bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Die Wechselwirkung zwischen Migrations- und Armutserfahrungen: Ein Erklärungsansatz für die intergenerationale Transmission von Armut in Familien mit Migrationshintergrund
Authors: Zölch Janina , Böhnke Petra
Published: January 2021

Personen mit Migrationshintergrund sind in Deutschland einem stark überdurchschnittlichen Armutsrisiko ausgesetzt. Die häufig diskutierten Ursachen können die Differenz zum Armutsrisiko in der autochthonen Bevölkerung nicht hinreichend erklären. Insbesondere Prozesse der Armutstransmission von Generation zu Generation sind bislang wenig transparent, vor allem im Hinblick auf mögliche Besonderheiten der Migrationserfahrungen im Generationenverbund. Der Beitrag untersucht, wie familiale Lebenslagen und Beziehungen sowie an sie gekoppelte Orientierungsmuster zu einer intergenerationalen Weitergabe von Armut beitragen und welchen Einfluss der Migrationshintergrund darauf ausübt. Dies wird exemplarisch anhand der Rekonstruktion des Falles zweier Angehöriger einer Familie mit türkischem Migrationshintergrund aus zwei Generationen herausgearbeitet, der um Ergebnisse aus dem Gesamtsample der Studie ergänzt wird. Es kann gezeigt werden, dass die Benachteiligungserfahrungen aus der Armuts- und Migrationssituation je für sich beschränkend wirken und sich zugleich potenzieren. Dies erschwert die Entwicklung jener alternativen Handlungsmuster, die nötig sind, um der Armutssituation zu entkommen. Als besonders relevant für die Weitergabe von Armut im Generationenverlauf erweisen sich der Umgang der Eltern mit der Migrationsentscheidung und ihre eigenen Migrationserfahrungen.
Die Schizophrenie im Entwurf der ICD-11 und Implikationen für die Beurteilung der Schuldfähigkeit
Authors: Lau Steffen
Published: January 2021

Die Veränderungen zur Klassifizierung schizophrener Psychosen in der Revision der ICD (International Classification of Diseases) gehen nicht mit einer grundsätzlichen Veränderung der bekannten Konzepte einher. Die Beurteilung der psychiatrischen Voraussetzungen der Schuldfähigkeit wird kaum beeinflusst. Die Aufgabe der Subtypen der Schizophrenie ist jedoch möglicherweise mit der Gefahr verbunden, dass die besonderen und individuellen Verläufe bei Betroffenen mit schizophrenen Psychosen in ihrem Variantenreichtum nicht mehr bekannt sein und wahrgenommen werden. Dies ist insbesondere problematisch in Fällen, in denen die psychotische Erkrankung nicht in dem weit verbreiteten und bekannten Phänomen „paranoid-halluzinatorisches Syndrom“ mündet, sondern eher mit Verhaltensauffälligkeiten einhergeht oder mit Veränderungen des Affektes, sprich den hebephrenen Verläufen. Die forensische Psychiatrie ist gefordert, das Wissen um solche Verläufe aktiv zu fördern, um jugendliche Straftäter, bei denen Psychopathologie mit „normalen“ Besonderheiten der Entwicklung verschränkt ist, adäquat als im Sinne der §§ 20 und 21 StGB „krankhaft seelisch gestört“ zu identifizieren und ihre sachgerechte forensisch-psychiatrische Beurteilung zu gewährleisten.
Do you hear what you see? Utilizing phonocardiography to enhance proficiency in cardiac auscultation
Authors: Watsjold Bjorn , Ilgen Jonathan , Monteiro Sandra , Sibbald Matthew , Goldberger Zachary D. , Thompson W. Reid , Norman Geoff
Published: January 2021

Introduction Cardiac auscultation skills have proven difficult to train and maintain. The authors investigated whether using phonocardiograms as visual adjuncts to audio cases improved first-year medical students’ cardiac auscultation performance.
Methods The authors randomized 135 first-year medical students using an email referral link in 2018 and 2019 to train using audio-only cases (audio group) or audio with phonocardiogram tracings (combined group). Training included 7 cases with normal and abnormal auscultation findings. The assessment included feature identification and diagnostic accuracy using 14 audio-only cases, 7 presented during training, and 7 alternate versions of the same diagnoses. The assessment—administered immediately after training and repeated 7 days later—prompted participants to identify the key features and diagnoses for 14 audio-only cases. Key feature scores and diagnostic accuracy were compared between groups using repeated measures ANOVA.
Results Mean key feature scores were statistically significantly higher in the combined group (70%, 95% CI 67–75%) compared to the audio group (61%, 95% CI 56–66%) (F(1,116) = 6.144, p = 0.015, d s  = 0.45). Similarly, mean diagnostic accuracy in the combined group (68%, 95% CI 62–73%) was significantly higher than the audio group, although with small effect size (59%, 95% CI 54–65%) (F(1,116) = 4.548, p = 0.035, d s  = 0.40). Time on task for the assessment and prior auscultation experience did not significantly impact performance on either measure.
Discussion The addition of phonocardiograms to supplement cardiac auscultation training improves diagnostic accuracy and heart sound feature identification amongst novice students compared to training with audio alone.
Computing the nonabelian tensor squares of groups of order $$\pmb {p^3q}$$
Authors: Kalteh O. , Jafari S. Hadi
Published: January 2021

In this paper, we describe the explicit structures of nonabelian tensor squares of nonabelian groups of order $$p^3q$$

p
3

q

, where p and q are distinct prime numbers and $$p>2$$

p
>
2

. Our method is based on determining the structures of their Schur multipliers by applying some well-known results and the presentations of groups, which leads us to obtain the orders of their nonabelian tensor squares.
Molecular and morphological revision of small Myotinae from the Himalayas shed new light on the poorly known genus Submyotodon (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae)
Authors: Ruedi Manuel , Saikia Uttam , Thabah Adora , Görföl Tamás , Thapa Sanjan , Csorba Gábor
Published: January 2021

The systematics status of the constituent species of theM. mystacinusmorphogroup in the Himalayan region has long been marred by uncertainty. Lack of integrative studies combining morphological and genetic data from specimens recently collected in this region has hampered our understanding of cryptic variations in this complex taxonomic group. To address this issue, new material from the Himalayan region of India and Nepal was obtained and vouchered specimens in the holdings of various museums were also re-examined. As comparative material, a large series of relevant specimens from South and Southeast Asia were also included in this revision. Using a combination of multivariate analysis of craniodental characters and molecular reconstructions, we critically evaluated the systematic position of the small Myotinae in the Himalayas. We establish thatM. nipalensisforms a very distinct lineage (which also includes the recently describedM. annatessae) and refute previous taxonomic suggestions that it is related toM. davidii. Our study also conclusively proved the common occurrence of the poorly known genusSubmyotodonin the Himalayan region (Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Nepal and China) and evidenced species-level divergences within that genus.Submyotodonspecies share nyctalodont or semi-nyctalodont lower molar configuration with few other small and unrelated Myotinae from Asia suggesting that these unusual dental characters are homoplasious in this subfamily. We also noticed a very confused taxonomic situation associated with many DNA sequences of AsianMyotisdeposited in public repositories and call for possibilities of better data curation.
A normalized solitary wave solution of the Maxwell-Dirac equations
Authors: Nolasco Margherita
Published: January 2021

We prove the existence of a

L^{2}

-normalized solitary wave solution for the Maxwell-Dirac equations in (3+1)-Minkowski space. In addition, for the Coulomb-Dirac model, describing fermions with attractive Coulomb interactions in the mean-field limit, we prove the existence of the (positive) energy minimizer.
The challenging path to add a promising new bio-fiber from an overlooked source to our reinforcement toolbox: Date palm fibers
Authors: Mathijsen Django
Published: January 2021

We usually associate Egypt’s contribution to civilization with ancient achievements, like pyramids and hieroglyphics. But three Egyptian scientists are trying to change that. They have managed to extract long fibers with excellent properties from a plentiful bio-source that was previously overlooked: date palms. With a potential 1.3 million tons of date palm fibers per year, Egypt could become an important source of high tech bio-fibers for fabrics and reinforcements. But the road to get there is long.
COVID-19’s Impact on Farmers Market Sales in the Washington, D.C., Area
Authors: O’Hara Jeffrey K. , Woods Timothy A. , Dutton Nony , Stavely Nick
Published: January 2021

We use a sales database of farmers market vendors in the Washington, D.C., area to estimate how first half 2020 sales were impacted by the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. We use 2019 data as a counterfactual for sales that would have occurred in 2020 in the absence of COVID-19. For neighborhood weekend markets that were able to remain open during the pandemic, the change in 2020 average sales between the winter and spring is between 75% and 79% lower than in 2019. Other farmers markets, particularly weekday markets in business districts, experienced delayed openings or were closed for the entire year.
Detection of severe acute respiratory coronavirus virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in outpatients: A multicenter comparison of self-collected saline gargle, oral swab, and combined oral–anterior nasal swab to a provider collected nasopharyngeal swab
Authors: Kandel Christopher E. , Young Matthew , Serbanescu Mihaela Anca , Powis Jeff E. , Bulir David , Callahan James , Katz Kevin , McCready Janine , Racher Hilary , Sheldrake Elena , Quon Dorothy , Vojdani Omid Kyle , McGeer Allison , Goneau Lee W. , Vermeiren Christie
Published: January 2021

Background:

Widespread testing for severe acute respiratory coronavirus virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is necessary to curb the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), but testing is undermined when the only option is a nasopharyngeal swab. Self-collected swab techniques can overcome many of the disadvantages of a nasopharyngeal swab, but they require evaluation.

Methods:

Three self-collected non-nasopharyngeal swab techniques (saline gargle, oral swab and combined oral-anterior nasal swab) were compared to a nasopharyngeal swab for SARS-CoV-2 detection at multiple COVID-19 assessment centers in Toronto, Canada. The performance characteristics of each test were assessed.

Results:

The adjusted sensitivity of the saline gargle was 0.90 (95% CI 0.86-0.94), the oral swab was 0.82 (95% CI, 0.72–0.89) and the combined oral–anterior nasal swab was 0.87 (95% CI, 0.77–0.93) compared to a nasopharyngeal swab, which demonstrated a sensitivity of ˜90% when all positive tests were the reference standard. The median cycle threshold values for the SARS-CoV-2 E-gene for concordant and discordant saline gargle specimens were 17 and 31 (P < .001), for the oral swabs these values were 17 and 28 (P < .001), and for oral–anterior nasal swabs these values were 18 and 31 (P = .007).

Conclusions:

Self-collected saline gargle and an oral–anterior nasal swab have a similar sensitivity to a nasopharyngeal swab for the detection of SARS-CoV-2. These alternative collection techniques are cheap and can eliminate barriers to testing, particularly in underserved populations.
The multi-criteria analysis of corporate social responsibility: a comparative study of Russia, Bulgaria and Serbia
Authors: Stojanović Anđelka , Mihajlović Ivan , Safronova Natalia B. , Kunev Svilen , Schulte Peter
Published: January 2021

Cross-cultural research on corporate social responsibility (CSR) dealing with specific stakeholder groups is fairly rare in the existing literature. The aim of this research is to investigate the level of recognition of CSR in companies by employees working in micro/small, medium-sized and large companies. The research is based on the survey conducted in Bulgaria, Russia and Serbia with the employees' attitudes obtained via a structured questionnaire. A similar socio-historical background of the three countries and different levels of accomplished socio-economic development at present is taken into account. A proposed ranking methodology was based on the multi-criteria decision analysis approach, observed through five studied dimensions: environmental, social, economic, stakeholder and voluntariness. The ranking was carried out using the integrated Entropy-PROMETHEE-GAIA method, where the Entropy method was used for determining the weights of the criteria, whereas PROMETHEE-GAIA was used for final ranking. The obtained results were analyzed from the multi-cultural point of view and show more significant differences in the attitudes of employees from different countries, rather than when the size of a company is taken into consideration.
THOUGHTS ON THE WESTERN SAVANNAH AND SAHEL
Authors: Gomez Michael A.
Published: January 2021

A recent revival of interest in the empires of the medieval western Savannah and Sahel has generated new insights into slavery, ethnicity, race, and gender in precolonial West Africa. New histories of medieval West Africa also expand the spatial frame through which the relationship between the region's polities and the broader world can be understood. This essay offers a survey of that literature.
Guo Pu Crosses the River: Migration Anecdotes inJinshuBiographical Narratives
Authors: Nicoll-Johnson Evan
Published: January 2021

In the early fourth century CE, after the escalation of a series of succession disputes among the imperial Sima clan, the Jin dynasty collapsed and its capital city of Luoyang 洛陽 was destroyed. However, the end of the dynasty did not cause the Sima clan to fall from power entirely. Instead, the Jin dynasty was reestablished in the new capital of Jiankang 建康, the city known today as Nanjing. The earlier incarnation of the Jin would come to be known as the Western Jin dynasty, while the restored Jin dynasty is referred to as the Eastern Jin. The impact of this cataclysm on the inhabitants of Luoyang and the surrounding regions is difficult to quantify, and even harder to understand in more personal terms. We know that many of those who did not perish fled to the southeast, crossing the Yangzi River to resettle in the new capital. Later texts refer to this period as “The disorder of the Yongjia Reign” (Yongjia zhi luan永嘉之亂). This epithet uses the imperial reign name given to the period between 307 and 313, even though the disasters did not neatly begin and end with those years. Although the Yongjia troubles are addressed throughout surviving historiographic material, there is no work of history dedicated to documenting the ensuing exodus from Luoyang to Jiankang.
The Desperation of the Military's Economists: Advertising as a Way to Fight Inflation in 1970s Brazil
Authors: Nestler Matthew
Published: January 2021

This article describes the Brazilian civil–military dictatorship's anti-inflation advertising campaigns in 1973 and 1977. It shows how Finance Ministers Antônio Delfim Netto and Mário Henrique Simonsen used advertising as a substitute for economic policy. It argues that they turned to advertising to divert attention from their own policy failures by blaming urban women, small shopkeepers and consumers for the growing inflation problem. This article details the background of the campaigns and examines the advertisements, especially their use of normative gender ideologies. By reference to newspapers and political speeches, it also documents the social and political reaction to the campaigns.
Altered functional synchrony between gray and white matter as a novel indicator of brain system dysconnectivity in schizophrenia
Authors: Liu Naici , Lencer Rebekka , Yang Zhipeng , Zhang Wenjing , Yang Chengmin , Zeng Jiaxin , Sweeney John A. , Gong Qiyong , Lui Su
Published: January 2021

Background

There is increasing evidence that blood oxygenation level-dependent signaling in white matter (WM) reflects WM functional activity. Whether this activity is altered in schizophrenia remains uncertain, as does whether it is related to established alterations of gray matter (GM) or the microstructure of WM tracts.

Methods

A total of 153 antipsychotic-naïve schizophrenia patients and 153 healthy comparison subjects were assessed by resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging, diffusion tensor imaging, and high-resolution T1-weighted imaging. We tested for case–control differences in the functional activity of WM, and examined their relation to the functional activity of GM and WM microstructure. The relations between fractional anisotropy (FA) in WM and GM–WM functional synchrony were investigated as well. Then, we examined the associations of identified abnormalities to age, duration of untreated psychosis (DUP), and symptom severity.

Results

Schizophrenia patients displayed reductions of the amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (ALFF), GM–WM functional synchrony, and FA in widespread regions. Specifically, the genu of corpus callosum not only had weakening in the synchrony of functional activity but also had reduced ALFF and FA. Positive associations were found between FA and functional synchrony in the genu of corpus callosum as well. No significant association was found between identified abnormalities and DUP, and symptom severity.

Conclusions

The widespread weakening in the synchrony of functional activity of GM and WM provided novel evidence for functional alterations in schizophrenia. Regarding the WM function as a component of brain systems and investigating its alternation represent a promising direction for future research.
The temporal dynamics of sleep disturbance and psychopathology in psychosis: a digital sampling study
Authors: Meyer Nicholas , Joyce Dan W. , Karr Chris , de Vos Maarten , Dijk Derk-Jan , Jacobson Nicholas C. , MacCabe James H.
Published: January 2021

Background

Sleep disruption is a common precursor to deterioration and relapse in people living with psychotic disorders. Understanding the temporal relationship between sleep and psychopathology is important for identifying and developing interventions which target key variables that contribute to relapse.

Methods

We used a purpose-built digital platform to sample self-reported sleep and psychopathology variables over 1 year, in 36 individuals with schizophrenia. Once-daily measures of sleep duration and sleep quality, and fluctuations in psychopathology (positive and negative affect, cognition and psychotic symptoms) were captured. We examined the temporal relationship between these variables using the Differential Time-Varying Effect (DTVEM) hybrid exploratory-confirmatory model.

Results

Poorer sleep quality and shorter sleep duration maximally predicted deterioration in psychosis symptoms over the subsequent 1–8 and 1–12 days, respectively. These relationships were also mediated by negative affect and cognitive symptoms. Psychopathology variables also predicted sleep quality, but not sleep duration, and the effect sizes were smaller and of shorter lag duration.

Conclusions

Reduced sleep duration and poorer sleep quality anticipate the exacerbation of psychotic symptoms by approximately 1–2 weeks, and negative affect and cognitive symptoms mediate this relationship. We also observed a reciprocal relationship that was of shorter duration and smaller magnitude. Sleep disturbance may play a causal role in symptom exacerbation and relapse, and represents an important and tractable target for intervention. It warrants greater attention as an early warning sign of deterioration, and low-burden, user-friendly digital tools may play a role in its early detection.
Associations between depression and cardiometabolic health: A 27-year longitudinal study
Authors: Ditmars Hillary L. , Logue Mark W. , Toomey Rosemary , McKenzie Ruth E. , Franz Carol E. , Panizzon Matthew S. , Reynolds Chandra A. , Cuthbert Kristy N. , Vandiver Richard , Gustavson Daniel E. , Eglit Graham M. L. , Elman Jeremy A. , Sanderson-Cimino Mark , Williams McKenna E. , Andreassen Ole A. , Dale Anders M. , Eyler Lisa T. , Fennema-Notestine Christine , Gillespie Nathan A. , Hauger Richard L. , Jak Amy J. , Neale Michael C. , Tu Xin M. , Whitsel Nathan , Xian Hong , Kremen William S. , Lyons Michael J.
Published: January 2021

Background

Clarifying the relationship between depression symptoms and cardiometabolic and related health could clarify risk factors and treatment targets. The objective of this study was to assess whether depression symptoms in midlife are associated with the subsequent onset of cardiometabolic health problems.

Methods

The study sample comprised 787 male twin veterans with polygenic risk score data who participated in the Harvard Twin Study of Substance Abuse (‘baseline’) and the longitudinal Vietnam Era Twin Study of Aging (‘follow-up’). Depression symptoms were assessed at baseline [mean age 41.42 years (s.d. = 2.34)] using the Diagnostic Interview Schedule, Version III, Revised. The onset of eight cardiometabolic conditions (atrial fibrillation, diabetes, erectile dysfunction, hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, myocardial infarction, sleep apnea, and stroke) was assessed via self-reported doctor diagnosis at follow-up [mean age 67.59 years (s.d. = 2.41)].

Results

Total depression symptoms were longitudinally associated with incident diabetes (OR 1.29, 95% CI 1.07–1.57), erectile dysfunction (OR 1.32, 95% CI 1.10–1.59), hypercholesterolemia (OR 1.26, 95% CI 1.04–1.53), and sleep apnea (OR 1.40, 95% CI 1.13–1.74) over 27 years after controlling for age, alcohol consumption, smoking, body mass index, C-reactive protein, and polygenic risk for specific health conditions. In sensitivity analyses that excluded somatic depression symptoms, only the association with sleep apnea remained significant (OR 1.32, 95% CI 1.09–1.60).

Conclusions

A history of depression symptoms by early midlife is associated with an elevated risk for subsequent development of several self-reported health conditions. When isolated, non-somatic depression symptoms are associated with incident self-reported sleep apnea. Depression symptom history may be a predictor or marker of cardiometabolic risk over decades.
Sounding like a father: The influence of regional dialect on perceptions of masculinity and fatherhood
Authors: King Sara , Ren Yi , Idemaru Kaori , Sturtzsreetharan Cindi
Published: January 2021

Previous work on the Osaka dialect (OD) collectively suggests that this western regional variant of Japanese is associated with informality, masculinity, and affective fatherhood—social meanings that can be recruited in the construction of audio-visual media personas. This study examines the use of OD by one protagonist in the film Soshite chichi ni naru/Like father, like son, as well as the social meanings that listeners attribute to this variety of Japanese. Specifically, we ask two questions: (i) to what extent is the production of OD in the film recognizable to native speakers of Japanese, and (ii) what qualities do Japanese language users attribute to OD? A dialect recognition experiment found low recognizability of OD but high recognizability of a general ‘nonstandard Japanese’ language variety. Qualitative data revealed that Japanese language users perceived OD to index various characteristics including that of a masculine, affective father. (Perception, dialect, fatherhood, Osaka dialect, indexicality)*
Autonomy, Governance and the Chinese University 3.0: A zhong–yong Model from Comparative, Cultural and Contemporary Perspectives
Authors: Li Jun
Published: January 2021

This article builds on the ambiguous concept of the autonomy of universities with three historical turns in two dominant types of universities in the world – the Anglo-Saxon and American models, represented by the British and American institutions, and the Continental models, including the recently emerging Chinese University 3.0. Based on empirical data from two comparative case studies with a documentary analysis approach, I investigate the structure of the zhong-yong model of self-mastery, demonstrating how it may differ from the Western models and offering cultural interpretations for these nuances. The article concludes that self-mastery in the Chinese context provides an additional form of autonomy which is rooted in the pragmatic Confucian concept of zhong-yong. It is also found that through the pragmatism of self-mastery, the zhong-yong model enables Chinese universities to directly serve the state and, at the same time, to legitimate the priority given to their development by state power, thus creating abundant space and resources for them to fully unfold their potentialities. With multilayered and multidirectional power relationships, this model of governance has enabled Chinese universities to radically transform themselves in a short period of time and will allow them to eventually become global leaders, although they may have to sacrifice autonomous freedom in some ways.
Meritocracy and the Making of the Chinese Academe, 1912–1952
Authors: Ren Bamboo Yunzhu , Liang Chen , Lee James Z.
Published: January 2021

This article takes advantage of three new big historical datasets to identify four salient features of the Chinese academe during the Republic of China. First, it was highly international in terms of training. Second, the proportion of female students was unexpectedly large. Third, there was a heavy emphasis on STEM subjects. Finally, the social and spatial origins of China's university students and university faculty members changed from a national population of civil servant families to business and professional families largely from Jiangnan and the Pearl River Delta. The datasets are the China University Student Dataset – Republic of China, which includes almost half of all students to graduate from a Chinese university during the first half of the 20th century; the China University Student Dataset – Overseas, which includes the vast majority of all Chinese students to graduate from a North American, European or Japanese university during this same period; and the China University Employee Dataset, which includes almost all university faculty members in China, 1941–1950.
Infant temperament prospectively predicts general psychopathology in childhood
Authors: Morales Santiago , Tang Alva , Bowers Maureen E. , Miller Natalie V. , Buzzell George A. , Smith Elizabeth , Seddio Kaylee , Henderson Heather A. , Fox Nathan A.
Published: January 2021

Recent models of psychopathology suggest the presence of a general factor capturing the shared variance among all symptoms along with specific psychopathology factors (e.g., internalizing and externalizing). However, few studies have examined predictors that may serve as transdiagnostic risk factors for general psychopathology from early development. In the current study we examine, for the first time, whether observed and parent-reported infant temperament dimensions prospectively predict general psychopathology as well as specific psychopathology dimensions (e.g., internalizing and externalizing) across childhood. In a longitudinal cohort (N= 291), temperament dimensions were assessed at 4 months of age. Psychopathology symptoms were assessed at 7, 9, and 12 years of age. A bifactor model was used to estimate general, internalizing, and externalizing psychopathology factors. Across behavioral observations and parent-reports, higher motor activity in infancy significantly predicted greater general psychopathology in mid to late childhood. Moreover, low positive affect was predictive of the internalizing-specific factor. Other temperament dimensions were not related with any of the psychopathology factors after accounting for the general psychopathology factor. The results of this study suggest that infant motor activity may act as an early indicator of transdiagnostic risk. Our findings inform the etiology of general psychopathology and have implications for the early identification for children at risk for psychopathology.
THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC AND THE BOUNDS OF GRIEF
Authors: Richardson Louise , Ratcliffe Matthew , Millar Becky , Byrne Eleanor
Published: January 2021

This article addresses the question of whether certain experiences that originate in causes other than bereavement are properly termed ‘grief’. To do so, we focus on widespread experiences of grief that have been reported during the Covid-19 pandemic. We consider two potential objections to a more permissive use of the term: (i) grief is, by definition, a response to a death; (ii) grief is subject to certain norms that apply only to the case of bereavement. Having shown that these objections are unconvincing, we sketch a positive case for a conception of grief that is not specific to bereavement, by noting some features that grief following bereavement shares with other experiences of loss.
Hope in end-of-life cancer patients: A cross-sectional analysis
Authors: Bovero Andrea , Opezzo Marta , Botto Rossana , Gottardo Francesco , Torta Riccardo
Published: January 2021

Objective

Hope promotes oncology patients’ adaptability to their illness, regardless of the stage of cancer. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of hope in a sample of end-of-life patients and to investigate the possible relationships between hope and a set of clinical and psychosocial measures.

Method

Three hundred and fifty end-of-life oncology patients, with a presumed life expectancy of 4 months or less and a Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) of 50 or lower, were administered the Italian validated versions of a set of rating scales during their first consultation with a psychologist. This included the Herth Hope Index (HHI), Patient Dignity Inventory (PDI), Demoralization Scale (DS), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy (FACIT-Sp), and the Visual Analogue Scale for pain (VAS).

Results

On average, the sample scored between moderate and high on the HHI and the average level of spirituality was high. However, most patients had clinically relevant anxious and depressive symptomatology and high levels of demoralization. Other than the pain scale, the total HHI score significantly correlated with the total scores of all rating scales and their subscales, as well as with the measure of personal religious practice. The “Meaning” FACIT-Sp subscale was found to be the main predictor of hope.

Significance of results

Since hope represents a core need and a tool for patients dealing with their illness, it is essential to implement stage-specific and realistic hope-facilitating interventions and support patients in their search for meaning, which promotes spiritual well-being and appears relevant in fostering hope.
Psychometric properties of burnout measures: a systematic review
Authors: Shoman Y. , Marca S. C. , Bianchi R. , Godderis L. , van der Molen H. F. , Guseva Canu I.
Published: January 2021

Aims

Occupational Burnout (OB) is currently measured through several Patient-Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) and some of them have become widely used in occupational health research and practice. We, therefore, aimed to review and grade the psychometric validity of the five OB PROMs considered as valid for OB measure in mental health professionals (the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), the Pines' Burnout Measure (BM), the Psychologist Burnout Inventory (PBI), the OLdenburg Burnout Inventory (OLBI) and the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory (CBI)).

Methods

We conducted systematic literature searches in MEDLINE, PsycINFO and EMBASE databases. We reviewed studies published between January 1980 and September 2018 following a methodological framework, in which each step of PROM validation, the reference method, analytical technics and result interpretation criteria were assessed. Using the COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement Instruments we evaluated the risk of bias in studies assessing content and criterion validity, structural validity, internal consistency, reliability, measurement error, hypotheses testing and responsiveness of each PROM. Finally, we assessed the level of evidence for the validity of each PROM using the GRADE approach.

Results

We identified 6541 studies, 19 of which were included for review. Fifteen studies dealt with MBI whereas BM, PBI, OLBI and CBI were each examined in only one study. OLBI had the most complete validation, followed by CBI, MBI, BM and PBI, respectively. When examining the result interpretation correctness, the strongest disagreement was observed for MBI (27% of results), BM (25%) and CBI (17%). There was no disagreement regarding PBI and OLBI. For OLBI and CBI, the quality of evidence for sufficient content validity, the crucial psychometric property, was moderate; for MBI, BM and PBI, it was very low.

Conclusion

To be validly and reliably used in medical research and practice, PROM should exhibit robust psychometric properties. Among the five PROMs reviewed, CBI and, to a lesser extent, OLBI meet this prerequisite. The cross-cultural validity of these PROMs was beyond the scope of our work and should be addressed in the future. Moreover, the development of a diagnostic standard for OB would be helpful to assess the sensitivity and specificity of the PROMs and further reexamine their validity.

The study protocol was registered in PROSPERO (CRD 42019124621).
Isolated femoral artery revascularisation with or without iliac inflow improvement – a less invasive surgical option in critical limb ischemia
Authors: Peters Andreas S. , Meisenbacher Katrin , Weber Dorothea , Bisdas Theodosios , Torsello Giovanni , Böckler Dittmar , Bischoff Moritz S. ,   CRITISCH collaborators
Published: January 2021

Summary: Background: Isolated femoral artery revascularisation (iFAR) represents a well-established surgical method in the treatment of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) involving common femoral artery disease. Data for iFAR in multilevel PAD are inconsistent, particularly in patients with critical limb ischemia (CLI). The aim of the study was to evaluate the outcome of iFAR in CLI regarding major amputation and reintervention and to identify associated risk factors for this outcome. Patients and methods: The data used have been derived from the German Registry of Firstline Treatment in Critical Limb Ischemia (CRITISCH). A total of 1200 patients were enrolled in 27 vascular centres. This sub-analysis included patients, which were treated with iFAR with/without concomitant iliac intervention. For detection of risk factors for the combined endpoint of major amputation and/or reintervention, selection of variables for multiple regression was conducted using stepwise forward/backward selection by Akaike’s information criterion. Results: 95 patients were included (mean age: 72 years ± 10.82; 64.2% male). Of those, 32 (33.7%) participants reached the combined endpoint. Risk factor analysis revealed continued tobacco use (odds ratio [OR] 2.316, confidence interval [CI] 0.832–6.674), TASC D-lesion (OR: 2.293, CI: 0.869–6.261) and previous vascular intervention in the trial leg (OR: 2.720, CI: 1.037–7.381) to be associated with reaching the combined endpoint. Conclusions: iFAR provides a reasonable, surgical option to treat CLI. Lesion length (TASC D) seems to have a negative impact on outcome. Further research is required to better define the future role of iFAR for combined femoro-popliteal lesions in CLI – best in terms of a randomised controlled trial.
Transglutaminase 2 crosslinks the glutathione S-transferase tag, impeding protein–protein interactions of the fused protein
Authors: Kim Hyo-Jun , Lee Jin-Haeng , Lee Ki Baek , Shin Ji-Woong , Kwon Mee-ae , Lee Soojin , Jeong Eui Man , Cho Sung-Yup , Kim In-Gyu
Published: January 2021

Glutathione S-transferase (GST) from Schistosoma japonicum has been widely used as a tag for affinity purification and pulldown of fusion proteins to detect protein–protein interactions. However, the reliability of this technique is undermined by the formation of GST-fused protein aggregates after incubation with cell lysates. It remains unknown why this aggregation occurs. Here, we demonstrate that the GST tag is a substrate of transglutaminase 2 (TG2), which is a calcium-dependent enzyme that polyaminates or crosslinks substrate proteins. Mutation analysis identified four glutamine residues in the GST tag as polyamination sites. TG2-mediated modification of the GST tag caused aggregate formation but did not affect its glutathione binding affinity. When incubated with cell lysates, GST tag aggregation was dependent on cellular TG2 expression levels. A GST mutant in which four glutamine residues were replaced with asparagine (GST4QN) exhibited a glutathione binding affinity similar to that of wild-type GST and could be purified by glutathione affinity chromatography. Moreover, the use of GST4QN as a tag reduced fused p53 aggregation and enhanced the induction of p21 transcription and apoptosis in cells treated with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). These results indicated that TG2 interferes with the protein–protein interactions of GST-fused proteins by crosslinking the GST tag; therefore, a GST4QN tag could improve the reproducibility and reliability of GST pulldown experiments.
Restoration of the reduced CLSP activity alleviates memory impairment in Alzheimer disease
Authors: Hashimoto Yuichi , Kusakari Shinya , Nawa Mikiro , Okamoto Koichi , Toyama Yuka , Matsuoka Masaaki
Published: January 2021

Calmodulin-like skin protein (CLSP), a secreted peptide, inhibits neuronal death in cell-based Alzheimer’s disease (AD) models and transgenic overexpression of the CLSP gene suppresses synaptic loss and memory impairment in AD model mice, APPswe/PS1dE9 double transgenic mice (APP/PS1 mice). Despite the anticipated role of CLSP as an AD-suppressing factor, it remains unanswered whether the insufficiency of the CLSP activity is linked to the AD pathogenesis. In this study, we first show that adiponectin, a CLSP potentiator/protector, dominantly determines the CLSP activity in the central nervous system where there are sufficient concentrations of CLSP, higher concentrations of CLSP inhibitors such as apolipoprotein E, and smaller concentrations of adiponectin. We next show that both the levels of brain adiponectin and the intraneuronal levels of SH3BP5, an important effector of the CLSP signal, are reduced in both AD patients and APP/PS1 mice. Finally, the restoration of the CLSP activity by subcutaneous injection of a hybrid peptide named CLSPCOL consisting of CLSP(1-61) and the collagen-homologous region of adiponectin, which has more potent neuroprotective activity than CLSP, is insensitive to the suppression by the CLSP inhibitors, and is efficiently recruited into brains, alleviates dementia and synaptic loss in the aged APP/PS1 mice. Collectively, these results suggest that the reduction in the CLSP activity, likely caused by the reduction in the levels of adiponectin, leads to the insufficient protection of neurons from neurotoxicity in the AD brains and the restoration of the CLSP activity is a promising strategy for the treatment of AD.
Striatal dopamine synthesis capacity in autism spectrum disorder and its relation with social defeat: an [18F]-FDOPA PET/CT study
Authors: Schalbroeck Rik , van Velden Floris H. P. , de Geus-Oei Lioe-Fee , Yaqub Maqsood , van Amelsvoort Therese , Booij Jan , Selten Jean-Paul
Published: January 2021

Alterations in dopamine signalling have been implied in autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and these could be associated with the risk of developing a psychotic disorder in ASD adults. Negative social experiences and feelings of social defeat might result in an increase in dopamine functioning. However, few studies examined dopamine functioning in vivo in ASD. Here we examine whether striatal dopamine synthesis capacity is increased in ASD and associated with social defeat. Forty-four unmedicated, non-psychotic adults diagnosed with ASD and 22 matched controls, aged 18–30 years, completed a dynamic 3,4-dihydroxy-6-[18F]-fluoro-L-phenylalanine positron emission tomography/computed tomography ([18F]-FDOPA PET/CT) scan to measure presynaptic dopamine synthesis capacity in the striatum. We considered unwanted loneliness, ascertained using the UCLA Loneliness Scale, as primary measure of social defeat. We found no statistically significant difference in striatal dopamine synthesis capacity between ASD and controls (F1,60 = 0.026,p = 0.87). In ASD, striatal dopamine synthesis capacity was not significantly associated with loneliness (β = 0.01,p = 0.96). Secondary analyses showed comparable results when examining the associative, limbic, and sensorimotor sub-regions of the striatum (allp-values > 0.05). Results were similar before and after adjusting for age, sex, smoking-status, and PET/CT-scanner-type. In conclusion, in unmedicated, non-psychotic adults with ASD, striatal dopamine synthesis capacity is not increased and not associated with social defeat.
Fear-induced brain activations distinguish anxious and trauma-exposed brains
Authors: Wen Zhenfu , Marin Marie-France , Blackford Jennifer Urbano , Chen Zhe Sage , Milad Mohammed R.
Published: January 2021

Translational models of fear conditioning and extinction have elucidated a core neural network involved in the learning, consolidation, and expression of conditioned fear and its extinction. Anxious or trauma-exposed brains are characterized by dysregulated neural activations within regions of this fear network. In this study, we examined how the functional MRI activations of 10 brain regions commonly activated during fear conditioning and extinction might distinguish anxious or trauma-exposed brains from controls. To achieve this, activations during four phases of a fear conditioning and extinction paradigm in 304 participants with or without a psychiatric diagnosis were studied. By training convolutional neural networks (CNNs) using task-specific brain activations, we reliably distinguished the anxious and trauma-exposed brains from controls. The performance of models decreased significantly when we trained our CNN using activations from task-irrelevant brain regions or from a brain network that is irrelevant to fear. Our results suggest that neuroimaging data analytics of task-induced brain activations within the fear network might provide novel prospects for development of brain-based psychiatric diagnosis.
Correction: miR-199b-5p-DDR1-ERK signalling axis suppresses prostate cancer metastasis via inhibiting epithelial-mesenchymal transition
Authors: Zhao Zhigang , Zhao Shankun , Luo Lianmin , Xiang Qian , Zhu Zhiguo , Wang Jiamin , Liu Yangzhou , Luo Jintai
Published: January 2021

A Correction to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41416-020-01258-w
FV-429 induces autophagy blockage and lysosome-dependent cell death of T-cell malignancies via lysosomal dysregulation
Authors: Hu Po , Wang Jubo , Qing Yingjie , Li Hui , Sun Wenzhuo , Yu Xiaoxuan , Hui Hui , Guo Qinglong , Xu Jingyan
Published: January 2021

It is widely accepted that lysosomes are essential for cell homeostasis, and autophagy plays an important role in tumor development. Here, we found FV-429, a synthetic flavonoid compound, inhibited autophagy flux, promoted autophagosomes accumulation, and inhibited lysosomal degradation in T-cell malignancies. These effects were likely to be achieved by lysosomal dysregulation. The destructive effects of FV-429 on lysosomes resulted in blockage of lysosome-associated membrane fusion, lysosomal membrane permeabilization (LMP), and cathepsin-mediated caspase-independent cell death (CICD). Moreover, we initially investigated the effects of autophagy inhibition by FV-429 on the therapeutic efficacy of chemotherapy and found that FV-429 sensitized cancer cells to chemotherapy agents. Our findings suggest that FV-429 could be a potential novel autophagy inhibitor with notable antitumor efficacy as a single agent.
The effect of natural fillers on the marine biodegradation behaviour of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV)
Authors: Meereboer Kjeld W. , Pal Akhilesh K. , Cisneros-López Erick O. , Misra Manjusri , Mohanty Amar K.
Published: January 2021

Worldwide, improper disposal of plastics is instigating environmental initiatives to combat plastics accumulation of in the environment and the world’s oceans. Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) biocomposites with Miscanthus (Misc) fibres and distillers’ dried grains with solubles (DDGS) were studied to ascertain if natural fibres and proteinaceous fillers can improve polyhydroxyalkanoate marine biodegradability. Using ASTM standard D7991-15, the biodegradation of PHBV, PHBV with Misc (15 and 25 wt%) and PHBV with DDGS (15 and 25 wt%) was performed in a simulated marine environment for the first time, as indicated by a literature survey. PHBV/Misc (85/15) and (75/25) biocomposites showed 15 and 25% more biodegradation compared to PHBV, respectively. Proteinaceous PHBV/DDGS (85/15) and (75/25) biocomposites showed 17 and 40% more biodegradation compared to PHBV, respectively. Furthermore, PHBV/Misc (75/25) and PHBV/DDGS (75/25) biocomposites were marine biodegraded in 412 and 295 days, respectively. In conclusion, proteinaceous fillers (DDGS) biocomposites have better marine biodegradability than miscanthus.
Survivin and caspases serum protein levels and survivin variants mRNA expression in sepsis
Authors: Miliaraki Marianna , Briassoulis Panagiotis , Ilia Stavroula , Polonifi Aikaterini , Mantzourani Marina , Briassouli Efrossini , Vardas Konstantinos , Nanas Serafim , Pistiki Aikaterini , Theodorakopoulou Maria , Tavladaki Theonymfi , Spanaki Anna Maria , Kondili Eumorfia , Dimitriou Helen , Tsiodras Sotirios , Georgopoulos Dimitrios , Armaganidis Apostolos , Daikos George , Briassoulis George
Published: January 2021

Sepsis is a dysregulated host response to infection related to devastating outcomes. Recently, interest has been shifted towards apoptotic and antiapoptotic pathobiology. Apoptosis is executed through the activation of caspases regulated by a number of antiapoptotic proteins, such as survivin. The survivin and caspases’ responses to sepsis have not yet been elucidated. This is a multicenter prospective observational study concerning patients with sepsis (n = 107) compared to patients with traumatic systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) (n = 75) and to healthy controls (n = 89). The expression of survivin was quantified through real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction for the different survivin splice variants (wild type-WT, ΔEx3, 2B, 3B) in peripheral blood leukocytes. The apoptotic or antiapoptotic tendency was specified by measuring survivin-WT, caspase-3, and -9 serum protein concentrations through enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The survivin-WT, -2B, -ΔΕx3 mRNA, survivin protein, and caspases showed an escalated increase in SIRS and sepsis, whereas survivin-3B was repressed in sepsis (p < 0.05). Survivin correlated with IL-8 and caspase-9 (p < 0.01). For discriminating sepsis, caspase-9 achieved the best receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) of 0.95. In predicting mortality, caspase-9 and survivin protein achieved an AUROC of 0.70. In conclusion, specific apoptotic and antiapoptotic pathways might represent attractive targets for future research in sepsis.
Isolation, modification and characterisation of cellulose from wild Dioscorea bulbifera
Authors: Ogunjobi Joseph Kolawole , Balogun Olayinka Mary
Published: January 2021

This study attempted to valorise wildDioscorea bulbiferayam presently known to be poisonous and inedible obtained from three sources. The functional properties as well as its chemical composition were determined and isolated. Isolated cellulose was modified by the actions of sodium hydroxide and maleic anhydride. The biomass, isolated products and modified cellulose were characterized. Results showed that the highest cellulose obtained was 82.6%. FT-IR results showed successful modification of cellulose with the presence of a carbonyl (C = O) adsorption band at around 1725 cm-1. SEM images and XRD data showed a clear decrease in crystallinity but a slight increase in crystallite size after modification of the mercerized cellulose. TGA results showed the polymers degraded between 284 and 414 °C. The study reveals that the modified cellulose has potential application as an adsorbent and industrial material.