bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Predictors of procedural failure of left bundle branch pacing in scarred left ventricle
Authors: Ponnusamy Shunmuga Sundaram , Murugan Mariappan , Ganesan Vithiya , Vijayaraman Pugazhendhi
Published: February 2023

Introduction

Presence of scar at the implantation‐site is considered as a major factor in determining the success of left bundle branch pacing (LBBP). We aimed at analyzing the predictors of procedural failure in patients with scarred‐left ventricle (LV) as demonstrated by cardiac‐magnetic resonance‐imaging (CMR).

Methods

This was a retrospective, observational single‐center‐study that included consecutive cardiomyopathy patients with LV‐scar as demonstrated by late‐gadolinium‐enhancement (LGE) in CMR requiring LBBP. Procedural‐failure was defined as the inability to penetrate the septum to reach the LV subendocardium

Results

A total of 25 cardiomyopathy patients demonstrated LGE in CMR and were included in the study. LBBP was successful in 16 patients (group‐I; 64% acute‐procedural‐success). In the remaining 9 patients (group‐II) lead could not be penetrated and hence biventricular‐pacing was done. LBBP resulted in reduction in QRS‐duration and improvement in LV ejection fraction in group‐I patients during a mean follow‐up of 11.2 ± 3.7 months. Computed‐tomography‐angiography after LBBP showed the successful lead deployment site (LBBP‐Zone) as the overlapping areas of inferior aspect of antero‐septum and superior aspect of infero‐septum (segment 2/3; AHA‐model) in short‐axis view(figure‐1C). CMR showed LGE in significantly more number of LV‐segments and high scar‐burden in group‐II as compared to group‐I (figure‐1). A total scar score value of >1.0 predicted failure with 100%‐sensitivity and 75%‐specificity. CMR revealed transmural‐scar in the LBBP‐Zone in all patients in group‐II (n = 9; 100%). Transmural scar in LBBP‐Zone by CMR had 100%‐sensitivity and 100%‐specificity for predicting the procedural‐failure.

Conclusion

CMR helps in predicting the procedural failure of LBBP in patients with scarred LV. Presence of transmural‐LGE in the LBBP‐Zone predicts failure with high sensitivity and specificity.
Comparative and experimental studies on the relationship between body size and countershading in caterpillars
Authors: Hwang Yerin , Yoo Sohee , Park Chohee , Kang Changku
Published: February 2023

Countershading is a gradient of colouration in which the illuminated dorsal surfaces are darker than the unilluminated ventral surface. It is widespread in the animal kingdom and endows the body with a more uniform colour to decrease the chance of detection by predators. Although recent empirical studies support the theory of survival advantage conferred by countershading, this camouflage strategy has evolved only in some of the cryptic animals, and our understanding of the factors that affect the evolution of countershading is limited. This study examined the association between body size and countershading using lepidopteran larvae (caterpillars) as a model system. Specifically, we predicted that countershading may have selectively evolved in large-sized species among cryptic caterpillars if (1) large size constrains camouflage which facilitates the evolution of a trait reinforcing their crypsis and (2) the survival advantage of countershading is size-dependent. Phylogenetic analyses of four different lepidopteran families (Saturniidae, Sphingidae, Erebidae, and Geometridae) suggest equivocal results: countershading was more likely to be found in larger species in Saturniidae but not in the other families. The field predation experiment assuming avian predators did not support size-dependent predation in countershaded prey. Collectively, we found only weak evidence that body size is associated with countershading in caterpillars. Our results suggest that body size is not a universal factor that has shaped the interspecific variation in countershading observed in caterpillars.

Abstract

We tested whether there exists an association between body size and countershading in caterpillars using phylogenetic analyses and field predation experiments. We found only weak evidence that body size is associated with countershading in caterpillars.
Effect of food restriction on survival and reproduction of a termite
Authors: Lin Silu , Pen Ido , Korb Judith
Published: February 2023

Food availability affects the trade‐off between maintenance and reproduction in a wide range of organisms, but its effects on social insects remain poorly understood. In social insects, the maintenance‐reproduction trade‐off seems to be absent in individuals but may appear at the colony level, although this is rarely investigated. In this study, we restricted food availability in a termite species to test how it affects survival and reproduction, both at the individual and colony level. Using Bayesian multivariate response models, we found very minor effects of food restriction on the survival of queens, individual workers or on the colonies. In contrast, queen fecundity was significantly reduced, whereas colony‐level fecundity (i.e., the number of dispersing alates, future reproductives) increased under food restriction as workers gave up cooperation within the colony and became alates that dispersed. Our study shows that life‐history trade‐offs can be mitigated by individuals' social behaviours in social organisms.
In‐vitro pulpal temperature increases when photo‐curing bulk‐fill resin‐based composites using laser or light‐emitting diode light curing units
Authors: Maucoski Cristiane , Price Richard Bengt , Sullivan Braden , Guarneri Juliana Anany Gonzales , Gusso Bruno , Arrais Cesar Augusto Galvão
Published: February 2023

Objective

To evaluate the in vitro pulpal temperature rise (ΔT) within the pulp chamber when low‐ and high‐viscosity bulk‐fill resin composites are photo‐cured using laser or contemporary light curing units (LCUs).

Materials and Methods

The light output from five LCUs was measured. Non‐retentive Class I and V cavities were prepared in one upper molar. Two T‐type thermocouples were inserted into the pulp chamber. After the PT values reached 32°C under simulated pulp flow (0.026 mL/min), both cavities were restored with: Filtek One Bulk Fill (3 M), Filtek Bulk Fill Flow (3 M), Tetric PowerFill (Ivoclar Vivadent), or Tetric PowerFlow (Ivoclar Vivadent). The tooth was exposed as follows: Monet Laser (1 and 3 s), PowerCure (3 and 20 s), PinkWave (3 and 20 s), Valo X (5 and 20 s) and SmartLite Pro (20 s). The ΔT data were subjected to one‐way ANOVA followed by Scheffe's post hoc test.

Results

Monet 1 s (1.9 J) and PinkWave 20 s (30.1 J) delivered the least and the highest amount of energy, respectively. Valo X and PinkWave used for 20 s produced the highest ΔT values (3.4–4.1°C). Monet 1 s, PinkWave 3 s, PowerCure 3 s (except FB‐Flow) and Monet 3 s for FB‐One and TP‐Fill produced the lowest ΔT values (0.9–1.7°C). No significant differences were found among composites.

Conclusions

Short 1‐ to 3‐s exposures produced acceptable temperature rises, regardless of the composite.

Clinical Significance

The energy delivered to the tooth by the LCUs affects the temperature rise inside the pulp. The short 1–3 s exposure times used in this study delivered the least amount of energy and produced a lower temperature rise. However, the RBC may not have received sufficient energy to be adequately photo‐cured.
Impact of falling‐film freeze concentration in a commercial Lager beer
Authors: Osorio M. , Moreno F.L. , Hernández E. , Ruiz‐Pardo Ruth Yolanda
Published: February 2023

Innovations and technology are the driving forces for new beer industry products, especially in exploring new flavor profiles. Freeze concentration (FC) emerges as an alternative to take advantage of this opportunity. This work studied the falling‐film freeze concentration (FFFC) application on ethanol–water solutions and commercial beer. The effect of flow rate, freezing temperature, and initial concentration of ethanol in the model solution was studied, and the best conditions were found with a surface response analysis and then applied to a commercial beer. The effect on the sensory profile was determined by multidimensional approximation for the lager beer and the concentrated liquid. A significant effect of initial concentration and freezing temperature were found in the ethanol–water solutions, and the best condition was found at −25°C, 400 L/h, and 0.03 w/w, with a concentration index of 1.35. This condition was evaluated for commercial beer, where a concentration index of 1.18 was achieved, caused by solids in beer and molecular interactions of ethanol with other compounds. The sensory profile of a commercial lager beer was modified by increasing the intensity in 38% of the flavor descriptors and the preservation of the other 41% after applying FFFC. The effect of this technique in beer could be a novel method to produce beer products with new flavor profiles.

Practical applications

Innovations in science and technology added to the search for new flavors promote the development of new products in the beer industry. In this article, a potential use of this freeze concentration (FC) technology was identified for the development of new concentrated beer products. The impact of falling‐film FC in a commercial lager beer was studied. First, obtaining a concentrated beer from this technique was possible, with a higher concentration of total solids and ethanol. In addition, the beer's sensory profile was modified by applying FC, which resulted in an increase in the intensity of 38% of the descriptors and the preservation of 41%. It also allowed the appearance of new flavors and aromas.
‘Feta is obviously very dangerous stuff looking at all those reds’: Can nutrition labelling help people living with type 2 diabetes to self‐manage their condition?
Authors: McClinchy Jane , Dickinson Angela , Wills Wendy
Published: February 2023

Background

The consumption of a healthy balanced diet is the cornerstone of treatment for people living with type 2 diabetes (PLWT2DM). The United Kingdom recommends a standardised voluntary front‐of‐pack food labelling system which uses the green–amber–red colour coding to indicate the presence of nutrients in a food item. Research with PLWT2DM suggests that they may find it challenging to interpret the information on food labels. This paper draws from a larger study exploring nutrition information practices for PLWT2DM. The aim of this paper is to explore the experiences of using nutrition information found on food labels among PLWT2DM and their partners/carers.

Methods

This study used a qualitative and mixed methods design, using a solicited 4‐week unstructured diary followed by a qualitative interview with each participant. The theoretical framework drew on practice theory. Data were analysed using thematic analysis.

Results

Nineteen PLWT2DM and one partner took part. Data consisted of 19 diaries and interviews. Almost all participants used food labels to help manage their condition; however, the colour‐coding link with traffic lights appeared to overemphasise the need to avoid foods with red labels. Participants' beliefs about sugar influenced their food choices which in turn could impact on their nutritional intake. Highly developed mathematical skills were needed to interpret information about portion sizes.

Conclusions

Healthcare professionals and patient support groups should focus more on educating PLWT2DM about how to interpret food labels so that they are able to apply these to their own food choices. Future research and development of subsequent versions of the food labelling system should include PLWT2DM to ensure that labels are both clear and relevant to them.
Phosphorylation of the LCB1 subunit of Arabidopsis serine palmitoyltransferase stimulates its activity and modulates sphingolipid biosynthesis
Authors: Li Yuan , Cao Hanwei , Dong Tingting , Wang Xiaoke , Ma Liang , Li Kun , Lou Huiqiang , Song Chun‐Peng , Ren Dongtao
Published: February 2023

Sphingolipids are the structural components of membrane lipid bilayers and act as signaling molecules in many cellular processes. Serine palmitoyltransferase (SPT) is the first committed and rate‐limiting enzyme in the de novo sphingolipids biosynthetic pathway. The core SPT enzyme is a heterodimer consisting of LONG‐CHAIN BASE1 (LCB1) and LCB2 subunits. SPT activity is inhibited by orosomucoid proteins and stimulated by small subunits of SPT (ssSPTs). However, whether LCB1 is modified and how such modification might regulate SPT activity have to date been unclear. Here, we show that activation of MITOGEN‐ACTIVATED PROTEIN KINASE 3 (MPK3) and MPK6 by upstream MKK9 and treatment with Flg22 (a pathogen‐associated molecular pattern) increases SPT activity and induces the accumulation of sphingosine long‐chain base t18:0 in Arabidopsis thaliana, with activated MPK3 and MPK6 phosphorylating AtLCB1. Phosphorylation of AtLCB1 strengthened its binding with AtLCB2b, promoted its binding with ssSPTs, and stimulated the formation of higher order oligomeric and active SPT complexes. Our findings therefore suggest a novel regulatory mechanism for SPT activity.
Comprehensive phylogenetic analyses of Orchidaceae using nuclear genes and evolutionary insights into epiphytism
Authors: Zhang Guojin , Hu Yi , Huang Ming‐Zhong , Huang Wei‐Chang , Liu Ding‐Kun , Zhang Diyang , Hu Haihua , Downing Jason L. , Liu Zhong‐Jian , Ma Hong
Published: February 2023

Orchidaceae (with >28,000 orchid species) are one of the two largest plant families, with economically and ecologically important species, and occupy global and diverse niches with primary distribution in rainforests. Among orchids, 70% grow on other plants as epiphytes; epiphytes contribute up to ~50% of the plant diversity in rainforests and provide food and shelter for diverse animals and microbes, thereby contributing to the health of these ecosystems. Orchids account for over two‐thirds of vascular epiphytes and provide an excellent model for studying evolution of epiphytism. Extensive phylogenetic studies of Orchidaceae and subgroups have ;been crucial for understanding relationships among many orchid lineages, although some uncertainties remain. For example, in the largest subfamily Epidendroideae with nearly all epiphytic orchids, relationships among some tribes and many subtribes are still controversial, hampering evolutionary analyses of epiphytism. Here we obtained 1,450 low‐copy nuclear genes from 610 orchid species, including 431 with newly generated transcriptomes, and used them for the reconstruction of robust Orchidaceae phylogenetic trees with highly supported placements of tribes and subtribes. We also provide generally well‐supported phylogenetic placements of 131 genera and 437 species that were not sampled by previous plastid and nuclear phylogenomic studies. Molecular clock analyses estimated the Orchidaceae origin at ~132 million years ago (Ma) and divergences of most subtribes from 52 to 29 Ma. Character reconstruction supports at least 14 parallel origins of epiphytism; one such origin was placed at the most recent common ancestor of ~95% of epiphytic orchids and linked to modern rainforests. Ten occurrences of rapid increase in the diversification rate were detected within Epidendroideae near and after the K‐Pg boundary, contributing to ~80% of the Orchidaceae diversity. This study provides a robust and the largest family‐wide Orchidaceae nuclear phylogenetic tree thus far and new insights into the evolution of epiphytism in vascular plants.
Incompatibility between serpentinization and epidote formation in the lower oceanic crust: Evidence from the Oman Drilling Project
Authors: Nozaka Toshio , Tateishi Yamato
Published: February 2023

It is a general tendency that epidote, which is a typical greenschist facies mineral, is scarce in the lower oceanic crust, in spite of the widespread occurrence of the other minerals indicative of similar temperature conditions such as chlorite, actinolite, prehnite and serpentine. To find the cause of this, we carried out petrological analyses of lower crustal rocks of the Oman ophiolite sampled by the Oman Drilling Project of the International Continental Scientific Drilling Program (ICDP). Petrographic observations revealed the tendency, as expected, that the amount of epidote formed by static alteration of plagioclase decreases with depth. Because mineral assemblages indicative of a wide range of temperature conditions from amphibolite to subgreenschist facies occur throughout the cores without systematic variations of abundance, the decrease of epidote amount cannot be explained by the difference of temperature condition of alteration. Petrographic observations also revealed that epidote is absent or rare in rocks containing serpentinized olivine in contrast to prehnite showing a close association with serpentinization of olivine. In an exceptional sample containing both epidote and serpentinized olivine, epidote occurs with chlorite that cuts or replaces plagioclase, mantles adjacent olivine and is connected with chlorite + lizardite veins cutting mesh‐forming serpentine veins. The distribution and mode of occurrence of epidote suggest decoupling of its formation with the main stage of serpentinization. Serpentine veins cutting olivine to form mesh texture are typically lizardite with magnetite ribbons at vein centres and have compositions of lizardite–cronstedtite solid solution at vein margins or in magnetite‐free veins, suggesting a chemical condition with low silica and low oxygen potentials at an early stage of serpentinization. Thermodynamic modelling for olivine and plagioclase alteration at greenschist facies conditions indicates that silica potential for plagioclase alteration to form prehnite + chlorite and epidote + chlorite could be higher than for olivine serpentinization. On the other hand, oxygen potential for the prehnite + chlorite formation is lower than for the epidote + chlorite formation and is comparable with that for olivine serpentinization. From the observations and analyses, it is concluded that epidote formation is inhibited by olivine serpentinization, which maintains a reducing condition for alteration in the lower oceanic crust.
A scoping review of nurse‐led randomised controlled trials
Authors: Eckert Marion , Kennedy Kate , Neylon Kim , Rickard Claire M. , Keogh Samantha , Gray Richard , Middleton Sandy , Homer Caroline , Whitehead Lisa , Sharplin Greg
Published: February 2023

Background

Nurses comprise the largest portion of the healthcare workforce worldwide. However, nurse representation in the leadership of clinical research and research funding is largely unknown. The Australasian Nursing and Midwifery Clinical Trials Network was established to provide a coordinated network, focussed on building research capacity in nursing and midwifery. To support this work, this scoping review of nurse‐led randomised controlled trials was conducted to summarise research activity, as well as highlight future research directions, gaps and resources. Midwife‐led trials will be reported elsewhere.

Aim

To quantify number, type and quality of nurse‐led randomised controlled trials registered between 2000–2021.

Design

A scoping review of RCTs.

Data Sources

Medline, Emcare and Scopus were searched from 2000 to August 2021. ANZCTR, NHMRC, MRFF and HRC (NZ) registries were searched from inception to July 2021.

Review Methods

This review was informed by the JBI scoping review framework using the PRISMA‐ScR.

Results

Our search yielded 188 nurse‐led publications and 279 registered randomised controlled trials. Multiple trials had the same nurse leaders. There were more registrations than publications. Publications were predominantly of high methodological quality; however, there was a reliance on active controls and blinding was low. Trial registrations indicate that universities and hospital/healthcare organisations were the major sources of funding, while publications indicate that Governments and the National Health and Medical Research Council were the main funding bodies.

Conclusion

A small number of high‐quality, large‐scale, nationally funded randomised controlled trials were identified, with a larger number of locally funded small trials. There was a disparity between the number of registered trials and those published. Additional infrastructure, funding and career frameworks are needed to enable nurses to design, conduct and publish clinical trials that inform the health system and improve health outcomes.

Relevance to Clinical Practice

Research initiated and led by nurses has the potential to improve the health and well‐being of individuals and communities, and current nurse‐led research is of high methodological quality; however, there were very few nurse‐led RCTs, conducted by a small pool of nurse researchers. This gap highlights the need for support in the design, conduct and publishing of nurse‐led RCTs.

Patient or Public Contribution

This is a scoping review; therefore, patient or public contribution is not applicable.
Therapeutic effects of L‐arginine, L‐carnitine, and mesenchymal stem cell‐conditioned medium on endometriosis‐induced oocyte poor quality in an experimental mouse model
Authors: Kalehoei Eshrat , Moradi Mojtaba , Azadbakht Mehri , Zhaleh Hossein , Abadi Samaneh Azizi Lal , Mahdiuni Hamid , Gharzi Ahmad
Published: February 2023

Aim

The present study aimed to explore the potential ameliorative effects of L‐arginine (LA), L‐carnitine (LC), and bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell‐conditioned medium (BMSC‐CM) on endometriosis (EMS) model in vivo and in vitro.

Methods

The animals were divided into two main groups, normal and EMS‐induced mice. Normal and EMS‐induced groups were injected with or without LA (250 mg/kg), LC (250 mg/kg), and BMSC‐CM (a final volume of 100 μL of CM/mouse). At the end of the study, the level of total antioxidant capacity (TAC), nitric oxide (NO), and total oxidative status (TOS) were measured in plasma. Furthermore, immature oocytes were collected from two groups and cultured in a maturation medium. Subsequently, the rates of in vitro maturation, in vitro fertilization (IVF), and in vitro embryonic development were evaluated.

Results

The results revealed that administration of LA, LC, and BMSC‐CM ameliorated the oxidative status through maintaining TAC and alleviating TOS and NO levels. More importantly, the maturation and fertilization rates, blastocyst development, and total blastocyst cell numbers significantly increased in LA, LC, and BMSC‐CM‐administrated groups compared to the control group. In both the normal and EMS groups, the highest IVF, cleavage, and blastocyst percentages were associated with BMSC‐CM treatment (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Altogether, LA, LC, and BMSC‐CM have therapeutic effects on impaired oocyte quality and promote subsequent development in vitro, probably through normalization of nitro‐oxidative stress, thus offering potential alternatives to conventional therapies during assisted reproductive technologies for patients with EMS‐associated sub/infertility.
The effect of different denture cleansing solutions on the retention of polyetheretherketone locator attachments
Authors: Bal Burcu , Erkul Selen , Erzincanlı Ayşe , Ozkurt‐Kayahan Zeynep , Kazazoglu Ender
Published: February 2023

Purpose

Prosthetic cleansing solutions have been reported to cause retention loss in implant locator attachments due to the chemical alterations of these attachments. This study aimed to investigate the effects of different denture cleansing solutions on attachments with different retention values.

Materials and methods

In this study, 160 polyetheretherketone locator attachments were divided into 4 groups according to their attachment retention values (yellow, pink, clear, and violet). Forty attachments from each group were soaked in four different cleansing solutions (n = 10). The attachments from the four groups were immersed in water, sodium hypochlorite, Corega, and Protefix solutions for a period equivalent to 6 months, according to the manufacturer's recommendations. The locator attachments were then subjected to testing using a universal testing machine. Maximum load to dislodgement according to different solutions was evaluated by one‐way ANOVA test. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.

Results

The effect of denture cleansing solutions on the retentive values of attachments was statistically significant (p < 0.001). Among all cleansing solutions, the highest retention value was found in the violet attachments, and the lowest retention value was found in the yellow attachments. The lowest retention value (0.72 ± 0.05 MPa) was observed when the yellow attachments were immersed in Protefix solution, and the highest retention value (1.96 ± 0.15 MPa) was observed when the violet attachments were immersed in the Corega solution.

Conclusion

For different colored attachments, different cleansing solutions can be suggested to patients.
Biaxial flexural strength of different provisional restorative materials under chemo‐mechanical aging: An in vitro study
Authors: Sadek Hoda M. Abdel , El‐Banna Ahmed
Published: February 2023

Purpose

Durability is a critical factor for the success of long‐term provisional restorations. This study evaluated the effect of different storage media and cyclic loading on the biaxial flexural strength of different types of provisional materials.

Materials and methods

Discs (N = 360, 10 × 2 mm) were prepared from different provisional materials; conventional (Protemp 4, Tuff‐Temp, Tempron), CAD–CAM milled (VITA CAD‐Temp, breCAM.multiCOM), and 3D‐printed (Nextdent C&B MFH) (n = 60). Each material group was subdivided into four subgroups according to the storage media (n = 15): nonaged, artificial saliva, mouthwash, and coffee. The specimens in storage media were placed in an incubator at 37°C for 4 weeks followed by 60,000 simulated chewing cycles. Biaxial flexural strength test was done. Data were analyzed using two‐way ANOVA. Weibull distribution parameters were estimated.

Results

Both the material and aging protocol showed a significant effect on the biaxial flexural strength. Both Protemp 4 and Nextdent C&B MFH showed a significantly higher biaxial flexural strength before and after aging compared to all other materials. Protemp 4 and Tuff Temp showed a significant decrease in strength with aging. CAD–CAM materials showed higher Weibull moduli.

Conclusions

The 3D‐printed polymethylmethacrylate provisional material presents with both greater biaxial flexural strength and increased durability against chemical and mechanical aging compared to conventional and CAD–CAM milled provisional materials tested.
Cross‐cultural sensory and emotions evaluation of chicken‐spice blend by Chinese and Pakistani consumers
Authors: Andaleeb Rani , Chen Yanping , Liu Zhaokun , Zhang Yin , Hussain Muzahir , Lu Yingshuang , Liu Yuan
Published: February 2023

This study is aimed at providing a foundation for the acceptability of two traditional spices (Chinese 5‐spice blend “CS” and garam masala “GM”) in addition to using chicken as a carrier food by Chinese and Pakistani consumers. It can promote ethnic food trading by providing the flavor preferences information of cross‐cultural consumers. Chicken marinated with CS and GM were boiled, and evaluated by consumer hedonic test and Check‐all‐that‐apply sensory and emotion measurements. Results showed the high acceptability of chicken‐spice blend samples, though the drivers of liking between Chinese and Pakistani consumers were varied. Interestingly, chicken‐spice blend samples were recognized for positive emotions, whereas negative emotions were ticked for the least favorite plain chicken sample. Therefore, via the observation and analysis of consumers' behavior in chicken‐spices consumption, our findings may help food researchers and traders understand the perceptions from both countries and thus guide the ethnic food product development in a cross‐cultural context.

Practical Applications

This research provides a primary understanding of the flavor perception and acceptability of traditional spices from China and Pakistan by their consumers, which would lead a customer‐centered ethnic food innovation. The implicit needs explored between Chinese and Pakistani consumers for chicken and chicken product consumption would assist in probing the potential market opportunities for ethnic foods trading within and between each country.
Evolution of sleep‐disordered breathing and blood pressure during menopausal transition
Authors: Rimpilä Ville , Lampio Laura , Kalleinen Nea , Vahlberg Tero , Virkki Arho , Saaresranta Tarja , Polo Olli
Published: February 2023

The purpose of this study was to investigate how the blood pressure increase observed during menopausal transition is affected by sleep‐disordered breathing and the menopause itself. Further, we aimed to find new sleep‐disordered breathing related markers that would predict the development of hypertension. Sixty‐four community‐dwelling premenopausal women aged 45–47 years were studied. Polysomnography, serum follicle stimulating hormone, forced expiratory volume in 1 s, and a physical examination were performed at baseline and again after 10 years of follow‐up. Indices for sleep apnea/hypopnea and inspiratory flow‐limitation were determined. Regression models were used to study the relationships between variables. Changes in the apnea‐hypopnea index or serum follicle stimulating hormone were not significant for blood pressure change. An increase in morning blood pressure during the follow‐up period was associated with a body mass‐index increase. An increase in evening blood pressure was associated with an increase in inspiratory flow‐limitation during non‐rapid eye movement sleep. Incident hypertension during the follow‐up was associated with hypopnea (median hypopnea index 7.6/h, p = 0.048) during rapid eye movement sleep at baseline. Users of menopausal hormone therapy had a lower rapid eye movement sleep apnea‐hypopnea index (1.6/h vs. 6.9/h, p = 0.026) at baseline whereas at follow‐up users and non‐users did not differ in any way. The progression of menopause or the use of menopausal hormone therapy had a minimal effect on blood pressure in our population. The effects of inspiratory flow‐limitation on blood pressure profile should be studied further.
Insomnia Severity Index: A reliability generalisation meta‐analysis
Authors: Cerri Luíza Quinália , Justo Mariana Carvalho , Clemente Vanda , Gomes Ana Allen , Pereira Anabela Sousa , Marques Daniel Ruivo
Published: February 2023

The aim of the current study was to conduct a reliability generalisation (RG) meta‐analysis of Cronbachʼs alpha for the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI). A systematic search of three databases (PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science) from inception to 12 March 2021 was performed. Publications that reported Cronbachʼs alpha for the total ISI score were included. Only psychometric‐focussed studies were considered. Meta‐analysis was carried out using a random‐effects model to derive a pooled estimate of Cronbachʼs alphas. The number of participants in the included publications ranged from 25 to 12,056, with 33 studies (42 estimates) comprising internal consistency coefficients, and a combined sample size of N = 29,688. The age range of the included publications was from 13.4 to 74.3 years. Data extraction implied 33 publications out of 706 found through the database search. Cronbachʼs alphas ranged from 0.65 to 0.92. The majority of the reported coefficients were ≥0.7 and presented a low risk of bias (n = 32). The pooled alpha coefficient was 0.83 (IC [0.81–0.85]; SE = 0.009) with high heterogeneity among the included publications (I2 = 97%). Subgroup analyses including moderators such as continent, setting, risk of bias, and age did not affect significantly the overall result. In general, the cumulative estimate of Cronbachʼs alpha for the ISI is good. However, this finding should be interpreted with caution since there is a high heterogeneity level and some of the studies might not have checked the assumptions underlying Cronbach's alphas.
Brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) variants and promoter I methylation are associated with prolonged nocturnal awakenings in older adults
Authors: Ancelin Marie‐Laure , Jaussent Isabelle , Ritchie Karen , Besset Alain , Ryan Joanne , Dauvilliers Yves
Published: February 2023

Brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is important for sleep physiology. This study investigates whether BDNF variants and promoter I methylation may be implicated in sleep disturbances in older adults. Genotyping was performed for seven BDNF single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 355 community‐dwelling older adults (aged ≥65 years) and BDNF exon 1 promoter methylation was measured in blood samples at baseline (n = 153). Self‐reported daytime sleepiness and insomnia, ambulatory polysomnography measures of sleep continuity and architecture, and psychotropic drug intake were assayed during follow‐up. Logistic regression adjusted for age, sex, comorbidities, body mass index, and psychotropic drug intake. Associations were found specifically between wake time after sleep onset (WASO) and four SNPs in the participants not taking psychotropic drugs, whereas in those taking drugs, the associations were either not significant (rs6265 and rs7103411) or in the reverse direction (rs11030101 and rs28722151). Higher BDNF methylation levels were found at most CpG units in those with long WASO and this varied according to psychotropic drug use. The reference group with short WASO not taking drugs showed the lowest methylation levels and the group with long WASO taking treatment, the highest levels. Some SNPs also modified the associations, the participants carrying the low‐risk genotype having the lower methylation levels. This genetic and epigenetic study demonstrated blood BDNF promoter methylation to be a potential biomarker of prolonged nocturnal awakenings in older people. Our results suggest the modifying effect of psychotropic drugs and BDNF genetic variants in the associations between methylation and WASO.
PTTG1 alleviates acute alcoholic liver injury by inhibiting endoplasmic reticulum stress‐induced hepatocyte pyroptosis
Authors: Tien Shiuan , Zhou Haoxiong , Zhou Qi , Liu Huiling , Wu Bin , Guo Yunwei
Published: February 2023

Background & Aims

Heavy drinking is a primary cause of alcoholic liver injury (ALI). Pituitary tumour transforming gene 1 (PTTG1) is involved in the occurrence and development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), which is a well‐known inflammation‐related cancer with various aetiologies, including alcohol consumption. However, the role of PTTG1 in alcohol‐induced liver injury and inflammation is not clear.

Methods

Blood samples were collected from patients with acute alcohol intoxication (n = 20) and healthy controls (n = 20). PTTG1 knockout (KO) mice and PTTG1 transgenic (TG) mice were given a single gavage of alcohol (5 g/kg, 50%) to construct the alcohol‐induced liver injury.

Results

We found that serum PTTG1 levels were downregulated in acute ALI patients. In addition, acute alcohol administration significantly reduced PTTG1 levels in the serum and liver of mice. Compared to wild‐type mice, PTTG1 KO mice had more serious liver injury, which was accompanied by worsened hepatic endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and hepatocyte pyroptosis induced by alcohol. Similarly, PTTG1 deficiency exacerbated alcohol‐induced cell death in primary mouse hepatocytes and LO2 cells, by increasing hepatic ER stress and pyroptosis. Importantly, TUDCA, an ER stress inhibitor, could blocked alcohol‐induced hepatic pyroptosis in PTTG1 knockdown LO2 cells. Finally, overexpression of PTTG1 substantially attenuated alcohol‐induced liver injury by reducing ER stress and hepatic pyroptosis in mice.

Conclusions

We demonstrated that PTTG1 participates in ALI and has a protective effect against alcohol‐induced hepatic ER stress and pyroptosis.
Outcomes after liver transplantation using deceased after circulatory death donors: A comparison of outcomes in the UK and the US
Authors: Ivanics Tommy , Claasen Marco P. A. W. , Patel Madhukar S. , Giorgakis Emmanouil , Khorsandi Shirin E. , Srinivasan Parthi , Prachalias Andreas , Menon Krishna , Jassem Wayel , Cortes Miriam , Sayed Blayne A. , Mathur Amit K. , Walker Kate , Taylor Rhiannon , Heaton Nigel , Mehta Neil , Segev Dorry L. , Massie Allan B. , van der Meulen Jan H. P. , Sapisochin Gonzalo , Wallace David
Published: February 2023

Background and Aims

Identifying international differences in utilization and outcomes of liver transplantation (LT) after donation after circulatory death (DCD) donation provides a unique opportunity for benchmarking and population‐level insight.

Methods

Adult (≥18 years) LT data between 2008 and 2018 from the UK and US were used to assess mortality and graft failure after DCD LT. We used time‐dependent Cox‐regression methods to estimate hazard ratios (HR) for risk‐adjusted short‐term (0–90 days) and longer‐term (90 days–5 years) outcomes.

Results

One‐thousand five‐hundred‐and‐sixty LT receipts from the UK and 3426 from the US were included. Over the study period, the use of DCD livers increased from 15.7% to 23.9% in the UK compared to 5.1% to 7.6% in the US. In the UK, DCD donors were older (UK:51 vs. US:33 years) with longer cold ischaemia time (UK: 437 vs. US: 333 min). Recipients in the US had higher Model for End‐stage Liver Disease (MELD) scores, higher body mass index, higher proportions of ascites, encephalopathy, diabetes and previous abdominal surgeries. No difference in the risk‐adjusted short‐term mortality or graft failure was observed between the countries. In the longer‐term (90 days–5 years), the UK had lower mortality and graft failure (adj.mortality HR:UK: 0.63 (95% CI: 0.49–0.80); graft failure HR: UK: 0.72, 95% CI: 0.58–0.91). The cumulative incidence of retransplantation was higher in the UK (5 years: UK: 11.9% vs. 4.6%; p < .001).

Conclusions

For those receiving a DCD LT, longer‐term post‐transplant outcomes in the UK are superior to the US, however, significant differences in recipient illness, graft quality and access to retransplantation were seen between the two countries.
A repeated cross‐sectional analysis of the Icelandic baby food market surveyed in 2016, 2019 and 2021
Authors: Thorisdottir Birna , Odinsdottir Tinna , Thorsdottir Inga
Published: February 2023

World Health Organisation (WHO) has stated that countries need to know their local commercial baby food (CBF) market. Data from other countries suggest rapid changes in CBF options, highlighting the need for repeated analysis. In that context, this repeated cross‐sectional study analysed the options and nutrient quality of different CBF types available in Iceland in years 2016, 2019 and 2021. Data was gathered on formulas, porridge flours, foods in jars and pouches, finger‐foods, other CBF. They were classified into 26 subgroups based on ingredients and taste (sweet/savoury). Minimum consumer age as suggested by the manufacturers and nutritional content were registered. In each data‐collection, 250–275 products were available. Over a third of products (37%–44%) were in pouches. Availability of products intended for 4–11‐month‐old infants decreased, driven largely by a 65% decrease in availability of food in jars (sweet/savoury) between 2016 and 2021. Availability of products intended from 12+ months or without age‐labels increased, driven largely by quadrupling of finger‐foods (predominantly sweet) between 2016 and 2021. The overall percentage of products classified as sweet increased from 65% (2016) to 73% (2019) and 77% (2021). Some finger‐foods had high sugar content (up to 72 g/100 g), partly from fruit concentrate or sugar/syrup. Like other countries, the Icelandic CBF market has moved towards less availability of food intended in the first year and more availability of sweet finger‐foods for an expanded consumer age. As sugar is added to some CBF, stronger regulations on promotion of foods for young consumers and updated recommendations for parents/caregivers may be needed.
Being as Communion in Aquinas’s Trinitarian Theology
Authors: Higgins Michael Joseph
Published: February 2023

A number of thinkers in recent decades have argued that, in light of the Trinity, we can see that God's being is communion. Particularly effective was John D. Zizioulas, whose Trinitarian ontology centered on communion. Some skeptical of this claim have invoked Aquinas as a source for countering an ontology of communion. I argue that, while Thomas never explicitly affirms that the divine being is communion, he can give us deep resources for reaching this conclusion. Indeed, he can ultimately lead us towards a divine being which is more thoroughly a matter of communion—and towards an ontology which is more radically Trinitarian—than anything we find in Zizioulas.
Paschal Triduum
Authors: McCabe Herbert
Published: February 2023

Here New Blackfriars is publishing for the first time a set of three talks given in 1979 by the distinguished Dominican theologian Herbert McCabe (1926-2001). It appears that the talks were delivered in Leeds, UK, during a Holy Week retreat (or something like that). The text below derives from a typescript put together by someone unknown on the basis of what seems to have been an audio recording. McCabe is clearly drawing on these talks in Chapters 7 to 9 of his 1987 book God Matters (chapters which are reprints of articles published in New Blackfriars in 1986). However, the original talks as they appear below have the brevity, freshness, informality, spontaneity, and blemishes characteristic of a ‘live performance’ rather than a reworking and development of them for publication coming seven years after they were delivered. That is why New Blackfriars is now publishing them in the hope that they might interest readers of the journal, which McCabe edited for many years. New Blackfriars is grateful to Marie Turner for drawing its attention to them and for sending it a copy of the typescript of the 1979 talks.
What is trustworthiness?
Authors: Kelp Christoph , Simion Mona
Published: February 2023

This paper develops a novel, bifocal account of trustworthiness according to which both trustworthinesssimpliciter(as in ‘Ann is trustworthy’) and trustworthiness tophi(as in ‘Ann is trustworthy when it comes to keeping your secrets’) are analysed in terms of dispositions to fulfil one's obligations. We also offer a systematic account of the relation between the two types of trustworthiness, an account of degrees of trustworthiness and comparative trustworthiness, as well as a view of permissible trustworthiness attribution.
Regulatory module WRKY33‐ATL31‐IRT1 mediates cadmium tolerance in Arabidopsis
Authors: Zhang Cheng , Tong Chenchen , Cao Lei , Zheng Pengpeng , Tang Xiaofeng , Wang Lihuan , Miao Min , Liu Yongsheng , Cao Shuqing
Published: February 2023

Cadmium (Cd) is one of the most dangerous environmental pollutants among heavy metals, and threatens food safety and human health by accumulating in plant sink tissues. Here, we report a novel regulatory cascade that profoundly influences Cd tolerance in Arabidopsis. Phenotypic analysis showed that an insertional knockdown mutation at the Arabidopsis Tóxicos en Levadura 31 (ATL31) locus resulted in hypersensitivity to Cd stress, most likely due to a significant increase in Cd accumulation. Consistently, ATL31‐overexpressing lines exhibited enhanced Cd stress tolerance and reduced Cd accumulation. Further, IRON‐REGULATED TRANSPORTER 1 (IRT1) was identified, and yeast two‐hybrid, co‐immunoprecipitation and bimolecular fluorescence complementation assays demonstrated its interaction with ATL31. Biochemical, molecular, and genetic analyses showed that IRT1 is targeted by ATL31 for ubiquitin‐conjugated degradation in response to Cd stress. Intriguingly, transcription of ATL31 was strongly induced by Cd stress. In addition, transgenic and molecular analyses showed that WRKY33 directly activated the transcription of ATL31 in response to Cd stress and positively regulated Cd tolerance. Genetic analysis indicated that ATL31 acts upstream of IRT1 and downstream of WRKY33 to regulate Cd tolerance. Our study revealed that the WRKY33‐ATL31‐IRT1 module plays a crucial role in timely blocking Cd absorption to prevent metal toxicity in Arabidopsis.
Dynamic incentives for sustainable contract farming
Authors: Zhang Wei , Gao Long , Zolghadr Mohammad , Jian Dawei , ElHafsi Mohsen
Published: February 2023

The rise of contract farming has transformed millions of farmers' lives. We study a new class of contract farming problems, where the farmer holds superior information and can invest effort to improve productivity over time. Despite their prevalence, the literature offers little guidance on how to manage such farmers with dynamic incentives. We build a game‐theoretic model that captures the dynamic incentives of learning and gaming, with hidden action and information. We characterize the optimal contract: it internalizes both the vertical and intertemporal externalities, with performance pay and deferred payment; the performance pay is to motivate the farmer to invest and improve the relationship‐specific productivity; the deferred payment is to ensure that the farmer is willing to share information and behave honestly over time. Even with random yield, the optimal contract can still have a simple implementation of a yield‐adjusted revenue‐sharing policy. Using real data, we show that the learning effect is significant. We then quantify when and how contract farming can improve smallholder farmers' productivity and income, creating shared value. We find when buyers have a long‐term perspective and can internalize the benefit of farmer improvement, they will pay higher prices to ensure farmers' long‐term viability. Our results inform the policy debate on contract farming: traditional procompetitive policies (based on spot transactions) can be counterproductive for modern agrifood value chains, hurting both buyers and farmers.
Network revenue management with online inverse batch gradient descent method
Authors: Chen Yiwei , Shi Cong
Published: February 2023

We consider a general class of price‐based network revenue management problems that a firm aims to maximize revenue from multiple products produced with multiple types of resources endowed with limited inventory over a finite selling season. A salient feature of our problem is that the firm does not know the underlying demand function that maps prices to demand rate, which must be learned from sales data. It is well known that for almost all classes of demand functions, such as linear, exponential, multinomial logit, and nested logit models, the revenue rate function is not concave in the products' prices but is concave in products' market shares (or price‐controlled demand rates). This creates challenges in adopting any stochastic gradient descent based methods in the price space. We propose a novel nonparametric learning algorithm termed the online inverse batch gradient descent (IGD) algorithm. This algorithm proceeds in batches. In each batch, the firm implements each product's perturbed prices and then uses the sales information to estimate the market shares. Leveraging these estimates, the firm carries out a stochastic gradient descent step in the market share space that takes into account the relative inventory scarcity for the entire horizon and then inversely maps the updated market shares back to the price space to obtain the prices for the next batch. Moreover, we also propose an inventory‐adjusted algorithm (IGD‐I) that the feasible market share set is dynamically adjusted to capture the real‐time relative inventory scarcity for the remaining season. For the large‐scale systems wherein all resources' inventories and the length of the horizon are proportionally scaled by a parameter k, we establish a dimension‐independent regret bound of [Formula: see text]. This result is independent of the number of products and resources and works for a continuum action‐set prices and the demand functions that are only once differentiable. Our theoretical result guarantees the efficacy of both algorithms in the high‐dimensional systems where the number of products or resources is large and the prices are continuous. Our algorithms also numerically outperform the existing algorithms in the literature.