bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
GWOVina: A grey wolf optimization approach to rigid and flexible receptor docking
Authors: Wong Kin Meng , Tai Hio Kuan , Siu Shirley W. I.
Published: July 2020

Protein–ligand docking programs are indispensable tools for predicting the binding pose of a ligand to the receptor protein. In this paper, we introduce an efficient flexible docking method, GWOVina, which is a variant of the Vina implementation using the grey wolf optimizer (GWO) and random walk for the global search, and the Dunbrack rotamer library for side‐chain sampling. The new method was validated for rigid and flexible‐receptor docking using four independent datasets. In rigid docking, GWOVina showed comparable docking performance to Vina in terms of ligand pose RMSD, success rate, and affinity prediction. In flexible‐receptor docking, GWOVina has improved success rate compared to Vina and AutoDockFR. It ran 2 to 7 times faster than Vina and 40 to 100 times faster than AutoDockFR. Therefore, GWOVina can play a role in solving the complex flexible‐receptor docking cases and is suitable for virtual screening of compound libraries. GWOVina is freely available at https://cbbio.cis.um.edu.mo/software/gwovina for testing.
Cognitive Prerequisites for Generative Learning: Why Some Learning Strategies Are More Effective Than Others
Authors: Breitwieser Jasmin , Brod Garvin
Published: July 2020

This study examined age‐related differences in the effectiveness of two generative learning strategies (GLSs). Twenty‐five children aged 9–11 and 25 university students aged 17–29 performed a facts learning task in which they had to generate either a prediction or an example before seeing the correct result. We found a significant Age × Learning Strategy interaction, with children remembering more facts after generating predictions rather than examples, whereas both strategies were similarly effective in adults. Pupillary data indicated that predictions stimulated surprise, whereas the effectiveness of example‐based learning correlated with children’s analogical reasoning abilities. These findings suggest that there are different cognitive prerequisites for different GLSs, which results in varying degrees of strategy effectiveness by age.
Contact dermatitis caused by glucose sensors, insulin pumps, and tapes: Results from a 5‐year period
Authors: Ahrensbøll‐Friis Ulrik , Simonsen Anne Birgitte , Zachariae Claus , Thyssen Jacob P. , Johansen Jeanne D.
Published: July 2020

Background

The number of patients with contact dermatitis from glucose sensors and insulin infusion sets is increasing. Patch testing is challenging because of a lack of information concerning the constituent materials of medical devices.

Objectives

To report on products and causes of allergic reactions to glucose sensors or insulin infusion sets over a 5‐year period and suggest a short screening series.

Methods

Analysis of patch test data from consecutive patients suspected of allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) to glucose sensors and/or insulin infusion sets from 2015–2019.

Results

Patient numbers increased from 4 to 15 per year; 30/38 (78.9%) were children. In 29 (76.3%), a diagnosis of allergic/probable ACD was established, mostly due to the tapes of the device or allergens in these tapes (n = 23) followed by allergens in the device housing (n = 10). Isobornyl acrylate, abitol, and colophonium were the most common allergens. Information from manufacturers was often difficult to obtain and, if accessible, inadequate. For this reason, the diagnosis was delayed for more than 1.5 years in 12 (31%) patients.

Conclusions

The increasing number of patients, mostly children, with ACD from devices used in treatment of type 1 diabetes demonstrates the importance of this problem. Allergies can easily be overlooked, due to the lack of mandatory labeling of the constituent materials of the devices.
Differential influence ofStreptococcus mitison host response to metals in reconstructed human skin and oral mucosa
Authors: Shang Lin , Deng Dongmei , Roffel Sanne , Gibbs Susan
Published: July 2020

Background

Skin and oral mucosa are continuously exposed to potential metal sensitizers while hosting abundant microbes, which may influence the host response to sensitizers. This host response may also be influenced by the route of exposure that is skin or oral mucosa, due to their different immune properties.

Objective

Determine how commensalStreptococcus mitisinfluences the host response to nickel sulfate (sensitizer) and titanium(IV) bis(ammonium lactato)dihydroxide (questionable sensitizer) in reconstructed human skin (RHS) and gingiva (RHG).

Methods

RHS/RHG was exposed to nickel or titanium, in the presence or absence ofS. mitisfor 24 hours. Histology, cytokine secretion, and Toll‐like receptors (TLRs) expression were assessed.

Results

S. mitisincreased interleukin (IL)‐6, CXCL8, CCL2, CCL5, and CCL20 secretion in RHS but not in RHG; co‐application with nickel further increased cytokine secretion. In contrast, titanium suppressedS. mitis–induced cytokine secretion in RHS and had no influence on RHG.S. mitisand metals differentially regulated TLR1 and TLR4 in RHS, and predominantly TLR4 in RHG.

Conclusion

Co‐exposure ofS. mitisand nickel resulted in a more potent innate immune response in RHS than in RHG, whereas titanium remained inert. These results indicate the important influence of commensal microbes and the route of exposure on the host's response to metals.
Transferable, predictive models of benthic communities informs marine spatial planning in a remote and data‐poor region
Authors: Bridge Tom C. L. , Huang Zhi , Przeslawski Rachel , Tran Maggie , Siwabessy Justy , Picard Kim , Reside April E. , Logan Murray , Nichol Scott L. , Caley M. Julian
Published: July 2020

Systematic conservation planning requires spatial information on biodiversity. Such information is often unavailable, forcing spatial planning to rely on assumed relationships between species and environmental features. This problem is particularly acute in large, remote marine protected areas that are proliferating rapidly. Here, we use models to predict whether (a) macrobenthic biodiversity across four taxa (gorgonians, soft corals, hard corals, and sponges) with different life histories are congruent within seascape features through regional space; and (b) models generated in an intensively‐sampled area in one region can predict the occurrence of habitat‐forming macrobenthos in neighboring ones. All four taxa studied showed similar habitat preferences, but high variability in distributions among and within features suggesting factors other than simple geomorphology influence these regional biodiversity patterns. Nonetheless, models derived from one region accurately predicted the presence and absence of the same taxa hundreds of kilometers away. This transferability of models of species occurrences has the potential to deliver improved reserve design in data‐deficient regions.
Analysis of fitness costs associated with metronidazole and amoxicillin resistance in Helicobacter pylori
Authors: Windham Ian H. , Merrell D. Scott
Published: July 2020

Background

Increasing rates of antibiotic resistance are a major concern for all pathogens, including H. pylori. However, increased resistance often coincides with a decrease in relative fitness of the pathogen in the absence of the antibiotic, raising the possibility that increased resistance can be mitigated for some antibiotics by improved antibiotic husbandry. Therefore, a greater understanding of which types of antibiotic resistance create fitness defects in H. pylori may aid rational treatment strategies.

Materials and Methods

While a wealth of H. pylori literature reports mutations that correlate with increased resistance, few studies demonstrate causation for these same mutations. Herein, we examined fitness costs associated with metronidazole and amoxicillin resistance. Isogenic strains bearing literature reported point mutations in the rdxA and pbp1 genes were engineered and tested in in vitro competition assays to assess relative fitness.

Results

None of the metronidazole resistance mutations resulted in a fitness cost under the tested conditions. In contrast, amoxicillin‐resistant mutant strains demonstrated a defect in competition by 24 hours. This change in fitness was further enhanced by moderate osmotic stress. However, under extreme osmotic stress, the amoxicillin‐resistant N562Y PBP1 mutant strain showed enhanced fitness, suggesting that there are some pbp1 mutations that can give a conditional fitness advantage.

Conclusions

Our results demonstrate the role of specific point mutations in rdxA and pbp1 in antibiotic resistance and suggest that amoxicillin‐resistant strains of H. pylori show environmentally dictated changes in fitness. These later finding may be responsible for the relatively low rates of amoxicillin resistance seen in the United States.
Extrusion improved the physical and chemical properties of dietary fibre from bamboo shoot by‐products
Authors: Yang Mo , Wu Liangru , Cao Chongjiang , Wang Suya , Zhang Dongmei
Published: July 2020

Bamboo shoot by‐products are regarded as waste and environmental pollutant. This study aimed to improve the functional properties of dietary fibre from bamboo shoot by‐products. After CO2 extrusion, the particle size of CO2‐extruded bamboo fibre was 17.6% lower than that of the control, and its specific surface area was 2.85 times that of the control. The soluble dietary fibre content was significantly increased from 5.64 g/100 g to 11.05 g/100 g (P < 0.05), and the capacities for water holding, swelling and oil holding were remarkably improved. The cholesterol adsorption of CO2‐extruded bamboo fibre was increased from 96.54 μg g−1 to 174.65 μg g−1 (pH 7.0), and its nitrite ion adsorption capacity was increased from 503.33 μg g−1 to 657.27 μg g−1 (pH 2.0). In summary, the structural changes of bamboo fibre such as internal porosity, surface roughening and low crystallinity indicated that its functional properties were improved after CO2 extrusion.
Relationship between nurse practice environment and work outcomes: A survey study in the Philippines
Authors: Falguera Charlie C. , De los Santos Janet Alexis A. , Galabay Jolo R. , Firmo Carmen N. , Tsaras Konstantinos , Rosales Rheajane A. , Mirafuentes Ephraim Catoto , Labrague Leodoro J.
Published: July 2020

Aims

Challenges in the nurse practice environment greatly affect nurse work outcomes. This study investigated the relationship between nurse practice environment and work outcomes in the Philippines.

Methods

This cross‐sectional survey involved 549 hospital nurses in the Philippines in 2018. The nurse practice environment was measured using the Practice Environment Scale of the Nursing Work Index (PES‐NWI). Four self‐report scales were used to measure work outcomes: job satisfaction, job burnout, job stress and nurse‐assessed quality of care. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to analyse the data.

Results

Significant relationships were found between nurse and organizational characteristics and nurse practice environment. Further, multivariate regression analysis revealed that the nurse practice environment had a significant and positive relationship with perceived quality of care and a significant and negative relationship with job burnout and job stress.

Conclusion

A favourable work environment significantly reduced job burnout and job stress and improved the quality of patient care. With considerable migration abroad, a favourable nurse practice environment may engage a better nurse workforce in the country and subsequently reduce migration. Managers must focus on developing good nurse practice environments that will improve professional work outcomes and quality patient care.
Does fluoride reduce the mineral loss of gamma‐irradiated primary teeth?—In vitro study
Authors: Marangoni‐Lopes Lenita , Rovai‐Pavan Gabriela , de Sousa Emerson Tavares , Steiner‐Oliveira Carolina , Nobre‐Dos‐Santos Marinês
Published: July 2020

Background

Gamma radiation turns the primary enamel more susceptible to demineralization.

Aim

To investigate if the fluoride dentifrice combined with acidulated phosphate fluoride gel (APF‐gel) inhibits the progression of mineral loss of gamma‐irradiated primary enamel.

Design

Specimens of demineralized primary enamel were randomized into eight groups (n = 13): Non‐irradiated + Non‐fluoride dentifrice (G1); Non‐irradiated + Fluoridated dentifrice (G2); Non‐irradiated + APF‐gel + Non‐fluoridated dentifrice (G3); Non‐irradiated + APF‐gel + Fluoridated dentifrice (G4); Irradiated + Non‐fluoridated dentifrice (G5); Irradiated + Fluoridated dentifrice (G6); Irradiated + APF‐gel + Non‐fluoridated dentifrice (G7); and Irradiated + APF‐gel + Fluoridated dentifrice (G8). Specimens of irradiated groups were submitted to 3060 cGy radiation dose. After APF‐gel treatment, specimens were submitted to a pH cycling, with the respective dentifrice exposure, twice daily. The microhardness and polarized light microscopy analyses were performed to quantitatively and qualitatively assess the enamel mineral loss, respectively. Quantitative data of mineral loss were compared using the two‐way ANOVA, followed by the Tukey test.

Results

Fluoride dentifrice alone, APF‐gel application alone, and their combination were not effective in inhibiting mineral loss of irradiated primary enamel.

Conclusion

The combination of fluoride dentifrice and APF‐gel was not effective in inhibiting the progression of mineral loss of gamma‐irradiated primary teeth.
Mechanistic insights into the effects of SREBP1c on hepatic stellate cell and liver fibrosis
Authors: Su Shengyan , Tian Haimeng , Jia Xin , Zhu Xiaofei , Wu Juanjuan , Zhang Yali , Chen Yuanyuan , Li Ziqiang , Zhou Yajun
Published: July 2020

Sterol regulatory element‐binding protein 1c (SREBP1c) plays key roles in maintenance of hepatic stellate cell (HSC) quiescence. The present researches investigated the mechanisms underlying the effects of SREBP1c on HSCs and liver fibrogenesis by HSC‐targeted overexpression of the active SREBP1c using adenovirus in vitro and in vivo. Results demonstrated that SREBP1c exerted inhibitory effects on TAA‐induced liver fibrosis. SREBP1c down‐regulated TGFβ1 level in liver, reduced the receptors for TGFβ1 and PDGFβ, and interrupted the signalling pathways of Smad3 and Akt1/2/3 but not ERK1/2 in HSCs. SREBP1c also led to the decreases in the protein levels of the bromodomain‐containing chromatin‐modifying factor bromodomain protein 4, methionine adenosyltransferase 2B (MAT2B) and TIMP1 in HSCs. In vivo activated HSCs did not express cyclin D1 and cyclin E1 but SREBP1c down‐regulated both cyclins in vitro. SREBP1c elevated PPARγ and MMP1 protein levels in the model of liver fibrosis. The effect of SREBP1c on MAT2B expression was associated with its binding to MAT2B1 promoter. Taken together, the mechanisms underlying the effects of SREBP1c on HSC activation and liver fibrosis were involved in its influences on TGFβ1 level, the receptors for TGFβ1 and PDGFβ and their downstream signalling, and the molecules for epigenetic regulation of genes.
ST6Gal1 is up‐regulated and associated with aberrant IgA1 glycosylation in IgA nephropathy: An integrated analysis of the transcriptome
Authors: Liu Youxia , Wang Fanghao , Zhang Yaru , Jia Junya , Yan Tiekun
Published: July 2020

Galactose‐deficient IgA1 (Gd‐IgA1) plays a crucial role in the development of Immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN), however, the underlying pathogenic mechanisms driving Gd‐IgA1 production in B cells are not well understood. In this study, RNA‐seq analysis identified 337 down‐regulated and 405 up‐regulated genes in B cells from 17 patients with IgAN and 6 healthy controls. Among them, ST6Gal1, which was associated with IgAN in a previous genome‐wide association study (GWAS), was up‐regulated in IgAN and significantly positive correlated with elevated Gd‐IgA1. In addition, we identified increased plasma ST6Gal1 levels in 100 patients with IgAN, which were associated with higher levels of proteinuria, plasma IgA, Gd‐IgA1 levels, greater degrees of systemic complement activation including C3a, Bb, C4d, MAC and a lower proportion classified as C2 grade (crescent proportion ≥25%). Interesting, in vitro, recombinant ST6Gal1 (rST6Gal1) exposure reduced the production of Gd‐IgA1 in cultured peripheral blood mononuclear cells from IgAN patients. rST6Gal1 stimuli also increased expression of C1GALT1, which were well‐known proportional to the decrease in galactose deficiency of IgA1. In conclusions, we identified increased plasma ST6Gal1 levels and the association of ST6Gal1 with disease severity of IgAN. Additionally, rST6Gal1 administration in vitro increased expression of C1GALT1 and reduced the production of Gd‐IgA1.
Integrated metabolo‐transcriptomics and functional characterization reveals that the wheat auxin receptor TIR1 negatively regulates defense against Fusarium graminearum
Authors: Su Peisen , Zhao Lanfei , Li Wen , Zhao Jinxiao , Yan Jun , Ma Xin , Li Anfei , Wang Hongwei , Kong Lingrang
Published: July 2020

Fusarium head blight (FHB) caused by Fusarium graminearum Schwabe (teleomorph Gibberella zeae (Schw.) Perch) results in large yield losses in annual global wheat production. Although studies have identified a number of wheat FHB resistance genes, a deeper understanding of the mechanisms underlying host plant resistance to F. graminearum is required for the control of FHB. Here, an integrated metabolomics and transcriptomics analysis of infected wheat plants (Triticum aestivum L.) enabled identification of 789 differentially accumulated metabolites, including flavonoids, phenolamides, tryptamine derivatives, and phytohormones, and revealed altered expression of more than 100 genes that function in the biosynthesis or regulation of these pathways. Our data regarding the effects of F. graminearum infection on flavonoids and auxin signaling led to follow‐up experiments that showed that exogenous kaempferide and apigenin application on spikes increased wheat resistance to FHB, while exogenous auxin treatment increased FHB susceptibility. RNAi‐mediated knockdown of the gene encoding the auxin receptor, TaTIR1, increased FHB resistance. Our data supported the use of TaTIR1 knockdown in controlling FHB. Our study provides insights on the wheat response to F. graminearum infection and its FHB resistance mechanisms while illustrating the potential of TaTIR1 knockdown in increasing FHB resistance during crop improvement programs.
Stackelberg Independence*
Authors: Hinnosaar Toomas
Published: July 2020

The standard model of sequential capacity choices is the Stackelberg quantity leadership model with linear demand. I show that under the standard assumptions, leaders’ actions are informative about market conditions and independent of leaders’ beliefs about the arrivals of followers. However, this Stackelberg independence property relies on all standard assumptions’ being satisfied. It fails to hold whenever the demand function is non‐linear, marginal cost is not constant, goods are differentiated, firms are non‐identical, or there are any externalities. I show that small deviations from the linear demand assumption may make the leaders’ choices completely uninformative.
Summer and Winter Marine Heatwaves Favor an Invasive Over Native Seaweeds
Authors: Atkinson James , King Nathan G. , Wilmes Sophie B. , Moore Pippa J.
Published: July 2020

Marine heatwaves (MHWs) are emerging as forceful agents of ecosystem change and are increasing in frequency, duration, and intensity with climate change. During MHWs, physiological thresholds of native species may be exceeded while the performance of invasive species with warm affinities may be enhanced. As a consequence, MHWs could significantly alter an ecosystem's invasive dynamics, but such interactions are poorly understood. Following a 10‐d acclimation period, we investigated the physiological resistance and resilience of an intertidal rock pool assemblage invaded by the seaweed Sargassum muticum to realistic 14‐d marine heatwave scenarios (+1.5°C, +2.0°C, +3.5°C) followed by a 14‐d recovery period. We conducted mesocosm experiments in both summer and winter to investigate temporal variability of MHWs. MHW treatments had clear negative impacts on native seaweeds (Fucus serratus and Chondrus crispus) while enhancing the performance of S. muticum. This pattern was consistent across season indicating that acclimation to cooler ambient temperatures results in winter MHWs having significant impacts on native species. As climate warming advances, this may ultimately lead to changes in competitive interactions and potentially exclusion of native species, while invasive species may proliferate and become more conspicuous within temperate rocky shore environments.
Reduced stress responses by MS‐222 in juvenile silver pomfret (Pampus argenteus)
Authors: Yu Na , Cao Xiaohuan , Wang Yajun , Kuang Siwen , Hu Jiabao , Yang Yang , Xu Shanliang , Zhang Man , Sun Yibo , Gu Weiwei , Yan Xiaojun
Published: July 2020

The silver pomfret, Pampus argenteus is a major economically important marine fish in China. However, P. argenteus is sensitive to many stress factors and susceptible to injury. This problem could be resolved using anesthesia. We determined the lowest effective dose (LED) of tricaine methanesulfonate (MS‐222) and assessed the longest safe deep anesthesia time and effect after chasing. P. argenteus juveniles were exposed to six concentrations of MS‐222 (10, 25, 50, 75, 100, and 125 mg/L); LED was established at 75 mg/L. The juveniles were exposed to different deep anesthesia times (4, 7, 10, 12, and 15 min) at 75 mg/L; the longest safe deep anesthesia time under LED was 10 min. Finally, the juveniles were randomly divided into four groups: Control (no treatment at all) group (CG), Draining stress without MS‐222 group (DG), draining + chasing stress with MS‐222 (MS + DCG), and draining + chasing stress without MS‐222 (DCG). Plasma cortisol levels in the DCG, MS + DCG, DG, and CG groups were 38.739 ± 1.065 (highest), 25.083 ± 0.587, 28.644 ± 0.612, and 22.620 ± 0.836 ng/ml (lowest). When superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA), and catalase (CAT) activities of the DCG group were compared with those of the other three groups, a significant increase (p < .05) was observed. However, the DG and MS + DCG groups showed no significant increase (p > .05) in SOD, MDA, GSH, and CAT activities. The MS + DCG group showed significantly (p < .05) higher GSH, SOD, CAT, and MDA activities than the control before stress. Before aquaculture treatment, HSP70, HSP90, GR1, and GR2 mRNA levels showed no significant differences (p > .05), whereas HSP70, HSP90, GR1, and GR2 mRNA levels in the DCG group increased sharply. GR1 and GR2 mRNA levels in the MS + DCG group also increased significantly, whereas HSP70 and HSP90 mRNA levels showed no significant differences. Thus, MS‐222 can reduce oxidative damage, stress reaction, and resistance to aquaculture treatment stresses in P. argenteus.
Cognitive and Neurological Mechanisms of Cuteness Perception: A New Perspective on Moral Education
Authors: Zhang Zhicong , Zhou Jiaxian
Published: July 2020

Effects of cuteness‐perception on individual cognition, emotion, behavior have significant implications for moral education. On the one hand, cuteness perception will make individuals think that moral violations are more serious and lead to tougher moral judgments; on the other hand, cuteness perception can activate moral emotions such as compassion and empathy, and induce to expand the scope of moral concern. Cuteness perception can also promote people to engage in altruistic moral behaviors such as donating, helping, etc. Based on these findings, we suggest to provide the lively content of moral education with diverse educational forms and take advantage of the anthropomorphic effect of cuteness while reduce the negative effects of cuteness.
Every Cloud Has a Silver Lining: Cleansing Effects of the Portuguese Financial Crisis*
Authors: Dias Daniel A. , Robalo Marques Carlos
Published: July 2020

Using firm‐level data, this paper shows that the Portuguese financial crisis was a period of intensified productivity‐enhancing reallocation. Aggregate productivity gains, both in manufacturing and services, came from relatively higher contributions of entering and exiting firms and from reallocation of resources between surviving firms. At the micro level, the crisis reduced the probability of survival for high‐ and low‐productivity firms, but it hit low‐productivity firms disproportionately harder. We also found important heterogeneous effects across economic sectors regarding input reallocation that underline the importance of using data for the entire economy whenever similar studies are conducted.
Delinquency, Arrest and Early School Leaving*
Authors: Ward Shannon , Williams Jenny , van Ours Jan C.
Published: July 2020

Boys typically initiate delinquent behaviour during their teenage years, and many go on to be arrested. We show that engaging in delinquency and being arrested in youth are each associated with early school leaving. The effect of delinquency on school leaving is largely driven by crimes that produce a monetary return, and the increase in school leaving is greater when onset of these types of crime, and arrest, occur at younger ages. The sizeable impact of delinquency on school leaving highlights the need for crime prevention efforts to extend beyond youth who come into contact with the justice system.
Can diet‐induced weight loss improve iron homoeostasis in patients with obesity: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Teng I‐Chun , Tseng Sung‐Hui , Aulia Bianda , Shih Chun‐Kuang , Bai Chyi‐Huey , Chang Jung‐Su
Published: July 2020

Despite the increasing worldwide prevalence of obesity and iron deficiency (ID), there are still no guidelines on how to treat and manage obesity‐related ID. The aim of this systematic review and meta‐analysis was to investigate whether weight loss can re‐establish iron homoeostasis among subjects with unhealthy weight (overweight [OW] or obesity). PubMed, Medline, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library were systemically searched for studies that compared the iron status before and after a weight‐loss intervention. A random‐effects model was used to calculate the pooled and subgroup weighted mean differences (WMDs) of iron biomarkers. In total, 879 subjects were pooled across 14 studies. Improved haemoglobin was found in longitudinal studies (WMD = 2.50 g/dl, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.88, 4.12 g/dl, I2 = 14%) but not in randomized controlled trials or after being stratified by dietary programmes. Significantly increased transferrin saturation was observed in pooled (WMD = 1.68%, 95% CI: 0.97%, 2.39%, I2 = 44%) and subgroup analyses. A meta‐regression showed that changes in the iron status were positively correlated with changes in the body mass index (BMI) and the intervention duration but negatively correlated with the baseline body weight/BMI, age, gender and a standard hypocaloric diet. Our data suggested that in spite of energy restrictions, weight loss may help re‐establish iron homoeostasis in people who are OW or obese.
Primary prevention of overweight and obesity in adolescents: An overview of systematic reviews
Authors: Flodgren Gerd M. , Helleve Arnfinn , Lobstein Tim , Rutter Harry , Klepp Knut‐Inge
Published: July 2020

The aim of this overview of systematic reviews was to summarize evidence from up‐to‐date reviews of the effectiveness of interventions aimed at preventing overweight and obesity in adolescents aged 10 to 19 years. We searched nine databases for systematic reviews published between January 2008 and November 2019. We used A Measurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews (AMSTAR) 2 to assess the quality of reviews, excluding those of critically low quality, and the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations (GRADE) tool to grade the certainty of included evidence. We included 13 reviews. Three reviews focused on dietary behaviour, six on physical activity, and four on both types of behaviours. Individual‐oriented and school‐based interventions dominated. Results across reviews showed little or no effect on body mass index, or physical activity levels of adolescents, whereas results from a couple of reviews suggest possibly beneficial effects of public health interventions on dietary behaviours (i.e., consumption of sugar‐sweetened beverages). The certainty of evidence was low to very low for all outcomes. Overall, the evidence base for the effect of primary interventions to prevent overweight and obesity in adolescents is weak. In particular, there is a lack of reviews assessing the impact of environmental interventions targeting adolescents, and reviews addressing social inequality are virtually absent from this body of literature.
Expression profile of lipoxygenases in gingival tissues of human periodontitis
Authors: Lin Lu , Yu Weijun , Zhang Weiqi , Li Shuang , Hu Shucheng , Jiang Bin , Gu Yuting , Lu Eryi
Published: July 2020

Objectives

This study aimed to clarify the expression profile and significance of lipoxygenases in periodontitis.

Materials and Methods

The mRNA levels of lipoxygenases in gingival tissues from 14 patients with periodontitis and 14 healthy individuals were determined by real‐time PCR, and validated in datasets, GSE16134 and GSE10334, and by Western blotting. Correlation of differentially expressed lipoxygenases with clinical parameters and expression of tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α), interleukin‐1β, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‐8, MMP‐9, and receptor activator of nuclear factor‐κB ligand (RANKL) was investigated in patients with periodontitis by Spearman's correlation analysis.

Results

The expression of ALOX5 (2.1‐fold, p < .05), ALOX12B (2.9‐fold, p < .001), and ALOX15B (9.4‐fold, p < .001) was upregulated in gingival tissues from patients with periodontitis, which was validated by dataset analysis and Western blotting. Positive correlations were observed between ALOX5 and probing depth, and ALOX15B and probing depth and clinical attachment loss. Furthermore, ALOX5 expression was positively correlated with TNF‐α, MMP‐8, MMP‐9, and RANKL expression, and ALOX15B was positively correlated with MMP‐8 and RANKL.

Conclusions

Our findings indicated the upregulation of ALOX5 and ALOX15B in periodontitis and suggested that ALOX5 and ALOX15B may be involved in periodontitis pathogenesis, including inflammation, connective tissue destruction, and abnormal bone metabolism.
HUNTING STORIES IN SCANDINAVIAN ROCK ART: ASPECTS OF ‘TELLABILITY’ IN THE NORTH VERSUS THE SOUTH
Authors: Ranta Michael , Skoglund Peter , Persson Tomas , Gjerde Jan Magne
Published: July 2020

Scandinavian petroglyphs have given rise to vivid interpretations, often related to Old Norse religion and Indo‐European mythology. However, we still do not know if, how or to what extent these images are really telling stories. In this paper, we shall analyse the ways in which Scandinavian northern and southern traditions (in Alta, Northern Norway and in Norrköping, Middle Sweden, respectively) depict hunting narratives. While the northern tradition may render several phases and procedural aspects of the hunt, the southern one tends to be more focused on the killing itself, or the confrontational aspects of the hunt.

A preliminary observation is that the scenes differ in ways that reflect not only different hunting traditions, but also imply different foci of interest. Put in another way, they emphasize different aspects of the hunting activity itself, of what is relevant, worth telling, or ‘tellable’.
Optimal Sagittal Insertion Depth and Direction of Femoral Intramedullary Rod in Total Knee Arthroplasty in Chinese Osteoarthritis Patients
Authors: Ou Yong‐liang , Li Ping‐yue , Xia Hong
Published: July 2020

Objective

To identify the optimal femoral intramedullary rod insertion depth and direction on the sagittal plane in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) of Chinese osteoarthritis (OA) patients.

Methods

From January to December 2019, CT data were collected for 85 consecutive entire lower extremity Chinese OA patients. A three‐dimensional method was used to simulate intramedullary rod penetration. The intramedullary rods were inserted toward the anterior (TA), center (TC), and posterior (TP) of the femoral canal, respectively. Four penetration depths of 150, 200, 250, and 300 mm from the joint line were set. The intersection angle was measured between the simulated intramedullary rod and the mechanical axis of the femur (FMA) on the sagittal plane.

Results

Our study included 85 Chinese OA patients: 46 women, with a mean age of 65.7 ± 8.4 years (range, 51–85 years) and 39 men, with a mean age of 65.6 ± 8.1 years (range, 46–86 years). The intersection angle between the FMA and the femoral anatomical axis was smaller in men, 2.4° ± 1.6° (range, 0°–4.8°), than in women, 3.5° ± 2.3° (range, 0.7º–8.2°), with a significant statistical difference (P < 0.01). In the comparison of the intersection angle between the simulated intramedullary rod and the FMA, there was no statistical difference between TA200 and TC200 in women (P > 0.05). The proportions were up to 91% and 96% of TA200 at 0°–3° and 0°–5° intervals, respectively, but just 63% and 78% in TC200. In TA150, 76% of intersection angles were greater than 5°. Only approximately 60% in TA250 and TA300 were within the 0°–5° interval and 40% were less than 0°. Only 57% of intersection angles in TC150 were in the 0°–3° interval. TC250, TC300, and TP150 were mostly below 0°. In men, there were statistical differences between all groups. All intersection angles were greater than 5° in TA150. TA200 and TA250 were mostly greater than 5° (87% and 59%, respectively) and 72% of intersection angles were within 0°–5° interval in TA300. TC150 had 92% of intersection angles within the 0°–5° interval but only 62% between the 0° and 3° interval. In the TC200, up to 90% and 97% were within 0°–3° and 0°–5° intervals, respectively. TC300, TP150, and TP200 were mostly below 0°.

Conclusion

We described an innovative method for rapidly, simply, and accurately identifying the sagittal insertion depth and direction of the femoral intramedullary rod in TKA, which can optimize the position of the femoral prosthetic component on the sagittal plane in TKA.
Comprehensive transcriptome and proteome analyses reveal a novel sodium chloride responsive gene network in maize seed tissues during germination
Authors: Chen Mo‐Xian , Lu Chong‐Chong , Sun Peng‐Cheng , Nie Yong‐Xin , Tian Yuan , Hu Qi‐Juan , Das Debatosh , Hou Xuan‐Xuan , Gao Bei , Chen Xi , Liu Shou‐Xu , Zheng Cheng‐Chao , Zhao Xiang‐Yu , Dai Lei , Zhang Jianhua , Liu Ying‐Gao
Published: July 2020

Germination is a plant developmental process by which radicle of mature seeds start to penetrate surrounding barriers for seedling establishment and multiple environmental factors have been shown to affect it. Little is known how high salinity affects seed germination of C4 plant, Zea mays. Preliminary germination assay suggested that isolated embryo alone was able to germinate under 200 mM NaCl treatment, whereas the intact seeds were highly repressed. We hypothesized that maize endosperm may function in perception and transduction of salt signal to surrounding tissues such as embryo, showing a completely different response to that in Arabidopsis. Since salt response involves ABA, we analysed in vivo ABA distribution and quantity and the result demonstrated that ABA level in isolated embryo under NaCl treatment failed to increase in comparison with the water control, suggesting that the elevation of ABA level is an endosperm dependent process. Subsequently, by using advanced profiling techniques such as RNA sequencing and SWATH‐MS‐based quantitative proteomics, we found substantial differences in post‐transcriptional and translational changes between salt‐treated embryo and endosperm. In summary, our results indicate that these regulatory mechanisms, such as alternative splicing, are likely to mediate early responses to salt stress during maize seed germination.
Thoracoscopic sympathicotomy for the treatment of intolerable palmar and axillary hyperhidrosis in children is associated with high recurrence rates
Authors: Verhaegh Arjan J. F. P. , Kuijpers Michiel , Boon Maartje , DeJongste Mike J. L. , Bouma Wobbe , Mariani Massimo A. , Klinkenberg Theo J.
Published: July 2020

Background

Treatment of palmar and axillary primary focal hyperhidrosis (PFH) in children up to 16 years using thoracoscopic sympathicotomy is supported by scarce evidence. Therefore, this study aimed to summarize the results of our standardized bilateral, one‐stage, single‐port sympathicotomy (BOSS) in children up to 16 years of age.

Methods

Consecutive children (n = 14) up to 16 years of age undergoing BOSS between October 2011 and June 2015 in our institution were included in this retrospective study.

Results

Recurrence of primary hyperhidrosis was noted in seven patients (50.0%), of whom five patients (35.7%) underwent reoperation. Reoperations were associated with placement of additional thoracoscopic ports (n = 1; 12.5%), intraoperative placement of pleural drains (n = 2; 25%), and prolonged air leak (n = 1; 12.5%). Despite the high recurrence and reoperation rates, overall patient satisfaction was high with a median satisfaction score of 7.5 (interquartile range of 1.75; range: 4‐9).

Conclusion

Although the overall patient satisfaction score in our cohort was good, BOSS for the treatment of intolerable palmar and axillary PFH in children up to 16 years of age is associated with a high recurrence and reoperation rate.
Impact of immediate post‐transplant parenteral iron therapy on the prevalence of anemia and short‐term allograft function in a cohort of pediatric and adolescent renal transplant recipients
Authors: Iorember Franca , Aviles Diego , Bamgbola Oluwatoyin
Published: July 2020

Anemia is common but under‐diagnosed and often inadequately treated in KTX recipients. ID is the major cause of early‐onset anemia. We introduced routine use of parenteral (IV) iron in patients (2‐18 years) who had KTX between January 2011 and December 2015. We explored the clinical benefits of this practice by comparing the iron‐treated subjects [TX] with historical controls who had KTX between 2005 and 2010. The prevalence of anemia at 6 months (early‐onset) for the cohort (both the study group and controls) was 55% and for anemia at 12 months (late‐onset) was 60%. Although cause‐effect relationship may not be proven in a retrospective study design, there was a significant greater frequency of ID and anemia at 3 (P < .02) and 6 months (P < .04), and a reduced allograft function (eGFR < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2) at 12 (P = .03) and 24 months (P = .04) of KTX in the control arm. Furthermore, a greater proportion of the control arm required either ESA (P = .03) or blood transfusion (P = .04) as a rescue treatment for moderate‐to‐severe anemia. In conclusion, routine parenteral iron treatment was associated with a lower prevalence of early‐ and late‐onset anemia, and a lower requirement for either ESA rescue or blood transfusion.
An Empirical Assessment of the Intrusiveness and Reasonableness of Emerging Work Surveillance Technologies in the Public Sector
Authors: Charbonneau Étienne , Doberstein Carey
Published: July 2020

As public sector work environments continue to embrace the digital governance revolution, questions of work surveillance practices and its relationship to performance management continue to evolve, but even more dramatically in the contemporary period of many public servants being forced to shift to remote work from home in response to the COVID‐19 pandemic. This article presents the results of three surveys, two of them population‐based survey experiments, all conducted during the onset of the COVID‐19 pandemic in Canada that compare public servant (n = 346) and citizen (n = 1,008 phone; n = 2,001 web) attitudes to various cutting‐edge—though no doubt controversial among some—digital surveillance tools that can be used in the public sector to monitor employee work patterns, often targeted toward remote working conditions. The findings represent data that can help governments and public service associations navigate difficult questions of reasonable privacy intrusions in an increasing digitally connected workforce.

Evidence for Practice

New work surveillance technologies are available to use within the public sector and will present acceptability challenges to public managers as they contemplate the introduction of these technologies.

Multimodal survey data from Canada reveals that public servants and citizens find these emerging work surveillance technologies to be quite intrusive and unreasonable but show relatively more tolerance for digital surveillance over physical surveillance practices.

Understanding surveillance anxieties among targeted employees will be key to finding a balance between employee privacy rights and employer desires to manage employees in a remote or digital environment.
At the Juncture of Administrative Evil and Administrative Racism: The Obstacles and Opportunities for Public Administrators in the United States to Uphold Civil Rights in the Twenty‐First Century
Authors: Williams Brian N. , Duckett Brendin
Published: July 2020

We use a case‐study approach to examine the obstacles and opportunities for public administrators who seek to uphold the civil and human rights of residents in the United States during the twenty‐first century. In particular, our analysis of two cases—one historical and the other contemporary—reveals what occurs at the juncture of administrative evil and administrative racism, where politicians, policymakers, and those who implement policies engage in intentional and functional acts that harm marginalized populations. These actions, which discriminate against and oppress people and communities of color, are antithetical to the core ideals of American democracy and the central tenet of contemporary public administration: social equity. We conclude by offering practical and pedagogical prescriptions to strengthen social equity for all members of the American public in the hope of achieving Martin Luther King's dream of a Beloved Community.
Modularity in making: simplifying solution space for user innovation
Authors: Naik Hari Suman , Fritzsche Albrecht , Moeslein Kathrin M.
Published: July 2020

An increasingly popular form of open innovation in the digital age is ‘making,’ where users innovate across multiple disciplines and make products that meet their needs, using mechanical, electronic, and digital components. These users have at their disposal, a wide solution space for innovation through various modular toolkits enabled by digital‐age technologies. This study explores and outlines how these users simplify this wide solution space to innovate and make tangible products. Following a modularity theory perspective, it draws on case studies of users and their innovations: (1) Users with initial prototype product designs based on the Internet of things (IoT) from a maker event and (2) users with established product designs from the online community platform Thingiverse. The studies found that users reused the design in the form of existing off‐the‐shelf products and utilized digital fabrication and low‐cost electronics hardware as a ‘glue’ to create physical and informational interfaces wherever needed, enabling bottom‐up modularity. They iteratively refined their innovations, gradually replacing re‐used designs with own integrated designs, reducing modularity, and reducing wastage. The study contributes to open innovation and modularity with implications on the design of products and toolkits enabled by the digital age.
The continued effort sharing approach in EU climate law: Binding targets, challenging enforcement?
Authors: Peeters Marjan , Athanasiadou Natassa
Published: July 2020

With the Effort Sharing Regulation, Member States are challenged to steer their societies – particularly the agriculture, buildings, waste and transport sectors – towards lower greenhouse gas emissions. The Effort Sharing Regulation illustrates the large extent to which the European Union (EU) relies on the use of hard law for addressing climate change, including binding enforcement provisions. The approach of the Effort Sharing Regulation is, in essence, simple: it consists of individual binding emission reduction targets for Member States, which are given various options to achieve compliance in a supposedly flexible, cost‐effective way. In this sense, the effort sharing approach is a continuation of the regulatory approach put forward by the Kyoto Protocol. The Effort Sharing Regulation can also serve as an example for third countries to adopt binding emission reduction targets, and it can be considered whether it would be beneficial to link such binding targets of third countries with this EU mechanism. However, a closer look at the Regulation highlights the challenges for its implementation, and the correct use of flexibilities, together with the proper application of the monitoring and enforcement provisions will be key for a successful outcome. The reputation of the EU taking leadership for combating climate change hinges on demonstrating compliance and on taking effective enforcement action where needed.
Imaging reveals distinct textures at three infant skin sites and reflects skin barrier status
Authors: O Visscher Marty , Narendran Vivek
Published: July 2020

Background

Infant diaper dermatitis (DD) is a prevalent condition due to multiple, interactive factors including increased skin hydration, irritant exposure, and increased skin pH. We examined diaper dermatitis vs within diaper and non‐diaper controls over time and characterized the association of skin color and texture relative to skin barrier integrity, hydration, and pH.

Materials and Methods

The prospective study included 46 infants with DD at well‐child visits. Skin integrity was evaluated over 15 days, including visual skin condition, rate of stratum corneum transepidermal water accumulation, hydration, pH, and skin color and texture from high‐resolution digital skin surface images. Effects by site and time were evaluated with general linear models.

Results

Six distinct texture patterns were observed. All three sites differed significantly for texture class frequency. Normal dermatoglyphics were more frequent for non‐diaper vs both within diaper and rash sites. Dermatoglyphics with marked furrows or lines (class 3) were common within diaper vs rash but not for non‐diaper vs within diaper. Streaks were highest for DD and lowest for non‐diaper. Flat regions were more frequent DD. Barrier integrity, that is, moisture accumulation rate, was lower for normal dermatoglyphics than streaks or flat texture. DD severity decreased over 15 days. Barrier properties of within diaper and non‐diaper areas were not well‐differentiated.

Conclusion

The incidence of streak texture in the within diaper high magnification images was high despite being visually normal. This finding suggests that it is an “early indicator” of skin damage and may be clinically useful for early detection and treatment.