bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Philosophy of religion as a way of life: Askesis and Ethics
Authors: Casewell Deborah
Published: August 2022

Philosophy as a way of life has been undergoing a revival in recent years. This essay explores how the central idea of the spiritual exercises can be used to develop an account of philosophy of religion as a way of life. It details some of the contemporary uses and trajectories of philosophy as a way of life. Through engaging the religiously inflected philosophies of Karl Jaspers and Simone Weil, this paper argues that their thought can present an account of philosophy of religion as a way of life that is both ethically and transcendentally oriented.
Pesticides dissipation in crackers and pan bread
Authors: Gélinas Pierre , McKinnon Carole , Gagnon Fleur , Rémillard Nathalie , Sabik Hassan
Published: August 2022

Pesticides might cause health problems and must be thoroughly controlled in food. The aim of this study was to determine, on dry basis, the dissipation of active material in sixteen pesticides for wheat production (eleven fungicides; two herbicides; three insecticides) after heating in water, flat dough (crackers) and leavened dough (pan bread); the effect of dough alkalinity was also checked. Compared to water, dough protected pesticides from heat. Malathion, an insecticide, was easily dissipated by heat but most pesticides, especially fungicides, were very stable to dough fermentation and bread baking. With a few exceptions, similar trends were seen in neutral and alkaline crackers. We conclude that it is unlikely that baking would dissipate much pesticides residues, especially fungicides, in flat and leavened dough for crackers and pan bread.
Citrus peel waste essential oil: Chemical composition along with anti‐amylase and anti‐glucosidase potential
Authors: Heydari Koochi Zhila , Jahromi Kourosh Ghodrat , Kavoosi Gholamreza , Babaei Sedigheh
Published: August 2022

The most common waste in citrus processing is their skin, which contains high amounts of essential oil. The antioxidant, anti‐glucosidase, and anti‐amylase properties of essential oils extracted from fresh bitter orange, lime, lemon, pomelo, grapefruit, mandarin, and sweet orange peels were examined. Linalool (18.26%–29.08%), limonene (17.08%–22.44%), linalool acetate (17.17%–30.47%), α‐terpineol (6.08%–11.06%), geraniol (2.05%–6.30%), β‐ocimene (1.52%–5.02%), nerolidol (2.93%–4.00%), β‐pinene (2.71%–3.29%), farnesol (2.08%–2.97%), and geranyl acetate (1.89%–2.80%) were found to be the primary components of citrus peel essential oil. Citrus peel essential oil displayed a good antioxidant capacity ranging from 375 to 643 mg Trolox equivalent/g. Citrus peel essential oils strongly inhibit amylase (520 to 738 mg acarbose equivalent/g) and glucosidase (475 to 780 mg acarbose equivalent/g). According to kinetic analysis, fluorescence quenching, and ultraviolet absorption, citrus peel essential oils inhibit amylase and glucosidase with a mixed competitive, non‐competitive, and uncompetitive manner. Some citrus varieties have long been used to treat diabetes and obesity. While citrus fruits are consumed worldwide, the citrus peel is typically discarded; hence, using the citrus peel in the culinary and medical industries might have a positive economic impact on managing diabetes.
Administration of radium‐223 and the prognosis in Japanese bone metastatic castration‐resistant prostate cancer patients: A large database study
Authors: Kawahara Takashi , Miyoshi Yasuhide , Ninomiya Sahoko , Sato Motoki , Takeshima Teppei , Hasumi Hisashi , Makiyama Kazuhide , Uemura Hiroji
Published: August 2022

Background

The ALSYMPCA trial revealed radium‐223 (Ra‐223) to be a life‐prolonging agent for bone metastatic castration‐resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). However, only 2.8% of enrolled patients in that clinical trial were Asian, and no Japanese patients were enrolled. Several retrospective studies have been published concerning Japanese bone metastatic CRPC patients receiving Ra‐223. However, no study has yet reported the correlation between Ra‐223 induction and the survival in Japanese bone metastatic CRPC patients. This study investigated the effect of Ra‐223 as a life‐prolonging agent in a large Japanese healthcare fee database.

Methods

A total of around 410 000 prostate cancer patients were extracted from this database, and 25 934 were diagnosed with CRPC. In these patients, the age, date of the CRPC diagnosis, date of Ra‐223 induction, and prognosis were analyzed.

Results

A total of 1628 patients received Ra‐223, and 6693 patients were diagnosed with bone metastasis CRPC, with the remaining 17 613 patients diagnosed with CRPC without bone metastasis. The patients who completed six courses of Ra‐223 showed a significantly more favorable overall and cancer‐specific survival than those who received ≤5 courses (p < 0.0001 and p < 0.0001, respectively). For time from CRPC diagnosis date to death, the Ra‐223 induction group showed a significantly more favorable prognosis with regard to both the overall and cancer‐specific survival than the bone metastatic CRPC patients without Ra‐223 (p < 0.0001 and p < 0.0001, respectively).

Conclusions

Bone metastatic CRPC patients who received Ra‐223 showed a significantly better prognosis than bone metastatic CPRC patients who did not receive Ra‐223.
TP53 loss‐of‐function causes vulnerability to autophagy inhibition in aggressive prostate cancer
Authors: Zhang Yong , Song Xian‐Li , Yu Bin , Foong Lian‐Chee , Shu Yu , Mai Chun‐Wai , Hu Jing , Dong Baijun , Xue Wei , Chua Chee Wai
Published: August 2022

Objectives

TP53 loss‐of‐function is commonly found in aggressive prostate cancer. However, a highly‐efficient therapy for this tumor subtype is still lacking. In this study, we investigated the relationship between TP53 mutation status and autophagy in prostate cancer and assessed the efficacy of autophagy inhibitors on TP53‐deficient tumors.

Methods

We first evaluated the expression patterns of p53 and autophagy‐related proteins, namely LC3B, ULK1 and BECLIN1, as well as their relationship in treatment‐naïve and castration‐resistant prostate cancer specimens through immunohistochemistry. Subsequently, we generated a Trp53‐deleted genetically‐engineered mouse model, established prostate tumor organoid lines from the mice and assessed the efficacy of autophagy inhibitors in overcoming Enzalutamide resistance in the tumor organoid model. We also investigated the impact of TP53 re‐expression in modulating responses to autophagy inhibitors using LNCaP cell line, which harbored a TP53 missense mutation. Lastly, we attempted to identify potential autophagy‐related genes that were crucial for TP53‐deficient tumor maintenance.

Results

TP53 loss‐of‐function was associated with increased levels of autophagy‐related proteins in aggressive prostate cancers and Trp53‐deleted genetically‐engineered mouse‐derived tumors. Moreover, the generated androgen receptor‐independent tumor organoids were highly vulnerable to autophagy inhibition. Upon TP53 re‐expression, not only did the surviving LNCaP cells demonstrate resistance, but they also showed growth advantage in response to autophagy inhibition. Lastly, PEX14, an important peroxisomal regulator was differentially upregulated in aggressive tumors with TP53 loss‐of‐function mutations, thus implying the importance of peroxisome turnover in this tumor subtype.

Conclusion

Our results support the potential use of autophagy inhibitors in prostate cancers that contain TP53 loss‐of‐function mutations.
A comparative genomics approach for identifying genetic factors in Escherichia coli isolates associated with bovine diseases
Authors: Khawaskar Damini , Subbaiyan Anbazhagan , Balusamy Dhayananth , Inbaraj Sophia , Abhishek  , Vinodh Kumar Obli Rajendhran , Nagaleekar Viswas Konasagara , Sinha Dharmendra Kumar , Chaudhuri Pallab , Singh Bhoj Raj , Chaturvedi Vinod Kumar , Thomas Prasad
Published: August 2022

Aims

E. coli are ubiquitously present bacterial pathogens that cause septicaemia, diarrhoea and other clinical illness in farm animals. Many pathogen factors can be associated with disease conditions. Currently, studies inferring E. coli genetic factors associated with infection in bovines are limited. Hence, the present study envisaged to determine the pathogen genetic factors associated with bovine disease conditions.

Method and Results

The comparative genomic analysis involved genome sequence data of 135 diseased and 145 healthy bovine origin E. coli strains. Phylogroups A and C, as well as pathotypes ExPEC and EPEC, were found to have a strong connection with bovine disease strains. STEC strains, including EHEC, seem to play a less important role in bovine disease. Sequence types (STs) predominant among strains from diarrhoeal origin were ST 301 (CC 165) and ST 342. Correlation of core genome phylogeny with accessory gene-based clustering, phylogroups and pathotypes indicated lineage-specific virulence factors mostly associated with disease conditions.

Conclusions

Comparative genomic analysis was applied to infer genetic factors significant in bovine disease origin E. coli strains. Isolates from bovine disease origin were enriched for the phylogroups A and C, and for the pathotypes ExPEC and EPEC. However, there was minimal evidence of STEC involvement. The study also indicated predominant genetic lineages and virulence genes (pap, sfa and afa) associated with disease origin strains.

Significance and impact of study

The study revealed significant pathotypes, phylogroups, serotypes and sequence types associated with bovine disease conditions. These identified genetic factors can be applied for disease diagnosis, implementing vaccines and therapeutic measures. In addition, E. coli isolates from the bovine species revealed a complex pattern of disease epidemiology.
A novel dibenzofuran from endophytic fungus Mycosphaerella nawae preferentially inhibits CD4+ T cell activation and proliferation
Authors: Wang Li-Wei , Li Jie , Gao Le-Xin , Chen Feng-Yang
Published: August 2022

Aim

To obtain promising immunosuppressants from endophytic fungus.

Methods and Results

The endophytic fungus Mycosphaerella nawae (ZJLQ129) was isolated from the plant Smilax china L. and its secondary metabolites extracted and fractionated through column chromatography. The metabolites were further modified by a derivatization reaction with ammonium hydroxide. After isolation and derivatization, a new dibenzofuran named as (+)isomycousnine enamine (iME) was obtained. The structures of the derivatives were determined based on chemical evidences and extensive spectroscopic methods including 2D-NMR, DEPT and HRESI-MS spectra. The immune activities of iME were first evaluated on the proliferation and cytokines (IL-2 and IFN-γ) production of T and B cells by using MTT and ELISA methods respectively. Then, its effects on the proliferation of T-cell subsets (CD4+ and CD8+ T cells), as well as CD25 and CD69 expressions were also determined by flow cytometry. Finally, by using Cytometric Bead Array (CBA), the impacts of iME on the secretion of Th1/Th2/Th17 cytokines from purified CD4+ T cells were assayed. The results showed that iME not only selectively suppressed the immune responses of T cells, but also preferentially inhibited the activation and proliferation of CD4+ T cells.

Conclusion

A novel dibenzofuran derived from endophytic fungus Mycosphaerella nawae preferentially inhibits CD4+ T-cell activation and proliferation.

Significance and Impact of the Study

This work obtained iME, a new dibenzofuran derived from endophytic fungus. iME has the capacity to inhibit CD4+ T-cell activation and therefore is a novel potential immunosuppressant for development in the future.
Spiritual needs and their associated psychosocial factors among women with breast cancer: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Du Shiyuan , Li Kun , Wang Canfei , Li Yuan , Li Jiaxin , Luan Ze , Peng Xin
Published: August 2022

Aims

Guided by the biopsychosocial‐spiritual model, this study aimed to evaluate the spiritual needs of Chinese women with breast cancer and explored factors associated with those spiritual needs.

Design

This study has a cross‐sectional design.

Methods

This cross‐sectional study involved 228 breast cancer patients in China, between May 2019 and July 2019. Data were collected using the general information form, the Spiritual Needs Scale, the Perceived Social Support Scale and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Data were analysed by Spearman correlation analysis, univariate analysis and multiple linear regression, and a structural equation model (SEM) was constructed by maximum likelihood estimation.

Results

There was a slightly higher average score for spiritual needs. Of the five dimensions of spiritual needs, those with the highest and lowest levels were ‘meaning and purpose’ and ‘relationship with transcendence’ respectively. Religion, time since confirmed diagnosis and education level were related to spiritual needs. The proposed model linking spiritual needs perceived social support, anxiety, and depression revealed a satisfactory fit to the data. Specifically, a higher level of social support predicted lower levels of anxiety and depression, which in turn predicted stronger spiritual needs.

Conclusions

The spiritual needs of breast cancer patients were associated with individual characteristics and psychosocial elements. Patients' spiritual needs should therefore be effectively evaluated, especially the needs of those who are not religious. Furthermore, comprehensive, needs‐tailored interventions that incorporate spiritual, biological, psychological and social support should be formulated.

Impact

Nurses should become more aware of the spiritual needs of breast cancer patients, incorporate a spiritual focus into their care and develop comprehensive needs tailored to their characteristics as well as interventions based on biopsychosocial factors.
Definitional boundaries of discrimination: Tools for deciding what constitutes discrimination (and what doesn't)
Authors: Greenland Katy , West Keon , van Laar Colette
Published: August 2022

What counts as discrimination? Sometimes an event has to be a deliberate act of hate before it is described as discrimination. Sometimes “discrimination” can include much more subtle actions (e.g., microaggressions). There is good evidence that “what counts” as discrimination is mired in controversy, uncertainty, or ambivalence. We present a novel approach that bridges sociocultural and social cognitive accounts of “discrimination.” Definitional boundaries of discrimination are the widely shared, common sense rules that people deploy when arguing whether an event constitutes discrimination or not (e.g., an emphasis on the personality of the alleged perpetrator; the importance of intention; and claims that the problem of discrimination is small and/or mostly limited to the past). These rules are culturally situated but also deployed by individuals in specific local contexts. We introduce a 15‐item measure of the extent to which participants are deploying broader or narrower definitional boundaries of discrimination (DBDs). We demonstrate that the measure has good convergent and discriminant validity (Study 1); that participants who are deploying narrow DBDs are less likely to make attributions to discrimination (Study 2); that participants' DBDs predict judgments for some intergroup contexts but not others (Study 3), and that participants who identify as racialized majorities have significantly narrower racism DBDs compared to participants who identify as racialized minorities (Study 4). We conclude with suggestions about how DBDs could be used in future research.
The phenomenon of red and yellow autumn leaves: Hypotheses, agreements and disagreements
Authors: Lev‐Yadun Simcha
Published: August 2022

Yellow and red autumn leaves are typical of many temperate/boreal woody plants. Since the 19thcentury, it has been either considered the non‐functional outcome of chlorophyll degradation that unmasks the pre‐existing yellow and red pigments or that the de novo synthesis of red anthocyanins in autumn leaves indicated that it should have a physiological function, although it was commonly ignored. Defending free amino acids and various other resources released especially following the breakdown of the photosynthetic system, and mobilizing them for storage in other organs before leaf fall, is the cornerstone of both the physiological and anti‐herbivory hypotheses about the functions of yellow and red autumn leaf colouration. The complicated phenomenon of conspicuous autumn leaf colouration has received significant attention since the year 2000, especially because ecologists started paying attention to its anti‐herbivory potential. The obvious imperfection of the hypotheses put forth in several papers stimulated many other scientists. Hot debates among physiologists, among ecologists, and between physiologists and ecologists have been common since the year 2000, first because the various functions of yellow and red autumn leaf colouration are non‐exclusive, and second because many scientists were trained to focus on a single subject. Here, I will review the debates, especially between the photoprotective and the anti‐herbivory hypotheses, and describe both the progress in their understanding and the required progress.
Prosthesis accuracy of fit on 3D‐printed casts versus stone casts: A comparative study in the anterior maxilla
Authors: Abdeen Layal , Chen Yo‐wei , Kostagianni Aikaterini , Finkelman Matthew , Papathanasiou Aikaterini , Chochlidakis Konstantinos , Papaspyridakos Panos
Published: August 2022

Objective

To compare in vitro the accuracy of fit of a reference prosthesis seated on three‐dimensional (3D) printed casts generated from digital implant scans vs stone casts made by conventional implant impressions.

Material and Methods

A partially edentulous maxillary master cast with two internal connection implants was generated, while a reference implant‐supported prosthesis was fabricated. Conventional splinted open‐tray impressions were taken to create stone casts (n = 10) (control group). A digital scan was taken of the master cast using a white light intraoral optical scanner (IOS) (TRIOS, 3Shape), and a Standard Tessellation Language (STL) file was obtained. Four 3D printers were used to print the casts (n = 10 from each 3D printer): Straumann® P30+, Varseo S, Form 3b+and M2 Carbon. Accuracy of fit of the reference prosthesis on all control and test casts was assessed using the screw resistance test and radiographic test. Additionally, all casts were digitized using the same IOS, and the STL files were superimposed to the master cast STL file (reference) to evaluate the 3D accuracy with inspection Geomagic Control software using the root‐mean‐square (RMS) error.

Results

The reference prosthesis presented with clinically acceptable fit on all casts. The highest median RMS error was found in the stone cast group (94.6 μm) while the lowest median was in the M2 Carbon group (46.9 μm). The Kruskal–Wallis test revealed a statistically significant difference between the groups (p < 0.001). For post hoc comparisons, Dunn's test with the Holm–Bonferroni correction resulted in a statistically significant difference in four tests, with M2 Carbon exhibiting lower RMS error than the stone cast (p < 0.001) and P30+ (p < 0.001) groups, Form 3b exhibiting lower RMS error than the stone cast (p < 0.001) group, and Varseo S exhibiting lower RMS error than the stone cast (p = 0.006) group.

Conclusion

Using the screw‐resistance test and radiographic assessment, the reference prosthesis fit presented with clinically acceptable accuracy of fit on all casts. Printed casts from 3 different printers demonstrated statistically significant lower 3D deviations than stone casts generated using a conventional implant impression for the present partially edentulous scenario with two implants, but this did not affect prosthesis fit.

Clinical Significance

Even though there were 3D deviations between the master cast and all control and test casts generated from conventional impressions and digital scans respectively, the reference prosthesis presented with accurate fit on all casts. This indicates that there is a threshold for clinically acceptable accuracy of fit and that 3D‐printed casts may be used as definitive master casts to fabricate implant‐supported fixed dental prostheses for the partially edentulous anterior maxilla.
Influence of processing techniques on the protein quality of major and minor millet crops: A review
Authors: Bangar Sneh Punia , Suri Shweta , Malakar Santanu , Sharma Nitya , Whiteside William Scott
Published: August 2022

Millets have a distinctive protein composition comprising of high concentrations of essential amino acids with numerous health‐promoting characteristics. Through various in vitro and animal research studies, a variety of millet‐based bioactive peptides isolated from millets have given significant evidence of their health‐improving properties. However, the processing technique significantly impacts the biological activity of these millet peptides. The amount, structure, and function of major and minor millet proteins are influenced by different processing techniques. Studies have demonstrated that germination and fermentation increase bioavailability, in vitro protein digestibility, and protein efficiency. Moreover, the innovative processing techniques viz: microwave, ultrasound, and high‐pressure processing had a significant impact on structural and quality attributes of the millet proteins and their fractionation. The non‐thermal processing ensured the modification of structure and stability with the enhancement of functionality of the millet protein. The present review has been designed to summarize the major health benefits of millet proteins and the effect of various processing methods on their quality attributes. The information provided in the review would play an important role in further research and development activities at the commercial scale governing the improvement in millet protein efficiency, modification, bioavailability, and in vitro protein digestibility by different processing techniques.

Novelty impact statement

This review summarized the recent research on the major health benefits of millet proteins and the influence of different processing methods on bioactive peptides from major and minor millets.
Postpartum regression of human papillomavirus‐related vulvar cancer: A case report
Authors: Murakami Mayu , Taniguchi Shuichi , Murakami Takeshi , Imamura Hiroko , Marutsuka Kousuke , Shimamoto Tomihiro
Published: August 2022

We report a case of a 23‐year‐old pregnant woman (gravida 2 para 0, pregnancy 33 weeks and 3 days) with a history of laser ablation for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia‐3 at 22 years. At initial visit, a 2 × 2 × 1‐cm elevated mass was found on right labia majora. Biopsy results revealed squamous cell carcinoma of right labia; immunostaining revealed p16 positivity. Patient was diagnosed with human papillomavirus‐related vulvar cancer. Selective cesarean section was performed at 36 weeks and 4 days of gestation. Postoperative histopathological diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma, and 1.7‐mm deep infiltrations led to vulvar cancer stage IB diagnosis. Reduction operation was performed, and postoperative follow‐up of 1 year and 8 months revealed no recurrence. These results emphasize that small vulvar tumors during pregnancy should not be underestimated and histological examinations should be performed without hesitation. Careful observation and evaluation of tumors is necessary during pregnancy and after delivery because they may shrink postdelivery.
Validation of the McIntyre Audit Tool to measure haemodialysis nurse sensitive indicators
Authors: McIntyre David , Bonner Ann , McGuire Amanda
Published: August 2022

Background

Nurse sensitive indicators measure the quality of nursing care. Although there are some haemodialysis nurse sensitive indicators, there are currently no validated audit tools available to measure the indicators.

Objectives

To test the validity of the McIntyre Audit Tool.

Design

This study used a descriptive observation design conducted over two phases to assess face and content validity.

Participants

An expert panel of haemodialysis nurses (n = 13).

Methods

Face validity (phase 1) involved 13 nurses in two focus groups who reviewed the audit tool with qualitative data generated analysed to identify common themes. Phase 2 used a modified version of the audit tool to test for content validity for each item and then scale level content validity was calculated by combining all item scores.

Measurements

Ten nurses rated 26 indicators in the audit tool using a 4‐point Likert scale to assess each item for clarity, relevance, appropriateness, and ambiguity.

Results

All 26‐haemodialysis nurse sensitive indicators achieved item content validity indices ranging from 0.825 to 1.00 with a scale content validity index average of 0.910. However, based on feedback from phase 2, 6 outcome indicators were removed from the audit tool to reduce staff burden and assist with ease of use. The final audit tool had an excellent average scale content validity index of 0.924.

Conclusions

The McIntyre Audit Tool to measure 20 haemodialysis nurse sensitive indicators has been validated. It now requires feasibility and reliability testing before auditing the quality of haemodialysis nursing care.
Effect of maifan stone on the growth of probiotics and regulation of gut microbiota
Authors: Li Z. , Zhou Q. , Qu Q. , Liao Y. , Yang F. , Sheng M. , Feng L. , Shi X.
Published: August 2022

Maifan stone is a kind of mineral medicine in Chinese medicine, which has good adsorption, dissolution, mineralization and biological activity. It has an excellent therapeutic effect on livestock, poultry and aquatic animals suffering from intestinal diseases. This study explored the effect of Maifan stone on the growth ability of Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GG (L. rhamnosus GG) and the effect of Maifan stone-L. rhamnosus GG-fermented product on the intestinal inflammation and gut microbiota. We find that Maifan stone can adsorb L. rhamnosus GG to form a carrier bacteria. Maifan stone has the characteristics of acid tolerance and bile salt tolerance and can also improve the activity of L. rhamnosus GG in artificial gastrointestinal juice. The fermented product can reduce the degree of diarrhoea and colon pathology in rats to a certain extent and significantly improve intestinal inflammatory factors and gut microbiota. This study improves the application effect of L. rhamnosus GG in the prevention and treatment of diarrhoea animals and provides a scientific basis for the rational development of Maifan stone resources.
Isolated Grauer's gorilla populations differ in diet and gut microbiome
Authors: Michel Alice , Minocher Riana , Niehoff Peter‐Philip , Li Yuhong , Nota Kevin , Gadhvi Maya A. , Su Jiancheng , Iyer Neetha , Porter Amy , Ngobobo‐As‐Ibungu Urbain , Binyinyi Escobar , Nishuli Pekeyake Radar , Parducci Laura , Caillaud Damien , Guschanski Katerina
Published: August 2022

The animal gut microbiome has been implicated in a number of key biological processes, ranging from digestion to behaviour, and has also been suggested to facilitate local adaptation. Yet studies in wild animals rarely compare multiple populations that differ ecologically, which is the level at which local adaptation may occur. Further, few studies simultaneously characterize diet and gut microbiome from the same sample, despite their probable interdependence. Here, we investigate the interplay between diet and gut microbiome in three geographically isolated populations of the critically endangered Grauer's gorilla (Gorilla beringei graueri), which we show to be genetically differentiated. We find population‐ and social group‐specific dietary and gut microbial profiles and covariation between diet and gut microbiome, despite the presence of core microbial taxa. There was no detectable effect of age, and only marginal effects of sex and genetic relatedness on the microbiome. Diet differed considerably across populations, with the high‐altitude population consuming a lower diversity of plants compared to low‐altitude populations, consistent with plant availability constraining dietary choices. The observed pattern of covariation between diet and gut microbiome is probably a result of long‐term social and environmental factors. Our study suggests that the gut microbiome is sufficiently plastic to support flexible food selection and hence contribute to local adaptation.
Self‐signs and intensional contexts
Authors: Millikan Ruth Garrett
Published: August 2022

Paradigm intensional contexts result from the unmarked use of referential expressions as “self‐signs”, signs that refer to themselves as tokens, types, or members of Sellarsian “dot‐quoted” kinds. Self‐signing (but unquoted) linguistic expressions are more difficult to recognize than non‐linguistic self‐signs such as the color of a felt pen's casing that represents the color of ink inside. I will discuss non‐linguistic self‐signing, then examine self‐signing in quotation, in “said that …” contexts and in “believes that … ” contexts. The phenomenon of intensionality may reduce to a kind of equivocation, a matter of notation rather than a necessary feature of language.
A new conceptual and quantitative approach to exploring and defining potential open‐access olfactory information
Authors: Orlando Cristian Gabriel , Possell Malcolm , Price Catherine , Banks Peter B. , Mercorelli Louis , McArthur Clare
Published: August 2022

All organisms emit odour, providing ‘open‐access’ olfactory information for any receiver with the right sensory apparatus. Characterizing open‐access information emitted by groups of organisms, such as plant species, provides the means to answer significant questions about ecological interactions and their evolution.

We present a new conceptual framework defining information reliability and a practical method to characterize and recover information from amongst olfactory noise.

We quantified odour emissions from two tree species, one focal group and one outgroup, to demonstrate our approach using two new R statistical functions. We explore the consequences of relaxing or tightening criteria defining information and, from thousands of odour combinations, we identify and quantify those few likely to be informative.

Our method uses core general principles characterizing information while incorporating knowledge of how receivers detect and discriminate odours. We can now map information in consistency–precision reliability space, explore the concept of information, and test information–noise boundaries, and between cues and signals.
Autistic traits heighten sensitivity to rejection‐induced social pain
Authors: Lin Xinxin , Zhuo Shiwei , Liu Zhouan , Fan Junsong , Peng Weiwei
Published: August 2022

Autistic traits—subclinical forms of characteristics associated with autism spectrum disorders—are associated with poor social interactions and high risks for mental health disorders. We hypothesized that altered sensitivity to social rejection is an important contributor to psychological distress observed among individuals with high autistic traits. Experiment 1 adopted a social‐judgment task and compared behavioral and neural activity in response to social rejection between participants exhibiting either high or low autistic traits (HAT and LAT, respectively). Rejection‐induced hurt feelings, P3 amplitudes, and θ‐oscillation magnitudes were greater in the HAT group than in the LAT group. Mediation analysis indicated that autistic traits heighten rejection‐induced social pain through increasing frontal‐midline θ‐oscillations. Responses to nonsocial feedback in the age‐judgment task were comparable, confirming that the between‐group differences were specific to social negative feedback. Experiment 2 assessed the association between autistic traits, rejection sensitivity, and psychological distress among randomly recruited participants. Results showed that autistic traits affected depressive/anxious symptomatology partially through heightened rejection sensitivity. Therefore, autistic traits heighten sensitivity to rejection‐induced social pain that leads to psychological distress. This finding will help facilitate the development of strategies for coping with social pain and improving mental health for individuals with high autistic traits.
Identification of fusion transcripts in sarcoma from archival formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded tissues: A next‐generation sequencing approach
Authors: Fujii Tomomi , Takeda Maiko , Uchiyama Tomoko , Nitta Yuji , Maebou Katsuya , Terada Chiyoko , Okada Fumi , Matsuoka Minami , Sugimoto Sumire , Sasaki Shoh , Morita Kohei , Itami Hiroe , Miyake Makito , Takeda Masayuki , Sawabata Noriyoshi , Fujimoto Kiyohide , Ohbayashi Chiho
Published: August 2022

Most sarcomas are highly aggressive, and cause necrosis and hemorrhage. The diagnosis of sarcoma is challenging because of the lack of specificity of immunohistochemical staining; however, molecular biological approaches, such as genetic mutation, chromosomal translocation, and gene amplification, are promising. In this study, we extracted RNA from formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded (FFPE) tissue derived from surgically resected specimens of sarcoma stored for various periods and performed next‐generation sequencing (NGS) analysis by MiniSeq using the Archer Fusion‐Plex Sarcoma Panel. RNA was extracted from 63 FFPE tissue samples, and the degree of RNA degradation was assessed. The number of reads and fragment lengths were evaluated by NGS analysis. RNA extraction and cDNA synthesis were successful in 56 cases and library preparation was possible. Fusion genes were detected in 16 of 63 archived FFPE tissue samples in this study. However, in 18 cases, fragmentation was strong, and high‐quality libraries could not be obtained. Nevertheless, comprehensive analysis of fusion genes with high sequence specificity by NGS can be a powerful alternative to reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction and fluorescence in situ hybridization methods.
Reduction of anticipatory brain activity in anxious people and regulatory effect of response‐related feedback
Authors: Mussini Elena , Di Russo Francesco
Published: August 2022

Elevated anxiety levels degrade task performance, likely because of cognitive function reduction in the frontoparietal brain network. This study aimed to test whether anxiety could impact the frontal cortex anticipatory brain functions and to investigate the possible beneficial effect of response‐related feedback on task performance. The electroencephalographic activity was recorded while participants performed two Go/No‐go tasks: one with response‐related feedback on errors (feedback task) and one task without feedback (standard task). We first tested whether anxiety levels could be associated with pre‐stimulus ERP components such as the prefrontal negativity (pN), linked with top‐down attentional control, and the Bereitschaftspotential (BP), related to motor preparation. Then, we assessed whether feedback could affect anxious people's brain preparation, reducing the state of uncertainty and improving performance. Results showed that the pN was almost absent and the BP was lower during a standard task in the high anxiety than in the low anxiety group. In the feedback task, these components increased in the high anxious, becoming comparable to the low anxious. Behavioral results showed that false alarms in the high anxiety group were larger than in the low anxiety group during the standard task but became comparable in the feedback task. Similarly, response time in the high anxiety group was slower in the standard task than in the feedback task, and high anxious people were faster in the feedback task than in the standard one. This study contributes to clarifying neural correlates of anxiety, showing brain activity reductions related to action preparation in frontal areas. In addition, response‐related feedback tasks could be used to normalize task performance in high anxious people.
Using Saturated Count Models for User-Friendly Synthesis of Large Confidential Administrative Databases
Authors: Jackson James , Mitra Robin , Francis Brian , Dove Iain
Published: August 2022

Over the past three decades, synthetic data methods for statistical disclosure control have continually evolved, but mainly within the domain of survey data sets. There are certain characteristics of administrative databases, such as their size, which present challenges from a synthesis perspective and require special attention. This paper, through the fitting of saturated count models, presents a synthesis method that is suitable for administrative databases. It is tuned by two parameters, σ and α. The method allows large categorical data sets to be synthesized quickly and allows risk and utility metrics to be satisfied a priori, that is, prior to synthetic data generation. The paper explores how the flexibility afforded by two-parameter count models (the negative binomial and Poisson-inverse Gaussian) can be utilised to protect respondents'—especially uniques'—privacy in synthetic data. Finally, an empirical example is carried out through the synthesis of a database which can be viewed as a good substitute to the English School Census.
Statistical Integration of Heterogeneous Omics Data: Probabilistic Two-Way Partial Least Squares (PO2PLS)
Authors: el Bouhaddani Said , Uh Hae-Won , Jongbloed Geurt , Houwing-Duistermaat Jeanine
Published: August 2022

The availability of multi-omics data has revolutionized the life sciences by creating avenues for integrated system-level approaches. Data integration links the information across datasets to better understand the underlying biological processes. However, high dimensionality, correlations and heterogeneity pose statistical and computational challenges. We propose a general framework, probabilistic two-way partial least squares (PO2PLS), that addresses these challenges. PO2PLS models the relationship between two datasets using joint and data-specific latent variables. For maximum likelihood estimation of the parameters, we propose a novel fast EM algorithm and show that the estimator is asymptotically normally distributed. A global test for the relationship between two datasets is proposed, specifically addressing the high dimensionality, and its asymptotic distribution is derived. Notably, several existing data integration methods are special cases of PO2PLS. Via extensive simulations, we show that PO2PLS performs better than alternatives in feature selection and prediction performance. In addition, the asymptotic distribution appears to hold when the sample size is sufficiently large. We illustrate PO2PLS with two examples from commonly used study designs: a large population cohort and a small case–control study. Besides recovering known relationships, PO2PLS also identified novel findings. The methods are implemented in our R-package PO2PLS.
Investigating the Association of a Sensitive Attribute with a Random Variable Using the Christofides Generalised Randomised Response Design and Bayesian Methods
Authors: Lee Shen-Ming , Le Truong-Nhat , Tran Phuoc-Loc , Li Chin-Shang
Published: August 2022

In empirical studies involving sensitive topics, in addition to the problem of estimating the population proportion with a sensitive characteristic, a question arises as to whether or not there is heterogeneity in the distribution of an auxiliary random variable representing the information of subjects collected from a sensitive group and a non-sensitive group. That is, it is of interest to investigate the influence of sensitive attribute on the auxiliary random variable of interest. Finite mixture models are utilised to evaluate the association. A proposed Bayesian method through data augmentation and Markov chain Monte Carlo is applied to estimate unknown parameters of interest. Deviance information criterion and marginal likelihood are employed to select a suitable model to describe the association of the sensitive characteristic with the auxiliary random variable. Simulation and real data studies are conducted to assess the performance of and illustrate applications of the proposed methodology.
Central coordination, regional competition, and local protectionism: Social decentralisation in China's long‐term care reform
Authors: Chan Wing‐kit , Shi Shih‐Jiunn
Published: August 2022

Changing central‐local relations shape social policymaking and implementation in China. We develop a social decentralisation perspective to explore various inter‐governmental dimensions in the formulation and implementation of social policy, based on experimentation in the provision of long‐term care insurance starting in 2016. As localities devised new programmes, they initiated innovations in the context of central‐local relations with Chinese characteristics. Three areas are duly examined: central coordination, regional competition, and regional protectionism. Intending to develop a national programme but reluctant to provide support through tax revenues, central government coordination reflects in both the central government's selection of cities across regions and allowing room for local diversity—some with deliberate experimental purposes—a feature which generated regional competition between pilot cities. Furthermore, as additional contributions for pilot programmes in some cities are waived, this process entails resource extraction from existing funding surpluses, unleashing local protectionism contrary to central government interests. Our analysis finds that the central government faces a dilemma: either meeting new social needs at the cost of increased regional inequality or balancing social policy developments across regions by enacting necessary programmatic reforms that sap central resources and weaken the central government's coordination capacity. These dynamics of social decentralisation will shape the future development and impact of Chinese social policy.
Does “green gold” breed bloody violence? The effect of export shocks on criminal violence in Mexico
Authors: Yoo Heesun
Published: August 2022

Objective

Do positive export shocks fuel or dampen criminal violence? The predation mechanism predicts that increasing export revenue generates a larger contested resource, and it prompts more violence by increasing the expected benefit of expropriation. The opportunity cost mechanism instead argues that an increase in exports may deter individuals from engaging in criminal activity, as it drives up labor demand and wages in the formal labor market. I test these competing claims using a case of the Mexican avocado industry.

Method

I test these claims by estimating a causal effect of avocado production on criminal violence in Mexico. I further address the endogeneity issue with an instrumental variable approach, exploiting exogenous variations in climatic conditions that affect agricultural crop yields.

Result

Moving from the lowest to the highest level of monthly avocado production, this positive change in avocado production reduces the homicide rate by 0.65 per hundred thousand relative to the average monthly homicide rate of 2.02.

Conclusion

This finding suggests that the opportunity cost effect is largely at play in the avocado‐growing Mexican states, showing a new context of theory application. Limitations and future research avenues are discussed.
A multicenter retrospective evaluation of the prevalence of known and presumed hereditary eye diseases in Lagotto Romagnolo dog breed within a referral population in Italy (2012–2020)
Authors: Crasta Manuela , Arteaga Kevin , Barachetti Laura , Guandalini Adolfo
Published: August 2022

Objective

To describe the ophthalmological findings of Lagotto Romagnolo dog breed and to report the prevalence of Known and Presumed Hereditary Eye Diseases (KP‐HED).

Animals Studied

Two hundred sixteen dogs were examined and included in this retrospective study.

Procedures

Medical records of Lagotto Romagnolo dogs between 2012 and 2020 were included. Data about the ocular status were collected through ocular screening examinations (OSE) or clinical ophthalmic examinations (COE). The prevalence of each KP‐HED was expressed as a function of the total number of the KP‐HED in this referral population.

Results

A total of 85 dogs (39.35%) were ophthalmologically healthy, ocular diseases presumably not hereditary were found in 43 dogs (19.91%), and 88 dogs (40.74%) were affected by one KP‐HED. The most common KP‐HEDs diagnosed were cataract (28/88; 31.82%), corneal endothelial dystrophy (17/88; 19.32%), retinal dysplasia (9/88; 10.23%), lens instability (7/88; 7.95%), progressive retinal atrophy (6/88, 6.82%), and keratoconjunctivitis sicca (6/88, 6.82%). Most of dogs with a KP‐HED (77.27%, 68/88) were identified within COE group.

Conclusions

To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of the prevalence of ocular disease in the Lagotto Romagnolo dog breed within a referral population in Italy. This study suggests a relatively high prevalence of KP‐HED, with a characteristic late‐onset presentation in some diseases. Many of these KP‐HED's, lead to ocular pain and irreversible blindness, for this reason, the authors highlight the importance of aiming for an early diagnosis. Breeder's efforts and breeding programs should be directed at limiting such disorders.
Effectiveness of telehealth versus standard care on health care utilization, health-related quality of life, and well-being in homebound populations: a systematic review protocol
Authors: Pinero de Plaza Maria Alejandra , Beleigoli Alline , Brown Shannon , Bulto Lemma N. , Gebremichael Lemlem G. , Nesbitt Katie , Tieu Matthew , Pearson Vincent , Noonan Sara , McMillan Penelope , Clark Robyn A. , Hines Sonia , Kitson Alison , Champion Stephanie , Dafny Hila , Hendriks Jeroen M.
Published: August 2022

Objective:

The objective of the review is to determine the effectiveness of telehealth versus in-person care on health care utilization, health-related quality of life and well-being in homebound populations.

Introduction:

Globally, an increasing number of people are becoming homebound. These individuals experience high levels of social isolation and deterioration of their well-being. Reports from homebound people and recent publications suggest that this cohort may benefit from accessing telehealth solutions from their homes to treat and prevent serious issues affecting their health and well-being. This review will synthesize the evidence on the effectiveness of telehealth compared to standard care (in-person care) on health care utilization, health-related quality of life, and well-being in homebound populations.

Inclusion criteria:

Studies including people living in community settings, whose daily life is physically limited to the boundary of their homes because of their ongoing health, energy, and psychosocial or socio-functional impairments will be considered for inclusion.

Methods:

This review will consider relevant, peer-reviewed primary experimental and quasi-experimental studies, with no limit on language or date, form: MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), Scopus, LILACS, JBI Evidence Synthesis (hand-searched for further studies), and Web of Science. Two independent reviewers will be involved in study selection and data extraction. Eligible studies will be critically appraised for methodological quality using the relevant JBI critical appraisal checklists, and statistical meta-analysis will be done (where possible). Findings will be presented in narrative form.

Systematic review registration number:

PROSPERO CRD42021289578.