bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Distress‐Related Internalizing Symptoms Interact With Externalizing Symptoms to Predict Alcohol Problems in an Inpatient Adolescent Sample
Authors: Egerton Gregory A. , Jenzer Tiffany , Blayney Jessica A. , Kimber Justin , Colder Craig R. , Read Jennifer P.
Published: November 2019

Background and Objectives

Previous research has yielded equivocal findings regarding whether internalizing symptoms are risk factors for adolescent hazardous alcohol use (AU), specifically in the presence of externalizing symptoms. This may be due to the type of internalizing symptoms examined (ie, distress vs fear), and the use of primarily normative rather than clinical samples. Thus, we tested internalizing and externalizing symptom interactions as they relate to adolescent hazardous AU in a high‐risk, clinical sample of adolescents.

Methods

Adolescents (N = 101; 66% female; Mage = 15) were recruited from an inpatient psychiatric unit and assessed for current symptoms. Hypotheses were tested by running a series of moderation models regressing hazardous AU on a set of internalizing symptoms (ie, depression, generalized anxiety disorder [GAD], social anxiety, separation anxiety, school avoidance, and panic), each interacting with externalizing symptoms.

Results

We observed significant interactions between several internalizing symptoms (depression, GAD, and panic symptoms) and externalizing symptoms predicting hazardous AU. These internalizing symptoms were unrelated to AU at low and average levels of externalizing symptoms, but were positively related to AU at high levels of externalizing symptoms.

Discussion and Conclusions

In this clinical sample, distress‐related internalizing symptomatology was associated with risk for, and not protection against, hazardous AU, but only when accompanied by high externalizing symptoms.

Scientific Significance

Findings suggest that whether or not internalizing symptoms operate synergistically with externalizing symptoms to predict hazardous AU depends on the subdomain of internalizing symptoms (distress vs fear) and perhaps the type of sample (ie, clinical vs community). (Am J Addict 2019:00:00–00)
Resilience, frailty and outcomes in geriatric rehabilitation
Authors: Kohler Sabrina , Rametta Robert , Poulter Matthew , Vogrin Sara , Yates Paul
Published: November 2019

Objective

To assess relationships between resilience, frailty and outcomes in geriatric rehabilitation inpatients.

Methods

Eighty‐nine inpatients had Brief Resilience Scale (BRS) and frailty index (FI‐CGA) completed. Pearson's or Spearman's correlation was used to determine correlation between BRS, FI‐CGA and covariates. Multivariate logistic regression was used to determine associations between resilience, frailty and covariates with functional independence measure gain, length of stay (LOS) > 21 days, mortality and discharge care requirements.

Results

There was a negative correlation between BRS and premorbid FI‐CGA (r = −0.31, P = 0.03) and admission FI‐CGA (r = −0.26, P = 0.01) and between BRS and Mini‐Mental State Examination score (rho = −0.26, P = 0.02). BRS was not associated with observed outcomes. Premorbid FI‐CGA was associated with inpatient mortality, and greater increase in FI‐CGA during acute stay was associated with greater LOS. All patients who died were frail (FI‐CGA > 0.25).

Conclusion

Resilience and frailty were inversely related. Frailty was an independent predictor of rehabilitation LOS and mortality.
Neonatal cortical perceptions of maternal breast odours: A fNIRS study
Authors: Frie Jakob , Bartocci Marco , Kuhn Pierre
Published: November 2019

Aim

The aim was to determine whether preterm and full‐term newborn infants could process maternal breast odour at a cortical level.

Methods

Newborn infants were exposed to cloths containing their own mother's breast odour and freshly laundered control cloths for 10 seconds, while functional near‐infrared spectroscopy measured cortical activation in their olfactory processing areas. We studied 45 newborn infants born at 28‐41 weeks of gestation and divided them into three groups: full‐term (37‐41 weeks), late preterm (33‐36 weeks) and very preterm (28‐32 weeks). Cortical activation was defined as a regional increase of oxyhaemoglobin following maternal breast odour stimuli.

Results

Full‐term infants demonstrated bilateral activation of their olfactory cortices following exposure to maternal breast odour. Late preterm infants and very preterm boys exhibited unilateral cortical activation, unlike very preterm girls.

Conclusion

Infants born from 32 weeks, and possibly earlier, could process low concentration maternal odours at a cortical level, which suggests they were more aware of their environment. These findings could make a significant contribution to improving the sensory environment of preterm infants and improve bonding.
South Korea's Automotive Labour Regime, Hyundai Motors’ Global Production Network and Trade‐Based Integration with the European Union
Authors: Campling Liam , Harrison James , Richardson Ben , Smith Adrian , Barbu Mirela
Published: November 2019

This article explores the interrelationship between global production networks (GPNs) and free trade agreements (FTAs) in the South Korean auto industry and its employment relations. It focuses on the production network of the Hyundai Motor Group (HMG) — the third biggest automobile manufacturer in the world — and the FTA between the EU and South Korea. This was the first of the EU's ‘new generation’ FTAs, which among other things contained provisions designed to protect and promote labour standards. The article's argument is twofold. First, that HMG's production network and Korea's political economy (of which HMG is a crucial part) limited the possibilities for the FTA's labour provisions to take effect. Second, that the commercial provisions in this same FTA simultaneously eroded HMG's domestic market and corporate profitability, leading to adverse consequences for auto workers in the more insecure and low‐paid jobs. In making this argument, the article advances a multi‐scalar conceptualization of the labour regime as an analytical intermediary between GPNs and FTAs. It also provides one of the first empirical studies of the EU–South Korea FTA in terms of employment relations, drawing on 105 interviews with trade unions, employer associations, automobile companies and state officials across both parties.
Important components of a programme for children with medical complexity: An Australian perspective
Authors: D'Aprano Anita , Gibb Susie , Riess Suzi , Cooper Monica , Mountford Nicki , Meehan Elaine
Published: November 2019

Background

Children with medical complexity (CMC) have high care needs, often unmet by traditional healthcare models. In response to this need, the Complex Care Service (CCS) at The Royal Children's Hospital (RCH), Melbourne was created. Although preliminary parent satisfaction data were available, we lacked knowledge of how the various components of the expanded service were valued and contributed to overall caregiver satisfaction.

Aim

The aims of this study were to (a) determine what caregivers value most about the CCS and (b) explore caregiver perceptions of care.

Methods

All caregivers of children enrolled in the RCH CCS in April 2017 were invited to participate. A purposefully designed survey explored caregiver perceptions of care, including patient quality of care; the extent to which the CCS components added value and satisfaction; and frequency of contact. Participants were also invited to answer open‐ended questions and provide general comments.

Results

Responses were received from 53 families (51%). We found that 24‐hr phone advice, coordination of appointments, a key contact, and access to timely information were the most important components of the service. More than 90% of caregivers indicated that they were satisfied with care and that the CCS improved their child's quality of care. Coordination, communication, family‐centred care, quality care, and access were emergent themes within comments.

Conclusion

This study provides important information regarding the design and operation of services for CMC throughout Australia and further afield. Our findings highlight the importance of the key contact and family‐centred care. This has implications for practice, as maintaining service quality, as the CCS expands and is implemented more widely, is a major sustainability challenge. It is crucial that we have a detailed understanding of what elements are required to support effective care coordination, to achieve successful implementation on a larger scale.
Family‐centred care in early intervention: Examining caregiver perceptions of family‐centred care and early intervention service use intensity
Authors: McManus Beth M. , Murphy Natalie J. , Richardson Zachary , Khetani Mary A. , Schenkman Margaret , Morrato Elaine H.
Published: November 2019

Background

Family‐centred care (FCC) is an approach to paediatric rehabilitation service delivery endorsing shared decision making and effective communication with families. There is great need to understand how early intervention (EI) programmes implement these processes, how EI caregivers perceive them, and how they relate to EI service use. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to examine (a) parent and provider perceptions about EI FCC processes and (b) the association between FCC perceptions and EI service intensity.

Methods

In this cross‐sectional study, parent perceptions of EI FCC were measured using the electronically administered Measures of Processes of Care (MPOC‐56 and MPOC‐SP; using 7‐point scales). Participants included EI parents (n = 29) and providers (n = 9) from one urban EI programme (1/1/18–6/1/18). We linked survey responses with child characteristics and service use ascertained through EI records. We estimated parent–provider MPOC score correlations and the association between EI service intensity (hr/month) and parent MPOC scores using adjusted linear regression accounting for child characteristics.

Results

Parents (M = 4.2, SD = 1.1) and providers (M = 5.8, SD = 1.3) reported low involvement related to general information exchange. Parent and provider subscale scores were not correlated except that parent‐reported receipt of specific information was inversely associated with provider‐reported provision of general information (r = −0.4, P < .05). In adjusted models, parent perceptions related to respectful and supportive (b = 1.57, SE = 0.56) and enabling (b = 1.42, SE = 0.67) care were positively associated with EI intensity, whereas specific information exchange and general information exchange were not associated with intensity.

Conclusion

We found that EI parents and providers reported high levels of investment in the family centredness of their EI care, with the exception of information sharing. Greater EI service intensity was associated with higher perception of involvement with some metrics of family centredness.
The role of theories in interventions targeting preteens with Type 1 diabetes: A critical literature review
Authors: Pals Regitze Anne Saurbrey , Skinner Timothy , Velasco Elena Rey , Grabowski Dan
Published: November 2019

Background

Theory‐based interventions have been recommended to target relevant issues and improve outcomes in children and adolescents with Type 1 diabetes. Furthermore, the timing of interventions has been recognized as key to improving outcomes, suggesting a need to focus on preteens (9–12 years old) with Type 1 diabetes. The aim of the present study was to identify the theories that inform interventions targeting preteens with Type 1 diabetes and to analyse the studies for their understandings of theory.

Methods

We conducted a systematic literature review of intervention studies targeting preteens with Type 1 diabetes to identify the theoretical frameworks applied. Seven databases across different scientific disciplines were searched for papers published between 1995 and 2018.

Results

Twenty‐four studies were included in the review. Of these, 14 were categorized as theory‐inspired and 10 as theory‐related studies. Social cognitive theory appeared most frequently. Most studies did not provide a rationale for their choice and application of theory to inform interventions. The studies were characterized by use of adult‐centric theories and a focus on the relationships between children and their parents.

Conclusions

The present review shows variations and limitations in the description and application of theories across interventions targeting preteens with Type 1 diabetes. This emphasizes the need for future studies to address for what reason and how a certain theory or method is applied. We suggest that interventions might benefit from using theories that are centred on the needs and experiences of children, target family dynamics that include all important family members, and address the mutually constitutive relationship between interventions and the social context in which they are implemented.
Statistical matching for conservation science
Authors: Schleicher Judith , Eklund Johanna , D. Barnes Megan , Geldmann Jonas , Oldekop Johan A. , Jones Julia P. G.
Published: November 2019

The awareness of the need for robust impact evaluations in conservation is growing and statistical matching techniques are increasingly being used to assess the impacts of conservation interventions. Used appropriately matching approaches are powerful tools, but they also pose potential pitfalls. We outlined important considerations and best practice when using matching in conservation science. We identified 3 steps in a matching analysis. First, develop a clear theory of change to inform selection of treatment and controls and that accounts for real‐world complexities and potential spillover effects. Second, select the appropriate covariates and matching approach. Third, assess the quality of the matching by carrying out a series of checks. The second and third steps can be repeated and should be finalized before outcomes are explored. Future conservation impact evaluations could be improved by increased planning of evaluations alongside the intervention, better integration of qualitative methods, considering spillover effects at larger spatial scales, and more publication of preanalysis plans. Implementing these improvements will require more serious engagement of conservation scientists, practitioners, and funders to mainstream robust impact evaluations into conservation. We hope this article will improve the quality of evaluations and help direct future research to continue to improve the approaches on offer.
Does preoperative enteral nutrition reduce the incidence of surgical complications in patients with Crohn’s disease? A case‐matched study
Authors: Yamamoto T. , Nakahigashi M. , Shimoyama T. , Umegae S.
Published: November 2019

Aim

Currently, the notion that preoperative optimization with enteral nutrition (EN) reduces the incidence of complication after surgery in Crohn’s disease (CD) patients is being debated. This case‐matched study was to evaluate the impact of preoperative EN on surgical outcomes in patients with CD.

Method

Twenty‐four patients received EN therapy with an elemental diet (1800–2400 kcal/day) for at least 2 weeks before the planned surgery (EN group). A further 24 patients who underwent surgery without receiving preoperative EN or parenteral nutrition formed a control group based on four matched criteria: age (≤/>40 years), the use of preoperative medications (corticosteroids/azathioprine/biologics), disease behaviour (inflammatory/stricturing/penetrating) and main surgical procedure (ileal resection/ileocolonic resection/colectomy). The incidence of complications observed within 30 days after surgery was compared between the two groups. Septic complications were defined as anastomotic leak, intra‐abdominal abscess, entero‐cutaneous fistula or wound infection.

Results

In the EN group, the median serum albumin level significantly increased, while C‐reactive protein (CRP) significantly decreased during the preoperative EN (albumin, from 3.0 mg/dl to 3.1 mg/dl, P = 0.04; CRP, from 3.05 mg/dl to 2.52 mg/dl, P = 0.02). The incidence of postoperative septic complications was significantly lower in the EN group compared with the control group (4% vs 25%, P = 0.04). The occurrence rate of overall complications was lower in the EN group (21% vs 29%, P = 0.51), but not statistically significant.

Conclusion

In patients with CD, preoperative optimization with EN reduced the overall rate of postoperative complications and significantly decreased postoperative septic complications.
Endocytoscopy for the diagnosis of marginal zone B‐cell lymphoma of mucosa‐associated lymphoid tissue type in the rectum: Report of two cases
Authors: Satoh Tatsunori , Hotta Kinichi , Imai Kenichiro
Published: November 2019

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Glycated haemoglobin as a screening test for abnormal glucose homeostasis in childhood obesity
Authors: Kumbhojkar A. , Saraff V. , Nightingale P. , Högler W.
Published: November 2019

Aim

To estimate the proportion of type 2 diabetes mellitus and abnormal glucose homeostasis in childhood obesity and assess the predictive role of HbA1c as a diagnostic marker compared with oral glucose tolerance testing (OGTT).

Methods

A retrospective study in a tertiary paediatric hospital. Data were collected on all overweight or obese children who underwent routine OGTT between 2012 and 2016. Ethnicity, anthropometry, comorbidities and other risk factors associated with diabetes were recorded systematically. Fasting venous glucose, insulin and HbA1c values, along with 120‐min venous glucose were recorded. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed to derive optimum thresholds of HbA1c for detection of type 2 diabetes, impaired fasting glucose (IFG) and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT). Predictive HbA1c thresholds for the detection of abnormal glucose homeostasis in children with obesity were calculated.

Results

Of 156 children, 13 (8%, 10 female, 10 Asian) had type 2 diabetes, 95 (61%) had normal glucose tolerance, 18 (12%) had isolated IFG, 19 (12%) had isolated IGT, and another 11 (7%) had both IFG and IGT. The proportion of abnormal glucose homeostasis was 39%. ROC curve analysis demonstrated that HbA1c ≥ 42 mmol/mol (6.0%) predicted type 2 diabetes (specificity 95%, sensitivity 85%) but performed moderately for IFG (specificity 46%, sensitivity 78%) and IGT (specificity 78%, sensitivity 55%).

Conclusion

Despite HbA1c being a less‐sensitive diagnostic tool compared with OGTT for children with IFG and IGT, it is reliable in detecting type 2 diabetes in asymptomatic children with obesity, instead of the labour‐ and cost‐intensive OGTT.
Impact of mixed cryoglobulinemia on patients with spontaneous hepatitis C virus clearance: A 13‐year prospective cohort study
Authors: Lee Kuan‐Chieh , Cheng Ya‐Ting , Lin Cheng‐Yu , Kuo Chia‐Jung , Chien Rong‐Nan , Yeh Chau‐Ting , Chang Ming‐Ling
Published: November 2019

Background

The prevalence and associations of mixed cryoglobulinemia (MC) in patients with spontaneous clearance of hepatitis C virus (HCV) remain elusive.

Materials and methods

A 13‐year prospective cohort study of patients with spontaneous HCV clearance was conducted in a tertiary care centre. Baseline characteristics, incident cardiovascular and neurologic events and cancers were analysed.

Results

Of 104 consecutive patients (mean age: 54.08 years old; females: 71 [68%]), 37 (34.6%) had MC and 6 (5.8%) had cirrhosis. MC (+) patients were more female (86% vs 58%, P = .002), had higher rate of cirrhosis (14% vs 1.5%, P = .012), higher levels of Immunoglobulin G (IgG; P = .001), IgM (P = .002) and fibrosis‐4 (FIB‐4) (P = .004), but lower levels of complement C4 (P = .034) than the MC (−) patients. Female gender (95% confidence interval [CI] of odds ratio: 1.402‐26.715), levels of IgG (1.000‐1.004), IgM (1.009‐1.037) and FIB‐4 (1.217‐3.966) were independently associated with MC. Baseline rheumatoid factor (RF) levels were independently associated with incident cancer (95% CI hazard ratio [HR]: 1.001‐1.030 [HR: 1.015], P = .039). With a cut‐off value of 11.3 IU/mL, RF levels significantly predicted incident cancer (area under curve: 0.865, P = .002). No different cumulative incidences of cardiovascular and neurologic events, cancers or mortalities were identified between MC (+) and MC (−) patient.

Conclusions

Approximately 1/3 of patients with spontaneous HCV clearance yielded MC, which harboured similar characteristics of MC in patients with chronic hepatitis C. Despite the negligible role of MC in the prognosis of patients with spontaneous HCV clearance, the connection between RF and incident cancer demands further investigation.
The influence of the volumetric composition of the intracranial space on neural activity in healthy subjects: a resting‐state functional magnetic resonance study
Authors: Porcu Michele , Wintermark Max , Suri Jasjit S. , Saba Luca
Published: November 2019

Brain atrophy is a condition observed both with healthy aging and in association with neurologic pathological conditions. We investigated the role of the volumetric composition of the intracranial space (VOCICS) in terms of relative brain volume (BV%) and relative cerebrospinal fluid volume (CSFV%) on the neural activity measured by resting‐state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs‐fMRI). We performed a group rs‐fMRI analysis of a dataset of 192 healthy subjects derived by the publicly available Functional Connectome Project. Automatic volumetric analysis of structural data was performed in order to obtain BV% and CSFV% for every subject. Two fractional Amplitude of Low‐Frequency Fluctuations (fALFF) and two region of interest‐to‐region of interest (ROI‐to‐ROI) analyses were then performed using BV% and CSFV% as second‐level covariates, adopting a multiple regression statistic test in order to evaluate the effects of BV% and CSFV% on brain networks. The analyses revealed that VOCICS broadly influences brain networks. In conclusion, VOCICS significantly influences brain activity measured by rs‐fMRI, and this parameter could represent an easy marker of brain connectivity in healthy young subjects.
Pollinia pollini (Costa, 1857) (Hemiptera, Asterolecaniidae) infesting olive trees: a first record in Tunisia
Authors: Haouas D. , Mdellel L. , Mraihi I. , Hafsi C. , Balmès V.
Published: November 2019

During January 2019, mealybugs were observed on branches of olive trees (Olea europaea, L.) for the first time at Nebeur and Charket Saboune (Governorate‐Kef, Tunisia). Samples were collected and brought to the laboratory for identification. The mealybug species was identified based on its morphological characteristics as Pollinia pollini (Costa, 1857) (Hemiptera, Asterolecanidae). This is the first report of this species in Tunisia.
A new pest on soybean in Turkey: Melanagromyza sojae Zehntner (Diptera: Agromyzidae)
Authors: Özgür O. , Bademci M. , Büyüköztürk H. D.
Published: November 2019

Melanagromyza sojae Zehntner (Hemiptera: Agromyzidae) is known as a pest of several leguminous plants, especially Glycine max, soybean, in several countries worldwide. As a result of an alert raised by soybean producers in the province of Adana, which has a large share of soybean production in Turkey, plant samples in which pupae were observed were collected from two soybean fields in Çukurova in the production season in 2018. The samples were kept in the laboratory and the emerging adults were identified morphologically as M. sojae. Observations made in soybean fields in Turkey are presented. A review of the situation for this pest and its control methods are is presented. This is the first report of M. sojae in Turkey. It is therefore recommended to perform a close monitoring of this pest to investigate more in detail the extent of the damage caused by this pest in soybean crops in Turkey, to identify its variety preferences, other other hosts, natural enemies and control methods to be used.
A bHLH transcription factor, MYC2, imparts salt intolerance by regulating proline biosynthesis in Arabidopsis
Authors: Verma Deepanjali , Jalmi Siddhi Kashinath , Bhagat Prakash Kumar , Verma Neetu , Sinha Alok Krishna
Published: November 2019

MYC2, a bHLH TF, acts as regulatory hub within several signaling pathways by integration of various endogenous and exogenous signals which shape plant growth and development. However, its involvement in salt stress regulation is still elusive. This study has deciphered a novel role of MYC2 in imparting salt stress intolerance by regulating delta1 ‐pyrroline‐5‐carboxylate synthase1 (P5CS1) gene and hence proline synthesis. P5CS1 is a rate‐limiting enzyme in the biosynthesis of proline. Y‐1‐H and EMSA studies confirmed the binding of MYC2 with the 5′UTR region of P5CS1. Transcript and biochemical studies have revealed MYC2 as a negative regulator of proline biosynthesis. Proline is necessary for imparting tolerance toward abiotic stress; however, its overaccumulation is toxic for the plants. Hence, studying the regulation of proline biosynthesis is requisite to understand the mechanism of stress tolerance. We have also studied that MYC2 is regulated by mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade mitogen‐activated protein kinase kinase 3‐MPK6 and vice versa. Altogether, this study demonstrates salt stress‐mediated activation of MYC2 by MAPK cascade, regulating proline biosynthesis and thus salt stress.
Oral health‐related quality of life and associated factors among older people in short‐term care
Authors: Koistinen Susanne , Olai Lena , Ståhlnacke Katri , Fält Anna , Ehrenberg Anna
Published: November 2019

Objectives

It is well known that oral health status is associated with oral health‐related quality of life (OHRQoL) in the general population. The aim of this study was to describe and analyse OHRQoL among older people in short‐term care and its associated factors.

Materials and Methods

This cross‐sectional study included 391 older people in 36 short‐term care units. Data were collected via clinical oral assessments, questions about self‐perceived oral and general health, Katz Index of Activities of Daily Living (Katz‐ADL) and the Revised Oral Assessment Guide (ROAG). OHRQoL was measured using the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP‐14). Multivariate logistic regression models were applied in the analysis.

Results

Poor OHRQoL was reported by 34% of the older people. Associated factors were swallowing problems according to ROAG; quite poor/poor self‐perceived physical, psychological and oral health; and being a woman.

Conclusions

There is an association between OHRQoL and older people's self‐perceived health according to the OHIP‐14. This indicates the importance of early detection of oral health problems in frail older people and to assess both oral health and swallowing problems among older people in short‐term care.
Formation of malondialdehyde, 4‐hydroxy‐hexenal and 4‐hydroxy‐nonenal during deep‐frying of potato sticks and chicken breast meat in vegetable oils
Authors: Ma Lukai , Liu Guoqin , Cheng Weiwei , Liu Xinqi , Liu Huifan , Wang Qin , Mao Guoxing , Cai Xintong , Brennan Charles , Brennan Margaret A.
Published: November 2019

The present work investigated the formation of three toxic aldehydes, malondialdehyde (MDA), 4‐hydroxy‐hexenal (HHE) and 4‐hydroxy‐nonenal (HNE), during deep‐frying of different foods in corn oil (CO), rapeseed oil (RO) and linseed oil (LO). Besides, their contents in French fries (FF) and fried chicken breast meat (FCBM) were also explored. Results showed that the MDA/HHE/HNE levels in frying groups were all lower than those in control, indicating the incorporation into the fried foods. Apart from the different levels, MDA/HHE/HNE in FF and FCBM possessed similar variation tendencies, revealing the matrix‐mediated distribution. The combined exposure assessment based on the threshold of toxicological concern (TTC) levels was conducted, and risks of exceeding the limitation values (1.5 μg kg bw−1 day−1) for HNE in CO and HHE in LO were exhibited. The consumption of both FF and FCBM should be regulated, considering the levels of MDA, HHE and HNE these fried foods may contain.
Barbarous Spectacle and General Massacre: A Defence of Gory Fictions
Authors: Stoner Ian
Published: November 2019

Many people suspect it is morally wrong to watch the graphically violent horror films colloquially known as gorefests. A prominent argument vindicating this suspicion is the Argument from Reactive Attitudes (ARA). The ARA holds that we have a duty to maintain a well‐functioning moral psychology, and watching gorefests violates that duty by threatening damage to our appropriate reactive attitudes. But I argue that the ARA is probably unsound. Depictions of suffering and death in other genres typically do no damage to our appropriate reactive attitudes, and until we locate a relevant difference between these depictions in gorefests and in other genres, we should assume that the depictions in gorefests do no damage. I consider and reject three candidate differences: in artistic merit, meaningfulness, and audience orientation. Until genre sceptics identify a relevant difference, we should accept the taste for gory fictions as we would any other morally innocuous variation in taste.
Instructors' gestures enhance their teaching experience and performance while recording video lectures
Authors: Yang Jiumin , Zhu Fangfang , Guo Peiyu , Pi Zhongling
Published: November 2019

An instructor's gestures have an effect not only on students' learning but also on teaching itself. In two experiments, this study tested whether instructors' use of gestures while recording video lectures affected their teaching performance, stress, and cognitive load. In Experiment 1, participants recorded video lectures with gestures or without gestures. As hypothesized, t tests showed that participants in the gestures condition had better teaching performance and lower cognitive load than participants in the no‐gestures condition, whereas there was no effect on stress level. In Experiment 2, participants recorded video lectures with either pointing gestures or representational gestures. The t tests indicated that participants in the pointing gestures condition showed better teaching performance and experienced lower stress than those in the representational gestures condition, but there was no difference in cognitive load. Overall, our findings suggest that in the new educational environment of video lectures, instructors should consider using gestures, especially pointing gestures, to improve their teaching and their experience of teaching.
Development and verification of a nomogram for prediction of recurrence‐free survival in clear cell renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Chen Yuanlei , Jiang Shangjun , Lu Zeyi , Xue Dingwei , Xia Liqun , Lu Jieyang , Wang Huan , Xu Liwei , Li Liyang , Li Gonghui
Published: November 2019

Nowadays, gene expression profiling has been widely used in screening out prognostic biomarkers in numerous kinds of carcinoma. Our studies attempt to construct a clinical nomogram which combines risk gene signature and clinical features for individual recurrent risk assessment and offer personalized managements for clear cell renal cell carcinoma. A total of 580 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified via microarray. Functional analysis revealed that DEGs are of fundamental importance in ccRCC progression and metastasis. In our study, 338 ccRCC patients were retrospectively analysed and a risk gene signature which composed of 5 genes was obtained from a LASSO Cox regression model. Further analysis revealed that identified risk gene signature could usefully distinguish the patients with poor prognosis in training cohort (hazard ratio [HR] = 3.554, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.261‐7.472, P < .0001, n = 107). Moreover, the prognostic value of this gene‐signature was independent of clinical features (P = .002). The efficacy of risk gene signature was verified in both internal and external cohorts. The area under receiver operating characteristic curve of this signature was 0.770, 0.765 and 0.774 in the training, testing and external validation cohorts, respectively. Finally, a nomogram was developed for clinicians and did well in the calibration plots. This nomogram based on risk gene signature and clinical features might provide a practical way for recurrence prediction and facilitating personalized managements of ccRCC patients after surgery.
Identification of a novel germlineBRCA2variant in a Chinese breast cancer family
Authors: Cheng Jingliang , Peng Jiangzhou , Fu Jiewen , Khan Md. Asaduzzaman , Tan Pingping , Wei Chunli , Deng Xiyun , Chen Hanchun , Fu Junjiang
Published: November 2019

Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer and the leading cause of cancer‐related deaths in women worldwide. In this study, a large Chinese pedigree with breast cancer including a proband and two female patients was recruited and a familial history of breast cancer was collected by questionnaire. Clinicopathological assessments and neoadjuvant therapy‐related information were obtained for the proband. Blood samples were taken, and gDNA was extracted. TheBRCA1/2andPALB2genes were screened using next‐generation sequencing by a targeted gene panel. We have successfully identified a novel, germline heterozygous, missense mutation of the geneBRCA2: c.7007G>T, p.R2336L, which is likely to be pathogenic in the proband and her elder sister who both had breast cancer. Furthermore, the risk factors for developing breast cancer in this family are discussed. Thus, genetic counselling and long‐term follow‐up should be provided for this family of breast cancer patients as well as carriers carrying a germline variant ofBRCA2: c.7007G>T (p.R2336L).
Enhanced alleviation of aGVHD by TGF‐β1‐modified mesenchymal stem cells in mice through shifting MΦ into M2 phenotype and promoting the differentiation of Treg cells
Authors: Wu Ran , Liu Chuanxu , Deng Xiaohui , Chen Linjun , Hao Siguo , Ma Liyuan
Published: November 2019

Allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo‐HSCT) is the only curative method in treating haematologic malignant diseases. Graft‐versus‐host disease (GVHD) is a common complication post–allo‐HSCT, which can be life‐threatening. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) as an adult stem cell with immunoregulatory function have demonstrated efficacy in steroid resistant acute GVHD (aGVHD). However, the outcome of aGVHD treated with MSCs in clinical trials varied and its underlying mechanism is still unclear. TGF‐β1 is a potent cytokine, which plays a key role in immunoregulation. In the present study, we firstly transduced the lentivirus vector containing TGF‐β1 gene with mouse bone marrow‐derived MSCs. Then, we investigated the immunosuppressive effect of TGF‐β1 gene‐modified MSCs on lymphocytes in vitro and its preventive and therapeutical effects on murine aGVHD model in vivo. Murine MSC was successfully isolated and identified. TGF‐β1 was efficiently transduced into mouse MSCs, and high level TGF‐β1 was detected. MSC‐TGF‐β1 shared the same morphology and immunotypic features of normal MSC. In vitro, MSC‐TGF‐β1 showed enhanced immunosuppressive function on lymphocyte proliferation. In vivo, MSC‐TGF‐β1 showed enhanced amelioration on the severity of aGVHD both in prophylactic and therapeutic murine models. Finally, the macrophages (MØs) derived from MSC‐TGF‐β1–treated mice showed a remarkably increasing of anti‐inflammatory M2‐like phenotype. Furthermore, the differentiation of CD4+ CD25+ Foxp3+ Treg cells was significantly increased in MSC‐TGF‐β1–treated group. Taken together, we proved that MSC‐TGF‐β1 showed enhanced alleviation of aGVHD severity in mice by skewing macrophages into a M2 like phenotype or increasing the proportion of Treg cells, which opens a new frontier in the treatment of aGVHD.
TAK1 inhibition in mouse astrocyte cultures ameliorates cytokine‐induced chemokine production and neutrophil migration
Authors: Soto‐Díaz Katiria , Juda Michal B. , Blackmore Stephen , Walsh Claire , Steelman Andrew J.
Published: November 2019

Systemic inflammation can exacerbate symptoms of many neurological diseases. This effect may be facilitated by glial cells of the central nervous system (CNS) that alter their transcriptional responses and up‐regulate cytokine and chemokine expression which can, in turn trigger immune surveillance. In this study, we sought to determine the effects of pro‐inflammatory cytokine stimulation (TNF, IL‐1α, IL‐1β) on astrocyte and microglia chemokine secretion. Primary cultures of astrocytes or microglia were stimulated with the recombinant cytokines and the levels of secreted chemokines were semi‐quantitatively determined using a chemokine‐specific proteome profiler array and densitometry. Pharmacological inhibitors were used to determine the effects of p38 MAPK, JNK, ERK1/2, NFkB, and transforming growth factor beta‐associated kinase 1 (TAK1) in controlling chemokine production. Finally, neutrophil migration assays were performed to demonstrate functionality. Our data show that stimulated astrocytes secrete at least eight chemokines as a response to cytokine stimulation. These include those involved in neutrophil chemo‐attraction and proved capable of promoting neutrophil migration in vitro. In contrast, microglia up‐regulated few chemokines in response to cytokine stimulation and did not promote neutrophil migration. However, microglia readily secreted chemokines following stimulation with the toll‐like receptor agonists. Finally, we show that both the production of chemokines and neutrophil migration resulting from cytokine stimulation of astrocytes was dependent on TAK1 signaling. Collectively, this study adds to the understanding of how astrocytes and microglia respond to stimuli and their role in promoting neutrophil migration to the CNS during inflammatory conditions.

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Milia‐like idiopathic calcinosis cutis of the forehead in an adult without Down's syndrome successfully treated with a CO2 laser
Authors: Aristizabal Miguel , Aristizabal Juan , Giraldo Daniela , Loboguerrero Oriana , Gold Michael H.
Published: November 2019

Background

Idiopathic calcinosis cutis is an uncommon form of calcinosis cutis. It may present as tumoral calcinosis, subepidermal calcified nodules or scrotal calcinosis. Subepidermal calcified nodules may also present as milia‐like lesions commonly seen in children with Down's syndrome in the absence of tissue damage or metabolic disorders, it has been seldom reported in adults. The treatment of choice is surgical excision. However, a surgical approach may not always be beneficial to the patient given the cosmetic outcomes. Here, we describe the successful use of a CO2 laser in the treatment of milia‐like calcinosis cutis of the forehead in an adult without Down's syndrome.

Aims

To describe the treatment of Milia‐like idiopathic calcinosis cutis of the forehead in an adult without Down's syndrome successfully treated with a CO2 laser.

Methods

We report a case of a 48‐year‐old man who presented with skin‐colored hard asymptomatic papules on the forehead that started about 9 years ago, a biopsy was performed and a diagnosis of milialike calcinosis cutis was made. Surgical excision was discarded regarding the location and the number of lesions, instead, a CO2 laser was used to treat this condition.

Results

Successful laser excision of the lesions with appealing cosmetic results.

Conclusions

CO2 laser seems to be a valuable tool to treat milia‐like calcinosis cutis lesions.
I don’t like crickets, I love them: invertebrates are an important prey source for varanid lizards
Authors: Cross S. L. , Craig M. D. , Tomlinson S. , Bateman P. W.
Published: November 2019

Minimal annual rainfall in arid environments results in low productivity ecosystems with fluctuating food availability. Large mammalian predators that require frequent consumption of vertebrate prey tend to be less abundant in desert environments; however, such environments often support numerous large‐bodied carnivorous reptiles. Diet is a fundamental component of an animal’s ecology, and we explore the diets of three coexisting, sympatric Varanus species occurring in arid Australia: V. tristis, V. gouldii and V. panoptes. We hypothesized that the diet of varanids living in arid environments would primarily consist of relatively abundant invertebrate prey, and that vertebrate prey items would largely be limited to opportunistically consumed mammalian carrion and small reptilian species. All three Varanus species had high dietary overlap and broad, generalist diets. Invertebrate prey, particularly Orthoptera, were key to the diets of all three species. Vertebrate prey was infrequently consumed by all three Varanus species; however, when consumed, tended to comprise small reptilian species and mammalian carrion. Unlike large mammalian predators, varanids can survive on invertebrate prey and infrequent feeds and can aestivate when conditions become unfavourable, contributing to their success in arid environments.
The Effects of Motion Math: Bounce on Students’ Fraction Knowledge
Authors: McKevett Nicole M. , Kromminga Kourtney R. , Ruedy Amelia , Roesslein Rachel , Running Kristin , Codding Robin S.
Published: November 2019

National assessments suggest that many students do not display proficiency with fractions. Considering that time and materials are precious resources, many educators are looking to use technology to provide supplemental instruction with low demand on the instructor. The current study utilized a multiple‐baseline design to examine the effects of the Motion Math: Bounce application on the fraction quantity comparison and number line placement skills of three fifth‐grade students. Results indicate that Motion Math: Bounce improved the quantity comparison skills of all three participants and the number line skills of one participant. Additionally, all three participants made improvements from pre‐ to posttest on a measure of general fraction knowledge. Implications for future research and intervention implementation are discussed.
Coordinated changes of gut microbiome and lipidome differentiates nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) from isolated steatosis
Authors: Qian Minyi , Hu Haiyang , Yao Ying , Zhao Danyang , Wang Shilei , Pan Chuyue , Duan Xubin , Gao Yingsheng , Liu Jun , Zhang Yufei , Yang Song , Qi Lian‐Wen , Wang Lirui
Published: November 2019

Background & Aims

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease encompasses isolated steatosis or nonalcoholic fatty liver and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). NASH develops from isolated steatosis with obscure driving forces. We aim to identify key factors promoting this transition.

Methods

Following 21‐week of high‐fat diet feeding, obese mice were classified into two groups termed as isolated steatosis and NASH based on hematoxylin‐eosin staining of liver histology. The integrated multi‐omics analysis of lipidome, transcriptome and gut microbiome were performed in mice with isolated steatosis and NASH, and confirmed in human samples.

Results

Livers in mice with NASH lost most lipids, and the transcriptional landscape was also changed dramatically in mice with NASH in relative to mice with isolated steatosis. Plasma lipidome analysis demonstrated a very clear difference between these two groups of mice, which was partially recapitulated in serum of patients with isolated steatosis and NASH. The microbiota composition revealed that Bacteroides genus and Bacteroides uniformis species decreased while Mucispirillum genus and Mucispirillum schaedleri species increased largely in mice with NASH. More importantly, we found that Bacteroides uniformis correlated positively with triglycerides (TGs) and negatively with free fatty acids (FFAs) and PE(18:1/20:4), while Mucispirillum schaedleri correlated positively with FFAs, LysoPC(20:3), LysoPC(20:4) and DG(16:1/18:2). Mechanically, administration of Bacteroides uniformis increased specific TGs, and decreased hepatic injury and inflammation in diet‐induced mice.

Conclusions

Overall, through multi‐omics integration, we identified a microbiota‐lipid axis promoting the initiation of NASH from isolated steatosis, which might provide a novel perspective on NASH pathogenesis and treatment.
Sowa Rigpa Humanitarianism: Local Logics of Care within a Global Politics of Compassion
Authors: Craig Sienna R. , Gerke Barbara , Sheldon Victoria
Published: November 2019

This article examines the circulation of humanitarian ideas, materials, and actions in a non‐biomedical and non‐Judeo–Christian context: Sowa Rigpa or Tibetan medical camps in India and Nepal. Through these camps, practitioners and patients alike often overtly articulate Sowa Rigpa medicine as part of a broader humanitarian “good” motivated by a Buddhist‐inflected ethics of compassion and a moral economy of care, diverging from mainstream public health and conventional humanitarian projects. Three ethnographic case studies demonstrate how micro‐political interactions at camps engage with ethical and religious imaginaries. We show how the ordinary ethics of Sowa Rigpa humanitarianism gain distinct political meaning in contrast to non‐Tibetan forms of aid, reconfiguring the relationship between Buddhism, essential medicines, moral economies, and politics. While Sowa Rigpa as a medical system operates transnationally, these camps are organized around local logics of emergent care, employing narratives of “charity” and Buddhist compassion when addressing health needs.
Absence of founder effect and evidence for adaptive divergence in a recently introduced insular population of white‐tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus)
Authors: Fuller Jérémie , Ferchaud Anne‐Laure , Laporte Martin , Le Luyer Jérémy , Davis Theodore B. , Côté Steeve D. , Bernatchez Louis
Published: November 2019

Islands are generally colonized by few individuals which could lead to a founder effect causing loss of genetic diversity and rapid divergence by strong genetic drift. Insular conditions can also induce new selective pressures on populations. Here, we investigated the extent of genetic differentiation within a white‐tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) population introduced on an island and its differentiation with its source mainland population. In response to their novel environmental conditions, introduced deer changed phenotypically from mainland individuals, therefore we investigated the genetic bases of the morphological differentiation. The study was conducted on Anticosti Island (Québec, Canada) where 220 individuals were introduced 120 years ago, resulting in a population size over 160,000 individuals. We used genotyping‐by‐sequencing (GBS) to generate 8,518 filtered high‐quality SNPs and compared patterns of genetic diversity and differentiation between the continental and Anticosti Island populations. Clustering analyses indicated a single panmictic island population and no sign of isolation by distance. Our results revealed a weak, albeit highly significant, genetic differentiation between the Anticosti Island population and its source population (mean FST = 0.005), which allowed a population assignment success of 93%. Also, the high genetic diversity maintained in the introduced population supports the absence of a strong founder effect due to the large number of founders followed by rapid population growth. We further used a polygenic approach to assess the genetic bases of the divergent phenotypical traits between insular and continental populations. We found loci related to muscular function and lipid metabolism, which suggested that these could be involved in local adaptation on Anticosti Island. We discuss these results in a harvest management context.