bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bullous pemphigoid: Its incidence, mortality and clinical outcome in New Zealand
Authors: Chung Jenny G , Ramji Rajan , Coomarasamy Christin , Jarrett Paul , Rademaker Marius , Patel Denesh C
Published: March 2022

Background/objectives

Bullous pemphigoid (BP) is an uncommon autoimmune bullous disorder, with significant morbidity and mortality. Mortality may be as high as 23.5% in the first year after diagnosis. Clear epidemiologic data across Australasia are lacking.

Methods

A retrospective, multi‐centred cohort study was designed to determine the incidence and mortality of bullous pemphigoid in New Zealand. Data from all histopathologically diagnosed patients with bullous pemphigoid between 2009 and 2015 from the Auckland region were obtained. Demographics, clinical characteristics and outcome 3 years from diagnosis (until 31 December 2018) were collected. Demographic data were compared against a denominator year‐matched New Zealand Census population.

Results

One hundred sixty‐one patients had confirmed bullous pemphigoid, with an incidence rate of 3.03/100 000 person‐years [95% CI 2.58–3.54]; 70% were of European ethnicity; 12.4% were Pacific peoples; 11.2% were Asian; and 6.8% were Māori. 45.3% had associated cognitive impairment and/or stroke. In the 3‐year follow‐up, 25% had treatment complications mostly from prednisone therapy. The mortality rate was 40%, highest in the first year of diagnosis, with age at diagnosis a predictor.

Conclusion

The incidence and mortality rates are comparable to the UK/Northern Europe. Knowledge of the epidemiology of bullous pemphigoid in New Zealand and within an international settling informs the provision of future care and treatments.
Toxic effect of fear of losing out on self‐esteem: A moderated mediation model of conformity and need for cognitive closure in Singapore
Authors: Wee Sheila X. R. , Cheng Chi‐Ying , Choi Haelim , Goh Ciping
Published: March 2022

Kiasu (fear of losing out, FoLO) is considered the single most defining adjective that captures Singapore identity, and it is well‐observed in other Asian cultures as well. Despite the widespread endorsement of kiasu in Singapore, there is limited empirical research on the theoretical conception of kiasu as a psychological construct. To empirically investigate kiasu, we validated the construct and measurement of the FoLO mindset in Study 1. In Study 2, we hypothesized and found a negative association between FoLO and Singaporeans’ self‐esteem, which was mediated by a higher tendency of conformity. In addition, we hypothesized and found that individuals’ need for cognitive closure (NFCC) moderated the negative link between conformity and self‐esteem such that high NFCC accelerated the negative impact of conformity on self‐esteem. Whereas FoLO is often described as a form of competitiveness, the moderated‐mediation model of FoLO and self‐esteem can be replicated with competitiveness but in an opposite direction. This demonstrated that FoLO and competitiveness are two distinct psychological constructs. Implications of FoLO in Singapore as well as in other Asian contexts are discussed.
Beyond the normative: Ambiguity in the making of a South Indian Sufi
Authors: Saidalavi P. C.
Published: March 2022

The overemphasis in recent anthropological scholarship on self‐cultivation through normative discourses has resulted in largely neglecting explorative discourses that have also been key to the formation of religious subjectivities. The relationship between these discourses has tended to be that of ambiguity, given that various groups have sought to establish clear boundaries regarding what is morally acceptable. In this article, I look at how ambiguity is played out in a small town in Malabar, South India, with the figure of a mad saint whose actions and demeanor embodied such ambiguities. Analyzing anthropological studies of Islam probing such ambiguities in the lives of Muslims, I argue that considering the figure of themajzūb—an eccentric saint—offers key insights for understanding how normative and explorative discourses constitute contemporary religious lives. It also reveals how ambiguity is used to reconcile the tensions between the two discourses in both practice and discourse.
Prevention and management of intra‐operative pain during caesarean section under neuraxial anaesthesia: a technical and interpersonal approach
Authors: Plaat F. , Stanford S. E. R. , Lucas D. N. , Andrade J. , Careless J. , Russell R. , Bishop D. , Lo Q. , Bogod D.
Published: March 2022

A woman who experiences pain during caesarean section under neuraxial anaesthesia is at risk of adverse psychological sequelae. Litigation arising from pain during caesarean section under neuraxial anaesthesia has replaced accidental awareness under general anaesthesia as the most common successful medicolegal claim against obstetric anaesthetists. Generic guidelines on caesarean section exist, but they do not provide specific recommendations for this area of anaesthetic practice. This guidance aims to offer pragmatic advice to support anaesthetists in caring for women during caesarean section. It emphasises the importance of non‐technical skills, offers advice on best practice and aims to encourage standardisation. The guidance results from a collaborative effort by anaesthetists, psychologists and patients and has been developed to support clinicians and promote standardisation of practice in this area.
Incidence, risk factors and outcomes of submacular haemorrhage with loss of vision in neovascular age‐related macular degeneration in daily clinical practice: data from the FRB! registry
Authors: Gabrielle Pierre‐Henry , Maitrias Samuel , Nguyen Vuong , Arnold Jennifer J , Squirrell David , Arnould Louis , Sanchez‐Monroy Jorge , Viola Francesco , O'Toole Louise , Barthelmes Daniel , Creuzot‐Garcher Catherine , Gillies Mark ,   for the Fight Retinal Blindness! Study Group
Published: March 2022

Purpose

The main purpose of the study was to report the estimated incidence, cumulative rate, risk factors and outcomes of submacular haemorrhage (SMH) with loss of vision in neovascular age‐related macular degeneration (nAMD) receiving intravitreal injections (IVT) of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitor in routine clinical practice.

Methods

Retrospective analysis of treatment‐naïve eyes receiving IVTs of VEGF inhibitors (ranibizumab, aflibercept or bevacizumab) for nAMD from 1 January 2010 to 31 December 2020 that were tracked the Fight Retinal Blindness! registry. Estimated incidence, cumulative rate and hazard ratios (HR) of SMH with loss of vision during treatment were measured using the Poisson regression, Kaplan–Meier survival curves and Cox proportional hazard models.

Results

We identified 7642 eyes (6425 patients) with a total of 135 095 IVT over a 10‐year period. One hundred five eyes developed SMH with loss of vision with a rate of 1 per 1283 injections (0.08% 95% confidence interval [95% CI] [0.06; 0.09]). The estimated incidence [95% CI] was 4.6 [3.8; 5.7] SMH with loss of vision per year per 1000 treated patients during the study. The cumulative [95% CI] rate of SMH per patient did not increase significantly with each successive injection (p = 0.947). SMH cases had a mean VA drop of around 6 lines at diagnosis, which then improved moderately to a 4‐line loss at 1 year.

Conclusions

Submacular haemorrhage (SMH) with loss of vision is an uncommon complication that can occur at any time in eyes treated for nAMD in routine clinical practice, with only limited recovery of vision 1 year later.
The two faces of urbanisation and productivity: Enhance or inhibit? New evidence from Chinese firm‐level data
Authors: Wu Lichao , Jiang Yanpeng , Wang Lili , Qiao Xinhao
Published: March 2022

This study employs industrial survey data from China's National Bureau of Statistics covering Chinese manufacturing enterprises during the period 1998–2007 to examine the impact of urbanisation on total factor productivity (TFP) in various industries. In recent years, urbanisation development has varied greatly across China. So Chinese cities can be divided into three urbanisation categories based on the proportion of the urban population to the total population: highly urbanised areas (60 per cent and over), moderately urbanised areas (30–60 per cent), and low urbanised areas (0–30 per cent). We estimate industrial TFP levels across these three categories using the Levinsohn–Petrin semi‐parametric estimation method. We also divide regional productivity into a productivity index and an industry composition index. We use aspects of these indexes to analyse the impact of urbanisation on TFP. The results confirm that urbanisation can lead to the gathering of economic activities, which in turn generates a positive impact on TFP by reducing transportation cost, promoting new technology spillovers, and encouraging a higher degree of specialisation. Further, the empirical results indicate that the highest TFP does not always occur in highly urbanised areas—most of the industries with the highest TFP are in moderately urbanised areas. These findings have important policy implications regarding how to improve the TFP of enterprises in order to generate scale effects.
Bystander intervention among secondary school pupils: Testing an augmented Prototype Willingness Model
Authors: Pagani Stefania , Hunter Simon C. , Elliott Mark A.
Published: March 2022

This study augmented the Prototype Willingness Model (PWM) to assess reactive and deliberative decision‐making underpinning bystander intervention in gender‐based violence contexts. There were 2079 participants (50% male, 49% female, and 1% unreported), aged 11–15 years old (M = 12.32,SD = 0.91), attending 19 secondary schools across Scotland. Participants self‐reported the augmented PWM variables, then their intervention behaviour approximately 1 month later. Path analyses mostly supported the predicted relationships between positive and negative bidimensional attitudes, subjective norms, prototype perceptions, perceived behavioural control, and self‐efficacy on intentions and willingness. Willingness predicted positive (speaking with a teacher) and negative (doing nothing) intervention in less serious violence. Self‐efficacy predicted negative intervention in more serious violence. Subjective norms positively moderated the attitudes–intentions relationship. Overall, the results suggested that reactive (willingness) more so than deliberative (intention) decision‐making account for intervention when young people witness gender‐based violence. Additionally, the findings highlight the complexity of bystander intervention decision‐making, where adding control perceptions, bidimensional attitudes, and moderators have independent contributions. Furthermore, self‐comparison to the typical bystander who positively intervenes (prototype perceptions) was the strongest predictor of intentions and willingness, highlighting in a novel way the importance of image and group membership on decision‐making.
Promotion of tumorigenesis by miR‐1260b–targeting CASP8: Potential diagnostic and prognostic marker for breast cancer
Authors: Park Sunyoung , Kim Jungho , Cho Yoonjung , Ahn Sungwoo , Kim Geehyuk , Hwang Dasom , Chang Yunhee , Ha Sunmok , Choi Yeonim , Lee Min Ho , Han Hyunju , Kim Sunghyun , Kim Seung Il , Lee Hyeyoung
Published: March 2022

MicroRNAs are reported as promising biomarkers for the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer. miR‐1260b is identified as a tumor‐associated noncoding microRNA in other cancers, although the role of miR‐1260b and its clinical relevance in breast cancer remain unclear. In this study, miR‐1260b as a potential prognostic biomarker was observed by univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses in 102 breast tumor tissues. The tumorigenic role of miR‐1260b in terms of proliferation, apoptosis, and migration of breast cancer cells was investigated using gain‐ and loss‐of‐function assays in vitro. Additionally, the potential early diagnosis and treatment monitoring marker of miR‐1260b was validated in 129 plasma samples. We found that high miR‐1260b expression was markedly associated with bulky tumor size, advanced stage, and lymph node invasion. Particularly, the high–miR‐1260b‐expression group showed shorter overall survival than the low–miR‐1260b‐expression group. The inhibition of oncogenic miR‐1260b induced apoptosis and decreased migration and invasion of MDA‐MB‐231 cells. CASP8 was revealed as a direct target gene of miR‐1260b, which is closely related to apoptosis. Furthermore, miR‐1260b expression levels in plasma were significantly higher in patients with breast cancer than in healthy controls. The patients who tested positive for miR‐1260b showed 16.3‐ and 18.2‐fold higher risks in the early stage and locally advanced stage, respectively, compared with healthy controls, and the risk was decreased 6.2‐fold after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Taken together, miR‐1260b may be a potential novel diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic target in breast cancer.
PTX80, a novel compound targeting the autophagy receptor p62/SQSTM1 for treatment of cancer
Authors: Kalid Ori , Gotliv Irina , Levy‐Apter Einat , Beker Danit Finkelshtein , Cherniavsky‐Lev Marina , Rotem Etai , Miron Naama
Published: March 2022

Cancer cells are dependent on protein quality‐control mechanisms, including protein chaperones, the ubiquitin‐proteasome system, and autophagy. The p62 receptor is a classical, ubiquitously expressed receptor, involved in many signal transduction pathways. Upregulation and/or reduced degradation of p62 have been implicated in tumor formation and resistance to therapy. PTX80 is a first‐in‐class novel inhibitor of protein degradation, developed by Pi Therapeutics for the treatment of cancer. PTX80 binds to p62, inducing a decrease in soluble p62 and formation of insoluble p62 aggregates, and failure of polyubiquitinated proteins to colocalize with p62. PTX80 induces proteotoxic stress and activation of unfolded protein response, which, in turn, leads to apoptosis. Targeting p62, which is a major protein degradation hub, may serve as a novel and beneficial strategy for the treatment of cancer.
Accelerated adulthood, extended adolescence and the care cliff: Supporting care leavers' transition from care to independent living
Authors: Palmer Angela , Norris Michelle , Kelleher Joanne
Published: March 2022

The pressures of ‘accelerated adulthood’ are a critical challenge for young people ageing out of the care system. Despite the trauma related to their placement history, young people ‘aging out’ are expected to adapt to adulthood at younger age and faster pace than their non‐care peers, who enjoy an ‘extended adolescence’ a far more gradual progression into adulthood than previous generations. This article draws on first‐person narratives of care leavers in Ireland who have aged out of care and transitioned into independent living in a dedicated social housing programme to examine their strategies for coping with these competing pressures. It examines their worries about the sudden withdrawal of supports after they reach 18 years, which they characterized as a ‘care cliff’. The emotional and practical challenges they faced when transitioning to independent living at a comparatively young age are explored, and strategies for mitigating these are identified. These include better preparing care leavers for this transition, maintaining supports for longer and withdrawing them in a more gradual way, which is tailored to meet the specific needs of each care leaver and grounded in more comprehensive after care planning than has been the norm in Ireland.
El‐Hattab‐Alkuraya syndrome caused by biallelic WDR45B pathogenic variants: Further delineation of the phenotype and genotype
Authors: Almannai Mohammed , Marafi Dana , Abdel‐Salam Ghada M. H. , Zaki Maha S. , Duan Ruizhi , Calame Daniel , Herman Isabella , Levesque Felix , Elbendary Hasnaa M. , Hegazy Ibrahim , Chung Wendy K. , Kavus Haluk , Saeidi Kolsoum , Maroofian Reza , AlHashim Aqeela , Al‐Otaibi Ali , Al Madhi Asma , Abou Al‐Seood Hager M. , Alasmari Ali , Houlden Henry , Gleeson Joseph G. , Hunter Jill V. , Posey Jennifer E. , Lupski James R. , El‐Hattab Ayman W.
Published: March 2022

Homozygous pathogenic variants in WDR45B were first identified in six subjects from three unrelated families with global development delay, refractory seizures, spastic quadriplegia, and brain malformations. Since the initial report in 2018, no further cases have been described. In this report, we present 12 additional individuals from seven unrelated families and their clinical, radiological, and molecular findings. Six different variants in WDR45B were identified, five of which are novel. Microcephaly and global developmental delay were observed in all subjects, and seizures and spastic quadriplegia in most. Common findings on brain imaging include cerebral atrophy, ex vacuo ventricular dilatation, brainstem volume loss, and symmetric under‐opercularization. El‐Hattab‐Alkuraya syndrome is associated with a consistent phenotype characterized by early onset cerebral atrophy resulting in microcephaly, developmental delay, spastic quadriplegia, and seizures. The phenotype appears to be more severe among individuals with loss‐of‐function variants whereas those with missense variants were less severely affected suggesting a potential genotype–phenotype correlation in this disorder. A brain imaging pattern emerges which is consistent among individuals with loss‐of‐function variants and could potentially alert the neuroradiologists or clinician to consider WDR45B‐related El‐Hattab‐Alkuraya syndrome.
Do partial land rights increase productivity and investment? evidence from the redistributive land reform in post–world war II Japan
Authors: Takayama Taisuke , Matsuda Hirotaka , Nakatani Tomoaki , Saito Kuniaki
Published: March 2022

There are inconclusive findings on the causal effect of land reform and its crucial channels in the development economics literature. One challenge is to separate the channels, through which land rights operate. This study examines the impact of redistributive land reform in post–World War II Japan on agricultural productivity and investments. This reform imposed a ceiling on landholdings, redistributed above‐ceiling farmland from landlords to tenants, and severely restricted the transferability of redistributed farmland. Thus, we can focus on the tenure security effect (not the tradability and pledgeability effects) as one probable channel. Using rice‐farm panel data before and after the reform (i.e., 1947 and 1948), we exploit the variation in the reform implementation across tenants. The land reform had little effect on total factor productivity and investment in the subsequent season. Our results suggest that the security dimension of land rights alone does not increase short‐run agricultural productivity.
Conceptualization of quality of life in autistic individuals
Authors: Evers Kris , Maljaars Jarymke , Schepens Hadewych , Vanaken Gert‐Jan , Noens Ilse
Published: March 2022

The present study examines to what extent two core characteristics of the quality of life (QoL) construct were incorporated in the field of autism: (1) its subjective nature; and (2) its multidimensionality. Therefore, we reviewed 174 articles examining QoL in individuals with autism. The review showed parents reporting a lower QoL compared with autistic individuals themselves, especially on internal domains. This may suggest different expectations about what a good QoL may entail. Such an underestimation of QoL by others is commonly observed in individuals with disabilities (the so‐called ‘disability paradox’). For the multidimensionality of the QoL construct, our findings suggest that the narrower (and more unidimensional) construct of health‐related QoL is often measured instead of QoL. Additionally, a substantial proportion of items did not measure QoL, but they evaluated characteristics that may or may not have an impact on QoL. Researchers and clinicians should be aware that QoL domains are selected and operationalized differently by different instruments. QoL may benefit from an exclusive focus on subjective aspects, which can be measured alongside more normative, objective characteristics of individuals or their environment.
Modelling quality of life in children with intellectual disability using regression trees
Authors: Jacoby Peter , Williams Katrina , Reddihough Dinah , Leonard Helen , Whitehouse Andrew , Downs Jenny
Published: March 2022

Aim

To identify factors associated with quality of life (QoL) in children with intellectual disability. We aimed to identify patterns of association not observable in previous hypothesis‐driven regression modelling using the same data set from a cross‐sectional observational study.

Method

A questionnaire was completed by 442 caregivers of children with confirmed intellectual disability and a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, or Rett syndrome. The Quality of Life Inventory‐Disability (QI‐Disability) questionnaire was used to assess child QoL. Independent variables described the child's health, functional abilities, community participation, and sociodemographics. The R package rpart was used to build the regression trees.

Results

The mean total QI‐Disability score was 69.2 out of a maximum 100. The subgroup with the lowest QoL scores comprised children with a high degree of daytime sleepiness (n=74, mean 57.5) while the subgroup with the highest QoL scores (n=91, mean 80.3) comprised children with little daytime sleepiness who participated more frequently in community activities and displayed good eye contact while listening.

Interpretation

Regression tree analysis provides insights into the relative importance of associated factors. Sleep problems and community participation were more important than functional abilities in accounting for differences in QoL.

What this paper adds

A hypothesis‐free regression tree analysis enables examination of multiple factors potentially influencing quality of life (QoL) in children with intellectual disability.

Functional abilities were less strongly associated with QoL than sleep problems and community participation.
Turning a ‘Blind Eye’? Compliance with Minimum Wage Standards and Employment
Authors: Garnero Andrea , Lucifora Claudio
Published: March 2022

Turning a ‘blind eye’ to non‐compliance with minimum wage standards is sometimes presented as a pragmatic way to accommodate higher wages while not harming employment opportunities for workers employed in marginal firms. In this paper, we model firms' wage and employment decisions, and show that there may be a trade‐off between non‐compliance and employment. The main predictions of the model are tested empirically using data from the Italian labour force survey. We find evidence of a positive employment non‐compliance effect, though elasticities are smaller than typically thought as employers internalize the expected costs of non‐compliance. We also show that employment effects are larger at low levels of non‐compliance (when the risk of being referred to court is very low). The implications for policy and the role of regulators in monitoring and sanctioning non‐compliance are discussed.
Identifying indicators of community participation‐promoting efforts within coordinated specialty care: A modified e‐Delphi study of stakeholder perspectives
Authors: Thomas Elizabeth C. , Jones Nev , Shern David L. , Salzer Mark S.
Published: March 2022

Aim: Community participation in occupational, social, recreational, and other domains is critically important during young adulthood. Coordinated Specialty Care (CSC) programs provide developmentally tailored care to young adults experiencing early psychosis within the United States, but little is known about the breadth of efforts to promote community participation. This study aimed to develop and evaluate indicators of these efforts based on the perspectives of a national multi‐stakeholder group.

Methods: Seventeen stakeholders (i.e., young adults with early psychosis, family members, experts by profession) participated in a modified e‐Delphi study, conducted in two rounds. The purpose of round one was to generate a comprehensive list of community participation‐promoting indicators. During round two, stakeholders rated the importance and feasibility of the implementation of each indicator. Descriptive statistics and percentage of agreement regarding round two ratings were assessed.

Results: During round one, 186 indicators of activities and/or practices designed to promote community participation were identified; this list was reduced to 44 by eliminating redundancies or indicators not related to community participation. In round two, we found broad agreement regarding the importance, but significant variation in perceived feasibility of indicators. The highest‐rated indicators in both categories pertained to staff knowledge (regarding barriers and supports to participation and the importance of participation to health) and strategies for addressing participation barriers.

Conclusions: This study is expected to facilitate the identification and development of promising CSC activities and practices designed to promote community participation among young adults while potentially also enhancing engagement in services and improving clinical outcomes.
Functional investigation of two simultaneous or separately segregating DSP variants within a single family supports the theory of a dose‐dependent disease severity
Authors: Vermeer Mathilde C. S. C. , Andrei Daniela , Kramer Duco , Nijenhuis Albertine M. , Hoedemaekers Yvonne M. , Westers Helga , Jongbloed Jan D. H. , Pas Hendri H. , van den Berg Maarten P. , Silljé Herman H. W. , van der Meer Peter , Bolling Maria C.
Published: March 2022

Desmoplakin (DP) is an important component of desmosomes, essential in cell–cell connecting structures in stress‐bearing tissues. Over the years, many hundreds of pathogenic variants in DSP have been associated with different cutaneous and cardiac phenotypes or a combination, known as a cardiocutaneous syndrome. Of less than 5% of the reported DSP variants, the effect on the protein has been investigated. Here, we describe and have performed RNA, protein and tissue analysis in a large family where DSPc.273+5G>A/c.6687delA segregated with palmoplantar keratoderma (PPK), woolly hair and lethal cardiomyopathy, while DSPWT/c.6687delA segregated with PPK and milder cardiomyopathy. hiPSC‐derived cardiomyocytes and primary keratinocytes from carriers were obtained for analysis. Unlike the previously reported nonsense variants in the last exon of DSP that bypassed the nonsense‐mediated mRNA surveillance system leading to protein truncation, variant c.6687delA was shown to cause the loss of protein expression. Patients carrying both variants and having a considerably more severe phenotype were shown to have 70% DP protein reduction, while patients carrying only c.6687delA had 50% protein reduction and a milder phenotype. The analysis of RNA from patient cells did not show any splicing effect of the c.273+5G>A variant. However, a minigene splicing assay clearly showed alternative spliced transcripts originating from this variant. This study shows the importance of RNA and protein analyses to pinpoint the exact effect of DSP variants instead of solely relying on predictions. In addition, the particular pattern of inheritance, with simultaneous or separately segregating DSP variants within the same family, strongly supports the theory of a dose‐dependent disease severity.
Parental socialization of mental health in Chinese American families: What parents say and do, and how youth make meaning
Authors: Yasui Miwa , Choi Yoonsun , Chin Marshall , Miranda Samuels Gina , Kim Karen , Victorson David
Published: March 2022

Parental mental health socialization is a process by which parents shape how youth develop and maintain beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors regarding mental health and help‐seeking behaviors. Although culture shapes parental mental health socialization, few studies have examined specific parental socialization practices regarding mental health and help‐seeking, especially as a culturally anchored process. Using a qualitative approach, this study explores youth‐reported parental socialization of mental health within Chinese American families by examining focus group data from 69 Chinese American high school and college students. Findings revealed that youth received parental messages that conveyed culturally anchored conceptualizations of mental health that included stigmatized views of mental illness and perceptions of mental distress as not a legitimate problem. Parents responded to youth distress in culturally consonant ways: by encouraging culturally specific coping methods, dismissing or minimizing distress, or responding with silence. Youth engaged in the active interpretation of parental messages through cultural brokering, bridging the gap between their parents’ messages and mainstream notions of mental health and help‐seeking. Overall, our findings point to the significant role of culture in parental mental health socialization in Chinese American families and the need to integrate culturally specific understandings of mental health into future interventions for Asian American youth.
Impact of social engagement on the development of sarcopenia among community‐dwelling older adults: A Kashiwa cohort study
Authors: Tanaka Tomoki , Son Bo‐Kyung , Lyu Weida , Iijima Katsuya
Published: March 2022

Aim

How older adults develop sarcopenia in the community setting is unclear. Focusing on social engagement, we aimed to validate our hypothesized model of sarcopenia development with various contributing factors, such as physical activity, oral function, psychological status and nutritional status. We also clarified direct and indirect effects of social engagement, physical activity, nutritional status, oral function and psychological status on new‐onset sarcopenia.

Methods

We analyzed 1483 participants' (72.6 ± 5.4 years) longitudinal data from the Kashiwa study. Sarcopenia was assessed in all the surveys in the Kashiwa study. Measures regarding social engagement, physical activity, oral function, psychological status and nutritional status were assessed at baseline. Structural equation modeling was used to analyze the efficiency of the hypothesized model, and calculate direct and indirect effects of factors affecting new‐onset sarcopenia.

Results

Over the follow‐up period (median 6 years [interquartile range 4–6 years]), 12% of individuals developed new‐onset sarcopenia. Our structural hypothesis model starting from social engagement to new‐onset sarcopenia was suitable (root mean square error of approximation = 0.031, goodness‐of‐fit index = 0.967, adjusted goodness‐of‐fit index = 0.954, comparative fix index = 0.911, parsimonious comparative fit index = 0.755; all paths were significant), showing direct effects of social engagement on psychological status, physical activity and oral function, and indirect effects on nutritional status through oral function and psychological status.

Conclusions

The present results showed that social engagement could potentially decrease new‐onset sarcopenia risks by influencing multidimensional factors, such as physical activity, oral function, and psychological and nutritional status. To prevent sarcopenia, it might be essential to promote social engagement through populational approaches. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2022; 22: 384–391.
Developing consensus in Histopathology: the role of the Delphi method
Authors: Taze Dilek , Hartley Collette , Morgan Ann W , Chakrabarty Aruna , Mackie Sarah L , Griffin Kathryn J
Published: March 2022

The Delphi method is a well‐established research tool, used for consensus building across a number of fields. Despite its widespread use, and popularity in many medical specialities, there is a paucity of literature on the use of the Delphi method in Histopathology. This literature review seeks to critique the Delphi methodology and explore its potential applications to histopathology‐based clinical and research questions. We review those published studies that have utilized the Delphi methodology in Histopathology settings and specifically outline the advantages and limitations of this technique, highlighting situations where its application can be most effective.
Epstein–Barr virus infection patterns in nodular lymphocyte‐predominant Hodgkin lymphoma
Authors: Gerhard‐Hartmann Elena , Jöhrens Korinna , Schinagl Lisa‐Marie , Zamó Alberto , Rosenwald Andreas , Anagnostopoulos Ioannis , Rosenfeldt Mathias
Published: March 2022

Aims

To investigate Epstein‐Barr virus (EBV) latency types in 19 cases of EBV‐positive nodular lymphocyte‐predominant Hodgkin lymphoma (NLPHL), as such information is currently incomplete.

Methods and results

Immunohistochemistry (IHC) for CD20, CD79a, PAX5, OCT2, CD30, CD15, CD3 and programmed cell death protein 1 was performed. For EBV detection, in‐situ hybridisation (ISH) for EBV‐encoded RNA (EBER) was employed combined with IHC for EBV‐encoded latent membrane protein (LMP)‐1, EBV‐encoded nuclear antigen (EBNA)‐2, and EBV‐encoded BZLF1. In 95% of the cases, neoplastic cells with features of Hodgkin and Reed–Sternberg (HRS) cells were present, mostly showing expression of CD30. In all cases, the B‐cell phenotype was largely intact, and delineation from classic Hodgkin lymphoma (CHL) was further supported by myocyte enhancer factor 2B (MEF2B) detection. All tumour cells were EBER‐positive except in two cases. EBV latency type II was most frequent (89%) and type I was rare. Cases with latency type I were CD30‐negative. Five cases contained some BZLF1‐positive and/or EBNA‐2‐positive bystander lymphocytes.

Conclusions

As HRS morphology of neoplastic cells and CD30 expression are frequent features of EBV‐positive NLPHL, preservation of the B‐cell transcription programme, MEF2B expression combined with NLPHL‐typical architecture and background composition facilitate distinction from CHL. EBER ISH is the method of choice to identify these cases. The majority present with EBV latency type II, and only rare cases present with latency type I, which can be associated with missing CD30 expression. The presence of occasional bystander lymphocytes expressing BZLF1 and/or EBNA‐2 and the partial EBV infection of neoplastic cells in some cases could indicate that EBV is either not primarily involved or is only a transient driver in the pathogenesis of EBV‐positive NLPHL.
WHAT IS THE POLITICAL? A VIEW FROM THE “GLOBAL SOUTH”*
Authors: Majumdar Rochona
Published: March 2022

In Elementary Aspects of the Political: Histories from the Global South, Prathama Banerjee challenges the ontological givenness of the category of the political in South Asian histories. The claim is surprising since the most productive interventions that heralded a postcolonial turn in the field have been preoccupied with analyses of colonialism, nationalism, political economy, and sovereignty. I situate Banerjee's claims in the context of her arguments about the meaning and appositeness of a decolonial historiography of the global South. This book is an attempt to break out from the postcolonial into a decolonial mode of history writing. While seemingly simple, stable, universal, and singular, the political, she argues, is anything but. How, then, do we recognize it? The political shows itself through a contest or comparison with that which is not identical to it, the nonpolitical. The semantic field of the political always includes “nonpolitical” and “extrapolitical” aspects such as the economic or the spiritual. And the concept of the political comes undone when we follow up on these connections. This essay analyzes the intellectual stakes of the book as a conceptual history of the political by analyzing its constituent “elements”: Self, Action, Idea, and People. I conclude with an assessment of it as a model for decolonial histories of the global South.
Dopamine toxicity contributes to melanocyte loss via melanocytorrhagy: an in vitro study
Authors: Tanwar Sushma , Thakur Vishal , Parsad Davinder
Published: March 2022

Background

Catecholamines (epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine) have been proposed as a possible cause of melanocyte loss. Dopamine has been observed to cause apoptosis in melanocytes via reactive oxygen species development, but the effect on melanocyte adhesion and proliferation still remains to be elucidated. Thus, we explored the dose‐ and time‐dependent toxicity of catecholamines and the effect of dopamine on the proliferation and adhesion potential of melanocytes.

Materials and methods

Primary culture of melanocytes was investigated in vitro for toxic effects of epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine on metabolic activity via MTT [3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) assay. Cells were observed microscopically for any phenotypic changes. Further cell proliferation, cell adhesion, and cell death pathway were explored under dopamine toxicity in dose‐ and time‐dependent manner with RNase/PI method of cell cycle analysis, cell adhesion assay, and Annexin V‐FITC/PI assay, respectively. Altered gene expressions were confirmed with a real‐time polymerase chain reaction.

Results

Metabolic activity of cells varied with time and different doses of epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine. Dopamine was observed to be more toxic than epinephrine and norepinephrine. Melanocytes were observed to follow different cell death pathways at comparatively lower and higher concentrations of dopamine. Persistent exposure to dopamine resulted in decreased cell proliferation and adhesion potential with apoptotic changes. Gene expression changes also confirmed the weak adhesion and survival potential of cells under the toxic effects of dopamine.

Conclusion

Dopamine can alter melanocytes' adhesion and survival potential, leading to apoptotic cell death or melanocytorrhagic loss.
The object allocation problem with favoring upper ranks
Authors: Feizi Mehdi
Published: March 2022

We introduce (strict) favoring upper ranks, which is an extension of favoring higher ranks for random assignments. We demonstrate that ex post favoring ranks implies (strict) favoring upper ranks, and envy‐freeness implies favoring upper ranks. Moreover, for at least four agents, no mechanism satisfies strict favoring upper ranks and either equal division lower bound or equal treatment of equals and lower invariance. Finally, we proved that the (modified) eating algorithm provides a random assignment that is (strict) favoring upper ranks.
Effect of Opuntia pulp as a clean label ingredient on techno‐functional properties of meat‐free burger
Authors: Shahiri Tabarestani Parisa , Kashiri Mahboobeh , Maghsoudlou Yahya , Shahiri Tabarestani Hoda , Ghorbani Mohammad
Published: March 2022

There is a universal increase from an animal‐based diet towards healthy plant‐based foods. Opuntia fruit pulp (OFP) as a pigment/hydrocolloid complex provides excellent functional properties. The aim of this study was the reformulation of the meat‐free burgers by using OFP (0.5, 1.5 and 2.5%) as a stabilised natural pigment and analysing techno‐functional characteristics of uncooked and cooked meat‐free burgers. The OFP was a rich source of polyphenols (35.3 ± 2.07 mgGAE/g) and carbohydrates (68.22 ± 0.5%). All uncooked treated burgers exhibited higher water‐holding capacity and redness as well as lower thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) values. Results confirmed a higher cooking loss in the control sample (22.2 ± 0.63%) compared with the OFP‐treated burger at 1.5 and 2.5% content. Incorporation of OFP as a great source of natural pigments and phenolic components had considerably influenced cooking yield, moisture retention, juiciness and oxidative stability of meat‐free burgers. The lowest total colour difference value with resemble meat burger was observed in the treated burgers at the highest content of OFP. According to sensory evaluation, the overall acceptability of cooked burgers with 1.5% OFP was more satisfactory than other samples. Using this clean label ingredient provides a sustainable burger, which is beneficial to the public health, environment and animal welfare.
Comparative study of antioxidant and flavour characteristics of Maillard reaction products from five types of protein hydrolysates
Authors: Habinshuti Ildephonse , Zhang Miao , Sun Hong‐Nan , Mu Tai‐Hua
Published: March 2022

Antioxidant, structural, and flavour characteristics of Maillard reaction products (MRPs) prepared from different hydrolysates of sweet potato protein (SPPH), potato protein (PPH), soy protein isolate (SPIH), egg white protein (EWPH), and whey protein isolate (WPIH) were compared. WPIH‐MRPs exhibited the highest Maillard reaction (MR) progress followed by SPPH‐MRPs as indicated by the lowest pH (4.95 and 5.10, respectively) and the highest fluorescence intensity (P < 0.05). The results of Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) explained the significant changes in functional groups of peptides after MR, especially in WPIH‐MRPs and SPPH‐MRPs. The highest oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) of 125.24 µg TE (Trolox equivalents)/mL was observed for WPIH‐MRPs, followed by SPPH‐MRPs with an ORAC value of 104.07 µg TE/mL (P < 0.05). MR conferred an increase of sweetness, sourness, and umami attributes and reduction of bitterness for all MRPs, and WPIH‐MRPs presented the highest umami taste score of 7.4, followed by SPPH‐MRPs with a taste score of 7.1. Stronger umami taste was correlated with MW 200–500 and <200 Da peptides. No acrylamide was detected in SPPH‐MRPs, which also presented less 5‐hydroxymethyl furfural (HMF) and Nε‐(1‐Carboxymethyl)‐L‐lysine (CML) compared to WPIH‐MRPs. Thus, MRPs derived from SPPH could be an alternative way for natural flavours’ production with improved antioxidant activity and less harmful compounds.
Purification, characterisation and antioxidant properties of a novel polysaccharide from Physalis pubescens L. fruits
Authors: Gao Pinyi , Zhang Xingyue , Wang Ziwei , Liu Changfeng , Xu Shuangshuang , Bian Jun , Yue Dandan , Li Danqi , Zhang Lixin , Liu Xuegui
Published: March 2022

Considering the medicinal and edible properties of Physalis pubescens L. fruit, the plant has a long history of cultivation in China. In the current study, a novel polysaccharide (PPL‐1) was successfully obtained from P. pubescens fruits using multi‐column techniques. The chemical characterisation of the polysaccharide was achieved by acid hydrolysis, determination of weight average molecular mass, thermogravimetric and Smith degradation analyses, in addition to ultraviolet, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, one‐ and two‐dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. According to the structural analyses, PPL‐1 consisted of rhamnose, arabinose, fructose, mannose and glucose with a relative molar ratio of 0.39:0.12:0.02:0.03:0.44. The average molecular weight of PPL‐1 was 7.3 kDa and it was mainly composed of (1 → 3) and (1 → 6) linkages. PPL‐1 exhibited not only scavenging effects on 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl and 2,2′‐azino‐bis(3‐ethylbenzothiazoline‐6‐sulfonic acid) free radicals but also hydrogen peroxide‐induced oxidative stress in SH‐SY5Y cells effectively by decreasing malondialdehyde content and increasing total antioxidant capacity, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activity levels.
Volatile and non‐volatile compound profiles of commercial sweet pickled mango and its correlation with consumer preference
Authors: Indrati Niken , Sumpavapol Punnanee , Samakradhamrongthai Rajnibhas Sukeaw , Phonsatta Natthaporn , Poungsombat Patcha , Khoomrung Sakda , Panya Atikorn
Published: March 2022

Sweet pickled mango named Ma‐Muang Bao Chae‐Im is a traditional preserved mango from Hat Yai, Thailand. This study investigated (I) volatile and non‐volatile compound profiles of commercial Ma‐Muang Bao Chae‐Im and (II) their relationship to consumer preference. Untargeted metabolomics profiling was performed by gas chromatography‐mass quadrupole‐time of flight analysis. There were 117 volatile and 44 non‐volatile compounds annotated in six commercial brands of Ma‐Muang Bao Chae‐Im. Furthermore, 46 volatile and 19 non‐volatile compounds’ discriminant markers were found by Partial least square discriminant analysis. Among those markers, sorbic and benzoic acid were observed in several brands; moreover, the combination of both compounds altered the volatile profile, especially the ester group. Partial least square regression revealed that overall consumer liking is correlated to 1‐heptanol; 1‐octanol; acetoin; acetic acid, 2‐phenylethyl ester; D‐manitol; terpenes and terpenoids, while firmness to sucrose and L‐(‐)‐sorbofuranose. On the other hand, most ester compounds were not related to consumer preference.
Effects of dietary fibre and soybean oil on the digestion of extruded and roller‐dried maize starch
Authors: Cheng Yong , Guan Yanming , Guo Fengxian , Wang Zhaojun , Zeng Maomao , Qin Fang , Chen Jie , Li Weiwei , He Zhiyong
Published: March 2022

The effects of soybean dietary fibre (SDF), microcrystalline cellulose (MCC), konjac glucomannan (KGM), soluble soybean polysaccharide (SSPS) and soybean oil (SO) on in vitro digestion of extruded maize starch (EMS) and roller‐dried maize starch (RDMS) samples were investigated. Adding MCC, particularly in high doses, induced slow digestion in EMS and RDMS samples, but not after adding SDF. KGM and SSPS addition reduced starch hydrolysis of RDMS but did not have a significant effect on EMS, whereas SO addition reduced starch hydrolysis of EMS but had no effect on RDMS. Principal component analysis demonstrated that the addition of MCC, SO, KGM (0.51%), and SSPS (0.51%) to EMS and KGM (0.51%) to RDMS were the best choices to slow the hydrolysis of starch, compared with that of other additives. These findings provide useful information on the selection of exogenous additives in the development of low glycaemic index products for maize starch.
Comparison of intergenerational income mobility in South Korea and the United States: Period changes between 1980‒1995 and 1996‒2015
Authors: Song Chiho
Published: March 2022

Despite attention in the literature of intergenerational mobility (IGM) and the welfare state, it remains unclear about how “small” welfare states, South Korea and the United States in particular, play a role in promoting levels of IGM. This article compares levels of IGM using intergenerational elasticity (IGE) of income as well as alternative mobility measures during two study periods (1980‒1995 and 1996‒2015) between Korea and the US. Data come from the Korean Labor and Income Panel Study in Korea and the Panel Study of Income Dynamics in the US. The article found no period effects on IGE in both countries; however, the Korean IGE decreased and the US’s IGE increased. These results confirm that Korea is more mobile than the US. Implications for the observed between‐country differences in IGE levels in relation to sociocultural and institutional contexts of the welfare state are discussed.
Emotional creaming: Street‐level bureaucrats’ prioritisation of migrant clients ‘likely to succeed’ in labour market integration
Authors: Volckmar‐Eeg Maria Gussgard , Vassenden Anders
Published: March 2022

Achieving equity in welfare provision depends on accurate understandings of the work of street‐level bureaucrats. We explore the role of emotions when caseworkers prioritise cases. While creaming of clients whom street‐level bureaucrats consider ‘likely to succeed’ is acknowledged as a way of rationing scarce resources, research tends to reject emotional involvement as bias, or neglect emotions in creaming‐practices. This may produce inaccurate portrayals of how street‐level bureaucrats prioritise cases. We challenge existing perspectives by bridging the literature on creaming and the sociology of emotions. We did ethnography and interviews with Norwegian caseworkers tasked with integrating migrant clients into the labour market. These caseworkers cream cases according to institutional/discursive understandings of ‘star candidates’ and rely on their emotions as embodied knowledge. We conceptualise such processes as emotional creaming, which unpacks a central, yet overlooked part of how street‐level bureaucrats prioritise cases. This modifies the depiction of emotions as mainly personal bias.