bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Inequalities in the distribution of COVID‐19‐related financial difficulties for Australian families with young children
Authors: O'Connor Meredith , Greenwood Christopher J. , Letcher Primrose , Giallo Rebecca , Priest Naomi , Goldfeld Sharon , Hope Steven , Edwards Ben , Olsson Craig A.
Published: April 2022

Background

We examine (1) the frequency of financial difficulties in Australian families with young children (0–8 years) in the early and later phases of the pandemic; (2) the extent to which parents' pre‐pandemic socio‐economic disadvantage (SED) predicted financial difficulties; and (3) whether grandparent intergenerational SED further amplified this risk.

Method

Data: Australian Temperament Project (ATP; established 1983, N = 2443) and ATP Generation 3 study (ATPG3; established 2012; N = 702), of which 74% (N = 553) completed a COVID‐specific module in the early (May–September 2020) and/or later (October–December 2021) phases of the pandemic. Outcomes: Parent‐reported loss of employment/reduced income, difficulty paying for essentials, and financial strain. Exposures: Pre‐pandemic parent and grandparent education and occupation. Analysis: Logistic regressions, estimated via generalized estimating equations, were used to examine associations between the pre‐pandemic SED of parents and grandparents and their interaction with financial difficulties, adjusting for potential confounders.

Results

At both pandemic time points, a third of parents reported adverse financial impacts (early: 34%, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 30–38; later: 32%, 95% CI = 28–36). Each standard deviation increase in the parents' pre‐pandemic SED was associated with a 36% increase in the odds of reporting multiple financial difficulties (odds ratio [OR] = 1.36, 95% CI = 1.04–1.78). There was little evidence of an interaction between the SED of parents and grandparents.

Conclusions

Financial impacts related to the COVID‐19 pandemic were common and, irrespective of grandparent SED, disproportionately borne by parents with higher pre‐pandemic SED. Given the well‐established relationship between disadvantage and child health and development, sustained and well‐targeted government supports will be critical to minimizing adverse impacts in years to come.
Does reproductive stage impact cardiovascular disease risk factors? Results from a population‐based cohort in Lausanne (CoLaus study)
Authors: Raguindin Peter Francis , Cardona Isabel , Muka Taulant , Lambrinoudaki Irene , Gebhard Catherine , Franco Oscar H. , Marques‐Vidal Pedro , Glisic Marija
Published: April 2022

Context

Menopause has been associated with adverse cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk profile, yet it is unclear whether the changes in CVD risk factors differ by reproductive stage independently of underlying ageing trajectories.

Design

The CoLaus study is a prospective population‐based cohort study in Lausanne, Switzerland.

Patients

We used data from women at baseline and follow‐up (mean: 5.6 ± 0.5 years) from 2003 to 2012 who did not use hormone therapy. We classified women into (i) premenopausal, (ii) menopausal transition, (iii) early (≤5 years) and (iv) late (>5 years) postmenopausal by comparing their menstruation status at baseline and follow‐up.

Measurements

We measured fasting lipids, glucose and cardiovascular inflammatory markers. We used repeated measures (linear mixed models) for longitudinal analysis, using premenopausal women as a reference category. We adjusted analyses for age, medications and lifestyle factors.

Results

We used the data from 1710 women aged 35–75 years. Longitudinal analysis showed that the changes in CVD risk factors were not different in the other three menopausal categories compared to premenopausal women. When age was used as a predictor variable and adjusted for menopause status, most CVD risk factors increased, while interleukin‐6 and interleukin‐1β decreased with advancing age.

Conclusion

The current study suggests that women have a worsening cardiovascular risk profile as they age, and although menopausal women may have higher levels of cardiovascular risk factors compared to premenopausal women at any given time, the 5‐year changes in cardiovascular risk factors may not depend on the reproductive stage.
Robotic beyond total mesorectal excision surgery for primary and recurrent pelvic malignancy: Feasibility and short‐term outcomes
Authors: Larach José Tomás , Flynn Julie , Fernando Diharah , Mohan Helen , Rajkomar Amrish , Waters Peadar S. , Kong Joseph , McCormick Jacob J. , Heriot Alexander G. , Warrier Satish K.
Published: April 2022

Aim

To explore the feasibility and safety of robotic beyond total mesorectal excision (TME) surgery for primary and recurrent pelvic malignancy.

Methods

Patients undergoing robotic beyond TME resections for primary or recurrent pelvic malignancy between July 2015 and July 2021 in a public quaternary and a private tertiary centre were included. Demographic and clinical data were recorded and outcomes analysed.

Results

Twenty‐four patients (50% males) were included, with a median age of 58 (45–70.8) years, and a BMI of 26 (24.3–28.1) kg/m2. Indication for surgery was rectal adenocarcinoma in nineteen, leiomyosarcoma in two, anal squamous cell carcinoma in one and combined rectal and prostatic adenocarcinoma in two patients. All patients required resection of at least one adjacent pelvic organ including genitourinary structures (n = 23), internal iliac vessels (n = 3) and/or bone (n = 2). Eleven patients had a restorative procedure. Of the 13 nonrestorative cases, nine needed perineal reconstruction with a flap. There was one conversion due to bleeding. The mean operating time was 370 (285–424) min, and the median blood loss was 400 (200–2,000) ml. The median length of stay was 16 (9.3–23.8) days. Fourteen patients (58.3%) had postoperative complications; eight of them (33.3%) were Clavien‐Dindo III or more complication. Twenty‐three (95.8%) patients had an R0 resection. During a median follow‐up of 10 (7–23.5) months, five patients (20.8%) had systemic recurrences. No local recurrences were identified during the study period.

Conclusion

Implementation of robotic beyond TME surgery for primary and recurrent pelvic malignancy is feasible within a highly specialised setting.
Cross‐Situational Word Learning With Multimodal Neural Networks
Authors: Vong Wai Keen , Lake Brenden M.
Published: April 2022

In order to learn the mappings from words to referents, children must integrate co‐occurrence information across individually ambiguous pairs of scenes and utterances, a challenge known as cross‐situational word learning. In machine learning, recent multimodal neural networks have been shown to learn meaningful visual‐linguistic mappings from cross‐situational data, as needed to solve problems such as image captioning and visual question answering. These networks are potentially appealing as cognitive models because they can learn from raw visual and linguistic stimuli, something previous cognitive models have not addressed. In this paper, we examine whether recent machine learning approaches can help explain various behavioral phenomena from the psychological literature on cross‐situational word learning. We consider two variants of a multimodal neural network architecture and look at seven different phenomena associated with cross‐situational word learning and word learning more generally. Our results show that these networks can learn word‐referent mappings from a single epoch of training, mimicking the amount of training commonly found in cross‐situational word learning experiments. Additionally, these networks capture some, but not all of the phenomena we studied, with all of the failures related to reasoning via mutual exclusivity. These results provide insight into the kinds of phenomena that arise naturally from relatively generic neural network learning algorithms, and which word learning phenomena require additional inductive biases.
Malware classification using a byte‐granularity feature based on structural entropy
Authors: Paik Joon‐Young , Jin Rize , Cho Eun‐Sun
Published: April 2022

Rapidly evolving malware has become a major cybersecurity threat. Several feature‐engineering techniques have been proposed to defend against malware attacks. An entropy is a typical indicator used in identifying malware. Structural entropy is a sequence of entropy values where an entropy of a segment is calculated by the equation of the entropy itself. However, entropy‐based features are likely to be abstract and miss important information. This article proposes a feature engineering technique that involves the concept of structural entropy. This technique allows every segment to be represented as 256 entropy values for every byte value, but not as an entropy value. Our research, fine‐granularity structural entropy (FiG_SE), incorporates global patterns across all segments, local patterns across adjacent segments, and internal patterns within the segments. To extract higher‐level characteristics from our entropy feature, we use a convolutional neural network (CNN) architecture because it is effective for extracting local and global patterns, and especially for shift‐invariant patterns. Our malware classification based on CNN with the proposed feature outperforms the previous classification methods that use byte streams, entropy streams, and structural‐entropy‐based streams as inputs. Moreover, our research combined with CNN is highly resilient to obfuscation techniques and is also well suited to malware detection.
Early and ongoing stable glycaemic control is associated with a reduction in major adverse cardiovascular events in people with type 2 diabetes: A primary care cohort study
Authors: Whyte Martin B. , Joy Mark , Hinton William , McGovern Andrew , Hoang Uy , van Vlymen Jeremy , Ferreira Filipa , Mount Julie , Munro Neil , de Lusignan Simon
Published: April 2022

Aim

To determine whether achieving early glycaemic control, and any subsequent glycaemic variability, was associated with any change in the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE).

Materials and Methods

A retrospective cohort analysis from the Oxford‐Royal College of General Practitioners Research and Surveillance Centre database—a large, English primary care network—was conducted. We followed newly diagnosed patients with type 2 diabetes, on or after 1 January 2005, aged 25 years or older at diagnosis, with HbA1c measurements at both diagnosis and after 1 year, plus five or more measurements of HbA1c thereafter. Three glycaemic bands were created: groups A (HbA1c < 58 mmol/mol [<7.5%]), B (HbA1c ≥ 58 to 75 mmol/mol [7.5%‐9.0%]) and C (HbA1c ≥ 75 mmol/mol [≥9.0%]). Movement between bands was determined from diagnosis to 1 year. Additionally, for data after the first 12 months, a glycaemic variability score was calculated from the number of successive HbA1c readings differing by 0.5% or higher (≥5.5 mmol/mol). Risk of MACE from 1 year postdiagnosis was assessed using time‐varying Cox proportional hazards models, which included the first‐year transition and the glycaemic variability score.

Results

From 26 180 patients, there were 2300 MACE. Compared with group A‐>A transition over 1 year, those with C‐>A transition had a reduced risk of MACE (HR 0.75; 95% CI 0.60‐0.94; P = .014), whereas group C‐>C had HR 1.21 (0.81‐1.81; P = .34). Compared with the lowest glycaemic variability score, the greatest variability increased the risk of MACE (HR 1.51; 1.11‐2.06; P = .0096).

Conclusion

Early control of HbA1c improved cardiovascular outcomes in type 2 diabetes, although subsequent glycaemic variability had a negative effect on an individual's risk.
Effect of glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor agonists on cardiovascular events in overweight or obese adults without diabetes: A meta‐analysis of placebo‐controlled randomized trials
Authors: Leite Ana Rita , Angélico‐Gonçalves António , Vasques‐Nóvoa Francisco , Borges‐Canha Marta , Leite‐Moreira Adelino , Neves João Sérgio , Ferreira João Pedro
Published: April 2022

Our aim was to study the effect of glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor agonists (GLP‐1 RA) on the risk of any cardiovascular event in adults with overweight or obesity and without diabetes. We conducted a random‐effects meta‐analysis of placebo‐controlled randomized controlled trials. Nine trials were eligible and, in total, 11 430 patients were included, of which 7702 (67%) were submitted to treatment with GLP‐1 RA. During follow‐up, 673 participants receiving GLP‐1 RA treatment (8.7%) and 416 participants receiving placebo (11.2%) had a cardiovascular event. Treatment with GLP‐1 RA versus placebo resulted in a reduction in the risk of any cardiovascular event (RR = 0.81, CI 0.70‐0.92; p = .001). In overweight or obese adults without diabetes, treatment with GLP‐1 RA reduced the risk of cardiovascular events. Our findings support the use of GLP‐1 RA for reducing the cardiovascular risk of these patients.
Chronic eosinophilic granulomatous tenosynovitis in a Quarter Horse mare
Authors: Williams Zoë J. , McIlmurray John , Nickels Frank
Published: April 2022

A 5‐year‐old Quarter Horse mare was presented to the Michigan State University Equine Surgery Service for evaluation of a right hind metatarsophalangeal joint injury. On presentation, the horse was a grade 4/5 lame. Radiographs and ultrasonography showed peritendinous ossification/mineralisation of soft tissue structures and digital flexor tenosynovitis with profound intracapsular mineralisation. A digital flexor tendon sheath tenoscopy was performed with a plantar annular ligament desmotomy and a manica flexoria ligament tenotomy. During surgery, a significant amount of tan granular material was found within the digital tendon sheath. Approximately 80% of this material was removed, and a sample was sent for histopathology. The horse was diagnosed with eosinophilic granulomatous tenosynovitis. Long‐term follow‐up revealed improvement with four treatments of intralesional triamcinolone given 2–4 weeks apart. The horse became serviceably sound (grade 1/5) and was beginning light work under the saddle approximately 5 months post‐tenoscopy.
Effects of aging state on fatigue properties of 6A01 aluminum alloy
Authors: Gong Baishan , Zhang Zhenjun , Duan Qiqiang , Qu Zhan , Hou Jiapeng , Zhang Zhefeng
Published: April 2022

The high‐cycle fatigue (HCF) experiments were carried out for different aging states to study the effects of the aging state and yield strength on the fatigue properties of a 6A01 Al alloy. The results show that the 6A01 Al alloy with the highest yield strength at a peak‐aging (PA) state can exhibit the highest fatigue strength in comparison with the overaged (OA) state and the underaged (UA) state. The main reason is that the increased strength of the 6A01 Al alloy at the PA state can improve the plastic deformation resistance and inhibit the fatigue crack initiation. Additionally, the UA has a similar yield strength but a higher fatigue strength compared with the OA, which shows that the aging state also has a significant influence on the fatigue properties. Finally, combined with the previous studies on the 2XXX and 7XXX Al alloys, the effects of the aging state and yield strength on the fatigue properties of Al alloys are summarized.
Identifying main uncertainties in estimating past and present radiative forcing of peatlands
Authors: Mathijssen Paul J. H. , Tuovinen Juha‐Pekka , Lohila Annalea , Väliranta Minna , Tuittila Eeva‐Stiina
Published: April 2022

Reconstructions of past climate impact, that is, radiative forcing (RF), of peatland carbon (C) dynamics show that immediately after peatland initiation the climate warming effect of CH4 emissions exceeds the cooling effect of CO2 uptake, but thereafter the net effect of most peatlands will move toward cooling, when RF switches from positive to negative. Reconstructing peatland C dynamics necessarily involves uncertainties related to basic assumptions on past CO2 flux, CH4 emission and peatland expansion. We investigated the effect of these uncertainties on the RF of three peatlands, using either apparent C accumulation rates, net C balance (NCB) or NCB plus C loss during fires as basis for CO2 uptake estimate; applying a plausible range for CH4 emission; and assuming linearly interpolated expansion between basal dates or comparatively early or late expansion. When we factored that some C would only be stored temporarily (NCB and NCB+fire), the estimated past cooling effect of CO2 uptake increased, but the present‐day RF was affected little. Altering the assumptions behind the reconstructed CO2 flux or expansion patterns caused the RF to peak earlier and advanced the switch from positive to negative RF by several thousand years. Compared with NCB, including fires had only small additional effect on RF lasting less than 1000 year. The largest uncertainty in reconstructing peatland RF was associated with CH4 emissions. As shown by the consistently positive RF modelled for one site, and in some cases for the other two, peatlands with high CH4 emissions and low C accumulation rates may have remained climate warming agents since their initiation. Although uncertainties in present‐day RF were mainly due to the assumed CH4 emission rates, the uncertainty in lateral expansion still had a significant effect on the present‐day RF, highlighting the importance to consider uncertainties in the past peatland C balance in RF reconstructions.
Sarcopenia is as common in older patients with dementia with Lewy bodies as it is in those with Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Dost Fatma Sena , Ates Bulut Esra , Dokuzlar Ozge , Kaya Derya , Mutlay Feyza , Yesil Gurel Besra Hazal , Isik Ahmet Turan
Published: April 2022

Aim

Alzheimer's disease (AD) and dementia with Lewy body (DLB) constitute the most common types of dementia, and are two common geriatric syndromes; however, sarcopenia has not been elaborately evaluated in DLB so far. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between sarcopenia and DLB in older adults.

Methods

In this retrospective and cross‐sectional study, 662 participants, who were followed in a memory clinic at the Geriatrics department of a university hospital, were included. Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment, including the activities of daily living, malnutrition and malnutrition risk, frailty, cognition, and sarcopenia were assessed. Sarcopenia was defined according to the revised European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People‐2 criteria.

Results

A total of 662 participants (461 healthy controls, 133 with AD and 68 with DLB) with a mean age of 73.60 ± 7.50 years were included. The prevalence of probable sarcopenia and sarcopenia was 53.4% and 19.5%, respectively, in patients with AD, whereas it was 55.9% and 19.1%, respectively, in patients with DLB. After adjustment analyses, probable sarcopenia, sarcopenia and low muscle mass were related to AD (P < 0.001, P = 0.001, P < 0.001, respectively). Probable sarcopenia and slow gait speed were associated with DLB (P < 0.01, P < 0.001, respectively).

Conclusions

Sarcopenia is common in patients with DLB and in those with AD, and seems to be closely related to low muscle strength and slow gait speed in DLB patients. Considering sarcopenia‐related negative health outcomes in older adults, the evaluation of sarcopenia, therefore, should also be among the follow‐up and treatment goals of DLB patients. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2022; 22: 418–424.
The future of artificial intelligence in digital pathology – results of a survey across stakeholder groups
Authors: Heinz Céline N , Echle Amelie , Foersch Sebastian , Bychkov Andrey , Kather Jakob Nikolas
Published: April 2022

Aims

Artificial intelligence (AI) provides a powerful tool to extract information from digitised histopathology whole slide images. During the last 5 years, academic and commercial actors have developed new technical solutions for a diverse set of tasks, including tissue segmentation, cell detection, mutation prediction, prognostication and prediction of treatment response. In the light of limited overall resources, it is presently unclear for researchers, practitioners and policymakers which of these topics are stable enough for clinical use in the near future and which topics are still experimental, but worth investing time and effort into.

Methods and results

To identify potentially promising applications of AI in pathology, we performed an anonymous online survey of 75 computational pathology domain experts from academia and industry. Participants enrolled in 2021 were queried about their subjective opinion on promising and appealing subfields of computational pathology with a focus upon solid tumours. The results of this survey indicate that the prediction of treatment response directly from routine pathology slides is regarded as the most promising future application. This item was ranked highest in the overall analysis and in subgroups by age and professional background. Furthermore, prediction of genetic alterations, gene expression and survival directly from routine pathology images scored consistently high throughout subgroups.

Conclusions

Together, these data demonstrate a possible direction for the development of computational pathology systems in clinical, academic and industrial research in the near future.
Benefit of coconut‐based hair oil via hair porosity quantification
Authors: Kaushik Vaibhav , Kumar Ajeet , Gosvami Nitya Nand , Gode Vaishali , Mhaskar Sudhakar , Kamath Yash
Published: April 2022

Objective

The present study is intended to characterize the surfactant damage suffered by the hair cortex in routine washing and the mechanistic effect of Coconut Based Hair Oils (CBHO) to mitigate the damage.

Methods

Surfactants which diffuse into the hair structure solubilize protein moieties, leading to an increase in porosity and internal surface area as well as the pore volume. The changes in hair pores occurring in the hair cortex are measured by nitrogen sorption method in line with the Brunauer‐Emmett‐Teller (BET) theory. Single fiber tensile parameters were measured using Diastron MTT 175. Color protection was measured quantitatively using spectrophotometer as well as visual rating by trained panelists.

Results

The pore surface area data clearly show the benefit of introducing coconut‐based hair oils (CBHO) into the hair by preventing increase in hair porosity. A statistically significant decrease in break stress and toughness were observed and the same were reversed by the application of CBHO. A pronounced color protection effect was also recorded with the application of CBHO.

Conclusion

The porosity reduction effect seen with the use of CBHO is attributed to the CBHO molecules blocking the diffusion pathways in the endocuticle and the matrix part of the cortical cells, limiting protein surfactant interaction resulting in reduced solubilization and loss. Since, the color molecules are likely to be much smaller than the protein moieties, a pronounced color protection effect suggests that the penetrated CBHO molecules form a dense diffusion barrier in the matrix, cell membrane complex (CMC) and the endocuticle regions of hair – which are the main diffusion pathways out of hair. The study confirms the damage repair potential of CBHO and that it works by increasing the hydrophobicity of hair – both on the hair surface and in the cortex.
Present status and future directions: Removal of fractured instruments
Authors: Terauchi Yoshi , Ali Wagih Tarek , Abielhassan Mohamed Mohsen
Published: April 2022

The success rate of fractured instrument retrieval varies because it is dependent mainly on several factors including the visibility of the fractured instrument, the length of the fractured instrument in relation to the curvature of the canal and the techniques applied to each case. This review aims to update the present status on removal of fractured instruments to identify factors and variables that could affect the success of fractured instrument retrieval based on both the preparation techniques and the instrument retrieval techniques. On the other hand, future directions of fractured instrument retrieval should focus on management of nonvisible fractured instruments since the removal of those instruments is deemed unpredictable with the current techniques, whereas the removal of visible fractured instruments is considered predictable now. Another possible direction of it is that there might be no more instrument fracture due to possible significant changes in the root canal preparation technique which may dispense with the use of rotary instruments.
Characteristics of anthocyanins in fortified cakes: a promising potent inhibitor of sucrase, α‐glucosidase and lipase
Authors: Huang Danlan , Teo Ni Zhen , Gao Jing , Jin Xiaoxuan , Zhou Weibiao
Published: April 2022

Anthocyanins are well‐known compounds that can improve gastrointestinal effects and have the potential to be utilised as an ingredient in functional foods. However, the true pharmacological role that they carry out in human body has been largely elusive. Thus, this study was aimed to investigate the inhibitory action of anthocyanins in a cake matrix on intestinal enzymes – α‐glucosidase, sucrase and lipase. Anthocyanin‐rich black rice extract powder (ABREP) was incorporated into cake at the levels of 0, 0.25, 0.5, 1 and 2% of flour weight. The physicochemical properties and in vitro digestibility of the cake, as well as enzyme inhibitory effects of anthocyanins were investigated. Degradation of anthocyanins in the batter occurred up to 68% at the 2% fortification level while the cake matrix asserted a protective effect on the remaining anthocyanins, keeping them by up to 84% after baking. The antioxidant capacity of cakes was increased by nine times when cake was fortified with 2% ABREP. The digestion rate of sucrose was reduced by 4.6 times at a 2% fortification level as compared to the control. Furthermore, cake with 2% ABREP addition showed 150%, 41% and 278% higher inhibitory effects against sucrase, α‐glucosidase and lipase as compared to the one with 0.5% addition, respectively. This study provides an in‐depth understanding of the potential of anthocyanin‐fortified foods for helping people with elevated blood glucose and triglyceride levels.
LncRNA FAF attenuates hypoxia/ischaemia‐induced pyroptosis via the miR‐185‐5p/PAK2 axis in cardiomyocytes
Authors: Gu Jie , Shi Jian‐Zhou , Wang Ya‐Xing , Liu Liu , Wang Si‐Bo , Sun Jia‐Teng , Shan Tian‐Kai , Wang Hao , Wang Qi‐Ming , Wang Lian‐Sheng
Published: April 2022

Pyroptosis is associated with various cardiovascular diseases. Increasing evidence suggests that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been implicated in gene regulation, but how lncRNAs participate in the regulation of pyroptosis in the heart remains largely unknown. In this study, we aimed to explore the antipyroptotic effects of lncRNA FGF9‐associated factor (FAF) in acute myocardial infarction (AMI). The expression patterns of lncRNA FAF, miR‐185‐5p and P21 activated kinase 2 (PAK2) were detected in hypoxia/ischaemia‐induced cardiomyocytes. Hoechst 33342/PI staining, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release assay, immunofluorescence and Western blotting were conducted to assay cell pyroptosis. The interaction between lncRNA FAF, miR‐185‐5p and PAK2 was verified by bioinformatics analysis, small RNA sequencing luciferase reporter assay and qRT‐PCR. The expression of LncRNA FAF was downregulated in hypoxic cardiomyocytes and myocardial tissues. Overexpression of lncRNA FAF could attenuate cardiomyocyte pyroptosis, improve cell viability and reduce infarct size during the procession of AMI. Moreover, lncRNA FAF was confirmed as a sponge of miR‐185‐5p and promoted PAK2 expression in cardiomyocytes. Collectively, our findings reveal a novel lncRNA FAF/miR‐185‐5p/PAK2 axis as a crucial regulator in cardiomyocyte pyroptosis, which might be a potential therapeutic target of AMI.
CPNE7 regenerates periodontal ligament via TAU‐mediated alignment and cementum attachment protein‐mediated attachment
Authors: Bai Shengfeng , Lee Ji‐Hyun , Son Chul , Lee Dong‐Seol , Park Joo‐Cheol
Published: April 2022

Aim

Once the periodontal ligament (PDL) is damaged, it is difficult to regenerate its characteristic structure. Copine7 (CPNE7) reportedly plays a functional role in supporting periodontal attachment and PDL alignment. Here we demonstrate the regulatory mechanism of CPNE7 coordination with cytoskeleton reorganization and cementum attachment protein (CAP)‐mediated attachment in PDL regeneration.

Materials and Methods

The expression and localization of CPNE7, α‐TUBULIN, ACTIN, and microtubule associated protein tau (TAU) were investigated in vitro. The effects of recombinant CPNE7 (rCPNE7) and CPNE7‐derived peptides (CPNE7‐DP) on the regulation of CAP were analysed in vitro, and PDL repair capacity was analysed in vivo.

Results

CPNE7 co‐localized with F‐ACTIN and induced α‐TUBULIN expansion to the edge of human PDL cells (hPDLCs). ACTIN and α‐TUBULIN protein expressions were not elevated in rCPNE7‐treated hPDLCs. rCPNE7 elevated the protein expression of TAU, which co‐localized with F‐ACTIN and α‐TUBULIN. Replantation studies on mice revealed that well‐attached and well‐aligned PDLs were repaired in the rCPNE7 group. CPNE7‐DP directly up‐regulate the expression of CAP in vitro and promote PDL regeneration in three‐wall defect canine models in vivo.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that CPNE7 helps in PDL repair by supporting PDL alignment through TAU‐mediated cytoskeleton reorganization and direct regulation of CAP‐mediated PDL attachments of PDLCs.
Self of the parent: An expanded social cognitive perspective on parent–child sexual communication
Authors: Astle Shelby , McAllister Paige , Pariera Katrina
Published: April 2022

Common theories used to study parent–child sexual communication (PCSC) often do not account for social location, trauma, and the multidimensional experience of being a parent, limiting our ability to understand PCSC behavior. To address this gap, we propose an expanded theoretical perspective based on social cognitive theory (SCT) that focuses on the relationship between self of the parent (including trauma history), PCSC behavior, and social location. With this perspective, we call attention to the SCT concepts of goals, outcome expectancies, self‐efficacy, and observational learning, directly apply them to PCSC processes, and highlight how each is related to social location (e.g., race) and trauma. We call upon PCSC researchers to explore how social location and trauma affect a wide variety of components of self of the parent, how social location and trauma affect PCSC behavior, and how social location and trauma affect the relationship between self of parent and PCSC behavior.
Statistical modelling of how the sagittal alignment of the cervical spine is affected by adolescent idiopathic scoliosis and how scoliosis surgery changes that
Authors: Gardner Adrian , Berryman Fiona , Pynsent Paul
Published: April 2022

The relationship between the sagittal shape of the cervical spine and that of the thoracolumbar spine is established in the normal spine. Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is recognised as a change in the shape of the spine in both the coronal and sagittal planes. The effects of AIS on the alignment of the cervical spine, including the effects of surgery, has been less well studied. The objective of this study was to identify, using regression analysis, the significant relationships between the alignment of the thoracolumbar spine, in both the coronal and sagittal planes, and the sagittal alignment of the cervical spine in AIS. This study used coronal and sagittal radiographic measures from a group with AIS, both pre and post‐operatively, which were analysed using multiple linear regression methods to identify significant parameters that explain the sagittal shape of the cervical spine. There were 51 pairs of pre and post‐operative radiographs analysed, 40 of which were Lenke 1 curves and 11 Lenke 3 curves. Posterior spinal fusion was performed for all. The significant parameters pre‐operatively were T1 slope, thoracic kyphosis, lumbar lordosis and SVA with an R2 value of 78%. Post‐operatively, the significant parameters were T1 slope, thoracic kyphosis, lumbar lordosis and thoracolumbar scoliosis with an R2 of 63%. The sagittal alignment of the cervical spine in AIS is related to the shape of key parameters in the rest of the spine. Changes in the cervical sagittal shape occur to compensate for changes in shape to the rest of the spine that occur as a consequence of surgery. This has implications for the understanding of how the compensatory mechanisms of the spine are used to maintain a horizontal gaze, along with prediction of the effects of surgery on the shape of the spine.
Effect of exogenous lipase on subcutaneous adipose tissue in a porcine animal model
Authors: Mecott‐Rivera Gabriel A. , Canseco‐Cavazos Jose Carlos , Richer‐Peña Jesus Andres , Facio‐Treviño Jose Angel , Rodríguez‐Rocha Humberto , Castillo‐Velazquez Uziel , González‐Vargas Iram Zeyn , Montes de Oca‐Luna Roberto , Chacón‐Moreno Hernan Jesus , Castro‐Govea Yanko
Published: April 2022

Background

Topical exogenous lipase has been approved for cosmetic use and has been used to mobilize fat from adipocytes. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of exogenous lipase in the subcutaneous adipose tissue.

Methods

Three different concentrations of exogenous lipase 1× (2 Units per ml), 5× (10 units per ml), and 10× (20 units per ml) were applied in a porcine model. Normal saline (NS) solution (as negative control) and phosphatidylcholine (as positive control) were also injected. Skin and subcutaneous tissue biopsies, up to the fascia, were obtained from each injection site on the 3rd day after injection. The number of cells per 20× field was counted as an indirect measurement of the size of the adipocytes.

Results

For 1× lipase, the number of cells per field was 47.80 (±7.63) versus 27.26 (±4.93), and 34.66 (±6.84) for NS, and phosphatidylcholine, respectively. For 5× lipase, the count was 36.06 (±4.74) versus 24.13 (±5.18), and 33.2 (±9.34). For 10× lipase, it was 40.06 (±4.35) versus 29.26 (±2.34) and 32.66 (±6.30) (p < .05 for all groups).

Conclusions

A higher number of cells per field were observed in the lipase samples, inferring a decreased volume of adipocytes. No inflammation and/or loss of cell architecture were evidenced in the exogenous lipase groups.
Study of botulinum toxin type A for the treatment of ultraviolet B‐induced hyperpigmentation: A prospective, randomized, controlled trial
Authors: Jurairattanaporn Natthachat , Palakornkitti Pasita , Anuntrangsee Tanaporn , Vachiramon Vasanop
Published: April 2022

Background

Botulinum toxin type A (BTX‐A) has been used experimentally under various dermatological conditions. Recent studies have revealed a preventive effect of BTX‐A against ultraviolet B (UVB)‐induced skin hyperpigmentation.

Objective

We examined the effect of BTX‐A for the treatment of UVB‐induced hyperpigmentation in humans.

Material and methods

A prospective, double‐blind, randomized controlled trial was conducted. UVB irradiation induced five separate hyperpigmented squares on the abdomen. Seven days after irradiation, all squares were randomly assigned to five intervention groups: control, 0.9% normal saline injection, 12 units (1:2.5), 6 units (1:5), and 4 units (1:7.5) of onabotulinum toxin injections. The lightness index (L*), hyperpigmentation improvement score rated by a blinded physician, and participant satisfaction scores were obtained at 14, 21, and 28 days after injection.

Results

Fifteen participants (mean age 36.9 years, Fitzpatrick skin types III‐IV) completed the study. The BTX‐A (1:2.5)‐treated site had a lower degree of hyperpigmentation at all time points, as measured by mean L* and hyperpigmentation improvement scores. However, there were no statistically significant differences between the groups. Participants were most satisfied with the control site.

Conclusion

Intradermal BTX‐A injection had no therapeutic effect on UVB‐induced hyperpigmentation. However, the role of BTX‐A injections in the treatment of other hyperpigmentary conditions requires further elucidation.
Centric relation: A matter of form and substance
Authors: Fornai Cinzia , Tester Ian , Parlett Kim , Basili Cristian , Costa Helder Nunes
Published: April 2022

The recent review article by Zonnenberg, Türp and Greene ‘Centric relation critically revisited – What are the clinical implications’? opens an important debate by addressing topics of central relevance in Dentistry, namely the relationship between occlusion and the condyle‐to‐glenoid‐fossa position, and the need for diagnostic assessment and therapeutic alteration of the condylar position in orthodontic patients. Zonnenberg, Türp and Greene concluded that the mandibular condyle is correctly situated in most orthodontic patients. Thus, in their view, orthodontists can disregard this aspect during treatment, and rely on the plastic properties of the masticatory supporting structures, while aiming at finishing the cases in a good occlusal relationship.

We think that this approach fails to consider that biological variation of the stomatognathic structures can also be pathological and that, as dental occlusion determines condylar relative position within the glenoid fossa, changes in the occlusion are likely to alter the original condylar‐to‐glenoid‐fossa relation. Hence, we claim that whenever the occlusal relationship must be changed, the clinician should carefully monitor the condyle position and the mandibular function to prevent possible iatrogenic effects.

To advance the discourse on the topic, we invite Zonnenberg, Türp and Greene to clarify their definition of ‘average patient’ and their interpretation of ‘full‐mouth orthodontic and orthognathic treatment’, their understanding of ‘biologically acceptable condylar relationship’, their justification of maximum intercuspation as reference position, the extent to which they think it is safe to rely on the TMJ resilience, and finally their alternative to centric relation in the treatment of patients needing condylar repositioning.
The impact of conflicts on climate and migration policy
Authors: Prieur Fabien , Schumacher Ingmar
Published: April 2022

We develop a theoretical model to study the relationship between climate change, migration, and conflicts from the perspective of the recipient countries, which we call collectively the North. The North chooses the number of immigrants it wants to accept together with the amount of climate change mitigation. The potential number of migrants is determined by the extent of climate change in the South. Accepting more migrants allows the North to increase local production but it also exacerbates climate change and gives rise to internal conflicts. Those potential migrants that want to migrate North due to climate change but are not allowed to immigrate may induce external conflicts. We find that a policymaker, subject to the threat of both internal and external conflicts, may either choose a policy that relies more on mitigation with less immigration, or less mitigation and more immigration. Which policy ought to be pursued depends on the relative cost of internal and external conflicts, and the mitigation cost. If either the threat of external or internal conflicts are negligible, then we find that the optimal mitigation and immigration policies are not interdependent any longer. We also discuss when mitigation and immigration policies are substitutes or complements.
Delivery of fluoride varnish during pediatric medical visits by rurality
Authors: Kranz Ashley M. , Goff Sarah L. , Dick Andrew W. , Whaley Christopher , Geissler Kimberley H.
Published: April 2022

Objectives

To examine variation in the delivery of fluoride varnish during pediatric medical visits by rurality.

Methods

This observational study used private health insurance claims (2016–2018) for children aged 1–5 years from Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island linked to the county‐level Rural–Urban Continuum codes. County‐level Rural–Urban Continuum codes were categorized into three groups: metropolitan, rural, and remote rural. Logistic regression models were used to estimate the odds of a well‐child medical visit including fluoride varnish by county rurality, adjusting for other individual and county characteristics.

Results

Among 328,661 pediatric well‐child visits paid by private insurance, fluoride varnish was included in 4.3% of visits in metropolitan counties, 6.2% of visits in rural counties, and 10.3% of visits in remote rural counties. There were significantly higher odds of a visit including fluoride varnish in rural remote counties (odds ratio [OR] = 3.5, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.3–5.3, p < 0.001) and in rural counties (OR = 2.4, 95% CI = 1.4–4.0, p < 0.001) compared to metropolitan counties. Rates of fluoride varnish during well‐child visits increased since 2016 in metropolitan counties and remained stable in rural counties.

Conclusions

All young children are recommended to receive fluoride varnish applications in medical settings, yet overall rates were low. For privately insured young children, pediatric well‐child medical visits were more likely to include fluoride varnish in rural and rural remote counties than metropolitan counties.
Historical exposure to chemicals reduces tolerance to novel chemical stress in Daphnia (waterflea)
Authors: Abdullahi Muhammad , Zhou Jiarui , Dandhapani Vignesh , Chaturvedi Anurag , Orsini Luisa
Published: April 2022

Until the last few decades, anthropogenic chemicals used in most production processes have not been comprehensively assessed for their risk and impact on wildlife and humans. They are transported globally and usually end up in the environment as unintentional pollutants, causing long‐term adverse effects. Modern toxicology practices typically use acute toxicity tests of unrealistic concentrations of chemicals to determine their safe use, missing pathological effects arising from long‐term exposures to environmentally relevant concentrations. Here, we study the transgenerational effect of environmentally relevant concentrations of five chemicals on the priority list of international regulatory frameworks on the keystone species Daphnia magna. We expose Daphnia genotypes resurrected from the sedimentary archive of a lake with a known history of chemical pollution to the five chemicals to understand how historical exposure to chemicals influences adaptive responses to novel chemical stress. We measure within‐ and transgenerational plasticity in fitness‐linked life history traits following exposure of “experienced” and “naive” genotypes to novel chemical stress. As the revived Daphnia originate from the same genetic pool sampled at different times in the past, we are able to quantify the long‐term evolutionary impact of chemical pollution by studying genome‐wide diversity and identifying functional pathways affected by historical chemical stress. Our results suggest that historical exposure to chemical stress causes reduced genome‐wide diversity, leading to lower cross‐generational tolerance to novel chemical stress. Lower tolerance is underpinned by reduced gene diversity at detoxification, catabolism and endocrine genes in experienced genotypes. We show that these genes sit within pathways that are conserved and potential chemical targets in other species, including humans.
Do we need an extra dimension? A pilot study on the use of three‐dimensional anorectal manometry in children with functional constipation
Authors: Baaleman Desiree F. , Vriesman Mana H. , Benninga Marc A. , Bali Neetu , Vaz Karla H. , Yacob Desale , Di Lorenzo Carlo , Lu Peter L. , Koppen Ilan J. N.
Published: April 2022

Background

Recently, a new high‐definition (or three‐dimensional “3D”) high‐resolution anorectal manometry (3D‐ARM) catheter has been introduced. This catheter allows for a more detailed visualization of the anal canal. However, its clinical utility and tolerability in children with constipation are unknown. Our primary objective was to evaluate the agreement between findings from solid‐state high‐resolution anorectal manometry (HR‐ARM) and 3D‐ARM. Secondary objectives were to investigate if 3D‐ARM has additional value over HR‐ARM and to evaluate patient and provider experience.

Methods

Prospective pilot study including children (8–18 years of age) with functional constipation scheduled for anorectal manometry. Children underwent HR‐ARM and 3D‐ARM consecutively. We compared manometry results of both procedures and collected data on patient and provider experience via self‐developed questionnaires.

Key Results

Data of ten patients were analyzed (60% female, median age 14.9 years). In the majority of patients, ARMs were performed awake (n = 8, 80%). In two patients, the recto‐anal inhibitory reflex (RAIR) was visualized during HR‐ARM but not during 3D‐ARM. Anal canal resting pressures were significantly higher during 3D‐ARM compared to HR‐ARM (median 77 mmHg [IQR 59–94] vs. 69 mmHg [IQR 51–91], respectively, p = 0.037). No significant anatomical or muscular abnormalities were visualized during the 3D‐ARM. The majority of children identified the 3D‐ARM as the more unpleasant (5/7 [71%]) and more painful procedure (6/7 [86%]) and therefore preferred the HR‐ARM (4/7 [57%]).

Conclusions & Inferences

In our patient sample, 3D‐ARM was associated with more discomfort without providing more useful information and even resulted in an inconsistent visualization of the RAIR.
The Devil is in the Details: Identifying Unbiased Link between Alcohol Purchasing Rights and Youth Delinquency*
Authors: Dasgupta Kabir , Plum Alexander , Erwin Christopher
Published: April 2022

The minimum alcohol purchasing age in New Zealand was lowered from 20 to 18 in December 1999. Focusing on two distinct legislative regimes, we utilize a national‐level census of all criminal convictions to examine the impact of unrestricted alcohol purchasing rights on alcohol‐induced criminal behaviour. Our study reveals that overall trends in alcohol‐related convictions are obscured by offenses that can only be prosecuted up to a certain age. After removing confounding influences from additional regulations that hold relevance under one legislative regime but not the other, we do not find a statistically meaningful increase in overall measures of alcohol‐related crimes at the minimum legal alcohol purchasing age. The novel empirical findings from our study extend the geographic focus of the existing international literature on the social costs of gaining unrestricted access to alcohol.
Neutrophils: Friend or foe in Filariasis?
Authors: Ajendra Jesuthas , Allen Judith E.
Published: April 2022

Infection with the filarial nematodes that cause diseases such as lymphatic filariasis and onchocerciasis represent major public health challenges. With millions of people at risk of infection, new strategies for treatment or prevention are urgently needed. More complete understanding of the host immune system's ability to control and eliminate the infection is an important step towards fighting these debilitating infectious diseases. Neutrophils are innate immune cells that are rapidly recruited to inflamed or infected tissues and while considered primarily anti‐microbial, there is increasing recognition of their role in helminth infections. Filarial nematodes present a unique situation, as many species harbour the bacterial endosymbiont, Wolbachia. The unexpected involvement of neutrophils during filarial infections has been revealed both in human diseases and animal studies, with strong evidence for recruitment by Wolbachia. This present review will introduce the different human filarial diseases and discuss neutrophil involvement in both protective immune responses, but also in the exacerbation of pathology. Additionally, we will highlight the contributions of the murine model of filariasis, Litomosoides sigmodontis. While several studies have revealed the importance of neutrophils in these parasite infections, we will also draw attention to many questions that remain to be answered.