bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Split-GAL4 screen identifies novel sleep-promoting neurons in the Ventral Nerve Cord of Drosophila
Authors: Jones Joseph D. , Holder Brandon L. , Eiken Kiran R. , Vogt Alex , Velarde Adriana I. , Elder Alexandra J. , McEllin Jennifer A. , Dissel Stephane
Published: February 2022

As in the mammalian system, sleep in Drosophila is regulated by multiple brain regions. Among them, neurons projecting to the dorsal Fan-Shaped Body (dFB) have been intensively studied and the data suggest they play a critical role in sleep regulation. The 23E10-GAL4 driver is the most widely used tool to label and manipulate dFB neurons. Multiple studies have reported that activation of 23E10-GAL4 neurons promotes sleep. However, anatomical analyses revealed that 23E10-GAL4 labels 23-30 dFB neurons in the Drosophila brain and many non-dFB neurons in the brain and in the Ventral Nerve Cord (VNC), the fly equivalent of the spinal cord. To better understand the role of individual dFB neurons in sleep regulation, we undertook a Split-GAL4 screen to gain access to subsets of 23E10-GAL4 expressing cells. In this study, we report the discovery of two VNC cholinergic sleep-promoting neurons labeled by the 23E10-GAL4 driver.
Rescuing marketing from its colonial roots: a decolonial anti-racist agenda
Authors: Francis June N.P.
Published: February 2022

Purpose

This paper illuminates the mechanisms through which marketing practice and institutions produced, normalized and institutionalized systemic racism in support of imperialism, colonization and slavery to provide impetus for transformational change. Critical race research is drawn on to propose paths toward decolonial and anti-racist research agenda and practice.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper integrates multidisciplinary literature on race, racism, imperialism, colonialism and slavery, connecting these broad themes to the roles marketing practices and institutions played in creating and sustaining racism. Critical race theory, afro pessimism, postcolonial theories, anti-racism and decoloniality provide conceptual foundations for a proposed transformative research agenda.

Findings

Marketing practices and institutions played active and leading roles in producing, mass mobilizing and honing racist ideology and the imagery to support imperialism, colonial expansion and slavery. Racist inequalities in market systems were produced globally through active collusion by marketing actors and institutions in these historical forces creating White advantage and Black dispossession that persist; indicating an urgent need for transformative anti-racists and decolonial research agendas.

Research limitations/implications

Covering these significant historical forces inevitably leaves much room for further inquiry. The paper by necessity “Mango picked” the most relevant research, but a full coverage of these topics was beyond the scope of this paper.

Practical implications

Marketing practitioners found themselves at the epicenter of a crisis during the Black Lives Matter protests. This paper aims to foster anti-racist ad decolonial research to guide practice.

Social implications

This paper addresses systemic and institutional racism, and marketplace inequalities – urgent societal challenges.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, the paper is the first in marketing to integrate multidisciplinary literature on historical forces of imperialism, colonization and slavery to illuminate marketing’s influential role in producing marketplace racism while advancing an anti-racist and de-colonial research agenda.
Promoting family business in handicrafts through local tradition and culture: an innovative approach
Authors: Deb Santus Kumar , Mohanty P.P. , Valeri Marco
Published: February 2022

Purpose

The purpose of the study is to investigate the potentiality and dimensions of promoting handicraft family business practices in handicraft as well as the extent to highlight the local tradition and culture.

Design/methodology/approach

This study is an insight from the existing relevant literature on family-owned businesses in handicrafts from time immemorial. Furthermore, data were collected from the 300 respondents using a purposive sampling procedure in which the rate of response was 67%. The structural equation modeling (i.e. SmartPLS 3.0) was used to analyze the construct and test the hypothesis.

Findings

According to the result, among the 4 hypothesized paths all were supported, but out of 22 relationship paths, 15 paths are considered significant This study shows the relationship among the promotional factors, economic factors and motivational factors, and support and challenges factors have a crucial effect on the adoption of handicraft family business.

Research limitations/implications

The findings of this study will assist the tourism scholars and managers to apprehend an authentic relationship between age-old practices of the family business as well as the legacy of the family business in art and crafts to empower the local people.

Originality/value

The study is a foremost to ascertain the critical success factors of the adoption of family business practices in art and crafts through rural tourism to empower the local economy.
Translating research into health practice: a case study of integrated palliative care system in Catalonia, Spain
Authors: Mondejar-Pont Meritxell , Gómez-Batiste Xavier , Ramon-Aribau Anna
Published: February 2022

Purpose

Research findings provide the professional community with knowledge that enables to better understand healthcare interventions. Many authors point out that whilst these findings are valued, the findings are not always translated into healthcare practise. The purpose of the paper is to assess the applicability of the essential elements of an integrated palliative care system (IPCS) found in research into the practise of Osona Palliative Care System (OPCS).

Design/methodology/approach

The study used a qualitative methodology with a case study design. In total, 24 health professionals were interviewed in Osona for the research, and the results were analysed using deductive content analysis.

Findings

The study concludes that research findings can better be translated into specific contexts by incorporating the needs and characteristics of the system. The process could be a strategy for bridging the research–practise gap.

Originality/value

Combining the findings from the study and the findings found in the literature reviewed led to the creation of the IPCS-elements-blended model of research and practise. Such a kind of mixed model could be used in other studies seeking to overcome the research and practice gap.
Financial development and the redistributive channel of monetary policy
Authors: Ahiadorme Johnson Worlanyo
Published: February 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the distributional channel of monetary policy (MP) and evaluate how financial development (FD) affects the transmission mechanism from MP to income inequality.

Design/methodology/approach

The empirical investigation is implemented for 32 sub-Saharan African countries over the period 2000–2017, with the aid of vector autoregressions and a dynamic panel data model.

Findings

This study shows that MP has a significant impact on income inequality and the financial system plays an important role by dampening the dis-equalising effects of MP shocks. Both MP and FD directly exert redistributive effects. However, the financial system appears to wield the greatest impact and contribute more to the inequality dynamics.

Practical implications

The policy-relevant conclusion is that the financial system is crucial for the monetary transmission mechanism and the effects of MP actions. As the economy develops financially, it may require less movement in the policy position to achieve the desired policy outcome. Also, macroeconomic stabilisation policies may not be distributionally neutral and may have a role to play in averting longer-term increases in inequality.

Originality/value

Contrary to previous studies, this study indicates MP by the structural shocks to purge the MP stance of the issues of endogenous and anticipatory actions. A distinctive finding of this paper is that cross-country differences in monetary regimes and income explain a significant variation in the distributional impacts of monetary policy. Notwithstanding, the evidence shows that the strength of the transmission is more dependent on FD than the nature of the policy regime.
Rebozo and External Cephalic Version in breech presentation (RECEIVE): A randomised controlled study
Authors: de Wolff Mie Gaarskjaer , Ladekarl Monica , Sparholt Laura , Lykke Jacob Alexander
Published: February 2022

Objective

To investigate if a hospital‐initiated home‐based rebozo intervention performed by the pregnant woman and her partner before external cephalic version (ECV) would increase the rate of cephalic presentations at birth.

Design

A multicentre randomised controlled trial.

Setting

Three university hospitals in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Population

Pregnant women with a breech or transverse presentation at 35 weeks or more of gestation eligible for ECV.

Methods

We compared rebozo before ECV with ECV alone. The randomisation was computer‐generated in blocks and stratified by parity. The woman and her partner were instructed in the technique by a project midwife and performed the technique at home three times daily for 3–5 days before the scheduled ECV. Analyses were by intention‐to‐treat.

Main outcome measure

The number of cephalic presentations at the time of birth. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated.

Results

A total of 372 women were randomly assigned (1:1) to either rebozo intervention (n = 187) or control (n = 185). At birth, 95 (51%) in the intervention group versus 112 (62%) in the control group had a fetus in cephalic presentation (OR 0.61; 95% CI 0.40–0.95). No adverse events were observed in relation to the intervention.

Conclusions

In breech or transverse presentation, home‐based rebozo exercise before ECV lowered the overall rate of cephalic presentation at birth.

Tweetable abstract

Home‐based rebozo for breech presentation before external version reduces the rate of cephalic presentation at birth.
Clinical Management of Opioid Withdrawal
Authors: Torres‐Lockhart Kristine E. , Lu Tiffany Y. , Weimer Melissa B. , Stein Melissa R. , Cunningham Chinazo O.
Published: February 2022

Appropriate clinical management of opioid withdrawal is a crucial bridge to long‐term treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD), because it is a high‐risk time for potential opioid overdose and relapse. We provide a narrative review of evidence‐based opioid withdrawal management strategies applicable to a variety of treatment settings and geographies. The goals of opioid withdrawal management include relieving suffering associated with withdrawal, providing appropriate diagnosis and screening, engaging patients in initiation of OUD treatment, and using harm reduction strategies, all guided by a patient‐centered approach to care. In addition, we discuss complex cases, relapse prevention strategies, and new developments in opioid withdrawal management.
Alcohol demand as a predictor of drinking behavior in the natural environment
Authors: Motschman Courtney A. , Amlung Michael , McCarthy Denis M.
Published: February 2022

Background and Aims

Alcohol demand, a measure of alcohol’s reinforcing value, is associated with greater alcohol consumption and alcohol‐related problems. Although alcohol demand has primarily been evaluated as a ‘trait‐like’, individual difference measure, recent evidence indicates that demand exhibits meaningful short‐term fluctuations. We aimed to determine whether moment‐to‐moment fluctuations in alcohol demand in individuals’ natural drinking environments predicted drinking occurrence, drinking continuation, and drinking quantity.

Design

Observational study.

Setting

Individuals’ natural drinking environments in Columbia, Missouri, USA.

Participants

Eighty‐nine young adults (56% female; mean age = 24.8) participated from November 2018 to October 2020. Participants reported 14.5 drinking days [standard deviation (SD = 8.1)] and 4.1 drinks per occasion (SD = 2.5) during ecological momentary assessment (EMA).

Measurements

Participants completed the alcohol purchase task at baseline. Following this, participants reported on their alcohol demand (breakpoint, Omax, intensity) and drinking behavior during EMA at daily, timed prompts from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. They provided breathalyzer samples using a BACtrack Mobile® Pro. Models tested concurrent and prospective (lagged) associations between alcohol demand and drinking occurrence and drinking continuation after drinking initiation. Additional models tested concurrent associations between demand and breath alcohol concentrations (BrACs).

Findings

Higher alcohol demand was associated with higher odds of drinking and continued drinking for all demand indices at the momentary [odds ratio (OR) = 1.27–1.56, ps ≤ 0.03] and day‐level (OR = 2.14–3.39, ps < 0.001). Additionally, lagged demand predicted higher odds of drinking occurrence and continuation at the following prompt (OR = 1.32–1.53, ps ≤ 0.004). Higher alcohol demand was associated with higher BrACs at the momentary (bs = 0.0011–0.0026, ps ≤ 0.03) and day‐level (bs = 0.0053–0.0062, ps < 0.001). At the person‐level, findings varied depending on the demand measure.

Conclusions

Alcohol demand appears to be associated with both when and how much individuals drink in their natural drinking environments. Elevations in alcohol demand appear to be associated with increased likelihood of drinking and continuing to drink, and greater total alcohol consumption, both within and across drinking days.
Anthropology‐as‐theology: Violent endings and the permanence of new beginnings
Authors: Webster Joseph
Published: February 2022

This article examines the temporality of dispensationalist imaginings of the apocalypse, with a particular focus on why such imaginings often have an acutely violent character. For the Brethren and for Jehovah's Witnesses, the most convincing signs of the imminent apocalypse are violent ones. By drawing on a mixture of biblical and extra‐biblical images—flames, hail, missiles—dispensationalism creates a semiotic landscape filled with natural, supernatural, and “man‐made” disaster. By analyzing different images of “violent endings” in circulation among the Brethren and Jehovah's Witnesses, this article asks two questions, namely, what are the temporal effects of such violent imaginings, and what imaginings exist on the other side of such violence, after its perpetration? I seek to answer these questions by developing a mode of inquiry I callanthropology‐as‐theology, whereby anthropological analysis deliberately surrenders to theological ideas. I suggest that, when viewed from the perspective of anthropology‐as‐theology, violent dispensationalist visions about the end of the world can provide new perspectives on permanence, which, seen through the lens of revelation, comes to be understood as both novel and eternal.
Hypophosphatemia causing ST elevation in a critically ill noncardiac surgery postoperative patient
Authors: Junarta Joey , Marhefka Gregary D.
Published: February 2022

The patient is a 73‐year‐old female with peripheral vascular disease, coronary artery disease, and systemic lupus erythematosus, who underwent mesenteric artery bypass surgery. She suffered from a pneumonia after surgery, causing acute hypoxic respiratory failure and septic shock. Due to shock, she developed acute renal failure. She was intubated, ventilated, and received continuous veno‐venous hemodialysis for renal failure. ST elevation was first observed on telemetry and subsequently confirmed on electrocardiogram. Marked ST elevation is present in the anterior leads with reciprocal ST depression in the inferior leads. A prolonged QT interval is also present. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A qualitative study of the incentives and barriers that influence preferences for rural placements during surgical training in Australia
Authors: Hippolyte‐Blake Dinah , Dreschler Alison , Rose Andrew , Rae Peter , Archer Julian , Garrod Tamsin J.
Published: February 2022

Background

Rural exposure of long durations during clinical training is positively associated with rural career uptake and is a central strategy to addressing the geographical maldistribution of Australia's surgical workforce. However, the incentives and barriers to trainees undergoing surgical training preferencing repeated rural placements in Australia are not well understood. This qualitative study explores the incentives and barriers that influence preference for rural placements during surgical training in Australia.

Methods

This qualitative study employed online semi‐structured in‐depth interviews. Participants were recruited using an online survey, and interviews were conducted between October 2020 and November 2020. Transcripts were transcribed and de‐identified, and thematically analysed.

Results

Twenty‐nine semi‐structured interviews were conducted with trainees and 12 Fellows. Twenty‐five participants identified as male, and four identified as female. Four main incentives identified were: (1) broad scope of learning opportunities, (2) quality of supervision, (3) positive work environment and (4) lifestyle. Seven barriers identified were: (1) inadequate preparation for placement, (2) limited case mix to support learning outcomes, (3) lack of formally structured learning opportunities, (4) workload and safe hours concerns, (5) lack of peer support, (6) childcare and educational needs and (7) partner career development.

Conclusion

The strategy of encouraging trainees to undertake rural placements to address the maldistribution of the surgical workforce should include initiatives that support learning outcomes across their training levels. In addition, improving trainees' ability to prepare adequately for placements may also improve the number and duration of rural placements trainees undertake during their training.
Diet‐induced maternal obesity impacts feto‐placental growth and induces sex‐specific alterations in placental morphology, mitochondrial bioenergetics, dynamics, lipid metabolism and oxidative stress in mice
Authors: Napso Tina , Lean Samantha C. , Lu Minhui , Mort Emily J. , Desforges Michelle , Moghimi Ali , Bartels Beverly , El‐Bacha Tatiana , Fowden Abigail L. , Camm Emily J. , Sferruzzi‐Perri Amanda N.
Published: February 2022

Aim

The current study investigated the impact of maternal obesity on placental phenotype in relation to fetal growth and sex.

Methods

Female C57BL6/J mice were fed either a diet high in fat and sugar or a standard chow diet, for 6 weeks prior to, and during, pregnancy. At day 19 of gestation, placental morphology and mitochondrial respiration and dynamics were assessed using high‐resolution respirometry, stereology, and molecular analyses.

Results

Diet‐induced maternal obesity increased the rate of small for gestational age fetuses in both sexes, and increased blood glucose concentrations in offspring. Placental weight, surface area, and maternal blood spaces were decreased in both sexes, with reductions in placental trophoblast volume, oxygen diffusing capacity, and an increased barrier to transfer in males only. Despite these morphological changes, placental mitochondrial respiration was unaffected by maternal obesity, although the influence of fetal sex on placental respiratory capacity varied between dietary groups. Moreover, in males, but not females, maternal obesity increased mitochondrial complexes (II and ATP synthase) and fission protein DRP1 abundance. It also reduced phosphorylated AMPK and capacity for lipid synthesis, while increasing indices of oxidative stress, specifically in males. In females only, placental mitochondrial biogenesis and capacity for lipid synthesis, were both enhanced. The abundance of uncoupling protein‐2 was decreased by maternal obesity in both fetal sexes.

Conclusion

Maternal obesity exerts sex‐dependent changes in placental phenotype in association with alterations in fetal growth and substrate supply. These findings may inform the design of personalized lifestyle interventions or therapies for obese pregnant women.
Medium and long‐term efficacy of psychoeducational family intervention for bipolar I disorder: Results from a real‐world, multicentric study
Authors: Luciano Mario , Sampogna Gaia , Del Vecchio Valeria , Giallonardo Vincenzo , Di Cerbo Arcangelo , Palummo Carmela , Malangone Claudio , Lampis Debora , Veltro Franco , Bardicchia Francesco , Ciampini Giusy , Orlandi Emanuele , Moroni Annamaria , Biondi Silvia , Piselli Massimiliano , Menculini Giulia , Nicolò Giuseppe , Pompili Enrico , Carrà Giuseppe , Fiorillo Andrea
Published: February 2022

Objectives

This study aims to explore the long‐term efficacy of a psychoeducational family intervention (PFI) in bipolar I disorder at one and five years post‐intervention in terms of improvement of: (1) patients’ symptoms and global functioning and (2) relatives’ objective and subjective burden and coping strategies.

Methods

This is a multicentre, real‐world, controlled, outpatient trial. Recruited patients and key‐relatives were consecutively allocated to the experimental intervention or treatment as usual. Patients were assessed at baseline, and after one and five years.

Results

One hundred and thirty‐seventh number families have been recruited; 70 have been allocated to the experimental intervention, and 67 have been allocated to the control group. We observed an increasing positive effect of the PFI on patients’ clinical status, global functioning and objective and subjective burden after one year. We also found a reduction in the levels of relatives’ objective and subjective burden and a significant improvement in the levels of perceived professional support and of coping strategies. The efficacy of PFI on patients’ clinical status was maintained at five years from the end of the intervention, in terms of relapses, hospitalizations and suicide attempts.

Conclusions

The study showed that the provision of PFI in real‐world settings is associated with a significant improvement of patients’ and relatives’ mental health and psychosocial functioning in the long term. We found that the clinical efficacy of the intervention, in terms of reduction of patients’ relapses, hospitalization and suicide attempts, persists after 5 years. It is advisable that PFI is provided to patients with BD I in routine practice.
Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder and severe food selectivity in children and young people with autism: A scoping review
Authors: Bourne Laura , Mandy William , Bryant‐Waugh Rachel
Published: February 2022

Aim

To assess the extent of the scientific literature on avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) in children and young people with autism in order to evaluate and synthesize the evidence on (a) the nature of feeding and eating difficulties in children and young people with autism; (b) the consequences of a severely restricted diet; and (c) what is known about effective treatment approaches.

Method

PubMed and PsycInfo databases were searched, identifying 56 studies and a narrative synthesis was effected.

Results

The literature suggested that ARFID‐like presentations are common in children and young people with autism, with severe consequences for physical and mental health. The three drivers mentioned in the DSM‐5 criteria, namely a sensory‐based avoidance, fear‐ or phobia‐based restriction, and a lack of interest in eating, are present in this population, although sensory sensitivities are currently the most commonly described. Research suggests that ARFID symptoms in children and young people with autism can be amenable to treatment, with evidence that behavioural interventions are feasible and potentially effective in this population.

Interpretation

ARFID is a common and impactful problem among young people with autism but is currently under researched. Work is required to (a) identify the prevalence of ARFID in children and young people with autism; (b) uncover the key drivers of ARFID in this population; (c) adapt currently available interventions for use with children and young people with autism; and (d) rigorously test these interventions in clinical trials.

What this paper adds

Significant food restriction is common in children and young people with autism.

Sensory sensitivities are frequently cited as a reason for food restriction.

The prevalence and causes of avoidant/restrictive food disorders in children and young people with autism need further research.
Personalized seizure signature: An interpretable approach to false alarm reduction for long‐term epileptic seizure detection
Authors: Sopic Dionisije , Teijeiro Tomas , Atienza David , Aminifar Amir , Ryvlin Philippe
Published: February 2022

Objective

Long‐term automatic detection of focal seizures remains one of the major challenges in epilepsy due to the unacceptably high number of false alarms from state‐of‐the‐art methods. Our aim was to investigate to what extent a new patient‐specific approach based on similarly occurring morphological electroencephalographic (EEG) signal patterns could be used to distinguish seizures from nonseizure events, as well as to estimate its maximum performance.

Methods

We evaluated our approach on >5500 h of long‐term EEG recordings using two public datasets: the PhysioNet.org Children’s Hospital Boston–Massachusetts Institute of Technology (CHB‐MIT) Scalp EEG database and the EPILEPSIAE European epilepsy database. We visually identified a set of similarly occurring morphological patterns (seizure signature) seen simultaneously over two different EEG channels, and within two randomly selected seizures from each individual. The same seizure signature was then searched for in the entire recording from the same patient using dynamic time warping (DTW) as a similarity metric, with a threshold set to reflect the maximum sensitivity our algorithm could achieve without false alarm.

Results

At a DTW threshold providing no false alarm during the entire recordings, the mean seizure detection sensitivity across patients was 84%, including 96% for the CHB‐MIT database and 74% for the European epilepsy database. A 100% sensitivity was reached in 50% of patients, including 79% from the CHB‐MIT database and 27% from the European epilepsy database. The median latency from seizure onset to its detection was 17 ± 10 s, with 84% of seizures being detected within 40 s.

Significance

Personalized EEG signature combined with DTW appears to be a promising method to detect ictal events from a limited number of EEG channels with high sensitivity despite low rate of false alarms, high degree of interpretability, and low computational complexity, compatible with its future use in wearable devices.
Precentral gyrus and insula responses to stress vary with duration to diagnosis in functional seizures
Authors: Goodman Adam M. , Allendorfer Jane B. , LaFrance W. Curt , Szaflarski Jerzy P.
Published: February 2022

Objective

This study was undertaken to determine whether undiagnosed illness duration (time between functional seizures [FS] onset and diagnosis) is linked to differences in neural response and functional connectivity during processing of stressful experiences.

Methods

Forty‐nine participants with traumatic brain injury preceding the onset of FS confirmed by video‐electroencephalography were recruited prospectively. Participants completed psychiatric symptom assessments before undergoing functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) with an acute psychosocial stress task. Linear mixed effects (LME) analyses identified significant interactions between the factors of group (early vs. delayed diagnosis) and time lag to diagnosis on neural responses to stressful math performance and auditory feedback (corrected α = .05). Functional connectivity analysis utilized clusters from initial LME analyses as seed regions to determine significant interactions between these factors on network functional connectivity.

Results

Demographic and psychiatric symptom measures were similar between early (n = 25) and delayed (n = 24) groups. Responses to stressful math performance within the left anterior insula and functional connectivity between the anterior insula seed region and a precentral gyrus cluster were significantly negatively correlated with time lag to diagnosis for the early but not the delayed FS diagnosis group. There was no correlation between fMRI findings and psychiatric symptoms.

Significance

This study indicates that aberrant left anterior insula activation and its functional connectivity to the precentral gyrus underlie differences in processing of stressful experiences in patients with delayed FS diagnosis. Follow‐up comparisons suggest changes are associated with undiagnosed illness duration rather than psychiatric comorbidities and indicate a potential mechanistic association between neuropathophysiology, response to stressful experiences, and functional neuroanatomy in FS.
The Norwegian mountains: the result of multiple episodes of uplift and subsidence
Authors: Japsen Peter , Chalmers James A.
Published: February 2022

The elevation of the mountains in Norway is geologically young. Much of the present‐day land surface was buried below a thick cover of relatively young sediments in the early Miocene, 23 Ma, when Scandinavia started to be uplifted. Big river systems eroded deeply into the rising landscape and transported sand and gravel from Norway and Sweden to Denmark where the detritus was deposited in a large delta. In Norway, the erosion formed an extensive plain near sea level that included the present‐day mountain plateau of Hardangervidda and extended across a thick pile of sediments that covered the present‐day coastal areas of Norway. Hardangervidda was uplifted to its present elevation of about 1200 m after a second phase of uplift that began about 5 Ma, in the early Pliocene. The hard bedrock of Hardangervidda has preserved this part of the plain as an elevated plateau, but the part of the plain that extended across the sediments has been eroded away, exposing the underlying basement rocks. That re‐exposed basement surface was shaped in the Jurassic when the climate was warm and humid. The basement rocks were weathered where rainwater seeped into fracture zones. Erosion of the weathered rocks has left a terrain of fracture valleys and hilly relief that contrasts with the sub‐horizontal plain of Hardangervidda. This weathered landscape is today exposed on the slope between the west coast and Hardangervidda. While the elevation of the mountains is young, today's landscape has a long history.
Influence of Helicobacter pylori infection on PD‐1/PD‐L1 blockade therapy needs more attention
Authors: Shi Yanyan , Zheng Huiling , Wang Mopei , Ding Shigang
Published: February 2022

Background and objective

The tumor microenvironment and tumor immunity are crucially involved in tumor therapy. Immune checkpoint inhibitors targeting PD‐1/PD‐L1 signal transduction have been widely used in tumor therapy and have shown ideal clinical efficacy. However, some kinds of cancers still do not respond to PD‐1/PD‐L1 blockade therapy effectively, including gastric cancer. The related factors should be explored.

Methods and results

This review summarizes the recent progression of understanding the influence of Helicobacter pylori infection on PD‐1/PD‐L1 blockade therapy. Current pieces of evidence have indicated that H. pylori infection might affect the curative effect of tumor therapy associating with the induced immunomodulation.

Conclusion

It is necessary to understand the overall integration of PD‐1/PD‐L1 blockade therapy, the tumor microenvironment, and H. pylori infection. Much attention on the influence of H. pylori infection on the efficacy of tumor immunotherapy should be paid.
Significance of furosemide in patients with cirrhosis treated with or without zinc acetate hydrate supplementation
Authors: Uchida Yoshihito , Uemura Hayato , Tsuji Shohei , Yamada Shunsuke , Kouyama Jun‐ichi , Naiki Kayoko , Sugawara Kayoko , Nakao Masamitsu , Nakayama Nobuaki , Imai Yukinori , Tomiya Tomoaki , Mochida Satoshi
Published: February 2022

Background

The Japanese guidelines for the treatment of cirrhosis suggest zinc supplementation to prevent hepatic encephalopathy in patients with cirrhosis and zinc deficiency, although the factors that are associated with therapeutic efficacy remain unknown.

Method

A total of 159 patients with chronic liver diseases but without previous zinc supplementation were analyzed. Factors associated with serum zinc levels as well as the therapeutic efficacy of zinc supplementation were evaluated.

Result

Serum zinc levels decreased with the progression of liver diseases. A multiple linear regression analysis revealed that the serum levels of albumin and cholinesterase and the daily furosemide dose were independently associated with the serum zinc levels. The optimal furosemide cut‐off dosage for patients with zinc deficiency (<60 μg/dl) was 5 mg/day. Among 34 patients receiving zinc acetate hydrate, overt hepatic encephalopathy occurred in 12 patients (35.4%). A multivariate analysis identified a minimal serum zinc level of 50 μg/dl after more than 12 weeks of zinc supplementation as a factor associated with overt encephalopathy development, while furosemide use was not associated. The Child‐Pugh score at baseline was the only factor associated with the maintenance of sufficient serum zinc levels.

Conclusion

Although the furosemide dose was negatively correlated with the serum zinc level in patients with chronic liver diseases, furosemide use was not associated with the occurrence of overt encephalopathy in those receiving zinc supplementation. Serum zinc levels of ≥50 μg/dl were required to prevent overt encephalopathy development during zinc supplementation in both patients with and those without furosemide administration.
Allelic and haplotypic data of MHC class II Alu insertions in Ngazidja (Comoros archipelago) and insight on its historical biology
Authors: Abeid Said Nassor , Farhane Hamid , Motrane Majida , Anaibar Fatima‐Ezzahra , Harich Nourdin
Published: February 2022

This study aimed to analyse, for the first time, five MHC class II polymorphic Alu insertions in a population with a strong Sub‐Saharan African genetic background: the Ngazidja islanders and compare its allelic and haplotypic data with Worldwide populations. The genotyping was performed in 80 individuals, using simple PCR and agarose gel electrophoresis methods. Allele and haplotype frequencies, genetic diversity, Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium deviations, normalized deviate of homozygotes and pairwise linkage disequilibrium were estimated. The phylogenetic analyses included the available population data.

In Ngazidja, the MHC class II Alu insertion frequencies ranged from 0.119 for AluORF10 to 0.588 for AluDPB2. Concerning haplotypes, the most predominant were the ones with only the AluDPB2 insertion allele (AluDPB2*2‐AluDQA2*1‐AluDQA1*1‐AluDRB1*1‐AluORF10*1), followed by the theoretical ancestral haplotype with no Alu insertions (AluDPB2*1‐AluDQA2*1‐AluDQA1*1‐AluDRB1*1‐AluORF10*1) and finally the haplotype with the AluDPB2 and AluDQA1 Alu insertions (AluDPB2*2‐AluDQA2*1‐AluDQA1*2‐AluDRB1*1‐AluORF10*1) with frequencies of 19.2%, 15% and 12.9%, respectively. In the phylogenetic analyses, our results indicate that the Ngazidja people are genetically differentiated from the other populations of the analysis; we found also a new haplotype that can be probably characteristic of Sub‐Saharans and finally confirm the usefulness of these markers as genetic and evolutionary tools for studying genetic variations among populations of different origins.
Reference interval of antithrombin, protein C, and protein S activities in healthy adults in Iran, the effect of age, sex, oral contraceptive intake, and menopause
Authors: Tabibian Shadi , Khoshmirsafa Majid , Paridar Mostafa , Motevalian Abbas , Shekarabi Mahdi , Safa Majid
Published: February 2022

Background

Antithrombin (AT), protein C (PC), and protein S (PS) are natural anticoagulant proteins that deficiency in each of them is associated with an increased risk of venous thromboembolism.The overlapping of plasma levels of AT, PC, and PS between healthy individuals and heterozygote carriers poses significant challenges in precise diagnosis. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of most influencing variables on plasma levels of these proteins and propose specific reference intervals to improve the interpretation of the laboratory results.

Methods

This study was conducted on 1464 individuals who were referred to Massoud medical laboratory, Tehran, Iran, from 2019 to 2020. AT and PC were measured through chromogenic assay and PS plasma level with the clot‐based assay. A multivariable linear regression model was performed to evaluate the effect of sex, age, oral contraceptive (OCP) intake, and menopause state. Normal deviate z value was used for different subgroups to justify the need for a separate reference interval.

Results

1200 verified healthy individuals (434 males and 766 females), aged between 18 and 69 years were included in the study. The mean ± SD age of the participants was 39.78 ± 11.79 years. The age‐related effects for AT were found in men. In females, increasing age was associated with a rise in AT, PC, and PS plasma levels. No sex difference was found in AT plasma level. OCP‐taking is associated with a decrease in AT and an increase in PC plasma levels.

Conclusion

This is the largest study ever conducted on healthy individuals in the Iranian population, using specific reference interval results in accurate diagnosis of true AT, PC, and PS deficiency.
Barriers to prescribing proprotein convertase subtilisin‐kexin type 9 inhibitors after coronary revascularisation
Authors: Nguy Jenny , Hitchen Sarah A. , Lan Nick S. R. , Dwivedi Girish , Larbalestier Robert , Yeap Bu B. , Fegan P. Gerry
Published: February 2022

Background

Guidelines advocate for intensive lipid‐lowering in patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). In May 2020, evolocumab, a proprotein convertase subtilisin‐kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitor, became government subsidised in Australia for patients with ASCVD requiring further low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C) lowering.

Aim

To identify barriers to prescribing PCSK9 inhibitors in hospitalised patients with ASCVD.

Methods

A retrospective 3‐month, single‐site, observational analysis was conducted in consecutive patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. Lipid‐lowering therapy prescriptions, including PSCK9 inhibitors, were assessed using electronic medical records, compared against the Australian Pharmaceutical Benefits eligibility criteria, and barriers to PCSK9 inhibitor use identified.

Results

Of 331 patients, 244 (73.7%) underwent PCI and 87 (26.3%) underwent CABG surgery. A lipid profile during or within 8 weeks of admission was measured for 202 (82.8%) patients undergoing PCI and 59 (67.8%) undergoing CABG surgery. In patients taking high‐intensity statins on admission (n = 109), LDL‐C ≥1.4, ≥1.8 and >2.6mmol/L was seen in 64 (58.7%), 44 (40.4%) and 19 (17.4%) patients respectively. High‐intensity statin prescribing at discharge was high (>80%); however, ezetimibe was initiated in zero patients with LDL‐C ≥1.4 mmol/L. There was variable advice given by clinicians for LDL‐C targets. No patients met the criteria for subsidised PSCK9 inhibitor therapy, largely due to lack of qualifying lipid levels following combined statin and ezetimibe therapy.

Conclusion

Prescribing of non‐statin LDL‐C‐lowering therapies remains low in patients with ASCVD. Underprescribing of ezetimibe and suboptimal lipid testing rates are barriers to accessing subsidised PCSK9i therapy using current Australian eligibility criteria.
Circulating vitamin C and D concentrations and risk of dental caries and periodontitis: A Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Hu Zhao , Zhou Feixiang , Xu Huilan
Published: February 2022

Aim

This Mendelian randomization (MR) study was performed to explore the causal relationship among circulating vitamin C and D levels, dental caries, and periodontitis.

Materials and Methods

MR analyses were conducted with the inverse variance weighted (IVW) method, weighted median, MR‐Egger approaches, and MR‐robust adjusted profile score method to assess the causal relationships between circulating vitamin C and D concentrations and dental caries, the number of remaining natural permanent teeth in the mouth (N teeth), and periodontitis.

Results

We found potential causal association of circulating vitamin D concentrations with N teeth (β = 0.085; 95% confidence interval: 0.019 to 0.150; p = .012) based on the IVW method. No significant causal relationship between circulating vitamin D levels and dental caries and periodontitis was observed. Similarly, no evidence supported a causal relationship between circulating vitamin C concentrations and the risk of dental caries, N teeth, and periodontitis.

Conclusions

There is no obvious evidence suggesting a causal relationship among circulating vitamin D, dental caries, and periodontitis, drawing into question the mechanism for any association with N teeth. Additionally, there is insufficient power to detect small effects in vitamin C levels and caries and periodontitis.
Does Group Familiarity Improve Deliberations in Judicial Teams? Evidence from the German Federal Court of Justice
Authors: Swalve Tilko
Published: February 2022

Collegiality plays a central role in judicial decision‐making. However, we still lack empirical evidence about the effects of collegiality on judicial decision‐making. In this article, I argue familiarity, an antecedent to collegiality, improves judicial deliberations by encouraging minority dissent and a more extensive debate of different legal viewpoints. Relying on a novel dataset of 21,613 appeals in criminal cases at the German Federal Court of Justice between 1990 and 2016, I exploit quasi‐random assignment of cases to decision‐making groups to show that judges' pairwise familiarity substantially increases the probability that judges schedule a main hearing after first‐stage deliberations. Group familiarity also increases the length of the justification of the ruling. The findings have implications for the way courts organize the assignment of judges to panels.
Beavers and flood alleviation: Human perspectives from downstream communities
Authors: Auster Roger E. , Barr Stewart W. , Brazier Richard E.
Published: February 2022

Natural flood management (NFM) methods work with natural processes to reduce flood risk, while often providing additional benefits such as water quality improvement or habitat provision. Increasingly, the activity of an animal—beavers—is recognised to potentially provide flow attenuation, along with multiple benefits for the environment and society, but there can also be associated challenges. We use Q‐Methodology to elicit and understand human perspectives of beavers and their potential role in flood management among communities living downstream of beavers at three sites in England (Cornwall, Yorkshire and the Forest of Dean). This is the first time a study has focused on downstream communities as the primary stakeholders. We identify diverse perspectives that exhibit a range of value judgements. We suggest a catchment‐based approach to beaver management and public engagement may facilitate deeper recognition of contextual perspectives in decision‐making and enable knowledge dissemination with communities. Further, we examine the relationship between beavers and other NFM methods through these perspectives. In doing so we identify features that relate to the unique element of relying on the natural behaviour of beavers for flood management, rather than human flood managers being the primary decision‐makers.
Facility characteristics and costs associated with meeting proposed minimum staffing levels in skilled nursing facilities
Authors: Hawk Terry , White Elizabeth M. , Bishnoi Courtney , Schwartz Lindsay B. , Baier Rosa R. , Gifford David R.
Published: February 2022

Background

Federal minimum nurse staffing levels for skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) were proposed in 2019 U.S. Congressional bills. We estimated costs and personnel needed to meet the proposed staffing levels, and examined characteristics of SNFs not meeting these thresholds.

Methods

This was a cross‐sectional analysis of 2019Q4 payroll data, the Hospital Wage Index, and other administrative data for 14,964 Medicare and Medicaid‐certified SNFs. We examined characteristics of SNFs not meeting proposed minimum thresholds: 4.1 total nursing hours per resident day (HPRD); 0.75 registered nurse (RN) HPRD; 0.54 licensed practical nurse (LPN) HPRD; and 2.81 certified nursing assistant (CNA) HPRD. For SNFs falling below the thresholds, we calculated the additional HPRD needed, along with the associated full‐time equivalent (FTE) personnel and salary costs.

Results

In 2019, 25.0% of SNFs met the minimum 4.1 total nursing HPRD, while 31.0%, 84.5%, and 10.7% met the RN, LPN, and CNA thresholds, respectively. Only 5.0% met all four categories. In adjusted analyses, factors most strongly associated with SNFs not meeting the proposed minimums were: higher Medicaid census, larger bed size, for‐profit ownership, higher county SNF competition; and, for RNs specifically, higher community poverty and lower Medicare census. Rural SNFs were less likely to meet all categories and this was explained primarily by county SNF competition. We estimate that achieving the proposed federal minimums across SNFs nationwide would require an estimated additional 35,804 RN, 3509 LPN, and 116,929 CNA FTEs at $7.25 billion annually in salary costs based on current wage rates and prepandemic resident census levels.

Conclusions

Achieving proposed minimum nurse staffing levels in SNFs will require substantial financial investment in the workforce and targeted support of low‐resource facilities. Extensive recruitment and retention efforts are needed to overcome supply constraints, particularly in the aftermath of the COVID‐19 pandemic.
Payment System Externalities
Authors: PARLOUR CHRISTINE A. , RAJAN UDAY , WALDEN JOHAN
Published: February 2022

We examine how the payment processing role of banks affects their lending activity. In our model, banks operate in separate zones, and issue claims to entrepreneurs who purchase some inputs outside their own zone. Settling bank claims across zones incurs a cost. In equilibrium, a liquidity externality arises when zones are sufficiently different in their outsourcing propensities—a bank may restrict its own lending because it needs to hold liquidity against claims issued by another bank. Our work highlights that the disparate motives for interbank borrowing (investing in productive projects and managing liquidity) can have different effects on efficiency.