bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mitochondria dysregulation contributes to secondary neurodegeneration progression post-contusion injury in human 3D in vitro triculture brain tissue model
Authors: Liaudanskaya Volha , Fiore Nicholas J , Zhang Yang , Milton Yuka , Kelly Marilyn F , Coe Marly , Barreiro Ariana , Rose Victoria K , Shapiro Matthew R , Mullis Adam S , Shevzov-Zebrun Anna , Blurton-Jones Mathew , Whalen Michael J , Symes Aviva J , Georgakoudi Irene , Nieland Thomas JF , Kaplan David L
Published: September 2022

Traumatic Brain injury-induced disturbances in mitochondrial fission-and-fusion dynamics have been linked to the onset and propagation of neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration. However, cell-type-specific contributions and crosstalk between neurons, microglia, and astrocytes in mitochondria-driven neurodegeneration after brain injury remain undefined. We developed a human three-dimensional in vitro triculture tissue model of a contusion injury, composed of neurons, microglia, and astrocytes, and examined the contributions of mitochondrial dysregulation to neuroinflammation and progression of injury-induced neurodegeneration. Pharmacological studies presented here suggest that fragmented mitochondria released by microglia are a key contributor to secondary neuronal damage progression after contusion injury, a pathway that requires astrocyte-microglia crosstalk. Controlling mitochondrial dysfunction thus offers an exciting option for the development of therapies for TBI patients.
When should healthcare workers with COVID-19 return to work? An analysis of follow-up antigen test results after a positive COVID test
Authors: Baffoe-Bonnie Anthony , Swann Mandy C. , Kim Hyun Sue
Published: September 2022

Background

Under CDC’s guidance for mitigating healthcare worker (HCW) staffing shortages, COVID-positive HCW may return to work as early as five days after their initial positive test without a negative antigen test, if symptoms are improving. Recent studies suggest a robust correlation between a positive COVID-19 antigen test and infectiousness.

Methods

From January to June 2022, HCW employed by a large health system who tested positive for COVID on a PCR test were instructed to isolate and return for a rapid antigen test on day 5 or later if they had been fever-free for 24 hours and their symptoms were improving. We conducted chi-squared tests and a multivariate logistic regression to assess the association between demographic characteristics, vaccination status, and days from the initial positive PCR test on RTW antigen test results.

Results

Compared to day 5, HCW had a lower odds of a positive antigen result on day 7 (OR: 0.39, p<0.0001) and after at least 8 days (OR: 0.16, p<0.0001). Unexpectedly, a positive antigen result was more likely among HCW who were vaccinated (OR: 1.41, p <0.05), boosted for more than 90 days prior (OR: 2.21, p<0.0001), and boosted within 90 days (OR: 2.08, p < 0.01) compared to not being vaccinated.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that HCW returning to work before day 7 following a positive PCR test may still be infectious and future guidelines addressing contingency staffing should reflect these findings in order to minimize possible transmission in the healthcare setting. The finding that boosted individuals had over twice the odds of returning positive on the follow up antigen test compared to unvaccinated HCWs merits additional research.
FLOCK STASIS DRIVES FLYING SPEED IN PIGEONS, WHILE ARTIFICIAL MASS ADDITIONS DO NOT
Authors: Sankey Daniel W. E. , Portugal Steven J.
Published: September 2022

Animals are characterised, in part, by their use of voluntary movement, which is used to explore and exploit resources from their surrounding environment. Movement can therefore benefit animals, but will cost them their energetic reserves. Thus, adaptations for faster movements with negligible increases in energy expenditure will likely evolve via natural selection. Individual and social-level mechanisms have been shown to optimise this speed/energetic trade-off. Nevertheless, studies of social-level traits typically ignore individual variation, which is a cornerstone principle in evolutionary ecology. Furthermore, how individual phenotype interacts with the phenotypic composition of the group to govern the cost of transport may have been entirely overlooked. We investigate speed and the energetic consequences of individual-level phenotypic differences using body mass (both natural and artificially manipulated with additional weights) of homing pigeons (Columba livia) (N =16 birds; N = 193 useable flight trajectories). We then turn to social level phenomena, and manipulate the composition of pigeon groups by body mass (N= 12 birds in four treatments; N = 192 useable flight trajectories) and leadership rank (N = 30 birds in three groups, N = 286 useable flight trajectories) following earlier leadership identification flights (N = 33 birds, N = 306 useable flight trajectories). “Natural” body mass was predictive of flying speed in solo flights, but not in groups of greater mass by composition; “artificial” mass loading had no impact on speed in solo fliers, and was not tested in groups. Groups of leader phenotypes, showed faster speeds, and greater cohesion than follower phenotype groups, both in terms of flock spread, but also in consistency of positioning within the flock (“flock stasis”) across the flight. Flock stasis was further analysed across all other group flights. Its positive impact on speed was found to be consistent across all experimental treatments. Therefore, predicting flock stasis may be critical to understanding optimal phenotypic compositions of birds, and thus the social evolution of birds which fly together. We provide evidence that greater stasis may be driven by phenotypic compositions (i.e. groups of leaders, and homogeneous mass groups) and also discuss the implications of stasis for different flocking structures (e.g. V-formations) and human crowd control.
Impact of cross-coronavirus immunity in post-acute sequelae of COVID-19
Authors: Herman Jonathan D. , Atyeo Caroline , Zur Yonatan , Cook Claire E. , Patel Naomi J. , Vanni Kathleen M. , Kowalski Emily N. , Qian Grace , Shadick Nancy A. , Laffenburger Douglas , Wallace Zachary S. , Sparks Jeffrey A. , Alter Galit
Published: September 2022

Beyond the unpredictable acute illness caused by SARS-CoV-2, one-fifth of infections unpredictably result in long-term persistence of symptoms despite the apparent clearance of infection. Insights into the mechanisms that underlie post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC) will be critical for the prevention and clinical management of long-term complications of COVID-19. Several hypotheses have been proposed that may account for the development of PASC, including persistence of virus or the dysregulation of immunity. Among the immunological changes noted in PASC, alterations in humoral immunity have been observed in some patient subsets. To begin to determine whether SARS-CoV-2 or other pathogen specific humoral immune responses evolve uniquely in PASC, we performed comprehensive antibody profiling against SARS-CoV-2 and a panel of endemic pathogens or routine vaccine antigens using Systems Serology in a cohort of patients with pre-existing rheumatic disease who either developed or did not develop PASC. A distinct humoral immune response was observed in individuals with PASC. Specifically, individuals with PASC harbored less inflamed and weaker Fcγ receptor binding anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies and a significantly expanded and more inflamed antibody response against endemic Coronavirus OC43. Individuals with PASC, further, generated more avid IgM responses and developed an expanded inflammatory OC43 S2-specific Fc-receptor binding response, linked to cross reactivity across SARS-CoV-2 and common coronaviruses. These findings implicate previous common Coronavirus imprinting as a marker for the development of PASC.

One Sentence Summary

Through high dimensional humoral immune profiling we uncovered the potential importance of previous common Coronavirus imprinting as a novel marker and potential mechanism of an endotype of PASC.
EGFR-initiated endocytosis of Wnt9a and Fzd9b is required for β-catenin signaling
Authors: Nguyen Nicole , Carpenter Kelsey A. , Thurlow Kate E. , Mu Emily , Gilliland Carla , Grainger Stephanie
Published: September 2022

Cell to cell communication through secreted ligands like those encoded by the Wnt gene family is critical for development and homeostasis during organismal life. One of the bottlenecks in the Wnt field has been identifying specific ligand/receptor pairings and decoding the mechanisms for their downstream signals. We previously discovered that the Wnt9a ligand signals through the cell surface receptors Fzd9b, LRP5/6 and EGFR to promote early proliferation of hematopoietic stem cells during development. We used this exquisitely specific ligand/receptor complex as a platform to determine if Wnt9a requires endocytosis for signaling. Using fluorescently labeled, biologically active Wnt9a and Fzd9b fusion proteins, we demonstrate here that the Wnt9a receptor complex is rapidly endocytosed within one minute of contact with Fzd9b. Following this, the Wnt9a/Fzd9b complex is trafficked through the cell to early and late endosomes, lysosomes, and the endoplasmic reticulum; it is also recycled back to the membrane. Using small molecule inhibitors, genetic and siRNA approaches, we identified that mechanistically this endocytosis requires EGFR-mediated phosphorylation of the Fzd9b tail, followed by endocytosis through a caveolin and EPS15 dependent pathway. Specific modes of endocytosis and trafficking may represent one of the ways in which Wnt/Fzd specificity is established, since other Wnt ligands do not require endocytosis for activity.
Cryopreserved cGMP-compliant human pluripotent stem cells-derived immature hepatic progenitors rescue mice from acute liver failure
Authors: Gantier Malika , Rispal Raphael , Fourrier Angélique , Menoret Séverine , Delbos Frédéric , Renault Sarah , Gary Anne-Sophie , Anegon Ignacio , Nguyen Tuan Huy
Published: September 2022

Liver transplantation remains the only curative treatment for end-stage liver diseases. Unfortunately, there is a drastic organ donor shortage. Hepatocyte transplantation emerged as a viable alternative to liver transplantation. In light of their unique expansion capabilities and their potency to be driven towards a chosen cell fate, pluripotent stem cells (PSC) are extensively studied as an unlimited cell source of hepatocytes for cell therapy. It has been previously shown that freshly prepared hepatocyte-like cells can cure mice from acute and chronic liver failures and restore liver functions. In this study, we generated human PSC-derived immature hepatic progenitors (GStemHep) using current good manufacturing practice (cGMP) compliant conditions from PSC amplification, hepatic differentiation to cell cryopreservation. These GStemHep cells present an immature hepatic phenotype (alpha-fetoprotein positive, albumin negative), secrete hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and do not express MHC type I or II. The therapeutic potential of GStemHep was assessed in two clinically relevant models of acute liver failure. A single dose of thawed GStemHep rescue mice from sudden death caused by acetaminophen and thioacetamide-induced acute live failure, both in immunodeficient and immunocompetent animals in absence of immunosuppression. The mode of action was studied by several analytical methods including unbiased proteomic analyses. The swiftness of the therapeutic effect suggests a paracrine mechanism of action of GStemHep leading to a rapid reduction of inflammation and a rapid cytoprotective effect. Therapeutic biological effects were observed as soon as 3 hours post-cell transplantation with reduction in serum transaminases and in liver necrosis. Mode of action of GStemHep relies on alleviation of inhibition factors of liver regeneration, increase in proliferationpromoting factors and decrease liver inflammation. In conclusion, we generated cGMP-compliant human PSC-derived immature hepatic progenitors that were highly effective in treating acute liver failure. This is also the first report highlighting that human allogeneic cells could be used as cryopreserved cells and in absence of immunosuppression for a human PSC-based regenerative medicine of acute liver injuries.
Supply chains and ecosystems for servitization: a systematic review and future research agenda
Authors: Davies Philip , Liu Yipeng , Cooper Maggie , Xing Yijun
Published: September 2022

Purpose

Recent research has recognised the importance of supply chains and ecosystems as key drivers of successful servitization strategies, especially in the context of inter-organisational relations (IOR). The body of knowledge has, however, become increasingly fragmented and diverse due to different disciplinary roots of both servitization and IOR research. The purpose of this paper is to take stock of current knowledge and to generate a set of future research directions for servitization-related supply chain and ecosystem research.

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic review methodology was applied. A thematic analysis was conducted on a sample of 34 papers in the period 2010–2021 to identify the key themes within the servitization-related supply chain and ecosystem literature.

Findings

The review revealed a limited, but expanding, knowledge base for servitization-related supply chain and ecosystem research. The findings provide insight into current trends across four thematic areas: theoretical orientation, methodological approaches, research context and research content. Within these themes, it was found that four main areas of research content have been studied (supplier relationships, risk perception and uncertainty, capability development and resource integration), with most research adopting case-based methodologies within three main industrial contexts: manufacturing, industrial and software. Finally, a broad range of theoretical orientations have led to an increasingly fragmented and diverse literature base.

Originality/value

This study is the first to review servitization-related supply chains and ecosystems. It contributes insights through an IOR lens to categorise and organise a core set of themes and concepts for servitization-related supply chain and ecosystems research. It identifies research gaps within the extant literature and presents a set of future research directions.
The effect of pictures in online consumer reviews on product evaluation: a study based on positive reviews of attractiveness-relevant products
Authors: Wu Ruijuan , Hu Yixiao , Li Peiyu
Published: September 2022

Purpose

The objective of this study is to examine the effects of pictures (consumer pictures vs. product pictures vs. no pictures) in online consumer reviews on product evaluation and to determine the mechanism and boundary conditions behind such effects.

Design/methodology/approach

The research consisted of three laboratory experiments.

Findings

The results showed that consumer pictures led to the most favorable product evaluation. Study 1 showed that persuasive effect was the mechanism behind the main effect. Study 2 showed that for problem-solving products, consumer pictures increased product evaluation significantly; for enhancing products, there was no significant difference of product evaluation among consumer pictures, product pictures and no picture. The results of Study 3 showed that for the unfamiliar brand, consumer pictures significantly enhanced product evaluation; for the highly familiar brand, there was no significant difference among consumer pictures, product pictures and no picture. The present research used persuasive effects to examine the mechanism behind the interaction effects.

Practical implications

The study provides managerial implications for online store owners about how to manage pictures in online reviews.

Originality/value

This study supplements the literature on online consumer reviews and enriches the study of effects of pictures.
Public sector financial management in New Zealand central government: the role of public sector accountants
Authors: Gill John , Sharma Umesh
Published: September 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the actions of public sector accountants in the New Zealand government departments as they respond to the demands of the Central Treasury.

Design/methodology/approach

The analysis is developed through an understanding of the secondary literature and practical experience of the first author who worked in the New Zealand public sector as a public sector accountant from 1972 to 1998. Both authors have remained active in the public sector through research and practice. The first author's last three placements were being Director Financial Management in the Ministry of Energy, Assistant Secretary in the Department of Maori Affairs and finally as CFO at the Ministry of Education. The first author has been a close observer of the Budget and was a participant at the departmental level for over 20 years.

Findings

The public sector reforms have posed challenges for public sector accountants. The arrival of accrual output based budgeting shaped a reconfiguration of accountants' identities. The politicians made public sector accountants the central entity of accrual output based budgeting and thus responsible for increasing public sector efficiency.

Research limitations/implications

The research is limited to public sector in New Zealand only.

Practical implications

This study would be of use to practitioners interested in the pressures and opportunities which arise out of a particular constellation of administrative roles.

Social implications

The administrative history, in particular, by senior officers is often unwritten for the public sector offices.

Originality/value

This is a descriptive piece on the role of public sector accountants and contributes to the understanding of how financial accountability works within the New Zealand Central Government.
International competitiveness readiness, home country institutions and early internationalisation
Authors: Li Tianchen
Published: September 2022

Purpose

Synthesising an individual–opportunity nexus model, this research aims to develop a model of early internationalisation by integrating international competitiveness readiness, entrepreneurial motives and home country institutions and empirically assesses this model using a multi-level estimate design.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing upon a global context comprising 79,402 entrepreneurs from 87 countries, this research applies a Heckman 2-step model together with a multi-level approach that allows to deal with self-selection bias and to take the hierarchical nature of the data into account.

Findings

The findings show that early internationalisation is significantly affected by entrepreneurs' international competitiveness readiness and this association is moderated by entrepreneurial motives. In addition, the findings demonstrate that the individual-level effects are further modified by the quality of country-level governance.

Practical implications

The research findings have significant implications and value for policy-makers who are aiming to stimulate the rate of early internationalisation by influencing the quality of governance.

Originality/value

The results contribute to the development of knowledge and theoretical bases in international entrepreneurship (IE). The results provide a multi-level view on the relationships between entrepreneurs and the internationalisation of entrepreneurs' firms from an integrative perspective, thereby complementing the perspective of international competitiveness readiness that primarily focuses on the effects of inherent resources and capabilities.
Exploring the biodiversity of Bifidobacterium asteroides among honey bee microbiomes
Authors: Lugli Gabriele Andrea , Fontana Federico , Tarracchini Chiara , Mancabelli Leonardo , Milani Christian , Turroni Francesca , Ventura Marco
Published: September 2022

Bifidobacterium asteroides is considered the ancestor of the genus Bifidobacterium, which has evolved in close touch with the hindgut of social insects. However, recent studies revealed high intraspecies biodiversity within this taxon, uncovering the putative existence of multiple bifidobacterial species, thus, suggesting its reclassification. Here, a genomic investigation of 98 B. asteroides‐related genomes retrieved from public repositories and reconstructed from metagenomes of the hindgut of Apis mellifera and Apis cerana was performed to shed light on the genetic variability of this taxon. Phylogenetic and genomic analyses revealed the existence of eight clusters, of which five have been recently characterized with a representative type strain of the genus and three were represented by putative novel bifidobacterial species inhabiting the honeybee gut. Then, the dissection of 366 shotgun metagenomes of honeybee guts revealed a pattern of seven B. asteroides‐related taxa within A. mellifera that co‐exist with the host, while A. cerana microbiome was characterized by the predominance of one of the novel species erroneously classified as B. asteroides. A further glycobiome analysis unveiled a conserved repertoire of glycosyl hydrolases (GHs) reflecting degradative abilities towards a broad range of simple carbohydrates together with genes encoding specific GHs of each B. asteroides‐related taxa.
Experiences of pregnancy and perinatal healthcare access of women who are deaf: a qualitative study
Authors: Panko Tiffany L. , Cuculick Jess , Albert Sasha , Smith Lauren D. , Cooley Margarita M. , Herschel Melanie , Mitra Monika , McKee Michael
Published: September 2022

Objective

Women who are deaf experience higher rates of reproductive healthcare barriers and adverse birth outcomes compared with their peers who can hear. This study explores the pregnancy experiences of women who are deaf to better understand their barriers to and facilitators of optimal pregnancy‐related health care.

Design

Qualitative study using thematic analysis.

Setting

Semi‐structured, individual, remote or in‐person interviews conducted in the USA.

Sample

Forty‐five women who are deaf and communicate using American Sign Language (ASL) and gave birth in the USA within the past 5 years participated in the interviews.

Methods

Semi‐structured interviews explored how mothers who are deaf experienced pregnancy and birth, including access to perinatal information and resources, relationships with healthcare providers, communication access and their involvement with the healthcare system throughout pregnancy. A thematic analysis was conducted.

Main outcome measures

Barriers and facilitators related to a positive experience of perinatal care access among women who are deaf.

Results

Three major themes emerged: (1) communication accessibility; (2) communication satisfaction; and (3) healthcare provider and team support. Common barriers included choosing healthcare providers, inconsistent communication access and difficulty accessing health information. However, when women who are deaf were able to use ASL interpreters, they had more positive pregnancy and birth experiences. Self‐advocacy served as a common facilitator for more positive pregnancy and healthcare experiences.

Conclusions

Healthcare providers need to be more aware of the communication and support needs of their patients who are deaf, especially how to communicate effectively. Increased cultural awareness and consistent provision of on‐site interpreters can improve pregnancy and birth experiences for women who are deaf.
Obstetrical and neonatal complications in hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia: A retrospective study
Authors: Delagrange Laura , Dupuis Olivier , Fargeton Anne‐Emmanuelle , Bernard Lorraine , Decullier Evelyne , Dupuis‐Girod Sophie
Published: September 2022

Objective

To retrospectively describe a large series of pregnancies in women with hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia followed in our reference centre, plus neonatal outcomes, to better understand the risks of complications and to improve their prevention.

Design

A retrospective descriptive study conducted through a phone questionnaire.

Setting

Reference centre for hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia in Lyon, France.

Population

Women meeting the following criteria: (1) alive and aged ≥18 years; (2) with a definite clinical and/or genetic diagnosis of hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia; and (3) with at least one full‐term pregnancy.

Main outcome measures

Maternal and perinatal outcomes of pregnancies in women with hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia.

Results

Five hundred and sixty‐two pregnancies were reported in 207 women with hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia. A total of 271 complications (48.2%) were registered. Of these, 149 (55%) non‐specific complications, 110 (40.6%) non‐severe specific complications and 12 (4.4%) severe specific complications were registered. There were four cases of haemoptysis and two cases of transient ischaemic attack related to pulmonary arteriovenous malformations. Four patients had severe decompensated dyspnoea, related to pulmonary arteriovenous malformations in three cases and to pulmonary arteriovenous malformations associated with severe hepatic arteriovenous malformations in one case. Hepatobiliary necrosis occurred in one case. Epidural or spinal anaesthesia was performed in 139 of 452 deliveries (31%), without complications. There were 12 reports of congenital anomalies in 461 live births (3%).

Conclusions

Most pregnancies in hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia women are uneventful; complications are rare but can be severe. Women thus need to be educated about screening and possible pregnancy‐related risks before becoming pregnant.
Association of emergency department crowding with inpatient outcomes
Authors: Hsuan Charleen , Segel Joel E. , Hsia Renee Y. , Wang Yinan , Rogowski Jeannette
Published: September 2022

Objective

To examine the association of higher emergency department (ED) census with inpatient outcomes on the day of discharge (inpatient length of stay, in‐hospital mortality, ED revisits, and readmissions).

Data Sources and Study Setting

All‐payer ED and inpatient discharge data and hospital characteristics data from all non‐federal, general, and acute care hospitals in the state of California from October 1, 2015 to December 31, 2017.

Study Design

In retrospective data analysis, we examined whether ED census was associated with inpatient outcomes for all inpatients, including those not admitted through the ED. The main predictor variable was ED census on day of discharge, categorized based on hospital year and day of week. Separate linear regression models with robust SEs and hospital fixed effects examined the association of ED census on inpatient outcomes (length of stay, 3‐day ED revisit, 30‐day all‐cause readmission, in‐hospital mortality), controlling for patient and visit‐level factors. We stratified analyses by whether admission was elective or unscheduled.

Extraction Methods

Inpatient discharges in non‐federal, general medical hospitals with EDs.

Principal Findings

We examined 5,784,253 discharges. The adjusted model showed that, compared to when the ED was below the median, higher ED census on the day of discharge was associated with longer inpatient length of stay, lower readmissions, and higher in‐hospital mortality (90th percentile for length of stay: +0.8% [95% confidence interval, CI: +0.6% to +1.1%]; readmissions: −0.59 percentage points [or −5.6%] [95% CI: −0.0071 to −0.0048]; mortality: +0.14 percentage points [or +5.4%] [95% CI: +0.0009 to +0.0018]). [Correction added on 18 November 2022, after first online publication: ‘[odds rato, OR −5.6%]’ and ‘[OR +5.4%]’ of the preceding sentence have been corrected to ‘[or −5.6%]’ and ‘[or +5.4%]’, respectively, in this version.] Results for length of stay were primarily driven by patients with elective admissions, while results for readmissions and in‐hospital mortality were primarily driven by patients with unscheduled admissions.

Conclusions

This study suggests that ED crowding may affect inpatients throughout the hospital, even patients who are already admitted to the hospital.
“They are not Alone”: Mentoring Women Graduate Students
Authors: Griffith Emily , Sharp Julia
Published: September 2022

Women and other historically marginalised groups can feel out of place on advanced degree programmes – mentoring can help. Here, Emily Griffith and Julia Sharp – both winners of the Outstanding Mentor Award from the ASA's Statistical Consulting section – show how
S2k‐Leitlinie: Lasertherapie der Haut
Authors: Paasch Uwe , Zidane Miriam , Baron Jens Malte , Bund Thorsten , Cappius Hans‐Joachim , Drosner Michael , Feise Konstantin , Fischer Tanja , Gauglitz Gerd , Gerber Peter Arne , Grunewald Sonja , Herberger Katharina , Jung Anja , Karsai Syrus , Kautz Gerd , Philipp Carsten , Schädel Daniela , Seitz Anna‐Theresa , Nast Alexander
Published: September 2022

Ziel dieser Leitlinie ist es, den Einsatz von Lasern und optischen Strahlquellen mit ähnlichen Wirkungen (insbesondere IPL) an der Haut sicherer, effizienter und nebenwirkungsärmer zu gestalten. Die Lasertherapie von vermehrt melanozytenhaltigen Hautveränderungen sollte stets mit besonderer Vorsicht erfolgen. Die Laserung eines pigmentierten melanozytären Naevus wird nicht empfohlen. Für die Indikationen Lentigines und Café‐au‐Lait‐Fleck, nichtpigmentierter dermaler Naevus, Becker‐Naevus, Naevus Ota – Naevus Hori – Naevus Ito und Melasma sind in der Leitlinie spezifische Empfehlungen enthalten. Es wurden Empfehlungen verabschiedet zu nicht‐vermehrt melanozytenhaltigen Hautveränderungen (Epheliden, postinflammatorische Hyperpigmentierungen einschließlich Berloque‐Dermatitis, seborrhoische Keratosen, Schmutz‐ und Schmucktätowierungen sowie Metallablagerungen), Hypopigmentierungen (Vitiligo), benignen nichtpigmentierten Neoplasien (fibröse Nasenpapel, Naevus sebaceus, epidermaler Naevus, Neurofibrome, seboglanduläre Hyperplasien, Syringome, Xanthelasmata palpebrarum), entzündlichen Dermatosen (Akne papulopustulosa/conglobata, Akne inversa, Granuloma faciale, Lichen sclerosus, Lupus erythematodes, Psoriasis vulgaris, Rosazea und Rhinophym), Falten/Dermatochalasis/Striae, Hypertrichose, Narben (atroph, hypertroph; Keloide, Verbrennungs‐ und Verbrühungsnarben), laser‐assisted skin healing, Onychomykosen, Präkanzerosen und malignen Tumoren (aktinische Keratosen/Feldkanzerisierung, Cheilitis actinica, Basalzellkarzinom), vaskulären Hautveränderungen (Angiokeratom, Angiom, Hämangiom, Malformation, Besenreiser, Granuloma teleangiekaticum (pyogenicum), Rubeosis (Erythrosis interfollicularis colli, Ulerythema ophryogenes), Naevus flammeus, Teleangiektasien und Morbus Osler (Hereditäre Hämorrhagische Teleangiektasie) sowie viralen Hautveränderungen (Condylomata acuminata, Mollusca contagiosa, Verrucae planae juveniles, Verrucae vulgares und Verrucae palmares et plantares).
New perspectives on the contribution of sanitary investments to mortality decline in English cities, 1845–1909
Authors: Aidt Toke S. , Davenport Romola J. , Gray Felix
Published: September 2022

Health improved in English cities in the last third of the nineteenth century, in tandem with substantial increases in public spending on water supplies and sanitation. However, previous efforts to measure the contribution of public expenditures to mortality improvements have been hampered by difficulties in quantifying public health investments and the lack of mortality data for specifically urban populations. We improve upon the existing evidence base by (1) creating measures of the stock of urban district sanitary capital, by type, on the basis of capital expenditure flows, rather than loan stocks; (2) using mortality and capital stock data that relate to the same administrative units (urban districts), and (3) studying the period 1880–1909 as well as the earlier period from 1845. The stock of sewerage capital was robustly related to improvements in all‐cause mortality after 1880. The size of this effect varied with the extent of public investment in water supplies, suggesting complementarity between the two assets. For the period 1845–84, investments in water were associated with declines in infant and child mortality but the effect was much smaller and less precisely estimated in later decades. Our results suggest that improvements in water and sewerage targeted different transmission pathways for faecal–oral diseases.
Robust estimation of 1/f activity improves oscillatory burst detection
Authors: Seymour Robert A. , Alexander Nicholas , Maguire Eleanor A.
Published: September 2022

Neural oscillations often occur as transient bursts with variable amplitude and frequency dynamics. Quantifying these effects is important for understanding brain–behaviour relationships, especially in continuous datasets. To robustly measure bursts, rhythmical periods of oscillatory activity must be separated from arrhythmical background 1/f activity, which is ubiquitous in electrophysiological recordings. The Better OSCillation (BOSC) framework achieves this by defining a power threshold above the estimated background 1/f activity, combined with a duration threshold. Here we introduce a modification to this approach called fBOSC, which uses a spectral parametrisation tool to accurately model background 1/f activity in neural data. fBOSC (which is openly available as a MATLAB toolbox) is robust to power spectra with oscillatory peaks and can also model non‐linear spectra. Through a series of simulations, we show that fBOSC more accurately models the 1/f power spectrum compared with existing methods. fBOSC was especially beneficial where power spectra contained a ‘knee’ below ~.5–10 Hz, which is typical in neural data. We also found that, unlike other methods, fBOSC was unaffected by oscillatory peaks in the neural power spectrum. Moreover, by robustly modelling background 1/f activity, the sensitivity for detecting oscillatory bursts was standardised across frequencies (e.g., theta‐ and alpha‐bands). Finally, using openly available resting state magnetoencephalography and intracranial electrophysiology datasets, we demonstrate the application of fBOSC for oscillatory burst detection in the theta‐band. These simulations and empirical analyses highlight the value of fBOSC in detecting oscillatory bursts, including in datasets that are long and continuous with no distinct experimental trials.
Christ’s Love Moves the World to Reconciliation and Unity
Authors: Fritzson Arne
Published: September 2022

In August and September 2022, the World Council of Churches gathers for its 11th Assembly under the theme “Christ’s love moves the world to reconciliation and unity.” This article offers a meditation on the meaning of the theme against the background of biblical witness, using the books in the New Testament by Luke – the gospel according to Luke and the Acts of the Apostles – as a structure for reflection. A special focus is on how the Spirit moves the Jesus movement in these New Testament books. Other books in the New Testament will be included to further deepen the reflections.
Being Different Together
Authors: Ekué Amélé Adamavi‐Aho
Published: September 2022

This article looks back at more than 70 years of ecumenical formation at the Ecumenical Institute at Bossey. The encounter of the students at Bossey shows that it is possible to develop an ecumenical space that is prophetic and critical, reflective and spiritual, in which the experiences of a diverse community – cultural, theological, and ecumenical – can be worked through. Ecumenical formation at Bossey therefore involves holding together converging and diverging interpretations of what the Christian faith means. Bossey is thus a place of ecumenical learning in the sense of intercultural and theological reflection and practice. It represents symbolically the ecumenical movement as a fellowship of learning and offers an invitation to keep alive this experience of learning in an awareness of what is held in common, despite all the differences.
REAP‐HP survey 2020: Comparing the real‐world practice and expectation in Helicobacter pylori eradication of the Taiwanese gastroenterologists in 2015 and 2020
Authors: Chuah Yoen‐Young , Wu Deng‐Chyang , Chuah Seng‐Kee , Chen Kuan‐Yang , Yang Jyh‐Chin , Lee Chia‐Long , Chen Chien‐Lin , Shiu Sz‐Iuan , Shie Chang‐Bih , Shih Chih‐An , Tsay Feng‐Woei , Liu Yu‐Hwa , Hsu Ping‐I ,   for the Taiwan Acid‐related Disease & Microbiota Consortium (TARD‐M)
Published: September 2022

Background

REAP‐HP study (Real‐world practice and Expectation of Asia‐Pacific physicians and patients in Helicobacter Pylori eradication) was the pioneer study investigating the expectation and preference of physicians across Asia‐Pacific in H. pylori eradication in 2015. This study is the first follow‐up study of REAP‐HP in Taiwan.

Aims

(1) To investigate the preference in regimens for the first‐line anti‐H. pylori therapy of Taiwanese gastroenterologist in 2020, (2) To survey the factor that cause the most concern when prescribing anti‐H. pylori regimens in clinical practice, and (3) to compare REAP‐HP survey data in 2020 and those surveyed in 2015 regarding the abovementioned end‐points.

Methods

A questionnaire for H. pylori eradication survey of physicians was distributed to the gastroenterologists who attended the Taiwan Digestive Disease Week 2020. Data of most commonly used first‐line anti‐H. pylori regimens and concerned factors when prescribing anti‐H. pylori regimens between 2015 and 2020 were compared.

Results

A total of 258 physicians from different districts of Taiwan participated in the REAP‐HP Survey in 2020. The top three most commonly used anti‐H. pylori regimens in Taiwan in 2020 were 14‐day standard triple therapy (36.8%; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 30.9%–42.7%), 7‐day standard triple therapy (17.8%; 95% CI: 13.1%–22.5%) and 14‐day reverse hybrid therapy (14.7%; 95% CI: 10.4%–19.0%) respectively. The top two factors that cause the most concern during prescribing anti‐H. pylori therapy were eradication rate (82.3%; 95% CI: 77.6%–87.0%) and side effect (10.4%; 95% CI: 6.7%–15.1%). In 2015, the top three most commonly used regimens in Taiwan were 7‐day standard triple therapy (62%; 95% CI: 56.2%–67.8%), 14‐day standard triple therapy (21%; 95% CI: 16.1%–25.9%) and 10‐day sequential therapy (7%; 95% CI: 4%–10%). A remarkable difference of the most commonly used anti‐H. pylori regimens between 2015 and 2020 existed (p < .001). The top two factors that cause the most concern during prescribing anti‐H. pylori therapy in 2015 were eradication rate (84.1%) and side effect (7.0%). There were no differences in the factors that cause the most concern during prescribing anti‐H. pylori regimens between 2015 and 2020.

Conclusion

14‐day standard triple therapy has replaced 7‐day standard triple therapy as the most commonly used first‐line anti‐H. pylori therapy among Taiwanese gastroenterologists in 2020. 14‐day reverse hybrid therapy is on rise to the third place as the most commonly used anti‐H. pylori regimen in Taiwan.
Human papillomavirus self‐testing among unscreened and under‐screened Māori, Pasifika and Asian women in Aotearoa New Zealand: A preference survey among responders and interviews with clinical‐trial nonresponders
Authors: Sherman Susan M. , Brewer Naomi , Bartholomew Karen , Bromhead Collette , Crengle Sue , Cunningham Chris , Douwes Jeroen , Foliaki Sunia , Grant Jane , Maxwell Anna , McPherson Georgina , Scott Nina , Wihongi Helen , Potter John D.
Published: September 2022

Introduction

Māori, Pasifika and Asian women are less likely to attend cervical screening and Māori and Pasifika women are more likely to be diagnosed with later‐stage cervical cancer than other women in Aotearoa New Zealand. This study—with under‐screened women taking part in a randomized‐controlled trial comparing self‐testing and standard screening—explored the acceptability of a human papillomavirus (HPV) self‐test kit and the preferred method for receiving it.

Methods

Māori, Pasifika and Asian women (N= 376) completed a cross‐sectional postal questionnaire. Twenty‐six women who had not accepted the trial invitation were interviewed to understand their reasons for nonparticipation.

Results

Most women found the self‐test kit easy and convenient to use and reported that they did not find it painful, uncomfortable or embarrassing. This was reflected in the preference for a self‐test over a future smear test on the same grounds. Most women preferred to receive the kit by mail and take the test themselves, rather than having it done by a doctor or nurse. There was a range of preferences relating to how to return the kit. Phone calls with nonresponders revealed that, although most had received the test kit, the reasons for not choosing to be involved included not wanting to, being too busy or forgetting.

Conclusion

HPV self‐testing was acceptable for Māori, Pasifika and Asian women in Aotearoa New Zealand. HPV self‐testing has considerable potential to reduce the inequities in the current screening programme and should be made available with appropriate delivery options as soon as possible.

Patient or Public Contribution

This study explored the acceptability of HPV self‐testing and their preferences for engaging with it among Māori, Pasifika and Asian women. Thus, women from these underserved communities were the participants and focus of this study.
A cross‐sectional assessment of frailty, falls and perceptions of ageing in people living withHIVusing anmHealthplatform
Authors: Levett Tom J. , Vera Jaime H. , Jones Christopher I. , Bremner Stephen , Leon Agathe , Begovac Josip , Apers Ludwig , Borges Margarida , Zekan Sime , Teofilo Eugenio , Garcia Felipe , Whetham Jennifer ,   the EmERGE Consortium
Published: September 2022

Objective

To evaluate frailty, falls and perceptions of ageing among clinically stable individuals with HIV, engaged with remote healthcare delivered via a novel smartphone application.

Methods

This was a multi‐centre Europeancross‐sectional, questionnaire‐based sub‐study of EmERGE participants. Frailty was assessed using the five‐item FRAIL scale. Present criteria were summed and categorized as follows: 0, robust; 1–2, pre‐frail; 3–5, frail. Falls history and EQ‐5D‐5L quality of life measure were completed. Participants were asked their felt age and personal satisfaction with ageing.

Results

A total of 1373 participated, with a mean age of 45 (± 9.8) years. Frailty was uncommon at 2%; 12.4% fell in the previous year, 58.8% of these recurrently. Mood symptoms and pain were prevalent, at 43.3% and 31.8%, respectively. Ageing satisfaction was high at 76.4%, with 74.6% feeling younger than their chronological age; the mean felt age was 39.3 years. In multivariable analysis, mood symptoms and pain were positively associated with frailty, falls and ageing dissatisfaction. An increase in pain severity and mood symptoms were respectively associated with 34% and 63% increased odds of pre‐frailty/frailty. An increment in pain symptoms was associated with a 71% increase in odds of falling. Pain was associated with ageing poorly, as were mood symptoms, with odds of dissatisfaction increasing by 34% per increment in severity.

Conclusions

Although uncommon, frailty, falls and ageing dissatisfaction were seen in a younger cohort with medically stable HIV infection using a remote care model, promoting screening as advocated by European guidelines. These were more common in those with pain or mood symptoms, which should be proactively managed in clinical care and explored further in future research.
Beyond the brands: COVID‐19, supply chain governance, and the state–labor nexus
Authors: Ford Michele , Gillan Michael , Ward Kristy
Published: September 2022

This article analyses the role played by brands, producer‐country governments, and unions in mitigating the impact of disruptions caused to garment supply chains by COVID‐19 in Cambodia, Indonesia, and Myanmar. Its findings challenge brand‐centric accounts, highlighting the need for more serious consideration of the dynamic, relational nature of labor governance—and, in particular, of the role of the state–labor nexus in determining producer‐country unions' ability to exercise strategic agency within global supply chains.
A comparative perspective on long‐term care systems
Authors: Kotschy Rainer , Bloom David E.
Published: September 2022

This article investigates the challenges of ageing for long‐term care. The analysis proceeds in three steps. In the first step, we estimate the prospective care demand for 30 developed countries based on projected ageing and disabilities among the elderly. In the second step, we outline challenges for care systems with respect to shortages of care workers, increasing skill requirements for care workers, barriers to universal and equitable access to care, and cost containment subject to adequate care quality. In the third step, we identify solutions for these challenges by comparing the care systems of Germany, Israel, Japan, the Republic of Korea and the Netherlands.
Providing long‐term care: Options for a better workforce
Authors: Llena‐Nozal Ana , Rocard Eileen , Sillitti Paola
Published: September 2022

Older people and their care workers have been disproportionately affected by the COVID‐19 pandemic. Many OECD Member countries have taken measures to contain the spread of the infection and improve the care workforce. Yet the health crisis is highlighting and exacerbating pre‐existing structural problems in the long‐term care (LTC) sector. In many OECD Member countries, recruiting enough workers in LTC remains a challenge and care workers experience difficult working conditions. Skills mismatch and poor integration with the rest of health care lie at the root of preventable hospital admissions even in normal times. Such challenges are likely to become ever more acute if no further action is taken given the speed of population ageing. Policies to improve recruitment and which also address retention through training, improvements in coordination and productivity, leveraging the effect of digital technologies, are needed.
Fracture toughness evaluation of silicon nitride from microstructures via convolutional neural network
Authors: Furushima Ryoichi , Maruyama Yutaka , Nakashima Yuki , Ngo Minh Chu , Ohji Tatsuki , Fukushima Manabu
Published: September 2022

The fracture toughness of silicon nitride (Si3N4) ceramics was evaluated directly from their microstructures via deep learning using convolutional neural network models. Totally 156 data sets containing microstructural images and relative densities were prepared from 45 types of Si3N4 samples as input feature quantities (IFQs) and were correlated to the fracture toughness as an objective variable. The data sets were divided into two groups. One was used for training, resulting in the creation of regression models for two kinds of IFQs: the microstructures only and a combination of the microstructures and the relative densities. The other group was used for testing the validity of the created models. As a result, the determination coefficient was approximately 0.8 even when using only the microstructures as the IFQs and was further improved when adding the relative densities. It was revealed that the fracture toughness of Si3N4 ceramics was well evaluated from their microstructures.