bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Older people are not always happier than younger people: The moderating role of personality
Authors: Kim Joo Hyun , Choi Eunsoo , Kim Namhee , Choi Incheol
Published: June 2022

The present research explored whether the well‐established U‐shaped relationship between age and happiness varied with personality. Individuals ranging from 15 to 75 years of age (N = 10,456, 84.9% female) completed online surveys of subjective well‐being (i.e. life satisfaction, positive affect, and negative affect) and the Big Five personality traits (International Personality Item Pool [IPIP]). The results of hierarchical multiple regression using the PROCESS macro not only supported the prediction of a U‐shaped relationship between age and well‐being but also revealed that the quadratic relationship is moderated by agreeableness and neuroticism. Specifically, well‐being did not bounce back in later adulthood on the well‐being curve across different age groups with low agreeableness and high neuroticism. Moreover, positive affect did not increase and even decreased in later adulthood among those with low agreeableness. This study discusses the potential mechanisms.
Differences in gene expression despite identical histomorphology in sinonasal intestinal‐type adenocarcinoma and metastases from colorectal adenocarcinoma
Authors: Sjöstedt Sannia , Vieira Filipe Garrett , Karnov Kirstine , Agander Tina Klitmøller , Willemoe Gro Linno , Rohrberg Kristoffer Staal , Nielsen Finn Cilius , von Buchwald Christian
Published: June 2022

Sinonasal intestinal‐type adenocarcinoma (sITAC) is histomorphologically indistinguishable from colorectal adenocarcinoma (CRC) leading to diagnostic challenges. Metastases from CRCs to the sinonasal tract have been reported. The aim of the study was to identify a biomarker making it possible to distinguish between sITAC and metastases of colorectal origin. Formalin‐fixated paraffin‐embedded (FFPE) tissue from 20 consecutive patients with sITAC treated at Rigshospitalet, Denmark from 2005 to 2017, 20 patients with CRC, and second patients with both sinonasal and colorectal carcinomas were included, and RNA‐sequencing was performed on all samples. Moreover, a series of 26 samples from metastasizing CRC were included (in‐house data). 3139 differentially expressed genes were identified, of these several were deemed as possible biomarkers, including CSDE1, for which immunohistochemical staining was performed. sITAC and CRC differ in genomic expression. CSDE1, previously found upregulated in CRC, was significantly differentially expressed. Using immunohistochemical staining, no sITACs displayed strong and diffuse staining for CSDE1, which represents a potential marker to use in distinguishing sITAC from a metastasis of colorectal origin. This knowledge could improve the diagnostic process and hopefully the outcome in patients with this rare tumor.
Clinical trial: a controlled trial of baclofen add‐on therapy in PPI‐refractory gastro‐oesophageal reflux symptoms
Authors: Pauwels Ans , Raymenants Karlien , Geeraerts Annelies , Boecxstaens Veerle , Masuy Imke , Broers Charlotte , Vanuytsel Tim , Tack Jan
Published: June 2022

Background

Proton pump inhibitors (PPI) have no effect on non‐acid reflux events which can continue to provoke gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms. Baclofen, a γ‐aminobutyric acid agonist, can decrease non‐acid reflux but its symptomatic benefit in refractory GERD symptoms is understudied.

Aims

To assess the efficacy of baclofen 10 mg t.i.d. vs placebo as add‐on therapy in PPI‐refractory GERD symptoms, in a randomised, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study.

Methods

Patients with persisting typical GERD symptoms on b.i.d. PPI therapy were randomised to 4 weeks of baclofen 10 mg or placebo t.i.d. Before and after treatment, patients underwent 24 h impedance‐pH monitoring on‐PPI. Throughout the study, patients filled out ReQuest diaries. Data were analysed using mixed models.

Results

About 60 patients were included (age 47.5 years [range 19–73], 41f/19 m), 31 patients were randomised to baclofen. One patient withdrew consent and five in the baclofen group stopped treatment due to side effects. There was a trend towards a better response for general wellbeing in the baclofen‐treated group compared to placebo (p = 0.06). When subdividing patients according to symptom association probability (SAP), only the SAP+ (n = 25) group improved significantly with baclofen (pcorr = 0.02), and worsened with placebo (pcorr = 0.008). The total number of reflux events decreased over time (p = 0.01), mainly due to the baclofen condition (pcorr = 0.1). The number of reflux events with a high proximal extent dropped significantly after baclofen (pcorr = 0.009), but not placebo.

Conclusion

Baclofen decreases several reflux parameters in PPI refractory GERD symptoms, but pH‐impedance monitoring is necessary before treatment as only SAP+ patients experience clinical benefit after 4 weeks.
A systematic review and meta‐analysis of dabigatran peak and trough concentration in adults
Authors: Ng Jia‐Wei , Mohd Tahir Nor Asyikin , Chin Paul Ken Leong , Makmor‐Bakry Mohd , Mohd Saffian Shamin
Published: June 2022

Dabigatran etexilate is an oral direct thrombin inhibitor used in preventing thromboembolism in patients with atrial fibrillation and several other conditions. Routine dabigatran concentration monitoring is not recommended in clinical practice; however, measurement of dabigatran concentration may be required in several conditions. This study aims to pool the peak and trough dabigatran concentration from real‐world studies. A systematic review was performed to identify studies that measured the peak and trough dabigatran concentrations. Observational studies reporting dabigatran peak or trough concentrations and patients' clinical characteristics of either sex, age or weight were included. Random‐effect meta‐analyses and metaregression were conducted to pool dabigatran concentrations and to identify the correlation between factors affecting dabigatran concentrations. Fifteen studies with a total of 1226 patients were included. The pooled peak dabigatran concentration was 133 ng/mL (95% CI: 113–154, I2 = 86%, n = 655), while the pooled dabigatran trough concentration was 80 ng/mL (95% CI: 69–91, I2 = 93%, n = 1010). Metaregression analyses suggested that age is significantly correlated to trough concentration, while body weight and creatinine clearance significantly correlated to peak concentration. Subgroup results revealed that dabigatran concentration when measured with liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry was higher than haemoclot thrombin inhibitor assay. Several guidelines have proposed dabigatran concentrations target range and the pooled dabigatran concentrations were in line with the suggested range. Further studies to correlate dabigatran concentrations and clinical outcomes is warranted to improve the safety and efficacy monitoring of dabigatran therapy.
Pyrazolopyridine: An efficient pharmacophore in recent drug design and development
Authors: Atukuri Dorababu
Published: June 2022

Among the various heterocyclic molecules employed for drug design and discovery, pyrazolopyridine is one of the promising pharmacophores. Pyrazolopyridine is a result of fusion of pyrazole and pyridine rings. The potent pharmacology of pyrazolopyridine may be the synergistic effect of pyrazole and pyridine moieties in a single framework. It has been used in drug design of a wide range of diseases such as anticancer, antimicrobial, anti‐inflammatory, and neuroprotection. Cancer has become a common disease among elderly people now a days that might be because of genetic inheritance to some extent, carcinogens, pollution, and some infectious diseases. Whatever may be the reason, cancer is one of the major causes of deaths worldwide. In addition, over‐usage and improper usage of antibiotics have led to drug resistance of microbes. Further, inflammation is a cause of various diseases such as arthritis, and other diseases. Thus, proinflammatory kinases are considered as primary target for inhibition of inflammation. In view of this, a work that compiles potent pharmacology of recently reported pyrazolopyridine analogs has been planned. The review is aimed to discuss pharmacology in brief along with structure–activity relationship (SAR). The review would emphasize importance of pyrazolopyridines in future drug design and discovery and may help in design of potent pharmacological agents.
Pruritic rash following haploidentical stem cell transplantation
Authors: Salence Brogan Kelly , Turner Gareth D. H. , Stonard Christopher , Peniket Andrew , Danby Robert , Matin Rubeta N.
Published: June 2022

A woman who had undergone haematopoietic stem cell transplantation presented with cutaneous features suggestive of graft-versus-host disease. Histopathological examination revealed a diffuse dermal infiltration of atypical monomorphic cells with a high proliferative index. Immunohistochemistry revealed positivity for monocytic markers, but negativity for T-cell markers.
Critical appraisal of droplet digital polymerase chain reaction application for noninvasive prenatal testing
Authors: Shekhawat Dolat Singh , Sharma Charu , Singh Kuldeep , Singh Pratibha , Bhardwaj Abhishek , Patwa Payal
Published: June 2022

Maternal‐fetal medicine (FM) is currently a highly demanding branch and is gaining importance as increasing number of genetic disorders rise in incidence. Prenatal testing helps to detect such abnormalities that could affect the health status of the developing fetus like birth defects or genetic disorders. Considering the rising trend of genetic disorders, there is a need for a highly sensitive way of noninvasive prenatal testing (NIPT) that may reduce the incidence of unnecessary invasive procedures and iatrogenic fetal loss. The concept of NIPT for screening of genetic disorders is continuously evolving over the last two decades and multiple techniques have come up to utilize this in the field of FM. The crucial factor which decides the accuracy of NIPS is cell free fetal DNA (cffDNA) that is present in extremely low fraction (10%–15%) in the maternal plasma. Among the available methods, the next generation sequencing (NGS) is considered as the gold standard. However, the higher cost diminishes its utility in low‐resource settings. Droplet digital Polymerase chain reaction (ddPCR), a type of digital PCR is a novel technique that is frugal, equally sensitive, less labor intensive, less time‐consuming and plain algorithm dependent method for detecting cffDNA fraction. Considering these impressive attributes of ddPCR, we decided to critically review the existing literature on ddPCR for NIPT whilst highlighting the clinical utility, challenges and its advantages over NGS.
Genetic erosion detected in a specialist mammal living in a fast‐developing environment
Authors: Hohwieler Katrin R. , de Villiers Deidre L. , Cristescu Romane H. , Frere Celine H.
Published: June 2022

Fragmentation of habitat is a major threat across a wide range of taxa. Subsequent effects include reduced population sizes and isolation of populations. Both can have detrimental consequences for populations as they increase the risk of genetic erosion. While it is critical to prevent and, if required, reverse genetic erosion, we often lack adequate data to assess whether and how much genetic erosion has occurred. Here, we present a genetic monitoring study where we investigated changes in genetic diversity and genetic patterns in a threatened, specialist mammal, the koala (Phascolarctos cinereus). Our study population inhabits an increasingly fragmented landscape and has experienced a sharp decline in population size within the past three decades. We used 1038 single nucleotide polymorphic loci (SNPs) to compare measures of genetic diversity between samples collected in 2018 and in 2006 (two generations prior) and investigated simultaneous changes in the environment. We found a decline in both heterozygosity and effective population size (Ne), and an increase in sub‐structuring, average relatedness, and inbreeding (FIS) alongside an increasingly threatening and more fragmented environment. Given the extent of genetic erosion in only two generations, we urge consideration for the implementation of mitigation measures for this population and for threatened populations in similar conditions. Our study further emphasizes the importance of effective management of at‐risk populations including monitoring of genetic erosion.
Sensitive caregiving and reward responsivity: A novel mechanism linking parenting and executive functions development in early childhood
Authors: Werchan Denise M. , Ku Seulki , Berry Daniel , Blair Clancy
Published: June 2022

Sensitive caregiving is an essential aspect of positive parenting that influences executive functions development, but the mechanisms underlying this association are less clear. Using data from the Family Life Project, a large prospective longitudinal sample of 1292 families residing in rural, predominately low‐income communities, the current study examined whether sensitive caregiving impacts executive functions development by shaping behavioral reward processing systems in early postnatal life. Results indicated that higher levels of sensitive caregiving during infancy were associated with heightened reward responsivity at age 4, which in turn predicted superior executive functions ability at age 5. Notably, children's reward responsivity partially mediated the relationship between sensitive caregiving in infancy and executive functions ability at school entry. These findings add to prior work on early experience and children's executive functions and highlight caregiver scaffolding of developing reward processing systems as a potential foundational mechanism for supporting adaptive behavior and self‐regulation across the lifespan.
Effect of systemic antibiotic therapy on pulp repair following extrusive luxation and avulsion in a murine model: A histomorphological study
Authors: Queiroz Alfredo Franco , Hidalgo Mirian Marubayashi , Consolaro Alberto , Panzarini Sônia Regina , França Alline Batistussi , Melo Moriel Evangelista , Poi Wilson Roberto
Published: June 2022

Background/Aim

The evidence for any benefit of systemic antibiotic therapy on pulp survival following extrusive luxation and avulsion is inconclusive. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of systemic antibiotic therapy with amoxycillin and tetracycline for 7 days on different aspects of dental pulp repair in a murine model.

Material and Methods

The right maxillary incisor of 180 4 to 8‐week‐old male Wistar rats underwent extrusive luxation or avulsion. The animals were then treated with saline solution (control), tetracycline, or amoxicillin administered intra‐gastrically for 7 days, and euthanized at 7, 15, and 30 days post‐operatively. The layer of odontoblast cells, reparative dentin deposition, Hertwig's epithelial root sheath, pulp necrosis, and periapical inflammatory infiltrate were histomorphologically analyzed and scored. Mann–Whitney, Kruskal–Wallis, and Dunn tests were used to compare mean scores for the different procedures, treatments, and times (p ≤ .05).

Results

Significant differences were observed between luxated and avulsed teeth (p < .05). In luxated teeth, no differences were observed among treatments and times, except for more tertiary dentin deposition in the coronal third with the use of tetracycline compared with amoxicillin at 15 days (p < .05). In avulsed teeth, higher scores for the layer of odontoblast cells and lower scores for periapical inflammatory infiltrate at 7 days and pulp necrosis at 7 and 15 days were observed in the amoxicillin group compared to the saline and tetracycline groups (p < .05). At 30 days, however, no differences were observed among treatments.

Conclusions

The use of systemic antibiotic therapy with tetracycline or amoxicillin for 7 days did not contribute to pulp repair following extrusive luxation or avulsion in rats. However, the results warrant further research into the use of amoxicillin for a more extended period of time in cases of avulsion.
Trophic Specialization on unique resources despite limited niche divergence in a celebrated example of sympatric speciation
Authors: Galvez Jacquelyn R. , St. John Michelle E. , McLean Keara , Dening Touokong Cyrille , Gonwouo Legrand Nono , Martin Christopher H.
Published: June 2022

Trophic niche partitioning is observed in many adaptive radiations and is hypothesised to be a central process underlying species divergence. However, patterns of dietary niche partitioning are inconsistent across radiations and there are few studies of niche partitioning in putative examples of sympatric speciation. Here, we conducted the first quantitative study of dietary niche partitioning using stomach contents and stable isotope analyses in one of the most celebrated examples of sympatric speciation: the cichlid radiation from crater lake Barombi Mbo, Cameroon. We found little evidence for trophic niche partitioning among cichlids, including the nine species coexisting in the narrow littoral zone. Stable isotope analyses supported these conclusions of substantial dietary overlap. Our data, however, did reveal that five of 11 species consume rare dietary items, including freshwater sponge, terrestrial ants, and nocturnal foraging on shrimp. Stomach contents of the spongivore (Pungu maclareni) were 20% freshwater sponge, notable considering that only 0.04% of all fishes consume sponges. Overall, we conclude that cichlid species in lake Barombi Mbo overlap considerably in broad dietary niches – in part due to the large proportion of detritus in the stomach contents of all species – but there is evidence for divergence among species in their diet specializations on unique resources. We speculate that these species may utilise these additional specialised resources during periods of low resource abundance in support of Liem's paradox.
Characterizing thalamic and basal ganglia nuclei in medically intractable focal epilepsy by MR fingerprinting
Authors: Tang Yingying , Su Ting‐Yu , Choi Joon Yul , Hu Siyuan , Wang Xiaofeng , Sakaie Ken , Murakami Hiroatsu , Alexopoulos Andreas , Griswold Mark , Jones Stephen , Najm Imad , Ma Dan , Wang Zhong Irene
Published: June 2022

Objectives

Magnetic resonance fingerprinting (MRF) is a novel, quantitative, and noninvasive technique to measure brain tissue properties. We aim to use MRF for characterizing normal‐appearing thalamic and basal ganglia nuclei in the epileptic brain.

Methods

A three‐dimensional (3D) MRF protocol (1 mm3 isotropic resolution) was acquired from 48 patients with unilateral medically intractable focal epilepsy and 39 healthy controls (HCs). Whole‐brain T1 and T2 maps (containing T1 and T2 relaxation times) were reconstructed for each subject. Ten subcortical nuclei in the thalamus and basal ganglia were segmented as regions of interest (ROIs), within which the mean T1 and T2 values, as well as their coefficient of variation (CV) were compared between the patients and HCs at the group level. Subgroup and correlation analyses were performed to examine the relationship between significant MRF measures and various clinical characteristics. Using significantly abnormal MRF measures from the group‐level analyses, support vector machine (SVM) and logistic regression machine learning models were built and tested with 5‐fold and 10‐fold cross‐validations, to separate patients from HCs, and to separate patients with left‐sided and right‐sided epilepsy, at the individual level.

Results

MRF revealed increased T1 mean value in the ipsilateral thalamus and nucleus accumbens; increased T1 CV in the bilateral thalamus, bilateral pallidum, and ipsilateral caudate; and increased T2 CV in the ipsilateral thalamus in patients compared to HCs (p < .05, false discovery rate [FDR] corrected). The SVM classifier produced 78.2% average accuracy to separate individual patients from HCs, with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.83. The logistic regression classifier produced 67.4% average accuracy to separate patients with left‐sided and right‐sided epilepsy, with an AUC of 0.72.

Significance

MRF revealed bilateral tissue‐property changes in the normal‐appearing thalamus and basal ganglia, with ipsilateral predominance and thalamic preference, suggesting subcortical involvement/impairment in patients with medically intractable focal epilepsy. The individual‐level performance of the MRF‐based machine‐learning models suggests potential opportunities for predicting lateralization.
Research on corporate financial performance prediction based on self‐organizing and convolutional neural networks
Authors: Zhou Maoze , Liu Hongjiu , Hu Yanrong
Published: June 2022

Economic risks faced by manufacturing enterprises are gradually increasing and risk reduction whilst maintaining high financial performance has become key to their survival and development of enterprises. Enterprise performance affects not only enterprise development but also does the interests of investors and creditors. Therefore, a well‐performing model for financial performance prediction is particularly important. In this paper, we combine unsupervised and supervised learning, fusing self‐organizing mapping neural networks and convolutional neural networks, and apply deep learning to financial analysis to construct a new financial performance prediction model, called SNN‐CNN. This paper uses crawler technology to obtain financial data of listed manufacturing enterprises and classifies their financial performance into five levels. It finds that enterprises with high financial performance tend to have balanced financial indicators, strong corporate vitality and stable development of various capabilities, while enterprises with low financial performance have poor repayment and profitability, significant risks in corporate operation and limited growth and development. Compared with traditional risk prediction models, the SOM‐CNN model has a higher accuracy rate, up to 95.69%.
#Morethanavisitor: Experiences of COVID‐19 visitor restrictions in Canadian long‐term care facilities
Authors: Thirsk Lorraine M. , Stahlke Sarah , Perry Beth , Gordon Brogan
Published: June 2022

Objective

The purpose of this study was to understand the experiences of families, residents, and staff around visitor restriction policies in long‐term care during the COVID‐19 pandemic in Canada.

Background

Beginning in March 2020, public health orders across Canada restricted visitors to long‐term care facilities to curb the spread of the infection. This included family caregivers who provide significant support to residents to meet their physical, psychological, social, and safety needs.

Method

We collected data from publicly available news and social media. News articles, blogs, and tweets from Canada were collected from March 2020 to April 2021. In total, 40 news articles, eight blogs, and 23 tweets were analyzed using generic qualitative description.

Results

Reports from family members indicate that some residents may have died from malnutrition, dehydration, and isolation, rather than from COVID‐19, because of the sudden and prolonged absence of family caregivers. There are long‐term impacts on family suffering and long‐term care worker burnout. Policy and structural issues were identified.

Conclusion

Experiences in long‐term care reflected not only impacts of pandemic‐related visitor restrictions, but also long‐standing funding and workforce issues.

Implications

Involvement of family, and specifically family caregivers, is crucial in policy decisions, even in unusual circumstances, such as the pandemic.
Potential millennial‐scale avian declines by humans in southern China
Authors: Dong Feng , Zhang Qiang , Chen Yi‐Lin , Lei Fu‐Min , Li Shou‐Hsien , Wu Fei , Yang Xiao‐Jun
Published: June 2022

Mounting observational records demonstrate human‐caused faunal decline in recent decades, while accumulating archaeological evidence suggests an early biodiversity impact of human activities during the Holocene. A fundamental question arises concerning whether modern wildlife population declines began during early human disturbance. Here, we performed a population genomic analysis of six common forest birds in East Asia to address this question. For five of them, demographic history inference based on 25–33 genomes of each species revealed dramatic population declines by 4‐ to 48‐fold over millennia (e.g. 2000–5000 thousand years ago). Nevertheless, summary statistics detected nonsignificant correlations between these population size trajectories and Holocene temperature variations, and ecological niche models explicitly predicted extensive range persistence during the Holocene, implying limited demographic consequence of Holocene climate change. Further analyses suggest high negative correlations between the reconstructed population declines and human disturbance intensities and indicate a potential driver of human activities. These findings provide a deep‐time and large‐scale insight into the recently recognized avifaunal decline and support an early origin hypothesis of human effects on biodiversity. Overall, our study sheds light on the current biodiversity crisis in the context of long‐term human–environment interactions and offers a multi‐evidential framework for quantitatively assessing the ecological consequences of human disturbance.
Big Code
Authors: Rey Sergio J.
Published: June 2022

Big data, the “new oil” of the modern data science era, has attracted much attention in the GIScience community. However, we have ignored the role of code in enabling the big data revolution in this modern gold rush. Instead, what attention code has received has focused on computational efficiency and scalability issues. In contrast, we have missed the opportunities that the more transformative aspects of code afford as ways to organize our science. These “big code” practices hold the potential for addressing some ill effects of big data that have been rightly criticized, such as algorithmic bias, lack of representation, gatekeeping, and issues of power imbalances in our communities. In this article, I consider areas where lessons from the open source community can help us evolve a more inclusive, generative, and expansive GIScience. These concern best practices for codes of conduct, data pipelines and reproducibility, refactoring our attribution and reward systems, and a reinvention of our pedagogy.
Effects of Vaccination and the Spatio‐Temporal Diffusion of Covid‐19 Incidence in Turkey
Authors: Bilgel Firat , Karahasan Burhan Can
Published: June 2022

This study assesses the spatio‐temporal impact of vaccination efforts on Covid‐19 incidence growth in Turkey. Incorporating geographical features of SARS‐CoV‐2 transmission, we adopt a spatial Susceptible–Infected–Recovered (SIR) model that serves as a guide of our empirical specification. Using provincial weekly panel data, we estimate a dynamic spatial autoregressive (SAR) model to elucidate the short‐ and the long‐run impact of vaccination on Covid‐19 incidence growth after controlling for temporal and spatio‐temporal diffusion, testing capacity, social distancing behavior and unobserved space‐varying confounders. Results show that vaccination growth reduces Covid‐19 incidence growth rate directly and indirectly by creating a positive externality over space. The significant association between vaccination and Covid‐19 incidence is robust to a host of spatial weight matrix specifications. Conspicuous spatial and temporal diffusion effects of Covid‐19 incidence growth were found across all specifications: the former being a severer threat to the containment of the pandemic than the latter.
Quantifying Long‐Term Reproducibility of Zircon Reference Materials by U‐Pb LA‐ICP‐MS Dating
Authors: Sliwinski Jakub T. , Guillong Marcel , Horstwood Matthew S. A. , Bachmann Olivier
Published: June 2022

Inter‐session excess variance of U/Pb and Pb/Pb ratios in LA‐ICP‐MS zircon dating is the largest contributor to systematic errors, which in turn limit the accuracy of age determinations. Quantifying long‐term excess variance of reference materials allows for the estimation of excess variance in samples, but such compilations are not available in the literature. Here, we present the results of over 100 measurement sessions over 6 years for seven common zircon reference materials and calculate a characteristic excess variance for each. For 206Pb/238U ages, these values (2s) are as follows: AusZ7‐1 = 1.7% (115 sessions), AusZ7‐5 = 0% (74), OD‐3 = 0.6% (19), Temora2 = 1.2% (86), Plešovice = 1.1% (100), 91500 = 1.0% (146) and Mud Tank = 3.0% (12). For 207Pb/206Pb ages, smaller excess variances are observed: Temora2 = 0.3%, Plešovice = 0.4%, Mud Tank = 1.7% and 91500 = 0.4%. These values are well‐constrained estimates of inter‐session excess variance for the ETH Zürich LA‐ICP‐MS laboratory using a sector‐field ICP‐MS, and may provide either a first‐order estimate for other laboratories or a value to compare against their own reference material compilations.
Study on the potential contribution of bacterial community on the volatile flavour of Yongfeng chilli paste
Authors: Yin Hanliang , Chen Mengjuan , Li Pao , Wang Rongrong , Xie Songlai , Jiang Liwen , Liu Yang
Published: June 2022

The study aimed to explore the contribution of the microbial community on flavour formation by measuring physicochemical properties, volatile compounds composition and bacterial community of Yongfeng chilli paste. A similar amino acid nitrogen level and different pH, total acid and salt content were observed in five brands of Yongfeng chilli paste. A total of 106 volatile compounds were identified, wherein, ethyl palmitate, ethyl trans‐4‐decenoate, phenylethyl alcohol were the common volatile compounds with high content in all samples. Additionally, Oxyphotobacteria‐unclassified, Mitochondria‐unclassified, Pediococcus, Bacillus, Lactobacillus and Weissella were the dominant genera. Lactobacillus was related to the production of some alcohols and terpenes. Whereas, Bacillus, Pediococcus and Weissella, which showed higher salt tolerance, could affect the formation of esters, such as ethyl salicylate, ethyl lactate. Thus, this study provided a basis for further research on the mechanism of flavour formation and some guidance for the improvements of the quality of traditional fermented chilli paste.
Requirement of Myoglianin for metamorphosis in the beetleHenosepilachna vigintioctopunctata
Authors: Chen Feng , Zhang Xiao‐Qing , Wu Jian‐Jian , Jin Lin , Li Guo‐Qing
Published: June 2022

Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctatais a serious defoliating beetle attacking Solanaceae and Cucurbitaceae plants in many Asian countries. In the present paper, we identified a putativemyoglianin(myo) gene.Hvmyowas actively transcribed throughout development, from embryo to adult. RNA interference (RNAi)‐aided knockdown ofHvmyodelayed larval development by more than 2 days, reduced larval body size, inhibited the growth of antennae, wings and legs and disturbed gut purge. Knockdown ofHvmyoimpaired the larval‐pupal transition. All theHvmyoRNAi larvae arrested at the larval stage or formed misshapen pupae or adults. The deformed pupae and adults were partially wrapped with exuviae, bearing separated wings. Moreover, the expression levels of five ecdysteroidogenesis genes (Hvspo,Hvphm,Hvdib,HvsadandHvshd), a prothocicotropic hormone (PTTH)/Torso pathway gene (Hvtorso), two 20E receptor genes (HvEcRandHvUSP), and two 20E signalling genes (HvE93andHvFTZ‐F1) were as a result ofHvMyoRNAi significantly lowered. Conversely, the expression of a JH biosynthesis gene (Hvjhamt), a JH receptor geneHvMetand a JH signalling geneHvKr‐h1was greatly enhanced. Although ingestion of 20E and Hal rescued the 20E signal, it could not alleviate larval performance and defective phenotypes. Our results suggest that Myo exerts four distinctive roles in ecdysteroidogenesis, JH production, organ growth and larva‐pupa‐adult transformation inH. vigintioctopunctata.
What to Do about Overpopulation?
Authors: Stanbury Craig
Published: June 2022

The world's population is a significant variable that can be altered to help decrease global emissions. Most of the discussion surrounding this variable has concentrated on the moral issues involved: to what extent is a state justified in reducing its population? Are individual procreators morally obligated to have fewer children? However, while these moral concerns are important, little attention has been given to the feasibility of a proposed solution to overpopulation. This article aims to rectify that. By understanding whether (and how) feasibility impacts the truth‐value of an ought claim, important progress can be made on deliberating what to do about overpopulation. In Section 2, I outline the public health crisis that overpopulation causes and present Sarah Conly's argument as the most well‐thought‐out account of how to ethically and rapidly reduce the population. In Section 3, I borrow from Nicholas Southwood to explore when infeasibility makes an ought claim false. In Section 4, I show that rapidly reducing the population is infeasible. Therefore, regardless of any ethical merits, it should be eliminated as an option when deliberating what to do. Instead, we must put our time and resources into finding a feasible solution to overpopulation.
High‐resolution genomic analysis of four local Vietnamese chicken breeds
Authors: Evelyne Moyse , Nguyen Van Duy , Amelyne Dor , Nguyen Hoang Thinh , Duc Luc Do , Nassim Moula , Dinh Ton Vu , Frédéric Farnir
Published: June 2022

In Vietnam, local chicken breeds account for over 70% of the national poultry population. Although these breeds are abundant, their productivity is low and their use is threatened by the extensive importation of foreign productive breeds. In this context, conservation programmes targeting several emblematic breeds have been established. The goal of these programmes was to characterize endangered breeds and maintain a pool of characteristic birds for preserving their genetic heritage. To contribute to these programmes, we comprehensively characterized four Vietnamese local chicken breeds (Dong Tao, Ho, Mia and Mong) at the genomic level using high‐density single‐nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping. Despite originating in geographically close areas, Dong Tao and Ho were evidently different from each other as well as from Mong and Mia, which shared a more recent common ancestor. The genomic inbreeding coefficient revealed high homozygosity amongst the four breeds (10%–20%). The observation of clear differentiation at the genomic level supported the presence of distinct breeds; nonetheless, the occurrence of crossbred birds in a presumably purebred sample demonstrated the need to apply genomic tools to unambiguously assign the birds to the correct breed. Moreover, the occurrence of substantial inbreeding and the presence of subgroups in certain breeds warranted attention to create future nuclei for use in the conservation of these local breeds.
Process mapping strategies to prevent subcutaneous implantable cardioverter‐defibrillator infections
Authors: Weiss Raul , Mark George E. , El‐Chami Mikhael F. , Biffi Mauro , Probst Vincent , Lambiase Pier D. , Miller Marc A. , McClernon Timothy , Hansen Linda K. , Knight Bradley P. , Baddour Larry M. ,   other members of the S‐ICD Process Mapping Consortium
Published: June 2022

Background

Infection remains a major complication of cardiac implantable electronic devices and can lead to significant morbidity and mortality. Implantable devices that avoid transvenous leads, such as the subcutaneous implantable cardioverter‐defibrillator (S‐ICD), can reduce the risk of serious infection‐related complications, such as bloodstream infection and infective endocarditis. While the 2017 AHA/ACC/HRS guidelines include recommendations for S‐ICD use for patients at high risk of infection, currently, there are no clinical trial data that address best practices for the prevention of S‐ICD infections. Therefore, an expert panel was convened to develop a consensus on these topics.

Methods

An expert process mapping methodology was used to achieve consensus on the appropriate steps to minimize or prevent S‐ICD infections. Two face‐to‐face meetings of high‐volume S‐ICD implanters and an infectious diseases specialist, with expertise in cardiovascular implantable electronic device infections, were conducted to develop consensus on useful strategies pre‐, peri‐, and postimplant to reduce S‐ICD infection risk.

Results

Expert panel consensus on recommended steps for patient preparation, S‐ICD implantation, and postoperative management was developed to provide guidance in individual patient management.

Conclusion

Achieving expert panel consensus by process mapping methodology for S‐ICD infection prevention was attainable, and the results should be helpful to clinicians in adopting interventions to minimize risks of S‐ICD infection.
Synchronization of repolarization after cardiac resynchronization therapy: A combined clinical and modeling study
Authors: Verzaal Nienke J. , van Deursen Caroline J. M. , Pezzuto Simone , Wecke Liliane , van Everdingen Wouter M. , Vernooy Kevin , Delhaas Tammo , Auricchio Angelo , Prinzen Frits W.
Published: June 2022

Introduction

The changes in ventricular repolarization after cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) are poorly understood. This knowledge gap is addressed using a multimodality approach including electrocardiographic and echocardiographic measurements in patients and using patient‐specific computational modeling.

Methods

In 33 patients electrocardiographic and echocardiographic measurements were performed before and at various intervals after CRT, both during CRT‐ON and temporary CRT‐OFF. T‐wave area was calculated from vectorcardiograms, and reconstructed from the 12‐lead electrocardiography (ECG). Computer simulations were performed using a patient‐specific eikonal model of cardiac activation with spatially varying action potential duration (APD) and repolarization rate, fit to a patient's ECG.

Results

During CRT‐ON T‐wave area diminished within a day and remained stable thereafter, whereas QT‐interval did not change significantly. During CRT‐OFF T‐wave area doubled within 5 days of CRT, while QT‐interval and peak‐to‐end T‐wave interval hardly changed. Left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction only increased significantly increased after 1 month of CRT. Computer simulations indicated that the increase in T‐wave area during CRT‐OFF can be explained by changes in APD following chronic CRT that are opposite to the change in CRT‐induced activation time. These APD changes were associated with a reduction in LV dispersion in repolarization during chronic CRT.

Conclusion

T‐wave area during CRT‐OFF is a sensitive marker for adaptations in ventricular repolarization during chronic CRT that may include a reduction in LV dispersion of repolarization.
Mechanisms of 8‐aminoquinoline induced haemolytic toxicity in a G6PDd humanized mouse model
Authors: Flaherty Siobhan , Strauch Pamela , Maktabi Mahdi , Pybus Brandon S. , Reichard Gregory , Walker Larry A , Rochford Rosemary
Published: June 2022

Primaquine (PQ) and Tafenoquine (TQ) are clinically important 8‐aminoquinolines (8‐AQ) used for radical cure treatment of P. vivax infection, known to target hepatic hypnozoites. 8‐AQs can trigger haemolytic anaemia in individuals with glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency (G6PDd), yet the mechanisms of haemolytic toxicity remain unknown. To address this issue, we used a humanized mouse model known to predict haemolytic toxicity responses in G6PDd human red blood cells (huRBCs). To evaluate the markers of eryptosis, huRBCs were isolated from mice 24–48 h post‐treatment and analysed for effects on phosphatidylserine (PS), intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and autofluorescence. Urinalysis was performed to evaluate the occurrence of intravascular and extravascular haemolysis. Spleen and liver tissue harvested at 24 h and 5–7 days post‐treatment were stained for the presence of CD169+ macrophages, F4/80+ macrophages, Ter119+ mouse RBCs, glycophorin A+ huRBCs and murine reticulocytes (muRetics). G6PDd‐huRBCs from PQ/TQ treated mice showed increased markers for eryptosis as early as 24 h post‐treatment. This coincided with an early rise in levels of muRetics. Urinalysis revealed concurrent intravascular and extravascular haemolysis in response to PQ/TQ. Splenic CD169+ macrophages, present in all groups at day 1 post‐dosing were eliminated by days 5–7 in PQ/TQ treated mice only, while liver F4/80 macrophages and iron deposits increased. Collectively, our data suggest 8‐AQ treated G6PDd‐huRBCs have early physiological responses to treatment, including increased markers for eryptosis indicative of oxidative stress, resulting in extramedullary haematopoiesis and loss of splenic CD169+ macrophages, prompting the liver to act as the primary site of clearance.
In vitro effects of Eucommia ulmoides and its active components on the growth, lipid metabolism and collagen metabolism of grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus) hepatocyte and intramuscular fibroblast
Authors: Yang Hang , Xu Zhen , Tan Sumei , Zhang Chunyan , Li Xiaoqin , Leng Xiangjun
Published: June 2022

Two experiments were conducted to investigate the in vitro effects of Eucommia ulmoides (E. ulmoides) and its active components on the growth, lipid metabolism and collagen metabolism of grass carp's (Ctenopharyngodon idellus) hepatocytes and intramuscular fibroblasts. In experiments 1 and 2 (Expt. 1, 2), hepatocytes and intramuscular fibroblasts were treated with 2.5, 5, 10, 20, 40 and 80 μg ml–1 of Eucommia bark extract (EBE), Eucommia leaf extract (ELE), pinoresinol diglucoside (PDG), chlorogenic acid (CGA), quercetin (QC) and aucubin (AU) for 24 h, respectively, then the cell growth, lipid and collagen metabolism‐related gene expressions were evaluated. The results showed that the cell proliferation rate of hepatocytes and intramuscular fibroblasts was significantly improved by the supplementation of EBE, ELE, CGA, QC and AU. Moreover, triglyceride concentration of hepatocytes was significantly decreased by the EBE, ELE, CGA and QC supplementations compared to the control. Meanwhile, EBE, ELE, CGA, QC and AU supplementations significantly upregulated the relative gene expressions of insulin‐like growth factor‐1 (igf1), protein kinase B (akt), target of rapamycin (tor) and eukaryotic initiation factor 4E binding protein 1 (4ebp1) in hepatocytes, and ribosomal protein S6 kinase 1 (s6k1) transcription was significantly activated by ELE, CGA and QC supplementations. Nonetheless, phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase (pi3k) was unaffected by any of the supplements. In addition, the mRNA expressions of genes associated with lipid metabolism (peroxisome proliferator activated receptor α pparα, carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1 cpt1, adipose triglyceride lipase atgl, hormone‐sensitive lipase hsl, peroxisome proliferator activated receptor γ pparγ) were significantly upregulated by EBE, ELE, CGA and QC. In intramuscular fibroblasts, the EBE, ELE, CGA, QC and AU supplementations significantly increased in vitro hydroxyproline concentrations, promoted the relative expressions of transforming growth factor‐β1 (tgfβ1), connective tissue growth factor (ctgf), collagen type I alpha 1/2 chain (col1a1, col1a2), lysine oxidase (lox) and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase‐2 (timp2), and decreased matrix metalloproteinase‐2 (mmp2) gene expression. Also, the gene expressions of drosophila mothers against decapentaplegic protein 2/4 (smad2, smad4) and proline hydroxylase (phd) were significantly upregulated by ELE, CGA, QC and AU supplementations. Based on the present in vitro results of grass carp, EBE, ELE, CGA, QC and AU improved the growth and lipid metabolism (except AU) in hepatocytes, and promoted the collagen deposition in intramuscular fibroblast, which is partly attributed to the signalling pathways of AKT/TOR, PPARα and TGF‐β/Smads/CTGF.
Dermoscopy as an efficient aid to diagnose pigmentary and vascular component of periorbital melanosis: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Chhabra Namrata , Khare Soumil , Sachdev Divya
Published: June 2022

Introduction

Periorbital melanosis (POM) has a significant impact on quality of life. There is a dearth of literature regarding POM, especially in Asian population. Accurate classification of POM is contributory to the choice of therapy. The aim of this study was to assess the role of dermoscopy in etiologic classification of POM.

Methods

Two hundred and fifty adult patients (age > 18 years) of POM were enrolled over a period of 2 years. POM was classified clinically and re‐evaluated based on their dermoscopic findings (pattern of pigmentary and vascular involvement, surface changes).

Results

Pigmented, vascular, structural, and mixed types of POM represented 6.4%, 4.8%, 0.4%, and 88.4%, respectively. Dermoscopy was found to be statistically more accurate in classifying pigmentary and vascular types of POM as compared to clinical examination with the naked eyes (p‐ value <0.05). Patchy or post‐inflammatory pigmentation was the most common pigmentary pattern on dermoscopy (53.8%) followed by pseudoreticular (37.1%) and mixed pattern (9.1%). 80.4% patients had vascular involvement of which the most common vascular pattern was telangiectasia (58.8%). Wrinkling or increased skin laxity as a cause of shadow effect was found in 52% patients. Diffuse erythema and scaling suggestive of subtle inflammation was detected in 47.6% patients on dermoscopy.

Conclusion

Dermoscopy as a diagnostic modality is more accurate in detecting pigmentary and vascular causes of POM and subtle signs of active inflammation in the form of erythema and scaling which is difficult to detect clinically. The major limitations of this study were lack of correlation of dermoscopic findings with the histological findings and the absence of any control group for comparison.
Simvastatin cream alleviates dermal fibrosis in a rabbit ear hypertrophic scar model
Authors: Dolivo David , Rodrigues Adrian , Sun Lauren , Hou Chun , Li Yingxing , Chung Eugene , Leung Kai , Galiano Robert , Mustoe Thomas , Hong Seok Jong
Published: June 2022

Background

Hypertrophic scars (HTS) result from injury to the skin and represent a clinical burden with limited treatment options. Previously, we demonstrated that statin drugs could attenuate HTS formation, but convenient topical delivery and retention of these drugs at the wound site remains a challenge.

Aims

Here, we aimed to develop a topical cream formulation that can deliver statin drugs simply and conveniently to reduce scar hypertrophy.

Methods

We formulated creams containing 10% pravastatin, 2% simvastatin, and 10% simvastatin. We tested these creams for their ability to reduce scar hypertrophy and attenuate dermal fibrosis in a clinically relevant HTS wound model performed in rabbit ear skin. We also monitored trans‐epidermal water loss (TEWL) over the course of wound healing in order to understand the effects of statin treatment on epidermal barrier recovery.

Results

Of the three creams formulated, only application of 10% simvastatin cream significantly attenuated hypertrophy of resultant scars compared with vehicle cream application. Application of 10% simvastatin cream resulted in a decrease in macrophage and myofibroblast density at post‐operative day 28 (POD28) harvest. Application of 10% simvastatin cream resulted in visible symptoms of dryness and increased TEWL at POD28, but subsequent withdrawal of statin cream treatment resulted in rapid alleviation of dryness and decrease in TEWL back to normal levels.

Conclusions

Our data demonstrate that topical administration of 10% simvastatin cream antagonizes dermal fibrosis and reduces hypertrophy in an HTS model, and withdrawal of the cream enables recovery of epidermal barrier and resolution of skin dryness.