bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dystrophic microglia are a disease associated microglia morphology in the human brain
Authors: Shahidehpour Ryan K. , Higdon Rebecca E. , Crawford Nicole G. , Neltner Janna H. , Ighodaro Eseosa T. , Patel Ela , Price Douglas , Nelson Peter T. , Bachstetter Adam
Published: July 2020

Microglia activation—typically described in terms of hypertrophic appearance—is a well-established feature of aging. Recent studies have suggested that microglia dystrophy, not activation, may increase the propagation of progressive neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Yet, a clear understanding of cause and consequences of dystrophic microglia is lacking. Although frequently observed in diseased brains, the appearance of dystrophic microglia in the hippocampus of individuals free of cognitive impairment suggests that microglia may be undergoing senescence with age, leading to dystrophy. Therefore, we hypothesized that chronological age could be a significant contributor to the presence of dystrophic microglia. To investigate this relationship, we employed stereological counts of total microglia, hypertrophic, and dystrophic microglia across the decades of the human lifespan. The microglia counts were performed in the frontal cortex gray and white matter and the CA1 subregion of the hippocampus in individuals without known neurodegenerative disease. There was age-associated increase in the number of dystrophic microglia in the CA1 region and the frontal cortex gray matter related to age. However, the increase in dystrophic microglia was proportional to the age-related increase in the total number of microglia, suggesting that aging alone was not sufficient to explain the presence of dystrophic microglia. We next tested if dystrophic microglia could be a disease-associated microglia phenotype. Compared to controls without neuropathology, the number of dystrophic microglia was significantly greater in aged-matched cases with either AD, dementia with Lewy bodies, or LATE-NC. These results provide evidence that healthy aging is only associated with a modest increase in dystrophic microglia and suggest that dystrophic microglia may be a disease-associated microglia phenotype. Finally, we found strong evidence for iron homeostasis changes, with increases in ferritin light chain, in dystrophic microglia compared to ramified or hypertrophic microglia. Based on our findings, microglia dystrophy, and not hypertrophic microglia, are the disease-associated microglia morphology. Future work is required to understand the links between the increase in dystrophic microglia and neurodegenerative disorders.
Single cell transcriptomics reveal disrupted kidney filter cell-cell interactions after early and selective podocyte injury
Authors: Clark Abbe R. , Marshall Jamie , Zhou Yiming , Montesinos Monica S. , Chen Haiqi , Nguyen Lan , Chen Fei , Greka Anna
Published: July 2020

The health of the kidney filtration barrier requires communication between podocytes, endothelial cells and mesangial cells. Disruption of these cell-cell interactions is thought to contribute to disease progression in chronic kidney diseases (CKD). We recently demonstrated that podocyte ablation via doxycycline-inducible deletion of an essential endogenous molecule, CTCF (iCTCFpod-/-), is sufficient to drive progressive CKD. However, the earliest events connecting podocyte injury to disrupted intercellular communication within the kidney filter remain unclear. Here we performed single-cell RNA sequencing of kidney tissue from iCTCFpod-/-mice after one week of doxycycline induction to generate a map of the earliest transcriptional effects of podocyte injury on cell-cell interactions at single cell resolution. A subset of podocytes showed the earliest signs of injury due to disrupted gene programs for cytoskeletal regulation and mitochondrial function. Surviving podocytes upregulated Col4a5, causing reactive changes in integrin expression in endothelial populations and mesangial cells. Intercellular interaction analysis revealed several receptor-ligand-target gene programs as drivers of endothelial cell injury and abnormal matrix deposition. This analysis reveals the earliest disruptive changes within the kidney filter, pointing to new, actionable targets within a therapeutic window that may allow us to maximize the success of much needed therapeutic interventions for CKD.
CAR/Nr1i3 directs T cell adaptation to bile acids in the small intestine
Authors: Chen Mei Lan , Huang Xiangsheng , Wang Hongtao , Hegner Courtney , Liu Yujin , Shang Jinsai , Eliason Amber , Park HaJeung , Frey Blake , Wang Guohui , Mosure Sarah A. , Solt Laura A. , Kojetin Douglas J. , Rodriguez-Palacios Alex , Schady Deborah A. , Weaver Casey T. , Pipkin Matthew E. , Moore David D. , Sundrud Mark S.
Published: July 2020

Bile acids (BAs) are lipid emulsifying metabolites synthesized in hepatocytes and maintainedin vivothrough enterohepatic circulation between the liver and small intestine1. As detergents, BAs can cause toxicity and inflammation in enterohepatic tissues2. Nuclear receptors maintain BA homeostasis in hepatocytes and enterocytes3, but it is unclear how mucosal immune cells tolerate high BA concentrations in the small intestine lamina propria (siLP). We previously reported that CD4+T effector (Teff) cells upregulate expression of the xenobiotic transporter MDR1/ABCB1in the siLP to prevent BA toxicity and suppress Crohn’s disease-like small bowel inflammation4. Here, we identify the nuclear xenobiotic receptor, constitutive androstane receptor (CAR/NR1I3), as a regulator of MDR1 expression in T cells, and safeguard against BA toxicity and inflammation in the small intestine. CAR was activated and induced large-scale transcriptional reprograming in Teff cells infiltrating the siLP, but not the colon. CAR induced expression of detoxifying enzymes and transporters in siLP Teff cells, as in hepatocytes, but also the key anti-inflammatory cytokine,Il10. Accordingly, CAR-deficiency in T cells exacerbated, whereas pharmacologic CAR activation suppressed, BA-driven ileitis in T cell-reconstitutedRag−/−mice. These data suggest that CAR acts locally in small intestinal T cells to detoxify BAs and resolve inflammation. Activation of this program offers an unexpected strategy to treat small bowel Crohn’s disease, and provides evidence of lymphocyte sub-specialization within the small intestine.
RDMA data transfer and GPU acceleration methods for high-throughput online processing of serial crystallography images
Authors: Ponsard Raphael , Janvier Nicolas , Kieffer Jerome , Houzet Dominique , Fristot Vincent
Published: July 2020

The continual evolution of photon sources and high-performance detectors drives cutting-edge experiments that can produce very high throughput data streams and generate large data volumes that are challenging to manage and store. In these cases, efficient data transfer and processing architectures that allow online image correction, data reduction or compression become fundamental. This work investigates different technical options and methods for data placement from the detector head to the processing computing infrastructure, taking into account the particularities of modern modular high-performance detectors. In order to compare realistic figures, the future ESRF beamline dedicated to macromolecular X-ray crystallography, EBSL8, is taken as an example, which will use a PSI JUNGFRAU 4M detector generating up to 16 GB of data per second, operating continuously during several minutes. Although such an experiment seems possible at the target speed with the 100 Gb s−1 network cards that are currently available, the simulations generated highlight some potential bottlenecks when using a traditional software stack. An evaluation of solutions is presented that implements remote direct memory access (RDMA) over converged ethernet techniques. A synchronization mechanism is proposed between a RDMA network interface card (RNIC) and a graphics processing unit (GPU) accelerator in charge of the online data processing. The placement of the detector images onto the GPU is made to overlap with the computation carried out, potentially hiding the transfer latencies. As a proof of concept, a detector simulator and a backend GPU receiver with a rejection and compression algorithm suitable for a synchrotron serial crystallography (SSX) experiment are developed. It is concluded that the available transfer throughput from the RNIC to the GPU accelerator is at present the major bottleneck in online processing for SSX experiments.
Crystal structure of 1-ferrocenyl-2-(4-nitrophenyl)ethyne
Authors: Delgado Rivera Sara M. , González Espiet Jean C. , Dones Jesús M. , Henríquez López Sebastián A. , Guadalupe Ana R. , Piñero Cruz Dalice M. , Montes González Ingrid
Published: July 2020

The title ferrocene derivative, [Fe(C5H5)2(C8NO2)], including an alkyne bonded to a para-nitrophenyl substituent, which was synthesized from a copper-free Sonogashira cross-coupling reaction between ethynylferrocene and 4-bromo-1-nitrobenzene, crystallizes in the P21/n space group. In the ferrocene unit, the pentadienyl (Cps) rings are in an eclipsed conformation. The angle of rotation between the substituted cyclopentadienyl ring and the p-nitrophenyl group is 6.19 (10)°, yielding a quasi-linear extension of the ferrocenyl substitution. Important intermolecular interactions arise from π–π stacking between the Cp rings and the p-nitrophenyl, from corners of the Cp rings that are perpendicularly aligned, and between the O atoms from the nitro substituent and carbons at the corners of the Cp rings, propagating along all three crystallographic axes.
Crystal structure of bis(5-bromo-1,10-phenanthroline-κ2
N,N′)bis[dihydrobis(pyrazol-1-yl)borato-κ2
N
2,N
2′]iron(II) toluene disolvate
Authors: Ossinger Sascha , Näther Christian , Tuczek Felix
Published: July 2020

The structure determination of the title compound was undertaken as part of a project on the modification and synthesis of new spin-crossover (SCO) compounds based on octahedral FeII bis(pyrazolyl)borate complexes. In the course of these investigations, the compound [Fe(C6H8BN4)2(C12H7BrN2)] was synthesized, for which magnetic measurements revealed an incomplete spin-crossover behaviour. Crystallization of this compound from toluene led to the formation of crystals of the toluene disolvate, [Fe(C6H8N4B)2(C12H7N2Br)]·2C7H8. Its asymmetric unit comprises two discrete metal complex molecules and two toluene solvent molecules. One of the latter is severely disordered and its contribution to the diffracted intensities was removed using the SQUEEZE routine [Spek (2015). Acta Cryst. C71, 9–18]. In each complex molecule, the FeII cation is coordinated by the two N atoms of a 5-bromo-1,10-phenanthroline ligand and by two pairs of N atoms of chelating dihydrobis(pyrazol-1-yl)borate ligands in the form of a slightly distorted octahedron. The discrete complexes are arranged in columns along the a-axis direction with the toluene solvate molecules located between the columns. The 5-bromo-1,10-phenanthroline ligands of neighbouring columns are approximately parallel and are slightly shifted relative to each other, indicating π–π interactions.
Incipient stall characterization from skin-friction maps
Authors: Miozzi Massimo , Capone Alessandro , Klein Christian , Costantini Marco
Published: July 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is the characterization of the dramatic variation in the flow scenario occurring at incipient stall conditions on a NACA0015 hydrofoil at moderate Reynolds numbers via the experimental analysis of time- and space-resolved skin-friction maps. The examined flow conditions are relevant for a variety of applications, including renewable energy production and unmanned and micro-aerial vehicles.

Design/methodology/approach

Grounding on the global temperature data acquired via temperature-sensitive paint, the proposed methodology adopts two approaches: one to obtain time-resolved, relative skin-friction vector fields by means of an optical-flow-based algorithm and the other one to extract quantitative, time-averaged skin-friction maps after minimization of the dissimilarity between the observed passive transport of temperature fluctuations and that suggested by the Taylor hypothesis.

Findings

Through the synergistic application of the proposed methods, the time-dependent evolution of the incipient stall over the hydrofoil suction side is globally described by firstly identifying the trailing edge separation at an angle of attack (AoA) AoA = 11.5°, and then by capturing the onset of upstream oriented, mushroom-like structures at AoA = 13°. The concomitant occurrence of both scenarios is found at the intermediate incidence AoA = 12.2°.

Originality/value

The qualitative, time-resolved skin-friction topology, combined with the quantitative, time-averaged distribution of the streamwise friction velocity, enables to establish a portrait of the complex, three-dimensional, unsteady scenario occurring at the examined flow conditions, thus providing new, fundamental information for a deeper understanding of the incipient stall development and for its control.
Corruption, public debt and economic growth – evidence from developing countries
Authors: Ibrahim Carole
Published: July 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to empirically examine the effect of corruption on public debt and economic growth in 20 developing countries over the period 1996-2018.

Design/methodology/approach

This study makes use of the autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) model to detect the long-term relationships, on the one hand, between corruption and public debt and, on the other hand, between corruption and economic growth.

Findings

The empirical results reveal that corruption increases the debt-to-GDP ratio and that the interactions between corruption and public revenues and between corruption and public spending have a positive influence on public debt in the long run. The estimations also show that high corruption hampers long-term economic growth and increases the negative effect of public debt on economic growth in developing countries.

Originality/value

While corruption is a prevalent phenomenon in most developing countries, the literature still lacks empirical examination of its economic effects. This study fills this gap with the aim of highlighting that high corruption hinders development in developing nations. This study also examines the impact of the interactions between corruption and components of the fiscal balance on public debt. Moreover, while the existing empirical literature uses regression techniques, this paper uses a panel ARDL approach to detect the long-term effects of corruption.
Brazilian logistics practitioners' perceptions on sustainability: an exploratory study
Authors: Martins Vitor William Batista , Anholon Rosley , Sanchez-Rodrigues Vasco , Leal Filho Walter , Quelhas Osvaldo Luiz Gonçalves
Published: July 2020

Purpose

Confronting globalization, logistics systems need to achieve greater efficiency in processes to be competitive. Competitiveness is not related only to economic aspects; companies need to perform their activities aligned to the triple bottom line concept. In this context, the main objective of this research is to analyze how Brazilian professionals think about sustainable logistics through an exploratory study.

Design/methodology/approach

A set of 33 indicators, compiled from a literature review, was used to develop a research instrument applied in a survey of 50 professionals working with logistics processes in Brazilian companies. First, the Cronbach's alpha was run to verify the questionnaire reliability. Respondents were grouped through cluster hierarchical analysis, and their answers were analyzed through TOPSIS technique.

Findings

The results from the sample analysis showed that Brazilian professionals think in the three dimensions of TBL when considering sustainable logistics systems; however, social aspects are relegated to a second level of importance when compared with environmental and economic indicators. In addition, it is possible to highlight that most important environmental aspects are directly related to economic objectives.

Originality/value

There are few studies examining sustainable logistics system in Brazilian companies that consider the purpose mentioned by evidencing originality in the same way as this current study. The results presented here can contribute to amplifying debates in the theme.
Pathological test type and chemical detection using deep neural networks: a case study using ELISA and LFA assays
Authors: Hoque Tania Marzia , Kaiser M. Shamim , Abu-Hassan Kamal , Hossain M. A.
Published: July 2020

Purpose

The gradual increase in geriatric issues and global imbalance of the ratio between patients and healthcare professionals have created a demand for intelligent systems with the least error-prone diagnosis results to be used by less medically trained persons and save clinical time. This paper aims at investigating the development of image-based colourimetric analysis. The purpose of recognising such tests is to support wider users to begin a colourimetric test to be used at homecare settings, telepathology and so on.

Design/methodology/approach

The concept of an automatic colourimetric assay detection is delivered by utilising two cases. Training deep learning (DL) models on thousands of images of these tests using transfer learning, this paper (1) classifies the type of the assay and (2) classifies the colourimetric results.

Findings

This paper demonstrated that the assay type can be recognised using DL techniques with 100% accuracy within a fraction of a second. Some of the advantages of the pre-trained model over the calibration-based approach are robustness, readiness and suitability to deploy for similar applications within a shorter period of time.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first attempt to provide colourimetric assay type classification (CATC) using DL. Humans are capable to learn thousands of visual classifications in their life. Object recognition may be a trivial task for humans, due to photometric and geometric variabilities along with the high degree of intra-class variabilities, it can be a challenging task for machines. However, transforming visual knowledge into machines, as proposed, can support non-experts to better manage their health and reduce some of the burdens on experts.
Knowledge and intellectual capital in internationalizing SMEs, case study in technology-based health companies
Authors: Zakery Amir , Saremi Mohammad Sadegh
Published: July 2020

Purpose

International businesses play a significant role in the growth, innovation and survival of technology-based firms (TBFs). Creating new opportunities in international markets, using communication networks and confronting constraints on available resources have distinguished the internationalization of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and intensified the importance of knowledge acquisition and continuous learning. This study aimed to (1) configure (the types and sources of) and (2) measure the internationalization knowledge of TBFs, by focusing on a knowledge-intensive part of the health industry in an emerging country: Iranian advanced medical equipment companies.

Design/methodology/approach

For this purpose, a qualitative approach was adopted to interview the leaders of eight TBFs exporting medical equipment. Obtained data were investigated using content analysis.

Findings

According to the content analysis results for configuration, technological knowledge and market knowledge were mainly obtained through direct experience and vicarious learning; however, internationalization knowledge is not so established as the third major knowledge area to integrate technological with market knowledge in line with corporate strategies of an internationalizing firm. For measurement of knowledge assets of internationalizing firms as a prerequisite for continuous improvement, several intellectual capital indices were extracted, including human, structural and relational capital.

Originality/value

This research complements existing literature in internationalization knowledge configuration via deploying an "Intellectual capital" perspective. It could enhance efforts for improving the learning of internationalizing SMEs, especially in the developing countries.
Residual stress measurement techniques for Ti6Al4V parts fabricated using selective laser melting: state of the art review
Authors: Acevedo Ruben B.O. , Kantarowska Klaudia , Santos Edson Costa , Fredel Marcio C.
Published: July 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to generate a review of available techniques to measure Residual Stress (RS) in Ti6Al4V components made by Ti6Al4V.

Design/methodology/approach

State of the art; literature review in the field of Residual Stress measurement of Ti6Al4V parts made by selective laser melting (SLM).

Findings

Different Residual Stress measurement techniques were detailed, regarding its concept, advantages and limitations. Regarding all researched references, hole drilling (semi destructive) and X-ray diffraction (nondestructive) were the most cited techniques for Residual Stress measurement of Ti6Al4V parts made by SLM.

Originality/value

An extensive analysis of RS measurement techniques for Ti6Al4V parts made by SLM.
Indicators to measure the performance of sustainable urban entrepreneurship: an empirical case study applied to Portuguese cities and towns
Authors: Franco Mário , Rodrigues Margarida
Published: July 2020

Purpose

Urban sustainability is an inseparable dimension of today's cities; thus, the role played by creativity, and consequently sustainable urban entrepreneurship and the networks it raises, gives rise to the pro-activity of these two constructs toward a tripartition (economic, social and environmental). This study aims to measure sustainable urban entrepreneurship through a composite of existing indicators in the literature of cities.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, the authors followed a quantitative research by applying exploratory factor analysis. The sample contains 308 towns and cities in Portugal, and the data were collected using secondary databases (e.g. INE; PORDATA).

Findings

Through quantitative research, this study identified the key indicators that mediate sustainable urban entrepreneurship in cities, as a methodological tool for them to evaluate their sustainable entrepreneurial capacity.

Practical implications

The results obtained here provide information to show that sustainable urban entrepreneurship is an essential construct for cities, allowing a solution to many of their urban problems by its association with creative economy and its influence on the revitalization of urban spaces by urban regeneration, and by the importance of networks in these, the latter being another fundamental construct.

Originality/value

This research makes important contributions to studies considering the sustainability construct in urban entrepreneurship area. It will help to fill part of the gap in existing studies involving the cities’ aspects in entrepreneurship field. Consequently, the main contribution of this study lies in identifying the indicators that contribute to cities' tripartite sustainable balance by assuming sustainable urban entrepreneurship as a crucial premise.
Functional diversity enhances tree growth and reduces herbivory damage in secondary broadleaf forests, but does not influence resilience to drought
Authors: Espelta Josep Maria , Cruz‐Alonso Verónica , Alfaro‐Sánchez Raquel , Hampe Arndt , Messier Christian , Pino Joan
Published: July 2020

Since the mid‐20th Century, Europe has experienced an unprecedented forest expansion associated with the abandonment of rural landscapes. Secondary forests may provide relevant ecosystem services such as landscape defragmentation, biodiversity conservation, control of hydrological cycling and carbon sequestration.

Secondary forests may benefit from the legacies of the former agricultural land use, and exhibit enhanced growth. Moreover, they may differ from long‐established forests in terms of tree species composition and diversity, as community composition has been less modified by succession or management. However, we lack evidence whether the effects of land use legacies on tree species diversity may also result in differences in the response of secondary forests to biotic and abiotic disturbances.

We aimed to evaluate the effects of land use legacies on taxonomic and functional diversity and their effects on the response of temperate broadleaf forests to drought and herbivory damage. For this aim, we compared secondary beech Fagus sylvatica forests established after 1950 in abandoned pastures with long‐established (pre‐1950) forests. We calculated indices of taxonomic and functional diversity and determined mean growth and growth response of beech to two drought events (1991, 2006), and insect herbivory damage.

Secondary and long‐established beech forests marginally differed in species richness but the former exhibited a significantly higher Shannon diversity index and evenness. Yet, differences in taxonomic diversity did not result in differences in functional diversity between forest types.

Mean tree growth was higher in secondary than in long‐established forests and it increased with functional diversity in both forest types. However, diversity was unrelated with the growth response to drought. Insect herbivory damage decreased with increasing functional diversity but only in secondary forests.

Synthesis and applications. Promoting functional diversity in temperate broadleaf forests is a promising strategy for enhancing productivity (tree growth) while increasing the ability to cope with biotic disturbances (insect herbivory). This principle should be applied both in the management of long‐established as well as expanding secondary forests. Yet, functional diversity does not seem to ameliorate tree response to drought, highlighting the need for other silvicultural practices to address this environmental challenge.
Whole exome sequencing identifies three novel gene mutations in patients with the triad of diabetic ketoacidosis, hypertriglyceridemia, and acute pancreatitis
Authors: Huang Zixi , Xu Zhenyan , Xu Ruoqing , Huang Lin , Xu Xiang , Lai Xiaoyang
Published: July 2020

Background

This study aimed to analyze the genetics and treatments of the patients with the triad of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), hypertriglyceridemia, and acute pancreatitis (AP).

Methods

We conducted a retrospective study of six patients with the triad of AP, hypertriglyceridemia, and DKA at our hospital. All patients underwent plasmapheresis as part of their treatment. The clinical characteristics of the patients were obtained from the hospital information system and analyzed. Whole exome sequencing was performed using samples of one patient (case 6) and his family members.

Results

The average triglyceride level before plasmapheresis was 3282.17 ± 2975.43 mg/dL (range: 1646‐9332 mg/dL). The triglyceride levels dropped by approximately 80% after plasmapheresis. None of the patients developed complications related from plasmapheresis. During follow‐up, patients 5 and 6 developed recurrent pancreatitis for several times and showed the formation of pancreatic pseudocysts. We identified three novel heterozygous missense mutations in the family of patient 6, including c.12614C > T (p.Pro4205Leu) in APOB, c.160G > C (p.Glu54Gln) in CILP2, and c.1199C > A (p.Ala400Glu) in PEPD.

Conclusions

Three novel heterozygous missense mutations, including c.12614C > T (p.Pro4205Leu) in APOB, c.160G > C (p.Glu54Gln) in CILP2, and c.1199C > A (p.Ala400Glu) in PEPD were first identified in a patient with the triad of DKA, hypertriglyceridemia, and AP. The combination of plasmapheresis, hydration, and insulin therapy may have the greatest clinical benefits for these patients.
Sampling schemes and drift can bias admixture proportions inferred by structure
Authors: Toyama Ken S. , Crochet Pierre‐André , Leblois Raphaël
Published: July 2020

The interbreeding of individuals coming from genetically differentiated but incompletely isolated populations can lead to the formation of admixed populations, having important implications in ecology and evolution. In this simulation study, we evaluate how individual admixture proportions estimated by the software structure are quantitatively affected by different factors. Using various scenarios of admixture between two diverging populations, we found that unbalanced sampling from parental populations may seriously bias the inferred admixture proportions; moreover, proportionally large samples from the admixed population can also decrease the accuracy and precision of the inferences. As expected, weak differentiation between parental populations and drift after the admixture event strongly increase the biases caused by uneven sampling. We also show that admixture proportions are generally more biased when parental populations unequally contributed to the admixed population. Finally, with few exceptions, using a large number of markers reduces those biases, but using alternative priors for individual ancestry or the uncorrelated allele model only marginally affect the inference of admixture in most situations. We conclude that unbalanced sampling may cause important biases in the admixture proportions estimated by structure, especially when a small number of markers are used, and those biases can be worsened by the effect of drift and unequal genetic contribution of parental populations. Empirical studies should thus be careful with their sampling design and consider historical characteristics when using this software to estimate the ancestry of individuals from admixed populations.
Selective Deficits in Contingency‐Driven Ethanol Seeking Following Chronic Ethanol Exposure in Male Mice
Authors: Barker Jacqueline M. , Bryant Kathleen G. , Montiel‐Ramos Alan , Goldwasser Benjamin , Chandler Lawrence Judson
Published: July 2020

Background

People with alcohol use disorders exhibit an overreliance on habitual response strategies which may result from a history of chronic alcohol exposure. Although habits are defined by behavior that persists despite changes in outcome value and in action–outcome relationships, most research investigating the effects of ethanol exposure on habits has focused only on outcome devaluation. A clear understanding of the effects of chronic alcohol exposure on the ability to flexibly update behavior may provide insight into the behavioral deficits that characterize alcohol use disorders.

Methods

To dissociate the effects of chronic intermittent ethanol (CIE) exposure on contingency‐mediated sucrose versus ethanol seeking, adult male C57Bl/6J mice were assigned to 2 separate experiments. In the first experiment, mice were trained to self‐administer ethanol prior to 2 cycles of interleaved CIE exposure by vapor inhalation. In a second experiment, mice were trained to self‐administer sucrose and ethanol in separate training sessions prior to 4 cycles of interleaved CIE. The use of contingencies to mediate reward seeking was assessed using a contingency degradation paradigm.

Results

In mice trained to self‐administer only ethanol, 2 weeks of CIE resulted in escalated self‐administration. At this time point, CIE‐exposed mice, but not air‐exposed controls, exhibited ethanol seeking that was insensitive to changes in action–outcome contingency, consistent with habitual ethanol seeking. In mice trained to self‐administer ethanol and sucrose rewards in sequential sessions, no escalation in self‐administration across 4 weeks of CIE was observed. Under these conditions, neither Air‐ nor CIE‐exposed mice reduced ethanol seeking in response to contingency degradation. In contrast, sucrose seeking remained goal‐directed.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that chronic ethanol exposure impairs contingency‐driven ethanol seeking more readily than sucrose‐seeking behavior. Further, these findings indicate that the transition from contingency‐mediated ethanol seeking occurs more rapidly than for sucrose seeking under similar ethanol exposure conditions.
Clinical utilization of magnetic resonance enterography in small bowel Crohn's disease management: a retrospective tertiary centre experience
Authors: Yip Alexander , Croese Alexander , Vangaveti Venkat , Sidhu Ankur , Lam David , Woods Rodney , D'Souza Basil
Published: July 2020

Background

Magnetic resonance enterography (MRE) is the mainstay imaging modality in the evaluation of small bowel Crohn's disease (CD) activity and its associated complications. Few studies have assessed the indications for ordering it and its association with management changes. The objective was to identify the current clinical utilization of MRE and associated management changes in patients with established small bowel CD.

Methods

A retrospective audit was conducted on all patients with established CD who underwent MRE at a tertiary centre from November 2014 to December 2017. Clinical indications, radiological findings and management changes were obtained from patient records.

Results

A total of 220 patients underwent a total of 287 MRE examinations. The most common indications for ordering MREs were based on patient symptoms (n = 204, 71.1%) and routine disease surveillance (n = 57, 19.9%). The most common radiological findings were inflammation (n = 156, 54.4%) and strictures (n = 98, 34.1%). Management changes post MRE occurred in 152 of 287 (53%) cases. Of the 152 patients, 87 (57.2%) had changes in medical management, 40 (26.3%) had surgical or endoscopic intervention and 25 (16.4%) had both medical and surgical management changes. Management changes following MRE in patients with new or concerning symptoms were significantly higher than in surveillance patients (OR 4.1, P = 0.000003).

Conclusion

This study provides a foundation for understanding the current utilization of MRE in small bowel CD at a tertiary centre. However, its role in altering management particularly within surveillance patients is yet to be defined. Future prospective trials are required to better delineate its role and develop an algorithm for small bowel CD management.
Does well‐controlled overt hypothyroidism increase the risk of total knee arthroplasty?
Authors: Yuan Mingcheng , Ling Tingxian , Ding Zichuan , Mou Ping , Zhou Zongke
Published: July 2020

Background

Overt hypothyroidism is widely accepted as a risk factor for adverse events following total knee arthroplasty (TKA). However, no prior study has preoperatively reversed hypothyroidism and reevaluated its risk. This retrospective study aimed at investigating whether well‐controlled overt hypothyroidism would still increase the risk of TKA.

Methods

Between November 2009 and November 2016, patients diagnosed with overt hypothyroidism but well controlled and underwent TKA were compared with euthyroid TKA patients. Data were extracted from our departmental database. Chi‐squared test and t‐tests were used for comparisons.

Results

Hypothyroid patients had more blood loss and lower postoperative haemoglobin (Hb) and haematocrit level than the control group (all P < 0.05). Although the postoperative anaemia rate was lower in the control group (P = 0.01), there was no significant difference in the transfusion rate between the two groups (2.99% versus 7.46%, P = 0.10) or in the rates of other complications (P > 0.05). Interestingly, intramuscular venous thrombosis rate in hypothyroid patients was significantly lower than that in the control group (1.49% versus 9.70%, P = 0.00). Clinical outcome scores were comparable between the two groups throughout the course. And only one case of infection occurred in the hypothyroid patients.

Conclusion

Well‐controlled overt hypothyroidism did not increase the risk of TKA, except for perioperative blood loss. Surgeons should be aware that even if hypothyroidism is reversed, the risk of more perioperative blood loss still exists and that, consequently, perioperative blood management is still essential in this population.
What constitutes fair shared decision‐making in global health research collaborations?
Authors: Pratt Bridget
Published: July 2020

Funders (located primarily in high‐income countries) and high‐income country researchers have historically dominated decision‐making within global health research collaborations: from setting agendas and research design to determining how data are collected and analysed and what happens with findings and outputs. The ethical principle of shared decision‐making has been proposed as a way to help address these imbalances within collaborations and to reduce semicolonial and exploitative forms of global health research. It is important to be clear about what shared decision‐making means in order to ensure that it is not done in a tokenistic, shallow way. Thus far, the principle’s content has not been examined and articulated in detail. This paper aims to start the process of delineating a concept of fair shared decision‐making as a minimum standard for global health research. Using two hypothetical case examples, the paper will demonstrate that global health research practice is often inconsistent with ideal shared decision‐making. In such instances, it can be difficult to decide whether shared decision‐making within collaborations is fair. The paper describes how the two cases do not meet criteria for unfair or non‐ideal shared decision‐making, despite having potentially morally troubling features. The nuances of these examples of research practice help to generate clearer ideas about how to judge fairness in shared decision‐making. The paper concludes by presenting ideas about when soft power can be fairly employed between high‐income‐country and low‐ and middle‐income‐country partners and what fair compromise agreements may look like in shared decision‐making.
Spatial reasoning, mathematics, and gender: Do spatial constructs differ in their contribution to performance?
Authors: Harris Danielle , Lowrie Tom , Logan Tracy , Hegarty Mary
Published: July 2020

Background

The role of gender in both spatial and mathematics performance has been extensively studied separately, with a male advantage often found in spatial tasks and mathematics from adolescence. Spatial reasoning is consistently linked to mathematics proficiency, yet despite this, little research has investigated the role of spatial orientation and gender in the relationship between spatial reasoning and mathematics.

Aims

In the present study, three spatial reasoning constructs (mental rotation, spatial visualization, and spatial orientation) were examined for their unique contributions to mathematics performance in two samples (Study 1: grade 5; Study 2: grade 8). In light of the emerging gender gap in mathematics as children develop, these relationships were explored as a function of gender.

Sample

Eighty‐four fifth‐grade students participated in Study 1 (43 females, 41 males; mean age = 11.19 years). Nine hundred and three eighth‐grade students participated in Study 2 (498 females, 405 males; mean age = 13.83 years).

Methods

The three spatial reasoning constructs (mental rotation, spatial visualization, and spatial orientation) were examined for their unique contributions to mathematics performance for females and males in general and across different mathematical content (geometry–measurement and number sense).

Results

Spatial factors accounted for 51% of the variance in math scores in Study 1 (grade 5) and 32% of the variance in math scores in Study 2 (grade 8). In both studies, spatial factors predicted a larger proportion of variance in geometry–measurement than for number sense. Spatial orientation was found to be a unique contributor in all mathematics models, object‐based spatial skills (mental rotation and spatial visualization) varied in their contribution to math performance depending on mathematics content and gender.

Conclusions

The present work highlights the unique contribution of spatial orientation in the spatial–mathematics relationship and provides insights into the nature of gender differences in mathematical problem‐solving as a function of spatial reasoning and mathematics content.
Going the distance: Estimating the effect of provincial borders on trade when geography (and everything else) matters
Authors: Bemrose Robby K. , Mark Brown W. , Tweedle Jesse
Published: July 2020

Abstract.

In the presence of often‐cited provincial non‐tariff trade barriers, one should observe provincial border effects in Canada. However, using provincial trade data leads to upward biased estimates of the border effect, because intraprovincial trade is skewed towards short distance flows that are poorly estimated by gravity models. We overcome this bias by using sub‐provincial trade flows generated from a transaction‐level transportation dataset. The results show that border effects fall as geographies are more fine‐grained and uniform. In contrast to the US, where state border effects were eliminated using similar approaches, provincial border effects remain, with an implied 6.9% tariff equivalent.

Résumé.

Tenir la distance: estimation de l’effet frontalier provincial sur le commerce en tenant compte de la géographie. Lorsque l’on aborde la question très discutée des obstacles non‐tarifaires aux échanges commerciaux, il convient d’observer l’effet des frontières provinciales au Canada. L’utilisation de données commerciales interprovinciales se traduit néanmoins par des biais par excès au niveau de l’effet frontalier, les flux de courtes distances étant surreprésentés et mal évalués par les modèles gravitaires. Afin de résoudre ce problème d’écart systématique par excès, nous utilisons des données commerciales infraprovinciales issues d’un ensemble de données transactionnelles relatives au transport. Nos résultats montrent que l’effet frontalier diminue dès lors que les unités géographiques sont plus petites et uniformes. En utilisant les mêmes approches, on constate que l’effet frontalier disparaît aux États‐Unis. En revanche, au Canada, l’effet frontalier persiste avec un équivalent tarifaire implicite de 6,9 %.
Age moderates the associations between TRAbs, free T3 and outcomes of Graves’ disease patients with radioactive iodine treatment
Authors: Lu Lusi , Gao Chenlu , Zhang Nan
Published: July 2020

Objective

This study aimed to explore whether age moderates the associations between TSH receptor antibodies (TRAbs) with thyroid hormones and remission in patients with Graves’ disease (GD) who undergo radioactive iodine (RAI) treatment.

Design

A single‐centre retrospective study.

Patients

A total of 435 eligible consecutive patients diagnosed with GD and treated with RAI therapy were included.

Methods

TRAbs and thyroid hormones prior to RAI were recorded. Pearson's correlation, t tests and analysis of covariance were conducted to identify the associations between TRAbs, thyroid hormones and remission. Moderation analyses were conducted to test age as a moderator.

Results

Overall, 75.4% of the patients achieved remission with a single dose of iodine‐131. TRAb levels before RAI were positively correlated with the circulating thyroid hormones (ps < 0.001). Age moderated the association between TRAbs and free T3 (FT3) (P = .01), but did not moderate the association between TRAbs and free T4 (FT4) (P = .07). TRAb levels before RAI only significantly predicted remission status in young patients (P = .03), but not in middle‐aged (P = .36) or older patients (P = .74), after adjusting for covariates. When age was included as a continuous variable, moderation analyses revealed that the association between TRAbs and remission status was stronger in younger patients (P = .03).

Conclusions

The majority of Graves’ disease patients experienced a long‐term remission following a single dose of iodine‐131. Associations between TRAbs, FT3 and remission are moderated by age. TRAb level prior to RAI is a significant remission in younger patients, but not in middle‐aged or older patients.
The school experience of children in residential care: A multiple case study
Authors: Garcia‐Molsosa Marta , Collet‐Sabé Jordi , Montserrat Carme
Published: July 2020

Children in residential care are the out‐of‐home population group with the lowest rate of access to postsecondary education. Research aimed at understanding their situation within the school context suggests that besides learning progress and outcomes, subjective experiences should be taken into account. Qualitative research based on a multiple‐case study was designed and carried out in Spain with the aim of deepening the understanding of the individual school experiences of three children in residential care. Each case was analysed from the perspective of the child, the educators and the teachers. Semistructured, one‐to‐one interviews were carried out, and children's files were consulted. The results pointed to emotional distress and accumulated educational delay as common traits of the three children in the study. In shaping each particular school experience, the key themes identified included (1) individual characteristics, (2) the children's academic aspirations and strategies, (3) relationships with peers and teachers, (4) response experienced in school, (5) the complex structure of the residential centre, (6) the sense of belonging to the residential centre, (7) team work and (8) political action and investment in inclusive education.
Porocarcinoma with areas of mucinous differentiation suggesting multilineage differentiation
Authors: Llamas‐Velasco Mar , Fernández‐Flores Angel , Saeb‐Lima Marcela , Cassarino David Samuel
Published: July 2020

Porocarcinoma is an infrequent malignant adnexal carcinoma, with some histopathological variants described, such as the clear cell, the sarcomatoid or the pigmented porocarcinoma. We report an invasive porocarcinoma showing areas of tumor cells floating in prominent dermal mucin, simulating mucinous carcinoma, that we consider a new histopathological variant of porocarcinoma. We report a 74‐year‐old male with previous history of multiple basal cell carcinomas that presented a nodule on his left temple. Histopathologic study showed a large ulcerated multilobular tumor composed of thickened cords of cells emanating from a hyperplastic epidermis and showing a mixed infiltrative and pushing pattern in the dermis. Poroid differentiation was observed in most of the neoplasm, both in intraepidermal and dermal invasive component. Within the neoplasm a prominent area where these small nests with clear formation of ducts were floating in mucinous pools with few septa intermingled was observed, simulating a primary cutaneous mucinous carcinoma. Cytology, immunohistochemistry and the presence of both neoplastic areas as closely related and with multiple points of connectivity favors the consideration of a composite tumor in this peculiar case. Other differentials are discussed.