bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Extensive analysis of risk factors associated with surgical site infections post‐cardiothoracic open surgery
Authors: Li Hong , Zheng Xufeng , Gao Jie
Published: March 2024

Surgical site infections (SSIs) post‐cardiothoracic surgery represent a significant challenge in patient care. Understanding the risk factors contributing to SSIs is essential for improving surgical outcomes and patient safety. A comprehensive retrospective analysis was conducted at our institution from January 2021 to December 2022. This study included 30 patients with SSIs and 60 without, following cardiothoracic open surgery. Data were collected on various variables, including hypertension, anaemia, operation time, hospital stay, alcohol consumption, smoking habits, Body Mass Index, age, and drainage tube placement. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were employed using SPSS software to identify significant predictors of SSIs. Univariate analysis indicated a strong correlation between SSIs and factors like smoking, diabetes mellitus, drainage tube placement, anaemia, and significant intraoperative blood loss (≥800 mL). These factors were statistically significant with p‐values < 0.05. Multivariate logistic regression further confirmed the impact of these factors, with high odds ratios indicating a substantial increase in SSI risk associated with these conditions. This study highlights intraoperative blood loss, anaemia, drainage tube placement, smoking, and diabetes mellitus as key risk factors for SSIs post‐cardiothoracic surgery. Recognising and addressing these factors through targeted preventive measures is crucial in clinical practice to reduce the incidence of SSIs and improve postoperative care in cardiothoracic surgery.
Maternal tobacco exposure during pregnancy and atopic dermatitis in offspring: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Chao Ling , Liang Wenjuan , Zhao Xiangmei , Liang Zhenzhen , Wu Weidong , Song Jie , Ren Wenjie
Published: March 2024

The main purpose of this review was to examine the evidence of the relationship between active smoking or passive smoking during pregnancy and atopic dermatitis in offspring. The protocol was written following the PRISMA Checklist and was registered in the PROSPERO database (registration number CRD42022381136). We implemented a comprehensive search in PubMed, Embase and Web of Science databases to identify all potentially related articles from inception through 1 December 2022. We assessed cohort studies and case–control studies using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale (NOS), and the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) critical appraisal tool to assess the quality of cross‐sectional studies. Heterogeneity was investigated by using Cochrane Q tests and I2 statistics. In addition, according to the research design, population source and population size, the reasons for the heterogeneity were analysed. A total of 15 observational studies were included in this analysis. Our meta‐analysis suggests that atopic dermatitis in offspring is not associated with active smoking during pregnancy (pooled OR, 0.96 [95% CI 0.86–1.07]); however, it is related to passive smoking (OR, 1.52 [95% CI 1.36–1.70]). Passive smoking during pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of eczema development in offspring. More research is needed to explore the risk of active smoking and eczema development in offspring, especially the association between measurements of pregnancy cotinine levels in maternal body fluids and AD in offspring.
Dermatoscopic patterns of cutaneous metastases: A multicentre cross‐sectional study of the International Dermoscopy Society
Authors: Tiodorovic Danica , Stojkovic‐Filipovic Jelena , Marghoob Ashfaq , Argenziano Giuseppe , Puig Susana , Malvehy Josep , Tognetti Linda , Pietro Rubegni , Akay Bengu Nisa , Zalaudek Iris , Haenssle Holger A. , Müller‐Christmann Christine , Cinotti Elisa , Perrot Jean Luc , Zaballos Pedro , Bakos Renato Marchiori , Thomas Luc , Peris Ketty , Lallas Aimilios , Apalla Zoe , Kreusch Juergen F. , Tromme Isabelle , Stratigos Alexandros J. , Pizzichetta Maria Antonietta , Kandolf Lidija , Longo Caterina , Blum Andreas , Tanaka Masaru , Hofmann‐Wellenhof Rainer , Jovic Andrija , Paoli John , Buljan Marija , Espasandín‐Arias Martina , Cabo Horacio , Saa Sonia Rodrigiez , Salerni Gabriel , Nazzaro Gianluca , Kaminska‐Winciorek Grazyna , Damiani Giovanni , Geszti Franciska , Kittler Harald ,   IDS Study group
Published: March 2024

Background

The detection of cutaneous metastases (CMs) from various primary tumours represents a diagnostic challenge.

Objectives

Our aim was to evaluate the general characteristics and dermatoscopic features of CMs from different primary tumours.

Methods

Retrospective, multicentre, descriptive, cross‐sectional study of biopsy‐proven CMs.

Results

We included 583 patients (247 females, median age: 64 years, 25%–75% percentiles: 54–74 years) with 632 CMs, of which 52.2% (n = 330) were local, and 26.7% (n = 169) were distant. The most common primary tumours were melanomas (n = 474) and breast cancer (n = 59). Most non‐melanoma CMs were non‐pigmented (n = 151, 95.6%). Of 169 distant metastases, 54 (32.0%) appeared on the head and neck region. On dermatoscopy, pigmented melanoma metastases were frequently structureless blue (63.6%, n = 201), while amelanotic metastases were typified by linear serpentine vessels and a white structureless pattern. No significant difference was found between amelanotic melanoma metastases and CMs of other primary tumours.

Conclusions

The head and neck area is a common site for distant CMs. Our study confirms that most pigmented melanoma metastasis are structureless blue on dermatoscopy and may mimic blue nevi. Amelanotic metastases are typified by linear serpentine vessels and a white structureless pattern, regardless of the primary tumour.
Factors influencing migration of short‐finned eels (Anguilla australis) over 3 years from a wetland system, Lake Condah, south‐east Australia, downstream to the sea
Authors: Koster Wayne , Church Ben , Crook David , Dawson David , Fanson Ben , O'Connor Justin , Stuart Ivor
Published: March 2024

Anguillid eel populations are under threat globally. A particularly vulnerable life‐cycle stage is the migration of mature adult eels downstream from freshwater habitats through estuaries into the sea to spawn. This study investigated the factors associated with downstream migration of the short‐finned eel Anguilla australis (Richardson 1841) from a coastal wetland (Lake Condah) in south‐east Australia, using acoustic telemetry. Migration was associated with time of the year, higher water level and river flows, decreasing water temperature, and darker moon phases. Larger individuals and those in better condition were more likely to migrate from the wetland. Downstream migration peaked in spring, in contrast to the typical autumn migration period for other temperate anguillids. Variable responses, in comparison to other studies, highlight how migration cues may not be universal. In south‐east Australia, short‐finned eels may have evolved to migrate in multiple phases by first migrating to the estuary during typical seasonal spring flow pulses (e.g., to avoid being stranded in upland reaches during dry summer periods) and then migrating into the ocean in autumn. More research is needed to unravel these processes and causes, especially considering that the relationship between migration and hydrology may be complex and confounded (e.g., by human‐induced disruptions to migratory pathways).
Measuring coefficient of thermal expansion of materials of micrometre size using SEM/FIB microscope with in situ MEMS heating stage
Authors: Robertson Stuart , McClintock Andrew , Jolley Kenny , Zhou Han , Davis Sam , Wu Houzheng , Liu Changqing , Doak Scott , Zhou Zhaoxia
Published: March 2024

A new method is proposed to measure the linear coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of solid metals and ceramics of micron‐sized dimensions. This approach uses a focused ion beam (FIB) to extract and transfer a slab of the sample, typically (15–20) ×10 × (3–5) µm onto a Micro‐Electro‐Mechanical Systems (MEMS) in situ heating holder inside a scanning electron microscope (SEM). CTE is thereafter calculated by image correlating the change of length (ΔL) between the fiducial marks on the slab as a function of temperature, taking advantage of the temperature calibration of the MEMS heating holder and nanometre resolution of the scanning electron microscope. The CTE results are validated to be consistent with standard copper and silicon. We further demonstrate the method on a graphene platelet reinforced copper composite and a graphite filler phase isolated from a bulk sample, these represent materials that cannot be practically synthesised or isolated at the macro‐scale. Errors associated with the measurement are discussed.
A systematic conceptual review of financial access
Authors: Birkenmaier Julie , Huang Jin
Published: March 2024

Financial access is used in practice and research as an important concept relevant to financial capability and financial well‐being. This study examines the literature on individual financial access and develops a conceptualization, definition, domains, and proposed items. Following a systematic conceptual review method, the review is based on 171 articles published during January 2012–August 2022 retrieved from Scopus and Dissertation and Thesis Global. Using grounded theory, data were coded related to financial access definition, concepts, measurement, and associated content. The domains identified were Mainstream Financial Products and Services, Institutional Practices of Available Mainstream Financial Service Providers, Individual Resources and Intrinsic Qualities and Abilities, and Individual Financial Action and Perceptions. Financial Products or Services Utilized by Social Programs to Provide Benefits was added. Study implications include the need to broaden the focus of policies and practices beyond ownership of financial products and services. Directions for future research are discussed.
Successful treatment of cutaneous protothecosis with fluconazole: A case report and epidemiology study of Prototheca infection in China
Authors: Xu Chandi , Pan Chaolan , Xu Chengan , Zheng Wei , Yin Qiaoqiao , Pan Hongying , Chen Yingjun
Published: March 2024

Background

Protothecosis is an infection of humans and animals caused by a rare conditionally pathogenic fungus (prototheca). It can occur in immunocompromised or normal patients.

Aims

To describe the epidemiology of prototheca infection in China.

Methods

We report a case of successful treatment of cutaneous protothecosis with fluconazole and analyzed the epidemiological characteristics, risk factors, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of prototheca infections in China.

Results

We describe this case and 29 cases of prototheca infections in China. At present, Prototheca wickerhamii (Pw) infection is the most common infection in China, and single or combined itraconazole is the preferred treatment.

Conclusions

These results provide detailed information and relevant clinical treatment strategies for the diagnosis and treatment of protothecosis in China.
Prevalence, risk factors and impact of delirium in adult inpatients in a tertiary care hospital: A point prevalence study
Authors: Schiess Cornel , Hofer Lisa , von Felten Stefanie , Bartussek Jan , Petry Heidi , Ernst Jutta
Published: March 2024

Aims

To describe the point prevalence, risk factors and possible outcomes of delirium in inpatients.

Design

A cross‐sectional point prevalence study.

Background

Delirium is an acute brain syndrome that negatively affects patients, healthcare professionals and institutions alike; it is common in inpatient settings and is preventable in about one third of cases. Although guidelines recommend systematic screening and assessment, delirium is often unrecognised, undiagnosed and uncoded. There is a lack of valid data on this patient safety indicator in German‐speaking countries.

Methods

The study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital in Switzerland on 5 July 2022. Specially trained registered nurses collected data from all patients meeting the inclusion criteria using CAM, ICDSC or mCAM‐ED. Data were analysed descriptively with stratification by delirium status, setting and surgery.

Results

The point prevalence across all settings was 6.9% (27/390), with large variation between settings: ICU 28.6% (4/14), IMC 28.0% (7/25), wards 4.6% (15/326) and ED 4% (1/25). Surgical patients were almost twice as likely to be affected as medical patients (8.9% vs. 4.8%). Patients with delirium differed most clearly from those without by having a larger number of ICD‐10 F‐diagnoses, a larger number of medications and higher age, which are known risk factors. Moreover, those with delirium had more missed diagnoses, increased mortality, more adverse events and higher costs.

Conclusions

A significant number of patients experienced delirium and adverse clinical outcomes. Missed delirium diagnoses may further jeopardise patient safety and result in lost revenue. It remains unclear to what extent the risk factors and effects of delirium are causal and what determinants underlie missed diagnoses.

Relevance to Clinical Practice

Consistent identification of high‐risk patients and treatment settings with elevated risk, accompanied by the implementation of effective preventive and management strategies, is critical to addressing delirium.
Intermarriage and housing upon separation. A matter of resources and bargaining power?
Authors: Lacroix Julie , Mikolai Júlia , Kulu Hill
Published: March 2024

Objective

This paper examines post‐separation residential outcomes in immigrant, native, and immigrant–native mixed (married and cohabiting) couples.

Background

Previous research showed that women were more likely to leave the family home upon separation than men, indicating a weaker bargaining position.

Method

Using linked survey and register data from Switzerland, we estimate two post‐separation mobility outcomes: who leaves the family home and to what distance this person relocates. By distinguishing male and female partners by migrant origin, we consider how gendered power imbalances interact with migration status to create specific bargaining dynamics within households.

Results

Among immigrant–native mixed couples, the immigrant ex‐partner (regardless of gender) was significantly more likely to move out of the joint home following separation. The likelihood of moving (abroad) after separation was highest for recently arrived immigrant women.

Conclusion

The results suggest that migration status brings in a new dimension of bargaining within separating couples, which affects the gender‐specific residential mobility outcomes reported in previous studies. Although family migration decisions are generally biased toward the human capital of men, this study shows the advantage of the native partner in immigrant–native couples.
The role of physical activity on obstructive sleep apnea severity and hypoxic load, and the mismatch between subjective and objective physical activity assessments
Authors: Fridgeirsdottir Katrin Y. , Ólafsdóttir Kristín A. , Islind Anna Sigridur , Leppänen Timo , Arnardottir Erna S. , Saavedra Jose M.
Published: March 2024

Obesity is the primary risk factor for the development of obstructive sleep apnea, and physical inactivity plays an important role. However, most studies have either only evaluated physical activity subjectively or objectively in obstructive sleep apnea. The objectives of this study were: (i) to assess the relationship between obstructive sleep apnea severity (both apnea–hypopnea index and desaturation parameters) and both objectively and subjectively measured physical activity after adjustment for anthropometry and body composition parameters; and (ii) to assess the relationship between objective and subjective physical activity parameters and whether obstructive sleep apnea severity has a modulatory effect on this relationship. Fifty‐four subjects (age 47.7 ± 15.0 years, 46% males) were categorized into groups according to obstructive sleep apnea severity: no obstructive sleep apnea; mild obstructive sleep apnea; and moderate‐to‐severe obstructive sleep apnea. All subjects were evaluated with subjective and objective physical activity, anthropometric and body composition measurements, and 3‐night self‐applied polysomnography. A one‐way ANOVA was used to evaluate the differences between the three obstructive sleep apnea severity groups and multiple linear regression to predict obstructive sleep apnea severity. Differences in subjectively reported sitting time (p ≤ 0.004) were found between participants with moderate‐to‐severe obstructive sleep apnea, and those with either mild or no obstructive sleep apnea (p = 0.004). Age, body mass index and neck circumference explained 63.3% of the variance in the apnea–hypopnea index, and age, body mass index and visceral adiposity explained 67.8% of the variance in desaturation parameters. The results showed that the person's physical activity does not affect obstructive sleep apnea severity. A weak correlation was found between objective and subjective physical activity measures, which could be relevant for healthcare staff encouraging patients with obstructive sleep apnea to increase their physical activity.
Prevalence, clinical presentation, and etiology of myelopathies in 224 juvenile dogs
Authors: Pilkington Ed J. , De Decker Steven , Skovola Eleftheria , Cloquell Miro Ana , Gutierrez Quintana Rodrigo , Faller Kiterie M. E. , Aguilera Padros Albert , Goncalves Rita
Published: March 2024

Background

Intervertebral disc herniation is widely recognized as the most common cause of myelopathy in dogs older than 2 years; however, the prevalence of various causes of myelopathy in younger dogs has not been reported.

Hypothesis/Objectives

To describe the prevalence, clinical presentation, and etiology of myelopathy in dogs aged 18 months or less. Secondarily, to investigate which clinical features were associated with each of the most common etiologies.

Animals

Two hundred twenty‐four dogs aged 18 months or less with myelopathy were included in the study.

Methods

Retrospective review of clinical records from 4 referral institutions. Multivariable logistic regression analyses assessed which clinical features were associated with each diagnosis.

Results

French bulldogs (n = 51, 22.8%), pugs (n = 18, 8.0%), crossbreeds (n = 12, 5.4%), and English bulldogs (n = 11, 4.9%) were the most frequently affected breeds. Overall, 31 diagnoses were reached. The 5 most frequent diagnoses were vertebral malformation (VM; n = 42, 18.8%), spinal arachnoid diverticulum (SAD; n = 28, 12.5%), traumatic fracture of the vertebral column (n = 22, 9.8%), atlantoaxial instability (n = 18, 8.0%), and osseous‐associated cervical spondylomyelopathy (n = 17, 7.6%). Intervertebral disc extrusion (IVDE) accounted for 4.5% of cases (n = 10). A final diagnosis of VM was associated with younger, screw‐tailed, and pug breeds with chronic signs of T3‐L3 myelopathy. SAD was associated with screw‐tailed and pug breeds with nonpainful clinical signs. Intervertebral disc extrusion was associated with older, screw‐tailed, and pug breeds with shorter duration of clinical signs.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Prioritization of differential diagnoses for dogs presenting with signs of myelopathy when aged 18 months or less should differ to those for older dogs, with IVDE not the most common cause in the former.
Spectral ecophysiology: hyperspectral pressure–volume curves to estimate leaf turgor loss
Authors: Castillo‐Argaez Raiza , Sapes Gerard , Mallen Nicole , Lippert Alston , John Grace P. , Zare Alina , Hammond William M.
Published: March 2024

Turgor loss point (TLP) is an important proxy for plant drought tolerance, species habitat suitability, and drought‐induced plant mortality risk. Thus, TLP serves as a critical tool for evaluating climate change impacts on plants, making it imperative to develop high‐throughput and in situ methods to measure TLP.

We developed hyperspectral pressure–volume curves (PV curves) to estimate TLP using leaf spectral reflectance. We used partial least square regression models to estimate water potential (Ψ) and relative water content (RWC) for two species, Frangula caroliniana and Magnolia grandiflora. RWC and Ψ's model for each species had R2 ≥ 0.7 and %RMSE = 7–10. We constructed PV curves with model estimates and compared the accuracy of directly measured and spectra‐predicted TLP.

Our findings indicate that leaf spectral measurements are an alternative method for estimating TLP. F. caroliniana TLP's values were −1.62 ± 0.15 (means ± SD) and −1.62 ± 0.34 MPa for observed and reflectance predicted, respectively (P > 0.05), while M. grandiflora were −1.78 ± 0.34 and −1.66 ± 0.41 MPa (P > 0.05).

The estimation of TLP through leaf reflectance‐based PV curves opens a broad range of possibilities for future research aimed at understanding and monitoring plant water relations on a large scale with spectral ecophysiology.
Seasonal drought promotes citrate accumulation in citrus fruit through the CsABF3‐activated CsAN1‐CsPH8 pathway
Authors: Ma Xiaochuan , Sheng Ling , Li Feifei , Zhou Tie , Guo Jing , Chang Yuanyuan , Yang Junfeng , Jin Yan , Chen Yuewen , Lu Xiaopeng
Published: March 2024

Plenty of rainfall but unevenly seasonal distribution happens regularly in southern China. Seasonal drought from summer to early autumn leads to citrus fruit acidification, but how seasonal drought regulates citrate accumulation remains unknown.

Herein, we employed a set of physiological, biochemical, and molecular approaches to reveal that CsABF3 responds to seasonal drought stress and modulates citrate accumulation in citrus fruits by directly regulating CsAN1 and CsPH8.

Here, we demonstrated that irreversible acidification of citrus fruits is caused by drought lasting for > 30 d during the fruit enlargement stage. We investigated the transcriptome characteristics of fruits affected by drought and corroborated the pivotal roles of a bHLH transcription factor (CsAN1) and a P3A‐ATPase gene (CsPH8) in regulating citrate accumulation in response to drought. Abscisic acid (ABA)‐responsive element binding factor 3 (CsABF3) was upregulated by drought in an ABA‐dependent manner. CsABF3 activated CsAN1 and CsPH8 expression by directly and specifically binding to the ABA‐responsive elements (ABREs) in the promoters and positively regulated citrate accumulation.

Taken together, this study sheds new light on the regulatory module ABA‐CsABF3‐CsAN1‐CsPH8 responsible for citrate accumulation under drought stress, which advances our understanding of quality formation of citrus fruit.
The receptor kinase RiSho1 in Rhizophagus irregularis regulates arbuscule development and drought tolerance during arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis
Authors: Wang Sijia , Han Lina , Ren Ying , Hu Wentao , Xie Xianan , Chen Hui , Tang Ming
Published: March 2024

In terrestrial ecosystems, most plant species can form beneficial associations with arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi benefit plant nutrient acquisition and enhance plant tolerance to drought. The high osmolarity glycerol 1 mitogen‐activated protein kinase (HOG1‐MAPK) cascade genes have been characterized in Rhizophagus irregularis. However, the upstream receptor of the HOG1‐MAPK cascade remains to be investigated.

We identify the receptor kinase RiSho1 from R. irregularis, containing four transmembrane domains and one Src homology 3 (SH3) domain, corresponding to the homologue of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Higher expression levels of RiSho1 were detected during the in planta phase in response to drought. RiSho1 protein was localized in the plasma membrane of yeast, and interacted with the HOG1‐MAPK module RiPbs2 directly by protein–protein interaction.

RiSho1 complemented the growth defect of the yeast mutant ∆sho1 under sorbitol conditions. Knock‐down of RiSho1 led to the decreased expression of downstream HOG1‐MAPK cascade (RiSte11, RiPbs2, RiHog1) and drought‐resistant genes (RiAQPs, RiTPSs, RiNTH1 and Ri14‐3‐3), hampered arbuscule development and decreased plants antioxidation ability under drought stress.

Our study reveals the role of RiSho1 in regulating arbuscule development and drought‐resistant genes via the HOG1‐MAPK cascade. These findings provide new perspectives on the mechanisms by which AM fungi respond to drought.
Fertility Postponement, Economic Uncertainty, and the Increasing Income Prerequisites of Parenthood
Authors: van Wijk Daniël , Billari Francesco C.
Published: March 2024

Rich societies have witnessed a postponement of parenthood over the past two decades, and young adults’ economic conditions are often invoked to explain this trend. However, macro‐level trends in both “subjective” perceptions of economic uncertainty and “objective” measures of actual income provide no satisfactory explanation for the postponement of parenthood. We propose a potential solution to this puzzle by hypothesizing that the economic prerequisites of parenthood have increased over the past two decades. We expect that this has raised the degree of perceived economic certainty and the level of income that people wish to achieve before having a first child. To test this hypothesis, we draw on individual‐level longitudinal data from seven countries from the Comparative Panel File. Our findings show that young adults’ perceived economic uncertainty is not consistently associated with the transition to parenthood. Moreover, the effects of perceived economic uncertainty did not change over time. In contrast, we find consistent evidence that the link between income and first birth has become more strongly positive over the past two decades. This is true mainly for women but also for men, and suggests that increasing income prerequisites are a key mechanism behind the postponement of parenthood.
Role of skin management in the prevention of atopic dermatitis and food allergy
Authors: Tham Elizabeth Huiwen , Yamamoto‐Hanada Kiwako , Leung Agnes Sze Yin , Ohya Yukihiro
Published: March 2024

Food allergy is postulated to originate from cutaneous sensitization through a disrupted skin barrier, particularly in atopic dermatitis (AD). Strategies for food allergy prevention currently centre around early allergic food introduction, but there is now increasing evidence for the role of early skin barrier restoration in the form of prophylactic emollient therapy and early aggressive, proactive treatment of established AD for food allergy prevention. Research gaps that remain to be addressed include the type of emollient or anti‐inflammatory medication, which confers the greatest efficacy in preventive or proactive skin treatment, respectively, the duration of therapy, and the window of opportunity for these interventions.
OsCOPT7 is a copper exporter at the tonoplast and endoplasmic reticulum and controls Cu translocation to the shoots and grain of rice
Authors: Tang Zhong , Li Ya‐Fang , Zhang Zhi‐Hao , Huang Xin‐Yuan , Zhao Fang‐Jie
Published: March 2024

Copper (Cu) is an essential micronutrient for all living organisms but is also highly toxic in excess. Cellular homoeostasis of Cu is maintained by various transporters and metallochaperones. Here, we investigated the biological function of OsCOPT7, a member of the copper transporters (COPT) family, in Cu homoeostasis in rice. OsCOPT7 was mainly expressed in the roots and the expression was upregulated by Cu deficiency. OsCOPT7 was localized at the tonoplast and the endoplasmic reticulum. Knockout of OsCOPT7 increased Cu accumulation in the roots but decreased Cu concentrations in the shoots and grain. The knockout mutants contained higher concentrations of Cu in the roots cell sap but markedly lower concentrations of Cu in the xylem sap than wild‐type plants. Seed setting and grain yield were reduced significantly in the knockout mutants grown in a low Cu soil. Knockout mutants were more tolerant to Cu toxicity. Yeast two‐hybrid and bimolecular fluorescence complementation assays showed that OsCOPT7 interacts physically with the rice Cu chaperone antioxidant protein 1 (OsATX1). Taken together, our results indicate that OsCOPT7 is a specific Cu transporter functioning to export Cu from the vacuoles and the ER and plays an important role in controlling the root‐to‐shoot Cu translocation in rice.
Volatile‐mediated oviposition preference for healthy over root‐infested plants by the European corn borer
Authors: Hajdu Csengele , Molnár Béla Péter , Waterman Jamie M. , Machado Ricardo Alberto Ruiz , Radványi Dalma , Fónagy Adrien , Khan Sheharyar Ahmed , Vassor Thibault , Biet Baptiste , Erb Matthias , Kárpáti Zsolt , Robert Christelle Aurélie Maud
Published: March 2024

The selection of oviposition sites by female moths is crucial in shaping their progeny performance and survival, and consequently in determining insect fitness. Selecting suitable plants that promote the performance of the progeny is referred to as the Preference−Performance hypothesis (or ‘mother‐knows‐best’). While root infestation generally reduces the performance of leaf herbivores, little is known about its impact on female oviposition. We investigated whether maize root infestation by the Western corn rootworm (WCR) affects the oviposition preference and larval performance of the European corn borer (ECB). ECB females used leaf volatiles to select healthy plants over WCR‐infested plants. Undecane, a compound absent from the volatile bouquet of healthy plants, was the sole compound to be upregulated upon root infestation and acted as a repellent for first oviposition. ECB larvae yet performed better on plants infested below‐ground than on healthy plants, suggesting an example of ‘bad motherhood’. The increased ECB performance on WCR‐infested plants was mirrored by an increased leaf consumption, and no changes in the plant primary or secondary metabolism were detected. Understanding plant‐mediated interactions between above‐ and below‐ground herbivores may help to predict oviposition decisions, and ultimately, to manage pest outbreaks in the field.
Distal toxic acral erythema and mucositis secondary to 6‐mercaptopurine in a thiopurine methyltransferase “super shunter”
Authors: Smith Sydney , Grove Daniel
Published: March 2024

Toxic erythema of chemotherapy is a broad but useful diagnosis used to summate the non‐infectious, non‐allergic, and reproducible reaction of certain chemotherapeutics. Due to overlapping chemotherapy side effects and often multiple drug exposures, identification of a singular culprit drug is challenging for dermatologists. Herein, we report a patient with 6‐mercaptopurine (6‐MP) toxic erythema confirmed via toxic metabolite markers secondary to increased levels of thiopurine methyltransferase activity, or so called “super shunting.” Consulting dermatologists should be aware of “super shunting” in pediatric patients and consider testing for metabolites in patients with toxic acral erythema and mucositis in the setting of 6‐MP.
Ovarian cancer awareness of women in Turkey: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Ugurlu Meltem , Aydin Ruveyde , Sahan Fatma Uslu , Vural Gulsen
Published: March 2024

Purpose

Early diagnosis of ovarian cancer (OC) increases survival rates; however, due to low awareness levels, women may be diagnosed with OC at the advanced stage. The aim of this cross‐sectional study is to reveal the OC awareness of Turkish women and affecting factors.

Methods

Participants were invited to study via social media tools between February‐June 2022. Data was collected with Personal Information Form and the “OC Awareness Scale” from 446 women.

Results

81% of the participants did not recall OC symptoms, 80.8% recognized OC risk factors. The most frequently recalled and recognized OC symptom is pelvic pain (19.8%; 55.8%, respectively). The most frequently recalled and recognized OC risk factors were smoking (43.1%, 67.9%, respectively) and family history (39%, 58.7%, respectively). 2% of the participants felt very confident in recognizing the signs, 72.9% would seek help within 1–2 days when they recognized the signs of OC.

Conclusions

The awareness of OC was higher among women who had advanced age, higher education, family history and were in menopause. Turkish women have low level of awareness and knowledge about OC symptoms and risk factors. There is an urgent need for an OC awareness campaign that takes into account the socio‐demographic characteristics of women. The results of the study may also guide strategies to prevent OC.
Molecular pathological approach to cancer epigenomics and its clinical application
Authors: Kanai Yae
Published: March 2024

Careful microscopic observation of histopathological specimens, accumulation of large numbers of high‐quality tissue specimens, and analysis of molecular pathology in relation to morphological features are considered to yield realistic data on the nature of multistage carcinogenesis. Since the morphological hallmark of cancer is disruption of the normal histological structure maintained through cell−cell adhesiveness and cellular polarity, attempts have been made to investigate abnormalities of the cadherin‐catenin cell adhesion system in human cancer cells. It has been shown that the CDH1 tumor suppressor gene encoding E‐cadherin is silenced by DNA methylation, suggesting that a “double hit” involving DNA methylation and loss of heterozygosity leads to carcinogenesis. Therefore, in the 1990s, we focused on epigenomic mechanisms, which until then had not received much attention. In chronic hepatitis and liver cirrhosis associated with hepatitis virus infection, DNA methylation abnormalities were found to occur frequently, being one of the earliest indications that such abnormalities are present even in precancerous tissue. Aberrant expression and splicing of DNA methyltransferases, such as DNMT1 and DNMT3B, was found to underlie the mechanism of DNA methylation alterations in various organs. The CpG island methylator phenotype in renal cell carcinoma was identified for the first time, and its therapeutic targets were identified by multilayer omics analysis. Furthermore, the DNA methylation profile of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)‐related hepatocellular carcinoma was clarified in groundbreaking studies. Since then, we have developed diagnostic markers for carcinogenesis risk in NASH patients and noninvasive diagnostic markers for upper urinary tract cancer, as well as developing a new high‐performance liquid chromatography‐based diagnostic system for DNA methylation diagnosis. Research on the cancer epigenome has revealed that DNA methylation alterations occur from the precancerous stage as a result of exposure to carcinogenic factors such as inflammation, smoking, and viral infections, and continuously contribute to multistage carcinogenesis through aberrant expression of cancer‐related genes and genomic instability. DNA methylation alterations at the precancerous stages are inherited by or strengthened in cancers themselves and determine the clinicopathological aggressiveness of cancers as well as patient outcome. DNA methylation alterations have applications as biomarkers, and are expected to contribute to diagnosis, as well as preventive and preemptive medicine.
Uncivil yet persuasive? Testing the persuasiveness of political incivility and the moderating role of populist attitudes and personality traits
Authors: Vargiu Chiara , Nai Alessandro , Valli Chiara
Published: March 2024

Political incivility—that is, treating political opponents with disrespect—and its consequences are increasingly investigated. This article examines the effect of incivility on message persuasiveness and the moderating role of populist attitudes and personality traits. We test these relationships via original experimental data collected in Switzerland (Study 1, N = 1340) and the United States (Study 2, N = 1820, preregistered). In both studies, participants were asked their opinion about a controversial political issue, presented with persuasive information framed either civilly or uncivilly, and asked again their opinion about the issue to assess whether they changed their mind. Results of a between‐subject design show that incivility does not necessarily undermine the message's persuasiveness, contrary to what we expected. Notably, uncivil messages resonated more with those respondents exhibiting higher levels of populist attitudes (Study 2) and darker personality traits (both studies). Our results further suggest a connection between incivility, message congruence, and particularly cultural context, which warrants further investigations.
Affective polarization within parties
Authors: Young David J. , de‐Wit Lee H.
Published: March 2024

Politics is increasingly a major source of social division, and party identities are theorized to be major drives of political hostility. However, parties often contain factions who are deeply hostile towards one another. Currently, we do not know whether hostility between factions within parties can be as intense as hostility between parties. In this article we compare, for the major parties in Britain (Ns = 522; 568) and the United States (N = 443), the affect that partisans feel towards factions within their own party and factions in rival parties. We find that within‐party affective polarization effects are large on average (d = 0.8) and sometimes very large (d > 1.2), that they are usually smaller than between‐party effects but can equal or exceed them, and, in several cases, factions prefer an out‐party faction over their in‐party rivals. These findings demonstrate that strong affective polarization can emerge between groups who share party identities, highlighting the importance of factions in political psychology and raising questions about the effect of party identities on affective polarization.
Sequence similarity networks bear out hierarchical relationships of green cytochrome P450
Authors: Dhabalia Ashok Amra , Freitag Jella N. , Irisarri Iker , de Vries Sophie , de Vries Jan
Published: March 2024

Land plants have diversified enzyme families. One of the most prominent is the cytochrome P450 (CYP or CYP450) family. With over 443,000 CYP proteins sequenced across the tree of life, CYPs are ubiquitous in archaea, bacteria, and eukaryotes. Here, we focused on land plants and algae to study the role of CYP diversification. CYPs, acting as monooxygenases, catalyze hydroxylation reactions crucial for specialized plant metabolic pathways, including detoxification and phytohormone production; the CYPome consists of one enormous superfamily that is divided into clans and families. Their evolutionary history speaks of high substrate promiscuity; radiation and functional diversification have yielded numerous CYP families. To understand the evolutionary relationships within the CYPs, we employed sequence similarity network analyses. We recovered distinct clusters representing different CYP families, reflecting their diversified sequences that we link to the prediction of functionalities. Hierarchical clustering and phylogenetic analysis further elucidated relationships between CYP clans, uncovering their shared deep evolutionary history. We explored the distribution and diversification of CYP subfamilies across plant and algal lineages, uncovering novel candidates and providing insights into the evolution of these enzyme families. This identified unexpected relationships between CYP families, such as the link between CYP82 and CYP74, shedding light on their roles in plant defense signaling pathways. Our approach provides a methodology that brings insights into the emergence of new functions within the CYP450 family, contributing to the evolutionary history of plants and algae. These insights can be further validated and implemented via experimental setups under various external conditions.
Survey on the attitudes and perceptions of Swiss dental practitioners and dental students toward treating patients with disabilities and sensory impairments
Authors: Takeshita Lisa , Srinivasan Murali
Published: March 2024

Aims

This study evaluated the attitudes and perceptions of private dental practitioners (PPs) and students on treating patients with disabilities and sensory impairments.

Methods and results

A multifaceted questionnaire was used to assess the participants’ attitudes on providing care to persons with disabilities and sensory impairments [visual (VI) and hearing (HI)]. The survey evaluated different aspects of the participants’ attitudes that included integrity, altruism, perceived barriers, and theory of planned behavior (TPB). One hundred twenty participants [students: n = 73, practitioners (PP): n = 47), with a mean‐age of 27.7 ± 5.3 years, completed the survey (response rate: 100%). Fourth‐year students scored better than the PP in integrity (p = .019). For altruism, the students scored better than PPs (vs. fourth‐year: p = .009, vs. fifth‐year: p = .031). There were no differences between the participant groups for the overall assessments of the TPB (p = .213), VI (p = .863), and HI (p = .261).

Conclusion

Dental practitioners and students revealed a positive attitude, with few barriers, towards treating individuals with disabilities/sensory impairments and considered the training in the field of special care dentistry as a necessary part of the dental education. Furthermore, a demand for an increase in the hands‐on practical experience in treating individuals with disabilities/sensory impairments during the undergraduate study curriculum was identified.
Effectiveness of oral health interventions among children and adolescents with mental disorders: a systematic review
Authors: Bab Noor Baiti , Rahman Raja Nur Adilah Raja Abdul , Mohamed Salina , Radzi Nawwal Alwani Mohd , Yusof Norashikin
Published: March 2024

Background

The rising percentage of children and adolescents experiencing mental disorders brought attention to the emerging opportunities for proactive oral health interventions in this population. Currently, existing guidelines focus mainly on oral health in general practice and on adults residing in care homes. This report aims to provide a broad overview of the effectiveness of oral health interventions for children and adolescents with mental disorders.

Method

This review followed the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta‐Analyses 2020) statement. The initial electronic search yielded a total of 3710 articles. The search identified 2354 potential papers after removing duplicates and 2301 articles were excluded by title and abstract. The full texts of the remaining 53 articles and nine articles from the citation searching were screened and 15 articles matched the inclusion criteria. The Mixed‐Method Appraisal Tool (MMAT) was used for quality appraisal.

Results

The thematic analysis resulted in four main themes which were educational intervention, physical intervention, clinical intervention, and a combination of both educational and clinical intervention.

Conclusion

We presented the findings in a narrative synthesis with the primary outcomes which served as answers to our main research question that prompted this systematic review.
Prevalence and risk factors for Q fever, spotted fever group rickettsioses, and typhus group rickettsioses in a pastoralist community of northern Tanzania, 2016–2017
Authors: Moorthy Ganga S. , Rubach Matthew P. , Maze Michael J. , Refuerzo Regina P. , Shirima Gabriel M. , Lukambagire AbdulHamid S. , Bodenham Rebecca F. , Cash‐Goldwasser Shama , Thomas Kate M. , Sakasaka Philoteus , Mkenda Nestory , Bowhay Thomas R. , Perniciaro Jamie L. , Nicholson William L. , Kersh Gilbert J. , Kazwala Rudovick R. , Mmbaga Blandina T. , Buza Joram J. , Maro Venance P. , Haydon Daniel T. , Crump John A. , Halliday Jo E. B.
Published: March 2024

Background

In northern Tanzania, Q fever, spotted fever group (SFG) rickettsioses, and typhus group (TG) rickettsioses are common causes of febrile illness. We sought to describe the prevalence and risk factors for these zoonoses in a pastoralist community.

Methods

Febrile patients ≥2 years old presenting to Endulen Hospital in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area were enrolled from August 2016 through October 2017. Acute and convalescent blood samples were collected, and a questionnaire was administered. Sera were tested by immunofluorescent antibody (IFA) IgG assays using Coxiella burnetii (Phase II), Rickettsia africae, and Rickettsia typhi antigens. Serologic evidence of exposure was defined by an IFA titre ≥1:64; probable cases by an acute IFA titre ≥1:128; and confirmed cases by a ≥4‐fold rise in titre between samples. Risk factors for exposure and acute case status were evaluated.

Results

Of 228 participants, 99 (43.4%) were male and the median (interquartile range) age was 27 (16–41) years. Among these, 117 (51.3%) had C. burnetii exposure, 74 (32.5%) had probable Q fever, 176 (77.2%) had SFG Rickettsia exposure, 134 (58.8%) had probable SFG rickettsioses, 11 (4.8%) had TG Rickettsia exposure, and 4 (1.8%) had probable TG rickettsioses. Of 146 participants with paired sera, 1 (0.5%) had confirmed Q fever, 8 (5.5%) had confirmed SFG rickettsioses, and none had confirmed TG rickettsioses. Livestock slaughter was associated with acute Q fever (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 2.54, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.38–4.76) and sheep slaughter with SFG rickettsioses case (OR 4.63, 95% CI 1.08–23.50).

Discussion

Acute Q fever and SFG rickettsioses were detected in participants with febrile illness. Exposures to C. burnetii and to SFG Rickettsia were highly prevalent, and interactions with livestock were associated with increased odds of illness with both pathogens. Further characterisation of the burden and risks for these diseases is warranted.
The epidemiological profile of incidence and mortality from epidemics in complex humanitarian emergencies from 1990 to 2022 – A scoping review
Authors: Arcos González Pedro , Cabria Fernández Julián , Gan Rick Kye , Fernández Camporro Ángel , Cernuda Martínez José Antonio
Published: March 2024

Aim

This study aimed to investigate the impact of communicable diseases with epidemic potential in complex emergency (CE) situations, focusing on the epidemiological profile of incidence and mortality and exploring underlying factors contributing to increased epidemic risks.

Methods

Using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses for Scoping Review (PRISMA‐ScR) guidelines, we conducted a scoping review of articles published between 1990 and 2022. The search included terms related to complex emergencies, communicable diseases, outbreaks, and epidemics. We identified 92 epidemics related to CE occurring in 32 different countries.

Results

Communicable diseases like Shigellosis, Cholera, Measles, Meningococcal meningitis, Yellow Fever, and Malaria caused significant morbidity and mortality. Diarrhoeal diseases, particularly Cholera and Shigellosis, had the highest incidence rates. Shigella specifically had an incidence of 241.0 per 1000 (people at risk), with a mortality rate of 11.7 per 1000, while Cholera's incidence was 13.0 per 1000, with a mortality rate of 0.22 per 1000. Measles followed, with an incidence of 25.0 per 1000 and a mortality rate of 0.76 per 1000. Meningococcal Meningitis had an incidence rate of 1.3 per 1000 and a mortality rate of 0.13 per 1000. Despite their lower incidences, yellow fever at 0.8 per 1000 and malaria at 0.4 per 1000, their high case fatality rates of 20.1% and 0.4% remained concerning in CE. The qualitative synthesis reveals that factors such as water, sanitation, and hygiene, shelter and settlements, food and nutrition, and public health and healthcare in complex emergencies affect the risk of epidemics.

Conclusion

Epidemics during complex emergencies could potentially lead to a public health crisis. Between 1990 and 2022, there have been no statistically significant changes in the trend of incidence, mortality, or fatality rates of epidemic diseases in CE. It is crucial to understand that all epidemics identified in CE are fundamentally preventable.