bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessing law enforcement websites: a comparative analysis exploring types, quantity and quality of information available
Authors: Hansen Michael A. , Navarro John C. , Malvitz Sierra A.
Published: January 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explore the availability of information on law enforcement websites in the state of Wisconsin.

Design/methodology/approach

The study conducted a content analysis of all 179 county and municipal local law enforcement agency websites within Wisconsin. The authors then implemented a comparative analysis that explored whether the quantity and quality of information available on law enforcement websites are similar to those of local governments and school districts. The authors then estimated models to test whether there is a relationship between the population size served and gender distribution of law enforcement departments to the availability of information on law enforcement websites.

Findings

Law enforcement websites contain a noticeable lack of information. The finding is even more apparent when comparing law enforcement websites to the websites of local governments and school districts. Finally, the authors show a positive link between information sharing on law enforcement websites and the proportion of the civilian staff at an agency that are women.

Originality/value

Past studies that reviewed the make-up of law enforcement websites analyzed large law enforcement departments rather than local law enforcement departments, which notably represent the majority of most law enforcement departments. The authors also explicitly demonstrate that the commitment to information sharing is lagging within law enforcement websites compared to local-level governments. Future scholarship and law enforcement departments may benefit from exploring the employment of female civilians.
Kindergarten teachers' evaluation: perceptions of the new Israeli multiple domains performance tool
Authors: Cohen-Azaria Yael
Published: January 2022

Purpose

In 2012, the Israeli Ministry of Education and its Testing and Evaluation Department introduced a new tool to evaluate the quality of kindergarten teachers’ work. This paper aims to identify how kindergarten teachers perceive the new multiple domains performance tool.

Design/methodology/approach

The study applied a qualitative paradigm of data collection and analysis. Data collection consisted of semi-structured in-depth interviews conducted with 36 kindergarten teachers.

Findings

Findings indicated that most kindergarten teachers perceive their work plan and the kindergarten climate as the most important evaluation domains, while perceiving involving parents as the least important and even an unnecessary domain. One-third of them indicated that an innovation domain should be added. Also, the kindergarten teachers perceived the use of the KT-MDPT as both positive and negative.

Originality/value

There is a clear dearth in scholarly literature dealing with the evaluation of the quality of kindergarten teachers’ work. This study is the first to reveal Israeli kindergarten teachers' attitudes regarding this new tool for work quality evaluation.
Application of fungi resistance on cotton fabric using aloe vera active component
Authors: Korra Chirato Godana
Published: January 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to prevent cotton textiles from fungi damage using eco-friendly aloe vera leaf extract, which was applied at a minimum amount, and cost-effective material.

Design/methodology/approach

Batch extraction method using methanol solvent; phytochemical analysis was investigated and three-level factorial design of experiment and analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used for the optimization of 27 test runs. The finish was applied by pad-dry-cue at distinct concentrations, and the chemical property after treatment was studied. Colorfastness and coordinates are analyzed. Cotton fabrics were cultured with Fusarium oxysporum fungi and the anti-fungal property was examined and reported according to AATCC 30–2004 standard.

Findings

The maximum yield of extract was at an optimum volume of 200 ml, 65 °C for 120 min. The effective antifungal fabric was achieved with minimum concentrations. There was significant strength loss in warp and weft direction. The treatment results in yellow-colored cotton fabric with fastness grade 3. The antifungal effect is durable until fifteen washes as the tensile strength losses were less than 1%.

Research limitations/implications

The findings of this work were based on samples considered in the laboratory. However, it can be reproducible at the factory production scale the treatment has the potential of yielding yellow dyed cotton fabric with multifunctional finishing.

Practical implications

The treated fabric is against Fusarium oxysporum Fungi which is one of the vital antimicrobial properties of textile apparel products for various areas of application.

Social implications

The natural extract material applied to a textile material is eco-friendly effective against microbes of cotton seeds during cultivation and apparel end-uses.

Originality/value

The work application of fungi resistance on cotton fabric using aloe vera active component was original; this work provides extraction of the active agent from aloe vera leaf, which is optimized statically and successfully applied for anti-fungal activity on cotton fabric.
I give discounts, I share information, I interact with viewers: a predictive analysis on factors enhancing college students' purchase intention in a live-streaming shopping environment
Authors: Zhong Yingyu , Zhang Yingying , Luo Meng , Wei Jiayue , Liao Shiyang , Tan Kim-Lim , Yap Steffi Sze-Nee
Published: January 2022

Purpose

Grounding the research in the stimulus-organism-resource (S-O-R) framework, this study aims to address the research gap of explaining and predicting the relationship between price discounts, interactivity and professionalism on college students’ purchasing intention in live-streaming shopping. It also attempts to understand if trust plays the role of mediator in the effect of these relationships.

Design/methodology/approach

This study collected data using a questionnaire protocol adapted and refined from the original scales in existing studies. The partial least squares structural equation modeling was used to analyze data collected from 258 college students in China. Other than assessing the path model’s explanatory power, this study examined the model’s predictive power toward predicting new cases using PLS predict.

Findings

Results indicated that all three predictors have a positive significant relationship with trust, while only price discounts demonstrate a significant relationship with purchase intention. Simultaneously, the mediation results provide support to the S-O-R framework demonstrating that external factors (professionalism, interactivity and price discounts) can arouse organism (trust), which in return, generate a behavioral outcome (purchase intention).

Originality/value

This study is the first few studies that focus on college students’ behavioral responses in an online shopping environment. At the same time, this is the first study supplement the explanatory perspective with a predictive focus, which is of particular importance in making sound recommendations on managerial decision-making.
The strength and direction of local (mal)adaptation depends on neighbour density and the environment
Authors: Germain Rachel M. , Urquhart‐Cronish Mackenzie , Jones Natalie T. , Mayfield Margaret M. , Raymundo Maia
Published: January 2022

Populations are embedded in communities, but despite their potential to affect individual fitness, it is unknown whether and how species interactions evolve in communities. Evolutionary outcomes are likely more complex in natural communities because (a) the evolution of interactions may not be evenly distributed among all community members and (b) coevolution is conditional on the environmental conditions within which interactions are playing out.

To test the evolution of interaction strengths in natural communities, we performed two common garden experiments in grassland communities in Northern California. In each garden, we transplanted individuals of four populations (one local, three foreign) of an annual invasive grass Bromus hordeaceus into natural communities, characterized the interaction neighbourhood around each focal individual, and quantified individual fitness. This method allowed us to fit multispecies competition models to fitness data, estimating interaction strengths between focal B. hordeaceus populations and each of seven species that were common in the interaction neighbourhoods, in each garden.

We found that interaction strengths significantly differed among local and foreign source populations, but the direction and magnitude of evolution differed among common gardens and among neighbour species—in neither garden were interactions experienced more strongly by foreign populations compared to local populations. The fitness of local populations (relative to foreign populations) decreased when neighbours were removed, strongly enough in one garden to cause strong local maladaptation, and the local population did not perform the best in either garden.

Synthesis. Together, our results demonstrate how species interactions evolve to determine fitness in ecological communities, providing a richer view of adaptation in natural systems. In our study, this richness included the unique challenges populations face in nature: uneven abundances and a diffuseness of species interactions, nonlinear density effects on fitness, and evidence of (mal)adaptation that is conditional on local conditions. We conclude by hypothesizing the causes and consequences of challenges to adaptation and how they help identify priority areas for the field.
Overdose and take‐home naloxone in emergency settings: A pilot study examining feasibility of delivering brief interventions addressing overdose prevention with ‘take‐home naloxone’ in emergency departments
Authors: Black Eleanor , Monds Lauren A , Chan Betty , Brett Jonathan , Hutton Jennie E , Acheson Liam , Penm Jonathan , Harding Sally , Strumpman Dana , Demirkol Apo , Lintzeris Nicholas
Published: January 2022

Objective

Although most unintentional opioid deaths in Australia are attributed to pharmaceutical opioids, take‐home naloxone (THN) programmes have to date predominantly targeted people using illicit opioids in drug treatment and harm reduction settings. We sought to examine the feasibility of delivering THN brief interventions (THN‐BIs) with intranasal naloxone in EDs.

Methods

This pilot feasibility study was conducted across three major metropolitan EDs in Sydney and Melbourne. ED staff were surveyed about their perspectives regarding THN before completing a 30‐min training programme in THN‐BI delivery. Patients presenting with opioid overdose or considered high risk for future overdose were eligible to receive the THN‐BI. Staff survey responses were compared between hospitals and provider types using one‐way analysis of variances. Patient demographic and clinical characteristics were extracted from medical records and compared between hospitals and overdose type using Fisher's exact test and one‐way analysis of variances.

Results

One hundred and twenty‐two ED staff completed the survey. One hundred and ten (90.2%) agreed that EDs should provide THN‐BIs, whereas 23 (19.2%) identified time constraints and 17 (12.9%) felt uncomfortable discussing overdose with patients. Fifty‐seven patients received the THN‐BI, with the majority (n = 50, 87.7%) having presented following opioid overdose. The median age was 44 years and 40 (71.4%) were men. Two‐thirds of the overdoses (n = 31, 66.0%) were attributed to heroin with one‐third (n = 16, 34%) being attributed to pharmaceutical opioids.

Conclusions

ED‐based delivery of THN‐BIs can reach a wide range of individuals at‐risk of overdose. The present study supports the feasibility of THN interventions in EDs and underscores the importance of addressing implementation barriers including staff training.
Eosinophilic fasciitis induced by a game of drumming probably via type 2 innate immunity
Authors: Watanabe Seimi , Kondo Makoto , Ichishi Masako , Hayashi Akinobu , Matsushima Yoshiaki , Hirokawa Yoshifumi , Habe Koji , Yamanaka Keiichi
Published: January 2022

We report a case of eosinophilic fasciitis triggered by strenuous physical activity, which did not relapse during the follow‐up period. We ascertained that interleukin‐33 (IL‐33) was released from the vascular endothelial cells after intense exercise, inducing type 2 innate lymphocytes (ILC2) and causing fasciitis. A healthy woman experienced itching on both limbs a few hours after a game of drumming. Her hand, knee joints, and legs gradually swelled up with groove signs along the superficial veins. White blood cell and eosinophil counts were significantly elevated. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a high signal at the fascia on both lower limbs. Histopathological findings of the left lower limb tissue specimen showed edematous fascia with eosinophils. No relapse of eosinophilic fasciitis was observed after finishing treatment with prednisolone. Immunological staining for IL‐4, IL‐5, IL‐33, tumor necrosis factor‐α, and interferon‐γ was performed on the fascial tissue. Both IL‐4 and IL‐5 were stained on the lymphocytes at the muscle and fascia levels; however, CD3 and CD4 were unstained in these cells, suggesting that those cells were ILC2. Tumor necrosis factor‐α and interferon‐γ were unstained. Vascular endothelial cells in the fascia strongly expressed IL‐33. Eosinophilic fasciitis may be associated with type 2 immunity triggered by IL‐33 in the current case.
Two co‐dominant nitrogen‐fixing cyanobacteria demonstrate distinct acclimation and adaptation responses to cope with ocean warming
Authors: Qu Ping‐Ping , Fu Fei‐Xue , Wang Xin‐Wei , Kling Joshua D. , Elghazzawy Mariam , Huh Megan , Zhou Qian‐Qian , Wang Chunguang , Mak Esther Wing Kwan , Lee Michael D. , Yang Nina , Hutchins David A.
Published: January 2022

The globally dominant N2‐fixing cyanobacteria Trichodesmium and Crocosphaera provide vital nitrogen supplies to subtropical and tropical oceans, but little is known about how they will be affected by long‐term ocean warming. We tested their thermal responses using experimental evolution methods during 2 years of selection at optimal (28°C), supra‐optimal (32°C) and suboptimal (22°C) temperatures. After several hundred generations under thermal selection, changes in growth parameters, as well as N and C fixation rates, suggested that Trichodesmium did not adapt to the three selection temperature regimes during the 2‐year evolution experiment, but could instead rapidly and reversibly acclimate to temperature shifts from 20°C to 34°C. In contrast, over the same timeframe apparent thermal adaptation was observed in Crocosphaera, as evidenced by irreversible phenotypic changes as well as whole‐genome sequencing and variant analysis. Especially under stressful warming conditions (34°C), 32°C‐selected Crocosphaera cells had an advantage in survival and nitrogen fixation over cell lines selected at 22°C and 28°C. The distinct strategies of phenotypic plasticity versus irreversible adaptation in these two sympatric diazotrophs are both viable ways to maintain fitness despite long‐term temperature changes, and so could help to stabilize key ocean nitrogen cycle functions under future warming scenarios.
Aging‐related cell type‐specific pathophysiologic immune responses that exacerbate disease severity in aged COVID‐19 patients
Authors: Hou Yuan , Zhou Yadi , Jehi Lara , Luo Yuan , Gack Michaela U. , Chan Timothy A. , Yu Haiyuan , Eng Charis , Pieper Andrew A. , Cheng Feixiong
Published: January 2022

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) is especially severe in aged patients, defined as 65 years or older, for reasons that are currently unknown. To investigate the underlying basis for this vulnerability, we performed multimodal data analyses on immunity, inflammation, and COVID‐19 incidence and severity as a function of age. Our analysis leveraged age‐specific COVID‐19 mortality and laboratory testing from a large COVID‐19 registry, along with epidemiological data of ~3.4 million individuals, large‐scale deep immune cell profiling data, and single‐cell RNA‐sequencing data from aged COVID‐19 patients across diverse populations. We found that decreased lymphocyte count and elevated inflammatory markers (C‐reactive protein, D‐dimer, and neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio) are significantly associated with age‐specific COVID‐19 severities. We identified the reduced abundance of naïve CD8 T cells with decreased expression of antiviral defense genes (i.e., IFITM3 and TRIM22) in aged severe COVID‐19 patients. Older individuals with severe COVID‐19 displayed type I and II interferon deficiencies, which is correlated with SARS‐CoV‐2 viral load. Elevated expression of SARS‐CoV‐2 entry factors and reduced expression of antiviral defense genes (LY6E and IFNAR1) in the secretory cells are associated with critical COVID‐19 in aged individuals. Mechanistically, we identified strong TGF‐beta‐mediated immune–epithelial cell interactions (i.e., secretory‐non‐resident macrophages) in aged individuals with critical COVID‐19. Taken together, our findings point to immuno‐inflammatory factors that could be targeted therapeutically to reduce morbidity and mortality in aged COVID‐19 patients.
‘Dear Doctor’: a randomised controlled trial of a text message intervention to reduce burnout in trainee anaesthetists
Authors: Brazier A. , Larson E. , Xu Y. , Judah G. , Egan M. , Burd H. , Darzi A.
Published: January 2022

One in four doctors in training in the UK reports feeling ‘burnt out’ due to their work and similar figures are reported in other countries. This two‐group non‐blinded randomised controlled trial aimed to determine if a novel text message intervention could reduce burnout and increase well‐being in UK trainee anaesthetists. A total of 279 trainee anaesthetists (Core Training Year 2, Specialty Training Years 3 or 4) were included. All participants received one initial message sharing support resources. The intervention group (139 trainees) received 22 fortnightly text messages over approximately 10 months. Messages drew on 11 evidence‐based themes including: gratitude; social support; self‐efficacy; and self‐compassion. Primary outcomes were burnout (Copenhagen Burnout Inventory) and well‐being (Short Warwick‐Edinburgh Mental Well‐being Scale). Secondary outcomes were as follows: meaning in work; professional value; sickness absence; and consideration of career break. Outcomes were measured via online surveys. Measures of factors that may have affected well‐being were included post‐hoc, including the impact of COVID‐19 (the first UK wave of which coincided with the second half of the trial). The final survey was completed by 153 trainees (74 in the intervention and 79 in the control groups). There were no significant group differences in: burnout (β = ‐1.82, 95%CI ‐6.54–2.91, p = 0.45); well‐being (‐0.52, ‐1.73–0.69, p = 0.40); meaning (‐0.09, ‐0.67–0.50, p = 0.77); value (‐0.01, ‐0.67–0.66, p = 0.99); sick days (0.88, ‐2.08–3.83, p = 0.56); or consideration of career break (OR = 0.44, ‐0.30–1.18, p = 0.24). Exploratory post‐hoc analysis found the intervention was associated with reduced burnout in participants reporting personal or work‐related difficulties during the trial period (‐9.56, ‐17.35 to ‐1.77, p = 0.02) and in participants reporting that the COVID‐19 pandemic had a big negative impact on their well‐being (‐10.38, ‐20.57 to ‐0.19, p = 0.05). Overall, this trial found the intervention had no impact. However, given this intervention is low cost and requires minimal time commitment from recipients, it may warrant adaptation and further evaluation.
Restoring erectile function by combined treatment with JNK inhibitor and HDAC inhibitor in a rat model of cavernous nerve injury
Authors: Lee Junghoon , Cho Min Chul , Son Hwancheol , Kim Soo Woong
Published: January 2022

Background

The main pathophysiologic conditions of erectile dysfunction (ED) after radical prostatectomy are considered to be corporal fibrosis and apoptosis induced by cavernosal nerve (CN) injury.

Objectives

In a rat model of CN crush injury (CNCI), we investigated whether combination treatment with JNK inhibitor (JNKi), SP600125, and HDAC inhibitor (HDACi), suberoylanilide‐hydroxamic‐7 acid (SAHA), for 2 weeks after CNCI would restore erectile function by suppressing fibrosis and apoptosis through normalization of JNK and HDAC pathways.

Materials and methods

Seventy 12‐week‐old rats were randomly divided into five groups: Sham surgery, CNCI alone, CNCI treated with daily intraperitoneal injection of 10 mg/kg JNKi, CNCI treated with daily oral administration of 25.0 mg/kg HDACi, and CNCI daily treated with a combination. Two weeks after CNCI, we investigated the erectile response to electrostimulation and conducted histological staining, caspase‐3 activity assay, and western blot analysis.

Results

CNCI alone resulted in significantly reduced intracavernosal pressure/mean arterial pressure (MAP) and area under the curve/MAP, decreased smooth muscle (SM)/collagen ratio and SM content, higher caspase‐3 activity, and increased protein levels of total HDAC3, transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β, fibronectin, and c‐Jun phosphorylation, compared with the Sham surgery. The CNCI groups exposed to JNKi, HDACi or both showed improvements in erectile‐responses and SM/collagen ratio, compared to the CNCI alone. The combined treatment showed additional improvement in erectile responses at 1.0V stimulation and in SM/collagen ratio compared to the single agent treatment. SM content, caspase‐3 activity, and c‐Jun phosphorylation improved in the two CNCI groups exposed to JNKi. The two CNCI groups exposed to HDACi showed normalization of protein levels of HDAC3, fibronectin, and TGF‐β.

Discussion and conclusions

The combined administration of JNKi and HDACi during the acute phase after CNCI in rats can preserve ED by suppressing cavernosal fibrosis and apoptosis by normalizing the HDAC/TGF‐β and JNK pathways.
A day in the life of a college student during the COVID‐19 pandemic: An experience sampling approach to emotion regulation
Authors: Lohani Monika , Dutton Sam , Elsey Jamie S.
Published: January 2022

COVID‐19 has contributed to unexpected stressors in daily life, and emotion regulation is an important area of research during and post‐pandemic to gain knowledge of the effect of the pandemic on emotion regulatory processes. We adopted an ecologically valid approach to collect 10 experience sampling events within the same day to examine how college students regulated their emotions on a typical weekday during the pandemic and the simultaneous hedonic association of these strategies on their affective experience. Several emotion regulation strategies (including acceptance, calming, reappraisal, problem solving, and social sharing) were associated with increased positivity or reduced negativity that may be better for psychological health. In contrast, other emotion regulation strategies (including rumination, experiential avoidance, catastrophizing, lack of clarity, self‐blaming, and other‐blaming) were associated with increased negativity or reduced positivity that may worsen psychological health. In these findings, self‐reported stress was a crucial contextual moderator to consider while understanding the relationship between emotion regulation strategies and experienced affect. The current study documents variability in affect in response to stressors experienced by college students even within a single day and provides a real‐world perspective on the emotion regulation strategies that were adaptive and maladaptive in the context of the COVID‐19 pandemic.
NAFLD‐related gene polymorphisms and all‐cause and cause‐specific mortality in an Asian population: the Shanghai Changfeng Study
Authors: Xia Mingfeng , Ma Shuai , Huang Qingxia , Zeng Hailuan , Ge Jieyu , Xu Wenjie , Wu Qi , Wu Li , Li Xiaoming , Ma Hui , Chen Lingyan , Li Qian , Aleteng Qiqige , Hu Yu , He Wanyuan , Pan Baishen , Lin Huandong , Zheng Yan , Wang Sijia , Tang Huiru , Gao Xin
Published: January 2022

Background

The PNPLA3 and TM6SF2 gene variants have been found to cause NAFLD with a favourable cardiovascular risk profile.

Aims

To investigate the effects of the NAFLD risk alleles on the all‐cause and cause‐specific mortality in 5581 Chinese adults.

Methods

The genome‐wide genotypes were detected using a genotyping array and serum lipoprotein profiles were examined using 1H NMR platform. Liver fat content (LFC) was measured using a quantitative ultrasound method. The vital status was determined using official registration data.

Results

Genome‐wide association analysis showed that a series of variants in PNPLA3 were associated with LFC, including rs738409 C>G variant (P = 8.6 × 10−7). Further analyses validated the associations of TM6SF2 rs58542926 C>T and MBOAT7 rs641738 C>T variants with NAFLD. During 29 425.1 person‐years of follow‐up, the overall mortality was 816 per 100 000 person‐years, where 299 deaths were attributable to cardiovascular disease and 85 to liver disease. The PNPLA3 rs738409 C>G variant was independently associated with increased liver‐specific mortality (P for trend = 0.034) but reduced cardiovascular mortality (P for trend = 0.047). A composite genetic‐predisposition score of PNPLA3, TM6SF2, and MBOAT7 risk alleles presented similar opposite effects on liver‐specific and cardiovascular mortality. Moreover, interactions of the NAFLD risk alleles with adiposity for liver‐specific mortality were found (Pinteraction < 0.05). The reduced serum VLDL1 concentration was responsible for the increased liver‐specific mortality related to NAFLD risk alleles.

Conclusion

The PNPLA3 rs738409 C>G variant and its combination with TM6SF2 rs58542926 C>T and MBOAT7 rs641738 C>T variants increase liver‐specific mortality but reduce cardiovascular mortality in overweight/obese Chinese.
Linking drug and food addiction via compulsive appetite
Authors: Laque Amanda , Wagner Grant E. , Matzeu Alessandra , De Ness Genna L. , Kerr Tony M. , Carroll Ayla M. , de Guglielmo Giordano , Nedelescu Hermina , Buczynski Matthew W. , Gregus Ann M. , Jhou Thomas C. , Zorrilla Eric P. , Martin‐Fardon Remi , Koya Eisuke , Ritter Robert C. , Weiss Friedbert , Suto Nobuyoshi
Published: January 2022

Background and Purpose

‘Food addiction’ is the subject of intense public and research interest. However, this nosology based on neurobehavioural similarities among obese individuals, patients with eating disorders and those with substance use disorders (drug addiction) remains controversial. We thus sought to determine which aspects of disordered eating are causally linked to preclinical models of drug addiction. We hypothesized that extensive drug histories, known to cause addiction‐like brain changes and drug motivation in rats, would also cause addiction‐like food motivation.

Experimental Approach

Rats underwent extensive cocaine, alcohol, caffeine or obesogenic diet histories and were subsequently tested for punishment‐resistant food self‐administration or ‘compulsive appetite’, as a measure of addiction‐like food motivation.

Key Results

Extensive cocaine and alcohol (but not caffeine) histories caused compulsive appetite that persisted long after the last drug exposure. Extensive obesogenic diet histories also caused compulsive appetite, although neither cocaine nor alcohol histories caused excess calorie intake and bodyweight during abstinence. Hence, compulsive appetite and obesity appear to be dissociable, with the former sharing common mechanisms with preclinical drug addiction models.

Conclusion and Implications

Compulsive appetite, as seen in subsets of obese individuals and patients with binge‐eating disorder and bulimia nervosa (eating disorders that do not necessarily result in obesity), appears to epitomize ‘food addiction’. Because different drug and obesogenic diet histories caused compulsive appetite, overlapping dysregulations in the reward circuits, which control drug and food motivation independently of energy homeostasis, may offer common therapeutic targets for treating addictive behaviours across drug addiction, eating disorders and obesity.
Depression and sleep disorders among AIDS orphans in an HIV/AIDS high‐epidemic area in China
Authors: Li Shiying , Xu Xiaohe , Lai Shimin , Song Shasha , Liu Qiaolan
Published: January 2022

Background

The Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture is home to the largest population of Yi ethnic minority within mainland China. Due to the high HIV/AIDS epidemic, many Yi children become AIDS orphans who lost one or both parents to AIDS‐related causes. This study explored the prevalence and correlates of AIDS orphans' depressive symptom, sleep disorders and their comorbidity.

Methods

A cross‐sectional survey was conducted to collect pertinent information from 467 AIDS orphans and 856 non‐orphans of Yi ethnic minority. Depressive symptoms were screened by a two‐item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ‐2). The symptoms of insomnia were assessed by the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), which was complemented by one item from the Pittsburgh Quality Sleep Index (PSQI) to measure the frequency of nightmare.

Results

The prevalence of depression (26.8% vs. 20.4%, P = 0.009) and comorbidity of depression, insomnia and nightmare (7.5% vs. 4.3%, P = 0.046) was significantly higher for AIDS orphans than for non‐orphans. Risk factors such as ostracization and self‐reported poor physical health had stronger effects on depressive symptoms and sleep disorders for AIDS orphans than for non‐orphans. On the other hand, peer support, as an important protective factor, was significantly and negatively associated with depressive symptoms and sleep disorders for AIDS orphans.

Conclusions

AIDS orphans of Yi ethnic minority reported higher levels of depressive symptoms and comorbidity of depression and sleep disorders than their non‐orphan counterparts. These symptoms were exacerbated by ostracization and self‐rated poor physical health but lowered by peer support.
Analytical Model for Heat Transfer in a Discrete Parallel Fracture–Rock Matrix System
Authors: Zhou Renjie , Wang Quanrong
Published: January 2022

Mass transport and heat transfer in the single fracture situated in the rock matrix have been investigated extensively in the past decades. Extended from the single fracture, the model of parallel fractures in the rock matrix considers the interactions of multiple fractures and the ambient rock matrix. Heat transfer in such discrete fractures is important to understand thermal energy transfer in the fractured porous media. In this study, an analytical solution is developed for transient heat transfer in discrete parallel fractures in the rock matrix. The newly proposed model accounts for thermal convection, conduction, and dispersion in the fractures, transverse thermal conduction in the rock matrix, and the interactions between parallel fractures. The analytical solutions of the spatiotemporal temperature distributions in the fractures and rock matrix are derived in the Laplace domain and verified with the previous study. The results illustrate that: (1) the fracture aperture and spacing are important to the temperature evolutions in the system. Heat transfers faster when discrete parallel fractures are wide and closely spaced; (2) different roles of longitudinal thermal conduction are observed at high and low flow velocities in the fractures; (3) thermal dispersivity in the fractures is important for temperature evolution and should not be ignored; (4) when the fractures are closely spaced, transverse thermal conduction in the rock matrix has minor influence on fracture temperature. It becomes important when the fractures are sparsely distributed; and (5) the sensitivity analysis indicates that the parallel fracture–rock matrix is most sensitive to fracture thermal dispersivity.
Development of a multiplex TaqMan qPCR targeting unique genomic regions for the specific and sensitive detection of Pectobacterium species and P. parmentieri
Authors: Arizala Dario , Dobhal Shefali , Babler Brooke , Crockford Alex B. , Rioux Renee A. , Alvarez Anne M. , Arif Mohammad
Published: January 2022

Aim

The newly defined species Pectobacterium parmentieri has emerged as an aggressive pathogen that causes soft rot and blackleg diseases on potato and has been widely disseminated across the globe, jeopardizing the productivity and potato food safety. The implementation of a fast and accurate detection tool is imperative to control, monitor and prevent further spread of these pathogens. The objective of this work was to develop a specific and sensitive multiplex TaqMan qPCR to detect P. parmentieri and distinguish it from all known Pectobacterium species. A universal internal control was included to enhance the reliability of the assay.

Methods and Results

A comparative genomics approach was used to identify O-acetyltransferase and the XRE family transcriptional regulator as specific targets for primers/probe design for the detection of the Pectobacterium genus and P. parmentieri, respectively. Specificity was assessed with 35 and 25 strains included in the inclusivity and exclusivity panels, respectively, isolated from different geographical locations and sources. The assay specifically detected all 35 strains of Pectobacterium sp. and all 15 P. parmentieri strains. No cross-reactivity was detected during assay validation. Our assay detected up to 10 fg genomic DNA and 1 CFU ml−1 bacterial culture. No change in the detection threshold (1 CFU ml−1) was observed in spiked assays after adding host tissue to the reactions. The assay was validated with naturally and artificially infected host tissues and soil rhizosphere samples. All infected plant samples containing the target pathogens were accurately amplified.

Conclusion

The presented multiplex TaqMan qPCR diagnostic assay is highly specific, sensitive, reliable for the detection of Pectobacterium species and P. parmentieri with no false positives or false negatives.

Significance and Impact of the Study

The developed assay can be adopted for multiple purposes such as seed certification programmes, surveillance, biosecurity, microbial forensics, quarantine, border protection, inspections and epidemiology.
Ferroptosis‐related gene NOX4, CHAC1 and HIF1A are valid biomarkers for stomach adenocarcinoma
Authors: Xiao Ruoxi , Wang Shasha , Guo Jing , Liu Shihai , Ding Aiping , Wang Gongjun , Li Wenqian , Zhang Yuqi , Bian Xiaoqian , Zhao Shufen , Qiu Wensheng
Published: January 2022

Ferroptosis is a regulated cell death nexus linking metabolism, redox biology and diseases including cancer. The aim of the present study was to identify a ferroptosis‐related gene prognostic signature for stomach adenocarcinoma (STAD) by systematic analysis of transcriptional profiles from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), GEO and a clinical cohort from our centre. We developed a predictive model based on three ferroptosis‐related genes (CHAC1, NOX4 and HIF1A), gene expression data and corresponding clinical outcomes were obtained from the TCGA database, and the reliability of this model was verified with GSE15459 and 51 queues in our centre. ROC curve showed better predictive ability using the risk score. Immune cell enrichment analysis demonstrated that the types of immune cells and their expression levels in the high‐risk group were significantly different from those in the low‐risk group. The experimental results confirmed that NOX4 was upregulated and CHAC1 was downregulated in the STAD tissues compared with the normal stomach mucosal tissues (p < 0.05). In sum, the ferroptosis‐related gene signature can accurately predict the outcomes of patients with STAD, providing valuable insights for personalized treatment. As the signature also has relevance to the immune characteristics, it may help improve the efficacy of personalized immunotherapy.
Topical astilbin ameliorates imiquimod‐induced psoriasis‐like skin lesions in SKH‐1 mice via suppression dendritic cell‐Th17 inflammation axis
Authors: Xu Qingqing , Liu Zhaoyang , Cao Zhiqiang , Shi Yongjian , Yang Ning , Cao Guangshang , Zhang Chunmin , Sun Rong , Zhang Chunhong
Published: January 2022

Astilbin, an essential component of Rhizoma smilacis glabrae, exerts significant antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory effects against various autoimmune diseases. We have previously reported that astilbin decreases proliferation and improves differentiation of HaCaT keratinocytes in a psoriatic model. The present study was designed to evaluate the potential therapeutic effects of topical administration of astilbin on an imiquimod (IMQ)‐induced psoriasis‐like murine model and to reveal their underlying mechanisms. Topical administration of astilbin at a lower dose alleviated IMQ‐induced psoriasis‐like skin lesions by inducing the differentiation of epidermal keratinocytes in mice, and the therapeutic effect was even better than that of calcipotriol. Moreover, the inflammatory skin disorder was relieved by astilbin treatment characterized by a reduction in both IL‐17‐producing T cell accumulation and psoriasis‐specific cytokine expression in skin lesions. Furthermore, we found that astilbin inhibited R837‐induced maturation and activation of bone marrow‐derived dendritic cells and decreased the expression of pro‐inflammatory cytokines by downregulating myeloid differentiation factor 88. Our findings provide the convincing evidence that lower doses of astilbin might attenuate psoriasis by interfering with the abnormal activation and differentiation of keratinocytes and accumulation of IL‐17‐producing T cells in skin lesions. Our results strongly support the pre‐clinical application of astilbin for psoriasis treatment.
Molecular basis of CONSTANS oligomerization in FLOWERING LOCUS T activation
Authors: Zeng Xiaolin , Lv Xinchen , Liu Rui , He Hang , Liang Shiqi , Chen Lixian , Zhang Fan , Chen Liu , He Yuehui , Du Jiamu
Published: January 2022

The transcription factor CONSTANS (CO) integrates day‐length information to induce the expression of florigen FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT) in Arabidopsis. We recently reported that the C‐terminal CCT domain of CO forms a complex with NUCLEAR FACTOR‐YB/YC to recognize multiple cis‐elements in the FT promoter, and the N‐terminal tandem B‐box domains form a homomultimeric assembly. However, the mechanism and biological function of CO multimerization remained unclear. Here, we report that CO takes on a head‐to‐tail oligomeric configuration via its B‐boxes to mediate FT activation in long days. The crystal structure of B‐boxesCO reveals a closely connected tandem B‐box fold forming a continuous head‐to‐tail assembly through unique CDHH zinc fingers. Mutating the key residues involved in CO oligomerization resulted in a non‐functional CO, as evidenced by the inability to rescue co mutants. By contrast, a transgene encoding a human p53‐derived tetrameric peptide in place of the B‐boxesCO rescued co mutant, emphasizing the essential role of B‐boxesCO‐mediated oligomerization. Furthermore, we found that the four TGTG‐bearing cis‐elements in FT proximal promoter are required for FT activation in long days. Our results suggest that CO forms a multimer to bind to the four TGTG motifs in the FT promoter to mediate FT activation.
Life‐Sustaining Treatment Decision in Palliative Care Based on Electronic Health Records Analysis
Authors: Kim Sanghee , Lim Arum , Jang Hyoeun , Jeon Misun
Published: January 2022

Aims and objectives

This study sought to explore the present status of life‐sustaining treatment decisions in a tertiary hospital to improve the life‐sustaining treatment decision‐making process.

Background

Life‐sustaining treatment decisions are crucial for palliative care because they encompass decisions to withdraw treatments when patients cannot articulate their values and preferences. However, surrogate decisions have settled many life‐sustaining treatment cases in South Korea, and this trend is prevalent.

Design

We conducted a retrospective, descriptive study employing a review of electronic health records.

Methods

We extracted and analysed electronic health records of a tertiary hospital. Our inclusion criteria included adult patients who completed life‐sustaining treatment forms in 2019. A total of 2,721 patients were included in the analysis. We analysed the decision‐maker, the timing of the decision, and patients’ health status a week before the decision. We followed the STROBE checklist.

Results

Among 1,429 deceased patients, those whose families had made life‐sustaining treatment decisions totalled 1,028 (70.6%). The median interval between life‐sustaining treatment documentation completion to death was three days, more specifically, two days in the family decision group and 5.5 days in the patient decision group. As the decision day neared, there were marked changes in patients’ vital signs and laboratory test results, and the need for nursing care increased.

Conclusions

Life‐sustaining treatment decisions were made when death was imminent, suggesting that the time required to discuss end‐of‐life care was generally insufficient among patients, family, and healthcare professionals in Korea.

Relevance to clinical practice

Monitoring changes in laboratory test results and symptoms could help screen the patients who need the life‐sustaining treatment discussion. As improving the quality of death is imperative in palliative care, institutional efforts, such as clinical ethics support services, are necessary to improve the life‐sustaining treatment decision‐making process for patients, families, and healthcare providers.
Annual report of the Committee on Gynecologic Oncology, the Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology: Annual Patient Report for 2018 and Annual Treatment Report for 2013
Authors: Nagase Satoru , Ohta Tsuyoshi , Takahashi Fumiaki , Yamagami Wataru , Yaegashi Nobuo ,   Board Members of the 2020 Committee on Gynecologic Oncology of the Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Published: January 2022

To provide information including the trend of gynecological malignancies in Japan, we hereby present the Annual Patient Report for 2018 and the Annual Treatment Report for 2013, on the outcomes of patients who started treatment in 2013. The Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology maintains an annual tumor registry, where information on gynecological malignancies from various participating institutions is gathered. The data of patients whose treatment with gynecologic malignancies was initiated in 2018 were analyzed retrospectively. Survival of the patients who started treatment with cervical, endometrial, and ovarian cancer in 2013 was analyzed by using the Kaplan–Meier, log‐rank, and Wilcoxson tests. Treatment was initiated in 2018 for 7304 patients with cervical cancer; 11 230 with endometrial cancer; 7031 with ovarian, tubal, and peritoneal cancer; 2072 with ovarian borderline tumors; and with the others (222 vulvar cancer, 159 vaginal cancer, 413 uterine sarcoma, 54 uterine adenosarcoma, and 135 trophoblastic diseases). This clinicopathological information was summarized as the Patient Annual Report. The 5‐year survival rates of the patients with cervical cancer were 93.1%, 75.9%, 59.1%, and 31.2% for Stages I, II, III, and IV, respectively. The 5‐year survival rates for the patients with endometrial cancer were 94.1%, 89.2%, 73.6%, and 25.8% for Stages I, II, III, and IV, respectively. The 5‐year survival rates for the patients with ovarian cancer (surface epithelial‐stromal tumors) were 89.7%, 76.8%, 49.1%, and 32.4% for Stages I, II, III, and IV, respectively. The annual report is important to provide knowledge on gynecological malignancy trends in Japan.
Principal component analysis denoising improves sensitivity of MR diffusion to detect white matter injury in neuroHIV
Authors: Bell Ryan P. , Meade Christina S. , Gadde Syam , Towe Sheri L. , Hall Shana A. , Chen Nan‐kuei
Published: January 2022

Background and Purpose

Diffusion‐weighted imaging is able to capture important information about cerebral white matter (WM) structure. However, diffusion data can suffer from MRI and biological noise that degrades the quality of the images and makes finding important features difficult. We investigated how effectively local and nonlocal denoising increased the sensitivity to detect differences in cerebral WM in neuroHIV.

Methods

We utilized principal component analysis (PCA) denoising to detect WM differences using fractional anisotropy. Local and nonlocal PCA denoising paradigms were implemented that varied in search area and number of components. We examined different‐sized WM tracts that consistently show differences between people living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) (PWH) and HIV‐negative individuals (corpus callosum, forceps minor, and right uncinate fasciculus), and size‐matched tracts not typically associated with HIV‐related differences (spinothalamic, right medial lemniscus, and left occipitopontine). We first conducted a full sample comparison of WM differences between groups, and then randomly reduced the sample to the point where we still found differences in WM.

Results

Nonlocal PCA denoising allowed us to detect differences after a sample reduction of 35% in the forceps minor, 17% in the right uncinate fasciculus, and 6% in the corpus callosum.

Conclusions

PCA denoising had a beneficial effect on detecting significant differences in PWH after sample size reduction. The smaller forceps minor tract and right uncinate fasciculus showed greater sensitivity to PCA denoising than the larger corpus callosum. These results show the importance of identifying the most effective PCA denoising strategy when investigating WM in PWH.
Can alcohol control policies reduce cirrhosis mortality? An interrupted time‐series analysis in Lithuania
Authors: Tran Alexander , Jiang Huan , Lange Shannon , Manthey Jakob , Štelemėkas Mindaugas , Badaras Robertas , Petkevičienė Janina , Radišauskas Ričardas , Room Robin , Rehm Jürgen
Published: January 2022

Background and Aims

The relationship between alcohol consumption and cirrhosis is well established. Policies that can influence population‐level use of alcohol should, in turn, impact cirrhosis. We examined the effect of population‐level alcohol control policies on cirrhosis mortality rates in Lithuania – a high‐income European Union country with high levels of alcohol consumption.

Methods

Age‐standardized, monthly liver mortality data (deaths per 100,000 adults, aged 15+) from Lithuania were analysed from 2001 to 2018 (n = 216 months) while controlling for economic confounders (gross domestic product and inflation). An interrupted time‐series analysis was conducted to estimate the effect of three alcohol control policies implemented in 2008, 2017 and 2018 and the number of cirrhosis deaths averted.

Results

There was a significant effect of the 2008 (P < .0001) and 2017 (P = .0003) alcohol control policies but a null effect of the 2018 policy (P = .40). Following the 2008 policy, the cirrhosis mortality rate dropped from 4.93 to 3.41 (95% CI: 3.02‐3.80) deaths per 100,000 adults, which equated to 493 deaths averted. Further, we found that following the 2017 policy, the mortality rate dropped from 2.85 to 2.01 (95% CI: 1.50‐2.52) deaths per 100,000 adults, corresponding to 245 deaths averted.

Conclusions

Our findings support the hypothesis that alcohol control policies can have a significant, immediate effect on cirrhosis mortality. These policy measures are cost‐effective and aid in reducing the burden of liver disease.