bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Biologic therapy practices in severe asthma; outcomes from the UK Severe Asthma Registry and survey of specialist opinion
Authors: Mansur Adel H. , Gonem Sherif , Brown Thomas , Burhan Hassan , Chaudhuri Rekha , Dodd James W. , Pantin Thomas , Gore Robin , Jackson David , Menzies‐Gow Andrew , Patel Mitesh , Pavord Ian , Pfeffer Paul , Siddiqui Salman , Busby John , Heaney Liam G. ,   UK Severe Asthma Registry
Published: September 2022

Background

Several biological treatments have become available for management of severe asthma. There is a significant overlap in the indication of these treatments with lack of consensus on the first‐line biologic choice and switching practice in event of treatment failure.

Aims

To evaluate outcomes of biologic treatments through analysis of the UK Severe Asthma Registry (UKSAR), and survey of the UK severe asthma specialists' opinion.

Methods

Patients registered in the UKSAR database and treated with biologics for severe asthma in the period between January 2014 and August 2021, were studied to explore biologic treatments practice. This was complemented by survey of opinion of severe asthma specialists.

Results

A total of 2490 patients from 10 severe asthma centres were included in the study (mean age 51.3 years, 61.1% female, mean BMI 30.9 kg/m2). Biologics use included mepolizumab 1115 (44.8%), benralizumab 925 (37.1%), omalizumab 432 (17.3%), dupilumab 13 (0.5%) and reslizumab 5 (0.2%). Patients on omalizumab were younger and had earlier age of onset asthma than those prescribed mepolizumab or benralizumab. Patients prescribed mepolizumab and benralizumab had similar clinical characteristics. Those on benralizumab were more likely to continue treatment at approximately one year follow‐up (93.9%), than those on mepolizumab (80%), or omalizumab (69.6%). The first‐choice biologic differed between centres and changed over the study time period. Experts' opinion also diverged in terms of biologic initiation choice and switching practice.

Conclusion

We observed significant variation and divergence in the prescribing practices of biologics in severe asthma that necessitates further research and standardization.
A rapidly expanding nodule on the lower leg
Authors: Butt Sanaa , Haughey Veronica , Muncey-Buckley Morgan , Evans Alan , Bryden Alyson
Published: September 2022

We present a case of a 34-year-old man who developed a lesion over his posterior calf. We discuss the clinical and histopathological features, as well as relevant immunohistochemical markers.

Click here for the corresponding questions to this CME article.
Splice‐site variant in the RPS7 5′‐UTR leads to a decrease in the mRNA level and development of Diamond‐Blackfan anemia
Authors: Skorodumova Liubov O. , Davydenko Ksenia A. , Filatova Alexandra Y. , Skoblov Mikhail Yu , Kulemin Nikolay A. , Khadzhieva Maryam B. , Zakharova Elena S. , Gordeeva Veronika D. , Smetanina Nataliya S. , Fedyushkina Irina V. , Anastasevich Lyudmila A. , Larin Sergey S.
Published: September 2022

Diamond‐Blackfan anemia (DBA) is an inherited bone marrow failure syndrome characterized by erythroid aplasia. Pathogenic variants in ribosomal protein (RP) genes, GATA1, TSR2, and EPO, are considered to be the etiology of DBA. Variants in 5′‐untranslated regions (UTRs) of these genes are poorly studied and can complicate the variant interpretation. We investigated the functional consequences NM_001011.4:c.‐19 + 1G > T variant in the donor splice‐site of the RPS7 5′‐UTR. This variant was found in a family where two sons with DBA were carriers. Father, who also had this variant, developed myelodysplastic syndrome, which caused his death. Search for candidate causal variants and copy number variations in DBA‐associated genes left RPS7 variant as the best candidate. Trio whole exome sequencing analysis revealed no pathogenic variants in other genes. Functional analysis using luciferase expression system revealed that this variant leads to disruption of splicing. Also, a decrease in the levels of mRNA and protein expression was detected. In conclusion, the established consequences of 5′‐UTR splice‐site variant c.‐19 + 1G > T in the RPS7 gene provide evidence that it is likely pathogenic.
Prediction of tacrolimus and Wuzhi tablet pharmacokinetic interaction magnitude in renal transplant recipients
Authors: Chen Pan , Dai Rui , She Youjun , Fu Qian , Huang Min , Chen Xiao , Wang Changxi
Published: September 2022

Aim

Wuzhi tablets are a dose‐sparing agent for tacrolimus (TAC) in China and increase the bioavailability of TAC. The current study aimed to evaluate the pharmacokinetic interaction magnitude of Wuzhi and TAC and explore the potential determinants of this interaction.

Methods

This study performed a retrospective, self‐controlled study of 138 renal transplant recipients who were co‐administered TAC and Wuzhi. The trough concentration (C0) of TAC at baseline and 3, 7, 14 and 21 days after Wuzhi co‐therapy initiation was measured, and the CYP3A5 polymorphism was genotyped. The corresponding clinical factors were recorded. The ratio of dose‐adjusted C0 (C0/D) post‐ and pre‐combination therapy (ΔC0/D) indicates the interaction magnitude. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to identify determinants and establish the prediction model.

Results

ΔC0/D reached a steady state within 14 days. The geometrical mean ΔC0/D was 2.91 (range 1.02–9.49, IQR 2.13–3.80). ΔC0/D was blunted in CYP3A5 expressers (estimated effect: ‐39.8%, P = .001) and affected by hematocrit (Hct) (+24.0% per 10% increase, P = .005) and baseline C0/D (‐31.9% per 1 ng·ml‐1·mg‐1 increase, P < .001). The prediction model was ΔC0/D = .319baseline C0/D × 1.398CYP3A5 (expressers = 0/non‐expressers = 1) × 1.024Hct × 1.744, and it explained 28.1% of the variability.

Conclusion

Our study is the first attempt to date to give an assessment of the magnitude of pharmacokinetic interaction between TAC and Wuzhi in a cohort of renal transplant recipients, and CYP3A5 genotypes, baseline C0/D and Hct were identified as determinants of this interaction.
Alcohol‐associated liver disease predicts increased post‐liver transplant opioid use
Authors: Johnson‐Laghi Krystina A. , Woo Stephanie M. , Zafar Zaeema , Fernandez Stephen , Desale Sameer , Robertazzi Suzanne E. , Smith Coleman I. , Thomas Arul M. , Lalos Alexander T. , Georgia Sarah J. , Jenkins Michelle L. , Faust Thomas W. , Fishbein Thomas M. , Satoskar Rohit S. , Rangnekar Amol S. , Hsu Christine C.
Published: September 2022

Background

Alcohol‐associated liver disease (ALD) is a rising indication for liver transplantation (LT). Prolonged opioid use after LT leads to increased graft loss and mortality. The aim is to determine if patients transplanted with a primary diagnosis of ALD had higher risk of post‐LT opioid use (p‐LTOU) compared to non‐ALD patients.

Methods

This is a retrospective study of patients who underwent LT between 2015 and 2018 at Medstar Georgetown Transplant Institute. Patients with prolonged hospitalization post‐LT (>90 days), death within 90 days post‐LT, and re‐transplants were excluded.

Results

Two hundred and ninety seven patients were transplanted, among 29% for indications of ALD. ALD patients were younger (52 vs. 56 years), more likely to be male (76% vs. 61%), Caucasian (71% vs. 44%), have higher MELD (28.8±8.8 vs. 25±8.8), and psychiatric disease than non‐ALD patients (P < .05). There was no difference in pre‐LT use of opioids, tobacco, marijuana, or illicit drugs between ALD and non‐ALD patients. Pre‐LT opioid use (OR = 11.7, P < .001), ALD (OR = 2.5, P = .01), and MELD score (OR = .95, P = .02) independently predicted 90‐day p‐LTOU.

Conclusions

ALD, pre‐LT opioid use, and MELD score independently predict p‐LTOU. Special attention should be paid to identify post‐LT prolonged opioid use in ALD patients.
Common data elements and minimum data sets in cerebral palsy: Start small to grow big
Authors: Dieterich Klaus
Published: September 2022

This commentary is on the original article by Wilson et al. on pages 1470–1476 of this issue.
Larger effect size in composite kidney outcomes than in major cardiovascular events associated with sodium‐glucose cotransporter‐2 (SGLT2) inhibitors compared with glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor agonists (GLP‐1RAs): A pooled analysis of type 2 diabetes trials
Authors: Diallo Alhassane , Carlos‐Bolumbu Miguel , Renard Pr Eric , Galtier Florence
Published: September 2022

Aim

To compare treatment effect sizes between a composite kidney outcome (CKO) and three‐point major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE‐3) outcomes with use of sodium‐glucose cotransporter‐2 (SGLT2) inhibitors and glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor agonists (GLP‐1RAs), and to investigate the relationship between treatment effects on CKO and MACE‐3 in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D).

Materials and Methods

We performed a MEDLINE database search up to December 31, 2021 to identify all placebo‐controlled Phase 3 trials which investigated the efficacy of glucose‐lowering interventions, and selected those reporting results for CKO and MACE‐3. Hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for both outcomes were extracted for each trial, and we evaluated differences in treatment effect sizes by using a ratio of HRs (rHR): the HR for CKO to the HR for MACE‐3. A random‐effects meta‐analysis was used to obtain the overall rHR across trials and according to subgroup. We investigated the relationship between treatment effects on CKO and MACE‐3 using the coefficient of determination (R2) with weighted meta‐regression. The study protocol was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42022299690).

Results

A total of 12 studies fulfilled the prespecified criteria, and comprised a total of 104 987 patients with T2D. On average, treatment effect sizes were 17% greater for CKO than for MACE‐3 (rHR 0.83, 95% CI 0.74 to 0.92; I2 = 50%; P = 0.03; τ2 = 0.0161), especially for trials of SGLT2 inhibitors compared with GLP‐1RAs. For secondary outcomes, treatment effect size was 22%, 21%, 16% and 9% greater for CKO than for myocardial infarction, stroke, death from cardiovascular causes, and hospitalization for heart disease, respectively. MACE‐3 and CKO were moderately correlated (ρ = 0.40; P = 0.21), and only 11% (95% CI 1% to 54%) of the variability in the MACE‐3 effect could be explained by the variability in the CKO effect.

Conclusion

In T2D patients, treatment effect sizes were greater for kidney than for macrovascular (MACE‐3) outcomes, with important differences according to the drugs considered. CKO and MACE‐3 are independent. Caution must be taken when interpreting CKO in the absence of MACE‐3 data.
Impact of case complexity on paediatric dentists' ability to radiographically diagnose traumatic dental injuries
Authors: Gertrude Van Gorp , Lambrechts Marjan , Jacobs Reinhilde , Declerck Dominique
Published: September 2022

Background/Aims

Being able to correctly interpret radiographs after a traumatic dental injury is an essential skill for providing appropriate and timely treatment. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of case complexity on paediatric dentists' performance when radiographically diagnosing traumatic dental injuries (TDI) and to investigate a possible added value of cone‐beam computed tomography (CBCT) when compared with digital intra‐oral radiography (2D vs 3D).

Materials and methods

A test panel of paediatric dentists was instructed to detect, identify and interpret radiographic findings using either 2D or 3D images. Intra‐oral radiographs and CBCT images of 20 trauma cases were presented in random order, and the findings were recorded using structured scoring sheets. Case complexity was determined by two experienced benchmark scorers. Results were analysed using generalized linear mixed modelling.

Results

In general, performance for detection, identification and interpretation of findings was low, both with 2D and 3D images, with significantly lower values for difficult cases (p < 0.05). For easy as well as for difficult cases, 3D imaging resulted in a significantly better performance for detection and identification of findings (P < 0.001). This was not the case for correct interpretation, where significantly poorer performance was seen when using 3D images for difficult cases (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

This study provides evidence that case complexity of traumatic dental injuries influences diagnostic performance. The use of CBCT enhanced detection and identification of findings but when case complexity increased, 3D imaging adversely affected correct interpretation.
Isolated favorable compound mandibular body fractures: A retrospective review of two cohorts of patients based on the timing of treatment
Authors: Anyanechi Charles Ezechukwu
Published: September 2022

Background/Aim

Treatment delays in the management of mandible fractures are often unavoidable and, as a result, the timing of treatment of mandibular fractures has remained a contentious issue in clinical practice as the optimal treatment delay for minimizing complications remains unknown. The aim of this study was to determine the rate and types of complications between two cohorts of patients designated as early and late treatment groups and estimate an optimal time threshold for treatment delay after closed reduction and maxillomandibular fixation.

Material and Methods

Demographic and clinical data were collected retrospectively about patients who were treated for isolated, unilateral, favorable, and compound mandibular body fractures between 1999 and 2019 to answer the question of whether treatment delay is an independent variable impacting post‐operative mandible body fracture complications. Descriptive and bivariate statistics were computed.

Results

One hundred and seventy subjects were evaluated (n = 87 in the control/early group and n = 83 in the study/late group). The mean time lapses from injury to treatment were: early (5.8 ± 0.4 days) and late (10.3 ± 0.7 days). The overall complication rate was 14.1%. However, the complication rates of the early and late groups were 13.8% and 14.5%, respectively, with no significant difference (p = 0.89).

Conclusions

There was no difference between early and late treatment groups. Treatment delay was not an independent variable impacting post‐operative mandible body fracture complications if treatment is done between 3 and 12 days after the injury.
Confirming an antiphasic bicyclic pattern of forward entrainment in signal detection: A reanalysis of Sun et al. (2021)
Authors: Saberi Kourosh , Hickok Gregory
Published: September 2022

Forward entrainment refers to that part of the entrainment process that persists after termination of an entraining stimulus. Hickok et al. (2015) reported forward entrainment in signal detection that lasted for two post‐stimulus cycles. In a recent paper, Sun et al. (2021) reported new data which suggested an absence of entrainment effects (Eur. J. Neurosci, 1–18, doi.org/10.1111/ejn.15367). Here we show that when Sun et al.'s data are analysed using unbiased detection‐theoretic measures, a clear antiphasic bicyclic pattern of entrainment is observed. We further show that the measure of entrainment strength used by Sun et al., the normalized Fourier transform of performance curves, is not only erroneously calculated but is also unreliable in estimating entrainment strength due to signal‐processing artifacts.
Initiating dopamine agonists rather than levodopa in early Parkinson's disease does not delay the need for deep brain stimulation
Authors: Olszewska Diana A. , Fasano Alfonso , Munhoz Renato P. , Gomez Carolina Candelaria Ramirez , Lang Anthony E.
Published: September 2022

Background and purpose

While levodopa is the most effective symptomatic treatment for Parkinson's disease (PD), its use is associated with an increased risk of motor complications (MCs) in the first 5 years of treatment compared to dopamine agonist (DA) first therapy. It is not known whether this translates into true benefit later in the disease. We aimed to determine whether there is a difference in the time between initial levodopa versus DA treatment and the development of disabling MCs prompting deep brain stimulation (DBS) consideration.

Methods

This was a retrospective cohort study of patients with PD attending the DBS Clinic at Toronto Western Hospital, Canada between March 2004 and February 2022, who underwent globus pallidus interna (GPI) or subthalamic nucleus (STN) DBS in 2005 or later for disabling MCs.

Results

Of the 438 patients included in the study, 352 underwent STN DBS and 86 underwent GPi DBS. The median (range) disease duration was 9 (2–30) years. The majority of patients (n = 312) received levodopa first and 126 received a DA. There was no significant difference in disease duration or amantadine use between the two groups. The duration from the first treatment to assesment for DBS (levodopa: median 8 years, interquartile range [IQ] 4 years; DA: median 9, IQR 4 years) or DBS surgery (levodopa: median 10 years, IIQR 5 years; DA: median 10 years, IQR 5 years) did not differ.

Conclusion

To our knowledge, this is the only study to date to evaluate the duration between levodopa/DA‐first treatment and the development of MCs of sufficient severity to warrant consideration of DBS. No association was found. The results suggest that the development of disabling MCs warranting DBS is independent of the type of first dopaminergic treatment.
Ictal apnea: A prospective monocentric study in patients with epilepsy
Authors: Micalizzi Elisa , Vaudano Anna Elisabetta , Ballerini Alice , Talami Francesca , Giovannini Giada , Turchi Giulia , Cioclu Maria Cristina , Giunta Leandra , Meletti Stefano
Published: September 2022

Background and purpose

Ictal respiratory disturbances have increasingly been reported, in both generalized and focal seizures, especially involving the temporal lobe. Recognition of ictal breathing impairment has gained importance for the risk of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP). The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence of ictal apnea (IA) and related hypoxemia during seizures.

Methods

We collected and analyzed electroclinical data from consecutive patients undergoing long‐term video‐electroencephalographic (video‐EEG) monitoring with cardiorespiratory polygraphy. Patients were recruited at the epilepsy monitoring unit of the Civil Hospital of Baggiovara, Modena Academic Hospital, from April 2020 to February 2022.

Results

A total of 552 seizures were recorded in 63 patients. IA was observed in 57 of 552 (10.3%) seizures in 16 of 63 (25.4%) patients. Thirteen (81.2%) patients had focal seizures, and 11 of 16 patients showing IA had a diagnosis of temporal lobe epilepsy; two had a diagnosis of frontal lobe epilepsy and three of epileptic encephalopathy. Apnea agnosia was reported in all seizure types. Hypoxemia was observed in 25 of 57 (43.9%) seizures with IA, and the severity of hypoxemia was related to apnea duration. Apnea duration was significantly associated with epilepsy of unknown etiology (magnetic resonance imaging negative) and with older age at epilepsy onset (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Ictal respiratory changes are a frequent clinical phenomenon, more likely to occur in focal epilepsies, although detected even in patients with epileptic encephalopathy. Our findings emphasize the need for respiratory polygraphy during long‐term video‐EEG monitoring for diagnostic and prognostic purposes, as well as in relation to the potential link of ictal apnea with the SUDEP risk.
The influence of incoming CEOs
Authors: Boumosleh Anwar , Cline Brandon N.
Published: September 2022

We introduce a novel index capturing the power of an incoming CEO and explore the association between the appointment of a new CEO and turnover in the top management team (TMT). We document a statistically and economically significant relation between the level of new CEO power and the departure of senior executives. Specifically, we find that in addition to CEO origin, new CEO power is positively related to TMT turnover. We also find that in the post‐SOX period, CEO power is more significant in affecting TMT turnover and that directorship and ownership of senior executives reduce departure.
Postqualitative geographies
Authors: Boyd Candice P.
Published: September 2022

This essay examines recent literature that advocates for a postqualitative approach to research in the social sciences and humanities. Exploring across disciplinary boundaries, this essay interrogates parallel developments in the field of education, much of which are informed by non‐representational theories in geography as well as current trends within the discipline to advance postphenomenological and posthumanist methodologies. As a starting point, the on‐going contribution of qualitative methods to human geography is acknowledged alongside a questioning of their currency in the light of posthumanism. The extreme position—that ‘conventional’ qualitative methods are based on an outmoded view of the human subject and should, therefore, be discarded—is evaluated before presenting a ‘softer’ version of postqualitative inquiry which re‐thinks the subject and troubles method, rather than rejecting it outright. The essay continues by focussing on work within and beyond human geography that aims to advance a ‘post‐’ sensibility in relation to method—one that does not eschew method itself but rather the kind of proceduralism that qualitative methods often entail—and concludes by considering the practical implications of postqualitative approaches for human geography.
Estimation of in vitro digestibility and fermentation of elephant grass by near infrared spectroscopy
Authors: Abreu Joadil G. , Fernández‐Cabanás Víctor M. , Rodrigues Janderson A. , Abreu Matheus , Ferreira Eduardo A. , Peixoto Wender M.
Published: September 2022

The methods used to evaluate kinetic parameters of ruminant feeds can be in situ and in vitro. For both methods, it is necessary to maintain cannulated animals in order to collect the inoculum from the rumen, which has been under strong pressure from society, in terms of animal welfare policies, to avoid this type of practices. This work aimed to evaluate the estimation of in vitro digestibility and fermentation of elephant grass forage by near infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS), as a fast and noninvasive alternative to the in vitro method. The experimental design was in randomized blocks with three repetitions. The treatments were arranged in a split‐plot scheme, with 13 genotypes in the plot and 15 regrowth ages in the subplot. Crude protein (CP) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) contents; in vitro dry matter (IVDMD) and NDF (IVNDFD) digestibilities; and total volume (Vt), gas production rate (μ) and half‐life conventional analyses were determined for pre‐dried elephant grass forage samples. For the evaluation of NIRS models performance, coefficient of determination (R2cv) and standard error of cross validation (SECV) were used. As the regrowth age advanced, there was a linear increase in the NDF content and a linear reduction in the IVDMD, IVNDFD and Vt values. The NIRS estimates proved to be adequate for IVDMD (R2cv = .95), IVNDFD (R2cv = .85), Vt (R2cv = .81) and gas production at 48 (R2cv = .82), 72 (R2cv = .85) and 96 h (R2cv = .84), confirming as an alternative to the in vitro methods that dispense with the use of cannulated animals.
Regulation of constant cell elongation and Sfm pili synthesis in Escherichia coli via two active forms of FimZ orphan response regulator
Authors: Ogawa Ayano , Kojima Fumika , Miyake Yukari , Yoshimura Miho , Ishijima Nozomi , Iyoda Sunao , Sekine Yasuhiko , Yamanaka Yuki , Yamamoto Kaneyoshi
Published: September 2022

Escherichia coli (E. coli) has multiple copies of the chaperone‐usher (CU) pili operon in five fimbria groups: CU pili, curli, type IV pili, type III secretion pili, and type IV secretion pili. Commensal E. coli K‐12 contains 12 CU pili operons. Among these operons, Sfm is expressed by the sfmACDHF operon. Transcriptome analyses, reporter assays, and chromatin immunoprecipitation PCR analyses reported that FimZ directly binds to and activates the sfmA promoter, transcribing sfmACDHF. In addition, FimZ regularly induces constant cell elongation in E. coli, which is required for F‐type ATPase function. The bacterial two‐hybrid system showed a specific interaction between FimZ and the α subunit of the cytoplasmic F1 domain of F‐type ATPase. Studies performed using mutated FimZs have revealed two active forms, I and II. Active form I is required for constant cell elongation involving amino acid residues K106 and D109. Active form II additionally required D56, a putative phosphorylation site, to activate the sfmA promoter. The chromosomal fimZ was hardly expressed in parent strain but functioned in phoB and phoP double‐gene knockout strains. These insights may help to understand bacterial invasion restricted host environments by the sfm γ‐type pili.
NATURAL HISTORIES FOR THE ANTHROPOCENE: KOSELLECK'S THEORIES AND THE POSSIBILITY OF A HISTORY OF LIFETIMES
Authors: JORDHEIM HELGE
Published: September 2022

In this article, I offer a rereading of Reinhart Koselleck that puts his work at the center of ongoing debates about how to write histories that can account for humanity's changed and changing relationship to our natural environment—or, in geological terms, to our planet. This involves engaging with the urgent realities of climate crisis and the geological agency of humans, which, in current discourse, are often designated by the concept of the Anthropocene. This article asks whether Koselleck's essays from the 1970s and after contain ideas, arguments, theories, and methods that may prove useful in collapsing “the age‐old humanist distinction between natural history and human history,” to use Dipesh Chakrabarty's phrase. Indeed, the unlikeliness of providing a positive answer to this question is itself an important motivation for raising it. The other motivation is the supposition that the difficulties in bridging the gap between human and natural history fundamentally has to do with time and, more specifically, with the divergent temporal frameworks governing different historiographies, which are in part practiced in natural sciences such as geology, biology, and meteorology. The first part of this article discusses what one could call Koselleck's temporal anthropocentrism, which was handed down in German historicism and hermeneutics from the eighteenth century onward in the shape of what I call the Vitruvian Man of Time. In Koselleck's work, this superimposition of the human onto the multiple lifetimes of the planet is most clearly expressed in his claim about the “denaturalization” of history at the beginning of modernity. The second part of this article observes a shift in Koselleck's engagement with nature beginning in the 1980s; this shift is presented in terms of a “renaturalization.” The theoretical and methodological tool for this re‐entanglement of the times of history and the times of nature is his theory of multiple times. Originally limited to the human, this theory rises to the task of including an increasing number of natural times that are no longer perceived as stable, static, and slow but as continuously accelerating due to “human use.” In conclusion, this article suggests that Koselleck's work offers the framework for a theory of “lifetimes” that can replace modernist history as platform for writing new natural histories for the future.
ISAIAH BERLIN AS A HISTORIAN
Authors: CZYŻEWSKI HUBERT
Published: September 2022

Intellectual history's methodology remains dominated by the Cambridge school and its approaches, which focus almost exclusively on the discursive context of political debates. However, a different practice of historical investigation may be found in the works of Isaiah Berlin. Although he is best known as a political theorist and an ethicist, Berlin pursued his philosophical agenda mostly through his works in the history of ideas that focus on Enlightenment and Romantic thinkers. Nonetheless, this methodology has never been presented in a systematic way—not by Berlin, and not in scholarship on his thought. This article argues that Berlin's understanding of past philosophers was different from that of the Cambridge school: he did not neglect the fundamental importance of historical context, but he did not understand the “context” primarily as comprised of interventions in political discourse; rather, he attempted to understand every thinker in his or her own right. Berlin's methodology as a historian can be summarized as an empathetic reconstruction of somebody else's mental world, and it was derived from the idea of fantasia, which was developed by the early modern Italian writer Giambattista Vico (who is a protagonist in many of Berlin's historical essays), and from the concept of “absolute presuppositions,” which was forged by R. G. Collingwood. Berlin's methodology allows for more in‐depth comparisons between thinkers from different historical periods, as his approaches were founded on a philosophical belief in the existence of a transhistorical human nature that is confined by a horizon of shared human experiences.
Effect of brushing force on the abrasive dentin wear using slurries with different abrasivity values
Authors: Hamza Blend , Martinola Laura , Körner Philipp , Gubler Andrea , Attin Thomas , Wegehaupt Florian Just
Published: September 2022

Objective

The aim of this study was to investigate the resulting abrasive dentin wear using abrasive slurries with different RDA values and applying increasing brushing forces.

Methods

Forty‐five bovine incisors were randomly allocated in three groups (A, B, C, n = 15). One hundred and eighty dentin samples were prepared from these incisors and allocated to twelve groups (A1‐A4, B1‐B4, C1‐C4; n = 15). The groups were subjected to a brushing cycle (120 strokes/min, 25 min) as follows: groups A1 to A4 with an abrasive slurry (RDA = 71) applying increasing brushing forces (1, 2, 3 and 4 N). Groups B1 to B4 were brushed using an abrasive slurry (RDA = 85) and C1 to C4 (RDA = 133) applying the same above‐mentioned brushing forces. Abrasive dentin wear was recorded using a stylus profilometer and compared amongst the groups using robust models. Pairwise comparisons in each model were tested and corrected after Tukey’s method (α = 0.05).

Results

Applying 1‐N brushing force resulted in the same amount of abrasive dentin wear in all groups regardless of the abrasivity of the used slurry. Increasing the brushing force to 2 N resulted in statistically significantly higher abrasive wear in all groups. This increase in abrasive wear was much higher when the slurry with high abrasivity was used (RDA = 133) compared with the lower abrasive slurry (RDA = 71).

Conclusion

The abrasivity of the used slurry does not add to the resulting abrasive wear when the brushing force is kept at 1 N. It seems better to advise and help the patients (showing signs of non‐carious cervical lesions) calibrating their brushing force to 1 N, than only to advise them to use toothpastes with lower abrasivities.
Effects of red rice flour addition on the rheological, textural, sensory and bioactive properties of wheat flour‐based pan breads
Authors: Iqbal Hadiqa , Ali Tahira Mohsin , Arif Saqib , Akbar Qurrat‐ul‐Ain , Saeed Muhammad
Published: September 2022

Red rice, rich in fibre and phenolic contents, is one of the underutilised grains. Therefore, the present study developed the wheat/red rice flour (RRF) composites followed by its utilisation in pan breads. It led to an increase in ash and fibre contents of resultant flour combinations, but gluten network became weaker. The values for water absorption were unaffected with RRF replacements ≤15% of wheat flour. Moreover, the proximate estimates of RRF added breads demonstrated increased moisture and fibre contents. Substituted bread combinations were harder with increased gumminess and springiness values; however, cohesion decreased. The per cent change in cohesion and hardness of individual breads upon storage was lesser in composites compared to control suggesting decline in staling phenomenon. Nutritional assessment of both RRF containing flour and breads showed higher total phenolic content and DPPH radical scavenging activity compared to their respective controls. Composite breads also demonstrated reduced glycaemic index suggesting its importance for diabetic patients.
The multicomponent oxide glass as a statistical ensemble of neighboring glassy compounds in the composition space
Authors: Wu Minbo , Tang Guowu , Qian Guoquan , Qian Qi , Chen Dongdan , Dong Guoping , Yang Zhongmin
Published: September 2022

The rapid and low‐cost development of multicomponent oxide glasses is a long‐standing issue in condensed matters and materials science. However, traditional experimental approaches based on trial‐and‐error and empirical rules are time consuming and high‐cost. Recently, with the proposal of the materials genome engineering, the “glass genome” has also attracted much attention, which can accelerate the development of multicomponent oxide glasses. Here, we present an alternative and more suitable description of a multicomponent oxide glass as a statistical ensemble of its neighboring glassy compounds (NGCs) in the composition space. Subsequently, the NGCs method was proposed to predict the structural features and physical properties of the multicomponent oxide glass by the statistical averages of structural features and physical properties of the NGCs. What is more, the NGCs method was systematically verified at the atomic‐level view through molecular dynamics simulations. The predicted results through the NGCs method were in good agreement with the simulated results in multicomponent oxide glasses (Na2O‐SiO2and Na2O‐CaO‐SiO2systems). This work supports the physical picture of multicomponent oxide glasses and further promotes the development of “glass genome,” which will accelerate the research of glass materials.
Songbirds of the Americas show uniform morphological evolution despite heterogeneous diversification
Authors: Imfeld Tyler S. , Barker F. Keith
Published: September 2022

Studying the relationship between diversification and functional trait evolution among broadly co‐occurring clades can shed light on interactions between ecology and evolutionary history. However, evidence from many studies is compromised because of their focus on overly broad geographic or narrow phylogenetic scales. We addressed these limitations by studying 46 independent, biogeographically delimited clades of songbirds that dispersed from the Eastern Hemisphere into the Americas and assessed (1) whether diversification has varied through time and/or among clades within this assemblage, (2) the extent of heterogeneity in clade‐specific morphological trait disparity and (3) whether morphological disparity among these clades is consistent with a uniform diversification model. We found equivalent support for constant rates birth–death and density‐dependent speciation processes, with notable outliers having significantly fewer or more species than expected given their age. We also found substantial variation in morphological disparity among these clades, but that variation was broadly consistent with uniform evolutionary rates, despite the existence of diversification outliers. These findings indicate relatively continuous, ongoing morphological diversification, arguing against conceptual models of adaptive radiation in these continental clades. Additionally, they suggest surprisingly consistent diversification among the majority of these clades, despite tremendous variance in colonization history, habitat valences and trophic specializations that exist among continental clades of birds.
Translucency, color stability, and biaxial flexural strength of advanced lithium disilicate ceramic after coffee thermocycling
Authors: Demirel Münir , Diken Türksayar Almira Ada , Donmez Mustafa Borga
Published: September 2022

Objective

To compare the color stability, translucency, and biaxial flexural strength (BFS) of differently glazed advanced lithium disilicate (ALDS) with those of lithium disilicate (LDS) and zirconia‐reinforced lithium silicate (ZLS) after coffee thermocycling.

Materials and methods

Forty disk‐shaped specimens were prepared from three lithium silicate based materials (CEREC Tessera, ALDS; IPS e.max CAD, LDS; Vita Suprinity, ZLS). ALDS specimens were divided into two subgroups according to glazing procedures (reduced glaze duration, ALDS‐S and normal glaze duration, ALDS‐N), while LDS and ZLS specimens were crystallized and glazed. Color coordinate measurements were performed before and after coffee thermocycling. Color differences (ΔE00) and relative translucency parameters (RTP) were calculated. Specimens were then subjected to BFS test. Statistical analysis was performed by using 1‐ (ΔE00 and BFS) and 2‐way (RTP) ANOVA tests (α = 0.05).

Results

ΔE00 values of tested materials were similar (df = 3, F = 0.150, p = 0.929). Two‐way ANOVA showed the significant effect of material type, coffee thermocycling, and the interaction between these parameters on RTP values (p < 0.001). Both before and after thermocycling, LDS had the highest (p ≤ 0.001) and ZLS had the lowest (p < 0.001) RTP values, while ALDS‐N had higher RTP than ALDS‐S (p ≤ 0.001). Among tested materials, only LDS had similar RTP values before and after thermocycling (p = 0.865) as the other materials had lower RTP values after thermocycling (p < 0.001). ALDS‐N had higher BFS values than ALDS‐S (p = 0.005), while LDS had similar values to ALDS specimens (p ≥ 0.201). ZLS had the highest BFS (p ≤ 0.007).

Conclusions

ALDS had comparable values to those of other materials. However, reduced glazing duration resulted in decreased translucency and BFS of ALDS.

Clinical significance

ALDS may be an appropriate restorative material for those patients with increased coffee consumption considering its color stability and ability to maintain translucency, particularly when glazed by using a conventional porcelain furnace.
Genetic characterization and antimicrobial profiling of bacterial isolates collected from Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) affected by summer mortality syndrome
Authors: Ali Shimaa E. , Mahana Osama , Mohan Chadag Vishnumurthy , Delamare‐Deboutteville Jerome , Elgendy Mamdouh Y.
Published: September 2022

In recent years, Egyptian tilapia aquaculture has experienced mortality episodes during the summer months. The causative agents responsible for such mortalities have not been clearly identified. A total of 400 fish specimens were collected from affected tilapia farms within five Egyptian governorates. A total of 344 bacterial isolates were identified from the examined fish specimens. Bacterial isolates were grouped into seven genera based on API 20E results. The most prevalent pathogens were Aeromonas spp. (42%), Vibrio spp. (21%), and Streptococcus agalactiae (14.5%). Other emerging infections like, Plesiomonas shigelloides (10%), Staphyloccocus spp. (8%), Pseudomonas oryzihabitans, and Acinetobacter lwoffii (2.3%) were also detected. Sequence analysis of the 16S ribosomal RNA bacterial gene of some isolates, confirmed the phenotypic identification results. The analysis of antibiotic resistance genes revealed the presence of aac(6′)‐Ib‐cr (35.7%), blaCTX gene (23.8%), qnrS (19%), ampC (16.7%), floR (14.3%), sul1, tetA, and van.C1 (2.4%) genes in some isolates. The antimicrobia resistance gene, qac was reported in 46% of screened isolates. Bacterial strains showed variable virulence genes profiles. Aeromonas spp. harboured (act, gcat, aerA, lip, fla, and ser) genes. All Vibrio spp. possessed the hlyA gene, while cylE, hylB, and lmb genes, were detected in S. agalactiae strains. Our findings point to the possible role of the identified bacterial pathogens in tilapia summer mortality syndrome and highlight the risk of the irresponsible use of antibiotics on antimicrobial resistance in aquaculture.
Contracaecum nematode parasites in hillstream loaches of the Western Ghats, India
Authors: Verma Chandani R. , Kumkar Pradeep , Khare Tushar , Pise Manoj , Kalous Lukáš , Dahanukar Neelesh
Published: September 2022

Nematode parasites of the family Anisakidae infect definitive hosts, such as fish‐eating birds and mammals, through primary intermediate hosts like copepods and secondary intermediate hosts like fishes. However, consumption of raw or undercooked fish can lead to nematode infection called anisakidosis in humans. We observed the presence of nematode infection in hillstream loaches of families Cobitidae and Nemacheilidae available for human consumption in the local markets in the northern parts of Western Ghats, India. Scanning electron micrograph and genetic identification employing mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit II, identified the nematode to the genus Contracaecum. Histology of infected host revealed the presence of the parasite in muscles. Antioxidant enzyme analysis of host liver suggested that infection leads to oxidative stress in the fish. We suspect that a gradual increase in parasite infection of the loaches in the last decade could be attributed to various anthropogenic stressors that are altering riverine habitats. Since loaches are consumed by tribal people who often prepare the fish without degutting and possibly undercooked, there is a potential threat of human infection.
Adult‐onset Krabbe disease presenting as isolated sensorimotor demyelinating polyneuropathy: A case report
Authors: Forbes Emily , Smith Kaitlin , Petluru Monica , Nystrom Jered , Fridman Vera
Published: September 2022

Krabbe disease is a rare autosomal recessive neurodegenerative disease, caused by mutations in the GALC gene, which encodes for the lysosomal enzyme galactocerebrosidase. Typical clinical manifestations of Krabbe include psychomotor deterioration, visual loss, seizures, and spasticity, that result from central nervous system demyelination. We report a case of a 35‐year‐old male with Krabbe who presented in adulthood with isolated severe, upper extremity predominant demyelinating sensorimotor polyneuropathy and did not develop other distinguishing clinical or radiological features of Krabbe until the later stages of the disease. The patient's diagnostic odyssey lasted 13 years from presentation to diagnosis, which was ultimately determined with the use of whole exome sequencing (WES) at the age of 48 years. The expanding phenotypic spectrum of adult‐onset Krabbe Disease (AOKD) presents a diagnostic challenge that can lead to diagnostic delays and potentially affect treatment options. Our patient's case underscores the importance of pursuing WES in those with undiagnosed progressive neuromuscular disorders.
Metabolic syndrome and dyslipidemia in xanthelasma palpebrarum and associated risk–2 factors–A case‐control study
Authors: Agarwal Komal , Saikia Padmaja , Podder Indrashis
Published: September 2022

Abstract

Background

Xanthelasma palpebrarum (XP) primarily causes cosmetic disfigurement. However, systemic associations like metabolic syndrome (MetS) and dyslipidemia need consideration.

Objective

Determining the prevalence of MetS and dyslipidemia in XP patients and explore risk factors.

Methods

Our case–control study included 106 XP patients(cases) and 106 age‐and‐sex matched healthy controls. All subjects underwent detailed history taking, physical examination, and biochemical investigations. MetS and obesity were diagnosed by NCEP‐ATP III criteria and modified BMI classification for Asian‐Indians, respectively.

Results

The odds ratio (OR) and 95% CI for XP patients vs. non‐XP controls were 1.6 (95% CI 0.8–3.2, p = 0.1) for MetS, 1.4 (95% CI 0.6–3.1, p = 0.4) for dyslipidemia and 0.2 (95% CI 0.07–0.4, p < 0.0001) for overweight/obesity. Extensive disease, DM, and low serum HDL‐C were significantly associated with MetS in XP patients (vs. controls). Normal waist circumference (AOR 21.3, 95% CI 3.5–127.6, p = 0.0008), normal blood glucose (AOR 21.4, 95% CI 3.1–145.1, p = 0.002), and normal blood pressure (AOR 22.3, 95% CI 3.9–124.9, p = 0.0004) significantly reduced the risk of MetS, while bilateral ocular involvement (AOR 4.3, 95% CI 1.1–18.7, p = 0.04) significantly increased the risk of dyslipidemia in XP patients.

Conclusion

Xanthelasma palpebrarum patients are more prone to develop MetS and dyslipidemia and need evaluation, despite being a primarily cosmetic concern. Extensive disease and bilateral ocular involvement are significant risk factors. Adequate counseling and healthy life‐style measures are crucial to minimize systemic complications.
Protective role of Caesalpinia sappan extract and its main component brazilin against blue light–induced damage in human fibroblasts
Authors: Park Jong Il , Kim Sung Jae , Kim Yong Jae , Lee Seung Ji
Published: September 2022

Background

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is a well‐known factor that causes skin aging. Recently, with the development of technology, the skin has been exposed to not only the UV radiation but also the blue light from electronic devices. Blue light is a high‐energy visible light that penetrates deep into the dermal layer, producing reactive oxygen species (ROS) and resulting in skin aging. In this study, we searched for candidate materials that can inhibit blue light–induced skin aging and found Caesalpinia sappan extract (CSE) to be effective.

Methods

Human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) were treated with various concentrations of CSE and brazilin and exposed to blue light. We measured that antioxidant activity, MMP‐1 levels using MMP‐1 ELISA, changes in collagen type 1, collagen type 3, MMP‐1, and MMP‐3 mRNA expressions, and ROS generation.

Results

We confirmed that CSE has high absorption of blue light and antioxidant activity. Blue light irradiation at 30 J/cm2 decreased the expression of collagen types 1 and 3, increased the expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‐1 and 3, and decreased the production of ROS in human dermal fibroblasts as compared to those of the nonirradiated group. However, pretreatment with CSE protected against the damage caused by the blue light. Brazilin, a major constituent of C. sappan, had high absorbance in the blue light region and antioxidant activities. Pretreatment with brazilin also inhibited the damage caused by the blue light in the cells.

Conclusion

CSE and brazilin are potential agents for inhibiting skin aging caused by blue light–induced damage.
Asset Pricing and Machine Learning: A critical review
Authors: Bagnara Matteo
Published: September 2022

The latest development in empirical Asset Pricing is the use of Machine Learning methods to address the problem of the factor zoo. These techniques offer great flexibility and prediction accuracy but require special care as they strongly depart from traditional Econometrics. We review and critically assess the most recent and relevant contributions in the literature grouping them into five categories defined by the Machine Learning (ML) approach they employ: regularization, dimension reduction, regression trees/random forest (RF), neural networks (NNs), and comparative analyses. We summarize the empirical findings with particular attention to their economic interpretation providing hints for future developments.