bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prostate‐specific membrane antigen expression in melanoma metastases
Authors: Snow Hayden , Hazell Stephen , Francis Nicholas , Mohammed Kabir , O'Neill Stephanie , Davies Emma , Mansfield David , Messiou Christina , Hujairi Nabil , Nicol David , Harrington Kevin , Smith Myles
Published: June 2020

Background

Prostate‐specific membrane antigen (PSMA) is a prostatic epithelial protein that is used as a radiotracer (68Ga‐PSMA‐11) for prostate cancer staging. PSMA‐PET/CT (positron emission tomography/computed tomography) performed for prostate cancer has been observed to detect melanoma metastases. The aim of this study was to investigate the performance of PSMA immunohistochemistry on resected melanoma metastases to explore its use as a diagnostic imaging biomarker for melanoma.

Methods

A total of 41 specimens with stage III/IV melanoma were stained with PSMA immunohistochemistry. All specimens required both disease and control regions. Two pathologists scored the specimens and a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was plotted. Western blot and multiplex immunofluorescence were also performed.

Results

The area under the ROC curve was 0.82, suggesting that PSMA has excellent discriminatory power in melanoma metastases. Sensitivity is 82.9% and specificity 73.2%. Immunohistochemistry and Western blot reveal that PSMA staining in melanoma consistently and most intensely occurs in tumor neovasculature. Multiplex immunofluorescence shows that melanocytes may also weakly express PSMA.

Conclusion

The performance of PSMA immunohistochemistry in melanoma metastases contrasts with that reported in prostate cancer studies. This study indicates that PSMA shows promise for use as a novel biomarker in melanoma and justifies further research in the clinical setting with potential as a PET/CT radiotracer and intraoperative fluorescence marker for melanoma.
The construction of small‐scale, quasi‐mechanistic spatial models of insect energetics in habitat restoration: A case study of beetles in Western Australia
Authors: Tomlinson Sean
Published: June 2020

Aim

The management and restoration of ecological processes mediated by biotic interactions is now broadly advocated and may be achieved by targeting restoration towards key agents. Although theoretically examined, a practical approach to incorporating the physiology and energetics of insects into restoration planning is poorly articulated. I aimed to provide a case study using the thermal biology and energetics of beetles to identify the distribution of habitat suitability in a large restoration landscape.

Location

South‐west Western Australia.

Methods

I modelled the thermal performance of metabolic rates of thirteen Phyllococerus purpurascens, and twenty Colpochila “species 2,” measured repeatedly at seven temperatures between five and 40°C using flow‐through respirometry. Thermal constraints were used to inform a species distribution model of each species at extremely high spatiotemporal resolution, projecting the physiological state of each species for every hour at 5″ resolution across a 152‐km2 restoration landscape in south‐western Australia to estimate the habitat suitability for beetles.

Results

Both species’ metabolic rates increased exponentially to a critical point, followed by rapid decline, but the thermal tolerance thresholds were different for each species. Both had strikingly high‐thermal tolerance relative to their nocturnal habits and local climatic conditions. The models of beetle prevalence estimated both species to be active and able to access the entire project area for all of the austral spring, summer and autumn.

Main conclusions

The results reported here suggest ubiquitous habitat suitability for flower beetles in disturbed landscapes. Incorporation of similar mechanistic models for other species at high resolution offers potential insight into habitat suitability for a broad range of ectotherms.
Unexpectedly long survivorship on seawater of multiple coastal beetles indicates the possibility of “floating dispersal” for transoceanic migration
Authors: Ueno Hiroto , Kitagawa Kosaku , Matsubayashi Kei W.
Published: June 2020

Ocean is generally a major barrier of migration for most flightless land animals; however, terrestrial flightless insects often demonstrate wide range distribution across oceans. To elucidate the mechanism of flightless insects to expand their distribution over the sea, we measured the survivorship of nine species of coastal beetles on seawater (i.e. seawater tolerance). We observed that two out of nine coastal beetle species showed over 10 days of median survival days (50% death days), and nearly 1 month of maximum survival days. From the unexpectedly long survival on the surface of seawater, we propose the hypothesis of “floating dispersal,” where individuals simply float on the sea surface and cross the ocean with currents. This mode can provide a novel explanation of transoceanic migration/distribution of flightless animals.
Female caudal reproductive tract abnormalities
Authors: Gormley R. K. , Crabtree J. R.
Published: June 2020

Introduction

The report by McCarthy and coworkers (McCarthy et al. 2021) in this issue describes a case of vaginal septum with pyometra in a 10‐week‐old Westphalian filly foal. This is an interesting case report which evokes thought about the developmental abnormalities of the caudal female reproductive and urogenital tracts and their pathophysiology. Such anomalies are rare, reflected by the limited number of cases reported in the literature involving mares/fillies with uterine, cervical, vaginal and hymenal abnormalities.
Are you sure? Prediction revision in automated decision‐making
Authors: Burkart Nadia , Robert Sebastian , Huber Marco F.
Published: June 2020

With the rapid improvements in machine learning and deep learning, decisions made by automated decision support systems (DSS) will increase. Besides the accuracy of predictions, their explainability becomes more important. The algorithms can construct complex mathematical prediction models. This causes insecurity to the predictions. The insecurity rises the need for equipping the algorithms with explanations. To examine how users trust automated DSS, an experiment was conducted. Our research aim is to examine how participants supported by an DSS revise their initial prediction by four varying approaches (treatments) in a between‐subject design study. The four treatments differ in the degree of explainability to understand the predictions of the system. First we used an interpretable regression model, second a Random Forest (considered to be a black box [BB]), third the BB with a local explanation and last the BB with a global explanation. We noticed that all participants improved their predictions after receiving an advice whether it was a complete BB or an BB with an explanation. The major finding was that interpretable models were not incorporated more in the decision process than BB models or BB models with explanations.
Two Men and a Surrogate: A Qualitative Study of Surrogacy Relationships in Canada
Authors: Fantus Sophia
Published: June 2020

Objective

To retrospectively explore how gay fathers and gestational surrogates in Canada perceived their relationship at three distinct time points: prepregnancy, during pregnancy, and postbirth.

Background

Canada has witnessed an increased number of gay men seeking fatherhood through surrogacy. However, there is limited empirical research on the experiences and perspectives of surrogacy for gay men, both in Canada and worldwide.

Method

Qualitative in‐depth interviews (∼60–120 minutes) were conducted with (a) gestational surrogates implanted with one or more embryos from a donated egg and gay fathers' sperm, (b) gay men who pursued gestational surrogacy to have a biological child, and (c) single or partnered gay men and their paired surrogate. Participants who agreed to participate, who were willing to contact their third party, and whose matched party agreed resulted in a surrogate triad in which the intended parents and surrogate all participated. Interviews (n = 21) were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using interpretive phenomenological analysis.

Results

Findings from the present study draw attention to the intricacies of surrogacy relationships and demonstrate the variability of how gay men and surrogates identify and address their procreative roles and responsibilities through pregnancy and postbirth.

Conclusion

Participant narratives challenge heteronormative experiences of pregnancy and childbirth, extending the two‐parent family paradigm to include families of choice and a close network of individuals and communities.

Implications

Allied health professionals ought to provide competent, inclusive care that actively confronts a priori biases and assumptions regarding same‐sex parent families and surrogacy.
From “obligated embeddedness” to “obligated Chineseness”? Bargaining processes and evolution of international automotive firms in China's New Energy Vehicle sector
Authors: Schwabe Julian
Published: June 2020

Over the past decades, the automotive sector in China has been characterized by the obligation of foreign manufacturers to enter joint ventures, transfer technologies, and localize production. Still, the Chinese automotive industry has remained dependent on foreign brands, capital, and technology. The advent of markets and supply chains for electric vehicles, however, changes the framework conditions for established foreign automotive firms in terms of competitive landscape and access to core technology components. This is mainly the result of political initiatives: Established automotive manufacturers are exposed to direct and indirect restrictions that influence their production of electric vehicles, their choice of suppliers, and their potential market shares in the future. This paper outlines multilevel bargaining processes of Chinese and foreign actors as they aim to maximize value capture in a fundamentally transitioning automotive sector. In contrast to the lead firm‐centric focus of recent global production networks (GPN)‐discussions, this paper argues that the determinants of how production networks evolve is first and foremost a question of the institutional environment. Focusing on power balances between state and firm actors in multilevel bargaining processes offers a way of explaining GPN‐evolution in institutional contexts in which power concentrates in executive bodies and decision‐making processes are often informal.
Does country matter in urban organic food products consumption?
Authors: Marreiros Cristina Galamba , Dionísio Andreia , Lucas Maria Raquel
Published: June 2020

The main goal of this paper is to evaluate the possibility of finding international consumer segments in the organic food product (OFP) market. For that purpose, the power of country of residence in discriminating between urban frequent, occasional and non‐consumers of OFP was evaluated; and the most appropriate international segmentation bases for that market were studied. In order to achieve this goal, a survey of organic food consumers from Lisbon (Portuguese) and Berlin (German) was implemented through a structured questionnaire. Upon this, factorial and discriminant analysis was applied to the data. The results highlight the significance of the “Country” variable when distinguishing between groups of urban OFP consumers and non‐consumers as well as between frequent and occasional urban OFP consumers. The different levels of OFP consumption are mostly explained by the level of declared “OFP knowledge”. Therefore, we can conclude that in order to increase the consumption of OFP and dilute the effect of the country variable and to be able to work with international segments, marketers should aim to increase awareness and knowledge on these products. It is important to mention that this study was based on a non‐probabilistic sample and, consequently, generalizations of its conclusions must be made with care.
Novel mutation identified in the DDB2 gene in patients with xeroderma pigmentosum group–E
Authors: Karagün Ebru , Eroz Recep , Gamsızkan Mehmet , Baysak Sevim , Eyup Yavuz , Ozcan Yunus
Published: June 2020

Background

Xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) is a rare photosensitive syndrome, which is divided into eight complementation groups (XP‐A to XP‐G and XPV) and characterized by skin cancers diagnosed at early age. A family of seven members (age range between 5 and 47 years) with carriers of the novel nonsense mutation that causes XP‐E type were included in the current study.

Methods

DNA was isolated from peripheral blood samples of the proband, and cancer predisposition genes were sequenced with next‐generation sequencing. The demographic features and the laboratory, clinical, and histopathological findings of patients were evaluated.

Results

In the proband, squamous cell carcinoma was first diagnosed in the right‐eye cornea at the age of 13 years and then in the left‐eye cornea at the age of 15 years. Later, the patient was diagnosed with basosquamous cell carcinoma on the dorsum of the nose at the age of 18 years. After genetic analysis, a novel nonsense c.1063C>T(p.Arg355Ter) pathogenic variation that causes XP‐E type was detected as homozygous in the DDB2 gene of the proband and her siblings, 11 and 5 years of age, and as heterozygous in her parents and a 22‐year‐old brother.

Conclusion

Because of the occurrence of early termination codon, truncated nonfunctional proteins or proteins with deleterious loss or gain‐of‐function activities are synthesized in nonsense mutation. Thus, to avoid the development of pathological lesions, it is important that such patients with nonsense mutation stay away from agents that might cause DNA damage and develop an appropriate lifestyle according to this condition.
DNA methylation profiling to predict recurrence risk in stage Ι lung adenocarcinoma: Development and validation of a nomogram to clinical management
Authors: Ma Xianxiong , Cheng Jiancheng , Zhao Peng , Li Lei , Tao Kaixiong , Chen Hengyu
Published: June 2020

Increasing evidence suggested DNA methylation may serve as potential prognostic biomarkers; however, few related DNA methylation signatures have been established for prediction of lung cancer prognosis. We aimed at developing DNA methylation signature to improve prognosis prediction of stage I lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). A total of 268 stage I LUAD patients from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database were included. These patients were separated into training and internal validation datasets. GSE39279 was used as an external validation set. A 13‐DNA methylation signature was identified to be crucially relevant to the relapse‐free survival (RFS) of patients with stage I LUAD by the univariate Cox proportional hazard analysis and the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) Cox regression analysis and multivariate Cox proportional hazard analysis in the training dataset. The Kaplan‐Meier analysis indicated that the 13‐DNA methylation signature could significantly distinguish the high‐ and low‐risk patients in entire TCGA dataset, internal validation and external validation datasets. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis further verified that the 13‐DNA methylation signature had a better value to predict the RFS of stage I LUAD patients in internal validation, external validation and entire TCGA datasets. In addition, a nomogram combining methylomic risk scores with other clinicopathological factors was performed and the result suggested the good predictive value of the nomogram. In conclusion, we successfully built a DNA methylation‐associated nomogram, enabling prediction of the RFS of patients with stage I LUAD.
Transcriptomic landscape profiling of metformin‐treated healthy mice: Implication for potential hypertension risk when prophylactically used
Authors: Meng Yuhong , Xiang Rui , Yan Han , Zhou Yiran , Hu Yuntao , Yang Jichun , Zhou Yuan , Cui Qinghua
Published: June 2020

Recently, the first‐line anti‐diabetic drug metformin shows versatile protective effects against several diseases and is potentially prescribed to healthy individual for prophylactic use against ageing or other pathophysiological processes. However, for healthy individuals, it remains unclear what effects metformin treatment will induce on their bodies. A systematic profiling of the molecular landscape of metformin treatment is expected to provide crucial implications for this issue. Here, we delineated the first transcriptomic landscape induced by metformin in 10 tissues (aorta, brown adipose, brain, eye, heart, liver, kidney, skeletal muscle, stomach and testis) of healthy mice by using RNA‐sequencing technique. A comprehensive computational analysis was performed. The overrepresentation of cardiovascular disease‐related gene sets, positive correlation with hypertension‐related transcriptomic signatures and the associations of drugs with hypertensive side effect together indicate that although metformin does exert various beneficial effects, it would also increase the risk of hypertension in healthy mice. This prediction was experimentally validated by an independent animal experiments. Together, this study provided important resource necessary for investigating metformin's beneficial/deleterious effects on various healthy tissues, when it is potentially prescribed to healthy individual for prophylactic use.
Sexual impairment in patients with hidradenitis suppurativa: a systematic review
Authors: Cuenca‐Barrales C. , Montero‐Vílchez T. , Szepietowski J.C. , Matusiak L. , Molina‐Leyva A.
Published: June 2020

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) can cause considerable impact on several aspects of quality of life. Sexuality is a central aspect of quality of life. In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of articles on HS and sexuality. To achieve our aim of synthesizing the available scientific evidence on HS and sexual health, we conducted a systematic review in February 2020. The clinical databases used included Medline and Embase. All types of epidemiological articles were included; reviews, guidelines, protocols, conference abstracts and case report articles were excluded. Eleven studies were included for review, representing 42 729 patients with HS. The most common study design was cross‐sectional with or without comparison group(s), conducted in an outpatient setting or through surveys. Prevalence of sexual dysfunction ranged between 51–62%, and in the case of erectile dysfunction, a specific kind of sexual dysfunction affecting penile erection, it ranged from between 52% and 60% of patients studied using validated questionnaires. Potential risk factors for sexual dysfunction among men and women were identified, mainly related to disease activity, symptoms and partners. Mood disorders like depression and anxiety appear to be associated with sexual dysfunction. Women were more affected by sexual distress. HS patients with sexual dysfunction had a decreased overall quality of life. With respect to treatment, surgery did not improve sexual function and there is no scientific evidence regarding medical treatments. Patients stated that they would like to treat their sexual problems with healthcare professionals. In conclusion, sexual and erectile dysfunction are common in HS patients, and negatively affect their quality of life. There are clinical factors potentially associated with this which should be identified and treated by dermatologists in the comprehensive care of HS patients. Prospective studies are needed to provide more scientific evidence on this unmet need.
Skin cancer risk in CHEK2 mutation carriers
Authors: Bui A.N. , LeBoeuf N.R. , Nambudiri V.E.
Published: June 2020

CHEK2 mutations have been linked with an increased risk of breast cancer. A unique challenge for oncodermatologists and oncologists is in the monitoring and counselling of patients regarding skin cancer risk due to CHEK2 mutation carrier status. In this review, we highlight current information in the literature on the risk of melanoma and non‐melanoma skin cancers in CHEK2 mutation carriers. On the molecular level, CHEK2 is a cell cycle regulator that has been linked to cancer pathogenesis, though evidence from clinical studies regarding skin cancer risk has been inconsistent and conflicting. For melanoma, one study has demonstrated a statistically significant twofold risk of melanoma in individuals with CHEK2 mutations, particularly the CHEK2*1100delC variant. Five other studies did not show an association. For non‐melanoma skin cancer, fewer data exist, with one prevalence study of CHEK2 mutations in a cohort of patients with basal cell carcinomas. Although there are currently no known studies of CHEK2 and cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), data from other disciplines associating CHEK2 with head and neck SCCs are emerging. Overall, while there is currently not enough evidence to make conclusive statements regarding increased risk of melanoma and non‐melanoma skin cancers in CHEK2 carriers, a molecular mechanism associating the mutation with cutaneous malignancy pathogenesis is evident, and further work is needed. Patient with CHEK2 mutations may benefit from screening dermatologic examinations with particular attention to skin cancers.
Assessment of neopterin level and severity in lichen planus patients treated with narrow‐band ultraviolet B
Authors: Khattab Fathia M. , Samir Mai A.
Published: June 2020

Background

Neopterin is a cellular immunity biochemical marker. Serum and saliva neopterin levels have been reported to increase in lichen Planus. Nonetheless, analysis has not yet been made for the direct link between narrow band ultraviolet B and severity of Lichen planus.

Aim

We aimed to assess serum neopterin levels in patients who receive narrow band ultraviolet B therapy treatment with lichen planus, paired with the severity of the disease.

Patients and Methods

The study consisted of 35 lichen planus patients and 30 healthy individuals. A 35 patient group received narrow band ultraviolet B therapy. An enzyme‐related immunosorbent assay procedure was used in serum neopterin analysis before and post‐therapy.

Results

The correlation between the level and severity of the patient group was statistically significant (P = .001). In patients with severe disease, serum neopterin levels were significantly increased. Also, in the severe lichen planus group, the serum neopterin level was statistically higher than that of the mild or moderate groups (P = .001).Also, a significant decrease was seen following therapy according to serum neopterin level.

Conclusion

Serum neopterin levels are a useful marker for the assessment of the severity and effectiveness of narrow band ultraviolet therapy. Thus, our findings may provide a new approach with the management of disease and follow‐up strategies in patients with lichen planus.
Formulation and efficacy evaluation of the safe and efficient moisturizing snow mushroom hand sanitizer
Authors: Lourith Nattaya , Pungprom Sathaporn , Kanlayavattanakul Mayuree
Published: June 2020

Objectives

Snow fungus or snow mushroom or white jelly mushroom (Tremella fuciformis), the edible mushroom, was formulated into hand sanitizer in form of moisturizing alcohol‐based hand rub (ABHR) gel.

Methods

The stable base ABHRs were developed. The preferred bases were incorporated with various concentrations of snow mushroom extract. The stable and preferred snow mushroom ABHR was moisturizing and sanitizing efficacies evaluated in 20 human volunteers in comparison with its placebo.

Results

The stable hand sanitizer gel bases containing 66.5% of ethanol and 0.3% of triclosan were developed and incorporated with the extract of snow mushroom polysaccharide. Of which, the preparations containing 10% of snow mushroom and 0.3% of gelling agent gained the highest preferences as assessed in 20 Thai volunteers. The snow mushroom hand sanitizer was proved to be none irritated in the same group of the volunteers as was the placebo. The snow mushroom gel significantly (P < .05) moist the skin better than the placebo at all time of the interval assessment until the end of the study at 180 minutes. The hand sanitizers were confirmed on their anti‐septic, at which the efficacies of the active and placebo ABHR were comparable (P = .90).

Conclusions

Snow mushroom ABHR gel with its confirmed moisturizing and sanitizing efficacies is presented. It is meetings with the recommendation on hand hygienic improvement to combat the infections of diseases spreading. The preparation can be frequency applied with its proved skin hydrating efficacy co‐contributes in a good condition of hand hygiene.
Effectiveness of Clinical Nurses’ interventions in reducing medication errors in a paediatric ward
Authors: Alomari Albara , Sheppard‐Law Suzanne , Lewis Joanne , Wilson Val
Published: June 2020

Aims and objectives

To evaluate a bundle of interventions, developed and implemented by nurses, to reduce medication administration error rates and improve nurses’ medication administration practice.

Background

Medication administration errors are a problematic issue worldwide, despite previous attempts to reduce them. Most interventions to date focus on isolated elements of the medication process and fail to actively involve nurses in developing solutions.

Design

An Action Research (AR) three‐phase quantitative study.

Methods

Phase One aimed to build an overall picture of medication practice. Phase Two aimed to develop and implement targeted interventions. During this phase, the research team recruited six clinical paediatric nurses to be part of the AR Team. Five interventions were developed and implemented by the clinical nurses during this phase. The interventions were evaluated in Phase Three. Data collection included medication incident data, medication policy audits based on hospital medication policy and Safety Attitudes Questionnaire. Quantitative analysis was undertaken. The Standards for QUality Improvement Reporting Excellence (SQUIRE) checklist was followed in reporting this study.

Results

Postimplementing the interventions, medication error rates were reduced by 56.9% despite an increase in the number of patient admissions and in the number of prescribed medications. The rate of medication errors per 1,000 prescribed medications significantly declined from 2014 to 2016. The ward nurses were more compliant with the policy in postintervention phase than preintervention phase. The improvement in SAQ was reported in five of the seven domains.

Conclusion

Clinically based nurse's participation in action research enabled practice reflection, development and implementation of a bundle of interventions, which led to a change in nursing practice and subsequent reduction in medication administration error rates. Active engagement of nurses in research empowers them to find solutions that are tailored to their own practice culture and environment.
Autoimmune mucocutaneous blistering diseases in the south of Italy: a 25‐year retrospective study on 169 patients
Authors: Calabria Elena , Fortuna Giulio , Aria Massimo , Mignogna Michele D.
Published: June 2020

Background

Autoimmune mucocutaneous blistering diseases (AMBDs) represent a heterogeneous group of organ‐specific and potentially life‐threatening diseases. We sought to determine the relationship between clinical remission and therapeutic regimens with clinical type and phenotype of AMBDs, as well as clinical outcomes achieved based on different therapeutic regimens.

Methods

A retrospective single‐center study on 169 AMBDs patients, including pemphigus vulgaris (PV), mucous membrane pemphigoid (MMP), paraneoplastic autoimmune multiorgan syndrome (PAMS), and lichen planus pemphigoides (LPP), was performed from 1994 to 2019 in an oral medicine tertiary center, where we collected sociodemographic data, clinical type and phenotype, prescribed therapies, and related outcomes.

Results

The mean age of AMBDs patients was 55.0 ± 16.4 years. They were followed for a mean of 8.4 ± 5.8 years. The majority of these patients (62.1%) were successfully managed with conventional immunosuppressive therapy (CIST) alone. However, 37.9% of patients required additional biological treatments, either because they were non‐responders or developed severe side effects from CIST, or because of the rapid and severe progression of the disease. Overall, complete clinical remission was achieved in 92.3% of patients. A statistically significant difference was noted between the frequency distribution of AMBDs patients among different therapeutic regimens (P = .002), of different clinical phenotype and type of AMBDs patients and clinical remission (P = .012 and P = .005, respectively). No difference was reported regarding clinical outcomes and different therapeutic regimens.

Conclusions

AMBDs' management may be challenging, nonetheless CIST and biologic regimens introduced, when needed as reliable alternatives to CIST, result in a very high percentage of CCR.
Validity and reliability of the Mouth Handicap of Systemic Sclerosis questionnaire in a UK population
Authors: Abdouh Ismail , Porter Stephen , Fedele Stefano , Ni Riordain Richeal
Published: June 2020

Background

The objective of this study was to explore the psychometric properties of the Mouth Handicap in Systemic Sclerosis (MHISS) specifically exploring aspects of validity and reliability of MHISS in UK SSc patients.

Methods

A total of 150 questionnaires were distributed in this study at the Oral Medicine Department of UCLHT Eastman Dental Hospital, the Outpatient Rheumatology Clinic of the Royal Free Hospital and Scleroderma Family Day. Participants were asked to complete three questionnaires (SF‐36, OHIP‐14 and MHISS) along with a pro forma of demographic and disease‐specific questions. Both convergent validity and internal consistency reliability were examined. The convergent validity was assessed by Spearman's correlation coefficient, and internal consistency reliability was assessed by Cronbach's alpha.

Results

Of the 150 questionnaires distributed to participants, 68 respondents were included. With regard to construct validity, a low to moderate degree of convergent validity was found between MHISS total score and all SF‐36 subscales. However, the total MHISS score was highly correlated to all OHIP subscales.

Conclusion

MHISS questionnaire is a self‐administered patient‐reported outcome measure that assesses the mouth disability in SSc patients. However, improving the global and oral health of SSc patients is important as there is no cure for the disease; thus, instruments that record the impact of the condition and indicate the effect of treatment on the lives of patients are of paramount importance. Current results demonstrate good preliminary psychometric properties (validity and reliability) in a UK population with further exploration of psychometric properties with an emphasis on interpretability required.
NMDA and purinergic processes modulate neck muscle activity evoked by noxious stimulation of dura
Authors: Yao Dongyuan , Li Jian , Yoshida Mitsuhiro , Sessle Barry J.
Published: June 2020

Background

Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and glutamate are associated with some headache conditions, and purinergic (P2X) and glutamatergic N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate (NMDA) receptor‐related processes in the medulla can modulate the effects of trigeminal nociceptive afferent inputs into the brainstem on craniofacial sensorimotor circuits. This study aimed to test whether neck muscle activity can be induced in rats by noxious stimulation of the frontal dura or superior sagittal sinus that involves P2X or NMDA receptor‐dependent mechanisms.

Methods

While electromyographic activities of neck and craniofacial muscles were being recorded in anesthetized rats (n = 46), the inflammatory irritant mustard oil (0.2 µL, 20% MO) or vehicle (mineral oil) was topically applied to the dura or sinus, preceded by 10 µL of the ATP antagonist 2′,3′‐O‐(2,4,6‐ trinitrophenyl) adenosine 5′‐triphosphate (TNP‐ATP, 0.1 mmol/L; n = 8) or 2‐amino‐5‐phosphonopentanoic acid (APV, 0.05 mmol/L; n = 7) or phosphate‐buffered saline (PBS as vehicle control; n = 10).

Results

Application of MO but not vehicle to the frontal dura significantly increased (P < .05) neck electromyographic activity whereas MO application to the superior sagittal sinus did not significantly increase neck electromyographic activity unless MO had previously been applied to the dura. Pre‐treatment (i.t.) with TNP‐ATP or APV but not vehicle control significantly reduced neck electromyographic activity evoked by MO application to the dura.

Conclusions

These data suggest that noxious stimulation of the frontal dura (but not superior sagittal sinus) may enhance neck muscle activity that is P2X and NMDA receptor‐dependent. These effects may contribute to neck muscle stiffness that occurs in some headache conditions.
Melatonin receptor ligands: A pharmaco‐chemical perspective
Authors: Boutin Jean A. , Witt‐Enderby Paula A. , Sotriffer Christoph , Zlotos Darius P.
Published: June 2020

Melatonin MT1 and MT2 receptor ligands have been vigorously explored for the last 4 decades. Inspection of approximately 80 publications in the field revealed that most melatonergic ligands were structural analogues of melatonin combining three essential features of the parent compound: an aromatic ring bearing a methoxy group and an amide side chain in a relative arrangement similar to that present in melatonin. While several series of MT2‐selective agents—agonists, antagonists, or partial agonists—were reported, the field was lacking MT1‐selective agents. Herein, we describe various approaches toward the development of melatonergic ligands, keeping in mind that most of the molecules/pharmacophores obtained were essentially melatonin copies, even though diverse tri‐ or tetra‐cyclic compounds were explored. In addition to lack of structural diversity, only few studies examined the activity of the reported melatonergic ligands in vivo. Moreover, an extensive pharmacological characterization including biopharmaceutical stability, pharmacokinetic properties, specificity toward other major receptors to name a few remained scarce. For example, many of the antagonists described were not stable in vivo, were not selective for the melatonin receptor subtype of interest, and were not fully characterized from a pharmacological standpoint. Indeed, virtual screening of large compound libraries has led to the recent discovery of potent and selective melatonin receptor agonists and partial agonists of new chemotypes. Having said this, the melatonergic field is still lacking subtype‐selective melatonin receptor antagonists “active” in vivo, which are critical to our understanding of melatonin and melatonin receptors’ role in basic physiology and disease.
Beyond Husserl and Schütz. Hermann Schmitz and Neophenomenological Sociology
Authors: Gugutzer Robert
Published: June 2020

Phenomenological sociology is one of the most recognized approaches for explaining the constitution of social behaviour and the construction of social reality. To this day, phenomenological sociology usually belongs to the tradition of Edmund Husserl's transcendental phenomenology and to Alfred Schütz's mundane phenomenology, thus generally presenting itself as sociology of lifeworld, sociology of everyday life, and sociology of knowledge. In contrast to this, this paper intends to outline an alternative kind of phenomenological sociology that finds its philosophical foundation in Hermann Schmitz's “New Phenomenology”. With regards especially to Schmitz's theory of the felt body (“Leib”) and his theory of situation, the basic principles ofNeophenomenological Sociology(NPS) will be introduced. Their main components are (1) felt body and affective involvement as the pre‐personal apriori of sociality, (2) felt‐bodily communication as the basic unit of sociality, and (3) joint situations as the socio‐ontological foundation and empirical manifestation of sociality. With these specific key concepts, NPS proves itself to be a socio‐theoretical approach whose foremost strength is that it can identify and properly analyse thepathicdimensions of social behaviour and social situations that social sciences tend to overlook.
Mouse parotid salivary gland organoids for the in vitro study of stem cell radiation response
Authors: Serrano Martinez Paola , Cinat Davide , van Luijk Peter , Baanstra Mirjam , de Haan Gerald , Pringle Sarah , Coppes Robert P.
Published: June 2020

Objective

Hyposalivation‐related xerostomia is an irreversible, untreatable, and frequent condition after radiotherapy for head and neck cancer. Stem cell therapy is an attractive option of treatment, but demands knowledge of stem cell functioning. Therefore, we aimed to develop a murine parotid gland organoid model to explore radiation response of stem cells in vitro.

Materials and Methods

Single cells derived from murine parotid gland organoids were passaged in Matrigel with defined medium to assess self‐renewal and differentiation potential. Single cells were irradiated and plated in a 3D clonogenic stem cell survival assay to assess submandibular and parotid gland radiation response.

Results

Single cells derived from parotid gland organoids were able to extensively self‐renew and differentiate into all major tissue cell types, indicating the presence of potential stem cells. FACS selection for known salivary gland stem cell markers CD24/CD29 did not further enrich for stem cells. The parotid gland organoid‐derived stem cells displayed radiation dose–response curves similar to the submandibular gland.

Conclusions

Murine parotid gland organoids harbor stem cells with long‐term expansion and differentiation potential. This model is useful for mechanistic studies of stem cell radiation response and suggests similar radiosensitivity for the parotid and submandibular gland organoids.
Odontogenic infection as a predisposing factor for pathologic disorder development in maxillary sinus
Authors: Curi Fernanda Ramia , Pelegrine Rina Andréa , Nascimento Monikelly do Carmo Chagas , Monteiro João Carlos Castro , Junqueira José Luiz Cintra , Panzarella Francine Kühl
Published: June 2020

Objective

To investigate an association between odontogenic infections (OI) and maxillary sinuses pathologic disorder (MSPD). The distance between the sinus floor and the root apex of upper posterior teeth was also assessed.

Methods

Out of 4,402 cone beam computed tomography scans, 230 were selected, and 431 teeth were evaluated regarding the presence of OI: bone loss with furcation involvement, periapical and endodontic‐periodontal lesions. The maxillary sinuses were assessed regarding the presence of MSPD, which was considered as mucosal thickening, opacification of the sinus and mucous retention cyst.

Results

There was a significant association between OI and MSPD (p < .001). Periodontal bone loss with furcation involvement, periapical lesions and endodontic‐periodontal lesions increased the risk of opacification of the sinuses by 11.6, 34.1 and 228.8 times, respectively. The frequency of the different types of MSP showed not to be associated with a group of teeth or dental root. Conversely, the presence of MSP was associated with a significant shorter distance between the palatine root apex and the sinus floor (p < .001).

Conclusion

There is a relationship between infectious process of teeth and MSPD. The proximity between the apex of palatine roots and the maxillary sinus floor showed to be a predisposing factor for MSPD.
Tooth extraction before radiotherapy is a risk factor for developing osteoradionecrosis of the jaws: A systematic review
Authors: Lajolo Carlo , Gioco Gioele , Rupe Cosimo , Troiano Giuseppe , Cordaro Massimo , Lucchese Alberta , Paludetti Gaetano , Giuliani Michele
Published: June 2020

Objectives

The aim of this systematic review was to estimate the osteoradionecrosis rate in patients with head and neck cancer due to teeth extraction performed before radiotherapy and to identify possible risk factors.

Material and Methods

PRISMA protocol was used to evaluate and present the results. PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science were used as search engines: English full‐length papers of clinical studies, in peer‐reviewed journals, were investigated. Cumulative meta‐analysis was performed with a random effects model (PROSPERO registration code: CRD42018079986).

Results

Among 2,020 records screened, 8 were included in this review. Sixteen of 494 patients who underwent tooth extraction before radiotherapy developed osteoradionecrosis, with an osteoradionecrosis incidence of 2.2% (95% Confidence of Interval = 0.6–3.9, p < .185, I2 = 3,044%). All cases were reported in the mandible. No other clinical risk factor for osteoradionecrosis was detected.

Conclusions

Even if it is generally recommended to remove oral foci before radiotherapy, this systematic review confirmed that teeth extractions before radiotherapy represent a risk factor for osteoradionecrosis; the considerable amount of missing data prevented us from identifying other possible risk factors for osteoradionecrosis onset. Major efforts should be done to perform sounder methodological clinical investigations.
Stakeholder consultations and the legitimacy of regulatory decision‐making: A survey experiment in Belgium
Authors: Beyers Jan , Arras Sarah
Published: June 2020

Agencies consult extensively with stakeholders such as industry associations, nongovernmental organizations, and trade unions. One rationale for consultations is that these improve procedural legitimacy and lead to greater acceptance of regulatory outcomes by citizens and the regulated industry. While this presumption of a positive relation between stakeholder consultations and the legitimacy of agencies is widespread, research analyzing this relationship remains scarce. Using a survey experiment, we examine the effect of open and closed consultations on the acceptance of procedures and regulatory outcomes in the field of environmental politics. The results demonstrate that consultation arrangements positively affect the acceptance of decision‐making procedures, especially when regulators grant access to different types of stakeholders. However, although the consultation arrangement itself does not directly affect acceptance of the regulatory outcome, procedural legitimacy matters, as it increases decision acceptance among individuals who are negatively disposed toward government regulation.
The Politicization of Risk: Party Cues, Polarization, and Public Perceptions of Climate Change Risk
Authors: Linde Stefan
Published: June 2020

Previous research shows that public perceptions of climate change risk are strongly related to the individual willingness to support climate mitigation and adaptation policy. In this article, I investigate how public perceptions of climate change risk are affected by communications from political parties and the degree of polarization among them. Specifically, using survey data from Sweden, Norway, Australia, and New Zealand, I study the relationship between party source cues, perceived polarization, and public perceptions of climate change risk. The results reveal a positive relationship between party cues and perceptions of climate change risk, indicating that individuals adjust their risk perceptions to align with their party preference. Furthermore, a negative relationship between perceived polarization and individual risk perceptions is also discovered, showing that individuals tend to be less concerned with climate change the more polarization they perceive. However, the effect of perceived polarization is found to be limited to more abstract perceptions of risk, while being unrelated to perceptions of concrete risks. Even with some contextual variance, the results generally hold up well across the four countries.
Making a Place for Alternative Technologies: The Case of Agricultural Bio‐Inputs in Argentina
Authors: Goulet Frédéric , Hubert Matthieu
Published: June 2020

This article characterizes the ways in which the actors in charge of designing and implementing public policies intervene to promote the emergence of alternatives to problematic technologies. It is based on a case study conducted in Argentina that focuses on initiatives to promote the development of biological agricultural inputs in the context of increasingly controversial chemical inputs. The study spotlights the political, institutional, and semantic efforts made by policy makers and public administrations to ensure these new inputs find their way into organizations and onto their agendas. Their work consists in attenuating the boundaries between chemical and biological inputs, and reducing opposition by creating categories and organizations that downplay potential dissension and highlight the possible coexistence of technological paradigms. Contrary to what the injunctions of technological substitution suggest, we show that putting alternative technologies on the public agenda depends largely on their inclusion in institutional and regulatory infrastructures originally designed for technologies that are likely to decline. More broadly, it relies on the construction of continuity between the two types of technologies.
Core values and local guarantees of dignity in the care of older persons – Application, obstacles and further actions
Authors: Kihlgren Annica , Norell Pejner Margaretha , James Inger
Published: June 2020

Background and aim

Due to reported shortcomings in elderly care in Sweden, the government has introduced national guidelines to establish core values and guarantees of dignity. With a bottom‐up perspective, core values and local guarantees of dignity were developed using an participatory and appreciative action and reflection (PAAR) approach and implemented in municipal elderly care. The aim of this study was to evaluate the core values and local guarantees of dignity applied by the municipal healthcare staff caring for older persons.

Method and results

A cross‐sectional descriptive design study using a questionnaire was conducted one year after the implementation of core values and local guarantees of dignity in municipal elderly care. In total, 608 caregivers answered the questionnaire. The results show that the caregivers strived to apply the core values and local guarantees of dignity, but experienced obstacles from the organisation. Proposals were given to facilitate further application of the core values.
A calcified central venous fibrin sheath mimicking a fractured catheter
Authors: Roy Debajyoti , Wenxiang Yeon , Pande Shrikant D.
Published: June 2020

A 75‐year‐old female with end stage kidney failure had her tunneled central venous dialysis catheter (CVC) removed. A subsequent computed tomopgraphy (CT) scan of the chest reported a filling defect in the central vein that appeared to represent a fractured remnant of the CVC. The catheter had been retained for culture and was available for direct visualization, which showed it to be entirely intact. A subsequent venogram confirmed that the CT findings represented a retained calcified central venous fibrin sheath. As retained CVC fragments may require intervention, this diagnosis should be established carefully. A calcified fibrin sheath associated with a chronic CVC is a known, although rare, complication and should be considered in the differential diagnosis of an apparent CVC fracture prior to further interventions.