bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Phenotypic plasticity, population structure and adaptation in a young weed species with a worldwide distribution
Authors: Cornille A. , Tiret M. , Salcedo A. , Huang H.R. , Orsucci M. , Milesi P. , Kryvokhyzha D. , Holm K. , Ge X.J. , Stinchcombe J.R. , Glémin S. , Wright S.I. , Lascoux M
Published: November 2020

The colonization success of a species depends on phenotypic plasticity, adaptive potential and population structure. Assessing their relative contributions during a colonization process is challenging, and a large-scale experiment had yet to be done. In this study, we attempted to tease apart their effects on the fitness of one of the most common plant on Earth, the shepherd’s purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris), a self-fertilizing and allopolyploid weed, with a worldwide distribution. The overarching goal is to eventually understand how the shepherd’s purse extensive distribution range was established so rapidly. To do so, we carried out three common gardens, located in Europe, Asia and North America, and measured several life-history traits on field-collected accessions belonging to three distinct genetic clusters (Middle East, Europe, and Asia). Our experiment showed that (i) the success of C. bursa-pastoris is mainly due to its high degree of phenotypic plasticity; and (ii), genetic cluster effect reflected a classic pattern observed in core vs marginal populations, with the Middle Eastern cluster (putative core population) outperforming the European and Asian clusters. This study therefore revealed, in a model species, different relative contributions of plasticity and adaptation to fitness, depending on the population and the time since colonization occurred.
Kcnq2/Kv7.2 controls the threshold and bihemispheric symmetry of cortical spreading depolarization
Authors: Aiba Isamu , Noebels Jeffrey L
Published: November 2020

Spreading depolarization (SD) is a slowly propagating wave of massive cellular depolarization associated with acute brain injury and migraine aura. Genetic studies link molecular defects in enhanced cytoplasmic Ca2+ flux, glial Na+-K+ ATPase, and interneuronal Na+ current with SD susceptibility, emphasizing the important roles of synaptic activity and extracellular ionic homeostasis in determining SD threshold. In contrast, gene mutations in ion channels that shape intrinsic membrane excitability are frequently associated with epilepsy susceptibility. It is not well known whether epileptogenic mutations in voltage-gated potassium channels that regulate membrane repolarization also modify SD threshold and generation pattern. Here we report that the Kcnq2/Kv7.2 potassium channel subunit, frequently mutated in developmental epilepsy, is an SD modulatory gene with significant control over seizure-SD transition threshold, bilateral cortical expression, and temporal susceptibility. Chronic DC-band cortical EEG recording from awake conditional Kcnq2 deletion mice (Emx2cre/+::Kcnq2flox/flox) revealed spontaneous cortical seizures and SD. In contrast to a related potassium channel deficient model, Kv1.1 KO mice, spontaneous cortical SDs in Kcnq2 cKO mice are tightly coupled to the terminal phase of seizures, arise bilaterally, and are observed predominantly during the dark phase. Administration of the nonselective Kv7.2 inhibitor XE991 to Kv1.1 KO mice reproduced the Kcnq2 cKO-like SD phenotype (tight seizure coupling and bilateral symmetry) in these mice, indicating that Kv7.2 currents directly and actively modulate SD properties. In vitro brain slice studies confirmed that Kcnq2/Kv7.2 depletion or pharmacological inhibition intrinsically lowers the cortical SD threshold, whereas pharmacological activators elevate the threshold to multiple depolarizing and hypometabolic SD triggers. Together these results identify Kcnq2/Kv7.2 as a distinctive SD regulatory gene, and point to SD as a potentially significant pathophysiological component of KCNQ2-linked epileptic encephalopathy syndromes. Our results also implicate KCNQ2/Kv7.2 channel activation as an adjunctive therapeutic target to inhibit SD incidence.
Quantifying the relevance of alternative stable states in many-species food webs
Authors: Karatayev Vadim A. , Baskett Marissa L. , van Nes Egbert H.
Published: November 2020

Alternative stable ecosystem states are possible under the same environmental conditions in many models of 2-3 interacting species and an array of feedback loops. However, multi-species food webs might dissipate the feedbacks that create alternative stable states through species-specific traits and feedbacks. To test this potential, we develop a manyspecies model of consumer-resource interactions with two classes of feedbacks: specialized feedbacks where individual resources become unpalatable at high abundance, or aggregate feedbacks where overall resource abundance reduces consumer recruitment. We quantify how trophic interconnectedness and species differences in demography affect the potential for either feedback to produce alternative stable states dominated by consumers or resources. We find that alternative stable states are likely to happen in many-species food webs when aggregate feedbacks or lower species differences increase redundancy in species contributions to persistence of the consumer guild. Conversely, specialized palatability feedbacks with distinctive species roles in consumer guild persistence reduce the potential for alternative states but increase the likelihood that losing vulnerable consumers cascades into a food web collapse at low stress levels, a dynamic absent in few-species models. Altogether, among-species trait variation can limit the set of processes that create alternative stable states and impede consumer recovery from disturbance.
Automated monitoring of animal behaviour with barcodes and convolutional neural networks
Authors: Gernat Tim , Jagla Tobias , Jones Beryl M. , Middendorf Martin , Robinson Gene E.
Published: November 2020

Barcode-based tracking of individuals revolutionizes the study of animal behaviour, but further progress hinges on whether specific behaviours can be monitored. We achieve this goal by combining information obtained from the barcodes with image analysis through convolutional neural networks. Applying this novel approach to a challenging test case, the honeybee hive, we reveal that food exchange among bees generates two distinct social networks with qualitatively different transmission capabilities.
Digital transformation of TSG from a B2B to a B2C company
Authors: Pingali Srinivas Rao , Shah Grishma
Published: November 2020

Learning outcomes

The main objective of this marketing strategy case is to understand why and how a firm should evaluate and rework its own business to stay competitive and aligned with external market forces.

Case overview/synopsis

Technical Solutions Group (TSG), was the India-based technical support division of Quatrro Global Services and focused on providing support to customers of large Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and software developers around the globe. Because of the increased competition and structural changes at the customer end, the business was facing flattened revenue growth and a drop in margins. TSG had to make strategic decisions on how to continue the business, either within the current paradigm of being a business to business business or transforming into a business to consumer business leveraging digital technology.

Complexity academic level

This case can be used in an undergraduate (upper level) or graduate-level course on marketing strategy, digital strategy or strategic management.

Supplementary materials

Teaching Notes are available for educators only.

Subject code

CSS 11: Strategy.
Exploring hotel employees’ regulatory foci and voice behavior: the moderating role of leader-member exchange
Authors: Dai You-De , Zhuang Wen-Long , Yang Po-Kai , Wang Yi-Jun , Huan Tzung-Cheng
Published: November 2020

Purpose

Drawing on leader-member exchange theory and regulatory focus theory, the purpose of this study is to explore the effects of hotel employees’ regulatory foci on their voice behavior and the moderating role of leader-member exchange.

Design/methodology/approach

The questionnaire includes demographics, regulatory foci, leader-member exchange and voice behavior sections. The data was collected via a survey of 10 international tourist hotels in Taiwan and 479 valid questionnaires were completed. Confirmatory factor analysis and path analysis were used to test the composite reliability, discriminant validity and convergent validity. Multiple regression analysis was used to test the hypotheses.

Findings

The outcome of this study indicates that both promotion focus and prevention focus can benefit employees’ voice behavior; however, prevention-focused employees have more positive voice behavior than promotion-focused employees. In addition, the leader-member exchange can moderate the relationship between regulatory foci and voice behavior.

Originality/value

This is an empirical study in the hotel field to examine the moderating effects of leader-member exchange on the relationships between regulatory foci and voice behavior. This research is contributed toward human resource management literature in the hospitality and tourism domain. Practices for managers and suggestions for future research are discussed.
Oil price shocks and emerging stock markets revisited
Authors: Das Debojyoti , Kannadhasan M , Bhattacharyya Malay
Published: November 2020

Purpose

The study aims to understand the role of different streams of oil shocks (demand, supply and risk shocks) on the oil-importing and exporting countries' stock returns. The study also examines the impact of crude oil shocks across the economic regimes and market states. Besides, the role of the Global Financial Crisis (GFC) of 2008 in shaping the oil–stock relationship is also investigated.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors revisit the impact of oil shocks on emerging equity markets by using the novel shock decomposition algorithm proposed by Ready (2018). The authors consider 24 emerging equity markets for the period spanning over July 15, 2002, to June 18, 2018, and bifurcate them based on oil dependence. The authors use rolling and dynamic conditional correlation analysis to understand the time-varying co-movements between oil prices and stock returns. The regime and state-specific dependence of stock returns on the structural oil shocks are captured by the Markov regime switching and quantile regression models.

Findings

The authors find that the demand shocks are positively associated with stock markets, whereas the supply shocks are negatively related, except in some of the oil-exporting countries. The risk-based shocks also appear to have a negative association with stocks. The authors do not find evidence of strong regime dependence and the direction of relationship across the high and low regimes is somewhat stable. Further, the authors observe an intense oil–stock relationship in the bearish market conditions. Besides, the authors also report evidences of changes in oil–stock relationship onset the GFC.

Originality/value

This is among the first studies to use the oil shock decomposition algorithm of Ready (2018) in the context of emerging equity markets. Additionally, oil shocks' role on the stock market movements across the regimes and market states is studied comprehensively. Thus, the nature of oil shock and the extent to which the emerging markets are exposed is observed in this study.
Implementing an intelligent video monitoring system to detect falls of older adults at home: a multiple case study
Authors: Lapierre Nolwenn , St-Arnaud Alain , Meunier Jean , Rousseau Jacqueline
Published: November 2020

Purpose

Older adults are at a high risk of falling. The consequences of falls are worse when the person is unable to get up afterward. Thus, an intelligent video monitoring system (IVS) was developed to detect falls and send alerts to a respondent. This study aims to explore the implementation of the IVS at home.

Design/methodology/approach

A multiple case study was conducted with four dyads: older adults and informal caregivers. The IVS was implemented for two months at home. Perceptions of the IVS and technical variables were documented. Interviews were thematically analyzed, and technical data were descriptively analyzed.

Findings

The rate of false alarms was 0.35 per day. Participants had positive opinions of the IVS and mentioned its ease of use. They also made suggestions for improvement.

Originality/value

This study showed the feasibility of a two-month implementation of this IVS. Its development should be continued and tested with a larger experimental group.
Do policy and training changes influence patterns of police use of force? An interrupted time-series analysis
Authors: Rockwell Alexis Rain , Bishopp Stephen A. , Orrick Erin A.
Published: November 2020

Purpose

The current study examines the effect of changing a specific use-of-force policy coupled with de-escalation training implementation on patterns of police use of force.

Design/methodology/approach

An interrupted time-series analysis was used to examine changes in police use-of-force incident records gathered from a large, southwestern US metropolitan police department from 2013 to 2017 based on a TASER policy change and de-escalation training implementation mid-2015.

Findings

Results demonstrate that changes to use-of-force policy regarding one type of force (i.e. use of TASERs) coinciding with de-escalation training influence the prevalence of use-of-force incidents by increasing the reported police use-of-force incidents after the changes were implemented. This finding is somewhat consistent with prior literature but not always in the desired direction.

Practical implications

When police departments make adjustments to use-of-force policies and/or trainings, unintended consequences may occur. Police administrators should measure policy and training outcomes under an evidence-based policing paradigm prior to making those adjustments.

Originality/value

This study is the first to measure the effects of changing use-of-force policy and implementing de-escalation techniques in training on patterns of police use of force and shows that these changes can have a ripple effect across types of force used by police officers.
Remaking Shanghai: New Divisions in an Expanding Metropolis
Authors: Gu Honghuan , Logan John R. , Wu Ruijun
Published: November 2020

This study of Shanghai analyzes the city's emerging patterns of residential settlement in 2010. Most previous research on China focused on central city patterns, but by 2010 urban development in major metropolitan areas was taking place predominantly in the suburbs. The analysis re‐examines and extends previous studies of the level of segregation by various key population characteristics, showing that the highest segregation is found in the suburban ring, where original villager residents are now joined by an influx of migrants from other regions and by intracity movers. We probe the sources of the segregation pattern in multivariate analyses at two scales—an innovative analysis at the level of individuals that shows how people's citizenship status, occupation and education affect the type of housing that they are able to live in, and jointly contribute to their location in the metropolitan area. We show that the patterns attributable to the market reform period mostly did not supplant the socialist urban structure, but rather used it as its foundation. Segregation today can be attributed less to current class inequality than to state policies in the distant and recent past that have determined when, where and for whom housing is built.
Introducing human papillomavirus (HPV) primary testing in the age of HPV vaccination: projected impact on colposcopy services in Wales
Authors: Pesola F , Rebolj M , Leeson S , Dunk L , Pickford L , Gjini A , Sasieni P
Published: November 2020

Objective

To determine the demand for colposcopy in the Cervical Screening Wales programme after the introduction of human papillomavirus (HPV) cervical screening, which coincided with the start of screening of women vaccinated against HPV types 16/18.

Design

The study used a computational model that assigns screening and screening‐related colposcopy events to birth cohorts in individual calendar years.

Setting

Cervical Screening Wales.

Population

Women aged 25–64 years from birth cohorts 1953–2007.

Methods and main outcome measures

We estimated the numbers of colposcopies and high‐grade cervical intraepithelial lesions (CIN2+) within Cervical Screening Wales in 2018–32, using official population projections for Wales and published estimates of the effects of HPV screening and vaccination.

Results

Vaccination will reduce the number of colposcopies by 10% within the first 3–4 years after the national roll‐out of HPV screening, and by about 20% thereafter. The number of screening colposcopies is estimated to increase from 6100 in 2018 and peak at 8000 (+31%) in 2021, assuming current screening intervals are maintained. The numbers of CIN2+ lesions follow similar patterns, stabilising at around 1000 diagnoses per year by 2026, approximately 60% lower than at present. Extending the screening intervals to 5 years for all women shows similar trends but introduces peaks and troughs over the years.

Conclusions

Vaccination will not fully prevent an increase in colposcopies and detected CIN2+ lesions during the first 2–3 years of HPV‐based screening but the numbers are expected to decrease substantially after 5–6 years.

Tweetable abstract

HPV‐based cervical screening will initially increase colposcopy referral. In 6 years, this increase will be reversed, partly by HPV vaccination.
Effects of seasoning on the formation of heterocyclic amines and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in meats: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Neves Thaís de Moura , da Cunha Diogo Thimoteo , de Rosso Veridiana Vera , Domene Semíramis Martins Álvares
Published: November 2020

Cooking improves digestibility, palatability, and microbiological profile of meats, but can produce compounds with carcinogenic potential, such as heterocyclic amines (HAs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). It has been shown that the formation of these compounds in meats can be inhibited by spiced marinades, but there is a complexity to check and compare the results of isolated studies with so many variables involved. Thus, this work aimed to review studies that evaluated the effects of spices on the formation of HAs and PAHs in meats according to cooking techniques and spice type. A meta‐analysis with a random effect model was conducted using response ratios (R) to identify and summarize previous results and answer the research question. The use of spices before frying (R* = 0.52), grilling (R* = 0.63), or roasting (R* = 0.74) meat, and spicing with garlic and onion (R* = 0.57), pepper (R* = 0.63), and other spices with phenolic compounds (R* = 0.63), decrease the formation of HAs and PAHs, due to the antioxidant and electron transfer capacity. In this article, we discuss how the improvement of culinary techniques with the dissemination of knowledge about meat preparation conditions is an effective strategy for reducing the formation and ingestion of HAs and PAHs; this is important due to the growing evidence about the association between meat consumption and chronic diseases. This is the first systematic review with meta‐analysis about this topic and can guide industry, food services, and population to improve the safety associated with meat consumption.
Ethnoveterinary for food‐producing animals and related food safety issues: A comprehensive overview about terpenes
Authors: Silva Jonas Joaquim Mangabeira da , Campanharo Sarah Chagas , Paschoal Jonas Augusto Rizzato
Published: November 2020

Alternatives to the use of conventional veterinary drugs in food‐producing animals have gained attention, such as the use of natural products (NPs), mainly to soften the risks to the animal, the environment, and consumer's health. Although NPs have consistent advantages over conventional drugs, they cannot be considered risk free under food safety matters. In this way, this document presents a comprehensive overview of the importance of considering both the pharmacological and toxicological properties of the constituents of a NP from plants intending the standardization and regulation of its use in food‐producing animals. Terpenes are the most diverse class of natural substances present in NP of vegetal origin with a broad range of biological activities that can be explored in veterinary science; however, certain plants and terpenes also have significant toxic effects, a fact that can harm the health of animals and consequently generate economic losses and risks for humans. In this context, this review gathered scientific data of vegetal species of importance to ethnoveterinary for food‐producing animals, which produce terpenes, its biological effects, and their implications on food safety issues for consumers. For this, more than 300 documents were selected from different online scientific databases. The present data and discussion may contribute to the rational commercial exploration of this class of NPs in veterinary medicine.
Assessment of different modalities for repeated tissue acquisition in diagnosing malignant biliary strictures: A two‐center retrospective study
Authors: Yang Xia , Guo Jie Fang , Sun Li Qi , Hu Jin Hua , Shi Yong Jun , Zhang Jun Yong , Jin Zhen Dong
Published: November 2020

Objective

Various modalities are applied for pathological diagnosis of malignant biliary strictures (MBS), including brush cytology (BC), forceps biopsy (FB) and endoscopic ultrasound‐guided fine needle aspiration (EUS‐FNA). We aimed to assess the value of these modalities in a repeated tissue acquisition process for biliary strictures with initially inconclusive pathological outcomes.

Methods

Patients who were suspected of having MBS and underwent a BC in two large teaching hospitals were retrospectively included. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and accuracy of the initial and repeated BC, FB and EUS‐FNA were analyzed. Their performances were compared to determine which modality was superior in repeated tissue acquisition.

Results

In total, 476 patients were included. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy in diagnosing MBS for the initial BC were 30.3%, 100% and 55.0%, respectively. Altogether 39, 27 and 44 patients underwent a repeat BC, FB and EUS‐FNA, respectively. The sensitivity for repeated BC, FB and EUS‐FNA was 41.2%, 61.1% and 44.4%, respectively, whereas their specificity all reached 100%. When comparing diagnostic accuracy, none of the modalities was superior (74.4% vs 74.1% vs 54.5%, P = 0.173). In the repeated process, one patient who underwent BC and two underwent FB developed mild pancreatitis.

Conclusions

Repeated tissue acquisition achieves a conclusive diagnosis of MBS in nearly half patients who have an initially inconclusive cytological diagnosis. None of the tissue acquisition methods is significantly superior in the repeated process.
Effects of anti‐takeover provisions on the corporate cost of debt: evidence from China
Authors: Feng Yumei , Huang Haozhi , Wang Congcong , Xie Qian
Published: November 2020

Using a sample of Chinese listed companies, we investigate the impact of anti‐takeover provisions (ATPs) on the cost of debt. The results show that ATPs increase the cost of debt, which is contrary to findings based on US data. Moreover, executive ownership enhances the positive relationship, while hiring a reputable auditor attenuates it, indicating an agency channel. We further examine the relation between agency costs and ATPs and confirm that ATPs aggravate agency costs, leading to detrimental effects for debt borrowers. Our findings are robust to controlling for potential endogeneity issues and other robustness checks.
Illicit drug use and oral health
Authors: Rossow Ingeborg
Published: November 2020

People with drug use disorders (PWDUD) have elevated prevalence of oral diseases, in particular dental caries (tooth decay), periodontal (gum) disease and xerostomia (dry mouth). When left untreated, these oral health conditions may progress and lead to tooth ache, abscesses and tooth loss, and in turn, to poor chewing functioning and digestion, dental aesthetic problems and reduced wellbeing. Illicit drug use may, per se, cause xerostomia, which in turn increases vulnerability for dental caries. However, the other main drivers of oral diseases and their progression—poor oral hygiene, frequent sugar intake and infrequent dental visits—can mainly be ascribed to the irregular lifestyle, poor economy and mental health problems that often accompany illicit drug use. Establishment of good oral health habits is essential in the dental care for PWDUD. Dental treatment is often comprehensive and challenging; because the patients may have extensive treatment needs but also difficulties adhering to preventive measures and dental appointments. An integrated care approach for PWDUD would likely benefit both their oral and general health.
A second attempt at pulp revascularisation on an immature traumatised anterior tooth: a case report with two‐year follow‐up
Authors: Brogni Julia Knabben , Vitali Filipe Colombo , Cardoso Ihan Vitor , dos Santos Jardel Dorigon , Prado Maira , Alves Ana Maria Hecke , Duque Thais Mageste
Published: November 2020

This report describes the second attempt at pulp revascularisation, using an association between 2% chlorhexidine (CHX) and calcium hydroxide (CH) as intracanal dressing, in an immature traumatised anterior tooth with pulp necrosis. A 21‐year‐old woman complained of pain and dental crown darkening of a permanent maxillary right central incisor. Her medical records presented a history of dental trauma, and at age 15, the first attempt at revascularisation was performed, using triple antibiotic paste (TAP) as the intracanal dressing. Recent radiographs then showed a periapical lesion associated with an immature root, which demonstrated the failure of the first attempt. The second pulp revascularisation was performed, using an association between CHX and CH as intracanal medication. The case was followed up for 24 months. Observations showed evidence of root development, dentinal wall thickening and periapical healing. In this case, the association between CHX and CH showed favourable results as an intracanal medication.
Five years of dermatological disease requiring specialist care in the Kimberley region of Western Australia
Authors: Haggett Malindi G. , Tait Clare P.
Published: November 2020

Background

Epidemiological studies that document the burden of skin diseases in rural and remote regions of Australia are vital in ensuring proper health‐care planning and management. The purpose of this study was to establish the burden of skin disease requiring specialist dermatology input for both the Aboriginal and non‐Aboriginal communities in the Kimberley.

Methods

A retrospective audit of all outpatient encounters with the primary Country Health Service visiting dermatology specialist in the Kimberley region between January 2012 and January 2017.

Results

A total of 2281 encounters were recorded with 1459 unique patients seen. The most common disease categories seen in the general population were premalignant and malignant skin disease (40%), eczema and dermatitis (17%) and benign skin neoplasms (12%). Among Aboriginal patients, the most common conditions were eczema and dermatitis (19%), autoimmune connective tissue disease/rheumatological and autoinflammatory syndromes (17%), adnexal diseases (10%), pigmentary disorders (7%) and benign skin neoplasms (7%).

Conclusion

These findings can be used to enhance, direct and plan dermatological services for both the Aboriginal and non‐Aboriginal populations in the Kimberley region.
Angiogenic cytokine and interleukin 8 levels in early luteal phase after triggering ovulation with gonadotropin‐releasing hormone agonist in high‐responder patients
Authors: Martazanova Bella , Mishieva Nona , Vtorushina Valentina , Vedikhina Irina , Levkov Lev , Korneeva Irina , Kirillova Anastasia , Krechetova Lubov , Abubakirov Aydar , Sukhikh Gennady T.
Published: November 2020

Problem

Interleukin 8 (IL‐8), vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA), its receptors 1 (VEGFR1) and 2 (VEGFR2) are associated with ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) pathophysiological mechanisms. The aim of this study was to evaluate the concentrations of these cytokines depending on the way of ovulation triggering.

Method of Study

A total of 51 high‐responder patients underwent IVF program and received gonadotropin‐releasing hormone agonists (GnRHa) trigger + 1500 IU human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) support on the oocyte pick‐up (OPU) day (group I), dual trigger (GnRHa + 1500 IU hCG; group II), or hCG trigger 10,000 IU (group III) for the final oocyte maturation. The concentrations of cytokines were evaluated in serum by the enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay kit.

Result(s)

VEGFR2 levels were significantly lower in groups I and II than in group III in serum on the OPU (I vs. III, p = .0456; II vs. III, p = .0122) and OPU + 5 day (I vs. III, p = .0004; II vs. III, p = .0082). VEGFA levels were lower in group I than in group III (p = .0298) on the OPU day, however, were similar in all groups on the OPU + 5 day.

Conclusion(s)

A small dose of hCG elicits similar concentrations of VEGFA to a full dose of hCG; however, GnRHa triggering reduces the concentrations of VEGFR2, which could lead to the OHSS prevention.
Boundary Management and Work‐Nonwork Balance While Working from Home
Authors: Allen Tammy D. , Merlo Kelsey , Lawrence Roxanne C. , Slutsky Jeremiah , Gray Cheryl E.
Published: November 2020

Within the wake of the COVID‐19 pandemic, we investigate work‐nonwork boundary management among workers who transitioned to remote work. Based on five waves of data and a sample of 155 remote workers, we find that the preference for segmentation was associated with greater work‐nonwork balance. We also found that having a dedicated office space within the home and fewer household members was associated with greater work‐nonwork balance. However, these variables did not moderate the relationship between segmentation preferences and work‐nonwork balance as expected. We discuss implications for future research on boundary management processes and practices.
Caught between Scylla and Charybdis: How Economic Stressors and Occupational Risk Factors Influence Workers’ Occupational Health Reactions to COVID‐19
Authors: Sinclair Robert R. , Probst Tahira M. , Watson Gwendolyn Paige , Bazzoli Andrea
Published: November 2020

Workers and their families bear much of the economic burden of COVID‐19. Even though they have declined somewhat, unemployment rates are considerably higher than before the start of the pandemic. Many workers also face uncertainty about their future employment prospects and increasing financial strain. At the same time, the workplace is a common source of transmission of COVID‐19 and many jobs previously seen as relatively safe are now viewed as potentially hazardous. Thus, many workers face dual threats of economic stress and COVID‐19 exposure. This paper develops a model of workers’ responses to these dual threats, including risk perception and resource depletion as mediating factors that influence the relationship of economic stress and occupational risk factors with COVID‐19 compliance‐related attitudes, safe behavior at work, and physical and mental health outcomes. The paper also describes contextual moderators of these relationships at the individual, unit, and regional level. Directions for future research are discussed.
Temporary decrease in tacrolimus clearance in cytochrome P450 3A5 non‐expressors early after living donor kidney transplantation: Effect of interleukin 6–induced suppression of the cytochrome P450 3A gene
Authors: Enokiya Tomoyuki , Nishikawa Kohei , Hamada Yugo , Ikemura Kenji , Sugimura Yoshiki , Okuda Masahiro
Published: November 2020

Tacrolimus is important for immunosuppression in kidney transplantation. In this historical cohort and in vitro study, we evaluated the changes in tacrolimus pharmacokinetics early after living donor kidney transplantation and the effects of interleukin (IL)‐6 on cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) and cytochrome P450 3A5 (CYP3A5) expression. In the historical cohort study, 22 patients who met the inclusion criteria were classified into CYP3A5 expressors and non‐expressors (n = 16 and 6, respectively). The blood tacrolimus concentration per dose ratio (C/D) temporarily increased post–kidney transplantation on days 3‐4 only in CYP3A5 non‐expressors. The effects of IL‐6 on CYP3A4 and CYP3A5 expression were also investigated in vitro using HepG2 and Caco‐2 cells. IL‐6 induced a significant concentration‐ and time‐dependent decrease in CYP3A4 and CYP3A5 expression in both cells. The mean CYP3A4 expression level at 12 hours after IL‐6 exposure (% of 0 hour) was 44.0 and 62.6 in HepG2 and Caco‐2 cells, respectively, whereas the CYP3A5 expression level was 30.7 and 52.4, respectively. We hypothesize that CYP3A5 non‐expressors might exhibit a temporary decrease in the oral clearance of tacrolimus via an increase in serum IL‐6 concentrations early after kidney transplantation. These results may help develop strategies to improve kidney transplant outcome.
Semiparametric imputation using conditional Gaussian mixture models under item nonresponse
Authors: Lee Danhyang , Kim Jae Kwang
Published: November 2020

Imputation is a popular technique for handling item nonresponse. Parametric imputation is based on a parametric model for imputation and is not robust against the failure of the imputation model. Nonparametric imputation is fully robust but is not applicable when the dimension of covariates is large due to the curse of dimensionality. Semiparametric imputation is another robust imputation based on a flexible model where the number of model parameters can increase with the sample size. In this paper, we propose a new semiparametric imputation based on a more flexible model assumption than the Gaussian mixture model. In the proposed mixture model, we assume a conditional Gaussian model for the study variable given the auxiliary variables, but the marginal distribution of the auxiliary variables is not necessarily Gaussian. The proposed mixture model is more flexible and achieves a better approximation than the Gaussian mixture models. The proposed method is applicable to high‐dimensional covariate problem by including a penalty function in the conditional log‐likelihood function. The proposed method is applied to the 2017 Korean Household Income and Expenditure Survey conducted by Statistics Korea.
Joint calibrated estimation of inverse probability of treatment and censoring weights for marginal structural models
Authors: Yiu Sean , Su Li
Published: November 2020

Marginal structural models (MSMs) with inverse probability weighted estimators (IPWEs) are widely used to estimate causal effects of treatment sequences on longitudinal outcomes in the presence of time‐varying confounding and dependent censoring. However, IPWEs for MSMs can be inefficient and unstable if weights are estimated by maximum likelihood. To improve the performance of IPWEs, covariate balancing weight (CBW) methods have been proposed and recently extended to MSMs. However, existing CBW methods for MSMs are inflexible for practical use because they often do not handle dependent censoring, nonbinary treatments, and longitudinal outcomes (instead of eventual outcomes at a study end). In this paper, we propose a joint calibration approach to CBW estimation for MSMs that can accommodate (1) both time‐varying confounding and dependent censoring, (2) binary and nonbinary treatments, (3) eventual outcomes and longitudinal outcomes. We develop novel calibration restrictions by jointly eliminating covariate associations with both treatment assignment and censoring processes after weighting the observed data sample (i.e., to optimize covariate balance in finite samples). Two different methods are proposed to implement the calibration. Simulations show that IPWEs with calibrated weights perform better than IPWEs with weights from maximum likelihood and the “Covariate Balancing Propensity Score” method. We apply our method to a natural history study of HIV for estimating the effects of highly active antiretroviral therapy on CD4 cell counts over time.
Student engagement with school and personality: a biopsychosocial and person‐centred approach
Authors: Moreira Paulo A. S. , Inman Richard A. , Cloninger Kevin , Cloninger C. Robert
Published: November 2020

Background

Engagement with school is a key predictor of students’ academic outcomes, yet little is known about its association with personality. No research has considered this association using Cloninger’s biopsychosocial model of personality. This model may be particularly informative because it posits the structure of human personality corresponds to three systems of human learning and memory that regulate associative conditioning, intentionality, and self‐awareness, all of which are relevant for understanding engagement.

Aims

To test for defined personality phenotypes and describe how they relate to student engagement.

Sample

469 adolescents (54.2% female) attending the eighth (Mage = 13.2,SD = .57) or 11th(Mage = 16.5,SD = .84) grades.

Methods

Students completed self‐report measures of personality and engagement. We used mixture models to identify latent classes defined by common (1) temperament profiles, (2) character profiles, and (3) joint temperament–character networks, and then tested how these classes differed in engagement.

Results

Latent class analysis revealed three distinct joint temperament–character networks:Emotional‐Unreliable(emotionally reactive, low self‐control, and low creativity),Organized‐Reliable(self‐control but not creative), andCreative‐Reliable(highly creative and prosocial). These networks differed significantly in engagement, with the emotional‐unreliable network linked to lower engagement. However, the magnitudes of these differences across engagement dimensions did not appear to be uniform.

Conclusions

Different integrated configurations of the biopsychosocial systems for associative conditioning, intentionality, and self‐awareness (differences in personality) underlie student engagement. Our results offer a fine‐grained understanding of engagement dimensions in terms of their underlying personality networks, with implications for educational policies and practices.
Stimulation of soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC) by riociguat attenuates heart failure and pathological cardiac remodelling
Authors: Rüdebusch Julia , Benkner Alexander , Nath Neetika , Fleuch Lina , Kaderali Lars , Grube Karina , Klingel Karin , Eckstein Gertrud , Meitinger Thomas , Fielitz Jens , Felix Stephan B.
Published: November 2020

Background and Purpose

Heart failure is associated with an impaired NO–soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC)–cGMP pathway and its augmentation is thought to be beneficial for its therapy. We hypothesized that stimulation of sGC by the sGC stimulator riociguat prevents pathological cardiac remodelling and heart failure in response to chronic pressure overload.

Experimental Approach

Transverse aortic constriction or sham surgery was performed in C57BL/6N mice. After 3 weeks of transverse aortic constriction when heart failure was established, animals receive either riociguat or its vehicle for 5 additional weeks. Cardiac function was evaluated weekly by echocardiography. Eight weeks after surgery, histological analyses were performed to evaluate remodelling and the transcriptome of the left ventricles (LVs) was analysed by RNA sequencing. Cell culture experiments were used for mechanistically studies.

Key Results

Transverse aortic constriction resulted in a continuous decrease of LV ejection fraction and an increase in LV mass until week 3. Five weeks of riociguat treatment resulted in an improved LV ejection fraction and a decrease in the ratio of left ventricular mass to total body weight (LVM/BW), myocardial fibrosis and myocyte cross‐sectional area. RNA sequencing revealed that riociguat reduced the expression of myocardial stress and remodelling genes (e.g. Nppa, Nppb, Myh7 and collagen) and attenuated the activation of biological pathways associated with cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure. Riociguat reversed pathological stress response in cultivated myocytes and fibroblasts.

Conclusion and Implications

Stimulation of the sGC reverses transverse aortic constriction‐induced heart failure and remodelling, which is associated with improved myocardial gene expression.

LINKED ARTICLES

This article is part of a themed issue on cGMP Signalling in Cell Growth and Survival. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v179.11/issuetoc
Interleukin 6 regulates the expression of programmed cell death ligand 1 in thyroid cancer
Authors: Zhang Guo‐Qiang , Jiao Qiong , Shen Chen‐Tian , Song Hong‐Jun , Zhang Hui‐Zhen , Qiu Zhong‐Ling , Luo Quan‐Yong
Published: November 2020

Programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD‐L1), inducing T cell exhaustion to facilitate immune escape of tumor cells, is upregulated by interleukin 6 (IL‐6) in T cell lymphoma and ovarian cancer. The purpose of this study is to investigate the expression of IL‐6 and PD‐L1 in thyroid cancer, and whether IL‐6 regulates PD‐L1 expression. As a result, IL‐6 and PD‐L1 were highly expressed in thyroid cancer tissues. Multivariate logistic analysis showed that tumor size, distant metastasis, and risk stratification were significantly associated with IL‐6 expression (P < .05), and multifocality, lymph node metastasis, distant metastasis, risk stratification, and IL‐6 expression were identified as the independent predictors of PD‐L1 expression (P < .05). The invasiveness of thyroid cancer was significantly enhanced after IL‐6 treatment or PD‐L1 overexpression. PD‐L1 positive rate correlated with IL‐6 expression in cancer tissues (P < .001), and after IL‐6 treatment, the PD‐L1 expression in TPC‐1 and BCPAP significantly increased. The mitogen‐activated protein kinase pathway (MAPK) and the Janus‐activated kinase (JAK)–signal transducers and activators of transcription 3 (STAT3) signaling pathways were activated by IL‐6, and the IL‐6–induced PD‐L1 expression decreased after treatment with these two signaling pathway inhibitors. Knockdown of transcription factors c‐Jun and stat3 suppressed the expression of PD‐L1 induced by IL‐6, and these two factors could bind to PD‐L1 gene promoter directly and promote its transcription. It is concluded that IL‐6 and PD‐L1 are overexpressed in thyroid cancer and are related to tumor invasiveness. IL‐6 upregulates PD‐L1 expression through the MAPK and JAK‐STAT3 signaling pathways, which function via transcription factors c‐Jun and stat3.
As‐needed anti‐inflammatory reliever therapy for asthma management: evidence and practical considerations
Authors: Bianco Andrea , Contoli Marco , Di Marco Fabiano , Saverio Mennini Francesco , Papi Alberto ,   the participants of the regional meetings
Published: November 2020

Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease in which airway inflammation is a key feature, even in the milder expressions of the disease. The conventional pharmacological approach to mild asthma has long relied on reliever therapy with as‐needed short‐acting beta‐agonists (SABAs), while anti‐inflammatory maintenance with inhaled corticosteroids (ICSs) has been reserved for patients with more persistent asthma. Poor adherence to maintenance treatment is an important issue in asthma management, and can partly explain suboptimal symptom control. Over‐reliance on SABA bronchodilators for rapid symptom relief is common in real life and potentially leads to an increased risk of asthma morbidity and mortality. Combined anti‐inflammatory and reliever medications in a single inhaler have the potential to overcome these limitations. Recent studies in patients with mild asthma have shown that anti‐inflammatory reliever therapy with budesonide‐formoterol, given on an as‐needed basis, is superior to SABA in ensuring asthma control and non‐inferior to budesonide maintenance therapy in preventing exacerbations. To address the implications of these important findings for the management of patients with asthma, Italian specialists convened at a series of meetings held during the second half of 2018 across Italy. This article presents their position on these topics and includes a review of the evidence supporting the use of anti‐inflammatory reliever therapy in mild asthma and the implementation of this novel approach in clinical practice.
Effects of probiotics on bowel function restoration following ileostomy closure in rectal cancer patients: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Yoon Byung Jun , Oh Heung‐Kwon , Lee Jeehye , Cho Jung Rae , Kim Myung Jo , Kim Duck‐Woo , Kang Sung‐Bum
Published: November 2020

Aim

The aim was to determine the efficacy of probiotics in restoring bowel function following ileostomy reversal in patients with rectal cancer.

Method

This was a pilot, randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial. The probiotic used in this study, Lactobacillus plantarum CJLP243, was derived from kimchi. Patients were randomly allocated to a probiotic or placebo group and medication was taken once daily from preoperative day 1 to day 21. Primary outcomes were the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre Bowel Function Index (MSKCC BFI) instrument and the low anterior resection syndrome score. The secondary outcomes were the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire C30 and CR29 questionnaire responses.

Results

Forty patients were enrolled, and 36 patients (probiotics, n = 17; placebo, n = 19) completed the primary outcomes. Total scores for the MSKCC questionnaire (56.2 ± 12.0 vs. 55.0 ± 10.7, P = 0.356) and low anterior resection syndrome scores (33.3 ± 7.6 vs. 36.0 ± 5.3, P = 0.257) were not significantly different between the probiotic and placebo groups, respectively. In the MSKCC BFI, the postoperative dietary scale score at week 1 was significantly higher in the probiotic group (13.1 ± 3.8 vs. 9.0 ± 3.0, P < 0.001). There were no other significant differences between the two groups for any other questionnaire scores.

Conclusion

There were no significant effects supporting the use of a probiotic for improved bowel function in patients following ileostomy reversal. Nevertheless, the administration of probiotics showed trends toward improvements in some subscale bowel function measures, suggesting further studies may be warranted.
Favorable outcome of COVID‐19 among African American (AA) renal transplant recipients in Detroit
Authors: Jarrin Tejada Claudia D. , Zachariah Mareena , Cruz Angela Beatriz V. , Hussein Shakir , Wipula Elizabeth , Meeks Nicole , Wolff Jeff , Chandrasekar Pranatharthi H.
Published: November 2020

Transplant recipients are vulnerable to infections, including COVID‐19, given their comorbidities and chronic immunosuppression. In this study, all hospitalized renal transplant recipients (RTR) with a positive nasal swab for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome‐Coronavirus‐2 (SARS‐CoV2) seen consecutively between 03/01/2020 and 05/01/2020 at the Detroit Medical Center were included. Data on demographics, clinical presentation, laboratory findings, management, and outcomes were collected. Twenty‐five patients were included, all African American (AA) and deceased‐donor transplant recipients. The most common presenting symptom was dyspnea, followed by fever, cough and diarrhea. Multifocal opacities on initial chest x‐ray were seen in 52% patients and 44% of patients had a presenting oxygen saturation of less than or equal to 94%. Four patients (16%) required transfer to the intensive care unit, one required intubation and one expired. COVID‐19‐infected RTR in this cohort had low mortality of 4% (n = 1). Despite multiple comorbidities and chronic immunosuppression, our cohort of African American RTR had favorable outcomes compared to other reports on COVID‐19 in RTR.