bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
FOOD AWAY FROM HOME AND CALORIC INTAKE: THE ROLE OF RESTAURANT MENU LABELING LAWS
Authors: Todd Jessica E. , Mancino Lisa , Restrepo Brandon J. , Kavanaugh Claudine , Dicken Chris , Breneman Vince
Published: September 2020

We analyze whether local and state mandates to post calorie information on restaurant menus change the effect of consuming food prepared away from home (FAFH) on total caloric intake. Information on area demographics and the local food environment were used to construct a comparison group. For identification, we use differences in two days of dietary intake and timing variations in policy implementation. We find the effect of FAFH meals on total daily intake is reduced by 21 calories among adults and by 34 calories among young children for each year the mandate is in place. (JEL I12, I18, H75)
Aiming at ecological validity—Midfrontal theta oscillations in a toy gun shooting task
Authors: Lange Leon , Osinsky Roman
Published: September 2020

Laboratory electroencephalography (EEG) studies have already provided important insights into the neuronal mechanisms of performance monitoring. However, to our knowledge no study so far has examined neuronal correlates of performance monitoring using an ecologically valid task outside a typical laboratory setting. Therefore, we examined midfrontal theta and the feedback‐related negativity (FRN) using mobile EEG in a physical shooting task within an ecologically valid environment with highly dynamical visual feedback. Participants shot a target using a toy gun while moving and looking around freely. Shots that missed the target evoked stronger midfrontal theta activity than hits and this response was rather phase‐unlocked. There was no difference between misses and hits in the FRN. The results raise the question whether the absence of certain ERP components like the FRN could be due to methodological reasons or to the fact that partially different neuronal processes may be activated in the laboratory as compared to more ecologically valid tasks. Overall, our results indicate that crucial neurocognitive processes of performance monitoring can be assessed in highly dynamic and ecologically valid settings by mobile EEG.
Disadvantage Entrepreneurship: Decoding a New Area of Research
Authors: Maalaoui Adnane , Ratten Vanessa , Heilbrunn Sibylle , Brannback Malin , Kraus Sascha
Published: September 2020

This paper discusses disadvantaged entrepreneurship by exploring what is meant by the term and then taking a broad approach towards its understanding as a research field worthy of more attention. We consider entrepreneurship as a support to the social and economic integration of disadvantaged people through their creation of new enterprises. Although the focus is on the positive benefits of entrepreneurship for disadvantaged people, we also acknowledge the undesirable realization that it can often be a necessity for those facing societal marginalization
Evolution of morphological but not aggressiveness‐related traits following a major resistance breakdown in the poplar rust fungus, Melampsora larici‐populina
Authors: Maupetit Agathe , Fabre Bénédicte , Pétrowski Jérémy , Andrieux Axelle , De Mita Stéphane , Frey Pascal , Halkett Fabien , Hayden Katherine J.
Published: September 2020

Crop varieties carrying qualitative resistance to targeted pathogens lead to strong selection pressure on parasites, often resulting in resistance breakdown. It is well known that qualitative resistance breakdowns modify pathogen population structure but few studies have analyzed the consequences on their quantitative aggressiveness‐related traits. The aim of this study was to characterize the evolution of these traits following a resistance breakdown in the poplar rust fungus, Melampsora larici‐populina. We based our experiment on three temporal populations sampled just before the breakdown event, immediately after and four years later. First, we quantified phenotypic differences among populations for a set of aggressiveness traits on a universally susceptible cultivar (infection efficiency, latent period, lesion size, mycelium quantity, and sporulation rate) and one morphological trait (mean spore volume). Then, we estimated heritability to establish which traits could be subjected to adaptive evolution and tested for evidence of selection. Our results revealed significant changes in the morphological trait but no variation in aggressiveness traits. By contrast, recent works have demonstrated that quantitative resistance (initially assumed more durable) could be eroded and lead to increased aggressiveness. Hence, this study is one example suggesting that the use of qualitative resistance may be revealed to be less detrimental to long‐term sustainable crop production.
A smartly designed automated map based clustering algorithm for the enhanced diagnosis of pathologies in brain MR images
Authors: Senthilvel Vigneshwaran , Govindaraj Vishnuvarthanan , Zhang Yu‐Dong , Murugan Pallikonda Rajasekaran , Thiyagarajan Arun Prasath
Published: September 2020

The competitive segmentation of fuzzy clustering is utilized in a greater manner to deal with the local spatial information of input medical images. Fuzzy clustering favours lesions and tumour identification through the segmentation process where less accuracy attainment and time complexity might be instigated for the identification of oddities. To rectify the above‐said problems, a novel methodology that encapsulates the combination of unsupervised neural network and fuzzy clustering processes, which effortlessly distinguishes the lesion and tumour region in MR brain images is developed through this study. The initial process of the proposed algorithm employs the histogram‐based feature extraction of the input images; whereof, a feature vector selection is made for the operation of self‐organizing map (SOM), which is a neural network functionary that progresses through the mapping process. Modification regarding the membership function of fuzzy entropy clustering (MFEC) is done based on the entropy value of the input image that results in quicker convergence. Finally, the updated objective function of MFEC algorithm augments the SOM result. It is found that the proposed SOM based MFEC algorithm is superior to other traditional segmentation algorithms, which have rendered the better visible understanding of the image. Further, the end‐results of the algorithm are verified through the evaluation of quantity metrics using ground truth of the brain MR images. The proposed SOM based MFEC algorithm precisely provides 82.26% of Jaccard value and 90.05% of Dice Overlap Index value, and these values prove better brain slices segmentation and provide enormous help to radiologists during patient diagnosis.
Rethinking Religious Marriages When Done Without Any Civil Marriage: Non‐Marriage, Neo‐Marriage, Marriage, or Something Else?
Authors: Broyde Michael J. , Peltzer Rachel M.
Published: September 2020

In an era in which relationships that look like marriage, but are not civilly recognized as such, are common, states face questions of how to regulate these “quasi‐marital” relationships. Constitutional questions surround the regulation of consensual sexual relationships. In response, many states permit these relationships to occur with minimal governmental involvement. Some states may find, based on the couple's actions, that the individuals are common law married. Other states will simply never recognize the parties as married. Beyond marital status, some states find that the relationship has implications for support and benefits. Additional questions arise when the parties to a “quasi‐marital” relationship attempt to marry in the eyes of God, without also seeking a civil marriage. The regulation of a solely religious marriage is fraught with First Amendment concerns, and yet, many states criminalize the solemnization of a purely religious marriage in some fashion. How and whether these laws are enforced impact an individual's exercise of religion. Governmental non‐regulation of other premarital sexual arrangements suggests that there is no state interest in the regulation of a solely religious marriage.

This Article provides a foray into the law that governs solely religious marriages. It addresses the factors that motivate individuals to enter into a religious marriage without also entering into a civil marriage, discusses models of religious marriage regulation abroad and within the United States, and provides insight into how the government treats quasi‐marital relationships in general. This Article advocates that states ought to treat all persons who have chosen to avoid the secular marriage process the same. That is, the regulation of individuals who have crafted a marital relationship that is purely religious should be consistent with the regulation of other non‐marital sexual arrangements. In deciding whether a solely religious marriage constitutes non‐marriage, neo‐marriage, marriage, or something else, the government should pay no attention to the man behind the curtain,1 which in this case is the existence of a religious marriage.
Trait‐based ecology at large scales: Assessing functional trait correlations, phylogenetic constraints and spatial variability using open data
Authors: Wilkes Martin A. , Edwards François , Jones J. Iwan , Murphy John F. , England Judy , Friberg Nikolai , Hering Daniel , Poff N. LeRoy , Usseglio‐Polatera Philippe , Verberk Wilco C. E. P. , Webb Jon , Brown Lee E.
Published: September 2020

The growing use of functional traits in ecological research has brought new insights into biodiversity responses to global environmental change. However, further progress depends on overcoming three major challenges involving (a) statistical correlations between traits, (b) phylogenetic constraints on the combination of traits possessed by any single species, and (c) spatial effects on trait structure and trait–environment relationships. Here, we introduce a new framework for quantifying trait correlations, phylogenetic constraints and spatial variability at large scales by combining openly available species’ trait, occurrence and phylogenetic data with gridded, high‐resolution environmental layers and computational modelling. Our approach is suitable for use among a wide range of taxonomic groups inhabiting terrestrial, marine and freshwater habitats. We demonstrate its application using freshwater macroinvertebrate data from 35 countries in Europe. We identified a subset of available macroinvertebrate traits, corresponding to a life‐history model with axes of resistance, resilience and resource use, as relatively unaffected by correlations and phylogenetic constraints. Trait structure responded more consistently to environmental variation than taxonomic structure, regardless of location. A re‐analysis of existing data on macroinvertebrate communities of European alpine streams supported this conclusion, and demonstrated that occurrence‐based functional diversity indices are highly sensitive to the traits included in their calculation. Overall, our findings suggest that the search for quantitative trait–environment relationships using single traits or simple combinations of multiple traits is unlikely to be productive. Instead, there is a need to embrace the value of conceptual frameworks linking community responses to environmental change via traits which correspond to the axes of life‐history models. Through a novel integration of tools and databases, our flexible framework can address this need.
Discontinued dental care attendance among people with dementia: A register‐based longitudinal study
Authors: Lexomboon Duangjai , Gavriilidou Nivetha Natarajan , Höijer Jonas , Skott Pia , Religa Dorota , Eriksdotter Maria , Sandborgh‐Englund Gunilla
Published: September 2020

Objective

To investigate the factors that increase the risk of discontinuing dental care utilisation after dementia is diagnosed in a population in Stockholm County, Sweden.

Background

As the progression of dementia results in a deteriorating ability to maintain good oral health, it is important to identify people at risk of discontinued dental care after being diagnosed with dementia.

Materials and Methods

This study is a register‐based longitudinal study. Data were extracted from the Swedish Dementia Registry (SveDem), the Swedish National Patient Register, the Dental Health Register and the Municipal Dental Care Register (Stockholm County Council). The data included people using both general public dental services and care‐dependent individuals. Dental visits three years before and after dementia had been diagnosed were analysed.

Results

In total, 10 444 people were included in the analysis, of which 19% did not have dental visits recorded after they were diagnosed with dementia. A logistic regression model, adjusted for relevant factors, showed that the factors associated with a greater risk for discontinued dental attendance were fewer remaining teeth (OR = 0.96, 95% CI = 0.95, 0.97) and living alone compared to living with another adult (OR = 1.23, 95% CI = 1.05, 1.43). People with Parkinson's disease dementia had a lower risk (OR = 0.40, 95% CI = 0.19, 0.84) than people with Alzheimer's disease.

Conclusion

Patients, dental and healthcare personnel, and family members should all be aware of these risk factors so that appropriate support and oral care for people with dementia can be delivered.
Consumer decision‐making in omnichannel retailing: Literature review and future research agenda
Authors: Mishra Ruchi , Singh Rajesh Kumar , Koles Bernadett
Published: September 2020

The emergence of omnichannel retailing has revolutionized the way traditional e‐commerce business operates, subsequently bringing fundamental changes to consumer expectations and decision‐making processes. Despite the unquestionable relevance of this area of inquiry, the focal literature concerning omnichannel retailing remains sporadic and fragmented. With this in mind, the purpose of the current paper is to provide a comprehensive and concise state of the art literature review on omnichannel retailing. More specifically, we engage and draw upon the cognitive‐affective‐conative model to understand consumer behaviour within the omnichannel retailing context. The current study is built based on a review of total 131 research papers that were identified following a comprehensive search of the Web of Science database, capturing the time period between January 2011 and April 2020. This set of work was reviewed thoroughly to explore the aims, methodology and key contributions. In addition to engaging a systematic assessment and rigorous evaluation of the studies, we also extend literature by studying the relationship between omnichannel retailing and consumer decision making, with specific attention to consumer motivation, attitude and behaviour towards omnichannel retailing. Previous studies suggest consumer behaviour in omnichannel retailing to be a promising yet underexplored area with several potential avenues for future research. Among these, particularly lucrative directions include theory‐driven research, comparative cross‐cultural studies and qualitative approaches that capture rich first‐hand accounts of consumer decision‐making encounters. The current paper is timely and advantageous because it offers a holistic picture of omnichannel retailing research and provides literature‐driven evidence about a range of relevant consumer behavioural dimensions. It also integrates consumer responses using the cognitive‐affective‐conative model to advance our understanding of consumer decision‐making in the omnichannel customer journey. Recommendations for future research are provided using the Theory, Methodology and Context (TMC) framework. We conclude the paper by discussing implications for academics and practitioners.
Introducing 1,3‐beta‐d‐glucan for screening and diagnosis of invasive fungal diseases in Australian high‐risk haematology patients: is there a clinical benefit?
Authors: Garnham Katherine , Halliday Catriona L. , Rai Neela J. , Jayawardena Menuk , Hasan Tasnim , Kok Jen , Nayyar Vineet , Gottlieb David J. , Gilroy Nicole M. , Chen Sharon C.‐A.
Published: September 2020

Background

Early, accurate diagnosis of invasive fungal disease (IFD) improves clinical outcomes. 1,3‐beta‐d‐glucan (BDG) (Fungitell, Associates of Cape Cod, Inc., Falmouth, MA, USA) detection can improve IFD diagnosis but has been unavailable in Australia.

Aims

To assess performance of serum BDG for IFD diagnosis in a high‐risk Australian haematology population.

Methods

We compared the diagnostic value of weekly screening of serum BDG with screening by Aspergillus polymerase chain reaction and Aspergillus galactomannan in 57 at‐risk episodes for the diagnosis of IFD (proven, probable, possible IFD).

Results

IFD episodes were: proven (n = 4); probable (n = 4); possible (n = 18); and no IFD (n = 31). Using two consecutive BDG results of ≥80 pg/mL to call a result ‘positive’, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value was 37.5%, 64.5%, 23.1% and 80.7% respectively. For invasive aspergillosis, test performance increased to 50%, 90.3%, 57.1% and 87.5% respectively if any two of serum BDG/Aspergillus polymerase chain reaction/galactomannan yielded a ‘positive’ result. In proven/probable IFD, five of eight episodes returned a positive BDG result earlier (mean 6.6 days) than other diagnostic tests. False‐negative BDG results occurred in three of eight episodes of proven/probable IFD, and false positive in 10 of 31 patients with no IFD. Erratic patterns of BDG values predicted false positive results (P = 0.03). Using serum BDG results, possible IFD were reassigned to either ‘no’ or ‘probable’ IFD in 44% cases. Empiric anti‐fungal therapy use may have been optimised by BDG monitoring in 38.5% of courses.

Conclusions

The BDG assay can add diagnostic speed and value but was hampered by low sensitivity and positive predictive value in Australian haematology patients.
Healthcare workers in Singapore infected with COVID‐19: 23 January‐17 April 2020
Authors: Wong Lai Yin , Tan Aidan Lyanzhiang , Leo Yee‐Sin , Lee Vernon Jian Ming , Toh Matthias Paul Han Sim
Published: September 2020

Objective

To describe the characteristics of healthcare workers (HCWs) infected with COVID‐19 and to examine their sources of exposure.

Methods

A descriptive cross‐sectional study using data extracted from the centralized disease notification system comprising individuals confirmed with COVID‐19 in Singapore between 23 January and 17 April 2020. Occupation of HCWs was categorized into six categories. Their job nature was classified into “frontline” or “back‐end” based on the frequency of direct patient contact, and source of exposure was classified as family/household, social interaction or workplace. Chi‐square and median tests were used to identify differences between categorical groups and sample medians, respectively.

Results

A total of 88 (1.7%) HCWs were identified from 5,050 cases. Their median age was 35 years. Chinese and Indians constituted 42.0% and 31.8%, respectively, and 43.2% were foreigners. The majority (63.6%) was serving at frontlines handling patient‐facing duties, 15.9% were doctors, 11.4% were nurses and 44.3% were ancillary staff. About 81.8% acquired the infection locally, of which 40.3% did not have a clearly identifiable source of exposure. Exposure from the family/household was most common (27.8%), followed by workplace (16.7%) and social interaction (15.3%). All HCWs were discharged well with no mortality; three (3.4%) were ever admitted to intensive care unit and required increased care.

Conclusion

Healthcare workers accounted for a small proportion of COVID‐19 cases in Singapore with favourable outcomes. The possibility of transmission resulting from family/household exposure and social interactions highlights the need to maintain strict vigilance and precautionary measures at all times beyond the workplace.
Analysis of SiC/SiC composites for energy applications at ambient conditions
Authors: Bumgardner Clifton H. , Heim Frederick M. , Roache David C. , Jarama Alex , Price Morgan C. , Deck Christian P. , Li Xiaodong
Published: September 2020

Plain weave planar and biaxially braided tubular SiC/SiC CMCs are evaluated in tension and four‐point bending, respectively, at ambient conditions. Custom‐designed fixtures for CMC testing are developed for each loading mode and are coupled with three‐dimensional digital image correlation. Stereoscopic image correlation analysis reveals crack initiation and failure sites to provide insight into stress redistribution mechanisms. Scanning electron microscopy is performed postmortem to determine the influence of microstructural features on crack initiation and failure. Crack spacing is measured in situ by stereoscopic image correlation and confirmed by SEM measurements to relate to underlying tow‐tow crossing points. Triangulated surface heights of plain weave tow architecture are used to determine that subtle differences in neighboring transverse tow angle, which vary within a range of ±4° from horizontal, have no significant effect on final fracture location. The results presented reaffirm the state of current SiC/SiC CMCs developed for energy applications and will help to further improve SiC/SiC and other CMCs.
Annealing effects on the structure and hardness of helium‐irradiated Cr2AlC thin films
Authors: Wang Chunjie , Tu Hanjun , Su Ranran , Gao Jie , King B. V. , O'Connor D. J. , Shi Liqun
Published: September 2020

Cr2AlC MAX phase thin films prepared by radio‐frequency magnetron sputtering were irradiated at room temperature by 100 keV helium ions to a fluence of 1 × 1017 ions cm−2. The effects of thermal annealing on the structural and mechanical properties of the helium‐irradiated Cr2AlC films as well as the helium release were investigated by grazing‐incidence X‐ray diffraction (GIXRD), Raman spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscope (SEM) in combination with nano‐indentation and elastic recoil detection (ERD) analysis. The irradiation‐induced structural damage in the Cr2AlC is significantly recovered by thermal annealing at temperatures around 600℃, attributed to high defect diffusivity. After annealing to 750℃, the hardness of irradiated films recovered almost completely, which is ascribes to both defect recombination and reformation of damaged chemical bonds. Substantial helium release occurring at this annealing temperature is closely related to the damage recovery due to helium irradiation.
Effect of alkalis on enforced carbonation of cement paste: Mechanism of reaction
Authors: Zajac Maciej , Skibsted Jørgen , Ben Haha Mohsen
Published: September 2020

In the present research, an alternative approach to produce supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) based on the carbon capture and utilization is developed. The approach focuses on enforced carbonation of cement pastes obtained from recycled concrete and its application as SCM. This work focuses on the effect of alkalis in the starting solution on the carbonation mechanism of ground hydrated cement pastes in a wet reactor. The enforced carbonation of cement paste is a rapid process at ambient temperature and pressure being close to complete reaction within a few hours of carbonation, independently on alkali concentration. However, alkalis have a complex impact on the carbonation reaction as they accelerate the initial stages of the carbonation reaction, while the kinetics of the middle stages is retarded. The final degree of carbonation is only slightly affected by the alkali concentration in the solution. The origin of these effects can be explained by relating them to the evolution of solid and solution properties. Additionally, the alkali concentration has an impact on the morphology of the main carbonation products, that is, calcite and the alumina‐silica gel.
Temperature and processing effects on lithium ion conductivity of solution‐deposited lithium zirconium phosphate (LiZr2P3O12) thin films
Authors: Brummel Ian A. , Drury Daniel E. , Kitahara Andrew R. , El Gabaly Farid , Ihlefeld Jon F.
Published: September 2020

Lithium zirconium phosphate (LiZr2P3O12) thin films have been prepared on platinized silicon substrates via a chemical solution deposition approach with processing temperatures between 700°C and 775°C. Films that were subject to a single high‐temperature anneal were found to crystallize at temperatures above 725°C. Crystallization was observed in films annealed after each deposited layer at 700°C and above. In both cases, grain size was found to increase with annealing temperature. Ion conductivity was found to increase with annealing temperature in singly annealed films. In per‐layer annealed films ion conductivity was found to initially increase then decrease with increasing annealing temperature. A maximum ion conductivity of 1.6 × 10−6 S/cm was observed for the singly annealed 775°C condition, while a maximum ion conductivity of 5.8 × 10−7 S/cm was observed for the 725°C per‐layer annealed condition. These results are consistent with an increasing influence of cross‐plane, internal interface resistance and vapor phase carrier loss in the per‐layer annealed samples. This work demonstrates that post‐deposition processing methods can strongly affect the ion conducting properties of LiZr2P3O12 thin films.
Experiences and needs of direct support staff working with people with intellectual disabilities during the COVID‐19 pandemic: A thematic analysis
Authors: Embregts Petri J. C. M. , Tournier Tess , Frielink Noud
Published: September 2020

Background

The present study aimed to explore the experiences and needs of direct support staff during the initial stage of the COVID‐19 lockdown in the Netherlands.

Method

Overall, eleven direct support staff were recruited from five intellectual disability services to participate in this descriptive qualitative study. They recorded 34 audio messages during the considered period. Thematic analysis was used to analyse these audio recordings.

Results

Four themes emerged: (1) Emotional impact, which pertained to various emotions they experienced in their work; (2) Cognitive impact, which referred to challenges and changes they had undergone in their work; (3) Practical impact, which centred on the practical impact of the pandemic on their work; and (4) Professional impact, which concerned their experiences with other professionals.

Conclusions

This study provides valuable insights into the experiences and needs of direct support staff during the COVID‐19 pandemic, which, in turn, can help inform practice in preparation for a second wave of COVID‐19 or another future pandemic.
Comparison of object‐oriented and robot programming activities: The effects of programming modality on student achievement, abstraction, problem solving, and motivation
Authors: Çınar Murat , Tüzün Hakan
Published: September 2020

This study compares the effects of object‐oriented and robot programming activities on programming achievement, abstraction, problem solving, and motivation. In the study, two consecutive experimental cases were conducted to examine the consistency of findings. The research sample comprises 81 tenth‐grade students undergoing vocational secondary education. A total of 41 students participated in the first case that spanned 12 weeks, and 40 students participated in the second that spanned 8 weeks. After computational activities, the programming achievement scores significantly increased in all test groups. However, the achievement scores did not differ significantly between the groups. For the comparison groups, there was no statistically significant difference in the pre‐ and posttest scores of the formal and descriptive abstraction in both cases. However, a statistically significant increase was found in the formal (only Case 2) and descriptive abstraction scores of the students in the experimental groups. The abstraction results revealed a significant difference in the descriptive abstraction scores of Case 2 in favour of the experimental group. No statistically significant difference was found in the problem‐solving scores within or between groups. In both cases, the motivation scores of the experimental groups were found to be statistically higher than those of the comparison groups.
Trends in reported industry payments to physicians practicing cardiac electrophysiology from 2013 to 2018 in the United States
Authors: Tseng Andrew S. , Hu Tiffany Y. , Lee Justin Z. , Amin Mustapha , Vaidya Vaibhav , Deshmukh Abhishek J. , Madhavan Malini , Cha Yong‐Mei , Asirvatham Samuel J. , Mulpuru Siva K.
Published: September 2020

Introduction

The need for transparency in financial relationships in the healthcare system, has culminated in Open Payments database, managed by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Since its inception in 2013, the trend in such payments to physicians practicing cardiac electrophysiology was not examined.

Methods and Results

Payment information reported to CMS from January 2013 to December 2018 was obtained from the publicly available Open Payments data set using the online query tool. The data were analyzed by an individual provider and by state. An in‐depth analysis of payments in the year 2018 payments was performed. From 2014 to 2018, there was an 18% increase in the total number of payments reported from 88 877 payments in 2014 to 105 000 in 2018. Despite the increase in the total number of payments reported, the average payment steadily decreased over time, resulting in an overall reduction in the total amount of payments from 2014 to 2018 ($34.9 million to $28.2 million). Payments to the top 5% of individual recipients have also decreased over this time. In 2018, 2888 unique providers received reportable payments, a total of 105 000 payments, with a median payment amount of $1378 (interquartile range: $165–$5781). The majority of these payments were for food and beverage (82%) and travel/lodging (10%). The top five payers include Boston Scientific, Medtronic Vascular, Abbott Laboratories, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, and Biotronik.

Conclusion

Among cardiac electrophysiologists, there is increased reporting of payments in the Open Payments program over time, with a notable decrease in the payment amount.
NF‐YA promotes the cell proliferation and tumorigenic properties by transcriptional activation of SOX2 in cervical cancer
Authors: Yang Wen‐Ting , Feng Qian , Ma Hong‐Mei , Lei Dan , Zheng Peng‐Sheng
Published: September 2020

NF‐YA is considered as a crucial regulator for the maintenance of cancer stem cell (CSC) and involved in various types of malignant tumours. However, the exact function and molecular mechanisms of NF‐YA in the progression of cervical cancer remains poorly understood. Here, the expression of NF‐YA detected by immunohistochemistry was gradually increased from normal cervical tissues, to the high‐grade squamous intraepithelial lesions, and then to cervical cancer tissues. NF‐YA promoted the cell proliferation and tumorigenic properties of cervical cancer cells as well as tumorsphere formation and chemoresistance in vitro. The luciferase reporter assay combined with mutagenesis analyses and Western blotting showed that NF‐YA trans‐activated the expression of SOX2 in cervical cancer. Furthermore, quantitative chromatin immunoprecipitation (qChIP) and electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) confirmed that NF‐YA protein directly bound to the CCAAT box region located upstream of the SOX2 promoter. Together, our data demonstrated that NF‐YA was highly expressed in cervical cancer and promoted the cell proliferation, tumorigenicity and CSC characteristic by trans‐activating the expression of SOX2.
Inhibition of ferroptosis protects House Ear Institute‐Organ of Corti 1 cells and cochlear hair cells from cisplatin‐induced ototoxicity
Authors: Mei Honglin , Zhao Liping , Li Wen , Zheng Zhiwei , Tang Dongmei , Lu Xiaoling , He Yingzi
Published: September 2020

Ferroptosis is a recently recognized form of non‐apoptotic cell death caused by an iron‐dependent accumulation of lipid hydroperoxides, which plays important roles in a wide spectrum of pathological conditions. The present study was aimed to investigate the impact of ferroptosis on cisplatin‐induced sensory hair cell damage. Cell viability was determined by Cell Counting Kit‐8 and lactase dehydrogenase assays. The reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were evaluated by 2,7‐Dichlorodi‐hydrofluorescein diacetate (DCFH‐DA) and MitoSox‐Red staining. Mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) was measured by tetramethylrhodamine methyl ester (TMRM) staining. Lipid peroxidation, intracellular and mitochondrial iron were detected by Liperfluo, C11‐BODIPY581/591, FerroOrange and Mito‐FerroGreen, respectively. We found that cisplatin treatment not only markedly augmented ROS accumulation, decreased the MMP, but increased lipid peroxidation and iron accumulation in House Ear Institute‐Organ of Corti 1 (HEI‐OC1) cells. Of note, treatment with the specific ferroptosis inhibitor ferrostatin‐1 could effectively abrogate the cisplatin‐induced toxicity and subsequent cell death. Specifically, the improvement of mitochondrial functions is important mechanisms for protective action of ferroptosis inhibitor against cisplatin‐induced damages in HEI‐OC1 cells. Moreover, inhibition of ferroptosis significantly protected murine cochlear hair cells against cisplatin damage. In addition, treatment murine cochlear hair cells with ferroptosis inducer, RSL3, significantly exacerbated cisplatin‐induced damage, which could be alleviated by ROS inhibitor N‐acetyl‐L‐cysteine. Collectively, our study indicated that ferroptosis inhibition could alleviate the cisplatin‐induced ototoxicity via inactivation of lipid peroxide radical and improvement of mitochondrial function in hair cells.
Involvement of kindlin‐2 in irisin’s protection against ischaemia reperfusion‐induced liver injury in high‐fat diet‐fed mice
Authors: Zhang Jia , Ren Yifan , Bi Jianbin , Wang Mengzhou , Zhang Lin , Wang Tao , Wei Shasha , Mou Xingyi , Lv Yi , Wu Rongqian
Published: September 2020

Liver steatosis is associated with increased ischaemia reperfusion (I/R) injury. Our previous studies have shown that irisin, an exercise‐induced hormone, mitigates I/R injury via binding to αVβ5 integrin. However, the effect of irisin on I/R injury in steatotic liver remains unknown. Kindlin‐2 directly interacts with β integrin. We therefore suggest that irisin protects against I/R injury in steatotic liver via a kindlin‐2 dependent mechanism. To study this, hepatic steatosis was induced in male adult mice by feeding them with a 60% high‐fat diet (HFD). At 12 weeks after HFD feeding, the mice were subjected to liver ischaemia by occluding partial (70%) hepatic arterial/portal venous blood for 60 minutes, which was followed by 24 hours reperfusion. Our results showed HFD exaggerated I/R‐induced liver injury. Irisin (250 μg/kg) administration at the beginning of reperfusion attenuated liver injury, improved mitochondrial function, and reduced oxidative and endoplasmic reticulum stress in HFD‐fed mice. However, kindlin‐2 inhibition by RNAi eliminated irisin's direct effects on cultured hepatocytes. In conclusion, irisin attenuates I/R injury in steatotic liver via a kindlin‐2 dependent mechanism.
The effect of immediate implant placement on alveolar ridge preservation compared to spontaneous healing after tooth extraction: Soft tissue findings from a randomized controlled clinical trial
Authors: Clementini Marco , Castelluzzo Walter , Ciaravino Vincenzo , Agostinelli Agnese , Vignoletti Fabio , Ambrosi Alessandro , De Sanctis Massimo
Published: September 2020

Aim

To compare soft tissue dimensional changes and relative differences in soft and hard tissue volumes 4 months after single‐tooth extraction and three different treatment modalities: spontaneous healing (SH) and alveolar ridge preservation by means of a deproteinized bovine bone mineral and a collagen matrix, with (IMPL/DBBM/CM) or without (DBBM/CM) immediate implant placement.

Materials and Methods

STL files from study casts obtained at baseline and after 4 months were matched to calculate buccal soft tissue linear and volumetric changes. DICOM files from CBCTs were superimposed to STL files allowing the evaluation of soft tissue thickness at baseline and 4 months.

Results

Mean horizontal reduction accounted for 1.46 ± 0.20 (SH), 0.85 ± 0.38 (DBBM‐CM) and 0.84 ± 0.30 IMPL/DBBM‐CM, with no statistical differences. Soft tissue thickness had a significant mean increase of 0.95 for SH group, compared to a non‐significant mean decrease for DBBM‐CM (0.20) and IMPL/DBBM‐CM groups (0.07).

Conclusion

A preservation technique with DBBM‐CM, with or without immediate implant placement, did not reduce the horizontal linear and volumetric changes at the buccal soft tissue profile significantly at 4 months after tooth extraction when compared to spontaneous healing. This is due to a significant increase in soft tissue thickness in spontaneously healing sites.
Annual Research Review: Reading disorders revisited – the critical importance of oral language
Authors: Snowling Margaret J. , Hulme Charles
Published: September 2020

This paper discusses research on reading disorders during the period since their classification within the overarching category of neurodevelopmental disorders (Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 53, 2012, 593). Following a review of the predictors of learning to read across languages, and the role of language skills as critical foundations for literacy, profiles of reading disorders are discussed and putative causal risk factors at the cognitive, biological, and environmental levels of explanation considered. Reading disorders are highly heritable and highly comorbid with disorders of language, attention, and other learning disorders, notably mathematics disorders. The home literacy environment, reflecting gene‐environment correlation, is one of several factors that promote reading development and highlight an important target for intervention. The multiple deficit view of dyslexia (Cognition, 101, 2006, 385) suggests that risks accumulate to a diagnostic threshold although categorical diagnoses tend to be unstable. Implications for assessment and intervention are discussed.
Microbiome of the larvae of Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) from maize plants
Authors: Ugwu Juliana Amaka , Liu Mengxia , Sun Hui , Asiegbu Fred O.
Published: September 2020

Fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda, is an invasive insect pest with a diverse host range threatening food security in the African continent by causing severe economic damage to staple maize crop. FAW like all other insects are associated with various microbiota that influence their several characteristics and activities. The microbiota of insects plays important roles in their growth, development and environmental adaptation to their host plants or animals and not much is known about microbiota of FAW in Nigeria. In this study, the microbial community of FAW larvae from maize plants in Nigeria was investigated using Illumina PE250 NovaSeq of 16S rRNA V3‐V4 gene region. A total of 1,160,133 sequence reads that ranged from 83,794 to 145,475 were obtained. They span through 2 kingdoms: bacteria (99.59%) and archaea (0.37%), 37 phyla, 59 classes, 78 orders, 145 families and 285 genera. The dominant taxonomic group of bacteria across the larval samples were Proteobacteria (58.32%), Firmicutes (35.87%) and Bacteroidetes (4.02%). There were no significant differences in bacteria species diversity and richness among the individual fall armyworm larva and samples from different geographical regions. The relative abundance of Bacteria phyla and classes also showed no significant differences among the larval samples. Significant differences were documented in bacteria orders Acidobacteriales and Aeromonadales, family Acidobacteriaceae_ (Subgroup_1) and genera Novosphingobium and Pedobacter. The results indicate that the gut of FAW larvae harbours a diverse set of bacteria and archaea biota. Understanding their ecological and functional relevance would provide novel insight on potential approaches for their exploitation in the integrated management of FAW in the tropics.
Periodontal phenotype: A review of historical and current classifications evaluating different methods and characteristics
Authors: Malpartida‐Carrillo Violeta , Tinedo‐Lopez Pedro Luis , Guerrero Maria Eugenia , Amaya‐Pajares Silvia P. , Özcan Mutlu , Rösing Cassiano Kuchenbecker
Published: September 2020

Objective

To review the historical and current periodontal phenotype classifications evaluating methods and characteristics. Moreover, to identify and classify the methods based on periodontal phenotype components.

Overview

Several gingival morphology studies have been frequently associated with different terms used causing confusion among the readers. In 2017, the World Workshop on the Classification of Periodontal and Peri‐Implant Diseases and Conditions recommended to adopt the term “periodontal phenotype”. This term comprises two terms, gingival phenotype (gingival thickness and keratinized tissue width) and bone morphotype (buccal bone plate thickness). Furthermore, gingival morphology has been categorized on “thin‐scalloped”, “thick‐scalloped” and “thick‐flat” considering the periodontal biotype. However, by definition, the term phenotype is preferred over biotype. Periodontal phenotype can be evaluated through clinical or radiographic assessments and may be divided into invasive/non‐invasive (for gingival thickness), static/functional (for keratinized tissue width), and bi/tridimensional (for buccal bone plate thickness) methods.

Conclusions

“Thin‐scalloped,” “thick‐scalloped,” and “thick‐flat” periodontal biotypes were identified. These three periodontal biotypes have been considered in the World Workshop but the term periodontal phenotype is recommended. Periodontal phenotype is the combination of the gingival phenotype and the bone morphotype. There are specific methods for periodontal phenotype evaluation.

Clinical significance

The term periodontal phenotype is currently recommended for future investigations about gingival phenotype and bone morphotype. “Thin‐scalloped,” “thick‐scalloped,” and “thick‐flat” periodontal phenotypes can be evaluated through specific methods for gingival thickness, keratinized tissue width, and buccal bone plate thickness evaluation.
Vonoprazan‐containingHelicobacter pyloritriple therapies contribution to global antimicrobial resistance
Authors: Graham David Y , Lu Hong , Shiotani Akiko
Published: September 2020

Amoxicillin and proton pump inhibitor dualHelicobacter pyloritherapy has proved not to be reliably highly effective primarily because of traditional proton pump inhibitors' inability to maintain a high intragastric pH. Clarithromycin and proton pump inhibitorH. pyloridual therapy failed in part because clarithromycin resistance emerged during therapy causing treatment failures. The combination of amoxicillin, clarithromycin, and proton pump inhibitor was subsequently undermined by increasing clarithromycin resistance. Although vonoprazan appeared to restore the effectiveness of triple therapy, the improvement was almost entirely to improved effectiveness of amoxicillin dual therapy component and resulted in the majority (>85% currently in Japan) of those receiving vonoprazan–amoxicillin plus a second antibiotic (e.g. clarithromycin, metronidazole, fluoroquinolone, or rifabutin) receiving no benefit from the second antibiotic. The results in somewhere between 2800 and 5600 kg of unnecessary clarithromycin per one millionH. pyloritreatment courses per year in Japan. The only contribution of the second antibiotic is to increase global antimicrobial resistance. There are now sufficient data to prove that optimized vonoprazan–amoxicillin dual therapy can reliably achieve cure rates ≥95%. This manuscript discusses use of the principles of antimicrobial stewardship to develop potassium‐competitive acid blocker‐containingH. pyloritherapies that will reliably achieve highH. pyloricure rates with minimal or no use of excess antibiotics. Such therapies are urgently needed so that use of vonoprazan triple therapies can be curtailed while also improving overallH. pyloricure rates.
COVID‐19, nausea, and vomiting
Authors: Andrews Paul L R , Cai Weigang , Rudd John A , Sanger Gareth J
Published: September 2020

Exclusion of nausea (N) and vomiting (V) from detailed consideration as symptoms of COVID‐19 is surprising as N can be an early presenting symptom. We examined the incidence of NV during infection before defining potential mechanisms. We estimate that the overall incidence of nausea (median 10.5%), although variable, is comparable with diarrhea. Poor definition of N, confusion with appetite loss, and reporting of N and/or V as a single entity may contribute to reporting variability and likely underestimation. We propose that emetic mechanisms are activated by mediators released from the intestinal epithelium by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) modulate vagal afferents projecting to the brainstem and after entry into the blood, activate the area postrema (AP) also implicated in anorexia. The receptor for spike protein of SARS‐CoV‐2, angiotensin 2 converting enzyme (ACE2), and transmembrane protease serine (for viral entry) is expressed in upper gastrointestinal (GI) enterocytes, ACE2 is expressed on enteroendocrine cells (EECs), and SARS‐CoV‐2 infects enterocytes but not EECs (studies needed with native EECs). The resultant virus‐induced release of epithelial mediators due to exocytosis, inflammation, and apoptosis provides the peripheral and central emetic drives. Additionally, data from SARS‐CoV‐2 show an increase in plasma angiotensin II (consequent on SARS‐CoV‐2/ACE2 interaction), a centrally (AP) acting emetic, providing a further potential mechanism in COVID‐19. Viral invasion of the dorsal brainstem is also a possibility but more likely in delayed onset symptoms. Overall, greater attention must be given to nausea as an early symptom of COVID‐19 and for the insights provided into the GI effects of SARS‐CoV‐2.
Endoscopic biliary stenting as the risk factor for cholangitis after endoscopic ultrasound in patients with biliary strictures
Authors: Ikezawa Kenji , Shigekawa Minoru , Yamai Takuo , Suda Takahiro , Kegasawa Tadashi , Yoshioka Teppei , Sakamori Ryotaro , Tatsumi Tomohide , Takehara Tetsuo
Published: September 2020

Background and Aim

Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) and EUS‐guided fine needle aspiration (FNA) are established as efficient and safe diagnostic modalities. However, the risk of cholangitis after EUS/EUS‐FNA (post‐EUS cholangitis) in patients who have biliary strictures has not been fully examined.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed 136 consecutive inpatients with biliary strictures who received EUS/EUS‐FNA at our hospital from April 2012 to September 2017 and evaluated complications that occurred by the next day after EUS/EUS‐FNA. Patients with percutaneous biliary drainage, those in whom it was difficult to reach the duodenum, and those receiving concurrent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography were excluded.

Results

We included 121 patients (147 cases); 90 patients were malignant. Endoscopic biliary stenting (EBS) with plastic stents had already been performed in 86 cases. Post‐EUS cholangitis was observed in 4.1% (6/147). No other EUS‐related complications were observed. The incidence of cholangitis with EBS was significantly higher than that in the cases without EBS (7.0% [6/86] vs 0% [0/61], P = 0.042). Biliary enzyme elevation was also identified as a risk factor of cholangitis.

Conclusion

Endoscopic biliary stenting was identified as a risk factor associated with post‐EUS cholangitis in patients with biliary strictures. Endoscopists should pay attention to post‐EUS cholangitis, especially in cases with EBS and biliary enzyme elevation.