bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Vasor: Accurate prediction of variant effects for amino acid substitutions in MDR3
Authors: Behrendt Annika , Golchin Pegah , König Filip , Mulnaes Daniel , Stalke Amelie , Dröge Carola , Keitel Verena , Gohlke Holger
Published: February 2022

Background / Rationale

The phosphatidylcholine floppase MDR3 is an essential hepatobiliary transport protein. MDR3 dysfunction is associated with various liver diseases, ranging from severe progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis to transient forms of intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy and familial gallstone disease. Single amino acid substitutions are often found as causative of dysfunction, but identifying the substitution effect inin vitrostudies is time- and cost-intensive.

Main results

We developed Vasor (Variantassessorof MDR3), a machine learning-based model to classify novel MDR3 missense variants into the categories benign or pathogenic. Vasor was trained on the, to date, largest dataset specific for MDR3 of benign and pathogenic variants and uses general predictors, namely EVE, EVmutation, PolyPhen-2, I-Mutant2.0, MUpro, MAESTRO, PON-P2, and other variant properties such as half-sphere exposure, PTM site, and secondary structure disruption as input. Vasor consistently outperformed the integrated general predictors and the external prediction tool MutPred2, leading to the current best prediction performance for MDR3 single-site missense variants (on an external test set: F1-score: 0.90, MCC: 0.80). Furthermore, Vasor predictions cover the entire sequence space of MDR3. Vasor is accessible as a webserver athttps://cpclab.uni-duesseldorf.de/mdr3_predictor/for users to rapidly obtain prediction results and a visualization of the substitution site within the MDR3 structure.

Conclusion

The MDR3-specific prediction tool Vasor can provide reliable predictions of single site amino acid substitutions, giving users a fast way to assess initially whether a variant is benign or pathogenic.
Technological intelligence for circular supply chain: a co-citation analysis approach
Authors: Kirbac Aynur , Burmaoglu Serhat , Ozdemir Gungor Dilek
Published: February 2022

Purpose

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the supply chains, and this brought researchers and practitioners to think about more on circular supply chains (CSC). The CSC concept has been discussed in the literature more than a decade. This study aims to find out the theoretical roots of CSC by analyzing scholarly articles in literature.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses document cocitation analysis for reaching this aim. After retrieving data from Web of Science database, this paper explores data set by considering used references of these publications and clusters them based on their title terms and visualizes them by using cosine similarity index.

Findings

This paper concludes that CSC is mainly discussed along with sustainability, sustainable supply chains and green supply chains, where the focus is integrating circular economy principles to supply chain management (SCM). On the other hand, although resiliency is an essential characteristic of SCM, contribution of CSC to supply chain resilience is neglected in the literature.

Research limitations/implications

CSC will gain importance in near future to increase national/firm productivity, and findings of this paper will give researchers insights for furthering their studies.

Social implications

To avoid supply chain and market collapse caused by natural disruptions, supply chain resilience is of paramount importance. According to the findings of this paper, the authors believe that business resilience in COVID-19-restricted environment may have exit point by using circular perspective.

Originality/value

The importance of CSC has increased due to the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, this unique study was undertaken to investigate the evolution of this crucial topic with evidence from the literature through a cocitation analysis.
Populist communication among usual and unusual suspects: A longitudinal analysis of the communication of Finnish party leaders during parliamentary elections (2007–2019)
Authors: Järviniemi Jon
Published: February 2022

A great deal of scholarly attention has been devoted to the success of populist actors around the world. However, to a lesser extent, the focus has been directed towards the way in which populist political communication is used by other parties and how populist political communication has developed over time. Hence, this article takes a longitudinal approach to examine how Finnish party leaders have used populist communication during four parliamentary elections and if populist communication is contagious. This study argues that populism is best understood as a discursive frame, combined with the necessary element of people centrism with antielitism and/or exclusion of ‘dangerous others’. Manual content analysis has been used to measure the usage of populism in Finnish party leader interviews during the parliamentary elections between 2007 and 2019. The analysis reveals that several party leaders used populist political communication and that an increase in its overall usage occurred during the 2011 parliamentary election. Most commonly, populism was used by the Finns Party's leaders and by leaders of other niche parties in the opposition. However, in the 2011 parliamentary election, certain mainstream parties also used populist political communication. The article critically examines the idea of a populist Zeitgeist and the contagious effect of populist political communication as an explanation for the significant increase in populist political communication. The article suggests that populist communication spreads to certain parties, but to speak of a full‐blown populist Zeitgeist seems exaggerated in a consensus‐seeking multiparty democracy.
On the theoretical foundations of the ‘Philosophy for Children’ programme
Authors: Figueiredo Florian Franken
Published: February 2022

According to Matthew Lipman, one of the founders of the Philosophy for Children (P4C) programme, critical thinking improves reasonableness and the exercise of good judgement, both of which Lipman takes to be necessary to sustaining a democratic society. Against his view, I argue that although critical thinking can be done well or badly, it does not necessarily lead to the exercise of good judgement given that the value of judgements is not purely a matter of mere algorithmic calculation or instrumental means/end reasoning. The fact that Lipman's critical thinking approach does not justify the values that guide the community of inquiry may potentially lead to epistemic injustice within the community. One way to avoid this threat is to justify the programme's meta-philosophical assumptions by articulating and seeking to justify its epistemological foundations. I discuss different attempts to do this, arguing that none of the epistemological foundations offered can support P4C's basic assumption that critical thinking entails good judgement (where this is conceived of as a constitutively normative ability that meets the standards of ‘practical wisdom’ or moral virtue). Given these inconsistencies and lacunae, I offer a new perspective on how the process of inquiry could be conceived. Developing ideas outlined by Gilbert Ryle and Ludwig Wittgenstein, I argue that the process of inquiry may be valuable if conceived of as conceptual analysis that aims at perspicuous representations.
Public History Play‐Acting After All: Commentary on a Confederate Battle Flag Exhibition in Virginia
Authors: Macaluso Laura A.
Published: February 2022

Using a Confederate battle flag exhibit as the centre of discussion, this article examines the creation and implementation of an exhibition held in January 2020 around the history and public presentation of a divisive object. Purported to be a ‘community’‐driven project, the exhibition tried to balance different aims for different publics, never taking a direct position on the problem of the presence and use of Lost Cause ideology in the Commonwealth of Virginia, even in the midst of ever‐increasing recognition that Black Lives Matter. Although the exhibition was created and opened before the death of George Floyd in the spring of 2020, Virginia suffered a devastating loss in 2017 when the Unite the Right Rally appeared with tiki‐torches on the campus of the University of Virginia in Charlottesville. Ninety miles south, in Lynchburg, the city's public museum went forward with a Confederate flag exhibit despite protest from several board members and members of the public. The exhibit is a review in light of the events of 2020.
Pathways for primary care practice adoption of patient engagement strategies
Authors: Miller‐Rosales Chris , Miake‐Lye Isomi M. , Brewster Amanda L. , Shortell Stephen M. , Rodriguez Hector P.
Published: February 2022

Objective

To identify potential orderings of primary care practice adoption of patient engagement strategies overall and separately for interpersonally and technologically oriented strategies.

Data Sources

We analyzed physician practice survey data (n = 71) on the adoption of 12 patient engagement strategies.

Study Design

Mokken scale analysis was used to assess latent traits among the patient engagement strategies.

Data Collection

Three groupings of patient engagement strategies were analyzed: (1) all 12 patient engagement strategies, (2) six interpersonally oriented strategies, and (3) six technologically oriented strategies.

Principal Findings

We did not find scalability among all 12 patient engagement strategies, however, separately analyzing the subgroups of six interpersonally and six technologically oriented strategies demonstrated scalability (Loevinger's H coefficient of scalability [range]: interpersonal strategies, H = 0.54 [0.49–0.60], technological strategies, H = 0.42 [0.31, 0.54]). Ordered patterns emerged in the adoption of strategies for both interpersonal and technological types.

Conclusions

Common pathways of practice adoption of patient engagement strategies were identified. Implementing interpersonally intensive patient engagement strategies may require different physician practice capabilities than technological strategies. Rather than simultaneously adopting multiple patient engagement strategies, gradual and purposeful practice adoption may improve the impact of these strategies and support sustainability.
Repurposing fish waste into gelatin as a potential alternative for mammalian sources: A review
Authors: Yang Huijuan , Wang Haifeng , Huang Min , Cao Guangtian , Tao Fei , Shen Qing , Zhou Guanghong , Yang Hongshun
Published: February 2022

Mammalian gelatin is extensively utilized in the food industry because of its physicochemical properties. However, its usage is restricted and essentially prohibited for religious people. Fish gelatin is a promising alternative with no religious and social restrictions. The desirable properties of fish gelatin can be significantly improved by various methods, such as the addition of active compounds, enzymes, and natural crosslinking agents (e.g., plant phenolics and genipin), and nonthermal physical treatments (e.g., ionizing radiation and high pressure). The aim of this study was to explore whether the properties of fish gelatin (gel strength, melting or gelling temperature, odor, viscosity, sensory properties, film‐forming ability, etc.) could be improved to make it comparable to mammalian gelatin. The structure and properties of gelatins obtained from mammalian and fish sources are summarized. Moreover, the modification methods used to ameliorate the properties of fish gelatin, including rheological (gelling temperature from 13–19°C to 23–25°C), physicochemical (gel strengths from ∼200 to 250 g), and thermal properties (melting points from ∼25 to 30°C), are comprehensively discussed. The relevant literature reviewed and the technological advancements in the industry can propel the development of fish gelatin as a potential alternative to mammalian gelatin, thereby expanding its competitive market share with increasing utility.
Effect of high frequency versus theta‐burst repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation on suicidality in patients with treatment‐resistant depression
Authors: Mehta Shobha , Downar Jonathan , Mulsant Benoit H. , Voineskos Daphne , Daskalakis Zafiris J. , Weissman Cory R. , Vila‐Rodriguez Fidel , Blumberger Daniel M.
Published: February 2022

Objective

To investigate the effect of 10 Hz repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and intermittent theta‐burst stimulation (iTBS) on suicidality in patients with treatment‐resistant depression (TRD).

Methods

We used data from a three‐site randomized clinical trial comparing 10 Hz rTMS and iTBS applied to the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) in patients with TRD. We compared the effect of 10Hz rTMS and iTBS on suicidality as measured by the suicide item of the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale 17‐item (HDRS‐17).

Results

Suicidality remitted in 71 (43.7%) participants randomized to 10Hz stimulation and 91 (49.1%) participants randomized to iTBS, without a significant difference between the proportions in the two groups (Χ2 = 0.674, df = 1, p = 0.4117). There was a significant correlation between change in suicidality and change in depression severity for both modalities (10 Hz, Pearson's r = 0.564; iTBS, Pearson's r = 0.502), with a significantly larger decrease in depression severity for those in whom suicidality remitted compared to those in whom it did not (t = 10.912, df = 276.8, p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Both 10 Hz and iTBS rTMS were effective in reducing suicidality in TRD. Future trials of iTBS for depression should include discrete measures of suicidality.
Woody plant encroachment constrains regeneration of ground‐layer species in a neotropical savanna from seeds
Authors: Pinheiro Luiz Felipe Souza , Kansbock Leticia , Rossatto Davi Rodrigo , Kolb Rosana Marta
Published: February 2022

Woody plants have been encroaching into savannas on a global scale. Global climatic changes, along with changes to disturbance regimes, are considered to be the main drivers of this process. Particularly, many formerly open physiognomies of the Brazilian savanna have become encroached by woody species over the course of a few decades under fire suppression. In this scenario, many typical savanna species of the ground‐layer are reducing their above‐ground presence, possibly due to change in environmental filtering as a result of encroachment. Consequently, at encroachment sites, changes to microhabitats occur, such as less incident light to the soil surface, reduced red:far‐red ratios and soil surface temperatures, and increased litter deposition. These changes may hinder the regenerative capacity of ground‐layer savanna species. This study investigated the role of encroachment‐induced environmental changes as filters for the recruitment ability of ground‐layer savanna species. We examined the germination and seedling emergence of 12 species under controlled conditions, simulating natural aspects of encroached and non‐encroached sites of the Brazilian savanna. The germination and/or seedling emergence of all species examined were/was negatively affected by the simulated environmental filtering changes. Increased litter deposition reduced seedling emergence more than temperature and light affected germination. Filtering changes caused by woody encroachment represent a bottleneck for the regeneration from seeds of ground‐layer savanna species. Filtering changes by woody encroachment is one of the underlying mechanism explaining changes in species presence in savannas, and it ultimately leads to positive feedback loops wherein woody encroachment begets more woody encroachment.
What shapes research and research capacity building in rural health services? Context matters
Authors: Wong Shee Anna , Quilliam Claire , Corboy Denise , Glenister Kristen , McKinstry Carol , Beauchamp Alison , Alston Laura , Maybery Darryl , Aras Drew , Mc Namara Kevin
Published: February 2022

Objective

To determine the contextual factors influencing research and research capacity building in rural health settings.

Design

Qualitative study using semi‐structured telephone interviews to collect data regarding health professionals’ research education and capacity building. Analysis involved inductive coding using Braun and Clark’s thematic analysis; and deductive mapping to the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR).

Setting

Victorian rural health services and university campuses.

Participants

Twenty senior rural health managers, academics and/or research coordinators. Participants had at least three years’ experience in rural public health, health‐related research or health education settings.

Main outcome measures

Contextual factors influencing the operationalisation and prioritisation of research capacity building in rural health services.

Results

Findings reflected the CFIR domains and constructs: intervention characteristics (relative advantage); outer setting (cosmopolitanism, external policies and incentives); inner setting (implementation climate, readiness for implementation); characteristics of individuals (self‐efficacy); and process (planning, engaging). Findings illustrated the implementation context and the complex contextual tensions, which either prevent or enhance research capacity building in rural health services.

Conclusions

Realising the Australian Government’s vision for improved health service provision and health outcomes in rural areas requires a strong culture of research and research capacity building in rural health services. Low levels of rural research funding, chronic workforce shortages and the tension between undertaking research and delivering health care, all significantly impact the operationalisation and prioritisation of research capacity building in rural health services. Effective policy and investment addressing these contextual factors is crucial for the success of research capacity building in rural health services.
Patient‐reported outcomes of a short hospital stay after total knee replacement in a regional public hospital: a prospective cohort treated 2018–2019
Authors: Fatima Manaal , Scholes Corey J , Tutty Amanda , Ebrahimi Milad , Genon Michel , Martin Samuel J.
Published: February 2022

Background

Patient‐reported outcomes and satisfaction following short length of stay (LoS) after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in the Australian regional context remain unexplored. This study reports complications, outcomes and satisfaction of patients discharged from an enhanced recovery protocol (ERP), 6 weeks after TKA in a regional hospital.

Methods

Prospective recruitment occurred between 2018 and 2019. Demographics, intraoperative data, complications and emergency department (ED) presentations were retrieved from hospital records. Complications were graded for severity using a published scale. Knee range of motion (ROM), timed up‐and‐go (TUG), 6‐min walk test (6MWT) and Oxford Knee Scores (OKS) were assessed preoperatively and 6 weeks postoperatively. Patient satisfaction was assessed via questionnaire at the postoperative follow‐up.

Results

One hundred patients/117 primary TKAs were prospectively included. Median LoS was 2 days (interquartile range 1–3 days) with 74.4% and 88.4% of patients satisfied with their knee and LoS, at 6 weeks respectively. Twenty‐seven patients presented to the ED a total of 37 times with complication severity of Grade III or less, and 10 patients were readmitted. Significant improvements in objective and subjective outcomes were observed, however only change in median OKS exceeded the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) threshold.

Conclusion

An enhanced recovery protocol after TKA in a regional hospital can achieve a median LoS of 2 days without compromising patient‐reported outcomes and objective functional measures, whilst maintaining a high level of patient satisfaction with both the surgery and LoS. Further work is required to better optimize management of largely low‐grade complications in this patient population.
Functional Data Analysis for Longitudinal Data with Informative Observation Times
Authors: Weaver Caleb , Xiao Luo , Lu Wenbin
Published: February 2022

In functional data analysis for longitudinal data, the observation process is typically assumed to be noninformative, which is often violated in real applications. Thus, methods that fail to account for the dependence between observation times and longitudinal outcomes may result in biased estimation. For longitudinal data with informative observation times, we find that under a general class of shared random effect models, a commonly used functional data method may lead to inconsistent model estimation while another functional data method results in consistent and even rate-optimal estimation. Indeed, we show that the mean function can be estimated appropriately via penalized splines and that the covariance function can be estimated appropriately via penalized tensor-product splines, both with specific choices of parameters. For the proposed method, theoretical results are provided, and simulation studies and a real data analysis are conducted to demonstrate its performance.
Endocrine disorders in obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome: A bidirectional relationship
Authors: Akset Maud , Poppe Kris Gustave , Kleynen Pierre , Bold Ionela , Bruyneel Marie
Published: February 2022

Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is a common disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of apnoea or hypopnea due to total or partial pharyngeal collapse and temporary upper airway obstruction during sleep. The prevalence of OSA is increasing and currently affects about 30% of men and 13% of women in Europe. Intermittent hypoxia, oxidative stress, systemic inflammation, and sleep fragmentation resulting from OSA can provoke subsequent cardiometabolic disorders. The relationships between endocrine disorders and OSA are complex and bidirectional. Indeed, several endocrine disorders are risk factors for OSA. Compared with the general population, the prevalence of OSA is increased in patients with obesity, hypothyroidism, acromegaly, Cushing syndrome, and type 1 and 2 diabetes. In some cases, treatment of the underlying endocrine disorder can improve, and occasionally cure, OSA. On the other hand, OSA can also induce endocrine disorders, particularly glucose metabolism abnormalities. Whether continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment for OSA can improve these endocrine disturbances remains unclear due to the presence of several confounding factors. In this review, we discuss the current state‐of‐the‐art based on the review of the current medical literature for key articles focusing on the bidirectional relationship between endocrine disorders and OSA and the effects of treatment. Screening of OSA in endocrine patients is also discussed, as it remains a subject of debate.
eIF3a‐PPP2R5A‐mediated ATM/ATR dephosphorylation is essential for irinotecan‐induced DNA damage response
Authors: Mei Chao , Sun Ze‐En , Tan Li‐Ming , Gong Jian‐Ping , Li Xi , Liu Zhao‐Qian
Published: February 2022

Objectives

The individual differences and pervasive resistance seriously hinder the optimization of irinotecan‐based therapeutic effectiveness. Eukaryotic translation initiation factor 3a (eIF3a) plays a key role in tumour occurrence, prognosis and therapeutic response. This study focused on the role of eIF3a in irinotecan‐induced DNA damage response.

Materials and Methods

The cck8 cell viability and clone survival analyses were used to test the regulatory role of eIF3a on irinotecan sensitivity in HT29 and CACO2 cell lines in vitro. This regulatory role was also verified in vivo by conducting subcutaneous xenograft model. Irinotecan‐induced DNA damage, cell cycle arrest and apoptosis were tested by flow cytometry analysis, TUNEL staining, western blot and comet assays. The immunofluorescence, co‐IP, luciferase reporter assay, RIP and flow cytometric analyses were carried out to investigate the underline mechanism.

Results

We demonstrated that eIF3a continuously activates ATM/ATR signal by translationally inhibiting PPP2R5A, a phosphatase that directly dephosphorylates and inactivates ATM/ATR after DNA repair complete. Suppression of PPP2R5A resulted in chronic ATM/ATR phosphorylation and activation, impairing DNA repair and enhancing irinotecan sensitivity.

Conclusions

Our study suggested eIF3a with a high potential to influence phenotypic functions, which may contribute substantially to the early identification of susceptible individuals and the provision of personalized medication to irinotecan‐treated patients.
Color tissue doppler imaging of tricuspid annular plane systolic and diastolic excursion in children: A comparison of normal, volume‐overloaded and pressure overloaded right ventricles
Authors: Malakan Rad Elaheh , Amani Sude , Ilali Hamidreza Mirzaei , Sedaghat Abdullah , Zanjani Keyhan Sayadpour , Moghadam Ehsan Aghaei , Shabanian Reza , Zeinaloo Ali Akbar
Published: February 2022

Background

Tricuspid annular plane (TAP) systolic excursion (TAPSE) is a reproducible M‐mode parameter for the measurement of longitudinal shortening of the right ventricle (RV). To date, all attention has been focused on the systolic excursion of TAP and the diastolic excursion of the annular plane back to the base has been ignored. This study aims to compare the quantitative (excursion, slope, and duration) and qualitative (velocity, acceleration, and indentation) characteristics of TAP systolic and diastolic excursion, using color tissue Doppler imaging, in three groups of children with normal RV (NORV), volume overloaded RV (VORV), and pressure overloaded RV (PORV) and normal pulmonary arterial pressure.

Subjects and methods

A prospective case‐control study was performed in three groups of children with normal heart, VORV and PORV. TAPSE and tricuspid annular plane diastolic excursion (TAPDE) were quantitatively and qualitatively analyzed and compared between the three groups. Statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows.

Results

TAPSE, TAPDE, TAPSE slope, TAPSE slope/TAPDE slope, TAPDE duration and TAPDE duration/RR interval were lower in PORV (TAPSE: PORV: 14.45 ± 4.30, NORV: 20.45 ± 5.46, P = .003, TAPDE:PORV: 14.39 ± 4.61, NORV: 20.28 ± 5.65, P = .004, TAPSE slope:PORV: 4.79 ± 1.40, NORV: 7.15 ± 1.98, P = .001, .001, TAPDE duration:PORV: 201.1 ± 87.9 ms, NORV: 292.1 ± 97.9, P = .006, TAPDE duration/RR interval: PORV: .37 ± .09, NORV: .48 ± .08, P = .0002).

Conclusion

Pressure‐overload on RV produced more impairment of TAPSE and TAPDE patterns than volume overload. Values of TAPSE and TAPDE in patients with VORV and PORV stay in two ends of the normal spectrum. The harmful impact of pre‐tricuspid volume overload seems to be less than the post‐tricuspid volume overload.
Longer daylengths associated with poleward range shifts accelerate aphid extinction by parasitoid wasps
Authors: Kehoe Rachel , van Veen Frank
Published: February 2022

Climate change is causing the poleward range‐shift of many species, with consequent modifications to daylight regimes and potential impacts on light‐cycle activity patterns and ecological interactions.

Day‐active parasitoids experiencing longer summer days associated with a poleward range shift display increased attack rates on their aphid hosts and have higher lifetime fecundity. Theory consequently predicts that with increasing photoperiod, host–parasitoid interactions would become less stable with more variable population densities and increased extinction probability.

To test this prediction empirically, we conducted a multigenerational aphid‐parasitoid microcosm experiment in which we followed population dynamics under 14 and 18 h daylight treatments.

As predicted, we found an increased extinction rate of both aphids and parasitoids with longer daylengths. The long‐day treatments also exhibited higher temporal variation in parasitoid numbers and increased cumulative parasitoid population size, consistent with the prediction that increased aphid extinctions are due to increased parasitoid attack rates.

Our results demonstrate that light regime can affect the dynamics of interacting species and potentially limit the co‐existence of hosts and parasitoids, as well as other trophically interacting taxa where activity patterns are dependent on the light regime. This highlights the importance of the rarely considered effect of changing daylight conditions associated with climate change–driven range shifts, which could limit poleward range shifts due to changing ecological interactions.
Association of immunosuppression treatment with generalization among patients with ocular myasthenia gravis: A propensity score analysis
Authors: Ruan Zhe , Guo Rongjing , Zhou Hongyu , Gao Feng , Lin Ye , Xu Quan , Yu Liping , Wu Songdi , Lei Tao , Zhang Min , Gao Yanwu , Lu Xiaodan , Li Huanhuan , Sun Chao , Tang Baoli , Li Zhuyi , Chang Ting
Published: February 2022

Background

To analyze disease generalization in patients with ocular myasthenia gravis (OMG) treated with immunosuppression compared with patients without immunosuppression treatment.

Methods

In this retrospective cohort study, we analyzed data from patients with OMG at seven medical centers in China from January 1, 2015 to May 1, 2019 and compared disease generalization in patients (treated with immunosuppression vs. not treated) within 2 years of disease onset using raw and inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) analyses.

Results

In the study population of 813 patients with OMG, 425 (52.3%) with immunosuppression had a mean (SD) onset age of 50.0 (15.1) years, and 188 (44.2%) were women. The remaining 388 (47.7%) patients were not immunosuppressed (mean age, 48.4 [15.0] years; 185 [47.7%] women). Disease generalization developed in 122 (31.4%) and 37 (8.7%) patients in the non‐immunosuppression and immunosuppression groups, respectively. Relative to non‐immunosuppression, immunosuppression was associated with a lower risk of generalization in a multivariable‐adjusted Cox model (hazard ratio [HR] 0.27; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.18–0.40; p < 0.001) and IPTW‐weighted Cox model (HR 0.28; 95% CI 0.19–0.42; p < 0.001). In sensitivity analyses, longer duration of immunosuppression was associated with a lower risk of generalization (HR 0.90 for every 1‐month increase; 95% CI 0.87–0.92; p < 0.001; IPTW‐adjusted). Combination therapy with steroids and non‐steroidal immunosuppressants showed superior efficacy in reducing the risk of generalization (HR 0.14; 95% CI 0.07–0.26; p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Immunosuppression significantly reduced the 2‐year risk of generalization in patients with OMG.
Satellite data reveal differential responses of Swiss forests to unprecedented 2018 drought
Authors: Sturm Joan , Santos Maria J. , Schmid Bernhard , Damm Alexander
Published: February 2022

Extreme events such as the summer drought of 2018 in Central Europe are projected to occur more frequently in the future and may cause major damages including increased tree mortality and negative impacts on forest ecosystem services. Here, we quantify the response of >1 million forest pixels of 10 × 10 m across Switzerland to the 2018 drought in terms of resistance, recovery, and resilience. We used the Normalized Difference Water Index (NDWI) derived from Sentinel‐2 satellite data as a proxy for canopy water content and analyzed its relative change. We calculated NDWI change between the 2017 pre‐drought and 2018 drought years (indicating resistance), 2018 and the 2019 post‐drought (indicating recovery), and between 2017–2019 (indicating resilience). Analyzing the data from this large natural experiment, we found that for 4.3% of the Swiss forest the NDWI declined between 2017 and 2018, indicating areas with low resistance of the forest canopy to drought effects. While roughly 50% of this area recovered, in 2.7% of the forested area NDWI continued to decline from 2018 to 2019, suggesting prolonged negative effects or delayed damage. We found differential forest responses to drought associated with site topographic characteristics and forest stand characteristics, and to a lesser extent with climatic conditions and interactions between these drivers. Low drought resistance and high recovery were most prominent at forest edges, but also on south‐facing slopes and lower elevations. Tree functional type was the most important driver of drought resilience, with most of the damage in stands with high conifer abundance. Our results demonstrate the suitability of satellite‐based quantification of drought‐induced forest damage at high spatial resolution across large areas. Such information is important to predict how local site characteristics may impact forest vulnerability to future extreme events and help in the search for appropriate adaptation strategies.
A working guide to harnessing generalized dissimilarity modelling for biodiversity analysis and conservation assessment
Authors: Mokany Karel , Ware Chris , Woolley Skipton N. C. , Ferrier Simon , Fitzpatrick Matthew C.
Published: February 2022

Aim

Generalized dissimilarity modelling (GDM) is a powerful and unique method for characterizing and predicting beta diversity, the change in biodiversity over space, time and environmental gradients. The number of studies applying GDM is expanding, with increasing recognition of its value in improving our understanding of the drivers of biodiversity patterns and in implementing a wide variety of spatial assessments relevant to biodiversity conservation. However, apart from the original presentation of the GDM technique, there has been little guidance available to users on applying GDM to different situations or on the key modelling decisions required.

Innovation

We present an accessible working guide to GDM. We describe the context for the development of GDM, present a simple statistical explanation of how model fitting works, and step through key considerations involved in data preparation, model fitting, refinement and assessment. We then describe how several novel spatial biodiversity analyses can be implemented using GDM, with code to support broader implementation. We conclude by providing an overview of the range of GDM‐based analyses that have been undertaken to date and identify priority areas for future research and development.

Main conclusions

Our vision is that this working guide will facilitate greater and more rigorous use of GDM as a powerful tool for undertaking biodiversity analyses and assessments.
Are we failing female and racialized academics? A Canadian national survey examining the impacts of the COVID‐19 pandemic on tenure and tenure‐track faculty
Authors: Davis Jennifer C. , Li Eric Ping Hung , Butterfield Mary Stewart , DiLabio Gino A. , Santhagunam Nithi , Marcolin Barbara
Published: February 2022

The novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic caused the abrupt curtailment of on‐campus research activities that amplified impacts experienced by female and racialized faculty. In this mixed‐method study, we systematically and strategically unpack the impact of the shift of academic work environments to remote settings on tenured and tenure‐track faculty in Canada. Our quantitative analysis demonstrated that female and racialized faculty experienced higher levels of stress, social isolation and lower well‐being. Fewer women faculty felt support for health and wellness. Our qualitative data highlighted substantial gender inequities reported by female faculty such as increased caregiving burden that affected their research productivity. The most pronounced impacts were felt among pre‐tenured female faculty. The present study urges university administration to take further action to support female and racialized faculty through substantial organizational change and reform. Given the disproportionate toll that female and racialized faculty experienced, we suggest a novel approach that include three dimensions of change: (1) establishing quantitative metrics to assess and evaluate pandemic‐induced impact on research productivity, health and well‐being, (2) coordinating collaborative responses with faculty unions across the nation to mitigate systemic inequities, and (3) strategically implementing a storytelling approach to amplify the experiences of marginalized populations such as women or racialized faculty and include those experiences as part of recommendations for change.
Circ_0011232 contributes to hepatocellular carcinoma progression through miR‐503‐5p/AKT3 axis
Authors: Ju Andong , Shen Yuhou , Yue Aimin
Published: February 2022

Background

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a type of primary liver cancer with high mortality. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have been confirmed to be involved in the development of HCC, but the functions of circ_0011232 in HCC remain ill‐defined.

Methods

Quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction, western blot assay, or immunohistochemistry assay was performed to determine the levels of circ_0011232, miR‐503‐5p, and AKT3. RNase R assay and actinomycin D assay were conducted to analyze the feature of circ_0011232. Cell Counting Kit‐8 assay, 5‐ethynyl‐2′‐deoxyuridine assay, colony formation assay, flow cytometry analysis, wound‐healing assay, and transwell assay were conducted to evaluate HCC cell proliferation, colony formation, apoptosis, migration, and invasion. Dual‐luciferase reporter assay was carried out to confirm the relationships among circ_0011232, miR‐503‐5p, and AKT3. The murine xenograft assay was conducted to verify the function of circ_0011232 in tumor growth in vivo.

Results

Circ_0011232 and AKT3 were upregulated, while miR‐503‐5p was decreased in HCC tissues and cells. Circ_0011232 knockdown repressed HCC cell proliferation, colony formation, migration, and invasion, and promoted apoptosis in vitro and blocked tumor growth in vivo. MiR‐503‐5p was a target of circ_0011232. MiR‐503‐5p inhibition reversed the effects of circ_0011232 knockdown on HCC cell development. Moreover, AKT3 was confirmed to be a target of miR‐503‐5p, and AKT3 overexpression abolished the inhibitory effects on HCC cell progression caused by miR‐503‐5p.

Conclusion

Circ_0011232 facilitated HCC progression via miR‐503‐5p/AKT3 axis, which might provide a novel treatment strategy for HCC.
Effects of maternal sound stimulation on preterm infants: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Li Yawei , Zhang Jun , Yang Chao , Xia Biying
Published: February 2022

Aims

To evaluate the effects of maternal sound stimulation on preterm infants.

Background

With an increased focus of studies on maternal sound stimulation for preterm infants, there is a need for an up‐to‐date systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials to measure the effects of maternal sound stimulation on preterm infants.

Design

A systematic review and meta‐analysis.

Data sources

We searched PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, CINAHL Complete, VIP Journal Integration Platform, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Data and China Biology Medicine disc from database establishment to 28 April 2021.

Review methods

We conducted the meta‐analysis using Review Manager 5.3. Integrative description was used for data that were not suitable for meta‐analysis.

Results

A total of 380 studies between 1979 and 2021 were retrieved and 26 were included in this systematic review. Maternal sound stimulation could significantly reduce the pain level and increase the comfort level of preterm infants during a painful procedure. Compared with routine care, maternal sound stimulation could help preterm infants achieve better physiological stability by reducing their heart rate and increasing their oxygen saturation.

Conclusion

Maternal sound stimulation is a feasible and effective intervention for preterm infants, which is highly recommended in the clinical setting.
Do credit rating agencies reward fiscal prudence?
Authors: Jalles João T.
Published: February 2022

Governments are responsible for economic policy implementation, and their actions affect financial and capital market outcomes. Specifically, the way fiscal policy is conducted matters when credit agencies have to decide on how to rate a sovereign. This paper empirically assesses the effect of a new time‐varying measure of fiscal counter‐cyclicality on the sovereign credit ratings of the main agencies: Fitch, Standard & Poor's, and Moody's. I focus on a heterogeneous sample of 63 advanced and developing economies between 1980 and 2015. First, we find that the degree of fiscal counter‐cyclicality is generally positive and has been increasing over time, being larger in advanced economies. Second, the more counter‐cyclical a fiscal policy is, the better the assessment a rating agency gives to that country, particularly if it is an advanced one. This suggests that fiscal prudence and stabilization concerns are rewarded. Our results are robust to several sensitivity and robustness checks.
Ambulatory blood pressure response to S‐amlodipine in Korean adult patients with uncontrolled essential hypertension: A prospective, observational study
Authors: Kim Dong Kyun , Ahn Joon Ho , Lee Ki Hong , Kang Si‐Hyuck , Kim Sung Soo , Na Jin Oh , Park Sang Don , Ahn Kye Taek , Lee Jung‐Hee , Jung In Hyun , Seo Jongkwon , Choi Woong Gil
Published: February 2022

Although amlodipine is recommended as the first‐line therapy for the treatment of hypertension, its use is limited by its potential side effects. S‐amlodipine is expected to be able to minimize side effects of amlodipine with a similar antihypertensive effect by removing the malicious R‐chiral form. However, sustainable blood pressure control with S‐amlodipine has not been well established yet. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate ambulatory blood pressure (ABP) profiles before and after a 12‐week treatment of S‐amlodipine. Patients received once‐daily S‐amlodipine 2.5 or 5 mg. ABP during 24 hr and office blood pressure were measured at baseline and after the 12‐week treatment. Primary endpoints were changes of systolic and diastolic 24 hr ABP. After 12‐week S‐amlodipine treatment, mean systolic ABP (‐15.1 ± 16.2 mmHg, p < .001) and diastolic ABP (‐8.9 ± 9.8 mmHg, p < .001) were decreased significantly. Both daytime and night‐time mean systolic BP and diastolic BP were also significantly decreased after the 12‐week treatment. Global trough‐to‐peak ratio and smoothness index after 12‐week S‐amlodipine treatment were .75 and .79 for SBP and .65 and .61 for DBP, respectively. Age ≥65 years (hazard ratio [HR]: 3.13; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.67–14.3) and nonalcohol drinking (HR: 3.09; 95% CI: 1.34–7.17) were independent clinical factors for target ABP achievement. Adverse drug reactions (ADR) were developed in 16 (6.4%) patients, including two (.8%) cases of peripheral edema. In conclusion, this study demonstrated the efficacy and safety of S‐amlodipine in patients with uncontrolled essential hypertension.
Drying of tomato pomace in daylight simulated photovoltaic‐assisted drying system: Effects of daylight intensity and application mode
Authors: Bayana Damla , İçier Filiz
Published: February 2022

It was aimed to dry a by‐product of tomato paste production (tomato pomace) by minimizing the losses valuable components and reducing energy consumption. In this concept, a daylight simulated photovoltaic‐assisted dryer (DPVD) applying the daylight in different modes and intensities during drying was custom‐designed. The effects of daylight applications on the change of some quality characteristics of tomato pomace and system performance characteristics were investigated, and the optimum drying condition was determined. The process conditions included the combination of three different daylight application modes (UV‐blocked daylight via solar tube‐DLST, DLST + LED, and LED) and three different daylight intensities (2,500, 7,500, and 10,000 lux). The drying was applied for 240 min at constant air temperature (60°C) with an air velocity of 2 m/s. The moisture content and the water activity values of dried tomato pomace were 8.86 ± 2.00% and 0.57 ± 0.10%, respectively. The lycopene and β‐carotene losses after drying were determined as 68.36 ± 4.32% and 65.66 ± 4.33%, respectively. The energy and exergy efficiencies of the system were in the range of 19.56%–35.73% and 5.10%–17.05%, respectively. The optimum condition meeting the criteria of superior quality and high‐performance characteristics was obtained by applying DLST at 7,500 lux (desirability 0.728). In the performance improvement studies, it has been concluded that all the energy required for the process could have been fulfilled as 100% from solar energy with the support of photovoltaic panels. In other words, it was demonstrated that the developed DPVD system could be used to dry the tomato pomace not only in terms of providing high food quality and safety, but also in terms of having high energy efficiency.

Practical applications

Exposure to the daylight is important to dry some foods. Especially in north countries, products are dried in artificial dryers, but it requires high energy consumption. In this study, the daylight transfer system was integrated into the artificial dryer for the purpose of using daylight effect in addition to the photovoltaic (PV) assistance for using solar energy. During periods when the solar thermal effect is not intense or in countries where the sun effect is limited, it will be possible to dry food products with the daylight effects via using the DPVD system in suitable microbiological conditions.

In this study, tomato pomace samples, which are the byproduct of tomato paste production, could be dried in daylight simulated PV‐assisted drying system in high quality and with low energy consumption. It is concluded that it can be possible to obtain valuable components from a byproduct having no economical value.
Stakeholders' views on priorities essential for establishing a supportive environment for clinical trials in nursing homes
Authors: Delude Christopher , Abi‐Elias Ivan H. , Quinn Charlene C. , Adams Alyce S. , Magaziner Jay S. , Ito Kouta , Jain Paavani , Gurwitz Jerry H. , Mazor Kathleen M.
Published: February 2022

Background

The U.S. clinical research enterprise in nursing homes was unprepared to mount clinical trials in nursing homes to address urgent questions relevant to prevention and treatment during the COVID‐19 pandemic. We identify priorities essential for establishing a supportive environment for future clinical trials in nursing homes.

Methods

Two cross‐sectional online questionnaires were administered between January and February 2021. One was administered to nursing home providers, researchers, and policymakers; respondents rated the importance of attributes of researchers, facilities, leaders and staff for conducting clinical trials in nursing homes. Because importance may depend on trial type, respondents rated each attribute for efficacy trials (testing an intervention in ideal circumstances) and effectiveness trials (testing an intervention in “real world” circumstances). We calculated the attribute rating means and standard deviations, and used content analysis to characterize open‐ended responses. The second questionnaire for resident family members and advocates included open‐ended questions about nursing home research, and factors influencing willingness to participate.

Results

The attributes rated as most essential for conducting efficacy and effectiveness trials in nursing homes are research team attributes, that is, that researchers recognize regulatory constraints; understand and adapt to nursing home workflow; and work collaboratively with nursing home leaders to identify priorities. Resident and facility diversity emerged as essential for effectiveness trials; important dimensions included resident race, ethnicity and income, as well as nursing home urban/rural location, quality ratings, geography, staffing ratios, size, and profit status. Caregivers and resident advocates stressed the importance of communication among participants, researchers, and nursing home leadership and staff at all stages of a trial.

Conclusion

Developing a robust U.S. clinical research enterprise capable of efficiently mounting future clinical trials in nursing homes will require a reimagining of the relationships that exist between researchers, facilities, nursing home leaders, and residents, with a research infrastructure specifically focused on supporting and fostering these connections.