bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Raft platforms highly enriched in cholesterol: major scaffolds for IL‐6 signalling assembly with implications in inflammation and cancer
Authors: Mollinedo Faustino
Published: June 2022

Interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) is a pleiotropic cytokine with complex and major roles in inflammation, which could be linked to the different ways IL‐6 signals at the plasma membrane. In this issue of FEBS Journal, Woo and co‐workers present evidence for the involvement of Eps15 homology domain‐containing protein 1 (EHD1)‐mediated lipid raft platforms, highly enriched in cholesterol, in the IL‐6 signalling pathway. Because of the strong connection between IL‐6, inflammation and cancer, one implication of this report is that agents or approaches targeting cholesterol‐rich raft platforms may assist the development of novel strategies to treat inflammatory and malignant diseases.

Comment on: https://doi.org/10.1111/febs.16458
Assessment of prostaglandin F2‐alpha (PGF2α) in lesional and nonlesional skin of vitiligo patients
Authors: Nagui Noha A. , El‐Tartoushy Samar A. , Rashed Laila A. , Elmasry Maha F.
Published: June 2022

Background

F2‐isoprostane is one of the members of biologically active prostaglandins. It is considered a reliable marker of oxidative stress. This study aimed at investigating and studying the hypothesis of the possible role of prostaglandin F2‐alpha (PGF2α) in the pathogenesis of vitiligo and to know if there is a possibility of using it in therapy.

Methods

This case–control study involved 30 patients with nonsegmental vitiligo and 30 healthy sex‐ and age‐matched controls over a period of 7 months. Skin biopsies were taken from lesional and nonlesional vitiliginous skin of patients and from normal skin of controls for measurement of PGF2α in tissue by ELISA.

Results

The tissue levels of PGF2α in vitiligo patients were significantly higher in both lesional and nonlesional skin than in healthy controls (P < 0.001). The tissue levels of PGF2α in lesional skin were significantly higher than in nonlesional skin (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Based on the fact that PGF2α is a reliable biomarker of oxidative stress, in addition to our results that revealed higher tissue levels of PGF2α in vitiliginous skin than in healthy skin, we can conclude that PGF2α may be incriminated in the pathogenesis of vitiligo. This finding could help in the treatment of this disease by using anti‐PGF2α drugs.
Thermal treatments and their influence on physicochemical properties of sea cucumbers: a comprehensive review
Authors: Fan Xinru , Ma Yongsheng , Li Meng , Li Ying , Sang Xue , Zhao Qiancheng
Published: June 2022

Sea cucumber is consumed as a traditional, luxury, medicinal and health‐benefit seafood product. Thermal treatment is a necessary step in sea cucumber processing. The quality of cooked sea cucumbers is affected by heating temperature, heating time, heating degree and heating pressure. Furthermore, the storage stability and shelf‐life of mature products are influenced by the processing methods. The loss of nutrients, changes in textural properties and apparent morphology of goods affect consumer preferences. Although some machining techniques, such as high‐pressure and high‐temperature treatments, have been applied to shorten the processing time, negative effects during storage cannot be ignored. In this review, the physical and chemical changes to sea cucumbers during different thermal treatments are compared and summarised, and future work is described. These future efforts are expected to provide suitable thermal treatment and promote innovation in sea cucumber processing technology.
My story of sex, gender, and women's health in a pandemic*
Authors: Klein Sabra L.
Published: June 2022

After more than 20 years of studying sex differences in viral pathogenesis and immunity to vaccines, the COVID‐19 pandemic provided me with a unique opportunity to raise awareness about biological sex differences. The scientific community and public, alike, embraced the clinical and epidemiological data and supported inquiries into how males are twice as likely to be hospitalized and die from COVID‐19. Immunological changes associated with pregnancy also contribute to worse outcomes from COVID‐19. Collectively, we are finding that inflammation is a critical mediator of worse outcomes for males and pregnant females. The pandemic gave me a platform to discuss and address sex differences on a bigger stage, but two decades of studies working with other viruses prepared me for this moment in history.
The impact of production diseconomies on manufacturer encroachment
Authors: Chen Xiaole , Tang Yanli
Published: June 2022

We consider a supply chain with a manufacturer and a retailer, where the manufacturer is diseconomy of scale regarding production and may encroach into the downstream market. We prove that the production diseconomy changes the traditional wisdom regarding the impact of manufacturer encroachment on supply chain performance. First, we show that the production diseconomy disincentivizes the manufacturer's encroachment. Second, different from the literature that believes retailer can be better off as long as it has a selling cost advantage compared with the manufacturer, we establish the condition where encroachment always hurts the retailer regardless of the selling cost advantage. Third, we find that when the price does not respond sensitively to the quantity, an encroaching manufacturer would increase the wholesale price. Surprisingly, the supply chain's profit still could increase. Finally, we check how the retail competition, imperfect substitution, and price competition affect the corresponding results shown above. We show that the retail competition disincentivizes the manufacturer's encroachment and weakens the whole industry's profit benefit from the encroachment. In contrast, imperfect substitution increases the manufacturer's encroachment incentives and strengthens the industry's profit benefit from the encroachment. In the case of imperfect substitution with quantity competition, the consumers might be worse off after the manufacturer encroaches; otherwise, they benefit from the manufacturer's encroachment.
Effectiveness of prophylactic application of negative pressure wound therapy in stopping surgical site wound problems for closed incisions in breast cancer surgery: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Song Jingyong , Liu Xia , Wu Tingting
Published: June 2022

We performed a meta‐analysis to evaluate the effect of prophylactic application of negative pressure wound therapy in stopping surgical site wound problems for closed incisions in breast cancer surgery. A systematic literature search up to April 2022 was performed and 2223 women with closed incisions in breast cancer surgery at the baseline of the studies; 964 of them were using the prophylactic application of negative pressure wound therapy, and 1259 were using standard dressings. Odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to assess the effect of prophylactic application of negative pressure wound therapy in stopping surgical site wound problems for closed incisions in breast cancer surgery using the dichotomous method with a random or fixed‐effect model. The prophylactic application of negative pressure wound therapy women had a significantly lower total wound problems (OR, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.43‐0.90, P = .01), lower surgical site wound infection (OR, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.36‐0.96, P = .03), lower wound dehiscence (OR, 0.54; 95% CI, 0.39‐0.75, P < .001) and lower wound necrosis (OR, 0.44; 95% CI, 0.27‐0.71, P < .001), in women with closed incisions in breast cancer surgery compared with standard dressings. However, prophylactic application of negative pressure wound therapy did not show any significant difference in wound seroma (OR, 0.73; 95% CI, 0.32‐1.65, P = .45), and hematoma (OR, 0.73; 95% CI, 0.33‐1.59, P = .001) compared with standard dressings in women with closed incisions in breast cancer surgery. The prophylactic application of negative pressure wound therapy women had a significantly lower total wound problems, surgical site wound infection, wound dehiscence, and wound necrosis and no significant difference in wound seroma, and hematoma compared with standard dressings in women with closed incisions in breast cancer surgery. The analysis of outcomes should be with caution because of the low sample size of 5 out of 12 studies in the meta‐analysis and a low number of studies in certain comparisons.
Meaningful moments of interaction with people with profound intellectual disabilities: Reflections from direct support staff
Authors: Penninga Wieneke , Nijs Sara L. P. , van Bakel Hedwig J. A. , Embregts Petri J. C. M.
Published: June 2022

Background

High‐quality, affective relationships are built on meaningful moments of interaction, which are challenging for support staff to establish with people with profound intellectual disabilities. Therefore, we explored what makes a moment of interaction meaningful to support staff and what circumstances facilitate meaningful moments of interaction taking place.

Method

Five direct support staff took part in unstructured, in‐depth interviews. The interviews were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). Member checks were also conducted.

Results

Support staff experienced moments of interaction as meaningful because they felt a connection with a person with profound intellectual disabilities and/or they had the feeling of being meaningful for this person. Staff‐related and contextual circumstances facilitating meaningful moments of interaction to take place were described.

Conclusions

Meaningful moments of interaction are highly valued by support staff, who believe these moments are valued by persons with profound intellectual disabilities as well. Implications for daily practice are described.
Characteristics of subjects with type 2 diabetes enrolled in randomized controlled trials and non‐randomized controlled trials in Japan: A systematic review
Authors: Kadowaki Takashi , Shoji Ayako , Taguchi Yurie
Published: June 2022

Aims/Introduction

This study aimed to understand the characteristics of type 2 diabetes subjects enrolled in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and non‐RCTs according to therapeutic regimens through systematic literature review.

Materials and Methods

PubMed and the database of the Japanese Medical Abstract Society (ICHUSHI) were searched for studies published from 2010 to 2019 reporting the efficacy and safety of glucose‐lowering drugs in Japanese individuals with suboptimally controlled type 2 diabetes, and therapeutic regimens, demographics and clinical characteristics at the baseline were extracted. We evaluated the treatment arms, not the placebo arms.

Results

The literature searches identified 2,656 publications, 145 of which met all eligibility criteria and included 282 eligible arms. In the past 10 years, dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 inhibitor was the most frequently studied in both RCTs and non‐RCTs. Regarding the characteristics of enrolled subjects, sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor and glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor agonist have been studied more in relatively obese subjects, and insulin has been studied in higher proportion of subjects with disease duration ≥10 years. Most of the RCTs included subjects aged 55–64 years, whereas a higher proportion of dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 inhibitor and insulin arms in the non‐RCTs included those aged ≥65 years. Dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 inhibitor and sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor were evaluated in subjects with no abnormalities in blood pressure or lipid parameters; however, only a few reports of those parameters have been assessed with glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor agonist and insulin.

Conclusions

As RCTs and non‐RCTs differ in the baseline characteristics of type 2 diabetes subjects, it is necessary to integrate and evaluate both to understand the actual treatment status of type 2 diabetes.
Quality analysis of all‐purpose wheat flour pasteurized with radiofrequency‐assisted hot air heating
Authors: Chen Qianyi , Wu Tao , Morgan Mark T. , Chen Jiajia
Published: June 2022

Radiofrequency (RF) is a promising technology for preheating wheat flour for pasteurization but may influence its quality and functional properties. This study evaluated the quality and functionality change of bleached and unbleached, all‐purpose wheat flours after treating with RF and/or extended hot air heating at three processing temperatures (80, 85, and 90°C). The moisture content, color, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) sedimentation test, flour swelling power, and solvent retention capacity (SRC) tests were measured. The moisture content of both bleached and unbleached samples decreased after the RF treatment, and the extended hot air heating further increased the moisture loss. The ΔE values of color change were less than two for all processing conditions, indicating little color change. The SDS results showed that the sedimentation volumes decreased after the thermal treatments, indicating decreased relative gluten strength. The flour swelling power increased after the RF and the extended hot air heating. The SRC tests measured the flour retention in four different solvents of 5% lactic acid, 5% sodium carbonate, 50% sucrose, and water, and their values were within the reported ranges of a variety of flour samples. The gluten performance index calculated from the four SRC values decreased after RF and extended hot air heating. The results showed that most heating conditions significantly changed the overall quality of flour samples, statistically (p < 0.05). However, the absolute changes of the values were small and within ranges of the reported values. Thus, the RF‐assisted pasteurization may not influence the practical applications of the treated flour for different flour‐based products.

Practical Application

RF is a promising technology for preheating flour for pasteurization. The study found that the RF‐treated all‐purpose flours showed significant quality and functional properties change, statistically, but the absolute changes of the properties were small and within ranges of the reported values. Thus, RF heating and extended hot air heating can be used to pasteurize wheat flours without influencing their practical application.
Overnight pulse rate variability and risk of major neurocognitive disorder in older patients with obstructive sleep apnea
Authors: Sabil AbdelKebir , Blanchard Margaux , Annweiler Cédric , Bailly Sébastien , Goupil François , Pigeanne Thierry , Trzepizur Wojciech , Gervès‐Pinquié Chloé , Gagnadoux Frédéric ,   the Pays de la Loire Sleep Cohort study group
Published: June 2022

Background

Increasing evidence links obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) to cognitive decline. Autonomic dysfunction assessed by heart rate variability is a promising early biomarker of cognitive impairment in populations without major neurocognitive disorder (MND). We aimed to determine whether nocturnal pulse rate variability (PRV) extracted from oximetry signal and OSA severity could predict MND onset among older OSA patients.

Methods

This study relied on data collected within the multicenter longitudinal Pays de la Loire Sleep Cohort, linked to health administrative data to identify new‐onset MND. We included patients ≥60 years with newly diagnosed OSA, and no history of MND or atrial fibrillation. Cox proportional‐hazards models were used to evaluate the association of MND with indices of PRV and OSA severity generated from sleep recordings.

Results

After a median follow‐up of 6.8 [4.7–9.4] years, 70 of 3283 patients (2.1%) had been diagnosed with MND. In multivariable Cox models, MND incidence was associated with age (p < 0.0001), depression (p = 0.013), and PRV assessed by the root mean square of the successive normal‐to‐normal (NN) beat interval differences (RMSSD; p = 0.008) and standard deviation of NN beat intervals (SDNN; p = 0.02). Patients with the highest quartile of RMSSD had a 2.3‐fold [95%CI 1.11–4.92] higher risk of being diagnosed with MND. Indices of OSA and nocturnal hypoxia severity were not associated with MND.

Conclusions

Within a large clinic‐based cohort of older patients with OSA, we found an association between oximetry‐based indices of PRV and the onset of MND. Nocturnal oximetry‐derived PRV indices could allow the early identification of OSA patients at higher risk of MND.
Modified cued recall test in the French population with Down syndrome: A retrospective medical records analysis
Authors: Sacco S. , Falquero S. , Bouis C. , Akkaya M. , Gallard J. , Pichot A. , Radice G. , Bazin F. , Montestruc F. , Hiance‐Delahaye A. , Rebillat A.‐S.
Published: June 2022

Background

Adults with Down syndrome (DS) are at increased risk of developing Alzheimer's disease (AD) due to genetic predisposition. Identification of patients with AD is difficult since intellectual disabilities (ID) may confound diagnosis. The objective of this study was to evaluate the ability of the French version of the modified cued recall test (mCRT) to distinguish between subjects with and without AD in the adult DS population.

Methods

This was a retrospective, single‐centre, medical records study including data between March 2014 and July 2020. Adults aged ≥30 years with DS who had at least one mCRT record available were eligible. Age, sex and ID level were extracted, and subjects were attributed to three groups: patients with AD, patients with co‐occurring conditions that may impact cognitive function and subjects without AD. mCRT scores, adjusted by sex, age and ID level, were compared between groups. The optimal cut‐off value to distinguish between patients with and without AD was determined using the receiver operating characteristic curve. The impact of age and ID level on mCRT scores was assessed.

Results

Overall, 194 patients with DS were included: 12 patients with AD, 94 patients with co‐occurring conditions and 88 healthy subjects. Total recall scores were significantly lower (P < 0.0001) in patients with AD compared with healthy subjects. The optimal cut‐off value to discriminate between patients with AD and healthy subjects was 22, which compares well with the cut‐off value of 23 originally reported for the English version of the mCRT. Patients aged 30–44 years had higher mCRT total recall scores compared with patients aged ≥45 years (P = 0.0221). Similarly, patients with mild ID had higher mCRT scores compared with patients with severe ID (P < 0.0001).

Interpretation

The mCRT is a sensitive tool that may help in the clinical diagnosis of AD in subjects with DS. Early recognition of AD is paramount to deliver appropriate interventions to this vulnerable population.
Perceived racial discrimination partially mediates racial‐ethnic disparities in dental utilization and oral health
Authors: Singhal Astha , Jackson John W.
Published: June 2022

Objectives

Perceived racial discrimination has been associated with poor health outcomes, yet its impact on oral health disparities is not understood. We examine the role of perceived racial discrimination in healthcare settings in explaining racial‐ethnic disparities in dental visits and tooth loss.

Methods

We used behavioral risk factor surveillance system (BRFSS) data for 2014 from four diverse states (AZ, MN, MS and NM) that included “reactions to race” module. Using Poisson regression to estimate risk ratios, we employed inverse odds ratio(IOR)‐weighted estimation for mediation analyses to estimate the role of perceived discrimination, after equalizing other confounders and risk factors.

Results

We found that among those with similar risk factors, those who experienced racial discrimination were 15% less likely to visit a dentist, and 12% more likely to have tooth loss than those who were treated same as other races. Both Hispanics and non‐Hispanic Blacks were 26% less likely to visit a dentist (for Hispanics, RR = 0.74, 95%CI: 0.69–0.78; for non‐Hispanic Blacks, RR = 0.74, 95%CI: 0.70–0.79), and non‐Hispanic Blacks were 36% more likely to have tooth loss relative to non‐Hispanic Whites with similar risk factors (RR = 1.36, 95%CI: 1.28–1.45). Perceived discrimination appears to contribute to racial‐ethnic disparities in dental utilization among Hispanics, and disparities in tooth loss among non‐Hispanic Blacks, relative to non‐Hispanic Whites.

Conclusions

Perceived racial discrimination partially explains the racial‐ethnic disparities in dental utilization and tooth loss among those who otherwise share the same risk factors for these outcomes. Addressing discrimination and systemic racism can reduce the racial‐ethnic disparities in oral health.
Anti‐racist approaches to increase access to general and oral health care during a pandemic in the Pacific Islander community
Authors: Oishi Matthew M. , Robley Rachelle , Inada Megan K. , Hiramoto Jason
Published: June 2022

Limited data exists on Pacific Islander (PI) health, but a growing body of literature reports the existence of racial discrimination and inequities and mistrust of the healthcare system, leading to poor health outcomes. When COVID‐19 restricted health services, such inequities and mistrust due to historical trauma were magnified. This report describes one federally qualified health center's dental department's response utilizing culture‐based approaches, community relationships, and the social determinants of health (SDOH) to dispel the stigma of COVID and restrictions on in‐person care in order to lower barriers to accessing care. When the dental department transitioned to emergency‐only care, staff were redeployed to address significant inequities facing the PI community. Redeployment activities included building relationships with the most vulnerable patients, delivering healthy foods, supplies, oral hygiene kits to households, and canvasing neighborhood businesses with public health education. The mobile dental clinic, a trusted symbol in the community, also brought public health education to community testing events and food distributions. From March 2020 to July 2020, staff conducted over 800 outreach calls for health and food security, delivered over 2000 care packages and oral hygiene kits. Also, frequent community outreach by the mobile dental clinic led to a 10‐fold increase in COVID testing. Investing in relationship building can maintain access to health care and build trust in the health care system for PI communities. This approach may be relevant to others serving other communities experiencing racism.
Slipping through the cracks: Just how underrepresented are minorities within the dental specialties?
Authors: Poole Tera , Jura Matthew , Taylor George , Gates Paul , Mertz Elizabeth
Published: June 2022

Objective

There is a lack of diversity in the dental workforce. Efforts to enhance underrepresented minority (URM) recruitment and retention within dental school exist, but little effort has been made to track URM providers through education and practice. This study assesses the status of workforce diversity in the dental specialties and the predictors of URM dentist specialization.

Methods

The primary data used were a 2012 national sample survey of Hispanic/Latino (H/L), Black, or American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) dentists in the US, supplemented by publicly available workforce data. Descriptive and multivariate statistical analyses were performed to describe the demographic composition of URM clinical general and specialist dentists and analyze changes in proportions of URMs specializing among age cohorts, differences in specific type of specialization, and racial concordance between specialists and their patients.

Results

The pathway continues to winnow with fewer URM dentists in specialty practice. Among all URM clinical dentists being first in his/her family to obtain a college degree, having a strong desire to work in his/her own cultural community or joining a loan repayment program due to debt load independently predicted lower odds of specialization. Alternatively, being initially foreign trained as a dentist and valuing professional training were independently predictive of higher odds of specialization.

Conclusion

The lack of diversity within the dental specialties is a critical flaw in our education and care delivery systems demanding clear actions toward improving the pathway into residency programs for URM students.
The combined impact of direct and indirect ties on innovation: The moderating role of similarity in alliance subtypes
Authors: Yang Zhangbo , Shu Chengli , Gao Shanxing , Wang Hui
Published: June 2022

Firms increasingly use networks of alliances to pursue innovation. The current innovation literature has offered insights into how direct ties (between a focal firm and its partners, forming direct alliances) and indirect ties (between a focal firm's partner and its partners' partners but not including the focal firm, forming indirect alliances) function as independent antecedents to corporate innovation. It is, however, unclear how direct ties and indirect ties work in combination to impact innovation in a focal firm. Moreover, because different subtypes of financial or marketing alliances may operate with distinct governance structures and offer heterogeneous or incoherent resources for exchange, similarity in financial or marketing alliance subtypes, defined as the degree of overlap in financial or marketing alliance subtypes between direct and indirect ties, may significantly influence the extent to which corporate innovation can benefit from these ties. This study aims to examine the combined impact of direct and indirect ties on a focal firm's innovation by considering the moderating role of similarity in financial or marketing alliance subtypes. The results obtained by analyzing a longitudinal dataset extracted from US firms operating in the biotechnological and pharmaceutical industries support our hypotheses. Direct ties and indirect ties in combination have a negative effect on innovation as measured by patents and this effect is less negative when similarity in financial alliance subtypes is greater but more negative when similarity in marketing alliance subtypes is greater. We extend the innovation and alliance network literatures by offering novel evidence that direct and indirect ties in combination may diminish a focal firm's innovation and that such a negative combined effect depends on similarity in financial or marketing alliance subtypes.
Overcoming the negative role of nostalgia in consumer reactions to automated products
Authors: Kremer Patrick , Feurer Sven , Kim Ju‐Young , Hoeffler Steve
Published: June 2022

Automated products that take over tasks that consumers used to carry out themselves are becoming increasingly sophisticated, but consumers continue to resist such innovations. Drawing on the status quo bias as a theoretical framework, this article investigates the role of nostalgia in consumer reactions to product automation in a series of six experiments with almost 1500 participants. The first four experiments converge on a consistent finding: a high (versus low) degree of automation reduces consumers' nostalgic feelings about past consumption episodes, which in turn decrease nostalgia‐prone consumers' product evaluations. Against this backdrop, we conduct two additional experiments to determine how firms' communication tactics can overcome the negative role of nostalgia proneness in consumer reactions to automated products. We conclude that managers involved in the marketing of automated products should assess the level of nostalgia in their target groups, and align both their intended positioning for the automated product and the decision to automate critical tasks within the product design that may evoke nostalgic feelings in consumers. Furthermore, when consumers are nostalgia‐prone, managers should craft their launch communication tactics such that the focus is diverted from the automated task itself.
A cluster analysis to explore the burden of primary caregivers of children with cancer in Oman
Authors: Chan Moon Fai , Al‐Dhawyani Amal Mohammed , Al Hinai Karima , Al‐Azri Mohammed
Published: June 2022

Purpose

Few studies have sought to evaluate the risk burden of primary caregivers, particularly in Oman. This study aimed to explore whether different risk patterns of caregiver burden exist among the primary caregivers of Omani children with leukemia.

Design and Methods

A cross‐sectional study was conducted between May and November 2020. A total of 101 primary caregivers of children with leukemia were recruited from a public hospital in Oman. The Caregiver Burden Inventory (CBI) was used to assess caregiver burden.

Results

A two‐step cluster analysis indicated that the cohort was not homogeneous (silhouette value: 1.41). Caregivers in Cluster 1 (n = 42; 41.6%) were relatively older, less educated, and had a higher caregiving burden (mean CBI score: 37.7 ± 19.9). In contrast, caregivers in Cluster 2 (n = 59; 58.4%) were younger, more highly educated, and had a moderate caregiving burden (mean CBI score: 26.3 ± 13.6). As such, Clusters 1 and 2 were characterized as the “high‐risk” and “moderate‐risk” burden groups, respectively.

Practice Implications

This study highlights the need for a policy draft to target and reduce the caregiver burden in Oman, Nursing professionals should seek to develop and implement customized care depending on the caregiver risk burden, including additional financial, psychological, and physical support. They should seek to stratify caregivers by risk burden as some groups may require additional support. However, in light of recent precautionary measures due to the current pandemic situation, such services will have to be provided online or via telephone instead of in person for the foreseeable future.
Pulmonary impairment independently determines mortality in critically ill patients with acute‐on‐chronic liver failure
Authors: Schulz Martin S. , Mengers Jan , Gu Wenyi , Drolz Andreas , Ferstl Philip G. , Amoros Alex , Uschner Frank E. , Ackermann Nora , Guttenberg Georg , Queck Alexander , Brol Maximilian J. , Graf Christiana , Stoffers Philipp , de la Vera Anna‐Lena Laguna , Cremonese Carla , Erasmus Hans‐Peter , Welker Martin W. , Grünewaldt Achim , Arroyo Vincente , Bojunga Jörg , Fernandez Javier , Zeuzem Stefan , Kluwe Johannes , Peiffer Kai‐Hendrik , Welsch Christoph , Fuhrmann Valentin , Rohde Gernot , Trebicka Jonel
Published: June 2022

Background & Aims

In ACLF patients, an adequate risk stratification is essential, especially for liver transplant allocation, since ACLF is associated with high short‐term mortality. The CLIF‐C ACLF score is the best prognostic model to predict outcome in ACLF patients. While lung failure is generally regarded as signum malum in ICU care, this study aims to evaluate and quantify the role of pulmonary impairment on outcome in ACLF patients.

Methods

In this retrospective study, 498 patients with liver cirrhosis and admission to IMC/ICU were included. ACLF was defined according to EASL‐CLIF criteria. Pulmonary impairment was classified into three groups: unimpaired ventilation, need for mechanical ventilation and defined pulmonary failure. These factors were analysed in different cohorts, including a propensity score‐matched ACLF cohort.

Results

Mechanical ventilation and pulmonary failure were identified as independent risk factors for increased short‐term mortality. In matched ACLF patients, the presence of pulmonary failure showed the highest 28‐day mortality (83.7%), whereas mortality rates in ACLF with mechanical ventilation (67.3%) and ACLF without pulmonary impairment (38.8%) were considerably lower (p < .001). Especially in patients with pulmonary impairment, the CLIF‐C ACLF score showed poor predictive accuracy. Adjusting the CLIF‐C ACLF score for the grade of pulmonary impairment improved the prediction significantly.

Conclusions

This study highlights that not only pulmonary failure but also mechanical ventilation is associated with worse prognosis in ACLF patients. The grade of pulmonary impairment should be considered in the risk assessment in ACLF patients. The new score may be useful in the selection of patients for liver transplantation.
High levels of inbreeding with spatial and host‐associated structure in lice of an endangered freshwater seal
Authors: Virrueta Herrera Stephany , Johnson Kevin P. , Sweet Andrew D. , Ylinen Eeva , Kunnasranta Mervi , Nyman Tommi
Published: June 2022

Host‐specialist parasites of endangered large vertebrates are in many cases more endangered than their hosts. In particular, low host population densities and reduced among‐host transmission rates are expected to lead to inbreeding within parasite infrapopulations living on single host individuals. Furthermore, spatial population structures of directly‐transmitted parasites should be concordant with those of their hosts. Using population genomic approaches, we investigated inbreeding and population structure in a host‐specialist seal louse (Echinophthirius horridus) infesting the Saimaa ringed seal (Phoca hispida saimensis), which is endemic to Lake Saimaa in Finland, and is one of the most endangered pinnipeds in the world. We conducted genome resequencing of pairs of lice collected from 18 individual Saimaa ringed seals throughout the Lake Saimaa complex. Our analyses showed high genetic similarity and inbreeding between lice inhabiting the same individual seal host, indicating low among‐host transmission rates. Across the lake, genetic differentiation among individual lice was correlated with their geographic distance, and assignment analyses revealed a marked break in the genetic variation of the lice in the middle of the lake, indicating substantial population structure. These findings indicate that movements of Saimaa ringed seals across the main breeding areas of the fragmented Lake Saimaa complex may in fact be more restricted than suggested by previous population‐genetic analyses of the seals themselves.
The rise of the nation‐state during the Age of Revolution: Revisiting the debate on the roots of nations and nationalism
Authors: Storm Eric
Published: June 2022

Recent historical studies tend to confirm the antimodernist interpretation, emphasizing the strong premodern roots of nations and nationalism. However, a broad comparative analysis of the rise of the nation‐state during the Age of Revolution shows that earlier notions of nationhood did not have a significant role in the creation of nation‐states in Europe and the Americas. They were not the consequence of a glorious national revolt, but of a clash between the Old Regime and new ideals of political legitimacy. Many of these conflicts led to civil wars and the survival of the nation‐state was mostly determined by the geopolitical constellation. The boundaries of the nation were defined in terms of civilization, whereas language and culture were largely irrelevant. Within these new nation‐states, a universalist nationalization process began. In many instances, citizenship was awarded easier to foreigners than to “uncivilized” inhabitants, while Classical Antiquity was preferred over the national past.
Consistent diurnal pattern of leaf respiration in the light among contrasting species and climates
Authors: Faber Andreas H. , Griffin Kevin L. , Tjoelker Mark G. , Pagter Majken , Yang Jinyan , Bruhn Dan
Published: June 2022

Leaf daytime respiration (leaf respiration in the light, RL) is often assumed to constitute a fixed fraction of leaf dark respiration (RD) (i.e. a fixed light inhibition of respiration (RD)) and vary diurnally due to temperature fluctuations.

These assumptions were tested by measuring RL, RD and the light inhibition of RD in the field at a constant temperature using the Kok method. Measurements were conducted diurnally on 21 different species: 13 deciduous, four evergreen and four herbaceous from humid continental and humid subtropical climates.

RL and RD showed significant diurnal variations and the diurnal pattern differed in trajectory and magnitude between climates, but not between plant functional types (PFTs). The light inhibition of RD varied diurnally and differed between climates and in trajectory between PFTs.

The results highlight the entrainment of leaf daytime respiration to the diurnal cycle and that time of day should be accounted for in studies seeking to examine the environmental and biological drivers of leaf daytime respiration.
Life course traumas and cardiovascular disease—the mediating role of accelerated aging
Authors: Cao Xingqi , Zhang Jingyun , Ma Chao , Li Xueqin , Kuo Chia‐Ling , Levine Morgan E. , Hu Guoqing , Allore Heather , Chen Xi , Wu Xifeng , Liu Zuyun
Published: June 2022

The complex relationship between life course traumas and cardiovascular disease (CVD) and the underpinning pathways are poorly understood. We aimed to (1) examine the associations of three separate assessments including childhood, adulthood (after 16 years of age), and lifetime traumas (childhood or adulthood) with CVD; (2) examine the associations between diverse life course traumatic profiles and CVD; and (3) examine the extent to which PhenoAge, a well‐developed phenotypic aging measure, mediated these associations. Using data from 104,939 participants from the UK Biobank, we demonstrate that subgroups of childhood, adulthood, and lifetime traumas were associated with CVD. Furthermore, life course traumatic profiles were significantly associated with CVD. For instance, compared with the subgroup experiencing nonsevere traumas across life course, those who experiencednonsevere childhood and severe adulthood traumas,severe childhood and nonsevere adulthood traumas, orsevere traumas across life coursehad significantly higher odds of CVD (odds ratios: 1.07–1.33). Formal mediation analyses suggested that phenotypic aging partially mediated the above associations. These findings suggest a potential pathway from life course traumas to CVD through phenotypic aging, and underscore the importance of policy programs targeting traumas over the life course in ameliorating inequalities in cardiovascular health.
Disagreement, the Independence Thesis, and the Value of Repeated Reasoning
Authors: Brauer Ethan
Published: June 2022

The problem of peer disagreement is to explain how you should respond when you and a peer have the same evidence bearing on some proposition and are equally competent epistemic agents, yet have reached opposite conclusions about . According to Christensen's Independence Thesis, in assessing the effect of your peer's disagreement, you must not rely on the reasoning behind your initial belief. I note that ‘the reasoning behind your initial belief’ can be given either a token or type reading. I argue that the type reading is false, but the token reading is extremely weak.
Fatal nocardiosis infection in a pediatric patient with an immunodeficiency after heart re‐transplantation
Authors: Mai Daniel H. , Sedler Jennifer , Weinberg Kenneth , Bernstein Daniel , Schroeder Alan , Mathew Roshni , Chen Sharon , Lee Donna , Dykes John C. , Hollander Seth A.
Published: June 2022

Background

Nocardia infections are rare opportunistic infections in SOT recipients, with few reported pediatric cases. Pediatric patients with single ventricle congenital heart defects requiring HT may be more susceptible to opportunistic infections due to a decreased T‐cell repertoire from early thymectomy and potential immunodeficiencies related to their congenital heart disease. Other risk factors in SOT recipients include the use of immunosuppressive medications and the development of persistent lymphopenia, delayed count recovery and/or lymphocyte dysfunction.

Methods

We report the case of a patient with hypoplastic left heart syndrome who underwent neonatal congenital heart surgery (with thymectomy) prior to palliative surgery and 2 HTs.

Results

After developing respiratory and neurological symptoms, the patient was found to be positive for Nocardia farcinica by BAL culture and cerebrospinal fluid PCR. Immune cell phenotyping demonstrated an attenuated T and B‐cell repertoire. Despite antibiotic and immunoglobulin therapy, his symptoms worsened and he was subsequently discharged with hospice care.

Conclusion

Pediatric patients with a history of congenital heart defects who undergo neonatal thymectomy prior to heart transplantation and a long‐term history of immunosuppression should undergo routine immune system profiling to evaluate for T‐ and B‐cell deficiency as risk factors for opportunistic infection. Such patients could benefit from long‐term therapy with TMP/SMX for optimal antimicrobial prophylaxis, with desensitization as needed for allergies. Disseminated nocardiosis should be considered when evaluating acutely ill SOT recipients, especially those with persistent lymphopenia and known or suspected secondary immunodeficiencies.
Progress and prospects of C4 trait engineering in plants
Authors: Pradhan B. , Panda D. , Bishi S. K. , Chakraborty K. , Muthusamy S. K. , Lenka S. K.
Published: June 2022

Incorporating C4 photosynthetic traits into C3 crops is a rational approach for sustaining future demands for crop productivity. Using classical plant breeding, engineering this complex trait is unlikely to achieve its target. Therefore, it is critical and timely to implement novel biotechnological crop improvement strategies to accomplish this goal. However, a fundamental understanding of C3, C4, and C3–C4 intermediate metabolism is crucial for the targeted use of biotechnological tools. This review assesses recent progress towards engineering C4 photosynthetic traits in C3 crops. We also discuss lessons learned from successes and failures of recent genetic engineering attempts in C3 crops, highlighting the pros and cons of using rice as a model plant for short‐, medium‐ and long‐term goals of genetic engineering. This review provides an integrated approach towards engineering improved photosynthetic efficiency in C3 crops for sustaining food, fibre and fuel production around the globe.
Do water and soil nutrient scarcities differentially impact the performance of diploid and tetraploid Solidago gigantea (Giant Goldenrod, Asteraceae)?
Authors: Walczyk A. M. , Hersch‐Green E. I.
Published: June 2022

Plants require water and nutrients for survival, although the effects of their availabilities on plant fitness differ amongst species. Genome size variation, within and across species, is suspected to influence plant water and nutrient requirements, but little is known about how variations in these resources concurrently affect plant fitness based on genome size. We examined how genome size variation between autopolyploid cytotypes influences plant morphological and physiological traits, and whether cytotype‐specific trait responses differ based on water and/or nutrient availability.

Diploid and autotetraploid Solidago gigantea (Giant Goldenrod) were grown in a greenhouse under four soil water:N+P treatments (L:L, L:H, H:L, H:H), and stomata characteristics (size, density), growth (above‐ and belowground biomass, R/S), and physiological (Anet, E, WUE) responses were measured.

Resource availabilities and cytotype identity influenced some plant responses but their effects were independent of each other. Plants grown in high‐water and nutrient treatments were larger, plants grown in low‐water or high‐nutrient treatments had higher WUE but lower E, and Anet and E rates decreased as plants aged. Autotetraploids also had larger and fewer stomata, higher biomass and larger Anet than diploids.

Nutrient and water availability could influence intra‐ and interspecific competitive outcomes. Although S. gigantea cytotypes were not differentially affected by resource treatments, genome size may influence cytogeographic range patterning and population establishment likelihood. For instance, the larger size of autotetraploid S. gigantea might render them more competitive for resources and niche space than diploids.
COVID‐19, asylum seekers, and migrants on the Mexico–U.S. border: Creating states of exception
Authors: Garrett Terence M. , Sementelli Arthur J.
Published: June 2022

The COVID‐19 pandemic illuminates possibilities for creating states of exception while simultaneously destabilizing the Mexico–U.S. border through the politics of fear. Specifically, the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP), Zero Tolerance Policy (ZTP), COVID‐19 CAPIO, Asylum Cooperative Agreements (ACA), and Title 42—using the pandemic under an arcane section of U.S. law to immediately expel asylum seekers and refugees, in particular—highlight the formation of a state of exception consistent with the work of Agamben. They also document how the politics of fear is used to reinforce hegemonic narratives targeting asylum seekers while attempting to reinforce political agendas that lean toward a specific brand of nationalism using the lens of public health as a context. The U.S. government under the Trump administration, and the Biden administration to a lesser extent, constructed these policies aimed primarily at refugees and asylum seekers from El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico, thereby violating laws and international treaty obligations.

Related Articles

Correa‐Cabrera, Guadalupe. 2013. “Security, Migration, and the Economy in the Texas–Tamaulipas Border Region: The ‘Real’ Effects of Mexico's Drug War.” Politics & Policy 41(1): 65–82. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12005.

Duman, Yoav H. 2014. “Reducing the Fog? Immigrant Regularization and the State.” Politics & Policy 42(2): 187–220. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12065.

Garrett, Terence M. 2020. “The Security Apparatus, Federal Magistrate Courts, and Detention Centers as Simulacra: The Effects of Trump's Zero Tolerance Policy on Migrants and Refugees in the Rio Grande Valley.” Politics & Policy 48(2): 372–35. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12348.
Trump's tweets as policy narratives: Constructing the immigration issue via social media
Authors: Merry Melissa K.
Published: June 2022

This study uses the Narrative Policy Framework to examine President Trump's tweets about immigration policy from 2011 to 2020. Based on a content analysis of 1733 tweets, I show that Trump's policy narratives centered on the villain character type, though the actual villains varied over time, and that the hero character became increasingly prominent throughout Trump's administration. While the characters, settings, and solutions in Trump's immigration policy tweets fluctuated, they were consistent with a narrative strategy of conflict expansion, focusing on threats from dangerous “outsiders” and the neutralization of those threats by Trump and his allies in the Republican Party and law enforcement. I demonstrate that tweets featuring villains and victims were positively associated with retweets and replies, while tweets featuring heroes were negatively associated with retweets and replies. This research suggests that Trump's immigration policy tweets were strategic, though his efforts to shape immigration policy may have been secondary to his political goals of securing electoral victories and amassing power.

Related Articles

Chang, Katherine T., and Elizabeth A. Koebele. 2020. “What Drives Coalitions' Narrative Strategy? Exploring Policy Narratives around School Choice.” Politics & Policy 48(4): 618–57. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12367.

Garrett, Terence Michael. 2020. “The Security Apparatus, Federal Magistrate Courts, and Detention Centers as Simulacra: The Effects of Trump's Zero Tolerance Policy on Migrants and Refugees in the Rio Grande Valley.” Politics & Policy 48(2): 372–95. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12348.

Shanahan, Elizabeth A., Mark K. McBeth, and Paul L. Hathaway. 2011. “Narrative Policy Framework: The Influence of Media Policy Narrative on Public Opinion.” Politics & Policy 39(3): 373–400. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1747‐1346.2011.00295.x.