bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Petrogenesis and Tectonic Significance of Carboniferous Granites on the North Side of the Solonker Suture, Central South Mongolia
Authors: ZHANG Xiaowei , TONG Ying , WANG Tao , ZHAO Hui , GUO Lei , TSERENDASH Narantsetseg , PUNTSAG Delgerzaya
Published: February 2021

The central part of South Mongolia, located to the north of the Solonker Suture, is a key region for studying the late Paleozoic tectonic evolution of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB). Voluminous late Paleozoic granitic rocks, especially of Carboniferous age, were intruded in this area. However, these granitoids have not been well studied and there is a lack of precise ages and isotopic data. This has hampered our understanding of the tectonic evolution of southeastern Mongolia, and even the entire CAOB. In this paper, we provide new U‐Pb isotopic ages and geochemical analyses for these Carboniferous granites. One granite from the Ulaanbadrakh pluton yielded a zircon U‐Pb age of 326 Ma, which indicates emplacement in the Early Carboniferous, and three other granites from the Khatanbulag region gave zircon U‐Pb ages of 316 Ma, 315 Ma, and 311 Ma, which indicate emplacement in the Late Carboniferous. The Early Carboniferous granite has SiO2 contents of 70.04–70.39 wt% and K2O + Na2O contents of 6.48–6.63 wt%, whereas the Late Carboniferous granites have more variable compositions (SiO2 = 65.29–77.91 wt% and K2O + Na2O = 5.30–7.27 wt%). All the granites are weakly‐peraluminous I‐types that are relatively enriched in U, Th, K, Zr, Hf, and LREEs. The whole rock Sr‐Nd and zircon in situ Lu‐Hf isotope analyses for the Early Carboniferous granite gave positive values of ∊Nd(t) (2.87) and ∊Hf(t) (4.31–12.37) with young Nd (TDM = 860 Ma) and Hf (TDMc = 1367–637 Ma) two‐stage model ages, indicating derivation from juvenile crustal material. In contrast, the Late Carboniferous granites had more diverse values of ∊Nd(t) (–4.03 to 2.18) and ∊Hf(t) (–12.69 to 5.04) with old Nd (TDM = 1358–1225 Ma) and Hf (TDMc = 2881–1294 Ma) depleted mantle two‐stage model ages, suggesting derivation from remelting of Precambrian basement. Based on the existing results, the tectonic setting of the Late Carboniferous granites in the central part of South Mongolia is known for its diversity, and this paper believes that the tectonic background of the carboniferous granite records the tectonic transition from a continental‐margin‐arc to a post‐collisional extensional setting during the Late Carboniferous–Permian.
Orange leads to black: evaluating the efficacy of co‐culturing iron‐oxidizing and sulfate‐reducing bacteria to discern ecological relationships
Authors: Brooks Chequita N. , Field Erin K.
Published: February 2021

Two global cycles, iron and sulfur, are critically interconnected in estuarine environments by microbiological actors. To this point, the methods of laboratory study of this interaction have been limited. Here we propose a methodology for co‐culturing from numerous coastal environments, from the same source inocula, iron‐oxidizing and sulfate‐reducing bacteria. The use of same source inocula is largely beneficial to understand real‐world interactions that are likely occurring in situ. Through the use of this methodology, the ecological interactions between these groups can be studied in a more controlled environment. Here, we characterize the oxygen and hydrogen sulfide concentrations using microelectrode depth profiling in the co‐cultures of iron‐oxidizing bacteria and sulfate‐reducing bacteria. These results suggest that while oxygen drives the relationship between these organisms and sulfate‐reducers are reliant on iron‐oxidizers in this culture to create an anoxic environment, there is likely another environmental driver that also influences the interaction as the two remain spatially distinct, as trends in FeS precipitation changed within the anoxic zone relative to the presence of Fe(III) oxyhydroxides. Understanding the relationship between iron‐oxidizing and sulfate‐reducing bacteria will ultimately have implications for understanding microbial cycling in estuarine environments as well as in processes such as controlling microbially influenced corrosion.
Early growth response 2 (EGR2) is a novel regulator of the senescence programme
Authors: Tyler Eleanor J. , Gutierrez del Arroyo Ana , Hughes Bethany K. , Wallis Ryan , Garbe James C. , Stampfer Martha R. , Koh Jim , Lowe Robert , Philpott Michael P. , Bishop Cleo L.
Published: February 2021

Senescence, a state of stable growth arrest, plays an important role in ageing and age‐related diseases in vivo. Although the INK4/ARF locus is known to be essential for senescence programmes, the key regulators driving p16 and ARF transcription remain largely underexplored. Using siRNA screening for modulators of the p16/pRB and ARF/p53/p21 pathways in deeply senescent human mammary epithelial cells (DS HMECs) and fibroblasts (DS HMFs), we identified EGR2 as a novel regulator of senescence. EGR2 expression is up‐regulated during senescence, and its ablation by siRNA in DS HMECs and HMFs transiently reverses the senescent phenotype. We demonstrate that EGR2 activates the ARF and p16 promoters and directly binds to both the ARF and p16 promoters. Loss of EGR2 down‐regulates p16 levels and increases the pool of p16− p21− ‘reversed’ cells in the population. Moreover, EGR2 overexpression is sufficient to induce senescence. Our data suggest that EGR2 is a direct transcriptional activator of the p16/pRB and ARF/p53/p21 pathways in senescence and a novel marker of senescence.
Runs of homozygosity provide a genome landscape picture of inbreeding and genetic history of European autochthonous and commercial pig breeds
Authors: Schiavo G. , Bovo S. , Muñoz M. , Ribani A. , Alves E. , Araújo J. P. , Bozzi R. , Čandek‐Potokar M. , Charneca R. , Fernandez A. I. , Gallo M. , García F. , Karolyi D. , Kušec G. , Martins J. M. , Mercat M.‐J. , Núñez Y. , Quintanilla R. , Radović Č. , Razmaite V. , Riquet J. , Savić R. , Usai G. , Utzeri V. J. , Zimmer C. , Ovilo C. , Fontanesi L.
Published: February 2021

ROHs are long stretches of DNA homozygous at each polymorphic position. The proportion of genome covered by ROHs and their length are indicators of the level and origin of inbreeding. Frequent common ROHs within the same population define ROH islands and indicate hotspots of selection. In this work, we investigated ROHs in a total of 1131 pigs from 20 European local pig breeds and in three cosmopolitan breeds, genotyped with the GGP Porcine HD Genomic Profiler. plink software was used to identify ROHs. Size classes and genomic inbreeding parameters were evaluated. ROH islands were defined by evaluating different thresholds of homozygous SNP frequency. A functional overview of breed‐specific ROH islands was obtained via over‐representation analyses of GO biological processes. Mora Romagnola and Turopolje breeds had the largest proportions of genome covered with ROH (~1003 and ~955 Mb respectively), whereas Nero Siciliano and Sarda breeds had the lowest proportions (~207 and 247 Mb respectively). The highest proportion of long ROH (>16 Mb) was in Apulo‐Calabrese, Mora Romagnola and Casertana. The largest number of ROH islands was identified in the Italian Landrace (n = 32), Cinta Senese (n = 26) and Lithuanian White Old Type (n = 22) breeds. Several ROH islands were in regions encompassing genes known to affect morphological traits. Comparative ROH structure analysis among breeds indicated the similar genetic structure of local breeds across Europe. This study contributed to understanding of the genetic history of the investigated pig breeds and provided information to manage these pig genetic resources.
Impact of Chinese Agribusiness Entrepreneurs on the Local Land Market in the Russian Far East
Authors: Gudaj Richard T. , Yi Fujin , Mishchuk Svetlana , Potenko Tatiana A. , Zuenko Ivan , Lerman Zvi
Published: February 2021

Chinese originally migrated to the Russian Far East (RFE) to fill a labor shortage on collective farms. In more recent decades, some Chinese migrants have chosen to lease land from Russian farmers to manage their own farms. Rising soybean prices and the trade war between China and the United States have increased demand for land capable of producing soybeans. Thus, Chinese farmers in the RFE compete for land with Russians. The Chinese also contribute positively to local food security by increasing food availability and accessibility. This study uses an econometric model to analyze the impact of Chinese on local land markets in the RFE. Financial support for Russian farmers by the government depresses their demand for land; rising soybean prices and the employment of Chinese farm workers by Russian farmers encourage farm expansion, resulting in higher land prices. Selling farm produce to Chinese merchants increases the amount of land owned, cultivated, and rented by Russian farmers.
Chinese Farmers in the Russian Far East and Local Rural Development
Authors: Gudaj Richard T. , Yi Fujin , Arefieva Valeria , Yanbykh Renata , Mishchuk Svetlana , Potenko Tatiana A. , Zhou Jiayi , Zuenko Ivan
Published: February 2021

The Russian Far East (RFE) is still a backward region of Russia. Per capita agricultural output is lower than the national average. Chinese agricultural entrepreneurs are farming in the region. The business environment is challenging for both Chinese and Russians. We analyze possible ways for agriculture to develop in the RFE with Chinese agricultural entrepreneurs as the main agents of development. We discuss the investment environment in the RFE, the role and impact of Chinese agricultural entrepreneurs, their ability to assist in rural development, and the challenges they face. We examine the current state of agriculture in the RFE, the experience of Chinese and Russian farmers, and the impact of Chinese farmers on Russian farmers. Agriculture can improve in the RFE with better communication and better coordination mechanisms among governments and with more training to help businesses understand existing policies and regulations.
Perceived Differences: Chinese and Russian Farmers on Business, Law, Management, and Environment
Authors: Yi Fujin , Kenina Diana , Gudaj Richard T. , Arefieva Valeria , Yanbykh Renata , Mishchuk Svetlana , Potenko Tatiana A. , Zhou Jiayi , Zuenko Ivan
Published: February 2021

The People's Republic of China has been following a strategy for several decades to encourage its enterprises to invest overseas. Since the liberalization of the Sino‐Soviet border in the 1990s, Chinese farmers have been actively engaged in the economy of the Russian Far East (RFE). This article examines Chinese and Russian public relations messages broadcast by media about Chinese‐Russian agricultural cooperation that use different arguments, methods of reasoning, and points of view. There is a clash of different national management methods. Legislation applying to Chinese working in Russia has been erratic and unstable, and that makes cooperation more challenging. The concepts of environmental protection and obedience to the law are understood differently by Russians and by Chinese. Cross‐cultural management differences affect the way people on both sides interpret institutions, interactions, and the ability to trust third parties. There are different values and priorities expressed by Russians and by Chinese when it comes to development of rural areas in the RFE.
Implications of Chinese Farmers in the Russian Far East
Authors: Sedik David , Yi Fujin , Gudaj Richard T.
Published: February 2021

Chinese farmers are actively engaged in the economy of the Russian Far East. We used an econometric model to analyze panel data on the socioeconomic impact on local residents of Chinese farmers and workers in the Russian Far East (RFE). Proximity to Chinese farms and sales to Chinese retailers increases the well‐being, the farm income, and the food costs of Russian rural households. The same factors raise land prices through increased competition, reduce the wages of Russian workers and the number of family members working on Russian farms, increase the number of full‐time jobs for farm workers, lower yields of corn and wheat, and raise yields of potatoes and rice. Thus, the effects of the Chinese presence on rural Russian households varies with the makeup of the household, the amount of land it owns and leases, and the number of household members who work on other farms. Cooperation with Chinese farmers and retailers plays an important role in determining the ability of the rural areas of the RFE to develop sustainably.
The psychosocial experiences and supportive care preferences of organ transplant recipients and their carers who live in regional Australia
Authors: Gunn Kate M. , Skrabal Ross Xiomara , McLoughlin Megan , McDonald Stephen , Olver Ian
Published: February 2021

Background

There is no evidence that being a rural or regional organ transplant recipient has adverse physical health outcomes post‐surgery compared with those experienced by people living in cities, but the impact of living remotely from transplant centres on psychosocial outcomes has not been explored.

Objective

To identify the social, emotional, psychological, spiritual, informational and practical issues associated with being a regionally based organ transplant recipient or carer and determine how support services could be improved for this group.

Design/ Setting/ Participants

Twenty‐two purposively sampled adult Australians who lived outside metropolitan centres and had received an organ transplant (n = 15) or were the primary carer of someone who had received one (n = 7), participated in semi‐structured, telephone interviews. Qualitative data were collected until data saturation was reached and were analysed using thematic analysis.

Results

Five key themes (plus subthemes) were identified: (a) travelling for specialist transplant care takes a toll, (b) unique transplant‐related psychological and emotional issues experienced before and after transplants, (c) caring for transplant recipients is a demanding role, (d) lay, peer and professional support, including rural general practitioners and accommodation facilities, help ease the burden, but (e) significant barriers to accessing transplant‐focused psychosocial support exist.

Conclusion

Novel methods of delivering targeted, transplant‐specific information and psychosocial care to rural transplant recipients and their carers, employers and rural health professionals require development and evaluation. Strategies might be delivered by peers or professionals via telehealth, telephone, social media or websites for example, depending on preferences and level of need.
Large adrenal tumours mimicking hepatic malignancy: the role of concurrent adrenalectomy and anterior approach hepatectomy
Authors: Agarwal Nitin , Mohapatra Nihar , Patil Nilesh S. , Sinha Piyush K. , Tharun Gattu , Pamecha Viniyendra
Published: February 2021

Background

Large right adrenal tumours may invade the liver and mimic primary hepatic malignancy, presenting diagnostic and management challenges. The ‘anterior approach hepatectomy’ (AAH) using hanging manoeuvre may be safe for resection of such tumours.

Methods

Prospectively maintained database was analysed to identify the large tumours of adreno‐hepatic region subjected to hepatectomy. Clinico‐biochemical, radiological and surgical details were reviewed. AAH and hanging manoeuvre was adopted for the patients requiring right hepatectomy.

Results

Out of the eight patients with adreno‐hepatic tumour, four had indeterminate origin of the mass, two had complex cysts, and two were diagnosed as hepatocellular carcinoma on the pre‐operative imaging. The median age was 38 years (23–66); male:female ratio was 5:3. AAH was performed in four patients, while others underwent non‐anatomical resection of involved segment(s). This accounted for 1.01% of 789 hepatectomies performed during the study period. The median intra‐operative blood loss was 525 mL (150–2200 mL) and the median tumour size was 9 cm (6–17 cm). All patients underwent R0 resection. The final histopathological diagnoses were: three phaeochromocytomas (two malignant and one benign), two adrenocortical carcinomas, one malignant paraganglionomas and two adrenal cysts. Major complication (grade IVa) was experienced in one patient. On median follow‐up of 67.5 months (7–84), all were alive and one patient had tumour recurrence.

Conclusion

Adrenal tumours mimicking primary hepatic malignancy are rare but pose diagnostic challenges. The AAH is a safe approach with acceptable R0 resection, blood loss, surgical complications and overall outcome for the patients requiring right hepatectomy.
Survival benefit of neoadjuvant chemotherapy and surgery versus surgery first for resectable colorectal liver metastases: a cohort study
Authors: Behrenbruch Corina , Prabhakaran Sowmya , Udayasiri Dilshan , Hollande Frédéric , Michael Michael , Hayes Ian , Heriot Alexander , Knowles Brett , Thomson Benjamin
Published: February 2021

Background

There is continued debate about the survival benefit of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (neoCT) in patients with resectable colorectal liver metastases (CRLM).

Methods

In this retrospective cohort study, we included 201 patients with metastatic colorectal cancer who underwent their first CRLM resection and achieved resection of all sites of disease. We compared the overall survival (OS) and progression‐free survival (PFS) between patients who received neoCT prior to CRLM resection with those who underwent CRLM upfront. A multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression analysis was performed to adjust for potential confounders.

Results

A total of 101 of 201 (51.2%) patients received chemotherapy prior to CRLM resection and 100 of 201 had surgery upfront. Multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression showed no statistically significant difference in the hazard of death for those given neoCT prior to resection of CRLM compared with surgery first for both OS and PFS (OS: hazard ratio 1.74, 95% confidence interval 0.85–3.55, P = 0.127, PFS: hazard ratio 1.42, 95% confidence interval 0.93–2.19, P = 0.107).

Conclusion

In our series of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer who achieved surgical resection of all sites of disease, neoCT prior to CRLM resection was not associated with any survival benefit.
Do stress and anxiety in early pregnancy affect the progress of labor: Evidence from the Wirral Child Health and Development Study
Authors: Slade Pauline , Sheen Kayleigh , Weeks Andrew , Wray Susan , De Pascalis Leonardo , Lunt Karen , Bedwell Carol , Thompson Belinda , Hill Johnathan , Sharp Helen
Published: February 2021

Introduction

Despite widespread belief that anxiety causes longer labor, evidence of association is inconsistent. Data gathered as part of a prospective epidemiological longitudinal study were used to investigate associations between antenatal anxiety and pregnancy‐specific stress, and labor progression was assessed by duration and use of augmentation.

Material and methods

Pregnant primiparous women completed measures for anxiety and pregnancy‐specific stress at 20 weeks’ gestation (n = 1145). Birth outcome data were extracted from medical records. Regression analyses and a path analysis assessed associations between antenatal anxiety and pregnancy‐specific stress, and indices of labor progression (labor duration and augmentation).

Results

Anxiety/pregnancy‐specific stress were not directly associated with duration of stage 1 labor (HIGH/LOW anxiety: mean difference = 13.94 minutes, SD = 20.66, 95% CI −26.60 to 54.49, P < .50)/(HIGH/LOW pregnancy‐specific stress: mean difference = 12.05 minutes, SD = 16.09, 95% CI −19.52 to 43.63, P < .45). However, anxiety/pregnancy‐specific stress were associated with epidural use (HIGH/LOW anxiety: 39% vs 31%, P < .042; HIGH/LOW pregnancy‐specific stress: 38% vs 29%, P < .001), which was itself associated with longer labor (mean difference: 158.79 minutes, SD = 16.76, 95% CI 125.89‐191.68, P < .001). Anxiety and pregnancy‐specific stress were associated with increased likelihood of augmentation but these associations were nonsignificant after accounting for epidural, which was itself highly associated with augmentation. However, path analysis indicated an indirect effect linking pregnancy‐specific stress, but not general anxiety, to labor duration and augmentation: elevated pregnancy‐specific stress led to greater use of epidural, which was linked to both increased rates of augmentation, and increased labor duration.

Conclusions

Contrary to general belief, general anxiety and specific pregnancy stress were not directly linked to longer duration of stage one labor. However specific pregnancy stress was associated with epidural use, which in turn was significantly associated with risk of augmentation, and longer stage one labor. Identification of pregnancy‐specific stress could help to identify women for whom psychological interventions could improve birth experience.
Adding a low‐quality blastocyst to a high‐quality blastocyst for a double embryo transfer does not decrease pregnancy and live birth rate
Authors: Theodorou Efstathios , Jones Benjamin P. , Cawood Suzanne , Heath Carleen , Serhal Paul , Ben‐Nagi Jara
Published: February 2021

Introduction

The effect of embryo quality on clinical outcomes of assisted reproductive technology following a double transfer is not well defined, with some studies suggesting that a low‐quality embryo transferred with a high‐quality embryo decreases the live birth rate (LBR), compared with transferring a single high‐quality embryo. Our study examined whether the quality of a second blastocyst transferred affects the outcome, controlling for the number of the available high‐quality blastocysts (HQB).

Material and methods

A historical cohort study of 2346 fresh blastocyst transfers in a single fertility clinic between 2013 and 2019. The main outcomes were pregnancy, miscarriage, live birth, and multiple gestation rates. Outcomes were compared between single embryo transfers with a high‐quality blastocyst (SET‐H), double embryo transfers with two HQBs (DET‐HH), and transfers with one high‐quality and one low‐quality blastocyst (DET‐HL). Outcomes were also assessed between SET and DET when only low‐quality blastocysts were available.

Results

With one HQB available, DET‐HL increased LBR (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 1.65, 95% CI 1.09‐2.49) compared with SET‐H, but increased multiple gestation rate (aOR 23.1, 95% CI 3.0‐177.6). With two HQBs available, DET‐HH was associated with a higher LBR (aOR 1.62, 95% CI 1.28‐2.04) and lower miscarriage rate (aOR 0.56, 95% CI 0.40‐0.80), but very high twin rate (aOR 49.8, 95% CI 24.3‐102.1) compared with SET‐H. A SET‐H with at least one or more HQB available to freeze, compared with a SET‐H with no other HQB available, had a higher LBR (aOR 1.69, 95% CI 1.17‐2.45). When there were no HQBs available, compared with SET‐L, a DET‐LL had a higher live birth (aOR 3.20, 95% CI 1.78‐7.703) and twin rate (aOR 3.72 × 1010) and a lower miscarriage rate (aOR 0.24, 95% CI 0.10‐0.58).

Conclusions

When there is one HQB available, transferring an additional low‐quality blastocyst would only slightly increase the LBR, but significantly increase the twin rate, therefore SET should be recommended. When two or more HQBs are available, SET‐H would have a reasonably good chance of success without the very high twin rate associated with DET‐HH. DET‐LL when compared with SET‐L, would increase the LBR, but increase the risk of multiple gestation.
Placental volume in gestational week 27 measured by three‐dimensional ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Sagberg Karianne , Eskild Anne , Sommerfelt Silje , Gjesdal Kjell I. , Higgins Lucy E. , Borthne Arne , Hillestad Vigdis
Published: February 2021

Introduction

Ultrasound is the diagnostic tool of choice in pregnancy. We lack valid ultrasound methods for placental size measurements. Our aim was therefore to compare three‐dimensional (3D) ultrasound with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for measurements of placental volume.

Material and methods

We measured placental volume by 3D ultrasound and MRI in 100 unselected pregnancies at 27 weeks of gestation (25+4–28+4 weeks). The 3D ultrasound acquisitions were analyzed offline, and the placental outline was manually traced using the virtual organ computer‐aided analysis (VOCAL) 30° rotational technique. The MRI examinations included a T2‐weighted gradient echo sequence in the sagittal plane, with 5‐mm slices through the entire uterus. The placental outline was manually traced in each slice. The correlation between 3D ultrasound and MRI placental volumes was estimated by intraclass correlation coefficients. Bland‐Altman analysis was applied to visualize systematic bias and limits of agreement, in which the ratio MRI placental volume/3D ultrasound placental volume was plotted against the average of the two methods.

Results

The intraclass correlation coefficient between 3D ultrasound and MRI measurements was 0.49 (95% confidence interval 0.33‐0.63). In general, 3D ultrasound measured smaller placental volumes (median 373 cm3, interquartile range 309‐434 cm3) than MRI (median 507 cm3, interquartile range 429‐595 cm3) and the systematic bias was 1.44. The 95% limits of agreement between the two methods were wide (0.68‐2.21).

Conclusions

We found poor to moderate correlation between 3D ultrasound and MRI placental volume measurements. Generally, 3D ultrasound measured smaller placental volumes than MRI, suggesting that 3D ultrasound failed to visualize the entire placenta. Our findings may hopefully contribute to the improvement of ultrasound methods for placental measurements.
The influence of the choroid on the onset and development of myopia: from perspectives of choroidal thickness and blood flow
Authors: Liu Yilin , Wang Lijun , Xu Yanyun , Pang Zuoxiang , Mu Guoying
Published: February 2021

Myopia is the most common type of refractive errors characterized by excessive elongation of the ocular globe. With the increasing prevalence of myopia, improved knowledge of factors involved in myopia development is of particular importance. There are growing evidence suggesting that the choroid plays an important role in the regulation of eye growth and the development of myopia. Studies have demonstrated that thinning choroid is a structural feature of myopia, with a negative correlation between choroidal thickness and axial length, suggesting that the change in choroidal thickness may be a predictive biomarker for long‐term changes in ocular elongation. Given the fact that the choroid is primarily a vascular structure capable of rapidly changing blood flow, variations of choroidal thickness might be primarily caused by changes in choroidal blood flow. Considering that hypoxia is associated with myopia and choroidal blood flow is the main source of oxygen and nourishment supply, apart from the effect on myopia possibly by changing choroidal thickness, decreasing choroidal blood flow may contribute to scleral ischaemia and hypoxia, resulting in alterations in the scleral structure and thus leading to myopia. This review aims to provide an overview of recent work exploring the influence of the choroid on myopia from perspectives of choroidal thickness and blood flow, which may present new predictive indicators for the onset of myopia and new targets for the development of novel therapeutic approaches for myopia.
‘Now she prefers jeans, like everyone else…’ – Parents' experiences of group‐ and web‐based treatment of children's obesity
Authors: Thorén Annelie , Janson Annika , Persson Margareta
Published: February 2021

Aim

Web‐based interventions have shown promising results in paediatric obesity treatment with the potential to increase coverage of care. This study aimed to explore parental experiences about participating in an intervention to improve healthy behaviours and lower BMI‐SDS in children with obesity.

Methods

This was an interview study with an inductive qualitative approach. Data were collected from individual interviews with 14 parents of 5‐ to 13‐year‐old children with obesity. The respondents had participated in a family‐based treatment intervention consisting of four group sessions followed by 12‐week web‐based support. The interviews were analysed using qualitative manifest and latent content.

Results

The overarching theme ‘A transformative journey of lifestyle changes for the whole family’ described how the participation impacted the lifestyle of the whole family. Four categories: parental awareness, introducing new routines, negotiating family battles and a feeling of support, represented various experiences made by respondents. The parents shared predominantly positive experiences of the intervention but also expressed feelings of guilt and struggled to address their child's obesity.

Conclusion

Parents who participated in a study for children with obesity with a web‐based component found the programme helpful for achieving healthier lifestyles for the whole family.
Quotidian institutions and identity formation: Explaining patterns of identity salience in Maluku, Indonesia
Authors: Soedirgo Jessica
Published: February 2021

Although Maluku's Ambonese people have been included and excluded on the basis of religion and ethnicity by the Indonesian state, it is religious identity that is politically salient. Despite the best efforts of Maluku's elites to cultivate ethnic solidarities, Ambonese identity not become politically relevant. Why is this the case? I argue that Ambonese ethnic identity did not become politically salient because the quotidian institutions and practices that mediate the lived experience of ordinary Ambonese reinforced attachments to religious communities, rather than ethnic ones. For this reason, Ambonese have weak attachments to ethnic categories. This article therefore highlights that 1) looking at the state yields only a partial account of identity formation, and 2) focusing on the quotidian processes of identity formation helps explain both the depths of emotional attachment to particular identities and the precise mechanisms enabling the continuity of these identities.
Liver description in three neotropical anuran species: from anatomy to ultrastructure
Authors: Fanali Lara Zácari , Freitas Juliane Silberschmidt , Franco‐Belussi Lilian , Taboga Sebastião Roberto , de Oliveira Classius
Published: February 2021

The liver is a well‐defined organ regarding its functions; however, it may present morphological variations among species. Since anurans may be exposed to toxic substances in their environment, which can disrupt liver's morphology and function, descriptive studies of organs are important to be carried out under natural condition. Thus, this study aimed to describe morphological aspects of liver in three Neotropical anuran species commonly used as experimental models: Physalaemus cuvieri (Leptodactylidae), Leptodactylus fuscus (Leptodactylidae) and Rhinella diptycha (Bufonidae). Anatomical, histological and ultrastructural analyses of six male samples of each species were carried out. A restricted analysis of the three species showed that livers' anatomy and ultrastructure are quite similar—they present three lobes, rounded nucleus polyhedral hepatocytes and some glycogen contents; however, histologically, there was a difference in the structural arrangements. In R. diptycha the parenchyma was arranged in a single cord, whereas in P. cuvieri and L. fuscus, there were double ones. This parenchyma structuring is highly variable considering Amphibia class. Knowledge about hepatic morphology and ultrastructure in amphibians is a key measure to detect changes in experimental studies and to infer about possible physiological and / or metabolic changes, when these animals are exposed to adverse conditions.
Women’s satisfaction with childbirth in a public hospital in Brazil
Authors: Lopes Fernanda , Nakamura Mary Uchiyama , Nomura Roseli Mieko Yamamoto
Published: February 2021

Objective

The purpose of this study was to evaluate women's satisfaction with vaginal birth in a public hospital in São Paulo, Brazil.

Methods

A total of 372 low‐risk postpartum women were interviewed. Maternal satisfaction was measured by the Mackey Childbirth Satisfaction Rating Scale (MCSRS), validated to Brazilian Portuguese. The scale is divided into six subscales: self‐evaluation, partner, baby, nursing, physicians, and overall satisfaction. Childbirth care data were related to maternal mobility, shower bath, birth ball exercises, manual massage, and the health care providers assisting delivery.

Results

The MCSRS total score was significantly higher in women living with their partners than those not living with a partner (median 145.5 vs 133.0; P = 0.019), in women with a companion during childbirth than those with no labor support (146.0 vs 136.5; P = 0.047), and in women who early breastfed within the first hour compared with those who did not (146.0 vs 137.0; P = 0.001). Multiple regression identified ‘living with partner’ (coefficient 6.205; P = 0.043) and ‘breastfeeding within the first hour’ (coefficient 7.856; P = 0.005) as independent variables that determine the total score of MCSRS.

Conclusions

Our findings indicate that living with one's partner and early initiation of breastfeeding are key factors enhancing satisfaction with vaginal birth in women who received care at a public Brazilian hospital.
Assessing the influence of warnings with testimonies from former smokers on smoking and quitting behaviour
Authors: Van Dessel Pieter , Tibboel Helen
Published: February 2021

Objectives

Cigarette pack warnings are widely used internationally for reducing smoking behaviour. Current warnings typically consist of a textual or graphic warning that smoking can lead to negative (health) outcomes. Though these warnings have proven benefits, they also have important limitations. Most notably, they do not produce beneficial changes in important cognitive determinants of smoking cessation such as self‐efficacy to refrain from smoking and they do not reduce smoking for specific subsets of the target population. Recent studies provide evidence for the effectiveness of health warnings that include health‐related testimonies from former smokers.

Methods

We designed cigarette pack warnings that consist of more general testimonial statements from former smokers, selected in a pilot study for their potential impact on two important cognitive determinants of smoking (i.e., self‐efficacy beliefs and outcome expectancies). In the main study, online participants were either exposed to the new testimonial warnings, to graphic health warnings, or to text‐only health warnings on four separate occasions during a 24‐h window.

Results

In a sample of 416 daily smokers, we observed beneficial changes in self‐reported cigarette smoking, craving, quit intentions, evaluations of smoking, self‐efficacy, and outcome expectancies, immediately after viewing the warnings a first time and after multiple exposures. These effects were comparable for participants in the three warning type groups, with some (small) differences for changes in outcome expectancies and craving.

Conclusions

Warnings with general testimonies from former smokers might provide a useful evidence‐based addition to currently used cigarette pack health warnings.
Adapting photovoice to explore identity expression amongst people with intellectual disabilities who have limited or no verbal communication
Authors: Krisson Emma , Qureshi Maria , Head Annabel
Published: February 2021

Accessible Summary

People with intellectual disabilities who have limited, or no verbal communication can be involved in research.

Ethnographic observations and interview techniques can work together with photovoice.

More research needs to be completed directly involving people with intellectual disabilities.

Background

Inclusive research requires adapting methodologies to meet the needs of people with all degrees of intellectual disabilities. However, it must also balance this with the requirements of academic research. Building from previous research a study was completed to illustrate how photovoice could not only be adapted to meet the needs of people with intellectual disabilities who have limited or no verbal communication but to also explore how they express their identity.

Methods

A qualitative multiple case study method was used to explore identity expression amongst three participants with intellectual disabilities and limited or no verbal communication. The methodology integrated ethnographic observations, photovoice and interview techniques.

Findings

Integrating the ethnographic observations, photovoice and interview techniques offered families and carers the opportunity to become curious about participants' identities, and this methodology was considered valuable in getting to know more about the person.

Conclusions

It is hoped that through conducting research that directly involves people with intellectual disabilities, more creative and inclusive methods can be explored, verified and applied across various research contexts.
The NANOTUMOR consortium – Towards the Tumor Cell Atlas
Authors: Colin Florent , Schauer Kristine , Hamiche Ali , Martineau Pierre , Borg Jean‐Paul , Bednar Jan , Bertolin Giulia , Camoin Luc , Collette Yves , Dimitrov Stephan , Fournier Isabelle , Hyenne Vincent , Mendoza‐Parra Marco A. , Morelli Xavier , Rondé Philippe , Sumara Izabela , Tramier Marc , Schultz Patrick , Goetz Jacky G.
Published: February 2021

Cancer is a multi‐step disease where an initial tumour progresses through critical steps shaping, in most cases, life‐threatening secondary foci called metastases. The oncogenic cascade involves genetic, epigenetic, signalling pathways, intracellular trafficking and/or metabolic alterations within cancer cells. In addition, pre‐malignant and malignant cells orchestrate complex and dynamic interactions with non‐malignant cells and acellular matricial components or secreted factors within the tumour microenvironment that is instrumental in the progression of the disease. As our aptitude to effectively treat cancer mostly depends on our ability to decipher, properly diagnose and impede cancer progression and metastasis formation, full characterisation of molecular complexes and cellular processes at play along the metastasis cascade is crucial. For many years, the scientific community lacked adapted imaging and molecular technologies to accurately dissect, at the highest resolution possible, tumour and stromal cells behaviour within their natural microenvironment. In that context, the NANOTUMOR consortium is a French national multi‐disciplinary workforce which aims at a providing a multi‐scale characterisation of the oncogenic cascade, from the atomic level to the dynamic organisation of the cell in response to genetic mutations, environmental changes or epigenetic modifications. Ultimately, this program aims at identifying new therapeutic targets using innovative drug design.
MOF upregulates the estrogen receptor α signaling pathway by its acetylase activity in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Wei Shan , Liu Wei , Sun Ning , Wu Yi , Song Huijuan , Wang Chunyu , Wang Shengli , Zou Renlong , Lin Lin , Zeng Kai , Zhou Baosheng , Wang Manlin , Luan Ruina , Yang Fan , Zhao Yue
Published: February 2021

The histone acetyltransferase MOF (KAT8) is mainly involved in the acetylation of histone H4 at lysine 16 (H4K16) and some non‐histone proteins. The MOF expression level is significantly reduced in many cancers, however the biological function of MOF and its underlying mechanism are still elusive in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Estrogen receptor α (ERα) has been considered as a tumor suppressor in HCC. Here, we demonstrated that MOF expression is significantly reduced in HCC samples, and is positively correlated with that of ERα. MOF interacts with ERα, and participates in acetylation of ERα at K266, K268, K299, thereby inhibiting ERα ubiquitination to maintain the stability of ERα. In addition, MOF participates in the upregulation of ERα‐mediated transactivation. Depletion of MOF significantly promotes cell growth, migration, and invasion in HCC cell lines. Taken together, our results provide new insights to understand the mechanism underlying the modulation function of MOF on ERα action in HCC, suggesting that MOF might be a potential therapeutic target for HCC.
Microbial communities of titanium versus zirconia abutments on implant‐supported restorations: Biodiversity composition and its impact on clinical parameters over a 3‐year longitudinal prospective study
Authors: de Freitas Alice Ramos , Del Rey Yumi Chokyu , de Souza Santos Emerson , Faria Ribeiro Ricardo , de Albuquerque Junior Rubens Ferreira , do Nascimento Cássio
Published: February 2021

Background

Shifts in microbial communities are common over time, but they may disturb the host‐microbiome homeostasis and result in inflammation of the peri‐implant issues if a dysbiotic biofilm is established.

Purpose

Considering that different oral substrate surfaces may have a relevant impact on the microbial adhesion and colonization, the aim of this study was to investigate the microbial communities of the biofilm formed on single‐implant restorations using titanium or zirconia abutments and how they correlate with clinical parameters after 3‐years of implant loading.

Materials and methods

MiSeq sequencing of 16S rRNA amplicons was used to characterize the oral biofilms of individuals (n = 20) who were sampled longitudinally during 3 years of masticatory loading. Bioinformatics analysis and multivariate statistical analysis were used to evaluate the microbial diversity and clinical outcomes.

Results

Microbiomes of both abutment materials presented high alpha‐diversity indices during all the experimental period, irrespective of the time of sampling. Microbial communities of titanium and zirconia were quite different over time, differing about 30% after 3 years of functional loading. Similarity of microbiomes between tested abutments and contralateral teeth was also low, ranging between 45% and 50% after 3 years of investigation. Periodontal pathogens commonly associated with peri‐implantitis were found in both groups. Furthermore, both abutment materials presented strong correlations of diversity indices and microbial taxa with clinical outcomes.

Conclusions

The type of abutment substrate significantly influenced diversity and clustering of communities during 3 years of functional loading. The time of sampling had no effect on the variables. Large correlations were found between microbial findings and clinical outcomes.
The utilization of small non‐mammals in traumatic brain injury research: A systematic review
Authors: Zulazmi Nurul Atiqah , Arulsamy Alina , Ali Idrish , Zainal Abidin Syafiq Asnawi , Othman Iekhsan , Shaikh Mohd. Farooq
Published: February 2021

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is the leading cause of death and disability worldwide and has complicated underlying pathophysiology. Numerous TBI animal models have been developed over the past decade to effectively mimic the human TBI pathophysiology. These models are of mostly mammalian origin including rodents and non‐human primates. However, the mammalian models demanded higher costs and have lower throughput often limiting the progress in TBI research. Thus, this systematic review aims to discuss the potential benefits of non‐mammalian TBI models in terms of their face validity in resembling human TBI. Three databases were searched as follows: PubMed, Scopus, and Embase, for original articles relating to non‐mammalian TBI models, published between January 2010 and December 2019. A total of 29 articles were selected based on PRISMA model for critical appraisal. Zebrafish, both larvae and adult, was found to be the most utilized non‐mammalian TBI model in the current literature, followed by the fruit fly and roundworm. In conclusion, non‐mammalian TBI models have advantages over mammalian models especially for rapid, cost‐effective, and reproducible screening of effective treatment strategies and provide an opportunity to expedite the advancement of TBI research.
Costs of the COVID‐19 pandemic associated with obesity in Europe: A health‐care cost model
Authors: Czernichow Sebastien , Bain Stephen C. , Capehorn Matthew , Bøgelund Mette , Madsen Maria Elmegaard , Yssing Cecilie , McMillan Annabell Cajus , Cancino Ana‐Paula , Panton Ulrik Haagen
Published: February 2021

Excess weight is associated with severe outcomes of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19). We aimed to estimate the total secondary care costs by body mass index (BMI, kg/m2) category when hospitalized due to COVID‐19 in Europe during the first wave of the pandemic from January to June 2020. Building a health‐care cost model, this study aimed to estimate the total costs of COVID‐19. Information on risk of hospitalization, admission to intensive care unit (ICU) and risk of ventilation were based on published data. Average cost per patient and in total were calculated based on risks of admission to ICU, risk of invasive mechanical ventilation and length of hospital stay when hospitalized and published costs associated with hospitalization. The total direct costs of secondary care during the first wave of COVID‐19 in Europe were estimated at EUR 13.9 billon, whereof 76% accounted for treating people with overweight and obesity. The average cost per hospital admission increased with BMI, from EUR 15831 for BMI <25 kg/m2 to EUR 30982 for BMI ≥40 kg/m2. This study reveals that excess weight contributes disproportionally to the costs of COVID‐19. This might reflect that overweight and obesity caused the COVID‐19 pandemic to result in more severe outcomes for citizens and higher secondary care costs throughout Europe.
Variable population‐sized particle swarm optimization for highly imbalanced dataset classification
Authors: Rangasamy Devi Priya , Rajappan Sivaraj , Natarajan Anitha , Ramasamy Rajadevi , Vijayakumar Devisurya
Published: February 2021

Real‐world datasets used for classification often face many challenges when they are imbalanced in nature which is unavoidable and need to be handled by analysts. Many researchers have proposed methods for handling imbalanced datasets and they mostly concentrated on handling binary classification with only two class labels. Only very few research works have been carried out for treating highly imbalanced datasets and fail to handle multiclass datasets. To address imbalance problem in multiclass datasets, this paper proposes a Variable Population sized Particle Swarm Optimization (VPPSO) which is a modified version of Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) which works based on clustering. PSO usually has fixed population size and has high computational complexity. In order to reduce this, the population size is varied over generations and the particles are loaded into the population iteratively by retaining the balance nature of solutions. PSO optimizes the selection of training and testing samples from each class label in imbalanced datasets for improved classification results. From the implementation results, it is evident that using VPPSO, highly imbalanced datasets with multiclass attributes are classified more efficiently than state‐of‐the‐art algorithms. The statistical results also prove the superior performance of VPPSO.