bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Making individualized men's basic body block patterns with a measuring garment incorporating stretchable capacitance sensors
Authors: Kim KyoungOk , Iguchi Daisuke , Takatera Masayuki
Published: August 2023

Purpose

To make individualized men's basic upper garment patterns without sleeves, the authors developed a measuring garment that measures necessary body dimensions and angles all together. Additionally, the authors proposed a method for making individualized basic body block patterns using the obtained dimensions and angles.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors decided on the locations of the dimensions of the body required for making the individualized garments. The authors then sewed multiple stretchable capacitance sensors to corresponding locations on a stretchable T-shirt. To obtain the dimensions with sensors of short length, the authors indirectly obtained each length from the relationship between the actual body length and the capacitance of the sensor. Beforehand, the authors obtained linear-approximation equations for the relationship between actual body dimensions and the capacitance of sensors for five participants and a dummy. The authors then used the measuring garment and the equations to obtain the body dimensions of another six participants. The authors compared the obtained and actual body dimensions to verify the equations. The authors made individualized upper-garment patterns without sleeves and garments for the 11 participants with the obtained dimensions and angles. The authors verified the proposed method in wearing tests comparing garments designed using the proposed method with conventionally designed garments.

Findings

Using the measuring garment, the authors obtained body dimensions close to actual body dimensions. A pattern of the individualized basic upper garment using the obtained dimensions and angles could be drawn. Compared with the conventional patterns, the individualized patterns had notable differences in the locations of the shoulder point and side neck point and directions of the shoulder line, which relate to the shoulder shape (i.e. square, sloping, forward, or backward). In wearing tests, all participants declared that the individualized garment better fitted their shoulders than the conventional garment without tightness around the shoulders, neck, and armpits. The proposed method with the developed measuring garment was thus found to be effective in designing individualized garments.

Originality/value

This paper presents the possibility of not only measuring body dimensions but also designing individualized basic upper garments using the proposed measuring garment. The proposed measuring garment will assist the efficient manufacture of individualized upper garments without a three-dimensional scanner or special skills.
The effect of school quality on house prices in the global south: evidence from South Africa
Authors: Owusu-Ansah Anthony , Azasu Samuel , Thantsha William Seremi
Published: August 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the effects of school quality (SQ) on residential property prices in Johannesburg, South Africa. Previous studies have empirically examined the quality of private and public schools without a standard proxy that is accepted in the literature. As a result, this paper extends the literature to the global south by the effect that SQ has on residential property price changes in the local markets of the City of Johannesburg.

Design/methodology/approach

The research adopts the hedonic pricing model to evaluate and quantify the impact that the structural attributes such as erf size; number of bedrooms and bathrooms; and SQ measured by pass rates, sport rankings and quality of facilities have on house prices. A total of 2,763 property transactions covering the Kensington and Observatory areas of the City of Johannesburg over the period 2010 and 2020 were obtained from the deeds registry and used for the empirical analysis.

Findings

The study finds that SQ has a positive impact on house prices. When the average pass rate of the model school increases by 1%, all other things being equal, house prices also increase by 1.8%. This suggests that people who live closer to the model school are willing to pay more when the school performance improves. The 1.8% premium this study attributes to a 1% increase in school performance is however generally low when compared to some findings in the literature suggesting that there may be some other important factors that households consider when purchasing their home.

Originality/value

The main contribution is uncovering the relationship between the SQ and residential property prices in the local markets, using Kensington and Observatory in Johannesburg as sampled areas. Due to the presence of reliable and quality of data sets, such studies are not many in the global south and a study of this nature in South Africa is notably not existing in the literature.
The impact of carbon neutrality policies on the stock market from a supply chain perspective
Authors: Liu Weihua , Gao Yongzheng , Yuan Chaolun , Wang Di , Tang Ou
Published: August 2023

Purpose

This study explores the impact of carbon neutrality policies on Chinese stock market from a supply chain perspective. Specifically, the carbon policy refers to the Action Plan for Carbon Dioxide Peaking Before 2030 (the Plan) in China.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is based on the resource dependence theory (RDT) and applies the event study methodology to explore the impact. It uses the cross-sectional regression model to reveal the moderating effect of supply chain characteristics on the stock market reaction with a data set of 354 listed companies in A-shares (excluding ChiNext and SME board).

Findings

The promulgation of the Plan shows a significant negative stock market reaction. Customer concentration, out-degree centrality and smart supply chains (SSCs) have a significant negative moderating effect. In-degree centrality and supplier concentration have a significant positive moderating effect. Furthermore, the conclusions concerning out-degree centrality, supplier concentration and SSCs are counterintuitive.

Practical implications

For policymakers, the study results provide a reference for evaluating the carbon neutrality policy. For managers, this study provides theoretical support for strategically adjusting and designing supply chain structures in the context of advocating peak carbon dioxide emissions and carbon neutrality.

Originality/value

This paper is the first attempt that includes the supply chain structure factors into the impact of carbon neutrality policies on the stock market.
The impact of an educational intervention on physician leadership competencies among rural and remote primary care doctors in Aceh, Indonesia
Authors: Maulina Fury , Hasanbasri Mubasysyir , Busari Jamiu O. , Scheele Fedde
Published: August 2023

Purpose

This study aims to examine how an educational intervention, using the lens of the LEADS framework, can influence the development of primary care doctors’ leadership skills in Aceh, Indonesia. In order to persevere in the face of inadequate resources and infrastructure, particularly in rural and remote settings of low- and middle‐income countries, physicians require strong leadership skills. However, there is a lack of information on leadership development in these settings.

Design/methodology/approach

This study applied an educational intervention consisting of a two-day workshop. The authors evaluated the impact of the workshop on participants’ knowledge and skill by combining quantitative pre- and post-intervention questionnaires (based on Levels 1 and 2 of Kirkpatrick’s model) with qualitative post-intervention in-depth interviews, using a phenomenological approach and thematic analysis.

Findings

The workshop yielded positive results, as evidenced by participants’ increased confidence to apply and use the information and skills acquired during the workshop. Critical success factors were as follows: participants were curiosity-driven; the use of multiple learning methodologies that attracted participants; and the use of authentic scenarios as a critical feature of the program.

Originality/value

The intervention may offer a preliminary model for improving physician leadership skills in rural and remote settings by incorporating multiple teaching approaches and considering local cultural norms.
KUOPIO 2022: The application of the MARC 583 “action note” in Austria and Germany
Authors: Sewing Silke
Published: August 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to present the implementation process in Germany and Austria of MARC 583 as an example for a supraregional cooperative library workflow in the fields of preservation and archiving.

Design/methodology/approach

Based upon PDA: Terminology, the MARC 583 “Action note” data element for inventory preservation and archiving was implemented in all library union catalogues in Germany and Austria. Strong cooperation in the Consortium of Library Networks has been a precondition for the introduction of MARC 583 in 2019. Using German Union Catalogue of Serials – Zeitschriftendatenbank as an example, areas of cooperative collaboration at the regional, supraregional, and national levels are explained.

Findings

MARC 583 allows the union catalogues to provide sustainable and transparent information about digitization, filming, mass deacidifation, and archiving measures and the participating libraries to save resources in these fields of “action.”

Originality/value

An example for the implementation of PDA: Terminology originates in the Anglo-American library world. This article describes the implementation of a workflow in two German-speaking countries with different approaches and projects.
The accuracy of the Motivating By Appreciation Inventory: a construct validity study
Authors: White Paul
Published: August 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to explore the question: Does the Motivating By Appreciation (MBA) Inventory accurately identify the ways that individuals prefer to be shown appreciation by their colleagues at work?

Design/methodology/approach

Over 400 remote employees responded to an online questionnaire, answering an open-ended question regarding how they liked to be shown appreciation by colleagues. Their answers were coded according to the four languages of appreciation assessed by the MBA Inventory, and then a pairwise comparison was completed with their primary language of appreciation as identified by the MBA Inventory.

Findings

In total, 80% of the participants’ responses matched their preferred appreciation language from specific actions given with their primary language of appreciation on the MBA Inventory. A chi-square analysis was found to be highly statistically significant (p < 0.001) and the Cramer V effect size (0.61) indicated a strong relationship between the observed and expected number of matches. As a result, the MBA Inventory was found to be highly accurate in identifying individuals’ preferred appreciation language when comparing their primary language of appreciation to specific actions they identified as meaningful to them.

Research limitations/implications

Participants were remote employees, with a majority being 40 years old or older. Therefore, caution should be taken in generalizing these results to other populations.

Practical implications

HR practitioners can use the MBA Inventory with a reasonable amount of confidence that the results are accurate.

Originality/value

To the best of the author’s knowledge, no other research exploring the validity of an online assessment of appreciation is known.
Till evolution do us part: The diversity of symbiotic associations across populations of Philaenus spittlebugs
Authors: Kolasa Michał , Kajtoch Łukasz , Michalik Anna , Maryańska‐Nadachowska Anna , Łukasik Piotr
Published: August 2023

Symbiotic bacteria have played crucial roles in the evolution of sap‐feeding insects and can strongly affect host function. However, their diversity and distribution within species are not well understood; we do not know to what extent environmental factors or associations with other species may affect microbial community profiles. We addressed this question in Philaenus spittlebugs by surveying both insect and bacterial marker gene amplicons across multiple host populations. Host mitochondrial sequence data confirmed morphology‐based identification of six species and revealed two divergent clades of Philaenus spumarius. All of them hosted the primary symbiont Sulcia that was almost always accompanied by Sodalis. Interestingly, populations and individuals often differed in the presence of Sodalis sequence variants, suggestive of intra‐genome 16S rRNA variant polymorphism combined with rapid genome evolution and/or recent additional infections or replacements of the co‐primary symbiont. The prevalence of facultative endosymbionts, including Wolbachia, Rickettsia, and Spiroplasma, varied among populations. Notably, cytochrome I oxidase (COI) amplicon data also showed that nearly a quarter of P. spumarius were infected by parasitoid flies (Verralia aucta). One of the Wolbachia operational taxonomic units (OTUs) was exclusively present in Verralia‐parasitized specimens, suggestive of parasitoids as their source and highlighting the utility of host gene amplicon sequencing in microbiome studies.
Frail hope and new frontiers
Authors: Preda Alex , Valk Julie , Xu Ruowen
Published: August 2023

This guest editorial takes as its starting point the 2021 guest editorial in ANTHROPOLOGY TODAY on the anthropology of blockchain written by Kosmarski and Gordiychuk, in which they discussed the possibilities of blockchain in terms of a ‘frail hope of novel, weird, grassroots, decentralized forms of social life’. They also argued that blockchain brought us to ‘new frontiers’ in politics, economics, capital, votes and subjective feelings. Two years later, in this 2023 guest editorial, the authors take stock of where blockchain technology stands concerning these ‘frail hopes’ and ‘new frontiers’. They distinguish between three articulations of blockchain imaginaries: blockchain‐as‐discourse, blockchain‐as‐sociotechnical assemblage and blockchain‐as‐spectacle. Then, they explore what blockchain means for capital, and whether we are headed towards mass adoption of blockchain technology, concluding that, for now, they see primarily institutional adoption. The authors also discern parallel institutional structures, with traditional finance on one side and blockchain‐enabled crypto finance on the other, and they examine the regulated future of crypto assets.
Competing imaginaries: Crypto‐utopianism and the material forces of Bitcoin mining
Authors: HAYES ADAM
Published: August 2023

Drawing on Marx's theory of history, this article argues that the competition and capital accumulation inherent in the production of Bitcoin (i.e. ‘mining’) are at odds with the narrative discourses that position Bitcoin as a revolutionary technology capable of subverting traditional power structures. Through an analysis of the evolution of Bitcoin mining, the article demonstrates how the material conditions of its production have shifted over time, leading to the concentration of mining power among a few large corporate entities and a concomitant erosion of the decentralized ethos that underpinned the early Bitcoin community. The article also argues that this shift is not simply a result of the ‘natural’ evolution of the technology, but also the outcome of specific social and economic forces that encourage the accumulation of capital over Bitcoin's democratic and decentralized potentialities. Overall, the article suggests that the narrative discourses surrounding Bitcoin need to be understood in relation to the material forces that shape its production and circulation, and that a more nuanced analysis of the interplay between material and discursive factors is necessary to fully grasp the dynamics of the cryptocurrency ecosystem.
Osteoarthritis and risk of type 2 diabetes: A two‐sample Mendelian randomization analysis
Authors: Xing Xing , Wang Yining , Pan Faming , Cai Guoqi
Published: August 2023

Background

Physical inactivity is an independent risk factor for type 2 diabetes (T2D). Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common joint disease that limits patients' physical activity, which may increase risk of other chronic diseases including T2D. However, studies evaluating the effect of OA on T2D are scarce. This study aimed to investigate the causal effect of knee and hip OA on risk of T2D from a genetic perspective.

Methods

We performed two‐sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses to obtain nonconfounding estimates of the effect of OA on T2D risk. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from genome‐wide association studies were selected as genetic instruments for radiographic knee and hip OA (ie, Kellgren–Lawrence grade ≥2). The associations of these SNPs with T2D were evaluated in participants from the UK Biobank. Sensitivity analyses were conducted to test the robustness of the MR results.

Results

Genetic predisposition of knee but not hip OA was significantly associated with an increased risk of T2D (knee OA: odds ratio [OR] 1.18, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.09–1.27, p <.001; hip OA: OR 1.04, 95% CI 0.94–1.16, p = .425). Sensitivity analyses showed that the main findings are robust.

Conclusion

The current study provides genetic evidence supporting that knee OA is a potential risk factor for T2D.
The effect of mindfulness‐based interventions on reducing stress in future health professionals: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Lu Chia‐Ping , Dijk Stijntje W. , Pandit Aradhana , Kranenburg Leonieke , Luik Annemarie I. , Hunink M. G. Myriam
Published: August 2023

Students in health professions often face high levels of stress due to demanding academic schedules, heavy workloads, disrupted work–life balance, and sleep deprivation. Addressing stress during their education can prevent negative consequences for their mental health and the well‐being of their future patients. Previous reviews on the effectiveness of mindfulness‐based interventions (MBIs) focused on working health professionals or included a wide range of intervention types and durations. This study aims to investigate the effect of 6‐ to 12‐week MBIs with 1‐ to 2‐h weekly sessions on stress in future health professionals. We conducted a systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials published in English by searching Embase, Medline, Web of Science, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and PsycINFO. We used post‐intervention stress levels and standard deviations to assess the ability of MBIs to reduce stress, summarized by the standardized mean difference (SMD). This review is reported according to the PRISMA checklist (2020). We identified 2932 studies, of which 11 were included in the systematic review and 10 had sufficient data for inclusion in the meta‐analysis. The overall effect of MBIs on reducing stress was a SMD of 0.60 (95% CI [0.27, 0.94]). Our study provides evidence that MBIs have a moderate reducing effect on stress in students in health professions; however, given the high risk of bias, these findings should be interpreted with caution, and further high‐quality studies are needed.
Textbook outcome in the laparoscopic cholecystectomy of acute cholecystitis
Authors: Iseda Norifumi , Iguchi Tomohiro , Itoh Shinji , Sasaki Shun , Honboh Takuya , Yoshizumi Tomoharu , Sadanaga Noriaki , Matsuura Hiroshi
Published: August 2023

Purpose

Textbook outcome (TO) is a novel composite measure of clinical outcomes that can be used to measure the quality of surgical outcomes. The aim of this cohort study was to propose TO criteria for laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis and to identify reasons for TO failure and individual patient factors that predispose to failure.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed data for 189 patients with acute cholecystitis who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy. TO was defined as laparoscopic cholecystectomy without conversion to open cholecystectomy, intraoperative complications, postoperative complications (Clavien–Dindo classification ≥2), prolonged length of stay (≥10 days), readmission within 30 days, or mortality.

Results

TO was achieved in 154 of 189 patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis. Medical costs were lower in the TO‐achieved group than in the TO‐failure group. Factors associated with TO failure on multivariate analysis were age > 70 years, hemoglobin <11.9 g/dL, and white blood cells >18 000 / μL (all P < .05).

Conclusions

Applying TO to patients with acute cholecystitis allowed us to evaluate the overall quality of care related to hospitalization. TO may provide better assessment of the quality of care and help determine the treatment choice and reduce costs.
Immunohistochemical staining seems mandatory for individualizing and shortening follow‐up in unilateral primary aldosteronism
Authors: Gunnarsdottir Hrafnhildur , Agnarsson Bjarni A. , Jonasdottir Sigurros , Gudmundsson Jon , Birgisson Gudjon , Sigurjonsdottir Helga A.
Published: August 2023

Objective

The clinical significance of immunohistochemistry (IHC) for unilateral primary aldosteronism (PA) has been unclear. Individualized follow‐up of PA patients could be in sight. Long‐term outcomes of patients, classified based on IHC, need further investigation. We aimed to assess long‐term clinical outcomes for unilateral PA, classifying patients based on IHC.

Design

A nationwide observational study, with up to 16 years follow‐up, executed in 2007–2016 at Landspitali University Hospital, tertiary referral center. Patients were diagnosed and treated in line with the current guidelines. Haematoxylin and eosin (H&E) tissue slides were stained using CYP11B1 and ‐B2 antibodies. All cases were re‐evaluated and classified according to the HISTALDO consensus. Outcomes were assessed using the PASO criteria.

Patients

All unilateral PA patients diagnosed in 2007‐2016 in Iceland, 26 patients aged 28–73 years, who underwent adrenalectomy, were included.

Measurements

Aldosterone, renin, and cortisol values, use and dosage of antihypertensives, potassium supplementation, blood pressure and serum potassium pre‐intervention and throughout follow‐up, and histopathology results post‐adrenalectomy.

Results

Following IHC, an aldosterone‐producing nodule was seen in 12 adrenals, an aldosterone‐producing adenoma in 10 and multiple aldosterone‐producing micronodules in four. IHC altered histopathology from previous H&E diagnosis in 23% (6/26) of the patients. In total, 81% (21/26) of the patients had partial clinical success. Eight percent (2/26) of the patients needed potassium supplementation during follow‐up. In the classical group, the AVS results were more determinative with significantly higher lateralization index (median 10.1 vs. 5.3, p = .04) and more contralateral suppression (median nondominant ratio 0.4 vs. 1.0, p = .03). One out of five patients with complete clinical success at 12 months post‐op had severe relapse later, the other four were normotensive without antihypertensives for up to 10 years.

Conclusions

We found IHC mandatory for accurate histopathologic diagnosis of PA. Our results support the importance of contralateral suppression when interpreting AVS results. Also, the study highlights the complicated assessment of clinical outcome and importance of aldosterone and renin measurements during follow‐up.
Clinical evaluation and quantitative occlusal change analysis of posterior implant‐supported all‐ceramic crowns: A 3‐year randomized controlled clinical trial
Authors: Zhang Yifan , Wei Donghao , Tian Jiehua , Zhao Yijiao , Lin Ye , Di Ping
Published: August 2023

Objectives

To compare the survival and complication rates of posterior screw‐retained monolithic lithium disilicate (LS2)/veneered zirconia (ZrO2) single implant crowns (SICs), as well as analyze the occlusal changes observed during a 3‐year follow‐up period.

Materials and Methods

Thirty‐three patients were included and randomly divided into two groups. The test group consisted of 17 patients who received monolithic‐LS2–SIC, while the control group consisted of 16 patients who received veneered‐ZrO2‐SIC. Implant/prosthesis survival rates, technical complications, peri‐implant soft tissue conditions, and quantitative occlusal changes of SIC (obtained by the intra‐oral scanner and analyzed in reverse software Geomagic Control 2015) were assessed at 1‐ and 3‐year follow‐ups. Bone loss and Functional Implant Prosthodontic Score (FIPS) were evaluated at a 3‐year follow‐up.

Results

After a 3‐year follow‐up period, one patient dropped out of the follow‐up. No implant loss was observed. One crown was fractured, resulting in prosthesis survival rates of 93.75% for the monolithic group and 100% for the veneered group. A technical complication rate of 25% (4/16) was observed in the veneered group (p = .333). No significant differences in the marginal bone loss were observed at the 3‐year follow‐up (0.00 (−0.22, 0.17) mm versus 0.00 (−0.12, 0.12) mm, p = .956). The total FIPS scores for the test group were 9.0 (9.0, 9.0), while the control group received scores of 9.0 (8.0, 10.0) (p = .953). The changes in mean occlusal clearance were 0.022 ± 0.083 mm for the test and 0.034 ± 0.077 mm for the control group (at 3 years, p = .497). The changes in occlusal contact area were 1.075 ± 2.575 mm2 for the test and 1.676 ± 2.551 mm2 for the control group (at 3 years, p = .873).

Conclusion

After a 3‐year follow‐up, screw‐retained monolithic LS2 and veneered ZrO2 SIC demonstrated similar survival rates. The occlusal performance of implant prostheses needs to be closely examined during follow‐up, and appropriate occlusal adjustments need to be considered.
Featured Cover
Authors: Yao Yunqian , Wei Ling , Chen Zhenhua , Li Hao , Qi Jiao , Wu Qingfeng , Zhou Xingtao , Lu Yi , Zhu Xiangjia
Published: August 2023

The cover image is based on the Original Article Single‐cell RNA sequencing: Inhibited Notch2 signalling underlying the increased lens fibre cells differentiation in high myopia by Yunqian Yao et al., https://doi.org/10.1111/cpr.13412.

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Comparison of glutaminase and cancer antigen 125 for distinguishing benign and malignant ovarian tumors
Authors: Winarno Gatot Nyarumenteng Adhipurnawan , Effendi Jusuf Sulaeman , Harsono Ali Budi , Salima Siti , Darwizar Bagja Dumas , Sasotya R. M. Sonny , Rachmawati Anita , Mulyantari Ayu Insafi , Trianasari Nurvita , Handono Budi
Published: August 2023

Increasing demand for glutaminase (GLS) due to high rates of glutamine metabolism is considered one of the hallmarks of malignancy. In parallel, cancer antigen 125 (CA‐125) is a commonly used ovarian tumor marker. This study aimed to compare the roles of GLS and CA‐125 in distinguishing between benign and malignant ovarian tumors. The research was conducted as a comparative study, enrolling 156 patients with ovarian tumors. Preoperative serum CA‐125 and GLS levels were analyzed to evaluate their effectiveness in distinguishing between benign and malignant ovarian tumors. The results revealed that the mean levels of CA‐125 and GLS were significantly higher in malignant ovarian tumors compared with benign ones (389.54 ± 494.320 vs. 193.15 ± 529.932 (U/mL) and 17.37 ± 12.156 vs. 7.48 ± 4.095 (μg/mL), respectively). The CA‐125 and GLS cutoff points of 108.2 U/mL and 18.32 μg/mL, respectively, were associated with malignant ovarian tumors. Multivariate analyses showed that GLS had higher predictive capabilities compared with CA‐125 (odds ratio 9.4 vs. 2.1). The accuracy of using GLS combined with CA‐125 was higher than using CA‐125 alone (73.1% vs. 68.8%). In conclusion, higher levels of CA‐125 and GLS are associated with malignant ovarian tumors. GLS outperforms CA‐125 in distinguishing between benign and malignant ovarian tumors. The combination of GLS and CA‐125 demonstrated improved accuracy for distinguishing benign and malignant ovarian tumors when compared with using CA‐125 alone.
Does the advent of depot therapy represent a step change in our understanding of opioid use disorder and its treatment?
Authors: Roberts Emmert , Humphreys Keith
Published: August 2023

After years of minimal innovation in pharmacotherapeutics, impressive outcomes in the treatment of opioid use disorder are being obtained from a new way of delivering an old medication; long‐acting injectable formulations of buprenorphine appear to produce compelling reductions in relapse to illicit opioid use not only during use but also following depot discontinuation. This commentary discusses potential mechanisms behind this observation, asks if the removal of the need for daily oral opioid agonist dosing furthers our understanding of addiction treatment and whether we should therefore consider expanding access to depot formulations.
Replication and extension of the military family stress model: The after deployment adaptive parenting tools ADAPT4U study
Authors: Cheng Cheuk H. , Ali‐Saleh Darawshy Neveen , Lee Susanne , Brigman Hayley , DeGarmo Dave , Gewirtz Abigail
Published: August 2023

The military family stress (MFS) model conceptualizes that wartime deployments and post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms are associated with couple, parenting, and child adjustment difficulties. The aim of this study was to replicate and extend the military family stress model by examining the associations among deployment length, PTSD symptoms, marital functioning, parenting practices, and child adjustment in a replication sample of both National Guard and Reserve (NG/R) as well as active‐duty service member families. The MFS model is extended to test whether these relationships vary between mothers and fathers. The sample included 208 families enrolled in a randomized controlled trial of a parenting program for military families (94.4% of fathers and 21.6% of mothers were deployed). Replicating the MFS model, we specified parenting, marital quality, and child adjustment as latent variables and conducted multi‐group structural equation models. Parenting practices were positively associated with marital quality and child adjustment. PTSD symptoms were negatively associated with marital quality. The indirect effect from PTSD symptoms to parenting practices through marital quality was marginally significant. The indirect effect from marital quality to child adjustment through parenting practices was significant. There were no significant gender differences between the two structural models. This study provides empirical support for the MFS model. Results demonstrate that deployment‐related stressors are significantly associated with parent and family functioning. Parenting programs for military families might effectively target similar risk processes among both mothers and fathers.
Skeletal muscle‐enriched miRNAs are highly unstable in vivo and may be regulated in a Dicer‐independent manner
Authors: Oikawa Satoshi , Yuan Shuaibang , Kato Yoshio , Akimoto Takayuki
Published: August 2023

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding RNAs that control essential cellular processes. For several decades, the molecular mechanisms underlying the functions and biogenesis of miRNAs have been clarified, whereas the molecular dynamics of miRNAs are poorly understood. We recently found that muscle‐enriched miRNAs were reduced by only 20 ~ 50% in the skeletal muscles even 4 weeks after the suppression of miRNA processing through an inducible depletion of Dicer1 gene. These data suggest that miRNAs are stably expressed in skeletal muscle. In this study, we investigated the half‐lives of those miRNAs in adult skeletal muscle with an in vivo metabolic labeling strategy and a genetic mouse model. In contrast to the hypothesis, in vivo metabolic labeling revealed that the half‐lives of skeletal‐muscle‐enriched miRNAs were approximately 11–20 h. Furthermore, the levels of mature miR‐23a decreased rapidly in the skeletal muscle of mice lacking miR‐23 clusters in a tamoxifen‐inducible manner. These data suggest that skeletal‐muscle‐enriched miRNAs are not highly stable in vivo. We also observed that the transfer of miR‐150 into Dicer1‐deficient muscle increased the miR‐150 level to the same as that in control muscle. Taken together, our data demonstrate that miRNAs are degraded within a few days in adult skeletal muscle and that a Dicer‐independent biogenetic pathway may produce mature miRNAs.
‘Good, honest food’: older adults' and healthcare professionals' perspectives of dietary influences and food preferences in older age in Ireland
Authors: Mahony Lauren O. , Shea Emma O. , O'Connor Eibhlís M. , Tierney Audrey , Harkin Mary , Harrington Janas , Kennelly Sharon , Arendt Elke , O'Toole Paul W. , Timmons Suzanne
Published: August 2023

Background

This study aimed to explore older adults' and healthcare professionals' (HCPs) perceptions of dietary influences and food preferences in older age.

Methods

The research design was phenomenological qualitative description. Semistructured one‐to‐one interviews and focus groups were held separately with community‐dwelling older adults and HCPs involved in care of the older person in Ireland. Data were analysed using inductive thematic analysis.

Results

A total of 47 adults aged 55+ years were recruited (50% male; 49% aged 60–69 years; 28% aged above 70 years), and 26 HCPs were involved, comprising dietitians (n = 8); geriatricians (n = 6); clinical therapists (n = 4); and nurses, pharmacists, catering managers and meal delivery service coordinators (n = 2 each). There are strong desires for ‘good, honest food’ within the diet for an older person; however, gaps in current nutrition priorities, dietary guidance and health promotion were perceived. There were differences in the perspectives held by HCPs and adults aged 55+ years, as some HCPs centred their discussion around nutrition for preventing sarcopenia, frailty or cognitive decline, whereas many adults aged 55+ years desired foods which promote cardiometabolic health and reflect wider personal health and environmental values. Other themes included the impact of health and lifestyle changes accompanying ageing on dietary priorities, the importance of personal and psychosocial values in determining food choice and the impact of the external food environment on accessibility and shopping experiences.

Conclusions

Influences on dietary choice for the older person are multifactorial, driven by a range of health, psychological, sociocultural and environmental perspectives. Future nutrition priorities for older adults should encourage health‐promoting approaches and not just disease‐mitigating efforts.
A case study of the impact of a dietitian in the multi‐disciplinary team within primary care: a service evaluation
Authors: Hickson Mary , Child Jenny , Collinson Avril
Published: August 2023

Background

Expanding the primary care workforce to alleviate general practitioner (GP) workload, improve access and improve quality of care is a current UK strategy. Evidence suggests dietitians can improve patient outcomes and make cost savings. The present study aimed to evaluate a dietitian working as an expert generalist and first contact practitioner (FCP) in a general practice multi‐disciplinary team (MDT) to provide appropriate care to patients and reduce GP workload.

Methods

A dietitian was employed for 6 months at 0.6 full‐time equivalents in a group of general practices in Devon, UK. Data were collected on the referral source, patient satisfaction, health outcomes and changes in prescribing data for all patients seen by the dietitian. Focus groups and interviews provided data to understand the experience of introducing a dietitian into the team.

Results

This model of service delivery showed the dietitian acting as an expert generalist, a FCP and able to educate the MDT. A range of professionals within the MDT referred patients with a wide range of diagnoses (both paediatric and adults) and the dietitian acted as a FCP for 29% of patients. Saving were made for the optimisation of medicine management.

Conclusions

The dietitian can improve patient‐centred care for several patient groups; enhance learning for staff around nutrition and dietary issues; and contribute to more efficient working and cost savings around prescription of nutritional products. This was an evaluation of one service and further research is needed to understand the value dietitians can contribute and the factors supporting effective and efficient working in this context.
Klebsiella pneumoniae infection in cynomolgus monkeys at primate research center facility in Indonesia
Authors: Saputro Suryo , Saepuloh Uus , Darusman Huda Shalahudin , Putriyani Wahyu , Permanawati  , Ayuningsih Ellis Dwi , Prabandari Silvia Arin , Setyawati Dyah , Pamungkas Joko
Published: August 2023

Background

Klebsiella pneumoniae infection in nonhuman primates has been widely reported and causes significant morbidity and mortality. Animal deaths occur routinely at the Primate Research Center of IPB University. The results of necropsy and culture suggested a K. pneumoniae infection.

Methods

A mass health assessment of Cynomolgus monkeys (n = 429) was carried out by physical examination and molecular targeting K. pneumoniae (n = 96), family of Coronaviridae (n = 148) and Paramyxoviridae (n = 148).

Results

A total of 49.18% of the animals had clinical symptoms of respiratory disorders, abscesses, trauma, and others. PCR results indicated that 28.57% were positive for K. pneumoniae with 35.71% mortality, while all samples were negative for both virus families.

Conclusions

There have been outbreaks caused by K. pneumoniae and/or K. pneumoniae subsp. pneumoniae. This disease is chronic, infects all of the buildings, and no tendency for disease transmission according to gender and age class.
Cooperative and competitive regulation of the astrocytic transcriptome by neurons and endothelial cells: Impact on astrocyte maturation
Authors: Martinez‐Lozada Zila , Farmer W. Todd , Schober Alexandra L. , Krizman Elizabeth , Robinson Michael B. , Murai Keith K.
Published: August 2023

Astrocytes have essential roles in central nervous system (CNS) health and disease. During development, immature astrocytes show complex interactions with neurons, endothelial cells, and other glial cell types. Our work and that of others have shown that these interactions are important for astrocytic maturation. However, whether and how these cells work together to control this process remains poorly understood. Here, we test the hypothesis that cooperative interactions of astrocytes with neurons and endothelial cells promote astrocytic maturation. Astrocytes were cultured alone, with neurons, endothelial cells, or a combination of both. This was followed by astrocyte sorting, RNA sequencing, and bioinformatic analysis to detect transcriptional changes. Across culture configurations, 7302 genes were differentially expressed by 4 or more fold and organized into 8 groups that demonstrate cooperative and antagonist effects of neurons and endothelia on astrocytes. We also discovered that neurons and endothelial cells caused splicing of 200 and 781 mRNAs, respectively. Changes in gene expression were validated using quantitative PCR, western blot (WB), and immunofluorescence analysis. We found that the transcriptomic data from the three‐culture configurations correlated with protein expression of three representative targets (FAM107A, GAT3, and GLT1) in vivo. Alternative splicing results also correlated with cortical tissue isoform representation of a target (Fibronectin 1) at different developmental stages. By comparing our results to published transcriptomes of immature and mature astrocytes, we found that neurons or endothelia shift the astrocytic transcriptome toward a mature state and that the presence of both cell types has a greater effect on maturation than either cell alone. These results increase our understanding of cellular interactions/pathways that contribute to astrocytic maturation. They also provide insight into how alterations to neurons and/or endothelial cells may alter astrocytes with implications for astrocytic changes in CNS disorders and diseases.

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Microbiological profile of peri‐implantitis: Analyses of peri‐implant microbiome
Authors: Kensara Anmar , Saito Hanae , Mongodin Emmanuel F. , Masri Radi
Published: August 2023

Purpose

To characterize the microbiome composition in peri‐implant pocket of peri‐implantitis and peri‐implant sulcus controls using 16S rRNA gene sequencing.

Materials and Methods

In this controlled clinical cross‐sectional study, 23 subjects with control implants (n = 14) and diseased implants (peri‐implantitis, n = 21) were included. The peri‐implant pocket/sulcus was sampled and used to extract DNA and amplify the 16S rRNA gene using universal primers targeting the V3‐V4 regions. The resulting 16S PCR amplicons were sequenced on Illumina MiSeq, and the sequences were processed using DADA2 and the Human Oral Microbiome Database (HOMD) as references. Alpha and Beta diversity, as well as core microbiome and differential abundance analyses, were performed using the MicrobiomeAnalyst workflow.

Results

There were no significant differences in microbial diversity between control implants and implants with peri‐implantitis (Shannon p = 0.82). Overall bacterial community structure assessed through beta diversity analysis was also not significantly different between the two groups (p = 0.18). However, high levels of Gram‐negative bacteria were detected in peri‐implant pockets compared to the control sulcus. Abundant species in peri‐implantitis were Capnocytophaga leadbetteri, Treponema maltophilum, Peptostreptococcus, Neisseria, P. gingivalis, and Porphyromonas endodontali, Lactococcus lactis and Filifactor alocis (p < 0.05). Gram‐positive bacteria such as Streptococcus salivaris, Prevotella melaninogenica, L. wadei, and Actinomyces spp. serve were more abundant in peri‐implant control sulcus.

Conclusions

Peri‐implant sulcus in control implants harbors predominantly Gram‐positive bacteria, whereas pockets of implants with peri‐implantitis harbor predominantly Gram‐negative bacteria.
Quantification of temporomandibular joint space in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis assessed by cone beam computerized tomography
Authors: Otero María Florinda , Tahoces Pablo G. , Mera Antonio , Dalstra Michel , Verna Carlalberta , Pedersen Thomas Klit , Herlin Troels , Mira Jorge
Published: August 2023

Objective

To describe a method to calculate the total intra‐articular volume (inter‐osseous space) of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) determined by cone‐beam computed tomography (CBCT). This could be used as a marker of tissue proliferation and different degrees of soft tissue hyperplasia in juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) patients.

Materials and Methods

Axial single‐slice CBCT images of cross‐sections of the TMJs of 11 JIA patients and 11 controls were employed. From the top of the glenoid fossa, in the caudal direction, an average of 26 slices were defined in each joint (N = 44). The interosseous space was manually delimited from each slice by using dedicated software that includes a graphic interface. TMJ volumes were calculated by adding the areas measured in each slice. Two volumes were defined: Ve−i and Vi, where Ve−i is the inter‐osseous space, volume defined by the borders of the fossa and Vi is the internal volume defined by the condyle. An intra‐articular volume filling index (IF) was defined as Ve−i/Vi, which represents the filling of the space.

Results

The measured space of the intra‐articular volume, corresponding to the intra‐articular soft tissue and synovial fluid, was more than twice as large in the JIA group as in the control group.

Conclusion

The presented method, based on CBCT, is feasible for assessing inter‐osseus joint volume of the TMJ and delimits a threshold of intra‐articular changes related to intra‐articular soft tissue proliferation, based on differences in volumes. Intra‐articular soft tissue is found to be enlarged in JIA patients.
Intermittent ventricular pre‐excitation in symptomatic adults: Always a marker of low risk?
Authors: Robles Antonio Gianluca , Palamà Zefferino , Pernat Andrej , Gianfrancesco Domenico , Bartolomucci Francesco , Scarà Antonio , Borrelli Alessio , De Ruvo Ermenegildo , Calò Leonardo , Penco Maria , Romano Silvio , Sciarra Luigi
Published: August 2023

Background

Intermittent ventricular pre‐excitation was considered a low‐risk marker for sudden death. However, to date, some studies do not exclude the existence of accessory pathways (APs) with high‐risk intermittent antegrade conductive properties. According to current European Guidelines, high‐risk features of APs are antegrade pathway conduction ≤250 ms in baseline or during the adrenergic stimulus, inducibility of atrioventricular reciprocating tachycardias (AVRT), inducibility of pre‐excited atrial fibrillation (AF), and presence of multiple APs. For all of these transcatheter ablation is recommended. The aim of our study was to evaluate the existence of differences in risk characteristics between patients with intermittent pre‐excitation (IPX) and those with persistent pre‐excitation (PPX), from a sample of adults with ventricular pre‐excitation and symptoms like palpitations.

Methods

293 adults [IPX: 51 (17.4%); PPX: 242 (82.6%)] underwent electrophysiological study and then catheter ablation of their APs if arrhythmia inducibility (AVRT/AF) was noted, or, conversely, if it was appreciated a fast AP antegrade conduction, in baseline or during intravenous isoproterenol infusion, or if multiple APs were detected.

Results

There were no statistically significant differences in demographic characteristics (age and gender), AVRT/AF inducibility, antegrade conductive properties, the prevalence of multiple APs, and APs locations between IPX and PPX patients.

Conclusions

In our study, patients with IPX did not show significant differences in clinical and electrophysiological features versus PPX patients.
Basal cell carcinoma arising at the site of a previously irradiated infantile hemangioma
Authors: Donohue Caroline , Salusti‐Simpson Michela , Bombardier Nathan , Weinberger Christine H.
Published: August 2023

We describe a case of a previously irradiated infantile hemangioma in a patient 1 year of age. At the age of 78, the patient presented with a pink, pearly plaque at the previously irradiated infantile hemangioma site and was found to have a nodular basal cell carcinoma. [Correction added on 30 August 2023, after first online publication: In the preceding sentence, patient age has been corrected in this version] This case highlights the rare, but long‐term risks of radiation therapy for hemangiomas, but also presents an interesting historical vignette in dermatological treatments, with photographic documentation. It also represents the longest time interval between irradiation of an infantile hemangioma and the development of a basal cell skin cancer, 70 years in this case.