bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Attenuation around the gallbladder on plain abdominal computed tomography as a predictor of surgical difficulty in laparoscopic cholecystectomy
Authors: Iida Hiroya , Maehira Hiromitsu , Mori Haruki , Kodama Hirokazu , Tokuda Aya , Takebayashi Katsushi , Kojima Masatsugu , Kaida Sachiko , Miyake Toru , Tani Masaji
Published: March 2021

Purpose

This study examined whether abdominal plain computed tomography (CT) can predict surgical difficulty in acute cholecystitis.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed 84 consecutive patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis between January 2015 and December 2018. We distinguished three degrees of surgical difficulty based on the operative time and blood loss: difficult, both ≥120 minutes and ≥ 100 mL, respectively (n = 27); moderate, either ≥120 minutes or ≥ 100 mL, respectively (n = 30); and easy, both <120 minutes and < 100 mL, respectively (n = 27). We calculated the attenuation around the gallbladder on CT before surgery and compared the values among the three groups.

Results

Mean age, albumin levels, C‐reactive protein levels, and the CT attenuation around the gallbladder (P < .001) were significantly different between groups. The surgical difficulty was unrelated to the timing of surgery. The postoperative complications were more frequent in operations more than 72 hours after disease onset (P = .04) and with CT attenuation around the gallbladder of ≥1.4 (P = .036).

Conclusion

High attenuation around the gallbladder on plain CT predicted a high surgical difficulty of laparoscopic cholecystectomy. We recommend measuring the CT attenuation around the gallbladder in patients with acute cholecystitis.
Genetically proxied growth‐differentiation factor 15 levels and body mass index
Authors: Karhunen Ville , Larsson Susanna C. , Gill Dipender
Published: March 2021

Growth‐differentiation factor 15 (GDF15) is an inflammatory cytokine involved in energy homeostasis that is being pursued as a drug target for obesity. Its circulating levels are acutely increased by the type 2 diabetes medication metformin, resulting in reduced appetite and weight loss. We identified a genetic variant at the GDF15 gene to proxy a small, lifelong increase in circulating GDF15 levels, and leveraged it in colocalization and Mendelian randomization analyses to investigate the effects of chronically elevated GDF15 levels on body mass index (BMI) and type 2 diabetes liability. The results provide human genetic evidence supporting that chronically elevated GDF15 levels increase BMI. There was no genetic evidence to support bi‐directional effects, or that chronically elevated GDF15 levels directly affect liability to type 2 diabetes. Our results contrast the BMI‐lowering effects of an acute increase in GDF15 levels observed after metformin use. These findings have direct implications for informing pharmacological strategies aimed at targeting GDF15 levels for weight loss.
Retzius‐sparing versus standard robot‐assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy for the treatment of clinically localized prostate cancer
Authors: Rosenberg Joel E. , Jung Jae Hung , Edgerton Zach , Lee Hunju , Lee Solam , Bakker Caitlin J. , Dahm Philipp
Published: March 2021

Objectives

To assess the effects of Retzius‐sparing (RS) robotic‐assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP) compared to standard RALP for the treatment of clinically localized prostate cancer.

Methods

We performed a systematic search of multiple databases and the grey literature with no restrictions on the language of publication or publication status, up until June 2020. We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing RS‐RALP with standard RALP. We performed a meta‐analysis using a random‐effect model. The quality of evidence was assessed on an outcome basis according to the Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach.

Results

Our search identified six records of five unique RCTs, of which two were published studies, one was in press, and two were abstract proceedings. There were 571 randomized participants, of whom 502 completed the trials. The mean age of participants was 64.6 years and the mean prostate‐specific antigen level was 6.9 ng/mL. Approximately 54.2% of participants had cT1c disease, 38.6% had cT2a‐b disease, and 7.1% had cT2c disease. RS‐RALP probably improves continence within 1 week after catheter removal (risk ratio [RR] 1.74, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.41–2.14; I2 = 0%; studies = 4; participants = 410; moderate‐certainty evidence). Assuming 335 per 1000 men undergoing standard RALP are continent at this time point, this corresponds to 248 more men per 1000 (137 more to 382 more) reporting continence recovery. RS‐RALP may increase continence at 3 months after surgery compared to standard RALP (RR 1.33, 95% CI 1.06–1.68; I2 = 86%; studies = 5; participants = 526; low‐certainty evidence). Assuming 750 per 1000 men undergoing standard RALP are continent at this time point, this corresponds to 224 more men per 1000 (41 more to 462 more) reporting continence recovery. We are very uncertain about the effects of RS‐RALP on serious adverse events compared to standard RALP (RR 1.40, 95% CI 0.47–4.17; studies = 2; participants = 230; very low‐certainty evidence).

Conclusions

The findings of this review indicate that RS‐RALP may result in better continence outcomes than standard RALP up to 6 months after surgery. Continence outcomes at 12 months may be similar. The disadvantages of RS‐RALP may be higher positive surgical margin rates. We are very uncertain about the effect on biochemical recurrence‐free survival and potency outcomes. Longer‐term oncological and functional outcomes are lacking, and no preplanned subgroup analyses could be performed to explore the observed heterogeneity. Surgeons should discuss these trade‐offs and the limitations of the evidence with their patients when considering this approach.
Epithelial deletion of the glucocorticoid receptor (Nr3c1) protects the mouse intestine against experimental inflammation
Authors: Arredondo‐Amador María , Aranda Carlos J. , Ocón Borja , González Raquel , Martínez‐Augustin Olga , Sánchez de Medina Fermín
Published: March 2021

Background and Purpose

Glucocorticoids are the first line treatment for the flare‐ups of inflammatory bowel disease, but they have significant limitations. The objective of this study is to investigate whether glucocorticoid epithelial actions contribute to such limitations.

Experimental Approach

Intestinal epithelium glucocorticoid receptor knockout mice (Nr3c1ΔIEC) received dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) to induce colitis. Inflammatory status was assessed by morphological and biochemical methods, and corticoid production was measured in colonic explants. Some mice were administered budesonide.

Key Results

After 7 days of DSS Nr3c1ΔIEC, mice exhibited 23.1% lower disease activity index (DAI) and 37% lower diarrheal score than WT mice, with decreased weight loss in days 5–7 of colitis, attenuated tissue damage, reduced colonic expression of S100A9 and STAT3 phosphorylation, and a better overall state. Ki67 immunoreactivity was increased at the crypt base, indicating enhanced epithelial proliferation. Mice administered budesonide (6 μg·day−1 PO) showed modest antiinflammatory effects but increased weight loss, which was prevented in knockout mice. Epithelial deletion of the glucocorticoid receptor also protected mice in a protracted colitis protocol. Conversely, knockout mice presented a worse status compared to the control group at 1 day post DSS. In a separate experiment, colonic corticosterone production was shown to be significantly increased in knockout mice at 7 days of colitis but not at earlier stages.

Conclusions and Implications

The intestinal epithelial glucocorticoid receptor has deleterious effects in experimental colitis induced by DSS, probably related to inhibition of epithelial proliferative responses leading to impaired wound healing and reduced endogenous corticosterone production.
Optimal sequential contract with a risk‐averse supplier
Authors: Dai Chifeng
Published: March 2021

We study optimal contracts in environments where a risk‐averse supplier discovers cost information privately and gradually over time: the supplier is privately informed about its cost uncertainty at the time of contracting and discovers the realization of cost condition privately after contracting and before production. We show that both the buyer and the supplier prefer more cost uncertainty when the supplier is not very risk‐averse but less cost uncertainty when the supplier is sufficiently risk‐averse. However, the buyer always prefers to contract before the cost uncertainty resolves regardless of the supplier's degree of risk aversion. The nature of the optimal contract also depends on the supplier's risk preference. A separating contract is optimal when the supplier is not very risk‐averse; however, a pooling contract, which offers the same contract terms regardless of the cost uncertainty, can be optimal when the supplier becomes sufficiently risk‐averse. Moreover, the optimal production schedule is often characterized by “inflexible rules.”
Abemaciclib in combination with endocrine therapy for East Asian patients with HR+, HER2− advanced breast cancer: MONARCH 2 & 3 trials
Authors: Toi Masakazu , Inoue Kenichi , Masuda Norikazu , Iwata Hiroji , Sohn Joohyuk , Hae Park In , Im Seock‐Ah , Chen Shin‐Cheh , Enatsu Sotaro , Turner P. Kellie , André Valérie A. M. , Hardebeck Molly C. , Sakaguchi Sachi , Goetz Matthew P. , Sledge George W.
Published: March 2021

This post hoc analysis of MONARCH 2 and MONARCH 3 assesses the efficacy, safety, and pharmacokinetics (PK) of abemaciclib in combination with endocrine therapy (ET) in East Asian patients with hormone receptor positive (HR+), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2‐negative (HER2−) advanced breast cancer. MONARCH 2 and MONARCH 3 are global, randomized, double‐blind, phase 3 studies of abemaciclib/placebo + fulvestrant and abemaciclib/placebo + nonsteroidal aromatase inhibitor (NSAI, anastrozole or letrozole), respectively. The East Asian population comprised 212 (31.7%) of the 669 intent‐to‐treat (ITT) population in the MONARCH 2 trial and 144 (29.2%) of the 493 ITT patients in the MONARCH 3 trial. In the East Asian population, median progression‐free survival (PFS) was significantly prolonged in the abemaciclib arm compared with placebo in both MONARCH 2 (hazard ratio [HR], 0.520; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.362 to 0.747; P < .001; median: 21.2 vs 11.6 months) and MONARCH 3 (HR, 0.326; 95% CI, 0.200 to 0.531, P < .001; median: not reached vs 12.82 months). Diarrhea (MONARCH 2: 90%; MONARCH 3: 88%) and neutropenia (MONARCH 2: 68%; MONARCH 3: 58%) were the most frequent adverse events observed in the East Asian populations. Abemaciclib exposures and PK were similar in East Asians and the non‐East Asian populations of both trials. Abemaciclib in combination with ET in the East Asian populations of MONARCH 2 and MONARCH 3 provided consistent results with the ITT populations, demonstrating improvements in efficacy with generally tolerable safety profiles for patients with HR+, HER2− advanced breast cancer.
Effect of endoscopic sinus surgery on clinical outcomes in DeltaF508 cystic fibrosis patients
Authors: Dadgostar Anali , Nassiri Sepehr , Quon Bradley S. , Manji Jamil , Alsalihi Salahuddin , Javer Amin
Published: March 2021

Objectives

Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is prevalent in the Cystic Fibrosis (CF) population. CRS exacerbations in CF are thought to contribute to pulmonary exacerbations. Literature regarding the impact of endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) is inconclusive. This study examines rates of lung function decline and pulmonary exacerbation in CF patients who have undergone ESS.

Design

Retrospective review of medical records.

Setting

Academic Hospital.

Participants

40 adult CF patients.

Main outcome measures

Rate of lung function decline (% predicted Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second [ppFEV1]), number of pulmonary exacerbations (IV/oral antibiotic therapy ± hospital admission) and total number days hospitalised 2‐year postoperatively was collected. CRS patients undergoing ESS were matched to those without ESS by gender, age, and F508del genotype.

Results

Forty patients (mean age 37.4, 60% male) were reviewed. No significant difference was found between the surgical group and controls in baseline ppFEV1(72.5% vs. 72.7%, P = .98), 2‐year preoperative number of pulmonary exacerbations (3.05 vs. 1.65, P = .10), or Lund‐Mackay scores (12.25 vs. 11.55, P = .71). No significant difference was found in 1‐year (70.5% vs. 72.8%, P = .84) or 2‐year (70.4% vs. 72.6% P = .80) postoperative ppFEV1 and 2‐year postoperative pulmonary exacerbations (1.7 vs. 1.45, P = .87). A significant increase was identified in total number days hospitalised postoperatively (4.85, P = .02). In the surgical group, no significant difference was identified between preoperative and postoperative ppFEV1, 1 year (−2.51%, P = .32) and 2 years after ESS (−3.10%, P = .51), postoperative rate of pulmonary exacerbations (−1.28, P = .11), or in total number days hospitalised (3.74, P = .14).

Conclusions

In this study, ESS does not appear to significantly improve ppFEV1 or decrease the number of pulmonary exacerbations postoperatively.
The impact of the first peak of the COVID‐19 pandemic on colorectal cancer services in England and Wales: A national survey
Authors: Boyle Jemma M. , Kuryba Angela , Blake Helen A. , Aggarwal Ajay , van der Meulen Jan , Walker Kate , Braun Michael , Fearnhead Nicola
Published: March 2021

Aim

The object of this work was to study how National Health Service hospitals in England and Wales aimed to maintain effective and safe colorectal cancer (CRC) services during the first peak of the COVID‐19 pandemic (April 2020).

Method

A national survey was performed among all 148 hospitals providing CRC services. Information was collected about changes in referrals, diagnostic, staging and therapeutic procedures, as well as whether there was access to a ‘cold site’ (a hospital facility free of COVID‐19). Clinicians in each hospital were also asked to give the ‘single most important lesson learned’ about keeping services safe and effective.

Results

Full responses were received from 123 (83%) hospitals, and information about ‘cold sites’ was available for 146 (99%). Eighty hospitals (54%) had access to a ‘cold site’ and this was increased in regions with higher COVID‐19 infection rates (p <0.001). Of the 123 responding hospitals, 105 (85%) indicated that referrals of patients with suspected CRC had dropped by at least 30%, and 69 (56%) indicated that treatment plans were altered in at least 50% of CRC patients. However, ‘cold site’ availability protected the capacity for diagnostic colonoscopy (p = 0.013) and CRC resection (p = 0.010). Many ‘lessons learned’ highlighted the importance of adequate structural service organization, often mentioning ‘cold sites’ and regional coordination as examples, good communication and triage of patients based on clinical urgency.

Conclusion

Access to ‘cold sites’, as well as regional coordination, clear communication and strong leadership, were found to be pivotal in maintaining capacity for diagnosis and treatment of CRC during the COVID‐19 surge.
Improved postprandial glucose control with ultra rapid lispro versus lispro with continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion in type 1 diabetes: PRONTO‐Pump‐2
Authors: Warren Mark , Bode Bruce , Cho Jang I. , Liu Rong , Tobian Janet , Hardy Thomas , Chigutsa Farai , Phillip Moshe , Horowitz Barry , Ignaut Debra
Published: March 2021

Aim

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of ultra rapid lispro (URLi) versus lispro (Humalog®) in people with type 1 diabetes on continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII).

Materials and Methods

This was a phase 3, 16‐week, treat‐to‐target study in patients randomized to double‐blind URLi (N = 215) or lispro (N = 217). The primary endpoint was change from baseline HbA1c (non‐inferiority margin 4.4 mmol/mol [0.4%]), with multiplicity‐adjusted objectives for postprandial glucose (PPG) levels during a meal test, and time spent in the target range 70–180 mg/dL (TIR).

Results

URLi was non‐inferior to lispro for change in HbA1c, with a least‐squares mean (LSM) difference of 0.3 mmol/mol (95% confidence interval [CI] –0.6, 1.2) or 0.02% (95% CI –0.06, 0.11). URLi was superior to lispro in controlling 1‐ and 2‐h PPG levels after the meal test: LSM difference −1.34 mmol/L (95% CI –2.00, −0.68) or −24.1 mg/dL (95% CI –36.0, −12.2) at 1 h and −1.54 mmol/L (95% CI –2.37, −0.72) or −27.8 mg/dL (95% CI –42.6, −13.0) at 2 h; both p < .001. TIR and time in hyperglycaemia were similar between groups but URLi resulted in significantly less time in hypoglycaemia (<3.0 mmol/L [54 mg/dL]) over the daytime, night‐time and 24‐h period: LSM difference −0.41%, −0.97% and −0.52%, respectively, all p < .05. The incidence of treatment‐emergent adverse events was higher with URLi (60.5% vs. 44.7%), driven by infusion‐site reaction and infusion‐site pain, which was mostly mild or moderate. Rates of severe hypoglycaemia and diabetic ketoacidosis were similar between groups.

Conclusions

URLi was efficacious, providing superior PPG control and less time in hypoglycaemia but with more frequent infusion‐site reactions compared with lispro when administered by CSII.
Fasting and postprandial plasma glucose contribution to glycated haemoglobin and time in range in people with type 2 diabetes on basal and bolus insulin therapy: Results from a pooled analysis of insulin lispro clinical trials
Authors: Liao Birong , Chen Yun , Chigutsa Farai , Piras de Oliveira Carolina
Published: March 2021

Aims

To investigate the interrelations between glycaemic metrics of fasting plasma glucose (FPG), postprandial glucose (PPG), glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), and percentage of time in target range 3.9 to 10.0 mmol/L (%TIR) in patients on insulin therapy.

Materials and methods

A pooled analysis was conducted using datasets extracted from an integrated database of insulin lispro clinical trials (Eli Lilly and Company). Studies in patients with type 2 diabetes on basal‐bolus or basal‐plus insulin therapy, and with ≥7‐point self‐monitored blood glucose profiles were included in the analysis. A multivariate regression model was used to quantify the contribution of FPG and PPG change to the change in HbA1c and %TIR. In addition, a linear regression model was used to describe the relationship between %TIR and HbA1c.

Results

Five studies encompassing 1572 patients met the criteria for inclusion. On average, a 1‐mmol/L change in FPG was associated with 2.7 mmol/mol (0.25%) change in HbA1c (range 2.0 to 2.8 mmol/mol [0.18%–0.26%]; all P <0.0001), and a 1‐mmol/L change in PPG with 1.8 mmol/mol (0.16%) change in HbA1c (range 1.2 to 2.1 mmol/mol [0.11%–0.19%]; all P <0.01). Furthermore, a 1‐mmol/L reduction in FPG and PPG was associated with an increase in TIR of 6.5% (range 5.8%–9.2%) and 5.3% (range 4.1%–8.7%), respectively, all P <0.0001. A decrease in HbA1c of 10.9 mmol/mol (1%) corresponded with an increase in TIR of 8.3%, on average.

Conclusions

In patients with type 2 diabetes on basal‐bolus or basal‐plus insulin therapy, management of both FPG and PPG is important for achievement of HbA1c and TIR goals.
Death and taxes: Does taxation matter for firm survival?
Authors: Cevik Serhan , Miryugin Fedor
Published: March 2021

This paper investigates the impact of taxation on firm survival, using hazard models and a large‐scale panel dataset on over 4 million nonfinancial firms from 21 countries over the period 1995–2015. We find ample evidence that a lower level of effective marginal tax rate improves firms' survival chances. This result is not only statistically but also economically important and remains robust when we partition the sample into country subgroups. The effect of taxation on firms' survival probability is found to exhibit a nonlinear pattern and be stronger in developing countries than advanced economies. These findings have important policy implications for the design of corporate tax systems. The challenge is not simply reducing the statutory tax rate, but to level the playing field for all firms by rationalizing differentiated tax treatments across sectors, asset types, and sources of financing.
Methylene blue and ascorbate interfere with the accurate determination of the kinetic properties of IDO2
Authors: Yuasa Hajime J. , Stocker Roland
Published: March 2021

Indoleamine 2,3‐dioxygenases (IDOs) catalyze the oxidative cleavage of L‐tryptophan (Trp) to N‐formylkynurenine. Two IDOs, IDO1 and IDO2, are present in vertebrates. IDO1 is a high‐affinity Trp‐degrading enzyme involved in several physiological processes. By comparison, IDO2 generally has been reported to have low affinity (high Km‐value) for Trp, and the enzyme's in vivo function remains unclear. Using IDOs from different species, we show that compared with ferrous‐oxy (Fe2+–O2) IDO1, Fe2+–O2 IDO2 is substantially more stable and engages in multiple turnovers of the reaction in the absence of a reductant. Without reductant, Fe2+–O2 IDO2 showed Km‐values in the range of 80–356 μM, that is, values substantially lower than reported previously and close to the physiological concentrations of Trp. Methylene blue and ascorbate (Asc), used commonly as the reducing system for IDO activity determination, significantly affected the enzymatic activity of IDO2: In combination, the two reductants increased the apparent Km‐ and kcat‐values 8‐ to 117‐fold and 2‐fold, respectively. Asc alone both activated and inhibited IDO2 by acting as a source of electrons and as a weak competitive inhibitor, respectively. In addition, ferric (Fe3+) IDO1 and IDO2 exhibited weak dioxygenase activity, similar to tryptophan 2,3‐dioxygenase. Our results shed new light in the enzymatic activity of IDO2, and they support the view that this isoform of IDO also participates in the metabolism of Trp in vivo.
Temperament moderates the effects of early deprivation on infant attention
Authors: Ertekin Zeynep , Gunnar Megan R. , Berument Sibel K.
Published: March 2021

Institutional care has been shown to increase the risk of attention problems in children, but some children are more sensitive to their environment, both for better and for worse. With this in mind, the current study examined the moderating role of temperament (falling reactivity) between early adversity and attention skills. Six‐ to 15‐month‐old infants residing in institutions (n = 63) and infants reared by their biological families from low socioeconomic environments (n = 59) were recruited. The infants’ attention skills were measured by calculating the length of time they spent looking at toys. The infants’ temperaments were measured by a subscale of the Infant Behavior Questionnaire (falling reactivity/rate of recovery from distress). The findings were in line with the differential susceptibility theory. Compared to infants with high levels of falling reactivity, infants with lower levels of falling reactivity had better attention skills if they were in a family group, but they had lower attention skills if they were residing in institutions. The attention skills of the infants who had higher scores for falling reactivity did not appear to be affected by the adverse environment.
Status differentials and framing in the implementation of IT‐enabled task migration strategies
Authors: Brooks Jade Wendy , Ravishankar M. N. , Oshri Ilan
Published: March 2021

In globally distributed environments, gaps exist between an organisational‐level decision to migrate IT‐enabled tasks and the actual execution of strategy since a high‐level consensus does not always specify the precise sequencing and pacing of task migration in detail. This absence of operational‐level detailing can trigger status‐led enactments of power. Drawing on a qualitative case study of a distributed finance function in a global logistics firm, this paper explores how high‐status business units (BU) frame their task migration actions and contrasts it with how a low‐status support unit frames and accounts for the actions of high‐status BUs. The findings show how high‐status BUs frame their own actions as protecting, supporting and monitoring the migrated tasks while the low‐status support unit frames the same set of actions as resisting, interfering and hypercriticizing. Theoretically, the paper suggests that during the implementation of task migration strategies, frames deployed by a low‐status unit considers its weaker position of power and serves to neutralise conflict with the more powerful, higher‐status unit.
Ultrastructure of extracorporeal secretions of four sessile species of Rotifera (Gnesiotrocha), with observations on the chemistry of the gelatinous tube
Authors: Yang Hui , Hochberg Rick , Walsh Elizabeth J. , Wallace Robert L.
Published: March 2021

Secretion of an extracorporeal hydrogel is a common defensive strategy employed by many aquatic invertebrates including several species of sessile rotifers. Here, we provide a comparative study of the ultrastructure of the gelatinous secretions of four species of Superorder Gnesiotrocha (Monogononta): Conochilus unicornis, Collotheca ferox, Stephanoceros fimbriatus, and Stephanoceros millsii. Additionally, we use differential staining and enzyme degradation assays to explore the chemistry of the gelatinous tube of S. fimbriatus. At least three types of secretions are produced by these four species: an external gelatinous tube, a thick glycocalyx, and an adhesive peduncle. These three different secretions all have a fibrous appearance, but each has different electron densities, fiber thicknesses, and glandular origins. The gel tube, which is likely secreted by pedal glands, has a highly hydrated framework of mesh‐like fibers with thick internal and external laminae that differ slightly among species. Chemical staining suggests that the gel tube is composed of glycoproteins with a high content of sulfonic groups and limited or no obvious lipids or cationic proteins. This tube is resistant to chemical and enzymatic digestion. The proteinaceous glycocalyx is secreted by the syncytial integument and has various densities and thicknesses among species. The peduncle is an adhesive attachment that connects a rotifer's foot to a substratum, or, in some species, to conspecifics as part of a colony. The secretion is highly electron dense and contains membrane‐bound vesicles; it appears to be derived from a different set of pedal glands than the hydrogel tube. The different chemistries and anatomical origins of the three gelatinous secretions suggest an independent evolutionary history for each.
Major urinary protein excreted in rodent hindpaw sweat
Authors: Poitras Trevor , Piragasam Ramanaguru Siva , Joy Twinkle , Jackson Jesse , Chandrasekhar Ambika , Fahlman Richard , Zochodne Douglas W.
Published: March 2021

Alternative roles for sweat production beyond thermoregulation, considered less frequently, include chemical signaling. We identified the presence of a well‐established rodent urinary pheromone, major urinary protein (MUP) in sweat ductules of the footpad dermal skin of mice. A hindpaw sweat proteomic analysis in hindpaw sweat samples collected in rats and generated by unmyelinated axon activation, identified seven lipocalin family members including MUP and 19 additional unique proteins. Behavioural responses to sniffing male mouse foot protein lysates suggested avoidance in a subset of male mice, but were not definitive. Rodent hindpaw sweat glands secrete a repertoire of proteins that include MUPs known to have roles in olfactory communication.
Technological and analytical advancements in intergroup contact research
Authors: O'Donnell Alexander W. , Friehs Maria‐Therese , Bracegirdle Chloe , Zúñiga Claudia , Watt Susan Ellen , Barlow Fiona Kate
Published: March 2021

The prolific expansion of intergroup contact research has established that intergroup interactions are tightly linked to social integration. In this review, recent technological and statistical innovations with the potential to advance this body of research are presented. First, concerns over the validity of longitudinal models are discussed before innovative analytical techniques are introduced that explore change over time. Next, intensive repeated measure designs, such as experience sampling approaches, are introduced as opportunities to investigate the day‐to‐day lives of individuals. Virtual reality technology is then presented as another means to examine naturalistic contact experiences in the laboratory, offering researchers an unrivaled capacity to induce uncommon contact experiences. Finally, we propose that additional sources of contextual data, such as competing media messages, could extend these models in innovative ways by accounting for the time and place surrounding intergroup contact. Similarly, longitudinal social network analysis can provide additional contextual information by considering the broader network environment in which contact occurs. We describe these innovations with the intention of spurring future research that will advance our understanding of how intergroup contact can be used to improve our societies. Thus, we conclude with a discussion on how to bridge divides between researchers and practitioners.
Intergroup contact research in the 21st century: Lessons learned and forward progress if we remain open
Authors: Paolini Stefania , White Fiona A. , Tropp Linda R. , Turner Rhiannon N. , Page‐Gould Elizabeth , Barlow Fiona K. , Gómez Ángel
Published: March 2021

This article presents the 2021 JSI special issue on intergroup contact, which we designed to offer a fresh outlook on a rapidly expanding literature on the antecedents, dynamics, and consequences of interactions between members of opposing groups in society—or intergroup contact. We start by discussing the results of a bibliographic search of intergroup contact research between 1937 and 2021 and organizing our analysis around two distinct phases of this research, as they are demarcated in volume and quality by Pettigrew and Tropp's landmark meta‐analysis in 2006. We then turn our attention to an overview of the 12 review and commentary articles contributing to the special issue, which reflect advancements in themes, methodologies, and analytics of the last 15 years of research. We argue that this second generation of research has effectively addressed influential and legitimate critiques of the literature and, as a result, led to a more complex and nuanced understanding of intergroup contact that can now be readily harnessed by social cohesion practitioners and policy makers to increase the efficacy of contact‐based interventions in society. We conclude by calling on a third generation of research on intergroup contact that fully harnesses diversity of ideas, peoples, and minds and keeps in close check unproductive dynamics that stifle scientific progress, and pose a threat to healthy and safe research communities. Together with the 50 diverse contributors of this special issue, we commit to making the intergroup contact research community, like the topic of intergroup contact itself, diverse and inclusive.
A simple and visible detection method for the rapid diagnosis of Ustilaginoidea virens in rice seeds by a loop‐mediated isothermal amplification assay
Authors: Wang Wei , Yin Hang , Huang Ning , Zhu Cuijing , Wang Yufei , Qi Xintong , Ma Lu , Fan Yunxin , Yu Yao , Zhang Hongsheng , Bao Yongmei
Published: March 2021

Rice false smut is an important rice seed‐borne disease caused by the fungus Ustilaginoidea virens. It is vital to develop assays for the detection and identification of U. virens in rice seeds. Here, we present a simple and visual detection method for the rapid diagnosis of U. virens in rice seeds based on a loop‐mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay. This LAMP assay was optimized using a set of six primers targeting a specific region of the APN1 (aminopeptidase N1) gene, which encodes a peptide‐terminated enzyme. Compared with the previously reported LAMP methods, a metal ion indicator dye hydroxy naphthol blue (HNB) was added to the prereaction solution in this study to reduce the contamination risks. Among the genomic DNA of 5 strains of U. virens and 13 other fungi, only the five tubes containing U. virens DNA showed a colour change from violet to sky blue. The sensitivity of the LAMP assay with the HNB dye was 100 pg of DNA, which was 10 times more sensitive than that of conventional PCR. This LAMP approach was also verified by testing rice seed samples, including infested seeds, and the U. virens in the rice seeds could be detected. These results indicate that this LAMP assay with a group of six primers targeting a specific region of the APN1 gene is a simple and visual detection method that can be applied for the rapid detection of U. virens in rice seeds.
A new mixed model of periodontitis‐induced preeclampsia: A pilot study
Authors: Mata Karina , Nobre Atila Vinícius Vitor , Felix Silva Pedro Henrique , Oliezer Rene Seabra , Fernandes Cleverson , Amaral Jefferson , Ramos Junia , Constante Gabriel Del‐Arco Marina , Messora Michel Reis , Tanus‐Santos José Eduardo , Gerlach Raquel Fernanda , Salvador Sergio Luiz
Published: March 2021

Objectives/Background

Recent studies have shown that periodontal disease is strongly related to gestational complications such as preeclampsia (PE). PE is responsible for 42% of maternal deaths worldwide and kills approximately 76 000 women a year. In addition, children born under PE conditions are at increased risk of hospitalization due to metabolic disorders, epilepsy, and other complications. Numerous reviews and clinical studies on PE have been published, but the mechanisms underlying the relationship between periodontal disease and PE and the way periodontopathogens alter vascular response in pregnant women remain unclear.

Methods

This study aims to verify whether periodontal disease induces PE by using the association of two periodontitis (PD) models: ligature and oral Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis) W83 inoculation in Wistar rats. At gestational day 5, the ligature was placed on each mandibular first molar, which was followed by daily oral P. gingivalis inoculation for 15 days. At gestational day 19, urine was collected, and invasive arterial pressure was measured. The animals were euthanized, and plasma and tissues were collected.

Results

After 15 days of the association of ligature and P. gingivalis inoculation, the animals presented the characteristic symptoms of PE: altered blood pressure, proteinuria, and change in litter size (number of pups) and pup weight when compared to the control group (p < .005). The PE animals also presented greater bone porosity, trabecular separation, and reduced bone volume in the hemimandibles, as well as altered inflammatory response. The level of cytokine IL‐6 was higher in the PE group than in the control group (p < .005).

Conclusion

The association of two PD models effectively induced PE. To our knowledge, this is the first study on the oral use of P. gingivalis for PE induction. Our results support the importance of PD as a possible cause for PE development, opening an important new avenue to study cause and consequence relationships in inflammation and PE due to exposure to periodontal infection.
Shift work is associated with increased risk of COVID‐19: Findings from the UK Biobank cohort
Authors: Fatima Yaqoot , Bucks Romola S. , Mamun Abdullah A. , Skinner Isabelle , Rosenzweig Ivana , Leschziner Guy , Skinner Timothy C.
Published: March 2021

Despite the strong evidence on circadian rhythm disruption in shift workers and consequent increased vulnerability for infection, longitudinal association between shift work and COVID‐19 infection is unexplored. In this study, data from UK Biobank participants who were tested for COVID‐19 infection (16 March to 7 September 2020) were used to explore the link between shift work and COVID‐19 infection. Using the baseline occupational information, participants were categorised as non‐shift workers, day shift workers, mixed shift workers and night shift workers. Multivariable regression models were used to assess the association between shift work and COVID‐19 infection. Among the 18,221 participants (9.4% positive cases), 11.2% were health workers, and 16.4% were involved in shift‐work‐based jobs. Ethnic minorities (18%) and people in night‐shift‐based jobs (18.1%) had a significantly higher prevalence of COVID‐19 infection than others. Adjusted logistics regression model suggest that, compared with their counterparts, people employed in a night‐shift‐based job were 1.85‐fold (95% CI: 1.42–2.41) more likely to have COVID‐19 infection. Sensitivity analysis focusing on people working in a non‐healthcare setting suggests that people in shift‐work‐based jobs had 1.81‐fold (95% CI: 1.04%–3.18%) higher odds of COVID‐19 infection than their counterparts. Shift workers, particularly night shift workers, irrespective of their occupational group, seem to be at high risk of COVID‐19 infection. If similar results are obtained from other studies, then it would mandate to revisit the criteria for defining high‐risk groups for COVID‐19 and implementing appropriate interventions to protect people in shift‐based jobs.
Masters of suspicion: A Bayesian decision model of motivated political reasoning
Authors: Rigoli Francesco
Published: March 2021

Motivated reasoning occurs when judgements subserve motives that go beyond accuracy seeking. Substantial evidence indicates that motivated political reasoning is ubiquitous. This is hard to reconcile with computational theories (following Marr's terminology, theories describing the fundamental principles underlying a cognitive process) like Bayesian inference, because these rely on accuracy maximization. Hence, motivated political reasoning is often interpreted as violating computational principles. Here we propose a different view by offering a computational account of motivated political reasoning which relies on the notion of Bayesian decision (instead of Bayesian inference). The key idea is that utility maximization, and not accuracy maximization, drives political thinking. This implies that agents will tend to endorse judgements that serve their instrumental goals even when evidence in support is poor (though agents will still believe their judgements are the most accurate). In this framework, motivated political reasoning is not interpreted as violating computational principles, although its nature is now conceived as pragmatic (i.e., serving instrumental goals) rather than epistemic (i.e., seeking understanding). The paper presents a mathematical description of the theory and shows how this can help interpreting important phenomena in political psychology such contextual priming, stereotyping, and displaced aggression.
A pilot study comparing the pharmacokinetics of injectable cyanocobalamin and hydroxocobalamin associated with a trace mineral injection in cattle
Authors: Gonzalez‐Rivas Paula A. , Chambers Michael , Liu Jerry
Published: March 2021

Injectable vitamin B12 (cobalamin) is traditionally used to prevent or treat vitamin B12 deficiencies in ruminants. Sheep and human studies have demonstrated the superiority of a single dose of hydroxocobalamin (OHB12) over cyanocobalamin (CNB12) in maintaining high levels of cobalamin in plasma and liver. However, limited data are available for cattle. The purpose of this study was to compare the pharmacokinetics of two forms of cobalamin—OHB12 and CNB12—as a single subcutaneous injection of 28 µg/kg BW at the same time of a trace mineral injection in six non‐cobalt/B12‐deficient Holstein‐Friesian steers. Plasma and liver samples were obtained to determine cobalamin concentration after treatment. Cyanocobalamin had lower retention in plasma and liver than OHB12 (p < .05). Cobalamin levels peaked in plasma by 8 h after treatment in both groups. However, OHB12 reached a higher peak compared to CNB12. Levels of cobalamin in plasma dropped closer to baseline levels 24 h after CNB12 treatment while OHB12 maintained higher concentrations. Hydroxocobalamin increased significantly hepatic concentration of cobalamin 28 days after treatment, while CNB12 did not increase liver levels relative to pre‐treatment (p < .05). These results confirm that a single subcutaneous OHB12 injection increases the level of cobalamin in the blood in the first 24 hours, and this increase is maintained in the liver for at least 28 days.
Barriers and financial impact of same‐day discharge after atrial fibrillation ablation
Authors: Chu Edward , Zhang Chi , Musikantow Daniel R. , Turagam Mohit K. , Langan Noelle , Sofi Aamir , Choudry Subbarao , Syros Georgios , Miller Marc A. , Koruth Jacob S. , Whang William , Dukkipati Srinivas R. , Reddy Vivek Y.
Published: March 2021

Background

Same‐day discharge (SDD) after atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation is increasingly being considered. This study examined the barriers and financial impact associated with SDD in a contemporary cohort of patients undergoing elective AF ablation.

Methods

A single center retrospective review was conducted of the 249 first case‐of‐the‐day outpatient AF ablations performed in 2019 to evaluate the proportion of patients that could have undergone SDD. Barriers to SDD were defined as any intervention that prevented SDD by 8 p.m. The financial impact of SDD was based on savings from avoidance of the overnight hospital stay and revenue related to management of chest pain facilitated by a vacant hospital bed.

Results

SDD could have occurred in 157 patients (63%) without change in management and in up to 200 patients (80%) if avoidable barriers were addressed. Barriers to SDD included non‐clinical logistical issues (43%), prolonged post‐procedure recovery (42%) and minor procedural complications (15%). On multivariate analysis, factors associated with barriers to SDD included increasing age (P = .01), left ventricular ejection fraction ≤ 35% (P = .04), and severely dilated left atrium (P = .04). The financial gain from SDD would have ranged from $1,110,096 (assuming discharge of 63% of eligible patients) to $1,480,128 (assuming 80% discharge) over the course of a year.

Conclusions

Up to 80% of patients undergoing outpatient AF ablation were amenable to SDD if avoidable delays in care had been anticipated. Based on reduced hospital operating expenses and increased revenue from management of individuals with chest pain, this would translate to a financial savings of ∼$1.5 million.
Connected and autonomous vehicle injury loss events: Potential risk and actuarial considerations for primary insurers
Authors: Shannon Darren , Jannusch Tim , David‐Spickermann Florian , Mullins Martin , Cunneen Martin , Murphy Finbarr
Published: March 2021

The introduction of connected and autonomous vehicles (CAVs) to the road transport ecosystem will change the manner of collisions. CAVs are expected to optimize the safety of road users and the wider environment, while alleviating traffic congestion and maximizing occupant comfort. The net result is a reduction in the frequency of motor vehicle collisions, and a reduction in the number of injuries currently seen as “preventable.” A changing risk ecosystem will introduce new challenges and opportunities for primary insurers. Prior studies have highlighted the economic benefit provided by reductions in the frequency of hazardous events. This economic benefit, however, will be offset by the economic detriment incurred by emerging risks and the increased scrutiny placed on existing risks. We posit four plausible scenarios detailing how an introduction of these technologies could result in a larger relative rate of injury claims currently characterized as tail‐risk events. In such a scenario, the culmination of these losses will present as a second “hump” in actuarial loss models. We discuss how CAV risk factors and traffic dynamics may combine to make a second “hump” a plausible reality, and discuss a number of opportunities that may arise for primary insurers from a changing road environment.
Optimal tariffs and firm technology choice: An environmental approach
Authors: Steffen Nico
Published: March 2021

This paper analyzes environmental concerns by a government in a setting of rent‐extracting strategic trade policy with endogenous firm investment into production technologies. The simple analysis reinforces the importance of investment incentives caused by tariffs in general and shows that the resulting implications for the optimal tariff decision can be completely different between traditional tariff considerations and an environmentally conscious government. We show that an importing country in a dynamic setting with endogenous firm technology choices prefers to impose discriminatory tariffs both ex post and ex ante when emissions matter, while—as previously found in the literature—a commitment to uniform tariffs is optimally chosen when environmental concerns do not play a role.
Do non‐exporters lose from lower trade costs?
Authors: Piguillem Facundo , Rubini Loris
Published: March 2021

We study the reaction of non‐exporters to openness. While static models suggest non‐exporters lose from openness, dynamic ones where firms can innovate allow for gains from internalizing future exports. Developing a tractable model with productivity choices where both effects are present, we show analytically that the former effect dominates for small non‐exporters, while the latter dominates for large ones. Calibrating to US data, 59% of non‐exporters gain with openness, and the average non‐exporter growth rate increases by 0.02% per point drop in trade costs.
Local symmetry structure and potential symmetries of time‐fractional partial differential equations
Authors: Zhang Zhi‐Yong , Lin Zhi‐Xiang
Published: March 2021

First, we show that the system consisting of integer‐order partial differential equations (PDEs) and time‐fractional PDEs with the Riemann–Liouville fractional derivative has an elegant local symmetry structure. Then with the symmetry structure we consider two particular cases where one is the pure time‐fractional PDEs whose symmetry invariant condition is divided into two parts of integer‐order and time‐fractional, the other is the linear system of time‐fractional PDEs, which always admits an infinite‐dimensional infinitesimal generator. Second, by considering the composition rules of fractional derivatives we establish a theoretical framework of potential symmetry and construct three potential systems to study potential symmetries of the time‐fractional PDEs possessing a divergence form. In particular for a single time‐fractional PDE the existence condition of potential symmetries via one typical potential system is presented by means of the local symmetry structure. Finally, local symmetry structure and potential symmetries of a class of time‐fractional diffusion equations are studied in detail. Several explicit solutions are constructed by means of the potential symmetries.