bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Clinicopathologic and survival differences between adenocarcinoma of the distal oesophagus and gastro‐oesophageal junction
Authors: Paredes Steven Ronald , Wong Ngar Lok Joshua , Khoma Oleksandr , Park Jin‐soo , Kennedy Catherine , Van der Wall Hans , Falk Gregory Leighton
Published: May 2022

Background

The incidence of adenocarcinoma of the distal oesophagus (DO) and gastro‐oesophageal junction (GOJ) are increasing. They may represent differing disease processes. This study aimed to assess clinicopathological and survival differences between patients with DO and GOJ adenocarcinomas.

Methods

Data were extracted from a prospective single‐surgeon database of consecutive patients undergoing an open Ivor‐Lewis oesophagectomy for oesophageal adenocarcinoma (distal oesophagus, Siewert type I and II). Differences in clinicopathological characteristics and survival were evaluated and prognostic factors examined using univariate and multivariate survival analyses.

Results

The data were available for 234 patients who underwent an oesophagectomy between 1992 and 2019. DO tumours had higher rates of Barrett's oesophagus (P < 0.001), presented with lower tumour stage (P = 0.02) and were more likely to be associated with fewer lymph nodes resected (P = 0.003) than GOJ tumours. The median overall survival for distal oesophageal tumours was 29.2 months, while gastro‐oesophageal tumours was 38.6 months. Kaplan Meier analysis did not show a difference in overall survival between the two groups (P = 0.08). However, when adjusted for potential confounders, GOJ tumours were associated with a reduced adjusted hazard of death (adjusted HR 0.58, 95% CI 0.36–0.92, P = 0.022) compared with DO tumours.

Conclusion

This study suggests that GOJ cancers have different clinicopathological characteristics and improved survival compared to DO tumours.
Sex determination and optimal development in the Moorish gecko, Tarentola mauritanica
Authors: Marques Valéria , Riaño Gabriel , Carretero Miguel A. , Silva‐Rocha Iolanda , Rato Catarina
Published: May 2022

Under temperature sex determination (TSD), sex is determined by temperature during embryonic development. Depending on ecological and physiological traits and plasticity, TSD species may face demographic collapse due to climate change. In this context, asymmetry in bilateral organisms can be used as a proxy for developmental instability and, therefore, deviations from optimal incubation conditions. Using Tarentola mauritanica gecko as a model, this study aimed first to confirm TSD, its pattern and pivotal temperature, and second to assess the local adaptation of TSD and variation of asymmetry patterns across four populations under different thermal regimes. Eggs were incubated at different temperatures, and hatchlings were sexed and measured. The number of lamellae was counted in adults and hatchlings. Results were compatible with a TSD pattern with males generated at low and females at high incubation temperatures. Estimated pivotal temperature coincided with the temperature producing lower embryonic mortality, evidencing selection towards balanced sex ratios. The temperature of oviposition was conservatively selected by gravid females. Asymmetry patterns found were likely related to nest temperature fluctuations. Overall, the rigidity of TSD may compromise reproductive success, and demographic stability in this species in case thermal nest choice becomes constrained by climate change.
Do Black birthing persons prefer a Black health care provider during birth? Race concordance in birth
Authors: Bogdan‐Lovis Elizabeth , Zhuang Jie , Goldbort Joanne , Shareef Sameerah , Bresnahan Mary , Kelly‐Blake Karen , Elam Kendra
Published: May 2022

Background

For many years in the United States, there has been an active discussion about whether race concordance between care providers and patients contributes to better health outcomes. Although beneficial provider–patient communication effects have been associated with concordance, there is minimal evidence for concordance benefits to health outcomes.

Methods

A cross‐sectional survey was conducted including 200 Black mothers who had given birth within the last 2 years asking about the perceived racial identity of their birth health provider, whether they preferred to have Black women providers, and the intersection between race and gender concordance on birth outcomes. In addition to race and gender concordance, other variables were tested for their impact on birth satisfaction including respect, trust for the care provider, perceived competence, care provider empathy, and inclusive communication.

Results

Forty‐one percent of the mothers in this study were assisted in birth by a Black woman provider. Although patient–provider concordance did not result in measurable health outcomes, it is clear that compared to other studies of birth satisfaction among Black birthing persons, this study showed relatively higher levels of satisfaction, perceived trust, empathy, perceived provider competence, inclusive communication, and equal respect for both concordant and discordant care providers.

Conclusions

Although many participants showed a preference for race concordance, participants equally valued respect, competence, and trust with their care providers. Further community‐based research needs to be conducted to examine whether race, gender, and cultural concordance results in other beneficial health outcomes.

Keywords

Black mothers and providers,Black OB/GYNs,concordance andhealth outcomes,health outcomesrace concordance in birth
Divergent Valuation Languages, Sustainability and Environmental Governance: Lessons from a Mining Conflict in Catamarca, Argentina
Authors: Christel Lucas G. , Möhle Elisabeth
Published: May 2022

Although many studies focus on environmental conflict and debates around sustainable development, more research is needed to deepen the understanding of the links between the frames upheld by actors involved in environmental conflicts and governance processes. We propose a dialogue between political ecology and governance to study how divergent valuations of the environment shape intense and long‐term mining conflicts and impact on environmental governance. Focusing on the case of La Alumbrera in Argentina, we argue that three factors disrupt environmental governance and deepen the conflict: divergent valuations that consolidate a growing distance among the images portrayed by the actors; the unequal emphasis that the actors place on the problems and solutions that mining generates; and the inability of the state and mining corporations to process the notions of difference that emerge from the territories.
The effect of bottomset on fluviodeltaic land‐building process: Numerical modelling and physical experiment
Authors: Kim Minsik , Kim Wonsuck , Nahm Wook‐Hyun
Published: May 2022

The loss of land in coastal regions is an emerging topic across the scientific community, as many countries struggle to minimize the consequences of an accelerating relative sea‐level rise. Various methods have been attempted to mitigate land loss, and river diversion for the Mississippi River Delta, which makes use of the natural river delta‐building process, has been proposed and significantly examined. Prior delta‐building models predicted possible ranges of new delta‐building rates and verified the feasibility of reduction in land loss on the Louisiana coast by river diversion by only considering the delta topset and foreset deposition without incorporating the muddy bottomsets because sand was regarded as the main delta‐building sediment, and mud was treated as washload. Since sand flux is significantly smaller than mud flux in most coastal rivers and muddy bottomsets are common in most deltas, it is critical to understand the depositional processes of mud in deltas. Here, we present the results of a coupled numerical modelling and flume experiment that includes a moving boundary at the foreset‐bottomset break in addition to the shoreline. We find that bottomset aggradation can accelerate the shoreline progradation by decreasing the foreset length (i.e., depth at the delta front). We also apply our model to a field scale based on parameters taken from the Wax Lake Delta. When 10%–50% of the mud supplied to the delta is retained in the bottomset, the subaerial delta area increases by 4.4%–25.4% compared to that in a delta with no bottomset accumulation. Therefore, considering the bottomset in land‐building modelling can provide more accurate predictions for a new land‐building area by river diversion.
The acquisition of the gender‐brilliance stereotype: Age trajectory, relation to parents' stereotypes, and intersections with race/ethnicity
Authors: Zhao Siqi , Setoh Peipei , Storage Daniel , Cimpian Andrei
Published: May 2022

Past research has explored children's gender stereotypes about specific intellectual domains, such as mathematics and science, but less is known about the acquisition of domain‐general stereotypes about the intellectual abilities of women and men. During 2017 and 2018, the authors administered Implicit Association Tests to Chinese Singaporean adults and 8‐ to 12‐year‐olds (N = 731; 58% female) to examine the gender stereotype that portrays exceptional intellectual ability (e.g., genius, brilliance) as a male attribute. This gender‐brilliance stereotype was present among adults and children and for both Chinese and White stereotype targets. It also was stronger among older children and among children whose parents also showed it. This early‐emerging stereotype may be an obstacle to gender equity in many prestigious employment sectors.
Short and ultra‐short (<6‐mm) locking‐taper implants supporting single crowns in posterior areas (part II): A 5‐year retrospective study on periodontally healthy patients and patients with a history of periodontitis
Authors: Lombardo Giorgio , Signoriello Annarita , Pardo Alessia , Serpa Romero Xiomara Zilena , Vila Sierra Luis Armando , Arévalo Tovar Luisa , Marincola Mauro , Nocini Pier Francesco
Published: May 2022

Background

Short and ultra‐short implants implants supporting single crowns seem to demonstrate high percentages of survival and stable marginal bone levels at a mid‐term follow‐up. Nevertheless, insurgence of peri‐implant complications still represents a critical issue, especially for patients with history of periodontitis.

Purpose

The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate implant survival, marginal bone loss and peri‐implant complications in 333 short and ultra‐short implants, placed in periodontally healthy patients and patients with a history of periodontitis.

Materials and Methods

Implants were placed in the maxillary and mandibular posterior regions of 142 patients with (PP) and without (NPP) a history of periodontitis. Clinical and radiographic examinations were performed at 5‐year recall appointments.

Results

Implants respectively placed in PP and NPP were: 35.68% and 42.50% in 8.0 mm‐length group, 33.33% and 36.67% in 6.0 mm‐length group, and 30.99% and 20.83% in 5.0 mm‐length group. Implant‐based survival after 5 years of follow‐up was 95.77% for PP and 96.67% for NPP (p = 0.77). Regarding crestal bone level variations, average crestal bone loss was statistically different (p = 0.04) among PP (0.74 mm) and NPP (0.61 mm). Implants presenting signs of mucositis were 6.86% in PP and 7.76% in NPP (p = 0.76). Setting the threshold for excessive bone loss at 1 mm after 60 months, peri‐implantitis prevalence was 7.84% in PP and 2.59% in NPP (p = 0.08). Overall implant success was 92.16% and 97.41%, respectively, for PP and NPP.

Conclusions

Under strict maintenance program, five‐year outcomes suggest that short and ultra‐short locking‐taper implants can be successfully restored with single crowns in the posterior jaws both in PP and NPP.
Ischemic change in gastric mucosa due to gastric wall expansion with air supply: Real‐time capture in upper gastrointestinal endoscopy
Authors: Matsuno Kenshi , Sonoda Takayoshi , Tanaka Yasuhito
Published: May 2022

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The role of alcohol consumption on echocardiographic and electrophysiologic changes in atrial fibrillation
Authors: Sha Rina , Rong Bing , Zhang Kai , Chen Tongshuai , Wang Juntao , Han Wenqiang , Liu Huiyu , Liu Aihua , Lin Mingjie , Zhong Jingquan
Published: May 2022

Background

A wealth of evidence suggests that alcohol consumption is a risk factor for atrial fibrillation (AF); however, the mechanisms underlying this association are unclear. This makes it challenging to develop therapeutic strategies in patients with AF attributed to alcohol consumption.

Purpose

To investigate the echocardiographic and electrophysiologic changes caused by alcohol consumption in patients with AF.

Methods

The study was registered in Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (Registration number ChiCTR2000041575). Data on 134 consecutive non‐valvular AF patients who underwent radiofrequency catheter ablation in our center was collected from April 1, 2019 to June 30, 2020. Patients were divided into no‐alcohol (72) and alcohol groups [categorized into light (34), moderate (11) and heavy (17) alcohol consumption]. All patients underwent echocardiographic and electrophysiologic examinations for the assessment of left atrial (LA) strain, inter‐atrial conduction, intra‐atrial conduction, and atrial effective refractory period (ERP).

Results

Overall, the mean age was 61 ± 11 years and 87 (65%) were males. Compared with the no‐alcohol group, impaired peak LA longitudinal strain, obvious inter‐atrial conduction delay and increasing ERP dispersion were observed in the alcohol group. Intra‐atrial conduction delay and ERP dispersion increased with increasing amounts of alcohol consumption.

Conclusion

Alcohol consumption was associated with substantial abnormal echocardiographic and electrophysiologic changes in AF patients. These changes may contribute to the occurrence and progression of AF attributed to alcohol consumption, which may help in the development of new strategies for the prevention and management of AF. However further investigation is required.
Climate change influence on brook trout populations in the Central Appalachians
Authors: Andrew Ross G. , Schwinghamer Christopher W. , Hartman Kyle J. , Briggs Emilee E.
Published: May 2022

Examining variation in fish populations over time is strengthened when climatic variations are understood and incorporated into analyses. We used a 18‐year brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) data set with samples across a ~4800 km2 spatial area in the Central Appalachian Mountains, combined with PRISM climate data at the HUC‐12 subwatershed level to investigate temporal trends of each. We found significant increases in air temperature (p < .01) with no significant trends in precipitation across time, including no trends in changes in variation of temperature and precipitation also. Extreme rainfall events (# of days above 95% percentile for total daily precipitation in a year) and consecutive dry days (cumulative # of consecutive days with <3 mm precipitation in a year) were also examined and produced no significantly changing trends over time. Using random forests, seasonal climate variables identified as changing over time explained 35.1% of the variability in young‐of‐the‐year brook trout abundance over the 18‐year monitoring period. The same procedure explained 25.1% of the variability in juvenile abundance and only 5.1% in adult abundance. Variable selection following random forest generation illustrated significant effects for winter and spring precipitation (both negative on young‐of‐the‐year abundance. Spring degree days and spring precipitation both had significant negative effects on juvenile abundance. Random effects for stream and year explained a maximum of 27.7% and 10.8% of the variation in abundance across all models. A significant, positive interaction between spring degree days and precipitation was also identified, lending support to the important balance between temperature and flow in these systems that is critical to brook trout persistence. This work provides long‐term evidence to help understand the dynamics of these sentinel headwater fish populations as they experience a changing climate.
No robust multispecies coexistence in a canonical model of plant–soil feedbacks
Authors: Miller Zachary R. , Lechón‐Alonso Pablo , Allesina Stefano
Published: May 2022

Plant–soil feedbacks (PSFs) are considered a key mechanism generating frequency‐dependent dynamics in plant communities. Negative feedbacks, in particular, are often invoked to explain coexistence and the maintenance of diversity in species‐rich communities. However, the primary modelling framework used to study PSFs considers only two plant species, and we lack clear theoretical expectations for how these complex interactions play out in communities with natural levels of diversity. Here, we extend this canonical model of PSFs to include an arbitrary number of plant species and analyse the dynamics. Surprisingly, we find that coexistence of more than two species is virtually impossible, suggesting that alternative theoretical frameworks are needed to describe feedbacks observed in diverse natural communities. Drawing on our analysis, we discuss future directions for PSF models and implications for experimental study of PSF‐mediated coexistence in the field.
Spatial configuration learning in Vespula germanica forager wasps
Authors: Moreyra Sabrina , Lozada Mariana
Published: May 2022

In the present study, we sought to evaluate spatial learning in V. germanica wasps when dealing with environmental changes while localising food in a Y‐maze. We analysed whether foragers learn the spatial configuration of a Y‐maze and remember the location of the entrance when the position of vertical and horizontal cues was modified after a single collecting experience. Four experiments were performed in order to assess how returning wasps localise the previously rewarded site under contextual changes (N = 84). The results demonstrate that wasps learned the spatial configuration of a Y‐maze, after one visit, in all given circumstances. Foragers chose to re‐enter the maze through the entrance, irrespective of the contextual changes in the vertical cues or the relative geographical position of the Y‐maze (horizontal cues). Moreover, our findings reveal that wasps responded differently in relation to the location of the vertical and horizontal cues on their second visit. When the horizontal cues were kept in the original position after the first visit, wasps ignored the novel location of the vertical cues. Conversely, when the position of the Y‐maze was changed, the cylinders seemed to have had a greater influence on the initial wasps' response. The current investigation confirms previous findings on the versatile behaviour of V. germanica when dealing with modifications in anthropised scenarios, which might favour its establishment in novel territories suffering from unpredictable environmental changes due to the climate crisis.
Relationship quality and support for family policy during the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: James Spencer , Ben Brik Anis , Jorgensen‐Wells McKell , Esteinou Rosario , Acero Iván Darío Moreno , Mesurado Belén , Debeljuh Patricia , Orellana Olivia Nuñez
Published: May 2022

Objective

We examined how relationship satisfaction changed during the coronavirus (COVID‐19) pandemic, as well as how relationship satisfaction related to public policy support.

Background

Conservation of resources (COR) theory suggests that societal‐level stressors (such as a global pandemic) threaten familial and individual resources, straining couple relationships. Relationship satisfaction is in turn linked with important individual, familial, and societal outcomes, necessitating research on how COVID‐19 impacted this facet of relationships.

Method

Drawing from an international project on COVID‐19 and family life, participants included 734 married and cohabiting American parents of children under 18 years of age.

Results

Findings revealed relationship satisfaction declined moderately compared to retrospective reports of relationship satisfaction prior to the pandemic. This decline was more precipitous for White individuals, women, parents less involved in their children's lives, and those reporting higher levels of depressive symptoms. We also found that higher relationship satisfaction was associated with higher levels of support for family policy, particularly for men. At higher levels of relationship satisfaction, men and women had similarly high levels of support for family policy, while at lower levels, women's support for family policy was significantly higher.

Conclusion

The COVID‐19 pandemic likely amplified facets of social inequality, which is especially concerning when considering the large socioeconomic gaps prior to the pandemic.

Implications

Therapists, researchers, and policy makers should examine how relationship satisfaction may have changed during the pandemic because relationship satisfaction is linked to child and adult well‐being and relationship dissolution. Further, the link between relationship satisfaction and support for family policy deserves further scrutiny.
Receptive vocabulary knowledge in L2 learners of Spanish: The role of high‐frequency words
Authors: Robles‐García Pablo
Published: May 2022

The Challenge

U.S. university students enroll in 2 years of language courses before advancing to linguistics, literature, and culture courses. However, do students have the basic vocabulary needed to transition to advanced courses? This article answers this question by examining 943 L2 Spanish students' knowledge of high‐frequency words at different proficiency levels.
Captive Christmas: Unwrapping the third space
Authors: Munn Melissa , Sanjenko Bethany
Published: May 2022

Every year, millions of people spend Christmas behind bars, yet very little scholarship examines the carceral Christmas. This research attempts to add to the literature by using over 70 years of prisoners’ writings to describe how this holiday season is physically and psychologically experienced by convicts. Drawing on third space scholarship, we argue that prisoners use the manifestations of the holiday season to temporarily ‘escape’ the carceral milieu. More specifically, we contend that the dominant discourses, while not completely refuted, become redefined and reconstituted during the celebratory period. The typical binaries found within the prison (free/captive, inside/outside, keeper/kept), are blurred as a more liminal space emerges. Ultimately, this new imagined space provides a mechanism through which prisoners survive a carceral Christmas.
Rheological, texture and in vitro digestibility properties on steamed rice bread modified by ultrafine grinding and high pressure homogenization on rice‐okara slurry
Authors: Tang Zhongyue , Fan Jin , Yang Jintao , Liu Lu , He Laping , Zhang Wei , Zeng Xuefeng , Qin Likang
Published: May 2022

In this study, the ultrafine grinding (UG) and high pressure homogenization (HPH) treated slurry on the particle size and rheological property of slurry, texture, in vitro starch digestibility, and multiscale structure of steamed rice bread (SRB) were investigated. Then, it was found that the average particle size of slurry treated by UG and HPH reduced from 84.6 to 38.6 μm and 22.6 μm, respectively. The rheological properties results demonstrated that G′ resulted in higher values than G″, and that the values of G′, G″ and tan δ of slurry decreased obviously after UG and HPH treatment. Obviously, the hardness and viscidity of SRB made by UG and HPH were lower, while the elasticity and specific volume were higher. The determination of in vitro starch digestibility revealed that UG treated on slurry accelerated the starch hydrolysis rate of SRB, resulting in an increase in the pGI from 76.17 to 79.36, while HPH treatment reduced the pGI from 76.17 to 73.49. Furthermore, XRD and FTIR demonstrated that both UG and HPH increased the intermolecular hydrogen bonds, and both treatments also assisted in starch arrangement for increasing the ordered crystallization of starch, which may contribute to the increasing amylose content.
Evaluation of the composition and quality of watermelon and mango juices fermented by Levilactobacillus brevis, Lacticaseibacillus casei and Pediococcus pentosaceus and subsequent simulated digestion and storage
Authors: Mandha Juliana , Shumoy Habtu , Matemu Athanasia O. , Raes Katleen
Published: May 2022

This study evaluated the composition of watermelon and mango juices fermented by Levilactobacillus (L.) brevis, Lacticaseibacillus (La.) casei and Pediococcus (P.) pentosaceus and subsequently simulated in vitro digestion and storage (4°C for 35 days). After fermentation (24 h), the microorganisms grew (~9 log CFU mL−1) and fermented watermelon (FWJ) and mango juice (FMJ) became more red and yellow, respectively. DPPH (2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl) and ABTS (2,2′‐azino‐bis (3‐ethylbenzothiazoline‐6‐sulfonic acid)) free radical scavenging capacities significantly increased in L. brevis and La. casei FMJ. After in vitro digestion, all the strains except La. casei in FMJ significantly decreased (P < 0.05), and P. pentosaceus survival was 2.4 and 4.5 times higher in FWJ and FMJ, respectively, than as pure culture. After storage, cell counts remained above 7 log CFU mL−1, and no changes in quality attributes, total phenolic content and antioxidant capacity were recorded in P. pentosaceus FMJ. Thus, watermelon and mango are suitable matrices for lactic acid bacteria.
Risk and protective factors for a salutogenic sense of health in adolescents with Moyamoya disease
Authors: Oh Won‐Oak , Shim Kyu Won , Yeom In‐Sun , Park Il Tae , Heo Yoo Jin , Han Jihee
Published: May 2022

Purpose

To identify the risk and protective factors affecting a salutogenic sense of health in adolescents with Moyamoya disease based on Antonovsky's salutogenesis theory.

Methods

This study used a qualitative descriptive design. We interviewed adolescents diagnosed with Moyamoya disease and their parents and experts with experience in treating them from 4 July 2019 to 10 October 2019. Data analysis was performed according to the process of deductive content analysis based on Antonovsky's salutogenesis theory.

Results

This study identified risk and protective factors affecting a salutogenic sense of health in adolescents with Moyamoya disease. Risk factors were closely related to problems with friends, parent relationships and academic work. Protective factors were identified as emotional support through interpersonal relationships, positive attitudes to the disease situation, ability to understand and predict patterns of symptoms, increasing strength to resolve the state of tension and developing available resources.

Conclusion

The factors affecting a salutogenic sense of health in adolescents were identified reflecting on the characteristics of the developmental stage of adolescents and the symptoms and situations that are unique to adolescents. It is important for adolescents with Moyamoya disease to recognize available resources and use them appropriately to successfully manage the state of tension caused by stress.
Association between hyperglycaemia in pregnancy and growth of offspring in early childhood: The PANDORA study
Authors: Titmuss Angela , Longmore Danielle K. , Barzi Federica , Barr Elizabeth L. M. , Webster Vanya , Wood Anna , Simmonds Alison , Brown Alex D. H. , Connors Christine , Boyle Jacqueline A. , Oats Jeremy , McIntyre H. David , Shaw Jonathan E. , Craig Maria E. , Maple‐Brown Louise J. ,   the PANDORA Study Research Team
Published: May 2022

Background

Few studies have assessed whether children exposed to in utero hyperglycaemia experience different growth trajectories compared to unexposed children.

Objectives

To assess association of type 2 diabetes (T2D) and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) with early childhood weight, length/height and body mass index (BMI) trajectories, and with timing and magnitude of peak BMI in infancy.

Methods

PANDORA is a birth cohort recruited from an Australian hyperglycaemia in pregnancy register, and women with normoglycaemia recruited from the community. Offspring growth measures were obtained from health records over a median follow‐up of 3.0 years (interquartile range 1.9–4.0). This analysis included children born to Aboriginal mothers with in utero normoglycaemia (n = 95), GDM (n = 228) or T2D (n = 131). Growth trajectories (weight, length/height and BMI) were estimated using linear mixed models with cubic spline functions of child age.

Results

After adjustment for maternal factors (age, BMI, parity, smoking, and socioeconomic measures) and child factors (age, gestational age at birth, and sex), children born to mothers with T2D or GDM had lower weight, length/height and BMI trajectories in infancy than children born to mothers with normoglycaemia, but similar weight and BMI by completion of follow‐up. Children exposed to T2D had lower mean peak BMI 17.6 kg/m2 (95% confidence interval [CI] 17.3–18.0) than children exposed to normoglycaemia (18.6 kg/m2 [18.1–18.9]) (p = 0.001).

Conclusions

Maternal hyperglycaemia was associated with differences in early childhood growth trajectories after adjustment for maternal BMI. Exploration of associations between in utero hyperglycaemia exposure and growth trajectories into later childhood is required.
Computational drug repositioning using similarity constrained weight regularization matrix factorization: A case of COVID‐19
Authors: Xu Junlin , Meng Yajie , Peng Lihong , Cai Lijun , Tang Xianfang , Liang Yuebin , Tian Geng , Yang Jialiang
Published: May 2022

Amid the COVID‐19 crisis, we put sizeable efforts to collect a high number of experimentally validated drug–virus association entries from literature by text mining and built a human drug–virus association database. To the best of our knowledge, it is the largest publicly available drug–virus database so far. Next, we develop a novel weight regularization matrix factorization approach, termed WRMF, for in silico drug repurposing by integrating three networks: the known drug–virus association network, the drug–drug chemical structure similarity network, and the virus–virus genomic sequencing similarity network. Specifically, WRMF adds a weight to each training sample for reducing the influence of negative samples (i.e. the drug–virus association is unassociated). A comparison on the curated drug–virus database shows that WRMF performs better than a few state‐of‐the‐art methods. In addition, we selected the other two different public datasets (i.e. Cdataset and HMDD V2.0) to assess WRMF's performance. The case study also demonstrated the accuracy and reliability of WRMF to infer potential drugs for the novel virus. In summary, we offer a useful tool including a novel drug–virus association database and a powerful method WRMF to repurpose potential drugs for new viruses.
C‐reactive protein perturbs alveolar bone homeostasis: An experimental study of periodontitis and diabetes in the rat
Authors: Zhou Mengjiao , Xu Xiaohui , Li Jie , Zhou Jie , He Yao , Chen Ziqi , Liu Shan , Chen Duanjing , Li Han , Li Guangyue , Huang Jiao , Yang Gangyi , Zhang Tingwei , Song Jinlin
Published: May 2022

Aim

To explore the role of C‐reactive protein (CRP) in periodontitis and diabetes and its mechanism in alveolar bone homeostasis.

Materials and Methods

In vivo, normal, and Crp knockout (KO) rats were randomly divided into control, diabetes, periodontitis, and diabetes and periodontitis groups, respectively. The diabetes model was established using a high‐fat diet combined with streptozotocin injection. The periodontitis model was established by ligature combined with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) injection. Alveolar bones were analysed using micro‐computed tomography, histology, and immunohistochemistry. In vitro, human periodontal ligament cells (hPDLCs) were treated with LPS and high glucose. CRP knockdown lentivirus or CRP overexpression adenovirus combined with a PI3K/AKT signalling inhibitor or agonist were used to explore the regulatory mechanism of CRP in osteogenesis and osteoclastogenesis of hPDLCs, as evidenced by alkaline phosphatase staining, Western blot, and quantitative polymerase chain reaction.

Results

In periodontitis and diabetes, CRP KO decreased the alveolar bone loss and the expression levels of osteoclastogenic markers, while increasing the expression levels of osteogenic markers. CRP constrained osteogenesis while promoting the osteoclastogenesis of hPDLCs via PI3K/AKT signalling under high glucose and pro‐inflammatory conditions.

Conclusions

CRP inhibits osteogenesis and promotes osteoclastogenesis via PI3K/AKT signalling under diabetic and pro‐inflammatory conditions, thus perturbing alveolar bone homeostasis.
A vitronectin‐derived peptide prevents and restores alveolar bone loss by modulating bone re‐modelling and expression of RANKL and IL‐17A
Authors: Lee Junbeom , Min Hong Ki , Park Cho Yeon , Kang Hyun Ki , Jung Sung Youn , Min Byung‐Moo
Published: May 2022

Aim

This study investigated whether a vitronectin‐derived peptide (VnP‐16) prevents and/or reverses alveolar bone resorption induced by ligature‐induced periodontitis in rodents and identified the underlying mechanism.

Materials and Methods

We evaluated the effects of VnP‐16 on osteogenic differentiation in human periodontal ligament cells (hPDLCs), lipopolysaccharide‐induced inflammatory responses in gingival fibroblasts, and immune response in T lymphocytes. Ligature‐induced periodontitis was induced by ligating the bilateral mandibular first molars for 14 days in rats and for 7 days in mice (n = 10/group). VnP‐16 (100 μg/10 μl) was applied topically into the gingival sulcus of rats via intra‐sulcular injection, whereas the peptide (50 μg/5 μl) was administered directly into the gingiva of mice via intra‐gingival injection. To evaluate the preventive and therapeutic effects of VnP‐16, micro‐computed tomography analysis and histological staining were then performed.

Results

VnP‐16 promoted osteogenic differentiation of periodontal ligament cells and inhibited the production of lipopolysaccharide‐induced inflammatory mediators in gingival fibroblasts. Concomitantly, VnP‐16 modulated the host immune response by reducing the number of receptor activator of NF‐κB ligand (RANKL)‐expressing lipopolysaccharide‐stimulated CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, and by suppressing RANKL and interleukin (IL)‐17A production. Furthermore, local administration of VnP‐16 in rats and mice significantly prevented and reversed alveolar bone loss induced by ligature‐induced periodontitis. VnP‐16 enhanced osteoblastogenesis and simultaneously inhibited osteoclastogenesis and suppressed RANKL and IL‐17A expression in vivo.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that VnP‐16 acts as a potent therapeutic agent for preventing and treating periodontitis by regulating bone re‐modelling and immune and inflammatory responses.
Association of Medicare bundled payment model with joint replacement care for people with dementia
Authors: Kim Hyunjee , Juarez Cesar A. , Meath Thomas H. A. , Quiñones Ana R. , Teno Joan M.
Published: May 2022

Background

We examined whether the Comprehensive Care for Joint Replacement (CJR) model was associated with changes in the receipt of joint replacement among people with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) as well as spending, health service use, and postsurgical outcomes among people with ADRD who underwent a joint replacement surgery.

Methods

Retrospective cohort study using 2013–2017 Medicare claims and Minimum Data Set. We used a difference‐in‐differences analysis to compare people with ADRD residing in CJR‐participating treatment areas versus nonparticipating control areas on the receipt of joint replacement, episode spending during the index hospitalization and subsequent 90‐day post‐discharge period, discharges to an institutional post‐acute care setting, and readmissions within 90 days of hospital discharge.

Results

Our sample included 3,361,950 Medicare enrollees with ADRD (2,156,995 women [64%]; mean [SD] age, 83 [8.0] years; 2,646,405 white [78%], 344,478 black [10%], 224,010 Hispanic [7%]). The receipt of replacement among people with ADRD changed similarly between CJR‐participating treatment and control areas after CJR model was implemented, suggesting no association of CJR model with the receipt of replacement. Among people with ADRD who received joint replacement, the CJR model was associated with a $1029 decrease in spending per episode (95% confidence interval [CI] −$1577, −$481, p < 0.001), a 1.62 percentage point decrease in discharges to an institutional post‐acute care setting (95% CI −3.17, −0.07, p = 0.04), but no changes in 90‐day readmission (95% CI −2.68, 0.00, p = 0.051).

Conclusions

Despite concerns that the CJR model could hinder people with ADRD from receiving joint replacement, the receipt of joint replacement did not change among people with ADRD under CJR. The CJR model was associated with decreased spending for people with ADRD who received joint replacements, driven by reduced discharges to an institutional post‐acute care setting, without any changes in 90‐day readmission.
Effect of global warming on dermatology practice: The increase in cases of cutaneous larva migrans in the eastern Black Sea region of Turkey
Authors: Can İlkay , Yürekli Aslan
Published: May 2022

Objective

Cutaneous larva migrans (CLM) is a parasitic disease seen in people in contact with soil in tropical countries. Almost all cases reported in regions without a tropical climate have a history of travel to a tropical region.

Aim

In our study, we aimed to investigate the effect of climate change on CLM cases and the demographic characteristics of these cases. For this purpose, the climate information of the period in which we determined the case series and the characteristics of the patients were investigated.

Material and Method

The study was designed retrospectively. Patient files and pre‐ and post‐treatment photographic archives were reviewed retrospectively. In addition, the region's weather history over the last 50 years was examined.

Results

The records of patients diagnosed with CLM in 2018 were reviewed retrospectively. In total, 22 cases were detected. The common feature of all cases was that they worked as tea pickers. After examining the weather conditions of the period when the cases were commonly reported, it was determined that there was a sharp temperature increase compared with previous years.

Conclusion

Due to climate change, an increase in the number of CLM cases is observed in non‐tropical regions. Since it is considered a disease‐specific to tropical regions, the diagnosis may be overlooked in cases outside these regions. However, CLM should be kept in mind as a diagnostic possibility by clinicians practicing in non‐tropical regions as well, especially when treating patients who work with soil, such as tea harvesters.
Presidential Address: Corporate Finance and Reality
Authors: GRAHAM JOHN R.
Published: May 2022

This paper uses surveys to document CFO perspectives on corporate planning, investment, capital structure, payout, and shareholder versus stakeholder focus. Comparing policy decisions today to those 20 years ago, I find that companies employ decision rules that are conservative, sticky, and geared to time the market; rely on internal forecasts that are miscalibrated and considered reliable only two years ahead; and emphasize corporate objectives that focus increasingly on stakeholders and revenues. These practice of corporate finance themes can discipline academic models toward better explaining outcomes. Models of satisficing decision‐making or costly managerial biases align with many of the themes.
Lighting, signing, showing: The circulability of Pink Dot's counterpublic discourse in Singapore
Authors: Pak Vincent
Published: May 2022

Pink Dot, a homegrown LGBTQ activist group based in Singapore, has been treated as a social movement since its inauguration in 2009, and they organise an annual event to advocate for LGBTQ individuals. In 2020, due to the coronavirus pandemic, the twelfth edition of the event (PD12) took place online as a livestream on YouTube. The highlight of PD12 was the unveiling of a ‘digital pink dot’ via a virtual map of Singapore, where the permeability of its discourse in virtual and physical spaces became much more apparent in comparison with previous physical iterations of the event. Approaching the data with counterpublic and citizenship theory, I outline the circulability of discourse as the key feature of a counterpublic, and argue that PD12 achieves this in two ways: (i) the semiotic fragmentation of its physical signs and online discourse; and (ii) the deployment of intertextual elements in a drag performance.
Three‐dimensional and catheter‐based intracardiac echocardiographic characterization of the interatrial septum in 2 horses with suspicion of a patent foramen ovale
Authors: Vernemmen Ingrid , Paulussen Ellen , Dauvillier Julie , Decloedt Annelies , van Loon Gunther
Published: May 2022

This case report describes the 2‐dimensional transthoracic (2D‐TTE), 3‐dimensional transthoracic (3D‐TTE) and intracardiac echocardiographic (ICE) characterization of the fossa ovalis region in 2 horses. The first case was presented for poor performance and showed an anechoic zone in the interatrial septum on 2D‐TTE. Based on 3D‐TTE a deepened fossa ovalis could be identified and using ICE the presence of an interatrial shunt could be excluded. The second case was referred for a cardiac murmur and the presence of turbulent flow in and around the interatrial septum on 2D‐TTE color flow Doppler. The complementary use of 2D‐TTE, 3D‐TTE, and ICE allowed detailed characterization of a patent foramen ovale, with evidence of a left‐to‐right shunt in a dorsocranial to ventrocaudal direction with limited hemodynamic implications. These 2 cases underline the feasibility of 3D‐TTE and ICE in horses and especially show the added value of ICE in a clinical setting.
Incidence and outcomes of thromboembolic and bleeding events in patients with liver cirrhosis in the USA
Authors: Huang Xiaoquan , Abougergi Marwan S. , Sun Chenyu , Murphy Dermot , Sondhi Vikram , Chen Bing , Zheng Xin , Chen Shiyao , Wang Yichen
Published: May 2022

Background & aims

Understanding the epidemiology of bleeding and thromboembolism (clotting) in liver cirrhosis provides important data for future studies and policymaking; however, head‐to‐head comparisons of bleeding and clotting remain limited.

Methods

This is a populational retrospective cohort study using the US National Readmission Database of 2018 to compare the incidence and outcomes of bleeding and clotting events in patients with liver cirrhosis. The primary outcomes were the 11‐month incidence proportion of bleeding and clotting events.

Results

Of 1 304 815 participants, 26 569 had liver cirrhosis (45.0% women, mean age 57.2 [SD, 12.7] years). During the 11‐month follow‐up, in patients with cirrhosis, for bleeding and clotting events, the incidence proportions was 15.3% and 6.6%; the risk‐standardized all‐cause mortality rates were 2.4% and 1.0%; the rates of intensive care intervention were 4.1% and 1.9%; the rates of rehabilitation transfer were .2% and .2%; the cumulative length of stays were 45 100 and 23 566 days; total hospital costs were 147 and 84 million US dollars; total hospital charges were 620 and 365 million US dollars. Compared to non‐cirrhosis, liver cirrhosis was associated with higher rates of bleeding (adjusted hazard ratio, 3.02 [95% CI, 2.85–3.20]) and portal vein thrombosis (PVT) (18.46 [14.86–22.92]), and slightly lower risks of other non‐PVT venous thromboembolic events (.82 [.75–.89]).

Conclusions

Bleeding is more common than thromboembolism in patients with liver cirrhosis, causes higher morbidity, mortality and resource utilization. Liver cirrhosis is an independent risk factor for bleeding and PVT, but not non‐PVT thromboembolism including venous thromboembolism, acute myocardial infarction and ischemic stroke.
Epidemiology of liver failure in Asia‐Pacific region
Authors: Jindal Ankur , Sarin Shiv K.
Published: May 2022

The global burden of deaths caused by liver failure is substantial. The Asia‐Pacific region is home to more than half of the global population and accounted for 62.6% of global deaths because of liver diseases in 2015. The aetiology of liver failure varies in different countries at different times. Viruses (Hepatitis A, B and E), drugs (herbs and anti‐tuberculous drugs), toxins (alcohol use) and autoimmune flares are mainly responsible of majority of liver failure in individuals with normal liver (acute liver failure; ALF); else these may precipitate liver failure in those with chronic liver disease (acute‐on‐chronic liver failure; ACLF). Concomitant increases in alcohol misuse and metabolic syndrome in recent years are concerning. Ongoing efforts to address liver failure‐related morbidity and mortality require accurate contemporary estimates of epidemiology and outcomes. In light of the ever‐changing nature of liver disease epidemiology, accurate estimates for the burden of liver failure across the countries are vital for setting clinical, research and policy priorities. In this review, we aimed to describe the current as well as changing epidemiological trends of common liver failure syndromes, ALF and ACLF in the Asia‐Pacific region.
Intensive care professionals' perceptions of the quality of counselling provided in the ICU: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Vanhanen Minna , Meriläinen Merja , Ala‐Kokko Tero , Kyngäs Helvi , Kaakinen Pirjo
Published: May 2022

Background

Intensive care professionals (ICPs) have a key role in counselling adult intensive care unit (ICU) patients and their family members. The counselling provided to ICU patients and their family members can be described based on the content, implementation, benefits, and resources.

Aims

The study had two specific aims: first, to assess ICPs' perceptions of the quality of counselling provided to ICU patients and their family members; and second, to explore which factors ICPs feel is associated with the quality of counselling.

Study Design

A cross‐sectional survey of ICPs working in adult ICUs in Finnish university hospitals. Data were collected using the Counselling Quality Instrument. The data were analysed by descriptive statistics and chi‐square and t‐test statistical methods.

Results

A total of 182 ICPs returned the questionnaire, reflecting a response rate of 18.6%. Most of the respondents were nurses (97%) and the mean age was 42 years. The ICPs reported having adequate time for patient‐ (77%) and family‐centered (73%) counselling, but only 47% felt that their units had the appropriate facilities. There were statistically significant differences between patient‐ and family‐centered counselling and the ICP's self‐assessed competence (p < .001), goal‐oriented counselling (p < .001), and atmosphere during counselling (p < .001). ICPs' attitudes towards counselling impacted how these professionals assessed patients' and family members' confidence, along with patient recovery (p < .001).

Conclusions

This study confirms that the provision of high‐quality counselling has beneficial effects; however, it also indicates that there is a need for training that considers each ICP's professional experience and patient‐ and family‐centered factors, which may differ from one another.

Relevance to Clinical Practice

According to ICPs, the quality of counselling can be enhanced by empowering ICPs to improve counselling and providing appropriate ICU facilities for counselling, such as a private room for family members.