bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ambient air pollution and adverse birth outcomes: A review of underlying mechanisms
Authors: Fussell Julia C. , Jauniaux Eric , Smith Rachel B. , Burton Graham J.
Published: December 2023

Epidemiological data provide varying degrees of evidence for associations between prenatal exposure to ambient air pollutants and adverse birth outcomes (suboptimal measures of fetal growth, preterm birth and stillbirth). To assess further certainty of effects, this review examines the experimental literature base to identify mechanisms by which air pollution (particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide and ozone) could cause adverse effects on the developing fetus. It likely that this environmental insult impacts multiple biological pathways important for sustaining a healthy pregnancy, depending upon the composition of the pollutant mixture and the exposure window owing to changes in physiologic maturity of the placenta, its circulations and the fetus as pregnancy ensues. The current body of evidence indicates that the placenta is a target tissue, impacted by a variety of critical processes including nitrosative/oxidative stress, inflammation, endocrine disruption, epigenetic changes, as well as vascular dysregulation of the maternal‐fetal unit. All of the above can disturb placental function and, as a consequence, could contribute to compromised fetal growth as well increasing the risk of stillbirth. Furthermore, given that there is often an increased inflammatory response associated with preterm labour, inflammation is a plausible mechanism mediating the effects of air pollution on premature delivery. In the light of increased urbanisation and an ever‐changing climate, both of which increase ambient air pollution and negatively affect vulnerable populations such as pregnant individuals, it is hoped that the collective evidence may contribute to decisions taken to strengthen air quality policies, reductions in exposure to air pollution and subsequent improvements in the health of those not yet born.
Differentiating the sources of post‐election partisan affect warming
Authors: GIDRON NOAM , SHEFFER LIOR
Published: December 2023

While scholars have closely examined the intensification of negative affect across party lines during elections, less is known about the decline of partisan hostility in the aftermath of election campaigns. Synthesizing insights from research on electoral rules and political psychology, we theorize and empirically test two such mechanisms of post‐election negative affect decline. The first is that of winners' generosity: the expectation that self‐perceived election winners will express warmer feelings towards political opponents. The second is that of co‐governance, which predicts that shared coalition status leads to warmer affective evaluations among governing parties. We provide evidence that these mechanisms operate as pressure valves of negative partisan affect. We also show that while co‐governance reduces negative affect between parties who govern together, it fuels negative affect among supporters of opposition parties. The empirical analyses leverage a uniquely uncertain political period following the 2021 Israeli elections, around which we conducted an original panel study. Our findings advance the comparative polarization literature and connect psychological and institutional accounts of temporal fluctuations in partisan affect.
Cervicothoracic junction in disaster victim identification: Idiosyncrasies and relevance of body position for advanced chest radiograph comparisons
Authors: Stephan Carl N. , Caple Jodi M. , D’Alonzo Jaques Susan S. , Byrd John E.
Published: December 2023

Standard plain film medical radiographs often form a valuable line of evidence to identify individuals in large‐scale fatality events. While commonly available, chest radiographs present a challenge that their analysis is somewhat more involved and complex than radiographic records of other body regions. For example, chest radiographs concern subtler morphological varieties of smaller anatomical features across a larger number of skeletal elements in contrast to frontal sinus comparisons that concern a large, (often) single, highly variable void within one bone. This does not detract from or discount chest radiographs as useful identification aids, but it does demand additional prerequisite skills in radiographic interpretation to ensure valid conclusions are attained. When subjects deviate from standardized antemortem (AM) radiographic positions and/or the image quality decreases, the complexity of a chest radiograph comparison is elevated. Generally, the current body of forensic radiographic comparison literature infrequently addresses these more complex circumstances. In this paper, we use real‐world radiographic comparison reference images from a military DVI repatriation context to illustrate these factors and outline some procedures that enable these complexities to be easily recognized and appropriately addressed at case examination. A report for an exemplar case that concurrently highlights multiple factors is presented. For novices learning radiographic comparison methods, this case review saliently demonstrates: (1) why the AM reference radiograph(s) drive(s) the radiographic comparison procedure; (2) why care should be taken for correct positioning of the cervicothoracic junction in postmortem radiography of chest elements.
Intervention of large shareholders and corporate fraud – evidence from vertical interlock in corporate pyramids in an emerging economy
Authors: Yang Dan , Xu Canyu , Liang Shangkun
Published: December 2023

Through using 17,995 firm‐year observations of all the Chinese A‐share listed firms from 2008 to 2016 as a sample, we document that firms with vertical interlock have a lower likelihood of committing corporate fraud. We further test the underlying mechanisms, and we find that the effect of vertical interlock on the occurrence of corporate fraud is more pronounced when firms operate in a region with poor legal protection; with the legal environment being enhanced in China, the effect of vertical interlock has become less significant; and the effect of vertical interlock is also more pronounced when firms exhibit poor information environment at the firm level. Our results in this paper imply that the role of large shareholders and legal protection are substitutes in an emerging economy, and even with rapid economic and legal development in China, large shareholders keep playing a positive role in controlling fraudulent behaviours in Chinese listed firms.
Subsequent pregnancy outcomes after second trimester miscarriage or termination for medical/fetal reason: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of observational studies
Authors: Patel Keya , Pirie Danielle , Heazell Alexander E. P. , Morgan Bethan , Woolner Andrea
Published: December 2023

Introduction

Women with a prior stillbirth or a history of recurrent first trimester miscarriages are at increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. However, little is known about the impact of a second trimester pregnancy loss on subsequent pregnancy outcome. This review investigated if second trimester miscarriage or termination for medical reason or fetal anomaly (TFMR/TOPFA) is associated with future adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Material and methods

A systematic review of observational studies was conducted. Eligible studies included women with a history of a second trimester miscarriage or termination for medical reasons and their pregnancy outcomes in the subsequent pregnancy. Where comparative studies were identified, studies which compared subsequent pregnancy outcomes for women with and without a history of second trimester loss or TFMR/TOPFA were included. The primary outcome was livebirth, and secondary outcomes included: miscarriage (first and second trimester), termination of pregnancy, fetal growth restriction, cesarean section, preterm birth, pre‐eclampsia, antepartum hemorrhage, stillbirth and neonatal death. Studies were excluded if exposure was nonmedical termination or if related to twins or higher multiple pregnancies. Electronic searches were conducted using the online databases (MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed and The Cochrane Library) and searches were last updated on June 16, 2023. Risk of bias was assessed using the Newcastle‐Ottawa scale. Where possible, meta‐analysis was undertaken. PROSPERO registration: CRD42023375033.

Results

Ten studies were included, reporting on 12 004 subsequent pregnancies after a second trimester pregnancy miscarriage. No studies were found on outcomes after second trimester TFMR/TOPFA. Overall, available data were of “very low quality” using GRADE assessment. Meta‐analysis of cohort studies generated estimated outcome frequencies for women with a previous second trimester loss as follows: live birth 81% (95% CI: 64–94), miscarriage 15% (95% CI: 4–30, preterm birth 13% [95% CI: 6–23]).The pooled odds ratio for preterm birth in subsequent pregnancy after second trimester loss in case–control studies was OR 4.52 (95% CI: 3.03–6.74).

Conclusions

Very low certainty evidence suggests there may be an increased risk of preterm birth in a subsequent pregnancy after a late miscarriage. However, evidence is limited. Larger, higher quality cohort studies are needed to investigate this potential association.
Tax Haven Use and Related‐Party Transactions: Evidence from Australia
Authors: Almutairi Abdullah , Eulaiwi Baban , Evans Robert , Taylor Grantley
Published: December 2023

Related‐party transactions (RPTs) and transfer pricing techniques are typically used by multinational enterprises to reduce their tax obligations by shifting the income to zero or to low‐tax countries. These techniques have thrived and have emerged as a significant concern for tax authorities. This study investigates the effect of tax haven utilisation on related‐party sales pricing in a sample of Australian listed firms. We find that tax haven use is positively and significantly associated with related‐party sales pricing. Moreover, we identify a positive and significant interaction between tax havens and earnings management with related‐party sales pricing. Ownership concentration and its interaction effect with tax havens are significant predictors of the increased use of related‐party sales pricing. Overall, the empirical findings demonstrate that earnings management, a high level of ownership concentration and the use of tax havens are substantial factors that enable firms to obtain tax benefits via the use of RPTs.
How do students learn with real‐time personalized scaffolds?
Authors: Lim Lyn , Bannert Maria , van der Graaf Joep , Fan Yizhou , Rakovic Mladen , Singh Shaveen , Molenaar Inge , Gašević Dragan
Published: December 2023

Scaffolds that support self‐regulated learning (SRL) have been found to improve learning outcomes. The effects of scaffolds can differ depending on how learners use them and how specific scaffolds might influence learning processes differently. Personalized scaffolds have been proposed to be more beneficial for learning due to their adaptivity to learning progress and individualized content to learning needs. The present study investigated finer‐grained effects of how personalized scaffolds driven by a rule‐based artificial intelligence system influenced SRL processes, especially how students learned with them. Using a pre‐post experimental design, we investigated personalized scaffolds based on university students' real‐time learning processes in a technologically enhanced learning environment. Students in the experimental group (n = 30) received personalized scaffolds, while the control group (n = 29) learned without scaffolds. All students completed a 45‐minute learning task with trace data recorded. Findings indicated scaffold effects on students' subsequent learning behaviour. Additionally, only scaffold interaction correlated to essay performance and suggests that the increase in frequencies of SRL activities alone does not contribute directly to learning outcomes. As guidelines for real‐time SRL support are lacking, this study provides valuable insights to enhance SRL support with adaptive learning technologies.

Practitioner notes

What is already known about this topic

Self‐regulated learning scaffolds, especially adaptive scaffolds, improve learning.

Personalized scaffolds have effects on self‐regulated learning activities.

Past research focused on aggregated effects of scaffolds.

What this paper adds

Investigates how students learn with personalized scaffolds in terms of frequencies of learning activities and scaffold interaction.

Takes a closer look at which learning activities and when the effects of personalized scaffolds occur.

Examines how finer‐grained effects of personalized scaffolds correspond to learning outcomes.

Implications for practice and/or policy

Personalized scaffold effects vary across learning, and future research should consider finer‐grained investigations of SRL support in order to better understand their influence on learning.

The number of personalized scaffolds provided should be reconsidered in the future as students only use some of the support provided, especially when task demands increase.

Personalized scaffold interaction is linked to improvement in task performance, so future research should also focus on students' appropriate use of self‐regulated learning support.
Social housing stigma in Toronto: Identifying asymmetries between stereotypes and statistical actualities of health, crime, and human capital
Authors: Jahiu Lindi
Published: December 2023

Research on social housing stigma has proliferated due to growing concern over the effects of territorial stigmatization. The stereotyping of social housing as a site of ill‐health, criminality, and low human capital stems from empirically ambiguous narratives created and recirculated through popular modes (e.g., social media platforms, news coverage). This paper combines principal component analysis, k‐means cluster analysis, and geographic information systems to create and visualize clusters denoting different levels of health, crime, human capital, and dwelling composition in the city of Toronto, Canada. The quantitative research design allows for the identification of “asymmetries,” which are census tracts or neighbourhoods assigned to clusters indicative of high social housing density, and one of either sound health, low crime, or high human capital. The results reveal a spatial patterning of asymmetries in the inner city West End and Downtown, and in inner suburban North York, Etobicoke, and Scarborough. Overall, the paper illustrates the need to assess the empirical foundations of social housing stereotypes. Critically assessing stereotypes is important as they belie the rationale for social housing residents' living situations; pathologizes their identity, behaviour, and home; and generates public support for neoliberal solutions that displace long‐term residents from their communities.
‘We're outside the norm again because of the thing that allowed us to be inside the norm’: An interpretative phenomenological analysis of the experience of developing an alcohol use disorder after bariatric surgery
Authors: Er Esin , Flahault Cécile , Etienne Anne‐Marie
Published: December 2023

Studies indicate that bariatric surgery is associated with an increased risk of alcohol use disorder (AUD). It is considered some patients develop the disorder after surgery, without having antecedents of preoperative alcohol problems. This qualitative study aimed to explore the experiences of people who developed AUD postoperatively and understand how they make sense of the onset of this disorder. A semi‐directed interview was carried out with eight adults who had undergone bariatric surgery and developed AUD de novo postoperatively. Data were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. Four superordinate themes emerged: (1) ‘losing control over drinking and self after surgery’; (2) ‘feelings of guilt, shame and loss contrasted with perceptions of still being lucky’; (3) ‘trying to make sense of the onset of AUD’; and (4) ‘retrospective evaluation of bariatric surgery and preoperative information’. These themes indicated loss of control was a central aspect of participant's experiences of postoperative alcohol consumption. AUD was associated with negative emotions and cognitions, but several participants still considered themselves lucky. All tried to make sense of this disorder's onset; many felt they would not have developed AUD if they had not undergone surgery. The onset of AUD influenced their current perceptions and feelings about surgery and the preoperative information regarding AUD risks. Taken together, these results provide insight into the subjective experience of suffering from new‐onset AUD post‐surgery. However, more studies are necessary to gain a better understanding of the physical and psychological implications of postoperative AUD.
Interpreting Rhythm as Parsing: Syntactic‐Processing Operations Predict the Migration of Visual Flashes as Perceived During Listening to Musical Rhythms
Authors: Cecchetti Gabriele , Tomasini Cédric A. , Herff Steffen A. , Rohrmeier Martin A.
Published: December 2023

Music can be interpreted by attributing syntactic relationships to sequential musical events, and, computationally, such musical interpretation represents an analogous combinatorial task to syntactic processing in language. While this perspective has been primarily addressed in the domain of harmony, we focus here on rhythm in the Western tonal idiom, and we propose for the first time a framework for modeling the moment‐by‐moment execution of processing operations involved in the interpretation of music. Our approach is based on (1) a music‐theoretically motivated grammar formalizing the competence of rhythmic interpretation in terms of three basic types of dependency (preparation, syncopation, and split; Rohrmeier, 2020), and (2) psychologically plausible predictions about the complexity of structural integration and memory storage operations, necessary for parsing hierarchical dependencies, derived from the dependency locality theory (Gibson, 2000). With a behavioral experiment, we exemplify an empirical implementation of the proposed theoretical framework. One hundred listeners were asked to reproduce the location of a visual flash presented while listening to three rhythmic excerpts, each exemplifying a different interpretation under the formal grammar. The hypothesized execution of syntactic‐processing operations was found to be a significant predictor of the observed displacement between the reported and the objective location of the flashes. Overall, this study presents a theoretical approach and a first empirical proof‐of‐concept for modeling the cognitive process resulting in such interpretation as a form of syntactic parsing with algorithmic similarities to its linguistic counterpart. Results from the present small‐scale experiment should not be read as a final test of the theory, but they are consistent with the theoretical predictions after controlling for several possible confounding factors and may form the basis for further large‐scale and ecological testing.
Abiotic characteristics and organic constituents of oviposition sites as oviposition attractants and stimulants for gravid female stable flies, Stomoxys calcitrans
Authors: Nayani Saif , Gries Regine , Blake Adam , Gries Gerhard
Published: December 2023

Gravid female stable flies, Stomoxys calcitrans (L.) (Diptera: Muscidae), oviposit in many types of organic substrates, including animal feces, but there is limited information as to which factors mediate attraction and oviposition. Here, we (1) tested effects of oviposition site moisture and odor on attraction and oviposition by flies, and (2) selected a highly effective oviposition site (fly rearing medium) to determine the key constituent(s) that mediate(s) attraction and oviposition. In moving‐ and still‐air olfactometers as well as large laboratory rooms, we show that (1) odor and moisture of oviposition sites play distinguishable functional roles in the close‐range attraction of gravid female flies and their propensity to oviposit, (2) rearing medium containing fish food, wheat bran, wood chips, and a watery solution of ammonium bicarbonate [(NH4)HCO₃, releasing NH3 and CO2] is a more appealing oviposition site to female flies than is cow feces, (3) ammonium bicarbonate in this medium is the key constituent for stable fly attraction and oviposition, (4) NH3 alone or in combination with CO2, but not CO2 alone, attracts stable flies and induces oviposition, and (5) NH3/CO2 and fish food in combination are more attractive than NH3/CO2 or fish food alone. With fecal bacteria reportedly emitting NH3, and with stable fly larval development reportedly reliant on (fecal) microbes, it follows that gravid female flies may be guided by airborne microbe‐derived cues originating from prospective oviposition sites. Isolating these microbes and identifying their odorants could enable the development of a synthetic odor blend which, coupled with NH3 and CO2, may prove highly effective as a trap lure to capture gravid female stable flies.
On hidden factors and design‐associated errors that may lead to data misinterpretation: An example from preclinical research on the potential seasonality of neonatal seizures
Authors: Löscher Wolfgang
Published: December 2023

Unintentional misinterpretation of research in published biomedical reports that is not based on statistical flaws is often underrecognized, despite its possible impact on science, clinical practice, and public health. Important causes of such misinterpretation of scientific data, resulting in either false positive or false negative conclusions, include design‐associated errors and hidden (or latent) variables that are not easily recognized during data analysis. Furthermore, cognitive biases, such as the inclination to seek patterns in data whether they exist or not, may lead to misinterpretation of data. Here, we give an example of these problems from hypothesis‐driven research on the potential seasonality of neonatal seizures in a rat model of birth asphyxia. This commentary aims to raise awareness among the general scientific audience about the issues related to the presence of unintentional misinterpretation in published reports.
Female sex steroids and epilepsy: Part 1. A review of reciprocal changes in reproductive systems, cycles, and seizures
Authors: Alshakhouri Malak , Sharpe Cynthia , Bergin Peter , Sumner Rachael L.
Published: December 2023

Seizures, antiseizure medications, and the reproductive systems are reciprocally entwined. In Section 2 of this review, we outline how seizures may affect the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis, thereby altering sex steroids, and changes in sex steroids across the menstrual cycle and changes in pharmacokinetics during pregnancy may alter seizure susceptibility. The literature indicates that females with epilepsy experience increased rates of menstrual disturbances and reproductive endocrine disorders. The latter include polycystic ovary syndrome, especially for females on valproate. Studies of fertility have yielded mixed results. We aim to summarize and attempt to detangle the existing knowledge on these reciprocal interactions. The menstrual cycle causes changes in seizure intensity and frequency for many females. When this occurs perimenstrually, during ovulation, or in association with an inadequate luteal phase, it is termed catamenial epilepsy. There is a clear biophysiological rationale for how the key female reproductive neurosteroids interact with the brain to alter the seizure threshold, and Section 3 outlines this important relationship. Critically, what remains unknown is the specific pathophysiology of catamenial epilepsy that describes why not all females are affected. There is a need for mechanism‐focused investigations in humans to uncover the complexity of the relationship between reproductive hormones, menstrual cycles, and the brain.
NDRG2 alleviates photoreceptor apoptosis by regulating the STAT3/TIMP3/MMP pathway in mice with retinal degenerative disease
Authors: Chen Tao , Xiong Yecheng , Deng Chunlei , Hu Chengbiao , Li Mengxing , Quan Rui , Yu Xiaorui
Published: December 2023

Photoreceptor apoptosis is the main pathological feature of retinal degenerative diseases; however, the underlying molecular mechanism has not been elucidated. Recent studies have shown that N‐myc downstream regulated gene 2 (NDRG2) exerts a neuroprotective effect on the brain and spinal cord. In addition, our previous studies have confirmed that NDRG2 is expressed in mouse retinal photoreceptors and counteracts N‐methyl‐N‐nitrosourea (MNU)‐induced apoptosis. However, the underlying molecular mechanism remains unclear. In this study, we observed that the expression of NDRG2 was not only significantly inhibited in photoreceptors after MNU treatment but also after hydrogen peroxide treatment, and photoreceptor apoptosis was alleviated or aggravated after overexpression or knockdown of NDRG2 in the 661W photoreceptor cell line, respectively. The apoptosis inhibitor Z‐VAD‐FMK rescued photoreceptor apoptosis induced by MNU after NDRG2 knockdown. Next, we screened and identified tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases 3 (TIMP3) as the downstream molecule of NDRG2 in 661W cells by using quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction. TIMP3 exerts a neuroprotective effect by inhibiting the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). Subsequently, we found that signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) mediated the NDRG2‐associated regulation of TIMP3. Finally, we overexpressed NDRG2 in mouse retinal tissues by intravitreally injecting an adeno‐associated virus with mouse NDRG2 in vivo. Results showed that NDRG2 upregulated the expression of phospho‐STAT3 (p‐STAT3) and TIMP3, while suppressing MNU‐induced photoreceptor apoptosis and MMP expression. Our findings revealed how NDRG2 regulates the STAT3/TIMP3/MMP pathway and uncovered the molecular mechanism underlying its neuroprotective effect on mouse retinal photoreceptors.
High methane concentrations in tidal salt marsh soils: Where does the methane go?
Authors: Capooci Margaret , Seyfferth Angelia L. , Tobias Craig , Wozniak Andrew S. , Hedgpeth Alexandra , Bowen Malique , Biddle Jennifer F. , McFarlane Karis J. , Vargas Rodrigo
Published: December 2023

Tidal salt marshes produce and emit CH4. Therefore, it is critical to understand the biogeochemical controls that regulate CH4 spatial and temporal dynamics in wetlands. The prevailing paradigm assumes that acetoclastic methanogenesis is the dominant pathway for CH4 production, and higher salinity concentrations inhibit CH4 production in salt marshes. Recent evidence shows that CH4 is produced within salt marshes via methylotrophic methanogenesis, a process not inhibited by sulfate reduction. To further explore this conundrum, we performed measurements of soil–atmosphere CH4 and CO2 fluxes coupled with depth profiles of soil CH4 and CO2 pore water gas concentrations, stable and radioisotopes, pore water chemistry, and microbial community composition to assess CH4 production and fate within a temperate tidal salt marsh. We found unexpectedly high CH4 concentrations up to 145,000 μmol mol−1 positively correlated with S2− (salinity range: 6.6–14.5 ppt). Despite large CH4 production within the soil, soil–atmosphere CH4 fluxes were low but with higher emissions and extreme variability during plant senescence (84.3 ± 684.4 nmol m−2 s−1). CH4 and CO2 within the soil pore water were produced from young carbon, with most Δ14C‐CH4 and Δ14C‐CO2 values at or above modern. We found evidence that CH4 within soils was produced by methylotrophic and hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis. Several pathways exist after CH4 is produced, including diffusion into the atmosphere, CH4 oxidation, and lateral export to adjacent tidal creeks; the latter being the most likely dominant flux. Our findings demonstrate that CH4 production and fluxes are biogeochemically heterogeneous, with multiple processes and pathways that can co‐occur and vary in importance over the year. This study highlights the potential for high CH4 production, the need to understand the underlying biogeochemical controls, and the challenges of evaluating CH4 budgets and blue carbon in salt marshes.
Two decades of mobile payment research: A systematic review using the TCCM approach
Authors: Behera Chandan Kumar , Kumra Rajeev
Published: December 2023

Researchers have increasingly explored various aspects of mobile payment in the past two decades, including different mobile payment systems (MPS), stakeholders, and related research contexts. However, existing literature reviews are limited to user adoption, overlooking the importance of understanding other key stakeholders, such as retailers and MPS providers, and post‐adoption behaviors. To address this gap, this comprehensive review examines exhaustive 310 studies in the MPS literature using the theory‐context‐characteristics‐methods framework, providing insights into all stakeholders and contexts studied. The findings highlight the need for further research in areas such as peer‐to‐peer payment, MPS adoption in lower‐income countries, MPS discontinuance behavior, socioeconomic impact, and consumer privacy issues. Additionally, the study suggests expanding the scope of MPS research to include emerging mobile payment options like buy now pay later and facial recognition payment system (FRPS). This research contributes valuable insights and proposes future research directions for MPS studies.
Techno‐functional and rheological characterisation of protein isolates from two Australian lupin species as affected by processing conditions
Authors: Devkota Lavaraj , Kyriakopoulou Konstantina , Fernandez Dina , Bergia Robert , Dhital Sushil
Published: December 2023

Lupin, a sustainable non‐starchy legume, holds promising potential as a novel plant protein source, yet its protein functionality has been underexplored, particularly in relation to drying and its interaction with starch and fibres. Here, protein from two Australian Lupin species (Lupinus angustifolius ‘Jurien’ and Lupinus albus ‘Murringo’) were extracted at pH 8.0, precipitated at pH 5.0, and subsequently dried via spray or freeze‐drying, with or without pasteurisation. Solubility at pH 8.0 was highest in the direct freeze‐dried albus and angustifolius isolates, reaching 85% and 88%, respectively, yet processing exerted a discernible influence, leading to reduced solubilities in spray‐dried (albus‐72% angustifolius‐55%) and pasteurised samples (albus‐67%, angustifolius‐44%). However, this effect was not consistently reflected in foaming and emulsification abilities, or water‐ and oil‐holding capacities. The albus species exhibited superior gelation characteristics compared to angustifolius species. Furthermore, interaction between spray‐dried albus isolates, potato starch and two types of fibres showed protein–starch–fibre interactions were dependent on the type of fibres present. In conclusion, varietal disparities, largely attributed to differences in legumin‐to‐vicilin ratios, had a significant impact on protein functionality, while the processing parameters employed demonstrated limited effects, primarily in terms of solubility and colour.
RETRACTED: Effect of drain placement in short‐level spinal surgery on postoperative wound infection: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Zhan Baoming , Fang Shiqiang , Lv Xiuhong , Xie Xuesheng , Wang Xing
Published: December 2023

In the meta‐analysis, we evaluated the efficacy of placing drainage channels following single‐ or double‐level spine surgery in order to decrease the incidence of postoperative injury. We conducted the analysis with the help of four databases: PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library and Web of Science. A review of related studies was carried out after evaluating the quality of the literature against the classification and exclusion criteria set for the trial. Calculation of 95% CI, OR and MD was performed with fixed‐effect models. A meta‐analysis of the data was carried out with RevMan 5.3. Meta‐analyses of randomized controlled trial (RCT) did not indicate that there were a statistically significantly different incidence of postoperative wound infections among those who received drainage compared to those who did not receive drainage (OR, 2.29; 95% CI, 0.50, 10.41 p = 0.28). Moreover, there were no statistically significant differences in post‐operation hematoma (OR, 1.20; 95% CI, 0.27, 5.28 p = 0.81) and visual analogue scale score (MD, −0.01; 95% CI, −1.34, 1.33 p = 0.99). Thus, placing drainage in short‐levels of spine operation did not significantly influence the outcome of postoperative wound complications. Nevertheless, because of the limited sample size chosen for this meta‐analysis, caution should be exercised when treating these data. More high‐quality RCT trials with a large number of samples are required to confirm the findings.
Primary care nurse's role and educational preparedness in skin cancer screening and early detection: A scoping review
Authors: Beames Chelsea , Adelson Pamela , Sharplin Greg , Eckert Marion
Published: December 2023

Aim

To identify the available evidence regarding nursing roles in skin cancer screening and early detection and the reported education and training undertaken to do so.

Design

Scoping review, reported in accordance with PRISMA‐ScR.

Data Sources

A database search of Medline, CINAHL, Scopus, Embase, Emcare and JBI was conducted in November 2021. A grey literature search was conducted in February 2022. Searches were updated in August 2023.

Review Methods

The data were extracted and synthesized into themes related to nursing roles and education.

Results

Of the 2285 identified studies, 54 were included in the review. Nursing roles included screening and early detection, prevention and patient education or counselling. Except for specialized nurse practitioners, nurses working in primary clinical care mostly engage in skin cancer supportive/administrative roles rather than leading collaborators in screening and early detection. The education and training for nurses were identified around themes of didactic education, clinical experience, training in dermoscopy, performance and knowledge assessment and self‐efficacy.

Conclusion

The roles and responsibilities of nurses working in skin cancer screening and early detection are highly variable, as are the reported training and education programmes. Little research has been conducted to explore this nursing role or the educational requirements needed for proficiency. With appropriate best practice education, it is within most primary care nurses’ scope of practice to obtain competence in delivering opportunistic skin cancer screening.

Impact

While most nurse specialists in dermatology will be proficient in dermoscopy and skin cancer screening, nurses who work in general practice are often underutilized due to a lack of opportunity and a clear pathway to becoming proficient in dermoscopic skin cancer screening.

Most nurses involved in skin cancer screening are employed in advanced roles, and only a few studies investigating educational interventions utilized dermoscopy among advanced nurses.

With specific training, nurses can work within their full scope of practice and increase access to skin cancer screening and early detection.

Reporting Method

Adhered to JBI Guidance for Conducting Systematic Scoping Reviews.

Protocol Registration

Open Science Framework, https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/XUNE6

Patient or Public Contribution

N/A; a literature review.
m6A‐related lncRNAs as potential biomarkers and the lncRNA ELFN1‐AS1/miR‐182‐5p/BCL‐2 regulatory axis in diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma
Authors: Yang Qinglong , Lu Yingxue , Du Ashuai
Published: December 2023

Diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common lymphoid subtype. However, unsatisfactory survival outcomes remain a major challenge, and the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. N6‐methyladenosine (m6A), the most common internal modification of eukaryotic mRNA, participates in cancer pathogenesis. In this study, m6A‐associated long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNA) were retrieved from publicly available databases. Univariate, LASSO, and multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed to establish an m6A‐associated lncRNA model specific to DLBCL. Kaplan–Meier curves, principal component analysis, functional enrichment analyses and nomographs were used to study the risk model. The underlying clinicopathological characteristics and drug sensitivity predictions against the model were identified. Risk modelling based on the three m6A‐associated lncRNAs was an independent prognostic factor. By regrouping patients using our model‐based method, we could differentiate patients more accurately for their response to immunotherapy. In addition, prospective compounds that can target DLBCL subtypes have been identified. The m6A‐associated lncRNA risk‐scoring model developed herein holds implications for DLBCL prognosis and clinical response prediction to immunotherapy. In addition, we used bioinformatic tools to identify and verify the ceRNA of the m6A‐associated lncRNA ELFN1‐AS1/miR‐182‐5p/BCL‐2 regulatory axis. ELFN1‐AS1 was highly expressed in DLBCL and DLBCL cell lines. ELFN1‐AS1 inhibition significantly reduced the proliferation of DLBCL cells and promoted apoptosis. ABT‐263 inhibits proliferation and promotes apoptosis in DLBCL cells. In vitro and in vivo studies have shown that ABT‐263 combined with si‐ELFN1‐AS1 can inhibit DLBCL progression.
Genetic mutations and phenotype characteristics in peripheral vascular malformations: A systematic review
Authors: Stor M. L. E. , Horbach S. E. R. , Lokhorst M. M. , Tan E. , Maas S. M. , van Noesel C. J. M. , van der Horst C. M. A. M.
Published: December 2023

Vascular malformations (VMs) are clinically diverse with regard to the vessel type, anatomical location, tissue involvement and size. Consequently, symptoms and disease impact differ significantly. Diverse causative mutations in more and more genes are discovered and play a major role in the development of VMs. However, the relationship between the underlying causative mutations and the highly variable phenotype of VMs is not yet fully understood. In this systematic review, we aimed to provide an overview of known causative mutations in genes in VMs and discuss associations between the causative mutations and clinical phenotypes. PubMed and EMBASE libraries were systematically searched on November 9th, 2022 for randomized controlled trials and observational studies reporting causative mutations in at least five patients with peripheral venous, lymphatic, arteriovenous and combined malformations. Study quality was assessed with the Newcastle‐Ottawa Scale. Data were extracted on patient and VM characteristics, molecular sequencing method and results of molecular analysis. In total, 5667 articles were found of which 69 studies were included, reporting molecular analysis in a total of 4261 patients and 1686 (40%) patients with peripheral VMs a causative mutation was detected. In conclusion, this systematic review provides a comprehensive overview of causative germline and somatic mutations in various genes and associated phenotypes in peripheral VMs. With these findings, we attempt to better understand how the underlying causative mutations in various genes contribute to the highly variable clinical characteristics of VMs. Our study shows that some causative mutations lead to a uniform phenotype, while other causal variants lead to more varying phenotypes. By contrast, distinct causative mutations may lead to similar phenotypes and result in almost indistinguishable VMs. VMs are currently classified based on clinical and histopathology features, however, the findings of this systematic review suggest a larger role for genotype in current diagnostics and classification.
Comparison of gut bacterial communities ofOedaleus decorus asiaticus(Orthoptera: Acrididae) ingesting on different grasses
Authors: Ma Yaling , Yu Binhua , Wang Zhiye
Published: December 2023

Microbiota that live in gut of the insects have a wide range of effects on host physiology, nutrition, and behaviour. To characterize the gut bacterial community of orthopteran pests comprehensively, we selectedOedaleus decorus asiaticus as a representative pest to more explicitly test the influence of host dietary niche on the gut bacterial community. Illumina high‐throughput sequencing technology was used to study the gut bacterial community ofO. d. asiaticus, a key pest on natural grasslands in China. The results showed that the gut bacterial community ofO. d. asiaticusingesting on Poa poophagorum had the highest diversity but lowest richness, and Proteobacteria and Firmicutes were dominant phylum. There were significant differences in the gut bacterial structure ofO. d. asiaticusafter ingesting different grasses. Most of functional prediction pathways were concentrated in metabolism and cellular processes. The diversity of the gut bacterial community associated withCarex sutschanensis,Sipapurpurea, andAgropyron cristatumwas positively associated with crude protein (Ca) (p < 0.05), phosphorus (P) (p < 0.05), and ether extract (EE) (p < 0.05). The abundance ofPantoea,Wolbachia,Enterobacter,Escherichia, andEnterococcuswas positively related to P and EE. The abundance ofPantoea,Wolbachia,Enterobacter,Enterococcus,Succiniclasticum,Lactobacillus, andAcinetobacterwas positively related to crude protein. The abundance ofEscherichia,Muribaculum,Succiniclasticum,Lactobacillus,Acinetobacterwas positively related to Ca and dry matter. The abundance ofMuribaculum,Succiniclasticum,Lactobacillus,Acinetobacterwas positively related to acid detergent fibre, neutral detergent fibre, and crude ash. These results suggest that the grass with higher overall nutritional content has higher abundance of immune bacteria. This investigation of the gut bacterial community may provide insights into the relationships between grasses, pests, and their gut bacterial communities, and find new ways to control locust outbreaks by targeting the insect bacterial community.
Memory performance mediates subjective sleep quality associations with cerebrospinal fluid Alzheimer's disease biomarker levels and hippocampal volume among individuals with mild cognitive symptoms
Authors: Stankeviciute Laura , Blackman Jonathan , Tort‐Colet Núria , Fernández‐Arcos Ana , Sánchez‐Benavides Gonzalo , Suárez‐Calvet Marc , Iranzo Álex , Molinuevo José Luis , Gispert Juan Domingo , Coulthard Elizabeth , Grau‐Rivera Oriol
Published: December 2023

Sleep disturbances are prevalent in Alzheimer's disease (AD), affecting individuals during its early stages. We investigated associations between subjective sleep measures and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers of AD in adults with mild cognitive symptoms from the European Prevention of Alzheimer's Dementia Longitudinal Cohort Study, considering the influence of memory performance. A total of 442 participants aged >50 years with a Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) score of 0.5 completed the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index questionnaire and underwent neuropsychological assessment, magnetic resonance imaging acquisition, and CSF sampling. We analysed the relationship of sleep quality with CSF AD biomarkers and cognitive performance in separated multivariate linear regression models, adjusting for covariates. Poorer cross‐sectional sleep quality was associated with lower CSF levels of phosphorylated tau and total tau alongside better immediate and delayed memory performance. After adjustment for delayed memory scores, associations between CSF biomarkers and sleep quality became non‐significant, and further analysis revealed that memory performance mediated this relationship. In post hoc analyses, poorer subjective sleep quality was associated with lesser hippocampal atrophy, with memory performance also mediating this association. In conclusion, worse subjective sleep quality is associated with less altered AD biomarkers in adults with mild cognitive symptoms (CDR score 0.5). These results could be explained by a systematic recall bias affecting subjective sleep assessment in individuals with incipient memory impairment. Caution should therefore be exercised when interpreting subjective sleep quality measures in memory‐impaired populations, emphasising the importance of complementing subjective measures with objective assessments.
Urine sodium concentration after intravenous furosemide in dogs with acute congestive heart failure and correlation with treatment efficacy
Authors: Convey Victoria , Huh Terry , Achilles Erin J. , Massey Laura K. , McKaba Victoria F. , Loughran Kerry A. , Kraus Marc S. , Gelzer Anna R. , Crooks Alexandra V. , Oyama Mark A.
Published: December 2023

Background

Poor natriuresis is a potential marker of diuretic resistance in dogs with acute congestive heart failure (CHF) but little is known about the relationship between urine sodium concentration (uNa) and frequency of successful decongestion. Supplemental O2 is a common treatment in dogs with severe CHF. The time from start to discontinuation of supplemental O2 therapy (DCSO2) typically reflects the time course and ease of decongestion.

Hypothesis/Objectives

Urine Na concentration after IV administration of furosemide will be correlated with duration of treatment with supplemental O2 (timeO2) and the cumulative frequency of successful DCSO2 during hospitalization.

Animals

Fifty‐one dogs with acute CHF.

Methods

Retrospective observational single center study.

Results

Dogs with low uNa had significantly longer mean timeO2 than dogs with high uNa (uNa <87 mmol/L, 24.2 ± 2.6 hours vs uNa ≥87 mmol/L, 16.6 ± 1.7 hours; P = .02). Low uNa was correlated with lower cumulative frequency of DCSO2 (12 hour, 28%; 24 hour, 42%; 36 hour, 73%) compared to high uNa (12 hour, 28%; 24 hour, 88%; 36 hour, 96%; P = .005). History of PO loop diuretics, low serum chloride concentration (sCl), and high PCV were associated with low uNa. Urine Na concentration outperformed other metrics of diuretic responsiveness including weight loss.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Urine Na concentration after IV furosemide predicted timeO2 and cumulative frequency of DCSO2 in dogs with acute CHF, which likely reflects important aspects of diuretic responsiveness. Urine Na can assess diuretic responsiveness and treatment efficacy in dogs with CHF.
Common and atypical presentations of Anaplasma phagocytophilum infection in equids with emphasis on neurologic and muscle disease
Authors: Aleman Monica , Vedavally Ujwala , Pusterla Nicola , Wensley Fiona , Berryhill Emily , Madigan John E.
Published: December 2023

Background

Comprehensive descriptions of equids with granulocytic anaplasmosis (EGA) with neurologic or muscle disease and other atypical presentations are scarce in the literature.

Objective

Describe the clinical signs, laboratory findings, treatment, and outcome of equids with EGA with emphasis on neurologic and muscle disease.

Animals

Thirty‐eight horses, 1 donkey.

Methods

Retrospective study. Equids with EGA were included. The electronic data base was searched from January 2000 to December 2022 using the words anaplasmosis, ehrlichiosis, granulocytic, and rickettsia. Signalment and clinical data were reviewed. Data were evaluated for normality using Shapiro‐Wilk test. Parametric and nonparametric statistics were used for normally and non‐normally distributed data.

Results

Common (41%) and other (59%) presentations were seen in horses ≥ 4 years of age (median, 14 years) with an overrepresentation of males (77%). Neurologic disease was common (41%), mainly presenting as diffuse symmetrical proprioceptive ataxia. Brain disease was less common manifesting as obtundation and cranial nerve deficits. Muscle disease was less common, with QH breeds with the variant causing myosin heavy chain myopathy (MYHM) having severe disease. Cavitary effusion, cardiomyopathy and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) were uncommon. Clinical laboratory results varied depending on disease stage. Muscle enzyme activities were significantly higher in horses with muscle disease. Outcome was favorable with prompt tetracycline treatment. Death and long‐term sequelae were not reported.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Common and atypical presentations of EGA have a favorable outcome with prompt tetracycline treatment. Quarter horse breeds with muscle disease should be genotyped for MYHM.