bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pregnancy outcomes in women with Budd–Chiari syndrome or portal vein thrombosis – a multicentre retrospective cohort study
Authors: Wiegers HMG , Hamulyák EN , Damhuis SE , van Duuren JR , Darwish Murad S , Scheres LJJ , Gordijn SJ , Leentjens J , Duvekot JJ , Lauw MN , Hutten BA , Middeldorp S , Ganzevoort W
Published: September 2021

Objective

To evaluate current practice and outcomes of pregnancy in women previously diagnosed with Budd–Chiari syndrome and/or portal vein thrombosis, with and without concomitant portal hypertension.

Design and setting

Multicentre retrospective cohort study between 2008 and 2021.

Population

Women who conceived in the predefined period after the diagnosis of Budd–Chiari syndrome and/or portal vein thrombosis.

Methods and main outcome measures

We collected data on diagnosis and clinical features. The primary outcomes were maternal mortality and live birth rate. Secondary outcomes included maternal, neonatal and obstetric complications.

Results

Forty‐five women (12 Budd–Chiari syndrome, 33 portal vein thrombosis; 76 pregnancies) were included. Underlying prothrombotic disorders were present in 23 of the 45 women (51%). Thirty‐eight women (84%) received low‐molecular‐weight heparin during pregnancy. Of 45 first pregnancies, 11 (24%) ended in pregnancy loss and 34 (76%) resulted in live birth of which 27 were at term (79% of live births and 60% of pregnancies). No maternal deaths were observed; one woman developed pulmonary embolism during pregnancy and two women (4%) had variceal bleeding requiring intervention.

Conclusions

The high number of term live births (79%) and lower than expected risk of pregnancy‐related maternal and neonatal morbidity in our cohort suggest that Budd–Chiari syndrome and/or portal vein thrombosis should not be considered as an absolute contraindication for pregnancy. Individualised, nuanced counselling and a multidisciplinary pregnancy surveillance approach are essential in this patient population.

Tweetable abstract

Budd–Chiari syndrome and/or portal vein thrombosis should not be considered as an absolute contraindication for pregnancy.
Competitive Externalities of Tax Cuts
Authors: DONOHOE MICHAEL P. , JANG HANSOL , LISOWSKY PETRO
Published: September 2021

We examine how tax cuts that benefit some firms are related to the economic performance of their direct competitors. Consistent with tax cuts decreasing the cost of initiating competitive strategies, we find that a decrease in the tax burden for only a specific group of firms in the U.S. economy (i.e., “rivals”) has a negative economic effect on the performance of its direct competitors not directly exposed to the same tax cut (i.e., “competitors”). This negative externality is stronger when the relatively higher taxed competitors (1) are financially constrained, (2) operate in more competitive markets, (3) have similar products to their lower taxed rivals, (4) face rivals that retain more of their cash tax savings due to lower dividends and share repurchases, and (5) face lower taxed, but financially constrained, rivals. We also find that shareholders and lenders price the negative externality manifested in these competitors’ economic performance.
How Do Firms Respond to Corporate Taxes?
Authors: COLES JEFFREY L. , PATEL ELENA , SEEGERT NATHAN , SMITH MATTHEW
Published: September 2021

Using a novel empirical approach and newly available administrative data on U.S. tax filings, we estimate the corporate elasticity of taxable income, decompose the elasticity into economic responses versus other tax‐motivated “accounting” transactions, and determine how responsiveness varies depending on accounting method, firm size, and interest rate. In response to a 10% increase in the expected marginal tax rate, private U.S. firms decrease taxable income by 9.1%, which indicates a discernibly more elastic response than prevailing estimates. This response reflects a decrease in taxable income of 3.0% arising from real economic responses to a firm's scale of operations and 6.1% arising from accounting transactions via (for example) revenue and expense timing. Responsiveness to the corporate tax rate is more elastic if a firm uses cash (9.9%) rather than accrual accounting (7.4%), if the firm is small (9.9%) rather than large (8.6%), and if the firm discounts future cash flows at a lower rate.
Desalination of duck egg white by biocoagulation to obtain peptide‐ferrous chelate as iron delivery system: Preparation, characterization, and Fe2+ release evaluation in vitro
Authors: Shi Qiang , Wei Meijuan , Chen Hongbing , Gao Jinyan , Tong Ping
Published: September 2021

The annual output of salted duck egg white (SDEW) is estimated to be over 1.5 million tons in China, most of which is discarded due to high salt content. This has led to serious waste and environmental impact. Therefore, we developed an eco‐friendly biocoagulation separation technology by combining chitosan and sodium alginate in order to produce a novel iron‐binding peptide (DPs‐Fe2+) from SDEW. The structure of DPs‐Fe2+ was characterized by ultraviolet‐visible spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, followed by measuring DPs‐Fe2+ response in a simulated digestion/Caco‐2 cell model. Results showed that chitosan and sodium alginate complex could remove 91.21% of salt from SDEW, and the protein recovery rate reached 95.50%. Characterization results indicated that DPs bonded with Fe2+ to form a soluble chelate. Moreover, Caco‐2 cell monolayer model indicated that the transport rate of Fe2+ was as high as 10.02% at 0.1 mg/ml concentration of digested chelates. The results demonstrate the potential application of DPs as a novel carrier for enhancing iron absorption. This research contributes to the development of an effective industrial desalination method and highlights an opportunity for recycling an otherwise discarded processing byproduct.

Practical Application

Salted duck egg whites (SDEW) are the primary byproduct of salted egg yolk production, most of which is discarded due to high salt content. Hence, efficient utilization of the high‐value proteins in SDEW is an urgent problem that must be resolved. Herein, we developed an effective industrial desalination method by combining chitosan and sodium alginate, which achieved excellent SDEW desalination and protein recovery. Furthermore, we produced a novel iron‐binding peptide (DPs‐Fe2+), which enhanced the transportation and absorption of Fe2+ in Caco‐2 cell model, suggesting its potential as an iron supplement.
Evidence for marked underutilization of insurance billing in malignant pleural mesothelioma in Finland
Authors: Torkki Paulus , Paajanen Juuso , Kytö Ville , Laaksonen Sanna , Räsänen Jari , Myllärniemi Marjukka , Ilonen Ilkka
Published: September 2021

Background

Substantial variation in health care costs for malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) has previously been identified.

Materials and Methods

We analyzed the changes in health care costs in MPM in Finland during 2002–2012. Finland has low‐threshold public health care and a mandatory Workers' Compensation scheme that covers all occupational‐related disease expenses. The costs include treatment costs for inpatients, hospice care, medication costs, rehabilitation costs, and travel costs. All costs are expressed in 2012 prices, adjusted using the consumer price index.

Results

A total of 907 MPM patients were included in the study. Mean duration of inpatient episodes increased 7% per year from 2002 to 2012, correlating with total costs (R2 = 0.861, p < 0.05). The annual total costs for treatment increased from 1.7 to 4.3 m€ during the study period and the cost per patient from 27 000 to 43 000 €. The overall costs increased progressively by the number of procedures performed. In patients who had been compensated for occupational cause by Workers' Compensation Center, only 36% of the overall care costs were billed from the insurance company. Billing of inpatient costs was 86% in these patients.

Conclusion

During the study period, we found that the costs of MPM increased more than the average health care costs. This may be because of advanced diagnostic workup or more costly treatment (e.g., pemetrexed). Moreover, only one‐third of all health care costs are charged to Workers' Compensation Insurance.
S3QELs protect against diet‐induced intestinal barrier dysfunction
Authors: Watson Mark A. , Pattavina Blaine , Hilsabeck Tyler A. U. , Lopez‐Dominguez Jose , Kapahi Pankaj , Brand Martin D.
Published: September 2021

The underlying causes of aging remain elusive, but may include decreased intestinal homeostasis followed by disruption of the intestinal barrier, which can be mimicked by nutrient‐rich diets. S3QELs are small‐molecule suppressors of site IIIQo electron leak; they suppress superoxide generation at complex III of the mitochondrial electron transport chain without inhibiting oxidative phosphorylation. Here we show that feeding different S3QELs to Drosophila on a high‐nutrient diet protects against greater intestinal permeability, greater enterocyte apoptotic cell number, and shorter median lifespan. Hif‐1α knockdown in enterocytes also protects, and blunts any further protection by S3QELs. Feeding S3QELs to mice on a high‐fat diet also protects against the diet‐induced increase in intestinal permeability. Our results demonstrate by inference of S3QEL use that superoxide produced by complex III in enterocytes contributes to diet‐induced intestinal barrier disruption in both flies and mice.
Baseline severity and the prediction of placebo response in clinical trials for alcohol dependence: A meta‐regression analysis to develop an enrichment strategy
Authors: Scherrer Bruno , Guiraud Julien , Addolorato Giovanni , Aubin Henri‐Jean , de Bejczy Andrea , Benyamina Amine , van den Brink Wim , Caputo Fabio , Dematteis Maurice , Goudriaan Anna E. , Gual Antoni , Kiefer Falk , Leggio Lorenzo , Lesch Otto‐Michael , Maremmani Icro , Nutt David J. , Paille François , Perney Pascal , Poulnais Roch , Raffaillac Quentin , Rehm Jürgen , Rolland Benjamin , Simon Nicolas , Söderpalm Bo , Sommer Wolfgang H. , Walter Henriette , Spanagel Rainer
Published: September 2021

Background

There is considerable unexplained variability in alcohol abstinence rates (AR) in the placebo groups of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) for alcohol dependence (AD). This is of particular interest because placebo responses correlate negatively with treatment effect size. Recent evidence suggests that the placebo response is lower in very heavy drinkers who show no “spontaneous improvement” prior to treatment initiation (high‐severity population) than in a mild‐severity population and in studies with longer treatment duration. We systematically investigated the relationship between population severity, treatment duration, and the placebo response in AR to inform a strategy aimed at reducing the placebo response and thereby increasing assay sensitivity in RCTs for AD.

Methods

We conducted a systematic literature review on placebo‐controlled RCTs for AD.We assigned retained RCTs to high‐ or mild‐severity groups of studies based on baseline drinking risk levels and abstinence duration before treatment initiation. We tested the effects of population severity and treatment duration on the placebo response in AR using meta‐regression analysis.

Results

Among the 19 retained RCTs (comprising 1996 placebo‐treated patients), 11 trials were high‐severity and 8 were mild‐severity RCTs. The between‐study variability in AR was lower in the high‐severity than in the mild‐severity studies (interquartile range: 7.4% vs. 20.9%). The AR in placebo groups was dependent on population severity (p = 0.004) and treatment duration (p = 0.017) and was lower in the high‐severity studies (16.8% at 3 months) than the mild‐severity studies (36.7% at 3 months).

Conclusions

Pharmacological RCTs for AD should select high‐severity patients to decrease the magnitude and variability in the placebo effect and and improve the efficiency of drug development efforts for AD.
‘Immunisation, I haven't had a problem, but once again the transport, making an appointment, the time that you waste and all of those things are an issue’—Understanding childhood under‐immunisation in Mid North Coast New South Wales, Australia
Authors: Bolsewicz Katarzyna , Thomas Jackie , Corben Paul , Thomas Susan , Tudball Jacqueline , Fernando Melanie
Published: September 2021

Objectives

This study aimed to understand the reasons for childhood under‐immunisation in Kempsey, New South Wales, among First Nations and non‐First Nations families, and potential strategies to improve coverage.

Design

The World Health Organization's Tailoring Immunization Programmes guide was employed. Tailoring Immunization Programmes uses social science, qualitative research methods and community participation and is underpinned by the Capabilities Opportunities Motivations‐Behaviors (COM‐B) theoretical model of behaviour change. A cultural lens was applied throughout the study design. Using a thematic analysis, factors found to influence childhood under‐immunisation were loosely mapped against COM‐B framework.

Setting

Face‐to‐face interviews and focus groups conducted in locations and at times convenient to participants were audio‐recorded and transcribed verbatim.

Participants

Fifty‐six participants (25 First Nations and 13 non‐First Nations mothers and grandmothers, and 18 health service providers) took part in the study (July‐October 2019).

Results

Four themes were identified: (a) parents are supportive of immunisation and effective reminders would make it easier to prioritise it (b) services could be more accessible for families (c) addressing workforce shortages could improve access to immunisation services and (d) addressing entrenched racism in the community will help build cultural safety in health services. While parents in Kempsey were supportive of immunisation, resourceful and resilient, many struggled to overcome entrenched structural and cultural barriers to accessing services. This was particularly difficult for First Nations, socially disadvantaged and single mums.

Conclusions

Public health services can provide more support to those mothers and grandmothers who need it most, to ensure they are able to access immunisation services without delay.
Mothering and the Racialised Production of School and Property Value in New York City
Authors: Kromidas Maria
Published: September 2021

This article explores middle‐class mothers’ labours associated with relocating for a “good school” in NYC as they navigated the material and ideological structures of scarcity related to its highly unequal school system. Based on ethnographic research with a diverse group of women in a middle‐class area, I document the multiple ongoing labours associated with this “choice”, and trace how the neoliberal education complex (that includes testing and real estate industries, and school rating websites) compels women to perform them. Through the lenses of Marxist feminism and racial capitalism, I demonstrate how these labours produce school and property value that reinscribe race onto space. While middle‐class women are disciplined and their labours coerced, their labours are routed to dispossess working‐class communities of colour, and reproduce the racial hierarchy of human‐ness on which capital depends. This article underscores the role of gender and race‐making in middle‐class reproduction, and their linkage to elite accumulation and working‐class dispossession.
Veno‐arteriovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation—A single center experience
Authors: Mihu Mircea R. , Mageka Dennis , Swant Laura V. , El Banayosy Ahmed , Maybauer Marc O. , Harper Michael D. , Koerner Michael M. , El Banayosy Aly
Published: September 2021

Background

Patients with combined circulatory shock and respiratory failure may benefit from veno‐arteriovenous (V‐AV) extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support (ECMO). We report our center’s experience with V‐AV ECMO and propose an algorithm to help identify patients that may benefit from early V‐AV ECMO support.

Methods

Clinical data were extracted from electronic medical records between November 1, 2016 and November 1, 2019.

Results

Out of a total of 369 patients placed on extracorporeal life support (ECLS), we identified a total of 26 patients who underwent hybrid ECMO placement. Three patients were excluded from our analysis due to veno‐venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (V‐VA ECMO) configuration, therefore 23 patients were included in our analysis. The median age was 53 (range 25–73) years. Hybrid ECMO support was instituted most commonly for differential hypoxemia in patients on venoarterial (V‐A) ECMO support, and cardiogenic shock in patients who were initially started on venovenous (V‐V) ECMO. The initial ECMO cannulation was V‐A in 12 patients, V‐V in 8 patients, and directly V‐AV in 3 patients. Nine out of 23 patients were successfully decannulated (39.1%) and survived until hospital discharge. The main ECMO‐related complications included bleeding (n = 10), circuit exchange either due to hemolysis or oxygenator failure (n = 4), ECMO cannula site infection (n = 2), deep venous thrombosis (n = 2), and death during ECMO cannula exchange (n = 1).

Conclusions

V‐AV ECMO represents a rescue strategy in critically ill patients with combined respiratory failure and cardio‐circulatory shock.
Organisational interventions to improve employees' health and wellbeing: A realist synthesis
Authors: Roodbari Hamid , Axtell Carolyn , Nielsen Karina , Sorensen Glorian
Published: September 2021

Although organisational interventions have shown promising results in improving employees' health and wellbeing, reviews of the effectiveness of such interventions conclude results are inconsistent. Realist synthesis is considered an appropriate method of literature review to improve the consistency of empirical evidence by developing generalisable statements of ‘what works for whom in which circumstances’. In this article, to identify and synthesise existing evidence from the empirical studies of organisational interventions, we conducted a realist synthesis according to the RAMESES publication standards. We reviewed 28 articles. Six realist programme theories were developed that explain how different mechanisms of organisational interventions may bring about different outcomes in different contexts. These realist programme theories are based on the process mechanisms of implementation adherence, communication, employees' participation, senior management support, middle management support and external consultants/researchers support. This realist synthesis enhances the understanding of how organisational interventions may improve employees' health and wellbeing, in which contexts, and for which group of employees. As such, it makes an important potential contribution to designing, implementing and evaluating future organisational interventions.
Clinico‐biological features and outcome of patients with splenic marginal zone lymphoma with histological transformation
Authors: Bastidas‐Mora Gabriela , Beà Sílvia , Navarro Alba , Gine Eva , Costa Dolors , Delgado Julio , Baumann Tycho , Magnano Laura , Rivas‐Delgado Alfredo , Villamor Neus , Colomer Dolors , Lopez-Guerra Mónica , Rozman María , Balagué Olga , Martínez Daniel , Baptista Maria Joao , Escoda Lourdes , Alcoceba Miguel , Blanes Margarita , Climent Fina , Campo Elías , Wotherspoon Andrew , López-Guillermo Armando , Matutes Estella
Published: September 2021

We describe 36 patients with splenic marginal zone lymphoma (SMZL) with transformation (SMZL‐T), including 15 from a series of 84 patients with SMZL diagnosed at the Hospital Clinic of Barcelona (HCB) and 21 diagnosed with SMZL‐T in other centres. In the HCB cohort, the cumulative incidence of transformation at 5 years was 15%. Predictors for transformation were cytopenias, hypoalbuminaemia, complex karyotype (CK) and both the Intergruppo Italiano Linfomi (ILL) and simplified Haemoglobin, Platelet count, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and extrahilar Lymphadenopathy (HPLL)/ABC scores (P < 0·05). The only independent predictor for transformation in multivariate analysis was CK [hazard ratio (HR) 4·025, P = 0·05]. Patients with SMZL‐T had a significantly higher risk of death than the remainder (HR 3·89, P < 0·001). Of the 36 patients with SMZL‐T, one developed Hodgkin lymphoma and 35 a diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma, 71% with a non‐germinal centre phenotype. The main features were B symptoms, lymphadenopathy, and high serum LDH. CK was observed in 12/22 (55%) SMZL‐T and fluorescence in situ hybridisation detected abnormalities of MYC proto‐oncogene, basic helix‐loop‐helix transcription factor (MYC), B‐cell leukaemia/lymphoma 2 (BCL2) and/or BCL6 in six of 14 (43%). In all, 21 patients received immunochemotherapy, six chemotherapy, one radiotherapy and three splenectomy. The complete response (CR) rate was 61% and the median survival from transformation was 4·92 years. Predictors for a worse survival in multivariate analysis were high‐risk International Prognostic Index (HR 5·294, P = 0·016) and lack of CR (HR 2·67, P < 0·001).
Historical biogeography of the Gondwanan freshwater genus Boeckella (Crustacea): Timing and modes of speciation in the Southern Hemisphere
Authors: Maturana Claudia S. , Rosenfeld Sebastián , Biersma Elisabeth M. , Segovia Nicolás I. , González‐Wevar Claudio A. , Díaz Angie , Naretto Javier , Duggan Ian C. , Hogg Ian D. , Poulin Elie , Convey Peter , Jackson Jennifer A.
Published: September 2021

Aim

We investigated evolutionary relationships and biogeographical patterns within the genus Boeckella to evaluate (1) whether its current widespread distribution in the Southern Hemisphere is due to recent long‐distance dispersal or long‐term diversification; and (2) the age and origin of sub‐Antarctic and Antarctic Boeckella species, with particular focus on the most widely distributed species: Boeckella poppei.

Location

South America, sub‐Antarctic islands, maritime Antarctica, continental Antarctica and Australasia.

Methods

To reconstruct phylogenetic patterns of Boeckella, we used molecular sequence data collected from 12 regions and applied Bayesian and Maximum Likelihood analyses using multiple loci. We also estimated divergence times and reconstructed ancestral ranges using two different models of species evolution.

Results

Phylogenetic analyses and divergence time estimates suggested that Boeckella originated on the Gondwanan supercontinent and initially split into two main clades during the late Cretaceous (ca. 80 Ma). The first clade diversified in Australasia, and the second clade is currently distributed in South America, various sub‐Antarctic islands and Antarctica. Dispersal from South America to the Kerguelen and Crozet archipelagos occurred during the Eocene/Oligocene (B. vallentini) and in the late Pliocene (B. brevicaudata), while South Georgia and the maritime Antarctic were likely colonized during the late Pleistocene (B. poppei).

Main conclusions

Boeckella has a Gondwanan origin, with further diversifications after the physical separation of the continental landmasses. Extant populations of Boeckella from the Scotia Arc islands and Antarctic Peninsula originated from South America during the Pleistocene, suggesting that original Antarctic Gondwanan lineages did not survive repeated glacial cycles during the Quaternary ice ages. A continuous decline in the species accumulation rate is apparent within the genus as the early Eocene, suggesting that Boeckella diversification may have decreased due to progressive cooling throughout the Cenozoic era.
Understanding the place for GLP‐1RA therapy: Translating guidelines for treatment of type 2 diabetes into everyday clinical practice and patient selection
Authors: Andreasen Christine Rode , Andersen Andreas , Knop Filip Krag , Vilsbøll Tina
Published: September 2021

Since the first glucagon‐like peptide 1 (GLP‐1) receptor agonist (GLP‐1RA) was approved in 2005 (exenatide twice daily) for type 2 diabetes (T2D), the class has developed with newer compounds having more pronounced effects on glycaemic control and body weight. Also, administration regimes have become more convenient with once weekly injections, and recently an oral administration has become available. Large‐scale randomized controlled cardiovascular (CV) outcome trials (CVOTs) have shown that GLP‐1RA therapy can reduce the risk of CV disease (CVD) in high‐risk individuals with T2D. In addition, GLP‐1RAs may have renal benefits driven by new‐onset macroalbuminuria, although no effect on hard renal endpoints has been found. Subsequently, the place for GLP‐1RA therapy has changed over recent years, with most societies endorsing GLP‐1RA therapy in patients with established or high risk of CVD independently of glycaemia. Initiation of GLP‐1RA therapy can be complex due to differences in efficacy, side effects and safety profiles as well as administration forms within the class. Implementing guideline recommendations into ideal patient selection may be challenging both in specialty and non‐specialty settings. To ensure adequate and proactive use of modern glucose‐lowering medications in the treatment of T2D, it is essential to recognize patients with high risk or documented CVD. The present review provides an overview of the efficacy and benefits of the currently available GLP‐1RA compounds. Furthermore, we review the results from recent large‐scale CVOTs in a clinical context and suggest improving the implementation of GLP‐1RA therapy across specialties to improve overall patient selection.
The impact of COVID‐19 pandemic on student performance and self‐evaluation in preclinical operative dentistry
Authors: Inoue Natalie , Aldosari Muath , Park Sang E. , Ohyama Hiroe
Published: September 2021

Introduction

During the COVID‐19 pandemic, dental schools were required to reformat their curricula to accommodate regulations mandated to protect the health of students and faculty. For students enrolled in the Operative Dentistry preclinical courses at the Harvard School of Dental Medicine (HSDM), this modified curriculum included frontloading the course with lectures delivered remotely, followed by in‐person laboratory exercises of learned concepts. The aim of this article was to determine the impact that the modifications had on student performance and student self‐evaluation capabilities.

Materials and methods

Thirty‐eight students were introduced to this restructured course. Their performance in a final multiple‐choice (MC) examination, four preclinical laboratory competency assessments (class II amalgam preparation and restoration, class III composite preparation and restoration) and their self‐assessment of these preclinical competency assessments were then compared with the pre‐COVID pandemic (P‐CP) classes from years 2014 to 2019 (n = 216 students). Linear regressions were performed to determine differences in mean faculty scores, self‐assessment scores, student‐faculty score gaps (S‐F gaps) and absolute S‐F gaps seen between the class impacted by the pandemic and the P‐CP classes.

Results

The results demonstrated that students during the COVID‐19 pandemic (D‐CP) had a higher average faculty score in all four preclinical laboratory competency assessments and in the final MC examination. In addition, the S‐F gap was smaller in this cohort as compared with the P‐CP classes.

Conclusion

Despite the challenges of restructuring the preclinical curricula, D‐CP students performed better than their P‐CP predecessors in multiple facets of this Operative Dentistry course including self‐assessment accuracy.
Insider lobbying and government contracts: The moderating role of firm size
Authors: Alonso José M. , Andrews Rhys
Published: September 2021

This study examines insider lobbying as a form of relational Corporate Political Activity (CPA) that can be used by firms to gain an advantage in the competition for government contracts, and how firm size moderates the effectiveness of different insider lobbying strategies. Drawing on a unique dataset that captures meetings between private companies and British government ministers, we find that both the breadth and depth of insider lobbying are positively related to the value of the contracts awarded by the UK Ministry of Defence. Further analysis reveals that the benefits from a strategy of lobbying depth are stronger for small firms, than those from a strategy of lobbying breadth. The findings suggest that the bridging and bonding social capital cultivated through meetings with politicians can be deployed in alternative ways by different‐sized firms.
Identification of a small molecule splicing inhibitor targeting UHM domains
Authors: Kobayashi Asaki , Clément Marie‐Jeanne , Craveur Pierrick , El Hage Krystel , Salone Jean de Matha , Bollot Guillaume , Pastré David , Maucuer Alexandre
Published: September 2021

Splicing factor mutations are frequent in myeloid neoplasms, blood cancers, and solid tumors. Cancer cells harboring these mutations present a particular vulnerability to drugs that target splicing factors such as SF3b155 or CAPERα. Still, the arsenal of chemical probes that target the spliceosome is very limited. U2AF homology motifs (UHMs) are common protein interaction domains among splicing factors. They present a hydrophobic pocket ideally suited to anchor small molecules with the aim to inhibit protein–protein interaction. Here, we combined a virtual screening of a small molecules database and an in vitro competition assay and identified a small molecule, we named UHMCP1 that prevents the SF3b155/U2AF65 interaction. NMR analyses and molecular dynamics simulations confirmed the binding of this molecule in the hydrophobic pocket of the U2AF65 UHM domain. We further provide evidence that UHMCP1 impacts RNA splicing and cell viability and is therefore an interesting novel compound targeting an UHM domain with potential anticancer properties.
Data‐poor stock assessment of fish stocks co‐exploited by commercial and recreational fisheries: Applications to pike Esox lucius in the western Baltic Sea
Authors: van Gemert Rob , Koemle Dieter , Winkler Helmut , Arlinghaus Robert
Published: September 2021

Information on catch and effort of recreational angling in mixed‐use fisheries (co‐exploited by commercial and recreational fishers) is often scarce, preventing the application of data‐rich stock assessments typically performed for industrialised commercial fisheries. This study shows how data‐poor stock assessment methods developed for marine fisheries, particularly a model class labelled as “catch‐only” models (COMs), offer a possible solution. As a case study, COMs are used to assess a northern pike Esox lucius L. stock around the German Baltic island of Rügen. Multiple COMs were fitted to a time series of total pike removals, and their outputs were used as explanatory variables in ensemble models. The stock was found to be fully exploited and currently declining. This study highlights the potential for using COMs to determine status of previously unassessed coastal and freshwater stocks facing recreational fishing pressure and demonstrates how incorporating recreational removals is crucial for achieving reliable insights into the status of mixed‐use stocks.
Lowered nutritional quality of plankton caused by global environmental changes
Authors: Lau Danny C. P. , Jonsson Anders , Isles Peter D. F. , Creed Irena F. , Bergström Ann‑Kristin
Published: September 2021

Global environmental changes are causing widespread nutrient depletion, declines in the ratio of dissolved inorganic nitrogen (N) to total phosphorus (DIN:TP), and increases in both water temperature and terrestrial colored dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentration (browning) in high‐latitude northern lakes. Declining lake DIN:TP, warming, and browning alter the nutrient limitation regime and biomass of phytoplankton, but how these stressors together affect the nutritional quality in terms of polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) contents of the pelagic food web components remains unknown. We assessed the fatty acid compositions of seston and zooplankton in 33 lakes across south‐to‐north and boreal‐to‐subarctic gradients in Sweden. Data showed higher lake DIN:TP in the south than in the north, and that boreal lakes were warmer and browner than subarctic lakes. Lake DIN:TP strongly affected the PUFA contents—especially eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)—in seston, calanoids, and copepods (as a group), but not in cladocerans. The EPA+DHA contents increased by 123% in seston, 197% in calanoids, and 230% in copepods across a lake molar DIN:TP gradient from 0.17 to 14.53, indicating lower seston and copepod nutritional quality in the more N‐limited lakes (those with lower DIN:TP). Water temperature affected EPA+DHA contents of zooplankton, especially cladocerans, but not seston. Cladoceran EPA+DHA contents were reduced by ca. 6% for every 1°C increase in surface water. Also, the EPA, DHA, or EPA+DHA contents of Bosmina, cyclopoids, and copepods increased in lakes with higher DOC concentrations or aromaticity. Our findings indicate that zooplankton food quality for higher consumers will decrease with warming alone (for cladocerans) or in combination with declining lake DIN:TP (for copepods), but impacts of these stressors are moderated by lake browning. Global environmental changes that drive northern lakes toward more N‐limited, warmer, and browner conditions will reduce PUFA availability and nutritional quality of the pelagic food web components.
Changes in Deep Groundwater Flow Patterns Related to Oil and Gas Activities
Authors: Jellicoe Keegan , McIntosh Jennifer C. , Ferguson Grant
Published: September 2021

Large volumes of saline formation water are both produced from and injected into sedimentary basins as a by‐product of oil and gas production. Despite this, the location of production and injection wells has not been studied in detail at the regional scale and the effects on deep groundwater flow patterns (i.e., below the base of groundwater protection) possibly driving fluid flow toward shallow aquifers remain uncertain. Even where injection and production volumes are equal at the basin scale, local changes in hydraulic head can occur due to the distribution of production and injection wells. In the Canadian portion of the Williston Basin, over 4.6 × 109 m3 of water has been co‐produced with 5.4 × 108 m3 of oil, and over 5.5 × 109 m3 of water has been injected into the subsurface for salt water disposal or enhanced oil recovery. Despite approximately equal values of produced and injected fluids at the sedimentary basin scale over the history of development, cumulative fluid deficits and surpluses per unit area in excess of a few 100 mm are present at scales of a few 100 km2. Fluid fluxes associated with oil and gas activities since 1950 likely exceed background groundwater fluxes in these areas. Modeled pressures capable of creating upward hydraulic gradients are predicted for the Midale Member and Mannville Group, two of the strata with the highest amounts of injection in the study area. This could lead to upward leakage of fluids if permeable pathways, such as leaky wells, are present.
Chemical composition of alkaline‐pretreated sugarcane bagasse and its effects on the physicochemical characteristics of fat‐replaced sausage
Authors: Sompugdee Chokchai , Quan Vo Minh , Sriroth Klanarong , Sukyai Prakit
Published: September 2021

The potential of cellulose from sugarcane bagasse used for pork sausage was investigated. The purity level of cellulose fibre from sugarcane bagasse and the functional characteristics in pork sausage were studied. The differences in the sugarcane fibre and sausage characteristics were strongly related to the cellulose/lignin content of the extracted cellulose under different amounts of bleaching. Bleached sugarcane fibres showed better water (3.55) and oil (2.34) holding capacity in comparison with untreated fibre (2.92 and 2.38, respectively). The sugarcane fibres in each treatment stage showed different effects on sausage properties. Sausages with 1% cellulose fibres added had an improved texture profile, but the addition of 3% cellulose fibres to sausages resulted in a higher cooking yield. Consumers considered the sensory characteristics of all sausages as acceptable. These results indicated that low levels of cellulose extracted from sugarcane bagasse could be added and maintain the inherent characteristics of meat products.
Physicochemical stability of antilisterial proteins from P. polymyxa Kp10 as potential food biopreservative
Authors: Mokhtar Nur Fadhilah Khairil , Hashim Amalia Mohd , Abbasiliasi Sahar , Zulkarnain Aisyah , Raja Nhari Raja Mohd Hafidz , Ariff Arbakariya , Mustafa Shuhaimi , Abdul Rahim Raha
Published: September 2021

Listeria monocytogenes has continuously become a significant threat to consumers worldwide. The use of chemical‐derived preservatives that are commonly associated with safety and nutritional issues has prompted the use of natural‐based preservatives as a better alternative. Many bacterial strains including Paenibacillus polymyxa Kp10 have been reported to produce various antimicrobial proteins and compounds that are considered more natural. However, their stability in various physicochemical conditions should be examined before being applied in various types of food. In this study, the stability of four previously identified antilisterial proteins in P. polymyxa Kp10 upon exposure to several physicochemical conditions was examined. More than 80% residual antilisterial activity is conserved upon heat and proteinase K treatment. But, sensitivity to 24 h trypsin digestion has been observed. P1 and P2 proteins (histone‐like DNA binding proteins HU) were sensitive to alkaline pH (pH 10‐12) as compared with other proteins. More than 70% and 97% residual antilisterial activity were recovered after incubation in raw beef homogenates and simulated meat gravy model, respectively. However, the antilisterial activity of most proteins was highly compromised in chicken and salmon meat homogenates, and UHT cow milk. Inoculation of these proteins into Listeria‐contaminated simulated meat gravy showed that all proteins exerted a bactericidal action against L. monocytogenes. P1 and P2 shared almost similar antilisterial activity rates, while P4 was the most potent antilisterial protein. The findings in this study could provide important preliminary data for future applications of these proteins as preservative in food products especially beef‐based meat products.
Interaction of the human intestinal microbiota with the release of bound phenolic compounds in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)
Authors: Perez‐Perez Liliana Maribel , Huerta‐Ocampo José Ángel , Ramos‐Enríquez José Rogelio , Ruiz‐Cruz Saúl , Wong‐Corral Francisco Javier , Rosas‐Burgos Ema Carina , Hernández‐Ortíz Magdalena , Encarnación‐Guevara Sergio , Robles‐García Miguel Angel , Iturralde‐García Rey David , Borboa‐Flores Jesús , Del‐Toro‐Sánchez Carmen Lizette
Published: September 2021

The objective of this work was to release bound phenolic compounds (PC) from chickpea by the interaction of the microbiota of a volunteer and to identify the enzymes implied to deliver these PC. The highest amount of PC was released at 12 and 24 h (16.8–18.5 mg GAE/g). Higher antioxidant capacity was observed in these hours through 2,20‐azino‐bis‐(3ethylbenzothiazoline‐6‐sulfonic acid), 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl, ferric reducing antioxidant power and 2,´2.Azobis (2 methylpropionamidine) techniques. Escherichia, Klebsiella, Bacteroides and Veillonella were some genera identified in the microbiota implied in delivered PC. The principal PC identified by ultra performance liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry were flavonoids. Proteomic analysis identified hundreds of proteins from the intestinal microbiota after 12 h of fermentation, including enzymes related to the release of bound PC from chickpea such as pectin esterase. Therefore, this enzyme could be used in other food sources for the release of PC bound to the food matrix and thus take advantage of their bioactive benefits.
Anthropogenic noise, song, and territorial aggression in southern house wrens
Authors: Diniz Pedro , Duca Charles
Published: September 2021

Anthropogenic noise constrains the transmission of birdsong and alters the behavior of receivers. Many birds adjust their acoustic signals to minimize the interference of anthropogenic noise on signal transmission. Birds may also change their acoustic signals to exchange information during aggressive interactions. However, it is unclear how birds deal with a potential trade‐off between adjusting their acoustic signals to better transmit in noisy environments versus mediating aggressive interactions. Additionally, we do not know how urbanization and anthropogenic noise alters the territorial behavior of receivers. We investigated the interplay among song, territorial aggression, urbanization, and anthropogenic noise, in males of the southern house wren Troglodytes aedon musculus, using recordings of spontaneous songs (non‐aggressive context) and a playback experiment simulating a male territorial intrusion (aggressive context). We found that urban wrens behaved more aggressively in response to the intruder by singing more and spent more time closer to the intruder than rural wrens regardless of noise. Males produced songs with lower minimum frequency and trills with wider frequency bandwidth and higher vocal performance under acute (playback) than relaxed (post‐playback) aggressive encounters. These results suggest that males use songs to communicate aggressive intent or fighting ability. Urban wrens produced higher‐pitched songs and trills than rural wrens irrespective of aggressive context. Urban wrens in the noisiest territories also produced the highest‐pitched trills but only in the non‐aggressive context. Rural wrens in the noisiest territories tended to produce the longest songs (non‐aggressive context) or produced the shortest songs (aggressive context). Results suggest that urbanization affects territorial and vocal behaviors in southern house wrens. Males in this species seem to primarily adjust acoustic signals in response to the territorial intruder rather than noise.
Effects of depression and social interaction on smartphone addiction among female adolescents
Authors: Lee Eun Jee , Kim Hyeon Ok
Published: September 2021

Purpose

This study aimed to investigate the effect of social interaction and depression on smartphone addiction among Korean female adolescents.

Methods

This study is a secondary analysis of the data from the Korean Children and Youth Panel Survey, a national survey conducted by the National Youth Policy Institute In Korea in 2018. The data of 1185 female adolescents was analyzed. Binary logistic regression was performed between smartphone addiction and depression, parenting behavior, peer interaction and teacher interaction.

Findings

Proportion of risk users was 24.9%. Depression, coercive parenting attitude, negative peer relationship, and trust/sensitivity/accessibility in teacher relationship predicted smartphone addiction.

Conclusions

This study emphasizes the necessity of smartphone addiction prevention programs to lower depression levels and approach adolescents' parents, friends, and teachers.
Larger pupil dilation to nonsocial sounds in infants with subsequent autism diagnosis
Authors: Rudling Maja , Nyström Pär , Bölte Sven , Falck‐Ytter Terje
Published: September 2021

Background

Studies of infants with an elevated likelihood of autism spectrum disorder can identify basic developmental processes that are associated with subsequently emerging clinical symptoms. Atypical responsiveness to sounds in infancy is such a potential early marker of autism. Here, we used pupillometry to quantify reactivity to social and nonsocial sounds in infants with a subsequent diagnosis. Previous research suggest that pupil dilation reflects attentional alerting, and link it to the locus coeruleus norepinephrine system.

Methods

We measured pupil dilation responses to child‐directed speech and the sound of running water; sounds infants often hear in their everyday life. The final sample consisted of 99 ten‐month‐old infants (52 girls), of whom 68 had an elevated likelihood of autism and 31 were typically developing low‐likelihood infants. At follow‐up (36 months of age), 18 children in the elevated‐likelihood group were diagnosed with autism.

Results

Compared to infants without diagnosis, the infants who were subsequently diagnosed with autism had larger pupil dilation when listening to nonsocial sounds, while reactivity to speech was strikingly similar between groups. In the total sample, more pupil dilation to the nonsocial sound was associated with higher levels of autistic symptoms. We also found that on a trial‐by‐trial basis, across all conditions and groups, more pupil dilation was associated with making fewer gaze shifts.

Conclusions

This study did not find evidence of atypical pupillary reactivity to child‐directed speech early in life in autism. Instead, the results suggest that certain nonsocial sounds elicit atypically strong alerting responses in infants with a subsequent autism diagnosis. These findings may have important theoretical and clinical implications.
Fire‐Sale Spillovers in Debt Markets
Authors: FALATO ANTONIO , HORTAÇSU ALI , LI DAN , SHIN CHAEHEE
Published: September 2021

Fire sales induced by investor redemptions have powerful spillover effects among funds that hold the same assets, hurting peer funds' performance and flows, and leading to further asset sales with negative bond price impact. A one‐standard‐deviation increase in our fire‐sale spillover measure leads to a 45 (90) bp decrease in peer fund returns (flows) and a two percentage point increase in the likelihood of a large bond price drop. The results hold in a regression‐discontinuity design addressing identification concerns. Timing, heterogeneity, instrumental‐variable, and placebo tests further support the price‐impact mechanism. Model‐based counterfactual and stress‐test analyses quantify the financial stability implications.
Midbrain area and the hummingbird sign from brain MRI in progressive supranuclear palsy and idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus
Authors: Virhammar Johan , Blohmé Harald , Nyholm Dag , Georgiopoulos Charalampos , Fällmar David
Published: September 2021

Background and Purpose

The main radiological finding in progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) is reduced midbrain volume. Both qualitative (e.g., hummingbird sign) and quantitative (e.g., area measurements) markers have been noted. Recent studies have shown a similar reduction also in idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH). The purpose was to investigate the reliability and accuracy of these markers in discriminating PSP from iNPH and controls.

Methods

Eight neuroradiologists viewed sagittal MR images of the midbrain from 104 subjects: 26 PSP patients, 40 iNPH patients, and 38 healthy controls. They visually assessed whether the hummingbird sign was present or not, grading their confidence from 1 to 5. Assessments were translated into a score between +5 and –5: from maximum confidence of presence to maximum confidence of absence. A positive median score was considered to indicate hummingbird sign. Sagittal midbrain area was manually measured in each subject.

Results

Seventy‐seven percent of PSP patients, 65% of iNPH, and 3% of controls were visually assessed as having the hummingbird sign. Manually measured midbrain area also showed overlap between PSP and iNPH. Regarding discrimination of PSP patients, midbrain area measurements, using a cutoff of 90 mm2, yielded a higher area under the curve (AUC = 0.86) than visual assessment scores (AUC = 0.83), and higher reliability.

Conclusions

Measuring sagittal midbrain area is more accurate and reliable than visual assessment. Due to significant overlap in appearance, a midbrain with a hummingbird sign or reduced sagittal area should raise the suspicion of PSP only after other signs of iNPH have been considered.