bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Clinical characteristics and prognosis of acral lentiginous melanoma: a single‐center series of 211 cases in China
Authors: Wang Lei , Wu Junshen , Dai Zhibing , Ji Suzhi , Jiang Renbing
Published: June 2021

Background

Acral lentiginous melanoma (ALM) is common in China with poor prognosis. However, there are only a few studies of ALM in the Asian population. We aimed to summarize and analyze the clinical characteristics, treatment strategy, treatment effect, and prognostic factors of ALM in a Chinese population.

Methods

We included a total of 249 ALM patients (211 with follow‐up data) from a single institution. Demographic, laboratory data, treatment strategy, and prognosis were analyzed.

Results

The ratio of male and female was 1.3 ∶ 1.0. The median age was 58 years old. The majority of patients (70.3%) had lesions on the sole. Trauma history and irritation were associated with lesion size increase in some patients. The prognosis of patients in stage II–III undergoing standard operation was significantly better compared with those without surgical treatment. Patients who did not receive postoperative adjuvant treatment had shorter time to distant metastasis. In multivariable analysis, distant metastasis, duration of disease, LDH level, and Ki67 index were independently associated with survival.

Conclusions

Prognosis for ALM patients was poor in our study. Distant metastasis, duration of disease, LDH level, and Ki67 index were independently associated with prognosis.
Prognosis of patients with prostate cancer and bone metastasis from the Japanese Prostatic Cancer Registry of Standard Hormonal and Chemotherapy Using Bone Scan Index cohort study
Authors: Nakajima Kenichi , Mizokami Atsushi , Matsuyama Hideyasu , Ichikawa Tomohiko , Kaneko Go , Takahashi Satoru , Shiina Hiroaki , Horikoshi Hiroyuki , Hashine Katsuyoshi , Sugiyama Yutaka , Miyao Takeshi , Kamiyama Manabu , Harada Kenichi , Ito Akito ,   PROSTAT‐BSI Investigators
Published: June 2021

Objective

To determine prognostic factors including the Bone Scan Index in prostate cancer patients receiving standard hormonal therapy and chemotherapy.

Methods

This multicenter Prostatic Cancer Registry of Standard Hormonal and Chemotherapy Using Bone Scan Index study involved 30 hospitals and enrolled 247 patients (age 71 ± 8 years) with metastatic hormone‐sensitive prostate cancer (n = 148) under hormone therapy and metastatic castration‐resistant prostate cancer (n = 99) under chemotherapy. The Bone Scan Index (%) was determined by whole‐body bone scintigraphy using 99mTc‐methylenediphosphonate. Patients were classified into tertiles and binary groups, and predictors of all‐cause death including Bone Scan Index, prostate‐specific antigen, and bone metabolic markers were determined using survival and proportional hazard analyses.

Results

During a mean follow‐up period of 716 ± 404 days, 81 (33%) of the patients died, and 3‐year mortality rates were 20% and 52% in the metastatic hormone‐sensitive prostate cancer and metastatic castration‐resistant prostate cancer groups, respectively. Survival analysis showed that a Bone Scan Index >3.5% was a significant determinant of death in the metastatic hormone‐sensitive prostate cancer group, whereas prostate‐specific antigen >55 ng/mL before chemotherapy was a determinant of prognosis in the metastatic castration‐resistant prostate cancer group. A Bone Scan Index >3.5% was also associated with a high incidence of prostate‐specific antigen progression in the metastatic hormone‐sensitive prostate cancer group. Patients with metastatic hormone‐sensitive prostate cancer and a better Bone Scan Index response (>45%) to treatment had lower mortality rates than those without such response.

Conclusion

The Bone Scan Index and hot spot number are significant determinants of 3‐year mortality, and combining the Bone Scan Index with prostate‐specific antigen should contribute to the management of prostate cancer patients with bone metastasis.
Access to inpatient diabetes resources: hospital characteristics from the inaugural Queensland Inpatient Diabetes Survey
Authors: Eccles‐Smith Jade , Puri Gaurav , Hinton Nicola , Cutmore Clare , Porter Kerry , Dermedgoglou Alexis , Donovan Peter
Published: June 2021

Background

Diabetes is common in hospitalised patients and despite this inpatient diabetes care in Queensland has not had large scale benchmarking or audit.

Aims

To establish the prevalence of diabetes in Queensland hospitals and assess the availability of specialised diabetes staff, educational resources and policies for inpatient diabetes management, including assessing equity of access to these resources.

Methods

The hospital capacity, prevalence of diabetes, diabetes‐related resources and the availability of diabetes‐related guidelines were assessed in 25 hospitals medical, surgical, mental health, high‐dependency and intensive care wards across Queensland. Dedicated diabetes staffing measured in full‐time equivalents (FTE), care delivery resources, access to educational resources, standard policies and procedures for care were assessed.

Results

Twenty‐five hospitals included 4265 occupied beds. The median prevalence of diabetes was 22.9% (interquartile range (IQR) 17.3–28.5%) with an average 2.9 FTE per 100 patients with diabetes (IQR 0–6.3). There was difficulty in accessing a diabetes educator in 48% (n = 12), diabetes specialist in 44% (n = 11), orthopaedic surgeon in 48% (n = 12), podiatrist in 58% (n = 14) and vascular surgeon in 64% (n = 16) of hospitals. Small hospitals had more difficulty accessing all members of the diabetes team compared with large hospitals including credentialled diabetes educators 33% (n = 4) versus 62% (n = 8) (P < 0.01), diabetes specialists 17% (n = 2) versus 69% (n = 9) (P < 0.01) and vascular surgeons 33% (n = 4) versus 92% (n = 12) (P < 0.01). Diabetes‐related staff education and regular nurse training was available in 40% (n = 10) of hospitals. A multi‐disciplinary foot care team was available in 28% (n = 7) of hospitals.

Conclusions

Queensland has a high prevalence of diabetes in hospitalised patients and they have limited and inequitable access to inpatient diabetes‐related care.
Innovation information sharing between two competitive supply chains
Authors: Xu Hongyan , Liu Xiaomin , Huang He , Zhou Yu , Wei Ying
Published: June 2021

We study the innovation information sharing problem between two competing supply chains with one supplier and one manufacturer each. The manufacturer in each chain has private information about its product innovation degree and may choose to share such information with the competitor (horizontal information sharing), its supplier (vertical information sharing), or both (full transparency). We find that irrespective of the status of horizontal information sharing, vertical sharing always hurts the manufacturer, and sharing information horizontally is a dominating strategy for each manufacturer when the competition intensity is small. Furthermore, when competition intensity is not extremely large, full transparency can be realized through some transfer from the suppliers to the manufacturers, achieving a Pareto improvement for all parties, because the vertical and horizontal sharing are complementary to increase the supplier's benefit. Otherwise, neither horizontal nor vertical information sharing will occur.
Triple NIR light excited up‐conversion luminescence in lanthanide‐doped BaTiO3 phosphors for anti‐counterfeiting
Authors: Wang Xiaoni , Li Ting , Liang Wenchao , Zhu Chunchun , Guo Liandong
Published: June 2021

Up‐conversion luminescent (UCL) materials are excellent candidate for optical anti‐counterfeiting and the exploitation of multi‐wavelength NIR light triggered UC phosphors with tunable color emission is essential for reliable anti‐counterfeiting technology. Herein, a series of lanthanide ions (Er3+, Er3+–Ho3+, and Yb3+–Tm3+) doped BaTiO3 submicrometer particles are synthesized through a modified hydrothermal procedure. XRD and SEM measurements were carried out to identify the structure and morphology of the samples and their UCL properties under 808, 980, and 1550 nm NIR excitation are investigated. Er3+ singly doped sample exhibits Er3+ concentration‐dependent and excitation wavelength‐dependent emission color from green to yellow and orange. The corresponding UC mechanisms under three NIR light excitation are clarified. Pure red emission under 1550‐nm excitation was obtained by introducing small amount of Ho3+ and the fluorescent lifetime test was used to confirm the energy transfer from Er3+ to Ho3+. In addition, Yb3+–Tm3+ co‐doped sample shows intense blue emission from 1G4 → 3H6 transition of Tm3+ under 980‐nm excitation. As a proof of concept, the designed pattern using phosphors with red, green, and blue three primary color emissions under 1550, 808, and 980 nm NIR excitation was displayed to demonstrate their anti‐counterfeiting application.
Exploring the experiences of living with Lewy body dementia: An integrative review
Authors: Bentley Allison , Morgan Tessa , Salifu Yakubu , Walshe Catherine
Published: June 2021

Aim

Lewy body dementia is a common neurodegenerative dementia with unique challenges in managing day‐to‐day life. A more in‐depth multifaceted picture of the Lewy body dementia lived experience will enable identification of best practice and future research direction. The review aim was to explore experiences of people living with Lewy body dementia and their family carers.

Design

Integrative review method informed by Whittemore and Knafl, supported by the information retrieval framework PALETTE. A convergent integrated approach enabled synthesis of key findings and theme identification.

Data sources

Medline, CINAHL, PsycINFO, AMED, and ALOIS databases were systematically searched to find studies published between 1995 and 2020.

Review Methods

Twenty‐six articles from twenty studies were synthesized (from 1583 retrieved). Quality and relevance were appraised using the Mixed‐Methods Appraisal Tool and Gough's ‘Weight of Evidence’ framework. Data management was supported by ATLAS.ti 8 and COVIDENCE software.

Results

Four themes were identified: living with an uncertain diagnosis and prognosis; fear of the now – worry for the future; living with behavioural and psychiatric symptoms; and maintaining a social and emotional life. People reported difficulty finding information and support around diagnosis, disease progression and managing complex symptoms. The result is increased caregiver burden, grief and stress and reduced quality of life.

Conclusion

Delayed diagnosis and complex symptom burden means people are not getting the timely support and information they need to live and die well. Current evidence is largely quantitative, with a focus on family caregiver burden and unmet need. The challenge remains in how to capture a more holistic picture of the lived experience for people living with Lewy body dementia and those who care for them.

Impact

This review highlighted current knowledge and identified gaps in exploring the lived experience for people with Lewy body dementia and their families.
‘Who's to Say?’: Responsibility, Entitlement, and Educating for Autonomy
Authors: Westlund Andrea C.
Published: June 2021

In this article, I argue that educating for autonomy requires the inculcation of a disposition to take responsibility for one's commitments, including one's evaluative commitments, rather than the inculcation of an attitude of entitlement to those commitments. Drawing on pioneering work of R.F. Dearden, I argue that taking responsibility for one's commitments requires world‐directed concern for reasons and appropriate responsiveness to critical perspectives on one's beliefs and values. Educating for autonomy thus means bringing developing agents to see their beliefs and values as answerable to shared norms of assessment. The cognitive and normative capacities that are required, for such answerability, develop gradually over the course of childhood and adolescence. The question of how best to foster their development in school settings, which are inevitably characterised by asymmetries in power and authority, emerges as an important area for further inquiry.
Histone deacetylase 9 deficiency exaggerates uterine M2 macrophage polarization
Authors: Liu Yanqin , Du Meirong , Lin Hai‐Yan
Published: June 2021

The maternal‐foetal interface is an immune‐privileged site where the semi‐allogeneic embryo is protected from attacks by the maternal immune system. Uterine macrophages are key players in establishing and maintaining pregnancy, and the dysregulation of the M1‐M2 subpopulation balance causes abortion. We separated two distinct mouse uterine macrophage subpopulations during early pregnancy, CD45+F4/80+CD206− M1‐like (M1) and CD45+F4/80+CD206+ M2‐like (M2) cells. The M1 preponderance was significantly exaggerated at 6 hours after lipopolysaccharide (LPS) treatment, and adoptive transfer of M2 macrophages partially rescued LPS‐induced abortion. RNA sequencing analysis of mouse uterine M2 versus M1 revealed 1837 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), among which 629 was up‐regulated and 1208 was down‐regulated. Histone deacetylase 9 (Hdac9) was one of the DEGs and validated to be significantly up‐regulated in uterine M2 as compared with M1. Remarkably, this differential expression profile between M1 and M2 was also evident in primary splenic macrophages and in vitro polarized murine peritoneal, bone marrow–derived and RAW 264.7 macrophages. In Hdac9/HDAC9 knockout RAW 264.7 and human THP‐1–derived macrophages, the expression of M1 differentiation markers was unchanged or decreased whereas M2 markers were increased compared with the wild‐type cells, and these effects were unrelated to compromised proliferation. Furthermore, Hdac9/HDAC9 ablation significantly enhanced the phagocytosis of fluorescent microspheres in M2 Raw 264.7 cells yet decreased the capacity of THP‐1‐derived M1 macrophages. The above results demonstrate that Hdac9/HDAC9 deficiency exaggerates M2 macrophage polarization in mouse and human macrophages, which may provide clues for our understanding of the epigenetic regulation on macrophage M1/M2 polarization in maternal‐foetal tolerance.
Inhibition of cyclooxygenase‐2 enhanced intestinal epithelial homeostasis via suppressing β‐catenin signalling pathway in experimental liver fibrosis
Authors: Zhang Linhao , Tai Yang , Zhao Chong , Ma Xiao , Tang Shihang , Tong Huan , Tang Chengwei , Gao Jinhang
Published: June 2021

The intestinal barrier dysfunction is crucial for the development of liver fibrosis but can be disturbed by intestinal chronic inflammation characterized with cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2) expression. This study focused on the unknown mechanism by which COX‐2 regulates intestinal epithelial homeostasis in liver fibrosis. The animal models of liver fibrosis induced with TAA were established in rats and in intestinal epithelial–specific COX‐2 knockout mice. The impacts of COX‐2 on intestinal epithelial homeostasis via suppressing β‐catenin signalling pathway were verified pharmacologically and genetically in vivo. A similar assumption was tested in Ls174T cells with goblet cell phenotype in vitro. Firstly, disruption of intestinal epithelial homeostasis in cirrhotic rats was ameliorated by celecoxib, a selective COX‐2 inhibitor. Then, β‐catenin signalling pathway in cirrhotic rats was associated with the activation of COX‐2. Furthermore, intestinal epithelial–specific COX‐2 knockout could suppress β‐catenin signalling pathway and restore the disruption of ileal epithelial homeostasis in cirrhotic mice. Moreover, the effect of COX‐2/PGE2 was dependent on the β‐catenin signalling pathway in Ls174T cells. Therefore, inhibition of COX‐2 may enhance intestinal epithelial homeostasis via suppression of the β‐catenin signalling pathway in liver fibrosis.
The conceptual and diagnostic importance of ADHD‐related impairment: a Commentary on Arildskov et al. (2021)
Authors: DuPaul George J.
Published: June 2021

Arildskov et al. (2021) provide compelling evidence regarding the importance and nature of functional impairment in advancing diagnostic assessment and treatment of attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Their findings indicate that (a) ADHD is dimensional for both symptom severity and impairment, (b) symptoms and impairment are related but separate constructs, (c) diagnostic assessment should focus equally on symptoms and impairment, and (d) the symptom threshold for ADHD diagnosis is arbitrarily defined with respect to presence of impairment. Results from this study can be extended to raise the profile of functional impairment in research and clinical practice in terms of diagnostic assessment, treatment outcome measurement, improvements to diagnostic systems, and advancements in our understanding of ADHD as a disorder.
Mathematical design and performance investigation of evaporator water cooled storage‐cum‐mobile thermoelectric refrigerator for preservation of fruits and vegetables
Authors: Chavan Prasad , Sidhu Gagandeep Kaur , Alam Mohammed Shafiq , Kumar Mahesh
Published: June 2021

A storage‐cum‐mobile thermoelectric refrigeration system was designed for passive, active, and total load of refrigeration on the basis of thermo‐physical properties of polyurethane sheet, heat generated by axial fan, and internal heat of commodities stored for refrigeration. A prototype of mobile thermoelectric refrigeration system of capacity 100 L (40 kg per batch) was designed and developed for maintaining the temperature of 15 ± 2°C and relative humidity of 80 ± 5%. The developed system of dimension (45 × 50 × 50 length × width × height), composed of four thermoelectric modules, liquid cooled evaporator, axial fan, diaphragm water pump, fogger, and water tank. The system was operated by 12 V DC power source. Results obtained from experimental performance evaluation indicated that 20.8°C temperature reduction was achieved in 210 min under no load operation, whereas, 23.6°C temperature reduction was obtained in 360 min when the system was loaded with 30 kg of bitter gourd. The temperature was reduced at the rate of 9.65°C/h till temperature of 20°C was attained which latter reduced to 2.23°C/h under no load condition, whereas, rate of temperature reduction was 7.44°C/h till attainment of 20°C and then reduced to 1.43°C/h under loading condition. The techno‐economic feasibility of the system exhibited COP 0.85 which was significantly higher than those reported by several scientists in the range of 0.15–0.50. Developed refrigeration system can be effectively utilized as an eco‐friendly technology for small scale cold storage of fruits and vegetables with causing detrimental effect to environment.

Practical Applications

Developed thermoelectric refrigeration technology is climate friendly without generating any global warming potential and can be commercially used for small scale cold storage of fruits and vegetables to enhance the shelf life of produce. A developed refrigeration system is helpful for fruits and vegetable vendors to maintain the quality of commodity during transportation to minimize the decay of food and fetch good value to the commodity.
Monitoring of dough fermentation during Chinese steamed bread processing by near‐infrared spectroscopy combined with spectra selection and supervised learning algorithm
Authors: Chang Xianhui , Huang Xingyi , Xu Weidong , Tian Xiaoyu , Wang Chengquan , Wang Li , Yu Shanshan
Published: June 2021

As a critical control point in the processing of Chinese steamed bread, fermentation is mainly judged by traditional methods. The purpose of this work was to develop an intelligent method of dough fermentation monitoring by near‐infrared (NIR) spectroscopy technology. First, Savitzky–Golay smoothing filter was utilized as the best method to preprocess the original NIR spectra for eliminating spectral noise by comparison, and the frame size was 15. Second, the unrepresentative intervals were eliminated from preprocessed NIR spectra using synergy interval partial least squares (Si‐PLS) preliminarily. Based on the selected intervals, competitive adaptive reweighted sampling (CARS) was adopted to further select variables. Then, 13 significant variables were screened from full wavelength variables by utilizing CARS‐Si‐PLS. Finally, the K‐nearest neighbor (KNN) and support vector machine (SVM) monitoring models of dough fermentation state were established. The results showed that the accuracy of training set and prediction set of KNN model were 89 and 86%, respectively, and that of SVM model were 94 and 92%, respectively. By comparison, the performance of two models, it was found that SVM was superior to KNN. This work verified that NIR spectroscopy couple with multivariate calibration models can replace assessor judgment to realize rapid and online monitoring of dough fermentation.

Practical Applications

The method based on NIR spectroscopy coupled with supervised learning algorithm can be used instead of assessor to judge the fermentation state of dough, so as to avoid subjective influence of assessor on the judgment result. In addition, it can realize the rapid online monitoring of dough fermentation state, which is beneficial to enhance the automation level of Chinese steamed bread processing.
Physical frailty in older patients with acute heart failure: From risk marker to modifiable treatment target
Authors: Pandey Ambarish , Gilbert Olivia , Kitzman Dalane W.
Published: June 2021

This editorial comments on the article by Mudge et al.
A scoping review of interventions for older adults transitioning from hospital to home
Authors: Liebzeit Daniel , Rutkowski Rachel , Arbaje Alicia I. , Fields Beth , Werner Nicole E.
Published: June 2021

Background/Objectives

Older adults are at high risk for adverse outcomes as they transition from hospital to home. Transitional care interventions primarily focus on care coordination and medication management and may miss key components. The objective of this study is to examine the current scope of hospital‐to‐home transitional care interventions that impact health‐related outcomes and to examine other key components including engagement by older adults and their caregivers.

Design

Scoping review.

Methods

Eligible articles focused on hospital transition to home intervention, measured primary outcomes posthospitalization, used randomized controlled trial designs, and included primarily adults aged 60 years and older. Articles included in this review were reviewed in full and all data were extracted that related to study objective, setting, population, sample, intervention, primary and secondary outcomes, and main results.

Results

Five hundred sixty‐seven records were identified by title. Forty‐four articles were deemed eligible and included. Most common transitional care intervention components were care continuity and coordination, medication management, symptom recognition, and self‐management. Few studies reported a focus on caregiver needs or goals. Common modes of intervention delivery included by phone, in person while the patient was hospitalized, and in person in the community following hospital discharge. The most common outcomes were readmission and mortality.

Conclusion

To improve outcomes beyond healthcare utilization, a paradigm shift is required in the design and study of care transition interventions. Future interventions should explore methods or novel interventions for caregiver engagement; leverage an interdisciplinary team or care coordination hub with engagement from underrepresented specialties such as social work and occupational therapy; and examine opportunities for interventions designed specifically to address older adult and caregiver‐reported needs and their well‐being.
Caregiver involvement in managing medications among older adults with multiple chronic conditions
Authors: O'Conor Rachel , Eifler Morgan , Russell Andrea M. , Opsasnick Lauren , Arvanitis Marina , Pack Allison , Curtis Laura , Benavente Julia Yoshino , Wolf Michael S.
Published: June 2021

Objective

We sought to characterize caregiver medication assistance for older adults with multiple chronic conditions.

Design

Semi‐structured qualitative interviews.

Setting

Community and academic‐affiliated primary care practices.

Participants

A total of 25 caregivers to older adults participating in an ongoing cohort study with ≥3 chronic conditions.

Measurements

A semi‐structured interview guide, informed by the Medication Self‐Management model, aimed to understand health‐related and medication‐specific assistance caregivers provided.

Results

Three typologies of caregiver assistance with medications emerged: Actively Involved, Peripherally Involved, and Not Involved. A total of 10 caregivers were Actively Involved, which was defined as when the caregiver perceived a need for and offered assistance, and the patient accepted the assistance. Peripherally Involved (n = 6) was defined as when the caregiver perceived a need and offered assistance; however, the patient rejected this assistance, yet relied on the caregiver as a backup in managing his or her medications. To combat resistance from the patient, caregivers in this typology disguised assistance and deployed workaround strategies to monitor medication‐taking behaviors to ensure safety. Lastly, nine caregivers were classified as Not Involved, defined as when the caregiver did not perceive a need to offer assistance with medications, and the patient managed his or her medicines independently. A strong preference toward autonomy in medication management was shared across all three typologies.

Conclusion

These findings suggest that caregivers value independent medication management by their care recipient, up until safety is seriously questioned. Clinicians should not assume caregivers are actively and consistently involved in older adults' medication management; instead, they should initiate conversations with patients and caregivers to better understand and facilitate co‐management responsibilities, especially among those whose assistance is rejected by older adults.
Botulinum toxin type‐A versus 5‐fluorouracil in the treatment of plaque psoriasis: Comparative study
Authors: Khattab Fathia M. , Samir Mai A.
Published: June 2021

Background

Long‐term remission and total clearance in Psoriasis can only be achieved in a few patients.

Aim

To compare the efficacy and safety of intradermal Botulinum toxin (BTX) in the treatment of plaque psoriasis.

Subjects and methods

A comparative study conducted in thirty‐five patients with chronic plaque psoriasis was treated by split‐body therapy. The patients were either treated with intradermal BTX or with intralesional 5‐fluorouracil (5‐FU) to each of 2 bilaterally symmetrical psoriatic plaque lesions. The outcomes were assessed using the following criteria: the sum of erythema, scaling, and induration scores and the clearing percentage of the target plaque lesion assessed by 2 blinded observers.

Results

At the end of the study, the response rate was 85% on the BTX treatment side and 90% on the 5‐FU side. There was no significant difference between both sides regarding a clinical response or side effects. The recurrence rate was 15% on both sides.

Conclusions

Botulinum toxin was a novel, safe, single injection, and effective therapy for plaque‐type psoriasis. More studies are required to further prove the efficacy of BTX in the treatment of plaque psoriasis.
Liquidity measurement: A comparative review of the literature with a focus on high frequency
Authors: Cobandag Guloglu Zeynep , Ekinci Cumhur
Published: June 2021

This paper provides an exhaustive review and categorization of market liquidity measures that are used to quantify liquidity in empirical research. We review and discuss these measures in a comparative manner in terms of market, data features, computational ease, predictiveness, and potentiality. With a primary focus on high‐frequency liquidity measurement, we highlight their advantages, limitations, and extensions. We conclude that high‐frequency measures concentrate around bid–ask spread and limit order book, the latter offering a richer ground for analysis. Moreover, considering the recent developments in the industry such as market fragmentation, abundance of data, and improved technology, the practicality of these measures are challenged.
Shame On You! Unpacking the Individual and Organizational Implications of Engaging with a Stigmatized Organization
Authors: Kvåle Gro , Murdoch Zuzana
Published: June 2021

How and when does engagement with a stigmatized organization lead to the transfer of its stigma to organizations and individuals associating with it? To answer this question, we conduct an inductive study of the process of stigma transfer and the conditions determining social actors’ susceptibility to such courtesy stigma. We build our process model using interview and archival data on two art exhibitions engaging with Hells Angels Motorcycle Club (HAMC) Norway. Our study identifies purposeful shaming as a key element in the stigma transfer process, and shows that shaming attempts take on different forms at the individual and organizational levels. We also illustrate that contestation of shaming attempts through impression management tactics is conditional upon the status of the stigma ‘target’. This provides novel insights into when and how status moderates the stigma transfer process.
Imaging findings in 14 dogs and 3 cats with lobar emphysema
Authors: Warwick Harry , Guillem James , Batchelor Daniel , Schwarz Tobias , Liuti Tiziana , Griffin Sally , Keenihan Erin , Theron Marie‐Laure , Specchi Swan , Lacava Giuseppe , Mortier Jeremy
Published: June 2021

Background

Lobar emphysema in dogs and cats is caused by bronchial collapse during expiration and subsequent air trapping. Congenital causes such as bronchial cartilage defects or acquired causes such as compressive neoplastic lesions have been reported. Morbidity results from hyperinflation of the affected lung lobe and compression of adjacent thoracic structures.

Objective

To describe patient characteristics and imaging findings in dogs and cats with lobar emphysema.

Animals

Fourteen dogs and 3 cats with lobar emphysema diagnosed by imaging findings were retrospectively identified from veterinary referral hospital populations over a 10‐year period.

Methods

Cases that included thoracic radiography, thoracic computed tomography (CT), or both were included. All images were reviewed by a European College of Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging diplomate. Relevant case information included signalment, clinical findings, treatment, and histopathology where available.

Results

Ten of 17 (59%) patients were presented for evaluation of dyspnea and 6 (35%) for coughing. Eleven (65%) patients were <3 years of age. The right middle lung lobe was affected in 12 cases (71%) and multiple lobes were affected in 7 cases (41%). Congenital lobar emphysema was suspected in 14 cases (82%).

Conclusion and Clinical Importance

Lung lobe hyperinflation, atelectasis of nonaffected lung lobes, mediastinal shift, and thoracic wall and diaphragmatic wall deformation were common findings. Lobar or multilobar emphysema should be considered in patients with dyspnea or coughing, particularly younger patients. Although radiography is useful, CT provides better detail. In older patients, acquired causes of bronchial compression should be considered.
Genomic inference of contemporary effective population size in a large island population of collared flycatchers (Ficedula albicollis)
Authors: Nadachowska‐Brzyska Krystyna , Dutoit Ludovic , Smeds Linnéa , Kardos Martin , Gustafsson Lars , Ellegren Hans
Published: June 2021

Due to its central importance to many aspects of evolutionary biology and population genetics, the long‐term effective population size (Ne) has been estimated for numerous species and populations. However, estimating contemporary Ne is difficult and in practice this parameter is often unknown. In principle, contemporary Ne can be estimated using either analyses of temporal changes in allele frequencies, or the extent of linkage disequilibrium (LD) between unlinked markers. We applied these approaches to estimate contemporary Ne of a relatively recently founded island population of collared flycatchers (Ficedula albicollis). We sequenced the genomes of 85 birds sampled in 1993 and 2015, and applied several temporal methods to estimate Ne at a few thousand (4000–7000). The approach based on LD provided higher estimates of Ne (20,000–32,000) and was associated with high variance, often resulting in infinite Ne. We conclude that whole‐genome sequencing data offers new possibilities to estimate high (>1000) contemporary Ne, but also note that such estimates remain challenging, in particular for LD‐based methods for contemporary Ne estimation.
Selective nuclear export of mRNAs is promoted by DRBD18 in Trypanosoma brucei
Authors: Mishra Amartya , Kaur Jan Naseer , McSkimming Daniel I. , Hegedűsová Eva , Dubey Ashutosh P. , Ciganda Martin , Paris Zdeněk , Read Laurie K.
Published: June 2021

Kinetoplastids, including Trypanosoma brucei, control gene expression primarily at the posttranscriptional level. Nuclear mRNA export is an important, but understudied, step in this process. The general heterodimeric export factors, Mex67/Mtr2, function in the export of mRNAs and tRNAs in T. brucei, but RNA binding proteins (RBPs) that regulate export processes by controlling the dynamics of Mex67/Mtr2 ribonucleoprotein formation or transport have not been identified. Here, we report that DRBD18, an essential and abundant T. brucei RBP, associates with Mex67/Mtr2 in vivo, likely through its direct interaction with Mtr2. DRBD18 downregulation results in partial accumulation of poly(A)+ mRNA in the nucleus, but has no effect on the localization of intron‐containing or mature tRNAs. Comprehensive analysis of transcriptomes from whole‐cell and cytosol in DRBD18 knockdown parasites demonstrates that depletion of DRBD18 leads to impairment of nuclear export of a subset of mRNAs. CLIP experiments reveal the association of DRBD18 with several of these mRNAs. Moreover, DRBD18 knockdown leads to a partial accumulation of the Mex67/Mtr2 export receptors in the nucleus. Taken together, the current study supports a model in which DRBD18 regulates the selective nuclear export of mRNAs by promoting the mobilization of export competent mRNPs to the cytosol through the nuclear pore complex.
Measuring family‐centred care practices in adult intensive care units: The EMPATHIC‐F questionnaire
Authors: Rodríguez‐Ruiz Emilio , Campelo‐Izquierdo Maitane , Mansilla Rodríguez Montserrat , Estany‐Gestal Ana , Blanco Hortas Andrés , Rodríguez‐Calvo María Sol , Rodríguez‐Núñez Antonio , Latour Jos M.
Published: June 2021

Background

Engaging relatives in the care of critically ill patients is associated with better outcomes. It is crucial to empower relatives to provide feedback. Valid satisfaction instruments are essential to identify best practices and areas for improvement.

Aim

The aim of the study was to adapt the Spanish version of the EMpowerment of PArents in The Intensive Care‐30 (EMPATHIC‐30) questionnaire in adult intensive care units (ICUs) and psychometrically test the EMpowerment of PAtients in The Intensive Care‐Family (EMPATHIC‐F) questionnaire to measure family satisfaction.

Design

This is a cross‐sectional, prospective study conducted in two adult ICUs. Participants were relatives of patients who were discharged alive from the ICUs with an ICU length‐of‐stay >24 hours. The EMPATHIC‐F questionnaire is divided into five domains that are related to the family‐centred care principles. Responses are provided on a 6‐point ordinal Likert scale, a score of >5 is considered acceptable.

Results

Patients' relatives confirmed the adaptation of the instrument. A total of 262 relatives responded to the EMPATHIC‐F questionnaire (97% response rate). The empirical structure of the instrument was established by confirmatory factor analysis confirming 30 statements within five theoretically conceptualized domains: information, care and treatment, family participation, organization, and professional attitude. On item level, two statements scored a mean below 5.0. Cronbach's α at the domain level was between .64 and .75. Congruent validity was adequate between the five domains and four general satisfaction items (r's .26‐.54). The non‐differential validity was confirmed with no significant effect size between three patients' demographic characteristics and the domains.

Conclusions

The EMPATHIC‐F questionnaire is a reliable and valid quality performance indicator to measure the perceptions of family members in adult ICU settings.

Relevance to clinical practice

The EMPATHIC‐F questionnaire can be used to benchmark and provides a framework for standardized quality improvement towards the development of a family‐centred care philosophy within adult ICUs.
A putative anti‐inflammatory role for TRPM8 in irritable bowel syndrome—An exploratory study
Authors: Peiris Madusha , Weerts Zsa Zsa R. M. , Aktar Rubina , Masclee Ad A. M. , Blackshaw Ashley , Keszthelyi Daniel
Published: June 2021

Background

Chronic and recurring pain is a characteristic symptom in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Altered signaling between immune cells and sensory neurons within the gut may promote generation of pain symptoms. As transient receptor potential melastatin 8 (TRPM8) agonists, such as L‐menthol in peppermint oil, have shown to attenuate IBS pain symptoms, we began investigating potential molecular mechanisms.

Methods

Colonic biopsy tissues were collected from patients with IBS and controls, in two separate cohorts. Immunohistochemistry was performed to identify TRPM8 localization. Quantitative PCR was performed to measure mucosal mRNA levels of TRPM8. In addition, functional experiments with the TRPM8 agonist icilin were performed ex vivo to examine cytokine release from biopsies. Daily diaries were collected to ascertain pain symptoms.

Results

In biopsy tissue from IBS patients, we showed that TRPM8 immunoreactivity is colocalized with immune cells predominantly of the dendritic cell lineage, in close approximation to nerve endings, and TRPM8 protein and mRNA expression was increased in IBS patients compared to controls (p < 0.001). TRPM8 mRNA expression showed a significant positive association with abdominal pain scores (p = 0.015). Treatment of IBS patient biopsies with icilin reduced release of inflammatory cytokines IL‐1β, IL‐6, and TNF‐α (p < 0.05).

Conclusions and inferences

These data indicate TRPM8 may have important anti‐inflammatory properties and by this virtue can impact neuro‐immune disease mechanisms in IBS.
COVID‐19–related personal product shortages are associated with psychological distress in people living with gastrointestinal disorders: A cross‐sectional survey
Authors: Mikocka‐Walus Antonina , Skvarc David , van Tilburg Miranda A. L. , Barreiro‐de Acosta Manuel , Bennebroek Evertsz Floor , Bernstein Charles N. , Burisch Johan , Ferreira Nuno , Gearry Richard B. , Graff Lesley A. , Jedel Sharon , Mokrowiecka Anna , Stengel Andreas , Knowles Simon
Published: June 2021

Background

The mental health response to the coronavirus (COVID‐19) pandemic–related product shortages in those living with chronic gastrointestinal (GI) disorders has received little attention. We aimed to explore the association between the pandemic‐related product shortages and psychological distress in people with GI disorders.

Methods

This online cross‐sectional survey was nested within an ongoing, international, prospective study of well‐being in people with GI disorders. The study was advertised in multiple countries in May‐September 2020 via patient organizations and social media. The primary outcome measure was distress, evaluated by the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale. We utilized linear regressions, adjusting for covariates and testing individual moderation effects.

Key Results

Overall, 831 people completed the survey from 27 countries, of whom 82% were female (mean age = 49 years). The most common disorders included inflammatory bowel disease (n = 322), celiac disease (n = 273), and irritable bowel syndrome (n = 260). Significant problems accessing food were reported by 19.8%, non‐medical therapies by 16%, toilet paper by 10.8%, and essential medication by 8.9% of the sample (>5% pain medication). There was a positive association between toilet paper and pain medication shortages and distress, and a negative association between food shortages and distress. Significant moderation effects were identified for COVID‐19 prevalence and toilet paper and food shortages, and between COVID‐19 fear and pain medication shortages.

Conclusions and Inferences

The study documented a significant relationship between product shortages and psychological distress, which were associated with COVID‐19 prevalence and fear. Strategies addressing COVID‐19 fear could potentially modify the relationship between shortages and distress.
The Intestinal Gas Questionnaire (IGQ): Psychometric validation of a new instrument for measuring gas‐related symptoms and their impact on daily life among general population and irritable bowel syndrome
Authors: Duracinsky Martin , Archbold Sharon , Lobo Beatriz , Bessonneau Pascal , Thonon Frédérique , Santos Javier , Guagnozzi Danila , Payakachat Nalin , Coffin Benoit , Azpiroz Fernando , Whorwell Peter J. , Chassany Olivier
Published: June 2021

Background

Gas‐related symptoms (GRS) are common in the general population (GPop) and among patients with disorders of gut‐brain interactions but there is no patient‐reported outcome evaluating these symptoms and their impact on daily life. We have previously developed a 43‐item intestinal gas questionnaire (IGQ). The aim of the present study is to perform a psychometric validation of this instrument.

Methods

Participants (119 from the GPop and 186 irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) patients) were recruited from 3 countries (UK, Spain, France). IBS patients fulfilled ROME IV criteria with an IBS severity score between 150 and 300. Participants completed the IGQ, the functional Digestive Disorders Quality of Life (FDDQL), and the EQ‐5D. A subgroup (n = 90) repeated the IGQ completion after 7 days on paper or electronically.

Results

From the original IGQ questionnaire, 26 items were deleted because of poor performance. Confirmatory factorial analysis on the remaining 17 items (7 symptom and 10 impact items) yielded a 6‐factor structure accounting for 67% of the variance for bloating (6 items), flatulence (3), belching (2), bad breath (2), stomach rumbling (2), and difficult gas evacuation (2). Global score (0‐100) was worse among IBS vs GPop (40 ± 15 vs 33 ± 17; p = 0.0016). At the second visit, the intraclass correlation coefficient of IGQ scores was between 0.71 and 0.86 (n = 67) for test‐retest reliability and 0.61‐0.87 (n = 64) for equivalence between electronic and paper versions of IGQ.

Conclusion

The IGQ available in paper and electronic versions in 3 languages is a robust instrument for capturing and measuring GRS and their impact on daily life.
Motor behavior of mouse large intestine: A Minireview
Authors: Wood Jackie Dale
Published: June 2021

Mice with a recessive gene which reduces the number of ganglion cells of the distal colon and rectum and produces megacolon, imitating Hirschsprung disease, are discussed as a model for integrative control of the large intestinal smooth musculature by the enteric division of the autonomic nervous system (ie, the brain‐in‐the‐gut). Investigative approaches, such as propulsion of artificial pellets in preparations of whole colon in organ baths in vitro and innovative approaches capitalizing on neurogenetic technologies (eg, optogenetics), are considered in view of potential application in the development of novel therapeutic mechanisms to selectively evoke and control gastrointestinal motility patterns, such as the small intestinal digestive motility pattern, interdigestive pattern, and reversed direction of powerful propulsive motility during emesis. This minireview relates to the paper titled: “Motor patterns in the proximal and distal mouse colon which underlie formation and propulsion of feces,” appearing in this issue of Neurogastroenterology and Motility.
Acankoreagenin and acankoreosides, a family of lupane triterpenoids with anti‐inflammatory properties: an overview
Authors: Bailly Christian
Published: June 2021

Acankoreagenin (ACK, also known as acankoreanogenin and HLEDA) and impressic acid are two lupane‐type triterpenes that can be isolated from various Acanthopanax and Schefflera species. They efficiently block activation of the NF‐κB signaling pathway and the release of proinflammatory cytokines and/or the action of inflammation mediators (HMGB1, iNOS, and NO). These effects are the basis for the antiviral and anticancer activities reported with these pentacyclic compounds or their various glycoside derivatives. More than 15 acankoreosides (Ack‐A to ‐O, and ‐R) and a few other mono‐ and bidesmosidic saponins (acantrifoside A and acangraciliside S) derive from the ACK aglycone. Compounds like Ack‐A and ‐B are remarkable anti‐inflammatory agents, inhibiting cytokine release from activated macrophages. Despite their effectiveness, ACK and impressic acid are far much less known and studied than the structurally related compounds betulinic acid and 23‐hydroxybetulinic acid (anemosapogenin). The structural differences (notably the R/S stereoisomerism of the 3‐hydroxyl group) and functional similarities of these compounds are discussed. The complete series of acankoreosides is presented for the first time. These natural products deserve further attention as anti‐inflammatory agents, and ACK is recommended as a template for the design of new anticancer and antiviral drugs.
Clinical applicability of automated cephalometric landmark identification: Part II – Number of images needed to re‐learn various quality of images
Authors: Tanikawa Chihiro , Oka Ayaka , Lim Jaeyoen , Lee Chonho , Yamashiro Takashi
Published: June 2021

Aim

To estimate the number of cephalograms needed to re‐learn for different quality images, when artificial intelligence (AI) systems are introduced in a clinic.

Settings and sample population

A total of 2385 digital lateral cephalograms (University data [1785]; Clinic F [300]; Clinic N [300]) were used. Using data from the university and clinics F and N, and combined data from clinics F and N, 50 cephalograms were randomly selected to test the system's performance (Test‐data O, F, N, FN).

Materials and methods

To examine the recognition ability of landmark positions of the AI system developed in Part I (Original System) for other clinical data, test data F, N and FN were applied to the original system, and success rates were calculated. Then, to determine the approximate number of cephalograms needed to re‐learn for different quality images, 85 and 170 cephalograms were randomly selected from each group and used for the re‐learning (F85, F170, N85, N170, FN85 and FN170) of the original system. To estimate the number of cephalograms needed for re‐learning, we examined the changes in the success rate of the re‐trained systems and compared them with the original system. Re‐trained systems F85 and F170 were evaluated with test data F, N85 and N170 from test data N, and FN85 and FN170 from test data FN.

Results

For systems using F, N and FN, it was determined that 85, 170 and 85 cephalograms, respectively, were required for re‐learning.

Conclusions

The number of cephalograms needed to re‐learn for images of different quality was estimated.