bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Desmoplastic melanoma: a review of its pathology and clinical behaviour, and of management recommendations in published guidelines
Authors: Hughes T.M. , Williams G.J. , Gyorki D.E. , Kelly J.W. , Stretch J.R. , Varey A.H.R. , Hong A.M. , Scolyer R.A. , Thompson J.F.
Published: February 2021

Desmoplastic melanomas are uncommon. Their behaviour differs from that of other melanoma subtypes; therefore, management guidelines for non‐desmoplastic melanomas may not be applicable. This review sought to examine all available evidence relating to the behaviour and management of desmoplastic melanomas, based on review of all relevant English‐language publications, and to critically assess the recommendations for their management in current published melanoma management guidelines. Compared with other melanoma subtypes, patients with ‘pure’ desmoplastic melanomas (where ≥90% of the invasive melanoma is of desmoplastic melanoma subtype) have much lower rates of sentinel node positivity and distant metastasis. Local recurrence rates are higher for desmoplastic melanomas, but resection margins wider than those recommended for non‐desmoplastic melanomas have not been shown to be of benefit. Adjuvant radiotherapy reduces the risk of local recurrence when a satisfactory histological clearance (≥8 mm) cannot be achieved. Of 29 published melanoma management guidelines identified, only 11 specified management for desmoplastic melanomas, while seven simply stated that the feature should be reported. Desmoplastic melanoma is a unique melanoma subtype with biology that differs from that of other melanoma subtypes. It requires specific management strategies but few current guidelines address these.
Intermediation in a directed search model
Authors: Kultti Klaus , Takalo Tuomas , Vähämaa Oskari
Published: February 2021

We provide an example where establishing competitive coordination service platforms is so lucrative that they end up reducing welfare. We consider a canonical directed search model in which buyers have unit demands and sellers' capacity constraint leads to a coordination problem: in a symmetric equilibrium without intermediation some sellers receive too many and some too few buyers. We compare this equilibrium to one where sellers and buyers can choose to become intermediaries who coordinate the meetings. In this setup, roughly one‐fifth of agents become intermediaries. As a result, a large part of the supply and demand in the economy vanishes. Moreover, the large amount of intermediaries actually reduces the meeting efficiency. Jointly, these effects imply that the gains from trade are lower than that in the economy without intermediation.
The Effectiveness of Bereavement Support for Adult Family Caregivers in Palliative Care: A Meta‐Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Kustanti Christina Yeni , Fang Hui‐Fen , Linda Kang Xiao , Chiou Jeng‐Fong , Wu Shen‐Chi , Yunitri Ninik , Chu Hsin , Chou Kuei‐Ru
Published: February 2021

Purpose

This meta‐analysis aimed to summarize and synthesize the effectiveness of bereavement support for adult family caregivers in palliative care.

Methods

Meta‐analysis was conducted. The databases of the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Cochrane, Embase, Medline, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science were comprehensively searched from inception until January 2020. This study followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines and standard methods for conducting a meta‐analysis. Data analysis was performed using Comprehensive Meta‐analysis version 3.0, and the random‐effects model was adopted.

Findings

In total, 19 randomized controlled trials with an overall sample size of 2,690 participants met the inclusion criteria. The study showed that bereavement support had a significant effect on reducing grief (Hedges’ g score = ‐0.198; 95% confidence interval [CI] ‐0.310 to ‐0.087), depression (Hedges’ g score = ‐0.252; 95% CI ‐0.406 to ‐0.098), and anxiety (Hedges’ g score = ‐0.153; 95% CI ‐0.283 to ‐0.023); however, high heterogeneity was present. No statistically significant difference was shown for traumatic feelings. Based on moderator analysis, a group format was more effective for grief, a combined individual and group format for depression, and an individual format for anxiety. Bereavement support was more effective when delivered by professionals, when delivered in more than six sessions, and need to be evaluated within 6 months.

Conclusions

Bereavement support was effective in reducing grief, depression, and anxiety. The majority of the included studies had moderate heterogeneity, which limited the comparability of the evidence. Therefore, more robust randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm these study results.

Clinical Relevance

This meta‐analysis provides evidence that bereavement support delivered in the palliative care setting is effective for reducing grief, depression, and anxiety. Nurses and other healthcare professionals can make recommendations for adult family caregivers based on this study in reducing psychological symptoms due to a loss in the palliative care domain.
Ten statements to support nurse leaders implement e‐health tools for nursing work in hospitals: A modified Delphi study
Authors: Bail Kasia , Merrick Eamon , Fox Amanda , Gibson Jo , Hind Alicia , Moss Cameron , Strickland Karen , Redley Bernice
Published: February 2021

Aim

To use expert consensus to develop guidance for nurse leaders implementing e‐health tools to support nursing work in hospitals.

Background

Nurse leaders are increasingly required to make decisions about the selection, development, implementation and optimisation of e‐health tools for nursing work in hospitals. Guidance in this rapidly evolving and complex space is limited.

Design

A two‐phase modified Delphi study.

Methods

Phase one involved in‐depth interviews with five nursing informatics experts. Analysis used the qualitative framework method, informed by the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF), to develop statements for an anonymous online Delphi scoring survey. This was distributed using snowball sampling methods to Australian nurse informatics leaders and experts. Final analysis involved synthesis of qualitative and quantitative data. The study adheres to the COnsolidated criteria for REporting Qualitative research (COREQ) checklist.

Results

Ten guidance statements to support nurse leaders to implement e‐health tools in hospitals were developed from the synthesis of qualitative interview data and 29 experts’ responses to the 55‐item Delphi response survey.

Conclusion

Implementation of e‐health tools for nursing work is complex in health settings and requires careful examination of multiple factors and interactions between clinicians, tools, service users and the health organisation. This research proposes ten statements to support nurse leaders with decisions about implementing e‐health tools to support nursing work in hospitals.

Relevance to clinical practice

The ten statements developed by this research provide a resource to assist policy and practice decisions about e‐tools to ensure they are suited to supporting nursing work. Nurse leaders can use the ten statements for guidance in the selection, development, implementation and optimisation of e‐health tools to ensure suitability and adaptation for nursing work in hospitals.
Front‐Line innovation: Rapid implementation of a nurse‐driven protocol for care of outpatients with COVID‐19
Authors: Driver Jane A. , Strymish Judith , Clement Sherry , Hayes Barbara , Craig Kathleen , Cervera Alejandra , Morreale‐Karl Michelle , Linsenmeyer Katherine , Grudberg Sarah , Davidson Heather , Spencer Jacqueline , Kind Amy H. J. , Fantes Thomas
Published: February 2021

Aims and objectives

Our objective was to rapidly adapt and scale a registered nurse‐driven Coordinated Transitional Care (C‐TraC) programme to provide intensive home monitoring and optimise care for outpatient Veterans with COVID‐19 in a large urban Unites States healthcare system.

Background

Our diffuse primary care network had no existing model of care by which to provide coordinated result tracking and monitoring of outpatients with COVID‐19.

Design

Quality improvement implementation project.

Methods

We used the Replicating Effective Programs model to guide implementation, iterative Plan‐Do‐Study‐Act cycles and SQUIRE reporting guidelines. Two transitional care registered nurses, and a geriatrician medical director developed a protocol that included detailed initial assessment, overnight delivery of monitoring equipment and phone‐based follow‐up tailored to risk level and symptom severity. We tripled programme capacity in time for the surge of cases by training Primary Care registered nurses.

Results

Between 23 March and 15 May 2020, 120 Veterans with COVID‐19 were enrolled for outpatient monitoring; over one‐third were aged 65 years or older, and 70% had medical conditions associated with poor COVID‐19 outcomes. All Veterans received an initial call within a few hours of the laboratory reporting positive results. The mean length of follow‐up was 8.1 days, with an average of 4.2 nurse and 1.3 physician or advanced practice clinician contacts per patient. The majority (85%) were managed entirely in the outpatient setting. After the surge, the model was disseminated to individual primary care teams through educational sessions.

Conclusion

A model based on experienced registered nurses can provide comprehensive, effective and sustainable outpatient monitoring to high‐risk populations with COVID‐19.
Transactions between Big‐5 personality traits and job characteristics across 20 years
Authors: Holman David J. , Hughes David J.
Published: February 2021

Although understanding the relationship between the individual and work environment is a core concern of organizational research, few studies have examined longitudinal transactions between Big‐5 personality traits and job characteristics. Building on research in personality and job design we develop hypotheses detailing transactions between Big‐5 personality traits (i.e., openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, neuroticism) and two key job characteristics (i.e., job discretion and workload). Specifically, we hypothesize and test transactions with regard to the effects of job characteristics on personality, the effects of personality on job characteristics, and the reciprocal effects between these constructs. Our findings, based on a latent change score analysis of data collected over three waves across 20 years, show strongest support for the effects of job characteristics on personality, particularly the effects of workload on personality change in openness, extraversion, and agreeableness. We found no effects of job discretion on personality, limited support for the effects of personality on job characteristics (except a positive effect of neuroticism on job discretion), and no evidence of reciprocal effects.

Practitioner points

Job demands can alter employee personality. Employees who consistently experienced high workloads over a 20‐year period incurred developmental increases in three personality traits – extraversion, openness, and agreeableness – such that they became more outgoing and assertive, more curious, and broadminded, as well as more helpful and sympathetic.

Employees who experienced high job discretion did not incur similar development changes in personality.
Pandemic nightmares: Effects on dream activity of the COVID‐19 lockdown in Italy
Authors: Scarpelli Serena , Alfonsi Valentina , Mangiaruga Anastasia , Musetti Alessandro , Quattropani Maria Catena , Lenzo Vittorio , Freda Maria Francesca , Lemmo Daniela , Vegni Elena , Borghi Lidia , Saita Emanuela , Cattivelli Roberto , Castelnuovo Gianluca , Plazzi Giuseppe , De Gennaro Luigi , Franceschini Christian
Published: February 2021

COVID‐19 has critically impacted the world. Recent works have found substantial changes in sleep and mental health during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Dreams could give us crucial information about people's well‐being, so here we have directly investigated the consequences of lockdown on the oneiric activity in a large Italian sample: 5,988 adults completed a web‐survey during lockdown. We investigated sociodemographic and COVID‐19‐related information, sleep quality (by the Medical Outcomes Study‐Sleep Scale), mental health (by the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scales), dream and nightmare frequency, and related emotional aspects (by the Mannheim Dream Questionnaire). Comparisons between our sample and a population‐based sample revealed that Italians are having more frequent nightmares and dreams during the pandemic. A multiple logistic regression model showed the predictors of high dream recall (young age, female gender, not having children, sleep duration) and high nightmare frequency (young age, female gender, modification of napping, sleep duration, intrasleep wakefulness, sleep problem index, anxiety, depression). Moreover, we found higher emotional features of dream activity in workers who have stopped working, in people who have relatives/friends infected by or who have died from COVID‐19 and in subjects who have changed their sleep habits. Our findings point to the fact that the predictors of high dream recall and nightmares are consistent with the continuity between sleep mentation and daily experiences. According to the arousal‐retrieval model, we found that poor sleep predicts a high nightmare frequency. We suggest monitoring dream changes during the epidemic, and also considering the implications for clinical treatment and prevention of mental and sleep disorders.
Edge effects and distribution of prey forage resources influence how an apex predator utilizes Sri Lanka's largest protected area
Authors: Kittle A. M. , Watson A. C. , Samaranayake P. K. L.
Published: February 2021

Apex carnivores are integral to effectively functioning ecosystems, but their populations are declining worldwide. To ensure the long‐term viability of top carnivore populations, it is important to understand their ecology and behavior throughout their remaining range, including in protected areas, as these can act as vital refuges. In Sri Lanka, an endangered, endemic leopard sub‐species (Panthera pardus kotiya) is the apex predator, and while its island‐wide distribution is influenced by forest cover and protection level of the landscape, ecological and anthropogenic influences of finer scale landscape utilization are poorly understood. In the interior of Sri Lanka's largest protected area, Wilpattu National Park, we used remote cameras and a spatially explicit capture‐recapture methodology to estimate leopard population density and quantify relative prey availability. We then employed linear models to compare four alternative hypotheses proposed to identify factors influencing observed leopard habitat selection within the PA. Adult leopard density was estimated at 10.4 individuals/100 km2which is at the higher end of the global spectrum of recorded leopard densities, and only marginally lower than other Sri Lankan National Parks which appear to have considerably higher available prey abundance. Leopard site utilization increased with increasing distance from park boundaries, suggesting the presence of edge effects due to anthropogenic disturbance. Leopard occurrence was also higher close to grazing lawns used by prey but not areas of higher prey abundance, evidence of ‘leap‐frogging’, whereby carnivores bias movement toward spatially anchored preferred resources of their prey instead of prey directly. The relatively high core area leopard density, combined with avoidance of boundary areas and frequent observation of injuries suggests the possibility of density‐dependent intra‐specific competition and needs to be further investigated. These results illuminate essential aspects of leopard ecology in a key part of its remaining Sri Lankan range, providing important insights for protected area management.
Implication of CD69+CD103+ tissue‐resident‐like CD8+ T cells as a potential immunotherapeutic target for cholangiocarcinoma
Authors: Kim Hyung‐Don , Jeong Seongju , Park Seongyeol , Lee Yong Joon , Ju Young Seok , Kim Danbee , Song Gi‐Won , Lee Jae Hoon , Kim Sang‐Yeob , Shin Jaehoon , Shin Eui‐Cheol , Hwang Shin , Yoo Changhoon , Park Su‐Hyung
Published: February 2021

Background

The heterogeneous immune landscapes of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) remain largely unknown. Here we aimed to investigate the implications of tissue‐resident memory (TRM)‐related features of tumour‐infiltrating CD8+ T cells (CD8+ TILs) from ICC patients.

Methods

From ICC patients, we obtained blood samples and ICC surgical specimens (n = 33). We performed multicolour flow cytometry, multiplexed immunohistochemistry and RNA sequencing.

Results

When compared to peripheral CD8+ T cells, the CD8+ TILs included significantly higher proportions of the CD69+CD103− and CD69+CD103+ TRM‐like subsets (P < .001 for both). Relative to CD69− and CD69+CD103− cells, the CD69+CD103+ CD8+ TILs harboured higher levels of T‐cell markers representing tumour specificity (ie CD39), proliferation (ie Ki‐67) and T‐cell activation (ie HLA‐DR and CD38) (all P < .001). Moreover, compared to the stroma, the tumour margin and core density each had a significantly higher density of CD103+ CD8+ TILs (P < .001 for both). ICCs with high proportions of CD69+CD103+ cells displayed higher levels of parameters associated with response to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs)—including number of CD8+ TIL infiltrates (P = .019), PD‐L1 expression in the tumour (P = .046) and expression of the T cell‐inflamed gene signature (P < .001). ICCs with lower proportions of CD69+CD103+ CD8+ TILs exhibited significant enrichment of genes related to the Wnt/β‐catenin (P < .001) and TGF‐β pathways (P = .002).

Conclusion

CD69+CD103+ TRM‐like CD8+ TILs represent prominent tumour‐specific immune responses and hold promise as a potential therapeutic target in ICC patients. Differential TRM‐related features of ICCs may help develop future immunotherapeutic strategies such as maximizing TRM responses or inhibiting pathways contributing to immune evasion.
Leukocyte cell‐derived chemotaxin 2 promotes the development of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease through STAT‐1 pathway in mice
Authors: Wang Jinghua , Chen Yishu , Pan Ran , Wu Chao , Chen Shenghui , Li Lan , Li Youming , Yu Chaohui , Meng Zhuo‐xian , Xu Chengfu
Published: February 2021

Background

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), whose pathogenesis remains unelucidated, has become an increasingly prevalent disease globally requiring novel treatment strategies. This study aims to explore the role of leukocyte cell‐derived chemotaxin 2 (LECT2), one of the known hepatokines, in the development of NAFLD.

Methods

The serum LECT2 level was evaluated in patients with NAFLD and male C57BL/6 mice fed a high‐fat diet (HFD) for 8 weeks. Tail intravenous injection of adeno‐associated virus that contained Lect2 short hairpin RNA or Lect2 overexpression plasmid was administered to mice to inhibit or increase hepatic Lect2 expression. Hepatic steatosis was evaluated by histological staining with haematoxylin and eosin and Oil Red O, and also by quantitative hepatic triglyceride measurements. RNA‐seq was performed to discover the specific targets of LECT2 on NAFLD.

Results

Serum and hepatic LECT2 levels were elevated in NAFLD patients and HFD‐fed mice. Inhibition of hepatic Lect2 expression alleviated HFD‐induced hepatic steatosis and inflammation, whereas hepatic overexpression of Lect2 aggravated HFD‐induced hepatic steatosis and inflammation. RNA‐seq and bioinformatical analysis suggested that the signal transducers and activators of transcription‐1 (STAT‐1) pathway might play an indispensable role in the interaction between LECT2 and NAFLD. A STAT‐1 inhibitor could reverse the accumulation of hepatic lipids caused by Lect2 overexpression.

Conclusion

LECT2 expression is significantly elevated in NAFLD. LECT2 induces the occurrence and development of NAFLD through the STAT‐1 pathway. LECT2 may be a potential therapeutic target for NAFLD.
When I say…attitude
Authors: Valbuena Gustavo , van der Schaaf Marieke , O’Sullivan Patricia , O’Brien Bridget
Published: February 2021

Valbuena et al. use social psychology to refine conceptualizations of “attitude” and argue that attitudes influence our attention and processing of information, thereby ultimately impacting our behaviors.
Causes and Consequences of Inequality in Egypt
Authors: Abdel Ghafar Adel
Published: February 2021

This study presents an analysis of various facets of inequality in Egypt using a political economy approach to understand how inequalities are reproduced in the Egyptian economy. It examines the drivers of income and wealth inequality, and the impact of uneven taxation. The paper highlights how the mismeasurement of top incomes can skew the measurement of inequality, and shows how Egypt has one of the biggest wealth gaps in the world. It investigates educational, gender, and healthcare inequalities and how they are reproduced across generations. The paper also highlights the disparity between urban and rural areas, which further contributes to inequality. It assesses why economic growth in Egypt has had limited success in reducing poverty and inequality, and analyzes how state and military interference in markets hampers the growth of the private sector. The paper concludes by examining how inequality, combined with a number of challenges that Egypt is facing, including increased authoritarianism, climate change, demographic pressures, and water security will likely exacerbate many of the country’s socioeconomic and political problems. Overall, the study argues that inequality remains a key concern that, if left unaddressed, may lead to social unrest and instability in the long term.
The GCC’s Unsettled Policy for Economic Integration*
Authors: Mishrif Ashraf
Published: February 2021

This study examines the sources of fatigue in the economic integration of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) since 2010. It argues that the progressive development of integration that has taken place in the decades prior to the 2011 Arab uprisings has been derailed by a number of congenital and emerging factors that decelerated its maturity. The study employs a descriptive analytical approach to examine the institutional deficiencies, foreign policy divergence, and domestic policy integration, while applying a gravity model to measure the intensity of intra‐regional trade, hence the depth of GCC integration. If the GCC is to deepen its integration process, it must address longstanding and emerging challenges, including national sovereignty, poor foreign and security policy coordination, and low intra‐regional trade that persist today.
Impact of joint hypermobility syndrome on gastric accommodation and nutrient tolerance in functional dyspepsia
Authors: Carbone Florencia , Goelen Nick , Fikree Asma , Aziz Qasim , Tack Jan
Published: February 2021

Functional dyspepsia (FD) is defined as the presence of gastroduodenal symptoms in the absence of organic disease that is likely to explain the symptoms. Joint hypermobility (JH) refers to the increased passive or active movement of a joint beyond its normal range and is characteristically present in patients with joint hypermobility syndrome (JHS), which is a hypermobile subtype of Ehlers‐Danlos syndrome (EDS). Recent reports have highlighted the co‐existence of FD with Ehlers‐Danlos syndrome. Our aim was to study the prevalence of JHS in FD compared with healthy subjects and to study the impact of co‐existing JHS on gastric motility, nutrient tolerance, and dyspeptic symptoms in FD.

Methods

FD patients filled out a dyspepsia symptom severity score. Intragastric pressure (IGP) was measured with high‐resolution manometry (HRM) during the intragastric infusion of nutrition drink (ND, 1.5 Kcal/ml, 60 ml/min) until maximal satiation in healthy subjects and FD. We compared IGP profiles and nutrient tolerance in HS and FD with or without JHS.

Results

JHS was present in 54% of FD patients (n = 39, 41.2 ± 2.2 years old) and 7% of healthy subjects (n = 15, 27.3 ± 2.3 years old). IGP drop and nutrient tolerance were lower in non‐JHS‐FD compared with JHS‐FD and HS (AUC JHS‐FD: −17.9 ± 2.5 vs. non‐JHS‐FD: −13.0 ± 3.3 mmHg min,p = 0.2, HS:‐19.6 ± 2.9 mmHg min; ND tolerance non‐JHS‐FD: 671.0 ± 96.0 vs. JHS‐FD: 842.7 ± 105.7 Kcal,p = 0.25, HS: 980.0 ± 108.1 Kcal).

Conclusion

JHS often co‐exists with FD. Non‐JHS‐FD was characterized by decreased accommodation and lower nutrient tolerance characterized compared with JHS‐FD. Clinicaltrials.gov, reference number NCT04279990.
Association between maternal prepregnancy body mass index and pregnancy outcomes following assisted reproductive technology: A systematic review and dose–response meta‐analysis
Authors: Xiong Yiquan , Wang Jing , Huang Shiyao , Liu Chunrong , Liu Yanmei , Qi Yana , Li Ling , Wang Wen , Zou Kang , Tan Jing , Sun Xin
Published: February 2021

This systematic review investigated dose–response relationship between maternal prepregnancy body mass index (BMI) and pregnancy outcomes following assisted reproductive technology, including clinical pregnancy rate (CPR), miscarriage rate (MR), and live birth rate (LBR). We searched four major databases and finally included 105 studies involving more than 271,632 pregnant women. We performed linear or nonlinear dose–response meta‐analyses using random effects models. At per‐woman level, pooling of unadjusted estimates shown an inverted J‐shaped relationship between maternal BMI and CPR; pooling of adjusted estimates showed a linear association, suggesting statistical association between higher maternal BMI and lower CPR (adjusted OR [aOR] for 5‐unit increase in BMI: 0.96, 95%CI: 0.94–0.98). At per‐cycle level, linear dose–response relationship was found between maternal BMI and CPR (crude relative risk, RR, [cRR] for 5‐unit increase in BMI 0.97, 0.96–0.98; aOR 0.96, 0.94–0.99). Linear dose–response relationship was established between maternal BMI and the outcomes of MR or LBR (higher BMI associated with higher MR [cRR 1.15, 1.08–1.22] and lower LBR [cRR 0.91, 0.88–0.94] at per‐woman level). Sensitivity analyses showed no significant changes. In conclusion, there is dose–response relationship between maternal BMI and pregnancy outcomes following assisted reproductive technology. Higher BMI values may suggest suboptimal pregnancy outcomes.
Energy consumption–economic growth nexus within the purview of exogenous and endogenous dynamics: evidence from Bangladesh
Authors: Islam Md. Monirul , Islam Md. Saiful
Published: February 2021

This paper investigates the nexus between energy consumption and economic growth in Bangladesh over the period 1971–2018 using the autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) approach to cointegration. The main contribution of this study is the inclusion of exogenous dynamic (globalisation) and endogenous factor (political risk indicator measured by political terror scale (PTS)) to the energy consumption–economic growth nexus. The study explores an energy consumption–economic growth nexus where globalisation and PTS have both positive and negative influences on this relationship in the short run and long run. The Toda–Yamamoto Granger causality test confirms the feedback hypothesis, that is bidirectional causal relationship between energy consumption and economic growth, and the result is further verified by the impulse response function. Therefore, policymakers should enhance the availability of energy for people and industries to continue the existing momentum of economic growth. Besides, the government should cautiously deal with both the globalisation and political risk issues about energy consumption–economic growth nexus in Bangladesh.
The spectrum of ATM gene mutations in Iranian patients with ataxia‐telangiectasia
Authors: Amirifar Parisa , Ranjouri Mohammad Reza , Pashangzadeh Salar , Lavin Martin , Yazdani Reza , Moeini Shad Tannaz , Mehrmohamadi Mahya , Salami Fereshte , Delavari Samaneh , Moamer Soraya , Aghamohammadi Asghar , Akrami Seyed Mohammad , Abolhassani Hassan
Published: February 2021

Background

Ataxia‐telangiectasia (A‐T) is a rare genetic disorder characterized by a distinct range of clinical manifestations, including progressive ataxia, immunodeficiency, and radiosensitivity.

Methods

Clinical data, laboratory results, and genetic data were collected from forty‐three A‐T patients. Whole‐exome sequencing and Sanger sequencing were done for the patients clinically diagnosed as suffering from A‐T. Based on the phenotype severity of the disease, patients were divided into severe and mild subgroups.

Results

The median (IQR) age of diagnosis in this cohort was 5 (3‐7) years, and various types of clinical manifestations, including fever (P =.005), lower respiratory tract infection (P = .033), diarrhea (P = .014), and hepatosplenomegaly (P = .032), were significantly higher among patients diagnosed with the severe phenotype. Our results showed a correlation between phenotype severity and mutation type. The chance of having severe phenotype in patients who have severe mutations, including frameshift and nonsense, was 7.3 times higher than in patients who were categorized in the mild genotype group (odds ratio = 7.3, P = .006). Thirty‐four types of mutations including 9 novel mutations were observed in our study.

Conclusion

Molecular analysis provides the opportunity for accurate diagnosis and timely management in A‐T patients with chronic progressive disease, especially infections and the risk of malignancies. This study characterizes for the first time the broad spectrum of mutations and phenotypes in Iranian A‐T patients, which is required for carrier detection and reducing the burden of disease in the future using the patients’ families and for the public healthcare system.
Jasmonate‐ and abscisic acid‐activated AaGSW1‐AaTCP15/AaORA transcriptional cascade promotes artemisinin biosynthesis in Artemisia annua
Authors: Ma Ya‐Nan , Xu Dong‐Bei , Yan Xin , Wu Zhang‐Kuanyu , Kayani Sadaf Ilyas , Shen Qian , Fu Xue‐Qing , Xie Li‐Hui , Hao Xiao‐Long , Hassani Danial , Li Ling , Liu Hang , Pan Qi‐Fang , Lv Zong‐You , Liu Pin , Sun Xiao‐Fen , Tang Ke‐Xuan
Published: February 2021

Artemisinin, a sesquiterpene lactone widely used in malaria treatment, was discovered in the medicinal plant Artemisia annua. The biosynthesis of artemisinin is efficiently regulated by jasmonate (JA) and abscisic acid (ABA) via regulatory factors. However, the mechanisms linking JA and ABA signalling with artemisinin biosynthesis through an associated regulatory network of downstream transcription factors (TFs) remain enigmatic. Here we report AaTCP15, a JA and ABA dual‐responsive teosinte branched1/cycloidea/proliferating (TCP) TF, which is essential for JA and ABA‐induced artemisinin biosynthesis by directly binding to and activating the promoters of DBR2 and ALDH1, two genes encoding enzymes for artemisinin biosynthesis. Furthermore, AaORA, another positive regulator of artemisinin biosynthesis responds to JA and ABA, interacts with and enhances the transactivation activity of AaTCP15 and simultaneously activates AaTCP15 transcripts. Hence, they form an AaORA‐AaTCP15 module to synergistically activate DBR2, a crucial gene for artemisinin biosynthesis. More importantly, AaTCP15 expression is activated by the multiple reported JA and ABA‐responsive TFs that promote artemisinin biosynthesis. Among them, AaGSW1 acts at the nexus of JA and ABA signalling to activate the artemisinin biosynthetic pathway and directly binds to and activates the AaTCP15 promoter apart from the AaORA promoter, which further facilitates formation of the AaGSW1‐AaTCP15/AaORA regulatory module to integrate JA and ABA‐mediated artemisinin biosynthesis. Our results establish a multilayer regulatory network of the AaGSW1‐AaTCP15/AaORA module to regulate artemisinin biosynthesis through JA and ABA signalling, and provide an interesting avenue for future research exploring the special transcriptional regulation module of TCP genes associated with specialized metabolites in plants.
An amiRNA screen uncovers redundant CBF and ERF34/35 transcription factors that differentially regulate arsenite and cadmium responses
Authors: Xie Qingqing , Yu Qi , Jobe Timothy O. , Pham Allis , Ge Chennan , Guo Qianqian , Liu Jianxiu , Liu Honghong , Zhang Huijie , Zhao Yunde , Xue Shaowu , Hauser Felix , Schroeder Julian I.
Published: February 2021

Arsenic stress causes rapid transcriptional responses in plants. However, transcriptional regulators of arsenic‐induced gene expression in plants remain less well known. To date, forward genetic screens have proven limited for dissecting arsenic response mechanisms. We hypothesized that this may be due to the extensive genetic redundancy present in plant genomes. To overcome this limitation, we pursued a forward genetic screen for arsenite tolerance using a randomized library of plants expressing >2,000 artificial microRNAs (amiRNAs). This library was designed to knock‐down diverse combinations of homologous gene family members within sub‐clades of transcription factor and transporter gene families. We identified six transformant lines showing an altered response to arsenite in root growth assays. Further characterization of an amiRNA line targeting closely homologous CBF and ERF transcription factors show that the CBF1,2 and 3 transcription factors negatively regulate arsenite sensitivity. Furthermore, the ERF34 and ERF35 transcription factors are required for cadmium resistance. Generation of CRISPR lines, higher‐order T‐DNA mutants and gene expression analyses, further support our findings. These ERF transcription factors differentially regulate arsenite sensitivity and cadmium tolerance.
Unilesional granulomatous pigmented purpuric dermatosis in a 7‐year‐old boy
Authors: Zubkov Micaella R. , LaRosa Caroline L. , Makkar Hanspaul S. , Murphy Michael J.
Published: February 2021

Granulomatous pigmented purpuric dermatoses (PPD) are rarely reported. We present a case of granulomatous PPD in a 7‐year‐old boy, one of only two pediatric cases with reported solitary disease. The pathogenesis of unilesional granulomatous PPD may be different from the more commonly described multifocal/widespread disease variant.
Clinical predictive value of the urine leukocyte esterase test positivity in childhood
Authors: Yavaş Damla Pınar , Arslansoyu Çamlar Seçil , Soylu Alper , Kavukçu Salih
Published: February 2021

Background

False negative or positive results may occur in the urine dipstick test for leukocyte esterase (LE), which is used to determine urinary tract infection (UTI). We aimed to investigate the clinical importance of the presence or absence of pyuria in urine sediment for diagnosing UTI in the presence of positive LE in dipstick analysis.

Methods

Patients admitted to the pediatric nephrology outpatient clinic with positive urine LE tests were divided into two groups: those without pyuria (Group 1) and those with pyuria (Group 2) in their urine sediment. Hospital files of the patients were evaluated retrospectively for demographic variables, lower or upper UTI symptoms, physical examination for phimosis and vulvovaginitis, urinalysis for LE and nitrite tests, urine sediment microscopy, urine culture, complete blood count and C‐reactive protein. Both groups were compared for the significant growth of pathogenic bacteria in urine cultures along with clinical and laboratory parameters.

Results

Among 578 children giving samples for urinalysis, there were 287 cases with positive LE tests. Groups 1 and 2 included 123 and 164 cases, respectively. The proportion of girls was higher in Group 1 and vulvovaginitis rate was higher among the girls in Group 1. Girls with vulvovaginitis were mostly prepubertal. Upper UTI symptoms, significant pathogen growth rate, and elevated acute phase response were more common in Group 2. In addition, the phimosis rate was more common among the boys in Group 1 with false positive LE test.

Conclusions

Children with positive LE tests without pyuria are mostly prepubertal girls and there is a high rate of vulvovaginitis in these girls. Unnecessary tests and treatments for UTI may be avoided with detailed history and physical examination in prepubertal girls who have a false positive LE test. We also found, for the first time, that a false positive LE test is significantly associated with phimosis in boys.
Photobiomodulation Therapy by 820 nm Diode Laser on Nonsurgical Periodontal Treatment of Smoker and Nonsmoker Patients: A Single‐Blind Parallel Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Özdemir Hakan , Gündoğar Hasan , Akpınar Aysun
Published: February 2021

The effect of smoking on nonsurgical periodontal treatment (SRP) is known, but the adjunct use of photobiomodulation (PBMT) to SRP has not been fully investigated in smokers. This study aimed to assess the effect of 820 nm diode laser on SRP in smoker/nonsmoker. Sixty patients (smokers/n = 30, nonsmokers/n = 30) were enrolled in this parallel‐arm clinical study. All patients were divided into two main groups: SRP and PBMT + SRP. In PMBT + SRP groups, 7.96 J cm−2 energy was applied by 820nm diode laser at baseline and first, second and third weeks after SRP. Periodontal pocket depth (PPD), gingival index (GI), plaque index (PI) and clinical attachment level (CAL) were recorded, and also gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) samples were collected at baseline and 6w after SRP. Total antioxidant capacity (TAOC) and total oxidative status (TOS) in GCF were analyzed. PBMT + SRP groups showed a statistically significant decrease in PPD and CAL, not in GI and PI compared with SRP alone. There were no statistically significant differences between smokers and nonsmokers in clinical data at six weeks after treatment. Although TAOC levels were increased in PMBT groups, TOS levels were decreased in all groups at the comparison of baseline and 6w after SRP. Adjunct use of 820 nm diode laser on SRP may improve the clinical parameters in smoker or nonsmoker patient with periodontitis.
The 1971 Bangladesh War and Policy Lessons for Climate Refugee Management in South Asia
Authors: Ravi Chaitanya
Published: February 2021

This article responds to recent research highlighting the need for greater focus on the dynamics of climate mobility and destination state policies. Bangladesh's low‐lying landmass, dense population and long coastline has raised the risk of climate change‐induced destabilization due to sea‐level rise. There is increased risk of long‐term, cross‐border movement of climate refugees into India which previously experienced a short‐term, intense exodus of ten million East Pakistani refugees from the 1971 Bangladesh War. This study understands India's state, NGO, and societal responses to the 1971 crisis using the concept of framing and developing a “perception‐capability‐policy output” approach to garner policy lessons for potential future climate change‐induced migration. Limitations of the “conflict versus climate migration” comparison are acknowledged, even as its utility is highlighted. The article ends by noting the crucial role of NGOs and social capital in filling capability voids of the state, constrained by a polarizing political environment.

Related Articles

Asal, Victor, and Mitchell Brown. 2010. “A Cross‐National Exploration of the Conditions that Produce Interpersonal Violence.” Politics & Policy 38 (2): 175‐192. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1747‐1346.2010.00234.x

Harel‐Shalev, Ayelet. 2009. “Lingual and Educational Policy toward ‘Homeland Minorities’ in Deeply Divided Societies: India and Israel as Case Studies.” Politics & Policy 37 (5): 951‐970. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1747‐1346.2009.00206.x/abstract

Harel‐Shalev, Ayelet. 2013. “Policy Analysis beyond Personal Law: Muslim Women's Rights in India.” Politics & Policy 41 (3): 384‐419. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12016
Toxigenic strains of Azadinium poporum (Amphidomataceae, Dinophyceae) from Japan and Vietnam, with first reports of A. poporum (ribotype A) and A. trinitatum in Asian Pacific
Authors: Takahashi Kazuya , Lum Wai Mun , Benico Garry , Uchida Hajime , Ozawa Mayu , Oikawa Hiroshi , Suzuki Toshiyuki , Nguyen Nguyen Van , Ha Dao Viet , Iwataki Mitsunori
Published: February 2021

Morphology and phylogeny of small armored dinoflagellate Azadinium species isolated from Japanese and Vietnamese coasts were examined by light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and molecular phylogeny inferred from ITS and LSU rDNA (D1–D3) sequences. Dominant azaspiracids (AZAs) were analyzed by using liquid chromatography/triple quadrupole mass spectrometer (LC/MS/MS). Sixteen and four culture strains were established from Japan and Vietnam, respectively. A phylogenetic tree confirmed our species identifications of Japanese cultures as Azadinium poporum (ribotypes A, B and C), A. trinitatum and A. zhuanum, and Vietnamese cultures as A. poporum (ribotype B). Typical cells of A. poporum had the thecal tabulation of Po, cp, X, 4′, 3a, 6″, 6C, 5S, 6″′, 2″″, A. trinitatum had Po, cp, X, 4–5′, 3a, 6–7″, 6C, 5S, 5–6″′, 2″″ and A. zhuanum had Po, cp, X, 3–4′, 2a, 6″, 6C, 5S, 6″′, 2″″. Cellular morphology of the three species were congruent with those in the original reports, in terms of the presence/absence of antapical spine and the position of the ventral pore, nucleus and pyrenoids, although small differences were also found in the nucleus position of A. trinitatum and A. zhuanum. AZA‐2 was the dominant component in Japanese A. poporum (ribotypes A, B and C), and AZA‐40 in Vietnamese A. poporum (ribotype B). AZA‐2 and AZA‐40 were not detected in Vietnamese and Japanese A. poporum, respectively. AZA analogs were not detected from A. trinitatum and A. zhuanum. This is the first report of the toxigenic A. poporum from Japan and Vietnam, with identifications of the major AZAs. The ribotype A of A. poporum and A. trinitatum were the first records in Asia.
Frontal Asymmetry in an approach–avoidance conflict paradigm
Authors: Lacey Micayla F. , Gable Philip A.
Published: February 2021

The frontal cortex appears to be asymmetrically related to approach motivation, avoidance motivation, and motivational conflict. Much past work has investigated approach and avoidance motivation, but little work has investigated frontal asymmetry in the face of motivational conflict in part because of the inherent conflict between avoidance motivation and motivational conflict. The current study sought to disentangle the existing confound between avoidance motivation and motivational conflict. In the study, participants selected the likelihood of viewing negative (vs. positive) images for zero reward points (avoidance only condition), or negative (vs. positive) images for the chance to win reward points (approach–avoidance conflict conditions). Participants exhibited greater relative right frontal asymmetry while making percent likelihood selections in the approach–avoidance conflict conditions relative to the avoidance only conditions. Additionally, participants exhibited greater relative right frontal asymmetry while viewing disgust images during trials with the greatest approach–avoidance conflict relative to trials with the lowest approach–avoidance conflict. Together, these results suggest that motivational conflict, and not avoidance motivation, is associated with greater relative right frontal activity.
Maneuvering the bumps in the New Silk Road: Open innovation, technological complexity, dominant design, and the international impact of Chinese innovation
Authors: Brem Alexander , Nylund Petra A.
Published: February 2021

Chinese innovation is again flowing westwards, which is fomented by China’s Belt and Road Initiative. In this context, we study the international impact of innovations from specific countries. Based on panel data of patents from 27 countries over 17 years, we find that levels of open innovation, technological complexity, and dominant design influence the international impact of innovations from a country. Contrary to earlier research, however, this influence is negative when open innovation activities are involved. This is particularly relevant in the context of Chinese innovation, in which the same innovation networks that promote efficient production may hinder the development of innovations. Due to the innate uncertainty and newness of innovation, partners beyond the common local and long‐term networks must be included. Hence, to effectively create a New Silk Road of Innovation, innovation ecosystems may need to expand across national borders. This opens up fruitful avenues for future research, and individuals with multiple cultural identities can bridge the gaps between contexts.
Estimation and Clustering in Popularity Adjusted Block Model
Authors: Noroozi Majid , Rimal Ramchandra , Pensky Marianna
Published: February 2021

The paper considers the Popularity Adjusted Block model (PABM) introduced by Sengupta and Chen (Journal of the Royal Statistical Society Series B, 2018, 80, 365–386). We argue that the main appeal of the PABM is the flexibility of the spectral properties of the graph which makes the PABM an attractive choice for modelling networks that appear in biological sciences. We expand the theory of PABM to the case of an arbitrary number of communities which possibly grows with a number of nodes in the network and is not assumed to be known. We produce estimators of the probability matrix and of the community structure and, in addition, provide non-asymptotic upper bounds for the estimation and the clustering errors. We use the Sparse Subspace Clustering (SSC) approach for partitioning the network into communities, the approach that, to the best of our knowledge, has not been used for the clustering network data. The theory is supplemented by a simulation study. In addition, we show advantages of the PABM for modelling a butterfly similarity network and a human brain functional network.
Measuring the effectiveness of US monetary policy during the COVID‐19 recession
Authors: Feldkircher Martin , Huber Florian , Pfarrhofer Michael
Published: February 2021

The COVID‐19 recession that started in March 2020 led to an unprecedented decline in economic activity across the globe. To fight this recession, policy makers in central banks engaged in expansionary monetary policy. This paper asks whether the measures adopted by the US Federal Reserve (Fed) have been effective in boosting real activity and calming financial markets. To measure these effects at high frequencies, we propose a novel mixed frequency vector autoregressive (MF‐VAR) model. This model allows us to combine weekly and monthly information within a unified framework. Our model combines a set of macroeconomic aggregates such as industrial production, unemployment rates, and inflation with high‐frequency information from financial markets such as stock prices, interest rate spreads, and weekly information on the Fed's balance sheet size. The latter set of high‐frequency time series is used to dynamically interpolate the monthly time series to obtain weekly macroeconomic measures. We use this setup to simulate counterfactuals in absence of monetary stimulus. The results show that the monetary expansion caused higher output growth and stock market returns, more favorable long‐term financing conditions and a depreciation of the US dollar compared with a no‐policy benchmark scenario.
Labeling Defective T*
Authors: Sugimoto Yushi
Published: February 2021

This paper proposes a new analysis of so‐called ‘defective T’ (a postulate originally discussed in Chomsky 2000, 2001) and seeks a label‐based theoretical explanation of phenomena associated with the distribution of subjects in infinitival clauses. I argue that we do not need to postulate ‘defective T’ as an element of the lexicon. Following Chomsky’s (2013, 2015) labeling approach, which investigates only finite clauses, I argue here that the subject of infinitive‐tois pair‐merged structure  and the associated predicate forms an {XP, YP} structure, which is unlabelable. To attain labeling, the subject position ([spec, TP]) in the infinitival clause moves out and the label of the resulting structure is the amalgam , which has no visible Spec (violating EPP). As a consequence, we eliminate the Merge‐over‐Move principle.