bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Is the type of outsourced internal audit function provider associated with audit efficiency? Empirical evidence from Oman
Authors: Baatwah Saeed Rabea , Al‐Ebel Abood Mohammad , Amrah Muneer Rajab
Published: November 2019

The main aim of this study is to provide empirical evidence examining how outsourced internal audit function (IAF) providers are associated with audit efficiency, and how such providers interact with high‐quality external auditors. We use a sample of 711 observations for companies listed on the Muscat Security Market during the period 2005–2014. Based on pooled regression, we find that audit efficiency is significantly improved when the IAF provider is from a Big4 audit firm, whereas a non‐Big4 audit firm IAF provider is associated with reduced audit efficiency. Furthermore, we find evidence suggesting significant interaction between the external auditor and IAF in relation to audit efficiency if the outsourced IAF provider is from a Big4 audit firm. In additional analysis, we construct a new measure for audit efficiency, dividing the IAF providers into Big4, second tier, and other non‐Big4, and consider the time of connection between such providers and their clients. We still observe that Big4, as an outsourced IAF provider, is more significantly associated with audit efficiency than other types of IAF provider. This paper is important because there is currently little evidence concerning the type of outsourced IAF provider; it contains useful information for auditors, companies, and regulators.
The frequency of low‐risk morbilliform drug eruptions observed in patients treated with different classes of antibiotics
Authors: Krispinsky Andrew J. , Shedlofsky Lydia B. , Kaffenberger Benjamin H.
Published: November 2019

Antibiotics are among the most commonly prescribed medications worldwide but can lead to numerous cutaneous adverse events. Cutaneous adverse drug reactions can range from a common and low‐risk morbilliform eruption to severe cutaneous adverse reactions (SCARs) such as toxic epidermal necrolysis. In the hospital setting, patients often start a myriad of new drugs and may be on multiple antibiotics when the dermatologist is consulted. With the current lack of commercially available testing for delayed‐type hypersensitivity reactions, etiologic confirmation is challenging. While the Naranjo and other standardized assessment criteria are available, complete scoring is often impossible in hospitalized patients. Further, multiple drugs may have been initiated at the same time point. Therefore, the prevalence of antibiotic‐associated drug eruptions often is required to facilitate causality assessments. This review summarizes the prevalence of morbilliform eruptions for the most frequently prescribed antibiotics based upon systematic reviews, retrospective, and prospective analyses, with case series and reports providing other salient details.
Examining self‐perceived employability among immigrant women participating in vocational training in Taiwan
Authors: Wu Ya‐Ling
Published: November 2019

This study aimed to test the proposed model of self‐perceived employability (SPE) of immigrant women participating in vocational training in Taiwan by utilizing the developmental‐contextual model of career development as a framework. We examined the relationships among a distal contextual variable social welfare resources (SWRs), proximal contextual variables (vocational training experiences comprising the curriculum and instruction of vocational training, interpersonal relationships of vocational training and certificate examination guidance of vocational training), an individual‐level variable employment attitudes (EAs) and SPE using the model. Data were collected via a questionnaire survey of 699 immigrant women attending vocational training in Taiwan and analyzed using structural equation modeling. The findings empirically supported the proposed model, which explained 63.5 per cent of the variance in SPE. This study found that SWRs influenced all vocational training experiences, which in turn, directly and indirectly influenced SPE vis‐à‐vis their effects on EAs. In turn, EAs influenced SPE.
Use of maggot debridement therapy in hospitalised patients in Germany
Authors: von Beckerath Olga , Kanya Susanne , Gäbel Gabor , Kröger Knut , Juntermanns Benjamin
Published: November 2019

Exact data regarding the clinical role of maggot debridement therapy (MDT) for wound care in a specific country are not available. Thus, we analysed the use of MDT in hospitalised patients in Germany. Detailed lists of all hospitalised cases treated with MDT in Germany for the years 2011 to 2016 were provided by the Federal Statistical Office as well as the lists of the 15 most frequent principal and additional diagnoses, respectively, and the 10 most frequent procedures documented with MDT in 2016. Within the 6‐year time period of the study, the number of cases treated with MDT increased by 11% from 4513 in 2011 to 5.017 in 2016. Lower leg and foot were the most frequent anatomic sides of treatment counting up to 83.9% of all cases. In addition, MDT procedures for temporary soft tissue coverage including negative pressure wound therapy were often performed: for treatment of large areas in 36.7% and small areas in 6.2%. 41.3% of all cases treated with MDT had infection with Escherichia coli and 35.9% of all cases with Bacillus fragilis. Our analysis shows a limited use of MDT with a small increase only in the last 6 years in German hospitals. MDT is predominately used to treat foot or leg ulcers.
Sociodemographic and culture results of paediatric burns
Authors: Asena Muhammet , Aydin Ozturk Pinar , Ozturk Unal
Published: November 2019

Paediatric burn wounds are challenging conditions to manage for both the doctors and patients and can cause several complications entailing a complicated treatment and recovery process. This study aims to evaluate sociodemographic conditions and antibiogram culture results of paediatric burn wounds. Our study retrospectively evaluated 419 paediatric patients with burns regarding age, gender, burn area and degree, total days spent in hospital, surgical history, final condition, additional disease history, previous attempts, and culture results with their antibiotic resistances, haemogram results, C‐reactive protein results, sociocultural conditions, burned region of the body, and structure of the burn. The prominent observations were an increased rate of incidence in male patients and patients with low socioeconomic conditions, the highest incidence of burns from scalding and domestic accidents, and the highest incidence of third‐degree burns. Furthermore, even though the most encountered burn types were extremity burns, the burn types with the highest culture growth ratio were the perineum burns. The dominant culture growth bacterial group was coagulase‐negative staphylococcus, and the ratio of medication resistance was 67.8%. It is imperative to raise awareness regarding domestic accidents to prevent paediatric burn wounds. The mortality risk can be reduced by carefully monitoring multiple organ involvement and providing timely treatment. Moreover, appropriate wound care is warranted to avoid infection from skin flora.
Indentation cracking and deformation mechanism of sodium aluminoborosilicate glasses
Authors: Januchta Kacper , Liu Pengfei , Hansen Søren R. , To Theany , Smedskjaer Morten M.
Published: November 2019

Developing less brittle oxide glasses is a grand challenge in the field of glass science and technology, as it would pave the way toward new glass applications and limit the overall raw material usage and energy consumption. However, in order to achieve this goal, more insight into the correlation between the chemical composition and material properties is required. In this work, we focus on the mechanical properties of quaternary sodium aluminoborosilicate glasses, wherein systematic changes in glass chemistry yield different resistances to indentation crack initiation. We discuss the origin of the composition dependence of indentation cracking based on an evaluation of the deformation mechanism taking place during the indentation event. To this end, we use a simple metric, the extent of indent side length recovery upon annealing, to quantify the extent of reversible volume deformation. Finally, we also compare the compositional trend in crack initiation resistance to that in crack growth resistance (fracture toughness), showing no simple correlation among the two.
Taxonomic divergence and functional convergence in Iberian spider forest communities: Insights from beta diversity partitioning
Authors: Carvalho José C. , Malumbres‐Olarte Jagoba , Arnedo Miquel A. , Crespo Luís C. , Domenech Marc , Cardoso Pedro
Published: November 2019

Aim

The main aims were to determine: (a) the relative contribution of species replacement and richness difference from components to overall taxonomic (TDβ) and functional (FDβ) beta diversity of spider communities; (b) the degree to which TDβ and FDβ components can be explained by the environmental or geographic predictors; (c) whether FDβ components were lower than expected given the underlying TDβ variation.

Location

This study was carried out in 22 oak forest sites across the Iberian Peninsula. The area comprises two biogeographic regions, Eurosiberian (North) and Mediterranean (Centre and South).

Methods

Spiders were sampled using a standardized protocol. A species x traits matrix was constructed. Total taxonomic (TDβtotal) and total functional (FDβtotal) beta diversity were calculated, by pairwise comparisons, and partitioned into their replacement (βrepl) and richness difference (βrich) components. Mantel tests were used to relate taxonomic and functional dissimilarity with environmental and geographic distances. A spatial eigenfunction model was constructed and the variation in TDβ and FDβ explained by environment and geographic predictors was quantified. Null models were used to test if FDβ was higher or lower than expected given TDβ.

Results

βrepl was the dominant component contributing to 84.2% and 72.8% for TDβtotal and FDβtotal, respectively. TDβtotal and FDβtotal (and their replacement components) were higher between‐ than within‐biogeographic regions. TDβtotal and TDβrepl were positively correlated with environmental and geographic distances, even when controlling for a biogeographic effect, but their functional counterparts were only correlated with environmental distance. Variation partitioning showed that pure environmental and spatially structured environmental effects had a small contribution to beta diversity, except for TDβrich. The observed slopes of the regressions of FDβtotal and FDβrepl in relation to environmental distance were slower than the null model expectations.

Main Conclusions

Spider assemblage variation was mainly determined by the replacement, and not the net loss, of species and traits. TDβ was influenced by niche filtering and dispersal limitation, whereas FDβ was mainly generated by niche filtering. A high level of functional convergence among spider communities, despite the high taxonomic divergence, revealed the signal of replacement of species performing similar functions across sites.
Model complexity affects species distribution projections under climate change
Authors: Brun Philipp , Thuiller Wilfried , Chauvier Yohann , Pellissier Loïc , Wüest Rafael O. , Wang Zhiheng , Zimmermann Niklaus E.
Published: November 2019

Aim

Statistical species distribution models (SDMs) are the most common tool to predict the impact of climate change on biodiversity. They can be tuned to fit relationships at various levels of complexity (defined here as parameterization complexity, number of predictors, and multicollinearity) that may co‐determine whether projections to novel climatic conditions are useful or misleading. Here, we assessed how model complexity affects the performance of model extrapolations and influences projections of species ranges under future climate change.

Location

Europe.

Taxon

34 European tree species.

Methods

We sampled three replicates of predictor sets for all combinations of 10 levels (n = 3–12) of environmental variables (climate, terrain, soil) and 10 levels of multicollinearity. We used these sets for each species to fit four SDM algorithms at three levels of parameterization complexity. The >100,000 resulting SDM fits were then evaluated under environmental block cross‐validation and projected to environmental conditions for 2061–2080 considering four climate models and two emission scenarios. Finally, we investigated the relationships of model design with model performance and projected distributional changes.

Results

Model complexity affected both model performance and projections of species distributional change. Fits of intermediate parameterization complexity performed best, and more complex parameterizations were associated with higher projected loss of current ranges. Model performance peaked at 10–11 variables but increasing number of variables had no consistent effect on distributional change projections. Multicollinearity had a low impact on model performance but distinctly increased projected loss of current ranges.

Main conclusions

SDM‐based climate change impact assessments should be based on ensembles of projections, varying SDM algorithms as well as parameterization complexity, besides emission scenarios and climate models. The number of predictor variables should be kept reasonably small and the classical threshold of maximum absolute Pearson correlation of 0.7 restricts collinearity‐driven effects in projections of species ranges.
The Magellanic Province and its fish fauna (South America): Several provinces or one?
Authors: Cousseau María B. , Pequeño Germán , Mabragaña Ezequiel , Lucifora Luis O. , Martínez Patricia , Giussi Analía
Published: November 2019

Aim

We assessed the validity of the division of the Magellanic Province into the four provinces as proposed by Briggs & Bowen (J Biogeogr 39 12–30, 2012): Southern Chile, Tierra del Fuego, Southern Argentina and Falkland (Malvinas) Islands. We aimed to (a) present an updated list of the fishes from the region known as ‘Magellanic Province’, (b) analyse the specific richness of fishes in the Atlantic and Pacific sectors and their degree of endemism and (c) evaluate statistically the validity of the three Provinces proposed for the Atlantic sector.

Location

Southern tip of the American continent at latitudes higher than 40° S in the Atlantic as well as in the Pacific Oceans.

Taxon

348 South American marine fish species.

Methods

The list of fishes was prepared by consulting more than 140 sources, many related to observations resulting from research cruises, although two ichthyological collections and two ichthyological websites were also used. The South American species with distributions extending outside of the area corresponding to the Magellanic Province, and all cosmopolitan species, were excluded of endemism analyses. For analysing fish distributions in the Atlantic sector, the data employed are from eight research cruises carried out from 1978 to 2006 from 37° to 55° south. A total of 523 fishing trawls have been analysed, grouped into cell of 1° × 1° cells. The species composition of each cell was evaluated by multivariate analysis (non‐metric multidimensional scaling, cluster and similarity analyses).

Results

The percentage of endemism in each sector (Atlantic 2.87% and Pacific 2.87%) is smaller than the endemism common to both sectors (9.2%). The total of endemic species in the Province is 14.94%, which is bigger than the 10% indicated as the lower limit for defining a biogeographic province suggested by Briggs (Marine Zoogeography, 1974). In addition, multivariate analyses do not show differences in the species composition, neither between Falkland (Malvinas) Islands and ‘Southern Argentina’ nor between the latter and Tierra del Fuego.

Main conclusions

The ichthyological data indicate only one biogeographic province in the region not four as previously posited.
Protective mechanism of SIRT1 on Hcy‐induced atrial fibrosis mediated by TRPC3
Authors: Han Lu , Tang Yanhua , Li Shaochuan , Wu Yanqing , Chen Xiaoshu , Wu Qinghua , Hong Kui , Li Juxiang
Published: November 2019

High plasma levels of homocysteine (Hcy) are regarded as a risk factor for atrial fibrillation (AF), which is closely associated with the pathological consequence of atrial fibrosis and can lead to heart failure with a high mortality rate; here, we show that atrial fibrosis is mediated by the relationship between canonical transient receptor potential 3 (TRPC3) channels and sirtuin type 1 (SIRT1) under the stimulation of Hcy. The left atrial appendage was obtained from patients with either sinus rhythm (SR) or AF and used to evaluate the relationship between the concentration of Hcy and a potential mechanism of cardiac fibrosis mediated by TRPC3 and SIRT1. We next performed transverse aortic constriction (TAC) in mouse to investigate the relationship. The mechanisms underlying atrial fibrosis involving TRPC3 and SIRT1 proteins were explored by co‐IP, BLI and lentivirus transfection experiments. qPCR and WB were performed to analyse gene and protein expression, respectively. The higher level of atrial fibrosis was observed in the HH mouse group with a high Hcy diet. Such results suggest that AF patients may be more susceptible to atrial fibrosis and possess a high probability of progressing to hyperhomocysteinemia. Moreover, our findings are consistent with the hypothesis that TRPC3 channel up‐regulation leads to abnormal accumulation of collagen, with the down‐regulation of SIRT1 as an aetiological factor of high Hcy, which in turn predisposes to atrial fibrosis and strongly enhances the possibility of AF.
Inhibition of miR‐21 alleviated cardiac perivascular fibrosis via repressing EndMT in T1DM
Authors: Li Qianqian , Yao Yufeng , Shi Shumei , Zhou Mengchen , Zhou Yingchao , Wang Mengru , Chiu Jeng‐Jiann , Huang Zhengrong , Zhang Weili , Liu Min , Wang Qing , Tu Xin
Published: November 2019

In type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus, increased cardiac fibrosis, stiffness and associated diastolic dysfunction may be the earliest pathological phenomena in diabetic cardiomyopathy. Endothelial‐mesenchymal transition (EndMT) in endothelia cells (ECs) is a critical cellular phenomenon that increases cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) and cardiac fibrosis in diabetic hearts. The purpose of this paper is to explore the molecular mechanism of miR‐21 regulating EndMT and cardiac perivascular fibrosis in diabetic cardiomyopathy. In vivo, hyperglycaemia up‐regulated the mRNA level of miR‐21, aggravated cardiac dysfunction and collagen deposition. The condition was recovered by inhibition of miR‐21 following with improving cardiac function and decreasing collagen deposition. miR‐21 inhibition decreased cardiac perivascular fibrosis by suppressing EndMT and up‐regulating SMAD7 whereas activating p‐SMAD2 and p‐SMAD3. In vitro, high glucose (HG) up‐regulated miR‐21 and induced EndMT in ECs, which was decreased by inhibition of miR‐21. A highly conserved binding site of NF‐κB located in miR‐21 5′‐UTR was identified. In ECs, SMAD7 is directly regulated by miR‐21. In conclusion, the pathway of NF‐κB/miR‐21/SMAD7 regulated the process of EndMT in T1DM, in diabetic cardiomyopathy, which may be regarded as a potential clinical therapeutic target for cardiac perivascular fibrosis.
Association between periodontal inflammation and hypertension using periodontal inflamed surface area and bleeding on probing
Authors: Pietropaoli Davide , Del Pinto Rita , Ferri Claudio , Marzo Giuseppe , Giannoni Mario , Ortu Eleonora , Monaco Annalisa
Published: November 2019

Aim

Periodontitis is a relapsing–remitting disease. Compared with bleeding on probing (BoP), expression of disease activity, periodontal inflamed surface area (PISA), incorporates chronic disease parameters. We tested the association of PISA and BoP with blood pressure (BP) in NHANES III.

Materials and methods

A total of 8,614 subjects (≥30 years) with complete periodontal and BP examinations were enrolled. PISA was derived from periodontal probing depth and BoP. The association of PISA and BoP with high/uncontrolled BP was examined by multiple‐adjusted models. Inflammatory markers were tested as possible mediators. A machine learning (ML) approach was used to define the relative importance of PISA and BoP and estimate the power of BP status prediction.

Results

Compared to no inflammation, severe PISA and BoP were associated with 43% (p < .001) and 32% (p = .006) higher odds of high/uncontrolled BP (≥130/80 mmHg), and with higher systolic BP by ≈4 (p < .001) and 5 (p < .001) mmHg, respectively. Inflammatory markers appeared to mediate this association with various extents, without threshold effect. BoP predicted high/uncontrolled BP more efficiently than PISA using ML.

Conclusion

PISA and BoP describe the association of periodontal inflammation and hypertension with subtle differences. The contribution of local inflammation to the global inflammatory burden might explain the observed findings.
“Sometimes you wonder, is this really true?”: Clinician assessment of patients' subjective experience of pain
Authors: Ahluwalia Sangeeta C. , Giannitrapani Karleen F. , Dobscha Steven K. , Cromer Risa , Lorenz Karl A.
Published: November 2019

Background

Pain is a subjective experience that must be translated by clinicians into an objective assessment to guide intervention.

Objective

To understand how patients' subjective experience of pain is translated by primary care clinicians into an objective clinical assessment of pain to effectively guide intervention.

Methods

We conducted nine multidisciplinary focus groups with a combined total of 60 Veteran affair (VA) primary care providers and staff from two large VA medical centers in California and Oregon. We used content analysis methods to identify key themes pertaining to clinical assessment of a subjective experience.

Results

We present four emergent themes. Theme 1: Pain is a highly individualized and subjective experience not adequately captured by a simple numeric scale; Theme 2: Conflict commonly exists between the patient's reported experience of pain and the clinician's observations and expectations of pain; Theme 3: Providers attempt to recalibrate the patient's reported experience to reflect their own understanding of pain; and Theme 4: Providers perceive that some patients may overreport their pain because they do not know how to standardize their subjective experience.

Conclusions

A persistent challenge to pain assessment and management is how clinicians reconcile a patient's subjective self‐reported experience with their own clinical assessment and personal biases. Future work should explore these themes from the patient perspective.
Soft tissue changes after connective tissue grafts around immediately placed and restored dental implants in the esthetic zone: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Atieh Momen A. , Alsabeeha Nabeel H. M.
Published: November 2019

Objective

The aim of this systematic review and meta‐analysis was to evaluate the soft tissue outcomes of connective tissue graft (CTG) combined with immediate implant placement and restoration (IIPR) in the esthetic zone.

Materials and methods

Following the guidelines of Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐analyses (PRISMA) statement, randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were searched for in electronic databases and complemented by hand searching. The risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration's Risk of Bias tool and data were analyzed using statistical software.

Results

A total of 180 studies were identified, of which, four trials were included with 144 implant sites in 144 participants. Overall meta‐analysis showed that CTG in conjunction with IIPR had a significantly greater gingival thickness than IIPR alone. The IIPR with CTG had less recession and higher esthetic pink score compared to IIPR group, but the difference was not statistically significant. No significant differences in implant failure rate were found between IIPR with and without CTG.

Conclusions

The use of CTG in conjunction with IIPR in the esthetic zone significantly improved the thickness of the gingival tissues compared to IIPR without CTG. No significant differences were observed in the level of soft tissues around immediately placed implants with or without CTG.

Clinical significance

The use of connective tissue graft with IIPR can be considered to improve the soft tissue profile and minimize mucosal recession in esthetic zone.
A roll‐type corona discharge–electrostatic separator for separating wheat grain and straw particles
Authors: Jafari Mohammad , Chegini Gholamreza , Shayegani Akmal Amir A. , Rezaeealam Behrooz
Published: November 2019

Different methods such as mechanical, pneumatic, and electrical techniques have been used in the separation process of impurities from agricultural products. In electrical systems, three methods, that is, triboelectrostatic, free fall, and roll type with high‐voltage corona discharge electrodes, are usually used. In the present study, separation trajectory of grain and wheat straw are firstly predicted using simulation of roll‐type corona system configuration in COMSOL Multiphysics and MATLAB. Experimental tests are conducted to determine the separation performance of a roll‐type corona apparatus with 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 kV voltages at 50, 70, and 90 rpm drum rotational speeds. The simulation results showed that the trajectory of the grain particles deviated from that of straw when the voltage increased from 10 to 30 kV as well as increasing the rotational speed from 50 to  90 rpm. Although the rotational speed of 70 rpm resulted in a good separation of grains from straw particles, increasing the speed to 90 rpm not only did not improve the separation performance but also caused a dispersal of the particles and reduced the separation quality. The simulation results were in good accordance with the experimental results obtained from the developed prototype.

Practical applications

The results of this study can be used in configuration optimization design of “Corona Type Cylindrical Electrostatic Separation” for separating seed and straw in agriculture production, especially where they cannot be separated by conventional methods.
Low‐dose and same day use of polyethylene glycol improves image of video capsule endoscopy: A multi‐center randomized clinical trial
Authors: Wu Shan , Zhong Liang , Zheng Ping , Wang Yu‐Gang , Ding Wei‐Qun , Yu Qi , Hui Ping‐Ping , Chen Hui‐Min , Gao Yun‐Jie , Ge Zhi‐Zheng
Published: November 2019

Background and Aim

Clear visualization of the small bowel is a requirement for satisfactory video capsule endoscopy (VCE). The aim of this study was to identify the optimal dose and timing of polyethylene glycol (PEG) for small bowel preparation before VCE.

Methods

A total of 410 patients were enrolled in this prospective randomized trial. All patients fasted for 12 h and ingested 320 mg simethicone 30 min before swallowing the capsule. Patients were randomized into five groups: Group A (no PEG), Group B (1‐L PEG, 12 h before VCE), Group C (2‐L PEG, 12 h before VCE), Group D (1‐L PEG, 4 h before VCE), and Group E (2‐L PEG, 4 h before VCE). The primary endpoint was small bowel visualization quality (SBVQ), and the secondary endpoints were patient acceptability and diagnosis rate of VCE.

Results

Excellent SBVQ was achieved in 27 (32.5%) of Group A, 38 (46.3%) of Group B, 40 (48.2%) of Group C, 55 (66.3%) of Group D, and 43 (54.4%) of Group E. The percentage of excellent SBVQ in Group D was significantly more than in Group A (66.3% vs 32.5%, P < 0.001), and diagnostic rate in the distal segment was higher (28.9% vs 10.8%, P = 0.0035). Patient acceptance of 1‐L PEG was better than of 2‐L PEG (P < 0.005).

Conclusion

Small bowel cleansing with 1‐L PEG given 4 h before VCE was the optimal preparation for visualization of the bowel and patient acceptance (ClinicalTrials.gov, ID: NCT02486536).
Traffic‐derived air pollution compromises skin barrier function and stratum corneum redox status: A population study
Authors: Huang Nan , Mi Tingyan , Xu Simin , Dadd Tony , Ye Xu , Chen Guoqiang , Du Yaping , Santhanam Uma
Published: November 2019

Background

Since air pollution is only one of many environmental stressors that can affect skin, it has been challenging to identify skin appearance or functional features profoundly affected by chronic exposure to traffic‐derived air pollution.

Aims

The current population study focused on taxi drivers working in urban and rural areas in order to take advantage of difference in occupational exposure.

Methods

The skin conditions of 100 middle‐aged male taxi drivers from urban Shanghai and 66 from rural Chongming were measured with facial tape strips were collected for biomarker analyses.

Results

Trans‐epidermal water loss (TEWL) values before and after tape stripping were considerably higher in urban taxi drivers from Shanghai. Contrary to previous studies, there was no apparent detrimental effect on skin wrinkle or pigmentation from traffic pollution, which might be attributed to the higher than general public level of photo‐exposure in this population. At the same time, pollution exposure especially the heavy traffic pollution exposure was found to associate with lower stratum corneum trypsin‐like enzyme activity (SCTE), reduced catalase activity and total antioxidant capacity (TAOC) in tape strips.

Conclusion

The evidence suggests that traffic‐derived air pollution could deteriorate skin's physical and antioxidant barrier, whereas factors like photo‐exposure can be overwhelming against appearance aging. Therefore, in addition to photoprotection, skin barrier care should be considered for people with high air pollution exposure.
p16INK4a as a proliferation marker unrelated to HPV expression in odontogenic cysts and tumors
Authors: Hakeem Abdulaziz , Fitzpatrick Sarah G. , Gonsalves Catherine A. , Isom James , Islam Mohammed N. , Bhattacharyya Indraneel , Cohen Donald M. , Drew Peter A.
Published: November 2019

Introduction

p16INK4a is a tumor suppressor protein that retards cell cycle progression from G1 to S phase. Prior studies have evaluated p16INK4a expression in odontogenic keratocyst and ameloblastoma, but data regarding other odontogenic cysts and tumors have been sparse.

Methods

With IRB approval, cases from the following entities were identified from archives of the UF Oral Pathology Biopsy Service (2005‐2015): benign incidental odontogenic rest, dentigerous cyst, lateral periodontal cyst, calcifying odontogenic cyst, glandular odontogenic cyst, odontogenic keratocyst, orthokeratinized odontogenic cyst, adenomatoid odontogenic tumor, calcifying epithelial odontogenic tumor, and ameloblastoma. All cases were submitted for p16INK4a immunohistochemical testing.

Results

Results were scored as follows: nuclear and cytoplasmic staining of <5% cells (score 0), 5%‐25% (score 1), 25%‐50% (score 2), >50% (score 3). No significant difference in p16INK4a staining was noted between odontogenic cysts and the listed odontogenic tumors (chi‐square, P = .540). When comparing lesions with higher recurrence rates (over 25% as reported in the literature) versus lesions with low recurrence rates (under 25%), higher recurrence correlated to significantly higher p16INK4a positivity (chi‐square, P = .001). Follow‐up testing was performed on 18 cases with “2” or “3” p16INK4a expression scores for high‐risk HPV strains through HPV in situ hybridization (ISH) messenger RNA testing with no cases exhibiting a positive result.

Conclusion

This study exhibits an association between increased p16INK4a positivity and odontogenic lesions with higher recurrence rates and highlights the role of p16INK4a as a progression marker unrelated to HPV expression in this group of pathologic entities.
Effects of replacing dietary fish oil with beef tallow on growth performance, serological parameters, and fatty acid composition in juvenile olive flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus
Authors: Lee Seunghyung , Aya Frolan A. , Won Seonghun , Hamidoghli Ali , Bai Sungchul C.
Published: November 2019

This study evaluated the effects of replacing fish oil (FO) with beef tallow (BT) in juvenile olive flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus (3.93 ± 0.07 g), over 8 weeks. Seven diets, consisting of 0, 25, 50, 75, and 100% replacement of FO with BT and 63 and 75.9% replacement supplemented with docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) at 0.9 and 1.1% of 100 g diet, respectively, were distributed into 21 tanks in a semi‐recirculation system with 15 fish per tank. The replacement of FO with BT at the given levels showed no significant changes (p > .05) in growth performance and whole‐body proximate composition. Fish fed the diet of 75.9% replacement with 1.1% DHA supplementation showed the best performance in these measurements among the treatments. Plasma glutamic pyruvic transaminase, cholesterol, high‐ and low‐density lipoproteins, and total protein were not significantly influenced by the replacement of FO with BT. The FO replacement generally resulted in a reduction of eicosapentaenoic acid, DHA, and n‐3/n‐6 polyunsaturated fatty acid ratio in the whole body, whereas the DHA supplementation recovered the level of DHA and the n‐3/n‐6 ratio to those observed in the group fed the 0% replacement diet. Taken together, BT along with DHA supplementation can potentially be a cost‐effective alternative for FO in olive flounder culture.
Effect of a peptide complex on the defense mechanism of shrimp, Marsupenaeus japonicus against pathogens and changes in environmental parameters
Authors: Linh Nguyen T. H. , Sudhakaran Raja , Itami Toshiaki , Taoka Yousuke
Published: November 2019

This study examines the effect of a peptide complex extracted from chicken egg yolk on the action of the immune system of kuruma shrimp, Marsupenaeus japonicus, on pathogens as well as changes in environmental parameters. In the design of three independent experiments, we defined the treated shrimp or the control shrimp as shrimp receiving diet with or without peptide complex administration, respectively. In the first experiment, the shrimp were challenged by Vibrio sp. after 1 week of feeding; the results showed that the survival rates of the treated shrimp were 69%. In the other experiments, the shrimp were exposed to low salinity or high temperature to analyze the changes in various immunological parameters. In a low‐salinity test, results showed that the total hemocyte count (THC) of the treated group was significantly higher than that of the control group within 24 hr. In a high‐temperature test, THC and phenoloxidase activity of the shrimp in the treated group displayed significantly higher values than that in the control group during 48 hr. In short, the administration of the peptide complex was significantly effective in the prevention of disease and enhancement of the tolerance of kuruma shrimp to environmental changes.
The heavy burden of hepatitis D in Uzbekistan
Authors: Negro Francesco
Published: November 2019

See Article on Page 2077
Distinct metabolism of N‐glucosides of isopentenyladenine and trans‐zeatin determines cytokinin metabolic spectrum in Arabidopsis
Authors: Hošek Petr , Hoyerová Klára , Kiran Nagavalli S. , Dobrev Petre I. , Zahajská Lenka , Filepová Roberta , Motyka Václav , Müller Karel , Kamínek Miroslav
Published: November 2019

The diversity of cytokinin (CK) metabolites suggests their interconversions are the predominant regulatory mechanism of CK action. Nevertheless, little is known about their directionality and kinetics in planta.

CK metabolite levels were measured in 2‐wk‐old Arabidopsis thaliana plants at several time points up to 100 min following exogenous application of selected CKs. The data were then evaluated qualitatively and by mathematical modeling.

Apart from elevated levels of trans‐zeatin (tZ) metabolites upon application of N6‐(Δ2‐isopentenyl)adenine (iP), we observed no conversions between the individual CK‐types – iP, tZ, dihydrozeatin (DHZ) and cis‐zeatin (cZ). In particular, there was no sign of isomerization between tZ and cZ families. Also, no increase of DHZ‐type CKs was observed after application of tZ, suggesting low baseline activity of zeatin reductase. Among N‐glucosides, those of iP were not converted back to iP while tZ N‐glucosides were cleaved to tZ bases, thus affecting the whole metabolic spectrum.

We present the first large‐scale study of short‐term CK metabolism kinetics and show that tZ N7‐ and N9‐glucosides are metabolized in vivo. We thus refute the generally accepted hypothesis that N‐glucosylation irreversibly inactivates CKs. The subsequently constructed mathematical model provides estimates of the metabolic conversion rates.
Epicardial adipose tissue and atrial fibrillation: Possible mechanisms, potential therapies, and future directions
Authors: Zhou Mengmeng , Wang Hao , Chen Jindong , Zhao Liang
Published: November 2019

Obesity plays an important role in the pathogenesis of atrial fibrillation (AF). Recently, rather than general fat distribution, epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) gains a growing concern. EAT is the local adipose deposition between myocardium and pericardium. Accumulated evidence revealed several distinguishing characteristics of EAT. It lies contiguously with the myocardium and could infiltration into myocardium, actively secrets cytokines and adipokines mediating inflammation or remodeling, and contains abundant ganglionated plexi. Clinical research also found EAT may be an independent risk factor of AF. Volume or thickness of EAT measured on CT or MRI could be applied as a predictor of presence, severity, and recurrence of AF. Some drugs, like antidiabetic drugs and lipid‐lowing drugs, show ability to reduce EAT. Additional surgical ablation of EAT was also proved that it could improve outcome of pulmonary vein isolation for AF. In present review, we summarize recent epidemic, biological, and clinical findings about EAT and its possible role in AF.
Variants of accessory pathways
Authors: Hoffmayer Kurt S. , Han Frederick T. , Singh David , Scheinman Melvin M.
Published: November 2019

Variant accessory pathways include atriofascicular, nodofascicular, nodoventricular, atrio‐Hisian, and fasciculoventricular pathways. Atriofascicular pathways are the most common with others occurring rarely. The anatomical descriptions, electrocardiographic findings, electrophysiologic findings, and clincial manifestations are discussed.
Role of basidiomycete fungi in the grapevine trunk disease esca
Authors: Brown A. A. , Lawrence D. P. , Baumgartner K.
Published: November 2019

Phaeomoniella chlamydospora and wood‐rotting basidiomycete fungi, namely Fomitiporia spp., are known esca pathogens. However, the effect of their mixed infections and the sequence of infection on disease development is unclear. To determine the effects of single and co‐inoculations on symptoms, potted Vitis vinifera ‘Crimson Seedless’ was inoculated with P. chlamydospora either alone or in combination with one of four basidiomycetes: Coprinellus radians, Fomitiporia langloisii, F. polymorpha and the novel species Tropicoporus texanus. Basidiomycetes were isolated from vines with foliar symptoms of esca in California and Texas. In sequential co‐inoculations, the effects of different sequences of infection (P. chlamydospora first, basidiomycete 6 months later; and vice versa) were tested, compared to simultaneous co‐inoculations. Plants inoculated with P. chlamydospora either alone or in combination with a basidiomycete (in any sequence) did not differ significantly in the length of black‐streaking lesions. In plants inoculated only with a basidiomycete, the appearance of large brown lesions, coupled with the absence of this wood symptom from control plants, suggests that C. radians, F. langloisii and T. texanus are pathogenic. Foliar symptoms resembling those of esca in the field (marginal and/or interveinal scorching, combined with red and/or yellow discoloration) were statistically more frequent among plants inoculated with F. polymorpha or T. texanus, either simultaneously or following P. chlamydospora, compared to single inoculations. Sequential co‐inoculations of a basidiomycete before or after P. chlamydospora were associated with similar lesion lengths, suggesting that basidiomycetes may not require infection by P. chlamydospora in order to extensively colonize the wood.
Nonsuicidal Self‐Injury‐Related Differences in the Experience of Negative and Positive Emotion
Authors: Boyes Mark E. , Wilmot Adrienne , Hasking Penelope A.
Published: November 2019

Objective

Emotional experience is argued to contribute to the initiation and maintenance of nonsuicidal self‐injury (NSSI). We investigated whether individuals with/without a history of NSSI differed in their dispositional experience of negative and positive emotion, as well as their state responses to negatively and positively valenced movie clips.

Method

Undergraduates (n = 214, Mage = 21.33, 73.8% female, 35.5% reporting NSSI) completed measures of NSSI and dispositional emotional experience. Participants also viewed a sad and amusing movie clip and provided sadness/amusement ratings at seven time‐points.

Results

Relative to participants with no history of self‐injury, participants reporting NSSI indicated more reactivity, intensity, and perseveration of dispositional negative emotion; however, differences were negated after adjusting for mental illness. Unexpectedly, individuals with a history of NSSI responded less intensely to the sad clip, although they demonstrated perseveration of sadness over time. Participants reporting NSSI also indicated less reactivity, intensity, and perseveration of dispositional positive emotion and, in response to the amusing film, reported less amusement at all time‐points.

Conclusions

Considering different dimensions of negative and positive emotion may enhance understanding of NSSI. Future research should disentangle which dimensions of emotional experience are unique to NSSI and which are shared with mental illness more generally.
Practices of Food Sovereignty in Italy and England: Short Food Supply Chains and the Promise of De‐Commodification
Authors: Matacena Raffaele , Corvo Paolo
Published: November 2019

Alternative food networks are organisations of consumers and food producers that oversee and promote the functioning of short food supply chains, with the aim of fostering a direct and local exchange between producers and consumers. New short‐chain economic infrastructures provide food producers – especially small‐scale farmers – with a whole new set of commercial opportunities, directed towards the construction of an alternative food economy. But how does value circulate within these innovative economic platforms? And what values are debated, negotiated and exchanged through these circuits? Employing the analytical lenses of de‐commodification and embeddedness, this article discusses the modalities and outcomes of the processes of value‐creation and value‐appropriation that spring out of the direct exchange occurring between consumers and food producers in the alternative food economy. Based on empirical data collected through extensive qualitative field research in Italy and England, the article exposes the dynamics and limits of the on‐going processes of de‐commodification, proposing an analysis centred on the concept of ‘partial’ de‐commodification. This conceptual tool is used to assess the differences that emerged between the Italian and English fields, and to provide conclusive remarks about the potential of place‐ and culture‐specific configurations of practices to advance a transformation of the food system.
Inline extracorporeal photopheresis: evaluation of cell collection efficiency
Authors: Piccirillo Nicola , Putzulu Rossana , Massini Giuseppina , Di Giovanni Alessia , Chiusolo Patrizia , Sica Simona , Zini Gina
Published: November 2019

BACKGROUND

Extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) therapy has proved to be an effective and safe treatment for graft‐versus‐host‐disease (GvHD), an important complication after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. In 2016, we acquired Therakos CellEx, a dedicated inline ECP device to accomplish a significant increase in ECP activity. In literature, we found few data reporting CellEx performance evaluated in terms of collection efficiency to qualify the device.

Hence, we decided to collect and analyze our data in order to build a reference in terms of expected results of the procedure. Here we report our data of ECP performed using CellEx in a 12‐month period focusing on collection efficiency assessment, as well as procedural and apheretic product characteristics.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

We collected data of patients undergoing ECP from April 2018 to March 2019 using CellEx in order to evaluate collection efficiency.

RESULTS

Between April 2018 and March 2019 we treated 28 adult patients affected by GvHD performing 319 ECP using CellEx. CellEx mononuclear cell product was characterized by high mononuclear cell percentage and low percentage of granulocytes, resulting particularly suitable for ECP treatments. Median collection efficiency for total nucleated cells and for mononuclear cells was 31.2% and 62.3%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Collection efficiency of CellEx was comparable to that usually obtained by cell separators designed for cell collection and was comparable to that of offline systems. Our results provide a detailed performance evaluation for inline ECP system users.
Cover Image, Volume 17, Issue 4
Authors: Church Molly E. , Veluvolu Sridhar M. , Durham Amy C. , Woolard Kevin D.
Published: November 2019

The cover image is based on the SHORT COMMUNICATION Clinical outcomes, ultrastructure and immunohistochemical features of canine high‐grade olfactory neuroblastoma by Molly E. Church et al., https://doi.org/10.1111/vco.12512.

image
Mechanical resistance of granular activated carbon media in drinking water treatment
Authors: Philibert Marc , Zacchi Calini Moser , Pottier Christian , Sacareau Damien , Baudin Isabelle
Published: November 2019

Organic microcontaminants in resources are a major issue for drinking water treatment plants and granular activated carbon (GAC) adsorption is one of the preferred treatment units used for their removal. GAC particles are small, abrasive and generally have irregular angular shapes. The combination of the particles’ characteristics and GAC filters operations leads to a risk of material loss through abrasion between the particles. Mechanical resistance characterization methods were applied to 14 commercially available GAC products, both new and used as well as reactivated, and concluded that commercially available GACs do not present a high risk of material loss though erosion is expected to be continuous throughout the filter’s life. The evaluation of the reactivation step showed that it had a significant impact on the parameters to evaluate the mechanical resistance of the GAC but did not result in an increased erosion of the material in operation.