bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Vaccines and allergic reactions: The past, the current COVID‐19 pandemic, and future perspectives
Authors: Sampath Vanitha , Rabinowitz Grace , Shah Mihir , Jain Surabhi , Diamant Zuzana , Jesenak Milos , Rabin Ronald , Vieths Stefan , Agache Ioana , Akdis Mübeccel , Barber Domingo , Breiteneder Heimo , Chinthrajah Sharon , Chivato Tomas , Collins William , Eiwegger Thomas , Fast Katharine , Fokkens Wytske , O'Hehir Robyn E. , Ollert Markus , O'Mahony Liam , Palomares Oscar , Pfaar Oliver , Riggioni Carmen , Shamji Mohamed H , Sokolowska Milena , Jose Torres Maria , Traidl‐Hoffmann Claudia , van Zelm Menno , Wang De Yun , Zhang Luo , Akdis Cezmi A. , Nadeau Kari C.
Published: April 2021

Vaccines are essential public health tools with a favorable safety profile and prophylactic effectiveness that have historically played significant roles in reducing infectious disease burden in populations, when the majority of individuals are vaccinated. The COVID‐19 vaccines are expected to have similar positive impacts on health across the globe. While serious allergic reactions to vaccines are rare, their underlying mechanisms and implications for clinical management should be considered to provide individuals with the safest care possible. In this review, we provide an overview of different types of allergic adverse reactions that can potentially occur after vaccination and individual vaccine components capable of causing the allergic adverse reactions. We present the incidence of allergic adverse reactions during clinical studies and through post‐authorization and post‐marketing surveillance and provide plausible causes of these reactions based on potential allergenic components present in several common vaccines. Additionally, we review implications for individual diagnosis and management and vaccine manufacturing overall. Finally, we suggest areas for future research.
The relation between maternal obesity and placenta accreta spectrum: A multinational database study
Authors: Vieira Matias C. , Rijken Marcus J. , Braun Thorsten , Chantraine Frederic , Morel Olivier , Schwickert Alexander , Stefanovic Vedran , van Beekhuizen Heleen , Collins Sally L. ,   the International Society for Placenta accreta spectrum (IS‐PAS)
Published: April 2021

Introduction

It has been suggested that women with obesity have increased risk of developing placenta accreta spectrum (PAS). It is unclear if this is independent of the increased risk of cesarean delivery seen with obesity itself. The aim of this study was to explore the association between maternal obesity and PAS, particularly severe PAS (percreta).

Material and methods

This is a cohort study based on cases recorded in the International Society for Placenta Accreta Spectrum (IS‐PAS) database between April 2008 and May 2019. Multivariable logistic regression was used to explore the effect of maternal obesity on severity of PAS; this model was adjusted for other known risk factors including previous cesarean deliveries, maternal age, and placenta previa. The estimated rate of obesity in a hypothetical cohort with similar characteristics (previous cesarean delivery and same parity) was calculated and compared with the observed rate of obesity in the women of the PAS cohort (one sample test of proportions).

Results

Of the 386 included women with PAS, 227 (58.8%) had severe disease (percreta). In univariable analysis, maternal obesity initially appeared to be associated with increased odds of developing the most severe type of PAS, percreta (odds ratio [OR] 1.87; 95% CI 1.14‐3.09); however, this association was lost after adjustment for other risk factors including previous cesarean delivery (OR 1.44; 95% CI 0.85‐2.44). There was no difference in the observed rate of obesity and the rate estimated based on the risk of cesarean delivery from obesity alone (31.3% vs 36.8%, respectively; P = .07).

Conclusions

Obesity does not seem to be an independent risk factor for PAS or severity for PAS. These findings are relevant for clinicians to provide accurate counseling to women with obesity regarding increased risks related to pregnancy.
Developing a database for multicenter evaluation of placenta accreta spectrum
Authors: Braun Thorsten , van Beekhuizen Heleen J. , Morlando Maddalena , Morel Olivier , Stefanovic Vedran ,   the International Society for Placenta Accreta Spectrum (IS‐PAS)
Published: April 2021

Studies of rare, but complex clinical conditions require multicenter cooperation. The International Society for Placenta accreta spectrum (IS‐PAS) have established a secure web‐based database to analyze pregnancies complicated by PAS. By repeated in‐person meetings of the IS‐PAS, a core dataset was established. Then, a custom‐made, secure online database, capable of receiving strictly anonymized patient‐related textual and imaging data and allowing statistical queries was designed, tested, amended and implemented. Between 2008 and 2019, 14 IS‐PAS centers across Europe and one center in the USA contributed data for all their PAS cases, containing pregnancy data for a total of 442 pregnant women. Data were analyzed by a designated data analysis sub‐group of the IS‐PAS. Center characteristics are presented. Based on experiences with previous versions, our new online database now allows an all‐encompassing data collection. It has shown its usefulness in the current analysis project.
Performance of antenatal imaging to predict placenta accreta spectrum degree of severity
Authors: Morel Olivier , van Beekhuizen Heleen J. , Braun Thorsten , Collins Sally , Pateisky Petra , Calda Pavel , Henrich Wolfgang , Al Naimi Ammar , Norgaardt Lone Nikoline , Chalubinski Kinga M. , Sentilhes Loic , Tutschek Boris , Schwickert Alexander , Stefanovic Vedran , Bertholdt Charline ,   the International Society for Placenta Accreta Spectrum (IS‐PAS)
Published: April 2021

Introduction

In cases of placenta accreta spectrum, a precise antenatal diagnosis of the suspected degree of invasion is essential for the planning of individual management strategies at delivery. The aim of this work was to evaluate the respective performances of ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging for the antenatal assessment of the severity of placenta accreta spectrum disorders included in the database. The secondary objective was to identify descriptors related to the severity of placenta accreta spectrum disorders.

Material and methods

All the cases included in the database for which antenatal imaging data were available were analyzed. The rates of occurrence of each ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging descriptor were reported and compared between the Group “Accreta‐Increta” (FIGO grades 1 & 2) and the Group “Percreta” (FIGO grade 3).

Results

Antenatal imaging data were available for 347 women (347/442, 78.5%), of which 105 were included in the Group “Accreta – Increta” (105/347, 30.2%) and 213 (213/347, 61.4%) in the Group “Percreta”. Magnetic resonance imaging was performed in addition to ultrasound in 135 women (135/347, 38.9%). After adjustment for all ultrasound descriptors in multivariate analysis, only the presence of a bladder wall interruption was associated with a significant higher risk of percreta (Odds ratio 3.23, Confidence interval 1.33–7.79). No magnetic resonance imaging sign was significantly correlated with the degree of severity.

Conclusions

The performance of ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging to discriminate mild from severe placenta accreta spectrum disorders is very poor. To date, the benefit of additional magnetic resonance imaging has not been demonstrated.
Contralateral lymph node metastases in patients with vulvar cancer and unilateral sentinel lymph node metastases
Authors: Ignatov Tanja , Gaßner Johannes , Bozukova Mihaela , Ivros Stylianos , Mészáros József , Ortmann Olaf , Eggemann Holm , Ignatov Atanas
Published: April 2021

Introduction

The risk of contralateral lymph node metastases following unilateral sentinel lymph node (SLN) metastases in patients with vulvar cancer(s) remains to be systematically assessed.

Material and methods

We performed a multicenter, retrospective registry‐based study of 476 patients with vulvar cancer. The primary outcome measure was the rate of contralateral non‐SLN metastases in the case of positive unilateral SLN.

Results

Out of 476 patients with primary vulvar cancer, 202 received SLN biopsy: 58 unilateral and 144 bilateral. Out of 66 patients with unilateral metastatic SLN, 62 (93.9%) received contralateral lymphadenectomy—18 after unilateral and 44 after bilateral SLN biopsy. In the study group, 132 SLN were assessed with a median number of 2 (range 1–4) per patient and 76 of these were positive. Lymph node‐positivity was associated with advanced tumor stage, as well as lymph and vascular space invasion. In the group of patients with bilateral inguino‐femoral lymphadenectomy, 1004 lymph nodes were resected with a median number of 15 (range 10–29) per patient. After full dissection of the inguino‐femoral lymph nodes, no contralateral non‐SLN metastases were found.

Conclusions

The risk of contralateral non‐SLN metastases in patients with unilateral SLN metastases was low. Therefore, the impact of contralateral lymphadenectomy on patient survival should be investigated in further studies.
Acculturative stress and coping among migrant workers: A global mixed‐methods systematic review
Authors: Liem Andrian , Renzaho Andre M.N. , Hannam Kevin , Lam Agnes I.F. , Hall Brian J.
Published: April 2021

No existing review has synthesized key questions about acculturation experiences among international migrant workers. This review aimed to explore (1) What are global migrant workers’ experiences with acculturation and acculturative stress? (2) What are acculturative stress coping strategies used by migrant workers? And (3) how effective are these strategies for migrant workers in assisting their acculturation in the host countries? Peer‐reviewed and gray literature, without time limitation, were searched in six databases and included if the study: focused on acculturative stress and coping strategies; was conducted with international migrant workers; was published in English; and was empirical. Eleven studies met the inclusion criteria. Three‐layered themes of acculturation process and acculturative stress were identified as: individual layer; work‐related layer; and social layer. Three key coping strategies were identified: emotion‐focused; problem‐focused; and appraisal‐focused. These coping strategies were used flexibly to increase coping effectiveness and evidence emerged that a particular type of acculturative stress might be solved more effectively by a specific coping strategy. Migrant workers faced numerous challenges in their acculturative process. Understanding this process and their coping strategies could be used in developing research and interventions to improve the well‐being of migrant workers.
Affecting future individuals: Why and when germline genome editing entails a greater moral obligation towards progeny
Authors: Battisti Davide
Published: April 2021

Assisted reproductive technologies have greatly increased our control over reproductive choices, leading some bioethicists to argue that we face unprecedented moral obligations towards progeny. Several models attempting to balance the principle of procreative autonomy with these obligations have been proposed. The least demanding is the minimal threshold model (MTM), according to which every reproductive choice is permissible, except creating children whose lives will not be worth living. Hence, as long as the future child is likely to have a life worth living, prospective parents may be allowed to use preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) to select embryos with genetic diseases or disabilities. Assuming a consequentialist person‐affecting view of morality, this paper investigates whether the MTM is an appropriate tool to guide procreative decisions given the continuous development of reproductive genetic technologies. In particular, I consider germline genome editing (GGE) and I argue that its application in human reproduction, unlike PGD, should be conceived as person‐affecting towards future progeny. I claim that even if we assume the plausibility of the MTM within PGD, we are committed to accepting that a greater moral obligation towards progeny should guide procreative decisions if GGE were available. In this case, the MTM should no longer be considered an appropriate instrument to guide procreative choices. Finally, I investigate when we face this greater moral obligation, concluding that it applies only when prospective parents have already engaged in the in vitro fertilization process.
If fetuses are persons, abortion is a public health crisis
Authors: Blackshaw Bruce , Rodger Daniel
Published: April 2021

Pro‐life advocates commonly argue that fetuses have the moral status of persons, and an accompanying right to life, a view most pro‐choice advocates deny. A difficulty for this pro‐life position has been Judith Jarvis Thomson’s violinist analogy, in which she argues that even if the fetus is a person, abortion is often permissible because a pregnant woman is not obliged to continue to offer her body as life support. Here, we outline the moral theories underlying public health ethics, and examine the COVID‐19 pandemic as an example of public health considerations overriding individual rights. We argue that if fetuses are regarded as persons, then abortion is of such prevalence in society that it also constitutes a significant public health crisis. We show that on public health considerations, we are justified in overriding individual rights to bodily autonomy by prohibiting abortion. We conclude that in a society that values public health, abortion can only be tolerated if fetuses are not regarded as persons.
British Association of Urological Surgeons (BAUS) and Nurses (BAUN) consensus document: management of the complications of long‐term indwelling catheters
Authors: Reid Sheilagh , Brocksom Jane , Hamid Rizwan , Ali Ased , Thiruchelvam Nikesh , Sahai Arun , Harding Chris , Biers Suzanne , Belal Mo , Barrett Rachel , Taylor Julia , Parkinson Richard
Published: April 2021

Objective

To look at best evidence and expert opinion to provide advice in the form of a consensus statement lead by Female, Neurological and Urodynamic Urology (FNUU) section of the British Association of Urological Surgeons (BAUS) in conjunction with the British Association of Urological Nurses (BAUN).

Methods

Initially a literature search was performed with incorporation of aspects of the existing guidance and further informed by UK best practice by core members of the group. The document then underwent reviews by the FNUU Executive Committee members, the BAUN executive committee, a separate experienced urologist and presented at the BAUS annual meeting 2020 to ensure wider feedback was incorporated in the document.

Results

Complications of long‐term indwelling catheters include catheter‐associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI), purple urine bag syndrome, catheter blockages, bladder spasms (causing pain and urinary leakage), loss of bladder capacity, urethral erosion (“catheter hypospadias”)/dilatation of bladder outlet and chronic inflammation (metaplasia and cancer risk).

Conclusions

We have provided a list of recommendations and a troubleshooting table to help with the management of the complications of long term catheters.
Association between one‐time prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) test with free/total PSA ratio and prostate cancer mortality: A 30‐year prospective cohort study
Authors: Lundgren Per‐Olof , Kjellman Anders , Norming Ulf , Gustafsson Ove
Published: April 2021

Objectives

To explore if there is a long‐term association between baseline prostate‐specific antigen (PSA), including free/total PSA ratio and long‐term (30‐year) risk for prostate cancer death.

Subjects and methods

In all, 1782 men were screened for prostate cancer through PSA analysis. Some years later, frozen plasma samples were used to calculate the ratio of free to total PSA (f/t PSA). At 30‐year follow‐up, baseline PSA and f/t PSA were compared with recent data extracts from the Swedish Cause of Death Registry and Swedish Cancer Registry. PSA values and f/t PSA values were treated as continuous variables in a multivariable analysis and also stratified according to their distribution and useful clinical thresholds.

Results

Risk of death from prostate cancer after 30 years of follow‐up was significantly increased with a higher baseline PSA level, with the hazard ratio being 1.04 (95% confidence interval 1.03–1.09) per increase of one unit of PSA. Adding f/t PSA increased the model's ability to discriminate (concordance index 0.84–0.88). Men with PSA levels <1.0 ng/mL had a very low long‐term risk of prostate cancer death (1.2% risk). An f/t PSA ≥ 0.25 extended the low‐risk range to PSA < 2.0 ng/mL (1.5% risk).

Conclusion

Prostate‐specific antigen testing can be carried out less frequently or can be discontinued in men aged 55–70 years if their PSA levels are <2.0 ng/mL and the f/t PSA is ≥0.25.
Local election campaign finance regimes in Canada: Toward a research agenda
Authors: Taylor Zack , Vanhooren Shanaya
Published: April 2021

The regulation of election campaign donation, fundraising, expenditure, and advertising is an enduring object of study and reform. Compared to the federal and provincial levels, virtually no attention has been paid to Canadian municipal campaign finance regimes. This is surprising given the urban political economy literature’s focus on business influence on local politics and policy and evidence of corruption in Canadian local government. We take stock of Canadian campaign finance rules for municipal elections in light of Canadian and American research findings, which reveals considerable interprovincial variation in their sophistication and stringency. We then propose a research agenda to investigate aspects of Canadian local campaign finance regimes.
AKT3 is a key regulator of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Takahashi Hideyuki , Rokudai Susumu , Kawabata‐Iwakawa Reika , Sakakura Koichi , Oyama Tetsunari , Nishiyama Masahiko , Chikamatsu Kazuaki
Published: April 2021

The phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase (PI3K)/AKT/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway plays a vital role in cell proliferation, apoptosis, metabolism, and angiogenesis in various human cancers, including head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). In the present study, we aimed to clarify the role of AKT, which is a major downstream effector of the PI3K‐AKT‐mTOR pathway, in HNSCC. We first investigated the mRNA expression of AKT isoforms using RNA‐sequencing data from The Cancer Genome Atlas database. We observed a specific elevation of AKT3 expression in HNSCC tissues when compared with that in normal tissues. Furthermore, AKT3 expression correlated with genes related to the immunosuppressive microenvironment more than the other AKT isoforms and PIK3CA. Accordingly, we focused on AKT3 and performed a knockdown approach using an HNSCC cell line. AKT3 knockdown cells exhibited impaired proliferation, a shift in the cell cycle from G2/M to G1/G0 phase, an increase in apoptotic cells, and downregulation of gene expression related to immunosuppression, as well as the knockdown of its upstream regulator PIK3CA. We also performed immunohistochemistry for both AKT3 and PIK3CA using surgical specimens from 72 patients with HNSCC. AKT3 expression in tumor cells correlated with immune cell infiltration and unfavorable prognosis when compared with PIK3CA. These findings suggested that AKT3 expression is a potential biomarker for predicting the immunoreactivity and prognosis of HNSCC. Furthermore, the isoform‐specific inhibition of AKT3 could be developed as a novel cancer therapy that efficiently suppresses the PI3K‐AKT‐mTOR pathway.
A PI polyamide–TPP conjugate targeting a mtDNA mutation induces cell death of cancer cells with the mutation
Authors: Koshikawa Nobuko , Yasui Nanami , Kida Yuki , Shinozaki Yoshinao , Tsuji Kohei , Watanabe Takayoshi , Takenaga Keizo , Nagase Hiroki
Published: April 2021

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations occur frequently in cancer cells, and some of them are often homoplasmic. Targeting such mtDNA mutations could be a new method for killing cancer cells with minimal impact on normal cells. Pyrrole‐imidazole polyamides (PIPs) are cell‐permeable minor groove binders that show sequence‐specific binding to double‐stranded DNA and inhibit the transcription of target genes. PIP conjugated with the lipophilic triphenylphosphonium (TPP) cation can be delivered to mitochondria without uptake into the nucleus. Here, we investigated the feasibility of the use of PIP‐TPP to target a mtDNA mutation in order to kill cancer cells that harbor the mutation. We synthesized hairpin‐type PIP‐TPP targeting the A3243G mutation and examined its effects on the survival of HeLa cybrid cells with or without the mutation (HeLamtA3243G cells or HeLamtHeLa cells, respectively). A surface plasmon resonance assay demonstrated that PIP‐TPP showed approximately 60‐fold higher binding affinity for the mutant G‐containing synthetic double‐stranded DNA than for the wild‐type A‐containing DNA. When added to cells, it localized in mitochondria and induced mitochondrial reactive oxygen species production, extensive mitophagy, and apoptosis in HeLamtA3243G cells, while only slightly exerting these effects in HeLamtHeLa cells. These results suggest that PIP‐TPPs targeting mtDNA mutations could be potential chemotherapeutic drugs to treat cancers without severe adverse effects.
Does constitutional entrenchment matter for economic freedom?
Authors: Callais Justin , Young Andrew T.
Published: April 2021

A growing number of studies explore the determinants of economic freedom. Very few of them consider constitutional design. We study entrenchment, that is, the extent to which constitutions are more costly to change than ordinary policies and institutions. We utilize 1970–2017 data and study episodes where countries adopted meaningfully more entrenched constitutions. Using matching methods, we construct plausible counterfactuals against which to compare their post‐treatment changes in economic freedom. We report no significant effects on overall freedom. There is some evidence that entrenchment leads to smaller government size, more regulation, and weaker property rights. However, none of these results are robust.
Heterogeneous consumer preferences for local community involvement in nature‐based tourism drive triple‐bottom‐line gains
Authors: Naidoo Robin , Beytell Piet , Malherbe Andrew , Middleton Angus , Perche Juliette , Muntifering Jeff R.
Published: April 2021

Relatively few studies have examined how the degree of involvement of local communities in nature‐based tourism, and the benefits that are generated for them, impact the choices that tourists make when visiting developing countries. We surveyed over 400 visitors in multiple locations in Namibia, using a discrete choice experiment to elicit preferences for attributes reflecting tracking safaris of the critically endangered, desert‐adapted black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis bicornis) in the northwest of the country. Attributes included those related to local community involvement and the benefits they receive from tourism, as well as the reinvestment of tourism profits back into rhino conservation, and the wildlife likely to be seen on safari. Using a latent class model that assigned tourists to market segments based on the observed pattern of responses in the choice experiment, we find that respondents can be divided into four classes that reflect differences in tourism preferences and their own demographics and experiences. While responses to attributes varied across classes, respondents were consistent in demonstrating a strong preference for the largest share of profits being returned to the local community, and were willing to pay an additional $43–670 to ensure this happens. Respondents in the four classes differed in their views toward the financing of rhino conservation and the participation of community trackers in rhino safaris, although those respondents in the class most interested in rhino tracking safaris were willing to pay an additional $34 per trip for tracker involvement. Our results demonstrate the value of assessing heterogeneity in tourists' preferences for wildlife experiences, and suggest that appropriate pricing and marketing may result in “triple bottom line” gains for nature‐based tourism.
Identifying fine‐scale habitat preferences of threatened butterflies using airborne laser scanning
Authors: de Vries Jan Peter Reinier , Koma Zsófia , WallisDeVries Michiel F. , Kissling W. Daniel
Published: April 2021

Aim

Light Detection And Ranging (LiDAR) is a promising remote sensing technique for ecological applications because it can quantify vegetation structure at high resolution over broad spatial extents. Using country‐wide airborne laser scanning (ALS) data, we test to what extent fine‐scale LiDAR metrics capturing low vegetation, medium‐to‐high vegetation and landscape‐scale habitat structures can explain the habitat preferences of threatened butterflies at a national extent.

Location

The Netherlands.

Methods

We applied a machine‐learning (random forest) algorithm to build species distribution models (SDMs) for grassland and woodland butterflies in wet and dry habitats using various LiDAR metrics and butterfly presence–absence data collected by a national butterfly monitoring scheme. The LiDAR metrics captured vertical vegetation complexity (e.g., height and vegetation density of different strata) and horizontal heterogeneity (e.g., vegetation roughness, microtopography, vegetation openness and woodland edge extent). We assessed the relative variable importance and interpreted response curves of each LiDAR metric for explaining butterfly occurrences.

Results

All SDMs showed a good to excellent fit, with woodland butterfly SDMs performing slightly better than those of grassland butterflies. Grassland butterfly occurrences were best explained by landscape‐scale habitat structures (e.g., open patches, microtopography) and vegetation height. Woodland butterfly occurrences were mainly determined by vegetation density of medium‐to‐high vegetation, open patches and woodland edge extent. The importance of metrics generally differed between wet and dry habitats for both grassland and woodland species.

Main conclusions

Vertical variability and horizontal heterogeneity of vegetation structure are key determinants of butterfly species distributions, even in low‐stature habitats such as grasslands, dunes and heathlands. The information content of low vegetation LiDAR metrics could further be improved with country‐wide leaf‐on ALS data or surveys from drones and terrestrial laser scanners at specific sites. LiDAR thus offers great potential for predictive habitat distribution modelling and other studies on ecological niches and invertebrate–habitat relationships.
Endoscopic recanalization with an incision using a needle knife after identifying the oral‐side lumen in complete anastomotic stenosis
Authors: Murakami Yuki , Ando Katsuyoshi , Fujiya Mikihiro
Published: April 2021

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Potentiated perceptual neural responses to learned threat during Pavlovian fear acquisition and extinction in adolescents
Authors: Linton Samantha R. , Levita Liat
Published: April 2021

Adolescents’ experience of heightened anxiety and increased vulnerability to develop anxiety disorders is believed to partly result from blunted fear extinction processes. However, whether this anxiety is mediated by adolescent‐specific differences in perceptual responses to learned threat is not known. To investigate this, we used EEG to examine reinforcement‐dependent changes in early visual event‐related potentials in adolescents (N = 28, 13–14 years) and adults (N = 23, 25–26 years old) during a differential Pavlovian fear conditioning task, with one conditioned stimulus (CS+) paired with an aversive sound (unconditioned stimulus [US]) on 50% of trials, and another (CS−) never paired with the US. An immediate extinction phase followed, where both CSs were presented alone. We found age‐dependent dissociations between explicit and implicit measures of fear learning. Specifically, both adolescents and adults demonstrated successful fear conditioning and extinction according to their explicit awareness of changes in CS contingencies and their evaluative CS ratings, and their differential skin conductance responses. However, for the first time we show age differences at the neural level in perceptual areas. Only adolescents showed greater visual P1 and N1 responses to the CS+ compared to the CS− during acquisition, a dissociation that for the N1 was maintained during extinction. We suggest that the adolescent perceptual hyper‐responsivity to learned threat and blunted extinction reported here could be an adaptive mechanism to protect adolescents from harm. However, this hyper‐responsivity may also confer greater vulnerability to experience pathological levels of anxiety at this developmental stage.
Hippocampal mu opioid receptors are modulated following cocaine self‐administration in rat
Authors: De Sa Nogueira David , Bourdy Romain , Filliol Dominique , Romieu Pascal , Befort Katia
Published: April 2021

Cocaine addiction is a complex pathology induced by long‐term brain changes. Understanding the neurochemical changes underlying the reinforcing effects of this drug of abuse is critical for reducing the societal burden of drug addiction. The mu opioid receptor plays a major role in drug reward. This receptor is modulated by chronic cocaine treatment in specific brain structures, but few studies investigated neurochemical adaptations induced by voluntary cocaine intake. In this study, we investigated whether intravenous cocaine‐self administration (0.33 mg/kg/injection, fixed‐ratio 1 [FR1], 10 days) in rats induces transcriptional and functional changes of the mu opioid receptor in reward‐related brain regions. Epigenetic processes with histone modifications were examined for two activating marks, H3K4Me3, and H3K27Ac. We found an increase of mu opioid receptor gene expression along with a potentiation of its functionality in hippocampus of cocaine self‐administering animals compared to saline controls. Chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by qPCR revealed no modifications of the histone mark H3K4Me3 and H3K27Ac levels at mu opioid receptor promoter. Our study highlights the hippocampus as an important target to further investigate neuroadaptive processes leading to cocaine addiction.
Inhibition of the DNA damage response to activate immune responses toward tumors
Authors: Sharma Sheetal , Srivastava Mrinal
Published: April 2021

Cancer immunotherapy represents a very encouraging mode of treatment for cancer where one’s immune system is utilized to eliminate tumor cells. Wayne et al. explore inhibition of DNA damage response (DDR) pathways with small molecule inhibitors as a means to prime cells with immune response. These findings suggest that a one‐size‐fits‐all approach cannot be used when harnessing immune response via DDR inhibitors and genotoxic agents, which are required ultimately for the success of immunotherapy.

Comment on: https://doi.org/10.1111/febs.15747
Luminescent lanthanide complexes for reactive oxygen species biosensing and possible application in Alzheimer’s diseases
Authors: Galaup Chantal , Picard Claude , Couderc François , Gilard Véronique , Collin Fabrice
Published: April 2021

Abstract

Histopathological hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) are intracellular neurofibrillary tangles and extracellular formation of senile plaques composed of the aggregated amyloid‐beta peptide along with metal ions (copper, iron or zinc). In addition, oxidative stress is considered as an important factor in the etiology of AD and a multitude of metalloproteins and transporters is affected, leading to metal ion misregulation. Redox‐active metal ions (e.g., copper) can catalyze the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the presence of molecular oxygen and a reductant such as ascorbate. The ROS thus produced, in particular the hydroxyl radical which is the most reactive one, may contribute to oxidative stress conditions. Thus, detecting ROS in vivo or in biological models of AD is of interest for better understanding AD etiology. The use of biocompatible and highly specific and sensitive probes is needed for such a purpose, since ROS are transient species whose steady‐state concentrations are very low. Luminescent lanthanide complexes are sensitive probes that can meet these criteria. The present review focuses on the recent advances in the use of luminescent lanthanide complexes for ROS biosensing. It shows why the use of luminescent lanthanide complexes is of particular interest for selectively detecting ROS (, HO•, 1O2, H2O2, etc.) in biological samples in the µM‐nM range. It particularly focuses on the most recent strategies and discusses what could be expected with the use of luminescent lanthanide complexes for better understanding some of the molecular mechanisms underlying the development of Alzheimer’s disease.
The emerging role of neuroimmune interactions in atopic dermatitis and itch
Authors: Fan Jennifer , Mishra Santosh K.
Published: April 2021

Millions of people globally suffer from allergic diseases, and the cases have been rising in the past decades. One of the major manifestations of allergic diseases is itch, which is an unpleasant symptom that triggers the urge to scratch and greatly affects the quality of life. Thus, research on how sensation of itch is detected/transmitted from the contact of the allergen to the nervous system is crucial in mitigating itch. Recent studies have attempted to elucidate the mechanisms of itch in allergic diseases. Here, we aim to review the endogenous mediators released from immune/nonimmune skin cells (that are indirectly involved in the propagation of itch) and the sensory neurons that express receptors for these itch mediators that are associated with direct transmission of itch in cutaneous allergic diseases. As the mechanisms for allergic itch become clearer, new therapeutic approaches to relieve itch are likely to be developed. Recent clinical trials are testing numerous compounds that target the endogenous mediators and their receptors. These studies provide the possibility of more effective itch treatment for allergic diseases.
Durotaxis: the mechanical control of directed cell migration
Authors: Espina Jaime A. , Marchant Cristian L. , Barriga Elias H.
Published: April 2021

Directed cell migration is essential for cells to efficiently migrate in physiological and pathological processes. While migrating in their native environment, cells interact with multiple types of cues, such as mechanical and chemical signals. The role of chemical guidance via chemotaxis has been studied in the past, the understanding of mechanical guidance of cell migration via durotaxis remained unclear until very recently. Nonetheless, durotaxis has become a topic of intensive research and several advances have been made in the study of mechanically guided cell migration across multiple fields. Thus, in this article we provide a state of the art about durotaxis by discussing in silico, in vitro and in vivo data. We also present insights on the general mechanisms by which cells sense, transduce and respond to environmental mechanics, to then contextualize these mechanisms in the process of durotaxis and explain how cells bias their migration in anisotropic substrates. Furthermore, we discuss what is known about durotaxis in vivo and we comment on how haptotaxis could arise from integrating durotaxis and chemotaxis in native environments.
A Pluralistic insight on care value: Exuding from sharing gift of unpaid work at home
Authors: Koo Eunjung
Published: April 2021

This article aims at elaborately comprehending the value of unpaid work at home so as to envision social reconstruction of care. This study reviews two puzzles: being sieged by materialistic monism and the ambivalence of care theory in applying to everyday empirical world which have hitherto made the value of unpaid work at home invisible. Thus, by reconsidering own dignity and purpose of the private‐familial sphere in one's life (Elshtain, 1993) and to elaborately comprehend care value, this study addresses the puzzle using the insights from pluralistic behavior economics by Van Staveren (2001). This article contributes to care/unpaid work studies through (1) inviting unquantifiable care value for discussion by rejecting materialistic monism, (2) dissociating the “prisoner of love” framework from paid carework by shedding light on care value exuded from sharing experience of giving in private‐familial relational realm.
On Per‐ and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances: Suggested Resources and Considerations for Groundwater Professionals
Authors: Frankel Avram J.
Published: April 2021

Per‐ and polyfluoroalkyl substances, a synthetic class of chemicals comprising thousands of compounds, are receiving increased attention over their presence in the environment, their potential effects on human health, and evolving regulation. This article summarizes suggested resources and key considerations for groundwater professionals wishing to familiarize themselves with this class of compounds. Background information, current groundwater‐related regulations, risk considerations, comparison to other groundwater contaminants, and mitigation options are discussed, and a broad selection of references is supplied as a resource.
Regional and rural allied health professionals in Australia need better information services training and support for evidence‐based practice
Authors: Lienesch Jacqueline , Murphy Kylie Ann , Parnell Tracey Elizabeth , Miles Adele
Published: April 2021

Background

Evidence‐based practice requires health professionals to recognise situations of uncertainty in their practice, translate that uncertainty into answerable questions, and find and appraise information relevant to those questions. No research to date has explored the research‐based information needs of allied health professionals (AHPs) in regional and rural Australia.

Objective

To examine the information‐seeking experiences and needs of AHPs in regional and rural Australia.

Methods

A total of 80 AHPs, predominantly occupational therapists and physiotherapists, practising in regional and rural areas of Australia completed an online survey.

Results

Almost all respondents reported having questions requiring research evidence, but most of their questions were worded non‐specifically. Respondents practising in rural areas had greater perceived difficulty in obtaining relevant evidence than their regional counterparts. Many respondents reported wanting additional support to find relevant research evidence.

Discussion

The findings offer insights regarding information‐seeking challenges AHPs face and potential solutions, including improved training and increased health librarian support. However, due to sampling limitations, the results cannot be generalised to all allied health professions.

Conclusion

Allied health professionals may require more training and support to engage in efficient and effective information‐seeking behaviours. Health librarians have a valuable role to play in providing this training and support.
Investigation of the interactions of cationic guar with human hair by electrokinetic analysis
Authors: McMullen Roger L. , Laura Donna , Zhang Guojin , Kroon Bert
Published: April 2021

Objective

Cationic guar is an important polysaccharide used as a hair conditioning agent in personal care products. In this article, we report streaming potential data demonstrating its behaviour as it interacts electrostatically with hair. Several cationic guar variants with different molecular weights (MWs) and charge densities (CDs) were examined.

Methods

All experiments were carried out with a custom‐designed streaming potential instrument so that in situ, real‐time data were monitored during the treatment of a hair plug with aqueous solutions of cationic guar and subsequent treatment with anionic surfactants—sodium laureth sulfate (SLES) and cocamidopropyl betaine (CAPB)—commonly found in contemporary shampoo formulations.

Results

The MW of the cationic guar variants plays an integral role in determining the thickness of the adsorbed polymer layer on the hair surface while CD influences the zeta potential. Data were also generated for the treatment of hair with a cationic flexible polymer (polyquaternium‐28) and cationic conditioning surfactant (behentrimonium chloride) to provide a frame of reference. The deposition behaviour on hair of high MW cationic guar variants is distinct from these conventional molecules in terms of its electrokinetic properties. We also examined the electrokinetic behaviour of cationic guar on hair types from different racial backgrounds. While the cationic guar treatment yielded similar results for the different hair types, anionic surfactant treatment resulted in quicker sorption and desorption from African, European 65% grey, and Mulatto hair as compared to Chinese, European dark brown, and Indian hair.

Conclusion

We introduce an in situ technique for measuring the dynamic sorption/desorption of charged molecules on the surface of human hair. Evaluation of a series of cationic guar species revealed varying behaviour depending on the MW and CD of the polysaccharide. Our data also demonstrate differences in the desorption properties of typical shampoo surfactants for hair from diverse racial backgrounds.
Differential effects of chromosome and plasmid blaCTX‐M‐15 genes on antibiotic susceptibilities in extended‐spectrum beta‐lactamase‐producing Escherichia coli isolates from patients with urinary tract infection
Authors: Yang Young‐min , Osawa Kayo , Kitagawa Koichi , Hosoya Samiko , Onishi Reo , Ishii Aya , Shirakawa Toshiro , Hirai Itaru , Kuntaman Kuntaman , Tanimoto Hiroshi , Shigemura Katsumi , Fujisawa Masato
Published: April 2021

Objectives

To compare antibiotic susceptibilities between chromosomal and plasmid blaCTX‐M‐15 locations in urinary tract infection‐causing extended‐spectrum β‐lactamases‐producing Escherichia coli blaCTX‐M‐15 isolated in Indonesia.

Methods

A total of 84 strains identified as extended‐spectrum β‐lactamases‐producing E. coli were isolated from patients with urinary tract infection in Indonesia in 2015. Antimicrobial susceptibility tests were performed on these strains using 18 antibiotics, and extended‐spectrum β‐lactamase bla genes were detected by polymerase chain reaction. Gene localization of blaCTX‐M‐15‐positive strains was confirmed by Southern blot hybridization, and epidemiological typing was conducted using multilocus sequence typing.

Results

Of 54 strains harboring the blaCTX‐M‐15 gene, 27 showed localization on chromosome, 20 on plasmid, and seven on chromosome and plasmid. Most multilocus sequence typing sequence types of the 27 strains with chromosomal blaCTX‐M‐15 were ST405 (25.9%) and ST131 (22.2%) strains, whereas the 20 strains with plasmid‐blaCTX‐M‐15 were mostly ST410 (55.0%).

Conclusions

Extended‐spectrum β‐lactamases‐producing E. coli blaCTX‐M‐15 with plasmid genes show significantly higher resistant rates against piperacillin‐tazobactam but lower resistant rates against chloramphenicol compared to chromosomal strains in Indonesian patients with urinary tract infection. Mechanistic investigations will be necessary to advance our knowledge of antimicrobial resistance in urinary tract infection.
Long‐term clinical outcomes of external beam radiation therapy for oligometastatic prostate cancer: A combination of prostate‐targeted treatment and metastasis‐directed therapy
Authors: Aizawa Rihito , Takayama Kenji , Nakamura Kiyonao , Ogata Takashi , Inoue Takahiro , Yamasaki Toshinari , Kobayashi Takashi , Akamatsu Shusuke , Tashiro Yu , Ota Hideto , Ogawa Osamu , Mizowaki Takashi
Published: April 2021

Objective

To assess the efficacy of combination of prostate‐targeted treatment and metastasis‐directed therapy for oligometastatic prostate cancer.

Methods

We retrospectively evaluated the clinical outcomes of synchronously diagnosed oligometastatic prostate cancer patients treated with external beam radiation therapy for the prostate and all metastatic lesions (≤3 lesions) at Kyoto University Hospital between January 2004 and April 2019. The prescribed dose was basically ≥70 Gy for the prostate with or without whole pelvic irradiation, and ≥45 Gy for the metastatic lesions. Clinical outcomes were compared with a contemporary cohort of 55 synchronous oligometastatic prostate cancer patients treated with the standard of care.

Results

In total, 16 consecutive patients with synchronous oligometastatic prostate cancer were analyzed. The median follow‐up period was 7.4 years. The 8‐year overall survival, prostate cancer‐specific survival, biochemical failure‐free, clinical failure‐free and castration‐resistant prostate cancer‐free rates were 64.8%, 71.3%, 38.5%, 47.3% and 67.3%, respectively. No grade 3 or higher radiation‐induced late toxicities occurred. Patients with prostate‐targeted treatment plus metastasis‐directed therapy had a significantly higher castration‐resistant prostate cancer‐free rate than those without prostate‐targeted treatment plus metastasis‐directed therapy (P = 0.00741).

Conclusions

Prostate‐targeted treatment plus metastasis‐directed therapy through external beam radiation therapy can result in favorable long‐term disease‐free and survival outcomes with acceptable morbidities among synchronous oligometastatic prostate cancer patients. Therefore, this approach may represent a promising treatment strategy for this population. Further investigation is required.
Digital media and international migration: Twitter discourse during the Canadian federal election
Authors: Walsh James P.
Published: April 2021

As a contentious, multidimensional issue, migration attracts significant media attention in affluent societies. While analysts have assessed coverage in traditional outlets, less is known about social media – digital platforms that facilitate the creation and sharing of content online. Working with a unique dataset of tweets from the 2019 Canadian federal election, this study analyses migration's representation within visible digital spaces. Employing content analytic methods, it offers new insight into the patterns of participation, claims‐making and engagement associated with the topic's online depiction. Alongside documenting significant lay involvement and creativity, it reveals communications were slightly negative and, reflecting the contemporary political climate, significantly more likely to feature identity‐based issues than economic and redistributive concerns. Messages from professional broadcasters, as well as, those featuring negative sentiments and referencing cultural matters generated greater engagement. The implications of these results and recommendations for future research are considered.
Mothers and nurses' perceptions of the family‐centered care barriers in pediatric departments of an educational hospital in Iran
Authors: Farokhzadian Jamileh , Forouzi Mansooreh Azizzadeh , Sheikhbardsiri Hojjat
Published: April 2021

Problem

Family‐centered care (FCC) is a concept used to describe an approach to caring for children and their families within health services. This study compared mothers and nurses' perceptions of barriers to FCC.

Methods

This cross‐sectional study was conducted in an educational hospital affiliated to Kerman University of Medical Sciences at the southeast of Iran in 2019. Using a researcher‐designed questionnaire, we assessed mothers' and nurses' perceptions of barriers to FCC with a census method (60 nurses and 82 mothers).

Findings

Mothers (49.8 ± 21.1) and nurses' (49.2 ± 16.4) mean scores of the perception of FCC barriers were at a moderate level. No significant difference was found between mothers' and nurses' perceptions of barriers to FCC. A significant relationship was observed between age, child's admission history, and the perception of FCC barriers in the mothers' group.

Conclusion

Findings suggest that national and regional policies of educational hospitals should assess factors contributing to the FCC barriers, focus on how to reduce these barriers, and provide appropriate collaborative care by nurses and the family of patients.