Nader 
Published: September 2020

ABSTRACTTo address the inefficiency of passive diffusion for antibody penetration in thick tissue samples, which limits clearing-technique applications, we developed a versatile and simple device to perform antibody incubation under increased barometric pressure. Pressurized immunohistochemistry greatly improves the uniformity, intensity, and depth of fluorescent immunostaining in thick human and mouse brain samples. Furthermore, pressurized immunohistochemistry substantially decreases the time required for classic staining of thin sections.SUBMISSION CATEGORYNew Results
SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence survey estimates are affected by anti-nucleocapsid antibody decline
Authors: Bolotin Shelly , Tran Vanessa , Osman Selma , Brown Kevin A. , Buchan Sarah A. , Joh Eugene , Deeks Shelley L. , Allen Vanessa G. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractWe analyzed 21,676 residual specimens from Ontario, Canada collected between March-August, 2020 to investigate the effect of antibody decline on SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence estimates. Testing specimens orthogonally using the Abbott (anti-nucleocapsid) and then the Ortho (anti-spike) assays, seroprevalence estimates ranged from 0.4%-1.4%, despite ongoing disease activity. The geometric mean concentration (GMC) of antibody-positive specimens decreased over time (p=0.015), and the GMC of antibody-negative specimens increased over time (p=0.0018). The association between the two tests decreased each month (p<0.001), suggesting anti-N antibody decline. Lowering the Abbott index cut-off from 1.4 to 0.7 resulted in a 16% increase in positive specimens.
Cerebellar Activation Bidirectionally Regulates Nucleus Accumbens Core and Medial Shell
Authors: D’Ambra Alexa F. , Vlasov Ksenia , Jung Se Jung , Ganesan Swetha , Antzoulatos Evan G. , Fioravante Diasynou 
Published: September 2020

AbstractAlthough the cerebellum is now recognized as part of a long-range brain network that serves limbic functions and motivated behavior, knowledge of cerebello-limbic connectivity is limited, and nothing is known about how the cerebellum connects functionally to the nucleus accumbens (NAc). Here, we report that stimulation of cerebellar nuclei in mice of both sexes modulates spiking activity in both NAc core and medial shell with fast excitation and slower, less synchronized inhibition. Fast responses would be well poised to support rapid communication of information critical to the control of motivated behavior, whereas slower responses may be suggestive of a regulatory function, such as gain control. Tracing experiments to chart cerebellar nuclei-NAc pathways identified disynaptic pathways that recruit the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and intralaminar thalamus (Centromedial and Parafascicular nuclei) as intermediary nodes. Optogenetic activation of cerebellar axons in each of these nodes was sufficient to evoke responses in both NAc core and medial shell, albeit with distinct, node-dependent properties. These pathways and the functional connectivity they support could underlie the role of the cerebellum in motivated behavior.
Evaluating the fitness of PA/I38T-substituted influenza A viruses with reduced baloxavir susceptibility in a competitive mixtures ferret model
Authors: Lee Leo YY , Zhou Jie , Koszalka Paulina , Frise Rebecca , Farrukee Rubaiyea , Baba Keiko , Miah Shahjahan , Shishido Takao , Galiano Monica , Hashimoto Takashi , Omoto Shinya , Uehara Takeki , Mifsud Edin , Collinson Neil , Kuhlbusch Klaus , Clinch Barry , Wildum Steffen , Barclay Wendy , Hurt Aeron C 
Published: September 2020

AbstractBaloxavir is approved in several countries for the treatment of uncomplicated influenza in otherwise-healthy and high-risk patients. Treatment-emergent viruses with reduced susceptibility to baloxavir have been detected in clinical trials, but the likelihood of widespread occurrence depends on replication capacity and onward transmission. We evaluated the fitness of A/H3N2 and A/H1N1pdm09 viruses with the polymerase acidic I38T-variant conferring reduced susceptibility to baloxavir relative to wild-type (WT) viruses, using a competitive mixture ferret model, recombinant viruses and patient-derived virus isolates. The A/H3N2 I38T virus showed a reduction in within-host fitness but comparable between-host fitness to the WT virus, while the A/H1N1pdm09 I38T virus had broadly similar within-host fitness but substantially lower between-host fitness. Although I38T viruses replicate and transmit between ferrets, our data suggest that viruses with this amino acid substitution have lower fitness relative to WT and this relative fitness cost was greater in A/H1N1pdm09 viruses than in A/H3N2 viruses.
An epigenetic clock to estimate the age of living beluga whales
Authors: Bors Eleanor K. , Baker C. Scott , Wade Paul R. , O’Neill Kaimyn , Shelden Kim E.W. , Thompson Michael J. , Fei Zhe , Jarman Simon , Horvath Steve 
Published: September 2020

ABSTRACTIntroductionDNA methylation data facilitate the development of accurate molecular estimators of chronological age, or ‘epigenetic clocks.’ We present a robust epigenetic clock for the beluga whale,Delphinapterus leucas,developed for an endangered population in Cook Inlet, Alaska, USA.Methods and ResultsWe used a custom methylation array to measure methylation levels at 37,491 cytosine-guanine sites (CpGs) from skin samples of dead whales (n = 67) whose chronological ages were estimated based on tooth growth layer groups. Using these calibration data, a penalized regression model selected 23 CpGs, providing an R2= 0.92 for the training data; and an R2= 0.74 and median absolute age error = 2.9 years for the leave one out cross-validation. We applied the epigenetic clock to an independent data set of 38 skin samples collected with a biopsy dart from living whales between 2016 and 2018. Age estimates ranged from 11 to 27 years. We also report sex correlations in CpG data and describe an approach of identifying the sex of an animal using DNA methylation.DiscussionThe epigenetic estimators of age and sex presented here have broad applications for conservation and management of Cook Inlet beluga whales and potentially other cetaceans.
The role of digital learning toward students' satisfaction and university brand image at educational institutes of Pakistan: a post-effect of COVID-19
Authors: Shehzadi Sidra , Nisar Qasim Ali , Hussain Muhammad Sajjad , Basheer Muhammad Farhan , Hameed Waseem Ul , Chaudhry Naveed Iqbal 
Published: September 2020

PurposeThis study is undertaken to examine the role of information and communication technology (ICT), e-service quality and e-information quality towards brand image of universities by concentrating on students’ e-learning, e-word of mouth and satisfaction.Design/methodology/approachThe target population was the students of public and private universities in Pakistan. Data collected using an e-questionnaire by 408 students were subjected to PLS-SEM for analysis.FindingsFindings revealed that ICT, e-service quality and e-information quality are positively contributed toward students' e-learning which ultimately leads to create positive e-word of mouth and students' satisfaction. Meanwhile, results also identified that e-word of mouth and students' satisfaction lead to generate a positive brand image of universities.Practical implicationsThis study has unique implications for universities to develop an e-learning platform to facilitate their students in this situation of COVID-19. It provides guidelines for educational institutions to implement the learning management system effectively with a view to facilitate the students with education.Originality/valueThis study has novel contribution in literature in the domain of digital learning. It is unique in a way to integrate the usage of technology with students' e-learning and satisfaction that ultimately create brand image of universities.
An analysis of the normative parameters of reward and risk in Islamic finance
Authors: Benaicha Mohamed 
Published: September 2020

PurposeThis study aims to define the parameters of the reward-risk principle in Islamic finance as established in the literature and discuss propositions that are presented on how such a principle is to be applied to Islamic banking products.Design/methodology/approachA descriptive approach is used to explore the normative parameters and criticisms of the application of reward-risk in Islamic finance.FindingsThe study finds that the principle of reward-risk is embodied in the multi-component concept ofʿiwaḍ(counter value) which must be evident in market transactions that involve commercial exchanges. The components include risk, costs, effort, value-adding and capital, all of which apply uniquely to different contractual forms of financing.Research limitations/implicationsThe study uses academic literature and industry documents along with modest contact with prominent practitioners who provided general feedback on prevalent Islamic finance industry practices.Practical implicationsThis study exposits the variety of approaches in applying the reward-risk principle and sheds light on the primary elements of the principle which will facilitate its greater consideration by the Islamic finance industry.Originality/valueThis study is a meaningful attempt at conveniently summing up and applying the parameters that are considered when discussing the scope of the reward-risk principle in Islamic finance.