bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The potential importance of autophagy genes expression profile dysregulation and ATG polymorphisms in COVID‐19 pathogenesis
Authors: Yousefi Parastoo , Tabibzadeh Alireza , Keyvani Hossein , Esghaei Maryam , Karampoor Sajad , Razizadeh Mohammad Hossein , Mousavizadeh Leila
Published: December 2022

Autophagy is one of the important mechanisms in cell maintenance, which is considered associated with different pathological conditions such as viral infections. In this current study, the expression level and polymorphisms in some of the most important genes in the autophagy flux in COVID‐19 patients were evaluated. This cross‐sectional study was conducted among 50 confirmed COVID‐19 patients and 20 healthy controls. The COVID‐19 patients were divided into a severe group and a mild group according to their clinical features. The expression levels of ATG5, ATG16L1, LC3, and BECN1 were evaluated by the 2−∆∆CT method and beta‐actin as the internal control. The polymorphisms of the ATG5 (rs506027, rs510432) and ATG16L1 (rs2241880 or T300A) were evaluated by the Sanger sequencing following the conventional PCR. The mean age of the included patients was 58.3 ± 17.9 and 22 (44%) were female. The expression levels of the LC3 were downregulated, while BECN1 and ATG16L1 genes represent an upregulation in COVID‐19 patients. The polymorphism analysis revealed the ATG16L1 rs2241880 and AGT5 rs506027 polymorphism frequencies are statistically significantly different between COVID‐19 and Healthy controls. The autophagy alteration represents an association with COVID‐19 pathogenesis and severity. The current study is consistent with the alteration of autophagy elements in COVID‐19 patients by mRNA expression‐level evaluation. Furthermore, ATG16L1 rs2241880 and AGT5 rs506027 polymorphisms seem to be important in COVID‐19 and are highly suggested for further investigations.
Sodium butyrate administration modulates the ruminal villus height, inflammation‐related gene expression, and plasma hormones concentration in dry cows fed a high‐fiber diet
Authors: Fukumori Rika , Doi Kazuya , Mochizuki Taisei , Oikawa Shin , Gondaira Satoshi , Iwasaki Tomohito , Izumi Kenichi
Published: December 2022

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effects of sodium butyrate on the ruminal villus morphology, mRNA expression associated with nutrient metabolism and inflammation in the ruminal epithelium, and plasma concentrations of metabolites and hormones in non‐lactating cows fed a high‐fiber diet. Four Holstein cows with a rumen cannula were assigned to two treatments in a crossover design. The treatments were ruminal administration of sodium butyrate premix or control premix before feeding to cows fed the same total mixed ration mainly composed of glass silage once a day. Sodium butyrate was provided at a butyrate dose of 0.04% per kg body weight. The control premix was made by replacing sodium‐butyrate with wheat bran. The plasma β‐hydroxybutyrate concentration increased 3 to 6 h after the butyrate premix administration but returned to a concentration similar to that of the control before feeding. After continuous administration, increases in the ruminal villus height and plasma concentration of glucagon‐like peptide‐2, and lower gene expression of TNF‐α, IL‐1β, and TLR‐2 in the rumen epithelium were observed in cows supplied with the butyrate premix. These results showed that sodium butyrate affects rumen epithelial morphology and plasma concentrations of hormones even under a low fermentable diet.
The generational impact of household clutter
Authors: Nix Caitlyn A. , Dozier Mary E.
Published: December 2022

Objectives

Hoarding disorder can create long‐term problems for adult children of individuals with hoarding symptoms; however, the extent of the psychosocial consequences of growing up in a cluttered household are not yet fully understood. This study investigated the extent to which generational clutter (i.e., parent/caregiver and grandparent) influenced individuals' self‐reported hoarding severity and psychiatric and psychosocial functioning.

Methods

A total of 1306 adults completed an online survey that included measures of hoarding, anxiety, depression, companionship and emotional support. A subsample (n = 198) reported on parent and grandparent household clutter, as well as family impact from hoarding. We used correlations, t‐tests, linear and hierarchical regressions and mediation analyses to investigate whether hoarding symptoms were predicted by parent or grandparent hoarding.

Results

Parent clutter level significantly predicted participant hoarding symptoms. For participants who reported having caregivers with elevated clutter, self‐reported psychosocial functioning was lower overall. Self‐reported behaviour modification due to family hoarding symptoms (accommodation) was a significant predictor of participant hoarding symptoms.

Conclusions

Parent clutter and family accommodation behaviours may be a risk factor for future clutter in adult children. Further comparisons between parents and children are needed to determine whether this association increases children's risk for future hoarding symptoms.
Safety, tolerability, pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics following once‐daily doses of BI 187004, an inhibitor of 11 beta‐hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase‐1, over 28 days in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and overweight or obesity
Authors: Bianzano Susanna , Nordaby Matias , Plum‐Mörschel Leona , Peil Barbara , Heise Tim
Published: December 2022

Aims

To study the oral 11 beta‐hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase‐1 (11β‐HSD1) inhibitor BI 187004 (NCT02150824), as monotherapy and in combination with metformin, versus placebo in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) affected by overweight or obesity.

Materials and Methods

This Phase II, randomized controlled trial investigated multiple rising doses of BI 187004 as monotherapy (Arm 1: 20, 80 or 240 mg) and in combination with metformin (Arm 2: 240 mg), in adults with T2DM and a body mass index of 28–40 kg/m2.

Results

In total, 103 patients (Arm 1: n = 62, Arm 2: n = 41) were included in this study. BI 187004 was rapidly absorbed and exposure increased approximately dose‐dependently. Target engagement of 11β‐HSD1 was observed with near‐full inhibition of 11β‐HSD1 in the liver [decreased (5α‐tetrahydrocortisol + 5β‐tetrahydrocortisol)/tetrahydrocortisone ratio]; hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis activation was also seen (increased total urinary corticosteroids). No clinically relevant changes from baseline with BI 187004 treatment were observed for bodyweight or meal tolerance test parameters, or in most efficacy endpoints testing glucose and lipid metabolism; a significant increase was observed in weighted mean plasma glucose (p < .05 for 80 and 240 mg BI 187004) but not fasting plasma glucose. Drug‐related adverse events were reported for 14 patients (22.6%) in Arm 1 and 10 patients (24.4%) in Arm 2, most frequently headache, diarrhoea, flushing and dizziness. A dose‐dependent increase in heart rate was seen with BI 187004 treatment.

Conclusions

BI 187004 was generally well tolerated in patients with T2DM. Despite complete 11β‐HSD1 inhibition, no clinically relevant effects were observed with BI 187004.
Monocytosis in primary care and risk of haematological malignancies
Authors: Christensen Mathilde Egelund , Siersma Volkert , Kriegbaum Margit , Lind Bent Struer , Samuelsson Jan , Østgård Lene Sofie Granfeldt , Grønbæk Kirsten , Andersen Christen Lykkegaard
Published: December 2022

Monocytosis (≥0.5 × 109/L in peripheral blood) is the hallmark of chronic myelomonocytic leukaemia (CMML) but may be present in a spectrum of diseases including other haematological malignancies. In the primary care sector, monocytosis is a relatively common finding, but its predictive value for haematological malignancy is unknown. We included 663 184 adult primary care patients from the greater Copenhagen area with one or more differential cell counts registered between 2000 and 2016 and followed them in the extensive nationwide Danish health data registers for 3 years after blood sampling. We used logistic regression to model the risk of haematological malignancy and death following monocytosis. Monocytosis was associated with an increased risk of all types of haematological malignancy with the greatest relative risk increase observed in CMML with an OR of 105.22 (95% confidence interval: 38.27–289.30). Sustained monocytosis (at least two requisitions in 3 months) further increased CMML risk, although the diagnosis was still very rare, that is, observed in only 0.1% of these individuals. Outside the haematological setting, the absolute risk of haematological malignancy associated with monocytosis is low and haematological malignancy should mainly be suspected when monocytosis is sustained or the clinical presentation raises suspicion of malignancy.
Self‐knowledge and the self
Authors: Larmore Charles
Published: December 2022

As several historical examples are adduced to show, different theories of self‐knowledge take shape in response to different conceptions of the sort of beings we are. This leads to the question of what underlying notion of the self motivates, in particular, the dominant modern idea that self‐knowledge consists primarily in grasping whatever beliefs, desires, thoughts, and feelings make up our mental life. The answer is that the self‐constitutive relation to itself has been conceived as one of an intimate, pre‐reflective acquaintance with our own minds and that only so can we be understood as being responsible for whatever we think or do. Against this view it is then argued that all our self‐knowledge really rests on reflection of an essentially third‐person kind, since the self's constitutive relation to itself consists instead in our guiding ourselves by what we take to be reasons in all that we think and do and in thereby counting as responsible for our thought and action, whatever may be the extent of our knowledge of our own minds. This alternative account implies, contrary to the modern view and in company with certain ancient views, that self‐knowledge can prove to be the most difficult kind of knowledge to acquire.
Mission, governance, and accountability of benefit corporations: Toward a commitment device for achieving commercial and social goals
Authors: Bandini Federica , Boni Leonardo , Fia Magali , Toschi Laura
Published: December 2022

Benefit corporations (BCs) are profit‐with‐purpose organizations regulated by a legal framework for establishing explicit commitments in terms of multi‐stakeholder governance and accountability structures. We comprehensively analyze the theoretical alignment of four concepts (ownership, mission, governance, and accountability) to explain the legal rationale for BCs' unique corporate form. However, the boundaries of BC legislation are blurry, leaving them open to top‐down governance arrangements and weak accountability. To explore this ambiguity, this paper investigates whether BCs implement a de facto (i.e., beyond the letter of the law) multi‐stakeholder structure with governance models and downward accountability mechanisms that balance different stakeholders' interests, instead of focusing only on shareholder profits. This further highlight the soft boundaries imposed by the BC regulatory framework and suggests that more work is needed to explore the relationship between governance models that differently balance stakeholders' claims and the firm's social performance.
Immune checkpoint inhibitor‐based therapy for advanced acral and mucosal melanoma
Authors: Mori Tatsuhiko , Izumi Teruaki , Doi Reiichi , Kamimura Anna , Takai Sayaka , Teramoto Yukiko , Nakamura Yasuhiro
Published: December 2022

Acral melanoma (AM) and mucosal melanomas (MM) are rare clinical subtypes of melanoma. AM and MM are etiologically, biologically, and molecularly distinct from cutaneous melanoma (CM). Despite the recent development of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) for the treatment of advanced CMs, the true therapeutic efficacy of ICIs for these rare subtypes remains unclear. Since these subtypes are rare, especially in the Caucasian population, their biological features and corresponding novel therapies are underexplored than those of CM. Even in the larger phase III clinical trials for ICIs, the sample size of patients with AM and MM is limited. Consequently, establishment of standard of care for advanced AM and MM has been challenging. This review covers current update and overview on clinical efficacy of ICIs and ICI‐based therapy for advanced AM and MM, based mainly on the reported clinical trials, prospective observational studies, and retrospective studies, to provide a better understanding of the current landscape of this field. In addition, we discuss the future direction of treatment for those rare clinical subtypes, focusing on issues relevant to dermatology and medical oncology.
Determining spatially varying profit‐maximizing management practices for miscanthus and switchgrass production in the rainfed United States
Authors: Zhang Na , Sharma Bijay P. , Khanna Madhu
Published: December 2022

Determining optimal management practices for the profitable production of perennial energy crops is critical for scaling up production beyond experimental levels. Although many experimental field studies have examined the effects of management practices on the performance of miscanthus and switchgrass, there are no recommendations for economically optimal nitrogen (N) application rates and how they should vary spatially and with the age of the energy crop as well as on optimal rotation age of the energy crop to maximize profits. We develop a modeling framework to determine economically optimal crop management decisions and simulate the variability under various scenarios for miscanthus and switchgrass production across 2287 counties in the rainfed United States. We find that profit‐maximizing N recommendations for these crops vary across maturity stages and regions and can increase the landowner's profits compared with a uniform N rate across ages and regions. We also find that the optimal rotation for these crops is shorter than the productive physical lifespan (15–20 and 10 years for miscanthus and switchgrass, respectively). Specifically, the N rate that maximizes the economic returns is negligible for miscanthus and 111 kg ha−1 for switchgrass production at age 2. The mean profit‐maximizing N rate increases with age for miscanthus, peaking at 151 kg ha−1 at age 11 before declining to 114 kg ha−1 at the optimal rotation age of 13 years while that for switchgrass is 150 kg ha−1 for middle‐aged stands and declines to 114 kg ha−1 at the optimal rotation of 8–9 years. We find that miscanthus is the most profitable energy crop in the northern region of the rainfed United States while switchgrass is most profitable in the south of the rainfed United States. Our findings are useful for improving assessments of the profitability of energy crops and guiding future management decisions by landowners.
Digital media, ageing and faith: Older Sri Lankan migrants in Australia and their digital articulations of transnational religion
Authors: Gamage Shashini , Wilding Raelene , Baldassar Loretta
Published: December 2022

To date, older adults have received little attention in the newly emerging technological narratives of transnational religion. This is surprising, given the strong association of later life with spiritual and religious engagement, but it likely reflects the ongoing assumption that older adults are technophobic or technologically incompetent. Drawing on ethnographic interviews with older Sinhalese Buddhist migrants from Sri Lanka, living in Melbourne, this paper explores the digital articulations of transnational religion that arise from older migrants’ uses of digital media. We focus on how engagements with digital media enable older Sinhalese to respond to an urgent need to accumulate merit in later life, facilitating their temporal strategies for ageing as migrants. We argue that these digital articulations transform both the religious imaginary and the religious practices that validate and legitimize a life well‐lived.
Beyond consultocracy and servants of power: Explaining the role of consultants in policy formulation
Authors: Marciano Reut
Published: December 2022

Prior research on consultants in policymaking described their expanding policy involvement and impact. This research focuses on consultants' policy formulation roles and on how and why these roles vary across jurisdictions and contexts. It draws on comparative research on healthcare policy in Ontario, Canada, and Victoria, Australia. Based on analysis of contracts and expenditure data, and 59 semi‐structured interviews, this research finds that consultants in Victoria are partners in formulation, used routinely for a variety of tasks, including core formulation work. Their role is institutionalized through formal and informal rules. In contrast, consultants in Ontario perform non‐core formulation work and are primarily active in linking the government to other sites and pools of knowledge. The paper ties this variation to public sector internal capacity and policy sector complexity. It offers new empirical data and provides a nuanced understanding of the roles of consultants in policy formulation.
Prevalence and trends of multiple antimicrobial resistance of Helicobacter pylori in one tertiary hospital for 20 years in Korea
Authors: Lee Jung Won , Kim Nayoung , Choi Soo In , Jang Jae Young , Song Chin Hee , Nam Ryoung Hee , Lee Dong Ho
Published: December 2022

Background

Failure of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) eradication is principally caused by antimicrobial resistance. Nowadays, multidrug resistance could be a major determinant of eradication failure. To assess minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC), antimicrobial resistance rates and trends in H. pylori isolated from patients with upper gastrointestinal disease with long‐term period.

Materials and Methods

Patients who had H. pylori colonies isolated from culture were consecutively enrolled during the period of 2003–2022. From each patient, one to ten isolates were collected from culture of mucosal biopsy. MIC test was performed for amoxicillin, clarithromycin, metronidazole, tetracycline, levofloxacin, and moxifloxacin using agar dilution method. Trends in MIC distribution, prevalence of resistances with single and multiple were investigated which were suspected to be related to the failure of empirical H. pylori eradication treatment.

Results

From 2003 to 2022, a total of 873 patients were enrolled and 2735 H. pylori isolates were successfully collected. Increase in the primary resistance rate was found in clarithromycin (16.1%–31.0%, p = .022), metronidazole (30.6%–38.1%, p < 0.001), and both of levofloxacin and moxifloxacin (7.3%–35.7%, p < 0.001). The prevalence of multidrug resistance to both clarithromycin and metronidazole (9.2%–37.9%, p < 0.001), clarithromycin and fluoroquinolone (2.8%–41.7%, p < 0.001), and clarithromycin, metronidazole, and fluoroquinolone (1.4%–28.2%, p < 0.001) was found to significantly increase.

Conclusions

The prevalence of multiple resistance against H. pylori in Korea is ongoing. Its trend should be considered when establishing an empirical treatment strategy (ClinicalTrials. gov: NCT05247112).
Influences on indoor environmental trigger remediation uptake for children and young people with asthma: A scoping review
Authors: Lewis Grace , Milnes Linda , Adams Alexandra , Schwarze Jürgen , Duff Alistair
Published: December 2022

Introduction

Children and young people (CYP) with asthma can benefit from reduced exposure to indoor environmental allergens and triggers but may not consistently have avoidance strategies implemented. To inform future interventions to increase trigger and allergen avoidance and enhance asthma control, a greater understanding of the influences on avoidance behaviours is necessary.

Methods

A systematic scoping review was selected to summarize evidence on what influences family uptake of indoor environmental asthma trigger avoidance strategies for CYP with asthma and identify research gaps. Primary studies of any design, including CYP (≤18 years) with asthma, and/or parent‐carers, available in English and conducted since 1993, were eligible. Searches included nine databases, hand‐searching reference lists and citation searching.

Findings

Thirty‐three articles were included and are summarized narratively due to heterogeneity. Influences appear complex and multifactorial and include barriers to strategy uptake, health beliefs and personal motivation. Research specifically related to family understanding of allergic sensitisation status and exposure risks, and how these may inform avoidance implementation is required. Patient and public involvement (PPI) was not reported in included articles, although two studies used participatory methods.

Conclusion

There is limited research on family asthma trigger management, particularly what influences current management behaviours. Variation in families' ability to identify important triggers, understand exposure risk and consistently reduce exposures warrants further exploratory research to explain how families reach avoidance decisions, and what future interventions should aim to address. Further PPI‐informed research to address such gaps, could enable theory‐based, person‐centred interventions to improve the uptake of asthma trigger remediation.

Patient or Public Contribution

An asthma‐specific PPI group contributed to the decision‐making for the funding for the wider project this review sits within. The findings of this scoping review have informed the subsequent phases of the project, and this was discussed with PPI groups (both adult and CYP groups) when proposing the next phases of the project.
Optimization of first‐line systemic therapy in patients with advanced clear cell renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Takagi Toshio
Published: December 2022

Although five immune‐oncologic‐drug‐based combination therapies, such as ipilimumab plus nivolumab, avelumab plus axitinib, pembrolizumab plus axitinib, nivolumab plus cabozantinib, and pembrolizumab plus lenvatinib, have been approved for advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) in Japan, the optimal therapy for advanced RCC has not been determined. Without head‐to‐head comparison, several network meta‐analyses using phase 3 clinical trials presented the highest likelihood of maximal overall survival, progression‐free survival, and objective response rate according to several categories such as the International Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Database Consortium risk group, programmed cell death 1‐ligand 1 expression, sarcomatoid features, or the safety profile of treatment‐related adverse events; however, they did not include the results of additional long‐term follow‐up data in each clinical trial. In the real world, advanced RCC treatment depends on several factors, such as age, comorbidity, tumor burden, or the presence of symptoms that affect daily life. To relieve tumor‐related symptoms, tumor burden reduction is required, which may lead to the use of therapies with high response rates and low risk of disease progression. Moreover, patients with comorbidities, such as uncontrolled diabetes, are required to avoid steroid therapy for adverse events, which may necessitate the use of therapies with a low incidence of adverse events that are needed for high‐dose steroids or permanent steroid replacement therapy. Moreover, novel drugs, such as the hypoxia‐inducible factor 2a inhibitor (belzutifan) or immunostimulatory interleukin‐2 cytokine prodrug (bempegaldesleukin) have been developed, and phase 3 clinical trials of combination therapy using these drugs for treatment‐naïve advanced RCC are ongoing. Further development of systemic therapies for advanced RCC is required.
More than words: Can tone of consumer product reviews help predict firms’ fundamentals?
Authors: Jin Shunyao (Cynthia)
Published: December 2022

Although financial market participants are increasingly interested in the financial value of unstructured qualitative information regarding the prospects of a firm, empirical evidence remains sparse on the properties of qualitative content in consumer product reviews and their capital market implications. Using a broad sample of consumer reviews posted on Amazon.com, I examine whether the linguistic tone of aggregate consumer product reviews conveys information that is associated with firms’ sales, earnings, stock returns and risk. I find that aggregate review tone successfully predicts a firm's forthcoming quarterly sales. Moderating analyses show that this predictability is stronger for firms operating in a highly competitive environment. I further find that review tone predicts a firm's quarterly earnings surprises, abnormal stock returns and risk. A path analysis shows that the effect of review tone on stock prices is partially channeled through its effect on firms’ earnings. I finally find that negative review tone is more informative and useful than positive tone in predicting a firm's fundamentals. Importantly, these results hold after controlling for other review characteristics, including review rating, review volumeand review dispersion. Overall, my findings highlight the importance of considering the tone of consumer reviews when evaluating a firm's prospects and value.
Oral orismilast: Efficacy and safety in moderate‐to‐severe psoriasis and development of modified release tablets
Authors: Warren Richard B. , Strober Bruce , Silverberg Jonathan I. , Guttman Emma , Andres Philippe , Felding Jakob , Tutkunkardas Deniz , Kjøller Kim , Sommer Morten O. A. , French Lars E.
Published: December 2022

Background

Orismilast is a high‐potency phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) inhibitor with enhanced selectivity for the PDE4B and PDE4D subtypes.

Objectives

The objective of this phase 2a trial was to examine the efficacy and safety of orismilast for psoriasis using a first‐generation immediate‐release (IR) formulation. The objective of the subsequent phase 1 trial was to test new formulations designed to minimize the gastrointestinal (GI)‐related adverse events (AEs) observed with the first‐generation IR formulation. We examined the following: (1) pharmacokinetic (PK) properties of orismilast modified release (MR) and IR, (2) food effects on PK properties of orismilast MR or IR, (3) safety of orismilast MR compared to placebo.

Methods

In a phase 2a prospective, randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial, patients with moderate‐to‐severe psoriasis were randomized to receive 30 mg oral orismilast IR or placebo over 16 weeks. The single‐site phase 1 trial consisted of three parts: (1) participants received a single 30 mg dose of orismilast MR and IR (open‐label), (2) participants received 30 mg orismilast MR or IR under either fasting condition, following a high‐fat meal or low‐fat meal (open‐label) and (3) participants received up to 60 mg orismilast MR twice‐daily or a placebo for 17 days (double‐blind).

Results

In the phase 2a trial, treatment with orismilast IR significantly improved the mean Psoriasis Area Severity Index score at week 16 compared to placebo. The phase 1 trial revealed comparable PK properties of the orismilast MR and IR formulations, with participants in the orismilast MR group experiencing fewer GI‐related AEs than those receiving orismilast IR (16.7% vs. 33.3%).

Conclusion

Orismilast IR displayed higher efficacy compared to placebo in patients with moderate‐to‐severe psoriasis at week 16. Orismilast MR had similar PK properties and fewer GI disorders compared to the IR formulation in healthy participants. Future development of orismilast will be based on the MR formulation.
Multiple‐Group Joint Modeling of Item Responses, Response Times, and Action Counts with the Conway‐Maxwell‐Poisson Distribution
Authors: Qiao Xin , Jiao Hong , He Qiwei
Published: December 2022

Multiple group modeling is one of the methods to address the measurement noninvariance issue. Traditional studies on multiple group modeling have mainly focused on item responses. In computer‐based assessments, joint modeling of response times and action counts with item responses helps estimate the latent speed and action levels in addition to latent ability. These two new data sources can also be used to further address the measurement noninvariance issue. One challenge, however, is to correctly model action counts which can be underdispersed, overdispersed, or equidispersed in real data sets. To address this, we adopted the Conway‐Maxwell‐Poisson distribution that accounts for different types of dispersion in action counts and incorporated it in the multiple group joint modeling of item responses, response times, and action counts. Bayesian Markov Chain Monte Carlo method was used for model parameter estimation. To illustrate an application of the proposed model, an empirical data analysis was conducted using the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) 2015 collaborative problem‐solving items where potential measurement noninvariance issue existed between gender groups. Results indicated that Conway‐Maxwell‐Poisson model yielded better model fit than alternative count data models such as negative binomial and Poisson models. In addition, response times and action counts provided further information on performance differences between groups.
Molecular prevalence and subtypes distribution of Blastocystis sp. among outpatients and inpatients in north and south areas of Henan Province, China
Authors: Mei Xuefang , Su Changwei , Wang Weijuan , Zhang Bo , Wei Lai , Zhang Zhenchao , Tian Xiaowei , Yang Zhenke , Li Xiangrui , Duan Aijun , Wang Shuai
Published: December 2022

Blastocystis sp. is one of the most common intestinal parasites in humans and many animals. To further understand the infection of Blastocystis hominis (B. hominis) and the distribution of its genotype in some areas of Henan Province, China, 793 stool samples from outpatients and inpatients in Xinxiang City and Xinyang City, Henan Province were collected from April 2020 to July 2022. The samples were detected by polymerase chain reaction and analyzed by univariate analysis and logistic regression analysis. The results showed that the infection rates of B. hominis in Xinxiang and Xinyang were 10.97% (51/465) and 10.98% (36/328), respectively. Although there were no significant differences in B. hominis infection between gender, age, residence, and disease background, the incidence of hematochezia significantly differed from the incidence of abdominal pain, diarrhea, and constipation among participants (χ2 = 15.795, p = 0.002). A total of 87 positive samples were sequenced and compared with Basic Local Alignment Search Tool, and five subtypes (ST1, ST3, ST4, ST6, and ST7) were identified, of which ST3 was the dominant subtype (63.22%, 55/87), followed by ST7 (17.24%, 15/87) and ST1 (16.09%, 14/87). This is the first study that analyzed the prevalence and subtype distribution of B. hominis in southern and northern Henan Province, thus providing new insights into the epidemiology of B. hominis.
DNA methylation dynamics during germline development
Authors: He Shengbo , Feng Xiaoqi
Published: December 2022

DNA methylation plays essential homeostatic functions in eukaryotic genomes. In animals, DNA methylation is also developmentally regulated and, in turn, regulates development. In the past two decades, huge research effort has endorsed the understanding that DNA methylation plays a similar role in plant development, especially during sexual reproduction. The power of whole‐genome sequencing and cell isolation techniques, as well as bioinformatics tools, have enabled recent studies to reveal dynamic changes in DNA methylation during germline development. Furthermore, the combination of these technological advances with genetics, developmental biology and cell biology tools has revealed functional methylation reprogramming events that control gene and transposon activities in flowering plant germlines. In this review, we discuss the major advances in our knowledge of DNA methylation dynamics during male and female germline development in flowering plants.
The influence of relationship pattern labeling on intimacy, acceptance, and relationship satisfaction
Authors: Rice Jenna , McTernan Melissa , Cordova James
Published: December 2022

Relationship health has a strong influence on physical and emotional health, and with reported rates of divorce at 40‐50%, relationship health is a critical public health issue. Thus, it is important to identify mechanisms that encourage healthy relationship functioning. This study measures the impact of engaging in discussions of challenging relationship patterns, or Relationship Pattern Labeling (RPL). Such discussions are embedded in existing interventions, and yet there is no literature, to our knowledge, that examines the impact of these discussions independently. Our results indicate significant small increases in intimacy (p = 0.002), acceptance (p < 0.001), and relationship satisfaction (p = 0.003) when participants engaged in RPL. We present preliminary evidence that supports the current applications of RPL and indicates that it may be successfully extended into independent online interventions.
Law and childbirth in Ireland after the 8th Amendment: notes on women's legal consciousness
Authors: ENRIGHT MÁIRÉAD , DUFFY DEIRDRE
Published: December 2022

Drawing on a survey of women's experiences of obstetric care in Ireland between 2000 and 2017, this article examines women's legal consciousness of the 8th Amendment; a fetal rights provision that formed part of the Irish Constitution until 2018. Though it was widely agreed that the Amendment had some influence on pregnancy and childbirth, even where the woman had not sought an abortion, the scope of that influence was poorly understood. The courts produced few published judgments, and state‐issued guidance was limited. This article shows that the Amendment's meanings were not confined to those validated by the courts. A significant minority of our survey respondents felt that the Amendment had influenced some very ordinary decisions in pregnancy, and that it was bound up with a range of non‐legal norms. Most of these women saw the Amendment to be at work even though the medical professionals treating them had not invoked it. The Amendment was a felt part of a coercive legal atmosphere around childbirth and pregnancy in Ireland.
Geographic patterns and environmental correlates of taxonomic and phylogenetic diversity of aquatic plants in China
Authors: Zhou Ya‐Dong , Qian Hong , Xiao Ke‐Yan , Wang Qing‐Feng , Yan Xue
Published: December 2022

Studies on large‐scale geographic patterns of aquatic plant diversity can promote research on the generality of macroecological patterns in different ecosystems. Here, we compiled a checklist of 889 aquatic angiosperms in China, including 738 helophytes (emergent and marshy plants) and 151 hydrophytes (submerged, free‐floating, and floating‐leaved plants). We explore the geographic patterns and environmental correlates of aquatic plant diversity based on six metrics including species richness (SR), weighted endemism (WE), phylogenetic diversity (PD), phylogenetic endemism (PE), the standardized effect size of phylogenetic diversity (PDses), and the standardized effect size of mean phylogenetic distance (MPDses). Our results show that the diversity of aquatic plants in China is extremely uneven, with high diversity in southeastern China and low diversity in northwestern China, and the geographic patterns of taxonomic and PD are generally consistent. The pattern of helophytes differs from that of hydrophytes. Notably, the wavy‐shaped pattern of aquatic plant diversity (especially SR and PD for hydrophytes) across the latitude observed in this study is not consistent with those previously observed for aquatic plants in other continents. Climatic variables and water environmental variables are the main drivers of aquatic plant diversity in China; however, the effects of individual variables differ between helophytes and hydrophytes. Water environmental variables have a greater impact on PDses and MPDses of hydrophytes than those of helophytes. Overall, our work provides insight into understanding the large‐scale patterns of aquatic plant diversity and is a critical addition to previous studies on the macroecological pattern of terrestrial organisms.
Selection Bias in Housing Price Indexes: The Characteristics Repeat Sales Approach*
Authors: Melser Daniel
Published: December 2022

The widely used repeat sales method for constructing house price indexes only uses data for properties that sell twice or more. This makes it susceptible to selection bias as price movements for these properties may not be representative of those for the stock of homes. We outline a novel approach to modelling repeat sales, which allows for a home's characteristics to influence its price movement. This allows us to impute price changes for the stock of homes and control for selection‐on‐observables. Using data for Florida from 2002 to 2020 we find that selection effects significantly exaggerated the volatility of Florida's housing prices.
MSX1 involved selective tooth agenesis and abnormal labial frenum, pedigree, and retrospective study
Authors: Zhu Yulong , Zhang Yanli , Dong Jing , Ruan Wenyan , Yang Shaoqing , Huang Ping , Duan Xiaohong
Published: December 2022

Objective

Muscle segment homeobox gene 1 (MSX1) is widely expressed in craniofacial development and tooth formation. The aim of this study was to report a novel MSX1 mutation in a Chinese family with selective tooth agenesis and abnormal median maxillary labial frenum (MMLF).

Materials and Methods

Mutation analysis was carried out by whole exome sequencing. The pMD18‐T vector was used to verify the mutations. PubMed and Human Gene Mutation Database were searched to analyze the relationship between the mutations in MSX1 and related phenotypes.

Results

A novel heterozygous mutation (c.75delG) in MSX1 was detected in the proband and her mother. They presented as oligodontia and lower attached hypertrophy median maxillary labial frenum. 60 MSX1 mutations from 39 reports did not declare malformed MMLF except our cases. Meanwhile, we found that the types and sites of MSX1 mutations may affect the selectivity of tooth agenesis and orofacial cleft.

Conclusion

This study suggests malformed MMLF as a new phenotype of MSX1 mutation and a specific relationship between MSX1 genotype and phenotype.
Effects of catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation on the biomarker profile
Authors: Goldberger Jeffrey J. , Green David , Rabbat Firas , Ringwala Sukit , Andrei Adin‐Cristian , Xu Yao , Passman Rod
Published: December 2022

Background

Following catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF), there are dynamic changes in the atrial myocardium associated with damage to and necrosis of atrial tissue and other procedure related changes in rhythm and anticoagulation. Early time‐dependent changes in biomarkers of necrosis, inflammation, and coagulation have been reported. This study examines mid‐term (4–8 weeks post‐ablation) changes in biomarkers and explores their ability to predict AF recurrence at one‐year.

Methods

Twenty‐seven patients (mean age 65.4 ± 9.7 years, 30% female) undergoing catheter ablation for AF had peripheral venous blood samples obtained at the time of ablation and 4–8 weeks later. All samples were processed to obtain plasma which was frozen for subsequent analysis. Coagulation studies were performed at the Northwestern Special Hemostasis Laboratory: VWF, ADAMTS13, PAI‐1, D‐dimer, and TAT complexes. A commercial lab analyzed samples for CRP, cystatin C, fibrinogen, galectin, IL‐6, MMP‐2, myoglobin, NT‐proBNP, PAI‐1, TIMP‐1, TIMP‐2, TPA, and VWF.

Results

Significant changes were noted with higher levels of ADAMTS13 (p < 0.0001), fibrinogen (p = 0.004), MMP‐2 (p = 0.0002), TIMP‐2 (p = 0.003), and TPA (p = 0.001) compared to lower levels of TAT (p < 0.0001) and NT‐proBNP (p = 0.0001) at follow up post‐ablation. One year after ablation, AF had recurred in 11/26 (42%) of patients. None of the biomarker changes predicted the 1‐year outcome, and there was no significant association with the use of warfarin versus rivaroxaban.

Conclusion

In patients undergoing catheter ablation for AF, there were significant changes in pre‐ vs post‐ablation levels of multiple biomarkers. However, these changes were not associated with 1‐year outcome of AF recurrence.
Callose metabolism and the regulation of cell walls and plasmodesmata during plant mutualistic and pathogenic interactions
Authors: German Liam , Yeshvekar Richa , Benitez‐Alfonso Yoselin
Published: December 2022

Cell walls are essential for plant growth and development, providing support and protection from external environments. Callose is a glucan that accumulates in specialized cell wall microdomains including around intercellular pores called plasmodesmata. Despite representing a small percentage of the cell wall (~0.3% in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana), callose accumulation regulates important biological processes such as phloem and pollen development, cell division, organ formation, responses to pathogenic invasion and to changes in nutrients and toxic metals in the soil. Callose accumulation modifies cell wall properties and restricts plasmodesmata aperture, affecting the transport of signaling proteins and RNA molecules that regulate plant developmental and environmental responses. Although the importance of callose, at and outside plasmodesmata cell walls, is widely recognized, the underlying mechanisms controlling changes in its synthesis and degradation are still unresolved. In this review, we explore the most recent literature addressing callose metabolism with a focus on the molecular factors affecting callose accumulation in response to mutualistic symbionts and pathogenic elicitors. We discuss commonalities in the signaling pathways, identify research gaps and highlight opportunities to target callose in the improvement of plant responses to beneficial versus pathogenic microbes.
Determinants of safety outcomes in organizations: Exploring O*NET data to predict occupational accident rates
Authors: Kumar Lavanya S. , Burns Gary N.
Published: December 2022

Although workplace safety research is common given the frequent occurrence of fatal and nonfatal occupational accidents, it has focused mainly on safety climate and lacks a unified approach when examining predictors of safety outcomes. We argue that adopting an integrated approach with job analysis data and using newer machine learning methods can support and extend findings from cross‐sectional research studies using traditional statistical methods. The suggested approach is demonstrated by using three machine learning methods (elastic net, random forest, and gradient boosting) along with publicly available O*NET data to predict annual nonfatal occupational incident rates published by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. Findings indicate that O*NET descriptors from several subdomains including abilities, work context, and work activities were significant in predicting occupational injury rates. The amount of variance explained by the predictors varied from 54.2% (gradient boosting) to 58.8% (elastic net) with 12 common predictors across the three methods. The exploratory approach with machine learning techniques supports past findings and helps uncover understudied predictors of safety outcomes. This study adds to the literature surrounding person‐ and situation‐based antecedents to workplace safety and has several other implications for research and practice.
Factor structure and validity of the dyadic coping inventory–Bahasa Indonesia
Authors: Rumondor Pingkan C. B. , Randall Ashley K. , Purwono Urip , Muttaqin Darmawan , Ginanjar Adriana Soekandar
Published: December 2022

In a country with collective cultural values like Indonesia, marriage is considered desirable. Despite the perceived importance of marriage, the divorce rate increases due to couple's experiencing stress from both outside and inside the relationship. This creates the urgency of a valid dyadic coping (DC) measurement for research and intervention. Current study aims to evaluate factor structure and validity of the Dyadic Coping Inventory (DCI)–Bahasa Indonesia in measuring the DC of married individuals living in Indonesia, and to evaluate measurement invariance between genders. Confirmatory factor analyses on 303 Indonesians supported the 5‐factor structure regarding self and partner, and 2‐factor structure common DC. Measurement invariance analyses found weak factorial gender invariance for self and perceived partner subscales, whilst strict gender invariance was found for common DC subscales of the DCI–Bahasa Indonesia test scores. Correlations between the DC–Bahasa Indonesia marital satisfaction and external stress demonstrated evidence of convergent and discriminant validity. Moreover, using 118 dyads subset data and multitrait‐multimethod approach, this study found good construct validity for several DC factors. Limitations and future directions are presented.
Phylogeny and systematics of Sphaeriusidae (Coleoptera: Myxophaga): minute living fossils with underestimated past and present‐day diversity
Authors: Fikáček Martin , Yamamoto Shûhei , Matsumoto Keita , Beutel Rolf G. , Maddison David R.
Published: December 2022

Sphaeriusidae (Coleoptera: Myxophaga) is a group of shiny, blackish and hemispherical riparian beetles, known for their miniaturized bodies. They are worldwide in distribution, but very limited information is available about taxonomic and morphological diversity, and natural and evolutionary history. The aim of this study is to help fill in these gaps. We examined the external morphology of modern representatives using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and reconstructed the phylogeny of the family using five DNA markers (cytochrome oxidase I, 18S rRNA, 28S rRNA, CAD and wingless). Our results suggest a larger morphological diversity than previously expected, corresponding to the deep genetic divergences of principal lineages. We also examined two inclusions in 99‐million‐year‐old Burmese amber. The integration of all evidence allows us to recognize three genera: the extinct genus †Burmasporum Kirejtshuk, the newly defined genus Bezesporum gen.nov. preserved in Burmese amber (B. burmiticum sp.nov.) and present in the modern fauna of Southeast Asia, and the genus Sphaerius Waltl with a world‐wide distribution. Sphaerius species are morphologically highly uniform, with the exception of species from Australia and South Africa, which share some characteristics with Bezesporum gen.nov. despite being resolved as deeply nested lineages of Sphaerius by DNA data. The presence of Bezesporum gen.nov. in Burmese amber and in recent fauna indicates that Sphaeriusidae largely maintained their specific morphology and specialized riparian lifestyle for at least 100 million years. Therefore, they can be considered an exceptionally conserved group, with a minimum of evolutionary changes over a long period. Our study also demonstrates that the species numbers and fine‐scale morphological diversity of Sphaeriusidae are larger than expected in both the past and present‐day faunas. Both were apparently underestimated due to the minute body size and cryptic habits of these beetles.
Subordination and binary branching
Authors: Neeleman Ad , Philip Joy , Tanaka Misako , van de Koot Hans
Published: December 2022

Syntactic representations are overwhelmingly asymmetric and binary branching. We develop an account of this based on the notion that subordination must be licensed through the discharge of a unique selectional requirement. The resulting theory predicts that symmetric structures, if they exist, will allown‐ary branching. We argue that this prediction is borne out. (i) Core properties of coordination can be explained if coordinate structures are symmetric. (ii) There is strong evidence that coordinate structures can ben‐ary branching. This includes new evidence from the interpretation of attributive modifiers in multitermed coordinate structures. Finally, we show that a symmetric account of coordination permits a straightforward explanation of the distribution of coordinators in English.