bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development of global fatty acid models and possible applications
Authors: Schwarz Daniel , Rosenberg Bak Marie , Waaben Hansen Per
Published: October 2021

Milk fat is an important nutrient for young animals and humans, and its composition [fatty acids (FA)] may vary broadly. The objective of this study was to describe the development of global FA models for high‐throughput Fourier transform infrared milk analysers. The developed models for major FA, FA grouped by chain length, by degree of unsaturation and by their origin, showed good accuracy, repeatability and correlation to gas chromatography. Moderate performance was obtained for low concentration FA (short chain, polyunsaturated and trans). Possible practical applications could be to enhance dairy products, optimise milk processing and/or optimise dairy cow performance through improved feeding and management.
Prenatal choline supplementation during mouse pregnancy has differential effects in alcohol‐exposed fetal organs
Authors: Kwan Sze Ting (Cecilia) , Ricketts Dane K. , Presswood Brandon H. , Smith Susan M. , Mooney Sandra M.
Published: October 2021

Background

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) are preventable adverse outcomes consequent to prenatal alcohol exposure. Supplemental choline confers neuroprotection to the alcohol‐exposed offspring, but its actions outside the brain are unclear. We previously reported that prenatal exposure of mice to 4.5 g/kg of alcohol decreased placental weight in females only, but decreased body weight and liver‐to‐body weight ratio and increased brain‐to‐body weight ratio in both sexes. Here we test the hypotheses that a lower alcohol dose will elicit similar outcomes, and that concurrent choline treatment will mitigate these outcomes.

Methods

Pregnant C57BL/6J mice were gavaged with alcohol (3 g/kg; Alc) or maltodextrin (MD) from embryonic day (E) 8.5–17.5. Some also received a subcutaneous injection of 100 mg/kg choline chloride (Alc + Cho, MD + Cho). Outcomes were evaluated on E17.5.

Results

Alc dams had lower gestational weight gain than MD; this was normalized by choline. In males, Alc decreased placental weight whereas choline increased placental efficiency, and Alc + Cho (vs. MD) tended to further reduce placental weight and increase efficiency. Despite no significant alcohol effects on these measures, choline increased fetal body weight but not brain weight, thus reducing brain‐to‐body weight ratio in both sexes. This ratio was also lower in the Alc + Cho (vs. MD) fetuses. Alc reduced liver weight and the liver‐to‐body weight ratio; choline did not improve these. Placental weight and efficiency correlated with litter size, whereas placental efficiency correlated with fetal morphometric measurements.

Conclusions

Choline prevents an alcohol‐induced reduction in gestational weight gain and fetal body weight and corrects fetal brain sparing, consistent with clinical findings of improvements in alcohol‐exposed children born to mothers receiving choline supplementation. Importantly, we show that choline enhances placental efficiency in the alcohol‐exposed offspring but does not normalize fetal liver growth. Our findings support choline supplementation during pregnancy to mitigate the severity of FASD and emphasize the need to examine choline's actions in different organ systems.
A systematic review of behavioural smoking cessation interventions for people with severe mental ill health—what works?
Authors: Spanakis Panagiotis , Peckham Emily , Young Ben , Heron Paul , Bailey Della , Gilbody Simon
Published: October 2021

Background and Aims

People with severe mental ill health smoke more and suffer greater smoking‐related morbidity and mortality. Little is known about the effectiveness of behavioural interventions for smoking cessation in this group. This review evaluated randomized controlled trial evidence to measure the effectiveness of behavioural smoking cessation interventions (both digital and non‐digital) in people with severe mental ill health.

Design

Systematic review and random‐effects meta‐analysis. We searched between inception and January 2020 in Medline, EMBASE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Health Management Information Consortium and CENTRAL databases.

Setting and participants

Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the effects of behavioural smoking cessation and reduction interventions in adults with severe mental ill health, conducted in any country, in either in‐patient or community settings and published in English.

Measurements

The primary outcome was biochemically verified smoking cessation. Smoking reduction and changes in mental health symptoms and body mass index (BMI) were included as secondary outcomes. Narrative data synthesis and meta‐analysis were conducted and the quality of included studies was appraised using the risk of bias 2 (RoB2) tool.

Findings

We included 12 individual studies (16 articles) involving 1861 participants. The first meta‐analysis (three studies, 921 participants) demonstrated effectiveness of bespoke face‐to‐face interventions compared with usual care across all time‐points [medium‐term: relative risk (RR) = 2.29, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.38–3.81; long‐term: RR = 1.58, 95% CI = 1.09–2.30]. The second (three studies, 275 participants) did not demonstrate any difference in effectiveness of bespoke digital on‐line interventions compared with standard digital on‐line interventions (medium‐term: RR = 0.87, 95% CI = 0.17–4.46). A narrative overview revealed mixed results when comparing bespoke face‐to‐face interventions with other active interventions. The methodological quality of studies was mixed, with the majority having some concerns mainly around risk of selective reporting.

Conclusions

Face‐to‐face bespoke smoking cessation interventions for adults with severe mental ill health appear to be effective when compared with treatment as usual, but evidence is equivocal when compared with other active interventions. There is limited evidence comparing bespoke digital interventions with generic interventions, and we found no studies comparing them with usual treatment.
Employment trajectories among those treated for alcohol use disorder: A register‐based cohort study
Authors: Christiansen Solveig Glestad , Moan Inger Synnøve
Published: October 2021

Background and Aims

Employment during and following treatment for alcohol use disorder (AUD) is important for the individual's health and well‐being and for reducing the societal costs associated with benefit payments. Nonetheless, this is an under‐researched topic. This study aimed to identify trajectories of labour force participation among people enrolled in AUD treatment and describe the characteristics of those following contrasting pathways.

Design

Using trajectory analysis, we modelled employment trajectory groups among AUD patients during the year of treatment entry and the 4 subsequent years, applying Norwegian longitudinal register data.

Setting

Norway.

Participants

Patients who entered treatment with AUD as the primary diagnosis during 2009 and 2010 (9000 patients, age 20–61 years).

Measurements

The outcome variable ‘labour force attachment’ was measured as being in full‐time employment, partly employed, on temporary welfare benefits or on permanent disability pension. Predictors were age, gender, education and comorbid mental health and drug use disorders.

Findings

We distinguished six employment trajectories among AUD patients: 15.8% were on permanent disability pension throughout, 8.7% exited the labour force on permanent disability pension during the observation period, 32.1% had a medium attachment throughout follow‐up, and 9.2% had a decreasing attachment; 23.3% had a high labour force attachment throughout, and 10.9% experienced increasing attachment. High attachment throughout was negatively associated with being female (P < 0.001), having lower educational attainment (P < 0.001), and having comorbid mental health (P < 0.001) and drug use disorders (P < 0.001).

Conclusions

Norwegian patients treated for alcohol use disorder in 2009 and 2010 followed six employment trajectories during the 5 years following treatment entry and had lower labour force participation than the general population. Nearly a quarter had a high labour force attachment throughout treatment, which was positively associated with being male, having higher educational attainment and having fewer comorbid mental health and drug use disorders.
Lifespace metrics of older adults with mild cognitive impairment and dementia recorded via geolocation data
Authors: Liddle Jacki , Ireland David , Krysinska Karolina , Harrison Fleur , Lamont Robyn , Karunanithi Mohan , Kang Kristan , Reppermund Simone , Sachdev Perminder S. , Gustafsson Louise , Brauer Sandra , Pachana Nancy A. , Brodaty Henry
Published: October 2021

Objective

Lifespace, the physical area in which someone conducts life activities, indicates lived community mobility. This study explored the feasibility of technology‐based lifespace measurement for older people with dementia and mild cognitive impairment (MCI), including the generation of a range of lifespace metrics, and investigation of relationships with health and mobility status.

Methods

An exploratory study was conducted within a longitudinal observational study. Eighteen older adults (mean age 86.7 years (SD: 3.2); 8 men; 15 MCI), participated. Lifespace metrics were generated from geolocation data (GPS and Bluetooth beacon) collected through a smartphone application for one week (2015–2016). Cognitive and mobility‐related outcomes were compared from study data sets at baseline (2005–2007) and 6‐year follow‐up (2011–2014).

Results

Lifespace data could be collected from all participants, and metrics were generated including percentage of time at home, maximum distance from home, episodes of travel in a week, days in a week participants left home, lifespace area (daily, weekly and total), indoor lifespace (regions in the home/hour), and a developed lifespace score that combined time, frequency of travel, distance and area. Results indicated a large range of lifespace areas (0.1 – 97.88 km2; median 6.77 km2) with similar patterns across lifespace metrics. Significant relationships were found between lifespace metrics and concurrent driving status and anteceding scores on the sit‐to‐stand test (at baseline and follow‐up).

Conclusions

Further longitudinal exploration of lifespace is required to develop an understanding of the nature of lifespace of older community‐dwelling people, and its relationship with health, mobility and well‐being outcomes.
Impact of past obstetric history and cervical excision on preterm birth rate
Authors: Collins Anna , Motiwale Tanushree , Barney Olivia , Dudbridge Frank , McParland Penelope C. , Moss Esther L.
Published: October 2021

Introduction

To determine the impact on preterm birth (PTB) of a history of large loop excision of the transformation zone (LLETZ)‐alone compared with a history of previous preterm birth‐alone (PPTB) or a history of both (LLETZ+PPTB). Secondary analyses were performed to evaluate the impact of antenatal interventions, depth of cervical excision, and patient risk factors on PTB rate in each cohort.

Material and methods

A retrospective observational cohort study of women referred to a tertiary Antenatal Prematurity Prevention Clinic with a history of LLETZ, PPTB, or LLETZ+PPTB. Information was collated from routinely collected clinical data on patient demographics, previous obstetric history, LLETZ dimensions, antenatal investigations/interventions, and gestation at delivery.

Results

A total of 1231 women with singleton pregnancies were included, 543 with history of LLETZ‐alone, 607 with a history of PPTB‐alone and 81 with a history of LLETZ+PPTB. PTB rates were 8.8% in the LLETZ‐alone group, which mirrored the PTB rate in the local background obstetric population (8.9%) compared with 28.7% in the PPTB‐alone and 37.0% in the LLETZ+PPTB cohorts. PTB rates were higher in LLETZ cohorts treated with antenatal intervention (cervical cerclage or progesterone pessary) and there was no evidence of an effect of intervention on risk of PTB in post‐excision patients with identified shortened mid‐trimester cervical length. Logistic regression modeling identified PPTB as a strong predictor of recurrent PTB. Excision depth was correlated with gestation at delivery in the LLETZ‐alone group (r = −0.183, p < 0.01) although this only reached statistical significance at depths of 20 mm or more (odds ratio [OR] 3.40, 95% CI 1.04–1.11, p = 0.04). Depth of excision was not correlated with delivery gestation in the LLETZ+PPTB group (r = −0.031, p = 0.82).

Conclusions

PPTB has a greater impact on subsequent PTB risk compared with depth of cervical excisional treatment. The value and nature of antenatal interventions should be investigated in the post‐excision population.
Changed definition of disease and broader screening criteria had little impact on prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus
Authors: Grønvall Lina , Skjeldestad Finn Egil
Published: October 2021

Introduction

There are major controversies in screening for gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). The present study evaluates the impact of the 2017 revised guidelines for GDM screening and a changed definition of GDM in Norway.

Material and methods

We used a case‐series design and included women with no pre‐pregnancy diabetes mellitus, who gave birth after gestational week 29 to a singleton fetus at the University Hospital of North Norway, Tromsø, or at a local maternity ward in Troms county, during the first 6 months of 2013 (before group, n = 676) and 2018 (after group, n = 673). Data were collected from antenatal records, maternal health information sheets, and electronic medical records (Partus). We assessed the screening criteria age, parity, pre‐pregnancy BMI, and ethnicity. Primary outcomes were change in size of the population eligible for GDM screening, screening adherence, and prevalence of GDM, and follow up of GDM (treatment and obstetric risk assessment at gestational week 36). Statistical analyses were done using IBM SPSS with chi‐squared test. A p value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

The proportion of women eligible for GDM screening increased from 46.4% in the before group to 67.6% in the after group (+45%) (p < 0.01). However, screening adherence among eligible women was only 28.3% and 49.2% in the before and after groups, respectively (p < 0.01). Among screened women, 16.9% (15/89) and 10.7% (24/224), respectively, were diagnosed with GDM, resulting in an overall estimated prevalence of 2.2% (15/676) and 3.6% (24/673). Among women diagnosed with GDM, 13.3% received no follow up in 2013 and this proportion was 20.8% in 2018. The remaining women underwent obstetric risk assessment at gestational week 36 as advised in the guidelines.

Conclusions

The introduction of broader screening criteria and a more liberal case definition increased the population eligible for GDM screening by 45%. The higher proportion of women screened resulted in an insignificant higher prevalence of GDM. Screening adherence was poor in both study groups. Stakeholders for obstetric care need to consolidate quality measures and revisit the screening algorithm.
Editorial: lymphocytic gastritis and its relationships with other gastrointestinal disorders
Authors: Annibale Bruno , Falangone Francesca
Published: October 2021

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Genta et al and Genta & Sonnenberg papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.16621 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.16653
Glucose Awareness to Motivate and Enable Solutions (GAMES) in diabetes mellitus using flash glucose monitoring: A clinical programme
Authors: Yeoh Ester , Png Doanna , Koh Pei Ling , Sum Chee Fang , Lim Su Chi , Tan Hwee Huan , Ubeynarayana Chalani Udhyami , Subramaniam Tavintharan
Published: October 2021

Aims

This real‐world observational clinical programme evaluated short and medium‐term effects of intermittent flash glucose monitoring on HbA1c, glycaemic variability and lifestyle behavioural changes.

Methods

Two first‐generation Libre flash glucose monitoring sensors were provided 3–4 months apart with a food, activity diary, user evaluation survey and treatment modification after each sensor wear. T‐tests were used to compare glucose variables within each sensor (week 1 vs. week 2) and between sensors (1st sensor vs. 2nd sensor). EasyGV software was used to calculate glycaemic variability.

Results

From 42 type 1 diabetes and 120 type 2 diabetes participants, there was no statistically significant change in mean HbA1c for participants with type 1 diabetes at 3–4 months after the 1st sensor but there was a statistically significant HbA1c reduction for participants with type 2 diabetes [−4 mmol/mol (−0.4%), p = 0.008], despite no statistically significant differences in carbohydrate intake, exercise frequency and duration. Greater reduction was seen in those with baseline HbA1c> 86 mmol/mol (10%) in both type 1 [−12 mmol/mol (−1.1%), p = 0.009] and type 2 diabetes [−11 mmol/mol (−1.0%), p = 0.001). Both type 1 and type 2 diabetes showed improvements in Glucose Management Indicator and percentage time‐above‐range when comparing week 1 versus week 2 of the same sensor. Higher scan frequency resulted in improved glycaemic parameters and certain measures of glycaemic variability. The majority of participants (85%) agreed that flash glucose monitoring is a useful device but only 60% were keen to use it for daily monitoring.

Conclusion

Constant feedback from flash glucose monitoring improves glycaemic parameters within the first week of wear. Intermittent use 3–4 months apart resulted in greater improvements for those with higher baseline HbA1c.
A model‐based simulation of glycaemic control and body weight when switching from semaglutide to 3.0‐ and 4.5‐mg doses of once‐weekly dulaglutide
Authors: Tham Lai San , Pantalone Kevin M. , Dungan Kathleen , Munir Kashif , Tang Cheng Cai , Konig Manige , Kwan Anita Y. M.
Published: October 2021

Aim

To evaluate HbA1c and body weight changes when semaglutide 0.5‐ or 1.0‐mg once‐weekly (QW) is switched to dulaglutide 3.0‐ or 4.5‐mg QW via exposure‐response modelling.

Methods

HbA1c and body weight time‐course models were developed and validated with data from the SUSTAIN 1 to 10 trials for semaglutide and the AWARD‐11 trial for dulaglutide. Simulations were conducted for HbA1c and body weight over 52 weeks. In the initial 26 weeks, semaglutide was initiated at 0.25‐mg and titrated to 0.5‐ or 1.0‐mg QW via 4‐weekly stepwise titration, followed by 26 weeks of dulaglutide initiated at 0.75‐ or 1.5‐mg QW and escalated to 3.0‐ or 4.5‐mg QW via 4‐weekly stepwise titration.

Results

At 26 weeks, model‐predicted mean changes from baseline in HbA1c and weight for semaglutide 0.5 mg were up to −1.55% and −3.44 kg, respectively. After switching to dulaglutide 3.0 mg, further reductions were 0.19% and 1.40 kg, respectively, at 52 weeks. Predicted mean HbA1c and weight changes for semaglutide 1.0 mg at 26 weeks were −1.84% and −4.96 kg, respectively; after switching to dulaglutide 4.5 mg, HbA1c was maintained with additional weight reduction of up to 0.57 kg at 52 weeks. Glycaemic control was preserved when switching from semaglutide 1.0 mg to dulaglutide 3.0 mg.

Conclusion

Switching from semaglutide 0.5 mg to dulaglutide 3.0 or 4.5 mg with dose escalation potentially yields additional HbA1c and weight reductions; switching from semaglutide 1.0 mg to dulaglutide 4.5 mg may enhance weight loss.
Selective auditory attention within naturalistic scenes modulates reactivity to speech sounds
Authors: Renvall Hanna , Seol Jaeho , Tuominen Riku , Sorger Bettina , Riecke Lars , Salmelin Riitta
Published: October 2021

Rapid recognition and categorization of sounds are essential for humans and animals alike, both for understanding and reacting to our surroundings and for daily communication and social interaction. For humans, perception of speech sounds is of crucial importance. In real life, this task is complicated by the presence of a multitude of meaningful non‐speech sounds. The present behavioural, magnetoencephalography (MEG) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study was set out to address how attention to speech versus attention to natural non‐speech sounds within complex auditory scenes influences cortical processing. The stimuli were superimpositions of spoken words and environmental sounds, with parametric variation of the speech‐to‐environmental sound intensity ratio. The participants' task was to detect a repetition in either the speech or the environmental sound. We found that specifically when participants attended to speech within the superimposed stimuli, higher speech‐to‐environmental sound ratios resulted in shorter sustained MEG responses and stronger BOLD fMRI signals especially in the left supratemporal auditory cortex and in improved behavioural performance. No such effects of speech‐to‐environmental sound ratio were observed when participants attended to the environmental sound part within the exact same stimuli. These findings suggest stronger saliency of speech compared with other meaningful sounds during processing of natural auditory scenes, likely linked to speech‐specific top‐down and bottom‐up mechanisms activated during speech perception that are needed for tracking speech in real‐life‐like auditory environments.
Towards revealing the global diversity and community assembly of soil eukaryotes
Authors: Aslani Farzad , Geisen Stefan , Ning Daliang , Tedersoo Leho , Bahram Mohammad
Published: October 2021

Soil fungi, protists, and animals (i.e., the eukaryome) play a critical role in key ecosystem functions in terrestrial ecosystems. Yet, we lack a holistic understanding of the processes shaping the global distribution of the eukaryome. We conducted a molecular analysis of 193 composite soil samples spanning the world's major biomes. Our analysis showed that the importance of selection processes was higher in the community assemblage of smaller‐bodied and wider niche breadth organisms. Soil pH and mean annual precipitation were the primary determinants of the community structure of eukaryotic microbes and animals, respectively. We further found contrasting latitudinal diversity patterns and strengths for soil eukaryotic microbes and animals. Our results point to a potential link between body size and niche breadth of soil eukaryotes and the relative effect of ecological processes and environmental factors in driving their biogeographic patterns.
Christian Unity in the Middle East
Authors: Avakian Sylvie
Published: October 2021

The Orthodox Metropolitan of Mount Lebanon, George Khodr, born in 1923, has played an important role in ecumenism and the ecumenical movement since the 1st Assembly of the World Council of Churches (WCC) in Amsterdam in 1948, where he was made a member of the WCC youth commission. He is particularly remembered for his keynote address to the WCC central committee meeting in Addis Ababa in 1971 on “Christianity in a Pluralistic World: The Economy of the Holy Spirit,” at a time when the WCC was embarking on its programme of dialogue with peoples of living faiths and ideologies. This article explores the theological foundations of ecumenism in Khodr’s thought and theology, before turning to how he addresses the theological differences and the historical dilemmas that accompanied the history of the church and impaired East–West relations. In conclusion, the article argues that the model of “unity in diversity” as intended and conceived by Khodr best meets the conditions, the challenges, and the requirements for ecumenism in the contemporary Middle East.
The Seven Marks of the Unity of the Church
Authors: Heckel Ulrich
Published: October 2021

The Letter to the Ephesians is the first biblical text to reflect on systematically, and even to undertake programmatically, the development of a hermeneutically reflected theology of unity for the worldwide church. Its relevance for current ecumenical discussions lies in the fact that it sets out seven characteristics for the unity of the church. Shaped by the theology of Ephesians, the Nicene‐Constantinopolitan Creed (381 CE) sets out four criteria in its affirmation of the “one holy catholic and apostolic Church.” Just as these four criteria were called notae ecclesiae, the seven statements about unity from Ephesians 4:4‐6 could also be called notae unitatis, seven marks of the unity of the church. These could provide an excellent basis for arriving at mutual understanding not only in Protestant–Roman Catholic dialogue but also within worldwide ecumenism.
Racism Cannot Be Explained – It Must Be Defeated
Authors: Pityana Barney
Published: October 2021

Following the call by the Uppsala assembly of the World Council of Churches (WCC) in 1968 for an ecumenical campaign against racism, the WCC set up the Programme to Combat Racism (PCR) the following year with its Special Fund to provide grants to those oppressed by racism and the organizations that represented them. The grants to liberation movements fighting racism in Africa provoked controversy particularly among WCC member churches in Western Europe and North America. This article is a personal reflection on the experiences and achievements of the PCR, concluding with a reflection on the continuing challenge of racism today.
Philip Potter and the Momentum of the Ecumenical Movement
Authors: Raiser Konrad
Published: October 2021

General secretary of the World Council of Churches (WCC) from 1972 to 1984, a time of global religious and socio‐political change, Philip Potter (1921–2015) was a pivotal figure in the ecumenical movement, a prophetic voice urging the churches to see themselves as part of God’s oikoumene. Born in Dominica and rooted in the Caribbean, he was spokesperson for youth at the first two WCC assemblies, in Amsterdam (1948) and Evanston (1954); a staff member for the WCC youth department from 1954 to 1960; and director of the WCC’s Commission on World Mission and Evangelism from 1967 to 1972. This article is an edited translation of the keynote address given at a symposium in Hamburg, Germany, to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Philip Potter’s birth on 19 August 1921.
“Be Like Living Stones”
Authors: Wartenberg‐Potter Bärbel
Published: October 2021

This is an edited translation of a tribute delivered in the Christuskirche, Cologne, on 22 August 2021 to mark the 100th anniversary of the birth of Philip Potter on 19 August 1921.
Delayed effects of climate on vital rates lead to demographic divergence in Amazonian forest fragments
Authors: Scott Eric R. , Uriarte María , Bruna Emilio M.
Published: October 2021

Deforestation often results in landscapes where remaining forest habitat is highly fragmented, with remnants of different sizes embedded in an often highly contrasting matrix. Local extinction of species from individual fragments is common, but the demographic mechanisms underlying these extinctions are poorly understood. It is often hypothesized that altered environmental conditions in fragments drive declines in reproduction, recruitment, or survivorship. The Amazon basin, in addition to experiencing continuing fragmentation, is experiencing climate change‐related increases in the frequency and intensity of droughts and unusually wet periods. Whether plant populations in tropical forest fragments are particularly susceptible to extremes in precipitation remains unclear. Most studies of plants in fragments are relatively short (1–6 years), focus on a single life‐history stage, and often do not compare to populations in continuous forest. Even fewer studies consider delayed effects of climate on demographic vital rates despite the importance of delayed effects in studies that consider them. Using a decade of demographic and climate data from an experimentally fragmented landscape in the Central Amazon, we assess the effects of climate on populations of an understory herb (Heliconia acuminata, Heliconiaceae). We used distributed lag nonlinear models to understand the delayed effects of climate (measured as standardized precipitation evapotranspiration index, SPEI) on survival, growth, and flowering. We detected delayed effects of climate up to 36 months. Extremes in SPEI in the previous year reduced survival, drought in the wet season 8–11 months prior to the February census increased growth, and drought two dry seasons prior increased flowering probability. Effects of extremes in precipitation on survival and growth were more pronounced in forest fragments compared to continuous forest. The complex delayed effects of climate and habitat fragmentation in our study point to the importance of long‐term demography experiments in understanding the effects of anthropogenic change on plant populations.
Enhancement of sugarcane production by counteracting the adverse effects of climate change in Sindh Province, Pakistan
Authors: Ahmad Bilal , Yunxian Yan , Ur Rahman Zia , Gultaj Humaira , Naseem Siddiqui Badar , Ali Muhammad , Nasar Jamal
Published: October 2021

In Pakistan sugarcane is an important cash crop, a source of income and employment for the farming community. The environmental degradation results in the increased frequency and intensity of extreme weather events has significant consequences for sugarcane production in the world, especially in the developing countries like Pakistan, because of relatively low adaptive capacity, high vulnerability to natural hazards, and weak forecasting systems and mitigating strategies. This paper is an attempt to analyze the impact of environmental change on sugarcane production in the Sindh province of Pakistan. Qualitative and quantitative data approach were adopted for the analysis and the data are collected through exploratory design, case study, and survey design. The sample consists of sugarcane growers, that is, landowner farmers, ex‐farmers, and employed farmers. The results based on multiple regression model indicate that only three factors (rainfall, soil conditions, and irrigation) have a significant effect on the production of sugarcane. Some suggestions and implications are mentioned based on empirical findings.
An input–output analysis of transportation equipment manufacturing industrial transfer: Evidence from Beijing‐Tianjin‐Hebei region, China
Authors: Li Chenxi , Wu Kening
Published: October 2021

Although the industrial transfer path is of great significance to the distribution of the industrial relocators and receivers in the process of industrial transfer, how to measure the input–output relationship between industries is still unclear. Based on an adjusted input–output table, this paper attempts to measure the input–output relationship for transport equipment manufacturing industry in the Beijing‐Tianjin‐Hebei region. The interregional input–output model was used to realize the calculation of the single department transfer amount. Moreover, combining with the calculation results, the transfer path of the transportation equipment manufacturing was characterized. The results showed that the phenomenon of transfer over space in the transportation equipment manufacturing industry was distinct. The industrial transfer has shifted from the coastal areas to central and western regions. Sixteen provinces, mainly including Inner Mongolia, Henan, Shanxi, etc., had a net outflow of the transportation equipment manufacturing industry. The rest is net inflow provinces. Transportation equipment manufacturing industrial transfer is moving into Beijing and Tianjin. This paper will provide a reference for reasonable and orderly acceptance of industrial transfer from a quantitative perspective.
Clinicopathological and histopathological review of dedifferentiated liposarcoma: a comprehensive study of 123 primary tumours
Authors: Mori Taro , Yamada Yuichi , Kinoshita Izumi , Kohashi Kenichi , Yamamoto Hidetaka , Ito Yoshihiro , Susuki Yosuke , Kawaguchi Kengo , Nakashima Yasuharu , Oda Yoshinao
Published: October 2021

Aims

Dedifferentiated liposarcoma (DDLS) has varying histopathological features, but their significance for the biological behaviour of this disease has not been fully clarified. The aim of this study was to elucidate the prognostic factors for DDLS by clinicopathologically reviewing a large case series.

Methods and results

We clinicopathologically reviewed 123 cases of primary de‐novo DDLS without preoperative treatment, including 81 in the internal trunk (internal DDLS) and 42 in peripheral sites (peripheral DDLS). Univariate and multivariate analyses of their features were also performed for all cases, the internal DDLS group, and the peripheral DDLS group. The results showed that, in all three groups, distant metastasis was significantly associated with shorter overall survival (OS) (univariate analysis, P < 0.0001, P = 0.0011, and P = 0.0101, respectively), whereas local recurrence showed no significant effect on prognosis. Histopathologically, a high mitotic count and the presence of round tumour cells were significantly associated with shorter OS in multivariate analysis of the internal DDLS group [respectively: P = 0.0022, hazard ratio (HR) 4.39, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.71–11.28; and P = 0.0014, HR 7.19, 95% CI 2.14–24.16]. In the peripheral DDLS group, necrosis and high‐grade histological components were significantly associated with shorter OS (univariate analysis, P = 0.0068 and P = 0.0174, respectively).

Conclusions

The presence of round tumour cells may be one of the histological factors associated with a worse prognosis of DDLS patients, as previous studies indicated. This study also suggests that distant metastasis may be predictive of prognosis for both internal and peripheral DDLS, rather than local recurrence.
Stress ulcer prophylaxis in critically ill adult patients with sepsis at risk of gastrointestinal bleeding: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Huang Minqiang , Han Ming , Song Zhi , Kuang Lei
Published: October 2021

Background

The Surviving Sepsis Campaign Guidelines recommend stress ulcer prophylaxis (SUP) for patients with sepsis who have gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding risks; however, the effect of SUP has not been specially studied in these patients.

Aims

To determine the effects of SUP versus no prophylaxis on patient‐important outcomes in critically ill adult patients with sepsis who have risk factors for GI bleeding.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study utilised data from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care III database. We compared those who received SUP with proton‐pump inhibitors or histamine‐2 receptor antagonists for ≥3 days with those who received no prophylaxis. Propensity score matching (PSM) was conducted to make comparisons between groups with similar distributions of study variables. The primary outcome was inhospital mortality.

Results

A total of 7744 patients were included in the analysis, with 1088 (14.0%) in the non‐SUP group and 6656 (86.0%) in the SUP group. A 1:1 PSM created 866 patients in each cohort. No significant differences were noted between the two groups with regard to inhospital mortality (22.3% vs 20.4%; P = 0.379), GI bleeding (4.7% vs 6.4%; P = 0.172), pneumonia (38.9% vs 36.6%; P = 0.346), Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) (6.4% vs 8.9%; P = 0.0.057) or intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay (LOS) (4.2 days vs 4.6 days; P = 0.394).

Conclusions

Among critically ill, septic, adult patients at risk for GI bleeding, SUP showed no effect on hospital mortality, the rate of GI bleeding, pneumonia, CDI and ICU LOS.
Detection and prevention of abuse of adults with intellectual and other developmental disabilities in care services: A systematic review
Authors: Collins Josephine , Murphy Glynis H.
Published: October 2021

Background

The abuse of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in care services seems to be relatively common, although there are anecdotal suggestions that abuse may be predictable and preventable.

Method

Evidence related to how abuse is detected and prevented within services was reviewed. Database and ancestry searches were conducted, and the methodological quality of studies assessed using the mixed methods appraisal tool.

Results

A total of 48 articles were reviewed. The characteristics of victims, perpetrators and organisations were summarised. Several recommendations for how abuse can be detected and prevented were made, including better staff training, supervision and monitoring of services. The quality of studies limits the reliability and validity of research findings.

Conclusion

Risk and protective factors related to the abuse of adults with intellectual and other developmental disabilities remain largely consistent. Further research is required to support the implementation of recommendations aimed to detect and prevent abuse.
Algorithm for diagnosing hypertension using out‐of‐office blood pressure measurements
Authors: Kim Je Sang , Rhee Moo‐Yong , Kim Chee Hae , Kim Yoo Ri , Do Ungjeong , Kim Ji‐Hyun , Kim Young Kwon , Lee Hyun Jung , Park Jee Yeon , Namgung June , Lee Sung Yun , Cho Deok‐Kyu , Choi Tae‐Young , Kim Seok Yeon
Published: October 2021

The authors developed and validated a diagnostic algorithm using the optimal upper and lower cut‐off values of office and home BP at which ambulatory BP measurements need to be applied. Patients presenting with high BP (≥140/90 mm Hg) at the outpatient clinic were referred to measure office, home, and ambulatory BP. Office and home BP were divided into hypertension, intermediate (requiring diagnosis using ambulatory BP), and normotension zones. The upper and lower BP cut‐off levels of intermediate zone were determined corresponding to a level of 95% specificity and 95% sensitivity for detecting daytime ambulatory hypertension by using the receiver operator characteristic curve. A diagnostic algorithm using three methods, OBP‐ABP: office BP measurement and subsequent ambulatory BP measurements if office BP is intermediate zone; OBP‐HBP‐ABP: office BP, subsequent home BP measurement if office BP is within intermediate zone and subsequent ambulatory BP measurement if home BP is within intermediate zone; and HBP‐ABP: home BP measurement and subsequent ambulatory BP measurements if home BP is within intermediate zone, were developed and validated. In the development population (n = 256), the developed algorithm yielded better diagnostic accuracies than 75.8% (95%CI 70.1–80.9) for office BP alone and 76.2% (95%CI 70.5–81.3) for home BP alone as follows: 96.5% (95%CI: 93.4–98.4) for OBP‐ABP, 93.4% (95%CI: 89.6–96.1) for OBP‐HBP‐ABP, and 94.9% (95%CI: 91.5–97.3%) for HBP‐ABP.  In the validation population (n = 399), the developed algorithm showed similarly improved diagnostic accuracy. The developed algorithm applying ambulatory BP measurement to the intermediate zone of office and home BP improves the diagnostic accuracy for hypertension.
circ‐ZNF609: A potent circRNA in human cancers
Authors: Qian Yiguan , Li Yang , Li Rongfei , Yang Tianli , Jia Ruipeng , Ge Yu‐Zheng
Published: October 2021

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a novel group of endogenous RNAs with a circular structure. Growing evidence indicates that circRNAs are involved in a variety of human diseases including malignancies. CircRNA ZNF609 (circ‐ZNF609), derived from the ZNF609 gene sequence, has been demonstrated to be involved in the development and progression of many diseases. circ‐ZNF609 is thought to be a viable diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for several diseases and might be a new therapeutic target, but further research is needed to accelerate clinical application. Here, we review the biogenesis and function of circRNAs and the functional roles and molecular mechanism related to circ‐ZNF609 in neoplasms and other diseases.
Down‐regulated LINC00115 inhibits prostate cancer cell proliferation and invasion via targeting miR‐212‐5p/FZD5/Wnt/β‐catenin axis
Authors: Peng Naixiong , Zhang Zejian , Wang Yaomin , Yang Minlong , Fan Jiqing , Wang Qinjun , Deng Ling , Chen Dong , Cai Yuefeng , Li Qihui , Wang Xisheng , Li Wei
Published: October 2021

Prostate cancer is the second most frequent malignancy in men worldwide, and its incidence is increasing. Therefore, it is urgently required to clarify the underlying mechanisms of prostate cancer. Although the long non‐coding RNA LINC00115 was identified as an oncogene in several cancers, the expression and function of LINC00115 in prostate cancer have not been explored. Our results showed that LINC00115 was significantly up‐regulated in prostate cancer tissues, which was significantly associated with a poor prognosis for prostate cancer patients. Functional studies showed that knockdown LINC00115 inhibited cell proliferation and invasion. In addition, LINC00115 served as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) through sponging miR‐212‐5p to release Frizzled Family Receptor 5 (FZD5) expression. The expression of miR‐212‐5p was noticeably low in tumour tissues, and FZD5 expression level was down‐regulated with the knockdown of LINC00115. Knockdown LINC00115 inhibited the Wnt/β‑catenin signalling pathway by inhibiting the expression of FZD5. Rescue experiments further showed that LINC00115 inhibits prostate cancer cell proliferation and invasion via targeting miR‐212‐5p/ FZD5/ Wnt/β‐catenin axis. The present study provided clues that LINC00115 may be a promising novel therapeutic target for prostate cancer patients.
Identification of MYH6 as the potential gene for human ischaemic cardiomyopathy
Authors: Chen Jian‐Hong , Wang Lei‐Li , Tao Lin , Qi Bin , Wang Yong , Guo Yu‐Jie , Miao Liu
Published: October 2021

The present study aimed to explore the potential hub genes and pathways of ischaemic cardiomyopathy (ICM) and to investigate the possible associated mechanisms. Two microarray data sets (GSE5406 and GSE57338) were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. The limma package was used to analyse the differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment, Disease Ontology (DO) and Gene Ontology (GO) annotation analyses were performed. A protein‐protein interaction (PPI) network was set up using Cytoscape software. Significant modules and hub genes were identified by the Molecular Complex Detection (MCODE) app. Then, further functional validation of hub genes in other microarrays and survival analysis were performed to judge the prognosis. A total of 1065 genes were matched, with an adjusted p < 0.05, and 17 were upregulated and 25 were downregulated with|log2 (fold change)|≥1.2. After removing the lengthy entries, GO identified 12 items, and 8 pathways were enriched at adjusted p < 0.05 (false discovery rate, FDR set at <0.05). Three modules with a score >8 after MCODE analysis and MYH6 were ultimately identified. When validated in GSE23561, MYH6 expression was lower in patients with CAD than in healthy controls (p < 0.05). GSE60993 data suggested that MYH6 expression was also lower in AMI patients (p < 0.05). In the GSE59867 data set, MYH6 expression was lower in CAD patients than in AMI patients and lower in heart failure (HF) patients than in non‐HF patients. However, there was no difference at different periods within half a year, and HF was increased when MYH6 expression was low (p < 0.05–0.01). We performed an integrated analysis and validation and found that MYH6 expression was closely related to ICM and HF. However, whether this marker can be used as a predictor in blood samples needs further experimental verification.
Space use by the endemic common (weedy) seadragon (Phyllopteryx taeniolatus): influence of habitat and prey
Authors: Allan Sam J. , O'Connell Max J. , Harasti David , Klanten O. Selma , Booth David J.
Published: October 2021

The weedy seadragon (Phyllopteryx taeniolatus: Syngnathidae) is an iconic fish endemic to the southern coastal waters of Australia. The authors of this study analysed the habitat preferences and factors influencing microhabitat selection by P. taeniolatus in a population from Kurnell, NSW, Australia. Using field surveys and the resource selection probability function, the authors determined that P. taeniolatus significantly preferred kelp (Ecklonia radiata)–dominated habitat and avoided rock‐dominated habitat. They showed P. taeniolatus preferred habitat of between 40% and 80% coverage of Ecklonia, while avoiding areas of <20% cover. Furthermore, across all habitats, mysid prey availability significantly influenced P. taeniolatus habitat selection. The strong dependence of P. taeniolatus on Ecklonia habitat shown in this study was previously untested and highlights that reductions in Ecklonia cover under climate change, or impacts from increasing urbanisation, may render seadragon populations vulnerable to declines.
Solar photovoltaic (PV)‐driven active crop drying system for plantain (MUSA SPP): Design, development, and performance evaluation
Authors: Anyanwu Cosmas Ngozichukwu , Onyia Chiemelu , Uchendu Adobi Jane , Aneke Nneoma Nkem , Ohagwu Jude Chukwuemeka , Ojike Onyekwere , Kumar Anil , Kalu‐Uka Abraham , Ukadike Okechukwu Ogadinma
Published: October 2021

A solar photovoltaic (PV)‐driven active crop drying system comprising a solar air heater, a three‐tray drying chamber and a data logger was designed and fabricated. Drying system is equipped with three DC fans of 18 W each, powered by 150 W mono‐crystalline, solar PV module, and 180 Ah deep cycle battery storage. Purpose‐built data logger constructed with a 60‐pin Arduino‐mega microcontroller and equipped with a digital dual‐display screen was used to acquire real‐time data on relative humidity and temperature at vital points in the drying system. Performance evaluation of the dryer was carried out while studying the drying characteristics of plantain chips at three thicknesses of 0.7, 1.0, and 1.5 cm. Drying characteristics were presented in graphs of moisture content (MCdb) versus time, moisture ratio (MR) versus time, and drying rate (DR) versus time for the different trays. Final moisture contents of the plantain chips were 10, 14, and 21% for the 0.7, 1.0, and 1.5 cm, respectively, in the three trays. The higher figures for the 1.0 and 1.5 cm levels of thickness are attributable to case hardening. Results showed that drying proceeded mainly in the falling rate period. Graphs of MR and DR showed that the drying process was more effective as the chips became thinner. Evaluation of 10 thin‐layer drying models carried out using the acquired data showed that the Wang and Singh model was the best suited for describing the drying characteristics of plantain.

Practical applications

The results of the present work will be very useful to food processing companies producing Plantain chips for local consumption and export. A good knowledge of the best suited thin‐layer drying model will help to predict the MR (and hence MC) as a function of drying time. In this way, energy might be saved and product quality guaranteed. In addition to quality assurance applications, the effect of layer thickness on drying characteristic would be very useful in prescribing the optimal thickness of the chips being processed.