bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ethical behavior perceptions in Russia: Do ethics‐related programs and individual characteristics matter?
Authors: Ermasova Natalia , Ermasova Polina
Published: June 2021

This paper aims to analyze how individual differences and ethics‐related programs predict Russian business students and working adults' perception of personal business ethics. This research evaluates the business ethics perceptions based on surveys of 1,207 managers, employees, and business students in Russia. This study finds the significant correlations between individual differences (gender, age, education level, and management experience), ethics‐related programs (business ethics courses taught in universities, ethics and diversity professional development training), and personal business ethics' perceptions of Russian business students and working adults. We also find that individual differences moderate the relationship between ethics‐related programs and how the personal business ethics of Russian business students and working adults are perceived. These findings advance current literature by revealing that age moderates the relationship between ethics‐related programs (formal ethic courses, ethics, and diversity trainings) and personal ethical behavior perceptions of working adults and business students in Russia. Our study found that gender had a significant positive moderating effect on relationship of organizational code of ethics, formal ethic courses, and diversity professional development with personal ethical behavior perceptions. The relation between personal ethical behavior perceptions and the presence of an organizational code of ethics was negative and marginally moderated by age and managerial experience. This study contributes to business ethics research by deepening the understanding of the impact of individual differences on the relationship between ethics‐related programs and personal business ethics' perceptions.
Heterogenous expression of endoglin marks advanced renal cancer with distinct tumor microenvironment fitness
Authors: Momoi Yusaku , Nishida Jun , Miyakuni Kosuke , Kuroda Masafumi , Kubota Shimpei I. , Miyazono Kohei , Ehata Shogo
Published: June 2021

Intratumoral heterogeneity, including in clear cell renal cell carcinoma, is a potential cause of drug resistance and metastatic cancer progression. We specified the heterogeneous population marked by endoglin (also known as CD105) in a preclinical model of clear cell renal cell carcinoma progression. Highly malignant derivatives of human clear cell renal cell carcinoma OS‐RC‐2 cells were established as OS5Ks by serial orthotopic inoculation in our previous study. Expression of both ENG (encoding endoglin) mRNA and protein were heterogeneously upregulated in OS5Ks, and the endoglin‐positive (ENG+) population exhibited growth dependency on endoglin in anchorage‐independent cultures. Despite the function of endoglin as a type III receptor, transforming growth factor β and bone morphogenetic protein‐9 signaling were unlikely to contribute to the proliferative phenotype. Although endoglin has been proposed as a marker for renal cancer‐initiating cells, the OS5K‐3 ENG+ population did not enrich other reported cancer‐initiating cell markers or differentiate into the ENG– population. Mouse tumor inoculation models revealed that the tumor‐forming capabilities of OS5K‐3 ENG+ and ENG– cells in vivo were highly dependent on the microenvironment, with the renal microenvironment most preferable to ENG+ cells. In conclusion, the renal microenvironment, rather than the hypothesized ENG+ cell‐centered hierarchy, maintains cellular heterogeneity in clear cell renal cell carcinoma. Therefore, the effect of the microenvironment should be considered when evaluating the proliferative capability of renal cancer cells in the experimental settings.
Cognition and psychopathology in autoimmune encephalitides: A focus on risk factors and patient outcomes
Authors: Griffith Sarah P. , Malpas Charles B. , Kyndt Chris , Alpitsis Rubina , O’Brien Terence J. , Monif Mastura
Published: June 2021

Neurocognitive compromise, neuropsychiatric symptoms and psychopathology are all evident in the acute stages of autoimmune encephalitides. These factors considerably affect functional independence after discharge. Drawing on psychometric assessments and qualitative descriptions, this review explores the nature, extent and diagnosis of cognitive disorder in autoimmune encephalitides. Potential pathophysiological and neuroanatomical architecture related to neurocognitive compromise in the acute and chronic stages of this illness is examined. In regard to outcomes, the review highlights clinicodemographic factors currently known to be associated with poorer cognitive outcome. Finally, the review delves into neuropsychiatric symptomology and psychological concerns that should be considered at diagnosis and during follow up of these patients.
Intraocular metastases of lung origin: Case reports and cytology correlates
Authors: Amer Hoda Zeinab M. , Cebulla Colleen M. , Li Zaibo , Shen Rulong
Published: June 2021

Intraocular metastases from the lung are a common occurrence and an important differential for cytopathologists reading fine needle aspiration biopsies (FNAB). It is a particularly challenging diagnosis when the patient has had no previous diagnosis of lung cancer. We present two cases of intraocular metastases from lung primaries, and we discuss the clinical, radiological, and cytopathological features that help differentiate intraocular metastases of lung primary from other intraocular tumours, in the setting of FNAB. We also discuss the importance of recognising the spectrum of FNAB cases that can be seen specific to an institution, which may vary according to different patient populations. A thorough metastatic workup and ancillary testing, such as IHC or molecular genetics, ensures an accurate diagnosis.
Muscle regeneration in spastic muscles of children with cerebral palsy
Authors: Vainzof Mariz , Gurgel‐Giannetti Juliana
Published: June 2021

This commentary is on the original article by Robinson et al. on pages 1213–1220 of this issue.
Permanent loss of independence in adult febrile‐infection‐related epilepsy syndrome survivors: an underestimated and unsolved challenge
Authors: Nass Robert Daniel , Taube Julia , Bauer Tobias , Rüber Theodor , Surges Rainer , Helmstaedter Christoph
Published: June 2021

Background and purpose

Febrile‐infection‐related epilepsy syndrome (FIRES) is an exceedingly rare and devastating subtype of new‐onset refractory status epilepticus, which causes refractory epilepsy and permanent neurocognitive impairment.

Methods

This was a long‐term follow‐up of adult FIRES survivors treated between 2005 and 2018 as part of the EpiCARE initiative, a European Reference Network for rare and complex epilepsies. Clinical, electroencephalography, imaging and functional outcome measures are described using the Scores of Independence for Neurologic and Geriatric Rehabilitation, the modified Rankin Scale and the Global Assessment of Severity of Epilepsy Scale.

Results

Six patients with refractory epilepsy following FIRES were evaluated. Despite general improvement after intensive care unit discharge, disease severity was still high at follow‐up in all patients. The functional outcome, as assessed by the modified Rankin Scale, was moderately impaired in 2/6 patients. In contrast, the Scores of Independence for Neurologic and Geriatric Rehabilitation indicated a loss of independence in 5/6, serious problems in memory and planning/problem‐solving in 4/6 and serious attentional problems in 3/6 patients.

Conclusions

Febrile‐infection‐related epilepsy syndrome survivors may regain vital functions and mobility but experience a significant loss of independence and participation due to recurring seizures, structural brain damage and neurocognitive decline. Minimization of disastrous outcomes through the systematic evaluation of rescue therapies within a network of specialized centres is crucial.
Marine food web perspective to fisheries‐induced evolution
Authors: Hočevar Sara , Kuparinen Anna
Published: June 2021

Fisheries exploitation can cause genetic changes in heritable traits of targeted stocks. The direction of selective pressure forced by harvest acts typically in reverse to natural selection and selects for explicit life histories, usually for younger and smaller spawners with deprived spawning potential. While the consequences that such selection might have on the population dynamics of a single species are well emphasized, we are just beginning to perceive the variety and severity of its propagating effects within the entire marine food webs and ecosystems. Here, we highlight the potential pathways in which fisheries‐induced evolution, driven by size‐selective fishing, might resonate through globally connected systems. We look at: (i) how a size truncation may induce shifts in ecological niches of harvested species, (ii) how a changed maturation schedule might affect the spawning potential and biomass flow, (iii) how changes in life histories can initiate trophic cascades, (iv) how the role of apex predators may be shifting and (v) whether fisheries‐induced evolution could codrive species to depletion and biodiversity loss. Globally increasing effective fishing effort and the uncertain reversibility of eco‐evolutionary change induced by fisheries necessitate further research, discussion and precautionary action considering the impacts of fisheries‐induced evolution within marine food webs.
Regulation of innate immune responses by cell death‐associated caspases during virus infection
Authors: Fang Yujie , Peng Ke
Published: June 2021

Viruses are obligate intracellular pathogens that rely on cellular machinery for successful replication and dissemination. The host cells encode a number of different strategies to sense and restrict the invading viral pathogens. Caspase‐mediated programmed cell death pathways that are triggered by virus infection, such as apoptosis and pyroptosis, provide a means for the infected cells to limit viral proliferation, leading to suicidal cell death (apoptosis) or lytic cell death and alerting uninfected cells to mount anti‐viral responses (pyroptosis). However, some viruses can employ activated caspases to dampen the anti‐viral responses and facilitate viral replication through cleavage of critical molecules of the innate immune pathways. The regulation of innate immune responses by caspase activation during virus infection has recently become an important topic. In this review, we briefly introduce the characteristics of different classes of caspases and the cell death pathways regulated by these caspases. We then describe how viruses trigger or dampen caspase activation during infection and how these activated caspases regulate three major innate immune response pathways of viral infections: the retinoic acid‐inducible gene I‐like receptor, toll‐like receptor and cyclic GMP‐AMP synthase‐stimulator of interferon genes pathways.
Functional implications of residues of the B′ motif of geminivirus replication initiator protein in its helicase activity
Authors: Ruhel Rajrani , Mazumder Mohit , Gnanasekaran Prabu , Kumar Manish , Gourinath Samudrala , Chakraborty Supriya
Published: June 2021

Geminivirus replication initiator protein (Rep) is a multifunctional viral protein required for replication. During the process of viral replication, Rep acts as a site‐ and strand‐specific endonuclease, ligase, ATPase, and helicase. B' motif and β‐hairpin loop of the geminivirus Rep are conserved and important for Rep‐mediated helicase activity required for viral replication. To dissect the roles of various amino acid residues of the B' motif and β‐hairpin loop of the geminivirus Rep helicase in its process of unwinding DNA, we investigated eight conserved residues near the ATP active site or the ssDNA contact channel. Our strategy was to mutate these residues to alanines and investigate the effects of these mutations on various biochemical activities associated with DNA unwinding. We looked into the ATP binding, ATP hydrolysis, DNA binding, and DNA unwinding activities of the wild‐type and mutant Rep proteins. These investigations showed four residues (Arg279, Asp280, Tyr287, and Pro290) affecting the DNA unwinding activity. A structural model analysis confirmed the B' loop and ssDNA binding loop to be connected through a β‐hairpin structure, suggesting that changes on one loop might affect the other and that these residues function by acting in concert. Viral genomes containing Rep proteins having these mutations in the B' motif did not replicate in planta. Taken together, these results indicated all four residues to be implicated in helicase activity mediated by Rep and demonstrated the significance, for viral replication, of the B' motif and β‐hairpin loop of the C‐terminal region of the Rep protein.
Oncogenic dysregulation of pre‐mRNA processing by protein kinases: challenges and therapeutic opportunities
Authors: Naro Chiara , Bielli Pamela , Sette Claudio
Published: June 2021

Alternative splicing and polyadenylation represent two major steps in pre‐mRNA‐processing, which ensure proper gene expression and diversification of human transcriptomes. Deregulation of these processes contributes to oncogenic programmes involved in the onset, progression and evolution of human cancers, which often result in the acquisition of resistance to existing therapies. On the other hand, cancer cells frequently increase their transcriptional rate and develop a transcriptional addiction, which imposes a high stress on the pre‐mRNA‐processing machinery and establishes a therapeutically exploitable vulnerability. A prominent role in fine‐tuning pre‐mRNA‐processing mechanisms is played by three main families of protein kinases: serine arginine protein kinase (SRPK), CDC‐like kinase (CLK) and cyclin‐dependent kinase (CDK). These kinases phosphorylate the RNA polymerase, splicing factors and regulatory proteins involved in cleavage and polyadenylation of the nascent transcripts. The activity of SRPKs, CLKs and CDKs can be altered in cancer cells, and their inhibition was shown to exert anticancer effects. In this review, we describe key findings that have been reported on these topics and discuss challenges and opportunities of developing therapeutic approaches targeting splicing factor kinases.
Polygenic risk scores for alcohol involvement relate to brain structure in substance‐naïve children: Results from the ABCD study
Authors: Hatoum Alexander S. , Johnson Emma C. , Baranger David A. A. , Paul Sarah E. , Agrawal Arpana , Bogdan Ryan
Published: June 2021

Brain imaging‐derived structural correlates of alcohol involvement have largely been speculated to arise as a consequence of alcohol exposure. However, they may also reflect predispositional risk. In substance naïve children of European ancestry who completed the baseline session of the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study (n = 3013), mixed‐effects models estimated whether polygenic risk scores (PRS) for problematic alcohol use (PAU‐PRS) and drinks per week (DPW‐PRS) are associated with magnetic resonance imaging‐derived brain structure phenotypes (i.e., total and regional: cortical thickness, surface area and volume; subcortical volume; white matter volume, fractional anisotropy, mean diffusivity). Follow‐up analyses evaluated whether any identified regions were also associated with polygenic risk among substance naïve children of African ancestry (n = 898). After adjustment for multiple testing correction, polygenic risk for PAU was associated with lower volume of the left frontal pole and greater cortical thickness of the right supramarginal gyrus (|βs| > 0.009; ps < 0.001; psfdr < 0.046; r2s < 0.004). PAU PRS and DPW PRS showed nominally significant associations with a host of other regional brain structure phenotypes (e.g., insula surface area and volume). None of these regions showed any, even nominal association among children of African ancestry. Genomic liability to alcohol involvement may manifest as variability in brain structure during middle childhood prior to alcohol use initiation. Broadly, alcohol‐related variability in brain morphometry may partially reflect predisposing genomic influence. Larger discovery genome‐wide association studies and target samples of diverse ancestries are needed to determine whether observed associations may generalize across ancestral origins.
Annual precipitation explains variability in dryland vegetation greenness globally but not locally
Authors: Ukkola Anna M. , De Kauwe Martin G. , Roderick Michael L. , Burrell Arden , Lehmann Peter , Pitman Andy J.
Published: June 2021

Dryland vegetation productivity is strongly modulated by water availability. As precipitation patterns and variability are altered by climate change, there is a pressing need to better understand vegetation responses to precipitation variability in these ecologically fragile regions. Here we present a global analysis of dryland sensitivity to annual precipitation variations using long‐term records of normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI). We show that while precipitation explains 66% of spatial gradients in NDVI across dryland regions, precipitation only accounts for <26% of temporal NDVI variability over most (>75%) dryland regions. We observed this weaker temporal relative to spatial relationship between NDVI and precipitation across all global drylands. We confirmed this result using three alternative water availability metrics that account for water loss to evaporation, and growing season and precipitation timing. This suggests that predicting vegetation responses to future rainfall using space‐for‐time substitution will strongly overestimate precipitation control on interannual variability in aboveground growth. We explore multiple mechanisms to explain the discrepancy between spatial and temporal responses and find contributions from multiple factors including local‐scale vegetation characteristics, climate and soil properties. Earth system models (ESMs) from the latest Coupled Model Intercomparison Project overestimate the observed vegetation sensitivity to precipitation variability up to threefold, particularly during dry years. Given projections of increasing meteorological drought, ESMs are likely to overestimate the impacts of future drought on dryland vegetation with observations suggesting that dryland vegetation is more resistant to annual precipitation variations than ESMs project.
Responses of soil organic carbon stock to animal manure application: A new global synthesis integrating the impacts of agricultural managements and environmental conditions
Authors: Li Binzhe , Song He , Cao Wenchao , Wang Yajing , Chen Jingsheng , Guo Jingheng
Published: June 2021

Enhancing soil organic carbon (SOC) through applying animal manure is of interest for both sustaining cereal production and mitigating greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Previous syntheses showed that manuring‐induced SOC changes varied substantially with agricultural managements and environmental conditions, while their significance and relative importance to such variability are still largely uncertain. Here, we presented a new synthesis using an updated and balanced database integrating the manuring‐induced SOC stock changes and their plausible explanatory factors in 250 observations at global 120 sites. Manure application increased SOC stock by 7.41 ± 1.14 (95% confidence interval, CI) and 8.96 ± 1.83 (95% CI) Mg C ha−1, respectively, compared to their mineral fertilized (REF‐min) and unfertilized (REF‐zero) references. Of which approx. 72% and 34% were directly contributed by manure‐C input, respectively. Following the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) approach, these changes corresponded to the manuring‐induced SOC change factors of 1.27 ± 0.04 (95% CI) and 1.40 ± 0.08 (95% CI), respectively. Basing on a balanced database, we identified the amount of manure‐C input as the most important factor to the global variations in the resultant SOC stock changes. More importantly, our integrative analysis distinguished the significance of soil properties (e.g., soil pH and initial SOC content) in regulating the efficiency of manure application in enhancing SOC stock. These results indicate that, at the similar rate, applying manure could sequestrate much more carbon in alkaline soils than in neutral and acidic soils. By integrating the impacts of agricultural managements and environmental conditions, our findings would help to develop region‐specific tailor‐made manure application measures in agriculture and to refine the SOC change factors for regional GHG inventories.
Discriminating the biophysical signal from human‐induced effects on long‐term primary production dynamics. The case of Patagonia
Authors: Irisarri J. Gonzalo N. , Texeira Marcos , Oesterheld Martín , Verón Santiago R. , Della Nave Facundo , Paruelo José M.
Published: June 2021

The temporal trend of aboveground net primary production (ANPP) is frequently used to estimate the effect of humans on ecosystems. In water‐limited ecosystems, like most grazing areas in the world, the effect of humans act upon ANPP in combination with environmental variations. Our main objective was to quantify long‐term (1981–2012) changes of ANPP and discriminate the causes of these changes between environmental and human at a subcontinental scale, across vast areas of Patagonia. We estimated ANPP through a radiative model based on remote sensing data. Then, we evaluated the relation between ANPP and environmental interannual variations of two hierarchically related factors: El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) through the Southern Oscillation Index (SOI), and precipitation. We described the effect of humans through the shape of the temporal trends of the residuals (RESTREND) of the environmental model and quantified human relative impact through the RESTREND: ANPP trend ratio. ANPP interannual variation was significantly explained by ENSO (through SOI) and precipitation in 65% of the study area. The SOI had a positive association with annual precipitation. The association between ANPP and annual precipitation was positive. RESTREND analysis was statistically significant in 92% of the area where the tested environmental model worked, representing 60% of the study area, and it was mostly negative. However, its magnitude, revealed through the RESTREND: ANPP trend ratio, was relatively mild. Our analysis revealed that most of ANPP trends were associated with climate and that even when human density is low, its incidence seems to be mainly negative.
Methane production and oxidation potentials along a fen‐bog gradient from southern boreal to subarctic peatlands in Finland
Authors: Zhang Hui , Tuittila Eeva‐Stiina , Korrensalo Aino , Laine Anna M. , Uljas Salli , Welti Nina , Kerttula Johanna , Maljanen Marja , Elliott David , Vesala Timo , Lohila Annalea
Published: June 2021

Methane (CH4) emissions from northern peatlands are projected to increase due to climate change, primarily because of projected increases in soil temperature. Yet, the rates and temperature responses of the two CH4 emission‐related microbial processes (CH4 production by methanogens and oxidation by methanotrophs) are poorly known. Further, peatland sites within a fen‐bog gradient are known to differ in the variables that regulate these two mechanisms, yet the interaction between peatland type and temperature lacks quantitative understanding. Here, we investigated potential CH4 production and oxidation rates for 14 peatlands in Finland located between c. 60 and 70°N latitude, representing bogs, poor fens, and rich fens. Potentials were measured at three different temperatures (5, 17.5, and 30℃) using the laboratory incubation method. We linked CH4 production and oxidation patterns to their methanogen and methanotroph abundance, peat properties, and plant functional types. We found that the rich fen‐bog gradient‐related nutrient availability and methanogen abundance increased the temperature response of CH4 production, with rich fens exhibiting the greatest production potentials. Oxidation potential showed a steeper temperature response than production, which was explained by aerenchymous plant cover, peat water holding capacity, peat nitrogen, and sulfate content. The steeper temperature response of oxidation suggests that, at higher temperatures, CH4 oxidation might balance increased CH4 production. Predicting net CH4 fluxes as an outcome of the two mechanisms is complicated due to their different controls and temperature responses. The lack of correlation between field CH4 fluxes and production/oxidation potentials, and the positive correlation with aerenchymous plants points toward the essential role of CH4 transport for emissions. The scenario of drying peatlands under climate change, which is likely to promote Sphagnum establishment over brown mosses in many places, will potentially reduce the predicted warming‐related increase in CH4 emissions by shifting rich fens to Sphagnum‐dominated systems.
Transcriptomic exploration of a high sucrose mutant in comparison with the low sucrose mother genotype in sugarcane during sugar accumulating stage
Authors: Khan Qaisar , Chen Jiao‐Yun , Zeng Xu‐Peng , Qin Ying , Guo Dao‐Jun , Mahmood Amir , Yang Li‐Tao , Liang Qiang , Song Xiu‐Peng , Xing Yong‐Xiu , Li Yang‐Rui
Published: June 2021

Sugarcane (Saccharum spp. hybrid) is a noteworthy crop in the world for sugar and bioenergy production. In the present study, transcriptomic analysis was steered for a high sucrose mutant Guixuan B9 (GXB9) and the low sucrose mother genotype B9 of sugarcane during sugar accumulating stage. A total of 112,170 unigenes were obtained, and 106,026 (94.52%) were annotated by using the available public databases nonredundant, Gene ontology, COG, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes, Swiss‐Prot, and Pfam. Functional assignment analysis of unigenes exhibited that they were active in a diversity of metabolic pathways. The vital unigenes for sucrose metabolism and accumulation were relatively characterized in the immature internodes (int. 5, 6) and maturing internodes (int. 13, 14) of GXB9 in comparison with B9. The differentially expressed unigenes (DEGs) encoding sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS, EC2.4.1.14), sucrose synthase (SuSy, EC2.4.1.13), and invertase (EC3.2.1.26), which are the vital enzymes functioning in the biosynthesis and splitting of sucrose, in the internodal tissues were revealed by using Illumina Hiseq 2000 platform, and verified by quantitative reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction analysis. The DEGs encoding SPS proteins SPS1, SPS2, SPS4, and SPS5 were upregulated in the maturing internodes of GXB9 compared with B9. The DEGs encoding SuSy proteins were majorly upregulated in the immature internodes of GXB9, and those encoding the enzymes involved in trehalose synthesis were downregulated in GXB9 compared with B9. The results in this study have revealed the opportunities for future sugarcane improvement by concentrating on the DEGs linked to sucrose metabolic pathways by applying omics technologies.
How much land does bioenergy require? An assessment for land‐scarce Switzerland
Authors: Bowman Gillianne , Burg Vanessa , Erni Matthias , Lemm Renato , Thees Oliver , Björnsen Gurung Astrid
Published: June 2021

To reduce greenhouse gas emissions, countries need to transform their energy system by increasing the share of renewable energies. For years, the use of fossil fuels meant devoting little land area to energy provision. As renewables require much more space, the relationship between renewable energy and land area becomes highly relevant. In this context, land scarcity is an important challenge, especially for densely populated countries. The power density concept, describing the relationship between energy carrier and area used for its production in W/m2, can aid decision‐making for resources allocation. Bioenergy plays a key role in the energy transition due to its diverse applications. Here, we assess how much area it takes to generate, transport and process various biomass types for energy purposes. We differentiate between 10 biomass types, determining area requirement (m2) and energy input (kWh) for each process along the supply chain. Using the whole sustainable biomass available requires >0.1% of Switzerland's land area (31 km2). Particularly for waste biomass, the area required for energy is negligible. Power densities vary widely within and between biomass types. Taking the average between minimum and maximum, they are highest for coniferous protection forest against natural hazards 114 W/m2 (22–267 W/m2) and green waste 96 W/m2 (26–176 W/m2). All of these are lower than literature values for fossil fuels (>1000 W/m2). However, sustainable power densities including compensatory land for greenhouse gas emissions are higher for biomass (average 2.4 W/m2, maximum 14.4 W/m2) than for fossil fuels (natural gas 0.9 W/m2, coal 0.2 W/m2). Estimating land requirement and power density facilitates weighing up whether and to what degree different biomass types should be used for energy.
Neighbourhood change and spatial inequalities in Cape Town
Authors: Lloyd Christopher D. , Bhatti Saad , McLennan David , Noble Michael , Mans Gerbrand
Published: June 2021

Capturing the dynamics of population change in urban areas necessitates access to geographically fine‐grained and temporally consistent data for several time points. Such data are generally not available and they must be created using standard population data which cannot usually be compared across time periods. In this paper, the focus is on changing spatial inequalities in Cape Town, South Africa. This paper details an approach to generation of gridded population counts (250 m by 250 m) for two census years – 2001 and 2011. Census data for Small Area Layers (SALs), Spot Building Count (SBC) data, and Open Street Map (OSM) landuse data were used to construct a grid of populated cells to which population counts are then reallocated. The reallocation of population counts from SALs to grid cells was undertaken using area‐to‐point kriging – an approach which is informed by the spatial variation in the population groups of interest as measured using the variogram. A case study based on population grids of unemployment rates shows how the grids can be used to chart changes and also to measure spatial inequalities across the city at two time points. The advantages of grids for capturing fine‐scale complexities and correctly accounting for physical separation between communities are demonstrated and the results show, while the broad patterns of inequality are consistent across time, there are pronounced increases in inequalities in some neighbourhoods. These areas – and what leads some areas to fall further behind – should be the subject of attention by policy‐makers.
Xenotime at the Nanoscale: U‐Pb Geochronology and Optimisation of Analyses by Atom Probe Tomography
Authors: Joseph Cilva , Fougerouse Denis , Saxey David W. , Verberne Rick , Reddy Steven M. , Rickard William D. A.
Published: June 2021

Xenotime (YPO4) is an accessory phase common in low to high‐temperature geological environments. Xenotime is an established geochronometer, though its small size, low modal abundance and textural complexity make it more difficult to analyse with traditional techniques but makes a prime candidate for nanoscale analysis. In this study, we develop an atom probe tomography (APT) protocol to determine the 206Pb/238U and 207Pb/206Pb ages of micro‐scale xenotime crystals with analytical volumes four to six orders of magnitude smaller than typical geochronology techniques. A linear correlation between the 206Pb/238U fractionation and 238UO22+/238UO2+ was used to correct for the atom probe instrument parameters variability between specimens. For 207Pb/206Pb ages, we employed two methods of background correction owing to the 206Pb2+ thermal tail contribution to the 207Pb2+ counts: A constant background correction for the younger (˜ 1000 Ma) Y1 reference material and a variable correction of background for Archaean age reference material xtc to correct for the thermal tail influence. This contribution also proposes strategies for optimisation of xenotime analysis using APT and permits us to explore the various geological problems in the nanoscale realm. This methodology potentially allows determining the age of small xenotime crystals in sedimentary rocks, low metamorphic grade settings and deformation microstructures.
Gender inequality in an “Equal” environment
Authors: Caven Valerie , Navarro Astor Elena , Urbanavičienė Vita
Published: June 2021

Lithuania, as a part of the former Soviet Union, has a long‐standing history of perceived equality for women in the workplace. Women played an equal role in economic production as it was a constitutional expectation that all citizens had both a right and an obligation to work. Consequently, at the time of independence in 1990 the levels of participation of women in the workplace including at managerial and professional levels were much higher than other western European countries. In architecture, women achieved parity in terms of numbers, but this equality did not transfer into all aspects of economic activity. Drawing on qualitative survey and interview data from 31 Lithuanian women architects, our findings show, despite the historical emphasis on equality, the existence of a “critical mass” of women in the profession and the adoption of EU gender equality policy, the position of women remains poor with clear evidence of sex discrimination, harassment, and lack of opportunities for career advancement.
Monitoring of von Willebrand factor inhibitors in patients with type 3 von Willebrand disease using a quantitative assay
Authors: Miller Connie H.
Published: June 2021

Background

Antibodies inhibiting von Willebrand factor (VWF) develop in a subset of patients with type 3 von Willebrand disease (VWD3) and may be detected by their inhibition of ristocetin cofactor activity (VWF:RCo). Some also inhibit factor VIII activity (VIII:C).

Aim

To describe monitoring of ten VWD3 patients for VWF inhibitors using a quantitative assay.

Methods

VWF inhibitor was measured by comparing VWF:RCo activity of a mix of patient and pooled normal plasma (PNP) with a mix of buffer and PNP, using agglutination of fixed normal platelets in microtiter plates or lyophilized platelets in an aggregometer. VIII:C inhibitor was measured by Bethesda assay. Preanalytical heat treatment of patient plasma was used during treatment episodes.

Results

Four of 10 patients monitored developed VWF inhibitors, two detected during bleeding episodes refractory to treatment and two on routine screening. Data from the first five patients were used to establish an arbitrary unit, VWU, defined as the amount of inhibitor per millilitre of patient plasma inactivating 25% of the activity of 1 mL of PNP. In three of four patients, both VWF:RCo and VIIII:C were inhibited at some time points, although VIII:C inhibition sometimes disappeared. In one patient, no VIII:C inhibition was seen. Two patients remained inhibitor positive more than 15 years after inhibitor detection, one became negative following immune tolerance induction, and one was deceased.

Conclusions

VWF inhibitors can be quantitatively monitored in VWD3 patients. Preanalytical heat treatment may be required for their detection post infusion.
How do calorie‐ending and price‐ending matter in the food consumption decision making?
Authors: Kim Jihye , Kim Minseong
Published: June 2021

This study conducted two experiments to investigate the relationship among calorie‐ending, health motivation, price‐ending and desire to save money from food consumption. For Study 1, an online experiment employing a 2 (culinary tour advertisement: up to 1,999 calories per day vs. up to 2,000 calories per day) × 2 (health motivation: high or low) between‐subjects design was conducted. For Study 2, an online experiment employing a 2 (price‐ending: 1,999 calories culinary tour at $60.00 vs. 1,999 calories culinary tour at $59.99) × 2 (health motivation: high or low) × 2 (level of desire to save money: high or low) between‐subjects design was conducted. Study 1’s findings indicated that highly health‐motivated consumers are more likely to purchase a culinary tour with 1,999 calories and feel anticipated guilt for participating in a culinary tour with 2,000 calories. Study 2 found a significant three‐way interaction between health motivation, desire to save money from consumption and price‐ending with odd‐ending calories via a three‐way ANOVA. The findings revealed a statistically significant, simple two‐way interaction between health motivation and desire to save money from consumption of the 1,999 calories culinary tour at $59.99, but not for the 1,999 calories culinary tour at $60.00. Foodservice marketers need to use calorie information based on the left‐digit or level effect, to lead consumers to simultaneously reduce a level of anticipated guilt for purchasing the culinary tour and enjoy the provided foods and drinks.
Measuring residual anti‐Xa activity of direct factor Xa inhibitors after reversal with andexanet alfa
Authors: Bourdin Matthieu , Perrotin Delphine , Mathieu Olivier , Herve Tristan , Depasse François , Lu Genmin , Conley Pamela B. , Contant Geneviève
Published: June 2021

Introduction

Andexanet alfa (AnXa) was developed for anticoagulant effect reversal of direct factor Xa inhibitors (DXaI) (apixaban, rivaroxaban, edoxaban) in emergency situations. Regular anti‐Xa assays are not suitable to evaluate anti‐Xa activity after AnXa administration because of the high sample dilution resulting in the AnXa‐DXaI dissociation which gives inaccurately high DXaI measured concentrations. This study aimed at developing dedicated STA‐Liquid anti‐Xa test set‐ups for accurately measuring DXaI after reversal with AnXa.

Methods

Modified anti‐Xa test set‐ups, with reduced sample dilution, were developed to overcome regular assays limitations and to improve measured accuracy with results comparable to Portola microplate reference method used in clinical studies. Both regular and optimized assays were used to measure DXaI concentration in AnXa‐containing samples. Quality controls, normal pooled plasma spiked with five DXaI and three AnXa concentrations, samples from DXaI‐treated patients spiked with AnXa and ex vivo healthy volunteers having received both DXaI and AnXa were used.

Results

The lower limit of quantitation of optimized anti‐Xa assays was <10 ng/mL with CVs ≤10%. DXaI samples containing 300 ng/mL and 1 µmol/L AnXa resulted in DXaI residual concentrations of 29‐72 ng/mL depending on the DXaI (76%‐90% reversal), compared to 20‐28 ng/mL with reference method (92%‐94% reversal) and 135‐165 ng/mL with regular assays (about 50% reversal).

Conclusion

Modified test set‐ups are automated alternative to reference method with improved precision and reproducibility. They can be run in all laboratories where regular anti‐Xa assays are performed using commercially available reagents.
Prevalence, causes and associated mortality of hypercalcaemia in modern hospital care
Authors: Thillainadesan Senthil , Twigg Stephen M. , Perera Nimalie
Published: June 2021

Background

Studies examining hypercalcaemia in inpatients were largely published over 20 years ago, and it is likely the epidemiology of hypercalcaemia has changed related to increased lifespan and changes in the prevalence of the underlying causes such as malignancy.

Aim

To explore the epidemiology of hypercalcaemia in a modern tertiary hospital setting in Australia and evaluate the risk of mortality associated with hypercalcaemia.

Methods

A retrospective study was performed in all inpatients with elevated blood calcium levels admitted from July 2013 to June 2018. ICD coding data identified primary diagnoses and mortality. Electronic medical records were reviewed in n = 292 patients admitted across 12 months from January to December 2017, to determine the causes of hypercalcaemia.

Results

Hypercalcaemia occurred in 1819 admissions (0.93% of all hospital admissions), during the 5‐year period. The admission primary diagnoses were: malignancy (20% of cases), cardiovascular disease (17%) and gastrointestinal disease (11%). The top causes of hypercalcaemia among the 292 cases where electronic records were reviewed were malignancy (26%), primary hyperparathyroidism (25%) and hyperparathyroidism in the setting of chronic kidney disease (12%). Mortality occurred in 17% of these admissions. Non‐survivors had significantly higher calcium levels, phosphate and white cell count, and had lower haemoglobin and albumin levels.

Conclusion

Hypercalcaemia occurred in ~1% of admissions with main causes being malignancy and primary hyperparathyroidism, similar to historical studies. Hypercalcaemia in hospitalised patients is associated with high mortality and higher levels may be a marker for more severe underlying disease.
Design and implementation of flexible advanced training in rheumatology: report of a pilot programme
Authors: Anandacoomarasamy Ananthila , Richards Bethan , Ward Louise , Langford Kiri , Wallace Genevieve , Sinclair Tim , Anderson Teresa , Barnsley Les
Published: June 2021

Background

Training in medicine is highly demanding and coincides with critical life tasks including relationship development, childbearing and rearing. The rigid requirements of training programmes risk precluding successful achievement of these extracurricular roles, forcing choices between work and other life commitments. Flexible employment structures that facilitate the development of high‐quality physicians are needed.

Aim

To assess the outcomes of 2 novel flexible training positions in Rheumatology.

Methods

The clinical department, trainees and senior administration designed flexible, part‐time advanced training positions in rheumatology. We sought to deliver excellent training, supervision and support while ensuring safe, efficient clinical service delivery within existing systems and cultures. Barriers to implementation were actively identified. We rejected job share arrangements in favour of independent part‐time positions anchored to departmental education, clinical and trainee needs. The outcomes of these positions have been determined through regular trainee meetings, clinic activity and costs.

Results

Trainees achieved all training requirements, reported high levels of job satisfaction, strong professional development, improved work−life balance and reduction of stress. Outpatient events increased and waiting times have decreased. We estimate that increased rebatable outpatient services have rendered the positions cost neutral.

Conclusion

Flexible training positions can enhance clinical departments while enabling high‐quality training for junior doctors. Further work should consider longer term outcomes and application to different clinical and training settings.
Understanding the decision‐making in small‐scale beef cattle herd management through a mathematical programming model
Authors: Hlavatý Robert , Krejčí Igor , Houška Milan , Moulis Pavel , Rydval Jan , Pitrová Jana , Pilař Ladislav , Horáková Tereza , Tichá Ivana
Published: June 2021

We address the issue of managing beef herds from the perspective of small‐scale farmers and propose an optimization model applicable to the conditions of the Czech Republic. Our research focused on optimization under existing system conditions with established procedures. We present a linear programming model of beef herd development over a 10‐year period that considers the limited capacity of small‐scale farms. The key decision‐making variables represent the acquisition of heifers and the selection of heifers for fattening and breeding. For 102 selected scenarios, we demonstrate the impact of proper heifer acquisition and farmers’ profit sensitivity on the key parameters. For the key parameters, we identify thresholds that determine the sustainability of small‐scale Czech beef farms. The proposed model demonstrates the crucial impact of subsidies on the profitability of beef farms. A 24% decrease in subsidies is shown to be the threshold at which a farmer's optimal strategy is to leave the market.
Psoriasis: Embarking a dynamic shift in the skin microbiota
Authors: Gupta Mrinal , Weinberg Jeffrey M. , Yamauchi Paul S. , Patil Anant , Grabbe Stephan , Goldust Mohamad
Published: June 2021

Recent interest has arisen regarding the role of microbiome and its composition in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. Numerous studies have shown that there are alterations in skin flora arrangement between normal individuals and psoriatic patients. Psoriasis exacerbation could be interconnected with epidermal or mucosal colonization with streptococci, Malassezia, Staphylococcus aureus, or Candida albicans. The role of cutaneous and gut microbiome in psoriasis pathogenesis has recently been studied in both human and animal models. In this review, we try to evaluate various pathogenic mechanisms linking the microbiota and psoriasis. The literature research included peer‐reviewed articles which included clinical trials, original reports, and scientific reviews. MEDLINE and PubMed databases were searched from January 1990 to March 2021, including the reference lists of articles meeting our criteria.
Burkitt lymphoma of the head and neck: An international collaborative study
Authors: Arboleda Lady Paola Aristizabal , Rodrigues‐Fernandes Carla Isabelly , Mariz Bruno Augusto Linhares Almeida , de Andrade Bruno Augusto Benevenuto , Abrahão Aline Corrêa , Agostini Michelle , Romañach Mário José , Pontes Hélder Antônio Rebelo , Fonseca Felipe Paiva , Robinson Liam , van Heerden Willie F. P. , Carlos Román , Tager Elena María José Román , Hoffmann Iva Loureiro , Cardinalli Izilda Aparecida , de Mendonça Regina Maria Holanda , de Vasconcelos Carvalho Marianne , Martins‐de‐Barros Allan Vinícius , Rocha André Caroli , Khurram Syed Ali , Speight Paul M. , Lopes Marcio Ajudarte , Vargas Pablo Agustin , de Almeida Oslei Paes , Santos‐Silva Alan Roger
Published: June 2021

Background

Burkitt lymphoma (BL) is an aggressive B‐cell lymphoma with three variants (endemic, sporadic, and immunodeficiency‐associated), presenting with specific epidemiological and clinical features. Burkitt lymphoma affects the head and neck region (BLHN) in approximately 10% of cases. The aim of this study was to undertake a comparative analysis of the clinicopathologic and immunohistochemical (IHC) features of BLHN diagnosed in patients from Africa, Guatemala, and Brazil.

Methods

Cases diagnosed as BLHN were collected from the files of six oral pathology laboratory services (Brazil, South Africa, and Guatemala) and one Brazilian pediatric oncology hospital from 1986 to 2020. Clinicopathological and IHC data, and Epstein‐Barr virus (EBV) status by in situ hybridization data for each case were reviewed and described.

Results

Of the 52 cases, BLHN was predominant in pediatric patients [43 (82.69%)] and males [43 (82.69%)], with a mean age of 11.26 ± 9.68 years (range, 1‐39 years). Neck and cervical lymph nodes [14 (26.92%)], and involvement of both maxilla and mandible [8 (15.38%)], were the most common anatomical sites. Clinically, tumor/swelling [40 (31.25%)], cervical lymphadenopathy [14 (10.94%)], pain [12 (9.38%)], and bone destruction [12 (9.38%)] were frequent findings. All cases showed typical morphological characteristics of BL. IHC profiles included positivity for CD20 [52 (100%)], CD10 [38 (79.17%)], Bcl6 [29 (87.88%)], and c‐Myc protein [18 (81.82%)]. EBV was positive in 18 cases (62.07%). The Ki‐67 index ranged from 90 to 100%.

Conclusion

The clinicopathological and EBV profile of BLHN in South African, Guatemalan, and Brazilian patients is similar.