bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Embedding environmental sustainability within oral health professional curricula—Recommendations for teaching and assessment of learning outcomes
Authors: Field James , Martin Nicolas , Duane Brett , Vital Sibylle , Mulligan Steven , Livny Alon , Lindberg Pia , Lundegren Nina , Gummesson Christina , Long Ruby , Lundbeck Heather , Ramasubbu Darshini , Dixon Jonathan
Published: September 2022

The FDI World Dental Federation suggests that “dentistry, as a profession, should integrate Sustainable Development Goals into daily practice and support a shift to a green economy in the pursuit of healthy lives and wellbeing for all, through all stages of life.” This article reports on the recent activity of the Association for Dental Education in Europe Special Interest Group for Sustainability in Dentistry. Following on from the group's previous activities, which explored current educational practice, this work aimed to reach a pan‐European consensus on a number of learning outcomes for environmental sustainability, in order to (i) support institutions in designing and delivering their curriculum, and (ii) to further harmonise the delivery of oral health professional education across Europe. This article presents specific learning outcomes relating to environmental sustainability and recommendations relating to curriculum development, including methods of teaching and assessment.
I can still hear my baby crying: The ambiguous loss of American Indian/Alaska Native birthmothers
Authors: Landers Ashley L. , Danes Sharon M. , Carrese Domenica H. , Mpras Evdoxia , Campbell Avery R. , White Hawk Sandy
Published: September 2022

This study captures the experiences of American Indian/Alaska Native birthmothers who lost a child to adoption and the impact of said loss on their health and wellbeing. Few studies examine the loss experiences of American Indian/Alaska Native birthmothers despite their increased probability to lose a child to foster care and adoption. American Indian/Alaska Native birthmothers are distinct from birthmothers of other races in their experiences of intergenerational and historical child loss, having disproportionately lost their children to systematic practices of child removal via boarding schools, the adoption era, and child welfare. Interview data from 8 American Indian/Alaska Native birthmothers were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis. Five themes emerged including: (1) the social context of losing a child to adoption for American Indian/Alaska Native birthmothers, (2) the ambiguous loss of a child to adoption, (3) grief reactions to the loss, (4) the impact of the loss on birthmother health and wellbeing, and (5) creating resiliency. Findings suggest that American Indian/Alaska Native birthmothers experience ambiguous loss, as well as elevated mental health problems and substance abuse following the loss of a child to adoption.
Association of age with emergency department visits and hospital admissions: A nationwide study
Authors: Fimognari Filippo Luca , Lelli Diana , Landi Francesco , Antonelli Incalzi Raffaele
Published: September 2022

Aim

Older adults are frequently stigmatized for improper emergency department (ED) visits and hospitalizations. In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between age and appropriateness of ED visits, and the mismatching between ED clinical severity and hospitalizations.

Methods

We carried out a nationwide assessment of Italian Informative System for the Emergency and Urgency data from 1 January 2015 to 31 December 2015 including patients admitted to all the Italian EDs for any reason. Appropriateness of ED visits was defined as a yellow/red/black color code (potentially life‐threatening/dead patients), whereas clinical severity/hospitalization mismatching was defined as hospital admission after validated ED green/white codes. Analyses dedicated to people aged ≥75 years were carried out.

Results

There were 20 400 071 ED visits (3 444 091 aged ≥75 years), which increased with age, up to >650/1000 inhabitants aged ≥90 years. The appropriateness of ED visits increased with age, from 6.3% in the 5–9 years age group to 44.2% in the 95–99 years age group. Clinical severity/hospitalization mismatching decreased with age, from 62.9% in the 30–34 years age group to 27.7% in the 95–99 years age group. At ED presentation, 21.6% of patients aged ≥75 years complained of non‐specific symptoms, and hospital discharge diagnoses frequently differed from the ED admission diagnoses; 11.4% died during hospitalization and 8.8% were discharged to long‐term care facilities.

Conclusions

The request for ED care and the admission to acute care ward are commonly appropriate for older patients. Clinical presentation at ED admission is frequently atypical. Health care systems should aim at improving outpatients' management to reduce the ED care need, but also at optimizing in‐hospital strategies and pathways for older adults. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2022; 22: 917–923.
Alanine aminotransferase levels as therapeutic targets after nucleotide/nucleoside analog therapy in patient with chronic hepatitis B
Authors: Kirino Sakura , Tamaki Nobuharu , Kurosaki Masayuki , Kaneko Shun , Inada Kento , Tanaka Yuki , Ishido Shun , Yamashita Koji , Nobusawa Tsubasa , Matsumoto Hiroaki , Hayakawa Yuka , Kakegawa Tatsuya , Higuchi Mayu , Takaura Kenta , Tanaka Shohei , Maeyashiki Chiaki , Yasui Yutaka , Takahashi Yuka , Tsuchiya Kaoru , Nakanishi Hiroyuki , Okamoto Ryuichi , Izumi Namiki
Published: September 2022

Aim

Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) is a criterion for the introduction of nucleotide/nucleoside analog (NA), and ALT levels are decreased by NA treatment. However, the association between post‐treatment ALT levels and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) risk remains unclear. To fill this gap, we aimed to establish a target value of ALT level during NA treatment.

Methods

In total, 413 patients with chronic hepatitis B who received entecavir, tenofovir alafenamide, or tenofovir disoproxil fumarate were enrolled. The subsequent development of HCC was examined and a target value of ALT level during NA treatment as a risk marker for HCC was evaluated.

Results

The median follow‐up duration was 5.1 years, during which time 27 patients (8.6%) developed HCC. ALT level at the start of treatment was not associated with HCC development (p = 0.08). When stratified by ALT at 1 year after NA initiation, the cumulative 3‐ and 5‐year rates of HCC for patients with ALT ≥21 IU/L were 11.5% and 18.1%, and those with ALT <21 IU/L was 2.3% and 6.5%, respectively. Patients with ALT <21 IU/L had a significantly lower risk of HCC development compared with patients with ALT ≥21 IU/L (p = 0.002). In multivariable analysis adjusting age, sex, and platelet counts, ALT ≥21 IU/L was an independent risk factor of HCC development with hazard ratio of 4.5 (95% confidence interval: 1.01–20.4).

Conclusions

ALT <21 IU/L at 1 year after NA initiation has a lower risk of HCC and could be used as a target value for NA treatment.
Factors to control the alignment of surface‐treated titanium dioxide powders to maximize performance of sunscreens
Authors: Takekawa Shoji , Ohara Miwa , Banno Taisuke , Asakura Kouichi
Published: September 2022

Objective

Titanium dioxide powders are contained in a large class of colour cosmetics and sunscreen formulas. When they are used, the formation of a uniform functional powder layer on the skin is an important factor to show their functionality, such as aesthetic and UV protection. Attempts were made to extract the factors that affect the UV shielding ability of the deposited powder layer.

Methods

Seven kinds of surface treatments were conducted on nano‐sized titanium dioxide powder to modify the surface characteristics. Dispersion samples were prepared by mixing these powders with liquids, such as mixed solutions of cyclopentasiloxane, isododecane, coconuts alkane and dimethicone using a disperser and a bead mill. The dispersions were applied using an applicator on cellulose triacetate film, polycarbonate film and polymethyl pentene film. Laser microscope observation and micro‐gloss glossmeter analysis were carried out to assess the flatness of the deposited powder layers, and the UV shielding ability was evaluated using SPF analyser.

Results

Factors whose influences on the structure and UV shielding ability of the deposited powder layer being analysed were pseudo‐HLB of the powders, liquids for preparing the dispersions and material of the substrates. Higher UV shielding ability was attained when powders having pseudo‐HLB at around 6 were employed independent from the kinds of liquids and substrates. Flatness of the deposited layer was found to enhance the UV shielding ability of the UV‐B region, while that of the UV‐A region was scarcely influenced by the flatness. Employing lower surface tension liquids for preparing the dispersions and materials exhibiting lower polar components of surface free energy as substrates tended to enhance the UV shielding ability.

Conclusion

Surface treatments conducted on the powders in this study were found to change UV shielding ability, especially UV‐B shielding ability, and the relation between pseudo‐HLB and UV shielding ability was scarcely influenced by the kinds of liquids. Both surface tension of liquids and the polar component of surface free energy of substrates affected the UV shielding ability. It was suggested that pseudo‐HLB calculated based on chemical structure becomes useful information to choose optimum surface treatment to make uniform powder alignment independent from the surrounding environment.
Expression of BCL11A in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia
Authors: Tosic Natasa , Ugrin Milena , Marjanovic Irena , Kostic Tatjana , Vukovic Vojin , Tomic Kristina , Otasevic Vladimir , Antic Darko , Mihaljevic Biljana , Pavlovic Sonja , Karan‐Djurasevic Teodora
Published: September 2022

Introduction

The B‐cell lymphoma/leukaemia 11A (BCL11A) gene encodes a Krüppel‐like transcription factor involved in lymphocyte development during normal haematopoiesis. Aberrant expression of BCL11A has been observed in several haematological malignancies, including chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL). However, its functions in the regulatory networks of malignant B lymphocytes are poorly understood, as are the relations to clinical course and outcome of B‐cell malignancies, particularly CLL.

Methods

The expression of BCL11A was analysed in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of 87 newly‐diagnosed CLL patients by quantitative reverse‐transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR), and association with clinical and molecular variables was assessed.

Results

BCL11A was significantly overexpressed in CLL samples compared to control samples (p < 0.001). BCL11A expression level exhibited no association with age, sex, leukocyte, lymphocyte and platelet counts, haemoglobin level, serum β2‐microglobulin, CD38 status and cytogenetic abnormalities. On the other hand, high BCL11A expression was associated with low serum lactate dehydrogenase (p = 0.031), Binet A stage (p = 0.047) and mutated IGHV (p = 0.028). In addition, a positive correlation with BCL2/BAX mRNA ratio was observed (r = 0.36; p < 0.001). Regarding the association with the time to first treatment (TTFT), a trend towards longer median TTFT in BCL11A high‐ versus BCL11A low‐expressing cases was detected (21 vs. 6 months; p = 0.164).

Conclusion

The results of this study show that BCL11A is upregulated in CLL patients, and that high BCL11A expression at diagnosis may be associated with better prognosis. These data are consistent with the role of BCL11A expression in CLL biology, and imply its potential prognostic relevance.
Anaemia can be improved by controlling the disease activity of Takayasu's arteritis without iron administration
Authors: Guo Yanqiu , Du Juan , Li Taotao , Gao Na , Pan Lili
Published: September 2022

Background

Anaemia is a common clinical manifestation observed in Takayasu's arteritis (TAK), but few studies have been conducted. This study investigated whether improvement of inflammatory indicators was associated with improvement of anaemia in TAK. We also investigated whether iron supplement treatment could benefit in addition to immunosuppressant therapy in the anaemia patients with TAK.

Methods

This was a retrospective cohort study of 160 patients diagnosed with TAK. All patients were further assigned into anaemia group (67 cases) or non‐anaemia group (93 cases) according to their haemoglobin levels. Fifty two anaemia patients completed follow‐up (median 5.2 months).

Results

There were 67 (41.88%) anaemia patients among all 160 TAK patients. Compared to TAK patients without anaemia, the average age [32 (24, 45) vs. 40 (31, 48), p = 0.002], disease duration [36 (7, 120) vs. 72 (14, 162), p = 0.017] and BMI [21.43 (18.96, 23.81) vs. 22.86 (20.09, 25.81), p = 0.008] were significantly lower in TAK patients with anaemia. The levels of ESR [23 (15, 51) vs. 11 (5.5, 22), p = 0.0001] and CRP [9.33 (1.99, 27.8) vs. 1.99 (0.45, 6.68), p = 0.0001] were significantly increased in TAK patients who complicated with anaemia. After follow‐up, decrease of ESR, CRP and disease activity score (NIH and ITAS) were significantly associated with improvement of anaemia. One unit decrease of ESR and CRP, the hazard ratio of the improvement rate of anaemia was 1.02 [95% CI (1.00, 1.03); p = 0.027] and 1.04 [95% CI (1.02, 1.07); p < 0.001] respectively. One point decrease of NIH and ITAS‐A was associated with a higher probability of anaemia improvement [HR 95% CI: 1.25 (1.02, 1.41), p = 0.022, HR 95% CI: 1.62 (1.21, 2.17), p = 0.001]. These relationships were consistent between iron supplement treatment group and without iron supplement treatment group. We found no significant difference in cumulative hazard between the two groups (p = 0.692).

Conclusion

Anaemia was a common complication in TAK. Decrease of ESR, CRP and disease activity score (NIH and ITAS) were significantly associated with improvement of anaemia, even after adjusting for various covariates. Moreover, these relationships were consistent between iron supplement treatment group and without iron supplement treatment group. There was no significant difference in the improvement of anaemia in patients receiving immunosuppressant therapy with or without iron supplement treatment.
miRNAs in prostate cancer: Intercellular and extracellular communications
Authors: Urabe Fumihiko , Yamamoto Yusuke , Kimura Takahiro
Published: September 2022

Prostate cancer is the most prevalent male cancer in Western Europe and North America. Although new drugs were recently approved, clinical challenges such as accurately predicting and screening drug‐resistant prostate cancer remain. microRNAs are short noncoding RNA molecules that participate in gene regulation at the post‐transcriptional level by targeting messenger RNAs. There is accumulating evidence that intracellular microRNAs play important roles as promoters or inhibitors of prostate cancer progression. Additionally, recent studies showed that microRNAs are encapsulated in extracellular vesicles and shuttled into the extracellular space. Transfer of extracellular microRNAs contributes to intercellular communication between prostate cancer cells and components of the tumor microenvironment, which can promote prostate cancer progression. Furthermore, due to their encapsulation in extracellular vesicles, extracellular microRNAs can be stably present in body fluids which contain high levels of RNase. Thus, circulating microRNAs have great potential as noninvasive diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for prostate cancer. Here, we summarize the roles of intracellular and extracellular microRNAs in prostate cancer progression and discuss the potential of microRNA‐based therapeutics as a novel treatment strategy for prostate cancer.
Impact of mortgage soft information in loan pricing on default prediction using machine learning
Authors: Luong Thi Mai , Scheule Harald , Wanzare Nitya
Published: September 2022

We analyze the impact of soft information on US mortgages for default prediction and provide a new measure for lender soft information that is based on the interest rates offered to borrowers and incremental to public hard information. Hard and soft information provide for a variation in annual default probabilities of approximately 3%. Soft information has a lesser impact over time and time since origination. Lenders rely more on soft information for high‐risk borrowers. Our study evidences the importance of soft information collected at loan origination.
Competition between the black‐winged kite and Eurasian kestrel led to population turnover at a subtropical sympatric site
Authors: Chen Kuan‐Hao , Lin Wen‐Loung , Lin Si‐Min
Published: September 2022

Population expansion of the black‐winged kite Elanus caeruleus has been a global trend in recent decades. Since first recorded in Taiwan in 2001, they rapidly occupied plains areas of this subtropical island which has led to interspecific competition with the wintering Eurasian kestrel Falco tinnunculus. In this study, we analyzed historical surveys to estimate the population trends of both species in Taiwan. We then used Pianka's index to quantify the degree of niche overlap based on diet composition and foraging peaks. Finally, we designed an experiment to test the aggressiveness of the two raptors when facing conspecific or heterospecific intruders. Airport avifauna survey (2002–2017) data from eight different airports and eBird data (2000–2019) from 21 hotspot grids both showed population turnover between the two raptors, with a decline in the wintering Eurasian kestrel and an expansion of the black‐winged kite. Rodents were the largest share of prey for both species, indicating that the two raptors have a high degree of niche overlap (an overlap index of 0.74 by prey frequency, 0.97 by prey biomass and 0.89 by foraging time). The black‐winged kite exhibited higher boldness and aggressiveness toward intruders, with its aggressiveness toward kestrel specimens (2.9 ± 2.4 strikes) significantly higher than that toward kite specimens (1.1 ± 1.8 strikes). Attacks by the black‐winged kite may have prompted the Eurasian kestrel to choose other wintering grounds. As a result, the number of wintering kestrels decreased, leading to opposing population trends of the two species.
Labor unions and post‐acquisition integration capability: Evidence from goodwill impairment
Authors: Kallousa Najlaa , Jang Youngki , Jung Boochun , Warsame Hussein
Published: September 2022

We examine whether operating inflexibility posed by labor unions affects goodwill impairment. We predict such inflexibility hinders resource reallocation after acquisition, thereby preventing the acquiring firm from realizing synergies included in goodwill. Consistent with this prediction, we find that the strength of labor unions is positively associated with the likelihood and magnitude of goodwill impairment losses. Our results are robust to a battery of tests that address the potential endogeneity. Furthermore, we find that managers who possess superior ability mitigate the negative consequences of labor unions on goodwill impairment. Overall, our findings suggest that operating inflexibility posed by labor unions is an important determinant of goodwill impairment that indicates a failure to realize the expected synergy from the acquisition.
miR‐486 improves fibrotic activity in myocardial infarction by targeting SRSF3/p21‐Mediated cardiac myofibroblast senescence
Authors: Chen Hongyi , Lv Luocheng , Liang Ruoxu , Guo Weimin , Liao Zhaofu , Chen Yilin , Zhu Kuikui , Huang Ruijin , Zhao Hui , Pu Qin , Yuan Ziqiang , Zeng Zhaohua , Zheng Xin , Feng Shanshan , Qi Xufeng , Cai Dongqing
Published: September 2022

The regulation of fibrotic activities is key to improving pathological remodelling post‐myocardial infarction (MI). Currently, in the clinic, safe and curative therapies for cardiac fibrosis and improvement of the pathological fibrotic environment, scar formation and pathological remodelling post‐MI are lacking. Previous studies have shown that miR‐486 is involved in the regulation of fibrosis. However, it is still unclear how miR‐486 functions in post‐MI regeneration. Here, we first demonstrated that miR‐486 targeting SRSF3/p21 mediates the senescence of cardiac myofibroblasts to improve their fibrotic activity, which benefits the regeneration of MI by limiting scar size and post‐MI remodelling. miR‐486‐targeted silencing has high potential as a novel target to improve fibrotic activity, cardiac fibrosis and pathological remodelling.
Novel Shared Decision‐Making Tool Improves Contraceptive Screening and Right Care during Pregnancy in a Military Hospital: A Quality Improvement Report
Authors: Guertin Jamie , Lanuza Kalena
Published: September 2022

Introduction

Unintended pregnancy rates in the military remain high compared with rates outside of the military in the United States (54%‐60% vs 45%‐50%, respectively). Contraceptive counseling in conjunction with shared decision‐making is recommended to improve military unintended pregnancy rates. Best counseling practices and decision aids for contraceptive counseling are unknown in military and nonmilitary populations. Pregnancy may be an opportune time to complete contraceptive counseling because of regularly scheduled prenatal visits, and counseling during pregnancy is associated with higher postpartum contraception use. A quality initiative was implemented to improve contraceptive screening and counseling during pregnancy for servicewomen and nonservicewomen in a clinic setting.

Process

The initiative included 4 patient‐centered core interventions: a patient screening, a shared decision‐making tool, a right care checklist, and a team engagement plan, across 4 rapid plan‐do‐study‐act cycles.

Outcomes

Contraceptive screening rates and delivery of right care improved from 37% to 79% in the pregnant patients over 90 days; 81% of patients screened positive for contraception needs; 89% of patients made a same‐day decision about their contraception plan after completing the tool; and 92% of patients had a contraception plan documented in the electronic health record by the health care provider prior to birth.

Discussion

Results demonstrated that contraception screening rates and right care improved with initiative interventions for servicewomen and nonservicewomen. A novel shared decision‐making tool presented 18 contraception methods, risks and benefits, and tiered effectiveness that aided the majority of patients in a same‐day decision with high patient satisfaction. Provider counseling was also simplified without delay in clinic time. Contraceptive counseling completed with a shared decision‐making tool may benefit military and civilian populations during pregnancy. Additional research is needed to examine the best time to conduct counseling during pregnancy and the long‐term rates of contraceptive use or unplanned pregnancy following counseling events.
Franz Oppenheimer (1926), Die soziologische Staatsidee. (Die Eroberung) [The Sociological Idea of the State (The Conquest)]
Authors: Keim Wiebke
Published: September 2022

F. Oppenheimer's System der Soziologie is a multivolume publication that contains a general sociology as a common basis for all social sciences; a theory of development; as well as specialized sociologies: sociology of the economy, of law, of the state, etc. Oppenheimer conceived sociology as a historically grounded universal science. Ibn Khaldun came into play in relationship with Oppenheimer's state theory. His approach directly built on Gumplowicz's “sociological state theory”. An overview on Oppenheimer's works shows that Ibn Khaldun was by no means the starting point of theorization on the state. We do not find any reference to him in an earlier publication, Der Staat (1912), that already contained the full elaboration of Oppenheimer's theory. Nevertheless, his reception of Ibn Khaldun is important: Ibn Khaldun was mobilized within the framework of a scholarly debate that was ongoing amongst European sociologists at the time, and whose key representative, Ludwig Gumplowicz, contributed significantly to his reception in the concerned period. In this context, Oppenheimer did not merely mention Ibn Khaldun in an encyclopaedic endeavor to present a complete overview on “precursors” of sociology, but as a representative and contributor to a theoretical approach which, Oppenheimer believed, they both shared.
Three‐dimensional vessel wall MRI to characterize thrombus prior to endovascular thrombectomy for large vessel occlusion stroke
Authors: Kumagai Kosuke , Hayashi Miyuka , Ueda Tooru , Nishida Sho , Ishihara Hideaki , Hayashi Shinji , Katoh Hiroshi
Published: September 2022

Background and Purpose

Endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) caused by large vessel occlusion requires rapid and reliable imaging of the vessel course including the clot to reduce complications and ensure success. However, no method to acquire this information has been established.

Methods

Six consecutive patients with AIS caused by large vessel occlusion underwent EVT in our institute. High‐resolution vessel wall MRI was performed using three‐dimensional (3D) variable refocusing flip angle pulse and turbo spin‐echo sequences (VRFA‐TSE) with the volume isotropic turbo spin‐echo acquisition (VISTA) technique. This study evaluated the effectiveness of 3D proton density‐weighted (PDW) VRFA‐TSE (called PDW‐VISTA) compared with T2‐weighted (T2W) VRFA‐TSE (called T2W‐VISTA) to demonstrate the cerebral vessels including the occluded invisible lesion.

Results

PDW‐VISTA and T2W‐VISTA were successfully performed in all cases. PDW‐VISTA was more useful to visualize the anterior circulation than T2W‐VISTA by clearly revealing invisible vessels, whereas PDW‐VISTA and T2W‐VISTA had similar findings in the posterior circulation. The vessel courses shown by 3D PDW‐VISTA imaging before treatment and digital subtraction angiography after treatment showed good agreement in all cases. Furthermore, 3D PDW‐VISTA imaging demonstrated the length and size of the clot.

Conclusions

PDW‐VISTA imaging was found to more clearly depict the cerebral vessels including occluded lesion than T2W‐VISTA imaging. Findings of thrombus size and length were important for correctly placing the stent retriever and securing safety during the procedure.
Home nocturnal infrared video to record non‐rapid eye movement sleep parasomnias
Authors: Lopez Régis , Barateau Lucie , Chenini Sofiène , Rassu Anna Laura , Dauvilliers Yves
Published: September 2022

To assess the feasibility, the acceptability and the usefulness of home nocturnal infrared video in recording the frequency and the complexity of non‐rapid eye movement sleep parasomnias in adults, and in monitoring the treatment response. Twenty adult patients (10 males, median age 27.5 years) with a diagnosis of non‐rapid eye movement parasomnia were consecutively enrolled. They had a face‐to‐face interview, completed self‐reported questionnaires to assess clinical characteristics and performed a video‐polysomnography in the Sleep Unit. Patients were then monitored at home during at least five consecutive nights using infrared‐triggered cameras. They completed a sleep diary and questionnaires to evaluate the number of parasomniac episodes at home and the acceptability of the home nocturnal infrared video recording. Behavioural analyses were performed on home nocturnal infrared video and video‐polysomnography recordings. Eight patients treated by clonazepam underwent a second home nocturnal infrared video recording during five consecutive days. All patients had at least one parasomniac episode during the home nocturnal infrared video monitoring, compared with 75% during the video‐polysomnography. A minimum of three consecutive nights with home nocturnal infrared video was required to record at least one parasomniac episode. Most patients underestimated the frequency of episodes on the sleep diary compared with home nocturnal infrared video. Episodes recorded at home were often more complex than those recorded during the video‐polysomnography. The user‐perceived acceptability of the home nocturnal infrared video assessment was excellent. The frequency and the complexity of the parasomniac episodes decreased with clonazepam. Home nocturnal infrared video has good feasibility and acceptability, and may improve the evaluation of the phenotype and severity of the non‐rapid eye movement parasomnias and of the treatment response in an ecological setting.
Association of fecal and serummicroRNAprofiles with gastrointestinal cancer and chronic inflammatory enteropathy in dogs
Authors: Lyngby Janne G. , Gòdia Marta , Brogaard Louise , Kristensen Annemarie T. , Fredholm Merete , Skancke Ellen , Morris Joanna , Dupont Nana , Salavati Schmitz Silke , Argyle David , Sánchez Armand , Bjørnvad Charlotte R. , Graarup‐Hansen Kasper , Spohr Anette , Cirera Susanna , Nielsen Lise N.
Published: September 2022

Background

Reliable biomarkers to differentiate gastrointestinal cancer (GIC) from chronic inflammatory enteropathy (CIE) in dogs are needed. Fecal and serum microRNAs (miRNAs) have been proposed as diagnostic and prognostic markers of GI disease in humans and dogs.

Hypothesis/Objectives

Dogs with GIC have fecal and serum miRNA profiles that differ from those of dogs with CIE. Aims: (a) identify miRNAs that differentiate GIC from CIE, (b) use high‐throughput reverse transcription quantitative real‐time PCR (RT‐qPCR) to establish fecal and serum miRNA panels to distinguish GIC from CIE in dogs.

Animals

Twenty‐four dogs with GIC, 10 dogs with CIE, and 10 healthy dogs, all client‐owned.

Methods

An international multicenter observational prospective case‐control study. Small RNA sequencing was used to identify fecal and serum miRNAs, and RT‐qPCR was used to establish fecal and serum miRNA panels with the potential to distinguish GIC from CIE.

Results

The best diagnostic performance for distinguishing GIC from CIE was fecal miR‐451 (AUC: 0.955, sensitivity: 86.4%, specificity: 100%), miR‐223 (AUC: 0.918, sensitivity: 90.9%, specificity: 80%), and miR‐27a (AUC: 0.868, sensitivity: 81.8%, specificity: 90%) and serum miR‐20b (AUC: 0.905, sensitivity: 90.5%, specificity: 90%), miR‐148a‐3p (AUC: 0.924, sensitivity: 85.7%, specificity: 90%), and miR‐652 (AUC: 0.943, sensitivity: 90.5%, specificity: 90%). Slightly improved diagnostic performance was achieved when combining fecal miR‐451 and miR‐223 (AUC: 0.973, sensitivity: 95.5%, specificity: 90%).

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

When used as part of a diagnostic RT‐qPCR panel, the abovementioned miRNAs have the potential to function as noninvasive biomarkers for the differentiation of GIC and CIE in dogs.
Late‐season drought exerts more negative effects on plant diversity and cover than early‐season drought through changing soil moisture in a semi‐arid grassland
Authors: Miao Renhui , Miao Yuan , Liu Yuli , Guo Meixia , Fu Guangya , Xiao Rui , Yang Zhongling , Li Guoyong , Chen Zhijie , Han Shijie
Published: September 2022

Questions

Drought timing during the growing season can profoundly influence plant diversity and cover, with subsequent impacts on ecosystem functions and services in terrestrial environments. However, the different responses of plant communities to drought in different periods of the growing season remain uncertain.

Location

The research was conducted in a semi‐arid grassland at the Duolun Restoration Ecology Research and Demonstration Station, in Inner Mongolia, China.

Methods

The responses of plant species richness and cover to early‐ and late‐season drought with a four‐year field experiment were examined in a semi‐arid grassland in northern China. Soil moisture at different depths was measured to explore the underlying mechanisms of the drought effects on plant richness and cover.

Results

Over the four years, late‐ rather than early‐season drought suppressed plant richness. Decreased species richness (−1.65 species) under late‐season drought was mainly due to suppressed perennial forb richness (−1.88 species). Late‐season drought also exerted greater negative effects on plant cover than early‐season drought. Effects of late‐season drought on plant cover depended on annual precipitation. Reduced plant cover (−7.5%) under early‐season drought stemmed from declines in shrubs and semi‐shrubs, particularly Artemisia frigida cover (−4.9%), which is sensitive to water deficits because of its shallow root depth (14.01 cm). Declined plant cover (−39.0%) under late‐season drought was mainly caused by suppressed perennial forb (−21.5%) and shrub and semi‐shrubs cover (−17.4%). The combined effects of early‐ and late‐season drought on plant cover were greater than the treatment alone, likely due to aggravating water deficits under growing‐season drought.

Conclusions

Our results suggest late‐season drought is more critical for shifting plant communities. than early‐season drought. Our findings highlight the regulatory role of drought timing on plant community composition and development in arid and semi‐arid regions.
A New Westphalia in MENA after the Arab Revolutions
Authors: Taman Dina , El‐Enany Mohamed Shawky
Published: September 2022

Violent struggles in the Middle East and North Africa have led many experts to compare this era to the Thirty Years’ War, a set of interlinked and extremely deadly and destructive conflicts in Europe (1618‐48). Like that conflagration four centuries ago, they involve internal uprisings, civil conflicts, proxy wars, foreign intervention, geopolitical struggles, great‐power competition, and the participation of many regional political players. At root, all these conflicts are fights for sovereignty, one of the most important pillars upon which the state is based, the violation of which often leads to the outbreak of war. For this reason, many assert that the time is right to try to solve contemporary problems by forging a new Westphalia treaty. This study analyzes the Thirty Years’ War and the groundbreaking treaty that emerged from it, then presents a strategy to preserve state sovereignty and seek peace in the region.
Blue Light Deactivation of Catalase Suppresses Candida Hyphae Development Through Lipogenesis Inhibition
Authors: Jusuf Sebastian , Zhan Yuewei , Zhang Meng , Alexander Natalie J. , Viens Adam , Mansour Michael K. , Cheng Ji‐Xin
Published: September 2022

Hyphae formation is a key step for fungal penetration into epithelial cells and escaping from macrophages or neutrophils. We found that 405 nm light‐induced catalase deactivation results in the inhibition of hyphae growth in Candida albicans. The treatment is capable of inhibiting hyphae growth across multiple hyphae‐producing Candida species. Metabolic studies on light‐treated C. albicans reveal that light treatment results in a strong reduction in both lipid and protein metabolism. A significant decrease in unsaturated and saturated fatty acids was detected through mass spectroscopy, indicating that the suppression of hyphae through light‐induced catalase deactivation may occur through inhibition of lipid metabolism. Initial in vivo tests indicate that blue light treatment can suppress the hyphae forming capabilities of C. albicans within murine abrasion infections. Together, these findings open new avenues for the treatment of Candida fungal infections by targeting their dimorphism.
Dynamic stochastic lot sizing with forecast evolution in rolling‐horizon planning
Authors: Forel Alexandre , Grunow Martin
Published: September 2022

Academic approaches considering demand uncertainty in lot sizing are seldom used in practice. Industry typically implements deterministic models and accounts for uncertainties by using a rolling‐horizon planning framework with frequent forecast updates. This paper bridges this gap by proposing a stochastic lot‐sizing methodology adapted to rolling‐horizon processes. Using the martingale model of forecast evolution (MMFE), we are able to anticipate the forecast updates from rolling‐horizon planning in stochastic lot sizing. Our formulation is extended with production recourse to reflect the replanning flexibility of rolling‐horizon planning. Extensive simulations on both synthetic and real‐world data show the value of forecast evolution models. Forecast evolution models reduce actual costs by 14% on average compared to traditional deterministic planning. The advantage of the extended model with production recourse depends on several factors including capacity, correlation, and uncertainty. Sensitivity analyses show that recourse can reduce costs by an additional 3% on average and up to 10% in specific settings. Using real‐world and synthetic data, we provide the first analysis of the value of additive and multiplicative MMFE‐based planning models when the true forecast evolution process is unknown. We show that, contrary to the existing consensus, the additive model performs more robustly than the multiplicative model on a wide array of problem settings.
A framework for supporting health capability‐based planning: Identifying and structuring health capabilities
Authors: Zawadzki Marcelo , Montibeller Gilberto
Published: September 2022

The COVID‐19 pandemic has highlighted that health security systems must be redesigned, in a way that they are better prepared and ready to cope with multiple and diverse health threats, from predictable and well‐known epidemics to unexpected and challenging pandemics. A powerful way of accomplishing this goal is to focus the planning on health capabilities. This focus may enhance the ability to respond to and recover from health threats and emergencies, while helping to identify the level of resources required to maintain and build up those capabilities that are critical in ensuring the preparedness of health security systems. However, current attempts for defining and organizing health capabilities have some important limitations. First, such attempts were not designed to consider diverse scenarios and multiple health threats. Second, they provide a limited representation of capabilities and lack a systemic perspective. Third, they struggle to identify capability and resource gaps. In this article, we thus propose a new framework for identifying and structuring health capabilities and support health capability planning. The suggested framework has three main potential benefits. First, the framework may help policymakers in planning under high levels of uncertainty, by considering multiple realistic and stressful scenarios. Second, it can provide risk analysts with a more comprehensive representation of health capabilities and their complex relationships. Third, it can support planners in identifying resource and capability gaps. We illustrate the use of the framework in practice considering an outbreak scenario caused by three different health threats (COVID‐19, Ebola, and Influenza viruses).
Product diversification as a performance boosting strategy? Drivers and impact of diversification strategies in the property‐liability insurance industry
Authors: Duijm Patty , Van Beveren Ilke
Published: September 2022

We investigate the relationship between product diversification and performance in the Dutch property‐liability (P&L) insurance industry for the period 2007–2018. We control for endogeneity by employing a two‐step approach: we first investigate the drivers of diversification and, as a second step, we investigate the impact of diversification on risk and return. We find that the impact of diversification is twofold, as it reduces an insurer's risk but is also associated with lower returns. Our results suggest that the relation between diversification and performance is not straightforward, but is influenced by the size of an insurance undertaking. Specifically, only smaller companies' performance is significantly impacted by diversification.
Identification of candidate genes in cotton associated with specific seed traits and their initial functional characterization in Arabidopsis
Authors: Hu Yan , Han Zegang , Shen Weijuan , Jia Yinhua , He Lu , Si Zhanfeng , Wang Qiong , Fang Lei , Du Xiongming , Zhang Tianzhen
Published: September 2022

Oilseed crops are used to produce vegetable oil to satisfy the requirements of humans and livestock. Cotton (Gossypium spp.) is of great economic value because it is used as both an important textile commodity and a nutrient‐rich resource. Cottonseed oil is rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids and does not contain trans fatty acids; hence, it is considered a healthy vegetable oil. However, research on the genetic basis for cottonseed protein content, oil production, and fatty acid composition is lacking. Here, we investigated the protein content, oil content, and fatty acid composition in terms of oleic acid (C18:1) and linoleic acid (C18:2) in mature cottonseeds from 318 Gossypium hirsutum accessions. Moreover, we examined the dynamic change of protein content and lipid composition including palmitic acid (C16:0), stearic acid (C18:0), oleic acid (C18:1), linoleic acid (C18:2), and linolenic acid (C18:3) in developing seeds from 258 accessions at 10 and 20 days post‐anthesis. Then, we conducted a genome‐wide association study and identified 152 trait‐associated loci and 64 candidate genes responsible for protein and oil‐related contents in mature cottonseeds and ovules. Finally, six candidate genes were experimentally validated to be involved in the regulation of fatty acid biosynthesis through heterologous expression in Arabidopsis. These results comprise a solid foundation for expanding our understanding of lipid biosynthesis in cotton, which will help breeders manipulate protein and oil contents to make it a fully developed ‘fiber, food, and oil crop’.
Hox‐driven conditional immortalization of myeloid and lymphoid progenitors: Uses, advantages, and future potential
Authors: Lail Shranjit S. , Arnold Corey R. , de Almeida Luiz G. N. , McKenna Neil , Chiriboga Jose A. , Dufour Antoine , Warren Amy L. , Yates Robin Michael
Published: September 2022

Those who study macrophage biology struggle with the decision whether to utilize primary macrophages derived directly from mice or opt for the convenience and genetic tractability of immortalized macrophage‐like cell lines in in vitro studies. Particularly when it comes to studying phagocytosis and phagosomal maturation—a signature cellular process of the macrophage—many commonly used cell lines are not representative of what occurs in primary macrophages. A system developed by Mark Kamps' group, that utilizes conditionally constitutive activity of Hox transcription factors (Hoxb8 and Hoxa9) to immortalize differentiation‐competent myeloid cell progenitors of mice, offers an alternative to the macrophage/macrophage‐like dichotomy. In this resource, we will review the use of Hoxb8 and Hoxa9 as hematopoietic regulators to conditionally immortalize murine hematopoietic progenitor cells which retain their ability to differentiate into many functional immune cell types including macrophages, neutrophils, basophils, osteoclasts, eosinophils, dendritic cells, as well as limited potential for the generation of lymphocytes. We further demonstrate that the use of macrophages derived from Hoxb8/Hoxa9 immortalized progenitors and their similarities to bone marrow‐derived macrophages. To supplement the existing data, mass spectrometry‐based proteomics, flow cytometry, cytology, and in vitro phagosomal assays were conducted on macrophages derived from Hoxb8 immortalized progenitors and compared to bone marrow‐derived macrophages and the macrophage‐like cell line J774. We additionally propose the use of a standardized nomenclature to describe cells derived from the Hoxb8/Hoxa9 system in anticipation of their expanded use in the study of leukocyte cell biology.
The role of oestrogen in determining sexual dimorphism in energy balance
Authors: De Jesus Anne Nicole , Henry Belinda A.
Published: September 2022

Energy balance is determined by caloric intake and the rate at which energy is expended, with the latter comprising resting energy expenditure, physical activity and adaptive thermogenesis. The regulation of both energy intake and expenditure exhibits clear sexual dimorphism, with young women being relatively protected against weight gain and the development of cardiometabolic diseases. Preclinical studies have indicated that females are more sensitive to the satiety effects of leptin and insulin compared to males. Furthermore, females have greater thermogenic activity than males, whereas resting energy expenditure is generally higher in males than females. In addition to this, in post‐menopausal women, the decline in sex steroid concentration, particularly in oestrogen, is associated with a shift in the distribution of adipose tissue and overall increased propensity to gain weight. Oestrogens are known to regulate energy balance and weight homeostasis via effects on both food intake and energy expenditure. Indeed, 17β‐oestradiol treatment increases melanocortin signalling in the hypothalamus to cause satiety. Furthermore, oestrogenic action at the ventromedial hypothalamus has been linked with increased energy expenditure in female mice. We propose that oestrogen action on energy balance is multi‐faceted and is fundamental to determining sexual dimorphism in weight control. Furthermore, evidence suggests that the decline in oestrogen levels leads to increased risk of weight gain and development of cardiometabolic disease in women across the menopausal transition.

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Auditory motion as a cue for source segregation and selection in a “cocktail party” listening environment
Authors: Cho Adrian Y. , Kidd Gerald
Published: September 2022

Source motion was examined as a cue for segregating concurrent speech or noise sources. In two different headphone-based tasks—motion detection (MD) and speech-on-speech masking (SI)—one source among three was designated as the target only by imposing sinusoidal variation in azimuth during the stimulus presentation. For MD, the lstener was asked which of the three concurrent sources was in motion during the trial. For SI, the listener was asked to report the words spoken by the moving speech source. MD performance improved as the amplitude of the sinusoidal motion (i.e., displacement in azimuth) increased over the range of values tested (±5° to ±30°) for both modulated noise and speech targets, with better performance found for speech. SI performance also improved as the amplitude of target motion increased. Furthermore, SI performance improved as word position progressed throughout the sentence. Performance on the MD task was correlated with performance on SI task across individual subjects. For the SI conditions tested here, these findings are consistent with the proposition that listeners first detect the moving target source, then focus attention on the target location as the target sentence unfolds.
Chlamydia trachomatis RsbU Phosphatase Activity Is Inhibited by the Enolase Product, Phosphoenolpyruvate
Authors: Rosario Christopher , Tan Ming
Published: September 2022

The RsbW pathway is a phosphorelay that regulates gene expression in
Chlamydia
, but its upstream signal has not been identified. We showed that RsbU, a phosphatase in this pathway, is inhibited by phosphoenolpyruvate, which is the product of the enolase reaction.
Influenza A(H11N2) Virus Detection in Fecal Samples from Adélie (
Pygoscelis adeliae
) and Chinstrap (
Pygoscelis antarcticus
) Penguins, Penguin Island, Antarctica
Authors: Ogrzewalska Maria , Couto Motta Fernando , Resende Paola Cristina , Fumian Tulio , Fonseca da Mendonça Ana Carolina , Appolinario Reis Luciana , Lima Brandao Martha , Chame Marcia , Arantes Gomes Ighor Leonardo , Mendonca Siqueira Marilda
Published: September 2022

Although wild birds play a role in the transmission and ecology of avian influenza viruses (AIVs) across the globe, there are significant gaps in our understanding of the worldwide distribution of these viruses in polar environments. In this study, using molecular analysis and full-genome sequencing, we describe the detection of distinct influenza A(H11N2) viruses in fecal samples of penguins in the Southern Shetland Islands, Antarctica.