bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Estimation of brain receptor occupancy for trazodone immediate release and once a day formulations
Authors: Oggianu Laura , Di Dato Giorgio , Mangano Giorgina , Rosignoli Maria Teresa , McFeely Savannah , Ke Alice Ban , Jones Hannah M. , Comandini Alessandro
Published: March 2022

Trazodone is approved for the treatment of major depressive disorders, marketed as immediate release (IR), prolonged release, and once a day (OAD) formulation. The different formulations allow different administration schedules and may be useful to facilitate patients’ compliance to the antidepressant treatment. A previously verified physiologically‐based pharmacokinetic model based on in vitro and in vivo information on trazodone pharmacokinetics was applied, aiming at predicting brain receptor occupancy (RO) after single and repeated dosing of the IR formulation and repeated dosing of the OAD formulation in healthy subjects. Receptors included in the simulations were selected using static calculations of RO based on the maximum unbound brain concentration (Cmax,brain,u) of trazodone for each formulation and dosing scheme, resulting in 16 receptors being simulated. Seven receptors were simulated for the IR low dose formulation (30 mg), with similar tonset and duration of coverage (range: 0.09–0.25 h and 2.1–>24 h, respectively) as well as RO (range: 0.64–0.92) predicted between day 1 and day 7 of dosing. The 16 receptors evaluated for the OAD formulation (300 mg) showed high RO (range: 0.97–0.84 for the receptors also covered by the IR formulation and 0.73–0.48 for the remaining) correlating with affinity and similar duration of time above the target threshold to the IR formulation (range: 2–>24 h). The dose‐dependent receptor coverage supports the multimodal activity of trazodone, which may further contribute to its fast antidepressant action and effectiveness in controlling different symptoms in depressed patients.
Inhibitory inputs to an inhibitory interneuron: Spontaneous postsynaptic currents and GABAA receptors of A17 amacrine cells in the rat retina
Authors: Beltrán‐Matas Pablo , Castilho Áurea , Tencer Barbora , Veruki Margaret L. , Hartveit Espen
Published: March 2022

Amacrine cells constitute a large and heterogeneous group of inhibitory interneurons in the retina. The A17 amacrine plays an important role for visual signalling in the rod pathway microcircuit of the mammalian retina. It receives excitatory input from rod bipolar cells and provides feedback inhibition to the same cells. However, from ultrastructural investigations, there is evidence for input to A17s from other types of amacrine cells, presumably inhibitory, but there is a lack of information about the identity and functional properties of the synaptic receptors and how inhibition contributes to the integrative properties of A17s. Here, we studied the biophysical and pharmacological properties of GABAergic spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents (spIPSCs) and GABAA receptors of A17 amacrines using whole‐cell and outside‐out patch recordings from rat retinal slices. The spIPSCs displayed fast onsets (10%–90% rise time ~740 μs) and double‐exponential decays (τfast ~4.5 ms [43% of amplitude]; τslow ~22 ms). Ultra‐fast application of brief pulses of GABA (3 mM) to patches evoked responses with deactivation kinetics best fitted by a triple‐exponential function (τ1 ~5.3 ms [55% of amplitude]; τ2 ~48 ms [32% of amplitude]; τ3 ~187 ms). Non‐stationary noise analysis of spIPSCs and patch responses yielded single‐channel conductances of ~21 and ~25 pS, respectively. Pharmacological analysis suggested that the spIPSCs are mediated by receptors with an α1βγ2 subunit composition and the somatic receptors have an α2βγ2 and/or α3βγ2 composition. These results demonstrate the presence of synaptic GABAA receptors on A17s, which may play an important role in signal integration in these cells.
Do small firms fare better without a professional human resource manager?
Authors: Wang Wen , Seifert Roger , Theodorakopoulos Nicholas
Published: March 2022

We examine the direct and indirect effects of human resource (HR) informality—that is, not having a professional HR manager in post—on employee outcomes in growth‐oriented small firms. Drawing from literature of principal–agent relationship and trust, we theorise a moderated‐mediating model between HR informality and unfavourable employee outcomes through owner‐manager's distrust during firm growth. Based on matched employer–employee data from 543 small firms and their 4853 employees in the United Kingdom, the empirical results show a positive and significant association between HR informality and owner‐managers' distrust of staff, especially in multiple‐site (often a manifestation of growth‐oriented) small firms. Through this path, HR informality has a significant and adverse indirect effect on firm recorded staff voluntary turnover, absenteeism, number of dismissals and staff perceived collective trust in management, which counteracts its weak positive direct effect, thus leads to an overall negative impact. The theoretical and practical implications are discussed.
Design and development of a vision‐based system for detection, tracking and recognition of isolated dynamic bare hand gesticulated characters
Authors: Yadav Kuldeep Singh , Kirupakaran Anish Monsley , Laskar Rabul Hussain , Bhuyan Manas Kamal , Khan Taimoor
Published: March 2022

Detection and tracking are the vital stages to form the gesture trajectory in gesture recognition. It becomes more challenging when the variations in illumination, pose, position, occlusion, scale, speed, blurring effect and complex environment are introduced. Additionally, the background feature domination effect affects the existing deep learning models. A semantic segmentation model is implemented in this work to detect the bare hand to overcome these challenges. A pre‐trained network VGG‐16 is utilized by training with the proposed NITS S‐Net database. Evaluation of the SegNet model is done on EgoHands, Oxford and OUHands databases. To track the bare hand, a SegNet‐based detection and tracking approach is proposed using Kalman filter and point‐tracker. This model achieves 97.01% accuracy (a relative improvement of ~8% from the baseline models) at 0.068 s per frame computational time on NITS hand gesture database VIIIB. The gesticulated characters, that is, alphabets, numbers, operators, special characters, are gesticulated without any constraints on the pattern/strokes. To recognize these 95 multi‐stroke gestures, a deep convolutional neural network (DCNN) is presented using AlexNet. The DCNN model achieves 97.60% (a relative improvement of ~14% from the baseline models) accuracy on the NITS hand gesture database VIIIB merged. Evaluation of the handwritten EMNIST merged (balanced) database resulted in average recognition accuracy of 91.60%.
Soil phosphorus drives plant trait variations in a mature subtropical forest
Authors: Cui Erqian , Lu Ruiling , Xu Xiaoni , Sun Huanfa , Qiao Yang , Ping Jiaye , Qiu Shuying , Lin Yihua , Bao Jiehuan , Yong Yutong , Zheng Zemei , Yan Enrong , Xia Jianyang
Published: March 2022

Earth system models are implementing soil phosphorus dynamic and plant functional traits to predict functional changes in global forests. However, the linkage between soil phosphorus and plant traits lacks empirical evidence, especially in mature forests. Here, we examined the soil phosphorus constraint on plant functional traits in a mature subtropical forest based on observations of 9943 individuals from 90 species in a 5‐ha forest dynamic plot and 405 individuals from 15 species in an adjacent 10‐year nutrient‐addition experiment. We first confirmed a pervasive phosphorus limitation on subtropical tree growth based on leaf N:P ratios. Then, we found that soil phosphorus dominated multidimensional trait variations in the 5‐ha forest dynamic plot. Soil phosphorus content explained 44% and 53% of the variance in the traits defining the main functional space across species and communities, respectively. Lastly, we found much stronger phosphorus effects on most plant functional traits than nitrogen at both species and community levels in the 10‐year nutrient‐addition experiment. This study provides evidence for the consistent pattern of soil phosphorus constraint on plant trait variations between the species and community levels in a mature evergreen broadleaf forest in the East Asian monsoon region. These findings shed light on the predominant role of soil phosphorus on plant functional trait variations in mature subtropical forests, providing new insights for models to incorporate soil phosphorus constraint in predicting future vegetation dynamics.
“True” Helicobacter pylori infection and non‐cardia gastric cancer: A pooled analysis within the Stomach Cancer Pooling (StoP) Project
Authors: Morais Samantha , Costa Adriana , Albuquerque Gabriela , Araújo Natália , Tsugane Shoichiro , Hidaka Akihisa , Hamada Gerson Shigueaki , Ye Weimin , Plymoth Amelie , Leja Marcis , Gasenko Evita , Zaridze David , Maximovich Dmitry , Malekzadeh Reza , Derakhshan Mohammad H. , Pelucchi Claudio , Negri Eva , Camargo M. Constanza , Curado Maria Paula , Vioque Jesus , Zhang Zuo‐Feng , La Vecchia Carlo , Boffetta Paolo , Lunet Nuno
Published: March 2022

Background

Helicobacter pylori is the most important risk factor for non‐cardia gastric cancer (NCGC); however, the magnitude of the association varies across epidemiological studies. This study aimed to quantify the association between H. pylori infection and NCGC, using different criteria to define infection status.

Methods

A pooled analysis of individual‐level H. pylori serology data from eight international studies (1325 NCGC and 3121 controls) from the Stomach Cancer Pooling (StoP) Consortium was performed. Cases and controls with a negative H. pylori infection status were reclassified as positive considering the presence of anti‐Cag A antibodies, gastric atrophy, or advanced stage at diagnosis, as available and applicable. A two‐stage approach was used to pool study‐specific adjusted odds ratios (OR), and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). A meta‐analysis of published prospective studies assessing H. pylori seropositivity in NCGCs was conducted.

Results

The OR for the association between serology‐defined H. pylori and NCGC was 1.45 (95% CI: 0.87–2.42), which increased to 4.79 (95% CI: 2.39–9.60) following the reclassification of negative H. pylori infection. The results were consistent across strata of sociodemographic characteristics, clinical features and lifestyle factors, though significant differences were observed according to geographic region—a stronger association in Asian studies. The pooled risk estimates from the literature were 3.01 (95% CI: 2.22–4.07) for ELISA or EIA and 9.22 (95% CI: 3.12–27.21) for immunoblot or multiplex serology.

Conclusion

The NCGC risk estimate from StoP based on the reclassification of H. pylori seronegative individuals is consistent with the risk estimates obtained from the literature. Our classification algorithm may be useful for future studies.
High‐altitude hypoxia‐induced rat alveolar cell injury by increasing autophagy
Authors: Zhao Zhen , Hou Bin , Tang Li , Wang Yaping , Zhang Yueqing , Ying Zhanzhuan , Duo Jie
Published: March 2022

Autophagy has been implicated in the pathogenesis of various lung diseases. This study aimed to investigate the role of autophagy in lung injury induced by high‐altitude hypoxia. Wistar rats were randomized into four groups for exposure to normal altitude or high altitude for 1, 7, 14 and 21 days with no treatment or with the treatment of 1 mg/kg rapamycin or 2 mg/kg 3‐methyladenine (3‐MA) for consecutive 21 days respectively. In control rats, the alveolar structure was intact with regularly arranged cells. However, inflammatory cell infiltration and shrunk alveoli were observed in rats exposed to hypoxia. Rapamycin treatment led to many shrunken alveoli with a large number of red blood cells in them. In contrast, 3‐MA treatment led to almost intact alveoli or only a few shrunken alveoli. Compared to the control group exposure to high‐altitude hypoxia for longer periods resulted in the aggravation of the lung injury, the formation of autophagosomes with a double‐membrane structure and increased levels of Beclin‐1 and LC3‐II in alveolar tissues. Rapamycin treatment resulted in significant increase in Beclin‐1 and LC3‐II levels and further aggravation of alveolar tissue damage, while 3‐MA treatment led to opposite effects. In conclusion, exposure to high‐altitude hypoxia can induce autophagy of alveolar cells, which may be an important mechanism of high‐altitude hypoxia‐induced lung injury. The inhibition of autophagy may be a promising therapy strategy for high‐altitude hypoxia‐induced lung injury.
Living situations among undocumented migrants in Sweden: The effects of exclusion from fundamental housing rights
Authors: Wirehag Matti , Andersson Lena , Hjern Anders , Ascher Henry
Published: March 2022

Today, there is limited knowledge about the living conditions of undocumented migrants (UMs) in Sweden. It is hypothesised that Ums’ living conditions increases cases of mental illness among them. The aim of this study was twofold, to explore: the housing situation of UMs in Sweden, and its association to their state of mental health. A cross‐sectional study with adult UMs was conducted in the three largest cities in Sweden in 2014–2016. A total of 104 UMs participated. Based on the results, we can conclude that UMs living in the most vulnerable housing situations have worse outcomes in their mental health evaluations. Depression, anxiety and post‐traumatic stress disorder are more common among UMs who are living in temporary accommodation or sharing a flat with others than among those who do not. UMs are living in housing situations that would force local social service to act were it not that they have UM status.
Family policies, social norms and marital fertility decisions: A quasi‐experimental study
Authors: Lui Lake , Cheung Adam Ka‐Lok
Published: March 2022

Numerous policy recommendations for increasing fertility in societies with ultralow fertility rates have been made, yet their effectiveness has mostly remained unevaluated. Using a multifactorial vignette design that creates hypothetical policy scenarios, this paper seeks to determine the effects of family‐friendly policies and organizational norms on fertility decisions in Hong Kong. Based on a territory‐wide random sample (N = 1000), we find a discrepancy between respondents’ ideal and actual number of children. All family policy recommendations, including leave policies, childcare support, housing policies and workhour legislation, may raise fertility but leave policies work better when they include fathers’ involvement instead of just mothers. Childcare support and housing policies have a positive multiplying effect on fertility. Family‐friendly organizational norms strengthen the positive effect of workhour legislation and leave policies on fertility. The effects of policies on fertility also vary by respondents’ socioeconomic status and their perception of having children.
Next generation of immune checkpoint molecules in maternal‐fetal immunity*
Authors: Zhao Si‐Jia , Muyayalo Kahindo P. , Luo Jing , Huang Donghui , Mor Gil , Liao Ai‐Hua
Published: March 2022

Successful pregnancy is a unique situation requires the maternal immune system to recognize and tolerate a semi‐identical fetus and allow normal invasion of trophoblast cells. Although efforts have been made, the deep mechanisms of the maternal‐fetal crosstalk have not yet been fully deciphered. Immune checkpoint molecules (ICMs) are a group of negative modulators of the immune response that avoid immune damage. They have been extensively studied in the fields of oncology and transplantation, while the latest evidence suggests that they are closely associated with pregnancy outcomes via multiple inhibitory mechanisms. Although studies have mostly demonstrated the regulatory role of the well‐known PD‐1, CTLA‐4 at the maternal‐fetal interface, what is unique about the newly discovered multiple ICMs remains a mystery. Here, we review the latest knowledge on ICMs, focusing on the first generation of checkpoints (PD‐1, CTLA‐4) and the next generation (Tim‐3, Tigit, Lag‐3, VISTA) highlighting their immunoregulatory roles in maternal‐fetal tolerance and decidual vascular remodeling, and their involvement in pathological pregnancies. The content covers three aspects: the characteristics they possess, the dynamic expression profile of their expression at the maternal‐fetal interface, and their involvement in pathological pregnancy. In immunotherapy strategies for pregnancy complications, upregulation of immune checkpoints may play a role. Meanwhile, the impact on pregnancy outcomes when using ICMs in clinical cancer treatment during pregnancy is a topic worth exploring. These may serve as a guide for future basic research and clinical applications of maternal‐fetal immunity.
Safe and secure vehicle routing: a survey on minimization of risk exposure
Authors: Fröhlich Georg E. A. , Gansterer Margaretha , Doerner Karl F.
Published: March 2022

Safe and secure vehicle routing problems refer to the transportation of dangerous (e.g., flammable liquids) or valuable goods (e.g., cash), the surveillance of streets (e.g., police patrols) or other areas (e.g., those within a factory or building), and the response to sudden incidents (e.g., robberies or street disruptions). It thus covers a multitude of models and methods with each having its own objective and constraints, such as unpredictability or risk. We review and classify literature in this field and thereby identify a starting point for researchers in this evolving and practically relevant field. Our study reveals that there are 82 articles that cover aspects related to safe and secure routing, a majority of which were published in the last five years. We classify the articles into five main categories: (i) transportation of hazardous materials, (ii) patrol routing, (iii) cash‐in‐transit, (iv) dissimilar routing problems, and (v) modeling of multi‐graphs. Categories (i)–(iv) elaborate on the problem studied, while (v) provides a general concept based on road network characteristics most commonly found in safe and secure routing problems. Relevant methods and instances, along with their similarities and dissimilarities, have also been discussed in the paper. Furthermore, specific problem characteristics and future research directions are identified.
Prevention of SiC‐fiber decomposition via integration of a buffer layer in ZrB2‐based ultra‐high temperature ceramics
Authors: Stricker Kerstin , Silvestroni Laura , Kleebe Hans‐Joachim
Published: March 2022

A ZrB2‐based ceramic, containing short Hi‐Nicalon SiC fibers, was fabricated with a Mo‐impermeable buffer layer sandwiched between bulk and the outermost oxidation resistant ZrB2–MoSi2 layer, in order to prevent inward Mo diffusion and associated fiber degradation reactions. This additional layer consisted of ZrB2 doped with either Si3N4 or with the polymer‐derived ceramics (PDCs) SiCN and SiHfBCN. Scanning electron microscopy imaging and elemental mapping via energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy showed that this tailored sample geometry provides an effective diffusion barrier to prevent the SiC fibers from deterioration due to reactions with Mo or Mo‐compounds. In contrast, the structure of the SiC fibers in a reference sample without buffer layer is strongly degraded by MoSi2 diffusion into the fiber core. The comparison of the three buffer‐layer systems showed a moderate alteration of the fiber structure in the case of Si3N4 addition, whereas in the PDC‐doped samples hardly any structural change within the fibers was observed. A stepwise reaction mechanism is deduced, based on the continuous progression of a reaction zone that propagates toward the ZrB2–MoSi2 top layer. The progression of such a reaction zone as a consequence of the different eutectic melts forming in the different layers, that is, first in the SiC‐fiber‐containing bulk, then in the buffer layer itself, and finally in the top layer at high temperature, allows for an effective separation of the ZrB2–MoSi2 top layer from the SiC fibers.

Subsequent oxidation at 1500°C and 1650°C for 15 min did not affect the efficiency of all three buffer layers, since no structural changes regarding buffer layer and fibers were observed, as compared to the non‐oxidized samples.
Effect of a fiber‐reinforcing technique for direct composite restorations of structurally compromised teeth on marginal microleakage
Authors: Sfeikos Thrasyvoulos , Dionysopoulos Dimitrios , Kouros Pantelis , Naka Olga , Tolidis Kosmas
Published: March 2022

Objectives

To evaluate if the marginal microleakage of extensive Class I composite resin restorations can be affected by applying ultra‐high‐molecular‐weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fibers with the wallpapering technique combined with different restorative materials and methods.

Materials and methods

A 120 human molars were selected and one extensive Class I cavity was prepared on the occlusal surface of each tooth. The specimens were divided into 12 groups (n = 10) according to the type of restorative material (Filtek Z550, Beautifil II LS or Beautifil Bulk Restorative), the use or not of reinforcing fibers (ribbond) and the applied restorative technique (incremental or bulk). The specimens were subjected to thermocycling and then immersed into a 50 wt% silver nitrate solution following a dying protocol. Subsequently, the teeth were prepared for SEM observations to evaluate the extent of marginal microleakage.

Results

Three‐way ANOVA revealed that the type of material, the use of ribbond fibers and the type of restorative technique significantly affected marginal microleakage (p < 0.001). Application of ribbond fibers decreased marginal microleakage to all tested restorative materials, regardless of the restorative technique, in a range of 31.2–81.4%. In the groups with no‐use of ribbond fibers, among the materials there were no significant differences in microleakage when the teeth were restored with the incremental technique (p > 0.05).

Conclusions

The use of UHMWPE fibers with wallpapering technique in Class I composite restorations may be an effective method to reduce marginal microleakage, regardless of the selected restorative technique or the material.

Clinical relevance

Clinicians may be encouraged to utilize reinforcing fiber restorative techniques for direct restorations of structurally compromised teeth as a valid alternative to indirect restorations.
Impact of desensitizing/whitening toothpastes on tooth color change after abrasion and erosion–abrasion
Authors: de Lima Leonardo Custódio , Viana Ítallo Emídio Lira , da Paz Sara Laís Pereira , Bezerra Sávio José Cardoso , Mayer‐Santos Eric , Niemeyer Samira Helena , Carvalho Thiago Saads , Scaramucci Taís
Published: March 2022

Objective

To evaluate the impact of desensitizing toothpastes (D), their whitening versions (DW) and whitening toothpastes (W) on tooth color change.

Methods

Tooth specimens were allocated into 11 groups (n = 10): 1. Artificial saliva (control); 2. Sensodyne Repair & Protect (SRP–D); 3. Sensodyne Repair & Protect Whitening (SRP–DW); 4. Colgate Sensitive Pro‐Relief (CSPR–D); 5. Colgate Sensitive Pro‐Relief Real White (CSPR–DW); 6. Colgate Total 12 (CT12); 7. Colgate Total 12 Whitening (CT12–W); 8. Sensodyne True White (ST–W); 9. Curaprox Black Is White (CB–W); 10.Oral‐B 3D White Perfection (OB3D‐W) and 11. Erosion‐only. They were submitted to two models: A. abrasion; B. erosion/abrasion. Color change (ΔE00), ΔL, Δa, and Δb were determined with a spectrophotometer. Data were statistically evaluated (α = 0.05).

Results

For both models, ∆E00 of D did not differ significantly from DW. An overall decrease in luminosity (−∆L) and increase (+∆b) in yellowness of the tooth occurred. In abrasion, all groups reduced redness (−∆a) and only SRP‐DW differed from control (p = 0.016), but for ∆E00, ∆L and ∆b, all toothpastes did not differ from the control. In erosion/abrasion, CB‐W showed significantly lower ∆E00 and ∆b than the control (∆E00: p = 0.026; ∆b: p = 0.005) and SRP‐D (∆E00: p = 0.028; ∆b: p = 0.025). Only SRP‐DW, CSPR‐DW, ST‐W, CB‐W, and erosion‐only had increased redness (+∆a), but none differed from control.

Conclusions

The toothpastes did neither promote whitening nor avoid the yellowish aspect of the tooth after abrasion and erosion‐abrasion, regardless of their claim.

Clinical significance

Desensitizing and/or whitening toothpastes induced similar changes on tooth color, without promoting whitening effect or reduction in its yellowish aspect.
Genotyping and phenotyping of Lactococcus garvieae isolates from fish by pulse‐field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and electron microscopy indicate geographical and capsular variations
Authors: Rao Shreesha , Chen Mei‐Yun , Sudpraseart Chiranan , Lin Peiry , Yoshida Terutoyo , Wang Pei‐Chi , Chen Shih‐Chu
Published: March 2022

Lactococcus garvieae is the etiological agent of Lactococcosis, an evolving disease affecting many fish species and causing significant economic losses worldwide. Assessing pathogen relatedness and bacterial population structure is critical for determining the epidemiology of L. garvieae infections and in establishing effective pathogen management methods. The previously published morphological and genetic studies point to a clonal population structure, as seen in other fish bacteria. In the present study, the pulsed‐field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) method was utilized to define a population of 41 Taiwanese isolates from outbreaks with comparisons to four well‐characterized non‐Taiwanese isolates previously published. Two restriction enzymes (ApaI and SmaI) were utilized individually for PFGE analysis (cut‐off value = 90.0%), revealing genetic heterogeneity across L. garvieae isolates, with ApaI and SmaI yielding 12 and seven distinct PFGE band patterns, respectively. The phylogenic analysis using internal transcribed spacer region clustered all L. garvieae isolates in the same clad. Furthermore, the electron microscopic results confirmed the absence of capsular gene cluster (CGC) in previously characterized Taiwanese vaccine strain (S3) from grey mullet. Overall, our findings emphasize the importance of analysing the morphological and genetic diversity in L. garvieae being correlated for proper taxonomic classification in vaccine strain selection and epidemiological studies.
Development and testing of a standardized pain interview assessment for use in post‐acute care
Authors: Dunbar Michael S. , Edelen Maria O. , McMullen Tara , Bruckenthal Patricia , Ahluwalia Sangeeta C. , Chen Emily K. , Dalton Sarah E. , Paddock Susan , Rodriguez Anthony , Mandl Stella , Mota Teresa , Saliba Debra
Published: March 2022

Objectives

Pain is highly prevalent among patients in post‐acute care (PAC) settings and can affect quality of life, treatment outcomes, and transitions in care. Routine, accurate assessment of pain across settings is important for pain management and care planning; however, existing PAC assessment instruments do not assess patient pain in a standardized manner.

Methods

We developed and tested a set of pain interview data elements for use across PAC settings (skilled nursing facilities, inpatient rehabilitation facilities, long term care hospitals, home health agencies) as part of a larger effort undertaken by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to develop standardized assessment data elements to meet the requirements of the IMPACT Act of 2014. The interview assessed six pain constructs: presence; frequency; interference with sleep; interference with rehabilitation therapies [if applicable]; interference with daily activities; worst pain; and pain relief from treatments/medications). A total of 3031 PAC patients at 143 PAC settings (across 14 U.S. geographic/metropolitan areas in 10 states) participated in a national field test of standardized data elements from November 2017 to August 2018. We assessed item response distributions, time to complete interviews, inter‐assessor agreement, and, for a subset of patients, change in responses between admission and discharge assessments. We also conducted focus groups with nurse assessors about their experiences administering the items.

Results

For patients reporting any pain, average time to complete the pain interview was 3.1 min (SD = 1.3), and interrater reliability was excellent for all data elements (kappa range: 0.95–0.99). Findings were similar across types of PAC settings. Qualitative data from nurses emphasized ease of administration and high perceived clinical utility.

Conclusion

Findings provide support for feasibility of implementing a standardized pain interview assessment in PAC settings. This tool can support tracking of patient needs across settings and interoperability of data in electronic medical records.
Cannabis use, comorbidities, and prescription medication use among older adults in a large healthcare system in Los Angeles, CA 2019–2020
Authors: Javanbakht Marjan , Takada Sae , Akabike Whitney , Shoptaw Steve , Gelberg Lillian
Published: March 2022

Objective

To describe the reported prevalence of cannabis use and co‐use with prescription medications among older adult patients attending primary care (PC) clinics in Los Angeles, CA.

Methods

We used electronic health record (EHR) data from sixty PC clinics part of a university‐based, urban healthcare system. Patients' ≥50 years of age with an annual physical examination between July 2019 and May 2020 were eligible for inclusion (n = 42,555). Cannabis use was assessed by clinic staff at the time of the visit and recorded in the EHR. We also used EHR data on clinical characteristics including current prescriptions and comorbidities.

Results

The median age was 63 years (range: 50–101) and 56% were female. Recent cannabis use was reported by 7.6%, which was higher than tobacco use (4.0%; p < 0.01). Prevalence of cannabis use was higher among patients prescribed psychotropic medications. For instance, 10.9% of patients prescribed benzodiazepines reported cannabis use as compared with 7.3% among patients without a prescription for benzodiazepines (p < 0.01). Patients with neurologic/musculoskeletal medications such as antiepileptics also had a higher prevalence of cannabis use when compared with those without these prescriptions (13.6% vs. 7.6% respectively; p < 0.01) as did those who were prescribed muscle relaxants (10.3% vs. 7.5% respectively; p < 0.01). After adjusting for age, sex, race/ethnicity, and comorbidities those prescribed medications for psychiatric (adjusted OR = 1.5; 95% CI 1.4–1.7), respiratory (adjusted OR = 1.2; 95% CI 1.1–1.3), or neurologic conditions (adjusted OR = 1.4; 95% CI 1.2–1.5) had increased odds of cannabis use compared with those not prescribed these medications.

Discussion

The prevalence of cannabis use among older adults attending PC clinics in a university‐based healthcare system was higher among those prescribed medications, which may interact with cannabis. These findings suggest that key groups of older patients who may benefit from routine PC screening for cannabis use and brief advice.
“You can't make me do it!” A model of consumer compliance
Authors: Bharti Vijay Payal , Gratz Elizabeth T. , Fitzgerald M. Paula
Published: March 2022

Consumer well‐being often depends on compliance with service setting rules and product/service use guidelines. This issue came to the forefront during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Here, we propose and test a compliance model in the context of COVID‐19 social distancing guidelines. Although COVID mitigation is politicized, we fully mediate the impact of political ideology with three constructs: (1) consumer perception that freedom is restricted, (2) complacency, and (3) perceived ethicality. We suggest specific tools that help bypass the political polarization that has occurred in the pandemic. The model can be applied to other areas in which compliance is key to consumer well‐being, such as enforcing age‐related restrictions on purchases and safety‐related behaviors.
LncRNA Opa interacting protein 5‐antisense RNA 1 (OIP5‐AS1) promotes the migration, invasion and epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) through targeting miR‐147a/insulin‐like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF1R) pathway in cervical cancer tissues and cell model
Authors: Zhang Limei , Cai Yufei , Tian Chenchen , Li Yanru , Ma Kuili , Gao Xiaolei , Liu Lili , Jiang Yan , Wen Wanting , Ma Zhe
Published: March 2022

Background

Two factors involved in regulation, long noncoding RNA Opa interacting protein 5‐antisense RNA 1 (lncRNA OIP5‐AS1) and microRNA‐147a, were found in cervical cancer. Therefore, the investigation of the specific regulation of miR‐147a by OIP5‐AS1 was performed in cervical cancer.

Method

The cervical cancer tissues were collected from patients with cervical cancer (n = 50). The expression of OIP5‐AS1, miR‐147a, proteins in epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) process and insulin‐like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF1R) were measured by quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCT) or western blotting. Cell motility and the relationship between OIP5‐AS1 and miR‐147a were detected or analyzed by wound healing test, Transwell assay, dual‐luciferase reporter assay, RNA binding protein immunoprecipitation assay or Pearson correlation in OIP5‐AS1, or miR‐147a over‐expressed and/or suppressed cervical cancer cells.

Results

OIP5‐AS1 showed the high‐expression and miR‐147a showed the low‐expression in tumor tissues collected from patients with cervical cancer and cell lines Hela, CaSki, Siha, and ME‐180. The low‐expression of OIP5‐AS1 suppressed the motility of Caski cells, as well as up‐regulated the level of E‐cadherin, which a key protein in EMT. There were targeting sites between miR‐147a and OIP5‐AS1. OIP5‐AS1 induced the down‐regulation of miR‐147a, so miR‐147a was inversely correlated with OIP5‐AS1. The down‐regulation of miR‐147a increased IGF1R and E‐cadherin, and these increases were alleviated by OIP5‐AS1 knockdown.

Conclusion

LncRNA OIP5‐AS1 promotes the migration, invasion and EMT of cervical cancer cells via targeting miR‐147a/IGF1R pathway.
The clinical and molecular cardiometabolic fingerprint of an exploratory psoriatic arthritis cohort is associated with the disease activity and differentially modulated by methotrexate and apremilast
Authors: Arias de la Rosa Ivan , López‐Montilla Maria Dolores , Román‐Rodríguez Cristobal , Pérez‐Sánchez Carlos , Gómez‐García Ignacio , López‐Medina Clementina , Ladehesa‐Pineda Maria Lourdes , Ábalos‐Aguilera Maria del Carmen , Ruiz Desiree , Patiño‐Trives Alejandra Maria , Luque‐Tévar Maria , Añón‐Oñate Isabel , Pérez‐Galán Maria Jose , Guzmán‐Ruiz Rocio , Malagón Maria M. , López‐Pedrera Chary , Escudero‐Contreras Alejandro , Collantes‐Estévez Eduardo , Barbarroja Nuria
Published: March 2022

Objectives

(1) To evaluate clinical and molecular cardiovascular disease (CVD) signs and their relationship with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) features and (2) to identify a clinical patient profile susceptible to benefit from methotrexate (MTX) and/or apremilast regarding CVD risk.

Methods

This cross‐sectional study included 100 patients with PsA and 100 age‐matched healthy donors. In addition, an exploratory cohort of 45 biologically naïve patients treated for 6 months with apremilast, MTX or combined therapy according to routine clinical practice was recruited. Extensive clinical and metabolic profiles were obtained. Ninety‐nine surrogate CVD‐related molecules were analysed in plasma and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Hard cluster analysis was performed to identify the clinical and molecular phenotypes. Mechanistic studies were performed on adipocytes.

Results

Cardiometabolic comorbidities were associated with disease activity and long‐term inflammatory status. Thirty‐five CVD‐related proteins were altered in the plasma and PBMCs of PsA patients and were associated with the key clinical features of the disease. Plasma levels of some of the CVD‐related molecules might distinguish insulin‐resistant patients (MMP‐3, CD163, FABP‐4), high disease activity (GAL‐3 and FABP‐4) and poor therapy outcomes (CD‐163, LTBR and CNTN‐1). Hard cluster analysis identified two phenotypes of patients according to the rates of cardiometabolic comorbidities with distinctive clinical and molecular responses to each treatment.

Conclusions

(1) Novel CVD‐related proteins associated with clinical features could be emerging therapeutic targets in the context of PsA and (2) the pleiotropic action of apremilast could make it an excellent choice for the management of PsA patients with high CVD risk, targeting metabolic alterations and CVD‐related molecules.
Negotiating the mainstream: Proximate stancetaking and far‐right policy proposals in Bundestag debates
Authors: Sterphone J
Published: March 2022

During talk, parliamentarians (re)negotiate the boundaries of mainstream and marginal politics. With far‐right parties in parliament(s) in force, center‐right parties—especially those that have coopted far‐right stances—must establish and maintain their position within the political mainstream, while ostracizing and marginalizing neighboring positions from the far‐right. Drawing on video data of policy debates in the German Bundestag, this paper takes a conversation analytic approach to examining practices deployed by members of mainstream parties for rejecting proposals made by the far‐right. It shows ways center‐right politicians (re)produce both the mainstream and their own political identity by rejecting such proposals without also rejecting outright the underlying stance. By distinguishing between oppositional and proximate stancetaking, this analysis further demonstrates ways that politicians orient to stancetaking as structuring rejection formats.
Transgression in institutional space: Heteroglossic political signs in a Hong Kong university
Authors: Huang Corey Fanglei
Published: March 2022

This article studies the sociolinguistic and social semiotic transgression enacted by a group of political signs in a public university in Hong Kong. It demonstrates how the signs break normative/stabilized social, cultural and political boundaries and order by mixing up multifarious stylistic and generic resources, resulting in aheteroglossicblending of diverse, often incongruent identities, voices and ideologies predominantly rooted in the modern history of Greater China. The article suggests that this heteroglossia ideologically distances the university away from the state, defends its historical, Western‐style autonomy and aligns it with the local pro‐democracy civil society amid the escalating sociopolitical tensions in Hong Kong particularly after the Umbrella Movement in 2014. It shows the value of linguistic and semiotic landscape research on institutions as dynamic and complex communities and discursive spaces.
Association between serum miRNAs and gingival gene expression in an obese rat model
Authors: Maruyama Takayuki , Kobayashi Terumasa , Sugiura Yoshio , Yoneda Toshiki , Ekuni Daisuke , Morita Manabu
Published: March 2022

Introduction

Recent studies have reported a relationship between periodontitis and obesity; however, the mechanisms of obesity’s effects on periodontitis are not well understood. On the other hand, microRNAs (miRNAs) are known to play key roles in the post‐transcriptional regulation gene expression by suppressing translation and protein synthesis. We examined the association between obesity‐related miRNAs and gene expression in gingival tissue using miRNA–messenger RNA (mRNA) pairing analysis in an obese rat model.

Methods

Sixteen male Wistar rats aged 8 weeks old were divided into two groups: the control group was fed a normal powdered food for 8 weeks, and the obesity group was fed a high‐fat diet for 8 weeks. Distance from the cement–enamel junction to the alveolar bone crest of the first molars was measured. miRNA microarray analysis was performed on samples of serum and gingival tissue; the resulting data were used to calculate fold changes in miRNA levels in the obesity group relative to the control group, and miRNA–mRNA pairing analysis was performed to identify mRNAs potentially targeted by miRNAs of interest.

Results

Alveolar bone loss in the obesity group exceeded that in the control group (p = .017). miRNA–mRNA pairing analysis identified an association between 4 miRNAs (miR‐759, miR‐9a‐3p, miR‐203b‐3p, and miR‐878) that were differentially expressed in the obesity and control groups and 7 genes (Ly86, Arid5b, Rgs18, Mlana, P2ry13, Kif1b, and Myt1) expressed in gingival tissue.

Conclusion

This study revealed that several miRNAs play an important role in the mechanism of periodontal disease progression induced by the obesity.
Prediction of vascular invasion using a 7‐point scale computed tomography grading system in adrenal tumors in dogs
Authors: Pey Pascaline , Specchi Swan , Rossi Federica , Diana Alessia , Drudi Ignazio , Zwingenberger Allison L. , Mayhew Philipp D. , Pisoni Luciano , Mari Daniele , Massari Federico , Dalpozzo Boris , Fracassi Federico , Nicoli Stefano
Published: March 2022

Background

Previous studies evaluating the accuracy of computed tomography (CT) in detecting caudal vena cava (CVC) invasion by adrenal tumors (AT) used a binary system and did not evaluate for other vessels.

Objective

Test a 7‐point scale CT grading system for accuracy in predicting vascular invasion and for repeatability among radiologists. Build a decision tree based on CT criteria to predict tumor type.

Methods

Retrospective observational cross‐sectional case study. Abdominal CT studies were analyzed by 3 radiologists using a 7‐point CT grading scale for vascular invasion and by 1 radiologist for CT features of AT.

Animals

Dogs with AT that underwent adrenalectomy and had pre‐ and postcontrast CT.

Results

Ninety‐one dogs; 45 adrenocortical carcinomas (50%), 36 pheochromocytomas (40%), 9 adrenocortical adenomas (10%) and 1 unknown tumor. Carcinoma and pheochromocytoma differed in pre‐ and postcontrast attenuation, contralateral adrenal size, tumor thrombus short‐ and long‐axis, and tumor and thrombus mineralization. A decision tree was built based on these differences. Adenoma and malignant tumors differed in contour irregularity. Probability of vascular invasion was dependent on CT grading scale, and a large equivocal zone existed between 3 and 6 scores, lowering CT accuracy to detect vascular invasion. Radiologists' agreement for detecting abnormalities (evaluated by chance‐corrected weighted kappa statistics) was excellent for CVC and good to moderate for other vessels. The quality of postcontrast CT study had a negative impact on radiologists' performance and agreement.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Features of CT may help radiologists predict AT type and provide probabilistic information on vascular invasion.
Emerging outcomes of water vapor thermal therapy (Rezum) in a broad range of patients with lower urinary tract symptoms secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia: A systematic review
Authors: Babar Mustufa , Loloi Justin , Tang Kevin , Syed Umar , Ciatto Michael
Published: March 2022

Water vapor thermal therapy (Rezum) is a novel, minimally invasive surgical technology used to treat lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The objective of this systematic review is to evaluate the latest efficacy and safety profile of Rezum in patients with LUTS secondary to BPH. PubMed/MEDLINE and the Cochrane Library databases were systematically searched, in accordance with the PRISMA statement, for relevant articles in the English language till 1 August 2021. Randomized and nonrandomized studies that evaluated urinary outcomes and/or adverse events were deemed eligible. Nineteen studies (N = 1942), published in 25 articles, were included. International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), quality of life (QoL), and maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax) significantly improved as early as 1 month postoperatively and remained durable for up to 5 years. Significant median percent improvements in IPSS, QoL, and Qmax at 3 months were 51%, 51%, and 66%, respectively. Patients with obstructive median lobes, large prostates (>80 g), small prostates (<30 g), and urinary retention also experienced significant relief in LUTS, with 83% of urinary retention patients becoming catheter independent at a median of 14 days. Most adverse events were transient and nonserious and occurred in 0% to 76% of patients (median 29%), with de novo erectile dysfunction rates ranging between 0% and 3.1%. Surgical retreatment rate ranged between 4.4% and 7.5% at 5 years postoperatively. Rezum provides durable improvements in symptoms, irrespective of prostate volume and urinary retention status, and has low rates of sexual dysfunction.
Family‐centred care change during COVID‐19
Authors: Vetcho Siriporn , Cooke Marie , Petsky Helen , Saito Amornrat , Ullman Amanda J.
Published: March 2022

Background

Family‐centred care (FCC) is an approach to promote family and health care provider partnership. This has been incorporated into neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) worldwide. However, FCC in low resource health settings, such as Thailand, is challenging and further impacted by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19).

Aims

To evaluate FCC innovations to improve respect, collaboration and support in a Thai NICU.

Study design

A quasi‐experimental study was conducted in an NICU in southern Thailand. Pre‐implementation was prior to COVID‐19, and parental and staff perceptions of FCC were measured via Perceptions of Family Centred Care‐Parent (PFCC‐P) and ‐Staff (PFCC‐S) survey. The FCC innovations were developed by stakeholders based on the COVID‐19 restrictions, pre‐survey results, parents' and clinicians' interviews and integrative review, then implemented via a flowchart. Post‐implementation evaluation was via repeated surveys. Comparisons were made pre‐and post‐implementation, with Mann–Whitney U‐test statistics for parents and Wilcoxon's Rank Sum for staff.

Results

A total of 185 (85 pre; 100 post) parents and 20 (pre and post; paired group) health care professionals participated. Because of COVID‐19, many planned interventions were unfeasible, however, other innovations achieved (e.g., structured telephone updates, information booklet revision). There was an increase in parents' perception of respect ([median] 2.50–3.50), collaboration (2.33–3.33) and support (2.60–3.60) domains and overall (2.50–3.43; p < .001; 95% CI: 2.93–3.11). Interdisciplinary professionals' perception of FCC did not significantly change pre‐and post‐implementation/COVID‐19 pandemic for respect (3.00–2.92), collaboration (3.22–3.33), support (3.20–3.20) and overall (3.15–3.20; 95% CI: 3.10–3.25).

Conclusion

Despite the challenges of COVID‐19 restricting NICU access, the provision of FCC was maintained and even improved.

Relevance to clinical practice

Further research is necessary to develop FCC practice innovations associated with communication, across diverse health care systems and resources.