bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Helicobacter pylori‐induced DNA double‐stranded break in the development of gastric cancer
Authors: Murata‐Kamiya Naoko , Hatakeyama Masanori
Published: March 2022

Infection with cagA‐positive Helicobacter pylori strains plays an etiological role in the development of gastric cancer. The CagA protein is injected into gastric epithelial cells through a bacterial Type IV secretion system. Inside the host cells, CagA promiscuously associates with multiple host cell proteins including the prooncogenic phosphatase SHP2 that is required for full activation of the Ras–ERK pathway. CagA–SHP2 interaction aberrantly activates SHP2 and thereby deregulates Ras–ERK signaling. Cancer is regarded as a disease of the genome, indicating that H. pylori‐mediated gastric carcinogenesis is also associated with genomic alterations in the host cell. Indeed, accumulating evidence has indicated that H. pylori infection provokes DNA double‐stranded breaks (DSBs) by both CagA‐dependent and CagA‐independent mechanisms. DSBs are repaired by either error‐free homologous recombination (HR) or error‐prone non‐homologous end joining (NHEJ) or microhomology‐mediated end joining (MMEJ). Infection with cagA‐positive H. pylori inhibits RAD51 expression while dampening cytoplasmic‐to‐nuclear translocalization of BRCA1, causing replication fork instability and HR defects (known as “BRCAness”), which collectively provoke genomic hypermutation via non‐HR‐mediated DSB repair. H. pylori also subverts multiple DNA damage responses including DNA repair systems. Infection with H. pylori additionally inhibits the function of the p53 tumor suppressor, thereby dampening DNA damage‐induced apoptosis, while promoting proliferation of CagA‐delivered cells. Therefore, H. pylori cagA‐positive strains promote abnormal expansion of cells with BRCAness, which dramatically increases the chance of generating driver gene mutations in the host cells. Once such driver mutations are acquired, H. pylori CagA is no longer required for subsequent gastric carcinogenesis (Hit‐and‐Run carcinogenesis).
The effect of lockdown on melanoma stage in Devon, UK
Authors: Heath Harry T. , McGrath Emily J. , Acheson Peter
Published: March 2022

We performed a prospective analysis of Breslow thickness in melanoma before the COVID-19 pandemic and after. It shows that there is a statistically significant increase in melanoma thickness, and ultimately melanoma staging, since the pandemic began.
Mothers’ and fathers’ executive function both predict emergent executive function in toddlerhood
Authors: Ribner Andrew , Devine Rory T. , Blair Clancy , Hughes Claire ,   NewFAMS Investigators
Published: March 2022

There are multivariate influences on the development of children's executive function throughout the lifespan and substantial individual differences can be seen as early as when children are 1 and 2 years of age. These individual differences are moderately stable throughout early childhood, but more research is needed to better understand their origins. To some degree, individual differences in executive function are correlated between mother and child, but no research to date has examined these associations prior to when children are preschool age, nor have any studies considered the role of fathers’ and mothers’ executive function in tandem. Here, we use a sample of 484 families (Mothers 89.2% white; Fathers 92.5% white) in three countries (UK, USA, Netherlands) to investigate the role of each parents’ executive function on the development of children's (49.7% female) executive function from 14 (M = 14.42, SD = 0.57) to 24 (M = 24.47, SD = 0.78) months, as well as parenting practices that underlie these associations. Results of structural equation models suggest stability in some—but not all—components of executive function and growing unity between components as children age. We replicate extant findings such that mothers’ executive function predicts children's executive function over and above stability and extend these findings to include associations between father and child skills. We find an additive role of fathers’ EF, similar in magnitude to the role of mothers’ EF. Finally, for both mothers and fathers we find that sensitivity and autonomy supportive practices mediate the relations between parents’ and children's executive function.
Prevalence and determinants of pain in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy: Results from the German INHIBIT registry
Authors: Mork Hannah , Motte Jeremias , Fisse Anna Lena , Grüter Thomas , Brünger Jil , Stoykova Zornitsa , Bulut Yesim , Athanasopoulos Diamantis , Sturm Dietrich , Tegenthoff Martin , Gold Ralf , Enax‐Krumova Elena , Pitarokoili Kalliopi
Published: March 2022

Background and purpose

Pain, fatigue and depression in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) are often underestimated, as the focus lies on sensorimotor dysfunction and gait instability. The aim of this study was to investigate their prevalence, characteristics and contribution to disability in a prospective cohort of 84 patients with CIDP.

Methods

Pain, fatigue, depression and quality of life were measured using the Pain Detect Questionnaire, Krupp's Fatigue Severity Scale, Beck Depression Inventory II and the German Short‐Form 36 Health Survey. Sensorimotor deficits and disability were assessed using the Inflammatory Neuropathy Cause and Treatment overall disability score, the Rasch‐built Overall Disability Scale, the Medical Research Council sum score and the Inflammatory Neuropathy Cause and Treatment sensory sum score. The interrelation between the five factors was assessed using analysis of variance and linear regression analysis.

Results

Pain was reported in 62%, mostly of moderate and severe intensity, whereas pain characteristics indicated neuropathic pain (NP) in 29%. Sensory dysfunction was stronger in NP patients compared to pain‐free patients (p = 0.001). Pain of any type, especially NP, was associated with more pronounced fatigue symptoms (p = 0.010). Depressive symptoms were more frequent in patients with pain compared to the pain‐free patients (61% vs. 33%, p = 0.02) and were more severe and frequent in NP than in non‐NP patients (p = 0.005). Patients with pain had a worse physical quality of life than pain‐free patients (p = 0.001).

Conclusion

Pain, depression and fatigue are relevant disability factors in CIDP affecting quality of life. Sensory dysfunction is associated with NP. Therefore, evaluation of CIDP‐related disability should include pain and sensory function for adequate monitoring of therapeutic interventions.
Long‐term seizure outcomes in patients with autoimmune encephalitis: A prospective observational registry study update
Authors: Liu Xu , Guo Kundian , Lin Jingfang , Gong Xue , Li Aiqing , Zhou Dong , Hong Zhen
Published: March 2022

Objective

This study was undertaken to update and evaluate long‐term seizure outcomes in patients with autoimmune encephalitis (AE) based on a large cohort study with long follow‐up.

Methods

In this prospective observational registry study, we analyzed data from patients with AE mediated by common types of neuronal surface antibodies (anti‐N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate receptor [NMDAR], anti‐leucine‐rich glioma‐inactivated 1 [LGI1]/contactin‐associated protein‐like 2 [Caspr2], anti‐γ‐aminobutyric acid type B receptor [GABABR]). All patients were recruited from the Department of Neurology at West China Hospital between October 2011 and June 2019, and data were collected prospectively on their demographic and clinical characteristics, treatment strategy, and seizure outcomes, with a median follow‐up of 42 months (range = 6–93 months). Potential risk factors associated with seizure recurrence were also assessed.

Results

Of 320 AE patients, 75.9% had acute seizures, among whom >90% of patients had their last seizure within 12 months of disease onset. During our follow‐up, 21 (9.3%) patients experienced seizure recurrence. Patients with anti‐GABABR encephalitis had a higher cumulative incidence of seizure recurrence than those with anti‐NMDAR (log‐rank p = .03) or anti‐LGI1/Caspr2 encephalitis (log‐rank p = .04). Among patients with anti‐NMDAR encephalitis, women had a significantly higher cumulative incidence of seizure recurrence than men (log‐rank p = .01). Interictal epileptiform discharges (IEDs) or seizures captured on continuous electroencephalogram (EEG) in the acute phase were identified as potential risk factors for seizure recurrence (p = .04, p = .007). Among 163 patients with ≥24 months of follow‐up, five (3.1%) showed persistent seizures and required ongoing antiseizure medications despite aggressive immunotherapy.

Significance

Seizure recurrence occurred in a small number of patients and chronic epilepsy occurred in 3.1% of patients during prolonged follow‐up. Across all types of AE, risk factors for seizure recurrence were IEDs or seizures captured on EEG in the acute phase; for anti‐NMDAR encephalitis, female sex was also a risk factor.
Trade credit in Europe: Financial constraint and substitution effect in crisis times
Authors: Bussoli Candida , Giannotti Claudio , Marino Francesca , Maruotti Antonello
Published: March 2022

This paper aims to prove whether financial rationing condition leads European enterprises to increase trade debt during the period 2008–2016 and whether companies offering deferred payments to customers obtain trade debt from suppliers. The work contributes to the existing literature by finding new empirical evidence on the substitution and matching hypotheses in times of crises, measuring the specific rationing conditions for businesses and distinguishing large, medium, small and micro‐sized companies. The results revealed that, in times of crisis, medium, small and micro firms, highly likely to be constrained, employ trade credit more extensively, as those granting deferred payment terms.
Reducing the incidence of domestic violence: An observational study of an equine‐assisted intervention
Authors: Hemingway Ann , Sullivan Kezia
Published: March 2022

This paper is presenting results from an observational study which has measured the impact of an equine‐assisted education (EAE) intervention on the future occurrence of domestic violence within the family over 1 year following completion of the intervention as part of the troubled families program. The data analyzed were collected by the local authority troubled family's team from the different agencies involved including crime, health, and social care data. The data were analyzed and compared across four groups, those families on the troubled families program who had a key worker with a member or members who had attended and completed the equine‐assisted intervention (n = 268); those families who were on the troubled families program but no support had been offered (n = 10,569), those families who were on the program and were being supported by a key worker only (n = 2119), and those families on the program who were being supported by a key worker and had received further support, not from the equine‐assisted intervention (N = 1119). Significant reductions in domestic violence and child in need status were found for those families who had a member or members attend and complete the equine‐assisted intervention under study. Those families referred to the equine‐assisted intervention also had significantly more complex needs than those in the other groups. Referrals to this intervention are normally for those families for whom talk‐based interventions such as parenting, or education‐based interventions are not working.
Salted roads lead to oedema and reduced locomotor function in amphibian populations
Authors: Brady Steven P. , Goedert Debora , Frymus Lauren E. , Zamora‐Camacho Francisco Javier , Smith Peter C. , Zeiss Caroline J. , Comas Mar , Abbott Timothy A. , Basu Silvia P. , DeAndressi Jason C. , Forgione Mia E. , Maloney Michael J. , Priester Joseph L. , Senturk Faruk , Szeligowski Richard V. , Tucker Alina S. , Zhang Mason , Calsbeek Ryan
Published: March 2022

Human activities have caused massive losses of natural populations across the globe. Like many groups, amphibians have experienced substantial declines worldwide, driven by environmental changes such as habitat conversion, pollution, and disease emergence. Each of these drivers is often found in close association with the presence of roads.

Here we report a novel consequence of roads affecting an amphibian native to much of North America, the wood frog (Rana sylvatica). Across 38 populations distributed from southern to central New England, we found that adult wood frogs living adjacent to roads had higher incidence and severity of oedema (indicated by obvious bloating caused by subcutaneous fluid accumulation) during the breeding season than frogs living away from the influence of roads. This effect was best explained by increased conductivity of breeding ponds, probably caused by runoff pollution from road salt used for de‐icing. Oedema severity was negatively correlated with locomotor performance in more northerly populations.

Interestingly, northern populations experience more intense winters, which tends to result in more de‐icing salt runoff and increased energetic demands associated with overwintering cryoprotection needs. Thus, this emerging consequence of roads appears to impose potential fitness costs associated with locomotion, and these effects might be most impactful on populations living in regions where de‐icing is most intense.

Together, our findings reveal a novel set of impacts of roads and runoff pollution on wood frog physiology and performance, which seem likely to contribute to population decline. Given the global prevalence of roads and increasing salinisation of freshwater habitats, oedema and related impacts could be widespread consequences faced by amphibian populations across much of the planet's temperate zones.
Coral calcification and carbonate production in the eastern tropical Pacific: The role of branching and massive corals in the reef maintenance
Authors: Tortolero‐Langarica J. J. Adolfo , Rodríguez‐Troncoso Alma P. , Cupul‐Magaña Amílcar L. , Morales‐de‐Anda Diana E. , Caselle Jennifer E. , Carricart‐Ganivet Juan P.
Published: March 2022

Hermatypic corals have the potential to construct calcium carbonate (CaCO3) reef‐framework, maintain habitats tridimensionality and contribute to both the biogeochemical and the geo‐ecological functionality of coral reefs. However, in the past decades, coral reef growth capacity has been affected by multiple and cumulative anthropogenic stressors, threating the reef functionality and their ecosystem goods and services provision to humankind. This study evaluated temporal changes in geobiological growth characteristics as a function of live coral cover, calcification rate (extension rate and skeletal density) and coral carbonate production at Islas Marias archipelago from the eastern tropical Pacific, using historical data obtained in 2007 (López‐Pérez et al., 2015,Marine Ecology, 37, 679) and data obtained through field and laboratory research between 2015 and 2018. Overall, live coral cover decreased (82%), wherePocilloporaspp. corals reduced from 26% in 2007 to 4% in 2018, in contrast,Pavonaspp. declined from 4.1% to 3.7% over the same period. Coral carbonate production ranged between 1.78 and 10.65 kg CaCO3 m−2 yr−1, with a significant difference (threefold) between reef zones (shallow vs deep), highlighting the higher carbonate production at deep‐reef sites. Coral cover, carbonate production and sclerocronological characteristics showed a decrease rate (between 30 and 60%) associated with thermal anomaly events such as La Niña (2010–2011) and El Niño (2014–2016), with positive sights of recovery (twofold) during the following years 2017–2018. This study provides evidence that massivePavonaand branchingPocilloporacorals are key reef‐building species at Islas Marias archipelago, due to their capability of sustaining live coral coverage and carbonate through thermal disturbance periods. Revealing, that corals at mid‐water depths (>10 m) may significantly contribute to the long‐term stability of biogenic reef‐framework, and geo‐ecological functionality of the eastern tropical Pacific reefs.
HIV/AIDS post‐exposure prophylaxis knowledge and uptake among health professionals in Africa: Systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Tekalign Tiwabwork , Awoke Nefsu , Eshetu Kirubel , Gelaw Walle Belete , Teshome Guta Mistire
Published: March 2022

Background

Healthcare workers in developing countries are at particularly increased risk of infections from blood‐borne pathogens because of the high prevalence of such pathogens in their communities as well as the lack of basic personal protective equipment, such as gloves, gowns and goggles. For those exposed healthcare workers, the immediate administration of antiretroviral drugs following exposure to potentially infected blood or other bodily fluids is essential in order to minimize the risk of acquiring HIV infection. This review is aimed at estimating the pooled prevalence of knowledge and uptake of post‐exposure prophylaxis among healthcare providers in Africa.

Methods

We accessed PubMed, Science Direct, Google Scholar, SCOPUS, African Journals Online (AJOL), Journal Storage (JSTOR) and EMBASE. The search for unpublished studies included Google and institutional repositories were also used. This meta‐analysis follows the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The quality of studies was assessed using the modified Newcastle‐Ottawa Scale (NOS). Meta‐analysis was carried out with a random‐effects method using STATA v.14 software.

Results

Out of 654 692 studies retrieved, 37 studies from four African regions involving 6482 healthcare providers were included in this meta‐analysis. The overall estimated pooled uptake and knowledge of HIV/AIDS post‐exposure prophylaxis among healthcare providers in Africa using a random‐effects model were 40.09% (95% CI: 30.14–50.04) and 57.67% (95% CI: 44.32–71.01) respectively, whereas the highest uptake and knowledge were 45.48% (95% CI: 24.79–66.17) and 61.37% (95% CI: 46.39–76.36) in the southern and eastern regions, respectively.

Conclusions

The results of this meta‐analysis indicated that the knowledge and uptake of post‐exposure prophylaxis, one of the best approaches to tackling HIV/AIDS transmission, are significantly low. Therefore, healthcare organizations should work on strategies to increase knowledge and uptake of post‐exposure prophylaxis among healthcare providers.

Registration

Prospero (ID: CRD42021244003).
Impact of kernel development on phenolic profiles and antioxidant activity in Castanea henryi
Authors: Li Jiaqi , Chen Jiayu , Xiao Gengsheng , Chen Ling , Guo Xinbo
Published: March 2022

The changes in the phenolic profiles during the kernel development of two varieties of Castanea henryi (‘Jinzhui’ (YS) and ‘Baiyan No.1’ (WS)) were investigated based on content levels and gene expression levels. The results showed that the total phenolic content (TPC) increased during the Castanea henryi development and were mainly dependent on the content variation of gallic acid and (‐)‐epicatechin. Gene C4H positively affected the accumulation of p‐coumaric acid, while gene CHI and F3H positively affected the biosynthesis of (‐)‐epicatechin. Four assays including DPPH, FRAP, ABTS and ORAC were conducted to evaluate the antioxidant quality of Castanea henryi extracts. The results showed that the Castanea henryi developed at S4 (stage 4) possessed the better antioxidant quality. In addition, in both varieties, FRAP and ORAC value were more likely to be influenced by the variation of gallic acid and (‐)‐epicatechin concentrations, respectively. The DPPH value in YS was dependent on the syringic acid and the gallic acid content in WS.
Precooked sorghum flour as proper vehicle of ACE‐I and DPP‐IV inhibitory sorghum peptides
Authors: Cian Raúl E. , Albarracín Micaela , Garzón Antonela G. , Drago Silvina R.
Published: March 2022

Sorghum flour was heat treated for producing an instant dispersion ingredient. The precooked sorghum flour was added with ACE‐I and DPP‐IV inhibitory sorghum peptides (3.0 g peptide 100 g−1). The product was reconstituted in water, and peptide bioaccessibility was evaluated by equilibrium dialysis method after simulated gastrointestinal digestion. Total peptide dialysability of precooked sorghum flour added with sorghum peptides was higher than those obtained for precooked sorghum flour (315.9 ± 14.8 vs. 45.2 ± 5.6 µmol, respectively) (P < 0.05). The ACE‐I and DPP‐IV‐IC50 values of the bioaccessible peptides from the bioactive product were lower than those obtained for precooked sorghum flour ingredient (1.04 ± 0.12 vs. 1.82 ± 0.09 and 0.86 ± 0.02 vs. 2.12 ± 0.08 mg protein mL−1, for ACE‐I and DPP‐IV, respectively) indicating a higher activity. Precooked sorghum flour was a good vehicle since it did not affect the bioaccessibility of ACE‐I and DPP‐IV inhibitory peptides provided by sorghum protein hydrolysate.
Au and Co3O4 anchored Bi2WO6 with enhanced electron paramagnetic resonance, surface plasmon resonance, nonlinear and magnetic properties
Authors: Chen Qiuling , Chen Weihao , Miao Baoji , Fan Jianhua
Published: March 2022

The combination of surface plasmon resonance (SPR) effect with hetero‐p–n structure shows promising benefits to optical linear and nonlinear properties. In this study, Au nanoparticles (NPs) decorated p–n hetero‐structured Co3O4/Bi2WO6 composite was synthesized and characterized in terms of the optical linear and nonlinear and magnetic properties, morphology, electron transition, charge transfer, energy band gap, polarizability, SPR effect, and oxygen vacancies using scanning electron microscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy, Z‐scan, ultraviolet–visible spectra, and vibrating sample magnetometer. The combination of Co3O4 provided active 3d electrons transition and charge transfer which increased carriers’ concentration and reduced the energy band gap. Au SPR enhanced the internal polarization and strengthened the built‐in electric field, yielding strong nonlinear behavior. In addition, magnetic Co3O4 endowed sample with room‐temperature ferromagnetism which was obviously strengthened by Au NPs. The obtained sample is promising for laser and photonics applications.
Using point data to assess biogeographical signal, endemicity and factors associated with macrofungal diversity in the data‐poor Pacific oceanic island bioregion
Authors: Osmundson Todd W. , Bergemann Sarah E. , Rasmussen Rikke , Garbelotto Matteo M.
Published: March 2022

Aim

Oceanic hotspot archipelagos are important systems for studying evolutionary and ecological processes; however, studies of macrofungi in these habitats are extremely limited. We assessed diversity across habitat types, using DNA point data to draw inferences about biogeographical signal, endemicity and potential radiation for fungi of a representative isolated island (Moorea, French Polynesia) within the poorly known South Pacific bioregion, comparing resulting patterns to those previously inferred for more comprehensively sampled plants and animals.

Location

Moorea and Tahiti, French Polynesia.

Taxon

Fungi (Basidiomycota, Ascomycota).

Methods

Morphological characters and similarity assessment of rDNA‐ITS sequence data were used to measure diversity and habitat associations. A Monte Carlo simulation method was developed to detect biogeographical signal and assess its significance.

Results

A total of 553 specimens yielded 205 morphospecies; 433 sequenced specimens yielded a molecular:morphological richness ratio of 1.24:1. Approximately 58% of sequences lacked a close (≥98%) GenBank match. Community composition differed by vegetation type, with highest similarity between forest types occupying similar low‐elevation habitats. A predominant Australian/Oceanean biogeographical signal was detected.

Main conclusions

Moorea fungi exhibit a strong Australian biogeographical affinity as reported for other taxa, supplemented by more recent introductions. Like Society Islands plants and animals, macrofungi may have high endemism. Morphological evidence does not indicate that intra‐island radiation has occurred, though molecular evidence suggests possible cryptic speciation. Habitat types differ in their biogeographical affinities, but habitat does not appear to be driving radiation. This study introduces a robust method for inferring biogeographical signal using sequence database comparisons, applicable to other taxa and systems for which only point data are available.
Life expectancy for community‐dwelling persons with dementia and severe disability
Authors: Harrison Krista L. , Ritchie Christine S. , Hunt Lauren J. , Patel Kanan , Boscardin W. John , Yaffe Kristine , Smith Alexander K.
Published: March 2022

Background

Understanding life expectancy can help persons with dementia, their care partners, and policymakers plan for what lies ahead. We sought to determine life expectancy and predictors of mortality for community‐dwelling persons with dementia and severe disability.

Methods

Using the National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS) linked to Medicare claims, we identified community‐dwelling respondents age 65+ who entered NHATS in 2011 with dementia and severe disability (defined as three impairments in activities of daily living), or who subsequently met criteria for dementia and then severe disability. We estimated time to death based on the timing of meeting severe disability criteria. We conducted parametric survival analyses using a Gompertz distribution to calculate risk of death and predicted median time to death. Predictors included demographic, functional, clinical characteristics, and behavioral symptoms (assessed among NHATS respondents with proxy interviews).

Results

Among 842 community‐dwelling persons with dementia and severe disability, 80.5% died during the study period. After adjusting for age and gender, overall predicted median time to death was 1.7 years (25th percentile 0.6, 75th percentile 3.8 years). Six notable characteristics were associated with shorter life expectancy: 1) older age (90+), with a predicted median time to death of 1.0 year (0.4, 2.1); 2) being bedbound, 1.1 years (0.4, 2.3); 3) being homebound, 1.2 years (0.5, 2.6); 4) having comorbid cancer, 1.2 years (0.5, 2.6); 5) unintended weight loss, 1.4 years (0.5, 3.1); and 6) comorbid depression, 1.5 years (0.6, 3.3).

Conclusions

Community‐dwelling persons with dementia and severe disability lived a median of 1.7 years. Clinicians can use the study findings to provide anticipatory guidance to patients and care partners, and policymakers to inform design of longitudinal supportive services.
Hip medial rotator action of gluteus medius in Japanese macaque (Macaca fuscata) and implications to adaptive significance for quadrupedal walking in primates
Authors: Shitara Tetsuya , Goto Ryosuke , Ito Kohta , Hirasaki Eishi , Nakano Yoshihiko
Published: March 2022

The gluteus medius (GM) muscle in quadrupedal primates has long been thought to mainly act as a hip extensor. However, previous reports argue that it may be a prime hip medial rotator and functions to rotate the pelvis in the horizontal plane, suggesting the functional differentiation between the GM and other hip extensors as hamstrings. In this study, we aim to quantify the muscle actions of the GM and hamstrings using muscle moment arm lengths and discuss the functional differentiation among hip extensors. Muscle attachment sites of eight specimens of Japanese macaque (Macaca fuscata) were digitized, and musculoskeletal models were constructed. Flexor‐extensor, abductor‐adductor, and medial‐lateral rotator moment arms were calculated as the models were moved following the experimentally acquired kinematic data during walking on a pole substrate. Using electromyography, we also recorded the pattern of muscle activation. The GM showed a larger medial rotator moment arm length than the extensor moment arm length when it was activated, suggesting this muscle acts mainly as a hip medial rotator rather than as a hip extensor. The medial rotator action of the GM in the early support phase may rotate the pelvis in the horizontal plane and function to help contralateral forelimb reaching as a previous study suggested and facilitate contralateral hindlimb swinging to place the foot near the ipsilateral forelimb's hand.
Clinical commentary about foreign body complications over 20 years after polymethyl‐methacrylate face implants and control of late sequelae with Polynucleotides Highly Purified Technology (PN‐HPT®)
Authors: Palmieri Isabella Pia , Raichi Mauro
Published: March 2022

Introduction

Mainly in the past, foreign body complications, including granuloma, were pretty frequent after semi‐permanent polymethyl‐methacrylate (PMMA) implants.

Results

The authors describe a twenty‐year history of recurring post‐PMMA complications interspersed by long uneventful years, with acute edematous side effects evolving into unpleasant skin dystrophia with persistent cutis laxa. The case report also discusses a simple clinical algorithm to discriminate among foreign body complications with particular attention to granulomas.

Conclusions

The authors conclude by discussing the benefits of the anti‐dystrophic treatment with natural‐origin remodeling PN‐HPT® (Polynucleotides Highly Purified Technology).
As far as possible: The relationship between public awareness, social distance, and stigma towards people with intellectual disability
Authors: Tenorio Marcela , Arango Paulina Sofía , Aparicio Andrés , Ali Afia , Hassiotis Angela
Published: March 2022

Research shows that people with intellectual disability (ID) face public stigma. However, a recently published narrative review suggests that this phenomenon has not been explored in a Latin American country. This study fills the gap in our understanding of public stigma towards people with intellectual disability in Chile. 395 adults from the general population (18 to 78 years) participated in the survey. Using the Intellectual Disability Literacy Scale, adapted for Chile, we explored the participants' literacy about ID, their causal beliefs, and desire of social distance. Only 1.3% of the sample identified intellectual disability in the instrument's vignette. The most common causal attribution for the condition was environmental, followed by biomedical factors. Participants showed a high desire of social distance, with higher scores associated with more educated participants. Our findings show that low literacy about intellectual disability and a high desire for social distance are significant factors contributing to public stigma in Chile. These are tangible targets for change that can lead to increased social inclusion and participation of people with intellectual disability in Chile. Any such approaches are likely to be transferable to other Latin American countries and could help reduce public stigma for this population.
VirA+EmiC project: Evaluating real‐world effectiveness and sustainability of integrated routine opportunistic hepatitis B and C testing in a large urban emergency department
Authors: Nebbia Gaia , Ruf Murad , Hunter Laura , Balasegaram Sooria , Wong Terry , Kulasegaram Ranjababu , Surey Julian , Khan Zana , Williams Jack , Karo Basel , Snell Luke , Flower Barnaby , Evans Hannah , Douthwaite Sam
Published: March 2022

Innovative testing approaches and care pathways are required to meet global hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) elimination goals. Routine blood‐borne virus (BBV) testing in emergency departments (EDs) in high‐prevalence areas is suggested by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) but there is limited evidence for this. Universal HIV testing in our ED according to UK guidance has been operational since 2015. We conducted a real‐world service evaluation of a modified electronic patient record (EPR) system to include opportunistic opt‐out HBV/reflex‐HCV tests for any routine blood test orders for ED attendees aged ≥16 years. Reactive laboratory results were communicated directly to specialist clinical teams. Our model for contacting patients requiring linkage to care (new diagnoses/known but disengaged) evolved from initially primarily hospital‐led to collaborating with regional health and community service networks. Over 11 months, 81,088 patients attended the ED; 36,865 (45.5%) had a blood test. Overall uptake for both HBV and HCV testing was 75%. Seroprevalence was 0.9% for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and 0.9% for HCV antigen (HCV‐Ag). 79% of 140 successfully contacted HBsAg+patients required linkage to care, of which 87% engaged. 76% of 130 contactable HCV‐Ag+patients required linkage, 52% engaged. Our results demonstrate effectiveness and sustainability of universal ED EPR opt‐out HBV/HCV testing combined with comprehensive linkage to care pathways, allowing care provision particularly for marginalized at‐risk groups with limited healthcare access. The findings support the ECDC BBV testing guidance and may inform future UK hepatitis testing guidance.
Hepatitis C antibody prevalence, correlates and barriers to care among people who inject drugs in Central California
Authors: Ozga Jenny E. , Syvertsen Jennifer L. , Pollini Robin A.
Published: March 2022

Hepatitis C (HCV) infection among people who inject drugs (PWID) is a major public health concern. We examined correlates of HCV antibody (anti‐HCV) seropositivity and characteristics of prior HCV testing and treatment among PWID in Fresno, California, which has among the highest prevalence of injection drug use (IDU) in the United States. We surveyed 494 peer‐recruited PWID (≥18 years of age) in 2016 about their experiences with HCV testing and treatment, and conducted HCV and HIV antibody testing for all participants. Bivariate analyses and multivariable logistic regressions were used to identify correlates of anti‐HCV seropositivity. A majority (65%) tested positive for anti‐HCV, with 32% of those being unaware of their HCV status. Anti‐HCV seroprevalence was independently and positively associated with older age (AOR = 1.11 per year, 95% CI = 1.06, 1.17), years injecting (AOR = 1.08 per year, 95% CI = 1.03, 1.13), distributive syringe sharing (AOR = 2.76, 95% CI = 1.29, 5.94), having syringes confiscated by police (AOR = 2.65, 95% CI = 1.22, 5.74), ever trading sex (AOR = 3.51, 95% CI = 1.40, 8.81) and negatively associated with being Black/African American (non‐Hispanic) (AOR = 0.06, 95% CI = 0.01, 0.47). Prior HCV testing was associated with older age, ever getting syringes from a syringe services program, and having interactions with police. For those aware of their anti‐HCV seropositivity, only 11% had initiated treatment; reasons for not seeing a physician regarding diagnosis included not feeling sick (23%), currently using drugs/alcohol (19%) and not knowing where to go for HCV medical care (19%). Our findings highlight the importance of expanding community‐based access to sterile syringes alongside HCV testing and treatment services, particularly at syringe service programs where PWID may be more comfortable seeking testing and treatment.
Development of new real‐time PCR methods for detection of Decapod iridescent virus 1 in shrimp
Authors: Sellars Melony J. , Franz Louise , Moser Ralf Joachim
Published: March 2022

Novel Decapod Iridescent virus (DIV1) infections emerged in mainland China around 2014 and have devastated shrimp aquaculture operations in Chinese coastal provinces. In 2020, DIV1 has spread to Taiwan with devastating results to shrimp and crayfish farms, in addition to being found in wild caught Penaeus monodon from the Indian Ocean. This trend is a major cause for concern and an urgent reminder to expand the tools needed to monitor the spread of DIV1 globally. Here, we describe a set of four different real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays positioned across the genome of DIV1 to detect the virus in shrimp tissues. All four assays show a wide dynamic range and high analytical sensitivity and specificity. In addition, the newly developed assays show excellent diagnostic sensitivity and specificity in clinical Litopenaeus vannamei samples of North Asian origin. The new molecular toolset will enhance global capabilities to monitor the spread of DIV1 and ultimately be used as an early warning system for farmers and authorities to engage in appropriate risk mitigation strategies.
A double‐blind randomized, multicenter, placebo‐controlled study of itopride in functional dyspepsia postprandial distress syndrome
Authors: Carbone Florencia , Vandenberghe Alain , Holvoet Lieselot , Piessevaux Hubert , Arts Joris , Caenepeel Philippe , Staessen Dirk , Vergauwe Philippe , Maldague Philippe , De Ronde Thierry , Wuestenberghs Fabien , Lamy Vincent , Lefebvre Veronique , Latour Pascale , Vanuytsel Tim , Jones Michael , Tack Jan
Published: March 2022

Background

Itopride, a mixed D2 antagonist and cholinesterase inhibitor, has prokinetic effects on gastric motility. The Leuven Postprandial Distress Scale is a validated patient‐reported outcome instrument for functional dyspepsia (FD) postprandial distress syndrome (PDS). We aimed to use the LPDS to assess treatment outcome in PDS and PDS/EPS (epigastric pain syndrome).

Methods

Patients with PDS, with or without non‐predominant EPS symptoms, were enrolled in an 8‐week double‐blind placebo‐controlled multi‐center trial with itopride (100 mg t.i.d.). Patients completed LPDS diaries and questionnaires to assess treatment response. Mann–Whitney test and mixed models were used.

Results

One hundred patients (79% females, 39.1 ± 1.5 yo) were included. No significant difference was observed between treatment arms (p = 0.6). Compared to baseline, itopride treatment significantly improved the LPDS score (p = 0.001) and all individual symptoms (p < 0.0001). In the placebo arm, this was only the case for belching and epigastric pain (p < 0.05). In an exploratory analysis, outcomes in “pure” PDS (n = 45) and overlapping PDS/EPS (n = 55) patients were assessed and showed that the latter subgroup has the largest benefit with itopride compared to placebo (p = 0.03).

Conclusion

Using the LPDS score in a pilot controlled trial in FD, itopride shows no therapeutic benefit over placebo after 8 weeks of treatment. In an exploratory post hoc analysis, itopride but not placebo was associated with improvement of symptoms compared to baseline, and this was most prominent in patients with overlapping PDS/EPS. The efficacy of itopride in this subgroup needs to be evaluated in a large study using the same outcome measure. (clinialtrials.org ref.: NCT04647955).
Adiaphorisation and the digital nursing gaze: Liquid surveillance in long‐term care
Authors: Rubeis Giovanni
Published: March 2022

The nursing gaze, that is the specific ways of observing the patient in nursing practice, has been the object of ethical debates for decades. It has been argued that the specific feature of observing patients in nursing is the stereoscopic vision that allows nurses to see the patient at the same time as a subject and a body. However, with the increased use of technology in nursing and the focus on quantifiable biomedical data, some commentators see a shift from the view of the patient as subject to the patient as body, which results in a de‐humanisation and objectification of patients. The new digital technologies in patient monitoring and surveillance add a further dimension to this topic. It is yet unclear how digital technologies affect the nursing gaze, and with it, nursing practice. Furthermore, the ethical implications of the digitally enhanced nursing gaze have yet to be analysed. It is the purpose of this study to make a first step in this direction. By focusing on digitally enhanced monitoring technologies in long‐term care, these technologies are interpreted as liquid surveillance, an approach introduced by Zygmunt Bauman. The Baumanian concept of adiaphorisation, that is the detachment of social action from moral evaluation, is used as normative framework of the analysis. The analysis shows that the tendency to remove surveillance practices from moral evaluation by framing them as enablers of an active, healthy life and as tools for caring for the vulnerable, the stereoscopic vision of the nursing gaze is undermined.
Use of a coronary guidewire to facilitate transseptal puncture: A randomized comparison with a conventional technique
Authors: Liu Lifeng , Wang Yuxing , Liu Zheng , Liu Ye , Liu Jiapeng , Yin Xiandong , Liu Xiaoqing , Yang Xinchun
Published: March 2022

Introduction

Transseptal puncture (TSP) is routinely performed for left heart intervention, but it can sometimes be complex and life‐threatening. This study introduced a safe and effective method to facilitate TSP for left atrial access.

Methods and results

A total of 200 patients (190 with atrial fibrillation, 10 with a left accessory pathway) were prospectively analyzed. In the guidewire group, TSP was performed using a SWARTZ sheath and a Brockenbrough needle with a 0.014‐inch coronary guidewire instead of an inner stylet. The needle tip position was confirmed by pushing the guidewire into the left superior pulmonary vein after initial puncture in 100 patients. In the contrast group, TSP was performed in 100 patients using standard devices by injecting contrast to confirm needle‐tip position. Left atrial access was achieved successfully in all patients in the two groups without serious complications. The guidewire group showed a higher first‐pass rate for left atrial access compared with the contrast group (81.1% vs. 75% p < .001, respectively).

Conclusion

Coronary guidewire TSP is safe and is associated with a high success rate, and it is thus a useful alternative to conventional TSP. This method is useful for patients with septal aneurysms and contrast allergies.
Networked reports: Commissioning and production of expert reports on Swedish health care governance
Authors: Svallfors Stefan , Falkenström Erica , Hammar Corrie , Höglund Anna T.
Published: March 2022

The article analyzes the commissioning and production of expert reports about Swedish health care management and governance. We show that these reports are rarely solitary stand‐alone products, but tend to form clusters in an evolving discourse centered around specific policy solutions. We also show that the most important producers of such reports tend to come from a small circle of informally recruited academics and policy experts representing a narrow segment of academic disciplines. We point to some of the risks involved in this structure of knowledge production and argue that reports: (a) may form their own environment rather than address real problems; (b) may reproduce certain taken‐for‐granted assumptions and critical lacunae; (c) may have their impact decided by their network connections rather than by their intellectual content; and (d) represent a structure that provides opportunities for special interests to enter the process.

Related Articles

Caliskan, Cantay. 2020. “The Influence of Elite Networks on Green Policy Making.” Politics & Policy 48(6): 1104–37. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12382

Selling, Niels, and Stefan Svallfors. 2019. “The Lure of Power: Career Paths and Considerations among Policy Professionals in Sweden.” Politics & Policy 47(5): 984–1012. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12325

Shen, Yongdong, Meng U. Ieong, and Zihang Zhu. 2022. “The Function of Expert Involvement in China's Local Policy Making.” Politics & Policy 50(1): 59–76. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12450
Influence of abiotic drivers on 1‐year seedling survival of six mangrove species in Southeast Asia
Authors: Sloey Taylor M. , Lim Kiah Eng , Moore Jared , Heng Jie Min , Heng Jia Min , van Breugel Michiel
Published: March 2022

Establishment and survival of plant species in systems with dominant environmental drivers (i.e. factors that exert disproportionate control over species establishment and survival) is often thought to be dominated by one master variable. In forested wetlands such as mangroves, hydrology is typically considered the dominant limiting driver. At the same time, light is a major driver of plant community dynamics, with some of the best understood plant life‐history tradeoffs related to fast growth under high‐light conditions versus survival under low‐light conditions. Yet light is given relatively limited consideration in mangrove research compared to other drivers. Understanding the relative importance of abiotic drivers for seedling survival is crucial for effective management and restoration of mangrove ecosystems. Despite increasing global efforts to plant mangrove propagules at elevations appropriate for the hydrologic conditions needed at early life history stages, restoration efforts report low survival of planted propagules. Although many studies have made considerable progress to characterize the abiotic limitations of mangrove propagule establishment, fewer studies have addressed multiple abiotic drivers that limit the survival of the established seedling stage. We characterized the light and inundation conditions of more than 900 naturally established mangrove seedlings and monitored the survival of more than 2,800 seedlings (including 16 species) located on a species‐rich island in tropical Southeast Asia for 1 year. Our findings suggest that light has a stronger effect than hydrology on survival following seedling establishment. We provide a conceptual visualization of shifts in the drivers of mangrove survival/loss throughout ontogeny.
A Dynamic Structural Equation Approach to Estimate the Short-Term Effects of Air Pollution on Human Health
Authors: Gamerman Dani , Ippoliti Luigi , Valentini Pasquale
Published: March 2022

Detailed knowledge on the effects of air pollutants on human health is a prerequisite for the development of effective policies to reduce the adverse impact of ambient air pollution. However, measuring the effect of exposure on health outcomes is an extremely difficult task as the health impact of air pollution is known to vary over space and over different exposure periods. In general, standard approaches aggregate the information over space or time to simplify the study but this strategy fails to recognize important regional differences and runs into the well-known risk of confounding the effects. However, modelling directly with the original, disaggregated data requires a highly dimensional model with the curse of dimensionality making inferences unstable; in these cases, the models tend to retain many irrelevant components and most relevant effects tend to be attenuated. The situation clearly calls for an intermediate solution that does not blindly aggregate data while preserving important regional features. We propose a dimension-reduction approach based on latent factors driven by the data. These factors naturally absorb the relevant features provided by the data and establish the link between pollutants and health outcomes, instead of forcing a necessarily high-dimensional link at the observational level. The dynamic structural equation approach is particularly suited for this task. The latent factor approach also provides a simple solution to the spatial misalignment caused by using variables with different spatial resolutions and the state-space representation of the model favours the application of impulse response analysis. Our approach is discussed through the analysis of the short-term effects of air pollution on hospitalization data from Lombardia and Piemonte regions (Italy).