bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Gelasius and the Ostrogoths: jurisdiction and religious community in late fifth‐century Italy
Authors: Cohen Samuel
Published: January 2022

This essay examines the relationship between Gelasius, bishop of Rome from 492 to 496, and the Ostrogothic court, which occasioned several jurisdictional questions: the Roman church’s authority to adjudicate controversies within suburbicarian Italy, the proper venue to judge disputes involving clerics, and the appropriate involvement of the Ostrogoths in resolving these questions. Importantly, Gelasius did not identify the Ostrogoths as Arian heretics; but neither did he view their religion as equivalent to his own. This ambiguity, together with Theoderic’s stated aim of preserving traditional Roman law, provided Gelasius with rhetorical ammunition as he attempted to navigate the vexing jurisdictional landscape that characterized Ostrogothic Italy.
Upper motor neuron dysfunction is associated with the presence of behavioural impairment in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Authors: Maranzano Alessio , Poletti Barbara , Solca Federica , Torre Silvia , Colombo Eleonora , Faré Matteo , Ferrucci Roberta , Carelli Laura , Verde Federico , Morelli Claudia , Silani Vincenzo , Ticozzi Nicola
Published: January 2022

Background and purpose

Increasing evidence shows that approximately half of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) display cognitive (ALSci) or behavioural (ALSbi) impairment, or both (ALScbi). The aim of our study was to assess whether the burden of upper and lower motor neuron involvement is associated with the presence of cognitive and behavioural impairment.

Methods

A single‐centre retrospective cohort of 110 Italian ALS patients was evaluated to assess correlations between motor and cognitive/behavioural phenotypes. Upper motor neuron regional involvement was measured with the Penn Upper Motor Neuron Score (PUMNS), whilst lower motor neuron signs were assessed using the Lower Motor Neuron Score. The Edinburgh Cognitive and Behavioural ALS Screen—Italian version and the Frontal Behaviour Inventory were administered to evaluate patients’ cognitive and behavioural profiles.

Results

The PUMNS at first visit was significantly higher in behaviourally impaired ALS patients (ALSbi and ALScbi) compared to behaviourally unimpaired individuals (ALS and ALSci) (9.9 vs. 6.9, p = 0.014). Concerning the different Frontal Behaviour Inventory subdomains, higher PUMNS correlated with the presence of apathy, emotive indifference, inflexibility, inattention, perseveration and aggressiveness.

Conclusion

To our knowledge, this is the first study showing that a clinical prominent upper motor neuron dysfunction is associated with a more significant behavioural impairment in ALS patients, suggesting the hypothesis of a preferential spreading of the pathology from the motor cortex to the ventromedial prefrontal and orbitofrontal cortex in this group of patients.
The transcription factor Eomes promotes expression of inhibitory receptors on hepatic CD8+ T cells during HBV persistence
Authors: Yu Linyan , Guan Yun , Li Lei , Lu Nan , Zhang Cai
Published: January 2022

Persistent infection with the hepatitis B virus (HBV) can aggravate the state of immune tolerance, inhibit the function of immune cells, and even lead to immune cell exhaustion in the liver microenvironment. The dysfunction of immune cells causes HBV to escape immune surveillance and eradication. Increasing evidence has revealed the molecular and cellular mechanisms of the induction of T‐cell exhaustion during chronic viral persistence. However, the exact mechanisms of T cell exhaustion during chronic persistence of HBV infection are not fully understood. In this study, we analyzed the expression of inhibitory receptors and the exhausted status of liver T cells in a murine model with persistent HBV. We observed higher expression of the inhibitory receptors PD‐1, LAG‐3, and CD160 on liver CD8+ T cells accompanied by lower production of IFN‐γ and TNF‐α in HBV persistence mice. T cell‐specific deficiency of the transcription factor Eomes significantly decreased the expression of the inhibitory receptors, restored the cytokine production of hepatic CD8+ T cells, and promoted HBV clearance. Similar phenomena were observed in peripheral blood CD8+ T cells from CHB patients. Mechanistically, Eomes not only directly promoted CD160 expression but also indirectly facilitated the coexpression of inhibitory receptors (PD‐1, LAG‐3, CD160) and T cell exhaustion by enhancing the transcription capacity of other key transcription factors (NFATc1, Blimp1, and FoxO1). These findings provide insight into the transcriptional regulation mechanisms of T cell exhaustion during chronic persistence of HBV and suggest novel therapeutic targets to reverse T cell exhaustion and eradicate HBV persistence.
Nek4 regulates mitochondrial respiration and morphology
Authors: Basei Fernanda Luisa , de Castro Ferezin Camila , Rodrigues de Oliveira Ana Luisa , Muñoz Juan Pablo , Zorzano Antonio , Kobarg Jörg
Published: January 2022

Nek4 is a serine/threonine kinase which has been implicated in primary cilia stabilization, DNA damage response, autophagy and epithelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition. The role of Nek4 in cancer cell survival and chemotherapy resistance has also been shown. However, the precise mechanisms by which Nek4 operates remain to be elucidated. Here, we show that Nek4 overexpression activates mitochondrial respiration coupled to ATP production, which is paralleled by increased mitochondrial membrane potential, and resistance to mitochondrial DNA damage. Congruently, Nek4 depletion reduced mitochondrial respiration and mtDNA integrity. Nek4 deficiency caused mitochondrial elongation, probably via reduced activity of the fission protein DRP1. In Nek4 overexpressing cells, the increase in mitochondrial fission was concomitant to enhanced phosphorylation of DRP1 and Erk1/2 proteins, and the effects on mitochondrial respiration were abolished in the presence of a DRP1 inhibitor. This study shows Nek4 as a novel regulator of mitochondrial function that may explain the joint appearance of high mitochondrial respiration and mitochondrial fragmentation.
Animal mortality during fire
Authors: Jolly Chris J. , Dickman Chris R. , Doherty Tim S. , van Eeden Lily M. , Geary William L. , Legge Sarah M. , Woinarski John C. Z. , Nimmo Dale G.
Published: January 2022

Earth's rapidly warming climate is propelling us towards an increasingly fire‐prone future. Currently, knowledge of the extent and characteristics of animal mortality rates during fire remains rudimentary, hindering our ability to predict how animal populations may be impacted in the future. To address this knowledge gap, we conducted a global systematic review of the direct effects of fire on animal mortality rates, based on studies that unequivocally determined the fate of animals during fire. From 31 studies spanning 1984–2020, we extracted data on the direct impacts of fire on the mortality of 31 species from 23 families. From these studies, there were 43 instances where direct effects were measured by reporting animal survival from pre‐ to post‐fire. Most studies were conducted in North America (52%) and Oceania (42%), focused largely on mammals (53%) and reptiles (30%), and reported mostly on animal survival in planned (82%) and/or low severity (70%) fires. We found no studies from Asia, Europe or South America. Although there were insufficient data to conduct a formal meta‐analysis, we tested the effect of fire type, fire severity, fire regime, animal body mass, ecological attributes and class on survival. Only fire severity affected animal mortality, with a higher proportion of animals being killed by high than low severity fires. Recent catastrophic fires across the globe have drawn attention to the plight of animals exposed to wildfire. Yet, our systematic review suggests that a relatively low proportion of animals (mean predicted mortality [95% CI] = 3% [1%–9%]) are killed during fire. However, our review also underscores how little we currently know about the direct effects of fire on animal mortality, and highlights the critical need to understand the effects of high severity fire on animal populations.
Sex, gender, and promotion in executive office: Cabinet careers in the world of Westminster
Authors: Curtin Jennifer , Kerby Matthew , Dowding Keith
Published: January 2022

This article provides the first analysis of gendered promotion issues for cabinet ministers using most‐similar systems design for three “Westminster‐style” governments: Australia, Canada, and New Zealand. Using individual‐level data and controlling for biographical, institutional, and country effects we find, in common with earlier literature, that women are more likely to be given less prestigious cabinet posts and be assigned to “feminine” portfolio. Using both sequence and event history analysis, we see the careers of men and women starkly diverge. We find that women are less likely to be promoted than men but find no relationship between prestigious portfolio and promotion. However, feminine portfolio assignments decrease the promotion prospects for women yet increase them for men.
Safety and efficacy of combined essential oils for the skin barrier properties: In vitro, ex vivo and clinical studies
Authors: Infante Victor H. P. , Maia Campos Patrícia M. B. G. , Gaspar Lorena Rigo , Darvin Maxim E. , Schleusener Johannes , Rangel Karen C. , Meinke Martina C. , Lademann Jürgen
Published: January 2022

Objective

To evaluate the safety and the synergistic effects of tea tree, lavender, eucalyptus and tangerine essential oils in combination on the skin using in vitro, ex vivo and clinical studies.

Methods

The phototoxicity was predicted using 3T3 neutral red uptake phototoxicity test (OECD TG 432). Skin penetration was evaluated by confocal Raman microspectroscopy using direct application of essential oils to pig ears. For the clinical studies, 40 participants were enrolled and randomized in three groups: (1) lavender, eucalyptus and tangerine, (2) the same essential oils plus melaleuca and (3) placebo group. The skin was evaluated by noninvasive techniques before and after a 90‐day period of topical use.

Results

The essential oils were non‐phototoxic, but the tangerine oil showed dose‐dependent cytotoxicity (IC50: 33.1 µg/ml), presenting 35% of penetration in the viable epidermis. On the contrary, 17.7 µg/ml in combination was applied per day in the clinical study and the penetration rate for the combinations (10%, 1.77 µg/ml achieving the viable epidermis) guaranteed the safety, since in the clinical study, the application of the four essential oils improved skin barrier and morphologic skin characteristics, as well as increased skin hydration and decreased sebum levels, with no unwanted effects reported.

Conclusions

All essential oils studied were considered non‐cytotoxic or non‐phototoxic separately except tangerine, which present a dose‐dependent cytotoxicity. Finally, the essential oils in combination in an appropriate amount were safe and effective in the improvement of the hydrolipidic balance and morphological properties of the skin.
The effects of NbC nanoparticles synthesized by combustion method on the mechanical properties of Cu–NbC nanocomposite
Authors: Moghim Abbas , Jalaly Maisam , Sadeghzadeh Sadegh
Published: January 2022

In the first stage of this work, the master nanocomposite of niobium carbide (NbC)–Cu (ceramic‐based nanocomposite) was synthesized by a mechanically induced magnesiothermic combustion in the Nb2O5/CuO/Mg/C system. Ignition time in this system was recorded to be ∼28 min of milling. In the second stage, appropriate amounts of NbC–Cu nanocomposite powder were mixed with pure copper powder to prepare Cu‐based nanocomposite with 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 volume fraction of NbC. The final metal matrix nanocomposite powder was sintered by spark plasma sintering method. The density of nanocomposite specimens decreased with increasing the percentage of NbC nanoparticles, while the microhardness of specimens increased with increasing nano‐NbC content. Regarding the tensile test, the sample Cu–10 vol.% NbC nanocomposite with a strength of 372 MPa (∼63% higher than that of nonreinforced copper) was the best composition, and the nanocomposite strength decreased at higher NbC concentrations, mostly due to the agglomeration and nonhomogeneous distribution of reinforcing nanoparticles.
Recent advances in the technology of quick‐frozen baozi: a review
Authors: Feng Wenjuan , Ma Sen , Huang Jihong , Li Li , Wang Xiaoxi , Bao Qingdan
Published: January 2022

Baozi is a traditional staple steamed food in China. Current consumer trends urge the production of quick‐frozen baozi on large scales and the formulation of healthier varieties. These demands require a better definition of the relationship between the raw material and/or technological factors and the quality of the quick‐frozen baozi to be developed. This review summarised the recent advances made in understanding the roles of the production process and the ingredients in the appearance, texture, sensory characteristics, nutrition and shelf‐life properties of quick‐frozen baozi. The mechanism of the chemical changes of each component and physical changes of the dough blank during each processing stage is reviewed. In addition, suggestions for further research to improve the quality of frozen steamed products have been proposed.
Bioactive peptides from nuts: A review
Authors: Acevedo‐Juárez Sheccid , Guajardo‐Flores Daniel , Heredia‐Olea Erick , Antunes‐Ricardo Marilena
Published: January 2022

Oxidative stress occurs because of an imbalance in the production of reactive oxygen species. Nuts are rich in bioactive compounds, including phenolic compounds, tannins, and phytosterols. Although nuts are widely consumed because of their beneficial effects on nutrition and health, there is limited information about bioactive peptides from nuts. Pine nut and walnut‐derived peptides are the most studied because these nuts contain a higher amount of protein. Different biological activities have been demonstrated for nut peptides; many of them exhibit antioxidant, anticancer, antihypertensive, antidiabetic, immunomodulatory, antiseizure, or neuroprotective activity. Recent studies have focused on increasing the bioactivity of identified bioactive peptides by applying new technologies and chemosynthetic strategies. Research tendency points to the generation of peptides with specific sequences for application in specific diseases. Nut bioactive peptides can become key functional ingredients for food, pharmaceuticals, or cosmetics.
Role of inhibitory B cell co‐receptors in B cell self‐tolerance to non‐protein antigens*
Authors: Tsubata Takeshi
Published: January 2022

Antibodies to non‐protein antigens such as nucleic acids, polysaccharides, and glycolipids play important roles in both host defense against microbes and development of autoimmune diseases. Although non‐protein antigens are not recognized by T cells, antibody production to non‐protein antigens involve T cell–independent mechanisms such as signaling through TLR7 and TLR9 in antibody production to nucleic acids. Although self‐reactive B cells are tolerized by various mechanisms including deletion, anergy, and receptor editing, T cell tolerance is also crucial in self‐tolerance of B cells to protein self‐antigen because self‐reactive T cells induce autoantibody production to these self‐antigens. However, presence of T cell–independent mechanism suggests that T cell tolerance is not able to maintain B cell tolerance to non‐protein self‐antigens. Lines of evidence suggest that B cell response to non‐protein self‐antigens such as nucleic acids and gangliosides, sialic acid‐containing glycolipids, are suppressed by inhibitory B cell co‐receptors CD72 and Siglec‐G, respectively. These inhibitory co‐receptors recognize non‐protein self‐antigens and suppress BCR signaling induced by these antigens, thereby inhibiting B cell response to these self‐antigens. Inhibitory B cell co‐receptors appear to be involved in B cell self‐tolerance to non‐protein self‐antigens that can activate B cells by T cell–independent mechanisms.
Joint engagement in the home environment is frequent, multimodal, timely, and structured
Authors: Suarez‐Rivera Catalina , Schatz Jacob L. , Herzberg Orit , Tamis‐LeMonda Catherine S.
Published: January 2022

Infants develop in a social context, surrounded by knowledgeable caregivers who scaffold learning through shared engagement with objects. However, researchers have typically examined joint engagement in structured tasks, where caregivers sit near infants and display frequent, prompt, and multimodal behaviors around the objects of infant action. Which features of joint engagement generalize to the real‐world? Despite the importance of joint engagement for infant learning, critical assumptions around joint engagement in everyday interaction remain unexamined. We investigated behavioral and temporal features of joint engagement in the home environment, where objects for play abound and dyad proximity fluctuates. Infant manual actions, mother manual and verbal behaviors, and dyad proximity were coded frame‐by‐frame from 2‐h naturalistic recordings of 13‐ to 23‐month‐old infants and their mothers (N = 38). Infants experienced rich, highly structured, multimodal mother input around the objects of their actions. Specifically, joint engagement occurred within seconds of infant action and was amplified in the context of interpersonal proximity. Findings validate laboratory‐based research on characteristics of joint engagement while highlighting unique properties around the role of mother–infant proximity and temporal structuring of caregiver input over extended time frames. Implications for the social contexts that support infant learning and development are discussed.
Ultralow sintering temperature and piezoelectric properties of Bi(Zn1/2Ti1/2)O3−BiScO3−PbTiO3 for low‐temperature co‐firing applications
Authors: Pang Shuting , Wang Yiping , Yang Ying , Zhang Jiyang , Hu Querui , Shi Jingjing , Li XiongJie
Published: January 2022

Bi(Zn1/2Ti1/2)O3−BiScO3−PbTiO3 (BZT−BS−PT) high Curie temperature piezoelectric ceramics were synthesized by the conventional solid‐state reaction method. Systematical investigations on the sintering, piezoelectric, and dielectric properties of the piezoceramics have been conducted. It was found that the sintering temperature could be remarkably depressed by varying the compositions in BZT−BS−PT systems. For composition of 11BZT−34BS−55PT ceramic, the sintering temperature is even lowered down to 750°C without any extra additions of sintering aids. Meanwhile, the ceramic sintered at this ultralow temperature presents dense microstructure with relative density up to 97%, as well as optimal properties of piezoelectric coefficient d33 of 336 pC/N and Curie temperature of 415°C. The mechanism of low sintering temperature may be ascribed to the low melting point bismuth‐based components in BZT−BS−PT solid solutions. Furthermore, 11BZT−34BS−55PT multilayer ceramics have been co‐fired at 750°C with Ag internal electrodes. The dense structures, low cost, and optimal comprehensive properties of the co‐fired multilayers illustrate obvious advantages of the ultralow sintering temperature in LTCC devices, implying promising applications of this Bi(Zn1/2Ti1/2)O3−BiScO3−PbTiO3 high Curie temperature ternary system.
Characterization, genome analysis and in vitro activity of a novel phage vB_EcoA_RDN8.1 active against multi-drug resistant and extensively drug-resistant biofilm-forming uropathogenic Escherichia coli isolates, India
Authors: Chaudhary Naveen , Mohan Balvinder , Mavuduru Ravimohan S. , Kumar Yashwant , Taneja Neelam
Published: January 2022

Aim

We aimed to study host range, stability, genome and antibiofilm activity of a novel phage vB_EcoA_RDN8.1 active against multi-drug resistant (MDR) and extensively drug-resistant (XDR) biofilm-forming uropathogenic Escherichia coli isolates.

Methods and Results

A novel lytic phage vB_EcoA_RDN8.1 active against UPEC strains resistant to third-generation cephalosporins, fluoroquinolones, aminoglycosides, imipenem, beta-lactamase inhibitor combination and polymyxins was isolated from community raw sewage water of Chandigarh. It exhibited a clear plaque morphology and a burst size of 250. In the time-kill assay, the maximum amount of killing was achieved at MOI 1.0. vB_EcoA_RDN8.1 belongs to the family Autographiviridae, has a genome size of 39.5 kb with a GC content of 51.6%. It was stable over a wide range of temperatures and pH. It was able to inhibit biofilm formation which may be related to an endolysin encoded by ORF 19.

Conclusions

The vB_EcoA_RDN8.1 is a novel lytic phage that has the potential for inclusion into phage cocktails being developed for the treatment of urinary tract infections (UTIs) caused by highly drug-resistant UPEC.

Significance and Impact of the Study

We provide a detailed characterization of a novel lytic Escherichia phage with antibiofilm activity having a potential application against MDR and XDR UPEC causing UTIs.
Physical activity levels of children and adolescents with intellectual disabilities in Northern China
Authors: Yuan Ya‐Qing , Wang Mei‐Juan , Zhang Qiao‐Xian , Zhang Yang , Wang Xuan‐Li , Hou Xiao , Zhang Shao‐Hua , Liu Yang
Published: January 2022

Background

Limited research has looked at the physical activity (PA) among Chinese children and adolescents with intellectual disabilities.

Methods

The Children's Leisure Activities Study Survey‐Chinese version was applied in evaluating PA levels among children and adolescents with intellectual disabilities.

Results

The data indicated that only 29.5% of children and adolescents with intellectual disabilities met the PA recommendation. Boys engaged in significantly more MVPA and had higher energy expenditure than girls during weekdays and the whole week. The general trend in PA levels demonstrated a downtrend with the growth of age of children and adolescents with intellectual disabilities. The students aged 6–12 years old performed more MVPA and had greater energy expenditure compared with those 13–15 and 16–18 years old.

Conclusion

The level of PA among Chinese children and youths with intellectual disabilities is remarkably low, and there is a large gap compared with the PA recommendation.
Psychometric qualities of measurement tools used to determine workplace horizontal violence: A rapid review
Authors: Kiprillis Noelleen , Gray Richard , McKenna Lisa
Published: January 2022

Rationale Aims and Objectives

Horizontal violence has been defined as aggressive or hostile behaviour directed at an individual or between colleagues from the same working group. Measuring the prevalence of horizontal violence requires valid measures. To date, there has not been a review of the psychometric properties of available measurement tools for horizontal violence.

Method

A rapid review of the MEDLINE and BUSINESS EBSCO databases was conducted to identify studies testing the validity of any measure of horizontal violence in any workplace setting. Title and abstract and full‐text screening, data extraction and quality appraisal were completed by two researchers working independently. The COnsensus‐based Standards for the selection of health Measurement Instruments (COSMIN) was used to determine the methodological quality of studies, including details of the psychometric properties of included papers.

Results

Fourteen papers reporting 17 studies were included in the review. Seven measures of horizontal violence (Civility Norms Questionnaire Brief; Negative Acts Questionnaire—Revised; Inventory of Violence and Psychological Harassment; Leyman Inventory Psychological Terror Mobbing of Single Cases of Harassment in Employees Relations; Shortened Negative Acts Questionnaire—Revised; Uncivil Workplace Behaviour Questionnaire) were identified. Most included studies were methodologically robust. Six measures had strong psychometric properties except for the Mobbing of Single Cases of Harassment in Employees Relations (MSCH) where key information about psychometric properties was not reported.

Conclusions

We identified six measures of horizontal violence that had good psychometric properties. The Negative Acts Questionnaire—Revised has been most extensively tested in different settings but is not necessarily a more precise measure than others.
The impact of weight change and measures of physical functioning on mortality
Authors: Underland Lisa J. , Schnatz Peter F. , Wild Robert A. , Saquib Nazmus , Shadyab Aladdin H. , Allison Matthew , Banack Hailey , Wassertheil‐Smoller Sylvia
Published: January 2022

Introduction

Lower grip strength and measures of physical functioning are associated with all‐cause mortality. Relationships among long‐term weight loss, physical functioning, and mortality in older women are understudied.

Methods

Participants were 5039 women who were part of the Long Life Study (LLS) ancillary study to the Woman's Health Initiative (WHI). Average age was 78.76 ± 6.92. We defined long‐term weight loss or gain as a decrease or increase of 5% or more of baseline body weight. Our primary outcome was all‐cause mortality and our secondary outcomes were vascular death, and coronary heart disease (CHD). The mean follow‐up time was 5.4 years. Cox regression modeling was performed for each outcome of interest. Variables of interest were weight change, grip strength, and functional status as measured by the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) controlling for multiple potential confounders.

Results

Weight loss of 5% or more percent body weight was associated with a hazard ratio of 1.66 (1.37–2.01) for all‐cause mortality. Weight gain was not related to mortality or cardiovascular outcomes. Those in the highest grip strength quartile had a hazard ratio of 0.51 (0.39–0.66) for all‐cause mortality. For the SPPB the hazard ratio was 0.29 (0.21–0.40), adjusting for changes in weight, race, smoking, history CHD, smoking, and diabetes. Higher grip strength and SPPB were associated with lower risks for vascular death, and CHD, independently of weight change.

Conclusions

Weight loss was associated with increased mortality. Stronger grip strength and higher SPPB scores were associated with lower mortality risk independent of weight change.
Physicians' perspectives of prognosis and goals of care discussions after hip fracture
Authors: Murthy Sushila , Clapp Justin T. , Burson Randall C. , Fleisher Lee A. , Neuman Mark D.
Published: January 2022

Background

Hip fracture often represents a major transition in patients' health, with a 1‐year mortality rate between 25% and 30% and a challenging recovery course. Caring for hip fracture patients presents opportunities for goals of care discussions that include prognostic information and guidance about functional dependence.

Methods

We conducted qualitative, semi‐structured interviews with 23 attending physicians involved with the care of hip fracture patients, including orthopedic surgeons, anesthesiologists, internists, and geriatricians, across 13 health systems in the United States and Canada. Questions addressed knowledge and interpretation of prognosis, discussing prognosis and goals of care, and timing and prioritization of surgery. Interviews were analyzed using a constructivist grounded theory approach to identify themes and develop a coding taxonomy.

Results

Physicians agreed that hip fracture had a considerable 1‐year mortality, felt that it was important to discuss prognostic outcomes and the recovery process, wanted to elucidate patients' priorities, and often promoted timely surgery. Physicians perceived challenges when discussing mortality data with new patients in an acute setting. They more easily discussed outcomes related to functional dependence and quality of life. Some physicians used iterative communication as a strategy to have in‐depth conversations in a busy perioperative setting.

Conclusion

Providing timely, compassionate care for hip fracture patients is challenging. There are opportunities to study iterative communication to encourage dialogue at key points of patient care to better discuss prognosis and recovery and bolster coordinated multidisciplinary care that focuses on patients' goals and values.
Regulation of cytokinin biosynthesis using PtRD26pro‐IPT module improves drought tolerance through PtARR10‐PtYUC4/5‐mediated reactive oxygen species removal inPopulus
Authors: Wang Hou‐Ling , Yang Qi , Tan Shuya , Wang Ting , Zhang Yi , Yang Yanli , Yin Weilun , Xia Xinli , Guo Hongwei , Li Zhonghai
Published: January 2022

Drought is a critical environmental factor which constrains plant survival and growth. Genetic engineering provides a credible strategy to improve drought tolerance of plants. Here, we generated transgenic poplar lines expressing the isopentenyl transferase gene (IPT) under the driver ofPtRD26promoter (PtRD26pro‐IPT). PtRD26 is a senescence and drought‐inducible NAC transcription factor.PtRD26pro‐IPTplants displayed multiple phenotypes, including improved growth and drought tolerance. Transcriptome analysis revealed that auxin biosynthesis pathway was activated in thePtRD26pro‐IPTplants, leading to an increase in auxin contents. Biochemical analysis revealed thatARABIDOPSIS RESPONSE REGULATOR10(PtARR10), one of the type‐B ARR transcription factors in the cytokinin pathway, was induced inPtRD26pro‐IPTplants and directly regulated the transcripts ofYUCCA4(PtYUC4) andYUCCA5(PtYUC5), two enzymes in the auxin biosynthesis pathway. Overexpression ofPtYUC4enhanced drought tolerance, while simultaneous silencing ofPtYUC4/5evidently attenuated the drought tolerance ofPtRD26pro‐IPTplants. Intriguingly, PtYUC4/5 displayed a conserved thioredoxin reductase activity that is required for drought tolerance by deterring reactive oxygen species accumulation. Our work reveals the molecular basis of cytokinin and auxin interactions in response to environmental stresses, and shed light on the improvement of drought tolerance without a growth penalty in trees by molecular breeding.
Surveillance agriculture and peasant autonomy
Authors: Stone Glenn Davis
Published: January 2022

‘Big Data’ digital technologies are beginning to make inroads into peasant agriculture in the Global South. Of particular importance is the subset of technologies that appropriate agricultural decision‐making, here theorized as surveillance agriculture. These technological regimes aspire to not only remove decision‐making from the farmer, but eventually to replace the farmer with, for instance, ‘autonomous’ tractors. This paper looks ahead to ask what a technological trajectory that aspires to autonomy for the tractor may portend for autonomy for the peasant farmer. It compares surveillance agriculture to other forms of surveillance capitalism, noting that it shares a will to not only sell products and services but to manipulate behaviour but differs in that the behaviour being manipulated is professional productive behaviour. The paper surveys the vested interests of the entities behind surveillance agriculture and asks how informational relations of production may be changed between farmers and these entities. It then examines the informational relations of production among peasant farmers that may be interdicted by surveillance agriculture, especially the group‐level decision‐making dynamics that make ‘individual autonomy’ a misnomer. But surveillance agriculture is resolutely individualized, which raises concerns for peasant decision‐making autonomy.
Epidemiology and surveillance of autoimmune hepatitis in Asia
Authors: Katsumi Tomohiro , Ueno Yoshiyuki
Published: January 2022

Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a chronic inflammatory liver disease that mainly injures the hepatocytes. The autoimmune disease might be involved in its aetiology, but this remains to be confirmed. Recently epidemiological studies of AIH in Asia have been broadly conducted, revealing characteristics and management of AIH patients in Asia. In East Asia, most AIH patients are type 1, and type 2 AIH is very rare. However, type 2 AIH in South Asia is as frequent as in Europe and the USA. HLA‐DR4 is associated with the characteristics of type 1 AIH in East Asia, whereas HLA‐DR3 occurs in AIH patients from South Asia. AIH prevalence worldwide is increasing, and several studies have reported a prevalence of 19.44, 22.80 and 12.99 per 100 000 people in Europe, the USA and Asia respectively. A meta‐analysis of studies on AIH showed similar annual incidence rates for all regions, with 1.31, 1.37 and 1.00 per 100 000 people in Asia, Europe and the USA respectively. The increase in the rates could be attributable to the increased awareness of disease concepts and diagnosis. In South Asia, most cases were diagnosed as AIH only after having progressed to cirrhosis, which may cause a higher mortality rate in South Asia than in East Asia. Therefore, the early diagnosis and treatment of AIH patients can improve the current situation in Asia.
The higher adherence to healthy lifestyle factors is associated with a decreased risk of metabolic syndrome in Iranian adults
Authors: Mirmiran Parvin , Farhadnejad Hossein , Teymoori Farshad , Parastouei Karim , Azizi Fereidoun
Published: January 2022

Although an independent role for several important lifestyle factors in the aetiology of metabolic syndrome (MetS) has been established, less is known about their combined effects. We aimed to investigate the association of the combined role of recognised lifestyle factors, expressed as a healthy lifestyle score (HLS), and the risk of MetS in Tehranian adults. A total of 3480 participants without MetS were recruited from among participants of the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study (2009–2011) and followed a mean of 6 years. Dietary data were collected using a validated food frequency questionnaire at baseline. We determined HLS in three ways among the participants based on four factors including, no current smoking, no obesity, vigorous physical activity and a healthy dietary pattern (assessed by either the alternate healthy eating index‐2010 [AHEI‐2010], the modified French Programme National Nutrition Santé‐Guideline Score [mPNNS‐GS] or the healthy diet pattern score [HDP]). All three indices consisted of the four factors including smoking (yes/no), physical activity (active/inactive), obesity (yes/no) and diet quality. Mean ± SD age of participants (43.5% men) was 38.7 ± 13.0 years. During the study follow‐up, 558 (16.0%) new cases of MetS were identified. In the age‐ and sex‐adjusted model, there was a negative relationship between the higher score of HLS‐AHEI‐2010 (OR = 0.42; 95% CI: 0.29–0.60), HLS‐mPNNS‐GS (OR = 0.45; 95% CI: 0.33–0.62) and HLS‐HDP (OR = 0.70; 95% CI: 0.52–0.93) with the risk of MetS (p for trend <0.05). In the multivariable model, after adjustment for confounding variables, the risk of MetS decreased across tertiles of HLS‐AHEI‐2010 (OR = 0.48; 95% CI: 0.33–0.70, p for trend <0.001), HLS‐mPNNS‐GS (OR = 0.50; 95% CI: 0.36–0.69, p for trend <0.001) and HLS‐HDP (OR = 0.67; 95% CI: 0.49–0.90, p for trend: 0.008). The findings of the current study highlight that greater adherence to modifiable healthy lifestyle factors scores is associated with a decreased risk of MetS.
Prevalence of depression and depressive symptoms among intensive care nurses: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Huang Huan , Xia You , Zeng Xiaoyan , Lü Ailian
Published: January 2022

Background

Nurses in intensive care units (ICUs) experience more stressful workplace conditions, making them more vulnerable to high levels of depression compared with those working in other healthcare settings.

Objectives

This meta‐analysis aimed to estimate the pooled prevalence of depression in ICU nurses.

Methods

A systematic search was conducted in Medline, EMBASE, CINHO, and Web of Science databases. Studies that reported depression among ICU nurses measured by a validated tool were synthesized using a random‐effects model. Differences in prevalence of depression by study‐level characteristics were estimated using sub‐group analysis. Heterogeneity was investigated using standard Chi‐squared tests and the I2 statistic.

Results

Data were extracted from 19 cross‐sectional studies (2003‐2020) from 11 countries involving 7196 ICU nurses. The overall pooled prevalence of depression or depressive symptoms among ICU nurses was 24.99% (95% CI, 17.9%‐32.7%) with high between‐study heterogeneity (χ2 = 812, τ2 = 0.03, I2 = 98%, P < .01).

Conclusion

Depression appears to be common among ICU nurses. Considering its negative impact on the quality of life of staff, patient care, and the overall critical care work environment, effective interventions should be designed and implemented to improve psychological health in this population.

Relevance to clinical practice

Findings of this review indicate that regular screening for depressive symptoms might be helpful, and access to professional help and supportive care should be provided if necessary.
Assessing and optimizing readability of dermatology patient education materials (PEMs)
Authors: Vallabhaneni Ahdarsh , Eskander Peter N. , Martin Kari , Eisenstein Kimberly , Dyer Jonathan
Published: January 2022

Patient education materials (PEMs) are a powerful tool to improve patient understanding; however, inadequate health literacy is a well‐established barrier for PEMs to serve their purpose. The average American reads at an 8th grade level and the National Institute of Health (NIH) recommendation for PEMs is at the 6th grade level. The purpose of this study was to assess and optimize PEMs to identify changes that are most effective at lowering the reading level without diluting its educational content. Edits that decrease the number of syllables per word were most effective at improving readability without diminishing educational content when compared to edits involving the total number of words.
Creating patient‐directed education in pediatric dermatology: A guide for creators
Authors: Park Helen H. , Haft Michael A. , Burdick Elizabeth A. , Boiko Susan
Published: January 2022

Current medical literature and practice utilize limited resources to enhance pediatric patients’ coping with and understanding of disease. Here, we provide a template for accessing current resources and developing practice‐specific written materials focused on the child's experience.
Will repeated Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) treatment sessions affect facial skin sensitivity? Results of a twelve‐Month, prospective, randomized split‐face study
Authors: Wang Xue , Zhang Zhen , Shang Ying , Chen Xiangdong , Xu Hui , Yuan Chao
Published: January 2022

Background

Despite the widespread use of intense pulsed light (IPL) technology in cosmetic dermatology, the effects of its repeated use on facial skin sensitivity in healthy individuals remains unknown.

Methods

Seventeen healthy female volunteers were included in the study. We measured objective biophysical parameters of the skin, including transepidermal water loss (TEWL), skin glossiness, thickness and density of the epidermis and dermis, sensory nerve current perception threshold (CPT), and regional blood flow before and after treatment at different time points.

Results

Sixteen volunteers completed a follow‐up of 12 months. The treated side of the face showed a decreased TEWL on D1 and D3, which reverted to normal on D7. Epidermal thickness increased and skin glossiness decreased on the treated side on D1, but returned to normal on D3. We found no statistically significant differences in CPT values or in regional blood flow volume and velocity, with the exception of D1, which exhibited a higher regional blood flow volume on the treated side.

Conclusion

Repeated IPL treatments had no effects on facial skin barrier function, skin nerve sensitivity, or local microcirculation among healthy individuals. IPL is a safe skin care procedure that does not affect skin sensitivity.
Managing hospital platelet inventory with mid‐cycle expedited replenishments and returns
Authors: Chen Kebing , Song Jing‐Sheng , Shang Jennifer , Xiao Tiaojun
Published: January 2022

Motivated by the need of small and medium‐sized hospitals to improve their platelet inventory management and achieve best practices, we consider an inventory system for a perishable product with a three‐period shelf life over a finite horizon. In the system, the regular replenishment in each cycle is supplemented by an inventory adjustment opportunity in mid‐cycle involving expedited orders and returns. We show that an optimal regular replenishment policy is an ( s, S, S( x)) policy. Namely, if the initial net inventory x is below the threshold s, it is optimal to place a regular order to raise the inventory to a state‐independent target S; otherwise, raise the inventory to a state‐dependent target S( x). We also show that the mid‐cycle inventory adjustment policy is a control‐band policy with two thresholds. If the mid‐cycle net inventory is above the upper threshold, it is optimal to return the inventory in excess of that threshold to a central blood bank; if the mid‐cycle net inventory is below the lower threshold, it is optimal to expedite replenishment up to that threshold; otherwise, do nothing. If non‐fresh platelets are used in the expedited order, we can obtain closed‐form expressions for the optimal policy parameters. When fresh platelets are used for the expedited order, we apply anti‐multimodularity techniques to establish structural properties of the optimal policy to guide practice and reveal the substitution relationship between the replenishment quantity and the existing inventory of various ages. These structural properties also hold for the case of general shelf lives. Our numerical study shows that the more flexible and adaptive policy proposed in this research outperforms those studied in the literature.
The effect of export composition on energy demand: A fresh evidence in the context of economic complexity
Authors: Can Muhlis , Brusselaers Jan , Mercan Mehmet
Published: January 2022

Energy is pivotal for sustainable economic growth. Undoubtedly, the role of the composition of the export basket (measured as economic complexity) is one of the crucial variables influencing energy consumption. Despite its importance, the existing body of literature does not intensively study the relationship between economic complexity and total energy consumption. Therefore, this study's primary aim was to examine the effect of economic complexity on energy consumption in a case study of 21 developed and 44 developing countries for the period 1971–2014. In this context, economic complexity expresses the level of sophistication of a country's export basket. This paper considers energy prices and income as explanatory variables in Durbin‐H panel cointegration analysis and applies a cointegration test with structural breaks to check for the long‐run relationships. For the long‐run estimations, we employ the augmented mean group method and dynamic seemingly unrelated regression. The findings reveal that economic complexity increases energy consumption in developing countries while it decreases energy consumption in developed countries. This is an important insight for countries concerned about their energy dependence. The diversification of their production and export baskets can reduce energy needs. The paper finally presents policy recommendations based on the empirical estimates.
Coronavirus disease 2019 vaccination is protective of clinical disease in solid organ transplant recipients
Authors: Aslam Saima , Liu Jinyuan , Sigler Rachel , Syed Rehan R. , Tu Xin M. , Little Susan J. , De Gruttola Victor
Published: January 2022

Background

Clinical effectiveness of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) vaccination in solid organ transplant recipients (SOTRs) is not well documented despite multiple studies demonstrating sub‐optimal immunogenicity.

Methods

We reviewed medical records of eligible SOTRs at a single center to assess vaccination status and identify cases of symptomatic COVID‐19 from January 1 to August 12, 2021. We developed a Cox proportional hazards model using the date of vaccination and time since transplantation as a time‐varying covariate with age and gender as potential time‐invariant confounders. Survival curves were created using the parameters estimated from the Cox model. Results: Among 1904 SOTRs, 1362 were fully vaccinated (96% received mRNA vaccines) and 542 were either unvaccinated (n = 470) or partially vaccinated (n = 72). There were 115 cases of COVID‐19, of which 12 occurred in fully vaccinated individuals. Cox regression with the date of vaccination and time since transplantation as the time‐varying co‐variates showed that after baseline adjustment for age and sex, being fully vaccinated had a significantly lower hazard for COVID‐19, hazard ratio (HR) = 0.29 and 95% confidence interval ([CI] 0.09, 0.91).

Conclusion

We found that 2‐dose mRNA COVID‐19 vaccination was protective of symptomatic COVID‐19 in vaccinated versus unvaccinated SOTRs.

Tweet

COVID‐19 vaccination was associated with a significantly lower hazard for symptomatic COVID‐19 (HR 0.29; 95% CI 0.09, 0.91) among 1904 SOT recipients at a single center from January 1 to August 12, 2021.
Postbuckling Analysis of Ultra-Low Rigidity Serpentine Structures
Authors: Zhao Jianzhong
Published: January 2022

Serpentine structures are of growing interest due to its unique mechanical and physical properties for applications in stretchable electronics, mechanical sensing, and biomedical devices. Mechanics-guided, deterministic three-dimensional (3D) assembly provides routes to form remarkable 3D structures, which in turn significantly improve its potential for applications. Therefore, an accurate postbuckling analysis is essential to the complex 3D serpentine structures with arbitrary geometry/material parameters. Here, simple, analytical expressions are obtained for the displacement and effective rigidity of serpentine structures during postbuckling. By tuning geometry parameters, the amplitude of assembled 3D serpentine structures can span a very broad range from zero to that of a straight ribbon. The analytical model can be used in design, fabrication, and application of versatile 3D serpentine structures to ensure their compatibility with the ultra-low rigidity biological tissues. A hierarchical 3D serpentine structure with ultra-low rigidity is presented to demonstrate the application of the analytical model.
Online Maintenance Prioritization Via Monte Carlo Tree Search and Case-Based Reasoning
Authors: Hoffman Michael , Song Eunhye , Brundage Michael , Kumara Soundar
Published: January 2022

When maintenance resources in a manufacturing system are limited, a challenge arises in determining how to allocate these resources among multiple competing maintenance jobs. This work formulates an online prioritization problem to tackle this challenge using a Markov decision process (MDP) to model the system behavior and Monte Carlo tree search (MCTS) to seek optimal maintenance actions in various states of the system. Further, case-based reasoning (CBR) is adopted to retain and reuse search experience gathered from MCTS to reduce the computational effort needed over time and to improve decision-making efficiency. The proposed method results in increased system throughput when compared to existing methods of maintenance prioritization while also reducing the computation time needed to identify optimal maintenance actions as more information is gathered. This is especially beneficial in manufacturing settings where maintenance decisions must be made quickly to minimize the negative performance impact of machine downtime.