bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Autopsy case of a patient with rapidly progressive combined small‐cell lung carcinoma with spindle‐shaped cell tumor
Authors: Morimoto Toshiki , Yamasaki Kei , Shingu Tatsuya , Sato Tomoki , Uryu Takumu , Jotatsu Takanobu , Kato Kaori , Kawabata Hiroki , Nishida Chinatsu , Yatera Kazuhiro
Published: June 2022

A 69‐year‐old Japanese man visited our hospital because of worsening shortness of breath. His chest computed tomography (CT) showed a giant left lung mass with a massive left pleural effusion. He could not be treated with chemotherapy and eventually died from a rapidly progressive tumor. He was diagnosed with combined small cell lung carcinoma (C‐SCLC) with spindle‐shaped cell tumor at autopsy. C‐SCLC is characterized by pathologically concurrent SCLC and adenocarcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma, or rarely, spindle‐shaped cell tumor. The clinical course of C‐SCLC with spindle‐shaped cell tumor has not previously been determined. Our patient's tumor increased by 2.59‐fold in 20 days. The combination of C‐SCLC with spindle‐shaped cell tumor suggested rapid progression and a poor prognosis.
Is no news bad news? The impact of disclosing COVID‐19 tracing information on consumer dine out decisions
Authors: Gao Yuan , Lopez Rigoberto A. , Liao Ruili , Liu Xiaoou
Published: June 2022

Food markets around the world have been disrupted by the COVID‐19 pandemic via consumer behavior upended by fear of infection. In this article, we examine the impact of disclosing COVID‐19 contact tracing information on food markets, using the restaurant industry in China as a case study. By analyzing transaction data at 87 restaurants across 10 cities, we estimate difference‐in‐difference (DID) models to ascertain the impact of COVID‐19 infections and contact information tracing on economic activity as measured by a daily number of transactions. Empirical results show that while the overall number of new COVID‐19 infections at the national level caused a dramatic drop in numbers of transactions in all restaurants, restaurants in cities that disclosed contact tracing information of COVID‐19 infections experienced a 23%–35% higher number of transactions than the ones in cities that did not disclose such information during the recovery period. Ultimately, we show that in the absence of a shelter‐in‐place mandate, disclosing contract tracing information to mitigate consumers’ uncertainties about risks of being infected can contribute to a faster recovery of food markets, in addition to reducing COVID‐19 infections.
Rapid review and meta‐analysis of adverse events associated with molnupiravir in patients with COVID‐19
Authors: Amani Behnam , Zareei Sara , Amani Bahman
Published: June 2022

Aims

The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety profile of molnupiravir in COVID‐19 patients.

Methods

PubMed, Cochrane Library, medRxive and Google Scholar were searched for articles published up to April 25, 2022. Meta‐analysis was performed using Comprehensive Meta‐Analysis software.

Results

Four trials involving 2241 patients met the inclusion criteria. No significant difference was observed between molnupiravir at 200, 400 and 800 mg compared with placebo (200 mg: risk ratio [RR] = 0.97; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.78–1.20; P = .80; 400 mg: RR = 0.81; 95% CI: 0.64–1.02; P = .07; 800 mg: RR = 0.94; 95% CI: 0.83–1.06; P = .36) for any adverse events (AEs); at 200, 400 and 800 mg compared with placebo (200 mg: RR = 0.81; 95% CI: 0.41–1.63; P = .57; 400 mg: RR = 0.82; 95% CI: 0.41–1.61; P = .56; 800 mg: RR = 0.80; 95% CI: 0.59–1.08; P = .15) for serious adverse events; at 200, 400 and 800 mg compared with placebo (200 mg: RR = 1.74; 95% CI: 0.48–6.30; P = .39; 400 mg: RR = 1.07; 95% CI: 0.28–4.09; P = .91; 800 mg: RR = 0.47; 95% CI: 0.17–1.28; P = .14) for AEs leading to death; and at 200, 400 and 800 mg compared with placebo (200 mg: RR = 1.50; 95% CI: 0.26–8.55; P = .64; 400 mg: RR = 0.99; 95% CI: 0.17–5.68; P = .99; 800 mg: RR = 0.61; 95% CI: 0.31–1.23; P = .17) for treatment discontinuation due to AEs.

Conclusion

This meta‐analysis showed that the use of three doses of molnupiravir (200, 400 and 800 mg) is safe for COVID‐19 patients. Further research is needed to confirm the present findings.
The association between maternal perinatal mental health and perfectionism: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Evans Clare , Kreppner Jana , Lawrence Peter J.
Published: June 2022

Background

Perfectionism is an important feature of adult psychopathology. In the absence of a prior review of the role of perfectionism in perinatal psychopathology, we aimed to ascertain whether perfectionism was associated with symptoms of maternal perinatal depression and anxiety.

Method

We followed PRISMA guidance (PROSPERO: 42019143369), estimated weighted effect sizes and tested possible moderators: timing (pre or post‐ natal), scales used to measure constructs, infant gender, temperament and age; and rated study quality.

Results

Fourteen studies met eligibility criteria. Perfectionism as a whole, and the perfectionistic concerns dimension, were moderately correlated with common maternal perinatal mental health difficulties r = .32 (95% Confidence Interval = 0.23 to 0.42). In sub‐group analyses, perfectionistic concerns were associated with depression (r = .35, 95% CI = 0.26–0.43). We found no evidence of significant moderation of associations.

Limitations

Included studies had methodological and conceptual limitations. All studies examined depression and two examined anxieties; all examined perfectionistic concerns and four examined perfectionist strivings.

Conclusions

Perfectionism, namely perfectionistic concerns, is potentially associated with common maternal perinatal mental health problems. While further research is warranted, identification of perfectionism in the perinatal period may help focus resources for intervention, reducing the prevalence of perinatal mental health difficulties.
Substitution of the SERCA2 Cys674 reactive thiol accelerates atherosclerosis by inducing endoplasmic reticulum stress and inflammation
Authors: Su Hang , Mei Yu , Luo Shuangxue , Wu Haixia , He Yan , Shiraishi Yasunaga , Hu Pingping , Cohen Richard A. , Tong Xiaoyong
Published: June 2022

Background and Purpose

The cysteine674 (C674) thiol of sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ ATPase 2 is easily and irreversibly oxidized under atherosclerotic conditions. However, the contribution of the C674 thiol redox status in the development of atherosclerosis remains unclear. Our goal was to elucidate the possible mechanism involved.

Experimental Approach

Heterozygous SERCA2 C674S knock‐in mice in which half of the C674 was substituted by serine (S674) were used to mimic the removal of the reactive C674 thiol, which occurs under pathological conditions. Bone marrow‐derived macrophages (BMDMs) and cardiac endothelial cells (ECs) were used for intracellular Ca2+, macrophage adhesion, and protein expression analysis. The whole aorta and aortic root were isolated for histological analysis.

Key Results

Cell culture studies suggest the partial substitution of SERCA2 C674 increased intracellular Ca2+ levels and induced ER stress in both BMDMs and ECs. The release of proinflammatory factors and macrophage adhesion increased in SKI BMDMs. In ECs, overexpression of S674 induced endothelial inflammation and promoted macrophage recruitment. SKI mice developed more severe atherosclerotic plaque and macrophage accumulation. Additionally, 4‐phenyl butyric acid, an ER stress inhibitor, suppressed ER stress and inflammatory responses in BMDMs and ECs, and alleviated atherosclerosis in SKI mice.

Conclusions and Implications

The substitution of SERCA2 C674 thiol accelerates the development of atherosclerosis by inducing ER stress and inflammation. Our findings highlight the importance of SERCA2 C674 redox state in the context of atherosclerosis and open up a novel therapeutic strategy to combat atherosclerosis.
Buccal soft tissue dehiscence defects at dental implants—associated factors and frequency of occurrence: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Sanz‐Martín Ignacio , Regidor Erik , Cosyn Jan , Wiedemeier Daniel B. , Thoma Daniel S.
Published: June 2022

Aim

To identify the factors associated with buccal peri‐implant soft tissue dehiscences (BSTDs) and their frequency of occurrence.

Materials and Methods

Randomized controlled trials, controlled clinical trials, cohort studies, and case series assessing the frequency of occurrence of BSTD were included. BSTD was defined as an apical migration of the peri‐implant soft tissues of ≥1 mm from the baseline examination (final restoration) or in comparison with the adjacent or contralateral natural tooth. Frequency distributions of BSTD related to the presence or absence of any surgical, prosthetic, or anatomic factor that may have contributed to the development of BSTD were recorded. Random‐effects meta‐analyses using odds ratios (OR) were performed to investigate the association of certain factors with the development of BSTD.

Results

Twenty‐four articles were finally included belonging to 22 clinical investigations. Patients at higher risk of developing BSTD were associated with thin biotype (OR = 2.85 [1.40, 5.8], n = 5, p = .003) and with buccally placed implants (OR = 14.37 [4.58, 45.14], n = 3, p ≤ .001). Patients without connective tissue grafting (CTG) had greater odds of developing BSTD (OR = 9.00 [3.11, 26.02], n = 5, p ≤ .001), while buccal bone plate thickness of <1 mm and immediately placed implants were not associated with greater BSTD (OR = 1.29 [0.35, 4.77], n = 2, p = .704 and OR = 1.56 [0.46, 5.26], n = 4, p = .477, respectively). The frequency of occurrence of BSTD varied across the included studies with a range from 0% to 61%.

Conclusions

Thin tissue biotype and buccally placed implants were associated with BSTD, whereas CTG seemed to have a protective effect. Thin buccal plates and immediately placed implants did not demonstrate a higher risk of BSTD.
Efficacy of soft tissue augmentation procedures on tissue thickening around dental implants: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Valles Cristina , Vilarrasa Javi , Barallat Lucía , Pascual Andrés , Nart Jose
Published: June 2022

Objectives

The first focused question (FQ1) was: What is the efficacy of connective tissue graft (CTG), as compared to the absence of soft tissue grafting procedure, in terms of gain in peri‐implant soft tissue thickness (STT) reported by randomized controlled clinical trials (RCTs) or controlled clinical trials (CCTs)? The second focused question (FQ2) was: What is the efficacy of CTG, as compared to soft tissue substitutes, in terms of gain in peri‐implant STT reported by RCTs or CCTs?

Materials and methods

A manual and electronic search was performed for each question to identify RCTs and CCTs published up to July 2020. The primary outcome variable was changes in peri‐implant STT and secondary outcomes were marginal bone level (MBL), clinical parameters for the diagnosis of peri‐implant health, changes in the position of peri‐implant soft tissues, esthetic outcomes, and patient‐related outcome measures (PROMs). For primary and secondary outcomes, data reporting mean values and standard deviations for each study were extracted. Weighted mean differences (WMDs) or standardized mean differences as well as 95% confidence intervals (CIs) and prediction intervals (PIs) were calculated.

Results

Eight trials were included to answer the first focused question and eight to answer the second one, providing data for 254 and 192 patients, respectively. For the first focused question, a statistically significant difference of 0.64 mm in STT was found in favor of the grafted group (n = 8; 95% CI [0.16; 1.13]; 95% PI [−1.06; 2.35]; p = .01). Moreover, sites treated with CTG exhibited statistically significant less recession than implants without a graft (n = 4; WMD = 0.50 mm; 95% CI [0.19; 0.80]; 95% PI [−0.70; 1.69]; p < .001). For the second focused question, the meta‐analysis showed a statistically significant gain of STT in the CTG group when compared to soft tissue substitutes (n = 8; WMD = 0.51 mm; 95% CI [0.28; 0.75]; 95% PI [−0.09; 1.12]; p < .001). Furthermore, the use of CTG resulted in significantly higher pink esthetic score values (n = 3; WMD = 1.02; 95% CI [0.29; 1.74]; 95% PI [−3.67; 5.70]; p = .01) and less recession (n = 2; WMD = 0.50 mm; 95% CI [0.10; 0.89]; 95% PI [not estimable]; p = .014) when compared to soft tissue substitutes. No statistically significant differences between groups were observed for any of the following secondary variables: MBL, clinical parameters for the diagnosis of peri‐implant health, position of the interproximal tissues, keratinized mucosa or PROMS (p > 0.05), except for medication intake, which was significantly higher when using CTG as compared to soft tissue substitutes (n = 2; WMD = 1.68; 95% CI [1.30; 2.07]; 95% PI [not estimable]; p < .001).

Conclusions

Soft tissue augmentation procedures are efficacious on soft tissue thickening and, in particular, CTG demonstrated a significant STT gain when compared to no graft or soft tissue substitutes.
Can we HALT obesity following lung transplant? A Dietitian‐ and Physiotherapy‐directed pilot intervention
Authors: Emsley Christie , Snell Greg , Paul Eldho , Fuller Louise , Paraskeva Miranda , Nyulasi Ibolya , King Susannah
Published: June 2022

Introduction

Unintentional weight gain, overweight and obesity following solid organ transplantation (SOT) are well‐established and linked to morbidity and mortality risk factors. No interventional studies aimed at prevention have been undertaken among lung transplant (LTx) recipients. The combination of group education and telephone coaching is effective in the general population but is untested among SOT cohorts.

Methods

A non‐randomized, interventional pilot study was conducted among new LTx recipients. The control group received standard care. In addition to standard care, the intervention involved four group education and four individual, telephone coaching sessions over 12‐months. Data collection occurred at 2 weeks, 3‐ and 12 months post‐LTx. Measurements included weight, BMI, fat mass (FM), fat mass index (FMI), fat‐free mass (FFM), fat‐free mass index (FFMI), waist circumference (WC), visceral adipose tissue (VAT), nutrition knowledge, diet, physical activity, lipid profile, HbA1C, FEV1, six‐minute walk distance and patient satisfaction.

Results

Fifteen LTx recipients were recruited into each group. One control participant died 120 days post‐LTx, unrelated to the study. There were trends towards lower increases in weight (6.7±7.2 kg vs. 9.8±11.3 kg), BMI (9.6% of baseline vs. 13%), FM (19.7% vs. 40%), FMI, VAT (7.1% vs. 30.8%) and WC (5.5% vs. 9.5%), and greater increases in FFM and FFMI (all P > .05), among the intervention group by 12 months. The intervention was well‐accepted by participants.

Conclusion

This feasible intervention demonstrated non‐significant, but clinically meaningful, favorable weight and body composition trends among LTx recipients over 12 months compared to standard care.
Current status of endoscopic ultrasound‐guided antegrade intervention for biliary diseases in patients with surgically altered anatomy
Authors: Iwashita Takuji , Uemura Shinya , Tezuka Ryuichi , Senju Akihiko , Yasuda Ichiro , Shimizu Masahito
Published: June 2022

Endoscopic management of biliary diseases in patients with surgically altered anatomy can be challenging because the altered anatomy makes it difficult to insert an endoscope into the biliary orifice. Even if insertion is feasible, the worse maneuverability of the endoscope and the restriction in available devices and techniques could complicate the procedure. Recently, endoscopic ultrasound‐guided antegrade intervention (EUS‐AG) has been reported as a useful management method for biliary diseases, especially in patients with surgically altered anatomy. In EUS‐AG, the biliary disease is managed in an antegrade fashion through a temporal fistula created under EUS guidance between the intrahepatic biliary duct and upper intestine. In this article, we reviewed the current status of EUS‐AG for each biliary diseases, malignant biliary obstruction, bile duct stones, and benign biliary stricture in patients with surgically altered anatomy.
Rumour spread and control during the West African Ebola epidemic in Liberia
Authors: Turner Monique Mitchell , Lisse Skylar , Rimal Rajiv , Kamlem Tamah , Shaikh Hina , Biswas Nilakshi
Published: June 2022

The severity of the 2014–15 West African Ebola epidemic in Liberia was coupled with widespread misunderstanding of the virus among citizens and the proliferation of rumours. Rumour control during outbreaks is imperative to reduce the public's fears about a disease. In Liberia, a tracker system was developed to detect rumours as quickly as possible through SMS (short message service) text messaging. This study focused on assessing rumour circulation in newspapers and on radio and rumour control over time. It relied on a content analysis of SMS messages from the ‘DeySay’ tracker, print and audio communications of newspapers, and radio programmes, in the time frame between January 2014 and March 2015. The findings show that more rumours appeared in newspapers but were more likely to be overtly characterised as such on the radio. DeySay accurately predicted rumours before they appeared on the radio and in newspapers, supporting its usefulness in future health epidemics.
Looking Again and Beyond: The Power of Images in Intercultural Training in Youth Mental Health Care
Authors: Johnson‐Lafleur Janique
Published: June 2022

This article explores the role of images in intercultural training in youth mental health care. Drawing on ethnographic work conducted with practitioners taking part in transcultural seminars, this article discusses how the attention paid to images during these meetings can enable practitioners to adopt a different way of looking at the families they work with. To do so, I draw from the writings of theorists who have reflected on how images work and the power they can have over us. I first turn to the Barthian notion of punctum, and then to Kaja Silverman's argument on the role of the aesthetic object in “educating our look.” Through an ethnographic vignette, I describe how images flow during a meeting and impact the people present. I argue that working with images in intercultural training is more productive in transforming the colonial gaze than making theoretical statements that trainees may interpret as judgmental.
Receptor density influences the recruitment bias of aripiprazole and brexpiprazole at the dopamine D2L receptor
Authors: Ferraiolo Mattia , Ponthot Romane , Atik Hicham , Koener Beryl , Hanson Julien , Hermans Emmanuel
Published: June 2022

Aripiprazole, brexpiprazole, and cariprazine are dopamine D2 receptor ligands considered as effective and tolerable antipsychotics. Brain imaging studies showed that schizophrenia is characterized by elevated dopamine receptor density, which is exacerbated by antipsychotic treatments. Despite the complexity of translating in vitro studies to human neurobiology, overexpression experiments in transfected cells provide a proof‐of‐concept model of the influence of receptor density on antipsychotic treatments. Since receptor density was demonstrated to influence the signaling profile of dopaminergic ligands, we hypothesized that high dopamine D2 receptor expression levels could influence the recruitment of Gi1 and β‐arrestin2 in response to partial agonists used as antipsychotics. A nanoluciferase complementation assay was used to monitor β‐arrestin2 and Gi1 recruitment at the dopamine D2L receptor in response to aripiprazole, brexpiprazole, and cariprazine. This was performed in transfected cells carrying a doxycycline‐inducible system allowing to manipulate the expression of the dopamine D2L receptors. Increasing D2L receptor density reoriented aripiprazole's preferential recruitment from Gi1 to β‐arrestin2. With respect to brexpiprazole, which showed inverse agonism for β‐arrestin2 recruitment at the lower receptor density tested, inverse agonism for Gi1 recruitment was observed when tested at a high receptor expression level. At variance, cariprazine evoked a potent partial agonism for β‐arrestin2 recruitment only, in all the tested conditions. D2L receptor density appears to shape the recruitment bias of aripiprazole and brexpiprazole, but not cariprazine. This suggests that changes in receptor expression level could qualitatively influence the functional response of partial agonists used in psychiatry.
gwverse: A Template for a New Generic Geographically Weighted R Package
Authors: Comber Alexis , Callaghan Martin , Harris Paul , Lu Binbin , Malleson Nick , Brunsdon Chris
Published: June 2022

GWR is a popular approach for investigating the spatial variation in relationships between response and predictor variables, and critically for investigating and understanding process spatial heterogeneity. The geographically weighted (GW) framework is increasingly used to accommodate different types of models and analyses, reflecting a wider desire to explore spatial variation in model parameters and outputs. However, the growth in the use of GWR and different GW models has only been partially supported by package development in both R and Python, the major coding environments for spatial analysis. The result is that refinements have been inconsistently included within GWR and GW functions in any given package. This paper outlines the structure of a new gwverse
package, that may over time replace GWmodel, that takes advantage of recent developments in the composition of complex, integrated packages. It conceptualizes gwverse as having a modular structure, that separates core GW functionality and applications such as GWR. It adopts a function factory approach, in which bespoke functions are created and returned to the user based on user‐defined parameters. The paper introduces two demonstrator modules that can be used to undertake GWR and identifies a number of key considerations and next steps.
Evaluating the impact of community interventions on childhood obesity in populations living in low‐income households in Los Angeles: A simulation study
Authors: Nianogo Roch A. , Mueller Megan P. , Keeler Bryce , Kreuger Kurt , Nhan Lilly A. , Nobari Tabashir Z. , Crespi Catherine M. , Osgood Nathaniel , Kuo Tony , Prelip Michael , Wang May C.
Published: June 2022

Background

The complex multifactorial nature of childhood obesity makes community interventions difficult to evaluate using traditional approaches; innovative methods are needed.

Objective

To evaluate the impact of various interventions targeting childhood obesity‐related behaviours, and classified as using a micro‐level (e.g., home visitation programs) or macro‐level (e.g., business practices) strategy, on obesity among children enrolled in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).

Methods

We simulated a population of 1500 children enrolled in WIC, with specific diet, physical activity, breastfeeding behaviours and body mass index z‐scores (BMIz), following them from age 2 to 5 years.

Results

Combined interventions targeting breastfeeding appeared to be moderately effective, reducing BMIz by 0.03 (95% CI −005, −0.01). Two strategy‐specific interventions, home visitation programs and business practices targeting obesity‐related behaviours, appeared to be moderately effective at reducing BMIz by 0.04 (95% CI −0.06, −0.02) and 0.02 (95% CI −0.04, 0.00), respectively. Contrary to expectation, combining all micro and macro interventions appeared to have no impact or moderately increased the proportion of obesity/overweight among children.

Conclusion

Interventions targeting breastfeeding behaviour were most effective when both micro and macro strategies were implemented. Interventions targeting obesity‐related behaviours in general were effective for two strategies, home visitation and business practices.
Perspectives of nurses regarding total rewards and their preferences in Thailand: A qualitative descriptive study
Authors: Abhicharttibutra Kulwadee , Wichaikhum Orn‐Anong , Nantsupawat Apiradee , Kunaviktikul Wipada , Turale Sue
Published: June 2022

Background

In this time of global nursing shortages, investment in nursing is vital, and hospitals need to apply a range of strategies to attract and retain nurses. Rewards are an effective strategy for the retention of nurses and help improve the performance and productivity of hospitals. In rural and remote communities, however, nurses may not have access to the rewards that urban‐based nurses have.

Aim

To explore the preferred rewards of registered nurses in rural and remote community hospitals in Thailand.

Methods

An explanatory mixed‐methods design was employed for the overall study, and the results from the qualitative descriptive phase are reported here using the COREQ checklist. We collected data during in‐depth interviews with 24 informants from 8 community hospitals. Thematic analysis was used for data analysis.

Findings

Four major themes regarding reward types were preferred by the nurses: reasonable pay, good benefits, accessible learning and development, and a favorable work environment.

Conclusion

A package of total rewards that best suit nurses working in rural and remote areas needs to be implemented, for a combination of different types of rewards has a greater impact than a single reward at both individual and organizational levels.

Implication for nursing and health policy

It is crucial to identify those rewards to attract and retain nurses. In Thailand, nursing and health workforce policies need to be based on nurse preferences regarding salary, benefits, and recognition commensurate with other healthcare professionals, including civil servant status, as well as improving the work environment.
Hold Me: Togetherness as an Aesthetic Experience
Authors: Mosavarzadeh Marzieh , Ding Peisen
Published: June 2022

Through a conversational form, we weave together our experiences of making curious and conscious encounters with a work of art in a gallery, while grounding our nonlinear understandings of our shared aesthetic experience on the works of Maxine Greene, Peter de Bolla and Arnold Berleant. Holding, as our conceptual framework, seeds a kind of sensibility in us towards holding space to be dynamically in relation to each other and the work of art. The embodied and textual ways of conversing in this paper become a form of invitation to critically and creatively engage with the diverse meanings of aesthetic experience; an invitation to pause with and contemplate about how our embodied togetherness in the gallery led us to unexplored potentialities for seeking alternative ways of encountering the work aesthetically and internalising the aesthetic sensibilities and qualities that we experienced together in the gallery.
Osteocytic cells exposed to titanium particles increase sclerostin expression and inhibit osteoblastic cell differentiation mostly via direct cell‐to‐cell contact
Authors: Chai Hao , Zhang Zai Hang , Fang Jing Yi , She Chang , Geng De Chun , Xu Wei
Published: June 2022

The mechanism underlying induction of periprosthetic osteolysis by wear particles remains unclear. In this study, cultured MLO‐Y4 osteocytic cells were exposed to different concentrations of titanium (Ti) particles. The results showed that Ti particles increased expression of the osteocytic marker SOST/sclerostin in a dose‐dependent manner, accelerated apoptosis of MLO‐Y4 cells, increased the expression of IL‐6, TNF‐α and connexin 43. SOST silence alleviated the increase of MLO‐Y4 cells apoptosis, decreased the expression of IL‐6, TNF‐α and connexin 43 caused by Ti particles. The different co‐culture systems of MLO‐Y4 cells with MC3T3‐E1 osteoblastic cells were further used to observe the effects of osteocytic cells' changes induced by Ti particles on osteoblastic cells. MLO‐Y4 cells treated with Ti particles inhibited dramatically differentiation of MC3T3‐E1 cells mostly through direct cell‐to‐cell contact. SOST silence attenuated the inhibition effects of Ti‐induced MLO‐Y4 on MC3T3‐E1 osteoblastic differentiation, which ALP level and mineralization of MC3T3‐E1 cells increased and the expression of ALP, OCN and Runx2 increased compared to the Ti‐treated group. Taken together, Ti particles had negative effects on MLO‐Y4 cells and the impact of Ti particles on osteocytic cells was extensive, which may further inhibit osteoblastic differentiation mostly through intercellular contact directly. SOST/sclerostin plays an important role in the process of mutual cell interaction. These findings may help to understand the effect of osteocytes in wear particle‐induced osteolysis.
Comparison of diagnostic accuracy of QuantiFERON‐TB Gold Plus and T‐SPOT.TB in the diagnosis of active tuberculosis in febrile patients
Authors: Zhang Lifan , Yang Zhengrong , Bao Xinmiao , Ma Huimin , Ge Qiping , Zhang Yueqiu , Cao Qifei , Gao Mengqiu , Liu Xiaoqing
Published: June 2022

Objective

This study aimed to compare the accuracy of QuantiFERON‐TB Gold Plus (QFT‐Plus) and T‐SPOT.TB for diagnosing active tuberculosis (ATB) in febrile patients, to explore influencing factors of positive results and to verify the potential value of QFT‐Plus in the identification of ATB and latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI).

Methods

A total of 240 febrile patients with ATB (n = 80) and non‐ATB (n = 160) were recruited to assess the accuracy of QFT‐Plus and T‐SPOT.TB for diagnosing ATB. Multivariable logistic regression was used to analyze the influencing factors of positive results.

Results

The proportion of indeterminate results (ITRS) in QFT‐Plus and T‐SPOT.TB were 3.3% and 0%, respectively. The consistency between the results of the QFT‐Plus and T‐SPOT.TB was substantial. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) of the QFT‐Plus and T‐SPOT.TB for diagnosing ATB was 0.792 and 0.849 (p = 0.070), respectively. The sensitivity of differentiating ATB from non‐ATB was 92.2% in QFT‐Plus versus 95.0% in T‐SPOT.TB. The influencing factors of T‐SPOT.TB positive result were male (odds ratio (OR) = 2.33, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.27–4.26, p = 0.006), evidence of previous TB (OR 11.36, 95% CI 4.62–27.94, p < 0.001), while male (OR = 3.17, 95% CI 1.73–5.84, p < 0.001), evidence of previous TB (OR = 7.58, 95% CI 3.60–15.98, p <0.001), and use of immunosuppressant (OR = 0.49, 95% CI 0.260.94, p = 0.030) were influencing factors for QFT‐Plus positive result. There was no significant difference in QFT‐Plus in differentiating ATB from LTBI in febrile patients.

Conclusion

There was no significant difference between QFT‐Plus and T‐SPOT.TB for diagnosing ATB in febrile patients. QFT‐Plus is prone to ITRS. The influencing factors including males, evidence of the previous TB, and use of immunosuppressant should be considered when interpreting positive results.
Incorporating artificial intelligence in medical diagnosis: A case for an invisible and (un)disruptive approach
Authors: Sibbald Matt , Zwaan Laura , Yilmaz Yusuf , Lal Sarrah
Published: June 2022

As big data becomes more publicly accessible, artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly available and applicable to problems around clinical decision‐making. Yet the adoption of AI technology in healthcare lags well behind other industries. The gap between what technology could do, and what technology is actually being used for is rapidly widening. While many solutions are proposed to address this gap, clinician resistance to the adoption of AI remains high. To aid with change, we propose facilitating clinician decisions through technology by seamlessly weaving what we call ‘invisible AI’ into existing clinician workflows, rather than sequencing new steps into clinical processes. We explore evidence from the change management and human factors literature to conceptualize a new approach to AI implementation in health organizations. We discuss challenges and provide recommendations for organizations to employ this strategy.
High non‐photochemical quenching of VPZ transgenic potato plants limits CO2 assimilation under high light conditions and reduces tuber yield under fluctuating light
Authors: Lehretz Günter G. , Schneider Anja , Leister Dario , Sonnewald Uwe
Published: June 2022

Under natural conditions, photosynthesis has to be adjusted to fluctuating light intensities. Leaves exposed to high light dissipate excess light energy in form of heat at photosystem II (PSII) by a process called non‐photochemical quenching (NPQ). Upon fast transition from light to shade, plants lose light energy by a relatively slow relaxation from photoprotection. Combined overexpression of violaxanthin de‐epoxidase (VDE), PSII subunit S (PsbS) and zeaxanthin epoxidase (ZEP) in tobacco accelerates relaxation from photoprotection, and increases photosynthetic productivity. In Arabidopsis, expression of the same three genes (VPZ) resulted in a more rapid photoprotection but growth of the transgenic plants was impaired. Here we report on VPZ expressing potato plants grown under various light regimes. Similar to tobacco and Arabidopsis, induction and relaxation of NPQ was accelerated under all growth conditions tested, but did not cause an overall increased photosynthetic rate or growth of transgenic plants. Tuber yield of VPZ expressing plants was unaltered as compared to control plants under constant light conditions and even decreased under fluctuating light conditions. Under control conditions, levels of the phytohormone abscisic acid (ABA) were found to be elevated, indicating an increased violaxanthin availability in VPZ plants. However, the increased basal ABA levels did not improve drought tolerance of VPZ transgenic potato plants under greenhouse conditions. The failure to benefit from improved photoprotection is most likely caused by a reduced radiation use efficiency under high light conditions resulting from a too strong NPQ induction. Mitigating this negative effect in the future might help to improve photosynthetic performance in VPZ expressing potato plants.
Efficacy and safety of a facial serum containing snail secretion filtrate, Calendula officinalis, and Glycyrrhiza glaba root extract in the treatment of maskne: A randomized placebo‐controlled study
Authors: Puaratanaarunkon Thanaporn , Washrawirul Chanudda , Chuenboonngarm Nunthanach , Noppakun Nopadon , Asawanonda Pravit , Kumtornrut Chanat
Published: June 2022

Introduction

During the ongoing COVID‐19 outbreak, face mask use has increased and became a part of our daily lives. While wearing, prolonged contact time and microenvironmental change profoundly lead to an acne flare‐up, defined as “maskne.”

Aims

We aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of snail secretion filtrate, Calendula officinalis, and Glycyrrhiza glaba root extract combination serum (SCGS) in treating the maskne.

Methods

This was a randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial study. This study enrolled 66 participants with mild‐to‐moderate maskne. The SCGS and placebo were randomly assigned for participants to use twice daily for 12 weeks. Percentage change of acne lesion count, acne severity by Investigator Global Evaluation Acne (IGEA), sebum levels, corneometry levels, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), erythema score by Visia®, and adverse events were evaluated 4‐weekly at baseline to Week 12. At Week 12, all participants evaluated their satisfaction scores using a 10‐point visual analog scale (VAS).

Results

In the mask‐covered area, the percent reduction in inflammatory acne lesions from the treatment group was significantly greater than the placebo group at all time points (coefficient of percentage change of inflammatory lesions = −33.89 [95% CI −65.24, −2.53]; p = 0.03). Also, a subgroup analysis with participants using concurrent acne treatments revealed similar results (12 participants, coefficient = −50.30 [95% −88.65, −11.95]; p = 0.01). However, there were no significant differences in non‐inflammatory lesions, all skin biophysics, and VAS between groups. Adverse events were mild and occurred in a few cases in both groups.

Conclusions

The SCGS could significantly improve inflammatory acne lesions and had a favorable tolerability profile, suggesting its role as an adjunctive treatment in maskne.
The number of phenology patterns, not species richness, affects the greening season length of freely assembled plant communities
Authors: Rheault Guillaume , Proulx Raphaël , Robin Yoann , Lévesque Esther
Published: June 2022

Questions

Plant greening phenology is a key response trait that drives numerous ecosystem functions such as carbon storage and flowering. Plant communities with a diversity of phenology responses could show a longer greening season due to more complete occupation of the temporal window available for growth. However, it is unclear how species composition and richness affect the phenology of local plant communities.

Location

This study was conducted in wetland landscapes of the St. Lawrence River in the province of Québec, Canada (46.07°N; 73.17°W).

Methods

We used close‐range digital imagery to monitor the greening phenology and species richness of 20 herbaceous plant communities from 2013 to 2016. We quantified the number of greening phenology patterns observed each year within each plant community using singular value decomposition of close‐range image time series.

Results

The number of plant species within plant communities was independent of the number of phenology patterns, or the length of the greening season. However, the number of phenology patterns correlated positively to the greening season length in all four years of monitoring.

Conclusions

The relationship between the number of phenology patterns and the greening season length suggests a complementary use of the temporal window available for growth within plant communities. Species richness was a poor indicator of the diversity of phenology responses in wet meadow communities. The absence of a positive relationship between the number of plant species and the diversity of greening phenology patterns, or the length of the greening season, suggests that other descriptors of plant communities are of importance. Species richness is more often than not a weak predictor of the functioning of local plant communities in the wild.
Streaming platforms under Portuguese copyright law
Authors: Rendas Tito
Published: June 2022

The article outlines the regulation of streaming platforms under Portuguese copyright law, against the background of EU legislation and case law. Its purpose is not merely to provide a description of how streaming platforms are regulated in Portugal, but also to highlight some of the specificities of the Portuguese approach to combating online copyright infringement. Throughout the article, reference will be made to three types of online platforms, which are broadly included under the general category of “streaming services”: (i) “legal streaming services,” which grant access to catalogs of music or audiovisual works with the authorization of the respective rightholders; (ii) “semi‐legal streaming services,” specifically online content‐sharing services that, at least before the Copyright in the Digital Single Market Directive, did not require the authorization of rightholders due to their eligibility for the hosting safe harbor; and (iii) “illegal streaming services,” covering not only streaming platforms where content is made available without the permission of rightholders, but also all those platforms whose main purpose is to facilitate copyright infringement, even if they do not resort to streaming technology, including popular torrent aggregators like The Pirate Bay.
Faith? Hope? Charity? Religion explains giving when warm glow and impure altruism do not
Authors: Fraser Clive D.
Published: June 2022

I explain why many charities, especially religious ones, spend significantly to improve poor community members' living standards. Conventional theoretical philanthropy models with altruism or impure altruism/warm glow cannot explain poverty‐alleviating private transfers in the type and size of communities where this occurs—for example, congregations. However, if preferences reflect religious precepts (you are your brothers' keeper; treat neighbours like yourself), charitable poverty alleviation can be optimal even in large communities. Income and price elasticities for giving prove important. Surprisingly, charitable private transfers are less likely when donors care for recipients' living standard instead of the aggregate amount all recipients get.
Delimiting the cryptic diversity and host preferences of Sycophila parasitoid wasps associated with oak galls using phylogenomic data
Authors: Zhang Yuanmeng M. , Sheikh Sofia I. , Ward Anna K. G. , Forbes Andrew A. , Prior Kirsten M. , Stone Graham N. , Gates Michael W. , Egan Scott P. , Zhang Linyi , Davis Charles , Weinersmith Kelly L. , Melika George , Lucky Andrea
Published: June 2022

Cryptic species diversity is a major challenge regarding the species‐rich community of parasitoids attacking oak gall wasps due to a high degree of sexual dimorphism, morphological plasticity, small size and poorly known biology. As such, we know very little about the number of species present, nor the evolutionary forces responsible for generating this diversity. One hypothesis is that trait diversity in the gall wasps, including the morphology of the galls they induce, has evolved in response to selection imposed by the parasitoid community, with reciprocal selection driving diversification of the parasitoids. Using a rare, continental‐scale data set of Sycophila parasitoid wasps reared from 44 species of cynipid galls from 18 species of oak across the USA, we combined mitochondrial DNA barcodes, ultraconserved elements (UCEs), morphological and natural history data to delimit putative species. Using these results, we generate the first large‐scale assessment of ecological specialization and host association in this species‐rich group, with implications for evolutionary ecology and biocontrol. We find most Sycophila target specific subsets of available cynipid host galls with similar morphologies, and generally attack larger galls. Our results suggest that parasitoid wasps such as Sycophila have adaptations allowing them to exploit particular host trait combinations, while hosts with contrasting traits are resistant to attack. These findings support the tritrophic niche concept for the structuring of plant–herbivore–parasitoid communities.
Experiences of handovers between shifts among nurses in small and medium‐sized hospitals: A focus‐group study
Authors: Kim Eun Man , Kim Jung Hee , Kim Chunmi , Cho Sumi
Published: June 2022

Nursing handovers represent an important and complex form of communication in healthcare organizations that involve the exchange of patient‐related information between nurses. This qualitative descriptive study aimed to identify the intershift handover experiences among nurses working in small and medium‐sized hospitals. Focus‐group interviews were conducted with 30 nurses who directly participated in patient care in such hospitals in South Korea. The reporting of the study findings adhered to the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research checklist. The data were analyzed using content analysis. Under the main theme of “baton touch in a relay,” 6 categories, 17 subcategories, and 45 codes (concepts) were derived. The six categories were “procedural rituals for shifts,” “nonstandardized handover training,” “inconsistent handover style,” “stress due to handovers,” “coping strategies for handovers,” and “interruptions of handovers.” Nurses in small and medium‐sized hospitals strive to improve the quality of handovers by preparing individual‐level coping strategies under difficult conditions. This indicates that standardized handover education strategies need to be developed for nurses that are suitable for the personnel systems of small and medium‐sized hospitals.
Significance of fruit and seed morphology in current taxonomy of the genus Iberis L. (Brassicaceae) in Turkey
Authors: Çilden Emre
Published: June 2022

Fruit and seed morphology of 10 taxa of Iberis (Brassicaceae) from Turkey were investigated with stereo microscopy (SM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), in order to understand and check their diagnostic significance at generic and spesific level. Fruits and seeds of Iberis species were photographed and examined to evaluate different characteristics including fruit size, shape, color, indumentum, surface ornamentation, style length, sinus width, wing width, septum length, and also seed size, shape, color, surface ornamentation, cell types and anticlinal and periclinal cell wall features. SM photographs of both immature and mature fruits of the species are provided for the first time. Cluster analysis and principal coordinates analysis (PCoA) were performed to reveal similarities between related taxa in terms of seed and fruit morphology. According to fruit morphology, the Iberis taxa in Turkey are divided into three main groups, particularly characterized by fruit shape (ovate, ovate‐obovate or ovate‐orbicular). Style length, which is one of the most important diagnostic features of some Iberis taxa were also investigated. Three types of seed shapes were found: inequilateral obovate, broadly obovate and inequilateral elliptic. The fruit size limits of I. simplex were expanded. The cluster analysis based on a total of 20 fruit and seed characters represents the current taxonomic classification of the taxa in Turkey, which is updated in this study. A new identification key for Turkish Iberis is provided.
Radical parochialism about reference
Authors: Gamester Will , Williams J. Robert G.
Published: June 2022

We can use radically different reference‐schemes to generate the same truth‐conditions for the sentences of a language. In this paper, we do three things. (1) Distinguish two arguments that deploy this observation to derive different conclusions. The first argues that reference is radically indeterminate: there is no fact of the matter what ordinary terms refer to. This threat is taken seriously and most contemporary metasemantic theories come with resources intended to rebut it. The second argues for radical parochialism about reference: it's a reflection of our parochial interests, rather than the nature of the subject matter, that our theorizing about language appeals to reference rather than another relation that generates the same truth‐conditions. Rebuttals of the first argument cut no ice against the second, because radical parochialism is compatible with reference being determinate. (2) Argue that radical parochialism, like radical indeterminacy, would be shocking if true. (3) Argue that the case for radical parochialism turns on the explanatory purposes of “reference”‐talk: on relatively “thin” conceptions, the argument goes through, and radical parochialism is (shockingly!) true; on richer conceptions, the argument can be blocked. We conclude that non‐revisionists must endorse, and justify, a relatively rich conception of the explanatory purposes of “reference”‐talk.