bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Screening strategy for de novo donor‐specific HLA antibodies beyond the first year after kidney transplantation: Personalized or “one size fits all”?
Authors: Cun Hasret , Hönger Gideon , Kleiser Marc , Amico Patrizia , Wehmeier Caroline , Steiger Jürg , Dickenmann Michael , Schaub Stefan
Published: November 2020

Screening for de novo donor‐specific HLA antibodies (DSAs) after kidney transplantation is widely recommended. The aim of this single‐center, cross‐sectional study was to investigate the frequency of therapeutic interventions triggered by de novo DSA screening. We included 464 patients screened for de novo DSA at annual visits after a median of 5 years post‐transplant (range 1 to 19 years). Overall, de novo DSAs were detected in 55/464 patients (11.9%) with a stepwise increase of the prevalence from 4.9% at 1 year post‐transplant to 18.9% at >10 years post‐transplant. Subsequent allograft biopsies were performed in 24/55 patients (44%). The main reasons to omit biopsies were good/stable allograft function and anticipated lack of clinical consequences (eg, relevant comorbidities). Rejection processes were detected in 16/24 biopsies (67%). Therapeutic interventions were made in 18/464 screened patients (3.9%) with a significantly higher rate in the youngest quartile of patients (≤48 years; 7.9%) compared to the middle 50% (49–67 years; 3%) and the oldest quartile (≥68 years; 1.7%) (P = .03). Our study suggests that the frequency of therapeutic interventions triggered by de novo DSA screening after kidney transplantation is overall low, but significantly higher in younger patients, arguing for a personalized, age‐adapted de novo DSA screening strategy.
Infectious complications in allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant recipients: Review of transplant‐related risk factors and current state of prophylaxis
Authors: Akhmedov Mobil
Published: November 2020

Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation is a complex procedure that carries a significant risk of complications. Infections are among the most common of them. Several direct factors such as neutropenia, hypogammaglobulinemia, lymphopenia, mucosal barrier injury, and graft‐versus‐host disease have been shown to be associated with increased infectious risk post‐transplant. Apart from direct factors, there are also indirect transplant‐related factors that are the primary trigger to the formers' development. The most important of them are type of preparative regimen, graft source, donor type, graft‐versus‐host disease prophylaxis, and graft manipulation techniques. In this review, an attempt has been made to summarize the role of the transplant‐related factors in the development of infectious complications and provide evidence underlying the current concept of infectious disease prophylaxis in patients after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation.
Toward telemedicine‐compatible physical functioning assessments in kidney transplant candidates
Authors: Watford Daniel J. , Cheng Xingxing S. , Han Jialin , Stedman Margaret R. , Chertow Glenn M. , Tan Jane C.
Published: November 2020

Frailty is associated with adverse kidney transplant outcomes and can be assessed by subjective and objective metrics. There is increasing recognition of the value of metrics obtainable remotely. We compared the self‐reported SF‐36 physical functioning subscale score (SF‐36 PF) with in‐person physical performance tests (6‐min walk and sit‐to‐stand) in a prospective cohort of kidney transplant candidates. We assessed each metric's ability to predict time to the composite outcome of waitlist removal or death, censoring at transplant. We built time‐dependent receiver operating characteristic curves and calculated the area under the curve [AUC(t)] at 1 year, using bootstrapping for internal validation. In 199 patients followed for a median of 346 days, 41 reached the composite endpoint. Lower SF‐36 PF scores were associated with higher risk of waitlist removal/death, with every 10‐point decrease corresponding to a 16% increase in risk. All models showed an AUC(t) of 0.83–0.84 that did not contract substantially after internal validation. Among kidney transplant candidates, SF‐36 PF, obtainable remotely, can help to stratify the risk of waitlist removal or death, and may be used as a screening tool for poor physical functioning in ongoing candidate evaluation, particularly where travel, increasing patient volume, or other restrictions challenge in‐person assessment.
Genetic and demographic trends from rear to leading edge are explained by climate and forest cover in a cold‐adapted ectotherm
Authors: Dupoué Andréaz , Trochet Audrey , Richard Murielle , Sorlin Mahaut , Guillon Michaël , Teulieres‐Quillet Jules , Vallé Clément , Rault Cyrielle , Berroneau Maud , Berroneau Matthieu , Lourdais Olivier , Blaimont Pauline , Bertrand Romain , Pottier Gilles , Calvez Olivier , Guillaume Olivier , Le Chevalier Hugo , Souchet Jérémie , Le Galliard Jean‐François , Clobert Jean , Aubret Fabien
Published: November 2020

Aim

Determining whether altitudinal shifts in species distributions leave molecular footprints on wild populations along their range margins from rear to leading edge.

Location

South‐west France.

Methods

We compared the demographic and genetic variation in 42 wild populations of the Western oviparous subclade B2 of a cold‐adapted lizard (Zootoca vivipara louislantzi). These populations can be divided into four ecological units across altitudinal clines in South‐west France (rear edge: <100 m, admixture zone: 100–500 m, continuous range: 500–1,300 m and leading edge: >1,300 m above sea level).

Results

Within the rear edge were found the highest levels of inbreeding, genetic differentiation and evidence of interrupted gene flow compared to central or colonizing areas. Within the leading edge, altitudinal range expansion occurred over the last centuries and populations showed relatively low genetic diversity. These demographic and genetic trends were better explained by inhospitable (warm and dry) climate conditions and forest cover.

Main conclusions

This empirical evidence illustrates that molecular footprints of climate conditions and habitat quality on wild population trends can be perceived after recent events, which should be of particular importance to accurately understand and anticipate human‐induced global change on wild species and ecosystems.
Collateral Damage? Labour Market Effects of Competing with China—at Home and Abroad
Authors: Cabral Sónia , Martins Pedro S. , Pereira dos Santos João , Tavares Mariana
Published: November 2020

The increasing range and quality of China's exports is a major development internationally with potentially far‐reaching effects. In this paper, on top of the direct labour market effects of imports from China studied in previous research, we also measure the indirect effects stemming from increased export competition in third markets. Our findings, based on matched employer–employee data of Portugal covering the period 1991–2008, indicate that workers’ earnings and employment are significantly negatively affected by China's competition, but only through the indirect ‘market‐stealing’ channel. In contrast to earlier evidence, the direct effects of Chinese imports are mostly non‐significant. The results are robust to a number of checks and also highlight particular groups more affected by indirect competition, including women, older and less educated workers, and workers in larger, older and domestic firms.
Delayed age at menarche in chronic respiratory diseases
Authors: Gaudino Rossella , Dal Ben Sarah , Cavarzere Paolo , Volpi Sonia , Piona Claudia , Boner Attilio , Antoniazzi Franco , Piacentini Giorgio
Published: November 2020

Objective

Age at menarche (AAM) is an important indicator of physiological development in women, and delayed AAM has been associated with chronic illnesses. We investigated predictive factors at diagnosis that influence AAM in adolescents with chronic respiratory diseases.

Study design

AAM was assessed in 1207 northern Italian female aged 11‐24 (1062 healthy, 98 with asthma and 47 with cystic fibrosis [CF]). AAM was defined by recall and status quo methods. We studied anthropometric data, metabolic status, diagnosis parameters, presence of irregular menses. Clinical data of subjects with chronic respiratory illness were compared with that of healthy adolescents.

Results

Mean AAM for healthy adolescents was 12.49 ± 1.2 years. Mother's AAM was positively associated with that of their daughters (P < .001). BMI was negatively correlated with AAM (P < .001). 69% of healthy adolescents referred regular menses. AAM in the different groups was 12.79 ± 3.0 years for patients with asthma (P < .05 vs healthy) and 13.24 ± 1.44 years for adolescents with CF (P < .0001 vs healthy). In the asthmatic group, 57% of the patients referred regular menses, and no significant differences were found between AAM and control of the disease (ACT test). In the CF group, no correlation was found between the type of CFTR mutation or FEV1% and AAM. 53% of the patients with CF referred regular menses.

Conclusions

AAM in patients with CF and asthma was significantly higher than in healthy adolescents, and menses abnormalities were observed in the last two groups. Inflammation influences the reproductive function in chronic respiratory disease.
Presidential antagonism and central bank credibility
Authors: Binder Carola
Published: November 2020

This paper uses an online survey experiment to study how President Trump's criticism of the Federal Reserve may affect consumers' long‐run inflation expectations, confidence in the Fed, and responsiveness to information about inflation. A random subset of respondents view one of President Trump's critical tweets about the Fed, or the tweet plus aWashington Postarticle discussing the President as a threat to the Fed's independence. All respondents provide long‐run inflation forecasts, before and after receiving information about past inflation and the Fed's inflation target. Finally, respondents rate their confidence in the President and the Fed. Respondents who view the tweet or tweet plus article have final long‐run inflation forecasts that are farther from the Fed's target after exposure to information about the Fed's target and recent inflation. Exposure to the tweet plus news article has a polarizing effect on confidence, increasing the share of respondents with high confidence in either the Fed or the President.
Environmental drivers of ant dominance in a tropical rainforest canopy at different spatial scales
Authors: Antoniazzi Reuber , Guevara Roger , García‐Franco José , Janda Milan , Leponce Maurice , Dáttilo Wesley
Published: November 2020

Tropical trees accommodate a high co‐occurrence of ant species, mainly due to the high diversity of microhabitats available. However, a few ant species are highly abundant, dominating resources and defending territories in tree canopies. Although arboreal ants have been studied extensively, little is known about the structural drivers of ant spatial dominance in tropical rainforest canopies.

This study investigated whether canopy tree microhabitats and micro‐environmental factors (given by branch characteristics and spatial position of sampling points within tree crowns) are determinants of ant presence and species composition in a Mexican tropical rainforest. It also analysed whether whole tree characteristics, that is, the tree canopy, given by tree size and epiphyte/climbing plant richness and abundance, could determine ant spatial dominance of food resources.

This study found a higher probability of ant presence on baits lower in the canopy, probably a result of ants foraging in the zones between the treetops and the ground layer. No microhabitat or micro‐environmental variables were related to ant species composition. It also observed less dissimilarity of species composition between baits and between trees than between plots, revealing that each plot presents a unique set of species.

Moreover, increased tree height and epiphyte/climbing plant abundance (i.e., structural heterogeneity and greater foraging area) and lower epiphyte/climbing plant richness led to decreasing ant dominance.

This study's findings reveal that, while micro‐environmental factors have almost no influence on the foraging of dominant ant species within canopy trees, the size and heterogeneity of trees shape ants' spatial dominance.
Long non‐coding RNA LINC00665 promotes melanoma cell growth and migration via regulating the miR‐224‐5p/VMA21 axis
Authors: Wang Xiaonan , Wang Yanbing , Lin Feifei , Xu Meng , Zhao Xin
Published: November 2020

Melanoma is an aggressive malignant skin tumor endangering the health of patients. Long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and microRNAs (miRNAs) have been increasingly reported to be implicated in the carcinogenesis of melanoma. Long intergenic non‐coding RNA 00665 (LINC00665) has been found to exert important regulatory roles in some cancers, yet its function in melanoma remains to be investigated. QRT‐PCR analysis was conducted to evaluate the relative expression of RNAs. Functional experiments in vitro including colony formation, EdU, wound‐healing and transwell assays, as well as in vivo xenograft assays, were utilized to study the role of LINC00665 in melanoma. Mechanical experiments were implemented to probe into the molecular linkage of LINC00665, miR‐224‐5p and VMA21. LINC00665 was abnormally highly expressed in melanoma cells. Silencing LINC00665 could inhibit the proliferation and migration of melanoma cells. LINC00665 sponged miR‐224‐5p to upregulate VMA21. VMA21 knockdown exerted similarly interfering effects on above biological processes in melanoma cells. However, VMA21 overexpression abolished the in vitro and in vivo outcomes of LINC00665 silencing. LINC00665 promotes proliferative and migrating abilities of melanoma cells via targeting miR‐224‐5p/VMA21 axis.
Use and Benefit of Dyadic Coping for Couple Relationship Satisfaction in Parents of Children with Autism
Authors: Putney Jennifer M. , Greenlee Jessica L. , Hartley Sigan L.
Published: November 2020

Parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are at increased risk for unsatisfying and conflict‐ridden couple relationships (i.e., marital or romantic partner relationships). There is a critical need to identify the couple‐level processes that contribute to this risk. The current study examined the use of dyadic coping, defined as the appraisals and behaviors that partners in relationships use and receive to manage stressors, and to examine whether dyadic coping mediated the association between parenting stress and couple relationship satisfaction in parents who have a child with ASD and in parents who do not have a child with ASD. In total, 184 couples that had a child with ASD (aged 5–12 years) and comparison group of 183 couples who have a child without a neurodevelopmental condition participated in the study. A multivariate analysis of covariance indicated that parents of children with ASD reported less positive and more negative dyadic coping than did parents in the comparison group. Hierarchical linear modeling indicated that dyadic coping mediated the association between parenting stress and couple relationship satisfaction. Findings have important implications for programs aimed at enhancing parent couple relationship in families of children with ASD.
Therapist Strategies for Managing Midtreatment Problems in Evidence‐based Interventions in Community Settings
Authors: Cunningham Phillippe B. , Foster Sharon L. , Kawahara Debra M. , Robbins Michael S. , Bryan Sophie W.
Published: November 2020

The National Institute of Health has made it a priority to identify, develop, and refine strategies to disseminate and implement effective interventions (National Institute of Health, 2015). This study examined qualitative reports of the strategies therapists used to manage common implementation problems they encountered during midtreatment in Multisystemic Therapy®(MST) and Functional Family Therapy (FFT), two widely disseminated evidence‐ and family‐based treatments for substance abusing and delinquent adolescents. Experienced therapists from dissemination sites across the U.S. described cases in which they encountered midtreatment problems they perceived as serious threats to treatment success. They indicated why each case terminated and rated the outcome of the case. Qualitative analyses examined 16 treatment failures and then 16 treatment successes to identify contextual obstacles that accompanied the problems therapists identified, along with strategies they reported using with families that ultimately succeeded or failed. Therapists reported that midtreatment problems were often embedded in additional related difficulties and that they employed multiple relationship techniques and process‐focused strategies to try to resolve these problems. For the most part, therapists described obstacles and strategies for successful and unsuccessful families in similar ways. Patterns of themes and subthemes suggested, however, that therapists in successful cases may be more likely to report “on‐script” strategies and therapists in unsuccessful cases may describe more “off‐script” strategies as well as more generic relationship building and advice‐giving strategies.
Gre factors prevent thermal and mechanical stresses induced by terahertz irradiation during transcription
Authors: Imashimizu Masahiko , Tanaka Masahito , Hoshina Hiromichi
Published: November 2020

During transcription in cells, the transcription complex consisting of RNA polymerase, DNA and nascent RNA is exposed to fluctuating temperature and pressure. However, little is known about the mechanism of transcriptional homeostasis under fluctuating physical parameters. In this study, we generated these fluctuating parameters using pulsed local heating and acoustic waves in the reaction system of transcription by Escherichia coli RNA polymerase, using a terahertz free‐electron laser. We demonstrated that transcription processes, including abortive initiation and elongation pausing, and the fidelity of elongation are significantly affected by the laser‐based local perturbations. We also found that all these functional alternations in the transcription process are almost completely mitigated by the presence of Gre proteins. It is well known that Gre proteins enhance RNA cleavage of polymerase by binding to the pore structure termed secondary channel. Recently, the chaperone activities have also been proposed for Gre proteins, yet the details directly associated with transcription are largely unknown. Our finding indicates that Gre proteins are necessary for maintaining transcriptional homeostasis under thermal and mechanical stresses.
Is medullary carcinoma of the colon underdiagnosed? An audit of poorly differentiated colorectal carcinomas in a large national health service teaching hospital
Authors: Scott Nigel , West Nick P , Cairns Alison , Rotimi Olorunda
Published: November 2020

Aims

Medullary carcinoma is an uncommon colorectal tumour which appears poorly differentiated histologically. Consequently, it may be confused with poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma not otherwise specified (NOS). The principal aim of this study was to review a large series of poorly differentiated colorectal cancers resected at a large National Health Service (NHS) Teaching Hospital to determine how often medullary carcinomas were misclassified . Secondary aims were to investigate how often neuroendocrine differentiation or metastatic tumours were considered in the differential diagnosis, and compare clinico‐pathological features between medullary and poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma NOS.

Methods and results

Histology slides from 302 colorectal cancer resections originally reported as poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma were reviewed and cases fulfilling World Health Organisation (WHO) criteria for medullary carcinoma identified. The original pathology report was examined for any mention of medullary phenotype, consideration of neuroendocrine differentiation or consideration of metastasis from another site. Clinico‐pathological features were compared to poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma NOS.

Only one‐third of medullary carcinomas were correctly identified between 1997 and 2018. The other two‐thirds were reported as poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma NOS. The possibility of an extracolonic origin or neuroendocrine carcinoma was considered in 21 and 27% of reports. Most medullary carcinomas exhibited mismatch repair deficiency, were located in ascending colon and caecum and had a lower rate of vascular channel invasion and lymph node metastasis compared to poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma.

Conclusions

Medullary carcinoma of the colon is often mistaken for poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma NOS and occasionally for neuroendocrine or metastatic carcinoma. Greater familiarity with morphological criteria and use of mismatch repair protein staining should improve diagnosis.
Highly‐stable, nondegradable M2A‐reinforced YSZ ceramic composites prepared by SPS
Authors: Abdelgawad Mahmoud , Li Shufeng , Ewais Emad M. M. , El‐Gamal Safaa. M. A. , Hou Xiaodong , Zhang Xin , Pan Deng , El‐Amir Ahmed A. M.
Published: November 2020

Magnesia‐rich spinel (M2A)‐reinforced yttria‐stabilized zirconia (YSZ) ceramic composites have been fabricated by SPS using m‐ZrO2, Y2O3, and waste‐derived M2A powders. The results showed that m‐ZrO2 in M2A‐free YSZ0 specimen is partially stabilized upon temperature rising into tetragonal phase whereas YSZ10‐50 composites containing 10‐50 wt% M2A demonstrated variant behavior where their m‐ZrO2 is stabilized into a cubic form. YSZ10‐50 composites SPSed at 1400°C for 30 minutes revealed greater than 99% relative density, 10‐13 GPa Vickers hardness, 3.5‐5 MPa m0.5 fracture toughness and less than 0.5% apparent porosity. Aging hydration test for five hours soaking at 134°C and water vapor pressure of 2 bar, resulted in a conversion of ~2.8% of t‐ZrO2 to m‐ZrO2 for M2A‐free YSZ0 composite but it does not affect the YSZ10‐50 composites. The outcomes indicate that M2A has significantly improved both the densification and stabilization behavior of m‐ZrO2 through facilitating the diffusion of Y3+, Mg2+, and Al3+ ions inside zirconia lattice structure. In this regard, this study opens the door wide for producing fully stabilized c‐ZrO2 ceramics that could be potentially utilized as industrial ceramics for a broad scope of structural applications of high temperature, high‐stress and corrosive environmental conditions.
Primary cutaneous malignancies in nonalbino and albino Africans
Authors: Okafor Okechukwu C. , Onyishi Nnaemeka T.
Published: November 2020

Background

The pigmented skin of black Africans has been credited with reduction in risk of skin cancer. African albinos have inherited defects in skin melanin deposition, which predisposes them to ultraviolet radiation‐induced cutaneous carcinogenesis. We compared the manifestation of skin cancers between albino and nonalbino Africans aiming to describe the effect of pigmentation or lack of it on the epidemiological characteristics of skin cancer in Africans.

Materials and methods

Cutaneous malignancies seen in our institution over a 19‐year period were analyzed using SPSS statistical software. Results were presented in tables of frequencies. Continuous variables were presented as mean with standard deviation and compared with independent sample t‐test and ANOVA. Alpha level of <0.05 was considered significant.

Result

There were 86 albinos and 364 nonalbinos in the study. Mean age (SD) at presentation for albinos was 41 (14) years and for nonalbinos 52 (17) years. Albinos had most tumors in the head and neck region and upper extremities. For nonalbinos, lower extremities followed by anogenital region were the most common body site of cutaneous malignancy. Squamous cell carcinoma was the most common type of skin cancer in the albino and nonalbino patients. No case of malignant melanoma was diagnosed in the albino group.

Conclusion

Albino skin cancer patients were much younger than nonalbinos. Albinos and nonalbinos differ in body site distribution of skin cancers. Distribution of keratinocyte carcinomas in albinos parallels the reported findings in Caucasians. Albinos may have some level of protection from cutaneous melanoma in spite of hypomelanized skin.
Expression profiles of neotropical termites reveal microbiota‐associated, caste‐biased genes and biotechnological targets
Authors: Campanini E. B. , Pedrino M. , Martins L. A. , Athaide Neta O. S. , Carazzolle M. F. , Ciancaglini I. , Malavazi I. , Costa‐Leonardo A. M. , de Melo Freire C. C. , Nunes F. M. F. , da Cunha A. F.
Published: November 2020

Termites are well recognized by their complex development trajectories, involving dynamic differentiation process between non‐reproductive castes, workers and soldiers. These insects are associated with endosymbiotic microorganisms, which help in lignocellulose digestion and nitrogen metabolism. Aiming to identify genes harbouring biotechnological potential, we analyzed workers and soldiers RNA‐Seq data of three neotropical termites: Heterotermes tenuis (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae), Velocitermes heteropterus (Isoptera: Termitidae) and Cornitermes cumulans (Isoptera: Termitidae). We observed differences in the microbiota associated with each termite family, and found protists' genes in both Termitidae species. We found an opposite pattern of caste‐biased gene expression between H. tenuis and the termitids studied. Moreover, the two termitids are considerably different concerning the number of differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Functional annotation indicated considerable differences in caste‐biased gene content between V. heteropterus and C. cumulans, even though they share similar diet and biological niche. Among the most DEGs, we highlighted those involved in caste differentiation and cellulose digestion, which are attractive targets for studying more efficient technologies for termite control, biomass digestion and other biotechnological applications.
A hierarchical supply chain model for the sugar–alcohol energy sector with robust optimization analysis
Authors: Paiva Rafael P. , Rocco Cleber D. , Morabito Reinaldo
Published: November 2020

This paper addresses a hierarchical optimization model for the sugar–alcohol energy sector with robust optimization analysis to provide managerial insights. It has two levels: the upper level is a linear model in which more aggregated decisions are related to allocating production targets to mills belonging to a cooperative society aiming to meet the potential market demand, as well as managing the inventories over months in annual planning; the lower level is a mixed‐integer model that represents the less aggregated decisions of each mill, such as the milling rhythm, the industrial process selection to produce sugar–alcohol–molasses and energy, purchasing sugarcane from the suppliers on a weekly basis. Robust optimization analysis is performed for product prices and industrial yields to investigate their impacts on the supply chain that could not be inferred through deterministic approaches. One important result was related to the uncertainty in product prices that had a greater impact on the whole supply chain compared to the industrial yield, which affects only the mill itself, particularly increasing the inventory backlog of the mill for not meeting the demand assigned by the cooperative. Cogeneration of energy, and the sale of surplus energy was an important strategy to mitigate the decrease in industrial yield performed in the robust analysis while the change in the product production pattern was a consequence of product price uncertainty. The models can be applied in practice to provide better strategic and tactical planning of mills in cooperatives.
A traditional Ugandan Ficus natalensis bark cloth exhibits antimicrobial activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Butler J.A. , Slate A.J. , Todd D.B. , Airton D. , Hardman M. , Hickey N.A. , Scott K. , Venkatraman P.D.
Published: November 2020

Aims

Surgical site, soft tissue and wound infections are some of the most prominent causes of healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs). Developing novel antimicrobial textiles and wound dressings may help alleviate the risk of developing HCAIs. We aimed to determine the antimicrobial efficacy of natural Ugandan bark cloth derived exclusively from the Ficus natalensis tree.

Methods and Results

Antimicrobial contact and disc diffusion assays, coupled with time-kill kinetic assays, demonstrated that bark cloth inhibited the growth of a clinically relevant methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strain and acted as a bactericidal agent causing a seven-log reduction in bacterial viability. Scanning electron microscopy was used to reveal morphological changes in the bacterial cell ultrastructure when exposed to bark cloth, which supported a proposed mechanism of antimicrobial activity.

Conclusions

The observed antimicrobial properties, combined with the physical characteristics elicited by bark cloth, suggest this product is ideally suited for wound and other skin care applications.

Significance and Impact of the Study

This is the first report where a whole bark cloth product made by traditional methods has been employed as an antimicrobial fabric against MRSA. Bark cloth is a highly sustainable and renewable product and this study presents a major advance in the search for natural fabrics which could be deployed for healthcare applications.
The evolving challenges of specialist gynaecological cancer nurse roles – A qualitative study
Authors: Cook Olivia , Recoche Katrina , McIntyre Meredith , Lee Susan
Published: November 2020

Aims

To determine how specialist gynaecological cancer nurses experience and perceive their role.

Design

An Interpretive Description qualitative study employing semi‐structured interview methods was conducted.

Methods

Specialist nurses working in Australia or New Zealand were recruited via the Australia and New Zealand Gynaecological Oncology Group and the Cancer Nurses Society of Australia to contribute to focus group, dyadic and/or individual interviews. Audio‐recordings of the interviews were transcribed, de‐identified, and subjected to a thematic analysis.

Results

Specialist cancer nurses participated in the study via one focus group interview (N = 6), one dyadic interview (N = 2) and 13 individual interviews between April – August 2016. Three major themes were inductively derived from 19 minor themes: ‘Working between worlds’ locates the role of the specialist nurse in the provision of gynaecological cancer care; ‘The patient's ‘go‐to’ person’ highlights participants’ relationships with patients; and ‘When so much depends on one person’ explores the personal and professional impact of working in a specialist nursing role.

Conclusion

Specialist nurses identified themselves as an accessible source of support and expertise for both women with gynaecological cancers throughout their disease trajectory and multidisciplinary team members. The main challenges they faced were the evolving and expanding nature of their bespoke roles and the dependence on them as individuals in these roles. Clearer role boundaries, guidelines for practice, effective professional support, and active succession planning are recommended.

Impact

This study explored the experiences and perceptions of gynaecological oncology specialist nurses. Despite similar roles being in place across many countries for several years, the roles continue to evolve and lack clear definition which is burdensome to their incumbents. This research indicates that it is now time for nursing leaders and the broader nursing profession to delineate scope of practice, standardise nomenclature and practice and embed these roles in nursing career and education pathways.
An integrative review of adolescent trust in the healthcare provider relationship
Authors: Hardin Heather K. , Bender Anna E. , Hermann Carla P. , Speck Barbara J.
Published: November 2020

Aim

To conduct an integrative review of empirical studies examining factors affecting trust in the healthcare provider (HCP) relationship among adolescents.

Design

An integrative review was conducted.

Data sources

The keywords adolescent, trust, healthcare provider and related words were searched in multiple online research databases. The results were limited to research published between 2004 and 2019. Seventeen primary sources were identified and synthesized in the final review.

Review method

Guided by the Whittemore and Knafl integrative review method, a data‐based convergent synthesis design was used to explore the key research question in both qualitative and quantitative research.

Results

This integrative review found that health care provider behaviours, such as confidentiality, honesty, respect, and empathy, promote adolescent's trust of the HCP. Notable gaps in the literature were also identified, including a lack of diversity among adolescent samples and HCP types and underdeveloped measures of adolescent trust of HCP.

Conclusion

This integrative review informed the development of a new conceptual definition of adolescent trust of HCP, which embodies the key findings of the importance of HCP confidentiality, honesty, respect, and empathy. This definition can be used to develop instruments, interventions and policies that promote HCP trust among adolescents. Future research is needed to develop instruments to measure adolescents’ trust of HCPs, evaluate trust of HCPs among diverse samples of adolescents and evaluate adolescent trust of HCPs with a variety of HCP types.

Impact

The new conceptual definition of adolescent trust of HCP can be used to enhance nursing practice and design behavioural interventions to improve trust of HCP. To foster adolescent trust of HCP, policies should be enacted in healthcare institutions to explain confidentiality, provide notification of reporting mandates and formalize consent, assent and dissent for adolescents seeking health care.
Genomic insights into the origin of trans‐Mediterranean disjunct distributions
Authors: Noguerales Víctor , Cordero Pedro J. , Knowles L. Lacey , Ortego Joaquín
Published: November 2020

Aim

Two main biogeographical hypotheses have been proposed to explain the Mediterranean‐Turanian disjunct distributions exhibited by numerous steppe‐dwelling organisms, namely (a) dispersal during the Messinian salinity crisis (∼5.96–5.33 Ma) followed by range fragmentation and vicariance, and (b) Pleistocene colonization and recent processes of population subdivision (<2 Ma). Despite the two hypotheses postulate the role of climatic alterations and changes in landmass configuration on determining such disjunct distributions, estimates of the timing of lineage diversification have not been complemented so far with spatially‐explicit tests providing independent evidence on the proximate processes underlying geographical patterns of population genetic connectivity/fragmentation.

Location

Mediterranean‐Turanian region.

Taxon

Saltmarsh band‐winged grasshopper (Mioscirtus wagneri).

Methods

We integrate different sources of genetic (mtDNA and ddRADseq) and spatial information (configuration of emerged lands and niche modelling) to evaluate competing hypotheses of lineage diversification in the saltmarsh band‐winged grasshopper, a halophile species showing a classical Mediterranean‐Turanian disjunct distribution.

Results

Phylogenomic analyses reveal the presence of two North African cryptic lineages and support that trans‐Mediterranean populations of the species diverged in the Pleistocene, with evidence of post‐Messinian permeability of the Strait of Gibraltar to gene flow likely associated with sea level drops during glacial periods. Accordingly, spatial patterns of genetic differentiation are best explained by a scenario of population connectivity defined by the configuration of emerged landmasses and environmentally suitable habitats during glacial periods, a time when effective population sizes of the species peaked as inferred by genomic‐based demographic reconstructions.

Main conclusions

Our results support post‐Messinian colonization and Pleistocene diversification as the biogeographical scenario best explaining the trans‐Mediterranean disjunct distributions of halophilous organisms.
Advances on liver cell‐derived exosomes in liver diseases
Authors: Jiao Yan , Xu Ping , Shi Honglin , Chen Dexi , Shi Hongbo
Published: November 2020

Exosomes are extracellular vesicles with diameters ranging from 30 to 150 nm, which contain several donor cell‐associated proteins as well as mRNA, miRNA, and lipids and coordinate multiple physiological and pathological functions through horizontal communication between cells. Almost all types of liver cells, such as hepatocytes and Kupffer cells, are exosome‐releasing and/or exosome‐targeted cells. Exosomes secreted by liver cells play an important role in regulating general physiological functions and also participate in the onset and development of liver diseases, including liver cancer, liver injury, liver fibrosis and viral hepatitis. Liver cell‐derived exosomes carry liver cell‐specific proteins and miRNAs, which can be used as diagnostic biomarkers and treatment targets of liver disease. This review discusses the functions of exosomes derived from different liver cells and provides novel insights based on the latest developments regarding the roles of exosomes in the diagnosis and treatment of liver diseases.
Microwave intermittent drying characteristics of camellia oleifera seeds
Authors: Huang Dan , Men Kaiyang , Tang Xiaohong , Li Wei , Sherif SA
Published: November 2020

This paper reports on an experimental investigation of the drying characteristics and kinetics of camellia oleifera seeds under microwave intermittent drying conditions. The effects of key parameters such as microwave power, heating time, and the length of the intermittent time are discussed in detail. The energy consumption in the drying process along with the main quality parameters of camellia oil, namely the peroxide and acid values, have also been determined and compared with hot‐air drying. Results show that the microwave drying curve consists of an acceleration rate period, a constant rate period and a falling rate period. As the microwave power and heating time increase, the drying time decreases. While as the length of the intermittent time increases, the drying time increases. The hot‐air drying time was found to be much longer than microwave drying time, and the energy consumed during hot‐air drying was also several hundred times higher than that used during microwave intermittent drying. The acid and peroxide values of camellia oil after hot‐air and microwave drying were both within the allowable range in the National Standard of China. The Midilli and Kucuk model was the best model to describe the kinetics of the drying process.

Practical applications

Drying is the first step in the processing of camellia oleifera seeds, which not only affects the storage of camellia oleifera seeds, but also affects the quality of camellia oil, and has thus become a research hotspot in recent years. However, several disadvantages of hot‐air drying have been identified like the slowness of the drying process and the relatively large energy consumption. Therefore, finding a drying method that is more suitable is necessary. Microwave intermittent drying is a type of discontinuous drying. The moisture and temperature inside the material can be evenly redistributed during the intermittent time, so that the material is not overheated. This feature of preserving the quality of the products to be dried has made microwave intermittent drying attractive and has been successfully applied to agricultural, forestry, and food products.
Relational Decision‐Making in the Context of Life‐Limiting Fetal Anomalies: Two Cases of Anencephaly Diagnosis
Authors: Zielinski Ruth E. , Roosevelt Lee , Nelson Kathryn , Vargas Brittaney , Thomas Jonalea W.
Published: November 2020

Life‐limiting fetal diagnoses such as anencephaly require families to make decisions in which no options offered will lead to the desired outcome of a healthy newborn. Although informed choice and shared decision‐making are important aspects of ethics regarding care choices, they have limitations. In this article, 2 cases of anencephaly diagnosis are presented, and a relational decision‐making model of care is proposed as an alternative for aiding pregnant people and their families in making challenging choices in the context of perinatal care.
An unusual adverse event of botulinum toxin injection in the lower face
Authors: Auada Souto Mariam Patrícia , Souto Luís Ricardo Martinhão
Published: November 2020

Background

In the lower third of the face, botulinum toxin A is used to obtain a more harmonious contour. The anatomical complexity of the face requires a more precise application of botulinum toxin.

Aim

Describe the treatment of an unexpected effect after botulinum toxin A application in the lower third of the face.

Patient/Methods

A 51‐year‐old female patient presented to our clinic for application of botulin toxin aiming to improve facial wrinkles and contour. 50 U of botulinum toxin type A were applied to the upper third and 20 U to the lower third of the face. The patient returned after 10 days with a smile asymmetry and an excessive and unconscious lowering on the right side of the lower lip while laughing. So, 3 U of botulinum toxin were applied to the center of the depressor labii inferioris muscle on the right side.

Results

The patient returned with a satisfactory correction of the smile asymmetry.

Conclusion

Although treatments with botulinum toxin A are considered safe, unexpected results can occur. In our case, it probably occurred due to medial injection or diffusion of botulinum toxin A into depressor anguli oris muscle on the left side that may lead to paralysis of the left depressor labii inferioris muscle and downward hyperfunction of the unaffected right lower lip. The correction was made with a new injection of botulinum toxin A in the depressor labii inferioris hyperactive muscle at the right side.
The Misguided Beliefs of Financial Advisors
Authors: LINNAINMAA JUHANI T. , MELZER BRIAN T. , PREVITERO ALESSANDRO
Published: November 2020

A common view of retail finance is that conflicts of interest contribute to the high cost of advice. Within a large sample of Canadian financial advisors and their clients, however, we show that advisors typically invest personally just as they advise their clients. Advisors trade frequently, chase returns, prefer expensive and actively managed funds, and underdiversify. Advisors' net returns of −3% per year are similar to their clients' net returns. Advisors do not strategically hold expensive portfolios only to convince clients to do the same; they continue to do so after they leave the industry.
Differential Frond Growth in the Isomorphic Haploid–diploid Red Seaweed Agarophyton chilense by Long‐term In Situ Monitoring
Authors: Vieira Vasco M.N.C.S. , Engelen Aschwin H. , Huanel Oscar R. , Guillemin Marie‐Laure
Published: November 2020

Conditional differentiation between haploids and diploids has been proposed to drive the evolutionary stability of isomorphic biphasic life cycles. The cost of producing and maintaining genetic information has been posed as a possible driver of this conditional differentiation. Under this hypothesis, haploids benefit over diploids in resource‐limited environments by halving the costs of producing and maintaining DNA. Spared resources can be allocated to enhance survival, growth or fertility. Here we test in the field whether indeed haploids have higher growth rates than diploids. Individuals of the red seaweed Agarophyton chilense, were mapped and followed during 2 years with 4‐month census intervals across different stands within the Valdivia River estuary, Chile. As hypothesized, haploids grew larger and faster than diploids, but this was sex‐dependent. Haploid (gametophyte) females grew twice as large and 15% faster than diploids (tetrasporophytes), whereas haploid males only grew as large and as fast as the maximum obtained by diploids in summer. However, haploid males maintained their maximum sizes and growth rates constant year‐round, while diploids were smaller and had lower growth rates during the winter. In conclusion, our results confirm the conditional differentiation in size and growth between haploids and diploids but also identified important differences between males and females. Besides understanding life cycle evolution, the dynamics of A. chilense frond growth reported informs algal farmers regarding production optimization and should help in determining best planting and harvesting strategies.
Autophagy and its significance in periodontal disease
Authors: Yang Yuhui , Huang Yiping , Li Weiran
Published: November 2020

Autophagy is an evolutionarily conserved process essential for cellular homeostasis and human health. As a lysosome‐dependent degradation pathway, autophagy acts as a modulator of the pathogenesis of diverse diseases. The relationship between autophagy and oral diseases has been explored in recent years, and there is increasing interest in the role of autophagy in periodontal disease. Periodontal disease is a prevalent chronic inflammatory disorder characterized by the destruction of periodontal tissues. It is initiated through pathogenic bacterial infection and interacts with the host immune defense, leading to inflammation and alveolar bone resorption. In this review, we outline the machinery of autophagy and present an overview of work on the significance of autophagy in regulating pathogen invasion, the immune response, inflammation, and alveolar bone homeostasis of periodontal disease. Existing data provide support for the importance of autophagy as a multi‐dimensional regulator in the pathogenesis of periodontal disease and demonstrate the importance of future research on the potential roles of autophagy in periodontal disease.
Modeling the geochemical evolution of impact melts in terrestrial impact basins: Vredefort granophyre dikes and Sudbury offset dikes
Authors: Huber Matthew S. , Kovaleva Elizaveta , Riller Ulrich
Published: November 2020

The Vredefort impact structure, South Africa, is comparable to the Sudbury impact structure, Canada, in size, age, and target rock composition. Both impact structures feature impact melt dikes. The melt sheet of the Sudbury impact (Sudbury Igneous Complex; SIC) is genetically linked to the Sudbury offset dikes in the underlying target rock. At Vredefort, the melt sheet was eroded so that only the granophyre dikes retain compositional melt sheet characteristics. XRF analyses of 43 samples from four granophyre dikes are similar to previous studies, but identify an anomalous mafic phase within one of the dikes. The results from the Vredefort granophyre dikes are compared to the Sudbury offset dikes and shown to follow similar geochemical trends, controlled by crystallization of feldspar and pyroxene. The mafic granophyre phase is compositionally remarkably similar to the offset dike compositions. The program Rhyolite‐MELTS was used to test possible melt sheet compositions. Modeling results are broadly consistent with the overall chemical and mineral composition of the dikes. Modeling is consistent with offset dikes being derived from the basal mafic layer of the SIC, and the granophyre dikes being derived from alkali‐depleted bulk continental crust. For all modeled compositions, crystallization primarily occurred at temperatures between 1150°C and 1000°C. The emplacement of the felsic granophyre dikes from a homogenized crustal melt suggests emplacement within tens of years after the impact event. The presence of the mafic phase in one of the granophyre dikes is explained by its emplacement following some differentiation of the Vredefort melt sheet.