bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Routes into the homeopathic profession: Witnessing, gender and subaltern therapeutics
Authors: Dew Kevin , Clark‐Grill Monika
Published: November 2021

Homeopathy, along with many other alternative therapies, has come under severe attack from apologists for orthodox medicine. Given the cultural authority of medicine, what then provides the impetus for people to take up homeopathy as a clinical practice? This article addresses this question in the context of homeopathic practice in New Zealand. Five focus groups were conducted with 22 homeopaths in five cities. The study found that it was common to be drawn to homeopathy through witnessing in themselves, their family, friends or animals, the positive effects of homeopathy, commonly after negligible success from conventional medicine. For many participants, all of whom were women, the opportunity to study homeopathy occurred when they were the primary carers of children, with homeopathy providing a possibility for a change in work trajectories. Many participants had previous occupations inside the conventional health system. Central to the appeal of homeopathy as a subaltern practice in New Zealand is the often dramatic impact of witnessing the effects of the therapeutic modality, which is conceptualised as analogous to an ‘event’ that tears at the fabric of the everyday.
The flip side of the coin: Perils of public–private disaster cooperation
Authors: Uhnoo Sara , Persson Sofia
Published: November 2021

Private companies often actively engage in disaster response. In recent years, disaster resilience, including public–private partnerships, has been identified as an ideational cornerstone of crisis management policy. This study offers insights into how these international policy trends in disaster management manifest in practice. Based on an empirical study of a large wildfire in the Swedish province of Västmanland in 2014, we investigate how market opportunities and principles influenced the rescue efforts and cooperation between public disaster responders and private actors. The findings illustrate the flip side of public–private disaster cooperation, in relation to three perils: (1) uncertain costs of private disaster support owing to the ambivalent roles of private actors as either disaster entrepreneurs or volunteers; (2) a dangerous work environment for private actors involved in public disaster response and (3) e‐volunteers' provision of business donation details around the public response by naming and shaming ‘ungenerous’ private companies.
Batch effects in population genomic studies with low‐coverage whole genome sequencing data: Causes, detection and mitigation
Authors: Lou Runyang Nicolas , Therkildsen Nina Overgaard
Published: November 2021

Over the past few decades, there has been an explosion in the amount of publicly available sequencing data. This opens new opportunities for combining data sets to achieve unprecedented sample sizes, spatial coverage or temporal replication in population genomic studies. However, a common concern is that nonbiological differences between data sets may generate patterns of variation in the data that can confound real biological patterns, a problem known as batch effects. In this paper, we compare two batches of low‐coverage whole genome sequencing (lcWGS) data generated from the same populations of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua). First, we show that with a “batch‐effect‐naive” bioinformatic pipeline, batch effects systematically biased our genetic diversity estimates, population structure inference and selection scans. We then demonstrate that these batch effects resulted from multiple technical differences between our data sets, including the sequencing chemistry (four‐channel vs. two‐channel), sequencing run, read type (single‐end vs. paired‐end), read length (125 vs. 150 bp), DNA degradation level (degraded vs. well preserved) and sequencing depth (0.8× vs. 0.3× on average). Lastly, we illustrate that a set of simple bioinformatic strategies (such as different read trimming and single nucleotide polymorphism filtering) can be used to detect batch effects in our data and substantially mitigate their impact. We conclude that combining data sets remains a powerful approach as long as batch effects are explicitly accounted for. We focus on lcWGS data in this paper, which may be particularly vulnerable to certain causes of batch effects, but many of our conclusions also apply to other sequencing strategies.
Effect of psoriatic arthritis on the strength, proprioception, skill, coordination, and functional condition of the hand
Authors: Candiri Busra , Talu Burcu , Demirtas Karaoba Dilan , Ozaltin Gulfem Ezgi , Yolbas Servet
Published: November 2021

Background

This study was planned to evaluate the strength, proprioception, skill, coordination, and functional condition of the hand in individuals with psoriatic arthritis and to correlate disease activity with these parameters.

Methods

Fifty‐six individuals (psoriatic arthritis group, n = 36; control group, n = 20) were included in the study. Evaluations were performed of disease activity with Disease Activity Score 28; grip strength with a dynamometer and pinch strength with pinch gauge dynamometers; joint position sensation with a goniometer; finger skills with a mobile application; and coordination and skill of both hands with the Purdue Pegboard test. The Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire (MHQ) was used for hand functional evaluation.

Results

There was a significant difference between the grip and pinch strength of the psoriatic arthritis group and the control group (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference between the joint position sense measurements and the mobile application scores between the groups (P > 0.05). Purdue Pegboard scores showed a significant difference only in both hands and assembly subsections (P < 0.05). With Disease Activity Score 28, significant correlations were found between grip and pinch strength, mobile application scores, Purdue Pegboard all subsections, and left‐hand joint position sense average error amount, and between MHQ and grip and pinch strength.

Conclusions

This study is the first to show that psoriatic arthritis has a negative effect especially on hand strength; grip strength decreases as disease severity increases and, skill, coordination, and functionality of hand deteriorate.
LncRNA LINC00460: Function and mechanism in human cancer
Authors: Chen Xi , Song Jiwu , Wang Xiaoxiao , Sun Dongyuan , Liu Yunxia , Jiang Yingying
Published: November 2021

Long non‐coding RNAs (LncRNAs), which are more than 200 nucleotides in length and with limited protein‐coding potential, play vital roles in the pathogenesis, tumorigenesis, and angiogenesis of cancers. Aberrant expression of lncRNAs has been detected in various carcinomas and may be correlated with oncogenesis by affecting related genes expression. Recently, an increasing number of studies have reported on long intergenic non‐protein coding RNA 460 (LINC00460) in human tumor fields. LINC00460 is upregulated in diverse cancer tissues and cells. The upregulated expression level of LINC00460 is correlated with larger tumor size, tumor node metastasis (TNM) stage, lymph node metastasis, and shorter overall survival. The regulatory mechanism of LINC00460 was complex and diverse. LINC00460 could act as a competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA), directly bind with proteins or regulate multiple pathways, which affected tumor progression. Moreover, LINC00460 was also identified to increase drug resistance, and therefore, weaken the effectiveness of tumor treatment. It has become increasingly important to investigate the roles of LINC00460 in various cancers by different mechanisms. Therefore, a more comprehensive understanding of LINC00460 is crucial to expound on the cellular function and molecular mechanism of human cancers. In this review, we refer to studies concerning LINC00460 and provide the basis for the evaluation of LINC00460 as a predicted biomarker or potential therapeutic target in malignancies, and also provide ideas for the future research of lncRNAs similar to LINC00460.
Pharmacological interventions for alcohol misuse in correctional settings: A systematic review
Authors: Slavin‐Stewart Claire , Minhas Meenu , Turna Jasmine , Brasch Jennifer , Olagunju Andrew Toyin , Chaimowitz Gary , MacKillop James
Published: November 2021

Background

The prevalence of alcohol use disorder (AUD) is estimated to be 10 times higher amongst individuals in the criminal justice system than the general population. Alcohol use is also one of the strongest modifiable risk factors for recidivism. One intervention that has been shown to be effective in reducing alcohol consumption in the general population is medication‐assisted treatment (MAT), and this systematic review synthesized the existing evidence on MAT for AUD in correctional settings.

Methods

Empirical, peer‐reviewed studies on approved medications for AUD in correctional populations were searched in major databases. One hundred sixty‐two articles were initially screened and 14 eligible articles were included in the final review. Four articles examined disulfiram, and 10 articles examined naltrexone.

Results

The studies on disulfiram were considerably older than those on naltrexone, predating contemporary scientific standards. Disulfiram in combination with substantial contingencies in a supervised setting significantly reduced alcohol‐related measures of consumption and recidivism and had acceptable safety and tolerability. All naltrexone studies showed significant reductions in alcohol‐related measures, but effects on recidivism were mixed. The naltrexone studies indicated that it was highly acceptable and well tolerated. In addition, offenders receiving naltrexone had significantly greater medication adherence, treatment attendance, and treatment duration than with placebo.

Conclusions

A small number of studies on pharmacological interventions for AUD in the correctional population suggest that MAT is effective in reducing alcohol consumption, although results on recidivism are mixed. On balance, the evidence was more supportive of naltrexone in reducing alcohol‐related outcomes than disulfiram and it may also be a more feasible intervention in correctional settings. Further research on MAT to address AUD in correctional populations with larger sample sizes, longer duration, and in combination with behavioral interventions is warranted.
Stock market liquidity and traditional sources of bank business
Authors: Samarasinghe Ama , Uylangco Katherine
Published: November 2021

With enhanced financial liberalisation, banks’ reliance on traditional intermediary functions has gradually declined, changing the risk profile of these systemically important financial institutions. This paper examines an important channel through which these changes occur, the spillover effects from an increase in stock market liquidity on traditional bank business. This is the first paper to provide empirical evidence of a decline in the value of bank deposits and loans as aggregate stock market liquidity increases, with data from 7,297 banks in 39 countries from 1999 to 2014. We find that such effects vary with the level of financial development in the country and with the level of investor protection. These findings provide information for policy‐makers to better understand important spillover effects of policy changes designed to enhance stock market liquidity.
Brown bear‐caused human injuries and fatalities in Russia are linked to human encroachment
Authors: Kudrenko S. , Ordiz A. , Stytsenko F. , Barysheva S. L. , Bartalev S. , Baskin L. , Swenson J. E.
Published: November 2021

Threat to human safety is the most dramatic conflict between humans and large carnivores. Although carnivore attacks are generally rare, bears are relatively often involved. Here, we reveal an association between human encroachment into the landscape, that is, increasing road density, and brown bear‐caused human casualties (injuries and fatalities) in Russia. In European Russia, the frequency of casualties correlated positively with bear population size and negatively with the presence of Siberian pine, a crucial bear food in the predenning period and a commonly gathered human resource. In Siberia, however, the number of casualties was not related to the number of bears, but it was positively associated with both road density and the presence of Siberian pine. Increasing casualties there were seemingly linked to increasing access to areas where both humans and bears concentrated simultaneously to harvest the same resource, edible pine seeds. The latter are more often collected commercially in Siberia than in European Russia. Our study shows the link between habitat degradation and human–wildlife conflict. Indeed, interacting effects of habitat change and coexistence with large carnivores deserve further attention, as we illustrate here for Russian forests; a wide boreal ecosystem where human encroachment can have severe repercussions for wildlife and ecosystem functioning at multiple spatial levels.
Morphological characteristics of the blackspot seabream (Pagellus bogaraveo) tongue: A structural and immunohistochemical study
Authors: Abbate Francesco , Guerrera Maria Cristina , Levanti Maria , Laurà Rosaria , Aragona Marialuisa , Mhalhel Kamel , Montalbano Giuseppe , Germanà Antonino
Published: November 2021

The blackspot seabream (Pagellus bogaraveo, Brünnich, 1768) is an omnivorous, predominantly carnivorous fish. In aquaculture, it is fed with pellets rich in proteins and fat. The morphological and functional aspects of the fish tongue, the feeding modality and the tasting capacity are strictly related. Therefore, the aim of this study was to describe by scanning electron, light and confocal laser microscopy, the morphological characteristics of the tongue in this species. It showed an apex, a body and a root. There were rows of teeth on the edges of the mouth and taste pores on all the tongue dorsal surface with folds and furrows. In addition, body and root showed several fungiform‐like papillae in the mucosa of the folds, covered by a weakly keratinized stratified squamous epithelium, can be observed. The papillae were innervated by S100 positive fibres. In the apex, a mesenchymal tissue with vimentin positive star‐shaped stem cells was evident. The results could give a support for a wider use of the blackspot seabream as a farmed species, considering the morphological data as correlated with the potentiality of food discrimination. This provides a basis for possible applications in feeding strategies. The presence, localization and characteristics of the mesenchymal stem cells, as seen also in previous studies, could represent a further basis for future applications in clinical trials.
Effect of the underlying malignancy on critically ill septic patient's outcome
Authors: Man Man‐Yee , Shum Hoi‐Ping , Lam Sin‐Man , Li Jacky , Yan Wing‐Wa , Yeung Mei‐Wan
Published: November 2021

Background

Sepsis is an important cause of mortality and morbidity among critically ill patients with underlying malignancy.

Methods

Patients with sepsis admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) of the Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital from January 1, 2010 to April 30, 2019 were recruited. Demographics, laboratory parameter, and outcome were analyzed. Those with underlying malignancy were matched with those without malignancy based on their severity of organ failure (defined by the sequential organ failure assessment [SOFA] score) and septic source.

Results

Two hundred sixty‐three patients with underlying active malignancy were matched with 259 patients without malignancy. Those with malignancy had higher APACHE IV score (89 vs. 83), lower albumin (22.1 vs. 24.4), neutrophil count (6.0 vs. 9.3), hemoglobin (8.0 vs. 9.8), platelet count (113 vs. 133), less use of mechanical ventilation (35.7% vs. 45.9%), renal replacement therapy (22.1% vs. 28.2%) and vasopressor (66.2% vs. 74.9%), higher 30‐day (34.2% vs. 24.3%) ICU (22.4% vs. 18.9%), and 1‐year (62.4% vs. 36.7%) mortality compared with those without malignancy. A higher APACHE IV score and pulmonary sepsis were predictors of 30‐day mortality by Cox regression analysis.

Conclusion

Disease severity and pulmonary sepsis, but not underlying malignancy, predicted short‐term mortality among critically ill septic patients.
Incidence, prevalence, and survival trends for neuroendocrine neoplasms in Victoria, Australia, from 1982 to 2019: Based on site, grade, and region
Authors: Michael M. , Thursfield V. , te Marvelde L. , Kong G. , Hicks R.J.
Published: November 2021

Aims

Neuroendorcine neoplasms (NENs) are rare tumors characterised by variable biology and delayed diagnosis. Several population studies have reported a marked increased incidence over time. The objectives of this analysis were to describe within Victoria (the second largest Australian state, 6.4 Million) the trends for NENs incidence/survival over nearly 38 years (1982–2019), and regional differences in survival.

Methods

All NEN cases were identified from the Victorian Cancer Registry over four time periods: 1982–1989, 1990–1999, 2000—2009, and 2010–2019. Data collected included primary tumor site, histological grade, gender, overall survival (OS), and place of residence. Incidence data were analyzed with the generation of annual standardized rates (ASR). OS was assessed for the entire cohort and between geographical regions.

Results

The overall NEN population (1982–2019) included 8,106 patients: over 60% grade 1/2 NENs, especially small bowel and colorectal. The number of new diagnoses increased over three‐fold over time for the overall cohort and by tumoral categories. The ASR increased similarly, especially pancreatic NENs (4.3‐fold) and differed between genders. The 5‐year OS rates and median OS increased over time for the overall cohort: from 52% to 67% (p < 0.001). OS was greater for NEN patients residing in major cities relative to regional/remote areas (p = 0.01).

Conclusion

This population‐wide analysis with over 38 years of data has confirmed the international trends of the increased incidence, prevalence, and OS of NEN patients regardless of primary site or histological grade. The analysis also observed a difference in survival outcome in rural/remote versus urban areas.
Optimal screw length in volar locking plate osteosynthesis for distal radius fractures: a systematic review
Authors: Gunaratne Rajitha , Nazifi Omid , D'Souza Harry , Tay Aaron
Published: November 2021

Background

Fractures of the distal radius represent the most common fracture of the upper limb, and can be managed surgically with volar locking plate osteosynthesis (VLPO). Uncertainty remains regarding the optimal length of the distal locking screws. The aim of this study was to determine the optimal VLPO screw length which provided adequate stability while minimizing complications.

Methods

A systematic review of relevant literature published within Cochrane, PubMed, MEDLINE and Embase, including studies up to April 2020, was performed using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systemic Reviews and Meta‐analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. Studies were included if they investigated distal radius fracture fixation with VLPO, screw lengths, complications, and associated imaging.

Results

Search results identified 664 relevant studies, of which 14 studies examining 926 radii were included for review. Synthesis revealed that unicortical locking fixation with screws ~75% the depth of the radius, or 2 mm short of the dorsal cortex, provided equivalent stability to bicortical fixation. The lunate may be used as a proxy to determine radial depth at each quartile column. Inadvertent screw protrusion can be assessed by taking four images intra‐operatively; anteroposterior (AP), lateral, 45° supinated and dorsal tangential views (DTVs). Radial shaft screws can have up to 2 mm prominence with no clinical significance.

Conclusion

Unicortical locking fixation at least 75% the depth of the distal radius provides equivalent stability to bicortical fixation in extra‐articular fractures with lower complication rates. Imaging should be used to confirm that penetration of the dorsal cortex has not occurred.
Placental histology predicted adverse outcomes in extremely premature neonates in Norway—population‐based study
Authors: Budal Elisabeth B. , Ebbing Cathrine , Kessler Jørg , Bains Sukhjeet , Haugen Olav H. , Aukland Stein M. , Eide Geir Egil , Halvorsen Thomas , Bentsen Mariann H. L. , Collett Karin
Published: November 2021

Aim

We evaluated the role of placental pathology in predicting adverse outcomes for neonates born extremely preterm (EPT) before 28 weeks of gestation.

Methods

This was a prospective observational study of 123 extremely preterm singletons born in a hospital in western Norway, and the placentas were classified according to the Amsterdam criteria. The associations between histologic chorioamnionitis (HCA), by the presence or the absence of a foetal inflammatory response (FIR+ or FIR−), maternal vascular malperfusion (MVM) as a whole and adverse neonatal outcomes were evaluated by logistic regression analyses. Adverse outcomes were defined as perinatal death, necrotising enterocolitis (NEC), bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), brain pathology by magnetic resonance imaging at term‐equivalent age, retinopathy of prematurity and early‐onset neonatal sepsis. The results are reported as odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Results

HCA was associated with NEC (OR 12.2, 95% CI 1.1 to 137.1). HCA/FIR+ was associated with BPD (OR 14.9, 95% CI 1.8–122.3) and brain pathology (OR 9.8, 95% CI 1.4–71.6), but HCA/FIR− was not. The only neonatal outcome that MVM was associated with was low birthweight.

Conclusion

Placental histology provided important information when assessing the risk of adverse neonatal outcomes following EPT birth.
Microscopy suggests that glutathione S‐transferase is stored in large granules of myeloid cells in bone marrow and sparse granulocytes of the regenerating tail of lizard
Authors: Alibardi Lorenzo
Published: November 2021

Microscopy suggests that glutathione S‐transferase is stored in large granules of myeloid cells in bone marrow and sparse granulocytes of the regenerating tail of lizard. Acta Zoologica (Stockolm). Tail regeneration in lizards occurs after an immune‐privileged blastema and is formed where various immunosuppressive cells and biomolecules keep inflammation low. Molecules that limit inflammation may include glutathione and glutathione S‐transferase (GST). These molecules reduce reactive oxidative species (ROS) and detoxify extraneous molecules. In the present study, the presence of GST has been analysed in the early phases of tail regeneration in the lizard Podarcis muralis. Using a rabbit polyclonal antibody directed against epitopes present in GST of P. muralis, a light and electron microscopy immunohistochemical and Western blotting study has been done. The study detected proteins of 25 and 32 kDa in pale‐medium electron‐dense and large granules present in promyelocytes and myelocytes of likely basophilic or eosinophilic fate that is present in the bone marrow of tail vertebrae. These cells are still proliferating and give rise to basophilic or eosinophilic granulocytes that also migrate into the regenerating tail. The enzyme stored in granules of promyelocytes and myelocytes is also localized in the cytoplasm of granulocytes present in the regenerating blastema‐cone, basophilic or/and eosinophilic. It is suggested that these granulocytes in the blastema reduce ROS and detoxify potentially inflammatory metabolites, contributing with other molecules to limit inflammation and favour regeneration.
Islamic financial services industry: Aspirations and achievements
Authors: Hanif Muhammad , Ayub Muhammad
Published: November 2021

Islamic Financial Services Industry (IFSI) crosses the age of 40 years, and sufficient empirical evidence exists to evaluate in light of the distinctive aspirations. This study fills the gap in the literature by evaluating the performance of IFSI in light of Islamic finance objectives—financial stability, equitable distribution of wealth and social responsibility; Shari’ah principles, and professional practices. Our investigation documents the achievements based on real accounting data from 23 countries, and the suitability of tools in practice to achieve the stated objectives by promotors of IFSI. Findings suggest that the objectives of IFSI have been achieved to an extent. However, visible contribution to the achievement of socio‐economic justice is yet to emerge. Practical application of tools shows divergence (in spirit) from the original design, primarily to achieve integration and coherence with the prevailing conventional financial system. IFSI needs collaborative efforts to overcome the challenges at hand.
Estimation of the Odds Ratio in a Proportional Odds Model with Censored Time-Lagged Outcome in a Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Tsiatis Anastasios A. , Davidian Marie , Holloway Shannon T.
Published: November 2021

In many randomized clinical trials of therapeutics for COVID-19, the primary outcome is an ordinal categorical variable, and interest focuses on the odds ratio (OR; active agent vs control) under the assumption of a proportional odds model. Although at the final analysis the outcome will be determined for all subjects, at an interim analysis, the status of some participants may not yet be determined, for example, because ascertainment of the outcome may not be possible until some prespecified follow-up time. Accordingly, the outcome from these subjects can be viewed as censored. A valid interim analysis can be based on data only from those subjects with full follow-up; however, this approach is inefficient, as it does not exploit additional information that may be available on those for whom the outcome is not yet available at the time of the interim analysis. Appealing to the theory of semiparametrics, we propose an estimator for the OR in a proportional odds model with censored, time-lagged categorical outcome that incorporates additional baseline and time-dependent covariate information and demonstrate that it can result in considerable gains in efficiency relative to simpler approaches. A byproduct of the approach is a covariate-adjusted estimator for the OR based on the full data that would be available at a final analysis.
Atorvastatin restores imbalance of cluster of differentiation 4 (CD4)+ T cells in immune thrombocytopenia in vivo and in vitro
Authors: Xu Pengcheng , Zhao Yajing , Yu Tianshu , Yu Yafei , Ni Xiaofei , Wang Haoyi , Sun Lu , Han Panpan , Wang Lingjun , Sun Tao , Liu Xinguang , Zhou Hai , Peng Jun , Hou Ming , Hou Yu , Xu Miao
Published: November 2021

Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is an autoimmune haemorrhagic disease, in which the overactivation of T cells is crucial in the pathogenesis. Atorvastatin (AT), a lipid‐lowering medicine, has shown promising immunomodulatory effects in certain inflammatory conditions. However, the immunoregulatory role of AT in ITP remains elusive. To investigate the effect of AT in the treatment of ITP, cluster of differentiation 4 (CD4)+ T cells were isolated from patients with ITP and cultured with different dosages of AT. We found that AT significantly inhibited cell proliferation, led to cell cycle arrest, induced apoptosis, and repressed the activation of CD4+ T cells in vitro. ITP murine models were then established, and results showed that AT treatment led to faster recovery of the platelet count to normal and exhibited comparable immunomodulatory function. Furthermore, we found the phosphorylation of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), protein kinase B (AKT) and extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK), as well as activation of rat sarcoma virus (RAS) were all reduced dramatically after AT treatment in vitro. In conclusion, our present study demonstrated that AT could reinstate the functions of CD4+ T cells by inhibiting the excessive activation, proliferation, and survival of CD4+ T cells in ITP via the RAS/mitogen‐activated protein kinase kinase (MEK)/ERK and the mTOR/phosphatidylinositol‐3 kinase (PI3K)/AKT pathway. Therefore, we propose that AT could be used as a potential therapeutic option for ITP by restoring the over‐activated cellular immunity.
The representation of emotion knowledge across development
Authors: Woodard Kristina , Zettersten Martin , Pollak Seth D.
Published: November 2021

The present study examined how children spontaneously represent facial cues associated with emotion. 106 three‐ to six‐year‐old children (48 male, 58 female; 9.4% Asian, 84.0% White, 6.6% more than one race) and 40 adults (10 male, 30 female; 10% Hispanic, 30% Asian, 2.5% Black, 57.5% White) were recruited from a Midwestern city (2019–2020), and sorted emotion cues in a spatial arrangement method that assesses emotion knowledge without reliance on emotion vocabulary. Using supervised and unsupervised analyses, the study found evidence for continuities and gradual changes in children's emotion knowledge compared to adults. Emotion knowledge develops through an incremental learning process in which children change their representations using combinations of factors—particularly valence—that are weighted differently across development.
YTHDF1 promotes mRNA degradation via YTHDF1‐AGO2 interaction and phase separation
Authors: Li Jiong , Chen Ke , Dong Xin , Xu Yating , Sun Qi , Wang Honghong , Chen Zhen , Liu Cong , Liu Rong , Yang Zhe , Mei Xiangfei , Zhang Rongyu , Chang Liuping , Tian Zongwen , Chen Jianjun , Liang Kaiwei , He Chunjiang , Luo Mengcheng
Published: November 2021

Objectives

YTHDF1 is known as a m6A reader protein, and many researches of YTHDF1 focused on the regulation of mRNA translation efficiency. However, YTHDF1 is also related to RNA degradation, but how YTHDF1 regulates mRNA degradation is indefinite. Liquid‐liquid phase separation (LLPS) underlies the formation of membraneless compartments in mammal cells, and there are few reports focused on the correlation of RNA degradation with LLPS. In this research, we focused on the mechanism of YTHDF1 degraded mRNA through LLPS.

Materials and Methods

The CRISPR/Cas9 knock out system was used to establish the YTHDF1 knock out (YTHDF1‐KO) cell lines (HEK293 and HeLa) and METTL14 knock out (METTL14‐KO) cell line (HEK293). 4SU‐TT‐seq was used to check the half‐life changes of mRNAs. Actinomycin D and qPCR were used to test the half‐life changes of individual mRNA. RNA was stained with SYTO RNA‐select dye in wild type (WT) and YTHDF1‐KO HeLa cell lines. Co‐localization of YTHDF1 and AGO2 was identified by immunofluorescence. The interaction domain of YTHDF1 and AGO2 was identified by western blot. Phase separation of YTHDF1 was performed in vitro and in vivo. Fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) was performed on droplets as an assessment of their liquidity.

Results

In this research, we found that deletion of YTHDF1 led to massive RNA patches deposited in cytoplasm. The results of 4SU‐TT‐seq showed that deletion of YTHDF1 would prolong the half‐life of mRNAs. Immunofluorescence data showed that YTHDF1 and AGO2 could co‐localize in P‐body, and Co‐IP results showed that YTHDF1 could interact with AGO2 through YT521‐B homology (YTH) domain. We confirmed that YTHDF1 could undergo phase separation in vitro and in vivo, and compared with AGO2, YTHDF1 was more important in P‐body formation. The FRAP results showed that liquid AGO2 droplets would convert to gel/solid when YTHDF1 was deleted. As AGO2 plays important roles in miRISCs, we also found that miRNA‐mediate mRNA degradation is related to YTHDF1.

Conclusions

YTHDF1 recruits AGO2 through the YTH domain. YTHDF1 degrades targeting mRNAs by promoting P‐body formation through LLPS. The deletion of YTHDF1 causes the P‐body to change from liquid droplets to gel/solid droplets, and form AGO2/RNA patches, resulting in a degradation delay of mRNAs. These findings reveal a previously unrecognized crosstalk between YTHDF1 and AGO2, raising a new sight of mRNA post‐transcriptional regulation by YTHDF1.
Loggerhead marine turtles (Caretta caretta) nesting at smaller sizes than expected in the Gulf of Mexico: Implications for turtle behavior, population dynamics, and conservation
Authors: Benscoter Allison M. , Smith Brian J. , Hart Kristen M.
Published: November 2021

Estimates of parameters that affect population dynamics, including the size at which individuals reproduce, are crucial for efforts aimed at understanding how imperiled species may recover from the numerous threats they face. In this study, we observed loggerhead marine turtles (Caretta caretta) nesting at three sites in the Gulf of Mexico at sizes assumed nonreproductive in this region (≤87 cm curved carapace length‐notch [CCL‐n]). These smaller individuals ranged from 74.0 to 86.9 cm CCL‐n, and the proportion of smaller nesting loggerheads was 0.13 across three study sites: Gulf Shores, AL; Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida (FL); and Everglades National Park (ENP), FL. The greatest proportion of smaller nesters was observed at ENP at 0.24. Tracking data indicated that the smaller nesters migrated shorter distances and swam in shallower waters compared to the larger nesting loggerheads (>87 cm CCL‐n) in our dataset. These results provide valuable information on two of the smallest subpopulations of NW Atlantic loggerheads and understudied ENP turtles. Our results have potential applications in the classification and interpretation of stranding limits and bycatch estimates, population modeling (e.g., stage durations and fecundity), and understanding threats and subpopulation recovery efforts for multiple subpopulations of this imperiled species.
Establishment and validation of a didactic musculoskeletal ultrasound course for dermatologists using an innovative handheld ultrasound system – the MUDE study (Musculoskeletal Ultrasound in Dermatology)
Authors: Grobelski Jakub , Recker Florian , Wilsmann‐ Theis Dagmar , Hartung Wolfgang , Karakostas Pantelis , Brossart Peter , Schäfer Valentin Sebastian
Published: November 2021

Background

In the early detection of arthritis, such as psoriatic arthritis, musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSUS) of painful joints plays an important role in diagnosis. Pathological findings can be missed during clinical examination, especially if conducted by physicians who are not trained. The objective of this study was to examine a pilot MSUS course designed specifically for dermatologists, the MUDE protocol.

Methods

To assess the degree of MSUS expertise of the participants, a questionnaire using SurveyMonkey® was completed before the course. The course concept covered only the most important ultrasound sections of all joints and focused on the detection of joint effusion and hyperperfusion. The course consisted of three modules and was carried out over six months. The portable Butterfly IQ® system in combination with an Apple iPad was provided to enable practice between the courses. The final teaching evaluation was carried out as an objective structured clinical examination (OSCE).

Results

Twelve dermatologists participated. The survey revealed no prior knowledge of MSUS. The overall score of all participants in the OSCE was 21.86 (87.44 %) out of a total of 25 points, which corresponded to the school grade good.

Conclusion

The innovative MUDE protocol is thus particularly suitable for the training of dermatologists in MSUS, irrespective of prior knowledge.
Trophic rewilding benefits a tropical community through direct and indirect network effects
Authors: Mittelman Pedro , Landim Anna Rebello , Genes Luísa , Assis Ana Paula A. , Starling‐Manne Carolina , Leonardo Paula V. , Fernandez Fernando A. S. , Guimarães Jr Paulo R. , Pires Alexandra S.
Published: November 2021

Species reintroductions can be used as a conservation strategy to restore ecological interactions and the functionality of impoverished ecosystems. The ecological effects of reintroductions go beyond restoring pairwise interactions, because reintroductions can change how extant species are indirectly linked to each other in an ecological community. These indirect pathways, in turn, may shape a myriad of ecological and evolutionary processes operating in ecological systems. Here, we investigated how reintroductions may affect the direct and indirect pathways connecting species in ecological networks. We modeled the potential effects of the reintroduction of four frugivore species (channel‐billed toucans, red‐humped agoutis, brown howler monkeys and yellow‐footed tortoises) to the local seed dispersal network in an Atlantic Forest site, the Tijuca National Park (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil). We used a seed dispersal interaction dataset together with data on species occurrences in Tijuca to build network models. Then, we calculated how network structure and the total amount of indirect effects varied across simulated networks with and without the reintroduced species. Using random reintroduction simulations, we tested if the observed network changes were expected merely from the increase in species richness. The reintroduction of the frugivore species increased network connectance, nestedness, robustness, number of pathways and total amount of indirect effects in all simulated networks. The increase in number of pathways with the addition of the four reintroduced species was greater than the sum of isolated effects for each species, because some interaction pathways contained several reintroduced species. These changes in network metrics were significantly greater than if a randomly chosen set of four species was reintroduced. Furthermore, our results indicate that multiple reintroductions in the same area, known as refaunation, may have an even greater restoration effect than single species reintroductions through increased indirect connections in the network.
Migraine and atrial fibrillation: a systematic review
Authors: Scutelnic Adrian , Mattle Heinrich P. , Branca Mattia , Jung Simon , Reichlin Tobias , Fischer Urs , Schankin Christoph J.
Published: November 2021

Background and purpose

Patients with migraine are at increased risk of stroke. The aim was to systematically review the current literature on the association between migraine and atrial fibrillation, which is a relevant risk factor for stroke.

Methods

PubMed was searched for ‘migraine’ AND ‘atrial fibrillation’ and selected original investigations on the association of migraine and atrial fibrillation for our analysis. Articles without original data, such as guidelines, narrative reviews, editorials and others, were excluded.

Results

In all, 109 publications were found. Twenty‐two were included and analysed for this review. The population‐based Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities study showed a significant association of migraine with visual aura and incident atrial fibrillation (hazard ratio 1.30, 95% confidence interval 1.03–1.62, p = 0.02), but not for migraine without aura, compared to non‐headache persons after multivariable adjustment for vascular risk factors. An even larger population‐based study in Denmark confirmed this association (odds ratio 1.25, 95% confidence interval 1.16–1.36). Studies investigating patients with ischaemic stroke and migraine are methodologically insufficient and provide contradictory results. Ablation therapy for atrial fibrillation in patients with migraine might reduce migraine attacks, but transient post‐ablation new‐onset migraine‐like headaches in persons without a history of migraine have also been reported.

Conclusion

Population‐based studies indicate a significant association of migraine with aura and atrial fibrillation. In practical terms, screening for atrial fibrillation in patients who have a long history of migraine might be reasonable, whereas in patients with stroke or other disorders and migraine extensive screening for atrial fibrillation should be performed as in all patients without migraine.
Fractionated semen collection as a diagnostic tool for reproductive pathologies in stallions
Authors: Oliveira S. N. , de Araujo E. A. B. , Silva L. F. M. C. , Hayashi R. M. , Merenda V. R. , Papa F. O.
Published: November 2021

The alterations found in the ejaculate of stallions, obtained through fractionated semen collection, may be used as a diagnostic tool for identifying the origin of the pathology. The occurrence of seminal vesiculitis, lacerations and urethral rents, bulbourethritis, and prostatitis may be accurately identified through the use of fractionated semen collection. However, because findings can at times be vague or misleading, if possible, one should pursue complimentary examinations for a definitive diagnosis. The clinical findings obtained through the fractionated semen collection should be reasonably interpreted by the veterinarian. Thus, we aimed to illustrate the findings obtained through fractionated semen collection in stallions with ejaculate alterations, which may allow the identification of the origin of pathological alterations.
Immunological drivers of IgA nephropathy: Exploring the mucosa–kidney link
Authors: Selvaskandan Haresh , Barratt Jonathan , Cheung Chee Kay
Published: November 2021

IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is the most common pattern of primary glomerular disease reported worldwide. Up to 40% of those with IgAN progress to end‐stage kidney disease within 20 years of diagnosis, with no currently available disease‐specific treatment. This is likely to change rapidly, with evolving insights into the mechanisms driving this disease. IgAN is an immune‐complex–mediated disease, and its pathophysiology has been framed by the ‘four‐hit hypothesis’, which necessitates four events to occur for clinically significant disease to develop. However, this hypothesis does not explain the wide variability observed in its presentation or clinical progression. Recently, there has been great interest in exploring the role of the mucosal immune system in IgAN, especially given the well‐established link between mucosal infections and disease flares. Knowledge of antigen–mucosal interactions is now being successfully leveraged for therapeutic purposes; the gut‐directed drug Nefecon (targeted release formulation‐budesonide) is on track to become the first medication to be approved specifically for the treatment of IgAN. In this review, we examine established immunological paradigms in IgAN, explore how antigen–mucosal immune responses drive disease, and discuss how this knowledge is being used to develop new treatments.
Internal migration patterns of foreign citizens in Italy
Authors: Casacchia Oliviero , Reynaud Cecilia , Strozza Salvatore , Tucci Enrico
Published: November 2021

Internal migration has a strong impact on population redistribution, and plays a significant role in social cohesion. In Italy, the foreign population is a mosaic made up of minorities with different demographic characteristics. The aim of this study is to unveil, by means of a gravity model and using data from the Italian population register from 2014 to 2017, significant differences between national and foreign citizens’ inter‐provincial migration patterns. Some migrants, such as the Ukrainian citizens, follow a process of spatial assimilation while others, as in the case of Chinese citizens, respond to the call of migration networks. The role played by the distance of the inter‐provincial migration in making these moves is also different, and varies from citizenship to citizenship: Indians and Albanians are more willing to travel longer distances; conversely, Romanians and Ukrainians frequently opt for shorter moves.
Epigenetics and tissue immunity—Translating environmental cues into functional adaptations*
Authors: Tuong Zewen Kelvin , Stewart Benjamin J. , Guo Shuang Andrew , Clatworthy Menna R.
Published: November 2021

There is an increasing appreciation that many innate and adaptive immune cell subsets permanently reside within non‐lymphoid organs, playing a critical role in tissue homeostasis and defense. The best characterized are macrophages and tissue‐resident T lymphocytes that work in concert with organ structural cells to generate appropriate immune responses and are functionally shaped by organ‐specific environmental cues. The interaction of tissue epithelial, endothelial and stromal cells is also required to attract, differentiate, polarize and maintain organ immune cells in their tissue niche. All of these processes require dynamic regulation of cellular transcriptional programmes, with epigenetic mechanisms playing a critical role, including DNA methylation and post‐translational histone modifications. A failure to appropriately regulate immune cell transcription inevitably results in inadequate or inappropriate immune responses and organ pathology. Here, with a focus on the mammalian kidney, an organ which generates differing regional environmental cues (including hypersalinity and hypoxia) due to its physiological functions, we will review the basic concepts of tissue immunity, discuss the technologies available to profile epigenetic modifications in tissue immune cells, including those that enable single‐cell profiling, and consider how these mechanisms influence the development, phenotype, activation and function of different tissue immune cell subsets, as well as the immunological function of structural cells.
Autoimmunity in motion: Mechanisms of immune regulation and destruction revealed by in vivo imaging*
Authors: Jacobelli Jordan , Buser Alan E. , Heiden Dustin L. , Friedman Rachel S.
Published: November 2021

Autoimmunity arises when mechanisms of immune tolerance fail. Here we discuss mechanisms of T cell activation and tolerance and the dynamics of the autoimmune response at the site of disease. Live imaging of autoimmunity provides the ability to analyze immune cell dynamics at the single‐cell level within the complex intact environment where disease occurs. These analyses have revealed mechanisms of T cell activation and tolerance in the lymph nodes, mechanisms of T cell entry into sites of autoimmune disease, and mechanisms leading to pathogenesis or protection in the autoimmune lesions. The overarching conclusions point to stable versus transient T cell antigen presenting cell interactions dictating the balance between T cell activation and tolerance, and T cell restimulation as a driver of pathogenesis at the site of autoimmunity. Findings from models of multiple sclerosis and type 1 diabetes are highlighted, however, the results have implications for basic mechanisms of T cell regulation during immune responses, tumor immunity, and autoimmunity.
Nursing beyond the pandemic: Resilience and determination will shape our future options
Authors: Ali Parveen
Published: November 2021

The years 2020–21 have been significant for nurses, midwives and all healthcare professionals across the world. While nurses and midwives faced immense pressure and challenges in performing their roles, the pandemic has contributed to bringing a spotlight to the work that nurses, midwives do and the significance of that work. In this article, the author introduces herself as the Editor‐in‐Chief of International Nursing Review and shares her vision for the journal.