bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
YIMBYISM, THE ENVIRONMENT, AND THE REMAKING OF RACE AND CLASS COALITIONS IN AUSTIN, TX
Authors: Tretter Eliot , Mueller Elizabeth J. , Heyman Rich
Published: December 2021

Recently, debates about the future of Austin's housing policies have been reshaped by the rise of a vocal group of well‐organized and self‐styled YIMBYs. In particular, this group has been important in the restructuring of political coalitions that both support and oppose the Urbanist elements contained in the ongoing land‐development code (LDC) reform effort, especially the realignment of mainstream environmentalists. One significant stake in this effort is the fate of neighborhoods closest to the central business district, historically home to lower‐income people of color. We show how the political configuration of the two coalitions represents a major reshaping of longstanding political alignments in Austin and suggest that stalwart alliances are giving way to new ones, both here and elsewhere; yet, these realignments hold little promise for addressing issues of equity, despite the fact that addressing racial inequalities has been a central concern in debates over the LDC on both sides. We note the increasing limits of growth machine theory in accounting for this change for two reasons: (1) changing attitudes among mainstream environmentalists towards Austin's urban redevelopment; (2) the persistence of racial and class differences in shaping the unevenness of Austin's future neighborhood development.
Research to Clinical Practice—Youth seeking mental health information online and its impact on the first steps in the patient journey
Authors: Scott Jan , Hockey Samuel , Ospina‐Pinillos Laura , Doraiswamy P. Murali , Alvarez‐Jimenez Mario , Hickie Ian
Published: December 2021

Background

Online searches about anxiety and depression are recorded every 3–5 s. As such, information and communication technologies (ICT) have enormous potential to enable or impair help‐seeking and patient‐professional interactions. Youth studies indicate that ICT searches are undertaken before initial mental health consultations, but no publications have considered how this online activity affects the first steps of the patient journey in youth mental health settings.

Methods

State‐of‐the‐art review using an iterative, evidence mapping approach to identify key literature and expert consensus to synthesize and prioritise clinical and research issues.

Results

Adolescents and young adults are more likely to seek health advice via online search engines or social media platforms than from a health professional. Young people not only search user‐generated content and social media to obtain advice and support from online communities but increasingly contribute personal information online.

Conclusions

A major clinical challenge is to raise professional awareness of the likely impact of this activity on mental health consultations. Potential strategies range from modifying the structure of clinical consultations to ensure young people are able to disclose ICT activities related to mental health, through to the development and implementation of ‘internet prescriptions’ and a youth‐focused ‘toolkit’.
First porcine to human kidney transplantation performed in the United States
Authors: Choi Ashley , Han Jason J.
Published: December 2021

In an operation that lasted a little over 2 h, surgeons at New York University Langone Health transplanted a porcine kidney into a human patient without signs of early rejection. This is a landmark achievement for xenotransplantation, a field that has been revived in the past decade and promises a new avenue to address critical organ shortage worldwide.
The effects of assisted autogenic drainage, combined or not with bouncing on gastroesophageal reflux in infants
Authors: Lievens Laure , Vandenplas Yvan , Vanlaethem Sylvie , Van Ginderdeuren Filip
Published: December 2021

Aim

This study aimed to determine the effect of assisted autogenic drainage (AAD) with or without bouncing (BAAD) on both acid and non‐acid gastroesophageal reflux (GER) in infants <1 year.

Methods

During a 24‐h multichannel intraluminal impedance‐pH monitoring (MII‐pH), infants were treated with a 20‐min intervention of AAD (in supine position) or BAAD (in upright position), 2 h postprandial. In this controlled trial with intra‐subject design, the number of reflux episodes (REs) was the primary outcome measure. The results during AAD and BAAD were compared to a baseline period before intervention and 20 min after intervention.

Results

Overall, 50 infants were included in both groups. During AAD a significant decrease of RE’s was found compared to baseline (p = 0.001). No significant differences were found in the BAAD group compared to baseline (p = 0.125).

Conclusion

AAD and BAAD do not cause or increase GER in infants under the age of 1 year.
Structural geometry and evolution of the Rukwa Rift Basin, Tanzania: Implications for helium potential
Authors: Mulaya Ernest , Gluyas Jon , McCaffrey Ken , Phillips Thomas , Ballentine Chris
Published: December 2021

The Rukwa Rift Basin, Tanzania is regarded as a modern example of a cratonic rift zone despite complex polyphase extensional and episodic inversion structures. We interpret 2D seismic reflection data tied to wells to identify and describe structures controlling stratigraphic sequences (Late Carboniferous to Pleistocene) in two main segmented Rukwa Rift domains, A and B, which are controlled by the Chisi and Saza shear zones. Fault geometry and stratal patterns are illustrated in relation to their kinematic interaction with folds. Fold structures reflect both extensional and compressional deformation and were mapped with a particular interest for their helium potential. We illustrate fault bend folds, fault propagation folds and fault propagation monoclines that are related to extension events. Folds related to compression exhibit various structural styles reflecting at least two phases of episodic and widespread inversion. First, Early Jurassic inversion phase which involved multi‐faulted anticlines in the Karoo strata. Second, a mild and widespread inversion structures during the Pleistocene which are characterised by both symmetrical and asymmetrical anticlines styles. Taken together, the extensional and compressional fold structures, stratal juxtapositions and unconformities define stratigraphic packages that are widely distributed in the Rukwa Rift Basin, and form potential subsurface traps for helium‐nitrogen–rich gases, from which some seep to the surface, evidently documented in thermal springs across the region.
Impact of different protonation states on virtual screening performance against cruzain
Authors: Santos Viviane Corrêa , Campos Augusto César Broilo , Waldner Birgit J. , Liedl Klaus R. , Ferreira Rafaela Salgado
Published: December 2021

The cysteine protease cruzain is a Chagas disease target, exploited in computational studies. However, there is no consensus on the protonation states of the active site residues Cys25, His162, and Glu208 at the enzyme's active pH range. We evaluated the impact of different protonation states of these residues on docking calculations. Through a retrospective study with cruzain inhibitors and decoys, we compared the performance of virtual screening using four grids, varying protonation states of Cys25, His162, and Glu208. Based on enrichment factors and ROC plots, docking with the four grids affected compound ranking and the overall charge of top‐ranking compounds. Different grids can be complementary and synergistic, increasing the odds of finding different ligands with diverse chemical properties.
Dimerization of 600 Da branched polyethylenimine improves β‐lactam antibiotic potentiation against antibiotic‐resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Moen Erik L. , Lam Anh K. , Pusavat Jennifer , Wouters Cassandra L. , Panlilio Hannah , Heydarian Neda , Peng Zongkai , Lan Yunpeng , Rice Charles V.
Published: December 2021

Antibiotic resistance is a growing concern in the medical field. Drug‐susceptible infections are often treated with β‐lactam antibiotics, which bind to enzymes known as penicillin‐binding proteins (PBPs). When the PBPs are disabled, the integrity of the cell wall is compromised, leading to cell lysis. Resistance renders β‐lactam antibiotics ineffective, and clinicians turn to be more effective, but often more toxic, antibiotics. An alternative approach is combining antibiotics with compounds that disable resistance mechanisms. Previously, we have shown that low‐molecular‐weight 600 Da branched polyethylenimine restores β‐lactam susceptibility to Gram‐positive and Gram‐negative pathogens with antibiotic resistance. In this study, this approach is extended to the homodimers of 600 Da BPEI that have improved potentiation properties compared to monomers of 600 Da BPEI and 1200 Da BPEI. The homodimers are synthesized by linking two 600 Da BPEI molecules with methylenebisacrylamide (MBAA). The resulting product was characterized with FTIR spectroscopy, 1H NMR spectroscopy, checkerboard microbroth dilution assays, and cell toxicity assays. These data show that the 600 Da BPEI homodimer is more effective than 1200 Da BPEI toward the potentiation of oxacillin against methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis and the potentiation of piperacillin against Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
Identification of tripeptides against tyrosine kinase domain of EGFR for lung cancer cell inhibition by in silico and in vitro studies
Authors: Kiriwan Duangnapa , Seetaha Supaphorn , Jiwacharoenchai Nattanan , Tabtimmai Lueacha , Sousa Sérgio F. , Songtawee Napat , Choowongkomon Kiattawee
Published: December 2021

Epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase domain (EGFR‐TK) has been one of the prominent targets for therapeutics of several human cancers, in particular non‐small cell lung cancer. Although several small chemical compounds targeting EGFR‐TK have been approved by FDA for treatment of such a cancer, the discovery of a new class of EGFR‐TK inhibitors, for example, small peptides, is still desired. In this study, using molecular docking‐based virtual screening, we selected five small peptides with high docking scores from eight thousand peptides as candidate compounds against EGFR‐TK. Among five, the tripeptide WFF had the most potency to suppress the survival of non‐small cell lung cancer cells but had the least toxicity to human liver cancer cells. Our in vitro kinase assays showed that WFF exhibited much lower inhibitory activity against purified EGFR‐TK than the drug erlotinib (i.e., IC50 values of ≈ 0.62 μM vs ≈ 7.57 nM, respectively). The relative free binding energies estimated from molecular dynamic simulations were consistent with the in vitro experiments in which the WFF bound had a lower affinity than erlotinib bound to EGFR‐TK (i.e., ΔGbind values of −20.3 kJ/mol vs ≈ −126.8 kJ/mol, respectively). In addition, the simulation analyses demonstrated the difference in EGFR binding preference between the drug and tripeptide in which erlotinib was stably bound in the ATP‐binding pocket for 4‐anilinoquinazoline class of inhibitors, while WFF moved out of that pocket to interact with polar amino acid residues on the αC‐helix, activation loop, and substrate‐binding region. Our findings suggest preferable interactions of the potential tripeptide on enzyme inhibition that are useful for further development of a new class of inhibitors targeting EGFR‐TK.
Discovery of novel ketamine‐inspired derivatives as a protective agent against renal ischemic/reperfusion injury in Wistar rats
Authors: Zhu Li , Zhang Yin
Published: December 2021

Renal ischemia‐reperfusion (I/R) injury is a limiting factor for the success of renal grafts and is deemed greatly responsible for the mortality. A novel series of ketamine‐inspired compounds was synthesized and subjected to NF‐ĸB transcriptional inhibitory activity in LPS‐stimulated RAW264.7 cells, where entire set of compounds showed mild‐to‐moderate significant NF‐ĸB transcriptional inhibitory activity (IC50 6.53–67.52 µM). Compound 6d showed highest inhibitory activity among the tested series (IC50 2.62 µM) and found more potent as compared to ketamine as standard. The effect of compound 6d was further quantified in I/R injury in Wistar rats, where it dose‐dependently improves kidney function of rats with significant amelioration of kidney injury as suggested by histopathologic examination of renal tissues. It further showed reduction in the generation of pro‐inflammatory cytokines and improves the antioxidant status of experimental rats. Compound 6d inhibited apoptosis and increases the expression of Bcl2 and decreases Bax, and cleaved caspase‐3 level. It further reduces TLR‐4 and NF‐κB expression in renal cells of rats, with increases in IκB‐α level in Western blot analysis as compared to I/R group. In summary, our current study showed the development of a novel class of ketamine‐inspired derivatives against renal ischemia/reperfusion injury.
Alcohol access and purchasing behaviour during COVID‐19 pandemic restrictions: An exploration of sociodemographic, health and psychosocial correlates in two Canadian provinces
Authors: MacNabb Kathleen , Blades Sarah , Thompson Kara , Dutton Daniel J. , Liu Tong , Asbridge Mark
Published: December 2021

Introduction

Alcohol access has changed in Canada during the COVID‐19 pandemic. This study compares the use of two novel purchasing modes (via delivery and in excess/stockpiling) to traditional, in‐person purchasing to determine if their use is associated with sociodemographic and psychosocial characteristics, perceived COVID‐19 health risk or consumption frequency.

Methods

We draw on cross‐sectional survey data from 2000 residents of the Canadian provinces of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, ages 19 years and older that were administered online and by telephone. Associations between purchasing modes and sociodemographic and psychosocial characteristics, perceived COVID‐19 health risk or consumption frequency were assessed using logistic regression.

Results

About 70% of people who drink purchased in‐person, 17% used delivery and 30% purchased in excess/stockpiled. Sociodemographic and psychosocial attributes varied among those at increased odds of using each purchasing mode. Those at higher COVID‐19 health risk were at higher odds of getting alcohol delivered. Increased drinking frequency was associated with alcohol delivery and purchasing in excess/stockpiling.

Discussion and Conclusions

This study highlights the need for increased public health considerations regarding changes to alcohol regulations. Alcohol delivery and purchasing in excess/stockpiling is positively associated with heavier drinking. Drinkers at higher COVID‐19 health risk were more likely to purchase online for delivery, which suggests novel purchasing modes may serve a partial public health function.
Temnopleurus reevesii as a new sea urchin model in genetics
Authors: Yaguchi Shunsuke , Yaguchi Junko
Published: December 2021

Echinoderms, including sea urchins and starfish, have played important roles in cell, developmental and evolutionary biology research for more than a century. However, since most of them take a long time to mature sexually and their breeding seasons are limited, it has been difficult to obtain subsequent generations in the laboratory, resulting in them not being recognized as model organisms in recent genetics research. To overcome this issue, we maintained and obtained gametes from several nonmodel sea urchins in Japan and finally identified Temnopleurus reevesii as a suitable model for sea urchin genetics. Genomic and transcriptomic information was obtained for this model, and the DNA database TrBase was made publicly available. In this review, we describe how we found this species useful for biological research and show an example of CRISPR/Cas9 based knockout sea urchin.
Government compensation and citizen support for immigration openness
Authors: Bearce David H. , Connell Brendan J.
Published: December 2021

This paper explores how government compensation programs like unemployment insurance and worker training may influence citizen attitudes about immigration openness. It considers several different arguments, including the proposition that social welfare programs may induce less‐educated citizens to feel more negatively about their class identity, thus pushing them toward an exclusionary national identity with greater opposition to immigration openness. Using data from the International Social Survey Program's 2013 National Identity module with more than 20,000 respondents from 24 developed democracies, it reports that greater government compensation can be associated with less supportive attitudes for the least educated with a diminishing negative effect for more educated citizens. Consistent with an identity shift argument for why less‐educated citizens might become more hostile toward immigration openness with greater government compensation, it also reports that greater compensation is associated with a more exclusionary national identity for less‐educated citizens.
An unusual case of a foreign body: A child’s tongue entrapped in a soft drink bottle
Authors: Yee Ruixiang , Kwek Vanessa Yan Xiu , Bong Choon Looi , Chan Boon Hui , Wang Shiyao , Wong Peter Choong Yi , Tham Lai Peng
Published: December 2021

Young children often present at the emergency department (ED) with foreign bodies in their mouths, including the occasional bottles and cans. Previous reports of tongue entrapment have presented cases where bottles were mostly made of glass or metal. A 4‐year‐old girl presented to the ED with her tongue entrapped in a uniquely designed plastic bottle. Attempts at conservative methods of removal such as gentle traction, breaking of the vacuum seal and use of lubricants were unsuccessful. The child was brought to the operating theatre for further management. Anaesthesia induction with a facemask was not possible as the plastic bottle was protruding from the tongue and would not allow an adequate seal around the nose and mouth. To overcome such challenges of a shared airway and workspace, the child was placed under intravenous propofol sedation initially until the prompt removal of foreign body allowed subsequent mask placement and oral intubation. The foreign body was eventually removed by sectioning the inflexible plastic into two pieces with a water‐cooled high speed dental diamond bur. The child remained stable intra‐operatively and subsequent post‐operative recovery was uneventful. This report highlights the importance of multidisciplinary coordination to reduce delays when liberating the entrapped tongue so as to minimize potential complications from the injury.
Factors associated with augmentation in patients with restless legs syndrome
Authors: Heim Beatrice , Ellmerer Philipp , Stefani Ambra , Bergmann Melanie , Brandauer Elisabeth , Seppi Klaus , Högl Birgit , Djamshidian Atbin
Published: December 2021

Background and purpose

Augmentation is a paradoxical reaction mainly to dopaminergic medication in patients with restless legs syndrome (RLS), but the exact pathomechanism remains unclear. The aim of this study was to identify factors associated with augmentation in RLS patients.

Methods

RLS patients with and without current or previous augmentation were recruited. Demographic characteristics, history of smoking, questionnaires for depression, alexithymia, and impulsivity, and RLS severity were obtained.

Results

We included 122 patients, of whom half had a history of augmentation. Patients with augmentation had a longer disease duration (p = 0.001), had higher RLS severity scores (p = 0.013), had higher levodopa equivalent doses (p < 0.001), had higher scores for alexithymia (p = 0.028), had higher prevalence of impulse control disorders (p < 0.001), more often had a history of smoking (p = 0.039), were more often currently smoking (p = 0.015), and had more average pack‐years (p = 0.016).

Conclusions

Here, we describe several factors commonly associated with augmentation in RLS. These may help clinicians to screen and treat patients carefully to avoid the challenging side effect of augmentation.
Role of geochemical protoenzymes (geozymes) in primordial metabolism: specific abiotic hydride transfer by metals to the biological redox cofactor NAD+
Authors: Henriques Pereira Delfina P. , Leethaus Jana , Beyazay Tugce , do Nascimento Vieira Andrey , Kleinermanns Karl , Tüysüz Harun , Martin William F. , Preiner Martina
Published: December 2021

Hydrogen gas, H2, is generated in serpentinizing hydrothermal systems, where it has supplied electrons and energy for microbial communities since there was liquid water on Earth. In modern metabolism, H2 is converted by hydrogenases into organically bound hydrides (H–), for example, the cofactor NADH. It transfers hydrides among molecules, serving as an activated and biologically harnessed form of H2. In serpentinizing systems, minerals can also bind hydrides and could, in principle, have acted as inorganic hydride donors—possibly as a geochemical protoenzyme, a ‘geozyme’— at the origin of metabolism. To test this idea, we investigated the ability of H2 to reduce NAD+ in the presence of iron (Fe), cobalt (Co) and nickel (Ni), metals that occur in serpentinizing systems. In the presence of H2, all three metals specifically reduce NAD+ to the biologically relevant form, 1,4‐NADH, with up to 100% conversion rates within a few hours under alkaline aqueous conditions at 40 °C. Using Henry's law, the partial pressure of H2 in our reactions corresponds to 3.6 mm, a concentration observed in many modern serpentinizing systems. While the reduction of NAD+ by Ni is strictly H2‐dependent, experiments in heavy water (2H2O) indicate that native Fe can reduce NAD+ both with and without H2. The results establish a mechanistic connection between abiotic and biotic hydride donors, indicating that geochemically catalysed, H2‐dependent NAD+ reduction could have preceded the hydrogenase‐dependent reaction in evolution.
Process development for the laser powder bed fusion of WC‐Ni Cermets using sintered‐agglomerated powder
Authors: Mendoza Jimenez Edgar , Reeja‐Jayan B. , Beuth Jack
Published: December 2021

Although ceramic particle‐metal matrix materials (i.e., cermets) can offer superior performance, manufacturing these materials via conventional means is difficult compared to the manufacturing of metal alloys. This study leverages the laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) process to additively manufacture dense tungsten carbide (WC)‐17 wt.% nickel (Ni) composite specimens using novel spherical, sintered‐agglomerated composite powder. A range of processing parameters yielding high‐density specimens was discovered using a sequential series of experiments comprised of single bead, multi‐layer, and cylindrical builds. Cylinders with a relative density >99% were fabricated and characterized in terms of microstructure, chemical composition, and hardness. Scanning electron microscopy images show favorable wetting between the Ni binder and carbide particles without any phase segregation and laser processing increased the average carbide particle size. Energy dispersive X‐ray and X‐ray diffraction analyses detected traces of secondary products after laser processing. For samples processed at high energy densities, complex carbides and carbon agglomerate phases were detected. The maximum hardness of 60.38 Rockwell C is achieved in the printed samples. The successful builds in this study open the way for LPBF of dense WC‐Ni parts with a large workable laser power‐laser velocity processing window.
The connection of attachment and self‐gifting for the disconnection of loneliness across cultures
Authors: Rippé Cindy B. , Smith Brent , Weisfeld‐Spolter Suri
Published: December 2021

Before the COVID‐19 pandemic, insecure attachments and rising levels of loneliness threatened consumers’ well‐being across the globe. Insecure and lonely individuals lack interpersonal support for positive and negative events resulting in the utilization of shopping as a coping mechanism. The arrival of the pandemic collided with the existing epidemic of loneliness, exacerbating loneliness and simultaneously changing shopping as it once was known. By virtue of lacking support, insecure and lonely consumers may be more motivated to engage in a particular type of shopping known as self‐gifting. This research examines a conceptual model across countries with samples from collectivist and individualistic societies (n = 610), revealing a universal framework to explain self‐gifting motivation parallels for consumers affected by insecure attachment and emotional loneliness. Theoretical and practical implications provide cross‐cultural research on the connections of attachment style and self‐gifting to help the disconnections of loneliness in today's world.
Cholesterol‐lowered shrimp lipid‐loaded liposome stabilised by pectin/glycerol and its fortification in peach tea drink
Authors: Raju Navaneethan , Gulzar Saqib , Benjakul Soottawat
Published: December 2021

Cholesterol‐lowered shrimp lipid was loaded into liposomes using different stabilisers, namely glycerol (Gl‐Lp), cholesterol (Ch‐Lp) and pectin, combined with glycerol (Pe‐Gl‐Lp). Ch‐Lp liposomes were the largest. Pe‐Gl‐Lp had the lowest negative charge and polydispersity index. Generally, encapsulation efficiency was higher in Ch‐Lp. Oxidation values confirmed cholesterol oxidation in Ch‐Lp, more likely induced by ultrasonication. Based on the liposome characteristics and oxidative stability, Pe‐Gl‐Lp at different levels (1%, 3% and 5%, V/V) was used to fortify peach tea drink. Peach tea drink containing 3% Pe‐Gl‐Lp showed an overall liking score of 7.2. It also contained increased amounts of polyunsaturated fatty acids and astaxanthin. Overall, pectin in combination with glycerol was proved as a potential stabiliser for liposomes loaded with cholesterol‐lowered shrimp lipid. Fortification with liposomes at 3% could increase the health benefits of the resulting drink.
Prognostic value of the ADAMTS13–vWF axis in disseminated intravascular coagulation: Platelet count/vWF:Ag ratio as a strong prognostic marker
Authors: Jang Joowon , Gu JaYoon , Kim Hyun Kyung
Published: December 2021

Introduction

ADAMTS13 deficiency increases the circulating level of von Willebrand factor (vWF). Low ADAMTS13 and high vWF can provide a milieu for microthrombosis, including disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). This study investigated the prognostic values of ADAMTS13–vWF axis markers and their correlation with DIC severity.

Methods

ADAMTS13–vWF axis markers (vWF antigen (vWF:Ag), vWF ristocetin cofactor (vWF:Rco), ADAMTS13 activity, and anti‐ADAMTS13 antibody) were measured in patients (n = 152) suspected of having DIC along with the well‐known DIC markers including antithrombin and protein C.

Result

The vWF:Ag level was significantly increased, and ADAMTS13 activity was significantly decreased in overt DIC. The vWF:Ag level (hazard ratio 7.365, p = .009), ADAMTS13 activity/vWF:Ag ratio (hazard ratio 3.777, p = .037), ADAMTS13 activity/vWF:Rco ratio (hazard ratio 3.027, p = .028), and platelet count/vWF:Ag ratio (hazard ratio 8.538, p < .001) were significant prognostic markers in Cox regression analysis and correlated well with DIC score and antithrombin and protein C levels.

Conclusion

The platelet count/vWF:Ag was the strongest prognostic marker among ADAMTS13–vWF axis markers. The measurement of vWF:Ag may improve prognostic insights of DIC in clinical practice.
Apples, oranges, and ironing boards: Comparative effect sizes influence lay impressions of test validity
Authors: Childers Marie , Highhouse Scott , Brooks Margaret E.
Published: December 2021

Validity information (effect sizes) for selection tests can be difficult for people to understand without some additional context. This study examined how manipulation of the immediate context influenced impressions of the validity of a sales ability selection test. We found that lay people (n = 350) were more favorable toward the test when a set of test validity coefficients was presented after inferior validity coefficients for medical/health treatments, versus a control condition where only the set of test validity coefficients was presented (d = .68). Although we predicted this result based on the presumed inferior status accorded to psychological findings compared with medical/health ones, a third condition where participants were first presented inferior absurd or nonsensical validity coefficients was equally as effective as the medical/health condition. We explain our findings as possibly due to an anchoring and adjustment process and/or a stimulus frequency effect caused by the global (rather than local) context.
Impact of neoadjuvant chemotherapy on survival and recurrence patterns after robot‐assisted radical cystectomy for muscle‐invasive bladder cancer: Results from the International Robotic Cystectomy Consortium
Authors: Gopalakrishnan Dharmesh , Elsayed Ahmed S , Hussein Ahmed A , Jing Zhe , Li Qiang , Wagner Andrew A , Aboumohamed Ahmed , Roupret Morgan , Balbay Derya , Wijburg Carl , Stockle Michael , Dasgupta Prokar , Khan Muhammad Shamim , Wiklund Peter , Hosseini Abolfazl , Peabody James , Shigemura Katsumi , Trump Donald , Guru Khurshid A , Chatta Gurkamal
Published: December 2021

Objectives

To analyze the impact of neoadjuvant chemotherapy on survival and recurrence patterns in muscle‐invasive bladder cancer after robot‐assisted radical cystectomy.

Materials and methods

The International Robotic Cystectomy Consortium database was reviewed to identify patients who underwent robot‐assisted radical cystectomy for muscle‐invasive bladder cancer between 2002 and 2019. Survival outcomes, response rates, and recurrence patterns were compared between patients who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy and those who did not. Survival distributions were estimated using Kaplan–Meier analyses and compared using the log‐rank test.

Results

A total of 1370 patients with muscle‐invasive bladder cancer were identified, of whom 353 (26%) received neoadjuvant chemotherapy. After a median follow‐up of 27 months, neoadjuvant chemotherapy recipients had higher 3‐year overall survival (74% vs 57%; log‐rank P < 0.01), 3‐year cancer‐specific survival (83% vs 73%; log‐rank P = 0.03), and 3‐year relapse‐free survival (64% vs 48%; log‐rank P < 0.01). Neoadjuvant chemotherapy was a predictor of higher overall survival, cancer‐specific survival, and relapse‐free survival in univariate but not multivariate analysis. Pathological downstaging (46% vs 23%; P < 0.01), complete responses (24% vs 8%; P < 0.01), and margin negativity (95% vs 91%; P < 0.01) at robot‐assisted radical cystectomy were more common in the neoadjuvant chemotherapy group. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy recipients had lower distant (15% vs 22%; P < 0.01) but similar locoregional (12% vs 13%; P = 0.93) recurrence rates.

Conclusions

In this analysis from a large international database, patients with muscle‐invasive bladder cancer who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy before robot‐assisted radical cystectomy had higher rates of survival, pathological downstaging, and margin‐negative resections. They also experienced fewer distant recurrences.
LncRNA‐IRAR‐mediated regulation of insulin receptor transcripts in Drosophila melanogaster during nutritional stress
Authors: Chen Jie , Huang Yuantai , Qi Guojun
Published: December 2021

The insulin signalling pathway plays a crucial role in regulating the metabolism of sugars, fats and proteins in cells, thereby affecting the growth, metabolism, reproduction and ageing of organisms. However, little is known about the functions of long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in the regulation of insulin receptors under stress conditions in insects. In this study, we showed that insulin receptor‐associated lncRNA (IRAR) regulates insulin receptor transcripts in response to nutritional stress in Drosophila melanogaster. Genome editing by CRISPR‐Cas9 showed reduced sensitivity of IRAR mutants to environmental nutritional changes. In contrast, the sensitivity of mutants overexpressing tubulin‐gal4 > IRAR increased under low nutrition. The pupation and eclosion timings in IRAR mutants were significantly delayed with an increase in insulin concentration compared with that in the w1118 group. In addition, the expression pattern of IRAR was almost consistent with that of the four transcripts of the insulin receptor from the embryonic period to the adult period. RNA immunoprecipitation assay showed the direct regulation of insulin receptor transcripts by IRAR to the through FOXO binding under nutritional stress. To our knowledge, this is the first study that describes a model of lncRNA‐mediated development regulation through insulin receptor transcripts.
Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis in critically ill patients with COVID‐19 in Australia: implications for screening and treatment
Authors: Tio Shio Yen , Williams Eloise , Worth Leon J. , Deane Adam M. , Bond Katherine , Slavin Monica A. , Sasadeusz Joe
Published: December 2021

We report four cases of invasive pulmonary aspergillus co‐infection in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) infection and acute respiratory distress syndrome requiring intensive care unit (ICU) admission. Aspergillus fumigatus and Aspergillus terreus were isolated, with early infection onset following ICU admission. Clinicians should be aware of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis in ICU patients with COVID‐19 infection, particularly those receiving dexamethasone. We propose screening of these high‐risk patients with twice‐weekly fungal culture from tracheal aspirate and, if feasible, Aspergillus polymerase chain reaction. Diagnosis is challenging and antifungal treatment should be considered in critically ill patients who have new or worsening pulmonary changes on chest imaging and mycological evidence of infection.
Interdisciplinary management of recession defects on maxillary single tooth implants: Diagnosis and treatment strategies
Authors: Tarnow Dennis P. , Chu Stephanie M. , Chu Stephen J.
Published: December 2021

Objective

One of the most common complications with dental implants placed in the smile zone is the development of mid‐facial recession, creating an undesirable esthetic result. When deciding how to remediate these clinical scenarios, the question becomes whether it may be feasible to save the problematic implant or if it is more predictable to remove the implant and start all over again. However, patients may be invested emotionally, physically, and financially in the implant and remediation may be a viable option depending on the diagnosis of the specific issues at hand and multi‐disciplinary clinical execution.

Clinical Significance

What is crucial to understand in order to remediate these cases is answering four separate criteria: (1) is the implant in a restorable position, (2) is the implant healthy, (3) is the implant placed at an adequate depth, and (4) are components available to restore the implant.

Conclusions

Two different clinical reports are presented that demonstrate various treatment remedies when saving implants in the esthetic zone.
Fatty acids intake and outcomes of assisted reproduction in women referring to an Italian Fertility Service: cross‐sectional analysis of a prospective cohort study
Authors: De Cosmi Valentina , Cipriani Sonia , Parazzini Fabio , Ricci Elena , Esposito Giovanna , Noli Stefania , Somigliana Edgardo , Agostoni Carlo
Published: December 2021

Background

Infertility affects 15% of couples in Italy and approximately 10%–12% of couples worldwide. Focusing on female fertility, there are multiple causes, among which diet has a great influence.

Methods

We investigated whether the consumption of certain fatty acids affects four outcomes of the assisted reproduction techniques. From September 2014 to December 2016, women referring to our Italian fertility unit, eligible for assisted reproduction techniques, were invited to participate. Information on diet was recorded through a validated food frequency questionnaire.

Results

Four hundred and ninety‐four women were included, of whom 95% achieved good quality oocytes, 87% achieved embryo transfer, 32.0% achieved clinical pregnancies and 24.5% achieved pregnancy at term. The fourth quartile of saturated fatty acids consumption, compared to the first one, showed an association with clinical pregnancy (adjusted relative risk 0.67, 95% confidence interval 0.45–1.00, p = 0.0491). Some associations emerge accounting for confounders. Age was associated with clinical pregnancy and pregnancy at term in the models considering all fatty intakes and food groups variables but was not associated with oocytes quality and embryo transfer. Physical activity was associated with clinical pregnancy.

Conclusions

There is biological plausibility for the effect of omega‐3 and omega‐6 polyunsaturated fatty acids on oocyte development via synthesis of eicosanoids, even if only limited associations are shown in the present study. Future research should aim to measure the serum levels of fatty acids and investigate the outcomes of assisted reproduction techniques.
Co‐occurring medical and behavioural conditions in children with Down syndrome with or without ADHD symptom presentation
Authors: Esbensen A. J. , Vincent L. B. , Epstein J. N. , Kamimura‐Nishimura K. , Wiley S. , Angkustsiri K. , Abbeduto L. , Fidler D. , Anixt J. S. , Froehlich T. E.
Published: December 2021

Background

Co‐occurring attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a challenge to characterise in the presence of other medical conditions commonly present in children with Down syndrome (DS). The current study examined differences among children with DS with or without ADHD symptomatology in terms of demographics, developmental level, co‐occurring medical conditions, and parent and teacher ratings of behaviour and executive functioning.

Methods

Parents and teachers of 108 school‐age children with DS provided ratings of ADHD symptoms, behaviour problems and executive functioning skills. Children with DS and ADHD symptom presentation, as identified by a scoring algorithm, were compared with those without ADHD symptom presentation on demographic characteristics, developmental level, co‐occurring medical conditions and parent‐report and teacher‐report measures of behaviours and executive functioning.

Results

Sleep disorders, disruptive behaviour disorder, allergies and seizures were more common in children with DS and ADHD symptom presentation than in children without ADHD symptom presentation. After controlling for ADHD medication use, children with DS and ADHD symptom presentation had poorer performance than those without ADHD symptom presentation on parent behaviour ratings, teacher behaviour ratings and parent but not teacher ratings of executive functioning. No significant group differences in demographic characteristics or developmental level were identified.

Conclusions

Higher rates of co‐occurring medical conditions present in children with DS and ADHD symptom presentation support the need for thorough differential diagnoses. The different pattern of group differences between parent‐report and teacher‐report has implications for diagnostic practices across settings as well as for treatment.
Review of human genetic and clinical studies directly relevant to GnRH signalling
Authors: Seminara Stephanie B. , Topaloglu A. Kemal
Published: December 2021

GnRH is the pivotal hormone in controlling the hypothalamic‐pituitary gonadal (HPG) axis in humans and other mammalian species. GnRH function is influenced by a multitude of known and still unknown environmental and genetic factors. Molecular genetic studies on human families with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism over the past two decades have been instrumental in delineating the kisspeptin and neurokinin B signalling, which integrally modulates GnRH release from the hypothalamus. The identification of kisspeptin and neurokinin B ligand‐receptor gene pair mutations in patients with absent puberty have paved the way to a greater understanding of the central regulation of the HPG cascade. In this article, we aim to review the literature on the genetic and clinical aspects of GnRH and its receptor, as well as the two ligand‐receptor sets directly pertinent to the function of GnRH hormone signalling, kisspeptin/ kisspeptin receptor and NKB/NK3R.
Mechanical Properties and Bond Strength of Additively Manufactured and Milled Dental Zirconia: A Pilot Study
Authors: Baysal Nurten , Tuğba Kalyoncuoğlu Ülkü , Ayyıldız Simel
Published: December 2021

Purpose

To evaluate and compare the mechanical properties and ceramic bond of additively manufactured and milled dental zirconia materials.

Materials and Methods

Disc (r = 10 mm, h = 2 mm) and bar (254 × 1. 2 mm) shaped milled (M group) (Nacera Pearl; Doceram) and additively manufactured (AM group) (NanoParticle Jetting; XJet, Carmel 1400) zirconia specimens were prepared for 2 experimental groups. Ceramic was applied to the disc specimens (h = 4 mm, r = 6 mm) (n = 9) and their shear bond strength (SBS) was measured. The surface morphology of disc specimens was analyzed with a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The Vickers microhardness (Vh), surface roughness (Ra), and three‐point flexural strength (FS) of bar specimens (n = 9) were measured. Results were statistically analyzed with Mann‐Whitney U‐test (α = 0.05).

Results

Significant differences were found in FS and Vh values of the M and AM groups. M group (1501.4 ± 60.1 HV1) showed a significantly higher Vh value than the AM group (1169.2 ± 48.4 HV1) (p < 0.001). FS of the M group (1287.5 ± 115.2 MPa) exhibited significantly high value than the AM (1030.0 ± 29.2 Mpa) group (p < 0.001). Statistically, no significant differences were seen in SBS and Ra values of the M and AM groups.

Conclusion

Within the limitations of this in vitro study, the manufacturing technique affected the mechanical properties of the zirconia materials. AM zirconia material showed lower Vh and FS values than M zirconia. Additionally AM zirconia demonstrated adequate bond strength with dental ceramic.
Recovery of children following hospitalisation for complicated severe acute malnutrition
Authors: Bwakura‐Dangarembizi Mutsa , Dumbura Cherlynn , Amadi Beatrice , Chasekwa Bernard , Ngosa Deophine , Majo Florence D. , Sturgeon Jonathan P. , Chandwe Kanta , Kapoma Chanda , Bourke Claire D. , Robertson Ruairi C. , Nathoo Kusum J. , Ntozini Robert , Norris Shane A. , Kelly Paul , Prendergast Andrew J.
Published: December 2021

Nutritional recovery and hospital readmission following inpatient management of complicated severe acute malnutrition (SAM) are poorly characterised. We aimed to ascertain patterns and factors associated with hospital readmission, nutritional recovery and morbidity, in children discharged from hospital following management of complicated SAM in Zambia and Zimbabwe over 52‐weeks posthospitalization. Multivariable Fine‐Gray subdistribution hazard models, with death and loss to follow‐up as competing risks, were used to identify factors associated with hospital readmission; negative binomial regression to assess time to hospitalisation and ordinal logistic regression to model factors associated with nutritional recovery. A total of 649 children (53% male, median age 18.2 months) were discharged to continue community nutritional rehabilitation. All‐cause hospital readmission was 15.4% (95% CI 12.7, 18.6) over 52 weeks. Independent risk factors for time to readmission were cerebral palsy (adjusted subhazard ratio (aSHR): 2.96, 95% CI 1.56, 5.61) and nonoedematous SAM (aSHR: 1.64, 95%CI 1.03, 2.64). Unit increases in height‐for‐age Z‐score (HAZ) (aSHR: 0.82, 95% CI 0.71, 0.95) and enrolment in Zambia (aSHR: 0.52, 95% CI 0.28, 0.97) were associated with reduced subhazard of time to readmission. Young age, SAM at discharge, nonoedematous SAM and cerebral palsy were associated with poor nutritional recovery throughout follow‐up. Collectively, nonoedematous SAM, ongoing SAM at discharge, cerebral palsy and low HAZ are independent risk factors for readmission and poor nutritional recovery following complicated SAM. Children with these high‐risk features should be prioritised for additional convalescent care to improve long‐term outcomes.
Fertility decline and a pay‐as‐you‐go pension system in a two‐sector model
Authors: Hamada Kojun , Kaneko Akihiko , Yanagihara Mitsuyoshi
Published: December 2021

We investigate how fertility decline affects the benefit of a pay‐as‐you‐go pension using a two‐sector overlapping generations model. We show that whether fertility decline reduces pension benefits is determined by the capital intensity ranking between the two sectors. When the consumption‐goods sector is capital‐intensive, fertility decline decreases pension benefits. Contrastingly, when the investment‐goods sector is capital‐intensive, the size of the price elasticity determines whether fertility decline reduces pension benefits. When elasticity is sensitive, fertility declines increase pension benefits. We also present numerical simulations. Our results suggest that, although it remains theoretically possible that fertility decline increases pension benefits, such a paradoxical result is unlikely to occur .
Escherichia coli induces DNA repair enzymes to protect itself from low‐grade hydrogen peroxide stress
Authors: Gupta Anshika , Imlay James A.
Published: December 2021

Escherichia coli responds to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) by inducing defenses that protect H2O2‐sensitive enzymes. DNA is believed to be another important target of oxidation, and E. coli contains enzymes that can repair oxidative lesions in vitro. However, those enzymes are not known to be induced by H2O2, and experiments have indicated that they are not necessary for the cell to withstand natural (low‐micromolar) concentrations. In this study, we used H2O2‐scavenging mutants to impose controlled doses of H2O2 for extended time. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that in the presence of 1 µM cytoplasmic H2O2, the OxyR transcription factor‐induced xthA, encoding exonuclease III. The xthA mutants survived a conventional 15‐min exposure to even 100 times this level of H2O2. However, when these mutants were exposed to 1 µM H2O2 for hours, they accumulated DNA lesions, failed to propagate, and eventually died. Although endonuclease III (nth) was not induced, nth mutants struggled to grow. Low‐grade H2O2 stress also activated the SOS regulon, and when this induction was blocked, cell replication stopped. Collectively, these data indicate that physiological levels of H2O2 are a real threat to DNA, and the engagement of the base‐excision‐repair and SOS systems is necessary to enable propagation during protracted stress.
Smartphone use during breastfeeding and its impact on mother–infant interaction and maternal responsiveness: Within‐subject design
Authors: Inoue Chiaki , Hashimoto Yuri , Nakatani Yoko , Ohira Mitsuko
Published: December 2021

This study investigated the association between maternal smartphone use during breastfeeding and the quality of mother–infant interactions and maternal visual responsiveness to the infant's bids for attention. We observed 13 mother–infant dyads and video‐recorded breastfeeding under the experimental (smartphone use) and control (no smartphone use) conditions on separate days. To evaluate the quality of mother–infant interactions between the two conditions, we used the Japanese revised version of the Assessment of Mother–Infant Sensitivity (AMIS) scale. The mothers' visual responses to their infants' bids for attention were categorized into two groups. In this study, although smartphone use clearly increased distracted feeding times, we found no significant associations between maternal smartphone use and the quality of mother–infant interactions or bonding during breastfeeding. However, smartphone use during breastfeeding was found to interfere with the mother's ability to respond visually to the infant's bid for her attention. The results of this study can be applied while developing resources regarding smartphone use for nursing mothers.