bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dysarthria syndromes in children with cerebral palsy
Authors: Schölderle Theresa , Haas Elisabet , Ziegler Wolfram
Published: September 2020

Aim

To investigate whether dysarthria syndromes acquired in adulthood can also be observed in children with cerebral palsy (CP) and, if so, whether they align with children’s CP subtypes.

Method

Twenty‐six children with CP participated (mean age 7y 8mo [SD 1y 2mo], 5y 1mo–9y 10mo; 16 males and 10 females). Speech samples were elicited in a computer‐based game and were analysed using the auditory perceptual criteria of the Bogenhausen Dysarthria Scales (BoDyS). For statistical classification, three comparison groups of adults with standard dysarthria syndromes (i.e. spastic, hyperkinetic, and ataxic) were used. Their BoDyS data were entered into a mixture discriminant analysis, with data from the comparison groups as the training sample and those from the children with CP as the test sample. Results were related to findings in a group of adults with CP.

Results

Among the children with CP, most had spastic (n=14), while fewer had ataxic (n=9) or hyperkinetic (n=3), dysarthria. However, syndrome allocations were significantly more ambiguous than in adults with CP. For 11 children, their dysarthria syndromes did not align with their CP subtype.

Interpretation

Dysarthria syndromes are less clear cut in children than in adults with CP because of a number of developmental factors.

What this paper adds

Children with cerebral palsy (CP) show diverse patterns of dysarthric symptoms.

Dysarthria syndromes do not seem to manifest fully during childhood.

Dysarthria syndrome and CP subtype may not align in children with CP.
Aberrant salience in adolescents is related to indicators of psychopathology that are relevant in the prodromal phases of psychosis
Authors: Lisi Giulia , Raballo Andrea , Ribolsi Michele , Niolu Cinzia , Siracusano Alberto , Preti Antonio
Published: September 2020

Aim

Aberrant salience has been considered as a predisposing factor during prodromal phases of psychosis and in ultra high‐risk subjects. Most studies investigated the presence of aberrant salience in general population as a measure of vulnerability to psychosis. This study aimed atinvestigating the level of aberrant salience in a sample of Italian high‐school students.

Methods

Aberrant salience was measured with the Aberrant Salience Inventory (ASI) and its association with measures of general psychopathology (Youth Self Report [YSR]) was tested. A sample of 312 high school students (115 boys, 197 girls; age range: 14 to 19) was recruited.

Results

Within the ASI and the YSR, the subscales did associate with each other at medium to large effect size, while the associations of the ASI subscales to the YRS scales had small effect sizes, indicating that the two tools measure different constructs. Latent Class Analysis revealed a distribution of aberrant salience across three classes with the intermediate class corresponding to more than half of the sample (58.3%). The class with the highest endorsement of the ASI items included 101 subjects (32.4%). Greater differences by classes were found in the “increased significance” and the “impending understanding” subscales. Higher aberrant salience was found on the anxious/depressed, the somatic complaints, and the thought problems scales of the YSR.

Conclusions

Aberrant salience represents a common experience in the adolescent population and is associated with various psychopathological disorders, in particular, thought disorder. Aberrant salience might be involved in proneness to psychosis.
The impact of communicating personal mental ill‐health risk: A randomized controlled non‐inferiority trial
Authors: Choi Isabella , Ho Nicholas , Morris Richard , Harvey Samuel B. , Calvo Rafael A. , Glozier Nicholas
Published: September 2020

Aim

Risk algorithms predicting personal mental ill‐health will form an important component of digital and personalized preventive interventions, yet it is unknown whether informing people of personal risk may cause unintended harm. This trial evaluated the comparative effect of communicating personal mental ill‐health risk profiles on psychological distress.

Methods

Australian participants using a mood‐monitoring app were randomly allocated to receiving their current personal mental ill‐health risk profile (n = 119), their achievable personal risk profile (n = 118) or to a control group (n = 118) in which no risk information was communicated, in a non‐inferiority trial design. The primary outcome was psychological distress at four‐weeks as assessed on the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale.

Results

There was high attrition in the trial with 64% of data missing at follow up. Per‐protocol (completer) analysis found that the lower bounds of the confidence intervals of the estimated mean change of the current risk (m = 0.19, 95% CI: −2.59‐ 2.98) and achievable risk (m = −0.09, 95% CI: −2.84 to 2.66) groups were within the non‐inferiority margin of the control group's mean at follow up. Supplementary intention‐to‐treat analysis using Multivariate Imputation by Chained Equations (MICE) found that 98/100 imputed datasets of the current risk profile group, and all imputed datasets of the achievable risk profile group showed non‐inferiority to the control group.

Conclusions

This study provides preliminary support that providing personal mental health risk profiles does not lead to unacceptable worsening of distress compared to no risk feedback, although this needs to be replicated in a fully powered RCT.
Eleven‐year experience implementing a dental undergraduate research programme in a prestigious dental school in China: Lessons learned and future prospects
Authors: Yu Weijun , Sun Yun , Miao Michael , Li Lyuyuan , Zhang Yu , Zhang Lili , Lu Eryi
Published: September 2020

Objective

To summarise the lessons learned from implementing a dental undergraduate research programme over the past eleven years and identify key elements to guarantee the success of dental undergraduate research in the future.

Material and Methods

An overview of 80 research projects from 2007 to 2017 was provided, consisting of 239 participating undergraduates and 47 faculty advisors. Students’ academic performance was compared between participating and non‐participating undergraduates. An anonymous questionnaire was designed and distributed to participants, with VAS satisfaction assessment, Likert‐scale items and open‐ended questions. Questions focused on overall satisfaction, motivation, benefits to student career development and essential elements for the dental undergraduate research programme in the future.

Results

The undergraduate participants had significantly better scores of GPAs (3.41 vs 3.21; P < 0.0001), obtained more awards on the honour rolls (0.53 vs 0.30; P = 0.0171) and published more peer‐reviewed articles (1.62 vs 1.31; P = 0.0253) than non‐participants. Seventy‐two undergraduates (75.79%) and thirty‐eight advisors (80.85%) responded to the questionnaire. The overall satisfaction was scored as 78.18/100 and 72.36/100 amongst advisors and students, respectively. Interest was considered the best motivation for participation by students (3.81/5.00) and advisors (4.00/5.00). The research programme was beneficial to students’ overall career development. Essential roles played by the dental school, faculty and undergraduates were suggested to improve the research environment.

Conclusion

The dental undergraduate research programme has positive effects on students’ academic performance. The support of the dental school, the engagement of qualified faculty, the interest and autonomy of students and camaraderie amongst these three key elements are essential for the research programme in the future.
Advancing racial equity in oral health (research): more of the same is not enough
Authors: Bastos João L , Constante Helena M , Celeste Roger K , Haag Dandara G , Jamieson Lisa M
Published: September 2020

By critically appraising the literature on the oral health effects of race‐based oppression, this focus article makes four recommendations that may both facilitate more nuanced research on the topic and mitigate racial/ethnic inequities in (oral) health. The first is recognizing that science itself may perpetuate racial/ethnic injustice, such that adopting a ‘neutral’ position must be replaced with actively fostering anti‐racist narratives. The second is to not imply that racial oppression is bad because it harms oral health. Rather, studies should help build a fairer world, wherein oral health inequities would not abound. The third recommendation is encouraging initiatives that understand systems of oppression as conjointly operating to shape oral health. The fourth and final recommendation is taking race‐based oppression as a multi‐level system that operates on three inter‐related conceptual levels – intra‐personal, inter‐personal, and structural. The extent to which scholars, practitioners, and policymakers are willing to follow these recommendations may determine how successful attempts to eradicate (oral) health inequities might be. Learning from, and avoiding mistakes made in, previous publications is one ethical pathway towards this end.
Does It Matter Anymore? A Study of Childhood Characteristics and Separated Families' Contacts in Adulthood
Authors: Palmtag Eva‐Lisa
Published: September 2020

Objective

The study aimed to explore which factors influence intergenerational contacts between adult children and their separated parents, focusing on childhood characteristics.

Background

Children from separated families have less frequent contact with their parents compared with peers from intact families. Yet few studies have examined the heterogeneity in intergenerational contact within separated families.

Methods

Data were based on Swedish Level of Living Survey. Using linear probability model, the first analysis showed that intergenerational contacts vary depending on family type (n = 2,500). The study then explored variations in contacts within separated families (n = 472).

Results

The findings show that previous frequent contacts with the nonresident parent were positively correlated with current father–child contacts.

Conclusion

Separation has long‐term consequences on intergenerational contacts, and these are partly predicted by childhood characteristics.

Implications

The findings suggest, for example, that alternate living (i.e., children living spending equal time with their parents after separation) may contribute to a more equal distribution of the contact between children and their separated parents even in adulthood and help narrow the gender gap in intergenerational contacts within separated families.
Parental Stress and Coparenting Among Adolescent Parents
Authors: Perez‐Brena Norma J. , Duncan Jeneé C. , de Jongh Carolina , Toews Michelle
Published: September 2020

Objective

This research examines the association of parental stress and coparenting dynamics among adolescent mother and father dyads. The current study also examines potential differences between pregnant and parenting dyads in this association.

Background

The early transition to parenthood places adolescents at an elevated risk of negative outcomes. Thus, it is important to understand the mechanisms that might place adolescent parents at risk (parental stress) or promote resilience in the transition to parenthood (coparenting dynamics).

Methods

Using the actor–partner interdependence model, the current study examined how parental stress was associated with coparenting communication and conflict among a sample of 105 predominately Latinx adolescent parent dyads.

Results

Mothers' reports of parental stress were associated with their own and their coparents' report of coparenting communication and conflict. Fathers' parental stress was only associated with their own coparenting conflict. Further, significant differences were not observed between pregnant and parenting dyads.

Conclusion

The results highlight the nuanced gender dynamics between adolescent parents and support the idea that coparenting dynamics are similar across the transition to parenthood.

Implications

These findings suggest that parental stress, especially adolescent mothers' parental stress, has a salient influence on coparenting. Thus, programs and services for adolescent parents might target reducing parental stress to improve coparenting dynamics.
Interannual variation in the coastal distribution of a juvenile gadid in the northeast Pacific Ocean: The relevance of wind and effect on recruitment
Authors: Wilson Matthew T. , Laman Ned
Published: September 2020

Drift of propagules occurs within many populations inhabiting flow fields. This affects the number of propagules that rejoin their source population (recruitment) and plays a role in adaptive spatial redistribution. We focus on the cause and consequence of interannual variation in geographic distribution of population density among five cohorts of young‐of‐the‐year (age‐0) juvenile walleye pollock Gadus chalcogrammus in the western Gulf of Alaska (GOA). The coastal GOA is a wind‐driven advective system. Walleye pollock spawn during spring and their eggs and larvae drift southwestward; by late summer, age‐0 juveniles are variously distributed over the shelf. We found that high population densities of age‐0 juveniles (ca. 6 months old) near the southwestward exit of the Alaska Coastal Current from the GOA corresponded with high abundance of larvae from the major spawning area upstream, but did not translate into high abundance at older ages. Further, offshore and upwelling‐favorable winds were associated with the high downstream abundance and presumed export. In contrast, downwelling‐favorable (northeasterly) wind during and shortly after spawning (April–May) was associated with high recruitment at age 1. Finally, we found that recruitment also increased with apparent retention of age‐0 juveniles in favorable habitat upstream near the main spawning area. We hypothesize that wind‐related retention in superior upstream habitat favors recruitment. Our results argue for including wind‐driven transport in future walleye pollock recruitment models. We encourage more work on the juvenile stage of marine fishes aimed at understanding how transport and species‐specific habitat suitability interact to affect population response to large‐scale forcing.
Tameness correlates with domestication related traits in a Red Junglefowl intercross
Authors: Katajamaa Rebecca , Jensen Per
Published: September 2020

Early animal domestication may have been driven by selection on tameness. Selection on only tameness can bring about correlated selection responses in other traits, not intentionally selected upon, which may be one cause of the domesticated phenotype. We predicted that genetically reduced fear towards humans in Red Junglefowl, ancestors of domesticated chickens, would be correlated to other traits included in the domesticated phenotype. Fear level was determined by a standardised behaviour test, where the reaction towards an approaching human was recorded. We first selected birds for eight generations for either high or low fear levels in this test, to create two divergent selection lines. An F3 intercross, with birds from the eighth generation as parentals, was generated to study correlations between fear‐of‐human scores and other unselected phenotypes, possibly caused by pleiotropy or linkage. Low fear‐of‐human scores were associated with higher body weight and growth rates, and with increased activity in an open field test, indicating less general fearfulness. In females, low fear‐of‐human scores were also associated with more efficient fear habituation and in males with an increased tendency to emit food calls in a mirror test, indicating increased social dominance. Low fear‐of‐human scores were also associated with smaller brain relative to body weight, and with larger cerebrum relative to total brain weight in females. All these effects are in line with the changes observed in domesticated chickens compared to their ancestors, and we conclude that tameness may have been a driving factor underlying some aspects of the domesticated phenotype.
Tickbite‐associated chronic pruritic lesions in an Afro‐descendant population in the Cauca Department, Colombia. I. Clinical features and impact on health
Authors: Weber Niklas , Trujillo‐Trujillo Julian , Krücken Jürgen , Michl Christiane , Hidalgo Maryln E. , Appráez‐Ippolito Giovanni , Castillo Felipe , Feldmeier Hermann , Sunderkötter Cord
Published: September 2020

Background

During a health survey in a remote area in southwest Colombia, it became apparent that a high percentage of the population suffered from chronic pruritus in association with high numbers of ticks and tickbites.

Objective

To determine the clinical features and severity of tickbite‐associated pruritus.

Method

At twotime points – 8 weeks apart to account for seasonal effects – a cross‐sectional study was conducted encompassing physical examination of the population, histological analysis of skin biopsies, and determining serum for antibodies against spotted fever (SFG) rickettsiae and typhus group (TG) rickettsiae. Ticks were identified using morphological criteria, and infection by rickettsiae was determined by PCR.

Results

About 94.5% of the population (95% CI 92–97%) showed clinical signs of a pruritic arthropod reaction and of chronic pruritus with lichenoid papules and hyper‐ and hypopigmented nodules on otherwise noninflamed skin. Pruritus markedly impaired the quality of life in terms of sleeping disturbances. No signs for other diseases were observed. Chronic pruritus appeared to be because of repeated tickbites and scratching, but not because of other dermatological or medical conditions. Antibodies against SFG and TG‐rickettsiae were detected at 79.0% (95% CI 73–86) and 3.6% (95% CI 0.7–6), respectively. Ticks were identified as Amblyomma cajennense.

Conclusion

Remarkably high exposure to tick bites caused an unusually high rate of acute and chronic pruritus and markedly impaired quality of life of the investigated rural community. This underlines the necessity of public health measures and surveillance of rickettsial disease.
Connecting theory with practice: Time to explore social reality and rethink resilience among health professionals
Authors: Aburn Gemma , Hoare Karen , Adams Peter , Gott Merryn
Published: September 2020

Aim

To discuss and contrast different theoretical perspectives of resilience and explore the value these bring to understanding health professional well‐being.

Background

Resilience has been used to describe one characteristic of health professionals who work in challenging areas, such as intensive care units, emergency departments and oncology settings. Studies have reported on how health professionals can become more resilient in these settings—with a focus on individuals—describing the conditions needed to become more resilient.

Design

This is a Discussion paper.

Data Sources

This paper draws on the extant literature to explore theoretical perspectives of social constructionism and social constructivism. These perspectives are then linked to recent literature to support the discussion of how resilience can be understood and considered in the context of health professionals.

Implications for Nursing

Resilience is typically conceptualized at an individual level. This manuscript highlights the broader structural factors which impact health practitioner well‐being. The benefits of a resilient workforce are known to have an impact on the quality of patient care.

Conclusion

This paper argues that resilience should be considered from a social approach that is sensitive to the context, including the relationships an individual has within their social environment.
Prospective cohort 3D study of dental arches in children with bilateral orofacial cleft: Assessment of volume and superimposition
Authors: Ambrosio Eloá Cristina Passucci , Sforza Chiarella , de Menezes Márcio , Carrara Cleide Felício Carvalho , Soares Simone , Machado Maria Aparecida Andrade Moreira , Oliveira Thais Marchini
Published: September 2020

Background

Cohort studies have evaluated dental arches of children.

Aim

To evaluate the volumetric, linear, palatal surface area, and the dental arch superimposition of participants with bilateral complete cleft lip (BCL) and bilateral cleft lip and palate (BCLP) surgically treated in a specialized hospital.

Design

One hundred and thirty six digitized dental models evaluated before cheiloplasty (T1), after cheiloplasty (T2), and after palatoplasty (T3). The stereophotogrammetry software analysed the volume, palate superimposition, linear, and area measurements.

Results

In BCL group, at T2, C–C′, T–T′, area, and volume significantly increased (P = .000, P < .000, P = .010 e P = .003, respectively). In BCLP group, the comparison T3 × T1 showed that C–C′ decreased, whereas T–T′ and the area increased (P < .000, P < .000, P = .000). The volume increased at T2, but decreased at T3 (P < .000) in participants with BCLP. The intergroup analysis revealed that C–C′, T–T′, I–C′, and I–C were significantly smaller in participants with BCLP (P < .000, P = .016, P = .001 e P = .020, respectively), whereas the volume, superimposition, and area were statistically similar between groups (P > .05).

Conclusion

The comparison between bilateral orofacial clefts showed reduction in the transversal and anteroposterior linear measurements, but not in the area and volume, which was confirmed by the superimposition of the dental arches.
An Empirical Study of Operational Performance Parity Following Enterprise System Deployment
Authors: Cotteleer Mark J.
Published: September 2020

This paper presents an empirical investigation into whether the implementation of packaged Enterprise Systems (ES) leads to parity in operational performance. Performance change and parity in operational performance are investigated in three geographically defined operating regions of a single firm. Order lead time, the elapsed time between receipt of an order and shipment to a customer, is used as a measure of operational performance. A single ES installation was deployed across all regions of the subject firm's operations.

Findings illustrate parity as an immediate consequence of ES deployment. However, differences in rates of performance improvement following deployment eventually result in significant (albeit smaller than pre‐deployment) performance differences. An additional consequence of deployment seems to be an increased synchronization of performance across the formerly independent regions.
Morning and evening salivary melatonin, sleepiness and chronotype: A comparative study of nurses on fixed day and rotating night shifts
Authors: Bani Issa Wegdan , Abdul Rahman Hanif , Albluwi Najila , Samsudin A. B. Rani , Abraham Suma , Saqan Roba , Naing Lin
Published: September 2020

Aims

To compare morning and evening salivary melatonin levels, sleep quality and chronotype between nurses working fixed day shifts and those working rotating night shifts.

Background

Rotating night shift work is an inevitable part of nursing and is a major reason for disrupted sleep.

Design

Cross‐sectional comparative design.

Participants and Settings

We used cluster sampling to recruit 520 female nurses working fixed day and rotating night shifts in the United Arab Emirates.

Methods

Morning and evening melatonin were measured from corresponding saliva samples. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index used to evaluate sleep quality and self‐assessment of preferred circadian times was used to assess participants’ chronotypes. Data were collected between October 2017–December 2018.

Results

Rotating night shift nurses had significantly lower evening melatonin compared with the fixed day shift group. No significant difference was found in sleep quality between the groups, although more participants in the rotating night shift group (N = 110, 42.31%) expressed better sleep quality than those in the fixed day group (N = 90, 36.00). Participants in the rotating night shift group expressed better subjective sleep, longer sleep duration, less disturbed sleep and better daily function (p > .05) than the fixed day group. Rotating night shift participants were more likely to have evening or intermediate chronotypes and more likely to report alignment of shift work to their chronotype compared with fixed day shift participants (p = .001). Longer shift duration, marital status and city location were associated with reduced evening melatonin among nurses on rotating night shifts.

Conclusion

Rotating night shift nurses showed evidence of better sleep than those from the fixed day shift. Proper shift assignment, chronotype and alignment with shift work appeared to produce better sleep quality.

Impact

Organizational policy must consider a novel model for work schedules that allow adequate off‐duty days for sleep recovery among nurses.
IFI30 expression is an independent unfavourable prognostic factor in glioma
Authors: Liu Xiu , Song Chunyan , Yang Shoubo , Ji Qiang , Chen Feng , Li Wenbin
Published: September 2020

Gamma‐interferon‐inducible lysosomal thiol reductase, the only known lysosomal thiol reductase, is encoded by gene IFI30 and expressed constitutively in antigen‐presenting cells. Our comprehensive study on IFI30 in gliomas found its expression to be high in glioblastomas and in gliomas with a mesenchymal subtype or wild‐type isocitrate dehydrogenase, all of which indicated the malignancy and poor outcomes of gliomas. Kaplan‐Meier survival analysis ascertained that high IFI30 expression conferred poor outcomes. The IFI30 expression levels also showed high efficiency in predicting 1‐, 3‐ and 5‐year overall survival. Univariable and multivariable Cox regression analyses were performed to define IFI30 as an independent prognostic marker. Biological process analysis suggested that IFI30 was involved in immune responses. ESTIMATE and CIBERSORT were applied to evaluate immune cell infiltration, with results indicating that samples with higher IFI30 expression had higher infiltration of immune cells, including regulatory T cells and M0 macrophages. Correlation analysis showed that IFI30 was significantly positively correlated with immune checkpoints that suppress effective antitumour immune responses. Immunohistochemical staining was also performed to confirm the association between IFI30 expression and the immune phenotype. The suggested correlation between high IFI30 expression and an immunosuppressive phenotype contributes to our knowledge about the glioma microenvironment and might provide clues for the development of novel therapeutic targets.
Recent advances on the roles of LncRNAs in cardiovascular disease
Authors: Fang Yexian , Xu Yuerong , Wang Runze , Hu Lang , Guo Dong , Xue Feng , Guo Wangang , Zhang Dongwei , Hu Jianqiang , Li Yan , Zhang Wei , Zhang Mingming
Published: September 2020

Cardiovascular diseases are a main cause of mortality whose prevalence continues to increase worldwide. Long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs) regulate a variety of biological processes by modifying and regulating transcription of coding genes, directly binding to proteins and even coding proteins themselves. LncRNAs play key roles in the occurrence and development of myocardial infarction, heart failure, myocardial hypertrophy, arrhythmias and other pathological processes that significantly affect the prognosis and survival of patients with cardiovascular diseases. We here review the latest research on lncRNAs in cardiovascular diseases as a basis to formulate future research on prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases.
LncRNA ARAP1‐AS2 promotes high glucose‐induced human proximal tubular cell injury via persistent transactivation of the EGFR by interacting with ARAP1
Authors: Li Xin , Ma Tian‐Kui , Wen Si , Li Lu‐Lu , Xu Li , Zhu Xin‐Wang , Zhang Cong‐Xiao , Liu Nan , Wang Xu , Fan Qiu‐Ling
Published: September 2020

The persistent transactivation of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) causes subsequent activation of the TGF‐β/Smad3 pathway, which is closely associated with fibrosis and cell proliferation in diabetic nephropathy (DN), but the exact mechanism of persistent EGFR transactivation in DN remains unclear. ARAP1, a susceptibility gene for type 2 diabetes, can regulate the endocytosis and ubiquitination of membrane receptors, but the effect of ARAP1 and its natural antisense long non‐coding RNA (lncRNA), ARAP1‐AS2, on the ubiquitination of EGFR in DN is not clear. In this study, we verified that the expression of ARAP1 and ARAP1‐AS2 was significantly up‐regulated in high glucose‐induced human proximal tubular epithelial cells (HK‐2 cells). Moreover, we found that overexpression or knockdown of ARAP1‐AS2 could regulate fibrosis and HK‐2 cell proliferation through EGFR/TGF‐β/Smad3 signalling. RNA pulldown assays revealed that ARAP1‐AS2 directly interacts with ARAP1. Coimmunoprecipitation, dual‐immunofluorescence and ubiquitination assays showed that ARAP1 may maintain persistent EGFR activation by reducing EGFR ubiquitination through competing with Cbl for CIN85 binding. Taken together, our results suggest that the lncRNA ARAP1‐AS2 may promote high glucose‐induced proximal tubular cell injury via persistent EGFR/TGF‐β/Smad3 pathway activation by interacting with ARAP1.
Eva‐1 homolog A promotes papillary thyroid cancer progression and epithelial‐mesenchymal transition via the Hippo signalling pathway
Authors: Lin Bang‐Yi , Wen Jia‐Liang , Zheng Chen , Lin Li‐Zhi , Chen Cheng‐Ze , Qu Jin‐Miao
Published: September 2020

Recently, the incidence of thyroid cancer is increasing worldwide. Papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) is the most common histological type of thyroid cancer. Whole‐transcriptome sequence analysis was performed to further understand the primary molecular mechanisms of the occurrence and progression of PTC. Results showed that Eva‐1 homolog A (EVA1A) may be a potential gene for the PTC‐associated gene in thyroid cancer. In this work, the role of EVA1A expression in thyroid cancer was investigated. Real‐time PCR was performed to detect the expression level of EVA1A in 43 pairs of PTC and four thyroid cancer cell lines. The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database was used to evaluate the relationship between the expression level of EVA1A and the pathological feature of PTC. The logistic regression analysis of the TCGA data set indicated that the expression of EVA1A was an independent risk factor for tumour, nde and metastasis (TNM) in PTC. This study shows the down‐regulation of EVA1A inhibited the colony formation, proliferation, migration and invasion of PTC cell lines. In the protein level, knockdown of EVA1A can regulate the expression of N‐cadherin, vimentin, Bcl‐xL, Bax, YAP and TAZ. This study indicated that EVA1A was an oncogene associated with PTC.
Sexually transmitted infections’ epidemiology and knowledge, attitude and practice survey in a set of migrants attending the sexual health clinic in Malta
Authors: Padovese V. , Farrugia A. , Almabrok Ali Ghath S. , Rossoni I.
Published: September 2020

Background

The number of international migrants is estimated at 272 million people worldwide. In Europe, migrants face the disproportionate burden of infectious diseases, including hepatitis B and C, HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). High‐risk behaviours, sexual abuse, poor living conditions and barriers to accessing health care may affect migrants' sexual health, leading to infections.

Objectives

The study evaluates STIs and HIV prevalence and knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) in non‐European migrants attending the sexual health clinic in Malta. It also seeks to explore situations of human trafficking (HT), sex/gender‐based violence (S/GBV) and female genital mutilations (FGM).

Methods

This is a mixed‐method study, based on quantitative and qualitative research within a single centre. An anonymous pretested questionnaire was administered to non‐European migrants attending the genitourinary clinic (GUC) with the assistance of an ethnocultural agent. Demographics, STI diagnoses and risk behaviours were collected from the GUC database, linked to the questionnaires and analysed.

Results

A total of 143 migrants took part in the study, 73% were young male and 16.7% men who have sex with men (MSM). Forty‐one different nationalities were recorded, and the top ones were Nigerian (12%), Filipino (7.4%) and Chinese (5.4%). Concerning risk behaviours, 33.8% of respondents had never used a condom and 76.5% had had sex with multiple partners in the 6 months prior to the study. STI prevalence was 73.1%. Of the patients interviewed, six females were Chinese sex workers employed in massage parlours, potentially trafficked to Malta.

Conclusions

The study outcomes support the need of improving awareness about STIs/HIV risk and testing. In migrants at particular risk for HIV, combination prevention strategies should include access to pre‐exposure prophylaxis and antiretrovirals independently from migrants' legal status. Finally, STIs/HIV prevention in migrants should be linked with interventions tackling HT and other forms of S/GBV.
Impact of a reduced water salinity on the composition of Vibrio spp. in recirculating aquaculture systems for Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) and its possible risks for shrimp health and food safety
Authors: Bauer Julia , Teitge Felix , Neffe Lisa , Adamek Mikolaj , Jung Arne , Peppler Christina , Steinhagen Dieter , Jung‐Schroers Verena
Published: September 2020

Tropical shrimp, like Litopenaeus vannamei, in land‐based recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) are often kept at low water salinities to reduce costs for artificial sea salt and the amount of salty wastewater. Although these shrimp are tolerant against low salinities, innate immunity suppression and changes in the microbial composition in the water can occur. As especially Vibrio spp. are relevant for shrimp health, alterations in the species composition of the Vibrio community were analysed in water from six RAS, run at 15‰ or 30‰. Additionally, pathogenicity factors including pirA/B, VPI, toxR, toxS, vhh, vfh, tdh, trh, flagellin genes and T6SS1/2 of V. parahaemolyticus were analysed. The Vibrio composition differed significantly depending on water salinity. In RAS at 15‰, higher numbers of the potentially pathogenic species V. parahaemolyticus, V. owensii and V. campbellii were detected, and especially in V. parahaemolyticus, various pathogenicity factors were present. A reduced salinity may therefore pose a higher risk of disease outbreaks in shrimp RAS. Because some of the detected pathogenicity factors are relevant for human health, this might also affect food safety. In order to produce healthy shrimp as a safe food for human consumption, maintaining high water salinities seems to be recommendable.
Peripheral natural killer cell activity is associated with poor clinical outcomes in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma
Authors: Lee Hee Seung , Leem Galam , Kang Huapyong , Jo Jung Hyun , Chung Moon Jae , Jang Soo Jeong , Yoon Da Hae , Park Jeong Youp , Park Seung Woo , Song Si Young , Bang Seungmin
Published: September 2020

Background and Aim

We aimed to measure the natural killer (NK) cell activity and pro‐inflammatory cytokine levels in the peripheral blood of pancreatic cancer patients and investigate the correlation of NK cell activity and cytokines with cancer status and clinical outcomes.

Methods

We prospectively enrolled patients who were pathologically diagnosed with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) between 2016 and 2017 at a tertiary hospital in Seoul, South Korea. As a control group, healthy participants were enrolled by mobile application recruitment.

Results

A total of 203 patients were enrolled for this study (PDAC, n = 102; healthy participants, n = 101). The peripheral blood NK cell activity of PDAC patients was significantly lower than that of healthy participants (median level, 95 pg/mL vs 2000 pg/mL, P < 0.001), and decreased NK cell activity was correlated to poor clinical outcome in terms of response to chemotherapy, tumor progression, and survival. The pro‐inflammatory cytokine interleukin‐6 had a strong negative correlation with NK cell activity.

Conclusions

In pancreatic cancer patients, NK cell activity decreased as cancer progressed, and decreased NK cell activity was associated with poor clinical outcomes.
Examination of effects on situational appropriateness when co‐elicited with hedonic product responses
Authors: Jaeger Sara R. , Vidal Leticia , Swaney‐Stueve Marianne , Xia Yixun , Ares Gastón
Published: September 2020

The present research examined the effect of co‐eliciting situational appropriateness with hedonic product responses. This contributed methodological insight regarding the use of the item‐by‐use (IBU) approach in product research with consumers. The research involved 9 consumer studies (105 to 289 consumers per study). In each study, participants were randomly divided into two groups. One of the groups evaluated samples for situational appropriateness only, whereas the other group evaluated hedonic responses and situational appropriateness. Five studies elicited IBU responses using check‐all‐that‐apply (CATA) questions and four studies used 7‐pt rating scales. The inclusion of the hedonic question introduced significant changes in IBU responses in eight of the nine studies. When effects were established, they were largely systematic in the sense of reducing term frequency/average ratings of the focal situational uses. That is, a given situational use would generally be evaluated as less appropriate under co‐elicitation (H + IBU) than when situational appropriateness was measured alone (IBU only). The effect was larger for CATA questions and mirrors previous research on hedonic and sensory co‐elicitation. The most likely explanation is that the inclusion of a hedonic question reduces participants' cognitive effort when completing the CATA questions.

Practical Implications

Situational appropriateness is often positioned as an adjunct to hedonic responses rather than the main focus of a study, and as such co‐elicitation of these two types of responses are common. In this research, situational appropriateness data (as item‐by‐use [IBU]) were elicited with and without hedonic scores (H + IBU vs. IBU only). It was found that when co‐elicitation alters the situational responses, the effect on the IBU data was, in most cases, minor and without large practical relevance.
Antifungal effect of Trichoderma spp. β‐1,3‐glucanase on Phytophthora parasitica: Hyphal morphological distortions
Authors: Kaur Ramanjeet , Kalia Anu , Lore Jagjeet S. , Sandhu Jagdeep Singh
Published: September 2020

Phytopathogenic fungi devastate agricultural crops worldwide. The biological agents, such as Trichoderma spp., antagonize phytopathogenic fungi by secreting various cell wall‐degrading enzymes, for example, endochitinase and β‐1,3‐glucanase that target glycosidic linkages in β‐glucan and chitin polymers of fungal cell walls, thus inhibiting pathogen growth. In this study, two antifungal genes endochitinase and β‐1,3‐glucanase cloned from local Trichoderma spp. were ligated in pET28a+ expression vector individually to generate two recombinant vectors. The vectors were mobilized into Escherichia coli host strain Rosetta‐gami 2 for protein expression, and the 6xHis‐tagged recombinant proteins were purified through Ni‐NTA affinity chromatography. The purified proteins were individually confronted in vitro with pure cultures of Phytophthora parasitica (destructive pathogen affecting several hundred plant species worldwide) for analyzing their effect on pathogen growth. In vitro confrontation assay revealed P. parasitica growth inhibition by purified β‐1,3‐glucanase. The pathogen growth inhibition was due to hyphal morphological distortions, such as breakages, swelling, and holes evinced through electron micrography confirming direct role of β‐1,3‐glucanase in pathogen structural degradation.
Effect of essential oil supplementation to diet on meat quality, fatty acid composition, performance parameters and intestinal microbiota of Japanese quails
Authors: Kürekci Cemil , Özsoy Bülent , Hassan Errol , Özkan Hüseyin , Gundoğdu Aycan , Özsoy Şule Yurdagül , Yakan Akın
Published: September 2020

The effect of essential oil (EO) supplementation on carcass characteristics of Japanese quails and interactions between ingredients and intestinal morphology were investigated in this study. A total of 250 quails were fed different diet: D1, basal diet (BD); D2, BD plus palmarosa oil (PO; 100 µg/kg diet); D3, BD plus lemon myrtle oil (LMO; 100 µg/kg diet); D4, BD plus α‐Tops (mixture of α‐terpineol, cineole and terpinene‐4‐ol; 100 µg/kg diet); and D5, BD plus cyclodextrin. Overall growth performance was determined at multiple time points during 35 days of experiment. Carcass characteristics (fatty acid, pH and colour), intestinal morphology and the expression levels of meat quality‐related genes including the insulin‐like growth factor (IGF‐1), myogenin and avian uncoupling protein (avUCP) were examined at the end of the trial. Additionally, intestinal microbiome of quails was studied by next‐generation sequencing‐based culture‐independent analysis. Although the inclusion of EOs into the diet had no effect on the growth performance of quails and the microbial profile, the significant changes in pH24 and colour (a*) of the quail's breast muscle (p < .05) in the group receiving PO were observed. Additionally, oleic acid content in the breast muscle was significantly higher in the EOs supplemented groups (p < .01). Quails fed the PO supplemented diet had higher villus and relatively rich in oleic acid. The expression levels of IGF‐1 and myogenin genes in quail's muscle were not affected, but the expression of avUCP gene was significantly lower in quails fed with LMO and α‐Tops (p < .05). The results demonstrated variable effects of these treatments on intestinal morphology. Taken together, dietary inclusion of EOs is found to be beneficial and hence can be recommended for improving the quality of poultry meat.
A rapid method to evaluate the chocolate smoothness based on the tribological measurement
Authors: Qian Shanhua , Cheng Shuai , Liu Zhi , Xu Feifei , Yu Jinghu
Published: September 2020

Cocoa is the primary ingredient in chocolate, and cocoa concentration attributes to the smoothness of the chocolate. Supporting this statement, we assessed the smoothness and melting properties of five chocolates of different cocoa concentration from three brands using the professional sensor evaluation and weight method, respectively. Artificial saliva was added to obtain the mixed chocolate solutions, and their viscosity and coefficient of friction (CoF) were measured for three rubbing pairs. The correlation of chocolate smoothness with their viscosities and averageCoF(aCoF) was also discussed. The results indicated that the cocoa concentration significantly affected the smoothness of the chocolates among the three brands. The mixed solution of 50% chocolate could be a representative of oral processing, but their viscosities were not proficient enough to effectively characterize their smoothness. TheaCoFof 50% chocolate solution could be rapid and effective to evaluate their smoothness. In addition, theTwo‐GCTPErubbing pair was more suitable way to evaluate the smoothness of similar foods in the oral environment. The study results will provide a better insight into characterizing certain attribution of similar foods.
Persistent augmentation of central arterial stiffness following viral clearance by direct‐acting antivirals in chronic hepatitis C
Authors: Chen Ju‐Yi , Cheng Pin‐Nan , Chiu Yen‐Cheng , Chiu Hung‐Chih , Tsai Wei‐Chuan , Tsai Liang‐Miin
Published: September 2020

Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is associated with risk of cardiovascular diseases. Although direct‐acting antivirals (DAA) result in rapid eradication of HCV, their long‐term impact on arterial stiffness remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate changes in parameters of central arterial stiffness from pretreatment, through sustained virological response, to one year after viral clearance. Patients with chronic HCV receiving DAA treatment were enrolled prospectively. Medical history and comorbidities of all patients were collected. Lipid profiles, liver stiffness by transient elastography and central blood pressures using pulse wave analysis of the brachial artery by cuff sphygmomanometry were measured before treatment, at viral clearance and at one year following viral clearance. Augmentation index (AIx), a parameter of aortic stiffness, was calculated as the ratio of augmentation pressure to central pulse pressure. After DAA treatment, all included patients with chronic HCV (n = 102) had achieved viral clearance. Cholesterol, low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) and triglyceride/high‐density lipoprotein (TG/HDL) increased significantly at viral clearance and persisted at one year (all P < .001). AIx was also elevated significantly at viral clearance and persisted one year later (P < .001). Changes in AIx remained significant only in patients with increased values from baseline in either LDL (P < .01) or TG/HDL (P < .001). Central arterial stiffness and lipid profiles in patients with chronic HCV worsen immediately after viral eradication by DAA treatment and persist at one year. Worsening of lipid profiles after DAA treatment contributes to central arterial stiffness in this patient population and persists long term.
Local acclimatisation‐driven differential gene and protein expression patterns of Hsp70 in Acropora muricata: Implications for coral tolerance to bleaching
Authors: Louis Yohan Didier , Bhagooli Ranjeet , Seveso Davide , Maggioni Davide , Galli Paolo , Vai Marina , Dyall Sabrina Devi
Published: September 2020

Corals show spatial acclimatisation to local environment conditions. However, the various cellular mechanisms involved in local acclimatisation and variable bleaching patterns in corals remain to be thoroughly understood. In this study, the modulation of a protein implicated in cellular heat stress tolerance, the heat shock protein 70, was compared at both gene (hsp70) and protein (Hsp70) expression level in bleaching tolerant near‐coast Acropora muricata colonies and bleaching susceptible reef colonies, in the lagoon of Belle Mare (Mauritius). The relative Hsp70 levels varied significantly between colonies from the two different locations, colonies having different health conditions and the year of collection. Before the bleaching event of 2016, near‐coast colonies had higher basal levels of both Hsp70 gene and protein compared to reef colonies. During the bleaching event, the near‐coast colonies did not bleach and had significantly higher relative levels of both Hsp70 gene and protein compared to bleached reef colonies. No significant genetic differentiation between the two studied coral populations was observed and all the colonies analysed were associated with Symbiodiniaceae of the genus Symbiodinium (Clade A) irrespective of location and sampling period. These findings provide further evidence of the involvement of Hsp70 in conferring bleaching tolerance to corals. Moreover, the consistent expression differences of Hsp70 gene and protein between the near‐coast and reef coral populations in a natural setting indicate that the modulation of this Hsp is involved in local acclimatisation of corals to their environments.