bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Chasing the storm: Recruiting non‐hospitalized patients for a multi‐site randomized controlled trial in the United States during the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Hu Kelly , Tardif Jean‐Claude , Huber Melanie , Daly Maria , Langford Aisha T. , Kirby Ruth , Rosenberg Yves , Hochman Judith , Joshi Avni , Bassevitch Zohar , Pillinger Michael H. , Shah Binita
Published: December 2021

Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) remain the gold standard to evaluate clinical interventions, producing the highest level of evidence while minimizing potential bias. Inadequate recruitment is a commonly encountered problem that undermines the completion and generalizability of RCTs—and is even more challenging when enrolling amidst a pandemic. Here, we reflect on our experiences with virtual recruitment of non‐hospitalized patients in the United States for ColCorona, an international, multicenter, randomized, placebo‐controlled coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) drug trial. Recruitment challenges during a pandemic include constraints created by shelter‐in‐place policies and targeting enrollment according to national and local fluctuations in infection rate. Presenting a study to potential participants who are sick with COVID‐19 and may be frightened, overwhelmed, or mistrusting of clinical research remains a challenge. Strategies previously reported to improve recruitment include transparency, patient and site education, financial incentives, and person‐to‐person outreach. Active measures taken during ColCorona to optimize United States recruitment involved rapid expansion of sites, adjustment of recruitment scripts, assessing telephone calls versus text messages for initial contact with participants, institutional review board‐approved financial compensation, creating an infrastructure to systematically identify potentially eligible patients, partnering with testing sites, appealing to both self‐interest and altruism, and large‐scale media efforts with varying degrees of success.
Detecting the phylogenetic signal of glacial refugia in a bryodiversity hotspot outside the tropics
Authors: Wu Ernest T. Y. , Liu Yang , Jennings Linda , Dong Shanshan , Davies T. Jonathan
Published: December 2021

Introduction

Glacial refugia have likely been important in shaping diversity gradients outside the tropics. Many taxa that have high extratropical diversity in the present day, such as mosses, may have persisted in glacial refugia. However, the biogeographical histories of most species within refugia remain unclear.

Location

Haida Gwaii archipelago, north‐west coast of British Columbia, Canada.

Taxa

Bryophyta (mosses).

Methods

We reconstructed the regional phylogeny of the mosses of Haida Gwaii, a putative glacial refugium and ‘hotspot’ of moss diversity, and used phylogenetic comparative methods to examine the macroecological imprint of glacial refugia on the geographic range structure and phylogenetic attributes of present‐day moss assemblages.

Results

We found that many mosses have widespread, but disjunct, distributions, with few close relatives on the islands. We suggest that these features reflect the imprint of glacial history, whereby species within refugia represent isolated populations of previously more widespread species that may have diversified elsewhere. We also observed evidence for phylogenetic overdispersion of species within high‐elevation habitats, which best match the climatic regime of the historical glacial refugium. Our results are consistent with the filtering of evolutionarily distinct glacial relicts within these habitats, which contrasts markedly with the patterns of phylogenetic clustering observed across other non‐refugial habitat types.

Main conclusions

The islands of Haida Gwaii represent an extratropical hotspot of bryophyte diversity. Our study illustrates how the present‐day phylogenetic structure of mosses on Haida Gwaii may have been shaped by glacial history, and highlights the importance of glacial refugia in maintaining extratropical moss diversity.
Barriers to and enablers of type 2 diabetes screening among women with prior gestational diabetes: A systematic review update and qualitative synthesis applying the Theoretical Domains Framework
Authors: Lake Amelia J. , Neven Adriana C. H. , Williams Amelia , O'Reilly Sharleen L. , Hendrieckx Christel , Morrison Melinda , Dunbar James , Teede Helena , Boyle Jacqueline A. , Speight Jane ,   the ME‐MaGDA study group
Published: December 2021

Aims

Women with prior gestational diabetes have nearly 10 times the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Postpartum screening for type 2 diabetes is recommended for early diagnosis and management, yet uptake is low. This work updates a previous systematic review and advances it through the application of the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) to synthesise personal‐level factors impacting type 2 diabetes screening and the Capability, Opportunity, Motivation‐Behaviour model (COM‐B), to develop messaging recommendations for use in clinical practice and screening promotion interventions.

Methods

We searched seven academic databases from September 2017 (prior review) to April 2021, reference lists and grey literature. Two reviewers independently screened articles against inclusion criteria (qualitative studies exploring factors impacting postpartum diabetes screening, any language) and extracted data. Using an inductive‐deductive model, we coded determinants to the TDF and mapped onto the COM‐B model.

Results

We identified 38 eligible papers from 34 studies (N = 1291 participants). Most (71%) reported sample sizes of N ≥ 16. The ratio of barriers to enablers was three to one. Eight key TDF domains were identified. Evidence‐based recommendations include addressing knowledge, risk perception, fear of diabetes diagnosis, low prioritisation of personal health and fatalism. The risk of bias was low and confidence in findings was moderate to high. A limitation was conceptual overlap between TDF domains, which we addressed via the study procedure.

Conclusions

The theoretical categorisation of determinants enables the development of messaging and interventions at the personal level, to promote women's uptake of postpartum type 2 diabetes screening.
A hydraulic conductivity model of frozen soils with the consideration of water films
Authors: Ming Feng , Pei Wansheng , Zhang Mingyi , Chen Lei
Published: December 2021

Accurate evaluation of water migration in frozen soils requires the determination of hydraulic conductivity. Most classical predictive models of hydraulic conductivity rely on the pore bundle concept that only accounts for capillary flow and neglects the water film flow. This may underestimate the hydraulic conductivity of frozen soil. In this study, water in the capillary tube was divided into free water and water films with different dynamic viscosities. Then, a novel prediction model for hydraulic conductivity of frozen soil was proposed based on the capillary flow theory. The model parameters can be easily obtained from laboratory tests. The predicted results showed good agreement with tested hydraulic conductivity of 12 frozen soils. When the temperature decreases from 0 to −1°C, the contribution of water films to the hydraulic conductivity of frozen soil becomes large, up to 20%. To further develop the predictive power of the model, the hydraulic conductivity determined by relative change method was recommended. The use of relative hydraulic conductivity can provide a simple form to quantify the influence of unfrozen water content on the hydraulic conductivity of frozen soils.

Highlights

Free water and water films have different dynamic viscosities in the model.

Soil freezing curve was used to predict the hydraulic conductivity of frozen soils.

Water film has about 20% contribution to hydraulic conductivity of frozen clay.
Changes in perspective needed to forge ‘no‐regret’ forest‐based climate change mitigation strategies
Authors: Erb Karl‐Heinz , Haberl Helmut , Le Noë Julia , Tappeiner Ulrike , Tasser Erich , Gingrich Simone
Published: December 2021

Forest‐based mitigation strategies will play a pivotal role in achieving the rapid and deep net‐emission reductions required to prevent catastrophic climate change. However, large disagreement prevails on how to forge forest‐based mitigation strategies, in particular in regions where forests are currently growing in area and carbon density. Two opposing viewpoints prevail in the current discourse: (1) A widespread viewpoint, specifically in countries in the Global North, favours enhanced wood use, including bioenergy, for substitution of emissions‐intensive products and processes. (2) Others instead focus on the biophysical, resource‐efficiency and time‐response advantages of forest conservation and restoration for carbon sequestration and biodiversity conservation, whilst often not explicitly specifying how much wood extraction can still safeguard these ecological benefits. We here argue for a new perspective in sustainable forest research that aims at forging “no‐regret” forest‐based climate change mitigation strategies. Based on the consideration of forest growth dynamics and the opportunity carbon cost associated with wood use, we suggest that, instead of taking (hypothetical) wood‐for‐fossil substitution as starting point in assessments of carbon implications of wood products and services, analyses should take the potential and desired carbon sequestration of forests as starting point and quantify sustainable yield potentials compatible with those carbon sequestration potentials. Such an approach explicitly addresses the possible benefits provided by forests as carbon sinks, brings research on the permanence and vulnerability of C‐stocks in forests, of substitution effects, as well as explorations of demand‐side strategies to the forefront of research and, in particular, aligns better with the urgency to find viable climate solutions.
Testing the effects on information use by older versus younger women of modality and narration style in a hospital report card
Authors: Yılmaz Nida Gizem , Timmermans Danielle R. M. , Portielje Johanneke , Van Weert Julia C. M. , Damman Olga C.
Published: December 2021

Background

Hospital report cards (HRCs) are usually presented in a textual and factual format, likely hampering information processing.

Objective

This study aimed to investigate the effects of audiovisual and narrative information in HRCs on user responses, and to test differences between older and younger women.

Design

A 2 (modality [textual vs. audiovisual]) × 3 (narration style [factual vs. process narrative vs. experience narrative]) online experiment was conducted. Information about breast cancer care was used as a case example. Age (younger [<65] vs. older [≥65]) was included as a potential effect modifier.

Setting and Participants

A total of 631 disease‐naïve women (Mage = 56.06) completed an online survey. The outcomes were perceived cognitive load, satisfaction, comprehension, information recall and decisional conflict. Data were analysed using AN(C)OVAs.

Results

Audiovisual (vs. textual) information resulted in higher information satisfaction across age groups, but was associated with lower comprehension in older women. An experience narrative (vs. factual information) increased satisfaction with attractiveness and emotional support of the information only in older women. A three‐way interaction effect was found, suggesting that older women were most satisfied with the comprehensibility of audiovisual factual or textual process narrative information. Younger women were most satisfied with the comprehensibility of audiovisual process narrative or textual factual information.

Discussion and Conclusion

Audiovisual and narrative information in an HRC showed beneficial effects on satisfaction measures. In particular, audiovisual information could be incorporated into HRCs to increase satisfaction with information.

Public Contribution

Lay persons helped in optimizing the visuals used in the stimulus materials by checking for clarity.
Operationalizing a patient engagement plan for health research: Sharing a codesigned planning template from a national clinical trial
Authors: Etchegary Holly , Pike Andrea , Patey Andrea M. , Gionet Erin , Johnston Brian , Goold Susan , Francis Vanessa , Grimshaw Jeremy , Hall Amanda ,   De‐Implementing Wisely Research Group
Published: December 2021

Introduction

Engaging with patients about their lived experience of health and illness and their experience within the healthcare system can help inform the provision of care, health policies and health research. In the context of health research, however, operationalizing the levels of patient engagement is not straightforward. We suggest that a key challenge to the routine inclusion of patients as partners in health research is a lack of tangible guidance regarding how this can be accomplished.

Methods

In this article, we provide guidance on how to codesign and operationalize a concrete patient engagement plan for any health research project.

Results

We illustrate a seven‐step approach using the example of a national clinical trial in Canada and provide a patient engagement planning template for use in any health research project.

Conclusion

Such concrete guidance should improve the design and reporting of patient engagement in health research.

Patient or Public Contribution

The De‐Implementing Wisely Research group is informed by a national 9‐member patient partner council (PPC). The research team includes three lead patient partners who are coinvestigators on the grant that funds the program of research. Members of the council advise on all aspects of the study design and implementation. The ideas presented in this paper were informed by regular communication and planning with the PPC; specific contributions of lead patient partner authors are outlined as follows: Brian Johnston, Susan Goold and Vanessa Francis are patient partners with a wide breadth of experience in the healthcare system and health research projects. The guidance in this article draws on their lived and professional expertise. All patient partner authors contributed to the planning of the manuscript, participated in meetings to develop content and provided critical manuscript edits and comments on drafts.
Longitudinal population‐based study of progression rates for borderline thyroid‐stimulating hormone abnormalities
Authors: Endall Ryan , Stokes Brian , Otahal Petr , Burgess John
Published: December 2021

Background

Current guidelines recommend thyroid‐stimulating hormone (TSH) for initial biochemical evaluation of thyroid function, with borderline TSH abnormalities a common finding. The likelihood of a borderline TSH progressing to overt abnormality is not well characterised at the population level.

Aims

To determine risk factors and likelihood for progression of borderline TSH to overt abnormality.

Methods

Population‐based retrospective longitudinal data‐linkage study for TSH tests performed in Tasmania (1996–2013). Kaplan–Meier methodology was used to summarise conversion time for overt TSH elevation (≥10 mU/L) and overt suppression (≤0.1 mU/L) in patients whose initial TSH was borderline elevated (BeTSH; 4.0–9.99 mU/L) and borderline suppressed (BsTSH; 0.10–0.39 mU/L) respectively. Main outcome measures are the progression from borderline to overt TSH abnormality.

Results

A total of 1 296 060 TSH tests was performed on 367 917 patients. Of these, 14 507 (3.9%) patients had BeTSH on initial assessment; mean age 51.4 ± 21.8 years and median TSH of 5.0 mU/L (interquartile range (IQR) 4.4, 5.2). Patients aged ≥80 years were most likely to progress (hazard ratio (HR) = 2.09 compared with age <20 years reference group (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.64, 2.68)). Patients aged 20–39 years had the second‐highest rate of progression (HR = 1.49 (95% CI: 1.18, 1.88)). Seven thousand, eight hundred and eighty‐three (2.14%) patients had BsTSH; mean age 50.7 ± 22.1 years and median TSH 0.30 mU/L (IQR 0.22, 0.35). Patients aged 60–79 years had the highest rate of progression to overt TSH suppression (HR = 2.47 compared with age <20 years reference group (95% CI: 1.88, 3.22)).

Conclusions

Follow‐up intervals for patients with borderline TSH abnormalities should take into account patient age as a progression risk factor.
Role of HrcA in stress management in Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Hakiem Owais R. , Batra Janendra K.
Published: December 2021

Aim

The current study aims to understand the role of HrcA in stress response of M. tuberculosis.

Methods and Results

In this study, using an hrcA knock out mutant of M. tuberculosis it is demonstrated that the heat shock repressor, HrcA is important for countering environmental stresses pathogen faces within the host during the infection process. Also, with scanning electron microscopy, it has been shown that HrcA plays a role in maintaining the morphology and cell size of the pathogen as disruption of the hrcA gene resulted in significantly elongated bacilli. Furthermore, heat shock proteins like ClpC1, ClpB, DnaK, GroEL2, GroEL1, DnaJ2 and GroES were detected in the secretome of M. tuberculosis by mass spectrometric analysis. The study also demonstrates a strong humoral response against M. tuberculosis heat shock proteins in H37Rv-infected mice sera.

Conclusion

The study establishes that though hrcA is not an essential gene for M. tuberculosis, it regulates the expression of heat shock proteins during infection and disruption of hrcA gives a survival advantage to the pathogen during stress conditions.

Significance and Impact of the Study

HrcA plays an important role in maintaining a fine balance of heat shock proteins during infection to give adequate survival advantage and also evade immune detection.
Economics and outcomes of sotalol in‐patient dosing approaches in patients with atrial fibrillation
Authors: Varela Daniel L. , Burnham Tyson S. , T. May Heidi , L. Bair Tami , Steinberg Benjamin A. , B. Muhlestein Joseph , L. Anderson Jeffrey , U. Knowlton Kirk , Jared Bunch Thomas
Published: December 2021

Introduction

There exists variability in the administration of in‐patient sotalol therapy for symptomatic atrial fibrillation (AF). The impact of this variability on patient in‐hospital and 30‐day posthospitalization costs and outcomes is not known. Also, the cost impact of intravenous sotalol, which can accelerate drug loading to therapeutic levels, is unknown.

Methods

One hundred and thirty‐three AF patients admitted for oral sotalol initiation at an Intermountain Healthcare Hospital from January 2017 to December 2018 were included. Patient and dosing characteristics were described descriptively and the impact of dosing schedule was correlated with daily hospital costs/clinical outcomes during the index hospitalization and for 30 days. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services reimbursement for 3‐day sotalol initiation is $9263.51. Projections of cost savings were made considering a 1‐day load using intravenous sotalol that costs $2500.00 to administer.

Results

The average age was 70.3 ± 12.3 years and 60.2% were male with comorbidities of hypertension (83%), diabetes (36%), and coronary artery disease (53%). The mean ejection fraction was 59.9 ± 7.8% and the median corrected QT interval was 453.7 ± 37.6 ms before sotalol dosing. No ventricular arrhythmias developed, but bradycardia (<60 bpm) was observed in 37.6% of patients. The average length of stay was 3.9 ± 4.6 (median: 2.2) days. Postdischarge outcomes and rehospitalization rates stratified by length of stay were similar. The cost per day was estimated at $2931.55 (1. $2931.55, 2. $5863.10, 3. $8794.65, 4. $11 726.20).

Conclusions

In‐patient oral sotalol dosing is markedly variable and results in the potential of both cost gain and loss to a hospital. In consideration of estimated costs, there is the potential for $871.55 cost savings compared to a 2‐day oral load and $3803.10 compared to a 3‐day oral load.
Leadless pacemaker perforations: Clinical consequences and related device and user problems
Authors: Hauser Robert G. , Gornick Charles C. , Abdelhadi Raed H. , Tang Chuen Y. , Kapphahn‐Bergs Melanie , Casey Susan A. , Okeson Brynn K. , Steele Elizabeth A. , Sengupta Jay D.
Published: December 2021

Background

Cardiac perforation during leadless pacemaker implantation is more likely to require intervention than perforation by a transvenous lead. This study reports the consequences of Micra pacemaker perforations and related device and operator use problems based on information the manufacturer has submitted to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Methods

FDA's Manufacturer and User Facility Device Experience (MAUDE) database was searched for Micra perforations. Data extracted included deaths, major adverse clinical events (MACEs), and device and/or operator use problems.

Results

Between 2016 and July 2021, 563 perforations were reported within 30 days of implant and resulted in 150 deaths (27%), 499 cardiac tamponades (89%), 64 pericardial effusions (11%), and 146 patients (26%) required emergency surgery. Half of perforations were associated with 139 (25%) device problems, 78 (14%) operator use problems, and 62 (11%) combined device and operator use problems. Inadequate electrical measurements or difficult positioning were the most frequent device problems (n = 129); non‐septal implants and perforation of other structures were the most frequent operator use problems (n = 69); a combined operator use and device problem resulted in 62 delivery system perforations. No device or operator use problem was identified for 282 perforations (50%), but they were associated with 78 deaths, 245 tamponades, and 57 emergency surgeries.

Conclusion

The Micra perforations reported in MAUDE are often associated with death and major complications requiring emergency intervention. Device and use problems account for at least half of perforations. Studies are needed to identify who is at risk for a perforation and how MACE can be avoided or mitigated.
The G to A transformation of rs4702 polymorphism in 3’UTR of FURIN reduced the risk of radiotherapy‐induced cognitive impairment in glioma patients
Authors: Yang Sen , Fu Zhan‐Zhao , Zhang Yan‐qiu , Fu Bao‐hong , Dong Lixin
Published: December 2021

The G allele of rs4702 polymorphism has been reported to reduce the production of mature BDNF and FURIN, both of which were closely associated with cognitive functions. Real‐time PCR, ELISA and luciferase assay were performed to explore the interactions between miR‐338‐3p, FURIN and BDNF. T‐RFLP was used to assess the intestinal flora in the stool samples of glioma patients after radiotherapy. We grouped the 106 glioma patients recruited according to the rs4702 polymorphism. The results showed no obvious correlation between rs4702 polymorphism and the expression of miR‐338‐3p. However, rs4702‐A was associated with increased expression of FURIN and BDNF in the serum and PBMC of glioma patients after radiotherapy. Besides, the study found that rs4702‐A was remarkably associated with increased enterotype I and decreased enterotype III in the stool of glioma patients after radiotherapy. Rs4702‐A was also proved to be closely associated with increased MMSE, role functioning and social functioning at three months after radiotherapy. Furthermore, miR‐338‐3p repressed the expression of FURIN‐G. Compared with G allele, the presence of A allele of rs4702 polymorphism in FURIN could obstruct the suppressive effect of miR‐338‐3p upon the expression of FURIN and BDNF in intestinal flora. Therefore, the carriers of A allele will be challenged with less risk of radiotherapy‐induced cognitive impairment.
Studying the mechanism of sperm DNA damage caused by folate deficiency
Authors: Wang Wei , Peng Meilin , Yuan Hongfang , Liu Chunyan , Zhang Yuan , Fang Yiwei , Su Yufang , Zhang Xinzong , Zhang Huiping , Tang Yunge , Zhao Kai
Published: December 2021

Sperm DNA injury is one of the common causes of male infertility. Folic acid deficiency would increase the methylation level of the important genes, including those involved in DNA double‐strand break (DSB) repair pathway. In the early stages, we analysed the correlation between seminal plasma folic acid concentration and semen parameters in 157 infertility patients and 91 sperm donor volunteers, and found that there was a significant negative correlation between seminal folic acid concentration and sperm DNA Fragmentation Index (DFI; r = −0.495, p < 0.01). Then through reduced representation bisulphite sequencing, global DNA methylation of sperm of patients in the low folic acid group and the high folic acid group was analysed, it was found that the methylation level in Rad54 promoter region increased in the folic acid deficiency group compared with the normal folic acid group. Meanwhile, the results of animal model and spermatocyte line (GC‐2) also found that folic acid deficiency can increase the methylation level in Rad54 promoter region, increased sperm DFI in mice, increased the expression of γ‐H2AX, that is, DNA injury marker protein, and increased sensitivity of GC‐2 to external damage and stimulation. The study indicates that the expression of Rad54 is downregulated by folic acid deficiency via DNA methylation. This may be one of the mechanisms of sperm DNA damage caused by folate deficiency.
Expression and significance of SOX B1 genes in glioblastoma multiforme patients
Authors: Pan Cunyao , Liang Lanlan , Wang Zirou , Zhang Baoyi , Li Qionglin , Tian Yingrui , Yu Yijing , Chen Zhaoli , Wang Xinxing , Liu Hui
Published: December 2021

The overall survival of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) patients remains poor. To improve patient outcomes, effective diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for GBM are needed. In this study, we first applied bioinformatic analyses to identify biomarkers for GBM, focusing on SOX (sex‐determining region on the Y chromosome (SRY)‐related high mobility group (HMG) box) B1 family members. The ONCOMINE, GEPIA, LinkedOmics and CCLE databases were used to assess mRNA expression levels of the SOX B1 family members in different cancers and normal tissue. Further bioinformatic analysis was performed using the ONCOMINE database in combination with the LinkedOmics data set to identify the prognostic value of SOX B1 family members for GBM. We found mRNA expression levels of all tested SOX B1 genes were significantly increased in GBM. In the LinkedOmics database, increased expression of SOX3 indicated a better overall survival. In GEPIA databases, increased expression of all SOX B1 family members suggested an improved overall survival, but none of them were statistically different. Then, Transwell assays and wound healing were employed to evaluate the motility and invasive captivity of U251 cells when silencing SOX2 and SOX3. We found exogenous inhibition of SOX2 appeared to reduce the migration and invasion of U251 cells in vitro. Collectively, our research suggested that SOX2 might serve as a cancer‐promoting gene to identify high‐risk GBM patients, and SOX3 had the potential to be a prognostic biomarker for GBM patients.
AR imposes different effects on ZFHX3 transcription depending on androgen status in prostate cancer cells
Authors: Fu Xing , Zhang Zhiqian , Liu Mingcheng , Li Juan , A Jun , Fu Liya , Huang Chenyang , Dong Jin‐Tang
Published: December 2021

Both androgen receptor (AR) and the ZFHX3 transcription factor modulate prostate development. While AR drives prostatic carcinogenesis, ZFHX3 is a tumour suppressor whose loss activates the PI3K/AKT signalling in advanced prostate cancer (PCa). However, it is unknown whether ZFHX3 and AR are functionally related in PCa cells and, if so, how. Here, we report that in AR‐positive LNCaP and C4‐2B PCa cells, androgen upregulates ZFHX3 transcription via androgen‐induced AR binding to the androgen‐responsive elements (AREs) of the ZFHX3 promoter. Androgen also upregulated ZFHX3 transcription in vivo, as castration dramatically reduced Zfhx3 mRNA and protein levels in mouse prostates, and ZFHX3 mRNA levels correlated with AR activities in human PCa. Interestingly, the binding of AR to one ARE occurred in the absence of androgen, and the binding repressed ZFHX3 transcription as this repressive binding was interrupted by androgen treatment. The enzalutamide antiandrogen prevented androgen from inducing ZFHX3 transcription and caused excess ZFHX3 protein degradation. In human PCa, ZFHX3 was downregulated and the downregulation correlated with worse patient survival. These findings establish a regulatory relationship between AR and ZFHX3, suggest a role of ZFHX3 in AR function and implicate ZFHX3 loss in the antiandrogen therapies of PCa.
Glycyrrhizin regulates rat TMJOA progression by inhibiting the HMGB1‐RAGE/TLR4‐NF‐κB/AKT pathway
Authors: Hu Zhihui , Xiao Mian , Cai Hengxing , Li Wei , Fang Wei , Long Xing
Published: December 2021

To investigate the role of glycyrrhizin on the progression of temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (TMJOA) and the underlying mechanism by regulation of the high‐mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE)/toll‐like receptor 4 (TLR4)‐nuclear factor kappa B (NF‐κB)/protein kinase B (AKT) pathway. After a rat model of TMJOA was built by intra‐articular injection of monosodium iodoacetate, glycyrrhizin was intragastrically administered at low concentration (20 mg/kg) or high concentration (50 mg/kg). Micro‐computed tomography, histological and immunohistochemical analysis were used to reveal the progression of TMJOA. Rat TMJ chondrocytes and disc cells were cultured in inflammatory condition with different doses of glycyrrhizin. Western blot was used to evaluate the effect of glycyrrhizin on the HMGB1‐RAGE/TLR4‐NF‐κB/AKT pathway. Administration of glycyrrhizin alleviated cartilage degeneration, lowered the levels of inflammatory and catabolic mediators and reduced the production of HMGB1, RAGE and TLR4 in TMJOA animal model. Increased production of RAGE and TLR4, and activated intracellular NF‐κB and/or AKT signalling pathways in chondrocytes and disc cells were found in inflammatory condition. Upon activation, matrix metalloprotease‐3 and interleukin‐6 were upregulated. Glycyrrhizin inhibited not only HMGB1 release but also RAGE and TLR4 in inflammatory condition. Glycyrrhizin alleviated the pathological changes of TMJOA by regulating the HMGB1‐RAGE/TLR4‐NF‐kB/AKT signalling pathway. This study revealed the potential of glycyrrhizin as a novel therapeutic drug to suppress TMJ cartilage degradation.
Effect of Ramadan fasting in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus treated with sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Gad Hoda , Al‐Nassr Noor , Mohammed Ibrahim , Khan Adnan , MacDonald Ross , Mussleman Paul , Malik Rayaz A.
Published: December 2021

Aims/Introduction

Sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT‐2i) improve glycemic control and weight, but might be associated with dehydration, hypotension and ketoacidosis, especially in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus who fast during Ramadan. This meta‐analysis evaluates the effects of Ramadan fasting on patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus treated with SGLT‐2i.

Materials and Methods

A literature search was carried out in PubMed, Embase and the Cochrane Library. Quality assessment was carried out using the ROBINS‐I and Cochrane tools for risk of bias, and analyses were carried out using RevMan version 5.3.

Results

A total of five studies were included in this meta‐analysis. During Ramadan, there was a significant reduction in glycated hemoglobin (P < 0.00001) and diastolic blood pressure (P = 0.006), with a non‐significant trend for a reduction in weight (P = 0.44) and systolic blood pressure (P = 0.67). The number and severity of hypoglycemic episodes was lower in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus treated with SGLT‐2i compared with sulfonylureas. There was no significant change in estimated glomerular filtration rate, β‐hydroxybutyrate, bicarbonate or anion gap. However, we identified considerable heterogeneity among studies, and a lack of head‐to‐head studies with structured outcome reporting on the risks and benefits of SGLT‐2i during Ramadan.

Conclusions

This systematic review and meta‐analysis shows that patients with type 2 diabetes treated with SGLT2i's during Ramadan have an improvement in HbA1c, less hypoglycemia and no major adverse effects.
Cytoplasmic incompatibility in hybrid zones: infection dynamics and resistance evolution
Authors: Røed Erik Sandertun , Engelstädter Jan
Published: December 2021

Cytoplasmic incompatibility is an endosymbiont‐induced mating incompatibility common in arthropods. Unidirectional cytoplasmic incompatibility impairs crosses between infected males and uninfected females, whereas bidirectional cytoplasmic incompatibility occurs when two host lineages are infected with reciprocally incompatible endosymbionts. Bidirectional cytoplasmic incompatibility is unstable in unstructured populations, but may be stable in hybrid zones. Stable coexistence of incompatible host lineages should generate frequent incompatible crosses. Therefore, hosts are expected to be under selection to resist their endosymbionts. Here, we formulate a mathematical model of hybrid zones where two bidirectionally incompatible host lineages meet. We expand this model to consider the invasion of a hypothetical resistance allele. To corroborate our mathematical predictions, we test each prediction with stochastic, individual‐based simulations. Our models suggest that hybrid zones may sustain stable coinfections of bidirectionally incompatible endosymbiont strains. Over a range of conditions, hosts are under selection for resistance against cytoplasmic incompatibility. Under asymmetric migration, a resistance allele can facilitate infection turnover and subsequently either persist or become lost. The predictions we present may inform our understanding of the cophylogenetic relationship between the endosymbiont Wolbachia and its hosts.
Avoiding the tragedy of the commons: Improved group‐feeding performance in kin groups maintains foraging cooperation in subsocial Stegodyphus africanus spiders (Araneae, Eresidae)
Authors: Walter André , Bilde Trine
Published: December 2021

Cooperation involving shared resource systems is prone to ‘the tragedy of the commons’, where individuals act in their own self‐interest to exploit the resource in a manner that is detrimental to the common good of all group members. Directing cooperation towards kin provides a solution to this problem and predicts the differential performance depending on the relatedness of group members. In subsocial spiders, juveniles live in transient groups that cooperate in hunting and communal feeding. Prey capture is costly in terms of risk of injury and investment of venom and digestive enzymes, and therefore presents a situation where individuals may attempt to avoid costly interactions and exploit the resource acquired by other group members. We tested the prediction that individuals differentiate participation and/or investment in cooperative prey capture and extra‐oral digestion (injection of digestive enzymes into prey prior to the initiation of extraction of nutrients) in response to the relatedness of group members with whom they interact, in the subsocial spider Stegodyphus africanus. The performance of groups and interactions over prey attack in groups of either related or mixed kin spiderlings were determined over a period of 4 weeks. We show that kin groups attack the prey significantly faster, recruit individuals to form feeding groups faster, extract prey body mass more efficiently and experience less antagonistic interactions than groups of mixed relatedness, which ultimately translates into an elevated growth rate. These results indicate that related individuals are more willing to take risks and invest in communal digestion when foraging with kin, as predicted by inclusive fitness theory as a solution to the tragedy of the commons.
Communication tools and patient satisfaction: A scoping review
Authors: Touati Romane , Sailer Irena , Marchand Laurent , Ducret Maxime , Strasding Malin
Published: December 2021

Objective

This scoping review aimed to present an overview of the literature on communication tools in esthetic dentistry. A variety of communication tools have been proposed to include patients in the shared decision‐making (SDM) workflow. Only little is known about implementing communication tools in dentistry and their impact on patient communication and patient satisfaction. A systematic literature search was performed in Medline, Embase, Cochrane, and World of Science to identify if communication tools have an impact on patient satisfaction.

Material and Methods

The search included studies from January 1, 2000 to March 3, 2020 published in English, focusing on patient communication tools and patient satisfaction in esthetic dentistry.

Results

Out of 6678 records, 53 full‐texts were examined. Ten studies were included. Data of the included studies were extracted systematically and subsequently analyzed. All studies found that patient communication utilizing specific communication tools positively impacted either patient satisfaction, patient‐dentist relationship, information retention, treatment acceptance, quality of care or treatment outcome.

Conclusions

Additional communication tools besides conventional verbal communication are able to enhance patient satisfaction, improve quality of care and establish a better patient‐dentist relationship. It seems essential to further develop standardized communication tools for SDM in dental medicine, which will allow the comparison of research on this topic.

Clinical significance

This scoping review shows the importance of patient involvement in the decision‐making process for improved patient satisfaction with esthetic dental treatments. With an increased implementation of communication tools, patient satisfaction and SDM may further improve in the future.
Ethnic‐racial socialization among Black, Latinx, and White parents of elementary school‐age children
Authors: Williams Amber D. , Banerjee Meeta
Published: December 2021

This study sought to (1) understand the differences in ethnicity/race‐related values, concerns, and ethnic‐racial socialization (ERS) among 156 Black, Latinx, and White parents of elementary‐school aged children and (2) examine how parents’ various ethnicity/race‐related values and concerns related to their ERS practices. We found that Black and Latinx parents were more likely than White parents to send messages about celebrating people of color, while Latinx parents were more likely to send egalitarian messages than White parents. We also found that parents who expressed a fear of discussing race were less likely to send all ERS messages, except messages promoting out‐group mistrust. Additionally, parents who valued diversity over competing benefits were more likely to send all ERS messages, except egalitarian messages. Other results suggest relations between parents’ ethnicity/race‐related concerns and values and their ERS practices. The implications of this work for social issues related to ethnic‐racial socialization strategies are discussed.
Holding both truths: Early dynamics of ethnic‐racial socialization and children's behavior adjustment in African American and Latinx families
Authors: Contreras Mariah M. , Osborne Kimberly R. , Walsdorf Ashley A. , Anderson Leslie A. , Caughy Margaret O'Brien , Owen Margaret Tresch
Published: December 2021

Ethnic‐racial socialization is at the core of ethnic minority families’ adaptive response to a racialized social climate. Protective links between ethnic‐racial socialization and children's adjustment are well documented in the adolescent years; however, very few studies have considered the ethnic‐racial socialization of young children altogether and fewer still have examined the links to adjustment using longitudinal designs. Leveraging unique, longitudinal data, the present study modeled African American and Latinx caregivers’ emergent use of multiple ethnic‐racial socialization strategies across the critical period when children first enter school, testing how their strategies dynamically interplay with children's early behavior adjustment. Results indicated an early pathway in which a child's behavior adjustment problems at 2.5 years may cascade to caregivers’ use of preparation for bias strategies at 3.5 years which in turn may modestly spillover in children's behavior adjustment in kindergarten. There was also modest evidence that cultural socialization strategies used in kindergarten may serve a protective function for future behavior adjustment. The potential to develop and extend interventions around both systemic issues and the direct needs of families is discussed.
Racial stories as learning moments: An ecological exploration of Black adolescents’ racial learning experiences
Authors: Watford Jon Alexander , Hughes Diane , Das Sohini , Francis Trenel , Pagan Olga , Keryc Caitlin , Cox Blair , Way Niobe
Published: December 2021

Youth in the United States receive countless messages about the meanings and consequences of racial group membership. The processes through which these racialized messages are transmitted, known collectively as ethnic‐racial socialization, are known to influence youths’ psychosocial and academic development—especially their ethnic‐racial identity. However, most studies have focused exclusively on parents’ roles in the ethnic‐racial socialization process. In the present study, drawing on semi‐structured interviews with 64 Black adolescents, we examined youths’ descriptions of their experiences with (and understandings of) race to provide an “up‐close” view of the sources and processes involved in ethnic‐racial socialization. In addition to providing further evidence of the roles of parents and school curricula in shaping youths’ racial beliefs, results suggested that ethnic‐racial socialization messages frequently emerged from youths’ direct and vicarious exposure to racial discrimination and inequality in the schools they attended, the public places they visited, and in the media they consumed.
Unpacking school ethnic‐racial socialization: A new conceptual model
Authors: Saleem Farzana T. , Byrd Christy M.
Published: December 2021

Parents are the earliest transmitters of ethnic‐racial socialization (ERS), but transmitters within the school context become more important as youth move into adolescence. Yet, the current literature has limited frameworks to describe the transmission of ERS in schools. We propose a conceptual model that outlines the transmitters, methods, and content of school ERS as well as how school ERS can influence adolescent outcomes. Although scholars have begun to understand dimensions of school ERS, no frameworks have outlined the process, content, and effects of school ERS. This paper builds upon the burgeoning literature to unpack this process at institutional and individual levels. The paper includes discussion of research and practice implications for utilizing school ERS to address racial disparities and increase healthy school racial climates in K‐12 schools.
A new non‐parametric cross‐spectrum estimator
Authors: Ioannidis Evangelos E.
Published: December 2021

A new non‐parametric estimator of the cross‐spectrum of a bivariate stationary time series is proposed, which is non‐quadratic in the observations. This estimator is an extension of the Capon‐estimator of the spectrum of a univariate time series. The proposed estimator is designed so as to cope with the leakage effect induced by strong peaks of the marginal spectra by utilizing adaptive windowing. We study the asymptotic bias and covariance structure of the proposed estimator and prove a central limit theorem for its distribution. We also obtain a result of independent importance for the consistency rate of the cross‐covariance matrix of the two series. The performance of the estimator in comparison to more traditional ones is demonstrated in a simulation study under a model exhibiting extreme characteristics, such as strong peaks in its marginal spectra. Finally, the estimator is used to judge the fit of a VAR(p) model in a real data example.
Correlation between instrumental and sensory properties of texture‐modified carrot puree
Authors: Peh Jie Xuan , Lim Wensheng , Tha Goh Kelvin Kim , Dharmawan Jorry
Published: December 2021

This study was undertaken to determine the correlation between instrumental and sensory evaluation on texture‐modified carrot puree. Texture‐modified foods (TMFs) are prescribed to dysphagia individuals to aid in the oral manipulation and facilitate swallowing of food. There is a lack of correlation between instrumental measurements and sensory attributes on TMF. Understanding this correlation will aid in the formulation of safe foods with desired sensory properties for dysphagia patients. Instrumental measurements of carrot purees were performed by back extrusion method using a texture analyzer and the attributes obtained were firmness, consistency, cohesiveness, and adhesiveness. Quantitative descriptive analysis with eight trained panelists was employed to characterize the texture of the carrot puree based on seven sensory attributes: firmness, viscous, adhesive (mouth), smoothness, adhesive (throat), rate of breakdown, and difficulty to swallow. Five thickeners, namely gellan gum, xanthan gum, Suberakaze, UNI‐PURE® Dys‐sperse instant thickener, and ULTRA‐SPERSE® M Starch, were evaluated against carrot puree without any thickener as control. The correlation results obtained from texture analysis and sensory evaluation were statistically significant (p < .05). The firmness attributes from instrumental and sensory results were positively correlated. The consistency parameter was positively correlated to sensory attribute viscous and negatively correlated to smoothness. The sensory attribute rate of breakdown was negatively correlated to instrumental parameter of cohesiveness. Lastly, instrumental adhesiveness was positively correlated to sensory attributes adhesive to mouth and throat, and difficulty to swallow. The correlation results showed a well‐designed instrumental technique can be used to understand the impact of thickeners on TMF for dysphagia subjects.
The texture and mastication properties of sheep biceps femoris from different finishing feeds and retail packaging methods
Authors: Li Xiying , Hutchings Scott , Warner Robyn Dorothy , Ponnampalam Eric , Ha Minh
Published: December 2021

This study investigated the relationship among meat texture (Warner–Bratzler shear force [WBSF] and texture profile analysis [TPA]), water‐holding capacity, and subsequent mastication of meat from sheep fed different diets and maintained under different packaging methods. Biceps femoris from 24 Merino sheep fed a standard pelleted diet containing grain and cereal hay or pelleted diets supplemented with either 8% camelina meal or 15% camelina forage hay was packaged in high‐oxygen modified atmosphere packaging (hiOxMAP) or vacuum skin packaging (VSP). WBSF, TPA, and water‐holding capacity (purge loss and cooking loss) were measured. Twelve volunteers were recruited to chew the cooked meat samples before expectorating the bolus at their natural swallowing point. Meat stored in hiOxMAP had greater purge loss, Warner–Bratzler peak force, hardness, and chewiness compared to meat packed in VSP. Mastication testing revealed that chewing frequency increased with VSP meat compared to hiOxMAP meat. Feed type had little effect on meat texture parameters; however, sheep meat on the standard pelleted diet required a greater number of chews than sheep finished on diet supplemented with camelina meal. Increased toughness in cooked meat due to feed type or packaging methods resulted in greater chewing effort, but this did not affect meat bolus properties at the natural swallowing point.