bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Synthesis and structure‐activity relationship of thiol‐based histone deacetylase 6 inhibitors
Authors: Guo Zheng , Zhang Yi , Bao Ya , Huang Ziyi , Gu Xiu , Wang Guan , Li Jianqi
Published: April 2022

Selective histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC6) inhibitors are safe and well‐tolerated with less off‐target effect. However, most available HDAC6 inhibitors contain hydroxamate as a zinc‐binding group (ZBG), and their unfavorable pharmacokinetic properties along with potential genotoxicity limited wide application in diverse diseases. Therefore, we designed and synthesized a series of selective HDAC6 inhibitors utilizing thiol as the ZBG and discussed their structure‐activity relationship based on molecular docking. In particular, compound 21, obtained by constantly step‐by‐step simplification and evolution based on Ricolinostat, a specific HDAC6 inhibitor in Phase II, unexpectedly showed high selectivity (29‐fold) and moderate potency (73 nM). Utilizing pyrimidine as a linker in thiol‐based HDAC6 inhibitors produces an utterly novel structure, which might display different pharmacokinetic properties and genotoxicity.
Talking with children and young people with 22q11DS about their mental health, behaviour, learning and communication
Authors: Wray Jo , Abrines Jaume Neus , Oulton Kate , Sell Debbie
Published: April 2022

Background

22q11DS11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11DS) is a complex multisystem syndrome characterized by physical abnormalities, psychiatric comorbidities and cognitive deficits.

The views of children and young people (CYP) about the challenges associated with their mental health, behaviour, learning and communication difficulties have not been reported. The aim of this study was to address this gap and to understand whether they had help and support with these and their views of this.

Methods

A three‐phase mixed‐methods study was undertaken, involving interviews with CYP with 22q11DS, a follow‐up survey for those aged 11–25 years and a stakeholder workshop at which CYP presented their views of living with 22q11DS to health professionals and parents. Interview transcripts were thematically analysed, and non‐parametric statistics were used to analyse survey data.

Results

The interviews (n = 13) and survey (n = 32) indicated a mixed picture, with some CYP not reporting ongoing problems; others who had problems received help but a sizeable proportion had unmet needs and wanted to receive help. Two‐thirds reported often experiencing negative feelings, and almost half had difficulties with social interactions. Family members were the main sources of support, with teaching assistants identified as an important support at school.

Conclusions

The emotional impact of 22q11DS on CYP can be significant: They often do not understand the consequences of having 22q11DS and are frequently not given strategies to understand and manage their feelings, behaviour or problems. This leads to a range of emotions that manifest in different ways at home and at school. CYP are able to talk about the impact of different aspects of 22q11DS on them, facilitated by the use of creative methods, but they differ in how the condition affects them and their perceptions about that. It is imperative that CYP themselves are asked about their experiences, feelings and needs to ensure tailoring of interventions to their individual requirements.
Hidden talents in context: Cognitive performance with abstract versus ecological stimuli among adversity‐exposed youth
Authors: Young Ethan S. , Frankenhuis Willem E. , DelPriore Danielle J. , Ellis Bruce J.
Published: April 2022

Adversity‐exposed youth tend to score lower on cognitive tests. However, the hidden talents approach proposes some abilities are enhanced by adversity, especially under ecologically relevant conditions. Two versions of an attention‐shifting and working memory updating task—one abstract, one ecological—were administered to 618 youth (Mage = 13.62, SDage = 0.81; 48.22% female; 64.56% White). Measures of environmental unpredictability, violence, and poverty were collected to test adversity × task version interactions. There were no interactions for attention shifting. For working memory updating, youth exposed to violence and poverty scored lower than their peers with abstract stimuli but almost just as well with ecological stimuli. These results are striking compared to contemporary developmental science, which often reports lowered performance among adversity‐exposed youth.
Trajectories of socially anxious behavior from age 5 to 13: Temperamental and sociocognitive pathways
Authors: Poole Kristie L. , Degnan Kathryn A. , Harrewijn Anita , Almas Alisa , Fox Nathan A. , Henderson Heather A.
Published: April 2022

The authors examined temperamental and sociocognitive predictors of socially anxious behavior from preschool to early adolescence. Children (N = 227; 59% male; 69% White) completed a speech task at ages 5, 7, 10, and 13 and socially anxious behaviors were coded. Behavioral inhibition (BI) was assessed at ages 2/3 and Theory of Mind (ToM) was assessed at age 4. Data collection occurred between 2003 and 2016. Three trajectories of socially anxious behavior were identified: high stable, average increasing, and low stable. Higher BI was related to the high stable trajectory, whereas lower ToM was related to the increasing trajectory of socially anxious behavior. There are heterogenous pathways of socially anxious behavior, which may be uniquely influenced by early temperamental and sociocognitive factors.
Recommendations for reporting statistical results when comparing proportions
Authors: Vrbin Colleen M.
Published: April 2022

This article serves as the first in a series that will offer recommendations for optimal data reporting, specifically focusing on statistical methods most frequently reported by the Cytopathology audience. Recommendations for reporting statistical results when comparing proportions is the first topic in the series since comparing proportions, particularly utilising the chi‐square test, was the most commonly reported inferential statistical test category over 2.5 years of Cytopathology articles.1 While this article will provide a summary of common tests used to compare proportions, an extensive review of each method, including test assumptions and calculations, is beyond the scope of this summary. The author recommends consulting a trained statistician prior to data collection to discuss an analytical plan, including determining the appropriate statistical test(s) to use.
Health care intelligent system: A neural network based method for early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease using MRI images
Authors: Abugabah Ahed , Mehmood Atif , Almotairi Sultan , Smadi Ahmad A. L.
Published: April 2022

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease that causes memory loss and is considered the most common type of dementia. In many countries, AD is commonly affecting senior citizens having an aged more than 65 years. Machine learning‐based approaches have some limitations due to data pre‐processing issues. We propose a health care intelligent system based on a deep convolutional neural network (DCNN) in this research work. It classifies normal control (NC), mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and AD. The proposed model is employed on white matter (WM), and grey matter (GM) tissues with more cognitive decline features. In the experimental process, we used 375 Magnetic Resonance Image (MRI) subjects collected from Alzheimer's disease neuroimaging initiative (ADNI), including 130 NC people, 120 MCI patients, and 125 AD patients. We extract three major regions during pre‐processing, that is, WM, GM and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). This study shows promising classification results for NC versus AD 97.94%, MCI versus AD 92.84%, and NC versus MCI 88.15% on GM images. Furthermore, our proposed model attained 95.97%, 90.82%, and 86.87% on the same three binary classes on WM tissue, respectively. When comparing existing studies in terms of accuracy and other evaluation parameters, we found that our proposed approach shows better results than those approaches based on the CNN method.
Pulse plethysmograph signal analysis method for classification of heart diseases using novel local spectral ternary patterns
Authors: Aziz Sumair , Khan Muhammad Umar , Iqtidar Khushbakht , Ali Sadaqat , Remete Ancuta Nicoleta , Javid Muhammad Arshad
Published: April 2022

Cardiac disorders are one of the prime reasons for an increasing global death rate. Reliable and efficient diagnosis procedures are imperative to minimize the risk posed by heart disorders. Computer‐aided diagnosis, based on machine learning and biomedical signal analysis, has recently been adopted by researchers to accurately predict cardiac ailments. Multi‐channel Electrocardiogram signals are mostly used in scientific literature as an indicator to diagnose cardiac disorders. Recently pulse plethysmograph (PuPG) signal got attention as an evolving biosignal and promising diagnostic tool to detect heart disorders since it has a simple sensor with low cost, non‐invasive, reliable, and easy to handle technology. This article proposes a computer‐aided diagnosis system to detect Myocardial Infarction, Dilated Cardiomyopathy, and Hypertension from PuPG signals. Raw PuPG signal is first preprocessed through empirical mode decomposition (EMD) by removing the redundant and useless information content. Then, highly discriminative features are extracted from preprocessed PuPG signal through novel local spectral ternary patterns (LSTP). Extracted LSTPs are input to a variety of classification methods such as support vector machines (SVM), K‐nearest neighbours, decision tree, and so on. SVM with cubic kernel yielded the best classification performance of 98.4% accuracy, 96.7% sensitivity, and 99.6% specificity with 10‐fold cross‐validation. The proposed framework was trained and tested on a self‐collected PuPG signals database of heart disorders. A comparison with previous studies and other feature descriptors shows the superiority of the proposed system. This research provides better insights into the contributions of PuPG signals towards reliable detection of heart disorder through low‐cost and non‐invasive means.
Origin of the tropical–polar biodiversity contrast
Authors: Crame J. Alistair , McGowan Alistair J.
Published: April 2022

Aim

The aim was to investigate the evolutionary origins of the striking biodiversity contrast between high‐ and low‐latitude regions in the present day. Is this a relatively recent phenomenon, causally linked in some way to the greenhouse–icehouse transition and onset of global coolingc. 34 Myr ago, or does it have deeper temporal roots and thus other potential causes?

Location

Early Cenozoic fossil assemblages from two tropical and one polar region, and modern counterparts from various tropical localities and Antarctica.

Time period

The Cretaceous–Palaeogene (K/Pg) mass extinction event, Early Cenozoic (Palaeocene–Eocene) and the present day.

Major taxa studied

Shelf‐depth marine Mollusca; the four richest modern benthic clades: Imparidentia, Pteriomorphia, Neogastropoda and Littorinimorpha.

Methods

The K/Pg mass extinction and subsequent recovery was compared between two tropical and one polar region at four distinct stratigraphic intervals. Taxa were identified to species level and assigned to principal families within the four largest benthic molluscan clades. Taxon counts were compared between the three regions at each level and also compared with standardized tropical and polar modern faunas.

Results

The mass extinction was followed by a distinct 25 Myr phase of evolutionary radiation, during which the tropical–polar contrast in the taxonomic composition of all four clades was strongly enhanced; as the global molluscan fauna expanded, it differentiated into distinct low‐ and high‐latitude components.

Main conclusions

A marked differentiation of tropical and polar molluscan faunas occurred in the immediate aftermath of the K/Pg mass extinction; it is likely that, at least for the two bivalve clades investigated, this differentiation was initiated well within the Mesozoic era. The greater antiquity of the tropical–polar split suggests that it was not the product of any single controlling factor during the Cenozoic.
Local anthropogenic stress does not exacerbate coral bleaching under global climate change
Authors: Johnson Jack V. , Dick Jaimie T. A. , Pincheira‐Donoso Daniel
Published: April 2022

Aim

Rising ocean temperatures are widely recognized as the dominant driver behind the rapid degradation of coral reefs via the process of coral bleaching (the expulsion of photosynthetic endosymbionts, which reveals the coral skeleton). However, bleaching of hard corals is often assumed to be further aggravated by the effect of local‐scale stressors from anthropogenic activity, accelerating coral reef decline where these stressors are stronger. Despite the importance of this hypothesis, the interaction between climate change and local stressors for driving coral bleaching has only been investigated in a handful of studies, with no large scale (regional or global) test conducted thus far. We investigate the impact of human population density (HPD) – a proxy for local stressors – in both protected and non‐protected marine regions, and their interaction under heat stress as drivers of coral bleaching.

Location

Global.

Time period

2002–2018.

Major taxa studied

Scleractinia corals.

Methods

Using 9,170 coral reef surveys worldwide, we performed Bayesian modelling to assess the probability of coral bleaching in response to local‐scale stressors in interaction with global warming.

Results

Local HPD does not exacerbate coral bleaching, either independently or under thermal stress from climate change. Rather, the relationship between HPD and temperature stress appears weakly antagonistic for coral bleaching, contradicting the expectation that HPD increases sensitivity of corals to bleaching under thermal stress.

Main conclusions

Local HPD does not interact with global warming for degrading coral reefs. However, regional variation in bleaching patterns exists. Consequently, bleaching will continue to occur on most coral reefs globally regardless of local HPD. Thus, it is likely that even isolated, well‐protected, coral reefs will continue to decline because of climate warming‐induced bleaching. Therefore, tackling the source of global warming remains the most effective way to mitigate coral reef decline via coral bleaching.
A real‐world, observational study of erenumab for migraine prevention in Canadian patients
Authors: Becker Werner J. , Spacey Sian , Leroux Elizabeth , Giammarco Rose , Gladstone Jonathan , Christie Suzanne , Akaberi Arash , Power G. Sarah , Minhas Jagdeep K. , Mancini Johanna , Rochdi Driss , Filiz Ayca , Bastien Natacha
Published: April 2022

Objectives

To assess real‐world effectiveness, safety, and usage of erenumab in Canadian patients with episodic and chronic migraine with prior ineffective prophylactic treatments.

Background

In randomized controlled trials, erenumab demonstrated efficacy for migraine prevention in patients with ≤4 prior ineffective prophylactic migraine therapies. The “Migraine prevention with AimoviG: Informative Canadian real‐world study” (MAGIC) assessed real‐world effectiveness of erenumab in Canadian patients with migraine.

Methods

MAGIC was a prospective open‐label, observational study conducted in Canadian patients with chronic migraine (CM) and episodic migraine (EM) with two to six categories of prior ineffective prophylactic therapies. Participants were administered 70 mg or 140 mg erenumab monthly based on physician’s assessment. Migraine attacks were self‐assessed using an electronic diary and patient‐reported outcome questionnaires. The primary outcome was the proportion of subjects achieving ≥50% reduction in monthly migraine days (MMD) after the 3‐month treatment period.

Results

Among the 95 participants who mostly experienced two (54.7%) or three (32.6%) prior categories of ineffective prophylactic therapies and who initiated erenumab, treatment was generally safe and well tolerated; 89/95 (93.7%) participants initiated treatment with 140 mg erenumab. At week 12, 32/95 (33.7%) participants including 17/64 (26.6%) CM and 15/32 (48.4%) EM achieved ≥50% reduction in MMD while 30/86 (34.9%) participants including 19/55 (34.5%) CM and 11/31 (35.5%) EM achieved ≥50% reduction in MMD at week 24. Through patient‐reported outcome questionnaires, 62/95 (65.3%) and 45/86 (52.3%) participants reported improvement of their condition at weeks 12 and 24, respectively. Physicians observed improvement in the condition of 78/95 (82.1%) and 67/86 (77.9%) participants at weeks 12 and 24, respectively.

Conclusion

One‐third of patients with EM and CM achieved ≥50% MMD reduction after 3 months of erenumab treatment. This study provides real‐world evidence of erenumab effectiveness, safety, and usage for migraine prevention in adult Canadian patients with multiple prior ineffective prophylactic treatments.
Who demands labour (de)regulation in the developing world? Revisiting the insider–outsider theory*
Authors: RONCONI Lucas , KANBUR Ravi , LÓPEZ‐CARIBONI Santiago
Published: April 2022

The “insider–outsider” perspective, which dominates the discourse on labour regulations, argues that protective regulations hurt the less well‐off outsiders but are kept in place in the interests of the insiders, who are covered by the regulations. Thus, if the insider–outsider divide were as depicted in the standard representation, outsiders would be strongly against regulations. Our evidence that a large majority of outsiders in developing countries in fact support protective labour regulations calls for a rethink of the sharp insider–outsider divide. We suggest a number of avenues for exploration, including income‐sharing, transitions, fairness and employer power in labour markets.
Environmental change and human mobility: Opportunities and challenges of big data
Authors: Martin Susan F. , Singh Lisa
Published: April 2022

This paper explores the use of big data in understanding population movements in the context of environmental change, with particular attention to publicly available information from social media and newspapers. After discussing causal factors, the paper discusses the benefits and challenges of using big data, and mathematical models that may help capture the complexity of human mobility in the context of environmental change. We conclude that big data can be an important part of a toolkit in discerning drivers of migration and displacement. It is no panacea, however; the paper discusses potential problems in its use, particularly if big data are analysed to prevent people from moving out of harm's way. Therefore, partnerships between computer scientists and subject matter experts and practitioners are essential to ensuring that what is gathered from big data is usable, credible, and protects the privacy and rights of those who may be displaced.
Mainstreaming ‘gender’ and ‘integration’ needs in human development initiatives: Asian and African migrant women's integration in Europe
Authors: Tahir Muhammad Wajid , Kauser Rubina
Published: April 2022

The current study examines the inclusion of ‘gender’ in the policies/legislation relating to the human development of women migrants (from Asian and African origins) and their impact on six determinants of migrant's gender ideology in two different European gender regimes: Germany and Sweden. The study is conducted in four stages: (1) thematic analysis of different conventions and recommendations of the UN, ILO, and EU, (2) latent analysis of selected policies/legislation, (3) survey of women migrants, and (4) expert interviews. Exposure to relatively egalitarian gender regimes through migration has brought positive changes in all determinants of the gender ideology of migrants, except domestic chores and caregiving responsibilities. Inclusion of a missing ‘gender’ perspective in relevant measures can expedite smooth integration of migrants, but lack of political commitment, scarcity of financial resources, the absence of gender experts, and lack of coordination between line ministries/agencies are salient barriers to its ‘inclusion’ in both countries.
Fitting random regression models with Legendre polynomial and B‐spline to model the lactation curve for Indian dairy goat of semi‐arid tropic
Authors: Dige Mahesh Shivanand , Rout Pramod Kumar , Singh Manoj Kumar , Bhusan Saket , Gowane Gopal Ramdasji
Published: April 2022

The present investigation aimed at genetic evaluation of tropical Indian dairy Jamunapari goat using random regression models (RRM) for the estimation of genetic parameters in the first three lactations across test days (TD) and also to come out with a pragmatic breeding plan in the nucleus. Variations in the lactation curves were modelled using 67,172 TD milk yield (TDMY) records. To obtain adequate and parsimonious models for the estimation of genetic parameters, orthogonal Legendre Polynomials (LP) and B‐splines (BS) were compared. The analysis was carried out using a single‐trait RRM approach. Average TDMY was 0.72, 0.81 and 0.79 kg in 1st to 3rd parities that also had 4th TD peak yield in common. BS function resulted in robust genetic parameters and a smoother curve for lactation as compared to LP. Maternal effects were evaluated and then dropped from the final model, owing to no significant contribution to the genetic variance. The best RRM was a quadratic BS function with six knots for the mean trend, curves of additive genetic, animal permanent environmental (c2) and 22 classes of residual variance. Additive variances and heritability (h2) estimates were higher in the early lactation. For first parity, the estimates of h2 varied between 0.19 to 0.35 across TD. Moderate h2 estimate suggests further scope for selection using desirable combinations of TD over the lactation. We observed a very high variance due to c2 across TD in three lactations. Genetic correlations were positive and larger between adjacent TDMY and weakened for distant TDMY. Looking into the robust estimates of genetic parameters and better fitting of lactation curve, we suggest the use of B‐spline function for regular genetic evaluation of Jamunapari goat.
Insights into the systematics of the family Ophryoscolecidae (Ciliophora, Entodiniomorphida)
Authors: Cedrola Franciane , Senra Marcus Vinicius Xavier , Fregulia Priscila , D’Agosto Marta , Dias Roberto Júnio Pedroso
Published: April 2022

The family Ophryoscolecidae currently comprises 225 species of trichostomatid ciliates, subdivided into three subfamilies (Entodiniinae, Diplodiniinae, and Ophryoscolecinae). The last taxonomic review of the family was performed 55 years ago, but recent morphological and molecular studies indicate the need for a profound review of the systematics of this taxon, since its current taxonomy is insufficient to organize the diversity of the group. Here, we briefly review the systematics of the family Ophryoscolecidae based on information recovered from the literature and new morphological and molecular data. We add four new 18S rDNA sequences of ophryoscolecids to molecular databases, which contributed to improving the comprehension of intrafamily relationships within this group. Finally, we discuss some systematic problems and suggest approaches to resolve such inconsistencies in the future.
Why breast cancer patients avoid communicating disease‐related information to their dependent children: A qualitative study
Authors: Zhang Xueying , Gong Ni , Li Na , Zhang Yiheng , Du Qianqian , Zou Wenjie , Chen Jing , Zheng Junyi , Zhang Meifen
Published: April 2022

Aim and objectives

This qualitative study explores why breast cancer patients do not share disease‐related information with their dependent children.

Background

‘Open’ communication between breast cancer patients and their children is beneficial to both. However, some still try to avoid discussing their diagnosis and related information with their children. Some worries lie in communicating with dependent children, but the underlying cause remains unclear.

Design

Qualitative descriptive study.

Methods

Semi‐structured interview was used in this study. Twenty breast cancer patients with children (aged 8–18 years) were recruited at two urban tertiary hospitals in mainland China. Qualitative content analysis was conducted to analyse and identify themes and subthemes. This study followed the COREQ checklist for qualitative studies.

Results

Three main themes were identified: (1) Uncertainty about the future: Their struggles with cancer remain a sensitive subject with their children. They described the uncertainty surrounding their disease prognosis and their children's response. They were also unsure whether, when and how to inform their children of their conditions; (2) Useless and risky for their children to know the truth: They considered it useless because their children can neither understand nor change the existing facts. They were concerned that it could affect their children's emotional state, character and academic performance; and (3) All for their children's sake: They were willing to take care of their affairs without troubling their dependent children as much as possible.

Conclusion

Most mothers delayed communicating disease‐related information to their dependent children. However, they often underestimated children's abilities and ignored their thoughts and wishes. Motherhood leads to avoidance and concealment in discussing health issues with their children.

Relevance to clinical practice

Mothers should try to understand their children's views towards cancer earlier. Healthcare professionals, especially nurses, should provide further consultation and intervention services to assist mothers and their children.
The potential of DNA methylation as a biomarker for obesity and smoking
Authors: Heikkinen Aino , Bollepalli Sailalitha , Ollikainen Miina
Published: April 2022

DNA methylation is an epigenetic modification that has consistently been shown to be linked with a variety of human traits and diseases. Because DNA methylation is dynamic and potentially reversible in nature and can reflect environmental exposures and predict the onset of diseases, it has piqued interest as a potential disease biomarker. DNA methylation patterns are more stable than transcriptomic or proteomic patterns, and they are relatively easy to measure to track exposure to different environments and risk factors. Importantly, technologies for DNA methylation quantification have become increasingly cost effective—accelerating new research in the field—and have enabled the development of novel DNA methylation biomarkers. Quite a few DNA methylation‐based predictors for a number of traits and diseases already exist. Such predictors show potential for being more accurate than self‐reported or measured phenotypes (such as smoking behavior and body mass index) and may even hold potential for applications in clinics.

In this review, we will first discuss the advantages and challenges of DNA methylation biomarkers in general. We will then review the current state and future potential of DNA methylation biomarkers in two human traits that show rather consistent alterations in methylome—obesity and smoking. Lastly, we will briefly speculate about the future prospects of DNA methylation biomarkers, and possible ways to achieve them.
Role of the duodenal microbiota in functional dyspepsia
Authors: Brown Georgia , Hoedt Emily C. , Keely Simon , Shah Ayesha , Walker Marjorie M. , Holtmann Gerald , Talley Nicholas J.
Published: April 2022

Background

Functional dyspepsia (FD) is a common and debilitating gastrointestinal disorder attributed to altered gut‐brain interactions. While the etiology of FD remains unknown, emerging research suggests the mechanisms are likely multifactorial and heterogenous among patient subgroups. Small bowel motor disturbances, visceral hypersensitivity, chronic microinflammation, and increased intestinal tract permeability have all been linked to the pathogenesis of FD. Recently, alterations to the gut microbiome have also been implicated to play an important role in the disease. Changes to the duodenal microbiota may either trigger or be a consequence of immune and neuronal disturbances observed in the disease, but the mechanisms of influence of small intestinal flora on gastrointestinal function and symptomatology are unknown.

Purpose

This review summarizes and synthesizes the literature on the link between the microbiota, low‐grade inflammatory changes in the duodenum and FD. This review is not intended to provide a complete overview of FD or the small intestinal microbiota, but instead outline some of the key conceptual advances in understanding the interactions between altered gastrointestinal bacterial communities; dietary factors; host immune activation; and stimulation of the gut–brain axes in patients with FD versus controls. Current and emerging treatment approaches such as dietary interventions and antibiotic or probiotic use that have demonstrated symptom benefits for patients are reviewed, and their role in modulating the host–microbiota is discussed. Finally, suggested opportunities for diagnostic and therapeutic improvements for patients with this condition are presented.
Admixture of divergent genomes facilitates hybridization across species in the family Brassicaceae
Authors: Shin Hosub , Park Jeong Eun , Park Hye Rang , Choi Woo Lee , Yu Seung Hwa , Koh Wonjun , Kim Seungill , Soh Hye Yeon , Waminal Nomar Espinosa , Belandres Hadassah Roa , Lim Joo Young , Yi Gibum , Ahn Jong Hwa , Kim June‐Sik , Kim Yong‐Min , Koo Namjin , Kim Kyunghee , Perumal Sampath , Kang Taegu , Kim Junghyo , Jang Hosung , Kang Dong Hyun , Kim Ye Seul , Jeong Hyeon‐Min , Yang Junwoo , Song Somin , Park Suhyoung , Kim Jin A. , Lim Yong Pyo , Park Beom‐Seok , Hsieh Tzung‐Fu , Yang Tae‐Jin , Choi Doil , Kim Hyun Hee , Lee Soo‐Seong , Huh Jin Hoe
Published: April 2022

Hybridization and polyploidization are pivotal to plant evolution. Genetic crosses between distantly related species are rare in nature due to reproductive barriers but how such hurdles can be overcome is largely unknown. Here we report the hybrid genome structure of xBrassicoraphanus, a synthetic allotetraploid of Brassica rapa and Raphanus sativus.

We performed cytogenetic analysis and de novo genome assembly to examine chromosome behaviors and genome integrity in the hybrid. Transcriptome analysis was conducted to investigate expression of duplicated genes in conjunction with epigenome analysis to address whether genome admixture entails epigenetic reconfiguration.

Allotetraploid xBrassicoraphanus retains both parental chromosomes without genome rearrangement. Meiotic synapsis formation and chromosome exchange are avoided between nonhomologous progenitor chromosomes. Reconfiguration of transcription network occurs, and less divergent cis‐elements of duplicated genes are associated with convergent expression. Genome‐wide DNA methylation asymmetry between progenitors is largely maintained but, notably, B. rapa‐originated transposable elements are transcriptionally silenced in xBrassicoraphanus through gain of DNA methylation.

Our results demonstrate that hybrid genome stabilization and transcription compatibility necessitate epigenome landscape adjustment and rewiring of cis–trans interactions. Overall, this study suggests that a certain extent of genome divergence facilitates hybridization across species, which may explain the great diversification and expansion of angiosperms during evolution.
The development of the MENTOR_D nursing intervention: Supporting family involvement in delirium management
Authors: Mailhot Tanya , Cossette Sylvie , Lavoie Patrick , Maheu‐Cadotte Marc‐André , Fontaine Guillaume , Bourbonnais Anne , Côté José
Published: April 2022

Background

Although families are increasingly seen as allies to improve delirium management and reduce its consequences, their involvement in the postcardiac surgery setting is challenging considering patients' critical state and short hospital stay. To our knowledge, no theory‐based nursing intervention exists that optimally supports the involvement of families in delirium management in the context of postcardiac surgery.

Objectives

We aimed to develop MENTOR_D, a nursing intervention to support the involvement of families in delirium management.

Methods

MENTOR_D was developed based on Sidani and Braden's (2011) intervention development framework. Narrative literature reviews paired with the clinical experience of an expert committee were used to inform these three steps: (1) develop an understanding of the problem under study; (2) define the objectives of the intervention and identify a theoretical framework for highlighting strategies to be used in the intervention; and (3) operationalize the intervention and identify its anticipated outcomes.

Results

As a result of the three steps, the MENTOR_D nursing intervention relies on a caring–mentoring relationship between a nurse and the family. The aim of MENTOR_D is to increase the presence of the family at their relative's bedside and their involvement in delirium management. MENTOR_D's content is delivered over three phases that are organised around the visits of the family at the patient's bedside. During these phases, families used their knowledge of the patient to tailor the delirium management actions. These actions include orientation and reminiscence and were aimed at diminishing anxiety and increasing sense of self‐efficacy in families and diminishing delirium severity and improving recovery in patients.

Conclusions

A deep understanding of the underlying mechanisms of an intervention is key in its success to reach the targeted goals of effectiveness in practice. This understanding can be achieved through the careful development of a theory of the intervention before the operationalisation of its components and its testing. The proposed paper presents the theory of the MENTOR_D intervention, that is, its conceptualization and proposed mechanisms of action.

Implications for practice

As delirium continues to be a major complication, this intervention is a promising solution to increase families' involvement in delirium management and highlights the support that nurses can offer to facilitate this involvement. With its use in future studies and practice, it can be further refined.
Formulation‐led care in care homes: Staff perspectives on this psychological approach to managing behaviour in dementia care
Authors: McKenna Megan , Brown Laura J. E. , Berry Katherine
Published: April 2022

Introduction

Many people living with dementia will move to specialist care facilities as the syndrome progresses. Psychological formulation offers a promising non‐pharmacological approach to managing behaviours that challenge in dementia care. However, little is known about how formulation is viewed by non‐qualified care staff who are responsible for the day‐to‐day care of residents. Therefore, the present study aimed to explore the experiences of care staff in relation to formulation as an approach to managing behaviour in dementia care.

Design

This was a qualitative design involving semi‐structured, individual interviews.

Method

Interviews were conducted with 13 care staff with experience of psychological formulation from five care facilities. Data were analysed using thematic analysis.

Results

Three themes emerged from the data that offer an insight into the factors contributing to care staff's perspectives of formulation‐led care. The themes were defined as expectation, working together and understanding.

Conclusion

The findings suggest that formulation‐led care approaches are viewed by care staff as a favourable approach to supporting people living with dementia who present with behavioural difficulties. Psychologists can aid care staff's investment within formulation approaches through managing expectations and fostering effective working relationships with care teams to develop understanding of the context around behaviours that challenge.

Implications for Practice

By aiding effective, collaborative communication between nursing and psychology team members and providing clear feedback to aid nurses' understanding of formulations, this study highlights that consideration of biopsychosocial factors when attempting to understand behaviour offers a safe, person‐centred alternative to pharmacological approaches.
Optimising curve fitting techniques to look for standardisation of the analysis of defocus curves derived from multifocal intraocular lenses
Authors: Law Elizabeth M , Buckhurst Hetal D , Aggarwal Rajesh K , El‐Kasaby Hosam , Marsden Jonathan , Shum Gary L , Buckhurst Phillip J
Published: April 2022

Introduction

To establish the most appropriate curve fitting method to allow accurate comparison of defocus curves derived from intraocular lenses (IOLs).

Methods

Defocus curves were plotted in five IOL groups (monofocal, extended depth of focus, refractive bifocal, diffractive bifocal and trifocal). Polynomial curves from 2nd to 11th order and cubic splines were fitted. Goodness of fit (GOF) was assessed using five methods: least squares, coefficient of determination (R2adj), Akaike information criteria (AIC), visual inspection and Snedecor and Cochran. Additional defocus steps at −2.25 D and −2.75 D were measured and compared to the calculated visual acuity (VA) values. Area under the defocus curve and range of focus were also compared.

Results

Goodness of fit demonstrated variable results, with more lenient methods such as R2adj leading to overfitting and conservative methods such as AIC resulting in underfitting. Furthermore, conservative methods diminished the inflection points resulting in an underestimation of VA. Polynomial of at least 8th order was required for comparison of area methods, but overfitted the EDoF and monofocal groups; the spline curve was consistent for all IOLs and methods.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates the inherent difficulty of selecting a single polynomial function. The R2 method can be used cautiously along with visual inspection to guard against overfitting. Spline curves are suitable for all IOLs, guarding against the issues of overfitting. Therefore, for analysis of the defocus profile of IOLs, the fitting of a spline curves is advocated and should be used wherever possible.
Bi‐atrial characterization of the electrical substrate in patients with atrial fibrillation
Authors: Giorgios Tsitsinakis , Antonio Frontera , Limite Luca Rosario , Felicia Lipartiti , Zweiker David , Cireddu Manuela , Vlachos Kostantinos , Hadjis Alexios , D'Angelo Giuseppe , Baratto Francesca , Bisceglia Caterina , Vergara Pasquale , Marzi Alessandra , Peretto Giovanni , Paglino Gabriele , Radinovic Andrea , Gulletta Simone , Sala Simone , Mazzone Patrizio , Bella Paolo Della
Published: April 2022

Background

Little is known regarding the characterization of electrical substrate in both atria in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF).

Methods

Eight consecutive patients undergoing AF ablation (five paroxysmal, three persistent) underwent electrical substrate characterization during sinus rhythm. Mapping of the left (LA) and right atrium (RA) was performed with the use of the HD Grid catheter (Abbott). Bipolar voltage maps were analyzed to search for low voltage areas (LVA), the following electrophysiological phenomena were assessed: (1) slow conduction corridors, and (2) lines of block. EGMs were characterized to search for fractionation. Electrical characteristics were compared between atria and between paroxysmal versus persistent AF patients.

Results

In the RA, LVAs were present in 60% of patients with paroxysmal AF and 100% of patients with persistent AF. In the LA, LVAs were present in 40% of patients with paroxysmal AF and 66% of patients with persistent AF. The areas of LVA in the RA and LA were 4.8±7.3 cm2 and 7.8±13.6 cm2 in patients with paroxysmal AF versus 11.7±3.0 cm2 and 2.1±1.8 cm2 in patients with persistent AF. In the RA, slow conduction corridors were present in 40.0% (paroxysmal AF) versus 66.7% (persistent AF) whereas in the LA, slow conduction corridors occurred in 20.0% versus 33.3% respectively (p = ns). EGM analysis showed more fractionation in persistent AF patients than paroxysmal (RA: persistent AF 10.8 vs. paroxysmal AF 4.7%, p = .036, LA: 10.3 vs. 4.1%, p = .108).

Conclusion

Bi‐atrial involvement is present in patients with paroxysmal and persistent AF. This is expressed by low voltage areas and slow conduction corridors whose extension progresses as the arrhythmia becomes persistent. This electrophysiological substrate demonstrates the important interplay with the pulmonary vein triggers to constitute the substrate for persistent arrhythmia.
Age‐specific associations of early daycare, older siblings, severe airway infection, and preterm birth with subsequent atopic diseases
Authors: Nagasaki Tadao , Tabuchi Takahiro , Matsumoto Hisako , Horimukai Kenta
Published: April 2022

Background

The effects of infection and developmental adaptations in infancy on the prevalence of subsequent atopy‐related diseases at different ages during childhood are not fully determined. This study aims to examine the similarities and differences in the age‐specific association of asthma, allergic rhinitis/conjunctivitis, and atopic dermatitis with early‐life infection‐related factors (i.e., daycare, older siblings, and severe airway infection) and developmental adaptations (i.e., preterm birth and rapid weight gain) in children.

Methods

In this longitudinal cohort study (n = 47,015), children were followed from 0.5 to 11 years. The potential risks and protective factors, including daycare attendance at 0.5 years, existence of older siblings, history of hospitalization due to cold/bronchitis/bronchiolitis/pneumonia during 0.5–1.5 years, preterm birth, and rapid weight gain in the first 2.5 years, were assessed using multivariable logistic regression with adjustments for potential confounders.

Results

A protective association was observed between early‐life daycare attendance and asthma at 5.5–9 years, which disappeared after 10 years. A protective association was also noted throughout childhood between early daycare attendance and older siblings with allergic rhinitis/conjunctivitis. However, the association between early daycare and atopic dermatitis was found to be risky during childhood. In contrast, the early‐life history of hospitalization owing to cold/bronchitis/bronchiolitis/pneumonia was identified to be a risk factor for developing both asthma and allergic rhinitis/conjunctivitis. Preterm birth was a significant risk factor for childhood asthma.

Conclusion

Different age‐specific patterns were demonstrated in the relationship between early daycare, severe airway infection, preterm birth, and atopy‐related diseases in childhood.
Indigenous interpretations and engagement of China's Belt and Road Initiative in Peninsular Malaysia
Authors: Cai Yunci
Published: April 2022

Based on long‐term ethnographic study of the Indigenous Mah Meri communities at Carey Island and Orang Seletar communities at Danga Bay, both in Peninsular Malaysia, I critically examine local interpretations and engagement of China‐backed investments promoted under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Although these investments have encroached on their native customary territories and destroyed the natural environment which they depend on for their livelihoods, the Indigenous communities tend to perceive them as acts of land grabbing by the Malaysian political and economic elites, rather than a form of neo‐imperialism by mainland Chinese firms. My study underscores the need to attend to Indigenous politics and alternative forms of imaginaries in understanding the impacts of China‐backed investments. It complicates the dominant literature on the BRI by revealing more intricate nuances of the grounded realities, focusing on the perspectives of the Indigenous people, who hold customary rights to lands and territories under development.
Development and initial validation of a parent report measure of youth belongingness and burdensomeness
Authors: Buitron Victor , Hill Ryan M. , Cabrera Victoria , Pettit Jeremy W.
Published: April 2022

Objective

The Interpersonal Theory of Suicide (ITS) implicates thwarted belongingness and perceived burdensomeness as casually related to suicide desire. The self‐report Interpersonal Needs Questionnaire (INQ) is the most commonly used measure to assess belongingness and burdensomeness, including in youth. No parent‐report version of the INQ exists. The current study adapted the ten‐item version of the INQ (INQ‐10) for parent report of youth belongingness and burdensomeness, thereby moving ITS research in youth to a multi‐informant measurement approach, and examined its factor structure and convergent and concurrent validity.

Methods

Participants were 168 clinic‐referred youths ages 9–17 years (58.9% female; Mage = 11.91) and their parents.

Results

Findings supported a two‐factor structure of the parent INQ. In support of convergent and concurrent validity, parent‐reported belongingness and burdensomeness were significantly associated with youth‐reported belongingness and burdensomeness, suicide ideation, anxiety symptoms, depressive symptoms, and impairment.

Conclusions

The current study provides initial support the INQ‐parent version as a valid measure to complement youth self‐reports of belongingness and burdensomeness.
The Accessibility and Electoral Consequences of Issue Competence Perceptions: Evidence from the Swiss 2019 Election
Authors: Marquis Lionel , Tresch Anke
Published: April 2022

According to the issue ownership theory of voting, voters cast their ballot for the party that they consider to be most competent and most committed to handle an issue of importance to them. This article offers a theoretical expansion of this model, arguing that the effect of issue ownership on vote choice is conditioned by the accessibility of voters' ownership perceptions, as measured by response latencies. Through individual‐level analyses of voting in the 2019 Swiss federal election, we demonstrate that the effect of voters' issue ownership perceptions on their voting decisions is strongest when their ownership attributions are highly accessible and when the issue at stake is considered important. Our results also reveal that the effects of accessibility are largely driven by voting decisions for parties that own the issue in the eyes of a large part of the electorate, such as the Greens in the case of the environment.