Book review: in secrecy’s shadow: the OSS and CIA in Hollywood cinema, 1941-1979 by Simon Willmetts

In Secrecy’s Shadow: The OSS and CIA in Hollywood Cinema, 1941-1979 provides an extensive historical account of the birth and development of the relationship between Hollywood and US intelligence, in particular the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) and the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). Author Simon Willmetts brings together historical analysis, close readings and archival research to offer a comprehensive, nuanced and insightful picture of the CIA both in and on film from the 1940s to the 1970s, writes Tricia Jenkins

Rootstock effect on yield, initial fruit quality, and lycopene content of ‘Tasti Lee’ tomatoes

Tomatoes are a high-value crop commonly grown in high tunnel systems in the central United States. Grafting is an important tool for mitigation of soil borne disease pressure and abiotic stresses in tomato production and is used world-wide in protected growing systems such as high tunnels. ‘Tasti Lee’ is a high-quality tomato cultivar that is grown in the southeastern U.S. and has been bred for superior fresh-eating quality and enhanced lycopene content. Previous high tunnel trials in Kansas have shown that ‘Tasti-Lee’ significantly increases marketable yields when grafted to the vigorous rootstock ‘Maxifort.’ The objective of this trial was to investigate the yield and potential fruit quality impacts of ‘Tasti-Lee’ when grafting to five different roostocks and grown in a central U.S. high tunnel with little disease pressure. Due to the diverse impacts of grafting on fruit quality found in the literature, it is important to conduct localized rootstock trials and make conclusions on specific rootstock/scion combinations. ‘Tasti Lee’ tomatoes were grafted to ‘Maxifort,’ ‘DRO 141 TX,’ ‘Fortamino,’ ‘Estamino,’and ‘RST-04-106’ rootstocks and grown in a high tunnel system in Kansas in 2019. The experiment was arranged in a randomized complete block design. Total yield, marketable yield, and fruit size were assessed for the whole season on a per plant basis. Red ripe tomato fruit were used for assessing soluble solids content (SSC), titratable acidity (TA), lycopene content, and ascorbic acid content. Although the results were not statistically significant, all rootstocks increased the marketable fruit number and fruit size over the non-grafted control. ‘Maxifort, ‘Fortamino,’ and ‘Estamino’ were the best performing rootstocks. No differences in SSC, TA, lycopene content, or ascorbic acid were found due to grafting. Our results indicate that ‘Tasti-Lee’ could be a successful candidate for high-tunnel grafting systems in the central U.S

Caregiver Strategies for Communication in Children with Autism in Spanish-Speaking, Developing Countries

The literature review provides current and relevant information for speech-language pathologists (SLPs) who service families with a child with autism (CWA) in Spanish-speaking, developing (SSD) countries. This review gives an overview of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) as it relates to language and language development and SLP scope of practice in the U.S. as it relates to ASD. Applicable evidenced-based strategies will be given to help SLPs provide family education to increase functional communication with their CWA. To be sensitive to cultural differences in SSD countries, interaction styles and customs will be defined and interviews from families and SLPs in SSD countries will be conducted. After synthesizing the current evidenced-based strategies and cultural norms for families in SSD, clinical implications will be outlined

Identifying challenges in the postharvest supply chain of fresh organic produce

The production of organic produce has been steadily increasing in the United States in recent years. The use of appropriate postharvest practices on small-acreage organic farms and urban farms is critical for minimizing postharvest losses and ensuring the safety of fresh produce. The objectives of this project were to (i) gain a better understanding of the critical needs that organic growers and industry buyers are facing regarding postharvest handling and safety of their produce (ii) identify the factors limiting produce quality, shelf-life, and microbial safety (iii) identify critical areas in postharvest handling, processing, and food safety of organic produce for targeted research, education, and extension work. A mixed methods qualitative study design was used to meet the project objectives. A national online survey was administered to organic produce growers (n=68). An asynchronous and synchronous online focus group (n=8) of organic produce growers was conducted to further explore some of the main themes from the online survey results. The results from the survey indicated that postharvest loss of fresh produce can range from 1% to above 20% of the total crop, with the most typical losses being between 1% and 5%. Growers believe that proper temperature management is the most important factor that affects postharvest quality of organic fruits, vegetables, and herbs. The sample cited that a lack of knowledge and financial constraints were the greatest barriers to adopting or improving postharvest handling practices. Similarly, low-cost solutions and infrastructure were the most-needed research needs by growers. The focus group (n=8) elaborated on knowledge constraints in postharvest handling, saying it was difficult to search the web and find reliable information. The focus group agreed that a central website hub that had searchable and dependable postharvest handling information would be a valuable resource to them. The results from this mixed-method approach will guide future research and extension programming with the long-term goal of providing small-acreage organic produce growers with appropriate postharvest handling practices that will reduce postharvest losses, improve food safety, and ultimately increase the availability of organic produce

Presence of a prothrombotic state in people with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: a population-based case-control study

BACKGROUND: Laboratory studies suggest that the clotting cascade is activated in fibrotic lungs. Since humans vary in their tendency to clot due to a variety of inherited or acquired defects, we investigated whether a prothrombotic state increases the chance of developing idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and/or worsens the prognosis of IPF. METHODS: We recruited 211 incident cases of IPF and 256 age-and sex-matched general population controls and collected data on medical history, medication, smoking habit, blood samples as well as lung function and high-resolution CT scans done as part of routine clinical care. A prothrombotic state was defined as the presence of at least one inherited or acquired clotting defect or marker of fibrinolytic dysfunction. We used logistic regression to quantify the association between a prothrombotic state and IPF adjusted for age, sex, smoking habit and highly sensitive C reactive protein. Cox regression was used to determine the influence of a prothrombotic state on survival. RESULTS: Cases were more than four times more likely than controls to have a prothrombotic state (OR 4.78, 95% CI 2.93 to 7.80; p<0.0001). Cases with a prothrombotic state were also likely to have more severe disease (forced vital capacity <70% predicted) at presentation (OR 10.79, 95% CI 2.43 to 47.91) and had a threefold increased risk of death (HR 3.26, 95% CI 1.09 to 9.75). CONCLUSIONS: People with IPF are more likely to have a prothrombotic state than general population controls and the presence of a prothrombotic state has an adverse impact on survival

The Romantic Fantasy of Even and Isak - an Exploration of Scandinavian Women Looking for Gratification in the Teen Serial SKAM

Under embargo until: 2022-04-05Based on ethnographic reception analysis, cultural sociology, and psychoanalytic film analysis, this article explores a group of Scandinavian adult female fans of the gay couple Even and Isak from the teen serial SKAM. The aim is to acquire knowledge about what pleasures this group gains from watching and chatting online about this serial. We argue that through their pondering of the gay couple as a romantic fantasy, these women address and negotiate social contradictions regarding gender and sexuality that they encounter in Scandinavian post-feminist societies.acceptedVersio

Patient-reported respiratory outcome measures in the recovery of adults hospitalised with COVID-19: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background Acute COVID-19 clinical symptoms have been clearly documented, but long-term functional and symptomatic recovery from COVID -19 is less well described.Methods A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to describe patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) in adults at least 8 weeks post hospital discharge for COVID-19. Comprehensive database searches in accordance with the PRISMA statement were carried out up till 31/05/2021. Data were narratively synthesized, and a series of meta-analyses were performed using the random-effects inverse variance method.Results From 49 studies, across 14 countries with between 2-12 months follow up, the most common persisting symptom reported was fatigue with meta-analysis finding 36.6% (95 % CI 27.6 to 46.6, n=14) reporting it at 2-4 months, decreasing slightly to 32.5% still reporting it at >4 months (95% CI 22.6 to 44.2, n=15). This was followed by dyspnoea. Modified MRC score (mMRC) ≥1 was reported in 48% (95% CI 30 to 37, n=5) at 2-4months reducing to 32% (95% CI 22 to 43, n=7) at 4 months. Quality of life (QOL) as assessed by the EQ-5D-5L VAS remained reduced at >4 months (73.6 95% CI 68.1 to 79.1, n=6). Hospitalisation with COVID-19 also resulted in persisting sick leave, change in scope of work, and continued use of primary and secondary healthcare.Conclusion The symptomatic and functional impact of COVID-19 continues to be felt by patients months after discharge from hospital. This widespread morbidity points towards a multi-disciplinary approach to aid functional recovery

The Its Not JUST Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis Study (INJUSTIS): Description of the protocol for a multicentre prospective observational cohort study identifying biomarkers of progressive fibrotic lung disease

Introduction: The Its Not JUST Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis Study (INJUSTIS) is a multicentre, prospective, observational cohort study. The aims of this study are to identify genetic, serum and other biomarkers that may identify specific molecular mechanisms, reflecting disease endotypes that are shared among patients with progressive pulmonary fibrosis regardless of aetiology. Furthermore, it is anticipated that these biomarkers will help predict fibrotic activity that may identify patterns of disease behaviour with greater accuracy than current clinical phenotyping.Methods and analysis: 200 participants with the multidisciplinary team confirmed fibrotic lung disease (50 each of rheumatoid-interstitial lung disease (ILD), asbestosis, chronic hypersensitivity pneumonitis and unclassifiable ILD) and 50 idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis participants, recruited as positive controls, will be followed up for 2 years. Participants will have blood samples, lung function tests, quality of life questionnaires and a subgroup will be offered bronchoscopy. Participants will also be given the option of undertaking blinded home handheld spirometry for the first 3 months of the study. The primary end point will be identification of a biomarker that predicts disease progression, defined as 10% relative change in forced vital capacity (FVC) or death at 12 months.Ethics and dissemination: The trial has received ethical approval from the National Research Ethics Committee Nottingham (18/EM/0139). All participants must provide written informed consent. The trial will be overseen by the INJUSTIS steering group that will include a patient representative, and an independent chairperson. The results from this study will be submitted for publication in peer-reviewed journals and disseminated at regional and national conferences.Trial registration number NCT0367057

?v?6 integrin may be a potential prognostic biomarker in interstitial lung disease

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and fibrotic nonspecific interstitial pneumonitis are progressive interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) with limited treatment options and poor survival. However, the rate of disease progression is variable, implying there may be different endotypes of disease. We hypothesised that immunophenotyping biopsies from ILD patients might reveal distinct endotypes of progressive fibrotic disease, which may facilitate stratification when undertaking clinical trials of novel therapies for IPF.43 paraffin-embedded, formalin-fixed lung tissue sections were immunostained for five molecules implicated in the pathogenesis of the fibrosis: ?-smooth muscle actin (?SMA), ?v?6 integrin, pro-surfactant protein C (SP-C), hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and tenascin-C (TenC). Levels of immunostaining and numbers of fibroblastic foci were quantified using operator-dependent and -independent methods. The relationship of all these markers to overall survival was analysed.Staining revealed high levels of ?SMA, ?v?6 integrin, pro-SP-C, HGF and TenC, and fibroblastic foci. Immunostaining varied across samples for all molecules but only the extent of ?v?6 integrin immunostaining was associated with increased mortality. There was no association with the other markers measured.Our data suggest high levels of ?v?6 integrin may identify a specific endotype of progressive fibrotic lung disease

BHPR research: qualitative1. Complex reasoning determines patients' perception of outcome following foot surgery in rheumatoid arhtritis

Background: Foot surgery is common in patients with RA but research into surgical outcomes is limited and conceptually flawed as current outcome measures lack face validity: to date no one has asked patients what is important to them. This study aimed to determine which factors are important to patients when evaluating the success of foot surgery in RA Methods: Semi structured interviews of RA patients who had undergone foot surgery were conducted and transcribed verbatim. Thematic analysis of interviews was conducted to explore issues that were important to patients. Results: 11 RA patients (9 ♂, mean age 59, dis dur = 22yrs, mean of 3 yrs post op) with mixed experiences of foot surgery were interviewed. Patients interpreted outcome in respect to a multitude of factors, frequently positive change in one aspect contrasted with negative opinions about another. Overall, four major themes emerged. Function: Functional ability & participation in valued activities were very important to patients. Walking ability was a key concern but patients interpreted levels of activity in light of other aspects of their disease, reflecting on change in functional ability more than overall level. Positive feelings of improved mobility were often moderated by negative self perception ("I mean, I still walk like a waddling duck”). Appearance: Appearance was important to almost all patients but perhaps the most complex theme of all. Physical appearance, foot shape, and footwear were closely interlinked, yet patients saw these as distinct separate concepts. Patients need to legitimize these feelings was clear and they frequently entered into a defensive repertoire ("it's not cosmetic surgery; it's something that's more important than that, you know?”). Clinician opinion: Surgeons' post operative evaluation of the procedure was very influential. The impact of this appraisal continued to affect patients' lasting impression irrespective of how the outcome compared to their initial goals ("when he'd done it ... he said that hasn't worked as good as he'd wanted to ... but the pain has gone”). Pain: Whilst pain was important to almost all patients, it appeared to be less important than the other themes. Pain was predominately raised when it influenced other themes, such as function; many still felt the need to legitimize their foot pain in order for health professionals to take it seriously ("in the end I went to my GP because it had happened a few times and I went to an orthopaedic surgeon who was quite dismissive of it, it was like what are you complaining about”). Conclusions: Patients interpret the outcome of foot surgery using a multitude of interrelated factors, particularly functional ability, appearance and surgeons' appraisal of the procedure. While pain was often noted, this appeared less important than other factors in the overall outcome of the surgery. Future research into foot surgery should incorporate the complexity of how patients determine their outcome Disclosure statement: All authors have declared no conflicts of interes