bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
What were they thinking? Firms' expectations since the financial crisis
Authors: Ferrando Annalisa , Ganoulis Ioannis , Preuss Carsten
Published: April 2020

Purpose

This paper explores how firms formed their expectations about the availability of bank finance since the financial crisis. Various expectations hypotheses that incorporate backward and/or forward-looking elements and inattention are tested. From a policy perspective, the most important hypothesis is whether policy announcements have a direct impact on the expectations of companies.

Design/methodology/approach

The analysis is based on a large sample of euro area companies from the ECB “Survey on the Access to Finance of Enterprises” between 2009 and 2018. Ordered logit models are used to relate individual replies on expectations to firms' information available at the time of the forecasts. The model controls for the business cycle and firms' structural characteristics. Using a difference-in-differences approach, we test how policy announcements may affect expectations.

Findings

Firms update what otherwise look like adaptive expectations on the basis of new information. The hypothesis of rational expectations is rejected. Moreover, we do not find evidence of inattention or of a wave of pessimism/optimism. The analysis of expectations around the time of the ECB Outright Monetary Transactions program provides some evidence of forward-looking expectations.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to the literature on expectations by using a novel survey in eleven countries. In the multi-country setting, country-specific business cycle effects and waves of pessimism or optimism are better controlled for. The policy announcements of summer 2012 provide for a natural experiment to test the direct impact of such announcements on expectations, an issue of relevance for the monetary policy transmission to economic activity.
Sharing economy: peer-to-peer accommodation as a foucauldian heterotopia
Authors: Farmaki Anna , Stergiou Dimitrios P. , Christou Prokopis
Published: April 2020

Purpose

This study aims to use Foucault’s theory of heterotopian space to interpret peer-to-peer (P2P) accommodation experiences by considering the perceptions of Airbnb hosts and guests.

Design/methodology/approach

Data for this study were collected through the use of semi-structured interviews with Airbnb hosts and guests of different cultural backgrounds.

Findings

Informed by Foucault’s heterotopology, study findings identify and discuss the spatial dimensions at the micro-scale that distinguish P2P accommodation space from traditional hospitality spaces, arguing that P2P accommodation represents an interstitial space within the tourism system that triggers a reordering of resources, skills and meanings.

Originality/value

The paper introduces a cutting-edge perspective on how P2P accommodation spatiality may be viewed or approached in a meaningfully different manner, particularly advancing knowledge on how prescribed roles and practices in hospitality are being redefined.
An initial coprological survey of parasitic fauna in the wild Amur leopard (Panthera pardus orientalis)
Authors: HOU Zhijun , PENG Zhiwei , NING Yao , LIU Dan , CHAI Hongliang , JIANG Guangshun
Published: April 2020

The Amur leopard, one of nine recently recognized subspecies of leopard, is still the most threatened by a stochastic procession of extinction. Evaluation of the potential danger to the conservation of the Amur leopard originating from disease urgently needs to be studied. Unfortunately, research on the potential risk to Amur leopards caused by disease is rare. In terms of parasitic diseases that affect this species, even basic data for parasitic fauna are absent. The aim of this study is to acquire this knowledge to improve the general understanding of Amur leopard parasites. Seven parasite species, including 3 nematodes (Toxocara cati, a capillarid‐type parasite, and a Metastrongyloidea‐type parasite), 2 cestodes (Spirometrasp. andTaeniasp.), 1 trematode (Paragonimussp.), and 1 protozoan (Cystoisospora felis), were found in this research.Toxocara catioccurred most frequently, followed bySpirometrasp.
The Rise of Foreign Direct Investment Regulation in Investment‐recipient Countries
Authors: Ufimtseva Anastasia
Published: April 2020

This research paper seeks to explain why investment‐recipient countries, like Australia and Canada, reject certain investments in strategic industries and shield some domestic business from foreign acquisitions. Existing studies suggest that the decision to restrict FDI is driven by national security concerns, which are often conceptualized as a catch‐all concept. This paper develops a novel theoretical construct – ‘FDI acceptability threshold’ (a maximum point of political tolerance for any given foreign investment) – to provide a more nuanced understanding of government decisions to reject FDI. This theoretical construct is based on four factors – nature of the domestic firm/industry, nature of the acquirer, external opposition, and domestic backlash. Drawing on two cases of Chinese SOEs’ investment in the energy sector in Australia and Canada, this paper demonstrates that investment‐recipient countries are more likely to protect a domestic business where foreign ownership threatens domestic industry by exceeding FDI acceptability thresholds. Given that these thresholds are often not directly identified in the host country’s policies, this paper proposes that host countries should clarify these conditions to ensure that they continue to attract FDI.
Clinical characteristics and prognosis of pulmonary large cell carcinoma: A population‐based retrospective study using SEER data
Authors: Xiaochuan Liu , Jiangyong Yu , Ping Zhang , Xiaonan Wu , Lin Li
Published: April 2020

Background

Pulmonary large cell carcinoma (LCC) is an infrequent neoplasm with a poor prognosis. This study explored the clinical characteristics and survival prognostic factors of LCC patients.

Methods

Patient data were extracted from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. Chi‐square tests or rank‐sum tests were used to compare differences in clinical characteristics. Log‐rank tests, univariate, and multivariate analyses were performed to investigate the independent factors of survival. Analyses of stage I–IV patients were performed to further explore the optimal treatment.

Results

In total, 3197 LCC patients were included in this analysis. Compared with other non‐small cell lung cancers (NSCLCs), there was a worse overall survival (OS) from LCC. LCC was more common in males, over age 60 and in the upper lobe. A total of 73.6% of patients were stage III/IV. The median OS of stage I–IV patients was 42 months, 22 months, 11 months, and three months, respectively. The elderly, males, later stage, and main bronchus location, or overlapping lesions were risk factors for survival prognosis. In stage I–III patients, treatment including surgery could significantly reduce the risk of death by 60% at least compared with no therapy. Surgery was still beneficial for stage IV patients, and the hazard ratio (HR) compared with no therapy was 0.462 (P = 0.001).

Conclusions

Our study concluded that LCC has unique clinical features, and that age, sex, primary site, stage, and treatment are significantly related to OS. Surgery based comprehensive treatments are effective for LCC.

Key points

Significant findings of the study In stage IV patients, chemotherapy or radiotherapy combined with surgery could further improve survival. When surgical resection involved more than one lobe, it may be beneficial for survival prognosis.

What this study adds LCC patients were principally male and over age 60, with later stages and poor survival prognosis. Age, sex, stage, primary site and therapy are closely related to survival.
Identification of genetic effects and potential causal polymorphisms of CPM gene impacting milk fatty acid traits in Chinese Holstein
Authors: Shi L. , Liu L. , Lv X. , Ma Z. , Li C. , Li Y. , Zhao F. , Sun D. , Han B.
Published: April 2020

Our previous GWAS revealed 83 significant SNPs and 20 promising candidate genes associated with milk fatty acid traits in dairy cattle. Out of them, the carboxypeptidase M (CPM) gene contains a genome‐wide significant SNP, Hapmap49848‐BTA‐106779, which is strongly associated with myristic acid (C14:0; P = 0.0064). Herein, we aimed to confirm the genetic effects of CPM on milk fatty acids in Chinese Holstein. Seven SNPs were detected by re‐sequencing the sequences of entire exons and 3000 bp of up‐/downstream flanking regions of the CPM gene, of which three were in 5′ flanking region, one in the 3′ UTR and three were in the 3′ flanking region. Using the Haploview 4.1, we estimated the LD among the identified SNPs and found two haplotype blocks. With the animal model, we performed the SNP‐ and haplotype‐based association analyses, and observed that these SNPs and haplotype blocks mainly had strong genetic associations with medium‐chain saturated fatty acids (caproic acid, C6:0; caprylic acid, C8:0; capric acid, C10:0; and lauric acid, C12:0) (P < 0.0001–0.0257). In addition, using the Genomatix software, we predicted that three SNPs in the 5′ flanking region of CPM (g.45079507A>G, g.45080228C>A and g.45080335C>G) changed the transcription factor binding sites for PREF (progesterone receptor biding site), ZBRK1 (transcription factor with eight central zinc fingers and an N‐terminal KRAB domain), SOX9 (sex‐determining region Y‐box 9, dimeric binding sites), SOX6 (sex‐determining region Y‐box 6) and FOXP1‐ES (alternative splicing variant of FOXP1, activated in ESCs). Further, the dual‐luciferase reporter assay showed these three SNPs altered the transcriptional activity of CPM gene (P ≤ 0.0006). In summary, using the post‐GWAS strategy, we first confirmed the significant genetic effects of CPM with milk fatty acids in dairy cattle, and identified three potential causal mutations.
Autoimmune progesterone dermatitis presenting as recurrent, marked angioedema‐like lip changes: An unusual presentation of an uncommon problem
Authors: Brown Hilary , Relic John
Published: April 2020

Autoimmune progesterone dermatitis is a rare condition with varying clinical presentations. We present a case of autoimmune progesterone dermatitis presenting as recurrent, marked angioedema‐like lip swelling without any other skin changes.
Parallel studies of mucosal immunity in the reproductive and gastrointestinal mucosa of HIV‐infected women
Authors: Shanmugasundaram Uma , Critchfield J. William , Giudice Linda C. , Smith‐McCune Karen , Greenblatt Ruth M. , Shacklett Barbara L.
Published: April 2020

Problem

The effects of HIV on the gastrointestinal tract (GIT), including CD4 depletion, epithelial disruption, and collagen deposition, are well documented and only partially reversed by combination antiretroviral therapy (cART). However, the effects of HIV on the female reproductive tract (FRT) are poorly understood, and most studies have focused on ectocervix and vagina without assessing the upper tract. Here, we investigated CD4+ T‐cell frequency, phenotype, and HIV‐specific T‐cell responses in the endocervix and endometrium of HIV‐infected women, comparing these tissues to the GIT.

Method of Study

Mucosal samples and blood were obtained from 18 women: four who were HIV‐positive and not on cART for at least 3 years prior to sampling, including two natural controllers (viral load [VL] undetectable and CD4 >350); nine women on cART with low to undetectable VL; and five HIV‐uninfected women. Mucosal samples included terminal ileum, sigmoid colon, endocervical cytobrush, endocervical curettage, and endometrial biopsy. T‐cell frequency, phenotypes, and HIV‐specific T‐cell responses were analyzed by multiparameter flow cytometry.

Results

T‐cell activation, measured by CD38/HLA‐DR co‐expression, remained significantly elevated in endometrium following cART, but was lower in gastrointestinal tissues. HIV‐specific CD8+ T‐cell responses were detected in ileum, colon, and endometrial tissues of women both on and off cART, and were of higher magnitude on those not on cART.

Conclusion

Our findings reveal differences in CD4+ T‐cell frequencies, immune activation, and HIV‐specific T‐cell responses between the gastrointestinal and reproductive tracts, and highlight differences between HIV controllers and women on cART.
Increased choroidal thickness: a new indicator for monitoring diabetic macular oedema recurrence
Authors: Mathis Thibaud , Mendes Maud , Dot Corinne , Bouteleux Victor , Machkour‐Bentaleb Zainab , El Chehab Hussam , Agard Emilie , Denis Philippe , Kodjikian Laurent
Published: April 2020

Purpose

The aim of this study was to determine whether choroidal thickness (CT) increases at the time of exudative recurrence in diabetic patients with unilateral diabetic macular oedema (DME) treated with intravitreal injections of anti‐VEGF or dexamethasone.

Methods

A real‐life, prospective, two‐centre study was conducted over a 9‐month period investigating diabetic patients presenting with unilateral DME treated with anti‐VEGF or dexamethasone intravitreal injections, and CT was measured manually, using the enhanced depth imaging module of the spectral domain optical coherence tomography. Choroidal thickness (CT) was measured in the morning, in both the affected and healthy eye of each patient at two timepoints: when the macula was ‘dry’ (T0) and at the time of exudative recurrence (T1).

Results

A total of 51 patients with unilateral DME were included. Mean CT in the affected eye was significantly thicker at the time of exudative recurrence (210.8 ± 44.1 μm at T0 versus 238.0 ± 49.0 μm at T1, p < 0.001). There was no significant variation in CT in the fellow eye (214.4 ± 52.3 µm at T0 versus 218.9 ± 53.4 µm at T1, p = 0.53). The type of intravitreal injection, the number of injections and the CT at T0 had no influence on the change in CT.

Conclusion

This study found that CT increased significantly in the affected eye at the time of recurrence of DME treated with anti‐VEGF or dexamethasone injections. Choroidal thickness (CT) could constitute an interesting new indicator for monitoring patients with DME.
Using value of information to prioritize research needs for migratory bird management under climate change: a case study using federal land acquisition in the United States
Authors: Rushing Clark S. , Rubenstein Madeleine , Lyons James E. , Runge Michael C.
Published: April 2020

In response to global habitat loss, many governmental and non‐governmental organizations have implemented land acquisition programs to protect critical habitats permanently for priority species. The ability of these protected areas to meet future management objectives may be compromised if the effects of climate change are not considered in acquisition decisions. Unfortunately, the effects of climate change on ecological systems are complex and plagued by uncertainty, making it difficult for organizations to prioritize research needs to improve decision‐making. Herein, we demonstrate the use of qualitative value of information analysis to identify and prioritize which sources of uncertainty should be reduced to improve land acquisition decisions to protect migratory birds in the face of climate change. The qualitative value of information analysis process involves four steps: (i) articulating alternative hypotheses; (ii) determining the magnitude of uncertainty regarding each hypothesis; (iii) evaluating the relevance of each hypothesis to acquisition decision‐making; and (iv) assessing the feasibility of reducing the uncertainty surrounding each hypothesis through research and monitoring. We demonstrate this approach using the objectives of 3 U.S. federal land acquisition programs that focus on migratory bird management. We used a comprehensive literature review, expert elicitation, and professional judgement to evaluate 11 hypotheses about the effect of climate change on migratory birds. Based on our results, we provide a list of priorities for future research and monitoring to reduce uncertainty and improve land acquisition decisions for the programs considered in our case study. Reducing uncertainty about how climate change will influence the spatial distribution of priority species and biotic homogenization were identified as the highest priorities for future research due to both the value of this information for improving land acquisition decisions and the feasibility of reducing uncertainty through research and monitoring. Research on how changes in precipitation patterns and winter severity will influence migratory bird abundance is also expected to benefit land acquisition decisions. By contrast, hypotheses about phenology and migration distance were identified as low priorities for research. By providing a rigorous and transparent approach to prioritizing research, we demonstrate that qualitative value of information is a valuable tool for prioritizing research and improving management decisions in other complex, high‐uncertainty cases where traditional quantitative value of information analysis is not possible. Given the inherent complexity of ecological systems under climate change, and the difficulty of identifying management‐relevant research priorities, we expect this approach to have wide applications within the field of natural resource management.
Risk of colorectal cancer following CT‐verified acute diverticulitis: a nationwide population‐based cohort study
Authors: Azhar N. , Buchwald P. , Ansari H. Z. , Schyman T. , Yaqub S. , Øresland T. , Schultz J. K.
Published: April 2020

Aim

Routine colonoscopy to exclude colorectal cancer (CRC) after CT‐verified acute diverticulitis is controversial. This study aimed to compare the incidence of CRC in patients with acute diverticulitis with that in the general population.

Method

Patients with an emergency admission for diverticular disease to any Norwegian hospital between 1 January 2008 and 31 December 2010 were included through identification in the Norwegian Patient Registry using International Classification of Diseases (ICD‐10) codes K57.1‐9. To estimate the age‐specific distribution of CT‐verified acute uncomplicated diverticulitis (AUD) and acute complicated diverticulitis (ACD) in this nationwide study population, numbers from the largest Norwegian emergency hospital were used. Patients diagnosed with CRC within 1 year following their admission for acute diverticulitis were detected through cross‐matching with the Cancer Registry of Norway. Based on both Norwegian age‐specific incidence of CRC and estimated age‐specific distribution of CT‐verified diverticulitis, standard morbidity ratios (SMRs) were calculated.

Results

A total of 7473 patients with emergency admissions for diverticular disease were identified (estimated CT‐verified AUD n = 3523, ACD n = 1206); of these 155 patients were diagnosed with CRC within 1 year. Eighty had a CT‐verified diverticulitis at index admission [41 AUD (51.3%); 39 ACD (49.7%)]. Compared with the general population, the SMR was 6.6 following CT‐verified AUD and 16.3 following ACD, respectively.

Conclusion

In the first year after CT‐verified acute diverticulitis, especially after ACD, the risk of CRC is higher than in the general population. This probably represents misdiagnosis of CRC as acute diverticulitis. Follow‐up colonoscopy should be recommended to all patients admitted with acute diverticulitis.
Interacting With Multiple Partners Improves Communication Skills
Authors: Lev‐Ari Shiri , Sebanz Natalie
Published: April 2020

Successful communication is important for both society and people’s personal life. Here we show that people can improve their communication skills by interacting with multiple others, and that this improvement seems to come about by a greater tendency to take the addressee’s perspective when there are multiple partners. In Experiment 1, during a training phase, participants described figures to a new partner in each round or to the same partner in all rounds. Then all participants interacted with a new partner and their recordings from that round were presented to naïve listeners. Participants who had interacted with multiple partners during training were better understood. This occurred despite the fact that the partners had not provided the participants with any input other than feedback on comprehension during the interaction. In Experiment 2, participants were asked to provide descriptions to a different future participant in each round or to the same future participant in all rounds. Next they performed a surprise memory test designed to tap memory for global details, in line with the addressee’s perspective. Those who had provided descriptions for multiple future participants performed better. These results indicate that people can improve their communication skills by interacting with multiple people, and that this advantage might be due to a greater tendency to take the addressee’s perspective in such cases. Our findings thus show how the social environment can influence our communication skills by shaping our own behavior during interaction in a manner that promotes the development of our communication skills.
The early detection of cervical cancer. The current and changing landscape of cervical disease detection
Authors: Shiraz Aslam , Crawford Robin , Egawa Nagayasu , Griffin Heather , Doorbar John
Published: April 2020

Cervical cancer prevention has undergone dramatic changes over the past decade. With the introduction of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination, some countries have seen a dramatic decline in HPV‐mediated cervical disease. However, widespread implementation has been limited by economic considerations and the varying healthcare priorities of different countries, as well as by vaccine availability and, in some instances, vaccine hesitancy amongst the population/government. In this environment, it is clear that cervical screening will retain a critical role in the prevention of cervical cancer and will in due course need to adapt to the changing incidence of HPV‐associated neoplasia. Cervical screening has, for many years, been performed using Papanicolaou staining of cytology samples. As our understanding of the role of HPV in cervical cancer progression has advanced, and with the availability of sensitive detection systems, cervical screening now incorporates HPV testing. Although such tests improve disease detection, they are not specific, and cannot discriminate high‐grade from low‐grade disease. This has necessitated the development of effective triage approaches to stratify HPV‐positive women according to their risk of cancer progression. Although cytology triage remains the mainstay of screening, novel strategies under evaluation include DNA methylation, biomarker detection and the incorporation of artificial intelligence systems to detect cervical abnormalities. These tests, which can be partially anchored in a molecular understanding of HPV pathogenesis, will enhance the sensitivity of disease detection and improve patient outcomes. This review will provide insight on these innovative methodologies while explaining their scientific basis drawing from our understanding of HPV tumour biology.
Enhancing export competitiveness by deeper integration: The case of the East African Community
Authors: Si Tou Wai Kit
Published: April 2020

Motivation

Many African countries experience persistent trade deficits and are in need of better export strategy. While the East African Community (EAC) performs best in regional integration among the Regional Economic Communities of Africa, it is important to formulate a comprehensive export strategy that harnesses the benefits of deeper regional integration.

Purpose

This article analyses the productive capabilities of the five Partner States of the EAC to investigate the potential benefits of greater economic integration. It identifies products that have potential to boost economic development and suggests a regional export strategy.

Approach and Methods

The product space framework is used to analyse national productive capabilities. In particular, the trade‐off between the potential benefit of developing a complex product and the difficulty to do so is considered.

Findings

Deeper regional integration in the EAC would create opportunities to develop new products and to enhance the competitiveness of existing industries. The bloc could produce more diverse and more sophisticated products. Specifically, the analysis highlights the potential of agro‐processing and chemicals, which is generally in line with the strategic regional industries stated in the EAC Industrialisation Strategy 2012–2032.

Policy Implications

Deeper regional integration can help develop products. EAC countries should strengthen co‐operation and leverage their expertise to develop products in clusters of related goods, rather than adopting a scattershot approach, thereby reaping economies of scale.
What’s wrong with the striatal cholinergic interneurons in Parkinson’s disease? Focus on intrinsic excitability
Authors: Tubert Cecilia , Murer Mario Gustavo
Published: April 2020

Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized by a degeneration of nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons that results in a hypercholinergic state in the striatum. This hypercholinergic state contributes to the clinical signs of PD. However, the mechanisms that underlie this state remain unknown. Cholinergic interneurons (ChIs) are the main source of acetylcholine in the striatum. Many studies have highlighted the importance of their normal physiological activity to guarantee a normal motor control and goal‐directed behaviour. Moreover, recent studies with optogenetic and chemogenetic approaches have shown that reducing ChIs activity ameliorates parkinsonian symptoms and modifies L‐dopa induced dyskinesia in PD animal models. Here, we review the described alterations in ChIs physiology that may contribute to a hypercholinergic state in PD. The best‐established finding is an increase of ChIs intrinsic membrane excitability after dopaminergic denervation of striatum. Understanding the molecular basis of ChIs dysfunction in PD could help to develop new therapeutic tools to restore their normal activity and decrease parkinsonian symptoms, improving life quality of PD patients.
Zinc modulates synaptic transmission by differentially regulating synaptic glutamate homeostasis in hippocampus
Authors: Shen Zhijun , Haragopal Hariprakash , Li Yang V.
Published: April 2020

A subset of presynaptic glutamatergic vesicles in the brain co‐releases zinc (Zn2+) with glutamate into the synapse. However, the role of synaptically released Zn2+ is still under investigation. Here, we studied the effect of Zn2+ on glutamate homeostasis by measuring the evoked extracellular glutamate level (EGL) and the probability of evoked action potential (PEAP) at the Zn2+‐containing or zincergic mossy fiber–CA3 synapses of the rat hippocampus. We found that the application of Zn2+ (ZnCl2) exerted bidirectional effects on both EGL and PEAP: facilitatory at low concentration (~1 µM) while repressive at high concentration (~50 µM). To determine the action of endogenous Zn2+, we also used extracellular Zn2+ chelator to remove the synaptically released Zn2+. Zn2+ chelation reduced both EGL and PEAP, suggesting that endogenous Zn2+ has mainly a facilitative role in glutamate secretion on physiological condition. We revealed that calcium/calmodulin‐dependent protein kinase II was integral to the mechanism by which Zn2+ facilitated the release of glutamate. Moreover, a glutamate transporter was the molecular entity for the action of Zn2+ on glutamate uptake by which Zn2+ decreases glutamate availability. Taken together, we show a novel action of Zn2+, which is to biphasically regulate glutamate homeostasis via Zn2+ concentration‐dependent synaptic facilitation and depression. Thus, co‐released Zn2+ is physiologically important for enhancing weak stimulation, but potentially mitigates excessive stimulation to keep synaptic transmission within optimal physiological range.
Prevalence and factors associated with motoric cognitive risk syndrome in community‐dwelling older Chinese: a cross‐sectional study
Authors: Zhang L. , Feng B. L. , Wang C. Y. , Zhang Y. , Lin P. , Zhang Y. L. , He N. N. , Wang D. J. , Jiang L. F. , Ye H. H.
Published: April 2020

Background and purpose

A recently proposed pre‐dementia syndrome, motoric cognitive risk (MCR) syndrome, is characterized by cognitive complaints and slow gait, and increases the risk of dementia and mortality. The aim of the present study was to explore the prevalence of and factors associated with MCR syndrome in elderly community‐dwelling Chinese subjects.

Methods

The Ningbo Community Study on Aging recruited 953 Chinese community‐dwelling participants aged ≥ 65 years from November 2016 to March 2017. Handgrip, Five‐Times‐Sit‐to‐Stand (FTSS) test time and body composition, as well as comprehensive geriatric evaluation, were measured as potentially independent factors associated with MCR syndrome.

Results

The prevalence of MCR syndrome was 12.8% in men and 12.6% in women, and high prevalence of MCR syndrome was not associated with age or sex. Multiple logistic regression analysis by sex showed that a 1‐SD increase in FTSS test time in males and females was associated with 45% (95% confidence intervals, 19–76; P < 0.01) and 20% (95% confidence intervals, 9–33; P < 0.01) higher risk of having MCR syndrome, respectively, whereas handgrip strength was inversely correlated with MCR syndrome in males [odds ratio (OR), 0.91; P = 0.02] but not females (P = 0.06). Moreover, the relationship of arm fat mass and MCR syndrome was statistically significant in both sexes (OR, 1.69–1.77), but leg fat mass was only associated with MCR syndrome (OR, 1.56; P = 0.02) in men.

Conclusions

Handgrip, FTSS test time and body composition were associated in a sex‐specific manner with MCR syndrome in elderly community‐dwelling Chinese subjects. Our results on MCR syndrome are novel and should be considered as important information in future studies.
Membrane translocation at the ER: with a little help from my friends
Authors: O'Keefe Sarah , High Stephen
Published: April 2020

The Sec61 complex is the proteinaceous pore through which one‐third of mammalian polypeptides access the lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) during their translocation across, or insertion into, the ER membrane. N‐terminal ER signal peptides mediate polypeptide targeting to, and opening of, the Sec61 channel in a substrate‐specific manner. Here, we discuss the recently defined features of ER signal peptides which necessitate the use of the accessory components Sec62 and Sec63 during the Sec61‐mediated cotranslational translocation of newly synthesized secretory proteins.
Autophagy is responsible for the accumulation of proteogenic dipeptides in response to heat stress in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Thirumalaikumar Venkatesh P. , Wagner Mateusz , Balazadeh Salma , Skirycz Aleksandra
Published: April 2020

Proteogenic dipeptides are intermediates of proteolysis as well as an emerging class of small‐molecule regulators with diverse and often dipeptide‐specific functions. Herein, prompted by differential accumulation of dipeptides in a high‐density Arabidopsis thaliana time‐course stress experiment, we decided to pursue an identity of the proteolytic pathway responsible for the buildup of dipeptides under heat conditions. By querying dipeptide accumulation versus available transcript data, autophagy emerged as a top hit. To examine whether autophagy indeed contributes to the accumulation of dipeptides measured in response to heat stress, we characterized the loss‐of‐function mutants of crucial autophagy proteins to test whether interfering with autophagy would affect dipeptide accumulation in response to the heat treatment. This was indeed the case. This work implicates the involvement of autophagy in the accumulation of proteogenic dipeptides in response to heat stress in Arabidopsis.
Requirements for stress gradient‐based fatigue assessment of notched structures according to theory of critical distance
Authors: Braun Moritz , Müller André Mischa , Milaković Aleksandar‐Saša , Fricke Wolfgang , Ehlers Sören
Published: April 2020

Notches, local stress raisers within structural components, are one of the most important locations for fatigue crack initiation. It is well known that fatigue is governed by the effective stresses in the vicinity of notches. Within this study, differences in prediction accuracy between different types of theory of critical distance methods, that is, point and line methods, are systematically investigated in conjunction with a sensitivity study regarding mesh refinement, assumed strength hypothesis and material behaviour. For this purpose, a finite element analysis parameter study on notched structures is performed and recommendations for the application of stress gradient methods are presented. Difference in effective stress of up to 30%, and hence a significant difference in fatigue life (e.g., 185% for a slope of S‐N curve of k = 4), is found for typical notch shapes, for example, in welded joints.
Climate change causes critical transitions and irreversible alterations of mountain forests
Authors: Albrich Katharina , Rammer Werner , Seidl Rupert
Published: April 2020

Mountain forests are at particular risk of climate change impacts due to their temperature limitation and high exposure to warming. At the same time, their complex topography may help to buffer the effects of climate change and create climate refugia. Whether climate change can lead to critical transitions of mountain forest ecosystems and whether such transitions are reversible remain incompletely understood. We investigated the resilience of forest composition and size structure to climate change, focusing on a mountain forest landscape in the Eastern Alps. Using the individual‐based forest landscape model iLand, we simulated ecosystem responses to a wide range of climatic changes (up to a 6°C increase in mean annual temperature and a 30% reduction in mean annual precipitation), testing for tipping points in vegetation size structure and composition under different topography scenarios. We found that at warming levels above +2°C a threshold was crossed, with the system tipping into an alternative state. The system shifted from a conifer‐dominated landscape characterized by large trees to a landscape dominated by smaller, predominantly broadleaved trees. Topographic complexity moderated climate change impacts, smoothing and delaying the transitions between alternative vegetation states. We subsequently reversed the simulated climate forcing to assess the ability of the landscape to recover from climate change impacts. The forest landscape showed hysteresis, particularly in scenarios with lower precipitation. At the same mean annual temperature, equilibrium vegetation size structure and species composition differed between warming and cooling trajectories. Here we show that even moderate warming corresponding to current policy targets could result in critical transitions of forest ecosystems and highlight the importance of topographic complexity as a buffering agent. Furthermore, our results show that overshooting ambitious climate mitigation targets could be dangerous, as ecological impacts can be irreversible at millennial time scales once a tipping point has been crossed.
The use of ingenol mebutate to treat actinic keratosis in standard clinical practice: a prospective phase IV multicenter observational cohort study
Authors: Platsidaki Eftychia , Kostopoulos Nikolaos , Panagakis Pantelis , Cheliotis George , Antoniou Christina , Kontochristopoulos Georgios
Published: April 2020

Background

Actinic keratosis (AK) is a chronic, precancerous skin disease. Various treatments options exist, including ingenol mebutate gel. The aim of this study was to compare its effectiveness and tolerability as well as the impact of therapy on patients’ quality of life in standard clinical practice.

Methods

A multicenter study was carried out involving a 12‐month follow‐up period. A sample of 440 patients was included. Medical history details were recorded. Effectiveness, compliance to treatment, quality of life (EQ‐5D‐5L), and treatment satisfaction questionnaire for medication (TSQM‐9) at week 8 were assessed.

Results

Of the total 440 patients, 428 (97.3%) attended at 8 weeks assessment. The number of patients with complete clearance was 337 (78.7%). EQ VAS score was significantly increased (P < 0.001). As far as TSQM‐9 is concerned, patients with complete clearance reported statistically significantly higher satisfaction in effectiveness, convenience, and global satisfaction. At the 12‐month follow‐up visit, 323 patients (95.8%) retained their clearance status. Nineteen patients did not apply the ingenol mebutate gel on consecutive days. For these patients, the complete clearance rate was 42.1%, while for those who were treated on consecutive days, the complete clearance rate was 80.6%. None of our patients developed skin cancer.

Conclusions

This study supports that ingenol mebutate is effective for the treatment of AK with a good safety profile. It significantly improves quality of life. Limited adherence to treatment might be associated with reduced effectiveness.
Good jobs and bad jobs for Indonesia's informal workers
Authors: ABLAZA Christine , WESTERN Mark , TOMASZEWSKI Wojtek
Published: April 2020

In contrast to the majority of studies that have treated informal workers as a single homogeneous group, this article accounts for the possibility of “winners” and “losers” among informal workers. Applying unconditional quantile regressions to data from the Indonesian Family Life Survey, the authors are able to estimate the formal–informal wage gaps for different segments of the earnings distribution. Although the evidence confirms the existence of a substantial earnings penalty for many informal workers, there is also a group who earn roughly similar incomes to formal workers. The findings are consistent with Fields's (1990 and 2005) model of heterogeneous informal employment.
From bulk to porous structures: Tailoring monoclinic SrAl2Si2O8 ceramic by geopolymer precursor technique
Authors: Zhao Shengjian , Qin Shaohua , Jia Zhanlin , Fu Shuai , He Peigang , Duan Xiaoming , Yang Zhihua , Li Daxin , Jia Dechang , Zhang Jie , Zhou Yu
Published: April 2020

In this paper, monoclinic SrAl2Si2O8 ceramics with porous structures were prepared based on ion‐exchanged geopolymer precursor technique. Micron‐level pores with a homogeneous pore‐size distribution were introduced into the inorganic framework using foaming agents. The results demonstrated that the apparent density, pore‐size distribution and specific surface area of porous geopolymer precursors can be well‐engineered via tailoring the category and concentration of the foaming agent. After being treated at 900°C, hexagonal SrAl2Si2O8 first‐crystallized from the amorphous geopolymer matrix and then gradually converted into monoclinic SrAl2Si2O8 between 1100°C and 1200°C. The resulting monoclinic SrAl2Si2O8 ceramics maintained the porous structures during high‐temperature treatments and exhibited high porosity, specific surface area, and compressive strength. The aforementioned strategy not only achieves monoclinic SrAl2Si2O8 ceramics with well‐defined and robust microstructures, but also provides an alternative route to prepare other porous ceramics, with potential applications in fields of high‐temperature filters, adsorbents, and heterogeneous catalysis.
Online HOPE intervention on mental health literacy among youths in Singapore: An RCT protocol
Authors: Tay Jing Ling , Goh Yong-Shian Shawn , Klainin‐Yobas Piyanee
Published: April 2020

Aims

The study aims to examine the effectiveness of the online HOPE intervention to increase mental health literacy (MHL), psychological well‐being (PWB); and in reducing stress among youths aged 18–24 living in Singapore.

Design

The study will be conducted in two phases. The first phase will adopt a single‐group pre–post repeated quasi‐experimental research design. The second phase adopts a two‐group, parallel randomized control trial, with a pre‐test, posttest and follow‐up.

Methods

The study will be conducted in a University in Singapore, in 2019–2021. Participants will be recruited and randomly assigned into one of the two groups. Approval from the institutional review board has been obtained in August 2019. Research funding from National Youth Fund has been obtained in November 2019. Outcome measures will be measured using Depression Literacy Questionnaire, Anxiety literacy Questionnaire, validated depression vignette, Ryff's PWB Scale and Perceived Stress Scale, at baseline, postintervention and 2 months’ follow‐up. Participants’ perceptions of the intervention will be measured qualitatively.

Discussion

The online HOPE intervention had been developed based on the principles of the Self‐Efficacy Theory.

Impact

There is no research about MHL intervention in Singapore. Low MHL prevents early help‐seeking and delays treatment. Hence, this study highlights the importance of mental health public education as primary care. Increased MHL will enhance early help‐seeking behaviours, promoting early recovery and enhancing the health of the young people worldwide.
Optimization of edible Alyssum homalocarpum seed gum‐chitosan coating formulation to improve the postharvest storage potential and quality of apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.)
Authors: Monjazeb Marvdashti Leila , Abdulmajid Ayatollahi Seyed , Salehi Bahare , Sharifi‐Rad Javad , Abdolshahi Anna , Sharifi‐Rad Razieh , Maggi Filippo
Published: April 2020

Edible coating based on Alyssum homalocarpum seed gum (AHSG) and chitosan for coating of fresh apricot was optimized using response surface methodology (RSM). The independent variables included concentrations of AHSG and chitosan in coating solution. The response variables studied were total soluble solid, weight loss, titratably acidity, pH, reducing sugar, moisture content, and firmness. Results indicated that RSM models were significantly (p < .05) qualified for all response variables, except for total soluble solid and titratable acidity. The regression models demonstrated R2 ranging from .78 to .99. AHSG concentration influenced the weight loss, pH, and firmness, while chitosan concentration had an effect on pH and moisture content. This study showed that the coating can improve apricot firmness and stability in terms of weight loss, pH, and moisture content. The study suggested that a combination of AHSG 1.02% (w/w) and chitosan 0.33% (w/w) is the best one to achieve the desirable responses.
Wishes and needs of nursing home residents and their relatives regarding end‐of‐life decision‐making and care planning—A qualitative study
Authors: Klemmt Malte , Henking Tanja , Heizmann Esther , Best Lukas , van Oorschot Birgitt , Neuderth Silke
Published: April 2020

Aims and Objectives

To explore wishes and needs, such as existing and preferred communication processes, of residents and relatives regarding medical and nursing planning at the end of life.

Background

Nursing home residents are a relevant target group for advance care planning (ACP) due to their high age and multimorbidity. Their relatives seem to be important partners in terms of communication and their documentation of wishes and needs.

Design

A qualitative descriptive design was used.

Methods

Thirty‐two guideline‐based interviews with nursing home residents (n = 24) and relatives (n = 8) were conducted in nursing homes in Germany (n = 7). All interviews were analysed by content‐structured content analysis. The COREQ checklist was used to document reporting of the study.

Results

Residents particularly express wishes and needs regarding their health, like the desire to maintain or improve one's current state of health and to be active and mobile and also regarding their social situation, for example the well‐being of relatives and beloved ones. A limited group of people was identified with whom residents spoke about issues such as preparedness and self‐determination. These were mainly their relatives. Relatives themselves have a need for more communication. Various communication barriers could be identified.

Conclusion

Residents express diverse and partly explicit wishes and needs. Although many of the respondents had already drafted advanced directives, the demand for offers of communication to plan ahead for the end of life remains clear. The results indicate the unconditional participation of relatives and people close to the residents, if they are available.

Relevance to clinical practice

Derivations for a target group‐related ACP concept in the study region are identified. Besides the involvement of relatives, nurses could also be involved in the communication and decision‐making process of residents in nursing homes under certain conditions.
Pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes risk in black Africans: a South African perspective
Authors: Goedecke J. H. , Olsson T.
Published: April 2020

The prevalence of type 2 diabetes (T2D) is higher in black Africans than their European counterparts. This review summarizes the research exploring the pathogenesis of T2D in populations of African ancestry compared to white Europeans and shows that the pathogenesis differs by ethnicity. Black Africans present with a phenotype of low insulin sensitivity and hyperinsulinaemia as a result of increased insulin secretion and reduced hepatic insulin clearance. Whether hyperinsulinaemia precedes insulin resistance or is merely a compensatory mechanism is yet to be determined. Black Africans have lower visceral adipose tissue and ectopic fat deposition and greater peripheral (gluteo‐femoral) fat deposition than their European counterparts. This suggests that black Africans are more sensitive to the effects of ectopic fat deposition, or alternatively, that ectopic fat is not an important mediator of T2D in black Africans. Importantly, ethnic disparities in T2D risk factors may be confounded by differences in sociocultural and lifestyle factors. Future longitudinal and dietary intervention studies, in combination with genetic analyses, are needed for a better understanding of the pathophysiology of T2D in black Africans. This will be key for effective prevention and management strategies.
Effects of coadministration of corn oil and ponazuril on serum and cerebrospinal fluid concentrations of ponazuril in horses
Authors: Furr Martin , Kennedy Tom
Published: April 2020

Background

Ponazuril is used for the treatment of equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM). Coadministration of ponazuril with oil could result in higher serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) concentrations of ponazuril.

Hypothesis

Coadministration of corn oil will result in higher serum and CSF concentrations of ponazuril than when ponazuril is administered alone.

Animals

Ten resident university‐owned adult horses of either sex and >2 years of age.

Methods

Cohort study. Ponazuril oral paste (5 mg/kg BW; ponazuril treatment group (PON); n = 5), or ponazuril oral paste (5 mg/kg BW; ponazuril and oil treatment group (PONOIL; n = 5) coadministered with 2 oz of corn oil q24h for 21 days. Horses were treated once daily, for 21 days. Blood was collected on days 0, 7, 14, and 21 before dosing. In addition, CSF was collected on days 1, 7, 14, and 21. The concentration of ponazuril was determined in serum and CSF and results compared using repeated measures ANOVA.

Results

Coadministration of ponazuril with 2 oz of corn oil resulted in higher concentrations of ponazuril in serum (at steady state) than that found in horses given ponazuril alone (6.2 ± 0.9 mg/L versus 4.5 ± 1.0 mg/L; P = .004) (mean ± 1 SD). Cerebrospinal fluid concentrations of ponazuril were also greater in horses that received ponazuril and oil (0.213 mg/L ± 0.04 versus 0.162 ± 0.04 mg/L) (P = .03).

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Results suggest that coadministration of corn oil with ponazuril might enhance the effectiveness of treatment with ponazuril.