bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characterization of coordinated growth in macrodactyly caused by somatic mosaic activating mutations inPIK3CA
Authors: McNamara Catherine , Lanni Jennifer , Daane Jake , Nuzzi Laura , Peal David , Harris Matthew P. , Labow Brian
Published: June 2022

Localized somatic overgrowth disorders that occur during development can be debilitating, and most often require surgical intervention. Although underlying genetic changes associated with overgrowth have been identified in the majority of cases, the cause of the dysregulated growth and its presentation is unknown. Here we detail current work on a specific overgrowth disorder, macrodactyly, in which overgrowth is localized and shows integration with developmental patterning of the limb, providing coordination of the resulting overgrowth structure. We provide clinical analysis of presentation of macrodactyly in a cohort of patients and provide experimental evidence for nerve and vascular-biased regulation of growth. We provide the first animal model that recapitulates macrodactyly and provide evidence that genetic modifiers may underlie the development of this disorder. The unique presentation of macrodactyly provides a framework to identify the causes and regulatory activities that shape hyperplastic signals that lead to integrated patterning in overgrowth. Use of our experimental model suggests potential for genetic modifiers as important for the particular presentation of this disorder over other PIK3CA-related growth disorders.
Microbial Risk Score for Capturing Microbial Characteristics, Integrating Multi-omics Data, and Predicting Disease Risk
Authors: Wang Chan , Segal Leopoldo N. , Hu Jiyuan , Zhou Boyan , Hayes Richard , Ahn Jiyoung , Li Huilin
Published: June 2022

Background

With the rapid accumulation of microbiome-wide association studies, a great amount of microbiome data are available to study the microbiome’s role in human disease and advance the microbiome’s potential use for disease prediction. However, the unique features of microbiome data hinder its utility for disease prediction.

Methods

Motivated from the polygenic risk score framework, we propose a microbial risk score (MRS) framework to aggregate the complicated microbial profile into a summarized risk score that can be used to measure and predict disease susceptibility. Specifically, the MRS algorithm involves two steps: 1) identifying a sub-community consisting of the signature microbial taxa associated with disease, and 2) integrating the identified microbial taxa into a continuous score. The first step is carried out using the existing sophisticated microbial association tests and pruning and thresholding method in the discovery samples. The second step constructs a community-based MRS by calculating alpha diversity on the identified sub-community in the validation samples. Moreover, we propose a multi-omics data integration method by jointly modeling the proposed MRS and other risk scores constructed from other omics data in disease prediction.

Results

Through three comprehensive real data analyses using the NYU Langone Health COVID-19 cohort, the gut microbiome health index (GMHI) multi-study cohort, and a large type 1 diabetes cohort separately, we exhibit and evaluate the utility of the proposed MRS framework for disease prediction and multi-omics data integration. In addition, the disease-specific MRSs for colorectal adenoma, colorectal cancer, Crohn’s disease, and rheumatoid arthritis based on the relative abundances of 5, 6, 12, and 6 microbial taxa respectively are created and validated using the GMHI multi-study cohort. Especially, Crohn’s disease MRS achieves AUCs of 0.88 ([0.85-0.91]) and 0.86 ([0.78-0.95]) in the discovery and validation cohorts, respectively.

Conclusions

The proposed MRS framework sheds light on the utility of the microbiome data for disease prediction and multi-omics integration, and provides great potential in understanding the microbiome’s role in disease diagnosis and prognosis.
Developmental history modulates adult olfactory behavioral preferences via regulation of chemoreceptor expression inC. elegans
Authors: Kyani-Rogers Travis , Philbrook Alison , McLachlan Ian G. , Flavell Steven W. , O’Donnell Michael P. , Sengupta Piali
Published: June 2022

Developmental experiences play critical roles in shaping adult physiology and behavior. We and others previously showed that adultC. eleganswhich transiently experienced dauer arrest during development (PD: post-dauer) exhibit distinct gene expression profiles as compared to control adults which bypassed the dauer stage. In particular, the expression patterns of subsets of chemoreceptor genes are markedly altered in PD adults. Whether altered chemoreceptor levels drive behavioral plasticity in PD adults is unknown. Here we show that PD adults exhibit enhanced attraction to a panel of food-related attractive volatile odorants including the bacterially-produced chemical diacetyl. Diacetyl-evoked responses in the AWA olfactory neuron pair are increased in both dauer larvae and PD adults, and we find that these increased responses are correlated with upregulation of the diacetyl receptor ODR-10 in AWA likely via both transcriptional and post-transcriptional mechanisms. We show that transcriptional upregulation ofodr-10expression in dauer larvae is in part mediated by the DAF-16 FOXO transcription factor. Via transcriptional profiling of sorted populations of AWA neurons from control and PD adults, we further show that the expression of a subset of additional chemoreceptor genes in AWA is regulated similarly toodr-10in PD animals. Our results suggest that developmental experiences may be encoded at the level of olfactory receptor regulation, and provide a simple mechanism by whichC. elegansis able to precisely modulate its behavioral preferences as a function of its current and past experiences.
Rates of growth during and after nutritional rehabilitation and liver fat in adult survivors of severe acute malnutrition
Authors: Thompson Debbie , McKenzie Kimberley , Badaloo Asha , Taylor-Bryan Carolyn , Tennant Ingrid , Soares Deanne , Forrester Terrence , Boyne Michael
Published: June 2022

Background

Nutritional rehabilitation during severe malnutrition (SM) aims to quickly restore a healthy body weight, but rapid weight gain has been associated with later cardiovascular risk. We hypothesized that faster weight gain during SM rehabilitation and post-hospitalization is associated with liver fat in adult survivors.

Method

Adult survivors of childhood SM underwent abdominal CT scan to estimate liver fat as mean liver attenuation (MLA) and liver spleen ratio (L/S). Birth weight (BW) and anthropometry measured during, and post-hospitalization were abstracted from admission records.

Results

We studied 42 marasmus survivors (Ms) and 40 kwashiorkor survivors (Ks). Ms had a lower mean BW (SD) 2.5 (0.8) vs 3.0 (0.7) kg; p=0.01) and were more wasted (p<0.001) and stunted (p=0.03) than Ks on admission to hospital. Ms and Ks had similar rates of rehabilitation weight gain, which was inversely associated with MLA among all survivors of SM (r=-0.246, p=0.029), but only in Ms when assessed by diagnosis (r= -0.449, p=0.004). The association between rehabilitation weight gain and adult liver fat in Ms was not altered by BW, admission wasting or stunting. In Ks, post-hospitalization height gain was inversely associated with MLA (difference = -0.64, 95%CI: -0.64 to -0.13; p=0.006).

Conclusions

Faster rehabilitation weight gain is associated with liver fat in adult survivors of childhood severe malnutrition. The finding that birth weight did not influence these outcomes may reflect the timing of the nutritional insult in utero. Target weight gain during nutritional rehabilitation may need to be lowered to optimize long-term outcomes in these children.
Substance residue analysis as an alternative to drug checking? Traces from drug paraphernalia as a source for laboratory analysis
Authors: Kaskela Teemu , Järvelin Ronja , Nahkuri Janne , Gunnar Teemu , Kankaanpää Aino , Pelander Anna , Kajos Miina
Published: June 2022

Purpose

Drug checking is a popular method to reduce risks of drug use. In many countries, including Finland, legislation restricts implementing drug checking. The aim of this study was to explore whether some benefits of drug checking could be achieved by substance residue analysis.

Design/methodology/approach

Drug paraphernalia (mostly empty plastic bags) were used in the study. Participants left a sample and information about the former content to a local needle exchange point. After laboratory analysis, participants could return for the results and a short consultation on the substance(s) found. Afterward, participants were asked whether they would still use the batch.

Findings

Ninety-eight samples were received. In most cases, the samples had originally been sold as amphetamine (n = 39). Overall, laboratory results matched with supposed content in 52 cases, but in 21 cases, the sold content had been altered, in 17 cases, only other psychoactive substances were found and in 8 cases, no traces of psychoactive substances were found. Participants returned for results in two-thirds of the cases. When the laboratory result did not match participants’ expectations, the majority of participants estimated they would not use the same batch (17/25) or would use it in a different way (2/25).

Originality/value

While reports on drug checking are numerous, studies exploring possibilities to achieve harm-reducing benefits of drug checking by analyzing drug residues are scarce. The results of this pilot study suggest some benefits of drug checking can be achieved by substance residue analysis.
Creating workflow for mediated archiving in CoRSAL
Authors: Dale Merrion
Published: June 2022

Purpose

Language archiving is achieved through the detailed assessment and assemblage of various types of language data. The Computational Resource for South Asian Languages (CoRSAL) is an emerging language archive that prioritizes the accommodation of depositors who have a variety of needs with respect to both research and infrastructure. As such, the CoRSAL team uses a workflow approach that caters to this diversity. The purpose of this paper is to detail the mediated workflow for collection ingest and promotion, citing two specific examples from recently published language collections, as well as discuss specific feedback the team has received from individual depositors and language community members on the effectiveness and usefulness of these efforts thus far.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper provides an exploration of the author’s approaches to a mediated archiving workflow.

Findings

The author discusses the encouraging and constructive feedback the team has received so far and includes instances of specific communication with individuals who have recently deposited and published collections with them.

Originality/value

This is the first research paper published by anyone on our team describing our workflow. It is an expansion of a shorter conference paper presented at the LangArc 2021: 1st International Workshop on Digital Language Archives on September 30, 2021 and published in the conference proceedings
Boards and social media: the institutionalization of corporate social media policy
Authors: Porter Shawna , Hunter Trevor
Published: June 2022

Purpose

The authors' work examines whether coercive forces in the general regulatory environment lead to similarity in social media policy across industries and if memetic forces of industry-specific values and norms lead to greater similarity of social media policy within industries.

Design/methodology/approach

Corporate social media policies were analyzed using a convergent parallel mixed method design to assess and identify themes and similarities. Using an institutional theory lens, this paper examines whether coercive forces in the general regulatory environment lead to similarities in social media policies across industries, and if mimetic forces from industry-specific norms lead to greater similarity of social media policies within industries. Findings suggest that industry-specific, institutional field-level mimetic forces have a greater effect on social media policy isomorphism than environmental-level coercive forces. This study represents the first assessment of corporate social media policies across organizations and industries.

Findings

Findings suggest that industry-specific, institutional field-level mimetic forces have a greater effect on social media policy isomorphism than environmental-level coercive forces.

Research limitations/implications

Limitations related to sampling were primarily related to policy collection. To deal with these limitations, the sample was planned to allow for the inclusion of both randomly selected North American companies from the Fortune 500 list and another random selection of 35 companies from within a convenience sample of 100 North American firms who had a publicly available social media policy online.

Practical implications

The authors' research speaks to management, directors and researchers who work with policy, governance or risk management as the authors demonstrate the effect regulatory and normative institutions have on social media policies: stakeholders within and without given industries are forcing firms to develop legitimacy-providing social media policies by penalizing those that do not. The authors' findings demonstrate that firms respond to the 21st Century potential corporate risk of unsanctioned social media communications by developing corporate social media policies with similar themes. By identifying the themes common in corporate social media policies, the authors have identified best practices constituting a risk mitigation tool for boards.

Originality/value

The authors' approach is innovative in focus and approach. First, using an institutional theory lens, the authors assess the influence of regulatory and memetic forces on social media policies as a formal structure within an institutional field. Second, the authors' approach includes the first major assessment of North American social media policies across a wide array of organizations and industries, adding to understanding about approaches currently used to manage increased social media use in the workplace.
Toward a new beginning: exploring the instructional dynamics of expansive learning with workers in a youth supported housing unit
Authors: Prokopis Dimitrios , Sannino Annalisa , Mykkänen Arttu
Published: June 2022

Purpose

This study aims at presenting an analysis of a Change Laboratory conducted with the personnel of a youth supported housing unit for clients with a history or at risk of homelessness. The analysis is centered on how the workers’ expansive learning process was supported ensuring that they would be in the lead of their workplace transformation process.

Design/methodology/approach

The data were collected in six Change Laboratory sessions facilitated by interventionist-researchers and were analyzed with a specific method of discourse analysis devised for tracing expansive learning at work, the method of analysis of expansive learning actions and deviation from instructional intentions. The purpose of this method of analysis is to present in a detailed and structured manner how workplace expansive learning unfolds.

Findings

The results of the analysis indicate that the contribution of the practitioners participating in this Change Laboratory was such that the undertaken transformation resulting from the expansive learning process was actually owned by them. These results contribute to ongoing discussions on workplace expansive learning, which question the extent to which the Change Laboratory is truly a participatory intervention method in which the participating practitioners’ agency becomes visible without the interventionists necessarily dominating.

Originality/value

This study addresses existing gaps in the literature on workplace expansive learning, by opening up a novel perspective for detailed empirical enquiries that demonstrate the role workers may play in supported expansive learning processes and ensuing transformations of their workplaces.
Pandemic priorities: the impact of the COVID 19 pandemic on ethical leadership in the healthcare profession
Authors: Musbahi Aya , McCulla Alex , Ramsingh Jason
Published: June 2022

Purpose

The COVID 19 pandemic has brought into sharp focus the importance of leadership and the ethics of health-care leadership. The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of COVID 19 on ethical leadership principles using a validated quantitative survey of NHS leaders to compare pre- and post-pandemic ethical leadership principles.

Design/methodology/approach

This study involved a quantitative survey of NHS “leaders”. Inclusion criteria included consultants and registrars leading clinical teams, or NHS managers, senior nurses and matrons. The survey was designed as a modification of the Ethical Leadership Questionnaire proposed by Langlois et al. (2013). A modification was made to ask questions from the questionnaire pertaining to before the pandemic and presently. This allowed a comparison of responses and measures of ethical leadership qualities before and after the pandemic. Twenty-three questions were on attitudes pre-pandemic, and 23 were post-pandemic.

Findings

A total of 79 responses were received. Responses were divided for analysis into those related to an ethics of care dimension, those related to ethics of justice and those related to the ethics of critique. This study has found significant changes in attitudes of health-care leaders with regards to the ethics of critique. Leaders were more likely post-pandemic to speak out against injustice and unfair practices. Leaders were also more concerned with matters of human dignity as well as understanding how some groups may be privileged. Other ethical principles showed no statistical difference.

Originality/value

This paper highlights the changes the COVID-19 pandemic has had on leaders’ attitudes to ethics.
What’s trending: technology in “left behind” libraries
Authors: Oyelude Adetoun A.
Published: June 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to present an overview of technology in libraries that have been “left behind”, that is, libraries that are not technology compliant in terms of providing services with the latest digital tools.

Design/methodology/approach

Systematic literature review on libraries that are “left behind” in technology was done and the data gathered presented, of the latest trends in such libraries and their progress or regression.

Findings

Public and university libraries are mostly left behind depending on the environment and the prevailing circumstances in the environment. The COVID-19 pandemic, unrest and war situations have affected technology use in libraries and created different left behind scenarios in libraries. Recommendation is made for libraries, librarians and information specialists to remain dynamic and versatile to cope in the institutions where they work.

Originality/value

“Left behind” libraries are always trying to catch up, and therefore more attention ought to be paid to them, especially in the digital era of constant emerging technologies.
Effects of indium composition on the surface morphological and optical properties of InGaN/GaN heterostructures
Authors: Hamzah Nur Atiqah , Md Sahar Mohd Ann Amirul Zulffiqal , Tan Aik Kwan , Ahmad Mohd Anas , Abdul Malik Muhammad Fadhirul Izwan , Loo Chin Chyi , Chang Wei Sea , Ng Sha Shiong
Published: June 2022

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the effects of indium composition on surface morphology and optical properties of indium gallium nitride on gallium nitride (InGaN/GaN) heterostructures.

Design/methodology/approach

The InGaN/GaN heterostructures were grown on flat sapphire substrates using a metal-organic chemical vapour deposition reactor with a trimethylindium flow rate of 368  sccm. The indium composition of the InGaN epilayers was controlled by applying different substrate temperatures. The surface morphology and topography were observed using field emission scanning electron microscope (F.E.I. Nova NanoSEM 450) and atomic force microscopy (Bruker Dimension Edge) with a scanning area of 10 µm × 10 µm, respectively. The compositional analysis was done by Energy Dispersive X-Ray Analysis. Finally, the ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectrophotometer (Agilent Technology Cary Series UV-Vis-near-infrared spectrometer) was measured from 200 nm to 1500 nm to investigate the optical properties of the samples.

Findings

The InGaN/GaN thin films have been successfully grown at three different substrate temperatures. The indium composition reduced as the temperature increased. At 760 C, the highest indium composition was obtained, 21.17%. This result was acquired from the simulation fitting of ω−2θ scan on (0002) plane using LEPTOS software by Bruker D8 Discover. The InGaN/GaN shows significantly different surface morphologies and topographies as the indium composition increases. The thickness of InGaN epilayers of the structure was ∼300 nm estimated from the field emission scanning electron microscopy. The energy bandgap of the InGaN was 2.54 eV – 2.79 eV measured by UV-Vis measurements.

Originality/value

It can be seen from this work that changes in substrate temperature can affect the indium composition. From all the results obtained, this work can be helpful towards efficiency improvement in solar cell applications.
Distance to hedgerows drives local repulsion and attraction of wind turbines on bats: Implications for spatial siting
Authors: Leroux Camille , Kerbiriou Christian , Le Viol Isabelle , Valet Nicolas , Barré Kévin
Published: June 2022

The exponential development of wind energy raises concerns regarding its impacts on airborne biodiversity. Evidence of wind turbine attraction and repulsion on bats, and underlying collision risks and habitats losses, are increasingly reported. Since bat activity strongly decreases with distance to optimal habitats such as woody edges, we hypothesize that the distance to these habitats could drive attraction and repulsion in the immediate vicinity of wind turbine. Although several studies have demonstrated wind turbine attraction and repulsion on bats separately, none have so far investigated the co‐existence of both in the same landscape context and evaluated the underlying safe siting distance of wind turbines to bat habitats.

We assessed how wind turbines alter bat activity in their immediate vicinity when located at different distances from hedgerows. We acoustically quantified bat activity for two guilds (short‐and long‐range echolocators) and two species/species group (Pipistrellus pipistrellus and Pipistrellus kuhlii/nathusii from the mid‐range echolocators guild) in open areas from 10 to 283 m from hedgerows using a paired sampling design (i.e. recordings conducted simultaneously in areas with and without wind turbines). Sixty‐five pairs were sampled over 23 nights during the migration period (i.e. from late summer to late fall) in France.

Overall, in the absence of wind turbine, we found that bat activity decreased with increasing distance to hedgerows for all guilds, as widely reported in the literature. Yet, this pattern was no longer observed under wind turbine.

When looking at specific distances to hedgerows, we found the activity of all bat groups and species (except for Pipistrellus kuhlii/nathusii) near hedgerows (10–43 m) to be drastically lower under wind turbines than without wind turbine. In contrast, the activity of short‐range echolocators was higher under wind turbines when located at 43–100 m from hedgerows, and it tended to be higher for long‐range echolocators. Lastly, no effect was detected under wind turbines located at 100–283 m from hedgerows for any guild.

Synthesis and applications. This study provides empirical evidence that wind turbines close to optimal habitats such as hedgerows strongly repel bats, while wind turbines located farther away in open areas could attract them. Increased risks of collisions and habitat losses near edges strengthen the importance of keeping wind turbines at a sufficient distance from woody edges (e.g. 200 m as recommended by EUROBATS guidelines).
Outcomes of patients with different lepidic percentage and tumor size of stage I lung adenocarcinoma
Authors: Liu Chia , Wang Lei‐Chi , Chen Hui‐Shan , Yeh Yi‐Chen , Hsu Po‐Kuei , Huang Chien‐Sheng , Hsieh Chih‐Cheng , Hsu Han‐Shui
Published: June 2022

Background

To evaluate the long‐term outcomes after surgical resection for stage I lung adenocarcinoma based on the percentage of lepidic component (LC) and invasive tumor size (IS).

Methods

The clinicopathological characteristics of 1049 patients with stage I lung adenocarcinoma who underwent surgery between 2006 and 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. Tumors were categorized into groups: A (LC ≥ 50%) and B (LC < 50%). Groups A0 and A1 consisted of minimally invasive adenocarcinomas (MIA) and other lepidic‐predominant invasive adenocarcinomas, respectively. Group B was categorized into B1 (IS ≤ 1 cm), B2 (1 < IS≤2 cm), and B3 (2 < IS≤3 cm) by invasive tumor size and divided into subgroups (B1[lep+]/[lep−], B2[lep+]/[lep−], and B3[lep+]/[lep−]) according to the presence[lep+] or absence[lep−] of LCs. Cumulative incidence of recurrence (CIR) and cancer‐specific survival (CSS) were examined.

Results

LC decreased with increasing IS. Only 24 (8.5%) tumors in group A had an IS >1 cm. 10‐year CIR and CSS were 15.2% and 86.0%. LC and IS were found to be independent predictors of CSS. Patients in group A had 1.4% 10‐year CIR and 100% 10‐year CSS. In group B, a significantly higher CIR and worse CSS were observed as IS increased (p < 0.001), but LC was not a predictor for CSS (p = 0.593). No significant differences in CIR or CSS were found in presence of LC or not when LC < 50% (B1[lep+]/[lep−], B2[lep+]/[lep−], and B3[lep+]/[lep−]: p = 0.36/0.48, p = 0.82/0.94, and p = 0.90/0.37, respectively).

Conclusions

LC≥50% tumors demonstrated excellent prognosis regardless of IS. The outcomes of LC < 50% tumors were well predicted by IS, corresponding to the T‐staging system. The predictive value of LC for prognosis became insignificant.
Who gets the ventilator? A multicentre survey of intensivists' opinions of triage during the first wave of the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Fjølner Jesper , Haaland Øystein Ariandsen , Jung Christian , de Lange Dylan W. , Szczeklik Wojciech , Leaver Susannah , Guidet Bertrand , Sviri Sigal , Van Heerden Peter Vernon , Beil Michael , Hartog Christiane S. , Flaatten Hans
Published: June 2022

Background

The COVID‐19 pandemic has caused a shortage of intensive care resources. Intensivists' opinion of triage and ventilator allocation during the COVID‐19 pandemic is not well described.

Methods

This was a survey concerning patient numbers, bed capacity, triage guidelines, and three virtual cases involving ventilator allocations. Physicians from 400 ICUs in a research network were invited to participate. Preferences were assessed with a five‐point Likert scale. Additionally, age, gender, work experience, geography, and religion were recorded.

Results

Of 437 responders 31% were female. The mean age was 44.4 (SD 11.1) with a mean ICU experience of 13.7 (SD 10.5) years. Respondents were mostly European (88%). Sixty‐six percent had triage guidelines available. Younger patients and caretakers of children were favoured for ventilator allocation although this was less clear if this involved withdrawal of the ventilator from another patient. Decisions did not differ with ICU experience, gender, religion, or guideline availability. Consultation of colleagues or an ethical committee decreased with age and male gender.

Conclusion

Intensivists appeared to prioritise younger patients for ventilator allocation. The tendency to consult colleagues about triage decreased with age and male gender. Many found such tasks to be not purely medical and that authorities should assume responsibility for triage during resource scarcity.
Comparative assessment of multiple‐tract vs single‐tract percutaneous nephrolithotomy
Authors: Savko Olga , Kurosch Martin , Rothe Nina , Dotzauer Robert , Haferkamp Axel , Mager Rene
Published: June 2022

Introduction

To investigate the efficacy and safety of multi‐tract percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PNL) against the benchmark of the single‐tract approach.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of 391 consecutive PNL procedures was conducted in our tertiary referral center between April 2016 and March 2020. Clinical outcome parameters such as stone‐free rate, operation time, postoperative complications according to Clavien–Dindo, length of hospital stay and time to ipsilateral recurrence resulting in active treatment were assessed.

Results

Multi‐tract PNL and single‐tract PNL were performed in 37 (9%) and 354 (91%) cases respectively. At baseline, compared to single‐tract PNL, multi‐tract PNL cases were characterized by significantly larger stone burden (2.62 vs 0.97 cm3, P < .00), lower Hounsfield units (HU) (751 vs 1017 HU, P < .01), a more complex S.T.O.N.E. (size, tract length, obstruction, number of calyces, essence) score (P < .00) and a higher rate of high‐risk stone formers (59 vs 19%, P < .00). Analysis of outcome revealed shorter operation time and length of hospital stay for single‐tract PNL compared to multi‐tract PNL (P < .01). However, the difference in terms of stone‐free rates (92% vs 88%), complication rates (43% vs 28%) and time to active retreatment due to ipsilateral recurrence was not statistically significant (P > .05).

Conclusion

In this retrospective single‐center analysis, a multi‐tract PNL has been proved to be an efficient and safe expansion of single‐tract PNL for large stone burden and complex kidney stone disease. Future prospective research should focus on the procedure's potential effectiveness in reducing the number of interventions until stone‐free status in patients with massive stone disease.
Cytoreductive treatment and association with platelet function and maturity in patients with essential thrombocythaemia
Authors: Pedersen Oliver Buchhave , Grove Erik Lerkevang , Pasalic Leonardo , Ommen Hans Beier , Kristensen Steen Dalby , Hvas Anne‐Mette
Published: June 2022

Patients with essential thrombocythaemia (ET) have an increased risk of thromboembolic events, which may differ according to different cytoreductive drugs. We investigated the effect of cytoreductive treatment on platelet function and turnover in ET patients. Blood samples were obtained at 1 and 24 h after aspirin intake. Platelet function was evaluated by platelet aggregation and flow cytometry. Platelet turnover was assessed by immature platelet count, immature platelet fraction (IPF) and mean platelet volume (MPV). A total of 47 ET patients were included and grouped into 21 patients not receiving cytoreductive treatment, 15 patients receiving hydroxycarbamide and 11 patients receiving pegylated interferon alpha (peg‐IFN). Patients receiving peg‐IFN had significantly higher IPF and MPV than the other ET groups. Patients not receiving cytoreductive treatment had significantly higher platelet aggregation 24 h after aspirin intake than the other ET groups (p‐values from 0.03 to 0.0002). Patients receiving hydroxycarbamide had significantly higher expression of platelet granule makers, P‐selectin and CD63, than patients receiving peg‐IFN (p‐values ≤0.003). Cytoreduction provides more consistent platelet inhibition compared with no cytoreductive treatment. Moreover, peg‐IFN provides superior inhibition of platelet activation markers than hydroxycarbamide, which in part may explain differences in risk of thromboembolic events in ET patients.
Prognostic value of 24‐hour ambulatory blood pressure patterns in diabetes: A 21‐year longitudinal study
Authors: Chiriacò Martina , Sacchetta Luca , Forotti Giovanna , Leonetti Simone , Nesti Lorenzo , Taddei Stefano , Natali Andrea , Solini Anna , Tricò Domenico
Published: June 2022

Aims

To establish the long‐term prognostic value of abnormal circadian blood pressure (BP) patterns in diabetes.

Materials and Methods

We retrospectively examined a cohort of 349 outpatients with diabetes who were screened for microvascular complications and followed up for 21 years. Dipping, nondipping and reverse‐dipping status were defined based on 24‐hour ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM) as ≥10% reduction, <10% reduction, and any increase in average nighttime versus daytime systolic BP (SBP), respectively.

Results

After 6251 person‐years of follow‐up (median [range] follow‐up 21.0 [1.1‐22.0] years, 52% women, age 57.1 ± 11.9 years, 81.4% type 2 diabetes and 18.6% type 1 diabetes), a total of 136 deaths (39%) occurred. Compared with dippers, the nondippers and reverse dippers showed progressively higher prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD), cardiac autonomic neuropathy (CAN) and postural hypotension. Reverse dippers showed a 13.4% (2.5‐year) reduction in mean overall survival and a twofold increased risk of all‐cause mortality after adjustment for traditional risk factors (hazard ratio 2.2 [95% confidence interval 1.3‐3.8]). Each 1% decrease in nighttime versus daytime SBP ratio was independently associated with a 4% reduction in 20‐year mortality risk.

Conclusions

In patients with diabetes, reverse dipping is associated with a higher prevalence of CKD and CAN and more than doubled the adjusted risk of all‐cause mortality over a 21‐year observation.
Asset bubbles, unemployment, and financial market frictions
Authors: Hashimoto Ken‐ichi , Im Ryonghun , Kunieda Takuma , Shibata Akihisa
Published: June 2022

We develop a tractable infinite horizon model of bubbles and unemployment. Our theoretical analysis proves that bubbles stimulate capital accumulation, reduce unemployment, and increase consumption. We then numerically investigate the impacts of credit constraints, labor market conditions, and redistribution policy on capital accumulation, unemployment, and welfare. Our numerical investigations show that the social welfare in the bubbly steady state is always greater than that in the bubbleless steady state even under the constrained‐optimal policy that neutralizes externalities inherent in the model. Furthermore, we find that bubbles increase welfare to a greater extent in an economy with stricter credit constraints.
Treatment of COVID‐19‐induced refractory status epilepticus by tocilizumab
Authors: Kizilkilic Esra Kochan , Unkun Rumeysa , Uygunoglu Ugur , Delil Sakir , Ozkara Cigdem
Published: June 2022

Background and purpose

COVID‐19 is a novel infectious disease caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) in which neurological complications have been increasingly recognized. Acute symptomatic epileptic seizures and status epilepticus are frequently reported neurological complications associated with this infection. The nervous system damage caused by SARS‐CoV‐2 may be mediated by the immune system. Interleukin 6 (IL‐6), an important component of the cytokine storm, is directly correlated with the severity of symptoms. Tocilizumab is an inhibitor of IL‐6 receptors, which blocks IL‐6‐mediated signal transduction and is used in the treatment of COVID‐19 and status epilepticus.

Case report

A patient with the Unverricht–Lundborg disease is presented who had developed refractory recurrent status epilepticus during COVID‐19 infection, which was finally controlled by treatment with tocilizumab.

Discussion

Tocilizumab, an IL‐6 inhibitor, may be considered as a treatment option in patients with status epilepticus and refractory seizures.
Risk factor management matters more than pharmaceutical cyclooxygenase‐2 inhibition in the prevention of de novo intracranial aneurysms
Authors: Räisänen Sari , Huttunen Jukka , Huuskonen Terhi J. , von und zu Fraunberg Mikael , Koivisto Timo , Jääskeläinen Juha E. , Lindgren Antti , Frösen Juhana
Published: June 2022

Background and purpose

Pathophysiological studies of saccular intracranial aneurysm (sIA) disease have shown that inflammation plays a crucial role in sIA development. Pharmaceutical inhibition of COX‐2–PGE2–NF‐κB signaling (COX‐2, cyclooxygenase‐2; PGE2, prostaglandin E2; NF‐κB, nuclear factor κB) has been shown in animal models to inhibit sIA formation and progression suggesting that use of medication inhibiting COX‐2 could reduce intracranial aneurysm formation also in patients.

Methods

The impact of COX‐2 inhibition on de novo sIA formation was studied in two cohorts: in a previously described angiographically followed cohort of 1419 sIA patients and in a cohort of 117 sIA patients treated with stenting or stent‐assisted embolization. Patients were identified from our population‐based Kuopio Intracranial Aneurysm Database. Data on the use of anti‐inflammatory medications and hospital diagnoses were obtained from national registries. Risk factors were identified by univariate and multivariate analyses.

Results

De novo sIA patients were younger and more often smokers. Use of COX‐2 selective inhibitors or nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs did not significantly reduce de novo sIA formation, but the percentage of patients with de novo sIA formation was smaller in patients with prescribed regular acetylsalicylic acid medication (1.1% vs. 3.6%). In the multivariate analysis, however, neither acetylsalicylic acid use nor other type of pharmaceutical inhibition of COX‐2 reduced the formation of de novo sIAs. The risk was mostly affected by age, smoking history and irregular usage of antihypertensive medication regardless of used COX‐2 inhibition level.

Conclusion

For the prevention of de novo sIA formation, risk factor management with focus on cessation of smoking and treating hypertension adequately seems more important than pharmaceutical COX‐2 inhibition.
Otopathy secondary to trigeminal schwannoma in a Quarter Horse
Authors: Lemonnier Louise C. , Dorso Laetitia , Tricaud Cyril , Fusellier Marion , Leroux Aurelia A.
Published: June 2022

Otitis media secondary to trigeminal nerve (CN‐V) paralysis is described in dogs and humans but not in horses. An 18‐month‐old Quarter Horse colt was presented with history of mastication difficulties and a nonhealing corneal ulcer. Clinical findings were consistent with paralysis of the right CN‐V. Computed tomography imaging showed otopathy media and a mass at the root of the CN‐V. The colt was euthanised due to poor prognosis. Post‐mortem magnetic resonance imaging showed enlargement of the right CN‐V which was slightly hyperintense on T2W. Histopathology of the mass revealed fusiform tumoural cells, positive on vimentin‐ and S100 immunohistochemistry, consistent with a schwannoma. Otitis media was presumed secondary to CN‐V paralysis and denervation of the right tensor veli palatini muscle involved in opening of the Eustachian tube. This is the first case of trigeminal schwannoma and secondary otopathy media described in a horse, which highlights the importance of imaging in investigating trigeminal nerve paralysis.
Warming climate impacts on production dynamics of southern populations of Pacific salmon in the North Pacific Ocean
Authors: Kaeriyama Masahide
Published: June 2022

This study reviews the evidence for warming climate impacts on ocean migration, growth, and survival of southern populations of Pacific salmon (Oncorhynchus spp.), in particular, Japanese chum salmon (O. keta). In this century, productivity of Asian and North American Pacific salmon declined in southern areas but increased in northern areas owing to a warming climate. Japanese chum salmon, mainly hatchery‐produced fish, are roughly divided into two populations: warm‐current populations (WCPs) affected by the Tsushima warm current and cold‐current populations (CCPs) affected by the Oyashio cold current. Their population size and survival rate have declined in Honshu since the late 1990s and in Hokkaido since the late 2000s. The decrease in population size of CCPs is greater than that of WCPs, suggesting that WCPs are relatively adaptable to global warming. A decline in survival rate and insufficient growth of juveniles in coastal habitats due to a shortened duration of coastal stay as a consequence of global warming was identified as the factor affecting the reduced production of Japanese chum salmon. The current situation of chum salmon is approaching that of the Jomon transgression period in Japan (7–5.5 kyr before present). Therefore, it is necessary to establish sustainable conservation management for southern populations of Pacific salmon under a warming climate regime.
Qualitative study of the perspectives of women with lived experience of domestic and family violence on accessing healthcare
Authors: Hollingdrake Olivia , Saadi Noor , Alban Cruz Angelica , Currie Jane
Published: June 2022

Aims

To explore the perceptions of women with lived experience of domestic and family violence on accessing healthcare and to identify how nurses can facilitate and support women experiencing domestic and family violence to receive the care they need.

Design

A qualitative single site study.

Methods

As part of an evaluation of a nurse‐led domestic and family violence service, a 2‐h focus group was conducted with four women with lived experience of domestic and family violence on 14 December 2021. The Levesque Framework provided a novel approach to identify barriers and facilitators to healthcare access. The focus group guide included eight open‐ended questions. The audio recording was transcribed and analysed using Braun and Clark's thematic analysis process.

Results

The Levesque Framework helped highlight individual and structural challenges in accessing healthcare faced by women experiencing domestic and family violence. Dominant themes were first contact, comprehensiveness of services and domestic violence awareness.

Conclusion

The growing incidences of domestic and family violence are confounding communities worldwide. Despite the high profile of domestic and family violence in Australia, access to healthcare remains problematic. These preliminary findings suggest that nurses have opportunities to facilitate access in relation to the approachability, acceptability and appropriateness of services. Realizing these opportunities requires education that enables nurses' capacity to provide an effective first contact and facilitate comprehensive care by embodying a no wrong door culture. We intend to explore these concepts in future focus groups.

Impact

This study explored the factors impacting access to healthcare for women experiencing domestic and family violence. Accessing healthcare when experiencing domestic and family violence in Australia is problematic. Findings suggest that nursing has opportunities to facilitate the approachability, acceptability and appropriateness of services. These findings will be valuable to nurses across all healthcare settings, nursing education providers and health workforce planners.
The privileged liberal principle‐implementation gap: How the personal behavior of privileged liberals contributes to social inequality
Authors: Glasford Demis E.
Published: June 2022

Much of the work on the development and maintenance of group inequality has focused on a select number of advantaged groups, resulting in a “blind spot” regarding the role of liberals in contributing to social inequality. The present work tests for a privileged liberal principle‐implementation gap, the notion that under conditions that make personal stake salient privileged liberals exhibit a gap between their self‐reported principles and behavioral tendencies. The studies focus on three areas critical to inequality: employment (i.e., affirmative action; Studies 1a and 4), education (i.e., equal access to education for the working class; Study 1b), and housing (i.e., access to affordable housing; Study 1c), as well as support for the homeless (Studies 2 and 3). The results demonstrate that privileged liberals report higher principles to reduce inequality compared to conservatives, but in settings with salient personal stake exhibit no differences in behavior compared to conservatives. The findings also provide direct experimental evidence for the role of personal stake in shaping the privileged liberal P‐I gap. Implications for the study of inequality and impact on Black/Brown working‐class communities, as well as a class‐based approach to social change, are discussed.
Varying frequency of vateritic otoliths in the Baltic herring Clupea harengus membras
Authors: Mäkinen Katja , Rajasilta Marjut , Mäkilä Ermei , Jokinen Sami , Hänninen Jari
Published: June 2022

We report observations of vateritic crystallization in the sagittal otoliths of the Baltic herring Clupea harengus membras in the northern Baltic Sea. While the existence of vaterite in the calcium carbonate matrix of sagittal otoliths has been observed in various species globally, reports from the brackish Baltic Sea are few in number. Large variation in the frequency of vaterite in 1984, 1988, 1997, 2010 and 2017 was observed, suggesting that the phenomenon is not static and more long‐term studies should be conducted in search of the ultimate causing factors.
Impact of paternal body mass index on assisted reproduction treatment outcomes: An updated systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Zhang Xiaofen , Xie Limin , Liu Hairong , Li Wei
Published: June 2022

Aim

The aim was to provide updated evidence on the association of male body mass index (BMI) with outcomes of assisted reproduction technology (ART).

Methods

PubMed, Embase, and Scopus databases were systematically searched. The review included observational studies in patients undergoing ART, that is, either in‐vitro fertilization (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) and compared rate of clinical pregnancy and live birth based on different categories of male BMI. Quality of the pooled findings was assessed using the GRADE criteria.

Results

A total of 19 studies were included in the review. Among subjects undergoing IVF, there were no significant differences in the rates of clinical pregnancy among overweight (odds ratio [OR] 1.38, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.65, 2.96) and obese (OR 1.86, 95% CI: 0.75, 4.58) BMI, compared to normal male BMI. Similarly, there were no significant differences in the rates of live birth among overweight (OR 1.04, 95% CI: 0.97, 1.13) and obese BMI (OR 0.90, 95% CI: 0.69, 1.18) when compared to males with normal BMI. Further, among those undergoing ICSI, there were no significant differences in the odds of clinical pregnancy among overweight (OR 0.98, 95% CI: 0.73, 1.33) and obese (OR 0.89, 95% CI: 0.62, 1.29). The odds of live births among overweight (OR 0.97, 95% CI: 0.89, 1.05) and obese (OR 0.95, 95% CI: 0.84, 1.07) male BMI were statistically similar to males with normal BMI undergoing ICSI.

Conclusions

The low to very low‐quality findings suggest no significant association of overweight and obese BMI with clinical pregnancy and live birth rates among couples undergoing either IVF or ICSI.
A Bayesian interpretation of cross‐linguistic ambiguity tests
Authors: Langston Christopher
Published: June 2022

Cross‐linguistic comparisons serve as empirical tests generating evidence for and against lexical ambiguity in words like “good”, “know”, “the”, “can”, and “may”. Critics question such comparisons' validity. This article examines how cross‐linguistic comparisons are treated as tests and shows that they have two predominant forms: one modeled on modus tollens, and another on Bayes' theorem, where the former is an enthymematic version of the latter. This analysis reveals the strengths and weaknesses of cross‐linguistic comparisons, and thereby guides interpretation of their results. It concludes that cross‐linguistic comparisons generally yield stronger evidence against lexical ambiguity than for it.