bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A systematic review and pooled, patient‐level analysis of predictors of mortality in neuroleptic malignant syndrome
Authors: Guinart Daniel , Misawa Fuminari , Rubio Jose M. , Pereira Justin , de Filippis Renato , Gastaldon Chiara , Kane John M. , Correll Christoph U.
Published: August 2021

Objective

Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) is a potentially fatal, idiosyncratic reaction to antipsychotics. Due to low incidence of NMS, research on risk factors of mortality associated with NMS is limited.

Methods

Two authors independently searched Medline/Embase/Cochrane/CINAHL/PsychINFO databases for case reports with author‐defined NMS published in English until 05/30/2020. Demographic, clinical, treatment, and outcome data were independently extracted following PRISMA guidelines. NMS severity was rated using the Francis‐Yacoub scale. Mortality risk factors were identified using a multivariable regression analysis including all characteristics that were significantly different between NMS cases resulting vs. not resulting in death.

Results

683 cases with NMS were analyzed (median age = 36 years, males = 62.1%). In a multivariable model, independent predictors of NMS mortality were lack of antipsychotic discontinuation (odds ratio (OR) = 4.39 95% confidence interval (CI) = 2.14–8.99; p < 0.0001), respiratory problems (OR = 3.54 95%CI = 1.71–7.32; p = 0.0004), severity of hyperthermia (Unit‐OR = 1.30, 95%CI = 1.16–1.46; p < 0.0001), and older age (Unit‐OR = 1.05, 95%CI = 1.02–1.07; p = 0.0014). Even in univariate, patient‐level analyses, antipsychotic formulation was not related to death (oral antipsychotic (OAP): n = 39/554 (7.0%) vs. long‐acting injectable (LAI): n = 13/129 (10.1%); p = 0.2413). Similarly, death with NMS was not related to antipsychotic class (first‐generation antipsychotic: n = 38/433 (8.8%) vs. second‐generation antipsychotic: n = 8/180 (4.4%); p = 0.0638). Non‐antipsychotic co‐treatments were not associated with NMS mortality.

Conclusion

Despite reliance on case reports, these findings indicate that presence of respiratory alterations, severity of hyperthermia, and older age should alert clinicians to a higher NMS mortality risk, and that antipsychotics should be stopped to reduce mortality, yet when NMS arises on LAIs, mortality is not increased vs. OAPs.
An investigation into environmental variables influencing post‐race exertional heat illness in thoroughbred racehorses in temperate eastern Australia
Authors: Brownlow MA , Brotherhood JR
Published: August 2021

Exertional heat illness (EHI) is a syndrome that occurs when metabolic heat production from muscular contraction exceeds the rate at which it can be dissipated. Core body temperature rises to critical levels, causing hyperthermia and central nervous system dysfunction. Best practice for the prevention of EHI centres around early detection, rapid response and aggressive cooling. Advance planning enables risk mitigation measures. The more that is known about EHI in horses, the better prepared those in the positions of responsibility can be to anticipate events in which the risk of EHI may be elevated. This prospective, observational study investigated environmental risk factors associated with the occurrence of EHI. From 2014 to 2018, the number of horses exhibiting the symptoms of post‐race EHI was recorded at 73 convenience sampled race meetings. Of the 4809 starters, the signs of EHI were recorded for 457. Thermal environmental data were measured and included ambient temperature, radiant heat, vapor pressure (humidity) and wind speed (WS). Mixed linear regression models were computed to assess the associations between the occurrence and incidence of post‐race EHI and the four thermal environmental variables. The analysis showed that vapor pressure and WS had the largest effects on the occurrence of post‐race EHI. The major limitations were that the race meetings selected were convenience sampled according to attendance by the first author and individual horse data were not available. EHI is influenced by a complex interaction of independently acting environmental variables, but warm, windless, humid days are most likely to result in the cases of EHI.
Group II metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGlu2 and mGlu3) roles in thalamic processing
Authors: Copeland Caroline S. , Neale Stuart A. , Nisenbaum Eric S. , Salt Thomas E.
Published: August 2021

Background and Purpose

As the thalamus underpins almost all aspects of behaviour, it is important to understand how the thalamus operates. Group II metabotropic glutamate (mGlu2/mGlu3) receptor activation reduces inhibition in thalamic nuclei originating from the surrounding thalamic reticular nucleus (TRN). Whilst an mGlu2 component to this effect has been reported, in this study, we demonstrate that it is likely, largely mediated via mGlu3.

Experimental Approach

The somatosensory ventrobasal thalamus (VB) is an established model for probing fundamental principles of thalamic function. In vitro slices conserving VB–TRN circuitry from wild‐type and mGlu3 knockout mouse brains were used to record IPSPs and mIPSCs. In vivo extracellular recordings were made from VB neurons in anaesthetised rats. A range of selective pharmacological agents were used to probe Group II mGlu receptor function (agonist, LY354740; antagonist, LY341495; mGlu2 positive allosteric modulator, LY487379 and mixed mGlu2 agonist/mGlu3 antagonist LY395756).

Key Results

The in vitro and in vivo data are complementary and suggest that mGlu3 receptor activation is largely responsible for potentiating responses to somatosensory stimulation by reducing inhibition from the TRN.

Conclusions and Implications

mGlu3 receptor activation in the VB likely enables important somatosensory information to be discerned from background activity. These mGlu3 receptors are likely to be endogenously activated via ‘glutamate spillover’. In cognitive thalamic nuclei, this mechanism may be of importance in governing attentional processes. Positive allosteric modulation of endogenous mGlu3 receptor activation may therefore enhance cognitive function in pathophysiological disease states, such as schizophrenia, thus representing a highly specific therapeutic target.

LINKED ARTICLES

This article is part of a themed issue on Building Bridges in Neuropharmacology. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v179.8/issuetoc
Use of Continuous Glucose Monitoring for evaluation of hypoglycemia pre‐ and post‐operatively for patients undergoing Total Pancreatectomy with Autologous Islet Cell Transplant
Authors: Vonderau Jennifer S. , Williams Brittney M. , DeCherney Stephen , Jones Morgan S. , McKnight Lauren , Hanson Marilyn , Hanson Harlan , Desai Chirag S.
Published: August 2021

Introduction

Total pancreatectomy with autologous islet transplant (TPAIT) is indicated for patients with chronic pancreatitis to improve quality of life while reducing complications from hypoglycemia. Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) was used to assess overall islet function and the incidence of hypoglycemia pre‐ and post‐operatively.

Methods

Nineteen patients who underwent TPAIT at a single center from 2018 to 2020 were included. Pre‐operatively, patients were defined by diabetic status. HbA1c, stimulated C‐peptide, and CGM were used to characterize glycemic function.

Results

Pre‐operatively, three patients had diabetes, and 16 patients did not have diabetes. Eight out of 16 non‐diabetic patients were insulin independent (50%). Of six non‐diabetic patients with > 10% hypoglycemia on pre‐operative CGM, 33% were insulin‐independent post‐operatively (P = .3). Of non‐diabetic patients with ≥ 80% time in the euglycemic range, 62% were insulin‐independent post‐operatively (P = .2). For patients without diabetes, the median percent time in hypoglycemic range was reduced from 8% to 1% (P = .001). Delta C‐peptide had a positive correlation with islet yield (P = .03).

Discussion

Conventional evaluation of TPAIT patients assesses primarily beta cell function. As pancreatogenic diabetes is concerning principally for the risk of hypoglycemia, assessment of alpha cell function can improve the quality of care. CGM better captures islet function and increases the identification of hypoglycemia.
Prognostic utility of pulmonary artery and ascending aorta diameters derived from computed tomography in COVID‐19 patients
Authors: Erdoğan Mehmet , Öztürk Selçuk , Erdöl Mehmet Akif , Kasapkara Ahmet , Beşler Muhammed Said , Kayaaslan Bircan , Hasanoğlu İmran , Durmaz Tahir , Güner Rahmet
Published: August 2021

Aim

Chest computed tomography (CT) imaging plays a diagnostic and prognostic role in Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) patients. This study aimed to investigate and compare predictive capacity of main pulmonary artery diameter (MPA), ascending aorta diameter (AAo), and MPA‐to‐AAo ratio to determine in‐hospital mortality in COVID‐19 patients.

Materials and methods

This retrospective study included 255 hospitalized severe or critical COVID‐19 patients. MPA was measured at the level of pulmonary artery bifurcation perpendicular to the direction of the vessel through transverse axial images and AAo was measured by using the same CT slice at its maximal diameter. MPA‐to‐AAo ratio was calculated by division of MPA to AAo.

Results

Multivariate logistic regression model yielded MPA ≥29.15 mm (OR: 4.95, 95% CI: 2.01–12.2, p = 0.001), MPA (OR: 1.28, 95% CI: 1.13–1.46, p < 0.001), AAo (OR: .90, 95% CI: .81–.99, p = 0.040), and MPA‐to‐AAo ratio ≥.82 (OR: 4.67, 95% CI: 1.86–11.7, p = 0.001) as independent predictors of in‐hospital mortality. Time‐dependent multivariate Cox‐proportion regression model demonstrated MPA ≥29.15 mm (HR: 1.96, 95% CI: 1.03–3.90, p = 0.047) and MPA (HR: 1.08, 95% CI: 1.01–1.17, p = 0.048) as independent predictors of in‐hospital mortality, whereas AAo and MPA‐to‐AAo ratio did not reach statistical significance.

Conclusion

Pulmonary artery enlargement strongly predicts in‐hospital mortality in hospitalized COVID‐19 patients. MPA, which can be calculated easily from chest CT imaging, can be beneficial in the prognostication of these patients.
Design of 3D‐printed macro‐models for undergraduates' preclinical practice of endodontic access cavities
Authors: Pouhaër Matéo , Picart Guillaume , Baya David , Michelutti Pierre , Dautel Anne , Pérard Matthieu , Le Clerc Justine
Published: August 2021

Introduction

Endodontic access cavity is one of the steps most feared by dental students. The objective of the present work was to show the design phases of different realistic macro‐models of a lower first molar, showing root canal anatomy and the ideal access cavity.

Materials and Methods

Virtual models were designed with MeshMixer, MeshLab and Blender from the data collected (X‐rays, CBCT and optical impression) and then printed. Two types of printers—FDM (fused deposition modelling) and SLA (stereolithography) printers—were used to obtain different prototypes which led to final models. A satisfaction questionnaire was then sent to students, after manipulation, to assess the relevance of these models.

Results

Two final models of a lower first molar with an extended size (×9) were finally printed with an SLA laser printer with a transparent liquid resin. The first model represented the tooth with its optimal endodontic access cavity. The second one was designed to be divided into two parts according to a mesio‐distal axis in order to visualise the root canal system. Most students found these macro‐models to be effective tools for endodontic training.

Discussion

3D printing is a proven technology which is no exception in dentistry. Some authors have already proposed 3D‐printed replicas of teeth for endodontic education. Macro‐models have been designed, printed and made available to students during preclinical courses before and during training.

Conclusion

These educational macro‐models should strengthen the knowledge and skills of students to improve their clinical and future practice within the dental office.
No loss of orexin/hypocretin, melanin‐concentrating hormone or locus coeruleus noradrenergic neurons in a rat model of chronic sleep restriction
Authors: Deurveilher Samuel , Antonchuk Michael , Saumure Brock St. C. , Baldin Andrew , Semba Kazue
Published: August 2021

Chronic sleep restriction (CSR) is common in modern society, adversely affecting cognitive performance and health. Yet how it impacts neurons regulating sleep remains unclear. Several studies using mice reported substantial losses of wake‐active orexin/hypocretin and locus coeruleus (LC) noradrenergic neurons, but not rapid eye movement sleep‐active melanin‐concentrating hormone (MCH) neurons, following CSR. Here, we used immunohistochemistry and stereology to examine orexin, MCH and LC noradrenergic neurons in a rat model of CSR that uses programmed wheel rotation (3 h on/1 h off; ‘3/1’ protocol). Adult male Wistar rats underwent one or four cycles of the 4‐day 3/1 CSR protocol, with 2‐day recovery between cycles in home cages. Time‐matched control rats were housed in locked wheels/home cages. We found no significant differences in the numbers of orexin, MCH and LC noradrenergic neurons following either one‐ or four‐cycle CSR protocol compared to respective controls. Similarly, the four‐cycle CSR protocol had no effect on the densities of orexin axon terminals in the LC, noradrenergic dendrites in the LC and noradrenergic axon terminals in the frontal cortex. Body weights, however, decreased after one cycle of CSR and then increased with diminishing slope over the next three cycles. Thus, we found no evidence for loss of orexin or LC noradrenergic neurons following one and four cycles of the 4‐day 3/1 CSR protocol in rats. Differences in CSR protocols and/or possible species differences in neuronal vulnerability to sleep loss may account for the discrepancy between the current results in rats and previous findings in mice.
Effect of diet on body size and survival of omnivorous crickets
Authors: Ogita Saki , Tanaka Yukari , Kuriwada Takashi
Published: August 2021

Omnivory is a feeding habit in which animals prey on organisms from two or more trophic levels. Omnivorous species play important roles in predator–prey interactions, food web dynamics, and ecosystem functions. Although cricket species have been considered omnivores, quantified investigations of their feeding habits have not been carried out. Therefore, we compared the developmental time, body size and mortality rate of the band‐legged ground cricket, Dianemobius nigrofasciatus (Matsumura) (Orthoptera: Trigonidiidae) reared on diets meant for carnivores and herbivores. Furthermore, to examine whether the crickets can balance their nutritional conditions through their food choices, we set up two additional diet treatments, which comprised diets for carnivores and herbivores provided simultaneously or by rotation. The mortality rate of the carnivore diet treatment was higher than that of the other diet treatments. This result suggests that D. nigrofasciatus is a “herbivore” that also obtains nutrients from resources other than plant materials. Although developmental time did not significantly differ among the dietary treatments, the body size of the crickets that were provided both diets simultaneously was significantly larger than that of the crickets provided with only the diets for either carnivores or herbivores. These results suggest that an appropriate amount of carnivorous feeding is advantageous for the development of the cricket, and indicates that crickets can balance nutrition on their own.
Parent‐to‐child aggression, intimate partner aggression, conflict resolution, and children’s social–emotional competence in early childhood
Authors: Lee Jin‐kyung , Marshall Amy D. , Feinberg Mark E.
Published: August 2021

Early childhood is critical to the development of children's social–emotional competence, which predicts peer relations and school adjustment in later periods of childhood. The effects of experiencing or witnessing aggression on children's social–emotional development are well known, yet the role of conflict resolution within the family has not been sufficiently studied. Social information processing models suggests that children who experience positive forms of conflict resolution within the family are likely to generalize these experiences and related skills outside the family, and thus develop greater social–emotional competence. In this longitudinal study, 128 parents (representing 79 families) participated in four quarterly telephone interviews in which they described aggressive conflicts that occurred in their family for which their children were present, including the degree to which each conflict was resolved. They also reported on the frequency of intimate partner aggression (IPA) and parent‐to‐child aggression (PCA) that occurred while the child was in toddlerhood and preschool as well as children's social–emotional competence at the end of the study. Multi‐level models reveal that parents’ reports of positive conflict resolution mitigated the concurrent and longitudinal negative effects of children's exposure to both IPA and PCA on their social–emotional competence. These findings reinforce prevention scientists’ emphasis on conflict resolution skills as an essential component of parent education programs.
Mechanisms of sodium‐mediated injury in cardiovascular disease: old play, new scripts
Authors: Rossitto Giacomo , Delles Christian
Published: August 2021

There is a strong association between salt intake and cardiovascular diseases, particularly hypertension, on the population level. The mechanisms that explain this association remain incompletely understood and appear to extend beyond blood pressure. In this review, we describe some of the ‘novel’ roles of Na+ in cardiovascular health and disease: energetic implications of sodium handling in the kidneys; local accumulation in tissue; fluid dynamics; and the role of the microvasculature, with particular focus on the lymphatic system. We describe the interplay between these factors that involves body composition, metabolic signatures, inflammation and composition of the extracellular and intracellular milieus.
A simple explanation for declining temperature sensitivity with warming
Authors: Wolkovich E. M. , Auerbach J. , Chamberlain C. J. , Buonaiuto D. M. , Ettinger A. K. , Morales‐Castilla I. , Gelman A.
Published: August 2021

Recently, multiple studies have reported declining phenological sensitivities (∆ days per ℃) with higher temperatures. Such observations have been used to suggest climate change is reshaping biological processes, with major implications for forecasts of future change. Here, we show that these results may simply be the outcome of using linear models to estimate nonlinear temperature responses, specifically for events that occur after a cumulative thermal threshold is met—a common model for many biological events. Corrections for the nonlinearity of temperature responses consistently remove the apparent decline. Our results show that rising temperatures combined with linear estimates based on calendar time produce the observations of declining sensitivity—without any shift in the underlying biology. Current methods may thus undermine efforts to identify when and how warming will reshape biological processes.
‘Crying over spilt milk?’ Effect of post‐consumption dissonance on coping behaviour for online purchases
Authors: Mahapatra Sabita , Mishra Abhishek
Published: August 2021

Compared to traditional purchases, the temporal gap between the purchase, the delivery and the consumption of products for online purchases is a challenge for e‐sellers. A mismatch of expectations and consumption experiences causes a stronger post‐consumption dissonance for online purchases, the outcomes of which, in the form of emotions and coping responses, are under‐researched. For this work, data were collected from 895 randomly selected respondents and the model was validated through structural equation modelling. The findings support that cognitive and affective components of post‐consumption dissonance have a positive influence on negative emotions, a combination of anger, regret, and guilt. Such emotions are found to trigger coping responses of mental disengagement and seeking social support, but not product return. Additionally, the evoked negative emotions are found to be lower for the elderly and female consumers. Finally, it is found that individuals with maximization focus seek social support more than those with satisficing focus for coping. The study provides a unique model connecting post‐consumption dissonance with coping responses and offers insights to e‐sellers about effective ways to manage such dissonance.
Mental health outcomes among health‐care workers in Oman during COVID‐19: A cluster analysis
Authors: Chan Moon Fai , Al‐Shekaili Muna , Al‐Adawi Samir , Hassan Walid , Al‐Said Nazik , Al‐Sulaimani Fatima , Jayapal Sathish Kumar , Al‐Mawali Adhra
Published: August 2021

Aim

Despite the much heralded epidemic of adjustment difficulties, health‐care workers (HCW), who are likely to be at risk and impacted with mental health issues, have received scant attention. This study aimed to determine whether definable profiles exist in a cohort of HCWs associated with demographic and mental health problems.

Methods

An online cross‐sectional survey was conducted in Oman. Demographic and mental health data were collected from 8 to 17 April 2020. A total of 1132 participants returned their completed questionnaire. A two‐step cluster analysis was used to split the sample into three clusters.

Results

Cluster A (n = 416) was from HCW in non‐frontline roles, and constituted “low‐risk and least‐impacted”. Cluster B (n = 412) and Cluster C (n = 304) were from frontline HCW and constituted ‘high‐risk and moderate‐impacted’ and ‘high‐risk and high‐impacted’ groups, respectively. HCWs in Cluster C reported more depression (P < 0.001), anxiety (P < 0.001), stress (P < 0.001) and clinical insomnia (P < 0.001) compared with those in the other clusters. HCWs in Cluster C were at the highest risk for mental health problems during the pandemic.

Conclusions

Early psychological interventions targeting this vulnerable group may be beneficial. Management should develop different tailor‐made strategic plans to address different mental health needs for each profile group.
Recent trends in overweight and obesity in adolescents aged 12 to 15 years across 21 countries
Authors: Fan Hui , Zhang Xingyu
Published: August 2021

Background

There is limited information on recent country‐specific trends in the prevalence of overweight and obesity in adolescents.

Objective

We aimed to identify country‐specific trends in overweight and obesity in a study of 137 995 adolescents aged 12 to 15 years from 21 countries based on Global School‐Based Student Health Surveys from 2005 to 2017.

Methods

The World Health Organization criteria were used to define paediatric overweight and obesity. The weighted country‐specific prevalence of and trends in overweight and obesity across the survey years were evaluated. Random‐ or fixed‐effect meta‐analyses were used to calculate pooled trends across 21 countries.

Results

A significant upward trend was observed in the prevalence of overweight and obesity in 10 countries, whereas a significant downward trend was observed in 2 countries (ps < 0.05). The pooled prevalence of overweight and obesity in the first and last surveys was 24.8% and 27.7%, respectively. A significant upward pooled trend was observed in the prevalence of overweight and obesity across 21 countries (odds ratios [95% confidence intervals]: 1.22 [1.11, 1.35]). An increasing trend in the prevalence of overweight and obesity was specifically observed in high‐, upper‐middle‐ and lower‐middle‐income countries.

Conclusion

This study confirms a significant upward trend in the prevalence of overweight and obesity in 12‐ to 15‐year‐old adolescents, thus emphasizing the urgent need for interventions to mitigate overweight and obesity in this demographic.
Mechanical characterization of boron carbide single crystals
Authors: Zare Arezoo , He Mo‐Rigen , Straker Michael , Chandrashekhare M. V. S. , Spencer Michael , Hemker Kevin J. , McCauley James W. , Ramesh K. T.
Published: August 2021

Out‐of‐plane anisotropy in the mechanical response of boron carbide was studied by performing nanoindentation experiments on four specific crystallographic orientations of single crystals, that is, , , , and . For each orientation of the single crystals, in‐plane variations of indentation modulus and hardness were also studied by monitoring the relative rotation between the crystal surface and a Berkovich indenter tip. A significant out‐of‐plane anisotropy in indentation modulus was observed with ~80 GPa difference between the highest and lowest values. A smaller but measurable out‐of‐plane anisotropy in indentation hardness was also observed. In‐plane anisotropy, on the other hand, was found to be significantly influenced by the scatter in the data and geometrical imperfections of the indenter tip. Investigations of indentation pop‐in events suggested that deformation is entirely elastic prior to the first pop‐in. Furthermore, quasi‐plastic flow along the orientation of the single crystals was found to be more homogeneous than the other tested orientations. For select indents, cross‐sectional transmission electron microscopy (TEM) of the indented regions showed formation of a quasi‐plastic zone in the form of lattice rotation and various microstructural defects. The quasi‐plastic zone grew in size with increasing the indentation depth. The TEM observations also suggested the crystal slip to be a potential mechanism of quasi‐plasticity and a precursor for formation of amorphous bands that could eventually lead to cracking and fragmentation. The proposed failure mechanism provides valuable insights for calibrating constitutive computational models of failure in boron carbide.
Patterns of taxonomic and functional diversity in the global cleaner reef fish fauna
Authors: Quimbayo Juan P. , Mendes Thiago C. , Barneche Diego R. , Dias Murilo S. , Grutter Alexandra S. , Furtado Miguel , Leprieur Fabien , Pellissier Loïc , Mazzei Renata , Narvaez Pauline , Sasal Pierre , Soares Marta C. , Parravicini Valeriano , Sazima Ivan , Kulbicki Michel
Published: August 2021

Aim

Several drivers explain the global distribution of all reef fish. However, whether these drivers also explain the distribution and traits of a functional subgroup involving cleaner fishes remain unclear. Here we examine the variation in traits of cleaner fishes and test whether historical, environmental, ecological and geographical drivers are correlated with cleaner species richness and abundance at global reefs.

Location

Tropical and subtropical reefs.

Taxon

Actinopterygii.

Methods

We tested whether species traits and trait space vary between facultative (i.e. species that clean only during the juvenile stages or sporadically) and dedicated (i.e. species that clean during their whole lives) cleaner types. We compiled data from local checklists (relative richness) and belt transects (standardized richness and abundance). We built four models to test whether past and current isolation (i.e. distance from Quaternary refugia and biodiversity centres), sea temperature, primary productivity, local species pool and abundance of potential clients influenced the relative richness and abundance of cleaners.

Results

Facultative cleaners had high trait variability that contributed disproportionally to the trait space, whereas dedicated cleaners exhibited low trait variability. Cleaner species richness was higher in the Indo‐Pacific and Caribbean provinces, but the relative richness and standardized abundance of cleaners were higher in the Atlantic (i.e. North Eastern and Southwestern) and Eastern Pacific. Isolation influenced the relative richness of facultative cleaners, whereas the distance to Quaternary refugia, sea temperature and isolation influenced the relative richness of dedicated cleaners. Local species richness and standardized abundance of cleaner fish exhibited a strong relationship with regional diversity. The standardized abundance of both facultative and dedicated cleaners was influenced by the abundance of potential clients and the local species pool.

Main conclusions

The small trait space occupied by cleaner fishes may reflect their restricted origin among lineages of reef fishes. Differences in the relative richness and standardized abundance of cleaner fishes across marine realms suggest a strong influence on biogeographical history. Our results also indicate that cleaner fishes originated mostly in peripheral areas in high latitudes due to the absence of dedicated cleaners. Our results imply that cleaner fishes do not follow the pattern of main centres of origin described for reef fishes due to opportunistic cleaning behaviour that originated with higher frequency at locations with low species richness.
Application of epigenetics in dermatological research and skin management
Authors: He Jianbiao , He Huaming , Qi Yufeng , Yang Jie , Zhi Leilei , Jia Yan
Published: August 2021

Background

Epigenetics has recently evolved from a collection of diverse phenomena to a defined and far‐reaching field of study. Epigenetic modifications of the genome, such as DNA methylation and histone modifications, have been reported to play a role in some skin diseases or cancer.

Aims

The purpose of this article was to review the development of epigenetic in recent decades and their applications in dermatological research.

Methods

An extensive literature search was conducted on epigenetic modifications since the first research on epigenetic.

Results

This article summarizes the concept and development of epigenetics, as well as the process and principle of epigenetic modifications such as DNA methylation, histone modification, and non‐coding RNA. Their application in some skin diseases and cosmetic research and development is also summarized.

Conclusions

This information will help to understand the mechanisms of epigenetics and some non‐coding RNA, the discovery of the related drugs, and provide new insights for skin health management and cosmetic research and development.
Autologous nanofat injection in treatment of scars: A clinico‐histopathological study
Authors: Rageh Mahmoud A. , El‐Khalawany Mohamed , Ibrahim Shady Mahmoud Attia
Published: August 2021

Background

Scars are the unfortunate outcome of most injuries and some diseases. Its psychological impact on patients can deeply affect their quality of life.

Aim

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of autologous nanofat injection in improving the aesthetic outcome of scars, combined with histopathological correlation of the response.

Patients and methods

Thirty patients with scars of different etiologies undergone one session of nanofat injection and evaluation was done 6 months after the session. Efficacy of treatment was assessed clinically using Vancouver scar scale by two independent blinded dermatologists and histopathologically using image analysis system.

Results

The age of enrolled patients ranged from 18 to 40 years old. There was a statistically significant improvement on the total Vancouver scar scale regarding the height and pliability of the scars. Pathological evaluation showed an increase in epidermal thickness, increased number and density of collagen and elastic fibers along with neovascularization.

Conclusion

Evidenced by clinical and pathological improvement, autologous nanofat injection is an effective strategy for treating scars of different etiologies.
Silence, Cessation and Stasis: The Ethnopoetics of “Absence” in Bit Expressives
Authors: Badenoch Nathan
Published: August 2021

The study of expressive language has helped illustrate how ideophonicity operates between grammar and performance, as both syntax and poetics, across a wide range of phenomena experienced by speakers. In the Bit language, spoken in Laos and China by approximately 2,400 people, there is a rich vocabulary of expressives, or ideophones, used to depict a lack of movement, action or agency. In doing so, Bit speakers define silence in terms of sound, stillness in terms of potential or past movement, and absence through the experience of expectation or habit. It is widely recognized that silence is not simply the lack of sound, but this analysis shows how culturally specific conceptions of the meaning of silence can be represented with the marked poetic language of expressives to account for the experience of various forms of absence. As such the analysis is an exploration of how ethnopoetics and semiotic ideology intersect in the production of Bit linguistic culture.
Remote rituals in virtual courts
Authors: ROSSNER MEREDITH
Published: August 2021

This article examines the ritual dynamics of virtual court hearings. While audio‐visual links for select court participants have been available for decades, in a virtual hearing all parties participate using a videoconferencing platform. Such hearings have proliferated during the COVID‐19 pandemic, as courts around the world have rushed to develop remote justice options. Scholars and legal professionals have expressed a range of concerns about this development, not least that there are elements of physical courtroom rituals that cannot be rendered virtually. Drawing on two recent empirical examinations of virtual courts, I explore what these hearings look and feel like for participants. I focus on the relationship between the material and symbolic elements of a court ritual and the meaning and experience of virtual co‐presence. In some circumstances, traditional elements of court have been translated for a virtual space. In other ways, the ritual has been transformed. I conclude by discussing the limitations and potential of courts of the future.
Seeking campus justice: challenging the ‘criminal justice drift’ in United Kingdom university responses to student sexual violence and misconduct
Authors: COWAN SHARON , MUNRO VANESSA E.
Published: August 2021

In recent years, growing concerns have been expressed – including in the press and social media – over the apparently inadequate responses of many United Kingdom (UK) universities to complaints of student sexual violence and misconduct (SSVM). In this article, we underscore universities’ legal, ethical, and civic responsibilities to students, which require them to implement effective regimes for the prevention and sanctioning of such behaviour. We suggest, however, that current responses are moving in the wrong direction. More specifically, universities are too often turning (back) towards adversarial and procedural paradigms, developed within the criminal justice system, where the persistence of a ‘justice gap’ in cases of rape and sexual assault has been well documented. We argue that this ‘criminal justice drift’ may frustrate the possibility for more tailored, transformative, and trauma‐informed processes for addressing SSVM within higher education institutions.
Identification of an autophagy‐related prognostic signature in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Jiang Yue , Li Yuanyuan , Ge Han , Wu Yaping , Zhang Yuchao , Guo Songsong , Zhang Ping , Cheng Jie , Wang Yanling
Published: August 2021

Background

Autophagy‐related genes (ARGs) have been significantly implicated in tumorigenesis and served as promising prognostic biomarkers for human cancer. Hence, this study was aimed to develop an ARGs‐based prognostic signature for Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).

Methods

Prognostic ARG candidates were identified by univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis in the training dataset (TCGA‐HNSC) and incorporated into a 3‐ARGs (EGFR, FADD, and PARK2) prognostic signature which was further verified in two independent validation cohorts (GSE41613 and GSE42743). Kaplan‐Meier plots, Cox regression analyses, and receiver operating characteristics curves (ROC) were employed to evaluate the prognostic prediction of 3‐ARGs signature. Differential expression of these 3 ARG between cancer and normal counterparts as well as their associations with autophagy markers were assessed in 60 pairs of freshly collected HNSCC and adjacent non‐tumor samples and datasets from Human Protein Atlas, respectively.

Results

Patients with high‐risk score had significantly inferior overall survival. Multivariate regression analyses revealed that 3‐ARGs signature could be an independent prognostic factor after adjusting various clinicopathological parameters. ROC analyses revealed high predictive accuracy and sensitivity of the 3‐ARGs signature. Increased mRNA and protein expression of EGFR, FADD, and PARK2 were found in HNSCC samples, and their expression significantly correlated with the abundances of ATG5, Beclin1, and LC3.

Conclusion

Our results reveal that 3‐ARGs signature is a powerful prognostic biomarker for HNSCC, which could be integrated into the current prognostic regime to realize individualized outcome prediction. EGFR, FADD, and PARK2 likely contributed to autophagy during HNSCC tumorigenesis.
Who partners up? Homogamy and income inequality in New Zealand cities
Authors: Alimi Omoniyi B. , Maré David C. , Poot Jacques
Published: August 2021

This paper examines the impact of homogamy on the distribution of household income in New Zealand at the national level and across different sized cities. We focus on homogamy by age, education, hours worked, employment status, and migration status. We present a new index of homogamy that takes account of maximum potential homogamy. Our index is less sensitive to categories with small population shares than the commonly used concentration ratios. We compare the inequality impact of actual matching with that of randomized matching by means of the additional randomization method. Contrary to public perception, homogamy of the highly educated has declined relative to random matching. Nonetheless, homogamy has had an inequality‐increasing impact on the distribution of income and this effect has grown over time: from around 5% of the mean log deviation (MLD) measure of income inequality in 1986 to 16% in 2013. Allowing for simulated labor supply responses reduces this effect by less than 1%. Spatially, the effect of homogamy is larger and increases more in metropolitan areas than in other urban areas. In Auckland, New Zealand's largest city (around a third of the population), homogamy accounted for a fifth of MLD inequality by 2013, up from 6% in 1986. Educational homogamy plays the biggest role in this process, but the effects of hours worked, employment status and migration status are relatively important too. Homogamy by age has little effect on income inequality. Using the Gini index as an alternative inequality measure yields similar results.
Geographic differences in contraception provision and utilization among federally funded family planning clinics in South Carolina and Alabama
Authors: Okwori Glory , Smith Michael G. , Beatty Kate , Khoury Amal , Ventura Liane , Hale Nathan
Published: August 2021

Purpose

Access to the full range of contraceptive options is essential to providing patient‐centered reproductive health care. Women living in rural areas often experience more barriers to contraceptive care than women living in urban areas. Therefore, federally funded family planning clinics are important for ensuring women have access to contraceptive care, especially in rural areas. This study examines contraceptive provision, factors supporting contraceptive provision, and contraceptive utilization among federally funded family planning clinics in 2 Southern states.

Methods

All health department and Federally Qualified Health Center clinics in Alabama and South Carolina that offer contraceptive services were surveyed in 2017‐2018. Based on these surveys, we examined differences between rural and urban clinics in the following areas: clinic characteristics, services offered, staffing, staff training, policies, patient characteristics, contraceptive provision, and contraceptive utilization. Differences were assessed using Chi‐square tests of independence for categorical variables and independentt‐tests for continuous variables.

Findings

Urban clinics had more staff on average than rural clinics, but rural clinics reported greater ease in recruiting and retaining family planning providers. Patient characteristics did not significantly vary between rural and urban clinics. While no significant differences were observed in the provision of long‐acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) overall, a greater proportion of patients in urban clinics utilized LARCs.

Conclusions

While provision of most contraceptives is similar between rural and urban federally funded family planning clinics, important differences in other factors continue to result in women who receive care in rural clinics being less likely to choose LARC methods.
Hepatitis B e antigen loss in adults and children with chronic hepatitis B living in North America: A prospective cohort study
Authors: Lee William M. , King Wendy C. , Janssen Harry L. A. , Ghany Marc G. , Fontana Robert J. , Fried Michael , Sterling Richard K. , Feld Jordan J. , Wang Junyao , Mogul Douglas B. , Cooper Stewart L. , Bisceglie Adrian M. Di ,   for the Hepatitis B Research Network (HBRN)
Published: August 2021

Hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) is a soluble viral protein in plasma of patients with hepatitis B virus infection. HBeAg loss is an important first stage of viral antigen clearance. We determined the rate and predictors of HBeAg loss in a North American cohort with chronic hepatitis B viral infection (CHB). Among children and adults with CHB and without HIV, HCV or HDV co‐infection enrolled in the Hepatitis B Research Network prospective cohort studies, 819 were HBeAg positive at their first assessment (treatment naïve or >24 weeks since treatment). Of these, 577 (200 children, 377 adults) were followed every 24–48 weeks. HBeAg loss was defined as first HBeAg‐negative value; sustained HBeAg loss was defined as ≥2 consecutive HBeAg‐negative values ≥24 weeks apart. During a median follow‐up of 1.8 years, 164 participants experienced HBeAg loss, a rate of 11.4 (95% CI, 9.8–13.3) per 100 person‐years. After adjustment for confounders, HBeAg loss rate was significantly higher in males than females, in older than younger individuals, in Whites or Blacks than Asians, in those with genotype A2 or B versus C, and in those with basal core promoter/pre‐core mutations versus wild type. Additionally, during follow‐up, an ALT flare and a lower quantitative HBsAg, quantitative HBeAg or HBV DNA level predicted higher rates of HBeAg loss. The majority (88%) with HBeAg loss had sustained HBeAg loss. In conclusion, a number of specific demographic, clinical and viral characteristics impacted rate of HBeAg loss and may prove useful in design and interpretation of future therapeutic studies.
Association between circulating bile acid alterations and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis independent of obesity and diabetes mellitus
Authors: Jung Youngae , Koo Bo Kyung , Jang Seo Young , Kim Dain , Lee Heeyeon , Lee Dong Hyeon , Joo Sae Kyung , Jung Yong Jin , Park Jeong Hwan , Yoo Taekyeong , Choi Murim , Lee Min Kyung , Kang Sang Won , Chang Mee Soo , Kim Won , Hwang Geum‐Sook ,   the Innovative Target Exploration of NAFLD (ITEN) consortium
Published: August 2021

Background and Aims

Bile acid (BA) dysregulation is related to not only metabolic diseases but also nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). We investigated whether circulating BA levels are altered according to the histological severity of NAFLD independent of metabolic derangements.

Methods

Global metabolic profiling and targeted BA analysis using sera collected from biopsy‐proven no‐NAFLD (n = 67), nonalcoholic fatty liver (NAFL) (n = 99), and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH, n = 75) subjects were performed sequentially. Circulating metabolome analysis integrated with the hepatic transcriptome was performed to elucidate the mechanistic basis of altered circulating BA profiles after stratification by obesity (body mass index ≤ 25 kg/m2). Circulating BA alterations were also validated in an independent validation cohort (29 no‐NAFLD, 70 NAFL and 37 NASH).

Results

Global profiling analysis showed that BA was the metabolite significantly altered in NASH compared to NAFL. Targeted BA analysis demonstrated that glyco‐/tauro‐conjugated primary BAs were commonly increased in nonobese and obese NASH, while unconjugated primary BAs increased only in nonobese NASH. These characteristic primary BA level changes were maintained even after stratification according to diabetes status and were replicated in the independent validation cohort. Compared to nonobese NAFL patients, nonobese NASH patients exhibited upregulated hepatic expression of CYP8B1.

Conclusions

BA metabolism is dysregulated as the histological severity of NAFLD worsens, independent of obesity and diabetes status; dysregulation is more prominent in nonobese NAFLD patients. Metabolome‐driven omics approach provides new insight into our understanding of altered BA metabolism associated with individual phenotypes of NAFLD.
Candidate Extremism and Voter Roll‐Off in US House Elections
Authors: Miller Michael G.
Published: August 2021

Growing evidence suggests that extreme candidates perform worse, in part because their party’s share of turnout declines. But does candidate ideology affect the decision of whether to abstain in a House race among voters who already turned out in the presidential election? I examine the relationship between candidates’ ideology and voter abstention in the House contest, reporting two main results. First, fewer voters abstain in elections featuring more ideologically polarized House candidates. A consideration of party effects reveals more nuance, however: In most cases, roll‐off is lower when extreme candidates run, but the effect of an extreme Republican is substantially larger than that of an extreme Democrat. Further analysis suggests that decreased roll‐off is probably due to extreme candidates mobilizing out‐partisans. My results suggest that allowing for the possibility of voter abstention is an important theoretical addition to understanding the behavioral effects of extremist candidates.