bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Detection of Motor-Evoked Potentials Below the Noise Floor: Rethinking the Motor Threshold
Authors: Li Zhongxi , Peterchev Angel V. , Rothwell John C. , Goetz Stefan M.
Published: December 2021

Background

Motor-evoked potentials (MEP) are one of the most prominent responses to brain stimulation, such as supra-threshold transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and electrical stimulation. Understanding of the neurophysiology and the determination of the lowest stimulation strength that evokes responses requires the detection of even smaller responses, e.g., from single motor units. However, available detection and quantization methods suffer from a large noise floor.

Objective

This paper develops a detection method that extracts MEPs hidden below the noise floor. With this method, we aim to estimate excitatory activations of the corticospinal pathways well below the conventional detection level.

Methods

The presented MEP detection method presents a self-learning matched-filter approach for improved robustness against noise. The filter is adaptively generated per subject through iterative learning. For responses that are reliably detected by conventional detection, the new approach is fully compatible with established peak-to-peak readings and provides the same results but extends the dynamic range below the conventional noise floor.

Results

In contrast to the conventional peak-to-peak measure, the proposed method increases the signal-to-noise ratio by more than a factor of 5. The first detectable responses appear to be substantially lower than the conventional threshold definition of 50 μV median peak-to-peak amplitude.

Conclusion

The proposed method shows that stimuli well below the conventional 50 μV threshold definition can consistently and repeatably evoke muscular responses and thus activate excitable neuron populations in the brain. As a consequence, the IO curve is extended at the lower end, and the noise cut-off is shifted. Importantly, the IO curve extends so far that the 50 μV point turns out to be closer to the center of the logarithmic sigmoid curve rather than close to the first detectable responses. The underlying method is applicable to a wide range of evoked potentials and other biosignals, such as in electroencephalography.
On the money: characterizing banking and lending in the California cannabis industry
Authors: Plakias Zoë , Jodlowski Margaret , Giamo Taylor , Kavousi Parisa , Taylor Keith
Published: December 2021

Purpose

Despite 2016 legalization of recreational cannabis cultivation and sale in California with the passage of Proposition 64, many cannabis businesses operate without licenses. Furthermore, federal regulations disincentivize financial institutions from banking and lending to licensed cannabis businesses. The authors explore the impact of legal cannabis business activity on California financial institutions, the barriers to banking faced by cannabis businesses, and the nontraditional sources of financing used by the industry.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use a mixed methods approach. The authors utilize call data for banks and credit unions headquartered in California and state cannabis licensing data to estimate the impact of the extensive and intensive margins of licensed cannabis activity on key banking indicators using difference-and-difference and fixed effects regressions. The qualitative data come from interviews with industry stakeholders in northern California's “Emerald Triangle” and add important context.

Findings

The quantitative results show economically and statistically significant impacts of licensed cannabis activity on banking indicators, suggesting both direct and spillover effects from cannabis activity to the financial sector. However, cannabis businesses report substantial barriers to accessing basic financial services and credit, leading to nontraditional financing arrangements.

Practical implications

The results suggest opportunities for cannabis businesses and financial institutions if regulations are eased and important avenues for further study.

Originality/value

The authors contribute to the nascent literature on cannabis economics and the literature on banking regulation and nontraditional finance.
Systems methodologies for handling problem complexity
Authors: Kogetsidis Harry
Published: December 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine how holistic thinking and the use of systems methodologies can help organisations handle increased problem complexity. The paper provides a critical discussion of the development of applied systems thinking and examines how its main strands can deal with problem complexity, multiple perceptions of reality and the unequal access to power resources in organisations.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses social theory and a systems meta-theoretical framework to examine the different ontological and epistemological assumptions that each strand of applied systems thinking makes about the nature of problems and the way in which an intervention will be made.

Findings

Complex problems require joined-up thinking and the use of systems ideas. Viewing the problem situation from a holistic perspective and applying appropriate systems methodologies and tools can help managers handle the complexities that their organisations face.

Originality/value

The paper makes a clear link between systems approaches and social theory and emphasises the need to understand the different assumptions that theories, methodologies or people make when they intervene in complex problem situations.
Conceptual foundations of organizational structure: re-structuring of women's health services
Authors: Nugus Peter , Travaglia Joanne , MacGinley Maureen , Colliver Deborah , Mazaniello-Chezol Maud , Claudio Fernanda , Lewis Lerona Dana
Published: December 2021

Purpose

Researchers often debate health service structure. Understanding of the practical implications of this debate is often limited by researchers' neglect to integrate participants' views on structural options with discourses those views represent. As a case study, this paper aims to discern the extent to which and how conceptual underpinnings of stakeholder views on women's health contextualize different positions in the debate over the ideal structure of health services.

Design/methodology/approach

The researchers chose a self-standing, comprehensive women's health service facing the prospect of being dispersed into “mainstream” health services. The researchers gathered perspectives of 53 professional and consumer stakeholders in ten focus groups and seven semi-structured interviews, analyzed through inductive thematic analysis.

Findings

“Women's marginalization” was the core theme of the debate over structure. The authors found clear patterns between views on the function of women's health services, women's health needs, ideal client group, ideal health service structure and particular feminist discourses. The desire to re-organize services into separate mainstream units reflected a liberal feminist discourse, conceiving marginalization as explicit demonstration of its effects, such as domestic abuse. The desire to maintain a comprehensive women's health service variously reflected post-structural feminism's emphasis on plurality of identities, and a radical feminist discourse, holding that womanhood itself constituted a category of marginalization – that is, merely being at risk of unmet health needs.

Originality/value

As a contribution to health organizational theory, the paper shows that the discernment of discursive underpinnings of particular stakeholder views can clarify options for the structure of health services.
Long lease real estate – a revised role for real estate in pension fund portfolios
Authors: Mansley Nick , Wang Zilong
Published: December 2021

Purpose

Long lease real estate funds (over £15bn in Q3 2020) have emerged as an increasingly important part of UK pension fund real estate portfolios. This paper explores the reasons for their dramatic growth, their characteristics and performance.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses data for the period 2004–2020 collected directly from fund managers and from AREF/MSCI and empirical analysis to explore their characteristics and performance.

Findings

Pension fund de-risking and regulatory guidance have supported the dramatic growth of long lease real estate funds. Long lease real estate funds have delivered strong risk-adjusted returns relative to both balanced property funds (with shorter lease terms) and the wider property market. This relative performance has been particularly strong when wider property market performance has been weak. Long lease funds have objectives aligned with liability matching and their performance suggests they are lower risk (more bond-like) investments. In addition, our analysis highlights they are far less responsive to the wider property market than balanced funds. However, they are not significantly different from balanced property funds in terms of their short-term relationship with gilt yield movements.

Practical implications

For pension funds and other investors the paper highlights that long lease real estate funds offer a different exposure than balanced property funds. Long lease funds have objectives more closely aligned to the overall objectives for pension fund investment but are not significantly more reliable than balanced property funds in the short-term as a liability hedge. For real estate fund managers, occupiers, developers and others active in the real estate market, the paper highlights why these funds have been (and are likely to remain) attractive to investors leading to substantial demand for long lease real estate investments.

Originality/value

This is the first study to review this increasingly important part of the UK real estate fund universe.
Macronutrient niches and field limitation in a woodland assemblage of harvestmen
Authors: Nielsen Søren Magnus Bang , Bilde Trine , Toft Søren
Published: December 2021

Description of animals' trophic niches helps us understand interactions between species in biological communities that are not easily observed. Analyses of macronutrient niches, that is, the range of macronutrient (protein:lipid:carbohydrate) ratios selected by generalist feeders, may be a useful alternative approach to inter‐species comparisons of diets, especially within taxonomic assemblages of predators where species with similar nutritional requirements are likely to accept similar types of prey.

Here we analysed the macronutritional niches of a woodland assemblage of seven harvestman species, all supposed to be predators with omnivorous tendencies. Five species (Mitopus morio, Leiobunum gracile, Oligolophus tridens, O. hanseni and Paroligolophus agrestis) were native and two species (Opilio canestrinii and Dicranopalpus ramosus) were recent invaders into the community.

We compare the fundamental (FMN) and realized (RMN) macronutritional niche positions of the species using a ‘double‐test procedure’, which provides information on whether the species were food limited in their natural habitat, and whether they were limited by specific macronutrients.

All seven species were food limited and six species were non‐protein limited in the field; of these, four species were carbohydrate limited, and in one species females were lipid limited and males were carbohydrate limited. These findings add to the notion that predators are mainly non‐protein limited in the field.

The FMN positions of the assemblage fell within 46%–50% protein, 29%–38% lipid and 16%–22% carbohydrate. The amount of carbohydrate in the self‐selected diet combined with carbohydrate limitation confirms that the species are zoophytophagous. Two morphological clusters of species (large long‐legged vs. small short‐legged species) differed not only in microhabitat (upper vs. lower forest strata) but also in macronutrient selection, where large long‐legged species selected higher proportion of carbohydrate than small short‐legged species. Thus, morphologically similar species occupy the same habitat stratum and have similar macronutritional niches.

We discuss the hypothesis that the invasive O. canestrinii might have an impact on native species as it allegedly had in urban environments previously. Two basic assumptions about interspecific resource competition were fulfilled, that is, high overlap of nutritional requirements and limitation by food and macronutrients.
A Mother Educating her Daughter Remotely through Familial Correspondence: The Letter as a Form of Female Distance Education in the Eighteenth Century
Authors: BYNOTH RACHEL
Published: December 2021

This article challenges the popular belief that distance learning only took place through formal correspondence courses in the eighteenth century. By examining the correspondence between a mother and her daughter, this article argues that this kind of remote education through letters was a disruptive and organic process, adapting physical learning within the space of letters and postal restraints. This was an emotional process, one that called for the renegotiation of authority and previous learning practices in order for it to succeed. Thus, these letters reveal how letters were not just tools of communication but also important tools for the education of children in a more substantial way than previously thought. Letter‐writing is already known to be taught through correspondence and these letters evidence this, but these letters also reveal the instruction of French, domestic chores, household management, tutoring, societal behaviours and emotional management. Consequently, this article offers a case for broadening the definition of distance learning to include less formal educational practices. Thus, this article flags the need for further research on the history of remote education, an area which has particular resonance given shifts towards distance learning as a form of education practice.
Herpes Zoster and association with pulp necrosis and development of apical periodontitis – a review and presentation of two case reports
Authors: Heithersay Geoffrey S. , Chew Tallan
Published: December 2021

The varicella zoster virus as an aetiological agent for endodontic disease is not a well‐recognised entity despite several published case reports. While advances in DNA molecular analysis techniques (PCR) have contributed to the current understanding of the potential role of the varicella zoster virus in the initiation and progression of endodontic disease, a review indicates a need for ongoing research. Case reports are presented of two female patients with a history of herpes zoster who developed pulp necrosis, with one patient progressing to apical periodontitis. Both patients received non‐surgical endodontic therapy, followed by intra‐coronal bleaching in one of the patients due to tooth discolouration which developed during the prodromal and acute phases of the herpes zoster infection. Clinical and radiographic examinations at 23 and 22 years, respectively, showed the affected teeth to be retained in an asymptomatic and aesthetically satisfactory state with no radiographic evidence of apical pathosis.
Matching Methods for Causal Inference with Time‐Series Cross‐Sectional Data
Authors: Imai Kosuke , Kim In Song , Wang Erik H.
Published: December 2021

Matching methods improve the validity of causal inference by reducing model dependence and offering intuitive diagnostics. Although they have become a part of the standard tool kit across disciplines, matching methods are rarely used when analysing time‐series cross‐sectional data. We fill this methodological gap. In the proposed approach, we first match each treated observation with control observations from other units in the same time period that have an identical treatment history up to the prespecified number of lags. We use standard matching and weighting methods to further refine this matched set so that the treated and matched control observations have similar covariate values. Assessing the quality of matches is done by examining covariate balance. Finally, we estimate both short‐term and long‐term average treatment effects using the difference‐in‐differences estimator, accounting for a time trend. We illustrate the proposed methodology through simulation and empirical studies. An open‐source software package is available for implementing the proposed methods.
Interparental conflict as a quadratic predictor of children’s reactivity to interparental conflict and school adjustment: Steeling effects or risk saturation?
Authors: Davies Patrick T. , Thompson Morgan J. , Hentges Rochelle F. , Parry Lucia Q. , Sturge‐Apple Melissa L.
Published: December 2021

This study examined interparental conflict as a curvilinear predictor of children's reactivity to interparental conflict and, in turn, their school problems across three annual measurements. Participants included 243 preschool children (Mage = 4.60 years; 56% girls) and their parents from racially (e.g., 48% Black; 16% Latinx) diverse backgrounds. Interparental conflict was a significant quadratic predictor of children's emotional reactivity (β = .23) and behavioral dysregulation (β = .27) to conflict over a 1‐year period. The robust association between interparental conflict and behavioral dysregulation weakened at high levels of interparental conflict. In contrast, interparental conflict more strongly predicted children's emotional reactivity as conflict exposure increased. Children's emotional reactivity, in turn, predicted their greater school problems 1 year later (β = .25).
The feasibility and added value of mapping music during awake craniotomy: A systematic review
Authors: Kappen Pablo R. , Beshay Tobia , Vincent Arnaud J. P. E. , Satoer Djaina , Dirven Clemens M. F. , Jeekel Johannes , Klimek Markus
Published: December 2021

The value of mapping musical function during awake craniotomy is unclear. Hence, this systematic review was conducted to examine the feasibility and added value of music mapping in patients undergoing awake craniotomy. An extensive search, on 26 March 2021, in four electronic databases (Medline, Embase, Web of Science and Cochrane CENTRAL register of trials), using synonyms of the words “Awake Craniotomy” and “Music Performance,” was conducted. Patients performing music while undergoing awake craniotomy were independently included by two reviewers. This search resulted in 10 studies and 14 patients. Intra‐operative mapping of musical function was successful in 13 out of 14 patients. Isolated music disruption, defined as disruption during music tasks with intact language/speech and/or motor functions, was identified in two patients in the right superior temporal gyrus, one patient in the right and one patient in the left middle frontal gyrus and one patient in the left medial temporal gyrus. Pre‐operative functional MRI confirmed these localizations in three patients. Assessment of post‐operative musical function, only conducted in seven patients by means of standardized (57%) and non‐standardized (43%) tools, report no loss of musical function. With these results, we conclude that mapping music is feasible during awake craniotomy. Moreover, we identified certain brain regions relevant for music production and detected no decline during follow‐up, suggesting an added value of mapping musicality during awake craniotomy. A systematic approach to map musicality should be implemented, to improve current knowledge on the added value of mapping musicality during awake craniotomy.
Genetic testing for the epilepsies: A systematic review
Authors: Sheidley Beth R. , Malinowski Jennifer , Bergner Amanda L. , Bier Louise , Gloss David S. , Mu Weiyi , Mulhern Maureen M. , Partack Emily J. , Poduri Annapurna
Published: December 2021

Objective

Numerous genetic testing options for individuals with epilepsy have emerged over the past decade without clear guidelines regarding optimal testing strategies. We performed a systematic evidence review (SER) and conducted meta‐analyses of the diagnostic yield of genetic tests commonly utilized for patients with epilepsy. We also assessed nonyield outcomes (NYOs) such as changes in treatment and/or management, prognostic information, recurrence risk determination, and genetic counseling.

Methods

We performed an SER, in accordance with PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses), using PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, and Cochrane Central through December of 2020. We included studies that utilized genome sequencing (GS), exome sequencing (ES), multigene panel (MGP), and/or genome‐wide comparative genomic hybridization/chromosomal microarray (CGH/CMA) in cohorts (n ≥ 10) ascertained for epilepsy. Quality assessment was undertaken using ROBINS‐I (Risk of Bias in Non‐Randomized Studies of Interventions). We estimated diagnostic yields and 95% confidence intervals with random effects meta‐analyses and narratively synthesized NYOs.

Results

From 5985 nonduplicated articles published through 2020, 154 met inclusion criteria and were included in meta‐analyses of diagnostic yield; 43 of those were included in the NYO synthesis. The overall diagnostic yield across all test modalities was 17%, with the highest yield for GS (48%), followed by ES (24%), MGP (19%), and CGH/CMA (9%). The only phenotypic factors that were significantly associated with increased yield were (1) the presence of developmental and epileptic encephalopathy and/or (2) the presence of neurodevelopmental comorbidities. Studies reporting NYOs addressed clinical and personal utility of testing.

Significance

This comprehensive SER, focused specifically on the literature regarding patients with epilepsy, provides a comparative assessment of the yield of clinically available tests, which will help shape clinician decision‐making and policy regarding insurance coverage for genetic testing. We highlight the need for prospective assessment of the clinical and personal utility of genetic testing for patients with epilepsy and for standardization in reporting patient characteristics.
Accelerated long‐term forgetting in adult patients with genetic generalized epilepsy
Authors: Puteikis Kristijonas , Wolf Peter , Mameniškienė Rūta
Published: December 2021

Objective

Accelerated long‐term forgetting (ALF) has been demonstrated among children but not adults with genetic generalized epilepsy (GGE). We investigated (1) how forgetting patterns of verbal and visuospatial material differ between patients with GGE and healthy controls (HCs) and (2) whether ALF is associated with ictal or interictal epileptic activity.

Methods

Forty‐two patients with GGE (39, 92.9% experiencing seizures) were compared to 57 HCs in word, logical story, and Rey–Osterrieth complex figure recall tasks by testing after intervals of 30 min and 4 weeks. Ambulatory electroencephalography (EEG) was performed before testing to detect generalized epileptic activity, and patients were asked to document the number of seizures during the 4‐week interval.

Results

A two‐way repeated measures ANOVA indicated that individuals with GGE have different forgetting patterns in comparison to HCs in tasks of word (delay by group interaction F1.5, 142.5 = 4.5, p = .02,  = .04) and figure (F2, 194 = 15.9, p < .001,  = .14) but not story (F1.6 151.1 = .5, p = .58,  = .005) recall. Last learning trial‐adjusted scores of word recall were comparable between HCs and patients with epilepsy (PWEs) at 30 min (p = .21) but not at 4 weeks (p = .006). Individuals with GGE performed worse than HCs in figure recall at 30 min and 4 weeks (p < .001), with lower performance after the 4‐week interval present only among seizure‐positive and EEG‐positive individuals (p < .001) during subgroup analysis. Performance on memory tests was unrelated to overall seizure frequency, the number of antiseizure drugs used, and epilepsy duration.

Significance

Our study supports the presence of ALF in a task of word recall among adult patients with GGE. The pattern of forgetting visuospatial information suggests greater forgetting of material before the first delay and ongoing deficits among PWEs with epileptic activity. Future studies should confirm our findings and investigate the functional or pathological mechanisms of memory dysfunction in GGE.
Applying genomics in assisted migration under climate change: Framework, empirical applications, and case studies
Authors: Chen Zhongqi , Grossfurthner Lukas , Loxterman Janet L. , Masingale Jonathan , Richardson Bryce A. , Seaborn Travis , Smith Brandy , Waits Lisette P. , Narum Shawn R.
Published: December 2021

The rate of global climate change is projected to outpace the ability of many natural populations and species to adapt. Assisted migration (AM), which is defined as the managed movement of climate‐adapted individuals within or outside the species ranges, is a conservation option to improve species' adaptive capacity and facilitate persistence. Although conservation biologists have long been using genetic tools to increase or maintain diversity of natural populations, genomic techniques could add extra benefit in AM that include selectively neutral and adaptive regions of the genome. In this review, we first propose a framework along with detailed procedures to aid collaboration among scientists, agencies, and local and regional managers during the decision‐making process of genomics‐guided AM. We then summarize the genomic approaches for applying AM, followed by a literature search of existing incorporation of genomics in AM across taxa. Our literature search initially identified 729 publications, but after filtering returned only 50 empirical studies that were either directly applied or considered genomics in AM related to climate change across taxa of plants, terrestrial animals, and aquatic animals; 42 studies were in plants. This demonstrated limited application of genomic methods in AM in organisms other than plants, so we provide further case studies as two examples to demonstrate the negative impact of climate change on non‐model species and how genomics could be applied in AM. With the rapidly developing sequencing technology and accumulating genomic data, we expect to see more successful applications of genomics in AM, and more broadly, in the conservation of biodiversity.
A lightweight intelligent intrusion detection system for industrial internet of things using deep learning algorithms
Authors: Mendonça Robson V. , Silva Juan C. , Rosa Renata L. , Saadi Muhammad , Rodriguez Demostenes Z. , Farouk Ahmed
Published: December 2021

With the substantial industrial growth, the industrial internet of things (IIoT) and many IoT avenues have emerged. However, the existing industrial architectures are still inefficient to deal with advanced security issues due to the distributed and distensible nature of the network IIoT communication networks. Therefore, solutions for improving intelligent decision‐making actions to the IIoT are sorely necessary. Thus, in this paper, the main cybersecurity attacks are predicted by applying a deep learning model. The various security and integrity features such as the DoS, malevolent operation, data type probing, spying, scanning, intrusion detection, brute force, web attacks, and wrong setup is analysed and detected by a novel sparse evolutionary training (SET) based prediction model. To scrutinize the conduct of the proposed SET‐based prediction model, evaluation parameters, such as, precision, accuracy, recall, and F1 score are measured and compared to other state‐of‐the‐art algorithms, in which the proposed SET‐based model achieved an average accuracy of 0.99% for an average testing time of 2.29 ms. Results reveal that the proposed model improved the attack detection accuracy by an average of 6.25% when compared with the other state‐of‐the‐art machine learning models in a real scenario of IoT security in Industry 4.0.
Goldsinny wrasse (Ctenolabrus rupestris) have a sex‐dependent magnetic compass for maintaining site fidelity
Authors: Cresci Alessandro , Larsen Torkel , Halvorsen Kim T. , Durif Caroline M. F. , Bjelland Reidun , Browman Howard I. , Skiftesvik Anne Berit
Published: December 2021

The goldsinny wrasse (Ctenolabrus rupestris) is a commercially important fish that inhabits coastal areas across the eastern Atlantic. This species moves from a shallow home territory along the coast into deeper waters in the autumn and winter and then returns to that same territory in the spring. Only male goldsinny wrasse exhibit strong territorial behavior, which may manifest as sexual differences in the ability or motivation to return to home territories. The orientation mechanism underlying the homing migration of goldsinny wrasse males and females is unknown. In this study, we hypothesized that goldsinny wrasse use the magnetic field of the Earth to follow a compass‐based path toward their home territory. To test this hypothesis, we collected 50 adult goldsinny wrasse, approximately half males and half females, in a harbor in Austevoll, Norway. Fish were translocated to a magnetoreception laboratory situated north of the site of capture, in which the magnetic field was artificially rotated. In the laboratory, males oriented toward the magnetic south taking a mean direction of 201°, which is the approximate direction that they would have had to take to return to the site at which they were captured. Females oriented in random magnetic directions. There was no difference in swimming kinematics between males and females. These results show that male goldsinny wrasse have a magnetic compass that they could use to maintain site fidelity, an ability that could help them and other coastal fish undertake repeatable short‐range migrations.
Chronic stress inhibits testosterone synthesis in Leydig cells through mitochondrial damage via Atp5a1
Authors: Xiong Xiaofan , Wu Qiuhua , Zhang Lingyu , Gao Shanfeng , Li Rufeng , Han Lin , Fan Meiyang , Wang Miaomiao , Liu Liying , Wang Xiaofei , Zhang Chunli , Xin Yanlong , Li Zongfang , Huang Chen , Yang Juan
Published: December 2021

Stress is one of the leading causes of male infertility, but its exact function in testosterone synthesis has scarcely been reported. We found that adult male rats show a decrease in bodyweight, genital index and serum testosterone level after continual chronic stress for 21 days. Two‐dimensional gel electrophoresis (2‐DE) and MALDI‐TOF‐MS analysis identified 10 differentially expressed proteins in stressed rats compared with controls. A strong protein interaction network was found to be centred on Atp5a1 among these proteins. Atp5a1 expression significantly decreased in Leydig cells after chronic stress. Transfection of Atp5a1 siRNAs decreased StAR, CYP11A1, and 17β‐HSD expression by damaging the structure of mitochondria in TM3 cells. This study confirmed that chronic stress plays an important role in testosterone synthesis by regulating Atp5a1 expression in Leydig cells.
A close‐up view of dynamic biomarkers in the setting of COVID‐19: Striking focus on cardiovascular system
Authors: Rezabakhsh Aysa , Sadat‐Ebrahimi Seyyed‐Reza , Ala Alireza , Nabavi Seyed Mohammad , Banach Maciej , Ghaffari Samad
Published: December 2021

Based on the recent reports, cardiovascular events encompass a large portion of the mortality caused by the COVID‐19 pandemic, which drawn cardiologists into the management of the admitted ill patients. Given that common laboratory values may provide key insights into the illness caused by the life‐threatening SARS‐CoV‐2 virus, it would be more helpful for screening, clinical management and on‐time therapeutic strategies. Commensurate with these issues, this review article aimed to discuss the dynamic changes of the common laboratory parameters during COVID‐19 and their association with cardiovascular diseases. Besides, the values that changed in the early stage of the disease were considered and monitored during the recovery process. The time required for returning biomarkers to basal levels was also discussed. Finally, of particular interest, we tended to abridge the latest updates regarding the cardiovascular biomarkers as prognostic and diagnostic criteria to determine the severity of COVID‐19.
Identification of candidate chemosensory genes by antennal transcriptome analysis in an ectoparasitoid wasp
Authors: Li Yijiangcheng , Chen Hongchao , Liang Xinhao , Wang Shanshan , Zhu Hanqi , Yan Mengwen , Wu Fuan , Wang Jun , Sheng Sheng
Published: December 2021

Iseropus (Gregopimpla) kuwanae Vlereck (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) is an ectoparasitoid wasp that attacks the larvae of Rondotia menciana Moore (Lepidoptera: Bombycidae), which is a major pest harming mulberry trees in China. In this study, we obtained the antennal transcriptome dataset of I. kuwanae using RNA‐Seq technology. A total of 22,090,144 clean reads were generated, and 21,802 unigenes were assembled. Among them, 11,546 (52.96%) unigenes were matched in the NCBI non‐redundant protein database (E‐value of 10−5). Moreover, a total of 9,229 (42.33%) and 5,305 (24.33%) unigenes were annotated by Gene Ontology and Clusters of Orthologous Groups of the proteins database respectively. By antennal transcriptome analysis, a total of 122 candidate chemosensory genes were identified, including 11 odorant‐binding protein (OBP) genes, 6 chemosensory protein (CSP) genes, 87 olfactory receptor (OR) genes (including one odorant co‐receptor, Orco), 16 ionotropic receptor genes and two sensory neuron membrane protein genes. RT‐qPCR assays revealed that seven of the 11 IkuwOBPs were predominantly expressed in the antennae of I. kuwanae adults. IkuwOBP4 was highly expressed in the head. IkuwOBP7 and IkuwOBP8 had higher expression levels in the legs. Interestingly, IkuwOBP6 was significantly expressed in both female antennae and ovipositor. The present findings can provide the basis for the subsequent in‐depth exploration of chemosensory mechanisms in I. kuwanae.
Online detection of blood‐spot eggs based on a novel method of spectral amplitude space conversion
Authors: Zhu Zhi‐hui , Ye Zi‐fan , Yang Kai , Hua Jun‐jie
Published: December 2021

To improve the robustness of the online detection system for blood‐spot eggs, a linear converter was established based on Levenberg–Marquardt (LM) algorithm to transform spectral signals in the amplitude space, so that error introduced from the variation of sample, mechanical device, and other factors can be reduced to a certain degree. First, the transmission spectrum in the 500–599 nm bandwidth of each sample was selected. After preprocessed with the moving average filtering, the spectrum was transformed in the space of spectral amplitude using the LM algorithm. Then, the converted spectrum was utilized to establish the backpropagation neural network model. As the result, the classification model using the transformed spectra realized more than 96% accuracy. When the detection system dealt with different batches of samples produced on different dates, the discriminant accuracy using LM converter was significantly higher than that without (p value < .05). Meanwhile, when the detection system ran at different speeds, the model still showed good robustness, and the accuracy was increased to some degree with LM converter. The research indicated the technical superiority of the model built with the proposed spectra converter over the model without and provided a feasible method to detect blood‐spot eggs online for commercial usage.

Practical Applications

Blood‐spot eggs need to be detected and removed before sale or export. During the task of online detection, the variation of sample batch, conveyor speed, and other factors can introduce error to the predicting outcomes of the classification model. Thus, it is essential for the detection system to stay robust and realize high‐accuracy identification under variable external factors. To this end, a novel linear converter for transforming spectral signals based on Levenberg–Marquardt algorithm was studied in this paper. The results showed that the proposed converter could increase the classification accuracy and robustness of detection system to a certain degree, thus realizing accurate and fast online detection of blood‐spot eggs.
The efficacy and safety of anti‐tumor necrosis factor agents in the treatment of intestinal Behcet's disease, a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Zhang Mengyuan , Liu Jinjing , Liu Tingting , Han Wei , Bai Xiaoyin , Ruan Gechong , Lv Hong , Shu Huijun , Li Yue , Li Ji , Tan Bei , Zheng Weiyang , Xu Hui , Zheng Wenjie , Yang Hong , Qian Jiaming
Published: December 2021

Background and Aim

Behcet's disease is a systemic vasculitis that can involve gastrointestinal tract. This is a systematic review and meta‐analysis evaluating the efficacy and safety of anti‐tumor necrosis factor (TNF) agents in treating patients with intestinal Behcet's disease.

Methods

We conducted searches on PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane. Data from eligible studies were used to calculate the pooled estimate of proportions of clinical remission, mucosal healing at Months 3, 6, 12, and 24 as well as the pooled incidence of adverse drug reactions. And subgroup analysis based on the specific type of anti‐TNF agents was performed.

Results

Of the 828 studies initially identified, 13 were included finally, all of which were single‐arm cohort studies. The pooled proportions of clinical remission at Months 3, 6, 12, and 24 were 0.61 (95%CI 0.48–0.78), 0.51 (95%CI 0.40–0.66), 0.57 (95%CI 0.48–0.67), and 0.38 (95%CI 0.16–0.88), respectively. The pooled proportions of mucosal healing at Months 3, 6, 12, and 24 were 0.66 (95%CI 0.50–0.86), 0.82 (95%CI 0.48–0.98), 0.65 (95%CI 0.51–0.81), and 0.69 (95%CI 0.39–1.00), respectively. The pooled estimate of proportion of overall adverse drug reactions for infliximab was 0.22 (95%CI 0.07–0.69).

Conclusions

Anti‐TNF agents, including infliximab and adalimumab, were an efficient therapy for intestinal Behcet's disease. The safety of anti‐TNF agents used in the treatment of intestinal Behcet's disease was acceptable.
Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate for multiple nucleos(t)ide analogues treatment failure hepatitis B: Is monotherapy enough?
Authors: Liang Xieer , Xie Qing , Shang Jia , Tang Hong , Xu Min , Meng Qinghua , Zhang Jiming , Gao Pujun , Sheng Jifang , Wang Hao , Jia Jidong , Wang Guiqiang , Wu Shunquan , Ping Jingna , Hou Jinlin
Published: December 2021

Background and Aim

Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) is a first‐line treatment for chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection for its high potency and a low rate of drug resistance. This study investigated the efficacy and safety of TDF in Chinese patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) infection after treatment failure with multiple nucleos(t)ide analogues (NAs).

Methods

Patients included were aged 18–65 years, with treatment failure with multiple NAs (serum HBV DNA > 200 IU/mL after more than two different NA treatments). The primary endpoint was proportion of patients with serum HBV DNA < 20 IU/mL at Week 144 of TDF monotherapy. Secondary endpoints and safety were also assessed.

Results

Overall, 213 patients were enrolled. At Week 144, mean HBV DNA decreased significantly from baseline (4.4 vs 1.4 log10 IU/mL), with 77.0% patients (95% confidence interval: 71.1, 82.9) achieving serum HBV DNA < 20 IU/mL. Three (1.4%) patients experienced virological breakthrough during TDF monotherapy, without hepatitis flare. At Week 144, 15.3% and 4.7% patients (hepatitis B e antigen [HBeAg]‐positive at baseline) experienced HBeAg loss and HBeAg seroconversion, respectively; 68.3% patients achieved normalized alanine aminotransferase levels. Overall, 58.7% patients experienced more than one adverse event (AE). Most common AEs were upper respiratory tract infection and blood creatine phosphokinase increase; 8.5% patients experienced study drug‐related AEs; 9.4% patients experienced serious AEs (none were TDF‐related). Among renal safety parameters, overall trend of mean serum phosphorous level remained stable, while mean estimated glomerular filtration rate increased slightly.

Conclusions

Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate monotherapy is efficacious in CHB patients with multiple NAs treatment failure with no new safety findings.
Immunogenicity after 6 months of BNT162b2 vaccination in frail or disabled nursing home residents: The COVID‐A Study
Authors: Salmerón Ríos Sergio , Cortés Zamora Elisa Belén , Avendaño Céspedes Almudena , Romero Rizos Luis , Sánchez‐Jurado Pedro Manuel , Sánchez‐Nievas Ginés , Mas Romero Marta , Tabernero Sahuquillo María Teresa , Blas Señalada José Joaquín , Murillo Romero Antonio , García Nogueras Inmaculada , Estrella Cazalla Juan de Dios , Andrés‐Pretel Fernando , Lauschke Volker Martin , Stebbing Justin , Abizanda Pedro
Published: December 2021

Background

There is incomplete information regarding evolution of antibody titers against SARS‐CoV‐2 after a two‐dose strategy vaccination with BNT162b2 in older adults in long‐term care facilities (LTCFs) with frailty, disability, or cognitive impairment. We aimed to determine IgG antibody titer loss in older adults in LTCFs.

Methods

This is a multicenter longitudinal cohort study including 127 residents (90 females and 37 males) with a mean age of 82.7 years (range 65–99) with different frailty and disability profiles in two LTCFs in Albacete, Spain. Residents received two doses of BNT162b2 as per label, and antibody levels were determined 1 and 6 months after the second dose. Age, sex, previous history of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19), comorbidity (Charlson Index), performance in activities of daily living (Barthel Index), frailty (FRAIL instrument), and cognitive status were assessed.

Results

The mean antibody titers 1 and 6 months after the second vaccine dose were 32,145 AU/ml (SD 41,206) and 6182 AU/ml (SD 13,316), respectively. Across all participants, the median antibody titer loss measured 77.6% (interquartile range [IQR] 23.8%). Notably, the decline of titers in individuals with pre‐vaccination COVID‐19 infection was significantly lower than in those without a history of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection (72.2% vs. 85.3%; p < 0.001). The median titer decrease per follow‐up day was 0.47% (IQR 0.14%) and only pre‐vaccination COVID‐19 was associated with lower rate of antibody decline at 6 months (hazard ratio 0.17; 95% confidence interval 0.07–0.41; p < 0.001). Frailty, disability, older age, cognitive impairment, or comorbidity were not associated with the extent of antibody loss.

Conclusions

Older adults in LTCFs experience a rapid loss of antibodies over the first 6 months after the second dose of BNT162b2 vaccine. Only pre‐vaccination COVID‐19 is associated with a slower rate of antibody decrease. Our data support immunization with a third dose in this vulnerable, high‐risk population.
Muscle spindles in the rhesus monkey platysma
Authors: May Christian Albrecht , Mätz‐Rensing Kerstin , Aschoff Daniel , Bramke Silvia
Published: December 2021

The platysma of the rhesus monkey consists of two parts: a platysma myoides located similar to the human platysma, and a platysma cervicale passing the dorsal cervical region and being in contact with the cheek pouch. Our investigation showed that the muscle fiber morphology was comparable in both parts. Muscle spindles were only present in regions connected to the cheek pouch and contained only nuclear chain fibers. It is tempting to speculate that they sense the filling of the cheek pouch rather than mimic activities.
Prevalence of distress and its associated factors among caregivers of people diagnosed with cancer: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Kirk Deborah L. , Kabdebo Istvan , Whitehead Lisa
Published: December 2021

Aims and Objectives

To (i) determine prevalence of distress among caregivers of people living with cancer, (ii) describe caregivers’ most commonly reported problems and (iii) investigate which factors were associated with caregivers’ distress.

Background

The psychological distress associated with a cancer diagnosis jointly impacts those living with cancer and their caregivers(s). As the provision of clinical support moves towards a dyadic model, understanding the factors associated with caregivers’ distress is increasingly important.

Design

Cross‐sectional study.

Methods

Distress screening data were analysed for 956 caregivers (family and friends) of cancer patients accessing the Cancer Council Western Australia information and support line between 1 January 2016 and 31 December 2018. These data included caregivers' demographics and reported problems and their level of distress. Information related to their care recipient's cancer diagnosis was also captured. Caregivers' reported problems and levels of distress were measured using the distress thermometer and accompanying problem list (PL) developed by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network. A partial‐proportional logistic regression model was used to investigate which demographic factors and PL items were associated with increasing levels of caregiver distress. Pearlin's model of caregiving and stress process was used as a framework for discussion. The Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) checklist was followed.

Results

Nearly all caregivers (96.24%) recorded a clinically significant level of distress (≥4/10) and two thirds (66.74%) as severely distressed (≥7/10). Being female, self‐reporting sadness, a loss of interest in usual activities, sleep problems or problems with a partner or children were all significantly associated with increased levels of distress.

Conclusions

Caregivers of people with cancer reporting emotional or familial problems may be at greater risk of moderate and severe distress.

Relevance to Clinical Practice

Awareness and recognition of caregiver distress are vital, and referral pathways for caregivers are the important area of development.
Late to Recessions: Stocks and the Business Cycle
Authors: GÓMEZ‐CRAM ROBERTO
Published: December 2021

I find that returns are predictably negative for several months after the onset of recessions, becoming high only thereafter. I identify business cycle turning points by estimating a state‐space model using macroeconomic data. Conditioning on the business cycle further reveals that returns exhibit momentum in recessions, whereas in expansions they display the mild reversals expected from discount rate changes. A strategy exploiting this pattern produces positive alphas. Using analyst forecast data, I show that my findings are consistent with investors' slow reaction to recessions. When expected returns are negative, analysts are too optimistic and their downward expectation revisions are exceptionally high.
I See Faces! A Review on Face Perception and Attractiveness with a Prosthodontic Peek at Cognitive Psychology
Authors: Al Hamad Khaled Q.
Published: December 2021

A human face contains a wealth of information about an individual, with which an observer can instinctively make a judgment on the attractiveness of the face. However, despite the profuse literature on facial and smile attractiveness, their origins, determinants, and perceptions remain controversial. The axiom in face processing research is that a face is perceived as an amalgamation of its features, and is referred to as “whole” or “holistic” perception. It is pertinent to the clinician involved in the provision of esthetic restorations to understand this holistic process of face recognition and perception of smile attractiveness. This review paper addresses face recognition and perception of attractiveness by reviewing the holistic perception of faces, including the multidimensional face‐space model, and also reviews the smile and facial attractiveness according to the average, multiple motive, and secondary sex characteristics theories.