bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Matching biodiversity indicators to policy needs
Authors: Stevenson Simone L. , Watermeyer Kate , Caggiano Giovanni , Fulton Elizabeth A. , Ferrier Simon , Nicholson Emily
Published: June 2020

At the global scale, biodiversity indicators are typically used to monitor general trends, but are rarely implemented with specific purpose or linked directly to decision making. Some indicators are better suited to predicting future change, others are more appropriate for evaluating past actions, but this is seldom made explicit. We developed a conceptual model for assigning biodiversity indicators to appropriate functions based on a common approach used in economics. Using the model, indicators can be classified as leading (indicators that change before the subject of interest, informing preventative actions), coincident (indicators that measure the subject of interest), or lagging (indicators that change after the subject of interest has changed and thus can be used to evaluate past actions). We classified indicators based on ecological theory on biodiversity response times and management objectives in 2 case studies: global species extinction and marine ecosystem collapse. For global species extinctions, indicators of abundance (e.g., the Living Planet Index or biodiversity intactness index) were most likely to respond first, as leading indicators that inform preventative action, while extinction indicators were expected to respond slowly, acting as lagging indicators flagging the need for evaluation. For marine ecosystem collapse, indicators of direct responses to fishing were expected to be leading, while those measuring ecosystem collapse could be lagging. Classification defines an active role for indicators within the policy cycle, creates an explicit link to preventative decision‐making, and supports preventative action.
Maternal employment and socio‐economic status of families raising children born very preterm with motor or cognitive impairments: the EPIPAGE cohort study
Authors: Saurel‐Cubizolles Marie‐Josephe , Marchand‐Martin Laetitia , Pierrat Veronique , Arnaud Catherine , Burguet Antoine , Fresson Jeanne , Marret Stephane , Roze Jean‐Christophe , Cambonie Gilles , Matis Jacqueline , Kaminski Monique , Ancel Pierre‐Yves
Published: June 2020

Aim

To describe maternal employment and the socio‐economic status of the household up to 8 years after the very preterm birth of a child, according to the presence and type of motor or cognitive impairment.

Method

A total of 1885 families from the French EPIPAGE cohort of children who were born very preterm between 1997 and 1998 were included. Motor and cognitive impairments were identified in children between the ages of 2 and 8 years in 770 families and were classified according to type. The 1115 families with children born very preterm without these impairments were considered the reference group.

Results

Mothers of children with severe motor or cognitive impairments were less often working at 5 years after the birth than the reference mothers (21% and 30% vs 57%; p<0.001). Those working before birth returned to work less often and those not working started to work less often after the birth than did reference mothers. At 8 years, mothers of children with severe impairments reported financial difficulties more often than mothers of children without impairments.

Interpretation

Despite a fairly protective regulatory framework in France, families of infants born very preterm with severe motor or cognitive impairments are socially underprivileged. Measures to maintain an acceptable standard of living for these families and their children are needed.
Left ventricular diastolic function in mitral stenosis
Authors: Venkateshvaran Ashwin , Govind Satish C.
Published: June 2020

The assessment of left ventricular (LV) function in the setting of mitral stenosis (MS) has been critically examined for decades. Accurate assessment of aberrations in diastolic function is important as these subjects often present with signs and symptoms of heart failure and pulmonary congestion that cannot be solely explained by the severity of mechanical obstruction. Echocardiographic evaluation of diastolic dysfunction includes an evaluation of reduced LV compliance, diminished restoring forces, and enhanced stiffness, which are challenging in the setting of MS owing to altered hemodynamic loading. Conventional echocardiographic and Doppler measures offer limited information. Novel assessments employing speckle tracking echocardiography are relatively less studied. A more comprehensive assessment including clinical evaluation, identification of concomitant disorders, and comorbidities is particularly warranted in older subjects with degenerative MS to suspect diastolic dysfunction and arrive at optimal medical therapy or intervention. This review provides an overview of etiological, pathophysiological, echocardiographic, and invasive assessment of diastolic dysfunction in the setting of MS, with specific focus on strengths and limitations of available echocardiographic and Doppler techniques.
Implications of the Polish 1999 administrative reform for regional socio‐economic development
Authors: Myck Michał , Najsztub Mateusz
Published: June 2020

On 1 January 1999, four major reforms took effect in Poland in the areas of health, education, pensions and local administration. After 20 years, only in the last case does the original structural design remain essentially unchanged. We examine the implications of this reform from the perspective of the distance of municipalities from their regional administrative capital. We show that despite fears of negative consequences for peripheral regions, the reform did not result in slower socio‐economic development for those municipalities that found themselves further from the new administrative centres. We argue that regional inclusiveness in the process of development is likely to be an important factor behind the stability of Poland's administrative design.
Alleviation of TGF‐β1 induced tubular epithelial–mesenchymal transition via the δ‐opioid receptor
Authors: Luo Fengbao , Xu Renfang , Song Guanglai , Xue Dong , He Xiaozhou , Xia Ying
Published: June 2020

Renal fibrosis is a common pathological feature of progressive chronic kidney disease (CKD). It is indicated that transforming growth factor‐β1 (TGF‐β1) plays as a central mediator in renal fibrosis. The present study aimed to investigate the role of δ‐opioid receptor (DOR) on renal fibrosis of the rat renal proximal tubular epithelial cell line (NRK‐52E) induced by TGF‐β1 and to elucidate its underlying mechanism, as well as its involvement in signaling pathways. Cells were treated with TGF‐β1 (10 ng·mL−1), along with a specific DOR agonist (UFP‐512) or naltrindole (a DOR antagonist). Cell viability and morphology, as well as cell migration, were measured after drug administration. Western blotting was employed to examine the extracellular matrix (ECM) protein Fibronectin, and the tubular epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers (E‐cadherin and α‐smooth muscle actin (α‐SMA)), signal transducer (p‐Smad3), and EMT‐regulatory gene (Snail). The expression level of phosphorylated Akt and p38 was also examined. Our results showed that TGF‐β1 induced fibroblastic appearance and increased the expression of Fibronectin, α‐SMA, P‐Smad3, and Snail, while it decreased the expression of E‐cadherin in NRK‐52E cells. Moreover, TGF‐β1 induced the activation of Akt and p38 MAPK signaling pathways. DOR activation was found to efficiently block morphological changes and cell migration, as long as the expression changes of Fibronectin, E‐cadherin, α‐SMA, P‐Smad3, Snail, P‐Akt, and P‐p38 were induced by TGF‐β1. These findings suggest that DOR may serve as an antifibrotic factor for renal proximal tubule cells by inhibiting the fibrosis process via TGF‐β/Smad, Akt, and p38 MAPK signaling pathways.
Canopy photosynthesis of six major arable crops is enhanced under diffuse light due to canopy architecture
Authors: Emmel Carmen , D'Odorico Petra , Revill Andrew , Hörtnagl Lukas , Ammann Christof , Buchmann Nina , Eugster Werner
Published: June 2020

Diffuse radiation generally increases photosynthetic rates if total radiation is kept constant. Different hypotheses have been proposed to explain this enhancement of photosynthesis, but conclusive results over a wide range of diffuse conditions or about the effect of canopy architecture are lacking. Here, we show the response of canopy photosynthesis to different fractions of diffuse light conditions for five major arable crops (pea, potato, wheat, barley, rapeseed) and cover crops characterized by different canopy architecture. We used 13 years of flux and microclimate measurements over a field with a typical 4 year crop rotation scheme in Switzerland. We investigated the effect of diffuse light on photosynthesis over a gradient of diffuse light fractions ranging from 100% diffuse (overcast sky) to 11% diffuse light (clear‐sky conditions). Gross primary productivity (GPP) increased with diffuse fraction and thus was greater under diffuse than direct light conditions if the absolute photon flux density per unit surface area was kept constant. Mean leaf tilt angle (MTA) and canopy height were found to be the best predictors of the diffuse versus direct radiation effect on photosynthesis. Climatic factors, such as the drought index and growing degree days (GDD), had a significant influence on initial quantum yield under direct but not diffuse light conditions, which depended primarily on MTA. The maximum photosynthetic rate at 2,000 µmol m−2 s−1photosynthetically active radiation under direct conditions strongly depended on GDD, MTA, leaf area index (LAI) and the interaction between MTA and LAI, while under diffuse conditions, this parameter depended mostly on MTA and only to a minor extent on canopy height and their interaction. The strongest photosynthesis enhancement under diffuse light was found for wheat, barley and rapeseed, whereas the lowest was for pea. Thus, we suggest that measuring canopy architecture and diffuse radiation will greatly improve GPP estimates of global cropping systems.
Political ecology of milk: Contested futures of a lively food
Authors: Clay Nathan , Yurco Kayla
Published: June 2020

This article advances thinking on the political ecology of food and agriculture by reviewing research on milk and dairy. As increasingly contested foods, milk and dairy provide a window onto inter‐linked social and environmental crises and attempts to solve them through adjustments to food production and consumption. We critically assess three trajectories of change (more milk, better milk, and less milk) that are representative of broader efforts to fix social‐environmental crises through food. Arguing that these efforts eschew systemic change, we discuss how ideas from food studies, agrarian political economy, and development studies can be united in a potentially transformative research agenda on the political ecology of milk (as well as other foods). We reflect on how concepts of justice, power, and care might inform a political ecology of food and agriculture that can help envision and enact more democratic food futures.
Intraoperative assessment and reporting of radical prostatectomy specimens to guide nerve‐sparing surgery in prostate cancer patients (NeuroSAFE)
Authors: van der Slot Margaretha A , den Bakker Michael A , Klaver Sjoerd , Kliffen Mike , Busstra Martijn B , Rietbergen John B W , Gan Melanie , Hamoen Karen E , Budel Leo M , Goemaere Natascha N T , Bangma Chris H , Helleman Jozien , Roobol Monique J , van Leenders Geert J L H
Published: June 2020

Aims

Radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer is frequently complicated by urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction. Nerve‐sparing surgery reduces the risk of postoperative complications and can be optimised by the use of intraoperative frozen sections of the adjacent neurovascular structure (NeuroSAFE). The aims of this study were to evaluate the pathological outcomes of the NeuroSAFE technique and to develop a comprehensive algorithm for intraoperative clinical decision‐making.

Methods and results

Between September 2018 and May 2019, 491 NeuroSAFE procedures were performed in 258 patients undergoing radical prostatectomy; 74 of 491 (15.1%) NeuroSAFE specimens had positive surgical margins. As compared with the corresponding paraffin sections, NeuroSAFE had a positive predictive value and negative predictive value of 85.1% and 95.4%, respectively. In 72.2% of secondary neurovascular bundle resections prompted by a NeuroSAFE positive surgical margin, no tumour was present. These cases more often had a positive surgical margin of ≤1 mm (48.7% versus 20.0%; P = 0.001) and only one positive slide (69.2% versus 33.3%; P = 0.008). None of the nine patients with Gleason pattern 3 at the surgical margin, a positive surgical margin length of ≤1 mm and one positive slide had tumour in the secondary resection.

Conclusions

This study provides a systematic reporting template for pathological intraoperative NeuroSAFE evaluation, supporting intraoperative clinical decision‐making and comparison between prostate cancer operation centres.
Food insecurity is associated with increased weight loss attempts in children and adolescents
Authors: Masler Isabella V. , Palakshappa Deepak , Skinner Asheley C. , Skelton Joseph A. , Brown Callie L.
Published: June 2020

Household food insecurity (HFI) has been associated with adverse childhood outcomes and shares many common risk factors with obesity. Half of adolescents with overweight or obesity are actively attempting to lose weight. We aim to evaluate whether HFI is associated with weight loss attempts and unhealthy weight loss control practices in children. We examined cross‐sectional data of children ages 8 to 15 years old from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Attempted weight loss was more common among children with very low food security (OR 1.50, 95% CI 1.09, 2.07). Children with a healthy weight with very low food security had increased odds of attempting weight loss (OR 1.51, 95% CI 1.00, 2.26) but there was no association in children with overweight or obesity. Very low food security was also associated with unhealthy weight control practices (OR: 1.42, 95% CI: 1.04, 1.93). Physicians should counsel all children and adolescents on healthy and unhealthy weight loss behaviours, regardless of weight or food security status.
Lipids, inflammasomes, metabolism, and disease
Authors: Anand Paras K.
Published: June 2020

Inflammasomes are multi‐protein complexes that regulate the cleavage of cysteine protease caspase‐1, secretion of inflammatory cytokines, and induction of inflammatory cell death, pyroptosis. Several members of the nod‐like receptor family assemble inflammasome in response to specific ligands. An exception to this is the NLRP3 inflammasome which is activated by structurally diverse entities. Recent studies have suggested that NLRP3 might be a sensor of cellular homeostasis, and any perturbation in distinct metabolic pathways results in the activation of this inflammasome. Lipid metabolism is exceedingly important in maintaining cellular homeostasis, and it is recognized that cells and tissues undergo extensive lipid remodeling during activation and disease. Some lipids are involved in instigating chronic inflammatory diseases, and new studies have highlighted critical upstream roles for lipids, particularly cholesterol, in regulating inflammasome activation implying key functions for inflammasomes in diseases with defective lipid metabolism. The focus of this review is to highlight how lipids regulate inflammasome activation and how this leads to the progression of inflammatory diseases. The key roles of cholesterol metabolism in the activation of inflammasomes have been comprehensively discussed. Besides, the roles of oxysterols, fatty acids, phospholipids, and lipid second messengers are also summarized in the context of inflammasomes. The overriding theme is that lipid metabolism has numerous but complex functions in inflammasome activation. A detailed understanding of this area will help us develop therapeutic interventions for diseases where dysregulated lipid metabolism is the underlying cause.
Cold sintered LiMgPO4 based composites for low temperature co‐fired ceramic (LTCC) applications
Authors: Wang Dawei , Chen Jinrong , Wang Ge , Lu Zhilun , Sun Shikuan , Li Jinglei , Jiang Juan , Zhou Di , Song Kaixin , Reaney Ian M.
Published: June 2020

Cold sintered, Li2MoO4‐based ceramics have recently been touted as candidates for electronic packaging and low temperature co‐fired ceramic (LTCC) technology but MoO3 is an expensive and endangered raw material, not suited for large scale commercialization. Here, we present cold sintered temperature‐stable composites based on LiMgPO4 (LMP) in which the Mo (and Li) concentration has been reduced, thereby significantly decreasing raw material costs. Optimum compositions, 0.5LMP‐0.1CaTiO3‐0.4K2MoO4 (LMP‐CTO‐KMO), achieved 97% density at <300°C and 600 MPa for 60 minutes. Raman spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and energy dispersive X‐ray mapping confirmed the coexistence of end‐members, LMP, CTO, and KMO, with no interdiffusion and parasitic phases. Composites exhibited temperature coefficient of resonant frequency ~ –6 ppm/°C, relative permittivity ~9.1, and Q × f values ~8500 GHz, properties suitable for LTCC technology and competitive with commercial incumbents.
The difference between generalist and specialist: the effects of wide fluctuations in main food abundance on numbers and reproduction of two co‐existing predators
Authors: Korpimäki Erkki , Hongisto Kari , Masoero Giulia , Laaksonen Toni
Published: June 2020

Specialist individuals within animal populations have shown to be more efficient foragers and/or to have higher reproductive success than generalist individuals, but interspecific reproductive consequences of the degree of diet specialisation in vertebrate predators have remained unstudied. Eurasian pygmy owls (hereafter POs) have less vole‐specialised diets than Tengmalm's owls (TOs), both of which mainly subsist on temporally fluctuating food resources (voles). To test whether the specialist TO is more limited by the main prey abundance than the generalist PO, we studied breeding densities and reproductive traits of co‐existing POs and TOs in central‐western Finland during 2002–2019. Breeding densities of POs increased with augmenting densities of voles in the previous autumn, whereas breeding densities of TOs increased with higher vole densities in both the previous autumn and the current spring. In years of vole scarcity, PO females started egg‐laying earlier than TOs, whereas in years of vole abundance TO females laid eggs substantially earlier than PO females. The yearly mean clutch size and number of fledglings produced of both POs and TOs increased with abundance of voles in the current spring. POs laid large clutches and produced large broods in years of both high and low vole abundance, whereas TOs were able to do so only in years of high vole abundance. POs were able to raise on average 73% of the eggs to fledglings whereas TOs only 44%. The generalist foraging strategy of POs including flexible switching from main prey to alternative prey (small birds) appeared to be more productive than the strictly vole‐specialized foraging strategy of TOs. In contrast to earlier studies at the individual‐level, specialist predators at the species level (in this case TOs) appear to be less effective than generalists (POs), but diet specialisation was particularly costly under conditions when scarcity of main foods limited offspring production.
Interrelationships between interventricular electrical delays in cardiac resynchronization therapy
Authors: Moubarak Ghassan , Sebag Frédéric A. , Socie Pierre , Villejoubert Olivier , Louembe Jules , Ferchaud Virginie
Published: June 2020

Introduction

In cardiac resynchronization therapy, pacing the left ventricle (LV) at sites of prolonged electrical delay is associated with better outcomes. We sought to characterize the interrelationships between intrinsic, right‐ventricular (RV)‐paced, and LV‐paced interventricular delays.

Methods and Results

The following electrical timings were measured at implantation for all electrodes of the LV quadripolar leads: QLV, interventricular delay in intrinsic rhythm (RVs‐LVs), in RV‐paced rhythm (RVp‐LVs), and in LV‐paced rhythm (LVp‐RVs). We included 32 patients (78% men, age 72 years, LV ejection fraction 29%, left bundle branch block 84%). QLV and RVs‐LVs were correlated (R2 = .72, p < .0001), as were RVs‐LVs and RVp‐LVs (R2 = .27, p = .002) and RVp‐LVs and LVp‐RVs (R2 = .60, p < .001). Direction of activation along the four LV lead electrodes was concordant between RVs‐LVs and RVp‐LVs in only 17 (53%) patients. The latest‐activated electrodes in RVs‐LVs and RVp‐LVs were concordant in 26 (81%) patients, adjacent in 3 (9%) patients, and remote in 3 (9%) patients. Biventricular‐paced QRS duration varied by more than 10 ms between the two electrodes in half of the patients with dissimilar latest electrodes. Among the seven echocardiographic nonresponders at 6 months, the programmed electrode was remote from the latest electrode in RVs‐LVs in five patients and in RVp‐LVs in three patients.

Conclusion

Intrinsic and RV‐paced interventricular electrical delays are correlated, but there is substantial heterogeneity between patients. The latest‐activated electrode may be different between RVs‐LVs and RVp‐LVs, and this might have important implications in selecting the optimal LV vector.
Metabolic alterations in plasma after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy
Authors: Yoshida Naofumi , Kitahama Seiichi , Yamashita Tomoya , Hirono Yasuko , Tabata Tokiko , Saito Yoshihiro , Shinohara Ryohei , Nakashima Hitomi , Emoto Takuo , Hirota Yushi , Takahashi Tetsuya , Ogawa Wataru , Hirata Ken‐ichi
Published: June 2020

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is an important therapeutic option for morbidly obese patients. Although LSG promotes sufficient weight loss, how LSG changes plasma metabolites remains unclear. We assessed changes in plasma metabolite levels after LSG. We collected plasma samples from 15 morbidly obese Japanese patients before and 3 months after LSG. A total of 48 metabolites were quantified using capillary electrophoresis time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry‐based metabolomic profiling. Branched chain amino acids, several essential amino acids, choline, 2‐hydroxybutyric acid, 2‐oxoisovaleric acid and hypoxanthine were significantly decreased after LSG. Tricarboxylic acid cycle metabolites, including citric acid, succinic acid and malic acid, were significantly elevated after LSG. This is the first report to show dynamic alterations in plasma metabolite concentrations, as assessed using capillary electrophoresis time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry, in morbidly obese patients after LSG. Our results might show how LSG helps improve obesity, in part through metabolic status changes, and propose novel therapeutic targets to ameliorate obesity.
Non‐invasive quality analysis of thawed tuna using near infrared spectroscopy with baseline correction
Authors: Li Yuqiang , Pan Tianhong , Li Haoran , Chen Shan
Published: June 2020

In order to investigate the ability of NIR spectroscopy coupled with baseline correction to detect quality‐related changes of thawed tuna during the storage and the transportation. First, adaptive iteratively reweighted penalized least squares (airPLS) method was taken to eliminate the baseline and estimate spectra feature peaks of 168 samples (bigeye = 82, yellowfin = 86), and the Monte Carlo method was used to determine the optimal adjustment parameter λ. Second, predictive models based on the fitted features were established by the partial least squares regression (PLSR) to estimate docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), fat, and protein content. Compared with the standard normal variate (SNV), the proposed airPLS achieved good performance in a comparative experimental test. When the original spectra was preprocessed by airPLS, the number of feature peaks (nf) and the mean value of R2 () achieved 6 and 0.89 respectively, which is greater than that of the preprocessing algorithm SNV (nf = 4 and ). The proposed airPLS effectively reduces the interfering variability and reserves much more NIR features, which is a feasible and stable method for quality‐related analysis of the thawed tuna.

Practical application: During the storage and the transportation, the rich nutrients in tuna are easily oxidized and degraded when they are exposed to the air. In order to develop effective methods to determine the quality of tuna and avoid selling thawed products as the fresh tuna, a quality‐related analysis method for thawed tuna based on the baseline correction is proposed to improve the prediction accuracy.
Implications of 2020 Skilled Home Healthcare Payment Reform for Persons with Dementia
Authors: Ankuda Claire K. , Leff Bruce , Ritchie Christine S. , Rahman Omari‐Khalid , Ferreira Katelyn B. , Bollens‐Lund Evan , Ornstein Katherine A.
Published: June 2020

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

The Medicare home health benefit provides episodic skilled home‐based clinical care to the growing population of community‐dwelling persons with dementia. As of January 1, 2020, home health payment changed: episodes shortened from 60 to 30 days, and episodes initiated in the community are now reimbursed at lower rates than episodes following institutional stays. We aim to assess the potential impact of these policy changes on this population.

DESIGN/SETTING

Cross‐sectional study using the Medicare claims‐linked National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS).

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 1,867 NHATS respondents who received home health between 2011 and 2017.

MEASUREMENTS

Dementia was defined through both self‐report and a validated cognitive assessment through NHATS. We described the demographic, socioeconomic, and health characteristics of older adults with dementia receiving home health compared with those without dementia. We then assessed the association of dementia with both receiving community‐initiated home health (vs postinstitutional) and visit timing during the home health episode.

RESULTS

Over a follow‐up period of just over 4 years, 50.2% of persons with dementia used home health compared with 15.3% of persons without dementia. Most home health provided to persons with dementia was initiated in the community (61%), compared with 37% of episodes provided to persons without dementia. Persons with dementia were more likely to receive care in days 31 to 60 of the episode compared with those without dementia.

CONCLUSIONS

Shortening episodes and reimbursing community‐initiated episodes at lower rates may disproportionately impact the highly vulnerable population of older adults with dementia, who receive more community‐initiated care over longer time periods. Our work highlights the need to better understand the unique role of home health in meeting gaps in both acute‐ and long‐term care systems for older adults with dementia. J Am Geriatr Soc 68:2303–2309, 2020.
Mass incarceration and consumer financial harm: Critique of rent‐seeking by the carceral state
Authors: Carder Rockwell Casey , Crockett David , Davis Lenita
Published: June 2020

Mass incarceration is an approach to managing public safety that emphasizes detention over other means. It is also neoliberalism's quintessential political and economic project because it mobilizes a prison industrial complex to generate revenue. We highlight rent‐seeking, the pursuit of extra‐budgetary revenues by carceral agencies, because it inflicts financial harm on incarcerated consumers and their supporters. Carceral agencies leverage government's authority to set the conditions of detention. However, when they also leverage government's market‐making authority to seek rents from incarcerated persons we characterize that as a government failure. To understand it, we depart from a focus on corruption by specific actors to highlight features of institutions that enable unethical behavior. We join activists and elected officials who call for an end to mass incarceration, but we also highlight more immediate reforms that can help restrain rent‐seeking and enable greater public scrutiny of the carceral state.
Potential role of the skin microbiota in Inflammatory skin diseases
Authors: Chen Pan , He Guangwen , Qian Jingru , Zhan Yi , Xiao Rong
Published: June 2020

Background

Inflammatory skin diseases include a variety of skin diseases, such as seborrheic dermatitis, acne, atopic dermatitis, psoriasis and so on, which are more common and tend to have a significant impact on patients' quality of life. Inflammatory skin diseases often result in physical or psychological distress; however, the pathogenesis of these diseases have not been clearly elucidated. Many factors are involved in the pathogenesis of inflammatory skin diseases, including heredity, environment, immunity, epidermal barrier, mental disorders, infection and so on. In recent years, skin microbiota has been shown to play an important role in inflammatory skin diseases.

Aims

To elaborate on the specific mechanisms of inflammatory skin diseases induced by microbiota dysbiosis.

Methods

We introduce the function and influence of skin microbiota in inflammatory skin diseases from the following aspects: Immunity, epigenetics, epidermal barrier and treatment.

Results

Skin microbiota can affect many aspects of the host, such as Immunity, epigenetics, epidermal barrier, and it plays an important role in the pathogenesis of inflammatory skin diseases.

Conclusion

Skin microbiota is extremely important for maintaining the health of skin and the dysbiosis of skin microbiota is an important pathogenesis of inflammatory skin diseases.
Effectiveness of cognitive behavioural therapy for perinatal depression: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Li Zimeng , Liu Ying , Wang Jiayao , Liu Jia , Zhang Chunmei , Liu Yanhui
Published: June 2020

Aims and objectives

To systematically review the efficacy of cognitive behavioural therapy for improving mood in perinatal depression.

Background

The impact of cognitive behavioural therapy on perinatal depression has been evaluated in various studies, but there is uncertainty about their impact.

Design

Systematic review and meta‐analysis.

Methods

Nine electronic literature databases were searched to retrieve eligible randomised controlled trials: CNKI, VIP digital database, Chinese Wanfang database, the Cochrane library, PubMed, Web of science, EMBASE, PsycINFO, CINAHL from the inception of the databases up to 15 November 2019. The eligible studies were screened and extracted, and then, the methodological quality was evaluated independently by two researchers. The meta‐analyst software (Rev Man 5.3) was used to conduct the meta‐analysis. Checklist of Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐analyses has been followed.

Results

Thirteen RCTs with 966 participants were included. The results showed that the CBT group was superior to the usual care group in reducing depression symptoms of pregnant women after treatment immediately, and the difference was statistically significant. Similarly, at postpartum (<4 months), the results showed that the CBT group was superior to the usual care group in improving depression symptoms of pregnant women. However, there was no statistical difference at postpartum (>4 months).

Conclusions

Cognitive behavioural therapy can effectively relieve the symptoms of depression at short‐term effect. However, its long‐term effect need to be verified by further clinical studies.

Relevance to clinical practice

This meta‐analysis suggested that cognitive behavioural therapy should be considered as a complementary programme for patients with perinatal depression. Medical workers could apply cognitive behavioural therapy into daily routine cares for perinatal depression.
Distributive Justice in Marriage: Experimental Evidence on Beliefs about Fair Savings Arrangements
Authors: Tisch Daria , Lersch Philipp M.
Published: June 2020

Objective

This study examines fairness perceptions of experimentally manipulated savings arrangements in couples (i.e., distribution of control and ownership of savings) to identify distributive justice principles in marriage.

Background

Theoretically, competing norms about individual ownership rights and autonomy (equity principle) and marital sharing (equality principle) in interaction with gender ideology (entitlement principle) may explain how individuals perceive the fairness of different savings arrangements, but these explanations have not been tested against each other
yet.

Method

In a nationally representative factorial survey experiment, implemented in the German GESIS Panel, 3,948 respondents evaluated the fairness of randomly presented savings arrangements (N = 19,648 evaluations).

Results

Respondents rated equal control as more important than equal ownership to establish fairness in marriage. The ownership of savings does not seem to be directly linked to control, providing evidence against the equity principle. Inequality in ownership is rated fairer if it is in favor of the husband, whereas inequality in control is rated fairer if it is in favor of the wife. This suggests that gender is an ascriptive characteristic according to which resources should be allocated (entitlement principle).

Conclusion

The results indicate that the ideal of marital sharing is widespread, but is rather accomplished by equal control than by equal ownership. Individuals' fairness perceptions of inequality in marriage are gendered, that is, depend on whom inequality favors.
A test of work motivation profile similarity across four distinct samples of employees
Authors: Gillet Nicolas , Morin Alexandre J.S. , Ndiaye Adama , Colombat Philippe , Fouquereau Evelyne
Published: June 2020

The present study examines how the different forms of behavioural regulation proposed by self‐determination theory combine within different profiles of workers and the extent to which these configurations are replicated among four samples of workers from distinct occupational groups (managers, nurses, physiotherapists, and hospital employees). In addition, this research investigates the role of workload (as a job demand), as well as perceived organizational, supervisor, and colleagues support (as job resources) in the prediction of profile membership. Finally, this research also documents the relation between motivation profiles and a series of adaptive (work performance) and maladaptive (presenteeism, turnover intentions, and absenteeism) work outcomes. Latent profile analyses revealed six similar motivation profiles among the four samples (n = 291 managers, 249 hospital employees, 237 nurses, and 373 physiotherapists). The results also showed the highest levels of presenteeism and turnover intentions, and the lowest levels of work performance to be associated with the Externally Driven profile. Moreover, workload predicted a higher likelihood of membership into the Self‐Driven Introjected and Externally Driven profiles relative to the Moderately Intrinsically Motivated, Highly Intrinsically Motivated, and Self‐Driven Hedonist profiles. Finally, perceived colleagues support predicted a decreased likelihood of membership into the Externally Driven profile relative to the five other profiles, whereas higher levels of perceived organizational support predicted an increased likelihood of membership into the Self‐Driven Introjected, Highly Intrinsically Motivated, and Value‐Reward Self‐Driven profiles relative to the Externally Driven and Self‐Driven Hedonist ones.

Practitioner points

Employees’ profiles characterized by low levels of self‐determined work motivation were associated with the worst outcomes.

By decreasing employees’ workload or by helping to make it more manageable, organizations may increase employees’ likelihood of displaying more desirable, and self‐determined, motivational profiles.

By improving colleagues support, organizations may also be able to increase employees’ likelihood of displaying more desirable, and self‐determined, motivational profiles.
HYDROCARBON MIGRATION AND CHARGE HISTORY IN THE KARANJ, PARANJ AND PARSI OILFIELDS, SOUTHERN DEZFUL EMBAYMENT, ZAGROS FOLD‐AND‐THRUST BELT, SW IRAN
Authors: Vatandoust M. , Faghih A. , Asadi S. , Azimzadeh A. M. , Soleimany B.
Published: June 2020

This study investigates the charge history of the Oligocene – Lower Miocene Asmari Formation reservoir at three oilfields (Karanj, Paranj and Parsi) in the southern Dezful Embayment, SW Iran, from microthermometric analyses of hydrocarbon‐bearing fluid inclusions. The Asmari Formation reservoir was sampled in seven wells at depths of between 1671.5 and 3248.5 m; samples from three of the wells were found to be suitable for fluid inclusion analyses. The samples were analyzed using an integrated workflow including petrography, fluorescence spectroscopy, Raman microspectroscopy and microthermometry. Abundant oil inclusions with a range of fluorescence colours from near‐yellow to near‐blue were observed. Based on the fluid inclusion petrography, fluorescence and microthermometry data, two episodes of oil charging into the reservoir were identified: 7 to 3.5 Ma, and 3.5 to 2 Ma, respectively. Fluid inclusions in general homogenized at temperatures between 112 and 398°C and with salinities of 14 to 23 wt.% NaCl equivalent. Based on the burial history, the Albian Kazhdumi and Paleogene Pabdeh Formation source rocks in the study area have not reached the gas generation window. The abundant fluid inclusions containing gas‐liquid phase observed in the Asmari samples studied are therefore inferred to have been derived from secondary oil‐to‐gas cracking which resulted from Late Pliocene uplift.
Cannabinoid type‐2 receptor agonist, inverse agonist, and anandamide regulation of inflammatory responses in IL‐1β stimulated primary human periodontal ligament fibroblasts
Authors: Abidi Ammaar H. , Alghamdi Sahar S. , Dabbous Mustafa Kh. , Tipton David A. , Mustafa Suni M. , Moore Bob M.
Published: June 2020

Objective

The aim of this study is to understand the role of cannabinoid type 2 receptor (CB2R) during periodontal inflammation and to identify anti‐inflammatory agents for the development of drugs to treat periodontitis (PD).

Background

Cannabinoid type 2 receptor is found in periodontal tissue at sites of inflammation/infection. Our previous study demonstrated anti‐inflammatory responses in human periodontal ligament fibroblasts (hPDLFs) via CB2R ligands.

Methods

Anandamide (AEA), HU‐308 (agonist), and SMM‐189 (inverse agonist) were tested for effects on IL‐1β‐stimulated cytokines, chemokines, and angiogenic and vascular markers expressed by hPDLFs using Mesoscale Discovery V‐Plex Kits. Signal transduction pathways (p‐c‐Jun, p‐ERK, p‐p‐38, p‐JNK, p‐CREB, and p‐NF‐kB) were investigated using Cisbio HTRF kits. ACTOne and Tango™ ‐BLA functional assays were used to measure cyclic AMP (cAMP) and β‐arrestin activity.

Results

IL‐1β stimulated hPDLF production of 18/39 analytes, which were downregulated by the CB2R agonist and the inverse agonist. AEA exhibited pro‐inflammatory and anti‐inflammatory effects. IL‐1β increased phosphoproteins within the first hour except p‐JNK. CB2R ligands attenuated p‐p38 and p‐NFĸB, but a late rise in p‐38 was seen with HU‐308. As p‐ERK levels declined, a significant increase in p‐ERK was observed later in the time course by synthetic CB2R ligands. P‐JNK was significantly affected by SMM‐189 only, while p‐CREB was elevated significantly by CB2R ligands at 180 minutes. HU‐308 affected both cAMP and β‐arrestin pathway. SMM‐189 only stimulated cAMP.

Conclusion

The findings that CB2R agonist and inverse agonist may potentially regulate inflammation suggest that development of CB2R therapeutics could improve on current treatments for PD and other oral inflammatory pathologies.
Intrahepatic T helper 17 cells recruited by hepatitis B virus X antigen‐activated hepatic stellate cells exacerbate the progression of chronic hepatitis B virus infection
Authors: Zhang Hongbin , Yan Xiong , Yang Cheng , Zhan Qian , Fu Yueqiang , Luo Huating , Luo Hongchun
Published: June 2020

Immunopathological injury induced by persistent hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection contributes to the progression from chronic hepatitis B (CHB) to hepatic cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Regulatory T cells (Tregs), CD4+ T helper (Th) cells, and hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are considered to be the pivotal factors during this progression. In this study, our aim was to investigate the molecular mechanisms of liver immunopathological injury associated with Tregs, CD4+ Th cells, and HSCs. Liver tissues were collected to assay the cytokines and distribution and frequencies of CD4+ Th cells and Tregs. The chemotaxis of Th17 cells towards the liver and the interactions between IL‐22, IL‐17A, and HSCs were explored. The data showed the frequencies of Th17 cells, and their effector molecules IL‐22 and IL‐17A were increased along with the severity of chronic liver diseases. However, the frequencies of Tregs were decreased in HBV‐associated cirrhotic tissues compared with those in CHB tissues and HCC tissues. hepatitis B virus X antigen (HBxAg)‐activated HSCs recruited more Th17 cells into the liver and conduced to the secretion of IL‐17A and IL‐22 that could in turn stimulate the proliferation and fibrotic marker secretion of the HSCs. Therefore, we suggest that the interactions between Th17 cells, IL‐17A, IL‐22, and HSCs form a positive feedback loop that aggravated the progression of chronic liver disease with HBV infection through the phosphoinositide‐3‐kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/AKT) signalling pathway. Our findings indicated the IL‐17A/IL‐22 pathway might become a new treatment target for liver cirrhosis and HCC.
On the relational autonomy of materials: entanglements in maker literacies research
Authors: Lemieux Amélie , Rowsell Jennifer
Published: June 2020

This article addresses key components of posthumanism and maker literacies by reporting on empirical data from two makerspace research sites. Using posthuman methodologies, we suggest practical considerations of the relational autonomy of materials through entanglements between humans, non‐humans and more‐than‐humans in makerspace classroom settings. We propose answers to the following research questions: How do materials manifest their relational autonomy in makerspaces? How could the relational autonomy of materials impact maker literacies pedagogy? With this article, our contribution warrants researchers to think about the unpredictability of maker work through posthuman methodologies and how maker projects can help speak against the failing student rhetoric in literacy education.
Multiple glacial refugia and contemporary dispersal shape the genetic structure of an endemic amphibian from the Pyrenees
Authors: Lucati Federica , Poignet Manon , Miró Alexandre , Trochet Audrey , Aubret Fabien , Barthe Laurent , Bertrand Romain , Buchaca Teresa , Calvez Olivier , Caner Jenny , Darnet Elodie , Denoël Mathieu , Guillaume Olivier , Le Chevalier Hugo , Martínez‐Silvestre Albert , Mossoll‐Torres Marc , O’Brien David , Osorio Víctor , Pottier Gilles , Richard Murielle , Sabás Ibor , Souchet Jérémie , Tomàs Jan , Ventura Marc
Published: June 2020

Historical factors (colonization scenarios, demographic oscillations) and contemporary processes (population connectivity, current population size) largely contribute to shaping species’ present‐day genetic diversity and structure. In this study, we use a combination of mitochondrial and nuclear DNA markers to understand the role of Quaternary climatic oscillations and present‐day gene flow dynamics in determining the genetic diversity and structure of the newtCalotriton asper(Al. Dugès, 1852), endemic to the Pyrenees. Mitochondrial DNA did not show a clear phylogeographic pattern and presented low levels of variation. In contrast, microsatellites revealed five major genetic lineages with admixture patterns at their boundaries. Approximate Bayesian computation analyses and linear models indicated that the five lineages likely underwent separate evolutionary histories and can be tracked back to distinct glacial refugia. Lineage differentiation started around the Last Glacial Maximum at three focal areas (western, central and eastern Pyrenees) and extended through the end of the Last Glacial Period in the central Pyrenees, where it led to the formation of two more lineages. Our data revealed no evidence of recent dispersal between lineages, whereas borders likely represent zones of secondary contact following expansion from multiple refugia. Finally, we did not find genetic evidence of sex‐biased dispersal. This work highlights the importance of integrating past evolutionary processes and present‐day gene flow and dispersal dynamics, together with multilocus approaches, to gain insights into what shaped the current genetic attributes of amphibians living in montane habitats.
Flood‐pulse disturbances as a threat for long‐living Amazonian trees
Authors: Resende Angélica F. , Piedade Maria T. F. , Feitosa Yuri O. , Andrade Victor Hugo F. , Trumbore Susan E. , Durgante Flávia M. , Macedo Maíra O. , Schöngart Jochen
Published: June 2020

The long‐lived tree species Eschweilera tenuifolia (O. Berg) Miers is characteristic of oligotrophic Amazonian black‐water floodplain forests (igapó), seasonally inundated up to 10 months per year, often forming monodominant stands. We investigated E. tenuifolia' growth and mortality patterns in undisturbed (Jaú National Park ‐ JNP) and disturbed igapós (Uatumã Sustainable Development Reserve ‐ USDR, downstream of the Balbina hydroelectric dam).

We analysed age–diameter relationships, basal area increment (BAI) through 5‐cm diameter classes, growth changes and growth ratios preceding death, BAI clustering, BAI ratio, and dated the individual year of death (14C). Growth and mortality patterns were then related to climatic or anthropogenic disturbances.

Results were similar for both populations for estimated maximum ages (JNP, 466 yr; USDR, 498 yr, except for one USDR tree with an estimated age of 820 yr) and slightly different for mean diameter increment (JNP: 2.04 mm; USDR: 2.28 mm). Living trees from JNP showed altered growth post‐1975 and sparse tree mortality occurred at various times, possibly induced by extreme hydroclimatic events. In contrast with the JNP, abrupt growth changes and massive mortality occurred in the USDR after the dam construction began (1983).

Even more than 30 yr after dam construction, flood‐pulse alteration continues to affect both growth and mortality of E. tenuifolia. Besides its vulnerability to anthropogenic disturbances, this species is also susceptible to long‐lasting dry and wet periods induced by climatic events, the combination of both processes may cause its local and regional extinction.
Episodic and guanine–cytosine‐biased bursts of intragenomic and interspecific synonymous divergence in Ajugoideae (Lamiaceae) mitogenomes
Authors: Liu Fang , Fan Weishu , Yang Jun‐Bo , Xiang Chun‐Lei , Mower Jeffrey P. , Li De‐Zhu , Zhu Andan
Published: June 2020

Synonymous substitution rates in plant mitochondrial genomes vary by orders of magnitude among species, whereas synonymous rates among genes within a genome are generally consistent. Exceptionally, genes within the Ajuga reptans (Lamiaceae) mitochondrial genome exhibit unprecedented intragenomic heterogeneity in synonymous sequence divergence, but the biological mechanisms underlying this rate variation remain unclear.

We tracked the origin and evolutionary trajectory of mitochondrial rate variations by dense sampling in Ajugoideae and found differences in the timing and magnitude of rate acceleration for particular genes.

The most divergent genes accelerated earlier, retained a high rate across Ajugoideae, and are generally devoid of RNA editing, whereas moderately diverged genes accelerated later and retained relatively higher RNA editing frequency.

The acceleration of mutation rates correlates with increased guanine–cytosine (GC) content, suggesting a key role for GC‐biased gene conversion and/or repair after the breakage of ancestral gene clusters.