bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Community cohesion during the first peak of the COVID‐19 pandemic: A social antidote to health anxiety and stress
Authors: Svensson Sarah Jane , Elntib Stamatis
Published: June 2021

Social support gained through community ties has been pivotal in dealing with stressful events. A cross‐sectional community sample (N = 2,329) was gathered to assess community cohesion buffering against heath anxiety and perceived stress during the first peak of the pandemic in the UK, using structural equation modeling analyses. Community cohesion acted as a protective mechanism against both health anxiety and stress during the first national lockdown. A strong positive association was also found between health anxiety and stress. Stress and health anxiety scores peaked in the first weeks of the imposed quarantine; as the lockdown was extended, participants reported lower stress, health anxiety and community cohesion scores. The reduction of community cohesion scores was greater for those younger than 45 while the positive association between stress and health anxiety was stronger among males during the lockdown. While community cohesion effects against health anxiety were enhanced for females, community's buffering against stress were greater for males. Strengthening citizens' psychological sense of community through the publicization and support of local initiatives and mutual‐aid groups and utilizing methodically green (and blue) spaces to boost neighborhood attraction might be viable strategies within which stress and health anxiety can be suppressed. Conversely, allowing community, regional and national cracks to deepen can exacerbate the impact of stressful events experienced during the COVID‐19 pandemic.
Flecainide‐induced AV dyssynchrony and atrial latency progression in a patient with a dual‐chamber pacemaker
Authors: Alston Michael , Chang David , Mitra Raman
Published: June 2021

Introduction

Flecainide is a class 1C antiarrhythmic primarily usedfor the management of supraventricular arrhythmias. Adverse effects in patientswith pacemakers are poorly described in the current literature. We report acase of worsening intracardiac conduction in a patient with baseline atriallatency.

Case

A patient with paroxysmalatrial fibrillation and recently implanted dual chamber pacemaker withresultant atrial latency underwent flecainide treatment resulting in worseningatrial latency, progressive dyspnea, and pacemaker syndrome physiology. The patientexperienced symptomatic improvement with pacemaker reprogramming to AAI andreduced flecainide dosages.

Conclusion

Prudence should be exercised when initiating flecainide therapy, particularly in pacemaker‐dependentpatients, who may be at risk for increasedthresholds, inconsistent capture, and latency. In the setting of apparentcapture latency, changing to AAI mode may both confirm the diagnosis andprovide a symptomatic benefit.
Apoptotic DNase network: Mutual induction and cooperation among apoptotic endonucleases
Authors: Basnakian Alexei G. , Moore Christopher L.
Published: June 2021

DNA fragmentation produced by apoptotic DNases (endonucleases) leads to irreversible cell death. Although apoptotic DNases are simultaneously induced following toxic/oxidative cell injury and/or failed DNA repair, the study of DNases in apoptosis has generally been reductionist in approach, focusing on individual DNases rather than their possible cooperativity. Coordinated induction of DNases would require a mechanism of communication; however, mutual DNase induction or activation of DNases by enzymatic or non‐enzymatic mechanisms is not currently recognized. The evidence presented in this review suggests apoptotic DNases operate in a network in which members induce each other through the DNA breaks they produce. With DNA breaks being a common communicator among DNases, it would be logical to propose that DNA breaks from other sources such as oxidative DNA damage or actions of DNA repair endonucleases and DNA topoisomerases may also serve as triggers for a cooperative DNase feedback loop leading to elevated DNA fragmentation and subsequent cell death. Therefore, mutual induction of apoptotic DNases has serious implications for studies focused on activation or inhibition of specific DNases as a strategy for therapeutic intervention aimed at modulation of cell death.
A novel ferroptosis phenotype‐related clinical‐molecular prognostic signature for hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Deng Tuo , Hu Bingren , Jin Chen , Tong Yifan , Zhao Jungang , Shi Zhehao , Zhang Tan , Deng Liming , Sun Zhifu , Chen Gang , Wang Yi
Published: June 2021

Ferroptosis is a newly identified cell death mechanism and potential biomarker for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) therapy; however, its clinical relevance and underlying mechanism remain unclear. In this study, transcriptome and methylome data from 374 HCC cases were investigated for 41 ferroptosis‐related genes to identify ferroptosis activity‐associated subtypes. These subtypes were further investigated for associations with clinical and pathological variables, gene mutation landscapes, deregulated pathways and tumour microenvironmental immunity. A gene expression signature and predictive model were developed and validated using an additional 232 HCC cases from another independent cohort. Two distinct ferroptosis phenotypes (Ferroptosis‐H and Ferroptosis‐L) were identified according to ferroptosis gene expression and methylation in the patients with HCC. Patients with the Ferroptosis‐H had worse overall and disease‐specific survival, and the molecular subtypes were significantly associated with different clinical characteristics, mRNA expression patterns, tumour mutation profiles and microenvironmental immune status. Furthermore, a 15‐gene ferroptosis‐related prognostic model (FPM) for HCC was developed and validated which demonstrated accurate risk stratification ability. A nomogram included the FPM risk score, ECOG PS and hepatitis B status was developed for eventual clinical translation. Our results suggest that HCC subtypes defined by ferroptosis gene expression and methylation may be used to stratify patients for clinical decision‐making.
Identification and assessment of PLK1/2/3/4 in lung adenocarcinoma and lung squamous cell carcinoma: Evidence from methylation profile
Authors: Deng Sisi , Lu Xiaoli , Zhang Zhi , Meng Rui , Li Mi , Xia Shilin
Published: June 2021

Lung cancer is a very aggressive cancer characterized with molecular heterogeneities in different subtypes, including lung adenocarcinoma and lung squamous cell carcinoma. However, few related molecular signatures have been established for the treatment of lung cancer subtypes. Polo‐like kinase (PLK) family is a crucial regulator during cell division. Aberrant genetic and epigenetic alteration of PLK members plays a controversial role among different cancers. In this study, we performed an analysis of transcriptional and protein expression to identify overexpressed PLK1/4 and under‐expressed PLK2/3 in lung cancer subtypes. We then analysed biological function of PLKs and related genes. Besides, we estimated a correlation of PLKs with patient's genders and TP53 mutation in lung cancer. Higher PLK1/4 expression was significantly associated with male patient and TP53 mutant status, separately. Moreover, we carried out a methylation profile analysis including methylation level, DNA methyltransferases correlation and survival analysis of global methylation. Global methylation survival analysis showed that prognostic value of PLK1/2/4 methylation remained the same significant trend between two lung cancer subtypes, whereas prognostic value of PLK3 methylation lacked consistency. Taken together, these results provided instructive insights into a comprehensive evaluation for advanced therapeutic strategy based on epigenetic evidences.
Metformin protects against insulin resistance induced by high uric acid in cardiomyocytes via AMPK signalling pathways in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Jiao Zhenyu , Chen Yingqun , Xie Yang , Li Yanbing , Li Zhi
Published: June 2021

High uric acid (HUA) is associated with insulin resistance (IR) in cardiomyocytes. We investigated whether metformin protects against HUA‐induced IR in cardiomyocytes. We exposed primary cardiomyocytes to HUA, and cellular glucose uptake was quantified by measuring the uptake of 2‐NBDG, a fluorescent glucose analog. Western blot was used to examine the levels of signalling protein. Membrane of glucose transporter type 4 (GLUT4) was analysed by immunofluorescence. We monitored the impact of metformin on HUA‐induced IR and in myocardial tissue of an acute hyperuricaemia mouse model established by potassium oxonate treatment. Treatment with metformin protected against HUA‐reduced glucose uptake induced by insulin in cardiomyocytes. HUA directly inhibited the phosphorylation of Akt and the translocation of GLUT4 induced by insulin, which was blocked by metformin. Metformin promoted phosphorylation of AMP‐activated protein kinase (AMPK) and restored the insulin‐stimulated glucose uptake in HUA‐induced IR cardiomyocytes. As a result of these effects, in a mouse model of acute hyperuricaemia, metformin improved insulin tolerance and glucose tolerance, accompanied by increased AMPK phosphorylation, Akt phosphorylation and translocation of GLUT4 in myocardial tissues. As expected, AICAR, another AMPK activator, had similar effects to metformin, demonstrating the important role of AMPK activation in protecting against IR induced by HUA in cardiomyocytes. Metformin protects against IR induced by HUA in cardiomyocytes and improves insulin tolerance and glucose tolerance in an acute hyperuricaemic mouse model, along with the activation of AMPK. Consequently, metformin may be an important potential new treatment strategy for hyperuricaemia‐related cardiovascular disease.
Cardiac metallothionein overexpression rescues diabetic cardiomyopathy in Akt2‐knockout mice
Authors: Huang Shan , Wang Jiqun , Men Hongbo , Tan Yi , Lin Qian , Gozal Evelyne , Zheng Yang , Cai Lu
Published: June 2021

To efficiently prevent diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM), we have explored and confirmed that metallothionein (MT) prevents DCM by attenuating oxidative stress, and increasing expression of proteins associated with glucose metabolism. To determine whether Akt2 expression is critical to MT prevention of DCM, mice with either global Akt2 gene deletion (Akt2‐KO), or cardiomyocyte‐specific overexpressing MT gene (MT‐TG) or both combined (MT‐TG/Akt2‐KO) were used. Akt2‐KO mice exhibited symptoms of DCM (cardiac remodelling and dysfunction), and reduced expression of glycogen and glucose metabolism‐related proteins, despite an increase in total Akt (t‐Akt) phosphorylation. Cardiac MT overexpression in MT‐TG/Akt2‐KO mice prevented DCM and restored glucose metabolism‐related proteins expression and baseline t‐Akt phosphorylation. Furthermore, phosphorylation of ERK1/2 increased in the heart of MT‐TG/Akt2‐KO mice, compared with Akt2‐KO mice. As ERK1/2 has been implicated in the regulation of glucose transport and metabolism this increase could potentially underlie MT protective effect in MT‐TG/Akt2‐KO mice. Therefore, these results show that although our previous work has shown that MT preserving Akt2 activity is sufficient to prevent DCM, in the absence of Akt2 MT may stimulate alternative or downstream pathways protecting from DCM in a type 2 model of diabetes, and that this protection may be associated with the ERK activation pathway.
Mutation of the novel acetylation site at K414R of BECN1 is involved in adipocyte differentiation and lipolysis
Authors: Li Chengqian , Xu Jun , Yu Qing , Wang Ping , Dong Bingzi , Shen Liyan , Wang Qing , Li Shufa , Yang Ying , Deng Yujie
Published: June 2021

BECN1, a protein essential for autophagy, is involved in adipocyte differentiation, lipolysis and insulin resistance. The discovery of new mechanisms for modifying BECN1 in adipocytes may provide novel therapeutic targets for obesity. This study aimed to investigate the impact of mutations at the acetylation sites of BECN1 on adipocyte differentiation and lipolysis. We found that Ace‐BECN1 levels were increased in 3T3‐L1 adipocyte differentiation and isoproterenol‐/TNF‐α‐stimulated lipolysis and in subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissues of high‐fat diet mice. K414 was identified as an acetylation site of BECN1, which affects the stability of the BECN1 protein. Mutation at K414 of BECN1 affected autophagy, differentiation and lipolysis in 3T3‐L1 adipocytes. These data indicated the potential of BECN1 K414 as a key molecule and a drug target for regulating autophagy and lipid metabolism in adipocytes.
Transcriptome wide analysis of long non‐coding RNA‐associated ceRNA regulatory circuits in psoriasis
Authors: Lin Jingxia , Li Xuefei , Zhang Fangfei , Zhu Lei , Chen Yongfeng
Published: June 2021

Long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play critical roles in regulating immune‐associated diseases and chronic inflammatory disorders. Here, we found that lncRNAs involve in the pathogenesis of psoriasis through integrative analysis of RNA‐seq data sets from a psoriasis cohort. Then, lncRNA‐protein‐coding genes (PCGs) co‐expression network analysis demonstrated that lncRNAs extensively interact with IFN‐γ signalling pathway‐associated genes. Further, we validated 3 lncRNAs associate with IFN‐γ signalling pathway activation upon IFN‐γ stimulated in HaCaT cells, and loss of function experiments indicate their functional roles in the activation of inflammatory cytokine genes. Additionally, microRNA target screening analysis showed that lncRNAs may regulate JAK/STAT pathway activity through complete endogenous RNA (ceRNA) mechanism. Further experimental validation of PRKCQ‐AS1/STAT1/miR‐545‐5p regulatory circuitry showed that lncRNAs regulate the expression of JAK/STAT signalling pathway genes through competing for miR‐545‐5p. In summary, our results demonstrated that dysregulation of lncRNA‐JAK/STAT pathway axis promotes the inflammation level in psoriasis and thus provide potential therapeutic targets for psoriasis treatments.
Where Does Europe End? Christian Democracy and the Expansion of Europe*
Authors: Hien Josef , Wolkenstein Fabio
Published: June 2021

In this article, we argue that an analysis of the conflict around the nature and limits of European integration that arose between Catholic and Protestant Christian Democrats in the post‐war era can shed new light on the expansionary dynamics that gradually came to characterize the project of European integration. Catholic Christian Democrats framed the unification of Europe as a relatively exclusionary cultural‐civilizational endeavour, while Protestant Christian Democrats favoured a more inclusive conception of Europe that prioritised free trade over cultural homogeneity. Focusing specifically on Germany, we suggest that the eventual resolution of the intra‐party struggle between the two camps in the early 1970s was a crucial enabler for including more and more countries into the European project. For it was only thereafter that Catholic Christian Democrats began supporting the expansion of European integration beyond the core Europe of the original Six, with geopolitical concerns gradually crowding out cultural ones.
Potential expansion in the spatial distribution of subtropical and temperate west Australian sharks
Authors: Bartes Saia , Braccini Matías
Published: June 2021

Fishery‐dependent and ‐independent data collected since 1975 were examined to explore the spatial distribution of 30 shark and ray species in the west coast of Australia. Bigeye sixgill (Hexanchus nakamurai), tiger (Galeocerdo cuvier) and spinner (Carcarhinus brevipinna) sharks, and scalloped hammerhead (Sphyrna lewini) were observed >1000 and 300 km to the east of the edge of their reported distributions. Broadnose sevengill sharks (Notorhyncus cepedianus) and southern sawsharks (Pristiophorus nudipinnis) were observed >1000 km to the west of the edge of their reported distributions. Our study highlights the value of collecting and examining long time‐series of data for understanding the spatial distribution of large marine predators.
Morphological evidence indicates a role for microglia in shaping the PCOS‐like brain
Authors: Sati Aisha , Prescott Melanie , Holland Sarah , Jasoni Christine L. , Desroziers Elodie , Campbell Rebecca E.
Published: June 2021

Although polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common cause of anovulatory infertility worldwide, the aetiology of the disorder remains poorly defined. Animal‐based evidence highlights the brain as a prime suspect in both the development and maintenance of PCOS. Prenatally androgenised (PNA) models of PCOS exhibit excessive GABAergic wiring associated with PCOS‐like reproductive deficits in adulthood, with aberrant brain wiring detected as early as postnatal day (P) 25, prior to disease onset, in the PNA mouse. The mechanisms underlying this aberrant brain wiring remain unknown. Microglia, the immune cells of the brain, are regulators of neuronal wiring across development, mediating both the formation and removal of neuronal inputs. Here, we tested the hypothesis that microglia play a role in the excessive GABAergic wiring that leads to PCOS‐like features in the PNA brain. Using specific immunolabelling, microglia number and morphology associated with activation states were analysed in PNA and vehicle‐treated controls across developmental timepoints, including embryonic day 17.5, P0, P25 and P60 (n = 7‐14 per group), and in two regions of the hypothalamus implicated in fertility regulation. At P0, fewer amoeboid microglia were observed in the rostral preoptic area (rPOA) of PNA mice. However, the greatest changes were observed at P25, with PNA mice exhibiting fewer total microglia, and specifically fewer “sculpting” microglia, in the rPOA. Based on these findings, we assessed microglia‐mediated refinement of GABAergic synaptic terminals at two developmental stages of peak synaptic refinement: P7 and P15 (n = 7 per group). PNA mice showed a reduction in the uptake of GABAergic synaptic material at P15. These findings reveal time‐specific changes in the microglia population and refinement of GABAergic inputs in a mouse model of PCOS driven by prenatal androgen excess and suggest a role for microglia in shaping the atypical brain wiring associated with the development of PCOS features.
No evidence of improvement in neuropathy after renal transplantation in patients with end stage kidney disease
Authors: Ferdousi Maryam , Azmi Shazli , Kalteniece Alise , Khan Saif Ullah , Petropoulos Ioannis N. , Ponirakis Georgios , Alam Uazman , Asghar Omar , Marshall Andrew , Soran Handrean , Boulton Andrew J. M. , Augustine Titus , Malik Rayaz A.
Published: June 2021

To assess the impact of renal transplantation on peripheral nerve damage in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Fifteen patients with CKD (eGFR <15 mL/min/1.73 m2) underwent longitudinal assessment after renal transplantation (age: 56.88 ± 2.53 years, eGFR: 46.82 ± 4.86) and were compared with 15 age‐matched controls (age: 58.25 ± 2.18 years, eGFR: 86.0 ± 2.0). The neuropathy symptom profile (NSP), neuropathy disability score (NDS), vibration perception threshold (VPT), cold and warm sensation threshold (CST and WST), cold and heat induced pain (CIP and HIP), deep breathing heart rate variability (DB‐HRV), nerve conduction studies and corneal confocal microscopy (CCM) to quantify small nerve fibre pathology, were undertaken within 1‐month of renal transplantation (baseline) and at 6, 12 and 24 months of follow up. There was no significant difference in NSP (P = .1), NDS (P = .3), VPT (P = .6), CST (P = .2), CIP (P = .08), HIP (P = .1), DB‐HRV (P = .9) and sural (P = .4) and peroneal (P = .1) nerve amplitude between patients with CKD and controls at baseline. However, sural (P = .04), peroneal (P = .002) and tibial (P = .007) nerve conduction velocity and tibial nerve amplitude (P = .03) were significantly lower, WST (P = .02) was significantly higher and corneal nerve fibre density (P = .004) was significantly lower in patients with CKD compared with controls. There was no significant change in NSP, NDS, quantitative sensory testing, DB‐HRV, nerve conduction or CCM parameters 24 months after renal transplantation. There is evidence of small and large fibre neuropathy in patients with CKD, but no change up to 24 months after successful renal transplantation.
HMGB1‐RAGE‐moesin axis may be indicted for acne vulgaris
Authors: Salem Rehab Mohammed , El‐fallah Asmaa Adel , Shaker Rasha
Published: June 2021

Background

High‐mobility group box 1 (HMGB1)‐receptor for advanced glycation end (RAGE)‐moesin axis could be implicated in induction of inflammation. However, there is a scarcity in literature discussing the role of this axis in inflammatory skin disorders.

Aims

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the serum levels of HMGB1 and moesin in patients with inflammatory acne vulgaris.

Patients/Methods

This comparative cross‐sectional study included 66 inflammatory acne vulgaris patients classified according to Global Acne Grading System (GAGS) into three groups (22 patients each): mild, moderate, and severe acne vulgaris. In addition, 82 acne‐free individuals were included as a control group. Serum HMGB 1 and moesin levels were measured using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay kits.

Results

High‐mobility group box 1 and moe sin serum levels in acne patients were significantly higher than the levels in control subjects (p = 0.04, 0.0005 respectively). Serum levels of both markers in severe acne patients and in those with post‐acne scarring were elevated when compared to the levels in the other groups, and however, this elevation was significant only for moesin levels. There was a significant positive correlation between the serum levels of HMGB1 and moesin in the studied patient's sample (r = 0.3079, p = 0.011).

Conclusion

High‐mobility group box 1‐receptor for advanced glycation end‐moesin axis may be implicated in acne vulgaris pathogenesis, and it may be a promising therapeutic target.
How are children’s best interests expressed during their hospital visit?—An observational study
Authors: Quaye Angela Afua , Castor Charlotte , Coyne Imelda , Söderbäck Maja , Hallström Inger Kristensson
Published: June 2021

Aims and objectives

To describe ways in which children's best interests were observed to be expressed in paediatric settings during their hospital visit.

Background

The best interests of the child are embodied in national and international legal systems, although the definition remains problematic. The child's limited autonomy mandates duty bearers to have both a child perspective and the child's perspective when considering what the best interest of the child entails in care situations.

Design

A qualitative descriptive study with overt, non‐participant observations fulfilling the COREQ criteria.

Methods

Thirty‐two observations of interactions between children aged 2 to 17 years with both acute and chronic conditions, their parents and healthcare professionals were conducted at three paediatric hospitals in Sweden. Inductive and abductive reasoning were used in the content analysis of data, which followed the identification, coding, categorising and abstraction of observed patterns of the best interest of the child.

Results

Findings reveal facilitating and obstructing factors for the child's best interests to be safeguarded in healthcare situations. Children were guided in or hindered from exercising their competence. The observations showed a variation in actions taken by both parents and healthcare professionals to safeguard the best interests of the child.

Conclusions

Determining the best interest of the child requires a case‐by‐case basis, as it is context‐dependent, situational, flexible and dependent on all actors involved and actual decisions made.

Relevance to clinical practice

Healthcare professionals’ actions can facilitate or obstruct observed expressions of the child's best interest. It is essential to enhance healthcare professionals’ communication skills, knowledge awareness and continuing education about the rights of children receiving healthcare services. Reflections and discussions on how to protect the best interests of children may help healthcare professionals to uphold children's best interest in daily clinical practice.
Family and household sources of poverty for Black, Hispanic, and White newborns
Authors: Rendall Michael S. , Weden Margaret M. , Brown Joey
Published: June 2021

Objective

To understand the importance of family and household structure, including cohabiting partners and nonkin adults, in explaining Black‐White versus Hispanic‐White newborn poverty disparities in the United States.

Background

The official poverty measure (OPM) has typically been used in scholarly studies of newborn and childhood poverty, but this measure excludes cohabitors' and nonkin household members' presence and income. Both are likely to have poverty‐preventing roles when a birth is nonmarital.

Method

A household poverty measure inclusive of all household members is compared to the OPM, using data on households of White, Black, and Hispanic newborns from the 2005–2017 American Community Survey (N = 342,048). Regression decompositions are used to investigate the roles of mother's education and partner and other coresident adult presence and resources.

Results

Lower maternal educational attainment explains most of the Hispanic‐White poverty disparity at birth. The prevalence and poverty‐alleviating effectiveness of cohabitation and living with other adults, however, is greater for Hispanic than for Black unmarried mothers, and is greater for foreign‐born than for US‐born Hispanics.

Conclusion

Black mothers' lesser access to the resources of a partner or other adults in the year of the newborn's arrival is critical in producing a remarkably high Black‐White newborn poverty disparity. Official poverty obscures the greater benefits of cohabitation and living with other adults for newborns of Hispanic mothers overall, and of foreign‐born Hispanic mothers in particular.
MRI Highly Accelerated Wave‐CAIPI T1‐SPACE versus Standard T1‐SPACE to detect brain gadolinium‐enhancing lesions at 3T
Authors: Goncalves Filho Augusto Lio M. , Longo M. Gabriela Figueiro , Conklin John , Cauley Stephen F. , Polak Daniel , Liu Wei , Splitthoff Daniel N. , Lo Wei‐Ching , Kirsch John E. , Setsompop Kawin , Schaefer Pamela W. , Huang Susie Y. , Rapalino Otto
Published: June 2021

Background and Purpose

High‐resolution three‐dimensional (3D) post‐contrast imaging of the brain is essential for comprehensive evaluation of inflammatory, neoplastic, and neurovascular diseases of the brain. 3D T1‐weighted spin‐echo‐based sequences offer increased sensitivity for the detection of enhancing lesions but are relatively prolonged examinations. We evaluated whether a highly accelerated Wave‐controlled aliasing in parallel imaging (Wave‐CAIPI) post‐contrast 3D T1‐sampling perfection with application‐optimized contrasts using different flip angle evolutions (T1‐SPACE) sequence (Wave‐T1‐SPACE) was noninferior to the standard high‐resolution 3D T1‐SPACE sequence for visualizing enhancing lesions with comparable diagnostic quality.

Methods

One hundred and three consecutive patients were prospectively evaluated with a standard post‐contrast 3D T1‐SPACE sequence (acquisition time [TA] = 4 min 19 s) and an optimized Wave‐CAIPI 3D T1‐SPACE sequence (TA = 1 min 40 s) that was nearly three times faster than the standard sequence. Two blinded neuroradiologists performed a head‐to‐head comparison to evaluate the visualization of enhancing pathology, perception of artifacts, and overall diagnostic quality. A 15% margin was used to test whether post‐contrast Wave‐T1‐SPACE was noninferior to standard T1‐SPACE.

Results

Wave‐T1‐SPACE was noninferior to standard T1‐SPACE for delineating parenchymal and meningeal enhancing pathology (p < 0.01). Wave‐T1‐SPACE showed marginally higher background noise compared to the standard sequence and was noninferior in the overall diagnostic quality (p = 0.03).

Conclusions

Our findings show that Wave‐T1‐SPACE was noninferior to standard T1‐SPACE for visualization of enhancing pathology and overall diagnostic quality with a three‐fold reduction in acquisition time compared to the standard sequence. Wave‐T1‐SPACE may be used to accelerate 3D post‐contrast T1‐weighted spin‐echo imaging without loss of clinically important information.
Evaluation of the Accuracy of Digital Impressions Obtained from Intraoral and Extraoral Dental Scanners with Different CAD/CAM Scanning Technologies: An In Vitro Study
Authors: Ellakany Passent , Tantawi Maha El , Mahrous Amr A , Al‐Harbi Fahad
Published: June 2021

Purpose

To compare the accuracy of intraoral and extraoral scanners (IOSs and EOSs) with different scanning technologies.

Material and Methods

A phantom cast was used to simulate the patient's mouth. Polyether impression was made of the phantom cast and poured to fabricate stone casts. The stone casts were scanned by two IOSs (3shape Trios 3, 3S and Dental Wings, DW) and two EOSs (S600 Arti Zirkonzahn, ZK and Ceramill map 600 Amann Girrbach, AG) to obtain digital casts. Reference teeth (canines, premolar, and molars) dimensions were measured on the digital casts by Geomagic software and compared to measurements of the stone cast done by stereomicroscope. The dimensions were occluso‐cervical mesio‐distal, and bucco‐lingual and their average was calculated. Differences between digital and stereoscopic measurements were assessed using paired t‐test. Discrepancies between these measurements were calculated as differences and were compared among the four scanners using ANOVA.

Results

The differences among the discrepancies of the four scanners were not significant overall (p = 0.969), in premolars (p = 0.932) or molars (p = 0.069) but significant in canines (p = 0.025). The discrepancies of the EOSs were ≤0.01 mm in canines and molars. DW had the greatest discrepancy in canines and molars.

Conclusions

The IOSs and EOSs had similar accuracy except in canines where EOSs performed better. The accuracy of scanning is affected by the smoothness and regularity of the teeth surfaces as in case of the canine.
Celebrating 50 years of legal socialization
Authors: Trinkner Rick , Reisig Michael D.
Published: June 2021

This article presents the 2021 JSI special issue on legal socialization, which we planned to celebrate the legal socialization scholarship that was largely initiated by a special issue of JSI (1971, Vol. 27, Issue 2) published 50 years ago. In its broadest sense, legal socialization refers to the process by which people develop their relationship with the law. Undergirding this process is the acquisition, formation, and development of legal values, attitudes, and reasoning capacities. This intellectual tradition rests on four pillars—foundationality, reciprocity, ubiquity, and continuity—that provide order to a field of study where scholars are trained in different disciplines, employ different methodologies, and pursue different questions involving people's relationship with the law. Much like in 1971, today many people are questioning the role of law in society, its purpose, its function, its history, and its efficacy. It is more important than ever to understand how people develop their orientation toward this social institution and the influence of that orientation on legal behavior. This issue features an eclectic group of scholars and a broad array of legal socialization research. This body of scholarship is intended to push the boundaries of the field both theoretically and in scope. This introduction situates each article within the rich historical tradition of legal socialization.
Food Choice Questionnaire and PLS‐Path modeling as tools to understand interest in low sugar products
Authors: da Veiga Géssica C. , Johann Gracielle , Lima Vanderlei A. , Kaushik Neeraj , Mitterer‐Daltoé Marina L.
Published: June 2021

The objective of this research was to develop a model using Partial Least Squares‐Path modeling (PLS‐PM) to explain the whole set of relationships between Food Choice Questionnaire (FCQ) constructs of interest in low sugar products being mediated by the construct Health. The results showed Sensory appeal as the most important construct for consumers, followed by Price and Health. PLS‐PM revealed the constructs Weight control, Natural content, and Mood, when mediated by Health, as having a direct effect on the importance given by consumers to foods low in sugar. This study also confirms differences in interest in low sugar products among consumers due to gender. Linking to the PLS‐PM, it can be concluded that women (all ages) give more value to foods low in sugar and are concerned about their bodies, food composition and the influence of food on their emotions.

Practical applications

Sugar consumption has increased worldwide significantly over the past 50 years, which is related to the increase in numerous chronic non‐communicable diseases. The World Health Organization (WHO) strongly recommends reducing the consumption of free sugars throughout life. The Brazilian government announced an agreement with the national food industry to reduce sugar in industrialized food products by 2022. It seems to be a viable and low‐cost solution to quickly reduce the consumption of sugar in a population. Understanding the reasons related to food choices can be a useful tool for understanding the eating behavior of a population, helping to develop interventions and communication campaigns to promote healthier diets. In addition, the use of PLS‐PM arose as an important tool to explain relationships between FCQ constructs.
Melatonin reshapes the mitochondrial network and promotes intercellular mitochondrial transfer via tunneling nanotubes after ischemic‐like injury in hippocampal HT22 cells
Authors: Nasoni Maria Gemma , Carloni Silvia , Canonico Barbara , Burattini Sabrina , Cesarini Erica , Papa Stefano , Pagliarini Marica , Ambrogini Patrizia , Balduini Walter , Luchetti Francesca
Published: June 2021

Mitochondrial dysfunction is considered one of the hallmarks of ischemia/reperfusion injury. Mitochondria are plastic organelles that undergo continuous biogenesis, fusion, and fission. They can be transferred between cells through tunneling nanotubes (TNTs), dynamic structures that allow the exchange of proteins, soluble molecules, and organelles. Maintaining mitochondrial dynamics is crucial to cell function and survival. The present study aimed to assess the effects of melatonin on mitochondrial dynamics, TNT formation, and mitochondria transfer in HT22 cells exposed to oxygen/glucose deprivation followed by reoxygenation (OGD/R). The results showed that melatonin treatment during the reoxygenation phase reduced mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, improved cell viability, and increased the expression of PGC1α and SIRT3. Melatonin also preserved the expression of the membrane translocase proteins TOM20 and TIM23, and of the matrix protein HSP60, which are involved in mitochondrial biogenesis. Moreover, it promoted mitochondrial fusion and enhanced the expression of MFN2 and OPA1. Remarkably, melatonin also fostered mitochondrial transfer between injured HT22 cells through TNT connections. These results provide new insights into the effect of melatonin on mitochondrial network reshaping and cell survival. Fostering TNTs formation represents a novel mechanism mediating the protective effect of melatonin in ischemia/reperfusion injury.
Impact of endogenous melatonin on rhythmic behaviors, reproduction, and survival revealed in melatonin‐proficient C57BL/6J congenic mice
Authors: Zhang Chongyang , Clough Shannon J. , Adamah‐Biassi Ekue B. , Sveinsson Michele H. , Hutchinson Anthony J. , Miura Ikuo , Furuse Tamio , Wakana Shigeharu , Matsumoto Yui K. , Okanoya Kazuo , Hudson Randall L. , Kato Tadafumi , Dubocovich Margarita L. , Kasahara Takaoki
Published: June 2021

The hormone melatonin is synthesized from serotonin by two enzymatic reactions (AANAT and ASMT/HIOMT) in the pineal gland following a circadian rhythm with low levels during the day and high levels at night. The robust nightly peak of melatonin secretion is an output signal of the circadian clock to the whole organism. However, so far the regulatory roles of endogenous melatonin in mammalian biological rhythms and physiology processes are poorly understood. Here, we establish congenic mouse lines (>N10 generations) that are proficient or deficient in melatonin synthesis (AH+/+ or AH−/− mice, respectively) on the C57BL/6J genetic background by crossing melatonin‐proficient MSM/Ms with C57BL/6J. AH+/+ mice displayed robust nightly peak of melatonin secretion and had significantly higher levels of pineal and plasma melatonin vs AH−/− mice. Using this mice model, we investigated the role of endogenous melatonin in regulating multiple biological rhythms, physiological processes, and rhythmic behaviors. In the melatonin‐proficient (AH+/+) mice, the rate of re‐entrainment of wheel‐running activity was accelerated following a 6‐hour phase advance of dark onset when comparted with AH−/− mice, suggesting a role of endogenous melatonin in facilitating clock adjustment. Further in the AH+/+ mice, there was a significant decrease in body weight, gonadal weight and reproductive performance, and a significant increase in daily torpor (a hypothermic and hypometabolic state lasting only hours during adverse conditions). Endogenous melatonin, however, had no effect in the modulation of the diurnal rhythm of 2‐[125I]‐iodomelatonin receptor expression in the SCN, free‐running wheel behavior in constant darkness, life span, spontaneous homecage behaviors, and various types of social‐emotional behaviors. The findings also shed light on the role of endogenous melatonin in mice domestication and provide new insights into melatonin's action in reducing energy expenditure during a food shortage. In summary, the congenic mice model generated in this study offers a significant advantage toward understanding of the role of endogenous melatonin in regulating melatonin receptor‐mediated rhythm behaviors and physiological functions.
The avian central roles of alpha and beta oestrogen receptors on food intake
Authors: Motaghi Sahel , Jonaidi Hossein , Talebifard Hadis , Chavoshizadeh Mohammadamin
Published: June 2021

In rodents, oestrogen reduces food intake centrally via alpha oestrogen receptors (αER). As there was no report about the central roles of oestrogen receptors of alpha and beta, on food intake behaviour in birds, we aimed at this subject. In the first experiment beta oestradiol, a specific beta oestrogen receptor (βER; 0, 2.5, 5,10, 15 and 31 μg) was injected intracerebroventricularly (ICV) to 3‐h fasted broilers. The second and third experiments were similar to the first one, but alpha oestradiol, the specific (αER; 2.5, 5 and 10 μg) and MPP hydrochloride, a highly selective antagonist of (αER) (0.1, 1 and 10 μg) were used. Our result showed that alpha oestradiol increased food intake and MPP hydrochloride reversed this effect. This study shows that, similar to rodents, in the avian brain (aER) are involved in food intake behavior, but despite them, their effects are stimulatory.
Polymorphism in a sex‐linked DNA marker located on LG23 in Hainan strain of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)
Authors: Jiang Dong‐Neng , Kuang Zi‐Ying , Yang Kong‐Song , Huang Yuan‐Qing , Mustapha Umar Farouk , Guo Xiang‐Zhao , Zheng De‐Feng , Dong Zhong‐Dian , Shi Hong‐Juan
Published: June 2021

Marker‐5, which is linked to the major sex‐determination gene amhy on LG23, has been used for sex genotyping of various strains of Nile tilapia. Marker‐5 specifically amplifies fragments of approximately 1,422 and 982 bp of the X and Y chromosomes, respectively. Herein, we evaluated Marker‐5 polymorphism in Nile tilapia of Hainan strain, China. Agarose gel electrophoresis showed that in 13 out of 85 female fish, Marker‐5 amplified a larger band, distinct from the standard X‐specific band. Sanger sequencing showed that this larger band was 1,688 bp in length and showed high similarity with both 1,422‐bp X‐specific and 982‐bp Y‐specific fragments. The larger band was proved to be a female sex‐linked allele of Marker‐5 and was labeled as XL. When the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products of XLY fish, amplified by Marker‐5, were tested by agarose gel electrophoresis, an unusual band, smaller than XL but larger than that of Y fragment, was observed. The unusual band could be a heteroduplex of the XL and Y fragments. In very few XXL male, amhy was found to be linked with 1,422‐bp fragment amplified by Marker‐5. Understanding the Marker‐5 is useful for its utilization in sex‐controlled breeding in farmed Nile tilapia.
Resource use in whiteleg shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei farming in Ecuador
Authors: Boyd Claude E. , Davis Robert P. , Wilson Arturo González , Marcillo Fabrizio , Brian Susanna , McNevin Aaron A.
Published: June 2021

A survey of 101 shrimp farms in Ecuador revealed that the average annual shrimp yield based on production pond water surface area was 7.03 ± 0.93 (SE) t/ha/year. The range in annual yield among the five provinces with shrimp farms was 3.67 ± 0.71 to 11.95 ± 5.56 t/ha year, respectively. Averages for total land, water, and energy use were 0.54 ± 0.01 ha/t shrimp, 76,817 ± 6,330 m3/t shrimp, and 61.2 ± 4.2 GJ/t shrimp, respectively. Average wild fish use for fish meal and fish oil included in feed was 0.65 ± 0.02 t/t shrimp. One‐fourth of land use was land embodied in feed. Nearly 80% of total water use was incurred for exchanging water. Eighty‐seven of the farms practiced daily water exchange at an average rate of 8.5% pond volume per day (range 0.7–30%). Pumping water at all farms and mechanical aeration at 47 of the farms were the major direct energy uses. About half of the total energy use was embodied, and roughly half of the embodied energy was in feed.
Economic policy uncertainty spillovers in Europe before and after the Eurozone crisis
Authors: Tzika Paraskevi , Fountas Stilianos
Published: June 2021

This paper focuses on economic policy uncertainty spillovers across Europe, before and after the outburst of the Eurozone crisis, using data for seven Eurozone countries for the period 2003–2019. At first, we analyze the spillovers of uncertainty in Europe via the estimation of the Diebold‐Yilmaz spillover index. The results indicate that uncertainty connectedness was 50.5% before the crisis, while it dropped to 30.6% afterwards indicating a sharp drop in uncertainty spillovers across the seven Eurozone countries. We also find that the importance of domestic causes in national uncertainty has increased during the crisis at the expense of imported factors. Dynamic net spillovers reveal that core Eurozone countries are uncertainty exporters before the crisis, while periphery countries transmit uncertainty to other countries during the crisis. An examination of the country which suffered the most during the crisis, using impulse response analysis, reveals that the Greek macroeconomic indicators (stock market, GDP, unemployment, and the Economic Sentiment Index) were affected more by domestic, rather than European uncertainty. The highest responses are indicated during the crisis. Overall, there is positive interdependence between Greek and European uncertainty, which diminishes during the crisis.
Association of silica phases as geothermobarometer for eucrites: Implication for two‐stage thermal metamorphism in the eucritic crust
Authors: Ono Haruka , Takenouchi Atsushi , Mikouchi Takashi , Yamaguchi Akira , Yasutake Masahiro , Miyake Akira , Tsuchiyama Akira
Published: June 2021

Silica mineral is present in different stable polymorphs depending on the temperature and pressure conditions of crystallization. We suggest using silica mineral phases to constrain the thermal history of eucrites. We focused on silica minerals in basaltic clasts of nine non‐cumulate eucrites to compare with previously studied cumulate eucrites. Our observations indicate an apparent relationship between thermal metamorphic degrees and silica phase texture in basaltic clasts of non‐cumulate eucrites. To reveal complex transformation relations between silica polymorphs in eucrites, we performed cooling experiments (cooling rate: 1 and 0.1 °C h−1) and heating experiments (heating 500 °C for 168 h and 800 °C for 96 h) using eucrites. The cooling experiments show that cristobalite is an initial silica phase crystallized from eucritic magma and transforms to quartz at the cooling rate between 0.1 and 1 °C h−1. Based on the cooling experiments and observations of eucrites, we suggest that a combination of silica minerals varies depending mainly on cooling rates. According to the heating experiments, monoclinic tridymite hardly transforms to other phases at low temperature by short reheating events such as brecciation. Monoclinic tridymite can partially transform to quartz with a “hackle” fracture. We conclude that a reheating event partially transformed monoclinic tridymite to quartz to form aggregates of monoclinic tridymite and quartz with the hackle fracture in eucrites. We suggested that some basaltic clasts in non‐cumulate eucrites experienced two‐stage thermal metamorphism in the eucritic crust. The first metamorphic event has resulted from burial under lava produced by successive eruptions. Igneous intrusions into the preformed crust may have caused the second metamorphic event. The intrusions heated the deep eucritic crust and induced the transformation from monoclinic tridymite to quartz.
The population genetics of urban and rural amphibians in North America
Authors: Schmidt Chloé , Garroway Colin J.
Published: June 2021

Human land transformation is one of the leading causes of vertebrate population declines. These declines are thought to be partly due to decreased connectivity and habitat loss reducing animal population sizes in disturbed habitats. With time, this can lead to declines in effective population size and genetic diversity which restrict the ability of wildlife to efficiently cope with environmental change through genetic adaptation. However, it is not well understood whether these effects generally hold across taxa. We address this question by repurposing and synthesizing raw microsatellite data from online repositories for 19 amphibian species sampled at 554 georeferenced sites in North America. For each site, we estimated gene diversity, allelic richness, effective population size, and population differentiation. Using binary urban‐rural census designations, and continuous measures of human population density, the Human Footprint Index, and impervious surface cover, we tested for generalizable effects of human land use on amphibian genetic diversity. We found minimal evidence, either positive or negative, for relationships between genetic metrics and urbanization. Together with previous work on focal species that also found varying effects of urbanization on genetic composition, it seems likely that the consequences of urbanization are not easily generalizable within or across amphibian species. Questions about the genetic consequences of urbanization for amphibians should be addressed on a case‐by‐case basis. This contrasts with general negative effects of urbanization in mammals and consistent, but species‐specific, positive and negative effects in birds.
Accidental nation‐building in Africa
Authors: Koter Dominika
Published: June 2021

National identity in Africa is routinely viewed as underdeveloped relative to ethnic identity because most states did not follow classic forms of nation‐building, such as mass schooling with nationalist content. Yet recent survey data show that national identity across the continent is more robust than most scholars predicted. What is driving national identification in Africa? What unifies Africans around common national identity? Existing theories are not well suited to explaining this question, because factors that they see as essential, such as higher levels of development and cultural cohesion, often do not exist. In this article, I suggest a new understanding of the strength of national identity, based on the impact of political events, such as peace, political stability and conduct of elections. Drawing on over 200 original interviews with Ghanaian respondents, I demonstrate how political stability in Ghana, contrasted with political turmoil in neighbouring countries, produces narratives about national identity.