bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Recommendations for the treatment of tear trough deformity with cross‐linked hyaluronic acid filler
Authors: Anido Javier , Fernández José Manuel , Genol Ignacio , Ribé Natalia , Pérez Sevilla Gema
Published: August 2020

Background

Recent years have seen a growing interest in the appearance of the eyes among the concerns expressed by patients in cosmetic clinics. This has led to an increase in the frequency of diagnosis of tear trough deformity, and, as a result, the number of treatments performed by specialized professionals has also risen. Hyaluronic acid filler injection is a rapid, nonsurgical technique that gives good long‐lasting, but not permanent, results. However, to achieve optimal results, the attending physician must have good anatomical knowledge of the area and involvement of the structures in the tear trough, carry out proper clinical assessment of the patient, and use an appropriate injection technique with the right product.

Aims

To support good practice among the professionals who carry out these procedures, this interdisciplinary consensus document describes the relevant issues and recommendations, in order to improve safety standards and to help successfully resolve this aesthetic problem.
Novel “After Minoxidil” spray improves topical minoxidil compliance and hair style manageability
Authors: Kovacevic Maja , McCoy John , Shapiro Jerry , Sinclair Rodney , Vaño‐Galvan Sergio , Goldust Mohamad , Situm Mirna , Goren Andy
Published: August 2020

Background

Topical minoxidil is the only US FDA‐approved drug for the treatment of female pattern hair loss (FPHL). While the safety profile of topical minoxidil is excellent, the efficacy of minoxidil in hair growth is extremely low. A recent survey of 8000 people observed that only 4% of hair loss patients using an over‐the‐counter minoxidil were very satisfied with their results. In contrast, in clinical studies with an intervening physician, approximately 30%‐40% of patients demonstrate an appreciable benefit. Compliance with topical drug regimens is often a major obstacle, limiting their effectiveness. Topical minoxidil leaves a greasy residue on the hair, which is especially problematic for women who do not wash their hair daily.

Aims

We set out to develop an “After Minoxidil” companion spray to minoxidil that removes residual minoxidil from the hair, where it is not needed, yet leaves minoxidil on the scalp where it is required. We hypothesized that improving the cosmetic properties of minoxidil would improve patient compliance with the drug and subsequently improve clinical outcomes.

Methods

A cohort of 20 FPHL patients was recruited to use the novel “After Minoxidil” spray and report changes in hair quality on a Likert scale.

Results

In our cohort of FPHL patients, the novel “After Minoxidil” spray restored ease of styling and reduced greasiness to preminoxidil level in 65% and 85% of subjects, respectively. The average reduction in perceived greasiness was 78%. Importantly, 70% of subjects interviewed stated they would likely continue to use the minoxidil and “After Minoxidil” treatment regimen for 6 months, vs 0% willing to use minoxidil alone.

Conclusion

The novel “After Minoxidil” spray improved ease of hair styling and reduced greasiness following application of topical minoxidil; thus, the novel “After Minoxidil” spray may help improve drug compliance and efficacy.
Quality control of retinoids in commercial cosmetic products
Authors: Temova Rakuša Žane , Škufca Petja , Kristl Albin , Roškar Robert
Published: August 2020

Background

Retinoids are widely used in different cosmetic products because of general improvement of skin appearance. However, retinoid concentration in cosmetics is restricted, and one particular form–retinoic acid, is banned in cosmetics due to safety reasons.

Aims

Within this study, we aimed to examine the quality of a considerable number of commercial retinoid cosmetic products in terms of their content and labeling, including also screening for the presence of retinoic acid.

Methods

An appropriate analytical methodology, based on HPLC‐UV for the simultaneous determination of common retinoids, along with a screening method for retinoic acid, was developed and validated. Structural identity confirmation of the newer retinoid–hydroxypinacolone retinoate, was performed by LC‐MS.

Results

Retinol and retinyl palmitate were most often found, in concentrations mostly below 0.3%, and up to 1.3% retinol equivalents. Determined contents deviated significantly from the quantitatively declared ones in seven products (0%‐130%). In more than half of the tested products, inconsistencies between the contained and labeled retinoid were noticed. These products, as well as 14 additional anti‐age cosmetics, were screened for retinoic acid, which was detected in two products.

Conclusions

The obtained results from retinoids assay in commercial cosmetic products confirmed that the proposed method is appropriate for their routine analysis. The presence of retinoic acid in two products and determined retinoid contents above the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety recommendations in 20% of the tested cosmetics reveal the need for their more strict regulation and quality control to ensure their efficacy and safety.
A Delphi study to identify content for a new questionnaire based on the 10 Principles of Dignity in Care
Authors: Heuzenroeder Louise , Ibrahim Faizal , Khadka Jyoti , Woodman Richard , Kitson Alison
Published: August 2020

Aim and Objective

To generate content for a new questionnaire, based on the 10 Principles of Dignity in Care.

Background

Older people in hospital are vulnerable and at risk of harm, including indignity. The 10 Principles of Dignity in Care, which undergird the United Kingdom's Dignity in Care Campaign, have been used to promote dignified care for older people in hospital. A 2006 recommendation of the campaign was to survey people on their experiences of dignity in care. To undertake such a survey, a questionnaire based on the 10 Principles of Dignity is required.

Design

Qualitative methods based on a modified Delphi technique, assessed against the CREDES checklist.

Methods

A Delphi panel of experts was convened that included: consumers, carers, clinicians, academics, policy experts and representatives from the National Dignity Council in the UK, Aboriginal people and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

Results

Fifty‐seven experts consented to participate, over the three rounds of Delphi panel deliberations (response rate: R1 n = 49, R2 n = 47 and R3 n = 44). The Delphi panellists were asked to rank, rewrite, relocate or remove items and suggest additional items, under each of the 10 Principles of Dignity in Care. The initial list of 93 items, generated from a review of the literature, existing questionnaires and drafted by the authors, was reduced to 87 items in Round 2 and 69 items in Round 3.

Conclusions

A panel of experts were able to determine, based on their own judgement, and through consensus, the 69‐items and response categories to be included in the patient and carer versions of the Dignity in Care questionnaire, to progress to a pilot study.
Somatosensory and psychosocial profile of patients with painful temporomandibular joint clicking
Authors: Poluha Rodrigo Lorenzi , De la Torre Canales Giancarlo , Bonjardim Leonardo Rigoldi , Conti Paulo César Rodrigues
Published: August 2020

Background

Determining the somatosensory and psychosocial profile of patients with painful temporomandibular joint (TMJ) clicking can help to understand the pain mechanisms in cases of TMJ clicking.

Objective

To characterise the somatosensory and psychosocial profile of patients with painful TMJ clicking when compared to patients with painless TMJ clicking and healthy control group.

Methods

Somatosensory and psychosocial functions were assessed in 90 individuals: patients with painful TMJ clicking (n = 30); patients with painless TMJ clicking (n = 30); and healthy controls (n = 30). Somatosensory profile included: mechanical pain threshold (MPT); wind‐up ratio (WUR); pressure pain threshold (PPT); and conditioned pain modulation (CPM). Psychosocial profile included some questionnaires: Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI); Pain Vigilance‐Awareness Questionnaire (PVAQ); Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS); Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia (TSK); Perceived Stress (PSS); and State‐Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). All variables were compared among all groups.

Results

Higher values of MPT and WUR; lower PPT; less efficient CPM; and higher scores of PSQI, PVAQ, PCS, and TSK were found in patients with painful TMJ clicking when compared to the other two groups (P < .001). Patients with painless TMJ clicking showed lower PPT and higher scores of PVAQ and TKS than the healthy control group. PSS and STAI data had no differences.

Conclusion

Patients with painful TMJ clicking had abnormalities in the somatosensory profile, with a significant somatosensory gain of function (more sensitive) to mechanical pain tests and less efficient CPM. Poor sleep quality along with higher levels of hypervigilance, pain catastrophising, and kinesiophobia were features of psychosocial profile of these patients.
The occurrence of Affixifilum gen. nov. and Neolyngbya (Oscillatoriaceae) in South Florida (USA), with the description of A. floridanum sp. nov. and N. biscaynensis sp. nov
Authors: Lefler Forrest W. , Berthold David E. , Laughinghouse H. Dail
Published: August 2020

South Florida (USA) has a subtropical to tropical climate with an extensive and diverse coastline that supports the growth of benthic cyanobacterial mats (BCMs). These BCMs are widespread and potentially house numerous bioactive compounds; however, the extent of the cyanobacterial diversity within these mats remains largely unknown. To elucidate this diversity, BCMs from select locations in South Florida were sampled and isolated into unicyanobacterial cultures for morphological and molecular studies. Phylogenetic relationships of isolated taxa were assessed using the markers 16S rRNA and 16S‐23S rRNA ITS by both maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference. We propose Affixifilum gen. nov. based on morphological characteristics and the 16S rRNA phylogeny. Two species are included: Affixifilum granulosum comb nov. (=Neolyngbya granulosa) found in Brazil and Florida (USA) and A. floridanum sp. nov. Several other features, including pair‐wise distance of 16S rRNA and 16S‐23S rRNA ITS, 16S‐23S rRNA ITS secondary structure, morphology, and ecology, provide support for Affixifilum. We also propose the transfer of Lyngbya regalis to Neolyngbya as N. regalis comb. nov. and include the description of one novel species, N. biscaynensis sp. nov.
Insomnia as a mediating therapeutic target for depressive symptoms: A sub‐analysis of participant data from two large randomized controlled trials of a digital sleep intervention
Authors: Henry Alasdair L. , Miller Christopher B. , Emsley Richard , Sheaves Bryony , Freeman Daniel , Luik Annemarie I. , Littlewood Donna L. , Saunders Kate E. A. , Kanady Jennifer C. , Carl Jenna R. , Davis Michelle L. , Kyle Simon D. , Espie Colin A.
Published: August 2020

Insomnia predicts the onset of depression, commonly co‐presents with depression and often persists following depression remission. However, these conditions can be challenging to treat concurrently using depression‐specific therapies. Cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia may be an appropriate treatment to improve both insomnia and depressive symptoms. We examined the effects of a fully‐automated digital cognitive behavioural therapy intervention for insomnia (Sleepio) on insomnia and depressive symptoms, and the mediating role of sleep improvement on depressive symptoms in participants from two randomized controlled trials of digital cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia. We also explored potential moderators of intervention effects. All participants met criteria for probable insomnia disorder and had clinically significant depressive symptomatology (PHQ‐9 ≥ 10; n = 3,352). Individuals allocated to treatment in both trials were provided access to digital cognitive behavioural therapy. Digital cognitive behavioural therapy significantly improved insomnia (p < .001; g = 0.76) and depressive symptoms (p < .001; g = 0.48) at post‐intervention (weeks 8–10), and increased the odds (OR = 2.9; 95% CI = 2.34, 3.65) of clinically significant improvement in depressive symptoms (PHQ‐9 < 10). Improvements in insomnia symptoms at mid‐intervention mediated 87% of the effects on depressive symptoms at post‐intervention. No variables moderated effectiveness outcomes, suggesting generalizability of these findings. Our results suggest that effects of digital cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia extend to depressive symptoms in those with clinically significant depressive symptomatology. Insomnia may, therefore, be an important therapeutic target to assist management of depressive symptoms.
Pilot study using the ECHO model to enhance linkage to care for patients with hepatitis C in the custodial setting
Authors: Mendizabal Manuel , Testa Pablo , Rojas Mercedes , Colaci Carla S. , Elías Solana , Nicolini Paula , Olguín Soledad , Dunn Carolina , Ronchi Claudio , Barreiro Mariano , Zirpoli Mercedes , Piñero Federico , Arora Sanjeev , O´Flaherty Martín , Rubinstein Fernando , Silva Marcelo O ,   the Latin American Liver Research, Educational, Awareness Network (LALREAN)
Published: August 2020

Prisoners in most countries have a higher prevalence of HCV than the general population, but their access to treatment is very limited. Our aim was to evaluate a pilot programme using the ECHO model to enhance linkage to care in patients with HCV in 3 Argentinean prisons between October 2018 and January 2020. All inmates were invited to participate, and data were collected through a personal interview. We then estimated HCV prevalence with dried blood spot and performed a logistic regression analysis to identify risk behaviours associated with HCV infection. Finally, HCV management was assessed and monitored through ECHO. Overall, 1141 inmates agreed to participate, representing 39.7% of the total prison population. Anti‐HCV prevalence was estimated at 1.58% (CI 0.93; 2.48), being significantly higher in women 2.98% (CI 1.4;5.6) than in men 1.07% (CI 0.5; 2.0); P = .03. Patients with anti‐HCV were significantly older than those who tested negative, 42.3 years (CI 37.6;47.1) vs 30.1 years (CI 30.6;31.2), P < .001, respectively. Multiple logistic regression analysis, identified age OR 1.07 (CI 1.03;1.12, P = .001), history of sexually transmitted disease OR 3.08 (CI 0.97;9.82, P = .057) and intravenous drug use OR 12.6 (CI 3.31;48.53, P < .001) as risk factors associated with anti‐HCV. Treatment was initiated in all the patients with specialist physician support utilizing ECHO model. In conclusion, our pilot study reported a low prevalence of anti‐HCV in the studied population. Incarceration provides an ideal opportunity for testing and treating HCV. ECHO model arises as a useful tool to support assessment and treatment for inmates with chronic HCV.
Hepatitis delta virus propagation enabled by hepatitis C virus—Scientifically intriguing, but is it relevant to clinical practice?
Authors: Pflüger Lisa Sophie , Schulze zur Wiesch Julian , Polywka Susanne , Lütgehetmann Marc
Published: August 2020

In vitro cell culture experiments and animal models have demonstrated that hepatitis delta virus (HDV) can theoretically propagate being enveloped by human pathogenic viruses other than hepatitis B virus (HBV), namely hepatitis C virus (HCV) and dengue virus. However, the clinical relevance of these findings and whether HDV replication occurs in real‐world hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)–negative HCV patient cohorts remain unknown. To this aim, we analysed 323 HCV‐RNA–positive and HBsAg‐negative sera for the presence of HDV‐RNA and anti‐HDV antibodies (anti‐HDV). All 323 (100%) samples were negative for HDV‐RNA. Interestingly, 8/316 samples tested positive for anti‐HDV. The HBV serology of these eight patients showed a positive result for HBV core antibodies (anti‐HBc) indicating a seroconversion of an acute HBV infection in the past. None of the anti‐HBc–negative patients were positive for anti‐HDV. Our results indicate a distinctly low probability of replicative HDV infection in HCV mono‐infected patients in Germany. Current German clinical guidelines rightly recommend performing HDV screening only in HBsAg‐positive patients. However, larger studies on this subject should be performed in regions that are endemic for chronic HBV/HDV as well as HCV infections.
Understanding the relationship between climatic niches and dispersal through the lens of bat wing morphology
Authors: Varzinczak L. H.
Published: August 2020

Climate, an important dimension within the classical Hutchinsonian niche concept, represents abiotic variables that influence species distributions. As dispersal allows species to move and colonize new regions with distinct climates, the role of dispersal traits in determining the occupation of particular climatic conditions is hypothesized to be important in climatic niche determination. I test this hypothesis by investigating the effects of interspecific variation in bat dispersal abilities due to wing morphology on species climatic niches. For 74 phyllostomid bat species, I collected their niche positions (i.e. mean value of occupied climatic conditions) along the climatic space as defined by phylogenetic principal components, as well as wing variables related to flight performance and aerodynamics. To test how wing variables are related to species positions along climatic niche axes, I used a framework of phylogenetic regressions and model selection by information theory. I found that wing morphology has an important and positive influence on bat species niche positions in the climatic space. Species with increased relative wing loading have better flight performance which likely allowed them to overcome geographical barriers to dispersal in order to colonize areas with distinct climatic regimes, thus influencing their climatic niche configurations. My results reconcile the morphological role bat wings have on local habitat use with their effects on dispersal and their importance in shaping climatic niches at broad scales. Overall, my findings reinforce the roles of dispersal and complementary life‐history traits in determining species climatic niches. These results imply that traits linked to tracking suitable habitats may be important for adapting to climate change.
Price mechanism and endogenous productivity in an open economy stock‐flow consistent model
Authors: Carnevali Emilio
Published: August 2020

This paper combines a Stock‐Flow Consistent open economy two‐country model with the Verdoorn‐Kaldor law, which posits a positive relationship between the rate of growth of output and productivity growth. The model shows the role of endogenous productivity as a shock magnifier and underlines the limits of the mechanisms of adjustment that rely exclusively on the “buffer” provided by flexible exchange rates. It also provides arguments in support of fiscal policy both in the context of flexible exchange rates and fixed exchange rates. Finally, it challenges the sustainability of austerity measures aimed to achieve external balance.
Slr4, a newly identified S‐layer protein from marine Gammaproteobacteria, is a major biofilm matrix component
Authors: Ali Sura , Jenkins Benjamin , Cheng Jiujun , Lobb Briallen , Wei Xin , Egan Suhelen , Charles Trevor C. , McConkey Brendan J. , Austin John , Doxey Andrew C.
Published: August 2020

S‐layers are paracrystalline proteinaceous lattices that surround prokaryotic cells, forming a critical interface between the cells and their extracellular environment. Here, we report the discovery of a novel S‐layer protein present in the Gram‐negative marine organism, Pseudoalteromonas tunicata D2. An uncharacterized protein (EAR28894) was identified as the most abundant protein in planktonic cultures and biofilms. Bioinformatic methods predicted a beta‐helical structure for EAR28894 similar to the Caulobacter S‐layer protein, RsaA, despite sharing less than 20% sequence identity. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that purified EAR28894 protein assembled into paracrystalline sheets with a unique square lattice symmetry and a unit cell spacing of ~9.1 nm. An S‐layer was found surrounding the outer membrane in wild‐type cells and completely removed from cells in an EAR28894 deletion mutant. S‐layer material also appeared to be “shed” from wild‐type cells and was highly abundant in the extracellular matrix where it is associated with outer membrane vesicles and other matrix components. EAR28894 and its homologs form a new family of S‐layer proteins that are widely distributed in Gammaproteobacteria including species of Pseudoalteromonas and Vibrio, and found exclusively in marine metagenomes. We propose the name Slr4 for this novel protein family.
Incidental Vocabulary Learning Through Listening to Teacher Talk
Authors: JIN ZHOUHAN , WEBB STUART
Published: August 2020

This study investigated incidental learning of single‐word items and collocations through listening to teacher talk. Although there are several studies that have investigated incidental vocabulary learning through listening, no intervention studies have explicitly investigated the extent to which listening to teachers in a classroom context might contribute to vocabulary learning. The present study fills this gap. Additionally, the study explored the relationship between vocabulary learning gains and two factors: frequency of occurrence and first language (L1) translation. A meaning‐recall test and a multiple‐choice test were used to evaluate learning gains. The results indicated that (a) listening to teacher talk has potential to contribute to vocabulary learning of both single‐word items and collocations, (b) using L1 translation to explain target word meanings contributed to larger gains on the immediate posttest, (c) frequency of occurrence was not a significant predictor of incidental vocabulary learning.
Canadian Immersion Students’ Investment in French
Authors: MARSHALL KELLE L. , BOKHORST–HENG WENDY D.
Published: August 2020

French second language education, including the option of one‐way French immersion, is mandated for majority‐language Anglophone children in New Brunswick, Canada's only officially bilingual province. Language ideological debates in the province surrounding official English–French bilingualism led us to investigate adolescent majority‐language immersion students’ investment in French, the co‐official minority language, using Darvin and Norton's tripartite (capital, ideology, identity) model. We discuss 3 student profiles, drawing on data collected from multimodal focus groups conducted among 8th‐grade French immersion students. Our analysis reveals a dominance of neoliberal ideologies in these students’ investment in French, rendering it imbalanced and largely driven by imagined access to future economic capital. Language as cultural or social capital figures inconsistently in their investment. Drawing on our data, we conclude by proposing that Darvin and Norton's model, with a balanced focus on each kind of capital within the model, may be used conceptually by educators in program development. The model used in such a way would enable educators to give equal priority to students’ identity and intercultural development as to their preparation for participation in economic marketplaces, thus potentially expanding majority‐language students’ investment in their co‐official minority second language.
N‐acetyl‐b‐D‐glucosaminidase: A potential cardiorenal biomarker with a relevant impact on ICD shock therapies and mortality
Authors: Allgaier Raphael , Strack Christina , Wallner Stefan , Hubauer Ute , Uecer Ekrem , Lehn Petra , Keyser Andreas , Luchner Andreas , Maier Lars , Jungbauer Carsten
Published: August 2020

Aims

Chronic heart failure may lead to chronic kidney disease. Previous studies suggest tubular markers N‐acetyl‐b‐D‐glucosaminidase (NAG) and Kidney‐injury‐molecule‐1 (KIM‐1) as potential markers for the cardiorenal syndrome (CRS). The prognostic value of NAG and KIM‐1 regarding implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) shock therapies is unknown.

Methods

We included 314 patients with an ICD and collected plasma and urine samples. Urine‐values of NAG and KIM‐1 got related to urinary creatinine. Outcomes of interest were sustained adequate shock therapies and a combined endpoint of all‐cause mortality, rehospitalisation due to congestive heart failure and adequate shock therapies. Follow up time was 32 months (IQR 6‐35 months).

Results

KIM‐1 and NAG were positively correlated with NT‐proBNP (KIM‐1: r = .34, P < .001; NAG: r = .47, P < .001). NAG was significantly elevated in patients with primary prevention compared with secondary prevention ICD indication (P = .003). According to Kaplan Meier analysis, NAG as well as NT‐proBNP were significant predictors for adequate ICD shock therapies and for the combined endpoint (each P < .001). Elevated KIM‐1 showed no significant differences (each P = n.s.). In multivariate cox regression analysis, NAG as well as NT‐proBNP were both independent predictors for adequate ICD shock therapies as well as the combined endpoint, beside ejection fraction <35% (each P < .05). Diabetes, primary prevention ICD indication, coronary artery disease, eGFR and age were no significant predictors for both endpoints (each P = n.s.).

Conclusion

Similar to NT‐proBNP, NAG showed promising value for overall prognostication in ICD patients. Especially, NAG seems to incorporate an additional prognostic value regarding occurrence of ICD shock therapies.
Putting explanation back into “inference to the best explanation”
Authors: Lange Marc
Published: August 2020

Many philosophers argue that explanatoriness plays no special role in confirmation – that “inference to the best explanation” (IBE) incorrectly demands giving hypotheses extra credit for their potential explanatory qualities beyond the credit they already deserve for their predictive successes. This paper argues against one common strategy for responding to this thought – that is, for trying to fit IBE within a Bayesian framework. That strategy argues that a hypothesis’ explanatory quality (its “loveliness”) contributes either to its prior probability or to its likelihood. This paper argues that this strategy fails because it must give different treatments to two hypotheses that are unlovely for the very same reason. The strategy therefore loses the insight into scientific reasoning that its reconstruction in terms of IBE is supposed to provide. The paper then provides a Bayesian account of the confirmatory role of explanatoriness that represents explanatory quality as having an impact in the same place for two hypotheses that are unlovely for the very same reason. This approach works by “putting explanation back into IBE” – that is, by invoking hypotheses that refer explicitly to scientific explanation and by invoking the agent's background opinions regarding the kind of explanation that the evidence is liable to have. On this approach, there is no list of “explanatory virtues” the possession of which always helps to make an explanation better. Rather, for different facts, there are different characteristics that our background knowledge of other explanations gives us some reason to expect the given fact's explanation to possess.
The role of TLR4/MyD88/NF‐κB pathway in periodontitis‐induced liver inflammation of rats
Authors: Yue Yiyun , Liu Xinchan , Li Yan , Xia Boyuan , Yu Weixian
Published: August 2020

Objectives

The aim of this study was to clarify the immune mechanism of hepatic injury induced by periodontitis using a rat model.

Methods

Twenty‐four SPF male Wistar rats were randomly divided into two groups: control group (CG) and periodontitis group (PG). In order to induce experimental periodontitis, we tied the wire ligature around bilateral maxillary first molar of rats. After 8 weeks, the following indicators were valued: gingival index, tooth mobility, probing pocket depth; indexes about oxidative stress and circulating biomarkers; bone retraction by micro‐CT analysis; Toll‐like receptor 4 (TLR4), myeloid differential protein‐88 (MyD88), and nuclear factor kappa B (NF‐κB) by qRT‐PCR and Western blotting; tumor necrosis factor α (TNF‐α), and interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) by qRT‐PCR and immunohistochemical staining; inflammation of periodontal and hepatic tissues by histopathological observation.

Results

Periodontal indicators and micro‐CT results showed the raised levels of inflammatory response and bone retraction in PG compared with CG. The mRNA and protein levels of TLR4, MyD88, NF‐κB, TNF‐α, and IL‐6 have indicated high values in PG versus CG. Histopathological analysis revealed a correlation between periodontitis and hepatic injury.

Conclusion

TLR4/MyD88/NF‐κB pathway may play a role in periodontitis‐induced liver inflammation of rats.
Compliance, efficacy, and safety of subcutaneous and sublingual immunotherapy in children with allergic rhinitis
Authors: Liu Wenlong , Zeng Qingxiang , He Chunhui , Chen Rongshan , Tang Yiquan , Yan Shengbao , Luo Xi , Luo Renzhong
Published: August 2020

Background

Although previous studies had confirmed the effectiveness and safety of subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) and sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT), respectively, direct head‐to‐head comparison of SCIT vs SLIT is sparse. We aimed to compare the efficacy, safety, and compliance of SCIT and SLIT in allergic rhinitis (AR) children.

Methods

This study is a prospective, open‐label, and single‐center study performed between June 2017 and June 2018. A total of 325 children were grouped into SLIT, Alutard (SCIT1), and NovoHelisen Depot (NHD) (SCIT2) according to the parents’ wishes. The adherence and reasons for dropout were recorded. The efficacy of SLIT and SCIT was evaluated by a combined symptom medication score. Adverse events (AEs) were recorded and graded during the whole treatment.

Results

The compliance rate was higher in the SCIT group compared with the SLIT group (P < .05). The total nasal symptom score (TNSS), rescue medication score (RMS), and symptom medication score (SMS) after 6‐month, 12‐month, and 2‐year treatment were lower in the SCIT group compared with the SLIT group (P < .05). But the scores between the Alutard and NHD groups were not significantly different. The occurrence of AEs in the SCIT group was significantly higher compared with the SLIT group (P < .05).

Conclusion

Our results suggested SCIT is more effective compared with SLIT to a certain degree, whereas SLIT had less AEs compared with SCIT. The AIT routes can be chosen according to personal specific conditions.
Hegel, grandfather of disjunctivism
Authors: Sanguinetti Federico
Published: August 2020

In this paper, I shall investigate whether Hegel can be considered as a sort of ancestor of McDowell’s disjunctivism. If this hypothesis turns out to be plausible, then the paper offers two gains. On the one hand, it offers an innovative interpretation of the way in which Hegel conceives of our sensible epistemic access to the world. On the other hand, McDowell's own claim that his own theoretical proposal has a Hegelian sound is supported by a previously unexplored argument. I organize my analysis into three parts: I sketch McDowell’s version of disjunctivism (Section 2); I analyze some passages from Hegel that I believe are important for showing some similarities between his and McDowell’s argumentative strategy (Section 3); in the conclusion (Section 4), I highlight a number of core features that Hegel seems to share with McDowell’s disjunctivism and I submit that they are sufficient to label Hegel the “grandfather” of McDowell's disjunctivism.
Identification of genomic regions related to age at first calving and first calving interval in water buffalo using single‐step GBLUP
Authors: de Araujo Neto Francisco Ribeiro , Takada Luciana , dos Santos Daniel Jordan Abreu , Aspilcueta‐Borquis Rusbel Raul , Cardoso Diercles Francisco , do Nascimento André Vieira , Leão Karen Martins , de Oliveira Henrique Nunes , Tonhati Humberto
Published: August 2020

In Brazil, water buffaloes have been used to produce milk for mozzarella cheese production. Consequently, the main selection criterion applied for the buffalo genetic improvement is the estimated mozzarella yield as a function of milk, fat and protein production. However, given the importance of reproductive traits in production systems, this study aimed to use techniques for identifying genomic regions that affect the age at first calving (AFC) and first calving interval (FCI) in buffalo cows and to select candidate genes for the identification of QTL and gene expression studies. The single‐step GBLUP method was used for the identification of genomic regions. Windows of 1 Mb containing single‐nucleotide polymorphisms were constructed and the 10 windows that explained the greatest proportion of genetic variance were considered candidate regions for each trait. Genes present into the selected windows were identified using the UOA_WB_1 assembly as the reference, and their ontology was defined with the Panther tool. Candidate regions for both traits were identified on BBU 3, 12, 21 and 22; for AFC, candidates were detected on BBU 6, 7, 8, 9 and 15 and for first calving interval on BBU 4, 14 and 19. This study identified regions with great contribution to the additive genetic variance of age at first calving and first calving interval in the population of buffalo cows studied. The ROCK2, PMVK, ADCY2, MAP2K6, BMP10 and GFPT1 genes are main candidates for reproductive traits in water dairy buffaloes, and these results may have future applications in animal breeding programs or in gene expression studies of the species.
Living in the Shadow of the Past: Financial Profiles and Well‐Being*
Authors: Clark Andrew E. , D'Ambrosio Conchita , Zhu Rong
Published: August 2020

We consider the link between individual financial profiles over time and well‐being, as measured by life satisfaction. In particular, we look at annual self‐reported financial worsening and improvement information for more than 25,000 individuals in Australian panel data from 2002 to 2017. We first find that satisfaction falls (rises) with a contemporaneous major financial worsening (improvement), with the largest correlation seen to be with financial worsening. Second, the experience of these financial events in the past continues to be linked to current well‐being. Last, only the order of financial‐improvement spells relates to well‐being: a given number of past years where finances deteriorated has the same association with current well‐being whether the deterioration occurred in one continuous spell or was interrupted. We show that these associations are heterogeneous over the distribution of well‐being.
A multi‐motive framework for predicting variability in self‐enhancement
Authors: Lynch Bridget P. , vanDellen Michelle R.
Published: August 2020

The desire to feel positively about the self is frequently studied. However, most work has investigated these self‐enhancing behaviors as a binary choice: to enhance or not to enhance? We propose a novel framework for investigating a more nuanced decision: with a seemingly endless supply of self‐enhancing behaviors, how do people determine engagement in a self‐enhancing behavior among their options? We frame the perceived self‐esteem boost of a strategy is just one antecedent of the probability of acting on a given enhancing behavior. We present a conceptual framework that represents engagement with a strategy based on a weighting of the perceived costs and benefits to other motivations. We then provide examples of how the framework functions regarding commonly studied motivations (e.g., consistency, belonging). Next, we detail how our framework can predict self‐enhancement strategies (e.g., self‐promotion, comparison, association) typically observed in the literature. We also discuss how situations and individual differences may work in the context of this framework. We hope this framework will inspire future research into engagement in and selection of self‐enhancement strategies.
Nexus Between Governance and Socioeconomic Factors on Public Service Fragility in Asian Economies
Authors: Abbas Hafiz Syed Mohsin , Gillani Samreen , Ullah Saif , Raza Muhammad Ahsan Ali , Ullah Atta
Published: August 2020

Objective

This article examines the impact of internal factors such as governance and state fragility on institutional quality in terms of public service fragility (PSF) in Asian economies.

Method

This study used the PSF as dependent variables in Asian economies from 2008 to 2018 and applied a two‐step generalized method of moment estimation; government effectiveness (GE), regulatory control (RC), demographic pressure (DP), and Human Capital Index (HCI) as explanatory variables, with population growth and GDP growth rate as control variables.

Results

The results show that DPs have significant impacts on PSF, while GE, RC, and efficient human capital utilization have insignificant impacts on PSF.

Conclusion

Based on the findings of this study, it can be concluded that DP has a significant impact on public service delivery in Asia compared to other socioeconomic factors. However, with the implication of effective governance policies and by maximum human capital utilization, public services can be improved.
Anxious About Social Violence: The Emotional Underpinnings of Support for Gun Control
Authors: Filindra Alexandra , Collingwood Loren , Kaplan Noah J.
Published: August 2020

Objective

We theorize that anxiety (fear) related to mass shootings and social violence increases support for gun control among the American public.

Methods

We support our theory with a regression discontinuity analysis based on an actual mass shooting, observational analyses from the same data set testing the relationship between fear and support for gun control, and two survey experiments that prime anxiety in the context of mass shootings and social violence.

Findings

We show that support for gun control increased on the day after an actual mass shooting. Observational analysis shows a positive correlation between fear of crime and support for gun control. One priming experiment shows that inducing anxiety about mass shootings increases support for gun control. A second priming experiment shows that exposure to a story about social violence activates anxiety and also increases support for gun control.

Conclusions

Our analyses show that anxiety related to mass shootings and mass violence increases support for gun control.
Distribution of HLA Class I and Class II alleles and haplotypes in German and Uzbek minorities in Kazakhstan, and relationship to other populations
Authors: Hajjej Abdelhafidh , Abdrakhmanova Saniya , Turganbekova Aida , Almawi Wassim Y.
Published: August 2020

HLA profiles of German and Uzbek minorities in Kazakhstan were analyzed and were compared with other populations. In total, 107 and 119 HLA alleles were identified in Germans and Uzbeks, respectively. A*02:01 (25.49%), B*07:02 (9.80%), B*08:01 (9.80%), C*07:02 (13.46%), DRB1*07:01 (21.57%), and DQB1*03:01 (25%) were frequent among Germans, while A*02:01 (17.86%), B*07:02 (8.33%), C*04:01 (15%), DRB1*07:01 (13.09%), and DQB1*03:01 (20%) were common alleles in Uzbeks. A*03:01 ~ B*07:02 ~ C*07:02 ~ DRB1*15:01 ~ DQB1*06:02 (6%) and A*24:02 ~ B*38:01 ~ C*12:03 ~ DRB1*14:01 ~ DQB1*05:03 (3.75%) were the most frequent five‐locus haplotypes in Germans and Uzbeks, respectively. Germans of Kazakhstan are genetically related to European Russians, Germans and Eastern Europeans, suggesting their European Russia (Volga Region) origin following their 19th century migration to central Asia. Uzbeks, likely indigenous, were genetically close to Eastern Russians, Europeans, and Asians.
Structured reflection on shared decision making
Authors: Leyland Rachel , Heath Miranda , Neve Hilary , Maynard Veronica
Published: August 2020

Background

Shared decision making (SDM), whereby patients and clinicians work collaboratively to make health care decisions, brings multiple benefits. It has, however, been slow to integrate into clinical practice. There are some examples of SDM being embedded and evaluated within medical undergraduate curricula but, despite role models being important in promoting students’ patient‐centred attitudes, these examples do not involve students reflecting on clinicians’ use of SDM in practice.

Methods

We undertook a qualitative evaluation of a small group educational intervention. A key element was the students’ use of a structured reflective template, drawing on the SHARE (seek, help, assess, reach, evaluate) SDM tool, to analyse examples of clinicians using SDM in practice critically. We undertook a thematic analysis of students’ completed templates and evaluated their engagement with the SHARE tool.

Findings

A total of 44 templates were analysed. Four main themes were identified, including new learning about SDM, noticing and deconstructing SDM, participants’ responses to SDM and struggles in learning. Students were positive about SHARE and used it to critique experiences and suggest specific ways that clinicians could have improved SDM.

Discussion

A structured training intervention that promotes critical reflection on clinical role models can help to shift undergraduate medical students’ understanding of, and attitudes towards, SDM. The ethical arguments for SDM, evidence for its benefits and the alignment of SDM with participants’ own core values appeared to help achieve student ‘buy in’. Students struggled with notions of power, risk and time constraints, and empathised with both patients and clinicians. They highlighted the scarcity of SDM in practice.
Pre‐Schoolers’ Vision for Liveable Cities: Creating ‘Care‐Full’ Urban Environments
Authors: Ergler Christina R. , Freeman Claire , Guiney Tess
Published: August 2020

Although children of all ages have the right to participate in urban planning projects, pre‐literate children’s voices are absent from urban debates. In this paper, we explore pre‐schoolers’ experiences in, and expectations for, their city by drawing on a participatory research project that used neighbourhood walks and a tile‐based mapping exercise. Findings suggest that young children, although largely absent from planning, policy or child‐friendly city discourses, nonetheless, deeply engage with and value their city and its human and non‐human inhabitants. In our study pre‐schoolers from Dunedin, New Zealand created an urban environment which cares for their citizens by being safe, socially and physically connected and has destinations, amenities and services available for all ages and abilities. We argue in this paper that pre‐schoolers created not only cities based on their own experiences, but ‘care‐full’ cities that ensure the liveability, flourishing and wellbeing for humans and non‐humans.
Room semantics inference using random forest and relational graph convolutional networks: A case study of research building
Authors: Hu Xuke , Fan Hongchao , Noskov Alexey , Wang Zhiyong , Zipf Alexander , Gu Fuqiang , Shang Jianga
Published: August 2020

Semantically rich maps are the foundation of indoor location‐based services. Many map providers such as OpenStreetMap and automatic mapping solutions focus on the representation and detection of geometric information (e.g., shape of room) and a few semantics (e.g., stairs and furniture) but neglect room usage. To mitigate the issue, this work proposes a general room tagging method for public buildings, which can benefit both existing map providers and automatic mapping solutions by inferring the missing room usage based on indoor geometric maps. Two kinds of statistical learning‐based room tagging methods are adopted: traditional machine learning (e.g., random forests) and deep learning, specifically relational graph convolutional networks (R‐GCNs), based on the geometric properties (e.g., area), topological relationships (e.g., adjacency and inclusion), and spatial distribution characteristics of rooms. In the machine learning‐based approach, a bidirectional beam search strategy is proposed to deal with the issue that the tag of a room depends on the tag of its neighbors in an undirected room sequence. In the R‐GCN‐based approach, useful properties of neighboring nodes (rooms) in the graph are automatically gathered to classify the nodes. Research buildings are taken as examples to evaluate the proposed approaches based on 130 floor plans with 3,330 rooms by using fivefold cross‐validation. The experiments conducted show that the random forest‐based approach achieves a higher tagging accuracy (0.85) than R‐GCN (0.79).
Charged residues at the pore extracellular half of the glycine receptor facilitate channel gating: a potential role played by electrostatic repulsion
Authors: Tian Yao , Chen Shijie , Shan Qiang
Published: August 2020

Key points

The Arg271Gln mutation of the glycine receptor (GlyR) causes hereditary hyperekplexia.

This mutation dramatically compromises GlyR function; however, the underlying mechanism is not yet known.

This study, by employing function and computation methods, proposes that charged residues (including the Arg residue) at the pore extracellular half from each of the five subunits of the homomeric α1 GlyR, create an electrostatic repulsive potential to widen the pore, thereby facilitating channel opening.

This mechanism explains how the Arg271Gln mutation, in which the positively charged Arg residue is substituted by the neutral Gln residue, compromises GlyR function.

This study furthers our understanding of the biophysical mechanism underlying the Arg271Gln mutation compromising GlyR function.

The R271(19′)Q mutation in the α1 subunit of the glycine receptor (GlyR) chloride channel causes hereditary hyperekplexia. This mutation dramatically compromises channel function; however, the underlying mechanism is not yet known. The R271 residue is located at the extracellular half of the channel pore. In this study, an Arg‐scanning mutagenesis was performed at the pore extracellular half from the 262(10′) to the 272(20′) position on the background of the α1 GlyR carrying the hyperekplexia‐causing mutation R271(19′)Q. It was found that the placement of the Arg residue rescued channel function to an extent inversely correlated with the distance between the residue and the pore central axis (perpendicular to the plane of the lipid bilayer). Accordingly, it was hypothesized that the placed Arg residues from each of the five subunits of the homomeric α1 GlyR create an electrostatic repulsive potential to widen the pore, thereby facilitating channel opening. This hypothesis was quantitatively verified by theoretical computation via exploiting basic laws of electrostatics and thermodynamics, and further supported by more experimental findings that the placement of another positively charged Lys residue or even a negatively charged Asp residue also rescued channel function in the same manner. This study provides a novel mechanism via which charged residues in the pore region facilitate channel gating, not only for the disease‐causing 19′R residue in the GlyR, but also potentially for charged residues in the same region of other ion channels.