bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The relationship between rumination and NSSI: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Coleman Sophie E. , Dunlop Brendan J. , Hartley Samantha , Taylor Peter J.
Published: November 2021

Background

Rumination is a cognitive process that has been implicated in the onset and maintenance of a variety of psychological difficulties. The purpose of this review and meta‐analysis was to examine the nature and strength of the relationship between rumination and non‐suicidal self‐injury (NSSI).

Methods

The protocol for this review was pre‐registered (CRD42019148186). A literature search of electronic databases PsycINFO, CINAHL, MEDLINE, and Web of Science was performed from the earliest date available to March 2020. Thirty‐nine eligible papers were identified. An additional seven papers were identified from a search conducted in September 2021, resulting in a total of 46 papers. Separate meta‐analyses were undertaken for NSSI frequency and NSSI history, with studies grouped by rumination type (depressive, transdiagnostic, anger, brooding, reflection, catastrophising, overall). Moderator analyses were also conducted along with a narrative synthesis of adjusted associations and longitudinal studies.

Results

Rumination had a positive small association with NSSI frequency and a positive moderate association with NSSI history. The adjusted associations yielded mixed findings and most longitudinal research found rumination to be associated with prospective NSSI.

Limitations

Most included studies had a moderate risk of bias and used a student sample. A limitation of this review was that only English language papers were included.

Conclusions

Findings indicate that rumination is associated with NSSI, but more so the likelihood of engaging in NSSI overall than the frequency. Rumination‐focused techniques for NSSI may therefore be of benefit. Further research is needed to understand this association, particularly with longitudinal studies that focus on state rumination rather than stable trait rumination.

Practitioner points

Rumination was found to have a small to moderate association with NSSI.

Some individuals who engage in NSSI may benefit from psychological techniques that target rumination.

Most of the studies included had a moderate risk of bias.
Emergency department visits for radiation cystitis among patients with a prostate cancer history
Authors: Lee Victor , An Yi , Park Henry S. , Yu James B. , Kim Simon P. , Jairam Vikram
Published: November 2021

Objectives

To elucidate the national burden of emergency department (ED) visits for radiation cystitis (RC), a known complication of radiation therapy (RT) to the pelvic area, among patients with a prostate cancer history, and identify those who are at increased risk of requiring invasive measures.

Patients and methods

This study queried the Nationwide Emergency Department Sample for all ED visits from January 2006 to December 2015 with a primary diagnosis of RC and secondary diagnosis of prostate cancer. ED visits were characterised by demographic factors, socioeconomic factors, and hospital characteristics. Weighted frequencies were used to create national estimates for all data analysis.

Results

A weighted total of 17 382 ED visits occurred for RC among patients with a prostate cancer history, of which 9655 (55.5%) were treated with an invasive procedure. Notable factors associated with undergoing an invasive procedure included having a prior prostatectomy (odds ratio [OR] 5.48, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.62–11.46), urinary retention (OR 1.35, 95% CI 1.12–1.64), haematuria (OR 1.20, 95% CI 1.01–1.42), and undergoing a blood transfusion (OR 2.12, 95% CI 1.72–2.62). ED visits that were associated with invasive procedures had a higher median total charge ($34 707.53 vs $15 632.53) and an increased median length of stay (5 vs 3 days) compared to visits without an invasive procedure.

Conclusions

Among ED visits for RC in prostate cancer, approximately one half required an invasive procedure for treatment. While RT remains an effective modality for patients with prostate cancer, providers should be mindful of RC as a potential complication.
Nonpyrogenic charring of Late Pleistocene large mammal remains in northeastern Russia
Authors: Kirillova Irina V. , Borisova Olga K. , Chernova Olga F. , Haynes Gary , Narina Nina V. , Panin Andrey V. , Zanina Oksana G. , Zazovskaya Elya P. , Zhuravlev Andrey Y. , Zvyagin Viktor N.
Published: November 2021

Mammal remains preserved in the permafrost zone often bear traces of postmortem transformations, reflecting aspects of the palaeoenvironment and the processes that took place during the accumulation of host sediments. Multidisciplinary studies including radiocarbon dating, infrared spectroscopy, and microfossil analyses and grain size of infilling sediments from remains allow recognition of their stratigraphical and palaeogeographical origins and facilitate reconstructions of taphonomic pathways and the pre‐burial environments. Here, as exemplified by skulls of woolly rhinoceros, cave lion, and ancient bison, some distinct features of postmortem changes such as nonpyrogenic charring and vivianite encrustation indicate that the remains have undergone a complex range of burial processes in aerobic and anaerobic conditions in the Pleistocene landscapes of Arctic northeastern Russia. We hypothesize that these processes were mainly confined to the warmer intervals in the Late Pleistocene.
Impact of α‐synuclein spreading on the nigrostriatal dopaminergic pathway depends on the onset of the pathology
Authors: Sun Fanfan , Salinas Armando G. , Filser Severin , Blumenstock Sonja , Medina‐Luque Jose , Herms Jochen , Sgobio Carmelo
Published: November 2021

Misfolded α‐synuclein spreads along anatomically connected areas through the brain, prompting progressive neurodegeneration of the nigrostriatal pathway in Parkinson's disease. To investigate the impact of early stage seeding and spreading of misfolded α‐synuclein along with the nigrostriatal pathway, we studied the pathophysiologic effect induced by a single acute α‐synuclein preformed fibrils (PFFs) inoculation into the midbrain. Further, to model the progressive vulnerability that characterizes the dopamine (DA) neuron life span, we used two cohorts of mice with different ages: 2‐month‐old (young) and 5‐month‐old (adult) mice. Two months after α‐synuclein PFFs injection, we found that striatal DA release decreased exclusively in adult mice. Adult DA neurons showed an increased level of pathology spreading along with the nigrostriatal pathway accompanied with a lower volume of α‐synuclein deposition in the midbrain, impaired neurotransmission, rigid DA terminal composition, and less microglial reactivity compared with young neurons. Notably, preserved DA release and increased microglial coverage in the PFFs‐seeded hemisphere coexist with decreased large‐sized terminal density in young DA neurons. This suggests the presence of a targeted pruning mechanism that limits the detrimental effect of α‐synuclein early spreading. This study suggests that the impact of the pathophysiology caused by misfolded α‐synuclein spreading along the nigrostriatal pathway depends on the age of the DA network, reducing striatal DA release specifically in adult mice.
Glycosylation of MUC6 by α1,4‐linked N‐acetylglucosamine enhances suppression of pancreatic cancer malignancy
Authors: Yuki Atsuko , Fujii Chifumi , Yamanoi Kazuhiro , Matoba Hisanori , Harumiya Satoru , Kawakubo Masatomo , Nakayama Jun
Published: November 2021

Biomarkers for early diagnosis of pancreatic cancer are greatly needed, as the high fatality of this cancer is in part due to delayed detection. α1,4‐linked N‐acetylglucosamine (αGlcNAc), a unique O‐glycan specific to gastric gland mucus, is biosynthesized by α1,4‐N‐acetylglucosaminyltransferase (α4GnT) and primarily bound at the terminal glycosylated residue to scaffold protein MUC6. We previously reported that αGlcNAc expression decreases at early stages of neoplastic pancreatic lesions, followed by decreased MUC6 expression, although functional effects of these outcomes were unknown. Here, we ectopically expressed α4GnT, the αGlcNAc biosynthetic enzyme, together with MUC6 in the human pancreatic cancer cell lines MIA PaCa‐2 and PANC‐1, neither of which expresses α4GnT and MUC6. We observed significantly suppressed proliferation in both lines following coexpression of α4GnT and MUC6. Moreover, cellular motility decreased following MUC6 ectopic expression, an effect enhanced by cotransduction with α4GnT. MUC6 expression also attenuated invasiveness of both lines relative to controls, and this effect was also enhanced by additional α4GnT expression. We found αGlcNAc‐bound MUC6 formed a complex with trefoil factor 2. Furthermore, analysis of survival curves of patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma using a gene expression database showed that samples marked by higher A4GNT or MUC6 mRNA levels were associated with relatively favorable prognosis. These results strongly suggest that αGlcNAc and MUC6 function as tumor suppressors in pancreatic cancer and that decreased expression of both may serve as a biomarker of tumor progression to pancreatic cancer.
The process of health behaviour change following participation in a randomised controlled trial targeting prediabetes: A qualitative study
Authors: Schmidt Kirstine , Færch Kristine , Zoffmann Vibeke , Amadid Hanan , Varming Annemarie R.
Published: November 2021

Aim

To explore how participating in a randomised controlled trial affected motivation, barriers and strategies in the process of health behaviour change among individuals with prediabetes.

Methods

An extension to the PRE‐D trial, a qualitative study investigated the efficacy of glucose‐lowering interventions (metformin, dapagliflozin or exercise) compared with a control group among individuals with prediabetes and overweight/obesity. Data were collected through separate focus group interviews with participants using semi‐structured interview guides inspired by health behaviour change theories. Interviews were audio‐recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using thematic analysis with an inductive‐deductive approach.

Results

Four interrelated themes were generated from interviews: (1) 'self‐construction of prediabetes', on how participants understood the term 'prediabetes', (2) 'altered health image', on how participants' health perceptions were affected, (3) 'personal strategies for health behaviour change', on different ways to attempt to implement behaviour changes and (4) 'the process of health behaviour change', on how participants progressed and relapsed while trying to change behaviour. Themes relate to the health belief model, self‐determination theory, self‐efficacy and the trans‐theoretical model of change. Participants shared their experiences and thoughts during interviews and inspired each other, which led some participants to develop a new perspective on prediabetes severity and increased their motivation for behaviour change.

Conclusions

How participants perceived and accepted, rejected or neglected prediabetes appeared to affect their health images and whether they realised a need for behaviour change. Their achievements during interventions, health literacy, self‐efficacy and perceived support from their social networks, professionals and technological aids influenced the maintenance of health behaviour changes.
Towards Systemic Theories of Change: High‐Leverage Strategies for Managing Wicked Problems
Authors: Murphy Ryan J. A. , Jones Peter
Published: November 2021

Design and design management are increasingly called to respond to the world’s complex, dynamic problems. Yet, no standards or methodology exists to help designers understand, model, and design solutions for complex wicked problems. Program theory and social innovation promote the use of theory of change models to develop linear pathways of outcomes to show how a change initiative will have its desired effects. However, critics of these models accuse them of being simplistic and reductively linear. Systems thinking models use influence maps and causal loop diagrams to create maps of systems that show their behaviour in their full, dynamic complexity. However, these diagrams are sometimes complicated, overwhelming to read and therefore impractical. In this paper, we combine these tools with a novel technique from systemic design called “leverage analysis” to help identify crucial features of a complex problem and help designers develop practical theories of systemic change.
Meaning Innovations with Design Support: Towards Transparency and Sustainability in the IT Field
Authors: Pääkkönen Tarja , Sarantou Melanie , Miettinen Satu
Published: November 2021

This interdisciplinary article views meaning innovations as socially constructed and reflects on designing in the context of potential harmful consequences within information technology (IT) contexts. In the shift from products towards services, digital platforms and technology designers have gained a mediating and more strategic role while developing multiple connections and interactions between products, touchpoints, users and suppliers. The design manager is involved in organisational strategizing and innovating. Following key principles of design, the context of all those affected by design should be considered. Meaning innovations may emerge when designers facilitate, partially guide and are guided by strategic goals and innovation discourses in organisational settings in conjunction with numerous others. Based on a literature review and reflection on empirical findings, this article suggests paths for designing meaningfulness through an exploration of material lifecycles, digital content, algorithms and data transparency in digital contexts. The concept of meaning innovation is suggested to encourage organisations to reflect on decisions regarding responsibility, sustainability and transparency beyond the mainstream customer focus leading to improved organizational sensemaking and decisions, supported by design.
Analysing the actions of the rebels in the English Revolt of 1381: The case of Cambridgeshire
Authors: Xu Mingjie
Published: November 2021

This article throws new light on the forces that propelled the Peasants’ Revolt of 1381 by focusing closely on the actions of the rebels, the number and nature of the attacks they carried out, and the identities, status, and roles of their victims. The exceptionally rich and comprehensive records of the violence and disorder that occurred in Cambridgeshire have been systematically studied and each incident analysed, categorized, and quantified. The results reveal that attacks in this region were overwhelmingly directed against political and judicial officials operating at a national and local level, and that attacks against landlords arising from oppressive manorial lordship constituted less than one‐tenth of recorded violent incidents. The use of similar analysis of the actions of rebels recorded in the judicial proceedings of revolts in other regions may lessen the scale of the contention that still exists over the grievances that provoked this momentous uprising and who the rebels judged to be their main adversaries.
Metabolic parameters as possible diagnostic predictors in first‐episode psychosis: An exploratory retrospective cohort study
Authors: Ramos Ferreira Sofia , Moura Diana , Oliveira Pedro , Santos Vítor , Bajouco Miguel , Morais Sofia , Coroa Manuel , Manadas Bruno , Madeira Nuno
Published: November 2021

Aim

Patients in early phases of schizophrenia or mood disorders with psychotic symptoms have a wide array of metabolic abnormalities. We analysed the potential predictive value of uric acid (UA) levels and other metabolic parameters in first‐episode psychosis patients to differentiate between non‐affective and affective psychosis.

Methods

Retrospective chart review of all patients referenced to a first‐episode psychosis unit (n = 149), between 2012 and 2017, with available UA levels. Patients included (n = 37) were compared according to the follow‐up diagnosis of schizophrenia or mood disorder.

Results

Mood disorder patients presented higher UA levels (p = .030) and lower fasting blood glucose levels (p = .020) compared with schizophrenia patients. The remaining variables did not show significant intergroup differences.

Conclusions

Findings in this first‐episode psychosis cohort support previous evidence suggesting higher UA levels as a predictor of affective psychosis and glucose dysfunction as predictive of schizophrenia. Further studies are needed to explore metabolic parameters as possible diagnostic predictors in first‐episode psychosis.
Prevalence of salmonella faecal shedding in at‐risk hospitalised cases in an equine hospital in New Zealand: A pilot study
Authors: Lambe H. , Sykes B. W.
Published: November 2021

Background

Salmonella is an important veterinary pathogen contributing to gastrointestinal disease in horses and foals. Hospital biosecurity is an important consideration in preventing transmission between cases and zoonotic transmission. The prevalence of salmonella in horses in equine hospitals has previously been reported in the United States and Australia. However, to date, it has not been reported in New Zealand.

Objective

The aim of this study was to identify the prevalence of salmonella faecal shedding in at‐risk cases undergoing testing by repeated faecal culture or faecal PCR in an equine hospital in the North Island of New Zealand.

Study design

Retrospective cohort study.

Methods

Medical records from a 2‐year period (July 2018 to June 2020) were reviewed. Cases identified by the treating clinician as at‐risk of salmonella, and subsequently tested with repeated faecal culture (at least three samples) or faecal PCR were included for analysis. Descriptive analysis was used, and prevalence data reported with 95% confidence intervals.

Results

A total of 28 horses were included in the final analysis. The overall prevalence of salmonella in the study population was 10.7% (n = 3/28, 95% CI 3.1–25.9%).

Main limitations

Small sample size (n = 28) and retrospective study design provide support for further investigation.

Conclusions

The prevalence of salmonella in the study population is comparable to previous reports in the United States. Further research into the prevalence and risk factors associated with faecal shedding of salmonella in hospitalised horses in New Zealand is warranted.
Application of permutation entropy and factorization network in the classification of congenital heart disease
Authors: Lin Zhe , Zhang Zhiqiang , Xiao Miao , Xiao Zhijian , Wang Qichu , Jiang Qian
Published: November 2021

Owing to the nonstationary feature of heart sound signal which is often disturbed by noise, a method based on permutation entropy and factorization network in the classification of heart sound of congenital heart disease is proposed. Firstly, the Complete Ensemble Empirical Mode Decomposition with Adaptive Noise (CEEMDAN) of normal and abnormal heart sound signals is performed to obtain several intrinsic mode function (IMF) components. Secondly, the optimal parameters in the permutation entropy algorithm are determined by C_C algorithm, and then according to the algorithm, the entropy values of the IMF components of each order are calculated to form high‐dimensional eigenvectors. Finally, the recommended models of factorization machines (FMs) are used to classify the heart sounds and the generalisation performance of the FM network model are evaluated from accuracy and Area Under ROC Curve (AUC). The results show that the FM accuracy is 0.865, the AUC value is 0.887; the SVM accuracy is 0.812, and the AUC value is 0.805.
Feature‐weightedAdaBoostclassifier for punctuation prediction in Tamil and HindiNLPsystems
Authors: K Mrinalini , P Vijayalakshmi , T Nagarajan
Published: November 2021

Punctuation marks play a vital role in text representation and interpretation, and are useful in enhancing the performance of modern Natural Language Processing (NLP) systems such as voice input typing aids, machine translation, and speech synthesis systems. Punctuation marks, except period, are inherently not available in Indian languages such as Tamil and Hindi. However, some modern forms of writing such as news articles, blogs, stories, and so forth, incorporate user‐defined punctuation marks in these languages. The current work proposes an automatic punctuation prediction system for texts in Tamil and Hindi using classification approach, where punctuation prediction is considered as a multi‐class classification problem. Word‐level text features are chosen and are analysed to validate their language‐dependency and significance towards punctuation prediction. A Feature‐weighted AdaBoost (FAda) classifier is proposed that defines a novel boosting factor to adjust the hypothesis weight of the weak classifiers, hence reducing the number of false classifications. It is observed that the proposed classifier outperforms the other classification techniques such as, AdaBoost, SVM, CART, CRF, and Bi‐LSTM by a maximum difference of 50% and 16% in the macro F1‐scores for Tamil and Hindi texts, respectively. The proposed classifier performs on par with the attention‐based classifier for both Tamil and Hindi texts. Further, as a proof of concept, the proposed punctuation prediction system is applied to voice keyboard, machine translation, and speech synthesis systems, to validate the effect of the punctuation marks on the performance of these Natural Language Processing (NLP) systems.
Does the one‐child generation want more than one child at their fertility age?
Authors: Wang Penggang , Zhan Heying Jenny , Liu Jing , Barrett Patricia M.
Published: November 2021

Objective

This study aims to understand intentions to have more children among reproductive‐age Chinese women who currently have had one child with the goal of understanding the factors influencing Chinese women's fertility intention 2 years after implementation of the universal two‐child policy.

Background

On January 1, 2016, the national one‐child policy formally ended in China. Do Chinese women desire to have more than one child? This study brings feminist insight into the Chinese contexts of economic development and patrilocal cultural tradition.

Method

This study used nationally representative data (n = 65,355) from the 2017 China Fertility Survey. Logistic regression was used to explore the determinants of the intention of having more children.

Results

Findings reveal that women from one‐child families are least likely to want additional children. Women's higher income is negatively related to the desire to have more children. Rural residence and having a female firstborn child are correlated with a greater likelihood of desiring additional children.

Implications

Authoritative social policies may have changed fertility behaviors for a generation of Chinese families, but removing restrictive fertility policies may not bring about higher fertility rates. New family size norms and family‐friendly social policies may be needed to facilitate higher fertility rates in China.
Microbial traits determine soil C emission in response to fresh carbon inputs in forests across biomes
Authors: Ren Chengjie , Wang Jieying , Bastida Felipe , Delgado‐Baquerizo Manuel , Yang Yuanhe , Wang Jun , Zhong Zekun , Zhou Zhenghu , Zhang Shuohong , Guo Yaoxin , Zhou Sha , Wei Gehong , Han Xinhui , Yang Gaihe , Zhao Fazhu
Published: November 2021

Soil priming is a microbial‐driven process, which determines key soil–climate feedbacks in response to fresh carbon inputs. Despite its importance, the microbial traits behind this process are largely undetermined. Knowledge of the role of these traits is integral to advance our understanding of how soil microbes regulate carbon (C) emissions in forests, which support the largest soil carbon stocks globally. Using metagenomic sequencing and 13C‐glucose, we provide unprecedented evidence that microbial traits explain a unique portion of the variation in soil priming across forest biomes from tropical to cold temperature regions. We show that microbial functional profiles associated with the degradation of labile C, especially rapid simple sugar metabolism, drive soil priming in different forests. Genes involved in the degradation of lignin and aromatic compounds were negatively associated with priming effects in temperate forests, whereas the highest level of soil priming was associated with β‐glucosidase genes in tropical/subtropical forests. Moreover, we reconstructed, for the first time, 42 whole bacterial genomes associated with the soil priming effect and found that these organisms support important gene machinery involved in priming effect. Collectively, our work demonstrates the importance of microbial traits to explain soil priming across forest biomes and suggests that rapid carbon metabolism is responsible for priming effects in forests. This knowledge is important because it advances our understanding on the microbial mechanisms mediating soil–climate feedbacks at a continental scale.
LincRNA‐p21 exon 1 expression correlates with Cdkn1a expression in vivo
Authors: Furuhata Riki , Imasaka Mai , Sugimoto Michihiko , Yoshinobu Kumiko , Araki Masatake , Araki Kimi
Published: November 2021

LincRNA‐p21 is a long intergenic non‐coding RNA (LincRNA) gene reported to activate the transcription of the adjacent Cdkn1a (p21) gene in cis. The importance of the enhancer elements in the LincRNA‐p21 gene region has also been reported; however, the involvement of the LincRNA‐p21 transcripts in regulating Cdkn1a in vivo is still unclear. In this study, we used a LincRNA‐p21‐trapped mouse line (LincRNA‐p21Gt) in which βgeo was inserted into intron 1, and all enhancer elements were retained. In LincRNA‐p21Gt/Gt mice, the transcription of LincRNA‐p21 was repressed due to the βgeo sequence, and the expression of exon 1 of LincRNA‐p21 was restored through its deletion or replacement by another sequence, and Cdkn1a expression was also upregulated. Furthermore, regardless of the full‐length transcripts, the expression of Cdkn1a correlated with the transcription of the exon 1 of LincRNA‐p21. This result indicates that the LincRNA‐p21 transcripts are not functional, but the transcriptional activity around exon 1 is important for Cdkn1a expression.
Real‐world persistence of erenumab for preventive treatment of chronic and episodic migraine: Retrospective real‐world study
Authors: Gladstone Jonathan , Chhibber Sameer , Minhas Jagdeep , Neish Calum S. , Power G. Sarah , Lan Zhiyi , Rochdi Driss , Lanthier‐Martel Jessica , Bastien Natacha
Published: November 2021

Objective

To describe the real‐world treatment persistence (defined as the continuation of medication for the prescribed treatment duration), demographics and clinical characteristics, and treatment patterns for patients prescribed erenumab for migraine prevention in Canada.

Background

The effectiveness of prophylactic migraine treatments is often undermined by poor treatment persistence. In clinical trials, erenumab has demonstrated efficacy and tolerability as a preventive treatment, but less is known about the longer term treatment persistence with erenumab.

Methods

This is a real‐world retrospective cohort study where a descriptive analysis of secondary patient data was conducted. Enrollment and prescription data were extracted from a patient support program for a cohort of patients prescribed erenumab in Canada between September 2018 and December 2019 and analyzed for persistence, baseline demographics, clinical characteristics, and treatment patterns. Descriptive analyses and unadjusted Kaplan–Meier (KM) curves were used to summarize the persistence and dose escalation/de‐escalation at different timepoints.

Results

Data were analyzed for 14,282 patients. Median patient age was 47 years, 11,852 (83.0%) of patients were female, and 9443 (66.1%) had chronic migraine at treatment initiation. Based on KM methods, 71.0% of patients overall were persistent to erenumab 360 days after treatment initiation. Within 360 days of treatment initiation, it is estimated that 59.3% (KM‐derived) of patients who initiated erenumab at 70 mg escalated to 140 mg, and 4.4% (KM‐derived) of patients who initiated at 140 mg de‐escalated to 70 mg.

Conclusions

The majority of patients prescribed erenumab remained persistent for at least a year after treatment initiation, and most patients initiated or escalated to a 140 mg dose. These results suggest that erenumab is well tolerated, and its uptake as a new class of prophylactic treatment for migraine in real‐world clinical practice is not likely to be undermined by poor persistence when coverage for erenumab is easily available.
Hsa‐miRNA‐143‐3p regulates the odontogenic differentiation of human stem cells from the apical papilla by targeting NFIC
Authors: Gao Shuo , Ge Li‐Hong , Zhao Yu‐Ming , Li Pei , Li Yao‐yin , Zhao Wei
Published: November 2021

Aim

To evaluate the effects of hsa‐miRNA‐143‐3p on the cytodifferentiation of human stem cells from the apical papilla (hSCAPs) and the post‐transcriptional regulation of Nuclear factor I‐C (NFIC).

Methodology

miRNA expression profiles in human immature permanent teeth and during hSCAP differentiation were examined. hSCAPs were treated with miR‐143‐3p overexpression or silencing viruses, and the proliferation and odontogenic and osteogenic differentiation of these stem cells, and the involvement of the NFIC pathway, were investigated. Luciferase reporter and NFIC mutant plasmids were used to confirm NFIC mRNA as a direct target of miR‐143‐3p. NFIC expression analysis in the miR‐143‐3p overexpressing hSCAPs was used to investigate whether miR‐143‐3p functioned by targeting NFIC. Student's t‐test and chi‐square tests were used for statistical analysis.

Results

miR‐143‐3p expression was screened by microarray profiling and was found to be significantly reduced during hSCAP differentiation (p < .05). Overexpression of miR‐143‐3p inhibited the mineralization of hSCAPs significantly (p < .05) and downregulated the levels of odontogenic differentiation markers (NFIC [p < .05], DSP [p < .01] and KLF4 [p < .01]), whereas silencing of miR‐143‐3p had the opposite effect. The luciferase reporter gene detection and bioinformatic approaches identified NFIC mRNA as a potential target of miR‐143‐3p. NFIC overexpression reversed the inhibitory effect of miR‐143‐3p on the odontogenic differentiation of hSCAPs.

Conclusions

miR‐143‐3p maintained the stemness of hSCAPs and modulated their differentiation negatively by directly targeting NFIC. Thus, inhibition of this miRNA represents a potential strategy to promote the regeneration of damaged tooth roots.
Impact of COVID‐19 pandemic on the quality of test output in haemostasis laboratories
Authors: Arisz Ryanne A. , Meijer Piet , Péquériaux Nathalie C.V. , van de Leur Sjef J. , Lukens Michaël V. , de Maat Moniek P. M. , Hollestelle Martine J.
Published: November 2021

Introduction

The high incidence of thrombotic events in patients with COVID‐19 affects health care worldwide and results in an increased workload in haemostasis laboratories due to more frequent testing of D‐dimer, haemostatic parameters and anti‐Xa tests. However, the impact of this increase in assay requests on the quality of performance in haemostasis laboratories remains unclear. In this study, the impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on the quality of performance and management of haemostasis laboratories was evaluated.

Methods

The impact on the quality of performance was studied using external quality assessment data from 2019 to 2020 derived from ECAT surveys. A questionnaire was sent to Dutch haemostasis laboratories to identify challenges and management strategies. Furthermore, the number of assays performed in 2019 and 2020 was supplied by four Dutch hospitals, located in regions with different disease incidence.

Results

No differences in response rate nor the quality of the measurements were observed between the EQA surveys in 2019 and 2020. The questionnaire results showed a large increase of >25% in the number of test requests for anti‐Xa, D‐dimer and fibrinogen assays in 2020 compared to 2019. Extreme peaks in test requests were also observed in the four evaluated hospitals. Additionally, 84% of the respondents indicated that they had experienced increased work pressure, and increased sick leave was observed in 71% of the participating laboratories.

Conclusions

The enormous increase in test requests, especially for D‐dimer assays and anti‐Xa activity, did not affect the quality of performance within haemostatic laboratories during the COVID‐19 pandemic.
Downsizing and Value Creation at General Dynamics: A PE‐Like Solution for Industries That Must Shrink
Authors: Dial Jay , Murphy Kevin J.
Published: November 2021

Finance theory says that companies in declining industries with excess capacity should transfer capital to other sectors of the economy to preserve value, yet this has proven very difficult for firms in such situations to do. The authors showcase a particularly successful case involving defense contractor General Dynamics and explain why that company was so successful at something very few other companies have achieved.

Faced with very poor prospects for the defense industry, GD increased the wealth of its shareholders by more than 500% in the three years from January 1, 1990, when sharp defense spending cuts were confirmed after the end of the Cold War, to January 1993. The downsizing, restructuring, and partial liquidation of General Dynamics was a remarkable economic achievement in three important respects. First, managing effectively in a declining business environment required dramatic changes in traditional corporate policies, particularly compensation policies. Second, GD's operating changes had to be closely coordinated with a series of complicated corporate financial transactions that were unprecedented for GD. Third, senior management had to confront extraordinary public relations, political, and labor union challenges. The successful plan involved providing high‐powered and front‐loaded equity incentives for the (largely new) GD senior management team, asset sales, radically lower capex budgets, sharply higher dividends, and aggressive share repurchases. And although many GD employees lost their jobs (or went to different companies), GD shareholders, including many of those same GD employees, ended up handsomely rewarded.
HPV immunization among young adults (HIYA!) in family practice: A quality improvement project
Authors: Eisenhauer Lauren , Hansen Bryan R. , Pandian Vinciya
Published: November 2021

Aims

Thousands of anogenital and oropharyngeal cancers every year might be prevented through increased receipt of vaccination against the human papillomavirus (HPV). This project aimed to (1) increase the rate of HPV vaccination status assessment, and (2) improve HPV vaccine initiation and completion rates among 18 to 26‐year‐old patients in the family practice setting.

Design

Quality improvement project, pre/post intervention design.

Methods

This project implemented the HIYA! (HPV Immunization among Young Adults) Intervention in a private sports and family practice in central New Jersey. HIYA! implemented 10 pre‐, during, and post‐visit outcome measures during every family medicine visit with an 18 to 26‐year‐old patient for HPV. Data collection involved retrospective chart review of every eligible patient during the 12‐week implementation period from 17 August to 06 November 2020 and during the same 12‐week control period in 2019.

Results/Findings

One hundred sixteen charts from 2019 and 129 charts from 2020 were reviewed for assessment of HPV vaccination status and HPV vaccine initiation and/or completion. Multivariable logistic regression analysis demonstrated that participants in the control group were 84% less likely to be assessed for HPV vaccination status and were 91% less likely to initiate and complete HPV vaccination compared with the intervention group.

Conclusion

This QI project found HIYA! to be an effective and feasible strategy to improve HPV vaccination rates among 18 to 26‐year‐old patients in a family practice setting.

Impact

The human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted disease in the United States, and causes thousands of cancers annually. Although vaccination against HPV can prevent these cancers, vaccination rates remain low, particularly among young adults ages 18 to 26 years. The positive impact of HIYA! was evident based on its success despite the unique challenges presented during the implementation period due to the COVID‐19 pandemic.
An integrative review of Indigenous informal caregiving in the context of dementia care
Authors: Racine Louise , Ford Harris , Johnson Letitia , Fowler‐Kerry Susan
Published: November 2021

Aims

To appraise the empirical literature on the needs of Indigenous informal caregivers caring for people living with dementia in Indigenous communities.

Design

Whittemore and Knafl's updated approach to integrative reviews, PRISMA guidelines, and CASP checklists for narrative analysis were followed.

Data sources

A systematic search of published empirical literature from January 2010 to August 2020 was undertaken in six databases.

Review methods

Fifty‐one studies met the research question and the inclusion criteria.

Results

Five themes describe the findings: Decolonizing Western perspectives on dementia, the centrality of cultural safety, caregivers’ experiences, pre‐dementia community education and family and community‐centred care emerged from the thematic analysis. Most of the studies used quantitative methodologies, and few studies were conducted using community‐based approaches.

Conclusion

This review shows that Indigenous caregiving represents an emerging field in nursing and health sciences in a context of a global crisis. Researchers need to focus on Indigenous values and voices to adapt care and support informal caregivers. Our review emphasizes that working with Indigenous communities will likely translate into new care delivery models, policies and practices to support Indigenous informal caregivers and address the specific social determinants impacting caregivers’ roles and tasks.

Impact

This review highlights the necessity of having community and family‐based discussions on enhancing the delivery of dementia care for Indigenous peoples in Canada and worldwide. Decolonizing Western perspectives of dementia translate into culturally safe approaches that aim to integrate Indigenous cultural perspectives of holism, reciprocity, wisdom, respect of older people and relationality into nursing practice. The support of Indigenous informal caregivers requires future studies to address the stigmatizing Western views of dementia.
Crop phenotyping in a context of global change: What to measure and how to do it
Authors: Araus Jose Luis , Kefauver Shawn Carlisle , Vergara‐Díaz Omar , Gracia‐Romero Adrian , Rezzouk Fatima Zahra , Segarra Joel , Buchaillot Maria Luisa , Chang‐Espino Melissa , Vatter Thomas , Sanchez‐Bragado Rut , Fernandez‐Gallego José Armando , Serret Maria Dolores , Bort Jordi
Published: November 2021

High‐throughput crop phenotyping, particularly under field conditions, is nowadays perceived as a key factor limiting crop genetic advance. Phenotyping not only facilitates conventional breeding, but it is necessary to fully exploit the capabilities of molecular breeding, and it can be exploited to predict breeding targets for the years ahead at the regional level through more advanced simulation models and decision support systems. In terms of phenotyping, it is necessary to determined which selection traits are relevant in each situation, and which phenotyping tools/methods are available to assess such traits. Remote sensing methodologies are currently the most popular approaches, even when lab‐based analyses are still relevant in many circumstances. On top of that, data processing and automation, together with machine learning/deep learning are contributing to the wide range of applications for phenotyping. This review addresses spectral and red–green–blue sensing as the most popular remote sensing approaches, alongside stable isotope composition as an example of a lab‐based tool, and root phenotyping, which represents one of the frontiers for field phenotyping. Further, we consider the two most promising forms of aerial platforms (unmanned aerial vehicle and satellites) and some of the emerging data‐processing techniques. The review includes three Boxes that examine specific case studies.
Clinical and Histopathological evaluation of different tools for the Subcision of Atrophic Acne Scars
Authors: Ebrahim Howyda M. , Artima Alyiah Younes , Elardi Amal , Mohamed Morsi Hala
Published: November 2021

Background

Acne scarring can lead to social and psychological distress.

Objective

To compare the safety, efficacy, and long‐term improvement of subcision using tri‐beveled hypodermic (Th) needle versus cannula for the treatment of atrophic post‐acne scars.

Methods

Forty‐six patients with atrophic post‐acne scars were treated with subcision using (Th) needle on one side of the face and a blunt cannula on the other side of the face for 6 sessions one month apart. The primary outcome was based on the clinical improvement and patient satisfaction score. Skin biopsies were taken at baseline and 3months after the final session. Follow‐up was 9 months.

Results

Three months after the final session, a statistically highly significant difference was detected in both sides from the baseline (p < 0.001). The overall improvement was 73.9% on the (Th) needle side versus 65.2% on the cannula side (p = 0.68). There was no significant difference in acne severity scarring grade between both sides (p = 0.86). The mean number of sessions was significantly less in the (Th) needle side (p < 0.001). Collagen deposition and reorganization were achieved with both modalities. Patient satisfaction showed no significant difference between both sides. The side effects were mild and significantly higher in the (Th) needle side (p = 0.001).

Conclusion

Both modalities are effective and economic techniques. However, using a cannula is associated with much fewer side effects, more convenient for the patients and physicians compared to the (Th) needle.
A modified transabdominal cervicoisthmic cerclage with the monofilament thread: Its efficacy and safety for women with extremely short cervix due to cervical conization
Authors: Sunami Rei , Owada So , Yasuda Genki , Kasai Mayuko , Uchida Yuzo , Takahashi Hironori , Matsubara Shigeki
Published: November 2021

Aim

The study aimed to examine the usefulness of modified transabdominal cervicoisthmic cerclage (TAC) using monofilament thread for the prevention of preterm delivery in women with an extremely short cervix after deep conization.

Methods

We devised a monofilament thread for picking up the seromuscular layer of the site that is slightly cephalad to the internal ostium to prevent injury of the vessels around the uterine cervix. From 2017 to 2020, we performed this modified operation in eight women (nine pregnancies) at 12–16 weeks of gestation with a history of deep cervical conization.

Results

A modified TAC was successfully performed in all patients. There was no measurable bleeding, and all patients were discharged without postoperative complications. Their pregnancy courses after the operation were uneventful. Of nine, one patient had premature uterine contractions and underwent cesarean section at 36 weeks (preterm delivery). In the other eight pregnancies, planned cesarean section was performed after 37 weeks of gestation. The median birth weight of the babies was 2996 g (range 2604–3374 g). All patients were discharged on the sixth postoperative day without complications.

Conclusion

A modified TAC can be safely performed and may prolong pregnancy without adverse events in patients with an extremely short cervix.
Implementation of Telehealth Services in Rural Schools: A Qualitative Assessment
Authors: Fox Kimberley , Burgess Amanda , Williamson Martha Elbaum , Massey John , Shaler George , Pearson Karen , MacKenzie Jennifer , Merchant Kimberly , Zhu Xi , Ward Marcia
Published: November 2021

BACKGROUND

In rural areas with health professional workforce shortages, telehealth offers an opportunity to address service gaps and meet the health needs of students. Few studies have examined telehealth implementation in rural schools. This study explores facilitators and barriers to the implementation of telehealth programs in rural schools and identifies strategies for successful implementation to inform future school‐based telehealth initiatives.

METHODS

We conducted semi‐structured qualitative interviews with 50 key informants involved in the implementation of telehealth programs funded through the School‐Based Telehealth Network Grant Program. Researchers completed a thematic analysis of interview transcripts.

RESULTS

The most commonly cited barriers were technology, reimbursement for services, and facilitating acceptance of the telehealth among school staff, clinicians, parents, and students. Key informants identified strategies for facilitating program implementation, including technology training and support, marketing efforts, and integration into existing school processes.

CONCLUSIONS

School‐based telehealth can augment clinical capacity in areas with clinician shortages. Entities interested in such an approach to care must engage with their school community to ensure successful implementation. For rural, school‐based telehealth to gain greater adoption and be sustained, these services must be reimbursable by Medicaid and private insurers.
Parents' Perceptions of Privacy Policies and Practices for School‐Issued Digital Devices: Implications for School Practices
Authors: Utter Hannah , Polacsek Michele , Emond Jennifer A.
Published: November 2021

BACKGROUND

Digital technology is becoming a central component of schooling. We measured parents perceptions of their children's digital privacy on school‐issued digital devices.

METHODS

We surveyed 571 parents of K‐12th grade children, recruited nationally, regarding their child's use of school‐issued devices. Parents reported their awareness of, and ratings of importance for, seven types of privacy policies for school‐issued devices.

RESULTS

About half (45.9%) of children were in K‐5th grade and 84.9% attended public school. Most (80.7%) children used a school‐issued device and 66.6% took one home during the coronavirus pandemic. Parents most often rated policies for preventing the collection of geolocation (76%) and sharing of data with third parties (75%) as “very important.” However, 35.4% of parents did not know with certainty if their school had any digital policies. Many (55.7%) parents “strongly agreed” their child's school protected student digital privacy and most (68.1%) felt schools were the most responsible party to do so, yet those ratings differed by parent awareness of privacy policies (p < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

Parents consider digital privacy policies highly important and perceive schools to be responsible for such protections, highlighting the need to support schools in those efforts.