bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Potential use of medicinal plants from Argentinean highland as agent anti‐photoaging
Authors: Orqueda María Eugenia , Moreno María Alejandra , Zampini Iris Catiana , Bravo Karent , Osorio Edison , Isla María Inés
Published: October 2020

Background

The overexposure to sun ultraviolet (UV) radiation produce photoaging by effect of free radicals on lipid, protein, and nucleic acid or by direct activation of responsible enzymes of cleavage of extracellular matrix components (EMC).

Aims

To develop new anti‐photoaging agents, the anti‐aging activity of four “jarillas” standardized extracts from Argentina (Zuccagnia punctata Cav.,Larrea divaricata Cav.,Larrea cuneifolia Cav., and Larrea nitida Cav.) were examined.

Methods

The effect on the activity and expression of enzymes related to photoaging (collagenase, hyaluronidase, elastase, tyrosinase) and the antioxidant capacity of four “jarillas” extracts were examined.

Results

The results suggest that “jarillas” extracts could protect EMC by inhibition of skin aging‐related enzymes and suppression of the expression of metalloproteinases (MMP‐1) in human skin fibroblasts from photoinduced damage. Modulation of MMP‐1 expression induced by UV radiation in human skin cells could be associated, at least in part, with the ROS scavenging capacity of “jarilla” extracts. The extract of Z punctata was more active than Larrea species extracts in all the trials. The activity of Z punctata and Larrea extracts could be ascribed to chalcones and lignans, major constituents of “jarillas,” respectively.

Conclusions

The results obtained would indicate the potential of these adapted species to live in arid zones of Argentina, exposed to high ultraviolet radiation in production of cosmetic products and justify the promotion of their sustainable use and the development of crops.
Rubbing the skin when removing makeup cosmetics is a major factor that worsens skin conditions in atopic dermatitis patients
Authors: Hosokawa Kumiko , Taima Hidetoshi , Kikuchi Mamiko , Tsuda Hiroko , Numano Kayoko , Takagi Yutaka
Published: October 2020

Background

Many patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) know that harsh rubbing of their skin might worsen their skin symptoms. They consider that the force they use to rub their skin when removing their makeup cosmetics should not be hard and their cleansing habits could worsen their skin symptoms. However, we presume that the force they use to rub their skin may still be strong and might worsen their skin symptoms.

Aims

We characterized the effects of rubbing the skin of AD patients during cleansing of makeup cosmetics.

Patients/Methods

A cleansing oil which has a higher cleansing ability compared the cleansers used daily by the subjects but required less rubbing force was used. We performed a 4‐week clinical trial of this cleansing oil on 35 female subjects who had mild AD skin symptoms on their faces. Each subject used the cleansing oil instead of their usual makeup remover without changing their other facial skin care habits. Prior to the study, and at the end of weeks 1 and 4, the skin conditions of each subject were evaluated.

Results

Four weeks of usage of this cleansing oil significantly decreased skin dryness, scaling, irritation, erythema, and itchiness. Higher improvements were observed for subjects who had previously used cleansers with less cleansing ability. Accompanying those improvements, a significant increase in moisture‐retention ability and a significant decrease in transepidermal water loss were observed.

Conclusion

These results suggest that many AD patients cleanse their face with hard rubbing of their skin because of the low cleansing ability of their skin cleansers and may worsen their AD skin symptoms without realizing it.
Illness perceptions of Turkish Cypriot patients receiving haemodialysis: A qualitative study
Authors: Keskindag Buse , Farrington Ken , Oygar Duriye D. , Mertan Biran , Hucker Abigail , Sharma Shivani
Published: October 2020

Background

Illness perceptions refer to cognitive appraisals that help patients understand and make sense of their condition. Although their importance in health behaviour and outcomes has been evidenced, less is known about cultural influences on mental representations of kidney failure amongst patients receiving haemodialysis in different settings.

Objective

To explore the illness perceptions of Turkish patients receiving haemodialysis in North Cyprus (Turkish Cypriots).

Design

A qualitative study involving individual semistructured interviews.

Participants

Fourteen patients receiving haemodialysis, recruited from three state hospitals in North Cyprus.

Approach

All interviews were conducted in Turkish, audio‐recorded, and transcribed verbatim. They were analysed inductively in the original language using reflexive thematic analysis. Once the analysis was completed, it was translated into English. Quality assurance was integral to the research process to retain semantic equivalence.

Findings

Three themes were developed. “Illness appraisal” highlighted a lack of factual knowledge about kidney failure and how this is related to attempts at sense‐making, whilst retaining hope for the future. “Life‐changing effects” centred around the negative consequences of haemodialysis across multiple domains (e.g., emotional and physical). “Active coping strategies” focused on mechanisms that patients adopt to manage the burden of haemodialysis, particularly approaches that are culturally rooted.

Conclusion

There is a need for better communication to address the lack of individual patient knowledge about kidney failure. Haemodialysis is described as a burdensome treatment though existing coping mechanisms suggest that psycho‐spiritual interventions may be advantageous to aid adjustment for Turkish Cypriots receiving haemodialysis.
Sociolinguistic labor, linguistic climate, and race(ism) on campus: Black college students’ experiences with language at predominantly white institutions
Authors: Holliday Nicole R. , Squires Lauren
Published: October 2020

This project explores the sociolinguistic experiences of black American students in predominantly/historically white higher education settings. Through interviews with 30 black undergraduates at two different types of institutions, we show how language is a salient factor in racialization and racism on American college campuses. Both sets of students discussed stereotype threat (being at risk of negative stereotyping based on their language), as well as bifurcated sociolinguistic identities (an outcome of managing their linguistic resources to avoid negative stereotyping). We also find that the nuances of students’ racialized experiences with language differ depending on other elements of campus climate: at the small private college, more students described tensions between black students, and stringent expectations for hyper‐‘academic’ language. Student accounts reveal thesociolinguistic laborthey perform in navigating campus environments rife with linguistic racism, showing that campus climate includeslinguistic climate, undergirded by raciolinguistic ideologies.
Health Care Disparities Across the Urban‐Rural Divide: A National Study of Individuals with COPD
Authors: Gaffney Adam W. , Hawks Laura , White Alexander C. , Woolhandler Steffie , Himmelstein David , Christiani David C. , McCormick Danny
Published: October 2020

Purpose

The burden of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is high in rural America. Few studies, however, have examined urban/rural differences in health care access, or racial/ethnic and income disparities stratified by urban/rural residence, among persons with COPD.

Methods

We studied individuals age ≥ 40 years with COPD from the 2018 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. The primary exposure was “urban” or “rural” county of residence. We examined multiple health and health care access/services outcomes using logistic regressions adjusted for age and sex, and performed analyses stratified by rural/urban county that included additional adjustment for race/ethnicity or income.

Findings

Our sample included 34,439 individuals. COPD prevalence was 8.6% in rural counties versus 5.4% in urban counties. Rural residents with COPD were poorer, had less education, worse health, and more disability. Of the rural population with COPD, 12.6% were uninsured, versus 10.4% in urban areas (AOR 1.26; 95% CI: 1.00–1.58). Rural residents with COPD were more likely to have not seen a doctor due to cost (AOR 1.18; 95% CI: 1.02–1.36). Differences in other outcomes were mostly nonsignificant. We observed large access disparities by race/ethnicity and income among individuals in both urban and rural counties, with the highest rates of forgone care among minorities in rural counties.

Conclusion

Patients with COPD in rural areas experience greater morbidity and obstacles to care than those in urban areas. Racial/ethnic minorities and those with low incomes—particularly in rural areas—are also at greater risk of forgoing doctor visits due to cost. Expanded access to health care could address respiratory health inequities.
Linseed protein concentrate as alternative to fishmeal in diets for silver catfish, Rhamdia quelen
Authors: Pianesso Dirleise , Goulart Fernanda Rodrigues , Adorian Taida Juliana , Mombach Patrícia Inês , de Lima Joziane Soares , dos Santos Thaís Soares , da Silva Leila Picolli
Published: October 2020

A 60‐day feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the efficiency of the substitution of fishmeal (FM) with linseed protein concentrate (LPC) in the diet of silver catfish, Rhamdia quelen (6.13 g). Five isonitrogenous and isoenergetic experimental diets were formulated to replace 0, 10, 20, 30, or 40% of FM with LPC, and silver catfish were fed these diets to apparent satiation. LPC had a lower protein content compared to FM, but in vitro results showed higher protein digestibility of LPC as compared to fishmeal. There were no significant differences (p > .05) in growth, digestive somatic index, and intestinal quotient in the groups receiving LPC diets. The activity of the digestive enzymes did not differ among treatments, except for chymotrypsin, which was higher (p < .05) in the 30 and 40% LPC treatment groups. These results show that LPC protein can replace up to 40% of FM in silver catfish diets without adverse effects on growth performance.
Pan‐regional marine benthic cryptobiome biodiversity patterns revealed by metabarcoding Autonomous Reef Monitoring Structures
Authors: Pearman John K. , Chust Guillem , Aylagas Eva , Villarino Ernesto , Watson James R. , Chenuil Anne , Borja Angel , Cahill Abigail E. , Carugati Laura , Danovaro Roberto , David Romain , Irigoien Xabier , Mendibil Iñaki , Moncheva Snejana , Rodríguez‐Ezpeleta Naiara , Uyarra Maria C. , Carvalho Susana
Published: October 2020

Autonomous Reef Monitoring Structures (ARMS) have been applied worldwide to characterize the critical yet frequently overlooked biodiversity patterns of marine benthic organisms. In order to disentangle the relevance of environmental factors in benthic patterns, here, through standardized metabarcoding protocols, we analyse sessile and mobile (<2 mm) organisms collected using ARMS deployed across six regions with different environmental conditions (3 sites × 3 replicates per region): Baltic, Western Mediterranean, Adriatic, Black and Red Seas, and the Bay of Biscay. A total of 27,473 Amplicon Sequence Variants (ASVs) were observed ranging from 1,404 in the Black Sea to 9,958 in the Red Sea. No ASVs were shared among all regions. The highest number of shared ASVs was between the Western Mediterranean and the Adriatic Sea (116) and Bay of Biscay (115). Relatively high numbers of ASVs (103), mostly associated with the genus Amphibalanus, were also shared between the lower salinity seas (Baltic and Black Seas). We found that compositional differences in spatial patterns of rocky‐shore benthos are determined slightly more by dispersal limitation than environmental filtering. Dispersal limitation was similar between sessile and mobile groups, while the sessile group had a larger environmental niche breadth than the mobile group. Further, our study can provide a foundation for future evaluations of biodiversity patterns in the cryptobiome, which can contribute up to 70% of the local biodiversity.
Semantics without semantic content
Authors: Harris Daniel W.
Published: October 2020

I argue that semantics is the study of the proprietary database of a centrally inaccessible and informationally encapsulated input–output system. This system's role is to encode and decode partial and defeasible evidence of what speakers are saying. Since information about nonlinguistic context is therefore outside the purview of semantic processing, a sentence's semantic value is not its content but a partial and defeasible constraint on what it can be used to say. I show how to translate this thesis into a detailed compositional‐semantic theory based on the influential framework of Heim and Kratzer. This approach situates semantics within an independently motivated account of human cognitive architecture and reveals the semantics–pragmatics interface to be grounded in the underlying interface between modular and central systems.
Nationalism and populism on the left: The case of Podemos
Authors: Custodi Jacopo
Published: October 2020

This article provides an empirical exploration of the relation between nationalism and populism on the left of the political spectrum. The Spanish party Podemos is a key case study for such an analysis, as it is a left‐populist actor that has made extensive use of nationalist rhetoric in its discourse. Through a discourse analysis on a corpus that includes speeches by Podemos leadership and primary data such as interviews and original unpublished material, this article studies the nationalist dimension of Podemos and its relation with the party's much‐discussed populism. The analysis shows that the Podemos leadership deliberately embeds nationalism in its populist strategy: Nationalism is a central element of the party's populist project and serves to advance an alternative form of national identification that challenges that of the right wing. Through a resignification of national pride and belonging, Podemos constructs an image of Spain that refers to an inclusive welfare state, to people's mobilization, and to a moral community that is not delimited by lingual or ethnic particularisms.
Creation in Aquinas: ex nihilo or ex deo?
Authors: Soars Daniel
Published: October 2020

While the Christian emphasis on creation as a free and gracious gift is often juxtaposed with Neoplatonic notions of world-production as the emanation of being from the First Cause, I argue in this essay that there is no obvious contradiction between the doctrines of creation ex nihilo and emanation ex deo in Aquinas's thought. This is partly because the Christian teaching that the world is created ‘from nothing’ was never intended to deny that it was from God, but to deny that it was made from anything other than God. By drawing on the Liber de Causis to support his explanation of creation as the emanation of all being from the universal cause, Aquinas provides us with a way to foreground a doctrine which belongs to the foundations of Christian faith but which rarely receives sufficient attention in systematic theology – namely, the omnipresence of the God who is in everything.
The Aeromonas salmonicida plasmidome: a model of modular evolution and genetic diversity
Authors: Vincent Antony T. , Hosseini Nava , Charette Steve J.
Published: October 2020

High‐throughput genomic sequencing has helped to reveal the plasmidome of Aeromonas salmonicida. This literature review provides an overview of A. salmonicida’s rich plasmidome by presenting all the plasmids identified so far, addressing their biological importance and the functional links between them. The plasmids of A. salmonicida, especially those bearing antibiotic resistance genes, can provide clues about interactions of this species with other pathogens (animals and humans), as is the case for pRAS3‐3432 and Chlamydia suis or pSN254b and Salmonella enterica. In addition to antibiotic resistance, plasmids play an important role in the virulence of A. salmonicida, particularly for the subspecies salmonicida and the plasmid pAsa5, which carries genes for the type‐three secretion system, a virulence factor essential for the bacterium. The A. salmonicida plasmidome also has many cryptic plasmids with no known biological function, but which can be used for the acquisition of new genetic elements. Striking examples are pAsa7 and pAsaXII that provide, respectively, resistance to chloramphenicol and formaldehyde and are derivatives of cryptic pAsa2.
Modeling the neuromuscular junction in vitro: an approach to study neuromuscular junction disorders
Authors: Castellanos‐Montiel María José , Velasco Iván , Escobedo‐Avila Itzel
Published: October 2020

The neuromuscular junction (NMJ) is a specialized structure that works as an interface to translate the action potential of the presynaptic motor neuron (MN) in the contraction of the postsynaptic myofiber. The design of appropriate experimental models is essential to have efficient and reliable approaches to study NMJ development and function, but also to generate conditions that recapitulate distinct features of diseases. Initial studies relied on the use of tissue slices maintained under the same environment and in which single motor axons were difficult to trace. Later, MNs and muscle cells were obtained from primary cultures or differentiation of progenitors and cocultured as monolayers; however, the tissue architecture was lost. Current approaches include self‐assembling 3D structures or the incorporation of biomaterials with cells to generate engineered tissues, although the incorporation of Schwann cells remains a challenge. Thus, numerous investigations have established different NMJ models, some of which are quite complex and challenging. Our review summarizes the in vitro models that have emerged in recent years to coculture MNs and skeletal muscle, trying to mimic the healthy and diseased NMJ. We expect our review may serve as a reference for choosing the appropriate experimental model for the required purposes of investigation.
Mechanistic models can reveal infection pathways from prevalence data: the mysterious case of polar bears Ursus maritimus and Trichinella nativa
Authors: Penk Stephanie R. , Bodner Korryn , Vargas Soto Juan S. , Chenery Emily S. , Nascou Alexander , Molnár Péter K.
Published: October 2020

Parasites exhibit a diverse range of life history strategies. Transmission to a host is a key component of each life cycle but the difficulty of observing host–parasite contacts has often led to confusion surrounding transmission pathways. Given limited data on most host–parasite systems, flexible approaches are needed for disentangling the obscure transmission dynamics of these systems. Here, we develop a modelling framework for formally testing long‐standing hypotheses regarding how the parasitic nematode Trichinella nativa is maintained at high prevalences in polar bear populations. We evaluated transmission from marine prey, from scavenging terrestrial carrion, from cannibalism and from scavenging on dead infected bears as possible pathways, and assessed their respective importance by comparing model‐projected prevalences for each mechanism against observed total and age‐specific population prevalences in the Southern Beaufort Sea polar bear subpopulation. Cannibalism and the scavenging on conspecifics have previously been assumed to be critical transmission pathways, but despite data scarcity, our model exposes these mechanisms as ineffective across a wide range of plausible parameter values. Instead, our analyses suggest that transmission from the consumption of infected marine prey, and in particular seals, can explain observed prevalence levels by itself, with other transmission pathways likely playing varying small contributing roles. Furthermore, our model suggests that transmission declines with bear age, perhaps due to age‐dependent changes in diet or immunity. By formalising multiple transmission mechanisms in a unified, mathematical framework, we distilled several hypotheses to a likely main mode of T. nativa transmission to polar bears. The specifics of our model are tailored towards the T. nativa‐polar bear system, but the approach is easily generalized; it provides a powerful, quantitative means for ecologists to explore competing hypothesis for parasite transmission and other difficult‐to‐observe animal interactions even in data‐poor systems.
Multiple factors are involved in regulation of extracellular membrane vesicle biogenesis in Streptococcus mutans
Authors: Wen Zezhang T. , Jorgensen Ashton N. , Huang Xiaochang , Ellepola Kassapa , Chapman Lynne , Wu Hui , Jeannine Brady L.
Published: October 2020

Streptococcus mutans, a major etiological agent of human dental caries, produces membrane vesicles (MVs) that contain protein and extracellular DNA. In this study, functional genomics, along with in vitro biofilm models, was used to identify factors that regulate MV biogenesis. Our results showed that when added to growth medium, MVs significantly enhanced biofilm formation by S. mutans, especially during growth in sucrose. This effect occurred in the presence and absence of added human saliva. Functional genomics revealed several genes, including sfp, which have a major effect on S. mutans MVs. In Bacillus sp. sfp encodes a 4′‐phosphopantetheinyl transferase that contributes to surfactin biosynthesis and impacts vesiculogenesis. In S. mutans, sfp resides within the TnSmu2 Genomic Island that supports pigment production associated with oxidative stress tolerance. Compared to the UA159 parent, the Δsfp mutant, TW406, demonstrated a 1.74‐fold (p < .05) higher MV yield as measured by BCA protein assay. This mutant also displayed increased susceptibility to low pH and oxidative stressors, as demonstrated by acid killing and hydrogen peroxide challenge assays. Deficiency of bacA, a putative surfactin synthetase homolog within TnSmu2, and especially dac and pdeA that encode a di‐adenylyl cyclase and a phosphodiesterase, respectively, also significantly increased MV yield (p < .05). However, elimination of bacA2, a bacitracin synthetase homolog, resulted in a >1.5‐fold (p < .05) reduction of MV yield. These results demonstrate that S. mutans MV properties are regulated by genes within and outside of the TnSmu2 island, and that as a major particulate component of the biofilm matrix, MVs significantly influence biofilm formation.
Subjective oral symptoms are insufficient predictors of a positive oral food challenge
Authors: Nachshon Liat , Zipper Oren , Levy Michael B. , Goldberg Michael R. , Epstein‐Rigby Naama , Elizur Arnon
Published: October 2020

Background

Subjective oral symptoms, especially if recurrent, might lead to termination of an oral food challenge (OFC) for fear of a subsequent severe reaction.

Methods

In a single‐center retrospective cohort study, oral food challenges to milk, egg, peanut, sesame, or tree nuts performed between January 2016 and January 2018 in patients aged ≥3 years, at the Institute of Allergy, Immunology and Pediatric Pulmonology in Shamir Medical Center, were analyzed. Subjective oral symptoms during the challenge were documented, and their association with the challenge outcome was examined.

Results

A total of 323 patients underwent 652 oral food challenges to the investigated foods (milk, 71; egg, 22; peanut, 48; sesame, 24; and tree nuts, 487). Subjective oral symptoms were experienced in 237 (36.3%) of all OFCs performed, and their rate was comparable across most foods tested. The rate of positive challenges was significantly higher when subjective oral symptoms were experienced during the challenge than when they were not (69.6% vs 30.4%, respectively, P < .001). However, the false‐positive rate of such symptoms in predicting a positive food challenge was 30.3% for all foods; peanut, 40%; sesame, 27.3%; milk, 35.5%; egg, 33%; and tree nuts, 28.4%. Overall, subjective oral symptoms (SOS) provided sensitivity of 56.7, specificity 80.4, PPV 69.6, and NPV 69.0 for predicting OFC outcome. Importantly, reactions during positive challenges with and without subjective oral symptoms were comparable to severity.

Conclusions

Continuing OFCs with subjective oral symptoms is recommended for it will prevent false‐positive results in a third of cases without increasing patients' risk.
Duration of neonatal intensive care unit exposure associated with decreased risk of atopic dermatitis
Authors: Schoch Jennifer J. , Miranda Nicole , Garvan Cynthia W. , Monir Reesa L. , Neu Josef , Lemas Dominick J.
Published: October 2020

Background/Objectives

Premature infants have lower rates of atopic dermatitis (AD) compared with full‐term infants, though little is known about the factors contributing to this association. We explored the infant and environmental factors that may contribute to the association between prematurity and atopic dermatitis, including mode of delivery, birthweight, gestation, and duration of stay in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

Methods

This was a single‐center retrospective study. Independent samples t tests or chi‐square tests were used to compare groups on continuous and categorical variables, respectively. Logistic regression then examined the association of the predictor variables with AD.

Results

Four thousand sixteen mother‐infant dyads were included. Infants had a higher risk of developing AD if they were delivered vaginally (P = .013), did not stay in the NICU (P < .001), had a longer gestation (P = .001), or had a higher birthweight (P = .002). In modeling atopic dermatitis with the predictor variables, only NICU length of stay remained significantly associated with a lower risk of AD (P = .004).

Conclusion

Infants had a lower risk of developing AD if they had a longer stay in the NICU.
Mutational analysis of Arabidopsis thaliana ABCE2 identifies important motifs for its RNA silencing suppressor function
Authors: Mõttus J. , Maiste S. , Eek P. , Truve E. , Sarmiento C.
Published: October 2020

ATP‐binding cassette sub‐family E member 1 (ABCE1) is recognized as a strongly conserved ribosome recycling factor, indispensable for translation in archaea and eukaryotes, however, its role in plants remains largely unidentified. Arabidopsis thaliana encodes two paralogous ABCE proteins (AtABCE1 and AtABCE2), sharing 81% identity. We previously reported that AtABCE2 functions as a suppressor of RNA silencing and that its gene is ubiquitously expressed. Here we describe the structural requirements of AtABCE2 for its suppressor function.

Using agroinfiltration assays, we transiently overexpressed mutated versions of AtABCE2 together with GFP, to induce silencing in GFP transgenic Nicotiana benthamiana leaves. The influence of mutations was analysed at both local and systemic levels by in vivo imaging of GFP, Northern blot analysis of GFP siRNAs and observation of plants under UV light.

Mutants of AtABCE2 with impaired ATP binding in either active site I or II failed to suppress GFP RNA silencing. Mutations disrupting ATP hydrolysis influenced the suppression of silencing differently at active site I or II. We also found that the N‐terminal iron–sulphur cluster domain of AtABCE2 is crucial for its suppressor function.

Meaningfully, the observed structural requirements of AtABCE2 for RNA silencing suppression were found to be similar to those of archaeal ABCE1 needed for ribosome recycling. AtABCE2 might therefore suppress RNA silencing via supporting the competing RNA degradation mechanisms associated with ribosome recycling.
African Political Elites and the Making(s) of the China Model in Africa
Authors: Hodzi Obert
Published: October 2020

States in Africa are labeled “system ineffectual,” inconsequential to global politics, and lacking material and ideational capabilities to structure their foreign relations. The result is a portrayal of a passive Africa at the whims of its bilateral partners—be they China, the United States, or Russia. Contra this impolitic framing of Africa, this article explores how states in Africa are strategically shaping the norms of development paradigms promoted by foreign powers and influencing external actors to legitimize their preferred norms. Empirically focusing on China's development model in Africa, the article examines how norms related to the model are being shaped and diffused; and how through the ingenuity of political elites, China is making the China model “on the go.” The main argument is that political elites in Africa are strategically reconstructing the China model, creating their own multifaceted versions that delicately balance their own domestic interests and their bilateral relations with China while deriving maximum benefits from the People's Republic of China.

Related Articles (in this Special Issue)

Duggan, Niall. 2020. “China—The Champion of the Developing World: A Study of China's new Development Model and its Role in Changing Global Economic Governance.” Politics & Policy 48 (5).

Ganda, Willie D. 2020. “The China Model in Zimbabwe: The Belt and Road Initiative and Beyond.” Politics & Policy 48 (5).

Hodzi, Obert, and John H. S. Åberg. 2020. “Introduction to the Special Issue: Strategic Deployment of the China Model in Africa.” Politics & Policy 48 (5).
Multivariate analysis reveals a generalizable human electrophysiological signature of working memory load
Authors: Adam Kirsten C. S. , Vogel Edward K. , Awh Edward
Published: October 2020

Working memory (WM) is an online memory system that is critical for holding information in a rapidly accessible state during ongoing cognitive processing. Thus, there is strong value in methods that provide a temporally resolved index of WM load. While univariate EEG signals have been identified that vary with WM load, recent advances in multivariate analytic approaches suggest that there may be rich sources of information that do not generate reliable univariate signatures. Here, using data from four published studies (n = 286 and >250,000 trials), we demonstrate that multivariate analysis of EEG voltage topography provides a sensitive index of the number of items stored in WM that generalizes to novel human observers. Moreover, multivariate load detection (“mvLoad”) can provide robust information at the single‐trial level, exceeding the sensitivity of extant univariate approaches. We show that this method tracks WM load in a manner that is (1) independent of the spatial position of the memoranda, (2) precise enough to differentiate item‐by‐item increments in the number of stored items, (3) generalizable across distinct tasks and stimulus displays, and (4) correlated with individual differences in WM behavior. Thus, this approach provides a powerful complement to univariate analytic approaches, enabling temporally resolved tracking of online memory storage in humans.
Reconsidering the role of sex hormones in psychopathy development: Estrogen and psychopathy among male justice‐involved youth
Authors: Harrison Natalie A. , Earley Ryan L. , Salekin Randall T.
Published: October 2020

Prominent theory suggests that factor one psychopathic traits may develop from increased input from hormones in the hypothalamic pituitary gonadal axis (HPG; i.e., testosterone) and decreased input from the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis (HPA; i.e., cortisol). Although there are extensive findings connecting low cortisol to psychopathy, less support has emerged for high levels of testosterone. This study examined whether incorporating the HPG hormone, estradiol, into this model would reveal relationships in line with theory: high levels of estradiol and testosterone in combination with low levels of cortisol would inform psychopathic traits. Baseline and reactive hormone levels were measured and compared to Psychopathy Checklist‐Youth Version (PCL‐YV) interviews among 66 male justice‐involved youth (M age = 15.73) in a Southeastern juvenile detention center. The primary findings of this study were relationships between interacting HPA and HPG axis hormones with facet one and facet two psychopathic traits. Specifically, psychopathy total scores, interpersonal traits, and affective traits related to estradiol and testosterone reactivity, in that psychopathy scores were more likely with decreases in hormone reactivity (i.e., change in hormone level) following a stressor. Moreover, affective traits related to reactivity in all three hormones. These findings support inclusion of estradiol in neurobiological models of psychopathy and consideration of the individual components of psychopathy. This study adds to the growing body of research supporting interactions between variations in functioning of the HPA and HPG axes in relation to psychopathy.
When enhanced awareness threatens: Interactive effects of domain‐specific awareness and acceptance manipulations on cardiovascular indices of challenge and threat
Authors: Manigault Andrew W. , Peters Brett J. , Zoccola Peggy M.
Published: October 2020

Mindfulness includes acceptance and awareness subcomponents, and emerging theories imply that cultivating both acceptance and awareness may benefit health by diminishing stress reactivity. Yet, no prior work has examined the effects of mindful acceptance and awareness on cardiovascular markers of threat and challenge—cardiac output and total peripheral resistance—despite the unique insights these indices yield into stress‐related evaluations and motivation. The current research integrates Monitor and Acceptance Theory with the Biopsychosocial Model of Challenge and Threat to elucidate how an awareness manipulation and a brief acceptance training are associated with cardiovascular stress responses underlying states of challenge and threat. Healthy young adults (N = 202) were enrolled in a 2 × 2 between‐subjects experimental design manipulating both awareness (enhanced awareness vs. no enhanced awareness) and acceptance (acceptance training vs. no acceptance training) of physiological responses to a social‐evaluative cold pressor test. Cardiovascular indices were recorded throughout. The combination of enhanced awareness and acceptance training led to higher cardiac output and lower total peripheral resistance (indexing greater challenge, less threat) to the cold pressor test than the combination of enhanced awareness and no acceptance training. However, the combination of no enhanced awareness and no acceptance training also led to higher cardiac output and lower total peripheral resistance than the combination of enhanced awareness and no acceptance training. These results add to a growing body of work suggesting that mindful awareness and acceptance subcomponents interact to influence stress reactivity and imply that enhanced stressor awareness without acceptance may lead to increased threat.
Impaired vasodilation in pregnant African Americans: Preliminary evidence of potential antecedents and consequences
Authors: Christian Lisa M. , Koenig Julian , Williams DeWayne P. , Kapuku Gaston , Thayer Julian F.
Published: October 2020

Significant health disparities exist between African Americans (AA) and European Americans (EA) in hypertension and hypertension‐related disorders. Evidence suggests that this is due to impaired vasodilation in AAs. Pregnancy is a potent systemic vasodilatory state. However, differences in vasodilation between AAs and EAs have not been investigated in pregnancy. We sought to examine the effects of pregnancy on vasodilation in AA and EA women and how this might be related to discrimination and low birth weight in their offspring. Hemodynamics [blood pressure (MAP), cardiac output (CO), total peripheral resistance (TPR)] and heart rate variability (HF‐HRV) were examined at baseline in 40 pregnant AAs (n = 20) and EAs (n = 20) and matched nonpregnant women (n = 40). The Experiences of Discrimination scale and birth weight were also measured in the offspring of the pregnant participants. Whereas pregnancy was associated with decreased MAP independent of race, AAs showed impaired vasodilation independent of pregnancy status as indicated by greater TPR despite greater HF‐HRV. In AAs, but not EAs, reports of fewer incidences of discrimination were associated with greater TPR. Finally, the HF‐HRV of EA mothers was inversely related to the birth weight of their offspring but was uncorrelated in AAs. We report novel evidence of impaired vasodilation to an endogenous vasodilatory stimulus in AAs. Higher TPR was related to discrimination in AAs and higher HF‐HRV was related to low birth weight in EAs. These findings have implications for understanding the intergenerational transmission of impaired vasodilation in AAs.
Adaptation measures in dental care for children with history of Adverse Childhood Experiences: A practical proposal
Authors: Oh Jung Eun , López‐Santacruz Hiram Daniel
Published: October 2020

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) such as maltreatment, abuse, or neglect can disrupt childhood development and increase the risk of health issues, including dental health. Such a vulnerable population frequently may deny dental treatment due to fear of intimate contact in the oral cavity, resulting in a vicious cycle that further leads to detrimental oral health. It is important for dentists, particularly pediatric dentists, to not only understand how to identify potential cases of abuse or maltreatment but also how to treat these patients so that the dental treatment does not become a negative experience. The purpose of this paper is to understand the psychological and physical implications of pediatric patients who have had ACEs and to identify the best methods to manage these patients during the dental treatment.
Responsiveness, minimal important difference, minimal relevant difference, and optimal number of patients for a study
Authors: Comins Jonathan David , Brodersen John , Christensen Karl Bang , Jensen Jonas , Hansen Christian Fugl , Krogsgaard Michael R.
Published: October 2020

Several terms are used to describe changes in PROM scores in

relation to treatments. Whether the change is small, large, or relevant is defined in different ways,

yet these change scores are used to recommend or oppose treatments. They are also used to calculate the

necessary number of patients for a study. This article offers a theoretical explanation behind the

terms responsiveness, minimal important difference (MID), minimal important change (MIC), minimal

relevant difference (MIREDIF), and threshold of clinical importance. It also gives instructions on how

these and the optimal number of patients for a study are calculated. Responses to two domains of the

Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), before and 1 year after reconstruction of

the anterior cruciate ligament of 164 patients, are used to illustrate the calculations. This paper

presents the most common methods used to calculate and interpret MID. Results vary substantially across

domains, patient location on the scale, and health conditions. The optimal number of patients depends

on the minimal relevant difference (MIREDIF), the standard error of the measure (SEM), the desired

statistical power for the measurement, and the responsiveness of the measurement instrument (the PROM).

There is often uncertainty surrounding the calculation and interpretation of responsiveness, MID, and

MIREDIF, as these concepts are complex. When MID is used to evaluate research results, authors should

specify how the MID was calculated, and its relevance for the study population. These measures should

only be used after thorough consideration to justify healthcare decisions.
Skin tags imaged by reflectance confocal microscopy, optical coherence tomography and multispectral optoacoustic tomography at the bedside
Authors: Fredman Gabriella , Qiu Yi , Ardigò Marco , Mogensen Mette
Published: October 2020

Background

Skin tags are common and mostly benign, but occasionally contain skin cancers. This study analysed skin tags by combining three advanced optical imaging technologies: reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM), optical coherence tomography (OCT) and multispectral optoacoustic imaging (MSOT) supplemented by dermoscopy

Materials and methods

A prospective clinical study recruiting patients with skin tags from a university hospital clinic over a 2‐week period. OCT, RCM and MSOT imaging were performed prior to excisional biopsies. Image features such as pigmentation, cell types and skin architecture, angiographic information demonstrating vascular pattern were captured, analysed, and compared to melanin and haemoglobin content in MSOT as well as histopathology.

Results

Six patients with dermal naevi (2); compound naevi (3); neurofibroma (1) were included. All skin tags except the neurofibroma were pigmented (5/6), with sparse (5/6) and dense (4/6) hyperreflective nests and band‐like collagen in dermis in 6/6 lesions on RCM. Dermoscopy showed dots (5/6) and coiled vessels (5/6). Linear vertical vessels were present in all OCT images. MSOT images consisted of a compact shell‐like superficial melanin area, same shape and size as the skin tag, dermal vessels were visible in 4/5 naevi, HbO2 signal clearly demarcated blood vessels located below the melanin signal.

Conclusion

OCT showed linear vessels in all lesions. Pigmentation was identified by RCM as benign nests of melanocytes. MSOT supplemented with spatial distribution of melanin and HbO2 that indicated all skin tags were benign with no infiltration of vessels inside the melanin signal. Each advanced method proved indispensable for fast diagnosis. Larger studies are warranted for validation.
Digital mapping of soil texture classes using Random Forest classification algorithm
Authors: Dharumarajan Subramanian , Hegde Rajendra
Published: October 2020

Soil texture is the most important soil physical property that determines water holding capacity, nutrient availability and crop growth. Spatial distribution of soil texture at a higher spatial resolution at regional and national level is essential for crop planning and management. In the present study, we mapped the soil textural classes over 16.2 M ha area of Andhra Pradesh state, India, at 250 m spatial resolution up to 2 m depth using the digital soil mapping approach. A total of 2,272 profile observations were used for the prediction of soil textural classes using the Random Forest (RF) classification algorithm. To estimate textural classes at six standard soil depth intervals (0–5, 5–15, 15–30, 30–60, 60–100 and 100–200 cm), we used continuous depth function of texture distribution using average sand, silt and clay content of different textural classes. Depth‐wise spline outputs were then transformed into textural classes as per USDA textural classification. Sixteen environmental variables including Landsat‐8 data, digital elevation model attributes and climatic variables were used for modelling. For model building, 75% of data was used and 25% of data was used for validation. Overall classification accuracy index and kappa index were calculated for validation data sets using 100 RF models. We recorded overall accuracy of 50%–65% and kappa index of 35%–47% for various depths. We found that equal‐area quadratic splines of average sand, silt and clay are useful for soil profile depth harmonization of soil textural classes and random forest classification algorithm is a promising tool for spatial prediction of texture classes at the regional level. The present high‐resolution (250 m) maps of soil texture classes are useful for different hydrological studies and preparation of proper land‐use plans.
Detection of antibodies to denatured human leucocyte antigen molecules by single antigen Luminex
Authors: Gutiérrez‐Larrañaga María , Riesco Laura , Guiral Sandra , Irure Juan , Rodrigo Emilio , Ocejo‐Vinyals Javier , Martorell Jaume , Caro Jose L. , López‐Hoyos Marcos , San Segundo David
Published: October 2020

The anti‐HLA antibody detection has been improved in sensitivity and specificity with solid‐phase antigen bead (SAB) assays based on Luminex. However, false positive results due to denatured HLA (dHLA) may arise after single antigen test. The aim of this study was to compare the performance of the two Luminex technology‐based anti‐HLA detection kits available in the market in showing undesired anti‐HLA antibody results. A prospective cohort was assessed for anti‐HLA antibodies with single antigen A manufacturer (AM) kit and a comparison cohort with single antigen B manufacturer (BM) kit. A total of 11 out of 90 patients in a prospective cohort presented monospecific HLA‐I antibodies with AM, and 5 out of 11 confirmed monospecific reaction with BM. Despite the confirmation of monospecific reaction with both manufacturers, 80% were assigned as dHLA reaction by specific crossmatch. Further comparative cohorts detected four out of six monospecific reactions with BM that were confirmed as possible dHLA reactions. A positive SAB test should rule out a reaction against a dHLA molecule, thus avoidance of prolonged waitlist periods or misattribution of anti‐HLA reactions after transplantation.
Characterization of the novel HLA‐DQB1*06:371 allele by sequencing‐based typing
Authors: Elsermans Vincent , Visentin Jonathan , Top Isabelle , Varlet Pauline , Labalette Myriam
Published: October 2020

HLA‐DQB1*06:371 differs from HLA‐DQB1*06:03:01:01 by one nucleotide substitution in codon 46 in exon 2.
HLA‐A*11:263 is found on the haplotype: HLA‐A*11:263‐C*03:04:01‐B*13:01
Authors: Yang Kuo‐Liang , Li Chi‐Cheng , Lin Py‐Yu
Published: October 2020

HLA‐A*11:263 on the haplotype HLA‐A*11:263‐C*03:04:01‐B*13:01.
Characterization of the novel HLA‐C*16:173 allele by sequencing‐based typing
Authors: Elsermans Vincent , Visentin Jonathan , Top Isabelle , Varlet Pauline , Labalette Myriam
Published: October 2020

HLA‐C*16:173 differs from HLA‐C*16:01:01:01 by one nucleotide substitution in codon 36 in exon 2.
Unilateral leg pain caused by cryptococcal myositis: An unusual presentation of disseminated cryptococcosis in a kidney transplant recipient
Authors: Lier Audun J. , Virmani Sarthak , Ilagan‐Ying Ysabel , Leelatian Nalin , Darbinyan Armine , Malinis Maricar F.
Published: October 2020

Cryptococcal disease is a rare but often serious infection in solid organ transplant recipients, commonly presenting as meningitis and pneumonia but can rarely cause myositis. We report the case of a 43‐year‐old female kidney transplant recipient with two previous graft failures requiring re‐transplantations who presented with a 1‐month duration of worsening unilateral leg pain, swelling, and shortness of breath. Blood cultures isolated Cryptococcus neoformans. A calf biopsy was performed and histopathology revealed myonecrosis with yeast forms consistent with Cryptococcus spp. Liposomal amphotericin B (LamB) was administered. Her course was complicated by hypoxemic respiratory failure with development of ground glass opacities on chest imaging. Work‐up revealed bacterial and C neoformans pneumonia and probable Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PJP) She received trimethoprim‐sulfamethoxazole and LamB and was discharged on fluconazole. Shortly thereafter she was re‐admitted with confusion, septic shock, and multi‐organ failure. Work‐up revealed PJP with subsequent development of cryptococcal meningitis. Despite aggressive management, she expired. Disseminated cryptococcal infection may manifest as myositis. Presence of cryptococcal infection is a marker of severe net state of immunosuppression (IS), hence, presence of other opportunistic infections is likely. Early recognition of cryptococcal infection, institution of targeted therapy, and IS reduction are important to improve overall survival.