bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Positive and negative interspecific interactions between coexisting rice planthoppers neutralise the effects of elevated temperatures
Authors: Horgan Finbarr G. , Arida Arriza , Ardestani Goli , Almazan Maria Liberty P.
Published: September 2020

Global warming is often predicted to increase damage to plants through direct effects on insect herbivores. However, the indirect impacts of rising temperatures on herbivores, mediated through interactions with their biotic environment, could dampen these effects.

Using a series of reciprocal density experiments with gravid females and developing nymphs, we examined interspecific competition between two coexisting phloem feeders Nilaparvata lugens (BPH) and Sogatella furcifera (WBPH), on rice at 25 and 30°C.

WBPH performed better (i.e. adults survived longer, nymphs developed faster and grew larger) at 25°C and BPH (i.e. nymphs developed faster) at 30°C. However, contrary to predictions, WBPH had a greater effect in reducing oviposition and nymph performance in BPH at 30°C.

A decoupling of resource use by WBPH and its antagonistic effects on BPH at the higher temperature suggests that WBPH feeding induces host defences that reduce BPH fitness (i.e. interference competition). Meanwhile, BPH facilitated WBPH oviposition at 30°C and facilitated WBPH nymph performance at 25 and 30°C. Greater facilitation of feeding in WBPH nymphs by BPH at high densities suggests that mechanical damage and host responses to damage increased the fitness of the heterospecific nymphs.

Although BPH also facilitated egg‐laying by WBPH, intra‐ and interspecific crowding countered this facilitation at both temperatures. Simulated life tables for planthoppers at 25 and 30°C depicted significantly lower offspring numbers on rice infested by WBPH alone and from mixed BPH‐WBPH infestations than from infestations by BPH alone.

Our results indicate how interference competition—mediated through host plant defences—can increase ecosystem resilience to the warmer temperatures predicted under global climate change.

A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.
How butterflies keep their cool: Physical and ecological traits influence thermoregulatory ability and population trends
Authors: Bladon Andrew J. , Lewis Matthew , Bladon Eleanor K. , Buckton Sam J. , Corbett Stuart , Ewing Steven R. , Hayes Matthew P. , Hitchcock Gwen E. , Knock Richard , Lucas Colin , McVeigh Adam , Menéndez Rosa , Walker Jonah M. , Fayle Tom M. , Turner Edgar C.
Published: September 2020

Understanding which factors influence the ability of individuals to respond to changing temperatures is fundamental to species conservation under climate change.

We investigated how a community of butterflies responded to fine‐scale changes in air temperature, and whether species‐specific responses were predicted by ecological or morphological traits.

Using data collected across a UK reserve network, we investigated the ability of 29 butterfly species to buffer thoracic temperature against changes in air temperature. First, we tested whether differences were attributable to taxonomic family, morphology or habitat association. We then investigated the relative importance of two buffering mechanisms: behavioural thermoregulation versus fine‐scale microclimate selection. Finally, we tested whether species' responses to changing temperatures predicted their population trends from a UK‐wide dataset.

We found significant interspecific variation in buffering ability, which varied between families and increased with wing length. We also found interspecific differences in the relative importance of the two buffering mechanisms, with species relying on microclimate selection suffering larger population declines over the last 40 years than those that could alter their temperature behaviourally.

Our results highlight the importance of understanding how different species respond to fine‐scale temperature variation, and the value of taking microclimate into account in conservation management to ensure favourable conditions are maintained for temperature‐sensitive species.
Individual specialization in the use of space by frugivorous bats
Authors: Kerches‐Rogeri Patricia , Niebuhr Bernardo Brandão , Muylaert Renata Lara , Mello Marco Aurelio Ribeiro
Published: September 2020

Natural populations are not homogenous systems but sets of individuals that occupy subsets of the species’ niche. This phenomenon is known as individual specialization. Recently, several studies found evidence of individual specialization in animal diets. Diet is a critical dimension of a species’ niche that affects several other dimensions, including space use, which has been poorly studied under the light of individual specialization.

In this study, which harnesses the framework of the movement ecology paradigm and uses yellow–shouldered bats Sturnira lilium as a model, we ask how food preferences lead individual bats of the same population to forage mainly in different locations and habitats.

Ten individual bats were radiotracked in a heterogeneous Brazilian savanna. First, we modelled intraspecific variation in space use as a network of individual bats and the landscape elements visited by them. Second, we developed two novel metrics, the spatial individual specialization index (SpatIS) and the spatial individual complementary specialization index (SpatICS). Additionally, we tested food‐plant availability as a driver of interindividual differences in space use.

There was large interindividual variation in space use not explained by sex or weight. Our results point to individual specialization in space use in the studied population of S. lilium, most probably linked to food–plant distribution.

Individual specialization affects not only which plant species frugivores consume, but also the way they move in space, ultimately with consequences for seed dispersal and landscape connectivity.
The projected degradation of subtropical coral assemblages by recurrent thermal stress
Authors: Cant James , Salguero‐Gómez Roberto , Kim Sun W. , Sims Carrie A. , Sommer Brigitte , Brooks Maxime , Malcolm Hamish A. , Pandolfi John M. , Beger Maria
Published: September 2020

Subtropical coral assemblages are threatened by similar extreme thermal stress events to their tropical counterparts. Yet, the mid‐ and long‐term thermal stress responses of corals in subtropical environments remain largely unquantified, limiting our capacity to predict their future viability.

The annual survival, growth and recruitment of 311 individual corals within the Solitary Islands Marine Park (Australia) was recorded over a 3‐year period (2016–2018), including the 2015/2016 thermal stress event. These data were used to parameterise integral projection models quantifying the effect of thermal stress within a subtropical coral assemblage. Stochastic simulations were also applied to evaluate the implications of recurrent thermal stress scenarios predicted by four different Representative Concentration Pathways.

We report differential shifts in population growth rates (λ) among coral populations during both stress and non‐stress periods, confirming contrasting bleaching responses among taxa. However, even during non‐stress periods, the observed dynamics for all taxa were unable to maintain current community composition, highlighting the need for external recruitment sources to support the community structure.

Across all coral taxa, projected stochastic growth rates (λs) were found to be lowest under higher emissions scenarios. Correspondingly, predicted increases in recurrent thermal stress regimes may accelerate the loss of coral coverage, species diversity and structural complexity within subtropical regions.

We suggest that these trends are primarily due to the susceptibility of subtropical specialists and endemic species, such as Pocillopora aliciae, to thermal stress. Similarly, the viability of many tropical coral populations at higher latitudes is highly dependent on the persistence of up‐current tropical systems. As such, the inherent dynamics of subtropical coral populations appear unable to support their future persistence under unprecedented thermal disturbance scenarios.
Citizen science involving farmers as a means to document temporal trends in farmland biodiversity and relate them to agricultural practices
Authors: Billaud Olivier , Vermeersch Rose‐Line , Porcher Emmanuelle
Published: September 2020

Agricultural intensification is often recognized as a major driver of the decline of wild biodiversity in farmland. However, few studies have managed to collect relevant data to link the temporal dynamics of farmland biodiversity to the characteristics of intensive agriculture over large geographical areas.

We used 7 years of data from a French citizen science programme, wherein 1,216 farmers monitored biodiversity in 2,382 fields encompassing field crops, meadows, vineyards or orchards, to examine the temporal trends in abundance of five taxonomic groups of invertebrates (solitary bees, earthworms, butterflies, beetles, molluscs) and their links with agronomic practices and surrounding landscape.

We observed significant temporal trends in abundance for many taxonomic groups and in many crop types. Flying taxa (solitary bees and butterflies) were generally declining, while the trends of soil taxa were more variable. Most trends were significantly related to farming practices or landscape features. We observed a negative link between use of synthetic inputs (pesticides, mineral fertilization) and the trend in abundance of flying taxa in field crops, while in meadows organic or mineral fertilization was the main explanatory practice, with contrasting relationships across taxonomic groups. Besides, the trend in abundance of beetles and molluscs was more positive in permanent versus temporary meadows. Finally, in vineyards, the trend in abundance of solitary bees was positively related to the presence of woodland in the landscape, whereas the reverse was true in meadows.

Synthesis and applications. Our results provide further support for the role of citizen science as a promising source of large‐scale spatial and temporal data in farmland, contributing to the identification of agronomic practices that can help mitigate biodiversity decline. Our analyses suggest that reducing chemical inputs may not only reduce the decline in bees and butterflies, but sometimes even promote their regrowth. Increasing organic fertilization may foster bee and beetle abundance in meadows but reduce mollusc abundance, while preventing ploughing of meadows may promote soil invertebrate abundance. Finally, such citizen science programmes engage farmers to undertake monitoring. Whether such group engagement may also contribute to biodiversity conservation by raising farmers’ awareness remains to be addressed.
Initial psychometric evaluation of the Hartley Knows Writing Shapes Assessment Version 2 with typically developing children between the ages of 4 and 8
Authors: Pavlos Katerina , McKenzie Maria , Knightbridge Elizabeth , Bourke‐Taylor Helen
Published: September 2020

Introduction

Despite advances in technology, handwriting still remains an important part of the school curriculum. Especially during the early years of schooling, handwriting difficulties have been shown to negatively affect academic success. Consequently, occupational therapists rely on sound psychometric tools to assess a child's visual motor abilities and implement appropriate strategies to facilitate their handwriting outcomes. The Hartley Knows Writing Shapes Assessment Version 2 (HKWSA‐V2) evaluates knowledge of writing shapes, ability to replicate writing shapes and knowledge of handwriting concepts used in the Hartley Knows Writing Program (HKWP). The current study describes the initial development and psychometric evaluation of the HKWSA‐V2.

Method

Typically developing children (N = 50) between 4 and 8 years old, completed two visual motor assessments: the HKWSA‐V2 and the Beery Buktenica Developmental Test of Visual Motor Integration 6th Ed. (Beery VMI). Guided by the COnsensus‐based standards for the Selection of health Measurement INstruments, statistical analysis was conducted using various non‐parametric tests to assess the internal consistency, construct, and criterion validity of the HKWSA‐V2.

Results

The internal consistency of the HKWSA‐V2 ranged between adequate and excellent (Cronbach's α = 0.61–0.88). Construct validity as hypothesised, was supported with strong correlations found between groups of children who had and had not been involved in the HKWP. Statistically significant differences were also found in HKWSA‐V2 scores based on the child's chronological age (r = .51, p < .01; r = .34, p < .05) and year level (p = .00). Criterion validity was substantiated with moderate to strong correlations found between all HKWSA‐V2 scales and subscales and the Beery VMI subscales (ρ = 0.06–0.53).

Conclusion

Evaluation of the tool provides promising initial psychometric findings. The tool allows professionals and clinicians to evaluate a child's visual motor abilities according to concepts learnt within the HKWP. Further development of the HKWSA‐V2 is warranted.
Making financial uncertainty count: Unit‐linked insurance, investment and the individualisation of financial risk in British life insurance
Authors: van der Heide Arjen
Published: September 2020

While most scholarship in the sociology of insurance has focused on the making of insurance risk by investigating mechanisms of pooling and spreading, this article examines insurers’ management of financial uncertainty. Based on a large corpus of written sources and 44 semi‐structured oral history interviews, this article seeks to describe and explain a shift in how financial uncertainty is dealt with in British life insurance, away from traditional multipolar arrangements revolving around actuarial prudence and discretion, towards bipolar arrangements that rely on explicit risk quantification and the logic of risk‐based capital to “individualise” financial risk. The article identifies two factors that were key in bringing about this shift: first, the competitive dynamics that unfolded with the emergence of challenger “unit‐linked” insurers in the 1960s, and, second, changes in the professional ecology, as manifested by the changing relations between the actuarial profession and insurance supervisors.
Codifying a crisis: Progressing from information sharing to distributed decision‐making
Authors: Treurniet Willem , Wolbers Jeroen
Published: September 2020

A key challenge in crisis management is maintaining an adequate information position to support coherent decision‐making between a range of actors. Such distributed decision‐making is often supported by a common operational picture that not only conveys factual information but also attempts to codify a dynamic and vibrant crisis management process. In this paper, we explain why it is so difficult to move from information sharing towards support for distributed decision‐making. We argue that two key processes need to be considered: supporting both the translation of meaning and the transformation of interests between those on the front line and those in the remote response network. Our analysis compares the information‐sharing processes in three large‐scale emergency response operations in the Netherlands. Results indicate that on several occasions the collaborative decision‐making process was hampered because actors limited themselves to factual information exchange. The decision‐making process only succeeds when actors take steps to resolve their varying interpretations and interests. This insight offers important lessons for improving information management doctrines and for supporting distributed decision‐making processes.
Cervical cancer prevention in transgender men: a review
Authors: Weyers S , Garland SM , Cruickshank M , Kyrgiou M , Arbyn M
Published: September 2020

There is increased awareness of transgender physical and mental health widely and in academic research. A significant proportion of transgender men will retain their cervix with an increased risk of cervical cancer. In this review of cervical cancer screening among transgender men, we try to estimate how many transgender men still have a cervix, understand to identify challenges and barriers to cervical screening and propose possible solutions. Organised cervical screening programmes need to consider the needs of this population, in particular the provision of HPV self‐sampling.

Tweetable abstract

Transgender men need access to cervical screening.
Identification of bacteriophages in the vagina of pregnant women: a descriptive study
Authors: da Costa AC , Moron AF , Forney LJ , Linhares IM , Sabino E , Costa SF , Mendes‐Correa MC , Witkin SS
Published: September 2020

Objective

To determine the presence and identity of extracellular bacteriophage (phage) families, genera and species in the vagina of pregnant women.

Design

Descriptive, observational cohort study.

Setting

São Paulo, Brazil.

Population

Pregnant women at 21–24 weeks’ gestation.

Methods

Vaginal samples from 107 women whose vaginal microbiome and pregnancy outcomes were previously determined were analysed for phages by metagenomic sequencing.

Main outcome measures

Identification of phage families, genera and species.

Results

Phages were detected in 96 (89.7%) of the samples. Six different phage families were identified: Siphoviridae in 69.2%, Myoviridae in 49.5%, Microviridae in 37.4%, Podoviridae in 20.6%, Herelleviridae in 10.3% and Inviridae in 1.9% of the women. Four different phage families were present in 14 women (13.1%), three families in 20 women (18.7%), two families in 31 women (29.1%) and one family in 31 women (29.1%). The most common phage species detected were Bacillus phages in 48 (43.6%), Escherichia phages in 45 (40.9%), Staphylococcus phages in 40 (36.4%), Gokushovirus in 33 (30.0%) and Lactobacillus phages in 29 (26.4%) women. In a preliminary exploratory analysis, there were no associations between a particular phage family, the number of phage families present in the vagina or any particular phage species and either gestational age at delivery or the bacterial community state type present in the vagina.

Conclusions

Multiple phages are present in the vagina of most mid‐trimester pregnant women.

Tweetable abstract

Bacteriophages are present in the vagina of most pregnant women.
Radiodense bullet wipe around osseous entrance gunshot wounds
Authors: Lukefahr Ashley L. , Vollner Jennifer M. , Anderson Bruce E. , Winston David C.
Published: September 2020

“Bullet wipe” is the material deposited by a bullet on any surface with which it comes into contact after it is fired and may contain debris from the gun barrel, including particles of primer and metal fragments from previously fired bullets. X‐ray analysis is a non‐destructive method by which traces of metallic elements can be visually detected. The analysis of osseous defects for radiodense bullet wipe (RBW) assists in determining the presence or absence of perforating gunshot wounds, especially in fragmented, skeletonized remains. The aim of our current study was to determine the frequency of RBW around entrance firearms injuries that perforated bone. We prospectively analyzed entrance gunshot wounds for RBW over a three‐year period using digital X‐ray analysis (n = 59). We retrospectively reviewed the corresponding autopsy reports to determine the frequency of RBW by biologic sex, reported ancestry, age‐at‐death, location of wound, manner of death, range of fire, bullet caliber, and presence of bullet jacket. Data were analyzed by Fisher's exact test or Chi‐square test with significance levels accepted at p < 0.05. RBW was present in 66% (n = 39) of examined cases. Decedent characteristics did not significantly alter RBW distribution, including biologic sex (p = 0.75), reported ancestry (p = 0.49), and age‐at‐death (p = 0.43). Additionally, the location of the osseous entrance gunshot wound, manner of death, range of fire, and cartridge caliber did not affect RBW detection. All cases involving non‐jacketed rounds (n = 5) showed RBW (p = 0.30). To our knowledge, this study is the first to report the frequency of RBW detection from osseous entrance gunshot wounds.
Modulation of gut mucosal microbiota as a mechanism of probiotics‐based adjunctive therapy for ulcerative colitis
Authors: Chen Ping , Xu Haiyan , Tang Hai , Zhao Feiyan , Yang Chengcong , Kwok Lai‐Yu , Cong Chunli , Wu YanFang , Zhang Wenyi , Zhou XiaoFeng , Zhang Heping
Published: September 2020

This was a pilot study aiming to evaluate the effects of probiotics as adjunctive treatment for ulcerative colitis (UC). Twenty‐five active patients with UC were assigned to the probiotic (n = 12) and placebo (n = 13) groups. The probiotic group received mesalazine (60 mg kg−1 day−1) and oral probiotics (containing Lactobacillus casei Zhang, Lactobacillus plantarum P‐8 and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis V9) twice daily for 12 weeks, while the placebo group received the same amounts of mesalazine and placebo. The clinical outcomes were assessed. The gut mucosal microbiota was profiled by PacBio single‐molecule, real‐time (SMRT) sequencing of the full‐length 16S rRNA of biopsy samples obtained by colonoscopy. A significantly greater magnitude of reduction was observed in the UC disease activity index (UCDAI) in the probiotic group compared with the placebo group (P = 0.043), accompanying by a higher remission rate (91.67% for probiotic‐receivers versus 69.23% for placebo‐receivers, P = 0.034). The probiotics could protect from diminishing of the microbiota diversity and richness. Moreover, the gut mucosal microbiota of the probiotic‐receivers had significantly more beneficial bacteria like Eubacterium ramulus (P < 0.05), Pediococcus pentosaceus (P < 0.05), Bacteroides fragilis (P = 0.02) and Weissella cibaria (P = 0.04). Additionally, the relative abundances of the beneficial bacteria correlated significantly but negatively with the UCDAI score, suggesting that the probiotics might alleviate UC symptoms by modulating the gut mucosal microbiota. Our research has provided new insights into the mechanism of symptom alleviation in UC by applying probiotic‐based adjunctive treatment.
Envisioning emerging frontiers on human gut microbiota and its applications
Authors: Ventura Marco , Milani Christian , Turroni Francesca , van Sinderen Douwe
Published: September 2020

The human gut microbiota is involved in multiple health‐influencing host interactions during the host’s entire life span. Microbes colonize the infant gut instantaneously after birth and subsequently the founding and interactive progress of this early gut microbiota is considered to be driven and modulated by different host‐ and microbe‐associated forces. A rising number of studies propose that the composition of the human gut microbiota in the early stages of life impact on the human health conditions at later stages of life. This notion has powered research aimed at detailed investigations of the infant gut microbiota composition. Nevertheless, the molecular mechanisms supporting the gut microbiome functionality and the interaction of the early gut microbes with the human host remain largely unknown.
Use of glucocorticoids in the management of immunotherapy‐related adverse effects
Authors: Wang Hanping , Zhou Jiaxin , Guo Xiaoxiao , Li Yue , Duan Lian , SI Xiaoyan , Zhang Li
Published: September 2020

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) activate host antitumor immunity to kill tumor cells. However, ICI therapy may be accompanied by a series of immunotherapy‐related adverse effects (irAEs) caused by activated autoreactive T cells. Glucocorticoids are the mainstream therapy for irAEs. However, the usage, dosage and course of treatment of irAEs with glucocorticoids differs from those used in classic autoimmune diseases. Furthermore, the long‐term use of large doses of glucocorticoids may cause serious adverse effects. In this article, the mechanism, dosage forms, adverse effects and management of glucocorticoids are described in detail, providing references and suggestions for oncologists to use glucocorticoids in the treatment of irAEs.
Metastatic large cell carcinoma of the lung: A rare cause of acute small bowel obstruction
Authors: Kim Min Cheol , Jang Min Hye , Ahn June Hong
Published: September 2020

Here, we report a case of acute intestinal obstruction as the initial presentation of primary lung cancer in a male patient. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) showed multiple polypoid masses and regional lymphadenopathy with small bowel obstruction. The patient underwent emergency surgery for multiple luminal malignancy with mesenteric masses. According to the various clinicopathological features, the tumor was confirmed to be metastatic large cell carcinoma originating from the lung. Large masses in the left lower lobe of the lung were identified on the chest CT after emergency surgery, and non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), not otherwise specified (NOS), was finally diagnosed on biopsy through bronchoscopy.
Thrombocytopenia in intensive care unit patients: A scoping review
Authors: Jonsson Andreas Bender , Rygård Sofie Louise , Hildebrandt Thomas , Perner Anders , Møller Morten Hylander , Russell Lene
Published: September 2020

Background

Thrombocytopenia is frequent in intensive care unit (ICU) patients and may be associated with adverse outcomes. We aimed to assess the incidence, risk factors, and outcomes associated with thrombocytopenia in adult ICU patients.

Methods

We conducted a scoping review in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta‐analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA‐ScR) and the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach. We included study reports on adult ICU patients with thrombocytopenia and assessed patient‐important outcomes, including mortality and health‐related quality‐of‐life.

Results

We included a total of 70 studies comprising a total of 215 098 patients; 57 were cohort studies. The incidence of thrombocytopenia varied from 8 to 56 per 100 admissions (very low quality of evidence). We identified several risk factors including age, sepsis, and higher disease severity (low quality of evidence). Thrombocytopenia was associated with bleeding, use of life support, length of stay in the ICU, and increased mortality (low/very low quality of evidence). Data on platelet transfusion before invasive procedures and transfusion thresholds were limited. No studies assessed the benefits and harms of thromboprophylaxis in ICU patients with thrombocytopenia.

Conclusions

Thrombocytopenia is common and associated with increased morbidity and mortality in adult ICU patients. Several risk factors for thrombocytopenia exists, but the evidence‐base on management strategies, including transfusion thresholds and thromboprophylaxis in ICU patients is very limited.
Child Protection Team Consultation for Injuries Potentially Due to Child Abuse in Community Emergency Departments
Authors: Tiyyagura Gunjan , Emerson Beth , Gaither Julie R. , Bechtel Kirsten , Leventhal John M. , Becker Heather , Della Guistina Karen , Balga Thomas , Mackenzie Bonnie , Shum May , Shapiro Eugene D. , Auerbach Marc A. , McVaney Caitlin , Morrell Patricia , Asnes Andrea G.
Published: September 2020

Objectives

Emergency care for children is provided predominantly in community emergency departments (CEDs), where abusive injuries frequently go unrecognized. Increasing access to regional child abuse experts may improve detection of abuse in CEDs. In three CEDs, we intervened to increase involvement of a regional hospital child protection team (CPT) for injuries associated with abuse in children < 12 months old. We aimed to increase CPT consultations about these infants from the 3% baseline to an average of 50% over 12 months.

Methods

We interviewed CED providers to identify barriers and facilitators to recognizing and reporting abuse. Providers described difficulties differentiating abusive from nonabusive injuries and felt that a second opinion would help. Using a plan‐do‐study‐act approach, beginning in April 2018, we tested, refined, and implemented interventions to increase the frequency of CPT consultation, including leadership and champion engagement, provider training, clinical pathway implementation, and an audit and feedback process. Data were collected for 15 months before and 17 months after initiation of interventions. We used a statistical process control chart to track CPT consultations about children < 1 year old with high‐risk injuries, use of skeletal surveys (SSs), and reports to child protective services (CPS).

Results

Evidence of special cause was identified beginning in June 2018, with a shift of 8 points to one side of the center line. For the subsequent 8‐month period, the CPT was consulted for a mean of 47.5% of children with high‐risk injuries; this was sustained for an additional 7 months. The average percentage of infants with high‐risk injuries who received a SS increased from 6.7% to 18.9% and who were reported to CPS increased from 10.7% to 32.6%.

Conclusion

Targeted interventions in CEDs increased the frequency of CPT consultation, SS use, and reports to CPS for infants with high‐risk injuries. Such interventions may improve recognition of physical abuse.
Associations between Individual‐level and Area‐level social disadvantage and oral health behaviours in Australian adolescents
Authors: Kaunein Nadia , Singh Ankur , King Tania
Published: September 2020

Background

Oral health behaviours are significant determinants of oral health. There is evidence that socioeconomic position influences oral health behaviours, but little is known about this association during adolescence. This study aims to investigate the association between social disadvantage (individual and area level) and oral health behaviours among Australian adolescents.

Methods

This study utilized data from the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children (LSAC). The sample consisted of 2877 adolescents. Exposure measures were area‐level social disadvantage (Socioeconomic Indexes for Areas) and parent‐reported household income from Wave 5. Outcomes, measured in Wave 6, were three different adolescent‐reported oral health behaviours: frequency of brushing, consumption of sugar‐sweetened beverages (SSB) and dental visits. Associations between quintiles of each exposure and each oral health behaviour were tested by fitting multivariable logistic regression models.

Results

Household income and area‐level disadvantage were associated with dental visits and brushing frequency. Associations between social disadvantage and consumption of SSBs were less apparent, with only the least disadvantaged adolescents having lower odds of consumption of SSBs compared to the most disadvantaged group.

Conclusion

Individual and area‐level socioeconomic factors are associated with dental visits, and frequency of brushing.Broad population‐based strategies must be adopted to reduce intake of SSBs, however, targeted strategies are needed among more disadvantaged populations to address infrequent toothbrushing and irregular dental visits among adolescents.
Risk of nasopharyngeal carcinoma in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis: A nationwide propensity score matched study in Taiwan
Authors: Huang Po‐Wei , Chiou Yi‐Ran , Wu Shang‐Liang , Liu Ju‐Chi , Chiou Kuan‐Rau
Published: September 2020

Aims

Chronic inflammation is linked to cancer. This study aims to evaluate the association between chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) and nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) through a Taiwanese nationwide database.

Methods

We used the National Health Insurance Research Database between January 1, 2003, and December 31, 2012. The starting date is either the date of the first clinical visit or the diagnosis of CRS. Patients were followed up until the first occurrence of target disease or the last date of medical record. Propensity score 1 to 2 matching was used to match pairs of patients with/without CRS.

Results

A total of 951 380 eligible patients were included in our study, with 36 210 patients diagnosed with CRS. After 1 to 2 propensity score matching, non‐CRS cohort consisted of 69 258 patients and CRS cohort consisted of 34 629 patients. CRS was associated with the risk of developing NPC (adjusted OR = 2.23; 95% CI, 1.61–3.09). However, no significant association among CRS and NPC was observed in patients followed up for more than 1 year (adjusted OR = 1.16; 95% CI, 0.76–1.78).

Conclusions

Patients with CRS diagnosis have relationship with developing NPC within 1 year of follow‐up, but not for longer intervals. The short‐term association may be due to reversed causation or biased diagnosis. Accordingly, the study suggests CRS a weak role for NPC.
Selfish power and unselfish status in Chinese work situations
Authors: Jin Jian , Li Ye , Liu Siyun
Published: September 2020

The present research explored the selfishness of power and status as well as the mechanism in Chinese work situations. By using experimental and survey methods, two studies were designed to investigate the relationships among power, status, and self‐interested behaviour (SIB) as well as the mediating effect of perspective‐taking (PT). Results of the two studies consistently indicated that power increases whereas status reduces SIB. These opposing behavioural effects are partially attributed to the fact that power reduces whereas status increases PT. In addition, our results showed an interaction between power and status on SIB in Study 1 (interaction as a mental function), and a positive correlation between perceived power and status in Study 2 (correlation as a mental perception). Through the discussion from the perspective of the self/other‐orientation trait, as well as the stable effects of power and status on SIB in the two studies, we conclude that power is selfish and status is unselfish in Chinese work situations.
Chrono‐Socialism with Chinese Characteristics: Temporal Balancing and Moralities of Time in Contemporary Urban China
Authors: Mason Katherine A.
Published: September 2020

This article addresses the management and control of time in contemporary urban China. It traces how competing claims to, and experiences of, time as a limited resource shape the terms of moral engagement among middle‐class women, their families, their employers, and their friends. Drawing upon two distinct periods of fieldwork among middle‐class families in urban China between 2007 and 2017, I show how Chinese subjects balance private, public, and interpersonal claims on time, creating hybrid approaches to time management that I refer to as chrono‐socialism with Chinese characteristics. This balancing act is gendered: women, and especially mothers, are charged with protecting the moral status of their families and their children through effective temporal balancing. Paying attention to moments of discordant expectations, in the form of expressions of impatience, can illuminate the logics of temporal balancing in the domains of work, play, and rest. [time, morality, impatience, socialism with Chinese characteristics, China]
Comparison of the phaco chop and drill‐and‐crack techniques for phacoemulsification of hard cataracts: A fellow eye study
Authors: Abdelmotaal Hazem , Abdel‐Radi Mahmoud , Rateb Mahmoud F. , Eldaly Zeiad H. , Abdelazeem Khaled
Published: September 2020

Purpose

To quantify the intraoperative parameters and postoperative outcomes after using the phaco chop technique in one eye and drill‐and‐crack technique in the other eye in patients with bilateral dense brunescent cataract.

Methods

The Lens Opacities Classification System III grading system was used to select 132 eyes of 66 patients with bilateral nuclear opalescence (NO) grade NO4 or grade NO5. One eye in each patient with bilateral dense brunescent cataract was subjected to phacoemulsification using the phaco chop technique, while the other eye was subjected to phacoemulsification with the drill‐and‐crack technique for nucleus disassembly. The intraoperative parameters were quantified. Surgical outcome was assessed preoperatively and 1 day, 4 weeks and 12 weeks postoperatively, and the outcomes of the two techniques were compared.

Results

There was no significant difference between the techniques in operative parameters [cumulative dissipated energy (p = 0.74), surgical time (p = 0.68) or surgical difficulty during nucleus disassembly (p = 0.80)]. There was no significant difference in the postoperative change in central corneal thickness between the techniques at day 1, 4 weeks and 12 weeks or in corneal endothelial cell density loss at 4 and 12 weeks (p > 0.05). There was no significant difference between the techniques in the mean corrected distance visual acuity (logarithm of the minimum angle resolution) at 4 weeks postoperatively (p = 0.25).

Conclusion

The phaco chop and drill‐and‐crack techniques are equally effective for disassembly of hard NO4 and NO5 cataracts.
Cultural Intelligence and Language Competence: Synergistic Effects on Avoidance, Task Performance, and Voice Behaviors in Multicultural Teams
Authors: Peyrols Wu Catherine , Ng Kok‐Yee
Published: September 2020

Avoidance of culturally diverse peers undermines the benefits of multicultural teams. Using uncertainty reduction theory, we argue that team members’ cultural intelligence (CQ; the capability to work effectively in culturally diverse settings) and language competence (the ability to communicate in a language) exert main and synergistic effects on avoidance behaviors. We further propose that avoidance negatively predicts individuals’ task performance (behaviors that contribute to team outcomes) and voice behaviors (giving suggestions to improve the status quo). Put together, we test a moderated mediation model where the mediating role of avoidance between CQ and outcomes of task performance and voice behaviors is moderated by language competence. Our results, based on data collected from multicultural team members at three time points, showed no main effects of CQ and language competence on avoidance. Instead, we found synergistic effects such that CQ was negatively related to avoidance only when language competence was high. Avoidance was negatively related to peer‐rated task performance and voice behaviors. Conditional process analyses supported our moderated mediation hypothesis, suggesting that avoidance explains why people with higher CQ and higher language competence have higher task performance and voice behaviors.
Tin‐Rich Surface Decoration of Chinese Bronzes: A Case Study of the British Museum Collection
Authors: Wang Q.
Published: September 2020

In this paper six bronze artefacts of the Eastern Zhou period to Han dynasty (770 BC ‐ 220 AD) with tin‐rich surface decoration in the British Museum collection were studied using a variety of analytical techniques. The decoration patterns include trellis patterns (菱形纹) on two swords of the Yue state, tiger's striped patterns (hu‐ban‐wen,虎斑纹) on two swords from the Ba‐Shu region, a hexagonal star pattern (六角星纹) on a spearhead of the Wu state, and a cloud‐like pattern on a garment hook. The tin‐rich decorations on those objects were produced by deliberate tinning processes; at least three different tinning techniques were used, including the use of tin‐rich pastes for the trellis pattern of a Yue state sword and for the mottling decoration on the Ba‐Shu swords, amalgam tinning for the hexagonal star pattern on the spearhead of the Yue state, and hot tinning for the cloud‐like pattern of the garment hook. Different tinning techniques could have been applied to produce similar tin‐rich decoration patterns, and vice versa, a single tinning technique could have been used to produce different tin‐rich patterns on different objects.
From commodity to money: The rise of silver coinage around the Ancient Mediterranean (sixth–first centuries bce)
Authors: Albarède F. , Blichert‐Toft J. , de Callataÿ F. , Davis G. , Debernardi P. , Gentelli L. , Gitler H. , Kemmers F. , Klein S. , Malod‐Dognin C. , Milot J. , Télouk P. , Vaxevanopoulos M. , Westner K.
Published: September 2020

The reasons why the Western Mediterranean, especially Carthage and Rome, resisted monetization relative to the Eastern Mediterranean are still unclear. We address this question by combining lead (Pb) and silver (Ag) isotope abundances in silver coinage from the Aegean, Magna Graecia, Carthage and Roman Republic. The clear relationships observed between 109Ag/107Ag and 208Pb/206Pb reflect the mixing of silver ores or silver objects with Pb metal used for cupellation. The combined analysis of Ag and Pb isotopes reveals important information about the technology of smelting. The Greek world extracted Ag and Pb from associated ores, whereas, on the Iberian Peninsula, Carthaginians and Republican‐era Romans applied Phoenician cupellation techniques and added exotic Pb to Pb‐poor Ag ores. Massive Ag recupellation is observed in Rome during the Second Punic War. After defeating the Carthaginians and the Macedonians in the late second century bce, the Romans brought together the efficient, millennium‐old techniques of silver extraction of the Phoenicians, who considered this metal a simple commodity, with the monetization of the economy introduced by the Greeks.
Inhabiting Mourning: Spectral Figures in Cases of Extrajudicial Executions (False Positives) in Colombia
Authors: Aranguren Romero Juan Pablo , Cardona Santofimio Juan Nicolás , Agudelo Hernández Juan Ángel
Published: September 2020

In this article we analyse various forms of emotional management of mourning in the experiences of six female relatives of victims of extrajudicial executions in Colombia. Referencing the concept of the ‘spectral’, we discuss the ways in which family members establish ways of living with mourning that emphasise the impossibility of achieving closure, and explore the ways in which they keep the wounds of their suffering open as a means of organising themselves politically, in pursuit of justice. The article suggests an alternative to a teleology of closure, suggesting that, in contexts of impunity such as the one prevailing in Colombia, mourning becomes a scenario of habitability.
SCTR hypermethylation is a diagnostic biomarker in colorectal cancer
Authors: Li DaPeng , Zhang Lei , Fu JinMing , Huang Hao , Sun SiMin , Zhang Ding , Zhao LiYuan , Ucheojor Onwuka Justina , Zhao YaShuang , Cui BinBin
Published: September 2020

Diagnostic markers for both colorectal cancer (CRC) and its precursor lesions are lacking. Although aberrant methylation of the secretin receptor (SCTR) gene was observed in CRC, the diagnostic performance has not been evaluated. Therefore, this study aimed to assess and verify the diagnostic value of SCTR methylation of CRC and its precursor lesions through integrating the largest methylation data. The diagnostic performance of SCTR methylation was analyzed in the discovery set from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) CRC methylation data (N = 440), and verified in a large‐scale test set (N = 938) from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO). Targeted bisulfite sequencing analysis was developed and applied to detect the methylation status of SCTR in our independent validation set (N = 374). Our findings revealed that the SCTR gene was frequently hypermethylated at its CpG islands in CRC. In the TCGA discovery set, the diagnostic score was constructed using 4 CpG sites (cg01013590, cg20505223, cg07176264, and cg26009192) and achieved high diagnostic performance (area under the ROC curve [AUC] = 0.964). In the GEO test set, the diagnostic score had robust diagnostic ability to distinguish CRC (AUC = 0.948) and its precursor lesions (AUC = 0.954) from normal samples. Moreover, hypermethylation of the SCTR gene was also found in cell‐free DNA samples collected from CRC patients, but not in those from healthy controls. In the validation set, consistent results were observed using the targeted bisulfite sequencing array. Our study highlights that hypermethylation at CpG islands of the SCTR gene is a potential diagnostic biomarker in CRCs and its precursor lesions.
Detection of specific IgE against linear epitopes from Gal d 1 has additional value in diagnosing hen’s egg allergy in adults
Authors: Ehlers Anna M. , Otten Henny G. , Wierzba Eva , Flügge Ulrike , Le Thuy‐My , Knulst André C. , Suer Waltraud
Published: September 2020

Background

Although hen's egg allergy is more prevalent in children, up to 0.6% of adults from different European countries suffer from a persistent or newly onset hen's egg allergy, making accurate diagnosis in adults necessary. However, sensitization to hen's egg extracts, components and linear epitopes is solely studied in children.

Methods

Hen's egg allergic (n = 16) and tolerant (n = 19) adults were selected by sensitization towards recombinant components rGal d 1 and/or 3. Sensitization profiles towards egg white and yolk extract and the native components Gal d 1, 2, 3 and 4 were respectively evaluated with the ImmunoCAP or the EUROLINE system. Characterization of linear epitopes was performed with a peptide microarray containing 15mer peptides representing the entire sequence of mature Gal d 1 and 3.

Results

Overall, sIgE titres against hen's egg extracts and single components overlapped largely between allergic and tolerant adults. Although the median sIgE/sIgG4 ratio to Gal d 1 was increased in allergic adults, the range was comparable between both groups. Clinically relevant sensitization to Gal d 1 was confirmed by sIgE‐binding to the linear epitopes aa30‐41, aa39‐50 or aa84‐95 in 6/13 allergic adults, mainly suffering from objective symptoms. In comparison, these epitopes were recognized by 1/15 tolerant patient. Only a few linear epitopes were detected for Gal d 3, suggesting a greater importance of conformational epitopes for the recognition of Gal d 3.

Conclusion and Clinical Relevance

Specific IgE‐binding to linear epitopes of Gal d 1 is highly specific in identifying hen's egg allergic adults with objective symptoms.
Opioid overdose risk during and after drug treatment for heroin dependence: An incidence density case–control study nested in the VEdeTTE cohort
Authors: Faggiano Fabrizio , Mathis Federica , Diecidue Roberto , Vigna‐Taglianti Federica , Paola Caria Maria , Colledge Samantha , Hickman Matthew , Bargagli Annamaria , Davoli Marina
Published: September 2020

Introduction and Aims

To corroborate protective effects of a range of drug treatment modalities against overdose mortality risk.

Design and Methods

Nested case–control study, with incidence density sampling, selecting controls retrospectively at each case event. Cases and controls came from a sub‐cohort of opioid‐dependent patients (n = 4444) from two Italian regions (Lazio and Piedmont). From 1998 to 2005, there were 91 overdose deaths (cases) matched to 352 controls. The primary outcome was overdose mortality and the primary exposure was drug treatment: opioid agonist treatment (OAT), opioid detoxification, residential community, psychosocial and other pharmacological treatment. Conditional logistic regression models generated intervention effects comparing mortality risk in and out of treatment, adjusting for confounding variables.

Results

Overall, drug treatment reduced overdose mortality risk by 80% [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 0.18, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.10–0.33, P < 0.001] compared to being out of treatment. There was a particularly strong protective effect of OAT on overdose mortality (AOR 0.08, 95% CI 0.03–0.23, P < 0.001) compared to being out of treatment. There was evidence of a substantially elevated risk of overdose in the first month of leaving treatment (AOR 23.50, 95% CI 7.84–70.19, P < 0.001) compared to being in treatment.

Discussion and Conclusions

The nested case–control design strengthened earlier findings that OAT in Italy has strong protective effects on overdose mortality risk, much stronger than has been previously seen in other Western European settings.