bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Polysubstance use classes and health outcomes among women attending specialist substance use treatment services
Authors: Rodriguez Alexandra S. , Robinson Laura D. , Kelly Peter J. , Hudson Suzie
Published: August 2021

Introduction

Substance use is increasingly prevalent among women. Little research examines subgroups of women with substance use issues to identify their characteristics and thus enable treatment recommendations. The present study used latent class analysis to identify subgroups of substance use among women in substance‐use treatment based on use in the 30 days prior to intake and examined changes in mental health and treatment outcomes following 60 days of treatment.

Methods

Participants were women (N = 493) attending specialist non‐government substance use treatment services in New South Wales, Australia.

Results

Four distinct classes of substance users were identified: (i) Amphetamine Type Stimulants (ATS) Polysubstance (40.6%, n = 200); (ii) Alcohol Only (33.1%, n = 163); (iii) Cannabis and Alcohol (17.0%, n = 84) and (iv) Other Polysubstance (9.3%, n = 46). Women in the ATS Polysubstance class were the youngest and those in the Alcohol Only class were the oldest.

Discussion and Conclusions

Findings show that classes with high polysubstance use (ATS Polysubstance) differed from the single‐substance use class (Alcohol Only). The ATS Polysubstance class had significantly greater improvements in health outcomes after 60 days compared to the Alcohol Only class. These findings suggest that although women with polysubstance use can benefit from substance use treatment, younger women (ATS Polysubstance) may benefit even more than older women (Alcohol Only). Future research should utilise a longitudinal design and examine additional psychosocial characteristics to extend on current findings.
Cardiovascular and renal disease manifestation and healthcare resource utilization in patients on first‐line oral therapy for type 2 diabetes: A claims‐based observational cohort study
Authors: Olufade Temitope , Jiang Like , Israni Rubeen , Huang Joanna , Gosmanov Aidar R.
Published: August 2021

Aim

To examine incident cardiovascular disease (CVD) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) diagnosis and associated healthcare resource utilization (HCRU) in a real‐world population of patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) initiating first‐line oral antidiabetes drug (OAD) therapy.

Materials and Methods

Adults with T2D without CVD/CKD initiating first‐line OAD therapy from 2008 to 2018 IBM MarketScan claims data were included. Incident CVD/CKD diagnoses following OAD initiation and first diagnosis type were assessed. Risk of incident diagnosis of heart failure (HF) among patients with CKD and of CKD among patients with HF was evaluated. HCRU and costs were compared for the 12 months before and after the first CVD/CKD diagnosis.

Results

Of 12 286 016 patients, 1 286 287 met all the inclusion criteria. During follow‐up (mean 752 days), 205 865 (16.0%) patients had CVD/CKD diagnoses; the most common first diagnosis was the composite cardiorenal outcome of HF and/or CKD (64.6%). Most first diagnoses were within 2 years of OAD initiation. For HF and CKD, diagnosis of one was associated with increased risk of subsequent diagnosis of the other (both P < .001). Average annualized visits per patient increased by 31% after the first CVD/CKD diagnosis and annualized payer and patient costs increased by 75% and 26%, respectively, compared with the 12 months prediagnosis. Costs increased for all diagnosis types.

Conclusions

Most first CVD/CKD diagnoses occurred within 2 years after OAD initiation and were associated with increased HCRU and costs. Reducing CVD/CKD risk with T2D treatments that improve both cardiovascular and renal outcomes may attenuate the burden of illness.
Effective information, political structure and economic growth
Authors: Merva Mary , Stoian Adrian , Costagli Simona
Published: August 2021

Digital transformation of information led us to reconsider Hayek’s (American Economic Review, 35, 519–530) insight on a fuller use of information and re‐classify political structures based on their information protection policies. This allows us to link the accumulation of information with the political structure to frame their joint impact on economic growth. We develop a model of ‘effective information’ beginning with information production and absorption and then allowing for its political propagation based on the degree of information protection. Using data from 40 countries, we find: (i) effective information and its spillovers contribute to an increase in productivity; and (ii) reductions in information protection bring larger increases in effective information as economies near an ‘information‐technology frontier’ contributing to economic growth divergence.
No Association of filaggrin copy number variation and atopic dermatitis risk in White and Black Americans
Authors: Fulton Rachel L. , Margolis David J. , Sockler Patrick G. , Mitra Nandita , Wong Xuan Fei Colin Cornelius , Common John E.
Published: August 2021

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic, inflammatory skin condition with a multifactorial pathophysiology. The filaggrin gene (FLG) has particularly been implicated given loss of function (LoF) mutations in this gene lead to skin barrier dysfunction and such mutations can increase a patient's likelihood of developing AD. FLG has intragenic copy number variation (CNV), which impacts the total amount of filaggrin produced. Previous research reported a dose‐dependent effect such that as amount of FLG increases, risk of AD decreases. To gain a better understanding, we evaluated FLG CNV in a large case‐control study of Whites and Blacks with and without AD. The goal of our study was to determine whether FLG CNV has a dose‐dependent effect on the risk of developing AD and to determine whether FLG CNV varies by race. The frequencies and odds ratios comparing a given CNV by race or race within those with AD did not significantly vary. It had been thought that FLG CNV might vary by race and represent an important association with AD in Black AD subjects. However, our work suggests that while there are racial differences with respect to CNV, these differences do not appear to explain AD risk.
Large‐scale drivers of relationships between soil microbial properties and organic carbon across Europe
Authors: Smith Linnea C. , Orgiazzi Alberto , Eisenhauer Nico , Cesarz Simone , Lochner Alfred , Jones Arwyn , Bastida Felipe , Patoine Guillaume , Reitz Thomas , Buscot François , Rillig Matthias C. , Heintz‐Buschart Anna , Lehmann Anika , Guerra Carlos A.
Published: August 2021

Aim

Quantify direct and indirect relationships between soil microbial community properties (potential basal respiration, microbial biomass) and abiotic factors (soil, climate) in three major land‐cover types.

Location

Europe.

Time period

2018.

Major taxa studied

Microbial community (fungi and bacteria).

Methods

We collected 881 soil samples from across Europe in the framework of the Land Use/Land Cover Area Frame Survey (LUCAS). We measured potential soil basal respiration at 20 ºC and microbial biomass (substrate‐induced respiration) using an O2‐microcompensation apparatus. Soil and climate data were obtained from the same LUCAS survey and online databases. Structural equation models (SEMs) were used to quantify relationships between variables, and equations extracted from SEMs were used to create predictive maps. Fatty acid methyl esters were measured in a subset of samples to distinguish fungal from bacterial biomass.

Results

Soil microbial properties in croplands were more heavily affected by climate variables than those in forests. Potential soil basal respiration and microbial biomass were correlated in forests but decoupled in grasslands and croplands, where microbial biomass depended on soil carbon. Forests had a higher ratio of fungi to bacteria than grasslands or croplands.

Main conclusions

Soil microbial communities in grasslands and croplands are likely carbon‐limited in comparison with those in forests, and forests have a higher dominance of fungi indicating differences in microbial community composition. Notably, the often already‐degraded soils of croplands could be more vulnerable to climate change than more natural soils. The provided maps show potentially vulnerable areas that should be explicitly accounted for in future management plans to protect soil carbon and slow the increasing vulnerability of European soils to climate change.
Association between habitual coffee consumption and skeletal muscle mass in middle‐aged and older Japanese people
Authors: Iwasaka Chiharu , Yamada Yosuke , Nishida Yuichiro , Hara Megumi , Yasukata Jun , Miyoshi Nobuyuki , Shimanoe Chisato , Nanri Hinako , Furukawa Takuma , Koga Kayoko , Horita Mikako , Higaki Yasuki , Tanaka Keitaro
Published: August 2021

Aims

Coffee consumption has been suggested, in animal studies, to inhibit the progression of sarcopenia, possibly through its anti‐inflammatory effects; however, few studies have been carried out in humans. We aimed to examine whether coffee consumption was related to indicators of sarcopenia in a Japanese population, and whether the association was mediated by reduced inflammation.

Methods

This study was a cross‐sectional design. Participants were community residents (n = 6369) aged 45–74 years. We measured skeletal muscle mass index (SMI; kg/m2) by a bioelectrical impedance method, and grip strength with a Smedley‐type dynamometer. Habitual coffee consumption was assessed by a self‐administered questionnaire. Serum high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein was measured as an inflammatory marker. The association between habitual coffee consumption and SMI or grip strength was analyzed with a linear regression model adjusted for covariates.

Results

A significant positive association was found between coffee consumption and SMI (men: β = 0.023; Ptrend = 0.004, women: β = 0.011; Ptrend = 0.012). Further adjustment for high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein did not materially alter the results (men: β = 0.023; Ptrend = 0.005, women: β = 0.009; Ptrend = 0.024). The relationship between coffee consumption and grip strength did not reach statistical significance; however, a positive trend was observed (men: β = 0.208; Ptrend = 0.085, women: β = 0.092; Ptrend = 0.167).

Conclusions

We found that coffee consumption was positively associated with SMI independently of inflammation in middle‐aged and older Japanese people. Reduced inflammation by coffee does not seem to be an important mediator, and further investigations are required to explore the mechanisms of this association. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2021; 21: 950–958.
The evolving perceptions of corruption in Czechoslovakia and the Czech Republic
Authors: Plaček Michal , Valentinov Vladislav , Ochrana František , Vaceková Gabriela , Langr Ivan , Půček Milan
Published: August 2021

Along with other postcommunist Central and East European countries, the Czech Republic continues to exhibit alarming levels of corruption. The present article draws on unique stakeholder interviews and document analysis to explore the evolving perceptions of corruption by Czech actors who had intimate knowledge of how this practice was occurring in the period between the last years of the communist regime until today. The key finding is that corruption in the Czechoslovakia and the Czech Republic evolved from an individual coping strategy at the time of communism to a systemic phenomenon, which is widely institutionalized today, especially in the public procurement procedures.
Effect of applying different additives on the fermentation characteristics and aerobic stability of total mixed ration silage prepared with local feed resources in Tibet
Authors: Dong Zhihao , Tao Xuxiong , Bao Yuhong , Zhao Jie , Wang Siran , Li Junfeng , Liu Qinhua , Shao Tao
Published: August 2021

This study was conducted to assess the effect of different additives on the fermentation characteristics, in vitro digestibility and aerobic stability of fermented total mixed ration (FTMR) prepared with local feed resources in Tibet, China. Additives added to FTMR were Lactobacillus buchneri (1 × 106 cfu/g fresh weight (FW)), acetic acid (0.3% FW), propionic acid (0.4% FW), 1,2‐propanediol and 1‐propanol (0.5% FW). FTMR were opened after 90 days and subjected to a 14‐d aerobic stability test. The results showed that L. buchneri, 1,2‐propanediol and 1‐propanol increased (P < 0.05) pH values and acetic acid concentrations and decreased (P < 0.05) lactic acid concentrations in FTMR. Adding acetic acid decreased (P < 0.05) lactic/acetic acid ratio. FTMR treated with propionic acid had higher (P < 0.05) lactic acid, propionic acid and DM recovery compared with the other treatments. Treating FTMR with acetic acid, 1,2‐propanediol and 1‐propanol decreased (P < 0.05) yeast counts. The in vitro potential gas production tended to be lower in L. buchneri‐treated silage than other silages. During aerobic exposure, FTMR treated with propionic acid spoiled first, with marked pH increase and lactic acid decrease from days 9 to 14. Treatment with L. buchneri, acetic acid, 1,2‐propanediol and 1‐propanol markedly improved the aerobic stability, as indicated by nearly unchanged pH and lactic acid concentrations. The results suggest that L. buchneri, acetic acid, 1,2‐propanediol and 1‐propanol did not adversely affect the in vitro digestibility and could be effective additives for enhancing the aerobic stability of FTMR prepared on Tibetan plateau.
Pharmacokinetics of perioperative FVIII in adult patients with haemophilia A: An external validation and development of an alternative population pharmacokinetic model
Authors: Zhu Jing , Wu Yi Shuan , Beechinor Ryan J. , Kemper Ryan , Bukkems Laura H. , Mathôt Ron A. A. , Cnossen Marjon H. , Gonzalez Daniel , Chen Sheh‐Li , Key Nigel S. , Crona Daniel J.
Published: August 2021

Introduction

Haemophilia A patients require perioperative clotting factor replacement to limit excessive bleeding. Weight‐based dosing of Factor VIII (FVIII) does not account for inter‐individual pharmacokinetic (PK) variability, and may lead to suboptimal FVIII exposure.

Aim

To perform an external validation of a previously developed population PK (popPK) model of perioperative FVIII in haemophilia A patients.

Methods

A retrospective chart review identified perioperative haemophilia A patients at the University of North Carolina (UNC) between April 2014 and November 2019. Patient data was used to externally validate a previously published popPK model proposed by Hazendonk. Based on these validation results, a modified popPK model was developed to characterize FVIII PK in our patients. Dosing simulations were performed using this model to compare FVIII target attainment between intermittent bolus (IB) and continuous infusion (CI) administration methods.

Results

A total of 521 FVIII concentrations, drawn from 34 patients, were analysed. Validation analyses revealed that the Hazendonk model did not fully capture FVIII PK in the UNC cohort. Therefore, a modified one‐compartment model, with weight and age as covariates on clearance (CL), was developed. Dosing simulations revealed that CI resulted in improved target attainment by 16%, with reduced overall FVIII usage by 58 IU/kg, compared to IB.

Conclusion

External validation revealed a previously published popPK model of FVIII did not adequately characterize UNC patients, likely due to differences in patient populations. Future prospective studies are needed to evaluate our model prior to implementation into clinical practice.
Bonding microwave absorbing ferrites to thermal conducting copper
Authors: Chen Guan‐Ren , Tuan Wei‐Hsing
Published: August 2021

In the present study, the thermal characteristics of spinel ferrites are reported. The thermal expansion coefficient of ferrites is slightly larger than that of silicon; furthermore, these ferrites all demonstrate capability to absorb microwave. Nevertheless, their thermal conductivity is relatively low. A copper plate is bonded to ferrite to provide a backing for heat spreading. Microstructure observation at the interface reveals no reaction phase. The thermal resistance at the copper‐ferrite interface is low. With the bonding of metallic copper, the heat generated in ferrites by microwave absorbing is possible to be removed by the backing copper layer.
Masstige strategies on social media: The influence on sentiments and attitude toward the brand
Authors: Bilro Ricardo Godinho , Loureiro Sandra Maria Correia , dos Santos Joana Fonseca
Published: August 2021

This paper explores whether mass prestige (masstige) campaigns, providing luxury and exclusivity for the masses, influence sentiments and attitude toward the brand among fashion customers and followers on social media, namely Facebook and Instagram. Two brands are selected within the fashion sector: a luxury fashion brand—Gucci—and a mass‐market fashion brand—H&M. This research grounds its methodology on a netnography, collecting a total of 336,504 comments. The comments are examined through sentiment analysis based on a text‐mining technique. The findings reveal that fashion brands can promote masstige strategies, sustaining attitude toward the brand, widening their range of offers, and taking the chance on these types of campaigns without negatively affecting customers’ and followers’ sentiments on social media platforms. The use of comments to measure these topics empirically is a novelty of this research.
Compositional characteristics, texture, shelf‐life and sensory quality of snack crackers produced from non‐traditional ingredients
Authors: Meriles Silvina Patricia , Piloni Roxana , Cáceres Georgina Vanesa , Penci María Cecilia , Marín María Andrea , Ribotta Pablo , Martínez Marcela Lilian
Published: August 2021

The study was conducted to evaluate the effect of non‐traditional and highly available and nutrient‐dense ingredients in the production of value‐added crackers. The crackers were prepared by combining partially defatted chia flour, wheat germ, quinoa, and oat. The antioxidant activity and the polyphenol content were 7.0–8.4 times higher in crackers produced with non‐traditional ingredients compared to the control snack. The hydroperoxide value indicated a low oxidative deterioration of the oil. The sample with 10% of partially defatted chia flour was selected for shelf‐life test under storage conditions and sensory evaluation. Modified atmosphere exerted a protective effect on the lipid stability regardless of the incorporation of BHT to the formulation. All the evaluated attributes scored highly during consumer acceptance. The formulated cracker presented a relevant content of protein, dietary fibre and omega‐3 and ‐6 fatty acids. Based on these results, the crackers containing non‐traditional ingredients resulted in a product with a good potential for both consumer acceptance and outstanding nutritional benefits.
Investigation of physical stability of Pickering emulsion based on soy protein/β‐glucan/coumarin ternary complexes under subcritical water condition
Authors: Mo Huanping , Li Qiyong , Liang Jiaru , Ou Junjie , Jin Bei
Published: August 2021

The binding of proteins and polysaccharides/polyphenols can modify the interfacial properties of proteins. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the feasibility of soy protein‐glucan‐coumarin complex (S‐G‐C) fabricated by subcritical water treatment as novel emulsifiers with decent physicochemical stability. The addition of β‐glucan and coumarin (CM) led to partial unfolding of soy proteins, the corresponding particles decreased and structure became tighter, and thereby the ternary complexes, which were formed mainly through hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interaction exhibited more suitable three‐phase contact angles (92.6°) compared with soy protein alone and binary complexes. CM might increase hydrophobic effect while β‐glucan attached to the outer layer might provide steric repulsion, which effectively improve physical stability of Pickering emulsion against environmental stresses and retard droplet aggregation and creaming during the 28 days storage. This study provides a reference for the preparation of novel emulsifier with improved physicochemical and functional performance.
Application of biopreservatives in meat preservation: a review
Authors: Ren Baojing , Wu Wei , Soladoye Olugbenga P. , Bak Kathrine H. , Fu Yu , Zhang Yuhao
Published: August 2021

As a highly perishable food, raw meat, if not preserved, will spoil due to the altered metabolism, microbial activity and external factors during storage. Biopreservatives, as a new type of preservatives, are characterised by nontoxicity, extensive source and good application prospects in the raw meat. This review discusses the factors responsible for the spoilage of raw meat, recaps the spoilage bacteria in the raw meat and summarises the major antibacterial mechanism of various biopreservatives. Moreover, application of various biopreservatives in the preservation of raw meat is emphatically reviewed. In addition, some existing challenges for application of biopreservatives and their prospective development are also discussed. The present work provides a theoretical reference for application of various biopreservatives in different types of raw meat for shelf life extension.
Advances in the in vitro digestion and fermentation of polysaccharides
Authors: Guo Yuxi , Chen Xuefeng , Gong Pin , Chen Fuxin , Cui Dandan , Wang Mengrao
Published: August 2021

In vitro digestion models are widely used to study the structural changes, digestion and release of food components under simulated gastrointestinal conditions. As compared to the in vivo digestion tests, the in vitro digestion reflects the digestion and utilisation of food after ingestion and has the advantages of being time consuming, inexpensive, reproducible and free from moral and ethical restrictions. This study reviewed the current research studies on the in vitro simulated digestion of polysaccharides conducted in the last 5 years and focused on the oral, gastric and intestinal digestion models, with the aim of providing a basis for the further testing of changes in the content, structure and active ingredients of polysaccharides before and after digestion.
Comparison of apple firmness prediction models based on non‐destructive acoustic signal
Authors: Liu Yang , Wu Qianwen , Huang Jialing , Zhang Xinru , Zhu Yingheng , Zhang Saimin , Liu Huimin , Gao Lin , Chen Mengling
Published: August 2021

This paper aimed to explore the non‐destructive detection of apple firmness based on portable acoustic signals for consumers. The acoustic eigenvalues processed by Time‐domain, Fourier Transform (FT), and Hilbert Huang Transform (HHT) are used to analyse the correlations with apple firmness. The apple firmness prediction models are established through Multiple Linear Regression (MLR) and Artificial Neural Network (ANN). The results proved that the acoustic eigenvalues of wave index form and total energy of 8–9 kHz correlated with apple firmness (P < 0.05), the significant acoustic eigenvalues of sound intensity, amplitude difference, max frame energy, maximum power spectral density, power spectral density characteristics and total energy of 0–1 kHz significantly correlated with apple firmness (P < 0.01). The average relative error of ANN model was significantly lower than that of MLR model (P < 0.05). Compared with Time‐FT, the acoustic eigenvalues processed by a combination of Time‐FT‐HHT possessed a superior effect on the prediction model established by ANN of apple firmness.
Correlation between the rheological and technological properties of biscuits with different levels of replacement of wheat flour by rice and azuki bean flour
Authors: Silva Daisy Jacqueline Sousa , Hashimoto Jorge Minoru , Nabeshima Elizabeth Harumi , Salgado Rafaela Teixeira , Freitas Thaise Kessiane Teixeira , Damasceno e Silva Kaesel Jackson
Published: August 2021

A mixture design was used to evaluate the effect of replacing (0 to 100%) wheat flour (WF) with wholegrain azuki bean (WABF) and rice (RF) flours on the biscuits quality. High proportions of WABF increased diameter and decreased thickness, whereas WF affected inversely and RF intermediate. The WF biscuit specific volume was 17% greater than that of the dough, and the WABF and RF biscuits were 5 and 13% smaller, respectively. The WABF biscuit hardness was 26.25 N, close to WF (28.14 N), and higher than RF (7.6 N). The WABF increased the colour difference (ΔE) values for biscuits by up to 22.19 and the RF by 1.87. Peak viscosity, breakdown and setback of mixture flours showed positive correlations with the dough hardness and L*, a*, b* and Aw of biscuits and negatively with the radial expansion index and ΔE. The highest global desirability was for biscuits without WF, regardless of crust colour.
Use of FT‐NIR and XPS techniques to distinguish cell hull fractions prepared by autolysis or HPH from Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Brettanomyces bruxellensis strains
Authors: Bakhos Elena , Skaff Wadih , Esvan Jerome , Monnier Alexandre , Sieczkowski Nathalie , Lteif Roger , Brandam Cedric , Salameh Dominique
Published: August 2021

Yeast hulls can be used to adsorb undesirable compounds such as volatile phenols that may be present in wine. To understand this adsorption process, the properties of the cell walls and their chemical composition need to be better understood. A study was conducted using four different yeast fractions of either autolysed or high‐pressure homogeniser (HPH)‐crushed yeast biomasses of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Brettanomyces bruxellensis. Near‐infrared spectroscopy (FT‐NIR) coupled with X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) was used and analysed by principal component analysis (PCA). The FT‐NIR spectral region of Saccharomyces and Brettanomyces statistically analysed by PCA showed a clear discrimination accounting for 76% of the variation in the data for PC1; moreover, yeast hulls prepared from the same strain and subjected to two different treatments were also separated. These methods classify yeast cell hulls (YCH) according to strain, composition and treatment applied. Our results indicate that yeast hulls obtained by autolysis are less rich in proteins than those resulting from HPH treatment due to the high pressure that releases more proteins and exposes them on the surface of the cell wall. The composition of YCH at the extreme surface is similar to that found deeper in the wall.
Sustainable nurse‐led care for people with dementia including mild cognitive impairment and their family in an ambulatory care setting: A scoping review
Authors: Yamakawa Miyae , Kanamori Takuya , Fukahori Hiroki , Sakai Ikuko
Published: August 2021

Aims

This review aimed to determine the characteristics of a nurse‐led intervention for people with dementia including mild cognitive impairment and their family in an ambulatory care setting.

Background

Enhancing the role of nurses in a multidisciplinary team of ambulatory care follow‐up after a diagnosis of dementia is thought to lead to successful dementia care.

Design

This is a scoping review.

Data Sources

MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, Cochrane, JBI, Japan Medical Abstracts Society, PsycINFO and Web of Science were searched on 14 March 2019.

Review Methods

This scoping review was conducted using the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology, followed the PRISMA‐ScR checklist and considered studies that included interventions conducted by nurses and included outcomes regarding dementia symptoms or family care burden.

Results

Eleven studies were included. Of these, all interventions were multifactorial and reported effective results. Educational interventions were most common, and the content of education included the characteristics of dementia and how to interact with patients with dementia. The roles of nurses included caregiver education, assessment, care plan creation for continuous monitoring and team building.

Conclusion

This scoping review suggested that effective nurse‐led interventions in the ambulatory care of people with dementia are continuous patient and family supports, primarily caregiver education within multidisciplinary teams.
Memory CD8+ T cells exhibit tissue imprinting and non‐stable exposure‐dependent reactivation characteristics following blood‐stage Plasmodium berghei ANKA infections
Authors: Shaw Tovah N. , Haley Michael J. , Dookie Rebecca S. , Godfrey Jenna J. , Cheeseman Antonn J. , Strangward Patrick , Zeef Leo A. H. , Villegas‐Mendez Ana , Couper Kevin N.
Published: August 2021

Experimental cerebral malaria (ECM) is a severe complication of Plasmodium berghei ANKA (PbA) infection in mice, characterized by CD8+ T‐cell accumulation within the brain. Whilst the dynamics of CD8+ T‐cell activation and migration during extant primary PbA infection have been extensively researched, the fate of the parasite‐specific CD8+ T cells upon resolution of ECM is not understood. In this study, we show that memory OT‐I cells persist systemically within the spleen, lung and brain following recovery from ECM after primary PbA‐OVA infection. Whereas memory OT‐I cells within the spleen and lung exhibited canonical central memory (Tcm) and effector memory (Tem) phenotypes, respectively, memory OT‐I cells within the brain post‐PbA‐OVA infection displayed an enriched CD69+CD103− profile and expressed low levels of T‐bet. OT‐I cells within the brain were excluded from short‐term intravascular antibody labelling but were targeted effectively by longer‐term systemically administered antibodies. Thus, the memory OT‐I cells were extravascular within the brain post‐ECM but were potentially not resident memory cells. Importantly, whilst memory OT‐I cells exhibited strong reactivation during secondary PbA‐OVA infection, preventing activation of new primary effector T cells, they had dampened reactivation during a fourth PbA‐OVA infection. Overall, our results demonstrate that memory CD8+ T cells are systemically distributed but exhibit a unique phenotype within the brain post‐ECM, and that their reactivation characteristics are shaped by infection history. Our results raise important questions regarding the role of distinct memory CD8+ T‐cell populations within the brain and other tissues during repeat Plasmodium infections.
How RNA modifications regulate the antiviral response
Authors: Thompson Matthew G. , Sacco Matthew T. , Horner Stacy M.
Published: August 2021

Induction of the antiviral innate immune response is highly regulated at the RNA level, particularly by RNA modifications. Recent discoveries have revealed how RNA modifications play key roles in cellular surveillance of nucleic acids and in controlling gene expression in response to viral infection. These modifications have emerged as being essential for a functional antiviral response and maintaining cellular homeostasis. In this review, we will highlight these and other discoveries that describe how the antiviral response is controlled by modifications to both viral and cellular RNA, focusing on how mRNA cap modifications, N6‐methyladenosine, and RNA editing all contribute to coordinating an efficient response that properly controls viral infection.
Equity analysts' recommendation revisions and corporate bond price reactions
Authors: Wei Xiaoting , Do Viet
Published: August 2021

This paper analyzes bond price reactions to examine the information spillover from equity analysts' recommendation revisions into the bond market. We document a positive relation between bond price reactions and recommendation revisions. On average, bond prices react positively to recommendation upgrades and negatively to recommendation downgrades. The strongest reactions are observed among speculative‐grade bonds. While, on average, bond price movements are in the same direction as analysts' recommendation revisions, these revisions can also lead to bond price reactions in the opposite direction to share price reactions. We find evidence of negative bond return reactions relative to share price reactions among firms that are closer to distress, especially when they have high levels of institutional ownership or discretionary accruals. The negative relative price reaction between shares and bonds indicates that equity analyst recommendations sometimes carry security‐specific information.
Deformation‐resistant Ta0.2Hf0.8C solid‐solution ceramic with superior flexural strength at 2000°C
Authors: Demirskyi Dmytro , Borodianska Hanna , Nishimura Toshiyuki , Suzuki Tohru S. , Yoshimi Kyosuke , Vasylkiv Oleg
Published: August 2021

In this study, we explored the consolidation, solid‐solution formation and high‐temperature properties of tantalum hafnium carbide with the 1 TaC:4 HfC ratio, that is, Ta0.2Hf0.8C. Tantalum hafnium carbide bulks can be consolidated using spark‐plasma sintering only at temperatures exceeding 2200°C. The bulks prepared using a 40‐min dwell at 2200°C had the lattice parameter a = 4.571(9) Å. Based on the three‐point flexural tests, it was observed that the toughness and strength of Ta0.2Hf0.8C remained high at 2000°C (3.4 ± 0.4 MPa m1/2, 500 ± 20 MPa). At 2000°C, majority of carbides show a plastic behavior, but the strain‐stress curves of the SPSed Ta0.2Hf0.8C ceramic were linear. Using the shrinkage rate data during the SPS and the strain‐stress data from the high‐temperature flexure, we estimated the activation energies for the densification and flexure as 820 ± 20 kJ/mol and 1180 ± 120 kJ/mol, respectively.
Ultrasensitive self‐powered UV PDs via depolarization and heterojunction fields jointly enhanced carriers separation
Authors: Zhang Ying , Chen Jian , Zhang Qingfeng , Lu Yinmei , Huang Haitao , He Yunbin
Published: August 2021

In current semiconductor‐based self‐powered ultraviolet (UV) photodetectors (PDs), because the built‐in electric field only exits in the space‐charge region of p‐n junction or Schottky junction interfaces, the photo‐generated carriers can't be efficiently separated and thus the photoelectric response is low. To solve this issue, in this work, we design and fabricate new‐type Pb,La(Zr,Ti)O3 ferroelectrics/TiO2 semiconductors heterojunction self‐powered UV photodetectors. The results indicate that by introducing Pb,La(Zr,Ti)O3 ferroelectric layers, the photocurrent of the PDs is greatly improved and at a negative poling electric voltage, the device exhibits excellent self‐powered UV photoelectric properties with a large responsivity of 21 mA/W, high specific detectivity of 2.4 × 1011 Jones, and fast response speed (rise time of 2.4 ms, decay time of 3.2 ms). These values are far superior to those of all recently reported self‐powered UV PDs and their huge improvement is primarily because the depolarization field caused by the high remnant polarization of Pb,La(Zr,Ti)O3 and the built‐in electric field resulting from the heterojunction interfaces of the Pb,La(Zr,Ti)O3 and the TiO2 thin films jointly enhance the separation efficiency of photo‐generated electrons and holes. Besides, the heterojunction PDs also show good weak UV light detection ability. This work opens new avenue for designing and fabricating next‐generation self‐powered UV PDs by a simple, low‐cost, and easy to mass‐produce way.
How do older patients with chronic conditions view reading open visit notes?
Authors: DesRoches Catherine M. , Salmi Liz , Dong Zhiyong , Blease Charlotte
Published: August 2021

Background

We examine the experiences with and perceptions of the effect of reading clinical outpatient visit notes on patients with multiple chronic conditions at three healthcare organizations with significant experience sharing clinical notes with patients.

Methods

A cross‐sectional survey was conducted via patient portals at three diverse healthcare organizations in the United States: Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (Boston, MA), UW Medical Center (Seattle, WA), and Geisinger Health System (Danville, PA). Participants were aged 65 and older patient portal users who read at least one clinical note over the 12 months before the survey. We examined the effect of note reading on patient engagement and managing medications.

Results

The majority of respondents had read two or more clinical notes in the 12 months before the survey. Patients with more than two chronic conditions were more likely than those with fewer or none to report that reading their notes helped them remember their care plan, take their medications as prescribed, and understand and feel more in control of their medications. Very few patients reported feeling worried or confused about their health or medications due to reading their notes.

Conclusions

Older patients with chronic conditions are particularly vulnerable to misremembering and mismanaging their care and medication plans. Findings from this study suggest that these patients and their care partners could receive important benefits from accessing their notes. Healthcare organizations should work to maximize patient's engagement with their health information both through the patient portal and through other methods to ensure that patients and the healthcare systems reap the full benefit of the increased transparency of medical records.
MEC17‐induced α‐tubulin acetylation restores mitochondrial transport function and alleviates axonal injury after intracerebral hemorrhage in mice
Authors: Yang Yang , Chen Xuezhu , Feng Zhizhong , Cai Xianfeng , Zhu Xiaoming , Cao Ming , Yang Likun , Chen Yujie , Wang Yuhai , Feng Hua
Published: August 2021

Injury to long axonal projections is a central pathological feature at the early phase of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). It has been reported to contribute to persistent functional disability following ICH. However, the molecular mechanisms that drive axonal degeneration remain unclear. Autologous blood was injected into the striatum to mimic the pathology of ICH. Observed significant swollen axons with characteristic retraction bulbs were found around the striatal hematoma at 24 h after ICH. Electronic microscopic examination revealed highly disorganized microtubule and swollen mitochondria in the retraction bulbs. MEC17 is a specific α‐tubulin acetyltransferase, ablation of acetylated α‐tubulin in MEC17−/− mice aggravated axonal injury, axonal transport mitochondria dysfunction, and motor dysfunction. In contrast, treatment with tubastatin A (TubA), which promotes microtubule acetylation, significantly alleviated axonal injury and protected the integrity of the corticospinal tract and fine motor function after ICH. Moreover, results showed that 41% mitochondria were preferentially bundled to the acetylated α‐tubulin in identifiable axons and dendrites in primary neurons. This impaired axonal transport of mitochondria in primary neurons of MEC17−/− mice. Given that opening of mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP) induces mitochondrial dysfunction and impairs ATP supply thereby promoting axonal injury, we enhanced the availability of acetylated α‐tubulin using TubA and inhibited mPTP opening with cyclosporin A. The results indicated that this combined treatment synergistically protected corticospinal tract integrity and promoted fine motor control recovery. These findings reveal key intracellular mechanisms that drive axonal degeneration after ICH and highlight the need to target multiple factors and respective regulatory mechanisms as an effective approach to prevent axonal degeneration and motor dysfunction after ICH.

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Factors influencing self‐management among Indonesian patients with early‐stage chronic kidney disease: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Suarilah Ira , Lin Chiu‐Chu
Published: August 2021

Aims and objectives

The purpose of this study was to explore the self‐management of patients with early‐stage chronic kidney disease (CKD) and its influencing factors.

Methods

A convenient sample of 226 patients with early‐stage CKD was recruited from 63 Public Health Centers in Indonesia, from June to September 2020. Demographic characteristics, health literacy, illness perception, self‐efficacy and self‐management were assessed using self‐reported questionnaires. Stepwise multiple linear regression analysis was performed to identify the factors influencing self‐management. This study adhered to the EQUATOR checklist, STROBE.

Results

The mean estimated glomerular filtration rate was 63.45 ml/min/1.73 m2 (standard deviation [SD] = 15.34). The average scores for health literacy, illness perception, self‐efficacy and self‐management were 32.11 (SD = 4.46), 4.57 (SD = 1.46), 183.64 (SD = 38.23) and 76.92 (SD = 9.45), respectively. The influencing factors were education level, monthly income, family history of comorbidity, health literacy and self‐efficacy, which accounted for 45% of total self‐management score.

Conclusions

Indonesian patients with early‐stage CKD showed low level of health literacy, but positive illness perception and self‐efficacy; these factors significantly affected CKD self‐management. Health literacy was found to influence all dimensions of self‐management: self‐integration, problem‐solving, seeking social support and adherence to the recommended regimen.

Relevance to clinical practice

Adherence to the recommended regimen is the most challenging dimension of CKD self‐management. Health literacy was found to be a major determinant of self‐management. Improving health literacy and motivation of patients with early‐stage CKD may help sustain positive illness perception and self‐efficacy, and improve self‐management.
Signalling Strategies of Exporters on Internet Business‐to‐Business Platforms
Authors: Jean Ruey‐Jer “Bryan” , Kim Daekwan
Published: August 2021

The emergence of Internet business‐to‐business (B2B) platforms offers exporters an effective and low cost means to meet the needs of their foreign buyers. However, the online marketplace is noisy and crowded, and the information asymmetry between exporters and foreign buyers is significant. Little research has been done to investigate how exporters can best use these different platform services and their boundaries and conditions. Drawing on signalling theory, we categorize an exporter’s use of platform services as marketing‐ and trade‐risk‐focused services (less and more credible signals, respectively). We further investigate how these platform services influence export sales in different institutional environments, specifically exploring the moderating roles of formal and informal institutional distance between the home and host countries. We test our hypotheses using a unique dataset made up of survey and archival data on Chinese exporters’ using Alibaba.com. Findings indicate that using marketing‐ and trade‐risk‐focused services positively affect export sales performance. The effect, however, is contingent on the differences in the formal and informal institutional environments between home and host countries. Trade‐risk‐focused services are more pronounced under greater formal and informal institutional distance. In contrast, marketing‐focused services are less pronounced under greater informal institutional distance. Taken together, our findings extend signalling theory to an online and international context. We deepen our understanding of how firms can utilize online signals with different levels of credibility and of how differences of institutional environments differently impact their effectiveness. We also advance corporate strategy literature by highlighting the importance of geographic markets and institutional differences in shaping firm’s online signalling strategies.
PERSON‐SHAPED HOLES
Authors: Epstein‐Levi Rebecca J.
Published: August 2021

While much Jewish thought, culture, and professional ethics increasingly accommodate a range of gender roles and expressions, sexualities, and family structures, they also remain deeply pronatalist. This overwhelmingly frames reproduction as a core Jewish value and the choice not to bear or raise children as contrary to Jewish values. I argue that Jewish pronatalism masks the true extent to which the whole community must support the care and formation of all its generations. Through a counter‐reading of a passage from the Babylonian Talmud in which three sages neglect their wives and children in various ways that allow a careful reader to notice “person‐shaped holes”—narrative features whose presence implies various people’s nonparental labor—I argue that multiple people in multiple roles within a community make it possible to sustain its continuity in a robust and all‐encompassing way.
Natural interploidy hybridization among the key taxa involved in the origin of horticultural chrysanthemums
Authors: Qi Shuai , Twyford Alex D. , Ding Jun‐Yi , Borrell James S. , Wang Long‐Zhen , Ma Yue‐Ping , Wang Nian
Published: August 2021

Understanding hybridization and introgression between natural plant populations can give important insights into the origins of cultivated species. Recent studies suggest differences in ploidy might not create such strong reproductive barriers as once thought, and thus studies into cultivated origins should examine all co‐occurring taxa, including those with contrasting ploidy levels. Here, we characterized hybridization between Chrysanthemum indicum L., Chrysanthemum vestitum (Hemsley) Ling and Chrysanthemum vestitum var. latifolium (Zhou & Chen), the most important wild species involved in the origins of cultivated chrysanthemums. We analyzed the population structure of 317 Chrysanthemum accessions based on 13 microsatellite markers and sequenced chloroplast trnL‐trnF for a subset of 103 Chrysanthemum accessions. We identified three distinct genetic clusters, corresponding to the three taxa. We detected 20 hybrids between species of different ploidy levels, of which 19 were between C. indicum (4x) and C. vestitum (6x) and one was between C. indicum and C. vestitum var. latifolium (6x). Fourteen hybrids between C. indicum and C. vestitum were from one of the five study sites. Chrysanthemum vestitum and C. vestitum var. latifolium share only one chloroplast haplotype. The substantially different number of hybrids between hybridizing species was likely due to different levels of reproductive isolation coupled with environmental selection against hybrids. In addition, human activities could play a role in the different patterns of hybridization among populations.
A remarkable legion of guests: Diversity and host specificity of army ant symbionts
Authors: von Beeren Christoph , Blüthgen Nico , Hoenle Philipp O. , Pohl Sebastian , Brückner Adrian , Tishechkin Alexey K. , Maruyama Munetoshi , Brown Brian V. , Hash John M. , Hall W. E. , Kronauer Daniel J. C.
Published: August 2021

Tropical rainforests are among the most diverse biomes on Earth. While species inventories are far from complete for any tropical rainforest, even less is known about the intricate species interactions that form the basis of these ecological communities. One fascinating but poorly studied example are the symbiotic associations between army ants and their rich assemblages of parasitic arthropod guests. Hundreds of these guests, or myrmecophiles, have been taxonomically described. However, because previous work has mainly been based on haphazard collections from disjunct populations, it remains challenging to define species boundaries. We therefore know little about the species richness, abundance and host specificity of most guests in any given population, which is crucial to understand co‐evolutionary and ecological dynamics. Here, we report a quantitative community survey of myrmecophiles parasitizing the six sympatricEcitonarmy ant species in a Costa Rican rainforest. Combining DNA barcoding with morphological identification of over 2,000 specimens, we discovered 62 species, including 49 beetles, 11 flies, one millipede and one silverfish. At least 14 of these species were new to science. Ecological network analysis revealed a clear signal of host partitioning, and eachEcitonspecies was host to both specialists and generalists. These varying degrees in host specificities translated into a moderate level of network specificity, highlighting the system's level of biotic pluralism in terms of biodiversity and interaction diversity. By providing vouchered DNA barcodes for army ant guest species, this study provides a baseline for future work on co‐evolutionary and ecological dynamics in these species‐rich host–symbiont networks across the Neotropical realm.