bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sexual orientation and adolescent suicide attempt and self‐harm: a co‐twin control study
Authors: O'Reilly Lauren M. , Pettersson Erik , Donahue Kelly , Quinn Patrick D. , Klonsky E. David , Lundström Sebastian , Larsson Henrik , Lichtenstein Paul , D’Onofrio Brian M.
Published: June 2021

Background

Research has demonstrated that individuals who identify as a sexual minority (e.g., gay/lesbian, bisexual) are at increased risk for suicidality‐related outcomes. However, previous research is primarily limited by the lack of adjustment for unmeasured (i.e., genetic and environmental) confounding factors and previous psychopathology.

Methods

Using the Child and Adolescent Twin Study in Sweden, we employed a co‐twin control design to examine the extent to which the association between sexual orientation and adolescent suicide attempt and self‐harm (SA/SH) was independent of genetic and environmental factors shared by twins, as well as measured symptoms of childhood psychopathology.

Results

Adolescents who identified as a sexual minority (i.e., gay/lesbian, bisexual, or other sexual orientation) were at two‐fold increased odds for SA/SH (OR, 2.01 [95% confidence interval, 1.63–2.49) compared to heterosexual adolescents. When adjusting for all genetic and shared environmental factors that make twins similar and for measured childhood psychopathology, the association remained positive but attenuated to OR, 1.55 (1.11–2.16).

Conclusions

Identifying as a sexual minority was associated with approximately 50% increased odds of SA/SH in adolescence after adjusting for unmeasured genetic and environmental factors shared by twins and for childhood psychopathology. The results support that environmental factors specifically associated with identifying as a sexual minority likely increase risk for SA/SH. Our findings highlight the need to monitor suicidality risk among this group.
Adult skin acute stress responses to short‐term environmental and internal aggression from exposome factors
Authors: Passeron T. , Zouboulis C.C. , Tan J. , Andersen M.L. , Katta R. , Lyu X. , Aguilar L. , Kerob D. , Morita A. , Krutmann J. , Peters E.M.J.
Published: June 2021

Exposome factors that lead to stressed skin can be defined as any disturbance to homeostasis from environmental (meteorological factors, solar radiation, pollution or tobacco smoke) and/or internal exposure (unhealthy diet, hormonal variations, lack of sleep, psychosocial stress). The clinical and biological impact of chronic exposome effects on skin functions has been extensively reviewed, whereas there is a paucity of information on the impact of short‐term acute exposure. Acute stress, which would typically last minutes to hours (and generally no more than a week), provokes a transient but robust neuroendocrine‐immune and tissue remodelling response in the skin and can alter the skin barrier. Firstly, we provide an overview of the biological effects of various acute stressors on six key skin functions, namely the skin physical barrier, pigmentation, defences (antioxidant, immune cell‐mediated, microbial and microbiome maintenance), structure (extracellular matrix and appendages), neuroendocrine and thermoregulation functions. Secondly, we describe the biological and clinical effects on adult skin from individual exposome factors that elicit an acute stress response and their consequences in skin health maintenance. Clinical manifestations of acutely stressed skin may include dry skin that might accentuate fine lines, oily skin, sensitive skin, pruritus, erythema, pale skin, sweating, oedema and flares of inflammatory skin conditions such as acne, rosacea, atopic dermatitis, pigmentation disorders and skin superinfection such as viral reactivation. Acute stresses can also induce scalp sensitivity, telogen effluvium and worsen alopecia.
Complete clearance and Psoriasis Area and Severity Index response for brodalumab and ustekinumab by previous treatment history in AMAGINE‐2 and AMAGINE‐3
Authors: Reich K. , Hansen J.B. , Puig L. , Konstantinou M.P. , Warren R.B.
Published: June 2021

Background

The pathway for treatment of psoriasis is partly dependent upon disease severity, and patients may experience inadequate response at any point along the treatment pathway. Patients who repeatedly fail therapy represent a population in whom effective and well‐tolerated treatment options are limited.

Objectives

To investigate and describe patients achieving Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) 100 and cumulative treatment benefit over time in patients with moderate‐to‐severe psoriasis receiving brodalumab or ustekinumab by prior treatment.

Methods

We conducted a post hoc analysis of data from two phase 3, randomized, controlled, 52‐week AMAGINE trials of brodalumab to describe patients who achieved complete clearance as measured by PASI 100 by prior treatment subgroup (naïve to systemic and biologic treatment, systemic‐treated but biologic‐naïve, biologic‐treated without failure, and biologic‐treated with failure). A competing risk model was used to assess cumulative incidence over a 52‐week period with outcomes of PASI 100 or inadequate response. Cumulative clinical benefit of treatment was determined with an area under the curve analysis.

Results

The 52‐week cumulative incidence of patients achieving PASI 100 was consistently higher for brodalumab vs. ustekinumab across treatment pathway subgroups (76% vs. 58% in systemic/biologic‐naïve patients, 78% vs. 55% in systemic‐treated/biologic‐naïve patients, 75% vs. 41% in biologic‐treated patients without failure, and 70% vs. 30% in biologic‐treated patients with failure). Rates of inadequate response were lower with brodalumab compared with ustekinumab across all subgroups. Cumulative treatment benefit was also higher for all subgroups treated with brodalumab compared with those treated with ustekinumab.

Conclusion

Treatment with brodalumab was associated with higher levels of complete clearance and greater cumulative benefit over time compared with ustekinumab, in patients with moderate‐to‐severe psoriasis, regardless of prior treatment experience.
A Bayesian network meta‐analysis of comparison of cancer therapeutic vaccines for melanoma
Authors: Lau P. , Shen M. , Ma F. , Chen Y. , Zhang J. , Su J. , Chen X. , Liu H.
Published: June 2021

Several approaches to active immunotherapy for melanoma, including peptide‐based vaccines (PVs), autologous tumour cell vaccines (TCVs), allogeneic TCVs and autologous dendritic cell vaccines (DCVs), have been investigated in clinical trials. However, comprehensive evidence comparing these interventions remains unavailable. The objective of this study was to expand previous work to compare and rank the immunotherapeutic strategies for melanoma in terms of overall survival and toxic effects with a Bayesian network meta‐analysis. Methodologically, we performed a network meta‐analysis of head‐to‐head randomized controlled trials comparing and ranking cancer vaccine approaches for patients with melanoma. PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, the WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform and ClinicalTrials.gov were searched up to 31 July 2020. We estimated summary hazard ratios for death and risk ratios for toxicity. The effects of the underlying prognostic variable on survival benefits were examined by meta‐regression. We performed subgroup analysis for the outcomes based on metastatic categories. Overall, we identified 4776 citations, of which 15 head‐to‐head randomized controlled trials (3162 participants) were included in the analysis. In terms of efficacy, allogeneic tumour cell vaccines plus immunotherapy adjuvants, peptide‐based vaccines plus immunotherapy adjuvants and standard therapy were more effective than peptide vaccines. The proportion of women was inversely associated with mortality risk. For safety, all treatments were inferior to allogeneic tumour cell vaccines except for allogeneic tumour cell vaccines plus chemotherapy. Peptide vaccines plus immunotherapy adjuvants led to an increased risk of adverse events compared to allogeneic tumour cell vaccines plus immunotherapy adjuvants. These results suggest that allogeneic TCV and autologous DCV are better than standard therapy. PV plus immune modulators are the most effective strategy among all comparable strategies but is associated with increased toxicity. Any combination regimens for cancer therapeutic vaccines need to be balanced between risk and benefit profiles.
Dermoscopy of porokeratosis: results from a multicentre study of the International Dermoscopy Society
Authors: Zaar O. , Polesie S. , Navarrete‐Dechent C. , Errichetti E. , Akay B.N. , Jaimes J. , Cabo H. , Cohen Sabban E. , Paoli J.
Published: June 2021

Background

The diagnosis of porokeratosis can be challenging, and knowledge about its dermoscopic features is limited.

Objectives

To describe the dermoscopic features of porokeratosis of Mibelli and disseminated superficial actinic porokeratosis (DSAP) and the frequency of these features in a larger case series. The interobserver concordance was also assessed.

Methods

In this retrospective cohort study, members of the International Dermoscopy Society contributed macroscopic and dermoscopic images of histopathologically verified cases of porokeratosis of Mibelli or DSAP. Three observers independently reviewed the collected images to identify the presence of predefined dermoscopic features. Following this, a consensus meeting was held to agree upon which dermoscopic features were present in each lesion.

Results

In total, 78 clinical and dermoscopic images of porokeratoses were collected. The most common dermoscopic feature was keratin rim, which was present in 74 lesions (92.3%). The most common vascular structures were dotted or glomerular vessels which were present in almost half of the cases (48.7%). Other relatively frequent dermoscopic findings were as follows: non‐peripheral scales (44.9%), grey‐brown dots or pigmentation along the keratin rim (38.5%), and light‐brown pigmentation within the keratin rim (33.3%). Shiny white structures and blood spots or erosions along the keratin rim were findings never before described in porokeratosis and were detected in 16.7% and 17.9% of the lesions, respectively. Dermoscopic findings in porokeratosis of Mibelli and DSAP were similar except for fewer blood spots or erosions along the keratin rim and more light‐brown pigmentation within the keratin rim in DSAP. The interobserver concordance ranged from 0.44 (moderate) to 0.84 (almost perfect).

Conclusions

The dermoscopic hallmark of porokeratosis is the keratin rim, a finding also allowing for almost perfect interobserver agreement. Pigmentation or erosions along the keratin rim, vascular structures, as well as scales, pigmentation or shiny white structures within the keratin rim are additional dermoscopic clues.
A role for sex‐determination genes in life history evolution? Doublesex mediates sexual size dimorphism in the gazelle dung beetle
Authors: Rohner Patrick T.
Published: June 2021

An organism's fitness depends strongly on its age and size at maturation. Although the evolutionary forces acting on these critical life history traits have been heavily scrutinized, the developmental mechanisms underpinning intraspecific variation in adult size and development time remain much less well‐understood. Using RNA interference, I here show that the highly conserved sex‐determination gene doublesex (dsx) mediates sexual size dimorphism (SSD) in the gazelle dung beetle Digitonthophagus gazella. Because doublesex undergoes sex‐specific splicing and sex‐limited isoforms regulate different target genes, this suggests that dsx contributes to the resolution of intralocus sexual conflict in body size. However, these results contrast with previous studies demonstrating that dsx does not affect body size or SSD in Drosophila. This indicates that intraspecific body size variation is underlain by contrasting developmental mechanisms in different insect lineages. Furthermore, although male D. gazella have a longer development time than females, sexual bimaturism was not affected by dsx expression knockdown. In addition, and in contrast to secondary sexual morphology, dsx did not significantly affect nutritional plasticity in life history. Taken together, these findings indicate that dsx signalling contributes to intraspecific life history variation but that dsx's function in mediating sexual dimorphism in life history differs among traits and species. More generally, these findings suggest that genes ancestrally tasked with sex determination have been co‐opted into the developmental regulation of life history traits and may represent an underappreciated mechanism of life history evolution.
Phosphorylation‐dependent control of Activity‐regulated cytoskeleton‐associated protein (Arc) protein by TNIK
Authors: Walczyk‐Mooradally Alicyia , Holborn Jennifer , Singh Karamjeet , Tyler Marshall , Patnaik Debasis , Wesseling Hendrik , Brandon Nicholas J. , Steen Judith , Graether Steffen P. , Haggarty Stephen J. , Lalonde Jasmin
Published: June 2021

Activity‐regulated cytoskeleton‐associated protein (Arc) is an immediate early gene product that support neuroplastic changes important for cognitive function and memory formation. As a protein with homology to the retroviral Gag protein, a particular characteristic of Arc is its capacity to self‐assemble into virus‐like capsids that can package mRNAs and transfer those transcripts to other cells. Although a lot has been uncovered about the contributions of Arc to neuron biology and behavior, very little is known about how different functions of Arc are coordinately regulated both temporally and spatially in neurons. The answer to this question we hypothesized must involve the occurrence of different protein post‐translational modifications acting to confer specificity. In this study, we used mass spectrometry and sequence prediction strategies to map novel Arc phosphorylation sites. Our approach led us to recognize serine 67 (S67) and threonine 278 (T278) as residues that can be modified by TNIK, which is a kinase abundantly expressed in neurons that shares many functional overlaps with Arc and has, along with its interacting proteins such as the NMDA receptor, and been implicated as a risk factor for psychiatric disorders. Furthermore, characterization of each residue using site‐directed mutagenesis to create S67 and T278 mutant variants revealed that TNIK action at those amino acids can strongly influence Arc's subcellular distribution and self‐assembly as capsids. Together, our findings reveal an unsuspected connection between Arc and TNIK. Better understanding of the interplay between these two proteins in neuronal cells could lead to new insights about apparition and progression of psychiatric disorders.

image

Cover Image for this issue: https://doi.org/10.1111/jnc.15077
Weekend work and work–family conflict: Evidence from Australian panel data
Authors: Laß Inga , Wooden Mark
Published: June 2021

Objective

This article investigates whether weekend work is associated with higher levels of work–family conflict (WFC) among parents, and whether resources like schedule control or presence of a partner mitigate this effect.

Background

The 24/7 economy requires many workers to work on weekends. Nevertheless, research on the impact of weekend work on families, and on WFC in particular, is underdeveloped, with previous studies relying on cross‐sectional data and small samples.

Method

Associations between regular weekend work and a measure of WFC are examined using data from 14 waves of The Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey. The sample is restricted to workers aged 18–64 years with parenting responsibilities for children aged 17 or less (7747 individuals, 40,192 observations). Both pooled ordinary least squares and fixed‐effects regression models are estimated.

Results

Among both genders, weekend workers have significantly higher levels of WFC than those who only work weekdays. WFC is particularly high for those who work weekends and simultaneously have little control over their schedule. Furthermore, weekend work affects WFC similarly for couple and single parents and, within dual‐earner families, independently of the partner's working schedule.

Conclusion

Weekend work generally has a detrimental effect on workers' ability to combine employment with parenting commitments. However, work–domain resources like schedule control can buffer the impact of weekend work.
Comparing classical descriptive analysis with modified descriptive analysis, modified rate‐all‐that‐apply, and modified check‐all‐that‐apply
Authors: Nishida Misa , Lestringant Pauline , Cantu Annegret , Heymann Hildegarde
Published: June 2021

There have been ongoing attempts to create new rapid sensory methods that allow one to have similar outcomes to conventional descriptive analysis but with less training and time. Check‐all‐that‐apply and rate‐all‐that‐apply methods seem to work very well when relatively large numbers of consumers are involved and with relatively more considerable differences among the samples in a product set. In this study, results from well‐trained descriptive analysis panels were compared to those obtained by using a modified descriptive analysis, modified rate‐all‐that‐apply, and modified check‐all‐that‐apply with shortened training times and with small panel size. The number of significant attributes and the number of sample pairs that were significantly different was counted. The results indicate that modified rate‐all‐that‐apply can have an equivalent discrimination ability as descriptive analysis when the product set included subtly different samples.

Practical Applications

Based on this study's results, it would seem that the modified rate‐all‐that‐apply with three replications could be an adequate substitute for descriptive analysis in complex samples. The modified rate‐all‐that‐apply technique works well, especially when sensory attributes and reference standards are available for ballot training.
The transfer of amino acids and minerals to the egg yolk and to the yolk sac of their progeny is affected by breeder age
Authors: Santos Januária Silva , Araújo Itallo Conrado Sousa , Martins Poliana Carneiro , Royer Ana Flávia Basso , Café Marcos Barcellos , Andrade Maria Auxiladora , Uni Zehava , Stringhini José Henrique
Published: June 2021

This study aimed to assess the effects of breeder age on egg quality and amino acid and mineral transfer to the egg yolk and yolk sac of newly hatched chicks. Three ages (32, 42 and 52 weeks) of the same commercial flock of Hubbard breeders were studied. A total of 465 eggs were used for each age, with 60 being used for determining egg quality and amino acid and mineral content of yolk, and 405 for incubation period to obtain and evaluate the yolk sac of chicks. Breeders aged 52 weeks had heavier eggs and a higher percentage of yolk (p < 0.05), whereas 32‐week‐old breeders had higher eggshell percentage and thickness (p < 0.05). The percentage of protein deposited in egg yolk for 52‐week‐old breeders was higher than that for 32‐ and 42‐week‐old breeders (p < 0.05). Percentages of methionine, cysteine, met + cysteine, lysine, threonine, tryptophan, arginine and isoleucine in egg yolk for 32‐week‐old breeders were higher than that for 42‐ and 52‐week‐old breeders (p < 0.05). The transfer from breeder of phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, copper, iron, manganese and zinc to the yolk of eggs from 32‐week‐old breeders was greater than that for eggs from 42‐ and 52‐week‐old breeders (p < 0.05). Chicks from 32‐week‐old breeders had greater deposition of phosphorus and calcium in the yolk sac (p < 0.05). Breeder age did not affect the deposition of potassium, magnesium, copper, iron, manganese and zinc in the yolk sac of newly hatch chicks (p > 0.05). It can, however, be concluded that younger breeders deposit more amino acids and minerals in egg yolk, while embryos of older breeders seem to use the nutrients present in the yolk more efficiently during embryonic development.
Clinical findings and outcome following medical treatment in dogs with idiopathic renal haematuria: 41 cases (2001–2018)
Authors: Kortum A. J. , Bazelle J. , Gomez Selgas A. , Kent A. C. C. , Williams T. L. , Herrtage M. E.
Published: June 2021

Objectives

To characterise and document the progression of idiopathic renal haematuria in a large cohort of medically managed UK dogs.

Materials and Methods

Retrospective study of 41 client‐owned dogs with confirmed (n=14), or suspected (n=27) idiopathic renal haematuria from 4 UK‐based referral centres. Clinical findings and outcomes of dogs (2001 to 2018) were determined from the review of medical records and telephone follow‐up.

Results

Median survival time from diagnosis was long [1482 (152 to 1825) days] irrespective of treatment and clinical response. Only 1 case was euthanased due to idiopathic renal haematuria, and anaemia or azotaemia occurred infrequently. In total, 25 dogs received angiotensin‐converting enzyme‐inhibitor or angiotensin receptor blocker therapy, of which 23 received benazepril [0.44 (0.19 to 0.82) mg/kg/24 hours], two received enalapril (0.40 and 0.78 mg/kg/24 hours) and one received telmisartan (1 mg/kg/24 hours). In cases with follow‐up urinalyses, complete resolution of haematuria was documented in eight of 19 (42%) dogs following angiotensin‐converting enzyme‐inhibitor/angiotensin receptor blocker treatment, with partial improvement in five of 19 (26%) and no improvement in six of 19 (31%). Conversely, of the two untreated dogs where outcome was available, one had partial improvement and the other had no improvement.

Clinical Significance

In this study, idiopathic renal haematuria was associated with a good prognosis and low complication rate. Resolution or improvement in haematuria occurred in both angiotensin‐converting enzyme‐inhibitor/angiotensin receptor blocker‐treated and untreated dogs, indicating that further studies are required to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of these interventions.
Oleogel formulation using lipophilic sea buckthorn extract isolated from pomace with supercritical CO2
Authors: Eisinaitė Viktorija , Vinauskienė Rimantė , Syrpas Michail , Venskutonis Petras Rimantas , Leskauskaitė Daiva
Published: June 2021

Lipophilic sea buckthorn pomace extract isolated by supercritical CO2 (LSBPE) was structurized with different amounts of carnauba wax or beeswax as oleogelators. Oleogels were also made with added water at an LSBPE:water ratio of 70:30. LSBPE was characterized by a favorable ratio of omega‐6 to omega‐3 fatty acids (1:3) and reasonable amounts of omega‐7 fatty acids (4.45% of total), tocopherols (63.0 mg/100 g) and carotenoids (700.1 mg/100 g). The oleogels were characterized by their structural and rheological properties, and physical and chemical stability during storage. Carnauba wax produced a gel‐like structure with a highly condensed network of aggregated crystals, while beeswax oleogels displayed elongated crystals which formed interconnected networks. Carnauba wax gels were harder than beeswax gels with better oil‐binding capacity and higher crystallization and melting temperatures. Both oleogels showed good physical and oxidative stability during storage due to the immobilization of oil in the three‐dimensional structures, and the presence of strong lipophilic antioxidants in LSBPE, respectively. As the proportion of waxes increased from 5 to 17.5%, the hardness, oil‐binding capacity, crystallization, and melting temperatures increased in both gels due to the more developed crystalline associations. Addition of water had no significant effect on the physical and chemical stability of oleogels during storage. Water was distributed as small droplets in the crystalline network of oleogelators. However, hardness and oil‐binding capacity decreased as water was added. Rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids and bioactive compounds, LSBPE oleogels offer the opportunity to deliver bioactives while simultaneously acting as fat substitutes.
Early generalist placements are associated with family medicine career choice: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Shah Ajay , Gasner Adi , Bracken Keyna , Scott Ian , Kelly Martina A. , Palombo Alessandra
Published: June 2021

Introduction

Many developed countries have reported shortages of Primary Care (PC) physicians. The lack of a regular primary physician is associated with inferior health outcomes. One strategy to address this shortage is to increase the proportion of medical students selecting a Family Medicine (FM) or PC career. The purpose of this systematic review is to identify whether pre‐clerkship general practice placements increase students’ interest in, and selection of FM or PC residencies.

Methods

Three databases (PubMed, Embase, Web of Science) searched for interventional studies of pre‐clerkship generalist placements in medical school. Pooled statistical analysis and meta‐analysis were performed, along with narrative summaries when possible. Intervention participants (IP) were compared to controls matched (MC) for baseline interest in FM and an unmatched sample (UC) of contemporary students.

Findings

A 11 studies were identified including a total of 5430 students (2428 intervention participants and 3002 controls). IPs were more likely to match to FM than both MC (Risk Ratio: 1.62 [95% CI: 1.03‐2.55]) and UC (RR: 2.04 [1.46‐2.86]). Participation in long interventions (4‐11 weeks) matched to FM at higher rates than short (25‐40 hours) interventions (RR: 3.15 [2.28‐4.35]). The percentage of students with FM/PC as their top specialty of interest increased after the placements (mean difference: +12.8%, n = 586).

Conclusions

Medical students who participated in pre‐clerkship general practice placements were more likely to match to a FM residency. Longer pre‐clerkship placements had a stronger association with FM specialty choice. The implementation of longitudinal block generalist placements in the pre‐clerkship years is one strategy for increasing interest in generalist careers.

Level of evidence

IV, systematic review of level III and IV studies.
Rootstock influences the effect of grapevine leafroll‐associated viruses on berry development and metabolism via abscisic acid signalling
Authors: Vondras Amanda M. , Lerno Larry , Massonnet Mélanie , Minio Andrea , Rowhani Adib , Liang Dingren , Garcia Jadran , Quiroz Daniela , Figueroa‐Balderas Rosa , Golino Deborah A. , Ebeler Susan E. , Al Rwahnih Maher , Cantu Dario
Published: June 2021

Grapevine leafroll‐associated virus (GLRaV) infections are accompanied by symptoms influenced by host genotype, rootstock, environment, and which individual or combination of GLRaVs is present. Using a dedicated experimental vineyard, we studied the responses to GLRaVs in ripening berries from Cabernet Franc grapevines grafted to different rootstocks and with zero, one, or pairs of leafroll infection(s). RNA sequencing data were mapped to a high‐quality Cabernet Franc genome reference assembled to carry out this study and integrated with hormone and metabolite abundance data. This study characterized conserved and condition‐dependent responses to GLRaV infection(s). Common responses to GLRaVs were reproduced in two consecutive years and occurred in plants grafted to different rootstocks in more than one infection condition. Though different infections were inconsistently distinguishable from one another, the effects of infections in plants grafted to different rootstocks were distinct at each developmental stage. Conserved responses included the modulation of genes related to pathogen detection, abscisic acid (ABA) signalling, phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, and cytoskeleton remodelling. ABA, ABA glucose ester, ABA and hormone signalling‐related gene expression, and the expression of genes in several transcription factor families differentiated the effects of GLRaVs in berries from Cabernet Franc grapevines grafted to different rootstocks. These results support that ABA participates in the shared responses to GLRaV infection and differentiates the responses observed in grapevines grafted to different rootstocks.
An evaluation of instruments measuring behavioural aspects of the nurse–patient relationship
Authors: Feo Rebecca , Kumaran Sheela , Conroy Tiffany , Heuzenroeder Louise , Kitson Alison
Published: June 2021

The Fundamentals of Care Framework is an evidence‐based, theory‐informed framework that conceptualises high‐quality fundamental care. The Framework places the nurse–patient relationship at the centre of care provision and outlines the nurse behaviours required for relationship development. Numerous instruments exist to measure behavioural aspects of the nurse–patient relationship; however, the literature offers little guidance on which instruments are psychometrically sound and best measure the core relationship elements of the Fundamentals of Care Framework. This study evaluated the quality of nurse–patient relationship instruments by (1) assessing their content development and measurement properties (e.g. dimensionality, targeting, reliability, validity) and (2) mapping instrument content to the Framework's core relationship elements: trust, focus, anticipate, know, and evaluate. Twenty‐seven instruments were evaluated. Findings demonstrated that patients and nurses were rarely involved in item development. Most instruments exhibited poor measurement properties, with only one instrument having complete information on all quality indicators. Instrument content focused primarily on nurses getting to know patients and earning their trust, with only 54, 18, and 1 item(s), respectively, measuring ‘focus’, ‘anticipate’ and ‘evaluate’. Hence, there does not appear to be a robust instrument measuring behavioural aspects of nurse–patient relationships, nor one capturing the relationship elements of the Fundamentals of Care Framework.
Being heard – Supporting person‐centred communication in paediatric care using augmentative and alternative communication as universal design: A position paper
Authors: Thunberg Gunilla , Johnson Ensa , Bornman Juan , Öhlén Joakim , Nilsson Stefan
Published: June 2021

Person‐centred care, with its central focus on the patient in partnership with healthcare practitioners, is considered to be the contemporary gold standard of care. This type of care implies effective communication from and by both the patient and the healthcare practitioner. This is often problematic in the case of the paediatric population, because of the many communicative challenges that may arise due to the child's developmental level, illness and distress, linguistic competency and disabilities. The principle of universal design put forth in conventions and legislation means that the design of products and services should be usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible. Augmentative and alternative communication encompasses strategies, for example pictures and apps, that are typically used with people with communication disability. In this position paper, we argue for the universal use of augmentative and alternative communication to support person‐centred communication and care for children, regardless of age or potential disability. Clinical examples are shared from three different paediatric care settings where pictorial supports were applied universally. Interviews were conducted with children and adolescents (with and without disabilities), parents and healthcare practitioners, and the principles of universal design were used as a framework to demonstrate how person‐centred communication is supported in paediatric care.
Targeted CRISPR‐Cas9‐based gene knockouts in the model brown alga Ectocarpus
Authors: Badis Yacine , Scornet Delphine , Harada Minori , Caillard Céline , Godfroy Olivier , Raphalen Morgane , Gachon Claire M. M. , Coelho Susana M. , Motomura Taizo , Nagasato Chikako , Cock J. Mark
Published: June 2021

Brown algae are an important group of multicellular eukaryotes, phylogenetically distinct from both the animal and land plant lineages. Ectocarpus has emerged as a model organism to study diverse aspects of brown algal biology, but this system currently lacks an effective reverse genetics methodology to analyse the functions of selected target genes.

Here, we report that mutations at specific target sites are generated following the introduction of CRISPR‐Cas9 ribonucleoproteins into Ectocarpus cells, using either biolistics or microinjection as the delivery method.

Individuals with mutations affecting the ADENINE PHOSPHORIBOSYL TRANSFERASE (APT) gene were isolated following treatment with 2‐fluoroadenine, and this selection system was used to isolate individuals in which mutations had been introduced simultaneously at APT and at a second gene. This double mutation approach could potentially be used to isolate mutants affecting any Ectocarpus gene, providing an effective reverse genetics tool for this model organism.

The availability of this tool will significantly enhance the utility of Ectocarpus as a model organism for this ecologically and economically important group of marine organisms. Moreover, the methodology described here should be readily transferable to other brown algal species.
Plants and mycorrhizal symbionts acquire substantial soil nitrogen from gaseous ammonia transport
Authors: Hestrin Rachel , Weber Peter K. , Pett‐Ridge Jennifer , Lehmann Johannes
Published: June 2021

Nitrogen (N) is an essential nutrient that limits plant growth in many ecosystems. Here we investigate an overlooked component of the terrestrial N cycle – subsurface ammonia (NH3) gas transport and its contribution to plant and mycorrhizal N acquisition.

We used controlled mesocosms, soil incubations, stable isotopes, and imaging to investigate edaphic drivers of NH3 gas efflux, track lateral subsurface N transport originating from 15NH3 gas or 15N‐enriched organic matter, and assess plant and mycorrhizal N assimilation from this gaseous transport pathway.

NH3 is released from soil organic matter, travels belowground, and contributes to root and fungal N content. Abiotic soil properties (pH and texture) influence the quantity of NH3 available for subsurface transport. Mutualisms with arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi can substantially increase plant NH3‐N uptake. The grass Brachypodium distachyon acquired 6–9% of total plant N from organic matter‐N that traveled as a gas belowground. Colonization by the AM fungus Rhizophagus irregularis was associated with a two‐fold increase in total plant N acquisition from subsurface NH3 gas.

NH3 gas transport and uptake pathways may be fundamentally different from those of more commonly studied soil N species and warrant further research.
Meta‐ethnography of the purpose of meaningful occupation for people living with dementia
Authors: Strick Katherine , Abbott Rebecca , Thompson Coon Jo , Garside Ruth
Published: June 2021

Background

Guidance on provision of care for people with dementia states that occupation people find meaningful is essential for well‐being; however, definitions of ‘meaningful occupation’ are often broad, with intrinsic meaning coming from within the person rather than the activity, leading to an inconsistent understanding of its purpose.

Objectives

This study aimed to create a conceptual framework depicting the types of meaning that are seen as stemming from occupation.

Method

Six electronic databases were searched (CINAHL, PubMed Central, PsycINFO, Embase, AMED, ASSIA) using a pre‐specified search strategy to identify qualitative studies relating to meaningful occupation for people living with dementia. From 114 eligible full‐text articles, six qualitative studies were identified as sufficiently rich, topically relevant and explicit in their definition of meaningful activity. A further 14 were purposefully sampled for their ability to refute or advance the emerging conceptual framework. The synthesis is based on meta‐ethnography and is reported following eMERGe guidance.

Results

We found the fundamental purpose of occupation is to support the person living with dementia to feel they are living a meaningful and fulfilling life. Three overlapping concepts were identified: (i) catalytic environment, (ii) meaningful life and (iii) occupation as a tool.

Conclusion

The framework proposes how occupation could support meaning in multiple ways and considers how these forms of meaning were influenced by the worldviews and values of the individual, and context in which they were experienced.

Implications for practice

The conceptual framework offers a consistent theoretical grounding with which to measure effectiveness of meaningful occupation for people living with dementia.
Psychological Correlates of Populist Attitudes
Authors: Erisen Cengiz , Guidi Mattia , Martini Sergio , Toprakkiran Selin , Isernia Pierangelo , Littvay Levente
Published: June 2021

Studies of demand‐side populism with a focus on attitudinal and behavioral factors are becoming more popular, but only a few have explored the phenomenon's psychological determinants. We tackle the lack of conversation between populism scholars and political psychologists and test the impact of conspiracy beliefs, moral disengagement, need for cognition, and belief in simple solutions on populist attitudes. We use the most widespread ideational definition in an attempt to bring clarity to demand‐side populism, as the literature often conflates the concept of populism with adjacent ideological and psychological factors. We analyze representative samples from two very different countries (Italy and Turkey) to test our hypotheses. We use two of the most often‐used measures of populist attitudes and also explore populism's individual building blocks: people‐centrism, antielitism, and a Manichean worldview. We consistently find conspiracy beliefs (and our control variable of institutional trust) as primary sources of populist attitudes, whereas the impact of the other psychological factors is more dependent on context and operationalization. Our article calls for more conceptual clarity, careful theorization, and more work on the refinement of available survey measures. We also highlight the importance of national contexts and the dangers of generalization based on individual country studies.
Gender inequality, corruption, and economic development
Authors: Forgues‐Puccio Gonzalo F. , Lauw Erven
Published: June 2021

We investigate the effect of bureaucratic corruption on economic development when women are discriminated against in the labor market. The analysis is based on a dynamic general equilibrium model in which capital accumulation drives economic development. The government appoints bureaucrats to administer public policy. Corruption arises due to the opportunity for bureaucrats to embezzle public funds. In the event of detection and dismissal, the private sector serves as the bureaucrats' outside option. Our main results can be summarized as follows: first, when the public sector is a more gender‐equal employer than the private sector, female bureaucrats are less corrupt than male; second, corruption and development are jointly determined allowing the possibility of a poverty trap; and third, a policy to increase female participation in the public sector potentially reduces corruption and fosters economic development.
Sustainable land urbanization, urban amenities, and population urbanization: Evidence from city‐level data in China
Authors: Zhang Songlin , Zheng Haoqing , Zhou Hongyong , Shao Qing , Wu Qun
Published: June 2021

Objective

With the emergence of rapid urbanization and the increase in per capita income, migration in China has been changing from economy‐driven to amenity‐driven. We seek to investigate the relation between land urbanization, urban amenities, and population urbanization by analyzing urban amenities in the analytical framework of land urbanization and population urbanization in China.

Methods

Using panel data of 277 cities in China from 2009 to 2018, we first employ the principal component analysis to calculate urban amenities and then conduct panel threshold model regressions.

Results

Land urbanization has a positive effect on urban amenities at the individual city level, while urban amenities have a negative effect on population urbanization in both large and small–medium cities. Reforming the household registration system has effectively improved the accessibility of urban amenities for high‐skilled labors in large cities. Thus, amenities in large cities have a positive effect on the urbanization of high‐skilled labors. In contrast, amenities in small–medium cities have a threshold effect on population urbanization.

Conclusion

Amenities in large and small–medium cities, which are located in the same urban agglomerations, could be coordinated and improved, thus achieving a long‐term sustainable and coordinated development of land and population urbanization.
When personal experience overlaps with study
Authors: Osborne Emma , Robson Bridget , Anderson Vivienne
Published: June 2021

Background

Health professional education programmes increasingly seek to train a generation of clinicians who reflect the population they serve. However, teaching approaches in health professional education have not always kept pace with this drive, and some educators tend to assume a lack of overlap between students’ life experience and aspects of the curriculum.

Method

In‐depth interviews were conducted with 22 health professional students and graduates, who self‐identified as having experienced a significant overlap between their personal life and their course of study. These interviews were analysed thematically to explore the role of teaching practices that created either alienating or inclusive learning environments.

Results

Participants identified areas where clinical teachers could modify their teaching approach and assumptions about the student cohort to be more inclusive of students whose life experience overlapped with the curriculum. They wanted educators to treat any teaching topic as if it could be personal for some students, which may include teaching inequities carefully, acknowledging family members’ perspectives, moderating discussions, and avoiding stereotyping patients. Participants also wanted educators to practice shared decision‐making about alternative arrangements or time off.

Discussion

Clinical educators have a key role in shaping an inclusive health sciences programme. Their assumptions, attitudes and teaching strategies can either strengthen or undermine the development of a diverse health workforce.
Genome downsizing after polyploidy: mechanisms, rates and selection pressures
Authors: Wang Xiaotong , Morton Joseph A. , Pellicer Jaume , Leitch Ilia J. , Leitch Andrew R.
Published: June 2021

An analysis of over 10 000 plant genome sizes (GSs) indicates that most species have smaller genomes than expected given the incidence of polyploidy in their ancestries, suggesting selection for genome downsizing. However, comparing ancestral GS with the incidence of ancestral polyploidy suggests that the rate of DNA loss following polyploidy is likely to have been very low (4–70 Mb/million years, 4–482 bp/generation). This poses a problem. How might such small DNA losses be visible to selection, overcome the power of genetic drift and drive genome downsizing? Here we explore that problem, focussing on the role that double‐strand break (DSB) repair pathways (non‐homologous end joining and homologous recombination) may have played. We also explore two hypotheses that could explain how selection might favour genome downsizing following polyploidy: to reduce (i) nitrogen (N) and phosphate (P) costs associated with nucleic acid synthesis in the nucleus and the transcriptome and (ii) the impact of scaling effects of GS on cell size, which influences CO2 uptake and water loss. We explore the hypothesis that losses of DNA must be fastest in early polyploid generations. Alternatively, if DNA loss is a more continuous process over evolutionary time, then we propose it is a byproduct of selection elsewhere, such as limiting the damaging activity of repetitive DNA. If so, then the impact of GS on photosynthesis, water use efficiency and/or nutrient costs at the nucleus level may be emergent properties, which have advantages, but not ones that could have been selected for over generational timescales.
Can Central Banks circumvent the impossible trinity within their operational frameworks? Theory and evidence
Authors: Pantelopoulos George
Published: June 2021

Central Bank operational frameworks can be challenged during times of severe financial stress. Typical of such an instance is where policymakers attempt to heavily manage or fix a domestic exchange rate whilst faced with balance of payments pressures. However, it is claimed to be impossible for policymakers to achieve both monetary independence and exchange rate stability if the domestic economy were to post a balance of payment surplus, otherwise known as the ‘impossible trinity’. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the European Monetary System crisis through the lens of Institutional Practice, that is the day‐to‐day operations of key institutions, such as the Central Bank, Treasury and commercial banks, with a view to demonstrate why global imbalances are able to occur and persist across the international monetary system. Through both a theoretical and an empirical appraisal, this paper shows how Central Banks in economies with a balance of payments surplus can circumvent the binding constraints of the trinity within their operational frameworks.
Demand and supply exposure through global value chains: Euro‐Mediterranean countries during COVID
Authors: Ayadi Rym , Giovannetti Giorgia , Marvasi Enrico , Vannelli Giulio , Zaki Chahir
Published: June 2021

This paper tries to examine how the COVID‐19 shock affects different countries through their regional integration and their exposure to Global Value Chains (GVCs). Using input–output tables from the EORA dataset, our contribution is threefold. First, we conceptually revise the approache to analyse input–output relationships and underline the difference between the bilateral flow of value added and trade and distinguish between the producers and consumers of value‐added. Second, we distinguish between the supply and demand channels through which these countries can be affected by the disruptions in GVCs. Third, we apply this empirical exercise on an understudied region, namely the Mediterranean region that is characterised by its involvement in several trade agreements that might boost their integration into GVCs. Our main findings show that, first, most of the countries have relatively larger backward GVC linkages than forward ones. Second, in the Northern shore of the Mediterranean, Italy and France are net suppliers of value added since they produce more value‐added absorbed abroad than the foreign value‐added they consume. Third, our results highlight also the limited integration between Southern shore partners, whose integration is almost completely driven by linkages with Southern European developed countries.