bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Human glycocalyx shedding: Systematic review and critical appraisal
Authors: Hahn Robert G. , Patel Vasu , Dull Randal O.
Published: February 2021

Abstracts

Background

The number of studies measuring breakdown products of the glycocalyx in plasma has increased rapidly during the past decade. The purpose of the present systematic review was to assess the current knowledge concerning the association between plasma concentrations of glycocalyx components and structural assessment of the endothelium.

Methods

We performed a literature review of Pubmed to determine which glycocalyx components change in a wide variety of human diseases and conditions. We also searched for evidence of a relationship between plasma concentrations and the thickness of the endothelial glycocalyx layer as obtained by imaging methods.

Results

Out of 3,454 publications, we identified 228 that met our inclusion criteria. The vast majority demonstrate an increase in plasma glycocalyx products. Sepsis and trauma are most frequently studied, and comprise approximately 40 publications. They usually report 3‐4‐foldt increased levels of glycocalyx degradation products, most commonly of syndecan‐1. Surgery shows a variable picture. Cardiac surgery and transplantations are most likely to involve elevations of glycocalyx degradation products. Structural assessment using imaging methods show thinning of the endothelial glycocalyx layer in cardiovascular conditions and during major surgery, but thinning does not always correlate with the plasma concentrations of glycocalyx products. The few structural assessments performed do not currently support that capillary permeability is increased when the plasma levels of glycocalyx fragments in plasma are increased.

Conclusions

Shedding of glycocalyx components is a ubiquitous process that occurs during both acute and chronic inflammation with no sensitivity or specificity for a specific disease or condition.
N‐formyl‐l‐aspartate: A novel sperm chemoattractant identified in ovulatory phase oviductal fluid using a microfluidic chip
Authors: Bhagwat Shweta , Sontakke Shraddha , Desai Sneha , Panchal Durva , Jadhav Sameer , Parte Priyanka
Published: February 2021

Background

Chemotaxis, as a mechanism for sperm guidance although known, has been difficult to demonstrate in vitro. Consequently, very few chemoattractants have been identified till date.

Objectives

To investigate sperm motility behavior in response to ovulatory (OV) and preovulatory (preOV) oviductal fluid (OF) and identify potential chemotactic metabolites.

Materials and Methods

Intracellular calcium ([Ca2+]I) influx in capacitating sperm was determined by spectrofluorimetry. The chemotactic response of rat caudal sperm to OF from the preOV‐ and OV‐ phases of normally cycling female rats was assessed in a microfluidic device developed by us. Hydrophilic metabolites extracted from the OF of both the phases were resolved and identified by LC‐MS/MS, followed by data analysis using XCMS and MetaboAnalyst software, and chemotactic potential of the most promising compound was validated using the microfluidic device.

Results

Spectrofluorimetric analysis depicts a significant increase in sperm [Ca2+]I in response to OV‐OF. With the microfluidic chemotaxis assay, sperm population shows a significantly increased directionality and velocity to an ascending gradient of 0.06 µg/µl OV‐OF compared to preOV‐OF. LC‐MS/MS of the OFs demonstrates five and four metabolites to be exclusive to the OV‐OF and preOV‐OF, respectively, and 25 metabolites common to both, of which 14 metabolites, including N‐formyl‐l‐aspartate (NFA), are increased in OV‐OF; NFA was tested for its ability to influence sperm movement, and shows chemotaxis potential.

Discussion and Conclusion(s)

This is the first study that has systematically demonstrated sperm chemotaxis with OV phase rat OF, identified NFA present in this fluid as a novel chemoattractant to sperm, and proven the utility of the device to test putative chemoattractants. It remains to be seen whether NFA is present in the follicular fluid (FF) of infertile women, and whether it may likely be a reason for the failure of natural conception in idiopathic infertile women.
Regression trees for poverty mapping
Authors: Bilton Penelope , Jones Geoff , Ganesh Siva , Haslett Stephen
Published: February 2021

Poverty mapping is used to facilitate efficient allocation of aid resources, with the objective of ending poverty, the first of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Levels of poverty across small geographic domains within a country are estimated using a statistical model, and the resulting estimates displayed on a poverty map. Current methodology for small area estimation of poverty utilises various forms of regression modelling of household income or expenditure. Fitting sound models requires skill and time, especially where there are many candidate regressors and even more possible interactions. Tree‐based methods have the potential to screen more quickly for interactions and also to provide reliable small area estimates in their own right. A classification tree technique has been presented by Bilton et al. (Comput Stat Data Anal115: 53–66, 2017) for estimating poverty incidence, but although adjustments were made to incorporate complex survey designs and estimate mean square error, classification trees are unable to estimate the associated non‐categorical deprivation measures of poverty gap and poverty severity. The focus of this paper is regression trees, because they enable all three core poverty measures of incidence, gap and severity to be estimated. Using regression trees, two alternative methodologies, parametric and non‐parametric, are explored for producing household level predictions that are then amalgamated up to small‐area level. New methods are developed for mean square error estimation. The properties of the small area estimates based on these regression tree techniques are then evaluated and compared with linear mixed models both by simulation and by using real poverty data from Nepal.
Aestivationmotifs explain hypertension and muscle mass loss in mice with psoriatic skin barrier defect
Authors: Wild Johannes , Jung Rebecca , Knopp Tanja , Efentakis Panagiotis , Benaki Dimitra , Grill Alexandra , Wegner Joanna , Molitor Michael , Garlapati Venkata , Rakova Natalia , Markó Lajos , Marton Adriana , Mikros Emmanuel , Münzel Thomas , Kossmann Sabine , Rauh Manfred , Nakano Daisuke , Kitada Kento , Luft Friedrich , Waisman Ari , Wenzel Philip , Titze Jens , Karbach Susanne
Published: February 2021

Aim

Recent evidence suggests that arterial hypertension could be alternatively explained as a physiological adaptation response to water shortage, termed aestivation, which relies on complex multi‐organ metabolic adjustments to prevent dehydration. Here, we tested the hypothesis that chronic water loss across diseased skin leads to similar adaptive water conservation responses as observed in experimental renal failure or high salt diet.

Methods

We studied mice with keratinocyte‐specific overexpression of IL‐17A which develop severe psoriasis‐like skin disease. We measured transepidermal water loss and solute and water excretion in the urine. We quantified glomerular filtration rate (GFR) by intravital microscopy, and energy and nitrogen pathways by metabolomics. We measured skin blood flow and transepidermal water loss (TEWL) in conjunction with renal resistive indices and arterial blood pressure.

Results

Psoriatic animals lost large amounts of water across their defective cutaneous epithelial barrier. Metabolic adaptive water conservation included mobilization of nitrogen and energy from muscle to increase organic osmolyte production, solute‐driven maximal anti‐diuresis at normal GFR, increased metanephrine and angiotensin 2 levels, and cutaneous vasoconstriction to limit TEWL. Heat exposure led to cutaneous vasodilation and blood pressure normalization without parallel changes in renal resistive index, albeit at the expense of further increased TEWL.

Conclusion

Severe cutaneous water loss predisposes psoriatic mice to lethal dehydration. In response to this dehydration stress, the mice activate aestivation‐like water conservation motifs to maintain their body hydration status. The circulatory water conservation response explains their arterial hypertension. The nitrogen‐dependency of the metabolic water conservation response explains their catabolic muscle wasting.
Temporal distancing during the COVID‐19 pandemic: Letter writing with future self can mitigate negative affect
Authors: Chishima Yuta , Huai‐Ching Liu I‐Ting , E. Wilson Anne
Published: February 2021

Novel coronavirus disease (COVID‐19) is spreading across the world, threatening not only physical health but also psychological well‐being. We reasoned that a broadened temporal perspective may attenuate current mental distress and tested a letter‐writing manipulation designed to connect people to their post‐COVID‐19 future selves. We conducted an online experiment with 738 Japanese participants recruited from two common survey platforms. They were randomly assigned to either send a letter to their future self (letter‐to‐future) condition, send a letter to present self from the perspective of future self (letter‐from‐future) condition, or a control condition. Participants in both letter‐writing conditions showed immediate decrease in negative affect and increase in positive affect relative to the control condition. These effects were mediated by temporal distancing from the current situation. These findings suggest that taking a broader temporal perspective can be achieved by letter writing with a future self and may offer an effective means of regulating negative affect in a stressful present time such as the COVID‐19 pandemic.
Adalimumab‐induced platelet antibodies resulting in severe thrombocytopenia
Authors: Boiten Henk‐Jan , Amini Sufia , Wolfhagen Frank H. J. , Westerweel Peter E.
Published: February 2021

Anti‐tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNFα) agents are effective in diseases including Crohn's disease but may cause cytopenias. The mechanisms involved in anti‐TNFα agent‐induced thrombocytopenia are scarce. We report a 73‐year‐old male with Crohn's disease for which he currently used adalimumab, an anti‐TNFα agent. He had received mesalazine and infliximab before the treatment of adalimumab. No comorbidities were present. Routine laboratory tests revealed a deep thrombocytopenia (thrombocytes 24 × 109/L), after which adalimumab was discontinued. Bleeding symptoms included cutaneous haematomas and mild epistaxis. Direct monoclonal antibody‐specific immobilization of platelet antigens revealed autoantibodies specific to glycoprotein IIb/IIIa and glycoprotein V platelet receptors. There was no bone marrow suppression. Other causes of the thrombocytopenia were ruled out. The platelet count normalized after adalimumab discontinuation. No further interventions were required. Monitoring thrombocyte levels after initiating anti‐TNFα agents is recommended, which could lead to prevention of this potentially fatal phenomenon.
Determination and estimation of optimal quarantine duration for infectious diseases with application to data analysis of COVID‐19
Authors: Wang Ruoyu , Wang Qihua
Published: February 2021

Quarantine measure is a commonly used nonpharmaceutical intervention during the outbreak of infectious diseases. A key problem for implementing quarantine measure is to determine the duration of the quarantine. Different from the existing methods that determine a constant quarantine duration for everyone, we develop an individualized quarantine rule that suggests different quarantine durations for individuals with different characteristics. The proposed quarantine rule is optimal in the sense that it minimizes the average quarantine duration of uninfected people with the constraint that the probability of symptom presentation for infected people attains the given value closing to 1. The optimal solution for the quarantine duration is obtained and estimated by some statistical methods with application to analyzing COVID‐19 data.
IL‐17‐induced inflammation modulates the mPGES‐1/PPAR‐γ pathway in monocytes/macrophages
Authors: Raucci Federica , Saviano Anella , Casillo Gian Marco , Guerra‐Rodriguez Miguel , Mansour Adel Abo , Piccolo Marialuisa , Ferraro Maria Grazia , Panza Elisabetta , Vellecco Valentina , Irace Carlo , Caso Francesco , Scarpa Raffaele , Mascolo Nicola , Alfaifi Mohammed , Iqbal Asif Jilani , Maione Francesco
Published: February 2021

Background and Purpose

Recent biochemical and pharmacological studies have reported that in several tissues and cell types, microsomal PGE2 synthase (mPGES) and PPAR‐γ expression are modulated by a variety of inflammatory factors and stimuli. Considering that very little is known about the biological effects promoted by IL‐17 in the context of mPGES‐1/PPAR‐γ modulation, we sought to investigate the contribution of this unique cytokine on this integrated pathway during the onset of inflammation.

Experimental Approach

We evaluated effects of PF 9184 (mPGES‐1 inhibitor) and troglitazone (PPAR‐γ agonist) in vitro, using the mouse macrophage cell line J774A.1. In vivo, the dorsal air pouch model in CD1 mice was used, and inflammatory infiltrates were analysed by flow cytometry. Locally produced cyto‐chemokines and PGs were assessed using elisa assays. Western blots were also employed to determine the activity of various enzymes involved in downstream signalling pathways.

Key Results

PF 9184 and troglitazone, in a time‐ and dose‐dependent manner, modulated leukocyte infiltration, myeloperoxidase activity, and the expression of COX‐2/mPGES‐1, NF‐кB/IкB‐α, and mPTGDS‐1/PPAR‐γ, induced by IL‐17. Moreover, both PF 9184 and troglitazone modulated PG (PGE2, PGD2, and PGJ2) production, the expression of different pro‐inflammatory cyto‐chemokines, and the recruitment of inflammatory monocytes, in response to IL‐17.

Conclusions and Implications

Our data suggest that IL‐17 may constitute a specific modulator of inflammatory monocytes during later phases of the inflammatory response. The results of this study show, for the first time, that the IL‐17/mPGES‐1/PPAR‐γ pathway could represent a potential therapeutic target for inflammatory‐based and immune‐mediated diseases.

LINKED ARTICLES

This article is part of a themed issue on Inflammation, Repair and Ageing. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v179.9/issuetoc
Marked clinical heterogeneity in congenital hyperinsulinism due to a novel homozygous ABCC8 mutation
Authors: Takasawa Kei , Miyakawa Yuichi , Saito Yoko , Adachi Eriko , Shidei Tsunanori , Sutani Akito , Gau Maki , Nakagawa Ryuichi , Taki Atsuko , Kashimada Kenichi , Morio Tomohiro
Published: February 2021

Background

The most severe forms of congenital hyperinsulinism (CHI) are caused by inactivating mutations of two KATP channel genes, KCNJ11 and ABCC8. Unresponsiveness to diazoxide and need for subtotal pancreatectomy can usually be predicted by genetic form, particularly biallelic mutations in KATP channel genes. A few reports indicated marked clinical heterogeneity in siblings with identical biallelic mutations in ABCC8. The clinical heterogeneity in biallelic KATP CHI was speculated to be caused by epigenetic and environmental factors or related to differences in splicing factor machinery.

Objective

To elucidate the clinical pathophysiology, especially heterogeneity, among three cases with CHI caused by a homogenous novel mutation.

Patients and Methods

We report a case series that includes two siblings and one unrelated individual with CHI caused by a homogenous 1‐bp deletion around the splice acceptor site at the exon 35 mutation of ABCC8, which exhibited markedly distinct phenotypes. To assess the effect of the mutation on splicing, we performed digital droplet polymerase chain reaction (ddPCR) on normal pancreas tissue and a patient’s lymphocytes.

Results

ddPCR of ABCC8 cDNA revealed that expression of exon 35 and its upstream and downstream regions did not differ. These data suggested that clinical heterogeneity may not be caused by differences in splicing factor machinery.

Conclusion

The phenotypic variation in homozygotes could not be explained by splicing abnormalities. Though early genetic diagnosis of KATP CHI could contribute to selecting appropriate therapeutic options, more deliberate selection of therapeutic options in diffuse CHI due to biallelic ABCC8 mutations may be required.
A phase I, nonrandomized controlled trial demonstrating the novel technique of cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy utilizing warm humidified carbon dioxide insufflation
Authors: Garrett Celine , Steffens Daniel , Ansari Nabila , Koh Cherry
Published: February 2021

Aim

The aim of this work was to report on the safety and feasibility of warm humidified CO2 (WHCO2) insufflation during cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC).

Method

Ten consecutive patients with histologically confirmed peritoneal cancer were enrolled in this phase I pilot nonrandomized controlled trial. They were alternately assigned to CRS and HIPEC with WHCO2 versus standard procedure. WHCO2 was delivered at 10 L/min, a pressure of 4.5 bar, 37ºC and 98% relative humidity during CRS using the HumiGardTM system. HIPEC was performed with an open abdomen using the Coliseum technique at 42ºC for 60 min. All patients were admitted to the intensive care unit and commenced on total parenteral nutrition postoperatively. Surface and core temperatures were measured every 30 min using an infrared camera and nasopharyngeal probe, respectively. Clinicopathological, intra‐ and postoperative details were collated between groups, and median surface and core temperatures were statistically compared.

Results

Surface and core temperatures were generally higher in the WHCO2 group. Core temperature at 120 and 180 min was significantly higher in the WHCO2 versus the non‐WHCO2 group (p = 0.028 and 0.008, respectively). There was a significant linear relationship between core and surface temperature at 30, 60, 90, 120, 150 and 180 min (p = 0.033, 0.004, 0.007, 0.021, 0.009 and 0.006, respectively). The peritoneal cancer index was lower but the estimated blood loss was higher in the non‐WHCO2 than the WHCO2 group.

Conclusion

WHCO2 in CRS and HIPEC appears to be safe and feasible. An appropriately powered phase II trial will be required to determine if WHCO2 is associated with improved intra‐ and postoperative outcomes.
INDIA'S REVEALED COMPARATIVE ADVANTAGES IN MERCHANDISE TRADE WITH COUNTRY GROUPS AT DIFFERENT LEVELS OF DEVELOPMENT
Authors: Goswami Binoy , Nath Hiranya K.
Published: February 2021

The comparative advantage (CA) measures for India's merchandise trade with high, middle income, and least developed countries, based on annual trade data for 16 product groups from 2003 to 2018, indicate that India has always had CA over all three groups in animal, food products, and textiles and clothing, and comparative disadvantage (CDA) in wood. Further, its CA over least developed countries and its CDA over middle income countries are more persistent than over other groups. The probabilities of switching from CDA to CA are higher than those for shifting from CA to CDA for all three groups.(JELF14, O24, O57)
Histopathology of chronic spontaneous urticaria with occasional bruising lesions is not significantly different from urticaria with typical wheals
Authors: Batista Mariana , Calado Rebeca , Gil Francisco , Cardoso José C. , Tellechea Oscar , Gonçalo Margarida
Published: February 2021

Background

Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) may occasionally exhibit long‐lasting lesions with bruising, usually considered a hallmark of urticarial vasculitis (UV). Histopathology of these chronic urticarial lesions has not been extensively studied.

Methods

Skin biopsies from patients with anti‐H1 resistant CSU were evaluated for several parameters (edema, location, intensity, and cell composition of the inflammatory infiltrate, and abnormalities in the blood vessels).

Results

We studied 45 patients (37 female/8 male, mean age 49.3 years) with CSU, 60% of whom with occasional bruising lesions and 3 patients with hypocomplementemic UV. Histopathology in CSU showed mainly perivascular and interstitial inflammatory infiltrate (91.1%), including eosinophils (80%), neutrophils (77.8%), and lymphocytes (71.1%), vasodilatation (88.9%), intravascular neutrophils (95.6%), dermal edema (51.1%), swelling of endothelial cells (51.1%), and minor and rare fibrinoid necrosis and karyorrhexis (6.7%). Significant karyorrhexis and frank fibrinoid necrosis were observed, respectively, in two and three cases of UV. In patients with occasional bruising, mast cells occurred in fewer cases whereas eosinophils were more frequent, but no statistically significant difference was found for other parameters.

Conclusions

Histopathological findings were not significantly different between CSU with or without bruising lesions. Bruising may be associated with more severe forms of CSU with no histopathological signature, although UV cannot be completely excluded based on histopathology.
Follikulotropismus bei Lentigo maligna und Lentigo‐maligna‐Melanom im Kopf‐Hals‐Bereich
Authors: Dika Emi , Lambertini Martina , Patrizi Annalisa , Misciali Cosimo , Scarfì Federica , Pellacani Giovanni , Mandel Victor Desmond , Tullio Francesca Di , Stanganelli Ignazio , Chester Johanna , Kaleci Shaniko , Massi Daniela , De Giorgi Vincenzo , Cinotti Elisa , Rubegni Pietro , Perrot Jean Luc , Farnetani Francesca
Published: February 2021

Hintergrund

Lentigo maligna (LM) und das Lentigo maligna‐Melanom (LMM) sind Histotypen des Melanoms, die in Hautarealen mit kumulativer Schädigung durch Sonneneinstrahlung entstehen. Atypische Melanozyten in den Haarfollikeln (Follikulotropismus) sind ein typisches Merkmal von LM/LMM. Die Bedeutung dieses Phänomens ist noch nicht vollständig aufgeklärt. Bei LM könnte es jedoch mit dem Ansprechen auf die Behandlung und beim LMM mit der Progression korrelieren.

Ziel

Diese retrospektive Multicenterstudie hat das Ziel, dermatoskopische Merkmale im Zusammenhang mit Follikulotropismus bei LM/LMM zu identifizieren.

Patienten und Methoden

Wir haben insgesamt 25 Fälle von LM und 73 Fälle von LMM analysiert, die in den Jahren 2005–2014 an den Melanomzentren der Universitäten Bologna, Modena, Florenz und Siena in Italien sowie der Universität Nizza in Frankreich diagnostiziert wurden.

Ergebnisse

Graue Kreisformationen (44 %) deuteten auf einen Befall auf der Ebene des Isthmus/Bulbus hin; bei LM‐Läsionen am Infundibulum fehlten sie völlig (p= 0,041). In der Gruppe der LMM deuteten hell/dunkelbraune Pseudonetzwerke und hellbraune strukturlose Bereiche auf eine diffuse Verteilung maligner Melanozyten in den follikulären Einheiten hin (p< 0,001 bzw. p= 0,001), während graue Kreisformationen auf eine fokale oder diffuse Verteilung schließen ließen (p< 0,001).

Schlussfolgerungen

Ein besseres Verständnis der Ausbreitung maligner Melanozyten kann Ärzten bei der Entscheidung helfen, ob die Läsion radikal exzidiert oder in dem am stärksten invasiven Anteil (mit potenziellem Follikulotropismus) biopsiert werden soll.
Atopic skin diathesis rather than atopic dermatitis is associated with specific contact allergies
Authors: Forkel Susann , Cevik Naciye , Schill Tillmann , Worm Margitta , Mahler Vera , Weisshaar Elke , Vieluf Dieter , Pfützner Wolfgang , Löffler Harald , Schön Michael P. , Geier Johannes , Buhl Timo
Published: February 2021

Background

The association of atopic dermatitis (AD) and allergic contact dermatitis has been a matter of considerable uncertainty. Study results range from lack of any association to increased sensitization for multiple allergens, but fail to identify consistent allergen associations.

Objective

We studied a large patch test cohort of patients stratified by their atopic skin diathesis using the Erlangen Atopy Score (EAS), independent of active skin disease.

Methods

Retrospective multi‐center data analysis from five departments of dermatology in Germany with 4,509 patients. Patients were grouped as “no atopic skin diathesis” (n = 2,165) and “atopic skin diathesis” (n = 1,743), according to EAS.

Results

Significantly more individuals with atopic skin diathesis showed at least one positive patch test reaction to the baseline series compared to individuals without atopic skin diathesis (49.1 % vs. 38.3 %). In logistic regression analyses, atopic skin diathesis was associated with a significantly higher risk of sensitization to methylchloroisothiazolinone/methylisothiazolinone (OR 2.383) and methylisothiazolinone (OR 1.891), thiuram mix (OR 1.614), as well as nickel (OR 1.530), cobalt (OR 1.683), and chromium (OR 2.089).

Conclusions

Atopic skin diathesis proved to be the most important intrinsic risk factor for contact sensitization to few, specific allergens. Past or present AD was a less relevant variable.
Genetic variation analyses indicate conserved SARS‐CoV‐2–host interaction and varied genetic adaptation in immune response factors in modern human evolution
Authors: Lee Ji‐Won , Lee In‐Hee , Sato Takanori , Kong Sek Won , Iimura Tadahiro
Published: February 2021

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2), is a pandemic as of early 2020. Upon infection, SARS‐CoV‐2 attaches to its receptor, that is, angiotensin‐converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), on the surface of host cells and is then internalized into host cells via enzymatic machineries. This subsequently stimulates immune response factors. Since the host immune response and severity of COVID‐19 vary among individuals, genetic risk factors for severe COVID‐19 cases have been investigated. Our research group recently conducted a survey of genetic variants among SARS‐CoV‐2‐interacting molecules across populations, noting near absence of difference in allele frequency spectrum between populations in these genes. Recent genome‐wide association studies have identified genetic risk factors for severe COVID‐19 cases in a segment of chromosome 3 that involves six genes encoding three immune‐regulatory chemokine receptors and another three molecules. The risk haplotype seemed to be inherited from Neanderthals, suggesting genetic adaptation against pathogens in modern human evolution. Therefore, SARS‐CoV‐2 uses highly conserved molecules as its virion interaction, whereas its immune response appears to be genetically biased in individuals to some extent. We herein review the molecular process of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection as well as our further survey of genetic variants of its related immune effectors. We also discuss aspects of modern human evolution.
Being, belonging, and borders: Scandinavian creation theology as political theology
Authors: Gerle Elisabeth
Published: February 2021

Desire for life and protecting lives has come to the fore during the pandemic. Borders have been closed to stop the spread of Covid‐19. The virus does not respect borders, yet physical distance is crucial. Three things have become clear. One is the level of uncertainty about which measures are most efficient. The other is that the neo‐liberal philosophy with “just in time” deliveries on a global market has made everyone vulnerable and invited national protectionism rather than collaboration. A third insight is that the lack of borders between wild and tame animals and human beings is connected to the emergence of the virus itself, where rain forests are exploited for short sighted profit. In the midst of this, a cry for Being, for Life, and Human Flourishing, can be heard as an underlying drumbeat. In relation to this I ponder Being in relation to Belonging and to Borders. I first describe a political landscape where neo‐nationalist, and neo‐atheist, claims for belonging, have emerged all over the world, and hence emphasized strong borders between different people, but not for capital. Secondly, I draw on resources from Scandinavian Creation Theology, especially Grundtvig, Aulén, and Wingren to paint a planetary vision with porous borders, beyond patriarchy, populism, and protectionism. In the long run there is no opting out of the planetary vulnerability. I launch the term eschatological creation theology for a creation theology that allows creation to be inspired by the Kin‐dom to come with righteousness and life in abundance.
The social meaning of money: multidimensional implications of humanitarian cash and voucher assistance
Authors: Vogel Birte , Tschunkert Kristina , Schläpfer Isabelle
Published: February 2021

Cash and voucher assistance (CVA) has become a widespread humanitarian tool to support people affected by conflicts, displacement, and disasters. It promises improved ways to meet the diverse needs of aid beneficiaries. Current policy and academic debates mainly centre on technocratic questions concerning economy, effectiveness, and equity, and, to a lesser extent, the effects on individual recipients and households. This paper challenges the assumption of CVA as a linear process and argues that the shift to CVA is more than changing the aid delivery platform. It contends that scholarship and practice have so far overlooked the social meaning of money, and therefore its broader implications for humanitarian aid and local markets. The paper presents evidence that CVA impacts on social relations and risks creating new, or exacerbating existing, conflicts in already fragile contexts. It highlights less explored areas of CVA and outlines a multidimensional research agenda that emphasises its potential social and socioeconomic consequences.
Unusual presentations of cardiac rupture during COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Allende Norberto Gustavo , Santos Ramiro , Sokn Fernando Jose , Merino Sabrina Andrea , Accastello Gerardo Maximiliano , Medina Juan Carlos , Isquierdo Ignacio Nicolas , Rapallo Carlos Alberto
Published: February 2021

The Covid‐19 pandemia has many other undesirable consequences apart of virus infection. Less people is hospitalized due to acute coronary syndrome and the delay to seek medical attention has increased. Patients with ST segment elevation myocardial infarction arrive at the hospital too late to be timely treated and we have recently seen mechanical complications that were more frequent in the past decades before the use of reperfusion strategies. In this report we describe the presentation, evolution and detailed imaging evaluation of two patients with unusual presentations of cardiac rupture: left ventricular pseudoaneurysm and left ventricular intramyocardial dissecting hematoma.
Inhibition of soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) protects hippocampal neurons and reduces cognitive decline in type 2 diabetic mice
Authors: Wu Jing , Fan Zhen , Zhao Yuxing , Chen Qiunan , Xiao Qian
Published: February 2021

Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder that can lead to cognitive dysfunction. The hippocampus plays an important role in the cognitive function. Research has identified correlations between hippocampal impairment and diabetes, yet their intermediate remains unclear. Soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) is an enzyme that degrades epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs), which have multiple protective effects by suppressing inflammation, apoptosis and oxidative stress. In this study, under diabetic conditions both hippocampal injury and cognitive decline are accompanied by upregulation of sEH. Moreover, the sEH inhibitor trans‐4‐[4‐(3‐adamantan‐1‐y1‐ureido)‐cyclohexyloxy]‐benzoic acid (t‐AUCB) prevents cognitive dysfunction and decreased ROS accumulation and apoptosis in the diabetic hippocampus. t‐AUCB treatment restored neuronal synaptic plasticity by restoring the expression of the postsynaptic proteins Postsynaptic density protein‐95 (PSD95) and N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate receptor subunit 2B (NR2B), the levels of which were positively correlated with Proline‐rich tyrosine kinase 2 (Pyk2) levels under diabetic conditions. Thus, we suggest that hippocampal protection via sEH inhibition might be a potential therapeutic approach to attenuate the progression of cognitive decline in diabetes.
Reintroducing extirpated herbivores could partially reverse the late Quaternary decline of large and grazing species
Authors: Schowanek Simon D. , Davis Matt , Lundgren Erick J. , Middleton Owen , Rowan John , Pedersen Rasmus Ø. , Ramp Daniel , Sandom Christopher J. , Svenning Jens‐Christian
Published: February 2021

Aim

Reinstating large, native herbivores is an essential component of ecological restoration efforts, as these taxa can be important drivers of ecological processes. However, many herbivore species have gone globally or regionally extinct during the last 50,000 years, leaving simplified herbivore assemblages and trophically downgraded ecosystems. Here, we discuss to what extent trophic rewilding can undo these changes by reinstating native herbivores.

Location

Global.

Time period

We report functional trait changes from the Late Pleistocene to the present, and estimated trait changes under future scenarios.

Major taxa studied

Wild, large (≥ 10 kg), terrestrial, mammalian herbivores.

Methods

We use a functional trait dataset containing all late Quaternary large herbivores ≥ 10 kg to look at changes in the body mass and diet composition of herbivore assemblages, a proxy for species’ ecological effects. First, we assess how these traits have changed from the Late Pleistocene to the present. Next, we quantify how the current body mass and diet composition would change if all extant, wild herbivores were restored to their native ranges (and if no functional replacements were used), exploring scenarios with different baselines.

Results

Defaunation has primarily removed large and grazing herbivores. Reinstating extant herbivores across their native ranges would reverse these changes, especially when reinstating them to their prehistoric distributions. It would partially restore herbivore body mass and diet composition to pre‐anthropogenic conditions. However, in the absence of complementary interventions (e.g., introducing functional replacements), many herbivore assemblages would remain down‐sized and browser dominated, relative to pre‐anthropogenic conditions.

Main conclusions

Many terrestrial herbivore assemblages—and hence ecosystems—would remain trophically downgraded, even after bringing back all extant, native herbivores. Therefore, complementary interventions would be required to achieve complete functional restoration. Nevertheless, our findings suggest that reintroducing the remaining native herbivores would diversify the herbivory and disturbances of herbivore assemblages.
Livelihood under stress: The case of urban poor during and post‐flood in Dhaka, Bangladesh
Authors: Akther Hasina , Ahmad Mokbul Morshed
Published: February 2021

Urban floods resulting from climate change and unplanned urban growth are creating tremendous stress on the urban poor who are already living in vulnerable conditions. This paper sets out to analyse the livelihood status of the urban poor in a regular situation and a situation under stress due to urban flood in Dhaka city. Two urban poor settlements were surveyed; 400 households were interviewed. It was found that the urban poor households had different types of livelihood capitals at different levels which expressed the livelihood status of the households. In a normal situation, slum dwellers were living with a moderate level of livelihood status, which dropped down to a poor level during a stressed period. The store of capitals of households influenced the capacity of a household to cope with stressed situations because adaptive capacity and sensitivity were controlled by the stock of capitals. Capitals were influencing each other internally, which produced differences in livelihood status among households in both normal and stressed situations. The geographical setting, intensive flooding, poor socio‐economic conditions, and lack of collective actions profoundly increased the vulnerability of slum dwellers. These findings suggest that more emphasis should be given to improve capital assets, particularly human capital and social capital, for increasing the capabilities of the urban poor to reduce poverty and to cope with periods of crisis.
Home as riskscape: Exploring technology enabled care
Authors: Reid Louise
Published: February 2021

The growth and spread of ubiquitous smart technology to deliver public health outcomes at home, and its relationship with risk, urgently requires greater scholarly attention, not least given COVID‐19. Theoretically informed by both critical geographies of home and risk scholarship, this paper uses data from interviews with professionals in Scotland designing and implementing technology enabled care (TEC) for current and future homes. It explores the organisation of risk in the context of TEC, and the importance of this in relation to home. Drawing on geographical writing on home, and the riskscape, I argue that the smart home is a contemporary manifestation of the riskscape with implications for ideas of intrusion and inequality, and the experience of home.
Review: Extragastric diseases andHelicobacter pylori
Authors: Pellicano Rinaldo , Ianiro Gianluca , Fagoonee Sharmila , Settanni Carlo R. , Gasbarrini Antonio
Published: February 2021

The involvement ofHelicobacter pyloriinfection in many extra‐gastroduodenal manifestations remains a fascinating field of investigation. However, for several of these supposed associations, the potential pathogenic mechanism remains unclear. The present review highlights the main associations ofH pyloriwith extra‐gastroduodenal manifestations reported during the last year. We searched for the most relevant studies on this topic, published between April 2019 and March 2020, identified using the term “Helicobacter” in the MEDLINE/Pubmed database. Consistent data emerged from studies investigating metabolic syndrome and ischaemic cardiovascular diseases. Other reported fields of investigation were hepatology, especially focused on non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis, neurology, including Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease, as well as dermatology. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), that comprises Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, may originate from a dysregulation of the host’s immune response to commensal bacteria in individuals with genetic predisposition. The reduction of biodiversity and other specific imbalances in the faecal microbiome composition of IBD patients compared to that of healthy controls support this hypothesis. In this context, an inverse correlation betweenH pyloriinfection and IBD prevalence has been confirmed. Similar results were found in patients with kidney diseases and allergic manifestations. There are indications of the possible involvement ofH pyloriinfection in metabolic syndrome and ischaemic cardiovascular diseases. However, due to a series of factors linked to study designs and the multifactorial pathogenesis of some diseases, further studies are needed.
Review: Other Helicobacter species
Authors: Smet Annemieke , Menard Armelle
Published: February 2021

This review covers the most important, accessible, and relevant literature published between April 2019 and April 2020 in the field of non‐Helicobacter pylori Helicobacter species (NHPH). The initial part of the review covers new insights regarding the presence of gastric and enterohepatic NHPH in humans and animals, while the subsequent section focuses on the progress in our understanding of animal models, the pathogenicity and omics of these species. Over the last year, the clinical relevance of gastric NHPH infections in humans was highlighted. With regard to NHPH in animals, the ancestral source of Helicobacter suis was further established showing that Cynomolgus macaques are the common ancestor of the pig‐associated H. suis population, and 3 novel Helicobacter species isolated from the gastric mucosa of red foxes were described. "Helicobacter burdigaliensis" sp nov. and "Helicobacter labetoulli" sp nov. were proposed as novel enterohepatic Helicobacter species associated with human digestive diseases. An analysis of Helicobacter cinaedi recurrent infections in humans proposed long‐term antibiotic therapies. Several studies using rodent models further elucidated the mechanisms underlying the development of NHPH‐related disease, as well as intestinal immunity in inflammatory bowel disease models. Omics approaches supported Helicobacteraceae taxonomy and unraveled the transcriptomic signatures of H. suis and Helicobacter heilmannii upon adherence to the human gastric epithelium. With regard to virulence, data showed that the nuclear remodeling promoted by cytolethal distending toxin of Helicobacters involves the MAFB oncoprotein and is associated with nucleoplasmic reticulum formation in surviving cells.
‘It reshaped how I will do research’: A qualitative exploration of team members’ experiences with youth and family engagement in a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Sheikhan Natasha Y. , Hawke Lisa D. , Cleverley Kristin , Darnay Karleigh , Courey Lynn , Szatmari Peter , Cheung Amy , Henderson Joanna
Published: February 2021

Background

Engaging youth and family members as active partners in research and service design offers great promise in improving projects. In youth mental health, recent research has highlighted the value of youth and family engagement. However, research on the experience and impacts of engagement is sparse.

Objective

This study explores the project team's experience of youth and family engagement in the design and development of the YouthCan IMPACT randomized controlled trial and clinical service pathway design.

Design

Qualitative data collected using semi‐structured interviews and a focus group as part of the YouthCan IMPACT clinical trial were analysed to understand the impacts of engagement. Twenty‐eight team members were interviewed, including youth and family members. A qualitative content analysis was conducted, with a member checking process.

Results

Team members reported facilitators, barriers and impacts of youth and family engagement. Facilitators included a safe environment and strong procedures conducive to inclusion in co‐design. Barriers included logistical, structural and institutional constraints. Overall, team members found youth and family engagement to be valuable and to positively impact the research and service design process.

Discussion and Conclusions

Youth and family engagement played a critical role in research and clinical service pathway design. The team found that their involvement improved the quality of the research and service pathway through sustained and multifaceted engagement. Facilitators and barriers to engagement may serve to guide future engagement initiatives. Future research should evaluate the long‐term impact of early engagement and further focus on family engagement.

Patient/Public Contribution

Youth and family members were engaged in the data analysis and interpretation process.
Do parasocial interactions and vicarious experiences in the beauty YouTube channels promote consumer purchase intention?
Authors: Lee Minsun , Lee Hyun‐Hwa
Published: February 2021

Watching beauty YouTube channels when searching for product information and learning how to do makeup is becoming very popular among young women. This study focused on the parasocial interactions that arise between beauty YouTubers and viewers during video viewings. We examined the effects of parasocial interactions on consumer purchase intentions through vicarious experience and perceived risk. Data from 318 Korean women in their 20s validated the hypothesized research model. We used AMOS 25.0 to conduct structural equation modeling with maximum likelihood estimation. Our analysis showed that parasocial interactions promote viewers' vicarious experiences of content diagnosticity and vicarious expression, which in turn reduce risk perceptions and increase viewers' purchase intentions. This study provides evidence supporting the applicability of parasocial interactions as a theoretical framework to explain consumer perceptions of virtual relationships and their impacts on consumers' vicarious experiences and purchase decision processes in the YouTube environment. The results also indicate that strengthening parasocial interactions between presenters and viewers can make beauty YouTube channels more effective marketing tools. However, the generalizability of the results is limited to beauty YouTube contexts involving large numbers of subscribers.
Efficacy of LGE‐MRI‐guided fibrosis ablation versus conventional catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation: The DECAAF II trial: Study design
Authors: Marrouche Nassir F. , Greene Tom , Dean J. Michael , Kholmovski Eugene G. , Boer Leonie Morrison‐de , Mansour Moussa , Calkins Hugh , Marchlinski Francis , Wilber David , Hindricks Gerhard , Mahnkopf Christian , Jais Pierre , Sanders Prashanthan , Brachmann Johannes , Bax Jereon , Dagher Lilas , Wazni Oussama , Akoum Nazem ,   The DECAAF II Investigators
Published: February 2021

Introduction

Success rates of catheter ablation in persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) remain suboptimal. A better and more targeted ablation strategy is urgently needed to optimize outcomes of AF treatment. We sought to assess the safety and efficacy of targeting atrial fibrosis during ablation of persistent AF patients in improving procedural outcomes.

Methods

The DECAAF II trial (ClinicalTrials. gov identifier number NCT02529319) is a prospective, randomized, multicenter trial of patients with persistent AF. Patients with persistent AF undergoing a first‐time ablation procedure were randomized in a 1:1 fashion to receive conventional pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) ablation (Group 1) or PVI + fibrosis‐guided ablation (Group 2). Left atrial fibrosis and ablation induced scarring were defined by late gadolinium enhancement magnetic resonance imaging at baseline and at 3–12 months postablation, respectively. The primary endpoint is the recurrence of atrial arrhythmia postablation, including atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, or atrial tachycardia after the 90‐day postablation blanking period. Patients were followed for a period of 12–18 months with a smartphone ECG Device (ECG Check Device, Cardiac Designs Inc.). With an anticipated enrollment of 900 patients, this study has an 80% power to detect a 26% reduction in the hazard ratio of the primary endpoint.

Results and Conclusion

The DECAAF II trial is the first prospective, randomized, multicenter trial of patients with persistent AF using imaging defined atrial fibrosis as a treatment target. The trial will help define an optimal approach to catheter ablation of persistent AF, further our understanding of influencers of ablation lesion formation, and refine selection criteria for ablation based on atrial myopathy burden.