bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Influence of ergonomic factors on peripheral neuropathy under HAV exposure
Authors: Schulze D G , Nilsen K B , Clemm T , Grotle M , Zwart J A , Ulvestad B , Nordby K C
Published: December 2022

Background

Hand–arm vibration (HAV) is a risk factor for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) and ulnar neuropathy at the elbow (UNE). It is unclear how ergonomic factors influence the relationship between HAV exposure and CTS and UNE.

Aims

We aimed to assess the relationship between cumulative HAV exposure and CTS and UNE in workers exposed to HAV from two tools with different ergonomic profiles.

Methods

We performed nerve conduction studies (NCSs) of the sensory and motor median and ulnar nerves and recorded symptoms indicating CTS and UNE in workers exposed to HAV from impact wrenches or from rock drills. Exposure was measured as cumulative lifetime exposure. We used linear regression adjusted for age and body mass index to assess linear relationships.

Results

Sixty-five workers participated (33 rock drill and 32 impact wrench operators). We found inverse linear associations between cumulative HAV exposure and median nerve sensory conduction velocity in impact wrench operators and ulnar nerve motor conduction velocity in rock drill operators (beta of 0.63 and 0.75). Based on NCS findings and symptoms, seven impact wrench operators had CTS and one UNE, and four rock drill operators had CTS and six UNE.

Conclusions

Our findings indicate that ergonomic factors influence the development of CTS and UNE under HAV exposure. The ergonomic profile seems to influence which type of neuropathy workers exposed to HAV will develop. Design of occupational exposure guidelines and future studies should be based on ergonomic profile and exposure characteristics for different tools and not merely HAV.
Single chloroplast in folio imaging sheds light on photosystem energy redistribution during state transitions
Authors: Verhoeven Dana , van Amerongen Herbert , Wientjes Emilie
Published: December 2022

Oxygenic photosynthesis is driven by light absorption in photosystem I (PSI) and photosystem II (PSII). A balanced excitation pressure between PSI and PSII is required for optimal photosynthetic efficiency. State transitions serve to keep this balance. If PSII is overexcited in plants and green algae, a mobile pool of light-harvesting complex II (LHCII) associates with PSI, increasing its absorption cross-section and restoring the excitation balance. This is called state 2. Upon PSI overexcitation, this LHCII pool moves to PSII, leading to state 1. Whether the association/dissociation of LHCII with the photosystems occurs between thylakoid grana and thylakoid stroma lamellae during state transitions or within the same thylakoid region remains unclear. Furthermore, although state transitions are thought to be accompanied by changes in thylakoid macro-organization, this has never been observed directly in functional leaves. In this work, we used confocal fluorescence lifetime imaging to quantify state transitions in single Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) chloroplasts in folio with sub-micrometer spatial resolution. The change in excitation-energy distribution between PSI and PSII was investigated at a range of excitation wavelengths between 475 and 665 nm. For all excitation wavelengths, the PSI/(PSI + PSII) excitation ratio was higher in state 2 than in state 1. We next imaged the local PSI/(PSI + PSII) excitation ratio for single chloroplasts in both states. The data indicated that LHCII indeed migrates between the grana and stroma lamellae during state transitions. Finally, fluorescence intensity images revealed that thylakoid macro-organization is largely unaffected by state transitions. This single chloroplast in folio imaging method will help in understanding how plants adjust their photosynthetic machinery to ever-changing light conditions.
“Since You’re So Rich, You Must Be Really Smart”: Talent, Rent Sharing, and the Finance Wage Premium
Authors: Böhm Michael J , Metzger Daniel , Strömberg Per
Published: December 2022

Financial sector wages have increased extraordinarily over the last decades. We address two potential explanations for this increase: (1) rising demand for talent and (2) firms sharing rents with their employees. Matching administrative data of Swedish workers, which include unique measures of individual talent, with financial information on their employers, we find no evidence that talent in finance improved, neither on average nor at the top. The increase in relative finance wages is present across talent and education levels, which together can explain at most 20% of it. In contrast, rising financial sector profits that are shared with employees account for up to half of the relative wage increase. The limited labour supply response may partly be explained by the importance of early-career entry and social connections in finance. Our findings alleviate concerns about “brain drain” into finance but suggest that finance workers have captured rising rents over time.
Translation and Linguistic Validation of the Pittsburgh Fatigability Scale for Korean Breast Cancer Survivors: A Cognitive Interviewing Study
Authors: Kim Sue , Kim Inah , Glynn Nancy W. , Jang Min Kyeong
Published: December 2022

Background:

Fatigability—the perception of fatigue contextualized to activities of fixed intensity and duration—has received growing attention in oncology research.

Objectives:

This study aimed to translate and linguistically validate a Korean-language version of the Pittsburgh Fatigability Scale.

Methods:

Following the Linguistic Validation Manual for Health Outcome Assessment, we applied a multistage cognitive interviewing (CI) method to ensure accurate translation and interpretation of the Pittsburgh Fatigability Scale. After forward and backward translation were completed, 3 rounds of CI regarding the translated instrument were performed with 18 participants having or not having breast cancer.

Results:

The first round of CI showed that 7 items of the 10-item Korean-language instrument required revision to reflect the physical abilities of breast cancer patients with similar levels of physical activity. After the second round, 2 additional items were revised to reflect the cultural context and gender roles. During the third round, all participants exhibited full understanding of the Korean-language instrument.

Conclusions:

The translated instrument, its quality enriched by cross-cultural linguistic validation in combination with CI, can be effectively used to assess perceived physical and mental fatigability.

Implications for Practice:

Use of the Pittsburgh Fatigability Scale can facilitate oncology nurses’ assessment of perceived fatigue levels in cancer patients and can expand understanding of how patients’ fatigue perceptions are related to their exercise capacity.

Foundational:

This study is valuable as an example of how a multistage CI process can be effectively applied in cross-cultural oncology research.
Illuminating Black, Hispanic, and Asian Women’s Breast Cancer-related Cognitive Impairment Symptom Experience: An Integrative Review
Authors: Dunovan Shanon G. , Zak Roksana , Lally Robin M.
Published: December 2022

Background:

Cancer-related cognitive impairment (CRCI) affects up to 75% of breast cancer survivors (BCSs). Biopsychosocial stressors contribute to CRCI. Thus, given the socioeconomic disparities and discrimination experienced by racial/ethnically minoritized women in the Unites States, it is important to understand how these women experience CRCI when diagnosed with breast cancer.

Objective:

To synthesize and evaluate published literature from 2000 to 2021 addressing the CRCI symptom experience throughout breast cancer survivorship for racial/ethnically minoritized women in the United States.

Methods:

Systematic search of PubMed, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Google Scholar, Embase, and Scopus and review following Whittemore and Knafl’s methodology.

Results:

Of 970 identified articles, 13 were included. Literature primarily focused on Black BCSs. Black and Hispanic BCSs were more likely than White BCSs to experience cognitive impairment pre- and postchemotherapy. Black BCSs consistently perceived greater CRCI than White BCSs contributing to overall symptom burden and challenging quality of life.

Conclusions:

Studies describing the CRCI experience of Black, Hispanic, and Asian American BCSs are limited with few focused on CRCI as the primary variable of interest, delineating minoritized women’s data from others’, or assessing via neurological batteries or brain imaging, pointing to gaps in this field.

Implications for Practice:

Health practitioners should assess Black, Hispanic, and Asian BCSs for CRCI throughout their cancer trajectory and intervene to reduce the contribution of co-occurring symptoms and institutional racism to CRCI.

What is Foundational:

This review identifies knowledge gaps and limitations in the existing body of evidence to support future research on CRCI among Black, Hispanic, and Asian BCSs.
Implementation of the National Cervical Cancer Screening Programme in the Thabachweu Region of Mpumalanga Province, South Africa
Authors: Themba Mamoraka H. , Yazbek Mariatha , Loots Theodor
Published: December 2022

Background:

The South African National Cervical Cancer Prevention Programme offers three free cervical cytology smears to all women over the age of 30 years at 10-year intervals. The cumulative screening coverage is around 13.7%. Women still present at tertiary institutions with advanced stage cervical cancer.

Objective:

To quantify the implementation of the National Guideline for Cervical Cancer Screening Programme in the Thabachweu region of Mpumalanga Province, South Africa.

Methods:

An audit tool was used to select a stratified random sample with proportional allocation of 102 of the 1172 weekly clinic files retrospectively from women aged 30–50 years who consulted at 6 primary health care facilities.

Results:

Only 15.55% (n = 791) of women consulting at the clinics were screened for cervical cancer with a Pap smear. Of the women screened, 45.20% (n = 357) were given a follow-up Pap smear date. Pap smears were repeated in only 31.74% (n = 159) of the 501 women with suspicious results, while 4.43% (n = 21) of the 474 women with abnormal results were referred for colposcopy. Women treated for cervical cancer were not followed up.

Conclusion:

The National Cervical Cancer Screening Programme is far from reaching the national screening target of 70%.

Implications for Practice:

Practice and screening policies at primary health care facilities should be revisited, cervical cancer screening efforts must be scaled up, and challenges health care providers and women experience, explored.

Foundational:

Women are not adequately being screened, referred and followed up for cervical cancer. Health care providers should engage with patients to raise cervical cancer screening awareness.
Comprehensive Diagnosis and Management of POEMS Syndrome
Authors: D’Sa Shirley , Khwaja Jahanzaib , Keddie Stephen , Keh Ryan YS , Smyth Duncan , Ronneberger Ruth , Dubash Suraiya , Sivabalasingham Suganya , Wan Simon , Hoskote Chandrashekar , Baldeweg Stephanie , Sive Jonathan , Lunn Michael P.
Published: December 2022

Polyneuropathy Organomegaly, Endocrinopathy, Monoclonal protein and Skin changes syndrome is a rare multisystem condition with a range of manifestations which are often overlooked as trivial comorbidities, until their whole triggers the possibility of the diagnosis. The diagnosis is typically delayed by 12–16 months, by which time patients can be severely disabled. There are no established consensus guidelines. We provide clinicians a comprehensive blueprint for managing POEMS from diagnostic suspicion through the work-up, selection of therapy, follow-up, and treatment of relapse based on published evidence and our large single-center experience. A multidisciplinary approach is essential including expert hematologists, neurologists, histopathologists, radiologists, and neurophysiologists. The aim of treatment is to eradicate the underlying plasma cell dyscrasia, but there are limited trial data to guide treatment decisions. Supportive care considerations include management of endocrinopathy, neuropathy, thrombosis, and infection. Response assessment is centered on clinical, neuropathy, hematological, vascular endothelial growth factor, and radiological criteria. Future clinical trials are welcomed in this setting where evidence is limited.
Production of parathyroid-like cells from thyroid stem cells in co-culture environment
Authors: Karabiyik Acar Özge , Nozhatzadeh Gülçin Delal , Tuncer Alperen , Torun Köse Gamze , Hacihasanoğlu Ezgi , Sahin Fikrettin , Aysan Erhan
Published: December 2022

Background:

Parathyroid-like cells were aimed to be developed using cells isolated from thyroid since their embryological origins are the same.

Method:

Activin A and sonic hedgehog (Shh) are the proteins used in differentiation (dif) medium. Parathyroid and thyroid cells were cultured in a 3-dimensional environment and divided into five groups: thyroid standard (st) medium, thyroid dif medium, parathyroid st medium, thyroid-parathyroid co-culture st medium, and thyroid-parathyroid co-culture dif medium. Throughout 28 days of incubation, groups were investigated by carrying out the live dead assay, confocal microscopy, real-time PCR, immunohistochemistry and biochemical assays.

Results:

Thyroid-parathyroid co-culture cells grown in dif medium exhibited upregulated expressions of parathormone (PTH) (5.1-fold), PTH1R (3.6-fold), calcium sensing receptor (CaSR) (8.8-fold), and loss of thyroid-specific thyroid transcription factor 1 (TTF1) expression when compared to the thyroid st medium group. PTH secretion decreased by 35% in the parathyroid st medium group and 99.9% in the thyroid-parathyroid co-culture st medium group but decreased only 3.5% in the thyroid-parathyroid co-culture dif medium group on day 28.

Conclusion:

Using Activin A and Shh proteins, thyroid stem/progenitor cells were differentiated to parathyroid-like cells successfully in a co-culture environment. A potentially effective novel method for cell differenatiation is co-culture of cells having the same embryological origin.
Observation on the efficacy of sublingual immunotherapy with dust mite allergen for perennial allergic rhinitis and the mechanism of action on ILCs with ILC1s and ILC2s and ILC3s
Authors: Tang Guangjun , Lan Youxing , Do Bo , Lu Jiafeng , Yang Kai , Chai Long , Chen Fangming , Tian Li
Published: December 2022

Background:

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is considered to be 1 of the most difficult diseases to treat globally. It has a serious impact on the quality of life and social economy of patients and has become an important global health problem. Several drugs have been recommended to treat AR, but their effectiveness and mechanism of action in these patients remain unclear. The purpose of this study will be to compare the efficacy and mechanism of action of 2 drugs for the treatment of AR (moderate to severe): a Dermatophagoides Farinae Drops Sublingual Immunotherapy and a Momethasone Furoate nasal spray as an adjunct to the treatment of subjects with AR.

Methods:

A randomized, prospective, double-blind (patient and evaluator) clinical trial. The participants (n = 60) will be randomly distributed into 2 groups. The experimental group will receive a sublingual Immunotherapy for 3 months. The control group will receive the mometasone furoate nasal spray for 3 months. Before treatment, 1 month and 3 months after treatment, total nasal symptom score scale, Visual analogue Scale and Quality of Life questionnaire of rhinoconjunctivitis will be measured and Changes of the serums of IgE, interferon-γ, IL-4, IL-17, tumor necrosis factor-α, IL-5, IL-9, IL-13, IL-25, IL-33, vascular endothelial growth factor, TSLP and IL-22 in both groups. The measurements will be performed by the same researcher who was unaware of the participants’ subgroup.

Discussion:

We believe that the treatment of perennial AR with sublingual Immunotherapy and nasal hormones will be more effective in these patients. Furthermore, the sublingual Immunotherapy mainly acts mostly on the cellular immunity, while nasal hormones mainly act on local inflammatory responses. We expect to clarify which treatments are more effective and how they work in improving perennial AR.
Association Between Physical Activity Levels in Different Domains and Cardiac Autonomic Modulation in Breast Cancer Survivors
Authors: Palma Mariana R. , Vanderlei Luiz Carlos M. , Tosello Giuliano , Fregonesi Cristina , Ribeiro Fernanda E. , Cucato Gabriel G. , Ritti-Dias Raphael M. , Tebar William R. , Christofaro Diego Giulliano Destro
Published: December 2022

Background

Breast cancer survivors frequently present cardiac autonomic dysfunction. Physical activity (PA) has been associated with better cardiac autonomic modulation (CAM) in breast cancer survivors.

Objective

This study aimed to analyze the association between CAM and PA levels performed in different domains (work and occupation, sport and exercise, and leisure time and commuting) in breast cancer survivors.

Methods

This is a cross-sectional study with 99 breast cancer survivors (age, 55.3 ± 10.4 years). Cardiac autonomic modulation was assessed by heart rate variability, and PA levels at work and occupation, sport and exercise, and leisure time and commuting were assessed using the Baecke PA questionnaire. The sum of these 3 domains provided the total PA. The Mann-Whitney test was used to compare CAM between active and inactive women in different domains of PA.

Results

Cardiac autonomic modulation was similar between active and inactive women in the different domains (P > .05). However, when considering the total PA, active breast cancer survivors presented higher SDNN (average standard deviation of all normal RR intervals) (20.0 ± 13.4 vs 28.8 ± 14.0; P = .008) and SD2 (standard deviation of the long-term intervals between consecutive heartbeats) indices (29.2 ± 17.3 vs 38.7 ± 19.9; P = .005) compared with their inactive counterparts.

Conclusion

Breast cancer survivors with higher total PA presented better CAM compared with their less active peers.

Implications for practice

The results of this study are promising and show the importance of increasing PA levels in different domains for the maintenance of cardiovascular health among breast cancer survivors.
Aging Affects the Efficacy of Platelet-Rich Plasma Treatment for Osteoarthritis
Authors: Chowdhary Kuntal , Sahu Amrita , Iijima Hirotaka , Shinde Sunita , Borg-Stein Joanne , Ambrosio Fabrisia
Published: December 2022

Objective

Despite the increased use of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in the treatment of osteoarthritis (OA), whether and how age of the PRP donor affects therapeutic efficacy is unclear.

Design

In vitro, male osteoarthritic human chondrocytes were treated with PRP from young (18-35 years) or old (≥65 years) donors, and chondrogenic profile was evaluated using immunofluorescent staining for two markers of chondrogenicity, type II collagen and SOX-9. In vivo, we used a within-subjects design to compare Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI) scores in aged mouse knee joints injected with PRP from young or old individuals.

Results

In vitro experiments revealed that PRP from young donors induced a more youthful chondrocyte phenotype, as evidenced by increased type II collagen (p = 0.033) and SOX-9 expression (p = 0.022). This benefit, however, was significantly blunted when cells were cultured with PRP from aged donors. Accordingly, in vivo studies revealed that animals treated with PRP from young donors displayed a significantly improved cartilage integrity when compared to knees injected with PRP from aged donors (p = 0.019).

Conclusion

Injection of PRP from a young individual induced a regenerative effect in aged cells and mice, whereas PRP from aged individuals showed no improvement chondrocyte health and cartilage integrity.
A rapid phylogeny-based method for accurate community profiling of large-scale metabarcoding datasets
Authors: Pipes Lenore , Nielsen Rasmus
Published: December 2022

Environmental DNA (eDNA) is becoming an increasingly important tool in diverse scientific fields from ecological biomonitoring to wastewater surveillance of viruses. The fundamental challenge in eDNA analyses has been the bioinformatical assignment of reads to taxonomic groups. It has long been known that full probabilistic methods for phylogenetic assignment are preferable, but unfortunately, such methods are computationally intensive and are typically inapplicable to modern Next-Generation Sequencing data. We here present a fast approximate likelihood method for phylogenetic assignment of DNA sequences. Applying the new method to several mock communities and simulated datasets, we show that it identifies more reads at both high and low taxonomic levels more accurately than other leading methods. The advantage of the method is particularly apparent in the presence of polymorphisms and/or sequencing errors and when the true species is not represented in the reference database.
Causal Inference of CNS-regulated Hormones in COVID-19: A Bidirectional Two-sample Mendelian Randomization Study
Authors: Sun Yuxuan , Ding Ziyi , Guo Yawei , Yuan Jinqiu , Zhu Chengming , Pan Yihang , Sun Rui
Published: December 2022

Objectives

We assessed the causal association of three COVID-19 phenotypes with insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), estrogen, testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH),luteinizing hormone (LH), and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH).

Methods

We used a bidirectional two-sample univariate and multivariable Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis to evaluate the direction, specificity, and causality of the association between CNS-regulated hormones and COVID-19 phenotypes. Genetic instruments for CNS-regulated hormones were selected from the largest publicly available genome-wide association studies in the European population. Summary-level data on COVID-19 severity, hospitalization, and susceptibility were obtained from the COVID-19 host genetic initiative.

Results

DHEA was associated with increased risks of very severe respiratory syndrome (OR=4.21, 95% CI: 1.41–12.59), consistent with the results in multivariate MR (OR=3.72, 95% CI: 1.20–11.51), and hospitalization (OR = 2.31, 95% CI: 1.13–4.72) in univariate MR. LH was associated with very severe respiratory syndrome (OR=0.83; 95% CI: 0.71–0.96) in univariate MR. Estrogen was negatively associated with very severe respiratory syndrome (OR=0.09, 95% CI: 0.02–0.51), hospitalization (OR=0.25, 95% CI: 0.08–0.78), and susceptibility (OR=0.50, 95% CI: 0.28–0.89) in multivariate MR.

Conclusions

We found strong evidence for the causal relationship of DHEA, LH, and estrogen with COVID-19 phenotypes.
Leveraging chorionic villus biopsies for the derivation of patient-specific trophoblast stem cells
Authors: Varberg Kaela Margaret , Moreno-Irusta Ayelen , Novoa Allynson , Musser Brynne , Varberg Joseph M , Goering Jeremy P , Saadi Irfan , Okae Hiroaki , Arima Takahiro , Williams John , Pisarska Margareta D , Soares Michael J
Published: December 2022

Human trophoblast stem (TS) cells are an informative in vitro model for the generation and testing of biologically meaningful hypotheses. The goal of this project was to derive patient-specific TS cell lines from clinically available chorionic villus sampling biopsies. Cell outgrowths were captured from human chorionic villus tissue specimens cultured in modified human TS cell medium. Cell colonies emerged early during the culture and cell lines were established and passaged for several generations. Karyotypes of the newly established chorionic villus-derived trophoblast stem (TSCV) cell lines were determined and compared to initial genetic diagnoses from freshly isolated chorionic villi. Phenotypes of TSCV cells in the stem state and following differentiation were compared to cytotrophoblast-derived TS (TSCT) cells. TSCV and TSCT cells uniformly exhibited similarities in the stem state and following differentiation into syncytiotrophoblast and extravillous trophoblast cells. Chorionic villus tissue specimens provide a valuable source for TS cell derivation. They expand the genetic diversity of available TS cells and are associated with defined clinical outcomes. TSCV cell lines provide a new set of experimental tools for investigating trophoblast cell lineage development.
New enhancer-promoter interactions are gained during tissue differentiation and reflect changes in E/P activity
Authors: Pollex Tim , Rabinowitz Adam , Gambetta Maria Cristina , Marco-Ferreres Raquel , Viales Rebecca R. , Jankowski Aleksander , Schaub Christoph , Furlong Eileen E.M.
Published: December 2022

To regulate gene expression, enhancers must come into proximity with their target gene. At some loci the timing of enhancer-promoter proximity is uncoupled from gene activation, while at others it is tightly linked. Here, we assessed this more globally for 600 characterized enhancers or promoters (E/P) with tissue-specific activity inDrosophilaembryos, by performing Capture-C and insulator ChIP in FACS-purified myogenic or neurogenic cells at different stages of embryogenesis. This high-resolution view enabled direct comparison between E/P interactions and activity across 5 developmental conditions. This revealed largely invariant E/P contacts between the blastoderm and cell fate specification stages, despite changes in activity. However, E/P interactions diverge during terminal tissue differentiation when many tissue-specific interactions are gained on top of a pre-existing topology. Changes in E/P proximity reflect changes in enhancer activity and gene activation, and are generally not accompanied by changes in insulator binding. Using transgenes and deletions, we show that many tissue-specific interactions represent functional E-P pairs. Our results reveal a shift in E-P landscapes as embryogenesis proceeds, from largely pre-formed topologies at early stages to more distal tissue-specific loops during differentiation, when E/P proximity appears coupled to activation.
Diversity, duplication, and genomic organization of homeobox genes in Lepidoptera
Authors: Mulhair Peter O. , Crowley Liam , Boyes Douglas H. , Harper Amber , Lewis Owen T. ,   Darwin Tree of Life Consortium, Holland Peter W.H.
Published: December 2022

Homeobox genes encode transcription factors with essential roles in patterning and cell fate in developing animal embryos. Many homeobox genes, including Hox and NK genes, are arranged in gene clusters, a feature likely related to transcriptional control. Sparse taxon sampling and fragmentary genome assemblies mean that little is known about the dynamics of homeobox gene evolution across Lepidoptera or about how changes in homeobox gene number and organization relate to diversity in this large order of insects. Here we analyze an extensive data set of high-quality genomes to characterize the number and organization of all homeobox genes in 123 species of Lepidoptera from 23 taxonomic families. We find most Lepidoptera have around 100 homeobox loci, including an unusual Hox gene cluster in which thelabgene is repositioned and therogene is next topb. A topologically associating domain spans much of the gene cluster, suggesting deep regulatory conservation of the Hox cluster arrangement in this insect order. Most Lepidoptera have four Shx genes, divergentzen-derived loci, but these loci underwent dramatic duplication in several lineages, with some moths having over 165 homeobox loci in the Hox gene cluster; this expansion is associated with local LINE element density. In contrast, the NK gene cluster content is more stable, although there are differences in organization compared with other insects, as well as major rearrangements within butterflies. Our analysis represents the first description of homeobox gene content across the order Lepidoptera, exemplifying the potential of newly generated genome assemblies for understanding genome and gene family evolution.
Design research with the use of visual and symmetry analysis in indigenous woven textiles
Authors: Chudasri Disaya , Sukantamala Nattakorn
Published: December 2022

Since ca the 1990s, there have been developments in the weaving process for making tin chok fabrics in the Long district, Phrae province, northern Thailand, with the aim of reducing the production time and increasing the production capacity with respect to poverty alleviation and cultural revitalization. In this article, the symmetry patterns in tin chok fabrics in a collection of 17 vintage (traditional) skirts held in the Komol Antique Textile Museum, in the Long district, are examined to determine how to distinguish tin chok fabrics woven by the integrated method from those woven by the traditional method. The research includes visual and symmetry analysis, literature review, fieldwork, and the creation of a pattern booklet. This research reveals that the hem, which is one of the four parts (supplementary part one, the main part, supplementary part two and the hem) of the detachable tin chok, is key to distinguishing the fabrics made by the two methods. The four parts of tin chok made by the integrated method will always have a common vertical axis of symmetry, whereas the vertical axes of symmetry of the hem of a fabric made by the traditional method may not be aligned with the motifs in the other three parts. The frieze groups of the individual parts of the 17 vintage (traditional) skirts are decoded and possible corresponding patterns for weaving by the integrated method are generated.
Market channel participation amongst smallholder rice farmers in the northern region of Ghana
Authors: Ma-Azu Abdul-Jalil , Abdul-Rahaman Awal , Zakaria Abraham , Lamptey Clement Yaw
Published: December 2022

Purpose

This study examines the drivers of marketing channel participation amongst smallholder rice farmers in the northern region of Ghana.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a sample of 397 smallholder rice farmers drawn from a multistage sampling procedure, the study employed multivariate probit (MVP) model in the empirical estimations. In this context, the model assumes that a rice farmer should at least participate in one market channel.

Findings

The study reveals that the wholesaler market channel is the most commonly used channel among farmers, followed by the aggregator channel. However, the processor market channel is the least patronized one in the study area. The results also show statistically significant correlation coefficients in four out of the six possible combinations, implying that market channel participation among smallholder farmers is not mutually exclusive. Rice market channel participation is positively and significantly influenced by age, gender, household headship, access to credit, extension service, irrigation, improved seed and access to price information.

Research limitations/implications

This study is limited in extending the analysis to include the impact of market channels on some outcome measures. This is due to data limitation.

Originality/value

The findings of this study add to the growing literature on smallholder market channel participation in Ghana.
Prospects for Agroecology in Europe
Authors: Matthews Alan
Published: December 2022

Agroecology is not a new concept. Its rising prominence, however, is linked to greater societal awareness of environmental pressures associated with agricultural practices, a decline in the number of farmers, the growing market power of major corporate businesses, and links between ill‐health and patterns of food consumption. In this context, agroecology is proposed as an alternative and sustainable model for agricultural production and for organising food systems. However, the uptake of agroecological practices in Europe is low. Fewer than 3 per cent of all farms have been defined as agroecological by achieving a pre‐determined threshold on all five of key management principles. Economic viability, specifically the return to labour, will be a key factor in determining the attractiveness of agroecological practices to farmers and ultimately the farming system chosen. If current market conditions and economic incentives prove to be insufficient to promote the uptake of agroecological practices, then the associated non‐market or social benefits may be key in generating appropriate rewards to farmers adopting these systems.
A Review of the research methods and progress of biocompatibility evaluation of root canal sealers
Authors: Yang Xiliang , Zheng Tianxia , Yang Nuoya , Yin Zihan , Wang Wuliang , Bai Yuhong
Published: December 2022

The function of root canal sealer was to achieve an appropriate three‐dimensional filling effect by filling the root canal and some irregular lumen, thereby inhibiting the residual bacteria. There were many types of sealers, but research to find the most suitable ones was still ongoing. In recent years, researchers had continuously improved the performance of sealers by developing new sealers or adding active ingredients to the sealers. However, most sealers exhibit varying degrees of cytotoxicity and tissue responses, which affect clinical therapy efficacy. This review describes different technical approaches, and recent research progress in the biocompatibility evaluation of root canal sealers and provides brief insights into this field by summarising the performance studies of different root canal sealers.
Enigma moth parasitoid: a new Australian cyclostome genus and species, Ovaustra aurantia Tetley, Glatz & Fagan Jeffries, gen. et sp. nov. (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) from Kangaroo Island
Authors: Glatz Richard V. , Fagan‐Jeffries Erinn P. , Tetley Shannon P. , Austin Andrew D.
Published: December 2022

Ovaustra aurantia Tetley, Glatz & Fagan‐Jeffries, gen. et sp. nov. (Mesostoinae) is described from Kangaroo Island. South Australia, Australia, and is a solitary, koinobiont, egg‐larval parasitoid of the enigma moth, Aenigmatinea glatzella Kristensen & Edwards, 2015, in the monotypic family Aenigmatineidae Kristensen & Edwards, 2015 (Lepidoptera). Female parasitoids oviposit into the eggs of A. glatzella soon after female moths place them beneath minute adpressed leaves at the growing foliar tips of the larval host plant Callitris gracilis R.T. Baker (Cupressaceae). Adult parasitoids emerge from A. glatzella larval chambers located directly beneath the bark of small branches, some way from the growing tip. Adults can be seen on or near foliage of C. gracillis primarily during October and coinciding with the presence of adult host moths. Morphological and preliminary molecular evidence place Ovaustra Glatz, Fagan‐Jeffries & Tetley, gen. nov. within Mesostoinae s.l. and indicate that its closest relatives are likely to reside within a group of genera from Australia and New Zealand whose hosts and biology are not well defined but are apparently quite broad, including lepidopteran, coleopteran and dipteran larvae, as well as primary plant gall induction.
The Australian and New Zealand Society for Sarcopenia and Frailty Research (ANZSSFR) sarcopenia diagnosis and management task force: Findings from the consumer expert Delphi process
Authors: Zanker Jesse , Sim Marc , Anderson Kate , Balogun Saliu , Brennan‐Olsen Sharon L. , Dent Elsa , Duque Gustavo , Girgis Christian M. , Grossmann Mathis , Hayes Alan , Henwood Tim , Hirani Vasant , Inderjeeth Charles , Iuliano Sandra , Keogh Justin , Lewis Joshua R. , Lynch Gordon S. , Pasco Julie A. , Phu Steven , Reijnierse Esmee M. , Russell Nicholas , Vlietstra Lara , Visvanathan Renuka , Walker Troy , Waters Debra L. , Yu Solomon , Maier Andrea B. , Daly Robin M. , Scott David
Published: December 2022

Objectives

To develop guidelines, informed by health‐care consumer values and preferences, for sarcopenia prevention, assessment and management for use by clinicians and researchers in Australia and New Zealand.

Methods

A three‐phase Consumer Expert Delphi process was undertaken between July 2020 and August 2021. Consumer experts included adults with lived experience of sarcopenia or health‐care utilisation. Phase 1 involved a structured meeting of the Australian and New Zealand Society for Sarcopenia and Frailty Research (ANZSSFR) Sarcopenia Diagnosis and Management Task Force and consumer representatives from which the Phase 2 survey was developed. In Phase 2, consumers from Australia and New Zealand were surveyed online with opinions sought on sarcopenia outcome priorities, consultation preferences and interventions. Findings were confirmed and disseminated in Phase 3. Descriptive statistical analyses were performed.

Results

Twenty‐four consumers (mean ± standard deviation age 67.5 ± 12.8 years, 18 women) participated in Phase 2. Ten (42%) identified as being interested in sarcopenia, 7 (29%) were health‐care consumers and 6 (25%) self‐reported having/believing they have sarcopenia. Consumers identified physical performance, living circumstances, morale, quality of life and social connectedness as the most important outcomes related to sarcopenia. Consumers either had no preference (46%) or preferred their doctor (40%) to diagnose sarcopenia and preferred to undergo assessments at least yearly (54%). For prevention and treatment, 46% of consumers preferred resistance exercise, 2–3 times per week (54%).

Conclusions

Consumer preferences reported in this study can inform the implementation of sarcopenia guidelines into clinical practice at local, state and national levels across Australia and New Zealand.
Image‐guided thermal ablation for patients with epidermal growth factor receptor‐mutant nonsmall cell lung cancer
Authors: Huang Yahan , Kong Yongmei , Wei Zhigang , Ye Xin
Published: December 2022

Nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is treated by various therapies such as surgical intervention, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, molecular targeted therapy, and immunotherapy. Currently, molecular targeted therapy, including epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors and Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase (ALK) and Kirsten Rat Sarcoma viral Oncogene (KRAS) inhibitors, has received much attention and improved the prognosis of NSCLC. Nevertheless, the terminal point of molecular targeted drugs is resistance. Drug resistance has been classified into oligoprogression and extensive progression based on the tumor lesion progression after drug resistance. There is extensive research demonstrating that local therapy (surgical resection, radiotherapy, and thermal ablation) can prolong the survival of patients with drug resistance. This review is intended to determine the efficacy of image‐guided thermal ablation in patients with NSCLC with EGFR mutation.
Letter: PCSK9 inhibitor for liver transplant patients during the post‐statin era?
Authors: Wang Jiamei , Wu Jia , He Zhiqing , Xin Haiguang
Published: December 2022

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Becchetti et al papers. To view these articles,
visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17192 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17295
Editorial: immunosuppression and SARS‐CoV‐2 vaccination—where do we stand?
Authors: Ananthakrishnan Ashwin N.
Published: December 2022

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Woelfel et al papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17264
Letter: Elderly AS‐AIH patients need more attention—Authors' reply
Authors: Téllez Luis , Sánchez‐Rodríguez Eugenia , Rodríguez de Santiago Enrique , Albillos Agustín
Published: December 2022

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Téllez et al papers. To view these articles, visit
https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.16926 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17240
Letter: PCSK9 inhibitor for liver transplant patients during the post‐statin era? Authors' reply
Authors: Becchetti Chiara , Dirchwolf Melisa , Berzigotti Annalisa , Bosch Jaume
Published: December 2022

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Becchetti et al papers. To view these articles,
visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17192 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17258
Editorial: the acid test—can bile acids predict recurrence of Clostridioides difficile infection? Authors' reply
Authors: Mullish Benjamin H. , Martinez‐Gili Laura , Allegretti Jessica R.
Published: December 2022

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Mullish et al papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17247 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17266
Editorial: cannabis use disorders at the emergency department, a sign of a growing cannabinoid emergency—authors' reply
Authors: Andrews Christopher N. , Sharkey Keith A.
Published: December 2022

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Andrews et al papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17265 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17300
Editorial: is microwave ablation an alternative to liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma?
Authors: He Wei , Li Binkui , Yuan Yunfei
Published: December 2022

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Tong et al papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17263 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17320
Editorial: is microwave ablation an alternative to liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma? Authorsʼ reply
Authors: Chang De‐Hua , Xiao Yu‐Dong , Yao Tong
Published: December 2022

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Tong et al papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17263 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17319
The oldest Gondwanan fossil of Leiinae (Diptera, Mycetophilidae): Phylogenetic and evolutionary implications
Authors: Amorim Dalton de Souza , Oliveira Sarah Siqueira , do Carmo Daniel Dias Dornelas , Ribeiro Guilherme Cunha
Published: December 2022

A fossil Mycetophilidae from the Aptian Crato Formation—Cretomanota gondwanicagen. nov., sp. nov.—is described, which is the first mycetophilid from the Crato Formation and corresponds to the oldest known fossil leiine and only the second Gondwanan fossil mycetophilid described so far.Cretomanota gondwanicaand both species ofAlavamanotaBlagoderov and Arillo were added as terminals to the data matrix of a general phylogenetic analysis of the Mycetophilidae, and both fit into the Leiinae.Alavamanotais monophyletic, sister to the clade composed byCretomanotaand the extant genusManotaWilliston. The biology of the extant members of this fungivorous family corroborates the reconstruction of the Crato palaeoenvironment as including woodlands with humid habitats and microhabitats. The presence of a Cretaceous member of the tribe Manotini at low latitudes in South America reinforces the hypothesis that the clade with all manotines exceptLeiellaEdwards corresponds to a Lower Cretaceous offshoot from a group in southern Gondwana expanding its distribution to more northern areas into the Gondwana and into Laurasia.
Caring for transgender populations: A primer for the dermatopathologist
Authors: Sood Aditya , Stoff Benjamin K. , Yeung Howa
Published: December 2022

With increasing access to electronic health records, patients may encounter dermatopathology reports more readily. Dermatopathologists should consider their impact and interactions with transgender patients, who may face specific health and healthcare inequities. Rendering accurate diagnosis for skin diseases requires accurate information about patient's sex assigned at birth and gender identity. Understanding how sex and gender identity data flow between electronic health records, laboratory information systems, insurance billing systems, and patients will be important to avoid patient misgendering, to render accurate diagnoses, to maintain consistency in dermatopathology reports, and to avoid insurance billing denials. Dermatopathologists have important roles to build patient trust in the healthcare system and to help dermatologists diagnose, treat, and characterize skin diseases in transgender populations.
Biosimilar erythropoiesis‐stimulating agents are an effective and safe option for the management of myelofibrosis‐related anemia
Authors: Inzoli Elena , Crisà Elena , Pugliese Novella , Civettini Ivan , Lanzarone Giuseppe , Castelli Andrea , Martinelli Vincenzo , Montelisciani Laura , Antolini Laura , Gambacorti‐Passerini Carlo , Elli Elena Maria
Published: December 2022

Objectives

Erythropoiesis‐stimulating agents (ESA) have an established role in treating anemia in hematological malignancies. However, their role, particularly biosimilar ESA (B‐ESA), in myelofibrosis (MF) is not well established.

Methods

This study retrospectively collected data on 96 MF patients treated with B‐ESA (alpha/zeta) for the management of anemia to assess safety, efficacy (anemia response [AR]), and survival.

Results

Seventy‐seven patients (80%) obtained AR. The median time to AR was 2.5 months. In multivariate analysis, significant predictive factors of AR were transfusion independency (p = .006) and ferritin levels <200 ng/ml (p = .009) at baseline. After a median follow‐up of 43.8 months from diagnosis, 38 patients (39%) died, 11 (28.9%) from leukemic evolution. Only two patients (2.5%) stopped B‐ESA for toxicity. The 24‐month survival was significantly affected by response to B‐ESA (70.8% in AR vs. 55.3% in non‐responder patients, p = .016). In multivariate analysis, age ≤ 70 years (p = .029) and Hb > 8.5 g/dl (p = .047) at baseline were significantly associated with improved survival, with a trend for longer survival in AR patients (p = .06).

Conclusions

B‐ESA seems to be an effective and well‐tolerated option for anemia treatment in the MF setting. This strategy deserves further clinical investigation.
Applying symptom dynamics to accurately predict influenza virus infection: An international multicenter influenza‐like illness surveillance study
Authors: Li Jin‐Hua , Wu Chin‐Chieh , Tseng Yi‐Ju , Han Shih‐Tsung , Pekosz Andrew , Rothman Richard , Chen Kuan‐Fu
Published: December 2022

Background

Public health organizations have recommended various definitions of influenza‐like illnesses under the assumption that the symptoms do not change during influenza virus infection. To explore the relationship between symptoms and influenza over time, we analyzed a dataset from an international multicenter prospective emergency department (ED)‐based influenza‐like illness cohort study.

Methods

We recruited patients in the US and Taiwan between 2015 and 2020 with: (1) flu‐like symptoms (fever and cough, headache, or sore throat), (2) absence of any of the respiratory infection symptoms, or (3) positive laboratory test results for influenza from the current ED visit. We evaluated the association between the symptoms and influenza virus infection on different days of illness. The association was evaluated among different subgroups, including different study countries, influenza subtypes, and only patients with influenza.

Results

Among the 2471 recruited patients, 45.7% tested positive for influenza virus. Cough was the most predictive symptom throughout the week (odds ratios [OR]: 7.08–11.15). In general, all symptoms were more predictive during the first 2 days (OR: 1.55–10.28). Upper respiratory symptoms, such as sore throat and productive cough, and general symptoms, such as body ache and fatigue, were more predictive in the first half of the week (OR: 1.51–3.25). Lower respiratory symptoms, such as shortness of breath and wheezing, were more predictive in the second half of the week (OR: 1.52–2.52). Similar trends were observed for most symptoms in the different subgroups.

Conclusions

The time course is an important factor to be considered when evaluating the symptoms of influenza virus infection.