bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The iCanCope pain self-management application for adolescents with juvenile idiopathic arthritis: a pilot randomized controlled trial
Authors: Lalloo Chitra , Harris Lauren R , Hundert Amos S , Berard Roberta , Cafazzo Joseph , Connelly Mark , Feldman Brian M , Houghton Kristin , Huber Adam , Laxer Ronald M , Luca Nadia , Schmeling Heinrike , Spiegel Lynn , Tucker Lori B , Pham Quynh , Davies-Chalmers Cleo C , Stinson Jennifer N 
Published: March 2020

Abstract

Objectives
To evaluate the feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of iCanCope with Pain (iCanCope), a smartphone-based pain self-management program, in adolescents with JIA. iCanCope featured symptom tracking, goal-setting, pain coping skills and social support.

Methods
A two-arm pilot randomized controlled trial was used to evaluate the iCanCope app compared with a version with symptom tracking only. Primary (feasibility) outcomes were: participant accrual/attrition rates, success of app deployment, acceptability and adherence. Secondary (preliminary effectiveness) outcomes were: pain intensity, pain-related activity limitations and health-related quality of life. Outcomes were assessed at baseline and 8 weeks. Adherence was defined as the proportion of completed symptom reports: ‘low’ (≤24%); ‘low-moderate’ (25–49%); ‘high-moderate’ (50–75%); or ‘high’ (76–100%). Linear mixed models were applied for preliminary effectiveness analyses as per intention-to-treat.

Results
Adolescents (N = 60) were recruited from three paediatric rheumatology centres. Rates of accrual and attrition were 82 and 13%, respectively. Both apps were deployed with high success (over 85%) and were rated as highly acceptable. Adherence was similar for both groups, with most participants demonstrating moderate-to-high adherence. Both groups exhibited a clinically meaningful reduction in pain intensity (≥1 point) that did not statistically differ between groups. There were no significant changes in activity limitations or health-related quality of life.

Conclusion
The iCanCope pilot randomized controlled trial was feasible to implement in a paediatric rheumatology setting. Both apps were deployed successfully, with high acceptability, and were associated with moderate-to-high adherence. Preliminary reductions in pain intensity warrant a future trial to evaluate effectiveness of iCanCope in improving health outcomes in adolescents with JIA.

Trial registration
ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02764346.
Ambiguous Encounters: Revisiting Foucault and Goffman at an Activation Programme for Asylum-seekers
Authors: Kohl Katrine Syppli 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
This qualitative study combined the approaches of Foucault and Goffman to investigate the consequences of a “roll-out” neoliberal “activation” programme on Denmark’s reception of asylum-seekers. The analysis found that the activation programme is an ambiguous technology of power intended to shape asylum-seekers into productive citizens by simultaneously disciplining them and improving their health and well-being, while using their labour to reduce costs. The strategic interactions in the job centre reflected the ambiguities created by these oft-incongruent aims, and activation caused conflicts as it amplified activities experienced as meaningless and humiliating. I argue that these consequences stem from the ambiguity, uncertainty, and trouble produced at the intersection of competing projects of rule in a “sensitive space”, and that the individualisation of responsibility for their own marginalisation, simultaneously serve to exclude asylum-seekers and to confine them to categories that license continued institutional discipline. Thereby, the intervention feeds cyclical process of failed integration and ill-fated interventions. Indeed, by individualising the responsibility for integration, such interventions depoliticise the marginalisation of citizens of immigrant decent and legitimise efforts to reduce immigration by fuelling problematisations of immigrants as expensive, deviant, and less employable.
The evolution of competitive ability for essential resources
Authors: Bernhardt Joey R. , Kratina Pavel , Pereira Aaron Louis , Tamminen Manu , Thomas Mridul K. , Narwani Anita 
Published: March 2020

Competition for limiting resources is among the most fundamental ecological interactions and has long been considered a key driver of species coexistence and biodiversity. Species' minimum resource requirements, theirR*s, are key traits that link individual physiological demands to the outcome of competition. However, a major question remains unanswered—to what extent are species’ competitive traits able to evolve in response to resource limitation? To address this knowledge gap, we performed an evolution experiment in which we exposedChlamydomonas reinhardtiifor approximately 285 generations to seven environments in chemostats that differed in resource supply ratios (including nitrogen, phosphorus and light limitation) and salt stress. We then grew the ancestors and descendants in a common garden and quantified their competitive abilities for essential resources. We investigated constraints on trait evolution by testing whether changes in resource requirements for different resources were correlated. Competitive abilities for phosphorus improved in all populations, while competitive abilities for nitrogen and light increased in some populations and decreased in others. In contrast to the common assumption that there are trade-offs between competitive abilities for different resources, we found that improvements in competitive ability for a resource came at no detectable cost. Instead, improvements in competitive ability for multiple resources were either positively correlated or not significantly correlated. Using resource competition theory, we then demonstrated that rapid adaptation in competitive traits altered the predicted outcomes of competition. These results highlight the need to incorporate contemporary evolutionary change into predictions of competitive community dynamics over environmental gradients.This article is part of the theme issue ‘Conceptual challenges in microbial community ecology’.
Dormancy dynamics and dispersal contribute to soil microbiome resilience
Authors: Sorensen Jackson W. , Shade Ashley 
Published: March 2020

In disturbance ecology, stability is composed of resistance to change and resilience towards recovery after the disturbance subsides. Two key microbial mechanisms that can support microbiome stability include dormancy and dispersal. Specifically, microbial populations that are sensitive to disturbance can be re-seeded by local dormant pools of viable and reactivated cells, or by immigrants dispersed from regional metacommunities. However, it is difficult to quantify the contributions of these mechanisms to stability without, first, distinguishing the active from inactive membership, and, second, distinguishing the populations recovered by local resuscitation from those recovered by dispersed immigrants. Here, we investigate the contributions of dormancy dynamics (activation and inactivation), and dispersal to soil microbial community resistance and resilience. We designed a replicated, 45-week time-series experiment to quantify the responses of the active soil microbial community to a thermal press disturbance, including unwarmed control mesocosms, disturbed mesocosms without dispersal, and disturbed mesocosms with dispersal after the release of the stressor. Communities changed in structure within one week of warming. Though the disturbed mesocosms did not fully recover within 29 weeks, resuscitation of thermotolerant taxa was key for community transition during the press, and both resuscitation of opportunistic taxa and immigration contributed to community resilience. Also, mesocosms with dispersal were more resilient than mesocosms without. This work advances the mechanistic understanding of how microbiomes respond to disturbances in their environment.
This article is part of the theme issue ‘Conceptual challenges in microbial community ecology’.
Reaching health facilities in situations of emergency: Experiences of pregnant women in Africa’s largest megacity
Authors: Banke-Thomas Aduragbemi , Balogun Mobolanle , Wright Ololade , Ajayi Babatunde , Abejirinde Ibukun-Oluwa , Olaniran Abimbola , Giwa-Ayedun Rokibat Olabisi , Odusanya Bilikisu , Afolabi Bosede Bukola 
Published: March 2020

AbstractTravel of pregnant women requiring emergency obstetric care (EmOC) to health facilities remains a ‘black box’ of many unknowns to the health system, more so in megacities which are fraught with wide inequalities. This in-depth study on travel of pregnant women in Africa’s largest megacity is based on interviews conducted between September 2019 and January 2020 with 47 women and 11 of their relatives who presented at comprehensive EmOC facilities in situations of emergency, requiring some EmOC services. Despite recognising danger signs, pregnant women are often faced with conundrums on “when”, “where” and “how” to reach EmOC facilities. While the decision-making process is a shared activity amongst all women, the available choice-options vary depending on socio-economic status. Women preferred to travel to facilities deemed to have “nicer” health workers, even if these were farther from home. Reported travel time ranged from 5-240 minutes in daytime and 5-40 minutes at night. Many women reported facing remarkably similar travel experiences, with varied challenges faced in the daytime (traffic congestion) compared to night-time (security concerns and scarcity of public transportation). This was irrespective of their age, socio-economic background, or obstetric history. However, the extent to which this experience impacted on their ability to reach facilities depended on their agency and support systems. Travel experience was better if they had their personal vehicle for travel at night, support of relatives or direct/indirect connections with senior health workers at comprehensive EmOC facilities. Referral barriers between facilities further prolonged delays and increased cost of travel for many women. If the goal to leave no one behind remains a priority, in addition to other health systems strengthening interventions, referral systems need to be improved, advocacy on policies to encourage women to utilise nearby functional facilities when in situations of emergency and private sector partnerships should be explored.
Operationalization of the learned non-use phenomenon - A Delphi study
Authors: Hirsch Theresa , Barthel Maria , Aarts Pauline , Chen Yi-An , Freivogel Susanna , Johnson Michelle J. , Jones Theresa A. , Jongsma Marijtje L.A. , Maier Martina , Punt David , Sterr Annette , Wolf Steven L. , Heise Kirstin-Friederike 
Published: March 2020

AbstractThe discrepancy between residual functional capacity and reduced use of the contralesional hand, frequently observed after a brain lesion, has been termed Learned Non-Use (LNU) and is thought to depend on the interaction of neuronal mechanisms during recovery and learning-dependent mechanisms such as negative reinforcement. Despite the generally accepted existence of the LNU phenomenon among clinicians and researchers, no unequivocal and transdisciplinary definition exists to date. Furthermore, although therapeutic approaches are implemented in clinical practice to explicitly target LNU, no standardized diagnostic routine is described in the current literature.Based on a structured group communication following the Delphi method among clinical and scientific experts in the field of LNU, knowledge from both, the work with patient populations and with animal models, was synthesized and integrated to reach consensus regarding a transdisciplinary definition of the LNU phenomenon. Furthermore, the mode and strategy of the diagnostic process, as well as the sources of information and outcome parameters relevant for the clinical decision making, were described with a wide range showing the current lack of a consistent universal diagnostic approach. Building on these results, the need for the development of a structured diagnostic procedure and its implementation into clinical practice is emphasized. Moreover, it exists a striking gap between the prevailing hypotheses regarding the mechanisms underlying the LNU phenomenon and the actual evidence. Therefore, basic research is needed to bridge between bedside and bench and eventually improve clinical decision making and further development of interventional strategies beyond the field of stroke rehabilitation.
The contribution of X-linked coding variation to severe developmental disorders
Authors: Martin Hilary C. , Gardner Eugene J. , Samocha Kaitlin E. , Kaplanis Joanna , Akawi Nadia , Sifrim Alejandro , Eberhardt Ruth Y. , Tavares Ana Lisa Taylor , Neville Matthew D. C. , Niemi Mari E. K. , Gallone Giuseppe , McRae Jeremy , Wright Caroline F. , FitzPatrick David R. , Firth Helen V. , Hurles Matthew E. 
Published: March 2020

AbstractOver 130 X-linked genes have been robustly associated with developmental disorders (DDs), and X-linked causes have been hypothesised to underlie the higher DD rates in males. We evaluated the burden of X-linked coding variation in 11,046 DD patients, and found a similar rate of X-linked causes in males and females (6.0% and 6.9%, respectively), indicating that such variants do not account for the 1.4-fold male bias. We developed an improved strategy to detect novel X-linked DDs and identified 23 significant genes, all of which were previously known, consistent with our inference that the vast majority of the X-linked burden is in known DD-associated genes. Importantly, we estimated that, in male probands, only 13% of inherited rare missense variants in known DD-associated genes are likely to be pathogenic. Our results demonstrate that statistical analysis of large datasets can refine our understanding of modes of inheritance for individual X-linked disorders.
Differentiating the Effect of Medication and Illness on Brain Volume Reductions in First-Episode Psychosis: A Longitudinal, Randomized, Triple-blind, Placebo-controlled MRI Study
Authors: Chopra Sidhant , Fornito Alex , Francey Shona M. , O’Donoghue Brian , Cropley Vanessa , Nelson Barnaby , Graham Jessica , Baldwin Lara , Tahtalian Steven , Yuen Hok Pan , Allott Kelly , Alvarez-Jimenez Mario , Harrigan Susy , Sabaroedin Kristina , Pantelis Christos , Wood Stephen J , McGorry Patrick 
Published: March 2020

AbstractChanges in brain volume are a common finding in Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) studies of people with psychosis and numerous longitudinal studies suggest that volume deficits progress with illness duration. However, a major unresolved question concerns whether these changes are driven by the underlying illness or represent iatrogenic effects of antipsychotic medication. Here, we report MRI findings from a triple-blind randomised placebo-controlled study where 62 antipsychotic-naïve patients with first episode psychosis (FEP) received either an atypical antipsychotic or a placebo pill over a treatment period of 6 months. Both FEP groups received intensive psychosocial therapy. A healthy control group (n=27) was also recruited. Structural MRI scans were obtained at baseline, 3-months and 12- months. Our primary aim was to differentiate illness-related brain volume changes from medication-related changes within the first 3 months of treatment. We secondarily investigated long-term effects at the 12-month timepoint. From baseline to 3 months, we observed a significant group x time interaction in the pallidum (p < 0.05 FWE-corrected), such that patients receiving antipsychotic medication showed increased volume, patients on placebo showed decreased volume, and healthy controls showed no change. In patients, a greater increase in pallidal grey matter volume over 3 months was associated with a greater reduction in symptom severity. We additionally found preliminary evidence for illness- related volume reductions in prefrontal cortices at 12 months and medication-related volume reductions in cerebellum at both 3-months and 12-months. Our findings indicate that psychotic illness and antipsychotic exposure exert distinct and spatially distributed effects on brain volume. Our results align with prior work in suggesting that the therapeutic efficacy of antipsychotic medications may be primarily mediated through their effects on the basal ganglia.
Nucleotide Analogues as Inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 Polymerase
Authors: Chien Minchen , Anderson Thomas K. , Jockusch Steffen , Tao Chuanjuan , Kumar Shiv , Li Xiaoxu , Russo James J. , Kirchdoerfer Robert N. , Ju Jingyue 
Published: March 2020

AbstractSARS-CoV-2, a member of the coronavirus family, is responsible for the current COVID-19 pandemic. Based on our analysis of hepatitis C virus and coronavirus replication, and the molecular structures and activities of viral inhibitors, we previously demonstrated that three nucleotide analogues inhibit the SARS-CoV RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp). Here, using polymerase extension experiments, we have demonstrated that the active triphosphate form of Sofosbuvir (a key component of the FDA approved hepatitis C drug EPCLUSA), is incorporated by SARS-CoV-2 RdRp, and blocks further incorporation. Using the same molecular insight, we selected the active triphosphate forms of three other anti-viral agents, Alovudine, AZT (an FDA approved HIV/AIDS drug) and Tenofovir alafenamide (TAF, an FDA approved drug for HIV and hepatitis B) for evaluation as inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 RdRp. We demonstrated the ability of these three viral polymerase inhibitors, 3’-fluoro-3’-deoxythymidine triphosphate, 3’-azido-3’-deoxythymidine triphosphate and Tenofovir diphosphate (the active triphosphate forms of Alovudine, AZT and TAF, respectively) to be incorporated by SARS-CoV-2 RdRp, where they also terminate further polymerase extension. These results offer a strong molecular basis for these nucleotide analogues to be evaluated as potential therapeutics for COVID-19.
Assessment of a combined manual therapy and taping method for the treatment of chronic lower back pain A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Schmidt Stefan , Keim Nicolas , Schultz Claudia , Sielmann Dieter , Huber Roman , Walach Harald 
Published: March 2020

AbstractBackgroundChronic lower back pain is the most frequent medical problem and the condition with the most years lived with disability. A pragmatic RCT was performed to assess a new treatment, Medi-Taping, which aims at reducing complaints by treating pelvic obliquity with a combination of manual treatment of trigger points and kinesio taping.Methods110 patients were randomized at two study centers either to Medi-Taping or to a standard treatment consisting of psychoeducation and physiotherapy as control. Treatment duration was three weeks. Measures were taken at baseline, end of treatment and at follow-up after two months. Main outcome criteria were lower back pain measured with VAS, the Chronic Pain Grade Scale and the Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Questionnaire.ResultsPatients of both groups benefited from the treatment by medium to large effect sizes. All effects were pointing towards the intended direction with patients receiving Medi-Taping doing better. But at end of treatment and follow-up there were no significant differences for the primary endpoints between groups. Health related quality of life was significantly higher (p=.004) in patients receiving Medi-Taping compared to controls.ConclusionsMedi-Taping, a purported way of correcting pelvic obliquity and chronic tension resulting from it, is a treatment modality similar in effectiveness as a complex physiotherapy and patient education program.SignificanceThis RCT evaluated the effect of a combined therapy consisting of manual treatment and kinesio tape in patients with lower back pain. Patients receiving this treatment benefitted substantially but so did patients in the active control condition receiving physiotherapy and patient education. However, patients receiving the combined treatment had a significant higher quality of life.
Trend analysis of the COVID-19 pandemic in China and the rest of the world
Authors: Weber Albertine , Iannelli Flavio , Gonçalves Sebastián 
Published: March 2020

AbstractThe recent epidemic of Coronavirus (COVID-19) that started in China has already been “exported” to more than 140 countries in all the continents, evolving in most of them by local spreading. In this contribution we analyze the trends of the cases reported in all the Chinese provinces, as well as in some countries that, until March 15th, 2020, have more than 500 cases reported. Notably and differently from other epidemics, the provinces did not show an exponential phase. The data available at the Johns Hopkins University site [1] seem to fit well an algebraic sub-exponential growing behavior as was pointed out recently [2]. All the provinces show a clear and consistent pattern of slowing down with growing exponent going nearly zero, so it can be said that the epidemic was contained in China. On the other side, the more recent spread in countries like, Italy, Iran, and Spain show a clear exponential growth, as well as other European countries. Even more recently, US —which was one of the first countries to have an individual infected outside China (Jan 21st, 2020)— seems to follow the same path. We calculate the exponential growth of the most affected countries, showing the evolution along time after the first local case. We identify clearly different patterns in the analyzed data and we give interpretations and possible explanations for them. The analysis and conclusions of our study can help countries that, after importing some cases, are not yet in the local spreading phase, or have just started.HIGHLIGHTSAll the provinces of China show very similar epidemic behaviour.Early stages of spreading can be explained in terms of SIR standard model, considering that reported cases accounts for the removed individuals, with algebraic growing (sub-exponential) in most locations.Worldwide, we observe two classes of epidemic growth: sub-exponential during almost all stages (China and Japan) and exponential on the rest of the countries, following the early stage.The exponential growth rates ranges from 0.016day−1 (South Korea) to 0.725day−1 (Brunei) which means 1.6% to 107% of new cases per day, for the different countries but China.