bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dormancy and viability ofFerocactus peninsulae(Cactaceae) seeds
Authors: Rojas‐Aréchiga Mariana , García‐Morales Erick
Published: January 2022

Knowledge on seed dormancy is crucial for the understanding of plant population dynamics, as it controls seed germination and seed bank formation. Dormant seeds have high potential to establish in soil seed banks, but such information within Cactaceae is scarce, although it is essential for conservation programs. The aim of this study was to determine if seeds ofFerocactus peninsulaeshowed any kind of dormancy and to test their germination capacity after storage. This was assessed with 15 seed sowing experiments done over 4 years with seeds stored under room conditions (20 ± 2°C). We demonstrated the existence of physiological dormancy inF. peninsulaeseeds that is broken with an after‐ripening period. Germination was low during the first 3 months of storage (d = 0.206) but increased after 10 months of storage (d = 0.654), and seeds maintained their viability at 48 months (d = 0.707). Also, their speed of germination increased with storage time.Ferocactus peninsulaeseeds are positively photoblastic, and the requirement for light for germination persisted over all experiments. The results provide crucial information for propagation and conservation research and may allow us to infer thatF. peninsulaeseeds are able to form a persistent soil seed bank, as they maintained their viability after dormancy is released.
Correlation between fetal heart rate evolution patterns and magnetic resonance imaging findings in severe cerebral palsy: A longitudinal study
Authors: Nakao Masahiro , Nanba Yukiko , Okumura Asumi , Hasegawa Junichi , Toyokawa Satoshi , Ichizuka Kiyotake , Kanayama Naohiro , Satoh Shoji , Tamiya Nanako , Nakai Akihito , Fujimori Keiya , Maeda Tsugio , Suzuki Hideaki , Iwashita Mitsutoshi , Oka Akira , Ikeda Tomoaki
Published: January 2022

Objective

To investigate the association between hypoxic‐ischaemic insult timing and brain injury type in infants with severe cerebral palsy (CP).

Design

Longitudinal study.

Setting

Database of the Recurrence Prevention Committee, Japan Obstetric Compensation System for Cerebral Palsy.

Sample

Infants with severe CP born at ≥34 weeks of gestation.

Methods

The intrapartum fetal heart rate (FHR) strips were categorised as continuous bradycardia; persistently non‐reassuring (NR‐NR); reassuring‐prolonged deceleration (R‐PD); Hon's pattern (R‐Hon); persistently reassuring (R‐R); and unclassified. The brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans were categorised based on the predominant site involved: basal ganglia‐thalamus (BGT); white matter (WM); watershed (WS); stroke; normal; and unclassified.

Main outcome measures

Manifestations of the brain MRI types and the association between FHR evolution pattern and MRI type were analysed.

Results

Among 672 eligible infants, 76% had BGT‐dominant injury, 5.4% WM, 1.2% WS, 1.6% stroke, 1.9% normal, and 14% unclassified. Placental abruption and small‐for‐gestational age were associated with an increased (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 8.02) and decreased (aOR 0.38) risk of BGT injury, respectively. The majority of infants had BGT injury in most FHR groups (bradycardia, 97%; NR‐NR, 75%; R‐PD, 90%; R‐Hon, 76%; and R‐R, 45%). The risk profiles in case of BGT in the NR‐NR group were similar to those in the R‐PD and R‐Hon groups.

Conclusion

BGT‐dominant brain damage accounted for three‐fourths of the cases of CP in term or near‐term infants, even in prenatal onset cases. Hypoxic‐ischaemic insult has a major impact on CP development during the antenatal period.

Tweetable abstract

Basal ganglia‐thalamus injury constitutes 76% of severe cerebral palsy cases, predominant even in antenatal‐onset cases.
Homicidal paraquat poisoning: Poisoned while drinking
Authors: Liu Zihao , Huang Fang , Zhao Shuquan , Ma Longda , Shi Qing , Zhou Yiwu
Published: January 2022

The incidence of paraquat poisoning has significantly decreased with the addition of odorizer and emetics to the liquid concentrate. Paraquat poisonings are usually attributed to suicidal and accidental or occupational exposure. Here, we report an unusual fatal case of homicidal paraquat poisoning. An intoxicated, a 37‐year‐old man consumed a mixture of white wine and paraquat prepared by his wife. This resulted in intermittent vomiting, which he attributed to being intoxicated. The man was admitted to the hospital for treatment 3 days later. Due to the lack of knowledge of paraquat exposure, the man did not receive effective treatment and died of respiratory failure 22 days later. High‐performance liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC‐MS/MS) was applied to detect paraquat in 16 postmortem specimens: kidney (1.31 ug/g), urine (0.91 ug/ml), liver (0.62 ug/g), lung (0.39 ug/g), muscle (0.35 ug/g), bile (0.32 ug/ml), heart (0.28 ug/g), brain (0.22 ug/g), pancreas (0.22 ug/g), spleen (0.18 ug/g), cardiac blood (0.15 ug/ml), cerebrospinal fluid (0.14 ug/ml), pericardial effusion (0.12 ug/ml), pleural effusion (0.09 ug/ml), peripheral blood (0.08 ug/ml), and vitreous humor (0.06 ug/ml). The highest concentration of paraquat was detected in the kidney followed by the urine in all tissues and body fluids. At present, although the cases of paraquat poisoning have decreased, the high mortality rate resulting from its irreversible lung damage and respiratory failure makes paraquat poisoning, especially occult paraquat poisoning, still needs to be carefully identified in forensic practice and clinical diagnosis.
Top interpretable neural network for handwriting identification
Authors: Marcinowski Maciej
Published: January 2022

Machine learning (ML) has become one of the most promising tools in forensics, despite its dominant method of artificial neural networks (ANNs) suffering from the black‐box problem. While forensic methodology demands explainability and evaluativity, neural networks are unexplainable, hence almost unfalsifiable. Our study was conducted to mitigate this problem in a case‐like context, by creating a novel top interpretable neural network (TINN) for identification of the authors of handwritten documents. The idea of top interpretability assumes that it is irrelevant how the handwriting features are extracted from documents, as long as they are semantically sensible and the sole determinants of identification. The model was tasked with supervised extraction of handwriting characteristics and subsequent identification of the writers on that basis. The interpretable model not only outperformed all comparative models in terms of author identification, but also underperformed in terms of features extraction (achieving satisfactory results nonetheless). Visualizations of features—extracted by the model to perform its tasks—suggest that it considers rational and semantically sensible features of handwriting, but we are unable to determine whether it learned the exact features of handwriting we desired. The approach of top interpretability proved to be effective in terms of accuracy and interpretability. Furthermore, if we were to judge features extracted by such a network as unconvincing, then our approach is a highly efficient method of falsification. Lastly, the success of this study—performed on a small‐scale identificational problem—suggests that a similar approach could yield better results on a large‐scale identificational or verificational problem.
Rapid production of l‐DOPA by Vibrio natriegens, an emerging next‐generation whole‐cell catalysis chassis
Authors: Liu Xing , Han Xiao , Peng Yuan , Tan Chunlin , Wang Jing , Xue Hongsong , Xu Ping , Tao Fei
Published: January 2022

3, 4‐Dihydroxyphenyl‐l‐alanine (l‐DOPA) is a compound of high medical value and is considered effective as a treatment for Parkinson’s disease. Currently, bioproduction of l‐DOPA is mainly carried out by whole‐cell catalysis mediated by recombinant Escherichia coli carrying heterogeneous tyrosine phenol lyase. Vibrio natriegens is increasingly attracting attention owing to its superiority, including extremely rapid growth and high soluble protein expression capacity. In this study, we attempt to develop an efficient whole‐cell catalyst for l‐DOPA production using V. natriegens as the chassis. The maximum soluble protein expression by V. natriegens was accomplished in 4 h at 37°C, which was equivalent to that achieved by E. coli in 16 h at 16°C. Furthermore, the maximum productivity reached over 10.0 g l−1 h−1 in the early stage of biocatalysis, nearly two‐fold higher than previously reported. Approximately 54.0 g l−1 l‐DOPA was obtained with a catechol conversion rate greater than 95%. In conclusion, V. natriegens displays advantages, including rapid protein expression and catalytic rate in the catalysis process for l‐DOPA production. These findings strongly suggest that V. natriegens has remarkable potential as a whole‐cell catalysis chassis for the production of valuable chemicals.
Population genomics provides insights into lineage divergence and local adaptation within the cotton bollworm
Authors: Zhang Jianpeng , Zhang Feng , Tay Wee Tek , Robin Charles , Shi Yu , Guan Fang , Yang Yihua , Wu Yidong
Published: January 2022

The cotton bollworm Helicoverpa armigera is a cosmopolitan pest and its diverse habitats plausibly contribute to the formation of diverse lineages. Despite the significant threat it poses to economic crops worldwide, its evolutionary history and genetic basis of local adaptation are poorly understood. In this study, we de novo assembled a high‐quality chromosome‐level reference genome of H. a. armigera (contig N50 = 7.34 Mb), with 99.13% of the HaSCD2 assembly assigned to 31 chromosomes (Z‐chromosome + 30 autosomes). We constructed an ultradense variation map across 14 cotton bollworm populations and identified a novel lineage in northwestern China. Historical inference showed that effective population size changes coincided with global temperature fluctuation. We identified nine differentiated genes in the three H. armigera lineages (H. a. armigera, H. a. conferta and the new northwestern Chinese lineage), of which per and clk genes are involved in circadian rhythm. Selective sweep analyses identified a series of Gene Ontology categories related to climate adaptation, feeding behaviour and insecticide tolerance. Our findings reveal fundamental knowledge of the local adaptation of different cotton bollworm lineages and will guide the formulation of cotton bollworm management measures at different scales.
Altered T lymphocyte subtypes and cytokine profiles in follicular fluid associated with diminished ovary reserve
Authors: Zhao Nannan , Zhang Ce , Ding Jie , Wu Huihua , Cheng Wei , Li Mingqing , Zhu Rui , Li Hong
Published: January 2022

Problem

Diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) is a daunting obstacle in in vitro fertilization (IVF) or intra cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), leading to poor reproductive outcomes. We aim to characterize the T cell and cytokine profiles in follicular fluid (FF) and elucidate its contribution to the development of DOR.

Method of study

A total of 92 infertile women were enrolled in the study. We assessed the ultrastructure, proliferation, and apoptosis of granulosa cells (GCs). The levels of CCL5 and cytokines in FF was measured. Additionally, we classified the T cells and analyzed cytokines production in T cell. We further verified whether CCL5 can recruit specific T cell subcytes to the follicles.

Results

Cytoplasmic vacuolization, nucleolar dissociation, partial shortening, swelling, and fusion of mitochondrial cristae were obvious in GCs with DOR. The proliferation of GCs decreased and the proportion of apoptosis increased in DOR. The down‐regulation of Bcl‐2 and up‐regulation of caspase3 were seen in GCs with DOR. The number of CD8+ T cells and proportion of CD8+ /CD4+ T cells in DOR exceeded the control. Higher positive percentage of CD69, CCR5, and IFN‐γ in CD8+ T cells, lower positive percentage of IL‐10 in CD4+ T cells and PD‐1 in CD8+ T cells were detected in DOR. CCL5 accumulated promoting the recruitment of CD8+ T cells to the follicles on interaction with CCR5.

Conclusion

The abnormal proportion of CD8+ T cells and elevated CCL5 and IFN‐γ may change the immune balance in FF and impair the growth of GCs, which in turn fuel the progression of DOR.
Peri‐operative neurological monitoring with electroencephalography and cerebral oximetry: a narrative review
Authors: Chung C. K. E. , Poon C. C. M. , Irwin M. G.
Published: January 2022

Surgery and anaesthesia subject the brain to considerable stress in the peri‐operative period. This may be caused by potentially neurotoxic anaesthetic drugs, impaired cerebral perfusion and reperfusion injury related to surgery or thromboembolic events. Patient monitoring using electroencephalogram and cerebral oximetry can assist in optimising depth of anaesthesia and assessment of cerebral metabolic activity. However, research findings have been contradictory as to whether these monitors can help ameliorate peri‐operative neurocognitive complications. In this narrative review, we will discuss recent evidence in the use of electroencephalography and cerebral oximetry and the underlying scientific principles. It is important to appreciate the raw electroencephalographic changes under anaesthesia and those associated with ageing, in order to interpret depth of anaesthesia indices correctly. Cerebral oximetry is useful not only for the detection of cerebral desaturation but also to identify those patients who are particularly vulnerable to injury, for better risk stratification. An algorithm‐based approach may be most effective in managing the episodes of cerebral desaturation.
Pragmatic sedation strategies to prevent secondary brain injury in low‐resource settings
Authors: Kayambankadzanja R. K. , Samwel R. , Baker T.
Published: January 2022

Traumatic brain injury is the alteration in brain function due to an external force. It is common and affects millions of people worldwide annually. The World Health Organization estimates that 90% of global deaths caused by injuries occur in low‐ and middle‐income countries, with traumatic brain injury contributing up to half of these trauma‐related deaths. Patients with traumatic brain injury in low‐ and middle‐income countries have twice the odds of dying compared with their counterparts in high‐income countries. Sedation is a key element of care in the management of traumatic brain injury, used for its neuroprotective effects and to prevent secondary brain injury. While sedatives have the potential to improve outcomes, they can be challenging to administer and have potentially dangerous complications. Sedation in low‐resource settings should aim to be effective, safe, affordable and feasible. In this paper, we summarise the indications for sedation in traumatic brain injury, the choice of sedative drugs and the pragmatic management and monitoring of sedated traumatic brain injury patients in low‐resource settings.
Bioengineering of fibroblast‐conditioned polycaprolactone/gelatin electrospun scaffold for skin tissue engineering
Authors: Yazdanpanah Ayna , Madjd Zahra , Pezeshki‐Modaress Mohamad , Khosrowpour Zahra , Farshi Paniz , Eini Leila , Kiani Jafar , Seifi Morteza , Kundu Subhas C. , Ghods Roya , Gholipourmalekabadi Mazaher
Published: January 2022

Background

Synthetic tissue engineering scaffolds has poor biocompatiblity with very low angiogenic properties. Conditioning the scaffolds with functional groups, coating with biological components, especially extracellular matrix (ECM), is an excellent strategy for improving their biomechanical and biological properties.

Methods

In the current study, a composite of polycaprolactone and gelatin (PCL/Gel) was electrospun in the ratio of 70/30 and surface modified with 1% gelatin‐coating (G‐PCL/Gel) or plasma treatment (P‐PCL/Gel). The surface modification was determined by SEM and ATR‐FTIR spectroscopy, respectively. The scaffolds were cultured with fibroblast 3T3, then decellularized during freeze‐thawing process to fabricate a fibroblast ECM‐conditioned PCL/Gel scaffold (FC‐PCL/Gel). The swelling and degaradtion as well as in vitro and in vivo biocompatibility and angiogenic properties of the scaffolds were evaluated.

Results

The structure of the surface‐modified G‐PCL/Gel and P‐PCL/Gel were unique and not changed compared with the PCL/Gel scaffolds. ATR‐FTIR analysis admitted the formation of oxygen‐containing groups, hydroxyl and carboxyl, on the surface of the P‐PCL/Gel scaffold. The SEM micrographs and DAPI staining confirmed the cell attachment and the ECM deposition on the platform and successful removal of the cells after decellularization. P‐PCL/Gel showed better cell attachment, ECM secretion and deposition after decellularization compared with G‐PCL/Gel. The FC‐PCL/Gel was considered as an optimized scaffold for further assays in this study. The FC‐PCL/Gel showed increased hydrophilic behavior and cytobiocompatibility compared with P‐PCL/Gel. The ECM on the FC‐PCL/Gel scaffold showed a gradual degradation during 30 days of degradation time, as a small amount of ECM remained over the FC‐PCL/Gel scaffold at day 30. The FC‐PCL/Gel showed significant biocompatibility and improved angiogenic property compared with P‐PCL/Gel when subcutaneously implanted in a mouse animal model for 7 and 28 days.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest FC‐PCL/Gel as an excellent biomimetic construct with high angiogenic properties. This bioengineered construct can serve as a possible application in our future pre‐clinical and clinical studies for skin regeneration.
What hinders and helps in the end‐of‐life decision‐making process for children: Parents’ and physicians’ views
Authors: Zaal‐Schuller Ilse H. , Geurtzen Rosa , Willems Dick L. , de Vos Mirjam A. , Hogeveen Marije
Published: January 2022

Aim

To investigate the main factors which facilitate or hinder end‐of‐life decision‐making (EoLDM) in neonates and children.

Methods

A qualitative inductive, thematic analysis was performed of interviews with a total of 73 parents and 71 physicians. The end‐of‐life decisions mainly concern decisions to withhold or withdraw life‐sustaining treatment.

Results

The importance of taking sufficient time and exchanging clear, neutral and relevant information was main facilitators expressed by both parents and physicians. Lack of time, uncertain information and changing doctors were seen as important barriers by both parties. Most facilitators and barriers could be seen as two sides of the same coin, but not always. For example, some parents and physicians considered the fact that parents hold strong opinions as a barrier while others considered this a facilitator. Furthermore, parents and physicians showed differences. Parents especially underlined the importance of physician‐related facilitators, such as a personalised approach, empathy and trust. On the contrary, physicians underlined the importance of the child's visible deterioration and parents’ awareness of the seriousness of their child's condition and prognosis as facilitators of EoLDM.

Conclusions

This study gained insight into what parents and physicians experience as the main barriers and facilitators in EoLDM for neonates and children.
Cognitive‐affective responses to online positive‐psychological interventions: The effects of optimistic, grateful, and self‐compassionate writing
Authors: Heekerens Johannes Bodo , Eid Michael , Heinitz Kathrin , Merkle Belinda
Published: January 2022

Growing evidence suggests that online positive‐psychological interventions effectively increase well‐being, and a wealth of evidence describes cognitive‐affective responses to such interventions. Few studies, however, have directly compared responses across popular exercises such as the best‐possible‐self intervention, the gratitude letter, or self‐compassionate writing. In addition, current evidence is ambiguous regarding the effects of potential moderator variables such as trait gratitude and emotional self‐awareness. To address these issues, we randomized 432 German adults to perform either optimism, gratitude, self‐compassion, or control writing interventions in an online setting. Participants reported trait gratitude and trait emotional self‐awareness before the interventions, as well as momentary optimism, gratitude, self‐compassion, positive affect, and current thoughts immediately after the interventions. Results indicate higher momentary optimism after the best‐possible‐self intervention and higher momentary gratitude after the gratitude letter than after the control task. There were no differences when comparing the best‐possible‐self intervention with the gratitude letter. Both interventions increased the number of positive self‐relevant thoughts. The self‐compassion condition showed no effects. Moderation analysis results indicate that neither emotional self‐awareness nor trait gratitude moderated the intervention effects. Future studies should compare responses across different positive‐psychological interventions using more comprehensive exercises to ensure larger effects.
Longleaf pine restoration on hydric sites: Understorey plant community responses to site preparation through 15 years
Authors: Crouch Connor D. , Knapp Benjamin O. , Cohen Susan A. , Glitzenstein Jeff S. , Walker Joan L. , Wang G. Geoff
Published: January 2022

Question

Longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) restoration is an important management objective throughout the southeastern United States. Site preparation prior to planting longleaf pine seedlings is often required to overcome challenges to seedling establishment on hydric sites. We know site preparation improves growth and survival of planted longleaf pine on hydric sites, but what are the impacts of site preparation on the understorey plant community?

Location

Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in Onslow County, NC, USA.

Methods

This study tested eight site preparation treatments, including an untreated control, six combinations of two vegetation control treatments (chopping or herbicide) with three soil manipulation treatments (mounding, bedding, or flat‐planting [no treatment]), and a chopping–herbicide–bedding treatment. We collected data on understorey plant abundance, diversity, and composition through the first three and at 15 years after plantation establishment. We used ANOVA procedures and multivariate ordination to test for differences in understorey responses among the study treatments and through time.

Results

Site preparation had lasting impacts on the understorey plant community. The chop‐only treatment was the only treatment that resulted in dominance of herbaceous vegetation and was among the treatments with the highest diversity and greatest abundance of Aristida stricta (wiregrass). Herbicide produced lasting reductions in Aristida stricta abundance and apparent shifts in community composition. Reduced graminoid abundance was particularly pronounced when herbicide was combined with soil manipulation treatments.

Conclusions

Understorey responses to site preparation through 3 years differed from responses observed in year 15, highlighting the importance of long‐term monitoring. For example, herbicides controlled shrubs early, but by year 15, herbicide treatments were dominated by shrubs. Restoration scenarios often must balance ecological objectives (e.g., maintenance of a diverse understorey community) with forestry objectives (e.g., timely establishment of overstorey trees), and our findings can be used as a guide to balance these trade‐offs.
Antiplatelet therapy in cardiovascular disease: Current status and future directions
Authors: Passacquale Gabriella , Sharma Pankaj , Perera Divaka , Ferro Albert
Published: January 2022

Antiplatelet medications remain a cornerstone of therapy for atherosclerotic cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. In primary prevention (patients with cardiovascular risk factors but no documented events, symptoms or angiographic disease), there is little evidence of benefit of any antiplatelet therapy, and such therapy carries the risk of excess bleeding. Where there is documented disease (secondary prevention), stable patients benefit from long‐term antiplatelet monotherapy, aspirin being first choice in those with coronary heart disease and clopidogrel in those with cerebrovascular disease; moreover, recent evidence shows that low‐dose rivaroxaban in combination with aspirin confers added benefit, in patients with stable cardiovascular and peripheral arterial disease. In patients with acute cerebrovascular disease, aspirin combined with clopidogrel reduces subsequent risk, while in acute coronary syndrome, dual antiplatelet therapy comprising aspirin and a P2Y12 inhibitor (clopidogrel, prasugrel or ticagrelor) confers greater protection than aspirin monotherapy, with prasugrel and ticagrelor offering greater antiplatelet efficacy with faster onset of action than clopidogrel. Although greater antiplatelet efficacy is advantageous in preventing thrombotic events, this must be tempered by increased risk of bleeding, which may be a particular issue in certain patient groups, as will be discussed. We will also discuss possible future approaches to personalisation of antiplatelet therapy.
Occupational licensing's effects on firm location and employment in the United States
Authors: Plemmons Alicia
Published: January 2022

Occupational licensing is the policy in which a government body imposes minimum requirements to work within a specific job classification. These requirements include some combination of education credits, hours of experience mandatory fees and examinations. The costs to firms of paying to license employees or hire licensed employees can be a substantial consideration when they are making location and hiring decisions because the licensure requirements are often determined at the state level. Using firm‐level data, I analyse how these occupational licensing expenses affect firms by determining how differences in those expenses across state borders in the United States affect the likelihood that a firm will locate in an expensive state if a substantially cheaper state is a short distance away. As the monetary cost of fees and the time investment of experience and education for each worker increases, firms are less likely to locate in high‐cost states. I also use a geographic regression discontinuity design and find that the more expensive side of a state border has 2.3 fewer employees on average.
Review: School‐based interventions to improve mental health literacy and reduce mental health stigma – a systematic review
Authors: Ma Karen Kei Yan , Anderson Joanna K. , Burn Anne‐Marie
Published: January 2022

Background

The steadily increasing prevalence of mental disorders in children and adolescents presents itself as a public health challenge, especially given the health, social and economic burden of mental disorders. School‐based interventions aimed at improving mental health literacy and reducing mental health stigma have the potential to prevent mental disorders and promote mental well‐being, thus reducing the burden of mental disorders. This review identified and synthesised evidence on the effectiveness of school‐based interventions designed to improve mental health literacy and reduce mental health stigma.

Methods

Electronic bibliographic databases including MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, Education Resources Information Center (ERIC), Child Development and Adolescent Studies, British Education Index and Applied Social Sciences Index and Abstracts (ASSIA) were searched. Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) were included if they assessed the effectiveness or cost‐effectiveness of school‐based intervention aimed at improving mental health literacy and reducing mental health stigma for children and young people aged 4–18 years. Quality of studies was appraised using the EPHPP tool. A numerical summary and a narrative description of the findings in relation to the research questions were synthesised. This systematic review was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42020191265).

Results

We identified 21 studies describing 20 unique school‐based mental health interventions. Overall, there is moderate evidence suggesting that school‐based mental health interventions can be effective in improving mental health literacy and reducing mental health stigma defined as attitudes and beliefs regarding mental disorders. However, there is less evidence for their long‐term effectiveness, as most studies did not include follow‐ups.

Conclusions

Despite exclusively including studies with randomised designs, intervention and methodological heterogeneity poses uncertainties to any conclusions made. Future research should focus on resolving methodological issues concerning how outcomes are assessed and include process evaluations to better inform the design of an intervention in term of its delivery and implementation.
Non‐HIV‐infected patients with Pneumocystis pneumonia in the intensive care unit: A bicentric, retrospective study focused on predictive factors of in‐hospital mortality
Authors: Wang Yuqiong , Huang Xu , Sun Ting , Fan Guohui , Zhan Qingyuan , Weng Li
Published: January 2022

Background

The incidence of Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) among patients without human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection continues to increase. Here, we identified potential risk factors for in‐hospital mortality among HIV‐negative patients with PCP admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU).

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed medical records of 154 non‐HIV‐infected PCP patients admitted to the ICU at Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH) and China‐Japan Friendship Hospital (CJFH) from October 2012 to July 2020. Clinical characteristics were examined, and factors related to in‐hospital mortality were analyzed.

Results

A total of 154 patients were enrolled in our study. Overall, the in‐hospital mortality rate was 65.6%. The univariate analysis indicated that nonsurvivors were older (58 vs. 52 years, P = 0.021), were more likely to use high‐dose steroids (≥1 mg/kg/day prednisone equivalent, 39.62% vs. 55.34%, P = 0.047), receive caspofungin during hospitalization (44.6% vs. 28.3%, P = 0.049), require invasive ventilation (83.2% vs. 47.2%, P < 0.001), develop shock during hospitalization (61.4% vs. 20.8%, P < 0.001), and develop pneumomediastinum (21.8% vs. 47.2%, P = 0.001) and had higher Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II scores on ICU admission (20.32 vs. 17.39, P = 0.003), lower lymphocyte counts (430 vs. 570 cells/μl, P = 0.014), and lower PaO2/FiO2 values (mmHg) on admission (108 vs. 147, P = 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that age (odds ratio [OR] 1.03; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.00–1.06; P = 0.024), use of high‐dose steroids (≥1 mg/kg/day prednisone equivalent) during hospitalization (OR 2.29; 95% CI 1.07–4.90; P = 0.034), and a low oxygenation index on admission (OR 0.99; 95% CI 0.99–1.00; P = 0.014) were associated with in‐hospital mortality.

Conclusions

The mortality rate of non‐HIV‐infected patients with PCP was high, and predictive factors of a poor prognosis were advanced age, use of high‐dose steroids (≥1 mg/kg/day prednisone equivalent) during hospitalization, and a low oxygenation index on admission. The use of caspofungin during hospitalization might have no contribution to the prognosis of non‐HIV‐infected patients with PCP in the ICU.
Blood biomarkers associated with acute type II respiratory failure in COPD: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Shi Tieying , Feng Li
Published: January 2022

Objective

This study aims to summarize the risk factors of type II respiratory failure in patients with an acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), to guide clinical treatment in time, and consequently reduce the serious impact of COPD on human health.

Methods

Five databases were searched for relevant articles on risk factors of acute exacerbation of COPD combinate with type II respiratory failure. We calculated the standard mean difference (SMD), odds ratio (OR), and their 95% confidence interval (95% CI) utilizing a fixed‐effect model or a random‐effect model according to the level of heterogeneity.

Results

As of 14 May 2021, 13 articles were included in our meta‐analysis. The results showed that low albumin and uric acid levels were the risk factors for type II respiratory failure in acute exacerbation of COPD patients, and the differences were statistically significant (albumin: SMD = −2.03, 95% CI: −2.81, −1.26; uric acid: SMD = −1.28, 95% CI: −1.41, −1.15). Besides, 10 other systematic markers have been reported to be the risk factors for type II respiratory failure of patients with acute exacerbation of COPD, but only in single study.

Conclusion

The meta‐analysis results further confirm that low albumin and uric acid levels are risk factors for type II respiratory failure in acute exacerbation of COPD patients. Additionally, this analysis also summarizes many emerging inflammatory indicators, nutritional indicator, and cardiovascular system indicators to predict the progression of acute exacerbation of COPD to type II respiratory failure but only in single study.
Documenting at‐risk status of terrestrial ecosystems in temperate and tropical North America
Authors: Comer Patrick J. , Hak John C. , Seddon Emily
Published: January 2022

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Ecosystems (RLE) is an emerging global standard for ecosystem risk assessment that integrates data and knowledge to document the relative risk status of ecosystem types. Here, we summarize initial findings from applying four IUCN RLE criteria to 655 terrestrial ecosystems in temperate and tropical North America, or 8.5% of the global land surface. A series of indicators are measured for each criterion to address trends in ecosystem extent (A), the relative restricted nature of its distribution (B), and the extent and relative severity of environmental degradation (C), and the extent and relative severity of disruption of biotic processes (D); all to gauge the probability of range wide “collapse.” Ecosystems are listed as collapsed, critically endangered, endangered, vulnerable, near threatened, least concern, data deficient, or not evaluated. Taking uncertainty into account, 219 (33%) of terrestrial ecosystem types were listed as threatened (i.e., either critically endangered, [7%], endangered [14%], or vulnerable [13%]). Examples include tallgrass prairies, oak savannas, longleaf pine woodlands, floodplain forests, mesic hardwood forests, and dry tropical forests. Historically, these threatened ecosystems occurred across about 45% of the continental study area, and today account for about 30%. The RLE provides one important focus for prioritizing conservation effort.
Party corruption in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq: Context and implications
Authors: Mamshai Farhad Hassan Abdullah
Published: January 2022

Party corruption is not only a problem in developing democracies but also in developed ones. Since its establishment in 1991, corruption among political parties has been a key feature of Kurdish governance in the Kurdistan Region. This corruption can be categorized into two periods, the first from 1991 to 2003, and the second from 2005 to the present, mainly among the ruling parties the KDP and the PUK. These two parties have ruled the region for nearly three decades, each with its geographic hegemonic zone; since 2005 they have ruled the region jointly, therefore sharing the responsibility for the mismanagement and corruption in KRG institutions. This article argues that the system of a dominant party (or parties) within a weak multi‐party system, which in Kurdistan the KDP and (to an extent until 2009) the PUK have controlled, is responsible for increasing the scope of corruption. It also argues that the dominant party has utilized the electoral system, particularly the closed party list and recently semi‐open party list, within a single electoral cycle to secure governmental positions for its own officials for a prolonged time and thus escape the electorate's control.
Spatiotemporal variation in the role of floral traits in shaping tropical plant‐pollinator interactions
Authors: Klomberg Yannick , Tropek Robert , Mertens Jan E. J. , Kobe Ishmeal N. , Hodeček Jiří , Raška Jan , Fominka Nestoral T. , Souto‐Vilarós Daniel , Janečková Petra , Janeček Štěpán
Published: January 2022

The pollination syndrome hypothesis predicts that plants pollinated by the same pollinator group bear convergent combinations of specific floral functional traits. Nevertheless, some studies have shown that these combinations predict pollinators with relatively low accuracy. This discrepancy may be caused by changes in the importance of specific floral traits for different pollinator groups and under different environmental conditions. To explore this, we studied pollination systems and floral traits along an elevational gradient on Mount Cameroon during wet and dry seasons. Using Random Forest (Machine Learning) models, allowing the ranking of traits by their relative importance, we demonstrated that some floral traits are more important than others for pollinators. However, the distribution and importance of traits vary under different environmental conditions. Our results imply the need to improve our trait‐based understanding of plant‐pollinator interactions to better inform the debate surrounding the pollination syndrome hypothesis.
Gene expression profiling suggests severe, extensive central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia may be both clinically and biologically distinct from limited disease subtypes
Authors: Jamerson Taylor A. , Conover Talbot C. , Dina Yemisi , Kwatra Shawn G. , Garza Luis A. , Aguh Crystal
Published: January 2022

The natural history of central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia (CCCA) is widely variable. Some patients experience rapid progression to extensive, end‐stage disease while others never approach extensive involvement over decades, suggesting heterogeneity in CCCA disease phenotype. To better characterize clinically severe disease in CCCA, tissue samples were obtained from the peripheral, hair‐bearing lesional scalp of women with clinically focal, limited and extensive CCCA disease involvement. A microarray analysis was conducted to identify differential expression of genes previously identified to be preferentially expressed in the lesional scalp vs. non‐lesional scalp of CCCA patients. Clinically extensive, severe CCCA was characterized by increased expression of MMP9, SFRP4 and MSR1 when directly compared with focal and limited disease. These biomarkers correspond to dysregulated pathways of fibrosis, Wnt signalling and macrophage‐mediated inflammatory processes respectively. These findings hold significance for both possible targets for future study of prognostic markers of disease severity and new potential therapeutic targets. In summary, this study suggests clinically extensive, severe CCCA may have a differential gene expression pattern in the lesional scalp of affected patients, in addition to its clinical distinction.
Keratinization and Cornification are not equivalent processes but keratinization in fish and amphibians evolved into cornification in terrestrial vertebrates
Authors: Alibardi Lorenzo
Published: January 2022

The present account offers a generalized view of the evolution of process of terminal differentiation in keratinocytes of the epidermis in anamniotes, indicated as keratinization, into a further differentiating process of cornification in the skin and appendages of terrestrial vertebrates. Keratinization indicates the prevalent accumulation of intermediate filaments of keratins (IFKs) and is present in most fish and amphibian epidermis and inner epithelia of all vertebrates. During land adaptation, terrestrial vertebrates evolved a process of cornification and keratinocytes became dead corneocytes by the addition of numerous others proteins to the IFKs framework, represented by keratin‐associated proteins (KAPs) and corneous proteins (CPs). Most of genes coding for these types of proteins are localized in chromosomal loci different and un‐related from those of IFKs, and CPs originated from a gene cluster indicated as epidermal differentiation complex. During the evolution of reptiles and birds, the epidermis and corneous derivatives such as scales, claws, beaks and feathers mainly accumulate a type of CPs that overcome IFKs and containing a 34 amino acid beta‐sheet core indicated as corneous beta proteins, formerly known as beta‐keratins. Mammals did not evolve a beta‐sheet core in their CPs and KAPs but instead produced numerous cysteine‐rich IFKs in their epidermis and specialized KAPs in hairs, claws, nails, hooves and horns.
African American mothers' racial socialization practices with preschoolers: A mixed methods study
Authors: Lloyd Dalhia D.
Published: January 2022

Objective

This pilot study examined the racial socialization frequency, practices, and goals African American mothers use to socialize their preschool‐age children around race.

Background

Previous studies have demonstrated that African American mothers engage in racial socialization. However, little research has focused on how race and racism influence African American mothers' racial socialization frequency, practices, and goals.

Methods

In the quantitative phase, a racial socialization measure was used to assess African American mothers' (N = 30) racial socialization frequency. In the qualitative phase, follow‐up interviews conducted with eight African American mothers explored how race and racism influence the mothers' parenting.

Results

Mothers with a high racial socialization score encouraged racial awareness, whereas mothers with low scores discouraged racial awareness. Most mothers used oppressive practices to keep their preschoolers safe. Most mothers braided their parental practices with their racial experiences from childhood.

Conclusions

Mothers of African American children are processing parental guidance approaches on two levels—general guidance related to their child's development and a track related to the role race may be playing.

Implications

The implications of this study will be influential in the development and effectiveness of culturally centered practices that support Black children as well as Black mothers' parenting.
A deeper look at impacts in spatial Durbin model with sphet
Authors: Piras Gianfranco , Postiglione Paolo
Published: January 2022

This article focuses on the estimation of the spatial Durbin model and associated relative impacts implemented in the R library sphet. Specifically, the current version of the library offers two ways of performing inference: one based on drawing samples from a multivariate normal distribution, and the other based on an analytical formula. The performance of these two methods is compared using an extensive Monte Carlo experiment. As an illustration of the kind of analysis that can be performed with sphet, the article also presents an empirical application looking at economic growth of Italian provinces.
Clinical outcome and adherence rate in Scandinavian patients with intermediate‐intensity prophylaxis before and after the switch of standard half‐life FVIII products to BAY 81–8973
Authors: Arvanitakis Alexandros , Holme Pål Andre , Berntorp Erik , Astermark Jan
Published: January 2022

Introduction

Treatment optimization in haemophilia A can be achieved by choice of FVIII product and knowledge of pharmacokinetics (PK), phenotype and adherence. A favourable PK profile of BAY 81–8973 (octocog alfa) (Kovaltry, Bayer AB) compared to other standard half‐life (SHL) FVIII products has been suggested.

Aim

To evaluate whether the switch to BAY 81–8973, using the same dosing schedule, impact factor consumption and bleed rates, taking arthropathy and adherence into account

Methods

Forty patients on prophylaxis with SHL (median age 40.5 years) attending the haemophilia treatment centres in Malmö and Oslo were enrolled. The annualised bleeding rate (ABR) and joint bleeding rate (AJBR) before and after the switch to BAY 81–8973 was calculated. PK analyses were performed with WAPPS‐Hemo. Joint health status and treatment adherence were assessed.

Results

The median ABR and AJBR was 0 before and after the switch, at both centres. The median yearly factor consumption was 3,345 IU/Kg/year in the entire study group corresponding to intermediate‐intensity prophylaxis in most patients and with significantly more used in Malmö (3,862 IU/Kg/year), compared to Oslo (2,337 IU/Kg/year) (P .006). There was no correlation between arthropathy and bleeding. The median BAY 81–8973 t½ was 15.15 h (range 7.5–29 h), with significant correlation to VWF levels, and 13.4 h after exclusion of VWF outliers. Adherence to treatment was 97%.

Conclusions

Concentrate switch, using mainly intermediate‐intensity regimens with high adherence rates, preserves excellent prophylaxis outcome using standard half‐life FVIII products, indicating the value of individualized prophylaxis and close follow‐up.
Prevalence estimates of Helicobacter species infection in pancreatic and biliary tract cancers
Authors: Osaki Takako , Lin Yingsong , Sasahira Naoki , Ueno Makoto , Yonezawa Hideo , Hojo Fuhito , Okuda Masumi , Matsuyama Masato , Sasaki Takashi , Kobayashi Satoshi , Tezuka Shun , Tanaka Kei , Dan Naoaki , Kuruma Sawako , Egawa Naoto , Kamiya Shigeru , Kikuchi Shogo
Published: January 2022

Background

Helicobacter pylori infection is a well‐established risk factor for gastric cancer and has been linked to other gastrointestinal diseases, including pancreatic and biliary tract cancers; however, the relevance of enterohepatic non‐H. pylori helicobacters to the pathophysiology of these diseases remains unclear.

Materials and Methods

We estimated the prevalence of two enterohepatic non‐H. pylori helicobacters (Helicobacter hepaticus and Helicobacter bilis) in the framework of a hospital‐based case‐control study involving 121 patients with biliary tract cancer, pancreatic cancer, or other gastrointestinal diseases. Bile and blood samples were collected from the patients undergoing endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. The presence of H. bilis, H. hepaticus, and other Helicobacter spp. was examined using bacterial culture, PCR‐based detection, and serological tests.

Results

Culture of Helicobacter spp. from biliary brush samples was unsuccessful. Approximately 13.0% (15/115) of the bile samples collected from patients with a variety of gastrointestinal cancers, including pancreatic and biliary tract cancers, tested positive for one of the enterohepatic non‐H. pylori helicobacter species as determined by PCR. Specifically, H. bilis and H. hepaticus DNA were detected in 11 and 4 bile samples, respectively. Approximately 20%–40% of the patients tested positive for serum non‐H. pylori helicobacter IgG antibodies. The seroprevalence of H. bilis and H. hepaticus in the patients without evidence of H. pylori infection appeared to be higher in the pancreatic cancer group than in the control group.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest a role for Helicobacter spp., especially H. bilis and H. hepaticus, in the etiology of pancreatic and biliary tract cancers.