bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
EquCab_Finn: A new reference genome assembly for the domestic horse, Finnhorse
Authors: Pokharel Kisun , Weldenegodguad Melak , Reilas Tiina , Kantanen Juha
Published: July 2024

Finnhorse is Finland's native and national horse breed and it has genetic affinities to northern European and Asian horses. It has historical importance for agriculture, forest work and transport and as a war horse. Finnhorse has four breeding sections in the studbook and is under conservation and characterisation efforts. We sequenced and annotated the genome of a Finnhorse mare from the working horse section using PacBio and Omni‐C data. This genome can complement the existing Thoroughbred reference genome (EquCab 3.0) and facilitate genetic studies of horses from northern Eurasia. We assembled 2.4 Gb of the genome with an N50 scaffold length of 83.8 Mb and the genome annotation resulted in a total of 19 748 protein coding genes of which 1200 were Finnhorse specific. The assembly has high quality and synteny with the current horse reference genome. We manually curated five genes of interest and deposited the final assembly in the European Nucleotide Archive under the accession no. PRJEB71364.
Dynamics of automation in economic growth and the labor market
Authors: Afonso Óscar
Published: July 2024

This study delves into the intricate dynamics of technology, labor markets, and economic growth within the context of Industry 4.0. By integrating automation capital into a dynamic general equilibrium model, we examine its implications for economic performance and social equity. The empirical analysis highlights the substitutability of unskilled labor by automation, revealing a nuanced relationship between automation adoption, the skill premium, and economic growth. Contrary to conventional wisdom, our findings suggest that a reduced ratio of unskilled to skilled labor, driven by automation, can lead to both an increase in the skill premium and sustained economic growth, even in the face of demographic challenges such as declining populations. However, this trend also exacerbates income inequality, underscoring the imperative for policy interventions aimed at promoting skill enhancement and ensuring equitable distribution of technological advancements.
Upper motor neuron‐predominant motor neuron disease presenting as atypical parkinsonism: A clinicopathological study
Authors: Murakami Aya , Koga Shunsuke , Fujioka Shinsuke , White Adrianna E. , Bieniek Kevin F. , Sekiya Hiroaki , DeJesus‐Hernandez Mariely , Finch NiCole A. , van Blitterswijk Marka , Nakamura Masataka , Tsuboi Yoshio , Murray Melissa E. , Wszolek Zbigniew K. , Dickson Dennis W.
Published: July 2024

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by upper and lower motor neuron signs. There are, however, cases where upper motor neurons (UMNs) are predominantly affected, leading to clinical presentations of UMN‐dominant ALS or primary lateral sclerosis. Furthermore, cases exhibiting an UMN‐predominant pattern of motor neuron disease (MND) presenting with corticobasal syndrome (CBS) have been sparsely reported. This study aims to clarify the clinicopathological features of patients with UMN‐predominant MND. We reviewed 24 patients with UMN‐predominant MND with TDP‐43 pathology in the presence or absence of frontotemporal lobar degeneration. Additionally, we reviewed the medical records of patients with pathologically‐confirmed corticobasal degeneration (CBD) who received a final clinical diagnosis of CBS (n = 10) and patients with pathologically‐confirmed progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) who received a final clinical diagnosis of PSP syndrome (n = 10). Of 24 UMN‐predominant MND patients, 20 had a clinical diagnosis of an atypical parkinsonian disorder, including CBS (n = 11) and PSP syndrome (n = 8). Only two patients had antemortem diagnoses of motor neuron disease. UMN‐predominant MND patients with CBS less frequently exhibited apraxia than those with CBD, and they were less likely to meet clinical criteria for possible or probable CBS. Similarly, UMN‐predominant MND patients with PSP syndrome less often met clinical criteria for probable PSP than PSP patients with PSP syndrome. Our findings suggest that UMN‐predominant MND can mimic atypical parkinsonism, and should be considered in the differential diagnosis of CBS and PSP syndrome, in particular when criteria are not met.
Inhibition of dynamin‐related protein 1‐filamin interaction improves systemic glucose metabolism
Authors: Kato Yuri , Ariyoshi Kohei , Nohara Yasunobu , Matsunaga Naoya , Shimauchi Tsukasa , Shindo Naoya , Nishimura Akiyuki , Mi Xinya , Kim Sang Geon , Ide Tomomi , Kawanishi Eiji , Ojida Akio , Nakashima Naoki , Mori Yasuo , Nishida Motohiro
Published: July 2024

Background and purpose

Maintaining mitochondrial quality is attracting attention as a new strategy to treat diabetes and diabetic complications. We previously reported that mitochondrial hyperfission by forming a protein complex between dynamin‐related protein (Drp) 1 and filamin, mediates chronic heart failure and cilnidipine, initially developed as an L/N‐type Ca2+ channel blocker, improves heart failure by inhibiting Drp1‐filamin protein complex. We investigated whether cilnidipine improves hyperglycaemia of various diabetic mice models.

Experimental Approach

Retrospective analysis focusing on haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) was performed in hypertensive and hyperglycaemic patients taking cilnidipine and amlodipine. After developing diabetic mice by streptozotocin (STZ) treatment, an osmotic pump including drug was implanted intraperitoneally, followed by weekly measurements of blood glucose levels. Mitochondrial morphology was analysed by electron microscopy. A Ca2+ channel‐insensitive cilnidipine derivative (1,4‐dihydropyridine [DHP]) was synthesized and its pharmacological effect was evaluated using obese (ob/ob) mice fed with high‐fat diet (HFD).

Key Results

In patients, cilnidipine was superior to amlodipine in HbA1c lowering effect. Cilnidipine treatment improved systemic hyperglycaemia and mitochondrial morphological abnormalities in STZ‐exposed mice, without lowering blood pressure. Cilnidipine failed to improve hyperglycaemia of ob/ob mice, with suppressing insulin secretion. 1,4‐DHP improved hyperglycaemia and mitochondria abnormality in ob/ob mice fed HFD. 1,4‐DHP and cilnidipine improved basal oxygen consumption rate of HepG2 cells cultured under 25 mM glucose.

Conclusion and implications

Inhibition of Drp1‐filamin protein complex formation becomes a new strategy for type 2 diabetes treatment.
The phenotypic and genotypic spectrum of individuals with mono‐ or biallelic ANK3 variants
Authors: Furia Francesca , Levy Amanda M. , Theunis Miel , Bamshad Michael J. , Bartos Meghan N. , Bijlsma Emilia K. , Brancati Francesco , Cejudo Lucile , Chong Jessica X. , De Luca Chiara , Dean Sarah Joy , Egense Alena , Goel Himanshu , Guenzel Adam J. , Hüffmeier Ulrike , Legius Eric , Mancini Grazia M. S. , Marcos‐Alcalde Iñigo , Niclass Tanguy , Planes Marc , Redon Sylvia , Ros‐Pardo David , Rouault Karen , Schot Rachel , Schuhmann Sarah , Shen Joseph J. , Tao Alice M. , Thiffault Isabelle , Van Esch Hilde , Wentzensen Ingrid M. , Barakat Tahsin Stefan , Møller Rikke S. , Gomez‐Puertas Paulino , Chung Wendy K. , Gardella Elena , Tümer Zeynep
Published: July 2024

ANK3 encodes ankyrin‐G, a protein involved in neuronal development and signaling. Alternative splicing gives rise to three ankyrin‐G isoforms comprising different domains with distinct expression patterns. Mono‐ or biallelic ANK3 variants are associated with non‐specific syndromic intellectual disability in 14 individuals (seven with monoallelic and seven with biallelic variants). In this study, we describe the clinical features of 13 additional individuals and review the data on a total of 27 individuals (16 individuals with monoallelic and 11 with biallelic ANK3 variants) and demonstrate that the phenotype for biallelic variants is more severe. The phenotypic features include language delay (92%), autism spectrum disorder (76%), intellectual disability (78%), hypotonia (65%), motor delay (68%), attention deficit disorder (ADD) or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) (57%), sleep disturbances (50%), aggressivity/self‐injury (37.5%), and epilepsy (35%). A notable phenotypic difference was presence of ataxia in three individuals with biallelic variants, but in none of the individuals with monoallelic variants. While the majority of the monoallelic variants are predicted to result in a truncated protein, biallelic variants are almost exclusively missense. Moreover, mono‐ and biallelic variants appear to be localized differently across the three different ankyrin‐G isoforms, suggesting isoform‐specific pathological mechanisms.
Historical maps improve the identification of forests with potentially high conservation value
Authors: Grabska‐Szwagrzyk Ewa , Jakiel Michał , Keeton William , Kozak Jacek , Kuemmerle Tobias , Onoszko Kamil , Ostafin Krzysztof , Shahbandeh Mahsa , Szubert Piotr , Szwagierczak Anna , Szwagrzyk Jerzy , Ziółkowska Elżbieta , Kaim Dominik
Published: July 2024

The EU Biodiversity Strategy 2030 aims to better protect natural ecosystems with high biodiversity and climate change mitigation potential. To achieve this goal, it is crucial to identify forests worth protecting, such as those characterized by long continuity and old age. Here, we propose a robust approach that combines historical maps from the mid‐19th century with remote sensing data to identify areas that have been forested for over 150 years, aiming to reduce the need for detailed and time‐consuming field investigations in potential conservation areas. We tested this approach in a 20,000 km2 region in the Polish Carpathians, an area likely containing many unprotected forests of high conservation value, where historical maps from the mid‐19th century are representative of much of Central Europe. Our results showed that an area of approximately 4200 km2 has been continuously forested since at least the mid‐19th century. Currently, 50% of these forests are outside protected areas, representing an important conservation opportunity. More generally, our approach can support the identification of valuable forests worth protecting before they are lost and provide useful insights for policymakers and stakeholders in the ongoing debate on the challenges of improving forest conservation in the Carpathians, and Europe more widely.
A regulatory loop of JAK/STAT signalling and its downstream targets represses cell fate conversion and maintains male germline stem cell niche homeostasis
Authors: Kong Ruiyan , Zhao Hang , Li Juan , Ma Yankun , Li Ningfang , Shi Lin , Li Zhouhua
Published: July 2024

A specialised microenvironment, termed niche, provides extrinsic signals for the maintenance of residential stem cells. However, how residential stem cells maintain niche homeostasis and whether stromal niche cells could convert their fate into stem cells to replenish lost stem cells upon systemic stem cell loss remain largely unknown. Here, through systemic identification of JAK/STAT downstream targets in adult Drosophila testis, we show that Escargot (Esg), a member of the Snail family of transcriptional factors, is a putative JAK/STAT downstream target. esg is intrinsically required in cyst stem cells (CySCs) but not in germline stem cells (GSCs). esg depletion in CySCs results in CySC loss due to differentiation and non‐cell autonomous GSC loss. Interestingly, hub cells are gradually lost by delaminating from the hub and converting into CySCs in esg‐defective testes. Mechanistically, esg directly represses the expression of socs36E, the well‐known downstream target and negative regulator of JAK/STAT signalling. Finally, further depletion of socs36E completely rescues the defects observed in esg‐defective testes. Collectively, JAK/STAT target Esg suppresses SOCS36E to maintain CySC fate and repress niche cell conversion. Thus, our work uncovers a regulatory loop between JAK/STAT signalling and its downstream targets in controlling testicular niche homeostasis under physiological conditions.
Food insecurity and diabetes management among adults of African descent: A systematic review
Authors: Magny‐Normilus Cherlie , Luppino Francesca , Lyons Karen , Luu Jason , Taylor Jacquelyn Y.
Published: July 2024

Aims

This systematic review explores the established causal link between food insecurity and cardiometabolic conditions among adults of African descent. Specifically, this study examined the relationship between food insecurity and the management of type 2 diabetes, highlighting the prevalence of food insecurity among individuals of African descent with type 2 diabetes.

Methods

Original English papers were meticulously searched in databases including PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Medline, Cochrane, Embase and Web of Science. The Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool for quantitative studies and COReQ for qualitative studies were employed to assess biases. Three independent reviewers meticulously evaluated and synthesized results, reaching a consensus.

Results

Among the 198 studies identified, 14 met the inclusion criteria for data extraction and analysis, which were conducted independently by three reviewers. The findings indicate that individuals of African descent are more likely to experience food insecurity compared to their White counterparts and are also more prone to diabetes risk factors or the presence of diabetes.

Conclusions

This study underscores a higher prevalence of food insecurity and type 2 diabetes among adults of African descent, suggesting that ethnicity and food insecurity play significant roles in diabetes management. Future research should prioritize interventions aimed at reducing these disparities.
Evaluation of stress distributions in endodontically treated anterior incisors under occlusal and trauma‐induced forces following various restoration treatments: A finite element analysis
Authors: Sultanoğlu Elifnur Güzelce , Eliaçık Bahar Başak Kızıltan , Eroğlu Büşra Keleş , Tez Banu Çiçek
Published: July 2024

Background

The aim of this study was to calculate the stress distribution of fiberglass post associated with resin composite crown restoration and fiberglass posts with zirconia restorations in mature and immature endodontically treated central maxillary incisor under various loading conditions.

Materials and Methods

The study created six different study models in a virtual environment: healthy mature maxillary central teeth, intact immature maxillary central teeth, mature maxillary central teeth with fiberglass post associated with resin composite crown restoration, immature maxillary central teeth with fiberglass post associated with resin composite crown restoration, mature maxillary central teeth with fiberglass posts and zirconia restoration, and immature maxillary central teeth with fiberglass posts and zirconia restoration. Loading conditions simulating mastication, trauma, and bruxism were applied to each of the models at different angles and amounts. The von Mises and the maximum and minimum principal stress values in tooth structures (dentin) and support structures (bone, PDL) and materials were observed using finite element stress analysis.

Results

The highest stress values in the tissue and the restoration structure were observed for masticating force and crowns rehabilitated with zirconia restorations. None of the compared loading conditions and restorations showed destructive stress values on periodontal ligament or bone.

Conclusion

The mature and immature endodontically treated central maxillary incisors can be better rehabilitated using fiberglass post associated with resin composite crown restoration and may be preferred to zirconia restorations in order to reduce the stresses on the surrounding tissues and teeth. However, further clinical studies are needed to fully explore this topic.
Regenerative endodontic treatment and traumatic dental injuries
Authors: Kahler Bill , Lu Jing , Taha Nessrin A.
Published: July 2024

Pulp necrosis is the most common complication following dental trauma and is often associated with apical periodontitis. The management of these teeth is challenging in terms of large root canals, open apices, thin dentinal walls, and short roots. Over decades the conventional treatment for these teeth was calcium hydroxide apexification, a time‐consuming procedure despite high success rates. Subsequently after the introduction of mineral trioxide aggregate and hydraulic calcium silicate materials single visit apical plug procedures became increasingly practiced with comparable success rates to the conventional apexification. The search continued afterward for a clinical procedure that may stimulate further root development and apical closure to avoid the long‐term complication of root fracture after apexification. Regenerative procedures using stem cells derived from the apical papilla and blood clots as scaffolds were then introduced for the management of immature teeth, with variable protocols and success rates. This review will cover the evidence available and current position of regenerative endodontic procedures in traumatized immature teeth with apical periodontitis, in terms of clinical protocols, outcome, and potential prognostic factors.
Increased loss‐of‐function filaggrin gene mutation prevalence in atopic dermatitis patients across northern latitudes indicates genetic fitness: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Khatib Casper Milde , Klein‐Petersen Amalie Wandel , Rønnstad Amalie Thorsti Møller , Egeberg Alexander , Christensen Maria Oberländer , Silverberg Jonathan Ian , Thomsen Simon Francis , Irvine Alan David , Thyssen Jacob Pontoppidan
Published: July 2024

Loss‐of‐function (LoF) mutations in the filaggrin gene (FLG) constitute the strongest genetic risk for atopic dermatitis (AD). A latitude‐dependent difference in the prevalence of LoF FLG mutations was systematically evaluated. A systematic review and meta‐analysis were performed to estimate the prevalence of LoF FLG mutations in AD patients and the general population by geography and ethnicity. Risk of bias was assessed by Newcastle‐Ottawa Scale and Jadad score. StatsDirect, version 3 software was used to calculate all outcomes. PubMed and EMBASE were searched until 9th December 2021. Studies were included if they contained data on the prevalence of LoF FLG mutations in AD patients or from the general population or associations between AD and LoF FLG mutations and were authored in English. Overall, 248 studies and 229 310 AD patients and individuals of the general population were included in the quantitative analysis. The prevalence of LoF FLG mutations was 19.1% (95% CI, 17.3–21.0) in AD patients and 5.8% (95% CI, 5.3–6.2) in the general population. There was a significant positive association between AD and LoF FLG mutations in all latitudes in the Northern hemisphere, but not in all ethnicities. The prevalence of LoF FLG mutations became gradually more prevalent in populations residing farther north of the Equator but was negligible in Middle Easterners and absent in most African populations. FLG LoF mutations are common and tend to increase with northern latitude, suggesting potential clinical implications for future AD management. The existence of possible genetic fitness from FLG LoF mutations remains unknown.
The mediation model of social status on the link between parental attachment, aggressive behavior, and psychological well‐being: Evidence from two studies in Vietnamese adolescents and young adults
Authors: Nguyen Thanh‐Minh , Nguyen Nghia Duc Tri , Vo Anh‐Tram Ngoc , Le Khoi , Nguyen An‐Hong , Nguyen Minh‐Chuong Duc
Published: July 2024

Little is known about how insecure attachment affects aggressive behavior and well‐being among Vietnamese youth. Using structural equation modeling, we investigate the mediating role of subjective social status (SSS) on the paths from insecure attachment to overt aggressive behavior (OAB) and psychological well‐being (PW) in a sample of 1753 Vietnamese adolescents (Mage = 16.136, SD = 0.784) and test whether the results will be replicated in another sample of 601 Vietnamese young adults (Mage = 19.93, SD = 1.35). Participants complete a survey comprising demographic information, attachment styles, SSS, OAB, and PW questionnaires. Our main findings include: (a) anxious attachment positively related to OAB in both samples, (b) anxious attachment was only negatively associated with adolescents' PW, (c) avoidant attachment was positively correlated to OAB in adolescents but negatively correlated in young adults, and (d) avoidant attachment was negatively related to PW in both samples. In addition, (e) in adolescents, the mediation role of SSS was significant in all paths, but (f) SSS only mediated the link from avoidant attachment to PW of young adults. The present study suggests that aggressive behavior might not be associated with social status or attachment in the same way in adolescents compared to young adult Vietnamese samples.
Patient‐Led Research to Develop a Training Programme for Restoring Musical Joy in Cochlear Implant Recipients: A Reflexive Process Evaluation
Authors: Maas Marjo J. M. , Veltman Joke , van der Wees Philip J. , Beijk Cilia , Huinck Wendy J. , Groenhuis Adinda Y. M. , Versnel Huib , Schuiling Gertjan , Hoetink Alex E.
Published: July 2024

Background

The role of patients in healthcare research is slowly evolving, although patient roles in the research process are limited. This paper reports on a patient‐led research project aiming to develop a musical hearing training programme for patients with a cochlear implant (CI): the Musi‐CI programme. A CI is an inner ear prosthesis that allows people with severe hearing loss to hear. However, while speech can be understood, CI users cannot fully enjoy music or feel aversion to it. The Musi‐CI programme aims to reduce this music aversion to ultimately improve music enjoyment and social participation. The development of the Musi‐CI programme was supported by a consortium of professionals in CI rehabilitation and research.

The aim of this paper is to describe and evaluate the Musi‐CI programme development process and its impact on professional CI rehabilitation and research.

Methods

Programme development was described using a 3‐layered process model of action research, distinguishing the CI user process, the healthcare professional process and the research process. To evaluate perceptions on the programme development process, consortium partners provided written comments and participated in a reflexive evaluation session that was video‐recorded. Reflexive evaluation aims for collective learning and strengthening collaboration among participants. Written comments and video data were analysed using template analysis.

Results

The involvement of an expert by experience was perceived as challenging but rewarding for all consortium partners, opening up new perspectives on CI‐rehabilitation practice and research. Data analysis revealed two themes on the programme development process, professional space and acknowledgement, and two themes on the outcomes on CI rehabilitation and research: critical reflection and paradigm shift.

Conclusion

Experts by experience represent a different knowledge domain that may contribute to change in rehabilitation and research.

Patient or Public Contribution

The development of the programme was initiated by a professional musician and CI user who organized the funding, had a leading role throughout the research process, including the write‐up of the results, and co‐authored this paper.
Weather explains inter‐annual variability, but not the temporal decline, in insect biomass
Authors: Duchenne François , Fontaine Colin
Published: July 2024

Müller et al. re‐analysed published data on temporal variation in insect biomass in Germany between 1989 and 2016, with a focus on modelling the effects of weather conditions on insect biomass.

These upgraded analyses, using an external validation dataset, are a nice demonstration of the strong impact of climatic conditions on annual insect biomass. However, Müller et al.'s conclusion that temporal variation in weather conditions explained most of the temporal changes in insect biomass was overstated. We argue that their methodological approach was unsuitable to draw such conclusion, because of omitted variable bias.

We re‐ran the analyses of Müller et al. but accounting for a remaining temporal trend in insect biomass due to missing drivers. Our results suggest that the main conclusion of Müller et al. was wrong: there is a significant temporal decline in insect biomass that is not explained by weather conditions.

Our commentary recalls that not accounting for missing predictors is likely to produce highly biased results, especially when missing predictors are correlated with the available ones, which is likely to be the case for most of the anthropogenic pressures linked to global change. This highlights the difficult challenge of estimating the relative importance of the global change components in driving the observed biodiversity changes.
I can't get no (need) satisfaction: Using a relatedness need‐supportive intervention to improve applicant reactions to asynchronous video interviews
Authors: Moore Hayley I. , Dunlop Patrick D. , Holtrop Djurre , Gagné Marylène
Published: July 2024

Some research suggests that job applicants tend to express negative perceptions of asynchronous video interviews (AVIs). Drawing from basic psychological needs theory, we proposed that these negative perceptions arise partly from the lack of human interaction between applicants and the organization during an AVI, which fails to satisfy applicants' need for relatedness. Recruiting participants through Prolific, we conducted two experimental studies that aimed to manipulate the level of relatedness support through a relatedness‐need supportive introductory video containing empathetic messaging and humor. Using a vignette approach, participants in study 1 (N = 100) evaluated a hypothetical AVI that included one of two introductory videos: relatedness‐supportive versus neutral messaging. The relatedness‐supportive video yielded higher relatedness need satisfaction (d = 0.53) and organizational attraction ratings (d = 0.49) than the neutral video. In study 2, participants (N = 231) completed an AVI that included one of the two videos and evaluated their AVI experience. In contrast to the vignette study, we observed no significant differences between groups for relatedness need satisfaction, organizational attraction, nor other outcomes. Our findings provided little evidence that humor and empathic video messaging improves reactions to an AVI and illustrated the limitations on the external validity of vignette designs.
Genome‐wide identification of PAR domain protein 1 (PDP1) targets through ChIP‐seq reveals the regulation of diapause‐specific characteristics in Culex pipiens
Authors: Dhungana Prabin , Wei Xueyan , Meuti Megan E. , Sim Cheolho
Published: July 2024

Insects use seasonal diapause as an alternative strategy to endure adverse seasons. This developmental trajectory is induced by environmental cues like short‐day lengths in late summer and early fall, but how insects measure day length is unknown. The circadian clock has been implicated in regulating photoperiodic or seasonal responses in many insects, including the Northern house mosquito, Culex pipiens, which enters adult diapause. To investigate the potential control of diapause by circadian control, we employed ChIP‐sequencing to identify the downstream targets of a circadian transcription factor, PAR domain protein 1 (PDP1), that contribute to the hallmark features of diapause. We identified the nearest genes in a 10 kb region of the anticipated PDP1 binding sites, listed prospective targets and searched for PDP1‐specific binding sites. By examining the functional relevance to diapause‐specific behaviours and modifications such as metabolic pathways, lifespan extension, cell cycle regulation and stress tolerance, eight genes were selected as targets and validated using ChIP‐qPCR. In addition, qRT‐PCR demonstrated that the mRNA abundance of PDP1 targets increased in the heads of diapausing females during the middle of the scotophase (ZT17) compared with the early photophase (ZT1), in agreement with the peak and trough of PDP1 abundance. Thus, our investigation uncovered the mechanism by which PDP1 might generate a diapause phenotype in insects.
Knowledge, attitude and practice of caries prevention in children among Bhutanese oral health professionals
Authors: Euden Tenzin , Leelataweewud Pattarawadee , Jirarattanasopha Varangkanar
Published: July 2024

Background

Dental caries remains prevalent among children in Bhutan, despite an increasing number of oral health professionals (OHPs). Insights into caries preventive practices among OHPs can identify areas for capacity building.

Aim

This cross‐sectional descriptive study assessed the knowledge, attitude and practice of caries prevention in children among OHPs in Bhutan.

Design

A self‐administered online questionnaire was sent to all active registered OHPs.

Results

The respondents included 73 dentists and 61 dental hygienists (88% response rate) with a mean experience of 8.4 ± 7.1 years. Many practitioners rarely saw children; most of them, however, exhibited a positive attitude towards caries prevention in children, yet lacked knowledge and practice, especially in younger children. Caries risk factors were not all recognized, and assessment was not practised. Many forms of fluoride were available, but their efficacy was underestimated. Fluoridated toothpaste was underutilized in younger children. Preventive practice relied mainly on giving advice. The most common limitations on preventive practice were the unavailability of materials and treatment prioritized over prevention.

Conclusion

Caries prevention in Bhutanese children requires a systematic approach in the oral healthcare system and further education of OHPs. Proactive strategies, time management and efficient distribution of preventive materials could promote better practice.
Responsibility as the door opener toward trust: How powerholders construe and express their power impacts others' willingness to trust them
Authors: Scholl Annika , Winter Kevin
Published: July 2024

Powerholders make decisions that impact others' lives. To be effective, powerholders need those with lower power to trust them—often without the chance to establish a good interpersonal relationship beforehand. Yet, societal developments in many countries suggest that willingness to trust powerholders is eroding; this makes the (re)establishment of trust a pressing though potentially difficult endeavour. What makes it likely, then, that people are willing to spontaneously trust a powerholder they barely know? We examined the role of powerholders' expression that they see (i.e., cognitively construe) power as a responsibility (vs. an opportunity). Doing so, the present work examines the consequences of unknown powerholders' construal of power from observers' perspective for the first time and connects it with research on trust. We reasoned that people would be more willing to trust an unknown powerholder who recognizes and expresses their responsibility (vs. opportunity) as a powerholder. Five preregistered studies (N = 1196) support this prediction for willingness to trust and a downstream effect on powerholder choice in a trust‐relevant context. The findings highlight how powerholders' construal of power affects observers and show that powerholders can promote others' willingness to trust them by expressing a sense of responsibility (vs. opportunity). Implications for powerholders' communication in times of distrust and populism are discussed.
Anti‐hypertensive effect and potential mechanism of gastrodia‐uncaria granules based on network pharmacology and experimental validation
Authors: Liu Chu‐Hao , Xue Qi‐Qi , Zhang Yi‐Qing , Zhang Dong‐Yan , Li Yan
Published: July 2024

Hypertension has become a major contributor to the morbidity and mortality of cardiovascular diseases worldwide. Despite the evidence of the anti‐hypertensive effect of gastrodia‐uncaria granules (GUG) in hypertensive patients, little is known about its potential therapeutic targets as well as the underlying mechanism. GUG components were sourced from TCMSP and HERB, with bioactive ingredients screened. Hypertension‐related targets were gathered from DisGeNET, OMIM, GeneCards, CTD, and GEO. The STRING database constructed a protein–protein interaction network, visualized by Cytoscape 3.7.1. Core targets were analyzed via GO and KEGG using R package ClusterProfiler. Molecular docking with AutodockVina 1.2.2 revealed favorable binding affinities. In vivo studies on hypertensive mice and rats validated network pharmacology findings. GUG yielded 228 active ingredients and 1190 targets, intersecting with 373 hypertension‐related genes. PPI network analysis identified five core genes: AKT1, TNF‐α, GAPDH, IL‐6, and ALB. Top enriched GO terms and KEGG pathways associated with the anti‐hypertensive properties of GUG were documented. Molecular docking indicated stable binding of core components to targets. In vivo study showed that GUG could improve vascular relaxation, alleviate vascular remodeling, and lower blood pressure in hypertensive animal models possibly through inhibiting inflammatory factors such as AKT1, mTOR, and CCND1. Integrated network pharmacology and in vivo experiment showed that GUG may exert anti‐hypertensive effects by inhibiting inflammation response, which provides some clues for understanding the effect and mechanisms of GUG in the treatment of hypertension.
Using SWATH‐MS to identify new molecular biomarkers in gingival crevicular fluid for detecting periodontitis and its response to treatment
Authors: Blanco‐Pintos T. , Regueira‐Iglesias A. , Relvas M. , Alonso‐Sampedro M. , Chantada‐Vázquez M. P. , Balsa‐Castro C. , Tomás I.
Published: July 2024

Aim

To identify new biomarkers to detect untreated and treated periodontitis in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) using sequential window acquisition of all theoretical mass spectra (SWATH‐MS).

Materials and Methods

GCF samples were collected from 44 periodontally healthy subjects and 40 with periodontitis (Stages III–IV). In the latter, 25 improved clinically 2 months after treatment. Samples were analysed using SWATH‐MS, and proteins were identified by the UniProt human‐specific database. The diagnostic capability of the proteins was determined with generalized additive models to distinguish the three clinical conditions.

Results

In the untreated periodontitis vs. periodontal health modelling, five proteins showed excellent or good bias‐corrected (bc)‐sensitivity/bc‐specificity values of >80%. These were GAPDH, ZG16B, carbonic anhydrase 1, plasma protease inhibitor C1 and haemoglobin subunit beta. GAPDH with MMP‐9, MMP‐8, zinc‐α‐2‐glycoprotein and neutrophil gelatinase‐associated lipocalin and ZG16B with cornulin provided increased bc‐sensitivity/bc‐specificity of >95%. For distinguishing treated periodontitis vs. periodontal health, most of these proteins and their combinations revealed a predictive ability similar to previous modelling. No model obtained relevant results to differentiate between periodontitis conditions.

Conclusions

New single and dual GCF protein biomarkers showed outstanding results in discriminating untreated and treated periodontitis from periodontal health. Periodontitis conditions were indistinguishable. Future research must validate these findings.
Advancing justice in flood risk management: Leveling political capabilities
Authors: Brackel Lieke , Pesch Udo , Doorn Neelke
Published: July 2024

Land use change, managed retreat, and relocation programs are examples of exposure reduction measures in flood risk management (FRM). Exposure reduction measures are especially prone to conflict at the local level due to competing interests, values, and attachments. In this paper, we build upon the capability approach to justice and specifically the concept of political capabilities to advance justice in exposure reduction measures in FRM. A capabilities‐based approach to justice helps to recognize the multiplicity of valuable ways of life and addresses a wide range of inequalities including concerns related to recognition justice. The innovation of our capabilities‐based approach to justice is that we include both actors who have too little political influence as well as those who have too much and can thus excessively steer FRM in their advantage. A political capabilities analysis is different than a focus on principles or rights because it draws attention to realized political influence and includes the informal stages of FRM politics such as lobbying. The political capabilities concept also shifts the focus from vulnerability to human agency, thereby addressing concerns in the FRM literature about the loss of self‐determination and misrecognition. The paper concludes with a critical discussion of the opportunities and limitations of using the political capabilities concept in FRM.
Machine‐learning‐based demand forecasting against food waste: Life cycle environmental impacts and benefits of a bakery case study
Authors: Hübner Nicolas , Caspers Justus , Coroamă Vlad Constantin , Finkbeiner Matthias
Published: July 2024

Rapid advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) are driving transformative changes in many areas, with significant environmental implications. Yet, environmental assessments for specific applications are scarce. This study presents an in‐depth life cycle assessment of “Foodforecast,” a machine learning (ML) cloud service designed to reduce food waste in bakeries by optimizing sales forecasting. It covers four impact categories: global warming, abiotic resource depletion, cumulative energy demand, and freshwater eutrophication. The assessment includes both the direct environmental impacts of the ML model and the underlying system hardware, as well as the indirect benefits of avoided bakery returns compared to traditional ordering methods, using real‐world case study data. In 2022, “Foodforecast” led to an average 30% reduction in bakery returns, primarily bread and rolls, according to sales reports. The associated environmental benefits significantly outweighed the system's direct impacts by one to three orders of magnitude across impact categories and return utilization scenarios. The study identifies support activities such as service maintenance during deployment as major direct impact factors, surpassing those from cloud compute for ML operations. Data processing and inference dominate the latter, while the much‐discussed ML training plays a minor role. The environmental consequences of AI are complex and dual sided. This case study demonstrates that AI might provide environmental benefits in certain contexts, yet results are constrained by methodological challenges and data uncertainties. There remains a need for further holistic LCAs across different ML applications to inform decision‐making processes and ultimately guide the responsible use of AI.
Genomic variation of 363 diverse tea accessions unveils the genetic diversity, domestication, and structural variations associated with tea adaptation
Authors: Tong Wei , Wang Yanli , Li Fangdong , Zhai Fei , Su Jingjing , Wu Didi , Yi Lianghui , Gao Qijuan , Wu Qiong , Xia Enhua
Published: July 2024

Domestication has shaped the population structure and agronomic traits of tea plants, yet the complexity of tea population structure and genetic variation that determines these traits remains unclear. We here investigated the resequencing data of 363 diverse tea accessions collected extensively from almost all tea distributions and found that the population structure of tea plants was divided into eight subgroups, which were basically consistent with their geographical distributions. The genetic diversity of tea plants in China decreased from southwest to east as latitude increased. Results also indicated that Camellia sinensis var. assamica (CSA) illustrated divergent selection signatures with Camellia sinensis var. sinensis (CSS). The domesticated genes of CSA were mainly involved in leaf development, flavonoid and alkaloid biosynthesis, while the domesticated genes in CSS mainly participated in amino acid metabolism, aroma compounds biosynthesis, and cold stress. Comparative population genomics further identified ~730 Mb novel sequences, generating 6,058 full‐length protein‐encoding genes, significantly expanding the gene pool of tea plants. We also discovered 217,376 large‐scale structural variations and 56,583 presence and absence variations (PAVs) across diverse tea accessions, some of which were associated with tea quality and stress resistance. Functional experiments demonstrated that two PAV genes (CSS0049975 and CSS0006599) were likely to drive trait diversification in cold tolerance between CSA and CSS tea plants. The overall findings not only revealed the genetic diversity and domestication of tea plants, but also underscored the vital role of structural variations in the diversification of tea plant traits.
Feeling the heat: Extreme temperatures and housing prices in China
Authors: Kang Yankun , Niu Dongxiao , Song Jie , Sun Weizeng
Published: July 2024

Climate change‐driven extreme heat events pose a major threat to urban expansion globally. This study evaluates the relationship between extreme heat and housing prices utilizing panel data from Chinese cities between 2009 and 2019. Our findings indicate a significant negative correlation between housing prices and extreme temperatures. Specifically, we observe a 0.1% reduction in housing prices for each additional day per year with temperatures surpassing 35°C. This research evaluates two primary mechanisms underpinning this finding. Firstly, our analysis demonstrates a decline in labor inflows to cities experiencing extreme heat, with a particularly significant effect on the influx of high‐skilled workers. In addition, existing residents in these hotter urban environments exhibit reduced home‐buying intentions and reduced proclivity for long‐term residency, coupled with higher living costs. Secondly, our findings indicate that extreme heat acts as a deterrent to firm entry, thereby further suppressing housing demand. This study contributes valuable empirical insights into the capitalization of climate risk in housing markets, with a specific emphasis on the effect of extreme heat. Moreover, it highlights the urgent necessity for the development and implementation of sustainable adaptation strategies to reduce the negative effects of evolving climatic conditions.
Influence of restricted mastication on swallowing function
Authors: Hayashi Hiroki , Kusunoki Takayuki , Komiyama Osamu , Hamada Yoshihiro , Kawamoto Akiyo , Takahashi Kazuya , Shimada Akiko
Published: July 2024

Background

Oral food processing is an important part of daily food intake. A major part of this process is mastication, which prepares a bolus of food for swallowing by mechanically crushing and grinding ingested food between the teeth using rhythmic movements. Masticatory dysfunction is common in the elderly and in some neurological disorders and can have serious negative health consequences.

Objective

This study investigated the effect of restricted mastication, achieved by experimentally reducing the duration of mastication, on masticatory patterns and subsequent swallowing function.

Methods

Thirty healthy men (25 ± 3 years old) were instructed to chew gum jelly with a free mastication duration (G100), a half and a quarter duration of G100. Masseter and digastric electromyographic (EMG) activity was recorded to assess mastication and swallowing activity, respectively. In addition, the acceleration of the thyroid cartilage ridge was measured with an accelerometer. The root mean square (RMS) of muscle EMG activity in the masseter and digastric muscles, the number of masseter EMG bursts, time to peak and total duration of each masseter EMG burst, swallowing duration and laryngeal elevation latency were analysed.

Results

Restricting masticatory duration reduced the number of mastication cycles (p < .001), prolonged the time to peak (p < .001) and total duration of masseter EMG bursts (p < .001) and resulted in an overall increased RMS score of masseter muscle activity (p = .017). Furthermore, restricted masticatory duration led to a decrease in both swallowing duration (p = .001) and laryngeal elevation latency (p = .012), with a significant increase in the RMS score of digastric muscle activity (p < .001).

Conclusions

Under the experimental conditions of restricted mastication, several adaptation features were observed, including changes in masticatory cycle characteristics and swallowing duration. Thus, although the overall masticatory efficiency was reduced, these adaptations allowed healthy individuals to still swallow safely.
It's not what you say it's what you do: School diversity ideologies and adolescent mental health and academic engagement
Authors: Leer Jane , Gaither Sarah E. , Gassman‐Pines Anna
Published: July 2024

This study examined the relation between schools' color‐evasive versus multicultural diversity ideologies, school characteristics, and adolescent development. Across two datasets linking individual‐level survey data (N = 1692) and administrative records (N = 300,063; Mage = 12.4, 52% female, 48% male), schools' stated support for diversity (via a pro‐diversity mission statement) was related to adolescent mental health and academic achievement, but in nuanced ways depending on individual racial/ethnic backgrounds, the racial/ethnic diversity of the student body and teachers, and the extent of racial disparities in discipline and gifted education. Findings suggest that communicating support for diversity without redressing systemic inequities in school discipline and academic tracking will not reduce racism‐related achievement gaps and may instead exacerbate mental health disparities.
Comparing fungicides and biologicals for grey mould control in semi‐hydroponic strawberry cultivation
Authors: Beger Giovana , Maia Juliana Nicolau , Linhares Juliana Campanholo , Peres Natalia Aparecida , Nesi Cristiano Nunes , May De Mio Louise Larissa , Duarte Henrique da Silva Silveira
Published: July 2024

Biologicals and fungicides were evaluated for the control of grey mould in detached fruit in semi‐hydroponic strawberry cultivation. Bacillus subtilis (Serenade, Bio‐Baci, Bio‐Imune), B. amyloliquefaciens (No‐Nema), B. pumilus, B. velezensis (Bombardeiro, BTP 11–19 and BTP 135–19) were compared to the fungicide fluazinam in detached fruit assays. After treatment, fruits were inoculated with 30 μL of a 105 spores mL−1 suspension and incubated in a growth chamber. The relative risk for symptom expression in the treatments in relation to the control was estimated by survival analysis. In the field experiment, Serenade, No‐Nema, Bio‐Imune, Bombardeiro and BTP 11–19, the fungus Clonostachys rosea, procymidone, boscalid, fluazinam, pyrimethanil and cyprodinil + fludioxonil were tested. Biological products were sprayed every 7 days and fungicides at intervals of 14 days. Disease incidence (field and postharvest) and yield were evaluated. In the detached fruit assay, the fungicide fluazinam, followed by the biological products No‐Nema and Bio‐Imune, reduced the relative risk for symptom expression. In the field, cyprodinil + fludioxonil was the most efficacious at harvest. However, no differences in yield were observed. In postharvest, all fungicides in addition to C. rosea, No‐Nema and Bombardeiro reduced the incidence compared to the control during the main production peak (second), and cyprodinil + fludioxonil mixture was the most effective during the season. However, some biological products can be incorporated into an integrated management to reduce postharvest losses.