bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Long‐lasting tagging of neurons activated by seizures or cocaine administration in Egr1‐CreERT2 transgenic mice
Authors: Longueville Sophie , Nakamura Yuki , Brami‐Cherrier Karen , Coura Renata , Hervé Denis , Girault Jean‐Antoine
Published: November 2020

Permanent tagging of neuronal ensembles activated in specific experimental situations is an important objective to study their properties and adaptations. In the context of learning and memory, these neurons are referred to as engram neurons. Here, we describe and characterize a novel mouse line, Egr1‐CreERT2, which carries a transgene in which the promoter of the immediate early gene Egr1 drives the expression of the CreERT2 recombinase that is only active in the presence of tamoxifen metabolite, 4‐hydroxy‐tamoxifen (4‐OHT). Egr1‐CreERT2 mice were crossed with various reporter mice, Cre‐dependently expressing a fluorescent protein. Without tamoxifen or 4‐OHT, no or few tagged neurons were observed. Epileptic seizures induced by pilocarpine or pentylenetetrazol in the presence of tamoxifen or 4‐OHT elicited the persistent tagging of many neurons and some astrocytes in the dentate gyrus of hippocampus, where Egr1 is transiently induced by seizures. One week after cocaine and 4‐OHT administration, these mice displayed a higher number of tagged neurons in the dorsal striatum than saline/4‐OHT controls, with differences between reporter lines. Cocaine‐induced tagging required ERK activation and tagged neurons were more likely than others to exhibit ERK phosphorylation or Fos induction after a second injection. Interestingly neurons tagged in saline‐treated mice also had an increased propensity to express Fos, suggesting the existence of highly responsive striatal neurons susceptible to be re‐activated by cocaine repeated administration, which may contribute to the behavioral adaptations. Our report validates a novel transgenic mouse model for permanently tagging activated neurons and studying long‐term alterations of Egr1‐expressing cells.
Global patterns and predictors of trophic position, body size and jaw size in fishes
Authors: Kopf R. Keller , Yen Jian D. L. , Nimmo Dale G. , Brosse Sébastien , Villéger Sébastien
Published: November 2020

Aim

The aim of this study was test whether maximum body mass and jaw length are reliable predictors of trophic position (TP) in fishes, and to compare linear and nonlinear machine‐learning (ML) models incorporating biogeography, habitat and other morphological traits.

Location

Global.

Time period

Modern.

Major taxa studied

Fishes.

Methods

We compiled a global database of TP (2.0–4.5), maximum body mass, jaw length, order, ecoregion, habitat and other morphological traits of freshwater, estuarine and diadromous fishes (n = 1,991). We used Bayesian linear mixed effects and ML, with r2 analogues and 10‐fold cross‐validation, to explain and predict TP.

Results

Random forest models outperformed Bayesian models in all comparisons. Jaw length was the most influential predictor of TP, but was weakly associated with body mass except in five orders of largely piscivorous fishes. Trophic position did not scale positively with body mass in global ecoregions, riverine fishes, or in 29/30 orders, but scaled positively in lacustrine fishes and Perciformes. Significant negative TP–body mass scaling was observed in Characiformes. Best models explained 55% of the global variation in TP, but over‐estimated the position of herbivores‐detritivores, and under‐estimated the position of top predators.

Main conclusions

Our study provides support for jaw length as an important mechanism constraining TP in one of the world’s largest groups of vertebrates. Jaw length and body mass were weakly correlated, and therefore body size was not a strong predictor of TP. The diversification of large‐bodied herbivores‐detritivores and omnivores in freshwater ecosystems, coupled with small predators in species‐rich orders (e.g., Cypriniformes, Characiformes) in temperate and tropical rivers explains why TP globally shows a weak relationship with body size. Our model validation results underscore the importance of not assuming that explanatory power extends to predictive capacity in macroecology and machine‐learning models.
“In der Zwickmühle der Zeit”: Marieluise Fleißer'sMehlreisende Frieda Geier(1931) and the Non‐Simultaneities of Gendered Subjectivity
Authors: DeSocio Domenic
Published: November 2020

Adapting Ernst Bloch's concept of “Ungleichzeitigkeiten,” this paper interrogates how non‐simultaneities of embodied time inflect upon gender and subjectivity in Marieluise Fleißer's novelMehlreisende Frieda Geier(1931). It analyzes how notions of “newness” and “modernity” are imbued in and divested from gendered subjects, the “Neue Frau” and the male athlete of Weimar modernity. Through a “mitbeteiligte” narration, Fleißer's narrator intimately masquerades the novel's characters and yet remains icily ironic. In striking this provocative balance, the text satirizes them and their attachment to the mythic individualist subject. The sociotemporal forces that mold subjects and endow them with social worth eclipse the characters’ voluntarist beliefs during moments of violent masculine irredentism. Corroding personal pieties about gender, the subject, and time to reveal the “true” nature of modern existence, this paper argues for the novel's status as eminently modernist. This reading suggests alternative formulations of modernism through the ambivalent lens of the gendered subject.
Narrating connection in intercountry adoption: Complexities of openness in Taiwan‒Australia adoptions
Authors: Wright Amy Conley , van Wichelen Sonja , Spencer Margaret , Chen Yu‐Wen , Lin Ching‐Hsuan , Wang Chin‐Wan
Published: November 2020

Connection and reunion is central to adoption, though complicated by geographical, cultural and linguistic differences in the intercountry adoption space. Drawing from narrative interviews, this study investigated perspectives on connection from the perspectives of adult adopted persons and adoptive parents in Australia, from families of origin in Taiwan and from professionals in both countries. Two primary themes characterising perspectives were found: openness to the possibilities of connection was the predominant theme among adoptees and adoptive parents, and concerns about disrupting the status quo was most common among birth mothers. These two perspectives are both distinct and at times simultaneously held. While connection in adoption is inherently personal and relational, due to the complex, sensitive and evolving nature of connections in adoption, developing and negotiating connections relies strongly on statutory and institutional policies and practices. The article concludes by discussing implications for policies and practices related to openness in intercountry adoption.

Key practitioner message: •The study identified how connection is narrated and openness practiced by adoptees, birth parents, adoptive parents and professionals in Taiwan–Australia adoptions;•Adoption practice should take account of different narratives of connection and life changes that may impact upon openness and interest in reunion;•The study underscores how statutory and institutional policies and practices affect the narration of connection beyondthe personal and relational.
Relación e influencia mutua entre el derecho internacional y el derecho europeo del trabajo
Authors: ROBIN‐OLIVIER Sophie
Published: November 2020

A partir de observaciones sobre el modo en que el derecho de la Unión Europea (UE) incorpora o utiliza los instrumentos internacionales destinados a garantizar la protección de los trabajadores u otros actos de las organizaciones internacionales a dicho fin, el presente artículo define las lógicas que caracterizan los vínculos, a menudo tenues pero múltiples, entre el derecho europeo y el derecho internacional del trabajo, tomado este último en su sentido más amplio. Cuatro lógicas se hacen visibles: las de la inspiración, la autonomía, la imbricacióny la mediación.
Severity of illness and distress in caregivers of patients with schizophrenia: Do internalized stigma and caregiving burden mediate the relationship?
Authors: Guan Ziyao , Wang Yuwei , Lam Louisa , Cross Wendy , Wiley James A. , Huang Chongmei , Bai Xiaoling , Sun Mei , Tang Siyuan
Published: November 2020

Aims

To test a multiple mediation model of internalized stigma and caregiving burden in the relationship between severity of illness and distress among family caregivers of persons living with schizophrenia.

Design

This is a cross‐sectional study.

Methods

Data were collected from a consecutive sample of 344 Chinese family caregivers of persons living with schizophrenia between April‐August 2018. Instruments used in this research included the Clinical Global Impression‐Severity of Illness, the Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness Scale, the Caregiver Burden Inventory, and the Distress Thermometer. Data analysis was conducted using descriptive statistics, the Spearman correlation, and regression analysis to estimate direct and indirect effects using bootstrap analysis.

Results

This research found that internalized stigma and caregiving burden can separately and sequentially mediate the relationship between severity of illness and distress. Moreover the mediation of internalized stigma plays the largest role among the multiple mediations.

Conclusion

The severity of illness, internalized stigma, and caregiving burden are significant factors of distress among family caregivers of persons living with schizophrenia. The future intervention studies which be designed aiming at the three factors may be beneficial for family caregivers of persons living with schizophrenia.

Impact

This research examined the psychosocial development of distress and indicated that interventions improving patients’ symptoms and decreasing internalized stigma and caregiving burden can help to prevent or reduce distress among family caregivers.
Duet codes do not enhance neighbour recognition in two closely related species of duetting neotropical wrens
Authors: Quirós‐Guerrero Esmeralda , Rivera‐Cáceres Karla D. , Janeiro Maria João , Cresswell Will , Templeton Christopher N.
Published: November 2020

Numerous studies have shown that territorial animals exhibit less aggression in response to neighbours than to strangers, a phenomenon known as dear enemy effect. The influence of acoustic features, such as song type sharing and repertoire sizes, in neighbour recognition has been widely documented in male songbirds. However, few studies have focused on duetting species, and particularly on those where pairs have pair‐specific duet codes (consistent associations of their individual phrase types). Given that each pair in the population can have a unique repertoire of duet types, duet codes have been hypothesized to enhance discrimination. In this context, we tested for evidence of neighbour recognition and duet code discrimination in two closely related species of neotropical wrens, the riverside wren, Cantorchilus semibadius, and the canebrake wren, C. modestus zeledoni. Although both species have moderately large repertoires, riverside wrens have higher levels of phrase type and duet type sharing across the population. We compared the approach and vocal responses of focal pairs to three playback treatments: neighbours' correct duet type, neighbours' incorrect duet type and a strangers' duet type. We found that riverside wrens displayed a stronger response to the strangers' playback than to both neighbours' playbacks, whereas no differences among treatments were found in canebrake wrens. Given that both species exhibited similar levels of aggression during neighbour playbacks, regardless of whether the correct duet code was used, our findings suggest duet codes do not facilitate neighbour recognition. We conclude that the function of duet codes in these species might be more closely related to intra‐pair communication. Finally, we suggest that the level of dear enemy effect a species exhibits depends on ecological factors that influence the perceived level of threat of territory intruders.
Blood pressure variability and outcome in acute severe stroke: A post hoc analysis of CHASE—A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Zhao Jingjing , Yuan Fang , Fu Feng , Liu Yi , Xue Changhu , Wang Kangjun , Yuan Xiangjun , Li Dingan , Liu Qiuwu , Zhang Wei , Jia Yi , He Jianbo , Zhou Jun , Wang Xiaocheng , Lv Hua , Huo Kang , Li Zhuanhui , Zhang Bei , Wang Chengkai , Li Li , Li Hongzeng , Yang Fang , Jiang Wen ,   the CHASE Study Group
Published: November 2020

The influence of blood pressure variability (BPV) on outcomes in patients with severe stroke is still largely unsettled. Using the data of CHASE trial, the authors calculated the BPV during the acute phase and subacute phase of severe stroke, respectively. The primary outcome was to investigate the relationship between BPV and 90‐day modified Rankin scale (mRS) ≥ 3. The BPV was assessed by eight measurements including standard deviation (SD), mean, maximum, minimum, coefficient of variation (CV), successive variation (SV), functional successive variation (FSV), and average real variability (ARV). Then, the SD of SBP was divided into quintiles and compared the quintile using logistic regression in three models. The acute phase included 442 patients, and the subacute phase included 390 patients. After adjustment, six measurements of BPV during the subacute phase rather than acute phase were strongly correlated with outcomes including minimum (odds ratio [OR]: 0.83, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.69‐0.99, p = .037), SD (OR: 1.10, 95% CI: 1.03‐1.17, p = .007), CV (OR: 1.12, 95% CI: 1.03‐1.23, p = .012), ARV (OR: 1.13, 95% CI: 1.05‐1.20, p < .001), SV (OR: 1.09, 95% CI: 1.04‐1.15, p = .001), and FSV (OR: 1.12, 95% CI: 1.05‐1.19, p = .001). In the logistic regression, the highest fifth of SD of SBP predicted poor outcome in all three models. In conclusion, the increased BPV was strongly correlated with poor outcomes in the subacute phase of severe stroke, and the magnitude of association was progressively increased when the SD of BP was above 12.
Access to Health Services in Older Minority Ethnic Groups with Dementia: A Systematic Review
Authors: Co Melissa , Couch Elyse , Gao Qian , Mac‐Ginty Scarlett , Das‐Munshi Jayati , Prina Matthew
Published: November 2020

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

While it is acknowledged that minority ethnic (ME) groups across international settings face barriers to accessing care for dementia, it is not clear whether ME groups access services less frequently as a result. The objective of this review is to examine whether ME groups have longer delays before accessing dementia/memory services, higher use of acute care and crisis services and lower use of routine care services based on existing literature. We also examined whether ME groups had higher dementia severity or lower cognition when presenting to memory services.

DESIGN

Systematic review with narrative synthesis.

SETTING

Nonresidential medical, psychiatric, memory, and emergency services.

PARTICIPANTS

Twenty studies totaling 94,431 older adults with dementia or mild cognitive impairment.

MEASUREMENTS

We searched Embase, Ovid MEDLINE, Global Health, and PsycINFO from inception to November 2018 for peer‐reviewed observational studies which quantified ethnic minority differences in nonresidential health service use in people with dementia. Narrative synthesis was used to analyze findings.

RESULTS

Twenty studies were included, mostly from the U.S. (n = 13), as well as the UK (n = 4), Australia (n = 1), Belgium (n = 1), and the Netherlands (n = 1). There was little evidence that ME groups in any country accessed routine care at different rates than comparison groups, although studies may have been underpowered. There was strong evidence that African American/Black groups had higher use of hospital inpatient services versus U.S. comparison groups. Primary care and emergency services were less well studied. Study quality was mixed, and there was a large amount of variability in the way ethnicity and service use outcomes were ascertained and defined.

CONCLUSION

There is evidence that some ME groups, such as Black/African American groups in the U.S., may use more acute care services than comparison populations, but less evidence for differences in routine care use. Research is sparse, especially outside the U.S.
Short forms of Prudhoe Cognitive Function Test in adults and aging people with intellectual disabilities: Italian validation study
Authors: De Vreese L. P. , Gomiero T. , De Bastiani E. , Marangoni A. , Weger E. , Mantesso U.
Published: November 2020

Background

We aimed to validate the Italian version of the two parallel short forms of the Prudhoe Cognitive Function Test (s‐PCFT‐I) in adults and seniors with intellectual disabilities (ID) of any aetiology and level of severity.

Methods

Our validation is a multicentre study attended by 211 subjects with ID, 125 male and 86 female, aged 40 years and above for people with Down syndrome and aged 50 years for people with other forms of disabilities.

Results

The s‐PCFT‐I shows a wide range of scores in the absence of floor effects with minimal ceiling effects. A Cronbach's α coefficient of 0.85 and a mean inter‐item correlation of 0.21 indicate high internal consistency. The tool demonstrates good agreement between testers and near excellent temporal stability with intraclass correlation coefficients respectively of 0.85 and 0.90. s‐PCFT‐I total scores do not differ by sex or age, while statistically significant differences are observed between people with different levels of severity of ID. Moderate to good and highly significant correlations (−0.40 to −0.66) among the s‐PCFT‐I total scores and subscores and the Sum of Cognitive Score of the informant‐based Dementia Questionnaire for Persons with Intellectual Disabilities suggest an acceptable level of concurrent criterion validity. Cognitive decliners according to Prasher's Dementia Questionnaire for Persons with Intellectual Disabilities cut‐off scores perform significantly lower on s‐PCFT‐I than non‐decliners.

Conclusions

The s‐PCFT‐I has good psychometric properties and user friendliness and may therefore be a valuable addition to the current informant‐rated tools for screening and assessment of cognition in aging people with ID.
Home: A Vehicle for Resistance? Exploring Emancipatory Entanglements of ‘Vehicle Dwelling’ in a Changing Policy Context
Authors: CRAFT RHIANNON
Published: November 2020

This article begins with a reflection on Phil Thomas’ work, as well as on the way in which the Journal of Law and Society has pioneered scholarship in this field. Drawing on my own experiences as a researcher and campaigner, and my ‘insider’ status as a van dweller, I articulate why many have sought alternative modes of living, reflecting on ideas about freedom and anarchism, the importance of ‘home’, cultural preference, and escaping the housing crisis. I note that Wales and other European states, such as Portugal, provide a much warmer welcome and space for diverse Travellers; some are already planning their escape routes before the consequences of Brexit and new trespass legislation unfold. In an already hostile and rapidly changing context, it appears that the ontological security of vehicle dwellers is increasingly under threat. As well as giving a voice to these communities, the article also represents a much‐needed call to action.
Legislating for a Pandemic: Exposing the Stateless State
Authors: KIRTON‐DARLING EDWARD , CARR HELEN , VARNAVA TRACEY
Published: November 2020

Initially the subject of widespread consensus, legislative and policy responses to COVID‐19 are increasingly provoking predictable reactions. Right and left are united by concern that essential freedoms are being eroded by a state utilizing the opportunity of the pandemic to make a power grab. Focused on the Coronavirus Act 2020, this article takes a more cautious approach, suggesting that the law should be understood not as the product of a hierarchical state but as a demonstration of the ‘statelessness’ of the contemporary state. It examines the Act with particular focus on open justice, adult social care, and Business Improvement Districts. Reading this unique piece of legislation through the lens of the stateless state reveals the complexities, ambiguities, and contestations within contemporary policy making. Dismissing the Act as unnecessarily authoritarian is an insufficiently nuanced response; furthermore, this exploration of the law allows us to develop and complicate scholarship on the stateless state.
Buriti pulp oil did not improve high‐fat diet‐induced metabolic disorders in c57bl/6 mice
Authors: Aydos Leonardo Recena , do Amaral Luane Aparecida , Jacobowski Ana Cristina , de Souza Roberta Serafim , Parisotto Eduardo Benedetti , de Menezes Mariana Biava , Junior Felipe Francisco Bittencourt , Fernandes Emely Schuindt , Silva Iandara Schettert , Portugal Luciane Candeloro , Oliveira Cláudio Gonçalves , Masuko Gustavo Tsuyoshi Senra , Cavalheiro Leandro Fontoura , Nazário Carlos Eduardo Domingues , dos Santos Elisvânia Freitas , Macedo Maria Lígia Rodrigues
Published: November 2020

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) and obesity are growing in many parts of the world, becoming public health problems. It is proposed that foods with functional properties can assist in the treatment of these diseases. Crude buriti pulp oil (BPO) is a food traditionally consumed by residents in the Pantanal, Cerrado and Brazilian Amazon. It is rich in oleic acid, tocopherols and carotenoids, emerging as a potential functional food. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of the supplementation of BPO on metabolic disorders caused by a high‐fat diet. Four groups of C57BL6 mice were used, a lean group with AIN‐93M diet and control oil supplementation, an obese group with a high‐fat diet and control oil supplementation, and two obese groups with a high‐fat diet and BPO supplementation in the amounts of 50 and 100 mg/kg. BPO worsened the metabolic state caused by the high‐fat diet, worsening risk factors associated with MetS, as the abdominal circumference and retroperitoneal fat, serum levels of total cholesterol, uric acid, alanine transaminase, glucose and triglycerides, and renal fat, in addition to changes in glycaemic control and oxidative stress markers. C57BL/6 mice fed with a high‐fat diet and supplemented with BPO presented a worsening in metabolic risk factors associated with MetS.
Processes of Social Influence on Sampling Behavior: The Effect of Other's Positive Attitude and Receiver's Prior Experience
Authors: Tsuchiya Koji , Kashima Yoshihisa , Yoshida Toshikazu , Harada Chika , Igarashi Tasuku
Published: November 2020

Studies about attitude formation have pointed out the importance of sampling behavior. When thinking about actual social interaction scenes, it may be better to consider them as attitude‐updating processes between those who have already formed attitudes based on some experience. Sixty‐five participants took part in the experiment, in which the other's positive attitude and the participant's own prior experience were manipulated. After participants had been presented five types of puzzles (experience: direct vs. indirect), which had been made to improve analytic ability, their attitudes towards the puzzles were measured (“pre attitude”). They were shown the other's positive attitude (inconsistent vs. consistent), and they were given 10 min of free time before “testing on their analytic ability.” The amount of time spent on each puzzle was recorded to index sampling behavior and the attitudes towards the puzzles were measured after the free time (“post attitude”). The results of analyses showed that the other's positive attitude increased sampling behavior when the participant's attitude was positive (first‐ranked) and negative (fifth‐ranked), and that prior experience and sampling contributed to attitude change for the first‐ranked puzzle. Those who had had direct experience and those who had spent more time sampling this puzzle tended to maintain their previous positive attitude. The potential boundary conditions of social influence on sampling behavior are discussed.
The anatomy of fresh complex craters on the mid‐sized icy moons of Saturn and self‐secondary cratering at the rayed crater Inktomi (Rhea)
Authors: Schenk Paul , Kirchoff Michelle , Hoogenboom Trudi , Rivera‐Valentín Edgard
Published: November 2020

Cassini mapping of Saturn’s mid‐sized icy moons of well‐preserved complex craters in the 45–95 km size range provides insight into cratering processes at lower surface gravity and on icy targets. These craters are characterized by steep rim scarps, rugged hummocky floor deposits of curvilinear ridges and scarps, and rugged conical central peaks. Ponded impact melt or related deposits are not observed on any floor or ejecta units of any of these complex craters, indicating that melt production may be much lower than predicted. Mantling ejecta units drape over pre‐existing topography, grading into concentric zones of secondary craters at ~1 crater diameter from the rim, demonstrating that secondaries occur on mid‐sized icy planetary bodies. The largest and youngest bright‐ray system is the 49 km central peak crater Inktomi, target of a mapping campaign down to 34 m pixel scales. In addition to classical secondary craters up to 3 km, several hundred small craters <1 km in size form an unusual densely spaced cluster across the eastern floor and ejecta deposit. The terrain‐indiscriminate distribution of these eastern floor craters indicates they are not explosive volatile release pits, such as mapped on Vesta or Mars, but self‐secondary craters formed by the fallback of ejected blocks back into the crater itself during crater formation. Self‐secondaries likely formed by an irregular and stochastic but poorly understood impact process, such as spallation influenced by irregular surface topography. Self‐secondary craters of this type could influence the interpretation of crater counts on large fresh impact craters and basins elsewhere.
Sighting patterns reveal unobserved pupping events to revise reproductive rate estimates for Hawaiian monk seals in the main Hawaiian Islands
Authors: Robinson Stacie J. , Harting Albert L. , Mercer Tracy , Johanos Thea C. , Baker Jason D. , Littnan Charles L.
Published: November 2020

We used sighting reports, including decades of citizen‐reported Hawaiian monk seal (Neomonachus schauinslandi) sightings, to describe female breeding biology and reproductive success in the main Hawaiian Islands. We first used this data set to describe the timing of events in the female reproductive cycle. We then conducted an expert review of patterns in sighting histories to detect unobserved pupping events. Finally, we estimated the age‐specific reproductive curve for female monk seals in the main Hawaiian Islands. Charting reproductive cycles showed indications of the robust condition of female monk seals in the main Hawaiian Islands; they nursed pups 12% longer than their counterparts in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands and regained condition to molt more quickly after weaning a pup. By examining sighting histories, we were able to infer 25 unobserved pupping events that had previously gone uncounted. We accounted for additional uncertainty with a randomization procedure. After accounting for unobserved pupping events, the age‐specific reproductive rate of main Hawaiian Islands monk seals exceeded 0.70 for prime aged females (8–18 years). This is the highest reproductive rate reported for any of the Hawaiian monk seal breeding sites, illustrating the important role of the main Hawaiian Islands population in Hawaiian monk seal recovery.
Obesity and COVID‐19 in Latin America: A tragedy of two pandemics—Official document of the Latin American Federation of Obesity Societies
Authors: Halpern Bruno , Louzada Maria Laura da Costa , Aschner Pablo , Gerchman Fernando , Brajkovich Imperia , Faria‐Neto José Rocha , Polanco Felix Escaño , Montero Julio , Juliá Silvia María Marín , Lotufo Paulo Andrade , Franco Oscar H.
Published: November 2020

In May 2020, Latin America became the epicenter of the COVID‐19 pandemic, a region already afflicted by social disparities, poor healthcare access, inadequate nutrition and a large prevalence of noncommunicable chronic diseases. Obesity and its comorbidities are increasingly prevalent in Latin America, with a more rapid growth in individuals with lower income, and currently a disease associated with COVID‐19 severity, complications and death. In this document, the Latin American Association of Obesity Societies and collaborators present a review of the burden of two pandemics in Latin America, discuss possible mechanisms that explain their relationship with each other and provide public health and individual recommendations, as well as questions for future studies.
Relationships, health, and stress: Validation of a relationship sense of coherence measure
Authors: Davis Bret A. , Shrout M. Rosie , Evans William P. , Weigel Daniel J.
Published: November 2020

Although all romantic relationships experience stress, some thrive when faced with adversity while others are unable to manage the inevitable relationship ups and downs. Rather than seeing stress as a risk factor, this study applied a Salutogenic framework, which posits that stress is a naturally occurring and potentially beneficial part of relationships, to develop a new measure of relationship health and well‐being. In Study 1, we created and tested a self‐report Relationship Sense of Coherence (RSOC) scale. Study 2 demonstrated evidence of convergent reliability for the RSOC. In Study 3, we tested the RSOC in a two‐wave sample of romantically‐involved individuals with a chronic health condition. Guidelines for use and implications for future research are discussed.
Integrated effects of thermal acclimation and challenge temperature on cellular immunity in the plusiine moth larvaeChrysodeixis eriosoma(Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)
Authors: Takano Yumi , Sakamoto Takuma , Tabunoki Hiroko , Yoshimura Jin , Iwabuchi Kikuo
Published: November 2020

Temperature is one of the most influential factors for animals. The acclimation (rearing) and challenge temperatures are often more important than the given temperature per se. These effects on physiological responses have been known, but not well understood on immune responses. Here, we investigated the integrated effects of rearing and challenge temperatures on haemocyte populations in larvae of a plusiine moth,Chrysodeixis eriosoma. We hypothesize that the haemocyte concentration is decreased (increased) at higher (lower) temperatures from rearing temperatures and that the proportions of haemocyte types exhibit directional changes at higher (lower) temperatures to compensate for immune reactions. We expect that increasing (decreasing) the challenge temperature from the rearing temperature enhances (reduces) phagocytic activity. We found that higher temperatures slightly decreased the haemocyte concentration. We detected small changes in the proportions of haemocyte types among rearing temperatures, but the changes were non‐directional and most of them were statistically insignificant. We also found the integrated effects only with increases in the challenge temperatures, which resulted in increased phagocytosis, whereas no apparent reactions were detected with decreases in the challenge temperatures. Our results show that the haemocyte concentration is significantly affected by the rearing temperature, which implies that haematopoiesis depends on the ambient temperature. We discuss some adaptive and non‐adaptive components for the positive integrated effects of increases in the challenge temperatures. We also discussed the obtained non‐responsiveness in the integrated effects with decreases in the challenge temperatures.
Volunteer nurses' learning experiences in Ludian County, Yunnan, China: Implication for public health nursing education in a disaster
Authors: Li Sijan , Chen Shaohua , Chan Sunshine
Published: November 2020

Objective

To describe the learning impacts made by graduate nurse volunteers who worked in a field hospital 1 month following the 2014 Ludian earthquake in Yunnan, China.

Methods

A qualitative descriptive approach was adopted. The volunteers were 23 final year part‐time students enrolled in the Master of Science in Disaster Nursing program offered by the School of Nursing. Data were collected by focus group interviews and analyzed by qualitative content analysis.

Findings

Reflecting from their experience, three themes emerged. The first theme was “when the going gets tough, the tough gets going,” suggesting that every suffering should be regarded as a gift that would nourish human lives rather than being denied. The second theme was “we recognize our ignorance only through learning,” helped moving the volunteers’ learning to a higher level. The third theme was "change is the reality, collaboration is the strategy," highlighting the need to be pragmatic and work harmoniously as a team.

Conclusions

Life‐changing impacts were gained by these graduate nursing student volunteers who were placed in a field hospital following an earthquake. Experiential learning opportunities can be given to public health nursing students whenever possible to maximize their students’ learning and help them to be adequately prepared and be ready to respond to global disaster challenges.
Microbiomics: Were we all wrong before?
Authors: Kumar Purnima S.
Published: November 2020

Periodontal microbiology has historically been based on an “us against them” paradigm, one that focuses mainly on identifying microbes and viruses that cause disease. However, such a bottom‐up approach limits our appreciation of the incredible diversity of this ecosystem and the essential ways in which microbial interactions contribute to health and homeostasis of the subgingival niche. Microbiomics—the science of collectively characterizing and quantifying molecules responsible for the structure, function, and dynamics of a microbial community—has enabled us to study these communities in their natural habitat, thereby revolutionizing our knowledge of host‐associated microbes and reconceptualizing our definition of “human.” When this systems‐biology approach is combined with ecologic principles, it explicates the complex relationship that exist between microbiota and between them and us, the human. In this volume of Periodontology 2000, a group of 12 female scientists take the lead in investigating how metagenomics, genomics, metatranscriptomics, proteomics, metaproteomics, and metabolomics have achieved the following: (a) widened our view of the periodontal microbiome; (b) expanded our understanding of the evolution of the human oral microbiome; (c) shone a light on not just bacteria, but also other prokaryotic and eukaryotic members of the community; (d) elucidated the effects of anthropogenic behavior and systemic diseases on shaping these communities; and (e) influenced traditional patterns of periodontal therapeutics.
Different dimensions of social support differentially predict psychological well‐being in late life: opposite effects of perceived emotional support and marital status on symptoms of anxiety and of depression in older outpatients in Italy
Authors: Nicolini Paola , Abbate Carlo , Inglese Silvia , Rossi Paolo D. , Mari Daniela , Cesari Matteo
Published: November 2020

Background

Social support is important to psychological well‐being in late life. However, findings in the literature regarding its effects are mixed, less information is available for anxiety than for depressive symptoms, and few studies have been carried out in Italy. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the influence of social support on symptoms of anxiety and of depression in a sample of geriatric outpatients in Italy.

Methods

This cross‐sectional study consecutively enrolled 299 outpatients without dementia (age ≥ 65, all neuropsychologically tested). Social support was assessed with the ENRICHD Social Support Instrument and by interview. Symptoms of anxiety and of depression were evaluated with short versions of the State‐Trait Personality Inventory Trait Anxiety and Geriatric Depression scales. The relationship between social support and psychological well‐being was examined by multiple linear regression models with socio‐demographic and clinical variables, including cognitive performance, as potential confounders.

Results

Perceived emotional support was a negative predictor of symptoms of anxiety (standardised beta coefficient (β) ‐0.288, standard error (SE) 0.074, P < 0.001) and symptoms of depression (β −0.196, SE 0.040, P < 0.001). On the contrary, marital status (i.e. being married) was a positive predictor of symptoms of anxiety (β 0.199, SE 0.728, P = 0.003) and symptoms of depression (β 0.142, SE 0.384, P = 0.035).

Conclusions

Different dimensions of social support differentially affect psychological well‐being. The protective effect of perceived emotional support is consistent with social cognitive models of health. The harmful effect of being married may be capturing the distress of the pre‐bereavement period. Alternatively, it may reflect oppression by gender roles within marriage in a predominantly female sample in a traditional society. Our findings provide insight into the relationship between social support and psychological well‐being, and identify potential targets for psychosocial interventions promoting mental health in late life.
Potential problems in the use of patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) and reporting of PROM data in sports science
Authors: Krogsgaard Michael R. , Brodersen John , Jensen Jonas , Hansen Christian Fugl , Comins Jonathan D.
Published: November 2020

To use an inadequate patient reported outcome measure (PROM) or use a PROM in an inappropriate way potentially influences the quality of measurement. The objectives of this study were to define potential inadequate uses of PROMs in sports research studies and estimate how often they occur. A consensus group consisting of medical researchers, statisticians, and psychometricians identified and defined potentially irregular applications of PROMs. Occurrence of these in 349 consecutive articles in sports medicine in which PROMs were used as primary outcomes was reviewed. In all, 14 different potential problems were defined, and one or several occurred in 172 of the articles (49%). These were as follows: using a PROM that was developed for a different patient group (100 cases), using two or more PROMs with identical questions (94), aggregation of domain sum scores (82), combinations of subjective and objective measures (27), using a PROM to diagnose or evaluate the individual patient (7), using a PROM for a single limb (3), recall bias (3), exclusion of domains or items (3), construction of a PROM for a specific occasion (2), categorization of the scale (2), and mixing different versions of a PROM (1). Adaption of scale scores (e. g., to percentage) when results are reported (144) carries a risk of miscalculation and distorted impression of results. Data related to uncertainty about completing the PROM and the handling of missing data were not provided in the manuscripts. In conclusion, potential problems in the use and reporting of PROMs are common in sports research, and this can influence the validity of reported results.
Kinetics of torquetenovirus DNA load in a recent kidney transplant recipient with mild SARS‐CoV‐2 infection and a failed antibody response
Authors: Querido Sara , Calça Rita , Weigert André , Francisco Diogo , Adragão Teresa , Ana Pessanha Maria , Gomes Perpétua , Rodrigues Luís , Figueira João M. , Cardoso Conceição , Machado Domingos
Published: November 2020

Kidney transplant (KT) recipients are at an increased risk for severe COVID‐19 because of their immunosuppressed state. A 42‐year‐old KT patient was diagnosed with COVID‐19 three months after KT. Despite lymphopenia and several risk factors, he had a mild disease course. Nasopharyngeal real‐time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction for SARS‐CoV‐2 became negative 48 days after detection. SARS‑CoV‑2 IgG antibodies became negative after day 40. TTV DNA load increased with the onset COVID‐19 and reduced after its resolution. This is the first report where TTV DNA load was measured during the course of COVID‐19.
The effect of gamma irradiation on platelet redox state during storage
Authors: Nodeh Fatemeh Kiani , Hosseini Ehteramolsadat , Ghasemzadeh Mehran
Published: November 2020

Background

As a method with insignificant adverse effects on in vitro quality of platelet concentrates (PCs), gamma irradiation is applied to abrogate the risk of transfusion‐associated graft‐vs‐host disease in vulnerable recipients. However, there is some evidence of lower posttransfusion responses and proteomic alterations in gamma‐irradiated platelets (PLTs), which raises some questions about their quality, safety, and efficacy. Since reactive oxygen species (ROS) are considered as markers of PLT storage lesion (PSL), the study presented here investigated oxidant state in gamma‐irradiated PCs.

Study Design and Methods

PLT‐rich plasma PC was split into two bags, one kept as control while other was subjected to gamma irradiation. Within 7 days of storage, the levels of intra‐PLT superoxide, H2O2, mitochondrial ROS, P‐selectin expression, and phosphatidylserine (PS) exposure were detected by flow cytometry while intracellular reduced glutathione (GSH), glucose concentration, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity were measured by enzymocolorimetric method.

Results

GSH decreased, while ROS generation and LDH activity increased, during storage. Gamma irradiation significantly attenuated GSH whereas increased ROS generation in earlier and later stages of storage associated with either P‐selectin or PS exposure increments.

Conclusion

Gamma irradiation can significantly increase cytosolic ROS generation in two distinct phases, one upon irradiation and another later in longer‐stored PCs. While earlier ROS influx seems to be governed by direct effect of irradiation, the second phase of oxidant stress is presumably due to the storage‐dependent PLT activation. Intriguingly, these observations were also in line with early P‐selectin increments and increased PS exposure in longer‐stored PLTs. Given the mutual link between ROS generation and PLT activation, further investigation is required to explore the effect of gamma irradiation on the induction of PSL.
Long‐term recurrent, yet nonprogressive, pedal viral papillomas in a dog
Authors: Munday John S. , Piripi Susan A. , Julian Alan , Martin Scott J.
Published: November 2020

Les papillomes viraux développés sur le doigt d’un chien ont été retirés et ont récidivés à quatre reprises en deux ans. Malgré la « persistance » des papillomes, ils sont restés petits et confinés aux doigts, et n’ont pas disséminés ou ne se sont pas aggravés. Tous les papillomes persistants ne progressent pas, même si ils sont traités avec des traitements plus conservateurs.
Interobserver variability of radiographic methods for the evaluation of left atrial size in dogs
Authors: Bagardi Mara , Manfredi Martina , Zani Davide D. , Brambilla Paola G. , Locatelli Chiara
Published: November 2020

The objectives of this retrospective, observer agreement study were to (a) test variability of radiographic left atrial dimension (RLAD) and vertebral left atrial size (VLAS) measurements among observers with different levels of expertise in thoracic radiology and cardiology, (b) assess whether one method is better than the other in detecting left atrial enlargement (LAE), and (c) assess the agreement among RLAD, VLAS, and American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) classes. Seventy‐four dogs (eight healthy and 66 with mitral valve disease) with thoracic radiographs and echocardiography performed on the same day were reviewed. Thirty showed echocardiographic LAE. Left atrial dimension was quantified using RLAD and VLAS by six different operators with three levels of clinical experience in veterinary cardiology/radiology. Vertebral heart score and fourth thoracic vertebra (T4) were also measured. Differences in T4, vertebral heart score (VHS), RLAD, and VLAS measurements were found among six operators and among the three levels of clinical expertise as well as between veterinary cardiology readers and veterinary radiology readers (P < .05). The area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUC) curve for VHS showed good performances for all observers and level and type of expertise; the AUC for RLAD and VLAS was suboptimal only for the radiology student. Our RLAD and VLAS cutoffs (1.9 and 2.43 v, respectively) were better related to qualitative radiographic than quantitative echocardiographic LAE evaluation. Radiographic LA dimension and VLAS showed an increase proportional to the worsening of the ACVIM class. In conclusion, these results allow us to affirm that RLAD and VLAS are reproducible measurements for detecting LAE. Better performances are associated with clinical expertise and background.
Association between biliary tree manipulation and outcome in dogs undergoing cholecystectomy for gallbladder mucocele: A multi‐institutional retrospective study
Authors: Piegols Hunter J. , Hayes Galina M. , Lin Samantha , Singh Ameet , Langlois Daniel K. , Duffy Daniel J.
Published: November 2020

Objective

To determine whether catheterization of the common bile duct (CBD) is associated with outcome in dogs undergoing cholecystectomy for gallbladder mucocele and to determine whether this association is modified by the catheterization method.

Study design

Multi‐institutional retrospective cohort study.

Animals

Dogs (n = 252) that underwent cholecystectomy for gallbladder mucocele.

Methods

Dogs were identified via electronic medical record review at four veterinary teaching hospitals. Baseline dog characteristics, surgical findings, and methods including normograde vs retrograde CBD catheterization, intraoperative outcomes, and postoperative outcomes and complications were recorded. Variables were compared between dogs with and without catheterization.

Results

Catheterized dogs had higher American Society of Anesthesiologists scores (P = .04), higher total bilirubin (P = .01), and were more likely to have dilated CBD at the time of surgery (P < .01). Incidence of major and minor intraoperative complications was similar between the two groups. Surgical time was longer for the catheterized group (P = .01). The overall incidence of postoperative complications was similar between the groups; however, postoperative pancreatitis was associated with performing CBD catheterization (P = .01). This association was retained as an independent association in a multivariable model that addressed baseline group differences (P = .04). Likelihood of developing postoperative pancreatitis was not different between normograde and retrograde catheterization (P = .57).

Conclusion

Catheterization of the CBD was associated with development of postoperative pancreatitis. This was not influenced by the method of catheterization.

Clinical significance

The requirement for catheterization of the CBD during open cholecystectomy in dogs should be carefully considered, particularly in dogs without evidence of biliary obstruction because the procedure may induce postoperative pancreatitis.