bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
France: Political Developments and Data for 2021
Authors: BENDJABALLAH SELMA , SAUGER NICOLAS
Published: August 2022

COVID‐19 aside, France spent 2021 preparing for the presidential campaign. Political signals were mixed with regard to the dynamics of the election to come in April 2022. Regional elections led to landslide re‐elections of incumbents from the two formerly dominant parties of the moderate right and left. Primaries on the left as well as right led to the designation of rather centrist candidates in their own camps. But the overall national climate was marked by a shift towards the right of the political spectrum and the competition between Marine Le Pen and her new challenger, Eric Zemmour.
A systematic review and meta‐analysis of delayed help‐seeking, delayed diagnosis and duration of untreated illness in bipolar disorders
Authors: Scott Jan , Graham Anna , Yung Alison , Morgan Catherine , Bellivier Frank , Etain Bruno
Published: August 2022

Objectives

To examine the time delay between the age at onset of symptoms or episodes of bipolar disorders (BD) and the age at diagnosis of and/or receipt of clinical practice guideline recommended interventions for BD.

Methods

Systematic search of five databases to identify publications from January 2000 to July 2022 that reported one or more of the following reliable and valid estimates of latency: delay in help seeking (DHS), delay in diagnosis (DD) and duration of untreated BD (DUB). Eligible studies were included in random effects meta‐analyses and multivariate meta‐regression was used to assess factors associated with each latency construct.

Results

Screening of 1074 publications identified 59 eligible studies (reported in 66 publications) of >40,000 individuals that estimated DHS (8 studies), DD (20 studies) and/or DUB (45 studies). The median DHS, DD and DUB were 3.5 (IQR: 2.8, 8.48), 6.7 (IQR: 5.6, 8.9) and 5.9 years (IQR: 1.1, 8.2), respectively. Key factors associated with shorter DD included older age and residing outside North America; shorter DUB was associated with psychotic or manic onset and access to early intervention services.

Conclusions

Greater consensus on definitions of latency constructs and better‐quality targeted research is required regarding DHS, DD and DUB. This review suggests that, while the peak age at onset of BD is 15–25, diagnosis and guideline recommended interventions (e.g., mood stabilizers) are likely to be delayed until age 25–35 years except for a minority of individuals with access to early intervention services.
Revision of the lacebug tribe Ceratocaderini (Hemiptera: Tingidae)
Authors: Moir Melinda L
Published: August 2022

The lacebug tribe Ceratocaderini (Tingidae: Cantacaderinae) is reviewed. The tribe comprises five genera from the Southern Hemisphere: Allocader Drake, Australocader Lis, Caledoderus Guilbert, Ceratocader Drake, and Coolacader gen. nov. The tribe is restricted to the Australian and New Caledonian regions. This revision includes the description of a new genus, Coolacader gen. nov. and six new species from three other genera: Australocader porchi sp. nov., Ceratocader piae sp. nov., Ceratocader spiculas sp. nov., Coolacader cupido sp. nov., Coolacader kardia sp. nov. and Coolacader valentine sp. nov. The nymph of Ceratocader is detailed for the first time, and the nymphs of three species of Coolacader gen. nov. are described. Allocader cordatus (Hacker, 1927) is transferred to Coolacader gen. nov., resulting in a new combination Coolacader cordatus (Hacker, 1927) comb. nov., and Allocader nesiotes Drake & Ruhoff, 1962 is transferred to the genus Caledoderus, resulting in a new combination Caledoderus nesiotes (Drake & Ruhoff, 1962) comb. nov.. This work increases the number of species in the tribe from 13 to 19. A revised key to the genera and species of the Ceratocaderini is provided.
Changes in drusen‐associated autofluorescence over time observed by fluorescence lifetime imaging ophthalmoscopy in age‐related macular degeneration
Authors: Schwanengel Linda‐Sophia , Weber Sebastian , Simon Rowena , Lehmann Thomas , Augsten Regine , Meller Daniel , Hammer Martin
Published: August 2022

Purpose

To observe fundus autofluorescence (FAF) lifetimes and peak emission wavelength (PEW) of drusen with respect to the pathology of the overlying RPE in the follow‐up of AMD‐patients.

Methods

Forty eyes of 38 patients (age: 75.1 ± 7.1 years) with intermediate AMD were included. FAF lifetimes and PEW were recorded by fluorescence lifetime imaging ophthalmoscopy (FLIO). Twenty‐six eyes had a follow‐up investigation between months 12 and 36, and 10 at months 37–72. AMD progression was retrieved from color fundus photography (CFP) and OCT. Drusen were classified with respect to changes in the overlying RPE into groups no, questionable or faint, and apparent hyperpigmentation based on CFP.

Results

Among the 210 hyperautofluorescent drusen found at baseline, those with hyperpigmentation had longer lifetimes and shorter PEW than those without. Drusen without hyperpigmentation had shorter lifetimes and PEW than neighboring RPE (all p < 0.001) at baseline, but drusen lifetimes increased, and PEW shortened further over follow‐up. Eyes, showing AMD progression, had significantly longer FAF lifetimes at baseline than non‐progressing eyes: 282 ± 102 ps versus 245 ± 98 ps, p < 0.001 and 365 ± 44 ps vs. 336 ± 48 ps, p = 0.025 for short and long wavelength FLIO channel, respectively.

Conclusions

Depending on hyperpigmentation properties, drusen show lifetimes and PEW different from that of adjacent RPE which change over the natural history of AMD. This difference and change, however, might reflect progressive dysmorphia of the RPE rather than representing fluorescence of drusen material itself. Nevertheless, the observed FAF changes could make FLIO a useful tool for the early detection of AMD progression risk.
Frequently acquired drugs in neonatal intensive care and their physical compatibility
Authors: Nezvalova‐Henriksen Katerina , Holm Tone Huseby , Nilsson Niklas , Kjønniksen Inge , Tho Ingunn
Published: August 2022

Aim

Incompatibility of intravenous drugs is dangerous and therefore undesirable. The aim of this study was to identify the most commonly acquired intravenous drugs in five neonatal intensive care units and test these for compatibility.

Methods

The most frequently acquired drugs in five key hospitals in the South‐Eastern district of Norway for 2019 and 2020 served as a proxy for the prevalence of use. Representatives were selected from the three most prevalent groups based on the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical classification system. Co‐administration of drug pairs was simulated using clinically relevant concentrations and infusion rates representing mixing ratios in the catheter. Particle formation was assessed by particle counting and size measurement, by visual examination using Tyndall beam, by turbidity and by measuring pH of mixed samples.

Results

The most frequently acquired drug groups were anti‐infectives, neurological agents and cardiovascular drugs. Compatibility testing revealed that both ampicillin and benzylpenicillin were incompatible with morphine. Flecainide and fluconazole showed no signs of incompatibility with morphine. No information on these combinations in a neonatal‐relevant setting is available.

Conclusion

We recommend to abstain from co‐administering ampicillin and benzylpenicillin with morphine in neonatal intensive settings. Morphine co‐administered with flecainide and fluconazole in neonatal patients were evaluated as safe.
Staff perceptions and challenges of the single‐family room design—Experience of a greenfield level4 neonatal intensive care unit in the Middle East
Authors: Soni Roopali , Fairhurst Natalie , El Anbari Mohammed , Leslie Ana , Tscherning Wel‐Wel Charlotte
Published: August 2022

Aim

This study was undertaken to specifically identify challenges associated with the popular single‐family room (SFR) design in our new neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), so as to reap the full benefits of this architectural model.

Methods

A survey was sent to all 223, newly recruited staff on our NICU. Questions explored staff perceptions of family experience, safety and staff's experience of the SFR in comparison with the open bay model.

Results

We obtained a response rate of 66%. Most staff perceived SFR as having a positive impact on communication with families, privacy, feasibility for skin‐to‐skin contact, reduction in noise levels and family access to their baby. There were however concerns raised about patient safety and isolation of staff and families in the SFR architecture. Lack of opportunities to leave the patient room for breaks and increased physical demands were highlighted. Staff also felt physically and emotionally less well supported.

Conclusion

Whilst the SFR configuration was felt to be beneficial for infants and families, staff shared their perceived concerns regarding infant safety and isolation and staff satisfaction, and implied modifications to workflows. The survey findings resulted in re‐organisation of our staff numbers and communication systems and further facilitation of parent interactions in order to optimise benefits of SFR design.
Joint Inference for Competing Risks Data Using Multiple Endpoints
Authors: Wen Jiyang , Hu Chen , Wang Mei-Cheng
Published: August 2022

Competing risks data are commonly encountered in randomized clinical trials and observational studies. This paper considers the situation where the ending statuses of competing events have different clinical interpretations and/or are of simultaneous interest. In clinical trials, often more than one competing event has meaningful clinical interpretations even though the trial effects of different events could be different or even opposite to each other. In this paper, we develop estimation procedures and inferential properties for the joint use of multiple cumulative incidence functions (CIFs). Additionally, by incorporating longitudinal marker information, we develop estimation and inference procedures for weighted CIFs and related metrics. The proposed methods are applied to a COVID-19 in-patient treatment clinical trial, where the outcomes of COVID-19 hospitalization are either death or discharge from the hospital, two competing events with completely different clinical implications.
Perspectives on cultural competency and race concordance from perinatal patients and community‐based doulas
Authors: Falade Ebunoluwa , Cornely Ronald M. , Ezekwesili Caroline , Musabeyezu Juliet , Amutah‐Onukagha Ndidiamaka , Ferguson Tajh , Gebel Christina , Peprah‐Wilson Sayida , Larson Elysia
Published: August 2022

Background

As awareness of perinatal health disparities grows, many birthing people of color are seeking racially and/or culturally concordant providers. We described preferences for, and perceptions of, racial and/or cultural concordance and cultural competence in the context of the doula–client relationship.

Methods

Seven focus group discussions (FGDs) with a total of 27 participants were conducted to investigate the perspectives of patients and doulas across Massachusetts, United States. An interdisciplinary stakeholder group informed the data collection instrument content and design. Two coders achieved 0.89 Kappa for inter‐rater reliability prior to coding the remaining transcripts. We used a modified grounded theory approach and Dedoose software for coding.

Results

Two major themes emerged. First, cultural competency in doula care is a learning process, with definitions consistent with terms such as “cultural humility” and “structural competency.” Doulas discussed listening to clients' needs rather than making assumptions, the importance of understanding privilege and power dynamics, and self‐initiating relevant education beyond formal doula training. Second, trust was most frequently cited as an indicator of successful doula–patient relationships.

Conclusions

Most study participants specified the importance of cultural humility in doula–client relationships. Doulas approaching the relationship humbly with a willingness to learn and challenge their own assumptions—regardless of the level of concordance—can make a meaningful impact on the perinatal experience.
Obinutuzumab as consolidation after chemo‐immunotherapy: Results of the UK National Cancer Research Institute phase II/III GALACTIC trial
Authors: Munir Talha , Emmerson Jake , Hockaday Anna , Oughton Jamie B. , Howard Dena , Phillips David , Neilson Jeff , Pemberton Nicholas , Paneesha Shankara , Kennedy Ben , Rawstron Andy , Hillmen Peter
Published: August 2022

The GA101 (obinutuzumab) monocLonal Antibody as Consolidation Therapy In chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) (GALACTIC) was a seamless phase II/III trial designed to test whether consolidation with obinutuzumab is safe and eradicates minimal residual disease (MRD) and, subsequently, whether this leads to prolonged progression‐free survival (PFS) in patients with CLL who have recently responded to chemo‐immunotherapy. Patients with a response 3–24 months after chemotherapy were assessed for MRD. MRD‐positive patients were randomised to receive consolidation therapy with obinutuzumab or no consolidation. The trial closed after the phase II part due to slow recruitment. In all, 48 patients enrolled of whom 19 were MRD negative and were monitored. Of the 29 MRD‐positive patients, 14 were randomised to receive consolidation and 15 to no consolidation. At 6 months after randomisation, 10 and 13 consolidated patients achieved MRD negativity by flow cytometry (sensitivity 10−4) in bone marrow and peripheral blood respectively. PFS was significantly better in consolidated patients compared to non‐consolidated patients (p = 0.001). No difference was observed in PFS, overall survival or duration of MRD negativity when comparing the 10 MRD‐negative patients after consolidation with the 19 MRD‐negative patients in the monitoring group. Common adverse events in the consolidation arm were thrombocytopenia, infection, and cough. Only 1% of events were infusion‐related reactions. This observation provides further evidence that consolidation to achieve MRD negativity improves outcomes in CLL and that obinutuzumab is well tolerated in patients with low levels of disease.
Can metabolic traits explain animal community assembly and functioning?
Authors: Brandl Simon J. , Lefcheck Jonathan S. , Bates Amanda E. , Rasher Douglas B. , Norin Tommy
Published: August 2022

All animals on Earth compete for free energy, which is acquired, assimilated, and ultimately allocated to growth and reproduction. Competition is strongest within communities of sympatric, ecologically similar animals of roughly equal size (i.e. horizontal communities), which are often the focus of traditional community ecology. The replacement of taxonomic identities with functional traits has improved our ability to decipher the ecological dynamics that govern the assembly and functioning of animal communities. Yet, the use of low‐resolution and taxonomically idiosyncratic traits in animals may have hampered progress to date. An animal's metabolic rate (MR) determines the costs of basic organismal processes and activities, thus linking major aspects of the multifaceted constructs of ecological niches (where, when, and how energy is obtained) and ecological fitness (how much energy is accumulated and passed on to future generations). We review evidence from organismal physiology to large‐scale analyses across the tree of life to propose that MR gives rise to a group of meaningful functional traits – resting metabolic rate (RMR), maximum metabolic rate (MMR), and aerobic scope (AS) – that may permit an improved quantification of the energetic basis of species coexistence and, ultimately, the assembly and functioning of animal communities. Specifically, metabolic traits integrate across a variety of typical trait proxies for energy acquisition and allocation in animals (e.g. body size, diet, mobility, life history, habitat use), to yield a smaller suite of continuous quantities that: (1) can be precisely measured for individuals in a standardized fashion; and (2) apply to all animals regardless of their body plan, habitat, or taxonomic affiliation. While integrating metabolic traits into animal community ecology is neither a panacea to disentangling the nuanced effects of biological differences on animal community structure and functioning, nor without challenges, a small number of studies across different taxa suggest that MR may serve as a useful proxy for the energetic basis of competition in animals. Thus, the application of MR traits for animal communities can lead to a more general understanding of community assembly and functioning, enhance our ability to trace eco‐evolutionary dynamics from genotypes to phenotypes (and vice versa), and help predict the responses of animal communities to environmental change. While trait‐based ecology has improved our knowledge of animal communities to date, a more explicit energetic lens via the integration of metabolic traits may further strengthen the existing framework.
Overcoming barriers to Indigenous‐local water sharing agreements in Canada
Authors: Huo Cynthia , Charbonneau Philip , Alcantara Christopher
Published: August 2022

Although water sharing agreements have emerged as an important tool for improving First Nations water security in Canada, some communities are reluctant to sign them. In this article, we review the concerns raised by First Nations leaders and examine the extent to which existing water sharing agreements include provisions that might mitigate their concerns. To do so, we analyze the contents of 40 water agreements between First Nations and local communities in Canada and find that while many agreements do include provisions that seem to mitigate First Nations concerns, some concerns are left unaddressed or are inadequately addressed.
Enjoyment of Chinese and mathematics and school performance in Chinese children and adolescents
Authors: Chen Xinyin , Zhou Jiaxi , Li Dan , Liu Junsheng , Dai Yan , Zhou Tong
Published: August 2022

This 2‐year longitudinal study examined relations between enjoyment of learning in Chinese and mathematics, two major subjects in Chinese schools, and indexes of school performance. The participants included 1041 students (501 boys) initially in third, fifth, and seventh grades (mean age = 10.49 years) in China. Data on enjoyment of Chinese and mathematics were collected from students' self‐reports and data on school performance were collected from multiple sources in 2017 and 2019. The results showed that enjoyment of mathematics positively predicted later academic achievement, self‐perceptions of academic competence, teacher‐rated school competence, and peer‐assessed leadership‐social competence. Enjoyment of Chinese negatively predicted later mathematics achievement and self‐perceptions of academic competence and nonsignificantly predicted other school performance variables. The results were discussed in Chinese context.
Low‐concentration atropine eyedrops for myopia control in a multi‐racial cohort of Australian children: A randomised clinical trial
Authors: Lee Samantha Sze‐Yee , Lingham Gareth , Blaszkowska Magdalena , Sanfilippo Paul G. , Koay Adrian , Franchina Maria , Chia Audrey , Loughman James , Flitcroft Daniel Ian , Hammond Christopher J. , Azuara‐Blanco Augusto , Crewe Julie M. , Clark Antony , Mackey David A.
Published: August 2022

Background

To test the hypothesis that 0.01% atropine eyedrops are a safe and effective myopia‐control approach in Australian children.

Methods

Children (6–16 years; 49% Europeans, 18% East Asian, 22% South Asian, and 12% other/mixed ancestry) with documented myopia progression were enrolled into this single‐centre randomised, parallel, double‐masked, placebo‐controlled trial and randomised to receive 0.01% atropine (n = 104) or placebo (n = 49) eyedrops (2:1 ratio) instilled nightly over 24 months (mean index age = 12.2 ± 2.5 and 11.2 ± 2.8 years, respectively). Outcome measures were the changes in spherical equivalent (SE) and axial length (AL) from baseline.

Results

At 12 months, the mean SE and AL change from baseline were −0.31D (95% confidence interval [CI] = −0.39 to −0.22) and 0.16 mm (95%CI = 0.13–0.20) in the atropine group and −0.53D (95%CI = −0.66 to −0.40) and 0.25 mm (95%CI = 0.20–0.30) in the placebo group (group difference p ≤ 0.01). At 24 months, the mean SE and AL change from baseline was −0.64D (95%CI = −0.73 to −0.56) and 0.34 mm (95%CI = 0.30–0.37) in the atropine group, and −0.78D (95%CI = −0.91 to −0.65) and 0.38 mm (95%CI = 0.33–0.43) in the placebo group. Group difference at 24 months was not statistically significant (p = 0.10). At 24 months, the atropine group had reduced accommodative amplitude and pupillary light response compared to the placebo group.

Conclusions

In Australian children, 0.01% atropine eyedrops were safe, well‐tolerated, and had a modest myopia‐control effect, although there was an apparent decrease in efficacy between 18 and 24 months, which is likely driven by a higher dropout rate in the placebo group.
Surface decontamination protocols for surgical treatment of peri‐implantitis: A systematic review with meta‐analysis
Authors: Baima Giacomo , Citterio Filippo , Romandini Mario , Romano Federica , Mariani Giulia Maria , Buduneli Nurcan , Aimetti Mario
Published: August 2022

Objective

To answer the following PICO question: “In patients requiring surgical treatment of peri‐implantitis (P), is any implant surface decontamination protocol (I) superior to others (C) in terms of clinical and radiographic parameters (O)?”

Methods

Randomized clinical trials (RCTs) comparing two or more decontamination protocols as part of the surgical treatment of peri‐implantitis were included. Two authors independently searched for eligible studies, screened titles and abstracts, did full‐text analysis, extracted data, and performed the risk‐of‐bias assessment. Whenever possible, results were summarized through random effects meta‐analyses.

Results

Twenty‐two manuscripts reporting on 16 RCTs were included, testing mechanical, chemical and physical decontamination protocols. All of them resulted in an improvement in clinical parameters; however, the superiority of specific protocols over others is mainly based on single RCTs. The use of titanium brushes and implantoplasty showed favorable results as single decontamination methods. Meta‐analyses indicated a lack of added effect of Er:Yag laser on probing pocket depth (PPD) reduction (n = 2, WMD = −0.24 mm, 95% confidence interval [CI] [−1.10; 0.63], p = .59); while systemic antimicrobials (amoxicillin or azithromycin) showed an added effect on treatment success ([PPD ≤5 mm, no bleeding or suppuration, no progressive bone loss]; n = 2, RR = 1.84, 95% CI [1.17;2.91], p = .008), but not in terms of PPD reduction (n = 2, WMD = 0.93 mm, 95% CI [−0.69; 2.55], p = .26), even if with substantial heterogeneity.

Conclusions

No single decontamination method demonstrated clear evidence of superiority compared to the others. Systemic antibiotics, but not Er:Yag laser, may provide short‐term clinical benefits in terms of treatment success (CRD42020182303).
Response to inhaled ceftazidime in patients with non‐cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis and chronic bronchial infection unrelated to Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Riveiro Vanessa , Casal Ana , Álvarez‐Dobaño José M. , Lourido Tamara , Suárez‐Artime Pedro , Rodríguez‐García Carlota , Ferreiro Lucía , Toubes María E. , Valdés Luis
Published: August 2022

Introduction

Inhaled antibiotics reduce the frequency of exacerbations. The objective was to assess the efficacy of inhaled ceftazidime in patients with non‐cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis (NCFB) and concomitant chronic bronchial infection (CBI) caused by potentially pathogenic microorganisms (PPM) other than Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA).

Material and Method

Quasi‐experimental study in 21 patients with exacerbations who developed CBI by a PPM other than PA.

Results

Bacterial infection was resolved in 85.7% patients. Rehospitalizations, length of hospital stay, moderate exacerbations and blood levels of CRP decreased significantly. In addition, SGRQ questionnaire also decreased more than 4 points in 57.1% of the patients.

Conclusion

The results suggest that inhaled ceftazidime in NCFB unrelated to PA is a plausible alternative to the standard therapies used in clinical practice.
P75 neurotrophin receptor as a therapeutic target for drug development to treat neurological diseases
Authors: Xiong Liu‐Lin , Chen Li , Deng Isaac Bul , Zhou Xin‐Fu , Wang Ting‐Hua
Published: August 2022

The interaction of neurotrophins with their receptors is involved in the pathogenesis and progression of various neurological diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, spinal cord injury and acute and chronic cerebral damage. The p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75NTR) plays a pivotal role in the development of neurological dysfunctions as a result of its high expression, abnormal processing and signalling. Therefore, p75NTR represents as a vital therapeutic target for the treatment of neurodegeneration, neuropsychiatric disorders and cerebrovascular insufficiency. This review summarizes the current research progress on the p75NTR signalling in neurological deficits. We also summarize the present therapeutic approaches by genetically and pharmacologically targeting p75NTR for the attenuation of pathological changes. Based on the evolving knowledge, the role of p75NTR in the regulation of tau hyperphosphorylation, Aβ metabolism, the degeneration of motor neurons and dopaminergic neurons has been discussed. Its position as a biomarker to evaluate the severity of diseases and as a druggable target for drug development has also been elucidated. Several prototype small molecule compounds were introduced to be crucial in neuronal survival and functional recovery via targeting p75NTR. These small molecule compounds represent desirable agents in attenuating neurodegeneration and cell death as they abolish activation‐induced neurotoxicity of neurotrophins via modulating p75NTR signalling. More comprehensive and in‐depth investigations on p75NTR‐based drug development are required to shed light on effective treatment of numerous neurological disorders.
Identification of hyper‐ramified microglia in the CA1 region of the mouse hippocampus potentially associated with stress resilience
Authors: Fujikawa Risako , Jinno Shozo
Published: August 2022

Recent studies have indicated that some individuals are less affected by stress, and such individuals are called resilient. This study aimed to determine whether the specific phenotype of microglia might be involved in resilience using the social defeat stress paradigm. Male C57BL/6J (B6) mice were attacked by aggressive male ICR mice for five consecutive days. After stress exposure, the social behaviour was reduced in about half of the B6 mice (vulnerable), whereas no such change was observed in the remaining half of the B6 mice (resilient). Anxiety‐like behaviour was increased in vulnerable mice compared with resilient mice and non‐stressed controls. However, depression‐related behaviour was comparable between the three groups. The morphological characteristics of microglia in the CA1 region of the dorsal hippocampus in non‐stressed controls and resilient mice differed from those in vulnerable mice. Interestingly, the voxel densities of GABAergic and glutamatergic synaptic puncta colocalized with microglia were higher in resilient mice than in non‐stressed controls and vulnerable mice. Microglia were then objectively classified into three morphological types by hierarchical cluster analysis. The appearance of type I microglia resembled the so‐called resting ramified microglia and represented the major population of microglia in non‐stressed controls. Type II microglia exhibited a de‐ramified morphology and accounted for 60% of the microglia in vulnerable mice. Type III microglia showed a hyper‐ramified morphology and represented more than half of the microglia in resilient mice. These results suggest that hyper‐ramified microglia in the hippocampus may be associated with stress resilience via the modulation of synaptic transmission.
Melanin accumulation in dermal stem cells deteriorates their exosome‐mediated skin basement membrane construction in solar lentigo
Authors: Miyachi Katsuma , Yamada Takaaki , Sanada Ayumi , Inoue Yu , Hasebe Yuichi , Arima Masaru , Iwata Yohei , Hasegawa Seiji , Sugiura Kazumitsu , Akamatsu Hirohiko
Published: August 2022

Solar lentigo (SL) is a hyperpigmented macule that occurs in sun‐exposed areas and is characterized by the accumulation of melanin pigment in the epidermis. On the contrary, melanin‐incorporated macrophages have also been identified in the dermis, which is thought to be caused by melanin transfer due to disruption of the basement membrane, but the detailed mechanism remains unclear. In this study, we analysed SL lesions by pathological methods and examined the mechanism of melanin accumulation in the dermis using cultured skin models in vitro. First, we observed a significant decrease in type IV collagen (COL4), a major component of the basement membrane, in SL lesions. The basement membrane is known to be formed by the interaction of keratinocytes and dermal cells. Therefore, we constructed skin models containing fibroblasts or dermal stem cells and examined their effects on basement membrane formation. The results showed a markedly enhanced production of COL4 mediated by dermal stem cell‐derived exosomes. The analysis of melanin localization in the SL dermis revealed that CD163‐positive macrophages and CD271‐positive dermal stem cells both took up melanin pigment. Exosomes of dermal stem cells incorporating melanosomes were less effective in promoting COL4 expression. These findings suggest that while the promotion of COL4 production in keratinocytes by dermal stem cell‐derived exosomes is important for maintaining basement membrane homeostasis, this mechanism is disrupted in SL lesions, leading to chronic melanin accumulation in the dermis.
Modelling and control of fuzzy‐based systems using intelligent water drop algorithm
Authors: Dass Anuli , Srivastava Smriti , Gupta Monika , Khari Manju , Parra Fuente Javier , Verdú Elena
Published: August 2022

Identification and controlling of non‐linear and complex dynamical systems have been a major concern and a serious topic of study in the field of adaptive control systems. Various techniques based on artificial intelligence have been used for this purpose. For modelling and control of plants, it is essential to optimize the values of the parameters associated with the respective technique. Searching the right or optimum value of the associated parameters is known as optimization. The intelligent water drop (IWD) algorithm is an optimization algorithm derived from the natural intelligence of water drop, which always chooses the shortest possible path while travelling from rivers and lakes towards oceans and seas. This paper introduces a new way of visualizing and understanding the IWD algorithm and presents its respective application in the field of modelling and controlling of non‐linear dynamic systems with the help of illustrative examples. Fuzzy type‐1 and recurrent fuzzy systems have been optimized using this algorithm. Its learning ability is compared with that of the grasshopper algorithm, a particle swarm optimization (PSO) based algorithm and the gradient descent method. The examples show the superiority of the IWD algorithm over the other optimization techniques.
Is it me or my child? The association between maternal depression and children's behavior problems in mothers and their children with or without autism
Authors: Roubinov Danielle , Don Brian , Blades Robin , Epel Elissa
Published: August 2022

Bidirectional associations between maternal depression and child behavior problems have been reported in prior research, however, few studies examine these relations across varied family contexts. This study examined parenting stress and child diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) as moderators of bidirectional associations between maternal depression and child behavior problems over time. Our sample included 86 mother–child dyads who reported maternal depressive symptoms, child behavior problems, and parenting stress at three time points over more than 1 year. Approximately half were mothers of children with ASD (n = 41) and half were mothers of neurotypical children (n = 45). We tested the bidirectional associations between maternal depressive symptoms and children's behavior problems and the potential moderating role of parental stress or child ASD diagnosis on these bidirectional associations using aggregated, lagged, and linear mixed models. Even after controlling for lagged maternal depressive symptoms, child behavior problems were associated with greater subsequent maternal depression at the between‐person level, but not at the within‐person level. The converse relation of prior maternal depressive symptoms on subsequent child behavior problems was not significant. Neither parenting stress nor child ASD diagnosis moderated bidirectional associations between maternal depressive symptoms and children's behavior problems. Child behavior predicted maternal depression, but the converse was not true, regardless of parenting stress levels or child's ASD diagnosis. For mothers experiencing elevated parenting stress and those with children with ASD, this may help alleviate elevated feelings of guilt related to their children's behavior problems.
“Euphoria”: Trans children and experiences of prepubertal social transition
Authors: Horton Cal
Published: August 2022

Objective

This research explored experiences of prepubertal social transition, listening to trans children who were affirmed in childhood, as well as hearing from their parents.

Background

Despite being a topic of significant importance, there is limited qualitative literature on parents' or indeed children's experiences of prepubertal social transition and little qualitative research on how childhood rejection or affirmation influences well‐being.

Method

This study examines qualitative data from 30 parents with experience supporting a trans child to socially transition at average age 7 years (range 3–10 years), alongside data from 10 of the trans children. Data were analyzed through inductive reflexive thematic analysis.

Results

The first major theme explored experiences pretransition, with subthemes on children correcting assumptions, becoming distressed, struggling alone, reaching crisis, or growing withdrawn and frustrated. The second major theme examined experiences posttransition, with subthemes on a weight being lifted, validation at school, and well‐being.

Conclusion

This qualitative research complements existing quantitative evidence on the importance of social transition, with childhood affirmation critical to the happiness and well‐being of trans children.

Implications

The research has significant relevance for parents of trans children, professionals working with families, and policymakers and legislators influencing policy and practice toward trans children and their families.
Core fucose‐specific Pholiota squarrosa lectin (PhoSL) as a potent broad‐spectrum inhibitor of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection
Authors: Yamasaki Kazuhiko , Adachi Naruhiko , Ngwe Tun Mya Myat , Ikeda Akihito , Moriya Toshio , Kawasaki Masato , Yamasaki Tomoko , Kubota Tomomi , Nagashima Izuru , Shimizu Hiroki , Tateno Hiroaki , Morita Kouichi
Published: August 2022

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) spike protein (S protein) is highly N‐glycosylated, and a “glycan shield” is formed to limit the access of other molecules; however, a small open area coincides with the interface to the host's receptor and also neutralising antibodies. Most of the variants of concern have mutations in this area, which could reduce the efficacy of existing antibodies. In contrast, N‐glycosylation sites are relatively invariant, and some are essential for infection. Here, we observed that the S proteins of the ancestral (Wuhan) and Omicron strains bind with Pholiota squarrosa lectin (PhoSL), a 40‐amino‐acid chemically synthesised peptide specific to core‐fucosylated N‐glycans. The affinities were at a low nanomolar level, which were ~ 1000‐fold stronger than those between PhoSL and the core‐fucosylated N‐glycans at the micromolar level. We demonstrated that PhoSL inhibited infection by both strains at similar submicromolar levels, suggesting its broad‐spectrum effect on SARS‐CoV‐2 variants. Cryogenic electron microscopy revealed that PhoSL caused an aggregation of the S protein, which was likely due to the multivalence of both the trimeric PhoSL and S protein. This characteristic is likely relevant to the inhibitory mechanism. Structural modelling of the PhoSL–S protein complex indicated that PhoSL was in contact with the amino acids of the S protein, which explains the enhanced affinity with S protein and also indicates the significant potential for developing specific binders by the engineering of PhoSL.
Hybridization effects on the fatigue properties of novel core‐in‐sheath‐type carbon/glass hybrid thermoplastic composite rods
Authors: Oguma Hiroyuki , Naito Kimiyoshi
Published: August 2022

In this study, novel core‐in‐sheath‐type carbon/glass hybrid thermoplastic composite rods with three different carbon/glass ratios were developed. Then, the fatigue behaviors of these rods and their influential factors were investigated. The hybridization of fibers and presence of voids strongly affected the stress dependency of their fatigue life; the hybrid rods with the highest volume fraction of carbon fibers and the lowest one of void showed the highest fatigue strength behavior. The fatigue behavior of the hybrid rods could be predicted via the rule of mixture by using fatigue test data from unidirectional carbon fiber‐ and glass‐fiber‐reinforced polymer laminated plates. The structure and dispersion degree of the hybrid rods allowed the prediction of their fatigue behavior based on their constituents with a simple parallel model.
Headache response after CT‐guided fibrin glue occlusion of CSF‐venous fistulas
Authors: Mamlouk Mark D. , Shen Peter Y. , Dahlin Brian C.
Published: August 2022

Objective

To assess headache response and patient perception of improvement after computed tomography (CT)‐guided fibrin glue occlusion of cerebrospinal fluid‐venous fistulas (CVFs) in a large sample size and with a long clinical follow‐up.

Background

CVFs are an increasingly identified type of spinal leak in patients with spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH), and CT‐guided fibrin glue occlusion has been introduced as a treatment option in a prior small series.

Methods

Retrospective case series review of medical records from a single institution was performed for all patients with CVFs that were treated with CT‐guided fibrin glue occlusion between August 2018 and April 2022 in an outpatient or inpatient setting. Pre‐ and posttreatment Headache Impact Tests (HIT‐6) were administered to patients, and a change in scores was evaluated. In some patients, pretreatment HIT‐6 tests were not obtained prior to the fibrin glue procedure, and the patient was asked to fill out the pretreatment test based on personal recall of their symptoms prior to treatment. Patients completed a Patient Global Impression of Change (PGIC) scale after treatment. Pre‐ and posttreatment brain imaging was compared using Bern SIH scores.

Results

Thirty‐five patients (19 females, 16 males; mean age 60 years) with CVFs treated with CT‐guided fibrin glue occlusion met the inclusion criteria. Mean pretreatment and posttreatment HIT‐6 scores were 64.7 ± 10.2 and 43.4 ± 9.9 (p < 0.001), respectively. The posttreatment HIT‐6 questionnaires were completed on average 10.3 months after treatment, and 20 patients filled out the pretreatment HIT‐6 form after their treatment. The mean PGIC score was 6.1 ± 1.3. Mean pretreatment and posttreatment Bern SIH scores were 5.9 ± 2.5 and 1.5 ± 1.5 (p < 0.001), respectively.

Conclusions

We report a large series of patients who underwent CT‐guided fibrin glue occlusion of CVFs. We showed that headache scores decreased after treatment, and the majority of patients had high PGIC scores. Posttreatment brain MRIs also showed improved Bern SIH scores.
‘It's always a battle against time’. Experiencing and handling temporal conditions in homecare work
Authors: Strandell Rebecka
Published: August 2022

In most Western countries, the eldercare sector has undergone transformations to obtain cost containment and more efficient service provision, changing the temporal framing of homecare. Time pressure is a salient issue in homecare, but little is known about how homecare workers experience the temporal conditions of their work. Based on 13 group interviews with homecare workers in Sweden, this study examined how the staff experience temporal conditions and handle time pressure in their everyday work in a context of marketisation and increased use of ‘information and communication technology’. The analysis showed that the workers attributed their experiences of time pressure to the compression of time, the control of time and the unpredictability of time. Strategies adopted to handle time pressure included working unpaid hours, maximising efficiency and reallocating time. It is concluded that the homecare workers primarily adopted individual short‐term strategies to deal with structural and organisational temporal issues.
Defining the influence of external factors on nurse resilience
Authors: Cooper Alannah L. , Leslie Gavin D. , Brown Janie A.
Published: August 2022

In the context of pressures faced by the nursing profession including increasing patient acuity and global nursing shortages, the importance of nurse resilience has gained attention in research and practice. Resilience is viewed as a protective factor that enables individuals to avoid psychological harm and continue in their work. There is limited evidence on the impact of external factors such as work conditions on nurse resilience. This study aimed to explore how external factors influence nurse resilience and to incorporate this knowledge into an updated definition of nurse resilience. As part of a two‐phase mixed methods study, focus groups were conducted to obtain qualitative data to explore nurse's perceptions of resilience and factors they felt affected their resilience. Data analysis identified three main themes derived from 10 subthemes: Perceptions of Resilience, Pressures and Challenges, and Support and Strategies contributed to understanding how external factors can affect nurse resilience. A range of factors emerged including the impact of workplace conditions, organizational philosophy, the performance of managers, and the teams nurses work within, which were not reflected in an earlier definition of nurse resilience derived through a concept analysis. These factors were incorporated in an updated definition of nurse resilience. Understanding resilience in the nursing profession and the external factors that affect it is critical to the development of effective research, policies, interventions, and work environments to protect nurse well‐being, promote nurse retention, and ensure the provision of quality patient care.
High level of polarized engraftment of porcine intrahepatic cholangiocyte organoids in decellularized liver scaffolds
Authors: Krüger Melanie , Samsom Roos‐Anne , Oosterhoff Loes A. , van Wolferen Monique E. , Kooistra Hans S. , Geijsen Niels , Penning Louis C. , Kock Linda M. , Sainz‐Arnal Pilar , Baptista Pedro M. , Spee Bart
Published: August 2022

In Europe alone, each year 5500 people require a life‐saving liver transplantation, but 18% die before receiving one due to the shortage of donor organs. Whole organ engineering, utilizing decellularized liver scaffolds repopulated with autologous cells, is an attractive alternative to increase the pool of available organs for transplantation. The development of this technology is hampered by a lack of a suitable large‐animal model representative of the human physiology and a reliable and continuous cell source. We have generated porcine intrahepatic cholangiocyte organoids from adult stem cells and demonstrate that these cultures remained stable over multiple passages whilst retaining the ability to differentiate into hepatocyte‐ and cholangiocyte‐like cells. Recellularization onto porcine scaffolds was efficient and the organoids homogeneously differentiated, even showing polarization. Our porcine intrahepatic cholangiocyte system, combined with porcine liver scaffold paves the way for developing whole liver engineering in a relevant large‐animal model.
Fruits and vegetables are the major source of food safety issues need to overcome at household level (traditional vs. green technologies): A comparative review
Authors: Siddique Zarghona , Malik Aman Ullah
Published: August 2022

Fruits and vegetables are the pivotal sources of essential elements (vitamins and minerals), whose deficiency may cause different kinds of health issues; however, due to non‐judicious use of pesticides and unhygienic practices in the supply chain, fresh produce gets contaminated. These contaminants could be minimized by cooking, blanching, and chlorination at household level, but these thermal and chemical processing techniques negatively affect the product quality and nutrition value. When F & V is consumed in the raw form then these contaminants directly affect human health, which may lead to death or different syndromes. It is hard to eliminate these lethal contaminants from supply chain. Different decontamination technologies previously practiced at household level but have negative impacts on commodities' nutritional value and human health. Henceforth, some green techniques like ozonation, sonication, and ozosonication (O3/US) are considered as emerging sanitizing technologies, without adversely affecting quality of horticultural commodities and human health, when used at optimum limit.
Aptamer and Ru(bpy)32+‐AuNPs‐based electrochemiluminescence biosensor for accurate detecting Listeria monocytogenes
Authors: Cui Liwei , Chang Weidan , Wei Rong , Chen Weifeng , Tang Yuanlong , Yue Xiaoyu
Published: August 2022

As a widespread foodborne pathogen, Listeria monocytogenes (LM) can potentially cause a large number of food safety incidents, and the mortality rate of humans infected with this pathogen is relatively high. Thus, establishment of a fast and simple inspection technology is imperative. Herein, a solid‐state electrochemiluminescence (ECL) biosensing switch system based on special ferrocene‐labeled molecular beacon aptamer (Fc‐MBA) has been developed for rapid detection of LM. The biosensor consisted of two main parts, an ECL substrate and an ECL intensity switch. ECL substrate was generated by modifying the complex of gold nanoparticle (AuNPs) and ruthenium (II) tris‐(bipyridine) onto Au electrode, and an MBA labeled by Fc that acted as an ECL intensity switch. Moreover, in the presence of LM, the stem‐loop structure of MBA could be opened and the ferrocene was kept away from ECL substrate, which was due to an obvious ECL intensity increment. The limit of detection was 5 CFU/mL, and satisfactory recoveries of 98.1–103.6% were observed. Thus, we propose a novel method for accurate and specific detection of LM.