bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
How are romantic cross‐class relationships sustained?
Authors: Butler Rose , Vincent Eve
Published: April 2024

How are romantic relationships across class maintained under broader conditions of class inequality? This article draws on in‐depth interviews with 38 people who have partnered across class in Australia. It examines the emotional and interpersonal labour required to preserve such relationships within a highly differentiated class structure that is widely obscured in public and political life. We find, first, that for people in committed cross‐class relationships where this difference was openly acknowledged, class difference was acutely felt and described in highly emotional, imprecise terms. Second, this heightened awareness of class difference stimulated elevated levels of class friction and class dissonance within these relationships. We detail these experiences, as they were narrated to us, before examining certain interviewees' efforts to understand and resolve these complexities. We highlight the collaborative work undertaken by one couple in particular to navigate feelings of class discomfort and class dissonance. Third, by focussing on the emotional terrain of intimate cross‐class negotiations, we stress moments which have the potential to disrupt assumptions about class hierarchies and modes of moral distinction that take place within these relationships. Proceeding to tentatively valorise different forms of value‐making and recognition within cross‐class relationships, we also pay attention to the role of class in enabling this very capacity for adaptation.
Are farm input subsidies a disincentive for integrated pest management adoption? Evidence from Zambia
Authors: Tambo Justice A. , Liverpool‐Tasie Lenis Saweda O.
Published: April 2024

Input subsidy programmes (ISPs) remain a popular but contentious policy tool to promote agricultural intensification, food security and poverty reduction across Africa. Although previous studies have explored the impact of ISPs on various smallholder outcomes, no studies have analysed the impact of recent ISPs on pest management. This is particularly important given the increasing pest challenges due to climate change and the recent surge in pesticide use in low‐income countries and its associated negative consequences for human and environmental health. Thus, this study assessed the effects of ISPs on smallholder adoption of sustainable pest management practices, using data from 1048 smallholder maize plots across major maize‐producing zones of Zambia and a control function regression approach. We find consistent evidence that input subsidy receipt is negatively associated with smallholders' adoption of environmentally friendly and sustainable pest management strategies. Participation in the Zambia ISP (particularly the flexible e‐voucher system) encourages synthetic pesticide use, at the expense of sustainable practices. We also find that farmers consider synthetic pesticides and biopesticides as substitutes and are more likely to adopt sustainable pest management when they have tenure security and access to financial resources. Given the human and environmental health consequences associated with synthetic pesticide use, it would be important to leverage input subsidy schemes to promote the adoption of safer and more sustainable alternatives to synthetic pesticides. Beyond input subsidies, policies that improve tenure security and financial access for smallholders can promote the adoption of sustainable pest management practices.
Cold‐active microbial enzymes and their biotechnological applications
Authors: Kuddus Mohammed , Roohi  , Bano Naushin , Sheik Gouse Basha , Joseph Babu , Hamid Burhan , Sindhu Raveendran , Madhavan Aravind
Published: April 2024

Microorganisms known as psychrophiles/psychrotrophs, which survive in cold climates, constitute majority of the biosphere on Earth. Their capability to produce cold‐active enzymes along with other distinguishing characteristics allows them to survive in the cold environments. Due to the relative ease of large‐scale production compared to enzymes from plants and animals, commercial uses of microbial enzyme are alluring. The ocean depths, polar, and alpine regions, which make up over 85% of the planet, are inhabited to cold ecosystems. Microbes living in these regions are important for their metabolic contribution to the ecosphere as well as for their enzymes, which may have potential industrial applications. Cold‐adapted microorganisms are a possible source of cold‐active enzymes that have high catalytic efficacy at low and moderate temperatures at which homologous mesophilic enzymes are not active. Cold‐active enzymes can be used in a variety of biotechnological processes, including food processing, additives in the detergent and food industries, textile industry, waste‐water treatment, biopulping, environmental bioremediation in cold climates, biotransformation, and molecular biology applications with great potential for energy savings. Genetically manipulated strains that are suitable for producing a particular cold‐active enzyme would be crucial in a variety of industrial and biotechnological applications. The potential advantage of cold‐adapted enzymes will probably lead to a greater annual market than for thermo‐stable enzymes in the near future. This review includes latest updates on various microbial source of cold‐active enzymes and their biotechnological applications.
Gender diversity in radiology: Shedding light on the 256 shades of grey
Authors: McCloskey Cassie , Hince Dana A , Timler Amanda , Oh John G , Langton Paul , Lee Emmeline
Published: April 2024

Introduction

Despite medical school cohorts being composed of approximately 50% men and women, trainee positions in Clinical Radiology remain predominantly occupied by men. This study aims to identify reasons behind the gender gap, explore why more women are not pursuing a career in Clinical Radiology and to assess if there are gender differences in these reasons.

Methods

Prospective multi‐centre study using a voluntary, anonymous questionnaire aimed at senior Medical Students and Junior Doctors.

Results

A total of 318 participants responded to the questionnaire – 197 women (61.9%), 114 men (35.8%), 4 non‐binary (1.3%), 2 preferred not to answer gender (0.6%), 1 I/they (0.3%). The most common reasons for not considering Clinical Radiology as a specialty include ‘perceived limited patient contact’ (62%), ‘never/rarely exposed to it’ (59%) and ‘too lonely’ (49%). Reasons with the largest gender discrepancies were ‘too technology heavy’ and ‘limited patient contact’, both cited more frequently by women. Most respondents indicated that their opinions of Clinical Radiology may change with more exposure during medical school, more patient contact and more mentorship.

Conclusion

This study has revealed multiple reasons why women may not pursue specialty training in Clinical Radiology. Notable differences were found in the reasonings provided by men and women. Limited Clinical Radiology exposure and mentorship in medical school result in a lack of interest in this specialty as a career option. A proposed solution is to offer more medical school lectures and more junior doctor rotations to debunk stereotypes that may be negatively impacting opinions on Clinical Radiology. More mentorship of Medical Students and Junior Doctors, particularly from women, may also help decrease the gender gap.
Human papillomavirus associated oropharyngeal cancer now the most common mucosal head and neck cancer in Queensland
Authors: Porceddu Sandro V , Negrello Theresa , Rawson Neal , Dunn Nathan , Batstone Martin , Collins Michael , Dowthwaite Sam , Hughes Brett GM , Kenny Liz , Ladwa Rahul , Panizza Ben , Cossio Danica
Published: April 2024

Introduction

The profile and outcomes of head and neck cancer throughout Australia has changed over the past decade. The aim of this study was to perform a population‐based analysis of incidence, demographics, stage, treatments and outcomes of patients diagnosed with oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC), with a particular focus on HPV‐associated disease.

Methods

This was a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data within the Queensland Oncology Repository (QOR) and analysed by the Queensland Cancer Control Analysis Team. The cohort included patients diagnosed in Queensland between 1 January 2015 and 31 December 2019. Outcome measures included incidence of new OPSCC cases, age‐standardised rates (ASR) (3‐year average), demographics, p16 status, stage (8th Edition American Joint Commission on Cancer), treatments, and 2‐ and 5‐year overall survival.

Results

There were 1527 newly diagnosed OPSCC, representing 96% (1527/1584) of all oropharyngeal cancers. It was the most common head and neck cancer diagnosed, with oral cavity cancer being the second most common (n = 1171). Seventy‐seven percent were p16 positive (1170/1527), of which 87% (1019/1170) were male. The median age was 61 years and 49% (568/1170) presented with Stage I disease. The ASR was 6.3/100,000, representing a 144% incidence increase since 1982 (2.6/100,000). Radiotherapy was utilised in 91% of p16+ cases with 2‐ and 5‐ year overall survival of 89% and 79%, respectively.

Conclusion

OPSCC is now the most common mucosal head and neck cancer diagnosed in Queensland, having surpassed oral cavity cancer. The majority are HPV‐associated (p16+), presenting with early‐stage disease with a favourable prognosis.
High‐frequency optical coherence tomography for endovascular management of cerebral aneurysms
Authors: Mansourian Elizabeth , Pavlin‐Premrl Davor , Friedman Joshua , Jhamb Ash , Khabaza Ali , Brooks Mark , Asadi Hamed , Maingard Julian
Published: April 2024

Endovascular management of intracranial aneurysms has become the mainstay of treatment in recent years; however, retreatment rates remain as high as 1 in 5. High‐frequency optical coherence tomography (HF‐OCT) is an emerging imaging modality for the assessment, treatment and follow‐up of cerebral aneurysms. EMBASE and SCOPUS databases were searched for studies relating to the management of intracranial aneurysm with OCT. A combination of keywords were used including ‘cerebral aneurysm’, ‘intracranial aneurysm’, ‘high‐frequency optical coherence tomography’, ‘optical coherence tomography’, and ‘optical frequency domain imaging’. There were 23 papers included in this review. For the assessment of intracranial aneurysm, OCT was able to accurately assess aneurysm morphology as well as detailed analysis of arterial wall layers. During IA treatment, OCT was used to assess and troubleshoot stent placement to optimise successful isolation from the circulation. In the follow‐up period, endothelial growth patterns were visualised by OCT imaging. OCT shows promise for the treatment of IAs at all stages of management. Due to the novel development of HF‐OCT, there is limited longitudinal data in human studies. Further research in this area is required with a focus specifically on long‐term treatment outcomes in humans.
The Netherlands: Political Developments and Data in 2023
Authors: OTJES SIMON , DE JONGE LÉONIE
Published: April 2024

The Dutch political landscape is notoriously unpredictable; yet, 2023 was the most turbulent year in Dutch politics in at least two decades. The year featured two elections—provincial and national—within nine months, each dominated by two distinct issues: agriculture and migration. These elections saw two different populist parties triumph with significant margins: the FarmerCitizenMovement/BoerBurgerBeweging won the provincial elections, while the radical right‐wing populist Party for Freedom/Partij voor de Vrijheid secured a landslide victory in the parliamentary elections. Moreover, the year witnessed the collapse of the centre‐right cabinet and leadership changes in more than half of the parties represented in parliament.
Unique features of β‐cell metabolism are lost in type 2 diabetes
Authors: Muñoz Felipe , Fex Malin , Moritz Thomas , Mulder Hindrik , Cataldo Luis Rodrigo
Published: April 2024

Pancreatic β cells play an essential role in the control of systemic glucose homeostasis as they sense blood glucose levels and respond by secreting insulin. Upon stimulating glucose uptake in insulin‐sensitive tissues post‐prandially, this anabolic hormone restores blood glucose levels to pre‐prandial levels. Maintaining physiological glucose levels thus relies on proper β‐cell function. To fulfill this highly specialized nutrient sensor role, β cells have evolved a unique genetic program that shapes its distinct cellular metabolism. In this review, the unique genetic and metabolic features of β cells will be outlined, including their alterations in type 2 diabetes (T2D). β cells selectively express a set of genes in a cell type‐specific manner; for instance, the glucose activating hexokinase IV enzyme or Glucokinase (GCK), whereas other genes are selectively “disallowed”, including lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA) and monocarboxylate transporter 1 (MCT1). This selective gene program equips β cells with a unique metabolic apparatus to ensure that nutrient metabolism is coupled to appropriate insulin secretion, thereby avoiding hyperglycemia, as well as life‐threatening hypoglycemia. Unlike most cell types, β cells exhibit specialized bioenergetic features, including supply‐driven rather than demand‐driven metabolism and a high basal mitochondrial proton leak respiration. The understanding of these unique genetically programmed metabolic features and their alterations that lead to β‐cell dysfunction is crucial for a comprehensive understanding of T2D pathophysiology and the development of innovative therapeutic approaches for T2D patients.
Medication use among the oldest old in the Faroe Islands—A national cross‐sectional study
Authors: Joensen Beinta , Niklasdóttir Sunrit , Joensen Niels , Christensen Kaare , Petersen Maria Skaalum
Published: April 2024

Aging is often associated with an increasing number of comorbidities that warrant use of multiple drugs which increases the use of potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs), drug–drug interactions (DDIs) and drug‐related problems (DRPs). The aim is to assess the prevalence of polypharmacy, PIMs, DDIs and DRPs among Faroese residents aged ≥90 years. In this population‐based cross‐sectional study, 494 individuals ≥90 years were invited and 298 (60%) participated. A pharmacist‐led medication review was performed based on self‐information, electronic patient journal and the Faroese Prescription Registry. The prevalence of polypharmacy was 74% with no sex‐difference. Approximately 60% of participants used PIMs, primarily benzodiazepines and proton pump inhibitors, the latter being a frequently implicated medication in DRPs. Opioid use was low compared with other Nordic studies. DRPs were observed for 79% with discrepancies in the medication lists as the most common cause, and DDIs were identified for 47% of participants, mostly moderately clinically relevant DDIs. In conclusion, the medication use among the oldest old Faroese resembled that in other Nordic countries with a high prevalence of polypharmacy and use of PIMs, especially PPIs and benzodiazepines. However, no sex‐difference was noted in medication use and the use of opioids was low.
Study of the different sleep disturbances during the prodromal phase of depression and mania in bipolar disorders
Authors: Basquin Louise , Maruani Julia , Leseur Jeanne , Mauries Sibylle , Bazin Balthazar , Pineau Guillaume , Henry Chantal , Lejoyeux Michel , Geoffroy Pierre A.
Published: April 2024

Background

One of the challenges in bipolar disorder (BD) lies in early detection of the illness and its recurrences, to improve prognosis. Sleep disturbances (SD) have been proposed as reliable predictive markers of conversion. While preliminary studies have explored the relationship between SD and the onset of mood episodes, the results remain heterogeneous and a few have specifically examined patients' perception of prodromal symptoms and their progression until the episode occurs. Identifying prodromes represents a crucial clinical challenge, as it enables early intervention, thereby reducing the severity of BD. Therefore, the objective of this study is to better characterize and evaluate the progressive nature of SD as prodromal symptoms of mood episodes, and patients' perception of it.

Methods

Patients diagnosed with BD, either hospitalized or seeking treatment for a (hypo)manic or depressive episode benefited from standardized questionnaires, structured interviews, and self‐report questionnaires to evaluate SD prior to the current episode, as well as sociodemographic and clinical information.

Results

Out of the 41 patients included, 59% spontaneously reported SD prior to the episode, appearing 90 days before depression and 35 days before mania (pre‐indexed/spontaneous reports: 51.22% insomnia complaints, 4.88% hypersomnolence complaints, 7.32% parasomnias, 2.44% sleep movements). After inquiry about specific SD, the percentage of patients reporting prodromal SD increased significantly to 83%, appearing 210 days before depression and 112.5 days before mania (post‐indexed reports: 75.61% presented with insomnia complaints appearing 150 days before depression and 20 days before mania, 46.34% had hypersomnolence complaints appearing 60 days before depression, 43.9% had parasomnias appearing 210 days before depression and 22.5 days before mania, 36.59% had sleep movements appearing 120 days before depression and 150 days before mania). Of note, bruxism appeared in 35% of patients before mania, and restless legs syndrome in 20% of patients before depression.

Conclusion

This study highlights the very high prevalence of SD prior to a mood episode in patients with BD with differences between depressive and manic episodes. The more systematic screening of sleep alterations of the prodromal phase improved the recognition and characterization of different symptoms onset by patients. This underscores the need for precise questioning regarding sleep patterns in patients, to better identify the moment of transition toward a mood episode, referred to as "Chronos syndrome". The study emphasizes the importance of educating patients about the disorder and its sleep prodromal symptoms to facilitate early intervention and prevent recurrences.
The LAT1 inhibitor JPH203 suppresses the growth of castration‐resistant prostate cancer through a CD24‐mediated mechanism
Authors: Saito Shinpei , Ando Keisuke , Sakamoto Shinichi , Xu Minhui , Yamada Yasutaka , Rii Junryo , Kanaoka Sanji , Wei Jiaxing , Zhao Xue , Pae Sangjon , Kanesaka Manato , Goto Yusuke , Sazuka Tomokazu , Imamura Yusuke , Reien Yoshie , Hamaguchi‐Suzuki Norie , Saito Shota , Hirayama Yuri , Hashimoto Hirofumi , Kanai Yoshikatsu , Ichikawa Tomohiko , Anzai Naohiko
Published: April 2024

L‐type amino acid transporter 1 (LAT1) is specifically expressed in many malignancies, contributes to the transport of essential amino acids, such as leucine, and regulates the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway. We investigated the expression profile and functional role of LAT1 in prostate cancer using JPH203, a specific inhibitor of LAT1. LAT1 was highly expressed in castration‐resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) cells, including C4‐2 and PC‐3 cells, but its expression level was low in castration‐sensitive LNCaP cells. JPH203 significantly inhibited [14C] leucine uptake in CRPC cells but had no effect in LNCaP cells. JPH203 inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasion of CRPC cells but not of LNCaP cells. In C4‐2 cells, Cluster of differentiation (CD) 24 was identified by RNA sequencing as a novel downstream target of JPH203. CD24 was downregulated in a JPH203 concentration‐dependent manner and suppressed activation of the Wnt/β‐catenin signaling pathway. Furthermore, an in vivo study showed that JPH203 inhibited the proliferation of C4‐2 cells in a castration environment. The results of this study indicate that JPH203 may exert its antitumor effect in CRPC cells via mTOR and CD24.
Self‐perceived quality of social roles, activities and relationships predicts incident gingivitis
Authors: Chaffee Benjamin W.
Published: April 2024

Objectives

While physical health status is known to impact social functioning, a growing literature suggests that social well‐being may affect oral health. This investigation evaluated whether self‐perceived quality of social roles, activities and relationships (social well‐being) influences gingival inflammation.

Methods

Data were from the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health Study, a nationally representative cohort of US adults, biennial waves 4 (2017) to 6 (2021). Social well‐being was derived from the validated PROMIS Global‐10 survey instrument, categorized for this longitudinal analysis as high, moderate or low. The main outcome was incident self‐reported gum bleeding (dichotomous, proxy for gingivitis). Survey‐weighted logistic regression modelling adjusted for overall health status, sociodemographic (e.g. age, sex, race/ethnicity), socioeconomic (e.g. income, education) and behavioural (e.g. tobacco, alcohol) confounders and was used to predict marginal mean gum bleeding incidence.

Results

Cross‐sectionally at wave 4 (N = 23 679), gum bleeding prevalence was higher along a stepwise gradient of decreasing satisfaction with social activities and relationships (extremely satisfied: 20.4%; not at all: 40.1%). Longitudinally, among participants who had never reported gum bleeding through wave 4 (N = 9695), marginal predicted new gum bleeding at wave 6 was greater with each category of lower wave 4–5 social well‐being (high: 7.6%; moderate: 8.6%; low: 12.4%). Findings were robust to alternative model specifications. Results should be interpreted considering study limitations (e.g. potential unmeasured confounding; outcome by self‐report).

Conclusions

Social functioning may affect physical health. Specifically, social roles, activities and relationships may influence inflammatory oral conditions, like gingivitis. Confirmatory research is warranted, along with policies and interventions that promote social well‐being.
Therapeutic progress and future prospects of chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy
Authors: Okamoto Tomoko
Published: April 2024

Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP) is a rare and heterogeneous but treatable immune‐mediated neuropathy. The pathogenesis of CIDP is complex interplay of diverse immune mechanisms involving cellular and humoral pathways. The European Academy of Neurology/Peripheral Nerve Society guidelines were reissued in 2021, and the classification and diagnostic criteria were changed. Treatments include immunoglobulin, steroid, and plasmapheresis are effective, including remission induction and maintenance therapy. Maintenance treatments are often required for years, and treatment regimens require careful and regular adjustments to avoid undertreatment or overtreatment. In this review, the new guidelines, treatment recommendations based on guidelines and expert opinion, and future treatments including anti CD20 monoclonal antibody, FcRn blocker, and Cs1 inhibitor are discussed.
The Meaning of Shared Parenthood in Long‐Term Foster Care: The Perspectives of Parents and Foster Carers
Authors: Cannaert Céline , De Wilde Lieselot
Published: April 2024

Shared parenthood is increasingly emphasized in long‐term foster care placements across European countries, including Flanders, where our study was conducted. However, despite its growing importance, there is a lack of comprehensive understanding regarding the dynamics and pedagogical conceptualization of shared parenthood. This research seeks to bridge the gap by investigating how parents and foster carers perceive and navigate parenting roles. Through in‐depth interviews with 12 parents and 12 foster carers from 10 long‐term foster care cases, thematic and narrative analyses were employed to explore shared parenting dynamics. The findings underscore the significant impact of power dynamics on the relationship, often resulting in prolonged silences and reluctance to address issues openly. By elucidating both the promoting and impeding factors, this study sheds light on the complexities of shared parenting within long‐term foster care arrangements. In conclusion, the study emphasizes the importance of recognizing and discussing the normative notion of shared parenting to facilitate its successful implementation in long‐term foster care placements.
Learning to Stabilize Faces
Authors: Bednarik J. , Wood E. , Choutas V. , Bolkart T. , Wang D. , Wu C. , Beeler T.
Published: April 2024

Nowadays, it is possible to scan faces and automatically register them with high quality. However, the resulting face meshes often need further processing: we need tostabilizethem to remove unwanted head movement. Stabilization is important for tasks like game development or movie making which require facial expressions to be cleanly separated from rigid head motion. Since manual stabilization is labor‐intensive, there have been attempts to automate it. However, previous methods remain impractical: they either still require some manual input, produce imprecise alignments, rely on dubious heuristics and slow optimization, or assume a temporally ordered input. Instead, we present a new learning‐based approach that is simple and fully automatic. We treat stabilization as a regression problem: given two face meshes, our network directly predicts the rigid transform between them that brings their skulls into alignment. We generate synthetic training data using a 3D Morphable Model (3DMM), exploiting the fact that 3DMM parameters separate skull motion from facial skin motion. Through extensive experiments we show that our approach outperforms the state‐of‐the‐art both quantitatively and qualitatively on the tasks of stabilizing discrete sets of facial expressions as well as dynamic facial performances. Furthermore, we provide an ablation study detailing the design choices and best practices to help others adopt our approach for their own uses.
Region‐Aware Simplification and Stylization of 3D Line Drawings
Authors: Nguyen Vivien , Fisher Matthew , Hertzmann Aaron , Rusinkiewicz Szymon
Published: April 2024

Shape‐conveying line drawings generated from 3D models normally create closed regions in image space. These lines and regions can be stylized to mimic various artistic styles, but for complex objects, the extracted topology is unnecessarily dense, leading to unappealing and unnatural results under stylization. Prior works typically simplify line drawings without considering the regions between them, and lines and regions are stylized separately, then composited together, resulting in unintended inconsistencies. We present a method for joint simplification of lines and regions simultaneously that penalizes large changes to region structure, while keeping regions closed. This feature enables region stylization that remains consistent with the outline curves and underlying 3D geometry.
Pharmacological treatments for alcohol dependence: Evidence on uptake, inequalities and comparative effectiveness from a UK population‐based cohort
Authors: Manca Francesco , Zhang Lisong , Fitzgerald Niamh , Ho Frederick , Innes Hamish , Jani Bhautesh , Katikireddi Srinivasa Vittal , McAuley Andrew , Sharp Clare , Lewsey Jim
Published: April 2024

Introduction

We assessed the prevalence of prescribing of certain medications for alcohol dependence and the extent of any inequalities in receiving prescriptions for individuals with such a diagnosis. Further, we compared the effectiveness of two of the most prescribed medications (acamprosate and disulfiram) for alcohol dependence and assessed whether there is inequality in prescribing either of them.

Methods

We used a nationwide dataset on prescriptions and hospitalisations in Scotland, UK (N = 19,748). We calculated the percentage of patients receiving alcohol dependence prescriptions after discharge, both overall and by socio‐economic groups. Binary logistic regressions were used to assess the odds of receiving any alcohol‐dependence prescription and the comparative odds of receiving acamprosate or disulfiram. Comparative effectiveness in avoiding future alcohol‐related hospitalisations (N = 11,239) was assessed using Cox modelling with statistical adjustment for potential confounding.

Results

Upto 7% of hospitalised individuals for alcohol use disorder received prescriptions for alcohol dependence after being discharged. Least deprived socio‐economic groups had relatively more individuals receiving prescriptions. Inequalities in prescribing for alcohol dependence existed, especially across sex and comorbidities: males had 12% (odds ratio [OR] 0.88, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.81–0.96) and those with a history of mental health hospitalisations had 10% (OR 0.90, 95% CI 0.82–0.98) lower odds of receiving prescriptions after an alcohol‐related hospitalisation. Prescribing disulfiram was superior to prescribing acamprosate in preventing alcohol‐related hospitalisations (hazard ratio ranged between 0.60 and 0.81 across analyses). Disulfiram was relatively less likely prescribed to those from more deprived areas.

Discussion and Conclusions

Inequalities in prescribing for alcohol dependence exists in Scotland with lower prescribing to men and disulfiram prescribed more to those from least deprived areas.
Examining Gender Differences in TIMSS 2019 Using a Multiple‐Group Hierarchical Speed‐Accuracy‐Revisits Model
Authors: Leng Dihao , Bezirhan Ummugul , Khorramdel Lale , Fishbein Bethany , Davier Matthias von
Published: April 2024

This study capitalizes on response and process data from the computer‐based TIMSS 2019 Problem Solving and Inquiry tasks to investigate gender differences in test‐taking behaviors and their association with mathematics achievement at the eighth grade. Specifically, a recently proposed hierarchical speed‐accuracy‐revisits (SAR) model was adapted to multiple country‐by‐gender groups to examine the extent to which mathematics ability, response speed, revisit propensity, and the relationship among them differ between boys and girls. Results across 10 countries showed that boys responded to items faster on average than girls, and there was greater variation in boys’ response speed across students. A mixture distribution of revisit propensity was found for all country‐by‐gender groups. Both genders had moderate to strong negative correlations between mathematics ability and response speed, supporting the speed‐accuracy tradeoff pattern reported in the literature. Results are discussed in the context of low‐stakes assessments and in relation to the utility of the multiple‐group SAR model.
Variation in reproductive traits associated with different host plants in the subsocial bug Elasmucha putoni (Hemiptera: Acanthosomatidae)
Authors: Masamoto Hirotaka , Kudo Shin‐ichi
Published: April 2024

Host plants are an important selective factor for the evolution of reproductive traits in herbivorous insects. Among different host plants, offspring will be exposed to different environmental conditions, and parents are expected to allocate reproductive resources adaptively to their offspring according to such environmental heterogeneity. Elasmucha putoni Scott (Hemiptera: Acanthosomatidae) is a bivoltine shield bug showing maternal care. We examined the variation in reproductive traits, that is, egg size, clutch size and the trade‐off between them, between two generations of a population and two populations of the same (later) generation, which differ in their host plants. Controlling for female body size, a significant difference was detected in egg size, but not in clutch size between the earlier generation on Morus australis and the later one on Euptelea polyandra or Rosa multiflora. Moreover, there was no difference in the two traits between the populations (one using E. polyandra and another using R. multiflora) of the same generation. A significant trade‐off between egg size and clutch size was detected in the earlier generation on M. australis but not in the later generation on E. polyandra or R. multiflora. This is the first study indicating variable reproductive allocation according to different host plants in herbivorous insects with maternal care.
High‐throughput proteomic analysis of chronic inflammatory skin diseases: Psoriasis and atopic dermatitis
Authors: Traks Tanel , Reemann Paula , Eskla Kattri‐Liis , Ottas Aigar , Jagomäe Toomas , Liira Rasmus , Ilves Liis , Jaks Viljar , Raam Liisi , Abram Kristi , Kingo Külli
Published: April 2024

Common characteristics in the pathogenesis of psoriasis (PS) and atopic dermatitis (AD) have been presumed, but only a few studies have clearly supported this. The current aim was to find possible similarities and differences in protein expression patterns between these two major chronic inflammatory skin diseases. High‐throughput tandem mass spectrometry proteomic analysis was performed using full thickness skin samples from adult PS patients, AD patients and healthy subjects. We detected a combined total of 3045 proteins in the three study groups. According to principal component analysis, there was significant overlap between the proteomic profiles of PS and AD, and both clearly differed from that of healthy skin. The following validation of selected proteins with western blot analysis showed similar tendencies in expression levels and produced statistically significant results. The expression of periostin (POSTN) was consistently high in AD and very low or undetectable in PS (5% FDR corrected p < 0.001), suggesting POSTN as a potential biomarker to distinguish these diseases. Immunohistochemistry further confirmed higher POSTN expression in AD compared to PS skin. Overall, our findings support the concept that these two chronic skin diseases might share considerably more common mechanisms in pathogenesis than has been suspected thus far.
The effects of human population density on trophic interactions are contingent upon latitude
Authors: Hernández‐Agüero Juan A. , Ruiz‐Tapiador Ildefonso , Garibaldi Lucas A. , Kozlov Mikhail V. , Mäntylä Elina , Nacif Marcos E. , Salinas Norma , Cayuela Luis
Published: April 2024

Aim

Global‐scale studies are necessary to draw general conclusions on how trophic interactions vary with urbanization and to explore how the effects of urbanization change along latitudinal gradients. We predict that the intensity of trophic interactions decreases in response to urbanization (quantified by human population density). Since trophic interactions are more intense at lower latitudes, we also expect major impacts of urbanization at higher latitudes, where base levels are essentially lower.

Location

Global (881 study sites).

Time period

2000–2021.

Major taxa studied

Birds, arthropods and woody plants.

Methods

We compiled global data on insect herbivory and bird predation from studies that employed similar methods and fitted generalized linear mixed models to test how these trophic interactions vary with human population density, latitude and their interactions.

Results

The intensity of herbivory and predation decreased with an increase in human population density at lower latitudes. Surprisingly, it remained unaffected at intermediate latitudes and even increased at higher latitudes.

Main conclusions

The observed patterns may be attributed to local climate changes in urban areas, such as the Urban Heat Island effect, which disrupts thermal stability in the tropics while increasing niche availability at polar latitudes.
Will the real people's geography please stand up? Community, public, and participatory geographies in conversation
Authors: Koopman Sara
Published: April 2024

Though Geography began as a tool of empire and war, now some of us are using this master's tool to dismantle the master's house. But we are tweaking the tool in various ways to make it more liberatory. People's geography aims to take Geography to the streets, and the streets to the ivory tower. It works to popularize radical geography, and radicalize popular geography. Community geographies focus on collaborations between academics and public scholars to co‐produce knowledge that serves social change. This term has grown in use recently in the US, where there is a new community geographies specialty group. The term public geography has perhaps been more often used in the UK, where the focus on “impact” by the REF has given it more weight. That sort of push from funding agencies is a growing trend internationally, though the terms used vary. Participatory research aims to foster civic engagement and look alongside research subjects, rather than looking at them. It is a strong influence on both community and public geographies, though the overlap is not exact. Other terms used are engaged research and reciprocal research. This work takes longer and is often undervalued as simply service, rather than research. Too often it has been done despite, rather than with support from, academic policies. That is beginning to change. Some terms and traditions have more resonance in some contexts than in others, but whatever the label used, it is important that we organize to honor and nurture this work.
Combined effect of histological findings and diabetes mellitus on liver‐related events in patients with metabolic dysfunction‐associated steatotic liver disease
Authors: Shiomi Akihito , Miyake Teruki , Furukawa Shinya , Matsuura Bunzo , Yoshida Osamu , Watanabe Takao , Kanamoto Ayumi , Miyazaki Masumi , Nakaguchi Hironobu , Tokumoto Yoshio , Hirooka Masashi , Abe Masanori , Hiasa Yoichi
Published: April 2024

Aim

Advanced fibrosis has a strong influence on the occurrence of liver‐related events in patients with metabolic dysfunction‐associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), while diabetes mellitus (DM), which is often complicated by MASLD, is associated with the progression of MASLD. We stratified patients with MASLD according to the severity of liver pathological findings and the presence of DM, aiming to examine whether these indices could be used to accurately assess the risk of developing liver‐related events.

Methods

A total of 282 patients with liver biopsy‐proven MASLD were included. Liver‐related events were defined as the occurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and complications of liver cirrhosis, such as ascites, hepatic encephalopathy, Child–Pugh class B and C, as well as treatment‐eligible esophageal and gastric varices.

Results

Multivariate analysis adjusted for age, sex, body mass index, alanine aminotransferase, creatinine, hemoglobin A1c, smoking habits, dyslipidemia, hypertension, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease activity score (NAS), or fibrosis stage showed that advanced fibrosis with or without DM was a risk factor for liver‐related events. The combined effect of DM and advanced fibrosis increased the risk of HCC onset. However, DM alone or in combination with NAS did not affect the development of liver‐related events, including the occurrence of HCC and complications of liver cirrhosis.

Conclusions

While the assessment of fibrosis in patients with MASLD is important for evaluating the risk of developing liver‐related events, combining the assessment of DM may be possible to stratify groups at higher risk of developing HCC.
Science Shops as key intermediary structures to respond to the current health research agenda bias: Evidence from the InSPIRES project
Authors: Estany Aina , Piro Fredrik Niclas , Broerse Jacqueline E. W. , Malagrida Rosina
Published: April 2024

Introduction

To increase the likelihood of research responding to societal needs, intermediary structures such as Science Shops are being created. Science Shops respond to research needs identified and prioritized through participatory processes involving civil society. However, these are not mainstream structures, and most research needs addressed by the scientific community are not defined by a diversity of stakeholders (including citizens) but are mostly prioritized by researchers and funders. Literature shows this often leads to bias between the research topics investigated and the research needs of other relevant stakeholders. This study analyses how 14 Science Shops contribute to decreasing bias in health research agenda setting.

Methodology

We compare the research priorities identified through participatory processes by the Science Shops, which participated in the European Union‐funded project InSPIRES (2017–2021), to the available research addressed in the literature (identified in Web of Science), which we use as a proxy for current research priorities.

Results

Science Shop projects contributed to decreasing the existing bias in health research agenda setting: (1) between drug and nondrug treatments and (2) between clinical trials of treatments for illnesses affecting high‐income versus middle‐ and low‐income countries, which leads to a lack of local strategies for high disease burdens in nonhigh‐income regions.

Conclusion

This study provides the first evidence of Science Shops' effectiveness in addressing current biases in health research agenda setting. We conclude they could play a key role in shaping local, national and international research policies.
The effects of an integrated supportive programme on oral health in patients with head and neck cancer undergoing radiotherapy: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Jiang Nan , Zhao Yue , Mårtensson Jan , Stensson Malin
Published: April 2024

Objectives

This study determines the effect of an integrated 12‐month follow‐up support programme on the oral health of patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) who received radiotherapy (RT).

Methods

Participants were randomly assigned to an intervention group (n = 47) or a control group (n = 45). The intervention group received usual care and an integrated supportive programme, which included face‐to‐face education and telephone coaching. The control group received usual care. After a clinical dental examination, the prevalence of caries, gingival inflammation and plaque were registered. Oral health impact profile (OHIP)‐14 and the WHO Oral Health Questionnaire for Adults were used to evaluate oral health in both groups.

Results

A total of 79 participants completed a 12‐month follow‐up. The intervention group had lower caries increment between baseline and the 12‐month follow‐up compared with controls, although this was not statistically significant. After 12 months, the intervention group had statistically significant better outcomes in the plaque index (p = 0.038) and the OHIP‐14 (p = 0.002) than the control group. No statistically significant differences were found between the two groups concerning gingival index. However, the intervention group reported an overall better state of teeth (p = 0.034) and gums after 12 months (p = 0.042).

Conclusions

The integrated supportive programme showed positive effects on improving oral health in patients with HNC regarding plaque control, the state of teeth and gums and oral health‐related quality of life during the 12‐month follow‐up.
A study on particle size of slag on properties of magnesium potassium phosphate cement
Authors: Cui Yunpeng , Wang Yihe , Li Hongbin , Yang Qile
Published: April 2024

Magnesium potassium phosphate cement (MKPC) presents a broad application prospect in engineering fast repairing, reinforcement, hazardous material, and national defense construction, due to its good properties such as fast hardening and early strength, high bonding strength, and wide environmental adaptability. In this work, the effect of slag with different particle size on the workability, mechanical properties, and hydration products of MKPC was investigated. The results showed that the compositions of slag in the particle size range 75–300 µm are quite different. A decrease in the particle size of slag resulted in reduction of the fluidity of MKPC from 175 to 108 mm and shortening the setting time from 1300 to 850 s. The compressive strength of MKPC (curing for 3 h) does no change much as the particle size of slag varies, and slag with the particle size in the range of 115–300 µm slightly increase the 3‐h‐compressive strength of MKPC, since the compressive strength values are in the vicinity of 13 ± 2 MPa. As the curing age increases, physical effect and hydration activity of slag concurrently dominate the mechanical properties of MKPC, and when the hydration activity of the slag exceeds the adverse effect caused by fine particles, the compressive strength increases. Slag particle size can significantly improve the long‐term compressive strength of MKPC, which can effectively reduce the cost and can be used as a repair material with better durability.
Advancement in ceramic biomaterials for dental implants
Authors: Upadhyay Anjali , Pradhan Lipi , Yenurkar Devyani , Kumar Kundan , Mukherjee Sudip
Published: April 2024

There has been enormous research on diagnostic and therapeutic dental methods due to the growing recognition of oral wellness. Numerous studies in this area have resulted in dental biomaterials, including polymers, metals, and acrylic resins, essential to restore teeth affected by illnesses or accidents. Compared to other biomaterials, such as metals or polymers, ceramics offer distinct features. Materials like zirconia and alumina demonstrate their high intrinsic strength, making them appropriate for biomedical applications like dental implants or artificial joints. Additionally, they have outstanding biocompatibility, which lowers the possibility of adverse effects or inflammation. Some ceramics, like hydroxyapatite (HA) and bioactive glasses, even encourage tissue integration and regeneration. Moreover, because of their adaptability, they can be precisely shaped and composed to emphasize specific characteristics. Yttria‐stabilized tetragonal zirconia offers outstanding mechanical properties and biocompatibility but faces concerns over long‐term durability due to low‐temperature degradation. To address this, researchers have developed non‐oxidic ceramics like silicon nitride and advanced oxide‐based materials like alumina‐zirconia composites, aiming to enhance the durability and reliability of biomedical applications. In this review, we highlighted the recent advancements in ceramic dental implants; examples and applications of different ceramics‐based materials, including zirconia, alumina, HA, and beta calcium phosphate, are provided in detail.
The power of online reviews: Exploring information asymmetry and its impact on green product purchasing behavior
Authors: Ikhsan Ridho Bramulya , Fernando Yudi , Gui Anderes , Fernando Erick
Published: April 2024

Manufacturers must convey accurate information about their green products to gain consumer trust. However, some manufacturers provide misleading information by falsely claiming that their products fully adhere to green concepts. Consequently, research is needed to examine customer behaviors and how they respond to information about green products. This study models the relationship between green product information asymmetry, online review quality, the propensity to trust and adopt reviews, and green product purchasing behavior. The study participants were 479 consumers who purchased green products. Data for the study were collected through an online questionnaire that was distributed on social media platforms and analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling. The results show that information asymmetry positively affected online review quality, review adoption, and green product purchasing behavior, while online review quality positively affected participants' propensity to trust reviews, review adoption, and purchasing behavior. The propensity to trust reviews positively affected review adoption and purchasing behavior, and review adoption positively impacted green product purchases. These results show that information asymmetry highlights the importance of consumer reviews in green product purchasing behavior. Therefore, both information asymmetry and consumer reviews influence green‐product consumption. When constructing green marketing strategies, green product manufacturers must focus on a combination of perceived value and consumer trust and modify their products, production processes, packaging, and advertisements accordingly.