bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Atypical ERP responses to audiovisual speech integration and sensory responsiveness in infants at risk for autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Riva Valentina , Riboldi Elena Maria , Dondena Chiara , Piazza Caterina , Molteni Massimo , Cantiani Chiara
Published: January 2022

Atypical sensory responses are included in the diagnostic criteria of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Autistic individuals perform poorly during conditions that require integration across multiple sensory modalities such as audiovisual (AV) integration. Previous research investigated neural processing of AV integration in infancy. Yet, this has never been studied in infants at higher likelihood of later ASD (HR) using neurophysiological (EEG/ERP) techniques. In this study, we investigated whether ERP measures of AV integration differentiate HR infants from low‐risk (LR) infants and whether early AV integration abilities are associated with clinical measures of sensory responsiveness. At age 12 months, AV integration in HR (n = 21) and LR infants (n = 19) was characterized in a novel ERP paradigm measuring the McGurk effect, and clinical measures of sensory responsiveness were evaluated. Different brain responses over the left temporal area emerge between HR and LR infants, specifically when AV stimuli cannot be integrated into a fusible percept. Furthermore, ERP responses related to integration of AV incongruent stimuli were found to be associated with sensory responsiveness, with reduced effects of AV incongruency being associated with reduced sensory reactivity. These data suggest that early identification of AV deficits may pave the way to innovative therapeutic strategies for the autistic symptomatology. Further replications in independent cohorts are needed for generalizability of findings.
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 can be detected in exhaled aerosol sampled during a few minutes of breathing or coughing
Authors: Viklund Emilia , Kokelj Spela , Larsson Per , Nordén Rickard , Andersson Maria , Beck Olof , Westin Johan , Olin Anna‐Carin
Published: January 2022

Background

The knowledge on the concentration of viral particles in exhaled breath is limited. The aim of this study was to explore if severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) can be detected in aerosol from subjects with the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) during various types of breathing and coughing and how infection with SARS‐CoV‐2 may influence the number and size of exhaled aerosol particles.

Methods

We counted and collected endogenous particles in exhaled breath in subjects with COVID‐19 disease by two different impaction‐based methods, during 20 normal breaths, 10 airway opening breaths, and three coughs, respectively. Breath samples were analyzed with reverse transcription real‐time polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR).

Results

Detection of RNA in aerosol was possible in 10 out of 25 subjects. Presence of virus RNA in aerosol was mainly found in cough samples (n = 8), but also in airway opening breaths (n = 3) and in normal breaths (n = 4), with no overlap between the methods. No association between viral load in aerosol and number exhaled particles <5 μm was found. Subjects with COVID‐19 exhaled less particles than healthy controls during normal breathing and airway opening breaths (all P < 0.05), but not during cough.

Conclusion

SARS‐CoV‐2 RNA can be detected in exhaled aerosol, sampled during a limited number of breathing and coughing procedures. Detection in aerosol seemed independent of viral load in the upper airway swab as well as of the exhaled number of particles. The infectious potential of the amount of virus detected in aerosol needs to be further explored.
A nomogram for predicting skin necrosis risk after open reduction and internal fixation for tibia fractures
Authors: Luo Peng , Zhang Yingying , Wang Xingyu , Wang Jianshun , Chen Hua , Cai Leyi
Published: January 2022

The purpose of our study was to determine the risk factors for skin necrosis after open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) for tibia fracture and establish a nomogram prediction model. We retrospectively analysed the clinical data of patients who suffered from tibia fractures and had been surgically treated by ORIF in our institution between August 2015 and October 2020. Perioperative information was obtained through the electronic medical record system, univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to determine the risk factors of skin necrosis, and a nomogram model was constructed to predict the risk of skin necrosis. The predictive performance and consistency of the model were evaluated by the Hosmer‐Lemeshow (H‐L) test and the calibration curve. In total, 444 patients were enrolled in our study. Multivariate analysis results showed that limb swelling, time until the operation, operation time, distance from fracture end to the skin, and soft‐tissue injury (Tscherne classification type 3) were independent risk factors for skin necrosis. The AUC value for skin necrosis risk was 0.906 (95% confidence interval 0.88~0.94). The H‐L test revealed that the nomogram prediction model had good calibration ability (P = .467). Finally, we found a correlation between skin necrosis and limb swelling, time until the operation, operation time, distance from fracture end to the skin, and soft‐tissue injury (Tscherne classification type 3) after ORIF for tibia fracture patients. Our nomogram prediction model might be helpful for clinicians to identify high‐risk patients, as interventions could be taken early to reduce the incidence of skin necrosis.
On Monetary Growth and Inflation in Leading Economies, 2021‐2022: Relative Prices and the Overall Price Level
Authors: Greenwood John , Hanke Steve H.
Published: January 2022

In the United States and numerous other economies, we are witnessing a flood of ad hoc explanations for inflation. These deal primarily with supply chain issues that have arisen since the COVID‐19 pandemic and the reopening of economies. There is a widespread view among officials at the Federal Reserve System, economists in the Biden administration, academics, and even large parts of the business community that the current bout of U.S. inflation is largely the result of supply chain disruptions that will turn out to be “transitory,” and that the inflationary pressures will dissipate in 2022 as the supply chain issues are resolved.

The authors argue that this consensus will prove to be wrong because of its failure to distinguish between relative price changes and changes in the overall price level. The movement of any single set of relative prices fails to convey information about the overall inflation rate. And as asserted by the Quantity Theory of Money, the overall inflation rate and price level are determined by changes in the money supply broadly measured. Changes in relative prices, on the other hand, result from changes in demand and supply in the real economy, making them independent of changes in the money supply. So, while a doubling of the money supply will result in a doubling of all nominal prices, relative prices remain unaffected by monetary policy.

According to the authors, political pressure and a misguided faith in the benefits of monetary stimulus have led many governments and their central banks to produce excess money since the COVID‐19 pandemic started in early 2020. As a consequence, the authors anticipate that the U.S. and Israel are likely to see increases in their overall price levels of approximately 28% and 20%, respectively, over the next few years, whereas the U.K. will likely see an increase of about 11% in the overall price level. Meanwhile, for countries like China, Japan, Switzerland, and New Zealand that resisted the temptation to create excess money, the authors anticipate negligible increases in the rate of overall inflation.
Looking for the Economy‐Wide Effects of Stock Market Short‐Termism
Authors: Roe Mark J.
Published: January 2022

To investigate the widespread claim that stock market “short‐termism” is a major drag on U.S. corporate investment and the broad economy, the author examines the evidence on long‐run trends in corporate capital investment, buybacks, and R&D. As critics of market‐driven corporate short‐termism have pointed out, U.S. corporate investment in capital equipment and other tangible assets has been falling steadily since the late 1970s and buybacks are rising. But if the story of economy‐wide decline due to short‐termism were valid, we would expect to see the following: (1) investment spending in the United States declining faster than in Europe and Japan, where large companies depend less on stock markets for capital and shareholder activists are less influential; (2) cash from all the large share buybacks bleeding out from the U.S. corporate sector; and (3) economy‐wide declines in corporate R&D spending.

What the author reports, however, is that real U.S. corporate R&D spending, has been steadily rising since the 1970s and rising faster than the economy is growing. And even as corporate distributions of capital through dividends and buybacks have also been rising sharply for decades, corporate cash holdings (as a percentage of total assets), are at near record‐high levels. The explanation for such high cash holdings together with record‐high payouts—and perhaps the author's most striking finding—is that such distributions, which tend to be concentrated among larger, mature companies, are closely matched by new corporate borrowings and stock issuance—the latter often by smaller (non‐S&P 500) companies. What's more, while there's an outflow of cash from the S&P 500 from net buybacks and borrowing, there's a substantial cash inflow into the non‐S&P 500 from net stock issuances and borrowing.

Finally, the fact that capital spending by European and Japanese companies—which face neither U.S.‐style quarterly‐oriented stock markets nor aggressive activist investors—has been falling more rapidly than in American companies suggests that U.S. capital markets are not a major reason for declining capital investment. And, while there's good reason for further R&D support, the author suggests in closing, reversing the U.S. government's sharply declining spending on R&D since the global financial crisis is the low‐hanging R&D fruit that should be bolstered first.
Improving patient‐centred care through a tailored intervention addressing nursing clinical handover communication in its organizational and cultural context
Authors: Chien Laura J. , Slade Diana , Dahm Maria R. , Brady Bernadette , Roberts Elizabeth , Goncharov Liza , Taylor Joanne , Eggins Suzanne , Thornton Anna
Published: January 2022

Aims

To increase the quality and safety of patient care, many hospitals have mandated that nursing clinical handover occur at the patient's bedside. This study aims to improve the patient‐centredness of nursing handover by addressing the communication challenges of bedside handover and the organizational and cultural practices that shape handover.

Design

Qualitative linguistic ethnographic design combining discourse analysis of actual handover interactions and interviews and focus groups before and after a tailored intervention.

Methods

Pre‐intervention we conducted interviews with nursing, medical and allied health staff (n = 14) and focus groups with nurses and students (n = 13) in one hospital's Rehabilitation ward. We recorded handovers (n = 16) and multidisciplinary team huddles (n = 3). An intervention of communication training and recommendations for organizational and cultural change was delivered to staff and championed by ward management. After the intervention we interviewed nurses and recorded and analyzed handovers. Data were collected from February to August 2020. Ward management collected hospital‐acquired complication data.

Results

Notable changes post‐intervention included a shift to involve patients in bedside handovers, improved ward‐level communication and culture, and an associated decrease in reported hospital‐acquired complications.

Conclusions

Effective change in handover practices is achieved through communication training combined with redesign of local practices inhibiting patient‐centred handovers. Strong leadership to champion change, ongoing mentoring and reinforcement of new practices, and collaboration with nurses throughout the change process were critical to success.

Impact

Ineffective communication during handover jeopardizes patient safety and limits patient involvement. Our targeted, locally designed communication intervention significantly improved handover practices and patient involvement through the use of informational and interactional protocols, and redesigned handover tools and meetings. Our approach promoted a ward culture that prioritizes patient‐centred care and patient safety. This innovative intervention resulted in an associated decrease in hospital‐acquired complications. The intervention has been rolled out to a further five wards across two hospitals.
Health‐risk behaviours among Indigenous Australians with diabetes: A study in the integrated Diabetes Education and Eye Screening (iDEES) project
Authors: Atkinson‐Briggs Sharon , Jenkins Alicia , Ryan Christopher , Brazionis Laima ,   the Centre for Research Excellence in Diabetic Retinopathy Study Group
Published: January 2022

Aim

To assess the prevalence of modifiable health‐risk behaviours among Indigenous Australian adults with diabetes attending a regional Victorian Indigenous primary‐care clinic.

Design

A cross‐sectional observational single‐site study.

Methods

As part of a multi‐study project we administered the Smoking, Nutrition, Alcohol consumption, Physical activity and Emotional wellbeing (SNAPE) survey tool during the study baseline visit to methodically capture health‐related behavioural data in the nurse‐led integrated Diabetes Education and Eye Screening (iDEES) project in a regional Indigenous primary healthcare setting between January 2018 and March 2020. This descriptive SNAPE study helps address the lack of health behaviour data for Indigenous people with diabetes.

Results

Of 172 eligible adults, 135 (79%) were recruited to the iDEES study, 50 (37%) male. All participated in at least one survey. Median (range) age was 56 (46–67) years; 130 (96%) had Type 2 diabetes of median [IQR] duration 6 (2–12) years. All 135 provided smoking data; 88 (65%) completed all surveys. Forty‐nine (36%) and 29 (22%) were current or former smokers, respectively; 5 (6%) met vegetable intake guidelines, 22 (25%) met fruit intake guidelines; 38 [43%] drank alcohol in the past year. On average, participants walked for ≥10 min at a time 4 days/week and sat for an average of 8 h on weekdays; 35 (40%) had minimal‐mild, and 30 (34%) had moderate‐severe depressive symptoms.

Conclusion

Suboptimal modifiable health‐risk behaviours and depressive symptoms are common in Indigenous Australian adults with diabetes.

Impact

Orderly assessment and reporting of health‐risk behaviours using a single multi‐component survey instrument (SNAPE tool) during a nurse‐led diabetes education clinical visit is feasible and efficient. Such data may facilitate personalised interventions and improve diabetes management at both individual and health service levels.
The Aesthetic Contour Graft ‐ Enhancing peri‐implant soft tissue contours and pontic sites with guided bone regeneration
Authors: Le Bach , Hayashi Naoki
Published: January 2022

Objective

In this article, we will discuss strategies for enhancing peri‐implant soft tissue contours and pontic sites with hard tissue augmentation.

Clinical consideration

One of the keys to the esthetic illusion of an implant‐supported restoration is to create an ideal emergence profile. A critical part of any emergence profile is based on the height and thickness of the tissue surrounding the restoration and whether there are any defects in this tissue. Even when there is adequate bone in which to place implants, if any irregular ridge anatomy that supports this tissue is not corrected, then an unesthetic appearance of the restoration can result due to the lack of soft tissue with which to develop a proper emergence profile.

Conclusion

Most peri‐implant soft tissue deficiencies represent an underlying bony defect that can be corrected or enhanced through bone augmentation.

Clinical significance

Traditional methods of enhancing soft tissue emergence profiles around implants and pontic sites mostly involve the use of soft tissue augmentation techniques. Although there are few reports of the use of bone augmentation for this purpose, soft tissue contours can be enhanced by augmenting the underlying bone contours and, in many instances, may obviate the need for subsequent soft tissue augmentation.
The Embodiment Controversy: On the Policy Implications of Vintage Capital Models
Authors: SAMANIEGO ROBERTO M. , SUN JULIANA YU
Published: January 2022

We explore the long‐run impact of policy on the level of economic activity through changes in the vintage distribution of capital, in a model where different vintages coexist in production. Because firms can choose the vintage of capital in which they invest, investment subsidies do not affect the vintage structure of capital. In contrast, vintage‐specific taxes or subsidies that target the newest vintages of capital can significantly affect output and welfare in the long run, mainly downward. Transition dynamics are rapid, so that steady‐state comparisons give an accurate picture of the welfare impact of vintage tax wedges.
DrosophilaZIP13 over‐expression or transferrin1RNAi influences the muscle degeneration of Pink1RNAi by elevating iron levels in mitochondria
Authors: Xue Jinsong , Li Guangying , Ji Xiaowen , Liu Zhi‐ Hua , Wang Hui‐ Li , Xiao Guiran
Published: January 2022

Disruption of iron homeostasis in the brain of Parkinson's disease (PD) patients has been reported for many years, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. To investigate iron metabolism genes related to PTEN‐induced kinase 1 (Pink1) and parkin (E3 ubiquitin ligase), two PD‐associated proteins that function to coordinate mitochondrial turnover via induction of selective mitophagy, we conducted a genetic screen in Drosophila and found that altered expression of genes involved in iron metabolism, such as Drosophila ZIP13 (dZIP13) or transferrin1 (Tsf1), significantly influences the disease progression related to Pink1 but not parkin. Several phenotypes of Pink1 mutant and Pink1 RNAi but not parkin mutant were significantly rescued by over‐expression (OE) of dZIP13 (dZIP13 OE) or silencing of Tsf1 (Tsf1 RNAi) in the flight muscles. The rescue effects of dZIP13 OE or Tsf1 RNAi were not exerted through mitochondrial disruption or mitophagy; instead, the iron levels in mitochondira were significantly increased, resulting in enhanced activities of enzymes participating in respiration and increased ATP synthesis. Consistently, the rescue effects of dZIP13 OE or Tsf1 RNAi on Pink1 RNAi can be inhibited by decreasing the iron levels in mitochondria through mitoferrin (dmfrn) RNAi. This study suggests that dZIP13, Tsf1, and dmfrn might act independently of parkin in a parallel pathway downstream of Pink1 by modulating respiration and indicates that manipulation of iron levels in mitochondria may provide a novel therapeutic strategy for PD associated with Pink1.

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The selection of hyaluronic acid when treating with the nasolabial fold: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Peng Tong , Hong Wei‐Jin , Fang Jun‐Ren , Luo Sheng‐Kang
Published: January 2022

Background

Hyaluronic acid (HA) gel is a widely used dermal filler for the correction of facial volume loss. The relationship between the characteristics of HA and clinical efficacy remains unclear. The aim of this systematic review and meta‐analysis was to compare the efficacy and safety of monophasic and biphasic HA in the treatment of nasolabial folds (NLFs).

Methods

Studies were identified by searching the electronic databases PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science from inception to May 2021. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were selected according to the inclusion criteria. Outcomes included the Wrinkle Severity Rating Scale (WSRS) score, Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale score, and incidence of adverse events.

Results

A total of 1190 patients from 14 RCTs were included in the meta‐analysis. The mean WSRS score improvement in the biphasic HA group was much lower than that in the monophasic HA group (MD = 0.18, 95% CI: 0.16–0.20, p < 0.00001). The subject satisfaction percentage was significantly higher for monophasic than biphasic HA (RR = 1.95, 95% CI: 1.09–3.48, p = 0.02). There was no significant difference in the adverse event rate between the monophasic and biphasic HA groups (RR = 0.96, 95% CI: 0.75–1.24, p = 0.77).

Conclusions

Regardless of whether improvement in NLFs or patient satisfaction is considered, monophasic HA is better than biphasic HA. Regarding the adverse event rate, there is no difference between monophasic and biphasic HA.
Elevated survivin levels in patients with acne vulgaris
Authors: Aksoy Saraç Gülhan , Kader Saadet , Akdağ Turan
Published: January 2022

Objective

Acne vulgaris is a multifactorial disease of the pilosebaceous unit. As the most common skin disease, it may affect approximately 85% of the young population. Survivin, a member of the inhibitors of the apoptosis (IAP) gene family, can inhibit apoptosis and regulate cell division and proliferation. In the study, we aimed to investigate the potential role of serum survivin in acne vulgaris.

Methods

Forty individuals who were diagnosed with acne vulgaris and forty healthy subjects as the control group were enrolled in the study. Venous blood samples were collected from each participant, and the serum levels of survivin were measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software version 25.

Results

The serum survivin levels were statistically significant between the groups, and the levels of survivin were measured as acne vulgaris patients group 153.44 and control group 104.17 pg/ml, respectively (p < 0.018). When the serum survivin levels were compared according to gender, females had higher levels of survivin than the males (168.16 versus 50.45 pg/mL, p = 0.001). A significant correlation was found between acne severity (p = 0.017) and Scale for Acne Scar severity (SCAR‐S) score (p = 0.001) according to the survivin levels. In terms of age, no significant relationship was found between age and survivin (p = 0.4048).

Conclusion

Elevated serum levels of survivin were determined in acne vulgaris. Moreover, there was a significant correlation between acne stage and SCAR‐S score according to survivin levels.
Occurrence of self‐perceived medical errors and its related influencing factors among emergency department nurses
Authors: Wang Jing , Mu Ketao , Gong Yanhong , Wu Jianxiong , Chen Zhenyuan , Jiang Nan , Zhang Guopeng , Lv Chuanzhu , Yin Xiaoxv
Published: January 2022

Aims and objectives

To determine the prevalence and the associated factors of self‐perceived medical errors among Chinese emergency department nurses.

Background

The emergency department is a place with a high incidence of medical errors. Studies about the occurrence and related influencing factors of medical errors among emergency nurses in China are very insufficient.

Design

A nationwide cross‐sectional study.

Methods

A nationwide cross‐sectional study was conducted from July 2018–August 2018. A total of 17,582 emergency department nurses from 31 provinces across China were eventually included in the analysis. Logistic regression is applied to examine the association of the independent variables with the perceived medical errors. The reporting of this study was compliant with the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) checklist for cross‐sectional studies.

Results

Of 17,582 participating nurses, 4445 (25.28%) reported self‐perceived medical errors in the past 3 months. Nurses who were serving as nurses‐in‐charge; who reported fair or bad physical health; who reported staff shortage; who were exposed to more verbal abuse at work; who experienced effort–reward imbalance; who reported more over‐commitment; or who had depressive symptoms were more likely to report medical errors. Older age and female gender were protective factors.

Conclusions

In this study, a quarter of the emergency nurses reported that they had made medical errors in the past 3 months. Self‐perceived medical errors are associated with multiple domains of work‐related factors and personal distress. Feasible measures should be taken to reduce nurses’ workload, improve their working environment, monitor and minimise the occurrence of medical errors among emergency department nurses.

Relevance to clinical practice

Emergency nurses, who are the most frequently in contact with patients, play an important role in identifying risk factors and preventing medical errors. Identifying risk factors that may lead to medical errors in the medical environment from both internal and external aspects will help nursing practitioners, hospital administrators and policy makers to take timely preventive measures to reduce the occurrence of medical errors and reduce harm to patients.
Nurses’ contribution during pandemic conditions: A synthesis of qualitative literature
Authors: Ryan Tony , Talpur Ashfaque Ahmed , Robertson Steven
Published: January 2022

Objective

To synthesise the evidence relating to the contribution nurses make during respiratory infectious disease pandemics.

Background

Pandemics are known for their abrupt and contagious nature, as well as their impact on individuals and society. Nurses are more likely to work closely with patients experiencing illness and disease during pandemics, and studies on the role of the profession have mainly focused on the challenges, barriers and shortfalls in nursing care provision. The nursing role in service delivery and their contribution in improving patient well‐being has received far less attention.

Methods

In May 2020, three review registers, grey literature and the following databases were searched: Medline via Ovid, Web of Science, CINAHL via EBSCO and Cochrane Library. The specific focus was on qualitative literature that considered the experiences and perceptions of nurses providing care during several respiratory pandemics. Selected papers were appraised using CASP checklist. ENTREQ checklist was used to inform stages associated with the synthesis of selected papers.

Results

From 5553 retrieved citations, the analysis of 24 eligible papers resulted in three key themes: the implications of working during pandemics on nurses’ personal and family life, nursing contribution in challenging conditions, and working above and beyond. Considering nurses’ role in healthcare system, research on their contribution found to have received little appreciation in peer‐reviewed journals.

Conclusions

This review pertains to nurses’ work in global context and highlights the huge contribution made by the profession in the context of respiratory pandemics. It confirms that nurses’ experiences outweighed economic, social and psychological implications of providing care during the pandemic crisis. Acknowledging nurses’ resilience and professional motivations, we also argue that the nurse contribution during pandemics can be enhanced when resources, support and training are provided. Further research on contexts and conditions which mitigate nurses the potential for sustained contribution is needed.
Why are you (un)conscientious? The dynamic interplay of goals, states, and traits in everyday life
Authors: Di Sarno Marco , Costantini Giulio , Richetin Juliette , Preti Emanuele , Perugini Marco
Published: January 2022

Objective

Personality involves both trait and state components, personal goals serving a crucial regulatory function for the expression of personality states. The present study investigates the dynamic interplay between conscientiousness‐related goals, conscientious personality states, and trait conscientiousness.

Method

A sample of 244 community participants responded to a baseline survey (T1), a 5‐times‐a‐day Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) for 15 days, and a post‐EMA survey (T2).

Results

Pre‐registered multilevel analyses indicated significant contemporaneous positive and negative associations between momentary conscientious and unconscientious goals and state conscientiousness, respectively. Cross‐lagged associations also emerged, with goals predicting future states of conscientiousness. A latent growth model was fitted on a subsample of participants (N = 159). Results indicated that change in trait conscientiousness from T1 to T2 was explained by growth in conscientiousness‐related goals during the EMA phase, with a mediating effect of growth in state conscientiousness.

Conclusions

Overall, the results corroborate the importance of goals for modeling contemporaneous and cross‐lagged personality dynamics, both in short and longer timeframes.
Sleep and violence perpetration: A review of biological and environmental substrates
Authors: Paiva Teresa , Canas‐Simião Hugo
Published: January 2022

Violence is a worldwide societal burden that negatively impacts individual health, wellbeing and economic development. Evidence suggests a bidirectional relationship between sleep changes and violence. This review details, evaluates and discusses the biological and demographic substrates linking sleep and violence perpetration, and summarizes the overlap of brain areas, functional neuronal systems and genetic features involved, not including violent behaviours during sleep. Knowledge on the biological variables that affect the individual’s susceptibility to violent behaviour may have implications for criminology, management of detentions and rehabilitation strategies.
White matter edematous change with moderate vascular lesions in pretreated acute stage of leukoencephalopathy with cerebral amyloid angiopathy
Authors: Yasuda Ken , Ayaki Takashi , Li Fangzhou , Kuwata Yasuhiro , Maki Takakuni , Sainouchi Makoto , Moriyoshi Koki , Nakamura Michikazu , Takahashi Ryosuke
Published: January 2022

A 79‐year‐old man presented with subacute onset of dementia. Brain magnetic resonance imaging revealed leukoencephalopathy in the posterior lobes with presence of microbleeds. Although clinical manifestation suggested a diagnosis of leukoencephalopathy associated with cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA), the patient died of sudden rupture of an aneurysm of the thoracic aorta two months after the onset of dementia. Autopsy revealed pathological features of advanced‐stage Alzheimer's disease. Immunohistochemistry for amyloid‐β revealed CAA mainly affecting arteries but not capillaries. Klüver–Barrera staining revealed white matter edema predominantly in the occipital lobes without ischemic changes. Perivascular cuffing was found to be sparse, but there was no evidence of angiitis. Pathological findings suggest that leukoencephalopathy was caused by the disruption of the blood–brain barrier rather than ischemia. Because the present patient died before immunotherapy, his neuropathological findings could reflect the pathomechanism of the acute stage of leukoencephalopathy with CAA.
Patient knowledge of gut microbiota and acceptability of fecal microbiota transplantation in various diseases
Authors: Benech Nicolas , Legendre Pierre , Radoszycki Lise , Varriale Pasquale , Sokol Harry
Published: January 2022

Background

Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is now evaluated in various diseases. However, large‐scale population treatment may encounter feasibility issues in terms of acceptance. We aim to evaluate patient knowledge of gut microbiota and the acceptability of FMT in various diseases.

Methods

Patients of Carenity's French online community were invited by email to participate in a questionnaire. The following parameters were assessed: patient's principal illness and duration, demographic data, therapeutics, dietary habits, knowledge of gut microbiota, probiotics and FMT, and its acceptability.

Key Results

In total, 877 patients participated in the online questionnaire: 156 with inflammatory bowel disease (17.8%), 127 with rheumatoid arthritis (14.5%), 222 with ankylosing spondylitis (25.3%), 52 with lupus (5.9%), 64 with psoriasis (7.3%), 61 with obesity (7%), and 195 with type 2 diabetes (22.2%). Characteristics of participating patients were similar to those of the entire cohort (n = 23084). Overall, 47.1% (n = 413/877) of patients knew what the microbiota is with no difference among diseases. Knowledge was reported to be developed by patients themselves (203/413; 49.2%) without involving a healthcare professional. If proposed by a healthcare professional, 37.2% (326/877) reported being interested or very interested in undergoing FMT. Factors associated with good acceptability of FMT were the male sex (OR: 1.63, CI95% [1.14 to 2.32]), previous knowledge of FMT (OR: 4.16, CI95% [2.92 to 5.96]), and previous knowledge of gut microbiota (OR: 1.54, CI95% [1.05 to 2.24]).

Conclusion and Inferences

Knowledge of gut microbiota is still limited in patients’ communities and mainly developed by patients themselves, impacting FMT acceptability.
Structural organization of the spongy mesophyll
Authors: Borsuk Aleca M. , Roddy Adam B. , Théroux‐Rancourt Guillaume , Brodersen Craig R.
Published: January 2022

Many plant leaves have two layers of photosynthetic tissue: the palisade and spongy mesophyll. Whereas palisade mesophyll consists of tightly packed columnar cells, the structure of spongy mesophyll is not well characterized and often treated as a random assemblage of irregularly shaped cells.

Using micro‐computed tomography imaging, topological analysis, and a comparative physiological framework, we examined the structure of the spongy mesophyll in 40 species from 30 genera with laminar leaves and reticulate venation.

A spectrum of spongy mesophyll diversity encompassed two dominant phenotypes: first, an ordered, honeycomblike tissue structure that emerged from the spatial coordination of multilobed cells, conforming to the physical principles of Euler’s law; and second, a less‐ordered, isotropic network of cells. Phenotypic variation was associated with transitions in cell size, cell packing density, mesophyll surface‐area‐to‐volume ratio, vein density, and maximum photosynthetic rate.

These results show that simple principles may govern the organization and scaling of the spongy mesophyll in many plants and demonstrate the presence of structural patterns associated with leaf function. This improved understanding of mesophyll anatomy provides new opportunities for spatially explicit analyses of leaf development, physiology, and biomechanics.
A novel panel of yeast assays for the assessment of thiamin and its biosynthetic intermediates in plant tissues
Authors: Strobbe Simon , Verstraete Jana , Fitzpatrick Teresa B. , Faustino Maria , Lourenço Tiago F. , Oliveira M. Margarida , Stove Christophe , Van Der Straeten Dominique
Published: January 2022

Thiamin (or thiamine), known as vitamin B1, represents an indispensable component of human diets, being pivotal in energy metabolism. Thiamin research depends on adequate vitamin quantification in plant tissues. A recently developed quantitative liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) method is able to assess the level of thiamin, its phosphorylated entities and its biosynthetic intermediates in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana, as well as in rice. However, their implementation requires expensive equipment and substantial technical expertise. Microbiological assays can be useful in deter‐mining metabolite levels in plant material and provide an affordable alternative to MS‐based analysis.

Here, we evaluate, by comparison to the LC–MS/MS reference method, the potential of a carefully chosen panel of yeast assays to estimate levels of total vitamin B1, as well as its biosynthetic intermediates pyrimidine and thiazole in Arabidopsis samples.

The examined panel of Saccharomyces cerevisiae mutants was, when implemented in microbiological assays, capable of correctly assigning a series of wild‐type and thiamin biofortified Arabidopsis plant samples.

The assays provide a readily applicable method allowing rapid screening of vitamin B1 (and its biosynthetic intermediates) content in plant material, which is particularly useful in metabolic engineering approaches and in germplasm screening across or within species.
Root hydraulic phenotypes impacting water uptake in drying soils
Authors: Cai Gaochao , Ahmed Mutez A. , Abdalla Mohanned , Carminati Andrea
Published: January 2022

Soil drying is a limiting factor for crop production worldwide. Yet, it is not clear how soil drying impacts water uptake across different soils, species, and root phenotypes. Here we ask (1) what root phenotypes improve the water use from drying soils? and (2) what root hydraulic properties impact water flow across the soil–plant continuum? The main objective is to propose a hydraulic framework to investigate the interplay between soil and root hydraulic properties on water uptake. We collected highly resolved data on transpiration, leaf and soil water potential across 11 crops and 10 contrasting soil textures. In drying soils, the drop in water potential at the soil–root interface resulted in a rapid decrease in soil hydraulic conductance, especially at higher transpiration rates. The analysis reveals that water uptake was limited by soil within a wide range of soil water potential (−6 to −1000 kPa), depending on both soil textures and root hydraulic phenotypes. We propose that a root phenotype with low root hydraulic conductance, long roots and/or long and dense root hairs postpones soil limitation in drying soils. The consequence of these root phenotypes on crop water use is discussed.
Soil water stress overrides the benefit of water‐use efficiency from rising CO2 and temperature in a cold semi‐arid poplar plantation
Authors: Jia Guodong , Chen Lixin , Yu Xinxiao , Liu Ziqiang
Published: January 2022

The counteractive effect of atmospheric CO2 (ca) enrichment and drought stress on tree growth results in great uncertainty in the growth patterns of forest plantations in cold semi‐arid regions. We analysed tree ring chronologies and carbon isotopes in Populus simonii plantations in cold semi‐arid areas in northern China over the past four decades. We hypothesized that the hydraulic stress from drought would override the stimulating effect of increasing ca and temperature (T) on stem growth (basal area increment [BAI]). We found the stimulating effect of rising ca and T on the growth, indicated by continuous increase of intrinsic water‐use efficiency in all stands and a positive correlation between T and BAI. However, these effects failed to alleviate the negative impacts of drought on tree growth. Concurrent acceleration of BAI reversed during the intensive drought episodes. Water stress resulted from inaccessibility of roots to deep soil water rather than from lack of precipitation, suggested by the decoupling of BAI from precipitation and vapour pressure deficit. Local soil water limitation might also cause greater stomatal regulation in declining trees, indicated by lower intercellular CO2 concentration. Thus, site‐specific soil moisture conditions growth sensitivity to global warming resulting in site‐specific decline episodes in drought‐prone areas.
Impacts of long‐term coronavirus disease 2019 school closures on Japanese school children
Authors: Hayano Chiaki , Shimakawa Shuichi , Fukui Miho , Yoshida Seiji , Tsuda‐Kitahara Hikaru , Ashida Akira
Published: January 2022

Background

This study investigated the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic school closures on the mental health of school students with chronic diseases.

Methods

Questionnaires were distributed to students from 4th–9th grade diagnosed with chronic diseases at Osaka Medical College Hospital and their parents or caregivers. Questionnaires from 286 families were returned by mail after the schools reopened. The students were divided into the “psychosomatic disorder” group (group P, n = 42), the “developmental disorder” group (group D, n = 89), and the “other disease” group (group O, n = 155). Using students' self‐reports on the Questionnaire for Triage and Assessment with 30 items, we assessed the proportion of students with a high risk of psychosomatic disorder in three groups. We investigated how the students requiring the support of somatic symptom (SS) felt about school during school closure. Further, using parents’ and caregivers' answers, SS scores were calculated before and during school closure and after school reopening.

Results

The proportion of students with a high risk of developing psychosomatic disorder increased in all groups. For the students in Group P, the response “I did not want to think about school” indicated an increase in SS scores, and for the students in Group O, “I wanted to get back to school soon” indicated a decrease. Furthermore, especially in Group P students, SS scores decreased transiently during school closure and increased after school reopening.

Conclusions

The impact of school closure on mental health differed depending on students' diagnoses and feelings about school during school closures.
Physical activity changes among non‐Hispanic Black pregnant women
Authors: Davis Jean W. , Hyer Suzanne , Xie Rui , Martinez Valerie C. , Wheeler Jenna M. , Misra Dawn P. , Giurgescu Carmen
Published: January 2022

Objective

To examine aerobic physical activity (PA) among non‐Hispanic Black pregnant women.

Design

Longitudinal prospective cohort study.

Sample

A subset of 161 non‐Hispanic Black pregnant women from the Midwestern US participating in a larger study completed questionnaires about aerobic physical activity (PA) before pregnancy (reported at 24.46±2.13 weeks gestation), mid‐pregnancy (24.46±2.13 weeks gestation), and late pregnancy (31.78±1.95 weeks gestation).

Measurements

Aerobic PA was measured using the Rapid Assessment of Physical Activity (RAPA).

Results

Most participants reported being active prior to pregnancy (n = 101, 63%), with 60 (37%) underactive/sedentary. Aerobic RAPA scores were highest pre‐pregnancy (3.29±1.11, median = 4, interquartile range [IQR] = 1) compared with mid‐pregnancy (3.05±1.26, median = 4, IQR = 2) and late pregnancy (3.05±1.24, median = 4, IQR = 2). Pre‐pregnancy scores were significantly higher than mid‐pregnancy scores (Wilcoxon test = 1472, p = .008) and late pregnancy scores (Wilcoxon test = 1854, p = .01).

Conclusion

Most Black pregnant participants reported high levels of aerobic PA both before pregnancy and during pregnancy. However, many were underactive or sedentary. Aerobic PA decreased during pregnancy compared with pre‐pregnancy, without the drop in third trimester PA found in other populations. Providers should assess PA across pregnancy and promote adequate PA for maternal and infant health, particularly among Black women.
Does revegetation cause soil microbiota recovery? Evidence from revisiting a revegetation chronosequence 6 years after initial sampling
Authors: Lem Alfie J. , Liddicoat Craig , Bissett Andrew , Cando‐Dumancela Christian , Gardner Michael G. , Peddle Shawn D. , Watson Carl D. , Breed Martin F.
Published: January 2022

The global biodiversity and land degradation crises have brought about an urgent need and great demand for restoration actions. However, restoration outcomes are often less than ideal, indicating a need for improved restoration practices. Soil microbiota are extremely diverse and functionally important and should be further considered in restoration. However, despite their importance, there remains a gap in understanding of how soil microbiota respond following native plant revegetation. Several studies have used cross‐sectional study designs of restoration chronosequences to infer that revegetation causes the recovery of soil microbiota, but it is near‐impossible to determine cause and effect relationships with cross‐sectional study designs. Here we used high‐throughput amplicon sequencing of the bacterial 16s rRNA gene from soil samples collected at two timepoints, 6 years apart, at a revegetation chronosequence in South Australia. Our results show some indications of recovery but not the additional recovery in bacterial community composition toward the reference sites as expected after this 6‐year period—a result that appears at odds to the expected patterns of revegetation causing recovery of soil microbiota. Spatially dependent factors (e.g. soil chemistry), biotic and abiotic barriers, seasonal differences in sampling, and variability among the ecological reference sites could each help explain this apparent lack of additional microbial recovery. More detailed longitudinal and/or experimental manipulation work is required to further examine the cause‐effect relationships. Our study contributes important new information and highlights knowledge gaps in how soil microbiota respond to revegetation, and we urge caution when attempting to infer causation from cross‐sectional chronosequence studies.
The role of fisheries for poverty reduction and food security: Evidence from household‐level data
Authors: Martuscelli Antonio
Published: January 2022

Though fisheries can contribute to nutritional needs, food security, poverty alleviation, and sustainable natural resource management in many developing countries, their role in the achievement of sustainable development goals is often overlooked. Accordingly, data on the socioeconomic characteristics and living conditions of fishing communities and households are limited. This study contributes to a better understanding of fishing‐related livelihoods by analyzing household survey data relating to the food security, poverty, and livelihoods of fishing households. It reveals that, in many countries, fishing households have a lower probability of falling below the poverty line, with improved food security and nutrition indicators, showing that fisheries can, indeed, be an important ally in the fight against poverty, hunger, and food insecurity.
Understanding Sentiment Toward “Black Lives Matter”
Authors: Leach Colin Wayne , Teixeira Cátia P.
Published: January 2022

A publicized series of police (and other) violence against unarmed Black people over the last decade has fueled unprecedented mass protest as well as political and policy debate in the United States, and beyond. Given this ethical dispute over whether democratic society upholds its cardinal values of freedom and equality for all, sentiment toward Black Lives Matter is suggestive of what people believe police killings, and protest against them, say about the state of democracy itself. In this review, we use the latest empirical evidence in psychology and related sociobehavioral sciences to document sentiment regarding Black Lives Matter. Because continuing racial inequity is a foundational assumption of Black Lives Matter, we will also review the most relevant studies of attention to, knowledge of, and beliefs and feelings about police violence and related acts and issues that may be viewed as indicating racial inequity. Much of this work shows a dramatic divergence of sentiment across racial and political lines, as increased social and political polarization and insulation evidences in divergent attention, cognition, affect, emotion, motivation, and action regarding relevant events and social issues. In this way, examinations of the psychology of such sentiment reveal just how deep the social and political rifts run in society.