bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Clinical factors associated with noncurative endoscopic submucosal dissection for the expanded indication of intestinal‐type early gastric cancer: Post hoc analysis of a multi‐institutional, single‐arm, confirmatory trial (JCOG0607)
Authors: Kadota Tomohiro , Hasuike Noriaki , Ono Hiroyuki , Boku Narikazu , Mizusawa Junki , Oda Ichiro , Oyama Tsuneo , Horiuchi Yusuke , Hirasawa Kingo , Yoshio Toshiyuki , Minashi Keiko , Takizawa Kohei , Nakamura Kenichi , Muto Manabu
Published: October 2022

Objectives

The multi‐institutional, single‐arm, confirmatory trial JCOG0607 showed excellent efficacy of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for the expanded indication of intramucosal intestinal‐type early gastric cancer (EGC), which consists of two groups: lesions >2 cm if clinical finding of ulcer (cUL)‐negative, or those ≤3 cm if cUL‐positive because of the expected low risk of lymph node metastasis. However, the proportion of noncurative resections (NCR) requiring additional surgery was high (32.4%). This post hoc analysis aimed to explore the clinical factors associated with NCR.

Methods

As the expanded indication includes two different groups, we explored the clinical factors associated with NCR separately in cUL‐negative (>2 cm) and cUL‐positive (≤3 cm) groups using the log–linear model.

Results

Two hundred and sixty cUL‐negative and 206 cUL‐positive EGCs were analyzed. The proportions of NCR were 33.8% in the cUL‐negative group and 29.6% in the cUL‐positive group. A multivariable analysis demonstrated that moderately differentiated predominant histology diagnosed in pretreatment biopsy (risk ratio [RR] 1.93, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.34–2.77, P < 0.001) and lesion in the upper stomach (RR 1.75, 95% CI 1.03–2.96, P = 0.038) in the cUL‐negative EGCs, and tumor size >2 cm (RR 1.78, 95% CI 1.22–2.58, P = 0.003) and female sex (RR 1.62, 95% CI 1.07–2.44, P = 0.021) in the cUL‐positive EGCs were independent factors associated with NCR.

Conclusions

Clinical risk factors associated with NCR were different between cUL‐negative and cUL‐positive EGCs. To avoid NCR, we need to take these factors into account when deciding expanded indications for ESD.
Demographic history and conservation genomics of caribou (Rangifer tarandus) in Québec
Authors: Dedato Morgan N. , Robert Claude , Taillon Joëlle , Shafer Aaron B. A. , Côté Steeve D.
Published: October 2022

The loss of genetic diversity is a challenge many species are facing, with genomics being a potential tool to inform and prioritize decision‐making. Most caribou (Rangifer tarandus) populations have experienced significant recent declines throughout Québec, Canada, and are considered of concern, threatened or endangered. Here, we calculated the ancestral and contemporary patterns of genomic diversity of five representative caribou populations and applied a comparative population genomics framework to assess the interplay between demographic events and genomic diversity. We first calculated a caribou specific mutation rate, μ, by extracting orthologous genes from related ungulates and estimating the rate of synonymous mutations. Whole genome re‐sequencing was then completed on 67 caribou: from these data we calculated nucleotide diversity, θπ and estimated the coalescent or ancestral effective population size (Ne), which ranged from 12,030 to 15,513. When compared to the census size, NC, the endangered Gaspésie Mountain caribou population had the highest ancestral Ne:NC ratio which is consistent with recent work suggesting high ancestral Ne:NC is of conservation concern. In contrast, values of contemporary Ne, estimated from linkage‐disequilibrium, ranged from 11 to 162, with Gaspésie having among the highest contemporary Ne:NC ratio. Importantly, classic conservation genetics theory would predict this population to be of less concern based on this ratio. Interestingly, F varied only slightly between populations, and despite evidence of bottlenecks across the province, runs of homozygosity were not abundant in the genome. Tajima's D estimates mirrored the demographic models and current conservation status. Our study highlights how genomic patterns are nuanced and potentially misleading if viewed only through a contemporary lens; we argue a holistic conservation genomics view should integrate ancestral Ne and Tajima's D into management decisions.
Dark diversity in Amazonian stream fish communities: What factors determine species absence along environmental gradients?
Authors: Cantanhêde Lorrane Gabrielle , Teresa Fabrício Barreto , Hoeinghaus David Joseph , Winemiller Kirk Owen , de Assis Montag Luciano Fogaça
Published: October 2022

Species distribution models often fail to predict observed patterns of species diversity, and this is because some species within a regional pool that are tolerant of conditions at a given location may nevertheless be absent from the local community. These missing species have been termed “dark diversity”. In the present study, we investigated which factors explain dark diversity among fish assemblages in Amazonian streams.

We sampled 71 streams in areas with different types of land use within two river basins and estimated dark diversity from patterns of species co‐occurrence, using Beals’ index, along environmental gradients. From this procedure, taxa are designated as dark diversity components when they are absent from a given stream, but often co‐occur with the local species at other streams, indicating similar ecological requirements. We used generalised linear models both to determine whether environmental or landscape variables, connectivity, instream environmental heterogeneity or some combination of these factors explained dark diversity of fishes, and to evaluate whether ecomorphology is associated with the extent to which a species contributes to dark diversity and which specific traits contribute the most to explaining variation in dark diversity.

Mean local diversity exceeded observed dark diversity. The magnitude of dark diversity was directly associated with the proportion of secondary forest in the immediate catchment and with the index of proximity to anthropogenic impact. Species that have high affinity for environments with higher current velocity, low swimming ability and that capture food mainly on the surface contributed more to dark diversity, which suggests that swimming ability, habitat preference and aspects related to diet are key predictors of the probability that a given species will be present at locations with suitable habitat.

Our findings reinforce the idea that dark diversity results from interactions between species traits and environmental factors, including anthropogenic impacts. Understanding the interplay among environmental factors and species traits that contribute to dark diversity provides targets for improved ecosystem restoration and sustainability of native species assemblages.
The effects of marine heatwaves on acute heat tolerance in corals
Authors: Marzonie Magena R. , Bay Line K. , Bourne David G. , Hoey Andrew S. , Matthews Samuel , Nielsen Josephine J. V. , Harrison Hugo B.
Published: October 2022

Scleractinian coral populations are increasingly exposed to conditions above their upper thermal limits due to marine heatwaves, contributing to global declines of coral reef ecosystem health. However, historic mass bleaching events indicate there is considerable inter‐ and intra‐specific variation in thermal tolerance whereby species, individual coral colonies and populations show differential susceptibility to exposure to elevated temperatures. Despite this, we lack a clear understanding of how heat tolerance varies across large contemporary and historical environmental gradients, or the selective pressures that underpin this variation. Here we conducted standardised acute heat stress experiments to identify variation in heat tolerance among species and isolated reefs spanning a large environmental gradient across the Coral Sea Marine Park. We quantified the photochemical yield (Fv/Fm) of coral samples in three coral species, Acropora cf humilis, Pocillopora meandrina, and Pocillopora verrucosa, following exposure to four temperature treatments (local ambient temperatures, and + 3°C, +6°C and + 9°C above local maximum monthly mean). We quantified the temperature at which Fv/Fm decreased by 50% (termed ED50) and used derived values to directly compare acute heat tolerance across reefs and species. The ED50 for Acropora was 0.4–0.7°C lower than either Pocillopora species, with a 0.3°C difference between the two Pocillopora species. We also recorded 0.9°C to 1.9°C phenotypic variation in heat tolerance among reefs within species, indicating spatial heterogeneity in heat tolerance across broad environmental gradients. Acute heat tolerance had a strong positive relationship to mild heatwave exposure over the past 35 years (since 1986) but was negatively related to recent severe heatwaves (2016–2020). Phenotypic variation associated with mild thermal history in local environments provides supportive evidence that marine heatwaves are selecting for tolerant individuals and populations; however, this adaptive potential may be compromised by the exposure to recent severe heatwaves.
Divergence of the world city system from national economies
Authors: Leffel Benjamin , Marahrens Helge , Alderson Arthur S.
Published: October 2022

This study shows that the position of cities in the world economy has diverged from national economies. Using data from 2016, we evaluate a network of 12,802 cities formed by the location decisions of 24,355 firms in terms of their point centrality, and show that the inter‐city and inter‐national systems have measurably decoupled, disrupting the previously‐observed pattern in which the most powerful cities in the world city system were located in core countries, "mid‐level" cities were in the semi‐periphery,and the least powerful cities were in peripheral countries. Our findings support predictions that globalizing cities would diverge from national economies and that globalization would generate a new global geography that transects long‐standing cleavages in the world system.
Safety of FEIBA and emicizumab (SAFE): Dose escalation study evaluating the safety of in vivo administration of activated prothrombin complex concentrate in haemophilia A patients on emicizumab
Authors: Kizilocak Hande , Marquez‐Casas Elizabeth , Malvar Jemily , Young Guy
Published: October 2022

Introduction

Emicizumab is a humanized bispecific monoclonal antibody licensed for patients with severe haemophilia A. Breakthrough bleeding still occurs in patients on emicizumab and can be managed with recombinant factor VIIa (rFVIIa) or activated prothrombin complex concentrate (aPCC). Thrombotic events were reported when patients on emicizumab received concomitant aPCC at relatively high doses. We studied the effect of infusing various doses of aPCC to patients on emicizumab.

Material and methods

Nine patients with severe haemophilia A with inhibitors who are on emicizumab were recruited to participate. Patients were infused with varying doses of aPCC in vivo. Samples were tested with thrombin generation (TG) assay.

Results

In the current in vivo arm of the study four out of nine patients reached the highest dose, 75 U/kg of aPCC and six out of nine patients were actually eligible for the highest dose. In the previous in vitro arm of the study seven out of eight patients reached the normal plasma with spiking aPCC at a very low concentration equivalent to 5 U/kg.

Conclusion

The in vitro portion of the study demonstrated that clinically relevant concentrations of aPCC resulted in excessive TG, however, in vivo administration of aPCC to the same patients demonstrated that most of the patients had normal TG at the approved doses of aPCC. In the management of breakthrough bleeding clinicians should heed the boxed warning for concomitant use of emicizumab and aPCC, however, should also be aware that low doses of aPCC may not result in sufficient TG.
A multicenter, randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, crossover trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of zolmitriptan nasal spray for the acute treatment of migraine in patients aged 6 to 11 years, with an open‐label extension
Authors: Yonker Marcy E. , McVige Jennifer , Zeitlin Leonid , Visser Hester
Published: October 2022

Objective

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of zolmitriptan nasal spray (ZNS) in the acute treatment of migraine headache in patients aged 6 to 11 years.

Background

Triptans have demonstrated efficacy in adults, but pediatric studies of these agents have largely failed and there are few triptan options for these patients. Because lack of response to 1 triptan does not necessarily preclude response to an alternate triptan, additional triptan options for pediatric patients are desirable.

Methods

This Phase 3, randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, multicenter crossover trial with an open‐label extension enrolled patients aged 6 to 11 years with a diagnosis of migraine for ≥6 months and ≥16 headache‐free days/month (N = 373). After a run‐in period to eliminate placebo responders, 186 patients were randomized within their body weight stratum to ZNS followed by matching placebo, or placebo followed by matching ZNS. Patients <50 kg who were randomly allocated to ZNS were randomized to 5:1 to ZNS 2.5 or 1.0 mg; those ≥50 kg were randomized 5:1 to ZNS 5.0 or 2.5 mg. Patients had 6 weeks to treat 1 moderate to severe migraine headache and then crossed over to the alternate arm, during which they had 6 weeks to treat a second migraine attack. Patients could participate in a subsequent 6‐month outpatient open‐label extension. The primary efficacy endpoint was pain‐free status at 2 h in patients treated with the high dose from each stratum.

Results

The trial was terminated early due to slow enrollment. Three hundred patients (mean age, 9 years) entered the placebo run‐in period and 186 entered the double‐blind period. Pain‐free status at 2 h postdose was achieved by 45/133 (33.8%) and 30/128 (23.4%) of patients who received high‐dose ZNS and placebo, respectively (p = 0.0777; odds ratio [OR] 1.51; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.96, 2.38). Several secondary endpoints achieved statistical significance. There were few treatment‐related adverse events and none led to discontinuation. ZNS retained efficacy and demonstrated a consistent safety profile throughout the 6‐month open‐label extension.

Conclusion

The effect of high‐dose ZNS on the primary endpoint of pain‐free status at 2 h did not achieve statistical significance. ZNS was safe and well tolerated in this pediatric population.
The influence of apical periodontitis on circulatory inflammatory mediators in peripheral blood: A prospective case–control study
Authors: Georgiou Athina Christina , Twisk Jos W. R. , Crielaard Wim , Ouwerling Peter , Schoneveld Arjan H. , van der Waal Suzette Veronica
Published: October 2022

Aim

To explore the influence of apical periodontitis (AP) on inflammatory markers in blood of otherwise healthy individuals and to depict the inflammatory profile of the healing after dental extraction.

Methodology

This is a prospective case–control intervention study, during which, individuals with a diagnosis of AP of one affected tooth were included, along with a control group matched for age and gender. A broad panel of blood inflammatory mediators was examined longitudinally in all subjects during six visits. In the case of the AP subjects, the tooth with AP was extracted at the third visit. Results were analysed by linear regression analyses and linear mixed‐model analyses.

Results

A total of 53 subjects were included in the study, 27 with AP and 26 without. Fifteen females and 12 males were included in the AP group, and 14 females and 12 males in the control group. At baseline, granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor (p < .001), interleukin (IL)‐1β (p = .03) and IL‐4 (p = .01) were significantly lower in AP subjects than in controls. Comparison of the differences between baseline and the last visit, i.e. 3 months after the tooth extraction, showed a significant reduction in IL‐10 (p = .03) and IL‐12p70 (p = .01).

Conclusions

The immunologic profile of chronic AP in one tooth and its healing profile reveals a systemic low‐grade inflammation through compensatory immunosuppression. A larger lesion or multiple lesions could disrupt the balance that the system is trying to maintain, resulting in loss of homeostasis.
Regulation of caries‐induced pulp inflammation by NLRP3 inflammasome: A laboratory‐based investigation
Authors: Al Natour Banan , Lundy Fionnuala T. , About Imad , Jeanneau Charlotte , Dombrowski Yvonne , El Karim Ikhlas A.
Published: October 2022

Aim

To evaluate the expression and function of the nod‐like receptor pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome in caries induced pulpitis.

Methodology

NLRP3 expression was determined with immunohistochemistry in the dental pulp and qPCR in dental pulp cells (DPCs). THP‐1 macrophages expressing the apoptosis‐related speck‐like protein (ASC) and green fluorescent protein (GFP) fusion protein were used to assess NLRP3 inflammasome activation by live cell imaging, following treatment with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and lipoteichoic acid (LTA). Caspase I inhibitor was used to confirm inflammasome activation. An ex‐vivo pulpitis model in which the DPCs were co‐cultured with THP‐1 macrophages was used to study the effect of the NLRP3 inflammasome inhibitor (MCC950), and cytokines were measured using ELISA and multiplex array. Data were analysed using the t‐test or anova followed by a Bonferroni post hoc test with the level of significance set at p ≤ .05.

Results

NLRP3 inflammasome was differentially expressed in dental pulp of sound and carious teeth. Treatment of DPCs with LTA significantly upregulates NLRP3 and IL‐1 β‐expression (p < .05) and in induces more ASC specks formation compared to LPS. IL‐β release in response to LTA treatment is significantly reduced with Caspase I inhibitor suggesting inflammasome dependent mechanism (p < .01). NLRP3‐specific inhibitor, MCC950, significantly reduced IL‐1β and IL‐6 in an ex‐vivo pulpitis model (p < .01) but had no effect on IL‐8 or matrix metalloproteinase‐9 (MMP‐9).

Conclusions

Expression and upregulation of NLRP3 inflammasome with caries and LTA treatment suggest a role in caries‐induced pulpitis. NLRP3 inhibitor attenuated the release of selective inflammatory cytokines and could be a potential treatment target that merit further investigation.
Effect of wet‐jet milling on the c‐axis orientation of hydroxyapatite ceramics fabricated using a strong magnetic field
Authors: Otsuka Yuki , Yamamoto Isao , Iijima Motoyuki , Tatami Junichi
Published: October 2022

Controlling the crystal orientation of hydroxyapatite, an inorganic material that is a major component of human hard tissues is important to fabricate better artificial bones and artificial tooth roots. To obtain highly oriented hydroxyapatite ceramics under a strong magnetic field, a good dispersion of the raw materials in the slurry must be obtained. This study investigates the effect of wet‐jet milling of a slurry on the orientation of hydroxyapatite ceramics fabricated using a strong magnetic field. Although the prolonged ball milling with ZrO2 balls of the raw powder fractures the primary particles of hydroxyapatite, wet‐jet milling is used to successfully pulverize agglomerated hydroxyapatite raw powder without changing the morphology of the primary particles. Evidently, ceramics with a highly oriented c‐axis of hydroxyapatite are obtained by molding the wet‐jet milled slurry in a strong rotating magnetic field. They exhibit anisotropy in fracture toughness, and the fracture toughness calculated from the crack length perpendicular to the rotating axis is higher than that calculated from the crack length parallel to it. Furthermore, these values are higher than those of randomly oriented hydroxyapatite ceramics, which may be owing to the crystal orientation dependence of the fracture toughness of the hydroxyapatite grains and grain boundaries.
Relationships between job burnout, ethical climate and organizational citizenship behaviour among registered nurses: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Wang Lyu , Dong Xiaoyu , An Yan , Chen Cancan , Eckert Marion , Sharplin Greg , Fish Jennifer , Fan Xiuzhen
Published: October 2022

Aim

This study aimed to investigate the levels of nurses' organizational citizenship behaviour and the associations between job burnout and ethical climate with organizational citizenship behaviour.

Background

Organizational citizenship behaviour improves adverse outcomes led by nursing shortage. However, the associations between three dimensions of job burnout and organizational citizenship behaviour are inconsistent, and little is known about whether ethical climate is related to organizational citizenship behaviour in nurses.

Methods

In this cross‐sectional study, 1157 nurses were selected using convenience sampling from April to October 2019. Self‐report surveys assessed nurses' organizational citizenship behaviour, emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, personal accomplishment and perceptions of ethical climate.

Results

Mean organizational citizenship behaviour was high among nurses. The regression model showed that job burnout and ethical climate explained an additional 38.6% of the variance in organizational citizenship behaviour over and above sociodemographic factors, with 44.9% of the total variance.

Conclusion

Nurses' organizational citizenship behaviour was at a relatively high level. Depersonalization was negatively associated with organizational citizenship behaviour while personal accomplishment and ethical climate were positively related to organizational citizenship behaviour. Therefore, nurse leaders are encouraged to take measures to help nurses reduce job burnout and create a favourable ethical climate for increasing nurses' organizational citizenship behaviour.
Adolescent overweight and obesity in Ireland—Trends and sociodemographic associations between 1990 and 2020
Authors: Moore Heslin Aoibhín , O'Donnell Aisling , Kehoe Laura , Walton Janette , Flynn Albert , Kearney John , McNulty Breige
Published: October 2022

Background

Overweight and obesity in adolescence is a growing issue and can have a range of both short‐ and long‐term consequences on health.

Objectives

To analyse trends in adolescent weight status in Ireland across a 30‐year period and to examine the influence of sociodemographic factors on overweight/obesity in Irish adolescents over time.

Methods

Body composition and body mass index weight status of Irish adolescents were compared using data from three nationally representative, cross‐sectional Irish national food consumption surveys from 1990, 2006 and 2020. Adjusted analysis of associations between socio‐demographic factors with the risk of adolescent overweight/obesity at each time point were examined.

Results

The prevalence of Irish adolescents with overweight/obesity has increased significantly in recent years, with 24% of adolescents living with overweight/obesity in 2020 compared to 18% in 2006 and 13% in 1990 (p < 0.001). Of note is a substantial increase in the prevalence of obesity, with 8% of adolescents living with obesity in 2020 compared to 3% in 2006 and 0.5% in 1990 (p < 0.001). A lower affluence social class was associated with 3.95 increased odds of adolescent overweight/obesity (95%CI 2.06–7.61) (p < 0.001) in 2020 only, with 41% of adolescents from the lowest affluence social class affected by overweight/obesity. Parental education level was inversely associated with the risk of adolescent overweight/obesity in 2006 and 2020, with a stronger effect in 2020.

Conclusion

There is an increasing prevalence of adolescents living with overweight/obesity in Ireland, with evidence of a growing socioeconomic gradient of overweight/obesity where adolescents affected by socioeconomic disadvantage are most at risk.
G protein coupled pattern recognition receptors expressed in neutrophils: Recognition, activation/modulation, signaling and receptor regulated functions
Authors: Dahlgren Claes , Lind Simon , Mårtensson Jonas , Björkman Lena , Wu Yanling , Sundqvist Martina , Forsman Huamei
Published: October 2022

Neutrophils, the most abundant white blood cell in human blood, express receptors that recognize damage/microbial associated pattern molecules of importance for cell recruitment to sites of inflammation. Many of these receptors belong to the family of G protein coupled receptors (GPCRs). These receptor‐proteins span the plasma membrane in expressing cells seven times and the down‐stream signaling rely in most cases on an activation of heterotrimeric G proteins. The GPCRs expressed in neutrophils recognize a number of structurally diverse ligands (activating agonists, allosteric modulators, and inhibiting antagonists) and share significant sequence homologies. Studies of receptor structure and function have during the last 40 years generated important information on GPCR biology in general; this knowledge aids in the overall understanding of general pharmacological principles, governing regulation of neutrophil function and inflammatory processes, including novel leukocyte receptor activities related to ligand recognition, biased/functional selective signaling, allosteric modulation, desensitization, and reactivation mechanisms as well as communication (receptor transactivation/cross‐talk) between GPCRs. This review summarizes the recent discoveries and pharmacological hallmarks with focus on some of the neutrophil expressed pattern recognition GPCRs. In addition, unmet challenges, including recognition by the receptors of diverse ligands and how biased signaling mediate different biological effects are described/discussed.
Genotype and phenotype correlations in 441 patients with epidermolysis bullosa from China
Authors: Chen Fuying , Wei Ruoqu , Deng Dan , Zhang Xue , Cao Yu , Pan Chaolan , Wang Yumeng , Cao Qiaoyu , Wang Jianbo , Zeng Ming , Huang Linting , Gu Yan , Yao Zhirong , Li Ming
Published: October 2022

Background

Epidermolysis bullosa (EB) is a heterogeneous group of rare and incurable genetic blistering disorders.

Objectives

The objective was to analyse the genotype–phenotype correlation in EB among Chinese individuals.

Methods

Next‐generation sequencing and Sanger sequencing were performed to genetically confirm clinically diagnosed EB. Reverse transcription‐PCR and splice‐site analysis were used to evaluate the consequences of splicing mutations.

Results

A total of 441 cases (413 families) across 11 genes were included. EB simplex (EBS), junctional EB (JEB), dystrophic EB (DEB), Kindler EB, simplex and junctional compound EB accounted for 23.4%, 12.7%, 61.5%, 1.1% and 0.2%, respectively. In 16 probands with presumptive recessive EB, failed to find the second allele, COL7A1 (10), COL17A1 (4), LAMB3 (1) and ITGB4 (1). De novo mutations are common in dominant EB (63.8% in EBS, 27.5% in DEB) but extremely rare in recessive DEB (RDEB; 0.74%). Mosaicism is more common than presumed, with 5.4% of dominant EBS. In JEB, only 45.0% of patients with biallelic premature termination codon (PTC) mutations in laminin 332 genes died within 24 months, with a longer average survival age of 11.1 months. In JEB, unusual phenotypes are frequently observed, notably urinary tract involvement, duodenal atresia and EB nevi. In RDEB, 48.8% of cases with biallelic PTC mutations in COL7A1 exhibited a relatively mild phenotype; they are likely to develop a severe phenotype at 0–4 years old, and the PTC mutations position closer to the N‐terminal, leading to earlier onset. Glycine substitution mutations in DEB have complex genotypic and phenotypic heterogeneity. The rare subtype, dominant and recessive compound DEB, consists of 1.8% of the total DEB.

Conclusions

This study reveals the general rules governing genotype–phenotype correlations, rare phenotypes and complex genotypes. Collectively, mutation analysis in different forms of EB provides the basis for improved subclassification with accurate genetic counselling and for prenatal diagnosis.
Low‐energy electron microscopy intensity–voltage data – Factorization, sparse sampling and classification
Authors: Masia Francesco , Langbein Wolfgang , Fischer Simon , Krisponeit Jon‐Olaf , Falta Jens
Published: October 2022

Low‐energy electron microscopy (LEEM) taken as intensity–voltage (I–V) curves provides hyperspectral images of surfaces, which can be used to identify the surface type, but are difficult to analyse. Here, we demonstrate the use of an algorithm for factorizing the data into spectra and concentrations of characteristic components (FSC3) for identifying distinct physical surface phases. Importantly, FSC3 is an unsupervised and fast algorithm. As example data we use experiments on the growth of praseodymium oxide or ruthenium oxide on ruthenium single crystal substrates, both featuring a complex distribution of coexisting surface components, varying in both chemical composition and crystallographic structure. With the factorization result a sparse sampling method is demonstrated, reducing the measurement time by 1–2 orders of magnitude, relevant for dynamic surface studies. The FSC3 concentrations are providing the features for a support vector machine‐based supervised classification of the surface types. Here, specific surface regions which have been identified structurally, via their diffraction pattern, as well as chemically by complementary spectro‐microscopic techniques, are used as training sets. A reliable classification is demonstrated on both example LEEM I–V data sets.
Diagnostic performance of magnetic resonance imaging for degenerative temporomandibular joint disease
Authors: Liu Sha‐sha , Xu Li‐li , Lu Shen‐ji , Mao Meng‐ying , Liu Li‐kun , Cai Bin
Published: October 2022

Background

Degenerative joint disease (DJD) of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is an important type of temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) potentially leading to orofacial pain and jaw dysfunction. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is important in TMD diagnosis; however, its diagnostic ability for DJD remains unknown.

Objective

To explore the utility of MRI in diagnosing DJD according to the latest diagnostic criteria for TMD and detecting condylar bone abnormalities and their severity.

Methods

Overall, 122 participants were examined using cone‐beam computed tomography (CBCT) and MRI. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of MRI for detecting DJD and different types of TMJ condylar bone abnormalities were calculated (considering CBCT as gold standard); in addition, we tested MRI and CBCT's consistency in scoring five types of condylar bone abnormalities.

Results

The sensitivity and specificity of MRI for DJD were 95.3% and 43.1%, respectively. The MRI sensitivities for condylar flattening, erosion, osteophytes, sclerosis and cysts were 98.6%, 96.2%, 79.4%, 50%, and 79.2% (specificity, 53.6%, 48.3%, 81.6%, 83.3%, and 88.2%, respectively), respectively. The consistency between MRI and CBCT in assessing the severity of condylar bone abnormalities was fair‐to‐moderate (kappa coefficient: 0.278–0.491). The inter‐observer consistency for CBCT was good, whereas for MRI, it was relatively poor.

Conclusion

MRI can detect DJD and condylar bone abnormalities. However, MRI could not efficiently detect the severity of condylar bone abnormalities.
The impact of crime on firm entry
Authors: Barbieri Nicolò , Rizzo Ugo
Published: October 2022

The article investigates the effect of crime on firm entry rates in Italian provinces over the period 2007–2016. The extant literature focuses mainly on the relationship between crime and the sorting of new businesses. The present paper contributes to this stream of work by estimating the effect of crime on the overall propensity to engage in entrepreneurial activities across a national territory. We measure the extent to which property and violent crime affect firm entry rates using an instrumental variable approach in which the instrument for criminal activity is the effective abortion rate. Our findings suggest that crime has a negative, sizable impact on firm entry. The results are robust to alternative instrumental variables and firm entry indicators. This empirical exercise emphasizes the need to consider loss of new business activities as a downstream effect when computing the social costs of crime.
Left ventricular outflow tract obstruction caused by a congenital accessory mitral valve leaflet and treated by open‐heart surgery in a young dog
Authors: Yaginuma Y. , Matsuura K. , Yamada S. , Yoshida T. , Hasegawa M.
Published: October 2022

A 3‐month‐old Shetland sheepdog presented with a loud ejection murmur and exercise intolerance. Echocardiography revealed an accessory mitral valve leaflet, characterised by a valve‐like structure separate from the mitral valve seen in the subaortic region of the ventricular septum. The left ventricular outflow tract was partially obstructed with a pressure gradient of 12 mmHg. Accessory mitral valve leaflet resection and mitral valvuloplasty were performed during open‐heart surgery. Histology performed on the membrane‐like structures were indicative of fibrous connective tissues. Postoperative echocardiography confirmed removal of the valve‐like structure with resolution of the left ventricular outflow tract obstruction. The pressure gradient was decreased to 4.6 mmHg. The dog was in good condition and no further treatment was required 5 months after surgery. Both cardiac troponin I and NT‐proBNP were markedly decreased. In this dog, surgical resection combined with mitral valve plasty resolved the left ventricular outflow tract obstruction and the clinical signs.
Intercountry adoption of children with complex health conditions and disabilities: A systematic review
Authors: Roach Audrey , Sherburne Eileen , Snethen Julia
Published: October 2022

Purpose

The rate of children with complex health conditions or disabilities who are intercountry adopted (ICA) is increasing. These children have unique physical, developmental, and psychological needs that must be addressed as they integrate into adoptive families. The purpose of this systematic review is to identify considerations nurses must recognize when caring for children with complex health conditions or disabilities who are ICA and their families.

Design and Methods

A systematic literature review in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines was conducted. Four databases (PubMed, PsycINFO, Web of Science, and ERIC) located 365 articles about intercountry adoption and complex health conditions or disability. Articles that were non‐English language, focused on attachment disorder or infectious disease, book chapters, dissertations, or case studies were excluded. Sixteen articles met inclusion criteria and informed this review.

Results

The systematic review identified eight themes: primary care resources, interdisciplinary care teams, cost, developmental difficulties, nutritional challenges, mental health issues, parental need for knowledge, and parental need for support. These themes correspond to nursing assessments that should be conducted during clinic visits for children with complex health conditions or disabilities who are ICA.

Practice Implications

This systematic review demonstrates that a multidisciplinary approach is necessary to address the needs of the child diagnosed with a complex health condition or disability and their family in the context of intercountry adoption. Children with a complex health condition or disability who are ICA have unique needs and require individualized care planning to maximize growth and developmental potential. Adoption is a life‐long process and adjustment is complicated by the medical needs that children with complex health conditions or disabilities experience. Parents will benefit from additional support and education as they integrate a new family member while also learning about the medical care needs of a child with a complex health condition or disability.
Treatment patterns for hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with Child–Pugh class B and their impact on survival: A Korean nationwide registry study
Authors: Jeon Dongsub , Song Gi‐Won , Lee Han Chu , Shim Ju Hyun
Published: October 2022

Background and Aims

There are no established practice guidelines for treating hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with Child–Turcotte–Pugh (CTP) class B liver function. To evaluate the impact of various initial treatment modalities on these patients, we conducted a nationwide registry study in Korea.

Materials and Methods

Treatment patterns and overall survival (OS) of patients with HCC and CTP class B according to initial treatment modalities in each Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) stage were analysed using data from the Korean Primary Liver Cancer Registry between 2008 and 2016. Initial treatment modalities were categorized as standard, alternative treatment and supportive care only, referring to the 2018 BCLC guidelines, irrespective of liver function.

Results

Of the 2318 newly diagnosed Korean patients with HCC and CTP class B, 29.7%, 60.3% and 15.6% of patients in BCLC stages A, B and C, respectively, underwent standard treatment. Adjusted OS hazard ratios of alternative treatment referring to standard treatment were 1.55 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.25–1.94; p < .001) in BCLC‐A, 0.82 (95% CI, 0.43–1.56; p = .550) for curative alternative treatment, 1.89 (95% CI, 0.97–3.68; p = .059) for non‐curative alternative treatment in BCLC‐B, 0.40 (95% CI, 0.28–0.56; p < .001) for curative alternative treatment, 0.84 (95% CI, 0.69–1.02; p = .076) for non‐curative alternative treatment for BCLC–C.

Conclusion

Regardless of BCLC stages, chemoembolization was conducted the most among patients with CTP class B. Treatment in line with the BCLC treatment algorithm resulted in favourable OS outcomes, except for those with BCLC stage C, as systemic therapy showed poor OS.
How workplace‐based assessments guide learning in postgraduate education: A scoping review
Authors: Martin Leslie , Blissett Sarah , Johnston Bronte , Tsang Michael , Gauthier Stephen , Ahmed Zeeshan , Sibbald Matthew
Published: October 2022

Introduction

Competency‐based medical education (CBME) led to the widespread adoption of workplace‐based assessment (WBA) with the promise of achieving assessment for learning. Despite this, studies have illustrated tensions between the summative and formative role of WBA which undermine learning goals. Models of workplace‐based learning (WBL) provide insight, however, these models excluded WBA. This scoping review synthesizes the primary literature addressing the role of WBA to guide learning in postgraduate medical education, with the goal of identifying gaps to address in future studies.

Methods

The search was applied to OVID Medline, Web of Science, ERIC and CINAHL databases, articles up to September 2020 were included. Titles and abstracts were screened by two reviewers, followed by a full text review. Two members independently extracted and analysed quantitative and qualitative data using a descriptive‐analytic technique rooted in Billett's four premises of WBL. Themes were synthesized and discussed until consensus.

Results

All 33 papers focused on the perception of learning through WBA. The majority applied qualitative methodology (70%), and 12 studies (36%) made explicit reference to theory. Aligning with Billett's first premise, results reinforce that learning always occurs in the workplace. WBA helped guide learning goals and enhanced feedback frequency and specificity. Billett's remaining premises provided an important lens to understand how tensions that existed in WBL have been exacerbated with frequent WBA. As individuals engage in both work and WBA, they are slowly transforming the workplace. Culture and context frame individual experiences and the perceived authenticity of WBA. Finally, individuals will have different goals, and learn different things, from the same experience.

Conclusion

Analysing WBA literature through the lens of WBL theory allows us to reframe previously described tensions. We propose that future studies attend to learning theory, and demonstrate alignment with philosophical position, to advance our understanding of assessment‐for‐learning in the workplace.
FlrA‐independent production of flagellar proteins is required for proper flagellation in Shewanella putrefaciens
Authors: Schwan Meike , Khaledi Ariane , Willger Sven , Papenfort Kai , Glatter Timo , Häußler Susanne , Thormann Kai M.
Published: October 2022

Flagella are multiprotein complexes whose assembly and positioning require complex spatiotemporal control. Flagellar assembly is thought to be controlled by several transcriptional tiers, which are mediated through various master regulators. Here, we revisited the regulation of flagellar genes in polarly flagellated gammaproteobacteria by the regulators FlrA, RpoN (σ54) and FliA (σ28) in Shewanella putrefaciens CN‐32 at the transcript and protein level. We found that a number of regulatory and structural proteins were present in the absence of the main regulators, suggesting that initiation of flagella assembly and motor activation relies on the abundance control of only a few structural key components that are required for the formation of the MS‐ and C‐ring and the flagellar type III secretion system. We identified FlrA‐independent promoters driving expression of the regulators of flagellar number and positioning, FlhF and FlhG. Reduction of the gene expression levels from these promoters resulted in the emergence of hyperflagellation. This finding indicates that basal expression is required to adjust the flagellar counter in Shewanella. This is adding a deeper layer to the regulation of flagellar synthesis and assembly.
National identity deconstruction: Revisiting the debate on Chinese nationalism via Hong Kong nationalism
Authors: Carrico Kevin
Published: October 2022

What is Chinese nationalism? Is nationalism the most effective framework for understanding how people in China are making sense of the world today? These are among the questions raised by Allen Carlson in his 2009 article ‘A flawed perspective: the limitations inherent within the study of Chinese nationalism’, which developed a provocative critique of decades of scholarship. Acknowledging the insights of Carlton's questions while disagreeing with his proposed conceptual shift towards national identity construction, I propose a further shift towards national identity deconstruction. In doing so, I combine the political insights of Hong Kong nationalists with the theoretical insights of deconstruction. This shift redirects the study of Chinese nationalism away from an abstract conceptualisation of nationalism to a more precise definition of the phenomena under study, as well as moving the debate on potential impacts away from international relations to consideration of the complex dynamics of China's ethnic politics. New definitions of both nationalism and minzu (of minzu zhuyi) are developed, reconceptualising the phenomena heretofore known as ‘Chinese nationalism’ as external symptoms of underlying tensions between conflicting identity narratives. In conclusion, the practical implications of this reconceptualisation are considered, exploring potential future paths for the People's Republic of China.
Saturated fats, dairy foods and cardiovascular health: No longer a curious paradox?
Authors: Givens David Ian
Published: October 2022

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are a major cause of death and morbidity in many parts of the world, and many dietary guidelines limit the intake of saturated fatty acids (SFA) as they are regarded as an important risk factor for CVDs due to their association with increased blood cholesterol. Dairy foods are often a major contributor to dietary intake of SFA, and since many dietary guidelines contain restrictions on SFA intake, this can lead to a moderation of dairy food intake despite meta‐analyses generally showing dairy to have a neutral or negative association with CVDs. Many prospective studies and randomised controlled trials do not support a simple positive association between SFA intake and the risk of atherosclerotic CVD and its components although some early studies had a number of methodological weakness. Studies that included blood cholesterol data do broadly support the positive relationship between SFA and blood low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C) but without increased CVD risk resulting, despite LDL being a causal factor in atherosclerotic CVD. These data suggest that LDL‐C alone is not a consistently good predictor or cause of CVD risk, perhaps particularly in relation to dairy food consumption although some non‐dairy food studies have also shown LDL‐C reduction was not reflected in reduced CVD risk. This narrative review examines some reasons for these findings. Overall, restrictions on dairy food intake do not seem warranted, although there remains a need to further understand the association of different dairy food types with chronic diseases, perhaps particularly for type 2 diabetes.
SEC1‐C3H39 module fine‐tunes cold tolerance by mediating its target mRNA degradation in tomato
Authors: Xu Jin , Huang Zelan , Du Hongyu , Tang Mingjia , Fan Pengxiang , Yu Jingquan , Zhou Yanhong
Published: October 2022

Plants adapt to cold stress at the physiological and biochemical levels, thus enabling them to maintain growth and development. However, the molecular mechanism of fine‐tuning cold signals remains largely unknown.

We addressed the function of SlSEC1–SlC3H39 module in cold tolerance by using SlSEC1 and SlC3H39 knockout and overexpression tomato lines.

A tandem CCCH zinc‐finger protein SlC3H39 negatively modulates cold tolerance in tomato. SlC3H39 binds to AU‐rich elements in the 3′‐untranslated region (UTR) to induce mRNA degradation and regulates gene expression post‐transcriptionally. We further validate that SlC3H39 participates in post‐transcriptional regulation of a variety of cold‐responsive genes. An O‐linked N‐acetylglucosamine transferase SlSEC1 physically interacts with SlC3H39 proteins and negatively regulates cold tolerance in tomato. Further study shows that SlSEC1 is essential for SlC3H39 protein stability and maintains SlC3H39 function in cold tolerance. Genetic analysis shows that SlC3H39 is epistatic to SlSEC1 in cold tolerance.

The findings indicate that SlC3H39 negatively modulates plant cold tolerance through post‐transcriptional regulation by binding to cold‐responding mRNA 3′‐UTR and reducing those transcripts. SlSEC1 promotes the O‐GlcNAclation status of SlC3H39 and maintains SlC3H39 function in cold tolerance. Taken together, we propose a SlSEC1–SlC3H39 module, which allows plants to balance defense responses and growth processes.