bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Single‐cell transcriptomic analysis of gingivo‐buccal oral cancer reveals two dominant cellular programs
Authors: Kurkalang Sillarine , Roy Sumitava , Acharya Arunima , Mazumder Paramita , Mazumder Somnath , Patra Subrata , Ghosh Shekhar , Sarkar Sumanta , Kundu Sudip , Biswas Nidhan Kumar , Ghose Sandip , Majumder Partha P. , Maitra Arindam
Published: October 2023

Oral squamous cell carcinoma of the gingivo‐buccal region (OSCC‐GB) is the most common cancer among men in India, and is associated with poor prognosis and frequent recurrence. Cellular heterogeneity in OSCC‐GB was investigated by single‐cell RNA sequencing of tumors derived from the oral cavity of 12 OSCC‐GB patients, 3 of whom had concomitant presence of a precancerous lesion (oral submucous fibrosis [OSMF]). Unique malignant cell types, features, and phenotypic shifts in the stromal cell population were identified in oral tumors with associated submucous fibrosis. Expression levels of FOS, ATP1A, and DUSP1 provided robust discrimination between tumors with or without the concomitant presence of OSMF. Malignant cell populations shared between tumors with and without OSMF were enriched with the expression of partial epithelial–mesenchymal transition (pEMT) or fetal cell type signatures indicative of two dominant cellular programs in OSCC‐GB—pEMT and fetal cellular reprogramming. Malignant cells exhibiting fetal cellular and pEMT programs were enriched with the expression of immune‐related pathway genes known to be involved in antitumor immune response. In the tumor microenvironment, higher infiltration of immune cells than the stromal cells was observed. The T cell population was large in tumors and diverse subtypes of T cells with varying levels of infiltration were found. We also detected double‐negative PLCG2+ T cells and cells with intermediate M1–M2 macrophage polarization. Our findings shed light on unique aspects of cellular heterogeneity and cell states in OSCC‐GB.
The effect of osteocyte‐derived RANKL on bone graft remodeling: An in vivo experimental study
Authors: Feher Balazs , Kampleitner Carina , Heimel Patrick , Tangl Stefan , Helms Jill A. , Kuchler Ulrike , Gruber Reinhard
Published: October 2023

Objectives

Autologous bone is considered the gold standard for grafting, yet it suffers from a tendency to undergo resorption over time. While the exact mechanisms of this resorption remain elusive, osteocytes have been shown to play an important role in stimulating osteoclastic activity through their expression of receptor activator of NF‐κB (RANK) ligand (RANKL). The aim of this study was to assess the function of osteocyte‐derived RANKL in bone graft remodeling.

Materials and Methods

In Tnfsf11fl/fl;Dmp1‐Cre mice without osteocyte‐specific RANKL as well as in Dmp1‐Cre control mice, 2.6 mm calvarial bone disks were harvested and transplanted into mice with matching genetic backgrounds either subcutaneously or subperiosteally, creating 4 groups in total. Histology and micro‐computed tomography of the grafts and the donor regions were performed 28 days after grafting.

Results

Histology revealed marked resorption of subcutaneous control Dmp1‐Cre grafts and new bone formation around subperiosteal Dmp1‐Cre grafts. In contrast, Tnfsf11fl/fl;Dmp1‐Cre grafts showed effectively neither signs of bone resorption nor formation. Quantitative micro‐computed tomography revealed a significant difference in residual graft area between subcutaneous and subperiosteal Dmp1‐Cre grafts (p < .01). This difference was not observed between subcutaneous and subperiosteal Tnfsf11fl/fl;Dmp1‐Cre grafts (p = .17). Residual graft volume (p = .08) and thickness (p = .13) did not differ significantly among the groups. Donor area regeneration was comparable between Tnfsf11fl/fl;Dmp1‐Cre and Dmp1‐Cre mice and restricted to the defect margins.

Conclusions

The results suggest an active function of osteocyte‐derived RANKL in bone graft remodeling.
Early feeding reduces length of hospital stay in patients with acute lower gastrointestinal bleeding: A large multicentre cohort study
Authors: Kishino Takaaki , Aoki Tomonori , Sadashima Eiji , Kobayashi Katsumasa , Yamauchi Atsushi , Yamada Atsuo , Omori Jun , Ikeya Takashi , Aoyama Taiki , Tominaga Naoyuki , Sato Yoshinori , Ishii Naoki , Sawada Tsunaki , Murata Masaki , Takao Akinari , Mizukami Kazuhiro , Kinjo Ken , Fujimori Shunji , Uotani Takahiro , Fujita Minoru , Sato Hiroki , Suzuki Sho , Narasaka Toshiaki , Hayasaka Junnosuke , Funabiki Tomohiro , Kinjo Yuzuru , Mizuki Akira , Kiyotoki Shu , Mikami Tatsuya , Gushima Ryosuke , Fujii Hiroyuki , Fuyuno Yuta , Gunji Naohiko , Toya Yosuke , Narimatsu Kazuyuki , Manabe Noriaki , Nagaike Koji , Kinjo Tetsu , Sumida Yorinobu , Funakoshi Sadahiro , Kobayashi Kiyonori , Matsuhashi Tamotsu , Komaki Yuga , Kaise Mitsuru , Nagata Naoyoshi
Published: October 2023

Aim

No studies have compared the clinical outcomes of early and delayed feeding in patients with acute lower gastrointestinal bleeding (ALGIB). This study aimed to evaluate the benefits and risks of early feeding in a nationwide cohort of patients with ALGIB in whom haemostasis was achieved.

Methods

We reviewed data for 5910 patients with ALGIB in whom haemostasis was achieved and feeding was resumed within 3 days after colonoscopy at 49 hospitals across Japan (CODE BLUE‐J Study). Patients were divided into an early feeding group (≤1 day, n = 3324) and a delayed feeding group (2–3 days, n = 2586). Clinical outcomes were compared between the groups by propensity matching analysis of 1508 pairs.

Results

There was no significant difference between the early and delayed feeding groups in the rebleeding rate within 7 days after colonoscopy (9.4% vs. 8.0%; p = 0.196) or in the rebleeding rate within 30 days (11.4% vs. 11.5%; p = 0.909). There was also no significant between‐group difference in the need for interventional radiology or surgery or in mortality. However, the median length of hospital stay after colonoscopy was significantly shorter in the early feeding group (5 vs. 7 days; p < 0.001). These results were unchanged when subgroups of presumptive and definitive colonic diverticular bleeding were compared.

Conclusion

The findings of this nationwide study suggest that early feeding after haemostasis can shorten the hospital stay in patients with ALGIB without increasing the risk of rebleeding.
The role of lung microbiota in primary graft dysfunction in lung transplant recipients
Authors: Wu Yuhan , Huang Linna , Li Min , Cui Xiaoyang , Zhan Qingyuan , Wang Chen
Published: October 2023

Background

Recent studies have shown that the lung microbiota is altered in critically ill patients and predicts clinical outcomes. Primary graft dysfunction (PGD) is a common complication and a leading cause of death within 1 month of lung transplantation, but the clinical significance of changes in the lung bacterial community during PGD is unclear. The aim of this study was to determine the contribution of the lung microbiota to the development and course of severe PGD.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective study to characterize the lung microbiota of 32 lung transplant patients with combined PGD using next‐generation sequencing of bronchoalveolar lavage samples. The relationship between lung flora dysbiosis and lung immunity in PGD was assessed by quantification of alveolar cytokines. The contribution of microbiota characteristics to patient outcomes was assessed by estimating overall survival.

Results

Patients diagnosed with PGD grade 3 showed a reduction in alpha diversity, driven by a significant increase in the abundance of the genera Modestobacter, Scardovia and Selenomonas, and a reduction in the proportion of the genera Klebsiella and Oribacterium. Alpha diversity of the lung microbiota in PGD3 patients was negatively correlated with BALF interleukin (IL)‐2 (r = ‐.752, p < .05). In addition, bacterial diversity in the lung microbiota of non‐survivors was lower than that of survivors (p = .041).

Conclusions

There is variation in the lung microbiota of PGD grade 3 patients and dysbiosis of the lung microbiota is associated with lung immunity. The lung microbiota has potential in the diagnosis and treatment of PGD grade 3.
Implementing a self‐reported immunosuppression adherence questionnaire to screen for non‐adherence in routine care of kidney transplant recipients
Authors: Sharma Akhil , Verma Siddharth , Mirzai Saeid , Viswanathan Vignesh , Kapoor Sanjana , Hariharan Sundaram , Dew Mary Amanda , Puttarajappa Chethan M.
Published: October 2023

Introduction

Self‐reported measures of immunosuppression adherence have been largely examined in research settings.

Methods

In this single center study of 610 kidney transplant recipients, we examined if a voluntary, non‐anonymous self‐report measure could identify non‐adherence in a routine clinic setting and how patients perceived such a measure. Non‐adherence was measured using the Basel Assessment of Adherence to Immunosuppressive Medications Scale (BAASIS) and patient perception was elicited using a customized questionnaire.

Results

Non‐responders to the survey (15%) were younger, more likely to be black, and less likely to have had a pre‐emptive transplant. Among complete responders (n = 485), 38% reported non‐adherence with non‐adherent patients being younger (54 y vs. 60 y; p = .01), less likely to have been on dialysis pre‐transplant (59% vs. 68%; p = .04), further out from transplant (37 vs. 22 months; p < .001) and had more rejections in the preceding year (8% vs. 3%; p = .02). Self‐reported non‐adherence was associated with higher calcineurin inhibitor intra‐patient variability (27.4% vs. 24.5%; p = .02), but not with donor‐specific antibody detection (27.8% vs. 21.2%, p = .15). Of patients providing feedback (n = 500), the majority of patients felt comfortable reporting adherence (92%), that the survey was relevant to their visit (71%), and that the survey did not interfere with their clinic visit (88%).

Conclusion

In summary, a self‐reported questionnaire during clinic visits identified immunosuppression non‐adherence in a significant proportion of patients and was well received by patients. Integrating self‐report measures into routine post‐transplant care may enable early identification of non‐adherence.
Management of ectopic intestinal variceal bleeding following pancreatic transplant: Two cases
Authors: Kosyakovsky Jacob , Robinson Todd J. , Rao Swati , Taylor Amy C. , Brayman Kenneth L. , Agarwal Avinash K.
Published: October 2023

Ectopic variceal bleeding is a potentially under recognized source of gastrointestinal (GI) hemorrhage. While vascular complications following pancreatic transplant are relatively common, the development of symptomatic ectopic venous varices has rarely been reported. We report two patients with a remote history of simultaneous kidney pancreas transplant (SPK) presenting two decades after transplant with an occult GI bleed. In both cases, a lengthy diagnostic course was required. The varices were treated with coil embolization via transhepatic approach. Our findings add to the limited literature on this topic and aid in the recognition, diagnosis, and management of this unusual presentation.
Incremental burden on health‐related quality of life, health service utilization and direct medical expenditures associated with cognitive impairment among non‐institutionalized people with diabetes aged 65 years and older
Authors: Guan Dawei , Lewis Motomori O. , Li Piaopiao , Zhang Yichen , Zhang Ping , Tang Shichao , Brown Joshua , Guo Jingchuan , Zhang Yongkang , Shao Hui
Published: October 2023

Aims

To quantify the incremental health and economic burden associated with cognitive impairment (CI) among non‐institutionalized people with diabetes ≥65 years in the United States.

Materials and Methods

Using 2016‐2019 Medical Expenditure Panel Surveys data, we identified participants ≥65 years with diabetes. We used propensity score weighting to quantify the CI‐associated incremental burden on health‐related quality of life measured by the 12‐item Short Form Survey (SF‐12), including the mental component summary score, physical component summary score and health utility. We also compared the annual health service utilization and expenditures on ambulatory visits, prescriptions, home care, emergency room (ER), hospitalizations and total annual direct medical expenditures.

Results

We included 5094 adults aged ≥65 with diabetes, of whom 804 had CI. After propensity score weighting, CI was associated with a lower mental component summary score (−8.4, p < .001), physical component summary score (−5.2, p < .001) and health utility (–0.12, p < .001). The CI group had more ambulatory visits (+4.4, p = .004) and prescriptions (+9.9, p < .001), with higher probabilities of having home care (+11.3%, p < .001) and ER visits (+8.2%, p = .001). People with CI spent $5441 (p < .001) more annually, $2039 (p = .002) more on prescriptions, $2695 (p < .001) more on home care and $118 (p < .001) more on ER visits. There is no statistically significant difference in the utilization and expenditure of hospitalizations.

Conclusion

CI was associated with worse health‐related quality of life, higher health service utilization and expenditures. Our findings can be used to monitor the health and economic burden of CI in non‐institutionalized older persons with diabetes.
Reckoning with ‘new’ Turkey: Modes of US reaction to unwanted policy shifts in the Middle East
Authors: Kontos Michalis , Tziarras Zenonas
Published: October 2023

This article discusses the changing relations between the United States and Turkey in light of Turkey's contemporary foreign policy that often challenges American interests. More specifically, it adopts a comparative approach to examine the variables that determine the course of US reaction when unwanted policy shifts take place in the Middle East. To this end, apart from Turkey, the article examines two more cases: US relations with Egypt in the 1950s, and with Iran right before, during and after the 1979 revolution. The comparative analysis reveals that the case of contemporary Turkey has been more similar to the historical case of Egypt, which explains why Washington has been adopting (and is more likely to continue doing so) a “wait‐and‐see” approach vis‐à‐vis Ankara. However, domestic changes in Turkey, though not as abrupt and radical as in Iran, remain significant and may have a deeper impact on US–Turkish relations in the future.
Functional biogeography of coastal marine invertebrates along the south‐eastern Pacific coast reveals latitudinally divergent drivers of taxonomic versus functional diversity
Authors: Herrera David L. , Navarrete Sergio A. , Labra Fabio A. , Castillo Simon P. , Opazo Mella Luis‐Felipe
Published: October 2023

Characterizing the spatial structure of taxonomic and functional diversity (FD) of marine organisms across regional and latitudinal scales is essential for improving our understanding of the processes driving species richness and those that may constrain or enhance the set of species traits that define the functional structure of communities. Here, we present the functional diversity of coastal invertebrate macrofaunal species along the south‐eastern Pacific from 7°N to 56°S, describe spatial variation of species traits, and examine the relationship with environmental variables. For that, we defined the functional traits and distribution ranges of 2350 marine macroinvertebrates calculated eight metrics of FD. Random forest regression was applied to identify significant relationships between FD and six environmental variables. Finally, functional β‐turnover was estimated to detect alongshore shifts in functional structure and their coincidence with biogeographical domains. Our results show, in contrast with taxonomic richness that measures of trait differences, functional space and functional specialisation increase with latitude, while functional evenness exhibits a non‐linear shape, peaking at mid latitudes. Functional redundancy decreased significantly poleward, while indicators of vulnerability increase. In contrast to taxonomic richness, FD was tightly connected to variables indicative of stress and productivity, such as dissolved oxygen and nutrients. Sea surface temperature and coastal area best explained the increased FD redundancy and richness towards the tropics. The high spatial correlation between taxonomic and functional turnover suggests environmental filters play an important role in the functional structure of the seascape. Our findings suggest that processes favouring taxonomic richness are latitudinally divergent from those favouring functional diversity. Correlations with environmental variables suggest that increased sea surface temperature and measures of stability increase redundancy, while variations in dissolved oxygen and nutrients positively affect functional diversification. Moreover, the functional diversity patterns suggest low resilience of high latitude coastal ecosystems, which are heavily exploited and threatened by climate change, hence highlighting the urgent need for effective conservation policies.
Emerging trends in the study of spiralian larvae
Authors: Liang Yan , Carrillo‐Baltodano Allan M. , Martín‐Durán José M.
Published: October 2023

Many animals undergo indirect development, where their embryogenesis produces an intermediate life stage, or larva, that is often free‐living and later metamorphoses into an adult. As their adult counterparts, larvae can have unique and diverse morphologies and occupy various ecological niches. Given their broad phylogenetic distribution, larvae have been central to hypotheses about animal evolution. However, the evolution of these intermediate forms and the developmental mechanisms diversifying animal life cycles are still debated. This review focuses on Spiralia, a large and diverse clade of bilaterally symmetrical animals with a fascinating array of larval forms, most notably the archetypical trochophore larva. We explore how classic research and modern advances have improved our understanding of spiralian larvae, their development, and evolution. Specifically, we examine three morphological features of spiralian larvae: the anterior neural system, the ciliary bands, and the posterior hyposphere. The combination of molecular and developmental evidence with modern high‐throughput techniques, such as comparative genomics, single‐cell transcriptomics, and epigenomics, is a promising strategy that will lead to new testable hypotheses about the mechanisms behind the evolution of larvae and life cycles in Spiralia and animals in general. We predict that the increasing number of available genomes for Spiralia and the optimization of genome‐wide and single‐cell approaches will unlock the study of many emerging spiralian taxa, transforming our views of the evolution of this animal group and their larvae.
Chronosequence of invasion reveals minimal losses of population genomic diversity, niche expansion, and trait divergence in the polyploid, leafy spurge
Authors: Lake Thomas A. , Briscoe Runquist Ryan D. , Flagel Lex E. , Moeller David A.
Published: October 2023

Rapid evolution may play an important role in the range expansion of invasive species and modify forecasts of invasion, which are the backbone of land management strategies. However, losses of genetic variation associated with colonization bottlenecks may constrain trait and niche divergence at leading range edges, thereby impacting management decisions that anticipate future range expansion. The spatial and temporal scales over which adaptation contributes to invasion dynamics remain unresolved. We leveraged detailed records of the ~130‐year invasion history of the invasive polyploid plant, leafy spurge (Euphorbia virgata), across ~500 km in Minnesota, U.S.A. We examined the consequences of range expansion for population genomic diversity, niche breadth, and the evolution of germination behavior. Using genotyping‐by‐sequencing, we found some population structure in the range core, where introduction occurred, but panmixia among all other populations. Range expansion was accompanied by only modest losses in sequence diversity, with small, isolated populations at the leading edge harboring similar levels of diversity to those in the range core. The climatic niche expanded during most of the range expansion, and the niche of the range core was largely non‐overlapping with the invasion front. Ecological niche models indicated that mean temperature of the warmest quarter was the strongest determinant of habitat suitability and that populations at the leading edge had the lowest habitat suitability. Guided by these findings, we tested for rapid evolution in germination behavior over the time course of range expansion using a common garden experiment and temperature manipulations. Germination behavior diverged from the early to late phases of the invasion, with populations from later phases having higher dormancy at lower temperatures. Our results suggest that trait evolution may have contributed to niche expansion during invasion and that distribution models, which inform future management planning, may underestimate invasion potential without accounting for evolution.
Mechanistic modeling of climate effects on redistribution and population growth in a community of fish species
Authors: Tang Becky , Roberts Sarah M. , Clark James S. , Gelfand Alan E.
Published: October 2023

Understanding community responses to climate is critical for anticipating the future impacts of global change. However, despite increased research efforts in this field, models that explicitly include important biological mechanisms are lacking. Quantifying the potential impacts of climate change on species is complicated by the fact that the effects of climate variation may manifest at several points in the biological process. To this end, we extend a dynamic mechanistic model that combines population dynamics, such as species interactions, with species redistribution by allowing climate to affect both processes. We examine their relative contributions in an application to the changing biomass of a community of eight species in the Gulf of Maine using over 30 years of fisheries data from the Northeast Fishery Science Center. Our model suggests that the mechanisms driving biomass trends vary across space, time, and species. Phase space plots demonstrate that failing to account for the dynamic nature of the environmental and biologic system can yield theoretical estimates of population abundances that are not observed in empirical data. The stock assessments used by fisheries managers to set fishing targets and allocate quotas often ignore environmental effects. At the same time, research examining the effects of climate change on fish has largely focused on redistribution. Frameworks that combine multiple biological reactions to climate change are particularly necessary for marine researchers. This work is just one approach to modeling the complexity of natural systems and highlights the need to incorporate multiple and possibly interacting biological processes in future models.
Governing nonprofits under competing institutional logics: The implementation of board governance in China
Authors: Wang Xiaoyun , Zhan Xueyong , Xu Yushan
Published: October 2023

Privatization reform originated in Western countries and was translated across political regimes. While extensive literature discusses the practices of privatization in liberal democracies, little has been written on its implementation in authoritarian contexts, where the logic of privatization is incompatible with the logic of authoritarianism. This study explores the adoption of a specific administrative model promoted by the privatization reform: nonprofit board governance in Shenzhen, China. We find that, although the nonprofit board is the formal governing structure, regulatory agencies constrain the autonomy of boards, decoupling governance practices from board governance. Two organizational‐level contingency factors—institutional origins and political risks—help explain the balance of the competing logics and the degree of decoupling from board governance. These findings suggest that, within the global privatization movement, the seemingly converging administrative structures embody divergent practices when adapting to local contexts.
Side effects and short effects of using three common mouthwashes on oral health and quality of life: A quasi‐experimental study
Authors: Navabi Nader , Afshari Zahra , Kamyabi Homa , Mohammadi Mohammad
Published: October 2023

Background

Antiseptic mouthwashes are useful adjuncts to daily brushing and flossing for the control of dental plaque and gingivitis. The objective of the present study was to compare the effect of three mouthwashes: chlorhexidine, essential oils and cetylpyridinium chloride on oral health‐related quality of life, gingival health, tongue coating and also to compare their potential side effects after 2‐week consumption.

Methods

Sixty participants were enrolled in this study and were divided into four groups (three mouthwash groups plus no mouthwash group). At the beginning, scaling and cleaning were performed and the following parameters were recorded: oral health impact profile (OHIP‐5) questionnaire, tongue coating index, modified gingival index, calculus surface index, modified Lobene stain index and a questionnaire for side effects. Each group has followed up in 2 weeks. Data were analysed using paired t‐test, ANOVA, Fisher's exact test and Pearson chi‐square.

Results

At the end of second week, all three mouthwashes significantly improved OHIP‐5 score and reduced modified gingival index whereas essential oils and cetylpyridinium chloride significantly reduced tongue coating index when compared to control group (p < 0.05). The differences between four groups were significant for calculus formation, dental staining and reported burning sensation and changes of taste sensation and perception (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

The use of all three mouthwashes has been effective in controlling and reducing gingivitis and tongue coating; however, it appeared that essential oils has the minimum and Chlorhexidine has the maximum side effects. Moreover, the use of all three mouthwashes has been examined to improve the quality of life. Overall, essential oils mouthwash has the best performance among these three mouthwashes.
Assessment of usefulness and reliability of YouTube™ videos on denture care
Authors: Aurlene Nesa , Shaik Sabiha Shaheen , Dickson‐Swift Virginia , Tadakamadla Santosh Kumar
Published: October 2023

Introduction

The world's population is in a demographic transition with a rising ageing population. Tooth loss is frequent among older people resulting in the replacement of natural teeth using complete or partial dentures. YouTube™ is the second most popular website in the world and is being increasingly used to access health care information. The aim of this study is to evaluate the usefulness and reliability of the information in YouTube™ videos regarding denture care.

Methods

The YouTube™ website was used to systematically search for videos using the keyword ‘denture care’. Videos meeting the eligibility criteria were assessed separately by two independent researchers. The usefulness of the videos was assessed using the Global Quality Assessment Scale and a customized usefulness scoring scheme. Based on these scores, the usefulness of the videos was categorized as low, medium and high. A modified DISCERN tool (mDISCERN) was used for assessing reliability with scores ranging from 0 to 5. Other video characteristics like source/ownership of the videos, duration, views, likes, dislikes, number of days posted, like ratio, view ratio, interaction index and Video Power Index were also obtained. Statistical analysis was carried out using the Kruskal‐Wallis test, Spearman correlation test and multiple linear regression analysis.

Results

A total of 120 videos were included. Based on the usefulness score, the usefulness of 65.8% of videos were classified as low, 32.5% were medium and 1.6% had high usefulness. The mDISCERN score for 74.2% of videos was 2 or below 2 indicating that the majority of videos had low reliability. Video characteristics did not differ significantly according to the usefulness of videos. Videos uploaded by dentists or dental hygienists had significantly higher usefulness scores (p < 0.001) in comparison to videos uploaded by other sources. However, reliability scores did not differ based on the sources of the videos. Video reliability was found to have a significant (B = 2.08, p < 0.001) positive association with video usefulness.

Conclusion

YouTube™ cannot be recommended as the only source of information for denture care as most videos received low usefulness and reliability ratings in our study. Dentists and dental health professionals could take an active part in enhancing denture care‐related content on YouTube™ and enable patients to have adequate and reliable knowledge of denture hygiene practices.
Estimation of Graphical Models: An Overview of Selected Topics
Authors: Chen Li‐Pang
Published: October 2023

Graphical modelling is an important branch of statistics that has been successfully applied in biology, social science, causal inference and so on. Graphical models illuminate connections between many variables and can even describe complex data structures or noisy data. Graphical models have been combined with supervised learning techniques such as regression modelling and classification analysis with multi‐class responses. This paper first reviews some fundamental graphical modelling concepts, focusing on estimation methods and computational algorithms. Several advanced topics are then considered, delving into complex graphical structures and noisy data. Applications in regression and classification are considered throughout.
Testing importance weighting: Lessons from the quality of life literature
Authors: Hsieh Chang‐ming
Published: October 2023

Marsh and Scalas (2018) proposed a taxonomic structural equation modelling approach to test the individually importance weighted‐average models (IWAMs) in their article published in Structural Equation Modeling: A Multidisciplinary Journal 25: 137–158. As Marsh and Scalas (2018) pointed out, IWAMs could be found in many research areas, including self‐concept, job satisfaction and quality of life (QOL) research. Based on the findings of their proposed approach, Marsh and Scalas (2018) argued that importance weights do not make a difference. The purpose of this paper is to assess the applicability of the approach developed by Marsh and Scalas (2018) and their conclusion that importance weights do not make a difference in the area of QOL, specifically subjective well‐being, research. In the research area of QOL, IWAMs have been discussed often under the topic of domain importance weighting. Findings from an analysis of the Panel Study of Income Dynamics’ Wellbeing and Daily Life Supplement data show that different domain importance weighting methods, based on different underlying (within‐domain vs between/across‐domain) perspectives, produced different results leading to different conclusions. Although the approach for testing IWAMs developed by Marsh and Scalas (2018) offered several methodological advances and strengths, its applicability to the evaluation of domain importance weighting in QOL studies is limited by its underlying (within‐domain) perspective, its assumption that domain importance can be accurately and precisely measured, and the possibility of the small effect size of domain importance. Marsh and Scalas’ (2018) findings that importance weights do not make a difference should be interpreted with caution.
Prevalence and risk factors of subsyndromal delirium among postoperative patients: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Chen Shunli , Tang Lingyu , Chen Jing , Cai Luyao , Liu Chengjiang , Song Janying , Chen Yingyi , Liu Yan , Zheng Silin
Published: October 2023

Aim

The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence and risk factors for subsyndromal delirium in the postoperative patient.

Design

A systematic review and meta‐analysis.

Methods

The Review Manager 5.3 statistics platform and the Newcastle‐Ottawa Scale were used for quality evaluation.

Data Sources

The following databases were searched: PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, The Cochrane Library, Scopus and EBSCO from January 2000 to December 2021. Additional sources were found by looking at relevant articles' citations.

Results

A total of 1744 titles were originally identified, and five studies including 962 patients were included in the systematic review, with a pooled prevalence of postoperative subsyndromal delirium (PSSD) of 30% (95% CI: 0.28–0.32). Significant risk variables for PSSD were older age, low levels of education (≤9 years), cognitive impairment, higher comorbidity score, and the duration of operation.

Conclusion

PSSD is prevalent and is associated with a variety of risk factors as well as low academic performance.

Impact

Identification and clinical management of patients with PSSD should be improved. Future research on PSSD risk factors should look at a wider range of intraoperative and postoperative risk factors that can be changed.

Patient and Public Contribution

No Patient or Public Contribution.
Grieving multiple losses: Experiences of intimacy and sexuality of people living with inflammatory bowel disease. A phenomenological study
Authors: Fourie Simona , Norton Christine , Jackson Debra , Czuber‐Dochan Wladyslawa
Published: October 2023

Aim

To explore patient experiences of intimacy and sexuality in those living with inflammatory bowel disease.

Design

An interpretative phenomenological study guided by van Manen's framework. Thematic analysis was conducted through interpretation and reflection on four existential domains: body, relationships, time and space.

Methods

Data were collected during 2019–2021 from 43 participants via face‐to‐face or telephone interviews, as well as anonymous collection of narratives submitted via Google Forms.

Results

Four themes were identified: Sexuality as lived incompleteness was the overarching theme representing the essence of the experiences of intimacy and sexuality. This theme covered the four main themes: Otherness of the body, Interrupted connectedness, Missing out on life fullness and Fragmented openness and each corresponded to an existential domain. Intimacy and sexuality are negatively affected by inflammatory bowel disease, with impact on quality of life. Patients experienced grieving multiple losses, from body image and control, to choice of partners and future opportunities. The four domains were difficult to separate and a close inter‐relationship between each domain was acknowledged.

Conclusions

A model was developed to draw new theoretical insights to understanding the relationship between sexual well‐being and psycho‐emotional distress similar to grief.

Impact

First qualitative study to explore intimacy and sexuality experiences of those living with inflammatory bowel disease.

Illness impact on sexuality has negative psycho‐emotional implications as a result of losing the old self and capacity to have the desired relationships/sex life.

A theoretical model was developed in an attempt to illustrate the close relationship of intimacy, sexuality and psycho‐emotional well‐being.

Patient or Public Contribution

Patients were involved in the study design.
Gulls contribute to olive seed dispersal within and among islands in a Mediterranean coastal area
Authors: Ando Haruko , Martín‐Vélez Víctor , Tavecchia Giacomo , Traveset Anna , Jiménez‐Martín Iciar , Igual José Manuel , Martínez‐Abraín Alejandro , Hervías‐Parejo Sandra
Published: October 2023

Aim

To analyse the role of non‐frugivorous birds on seed dispersal, seed dispersal by gulls is expected to be especially instrumental in island ecosystems, as these have a smaller subset of frugivores when compared to the mainland, and because long‐distance dispersal is required for plant colonisation. Here, we investigated the seed dispersal of olives by gulls among 10 islands of the same archipelago to reveal if gulls contribute to long‐distance seed dispersal including different islands, and how gulls' adaptation to domestic olives and individual differences in foraging activities affect their seed dispersal pattern.

Location

Balearic Islands in the Western Mediterranean Sea, Spain.

Taxon

Yellow‐legged gulls (Larus michahellis), Domestic and wild Olives (Olea europaea and O. europaea var. sylvestris).

Methods

We developed seed dispersal models of the two ecotypes of olives dispersed by gulls across an archipelago, based on GPS tracking data, gut passage time and seed viability.

Results

Mean dispersal distances were 7.67 (±12.48) km in wild and 12.57 (±13.08) km in domestic olives. 7.1% of wild and 8.5% of domestic olives were dispersed among islands. Among these, 8.2% of domestic seeds were transported from large to small islands where gull colonies are located, whereas wild olives were dispersed in more variable directions. Such dispersal pattern of two olive ecotypes was consistent despite the differences in dispersal distances among individuals.

Main Conclusions

Gulls contributed to long‐distance olive seed dispersal including different islands. The seed dispersal of domestic olives to longer distances with specific directions may facilitate colonisation and expansion of that variant if the conditions of seed deposition sites are suitable. Our findings indicate that gulls are relevant vectors for long‐distance dispersal of large fleshy fruits in island ecosystems where specialist large frugivores are absent.
Combined associations of general obesity and central obesity with hypertension stages and phenotypes among children and adolescents in Zhejiang, China
Authors: Zhao Dong , Zhou Jiali , Su Danting , Li Yun , Sun Weidi , Tan Boren , Li Shuting , Zhang Ronghua , Song Peige
Published: October 2023

General and central obesity are suggested to be associated with elevated blood pressure (BP), whereas few studies have investigated their combined associations with hypertension in children. This study aimed to assess the associations of combinations of general obesity and central obesity with hypertension in Chinese children, including its stages and phenotypes. A total of 5430 children aged 7–17 years in Zhejiang Province were enrolled. General obesity was evaluated by body mass index (BMI), while central obesity was by waist circumference (WC). Then all children were sorted into three mutually exclusive groups: normal weight with or with no central obesity (NW), abnormal weight with no central obesity (AWNCO), and abnormal weight with central obesity (AWCO). Hypertension was defined as either a systolic or diastolic BP ≥ 95th percentile, and further classified into stage 1 hypertension, stage 2 hypertension, isolated systolic hypertension (ISH), isolated diastolic hypertension (IDH), and systolic diastolic hypertension (SDH). Logistic regression was used. AWNCO and AWCO were associated with stage 1 hypertension (AWNCO, odds ratio [OR] = 1.94, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.59‐2.37; AWCO, 2.67, 2.20‐3.25), stage 2 hypertension (AWNCO, 2.35, 1.33‐4.13; AWCO, 4.53, 2.79‐7.37), ISH (AWNCO, 2.50, 1.96‐3.18; AWCO, 3.95, 3.15‐4.95), and SDH (AWNCO, 2.48, 1.75‐3.52; AWCO, 2.78, 1.94‐3.99). Children with AWCO were more likely to have stage 1 and stage 2 hypertension, as well as ISH and SDH. The combined measurement of general and central obesity is suggested as an appropriate screening tool for hypertension among children and adolescents.
Firms and Trade Policy Lobbying in the European Union
Authors: Hanegraaff Marcel , Poletti Arlo , Van Ommeren Emile
Published: October 2023

Our understanding of the role of firms in the making of European Union (EU) trade policy remains partial. This article contributes to expanding this literature by investigating under what conditions we observe more firm‐centric lobbying, compared to business associational lobbying, in EU trade policy. We advance the arguments that firm‐centric political lobbying in EU trade policy‐making is a function of both industry and country‐level characteristics. Relying on an original dataset of lobbying contacts with the EU Trade Commissioner, his or her cabinet members and the Director‐General between 2014 and 2018, we find that the likelihood of firm‐centric lobbying increases in (1) EU industries displaying high levels of multinational corporations' activity, global sourcing of intermediates and product differentiation and (2) countries characterized as liberal market economies. Besides showing that firm‐centric models of trade travel well in the EU context, we contribute to advancing the understanding of how domestic political institutions affect the politics of trade.
The interaction between polygenic risk and environmental influences: A direct test of the 3P model of insomnia in adolescents
Authors: Madrid‐Valero Juan J. , Barclay Nicola L. , Gregory Alice M.
Published: October 2023

Background

Stress is a universal phenomenon and one of the most common precipitants of insomnia. However, not everyone develops insomnia after experiencing a stressful life event. This study aims to test aspects of Spielman's ‘3P model of insomnia’ (during adolescence) by exploring the extent to which: (a) insomnia symptoms are predicted by polygenic scores (PGS); (b) life events predict insomnia symptoms; (c) the interaction between PGS and life events contribute to the prediction of insomnia symptoms; (d) gene–environment interaction effects remain after controlling for sex.

Methods

The sample comprised 4,629 twins aged 16 from the Twin Early Development Study who reported on their insomnia symptoms and life events. PGS for insomnia were calculated. In order to test the main hypothesis of this study (a significant interaction between PGS and negative life events), we fitted a series of mixed effect regressions.

Results

The best fit was provided by the model including sex, PGS for insomnia, negative life events, and their interactions (AIC = 26,158.7). Our results show that the association between insomnia symptoms and negative life events is stronger for those with a higher genetic risk for insomnia.

Conclusions

This work sheds light on the complex relationship between genetic and environmental factors implicated for insomnia. This study has tested for the first time the interaction between genetic predisposition (PGS) for insomnia and environmental stressors (negative life events) in adolescents. This work represents a direct test of components of Spielman's 3P model for insomnia which is supported by our results.
The effect of the fluidized bed agglomeration process on the powder properties of black carrot juice powders
Authors: Yüksel Sarıoğlu Hira , Dirim Safiye Nur
Published: October 2023

This study aims to apply fluidized bed agglomeration process performed at 60°C and 1.6 m/s as air temperature and velocity, to improve the powder properties of the black carrot juice powders obtained by spray drying at the inlet and outlet air temperatures of 160 and 100°C, respectively. The binders maltodextrin, gum arabic, whey protein isolate and water were added to the powders at 1:0.1, and 1:0.2 powder/binder solution (BS) ratios. The agglomerates have higher moisture content (11.35%–12.88%, wet basis) and water activity (0.256–0.379) values than the powders (9.18 ± 0.03% and 0.25 ± 0.00, respectively). While the angle of repose value of black carrot juice agglomerates decreased compared to powders, the porosity values (54.17%–66.87%) and the hygroscopic properties were improved. The friability values for the agglomerates were 37.21%–77.04%. The agglomeration process improved the microstructure, glass transition temperature and particle size distribution as determined with scanning electron microscope, differential scanning calorimeter, and laser diffraction method analysis.

Practical applications

Black carrot is a vegetable with high nutritional value and its consumption is limited to a certain season. For this reason, the production of the powders of vegetable juices and having the agglomerated form of them, an important improvement will be achieved in the production of healthy and easy to use foods for children and adults. Fluidized bed agglomeration which is a novel application is important in the creation of easy‐to‐use meals. Black carrot juice powders could be successfully agglomerated with some different binders in fluidized beds. Powder properties of agglomerates containing water were as good as the binder agents.
Consumer practices regarding the purchase, use, willingness to repair, and disposal of small electric and electronic equipment: A Spanish survey on kettles
Authors: Sandez Sonia , Ibáñez‐Forés Valeria , Pérez‐Belis Victoria , Juan Pablo , Bovea María D.
Published: October 2023

Repair is one of the main strategies to extend the lifetime of products in the circular economy framework. With the aim of identifying current consumer practices toward the purchase, use, and end of life of electric and electronic equipment (EEE), including willingness to repair, maintenance, and final disposal, a survey is designed and implemented online, taking kettles as an application case. Regarding current strategies for extending the lifespan of these items, a general lack of maintenance and low levels of reparability or reuse have been detected. Disposal patterns show that nearly half of all kettles disposed of were still functioning. Nevertheless, a future willingness to repair these items has been identified, either by users themselves or at repair centers, if the manufacturer provides the means to do so. Finally, the results reveal that when consumers purchase a kettle, the price and then the energy efficiency score are the main priorities affecting their purchasing decisions, taking priority over the reparability score. These results can help in the design of more focused and direct strategies to promote the reparability of small household appliances, encourage the authorities to regulate the new reparability score in a more efficient way, and improve the way that information is transmitted to users/consumers.
Advance Selling in the Wake of Entry*
Authors: Ceschi Nadia , Möller Marc
Published: October 2023

This article provides a tractable model of inter‐temporal price‐discrimination by heterogeneous firms, imperative for our understanding of advance purchase markets in the wake of entry. The pricing schedule of an industry leader, whose product is more likely to match consumers' preferences, differs systematically from a newcomer's pricing. By diverting competition to a stage where consumers face uncertainty about their preferences, advance selling reduces prices while increasing the newcomer's market share and profitability relative to the industry leader. Policies curtailing firms' ability to sell in advance, although potentially beneficial for welfare, may consolidate an industry leader's position and reduce consumers' surplus.