bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Adjuvant Chemotherapy for Endometrial Cancer (ACE) trial: A randomized phase II study for advanced endometrial carcinoma
Authors: Egawa‐Takata Tomomi , Ueda Yutaka , Ito Kimihiko , Hori Kensuke , Tadahiro Shoji , Nagasawa Takayuki , Nishio Shin , Ushijima Kimio , Koji Nishino , Enomoto Takayuki , Kikuchi Akira , Honma Shigeru , Oishi Tetsuro , Shimada Muneaki , Takei Yuji , Fujiwara Hiroyuki , Tanabe Hiroshi , Okamoto Aikou , Nishio Yukihiro , Yamada Tomomi , Kimura Tadashi
Published: February 2022

This study evaluated the feasibility and efficacy of three postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy regimens for endometrial cancer. Endometrioid cancer patients with intermediate‐risk stage I and II or high‐risk stage III and IV disease were randomly assigned to receive six cycles of either paclitaxel‐epirubicin‐carboplatin (TEC), paclitaxel‐anthracycline (doxorubicin)‐carboplatin (TAC), or dose‐dense paclitaxel‐carboplatin (ddTC). The primary end‐point was the completion rate (CRate) of six cycles of treatment. The secondary end‐points were progression‐free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). One hundred and one patients were treated as follows: 33 received TEC, 33 TAC, and 35 ddTC. The CRates for TEC, TAC, and ddTC were 94%, 64%, and 69%, respectively (P = .005). The TEC CRate was significantly higher than for the other two groups. However, the PFS and OS outcomes were not statistically different between the three groups. The 2‐year survival rates were 94%, 97%, and 97% for TEC, TAC, and ddTC, respectively. When compared to the current standard treatments for endometrial cancer, TEC is a promising candidate for a phase III trial based on its significantly superior CRate and equivalent PFS and OS. This study is registered with UMIN Clinical Trials Registry (UMIN000008911).
Association between germline pathogenic variants and breast cancer risk in Japanese women: The HERPACC study
Authors: Kasugai Yumiko , Kohmoto Tomohiro , Taniyama Yukari , Koyanagi Yuriko N. , Usui Yoshiaki , Iwase Madoka , Oze Isao , Yamaguchi Rui , Ito Hidemi , Imoto Issei , Matsuo Keitaro
Published: February 2022

Approximately 5%–10% of breast cancers are hereditary, caused by germline pathogenic variants (GPVs) in breast cancer predisposition genes. To date, most studies of the prevalence of GPVs and risk of breast cancer for each gene based on cases and noncancer controls have been conducted in Europe and the United States, and little information from Japanese populations is available. Furthermore, no studies considered confounding by established environmental factors and single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) identified in genome‐wide association studies (GWAS) together in GPV evaluation. To evaluate the association between GPVs in nine established breast cancer predisposition genes including BRCA1/2 and breast cancer risk in Japanese women comprehensively, we conducted a case‐control study within the Hospital‐based Epidemiologic Research Program at Aichi Cancer Center (629 cases and 1153 controls). The associations between GPVs and the risk of breast cancer were assessed by odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) using logistic regression models adjusted for potential confounders. A total of 25 GPVs were detected among all cases (4.0%: 95% CI: 2.6–5.9), whereas four individuals carried GPVs in all controls (0.4%). The OR for breast cancer by all GPVs and by GPVs in BRCA1/2 was 12.2 (4.4–34.0, p = 1.74E‐06) and 16.0 (4.2–60.9, p = 5.03E‐0.5), respectively. A potential confounding with GPVs was observed for the GWAS‐identified SNPs, whereas not for established environmental risk factors. In conclusion, GPVs increase the risk of breast cancer in Japanese women regardless of environmental factors and GWAS‐identified SNPs. Future studies investigating interactions with environment and SNPs are warranted.
Investigating the impact of a home‐centred cognitive development support programme on the cognitive development of infants aged between 18 and 24 months
Authors: Atli Sibel , Baran Gülen
Published: February 2022

Background

The experiences acquired in the first years when development and learning are most rapid make up the basis for subsequent periods. The aim in this research to determine whether the ‘Home‐Centered Cognitive Development Support Program’, delivered to socio‐economically disadvantaged infants aged between 18 and 24 months, had an impact on the cognitive development of the infants.

Methods

An experimental design with pre‐test, post‐test and retention test control group was used as methodology for the research. Thirty infants, 15 in the experiment group and 15 in the control group, were included in the study. The Cognitive Assessment Tool for Young Children ‐ CAYC, which was adapted to Turkish, was used to measure the cognitive development of infants in the study. In line with the objective of the study, a cognitive development support programme was implemented for infants aged 18 to 24 months, 2 days a week during 12 weeks, through home visits. To assess the effectiveness of the programme, pre‐test, post‐test and retention test results were compared.

Results

Based on the results of the study, the Home‐Centered Cognitive Development Support Program revealed a significant difference in the cognitive development of infants in the experiment group. The post‐test mean score for all infants in the experimental group was significantly higher compared with the pre‐test score.

Conclusion

The outcomes related to the Home‐Centered Cognitive Development Support Program, which was applied individually to infants aged between 18 and 24 months, were discussed in terms of the cognitive development of the infants.
The risks and opportunities of the COVID‐19 crisis for building longitudinal evidence on today’s early childhood education programs
Authors: Weiland Christina , Morris Pamela
Published: February 2022

In the United States, the long‐term effects of early childhood programs have been given particular weight in research on early childhood education and in policy debates about the value of prekindergarten. Many research teams were building the evidence base on U.S. early childhood programs to inform that discussion when studies were upended by the COVID‐19 pandemic. In this article, we describe the theoretical and practical risks the COVID‐19 pandemic poses for longitudinal studies of preschool intervention programs. We also discuss the potential opportunities the crisis offers by introducing new variation in postprogram experiences for addressing new questions. The article intersects the resilience and disaster literatures with theoretical frameworks for the persistence of preschool effects. We conclude with recommendations for how longitudinal studies of cohorts affected by COVID‐19 can enhance our understanding of the mechanisms behind the persistence of preschool effects.
Cohort differences in the development of civic engagement during adolescence
Authors: Grütter Jeanine , Buchmann Marlis
Published: February 2022

Investigating whether changing societal circumstances have altered the development of civic engagement, this study compared developmental changes from mid‐ to late adolescence (i.e., age 15–18) across two cohorts of representative Swiss samples (born in 1991, N = 1258, Mage T1 = 15.30, 54% female, 33% migration background representing diverse ethnicities; born in 2000, N = 930, Mage T1 = 15.32, 51% female; 33% migration background).

Findings from latent multigroup models revealed similar levels in attitudes about social justice in both cohorts, remaining stable over time. Adolescents reported lower levels of political efficacy and informal helping in the cohort born in 2000. Both aspects slightly increased during adolescence. Informal helping had a steeper increase in the 1991 compared to the 2000 cohort, suggesting developmental differences between cohorts.
Ocular surface disturbance in patients after acute COVID‐19
Authors: Wan Kelvin H. , Lui Grace C. Y. , Poon Ken C. F. , Ng Susanna S. S. , Young Alvin L. , Hui David S. C. , Tham Clement C. Y. , Chan Paul K. S. , Pang Chi Pui , Chong Kelvin K. L.
Published: February 2022

Background

We investigated the ocular surface disturbances in COVID‐19 patients discharged from the hospital.

Methods

One hundred and seventy‐nine eyes of 109 healthy participants and 456 eyes of 228 post‐COVID‐19 patients received comprehensive eye examinations; the latter were interviewed with questionnaires on ocular symptoms before and after COVID‐19 diagnosis. Associations of ocular surface manifestations with virological and ophthalmic parameters were evaluated by multivariable mixed linear or logistic regression models.

Results

Mean interval between COVID‐19 diagnosis and ophthalmic evaluation was 52.23 ± 16.12 days. The severity of meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) based on clinical staging was higher in post‐COVID‐19 than healthy eyes (1.14 ± 0.67 vs. 0.92 ± 0.68, p = 0.002) and so was ocular surface staining score (0.60 ± 0.69 vs. 0.49 ± 0.68, p = 0.044). Patients requiring supplementary oxygen during hospitalisation had shorter tear break‐up time (β −1.63, 95% CI ‐2.61 to −0.65). Cycle threshold (Ct) value from upper respiratory samples (inversely correlated with viral load) at diagnosis had an OR = 0.91 (95% CI 0.84–0.98) with new ocular surface symptoms 4 weeks after diagnosis. The presence of ocular surface symptoms 1 week prior to COVID‐19 diagnosis showed an OR of 20.89 (95% CI 6.35–68.66) of persistent or new ocular symptoms 4 weeks afterward.

Conclusions

MGD and ocular surface staining are more common and severe in post‐COVID‐19 patients. Patients with higher viral loads have greater risks of ocular surface symptoms. Patients requiring supplementary oxygen are more likely to show tear film instability. Ocular surface evaluation should be considered 1–3 months following hospital discharge for any COVID‐19 patient.
Genetically predicted fasting blood glucose level plays a causal role in intraocular pressure: A Mendelian randomisation study
Authors: Tan Xiao , Zhong Zhenyu , Wang Qingfeng , Su Guannan , Cao Qingfeng , Kijlstra Aize , Yang Peizeng
Published: February 2022

Background

This study aimed to examine possible causal associations between various components of metabolic syndrome and glaucoma‐related phenotypes.

Methods

A two‐sample Mendelian randomisation study was conducted with the models of inverse‐variance weighted (IVW), maximum likelihood, weighted median and MR‐Egger regression. We accessed data from publicly available genome‐wide association studies for individual parameters of metabolic syndrome as the exposures and the data for glaucoma and its endophenotypes as the outcomes.

Results

Among 11 exposures and 6 outcomes examined in this Mendelian randomisation study, only fasting blood glucose level showed evidence of a causal influence on intraocular pressure. Results analysed by the IVW model suggested that each one‐SD increase in genetically predicted fasting blood glucose level was significantly associated with 0.80 SD elevation in intraocular pressure (β: 0.80, 95% CI: 0.38–1.22, p: 2.12e−4). The maximum likelihood model (β: 0.82, 95% CI: 0.39–1.25, p: 1.616e−4) also supported a significant causal effect. The weighted median model (β: 0.78, 95% CI: 0.17–1.39, p: 0.012) showed a nominally significant effect whereas the MR‐Egger model (β: 0.63, 95% CI: −0.32–1.59, p: 0.212) showed a consistent direction of effect but was not statistically significant. Several sensitivity analyses indicated no evidence of directional horizontal pleiotropy that would bias the result.

Conclusions

This Mendelian randomisation study provides evidence for a causal role for genetically determined higher fasting blood glucose level in the development of increased intraocular pressure. This finding could be considered in the monitoring and control of intraocular pressure and may be instrumental in prevention strategies for ocular hypertension.
Phenotypic spectrum of BLM‐ and RMI1‐related Bloom syndrome
Authors: Gönenc Ipek Ilgin , Elcioglu Nursel H. , Martinez Grijalva Carolina , Aras Seda , Großmann Nadine , Praulich Inka , Altmüller Janine , Kaulfuß Silke , Li Yun , Nürnberg Peter , Burfeind Peter , Yigit Gökhan , Wollnik Bernd
Published: February 2022

Bloom syndrome (BS) is an autosomal recessive disorder with characteristic clinical features of primary microcephaly, growth deficiency, cancer predisposition, and immunodeficiency. Here, we report the clinical and molecular findings of eight patients from six families diagnosed with BS. We identified causative pathogenic variants in all families including three different variants in BLM and one variant in RMI1. The homozygous c.581_582delTT;p.Phe194* and c.3164G>C;p.Cys1055Ser variants in BLM have already been reported in BS patients, while the c.572_573delGA;p.Arg191Lysfs*4 variant is novel. Additionally, we present the detailed clinical characteristics of two cases with BS in which we previously identified the biallelic loss‐of‐function variant c.1255_1259delAAGAA;p.Lys419Leufs*5 in RMI1. All BS patients had primary microcephaly, intrauterine growth delay, and short stature, presenting the phenotypic hallmarks of BS. However, skin lesions and upper airway infections were observed only in some of the patients. Overall, patients with pathogenic BLM variants had a more severe BS phenotype compared to patients carrying the pathogenic variants in RMI1, especially in terms of immunodeficiency, which should be considered as one of the most important phenotypic characteristics of BS.
Disease‐modifying therapies and T1 hypointense lesions in patients with multiple sclerosis: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Valizadeh Amir , Fattahi Mohammad Reza , Sadeghi Maryam , Saghab Torbati Mehrnush , Sahraian Mohammad Ali , Azimi Amir Reza
Published: February 2022

Background

Previous research has shown that cerebral T1 hypointense lesions are positively correlated with the disability of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. Hence, they could be used as an objective marker for evaluating the progression of the disease. Up to this date, there has not been a systematic evaluation of the effects of disease‐modifying therapies (DMTs) on this prognostic marker.

Objectives

To evaluate the effects of FDA‐approved DMTs on the numbers and volume of T1 hypointense lesions in adult patients with MS.

Methods

We included studies with the mentioned desired outcomes. In March 2021, we searched MEDLINE (Ovid), Embase, and CENTRAL to find relevant studies. All included studies were assessed for the risk of bias using the RoB‐2 tool. Extracted data were analyzed using a random‐effects model. Certainty of evidence was assessed using GRADE.

Results

Thirteen studies with 7484 participants were included. Meta‐analysis revealed the mean difference between the intervention and comparator groups for the number of lesions was −1.3 (95% CI: −2.1, −0.5) and for the mean volume of lesions was −363.1 (95% CI: −611.6, −114.6). Certainty of evidence was judged to be moderate. Heterogeneity was considerable.

Discussion

DMTs reduce the number and volume of T1 hypointense lesions. Although, these findings must be interpreted cautiously due to the high values of heterogeneity.
Family‐based treatment of children with severe obesity in a public healthcare setting: Results from a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Skjåkødegård Hanna F. , Conlon Rachel P. K. , Hystad Sigurd W. , Roelants Mathieu , Olsson Sven J. G. , Frisk Bente , Wilfley Denise E. , Danielsen Yngvild S. , Juliusson Petur B.
Published: February 2022

To compare the effectiveness of family‐based behavioural social facilitation treatment (FBSFT) versus treatment as usual (TAU) in children with severe obesity. Parallel‐design, nonblinded, randomized controlled trial conducted at a Norwegian obesity outpatient clinic. Children aged 6–18 years referred to the clinic between 2014 and 2018 were invited to participate. Participants were randomly allocated using sequentially numbered, opaqued, sealed envelopes. FBSFT (n = 59) entailed 17 sessions of structured cognitive behavioural treatment, TAU (n = 55) entailed standard lifestyle counselling sessions every third month for 1 year. Primary outcomes included changes in body mass index standard deviation score (BMI SDS) and percentage above the International Obesity Task Force cut‐off for overweight (%IOTF‐25). Secondary outcomes included changes in sleep, physical activity, and eating behaviour. From pre‐ to posttreatment there was a statistically significant difference in change in both BMI SDS (0.19 units, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.10–0.28, p < .001) and %IOTF‐25 (5.48%, 95%CI: 2.74–8.22, p < .001) between FBSFT and TAU groups. FBSFT participants achieved significant reductions in mean BMI SDS (0.16 units, (95%CI: −0.22 to −0.10, p < .001) and %IOTF‐25 (6.53%, 95% CI: −8.45 to −4.60, p < .001), whereas in TAU nonsignificant changes were observed in BMI SDS (0.03 units, 95% CI: −0.03 to 0.09, p = .30) and %IOTF‐25 (−1.04%, 95% CI: −2.99 to −0.90, p = .29). More FBSFT participants (31.5%) had clinically meaningful BMI SDS reductions of ≥0.25 from pre‐ to posttreatment than in TAU (13.0%, p = .021). Regarding secondary outcomes, only changes in sleep timing differed significantly between groups. FBSFT improved weight‐related outcomes compared to TAU.
The prognostic value of extramural venous invasion in preoperative MRI of rectal cancer patients
Authors: Lehtonen Taru M. , Koskenvuo Laura E. , Seppälä Toni T. , Lepistö Anna H.
Published: February 2022

Aim

This study aimed to examine the prognostic value of extramural venous invasion observed in preoperative MRI on survival and recurrences.

Method

In total, 778 rectal cancer patients were evaluated in multidisciplinary meetings in Helsinki University Hospital during the years 2016–2018. 635 patients met the inclusion criteria of stage I–III disease and were intended for curative treatment at the time of diagnosis. 128 had extramural venous invasion in preoperative MRI.

Results

The median follow‐up time was 2.5 years. In a univariate analysis extramural venous invasion was associated with poorer disease‐specific survival (hazard ratio [HR] 2.174, 95% CI 1.118–4.224, P = 0.022), whereas circumferential margin ≤1 mm, tumour stage ≥T3c or nodal positivity were not. Disease recurrence occurred in 17.3% of the patients: 13.4% had metastatic recurrence only, 1.7% mere local recurrence and 2.2% both metastatic and local recurrence. In multivariate analysis, extramural venous invasion (HR 1.734, 95% CI 1.127–2.667, P = 0.012) and nodal positivity (HR 1.627, 95% CI 1.071–2.472, P = 0.023) were risk factors for poorer disease‐free survival (DFS). Circumferential margin ≤1 mm was a risk factor for local recurrence in multivariate analysis (HR 5.675, 95% CI 1.274–25.286, P = 0.023).

Conclusion

In MRI, circumferential margin ≤1 mm is a risk factor for local recurrence, but the risk is quite well controlled with chemoradiotherapy and extended surgery. Extramural venous invasion instead is a significant risk factor for poorer DFS and new tools to reduce the systemic recurrence risk are needed.
Outcomes of kidney donors with sickle cell trait: A preliminary analysis
Authors: Hebert Sean A. , Gandhi Nisarg V. , Al‐Amin Sanad , Edwards Angelina R. , Murad Dina N. , Nguyen Duc T. , Graviss Edward A. , Ibrahim Hassan N.
Published: February 2022

Most transplant centers do not screen kidney donor candidates for sickle cell trait (SCT) and many decline candidates with SCT since it may associate with kidney disease. We compared 17 kidney donors with SCT to propensity score matched donor controls on mortality, reduced eGFR, proteinuria and kidney failure. The prevalence of SCT in African American (AA) donors was 11 per 1000 compared to 73 per 1000 in non‐donor AA. Donors with SCT were younger; 33 versus 35 years in controls, nine were AA, six were White, and two were listed as other or unknown ethnicities. After a follow‐up period of 18.2 ± 10.5 years, the proportions of donors with SCT and controls who were alive, developed hypertension or cardiovascular disease were similar. No donor with SCT developed an eGFR <30 mL/min/1.73 m2 or kidney failure. SCT was, however, associated with increased risk of proteinuria; RR 5.71 (95% CI 5.7 – 22.7), P = .01. This small and preliminary case series suggest that donors with SCT should perhaps be considered more often provided they were aware of the lack of evidence to support liberal acceptance and that these outcomes reported here likely represent a healthy cohort of donors with SCT.
Evaluation of the pharmacokinetics of trazpiroben (TAK‐906) in the presence and absence of the proton pump inhibitor esomeprazole
Authors: Kaur Mukker Jatinder , Dukes George , Wang Lisi , Huh Susanna , Khudyakov Polyna , Nishihara Mitsuhiro , Chen Chunlin
Published: February 2022

Trazpiroben, a dopamine D2/D3 receptor antagonist under development to treat gastroparesis, displays decreasing solubility with increasing pH. This single‐sequence, open‐label, two‐period, crossover study evaluated the effect of esomeprazole, a proton pump inhibitor that raises gastric pH, on the single‐dose pharmacokinetics, safety, and tolerability of trazpiroben in healthy adults (NCT03849690). In total, 12 participants were enrolled and entered period 1 (days 1–3), receiving a single oral dose of trazpiroben 25 mg on day 1. After a 4‐day washout, participants then entered period 2 (days 8–13) and received esomeprazole 40 mg once daily on days 8–12, with a single oral dose of trazpiroben 25 mg co‐administered 1 h post esomeprazole dosing on day 11. Geometric mean area under the curve from time 0 extrapolated to infinity (AUC∞) and maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) values were generally similar when trazpiroben was administered alone versus alongside esomeprazole (AUC∞, 44.03 vs. 38.85 ng h/ml; Cmax, 19.76 vs. 17.24 ng/ml). Additionally, the associated geometric mean ratio (GMR; co‐administration: administration alone) 90% confidence intervals (CIs) suggested no clinically meaningful difference between treatment groups (AUC∞, GMR 0.88, 90% CI 0.78–1.00; Cmax, 0.87, 90% CI 0.70–1.09). Mean apparent first‐order terminal elimination half‐life values were similar between treatments, illustrating co‐administration with esomeprazole had minimal effect on trazpiroben elimination. Trazpiroben was well‐tolerated in healthy adults following administration alone and alongside esomeprazole, with no clinically relevant adverse events reported. The lack of evidence of any clinically meaningful drug–drug interaction supports the co‐administration of esomeprazole with trazpiroben.
Oral vitamin D versus acitretin in congenital non‐syndromic ichthyosis: double blinded, randomized controlled trial
Authors: Bakshi Shirin , Mahajan Rahul , Karim Adil , De Dipankar , Handa Sanjeev , Saikia Biman
Published: February 2022

Background

Vitamin D has emerged as a promising treatment for congenital ichthyosis for which no comparative studies exist.

Methodology

In this randomized, double‐blinded study, patients with congenital ichthyosis received either Vitamin D 2000 IU/day (group A) or acitretin 0.5 mg/kg/day (group B) for 24 weeks. The primary outcome was improvement in the Visual Index for Ichthyosis Severity (VIIS) and Ichthyosis Area Severity Index (IASI). Secondary outcomes included Ichthyosis Quality of Life Index‐32 (IQoL‐32), mRNA expression of RORγt and IL‐17 and adverse events.

Results

Twenty‐four patients completed the study. Group A (n = 11) showed a significant decrease in VIIS (p = 0.023) and IASI (p = 0.026) at 12 but not 24 weeks. Group B (n = 13) showed a significant decrease in IASI at 24 weeks only (p = 0.016). The IQoL‐32 improved over 24 weeks in both groups. A significant decrease in the mRNA expression of RORγt (p = 0.048) and IL‐17 (p = 0.023) was seen only in group A. There was no significant difference between the two treatment arms in terms of VIIS, IASI and IQol‐32 at 12 and 24 weeks. No serious adverse events were observed.

Conclusion

Vitamin D maybe an alternative to acitretin in the treatment of congenital ichthyosis where it reduces the expression of RORγt and IL‐17.
Accounting for analytical and proximal soil sensing errors in digital soil mapping
Authors: Takoutsing Bertin , Heuvelink Gerard B. M. , Stoorvogel Jetse J. , Shepherd Keith D. , Aynekulu Ermias
Published: February 2022

Digital soil mapping (DSM) approaches provide soil information by utilising the relationship between soil properties and environmental variables. Calibration of DSM models requires measurements that may often have substantial measurement errors which propagate to the DSM outputs and need to be accounted for. This study applied a geostatistical‐based DSM approach that incorporates measurement error variances in the covariance structure of the spatial model, weights measurements in accordance with their measurement accuracies and assesses the effects of measurement errors on the accuracies of DSM outputs. The method was applied in the Western Cameroon, where soil samples from 480 locations were collected and analysed for pH, clay and soil organic carbon (SOC) using conventional and mid‐infrared spectroscopy methods. Variogram parameters and regression coefficients were estimated using residual maximum likelihood under two scenarios: with and without taking measurement errors into account. Performance of the spatial models in the two scenarios was compared using validation metrics obtained with three types of cross‐validation. Acknowledging measurement errors impacted the regression coefficients and influenced the variogram parameters by reducing the nugget and sill variance for the three soil properties. Validation metrics including mean error, root mean square error and model efficiency coefficient were quite similar in both scenarios, but the prediction uncertainties were more realistically quantified by the models that account for measurement errors, as indicated by accuracy plots. There were relatively small absolute differences in predicted values of soil properties of up to 0.1 for pH, 1.6% for clay and 2 g/kg for SOC between the two scenarios. We emphasised the need of incorporating measurement errors in DSM approaches to improve uncertainty quantification, particularly when applying spectroscopy for estimating soil properties. Further development of the approach is the extension to non‐linear machine learning regression methods.

Highlights

Errors in soil measurements are usually not accounted for and may affect DSM results.

Measurement error variances were incorporated in the geostatistical models of three soil properties.

Quantifying measurement errors in DSM allows to weigh measurements in accordance with their accuracy.

Accounting for measurement errors in DSM better assesses prediction accuracy.
Your Own Personal Illness: Interpretation through the Spiritual Malady in Alcoholics Anonymous
Authors: Parsons Alastair
Published: February 2022

Some Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) members conceive of the fundamental problem they share as a “spiritual malady.” Based on fieldwork among three AA groups in Nova Scotia, Canada, this article advances an ethnographic description of the concept. Through a close examination of how the spiritual malady was interpreted by my interlocutors, I propose that the concept creates a cultural framework for the articulation of subjectivities and the interpretation of psychologies. I argue that it exists through a reciprocity of private and public meanings that are more the product of interactions between AA members than the learning and repetition of a formal ideology. This analysis becomes a means of exploring the agency of AA members as producers of meaningful representations of the challenges they feel they hold in common.
Trophic transfer of lipids and fatty acids across habitats in tropical river food webs
Authors: O’Mara Kaitlyn , Venarsky Michael , Stewart‐Koster Ben , McGregor Glenn , Schulz Cameron , Marshall Jonathan , Bunn Stuart E. , Kainz Martin J.
Published: February 2022

Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) are essential components of cell membranes and reproductive and sensory organs in vertebrates and are largely acquired through their diets. Accordingly, identification of the dietary sources of PUFA is an important consideration in food web studies.

We collected fish, macroinvertebrates (aquatic and terrestrial), and plants (aquatic and terrestrial) from floodplain and river channel habitats in a tropical river catchment in northern Australia, to identify food sources and habitats that provided lipid and PUFA rich food that sustain fish populations.

The composition of most FA in fish was similar to that reported from other freshwater tropical environments, with the exception of their higher arachidonic acid content. Fish were found to derive their fatty acids primarily from aquatic sources of food and had similar FA composition to aquatic macroinvertebrates. Aquatic macroinvertebrates fed on aquatic plants (algae) and had higher total lipids and FA contents than plants and fish, providing a more concentrated source of PUFA for fish. Fish obtained most of their FA from their diet except for docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which they must synthesize due to low DHA in algae and macroinvertebrates.

There was no overall difference in basal dietary FA composition between floodplain and river channel habitats. However, macroinvertebrate taxa varied in their lipid and PUFA content.

Food quality for fish may therefore vary between habitats as a consequence of differences in macroinvertebrate community composition. Given the high algal production on floodplains compared to the river channels, these habitats are likely to represent the major source of high quality food for fish and other aquatic consumers, and conserving habitats that are rich in lipids and PUFA is important for maintaining healthy fish communities.
Urbanization comprehensively impairs biological rhythms in coral holobionts
Authors: Rosenberg Yaeli , Simon‐Blecher Noa , Lalzar Maya , Yam Ruth , Shemesh Aldo , Alon Shahar , Perna Gabriela , Cárdenas Anny , Voolstra Christian R. , Miller David J. , Levy Oren
Published: February 2022

Coral reefs are in global decline due to climate change and anthropogenic influences (Hughes et al., Conservation Biology, 27: 261–269, 2013). Near coastal cities or other densely populated areas, coral reefs face a range of additional challenges. While considerable progress has been made in understanding coral responses to acute individual stressors (Dominoni et al., Nature Ecology & Evolution, 4: 502–511, 2020), the impacts of chronic exposure to varying combinations of sensory pollutants are largely unknown. To investigate the impacts of urban proximity on corals, we conducted a year‐long in‐natura study—incorporating sampling at diel, monthly, and seasonal time points—in which we compared corals from an urban area to corals from a proximal non‐urban area. Here we reveal that despite appearing relatively healthy, natural biorhythms and environmental sensory systems were extensively disturbed in corals from the urban environment. Transcriptomic data indicated poor symbiont performance, disturbance to gametogenic cycles, and loss or shifted seasonality of vital biological processes. Altered seasonality patterns were also observed in the microbiomes of the urban coral population, signifying the impact of urbanization on the holobiont, rather than the coral host alone. These results should raise alarm regarding the largely unknown long‐term impacts of sensory pollution on the resilience and survival of coral reefs close to coastal communities.
Early HIV treatment and survival over six years of observation in the ANRS 12249 Treatment as Prevention Trial
Authors: Baisley Kathy , Orne‐Gliemann Joanna , Larmarange Joseph , Plazy Melanie , Collier Dami , Dreyer Jaco , Mngomezulu Thobeka , Herbst Kobus , Hanekom Willem , Dabis Francois , Siedner Mark J. , Iwuji Collins
Published: February 2022

Objectives

Population‐based universal test and treat (UTT) trials have shown an impact on population‐level virological suppression. We followed the ANRS 12249 TasP trial population for 6 years to determine whether the intervention had longer‐term survival benefits.

Methods

The TasP trial was a cluster‐randomized trial in South Africa from 2012 to 2016. All households were offered 6‐monthly home‐based HIV testing. Immediate antiretroviral therapy (ART) was offered through trial clinics to all people living with HIV (PLHIV) in intervention clusters and according to national guidelines in control clusters. After the trial, individuals attending the trial clinics were transferred to the public ART programme. Deaths were ascertained through annual demographic surveillance. Random‐effects Poisson regression was used to estimate the effect of trial arm on mortality among (i) all PLHIV; (ii) PLHIV aware of their status and not on ART at trial entry; and (iii) PHLIV who started ART during the trial.

Results

Mortality rates among PLHIV were 9.3/1000 and 10.4/1000 person‐years in the control and intervention arms, respectively. There was no evidence that the intervention decreased mortality among all PLHIV [adjusted rate ratio (aRR) = 1.10, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.85–1.43, p = 0.46] or among PLHIV who were aware of their status but not on ART. Among individuals who initiated ART, the intervention decreased mortality during the trial (aRR = 0.49, 95% CI = 0.28–0.85, p = 0.01), but not after the trial ended.

Conclusions

The ‘treat all’ strategy reduced mortality among individuals who started ART but not among all PLHIV. To achieve maximum benefit of immediate ART, barriers to ART uptake and retention in care need to be addressed.
Viral hepatitis and the cascade of care among people living with HIV in the Asia‐Pacific
Authors: Rupasinghe Dhanushi , Choi Jun Yong , Kumarasamy Nagalingeswaran , Pujari Sanjay , Sun Ly Penh , Merati Tuti Parwati , Lee Man Po , Kinh Nguyen Van , Kiertiburanakul Sasisopin , Do Cuong Duy , Avihingsanon Anchalee , Ross Jeremy , Jiamsakul Awachana ,   IeDEA Asia‐Pacific
Published: February 2022

Background

Although the prevalence and mortality of hepatitis is high in the Asia‐Pacific region, few studies are available on the diagnosis, treatment, and cure rates for viral hepatitis among people living with HIV in this area. This study aims to report the cascade of care (CoC) for hepatitis B (HBV) and C (HCV) among people living with HIV receiving combined antiretroviral therapy (ART).

Methods

Patients enrolled in the TREAT Asia HIV Observational Database Low Intensity Transfer (TAHOD‐LITE) cohort, on ART, and with follow‐up data from 2010 to 2019 were included. Patients were determined as positive for HCV or HBV co‐infection if they ever tested positive for HCV antibody (anti‐HCV) or HBV surface antigen (HBsAg), respectively.

Results

In total, 39% (8612/22 340) of the adult HIV cohort had undergone HBsAg testing, with 8% (672/8612) testing positive. HBV CoC demonstrated that 71% (474/672) of those with HBsAg positive results initiated treatment, 67% (318/474) of those on treatment had HBV DNA testing to evaluate treatment progression, and 18% (58/318) of those tested reached viral suppression.

Of the cohort, 37% (8231/22 340) had anti‐HCV testing, of whom 10% (779/8231) tested positive. The HCV CoC showed that 68% (526/779) of those with positive anti‐HCV tests had HCV RNA tests, of whom 51% (267/526) had detectable HCV RNA. Among those with detectable HCV RNA, 65% (174/267) initiated HCV treatment. Of the 40% (69/174) who initiated HCV treatment, 90% (62/69) reached sustained virological response.

Conclusion

Our findings identified less frequent testing in the healthcare system and limited access to treatment as gaps in the CoC for viral hepatitis. More routine HCV RNA and HBV DNA testing is required for patients with positive screening tests to identify those in need of treatment.
Research status of bond coats in environmental barrier coatings
Authors: Zhang Zhenya , Park Youngjin , Xue Zhaolu , Zhang Shihong , Byon Eungsun , Koo Bon‐Heun
Published: February 2022

Bond coats in environmental barrier coatings (EBCs) prevent oxidants from penetrating the substrate, mediate the mismatch of the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE), and improve the adhesion strength between adjacent layers. However, the development of bond coats is rarely studied systematically. In this paper, the research status of the bond coats in EBCs is introduced in detail, including the materials and deposition methods. Thus far, Si, modified‐Si, mullite, etc., have been employed as bond coats. Nevertheless, visible drawbacks of each bond coat limit their application at high‐temperatures in extreme environments. Si bond coat is easily oxidized and forms thermally grown oxides that form cracks, resulting in delamination, spallation, and failure of EBCs. In the Si–HfO2bond coat, the optimal ratios of Si/HfO2, deposition methods, distribution of Si and HfO2, and oxidation of Si remain completely unsolved. For mullite bond coat, SiO2suffers selective evaporation in the water vapor environment, and the ratios of the Al2O3and SiO2in mullite coatings restrict its service lifetime. HfSiO4is a potential candidate acting as a next‐generation bond coat in EBCs is proposed. Furthermore, choosing reasonable deposition methods is beneficial to improve the performances of the bond coats in EBCs.
Comparison of clinical and laboratory characteristics of nonsecretory multiple myeloma and secretory multiple myeloma in a tertiary care hospital
Authors: Youk Hee‐Jeong , Chu Daehyun , Park Chan‐Jeoung , Seo Eul‐Ju , Jang Seongsoo , Cho Young‐Uk , Lee Jung‐Hee , Yoon Dok Hyun , Suh Cheolwon
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Nonsecretory multiple myeloma (NSM) is a rare variant of multiple myeloma, accounting for approximately 1%–5% of all reported cases. We compared the characteristics of NSM and secretory multiple myeloma (SM).

Methods

We examined clinical and laboratory characteristics of 17 patients diagnosed with NSM and 40 patients diagnosed with SM. NSM was diagnosed based on findings of bone marrow (BM) examination, serum‐free light chain (sFLC) assay, flow cytometric (FCM) immunophenotyping, chromosomal analysis, and imaging studies.

Results

No patient with NSM had hypercalcemia or renal insufficiency at diagnosis. Patients with NSM were less anemic (p < .05) but had higher lactate dehydrogenase levels (p < .05) than patients with SM. In addition, patients with NSM had a lower percentage of plasma cells in the BM, confirmed by manual differential count (p < .05) and FCM immunophenotyping (p < .05). The sFLC ratio in patients with NSM was abnormal (15/17, 88.2%) and was lower than that in patients with SM (p < .05). Risk stratification in Revised International Staging System revealed a low‐risk tendency in patients with NSM (p = .235).

Conclusion

NSM patients showed different clinical and laboratory characteristics from SM patients. FCM immunophenotyping and sFLC assay particularly had differences between NSM patients and SM patients. Thus, they are essential for diagnosing NSM.
Risk factors and predictive model for incidence of difficult ureter during retrograde ureteroscopic lithotripsy
Authors: Waseda Yuma , Takazawa Ryoji , Kobayashi Masaki , Fuse Honoka , Tamiya Takashi
Published: February 2022

Objective

Difficult ureter can be a challenge for accessing upper urinary tract during lithotripsy. In this study, we evaluated the risk factors for the incidence of difficult ureter in retrograde ureteroscopic lithotripsy. Moreover, we aimed to develop a predictive model for the incidence of difficult ureter.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed consecutive retrograde ureteroscopic lithotripsies performed at our institution between 2009 and 2021. A total of 1010 renal units were evaluated: 449 units with renal stones only and 561 units with ureteral stones, with or without renal stones.

Results

The overall incidence of difficult ureter was 5.9%, with a higher incidence in the renal alone stone group than in the ureteral stone group (7.8% vs 4.5%, P = 0.026). Multivariate regression analysis revealed three risk factors for the incidence of difficult ureter: absence of stone history (odds ratio 5.67, 95% confidence interval 2.40–13.4, and P < 0.001), age ≤45 years (odds ratio 3.61, 95% confidence interval 2.05–6.37, and P < 0.001), and renal stone only (odds ratio 2.11, 95% confidence interval 1.22–3.64, and P = 0.008). A simple model using these three risks enabled the stratification of the incidence rate of difficult ureter, with the incidence of high‐risk cases being 12.7%.

Conclusions

The greatest risk factor for the incidence of difficult ureter was the absence of stone history, followed by age 45 years or younger, and having only renal stones. In high‐risk cases of difficult ureter, the possibility of secondary lithotripsy should be explained to the patients.
Swedish migration policy liberalization and new immigrant entrepreneurs
Authors: Kazlou Aliaksei , Urban Susanne
Published: February 2022

Sweden has allowed immigrants from any country to obtain residence permits for entrepreneurship since 2008. The aim of this study was to explore the outcome of this policy. The study adds time perspective and superdiversity and operationalizes the mixed embeddedness framework to facilitate a quantitative study on three levels of analysis. Detailed register data for two cohorts of immigrants—those who arrived four years before and those who arrived four years after the reform—are used. The results confirm the usefulness of the mixed embeddedness model, that is the institutional regulative context, economic and social context, and individual resources, in the analysis of immigrant entrepreneurship. However, the study shows that the propensity to engage in entrepreneurship is more affected for refugees and students than for migrants with a residence permit for work and entrepreneurship. This indicates a need for further facilitating the process to immigrate for entrepreneurial reasons.
CNV detection and their association with growth, efficiency and carcass traits in Santa Inês sheep
Authors: Ladeira Giovanni Coelho , Pilonetto Fabrício , Fernandes Anna Carolina , Bóscollo Paola Pérez , Dauria Brayan Dias , Titto Cristiane Gonçalves , Coutinho Luiz Lehmann , e Silva Fabyano Fonseca , Pinto Luís Fernando Batista , Mourão Gerson Barreto
Published: February 2022

Copy number variations (CNV) are an important source of genetic variation. CNV has been increasingly studied and frequently associated with diseases and productive traits in livestock animals. However, CNV‐based genome‐wide association studies (GWAS) in Santa Inês sheep, one of the principal sheep breeds in Brazil, have not yet been reported. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the association between CNV and growth, efficiency and carcass traits in sheep. The Illumina OvineSNP50 BeadChip array was used to detect CNV in 491 Santa Inês individuals. Then, CNV‐based GWAS was performed with a linear mixed model approach considering a genomic relationship matrix, for ten traits: (1) growth: body weight at three (W3) and six (W6) months of age; (2) efficiency: residual feed intake (RFI) and feed efficiency (FE) and (3) carcass: external carcass length (ECL), leg length (LL), carcass yield (CY), commercial cuts weight (CCW), loin eye area (LEA) and subcutaneous fat thickness (SFT). We identified 1,167 autosomal CNV in 438 sheep, with 294 non‐redundant CNV, ranging from 21.8 to 861.9 kb, merged into 216 distinct copy number variation regions (CNVRs). One significant CNV segment (pFDR‐value<0.05) in OAR3 was associated with CY, while another significant CNV in OAR6 was associated with RFI. Additionally, another 5 CNV segments were considered relevant for investigation in the future studies. The significant segments overlapped 4 QTLs and spanned 8 genes, including the SPAST,TGFA and ADGRL3 genes, involved in cell differentiation and energy metabolism. Therefore, the results of the present study increase knowledge about CNV in sheep, their possible impacts on productive traits, and provide information for future investigations, being especially useful for those interested in structural variations in the sheep genome.
An association of CEP78, MEF2C, VPS13A and ARRDC3 genes with survivability to heat stress in an F2 chicken population
Authors: Asadollahi Hamed , Vaez Torshizi Rasoul , Ehsani Alireza , Masoudi Ali Akbar
Published: February 2022

Heat stress is a serious problem in the poultry industry. An effective tool for improving heat tolerance can be genomic selection based on single nucleotide polymorphisms. This study was performed to identify genomic regions controlling survivability to heat stress in a population of F2 chickens that accidentally experienced acute heat stress, using Illumina 60K Chicken SNP Bead Chip. After quality control in markers, 47,730 SNPs remained for genome‐wide association study (GWAS). The GWAS results indicated that markers Gga_rs16111480 (p = 8.503e‐08), GGaluGA354375 (p = 5.99e‐07) and Gga_rs14748694 (p = 7.085e‐07) located on Z chromosome showed significant association with heat stress tolerance trait. The Gga_rs16111480 marker was located inside the CEP78 gene. The marker GGaluGA354375 was located inside the LOC101752071 gene and next to the MEF2C gene. The Gga_rs14748694 marker was adjacent to LOC101752071 and MEF2C genes. Moreover, the SNP maker of Gga_rs16111480 was located on 243 kb downstream of the VPS13A gene, and the GGaluGA354375 and Gga_rs14748694 SNPs were located on 947 kb and 888 kb downstream of the ARRDC3 gene, respectively. The results of this study suggest that apart from the gene LOC101752071, which its function was unknown, each of the two MEF2C and CEP78 genes were found to be closely related to heat stress resistance in bird.
Maternal perception of spousal support in raising children with developmental disability in the context of family and child variables
Authors: Kara Tayfun , Alpgan Ömer
Published: February 2022

Objective

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between the variables of mental, physical, and emotional problems in children with developmental disabilities (DDs) and the spousal support perceived by the mothers of those children.

Methods

One hundred forty‐three children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD, n:43), intellectual disability (ID, n:28), cerebral palsy (CP, n:47), or Down syndrome (DS, n:25) were included in this study. The support that mothers received from their spouses was evaluated using the Spousal Support Scale (SSS). Aggressive behavior in the children was evaluated using the anger‐aggression subscale of the Social Competence and Behavior Evaluation Scale (SCBE‐30). The data obtained were then subjected to statistical comparisons.

Results

Multiple comparisons revealed no significant difference between the DD diagnosis groups (ID, CP, ASD, and DS) in terms of spousal support or spousal support sub‐dimension scores (p > 0.05). Significant negative correlation was found between anger‐aggression subscale scores and SSS sub‐parameters (emotional support r = −0.315 p < 0.001, financial and informational support r = −0.285 p < 0.001, appreciation r = −0.299 p < 0.001, social support r = −0.381 p < 0.001, and spouse support score r = −0.389 p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Children's anger‐aggression levels were adversely affected by a lack of spousal support for their mothers.