bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Plasma circulating tumor DNA profiling in patients with chemo‐refractory germ cell tumors
Authors: Sakka Shotaro , Kandori Shuya , Kawai Koji , Kojima Takahiro , Nitta Satoshi , Chihara Ichiro , Nagumo Yoshiyuki , Kawahara Takashi , Mathis Bryan J. , Ishihara Megumi , Shinohara Nobuo , Kishida Takeshi , Ukimura Osamu , Nishimura Kazuo , Kobayashi Yasuyuki , Nishiyama Hiroyuki
Published: February 2023

Objectives

Molecular analysis of tumor tissues has been extensively analyzed in germ cell tumors. However, genetic analysis of plasma circulating tumor DNA has been limited. Our objective was to analyze genetic alterations in circulating tumor DNA as well as its impact on prognosis in patients with chemo‐refractory germ cell tumors.

Methods

We included 13 patients with chemo‐refractory germ cell tumors who relapsed after second‐line or higher previous chemotherapy and performed targeted sequencing of plasma cell‐free DNA using an AVENIO Expanded kit.

Results

Tumor‐specific genetic alterations were identified in all patients. The most frequently mutated gene was TP53 (53.4%), followed by PTEN (23.1%), GNAS (15.4%) and MTOR (15.4%). Moreover, EGFR amplification (38.5%) and MET amplification (15.4%) were also identified. We defined two or more single nucleotide variants detected in plasma cell‐free DNA as circulating tumor DNA‐positive. Kaplan–Meier analysis revealed that overall survival was significantly shorter in circulating tumor DNA‐positive patients than circulating tumor DNA negative‐patients (median overall survival 3.13 vs. 8.73 months; p = 0.042).

Conclusion

Analysis of plasma circulating tumor DNA could detect genetic alterations in patients with chemo‐refractory GCT. Moreover, detectable circulating tumor DNA in plasma was associated with poor prognosis in those patients. These results suggest that liquid biopsy using analysis of plasma circulating tumor DNA may be clinically useful for germ cell tumor patients.
Barriers and facilitators to becoming an alcohol and other drug nurse practitioner in Australia: A mixed methods study
Authors: Searby Adam , Burr Dianna , Blums Colleen , Harrison Jason , Smyth Darren
Published: February 2023

Alcohol and other drug (AOD) nurse practitioners have an advanced scope of practice that allows them to diagnose, prescribe pharmacological treatments for alcohol and other substance use disorders, and monitor physical and mental health. The Behaviour Change Wheel (BCW) is used to understand barriers and facilitators to implementation by applying three conditions of behaviour change (capability, opportunity, and motivation—the COM‐B framework). The aim of this paper is to describe the current AOD nurse practitioner workforce, and to explore barriers and facilitators to AOD nurse practitioner uptake in Australia. A mixed method approach was used in this study: a survey to determine the current state of the AOD nurse practitioner workforce (n = 41) and qualitative interviews with 14 participants to determine barriers to endorsement and ongoing work as a nurse practitioner. Interview transcripts were analysed using thematic analysis and mapped to the COM‐B framework. The AOD nurse practitioner is a highly specialized provider of holistic care to people who use alcohol and other drugs, with AOD nurse practitioners performing advanced roles such as prescribing and medication management. However, there are several barriers to the further uptake of AOD nurse practitioners in Australia, including varied organizational support, a lack of support for the higher study required to become a nurse practitioner and a lack of available positions. Arguably, nurse practitioners are key to addressing prescriber shortages inherent in AOD treatment settings. In addition, they are equipped to provide true holistic care. We recommend that barriers are addressed to expand the AOD nurse practitioner workforce in Australia.
Household transmission of SARS‐CoV‐2 during the Omicron wave in Shanghai, China: A case‐ascertained study
Authors: Wei Zhongqiu , Ma Wenjie , Wang Zhonglin , Li Jingjing , Fu Xiaomin , Chang Hailing , Qiu Yue , Tian He , Zhu Yanfeng , Xia Aimei , Wu Qianhui , Liu Gongbao , Zhai Xiaowen , Zhang Xiaobo , Wang Yan , Zeng Mei
Published: February 2023

Objectives

We used a case‐ascertained study to determine the features of household transmission of SARS‐CoV‐2 Omicron variant in Shanghai, China.

Methods

In April 2022, we carried out a household transmission study from 309 households of 335 SARS‐CoV‐2 pediatric cases referred to a designated tertiary Children's Hospital. The detailed information can be collected from the 297 households for estimating the transmission parameters. The 236 households were qualified for estimating the secondary infection attack rates (SARI) and secondary clinical attack rates (SARC) among adult household contacts, characterizing the transmission heterogeneities in infectivity and susceptibility, and assessing the vaccine effectiveness.

Results

We estimated the mean incubation period and serial interval of Omicron variant to be 4.6 ± 2.1 and 3.9 ± 3.7 days, respectively, with 57.2% of the transmission events occurring at the presymptomatic phase. The overall SARI and SARC among adult household contacts were 77.11% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 73.58%–80.63%) and 67.03% (63.09%–70.98%). We found higher household susceptibility in females. Infectivity was not significantly different between children and adults and symptomatic and asymptomatic cases. Two‐dose and booster‐dose of inactivated COVID‐19 vaccination were 14.8% (5.8%–22.9%) and 18.9% (9.0%–27.7%) effective against Omicron infection and 21.5% (10.4%–31.2%) and 24.3% (12.3%–34.7%) effective against the symptomatic disease.

Conclusions

We found high household transmission during the Omicron wave in Shanghai due to presymptomatic and asymptomatic transmission despite implementation of strict interventions, indicating the importance of early detection and timely isolation of SARS‐CoV‐2 infections. Marginal effectiveness of inactivated vaccines against Omicron infection poses a great challenge for outbreak containment.
Associations between continuity of care, perceived control and self‐care and their impact on health‐related quality of life and hospital readmission—A structural equation model
Authors: Säfström Emma , Årestedt Kristofer , Liljeroos Maria , Nordgren Lena , Jaarsma Tiny , Strömberg Anna
Published: February 2023

Aim

The aim of this study is to examine whether a conceptual model including the associations between continuity of care, perceived control and self‐care could explain variations in health‐related quality of life and hospital readmissions in people with chronic cardiac conditions after hospital discharge.

Design

Correlational design based on cross‐sectional data from a multicentre survey study.

Methods

People hospitalized due to angina, atrial fibrillation, heart failure or myocardial infarction were included at four hospitals using consecutive sampling procedures during 2017–2019. Eligible people received questionnaires by regular mail 4–6 weeks after discharge. A tentative conceptual model describing the relationship between continuity of care, self‐care, perceived control, health‐related quality of life and readmission was developed and evaluated using structural equation modelling.

Results

In total, 542 people (mean age 75 years, 37% females) were included in the analyses. According to the structural equation model, continuity of care predicted self‐care, which in turn predicted health‐related quality of life and hospital readmission. The association between continuity of care and self‐care was partly mediated by perceived control. The model had an excellent model fit: RMSEA = 0.06, 90% CI, 0.05–0.06; CFI = 0.90; TLI = 0.90.

Conclusion

Interventions aiming to improve health‐related quality of life and reduce hospital readmission rates should focus on enhancing continuity of care, perceived control and self‐care.

Impact

This study reduces the knowledge gap on how central factors after hospitalization, such as continuity of care, self‐care and perceived control, are associated with improved health‐related quality of life and hospital readmission in people with cardiac conditions. The results suggest that these factors together predicted the quality of life and readmissions in this sample. This knowledge is relevant to researchers when designing interventions or predicting health‐related quality of life and hospital readmission. For clinicians, it emphasizes that enhancing continuity of care, perceived control and self‐care positively impacts clinical outcomes.

Patient or Public Contribution

People and healthcare personnel evaluated content validity and were included in selecting items for the short version.
Caring through barriers—Newly graduated registered nurses' lived experiences in emergency departments during the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Carnesten Hillewi , Wiklund Gustin Lena , Skoglund Karin , von Heideken Wågert Petra
Published: February 2023

Aim

To illuminate the meaning of newly graduated registered nurses' experiences of caring for patients in emergency departments during the COVID‐19 pandemic.

Design

A phenomenological hermeneutical study guided by Lindseth and Norberg.

Methods

In‐depth one‐on‐one interviews with 14 nurses from five hospitals were conducted from March to November 2020 and analysed using thematic analysis. The consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research (COREQ) were used as the reporting guideline.

Results

The findings comprise one main theme Caring through barriers and three themes with sub‐themes. In the first theme, having intention to care, participants revealed their dedication to care for patients during the pandemic despite extensive stress, little experience and skills. The second theme, with tied hands in human suffering, illuminates experiences of being disconnected from the patient, overwhelmed by responsibility and unable to relieve suffering. The third theme, feeling inadequate, reveals experiences of lack of support and doubts meaning less space to develop into the nurse one wants to be.

Conclusion

Findings reveal a new understanding of new nurses' experiences during times of crisis. The essence of caring in the emergency department during the pandemic can be explained as mediated through spatial, temporal and emotional barriers preventing new nurses from providing holistic care.

Impact

The results may be used as anticipatory guidance for new nurses and inform targeted support interventions to support new nurses entering the profession in crisis conditions.

Public Contribution

This study involved new nurses in semi‐structured interviews.
Research on truckload transportation procurement: A review, framework, and future research agenda
Authors: Acocella Angela , Caplice Chris
Published: February 2023

The body of literature on truckload (TL) transportation procurement decisions by firms (shippers) and their transportation service providers (motor carriers) has been driven by real‐world challenges faced by a large and important segment of the economy. The field has received the attention of researchers from a wide range of domains. While this attention demonstrates the appeal of these complex procurement problems, it also underscores a key challenge: the literature is dispersed and uncoordinated. This makes it difficult to identify meaningful new streams of research, risks slowing progress in the field, and limits the exposure of the research to wider supply chain audiences. With this review of the existing literature, we coordinate the growing set of research in this domain and demonstrate how the TL procurement literature is positioned within the broader streams of service procurement research. We develop a framework that describes the types (make vs. buy) and timing (strategic or execution stage) of decisions about the procurement of TL transportation services, organized by which actor's perspective is taken—the shipper's or the carrier's. We suggest areas of future research informed by an existing set of industry‐led research and the gaps we have identified in the academic literature.
Linking employee attributes and organizational resilience: An empirically driven model
Authors: Gerschberger Melanie , Ellis Scott C. , Gerschberger Markus
Published: February 2023

Extant research highlights how resilient organizations effectively cope with supply chain disruptions to enhance firm performance. Yet, it remains unclear how an organization's most basic resource—that is, its individual employees—facilitates such resilience. Through a qualitative study that includes 44 interviews across four manufacturing companies, we identify critical individual attributes and show how these attributes contribute to organizational resilience. Our findings advance a framework of cognitive, emotional, and behavioral attributes through which employees facilitate resilient outcomes. Our empirically driven model enriches theory about resilience within the supply chain management domain and elevates the importance of managerial approaches associated with human resource management activities, which affect organizations' repositories of the employee attributes that foster resilience.
Differential effects of weather, plant phenology and predators on the seasonal variation of aphids on cabbage
Authors: Forchibe Ethelyn Echep , Fening Ken Okwae , Narh‐Madey Benjamin , Afreh‐Nuamah Kwame , Cobblah Millicent Asaaba , Wamonje Francis Onono , Carr John Peter
Published: February 2023

The aphids Lipaphis erysimi pseudobrassicae (Davis) and Myzus persicae (Sulzer) pose serious threats to the production of cruciferous crops in the tropics. Understanding their population dynamics is important for developing integrated pest management programmes to minimize their damage to crops. This study investigated the effects of climatic factors, natural enemies and plant age on the population dynamics of these pests. The population density of aphids and their natural enemies in 20 cabbage plants, and weather conditions were monitored for five cropping seasons from 2019 to 2021 in two agroecological zones of Ghana (Coastal Savannah and Deciduous Forest zones). The highest population density of L. e pseudobrassicae was recorded in January (dry season) in both agroecological zones, while the highest population density for M. persicae occurred in September (minor rainy season) and August (dry spell) in the Coastal Savannah and Deciduous Forest zones, respectively. The highest aphid densities were noted to occur during periods with low relative humidity and low rainfall. The population density of L. e. pseudobrassicae was significantly negatively related to plant age, air temperature and relative humidity, and positively related to syrphids (Paragus borbonicus) and spiders in the Coastal Savannah zone, while in the Deciduous Forest zone, it was significantly positively related to coccinellids. On the other hand, M. persicae population density was significantly positively related to syrphids and coccinellids in the Deciduous Forest zone. Rainfall negatively affected syrphids in the Coastal Savannah zone, while air temperature positively affected syrphids and negatively affected spiders in the Deciduous Forest zone. Coccinellids had a significant positive relationship with relative humidity in the Deciduous Forest zone. This study provides important insights into the key factors that regulate aphid population densities on cabbage and will support development of timely interventions to manage these pests.
Bacteriocin production by Lactococcus lactis LL‐HSTU‐FPP strain isolated from fermented rice and evaluation of the biopreservation potentiality of bacteriocin on shrimp
Authors: Biki Suchi Parvin , Mahmud Shobuz , Akhter Sumaia , Rahman Md. Hassanur , Ahmed Maruf
Published: February 2023

Lactococcus lactis LL‐HSTU‐FPP was isolated from fermented rice and bacteriocin produced by this strain was used to investigate the antagonistic properties against foodborne pathogens. Subsequently, different concentrations (7.5 and 10%, v/v) of bacteriocin were applied to shrimp to analyze the spoilage rates during refrigerated storage. The isolate LL‐HSTU‐FPP was characterized using different biochemical tests (Catalase, bile esculin) and identified by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was conducted to assess the amide group in the bacteriocin produced by the strain LL‐HSTU‐FPP. The bacteriocin exhibited better inhibitory effect than the antibiotic ciprofloxacin against Escherichia coli, Vibrio cholera, and Staphylococcus aureus strains. Furthermore, the bacteriocin retained its activity after treatment with high temperatures ranging from 40 to 121°C, in a wide pH range (2–9), and after treatment with different enzymes. However, the tendency to reduce spoilage microorganisms in shrimp as a consequence of the bacteriocin effect was significant compared to the control and the sample treated with 1% acetic acid after storage. As a result, the 10% concentration of bacteriocin used for the treatment of shrimps was shown to be more effective and suitable for use as a bio‐preservative in seafood.
Preliminary assessment of the reliability and validity of infrared skin temperature measurements in Rett syndrome
Authors: Byiers B. J. , Merbler A. M. , Burkitt C. C. , Beisang A. , Symons F. J.
Published: February 2023

Background

As clinical trials for Rett syndrome are underway, there is a need to validate potential supplemental outcome measures that reflect important signs and symptoms.

Autonomic dysfunction, particularly vasomotor dysfunction, is one potential area for which biomarkers could be developed.

Methods

In the current study, infrared thermal images of hands and feet from 26 females with Rett syndrome (aged 62 months to 39 years), and 17 females without known intellectual, genetic or neurological disorders (aged 55 months to 39 years) were collected. Between‐group differences in skin temperature, and temporal stability of skin temperature measures in the Rett syndrome group, and relationships between skin temperature measures and parent‐reported and researcher‐evaluated indicators of autonomic dysfunction were evaluated.

Results

Between‐group differences showed lower hand and foot temperatures in the Rett syndrome group. Hand temperature measurements were stable over time and were moderately correlated with parent‐reported autonomic symptoms. Foot temperature measurements were more variable than hand temperatures but showed stronger correlations with parent‐reported autonomic symptoms.

Conclusions

The results provide preliminary support for the reliability and validity of hand and foot skin temperature measures in Rett syndrome. Additional research is needed to replicate these results and evaluate the temporal stability of these measures over shorter time scales.
Aesthetic considerations for treating the Middle Eastern patient: Thriving in Diversity international roundtable series
Authors: Fabi Sabrina Guillen , Galadari Hassan , Fakih‐Gomez Nabil , Mobin Sheila Nazarian , Artzi Ofir , Dayan Steve
Published: February 2023

Background

The Middle East has a significant influence on the global aesthetic market. Within the United States and globally, patients with Middle Eastern heritage have a wide range of ethnic and cultural backgrounds that affect their perceptions of beauty and motivations to seek cosmetic treatment.

Aims

The aim of this roundtable was to discuss similarities and differences in anatomy and treatment preferences of Middle Eastern patients and explore how these differences may influence aesthetic practices.

Patients/Methods

In support of clinicians who wish to serve a diverse patient population, a 6‐part international roundtable series focused on diversity in aesthetics was conducted from August 24, 2021, to May 16, 2022.

Results

The results of the fourth roundtable in the series, the Middle Eastern Patient, are described here. A discussion of treatment preferences is included, and specific procedural information is provided for  commonly treated areas in this population (forehead, infraorbital area, and jawline).

Conclusions

Middle Eastern patients have a variety of aesthetic preferences, which are influenced by a wide range of cultural backgrounds, making it difficult to develop general statements about this demographic. There is an unmet need for research into this diverse group of patients to help physicians understand and incorporate their unique needs and desires into clinical practice.
Adolescent emotion regulation trajectories: The influence of parent and friend emotion socialization
Authors: Hale Molly E. , Price Natalee N. , Borowski Sarah K. , Zeman Janice L.
Published: February 2023

With mounting evidence demonstrating the link between child emotion regulation (ER) and emotion socialization, we conducted a longitudinal study to understand (a) emotion‐specific trajectories of adolescent ER and (b) how specific parent and friend emotion socialization strategies impact ER over 4 years. Participants were 209 adolescents (52.5% girls; Mage = 12.66 years; 75.7% White) and their parents. Latent growth curve models identified unique trajectories for anger and sadness/worry regulation. Anger regulation increased across time, whereas sadness/worry regulation remained highly stable longitudinally, lacking variance for growth modeling. Friend emotion socialization emerged as a more salient predictor of anger regulation than parent emotion socialization. Friend reward, override, and punish responses predicted initial levels. Friend punish and parent magnify responses predicted the slope.
Muslim Ethics and the Ethnographic Imagination
Authors: Wesselhoeft Kirsten
Published: February 2023

Theoretical and methodological discussions of ethnography and ethics have appeared regularly in the Journal of Religious Ethics for at least the past 13 years. Many of these conversations have been preoccupied by the relationship between “normative” work in religious ethics and “descriptive” work on moral worlds and patterns of reasoning. However, there has often been a perceived impasse when it comes to drawing “normative” ethical arguments from fine‐grained ethnographic study. This paper begins by assessing significant contributions to religious ethics made by ethnographers of Islam, focusing on the way they render a stark descriptive/normative binary irrelevant. I then turn to an example from my own fieldwork that expands our understanding of the relationship between ethnography and ethics. Through this example, I argue that ethical thinkers working outside the academy—theologians, activists, and cultural producers—also draw on an “ethnographic imagination” to make moral arguments. I end by reflecting on how the “ethnographic imagination” situates religious ethics as part of broader humanistic inquiry, showing that careful accounts of how people do live are always enmeshed with visions of how we should live.
Experiences of family caregivers in forensic mental health care—A qualitative evidence synthesis
Authors: Vestphal Tina Kirstine , Gildberg Frederik Alkier , Jørgensen Rikke , Rowaert Sara , Tingleff Ellen Boldrup
Published: February 2023

Accessible Summary

What is known on the subject

Internationally, research and policy agendas recommend that family caregivers of service users in mental health care be involved in care and treatment, to support the service user's recovery process.

Family caregivers of service users in mental health care are often highly burdened.

There is a lack of research‐based knowledge about the experiences of family caregivers of service users in forensic mental health care (FMHC) and their involvement in care and treatment.

What this paper adds to existing knowledge

This study indicates a persistent caregiver presence and/or caregiver advocacy in regard to care and treatment of the service user in FMHC.

This study indicates that health care professionals (HCPs) might play a role in eliciting a persistent caregiver presence and/or caregiver advocacy.

What are the implications for practice

HCPs need to develop their collaborative skills and be more willing to listen to and understand caregivers' persistent presence and/or advocacy.

HCPs need to be more skilled to understand caregivers' and families' living with the complexities of mental illness and offence.

HCPs are encouraged to adjust the involvement of family caregivers in care and treatment to FMHC.

Introduction

There is a lack of research about experiences of family caregivers of service users in forensic mental health care (FMHC) and their involvement in care and treatment. Research shows that caregivers are burdened. Further knowledge is required, to provide a foundation for improving clinical practice.

Aim

To review research literature, to investigate existing knowledge about caregiver experiences and, secondly, caregivers' experiences of facilitators and barriers related to their involvement in care and treatment.

Method

Qualitative evidence synthesis undertaken in a thematic synthesis of thirteen peer‐reviewed studies.

Results

The analysis identified three descriptive themes: violence against family; a great burden of responsibility; and difficult collaboration, together with an additional three analytical themes: bearing witness; persistent presence; and advocacy becomes necessary.

Discussion

Persistent caregiver presence and/or caregiver advocacy may be elicited by health care professionals' (HCPs') exclusion of caregivers from care and treatment. Caregivers' feelings of guilt in relation to the service user's offence may play an additional role in persistent presence and advocacy and, therefore, in HCPs' exclusion of them.

Implications for Practice

HCPs need to develop their collaboration with caregivers by their willingness to listen to caregivers to understand emotional complexities within families experiencing mental illness and offence.
Advances in the study of microbiota in reproductive biology: A short review of recent research, following Leclaire et al. (2022)
Authors: Turjeman Sondra
Published: February 2023

Research on microbiota dynamics in humans (Gilbert et al., 2018), model organisms (Douglas, 2019), and free‐ranging, wild animals (Grond et al., 2018) has taken off in the past decades, and even in nonmodel organisms, research has already shifted from initial characterization studies to those examining associations with behaviour and fitness (Bodawatta et al., 2022; Corl et al., 2020; Risely et al., 2018; Turjeman et al., 2020). The microbiota is known to change through pregnancy and parturition (Koren et al., 2012), and there is also evidence in humans that infertility may be associated with microbiota composition (Silva & Giacobini, 2019), but how the microbiota is related to reproductive fitness in free‐ranging species is largely understudied or primarily focused on pathogen transmission (sexually transmitted infection) (Lombardo, 1998; Sheldon, 1993). In a From the Cover article in this issue of Molecular Ecology, Leclaire et al. (2022) begin to tease apart the relationship between the microbiota and reproductive fitness using the black‐legged kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla) as their study species. Following characterization of the microbiota in multiple body sites of breeders and nonbreeders, they discovered that breeding and nonbreeding females had distinct microbiota, that higher performing female breeders had lower abundances of potentially pathogenic taxa, and that feathers of these birds were characterized by reduced microbiota diversity compared to low‐performance breeders. Leclaire and her colleagues provide some of the first evidence of body‐wide differences in microbiota composition in relation to breeding status. Their research further supports the relationship between the microbiota and host fitness, and additional studies focusing on this topic can continue to unravel intricacies in host‐microbiota‐reproductive strategy evolution (Comizzoli et al., 2021; Rowe et al., 2020). Here, I review the results of Leclaire et al. (2022) and provide a wider context for their research by reviewing other studies in the field, focusing on avian species.
Efficacy and safety of olorinab, a full agonist of the cannabinoid receptor 2, for the treatment of abdominal pain in patients with irritable bowel syndrome: Results from a phase 2b randomized placebo‐controlled trial (CAPTIVATE)
Authors: Chang Lin , Cash Brooks D. , Lembo Anthony , Kunkel David C. , English Brett A. , Lindstrom Beatriz , Gu Guibao , Skare Sharon , Gilder Kye , Turner Stewart , Cataldi Fabio , Lipkis Donald , Tack Jan
Published: February 2023

Background

Olorinab is a highly selective, peripherally acting, full agonist of cannabinoid receptor 2. This study assessed the efficacy and safety of olorinab to treat abdominal pain in patients with irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea (IBS‐D) and constipation (IBS‐C).

Methods

CAPTIVATE was a phase 2b, randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, parallel‐group trial. Eligible participants aged 18–70 years with IBS‐C and IBS‐D diagnosed per Rome IV received olorinab 10 mg, 25 mg, or 50 mg three times daily (TID) or placebo TID for 12 weeks. The primary endpoint was the change in patient‐reported average abdominal pain score (AAPS) from baseline to Week 12.

Key Results

A total of 273 participants were randomized to receive olorinab 10 mg (n = 67), olorinab 25 mg (n = 67), olorinab 50 mg (n = 69), or placebo (n = 70). Although a treatment response was observed across all groups, the weekly change in average AAPS from baseline to Week 12 was not significantly different between placebo and any olorinab dose. In a prespecified subgroup analysis of participants with a baseline AAPS ≥6.5, olorinab 50 mg (n = 35) significantly improved AAPS compared with placebo (n = 30) (p = 0.014). Adverse event rates were comparable between olorinab and placebo and there were no reported serious adverse events or deaths.

Conclusion and Inferences

Although olorinab was well‐tolerated and improved weekly AAPS, the primary endpoint was not met. However, in participants with moderate‐to‐severe pain at baseline (AAPS ≥6.5), olorinab 50 mg significantly improved weekly AAPS compared with placebo. ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04043455.
The effect of combined oral contraceptives and Nexplanon on gastroesophageal reflux disease in premenopausal women: A nationwide database analysis
Authors: Saleh Sherif , Liu Benjamin D. , Trujillo Sophie , Thomas Charles , Fass Ronnie
Published: February 2023

Background

Pregnancy, combined oral contraceptives (COC), and hormone replacement therapy have been reported to increase the risk of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). To date, no study has evaluated the effect of Nexplanon, a commonly used progesterone‐based contraceptive, on GERD. We aimed to determine the effect of Nexplanon and COC on GERD.

Methods

We performed a population‐based analysis using the IBM Explorys national database (1999–2021). The study group included premenopausal women, defined as women less than 50 years of age while excluding the diagnosis of menopause. The effect of Nexplanon and COC on GERD (at least 30 days after Nexplanon/COC was initiated) was assessed by comparing it to premenopausal women who were not on contraceptives. Foregut surgery, esophageal dysmotility disorders, hiatal hernia, and delayed gastric emptying were excluded. Odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted.

Key Results

A total of 23,299,470 patients were identified as being premenopausal, of which 47,260 were on Nexplanon and 5480 on COCs. As compared to premenopausal women with GERD on no contraceptives (n = 565,880), 690 patients developed GERD at least 30 days after being on Nexplanon (OR = 0.55, 95% CI [0.51–0.59], p < 0.001) and 280 developed GERD after COC (1.93, [1.71–2.18], p < 0.001). A multivariate analysis accounting for Caucasian race, obesity, smoking, alcohol use, and NSAIDs revealed that COC is an independent risk factor for GERD (1.16, [1.12–1.20], p < 0.001), and Nexplanon was protective against GERD (0.90, [0.89–0.92], p < 0.001). Hydralazine was used as a control medication for data reliability. A total of 8420 patients developed GERD after initiating hydralazine, which was not statistically nor clinically significant (OR = 1.02, 95% CI [0.99–1.04], p = 0.08) when compared to those not on contraceptives.

Conclusions & Inferences

Combined oral contraceptives is an independent risk factor for GERD, while Nexplanon has a limited protective effect. Further studies are needed to confirm the different effects on GERD of these two contraceptives.
The N‐terminal subunit of vitellogenin in planthopper eggs and saliva acts as a reliable elicitor that induces defenses in rice
Authors: Zeng Jiamei , Ye Wenfeng , Hu Wenhui , Jin Xiaochen , Kuai Peng , Xiao Wenhan , Jian Yukun , Turlings Ted C. J. , Lou Yonggen
Published: February 2023

Vitellogenins (Vgs) are critical for the development and fecundity of insects. As such, these essential proteins can be used by plants to reliably sense the presence of insects.

We addressed this with a combination of molecular and chemical analyses, genetic transformation, bioactivity tests, and insect performance assays.

The small N‐terminal subunit of Vgs of the planthopper Nilaparvata lugens (NlVgN) was found to trigger strong defense responses in rice when it enters the plants during feeding or oviposition by the insect. The defenses induced by NlVgN not only decreased the hatching rate of N. lugens eggs, but also induced volatile emissions in plants, which rendered them attractive to a common egg parasitoid. VgN of other planthoppers triggered the same defenses in rice. We further show that VgN deposited during planthopper feeding compared with during oviposition induces a somewhat different response, probably to target the appropriate developmental stage of the insect.

We also confirm that NlVgN is essential for planthopper growth, development, and fecundity. This study demonstrates that VgN in planthopper eggs and saliva acts as a reliable and unavoidable elicitor of plant defenses. Its importance for insect performance precludes evolutionary adaptions to prevent detection by rice plants.
Polyploidy impacts population growth and competition with diploids: multigenerational experiments reveal key life‐history trade‐offs
Authors: Anneberg Thomas J. , O'Neill Elizabeth M. , Ashman Tia‐Lynn , Turcotte Martin M.
Published: February 2023

Ecological theory predicts that early generation polyploids (‘neopolyploids’) should quickly go extinct owing to the disadvantages of rarity and competition with their diploid progenitors. However, polyploids persist in natural habitats globally. This paradox has been addressed theoretically by recognizing that reproductive assurance of neopolyploids and niche differentiation can promote establishment. Despite this, the direct effects of polyploidy at the population level remain largely untested despite establishment being an intrinsically population‐level process.

We conducted population‐level experiments where life‐history investment in current and future growth was tracked in four lineage pairs of diploids and synthetic autotetraploids of the aquatic plant Spirodela polyrhiza. Population growth was evaluated with and without competition between diploids and neopolyploids across a range of nutrient treatments.

Although neopolyploid populations produce more biomass, they reach lower population sizes and have reduced carrying capacities when growing alone or in competition across all nutrient treatments. Thus, contrary to individual‐level studies, our population‐level data suggest that neopolyploids are competitively inferior to diploids. Conversely, neopolyploid populations have greater investment in dormant propagule production than diploids.

Our results show that neopolyploid populations should not persist based on current growth dynamics, but high potential future growth may allow polyploids to establish in subsequent seasons.
Ethylene inhibits malate accumulation in apple by transcriptional repression of aluminum‐activated malate transporter 9 via the WRKY31‐ERF72 network
Authors: Wang Jia‐Hui , Gu Kai‐Di , Zhang Quan‐Yan , Yu Jian‐Qiang , Wang Chu‐Kun , You Chun‐Xiang , Cheng Lailiang , Hu Da‐Gang
Published: February 2023

Malic acid accumulation in the vacuole largely determines acidity and perception of sweetness of apple. It has long been observed that reduction in malate level is associated with increase in ethylene production during the ripening process of climacteric fruits, but the molecular mechanism linking ethylene to malate reduction is unclear.

Here, we show that ethylene‐modulated WRKY transcription factor 31 (WRKY31)–Ethylene Response Factor 72 (ERF72)–ALUMINUM ACTIVATED MALATE TRANSPORTER 9 (Ma1) network regulates malate accumulation in apple fruit.

ERF72 binds to the promoter of ALMT9, a key tonoplast transporter for malate accumulation of apple, transcriptionally repressing ALMT9 expression in response to ethylene. WRKY31 interacts with ERF72, suppressing its transcriptional inhibition activity on ALMT9. In addition, WRKY31 directly binds to the promoters of ERF72 and ALMT9, transcriptionally repressing and activating ERF72 and ALMT9, respectively. The expression of WRKY31 decreases in response to ethylene, lowering the transcription of ALMT9 directly and via its interactions with ERF72.

These findings reveal that the regulatory complex WRKY31 forms with ERF72 responds to ethylene, linking the ethylene signal to ALMT9 expression in reducing malate transport into the vacuole during fruit ripening.
Influence of cognitive reserve on cognitive and motor function in α‐synucleinopathies: A systematic review protocol
Authors: Saywell Isaac , Child Brittany , Foreman Lauren , Collins‐Praino Lyndsey , Baetu Irina
Published: February 2023

Cognitive reserve has been used to justify neuropathologically unexplainable mismatches in Alzheimer's disease outcomes. Recent evidence has suggested this effect may be replicable across other conditions. However, it is still unclear whether cognitive reserve applies to α‐synucleinopathies or to motor outcomes, or if medication confounds effects. This review protocol follows PRISMA‐P guidelines and aims to investigate whether cognitive reserve can predict both cognitive and motor outcomes for α‐synucleinopathy patients. MEDLINE (via PubMed), Scopus, psycINFO (via Ovid), CINAHL (via EBSCO), and Web of Science have been searched. Cross‐sectional, cohort, case‐control, and longitudinal studies investigating the association between cognitive reserve and cognitive and/or motor outcomes for Parkinson's disease, dementia with Lewy bodies, or multiple system atrophy will be included. Reviewers will independently perform screening, while also extracting data, assessing the risk of bias (using a version of the Quality in Prognostic Studies tool), and rating evidence quality (using GRADE). If possible, random‐effects meta‐analyses will be conducted for each unique outcome variable and α‐synucleinopathy; otherwise, a narrative synthesis will be performed. Depending on the number of studies, exploratory analyses may involve meta‐regression to assess potential confounding effects. Understanding the broader protective effect of cognitive reserve has significant implications for preventive interventions in the wider population.
Prey metabolic responses to predators depend on predator hunting mode and prey antipredator defenses
Authors: Sommer Nathalie R. , Alshwairikh Yara A. , Arietta A. Z. Andis , Skelly David K. , Buchkowski Robert W.
Published: February 2023

Predation risk causes prey to react in numerous ways, from life history changes to shifts in habitat. These responses give some insight into how different types of predators affect prey, but prey responses are often not comparable across taxa and experimental systems. Metabolism is a ubiquitous trait among living organisms, which offers a way to examine predator effects and create generalizable outcomes. We examined metabolic responses of terrestrial and aquatic prey from three antipredator functional groups under varied contexts of predator cues. We found that constitutively defended prey did not exhibit metabolic responses to any type of predator cues, while deimatic and freeze‐flight prey exhibited metabolic responses that were dependent on both the cue type and predator hunting mode. Consistent with previous studies on nonconsumptive effects, we also found that ambush predators elicited a metabolic response while active predators did not. We propose that future work on this topic should continue to take a metabolic approach as a unified, scalable response variable to the sensory ecology of nonconsumptive effects, while identifying additional systems that can evaluate more fully both predator hunting mode and prey antipredator defenses.
Press versus pulse nutrient supply and species interactions mediate growth of coral reef macroalgae
Authors: Sura Shayna A. , Gehris Connor G. , Liang Michelle Y. , Lim Alexandra N. , Fong Peggy
Published: February 2023

Globally, ecosystems are experiencing dramatic alterations in the supply of resources, including nutrients. How the temporal regime (press versus pulse), independent of total resource supply, affects growth and species interactions of primary producers remains unexplored. Coral reefs experience anthropogenic modifications to nutrient regimes, making it critical to understand impacts on primary producers, such as macroalgae. In mesocosms, we examined how three macroalgae respond to temporal pattern in nutrient regime (ambient, press, pulse) and species interactions (alone, pairwise, or all together) in terms of their individual growth and assemblage productivity. We found nutrient regime and species interactions influenced individual growth and total assemblage productivity. Press regimes promoted the highest productivity of total assemblages. We observed species interactions ranging from competitive to facilitative varied between macroalgal species and nutrient regimes. Ours is the first study to demonstrate the temporal regime of nutrient delivery, independent of total nutrient supply, strongly impacts the productivity of species assemblages, the nature and outcome of species interactions, and the relative growth rates of individual producer species. As nutrient regimes increasingly fluctuate for coastal marine ecosystems in the Anthropocene, our findings imply macroalgal community composition may also fluctuate. More broadly, our study highlights the importance of assessing primary producer species' responses to varying nutrient regimes to understand factors structuring their communities.
Heterogeneity of design features in studies included in systematic reviews with meta‐analysis of cognitive outcomes in children born very preterm
Authors: Sentenac Mariane , Twilhaar Sabrina , Benhammou Valérie , Morgan Andrei S. , Johnson Samantha , Chaimani Anna , Zeitlin Jennifer
Published: February 2023

Background

Meta‐analyses of the voluminous scientific literature on the impact of very preterm (VPT, <32 weeks' gestation) birth on cognition find a marked deficit in intelligence quotient (IQ) among children born VPT relative to term‐born peers, but with unexplained between‐study heterogeneity in effect size.

Objectives

To conduct an umbrella review to describe the design and methodology of primary studies and to assess whether methodological heterogeneity affects the results of meta‐analyses.

Data Sources

Primary studies from five systematic reviews with meta‐analysis on VPT birth and childhood IQ.

Study Selection and Data Extraction

Information on study design, sample characteristics and results was extracted from studies. Study features covered study type, sample size, follow‐up rates, adjustment for social context, management of severe impairments and test type.

Synthesis

We used random‐effects subgroup meta‐analyses and meta‐regressions to investigate the contribution of study features to between‐study variance in standardised mean differences (SMD) in IQ between groups.

Results

In 58 cohorts (56%), children with severe impairments were excluded, while 23 (22%) cohorts accounted for social factors. The least reported feature was the follow‐up rate (missing in 38 cohorts). The largest difference in SMDs was between studies using full scale IQ tests (61 cohorts, SMD −0.89, 95% CI −0.96, −0.82) versus short‐form tests (27 cohorts, SMD −0.68, 95% CI −0.79, −0.57). The proportion of between‐study variance explained by the type of test was 14%; the other features explained less than 1% of the variance.

Conclusions

Study design and methodology varied across studies, but most of them did not affect the variance in effect size, except the type of cognitive test. Key features, such as the follow‐up rate, were not consistently reported limiting the evaluation of their potential contribution. Incomplete reporting limited the evaluation of the full impact of this methodological diversity.
Peri‐implantitis as the consequence of errors in implant therapy
Authors: Roccuzzo Andrea , Imber Jean‐Claude , Salvi Giovanni Edoardo , Roccuzzo Mario
Published: February 2023

Peri‐implantitis is a plaque‐associated pathologic condition occurring in tissues around dental implants, characterized by inflammation in the peri‐implant mucosa and subsequent progressive loss of supporting bone. It is a highly prevalent disease, as extensively estimated by large‐population, cross‐sectional studies. As peri‐implant diseases represent opportunistic infections, it is reasonable to assume that nonideal conditions, local and/or general, may favor the progression of peri‐implant inflammation. Some of these conditions could be a result of poor planning and/or inadequate execution of any step of the entire process treatment. This article describes the major possible factors in implant therapy that may lead to peri‐implantitis. For some of these (ie, inappropriate patient selection, insufficient periodontal therapy, lack of diagnosis and management of peri‐implant mucositis, erratic supportive peri‐implant/periodontal therapy) there is a good level of evidence, whereas for others (ie, wrong implant placement, poor postoperative care, inadequate prosthetic reconstruction, lack of assessment and management of peri‐implant soft‐tissue deficiencies) there is little scientific evidence. More research is therefore needed to clearly identify the errors and/or complications possibly leading to peri‐implantitis, particularly over the long term.
Expanding the political market framework to explain executive decision‐making during the COVID‐19 crisis
Authors: Curley Cali , Federman Peter Stanley , Shen Ruowen
Published: February 2023

The traditional political market framework (PMF) argues that elected officials respond to policy demands by adopting policy that furthers their goal of reelection. However, an emerging crisis can make this approach to decision‐making challenging as the immediacy of response, the needs of the public, and technical expertise may conflict with reelection goals. This conflict can encourage elected officials to engage in blame avoidance by delegating policy‐making powers to the bureaucracy. Utilizing a mixed methods approach to analyze state‐level governor responses to COVID‐19, this paper expands the PMF by capturing the influence of bureaucratic demands on elected official decisions to delegate or transfer power to the bureaucracy. We find evidence that bureaucratic expertise, under the right set of circumstances, influences policymaker decisions to delegate policymaking power. Lastly, we advocate for a renewed focus on democratic principles and the consequences of delegation for transparency, accountability, and social equity. In understanding the specific dynamics at play when bureaucrats and executives work to develop policy in crisis, practitioners may gain a better understanding of how to navigate difficult decisions. The specific executive orders across states are not particularly well‐known, and providing evidence of the steps other states took to combat the crisis may prove useful to practitioners in the emergency management space. If practitioners have a more complete understanding of why policy is made and by what mechanisms, they may apply a focus on implementation strategies that are effective and relevant.